[cobirds] Colorado Rare Bird Alert for Wednesday, December 19, 2012
Compiler: Joyce Takamine Date:December 19, 2012 email: rba AT cfobirds.org phone: 303-659-8750 This is the Colorado Rare Bird Alert for Wednesday, December 19, 2012, sponsored by Denver Field Ornithologists and the Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory. If you are phoning in a message, you can skip the recording by pressing the star key (*) on your phone at any time. Please leave your name, phone number, detailed directions, including county and dates for each sighting. It would be helpful if you would spell your last name. Highlight species include: (* denotes that there is new information on this species in this report) BRANT (*Larimer) TRUMPETER SWAN (Larimer) TUNDRA SWAN (Boulder, Denver, *La Plata, Larimer) EURASIAN WIGEON (Fremont) Surf Scoter (Weld, Denver) White-winged Scoter (Denver) Long-tailed Duck (Denver, Larimer, Pueblo) Barrow's Goldeneye (Adams, Pueblo, Summit) Pacific Loon (Pueblo) VEGA GULL (Larimer) MEW GULL (Pueblo) Thayer's Gull (Pueblo) Lesser Black-backed Gull (Arapahoe, Boulder, Larimer, Pueblo) Great Black-backed Gull (Pueblo) White-winged Dove (Boulder, Fremont, Pueblo) SNOWY OWL (Weld) ACORN WOODPECKER (El Paso) Red-bellied Woodpecker (Yuma) YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER (El Paso) Hammond's Flycatcher (Fremont) Eastern Phoebe (Boulder) Chihuahuan Raven (Boulder, Denver) Winter Wren (Boulder, *Fremont, Morgan) Carolina Wren (*Fremont) Bohemian Waxwing (Routt) Common Yellowthroat (Boulder) Pine Warbler (Pueblo) Palm Warbler (El Paso) Fox Sparrow (Adams, Boulder, Yuma) Swamp Sparrow (Pueblo, Yuma) White-throated Sparrow (Larimer) Harris's Sparrow (Boulder,*Fremont, Larimer, Pueblo, Yuma) GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW (Boulder, Jefferson) VARIED THRUSH (Jefferson, Archuleta) Snow Bunting (Pueblo, Yuma) Northern Cardinal (Boulder, Yuma) Rusty Blackbird (Morgan) Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch (Routt) PURPLE FINCH (Yuma) Common Redpoll (Boulder, Jefferson, Larimer, Pueblo, Routt, Weld, Yuma) Adams County: --A red Fox Sparrow was reported by Mlodinow at the Barr Lake feeders on December 16. --A m and several f Barrow's Goldeneyes were reported by Gilbert by the water tank S of 88th and Colorado on December 17. Arapahoe County: --On December 11, Hudak reported a Lesser Black-backed Gull at Centennial Park. On December 16, Hudak reported that the Lesser Black-backed Gull continues at Centennial Park. Archuleta County: --A f Varied Thrush was reported by Dexter in Pagosa Springs downstream from the walking bridge at the hot springs on December 15. Boulder County: --On December 13, Dowell reports 14 TUNDRA SWANS (ad) at Boulder Reservoir. There is major construction at Boulder Reservoir, but birders are still welcome. Just stop at the temporary entrance gate on your way in. --A Northern Cardinal was found by Jinx Cooper in Hawthorne Gulch in Boulder on November 11. From Broadway, turn N on Hawthorn and drive to the end and park. Continue on the trail for about 200 yards. Bird was near pump house. On December 13, Heinrich viewed the Northern Cardinal in Hawthorn Gulch. --A White-winged Dove was reported by Mlodinow at the corner of Oxford and 119th near Panama Reservoir on December 15. --On the Longmont CBC on December 15, Prather reported an Eastern Phoebe at St Vrain Park in South Central Longmont. Good numbers of Harris's Sparrows were seen as well and Common Redpolls and Winter Wren. --A f Common Yellowthroat was reported by DeFonso in the Qualcomm parking lot in N Boulder on December 16. --On the Boulder CBC on December 16, Schmoker reported Northern Cardinal, Fox Sparrow, 8 Tundra Swans at Valmont, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Chihuahuan Raven, Golden-crowned Sparrow, and many Common Redpolls. Denver County: --7 TUNDRA SWANS were reported by T. Jones at Marston Reservoir on December 13, on the west side of the lake, off of Old Wadsworth Blvd. next to the wire fence They were in a group. All were in Ad. plumage. The Swans were bobbing their heads up and down, continually, the whole time they watched them. They were in the middle of the lake and then were in the south part of the lake and flew once. The swans were seen around 4pm. You could see how the eye looked separate from the bill somewhat, unlike in a Trumpeter. --A juv White-winged Scoter was reported by Tina Jones at Marston Reservoir on November 22. On December 14, T. Jones relocated the White-winged Scoters in the northern section of Marston Reservoir. Tina recommends when viewing birds at Marston Reservoir, please beware of signs in this area especially if viewing from the SW, PLEASE let's not give birders a bad name and PLEASE watch the birds from the sidewalk or right next to the sidewalk. --On December 15, Sanders reported 2 White-winged Scoters and a Long-tailed Duck at Marston Reservoir. --A Chichuahuan Raven fly by was reported by Sanders at Fort Logan on December 15. El Paso: --A Western Palm Warbler was reported by Farese on the Colorado College Campus. It was found by Surano on December 12 and
[cobirds] Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch Jeffco
We had our first ever Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch at our feeder yesterday morning. We are at 7700' in north Evergreen but we have never had a Rosy for our house list. Sent from my iPad JoAnn Hackos Evergreen CO Jefferson 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. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
[cobirds] Franktown area today
Adult Bald Eagle on Walker Pit, west of Franktown, today plus 2 Common Goldeneye and 1 Mallard with 100's of Cackling/Canada Geese. About a third iced over. McLain Pit is all ice. 2 Meadowlarks near Willow Lake Road. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups Colorado Birds group. To post to this group, send email to cobirds@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msg/cobirds/-/NcksesOJiCsJ. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
[cobirds] boulder rosyfinches waxwings
A flock of 35 rosy finches, mostly gray-crowned, including one Hepburns and one brown-capped, visited our feeders north of Boulder this morning. There were also 11 cedar waxwings working on the remains of the crabapples. Alan Bell, Boulder -- 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] John Martin Reservoir CBC results
Birders, Fourteen observers took part in the John Martin Reservoir CBC on Monday, December 17th. Weather conditions were good, with an afternoon high appoaching 60 degrees F, although it was very windy in late afternoon. A total of 109 species were found, impressive considering the low numbers of land birds present. The open water of the reservoir helped make up for the dearth of land birds, at least in species diversity. Record low numbers of the birds most prevalent on most counts will surely dethrone this count from its usual perch as the Colorado CBC with the most individual birds. Counts of Snow, Ross', Cackling and Canada Geese were in the hundreds this year, instead of tens of thousands. The same trend held for Common Mergansers and Mallards. However, the presence of open water allowed late southbound American White Pelicans to linger in numbers never before documented on a Colorado CBC. I don't have the data in front of me, but I believe the number was 255, almost equaling the number of Common Goldeneyes (which usually number in the thousands). The count recorded huge numbers of gulls, with a smattering of rarities. Eight Lesser Black-backed and eight Thayer's were new records for the count. Only one Bonaparte's Gull remained for the count. The highlight of the count was a well-described Glaucous-winged Gull, the only new bird for the count. Two interesting hybrid gulls were documented, a Glaucous-winged X Herring Gull and a Great Black-backed X Herring Gull. Unusual were eight Western Grebes and one Clark's Grebe. Owls stole the show, with one Short-eared Owl found during the day, and one calling Western Screech-Owl and one Eastern Screech-Owl performing only four miles apart at night. One can argue that John Martin Reservoir is where east meets west, and north meets south. Passerines were way down in numbers, but a few species stood out. Two Blue-gray Gnatcatchers were seen together below the dam. Northern Mockingbird and Brown Thrasher were found with a lot of effort. A record eight Townsend's Solitaires were found, along with two small flocks of Mountain Bluebirds among the numerous Eastern Bluebirds. The rarest sparrow was a lone Savannah, quite a contrast from the 39 found in 2011. A new record was set with 16 Swamp Sparrows. One flock of four Common Redpolls was seen and heard in flight. I would like to thank the observers that came from near and far. The people that help here annually make this the great count it has proven to be. Duane Nelson Las Animas, Bent County, 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. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
[cobirds] The Peterson Field Guide to Bird Sounds
Congratulations to Nathan Pieplow, the editor of CFO's Colorado Birds, who recently signed a book contract with Houghton Mifflin Harcourt to produce The Peterson Field Guide to Bird Sounds, a comprehensive guide to North American bird vocalizations. His book will illustrate the sounds of each species with spectrograms and it will include an audio index that can be used to look up unfamiliar sounds while you are birding. His blog, earbirding.com is amazing as well. Bill Maynard Colorado Springs -- 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] Common Redpoll - Delta County
Just arrived about 20 minutes ago at my feeder! A first for my yard, Delta County, and West Slope for me! -- Jason Beason Paonia - Delta 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. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
[cobirds] CFO 2013 Convention - May 16-20, 2013
Hi All, The CFO Board has selected Cortez in Montezuma County for our 2013 Convention. While not all arrangements have been completed, we are planning for arrivals trips on Thursday, May 16, and departure trips on Monday, May 20, with the normal schedule of events on Friday through Sunday. Our Keynote Speaker will be John Vanderpoel who did an ABA area Big Year in 2011. There will be our usual assortment of wide-ranging field trips and who knows what we may find. This is a change from our 2012 Convention announcement that Durango would be our 2013 location. The Board approved this change on the prospects of better birding potential in Montezuma and adjoining counties and accommodations that fit our needs better. We expect to finalize arrangements including hotel accommodations shortly and will announce details at that time. We hope to see many of you in Cortez! Jim Beatty -- 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] RED ROCKS / JEFFCO
Today, I decided to brave the elements and take some seed to the feeders. I topped off the niger feeder that has survived so far and threw down some black oil sunflower seed and millet. Birds seen were 3 Gray-crowned Rosy Finches, Golden-crowned Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Mountain Chickadee, tons of juncos of all varieties, and all the regular Red Rocks feeder birds. I was hoping the niger feeder would have a Redpoll but no such luck!! Photos of the Golden-crowned and Rosy Finch can be seen in the rare to uncommon gallery below. , Mark Chavez Lakewood-Green Mtn http://jaeger29.smugmug.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 https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
[cobirds] Common Redpoll, Doves ,Jefferson Co.
HI all, Today, almost all day long I had 1, m. Common Redpoll at my thistle feeder . This is the second Common Redpoll that has been seen in my yard. The first one I believe was in 1993. This bird fed on the seeds of River Alder or Mountain Alder[Alnus tenuifolia] in my yard, which I planted specifically to hopefully attract Redpolls. In northern Manitoba, I have watched Common and Hoary Redpolls both, feed on seeds of Alder and Birch[Betula]. I know they also feed on the buds of both of these separate plant species. Most bizarre was having over 30 Morning Doves, present in my yard. The population seems to be increasing in the last week. I never had Morning Doves over winter in my yd. untill 3 winters ago. Last winter the Cooper's Hawk hung out in my yard almost daily. Hopefully we will have more winter moisture! Happy Birding !Tina JonesLittleton, Jefferson County, 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. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
[cobirds] Ross' Goose on Johnson Reservoir, Jefferson Co.
A Ross' Goose was present today among hundreds of Canada Geese on the small lake named Johnson Reservoir next to the Jefferson County Library on W. Bowles Ave.. If the goose is not present on the reservoir, search for it in Clement Park where many of the Canadas feed. Doug Kibbe Littleton, 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. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
[cobirds] Merlin, East Boulder
Hello Cobirders, This afternoon I observed a male merlin perched in the middle of a cottonwood near Baseline and 76th-- more specifically, where Frontage Rd. intersects with Columbia Pl. Coordinates: 40.001221,-105.175071 Fun birding, Jeff Romain Lafayette, CO, Boulder Co. This E-Mail contains confidential information belonging to United Companies, the sender, which may be legally privileged information. This information is intended only for the use of the individual addressed above. If you are not the intended recipient, you are herby notified that any disclosure, copying, distribution, or the taking of any action in reliance on the content of the E-Mail or attached files is strictly prohibited. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups Colorado Birds group. To post to this group, send email to cobirds@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
[cobirds] Golden-crowned Sparrow - Red Rocks - Jeffco
I must have just missed Mark Chavez at the feeders behind the Red Rocks Trading Post. I didn't arrive until around 4:30 p.m., and in a few short minutes I saw the Golden-crowned Sparrow and one Gray- crowned Rosy-Finch perch on the platform feeder. The only other birds that came in at that late hour were two Spotted Towhees, a couple of Song Sparrows and 20-25 assorted juncos. Watching the birds at the feeders without all the House Finches, House Sparrows, and W. Scrub Jays was a treat. I will get seed out early tomorrow morning - should be a good time to see the Rosy-finches as well as the Golden-crowned Sparrow. Like Mark, I'm still hoping we will get a Common Redpoll this winter. Mike Henwood Morrison Jefferson 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. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
[cobirds] Common Redpolls in Silverthorne
After skiing today, I drove around the Wildernest area of Silverthorne. Not lots but did come upon a flock of 19+ Common Redpolls.Detail in the eBird posting below. Also had a small group of Rosy-Finches but did not have my good binocs and could only positively ID 4 of the birds at a feeder; there were another 8-9 birds higher up in trees that I could not ID due to poor lighting. Following is my eBIrd posting: Wildernest/Silverthorne Area, Summit, US-CO Dec 19, 2012 3:00 PM - 3:45 PM Protocol: Traveling 2.0 mile(s) 14 species Bald Eagle 1 seen from I-70 flying over highway from Dillon Reservoir area, not from Wildernest but quite close to that area Red-tailed Hawk 1 Downy Woodpecker (Rocky Mts.) 3 Hairy Woodpecker (Rocky Mts.) 2 Steller's Jay (Interior) 2 Black-billed Magpie 3 American Crow 37 large flock, on the move around the Wildernest area Black-capped Chickadee 3 Mountain Chickadee 14 Red-breasted Nuthatch 1 White-breasted Nuthatch (Interior West) 1 Pygmy Nuthatch 2 Brown-capped Rosy-Finch 4 small flock of ~12, only could positively ID 4 at feeders Common Redpoll 19 hard to get an exact number due to movement but this is a minimum number that I could count. Small finch, red cap, black bib, streaking along flanks, much variation in plumage from brown to very red on throat and chest. I have seen several hundred Redpolls this December in Quebec and Mass. including HORE and am quite familiar with this bird. Charlie Nims Silverthorne, CO charlie.n...@gmail.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 https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
[cobirds] Palm Warbler still present (El Paso)
In case anyone is still interested in seeing the Palm Warbler, it was not chased off by the recent weather and is still around in the usual location on Colorado College campus. I found it today around 4:15pm. Happy Trails, Lee Farese Colorado Springs -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups Colorado Birds group. To post to this group, send email to cobirds@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msg/cobirds/-/HllYepvgP6AJ. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
