[cobirds] Lewis's Woodpeckers in Eldorado Open Space, Boulder County
COBirders, Christian Nunes spotted an adult Lewis's Woodpecker acting territorial along the ridge of the hogback just south of Eldorado Springs - an area that burned several years ago. When I went up, there were at least three, very likely four, birds courting and checking out nesting sites. To access the area, head west toward Eldorado Spgs., passing Dowdy Draw lot, and make a left where the sign says, Yoga Ashram. This road provides access to the Fowler Trail. Follow the trail around I think three switchbacks until you get to a fork. Turn left and head south -- this trail will take you directly below the hog back. From here you can scan the ridge where the birds are easily seen and/or heard flying between the dead trees, calling to one another and giving the distinctive drumming that starts with a quick flourish, then finishes with a number of slower taps. Also in the area is a singing Indigo Bunting and (I'm told) one or more Williamson's Sapsuckers. I've posted photos of the Lewis's Woodpecker Indigo Bunting here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/pgburke/ Good birding, Peter Burke Boulder -- http://www.linkedin.com/pub/peter-burke/5/788/a62 -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups Colorado Birds group. To 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/CACjv0GZEom_X1%2Bbzg_4L8Hwq5OGfa68KtO6qdH2%2BHSMzJXAJXA%40mail.gmail.com?hl=en-US. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
[cobirds] Boulder Res. Townsend's Warbler Shorebirds
COBirds, Shorebirding in horizontal snow on the first of May was unusual to say the least... It was interesting to see how the birds were coping with the conditions. The Godwits were feeding like it was any other day, while the White-faced and lone Glossy Ibis were huddled together like Emperor Penguins. There was a lone shorebird, perhaps a Lesser Yellowlegs?, that was curled up in an exposed position on the mudflats...hopefully just sleeping. Perhaps the most unusual sighting was a gorgeous Townsend's Warbler that came in off the reservoir and landed nearly at my feet. It scratched around for a few minutes and then took off heading back South. Not a bad plan. I've posted a few pics to flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/pgburke/ Good birding, Peter Burke Boulder -- http://www.linkedin.com/pub/peter-burke/5/788/a62 -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups Colorado Birds group. To 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. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
Re: [cobirds] RFI: CO County Big Day Records + Recent Birds
Hi Chris COBirds, I thought I'd take this opportunity to plug for the ABA... ABA members can access Big Day totals online at http://aba.org/bigday/ I'm not sure how far back the data goes, but I do believe you can search geographically. Good luck, Peter Burke Boulder On Mon, Apr 22, 2013 at 2:02 PM, Chris Rurik chrisru...@gmail.com wrote: Hi CoBirders -- Wondering if anyone keeps track of big day records for Colorado counties and if so, where? I'm planning for my ASGD Birdathon run, and it would be cool to market it to donors as a potential record-breaker! (Interested in Denver Co.) A few birds of interest lately: Heron Pond Natural Area: American Avocets, Hermit Thrush, Brewer's Blackbird Sloans Lake - American White Pelican, Osprey, Bonaparte's and Franklin's Gulls Thanks, Chris Rurik 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/msg/cobirds/-/VYZFw1myXXcJ. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out. -- http://www.linkedin.com/pub/peter-burke/5/788/a62 -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups Colorado Birds group. To 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. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
[cobirds] Cassin's Finches, Boulder
I currently have at least four Cassin's Finches coming to my feeder by North Boulder Park - 3 Males 1 Female. Peter Burke Boulder -- http://www.linkedin.com/pub/peter-burke/5/788/a62 -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups Colorado Birds group. To 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. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
[cobirds] White-throated Swifts, Boulder County
COBirders, I noticed two White-throated Swifts over the ponds on Crane Hollow Road this afternoon. Also, four white geese took off from somewhere behind the heron rookery -- as I watched them fly off to the west, I thought they might be Ross's Geese because they were flapping so quickly... I don't have that much experience with goose flight behavior unfortunately. I stopped by the GHOW nest site in Twin Lakes met some locals who have been keeping tabs on the owls. The consensus is that there were two owlets raised, although there was only one in the nest today. The other is either fledged hanging with its parent, or may have fallen prey to the weather. I've posted a photo of the younger owlet here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/pgburke/ Good birding, Peter Burke Boulder -- http://www.linkedin.com/pub/peter-burke/5/788/a62 -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups Colorado Birds group. To 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. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
[cobirds] Estes Park Long(spur)mont birding
COBirders, I visited Scott Rashid this morning in wintery Estes Park - his feeders were being guarded by hungry Blackbirds including 4 Yellow-headed - one of which he managed to trap and band. A bit later, a flock of 28 Common Redpoll flew in, but were flushed - presumably by a Cooper's Hawk that works the yard. There was a good mix of birds around Lake Estes including: 1 Wilson's Phalarope 14 White-faced Ibis 4 Wilson's Snipe 1 Yellow-rumped Warbler missing its tail 1 Sage Thrasher 5 Greater Yellowlegs 2 Tree Swallows 4 California Gulls Raft of Franklin's Gulls Raft of Western/Clark's Grebes Out in Longmont on 119th Oxford, I was lucky to find all three Longspurs. Difficult to estimate the number of birds as they are constantly flushed by traffic, but at one point I had 31 McCown's in a single group. There were dozens of Chestnut-collared and at least three Lapland in with hundreds of Horned Lark. Roaming the back roads, I would find pockets of American Robins, Killdeer, Western Meadowlark White-crowned Sparrow. I also noticed single Savannah Sparrow Vesper Sparrow. Of course, with such a concentration of birds, in came the raptors. Kestrels were seemingly everywhere. At least two Prairie Falcons were making strafing runs causing chaos... The scene is pretty spectacular - an inland version of a fall-out Longspur photos are here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/pgburke/ Good Birding, Peter Burke Boulder -- http://www.linkedin.com/pub/peter-burke/5/788/a62 -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups Colorado Birds group. To 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. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
Re: [cobirds] status of Red-backed Junco in Colorado
Doug Cobirds, Since we're on the topic of Red-backed vs. Gray-headed Juncos, the field mark I've been relying on is bill color: single color for Gray-headed, bi-colored in the case of Red-backed. My question is whether this character is diagnostic or not? The Junco David photographed at Red Rocks was sporting a bi-colored bill... Good birding, Peter Burke Boulder, CO On Sun, Mar 31, 2013 at 8:31 PM, Doug Faulkner zebri...@gmail.com wrote: David, The Colorado Bird Records Committee does not have any record for that subspecies and I am unaware of any extralimital reports for other states north of its range. My understanding is that Red-backed Junco does very little (if any) seasonal movement in a way that would be considered migration. However, species that might be grouped in that category, like Greater Roadrunner and Canyon Towhee, occur out of range more frequently (and at quite some distance) than their non-migratory status would imply. Due to its similarity with Gray-headed Junco, it's conceivable for Red-backed Junco to have occurred in the state and gone unnoticed. Thanks for bringing this topic to our attention. I for one will be thinking about this possibility anytime I come across a red-backed junco on the eastern plains. good birding, Doug Faulkner Arvada, CO On Sun, Mar 31, 2013 at 12:30 PM, DAVID A LEATHERMAN daleather...@msn.com wrote: The other day, buried amid a mixed-subject post, I asked (so far unanswered) if anyone on this listserv knows whether the so-called Red-backed Dark-eyed Junco has occurred in Colorado and/or whether it has any history whatsoever of occurring outside its normal range of Arizona to West Texas. This subspecies is *Junco hyemalis dorsalis *and is considered distinct from our reddish-backed breeder in CO (aka the Gray-headed Junco, *J. h. caniceps*). I had a junco with a bright red back patch at Crow Valley the other day that looked different and it just got me to wondering about this junco subspecies. Thanks. Dave Leatherman 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. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups Colorado Birds group. To 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. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out. -- http://www.linkedin.com/pub/peter-burke/5/788/a62 -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups Colorado Birds group. To 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. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
[cobirds] Greater Sage Grouse - Moffat Cty. lek
COBirds, On Friday, I was fortunate to visit a Greater Sage Grouse lek on private land outside of Craig, Moffat County. This particular lek has not been open to the public until recently. As the sun rose, we quietly opened the windows on the mobile blind and looked out on 75+ birds just as they began their morning displays. Within minutes, small groups of females flew in from the surrounding sage, and suddenly the lek was alive with the eerie pops, spread tails and the sound of wing flaps as rival males faced off in what was becoming the heart of the dance floor. At its peak, just before sunrise, we counted 96 males and 29 females. In just minutes the first rays of the sun would be on the lek, providing the perfect lighting for the dance, not to mention photography... However, it was not to be. Out of the North came a blur that instantly put the grouse into flight. Although the Golden Eagle failed to snag breakfast, what had been a grand ball of courting, strutting grouse was now silent -- spooky quiet. A few of the birds chose to hunker down rather than run, including one female (thank goodness.) After 20 minutes or so, the 8 males took notice of the hen began to display. Before long other males returned in 2s 3s at first, followed by larger groups. Finally about a dozen hens flew in, and we were treated to a smaller version of the morning's dancing. I have to thank Sasha Nelson, Field Organizer for Conservation Colorado, who has worked with the owner of the ranch for several years. Their bond is a love of the birds and the land that sustains them. The rancher has agreed to let people come see the birds, believing that awareness education will lead to appreciation preservation. Over the next month or so, Sasha will escort small groups to the lek pre-dawn to enjoy one of the largest Greater Sage Grouse leks in Colorado. There are still some spots open, so if you are interested, please contact Sasha: sa...@conservationco.org I've posted some photos here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/pgburke/ Good birding, Peter Burke Boulder, 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. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
[cobirds] Boulder County - was that a Sora calling?
COBirders, I thought I would relate a funny experience I had yesterday on the North Trail at Teller Farms. When I reached the point where the trail turns away from the river -- just before the dogleg that brings you to the lake -- I heard a Sora call. I paused to confirm and heard the bird call twice more. I'm very familiar with this species, and since they can be tough to get an eye on, I felt confident in the ID. Still, it seems a bit early for Sora, and the habitat there is not too Sora-like. So I waited a bit more. Long story short, the Sora turned out to be a European Starling -- the quality of the Starling's imitation was uncanny, very impressive. I also heard an excellent imitation of a Killdeer's flight call, and a decent version of Eastern Screech Owl. I don't think I've every heard such impressive mimicking from a Starling before... The only interesting sighting of the day was a juv. Harlan's Hawk across the road by Teller Lake #5. Good birding, Peter Burke Boulder, CO -- http://www.linkedin.com/pub/peter-burke/5/788/a62 -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups Colorado Birds group. To 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. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
[cobirds] Boulder White-winged Dove Great-tailed Grackle hang-out
CoBirders, I detoured through Gunbarrel this morning, hoping to bump into one of the BOWA flocks that many have reported, but instead found a White-winged Dove. http://www.flickr.com/photos/pgburke/8517300508/in/photostream In the afternoon, I visited Stern's Lake in the Carolyn Holmberg preserve in Broomfield. Alas, no large falcon... But I did come across a large flock of Great-tailed Grackles -- 80+ birds. I recall others had posted seeing many GTGR flying to a roost in the area... Also at the preserve was a second-year Bald Eagle, an adult male Northern Harrier and singing Western Meadowlark. Good birding, Peter Burke Boulder, CO -- http://www.linkedin.com/pub/peter-burke/5/788/a62 -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups Colorado Birds group. To 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. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
[cobirds] White-winged Dove - specifics
CoBirders, I found the WWDO in a residential area, on White Rock Circle 2 houses down from Spine Rd. There were a few Eurasian Collared-Doves close by as well. Hope it stays in the area. Peter -- http://www.linkedin.com/pub/peter-burke/5/788/a62 -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups Colorado Birds group. To 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. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
[cobirds] Ft. Collins birding
COBirders, In what was likely my final attempt for Hoary Redpoll up in Ft. Collins, I came up all Commons, with one maybe that I'll seek an outside opinion on. Oh well. On the bright side, there were a few notable sightings in the area including a fly-over flock of 70ish Bohemian Waxwings. There were at least two Pine Siskin mixed in with the Redpoll flock. A Red-tailed Hawk was working on a nest in the tallest Cottonwood ~50 yards down the bike path from the Museum feeders. And an Eastern Screech-Owl was out sunning itself a bit further down. Yesterday at the Red Rocks Trading Post in Morrison I noted 4 Gray-crowned Rosy-Finches along with the usual suspects... I've posted photos for anyone interested: http://www.flickr.com/photos/pgburke/ Peter Burke Boulder, CO -- http://www.linkedin.com/pub/peter-burke/5/788/a62 -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups Colorado Birds group. To 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. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
Re: [cobirds] Re: Cobirds and Ebirds reports
Gary COBirds, In my old stomping grounds of New Jersey, Sam Galick, who is an eBird regional editor, created a New Jersey map of rare sightings that I believe is linked directly to the eBird database. Here is a link to the site: https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=203972922394275048173.0004d34a1a115d5233e40msa=0ll=40.665617,-74.931677spn=0.002787,0.006539 I wouldn't begin to know how to create a map like this, but clearly it exists. ...anyone know a birder who can code? Happy Birding! Peter Burke Boulder,CO On Thu, Jan 31, 2013 at 9:48 AM, The Nunn Guy lefk...@yahoo.com wrote: Anyway to connect the two? Good database practice says enter data once--also facilitates a better customer experience (not having customer to enter data in multiple instances). I would think the good folks at eBird can flag rare birds and send data to this list? And you would think Google had the facility to be able to import it. I know pipe dream but one can dream ... Thanks Gary Lefko, Nunn http://coloradobirder.ning.com/ Mobile: http://coloradobirder.ning.com/m On Jan 31, 9:26 am, Norm Erthal nert...@comcast.net wrote: I have been noticing that some really good rare birds have been showing up on Ebirds and not Cobirds. There are some problems with this. It is difficult to access Ebird sightings after a week while on Cobirds are there forever. I would urge reporting the rare nirds to both and continue the reporting of regular species to Ebird Norm Erthal Arvada, 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. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out. -- http://www.linkedin.com/pub/peter-burke/5/788/a62 -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups Colorado Birds group. To 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. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
[cobirds] Redpoll ID
COBirders, Yesterday I camped out at the Ft. Collins Museum of Discovery feeders, hoping to spot a Hoary Redpoll. Despite the frequent attention from raptors: Red-tailed Hawk, Cooper's Hawk, Merlin (2) and Kestrel; the Redpoll flock of ~75 birds was actively feeding most of the morning. I focused on the palest birds and by midday felt I had several candidates for Hoary, however, after studying the photos seeking some outside (objective) opinions, I believe all three are Common Redpoll. For anyone else on the Hoary mission, a collection of light Commons can be viewed here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/pgburke/ Arguments against Hoary: - streaking on undertail coverts -- while faint, should be pure white - size of red poll -- should be smaller positioned more toward the forehead - bill size -- very subjective, but on the birds I photographed, bill size more consistent with Common Happy hunting! Peter Burke Boulder, CO -- http://www.linkedin.com/pub/peter-burke/5/788/a62 -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups Colorado Birds group. To post to this group, send email to cobirds@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
[cobirds] Boulder Raptors feeding near Teller Lake
COBirders, On my way to Teller Lake, I noticed a Golden Eagle and 4 Red-tailed Hawks feeding on something big - presumably a deer. There were another 4-5 Red-tails perched in trees not far from the site, and a passerby said he had two Bald Eagles in the area earlier. The carcass is on the North side of Valmont about 100 yards from the road unfortunately - in the last dogleg before the road straightens as you approach the Teller Lake parking area. Of note was a beautiful Dark Morph RTHA. As Christian Nunes reported, the Harris's Golden-crowned Sparrows were present feeding along the path just west of the Teller Lake parking area - mixed with a group of White-crowned Sparrows. I've posted photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/pgburke/ Good birding, Peter Burke Boulder, CO -- http://www.linkedin.com/pub/peter-burke/5/788/a62 -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups Colorado Birds group. To post to this group, send email to cobirds@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
[cobirds] Golden-crowned Sparrow - Red Rocks
The Golden-crowned Sparrow made a very brief appearance this morning behind the Red Rocks Trading Post. It seems the best bet for viewing this bird is to arrive by 7:00 and ante up some fresh birdseed -- the activity this generates with Scrub-Jays, Juncos (5), Towhees, Chickadees, etc. lure him out... Also observed was a yellow variant House Finch. Being new to Colorado, I don't know how common a siting this is. Photos are posted on Flickr for anyone interested, see link below. Peter Burke Boulder, CO -- http://www.flickr.com/photos/pgburke/http://www.linkedin.com/pub/peter-burke/5/788/a62 -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups Colorado Birds group. To post to this group, send email to cobirds@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msg/cobirds/-/rk5B_K5nXocJ. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
[cobirds] Golden-crowned Sparrow - Red Rocks
The Golden-crowned Sparrow made a very brief appearance this morning behind the Red Rocks Trading Post. It seems the best bet for viewing this bird is to arrive by 7:00 and ante up some fresh birdseed -- the activity this generates with Scrub-Jays, Juncos (5), Towhees, Chickadees finches may lure him out... Also observed was a yellow variant House Finch. Being new to Colorado, I don't know how common a siting this is. Photos are posted on Flickr for anyone interested, see link below. Peter Burke Boulder, CO -- http://www.flickr.com/photos/pgburke/http://www.linkedin.com/pub/peter-burke/5/788/a62 -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups Colorado Birds group. To post to this group, send email to cobirds@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
