[cobirds] Contents of Colorado Birds, vol. 44, no. 1 (2010)
Hello, Birders. Here is a summary of the contents of vol. 44 no. 1 (2010) of the quarterly journal Colorado Birds, published by Colorado Field Ornithologists (CFO). * PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE: CONVENTIONS, 2010 AND BEYOND. * by JIM BEATTY. * pp. 4-5. * Anticipation is building for CFO's annual convention, which will be based out of Fort Collins, 21-24 May 2010; highlights will include superb birding and keynote speaker Craig Benkman. Looking farther into the future, the CFO board is considering the possibility of adding fall conventions, concentrating on observing and studying specialty birds and avian phenomena in Colorado. * CFO BOARD MINUTES. * by LARRY MODESITT. * pp. 6-8. * Summary of proceedings of the quarterly meeting of the Board of Directors of CFO, held 14 November 2009 in Denver, Colorado. Matters discussed at the board meeting included, but were not limited to, financial strategies for CFO, publicity in the internet era, an online reference to the status and distribution of Colorado's birds, new ideas for field trips, and approval of a financial award to the Colorado Breeding Bird Atlas. * ACROSS THE BOARD: BRAD STEGER. * by JIM BEATTY. * pp. 9-11. * The life and times of CFO board member Brad Steger. After early years spent globetrotting and birding in such exotic locales as Australia and Wisconsin, Brad settled down in Colorado in 2000; he is especially passionate about county listing in Colorado. As a CFO board member, Brad takes the lead with both the awards committee and planning for field trips. * DEDICATED SERVICE AWARD RECIPIENT: RAYMOND DAVIS. * by BRAD STEGER. * pp. 11-13. * Profile of and tribute to the uninomial Davis, recipient of CFO's Dedicated Service Award. After serving for many years as CFO's treasurer, Davis has provided the organization with immense help in the areas of correspondence, member recruitment, and database management. Davis has left a lasting legacy in Colorado by encouraging young birders, and he inspires everybody with his laid-back demeanor and mismatched sneakers. * IN MEMORIAM: SIGRID NOLL UEBLACKER. * by BRENDA LEAP. * pp. 13-16. * Memories of and tribute to Sigrid Noll Eublacker, founder of the Colorado-based Birds of Prey Foundation. Under her leadership, the foundation became one of the most admired rehabilitation facilities in the nation, admitting more than 10,000 birds, an impressive 62% of which have been released. Sigrid was the recipient of many prestigious awards, and she is remembered for having been an influential educator. * PHOTO-RECOVERY OF A HARLAN'S RED-TAILED HAWK IN COLORADO AND ALASKA. * by BILL SCHMOKER and JERRY LIGUORI. * pp. 16-19. * A Harlan's [Red-tailed] Hawk photographed by Bill Schmoker near Hygiene, Colorado, 21 February 2009, was subsequently photographed by Jerry Liguori near Gunsight Mountain, Alaska, 13 April 2009. This episode highlights the increased value of high-resolution digital photography for long-distance tracking and recovery of migratory birds. * COLORADO BREEDING BIRD ATLAS II: PARTIAL RESULTS, 2007–2009. * by LYNN E. WICKERSHAM. * pp. 20-26. * Summary of the first 3 years of effort, 2007-2009, for the second Colorado Breeding Bird Atlas. To date, 278 species have been reported statewide, with 244 confirmed as breeders. Range contractions (e.g., Great-tailed Grackles on the West slope) and range expansions (e.g., Eurasian Collared-Doves statewide) are discussed, but it is emphasized in this report that the results are preliminary. * RED CROSSBILLS EATING PINYON PINE SEEDS. * by DAVID LEATHERMAN. * pp. 27-30. * Observations and photographs of Red Crossbills feeding on pinyon pine cones near Poncha Springs, Colorado, 25 May 2009. There are only two previous reports of Red Crossbills feeding on pinyon pines. However, cone crops of ponderosa pine and other major conifers have been poor in recent years in south-central Colorado, perhaps driving Red Crossbills to feed on pinyon pines. * THE 53rd REPORT OF THE CBRC. * by LAWRENCE S. SEMO and DOUG W. FAULKNER. * pp. 31-42. * Analysis of 66 reports submitted by 42 observers documenting 52 occurrences of 39 state-review species from the period 2005 through 2009. Highlights include second state records of Black Vulture and Brewster's Warbler. * THE HUNGRY BIRDER: THE ROARING FORK VALLEY. * by TOM McCONNELL and LINDA VIDAL. * pp. 42-45. * Where to eat in the Roaring Fork Valley area, home to wintering Barrow's Goldeneyes and breeding Purple Martins. Some possibilities include Zheng's Asian Bistro (pan Asian), Glenwood Canyon Brewpub (sandwiches and good beer), The Bayou (Cajun), Narayan's Nepal Restaurant (spicy stuff, admired by the region's vegetarians), various Mexican restaurants (El Korita is rated the best by far), and others. * NEWS FROM THE FIELD: SUMMER 2009. * by BILL MAYNARD. * pp. 46-61. * Highlights from June-July 2009 include 2 Red-throated Loons, 2 Neotropic Cormorants, multiple Least
Re: [cobirds] Falcon Double Feature - Red Rocks - Jefferson Co.
Based on my experience watching large falcons in the Boulder Mountain Parks, I would say that the courtship and copulation period can easily last several weeks. The eggs are laid over a span of several days (no more than one egg per day) and copulation will continue throughout the laying period. The female may not start to incubate continuously until all the eggs are laid. Once incubation starts, there'll be a lot less activity around the nest area, probably just the occasional food drop or nest exchange. It will also be interesting to see how the peregrines and prairies at Red Rocks tolerate each other. In the Flatirons, the PEFAs seem to maintain air superiority over the PRFAs when they're both nesting in the same area. PEFAs will dive-bomb or otherwise harass the PRFAs to keep them well away from active (or even prospective) PEFA nests. Aren't raptors amazing to watch in all respects?! For those of you who aren't afraid to risk serious addiction, let me recommend Boulder OSMP's raptor monitoring volunteer program. It's very well-run, beginners get plenty of guidance, and it's an amazing opportunity to get to know these incredible birds (and spend time amidst stunning scenery.) Another recommendation: Falcons of North America by Kate Davis. Easy reading, lots of fascinating info, plus plenty of awesome pictures by Colorado's own Rob Palmer. -Peter Ruprecht Superior I was surprised to see the Peregrines copulating, since on Saturday, March 20, an Evergreen Audubon Field Trip saw copulation take place. I surmised the female might be sitting on eggs by now. How long does courtship last, and how soon after copulation takes egg laying take place? -- 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] White-tailed Ptarmigan and Mountain Plover
Hello CO birders, We're about 2 weeks away from a 10-day birding trip to CO and I was wondering if you could help us out with a couple of key species: WTPT- I've seen many posts on sightings at Guanella Pass this year, but not many at all from Loveland Pass. I think the logistics for Guanella Pass will be too much for our group, so I was wondering if anyone had any info on Loveland Pass sightings this year? MOPL- we'll try for them at Pawnee NG for sure, but as we're driving right thru Cheyenne County I wondered about the CR M/36 mention on the CFO CO Birding site- does anyone know whether that's still a good location for seeing MOPL? Thanks very much for your time and assistance. Joe Bear CT -- 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] High Island bound?
Hi, COBirders~ If you are Texas bound this spring, to whet your appetite or answer your questions about High Island, check out the following website: www.birdinghighisland.com. It is an excellent resource. There are also 4 free bird walks daily (Boy Scout Woods, Smith Oaks twice, Bolivar Flats) led by professional tour guides, especially handy if you have never been down there before or aren't familiar with the local birds. The birds are on their way, and High Island is an awesome place to celebrate migration! Tamie Bulow Colorado Springs, CO -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups Colorado Birds group. To post to this group, send email to cobirds@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds?hl=en?hl=en To unsubscribe, reply using remove me as the subject.
[cobirds] CFO convention trips filling
Currently five of the CFO convention field trips are full. Both Phantom Canyon trips and the Meadow Springs Ranch trips are full as is the Friday trip to Red Feathers Lakes (C3) and the Saturday trip to the Pawnee (C15). IF YOU ARE SENDING IN A PAPER REGISTRATION please check the online registration to see if more trips have filled before making your selections: http://www.cfo-link.org/convention/index.php Scroll down to see the field trip selection area. Full trips are marked; please do not select them on paper. Maggie Boswell -- 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] Mandarin Duck
Hi all, If anyone is interested in seeing a Beautiful bird... there is a drake Mandarin Duck at Lake Estes. It was first seen at what we call Pine Point, then it flew off and later returned to swim along the shore with a pair of Mallards. If anyone wants to look for it, the bird won't we hard to spot. Scott Rashid Estes Park -- 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] Phillips County, Eurasian Wigeon, E. Meadowlark, Swainson's Hawk
Very windy in Phillips County today. I stopped in Haxtun City Park this morning where the only bird was a Ring-necked Pheasant. I then headed south to check on the ponds on CR 2, but then did a U-turn to check out the sewage ponds in Haxtun. Good choice, four American Avocets, a Bufflehead, Ruddy Duck, Northern Pintail, and three American Wigeon (2 males and 1 female) or so I thought. The wind was rocking the truck, and the ponds had good swells. I thought the female looked odd, then the took flight and I noticed the gray underwing of the female. They then flew out of range so I not sure I can male a positive id, but I did just get some close up views of a female in CA this week and would lean heavily toward Eurasian . I then notices some Snow Geese west of the ponds under the trees hunkered down. I then headed to the ponds on CR 2 I saw two Rough-legged Hawks, and after crossing CR 29 on CR2 was a signing Eastern Meadowlark . On the ponds I found Killdeer, dabblers, Lesser Scaup, Common Merganser (Yuma only) and Ruddy Duck. Heading back north at CR 10 and CR 31 a Swainson's Hawk flew over the road. This is the first time I have seen a Swainson's hawk further north the a Rough-legged Hawk. For those doing BBA I found Great Horned Owls on nest in Phillips and Washington County. Also, I saw a dark morph Ferruginous Hawk carrying nesting material in Washington County. Todd Deininger Longmont, CO Only the muddy fox lives -- 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] shrike
Hi all, This evening I saw a Northern Shrike. It appears a bit late for Northern Shrikes to be in the area, and possibly in the state. Is anyone else still seeing Northern Shrikes around? In the past, Northern Shrikes have moved out of the area by the middle of March. Scott Rashid Estes Park -- 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.
