[cobirds] November 23, 2010, Rare Bird Alert for Colorado
Date:23 November 2010 e-mail: r...@cfo-link.org phone: 303-659-8750 compiler: Joyce Takamine This is Colorado Rare Bird Alert for Tuesday, November 23, 2010, at 5 am sponsored by Denver Field Ornithologists and the Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory. If you are phoning in a message, you can skip the recording by pressing the star key (*) on your telephone at any time. Please leave your name, phone number, detailed directions, including county and dates for each sighting. Please spell your last name. Highlight species include: (* denotes that there is new information on the species in this report). Red-necked Grebe (Larimer) TRUMPTER SWAN (Lake) TUNDRA SWAN (Lake, Mesa, Routt) Surf Scoter (*Ourary) White-winged Scoter (Larimer) Black Scoter (Arapahoe, Boulder, El Paso) Red-throated Loon (Arapahoe, Boulder, Pueblo) Pacific Loon (Arapahoe, Boulder, Douglas/Jefferson, Weld) JAEGER spec (Arapahoe) Thayer's Gull (El Paso) Lesser Black-backed Gull (Arapahoe, Douglas/Jefferson, El Paso, Larimer, Pueblo) GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL (Arapahoe) BLACK-LEGGED-KITTIWAKE (Arapahoe, Pueblo) ROSS'S GULL (*Arapahoe) American Three-toed Woodpecker (*Douglas) PACIFIC WREN (Larimer) WINTER WREN (Larimer, Weld) Curve-billed Thrasher (*Jefferson) Hooded Warbler (*Boulder) White-throated Sparrow (*Jefferson) Harris's Sparrow (Boulder) GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW (Boulder,*Jefferson) Snow Bunting (*Arapahoe) Arapahoe County: --A Pacific Loon was reported by Newport at Cherry Creek reservoir on November 14 and was seen again on November 18 by Walbek by the east picnic tables. --An ad Lesser Black-backed Gull was reported by Schmoker at Cherry Creek near the Swim beach on November 14. 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls (1-st basic, 2nd cycle) were reported by Walbek on November 18. A Lesser Black-backed Gull was reported by Smart on November 20. --An ad GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL was reported by Walbek at Cherry Creek Reservoir on November 18. --A juv Red-throated Loon was reported by Walbek near shore on the west side of Cherry Creek Reservoir on November 18. --3 Lesser Black-backed Gulls (juv, 2nd-cycle, ad) were reported by Peterson at Aurora Reservoir on November 18 --A fem/imm Black Scoter was reported by Peterson at Aurora Reservoir on November 18. --A Snow Bunting was found by Rozinski on the east side of Cherry Creek Reservoir at the north end of a long row of picinic tables on November 19. This area is south of the swim beach. Sanders reported that the Snow Bunting flew over the Lake Loop on November 22. --A dark JAEGER was reported by Stecher at Cherry Creek on the west side near the picnic tables on November 19. --An ad basic plumaged ROSS'S GULL was found by Roller and id'ed by Walbek and Wild at Cherry Creek on November 19. On November 22, Sanders and Walbek reported that the best view places for the ROSS'S GULL are the Lake Loop and the WSest Marina Dam Trail. The ROSS'S GULL sometimes sits on the sand spit near the Dam Trail. The past couple of days, the gull has disappeared for several hours then reappears often on the sand spit. Temperatures are expected to drop the next few days. --An imm BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKE was reported by Smart at Cherry Creek on November 20. Boulder County: --A 1st year GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW was reported by Severs at Teller Farms parking lot in the juniper windbreak to the south on November 16. --A Harris's Sparrow was reported by Thornton-Kolbe at the North Teller Farms parking lot in the juniper windbreak on November 18. --On November 20, Gent reported seeing both the GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW and Harris's Sparrow at the Juniper wind break by the Teller Farms parking lot. --A Pacific Loon in alternate plumage was reported by Alcock at Baseline Reservoir on November 19. --A female Black Scoter was reported by Nunes at Baseline Reservoir on November 19. --A male Hooded Warbler was reported by Spencer on the west side of Hawthorn Community Garden in Boulder on November 21. Douglas County: --2 American Three-toed Woodpeckers were reported by Huffstater west of Sedalia along Hwy 67 just east of Rampart Range Road on November 22. Douglas/Jefferson Counties: --An ad Lesser Black-backed Gull was reported by Kellner by the marina boardwalk at Chatfield on November 18. El Paso County: --A juv Thayer's Gull and ad Lesser Black-backed Gull were reported by Peterson at Big Johnson on November 18. --A female/imm Black Scoter was reported by Drummond at Big Johnson on November 19. Jefferson County: --Henwood reported that the GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW and White-throated Sparrow continued at Red Rocks at least through November 22. --A CURVE-BILLED THRASHER was found by Chavez on October 27 at the Red Rocks Trading Post and has been seen daily through Nov 9. Henwood reported the thrasher on November 22. Henwood suggests visiting Red Rocks early morning or late afternoon after 4 to see the birds. Lake County: --On
[cobirds] Important source of funding for birds up for renewal
Hi Birders, An important source for funding for migratory bird conservation is up for renewal in Congress. Please consider taking a moment of your time to show your support for all the birds that you personally enjoyed over the past year. The bipartisan Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act (NMBCA) is the only federal U.S. grants program specifically dedicated to the conservation of our migrant birds that is available throughout the Americas. It has a proven track-record of success since 2002, advancing conservation for many declining species, such as the Cerulean Warbler. It only takes a moment and much easier than seeing a Ross's Gull! :) The American Bird Conservancy (a very good organization) has an easy link here: http://org2.democracyinaction.org/o/5400/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=4721 Thank you! -- Scott Scott Severs Longmont, CO http://picasaweb.google.com/scottesevers -- 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] Important source of funding for birds up for renewal
Thanks for forwarding this message Scott. The NMBCA has been critical in supporting Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory's bird conservation programs in the Chihuahuan Desert Grasslands of Mexico, a critical wintering habitat for our grassland birds that is increasingly threatened. The current NMBCA legislation is set to expire at the end of this year, and if it is not reauthorized, our work there, which has been key to spurring on-the-ground conservation, could come to a grinding halt. Given the current fiscal climate in Washington, expiration of this act is avery real scenario. I hope everybody who loves birds take a moment to make your voices heard and support reauthorization of the Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act! Thanks, Arvind Panjabi International Program Director Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory From: Scott Severs scottesev...@gmail.com To: cobirds@googlegroups.com Sent: Tue, November 23, 2010 7:40:36 AM Subject: [cobirds] Important source of funding for birds up for renewal Hi Birders, An important source for funding for migratory bird conservation is up for renewal in Congress. Please consider taking a moment of your time to show your support for all the birds that you personally enjoyed over the past year. The bipartisan Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act (NMBCA)is the only federal U.S. grants program specifically dedicated to the conservation of our migrant birds that is available throughout the Americas. It has a proven track-record of success since 2002, advancing conservation for many declining species, such as the Cerulean Warbler. It only takes a moment and much easier than seeing a Ross's Gull! :) The American Bird Conservancy (a very good organization) has an easy link here: http://org2.democracyinaction.org/o/5400/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=4721 Thank you! -- Scott Scott Severs Longmont, CO http://picasaweb.google.com/scottesevers -- 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] Ross's Gull behavior and feeding style today
The Ross's Gull was seen at 6:30 AM today, when dawn's early light brought out its pink color. Also it is acting differently. It was on or near the sandbar near the marina almost continuously, at least until I left at 9:00 AM. It was not flying about the lake as on previous days, except for a couple of times it flew 1-200 yards, then came back. It was also seen swimming for prolonged periods of time a few feet away from the sandbar. Has not done that before. A new feeding style was also seen. While swimming, it would dip its head and upper body below the water's surface and flutter its wings, as if to reach down and catch something underwater. Most of the time it pecks at detritus on the sandbar. It looks perky and healthy. Birders continue to come from out of state. The weather is still good today. Joe Roller, Denver -- 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] Ross's Gull - Out of State Birders
Dear Cobirders, Hopefully the local birders will indulge a message to out of state birders. I suggest that any out of state birders attempting to book a flight to Denver over the very busy Thanksgiving Holiday to view the Ross's Gull consider flying into the Colorado Springs airport. There might be availability and it is an easy and scenic hour and a half drive up to Cherry Creek State Park from that airport. As Glenn Walbek previously mentioned, there is a satellite map that is a bit basic but effective that can be found at the following link: http://www.pbase.com/gwalbek/2010_birds http://www.google.com/url?sa=Dq=http://www.pbase.com/gwalbek/2010_birdsus g=AFQjCNGZBi-JmFdoMIAeAki2qC0txk03dw . The coordinates to the west entrance of the park are: 39°37'53.78N 104°52'33.85W. There are a handful of local birders attempting to keep tabs on the bird during the day, but that may get spotty over the holiday. I will be able to loosely monitor the following email address while the Ross's Gull is still being seen if you have any general questions about the bird or the area: stevestachow...@q.com . Good luck and good birding! Steve Stachowiak Highlands Ranch, 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. attachment: winmail.dat
[cobirds] Ross's Gull Thanksgiving morning?
For those of us who have to work during the weekdays, is there anyone in the area north of Denver (Boulder, Broomfield, or further north) who would like to carpool to look for the gull, assuming it stays for a few days, early on Thansgiving morning? Please contact off-line, thanks. Elena, el...@indra.com -- 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] Huerfano County: Surf Scoters, Common Loons, Red-breasted Merganser, American Tree Sparrow and Migrating waterfowl
This morning we decided to take a little extra time and scout out Martin Lake at Lathrop State Park we saw 2 Surf Scoters 4 Common Loons Green-winged Teal Eared Grebes Clark's and Western Grebes Pied-billed Grebes Gadwalls American Wigeons Common Merganser Common Goldeneye Ring-billed Gulls While walking the dog after Paul left I saw: American Tree Sparrow Song Sparrow Red-breasted Merganser On the way home I decided since I was out anyway, to swing by the La Veta Town Lake there I saw: Buffleheads Common Goldeneye and our usual wintering pair of Bald Eagles Having spent most of the morning out already I HAD to swing by Daigre Lake (it is so close to home) and saw: Green-winged Teal Blue-winged Teal Canvasback Redhead Common Goldeneye American Wigeon Ring-necked Duck Clark's Grebe (just 1) Pied billed Grebe Hooded Merganser Northern Pintail What a way to procrastinate against Thanksgiving dinner preparations! Polly Wren and Paul Neldner 151 County Road 359 La Veta, CO Huerfano County -- 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] Ross's Gull update
Bill Schmoker reports the Ross's Gull is spending today feeding on and around the west marina sandbar and doing very little flying. It is windy at Cherry Creek with waves washing up over the sandbar. Schmoker, Maynard and Wild also report a Red-necked Grebe and a 1st cycle Thayer's Gull. 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]
This morning my son, Alex Visser, his girlfriend, Anat Kimchi and I were able to see the Ross gull at the west marina sandbar, Cherry Creek Reservoir, Arapahoe County, thanks to Nina Roush's and someone else's --Joe? generosity in sharing their scopes. We had to laugh as this is the first bird on Anat's life. Betsy Rumely Denver Sent from my iPhone -- 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] Red RocksTuesday
Cobirders, Curve-billed Thrasher, Golden-crowned Sparrow and White-throated Sparrow seen in rapid succession at about 1:30pm Tuesday November 23. Bob Brown Highlands Ranch -- 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] Ross's Gull Update
Cobirders, The Ross's Gull flew in and landed on the narrow sandbar just west of the marina at sunset. It was walking around and feeding as things faded to black at 5:00 p.m. Good Birding, Steve Stachowiak Highlands Ranch, 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.
FW: [cobirds] Ross's Gull Update
Correction, the sandbar just west of the marina is a dirt path. The sandbar the gull was on is the one located just east of the marina! -Original Message- From: cobirds@googlegroups.com [mailto:cobi...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Steve Stachowiak Sent: Tuesday, November 23, 2010 6:27 PM To: cobirds@googlegroups.com Subject: [cobirds] Ross's Gull Update Cobirders, The Ross's Gull flew in and landed on the narrow sandbar just west of the marina at sunset. It was walking around and feeding as things faded to black at 5:00 p.m. Good Birding, Steve Stachowiak Highlands Ranch, 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. attachment: winmail.dat
[cobirds] Pueblo Reservoir Birds
Today I found the following birds at Pueblo Res. in Pueblo Co.: 1 Common Loon, near the dam 1 Pacific Loon, at the SWA 1 Lesser Black-back Gull, in the North Marina lagoon I Long-tailed Duck, at Fishermans Point ? - Black-backed Gull, on the South Marina tires, I think it was Greater but it looked smallish for this species 1 Northern and 1 Loggerhead Shrike, at the North Marina parking lot Lots of Bonapartes Gulls, I didn't find the Kittiwake Hundreds of Eared Grebes everywhere Rich Miller Canon City -- 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] Ross's Gull video
Folks- I edited together a little digiscoped video of the Ross's Gull from today and posted it on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dslKlONPgqQ I suggest choosing the 720p HD option if your connection will bear it. It shows the foraging behavior and flight style of the bird. My dad mentioned that when picking around on the spit its feeding style reminded him of a plover- an apt description. I also thought it was great to see so many folks enjoying the bird in the three days I've been down to visit! Today's iteration was the first time I had been within 1/4 mile of the bird- awesome to see it so close on the marina sand bar. We also had an immature Ross's Goose on the east side of the lake with Canada and Cackling Geese, making for a Ross's squared day. Enjoy- Bill __ • Bill Schmoker • __ http://schmoker.org http://brdpics.blogspot.com bill.schmo...@gmail.com 720/201-5749 __ -- 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] Larimer highlights Nov 22-23
Some birds of interest the last couple days in Larimer County include: Thayer’s Gull – 1 adult at Rist Benson Lake, Loveland Nov 22 Lesser Black-backed Gull – 1 adult at Timnath Reservoir Nov 22. Surf Scoter – Nov 23 at Dry Creek Res in SW Loveland Long-tailed Duck – Winter adult male Nov 22 at Horseshoe Lake, Loveland Red-necked Grebe – 1 @ Horseshoe Lake and 1 @ Timnath Reservoir, both adults, both on Nov 22 Sandhill Crane – 1 @ Timnath Res Nov 22 Cinnamon Teal – 1 drake in alternate plumage, photographed, at Fossil Creek Reservoir Nov 22 Savannah Sparrow – 2 at Fossil Creek Res. Nov 22 Wild Turkey – 25 roosting in a tree at dusk south of Masonville, Nov 23 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] Ross fun, Denver
Hello birders, Tried for the Ross’s Gull at Cherry Creek Reservoir on Sunday afternoon, gave up too early. It showed up 30 minutes after I left. This afternoon, Tuesday, I drove to Denver from Boulder for a second try. Nice, sunny day, 54 degrees, not much wind. About a dozen birders were waiting near the sand spit near the dam, east of the marina. Bill Schmoker and his dad were leaving, but Eric DeFonso was there from Ft. Collins. Also Glenn from the Four Corners area arrived right after me. He drove 10 hours today to see this rare gull. (Glenn said that last week he drove to California’s Salton Sea to see a Bean Goose. He had to get back home fast as he was “trying to stay married.”) How rare is a Ross’s Gull? Glenn said he is a bird biologist who spent 12 years on Alaska’s north slope studying Eiders. He said in all those years he never saw a Ross’s Gull. I waited about 40 minutes, determined not to leave until sunset. Suddenly at about 3:15 pm Eric exclaimed, “We have a bird!” There all alone in perfect light at the end of the sand spit was the Ross’s Gull. It walked up and down the sand spit like a fashion model on a runway, flashbulbs popping. (Note most fashion models on runways walk pigeon-toed and the Ross’s Gull was no exception.) I think it was blushing, as you could see a faint pink cast. Did a few pirouettes, pecked at the sand, examined the dead Mallard, flew up a couple of times to show off its underwings and wedge-shaped tail, then flew west toward the marina into the setting sun. Wow, were we happy! Glenn said this bird had faulty “GPS,” a problem he said is turning up lately in more and more birds. Most of its brethren spend the winter in the Sea of Okhotsk, west of the Kamchatka Peninsula, north of Japan off Russia’s east coast. So our Denver Ross Gull is about 5,000 miles off course, probably a one way trip to Colorado. So good luck Ross bird, hope you live long and prosper here. Many thanks to Joe, Glenn, and Cole for finding this beautiful gull from Siberia. Some of my pics from today: http://twilberding.zenfolio.com/p718900898 Happy Thanksgiving! Tom Wilberding Boulder, Colorado -- 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] Ross's Gull
Today, I finally was able to get better views of the Ross's Gull as he put on a great show near the marina. It's been really fun seeing all the familiar faces in the birding community enjoying this great bird! I was suprised to see not only a Say's Phoebe but also a very late Spotted Sandpiper near the trail leading to the Ross's sandspit. A couple of photos of the Ross's and Mew Gull can be seen below: Mark Chavez Lakewood-Green Mtn http://jaeger29.smugmug.com/ -- 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.
