[cobirds] 73rd Boulder CBC preliminary results
Folks- 33 teams scoured their territories on the Sunday, December 14th Boulder Christmas Bird Count. On our 73rd running of the count we have provisionally counted 105 species along with three additional count-week species. The weather was certainly interesting, starting out partially cloudy and calm but then degrading into rain progressing into sleet and wet snow in the lower territories and steady snow up high. Our uppermost counters reported 4 or 5 inches of accumulation during the day, and I know I grew 2 or 3 inches taller for a while due to tenacious mud adhering to my boots. One of the count-week birds is a new species for the count- a Say's Phoebe found by Nick Moore on the South CU Campus on Tuesday. Other rarities, seen 5 or less times on prior Boulder CBCs, were: Ross's Goose Greater Scaup (seen on 4 prior counts) Lapland Longspur (3 prior) Northern Cardinal (2 prior, same bird in N. Boulder back for its 3rd winter) Eastern Towhee (1 prior count) It has been famously said of our US Postal Service Letter Carriers that, Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds. I'd say the same sentiment applies to our diligent territory leaders and participants who head out each year whatever the conditions. Thanks for making the count such a success! Thanks also to Bill Kaempfer for hosting our compilation potluck, to Petrea Mah and Pam Piombino for organizing food and beverages and to folks who stuck around to help clean up at the potluck. We also deeply appreciate the help we get from the City of Boulder Open Space Mountain Parks with permitted access to off-trail areas. Thanks again, good luck to counters throughout the remainder of the count period- Bill Schmoker, Longmont __ • Bill Schmoker • __ http://schmoker.org/ http://blog.aba.org/author/bill-schmoker http://travelingtrinovid.com/author/bill-schmoker bill.schmo...@gmail.com 720/201-5749 __ -- 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/47570658-05BC-4F6E-918B-29ABD2890AAB%40gmail.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
[cobirds] Biking for Birds update and urgent RFI
Colorado birders Its Dorian Anderson again, the nutty guy doing the nationwide bicycle big year. If you have no idea what I am talking about, please check out my blog at http://bikingforbirds.blogspot.com I am looking for any and all information on finding Greater prairie-chicken in the Wray area. I am looking for places to look for the birds, places to stay with birders or anyone else, contact info for birders, phone numbers for land owners in Wray etc etc etc. Any and all information is helpful. I will likely be riding to Wray from Sterling tomorrow. I am also looking for any ideas on Sharp-tailed grouse in Colorado or Nebraska. I know this is a real long shot, but it never hurts to ask. Please email me at bikingforbi...@gmail.com or call me at 646 593-0374 with any information. I have had an incredible time here in Colorado so far. I have run my year list to 495 species using just my bike and my feet - no cars, places, boats etc. I have now bicycled 8,200 miles so far in 2014, and I have raised close to $20,000 for bird conservation. Highlights from my time Colorado so far include Black swifts (~8) - Ouray Gunnison sage-grouse (4-5) - Gunnison White-tailed ptarmigan (1) - Guanella pass Brown-capped rosy finch (4) - Summit of Mt Bierstadt (yep climbed to 14,060' to get this bird) Gray flycatcher (1) - Black Canyon McCown's longspur (lots)- Pawnee Chestnut-collared longspur (2, M+F) - Pawnee Mountain plover (4!) - Pawnee Dusky Grouse (2) - Boulder front range Flammulated owl (5!) - Boulder front range Willow flycatcher (2) - west of Gunnison Williamson's sapsucker (2) - Genesee Pine Grosbeak (2) (1 near Silverton, 1 on Mt Yale) Red Crossbill (14) (2 near Silverton, 12 on Mt Yale) and lots more birds as well! OK, thanks for the time, the interest, and the incredible amount of help provided so far. Cheers Dorian Anderson __ * Bill Schmoker * __ http://schmoker.org http://blog.aba.org/author/bill-schmoker bill.schmo...@gmail.com 720/201-5749 __ -- 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/16F192D8-69BE-490B-85A6-AA045B5F1D41%40gmail.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
[cobirds] Boulder Stub-tailed Wren commentary
Not quite as serious as recent input from Mlodinow, Gent, Floyd, et al. but danged funny!! Thanks, Rachel... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kIiS5mzc7ok -Bill Schmoker, Longmont __ * Bill Schmoker * __ http://schmoker.org http://brdpics.blogspot.com bill.schmo...@gmail.com 720/201-5749 __ -- 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/93539E41-DD41-4002-AC64-A108E71C3F1F%40gmail.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
[cobirds] November warbler rally continues: Ovenbird in Longmont
This evening in the last of the light I ventured out to fill my feeders. A little bird I hadn't seen skulking on the ground scurried over to my brush pile, and with bare eyes I could see heavy breast striping. I first thought it must be a Song Sparrow but something about it rubbed me wrong so I ran back inside to get my bins. In the dark (around 4:50 with light snow falling) I couldn't get much of the bird other than to eliminate any of the normal suspects for this time of year, so I ran back again for my camera. I popped a few flash shots and saw to my amazement that it was an Ovenbird picking around under my feeders: http://www.flickr.com/photos/9047968@N02/ I scattered a handful of freeze-dried waxworms hope the little guy finds them. Not a good night for a bird that should be in a much warmer place by now- forecasted low of 6° F. Enjoy- Bill Schmoker, Longmont __ • Bill Schmoker • __ http://schmoker.org http://brdpics.blogspot.com bill.schmo...@gmail.com 720/201-5749 __ -- 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/0DCC8A09-BB1E-4531-A5B0-11285BC31D02%40gmail.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
[cobirds] 72nd Boulder Christmas Bird Count, Sunday 15 December 2013
Folks- I'd like to announce the 72nd Boulder CBC, to be held this year on Sunday 15 December. Participants of all experience and ability welcomed, let me know if you would like to lead or join a team! We have our count circle divided into 30+ territories, seeking great coverage in foothills forests and canyons, urban jungles (winter warblers anyone?), plains, lakes, and riparian zones. Some territories involve lots of miles (for example, the state champion x-country-running Such brothers usually put up hiking milage in the high teens) while others (like the ones I aim for…) are way more casual. We also seek feeder watchers so if you live within 7.5 miles of 19th Alpine and have feeders we could use your count on the 15th! I've enjoyed hearing some of the history of several Colorado counts. Boulder ran its first count on 24 December 1909. There were some ons and offs in the early years but the count has run every year now since 1950. We have tallied 210 species over the years, and have a strong 100+100 run going (100+ participants and 100+ species.) Anyway, if interested please drop me a line. Enjoy- Bill Schmoker, Longmont __ • Bill Schmoker • __ http://schmoker.org http://brdpics.blogspot.com bill.schmo...@gmail.com 720/201-5749 __ -- 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/D955BB6B-3409-4C52-B2E1-3DA34968B971%40gmail.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
[cobirds] Juv. Little Gull @ Terry Lake, Boulder CO
Folks- Steve Mlodinow just texted me that he has a juv. Little Gull at Terry Lake: http://coloradocountybirding.com/county/bird_a_county.php?name=Boulder Enjoy- Bill Schmoker, Longmont __ • Bill Schmoker • __ http://schmoker.org http://brdpics.blogspot.com bill.schmo...@gmail.com 720/201-5749 __ -- 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/F8BD20E8-B926-4FC8-8AF1-86D6D9D652FE%40gmail.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
[cobirds] Dark Raptors N. of Longmont (Boulder CO)
Folks- I tooled around a little today on dirt roads north of Longmont, mainly tracing the rural roads I know from my CBC territory there. I witnessed a bit of the changing of the guard, seeing two newly arrived Turkey Vultures (yeah, not really raptors but how about raptor-like?) and two soon-to-depart dark Harlan's Hawks.For some color I saw several modest flocks of Mountain Bluebirds, undoubtedly waiting for a few warm days to thaw things out a little before moving upslope. Enjoy- Bill Schmoker, Longmont __ • Bill Schmoker • __ http://schmoker.org http://brdpics.blogspot.com bill.schmo...@gmail.com 720/201-5749 __ -- 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] Cranes over SW Longmont
I just had a nice surprise over my SW Longmont house- 41 bugling Sandhill Cranes. Enjoy- Bill Schmoker, Longmont __ • Bill Schmoker • __ http://schmoker.org http://brdpics.blogspot.com bill.schmo...@gmail.com 720/201-5749 __ -- 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] Redpoll photographs from Fort Collins
Nick and Cobirders, this is certainly the best year in most of our memories (or ever?) for redpolls in CO, and just by the sheer numbers I would expect a few Hoaries to potentially be in the mix. Nick- I look forward to looking at your pics, thanks much for posting them. I have been studying this issue a lot since a pale redpoll arrived in my yard a couple of days ago with about 20 birds that I would call Common Redpolls. I have a couple of pics of the bird on my Flickr site and have concluded that it is a good candidate for male Hoary Redpoll: http://www.flickr.com/photos/9047968@N02/8328723156/in/photostream and http://www.flickr.com/photos/9047968@N02/8327663373/in/photostream/. Unfortunately, after a brief appearance yesterday morning the bird has not returned. Despite the more wintery weather today there are no redpolls at all at my feeders, but I will update the list if this changes. I first seriously pondered redpoll ID last Feb., after spending time in Fairbanks looking at a variety of birds. I summarized some of my thinking in this ABA blog post: http://blog.aba.org/2012/02/a-surfeit-of-redpolls.html, but I feel that the mystery bird in my yard has prompted more careful consideration. My task in Fairbanks was made easier by location (where Hoary could be reasonably expected in winter) and by the presence of what I would call some slam dunk examples. The bird that came through my yard recently is not as obvious, but I believe a suite of traits point toward Hoary. David Sibley has written many times on his blog about redpoll ID, and conveniently collated his redpoll posts here: http://www.sibleyguides.com/bird-info/common-redpoll-and-hoary-redpoll/. I have found several of his resources to be very helpful. In response to a reader's comment, he chimed in with what I think is a very interesting and pertinent comment: A reader suggests that many people are not as conservative as perhaps they should be, and simply slap the “Hoary” label on any noticeably pale redpoll. I agree, but I also think that many true Hoarys are overlooked, so it may actually be that many birds reported as Hoarys are not, but an equal or greater number of real Hoarys are overlooked! (my emphasis.) Among the strongest takeaways for me, he has addressed the bill issue. While the tiniest-billed Hoaries are easy to pick, they aren't all equipped with diminutive peckers: What Seutin et al found is that specimens can be sorted by measurements, with pale (Hoary-types) having shorter bills by about 10% on average; means of 7.67 mm for dark birds and 7.01 for pale. Taking their mean for bill length +/- 2 standard deviations (I’m told this will encompass about 95% of all individuals) the bill measurements don’t look so different: Common 7 – 8.2 mm Hoary 6.5 – 7.5 mm In other words, the differences are very slight, and there is extensive overlap, with the largest Hoary matching the average Common and the smallest Common matching the average Hoary. (my emphasis.) I think my bird had a distinctly smaller bill than any of the other redpolls, a feature emphasized by the feathering extending down the maxilla a bit (which gives the bird a bit of a forehead bump, another good Hoary trait.) It doesn't, however, reach the wee extremes of my best examples from Fairbanks. Sibley also summarizes a fantastic paper that included a Character Index for Redpoll Identification, which allows scoring individuals on a 1-6 scale for each of three traits: Flank streaking, Rump streaking, and Undertail Covert streaking. A 1 score in any category would be very dark and extensive, a 6 would be practically unmarked. (http://www.sibleyguides.com/2008/01/a-character-index-for-redpoll-identification/) Using the scale… Numerically, a male (pink breast) with a score from 14 to 18 was called a Hoary in Troy’s paper, a score from 3 to 7 would be Common, and from 8 to 13 intermediate. For females and immatures (no pink) it only took a score of 11 or higher to qualify as a Hoary, since no female-type scored higher than 13, and a score of 3 to 6 indicated a Common; leaving 7 to 10 intermediate (I’m using the straight numbers, Troy adjusted so that the lowest score was 1). My photos don't show the rump Steve Mlodinow photographed it and it is very clean, perhaps a 5 on the scale. I'll not bias any of you wishing to score the pics for yourselves by giving you my score. I will say it isn't out at the end of the scoring bell curve, but I do believe it passes muster. You'll note that the index doesn't address bill size, mantle color, degree of pink, etc. In personal communications with Steve Mlodinow, who studied hundreds of redpoll specimens in the Field Museum (I think that was the institution but if not, I'll let Steve correct me), he found that the only consistent traits of the Hoaries were clean rumps and undertail coverts (though streaks on the longest
[cobirds] Redpoll ID p.s.
Sorry to load your inbox, but I put a male Common Redpoll pic up on my Flickr site taken at about the same time, in a similar pose in similar light, for comparison: http://www.flickr.com/photos/9047968@N02/8330627179/in/photostream That is all… -Bill Schmoker, Longmont __ • Bill Schmoker • __ http://schmoker.org http://brdpics.blogspot.com bill.schmo...@gmail.com 720/201-5749 __ -- 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] 71st Boulder CBC, Sunday, 16 Dec.
Folks- scores of volunteers fanned out across 30 territories yesterday for the 71st iteration of the Boulder CBC. It will be a while before the tally is final, but we have a preliminary 109 species found on the count, with three more ticked for count week. We added one species to the historic total, with the long-staying Northern Cardinal in NW Boulder marking #210 for the count. Other birds judged scarce as being seen 10 or fewer previous times on the count included Clark's Grebe, Barn Owl, Marsh Wren, and Common Grackle (10 prior), Fox Sparrow (9 prior), Tundra Swan (6 prior, the 8 birds previously at Baseline Res seen at Valmont yesterday), Lesser Black-backed Gull and Northern Saw-whet Owl (5 prior), Chihuahuan Raven and Golden-crowned Sparrow (3 prior), and Common Yellowthroat (2 prior.) Birds seen on at least half the Boulder counts but not found yesterday (to my knowledge so far) include Rough-legged Hawk (seen on 58 prior counts), Ring-necked Pheasant (53 prior), Cassin's Finch (46 prior), Clark's Nutcracker (44 prior), and Red Crossbill (35 prior.) The Boulder foothills have a very poor cone crop this year. Finally, I think we will exceed triple digits for Common Redpoll, likely setting a high count for the Boulder Count (though currently I can't get the re-tooled Audubon site to give me historic results… Thanks to all of the leaders, participants, and feeder-watchers for another successful Boulder CBC! Enjoy- Bill Schmoker, Longmont __ • Bill Schmoker • __ http://schmoker.org http://brdpics.blogspot.com bill.schmo...@gmail.com 720/201-5749 __ -- 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 Weld Co. Wanderings Today
Folks, Today I had the pleasure of an outing with one of the real power birding couples in the country, good friends Chris Wood Jessie Barry. We tooled around Boulder and Western Weld Counties, mostly checking water bodies but hitting other habitat in-between lakes. While transiting from Lagerman Res. to McIntosh Lake in Longmont, we noticed a dark corvid flying towards us from the western part of McIntosh. Tail shape soon indicated that the bird was a raven, but it was suspiciously small and had a correspondingly speedy wingbeat. Amazingly, the bird swung left to fly east straight over the road. With instincts honed on many a big day, Chris drove below it and matched its speed. We observed the bird in flight from directly underneath (it was maybe 20 or 25 feet above the road) through the opened sunroof for perhaps 1/4 or 1/3 of a mile, and felt very confident calling it a Chihuahuan Raven based on size and relative proportions of tail, wings, and bill. Macintosh Res. in Longmont has had a major fall-off in bird numbers so not much news from there, but upon departing we noticed a very pale-looking Red-tailed Hawk atop the metal roof of a bank in the NE corner of the intersection of 17th and Hover. It seemed content to stay perched for extended study and photography, and we thought it matched up well for a juv. Krider's Hawk based on the nearly unmarked underparts except for a few small dark spots where the belly band would otherwise be, a pinkish-buffy blush tinting the breast and upper flanks, extensive white mottling on the upperwing coverts (far exceeding the normal back braces seen on other Red-tails), and an extremely pale head. Jerry Liguori and Brian Sullivan, authors of the outstanding Krider's Article in Birding Magazine, March 2010 (http://aba.org/birding/v42n2p38.pdf) agree with the ID, also positing that the bird is perhaps female (males of the subspecies often being even lighter overall.) Another stop worth noting was Milavec Lake and the golf course pond fairways opposite Colorado Blvd. in Firestone/Frederic (AKA Frederic Recreation Area, Godding Hollow Pkwy. Colorado Blvd., Weld County.) A lone female Surf Scoter and a handful of other diving ducks witnessed thousands of Cackling Geese come and go, with a few Canadas, three Ross's, two Greater White-fronteds, and a Snow Goose mixed in. Adding to the goose diversity were single Snow x Cackling and Ross's x Cackling Goose hybrids (maybe the same two birds Steve Mlodinow had there last year?) With fresh news of the Tundra Swans and redpoll flock at Baseline Res. in Boulder we swung west to check for ourselves. The swans were nice to see, two adults with three youngsters. At first we just heard a few redpoll calls coming from the willows west of Cherryvale Rd., but after a bit the big flock got up and lapped up and down the west shore of the lake a few times. At one of the far orbits I could fit all (or nearly all) of the flock into my viewfinder, and fired off some frames to census. When I got home I carefully counted exactly 60 birds two of the frames with nice spreads of birds, setting a pretty firm lower limit for how many birds were there today. Pics of the Krider's Hawk, Surf Scoter, and Common Redpoll flock can be seen here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/9047968@N02/with/8215743018/#photo_8215743018 Enjoy- Bill Schmoker, Longmont __ • Bill Schmoker • __ http://schmoker.org http://brdpics.blogspot.com bill.schmo...@gmail.com 720/201-5749 __ -- 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] 71st Boulder CBC, Sunday, 16 December 2012
Folks- I would like to extend the invitation to join us on the 71st Boulder CBC, to be held on Sunday, 16 December this year. Please email me if you are interested in participating and I'll connect you to a territory leader (or assign you a territory if you are looking to lead). I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving! Enjoy- Bill Schmoker, Longmont __ • Bill Schmoker • __ http://schmoker.org http://brdpics.blogspot.com bill.schmo...@gmail.com 720/201-5749 __ -- 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] Weld County Shorebirds
Folks- my dad Jim I enjoyed the cool weather today, birding around Lower Latham/ Loloff/ Beebe Draw area in Weld County SE of Greeley. Like many who were out today we had scads of first-of-year birds but I think both of us especially enjoyed the 14 species of shorebirds that we found. A brood of young Killdeer tried to fool us as rarer small plovers but their attendant parent and off-kilter proportions turned us to the proper conclusion- another case of the earlies this spring? Plenty of Black-necked Stilts and American Avocets were to be found but only a few Greater Yellowlegs and one Lesser turned up. One Willet at Loloff was eclipsed by 19 at WCR 40 ponds in Beebe Draw. Tops were two Whimbrels at the WCR 42 pond. Peeps were limited to a smattering of Semipalmated and Least Sandpipers in a handful of locations. Two Short-billed Dowitchers kept to themselves at WCR 59 ponds (1 continuing from Steve Mlodinow's 3 May sighting?) while 8 Long-billed Dowitchers did what dowitchers do in another part of the marsh. A few Wilson's Snipe were heard with one viewed. Phalaropes stole the show, with Red-necked Phalaropes outnumbering Wilson's about 3-to-1 on the day. Our two best gatherings of phalaropes were at Loloff Res WCR 59 ponds. The former had around 40 birds total, perhaps 25 Red-necked, while the latter had about 150(!) Red-necked to about 50 Wilson's. Enjoy- Bill Schmoker, Longmont __ • Bill Schmoker • __ http://schmoker.org http://brdpics.blogspot.com bill.schmo...@gmail.com 720/201-5749 __ -- 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 this group at http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds?hl=en.
[cobirds] Red-necked Grebe continues at Union Res, Weld County
Folks- Steve Mlodinow called me a few minutes ago to report the Red-necked Grebe still at Union Res, seen on the E. side. Enjoy- Bill Schmoker, Longmont __ • Bill Schmoker • __ http://schmoker.org http://brdpics.blogspot.com bill.schmo...@gmail.com 720/201-5749 __ -- 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 this group at http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds?hl=en.
[cobirds] 5 species of geese, 7 kinds of gulls, Anthem Ponds (Broomfield)
Warning- you'll note I said 7 kinds (not species) of gulls… ;-) My dad Jim I enjoyed the sunny President's Day despite some harsh winds today. We birded in Boulder Broomfield Counties, with most of our highlights at Anthem Ponds, Broomfield County (off HWY 7 Lowell.) We were a Brant short of the Colorado goose slam, picking up the other 5 species currently on the state list. The lingering large (1000-ish) flock of white-cheeked geese (largely Canada but with a strong minority of Cackling) was at the pond just north of the Northwest Parkway, east of Lowell. With them were two Snow Geese, a Blue Goose, and an adult Greater White-fronted Goose. On the small pond by the rec center, a dainty Ross's Goose joined a small group of Cacklers. On the main gull pond below the rec center, about 400 gulls enjoyed the ice edge at any given time (though there was turnover throughout the day.) In order of abundance were Ring-billed, Herring (a couple dozen), Thayer's (three that we picked out, two 1st-winter birds and an adult), California (2 adults) and Lesser Black-backed (an adult a 3rd-cycle, almost certainly the same bird Ted Floyd had yesterday at Prince Lake #1). Those 5 species were joined by two hybrids: the continuing 1st-cycle Nelson's Gull (Herring x Glaucous), and a bird that I'm liking for a 2nd-cycle Herring x Glaucous-winged Gull. Ted commented on this bird yesterday at Prince #1 as well- he confirms that it is the same bird after reviewing photos. Interestingly, Steve Mlodinow had a 2nd-cycle Herring x Glaucous-winged Gull on 14 Jan. at nearby Siena Pond, but photos show that his bird ours from today are different individuals. Siblings / cousins?? Bryan Guarente also reported this kind of hybrid at McIntosh Lake on 19 Jan. For those not already glazed over by talk of hybrid gulls, here are my transcribed notes on the bird (HERG = Herring Gull, GWGU = Glaucous-winged Gull, WEGU = Western Gull): Mostly dark bill a bit odd for HERG by 2nd cycle, bill seemed heavier than HERG, too, with a bit more pronounced gonydeal expansion?? Slopplily marked bill with wide black tip, black running to gape along tomia and transitioning to dirty pinkish proximal end above below tomia. Irides dark (darkish? can't be absolutely sure they aren't black.) Breast mottled like young GWGU. Mantle scups pretty clean gray about same as HERG or RBGU. Otherwise reminds me of what Steve Howell says about 2nd-cycle GWGU: Overall dirty aspect... Overall upperparts tone (aside from clean gray mantle/scaps) a grayish-brown, weakly marked coverts. Wing projection HERG-ish, primaries silvery brownish-gray underneath, med. gray-brown above (look darker in shadow but kind of palish in sun.) No obvious secondary bar that I could pick out. General underwing pattern a helluvalot like GWGU imho. Size = (or essentially so) to nearby HERG, smaller than nearby Nelson's Gull. I'm thinking Glaucous-winged one parent but upper surface of primaries too dark, wings a bit longish, bill not quite savage enough, etc.?? 2nd parent HERG? Or should I be considering Glaucous-winged x Western (much to compare here with GWGU x WEGU examples in Howell Dunn)?? Comments from fellow laraphiles Tony Leukering, Steve Mlodinow, Glenn Walbek, and Ted Floyd are encouraging me to stick with my Herring x Glaucous-winged idea. Steve had a nice summary sentence that I'll pencil into the margin of my treasured Gulls of the Americas: To me, it looks like a hefty THGU, and that is precisely what many GW x Herring Gulls look like. Digiscoped pics: http://www.flickr.com/photos/9047968@N02/ Further comments welcomed! Enjoy- Bill Schmoker __ • Bill Schmoker • __ http://schmoker.org http://brdpics.blogspot.com bill.schmo...@gmail.com 720/201-5749 __ -- 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 this group at http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds?hl=en.
[cobirds] Roadrunner Pics feeding notes.
Folks- I put some of my favorite Roadrunner images up on BrdPics: http://brdpics.blogspot.com/2012/01/greater-roadrunner-where-now.html I also sent some crummy images of the bird feeding on the grassy slope SW below the hairpin turn on Alameda to David Leatherman. My notes to Dave on the feeding behavior: I shot as much as I could of the Dino Ridge GRRO foraging feeding- doubt if much can be gleaned from the pics I got, though. What I noticed: - Feeding seemed to be in grasses, not weedy forbs, shrubs, or bushes although those were also around. When it got to bare ground or un-grassy areas it would head off on a new grassy transit. - Not just looking but jabbing in to grab stuff occasionally. - Successful jabs followed by one or two very quick bill snaps. I was shooting bursts to see what I could get but even at 5 frames per second only got bill open once per burst, no prey that I can see visible. A few other folks were shooting like crazy, too. Maybe they got lucky captured a frame showing what it was getting?? I kept hoping the bird I would get lucky it would roust a mouse to subdue gulp down but no dice. Thanks, Joe, for your detective work, updates, willingness to organize trips to see the bird. Enjoy- Bill Schmoker, Longmont __ • Bill Schmoker • __ http://schmoker.org http://brdpics.blogspot.com bill.schmo...@gmail.com 720/201-5749 __ -- 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 this group at http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds?hl=en.
[cobirds] 70th Boulder Christmas Bird Count initial results
Folks- I'm pleased to report a successful 70th running of the Boulder Christmas Bird Count today. Over 100 observers tallied 111 species, with another 2 count week species on the board. Several reports are still forthcoming, so the totals shouldn't be considered final. Topping the highlight list was an Osprey, the first for the count. Other notables, seen less than 10 times on previous Boulder CBCs, are Golden-crowned Sparrow and Williamson's Sapsucker (seen on 2 prior counts), Northern Saw-whet Owl (4 prior), Hermit Thrush (5 prior), Eastern Bluebird (8 prior), and Barn Owl, Marsh Wren, Common Grackle (9 prior.) Enjoying nearly wind-free afternoon temperatures in the mid-50s was also a major highlight for those more accustomed to cold count days. Our most striking misses for now are Killdeer (seen on 59 prior counts), Cassin's Finch (45 prior), and Clark's Nutcracker (44 prior.) We have Wild Turkey currently as a count-week bird but I'm hoping someone had them today that we haven't heard from yet- while only seen on 17 prior counts it has been a reliable species in the area in recent years. Thanks to everyone who helped out today as a territory leader, count participant, or feeder watcher! Enjoy- Bill Schmoker, Boulder CBC Compiler, Longmont __ • Bill Schmoker • __ http://schmoker.org http://brdpics.blogspot.com bill.schmo...@gmail.com 720/201-5749 __ -- 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 this group at http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds?hl=en.
[cobirds] Swans @ Barr Lake, Adams County
Folks- My folks are seeing 7 swans right now, all adult, at Barr Lake. They are being seen looking west from the Niedrach Trail towards the observation platform. They are tentatively IDing them as Trumpeter Swans, though looks are distant for now. Also present are thousands of geese including many white geese. Enjoy- Bill Schmoker, Longmont __ • Bill Schmoker • __ http://schmoker.org http://brdpics.blogspot.com bill.schmo...@gmail.com 720/201-5749 __ -- 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 this group at http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds?hl=en.
[cobirds] Rufous-collared Black-chinned Sparrow Pics
Folks- I have pics of the much-discussed Rufous-collared Sparrow and of two Black-chinned Sparrows up on the Surfbirds North American Stop Press Page: http://www.surfbirds.com/cgi-bin/gallery/display.cgi?gallery=gallery10 I also have a video of a singing Black-chinned Sparrow here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j3tpBy92aZ8 Thanks to everyone who had a hand in the CFO convention last weekend! Seems like a great time was had by all. Enjoy- Bill Schmoker, Longmont __ • Bill Schmoker • __ http://schmoker.org http://brdpics.blogspot.com bill.schmo...@gmail.com 720/201-5749 __ -- 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 this group at http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds?hl=en.
[cobirds] Tennessee Warbler, Sale Lake, Boulder
Folks- Ted, Hannah, Andrew Floyd report a singing Tennessee Warbler at Sale Lake in Boulder. This little gem is along Kalmia St. a few blocks east of 28th in the northerly reaches of town. Enjoy- Bill Schmoker, Longmont __ • Bill Schmoker • __ http://schmoker.org http://brdpics.blogspot.com bill.schmo...@gmail.com 720/201-5749 __ -- 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 this group at http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds?hl=en.
[cobirds] More Weld County Whimbrels, Upland Sandpiper, etc.
Folks- I had a nice day out looking for avian photo subjects today. Adding to this spring's amazing Whimbrel counts, I saw 24 of these majestic shorebirds at Monfort Marsh (WCR 59 about a mile south of HWY 36 the giant feedlot elevator.) Shorebirding at other Beebe Draw / Lower Latham / Loloff Res was OK but nothing to write home about. Interestingly, my parents Jim Karen had ca. 70 Whimbrels last Thursday at Loloff. What's going on this spring with Whimbrels? Also surprising was an Upland Sandpiper north of Crow Valley. I began on the regular birding route through Murphy's Pasture (WCR 96 going west from WCR 77) but continued going west on this road when the tour turned north. I was cruising through the recently burned area north of the road looking for Mountain Plovers (found one) when I came across the Uppie in the short, green post-burn grass down in a swale. First time I've had an Uppie on the Pawnee. Yippee. I also watched a McCown's Longspur chased in an unusual way by a Peregrine. I didn't see the initial attack but a flock of longspurs I had been photographing skedaddled and I soon noticed the falcon above in a hard powered flight. Somehow the Peregrine had gotten beneath a McCown's Longspur and the two were in a climbing battle. When the Peregrine closed the gap the McCown's would hink or jink and the climbing race would begin again- I suppose the longspur knew the futility of trying to outfly the falcon back down to the ground. They got pretty high and I lost track of the little bird but the Peregrine suddenly changed flight modes, heading north in a more relaxed fashion. I suspect it grabbed the longspur but can't be certain- too high to tell. Looking at my falcon pics from today, I think this was an Arctic (tundrius) subspecies bird, based on the quite thin malars. This would also explain the late migration date if it is heading for somewhere still in the grips of ice snow (according to Brian Wheeler, most nest north of 60° and some as far as 74° north latitude on Banks Island.) Last week I photographed a presumed local American (anatum) Peregrine hunting along Boulder Creek and the contrast in malar width between the two birds is pronounced. Enjoy- Bill Schmoker, Longmont __ • Bill Schmoker • __ http://schmoker.org http://brdpics.blogspot.com bill.schmo...@gmail.com 720/201-5749 __ -- 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 this group at http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds?hl=en.
[cobirds] Broad-winged Hawks @ Dinosaur Ridge Hawkwatch (Jefferson Co)
Folks- my dad reports a good flight of migrant raptors in the steady west wind including ~40 birds coming down the ridge, mostly non-Red-taileds. Three of these were Broad-winged Hawks including a dark individual. Enjoy- Bill Schmoker, Longmont __ • Bill Schmoker • __ http://schmoker.org http://brdpics.blogspot.com bill.schmo...@gmail.com 720/201-5749 __ -- 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 this group at http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds?hl=en.
[cobirds] Noteworthy Buteos near Hygiene, (Boulder Co) today
Folks- I had 4 quite interesting buteos near Hygiene (NW of Longmont, Boulder County) today. The first was the light-morph Harlan's Hawk back for its 4th winter (that I know of) near 75th St. Vrain Road. Big thanks to David Waltman for reporting this bird last week- so nice to see it back again after another round trip (presumably) to Alaska, where Jerry Liguori photographed it in April 2009. It likes the power lines along 75th south of St. Vrain Road or the cottonwoods along St. Vrain Road west of that intersection. There were also two darker adult Harlan's Hawks nearby (both dark-intermediate morphs in my opinion after consulting Brian Wheeler's Raptors of Western North America- sadly now out of print so hang on tight to your copy if you have it.) One was along St. Vrain Road just east of 75th (in sight of the light Harlan's) while another was on a branch over Hygiene Road west of the town of Hygiene, near the bridge at the St. Vrain River crossing. I ended my little tour with a show-stopping adult male dark rufous-morph Ferruginous Hawk along 75th St. just south of Nelson as I headed home. I'm judging it to be male by the gray head after again consulting Wheeler's Raptors of Western North America. I have some pics of these beauties at http://blog.aba.org/2011/01/snow-light.html. Happy New Year to all- hope 2011 is filled with great birds for you all! Enjoy- Bill Schmoker, Longmont __ • Bill Schmoker • __ http://schmoker.org http://brdpics.blogspot.com bill.schmo...@gmail.com 720/201-5749 __ -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups Colorado Birds group. To post to this group, send email to cobi...@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds?hl=en.
[cobirds] Boulder CBC Results
Folks- we had 30+ energetic teams plus a network of feeder watchers deployed throughout the Boulder CBC circle today, enjoying the mild weather and some pretty spiffing birds. For the first time in 69 counts dating back to Dec. 26 1909, the Boulder count broke the 110-species mark, with an preliminary total of 112 recorded today. We also had a presumed escapee (though free-flying) Mandarin Duck for the second year, along with two count-week species. With a few team and many feeder-watcher reports still to be received, I hope we will add another species or two before data entry is wrapped. So for now we're at 112 + the Mandarin Duck + 2 Count-week birds (WHSC CAGU.) This is a new record for the Boulder Count, and our first time to break 110. Still missing but seen on at least 20 previous counts (reports welcomed from today or as count-week from the previous three next three days): Rough-legged Hawk, Ring-necked Pheasant, Cassin's Finch, White-throated Sparrow, Snow Goose, Dusky Grouse, Bohemian Waxwing. News of any other potential goodies welcome, too, of course! Best Birds: (Seen on 10 or fewer of 68 previous counts, number indicated in parenthesis, omitting Cackling Goose Eurasian Collared-Dove:) Greater White-fronted Goose Lesser Goldfinch (10), Clark's Grebe Black-crowned Night-Heron (9), Barn Owl (8), Lincoln's Sparrow (6), Tundra Swan Eared Grebe (5), Northern Saw-whet Owl House Wren (3), Bonaparte's Gull Palm Warbler (2), Mandarin Duck*, Red-necked Grebe, Golden-crowned Sparrow (1), Black Scoter White-winged Dove (count-week only previously), Pacific Wren (new to count after AOU split.) Special thanks to Bill Kaempfer for hosting the compilation potluck, and thanks to everyone who participated today! Enjoy- Bill __ • Bill Schmoker • __ http://schmoker.org http://brdpics.blogspot.com bill.schmo...@gmail.com 720/201-5749 __ -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups Colorado Birds group. To post to this group, send email to cobi...@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds?hl=en.
[cobirds] Black-legged Kittiwake, Long-tailed Ducks at Union Res, Weld County
Folks- Ted Floyd just called me to report that he and Connie Kogler have a Black-legged Kittiwake and two Long-tailed Ducks at Union Reservoir east of Longmont (Weld Co.) Directions: http://www.coloradocountybirding.com/county/bird_a_county.php?name=Weld#164 Enjoy- Bill Schmoker, Longmont __ • Bill Schmoker • __ http://schmoker.org http://brdpics.blogspot.com bill.schmo...@gmail.com 720/201-5749 __ -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups Colorado Birds group. To post to this group, send email to cobi...@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds?hl=en.
[cobirds] Ross's Gull- NO
Folks- Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but Glenn Walbek just called me to report that intense searching so far this morning has not turned up the Ross's Gull at Cherry Creek Res. -Bill Schmoker, Longmont __ • Bill Schmoker • __ http://schmoker.org http://brdpics.blogspot.com bill.schmo...@gmail.com 720/201-5749 __ -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups Colorado Birds group. To post to this group, send email to cobi...@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds?hl=en.
[cobirds] 2 Dunlin @ Cherry Creek Reservoir
Folks- Glenn just followed up his negative news regarding the Ross's Gull with a find of 2 Dunlin in the SE cove area of Cherry Creek Reservoir. Enjoy- Bill Schmoker __ • Bill Schmoker • __ http://schmoker.org http://brdpics.blogspot.com bill.schmo...@gmail.com 720/201-5749 __ -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups Colorado Birds group. To post to this group, send email to cobi...@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds?hl=en.
Re: [cobirds] digiscoping question
Hi Deb- Image stabilization (IS) won't hurt a camera's digiscoping capabilities, but likely won't help, either. IS systems work at the camera- either in the lens or at the sensor, but don't know that the camera is looking through a scope. So movement is countered in the camera itself but scope shake /or movement won't be compensated for. You probably are right that finding a decent camera without IS is essentially impossible. Some digiscopers turn their IS off, but on cameras that don't have this option I wouldn't worry about it. Just focus (ha ha) on good digiscoping technique like getting everything as stable as possible (good tripod, preferably carbon to minimize vibration, center column not extended, etc.), using high ISOs to get fast shutter speeds, etc. Hope this helps- Bill Schmoker, Longmont __ • Bill Schmoker • __ http://schmoker.org http://brdpics.blogspot.com bill.schmo...@gmail.com 720/201-5749 __ On Nov 27, 2010, at 1:32 AM, fiddlen...@aol.com wrote: I am considering upgrading my Canon sureshot that I use for my digiscoping. The models that I'm looking for have some sort of image stablization system and it rings a faint bell that this we be a problem for the digiscoping. I didn't find anything online, any ideas? Thanks, Deb Carstensen, Littleton -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups Colorado Birds group. To post to this group, send email to cobi...@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds?hl=en.
[cobirds] Ross's Gull video
Folks- I edited together a little digiscoped video of the Ross's Gull from today and posted it on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dslKlONPgqQ I suggest choosing the 720p HD option if your connection will bear it. It shows the foraging behavior and flight style of the bird. My dad mentioned that when picking around on the spit its feeding style reminded him of a plover- an apt description. I also thought it was great to see so many folks enjoying the bird in the three days I've been down to visit! Today's iteration was the first time I had been within 1/4 mile of the bird- awesome to see it so close on the marina sand bar. We also had an immature Ross's Goose on the east side of the lake with Canada and Cackling Geese, making for a Ross's squared day. Enjoy- Bill __ • Bill Schmoker • __ http://schmoker.org http://brdpics.blogspot.com bill.schmo...@gmail.com 720/201-5749 __ -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups Colorado Birds group. To post to this group, send email to cobi...@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds?hl=en.
[cobirds] Red-rocks Curve-billed Thrasher et al.
Folks- my dad Jim I braved the crowds of non-birders at the Red Rocks trading post this morning and were eventually rewarded with nice looks of the Curve-billed Thrasher filling up on millet during a short lull of kids crawling around on the rocks near the feeder, families posing for portraits on the steps and stone wall, etc. Also noteworthy and entertaining was a Northern Shrike that blasted into the thicket but emerged empty-billed, trailing a smattering of perturbed House Finches. Another major highlight was a patrolling juv. Northern Goshawk that paused to perch in a snag protruding from the rocks south of the balcony, affording extended scope looks before continuing on its way. We also birded at Chatfield, where an adult Lesser Black-backed Gull and Common Loon seen at the Plum Creek Delta provided the highlights on a sweltering (for November) day there. Enjoy- Bill __ • Bill Schmoker • __ http://schmoker.org http://brdpics.blogspot.com bill.schmo...@gmail.com 720/201-5749 __ -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups Colorado Birds group. To post to this group, send email to cobi...@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds?hl=en.
[cobirds] Pacific Loon, Boulder Reservoir
Folks- adding to the already strong showing of Pacific Loons this fall was another at Boulder Reservoir this evening. It was actively feeding in the vicinity of the Western Grebe raft. Adding to my post-work loon tally was a Common Loon at Lagerman Reservoir west of Longmont. Enjoy- Bill __ • Bill Schmoker • __ http://schmoker.org http://brdpics.blogspot.com bill.schmo...@gmail.com 720/201-5749 __ -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups Colorado Birds group. To post to this group, send email to cobi...@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds?hl=en.
[cobirds] Red Phalarope @ Baseline Res, Boulder
Folks- I just got a call from Ted Floyd, who is looking at a winter-plumaged Red Phalarope at Baseline Reservoir in S. Boulder. Viewing is from Cherryvale Rd., looking east: http://www.coloradocountybirding.com/county/bird_a_county.php?name=Boulder#385 Enjoy- Bill Schmoker, Longmont __ • Bill Schmoker • __ http://schmoker.org http://brdpics.blogspot.com bill.schmo...@gmail.com 720/201-5749 __ -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups Colorado Birds group. To post to this group, send email to cobi...@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds?hl=en.
[cobirds] McIntosh Res. Pacific Loon (Longmont)
After a dentist appointment this morning I had a bit of time off and checked on the summering Pacific Loon at McIntosh Lake in Longmont. (http://www.coloradocountybirding.com/county/bird_a_county.php?name=Boulder#356 ) Unlike my viewing in July, this time the bird was quite close to the trail, near where it transitions up onto the dam on the SW side. It variously slept, preened, and best of all, gave some tentative calls in reply to my weak yodel. It was neat to see this basic-plumaged bird in comparison to the dark alternate-plumaged Pacific Loons I saw near Barrow, AK last week. I made a little digiscoped video of the bird for those interested: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iCBiYoEu_Co Enjoy- Bill Schmoker, Longmont p.s. Thanks to Ted, Mark, Maggie, Peter for the Boulder Res American Golden-Plover updates. Finally connected with the little guy after 4 tries. Funny to watch it hunkered down in a depression, then walking around for a while, then hunkering down again out of sight in a mud crater big enough to conceal it completely except for its dark crown. __ • Bill Schmoker • __ http://schmoker.org http://brdpics.blogspot.com bill.schmo...@gmail.com 720/201-5749 __ -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups Colorado Birds group. To post to this group, send email to cobi...@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds?hl=en.
[cobirds] Pac Loon still present, McIntosh Lake, Longmont
Folks- This morning I strolled about 2/3 of the way west along the south dam of McIntosh Lake (http://www.coloradocountybirding.com/county/bird_a_county.php?name=Boulder#356 ) to have nice looks at the summering immature Pacific Loon. This is in the southwest corner of the long lake. It was doing a lot of shallow fishing (snorkeling to spot prey and then short shallow dives) about 100 meters out from the dam. Thanks to everyone for the updates- pretty slick bird indeed. I'm going to go out on a limb and predict at least one new state record and perhaps several new Boulder County birds in the next 5 weeks or so. Why, you ask? Because I'll be out of the state, of course!! ;-) I've been selected as a PolarTREC teacher and will be joining the 2010 International Continental Shelf Survey aboard the US Coast Guard Cutter Healy in the Arctic Ocean. We depart Dutch Harbor, AK on 2 August and wrap up in Barrow, AK on 6 Sept. I'd like to invite you to virtually follow along at my PolarTREC page: http://www.polartrec.com/expeditions/international-continental-shelf-survey . I'll be journalling daily (whenever possible) and welcome your questions via the Ask The Team feature. If you made it this far thanks for indulging me in the off-topic diversion. Now back to the bird news... Enjoy- Bill __ • Bill Schmoker • __ http://schmoker.org http://brdpics.blogspot.com bill.schmo...@gmail.com 720/201-5749 __ -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups Colorado Birds group. To post to this group, send email to cobi...@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds?hl=en.
[cobirds] Black Swifts @ Mt. Evans (Clear Creek Co)
Folks- after completing my Mt. Evans BBS route today, my dad Jim I continued up to the summit parking lot of Mt. Evans (the route ends just before Summit Lake.) In nearly calm conditions and under mostly blue skies, we enjoyed the aerobatics of a squadron of 4 Black Swifts above the 14-er. This was the first time I'd seen them in such fair weather conditions, away from a nesting site. Awesome doesn't begin to describe the 20 or so minutes we watched them- sometimes they swooped fairly close and vocalizations were heard and at other times they climbed to become racing specks- I'd guess they topped 15,000 feet in such climbs. Who knows if they spent time unseen even higher? A couple of Brown-capped Rosy-Finch transits of the parking weren't bad, either. Sounds like tomorrow's weather might push some Black Swifts down from their normal high-elevation haunts. Enjoy- Bill Schmoker, Longmont __ • Bill Schmoker • __ http://schmoker.org http://brdpics.blogspot.com bill.schmo...@gmail.com 720/201-5749 __ -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups Colorado Birds group. To post to this group, send email to cobi...@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds?hl=en.
[cobirds] Black Phoebe still at Chatfield
Folks- My parents report finding the Black Phoebe still at the spot described yesterday evening by Joey Kellner. As of this morning it wasn't singing but was foraging from low perches around the small pond- typical Black Phoebe behavior. Good luck to anyone heading out to chase this bird, and great find, Joey!! -Bill Schmoker, at work in Boulder __ • Bill Schmoker • __ http://schmoker.org http://brdpics.blogspot.com bill.schmo...@gmail.com 720/201-5749 __ -- 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 To unsubscribe, reply using remove me as the subject.
[cobirds] Swan sp., Larimer County (I25 Harmony Rd.)
Folks- Nick Komar just called me to say he saw a swan as he was driving to the airport on I25. It was on the pond along the west side of I25, just south of the Harmony Exit on the S. side of Ft. Collins. Access is via County Rd. 7 heading south of Harmony Rd. Enjoy- Bill Schmoker, Longmont __ • Bill Schmoker • __ http://schmoker.org http://brdpics.blogspot.com bill.schmo...@gmail.com 720/201-5749 __ -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups Colorado Birds. 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 this group at http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds?hl=en?hl=en Visit the CFO Website at: www.cfo-link.org
[cobirds] Broomfield Gulls (Possible Iceland, Lesser Black-backs, hybrid thing), etc.
Folks- Larry Semo I had the pleasure of birding today with Steve Mlodinow who is in Denver from Washington State on business this coming week. We fought tricky birding conditions for most of the day with frequent snow flurries and less-than-ideal roads, but found some pleasant bird variety to keep us occupied throughout the day. A quick stop at the S. Platte River where Florida crosses it produced the spanking male Barrow's Goldeneye and our first white-cheeked goose studies of the day, along with a smattering of other ducks. The trading post at Red Rocks was pretty slow (no Golden-crowned Sparrow during our visit) but afforded some detailed looks at our Western Scrub Jay and Spotted Towhee subspecies. Of most interest to the list may be the pond in Broomfield off of Highway 7 Lowell that Mark Peterson described on 13 Feb. (with link to a map and the 2nd-cycle Iceland Gull pic @ http://tinyurl.com/yj2n9tz.) Good viewing can be had from the E. side of the pond on Promontory Way. While we didn't re-locate his 2nd-cycle bird, we did have a strong 1st-cycle Iceland Gull candidate. I got digiscoped pictures that look good to me for that taxon but Steve has flight shots of the bird that I haven't yet seen, so I haven't completely pulled the trigger on the ID. In the field we also considered that the bird could be an Iceland x Thayer's intergrade. Howell and Dunn remark on 1st-cycle Iceland vs. Thayers in Gulls of the Americas: Thayer's Gull darker and browner overall with blackish brown to dark brown wingtips... which this bird doesn't show. In my shots I think it compares favorably to several of their examples of darker 1st-cycle Kumlien's Iceland Gulls. They go on to say, however: Presumed (Thayer's) hybrids with Kumlien's look intermediate and not safely assigned to either taxon. So there 'ya go... The pond also had a hulking brown 1st-cycle gull that could well be a Glaucous-winged x Herring Gull hybrid. Less ambiguous were two inky adult Lesser Black-backed Gulls along with a smattering of Herring and California Gulls among the Ringers. Nearby Erie and Thomas Reservoirs (Boulder County) had small open water patches and gatherings of dull gulls. Enjoy- Bill Schmoker, Longmont __ • Bill Schmoker • __ http://schmoker.org http://brdpics.blogspot.com bill.schmo...@gmail.com 720/201-5749 __ -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups Colorado Birds. 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 this group at http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds?hl=en?hl=en Visit the CFO Website at: www.cfo-link.org
[cobirds] Owl thoughts
Folks- I wrote this yesterday morning but looking at the archives I don't think it went through despite being in my sent box to Cobirds. My own posts don't get mailed back to me so I didn't realize it never made the list until this evening when I got an email from another birder expressing concern about going to see the owl. I was originally responding to Becca Reid's posted concerns about seeing the Snowy Owl. Since then Skot has addressed his actions regarding the van incident (if it even warrants that label), something I addressed at the end. I would guess that Becca and my other correspondent aren't alone in their concerns and I'm saddened that anyone is having second thoughts about seeing the bird or getting turned off to birding in general because of the culpatory tone some recent Cobirds posts have had. If anyone is getting the following again please accept my apologies and hit delete now. Hi Becca- Good to have you in the birding community! I appreciate your request for positive opportunities to learn more. I like to assume the positive in folks, and my experience with other birders has been positive in nearly all cases. Sharing information in arenas such as Cobirds can vastly speed the learning curve (yet to the delight of even long-time birders, a learning curve that never ends!) I would encourage you to go try for the Snowy Owl if you have a chance. It is a majestic bird, rarely (if ever before?) this accessible for viewing in Colorado, and extra special as a nearly adult male and thus extra white! If nothing else, it is a lot closer than a trip to the Dakotas, probably the nearest region where they are more reasonably expected. Certainly use common sense and courtesy, but in my opinion you won't be harming the bird to go look at it. In fact, awareness, excitement, and interest in birds can be one of the most powerful ways to protect habitat and the bird populations that depend on it. Most people I know who have been birding for a while contribute back in some way including financial and membership support of birding organizations (e.g. ABA, CFO, DFO, etc.) conservation organizations (e.g. Audubon, The Nature Conservancy, etc.) and participation in citizen science efforts (e.g. eBird, CBCs, Great Backyard Bird Count, etc.) For example, I pulled this quote from a recent post on the Western Slope Birding Network about some good news (finally!) regarding Greater Sage-Grouse with a lot of help from Audubon Wyoming: In a landmark victory, the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM), which manages nearly one third of Wyoming's land and is responsible for mineral rights on nearly two-thirds, announced this month that it is making major changes in its leasing policies. This change, largely based on work done by Audubon Wyoming and the Wyoming Governor, offers fresh hope for the survival of Greater Sage-Grouse, enhanced protection for other wildlife that share the western sagebrush ecosystem, and an innovative model to advance wildlife-friendly energy development nationwide. As for this Snowy Owl, the bad news is that it probably flew this far south out of desperation- most northern owls that irrupt this far south of their normal ranges are starving due to population crashes of their prey base. Many don't survive and if found are often emaciated. The good news is that this bird appears to be finding food in its adopted neighborhood. It has definitely been around since late December, and according to one local farmer since November. It could have and almost certainly would have moved on if it was finding slim pickings there. I suspect this is why nearly all of the few Snowys that turn up in Colorado can't be found the next day- they move on in search of better hunting until they find it or starve. I'd suggest that there have been three main themes to consider in most of the recent ethics posts about this owl, though they've been confusingly swirled together. First ( foremost), keep the bird's welfare in mind. I think that viewing it from the neighborhood roadsides (if it is in the fields a case where spotting scopes really help) doesn't significantly bother the bird. I watched the owl from 10 am to almost 5:15 pm last Monday. Folks who had been there since about dawn said it had been out in a field resting all morning. During the first 6 1/2 hours I held vigil (OK, I took an hour off to go get lunch,) its activity consisted of yawn sleeping in a field or slowly gazing this way and that with one eye open and the other shut, flying once to a fence post around 11:30 and then yawn sleeping or slowly gazing this way and that until about 4:30. During this time I'd estimate 75 or more people watched it without any undue stress or energy wasting on the part of the bird. When it started hunting from the house tops at 4:30 its pattern seemed
[cobirds] Valmont Iceland Gull pics
Folks- I'd like to thank Ted Floyd and Dave Madonna for their leadership in making the big annual Valmont outing so successful! Also, thanks to Excel Energy, ABA, CFO, DFO, and BBC for their sponsorship. I have a composite image showing three poses of the 2nd-cycle (Kumlien's) Iceland Gull on the Surfbirds North American Stop Press page for those who'd care to look: http://www.surfbirds.com/cgi-bin/gallery/display.cgi?gallery=gallery10 Enjoy- Bill Schmoker, Longmont __ • Bill Schmoker • __ http://schmoker.org http://brdpics.blogspot.com bill.schmo...@gmail.com 720/201-5749 __
[cobirds] Valmont Res (Boulder Co) Scouting Report 8 Jan. (Iceland Gull)
Folks- I had the pleasure of scouting for tomorrow's big ABA/CFO/BBC/ DFO Valmont birding trip this afternoon and evening with fellow leaders Dave Madonna (Plant Engineer), The Such Family (Dave, Renee, Marcel, Joel), and Walter Szeliga. We were reminded of the importance of dressing a layer or two beyond what we thought would suffice, but despite cold extremities we had some enticing birds. We located several specialty wintering regulars there such as Black- crowned Night-Heron, Western Grebe, Double-crested Cormorant, and American Pipit, and also had an adult Blue Goose followed later by a juv. Ross's Goose amongst the thousands of white-cheeked geese. We tallied 7 gull species, but should do better tomorrow with more eyes and by sticking it out to the bitter end (we left tonight as soon as the sun dipped, while scads of gulls were still streaming in.) The best was a 2nd-cycle Iceland Gull, but Lesser Great Black-Backed weren't bad, either, among the Ring-billed, Herring, California, and Thayer's we observed. Hope to see you there tomorrow! Enjoy- Bill __ • Bill Schmoker • __ http://schmoker.org http://brdpics.blogspot.com bill.schmo...@gmail.com 720/201-5749 __
[cobirds] 68th Boulder Christmas Bird Count
Folks- today Boulder held its 68th Christmas Bird Count. Boulder's first CBC was 24 December 1909, so this is also our 100-year anniversary count! As opposed to last year's near zero (about 5 degrees either way) temperatures, we had a sunny and mild day to be out counting in. The 30 territories scoured by teams of field birders were supplemented by many feeder watchers. At first count, with many results yet to be returned, we stand at 103 count-day species plus two more count-week birds. Mew Gull was recorded for the first time on count day (it previously had been recorded count week), along with 6 other gull species. Lesser Black-backed was recorded the 5th time, Glaucous Gull the 6th, and Thayer's the 12th. These were all seen at the Valmont Reservoir complex. Other noteworthy species include the 2nd count occurrence of White-winged Crossbill, the third of Chihuahuan Raven, the 8th of both Eastern Bluebird (which completed the trifecta of bluebirds) and Rusty Blackbird, the 9th of Black-crowned Night-Heron, and the 10th of Lesser Goldfinch. A male Mandarin Duck on a frozen pond with wild geese and ducks caught the attention of the group that found it! Notably missing birds (having been seen on at least 40 previous counts) include Rough-legged Hawk, Evening Grosbeak, Cassin's Finch, and Clark's Nutcracker. Hopefully we'll fill in a few more gaps as completed reports are returned. Thanks to all of the territory leaders for lining up their teams and to all of the participants for their efforts. Big thanks to the City and County of Boulder Open space and private landowners for providing access to otherwise off-limits areas, and to Boulder County Audubon Society for sponsoring the count and providing a Lasagna dinner! Enjoy- Bill __ • Bill Schmoker • __ http://schmoker.org http://brdpics.blogspot.com bill.schmo...@gmail.com 720/201-5749 __ -- Colorado Field Ornithologists: http://www.cfo-link.org/ Colorado County Birding: http://www.coloradocountybirding.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 To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.as/group/cobirds?hl=en
[cobirds] N. Boulder County Chihuahuan Raven
Folks- while participating in the Longmont CBC today my group (Dick Pratt, Mike Freiberg, and John Barr) and I had a Chihuahuan Raven fly right over us fairly low, calling as it went. As it approached head- on we first thought it was another American Crow based on its size and wing cadence, but when it opened its mouth we knew that ID was out. As it went overhead the graduated tail was also distinctively different than the more even-ended tail of a crow and it had longer- looking wings. While Common Ravens' vocal repertoire can encompass the higher, thinner sound of Chihuahuan, this bird's small size and non-honking weapon of a bill ruled out it's more expected cousin. We also enjoyed the distinct pleasure of poaching first a light-morph and then a dark-morph Harlan's Hawk from the territory to our west in the Hygiene area (the light bird at its normal line of poles along 75th south of St. Vrain Road, and the dark bird just west of the St. Vrain River on Hygiene Road.) Interestingly, we missed seeing any intermediates, the most common Harlan's morph wintering around here. We also had a prolonged study of an adult light Rough-legged Hawk north of Hwy. 66 between Table Mt. Road and 75th. Gotta rest up now for the Boulder CBC tomorrow! Good luck to counters wherever you are. Enjoy- Bill __ • Bill Schmoker • __ http://schmoker.org http://brdpics.blogspot.com bill.schmo...@gmail.com 720/201-5749 __ -- Colorado Field Ornithologists: http://www.cfo-link.org/ Colorado County Birding: http://www.coloradocountybirding.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 To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.as/group/cobirds?hl=en
[cobirds] Congrats to Jane Stulp- eBirder of the month!
Folks- I just noticed on eBird's home page that Colorado's own Jane Stulp is the eBirder of the month! Great job congratulations, Jane! From eBird: This month we begin a new feature: eBirder of the Month. The goal is to highlight how an individual is using eBird to inspire others to follow in their footsteps. One does not need to be a well-traveled or expert birder to be featured. Anyone who uses eBird is eligible, provided she or he understands the overarching goals of eBird and is committed to using the program regularly and properly. We are particularly interested in featuring people who are participating in our eBird Site Survey or County Birding initiatives. If you know of a candidate for the next eBirder of the month, please contact us. We are proud to introduce Jane Stulp of Prowers County, Colorado as the December 2009 eBirder of the month. Link to the rest of the story about Jane's contributions to eBird here: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/news/ebirder-of-the-month Enjoy- Bill Schmoker, Longmont __ • Bill Schmoker • __ http://schmoker.org http://brdpics.blogspot.com bill.schmo...@gmail.com 720/201-5749 __ -- Colorado Field Ornithologists: http://www.cfo-link.org/ Colorado County Birding: http://www.coloradocountybirding.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 To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.as/group/cobirds?hl=en
[cobirds] Hygiene Pacific/Winter Wren Pics- Comments Welcomed
Folks- I worked up some pics of the Hygiene Pacific/Winter Wren along with additional comments for my blog: http://brdpics.blogspot.com/ Opinions concerning Pacific vs. Winter Wren ID welcomed! Also, perhaps someone (Dave Leatherman?) can ID the type of insect the bird gleaned from a cottonwood sapling branch, visible (though not tack-sharp) in the last two images. Thanks, enjoy- Bill Schmoker, Longmont __ • Bill Schmoker • __ http://schmoker.org http://brdpics.blogspot.com bill.schmo...@gmail.com 720/201-5749 __ -- Colorado Field Ornithologists: http://www.cfo-link.org/ Colorado County Birding: http://www.coloradocountybirding.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 To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.as/group/cobirds?hl=en
Fwd: [cobirds] Daily Camera article on Boulder gull
Here's a link to the article: http://www.dailycamera.com/news/2009/aug/11/birds-boulder-appearance-still-mystery/ Ted is quoted, but I wish he would have said something like, The bird was definitely a Slaty-backed Gull and should be added to all pertinent life, year, state, county, and locality lists. ;-) Seriously, though, it was a very nice surprise to see the bird get follow-up coverage! (The camera also covered the sighting at the time.) Enjoy- Bill Schmoker, Longmont __ • Bill Schmoker • __ http://schmoker.org http://brdpics.blogspot.com bill.schmo...@gmail.com 720/201-5749 __ Begin forwarded message: From: Ted Floyd tedfloy...@hotmail.com Date: August 12, 2009 6:58:48 AM MDT To: cobirds cobirds@googlegroups.com Subject: [cobirds] Daily Camera article on Boulder gull Reply-To: tedfloy...@hotmail.com Hello, all. There's a nice article in yesterday's Daily Camera (Boulder newspaper) on the mystery gull found by Christian Nunes last fall at Six Mile Reservoir. (Bird's Boulder Appearance Still a Mystery, Daily Camera, 11 August 2009, page 8C.) This mystery gull is, of course, the bird that may or may not have been a Slaty-backed Gull. The article is accompanied by a great image of the bird itself (photograph by Bill Schmoker). There's also a so-so photo of Glen Walbek, Bill Schmoker, Richard Trinkner, and Andrew Spencer; there's only so much you can do with subject matter like that... :-) Thanks to the Daily Camera, and especially to staff writer Brandon Schatsiek, for giving extensive coverage to this interesting bird. --- Ted Floyd tedfloyd57 AT hotmail.com Lafayette, Boulder County, Colorado --- Ted Floyd Editor, Birding --- Please support the American Birding Association: Click on http://www.goodsearch.com/?charityid=884482 to search the internet. Check out the American Birding Association on FaceBook: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=22934255714 Check out the American Birding Association on Twitter: http://twitter.com/abaoutreach Please visit the website of the American Birding Association: http://www.aba.org _ Get your vacation photos on your phone! http://windowsliveformobile.com/en-us/photos/default.aspx?OCID=0809TL-HM --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ Colorado County Birding: http://www.coloradocountybirding.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 To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.as/group/cobirds?hl=en -~--~~~~--~~--~--~---
[cobirds] Last Chance Birds (Washington Co.)
Folks- Mike Freiberg called in to report some nice birds at Last Chance this morning. He and other birders found: A pair of Rose-breasted Grosbeaks 3 White-throated Sparrows Hermit Swainson's Thrush Brief look at a very red-backed Catharus thrush (Veery or Wood Thrush?) Hooded Warbler Northern Waterthrush Enjoy- Bill Schmoker, Longmont __ • Bill Schmoker • __ http://schmoker.org http://brdpics.blogspot.com bill.schmo...@gmail.com 720/201-5749 __ --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ Join us at the 2009 Convention in Alamosa: http://cfo-link.org/convention/index.php 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 this group at http://groups.google.as/group/cobirds?hl=en -~--~~~~--~~--~--~---
[cobirds] RE: Vermilion Flycatcher @ Crow Valley (Weld County)
Folks- Connie reports that the bird was Inside SE Camping Loop. Good luck to any chasers. -Bill Schmoker __ • Bill Schmoker • __ http://schmoker.org http://brdpics.blogspot.com bill.schmo...@gmail.com 720/201-5749 __ --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ Join us at the 2009 Convention in Alamosa: http://cfo-link.org/convention/index.php 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 this group at http://groups.google.as/group/cobirds?hl=en -~--~~~~--~~--~--~---
[cobirds] Convention Registration Reminder
Folks- as tax day approacheth, so does the regular registration deadline for the CFO Convention in Alamosa. If you are joining us for the convention May 22-25 (and I hope you are!), register by Wednesday, April 15th to get the regular rates and to lock in your field trips. After April 15, late registration fees apply. Also, April 15 is the final day for ordering Ted Floyd's Smithsonian Field Guide to the Birds of North America and the last day to get the convention rate at The Inn of the Rio Grande (our convention hotel.) To register, link here: http://www.cfo-link.org/convention/index.php For a convention brochure download, click here: http://www.cfo-link.org/downloads/CFO_Conv_09.pdf For reservations at our convention hotel, the Inn of the Rio Grande, call or link to: 1-800-669-1658 http://innoftherio.com I'm looking forward to the event and hope you are too! Enjoy- Bill Schmoker, President, CFO __ • Bill Schmoker • __ http://schmoker.org http://brdpics.blogspot.com bill.schmo...@gmail.com 720/201-5749 __ --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ Join us at the 2009 Convention in Alamosa: http://cfo-link.org/convention/index.php 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 this group at http://groups.google.as/group/cobirds?hl=en -~--~~~~--~~--~--~---
[cobirds] Eurasian Wigeon re-found at Sweede Lake, Larimer County
Folks- Joyce Takamine just called with news that she was looking at the Eurasian Wigeon at Sweede Lake (Immediately SE of Fossil Creek Reservoir.) The bird is tucked along the south shore and thus sometimes out of view against the bank. Her group is watching from the barriers at the pullout just west of I25 (take the Windsor Exit, HWY 392.) Enjoy- Bill Schmoker, Longmont __ • Bill Schmoker • __ http://schmoker.org http://brdpics.blogspot.com bill.schmo...@gmail.com 720/201-5749 __ --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ 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 this group at http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds?hl=en -~--~~~~--~~--~--~---
[cobirds] possible Slaty-backed Gull, Cherry Creek Reservoir (Arapahoe Co)
Folks- I headed to Cherry Creek Reservoir today with my dad Jim, meeting up with Mike Freiberg when we got there. Birds on the lake were scant, but a few dozen gulls were loafing at the east side, some on shore and some on a small sand bar out from where Cherry Creek runs into the lake. While scoping, one caught my eye from behind the group as it bobbed its head up and down, bathing. Though I couldn't yet see the whole bird, its head looked quite pale, with a dark eye and a robust all-black bill. Soon it walked into view. We tried to slot it into one of the two Black-backed categories without luck. A nearby adult Herring Gull provided excellent size structure comparison- this bird was similar in size if not perhaps slightly more bulky. The wing projection was similar, but the bill was thicker and had a more pronounced gonydeal angle . I started to get a funny feeling of deja- vu and angled around for some digiscoped shots. Comparing the shots with those that I took on 28 November, 2008 at Six- mile Reservoir in Boulder County, I think this is the same bird that seemed to be a likely 1st-cycle Slaty-backed Gull (or at least a gull cut from the same cloth.) The main difference I see is some additional scattered dark feathers in the scapulars and maybe other wing covert tracts (presumably newly molted in, expected in the intervening 3 months?) Much of what I see in this bird is very similar to a 1st-cycle Slaty-backed Gull from South Korea photographed on 16 February in Steve Howell Jon Dunn's Gulls of the Americas (figure 30.8.) I'd happily email a composite I made comparing similar poses of the bird we saw today to that of 28 November in Boulder to anyone requesting it. My hypothesis is that the bird made its way further south after visiting Boulder (with sightings at Cherry Creek and Pueblo Reservoir.) Where it spent the remaining winter is subject to speculation, but perhaps it is working its way back up the Front Range. We also had a couple of Harlan's Hawks (an adult and a juv, both dark birds), and my dad I found a Marsh Wren in the cattails SE of the lake along Cherry Creek (south along the 12-mile House trailhead.) Enjoy- Bill Schmoker, Longmont __ • Bill Schmoker • __ http://schmoker.org http://brdpics.blogspot.com bill.schmo...@gmail.com 720/201-5749 __ --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ 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 this group at http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds?hl=en -~--~~~~--~~--~--~---
[cobirds] Ross's Goose, Golden Ponds, Longmont (Boulder CO)
Folks- my parents and I swung by Golden Ponds in Longmont (http://www.coloradocountybirding.com/county/bird_a_county.php?name=Boulder#361 ) this afternoon and were pleased to find a cooperative adult Ross's Goose one pond west from the pond in front of the parking area. Dick Pratt told me about the bird a week ago but I finally caught up with it today. It was on the south side of the pond on a residual ice edge with a small group of Canada Geese (at least one of which was bullying it if it got too close.) Enjoy- Bill Schmoker, Longmont __ • Bill Schmoker • __ http://schmoker.org http://brdpics.blogspot.com bill.schmo...@gmail.com 720/201-5749 __ --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ 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 this group at http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds?hl=en -~--~~~~--~~--~--~---
[cobirds] A New Era for Cobirds
Hi Folks- I'd like to take a moment to acknowledge the significant work of a few people who helped to transition Cobirds from Net Atlantic to Google Groups. First of all, we owe a big THANK YOU to Greg Pasquariello, who had the foresight to create a Cobirds archive on Google Groups in 2006. Not only did this reserve our Cobirds name, but it began archiving all of our messages for free within the easily-searched confines of Google. When we began to look at money-saving options for hosting our list, Greg graciously agreed to his group's role being upgraded from an archive to the list server. Thanks, Greg! We really owe Mark Peterson thanks in so many ways, but in this case for his hard work that got us fully switched to Google Groups. Our Lyris-based list on Net Atlantic had just gotten to be too expensive and we weren't getting the performance we needed out of it, particularly on the archival and administrative ends. Additionally, dozens of our subscribers were being unsubscribed from the list each month for no apparent reason, and there seemed to be no way for Mark to prevent it, creating continuous undue work for him getting people re-subscribed. In the past few months I've noticed that some other state lists I follow have made server changes for various reasons, so we aren't alone in the need to change. As you've seen from Mark's status-updating posts, the switch didn't turn out to be as easy for him as he'd hoped, and he had to individually approve subscribers to the new group instead of doing a bulk switch like we had hoped. Mark has also worked out a some technical issues with subscribers using a couple of email providers. He has offered to help any individual needing to get switched over, and the process appears to be working. Thanks again, Mark! Rachel Hopper also has been instrumental in the process, establishing and maintaining our Lyris-based list on Net Atlantic that served us so well for so many years. When we realized that a new system was needed, she researched alternatives with Mark and helped him behind the scenes on the transition. I got word today from Rachel that our service with Net Atlantic has officially ended- we'll be getting a final pro-rated invoice for January and that will be our final obligation to them. Thanks, Rachel! If you get this message in your in-box, then obviously you've succeeded in making the transition. If you are reading this on http://BirdingOnThe.Net or http://Surfbirds.com, or if someone forwarded this to you (please distribute to any potentially interested party), joining the group is easy. Just link over to http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds?hl=en and follow the link near the top right to apply for group membership. This web page also lets you manage your subscription options (using the edit my membership link that appears on the right side of the page.) You will need a free Google account to access these features, but you don't need to create a Gmail account (you can use whatever email you want.) If you don't want a Google account, you can still receive Cobirds but you won't have access to the account management tools. Again, take Mark up on his offer to help with technical assistance if you are having trouble (or ask me- I'll help if I can and if I can't help I'll forward your concern to Mark.) If you haven't had the chance, please take a few minutes to review the rules of the road (http://cfo-link.org/birding/COBirds_rules.php) for using the list. We're on a long run of great posts and list civility and I'd hope this will continue to be the case- thanks, everyone. I'm confident that the newest iteration of Cobirds will serve the Colorado birding community well (not to mention those who lurk beyond our borders)- looking forward to everyone's contributions to the list! Enjoy- Bill Schmoker, Longmont __ • Bill Schmoker • __ http://schmoker.org http://brdpics.blogspot.com bill.schmo...@gmail.com 720/201-5749 __ --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ 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 this group at http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds?hl=en -~--~~~~--~~--~--~---
[cobirds] Recent sightings at Greenlee Preserve, Boulder County (from Ted Floyd)
Forwarded from Ted Floyd: Hello, Birders. Here are some recent odds and ends at Greenlee Preserve in eastern Boulder County: Yesterday, Monday, January 19th. A flock of at least 12 twittering and chippering Bushtits. That's the farthest east I've seen them in the county. The species continues to invade the lowlands of the Front Range region. The birds were in the dense vegetation that separates Greenlee Reservoir from Waneka Lake. Friday, January 16th. A Snow X Canada Goose hybrid. It was a neat bird with the bill, feet, head, neck, and belly of Snow Goose, but the upperparts, breast, and body structure of a Canada Goose. On a more general note, the geese at this site present a great opportunity for study: up close and personal, with lots of variation in both the Cacklers and Canadas. Wednesday-Thursday, January 14th-15th. A Hermit Thrush at the observation platform. I suspect this is the same bird that Hannah and I found on January 2nd. I got a good look this time, and it is not a bird of the eastern/northern subspecies which we sometimes see in Colorado in the winter. But I'm not sure it's one of our interior west birds (subspecies auduboni) either. In plumage and size, it most closely resembled one of the Pacific slope birds, which I assume would be quite rare in Colorado. Well, whatever it is, it seems to be spending the winter out there, eating little purple berries along the trail. Ted Floyd (who's still trying to figure out how to use the new COBIRDS) tedfloy...@hotmail.com Lafayette, Boulder County, Colorado --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ 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 this group at http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds?hl=en -~--~~~~--~~--~--~---
[cobirds] Sorry for the double-posting
Now I see that Ted did get through to Cobirds- apologies for the double-posting. -Bill Schmoker, Longmont __ • Bill Schmoker • __ http://schmoker.org http://brdpics.blogspot.com bill.schmo...@gmail.com 720/201-5749 __ --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ 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 this group at http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds?hl=en -~--~~~~--~~--~--~---
