[cobirds] Colorado Rare Bird Alert, Wednesday, August 29, 2012
Compiler: Joyce Takamine Date: August 29, 2012 email: rba AT cfobirds.org phone: 303-659-8750 This is the Colorado Rare Bird Alert for Wednesday, August 29, 2012, 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 phone at any time. Please leave your name, phone number, detailed directions, including county and dates for each sighting. It would be helpful if you would spell your last name. Highlight species include: (* denotes that there is new information on this species in this report) Little Blue Heron (*Adams) Green Heron (*Mesa) Mississippi Kite (Boulder) Broad-winged Hawk (*Adams) Snowy Plover (Alamosa) Ruddy Turnstone (Alamosa) Dunlin (Mesa) CURLEW SANDPIPER (Morgan) BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER (Morgan, Washington) Short-billed Dowitcher (Logan/Sedgwick, Washington) LITTLE GULL (Morgan) Greater Roadrunner (*Huerfano) Black Phoebe (Custer) Eastern Phoebe (Custer) Cassin's Kingbird (Montrose) SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER (*Jefferson) Nashville Warbler (La Plata, Montrose, Sedgwick) Black-throated Green Warbler (Weld) Blackburnian Warbler (Segwick) Pine Warbler (Washington) Blackpoll Warbler (Washington) Ovenbird (Adams, Sedgwick, Washington) Northern Waterthrush (Custer, Fremont, Morgan) Hooded Warbler (Pueblo) Adams County: --A Little Blue Heron in transitional phase plumages was reported by Canter at Lowell Ponds on July 19. It was along the shore and on the island of Heron Lake. Lowell Ponds is at 56th and Lowell. On August 13, Gilbert reported that the Little Blue Heron was along the shore of the island in Heron Lake. On August 16 Mlodinow reported the Little Blue Heron was along the shore of Heron Lake. On August 23, Gilbert reported that the Little Blue Heron was at the west end of Lowell Ponds in a pond near the parking lot. On August 24, Canter reported that the Little Blue Heron was at the west end of Heron Lake. On August 27, Hudak reported that the Little Blue Heron was in the pond west of the parking lot. On August 28, Mayfield reported that the Little Blue Heron was in a pond W of the Lowell Parking lot and South of Clear Creek. --An Ovenbird was banded by McBurney at the Barr Lake Banding Station on August 26. --A Broad-winged Hawk was reported by Gilbert at 76th and Zuni on August 28. Alamosa County: --At Blanca Wetlands on August 24, Rawinski reported Ruddy Turnstone and Snowy Plovers at pond #16. --At Blanca Wetlands on August 26, Neldner refound the Ruddy Turnstone at Pond #16; 2 Snowy Plovers at Pond #46, and 3 Snowy Plovers at Pond #114. Boulder County: --A Mississippi Kite was reported by Page flying over open space near Coal Creek east of Louisville Golf Course on August 25. Custer County: --At Lake DeWeese on August 25, The Arkansas Valley Audubon field trip reported Black and Eastern Phoebes below the dam and 3 Northern Waterthrush at the low end of the lake. Fremont County: --A Northern Waterthrush was reported by Moss along the Canon City Riverwalk on August 26. Huerfano County: --2 Greater Roadrunners were reported by Neldner on the W end of Horsehoe Lake on August 28. Jefferson County: --A SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER was reported by Faulkner on the VanBibbler Trail in Arvada on August 25. The Trail Parking lot is on the W side of Ward Road about 1/4 mi S of 58th Ave. The SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER was refound by Sanders on August 26 and on August 27 by Kilpatrick in the location described by Faulkner. The SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER was reported by Wathen and Burt on the Van Bibbler Trail on August 28. --A SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER was reported by Norm Lewis at 6th Ave frontage road in front of Red Rocks Community College on August 25. La Plata County: --2 Nashville Warblers were reported by Morris on the Animas River Trail in Durango on August 26. The trail is behind Home Depot. Logan/Segwick Counties: --At Jumbo on August 26, the Boulder Bird Club field trip had a Short-billed Dowitcher. Mesa County: --A juv Green Heron was reported by Stigen at Fuita State Park on August 23. --A Dunlin was reported by Bradley at the Redlands Parkway North Pond in Grand Junction on August 25. --A Green Heron was reported by Arnold on August 28 on the Colorado River Trail accessed from 29 Road in Grand Junction. Montrose County: --A Cassin's Kingbird and Nashville Warbler were reported by Dexter in Nucla on August 25. The Nashville Warbler was E of the sewer lagoons. Morgan County: --A juvenal plumaged CURLEW SANDPIPER was reported by Mlodinow at Jackson Reservoir on August 23. Park by the dam, walk east along the dam face, at about marker 18 scan to north about half mile away. The CURLEW SANDPIPER was with a BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER. Rubber boots are highly recommended. Mlodinow also reported 2 juv Short-billed Dowitchers at Jackson on August 23. On August 27, Norm Lewis relocated CURLEW SANDPIPER and
[cobirds] El Paso County - Falcon, Colorado
It's always a good thing when you can find other people that have the same desire to be out birding all day. We recently had a new employee arrive at our office. Just prior to Dr. R.M.'s arrival at our worksite, she had watched The Big Year. This movie, along with findout out that I enjoy birding, sparked an interest in her to begin this incredible hobby. Two days after our meeting, she was hooked. She purchased a home in Falcon, Colorado, and began the search for birds. She found a pond on Stapleton Drive, just east of Meridian. (Stapleton Drive and Lambert Road intersection) She managed to get almost a dozen species identified from this pond in just a few days. From her tips on this pond, my wife and I decided to visit it on Wednseday (28 Aug 2012). We arrived at approx 6:45pm, so the sunlight was pretty bad. Right away I could see a good amount of activity. Mallards everywhere. Wilson's Phalaropes doing their Crazy Ivan dances around the Mallards. Killdeer - dozens Sandpipers - pretty sure Solitary and others that I couldn't identify. Then, in the NW corner of the pond, I spotted a group of interesting birds. Long dark bill. Brown. Stripes down the back. I believe they are my 285th life bird - Wilson's Snipe! Or, if my eyesight is getting bad, they could be Short Billed Dowitchers. Im going with Wilson's Snipe. (Would appreciate any feedback from other birders about my identity and tell me what all the types of Sandpipers were at that location) Good birding! Aaron Driscoll 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 https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
[cobirds] Scissor-tailed Flycatcher - Jefferson
Gary Mathews, Bob Schlosser, Judy Wright and I enjoyed the Scissor- tailed Flycatcher hunting from the wire fence on the north side of the Van Bibber trail at the top of the hill immediately east of the yellow hydrant from about 11:00 to 11:30 this morning. Judy and Gary certainly got their money's worth for their drive down from Estes! Chuck Lowrie, 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 https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
RE: [cobirds] Scissor-tailed Flycatcher - Jefferson
What a crazy bird. At 8:45 am the Boulder Bird Club and I had the bird in the same area but it flew a 1/2 mile almost to Ward Rd at about 8:50 am. We couldn't refind it. Shortly thereafter, I had a Sage Thrasher and a Lark Bunting just north of 52nd and Xenon in some open and weedy fields directly south of the office building south of the church. Ira Sanders Golden, CO -Original Message- From: cobirds@googlegroups.com [mailto:cobirds@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Chuck Sent: Wednesday, August 29, 2012 12:46 PM To: Colorado Birds Subject: [cobirds] Scissor-tailed Flycatcher - Jefferson Gary Mathews, Bob Schlosser, Judy Wright and I enjoyed the Scissor- tailed Flycatcher hunting from the wire fence on the north side of the Van Bibber trail at the top of the hill immediately east of the yellow hydrant from about 11:00 to 11:30 this morning. Judy and Gary certainly got their money's worth for their drive down from Estes! Chuck Lowrie, 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 https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out. -- 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 https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
[cobirds] Tennessee Warbler-Last Chance/Washington County
Hi all, Dave Leatherman just called to report he found 22 species of birds at Last Chance including a 1st fall female Tennessee Warbler. The warbler was feeding on aphids on the north side in the thistle patch. Dave says while Last Chance looks bad it is coming back and definitely worth checking. --- Rachel Hopper Ft. 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 cobirds@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
[cobirds] Fw: eBird Report - Cameron Pass--Jackson Co., Aug 23, 2012
Good morning. This is my first post. Is this the correct procedure? Suggestions? Jim Thompson 667-8965 Sent: Monday, August 27, 2012 4:17 PM To: forparg...@msn.com Subject: eBird Report - Cameron Pass--Jackson Co., Aug 23, 2012 Cameron Pass--Jackson Co., Jackson, US-CO Aug 23, 2012 8:00 AM - 2:00 PM Protocol: Traveling 80.0 mile(s) Comments: POUDRE CANYON FROM FT COLLINS TO WALDEN--WEST 24 species Mallard 6 Turkey Vulture 2 Swainson's Hawk 1 Red-tailed Hawk 2 Broad-tailed Hummingbird 3 Rufous Hummingbird 2 Belted Kingfisher 1 Northern Flicker 5 American Kestrel 5 ALL NEAR WALDEN-WEST SIDE OF CAMERON PASS Gray Jay 5 Steller's Jay 2 Black-billed Magpie 4 Common Raven 2 American Robin 9 Wilson's Warbler 1 VISITER CENTER WEST SIDE OF CAMERON PASS Green-tailed Towhee 1 VISITER CENTER WEST SIDE OF CAMERON PASS Chipping Sparrow 10 White-crowned Sparrow 2 Dark-eyed Junco 1 Black-headed Grosbeak 2 VISITER CENTER WEST SIDE OF CAMERON PASS Red-winged Blackbird 3 Cassin's Finch 1 VISITER CENTER WEST SIDE OF CAMERON PASS House Finch 7 Pine Siskin 10 This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org) -- 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 https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
[cobirds] Jackson Lake , Curlew Sandpiper
Hi CO birders : My group of Jackie H , Jeannie M and Aaron S picked out the juvenile Curlew Sandpiper finally around 11 AM after walking out from the west side campground to the waters edge through sinking , stinking mud. If we hadn't been pre alerted to look for a Dunlin type peep it would have passed us by ( thanks Steve M ). Look for a Dunlin type profile , longer black legs , little larger in size to adjacent Baird's , prominent white supercilium , scaly back , long downcurved bill , pale underparts , did not notice any buffy wash on upper breast perhaps because of the intense light. Aaron managed to get a distant flight picture showing the white rump and leg extension beyond tail . Earlier along the SW inlet canal ( access from the South end ) we had a variety of peeps including two Buff-breasted Sandpipers which walked right past us just a few yards away.Some gripping photos were taken. Later we walked the dam wall from the outlet canal and found Marbled Godwit ( 3 ) , Sanderling ( 1 ) , Red-necked Phalarope ( 2 ) , Short-billed Dowitcher ( 1) plus the more common shorebirds . Finally before the heat defeated us we visited the SWA area at the north end and counted 26 Mountain Plovers in the grassy verge of the beach. John Drummond Monument -- 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 https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
[cobirds] Flycatcher in Canon City with very long and wide bill, a Traill's??
When I saw the very long and wide bill with orangish lower mandible on a empidonax flycatcher yesterday morning I thought it might be an Acadian Flycatcher. I shot a number of photos quickly before it flew off into an off-limits and fenced area by the Canon City Riverwalk. I went back down this morning in case it was still around so I might get photos from a different angle to help with id but did not see it. It has long wings, primary projection looks long, whitish throat and underparts, the hint of wing bars not visible clearly in my photos. I have read that Willow Flycatchers have bills that are almost as long and wide as Acadian's do but Sibley's Field Guide to Birds says Western Willows have moderate primary projections. I have uploaded photos onto my Birds and Nature blog http://BirdsAndNature.blogspot.com and would appreciate some assistance with id. SeEtta Moss Canon City Blogging for Birds and Blooms magazine @ http://birdsandbloomsblog.com/author/seetta-moss/ Personal blog @ http://BirdsAndNature.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 https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
Re: [cobirds] Flycatcher in Canon City with very long and wide bill, a Traill's??
Nick, The only pewee I have seen with that large of a bill is a Greater Peweehttp://birdsandnature.blogspot.com/search?q=peweethat I photographed in McAllen, Texas and this bird reminded me of that one but it seemed very unlikely. SeEtta Moss Canon City Blogging for Birds and Blooms magazine @ http://birdsandbloomsblog.com/author/seetta-moss/ Personal blog @ http://BirdsAndNature.blogspot.com On Wed, Aug 29, 2012 at 8:55 PM, Nick Komar quetza...@comcast.net wrote: SeEtta, the photos in your blog document (in my mind) very nicely an Eastern Wood-Pewee. Very long wings, dull wing-bars, all yellow mandible, and uniform pale underparts. The bill is a pewee bill, too large for any empid, I believe. I have a photo of one from Missouri on-line here: http://www.pbase.com/quetzal/image/145449093. -- 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 https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
[cobirds] Not empid, then Greater versus Western Pewee
I didn't think my bird was a Western Pewee not only because of the size of the bill but because Western Pewee's don't have all organish/yellowish lower mandibles per *Birds of North America* online (also not in my experience): Upper mandible is black; lower mandible is mostly black, or black-tipped, pale toward base. Gape yellow BNA says the following about Greater Pewee bill that is consistent with the bird I photographed yesterday: Upper mandible dusky brown to nearly black, lower mandible yellowish to orange, mouth lining vivid orange BNA also says, Eastern (*C. virens*) and Western wood-pewees are smaller with olive-brown plumage, shorter tails, no crest (only slightly peaked crown), and proportionately smaller bills. SeEtta Moss Canon City Blogging for Birds and Blooms magazine @ http://birdsandbloomsblog.com/author/seetta-moss/ Personal blog @ http://BirdsAndNature.blogspot.com On Wed, Aug 29, 2012 at 9:14 PM, SeEtta Moss seet...@gmail.com wrote: Nick, The only pewee I have seen with that large of a bill is a Greater Peweehttp://birdsandnature.blogspot.com/search?q=peweethat I photographed in McAllen, Texas and this bird reminded me of that one but it seemed very unlikely. -- 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 https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
[cobirds] Rose-breasted Grosbeak--Lakewood/Jeffco
Migrants continue to make it through the backyard here in Green Mtn/Lakewood. Today, I had a immature male Rose-breasted Grosbeak, several Western Tanagers, and a possible female Indigo Bunting. The Rose-breasted Grosbeak never visited the platform feeder a few feet away but stayed an hour eating Golden Elder berries. In the afternoon I was able to see the Little Blue Heron at Lowell ponds. If you go looking for thr bird make sure to park in the parking lot that is on the south side of the river. The bird was on the pond on your left. Photos of both the Little Blue Heron and Rose-breasted Grosbeak can be seen in the gallery below: http://jaeger29.smugmug.com/BIRDS/RARE-AND-UNCOMMON-2012/20954977_HSMsV3#!i=2056079180k=SkcM762 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 cobirds@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
[cobirds] Re: Not empid, then Greater versus Western Pewee
I have a lot of photographs of Western Wood-Pewee since they are common to the Canon City area and I photographed one this morning within 50 feet of where I photographed the other bird. I have added that photo to a post on my blog with one of the other bird's photoshttp://birdsandnature.blogspot.com/2012/08/not-acadian-flycatcher.html. It has a black tip on the lower mandible. I think the bill looks proportionally smaller. BTW-the Greater Phoebe I photographed in McAllen,Tx was on their Rare Bird Alert and identity had been confirmed by several highly skilled birders from that area. Didn't say it,but the bird I photographed yesterday did not make a sound, naturally. SeEtta Moss Canon City Blogging for Birds and Blooms magazine @ http://birdsandbloomsblog.com/author/seetta-moss/ Personal blog @ http://BirdsAndNature.blogspot.com On Wed, Aug 29, 2012 at 9:44 PM, SeEtta Moss seet...@gmail.com wrote: I didn't think my bird was a Western Pewee not only because of the size of the bill but because Western Pewee's don't have all organish/yellowish lower mandibles per *Birds of North America* online (also not in my experience): Upper mandible is black; lower mandible is mostly black, or black-tipped, pale toward base. Gape yellow -- 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 https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
[cobirds] Greater Pewee
SeEtta, I am with you on this one. That bill is way too big for a Wood-Pewee. My vote is Greater Pewee. This bird is not on the Colorado list, to my knowledge, but it is long overdue. Is it fairly common not too far away in southeast AZ. Great find. Better share which section of the Riverwalk you were on. Hopefully, it will show up again, especially with many eyes looking for it. Nick Komar Fort Collins CO From: SeEtta Moss Sent: Wednesday, August 29, 2012 10:17 PM To: Nick Komar Cc: cobirds@googlegroups.com Subject: Re: Not empid, then Greater versus Western Pewee I have a lot of photographs of Western Wood-Pewee since they are common to the Canon City area and I photographed one this morning within 50 feet of where I photographed the other bird. I have added that photo to a post on my blog with one of the other bird's photos. It has a black tip on the lower mandible. I think the bill looks proportionally smaller. BTW-the Greater Phoebe I photographed in McAllen,Tx was on their Rare Bird Alert and identity had been confirmed by several highly skilled birders from that area. Didn't say it,but the bird I photographed yesterday did not make a sound, naturally. SeEtta Moss Canon City Blogging for Birds and Blooms magazine @ http://birdsandbloomsblog.com/author/seetta-moss/ Personal blog @ http://BirdsAndNature.blogspot.com On Wed, Aug 29, 2012 at 9:44 PM, SeEtta Moss seet...@gmail.com wrote: I didn't think my bird was a Western Pewee not only because of the size of the bill but because Western Pewee's don't have all organish/yellowish lower mandibles per Birds of North America online (also not in my experience): Upper mandible is black; lower mandible is mostly black, or black-tipped, pale toward base. Gape yellow -- 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 https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
[cobirds] Re: Greater Pewee
Nick, Thanks for sticking with me on this one. As I noted in my first post, I knew this bird was very unusual and took a lot of photos before it flew off. I have gone back through them and found one showing more of a crest, another characteristic of a Greater Pewee, and added it to my Birds and Nature blog. http://BirdsAndNature.blogspot.com The bird was on the Canon City Riverwalk near the west side of the sewer district fence and across from the ropes course. Access this location by taking 9th Street south off of H50 (in middle of town), then go across Arkansas River to Sell's Ave. Turn left (only choice) on Sell's Ave and follow it to end which is the parking lot to Canon City Riverwalk. Take trail on bluff side to where it divides, take left trail to trail that begins at vault toilet. Follow this center trail towards sewer district fence. I saw the bird 50 feet west of the fence then it flew inside the fenced area. Be sure to bring some strong insect repellent. After relatively small numbers of mosquitos all summer, they have increased tremendously in past 3 days. SeEtta Moss Canon City Blogging for Birds and Blooms magazine @ http://birdsandbloomsblog.com/author/seetta-moss/ Personal blog @ http://BirdsAndNature.blogspot.com On Wed, Aug 29, 2012 at 10:49 PM, Nick Komar quetza...@comcast.net wrote: SeEtta, I am with you on this one. That bill is way too big for a Wood-Pewee. My vote is Greater Pewee. This bird is not on the Colorado list, to my knowledge, but it is long overdue. Is it fairly common not too far away in southeast AZ. Great find. Better share which section of the Riverwalk you were on. Hopefully, it will show up again, especially with many eyes looking for it. -- 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 https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
[cobirds] Williamson's Sapsucker, Eastern, Black and hybrid phoebes also on Canon City Riverwalk
Yesterday I also found a female Williamson's Sapsucker on the Canon City Riverwalk near the location I saw the possible Greater Pewee. I saw one today also and it about a quarter mile east of where I saw one yesterday, may be the same bird. In the past several days I have seen several Black Phoebes, at least 2 Eastern Phoebes and likely two Black X Eastern hybrid phoebes on the Canon City Riverwalk between the Sell's Lake parking lot and Raynolds Ave. Today I saw 2 MacGillivray's Warblers, both females. Lots of Wilson's Warblers moving through, seeing adult males more. Still some Yellow Warblers though numbers diminished. And there was a big push of migrating Western Tanagers--I saw 25-30 in less than an hour! If you come down to look for the possible Greater Pewee, be aware there are a good number of Western Wood-Pewees moving through and many are not calling. Note: The Canon City Riverwalk from MacKenzie to Ash Street hill is still closed off for sewer replacement. SeEtta Moss Canon City Blogging for Birds and Blooms magazine @ http://birdsandbloomsblog.com/author/seetta-moss/ Personal blog @ http://BirdsAndNature.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 https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
