[cobirds] Fighting Falcons in N. El Paso County

[melgoff]

At 12:37pm today, Jeanne and I witnessed six falcons streaking across the skies 
of northern El Paso county. The birds had white backs with blue underbellies 
resembling a Thunderbird of western US lore. 

The subspecies is know as the F-16 Fighting Falcon and comes equipped with an 
onboard pilot and smoke trailing from the tail. These are the loudest birds we 
have heard since we started birding. I needed no help from my hearing aids or 
Songfinder. 

They were visible to the naked eye for nearly 30 minutes and we came to the 
conclusion that we are glad they are on our side. 

As the USAF Thunderbirds honored the USAFA graduation class of 2016, we honor 
these aviators who display such skill for all of us. 

Let's Go Birding!!! 

Mel Goff 
Colorado Springs 

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[cobirds] Pacific Loon still at Big Johnson, El Paso County

[melgoff]

First, thanks to Aaron Driscoll and Mark Peterson. Without their posts, we may 
not have noticed the differences between the Common and Pacific Loons on the 
reservoir this morning. 

Not being in breeding plumage, the telltale black chin strap was a great ID 
help on the Pacific Loon. 

Also on the water were scads of Western Grebes, a lone American White Pelican, 
and a nice variety of other waterfowl though the total numbers were not high. 
There were a half-dozen or more Eastern Kingbirds, 57 Common Grackles, and a 
female Blue Grosbeak. 

Good birding, everyone. 

Mel Goff 
Colorado Springs 

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Re: [cobirds] Glossy Ibis , El Paso County

[melgoff]

I agree with John about the parking where the Ibis are. I was there this a.m. 
and parked near the pond and walked down the road. I had to set my scope up on 
the south side of the road by the one large tree in order to stay out of the 
traffic lanes. The road on both sides drops off and you cannot set up a scope 
on the north side and still be off the road. 

Be careful if you go to that spot! 

Mel Goff 
Colorado Springs 

- Original Message -

From: "'John D' via Colorado Birds"  
To: "Cobirds"  
Sent: Thursday, May 12, 2016 4:11:20 PM 
Subject: [cobirds] Glossy Ibis , El Paso County 

Cobirders : 

Adult Glossy Ibis in a flock of 103 White-faced Ibis along Squirrel Creek Road 
near the pond , Fountain . The ibis are in a flooded field north of road , note 
there is absolutely no room to pull off vehicle , need to view with scope from 
a safe vantage point . 

John Drummond 
Colorado Springs . 



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[cobirds] Southeast El Paso County today, 4/15

[melgoff]

Greetings, Cobirders. 

After being gone for over 2 weeks, Jeanne and I finally got out to do some 
birding yesterday and today. We went to Big Johnson yesterday and had some 
great views of Western, Horned, Eared, and Pied-billed Grebes. There were a 
couple of Common Loons, too. 

Today we had an amazing day birding the roads of southeast El Paso county. 

On Squirrel Creek Road, we had Mountain Plover, an American Pipit, our first 
county Say's Phoebe for this year, and close-up looks at a Swainson's Hawk. 
Lots and lots of Horned Larks. 

On Dearing Road, we had Logger-headed Shrikes, Scaled Quails, an Osprey, and a 
Ferruginous Hawk. 

We turned off Myers Road onto Finch Road and went south to the intersection 
with Hanover Road. Around that intersection we had Great Horned Owl on a nest, 
Yellow-headed Blackbirds, Brewer's Blackbirds, Red-winged Blackbirds, and more 
shrikes. 

On Hanover Road we saw Curve-billed Thrasher and Burrowing Owl just east of 
Hanover. On the west end of the road we had a large mixed flock of blackbirds, 
including Great-tailed Grackles, Yellow-headed Blackbirds, and more. At the 
flooded field (most of you know where that is) we saw three beautiful Wood 
Ducks. 

All in all, a wonderful two days. Now, I think I will just put on my 
"loungewear" and hunker down for the stormy weekend. 

Good birding all. 

Mel Goff 
Colorado Springs 

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[cobirds] Buff-breasted Sandpiper at Ramah SWA, El Paso cty

[melgoff]

Gary Koehn found a Buff-breasted Sandpiper at Ramah SWA this morning. We are currently looking at the bird and several other people have been here. On the north Shore by the boat ramp. Mel Goff Colorado Springs Sent from XFINITY Connect Mobile App



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[cobirds] Pectoral Sandpiper at Ramah SWA, El Paso County Thursday 8/13

[melgoff]

After reading Ted Floyd's post about the meteor shower, we determined we would 
get up at 0300 HRS and go out to Raman SWA to view it and stay for morning 
light. Well we got up at 0300 saw the cloud cover and were back in bed by 0305. 

We did get up after sunrise and read David Suddjian's report of a Pectoral 
sandpiper (Thanks, David). So off we went. His description was right on the 
mark. 

We got there around 0900 and scoped the shoreline from the parking lot on the 
south side of the reservoir. We had just found the Pectoral when Bill Maynard 
drove up and also got to see the bird. In fact, there was either one bird in 
two places or two of these Sandpipers. 

We were at the reservoir for a little over two hours and saw 50 species. Some 
observations: 

When we birded there on 8/3, we saw well over 100 Black Terns. Today we saw 
one. 

We saw many of the birds David saw yesterday, but there were a few differences. 
We only saw NRW Swallows. We did not see any Avocets, Pied-billed Grebes, or 
teals (other than Blue-winged). We did however see Red-headed Woodpecker, 
Long-billed Dowitchers, and a Western Grebe. The lineup at this hotspot seems 
to be changing daily. 

Good birding, everyone! 

Mel and Jeanne Goff 
Colorado Springs 

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[cobirds] Western Slope Colorado Life Birds - 6/16

[melgoff]

Hi, Cobirders. 
  
After two very long days, we are home and I can report on our Chukar Chase to 
the western slope. Jeanne and I were joined by Lynne Miller as we left early 
yesterday morning, Tuesday, to go after two target birds: the Chukar and the 
Lesser Nighthawk. 
  
We arrived at Cameo in Mesa county at 12:15 and spent the next 57 minutes 
combing the landscape in 93 degree heat. At 1:12pm, Lynne said she had a Chukar 
in the shade under a rock outcropping exactly .9 miles from the railroad track 
crossing. In fact, there were two there, and I got a couple of pictures that I 
have yet to download from my camera. 
  
By 8:00pm last night we were in Nucla in Montrose county to look for the Lesser 
Nighthawk. We were joined by local birders Brenda Wright and Coen Dexter at the 
Nucla Sewer Treatment Ponds. At about 8:40pm the Nighthawks arrived in large 
numbers - probably 80 or more. Culling through the fast moving birds in the 
waning light was hard, but with Brenda and Coen's help we were able to identify 
at least two Lessers. Dark and mosquitos drove us back to our car and by 
midnight we were back at our hotel in Montrose. 
  
Both the Chukar and the Lesser Nighthawks were state life birds for all three 
of us. 
  
As a side note, if you have never taken CR 114 from just east of Gunnison to 
Saguache, I would highly recommend this beautiful drive. 
  
Good birding, all. 
  
Mel Goff 
Colorado Springs 

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[cobirds] El Paso Yard Birds Redux

[melgoff]

I spoke too soon. In the few minutes since my other post, we have had a 
Lincoln's Sparrow, a House Wren, and two Spotted Towhees. 
  
Mel and Jeanne Goff 
Colorado Springs 

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[cobirds] Yard Birds - El Paso County

[melgoff]

Hi, Cobirders. 
  
Like others we are experiencing a lot of activity in our yard today. 
  
This morning we had Black-headed Grosbeak. This afternoon we have two Lazuli 
Buntings, a White-crowned Sparrow, a Chipping Sparrow, and a Green-tailed 
Towhee. Add that to our resident WW Doves and a record number of American 
Goldfinches, it is getting to be a great spring. 
  
Mel and Jeanne Goff 
Colorado Springs 

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[cobirds] Common Loon, Long-tailed Duck, Gulls Galore, Big Johnson Res., El Paso Cty, 4/3

[melgoff]

Hi, cobirders. 
  
Following Mark Peterson's eBird report of yesterday, I made my way out to Big 
Johnson Reservoir on the southeast side of Colorado Springs this evening. I did 
not seee any of the swallows Mark saw, but the lake was crazy active otherwise. 
  
As I drove up there was a beautiful Common Loon just about 50 feet from the 
near shore. I saw five species of grebes: Pied-billed, Horned, Western, Eared, 
and Clark's. Hunting through the throngs of gulls produced a couple of 
Bonaparte's and Franklin's. There was a Bald Eagle, two American White Pelicans 
and plenty of the usual suspects among the ducks and coots. Just before I left 
a got a glimpse of the Long-tailed Duck that came out from behind the point to 
the left of the parking area. 
  
Good birding, everyone. 
  
Mel Goff 
Colorado Springs 

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[cobirds] Mtn Plovers NOW El Paso Cty

[melgoff]

We just saw 2 mountain plovers on Squirrel  Creek Rd in eastern El Paso country. They were directly across the road from the red brick ruins of a school. There were 2 walking in a prairie dog field Directions : take Myers Road east of Peyton highway to squirrel Creek Road. go north so you are about 1 quarter mile north of Deering road. the birds were in the field across the road from the school ruins.Mel  GoffColorado SpringsSent from XFINITY Connect Mobile App



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[cobirds] Ross's geese, Doubletree hotel pond, El Paso cty, Feb 6th

[melgoff]

This morning Jeanne  and I saw 3 Ross's geese at the Doubletree Hotel in Colorado Springs. Mel Goff Colorado Springs Sent from XFINITY Connect Mobile App



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[cobirds] Rosy finches Teller County 12/12

[melgoff]

At 11:45 a.m. Jeanne and I were driving south on Hwy 67 south of Divide in Teller county. We were right by the turnoff for the Crags campground when we saw a huge mixed flock of rosy finches on the power lines on the east side of the road. They flew off up the hill toward the campground. We failed to relocate them.Mel  & Jeanne  Goff Colorado Springs, CO Sent from XFINITY Connect Mobile App



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[cobirds] Baird's Sparrow, El Paso County

[melgoff]

Hi, cobirders. 
  
This morning at 8:13 a.m., Jeanne and I saw the Baird's Sparrow on Drennan Road 
about .25 mile west of Hemmingway Rd. It sat up on a fence wire for nearly 20 
seconds before flying out into the field. A couple of minutes later it returned 
to the fence and was also spotted by John Drummond. 
  
We do not know if there are more than one Baird's Sparrows as some have 
suggested, but we got great looks at this one. 
  
Good birding, everyone. 
  
Mel and Jeanne Goff 
Colorado Springs 

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[cobirds] RFI Timely Reporting for Non-Techies

[melgoff]

All, 
  
I am looking for suggestions about timely reporting, especially of rare 
species. We do not have a smart phone and do not have texting on our modest 
cellphone. I recently have seen a couple of pretty good birds, but could not 
report them for several hours due to our location and other things we had to do 
before we got home to our computer. 
  
I tried one time reporting to a number I had for the RBA, but it never showed 
up to my knowledge. 
  
You can reply to me offline unless you feel the whole cobirds list could 
benefit from your answer. 
  
I appreciate any tips you great and generous folks can provide. 
  
Mel Goff 
Colorado Springs 

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[cobirds] Deafening Silence at Turkey Creek Ranch, El Paso County, 5/16

[melgoff]

Hello Cobirders. That quiet you hear was Turkey Creek Ranch (Fort Carson) in El 
Paso County. 
  
In its infinite wisdom, the army is discontinuing recreational activities at 
TCR. All the picnic tables have been removed along with the archery range and 
observation tower. I talked to several of the mounted color guard soldiers, and 
they blamed budget cuts. 
  
Not very birdy at TCR today. Although we had almost 40 species, the only ones 
with any real numbers were YR Warblers and Chipping Sparrows. The big miss was 
ZERO Lewis's Woodpeckers. 
  
I do not yet know the future of birding at the ranch, but I will keep you 
posted. 
  
Mel Goff 
Colorado Springs, CO 

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[cobirds] Chico Basin Ranch, El Paso and Pueblo Counties on 5/15

[melgoff]

Hi, Cobirders. 
  
Jeanne and I made our way to a very birdy Chico Basin Ranch (fee area) today. 
We birded the banding area, Bell's Grove, the HQs area and pond and Rose Pond. 
We met up with Michael Kiessig and Kate Frost at the banding station and had a 
nice time birding with them at various locations across the ranch. 
  
El Paso County highlights included Red-headed Woodpeckers (plural) at the 
banding station and Bell's Grove. We also had many Hermit and Swainson's 
Thrushes, an American Redstart, Orchard Oriole, Ovenbird, Green-tailed Towhee, 
a FOY Western Wood-Pewee, Ash-throated Flycatcher and a gorgeous 
Yellow-breasted Chat. 
  
Pueblo County highlights included Northern Waterthrush, Baird's Sandpiper, 
Semipalmated Plover, more Red-headed Woodpeckers, our FOY Eastern Kingbird, 
MacGillivray's Warbler, White-throated Sparrow. Best spot of the day went to 
Michael when he found a sleeping Common Nighthawk on a tree branch next to the 
HQs building. 
  
Event of the day happened as Jeanne and I sat eating our lunch on a log by the 
HQs Pond. We heard a branch fall from the tree we were sitting under and 
remarked it was lucky it did not hit us (Jeanne was closer to it than I was). A 
couple of minutes later we looked over to see where the branch landed, only to 
discover it was NOT a branch. It was a SNAKE. Lunch over - move along! 
  
Fun day, snake notwithstanding, and the ride out and back on Hanover Road and 
the Hanover Fire Station were bonuses. 
  
Let's Go Birding! 
  
Mel and Jeanne Goff 
Colorado Springs 

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[cobirds] Hermit Thrush in yard, El Paso Cty

[melgoff]

For the first time in 10 years we have recorded a Hermit Thrush in our yard. 
The only other sightings we have listed were three times in May of 2004. We 
live in the Old Farm subdivision in northeast Colorado Springs. 
Pretty cool, we think. 
  
Mel and Jeanne Goff 
Colorado Springs, CO 

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[cobirds] All 3 teal and more at Mallard Pond, El Paso 4/14

[melgoff]

Hi all. Today Jeanne and I stopped by Mallard Pond (aka Drake Lake) near Falcon 
in El Paso County. We had all three teal among the waterfowl. The number of 
species was high even if the number of birds was a little low. We had a chance 
to see the GH Owl on nest just east of US 24 on Judge Orr Road. In all 31 
species, my favorite being the Western Bluebirds and the Cinnamon Teal. 
  
Mel Goff 
Colorado Springs 

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[cobirds] Eastern Phoebe on Goldfield Road, El Paso County, 4/4/14

[melgoff]

Hi, Cobirders. 
  
On a whim late this afternoon Jeanne and I decided to see if we could find the 
Chukar that was reported on south Marksheffel Road. No luck there so we went 
over to Big Johnson and saw a nice selection of birds on the reservoir. 
  
Then we went below the damn on Goldfield Road. At the bottom of the hill just 
past the small bridge there is a pond (actually a flooded field) and we noticed 
a flycatcher flitting back and forth from a branch. We had just seen a Say's 
Phoebe about 100 feet away, but this bird was noticeably different. Its stomach 
and underparts were bright white, the back and head were very dark either brown 
or black. The chest was not black like the many Black Phoebes we had recently 
seen in Arizona. We watched it for about 10 minutes before it moved farther out 
in the field along an east/west fence line blocked to our view by closer trees. 
  
I hope others can refind the bird tomorrow to confirm our ID. 
  
Mel and Jeanne Goff 
Colorado Springs, CO 

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[cobirds] Aiken Audubon Bluebird Field Trip Cancelled, El Paso County

[melgoff]

All, 

Due to weather and an almost total absence of birds on our scouting trip, we 
are regretfully cancelling the Aiken Audubon Bluebird Field Trip scheduled for 
this Sunday, March 2nd. 

We will try to schedule another spring trip to Turkey Creek Ranch. 

If you have any questions, please let me know. 

Mel Goff 
Colorado Springs 

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[cobirds] Big things at Big Johnson, El Paso County

[melgoff]

Hi, Cobirders. 

Ten of us went birding this morning and had great success at Big Johnson 
Reservoir in El Paso County. 

Highlights included: 
PACIFIC LOON 
COMMON LOON 
SABINE'S GULL - A life bird for two of our group 
Franklin's Gull 
Herring Gull 
138 Sandhill Cranes 
1 Cattle Egret (with the departing cranes) 
Five species of Grebe - Western, Clark's, Eared, Horned (1), and Pied-billed 
SEVEN different eagle/hawk/falcon species. It resembled a Hawk Watch. Bald 
Eagle, Northern Harrier, Ferruginous Hawk, Red Tail Hawk, Prairie Falcon, 
Cooper's Hawk, and American Kestrel. Add to those a MERLIN at Fountain Creek 
Area 7 and a Sharp-shinned Hawk on Birdsall Road when we went to see the 
YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT HERON. 
Many species of waterfowl, the best being a Canvasback. 

We also got to meet Steve Kingswood from Boulder. 

It was a fun morning. 

Good birding, everyone!!! 

Mel Goff 
Colorado Springs 

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[cobirds] Yellow-bellied SS in Colo Spgs, El Paso Cty today

[melgoff]

Hi, Cobirders. 

Today 13 of us got lucky in the Garden of the Gods and Rock Ledge Ranch area of 
Colorado Springs. 

At GoG we had nice views of Prairie Falcons (2), a Sharp-shinned Hawk and at 
least a dozen Townsend's Solitaires. 

We then moved over to Rock Ledge Ranch. After seeing Red-breasted Nuthatch, 
Wilson's Warblers, and some chattering (yes, chattering) American Crows, we 
were treated to a YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER. We got to watch it for about 20 
minutes, with great views in the morning sun that made ID much easier. 

Mel Goff 
Colorado Springs 

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[cobirds] Sabine's Gull still at Big Johnson Reservoir, El Paso County

[melgoff]

Hi, all. 

Nine birders had great views of the Sabine's Gull just before the noon hour 
today. It is an adult in breeding plumage. Other highlights included a big 
raptor show with Ferruginous Hawks, Golden and Bald Eagle, Red Tail Hawk, 
Turkey Vulture, and American Kestrel. We also saw Wilson's and Red-necked 
Phalaropes, American Avocets, Franklin's and Bonaparte's Gulls, and two 
Sanderlings. 

Get your scope and bins and see what you can find. 

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[cobirds] Sabine's Gull, Big Johnson Reservoir, El Paso County (Resend)

[melgoff]

All , 

Apparently my message did not have my signature (although my sent file showed 
it). So, here goes. 

Hi, all. 

Nine birders had great views of the Sabine's Gull just before the noon hour 
today. It is an adult in breeding plumage. Other highlights included a big 
raptor show with Ferruginous Hawks, Golden and Bald Eagle, Red Tail Hawk, 
Turkey Vulture, and American Kestrel. We also saw Wilson's and Red-necked 
Phalaropes, American Avocets, Franklin's and Bonaparte's Gulls, and two 
Sanderlings. 

Get your scope and bins and see what you can find. 

Good Birding! 

Mel Goff 
Colorado Springs, CO 

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Re: [cobirds] El Paso county --- Sabine's Gull 9/21/13

[melgoff]

Hi, all. 

Jeanne and I also saw the Sabine's Gull at Big Johnson. We also had a flock of 
several hundred Yellow-headed Blackbirds. 

From Big Johnson we went to Hwy 67 and drove from Sedalia to Manitou Lake. 
Along the way we had an American Three-toed Woodpecker just south of mm 118. 
At Lake Manitou just before sunset we watched an Osprey plying his trade, 
catching 3 fish in 20 minutes. 

If you want a beautiful mountain drive, we highly recommend Hwy 67 from Sedalia 
to Woodland Park. 

Good birding. 

Mel and Jeanne Goff 
Colorado Springs 

- Original Message -
From: Mark Peterson mpeterso...@yahoo.com 
To: CoBirds cobirds@googlegroups.com 
Sent: Saturday, September 21, 2013 7:24:19 PM 
Subject: [cobirds] El Paso county --- Sabine's Gull 9/21/13 



COBirders, 


I stopped by Big Johnson Reservoir today while coming back from Pueblo county 
from helping out on the fall count and had an adult SABINE'S GULL right below 
the lower parking lot. 


The only real noteworthy species I had while in Pueblo county were six 
CHESTNUT-COLLARED LONGSPURs and two MCCOWN'S LONGSPURs. Well, the nearly 2000 
VESPER SPARROWs were probably a little noteworthy as well. All of these were in 
the extreme northeast part of the county. 




- 
Mark Peterson 
Colorado Springs 


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[cobirds] Lewis's WPs Back at Turkey Creek Ranch, El Paso County

[melgoff]

Hi, Cobirders.

Sorry for the late post, but I had some email problems last night.

Yesterday, 9/9, we were at Turkey Creek Ranch (on Fort Carson military 
reservation) off CO Hwy 115 in El Paso county.

On a visit there six weeks ago, we saw NO Lewis’s Woodpeckers. Yesterday in 3 
hours of walking around we saw a dozen or more! Another surprise for us was a 
Clark’s Nutcracker. We had only seen one at TCR once before.

Good birding!

Mel Goff

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[cobirds] Backyard Milestone, El Paso Cty

[melgoff]

Hey, Cobirders! 



Jeanne called me to the window at 3:15 this afternoon and there was a Lark 
Sparrow in our grass. We have finally cracked the 100 species level for our 
yard. 



Good spot, Jeanne! 



Mel Goff 

Colorado Springs 

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[cobirds] Surprise Grosbeak in Yard, El Paso County

[melgoff]

Hi, Cobirders.

Each spring we get Black-headed Grosbeaks at our feeders for a few days, but 
this morning we were visited by a female for the first time in August. It has 
been around all morning.

Good birding, everyone.

Mel Goff

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[cobirds] Laughing Gull still at Big Johnson El Paso County

[melgoff]

Cobirders (especially Brandon), 



At 11:00am the Laughing gull was still at Big Johnson. It was walking on the 
east shore near the south end of the water. 



Pacific Loon on north edge, many WF Ibis on east shore. Tried to make one a 
Glossy, but failed. 



Mel Goff 

Colo Spgs 


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[cobirds] eBird Report - Turkey Creek Ranch, El Paso County Jun 3, 2013

[melgoff]

Hi Cobirders.

This morning a group of 20 birders met for the annual Aiken Audubon field 
trip to Turkey Creek Ranch. As always, the big draw was the Lewis's 
Woodpeckers and they did not disappoint. We saw a half-dozen, or so. Another 
favorite this morning was a Lazuli Bunting. Several of the birders got life 
birds with those two species.


In all, we had 48 species and one unidentified empid. Below is the eBird 
report for the trip.


Good birding.

Mel Goff
Colorado Springs


Turkey Creek Ranch, El Paso, US-CO
Jun 3, 2013 7:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Protocol: Traveling
1.5 mile(s)
Comments: This was a field trip for the Aiken Audubon Society.
48 species (+1 other taxa)

Turkey Vulture  1
Cooper's Hawk  1
Red-tailed Hawk  1
Mourning Dove  4
Great Horned Owl  1
Black-chinned Hummingbird  2
Broad-tailed Hummingbird  2
Lewis's Woodpecker  7
Hairy Woodpecker  1
Northern Flicker (Red-shafted)  3
American Kestrel  1
Olive-sided Flycatcher  1
Western Wood-Pewee  3
Empidonax sp.  1
Say's Phoebe  5
Ash-throated Flycatcher  3
Cassin's Kingbird  1
Western Kingbird  4
Plumbeous Vireo  1
Warbling Vireo  1
Western Scrub-Jay  2
Black-billed Magpie  8
American Crow  3
Chihuahuan Raven  2
Common Raven  1
Violet-green Swallow  1
Barn Swallow  5
Cliff Swallow  3
Juniper Titmouse  1
White-breasted Nuthatch  3
House Wren  3
Western Bluebird  15
American Robin  5
Gray Catbird  3
Brown Thrasher  1
European Starling  12
Yellow Warbler  4
Yellow-rumped Warbler  1
Yellow-breasted Chat  3
Spotted Towhee  4
Lark Bunting  2
Black-headed Grosbeak  4
Lazuli Bunting  1
Western Meadowlark  5
Brown-headed Cowbird  8
Bullock's Oriole  4
House Finch  5
Lesser Goldfinch  6
American Goldfinch  8


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[cobirds] Mini-fallout, New Yard Bird, Old Farm COS, El Paso Cty

[melgoff]

Hi, CoBirders.

We just had a really cool group of birds in our backyard. First was our 
returning BH Grosbeak, then we saw our second-ever Western Wood-pewee. A couple 
of minutes later we had yard bird #99 when a beautiful male Rose-breasted 
Grosbeak joined the party.

Wow!

Good birding, all.

Mel and Jeanne Goff
Colo Spgs

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[cobirds] New Yard Bird - El Paso County, 5/16

[melgoff]

Hi, Cobirders. 



We have a new yard bird today in the Old Farm subdivision of the Springs  - A 
pair of Evening Grosbeaks. While we always have a pair of Black-headed 
Grosbeaks pass through in mid-May, this is the first time Evening Grosbeaks 
have stopped by. 



We also have a Mountain Chickadee - isn't this late? 



Good birding, all. 



Mel and Jeanne Goff 

Colo Spgs, CO 

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[cobirds] 3 FOS Birds, Fountain Creek Nature Center, El Paso Cty, 4/29

[melgoff]

Hi, everyone.

This morning Jeanne and I went to Fountain Creek to look for some of the birds 
reported over the weekend. We ended up with three unexpected birds that really 
made the morning fun.

First we saw a Western Wood-pewee on a snag at the south end of Rice’s Pond. 
Our earliest before today was May 5th in 2011.

Then on the way back to the car we saw a group of bushes getting their leaves 
and noticed movement in the branches. We were delighted to see a Nashville 
Warbler and a Vesper Sparrow moving about.

Good birding, all.

Mel and Jeanne Goff
Colo Spgs, CO

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[cobirds] Bohemian Waxwings, Simpson Ponds SWA, Larimer County

[melgoff]

Hi, Cobirders. 



For what seems like the thousandth time we left home this morning to chase the 
mythical Bohemian Waxwing. This time we headed north to Loveland and the 
Simpson Ponds SWA. 



After parking and speaking to two folks who just saw them before they flew 
off we started walking up the highway toward the northeast corner of the 
reserve. With high hopes and low expectations we trudged along spotting 
hundreds of American Robins. Suddenly Jeanne says Oh, Mel, Mel, Mel, Mel, 
Mel 



There just in front of us at eye level in an olive tree sat an honest to 
goodness BOWA. We were STUNNED. They really do exist! Over the course of the 
next hour or so, large groups flew into the tall trees along the north border 
of the SWA. 



We even got to meet Connie Kogler who we first met when we saw the Streak 
-backed Oriole at her house a few years ago. She has now been there for two of 
our life birds. Maybe we should hire her as a guide. 



Thanks to all who encouraged us to not give up the quest. It was long in 
coming, but what a beautiful sight on a sunny morning. 



Mel and Jeanne Goff 

Colo Spgs, CO 

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[cobirds] Holcim Wetlands in Fremont County, 3/8/13

[melgoff]

Hey, cobirders. 



For some unexplainable reason we ventured down to Holcim Wetlands in Fremont 
County thinking we might acutally see one of the Bohemian Waxwings reported by 
Brandon Percival and SeEtta Moss. 



It is to laugh! 



We ran into SeEtta when we first arrived and searched for over 2-and-a-half 
hours. While we did see 20 or more waxwings, no amount of wishin' and hopin' 
could make one a BOWA. Further proof of their mythical status is that in both 
the NatGeo and Sibley guides the BOWAs are drawings. I figure most photos are 
just Photoshop Phonies. 



We also got to meet Robb Hinds who was still there when we left. I hope he got 
to see the target birds. 



On the bright side, the area was quite birdy. Here is the list: 



Common Mergansers 

Mallard 

Canada Geese 

American Coots 

American Robins (abundant) 

Red-shafted Flickers (abundant) 

Belted Kingfishers 

Northern Shrike 

Bald Eagles (one adult, one mangy looking juvenile) 

Golden Eagles 

Killdeer 

White-breasted Nuthatches 

Blue Jays 

Red-winged Blackbirds 

Great Blue Heron 

Cedar Waxwings 

European Starlings 

Eurasian Collared Doves 

Song Sparrows 

Dark-eyed Juncos 





Good birding, everyone! 



Mel Goff 

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[cobirds] Brant Yes, Iceland Gull and Pine Warbler No, Jefferson and Larimer Counties

[melgoff]

We just got home from a long day up north and we had a lot of fun. Jeanne and 
I were joined by Lynne Miller and E.B. Ellis. 



We tried for the gull at the beginning and end of the day at Chatfield, but 
could not find it. In between those times we went to Loveland looking for the 
Brant. We got there around 10:15 this morning and checked out Lake Loveland 
before moving to the LHS playing fields. Just as we got there an off-the-leash 
dog charged the huge assembly of geese sending them all flying, mostly to the 
west. We perused two golf courses covered with geese, but it was not until 1:15 
the we were successful. 



At the golf course on the north side of 29th street west of Taft, we set to 
examining the geese with bins and scope. Finally Lynne found it about 150 yards 
out on the course (a decent 5 or 6 iron shot). We had time to watch it as much 
as we wanted. Great spot, Lynne!! 



Our quest for a Pine Warbler continues, however. I guess it just isn't meant to 
be. 



Good birding, everyone! 



Mel and Jeanne Goff 

Colo Spgs 

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[cobirds] Eurasian Wigeon, Canon City, Fremont County 12/17 YES!

[melgoff]

Greetings all!

Last night I got a call from Debbie Barnes about a Eurasian Wigeon found on 
Sunday’s CBC by Bill and Dan Maynard.

This morning we followed her directions and came upon a small pond that had 
about 16 wigeons in it. We parked and had just found the Eurasian Wigeon in the 
group when all but one of the birds lifted off and flew to the west then 
circled around toward the north (to the river?). The one bird that stayed, 
amazingly, was the object of our trip. We had a good 8-10 minutes to watch it 
before it, too, took off. We waited for a while to see if any of the birds 
would return, but none did.

The best part of all was that this Eurasian Wigeon (excuse me not knowing the 
proper 4-letter abbreviation) was our 350th species for Colorado this year. 
What a thrill it was!

To see this pond, take US Hwy 50 west to Canon City. Turn left on Mac Kenzie 
(south) and drive to the junction with CO Hwy 115. Turn right and go west on 
115 to Willow Road. Turn right and go north to Willow Lane. Turn right on 
Willow Lane and go until it dead ends at the entrance to a dairy farm. There 
will be two tiny ponds on the right, and the birds were right there. (Lots of 
“rights”.) We also saw a Belted Kingfisher, several Common Ravens around town, 
some Black-billed Magpies, not to mention the NEW McDonalds.

Thanks to Debbie for calling and to all who have wished us well over the last 
couple of weeks.

Good Birding!

Mel and Jeanne Goff
Colorado Springs

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[cobirds] Varied Thrush in Jefferson County

[melgoff]

Jeanne and I would like to thank Judy Carrier and Karen Martin for posting 
their Varied Thrush to cobirds. 



We got there a little before noon and met Will Burt and Barbara Isaacs scanning 
the many feeders. Within 20 minutes, the thrush - an adult male - made its 
appearance. We had great looks and it returned twice before we left. 



This was our 349th species for 2012 in Colorado. What seemed to be out of reach 
just a few weeks ago is now just one species away. Can we get one more in the 
final two weeks of the year? Wow, that would sure be fun! We must thank all the 
folks who have helped us by posting on cobirds and eBird and calling us about 
sightings. Also, all the birders who gave us tips and IDs during bird walks and 
bird counts. It has been an amazing undertaking. 



We drove back on CO 67 through Deckers and Woodland Park and we agreed that the 
scenery is unmatched. In the Platte River we saw American Dippers and Mallards. 
Along the road we saw Juncos, Turkeys, and Townsend's Solitaires. 



Good birding, everyone! 



Mel and Jeanne Goff 

Colo Spgs 

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[cobirds] Pueblo County and Big Johnson (El Paso Cty) Today

[melgoff]

Hi, Cobirders. 



Today Jeanne and I had a chance to bird with visiting birder Ian de la Rosa. It 
was a banner day for Ian as he picked up FOUR LIFE BIRDS (in all caps below). 



Highlights: 



Pueblo County Park - ACORN WOODPECKERS , Pygmy and White-breasted Nuthatches, 
Wild Turkey, Steller's Jays, Lots of crows. 



Osprey Picnic Area and Valco Ponds - Snow Goose, Green-tailed Towhee, American 
Tree Sparrow, Northern Shrike. 



Big Johnson Reservoir - CANVASBACK, COMMON LOON, HORNED GREBE, lots of 
mergansers, Buffleheads, Ring-necked Ducks, two Yellowlegs, and four American 
Avocets. 



All in all a gorgeous day for birding and CONGRATS it Ian on his life birds! 



Mel and Jeanne Goff 

Colorado Springs 

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[cobirds] Sandhill Cranes flying over Colo Spgs, El Paso Cty

[melgoff]

Hi, all. 



In the past hour we have had 5 groups of Sandhill cranes fly over our part of 
Colo Spgs. The smallest group was about 75 cranes, while the largest totaled 
over 100 birds. 



I think I just heard another group - so it's back to the patio for me. 



Mel Goff 

Colo Spgs 

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[cobirds] Hermit Warbler at Last Chance, Washington County

[melgoff]

Thanks to all who reported on the Hermit Warbler at Last Chance. We got a late 
start today and did not arrive there until just a couple of minutes after 3pm. 
We went straight to the northeast corner and began our search. After about 20 
minutes, the bird landed on one of the mailboxes and then went into the elm 
directly above. We got three short but clear views and as reported, it appears 
to be an immature female. Of course, having some great cobirders report on the 
bird made it much easier for us to ID. 



We also got great views of the Black-throated Blue Warbler, but we did not see 
a Nashville Warbler. We also had great views of the Sora and had a band of 
Cedar Waxwings go through. 



Mel and Jeanne Goff 

Colorado Springs 

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[cobirds] 2nd ever Steller's Jay in yard - El Paso County

[melgoff]

Hi, Cobirders. 



We live on the east side of Colorado Springs and yesterday we had only the 
second Steller's Jay we have ever recorded. I don't know if anyone else on this 
side of town has had a Steller's Jay, or not. 



(Ted - I am still using the possessive form, but it is how I learned.) 



Mel Goff 

Colorado Springs 


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[cobirds] Lincoln County Birding 9/17

[melgoff]

Today Jeanne and I took a ride out to Lincoln County. We birded south of CO Hwy 
94 starting on Cty Rd 11 working our way south to Brett Gray Ranch. We had 
never been there before, but after asking permission to bird there, we were 
quite impressed. 



Highlights: 

Chestnut-collared Longspur 

Eastern Phoebe 

Townsend's Solitaire - at least 5 

BW Warbler 

Yellow-headed Blackbirds - over 50 



We went to  Karval Lake SRA next and ate our lunch on the high overlook above 
the lake. (Housekeeping note: the restroom up there is quite acceptable.) Not 
too much was happening there except along the shore where shorebirds were 
plentiful. Killdeer, Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs, Western SP, Least SP, and a 
possible Stilt SP. There was a immature Northern Mockingbird and a few Chipping 
and Lark Sparrows. 



Good birding, all! 



Mel and Jeanne Goff 

Colorado Springs 


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[cobirds] First ever three Hummer day in our yard - Colo Spgs, El Paso County

[melgoff]

Today we had our first-ever day with 3 hummingbird species in our yard. This 
morning we had one male R ufous. This evening we had two Broad-tailed and one 
male Calliope. It was the first time we had ever seen a Calliope in our yard. 



It was really fun to have them here. 



Mel Goff 

Colo Spgs 

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[cobirds] Red-throated Loon and Roadrunner at John Martin Res, Bent County

[melgoff]

Hello, all. 



First let me say the navigating the south side of John Martin Reservoir is not 
for the feint of heart. The roads are soft, unmarked, and confusing. 



Having said that, Jeanne and I had a wonderful day there. We got to meet Polly 
and Paul Neldner from La Veta. We also got a new Colorado bird when a Greater 
Roadrunner crossed in front of our car - TWICE! We got to see Marbled Godwits, 
Common Nighthawks, Least Terns, and the previously reported Red-throated Loon 
seen by Duane Nelson on 7/3 and 7/7. 



The whole area was alive with Kingbirds, Mockingbirds, Doves, Orioles, and 
Vultures. Other highlights for us included Mississippi Kites, Blue Grosbeaks, 
Lark Buntings (we love the state bird), and at the lake below the dam a 
Black-necked Stilt. 



All in all a fund day. 



Good birding! 



Mel and Jeanne Goff 

Colorado Springs 

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[cobirds] Reddish Egret at first NO, But Wait! - Lake Cheraw, Otero County

[melgoff]

I got up way too early this morning and drove to Lake Cheraw to look for the 
Reddish Egret being reported on eBird and cobirds. When I first arrived, I 
stopped along Hwy 109 on the west side of the lake. I saw a lot of nice birds, 
including Snowy Plover and some Wilson's Phalaropes, but no egret. 



Next I drove into town and scanned the lake from the end of 1st Street. Lots of 
shorebirds, but no egret. 



I then had a choice to make. I wanted to go to Bent's Old Fort and I thought 
about my route. Finally, I decided to go back down Hwy 109. As I approached the 
middle of the lake I saw a truck parked with a scope sticking out of the 
window. I approached and introduced myself to Stan Oswald and asked if he had 
seen the egret. He pointed and said Right there. 



Sure enough, the bird had flown in. We got to see it for several minutes before 
it flew off to the west, probably to the small lake referenced in Brandon 
Percival's post yesterday. 



I took a couple of digiscope pictures, but my technique leaves much to be 
desired, apparently. 



Good birding, everyone. 



Mel Goff

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[cobirds] Stay away from Colorado Springs

[melgoff]

Conditions with the fires in Colorado Springs have deteriorated rapidly. An 
explosion of flame crossed the front range in the west side of the city and a 
mass evacuation is underway. 



Visibility is so bad that we do not even know how bad things are. Smoke has 
reached our home on the east side as well as ash. 



Homes are burning in Peregrine and are being threatened in Mountain Shadows. 



Please stay away as traffic is jammed and there are dangerous conditions here. 



Mel Goff 

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[cobirds] Bobolinks at Castlewood Canyon, Douglas County

[melgoff]

It was a beautiful day in Castlewood Canyon today with lots of birds. The 
highlight was seeing the bobolinks on south Castlewood Canyon Road. This area 
is outside the state park, and can be reached on Castlewood Canyon Road from 
the north a mile west of Franktown or from the south off DC Road 11 west of CO 
Hwy 83. 



You can see the Bobolinks by stopping at either nesting box 20 or 21. Look in 
the fields to the east across the stream. They come up out of the grass, fly a 
ways and go back down. Sometimes they will sit up for a good view if you have a 
scope. There are also Red-winged Blackbirds in the fields, so you have to take 
a good look. 



Good birding, everyone. 



Mel and Jeanne Goff 

Colorado Springs 

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[cobirds] Fountain Creek Nature Center, El Paso Cty, Highlights 5/12

[melgoff]

Greetings! 

  

Today was a great day to bird at FCNC. Ken Pals led the annual spring count and 
we had a great time. 



Jeanne and I worked Area 4, then after the group meeting we birded areas 2 and 
3. 



Highlights: 



Area 4 (including warbler alley): Western Tanagers, Cedar Waxwings, Swainson's 
Thrushes, Gray Catbird, adult Bushtit feeding two young. 



Area 3 (Rice's Pond): Green Herons (2), Spotted Sandpipers. A Sora was 
reported, but we did not see it. 



Area 2: Summer Tanager, Lazuli Bunting, Indigo Bunting, Ovenbird, Rose-breasted 
Grosbeak pair. 



More were seen by others but those were our highlights. 



Mel Goff 

Colorado Springs 

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[cobirds] Red-necked Grebe, Big Johnson Reservoir, El Paso County

[melgoff]

Greetings, All. 



Today Jeanne and I went to Big Johnson in search of the Red-necked Grebe 
reported last evening on Cobirds. The short report is yes we saw it. 



Now for details. Between 2pm and 3pm we got three looks at the grebe as it came 
out from the point just north of the unpaved viewing area. The first time we 
saw it, there was a ruckus that had seven Snowy Egrets fly up from the same 
area. The grebe came out right into our scope's view. There were dozen's of 
Western/Clark's Grebe in the area. What caught our attention was that this bird 
was smaller than the others and was not the well-defined black and white 
coloring of the Westerns. 



Over the next hour we scanned the reservoir and saw the grebe two more times. 
Highlights included one Common Loon, a large group of Wilson's Phalaropes, a 
beautiful Common Merganser, many Gadwalls, Ruddys, and other ducks. We got 
several good looks at the egrets, but we did not see the Avocets, Willets, or 
other birds mentioned by Mark. 



If you go, please be patient. 



Good birding, all! 



Mel and Jeanne Goff 

Colorado Springs 

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[cobirds] Fremont Cty - White-eyed Vireo, Yes - Field Sparrow, No

[melgoff]

First of all, thanks a lot to Brandon Percival for his report on the White-eyed 
Vireo on the Canon City Riverwalk. 



Jeanne and I had already planned to go to Canon City today, but because of 
Brandon's post we listened to several recordings of the vireo and the field 
sparrow. We never did see or hear the sparrow, but within a half-hour of 
parking by the Sells Pond, we clearly heard the  vireo in some thick bushes 
right off the riverwalk path. We only got a brief glimpse of the bird, but it 
was enough to make a positive ID along with the song. 



Other Fremont County  highlights: 



Canon City: Yellow warblers, 4 swallow species 



Holcim Wetlands: Ladderback Woodpecker, Common Yellowthroat 



Brush Hollow: Common Loon (basic plumage), Cassin's Kingbirds, Western 
Kingbirds 



Good birding, everyone! 



Mel Goff 

Colorado Springs

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[cobirds] Ross's Gull early this morning

[melgoff]

Jeanne and I found the Ross's Gull at the sand spit on the west end of the 
reservoir at 8:00am this morning.  We watched it work the spit for almost 30 
minutes and as people began to arrive the gull took off following the north 
shore. 



It was a great site, and we thank all those who have reported it and those that 
encouraged us to go. It seems early is the most reliable time to see this gull. 



While this was a life bird for us, we also picked up a Colorado life bird when 
we saw the Golden-crowned Sparrow at the Red Rocks Trading Post. 



Good birding, 



Mel and Jeanne Goff 

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[cobirds] Songfinder Update

[melgoff]

Good morning. We are back from our trip to Hawaii and I will have a full review 
of the Songfinder digital frequency converter later this week for anyone who is 
interested. Several of you emailed me, and I will send you a copy of the 
review. 



I got the product the day before we left, and I used it extensively for the 16 
days were were in Hawaii. Suffice it to say that I was thrilled with almost 
everything about Songfinder. 



If you have not contacted me already and would like to see my full review, 
please email me at melg...@comcast.net . I am sorry but I don't have a Facebook 
or Twitter account or a personal webpage to post my review on. 



Good birding, all. 



Mel Goff 

Colorado Springs 


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