[cobirds] August 26, 2010, Rare Bird Alert for Colorado
Date: August 26, 2010 e-Mail: r...@cfo-link.org phone: 303-659-8750 compiler: Joyce Takamine This is the Colorado Rare Bird Alert for Thursday, August 26, 2010 at 5 am sponsored by Denver Field Ornithologists and the Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory. Highlight species include (*Denotes that there is new information for this species in this report Pacific Loon (Boulder) NEOTROPHIC CORMORANT (Larimer) REDDISH EGRET (Bent) Green Heron (Boulder) Piping Plover (Bent) Dunlin (Larimer, Weld) LESSER NIGHTHAWK (Montrose) White-eyed Vireo (*Larimer) Nashville Warbler (Adams, *El Paso, Moffat) Black-throated Gray Warbler (Mesa) Black-and-white Warbler (Bent, Broomfield) Northern Waterthrush (Adams, Boulder, *El Paso, *Moffat, Pueblo) Chestnut-collared Longspur (Mineral) Indigo Bunting (Boulder) To skip this recording to leave a message, press the star key at any time. Please leave your name, phone number, detailed directions including the county and dates for all sightings. It would be helpful if you would spell your last name. Adams County: --At Barr Lake banding station, Mc Burney reported 1 Nashville Warbler and 1 Northern Waterthrush on August 21 and 22. Bent County: --A white-morph REDDISH EGRET was reported by Duane Nelson at the west end of John Martin on August 18. From CR JJ just east of CR 20 turn south towards reservoir and meander until you reach the cliff at the edge of the reservoir. The egret was seen again on August 19 by Wild and on August 20 by Arnesen at the west end of John Martin. Nelson reported that the REDDISH EGRET was seen again on August 24 at the west end of John Martin. --A juv Piping Plover was reported by Wild at John Martin in the same spot with the REDDISH EGRET on August 19. --An imm Black-and-White Warbler was reported by Duane Nelson at Van's Grove on August 24. Boulder County: --At Walden Ponds on August 22, Floyd reported 3 Green Herons, Northern Waterthrush and Indigo Bunting. On August 23, Klaver reported 1 Green Heron on the north side of Cottonwood Marsh. --The Pacific Loon first reported by Blatchley on July 10 at McIntosh Lake, was seen again on August 22 by Guarente on the south side by the Volley Ball courts. Broomfield County: --A Black-and-white Warbler was reported by Semo at Interlocken on August 24. El Paso County: --At Sonderman Park in Colorado Springs on August 25, Lee reported Northern Waterthrush and Nashville Warbler. El Paso/Pueblo Counties: --A Northern Waterthrush was reported by Drummond at Rose Pond (Pueblo) at Chico Basin Ranch (fee area) on August 18. Larimer County: --3 Dunlin were reported by Stiles at Timnath Reservoir on August 21 and the Dunlin were seen again on August 22 by Kaempfer. --A possible NEOTROPIC CORMORANT was reported by Lefko at Timnath Reservoir on August 22. --A White-eyed Vireo was reported by Biggerstaff at Dixon Reservoir in Fort Collins on August 24 and was refound by Komar on August 25. Mineral County: --A female type Chestnut-collared Longspur was reported by Beatty on August 18. It was south of Mineral County Airport near Creede in a partially developed subdivision. Mesa County: --A Black-throated Gray Warbler was reported by Robinson at Connected Lakes on August 19. Moffat County: --A male Tennessee Warbler and Northern Waterthrush were reported by Luke at Loudy-Simpson Park in Craig on August 14. The Tennessee Warbler and Northern Waterthrush were seen again on August 17 by Litteral. On August 20, Hilf reported Tennessee and Nashville Warbler and Northern Waterthrush at Loudy-Simpson. On August 24, Dodson reported a Northern Waterthrush at Loudy-Simpson. Montrose County: --A male LESSER NIGHTHAWK was reported by Dexter at the Nucla Sewer Ponds on August 16. Weld County: --A basic plumaged Dunlin was reported by Sanders at Lower Latham on August 19. The DFO Field Trip for Saturday, August 28 will be to Rigli Ranch led by Joe Rigli (980-768-7121). Meet the leader at the ranch by 0830. From Hudson, go east on CO 52 until it turns north. Don't turn north, but continue east on Morgan County Road F to CR 14, then turn north for approximately one mile to the first house on the left by box cars. Bring Lunch and extra water. Saturday, August 28 is Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory's Annual BBQ with the Birds from 7:00 am. to 2:00 pm at The Old Stone House at Barr Lake, Brighton. for more information go to www.rmbo.org. The DFO Field Trip for Sunday, August 29 will be to Northeastern Colororado, Prewitt and Jackson Reservoirs led by Joey Kellner (303-978-1748). Meet the leader at 0530 at the Division of Wildlife, 6060 No. Broadway. Habitat Stamp for State Wildlife Areas and State Parks Pass Required. This is an all day trip so bring lunch and plenty of water. Be sure to bring insect repellent and sunscreen. Call the leader to register. Good Birding, Joyce Takamine Boulder --
[cobirds] NY Times Article about Birding in South America
Interesting article about birding in South America :) Enjoy. From The New York Times: OUTDOORS: Birding Along the Cloud Forests South America’s Urubamba River valley and the surrounding region are as spectacular for birding as they are underrated. http://nyti.ms/8YzBhThttps://mail.bouldercountryday.org/owa/redir.aspx?C=742d365ccb7640ce93d046bdd32b3d56URL=http%3a%2f%2fnyti.ms%2f8YzBhT -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups Colorado Birds group. To post to this group, send email to cobi...@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds?hl=en.
[cobirds] Admin Message: Post this morning by Julia Bond
COBirders, My advice would be to NOT click the link in the message sent this morning by Julia Bond. The title of her message is NY Times Article about Birding in South America and there is a link at the bottom of the message. There is no signature to this post as required by the guidelines for COBirds. I am not sure where this link might lead ( it might be a NY Times article) but I am not going to test it because I think it looks strange. The sender has been put on moderation for now. --- Rachel Hopper List Manager Ft. Collins Check out the CFO Website: www.cfo-link.org -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups Colorado Birds group. To post to this group, send email to cobi...@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds?hl=en.
RE: [cobirds] Admin Message: Post this morning by Julia Bond
Good advice...always good to be cautious. I did try and access this article earlier today and my company's software flagged it as cautionary. Even when I overrode the caution, I didn't get anything to come up, which made me nervous. Just by way of interest, however, there is an article in the New York Times on line from August 24 on birding in Machu Picchu and the title is Birding Along the Cloud Forests. Also, there is an article in the New York Times stating that effective Wednesday, the site nyti.ms is being used to send Twitter articles. Both of these can be found by using standard search engines for the New York Times and South America---and searching for nytim.ms. I am far from a tech expert, however, and would also fall on the side of caution. Robert Parsons From: cobirds@googlegroups.com [mailto:cobi...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Rachel Hopper Sent: Thursday, August 26, 2010 8:42 AM To: 'Cobirds' Subject: [cobirds] Admin Message: Post this morning by Julia Bond Importance: High COBirders, My advice would be to NOT click the link in the message sent this morning by Julia Bond. The title of her message is NY Times Article about Birding in South America and there is a link at the bottom of the message. There is no signature to this post as required by the guidelines for COBirds. I am not sure where this link might lead ( it might be a NY Times article) but I am not going to test it because I think it looks strange. The sender has been put on moderation for now. --- Rachel Hopper List Manager Ft. Collins Check out the CFO Website: www.cfo-link.org -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups Colorado Birds group. To post to this group, send email to cobi...@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds?hl=en. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups Colorado Birds group. To post to this group, send email to cobi...@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds?hl=en.
[cobirds] Connecticut Warbler, Crow Valey Campground
Folks, Rachel Hopper reports a male Connecticut Warbler at Crow Valley Campground, Weld County. The bird was last seen south of the main picnic area. Glenn Walbek Castle Rock, CO -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups Colorado Birds group. To post to this group, send email to cobi...@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds?hl=en.
[cobirds] CONNECTICUT WARBLER/Crow Valley-Weld
COBirders, Just got a call from Glenn Walbek. Glenn, Loch Kilpatrick, Cole Wild and Joe Roller were able to re-find the CONNECTICUT WARBLER in essentially the same spot I found it in this morning. They feel it is most likely a female. I strongly suspect this bird will not stick so I would suggest getting to CVCG today if you are interested in trying to find it. It has been hanging around south of the picnic area at the base of a willow tree just where the trail dips down and goes beneath the big Cottonwood this side of the fence. They were all able to see it several times for a few seconds each time on low perches, in flight and walking on the ground. None of us were able to get photos. In addition to this great bird, there were several Townsend's Warblers and a Cassin's Vireo at the campground along with the other usual suspects. On Tuesday, I also had a Pygmy Nuthatch at CVCG which I am sure has to be a fairly rare county record. --- Rachel Hopper Ft. Collins Check out the CFO Website: www.cfo-link.org -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups Colorado Birds group. To post to this group, send email to cobi...@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds?hl=en.
[cobirds] Mr Bill quiz
Hi all: I have posted the solution to last week's Mr. Bill Mystery Quiz (www.cfo-link.org) from down here in hot-and-humid land. Enjoy, Tony Leukering Villas, NJ -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups Colorado Birds group. To post to this group, send email to cobi...@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds?hl=en.
[cobirds] Norma's Grove (Weld) 8/26
On my way back from Crow Valley this afternoon (8/26) I decided to make a quick stop at Norma's Grove (just east of the intersection CR 57 and CR 100). There was a Large number of sparrow, mostly Lark Buntings, Chipping Sparrows and Lark Sparrows. I was able to pull out a couple Brewer's and 1 eastern FIELD SPARROW. A few other birds there was 1 bright PHILADELPHIA VIREO, a couple of Wilson's Warblers, 1 Prairie Falcon, and 1 Sage Thrasher. Rachel, great find and ID on the Connecticut Warbler. Thanks for letting everyone know so quickly! Cole Wild Loveland -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups Colorado Birds group. To post to this group, send email to cobi...@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds?hl=en.
[cobirds] Loon molt and Uppies over Boulder (longish)
Hi all: I've recently read most of the posts about the McIntosh loon and nocturnal flights of migrants and had a few things to write in response. First off, the pattern that I see in Ted's Upland Sandpipers-over-Boulder data, is that insomniacs detect more nocturnally-migrating Uppies than do most other birders. I mean, I'm almost always up around 11:30 pm, but only rarely so after 2 am. Thus, I hear very few Uppies going over, Boulder or elsewhere. Mostly, though, I wanted to comment on the debate about the McIntosh Res. Pacific Loon and loon flight-feather molt. What and why? All loon species (and presumably individuals) conduct a complete flight-feather molt each year, with the timing of such varying between ages and species. Like waterfowl, loons drop all of their flight feathers at once (or very nearly so), becoming flightless for a fairly substantial period (1-2 months). It is believed that this benefits these species more than a more-typical-for-birds slower and staggered flight-feather molt, as it reduces the time during which flight is impaired by missing feathers. Yes, their flight gets supremely impaired with no flight feathers, but it works. There just aren't a lot of predators out on the open water that can tackle a bird the size of a loon. It should also be noted that it would behoove a species that finds it necessary to use its wings in foraging to NOT drop all of its flight feathers for such a long period of time. Loons do not use their wings under water, rather using their somewhat outsized feet to propel them. Where and when? On the East Coast, Common and Red-throated loons are both common and widespread migrants and winterers, but they have very different strategies to dealing with timing their flight-feather molt. Adult Common Loons migrate away from breeding grounds in alternate plumage, arrive on winter grounds, and commence their pre-basic molt, which includes flight feathers. On the other hand, Red-throated Loons conduct their pre-basic molt on or near the breeding grounds, arriving on wintering areas in basic plumage and with their flight-feather molt already completed. Thus, if one goes out on the ocean in winter, all of the Red-throated Loons fly away, and most of the Commons dive or patter off with their useless wings rowing them along. Note that, above, I wrote that most of the Commons. This is the smooth segue to the variance among ages of timing and/or location of the flight-feather molt. First-year Common Loons primarily stay on the winter grounds during their first summer, conducting their pre-basic molt, which includes their flight feathers. Most young Red-throated Loons depart NJ latitudes for points north or elsewhere and, presumably, conduct their pre-basic molt (including flight feathers) nearer the breeding grounds. My lifer Pacific Loon was a summering bird in New Jersey, lo these many years ago, that was conducting its flight-feather molt, was ragged, and very much (in some regards) disappointing to one hoping to see a stunning bird. The McIntosh Res. Pacific Loon is simply going through the normal processes of almost all other Pacific Loons: conducting its pre-basic molt on the safety of a larg(ish) body of water while killing time waiting to go to the breeding grounds next summer. Whether all or most young Pacifics follow the Common strategy or not, the Boulder Co. bird is in no way in more danger than is any of its conspecifics of that age. Having none of my references at hand here in Alabama, I cannot send you to particular passages or pages in certain references, but I would suggest checking out the various behavior and ecology bird books (Sibley's, Kaufman's, and the yellow-covered one whose authors' names I cannot recall right now) or even the old Audubon Encyclopedia of North American Birds (edited by John Terres). I would bet that it's all in there. Sincerely, Tony Leukering Villas, NJ P.S. Now is a great time to go out and find migrant Mourning Warblers!! -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups Colorado Birds group. To post to this group, send email to cobi...@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds?hl=en.
Re: [cobirds] Loon molt
Many thanks to Tony Leukering for setting the record straight on underwater wing-powered locomotion (or rather, lack thereof) among loons, and also for sharing his vast wealth of ornithological knowledge with our Colorado birding community, making us all wealthier (in knowledge, anyway). I should have done some basic research before sticking my foot in my mouth in a public forum like Cobirds. I have now done the appropriate homework to learn more about underwater locomotion among diving birds. A number of bird taxa including alcids, diving petrels, some shearwaters, and our Rocky Mountain dippers use their wings to power underwater diving as well as aerial flight, but not loons. Interestingly, I learned that some of these species undergo very heavy wing molt and yet still dive during these periods of wing molt. So, it begs the question (maybe Tony can answer this as well), why is the Boulder Pacific Loon not diving as would be typical foraging behavior for this species. Thanks again, Tony! Nick Komar Fort Collins CO -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups Colorado Birds group. To post to this group, send email to cobi...@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds?hl=en.
[cobirds] Nightflight, Thursday
Hi COBirders, With this string of gorgeous evenings, calm and clear, I had to be out watching the moon for crossings. After a great show Tuesday, I didn't see more than 4-5 birds Wednesday night between 9:00 and 9:30. Tonight I watched with the moon a little lower in the sky (but, of course, appearing later) from 8:45-9:30. The rate tonight was about one crossing/3-4 minutes, and several of those I noticed were bats. Tuesday was the best, but I think I'm hooked now, and will try some more evenings until the weather changes (or moon rise is too late!). Good night birding, Steve Brown Colorado Springs -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups Colorado Birds group. To post to this group, send email to cobi...@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds?hl=en.
