Re: [cobirds] AOU, Changing bird names
Sunrise Phoebe - EXCELLENT! I think a lot of inspiration can come from seeing the kinds of English names given to hummingbirds in the neotropics. These names are a delight and if nothing else add greatly to the fun involved in searching them out and of course in finding them. I have perceived the value of an appropriate, catchy, or distinctive name for a bird, and I'm sure I'm not the only one. It adds to their charisma, and I would submit that anything that helps people feel more connected to the birds and thus to the natural world, even if it operates on an unconscious level, has a value. Names are part of language, and language is fascinating. Sure, I'd still chase a dull-colored cardinal if one shows up in Boulder County, but I love the fact that on that magical day when someone finds it, I'll be seeing messages with PYRRHULOXIA splattered all over the subject lines instead. :) Eric p.s. There really is a bird called the Dull-colored Grassquit in South America. It's an accurate name, for what it's worth. --- Eric DeFonso Boulder County, CO On Thu, Nov 2, 2023 at 11:04 PM Megan Miller wrote: > I am a freshly minted 31 year old and I have been part of Colorados > birding community for around 20 years. I grew up here, found my passion for > birds and wildlife here, and built a career out of it. It was very > difficult and now that I am here the path forward doesn’t feel any easier. > We still have great challenges to overcome to create a better planet for > birds and people. > > A few years ago when discussion about changing bird names moved through > twitter and instagram I was also initially hesitant. I love Wilson’s > Warblers with all of my heart. But the more I learned about some (but not > all) of the men that described these species the more it seemed that they > were murderers first and avian hobbyists on the side. I think there are > plenty of platforms to remember the people who described and categorized > all these birds and it’s time to move on to new naming conventions. > > I know for a lot of younger birders this feels important because we feel > we have so little power the change our world for the better. It feels like > a tiny step to building a community fitting to our and future generations. > I do think it’s inevitable and it is only a small change considering the > changes that could face us in the coming years. > > I think Says Phoebe should be called Sunrise Phoebe. > > Megan Miller > Pueblo, Co > > > On Thu, Nov 2, 2023 at 10:08 PM Eric DeFonso wrote: > >> I've just turned 56 and have now been birding for 30 years, but I am >> excited about the prospect of some significant name-changes. I too have had >> the opportunity to get to know a lot of young birders, and they get it, >> which delights me. >> >> Personally, yes, I cringed once I realized who John McCown was. That to >> me was an embarrassment, and now that I know who he was and what he fought >> for, there's no unlearning that. I'm glad to see that the common name for >> the bird no longer reflects the legacy of that really awful man. I can only >> imagine then what a letdown it was or would have been if I weren't a white >> person but wanted to get into birding. As we've seen, it was easy enough to >> change that common name out, and we now regularly refer to that bird as the >> Thick-billed Longspur. To me it's like taking down a statue of Robert E >> Lee. Doing so doesn't erase Lee (or McCown) from history, it only means we >> no longer celebrate what they did or represented. Similarly, I still look >> back in amazement at how long the former name of the Long-tailed Duck was >> retained. It was still in effect when I started birding and I remember >> being a bit surprised at its existence and use since it sounded so >> degrading to living people, so when it got switched, I felt better about >> referring to the bird. >> >> Moreover, I do look forward to the new names that we'll be finding for >> Townsend's Warbler, Solitaire, and Shearwater. It's a lot easier to >> advocate for the protection of birds (by us humans) when the very name of >> the birds you're seeking to protect aren't pointlessly offensive to other >> humans whose help and cooperation we need. It's all about respect. The next >> generation of birders needs to be larger and more diverse than we've been >> up until now, and the objective is to get lots more people to care about >> the long-term well-being of birds and their habitats. All hands on deck. >> I'm all for carrying out an easy reform that reflects a commitment to >> having as many people help out as can be. It's just a starting point to be >> sure, but why not. >> >> I agree that sometimes
Re: [cobirds] AOU, Changing bird names
I've just turned 56 and have now been birding for 30 years, but I am excited about the prospect of some significant name-changes. I too have had the opportunity to get to know a lot of young birders, and they get it, which delights me. Personally, yes, I cringed once I realized who John McCown was. That to me was an embarrassment, and now that I know who he was and what he fought for, there's no unlearning that. I'm glad to see that the common name for the bird no longer reflects the legacy of that really awful man. I can only imagine then what a letdown it was or would have been if I weren't a white person but wanted to get into birding. As we've seen, it was easy enough to change that common name out, and we now regularly refer to that bird as the Thick-billed Longspur. To me it's like taking down a statue of Robert E Lee. Doing so doesn't erase Lee (or McCown) from history, it only means we no longer celebrate what they did or represented. Similarly, I still look back in amazement at how long the former name of the Long-tailed Duck was retained. It was still in effect when I started birding and I remember being a bit surprised at its existence and use since it sounded so degrading to living people, so when it got switched, I felt better about referring to the bird. Moreover, I do look forward to the new names that we'll be finding for Townsend's Warbler, Solitaire, and Shearwater. It's a lot easier to advocate for the protection of birds (by us humans) when the very name of the birds you're seeking to protect aren't pointlessly offensive to other humans whose help and cooperation we need. It's all about respect. The next generation of birders needs to be larger and more diverse than we've been up until now, and the objective is to get lots more people to care about the long-term well-being of birds and their habitats. All hands on deck. I'm all for carrying out an easy reform that reflects a commitment to having as many people help out as can be. It's just a starting point to be sure, but why not. I agree that sometimes eponymic names seem preferable because unique and concise adjectival descriptors for some species can be difficult to come up with. (One can witness this firsthand upon reading the South American Classification Committee forum exchanges, where committee members routinely discuss necessary name changes for South American birds.) This will be especially true for so many tropical species, although the current initiative isn't really designed or aimed at those groups. I also know that not all eponyms derive from people who were awful. Some were at worst just mildly annoying or no more fallible or obnoxious than any of us. Some names have little or no connection to the people who actually first described the birds (William Swainson comes to mind on both counts.) Humboldt was practically exemplary of a great human being even by our modern standards, certainly way above his contemporaries. Many others, like Parker, lived concurrently with some of us and do seem worthy of commemoration. To that I would say, sure, although I also remember that the name changes we're discussing are only for the common names, and not the scientific names. That's because changing the Latinized species name is an essentially impossible process according to the longstanding and universal ICZN (International Code of Zoological Nomenclature) conventions. For that reason, even now the Thick-billed Longspur's scientific name is *Rhynchophanes mccownii*, and cannot be changed unless a major change in our understanding of its systematics arises (which in its case seems very unlikely now). Similarly, Townsend's name will persist in scientific names like that of the solitaire *(Myadestes townsendi*), etc. As will Parker's if it ever comes to that with the tropical Parker's Antbird *(Cercomacroides parkeri).* --- Eric DeFonso Boulder County, CO On Thu, Nov 2, 2023 at 7:58 PM nic korte wrote: > As an old guy lucky enough to go birding now and then with some > 20-somethings…they are very passionate about this. They are the future. > > (I agree with Kenn Kaufman, however, the loss of an honorific such as > Parker’s Antbird, would seem wrong. Besides, some of those families are so > similar that meaningful descriptive names are impossible.) > Nic Korte > > Sent from my iPad > > On Nov 2, 2023, at 7:47 PM, Susan Rosine wrote: > > > Let's face it -- a lot of bird names are stupid in general. They are not > descriptive. > So, don't just get rid of white men's names -- > Junco - Spanish for reed. ? > Mallard -- old French/English for Drake ? > Wren -- who knows? Haha > Loon -- they aren't crazy (haha) > Waterthrushes are Warblers. Fix that. > > ***WOMEN - how do you feel about Ruby-crowned Kinglet? The female is not > ruby-crowned! And what about: > Red-Winged Blackbird > Ring-necked Pheasant > Red Crossbill > Brown
[cobirds] Interesting Meadowlark, Conejos County 6/27/23
(borrowed from my posting on the Facebook Colorado Rare Bird Alert group) https://ebird.org/checklist/S142884312 I'd like to solicit some opinions on this interesting Sturnella sp. meadowlark that I found today in Conejos County in the San Luis Valley. (Please follow the link above to see and hear the bird.) I heard this interesting song over the wind from a distance while driving some county roads that I immediately recognized as a Chihuahuan Meadowlark song, and that was quite exciting. However, after locating the bird, it stayed very low because of the strong, continuous wind. It was also on the backlot property of a farmhouse, and I wanted to not spook anybody by wandering the county road with my scope or recording equipment if at all possible. At one point I briefly saw it fly away from me at a distance, and I thought I saw lots of white in the tail, which excited me further since that would be more consistent with Chihuahuan vs Western. Eventually I did get good looks in the scope of the bird and got photos and a video. I also have an extended sample of song in the eBird checklist here. My apologies for the terrible wind-buffeting noise – it was impossible to avoid out there today. To diminish my excitement though for Chihuahuan, I paid close attention to listen for call notes, and sadly the only call notes I heard from this bird were distinctly Western-style notes. As a result, my opinion now is that this could be a Chihuahuan x Western Meadowlark hybrid, based on the combination of interest mix of vocalizations, and of visual characters. But I am hardly an expert, and have never really studied CHME in the field. Any other insights you can provide would be greatly appreciated! It does seem that a WEMExCHME hybrid would be quite unusual in itself, as it is not yet discussed on the Cornell Birds of the World site. Good birding, Eric --- Eric DeFonso currently in the San Luis Valley, 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/CAFjVA_at59Dk%2B1Vmh%3D5TCQ1zorDv-KVb8NLpJ%2BA3SvWNkvM6nA%40mail.gmail.com.
[cobirds] Not just a new species for the Colorado checklist, but...
...also a new family! The recent Limpkin discovery at Ramah State Wildlife Area by Karen Rau (thank you Karen!) is a big deal, not just because of the awesomeness of the species, but also since it will add the first member of the family *Aramidae* to the Colorado list. Of course, this is also the *last* member of the family Aramidae to be added as well...since *Aramidae* is a monotypic family, meaning there is only one member altogether. Limpkins are currently thought to be distant relatives of cranes, but sufficiently unique to warrant being in their own family. Still, it is a new family for the Colorado list, and adding a new family to the CO checklist does not happen very often. By my count (and someone please correct me if I'm mistaken), the most recent prior new family to be added to the Colorado list was *Sulidae*, when the belated report of a Brown Booby was made back in June 2016. *Sulidae* includes the boobies and gannets, which of course are a very unexpected grouping of birds for our deeply landlocked state. Before that, it gets a little murky since family definitions and taxonomy can be a bit fluid over time, as well as dependent on which taxonomic authority stated what. Duane Nelson found a Black Skimmer in July 2001, but I'm unsure whether the family *Rynchopidae* was in existence at the time, or whether it had already been subsumed into the larger family of *Laridae* which includes the gulls and terns. Previous to that, I believe you then have to go all the way back to September 1985 when the first Magnificent Frigatebird was found in Colorado. Frigatebirds are members of the family *Fregatidae*, and so far the Magnificent is the only member of that family known to have occurred in the state. Eric --- Eric DeFonso 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/CAFjVA_YrpPu%3DUy3iFT3kmd%3DEQwXCxG6S8mMzFrAr%2B79T0g1yTw%40mail.gmail.com.
Re: [cobirds] HAWO, HOSP, NOFL, AMGO, HOWR, WEWP, LAZB, PLVI, & LEGO all calling from the same tree in busy downtown Boulder
And of course, I forgot to list the names! HAWO - Hairy WoodpeckerHOSP - House Sparrow NOFL - Northern FlickerAMGO - American GoldfinchHOWR - House WrenWEWP - Western Wood-PeweeLAZB - Lazuli BuntingPLVI - Plumbeous VireoLEGO - Lesser Goldfinch --- Eric DeFonso Currently in Conejos County, CO On Sun, Jun 25, 2023 at 4:43 PM Eric DeFonso wrote: > Thank you Robin for that reminder. You're absolutely right, the > time-honored convention for citing 4-letter bird codes in listserv messages > is to give the full name of the bird first before subsequent uses of the > 4-letter alpha code. Not everyone knows or remembers all the codes, and > doing it this way helps everyone learn! > > Eric > > --- > Eric DeFonso > Boulder County, CO > > > On Fri, Jun 23, 2023 at 4:01 AM Robin Biddle > wrote: > >> Hi Eric ( and Ted) >> Somewhere in the depts of my laptop, I have Colorado bird codes. >> Sometimes you guys forget that you have an international readership. >> In the past i've seen postings from India, and I know other Brits follow >> Cobirds >> Good birding >> Best wishes >> Robin (England) >> >> On Thu, 22 Jun 2023 at 18:53, Eric DeFonso wrote: >> >>> If I may toot my own horn for a second, I'd like to piggyback onto Ted's >>> post and mention that in the Colorado Birds Fall 2021 issue (v55, No 4), I >>> had an article titled "The Sincerest Form of Flattery" where I discussed >>> the phenomenon of mimicry in bird songs in Colorado. Like Ted, after giving >>> due credit to the main mimicry culprits like Northern Mockingbird and >>> Yellow-breasted Chat, I mentioned the Lesser Goldfinch as a "lesser known" >>> mimic that deserves more recognition than it has received for its >>> intriguing imitations. Referenced therein is another Colorado Birds article >>> from our own Hugh Kingery in 2004 where he tallied 25 different species >>> being imitated by LEGOs based just on his observations in the state! Sharon >>> Goldwasser's 1987 Master's thesis documented 39 different species being >>> imitated by Lesser Goldfinches in Arizona, including Tufted Flycatcher. >>> >>> In fact, one needs to be cautious in the vicinity of LEGOs for they will >>> also imitate other finches, both calls and songs. Just the other day during >>> my field season I was initially snookered by a LEGO inserting occasional >>> Evening Grosbeak sounds into its calls and songs. >>> >>> Good birding to all, >>> Eric >>> >>> --- >>> Eric DeFonso >>> Boulder County, CO >>> >>> >>> On Wed, Jun 21, 2023 at 9:35 PM Ted Floyd wrote: >>> >>>> LEGO is the giveaway. >>>> >>>> Yeah, so I was whiling away the 2 o'clock hour this hazy, partly cloudy >>>> Wed. afternoon, Solstice Day, June 21, 2023, just south of the noisy >>>> intersection of 30th & Valmont when I heard quite a commotion in a tall >>>> shade tree along 30th. Hairy woodpecker, then house sparrow, then northern >>>> flicker, then American goldfinch, then house wren, then western wood-pewee, >>>> then lazuli bunting, then plumbeous vireo, and, through it all, a lesser >>>> goldfinch. >>>> >>>> I fumbled around my backpack for my cell phone, found it, pressed the >>>> red button, and got audio: >>>> >>>> https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/587098881 >>>> >>>> Those are the utterances of a single *lesser goldfinch!* Mockingbirds >>>> and starlings get all the glory for their powers of mimicry (and, to be >>>> sure, those two are indeed amazing mimics), but the lesser goldfinch is an >>>> astounding mimic, too. Seems like that goldfinch had spent some time in the >>>> foothills. That's why I'm calling the *Passerina* bunting flight call >>>> a lazuli bunting; but it's at least as good a match for the flight call of >>>> a blue grosbeak. And I'm applying the same probabilistic reasoning to the >>>> plumbeous vireo; but after my recent experiences with a territorial >>>> Cassin vireo <https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/582948651> up there, >>>> who knows! >>>> >>>> In any event, it's amazing what we're learning by simply pressing the >>>> red button on our phones. Or, as Nathan Pieplow put it recently: >>>> >>>> "*What does that mean, exactly? Heck if I know. But I do think it's >>>> another great reason why EVERY birder's first
Re: [cobirds] HAWO, HOSP, NOFL, AMGO, HOWR, WEWP, LAZB, PLVI, & LEGO all calling from the same tree in busy downtown Boulder
Thank you Robin for that reminder. You're absolutely right, the time-honored convention for citing 4-letter bird codes in listserv messages is to give the full name of the bird first before subsequent uses of the 4-letter alpha code. Not everyone knows or remembers all the codes, and doing it this way helps everyone learn! Eric --- Eric DeFonso Boulder County, CO On Fri, Jun 23, 2023 at 4:01 AM Robin Biddle wrote: > Hi Eric ( and Ted) > Somewhere in the depts of my laptop, I have Colorado bird codes. > Sometimes you guys forget that you have an international readership. > In the past i've seen postings from India, and I know other Brits follow > Cobirds > Good birding > Best wishes > Robin (England) > > On Thu, 22 Jun 2023 at 18:53, Eric DeFonso wrote: > >> If I may toot my own horn for a second, I'd like to piggyback onto Ted's >> post and mention that in the Colorado Birds Fall 2021 issue (v55, No 4), I >> had an article titled "The Sincerest Form of Flattery" where I discussed >> the phenomenon of mimicry in bird songs in Colorado. Like Ted, after giving >> due credit to the main mimicry culprits like Northern Mockingbird and >> Yellow-breasted Chat, I mentioned the Lesser Goldfinch as a "lesser known" >> mimic that deserves more recognition than it has received for its >> intriguing imitations. Referenced therein is another Colorado Birds article >> from our own Hugh Kingery in 2004 where he tallied 25 different species >> being imitated by LEGOs based just on his observations in the state! Sharon >> Goldwasser's 1987 Master's thesis documented 39 different species being >> imitated by Lesser Goldfinches in Arizona, including Tufted Flycatcher. >> >> In fact, one needs to be cautious in the vicinity of LEGOs for they will >> also imitate other finches, both calls and songs. Just the other day during >> my field season I was initially snookered by a LEGO inserting occasional >> Evening Grosbeak sounds into its calls and songs. >> >> Good birding to all, >> Eric >> >> --- >> Eric DeFonso >> Boulder County, CO >> >> >> On Wed, Jun 21, 2023 at 9:35 PM Ted Floyd wrote: >> >>> LEGO is the giveaway. >>> >>> Yeah, so I was whiling away the 2 o'clock hour this hazy, partly cloudy >>> Wed. afternoon, Solstice Day, June 21, 2023, just south of the noisy >>> intersection of 30th & Valmont when I heard quite a commotion in a tall >>> shade tree along 30th. Hairy woodpecker, then house sparrow, then northern >>> flicker, then American goldfinch, then house wren, then western wood-pewee, >>> then lazuli bunting, then plumbeous vireo, and, through it all, a lesser >>> goldfinch. >>> >>> I fumbled around my backpack for my cell phone, found it, pressed the >>> red button, and got audio: >>> >>> https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/587098881 >>> >>> Those are the utterances of a single *lesser goldfinch!* Mockingbirds >>> and starlings get all the glory for their powers of mimicry (and, to be >>> sure, those two are indeed amazing mimics), but the lesser goldfinch is an >>> astounding mimic, too. Seems like that goldfinch had spent some time in the >>> foothills. That's why I'm calling the *Passerina* bunting flight call a >>> lazuli bunting; but it's at least as good a match for the flight call of a >>> blue grosbeak. And I'm applying the same probabilistic reasoning to the >>> plumbeous vireo; but after my recent experiences with a territorial >>> Cassin vireo <https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/582948651> up there, >>> who knows! >>> >>> In any event, it's amazing what we're learning by simply pressing the >>> red button on our phones. Or, as Nathan Pieplow put it recently: >>> >>> "*What does that mean, exactly? Heck if I know. But I do think it's >>> another great reason why EVERY birder's first instinct upon hearing *[ >>> *birds*]*—anywhere, anytime—should be to pull out the phone and hit >>> record.*" >>> >>> >>> Ted Floyd >>> Lafayette, Boulder 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 lo
Re: [cobirds] Blue jay fools Merlin/ GrayCatbird imitating Least Flycatcher
To piggyback on Chip's comment, I agree that Merlin cannot be exclusively relied on for ID "confirmation", and in my opinion, at all. That's not to say Merlin isn't a fascinating and useful tool to assist with learning bird sounds. But I would always emphasize that turning Merlin on should not equate to turning your brain off. Merlin at most can only make suggestions, good suggestions sometimes, bad suggestions others. It never will tell you or confirm what you are hearing (or not hearing), because that job is up to you, the human birder. I cringe at the thought of new birders simply eBird listing whatever Merlin tells them that they are hearing. I suspect that this is happening in a number of cases, and to me this is not a good thing. I know that Merlin can be correct a lot of the time, but how can its correctness be determined? Only by us! Actively, in real time. One pertinent recent anecdote I can provide is from a visit I made to East Teller Farms near Boulder about a month ago. A Baltimore Oriole was singing when I arrived, that I identified initially by sound and then got visual confirmation. I then turned on Merlin to record it, and got a minute or two of its song from not terribly far away. Not once did Merlin have any idea what I was recording. It didn't even suggest any oriole whatsoever. Thankfully I didn't have to rely on Merlin to tell me what was present. This is why I always encourage people to keep trying at birding by ear. Your phone does have a sensitive microphone, but that microphone is not connected to anything as potentially powerful as a human cerebrum. --- Eric DeFonso currently in the San Luis Valley, CO On Sat, Jun 24, 2023 at 4:27 PM Chip Clouse wrote: > Ajit, > Thanks for this. I would also say the opposite is true. As a 30 year > birder with good aural ID skills, I hear and ID a lot of things Merlin does > not. I agree that Merlin can be very helpful and I often see common birds, > like Mourning Dove, show up on the screen that triggers me to listen and > "hear" them when they were there and calling the entire time. I would > however, caution those against trusting Merlin every time. I been standing > beneath a single singing vireo only to have 3 different vireo species pop > up on screen while also hearing 5 other species that Merlin fails to detect > at all. It is a tool, not the end all be all, and it will get better and > better with time but nothing competes with hearing something, Merlin or no > Merlin, and tracking it down to find out what is making that call with a > visual confirmation. > In the case of the "Steller's Jay," the screen lit up yellow on Steller's > Jay every time the Hawk called. In this case, it was flat out wrong. I > wonder why the algorithm failed to even suggest Red-tailed Hawk like it has > done with the aformentioned vireos etc. on numerous occasions this spring > while birding in TX and OH. As I said, it will get better. I was just > bringing up a scenario as a cautionary tale for those submitting an eBird > checklist followed by comments like "confirmed by Merlin." This is an eBird > reviewer's nightmare. > > Cheers and good Birding, > Chip Clouse > Lakewood > > > On Sat, Jun 24, 2023, 1:55 PM Ajit Antony wrote: > >> Hi Chip and everyone else. >> >> I would caution you and everyone else not to assume that Merlin is >> necessarily wrong. In your instance it is theoretically possible that >> Merlin and your smartphone together "heard" a Steller's Jay that you >> couldn't hear perhaps because it was a distant bird. >> >> I notice this all the time and I'm sure most of you who use the Sound ID >> feature of Merlin have noticed that Merlin picks up a few more species that >> we can actually hear, and then when we listen carefully we can actually >> hear and sometimes see them. >> >> Just because Merlin mentions a species, it's not necessarily what you are >> hearing. All smartphones have better sound gathering capabilities than our >> ears, like an astrophotograph that can show detailed features and even >> colors of nebulae for example that we can't ever see looking through even a >> large-objective astronomical telescope. >> >> So one feature Merlin has which I find excellent and useful is that when >> a bird is calling, the name of the species lights up every time it calls. >> If for example you heard the RTHA but the yellow light did not light up the >> name of the species name in Merlin every time it called, then Merlin was >> likely hearing something that's relatively subliminal to your hearing. >> >> Try it next time. >> >> >> Ajit Antony >> >> Central Park, Colorado >> >> On Fri, Jun 23, 2023, 8:12 PM Chip
Re: [cobirds] HAWO, HOSP, NOFL, AMGO, HOWR, WEWP, LAZB, PLVI, & LEGO all calling from the same tree in busy downtown Boulder
If I may toot my own horn for a second, I'd like to piggyback onto Ted's post and mention that in the Colorado Birds Fall 2021 issue (v55, No 4), I had an article titled "The Sincerest Form of Flattery" where I discussed the phenomenon of mimicry in bird songs in Colorado. Like Ted, after giving due credit to the main mimicry culprits like Northern Mockingbird and Yellow-breasted Chat, I mentioned the Lesser Goldfinch as a "lesser known" mimic that deserves more recognition than it has received for its intriguing imitations. Referenced therein is another Colorado Birds article from our own Hugh Kingery in 2004 where he tallied 25 different species being imitated by LEGOs based just on his observations in the state! Sharon Goldwasser's 1987 Master's thesis documented 39 different species being imitated by Lesser Goldfinches in Arizona, including Tufted Flycatcher. In fact, one needs to be cautious in the vicinity of LEGOs for they will also imitate other finches, both calls and songs. Just the other day during my field season I was initially snookered by a LEGO inserting occasional Evening Grosbeak sounds into its calls and songs. Good birding to all, Eric --- Eric DeFonso Boulder County, CO On Wed, Jun 21, 2023 at 9:35 PM Ted Floyd wrote: > LEGO is the giveaway. > > Yeah, so I was whiling away the 2 o'clock hour this hazy, partly cloudy > Wed. afternoon, Solstice Day, June 21, 2023, just south of the noisy > intersection of 30th & Valmont when I heard quite a commotion in a tall > shade tree along 30th. Hairy woodpecker, then house sparrow, then northern > flicker, then American goldfinch, then house wren, then western wood-pewee, > then lazuli bunting, then plumbeous vireo, and, through it all, a lesser > goldfinch. > > I fumbled around my backpack for my cell phone, found it, pressed the red > button, and got audio: > > https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/587098881 > > Those are the utterances of a single *lesser goldfinch!* Mockingbirds and > starlings get all the glory for their powers of mimicry (and, to be sure, > those two are indeed amazing mimics), but the lesser goldfinch is an > astounding mimic, too. Seems like that goldfinch had spent some time in the > foothills. That's why I'm calling the *Passerina* bunting flight call a > lazuli bunting; but it's at least as good a match for the flight call of a > blue grosbeak. And I'm applying the same probabilistic reasoning to the > plumbeous vireo; but after my recent experiences with a territorial > Cassin vireo <https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/582948651> up there, who > knows! > > In any event, it's amazing what we're learning by simply pressing the red > button on our phones. Or, as Nathan Pieplow put it recently: > > "*What does that mean, exactly? Heck if I know. But I do think it's > another great reason why EVERY birder's first instinct upon hearing *[ > *birds*]*—anywhere, anytime—should be to pull out the phone and hit > record.*" > > > Ted Floyd > Lafayette, Boulder 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/CAGk944fQhvgOX4bi_BZE0iPCu71Smoo5U%2BcmyfvN-aivg-nOVw%40mail.gmail.com > <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cobirds/CAGk944fQhvgOX4bi_BZE0iPCu71Smoo5U%2BcmyfvN-aivg-nOVw%40mail.gmail.com?utm_medium=email_source=footer> > . > -- -- 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/CAFjVA_ac5VoAXYGbkRB3hgLRVLOe96_9nC2KaTfj84ZaEU0%2B4w%40mail.gmail.com.
Re: [cobirds] Las Animas County Grace's Warbler and Ovenbird finds during Colorado Birding Challenge.
Chuck, So glad you found the Grace's Warblers at Spanish Peaks. For several years our IMBCR surveyors have found at least a couple singing there during or after surveys. They are always a treat. I suspect that many sufficiently large and good-quality ponderosa stands in that southern Sangre de Cristo "sky island" could have Grace's there. I've even had one once on the Costilla side. Eric --- Eric DeFonso Boulder County, CO On Wed, May 24, 2023 at 12:43 PM Charles Hundertmark < chundertma...@gmail.com> wrote: > From May 20-23, Paul Slingsby and I, aka the Roving Oscines, birded a > number of Las Animas County hotspots. Appropriately for our team name, we > focused on bird song and sound, often using Merlin Sound ID to confirm > identification and record sounds. It will take a few days to edit and post > recordings and photos to eBird checklists, but I thought a few highlights > would be worth reporting. > > We found more breeding birds on territories than birds clearly migrating, > providing excellent song recording opportunities. At Bosque del Oso State > Wildlife Area, an under-birded gem, Dusky Flycatchers, Warbling Vireos, > Gray Catbirds, Green-tailed Towhees, and three warbler species were among > the singers. Capping a full morning spent there, however, was a nice number > of Lewis’s Woodpeckers. > > In the town of Cokedale, dozens of Evening Grosbeaks were feeding on elm > seeds. > > At Riley Canyon (Trinidad Lake State Park), what seemed to be a few > calling Pinyon Jays heard from out truck erupted suddenly into a flight of > 60 or more birds. That marked the second time this month I’ve found > respectable size flocks of these jays in Riley Canyon. Since the goal of > the Colorado Birding Challenge is to raise funds for Pinyon Jay > conservation, it was considerate of these birds to put in an appearance > despite declining populations throughout their range. > > On Monday, a visit to Spanish Peaks State Wildlife Area, another > under-birded area, produced the first excellent surprise with at least 4-6 > singing Grace’s Warblers. There appears to be a healthy population of these > warblers there. > > The morning of May 23 at Fishers Peak State Park produced nice number of > Gray Flycatchers and Black-throated Gray Warblers along with other typical > piny0n-juniper woodland breeders. > > The piece de resistance for the trip, however, was a singing Ovenbird. The > Osita Ridge Trail, one of the recently opened trails at Fishers Peak, > reaches Ponderosa Pine woodland. (The lower elevations trails are through > predominantly pinyon-juniper.) Walking through the ponderosa pine, I heard > a familiar song, but couldn’t quite place it. Merlin Sound ID, however, > immediately identified an Ovenbird. > > Las Animas County offers a rich diversity of birding spots, particularly > for those of us who have a fondness for southwestern habitats and birds. > > For those wishing to support pinyon jay conservations, birding challenge > teams can accept donations through the end of May and perhaps a short time > beyond. > > Chuck Hundertmark > Lafayette, 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/D1B1F5D7-0EEE-417B-8EF5-8E1305D2E393%40gmail.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 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/CAFjVA_YTkEentkVv7Qs0MPA3MPbtDif4_24GHjPPHLD0rzXX7w%40mail.gmail.com.
Re: [cobirds] Red-faced Warbler
This appears to be a 3rd state record. The previous two records are from Jefferson and Montezuma counties. I remember a third previous report, that seems to have never gotten documented either with the CBRC or on eBird, from the Dolores River valley in 2014. Eric --- Eric DeFonso Boulder County, CO On Wed, May 3, 2023 at 1:15 PM Diana Beatty wrote: > In the Facebook Colorado Rare Bird Alert group there are some photos and > it says the bird was seen in Baca County. Is that a state or county record? > > > Diana Beatty > El Paso 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/CAFjVA_Z%3DVgpw-%3DszxCsxaeQYm7gyutnfTx%3DM5UHVNFFBTOLdcg%40mail.gmail.com.
[cobirds] Lesser Yellowlegs "MV"
Hi all, A couple days ago while birding at Stearns Lake in south Boulder County, I spotted a Lesser Yellowlegs with dark green leg bands. The bands were on both legs and the one on the left was "flagged", meaning it had a metal extension with lettering on it. I had trouble reading the tag (yellowlegs do like to walk incessantly), but I gathered that one of the letters was a 'V'. I looked up 'lesser yellowlegs banding' and found a reference to an ongoing project asking for reports of new sightings of any of their banded birds. I sent a message to the researcher describing what I found. You can find information on the project here: https://ebird.org/ak/news/reporting-banded-lesser-yellowlegs I heard back this morning regarding the bird I saw. Apparently a couple other area birders contacted the research group and noted or photographed this individual, and the tag in full was 'MV' (so I was close!). The bird that showed up at Stearns was banded at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson (Anchorage, Alaska) on June 13, 2019, almost 4 years ago. What a treat it is to discover just how well traveled our spring visitors are! In addition, last October in central Ecuador in the high Andes I observed a Lesser Yellowlegs at Laguna de Colta in Chimborazo province. This gives us an idea of the sheer extent of their annual journeys. Of course I don't know specifically where 'MV' wintered, but quite possibly in Ecuador or perhaps even further south! Either way, I appreciated being able to observe this rugged beast even if just for a moment in its astonishing life. Happy migration, Eric --- Eric DeFonso 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/CAFjVA_ZYiNCeuMyOWjT6%3D044vo-namr0u7jo0JA%3DR%3DWgUC1PXw%40mail.gmail.com.
[cobirds] RFP (request for photos): Monte Vista NWR
Hi all, I wanted to ask if anyone had photos that they'd be willing to share with me and with CFO for inclusion in an upcoming article in Colorado Birds about the Yellow Rail last month. No, I'm not expecting anyone to have photos of the bird(s), but I would love to include a photo or two of the birder scene at the Refuge, including maybe a landscape picture. You would of course be credited for any photos we use, and they would appear alongside the article I'm submitting. If you have some pictures to offer, please email them both to me (at this email address, bay.w...@gmail.com) *and* to pho...@cobirds.org. That will expedite the process of getting the article completed once we know which photos to include. Thank you! Eric --- Eric DeFonso 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/CAFjVA_b3aZo8DSHV8%2BgBGh03UtY2xkodZ0yFQrT1Frj_3bYS1g%40mail.gmail.com.
Re: [cobirds] Potential CASSIA CROSSBILL in SUMMIT COUNTY
Hi everyone, By sheer luck and coincidence, I happened to be in almost the same area as Luke and Will but a couple days earlier, on July 17. Specifically I was walking along the Rock Creek trail in the Eaglesnest Wilderness (where the Alfred M Bailey Bird Nesting Area is) when I came across a group of crossbills feeding on some dead but cone-rich lodgepole pines close to the trail. I've been seeking to record crossbills any chance I get, although that is admittedly not an easy task, as they are either often not close, or not cooperative. But this time, they were, at least enough so. As I was recording, Merlin surprisingly boldly flashed "Cassia Crossbill" as their identity after hearing the call notes. I was naturally a bit skeptical, although I was also feverishly wanting Merlin to be right. After seeing Luke and Will's message this morning (I finally returned from my field season last evening), I was reminded and encouraged to inquire about whether I too had encountered Cassia Crossbills, given that I was as close to their location as I was, in space and time. Around midday today Matthew Young at Cornell confirmed that my recordings were entirely those of Cassia Crossbill. My recordings can be heard here in the checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S115261178 Eric --- Eric DeFonso Boulder County, CO On Tue, Jul 19, 2022 at 8:53 PM William Churchill Anderson < wian6...@colorado.edu> wrote: > Hi all, > > This morning, Luke Pheneger recorded what seems to be a group of CASSIA > CROSSBILLS in Summit County. Recordings were sent to Matt Young and Tim > Spahr, who both came back with the conclusion that they seem to be Cassia. > The birds were recorded around here: (39.7184582, -106.1552664). More > birders getting more recordings of these birds would be helpful, but it > seems that this is the second instance of this species in the state. Good > luck to any chasers! > > Good luck, > > William Anderson > Boulder > > -- > -- > 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/CADmRPBDzEGxjLxm1obkjygutf_23bYA43v6Bh8HZqHXjwV6OLw%40mail.gmail.com > <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cobirds/CADmRPBDzEGxjLxm1obkjygutf_23bYA43v6Bh8HZqHXjwV6OLw%40mail.gmail.com?utm_medium=email_source=footer> > . > -- -- 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/CAFjVA_bwp7BSYvg0s88QWrWYMDsE9TCVQoNp1QCnFk2m7SR_ag%40mail.gmail.com.
[cobirds] potential YELLOW RAIL, Monte Vista NWR, Rio Grande County
Hi all, This morning I had an audio encounter with what I'm pretty sure is a YELLOW RAIL, at the Monte Vista NWR between about 645-730 this morning. I made several sound recordings and shared them with Nathan Pieplow, who agrees that this sounds like the real deal. I personally have no prior experience with this species but the ticking sounds in the recordings I made are just like those that I've listened to over the years in a number of commercial collections showcasing them. Below is the exact lat/lon where I was when I first encountered the bird. It was amidst the thick bulrushes initially, probably only 5-10 yards away. >From that point it slowly made its way westward and southward deeper into the marsh. When I left the area around 730 it was still audible, but becoming fainter. My guess (or hope) is that it was "doing the rounds" so may come back around to the parking area where I first detected it at some point. (37.487640, -106.136866) Nathan suggests that a crepuscular or nocturnal visit to the refuge may be more successful in detecting the species in general, although as I mentioned I heard it in the 7am timeframe. Lots of other marsh birds in the area of course making listening a little challenging, like Marsh Wrens, Wilson's Snipes, American Coots, Red-winged Blackbirds, and Common Yellowthroats. Also Sora and Virginia Rails calling occasionally. I know of only one previous record for this species in Colorado, from July 1906 at Barr Lake. I don't know if that was a specimen or not. I will be in the Monte Vista area a few more hours before I have to leave. Feel free to contact me for more info, but hopefully this message helps. Good birding, Eric --- Eric DeFonso near Lyons, 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/CAFjVA_Zdp%3Dq6BCgcjvfkn7Qi_%3D8cNiCLV1BRctyJnhy%3D5chksg%40mail.gmail.com.
Re: [cobirds] Happy to be crossing paths with Red Crossbills again
For what it's worth, I too have been encountering Red Crossbills (RECR) this season with much greater frequency than I have the past 2 years. As usual this time of year, I'm doing a number of bird surveys for the Conservancy in various parts of the state. Recently I had a number of surveys in the vicinity of the Eaglesnest Wilderness north of Vail, and in various locations in the general Eagle-Vail corridor. In the past week I've had RECR on every survey, sometimes just 1 or 2 individuals, but other times a dozen or more. I'm seeing them and hearing them calling, and sometimes singing. Sometimes I even get the two most common types in Colorado, Type 2 and Type 5, on the same survey (although in our surveys we don't record the RECR types in our data collection). I aspire to get recordings, but I am often too slow on the draw to get my recording apparatus ready before the birds leave. I'm pretty sure the last couple field seasons I may have encountered only a couple individual birds the entire season, if that. So this year, it feels much more assuring and encouraging to find these fabulous creatures regularly traversing our forests. Eric --- Eric DeFonso near Lyons, Boulder County, CO On Thu, Jul 7, 2022 at 8:34 AM David Suddjian wrote: > After hardly finding any Red Crossbills at all over the past 12+ months, > there seems to be a shift going on, with crossbills appearing now before my > ears and eyes. I've had a number of encounters over the past several days. > For example, I had Red Crossbills at 7 places on a survey on July 1 up Old > Squaw Pass Road and along the road up to Mt Evans peak in Clear Creek > County. These were both Type 2 and Type 5 Red Crossbills, and I was excited > to see that there is a new cone crop ripening up there for bristlecone > pine, lodgepole pine and Engelmann spruce. The Type 2 birds were clearly > associated with the bristlecone pines, such as a flock in the old > bristlecone stand near the Mt Goliath Natural Area. I did not see any > foraging, and the cones were not ripe, but the crossbills were hanging > there. I'd suggest hanging around near bristlecones if you are up there is > a good way to find some crossbills. Some Type 5 birds seemed to be engaged > in courtship near Squaw Pass. > > Down at my Ken Caryl Valley home in Jefferson County I've had 5 detections > of Red Crossbill (Type 2) in just three days July 5-7. All were passing > over as if on the move, not foraging locally. This is a record-paced > frequency for noting crossbills near my home, where I have had a number of > detections but they are sporadic and infrequent. Now I feel I must be ready > to record flight calls at any moment when I step out.. > > David Suddjian > Ken Caryl Valley > Littleton, 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/CAGj6Roq_T-ZJ0P9yb_zDDtqH6fuse_3CE8J-%3DRurdKEY8BMO%2Bg%40mail.gmail.com > <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cobirds/CAGj6Roq_T-ZJ0P9yb_zDDtqH6fuse_3CE8J-%3DRurdKEY8BMO%2Bg%40mail.gmail.com?utm_medium=email_source=footer> > . > -- -- 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/CAFjVA_aA%2Bj00a9WMTL-ssnCDX0QMbwThpVPMmO0aKihU%3DyM6-g%40mail.gmail.com.
Re: [cobirds] Rio Blanco Take 2
Not to veer too off topic for cobirds, but I wanted to comment on the Mormon crickets. Last year when I had some Bird Conservancy surveys in Moffat County, I crossed the county line from Rio Blanco into Moffat in the afternoon in mid June and was immediately confronted with exactly the phenomenon Doug described – thousands upon thousands of these crickets crawling across the roadway, getting slaughtered as I and others drove by, and seeing hundreds more coming onto the road to feast on the flesh of their fallen comrades. They were impossible to avoid as I drove, although I tried in vain to do so anyway. It was so ghoulish and caught me so much by surprise that I had to contact one of my crew members (David Tønnessen) who had also been doing surveys in Moffat to ask him what on Earth was going on and if he'd experienced this. What's interesting is at the time I was told secondhand that the crickets make these particular invasions into NW Colorado because of drought in Utah (and CO), not necessarily because of rains or bumper crops. Last year was certainly a very dry year in western CO. I'll let others with more information clarify this confusion as to why the Mormon crickets show up, but at the very least I can say they can show up in Moffat rain or shine. It was indeed a spectacle, although I'm not sure I want to experience it like that ever again. Eric --- Eric DeFonso near Lyons, Boulder County, CO On Wed, Jun 29, 2022 at 8:49 PM Doug Ward wrote: > The post I just sent was more of a “Rare Bird Alert” while this one is > simply general interest, particularly for bug lovers – talking to you Dave. > > > > I’ll start with birds, however. This portion is for Scott (Somershoe), > our resident PINYON JAY aficionado, and certainly expert. Scott, I found > some, pert near 200 (!), of the Pinyon Jays you and your extensive crew are > hunting. I hadn’t stumbled on such a large flock in a VERY long time and > immediately thought of you. I actually didn’t pick them up during BBS > working hours, but on the return as I was hoping to confirm a couple of > Clark’s Nutcrackers I *thought* I heard during the survey proper. This > is where it gets weird. I went back to the area, listened for a while for > the Nutcrackers, nothing, then the flock of Pinyon Jays took to the air at > once giving their typical “laugh”, silent and undetected until then, before > settling back down. During this foray, thought I heard a Nutcracker again > and searched through the flock to see if they were toting one along – > nope. I then heard emanating from the group while settled and feeding a > Magpie, a Scrub Jay, another Nutcracker, then a fairly respectable > Steller’s Jay – WTF?!? I have never heard nor read about corvids mimicking > each other, just typically raptors, so the question for you Scott, what > were these Pinyons doing? Not only this, I thought I heard a Scrub-Jay > earlier in the morning during the survey where I had a couple of Pinyons, > but couldn’t confirm (hadn’t had a Scrub in that area before), so now I’m > thinking it was actually the Pinyons! Very weird. > > > > Now on to bugs Dave (Letherman). I had another first for me on the West > Slope and it probably cost me some BBS data. Was at a spot with extensive > scrubby serviceberry, mountain mahogany, and scattered small > pinyon/juniper. Got out to start my 3 minutes, heard a slight buzzing off > in the distance, then all of a sudden a wave of sound rolled through the > brush and engulfed the entire hill. Cicadas, at least that’s what I think! > It got so loud I couldn’t hear the birds well at all. Having lived over > here (running another BBS in the morning), I never recall cicadas being a > thing other than a few in the city parks (Craig, Steamboat, and Meeker). > So Dave, what gives??? > > > > The last bug thing is Mormon Crickets. Fortunately, it seems to have been > relatively wet over here this year. While I wouldn’t call it recovered, > soil and vegetation health seems far better than at the same time last > year. With this rebound has come a bumper crop of Mormon Crickets. I have > not had the chance to Google the taxonomy of these big, interesting > “crickets”, but I don’t think they are actually crickets at all – again, > Dave please bale me out. Over a roughly 30 mile stretch of HW 40 west of > Maybell (Moffat Co.) the density of migrating crickets across the road was > ~ 5-10/sq meter for much of the way, with a couple of patches so thick the > dead bugs created a black slick ~ 50-100m wide!! (actually hazardous). So > for those of you who have not been indoctrinated into this Great Basin > phenomenon, this year seems to be one to head West. If you don’t get too > creeped out by this event, then down to southeast Colorado with you for the > tarantula migration
Re: [cobirds] GARAGNEY Larimer County
Hi everyone, eBird shows three occurrences of Garganey for Colorado – 1990 (Jackson Res, Morgan Cty), 1992 and 1996 (both at Sombrero Marsh, Boulder Cty). The '90 and '92 records are reflected in the official CBRC documentation, but there appears to be none for the 1996 occurrence. And there appear not to be any rejected or "unaccepted" records for Garganey at any time (e.g., no rejection due to possible provenance concerns). Does anyone know why the 1996 occurrence was not documented with the CBRC? Aside from perhaps observers then thinking, "Well, someone else will document it," was there possibly some other consideration? Eric --- Eric DeFonso near Lyons, Boulder County, CO On Sun, May 8, 2022 at 3:25 PM smka2 via Colorado Birds < cobirds@googlegroups.com> wrote: > Cobirders, > > > > Correction to my earlier post, there are only two previously documented > records of this species in the state. This will be the third once everyone > submits their sightings to the Colorado Bird Records Committee. > > > > Good Birding, > > Steve Stachowiak > > Highlands Ranch, CO > > > > > > *From:* smka2 via Colorado Birds > *Sent:* Sunday, May 8, 2022 10:50 AM > *To:* 'COBIRDS' > *Subject:* RE: [cobirds] GARAGNEY Larimer County > > > > Cobirders, > > > > Note that this is only the second documented record in the state of this > species. Mother’s Day picnic at Boyd Lake anyone? > > > > Good Birding, > > Steve Stachowiak > > Highlands Ranch, CO > > > > *From:* cobirds@googlegroups.com *On Behalf Of > *Rachel Kolokoff Hopper > *Sent:* Sunday, May 8, 2022 10:07 AM > *To:* COBIRDS > *Subject:* [cobirds] GARAGNEY Larimer County > > > > A make GARGANEY is on the NW most portion of Boyd Lake. Found by Brian > Tarbox. > > > > > https://maps.apple.com/?address=Boyd%20Lake,%20Fort%20Collins,%20CO,%20United%20States=16340773299649701446=40.460750,-105.038225=7618=My%20Location&_ext=EiYpUeVqGso0REAxbfgnAuZCWsA5wRPEimQ7REBBFqOutXdBWsBQDA%3D%3D=m > > Sent from my iPhone > > www.rkhphotography.net > > Rachel Kolokoff Hopper > > Ft. 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 > 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/A553B5F7-49BE-4802-BA3C-2AE0ED184912%40comcast.net > <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cobirds/A553B5F7-49BE-4802-BA3C-2AE0ED184912%40comcast.net?utm_medium=email_source=footer> > . > > -- > -- > 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/001401d862fb%2499d053f0%24cd70fbd0%24%40q.com > <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cobirds/001401d862fb%2499d053f0%24cd70fbd0%24%40q.com?utm_medium=email_source=footer> > . > > -- > -- > 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 rec
Re: [cobirds] Re: Avocet hybrid - what's the mix? Broomfield & Boulder Counties
I saw and photographed this bird as well last week. I saw nothing to my mind to indicate that it was an oiled bird, mostly since it seemed to fly just fine, and the discoloration (if you want to call it that) seemed to match the color pattern of a normally pigmented bird. I would expect an oiled or soiled bird to have the filth spread across different parts of the color pattern, not adhering to it so closely so that the light parts were still light, like they were on this individual. Also, its behavior seemed mostly normal to me as well, and there were plenty of times that it fed alongside other avocets without particular incident, no moreso than any avocets are a little edgy this time of year. It could be that there's some feather wear, but to my eyes this was simply a melanistic avocet, the 2nd one I've seen this season in fact. One was reported up in Loveland the same day I saw mine, just a few hours after it left. Eric --- Eric DeFonso near Lyons, Boulder County, CO On Thu, May 5, 2022 at 5:54 PM Donna Stumpp wrote: > Okay - a couple theories in so far: a melanistic bird (genetic mutation > with excessive dark pigment), or an oiled bird. I learned there was an > oiled bird seen a couple of weeks ago in the same location. > > So as I strive to become a better birder, I am curious to learn how those > of you with more decades under your belt decide what is going on with this > bird. I notice this bird seems to have darker legs than a regular American > Avocet. Are the legs colored when they are oiled? Overall, it does look > pretty much like a regular Avocet except for the coloring. The hybrids I > found online were with BNST, and it obviously isn't one of those. Do > Avocets not mix with any other species? So much to learn. That's part of > what makes birding so much fun. Thank you for the emails and the ideas! > > Donna Stumpp > Jefferson County > > On Thursday, May 5, 2022 at 5:23:27 PM UTC-6 Donna Stumpp wrote: > >> I was out at Stearns Lake this afternoon and saw a very dark >> Avocet-looking bird in the pond on the west side, which is Broomfield >> County. Below are a couple of photos. I then birded Stearns Lake in Boulder >> County and saw it fly over along with the 7 Avocets it was with at the pond. >> >> The other Avocets would at times chase this bird, and it would at times >> chase the others. They didn't seem to be comfortable being very close to >> each other. >> >> It appears to be a hybrid since none of the field guides show Avocets of >> any age or gender with this coloring. I'm hoping for ideas on what it is >> mixed with, and/or a recommendation for a website to help me figure that >> out. >> >> Thanks, >> Donna Stumpp >> Jefferson County[image: 5-5 Avocet hybrid - Stearns Lake.jpeg] >> [image: 5-5 Avocet hybrid b.jpeg] >> > -- > -- > 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/2802b396-3134-422a-9216-ac1cd957c9fan%40googlegroups.com > <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cobirds/2802b396-3134-422a-9216-ac1cd957c9fan%40googlegroups.com?utm_medium=email_source=footer> > . > -- -- 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/CAFjVA_ahqU9WYM0KwyFNOdm_wHMd4ONemr7bLt5x634L_1gKWw%40mail.gmail.com.
Re: [cobirds] A situation (Boulder)
Hi Dave, Others may have more information than I offer in this response, but for what it's worth, I visit this particular location fairly frequently, being as it is only 10-12 minutes drive from my residence. It's one of my few "patches", and I go there not simply to ogle the pygmy-owl (as it is, I rarely encounter it myself), but to bird. It's a great birding spot, and very peaceful. Over the past few months, my birding visits to this spot have seen quite a few more people than I had been used to seeing, compared to prior years and seasons. In general this area is popular with dog-walkers, power-walkers, walker-talkers (friends out for a walk and a chat), runners, cyclists, and of course, birders. And now, with the advent of a regularly-seen owl, photographers. And birder-photographers. And birders who wield cameras but don't really consider themselves photographers (I include myself in this latter category). Even so, on most days I visit this spot the number of other birder/photogs is easily less than 8 at any time, and often less than 4, spread out over a stretch of road that's over a mile long. Sometimes I'm even the only birder there, although since last fall, that's rarely the case because of this owl. On the days I go, people will ask me as I walk by "Have you seen it?", assuming that because I carry a camera I'm looking for the owl just like they are. I usually say "Not today", which is the truth most of the time since I really don't see it very much, but again, I'm not there specifically looking for it (although like anyone I'd always be delighted to see it). Many visits from non-locals to this area come up empty, with no owl views and hours spent fruitlessly gazing up at old squirrel and oriole nests and empty cottonwood branches. However, I have heard on occasion of groups like what was described secondhand, larger groups of 8,10, or 15 people caravaning to the area, usually on weekends but not necessarily, usually on nice sunny days but also not necessarily, looking for and sometimes locating the bird. I too have heard of bad behavior on occasion there when that happens, although I've never personally witnessed it. The one occasion I was there recently when I did see the bird(s), I noted that everyone there (maybe 8-10 people at the most at any one moment) behaved quite well, and there was certainly no need for people to trespass or trample anything to get to a good viewing or photo spot that day. But I do know that the owl can occur in many possible areas along that road, and other circumstances and on other days there can be way more people, and some may be tempted to justify their long drives to get there by doing "whatever it takes" to get that great pic, even if the bird doesn't seem to willingly offer it on that occasion. I don't go to this patch often enough to be a true "patrol officer" for it, but I go there probably more often than most and I do feel a small amount of possessiveness for it, despite not living right there myself. It really is one of my favorite local birding spots, and for good reason. If I ever do witness anything that could offend the residents, violate the county open-space rules, or otherwise jeopardize access to this area, you can be sure I will speak up and urge restraint. For my own selfish reasons, I would hate for my future experiences at this birding spot to be tainted by the improper actions of a few. All this is offered simply to provide a bit more context about what may be happening. It's my experience only, and I don't claim to know all the details of what has happened. Eric --- Eric DeFonso near Lyons, Boulder County, CO On Thu, Mar 3, 2022 at 11:42 AM DAVID A LEATHERMAN wrote: > It has come to my attention that photographers, some of whom may be > birders, are causing a problem west of Lyons in their lust for a > pygmy-owl. At the risk of pissing some of you off, and causing even more > people to seek this bird by publicizing it, I ask for restraint. The > person who called me is not a birder but a guy I used to work with who > knows I am into birds. He owns property bordering Route 7 w of town where > he says 16 cars full of loud-talking people pointing big cameras, rutting > the right-of-way that he maintains are back again today, the way they have > been in numbers for days (weeks?). He is upset and I don't blame him. He > says that whoever these people are, they don't really care about the bird, > that they act very entitled, that this is all just about getting the photo > and social. In short these sorts of situations give birders a black eye > and they are becoming more commonplace. If anyone reading this knows about > the situation first hand, has been there, has a comment or rebuttal I can > pass on to my friend, I am all ears. My friend hasn't called the sheriff > yet but is about to and it makes me sad to think "we
Re: [cobirds] Flock of yellow-headed blackbirds drop mysteriously from sky in Mexico – video
The Reuters Twitter video included in the provided link does indeed show what appear to be dozens of dead Yellow-headed Blackbirds on the street... Eric --- Eric DeFonso near Lyons, Boulder County, CO On Tue, Feb 15, 2022 at 2:12 PM Kevin Rumery wrote: > It might be a part of a murmuration that got too close to the ground > (possibly avoiding predator as already noted). Except for the blue sky > background, I would wonder about a possible microburst or some other sudden > downdraft, but without meteorological data from the scene, the predator > avoidance seems most likely. Agree that it appears that most birds were > able to move after grounding. As fast as they came down, a few casualties > might be expected… > > Sent from my iPad > > > On Feb 15, 2022, at 10:52 AM, 'Deborah Carstensen' via Colorado Birds < > cobirds@googlegroups.com> wrote: > > > > > > Extraordinary video of yellow headed blackbird‘s crashing from the sky. > In Mexico. > > > https://www.theguardian.com/environment/video/2022/feb/14/flock-of-yellow-headed-blackbirds-drop-mysteriously-from-sky-in-mexico-video?CMP=share_btn_link > > > > > > Deb Carstensen, Arapahoe county > > Sent from my iPhone > > > > -- > > -- > > 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/177ED65A-3E7F-441C-9513-EF00D4E4D2F4%40aol.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 > 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/6980659E-03D0-4F57-928A-4D418FA1621A%40comcast.net > . > -- -- 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/CAFjVA_ZOuobYkM%3D0X3fv8SdVjiNwqLuD0oTgHv%3DpoFMzYb4JQg%40mail.gmail.com.
[cobirds] Re: Eurasian Wigeon, Pella Crossing, Boulder Cty
The best viewing spot for the bird is about here: 40.186372, -105.1811738 Eric --- Eric DeFonso near Lyons, Boulder County, CO On Wed, Jan 12, 2022 at 12:32 PM Eric DeFonso wrote: > Hi everyone, > > Apologies for the delay in posting here, but around 10am this morning I > spotted a cracking male Eurasian Wigeon at Pella Crossing Open Space in > Boulder County. It's in the first main pond that's private, just west of > 75th St, so it's on the other side of the road from where the main official > parking area is. A trail passes along the north edge of the pond. A scope > is very helpful. You may be able to park along 75th itself near Hygiene if > there's room, which makes for a closer walk to where the bird is – just be > mindful of any No Parking signs or of blocking entrances to places. > > The bird's been seen by many birders now. It's in the only significant > area of open water of all the ponds, along with numerous American Wigeons, > and other handsome waterfowl. Occasionally Bald Eagles have flown overhead > and shuffled the ducks around a bit, but it can be refound with a little > persistence. > > Good birding, > Eric > > --- > Eric DeFonso > near Lyons, 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/CAFjVA_Yg2_wWZK7V5yJmfVn8CERBdt_USURV%2BPD%2BOYd0%2BLT3PA%40mail.gmail.com.
[cobirds] Eurasian Wigeon, Pella Crossing, Boulder Cty
Hi everyone, Apologies for the delay in posting here, but around 10am this morning I spotted a cracking male Eurasian Wigeon at Pella Crossing Open Space in Boulder County. It's in the first main pond that's private, just west of 75th St, so it's on the other side of the road from where the main official parking area is. A trail passes along the north edge of the pond. A scope is very helpful. You may be able to park along 75th itself near Hygiene if there's room, which makes for a closer walk to where the bird is – just be mindful of any No Parking signs or of blocking entrances to places. The bird's been seen by many birders now. It's in the only significant area of open water of all the ponds, along with numerous American Wigeons, and other handsome waterfowl. Occasionally Bald Eagles have flown overhead and shuffled the ducks around a bit, but it can be refound with a little persistence. Good birding, Eric --- Eric DeFonso near Lyons, 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/CAFjVA_Y2ebM%3Dkg7Dm%3DPcP9g_pb6ACp9tprGjX%3DLP48QF%3DkTkcw%40mail.gmail.com.
Re: [cobirds] Re: Trumpeter swans
This is in Boulder County, and Pella Crossing is west of Longmont. Swans were first seen yesterday, and continued into late this morning, when I drove by (I live near there). Eric --- Eric DeFonso near Lyons, Boulder County, CO On Tue, Jan 4, 2022 at 1:11 PM Adam Vesely wrote: > For non-locals, where specifically is this? > > Adam Vesely > Thornton, CO > > On Tuesday, January 4, 2022 at 11:34:07 AM UTC-7 david.l...@gmail.com > wrote: > >> There were three trumpeter swans at Pella Crossing on the west side of >> 75th in the first (private) pond mixed in with a bazillion cackling and >> Canada geese. > > -- > -- > 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/c9e947cb-7170-4378-bb41-dd9fea1346e8n%40googlegroups.com > <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cobirds/c9e947cb-7170-4378-bb41-dd9fea1346e8n%40googlegroups.com?utm_medium=email_source=footer> > . > -- -- 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/CAFjVA_b5ghB7rQLBD1dK66S4t4-8fe915UTPiTit2TXAkVNAuQ%40mail.gmail.com.
[cobirds] Snow Buntings, Morgan Cty 11-25-2021
Hi everyone, While birding Jackson Reservoir State Park this morning looking mostly for waterfowl, I chanced into a pair of calm and confiding Snow Buntings (SNBU) along the path/road on the dike, on the south edge of the reservoir. I was excited since this is only my second SNBU encounter ever in Colorado, the first being almost 13 years ago in Weld County. There have not been many reports of Snow Buntings in Colorado this year, so I thought it worth the mention here on CoBirds. I was able to snap several decent digiscoped shots before losing sight of them. I believe they were both males in nonbreeding (basic) plumage, but I am still pretty unfamiliar with this species so I may be mistaken. In addition to the SNBUs, I also spotted and photographed a female Black Scoter hanging out with some Lesser Scaup. I was surprised to discover though that the eBird app did not flag SNBU as 'R', i.e., requiring documentation. When I got home I looked up more information and learned that indeed Snow Bunting sightings in Morgan County also do not require documentation for the Colorado Bird Records Committee either. Despite this ease of reporting SNBU however, eBird shows very few SNBU records all-time for Morgan County. Before my sighting today at Jackson SP, only *one* other prior record of Snow Bunting exists in eBird for Morgan, a sighting reported by Van Remsen on New Years Eve of 1972! Who knew? On that note, let's all find some more handsome and intriguing Snow Buntings to close out the year. You can see images of the discussed species at my list, linked here: https://ebird.org/checklist/S98058628 Happy Thanksgiving to all, Eric --- Eric DeFonso near Lyons, 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/CAFjVA_ZCB8_1VhS6R0RRhbR6ZCy%3DZ%3DHjsYgq4QiZpDV6fXjNAw%40mail.gmail.com.
Re: [cobirds] "Pipit Hill" in Yuma County
Just as a quick followup, I was out at Pipit Hill last Wednesday, and the access is exactly as described by David and the CPW tech I spoke with beforehand. You can drive out the usual spots, but I'd advise crossing the fence at the top of the hill where the gate is, just because it's easier. The gate seems to be kept shut but is not locked – just unwind the chain, proceed through the gate, and put the chain back as you had found it. Access to the rest of the area is unchanged from before. (If by chance you find that the gate is open, then just walk on through and leave it like that as well. But please do not open a shut gate and *leave* it open.) For the record, that day while there I had a flyover that sounded very much like a Sprague's, but I could not confirm that's what it was, and it landed pretty far away from where I was. Good luck! Eric --- Eric DeFonso near Lyons, Boulder County, CO On Wed, Oct 6, 2021 at 6:51 AM wrote: > Note: I meant to send this to the group yesterday but I accidentally sent > it only as a reply to David! Apologies…. > > Hi all, > > I just spoke with Dwayne at CPW who is a property tech for state wildlife > areas around there. He said even he wasn’t sure what specifically was going > on with that fence, but that all the area is public access, so as long as > you leave the gates and fences how you found them, there shouldn’t be any > issues. The county assessor doesn’t show any change in ownership for the > SWA properties or easements, so I don’t think there are any new access > restrictions. > > Im heading out there as we speak, so I’ll see what’s going on with my own > eyes as well. Thanks David for inquiring into it all the same - it never > hurts to have clarity on land access questions like this. > > Eric DeFonso > near Lyons, CO > Sent from the Aether > > On Oct 4, 2021, at 7:51 AM, David Dowell wrote: > > 'Tis the season for Sprague's Pipits. On Saturday (October 2), I found > that Pipit Hill (north of Hale in the South Republican Wildlife Easement) > is now behind a fence that was built within the past year. Although most > of the fences in the area have signs describing the property behind the > fence, this fence had no signs. There were two gates, each closed with a > chain but not locked. > > Are birders allowed to access Pipit Hill? If you happen to have > information about the status of Pipit Hill, or know who we might contact > regarding the status, please share with the group. Thanks. > > David Dowell > 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 > 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/4f579469-ec8b-45ec-9772-87e292f9ca21n%40googlegroups.com > <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cobirds/4f579469-ec8b-45ec-9772-87e292f9ca21n%40googlegroups.com?utm_medium=email_source=footer> > . > > -- -- 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/CAFjVA_YNkQeXJREfUQE9JhXYorSN6wTyP3NtDdZ%2BO_y%2B2%3DC_Zg%40mail.gmail.com.
Re: [cobirds] Two late nestings at Littleton, Arapahoe Co
I too came across a Broad-tailed Hummingbird female sitting on a nest just 2 days ago in Boulder County, at around 7200 ft. I assume there were eggs present, but couldn't check since the nest was up a tall power pole. I also assume the verdant terrain surrounding the site is what's encouraging these late breeding (2nd brood?) attempts. Eric --- Eric DeFonso near Lyons, Boulder County, CO On Mon, Aug 16, 2021 at 9:13 AM Scott Somershoe wrote: > To add to David's post, although decidedly less interesting, there's an > active House finch nest next to my house with noisy nestlings. There was a > Barn Swallow nest with 2 young 1-2 days from fledging at Clement Park on > Friday. I haven't gone back to check to see if they fledged. They seemed to > be pretty late nests. These birds are all in Littleton, Jefferson County. > > Scott Somershoe > Littleton CO > > Joe Roller Memorial Green Big Year 2021 blog > <https://jrmemorialgreenbigyear.blogspot.com/> > Co-Author of *Birds of Tennessee: A New Annotated Checklist > <http://www.amazon.com/Birds-Tennessee-New-Annotated-Checklist/dp/1507815751/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8=1453317221=8-3>* > > > On Sun, Aug 15, 2021 at 7:10 PM David Suddjian > wrote: > >> On 7/27 I found a female Broad-tailed Hummingbird at a new nest in a >> spruce at Littleton Cemetery, the first hummer nest I’ve found there. Since >> then she has been sitting on the nest, apparently on eggs (can’t see in), >> and she was sitting yet today. This suggests maybe at least 18-19 days of >> incubation which is at the outside end of the norm, and the nest is late >> for a nest with eggs for this species. >> >> Two fresh juvie Cooper’s Hawks appeared begging at St Mary Church along >> S. Prince St. this morning. They weren’t around earlier and seemed pretty >> new. I see most Cooper’s families fledging by early to mid-July. I hadn’t >> had any other families in the greater neighborhood area there this year. >> >> David Suddjian >> Ken Caryl Valley >> Littleton CO >> >> Sent from my iPhone >> >> -- >> -- >> 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/E96FAC99-65DB-4312-879D-7081397571CA%40gmail.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 > 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/CAJmtx%2BUs%2BkJMuQS1JD%3DiEAwW4Ues5-Nx4Ce20gtoA_%3DfzoaRfQ%40mail.gmail.com > <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cobirds/CAJmtx%2BUs%2BkJMuQS1JD%3DiEAwW4Ues5-Nx4Ce20gtoA_%3DfzoaRfQ%40mail.gmail.com?utm_medium=email_source=footer> > . > -- -- 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/CAFjVA_ZikV%3D5EKhw0xdFCYKuwsGDNcJ0J15OsyFA4p0F%2BEQhuA%40mail.gmail.com.
Re: [cobirds] eBird Alerts NONE since December 15th
Hi Susan, About a week or two ago I stopped receiving Hotspot Needs alerts by email. Soon thereafter I found out that eBird no longer supports those alerts, which is unfortunate since I found those to be quite fun and useful and have several of them in my alerts "folder" on the website. But alas, I'll not be seeing those in email anymore. There was also a time recently when I seemed not to be receiving County or State level Needs Alerts, but I can't confirm that since it's a slow month anyway and I don't think there were any birds passing through that would have triggered an alert. I can say though that lately I am still receiving County level Needs Alerts - I just got two this morning. The upshot: if you have hotspot alerts, those will no longer be coming through. I can attest that larger-scale Needs Alerts are still showing up. I can't speak to Rare Bird Alerts though, since I'm not subscribed to any of those. Eric p.s. I have gmail, but I never seem to get eBird alerts sent to my Spam folders. Your mileage may differ though. (On rare occasions my CoBirds messages do show up there.) --- Eric DeFonso near Lyons, Boulder County, CO On Sat, Dec 19, 2020 at 6:18 PM Susan Rosine wrote: > How many other people are no longer getting alerts? The last ones I got > were on the 15th. I went to the Facebook community for eBird, and someone > said they unsubscribed, then resubscribed to get the alerts again. I tried > that, and it didn't work. > Susan Rosine > Brighton CO > > -- > 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/CACPnx8W7wGy5dO%2B7RRwty9xYuqFU3dxNEYh3xADfUJ2x5fM7Rg%40mail.gmail.com > <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cobirds/CACPnx8W7wGy5dO%2B7RRwty9xYuqFU3dxNEYh3xADfUJ2x5fM7Rg%40mail.gmail.com?utm_medium=email_source=footer> > . > -- 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/CAFjVA_aH%3D%2BFK5cG4Q_QWWTq90WfWUcihQLu0U1mpQQmXZ6mzSQ%40mail.gmail.com.
Re: [cobirds] Snow bunting at CCSP, Arapahoe County
So in less than 2 months, Pelican Point has now had Nelson's Sparrow Magnificent Frigatebird Snow Bunting Did I miss anything? Even if not, that's a pretty fun assortment. Eric --- Eric DeFonso near Lyons, Boulder County, CO On Sun, Nov 22, 2020 at 1:17 PM Mary Keithler wrote: > Hi all, > > Snow bunting continues at Pelican Point at Cherry Creek State Park. Found > by Buzz Schaumberg this morning. Walking along the beach past the parking > lot and before the inlet area. > > Mary Keithler, Arapahoe County near CCSP > > -- 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/CAFjVA_YCvfLonAyAuXEkVdkwWo0CrWTcHnVyoFoA00xRSktcYA%40mail.gmail.com.
Re: [cobirds] Ruddy irruption
BTW, I realize now that the correct alpha code for Ruddy Ground Dove is RGDO, not RUGD as I had it in my original post. I forgot that the recent lopping-off of the hyphen in the name (it used to be Ground-Dove) meant that the way that the alpha code for this species is created also changed. Eric --- Eric DeFonso near Lyons, Boulder County, CO On Wed, Oct 21, 2020 at 10:37 AM William H Kaempfer < william.kaemp...@colorado.edu> wrote: > Eric, > > > > Northernmost and easternmost for this fall, northernmost ever. There > seems to be quite a range expansion going on and I wonder if RGDO will get > moved to a Code 3 bird soon. > > > > I’m sure Pueblo Reservoir will get one on their CBC. > > > > Bill > > > > *From:* cobirds@googlegroups.com *On Behalf Of > *Eric DeFonso > *Sent:* Wednesday, October 21, 2020 12:20 PM > *To:* cobirds@googlegroups.com > *Subject:* [cobirds] Ruddy irruption > > > > Hi all, > > > > Firstly I want to thank George Steele in Norwood for his generous > hospitality and warmth in allowing visitors to his property for viewing the > remarkable 1st-state-record Ruddy Ground Dove (RUGD). I saw it yesterday > with several others, and although the bird wasn't entirely cooperative, we > all got unequivocal views at one point or another, if not terrific photos. > Mine sure weren't. > > > > I mainly wanted to raise awareness that this bird appears to be the > northernmost wanderer of a bunch of RUGDs that have been irrupting into > Arizona and even southern California over the past month or so. The eBird > map below shows sightings for RUGD in Sept and Oct of this year. This is > quite unusual, even for Arizona, in both quantity and distribution. They've > been found even as far north into Arizona as Meteor Crater in the past > week. And one of the locations in Arizona in western Maricopa County has > had as many as 8 individuals tallied at a time. > > > > So although it would still be extremely unlikely for there to be any more > Ruddy Ground Doves in Colorado than the one at George's feeders at this > time, you wouldn't be entirely crazy to look for them right now. > > > > > > > > --- > > Eric DeFonso > near Lyons, Boulder County, CO > > -- > 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/CAFjVA_Y0RHrSHSuLj9Oz1ojefFy70qYSo3mALUWMWHJoOxX-6Q%40mail.gmail.com > <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cobirds/CAFjVA_Y0RHrSHSuLj9Oz1ojefFy70qYSo3mALUWMWHJoOxX-6Q%40mail.gmail.com?utm_medium=email_source=footer> > . > -- 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/CAFjVA_YZyceBtQGkGYj6w3%3Dqgs5%3D4F66_YLYP-Cc9SXe6OaT6g%40mail.gmail.com.
[cobirds] Northern Shrike, Old St Vrain Rd, Boulder
Hi again, Continuing the theme of (slightly) early northern arrivals, I saw and photographed a first-of-season Northern Shrike along Old St Vrain Rd just SW of Lyons in Boulder County this morning. Eric --- Eric DeFonso near Lyons, Boulder County, CO -- 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/CAFjVA_YOxsrVdTjDwEW3QX8wdKsm%2B2ffa%3DJnA1K%3DBn37GX7o4Q%40mail.gmail.com.
[cobirds] American Tree Sparrow, Lagerman Res, Boulder
Hi all, This morning at Lagerman Reservoir I was pleasantly surprised when I saw and photographed a first-of-the-fall American Tree Sparrow. It was in the southwest portion of the loop trail around the reservoir, in the cattails, not far from where I had a small group of chittering Chestnut-collared Longspurs yesterday. Knowing it's just early October, I thought maybe I had the first ATSP of the season for Colorado. But when I got home I checked eBird and saw that our very own President Komar had one a few days ago up in Larimer County. Oh well - a silver medal is still very pretty. Eric --- Eric DeFonso near Lyons, Boulder County, CO -- 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/CAFjVA_Ys51tZu-93DFYvKoQ1QeC1FPN3%3DLVgcVtsFwnRNE8XSQ%40mail.gmail.com.
[cobirds] Re: RFI: Pelican Point Nelson's Sparrow
Thanks to all for the replies! Now I just need the bird to stay put a little bit longer. Eric --- Eric DeFonso near Lyons, Boulder County, CO On Tue, Sep 29, 2020 at 6:34 PM Eric DeFonso wrote: > Hi all, > > Could some kind soul advise as to the best place to park and hike in to > see this bird? I've been out of town for a couple weeks and am coming back > tomorrow (Wednesday afternoon) and want to make a beeline for this location > assuming the bird is still being reported. I want to be prepared in case it > isn't obvious and if there aren't other birders pointing the way. > > I can see where the eBird hotspot point is on a google satellite map - is > that where the bird is? (Everyone's been so good about using the hotspot to > mark this bird - *too* good, if you ask me.) > > Thank you. > Eric > > --- > Eric DeFonso > near Lyons, Boulder County, CO > -- 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/CAFjVA_YWroxaFu34zTsSvj7V2hMSpNH-XxSL5Ue_c%2BTzFaeTeg%40mail.gmail.com.
[cobirds] RFI: Pelican Point Nelson's Sparrow
Hi all, Could some kind soul advise as to the best place to park and hike in to see this bird? I've been out of town for a couple weeks and am coming back tomorrow (Wednesday afternoon) and want to make a beeline for this location assuming the bird is still being reported. I want to be prepared in case it isn't obvious and if there aren't other birders pointing the way. I can see where the eBird hotspot point is on a google satellite map - is that where the bird is? (Everyone's been so good about using the hotspot to mark this bird - *too* good, if you ask me.) Thank you. Eric --- Eric DeFonso near Lyons, Boulder County, CO -- 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/CAFjVA_Yzstft54HRO26SDOOwoSTpCAisBFF5Y_8Ho1ZKo2E4%2BQ%40mail.gmail.com.
Re: [cobirds] Mystery Songster at Waneka Lake, The Answer Revealed at Last
I know I'm a bit late to the game - I've been out in the wilds of Colorado doing socially-distanced bird surveys for the Bird Conservancy once again this year. This is a great recording that Ted has shared, and I wanted to amplify the point he makes in sharing it by sharing a similarly perplexing recording I made 6 years ago while on another one of these field seasons that I'm doing. This is a Spotted Towhee recording I made in Yellowjacket Canyon way down southwest near the Utah border in Montezuma County back on May 31, 2014, while searching for resident Lucy's Warblers. When I first heard it, like Ted in his situation I wasn't sure what I was going to find since it was unlike anything I'd been expecting to hear. But on closer approach I was able to confirm the ID visually and easily, as the bird was perched quite noticeably atop a shrub. My recording is only 30 seconds, but the bird continued to sing this variant for pretty much the entire duration of my visit to the area, which was well over 90 minutes. https://www.xeno-canto.org/205868 --- Eric DeFonso near Lyons, Boulder County, CO On Wed, Jun 17, 2020 at 8:59 PM Ted Floyd wrote: > Alrighty, y'all, what everybody's been wondering about for the past 48 > hours . . . > > So . . . Every guess here at COBirds was wrong, although two late entrants > got the bird in the right family. Over at Facebook, all the guesses were > likewise wrong, with nobody even getting the mystery songster to the right > family. I am aware of guesses from the following avian families: > > Scolopacidae (sandpipers) > > Tyrannidae (flycatchers) > Corvidae (crows, jays) > > Turdidae (thrushes, robins) > Mimidae (catbirds, thrashers, mockingbirds) > > Fringillidae (finches) > Icteridae (blackbirds) > Passerellidae (sparrows) > Parulidae (warblers) > > > So who got it in the right family? Donald Jones and Maureen Blackford. > Good job! However, the bird wasn’t a song sparrow. > > > > Folks wrote to me offline, too, and one of them got it all the way to > species. Our winner is . . . Christian Nunes, who correctly recognized this > as the song of the endlessly protean > > *spotted towhee.*While I have you, here’s how the saga unfolded on my > end. When I first heard the song, at some distance, I wondered if the bird > was going to be a blue jay. We have this whack-job blue jay at Waneka who > frequently imitates Swainson hawks, ospreys, I believe, and maybe even > red-winged blackbirds. So, for those of who thought it was a blue jay: Same > here. But, then, as I got closer, I started to semi-seriously consider the > possibility that this was going to be Colorado’s second rufous-collared > sparrow—and the third for the east flank of the Rockies in the USA. So I > was in the right family—of course with that intangible yet critical > advantage of actually being in the field with the bird. Finally, as I > neared the bird, which I eventually saw up close and personal, something > clicked, and I was pretty sure it was going to be a spotted towhee. Again, > the imponderable essence of being there. > > > Thanks to all of you for playing along, and congrats to Christian. Next > time I see you in person, I owe you a bottle of kombucha and a sack of > orange slices. > > Ted Floyd > > Lafayette, Boulder 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 view this discussion on the web visit > https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cobirds/a4e384e4-5374-4d15-b835-f17d0788ed25o%40googlegroups.com > <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cobirds/a4e384e4-5374-4d15-b835-f17d0788ed25o%40googlegroups.com?utm_medium=email_source=footer> > . > -- 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/CAFjVA_Z_8V3%3DzPZERzxjGqrEFxxWS1NiM7WccB%3D%3D5TeeRm71fg%40mail.gmail.com.
[cobirds] Otero, Crowley, Las Animas county highlights
Hi all, I'm wrapping up about a week of surveys for the Bird Conservancy of the Rockies here in the Arkansas Valley and southward, and taking advantage of some free time in between to enjoy birding here. While I missed the peak migration a few weeks back, I've still managed a few interesting sightings. *Otero County:* *Great Crested Flycatcher* - Oxbow SWA, west of La Junta. I got photos and sound recordings of 2 birds present on May 23. I checked back the next day and they both seemed to be gone. eBird shows only 2 other records of GCFL in Otero County, one from Van Truan at Rocky Ford 45 years ago, and another from my coworker Josh Lefever earlier this month along Higbee Valley Road! *Black Phoebe* - along the Arkansas River on private property (NO ACCESS) on May 25. This was very close to one of my survey points, but sadly I had finished the survey so it went "uncounted". I did submit a record to the CBRC though, since the website indicates interest in records for BLPH in Otero County. Bird was singing and easy to spot, as phoebes often are. *Broad-winged Hawk *- same location and timeframe as the BLPH (but this bird actually made it onto my official survey!). Seen well from below as it glided over the river northeastward into Crowley County and out of sight. Less rare but just as enjoyable were finds of Snowy Plover at Holbrook Reservoir SWA, and the continuing brilliant Vermilion Flycatcher along Higbee Valley Rd. *Crowley County:* *Lewis's Woodpecker* - along Lake Canal Road (CR 805), west of SH 71 north of Rocky Ford, barely within the county, just today. According to eBird, this is the first observation of this species in Crowley County since 2005, the last one being by Glenn Walbek! *Las Animas County:* *Hepatic Tanager* and *Scott's Oriole* - along Villegreen Road May 19. Known location, but not always easy to get views, at least not for me. I'm lucky to be able to travel down here at this time and spend as much time as I do birding, and it's been fun. I know I've been missing a lot of great Boulder County birds while I've been away, but such is life. You can't be everywhere at once! Good birding, Eric --- Eric DeFonso near Lyons, Boulder County, CO -- 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/CAFjVA_aJu1fCnVro4VZytNFYeQXRq-Cg-uDS7JP8qan%2B2%2BmwpQ%40mail.gmail.com.
Re: [cobirds] Why the Cassin's Finch invasion?
FWIW, on April 4 I had a solo singing Cassin's Finch at Joder Ranch which is just off US 36 between Boulder and Lyons. According to eBird, my report there was the first report of CAFI ever for that specific hotspot in the 4 years that hotspot has been around. (The trail for Joder Ranch ascended from the last edge of grassland/farmland up into ponderosa pine foothills.) Of course that was before the plethora of CAFI reports we've had in the past week or so, but in retrospect maybe I was seeing the vanguard of the invasion force. --- Eric DeFonso near Lyons, Boulder County, CO On Thu, Apr 16, 2020 at 4:54 PM JIM THOMPSON wrote: > I shoulf have added SW Loveland. > > JIM THOMPSON > > On April 16, 2020 at 2:48 PM JIM THOMPSON wrote: > > First time in back yard. Here for three days. About 25 mostly female. > First time in yard. > > JIM THOMPSON > > On April 16, 2020 at 2:45 PM Richard Trinkner > wrote: > > I'd be very interested in theories to explain this spring's dramatic > Cassin's Finch invasion of the lower elevations of the Front Range. We > usually get these prolific snow storms in March and April, but my 24 years > of personal records don't show anything previously like this year's > Cassin's Finch invasion. (Of course, 24 years is a tiny data window for a > species that probably predates humans...) > > Are cone crops in the high country poor this year? Are the finches coming > from northern latitudes? Was last year a banner breeding year? Why is the > weather disproportionately affecting this particular high-elevation finch > species? > > I don't have any answers myself, but hope that others might. > > Cheers, > > Richard Trinkner > Boulder > > > -- > 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/CAG_%3D4zc1kz4D%3DMSaYO6qh48508GPSihNWuD8TM8S6C3-DeLbQA%40mail.gmail.com > <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cobirds/CAG_%3D4zc1kz4D%3DMSaYO6qh48508GPSihNWuD8TM8S6C3-DeLbQA%40mail.gmail.com?utm_medium=email_source=footer>. > > > > > > > > > -- > 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/246673573.1523897.1587070651273%40connect.xfinity.com > <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cobirds/246673573.1523897.1587070651273%40connect.xfinity.com?utm_medium=email_source=footer> > . > -- 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/CAFjVA_Y2JBYNqcG84AxaTu_ODcfW86V-qmDuQjoZTBNR%2B_cykw%40mail.gmail.com.
Re: [cobirds] Re: Addenbrooke Park "Trumpeter Swans" are DECOYS! (Jefferson)
Yeah, I don't know who could be so daft as to confuse that Great Egret statue near 80th and Indiana with an actual bird. Oh wait, that was me! But hey, I was just chasing someone else's report! It's not easy to get Great Egret in Jeffco. --- Eric DeFonso near Lyons, Boulder County, CO On Tue, Mar 10, 2020 at 8:12 AM 'Migrant' via Colorado Birds < cobirds@googlegroups.com> wrote: > A couple of years ago there was a great egret being reported on a pond in > north Jeffco- maybe up on Indiana or MacIntyre? Anyway, I went by for a > look, and the egret, which was oddly immobile, proved to be a fairly > convincing statue. It was not hard to understand how it could fool an > observer, especially on a busy street where observations might be “drive > by”. > > Norm Lewis > Jeffco > > > Sent from my iPad > > On Mar 9, 2020, at 5:30 PM, Carl Bendorf wrote: > > > Of course, there is the famous incident involving Roger Tory Peterson and > the Dovekie decoy that was planted during a Christmas Bird Count in the > Bronx in the 1930's. This link will take you to the book excerpt > describing this amusing tale---there's even a bit of a Colorado connection! > > > https://books.google.com/books?id=MtnRCQAAQBAJ=PA52=PA52=roger+tory+peterson+dovekie+decoy=bl=neQZR9uLkb=ACfU3U1Btprln-ofiTZWS9E8VartHYe0CA=en=_e=X=2ahUKEwjY5MD-xI7oAhWBo54KHa-UD60Q6AEwDXoECAwQAQ#v=onepage=roger%20tory%20peterson%20dovekie%20decoy=false > > Carl Bendorf > Longmont, CO > > On Monday, March 9, 2020 at 9:30:18 AM UTC-6, Caleb A wrote: >> >> Haha, that reminds me of when I found a decoy Mute Swan on one of my >>> neighborhood patch bodies of water. It gave me great pause, but I was so >>> suspicious of the good fortune, and after investigating, I was sorely >>> disappointed, but slightly humored, that someone had put one out on the >>> water. Thankfully it's been removed now, so I can bird in peace ;) >>> >> *The birds are happy, and so am I*. >> ~Caleb Alons >> >>> >>> >> -- > 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/3bffb5c6-28ad-4a09-9c2a-5a4e7f82968b%40googlegroups.com > <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cobirds/3bffb5c6-28ad-4a09-9c2a-5a4e7f82968b%40googlegroups.com?utm_medium=email_source=footer> > . > > -- > 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/54B2DAB2-11DC-46B4-B0CB-92BE6D241428%40aol.com > <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cobirds/54B2DAB2-11DC-46B4-B0CB-92BE6D241428%40aol.com?utm_medium=email_source=footer> > . > -- 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/CAFjVA_b5-CzpHDuc2qDSGev7_hyWT-jvwckJ60nVrf8mLbuajA%40mail.gmail.com.
[cobirds] RFI: Great Western Reservoir, Broomfield
I'm looking for access information for Great Western Reservoir in Broomfield County. I've been there a couple times but it is not clear to me what is legal (and if so, preferred) access to the reservoir and surroundings. Please respond directly to me offline. Thanks! Eric --- Eric DeFonso near Lyons, Boulder County, CO -- 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/CAFjVA_a0H3qDT0Xpw0kYA%3DWeW8sPDj8HX8_Knhmv0f0RHTpoCQ%40mail.gmail.com.
Re: [cobirds] Invited to another cobirds group
Hi Ann, I received that same email this morning, although you should note that the group referred to is actually *cobirders*@groups.io, NOT cobirds. "CoBirders" is *not,* I repeat, NOT the same group as "CoBirds". It is not a Colorado Field Ornithologists-related group whatsoever. I'll just leave it at that, for the sake of brevity and decorum. Eric --- Eric DeFonso near Lyons, Boulder County, CO On Thu, Oct 31, 2019 at 10:08 AM Ann Donoghue wrote: > Hi All, > > I have an invite in my mailbox this morning from "Rebecca" to join the > cobi...@groups.io Group > > A quick search asking about groups.io shows it's a platform launched in > 2014 and has received good reviews. > > Did anyone else get this invite? Are we moving to a new platform? Or is > this just another platform that is being tried out? > > I'm not entirely sure if this is a legitimate invite. > > I would appreciate any info. > > Thanks, > Ann Donoghue > Fort Collins, CO > > -- > 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/d795ab8a-4cd4-4cfd-9e40-96c542c230d9%40googlegroups.com > <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cobirds/d795ab8a-4cd4-4cfd-9e40-96c542c230d9%40googlegroups.com?utm_medium=email_source=footer> > . > -- 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/CAFjVA_ZrK4BnUyUR-P%2B3%3DdzzyjU3SGAObqmWZr4On0uxzECG_g%40mail.gmail.com.
Re: [cobirds] Re: Ani still here
Although I didn't see as much of the bird's behavior yesterday afternoon as I'd have liked (due to inclement weather), I didn't see anything that was inconsistent with general wild ani behavior that I've encountered in my travels in tropical locales. To illustrate the sociality of anis (genus Crotophaga), GBAN is one of the few bird species in the world that are communal nesters, meaning that sometimes multiple females will share a single joint nest with as many as 20 eggs contained therein. Also, the Groove-billeds I've seen in Costa Rica would hang out around hotels, and afforded several photo opportunities. I've photographed Smooth-billeds in a few tropical locales along roadsides too, in Puerto Rico, Ecuador, and Brazil. Over the several months I spent in southeastern Brazil I also became fairly familiar with its congener the Greater Ani (Crotophaga major). Greater Ani is also highly social, and although not necessarily fearless of humans nor is it terribly shy, and Greater Ani sometimes even engages in lengthy group chorus episodes where 3-6 individuals in a group will make a continuous gurgling cackle that can go on uninterrupted for several minutes. I actually got to see this a couple times, and it was quite a treat. The point being, this bird's casual behavior around people doesn't seem to me to be an argument for prior captivity. It seemed like a typical ani to me. And I've never even heard of anis as being desired cage birds. Eric --- Eric DeFonso near Lyons, Boulder County, CO On Mon, Sep 9, 2019 at 9:03 AM Patrick O'Driscoll wrote: > I agree with Rachel. Purely anecdotally and FWIW, I see the species every > January when spending a week or two in Puerto Vallarta. > The birds around Isla Cuale, the stream that flows through the heart of > town, don't exactly beg for handouts. > But they do freely wander the island and its thickets within a few feet of > the stalls of vendors selling tourist items and food. > And yes, the ones I encounter are approachable. They are also rather > s-l-o-w and unhurried. > > Patrick O'Driscoll > Denver > > > > On Mon, Sep 9, 2019 at 8:56 AM Rachel Kolokoff Hopper < > r-hop...@comcast.net> wrote: > >> Hi COBirders, >> >> I am not commenting on whether or not this is a wild bird, but I will say >> that my experience with Groove-billed Ani, which I see and photograph >> annually in Mexico, is that they are highly social and gregarious birds. >> When they are not foraging and moving through a particular habitat in a >> group, I am usually able to get quite close to them for photos. >> -- >> Rachel Hopper >> rkhphotography.net >> r-hop...@comcast.net >> Ft. Collins, CO >> >> On Sep 9, 2019, at 8:45 AM, Adam Vesely wrote: >> >> Alison, great question, several of us were talking about that very thing >> yesterday. I'd be curious to get thoughts on this bird being seemingly very >> comfortable so close to humans from those that have observed this species >> in Texas and Central/South America. Is that type of cooperation typical for >> this species in the "wild?" >> >> Adam Vesely >> Thornton, CO >> >> On Monday, September 9, 2019 at 8:09:03 AM UTC-6, Alison Kondler wrote: >>> >>> Got great views of the Ani just now. Could this be an escaped bird? It >>> flew up to many of us as if waiting for a hand out. At one point five of us >>> were about eight feet away from it for about 6 minutes or so. >>> >>> Alison Kondler >>> Jefferson 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 view this discussion on the web visit >> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cobirds/ccf59ab7-9ac5-4860-a39d-d2ac5b0d2d35%40googlegroups.com >> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cobirds/ccf59ab7-9ac5-4860-a39d-d2ac5b0d2d35%40googlegroups.com?utm_medium=email_source=footer> >> . >> >> -- >> 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/D7C2A2BD-95EE-4C86-A87E-120FE7515CEC%40comcast.net >> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cobirds/D7C2A2BD-95EE-4C86-A87E-120FE7515CEC%40comcast.net?utm_medium=email_source=footer> >> . >> > -- > You receive
[cobirds] Colorado Rare Bird Alert for Monday, August 12, 2019
Date: Monday, August 12, 2019 E-mail: RBA AT cobirds.org Compiler: Eric DeFonso; bay.w...@gmail.com Phone: 970.818.1567 Observers have been helpful by reporting updates to COBirds. Thanks. CAPITAL LETTERS denote very rare species, as listed by the Colorado Bird Records Committee at the CFO website. (*) indicates new information on this species. For more information on birds seen today, go to cobirds.org and scroll to the bottom for “Recent eBird Sightings”. Rare, out-of-place and out-of-season species include: Broad-winged Hawk (*Denver) Upland Sandpiper (El Paso) Black-bellied Plover (Larimer) Red-eyed Vireo (*Elbert) Field Sparrow (Larimer) Northern Waterthrush (Ouray) Townsend’s Warbler (Las Animas) Dickcissel (Douglas) DENVER COUNTY: ---On August 8 five (5) Broad-winged Hawks were reported along the High Line Canal Trail between S Valencia and Dayton by Frank and Nancy Hatch. DOUGLAS COUNTY: ---On August 5 an immature Dickcissel was reported along Castlewood Canyon Rd entering the state park by Cathy Sheeter. A possible second bird may be nearby too. ELBERT COUNTY: ---On August 11 three (3) Red-eyed Vireos were reported at W Kiowa Creek Rd at a few different locations by David Tønnessen. Full details are available on eBird. EL PASO COUNTY: ---On August 8 a couple Upland Sandpipers were reported at Chico Basin Ranch (fee area) along the entrance road and later along the creek west of Bell Grove by Jim Merritt and David Tønnessen. LARIMER COUNTY: ---On August 8 a Black-bellied Plover was reported at Timnath Reservoir, on the north central spit as seen from Lake Breeze Ct, by Sue Riffe. ---On August 6 a Field Sparrow was reported at Devils Backbone Open Space along Hunter's Loop trail. First reported on August 2 by Denise Bretting. LAS ANIMAS COUNTY: ---On August 5 a Townsend’s Warbler was reported along CR 46 above 8,000 ft just south of the Spanish Peaks Wilderness Area (37.3334, -105.0037) by David Tønnessen. OURAY COUNTY: ---On August 7 a Northern Waterthrush was reported at Ridgway State Park in the Dallas Creek Area by Sandy Beranich. Upcoming DFO Field Trips...trip details on dfobirds.org *Republican Management Area and Pipit Hill (Kit Carson and Yuma Counties)* Wednesday, August 14 5:30 AM - 5:00 PM Mark Amershek (mamers...@msn.com; 303-329-8646) *Ken Caryl Valley Area (Jefferson County) * Friday, August 16 7:00 PM - 9:30 PM David Suddjian (dsuddj...@gmail.com; 831-713-8659) *Buena Vista, CO (Chaffee and Lake Counties)* Saturday, August 17 - Sunday, August 18 6:00 AM - 1:00 PM Wendy Wibbens (wib...@aol.com; 303-330-1175) & Sue Summers (summers...@hotmail.com; 253-678-3721) *New Mexico Southwestern Corner* Sunday, August 18 - Friday, August 23 7:00 AM - 5:00 PM John Breitsch (jbreit...@hotmail.com; 303-588-0552) & Mark Amershek (mamers...@msn.com; 303-329-8646) *Southwestern Metro Area* Tuesday, August 20 6:30 AM - 12:00 PM Dale Pate (dalelp...@gmail.com; 575-706-4584) Good birding! Eric DeFonso Hygiene bay.w...@gmail.com 970-818-1567 --- Eric DeFonso near Lyons, Boulder County, CO -- 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/CAFjVA_bnbdPS0uYKhCT7HMsnXw03zVpv94VEUw8QCzsch3onbQ%40mail.gmail.com.
[cobirds] Colorado Rare Bird Alert for Sunday, August 11, 2019
Date: Sunday, August 11, 2019 E-mail: RBA AT cobirds.org Compiler: Eric DeFonso; bay.w...@gmail.com Phone: 970.818.1567 Observers have been helpful by reporting updates to COBirds. Thanks. CAPITAL LETTERS denote very rare species, as listed by the Colorado Bird Records Committee at the CFO website. (*) indicates new information on this species. For more information on birds seen today, go to cobirds.org and scroll to the bottom for “Recent eBird Sightings”. Rare, out-of-place and out-of-season species include: Upland Sandpiper (Larimer, El Paso) Black-bellied Plover (Larimer) Ash-throated Flycatcher (Jefferson) Field Sparrow (Larimer) Northern Waterthrush (Ouray) Townsend’s Warbler (Jefferson, Las Animas) Dickcissel (Douglas) DOUGLAS COUNTY: ---On August 5 an immature Dickcissel was reported along Castlewood Canyon Rd entering the state park by Cathy Sheeter. A possible second bird may be nearby too. EL PASO COUNTY: ---On August 8 a couple Upland Sandpipers were reported at Chico Basin Ranch (fee area) along the entrance road and later along the creek west of Bell Grove by Jim Merritt and David Tønnessen. JEFFERSON COUNTY: ---On August 4 an Ash-throated Flycatcher was reported in Reynolds Ranch County Park by Mark Chavez. ---On August 4 a Townsend’s Warbler was reported along the Shaffer Trail between Lost Creek Canyon and Manor House by Stephen Suddjian. LARIMER COUNTY: ---On August 8 a Black-bellied Plover was reported at Timnath Reservoir, on the north central spit as seen from Lake Breeze Ct, by Sue Riffe. ---On August 4 an Upland Sandpiper was reported along County Rd 5 north of Buckeye Rd by Christian Hagenlocher. ---On August 6 a Field Sparrow was reported at Devils Backbone Open Space along Hunter's Loop trail. First reported on August 2 by Denise Bretting. LAS ANIMAS COUNTY: ---On August 5 a Townsend’s Warbler was reported along CR 46 above 8,000 ft just south of the Spanish Peaks Wilderness Area (37.3334, -105.0037) by David Tønnessen. OURAY COUNTY: ---On August 7 a Northern Waterthrush was reported at Ridgway State Park in the Dallas Creek Area by Sandy Beranich. Upcoming DFO Field Trips...trip details on dfobirds.org *Southeastern Colorado* Monday, August 12 4:30 AM - 8:00 PM David Suddjian (dsuddj...@gmail.com; 831-713-8659) *Republican Management Area and Pipit Hill (Kit Carson and Yuma Counties)* Wednesday, August 14 5:30 AM - 5:00 PM Mark Amershek (mamers...@msn.com; 303-329-8646) *Ken Caryl Valley Area (Jefferson County) * Friday, August 16 7:00 PM - 9:30 PM David Suddjian (dsuddj...@gmail.com; 831-713-8659) *Buena Vista, CO (Chaffee and Lake Counties)* Saturday, August 17 - Sunday, August 18 6:00 AM - 1:00 PM Wendy Wibbens (wib...@aol.com; 303-330-1175) & Sue Summers (summers...@hotmail.com; 253-678-3721) *New Mexico Southwestern Corner* Sunday, August 18 - Friday, August 23 7:00 AM - 5:00 PM John Breitsch (jbreit...@hotmail.com; 303-588-0552) & Mark Amershek (mamers...@msn.com; 303-329-8646) *Southwestern Metro Area* Tuesday, August 20 6:30 AM - 12:00 PM Dale Pate (dalelp...@gmail.com; 575-706-4584) Good birding! Eric DeFonso Hygiene bay.w...@gmail.com 970-818-1567 --- Eric DeFonso near Lyons, Boulder County, CO -- 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/CAFjVA_av_uxwhLq59oDr2V8EkXTdbr6UxJ9xD4Soot0_FhvwFw%40mail.gmail.com.
[cobirds] Colorado Rare Bird Alert for Saturday, August 10, 2019
Date: Saturday, August 10, 2019 E-mail: RBA AT cobirds.org Compiler: Eric DeFonso; bay.w...@gmail.com Phone: 970.818.1567 Observers have been helpful by reporting updates to COBirds. Thanks. CAPITAL LETTERS denote very rare species, as listed by the Colorado Bird Records Committee at the CFO website. (*) indicates new information on this species. For more information on birds seen today, go to cobirds.org and scroll to the bottom for “Recent eBird Sightings”. Rare, out-of-place and out-of-season species include: Upland Sandpiper (Larimer, *El Paso) Black-bellied Plover (Larimer) LEAST BITTERN (Weld) Ash-throated Flycatcher (Jefferson) White-winged Crossbill (Fremont) Field Sparrow (Larimer) Northern Waterthrush (Ouray) Townsend’s Warbler (Jefferson, Las Animas) Dickcissel (Douglas) DOUGLAS COUNTY: ---On August 5 an immature Dickcissel was reported along Castlewood Canyon Rd entering the state park by Cathy Sheeter. A possible second bird may be nearby too. EL PASO COUNTY: ---On August 8 a couple Upland Sandpipers were reported at Chico Basin Ranch (fee area) along the entrance road and later along the creek west of Bell Grove by Jim Merritt and David Tønnessen. FREMONT COUNTY: ---On August 3 a White-winged Crossbill was reported at Forest Road 6 to Hayden Pass by David Tonnessen. JEFFERSON COUNTY: ---On August 4 an Ash-throated Flycatcher was reported in Reynolds Ranch County Park by Mark Chavez. ---On August 4 a Townsend’s Warbler was reported along the Shaffer Trail between Lost Creek Canyon and Manor House by Stephen Suddjian. LARIMER COUNTY: ---On August 8 a Black-bellied Plover was reported at Timnath Reservoir, on the north central spit as seen from Lake Breeze Ct, by Sue Riffe. ---On August 4 an Upland Sandpiper was reported along County Rd 5 north of Buckeye Rd by Christian Hagenlocher. ---On August 6 a Field Sparrow was reported at Devils Backbone Open Space along Hunter's Loop trail. First reported on August 2 by Denise Bretting. LAS ANIMAS COUNTY: ---On August 5 a Townsend’s Warbler was reported along CR 46 above 8,000 ft just south of the Spanish Peaks Wilderness Area (37.3334, -105.0037) by David Tønnessen. OURAY COUNTY: ---On August 7 a Northern Waterthrush was reported at Ridgway State Park in the Dallas Creek Area by Sandy Beranich. WELD COUNTY: ---On August 3 a Least Bittern was heard at Cozzens Lake by Steve Mlodinow. East end of lake, south side. Responded to recording. Upcoming DFO Field Trips...trip details on dfobirds.org *Cherry Creek State Park Wetlands Loop (Arapahoe County)* Sunday, August 11 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM Karen Von Saltza (kvonsal...@yahoo.com; 303-941-4881) *Southeastern Colorado* Monday, August 12 4:30 AM - 8:00 PM David Suddjian (dsuddj...@gmail.com; 831-713-8659) *Republican Management Area and Pipit Hill (Kit Carson and Yuma Counties)* Wednesday, August 14 5:30 AM - 5:00 PM Mark Amershek (mamers...@msn.com; 303-329-8646) *Ken Caryl Valley Area (Jefferson County) * Friday, August 16 7:00 PM - 9:30 PM David Suddjian (dsuddj...@gmail.com; 831-713-8659) *Buena Vista, CO (Chaffee and Lake Counties)* Saturday, August 17 - Sunday, August 18 6:00 AM - 1:00 PM Wendy Wibbens (wib...@aol.com; 303-330-1175) & Sue Summers (summers...@hotmail.com; 253-678-3721) *New Mexico Southwestern Corner* Sunday, August 18 - Friday, August 23 7:00 AM - 5:00 PM John Breitsch (jbreit...@hotmail.com; 303-588-0552) & Mark Amershek (mamers...@msn.com; 303-329-8646) *Southwestern Metro Area* Tuesday, August 20 6:30 AM - 12:00 PM Dale Pate (dalelp...@gmail.com; 575-706-4584) Good birding! Eric DeFonso Hygiene bay.w...@gmail.com 970-818-1567 --- Eric DeFonso near Lyons, Boulder County, CO -- 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/CAFjVA_Zvwat%3Do_uxgjNSx0hROna%2BOPZ5GO%2BBJW9o8vQbp%3D4Wvw%40mail.gmail.com.
[cobirds] Colorado Rare Bird Alert for Friday August 9, 2019
Date: Friday, August 9, 2019 E-mail: RBA AT cobirds.org Compiler: Eric DeFonso; bay.w...@gmail.com Phone: 970.818.1567 Observers have been helpful by reporting updates to COBirds. Thanks. CAPITAL LETTERS denote very rare species, as listed by the Colorado Bird Records Committee at the CFO website. (*) indicates new information on this species. For more information on birds seen today, go to cobirds.org and scroll to the bottom for “Recent eBird Sightings”. Rare, out-of-place and out-of-season species include: Upland Sandpiper (Larimer) Black-bellied Plover (*Larimer) LEAST BITTERN (Weld) Ash-throated Flycatcher (Jefferson) White-winged Crossbill (Fremont) Field Sparrow (Larimer) Northern Waterthrush (Ouray) Grace’s Warbler (Pueblo) Townsend’s Warbler (Jefferson, Las Animas) Dickcissel (Douglas) DOUGLAS COUNTY: ---On August 5 an immature Dickcissel was reported along Castlewood Canyon Rd entering the state park by Cathy Sheeter. A possible second bird may be nearby too. FREMONT COUNTY: ---On August 3 a White-winged Crossbill was reported at Forest Road 6 to Hayden Pass by David Tonnessen. JEFFERSON COUNTY: ---On August 4 an Ash-throated Flycatcher was reported in Reynolds Ranch County Park by Mark Chavez. ---On August 4 a Townsend’s Warbler was reported along the Shaffer Trail between Lost Creek Canyon and Manor House by Stephen Suddjian. LARIMER COUNTY: ---On August 8 a Black-bellied Plover was reported at Timnath Reservoir, on the north central spit as seen from Lake Breeze Ct, by Sue Riffe. ---On August 4 an Upland Sandpiper was reported along County Rd 5 north of Buckeye Rd by Christian Hagenlocher. ---On August 6 a Field Sparrow was reported at Devils Backbone Open Space along Hunter's Loop trail. First reported on August 2 by Denise Bretting. LAS ANIMAS COUNTY: ---On August 5 a Townsend’s Warbler was reported along CR 46 above 8,000 ft just south of the Spanish Peaks Wilderness Area (37.3334, -105.0037) by David Tønnessen. OURAY COUNTY: ---On August 7 a Northern Waterthrush was reported at Ridgway State Park in the Dallas Creek Area by Sandy Beranich. PUEBLO COUNTY: ---On August 2 a continuing Grace’s Warbler was reported at Pueblo Mountain Park, after not having been confirmed there for over a month. An individual bird has persisted at this location for multiple consecutive summers. WELD COUNTY: ---On August 3 a Least Bittern was heard at Cozzens Lake by Steve Mlodinow. East end of lake, south side. Responded to recording. Upcoming DFO Field Trips...trip details on dfobirds.org *Bluff Lake Nature Center (Denver County)* Saturday, August 10 7:00 AM - 12:00 PM Megan Miller (megan.k.miller2...@gmail.com; 720-775-9710) *Cherry Creek State Park Wetlands Loop (Arapahoe County)* Sunday, August 11 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM Karen Von Saltza (kvonsal...@yahoo.com; 303-941-4881) *Southeastern Colorado* Monday, August 12 4:30 AM - 8:00 PM David Suddjian (dsuddj...@gmail.com; 831-713-8659) *Republican Management Area and Pipit Hill (Kit Carson and Yuma Counties)* Wednesday, August 14 5:30 AM - 5:00 PM Mark Amershek (mamers...@msn.com; 303-329-8646) *Ken Caryl Valley Area (Jefferson County) * Friday, August 16 7:00 PM - 9:30 PM David Suddjian (dsuddj...@gmail.com; 831-713-8659) *Buena Vista, CO (Chaffee and Lake Counties)* Saturday, August 17 - Sunday, August 18 6:00 AM - 1:00 PM Wendy Wibbens (wib...@aol.com; 303-330-1175) & Sue Summers (summers...@hotmail.com; 253-678-3721) *New Mexico Southwestern Corner* Sunday, August 18 - Friday, August 23 7:00 AM - 5:00 PM John Breitsch (jbreit...@hotmail.com; 303-588-0552) & Mark Amershek (mamers...@msn.com; 303-329-8646) *Southwestern Metro Area* Tuesday, August 20 6:30 AM - 12:00 PM Dale Pate (dalelp...@gmail.com; 575-706-4584) Good birding! Eric DeFonso Hygiene bay.w...@gmail.com 970-818-1567 --- Eric DeFonso near Lyons, Boulder County, CO -- 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/CAFjVA_ZBNgF2MYAXt3KX2n6BwWw5dhNuTrEMPOY%3Ddr16nhxNFw%40mail.gmail.com.
[cobirds] Colorado Rare Bird Alert for Thursday, August 8, 2019
Date: Thursday, August 8, 2019 E-mail: RBA AT cobirds.org Compiler: Eric DeFonso; bay.w...@gmail.com Phone: 970.818.1567 Observers have been helpful by reporting updates to COBirds. Thanks. CAPITAL LETTERS denote very rare species, as listed by the Colorado Bird Records Committee at the CFO website. (*) indicates new information on this species. For more information on birds seen today, go to cobirds.org and scroll to the bottom for “Recent eBird Sightings”. Rare, out-of-place and out-of-season species include: Upland Sandpiper (Larimer) LEAST BITTERN (Weld) Ash-throated Flycatcher (Jefferson) White-winged Crossbill (Fremont) Field Sparrow (Larimer) Northern Waterthrush (Douglas, Mesa, *Ouray) Grace’s Warbler (Pueblo) Townsend’s Warbler (Jefferson, *Las Animas) Dickcissel (Douglas) DOUGLAS COUNTY: ---On August 5 an immature Dickcissel was reported along Castlewood Canyon Rd entering the state park by Cathy Sheeter. A possible second bird may be nearby too. ---On August 1 a Northern Waterthrush was reported near the intersection of N. Platte River Road and W. Pine Creek Road. (39.3584,-105.1696) by Bea Weaver. Early migrant. FREMONT COUNTY: ---On August 3 a White-winged Crossbill was reported at Forest Road 6 to Hayden Pass by David Tonnessen. JEFFERSON COUNTY: ---On August 4 an Ash-throated Flycatcher was reported in Reynolds Ranch County Park by Mark Chavez. ---On August 4 a Townsend’s Warbler was reported along the Shaffer Trail between Lost Creek Canyon and Manor House by Stephen Suddjian. LARIMER COUNTY: ---On August 4 an Upland Sandpiper was reported along County Rd 5 north of Buckeye Rd by Christian Hagenlocher. ---On August 6 a Field Sparrow was reported at Devils Backbone Open Space along Hunter's Loop trail. First reported on August 2 by Denise Bretting. LAS ANIMAS COUNTY: ---On August 5 a Townsend’s Warbler was reported along CR 46 above 8,000 ft just south of the Spanish Peaks Wilderness Area (37.3334, -105.0037) by David Tønnessen. MESA COUNTY: ---On August 1 a Northern Waterthrush was reported at Vega Reservoir along the shoreline vegetation and tangles by David Price and Eileen Cunningham. OURAY COUNTY: ---On August 7 a Northern Waterthrush was reported at Ridgway State Park in the Dallas Creek Area by Sandy Beranich. PUEBLO COUNTY: ---On August 2 a continuing Grace’s Warbler was reported at Pueblo Mountain Park, after not having been confirmed there for over a month. An individual bird has persisted at this location for multiple consecutive summers. WELD COUNTY: ---On August 3 a Least Bittern was heard at Cozzens Lake by Steve Mlodinow. East end of lake, south side. Responded to recording. Upcoming DFO Field Trips...trip details on dfobirds.org *Bluff Lake Nature Center (Denver County)* Saturday, August 10 7:00 AM - 12:00 PM Megan Miller (megan.k.miller2...@gmail.com; 720-775-9710) *Cherry Creek State Park Wetlands Loop (Arapahoe County)* Sunday, August 11 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM Karen Von Saltza (kvonsal...@yahoo.com; 303-941-4881) *Southeastern Colorado* Monday, August 12 4:30 AM - 8:00 PM David Suddjian (dsuddj...@gmail.com; 831-713-8659) *Republican Management Area and Pipit Hill (Kit Carson and Yuma Counties)* Wednesday, August 14 5:30 AM - 5:00 PM Mark Amershek (mamers...@msn.com; 303-329-8646) *Ken Caryl Valley Area (Jefferson County) * Friday, August 16 7:00 PM - 9:30 PM David Suddjian (dsuddj...@gmail.com; 831-713-8659) *Buena Vista, CO (Chaffee and Lake Counties)* Saturday, August 17 - Sunday, August 18 6:00 AM - 1:00 PM Wendy Wibbens (wib...@aol.com; 303-330-1175) & Sue Summers (summers...@hotmail.com; 253-678-3721) *New Mexico Southwestern Corner* Sunday, August 18 - Friday, August 23 7:00 AM - 5:00 PM John Breitsch (jbreit...@hotmail.com; 303-588-0552) & Mark Amershek (mamers...@msn.com; 303-329-8646) *Southwestern Metro Area* Tuesday, August 20 6:30 AM - 12:00 PM Dale Pate (dalelp...@gmail.com; 575-706-4584) Good birding! Eric DeFonso Hygiene bay.w...@gmail.com 970-818-1567 --- Eric DeFonso near Lyons, Boulder County, CO -- 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/CAFjVA_YZKvOAWzE90Qx03uoWBfBu3MQkM_myM8aiXkR3e2YK3g%40mail.gmail.com.
[cobirds] Colorado Rare Bird Alert for Wednesday August 7, 2019
Date: Wednesday, August 7, 2019 E-mail: RBA AT cobirds.org Compiler: Eric DeFonso; bay.w...@gmail.com Phone: 970.818.1567 Observers have been helpful by reporting updates to COBirds. Thanks. CAPITAL LETTERS denote very rare species, as listed by the Colorado Bird Records Committee at the CFO website. (*) indicates new information on this species. For more information on birds seen today, go to cobirds.org and scroll to the bottom for “Recent eBird Sightings”. Rare, out-of-place and out-of-season species include: Upland Sandpiper (Larimer) LEAST BITTERN (Weld) Ash-throated Flycatcher (*Jefferson) White-winged Crossbill (Fremont) Field Sparrow (*Larimer) Northern Waterthrush (Douglas) Grace’s Warbler (Pueblo) Townsend’s Warbler (Jefferson) PAINTED BUNTING (Jefferson) Dickcissel (*Douglas) DOUGLAS COUNTY: ---On August 5 an immature Dickcissel was reported by Cathy Sheeter along Castlewood Canyon Rd. entering the state park. A possible second bird may be nearby too. ---On August 1 a Northern Waterthrush was reported by Bea Weaver near the intersection of N. Platte River Road and W. Pine Creek Road. (39.3584,-105.1696). Early migrant. FREMONT COUNTY: ---On August 3 a White-winged Crossbill was reported by David Tonnessen at Forest Road 6 to Hayden Pass. JEFFERSON COUNTY: ---On August 4 an Ash-throated Flycatcher was reported by Mark Chavez in Reynolds Ranch County Park. ---On August 4 a Townsend’s Warbler was reported by Stephen Suddjian along the Shaffer Trail between Lost Creek Canyon And Manor House. ---On the morning of July 23 a cooperative male Painted Bunting was found by Claire H. at the Chatfield State Park Audubon Center feeders. It continues to appear off and on thru July 31, making it perhaps the most-viewed individual of its species ever in Colorado. If the feeders are down in early morning or in the evening, be sure to check for the bird in trees, shrubs and on the ground in vicinity of feeder poles. On July 28 one specific area where it occurred was the area west of the southernmost of the two buildings, including the bench where mixed seed that included millet, apparently its favorite, had been placed. Thank you for updates posted to COBIRDS, including those about its feeding habits. LARIMER COUNTY: ---On August 4 an Upland Sandpiper was reported by Christian Hagenlocher along County Rd 5 north of Buckeye Rd. ---On August 2 a Field Sparrow was reported by Denise Bretting at Devils Backbone Open Space. Continuing on August 6 along Hunter's Loop trail. MESA COUNTY: ---On August 1 a Northern Waterthrush was reported by David Price and Eileen Cunningham at Vega Reservoir. It was seen along the shoreline vegetation and tangles. PUEBLO COUNTY: ---On August 2 a continuing Grace’s Warbler was reported at Pueblo Mountain Park, after not having been confirmed there for over a month. An individual bird has persisted at this location for consecutive multiple summers. WELD COUNTY: ---On August 3 a Least Bittern was heard at Cozzens Lake by Steve Mlodinow. East end of lake, south side. Responded to recording. Upcoming DFO Field Trips...trip details on dfobirds.org *Mt. Evans Area (Jefferson and Clear Creek Counties)* Tuesday, August 6 6:00 AM - 4:00 PM John Malenich (john.malen...@comcast.net; 303-359-9456) *Bluff Lake Nature Center (Denver County)* Saturday, August 10 7:00 AM - 12:00 PM Megan Miller (megan.k.miller2...@gmail.com; 720-775-9710) *Cherry Creek State Park Wetlands Loop (Arapahoe County)* Sunday, August 11 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM Karen Von Saltza (kvonsal...@yahoo.com; 303-941-4881) *Southeastern Colorado* Monday, August 12 4:30 AM - 8:00 PM David Suddjian (dsuddj...@gmail.com; 831-713-8659) *Republican Management Area and Pipit Hill (Kit Carson and Yuma Counties)* Wednesday, August 14 5:30 AM - 5:00 PM Mark Amershek (mamers...@msn.com; 303-329-8646) *Ken Caryl Valley Area (Jefferson County) * Friday, August 16 7:00 PM - 9:30 PM David Suddjian (dsuddj...@gmail.com; 831-713-8659) *Buena Vista, CO (Chaffee and Lake Counties)* Saturday, August 17 - Sunday, August 18 6:00 AM - 1:00 PM Wendy Wibbens (wib...@aol.com; 303-330-1175) & Sue Summers (summers...@hotmail.com; 253-678-3721) *New Mexico Southwestern Corner* Sunday, August 18 - Friday, August 23 7:00 AM - 5:00 PM John Breitsch (jbreit...@hotmail.com; 303-588-0552) & Mark Amershek (mamers...@msn.com; 303-329-8646) *Southwestern Metro Area* Tuesday, August 20 6:30 AM - 12:00 PM Dale Pate (dalelp...@gmail.com; 575-706-4584) Good birding! Eric DeFonso Hygiene bay.w...@gmail.com 970-818-1567 --- Eric DeFonso near Lyons, Boulder County, CO -- 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 th
[cobirds] Colorado Rare Bird Alert for Tuesday, August 6, 2019
Date: Tuesday, August 6, 2019 E-mail: RBA AT cobirds.org Compiler: Eric DeFonso; bay.w...@gmail.com Phone: 970.818.1567 Observers have been helpful by reporting updates to COBirds. Thanks. CAPITAL LETTERS denote very rare species, as listed by the Colorado Bird Records Committee at the CFO website. (*) indicates new information on this species. For more information on birds seen today, go to cobirds.org and scroll to the bottom for “Recent eBird Sightings”. Rare, out-of-place and out-of-season species include: Upland Sandpiper (Larimer) LEAST BITTERN (Weld) White-winged Crossbill (Fremont) Field Sparrow (*Larimer) Northern Waterthrush (Douglas, Mesa) Grace’s Warbler (Pueblo) Townsend’s Warbler (*Jefferson) PAINTED BUNTING (Jefferson) DOUGLAS COUNTY: ---On August 1 a Northern Waterthrush was reported by Bea Weaver near the intersection of N. Platte River Road and W. Pine Creek Road. (39.3584,-105.1696). Early migrant. FREMONT COUNTY: ---On August 3 a White-winged Crossbill was reported by David Tonnessen at Forest Road 6 to Hayden Pass. JEFFERSON COUNTY: ---On August 4 a Townsend’s Warbler was reported by Stephen Suddjian along the Shaffer Trail between Lost Creek Canyon And Manor House. ---On the morning of July 23 a cooperative male Painted Bunting was found by Claire H. at the Chatfield State Park Audubon Center feeders. It continues to appear off and on thru July 31, making it perhaps the most-viewed individual of its species ever in Colorado. If the feeders are down in early morning or in the evening, be sure to check for the bird in trees, shrubs and on the ground in vicinity of feeder poles. On July 28 one specific area where it occurred was the area west of the southernmost of the two buildings, including the bench where mixed seed that included millet, apparently its favorite, had been placed. Thank you for updates posted to COBIRDS, including those about its feeding habits. LARIMER COUNTY: ---On August 4 an Upland Sandpiper was reported by Christian Hagenlocher along County Rd 5 north of Buckeye Rd. ---On August 2 a Field Sparrow was reported by Denise Bretting at Devils Backbone Open Space. Continuing on August 4 along Hunter's Loop trail. MESA COUNTY: ---On August 1 a Northern Waterthrush was reported by David Price and Eileen Cunningham at Vega Reservoir. It was seen along the shoreline vegetation and tangles. PUEBLO COUNTY: ---On August 2 a continuing Grace’s Warbler was reported at Pueblo Mountain Park, after not having been confirmed there for over a month. An individual bird has persisted at this location for consecutive multiple summers. WELD COUNTY: ---On August 3 a Least Bittern was heard at Cozzens Lake by Steve Mlodinow. East end of lake, south side. Responded to recording. Upcoming DFO Field Trips...trip details on dfobirds.org *Mt. Evans Area (Jefferson and Clear Creek Counties)* Tuesday, August 6 6:00 AM - 4:00 PM John Malenich (john.malen...@comcast.net; 303-359-9456) *Bluff Lake Nature Center (Denver County)* Saturday, August 10 7:00 AM - 12:00 PM Megan Miller (megan.k.miller2...@gmail.com; 720-775-9710) *Cherry Creek State Park Wetlands Loop (Arapahoe County)* Sunday, August 11 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM Karen Von Saltza (kvonsal...@yahoo.com; 303-941-4881) *Southeastern Colorado* Monday, August 12 4:30 AM - 8:00 PM David Suddjian (dsuddj...@gmail.com; 831-713-8659) *Republican Management Area and Pipit Hill (Kit Carson and Yuma Counties)* Wednesday, August 14 5:30 AM - 5:00 PM Mark Amershek (mamers...@msn.com; 303-329-8646) *Ken Caryl Valley Area (Jefferson County) * Friday, August 16 7:00 PM - 9:30 PM David Suddjian (dsuddj...@gmail.com; 831-713-8659) *Buena Vista, CO (Chaffee and Lake Counties)* Saturday, August 17 - Sunday, August 18 6:00 AM - 1:00 PM Wendy Wibbens (wib...@aol.com; 303-330-1175) & Sue Summers (summers...@hotmail.com; 253-678-3721) *New Mexico Southwestern Corner* Sunday, August 18 - Friday, August 23 7:00 AM - 5:00 PM John Breitsch (jbreit...@hotmail.com; 303-588-0552) & Mark Amershek (mamers...@msn.com; 303-329-8646) *Southwestern Metro Area* Tuesday, August 20 6:30 AM - 12:00 PM Dale Pate (dalelp...@gmail.com; 575-706-4584) Good birding! Eric DeFonso Hygiene bay.w...@gmail.com 970-818-1567 --- Eric DeFonso near Lyons, Boulder County, CO -- 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/CAFjVA_b2oY9wZeFUtDL%2BmwptE_GsFG-7JUE%2B70Z%2BTNmc0uX8gA%40mail.gmail.com.
[cobirds] Gray, er, Canada Jay imitations?
Hi folks, While doing my last-of-the-season Bird Conservancy survey a couple days ago at 11,500 feet in the Rio Grande NF southwest of Lake City, I heard what sounded to me like a Swainson's Hawk somewhere to my east during midmorning. I thought briefly, "Awesome! I don't get those often on surveys, and this is really high up for one." It was hard to scan the sky in that sunny direction but I didn't notice any hawk circling above. What I did note though was a minute later hearing Canada Jays making familiar-sounding squawks and squeaks. I'd seen a few of them in the same general area some time earlier, and I put two and two together and then thought I'd probably been fooled by a corvid once again, this time an unlikely culprit. I'm not aware of any elevational records for SWHA above 10,000 feet, although I suppose that's certainly possible. This area is characterized by spruce-fir forest of course, but also rather vast stretches of high-elevation grassland meadows and willow patches. I wanted to submit this question to the collective experience of COBirds, and ask if anyone out there has ever heard Canada Jay imitations of any kind, and specifically of Swainson's Hawk. What I heard was a textbook SWHA keer call, clear and drawn out and without any quivery quality to it, given twice. For what it's worth, Birds of North America Online has this to say about CAJA imitations: "The Canada Jay is previously reported to imitate Northern Pygmy-Owl (*Glaucidium gnoma*; 62 <https://birdsna.org/Species-Account/bna/species/gryjay/references#REF10690>), Rough-legged Hawk (*Buteo lagopus*) and Merlin (*Falco columbarius*; 29 <https://birdsna.org/Species-Account/bna/species/gryjay/references#REF62576>), and Pine Grosbeak and Red-tailed Hawk (*Buteo jamaicensis*; 93 <https://birdsna.org/Species-Account/bna/species/gryjay/references#REF56234>). Also gives excellent imitations of Broad-winged Hawk (*Buteo platypterus*), American Crow (*Corvus brachyrhynchos*), and Blue Jay, sometimes when the imitated species is in sight, but more often in plausibly stressful situations (e.g., human near active nest; bird just released after banding; DS). Imitation of Merlin's high-pitched tremolo was conspicuous in 2001–2002 on Anticosti Island, Quebec, where this predator is common. Merlin imitations were unknown before that in Algonquin Park, but increasingly heard since then, perhaps resulting from local recovery of formerly extirpated Merlin population (DS). As with Blue Jay (163 <https://birdsna.org/Species-Account/bna/species/gryjay/references#REF28626>), most species imitated by the Canada Jay are known or potential predators of adults or nests; mimicking predators could serve as a warning call to other group members, to confuse the predator itself, or merely to signal in a general way that a threat is present." Which leads to me then ask, if CAJA is imitating SWHA, why? When would their ranges ever overlap enough for a SWHA to be a likely predator for CAJA nests? Or could I have heard an actual SWHA in that lofty habitat? Thanks for sharing your stories and knowledge! Eric --- Eric DeFonso near Lyons, Boulder County, CO -- 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/CAFjVA_Y06fQXA6ECGG%2BpNriVa6toa7cj%3Df-yOGJLro9U4gmjmw%40mail.gmail.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
[cobirds] Grace's Warbler, Costilla County (private ranch)
Hi all, While doing a survey for the Bird Conservancy on a private ranch near Fort Garland in Costilla County this morning, I heard and recorded a Grace's Warbler at around 9200' in an area of mixed ponderosa pine/Douglas-fir habitat with a fairly developed understory of sage and serviceberry. It caught me quite by surprise and unfortunately the bird was not close by, but I did manage a fairly lousy recording of it from a range of about 70-100 meters (I'm guessing). Based on past experience with this species I knew it would take a while to visually locate, and unfortunately I was still in the middle of my scheduled survey and needed to stay on time since I was on private property. But I think my recording will confirm its identity, as the spectrogram of the sound matches GRWA exactly and rules out other (somewhat) sound-alikes like Dark-eyed Junco, Chipping Sparrow, and Virginia's Warbler. According to eBird, there are currently no accepted records of GRWA in Costilla County, and the Colorado County Birding page currently does not include GRWA on its Costilla checklist. However, the site for this bird is only about 25 miles from Spanish Peaks SWA and its known GRWA locations, and only 50 miles from known locations in northern New Mexico as well as Pueblo Mountain Park. I wanted to share this not so much to provide a chasing opportunity, but rather to raise awareness of what seems like a broader pattern of occurrence for this species in south central Colorado. Put it on your radar as a possible find in appropriate habitats of San Luis Valley! Good birding, Eric --- Eric DeFonso near Lyons, Boulder County, CO -- 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/CAFjVA_ZURkfQEG_kyKOp9FGeT0MCOETU9oSSaNY2TMeMpMSe%2BQ%40mail.gmail.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
[cobirds] Common Nighthawks, Smith Reservoir, Costilla (story, no rarities)
them are gathered and making a good living there this year. Thanks for reading this far! Eric - Eric DeFonso near Lyons, Boulder County, CO -- 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/CAFjVA_bbd8XH-60qz59%3DdT4NYEHoB8tk5F8tU13h_t%2BguF4TiQ%40mail.gmail.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
[cobirds] Grace's Warbler (and another curiosity), Spanish Peaks SWA (Las Animas County)
Hi folks, At the end of my very birdy survey this morning, I encountered a singing Grace's Warbler at the parking area of the Spanish Peaks SWA "Beebe" trailhead, which is about 16 miles up various county roads from the CO 12 turnoff, and about 22 miles total NW from Trinidad. It was singing consistently, and although moving around quite a bit, it never strayed far from the perimeter of ponderosa pines encircling the vale where the parking area was. I imagine not many readers here will make the effort to chase down this bird due to its remoteness, but I put it out there for anyone looking to add GRWA to their Las Animas county lists. (There are very few county records on eBird for it, although one of them is from the person who did the survey last year that I just did. This may be a reliable regular location for it.) On another curious note, during my survey I heard a distinct call from a Callipepla quail, and what I am certain was a Gambel's Quail, shortly after 5 am at the very start of my survey. If you are curious to read more of the details of this encounter as well as my thoughts on it, you can read my comments in my eBird checklist for it. Feel free to contact me backchannel (i.e., not on CoBirds) if you have thoughts or questions about this record. https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S57322300 Good birding, Eric --- Eric DeFonso near Lyons, Boulder County, CO -- 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/CAFjVA_ZWw1o0pHRuvpL0r2WYXsSh2_utJn-xg-qJX9NZhsTMMw%40mail.gmail.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
[cobirds] Re: ZONE-TAILED HAWK, Prowers (2019-5-29)
I should add that the bird appeared to be an immature - the tail bands were thin and lacking the broader subterminal banding that adults have. Eric --- Eric DeFonso near Lyons, Boulder County, CO On Wed, May 29, 2019 at 10:33 AM Eric DeFonso wrote: > Folks, > > After my morning bird survey south of Lamar got cut short because of > winds, I headed back to town and stopped by the Lamar Community College to > see if the cold north winds brought in any new late migrants. Things were > pretty subdued in the woods overall, but I kept perusing the south end just > in case. When I got to the far southwest corner of the woods, I briefly saw > a ZONE-TAILED HAWK perched on a snaggy cottonwood overseeing a relatively > open sage patch. It saw me of course too and didn't like that so it flew > off, but while it flew relatively low by me I got very good clear looks at > its bright yellow cere on the face of its large buteo head, differentiating > it easily from the Turkey Vultures it otherwise resembles in both aspect > and carriage. > > When I respotted it, it was ascending and starting to gather the attention > of the Mississippi Kites. I managed to get a number of shots of it, none at > all magazine-worthy, but a few do make it clear that it's a ZTHA and not a > TUVU. I'm still going through them now, and I will post those very soon on > my eBird checklist. > > https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S56868354 > > I don't think there's much chance it will re-appear at LCC today or > anytime soon - it sure looked like it was heading north of town (into the > headwinds, surprisingly). But who knows, maybe it will. In any case, if > you're in the area keep your eyes peeled and *check every vulture*. > > Good birding all, > Eric > > --- > Eric DeFonso > near Lyons, Boulder County, CO > (currently in Prowers/Baca/Bent/Otero/Las Animas) > -- 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/CAFjVA_bbVmkmKrmS81mhBUy_A07v%2BcO3x97tg_fu%3DDNBazi-fg%40mail.gmail.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
[cobirds] ZONE-TAILED HAWK, Prowers (2019-5-29)
Folks, After my morning bird survey south of Lamar got cut short because of winds, I headed back to town and stopped by the Lamar Community College to see if the cold north winds brought in any new late migrants. Things were pretty subdued in the woods overall, but I kept perusing the south end just in case. When I got to the far southwest corner of the woods, I briefly saw a ZONE-TAILED HAWK perched on a snaggy cottonwood overseeing a relatively open sage patch. It saw me of course too and didn't like that so it flew off, but while it flew relatively low by me I got very good clear looks at its bright yellow cere on the face of its large buteo head, differentiating it easily from the Turkey Vultures it otherwise resembles in both aspect and carriage. When I respotted it, it was ascending and starting to gather the attention of the Mississippi Kites. I managed to get a number of shots of it, none at all magazine-worthy, but a few do make it clear that it's a ZTHA and not a TUVU. I'm still going through them now, and I will post those very soon on my eBird checklist. https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S56868354 I don't think there's much chance it will re-appear at LCC today or anytime soon - it sure looked like it was heading north of town (into the headwinds, surprisingly). But who knows, maybe it will. In any case, if you're in the area keep your eyes peeled and *check every vulture*. Good birding all, Eric --- Eric DeFonso near Lyons, Boulder County, CO (currently in Prowers/Baca/Bent/Otero/Las Animas) -- 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/CAFjVA_Z118uyqPwe-q9e-WEoefc6epP5R01-X7uf-9Mp626vDQ%40mail.gmail.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
[cobirds] Blue Grosbeaks galore, SE Co
Perhaps not on the same level as the Western Tanager explosion, but in my last 3 days here in SE Colorado while doing surveys (and birding in between them), I've noticed a distinct uptick in Blue Grosbeaks. In fact I can't remember ever coming across them so frequently virtually everywhere I go. I often spot them milling about in dirt roads, pecking at the gravel or so it seems. At any rate, I've had them in Baca County (Picture Canyon, Carrizo Canyon, dozens on the road to and inside Cottonwood Canyon), Las Animas (Villegreen Rd), and Prowers (several singing and fighting at Lamar CC). Good birding! --- Eric DeFonso near Lyons, Boulder County, CO -- 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/CAFjVA_Ziq%2BB3M2cT%2BAHkkOAb1JKPEnjHu4a3zAQwjaBZuG9xRQ%40mail.gmail.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
Re: [cobirds] Boulder Co. Sparrows (SAGEBRUSH SPARROW)
Hi all, On my way home from work I was able to refind the Sagebrush Sparrow this evening after 7pm at the spot mentioned previously by Aidan. It was not associating with the other sparrows (dozens of Chipping, Vespers, and a few Savannahs) at the time I saw it. I encountered it a couple dozen yards uphill from the marsh. I also had one female Lark Bunting amidst the sparrow throngs. Eric --- Eric DeFonso near Lyons, Boulder County, CO On Mon, May 6, 2019 at 9:07 PM wrote: > Spent almost two hours walking along S. 66th St. near Marshall Mesa in > southeastern Boulder County this afternoon. In addition a Lark Bunting and > some assorted migrants I was impressed by the number and diversity of > sparrows. Here is what I saw: > > Song Sparrow- Several. > Lincoln’s Sparrow- One in a drainage. > Vesper Sparrow- Several large flocks. > Chipping Sparrow- One very large flock. > Savannah Sparrow- A pair. > Lark Sparrow- Several individuals. > Clay-colored Sparrow- One in a ponderosa near Marshall Rd. > SAGEBRUSH SPARROW- Foraging on roadside close to solar panels. Got many > photos and saw many times. Will adding photos to eBird. > > -Aidan Coohill > Louisville, CO > > eBird= https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S55942763 > > -- > 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/44ea1e28-c471-4644-8b56-a809b4cf13cd%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/CAFjVA_by9rfuJQmZWqq-5CTzxAB%3DFrnA_RW0qC7fUXyQcBfwPQ%40mail.gmail.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
Re: [cobirds] Chipping Sparrows/Larimer
Not Chipping Sparrows, buttoday while on my way to work I briefly stopped along CO 170 east of El Dorado Springs hoping to spot a Cattle Egret (I did not). I did however stumbled upon many dozens of Savannah and Vesper Sparrows, foraging along the roadsides of 66th St near the Mayhoffer trailhead. I looked for Clay-coloreds to no avail, but did spot about 3 Brewer's Sparrows among them. Eric --- Eric DeFonso near Lyons, Boulder County, CO -- 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/CAFjVA_a9a8BukhnCE9rDYrFxVNwDAYgYUFijQEi04%3DeJ95aqLw%40mail.gmail.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
Re: [cobirds] Re: White Hawk, Westminster
I've been told by some locals that this bird has been seen in the area since the early 2000s. I used to live near there and would look for it every time I passed near that intersection. I wouldn't see it every time of course, but maybe once every 6-7 times. (Bird's gotta make a living, after all.) I believe it's a year-round resident, but I may be mistaken. Eric --- Eric DeFonso Coal Creek Canyon, Jefferson County, CO (at exactly 8,000' ASL) On Sat, Apr 13, 2019 at 9:41 AM Andrea Wieland wrote: > Last Tuesday I got to see this hawk in Westminster leaving work to head to > Boulder for an appointment. I was thrilled when I found this thread. Sounds > like this hawk could be quite old now, the one I saw was clearly white, > with some slight buffy colors which made me wonder at first if it was one > of the owls I have seen in the area (but this was still the middle of the > day). But after looking at the shape, knowing it was a hawk. Do you think > there could be off-spring off this hawk? It was sitting on the light pole > across front the rec center on Sherridan right before 104th. > > Andrea D Wieland > Brighton, CO > > On Monday, December 8, 2014 at 7:56:45 PM UTC-7, David Wade wrote: >> >> One pleasure of birding, for me, is getting other people interested in >> birds so when my friend Ed told me about an "albino hawk" he saw, I was >> thrilled for him and me (or is it I?). I can't see enough details in the >> photos he sent to identify, or describe, the hawk but I assume it's a >> Red-tailed Hawk just based on probability. He spotted the nearly all white >> hawk on Sheridan Blvd in Westminster, just north of 104th Ave.. Ed said he >> has seen this bird in previous winters too so maybe it's a regular winter >> resident. I posted one of the pictures here: >> https://www.flickr.com/photos/11383@N05/15792695940/ >> >> David Wade >> Ft Collins, CO >> > -- > 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/793a4723-2049-4374-820b-00522b35d886%40googlegroups.com > <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cobirds/793a4723-2049-4374-820b-00522b35d886%40googlegroups.com?utm_medium=email_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/CAFjVA_an7g%2BDuxNSAXx1k3ite2AH-q_DCRQkUxvSEey-23_3KQ%40mail.gmail.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
Re: [cobirds] Red-throated Loon still around (Adams)
10 days later and the Red-throated Loon was still there today, 3/31. I visited around 2pm-ish today and the bird was in the western third of that reservoir just south of 104th and the parking area for Elaine Valente Park. Maybe I was lucky but I spotted the bird almost immediately - sticks out like a sore thumb from all the Ruddies there. Eric --- Eric DeFonso Coal Creek Canyon, Jefferson County, CO (at exactly 8,000' ASL) On Thu, Mar 21, 2019 at 1:50 PM Gregg Goodrich wrote: > Still present today 3/21 at noon. > Gregg Goodrich > Highlands Ranch > > -- > 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/19406300-c54e-4a38-b0eb-bb6651d35dbb%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/CAFjVA_aMQ--uZdYhjRWaFDgFyxE5tp1jf%2BdC2B8qs9GRWW1FsQ%40mail.gmail.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
Re: [cobirds] Trumpeter Swans Grand County
As a followup, I wanted to add that I don't believe this would be a first Grand County record, as Trumpeter Swan appears to already be on the CFO's Grand County checklist. Nor does the species appear on the Colorado Bird Records Committee's list of review species for Grand County, as I think it would if it had not yet been documented there. All the same, thank you to Tyler and Alicia for locating these birds! Eric --- Eric DeFonso Coal Creek Canyon, Jefferson County, CO (at exactly 8,000' ASL) On Fri, Feb 1, 2019 at 3:16 PM Eric DeFonso wrote: > Hi all, > > The three swans were still present today in what I'm guessing is the same > area of the Confluence Rec Site (south of Kremmling) as previously reported. > > Eric > > --- > Eric DeFonso > Coal Creek Canyon, Jefferson County, CO (at exactly 8,000' ASL) > > > On Thu, Jan 31, 2019 at 7:43 AM Tyler Wilson > wrote: > >> Alicia Arnold and I came across 3 Trumpeter Swans on the Blue River just >> south of Kremmling on Highway 9 this evening around 3 PM. They were hanging >> with 5 Canada Geese on the river just west of Confluence Rectreation Site. >> If you are heading north on highway 9 you will take a left shortly before >> the Colorado River. Grand County Road 1is the turn (also known as Trough >> Road). After taking a left off of Highway 9 you would take your first right >> and follow signs to the Confluence parking area and then scan to the west. >> This would be a first Grand County record and if you are in the the area I >> would love for others to snag this county tik. >> >> Tyler Wilson >> Thornton, CO for a bit at least >> >> -- >> 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/b55fa24a-7486-4c56-800f-02c73c57077e%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/CAFjVA_Zc47puf5BH6Yom_G87TMkCJd5X%3DkvmCwW_0S_DefX6zw%40mail.gmail.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
Re: [cobirds] Trumpeter Swans Grand County
Hi all, The three swans were still present today in what I'm guessing is the same area of the Confluence Rec Site (south of Kremmling) as previously reported. Eric --- Eric DeFonso Coal Creek Canyon, Jefferson County, CO (at exactly 8,000' ASL) On Thu, Jan 31, 2019 at 7:43 AM Tyler Wilson wrote: > Alicia Arnold and I came across 3 Trumpeter Swans on the Blue River just > south of Kremmling on Highway 9 this evening around 3 PM. They were hanging > with 5 Canada Geese on the river just west of Confluence Rectreation Site. > If you are heading north on highway 9 you will take a left shortly before > the Colorado River. Grand County Road 1is the turn (also known as Trough > Road). After taking a left off of Highway 9 you would take your first right > and follow signs to the Confluence parking area and then scan to the west. > This would be a first Grand County record and if you are in the the area I > would love for others to snag this county tik. > > Tyler Wilson > Thornton, CO for a bit at least > > -- > 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/b55fa24a-7486-4c56-800f-02c73c57077e%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/CAFjVA_Z8BcBAEgYf3xRzvydXahZUt2k78U7OHb4bKBDvZ6J3Yw%40mail.gmail.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
[cobirds] Fort Collins/Loveland road names
Hi all, In the interest of clarity for the sake of those continuing to search for the Gyrfalcon, I thought I'd chime in quickly and mention something pertinent to local geography. Taft Hill Rd in Fort Collins turns into Wilson Rd in Loveland. Shields Rd in Fort Collins turns into Taft Rd in Loveland. So yes, Taft Hill Rd (Fort Collins) and Taft Rd (Loveland) are NOT the same road. They both run north/south but are a mile apart from each other. Please keep that in mind when reporting locations of the Gyrfalcon. Thanks! Eric --- Eric DeFonso Coal Creek Canyon, Jefferson County, CO (at exactly 8,000' ASL) -- 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/CAFjVA_Z-3d_PbRzmaYih4fD%2Bpn9mG%3DRaGp%3Di-11CMkcs829-1Q%40mail.gmail.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
[cobirds] Looking for Gyr Sunday
Hi all, I'll be making attempt #2 for the Gyrfalcon Sunday. If you are going to look for it too and would like to receive updates, or would be willing to let me know if you have success as well, message me your phone # for calling or texts and I'll do likewise. I plan to be in the area starting in the 8am hour. Updates on Slaty-backed Gulls are also welcome. :) Thanks, Eric --- Eric DeFonso Coal Creek Canyon, Jefferson County, CO (at exactly 8,000' ASL) -- 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/CAFjVA_Z_i1%3D70B_V65EFVZ%2B4MnPZUt%2BRU%3D2WK1UJ9LQ-yO_Z8w%40mail.gmail.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
[cobirds] Larimer GYRF updates?
If anyone had successes locating the Gyrfalcon today, please let me know. I'm intending to go on a search for it tomorrow and would appreciate any confirmation of its continued presence beyond the late morning report from Mark Miller on Saturday. Thanks! Eric --- Eric DeFonso Coal Creek Canyon, Jefferson County, CO (at exactly 8,000' ASL) -- 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/CAFjVA_ZfT8JC%3Dmyfwp3T8O5nDAK2tJ-Qhw7r0rtD5HmzfXcLPg%40mail.gmail.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
Re: [cobirds] Re: Cobirds vs Facebook
I too am a big proponent of COBirds remaining as the main conduit for timely reporting on rarities, as opposed to Facebook. My quibbles with FB as a platform in general are many and probably too numerous to mention here at this time, but suffice it to say that FB, even for dedicated groups like the newly created Colorado Rare Bird Alert, is designed more as a true social media platform (meaning photo sharing, conversational snippets, "hot takes", social bonding, and the like) as opposed to rapid fire quality information sharing, which of course is the topic of this whole discussion and a defining purpose of COBirds. I think it would be a shame if birders as a whole migrated more toward FB as their reporting tool when COBirds already has the protocols in place to insure quality rarity reporting information. By that I mean, rare bird postings generally are reliably providing - Date and time of sighting - County of sighting - Discussion of precise directions when appropriate or necessary (unlike, say, eBird RBAs, where no such delineation is required nor often provided) - Discussion of any other important or relevant ID issues for the sighting The new Colorado FB group, and FB RBA groups in general in my experience, do not have these protocols (or at least the expectation that they'll be honored) in place. Thus, whether useful information gets shared on them is really a crapshoot, and the fact that so much cross-posting has to happen for there to be equitable information dissemination in the first place speaks to the redundancy of it all. It reminds me of how, when I first moved to CO 14 years ago, I joined both COBirds and the lesser known "Cobirders" groups. I soon realized that the Cobirders group generally borrowed all the sightings from the COBirds RBA (without permission) and merged it into theirs, so that there was essentially no difference between the two, even though they passed it off as their own RBA. At that point I gave up participating in COBirders. Of course, people are free to make their own decisions and abide by their own preferences, and they will do so regardless of what I think. All I can say is, I will personally primarily report sightings here, and leave it to others to report them on the FB group, unless I'm feeling particularly jaunty that day. I've been reducing my overall FB participation over the past few years for a number of reasons, most of which have nothing to do with birds or birding, and I don't want to have to resume relying on FB for timely updates for the sake of keeping up with late-breaking bird sightings. I know from experience how good the quality of rarity reporting has been here, and I also know how many of the group members here genuinely care about getting it right and having a genuine communal spirit about birding. --- Eric DeFonso Coal Creek Canyon, Jefferson County, CO (at exactly 8,000' ASL) On Thu, Dec 13, 2018 at 11:20 AM wrote: > Tools in the tool box can never be a bad thing. > I am not much of a chaser these days although there are some I would > pursue. Last years Red-naped Sapsucker was one of those I did chase, and in > that case, checking the latest and best info on FB would have been helpful. > We did see the bird the old fashioned way, with some help from Ira S! > > I am a strong supporter of our COBIRDS list, a quick and concise source of > info on what's happening in our State. In fact, I have trouble finding > current bird data in other states and am proud of all who have kept ours > running so well. Being here in the San Luis Valley, I am quickly able to > assess birds of interest and decide if I wish to travel considerable > distances to chase. Another useful tool in my opinion. It is great times to > have such choices! > > John Rawinski > Monte Vista, CO > > On Saturday, December 8, 2018 at 11:02:20 AM UTC-7, Robert Righter wrote: >> >> Hi >> >> Leon Bright makes a good point. For almost 30 years Cobirds has been the >> established platform for communicating all kinds of interesting birding >> news about what is going on in the state >> By promoting the advantages, or perhaps its >> disadvantage of using Facebook as a platform (check out facebooks recent >> stock collapse) for disseminating bird information could have the effect of >> splintering, or complicating how we get the daily bird news. Is this what >> we want? >> >> Are there ways of making Cobirds more relevant to changing times ? >> >> Bob Righter >> Denver CO >> >> >> >> Sent from my iPhone >> > -- > 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 thi
Re: [cobirds] Re: Long-Eared Owls/Wellington
For the record, I did not at all interpret the earlier message as suggesting flushing. I understood that he was suggesting walking along the road and NOT among the trees precisely to avoid (or at least minimize) disturbance. But, maybe I'm wrong. I would agree however that future requests for information on finding owls in particular locales are ideally made by asking for off-line (directly personal) responses. --- Eric DeFonso Coal Creek Canyon, Jefferson County, CO (at exactly 8,000' ASL) On Wed, Nov 28, 2018 at 8:38 PM John Shenot wrote: > For the record, I didn’t mean to chastise or embarrass the person who > posted this. I meant to educate newer birders/posters on an important point > about birding ethics. > > I’m not perfect, I’ve done things I regret, and I still have so much to > learn. > > I apologize if my tone was harsh. > > John Shenot > Fort Collins > > -- > 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/f7ae9ef6-8905-4f2b-b245-12fea6e9a44b%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/CAFjVA_ZkVF%2BDb8nnpj9V1uayvXcJ88N3zyrMENNqN2OZuK_eLQ%40mail.gmail.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
Re: [cobirds] Mexican Duck on e-bird
Hi folks, The AOS has a committee called the NACC as described by Mark, and that committee makes taxonomic decisions on changes to the official AOS checklist on a regular basis (biannually, I believe). For the purposes of discussion, the AOS and the NACC are functionally the same, as the NACC is a committee of the AOS. As mentioned by Mark, the NACC *generally* accepts additions to the ABA checklist, but that may not necessarily apply to splits as opposed to extralimital vagrants (where the identification is beyond question). And so, in the case of this Mexican Duck, it becomes a bit perplexing as it comes down to what will end up on which list. A proposal was submitted to the NACC to give full species status to Mexican Duck, but it was rejected this year by the committee by a 7-3 vote. The eBird/Clements checklist, which *generally* abides by decisions of the NACC, has decided to go ahead and accept that Mexican Duck is a full separate species and add it to users checklists and to the official Clements global checklist. So why would eBird/Clements go ahead and accept this proposal while the NACC resoundingly rejected it? Well, the proposal was submitted to the NACC by Tom Schulenberg himselfwho also happens to be the co-manager of the eBird/Clements taxonomy! The lesson being, if you manage your own taxonomy, you get to accept your own proposals. :) And which authority will CFO abide by in this case? I have no idea. Eric p.s. As far as why there are so many checklists, it's true, different authorities or organizations do have different functions and purposes. The ABA list is a birder's checklist. The AOU/AOS list is used by birders but is designed more for Western Hemisphere ornithologists. The eBird/Clements checklist is used by both birders and ornithologists, but needs to be global in scope and so must bear in mind the effect of taxonomic changes where applicable on family/order taxonomies on other continents. This was especially true regarding the recent re-organization of Caprimulgiformes, which has member taxa all around the world but certainly has a strong representation in both North and South America. --- Eric DeFonso Coal Creek Canyon, Jefferson County, CO (at exactly 8,000' ASL) -- 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/CAFjVA_YTw20_9Zm21j%3Do2z-M6EdLAPop_8B-GdvdHF6ztbu%3Diw%40mail.gmail.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
[cobirds] Common Gallinule, Larimer
Hi folks, It took a while, but the Common Gallinule did make an appearance this morning at the usual spot at Running Deer Natural Area (see previous messages for directions, etc.) I was beginning to feel a bit cursed when, after waiting over 3 hours, everyone in the group I was around including some who had waited 4 hours got a brief glimpse of the bird except me. (Those ladders really are a good idea.) Everyone left not long after but I stuck around, disbelieving that I should be so unlucky as to miss such a close call after investing so much time there. And eventually, 10 minutes after Loch and Glenn departed, the Gallinule indeed reappeared on the west edge of the pond in good light and even offered some nice looks. I did try digiscoping and videoscoping it, but an iPhone really doesn't know how to focus on something when the view is through the tops of reeds. This was around 9:45am. If the bird is on a schedule, I sure as heck don't know what it is. Eric p.s. LADDERS! --- Eric DeFonso Coal Creek Canyon, Jefferson County, CO (at exactly 8,000' ASL) -- 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/CAFjVA_YTf8sAZOW8oTJmisuzmn7fD1WXHLj1BQuOAJk2Dg5Stw%40mail.gmail.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
Re: [cobirds] Common Gallinule
Yes, inquiring minds want to know! Eric --- Eric DeFonso Coal Creek Canyon, Jefferson County, CO (at exactly 8,000' ASL) On Fri, Jul 6, 2018 at 5:45 PM, Steven Rash wrote: > Anyone have any luck with that little bugger this morning? Haven't seen > any posts on eBird, but that doesn't mean a heck of a whole lot. > > Thanks, > > Steve Rash > > Denver Co. > > -- > 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/344e71b0-a089-4cb5-ae4b-3d8f5efd6810%40googlegroups.com > <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cobirds/344e71b0-a089-4cb5-ae4b-3d8f5efd6810%40googlegroups.com?utm_medium=email_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/CAFjVA_Y5%2BBrjvsiY%2BEO_OdWfsJCOyQDeL4VTENmXP6%3D1bwZ7dA%40mail.gmail.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
Re: [cobirds] Common Gallinule, Fort Collins
Is anyone refinding this bird today? I have time to make a trip up there if it is, but I'd like to know before I commit to it. Thanks, Eric --- Eric DeFonso Coal Creek Canyon, Jefferson County, CO (at exactly 8,000' ASL) On Sun, Jul 1, 2018 at 8:23 AM, robert beauchamp wrote: > Common Gallinule was observed at Running Deer/Cottonwood Hollow Natural > Area this morning (July 1) at 7:45 a.m. > The bird was foraging in an opening among the reeds. There is a empty > nesting pole in the center of the marsh. I observed the bird while standing > on the access road about 50-100 feet south of the pole. Look to the open > water that is southwest of the nesting pole. > Photos on the CFO Facebook page: > https://www.facebook.com/groups/CFObirds/ > > Robert Beauchamp > Fort Collins > > -- > 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/e66d86c8-ef2c-49fe-8af7-1e85b9a30a4a%40googlegroups.com > <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cobirds/e66d86c8-ef2c-49fe-8af7-1e85b9a30a4a%40googlegroups.com?utm_medium=email_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/CAFjVA_Zmx-hRc9rhHxO9-QZc%3DZFWg-LwARvFPWzzfw%2BpSDzvpA%40mail.gmail.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
Re: [cobirds] Software/apps for bird spectrograms - Recommendations?
Hi Stephen, You don't have to make any spectrograms for uploading to eBird. When you submit a sound file to eBird, whether it's a .WAV or an .mp3 or whatever, eBird will auto-generate that spectrogram for you. Hope that helps! Eric --- Eric DeFonso Coal Creek Canyon, Jefferson County, CO (at exactly 8,000' ASL) -- 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/CAFjVA_bB%2BbHsUXuTJvSbpmWSoyQxg_OWX4FzZkUntw_NjXOu%3Dg%40mail.gmail.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
[cobirds] Dickcissel, Jefferson Cty 6/9
Hi folks, On my way back home late this morning from a week of field surveys I stopped by Plainview Road just off Hwy 72 heading into Coal Creek Canyon, and was treated to a Dickcissel perched atop some low oak shrubs about 1.6 mi in from the highway. Not sure how chaseable this bird is, but I thought I'd get the word out. Thanks, Eric --- Eric DeFonso Coal Creek Canyon, Jefferson County, CO (at exactly 8,000' ASL) -- 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/CAFjVA_ZxnM46oodY1acODh2axE2YPx4yJGaZ-ceuUkyzz-W-cA%40mail.gmail.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
[cobirds] Starling mimicry of Eastern Wood-Pewee
Hi folks, I meant to mention this earlier, but about a week ago during a brief trip out to Tamarack Ranch SWA, I got a visual confirmation of a European Starling doing an amazing mimicry of Eastern Wood-Pewee. For about half an hour I was convinced I was hearing a real Eastern singing from somewhere in the woods just out of sight, although I also noticed that I was only hearing a portion of the full song. I was hearing a convincing rendition of the initial 'pee-ur' phrase every so often, but never hearing the subsequent downslurred 'pee-urrr'. Eventually I 'got close' to the pewee and my heart sank as I realized there were a disturbing number of starlings around. And finally, in the bins, I saw the culprit actually vocalize the phrase. The tonal quality of the mimicry was outstanding, and I mean right on the button. I wouldn't have thought it possible, except in recent weeks I've also heard starlings do outstanding mimics of Common Nighthawks, White-crowned Sparrows, Black-billed Magpies, and so on. I offer this just as a cautionary note that any Eastern Wood-Pewee song heard at Tamarack Ranch should be investigated thoroughly. Sure, it's true that the starling had to learn the song from someone who could actually be present, and Eastern Wood-Pewee is certainly a probably find there. But just beware that starlings know this and will deceive you if you don't catch them in the act. --- Eric DeFonso Coal Creek Canyon, Jefferson County, CO (at exactly 8,000' ASL) -- 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/CAFjVA_bf%2BeHbT2_eMusgFUY1dJ2Oi0RGF%3DnMvzQLzHkxgsLpJg%40mail.gmail.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
Re: [cobirds] Vermilion Flycatcher First Creek Open Space, Adams County
Yes, that part is in Adams. For anyone who's interested in such things, the county line at First Creek Denver Open Space runs right along Buckley Road. Technically, anything east of the road is in Denver County, and anything west is in Adams. --- Eric DeFonso Coal Creek Canyon, Jefferson County, CO (at exactly 8,000' ASL) On Mon, May 21, 2018 at 6:26 PM, cteuton <teu...@earthlink.net> wrote: > At least I think it's Adams. This afternoon, the immature male Vermilion > Flycatcher was found at the northwest end of the pond at the open space. It > fed a few times, then flew into the Cottonwood trees just north of the > bison fence. > Cheryl Teuton > Aurora > > -- 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/CAFjVA_amiMhDsC-G9qp5Pc3kZWqpJ1MwJpidJPD8ZCQRRgUnBQ%40mail.gmail.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
[cobirds] Magnolia Warbler, Jefferson Cty 5/18/18
Hi folks, One of the last birds we got to enjoy today on our CFO field trip was a Magnolia Warbler, a female, at the Wheat Ridge Greenbelt near the parking area for Prospect Lake. The bird was seen along the hiking trail not more than a quarter mile downstream from the footbridge in the mix of chokecherry and other shrubs underneath some taller cottonwoods. Eric --- Eric DeFonso Coal Creek Canyon, Jefferson County, CO (at exactly 8,000' ASL) -- 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/CAFjVA_ZYKHGgPqRc_b_nkG16d8hoDhZKdSTTNNn%2BgKcdhaciRA%40mail.gmail.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
Re: [cobirds] Car break-in Riverbend Ponds Larimer Co
About a decade ago I was birding in Fort Collins at Dixon Reservoir when my truck got broken into. Fortunately for me I had little of real value for anyone to steal - they did take my car stereo faceplate, but then more amusingly they rifled through my glovebox and only stole a set of my bird song CDs. I think the thieves got away with my Stokes Eastern Bird Songs set. So if some guy in a trenchcoat propositions you to buy a hot set of sparrow and warbler songs, at least you'll know where that came from. --- Eric DeFonso Coal Creek Canyon, Jefferson County, CO (at exactly 8,000' ASL) -- 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/CAFjVA_aPmpmMoXr00JMFVRcNS%2BWCHwLTaAP-5EUgrt52YXxJyg%40mail.gmail.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
[cobirds] Anna's Hummingbird YES, Boulder County
Hi folks, The Anna's in Eldorado Canyon - the male - continues to be seen by a number of birders as of around 4pm today. I know there were several successful sightings from this morning, but the bird seemed to go AWOL for maybe about 5 hours until reappearing this afternoon. Thanks to Alison Sheets for graciously allowing all of us to occupy her beautifully landscaped backyard with so many great foothills species of birds to keep us interested while the star of the show was out doing errands. --- Eric DeFonso Coal Creek Canyon, Jefferson County, CO (at exactly 8,000' ASL) -- 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/CAFjVA_YmZafDJ3KuJRK80iTuZ_9Vi-%3DN_rxtOw%2BSreKhqiH%3DsQ%40mail.gmail.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
Re: [cobirds] Re: YB Loon still at S Platt Res , Arapahoe
Hi again, First to thank those who responded to my question and second to followup and let others know who may have been wondering the same thing I did yesterday and want to look for the Yellow-billed Loon... Access to South Platte Reservoir is much easier than I expected or assumed. As many of us know, sometimes reservoirs in CO are very tricky to view birds on - restricted access, distant one-side-only viewing from very far away (I'm looking at you, Lower Latham!) with sometime terrible light angles, etc. South Platte is indeed large, but has two very user-friendly viewing spots on the south side, one on the SW corner, another on the SE. Although the loon is likely to be quite distant, it is generally pretty easy to pick out when it is at the surface. (When it's diving, sorry, we can't help you there.) Bins are fine for seeing that the bird is present, but if you want to see better details that distinguish it from Common Loon, a scope is recommended. If you go today, more than likely someone at some point will be there with a scope if you don't have one and will be kind enough (I would hope!) to give you a look through it if you ask nicely with puppy-dog eyes. Joe Roller sent me these instructions for getting to the viewing areas (although I corrected his spelling mistakes ;) ): "Head WEST On C470 from S Sante Fe Drive == Hwy 85. Take the next exit on S Platte Canyon Road., heading north. Turn Sharp right onto S Platte Canyon Access road and follow road under dam to first lot, at SW corner of dam or continue to larger parking lot and walk up on dam, look north. Look for the birders. NOTE the SW bay is in Jeffco, most of the Res is in Arapahoe Co." Good luck! --- Eric DeFonso Denver, CO On Sat, Jan 6, 2018 at 12:50 PM, Eric DeFonso <bay.w...@gmail.com> wrote: > Hi all - I'm planning on heading down to the reservoir this afternoon > after I get off work. I've never been there, but looking at google maps > etc. it looks large and not easily accessible. Also, there isn't any info > on viewing spots for this reservoir on the Colorado County Birding website. > Where generally are people viewing the loon from? > > Eric > > --- > Eric DeFonso > Denver, CO > > -- 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/CAFjVA_aOKRE99k3mybX8qs7n4gPZkr8m7FEV5BpmdSJdnoHKuw%40mail.gmail.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
Re: [cobirds] Re: YB Loon still at S Platt Res , Arapahoe
Hi all - I'm planning on heading down to the reservoir this afternoon after I get off work. I've never been there, but looking at google maps etc. it looks large and not easily accessible. Also, there isn't any info on viewing spots for this reservoir on the Colorado County Birding website. Where generally are people viewing the loon from? Eric --- Eric DeFonso Denver, CO -- 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/CAFjVA_YNhZB586pVKe81kYn3ec4N73GzRe0kRuGSrp6RLEQC4A%40mail.gmail.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
[cobirds] Harris's Sparrow, Adams
Hi folks, This morning I was able to re-find a Harris's Sparrow first reported by John Breitsch out at the First Creek Denver Open Space, but on the Adams County portion of the trail on the new extension built into the Arsenal WR. It's about 1/4 to 1/2 mile west of Buckley Road on the new trail, hanging out with dozens of American Tree Sparrows, Dark-eyed Juncos, House Finches and American Goldfinches at a bend of the creek near a low, fallen willow. --- Eric DeFonso Denver, CO -- 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/CAFjVA_YdspzDNbg65Xv2jfGdO3JWYb5%2BmYoizy_5xPTcjkgLBQ%40mail.gmail.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
[cobirds] Common Redpoll, Denver
Hi folks, At Bluff Lake Nature Center this morning I had a solitary Common Redpoll mixed in with a flock of American Goldfinches and White-crowned Sparrows, feeding on the thistle amid the rabbitbrush right by the parking area. I saw it for about 2 minutes, but an hour later upon leaving I was not able to refind it. I also had a rapid fly-by of a Prairie Merlin over the wetland shortly before I left. Have a great day! Eric --- Eric DeFonso Denver, CO -- 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/CAFjVA_bQFQwEVYCpQyOyrUHBG6br4V8c9Jd0SySnqfLuWPY7gA%40mail.gmail.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
[cobirds] Red Crossbill (type 2), Denver
Hi folks, I recently moved to Denver, to the Park Hill neighborhood about a mile east of the science museum. I continue to be impressed and surprised by the variety of montane species occurring here, made possible certainly by the numerous mature tall conifers and many other tall trees. In addition to Red-breasted Nuthatches (in my backyard), Evening Grosbeak, Townsend's Solitaires, and Hairy Woodpecker in the past couple weeks, a couple days ago I heard the distinctive calls of a Type 2 Red Crossbill. Have fun birding, Eric --- Eric DeFonso Denver, CO -- 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/CAFjVA_btCFcx2jzoU5pDzqjpDdDGmYd-qGFR4hL89GWSDMcvPQ%40mail.gmail.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
[cobirds] Evening Grosbeak, Denver Cty
This morning during a short stroll in the Park Hill neighborhood of Denver just a few blocks east of the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, I heard the distinct calls of a pair of Evening Grosbeaks, amid some tall trees about a 100 yards from me. Not what I expected to encounter on a mid-August morning in Denver! I became quite familiar with this species' sounds during multiple seasons of field work in the coniferous forests of the Colorado high country, so hearing them in such a different context was an absolute delight. According to eBird, lowland summertime encounters with Evening Grosbeak are exceedingly rare. If anyone else is in the area, keep your eyes and ears peeled. Eric --- Eric DeFonso Westminster, CO -- 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/CAFjVA_abb0JaAK1y40-HSY7%2B-UgDAegZC3Ga%2B9VS_QcRJPyG4g%40mail.gmail.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
[cobirds] Pine Siskin, Adams Cty 7-29-17
Hi folks, I'm sure that subject line wasn't exactly riveting to most birders, but during an early-evening run through my nearby residential neighborhoods, I encountered a pair of Pine Siskins attending to some sunflowers right along 92nd Ave not far from Federal Blvd. Pine Siskins are of course fully expected and typical at higher elevations right now, but seeing them in the city in July was a bit surprising. Ebird shows very few July urban Denver sightings of Pine Siskin over the past 10 years. --- Eric DeFonso Westminster, CO -- 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/CAFjVA_aQjdeD%3DOwNTpaJcgHa0T33dC%2BO7usLh-aeQFjj6M0Sog%40mail.gmail.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
Re: [cobirds] Bird ID From Brainard Lake Area
Hi Dean - Your photo shows a Fox Sparrow (Slate-colored form). They breed in the high-elevation willow stands. Eric --- Eric DeFonso Westminster, CO On Fri, Jun 23, 2017 at 5:16 PM, Dean Colprit <colp...@gmail.com> wrote: > I got this image but can't identify the bird. any help will be appreciated. > http://deancolprit.photography/FM/08043206222017%20(1).jpg > > -- > -- 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/CAFjVA_a%2B8X7o1KF%2BSmMasKp1PzZ3iaULxdM0JyHSfvg51ZoH1g%40mail.gmail.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
[cobirds] Re: RFI: Latest CO checklist additions
I determined my list was missing the addition of the Couch's Kingbird. Thank you to Peter Gent! Eric --- Eric DeFonso Westminster, CO On Tue, May 30, 2017 at 9:19 AM, Eric DeFonso <bay.w...@gmail.com> wrote: > Hi everyone, > > Would someone be so kind as to post here to the whole group (so as not to > inundate me personally by email with redundant information in case several > people know) what the last 5 or so new species additions to the official CO > state checklist were, that brought the total to 502? I maintain my own > personal database of sightings and my checklist shows 501, and I can't > figure out which species the list is missing! It was last consistent with > the official checklist at 499. I think. > > Thank you in advance! > Eric > > --- > Eric DeFonso > Westminster, CO > -- 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/CAFjVA_ZdtOmaSe%3Dwe5nhroF6qPN4itjx5TOycbrZJoZDiDQAuA%40mail.gmail.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
[cobirds] RFI: Latest CO checklist additions
Hi everyone, Would someone be so kind as to post here to the whole group (so as not to inundate me personally by email with redundant information in case several people know) what the last 5 or so new species additions to the official CO state checklist were, that brought the total to 502? I maintain my own personal database of sightings and my checklist shows 501, and I can't figure out which species the list is missing! It was last consistent with the official checklist at 499. I think. Thank you in advance! Eric --- Eric DeFonso Westminster, CO -- 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/CAFjVA_ZNi%2B8QgLmGv06%2BTnbY4H4aUKJ7HJ9D8fEaWqOMBtzefg%40mail.gmail.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
[cobirds] Red-headed Woodpecker report, Chaffee Cty
Hi folks, A nonbirding friend of mine living in Salida plausibly described seeing and photographing (poorly) what sounds to me like a Red-headed Woodpecker in Salida in Chaffee County a couple days ago. She mentioned that a friend of hers who was with her and is more familiar with birds also was convinced that's what it was. This was around the dog park on Holman Avenue, as I understand. Just passing that along in case anyone was curious. That would seem to be an unusual find for the area, according to eBird. --- Eric DeFonso Westminster, CO -- 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/CAFjVA_Y%2Biq%2Br6xh%3D5DvkD4Sd0dB2KYV7qKuozvnWKVKz1JiuUw%40mail.gmail.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
Re: [cobirds] Colorado county lines
Apropos of nothing, I just wanted to add that I use the mob-rule website to track all the US counties I've ever been in. Why? Because it's fun, and I try to compete with my brother on it. I'm hopelessly far behind him in total numbers, but I at least have a couple states for which I've been in every county, whereas he has none. At any rate it's fun to see a county breakdown of where you've been - it's very illustrative of your national travel patterns and emphasis. This is real "county listing" :) Have fun, Eric DeFonso Westminster, CO On Sun, Jan 8, 2017 at 8:09 PM Ira Sanders <zroadrunne...@gmail.com> wrote: > That is very cool. > Ira Sanders > > On Sun, Jan 8, 2017 at 12:23 PM, Tom Wilberding <twilberd...@comcast.net> > wrote: > > For all you COBird county listers, here is a useful website I did not know > about, just discovered. > > http://www.mob-rule.com/gmap. Type the > > location in the box, then click on "Load" and you get a Google map > showing county lines. Zoom in or > > out as needed. Click on the location and you see the county name in the > white > > area. > > > > > > > > > > Pretty helpful for the Chatfield SP area with three counties > > in close proximity. Also for DIA, Denver, and Broomfield, a real maze of > > counties. > > > > > > > > > > Best, > > > > > Tom Wilberding > > > > > Littleton, CO > > > > > > > > > -- > > > 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/0c43ee8f-51b7-40b8-87b6-21f8c3ed55a1%40googlegroups.com > <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cobirds/0c43ee8f-51b7-40b8-87b6-21f8c3ed55a1%40googlegroups.com?utm_medium=email_source=footer> > . > > > For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. > > > > > > -- > Ira Sanders > Golden, CO > "My mind is a raging torrent flooded with rivulets of thought cascading > into a waterfall of creative alternatives." > > > > > > > > > > > -- > > > 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/CABF3siFUxjLZ_%3DOSWQsA3waX%3D2fr6yhSkKhKPYQ_qy1gZ5rSxQ%40mail.gmail.com > <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cobirds/CABF3siFUxjLZ_%3DOSWQsA3waX%3D2fr6yhSkKhKPYQ_qy1gZ5rSxQ%40mail.gmail.com?utm_medium=email_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/CAFjVA_bsv%2BnVAOkBDv-dKxw99f%2BQ7E%2BJzD7zZ6eTQXuxuZBXRg%40mail.gmail.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
Re: [cobirds] Disturbing bird incident
Regarding heat capacity...just a small correction to the earlier discussion. Metals actually have relatively low heat capacities, especially compared to water. What metals do have however is high heat *conductivity*. Their free electrons make them especially good not just at conducting electricity but also heat energy, and this is why the metal in the feeders was so effective at draining the heat from the moisture in the birds feet. If you've ever lived near a large body of water like the Great Lakes or an ocean, you've experienced firsthand the heat capacity of water, with its ability to moderate temperatures year round compared to inland or high elevation locations. Eric DeFonso Westminster, CO On Thu, Dec 8, 2016 at 1:23 PM Kathy Kay <kathykay...@gmail.com> wrote: > The very same thing happened at my feeder this very same week last year. > I wasn't able to get to the Pine Sisken before it freed itself sans foot > (separated at the knee). He still comes to my feeder and bird bath. He > seems to be doing just fine a year after the incident. You may see your > Goldfinch again soon. > > Kathy Kay > Golden, CO > > On Thu, Dec 8, 2016 at 10:34 AM, Christy P <passercu...@gmail.com> wrote: > > You have to be very careful applying heat of any kind to wildlife > outdoors, especially one that may already be hypothermic. Oftentimes > well-intentioned individuals kill animals trying to warm them back up by > putting them into shock. Finding a heat source that only affects the > portion of the bird that is stuck, as opposed to its entire body, would be > recommended. With something as small as an American Goldfinch, assuming > there wasn't a build-up of ice, maybe even just covering its foot with your > warm hand and defrosting it that way may have worked, or would in future. > > Thanks for sharing Ira, it's always our worst fear to leave birds > worse-off than they were to begin with. But at least you freed it. > > Christy Payne > Wheat Ridge > > On Thu, Dec 8, 2016 at 10:27 AM Mary Keithler <mkeith...@gmail.com> wrote: > > Hi Ira and birders, > > Perhaps a hair dryer with a long extension cord would work better. > > Mary Keithler, Arapahoe County > > > > Sent from my iPhone > > On Dec 8, 2016, at 8:41 AM, Ira Sanders <zroadrunne...@gmail.com> wrote: > > This morning when I went to put out the feeders, there was a goldfinch > hanging from the metal arm of the hooks we use to hang the feeders. At > first it wasn't moving and I was wondering how a bird could somehow die in > that position. I have no idea how long it was there, but I'm sure it was > long enough to weaken it. As I got closer, I saw it's eyes were open and > then it started to flutter a little. It's foot had frozen to the iron arm > and it was hanging by 1 foot. I ran in to get some water to get it loose, > but our efforts, which were incompetent and inadequate, didn't save all of > it's foot. > My first efforts only caused ice to form and made it worse. > The bird did fly from Tammy's hand but part of it's foot was still on the > metal. Obviously we did it wrong. In retrospect, I don't think warm water > was a good idea at all. > In case someone else has this same miserable experience, maybe some > forethought could result in a successful outcome and not our utter failure. > > -- > Ira Sanders > Golden, CO > "My mind is a raging torrent flooded with rivulets of thought cascading > into a waterfall of creative alternatives." > > > > > > > > > > > -- > > > 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/CABF3siFD4-93S4BVOPBHFU26HE%2BPZEHxTdD-J88oz%2BN4W0Y3wQ%40mail.gmail.com > <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cobirds/CABF3siFD4-93S4BVOPBHFU26HE%2BPZEHxTdD-J88oz%2BN4W0Y3wQ%40mail.gmail.com?utm_medium=email_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/m
Re: [cobirds] Clark's Nutcrackers (low el.) BW Hawk, Boulder 9/16
Speaking of low elevation Clark's Nutcrackers, I had a group of 6 of them fly overhead, downhill no less, at White Ranch Open Space in Jefferson County, on Sunday morning while I was trail running. I was probably around 6400 ft at the time, still in pondo land. Eric --- Eric DeFonso Westminster, CO On Mon, Sep 19, 2016 at 11:00 AM, Thomas Heinrich <teheinr...@gmail.com> wrote: > Hi all, > Friday morning I had caught a brief flyby and stopover of three Clark's > Nutcrackers moving south to north along the Dakota Ridge (approx 5800') at > the base of Mt. Sanitas (a new yard bird). > > -- 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/CAFjVA_YU1qXW%3DaSRpZRkeQ65Qg5UTz%2B7XK5J_pbr3c68pvUQDg%40mail.gmail.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
Re: [cobirds] Re: CBRC
For my part, I'd like to thank the CBRC and all the people who maintain CFO and its affiliated documentations. The past 12+ years of my birding life since I moved to Colorado have been so greatly enriched by the presence and easy availability of birding resources like the county birding webpages, the rare bird report submission systems, the archived review list additions and updates, books like Colorado Birds by the two Bobs, and more. I'm so impressed to learn that virtually all of this work is done on a volunteer basis - basically done just for the love of birds and birding. That is inspiring to me. What's more, my interactions with CBRC members have always been informative and timely, and I've always come away with appreciation for what goes into making the whole thing come alive. Personal thanks especially to Mark Petersen who has recently helped me understand the process of bird report submission, which I now know has undergone significant updates and improvements in recent years. I know this all sounds overly ingratiating, but I don't care because I mean every word of it. Thanks again guys - we birders in Colorado are lucky to have what we do in CFO. Eric D Westminster, CO On Friday, August 26, 2016, Rachel <r-hop...@comcast.net> wrote: > Hi Andy & COBirders, > > Not sure how the CBRC can be on “vacation” since it is a dedicated hard > working group of volunteers who do not get paid for their time. All of our > CBRC members have lives outside of birding which include family, children, > and work, so anything they do for the CBRC, CFO, and as a result a large > group of Colorado birders is due to their commitment to keeping records for > the state of Colorado up to date and accurate. Many, many thanks are due to > all of the current and past CBRC members. > > --- > Rachel Hopper > Ft. Collins. CO > r-hop...@comcast.net > <javascript:_e(%7B%7D,'cvml','r-hop...@comcast.net');> > -- --- Eric DeFonso Westminster, CO -- 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/CAFjVA_aUWP9K0CygSDLjh%3DCTLg4_Ak3%2BW_u86_qQUjjKwQo2fw%40mail.gmail.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
Re: [cobirds] Re: New AOU order
Thanks Tony - I had totally glossed over that the Clements update did not in fact incorporate the new higher order taxonomy of AOU-NA, at least for the time being. This plays some havoc with my own personal listing system, where my database needs to follow a global system like Clements but is still focused largely on the AOU-NA area where I spend most of my birding life. Oh well, what you gonna do. Eric --- Eric DeFonso Westminster, CO On Sat, Aug 13, 2016 at 9:07 PM, coloradodipper via Colorado Birds < cobirds@googlegroups.com> wrote: > Hi all: > > The CFO, as does ABA and most (if not all) state- and province-level bird > authorities in the ABA area, follow the AOU taxonomy and nomenclature, > while eBird follows Clements. That distinction is important in this case, > because the AOU taxonomy covers only North America (Canada south through > Panama), while eBird covers the world, thus the latter organization's need > for a more-comprehensive taxonomy. CFO's current taxonomy online is > correct, for certain values of "correct." > > Enjoy, > > Tony Leukering > currently Cut Bank, MT > -- 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/CAFjVA_Yi7mexDuhvAVr4avS8fmA1it6DjKaa-eY4TgL1V%3DtfHA%40mail.gmail.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
Re: [cobirds] Re: New AOU order
Does this mean the CFO checklist is auto-sync'ed to the eBird (and hence Clements) taxonomy? Just curious - I note that the 2016 Clements updates are now released as of today, and I assume the CFO checklist will then be revised shortly again. For example, the CFO checklist at the moment (6pm, Aug 10) has an incorrect family sequence - [...] Partridges Grebes Pigeons and Doves Cuckoos Goatsuckers Swifts Hummingbirds Rails Cranes ... Gulls Loons Storks ... Herons Ibises New World Vultures Osprey Hawks, Eagles, etc [...] but in fact the order should be [...] Partridges Loons Grebes Storks ... Herons Ibises New World Vultures Osprey Hawks, Eagles, etc. ... Rails Cranes Pigeons and Doves Cuckoos Owls Goatsuckers Swifts Hummingbirds [...] and so forth. I've left a lot out obviously, but only to illustrate the big differences better. This should explain some of the confusion mentioned earlier in this thread about the difficulty of finding some of the family groups in the new checklist! Things have changed, yes, but not *that* much. :) Eric --- Eric DeFonso Westminster, CO -- 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/CAFjVA_b_O6v2Yye7kxfT%3D-AuRTeoPsnxesjTcUKOMZ8FcbLfWA%40mail.gmail.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
[cobirds] Grasshopper Sparrows, Flatiron Vista, Boulder
Hi folks, I get a lot of good birding in while running lately. This morning I had a few (meaning probably at least 3) grasshopper sparrows singing by the trailhead at Flatiron Vista, south of Boulder along CO 93. According to ebird they hadn't been reported at that location before, so I thought it worth mentioning here. I also had a flyby Lewis's Woodpecker along the spring brook loop, but further down the trail than I would have expected (not near the old burn area). Also had a flyby Coopers Hawk. 39 species total during my 11 1/2 mile run. Good birding! Eric DeFonso Westminster, CO -- --- Eric DeFonso Westminster, CO -- 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/CAFjVA_YGJ9z%3D1ppvzB%3Dc0AtBX3r86Aou8K3aPFUQ4uYpFhkEog%40mail.gmail.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
[cobirds] Red Crossbills, Adams County
Hi folks, I was out for a nice morning run today, and to my surprise encountered a small group of 3-4 Red Crossbills in suburban Westminster, near 96th and Lowell. There seems to be a goodly number of tall conifers in that neighborhood, so maybe they're regular there? In any case, after a week in the high country of SW Colorado, I've gotten very attuned to hearing RECRs, so when I heard them again here in the big city, I got excited. Have a nice birdy 4th, Eric --- Eric DeFonso Westminster, CO -- 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/CAFjVA_bGBzJXGAH9d1v816pmPoRB72RrSV45VaXaccSTzmkxeQ%40mail.gmail.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
[cobirds] Logan County highlights, 6/1/16
Hi folks, I've been scheming to head back up to Tamarack Ranch for several weeks now to do some sound recording, and today I finally had time to do it. I hadn't been up there in almost 7 years! I also tacked on a fairly short visit to Red Lion SWA and Julesberg Reservoir before heading back. I enjoyed most of the same birds recently reported by Austin Hess and Brian Johnson, but with a couple alterations. I spent about 3 1/2 hours birding the East side before making a 1 hr trip to the West side. *Northern Cardinal* - yes, at least 2 singing males (one recorded well) if not more (East) *Great Crested Flycatcher* - yes, a pair calling repeatedly early in the a.m. (East) *Field Sparrow* - yes, one singing commonly around Area 5 (East) and recorded well *Grasshopper Sparrow* - yes, several singing in the grass and sagelands (recorded) *Red-headed Woodpecker* - yes, lost count. Recorded some continuous chatter by Area 5. *Red-bellied Woodpecker* - yes, many heard Bewick's Wren - no. Northern Parula - no, but I didn't search for it. If it was there it was silent. *Red-eyed Vireo* - yes (East). It was mostly silent but it did utter a single strophe once which clued me in to its presence. *Bell's Vireo* - yes, at least 4 (West). Best point-blank looks I've ever had at a pair, and great recordings. I was thrilled to find one at the exact same spot where I had my lifer Bell's at Tamarack 11 years ago with Nick Komar! *Baltimore Oriole* - yes, several. Yellow-billed Cuckoo - no. A bit surprised I didn't find one, but oh well. My big rarity highlight today at Tamarack was a *GRAY-CHEEKED THRUSH* scooting along in the upper branches of some cottonwoods with a couple Swainson's Thrushes (east side, around Area 7), providing for a helpful on-the-spot comparison. At Red Lion, I stopped at the dam for Jumbo and made my way down to the small grove beneath the dam. I'd never been there before, and although it was getting on 11:30am by that point, it was still active birdwise. Mostly expected species like *Yellow Warbler* and *Orchard Oriole* (I saw more Orchards today than I ever have in my life, including a flock of about 12 along the Logan-Sedgwick county line road!), but I did have a quick visit from a *Hairy Woodpecker* and a *Veery*. While walking toward the duck blind I apparently spooked a family of Soras which called sharply to each other (while I recorded them) until I gave them peace and vacated the area. Lastly, on Julesberg Res itself there were about 10 *Black Terns* dipping and darting about. Oodles of *Eared Grebes* (meaning ~30-40) way way way up on the north end of the drink, just resolvable in the scope. And really lastly, I passed an *Eastern Phoebe* doing the usual phoebe things on the CO 55 bridge crossing the S Platte on my way back the freeway. Would have loved to have kept going, but I needed to get back home and get ready for the next work week. Good birding, everyone! --- Eric DeFonso Westminster, CO -- 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/CAFjVA_ZrwsRcz7PQmq_9hZ72j0a_2dFxv7LDRfiMGFN47koYoQ%40mail.gmail.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
[cobirds] Eastern Phoebe, RM Arsenal, Adams Cty
Hi folks, I can't remember if *Eastern Phoebe* is considered a rarity anymore in the Front Range, but in case it is, I saw one this morning at Rocky Mountain Arsenal Wildlife Refuge, along 64th Ave at the very end of the paved road before it turns to gravel, at a creek crossing. And for those interested in such things,* Grasshopper Sparrows* are now present in good numbers at the refuge as well. --- Eric DeFonso Westminster, CO -- 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/CAFjVA_Y7hrfuEa%3DX%2BF0v8wN-CnQ88dFW6Y1o_xVP%3DnODV0ZfwQ%40mail.gmail.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
[cobirds] Bobolink, Elbert County 5/24
Hi all, Apologies for the delayed report, but while on a county-busting trip yesterday to Elbert County I had singing *Bobolinks* along Elbert Road, about 3 miles S of Kiowa. They were too far away to get easy visuals on, and as you may know that road is not the easiest to bird from. The same field also hosted displaying *Wild Turkeys*, with one in particular hosting a covey of about 6-7 females. The Colorado County Birding site mentions this area as being reasonable for Dickcissels. That's actually what I was thinking I might find in those fields, but I wasn't able to turn up any. I also didn't find any Cassin's Sparrows amongst the yuccas along and around Bennett Road. A few other eyebrow-raising finds were made at the large pond just south of CO 86 about 8 miles east of Kiowa. It was surprisingly active and birdy with several duck species including many *Redhead* and a lone *Canvasback*, as well as both *American Avocet* and a single *Black-necked Stilt*. I also had a single *Great-tailed Grackle* there. --- Eric DeFonso Westminster, CO -- 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/CAFjVA_aECbHN4RgvpLns1tJaMZDTGZ3W3%3DM1oS8bt99GepG-Jw%40mail.gmail.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
[cobirds] Adams/Denver Cty birding, Saturday 5/14
Hi all, Sorry for the delayed posting, but I don't have any huge rarities to report so if that's what you're looking for, feel free to move on to the next note in the listserv. :) I headed over to the First Creek Trailhead this morning (5/14) after having learned of its existence from John Breitsch's posting a few days earlier. I was delighted to see how it's actually a pretty nice place to bird despite the significant traffic noise from vehicles on Peña Blvd heading to and from DIA. I refound the *Eastern Phoebe* as well as two *Northern Mockingbirds*, although I didn't turn up the Brown Thrasher he reported. Nevertheless, it was quite birdy and I found a number of species that I'd not yet seen in Denver County. Yes, First Creek Trail - at least that portion of it between Rocky Mountain Arsenal WR and Tower Road - is actually in Denver County, as it is part of that corridor of the city and county property extending to the airport. As such it makes for a nice inclusion of habitat that is otherwise not so easy to find in Denver city proper. For example, I also had a flock of about 20 *Lark Buntings* fly over the fence from Arsenal through the open space near the creek and continuing eastward, allowing me to add LARB for two counties for the price of one! I suspect Lark Bunting is not easy to find in Denver County otherwise, but out there it's practically expected to be seen especially this time of year during migration as they search for more amenable habitat. Other birds I had include *Chipping*, *Brewer's* and *Lark* *Sparrows*, *Belted Kingfisher*, *Hermit Thrush*, *Dusky Flycatcher*, and a handsome male *Blue Grosbeak*. Afterwards I continued north to Barr Lake, where I had not been since a visit to see the Royal Tern that showed up there back in 2012. Now that I live closer by I may be coming here more often. Again, I didn't turn up any huge rarities but the birding was quite nice and lively. Probably my favorite find was a singing male *Orchard Oriole*, initially spotted with a group of chattering *Bullock's Orioles*. I later got a nice sound recording of him as he moved over from the lakefront to the small picnic area trees by the parking lot. With the gloomy and chilly May weather, I found many migrants and CO summer residents parked in the great lakeside habitat from the Niedrach boardwalk further south along the perimeter trail. *Western Tanager, Dusky Flycatcher, Warbling Vireo, Eastern Kingbird, *and a singing* Brown Thrasher* were among them. The swallow scene was spectacular as well, feasting on the numerous bugs (many caddisflies I presume?). It was definitely a buggy place despite the cold - after all, two and half thousand *Cliff Swallows* can't be wrong, no? Gliding, bounding, soaring in large ensembles over the fields and lake, gathering on fence lines, they were a hoot to watch and listen to all morning. I also give special mention that here and at First Creek Trail, I had dozens upon dozens of *Swainson's Thrushes*. It sounds like yesterday was a huge Swainson's push through Colorado, which is about right - mid-May always seems like peak SWTH migration time for the Front Range. I did try to convert at least one of them into a Gray-cheeked, but was unsuccessful. The last really cool Barr Lake find for me was a single, solitary if you will, *Townsend's Solitaire*. Anyway, that's my report from yesterday. I so love this time of year, and look forward to heading back to Barr Lake more often in the days and weeks to come. --- Eric DeFonso Westminster, CO -- 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/CAFjVA_YHnn%2BbRenqH_AXOPMN1LbXqM1T%2Bou82WUwv3P2xeOkbQ%40mail.gmail.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
[cobirds] Northern Waterthrush, Federal Heights, Adams County
Hi folks, While out on a lovely early morning run today through Camenisch Park, I heard the emphatic song of a Northern Waterthrush. It was in the woodsy riparian area just downstream of the lake, and just to the southwest corner of Waterworld. The approximate location of the park is at Zuni and 88th. Yellow Warblers and Bullock's Orioles are also present. -- Eric DeFonso Westminster, CO -- 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/CAFjVA_bpzJCVibGor-X-jtKuTn%2BcgHAnSmKyWqOvved1rEPtyQ%40mail.gmail.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
