[cobirds] Re: Possible Northern Shrike Hunting - Arapahoe
It's amazing what you can see when you going looking for it. Today, I spent about 15-20 minutes watching a Northern Shrike at Willow Spring Open Space in Centennial (Arapahoe County). I was up on Englewood Dam, around eye-level of the bird, which was perched in a tree about 100 feet (give or take) away. While watching it, the shrike dropped down into the tall grasses on the dam, disappeared from view, and emerged with a small rodent. It flew back to its perch with its prey, before taking it into the line of willows (sandbar willow, I think). The shrike was out of view for about 90 seconds, before re-emerging. Presumably, it cached the rodent, as this doesn't seem long enough to eat it. The shrike gave up on its perch when some other trail users, down closer to the tree, walked by. Later, I saw it leaving yet a different perch when a magpie approached it. A kestrel was also watching over these same grasses. In addition to rodents, there were flocks of Song Sparrows, American Tree Sparrows, and House Finches. Later (around 2:30), during a dog walk at deKoevend Park, I heard a Great Horned Owl calling. Always a surprise to hear this during daylight. - Jared Del Rosso Centennial, CO On Tuesday, December 7, 2021 at 6:05:46 PM UTC-7 Jared Del Rosso wrote: > Today, while watching a mixed flock of sparrows at Marjorie Perry Nature > Preserve in Greenwood Village, I noticed a larger bird (larger than > sparrows that is) perched high on a distant tree. What I saw, from a > distance, was consistent with a Northern Shrike, but not definitive. Before > I biked closer, the bird flew off and disappeared. But arriving to near > where the bird had been and in the direction to which it flew, I heard > noisy rustling in tall, dry grasses. Then, a shriek, sounding like that of > a rodent. Then a bit more rustling. Then nothing. > > Nothing emerged from the grasses, but I didn't wait long. > > I've never seen a shrike really do something. Usually, it's just a perched > bird watching -- or flying off when I walk by on a trail. So I don't know > if what I heard is consistent with how a shrike would hunt small mammals. > But it *might* be. According to *Birds of the World*, shrikes may pursue > a mammal into brush or cover and, then, "flick or flash its wings as it > moves about in cover in apparent attempt to flush prey." Who knows, though, > what I indeed saw and heard, but it has me curious about the shrikes. > > Also of note, though not a bird: a Coyote, loafing in tall grasses, off > the High Line Canal Trail. The trail is littered with deep red scat, > reflecting the fact that the number of fallen, over-ripe apples along the > Canal and in yards this year is outstanding. > > - Jared Del Rosso > Centennial, 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 For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds?hl=en?hl=en * All posts should be signed with the poster's full name and city. Include bird species and location in the subject line when appropriate * Join Colorado Field Ornithologists https://cobirds.org/CFO/Membership/ --- 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 view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cobirds/4bb64a04-5cec-4b9a-b2df-13344f82bca1n%40googlegroups.com.
[cobirds] Deadline 10 December - CFO Research and Conservation Grants
*The application deadline for 2022 CFO Grants and Scholarships is December 10, 2021. * CFO is devoted to the study, conservation, and enjoyment of Colorado's birds. Each year CFO funds research and conservation projects as well as youth scholarships that will have a lasting benefit to Colorado birds and the habitats upon which they rely. Research & Conservation Grants CFO makes grants to qualifying individuals or organizations to fund programs and projects that will have a lasting benefit to Colorado birds, and the habitats upon which they rely. CFO provides grants for projects requesting $500-$1500. CFO grants can either fund a full project or be applied as matching funds for larger grants benefitting Colorado birds. Recipients are required to provide regular status updates and either publish a short, year-end summary of their funded work in the Colorado Birds journal or present their findings in person at the annual CFO convention. Youth Scholarships CFO Youth Scholarships provides financial help to young Colorado birders to attend summer camps, workshops, and training programs that introduce them to science and nature through the study of birds. Scholarships typically range from $200-$800. CFO requires that the recipients write a short summary, preferably with photos, of their experience for Colorado Birds: The Colorado Field Ornithologists Quarterly or to be posted on the CFO website. Learn more and apply: https://cobirds.org/CFO/Grants/ Thank you, Megan --- Megan Jones Patterson CFO Board & Membership Chair Boulder County, 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 For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds?hl=en?hl=en * All posts should be signed with the poster's full name and city. Include bird species and location in the subject line when appropriate * Join Colorado Field Ornithologists https://cobirds.org/CFO/Membership/ --- 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 view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cobirds/CAEmXnKFbMt6PDPJdAn9MOWfxfdU%2BReKNR81NFjMXXASUzPMjvg%40mail.gmail.com.
[cobirds] Extensive power expansion, anybody watching for impacts on birds
I just found mapping by Excel of their 'Colorado Power Pathway' of new substations and giant transmission lines that are proposed to cut through eastern Colorado including in or near some very important bird habitat including Chico Basin. Are any conservation groups or birding groups that concern themselves with protecting vital bird habitat monitoring this? As the conservation chair for Arkansas Valley Audubon Society I am now going to try to send comments on their incursions into areas that we service buy there is a lot of Eastern Colorado that will is north of our area that will be impacted by that this major expansion by Excel. Given all the negative impacts on the birds we all love to watch I hope many will take a look and intervene as needed to try to protect the birds we still have. Here is the maps and basic info I have found: https://www.coloradospowerpathway.com/project-description/ SeEtta Moss 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 cobirds@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds?hl=en?hl=en * All posts should be signed with the poster's full name and city. Include bird species and location in the subject line when appropriate * Join Colorado Field Ornithologists https://cobirds.org/CFO/Membership/ --- 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 view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cobirds/CAAUvckpAdaTLwKvNvMdGr2xwBXVj79zG5KYkFB_M_pnvJBV%2BDA%40mail.gmail.com.
[cobirds] Wood Thrush?
Hello all, I am curious if anyone has seen or heard of the Wood Thrush that was graciously shared by Cynthia Madsen in Centennial today? I know she mentioned she would be out until around 2, so I am guessing that is why there haven't been any reports. However, I wanted to see if anyone had seen/heard it in the area? Thank you! Jacqui - Denver County -- -- 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 For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds?hl=en?hl=en * All posts should be signed with the poster's full name and city. Include bird species and location in the subject line when appropriate * Join Colorado Field Ornithologists https://cobirds.org/CFO/Membership/ --- 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 view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cobirds/7dff80d1-2544-4303-a4fb-12dd4c90c9d5n%40googlegroups.com.
