[cobirds] Colorado Rare Bird Alert, 21 March 2014
Compiler: Joyce Takamine Date: March 21, 2014 email: rba AT cfobirds.org phone: 303-659-8750 This is the Colorado Rare Bird Alert for Friday, March 21, 2014, sponsored by the 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 (* indicates new information on this species in this report). BRANT (Douglas) EURASIAN WIGEON (Douglas) Barrow's Goldeneye (Adams, Larimer, Montezuma) Broad-winged Hawk (Larimer) Upland Sandpiper (Rio Grande) Lesser Black-backed Gull (Denver) Thayer's Gull (Denver) Glaucous Gull (Denver) American Three-toed Woodpecker (Jefferson) Black Phoebe (Fremont, Montrose) Harris's Sparrow (Delta, *Garfield) GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW (*Jefferson) Northern Cardinal (Jefferson) Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch (Pitkin) Black Rosy-Finch (Pitkin) ADAMS COUNTY: --3 Barrow's Goldeneyes were reported by Gilbert on West Brant Lake on March 14. The lake is on 100th Ave between Riverdale and McKay near the Platte River. DELTA COUNTY: --A Harris's Sparrow was reported by Garrison at the FS office feeder in Paonia on March 18. DENVER COUNTY: --On March 16 at Marston Reservoir, Tina Jones reported 1-st cyc Thayer's Gull and Lesser Black-backed Gull on the east side. --On March 17 Suddjian reported 1st-cyc Glaucous Gull and 3-rd cyc Lesser Black-backed Gull at Marston Reservoir. On March 18, Suddjian reported 1-st cyc Glaucous Gull at Marston. DOUGLAS COUNTY: --A m EURASIAN WIGEON was reported by Kingery at Walker Pit in Franktown on March 15. Directions: A .25 to .5 mile W of the Franktown traffic light on CO 86, turn north on Walker Road. Viewing area is straight ahead half mile on W side. On March 16, Walbek reported that the EURASIAN WIGEON continues at Walker Pit. The wigeon was not seen on March 17. -- Stachowiak reports seeing the BRANT, on February 15, at the southeast corner of Redstone Park located in Highlands Ranch. Access the parking lot located on the west side of S Foothills Canyon Blvd approximately 2/10's of a mile south of W Town Center Drive. Look straight ahead as you enter the parking lot or to the left towards the houses on the edge of the park. Nikolai reported seeing the BRANT at Redstone Park on March 15. On March 16, Thompson reported that the BRANT was swimming on the pond at Redstone Park. On March 17, Carstensen reported that the BRANT was next to the pond on the eastern end of Redstone Park. FREMONT COUNTY: --A Black Phoebe was reported by Moss in tree behind the Fremont Sanitation District Plant in Florence on March 15. GARFIELD COUNTY: --Dick Filby reported that his yard Harris's Sparrow continues on March 20. If you would like to try to see the bird e-mail him at dickfilby AT hotmail.com. --58 Barrow's Goldeneyes were reported by Filby at the private ponds at Coryell Ranch viewable from the county road in Carbondale on March 15. JEFFERSON COUNTY: --A Northern Cardinal was reported by Rauh on March 14 in Lakewood in the neighborhood NW of Jewell and Sheridan. --Suddjian reported the GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW at Red Rocks Trading Post on March 18. Shade reported GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW at Red Rocks Trading Post on March 19. LARIMER COUNTY: --A pair of Barrow's Goldeneyes was reported by Baron at Timnath Reservoir on March 10. They were seen from the parking lot of open space (South Shore) off of CR 40. Lefko reported on March 14, that the pair of Barrow's Goldeneyes continues at Timnath. On March 16, Johnson reported that the pair of Barrow's Goldeneyes continues at Timnath. --A dark juv Broad-winged Hawk was reported by Sparks perched over the Poudre River then flew and perched at Poudre Bike Trail and Lee Martinez Park on March 13. MONTEZUMA COUNTY: --A m Barrow's Goldeneye was reported by Dexter at Dolores sewer ponds W of town on March 18. MONTROSE COUNTY: --On March 14, Dexter reported 3 Black Phoebes at Uravan. PITKIN COUNTY: --250 Rosy-Finches of all 3 species were reported by Filby at Snowmass Ski Area on March 19. RIO GRANDE COUNTY: --2 Upland Sandpipers were reported by Simmons on a rail fence at Monte Vista NWR on the west side of Hwy 15 on March 13. Upcoming DFO Field trips: The DFO field trip for Sunday, March 23 will be to the Wheat Ridge Greenbelt led by Toni Rautus. Meet the leader at Prospect Park in Wheat Ridge for a 1/2 day trip. Bring water and snacks; dress appropriately, in layers, for weather. From I-70 exit 267, take Kipling south about 3/4 of a mile and turn right (west) on 44th Ave. Go one mile west. Look for entrace to Prospect Park on your left (south). Meet just inside the park in the lot right next to the lake. Will check the lake for waterfowl before birding the paved and dirt paths along Clear Creek. Walking is
Re: [cobirds] Re: New Sibley Guide: Wait for the next printing
I can't see an issue in my copy. Would anyone be willing to pick out a few species we should compare with the 1st edition to see if we have a bad copy? Thanks Rick Taylor Colorado Springs El Paso County On Thursday, March 20, 2014 5:13:59 PM UTC-6, Peter Burke wrote: All: I too received a Dark Morph Sibley whether part of a bad batch, or the whole first print I don't know. -pb Peter Burke Editor, *Colorado Birds* *Colorado Field Ornithologists* 935 11th St. Boulder, CO 80302 (973) 214-0140 CFO http://www.cfobirds.org/ Flickrhttp://www.flickr.com/photos/pgburke/ LinkedIn http://www.linkedin.com/pub/peter-burke/5/788/a62 On Thu, Mar 20, 2014 at 12:39 PM, The Nunn Guy lef...@yahoo.comjavascript: wrote: Maybe it's a lot or batch and not the entire first publication? Thanks Gary Lefko, Nunn http://coloradobirder.ning.com/ Mobile: http://coloradobirder.ning.com/m On Thursday, March 20, 2014 12:01:29 PM UTC-6, Charles Hundertmark wrote: I am a huge fan of *The Sibley Guide to Birds*. I bought an extra-large fanny pack just so I could carry it on field trips. It simply illustrates more plumages of North American birds than any other field guide. I frequently find on field trips that I can illustrate this to participants when they can’t find a bird we’re looking at in another field guide. We can find it, however, in the Sibley guide. You can imagine then that, like many other birders, I have been waiting with excitement for the second edition of the guide. That edition was released on March 11, and I received my preordered copy over the weekend. On Tuesday night I looked through it closely and was disappointed to find that it suffered from what in bird plumage would be called melanism. Many of the illustrations are simply too dark. This, I believe, is a printing problem and not a problem with David Allen Sibley’s fine illustrations. If the printing problems are corrected for the next printing, this will be an outstanding field guide, with a significant number of species added as well as other improvements. Until the next printing, however, I would suggest holding off on purchasing this guide unless you want to invest in it as a curiosity like a coin minted with an error. As a field guide, however, the printing distortions render the first print less than useful. If you are unsure, you can check a copy at The Tatter Cover, Boulder Book Store, or your favorite local book seller. Brook MacDonald’s excellent review of the second edition can be found here http://naturetravelnetwork.com/book-review-sibley-guide- birds-second-edition/ and my review will be posted shortly on the DFO web site www.dfobirders.org. -- Chuck Hundertmark 2546 Lake Meadow Drive Lafayette, CO 80026 303-604-0531 Cell: 720-771-8659 chunde...@gmail.com -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups Colorado Birds group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to cobirds+u...@googlegroups.com javascript:. To post to this group, send email to cob...@googlegroups.comjavascript: . To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cobirds/91b798ef-7079-4fb7-bad2-48936af6d709%40googlegroups.comhttps://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cobirds/91b798ef-7079-4fb7-bad2-48936af6d709%40googlegroups.com?utm_medium=emailutm_source=footer . For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups Colorado Birds group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to cobirds+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To post to this group, send email to cobirds@googlegroups.com. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cobirds/43cdf2b1-f7ea-42c5-b4a5-d8f83c4753cd%40googlegroups.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
[cobirds] Greater Yellowlegs/Eaton
Hi all Crom Lake - Herring Gull continues Cozzens Lake - American White Pelican (28); Greater Yellowlegs; Bald Eagle (ad) on the shore; Say's Phoebe Neff Lake - lots of spring ducks; gulls Woods Lake - lots of spring ducks ditto Angel Lake; gulls Thanks Gary Lefko, Nunn http://coloradobirder.ning.com/ Mobile: http://coloradobirder.ning.com/m -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups Colorado Birds group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to cobirds+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To post to this group, send email to cobirds@googlegroups.com. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cobirds/bbd4cb69-337c-4075-9597-aa2a154602d6%40googlegroups.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
[cobirds] id help please
While on a chair lift at Copper Mtn, saw a small bird feeding on the top of a douglas fir tree at 11k elev. Not sure if it was going for the fir cone seeds or maybe insects. First impression was house finch by size, slim build, and pink/red breast and head. But the color seemed more orange and the wings too uniformly black. So I'm stumped on the following possibilities: - red crossbill - I think I would have noticed the distinct beak, but whatbird says smaller-billed birds favor spruce cones - pine grosbeak - my specimen seemed too small and slim - brown-capped rosy-finch - there was no cap! it was uniform red/orange head and neck, and would it be eating on a cone-covered fir tree top? -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups Colorado Birds group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to cobirds+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To post to this group, send email to cobirds@googlegroups.com. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cobirds/47721e49-1a79-4ddd-a40c-1f06825388c1%40googlegroups.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
Re: [cobirds] Re: New Sibley Guide: Wait for the next printing
Sharon Stiteler (Birdchick) posted some pictures comparing the colors to previous editions on her blog: http://www.birdchick.com/wp/2014/03/so-i-got-a-second-edition-sibley/ She notes that the Scarlet Tanager is much darker (and too dark) in this edition, and that reds oranges are in general a bit off. She uses Red-Shouldered Hawk as another example, where the bars look more brown than the orange she expected. Here's what David Sibley himself said in a comment on his website: David Sibley March 16, 2014 at 11:46 AM Yes, there are some problems with the colors in the second edition and those will be corrected in the next printing. See The Second edition is in-handhttp://www.sibleyguides.com/2014/01/the-second-edition-is-in-hand/at sibleyguides.com The printing issue apparently only affects a certain number of plates, or maybe it's just worse on some than others. Complaints I've seen have been about the reds being too dark and lack of detail on some images. The other major complaint is about the font being difficult to read, which is supposed to be corrected in the next printing as well. I haven't seen the book yet myself. I suggest you judge for yourself, but if Sibley is saying the colors are off on a few paintings, I'd believe him. Most of the paintings are supposed to be fine. He's going to be at the Tattered Cover on April 3 and the Boulder Bookstore on April 4, but I'm sure he's tired of answering questions about this. :-) -- - Barry Gingrich Broomfield County -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups Colorado Birds group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to cobirds+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To post to this group, send email to cobirds@googlegroups.com. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cobirds/a746329d-6049-4892-8b29-ff18190bc5fe%40googlegroups.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
[cobirds] Re: id help please
apologies from forgetting protocol on postings wrt name and area Ron Bolton, Berthoud On Friday, March 21, 2014 1:14:18 PM UTC-6, ronbco wrote: While on a chair lift at Copper Mtn, saw a small bird feeding on the top of a douglas fir tree at 11k elev. Not sure if it was going for the fir cone seeds or maybe insects. First impression was house finch by size, slim build, and pink/red breast and head. But the color seemed more orange and the wings too uniformly black. So I'm stumped on the following possibilities: - red crossbill - I think I would have noticed the distinct beak, but whatbird says smaller-billed birds favor spruce cones - pine grosbeak - my specimen seemed too small and slim - brown-capped rosy-finch - there was no cap! it was uniform red/orange head and neck, and would it be eating on a cone-covered fir tree top? -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups Colorado Birds group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to cobirds+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To post to this group, send email to cobirds@googlegroups.com. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cobirds/1e34d865-90c8-442a-9253-5e2780ac5596%40googlegroups.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
[cobirds] Hermit Thrush, Rio Grande County
Today, March 21, I saw a Hermit Thrush in Beaver Creek area, about 5 miles south of South Fork at el. 9,000', conifers and open meadow area. Spring really is here! Virginia Simmons, Del Norte -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups Colorado Birds group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to cobirds+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To post to this group, send email to cobirds@googlegroups.com. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cobirds/1519988289.299816.1395442009733.JavaMail.root%40md21.quartz.synacor.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
Re: [cobirds] Re: New Sibley Guide: Wait for the next printing
Not much new to say, but I just need to vent. I bought the new Sibley at the Boulder Bookstore this afternoon. When I got home, I compared it to my old Sibley. The new book's bird colors are substantially darker, richer colored, on many plates. In my view, quite unacceptable. To make things worse, they must have used so much ink on the plates that they didn't have enough left over for the printed words (just kidding). The printed words are faintly inked compared to the old Sibley. I see the book was printed in China. Maybe if they'd printed it in the U.S. it might have been convenient to proof the book before countless unacceptable copies were printed. I returned my book to the Boulder Bookstore for credit this evening. I'm disappointed and inconvenienced. If I were David Sibley, I would be outraged. I have a ticket to his book signing in Boulder. I'll be interested to hear what he has to say about this. David Waltman Boulder - Original Message - From: Barry barrylgingr...@gmail.com To: cobirds@googlegroups.com Sent: Friday, March 21, 2014 2:06:09 PM Subject: Re: [cobirds] Re: New Sibley Guide: Wait for the next printing Sharon Stiteler (Birdchick) posted some pictures comparing the colors to previous editions on her blog: http://www.birdchick.com/wp/2014/03/so-i-got-a-second-edition-sibley/ She notes that the Scarlet Tanager is much darker (and too dark) in this edition, and that reds oranges are in general a bit off. She uses Red-Shouldered Hawk as another example, where the bars look more brown than the orange she expected. Here's what David Sibley himself said in a comment on his website: David Sibley March 16, 2014 at 11:46 AM Yes, there are some problems with the colors in the second edition and those will be corrected in the next printing. See The Second edition is in-hand at sibleyguides.com The printing issue apparently only affects a certain number of plates, or maybe it's just worse on some than others. Complaints I've seen have been about the reds being too dark and lack of detail on some images. The other major complaint is about the font being difficult to read, which is supposed to be corrected in the next printing as well. I haven't seen the book yet myself. I suggest you judge for yourself, but if Sibley is saying the colors are off on a few paintings, I'd believe him. Most of the paintings are supposed to be fine. He's going to be at the Tattered Cover on April 3 and the Boulder Bookstore on April 4, but I'm sure he's tired of answering questions about this. :-) -- - Barry Gingrich Broomfield County -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups Colorado Birds group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to cobirds+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com . To post to this group, send email to cobirds@googlegroups.com . To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cobirds/a746329d-6049-4892-8b29-ff18190bc5fe%40googlegroups.com . For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout . -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups Colorado Birds group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to cobirds+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To post to this group, send email to cobirds@googlegroups.com. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cobirds/1033414433.619780.1395457828771.JavaMail.root%40sz0040a.emeryville.ca.mail.comcast.net. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
[cobirds] Sibley...
I bought Sibley's 2nd edition from Amazon because I had a gift card! I normally buy from a local bookstore. If I didn't have to read any of the text, my book would be actually be acceptable (it sounds like David Waltman's copy!). The text, which is very, very light and perhaps font 8, is virtually impossible to read. Needless-to-say, it is in the mail going back to Amazon, and I will probably wait for the next printing to consider buying it. Paula Hansley Louisville -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups Colorado Birds group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to cobirds+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To post to this group, send email to cobirds@googlegroups.com. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cobirds/CANF-7hpV09oNx4%3DOLTBq2CQNaUv0euQPvQa9xsk_P9d3HeLkXw%40mail.gmail.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
[cobirds] Black Phoebe casting a pellet
I spotted the Black Phoebe I found at the Fremont County Sewer District property in Florence as it was casting a pellet-yes, the same process as owls casting pellets. I have previously posted here when I uploaded photos on my blog of a Scissor-tailed Flycatcher casting a pellet http://birdsandnature.blogspot.com/2011/09/i-was-quite-surprised-to-see-what.html(actually a series of photos). This time I only got one photo but I have finally uploaded it to my Birds and Nature bloghttp://birdsandnature.blogspot.com/. These flycatcher species cast pellets to get rid of the indigestible parts of the insects they consume. In the hundreds of hours I have observed Black Phoebes this is only the second time I have observed this behavior. SeEtta Moss Canon City http://BirdsAndNature.blogspot.com http://birdsandnature.blogspot.com/ -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups Colorado Birds group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to cobirds+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To post to this group, send email to cobirds@googlegroups.com. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cobirds/CAAUvckonrUeQ4sQdFz_B0BuCWWBBOER%3DCB5BJ-HromeBr%2BCSXQ%40mail.gmail.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
[cobirds] HSR: Dinosaur Ridge (21 Mar 2014) 22 Raptors
Dinosaur Ridge Colorado, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Mar 21, 2014 --- SpeciesDay's CountMonth Total Season Total -- --- -- -- Black Vulture0 0 0 Turkey Vulture 0 0 0 Osprey 0 0 0 Bald Eagle 1 18 18 Northern Harrier 0 0 0 Sharp-shinned Hawk 0 1 1 Cooper's Hawk1 3 3 Northern Goshawk 0 0 0 Red-shouldered Hawk 0 0 0 Broad-winged Hawk0 0 0 Red-tailed Hawk 15 62 62 Rough-legged Hawk2 7 7 Swainson's Hawk 0 0 0 Ferruginous Hawk 0 7 7 Golden Eagle 0 2 2 American Kestrel 1 6 6 Merlin 0 0 0 Peregrine Falcon 1 2 2 Prairie Falcon 0 5 5 Mississippi Kite 0 0 0 Unknown Accipiter0 0 0 Unknown Buteo1 2 2 Unknown Falcon 0 0 0 Unknown Eagle0 0 0 Unknown Raptor 0 3 3 Total: 22118118 -- Observation start time: 08:15:00 Observation end time: 15:00:00 Total observation time: 6.75 hours Official Counter:Dave Hill Observers:Cynthia Madsen, Debbie James, Janet Shin, Jim Schmoker Visitors: Several hikers and bikers used the trail below the HawkWatch lookout site. Four visitors actually came up to look. Weather: Pleasant conditions prevailed on Dinosaur Ridge. The cloud cover intensified throughout the day as snow precipitation is expected for tomorrow (Saturday.) Temperatures ranged from 37-42 deg. F with winds primarily from the east at 3-12 mph. The 40% cloud cover at 9:00 AM MST increased to 95% by 3:00 PM MST. Raptor Observations: The bird of the day was a richly-dressed young male American Kestrel. He perched on a wire just below the HawkWatch site for 45 minutes giving us looks that would kill. ...preening, stretching his wings, spreading his tail feathers and becoming more handsome with each look. As he examined the ground for prey we noticed his remarkable ability to maintain his head at a fixed point in space as his wind-blown wire perch, and body, gently swayed with the wind. Well-dressed and coordinated, energetic Mr. Kestrel looked ready to work the ways of the world. Non-raptor Observations: We observed our first of season Tree Swallow, an active caterpillar, 19 mule deer and flowering at the ridge's summit. Non-raptors included: Northern Flicker 1 Western Scrub-Jay 6 Black-billed Magpie 9 American Crow 7 Common Raven 9, (3 pairs were cavorting on a social.) Tree Swallow 1 Mountain Chickadee 2 Western Bluebird 12 Mountain Bluebird 1 Townsend's Solitaire 5 American Robin 16 Dark-eyed Junco 2 Western Meadowlark 1 House Finch 3 Predictions: Brace for snow! Report submitted by Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory (jeff.bi...@rmbo.org) Dinosaur Ridge information may be found at: http://www.rmbo.org/ Site Description: Dinosaur Ridge is the only regularly staffed hawkwatch in Colorado and is the best place in the world to see migrating Ferruginous Hawks. Dinosaur Ridge may be the best place in the country to see the rare dark morph of the Broad-winged Hawk (a few are seen each spring). Hawkwatchers who linger long enough may see resident Golden Eagles, Red-tailed Hawks and Prairie Falcons, in addition to migrating Swainson's, Cooper's and Sharp-shinned Hawks, American Kestrels and Turkey Vultures. Peregrine Falcons and Ferruginous Hawks are uncommon; Northern Goshawk is rare but regular. Non-raptor species include Rock Wren, and sometimes Bushtit, Western Bluebird, Sandhill Crane, White-throated Swift, American White Pelican or Dusky Grouse. Birders are always welcome. The hawkwatch is generally staffed by volunteers from the Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory from about 9 AM to around 4 PM from the first week of March to the first week of May. Directions to site: From exit 259 on I-70 towards Morrison, drive south under freeway and take left into first parking lot, the Stegosaurus lot.
