[cobirds] American Dipper, Teller Co.
I went to Manitou Lake this morning in Teller County and found an American dipper just below the dam. Apart from that, it was pretty quiet. David Chartier 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 cobirds@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] Sunday Morn'n La Veta, Huerfano County: Rosy-Finches, etc.
We awoke to a light snow having fallen and a beautiful, bright moon. It was about 6:30, the birds were not yet here. As the sun rose, I went out to refill all the feeders; most were empty or nearly so. Just a little after seven, the Rosy-Finches arrived, though the Dark- eyed Juncos had been here awhile already. Several hundred came; all three species, as is usual...including the Hepburn's Gray-headed. You all probably know how they land for a few minutes and then wheel up suddenly and all together. A beautiful Black stayed on a finch-feeder against my kitchen window (nose-level) for several cycles; what a treat. I think his will be only the third snow this winter; at least it came on a weekend when they 'count'. I also counted 76 Evening Grosbeaks here at once...and that was only those I could see from my little table in the window. I'm pleased to see they are doing so well here, having just read the species continues to decline. Someone said they believe La Veta is the 'go to spot' for these beauties. Another surprise is the dozen or so Cassin's Finch that feed here these days. I've never seen so many at once and am finally learning to discern the females. Another triumph (for me) is identifying a new yard bird: An American Tree Sparrow. It looks so much like a Chipping Sparrow...but that spot makes all the difference! It hangs out under shrubbage with the White-crowned sparrow and Juncos. I have yet to find a Towhee here, however. The other day I watched an American Kestrel have a hay-day with another bird; tossing feathers like it was New Year's Eve. He was also a new yard bird; I wasn't even concerned about what he had for lunch and just felt privileged to watch. Today, there was a new fly-over...an adult Bald Eagle. I posted a (Wikipedia, not mine) photo that shows just about how it looked, looking at the yard. Wild! Oh, and the White-winged dove that comes with the EUCDs brought a Mourning Dove today. Beverly Jensen, 719-989-1398 La Veta, Huerfano Co, CO 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. 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] Mute Swan/Greeley
I received a report of two swans at 47th/O St gravel pond yesterday so I went to check them out this morning. I found a single Mute Swan at 35th Ave west gravel pond; it also hosted a TON of geese (easily 4- digit and higher) and I was able to find a Greater White-fronted Goose in the group. Down the road 47th/O St was frozen. 59th/O St had some open water on far south end and hosted a lot of geese including another Greater White-fronted Goose. Thanks Gary Lefko http://Coloradobirder.ning.com/ -- Home of the Nunn Guy P. S. To Raptor Alley participants yesterday ... today ZERO wind, raptors on every corner ... see some of you of you on February trip! -- 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. 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] Pine Warbler - Harris Sparrow, El Paso County
Cobirders, This is a day late, but the Pine Warbler and Harris's Sparrow continues to be seen at Fountain Creek Regional Park in El Paso County. The warbler was observed by me and many others again yesterday (Jan. 22) between the trail mile marker 18 and the sewage treatment box with the yellow rails. The Harris's Sparrow is hanging out by Fountain Creek Nature Center primarily near the south side feeders. I was not able to locate any Winter Wrens yesterday. Yesterday, I led a Hawk ID Field Trip for Fountain Creek Nature Center and had an incredible stop at Big Johnson Reservoir where we located: 2 adult Bald Eagles 1 juv. Bald Eagle an estimated 4 Ferruginous Hawks an estimated 7 Red-tailed Hawks 1 Prairie Falcon I have never seen this many raptors at Big J at one time. We also observed American Kestrel, Rough-legged Hawk and Golden Eagle during the trip. Ken Pals 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 cobirds@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] Main Reservoir today / Lakewood (Jeffco)
On a gray and blustery walk around Main Res today (80% frozen): 1 adult Bald Eagle, perched on the SW side, being harried by crows 1 male Downy Woodpecker excavating a nest hole. He had it more than deep enough as we watched to get his head all the way in. 7 male and 8 female Hooded Mergansers. The limited open water keeps them very close to the sidewalk on the East side, for really good looks. 1 Com. Goldeneye Dave Cameron Denver -- 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. 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] Great Black-backed Gull and other sightings at CCSP on 1-23-11
Today's DFO trip to Cherry Creek State Park (with 12 observers) had a number of noteworthy sightings. At 8:30 at the Marina we saw the Ross' Goose that had been reported recently. It flew off with a number of Canada Geese shortly after we arrived. Also at the Marina early in the trip we were treated to 2 viewings of a Say's Phoebe (we assumed this was the same bird that had been reported in this area around Thanksgiving). Between 10:30 and 11:30 AM, we saw a Great Black-backed Gull on the ice near the large raft of Commom Mergansers in the small patch of open water in the middle of the reservoir. It was quite a bit bigger than the mergansers, and had all the features expected for a non-breeding adult of the species. It did take off in flight around 11:30, but we did not see if it returned to the ice again. Mary Keithler Unincorporated Arapahoe County, near the SW section of Cherry Creek State Park -- 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. 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] Patience in the face of danger
I stepped out the back door this afternoon to meet, nearly face-to- face, a male Downy Woodpecker on one of the sticks that comprises my homemade bark- butter feeder. He was glued to it, it seemed, his belly and chin right down on the stick, not feeding. He did not flush as I stepped out, only 10 feet away, to my surprise. I then heard a rustling toward the neighbor's fenceline, and spotted the juvenile Cooper's Hawk. (I've had more backyard Cooper's this year than ever). The Downy was clinging, frozen, to the stick exactly 180 degrees opposite the hawk. When the hawk flew to the rear of the yard, the Downy scooted around to point his red spot directly at me, again keeping the stick between him and the hawk. When the hawk finally flew off one way, so did the Downy, the other way. Smart little bird, knew enough to freeze and not dare fly, even with me right there, given the greater danger of doing so. To steal a line that's the title of a recent book, a 'rare encounter with ordinary birds.' Dave Cameron Denver -- 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. 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] Lost Falcon Hybrid, Ft. Morgan, Morgan Co.
Dear COBIRDers: Last week, on or about January 19th, a hybrid falcon was lost from her falconer in Ft. Morgan. She is a cross between a saker falcon (an Asian/Middle Eastern species) and a merlin. She is mostly brown above, streaked below, and about the size of a small crow, (400-450 grams) wearing a gold metal band on one leg. Her falconer has located her several times in the Ft. Morgan town area over the ensuing days, but has thus far been unable to re-capture her. There are no jesses attached to her legs, just tiny leather anklets. If you are in the vicinity and happen to spot her, her owner would very much appreciate a call. A photo of her is also available to aid in identification. Please contact Mike Mason, 970-380-0481. Thank you for any assistance. --Anne Price Littleton, Jefferson 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. 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.
