[cobirds] Redpolls
Alas, I must question Nick's suggestions. Do we really want to throw the baby out with the bath water? Yes,, redpolls are hard to identify. Yes, there are some taxonomic questions, with some authorities lumping all, and others splitting them into 5. As we struggle with junco subspecies, and with understanding the distribution of montane and eastern forms of WB Nuthatches, should we just label them all redpolls? I think not. If we truly do not understand what is going on in CO, then we should redouble our efforts to do so. Learn something for ourselves and contribute to general knowledge as well. However, it should be noted that Colorado doth not exist in isolation, for we do know that both Hoary and Common Redpolls are invading south across much of the continent in a huge way. Yes, some of the Commons are paler, some are darker, but I do question whether that truly indicates their latitude of origin. Those differences between northern and southern breeding Common Redpolls truly are averages. But it doesn't really matter. We have many dark Common Redpolls, some pale ones, and undoubtedly, a very few Hoaries. Estimates of Hoary:Common Redpolls in prior irruptions from central and western USA have ranged in the 1:200 to 1:500 range. So, be careful, most definitely. Fire those cameras up. Certainly. Good photos will be very helpful in making these identifications. But just be happy with redpoll and not challenge thine mind? Methinks not! It is not a matter of convincing, but rather 'tis a matter of studying and learning. Of curiosity. Happy Polling Red Steve Mlodinow Longmont 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] Colorado Rare Bird Alert for Saturday, January 5, 2013
Compiler:Joyce Takamine Date: January 5, 2013 email: rba AT cfobirds.org phone:303-659-8750 This is the Colorado Rare Bird Alert for Saturday, January 5, 2013, 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) TUNDRA SWAN (Arapahoe, Pueblo) EURASIAN WIGEON (Fremont) Long-tailed Duck (Pueblo, Weld) Barrow's Goldeneye (*Adams, Garfield, Larimer, Mesa, Pueblo) Red-throated Loon (Pueblo) Pacific Loon (Pueblo) Turkey Vulture (Kit Carson) MEW GULL (Boulder, Pueblo) Thayer's Gull (Boulder, Broomfield, Larimer, Pueblo) ICELAND GULL (Broomfield, Pueblo) Lesser Black-backed Gull (Boulder, Broomfield, Larimer, Pueblo) GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULL (Pueblo) Glaucous Gull (Boulder, Broomfield, Pueblo) Great Black-backed Gull (Pueblo) White-winged Dove (Larimer, Mesa) SNOWY OWL (Arapahoe) ACORN WOODPECKER (*El Paso) Red-bellied Woodpecker (Logan) Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Pueblo) Chihuahuan Raven (Larimer) Winter Wren (Kit Carson, Larimer) Lapland Longspur (Kit Carson) Pine Warbler (Larimer, Pueblo) EASTERN TOWHEE (Custer) White-throated Sparrow (Larimer) Harris's Sparrow (*Boulder, Larimer) GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW (Boulder, *Jefferson) Northern Cardinal (Boulder, Logan) EASTERN MEADOWLARK (Kit Carson) Rusty Blackbird (Adams) Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch (Jefferson, Mesa, Pitkin) Black Rosy-Finch (Jefferson, Mesa) Common Redpoll (*Boulder, Kit Carson, *Jefferson, Larimer, Mesa, Pitkin, Pueblo) HOARY REDPOLL (Larimer) Adams County: -- 4 Barrow's Goldeneyes (3m, 1f) were reported by Mlodinow on the S Platte River between 68th and 88th on December 29. On January 4, Gilbert reported 4 Barrow's Goldeneyes (2m, 2f) by the water tank S of 88th and Colorado. --On January 1, along the S Platte River from 74th St upstream, Floyd reported 8 Rusty Blackbirds on the Denver Urban CBC. Arapahoe County: --A SNOWY OWL was reported by Stachowiak flying across I-225 between Yosemite and Parker Road toward fields below Cherry Creek Dam. --A Tundra Swan was reported by Mieger at the inlet to Cherry Creek on December 31. Boulder County: --On December 29, Cushman reported that the Northern Cardinal continues in Hawthorn Gulch. --On December 27, Floyd reported 1 ad Glaucous Gull, 1 ad MEW GULL, 4 Thayer's Gulls, 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls. On December 30, Kaempfer reported MEW GULL and ad Lesser Black-backed Gull at Valmont. On January 3, Mlodinow reported 4 Lesser Black-backed Gulls and 6 Thayer's Gulls at Valmont Reservoir. --On January 1, Dowell reported GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW and Harris's Sparrows near the small stream which passes under Valmont where the pedestrian crossing for White Rocks is. On January 3, Mlodinow reported GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW and 2 Harris's Sparrows along the path from the Teller Farms parking lot to the White-Rocks Trail and they flew to north side of Valmont Road. --On January 4, Piombino reported about 20 Common Redpolls and 1-3 Harris's Sparrows coming to her feeders. Her address is 6012 St Vrain Road which is W of Hygiene. Broomfield County: --On December 27, Mlodinow reported 2 Thayer's Gulls and Lesser Black-backed Gull and Schmoker reported Glaucous Gull and 2nd cyc ICELAND GULL at Anthem Ranch. Anthem Ranch is S of Hwy 7 and Lowell. --At Sienna Pond (Corner of Lowell Sheridan) Mlodinow reported Glaucous Gull and Schmoker reported Lesser Black-backed Gull on December 27. Custer County: --A f EASTERN TOWHEE was reported by Dan Maynard in Wetmore in a yard with a feeder on CR 395 on January 1. El Paso County: --On January 4, Teuton reported that the ACORN WOODPECKER continues in SW Colorado Springs around Willow Circle and Cheyenne Blvd. Fremont County: --An ad m EURASIAN WIGEON first found on the Penrose CBC was refound by Drummond at Centennial Park in Canyon City on December 30. It was feeding on grass with American Wigeon. Steve Brown reported that the EURASIAN WIGEON continues at Centennial Park on January 1. Garfield County: --35 Barrow's Goldeneyes were reported by Filby at Coryell Ranch Pond on January 2. Jefferson County: --Henwood reported on November 26 that the GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW continuues at Red Rocks Trading Post. On December 28, Henwood reported 8 Gray-crowned and 2 Black Rosy-Finches at Red Rocks Trading Post. On December 31, Skrenty reported GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW and 1 Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch at Red Rocks Trading Post. On January 4, Brown reported GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW and 2 Common Redpoll at Red Rocks Trading Post. Kit Carson County: --On the Flager CBC on December 27, Kaempfer reported Common Redpoll, Winter Wren, EASTERN
Re: [cobirds] Redpolls
Steve, thanks for bringing up these points. You are absolutely right, we should be curious and seek to learn (and document) as much as possible about bird identification and distribution in the state, especially as the environment is changing so rapidly. Ordinarily, I would fully support classifying Colorado birds to the subspecies level. In the case of the redpolls, this can only be done if the subspecies are well defined, and apparently they are not. So rather than getting an accurate distribution of redpoll subspecies, conservative identification practices are leading to strongly biased conclusions, such as the one you quoted: the ratio of Common Redpoll:Hoary Redpoll sightings of approximately 200:1. This assumes that any redpoll not definitively identified as a Hoary Redpoll is indeed a Common Redpoll. What would be a practical approach to learning more about redpoll distribution in Colorado? I don’t think written descriptions or photos will be sufficient for future arbiters to look back at this redpoll invasion and determine which redpolls these are. On the other hand, a DNA bank would do just the trick. I suspect the full genetic story of redpoll taxonomy has yet to be worked out, but eventually it will be. Then, old records could be correctly identified to subspecies IF the DNA from those records is banked (and then eventually tested). I suspect the Museum of Science and Nature would be willing to bank feathers for example (Feathers are an adequate source for DNA). Perhaps the RMBO would be willing to set up mist nets or other traps and capture a set of redpolls for this purpose. There is a small chance that a banded bird might be recaptured later, which would also be useful information. This could be a nice little project for someone (perhaps a university student), and I’ll bet funding could be obtained quickly from the CFO project fund. Would anyone from the Museum, RMBO or the CFO Board wish to comment on this proposal? Nick Komar From: Steven Mlodinow Sent: Saturday, January 05, 2013 1:47 AM To: cobirds@googlegroups.com Subject: [cobirds] Redpolls Alas, I must question Nick's suggestions. Do we really want to throw the baby out with the bath water? Yes,, redpolls are hard to identify. Yes, there are some taxonomic questions, with some authorities lumping all, and others splitting them into 5. As we struggle with junco subspecies, and with understanding the distribution of montane and eastern forms of WB Nuthatches, should we just label them all redpolls? I think not. If we truly do not understand what is going on in CO, then we should redouble our efforts to do so. Learn something for ourselves and contribute to general knowledge as well. However, it should be noted that Colorado doth not exist in isolation, for we do know that both Hoary and Common Redpolls are invading south across much of the continent in a huge way. Yes, some of the Commons are paler, some are darker, but I do question whether that truly indicates their latitude of origin. Those differences between northern and southern breeding Common Redpolls truly are averages. But it doesn't really matter. We have many dark Common Redpolls, some pale ones, and undoubtedly, a very few Hoaries. Estimates of Hoary:Common Redpolls in prior irruptions from central and western USA have ranged in the 1:200 to 1:500 range. So, be careful, most definitely. Fire those cameras up. Certainly. Good photos will be very helpful in making these identifications. But just be happy with redpoll and not challenge thine mind? Methinks not! It is not a matter of convincing, but rather 'tis a matter of studying and learning. Of curiosity. Happy Polling Red Steve Mlodinow Longmont 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. -- 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] Lee Martinez Park/Larimer
Hi this morning Maya and I saw a soaring Adult male Rough-legged Hawk just west of the poudre bike trail and N. College Ave. intersection. Also in the vicinity were approximately 33 Common Redpolls right around the corner from the Museum of Discovery. If anyone is interested in listening to a sound recording of a Common Redpoll that I haven't heard before let me know. Good Birding Rob Sparks Old Town Fort Collins -- 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. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msg/cobirds/-/MTxvQNu5nb8J. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
[cobirds] Boulder County 1/5/13
Hello birders, I tracked down many of the continuing rarities in Boulder County today while bolstering my year list. I started at Legion Park, overlooking the Valmont Reservoir complex. The AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN continues (it can fly). There were 4 TUNDRA SWANS in Valmont itself. A new arrival was a COMMON LOON. Pretty odd bird in Jan, but I think there are a few loons down in Pueblo these days. Over at the Teller Farms/White Rocks Trail area, I found the continuing GOLDEN-CROWNED and HARRIS'S SPARROW (1), as well as 10 BREWER'S BLACKBIRDS at the feedlot. The flock of Zonotrichias was in the bushes in front of the abandoned white farmhouse across the street from the trailhead off Valmont. They don't seem to hang out in the juniper wind-break anymore, but spend time in the weeds along the trail west of the parking lot, in the draw by the crosswalk, or in the shrubs around the old farmstead. I walked up to a little north of the White Rocks bridge over Boulder Creek. There were 5 EASTERN BLUEBIRDS in the pasture north of the creek. Ted Floyd's oddball female MALLARD X ?? was in the creek. She's not a pure Mallard, as Ted explained, but what exactly she is is still up in the air. Mostly Mallard, but the bill is distinctly American Black Duck-like. The bill is olive-yellow with the black restricted to the nail, like an eclipse male Mallard or AMBD. I didn't get a look at the speculum. The tail color and body plumage were all typical for a Mallard. Cruising down Hwy 287, I spotted the ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK reported by Jack Harlan yesterday. It was a bit further north, on the east side of the road across from Dawson Rd. I stopped by Thomas Reservoir (119th) to see if there were any loitering gulls. There were not, but there were about 1200 CACKLING GEESE, 200 CANADA GEESE, and 1 immature ROSS'S GOOSE. Down at Sterns Lake, I enjoyed the large flock of GREAT-TAILED GRACKLES as well as the ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK who was hunting over the fields north of the lake. Lots of raptors in the area, including a couple of FERRUGINOUS HAWKS, BALD EAGLES, and a really nice female PRAIRIE MERLIN. It didn't take me long to find the NORTHERN CARDINAL in the usual spot along the Goat Trail at the end of Hawthorn Dr in Boulder. I didn't actually see him today, but he was chipping away and I could hear him scratching in the dense shrubs in the gully downhill from the trail. Lots of juncos of all the various types foraging in the area (thanks seed fairies!) I ended the day stationed on Ute Butte overlooking the Valmont Reservoirs. A NORTHERN SHRIKE zipped by near the offices. The TUNDRA SWAN count bumped up to 12. This was one of the best evenings I've experienced out there, with very little wind, warm (relatively) temps and perfectly clear atmosphere. The gulls cooperated nicely, flying out of Leggitt at the last minute and flying straight to me, so all the birds in the area congregated in a single massive flock (at least 8,000 gulls) at my feet. Nothing terribly rare, though, that I could pick out. 3 LESSER BLACK-BACKEDS (1 ad, 1 2nd w, 1 1st w), 1 CALIFORNIA GULL, a handfull of THAYER'S GULLS, and good numbers of HERRING GULLS. The adult Glaucous was MIA, although it's been pretty regular lately. Cheers, Christian Nunes Boulder, CO pajaro...@hotmail.com http://www.flickr.com/photos/christian_nunes/ -- 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] Platte River in Adams County - Rusty Blackbirds and Other Goodies
Greetings - Yesterday (Friday) morning I ventured up to the Platte River in Adams County for a brief walk before heading to work. I parked at 78th Ave/Steele Street and headed north to the now-famous turquoise and white tank where I along with another birder relocated the four Barrow's Goldeneyes (3 males, 1 female). I walked all the way down to I-76, but was unable to locate the Rusty Blackbirds that had been in the area previously. The other birds seen were all of the expected variety (lots of ducks). Today (Saturday), Jeff and I revisited the Platte; parking just north of I-270. First we headed south where we quickly found the eight Rusty Blackbirds between I-270 and the outflow from the effluent plant. They were quite cooperative and flew into a nearby tree where we could see both the light colored eyes and the extensive oxidation which contributes to their name. We then wandered north to 78th Avenue. The river was packed with the more common waterfowl. Of note was at least one Greater Scaup who spent some time with a couple of his lesser cousins allowing for good comparisons of size and structure, a couple of Ruddy Ducks, five Double-crested Cormorants, a couple of Killdeer. At least one adult and one juvenal Bald Eagle as well as a Rough-legged Hawk cruised by. A beautiful January day to be out and about. Good birding, Kathy Mihm Dunning 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.
[cobirds] Lake Isabel CBC -- Beulah area, Pueblo Co. Jan. 5th
Hi all, My uncle Van Truan and I covered the entire northern half of the Lake Isabel CBC circle all day today. This included the town of Beulah, Pueblo Mountain Park, Hwy 78 west and east of Beulah, a few miles of North Creek and Siloam Roads N of Hwy 78, all of 3R Road, and all of Waterbarral Road. We ended up with 45 species of birds. Our highlights were: one Acorn Woodpecker (new for the count), two Williamson's Sapsuckers (male and female), a Harris's Sparrow,a Chihuahuan Raven, the only Juniper Titmouse (3), Bushtit (6), Bewick's Wren, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Western Meadowlark (3), Northern Shrike and Golden Eagle for the count. Other nice numbers for our area were: 167 Wild Turkeys, three Ferruginous and two Rough-legged Hawks, 104 American Crows (1 was totally albino!), 108 Mountain Chickadees, 87 Red-breasted Nuthatches, 111 Mountain Bluebirds, 41 Townsend's Solitaires, and 11 Cassin's Finches. Dave Silverman (the compiler of the Lake Isabel CBC), and other birders covered the southern half of the circle, which includes the towns of Colorado City, Rye, and Lake Isabel. Some of their highlights were Wood Duck, Northern Goshawk, and Pine Grosbeaks. I think the total species counts is around 67 species. Thanks to everyone who was able to help on CBCs in Colorado this season! Happy New Year and Good birding, Brandon Percival Colorado CBC Regional Editor Pueblo West, 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] Mob of Crows or Ravens
Cobirders, I had the pleasure of watching a Bobcat sleep in a Cottonwood behind my house with a dead squirrel resting on a branch just above him. After an hour or so, the Bobcat decided he was ready for a light meal began eating the squirrel. Within a few minutes, at least 150 - 200 Crows or Ravens (hoping someone will tell me which species!) appeared making a major raucous such that the Bobcat climbed down the tree w/ his cache. Within 5 - 7 minutes they finally dispersed. It was quite a thing to see and I am continually amazed by nature. Cheers, Nicolle Martin Littleton, CO (near Chatfield Arboretum) -- 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] Cardinal in Boulder still
Topiltzin and I are seeing the cardinal in his usual spot at the pumo house, along with scrub jays, Townsends solitaites juncos and both chickadees Sent from my iPhone. Niwot Elena Holly Klaver -- 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: Redpolls
Cobirders, I Happened to have read a phylogenetic study of the redpoll complex recently. Essentially, there appears to be absolutely no genetic structure amongst any of the (up to 3) proposed species groups, or the subspecies groups. It is theoretically possible that the phylogenetic folks are missing something, but it is very unlikely. Studies of their closest relatives, the Twite, have been able to easily discern subspecies groups using the same techniques. I guess this doesn't really mean anything in terms of how carefully folks want to scrutinize and document redpolls in CO, but I guess I feel like trying to identify every individual to anything other than Redpoll appears to be an exercise in futility. That said, up here in Montana we are absolutely inundated with these guys and they are certainly a lot of fun to look at. Enjoy, Andy Boyce Missoula, MT On Saturday, December 29, 2012 4:09:09 PM UTC-7, mln66 wrote: Question for everyone... Anyone know of a population of Redpolls that are being seen on a regular basis (more or less regular)? General location, feeder, etc...I am willing to put in a little leg time to find, just get me in the right ballpark. Hoping to get a good photo of a Redpoll before the end of the year. Feel free to email me back, Matt Newport Aurora -- 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. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msg/cobirds/-/0KT34PBIOlAJ. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
[cobirds] Boulder Raptors feeding near Teller Lake
COBirders, On my way to Teller Lake, I noticed a Golden Eagle and 4 Red-tailed Hawks feeding on something big - presumably a deer. There were another 4-5 Red-tails perched in trees not far from the site, and a passerby said he had two Bald Eagles in the area earlier. The carcass is on the North side of Valmont about 100 yards from the road unfortunately - in the last dogleg before the road straightens as you approach the Teller Lake parking area. Of note was a beautiful Dark Morph RTHA. As Christian Nunes reported, the Harris's Golden-crowned Sparrows were present feeding along the path just west of the Teller Lake parking area - mixed with a group of White-crowned Sparrows. I've posted photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/pgburke/ Good birding, Peter Burke Boulder, CO -- http://www.linkedin.com/pub/peter-burke/5/788/a62 -- 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.
