[cobirds] Huerfano Rosies...and banding birds?
Black, Gray-crowned and Brown-capped Rosie Finches have been coming to my yard since the first of December. They have been here every day, from perhaps 50 birds to more than 500…depending on the weather. Bad weather brings more Rosies. I have been feeding and paying attention to birds for three years now, the Rosies have come every year…in larger and larger numbers. I have never seen them in April, but as a storm moves in today, April 1st, the Rosie Finches are back. Rather than close to 600 of them, I’d say there are less than 50; but a first is a first…four solid months of the pink-butts! I can’t imagine they will be here for more than a few days longer, so I’m not talking about this year when I ask…are there any of you wonderful citizen-scientist types out there who think it would be fun to come band these birds in my yard next year? I have little interest in doing this myself, but I would be more than thrilled to help someone else with the work. I feel sort of silly asking, but I realize banding birds offers much useful data. I would think December- February would offer the most Rosies while February-March can bring in 50+ at-a-time Evening Grosbeaks, too. And again, as several have noticed…I have a wonderful set-up here by the river, surrounded by huge trees; it’s a pretty birdie yard. Anyone interested in visiting, just call…I enjoy meeting new people (or as Bill put it: filling up my dance card! LOL) Please forgive me if this is a stupid idea; I'm nothing if not enthusiastic. Several have heard and seen a Belted Kingfisher here this week, bringing the March yard-bird total to 33 different species. Beverly Jensen, 719-989-1398 La Veta, Huerfano County www.RuralChatter.blogspot.com -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups Colorado Birds group. To post to this group, send email to cobirds@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds?hl=en?hl=en To unsubscribe, reply using remove me as the subject.
[cobirds] Commuter Birding/Weld
Crom Lake Wood Ducks--first tiime I have ever seen them here in eight years-new bird species for lake. Some other spring ducks present, too. Town of Nunn Sandhill Crane flyover - 30 Weld Landfill Gulls were much closer this morning in field on south of Hwy 14 Lesser Black-backed Gull - 2ad Thanks Gary Lefko/Nunn Http://coloradobirder.ning.com/ -- Home of the Nunn Guy -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups Colorado Birds group. To post to this group, send email to cobirds@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds?hl=en?hl=en To unsubscribe, reply using remove me as the subject.
RE: [cobirds] Peregrines, REd Rocks, Jeffco
I agree. I do not believe in broadcasting sensitive species' nesting sites. The ABA Code of Ethics states in part: 1(c) Before advertising the presence of a rare bird, evaluate the potential for disturbance to the bird, its surroundings, and other people in the area, and proceed only if access can be controlled, disturbance minimized, and permission has been obtained from private land-owners. The sites of rare nesting birds should be divulged only to the proper conservation authorities. Kay Kayleen A. Niyo, Ph.D. Niyo Scientific Communications Kay Niyo Photography mailto:k...@kayniyo.com k...@kayniyo.com http://www.KayNiyo.com www.KayNiyo.com __ 5651 Garnet Street Golden, CO 80403 Phone: (303) 679-6646 Fax: (866) 849-8013 From: cobirds@googlegroups.com [mailto:cobi...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Hugh and Urling Kingery Sent: Thursday, April 01, 2010 9:54 AM To: Cobirds Cc: Santangelo, Bob; Sherman Wing Subject: [cobirds] Peregrines, REd Rocks, Jeffco Bob Santangelo posted this email about the now well-known Peregrines at Red Rocks Park. [Whether or not Cobirds should broadcast the location of species like this may merit a bit of Cobirds discussion: Red Rocks vs. a less well-known and less monitored location; sensitive species -- due to their proclivities or the likelihood of human interference; rare species, especially breeders -- the likelihood of disturbance due to lister-attention; ABA ethics code applicability; etc. And what does our moderator think about such a discussion?] Hugh Kingery 3/31/10 Sherman Wing contacted me about peregrines at the red rocks sight today. He reported seeing a pair copulate with one bird then going into the cleft of the rock near or at the same spot we had nesting last year. The other bird headed up to a high-point and engaged in an intense squealing routine (I'm no expert, but I'd say this is a male declaring territory). The birds stayed for a while - then flew off for about ten minutes is a southwesterly direction. They returned to the sight. I arrived at approx 530pm and observed one bird for over an hour, perched in the immediate vicinity of the nest-site. The bird leisurely preened for the entire period of my visit - except for one critical instance. A para-glider flew into the vicinity and took a tour of Red Rocks. He flew in above the Mt Morrison ridgeline and buzzed the Golden Eagles site, then flew in close to the west face of Ship Rock and disturbed the Peregrine. He was at such a low altitude he was at or near the height of the top of Ship Rock. This was very disheartening to watch. Are there any options available to get some protection for these birds from this kind of intrusion? USFWS, FAA, DOW? -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups Colorado Birds group. To post to this group, send email to cobirds@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds?hl=en?hl=en No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 8.5.437 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/2781 - Release Date: 04/01/10 06:35:00 -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups Colorado Birds group. To post to this group, send email to cobirds@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds?hl=en?hl=en
[cobirds] Say's Phoebe - Jefferson County
Hi All, Heard a Say's Phoebe fly over the house today. I could have sworn it said, I'm Here, I'm Here! Yes, spring is here! Bird on. Alison Kondler Littleton, CO -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups Colorado Birds group. To post to this group, send email to cobirds@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds?hl=en?hl=en To unsubscribe, reply using remove me as the subject.
[cobirds] Falcon Double Feature - Red Rocks - Jefferson Co.
The Prairie and Peregrine pairs put on a double feature this morning at Red Rocks with Canyon Wrens providing a harmonious acoustical background. Prairie Falcons - First Act When I arrived at Red Rocks around 9:00 a.m., the female Prairie Falcon was perched on a ledge on the northern half of the sheer cliff wall calling - constant but not as pleading or incessant as two days earlier. The male Prairie Falcon was perched on the top of the cliff on the south side. The male made several forays circling in front of the cliff wall, and several times landing on ledges and walking back into the cliff recesses (inspecting nest sites???just a guess on my part). The female then flew to the top of the rock near where the male was earlier (and near where copulation had taken in the past) and started calling. The male left and a short time later returned with a small rodent (mouse or small chipmunk size) and proceeded to fly into the ledge recess where I think the nest will be. He stayed a short time back in the recess where I couldn't see him, while the female was on top calling. Then, almost simultaneously, it seemed like the two falcons called, the female flew down onto the top of a flat rock, the male flew out of the nest ledge(?) and landed on the ledge with the female, where she took the prey from the male. The female stayed front and center on the ledge while the male moved away to the back and side of the ledge. The female stayed on the ledge and devoured the prey (held the prey down with her feet and talons and pulled upward with her beak stripping the pieces of flesh), while the male flew off and landed on another perch on the cliff wall. It took 20 -25 minutes for the female Prairie to eat the prey, and when she was finished one could see a huge bulge in her crop. After she finished with the meal, she wiped her beak several times on the rock surface, and then flew down to the ledge where I suspect the nest will be. I could hear her calling, but could not see her. After a while, the female came out and perched on the ledge where I could see her, and the male left his perch on a ledge and flew to the top of the cliff wall above her. This is where I left them as the song of the Canyon Wren cascaded down the scale and the curtain dropped(figuratively). Peregrine Falcon - Second Act As I pulled into the parking lot (Upper South Parking Lot), I could hear and see a Peregrine Falcon and watched as she landed on top of a round rock (way up high) and proceeded to eat something (I could not discern what the prey was). This is supposition on my part, but I think she was carrying the remains of a kill and wonder if the male didn't provide and give her the kill just before I arrived. Anyway, the female Peregrine devoured the prey displaying a huge crop when the meal was finished. Just after she finished gulping down the meal, I heard a Peregrine call (not sure whether the male or female, but I think it was the male). The male flying from the north end of the cliff face flew directly towards the female sitting on the southern end of the cliff. Just as he neared her perch, the male braced himself and opened his wings wide, landing on top of the female where copulation took place lasting 5-6 seconds. The male left (never touched or landed on the rock perch) and returned to a perch on the north end of the cliff wall while the female remained on the same ledge. In the meantime the female Raven had left her stick nest on the cliff wall, which is located below where the Peregrines seem to hang out, and the female Raven joined the male Raven in the dead juniper snag rendezvous point on the hillside to the west. As one of the ravens was flying towards the wall it landed on top of a huge rounded boulder and flattened out as the female falcon made a couple of passes just above the cowering and flattened out Raven. The female Peregrine then returned to the same perch where she had devoured the prey and remained there for a while before eventually flying to a perch with a rock overhang on the cliff face. After probably 20 -30 minutes I left the two Peregrines still perched on their respective ledges on the cliff wall with the ravens croaking now and then a Canyon Wren occasionally serenading. Down the road we may have Act III, as there is a pair of American Kestrels flying around the area between the cliffs occupied by the Peregrine and Prairie Falcons. I was surprised to see the Peregrines copulating, since on Saturday, March 20, an Evergreen Audubon Field Trip saw copulation take place. I surmised the female might be sitting on eggs by now. How long does courtship last, and how soon after copulation takes egg laying take place? Mike Henwood Red Rocks Park - Jefferson County Morrison -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google
[cobirds] Silverthorne Osprey
Don't know if it has been reported as having returned but at 5:30 pm this evening, there was an Osprey sitting on top of the Silverthorne nest (Summit County). Charlie Nims Silverthorne, CO cwn...@comcast.net -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups Colorado Birds group. To post to this group, send email to cobirds@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds?hl=en?hl=en To unsubscribe, reply using remove me as the subject.
[cobirds] Dinosaur Ridge Raptor Migration Station aka HawkWatch site (Osprey, swifts, titmouse)
Today started with an eye level flyby of an Osprey heading north. An American Kestrel also graced the observers with an eye level look. Almost missed as we watched a retreating Red-tail were two Cooper's Hawks beelining north. Pete Plage visited the site briefly over lunchtime and apparently brought most of the day's 26 Red-tailed Hawks with him. Other raptors included a Northern Harrier, one unidentified buteo, and a Sharp-shinned Hawk. The Juniper Titmouse sounded of several times but was coy about showing himself, though he did visit his favorite pine on the north side of the hawkwatch platform. Other birds: White-throated Swift 2 Bushtit 2 Red-shafted Flicker 3 Western Meadowlark - at least 3 singing below Spotted Towhee 2 singing American Robin 2 Western Scrub-jay 1 Common Raven 2 Townsend's Solitaire 2 American Crow flock of 21 flying west Black-billed Magpie 2 Mountain Bluebird 3 Also 22 Elk and 18 Mule Deer Other observers: Cynthia Madsen, RMBO Volunteer Hawkwatcher Jim Schmoker Pete Plage Visitors are encouraged. More eyes mean better coverage. Chuck Hundertmark RMBO Volunteer Hawkwatcher 2546 Lake Meadow Drive Lafayette, CO 80026 Phone/fax: 303-604-0531 Cell: 720-771-8659 cahm...@q.com -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups Colorado Birds group. To post to this group, send email to cobirds@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds?hl=en?hl=en
