[cobirds] Lagerman Reservoir, Boulder County, July 13
Hey, all. Hannah Floyd and I stopped in at Lagerman Reservoir, Boulder County, earlier this Tues. evening, July 13. Shorebird-wise, we saw a *long-billed curlew,* a *marbled godwit,* a *western willet,* 4 *least sandpipers,* and a *lesser yellowlegs.* Also, family groups of *American avocets* and *killdeer,* and a *spotted sandpiper.* Anatidae-wise, we saw a *northern shoveler,* a *gadwall,* a *northern pintail,* 15+ *redheads,* a *ring-necked duck,* and 6 *ruddy ducks,* among the expected mallards and teal. Ted Floyd Lafayette, Boulder County -- -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To post to this group, send email to cobirds@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds?hl=en?hl=en * All posts should be signed with the poster's full name and city. Include bird species and location in the subject line when appropriate * Join Colorado Field Ornithologists https://cobirds.org/CFO/Membership/ --- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to cobirds+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cobirds/b2f2f72e-d4c7-448d-b38a-f4165a220ea6n%40googlegroups.com.
[cobirds] Field Trip Announcement: Greenlee Preserve, Boulder Co., Nov. 1, "Lafayette Birds!"
Please join us *Sunday, Nov. 1, 2020,* for our monthly "Lafayette Birds!" outing at Greenlee Preserve, eastern Boulder County. We will *convene at 1pm*, Mountain STANDARD Time, at the base of the very short trail up to the preserve proper. We will bird in *small groups* until about 3pm. Tons (literally, well over a ton) of *cackling geese* have returned to the area, and we'll sort through the flock for rarities, hybrids, and spuhs. Early Nov. is a great time of year for flyover *snow* and *Ross geese,* and we'll be on the lookout (and listenout!) for them. Might see some *sandhill cranes* on VisMig too. *Grebes* of several species have been putting on a fine show of late, the showy *hooded mergansers* are back, and a couple of *white-throated sparrows* have been visiting the feeders at the preserve. This outing, sponsored by the City of Lafayette, is *free and open to the public.* Children and curiosity-seekers welcome. Bring binocs and a camera if you have 'em. Bring good cheer. No whining. No experience necessary, no RSVP required. Just show up, and we'll get sorted into groups, and off we'll go! *Masks are mandatory.* No exceptions, no exemptions. No mask = no birds, no respect, no friends. Remember to Fall Back! See you on Sunday! Ted Floyd Lafayette, Boulder County -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to cobirds+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cobirds/4da2070a-6308-4b26-ae5c-fe49f92f94a2n%40googlegroups.com.
[cobirds] Broader question about access to Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge, Adams County
Hey, all. Thanks to Charlie and Patrick and Candice for the tips on access to Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge. Hannah Floyd and I were all ready to go out there this Monday morning, Oct. 19, when our phones informed us that the refuge is closed Mondays and Tuesdays; and not open till 9am the other days of the week. What, legally and practically, does that mean? Is it in fact not possible to enter the refuge except Wed.-Sun. starting at 9am? Not trying to self-present as some rules-defying scofflaw. But I know that "closed" has very different interpretations at different federal properties. On a personal note, I'm a Johnny-come-lately on the Arsenal scene. In 2019, Texas super-naturalist John Karges kidnapped me and forced me to take him to the Arsenal. First-time visit for me! John was extremely skeptical that I'd never been there. What can I say?--I have seen the light. I love that place so much. Ted Floyd Lafayette, Boulder County -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to cobirds+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cobirds/33e1558f-51f8-4ab9-a9c8-6d6f92e87cc6n%40googlegroups.com.
Re: [cobirds] Fallout of White-throated Sparrows and Hermit Thrushes, Eastern Boulder County, Oct. 18
On Sunday, October 18, 2020 at 10:39:29 PM UTC-6 pato... wrote: > > This morning, Sunday Oct. 18, I had a first eBird record of a > White-throated Sparrow in the four Denver City Park hotspots outside of the > Denver Zoo. > It was in a loose flock of sparrows, juncos and chickadees that flew over > the zoo fence, so it was actually in both places. > And BTW, YOU had the last previous WTSP sighting in the zoo back in > February 2016. > On the occasion of Super Bowl 50, no less! Protip: The best time to visit the zoo is when the home team is in the Super Bowl. The staff felt so bad for us, they gave us free rein of the entire facility. It was an unforgettable experience, with some pretty amazing birds and wildlife: https://blog.aba.org/2016/03/birding-at-the-zoo.html Ted Floyd Lafayette, Boulder County P. s. Another protip: Might have to wait a few more years before the home team is in the Super Bowl... >> -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to cobirds+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cobirds/cb5a8d3c-075e-45ca-a711-77b64527889cn%40googlegroups.com.
[cobirds] Fallout of White-throated Sparrows and Hermit Thrushes, Eastern Boulder County, Oct. 18
Hey, all. On my ramble earlier today, Sun., Oct. 18, about the Greater Greenlee Ecosystem, eastern Boulder County, I found at least 4 *white-throated sparrows* and at least 8 *hermit thrushes.* I'm sure Bryan Guarente has an explanation... Ted Floyd Lafayette, Boulder County P. s. Like others, I find myself suddenly unable to post photos to COBirds. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to cobirds+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cobirds/bb01bdff-3d04-47ef-97df-0d6a24d363c1n%40googlegroups.com.
[cobirds] Rock Wrens at The Arsenal--oh yeah!
Thanks to Van Rudd for this note. The *rock wren* show yesterday, Sat., Oct. 3, at Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge, Adams County, was brilliant. Easily the most impressive rock wren migration I've ever witnessed. My companions and I saw at least 8--some of them on rocks, others elsewhere: in fields of mullein, even under a parked pickup truck. It was a lovely day to be out. We found more than 60 species of birds, highlighted by a *Woodhouse scrub-jay,* two early *hooded mergansers,* 48 *high-flying sandhill cranes,* a *snowy egret* hanging on, a *sage thrasher* and a couple of *mountain bluebirds,* a *hermit thrush* and another *Catharus*, flyover *pine siskins,* and all those marvelous rock wrens. *Dark-eyed juncos* and *white-crowned sparrows* were back in force, and the sparrow show was, on the whole, quite decent; most intriguing was a briefly glimpsed candidate LeConte's sparrow near the refuge entrance off Gateway Road. Here's our eBird checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S74378880 Great insects out there, highlighted by a queen, a brilliant orange butterfly from the South. Festive tiger beetles were legion, and we saw several purple tiger beetles--some of which are dazzlingly green. Go figure. Ted Floyd Lafayette, Boulder County On Sunday, October 4, 2020 at 6:57:38 AM UTC-6 van@gmail.com wrote: > Hi all, > Had a great day at RMA with a Lesser Yellowlegs & a Sage Thrasher being > added to my 2020 list. https://ebird.org/checklist/S74362841 > However, there was a 3rd bird which stumped me. I initially thought it was > a Rock Wren given the long bill (too long for a Vireo), drab cream-colored > breast (no stripes like a Sage Thrasher), size (slightly larger than the > other Rock Wrens we saw), and eye stripe (very bold). However, it wasn't > anywhere near a rock. > We saw it twice, once on top of an outhouse building, and then on some > logs. It was foraging for insects and not making a sound. One interesting > behavior I had not seen before in Rock Wrens: it was bobbing up and down. > Not rocking, not tail flicking, it looked like it was doing deep knee > bends! I have never seen this. > Later on we saw two other Rock Wrens (on rocks this time) and the eye > stripe was less distinct and there was no bobbing. they also looked smaller > than the bird we saw. > One last identifying feature: the bird had black and white bands on the > underside of its tail. > Any help would be greatly appreciated. > Good birding, > Van Rudd > Louisville, CO > -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to cobirds+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cobirds/b53a0dc5-73a1-44b1-ae92-353cf39224d6n%40googlegroups.com.
[cobirds] Lafayette Birds!--field trip, tomorrow, 1pm, Greenlee Preserve, Boulder County
Hey, everybody. Please join us for an easygoing bird walk (and insect walk) tomorrow afternoon, Sun., Oct. 4, at Greenlee Wildlife Preserve, eastern Boulder County. This outing is part of the "Lafayette Birds!" initiative, and it is free & open to the public. We will *meet at 1pm* at the entrance to the preserve. *MASKS MANDATORY.* We will have multiple leaders, and *we will bird in small, socially distanced groups.* All are welcome. No RSVP necessary. Just show up. With a mask. See you tomorrow! Ted Floyd Lafayette, Boulder County -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to cobirds+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cobirds/02af9d38-8225-46b6-b157-a00b41c0e9d2n%40googlegroups.com.
[cobirds] Re: Sunday Nocturnal Migrants
Damn you, Guarente, I was hoping to get a good night's sleep. It's prolly gonna be a Linus-in-the-pumpkin-patch night for me, but I'm headed out now . . . Ted Floyd Lafayette, Boulder County On Sunday, September 27, 2020 at 9:09:42 PM UTC-6 Bryan Guarente wrote: > With low cloud-cover, and north winds aloft, it makes for a good night to > get out and listen for migrants. It may not be that you hear anything, > with the winds muffling your ability to hear, but this is one of those rare > chances to get fall migrants in CO overnight because of low clouds and > north winds aloft. > > This doesn't mean to expect great birds tomorrow morning, this just means > that conditions are correct in this case for birds to be low enough to the > ground that you may be able to hear them overnight. > > At least put your head out the door and see if you hear anything, then run > from the cold back into bed. > > Hope someone gets out to listen for a bit. > Bryan > > Bryan Guarente > Meteorologist/Instructional Designer > UCAR/The COMET Program > Boulder, CO > -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to cobirds+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cobirds/ad4d1afd-c7ab-4602-8823-11080485ae1en%40googlegroups.com.
[cobirds] The Prophesy of Guarente, or, Migrants Galore Today in e. Boulder County
Hey, all. Well, Bryan's prediction was spot-on for the Greenlee/Waneka/Hecla complex of eastern Boulder County. It was cool and cloudy this Sunday afternoon, Sept. 27, with new arrivals galore. Here's a summary: * 2 *ring-necked ducks* and another *Aythya*, the first diving ducks there this season for me * 2 gorgeous juvenile *red-necked phalaropes* * 1 adult *sharp-shinned hawk,* first-of-season for me for the site * 1 *mountain chickadee* * 7 *ruby-crowned kinglets,* a high count * 5 *red-breasted nuthatches,* also a high count * 1 *Townsend solitaire,* first of season * 1 *hermit thrush,* first of season * 10 *lesser goldfinches,* some of which were probably arrivals overnight * 10 *chipping sparrows* and a couple of *Spizella* spuhs * 1 *Oregon junco* (with a tinge of pink-sided, it seemed) * 12 *white-crowned sparrows,* all of them apparently *gambelii* * 1 *Lincoln sparrow* * 7 *orange-crowned warblers* * 100+ *Audubon warblers* (didn't see any myrtles in the mix) * 15+ *Wilson warblers* * 2 *Townsend warblers* * 1 candidate black-throated green x Townsend warbler Thanks, Bryan, for the exhortation to get out and find stuff! Ted Floyd Lafayette, Boulder County -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to cobirds+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cobirds/aadd611e-eb68-4d78-9759-c1d79304cee2n%40googlegroups.com.
[cobirds] The perils of field identification
Hey, all. Yesterday morning, Wed., Sept. 16, I had nothing better to do than make a video of what I assumed was an immature (hatch-year) black-chinned hummingbird, *Archilochus alexandri*, at Greenlee Preserve, eastern Boulder County. Seconds after I pressed the record button on my camera, the bird flew off its perch heading in my direction. As the bird approached me, with the rising sun directly facing the bird, I caught a flash of brilliant ruby-red, dead center in the middle of the gorget. So this was a not a black-chinned hummingbird, but, rather, a rare ruby-throated hummingbird, *A. colubris*, right? Evidently, a male, known to start showing a few red flecks on the gorget by mid-Sept., especially right smack-dab in the middle of the gorget. Plus, the time of year (Sept.) is right for wayward young male ruby-throated hummingbirds. Then I reviewed the video on my laptop. So, the bird's throat was indeed red. Like, the actual "throat"--the red, fleshy part, the "mouth." The bird had flown out to capture a passing insect, and it opened its beak at precisely the right angle so as to create a nice red spot (in two-dimensional projection) exactly in the middle of the gorget. It's completely obvious from the video, but imagine if we'd seen this whilst birding out in far-eastern Colorado on a day with easterly winds in September. *Archilochus* . . . September . . . a bit of ruby-red in precisely the right spot . . . Here's a short video I made for eBird/Macaulay: https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/263385971 And here's a short video I made for YouTube: https://youtu.be/d6cZ04UWeL8 As I said, it's all pretty clear in retrospect. But it also affirms the danger in believing that "I know what I saw." Ted Floyd Lafayette, Boulder County -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to cobirds+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cobirds/aa097752-46de-4fd5-82ef-e850af63487fn%40googlegroups.com.
[cobirds] Re: Pectoral Sandpipers - Boulder Co
Hey, Peter & all. Hannah Floyd and I were at Little Gaynor Lake, Boulder County, at 10:10 am this Sat. morning, Sept. 12, and we also saw Peter Ruprecht's *pectoral sandpipers,* 3 for sure. A 4th bird, somewhat more distant, was perhaps a stilt sandpiper. Not sure about that, though. Another *Calidris* was a puzzle; will look at photos a bit later. Along with the *least sandpipers,* there were some *Baird sandpipers.* Viewing at Gaynor isn't ideal. The lake is bigger than it looks, and the glare is strong out there. I suspect the hour right after sunrise might be best. The lake has had nice shorebirds for more than two months now. Suboptimal viewing, but optimal shorebird habitat. The smell and the insects do not bother us. We revel in those things. Earlier in the morning, over at Lagerman Reservoir, also in Boulder County, Hannah and I, with Elena Klaver, saw 6 *red-necked phalaropes* and, for anybody who's keeping count, 277 *American wigeons.* Dainty sulphurs, *Nathalis iole*, were prolific. A cool thing about the phalaropes is that they were gratifyingly vocal: *tik..tok...* And out at Greenlee Preserve, eastern Boulder County, the hummerfest continues to rage on. Has anyone ever wondered why we don't say CALLY-ope and fuh-LAIR-uh-pee? Hm? Ted Floyd Lafayette, Boulder County On Saturday, September 12, 2020 at 3:44:25 PM UTC-6 Peter Ruprecht wrote: > Cobirds, > > I stopped by Little Gaynor Lake this morning, where there are now buggy > and sloppy (and smelly) mud flats. Due to heat waves visibility was not > optimal, but it was fairly easy to see a loose group of 15 or so Calidris > sandpipers. I think most were Least, but there were 4 similar-plumaged > ones towering over them, which I'm pretty sure were Pectoral. eBird > flagged them so I thought I'd let you all know in case someone wants to try > to confirm. Also, plenty of killdeer. Plus about 20 teal and shovelers in > the shallow water and assorted larger dabblers out in deeper water. > > Anyway, all that mud has got to be attractive to other migrating > shorebirds so Little Gaynor may be worth a look during the next couple of > weeks. > > Peter Ruprecht > Superior, CO > -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to cobirds+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cobirds/0ac5b158-e3ec-440d-b9b7-8c7732547e73n%40googlegroups.com.
[cobirds] Black-eared Bushtit, etc., Greenlee Preserve, Boulder County, Sun., Aug. 30
Hey, all. I spent a goodly chunk of yesterday, Sun., Aug 30, poking around the "Greater Greenlee Ecosystem," Boulder County--that's basically the preserve proper, plus nearby Waneka Lake, Hecla Pond, Waneka Landing, Thomas Open Space, and some adjoining ditches and residential neighborhoods. Most notable was a *black-eared bushtit,* an ontological conundrum and an indubitably striking bird. Other goodies around Greater Greenlee yesterday included *wood duck, black-chinned, Calliope, rufous,* and *broad-tailed hummingbirds, snowy egrets* and *black-crowned night-herons, gray flycatcher, rock wren, sage thrasher, lesser goldfinch, clay-colored* and *brewer's sparrows, lark bunting, MacGillivray* and *Wilson warblers, *and *blue grosbeak.* Photos, video, audio, and comments at my eBird checklist from yesterday: https://ebird.org/checklist/S73002403 Ted Floyd Lafayette, Boulder County -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to cobirds+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cobirds/1701e365-f1ea-4ed8-a03f-16857b70aa3an%40googlegroups.com.
[cobirds] Southeastern Colorado, Sun., Aug. 23, 2020
Hey, everybody.
Hannah Floyd and I did the Limon-to-Lamar-to-Ordway 3-4-5 right triangle
back on Sun., Aug. 23, 2020. Insects and birds were our primary desiderata.
Highlights follow.
Neenoshe Reservoir, Kiowa County.
Insects: Great Plains giant tiger beetle, thin-lined tiger beetle.
Birds: *upland sandpiper, long-billed curlew, stilt sandpiper, pine siskin;*
100+ cormorants, and one has to wonder whether a neotropic or three is in
the mix.
Comment: The whole rez is ringed with mudflats, and I imagine the long walk
around would be productive of a splendid shorebird list; we covered only a
thin sliver of the northwest coast of this vast inland sea. Further
comment: On our way out, we were gently chastised by a CPW dude for not
having a hunting license; it's real folks, you need to buy a hunting
license to go birding in Colorado.
Willow Creek Park area, Lamar, Prowers County.
Insects: large orange sulphur, Hayhurst scallopwing, *Tragidion coquus*
(check this out, *T. coquus* is a cerambycid beetle that mimics the giant
tarantula hawks in the wasp genus *Pepsis*).
Birds: candidate ruby-throated hummingbird, 20+ *Mississippi kites,* 1 or
2 *great crested flycatchers, red-breasted nuthatch, brown thrasher,* 5+
*lesser
goldfinches, American redstart.*
Comment: It's dry and unkempt in the LCC Woods proper right now, but
ever-birdy; the kite show, especially the juveniles, was marvelous, but I
suspect it will be all over in just a week or so. Further comment: Saw a
lovely ornate box turtle in the woods.
County Road G east of Colorado 71, Crowley County.
Insects: millions of flies (see below).
Birds: brilliant close-ups of *black-necked stilt, Baird sandpipers,
pectoral sandpiper,* and diverse peeps and yellowlegses; 34 *white-faced
ibises.*
Comment: This place was as hadean as ever, 103 degrees Fahrenheit when we
were there, overrun with thousands of cattle and millions of flies in
putrid feedlots, the water ("water") a mesmerizingly dystopian Pepto-Bismol
pink; a dude in his big-boy pickup truck glowered menacingly at us, but
also had nothing on us, and went on his unmerry way.
Lake Henry, Crowley County.
Insects: great crested grasshopper, western pygmy-blue, checkered melon
beetle.
Birds: not much, but a migrant *sage thrasher* was our only sighting of the
day.
Comment: When the archaeologists of the future sort through those outhouses
. . .
Box Springs Pond, immediately off Colorado 71, Crowley County.
Insects: an absolute infestation of Colorado soldier beetles.
Birds: nice diversity of shorebirds, including 3 *solitary sandpipers.*
Comment: An immediate "exit" off route 71, this pond typically has birds,
year-round. I always think to myself "No way" on approach, but I'm also
always pleasantly surprised by all the birds.
Limon, Lincoln County, had *great-tailed grackles,* of course, but the
truly amazing grackle show was at Bennett, Adams/Arapahoe counties. Add
that to the list of attractions--the place has a King Soopers, too!
It was a fun, long day. The smoke was terrible. The hunting license thing
is real, affecting, for example, access to some of our favorite spots at
John Martin Reservoir, which we couldn't visit. Except for one mask-wearing
jogger and the one mask-wearing birder we crossed paths with, the region is
utterly non-compliant with CDC guidelines. And we were very nearly killed
by a semi in the wrong lane near Wild Horse; always be alert out there.
Ted Floyd
Lafayette, Boulder County
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[cobirds] variation in juvenile Cliff Swallows
Hey, all.
Leaving aside for now the question of HOW juvenile cliff swallows are
variable, I thought it would be cool to ask WHY juvenile cliff swallows are
variable. Ask, and it will be given you:
https://academic.oup.com/auk/article/131/2/121/5148982
The preceding is a link to a 2014 paper in the journal formerly known as *The
Auk*, by ornithologists Allison E. Johnson and Steven Freedberg ("Variable
facial plumage in juvenile cliff swallows: A potential offspring
recognition cue?"). The following is an oversimplification of Johnson and
Freedberg's discovery, but in essence: Every juvenile cliff swallow is
different! Human parents supposedly can recognize their own children's
cries--which is total balderdash. But swallow parents apparently can
distinguish their children from all the hundreds, and occasionally even
thousands, of children out there. It's all based on the unique "finger
print" of white and black on the faces of juvenile cliff swallows.
Here's a "typical" juvenile cliff swallow (except there is no such thing as
"typical"):
https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/107168241
I put this picture up at a bird talk a little while ago, and nobody knew
what it was. I'm not talking cliff vs. cave. I'm saying, people were
talking American robin vs. white-throated sparrow. More votes for the
former than the latter, but more votes for either than for any swallow
species! We all know it's a cliff swallow because we're having a
conversation about cliff swallows ("don't think about an elephant!"),
that's all.
Thanks to David Tønnessen and to his interlocutors for the edifying
learning experience.
Ted Floyd
smoky Lafayette, Boulder County
On Friday, August 21, 2020 at 12:54:10 PM UTC-6 rori...@earthlink.net wrote:
> What a wonderful, illuminating discussion we are having on Cobirds
>
> David Tonnessen alludes in his recent posts in the difficulty in
> separating juvenile Cliff swallows from juvenile and perhaps adult Cave
> Swallow.
>
> Tony’s post, in part, concurs with that premise but suggest that phase of
> juvenile plumage may not be that prevalent?
>
> In the Sibley Guide the notation adjacent to the depiction of the juvenile
> Cliff Swallow (Jun-Dec) “juveniles extremely variable…”
>
> So what do we do about this dilemma in Colorado. Could we just say that
> any well documented record of a Cave Swallow before June would be more
> viable than any juvenile record of a Cave Swallow discovered after June
> which would to have to have an exceptional level of documentation. Would
> even photographic evidence be satisfactory or would it take just specimen
> evidence?
>
> Bob Righter
> Denver CO
>
>
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[cobirds] Re: So Long McCown's Longspur, Hello Thick-billed Longspur
On Thursday, August 13, 2020 at 3:03:34 PM UTC-6 wrote:
> Another thought on these birds named for men (3 women so -honored,
> all by their first names). I think of the Wilson's Warbler or the
> Swainson's Thrush as wild creatures. The " 's " implies possession -- and I
> don't think Wilson owned the warbler or Swainson the thrush. How about
> eliminating all the " 's " from those names?
>
Hello, Hugh et al.
For more (much more!) on this matter, see p. 38 ff. here ("Discontinue use
of the possessive (“apostrophe–s”) in patronymic bird names"):
http://checklist.americanornithology.org/assets/proposals/PDF/2019-A.pdf
Enjoy!
Ted Floyd
Lafayette, Boulder County
>
> Hugh Kingery
>
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[cobirds] Re: So Long McCown's Longspur, Hello Thick-billed Longspur
Hey, Richard et al. Two quick responses: 1. Speaking of name changes, the nomenclatorial authority in his matter hasn't been the "AOU" for some time now. It's the "AOS," the American Ornithological Society. It seems nobody knew what "AOU" stood for, especially the "O" part of the moniker. ;-) 2. Don't hold your breath on an imminent eBird change. Taxonomic and nomenclatorial changes are happening essentially continuously around the world, and eBird is of course a global database. So eBird typically holds off in increments of at least one year in making a big batch of checklist changes. In the same way that we had to wait around for, say, Yellow-breasted Chat to move to the "correct" spot on the checklist, we may not be seeing "McCown's Longspur" for quite some time on our eBird checklists. This is not a diss on eBird, by the way; it would be totally impracticable for eBird to keep up with the constant flux of taxonomic and nomenclatorial statuses worldwide. Ted Floyd Lafayette, Boulder County P. s. Recent bird sightings: a *loggerhead shrike* and 2 *sage thrashers* yesterday afternoon, Wed., Aug. 12, at the Legion Park overlook, Valmont Reservoir complex, Boulder County. The day before, Tues., Aug. 11, Little Gaynor Lake, Boulder County, had *American avocet, killdeer, Baird sandpiper, least sandpiper,* western/semipalmated sandpiper, *Wilson phalarope, spotted sandpiper, greater yellowlegs,* and *lesser yellowlegs.* On Wednesday, August 12, 2020 at 4:57:46 PM UTC-6 richardi... wrote: > Forgive me if this has already been covered on Cobirds. I don't recall > seeing it's discussion. > > The AOU decided last Friday to rename the > bird-fomerly-known-as-McCown's-Longspur to the Thick-billed Longspur. I > personally had not realized how controversial the bird's former namesake > was. > > > https://www.birdwatchingdaily.com/news/science/mccowns-longspur-renamed-thick-billed-longspur/ > > I would imagine we'll be seeing the change in eBird soon. > > Richard Trinkner > Boulder > -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to cobirds+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cobirds/e7d10707-7aa3-447a-86db-2496b9aba313n%40googlegroups.com.
