cobirds colorado rare bird: February 2014

Friday 28 February 2014

[cobirds] Winter Wren, El Paso County

The Winter Wren is still at Fountain Creek, where it has been seen before (across from Mile Marker 18 and the concrete gazebo), west of the path.

Good birding,

Cecile Lee

Elbert, CO

[cobirds] Boulder Bird Club Trip for 3/1--Still on!

The Boulder Bird Club trip for Saturday, March 1^st is still on (as of now). We meet at 8:00 a.m. at the Boulder County Justice Center Parking lot at 6th and Canyon in Boulder (SE corner). If conditions are not conducive to venturing up to Ward and Allenspark, we will bird in Boulder and perhaps up to Lyons. If conditions are really bad, I will repost at 7:00 a.m. to let you know that discretion is the better part of valor.

Bill Kaempfer

Boulder

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

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

[cobirds] March 1, DFO "88th and the Platte" Trip Cancellation.

Due to the “freezing drizzle” forecast for our “88^th and the Platte” birding trip, Cheryl Teuton and I thought it wise as a precautionary measure to cancel the trip.

Good Birding to all.

Dan Brooke

[cobirds] Boulder Rusty Backbirds

I'm currently looking at three Rusty Blackbirds at Walden ponds in a marshy area north of a trail at the most southwest lake in sawhill ponds. The pond has osprey platforms. Also in the area dipper, cinnamon teal, and a nice comparison of eastern and montane white-breasted nuthatch. A great day so far.
Note the RUBL are currently invisible in some reeds.

Nick Moore
Boulder

Sent from my iPhone

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[cobirds] Green Valley Ranch Rec Pond - Denver

The Greater White-fronted Goose is still swimming happily amid the white-cheeked geese. Nothing else out of the ordinary. There were a pair of Bald Eagles dancing together above the pond, but they were too high up and moving away, so I lost them.

John Breitsch

Denver, Colorado

http://www.flickr.com/photos/breitschbirding/

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[cobirds] Eastern Screech Owl/Fort Collins

Three times a charm--finally got to see the cooperative bird. In Spring Canyon Park in Fort Collins.

Photos: http://coloradobirder.ning.com/photo
Video: http://coloradobirder.ning.com/video/eastern-screech-owl

Thanks Gary Lefko, Nunn
http://coloradobirder.ning.com/
Mobile: http://coloradobirder.ning.com/m

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[cobirds] Barrow's Goldeneye Continues at Chatfield SP, Jefferson Co.

The previously reported drake Barrow's Goldeneye continues next to the NW boat launch at Chatfield Reservoir.

Doug Kibbe
Littleton

[cobirds] Colorado Rare Bird Alert for Friday, February 28, 2014

Compiler: Mary Driscoll
Date: February 28, 2014
email: rba AT cfobirds.org
phone: 303-659-8750

This is the Colorado Rare Bird Alert for Friday February 28, 2014 sponsored by the 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 (* indicates new information on this species in this report).

BRANT (Douglas)

TRUMPETER SWAN (Morgan)
TUNDRA SWAN (Boulder)

Long-tailed Duck (Denver*)

Barrow’s Goldeneye (Jefferson)
MEW GULL (Arapahoe, Pueblo)
Lesser Black-backed Gull (Arapahoe, Denver*, Larimer, Pueblo, Weld)
Thayer's Gull (Arapahoe, Denver*,Pueblo)

ICELAND GULL (Weld)

GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULL (Arapahoe)
Glaucous Gull (Arapahoe, Pueblo)
White-winged Dove (Jefferson*)

Western Screech Owl (Delta)

Northern Pygmy-Owl (Jefferson*, Larimer)

Red-bellied Woodpecker (Prowers)
VARIED THRUSH (Huerfano)
Swamp Sparrow (El Paso)

Harris's Sparrow (Boulder, Huerfano, Larimer*)
Lapland Longspur (Adams, Weld*)

Northern Cardinal (Prowers)
Rusty Blackbird (Douglas)
Rosy-Finch (Boulder)

ADAMS COUNTY:
--Dowell reports the following gulls at Aurora Reservoir on February 26: MEW GULL, (ad)., Lesser Black-backed Gulls, (2 ad. & 1 3rd. yr.), Thayer’s Gull, (2 juv., 1 or 2 ad.), GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULL, (2nd. winter), Glaucous Gull, (1 ad., 2 immature).

--Lapland Longspurs were reported by Breitsch on the DIA Owl Loop which starts .5 mile east of Tower Rd on 96th Ave. On February 3, he found them on Trussville Rd between 114th and 120th Aves. On February 7, Walbek reports a flock of 75 Longspurs near 128th and Pohawton Rd.

ARAPAHOE COUNTY:

--On February 22, Mlodinow reports a 1st yr. GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULL, 3 Glaucous Gulls, 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 6 Thayer’s Gulls, and a 1st yr. Thiceland Gull (that is, a bird in between Iceland and Thayer’s Gull.

BOULDER COUNTY:
--On February 1, Wilberding reported a TUNDRA SWAN at Cottonwood Marsh, the swan was seen again on February 23 by Breitsch, at Cottonwood Marsh.
--On February 15, Piombino reports the return of Harris’s Sparrows to her yard. On 2/16, Dunning reports seeing one Harris’s Sparrow at Piombino’s. Birders are welcome to visit, she lives near the little hamlet of Hygiene. Call her for directions at 303-776-1939. Park at the end of her driveway, tapes not necessary.
--On February 8, at Fawn Brook Inn in Allenspark, Hill reports a flock of several hundred Rosy-Finches at the feeders. 95% Brown-capped, with at least one adult Black, and at least a couple Gray-crowned.

DENVER COUNTY:

--On February 27, T. Jones reports seeing the following gulls on Marston Reservoir: Two, ad. Lesser Black-backed Gulls were on the ice. One was a very dark backed[almost black] colored bird. The other ad. Lesser Black-backed Gull had more of the typical dark gray colored back. A first cycle Thayer’s Gull was also present.

DELTA COUNTY:

--On February 25, Beason reports a Western Screech-Owl in a cavity near Escalante SWA yesterday.

DENVER COUNTY:

--Vickery reports seeing a Long-tailed Duck on the South Platte on February 27, around noon. It was across the river from the aquarium, with a group of Gadwalls and Mallards.

DOUGLAS COUNTY:

-- Stachowiak reports seeing the BRANT, on February 15, at the southeast corner of Redstone Park located in Highlands Ranch. Access the parking lot located on the west side of S Foothills Canyon Blvd approximately 2/10's of a mile south of W Town Center Drive. Look straight ahead as you enter the parking lot or to the left towards the houses on the edge of the park. I have located the bird in this area in the past as well. The Brant was seen by Kellner on February 23, at the playground pond at Redstone Park.

--On February 22, Kellner reports up to 20 male, and female Rusty Blackbirds see at Chatfield Reservoir State Park. The birds were singing in a cottonwood tree along Plum Creek between the Plum Creek picnic area parking lot and the reservoir. The birds were present for about 20 minutes singing up a storm and then flew towards the reservoir and out of sight.

EL PASO COUNTY:
--On February 16, Percival reports seeing a Swamp Sparrow at Fountain Creek Regional Park.

HUERFANO COUNTY:

--A VARIED THRUSH has been visiting a private yard in La Veta. The owners welcome visitors but the bird is best seen from inside the home. If you would like to try to see the bird please contact Polly Neldner at pollywren AT gmail.com and she will help you make arrangements to see the bird. On February 14, Nelder reports the VARIED THRUSH continues in La Veta.

JEFFERSON COUNTY:

--On February 18, Hackos reports seeing a Barrow’s Goldeneye at Chatfield Reservoir over the weekend. It was in the open water near the dam and west of the tower. On February 26, Kibbe reports the Barrow’s Goldeneye continues on the northwest side of the reservoir, and is easily seen just south of the picnic area near the NW boat launch parking lot.

--On February 26, Suddjian reports a White-winged Dove taking off from a yard with a bird feeding station along Massey Draw in the Ken Caryl Valley, close to Valley Parkway.

--On February 24, Suddjian reports a Northern Pygmy Owl calling from a patch of Douglas-firs in the steep part of Massey Draw at Ken Caryl Valley, which is up from Valley Parkway.

LARIMER COUNTY:

--On February 23, Wade reports a Lesser Black-backed Gull at Douglass Reservoir.

--On February 16, Rashid reports hearing a Northern Pygmy-Owl at 4:45 pm east of his house in Estes Park. He is right on time, as male Northern Pygmy-Owls begin vocalizing on territory about the middle of February.

--On February 26, Baron reports finding a Harris’s Sparrow, 1st. winter, with a flock of house sparrows at Boyd Lake SP. The flock with the Harris's was located a little northwest of the marina. From the contact station, drive 0.1 to the intersection, then turn left (north) and drive 0.5 mile. The road bends 90 degrees to the right here at the power lines. The bike path crosses the road here, too. Park in the nearby lot. The birds were near the barbed wire fence on the little rise.

MORGAN COUNTY:

--On February 8, Kellner reports 2 imm TRUMPETER SWANS at Boyd Ponds SWA at Log Lane Village near Ft. Morgan. Directions: Take Exit 79 off I-76, take Elm St. in Log Lane Village north to the parking lot near the river. From the parking lot walk the "road" east and cross the canal. Head further east along the canal. The swans were in the open water of the pond on the south side of the canal. The swans were seen by Breitsch on 2/26.

PROWERS COUNTY:
--On February 22, Floyd reports an adult Red-bellied Woodpecker, and at least three dueling male Northern Cardinals along Willow Creek, right below Lamar Community College.

PUEBLO COUNTY:

--On February 17, C. Smith reports seeing the MEW GULL below Pueblo Reservoir dam, flying around the pond, in the middle of Rock Canyon, which is on the North side of the Arkansas River. The pond is closest to the Kestrel and Red-tailed Picnic Area parking lots.

--On February 16, Percival reports a Lesser Black-backed Gull (1st yr.) at Runyon Lake, in Pueblo.

--On February 16, Percival reports a first yr. Glaucous Gull, first yr. Lesser Black-backed Gull at the South Shore Marina in Pueblo.

WELD COUNTY:
--Lefko reports Lapland Longspurs call over head in “Raptor Alley”, WCR 100 x WCR 23 x WCR 102 x WCR 27 on February 27.

Upcoming DFO Fieldtrips:

Saturday, March 1 and Sunday, March 2

San Luis Valley Exploration

Leaders: Chris Owens and Jim Petri, <christiel@q.com>, 303-772-6048

Day and a half trip to “The Valley,” as the locals call it. Meet the leaders at the Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge entrance at 7 a.m. on Saturday morning. The trip will end at 12 noon on March 2. The trip is limited to 10 participants so be sure to register. This is especially important if the weather threatens to turn nasty.

This trip is timed to see some of the Sandhill Cranes that will be migrating through the area on the way to their breeding grounds. (Remember, there is never a guarantee of anything except a good time!) We will also look for waterfowl on the numerous bodies of water in the Valley as well as raptors, including eagles. In addition, this trip will be free-flowing since I will not have time or money to scout it ahead of time. Be prepared for last minute changes, back-tracking, and general flexibility.

We will likely be walking on some easy- to moderate-ability trails, maybe up to two or three miles, so be sure you are able to participate or be willing to wait patiently at the car. You will be responsible for your own reservations and meals. We will plan to have dinner together at a restaurant on Saturday night. But arrange your own breakfasts timed for our morning meetings and bring lunches for the field.

Weather is fickle in the Valley so watch the forecast and bring appropriate clothing. Also bring scopes, binocs, and other birding necessities. Please read the liability release on the DFO website prior to signing up for the trip.

Saturday, March 1
88th and the Platte
Leaders: Cheryl Teuton and Dan Brooke, cells 303-550-0825 or 303-912-3341, leave a message, or email <teuton@earthlink.net> or <acornwp@earthlink.net>
Meet leaders at 7:45 a.m. at the parking lot just south of the intersection of 88th and Colorado. We’ll look for lingering winter ducks, search the sky for raptors, and see what we can find in the bushes, trees, and on the riverbank. This is a paved trail; plan on walking 2–4 miles. This will be a half-day trip, ending about noon. Bring binocs, scopes, water, and snacks. Dress for the weather. Let one of the leaders know to expect you, in case we need to cancel for weather.

Good Birding,

Mary Driscoll
Unincorporated Arapahoe Co.

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[cobirds] Bushnell Binocs on Amazon

Hello all;

Amazon has Busnell Legend 10x42 binoculars on a one-day sale today:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/goldbox/ref=pe_36900_113020850_dotd_h_learn

Both of my kids are birders, so I am always looking for deals on binoculars. I thought someone in this group might like this deal also.

Good birding,

Tracy Pheneger

Longmont, Co

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Thursday 27 February 2014

[cobirds] Dark morph Rough-legged Hawk in Canon City

I spotted a dark morph hawk yesterday that I believed at first to be a Harlan's Red-tailed Hawk. However,on closer examination I realized it is a dark morph Rough-legged Hawk. Photos and discussion of field marks are now on my Birds and Nature blog.

I saw the 2 Snow Geese and 5 of the Greater White-fronted Geese also yesterday in the ag fields on MacKenzie Ave.

SeEtta Moss

Canon City
http://BirdsAndNature.blogspot.com

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[cobirds] Marston, White Pelicans, Denver

Hi all,

On 2/25, I found 3 White Pelicans huddled together on the ice at Marston Reservoir, Denver County. On this day there was hardly any, any, any open water.

I did not see the above birds on 2/26 or on 2/27. I think they were on there way to somewhere else, but they were very early for Marston.

Today, 2/27, at Marston, seen from Bow Mar Dr., were Common Mergansers, Common Goldeneye, a few American Wigeon and some other goodies. Two, ad. Lesser Black-backed Gulls were on the ice. One was a very dark backed[almost black] colored bird. The other ad. Lesser Black-backed Gull had more of the typical dark gray colored back.

There were many Herring Gulls and one ad. California Gull, and many Ring-billed Gulls. A first cycle Thayer's Gull was present. I saw 4 Greater Scaup and perhaps there were more further out across the lake. They were with Lesser Scaup. I saw all of the above in the afternoon.

The lake is less than half melted. Denver Water is letting water out of the lake now. It seems to be at a fairly fast pace, but I do not know how much more the reservoir will be dropped.

Happy Birding !
Tina Jones
Littleton, Jefferson County, CO.

[cobirds] Colorado Christmas Bird Counts 2013-14 (all results in)

Hi all,

All the results from this year's CBCs are in from Colorado. The Colorado totals appear to be 190 species of birds counted on Count Day and 737,138 total birds counted on the 49 Colorado CBCs, that were submit to National Audubon. We also, have three more species that were only seen during count week. We have quite a few hybrids as well.

The best way to see the Colorado results is to go to the following website:

http://netapp.audubon.org/CBCObservation/CurrentYear/ResultsByCount.aspx

Then you have to enter United States and Colorado, and then you can click on which ever Colorado CBC you'd like to look at.

There seemed to be a problem, for some compilers recently, to get the participants all checked off, so you went on any Colorado CBC, look at see if you name is on the list for that CBC, if not, please let me know, as soon as you can, I will add you.

A big thanks to the compilers; participants; and my Rare Bird Review team for all their help with the Colorado Christmas Bird Counts. A summary of all the Colorado CBC Results will appear on the CBC Website at some point in the next few months, I'm guessing.

Brandon Percival

Colorado CBC Regional Editor

Pueblo West, CO

[cobirds] About Osprey Tower near LaPorte, CO, Larimer county

I got a very rapid answer from Pat Hayward telling me they are
moving the Osprey Tower to prepare for a roundabout at that
intersection. Thanks, Pat. Now we all know.

Mary France
Fort Collins, CO

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[cobirds] Mountain Bluebirds, Lory State Park, Larimer county

Tom and Mary France were in Lory State Park, west of Fort Collins,
this morning , 2/27/14, and saw Mountain Bluebirds. I counted 25 in 2
trees with more flying about. Most were male but we did see a couple of
female. We found them at the more southern most part of the park closer
to Arthur's Rock Trail.

Maybe Spring will get here this year!

Does anyone know why the Osprey Tower at the highway 287 cutoff in
LaPorte, Co, north of Fort Collins, was taken down?

Tom and Mary France
Fort Collins, CO

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[cobirds] Northern Goshawk - Estes Park

COBirders,

After spending a morning and afternoon ski touring and snow shoeing, my daughter, Robin wanted to check out Coffee on the Rocks place in Estes Park right of of HW 36. While there around 4:30 p.m. we were treated to a sight of watching a Northern Goshawk repeatedly chase Mallard ducks that were swimming, feeding, preening in the small stream below the coffee shop. Every time the goshawk made an attempt to snatch a Mallard, the mallards would dive below the water for 4 - 10 seconds. The goshawk made at least 12 attempts to catch a duck but with no success as we watched and marveled.

When we returned home, Robin checked out Coffee on the Rocks Facebook page. The Northern Goshawk's photo was included having previously captured a Mallard duck.

This location might be a good place for people to see a NOGO.

Ken Pals

Fort Collins

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[cobirds] A few recent birds from Jefferson and Arapahoe counties

On Feb 24 a male MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRD was along Massey Draw at Ken Caryl Valley up from Valley Parkway. The same area also had a juv. NORTHERN SHRIKE, a handful of PINE SISKINS, and a GOLDEN EAGLE, among other birds. A NORTHERN PYGMY-OWL was calling from a patch of Douglas-firs up in the steep part of the Draw.

On Feb 26 a WHITE-WINGED DOVE took off from a yard with a bird feeding station along Massey Draw in KC Valley, close to Valley Parkway. A SAY'S PHOEBE was along West Meadows Drive just east of Kipling, Littleton.

This morning Feb 27 there were two DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANTS flying around Cooley Lake at South Platte Park, eventually landing at the far side of the lake. And an adult PEREGRINE FALCON just flew north over St. Mary Church, Littleton.

David Suddjian

Littleton

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[cobirds] Laplands and Eagles/Nunn

On my way in to work today along Weld CR (WCR) 100--between WCR 23 and 27 on north--our beautiful local adult Bald Eagle (http://coloradobirder.ning.com/photo/photo/listForContributor?screenName=lefkogt) eating a rabbit on the ground right next to road before taking to the lone tree on north to perch. The Bald has been in the area all winter--seen in our driveway (pole), field (post), down the road .5m in dry creek bed, etc.

Golden Eagle along WCR 27 nearby. Local Great Horned Owl on nest, too, they beat the Red-taileds this year--this nest shared 2012-13 Red-taileds, 2010-2011 Great Horneds. The Golden Eagle nest at Wellington SWA is also active again.

Also, numerous (6-8?) Lapland Longspurs flew calling over head (as usual for here)--this area good for Laplands--WCR 100 x WCR 23 x WCR 102 x WCR 27 ("Raptor Alley")

Thanks Gary Lefko, Nunn
http://coloradobirder.ning.com/
Mobile: http://coloradobirder.ning.com/m

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[cobirds] Woodpeckers on the birdfeeder

We have lots of woodpeckers that visit our feeders in the winter—Downy, Hairy and Northern Flickers all love the seeds and the suet. We also have a Clark’s Nutcracker that visits. Watching them hang upside down, wrapping themselves around the bottom in order to get to the goodies is comical at times. The Downies and Hairies also like the to drink from the Hummingbird Feeder in the summer. Not sure if it’s good for them, but....

Christine Goff

www.christinegoff.com

Re: [cobirds] Mountain Bluebirds - El Paso County

I too saw a flock of about 20 mountain bluebirds on the east slopes of Reservoir Ridge Natural Area in west Fort Collins, Larimer County, yesterday morning. In the upper parking lot on the way out, a Townsend's solitaire was near the bridge.

Libby Edwards

Larimer County

On Wed, Feb 26, 2014 at 7:29 PM, Lee Farese <leefarese@gmail.com> wrote:

Hi All,
Saw my first Mountain Bluebirds of the season—a flock of 20 or so—this morning in Sondermann Park in Colorado Springs.

Lee Farese
Co Springs

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[cobirds] Colorado Rare Bird Alert for Thursday, February 27, 2014

Compiler: Mary Driscoll
Date: February 27, 2014
email: rba AT cfobirds.org
phone: 303-659-8750

This is the Colorado Rare Bird Alert for Thursday February 27, 2014 sponsored by the 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 (* indicates new information on this species in this report).

BRANT (Douglas)

TRUMPETER SWAN (Morgan*)
TUNDRA SWAN (Boulder)

Barrow’s Goldeneye (Jefferson)
MEW GULL (Arapahoe*, Pueblo)
Lesser Black-backed Gull (Arapahoe*, Larimer, Pueblo, Weld)
Thayer's Gull (Arapahoe*,Pueblo)

ICELAND GULL (Weld)

GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULL (Arapahoe*,Pueblo)
Glaucous Gull (Arapahoe*, Pueblo)
GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL (Pueblo)

Western Screech Owl (Delta)

Northern Pygmy-Owl (Larimer)

Red-bellied Woodpecker (Prowers)
Winter Wren (El Paso)
VARIED THRUSH (Huerfano)
Swamp Sparrow (El Paso)

White-throated Sparrow (Montrose)
Harris's Sparrow (Boulder, Huerfano, Larimer*)
Lapland Longspur (Adams)

Northern Cardinal (Prowers)
Rusty Blackbird (Douglas, El Paso)
Rosy-Finch (Boulder)

ADAMS COUNTY:
Dowell reports the following gulls at Aurora Reservoir on February 26: MEW GULL, (ad)., Lesser Black-backed Gulls, (2 ad. & 1 3rd. yr.), Thayer’s Gull, (2 juv., 1 or 2 ad.), GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULL, (2nd. winter), Glaucous Gull, (1 ad., 2 immature).

DELTA COUNTY:

--On February 25, Beason reports a Western Screech-Owl in a cavity near Escalante SWA yesterday at about 11 am.

DOUGLAS COUNTY:

EL PASO COUNTY:
--A Winter Wren was seen on February 10 in the cattails on the west side of the creek adjacent to Trail Marker 18 (concrete, 3 feet tall) on the left (east) side of the trail.
--On February 12, Jones reports 1 male Rusty Blackbird below the Fountain Creek Regional Park Nature Center. Take the trail south of the Nature Center and the bird was at the first bridge you come to. A Swamp Sparrow was at this location. A WINTER WREN was also at this same area.

--On February 16, Percival reports seeing a Swamp Sparrow at Fountain Creek Regional Park.

HUERFANO COUNTY:

LARIMER COUNTY:

--On February 23, Wade reports a Lesser Black-backed Gull at Douglass Reservoir.

MONTROSE COUNTY:

--On February 16, Wright reports a White-throated Sparrow one mile southeast of Nucla.

MORGAN COUNTY:

Prowers County:
--On February 22, Floyd reports an adult Red-bellied Woodpecker, and at least three dueling male Northern Cardinals along Willow Creek, right below Lamar Community College.

PUEBLO COUNTY:

--On February 16, Percival reports a Lesser Black-backed Gull (1st yr.) at Runyon Lake, in Pueblo.

--On February 15, Percival reports seeing a first year GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULL at the South Shore Marina at Pueblo Reservoir. A GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL, and Juvenile Thayer’s Gull were also in the same area.

--On February 16, Percival reports a first yr. Glaucous Gull, first yr. Lesser Black-backed Gull at the South Shore Marina in Pueblo.

Upcoming DFO Fieldtrips:

Saturday, March 1 and Sunday, March 2
San Luis Valley Exploration
Leaders: Chris Owens and Jim Petri, <christiel@q.com>, 303-772-6048

Good Birding,

Wednesday 26 February 2014

[cobirds] Boyd Lake SP, Loveland (Larimer Co.); Feb. 26

Hi,

I paid my first visit to Boyd Lake SP this afternoon. There weren't many songbirds but I did find a first winter Harris' Sparrow in a flock of House Sparrows and a first winter White-crowned Sparrow. The flock with the Harris' was located a little northwest of the marina. From the contact station, drive 0.1 to the intersection, then turn left (north) and drive 0.5 mile. The road bends 90 degrees to the right here at the power lines. The bike path crosses the road here, too. Park in the nearby lot. The birds were near the barbed wire fence on the little rise.

The lake is half frozen. Waterfowl included hundreds of Can. and Cack. Geese, and a flock of over 400 Redhead was on the northwest side of the lake. A decent variety of raptors were present as well.

Scott Baron

Loveland, Colo.

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[cobirds] Aurora Reservoir (Arapahoe Co.) 2/26

I stopped by Aurora Reservoir mid-late afternoon and found that the gulls have returned. There were a number of gulls I had not seen at Aurora previously. Today, the ice (covering about 25% of the lake) had a complicated structure, and gulls rested in many locations rather than in one spot. Viewing from the west side at vantage points from the marina northward to the dam provided decent looks at most of the groups. The gulls were moving around a lot, motivated by trips to the landfill and also a bothersome bald eagle. Late in the afternoon, many gulls flew toward the west, as I had seen during previous visits. Are some of these gulls roosting at Quincy and/or Cherry Creek?

Here's a summary of this afternoon's gulls at Aurora Reservoir:

* GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULL (second winter)

MEW GULL (adult)

GLAUCOUS GULLS (1 adult, 2 immature)

THAYER'S GULLS (2 juvenile, 1 or 2 adult)

LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLS (2 adult, 1 third year)

14 California Gulls

approx. 165 Herring Gulls

approx. 2400 Ring-Billed Gulls

* The second-winter glaucous-winged gull at Aurora Res. today looked nearly identical to the one Steve Mlodinow photographed (links to his photos below) at Pueblo Reservoir on December 11, and could very well be the same bird.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/36088296@N08/11349151494/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/36088296@N08/11349044085/

Duck and goose numbers were low at Aurora this afternoon. The highlight was a group of Northern Pintails.

David Dowell

Longmont, CO

PS Sometimes I do visit locations other than Aurora Reservoir. On Monday (Feb 24), the GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW was at the usual Teller Farms trailhead location on Valmont Road (Boulder County).

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[cobirds] Mountain Bluebirds - El Paso County

Hi All,

Saw my first Mountain Bluebirds of the season—a flock of 20 or so—this morning in Sondermann Park in Colorado Springs.

Lee Farese

Co Springs

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[cobirds] Fort Morgan Birding - Morgan County

I took my second shot at the Swans at Boyd. This time I found them. While there, I picked up another Cinnamon Teal and a flyover flock of 80 or so migrating Yellow-headed Blackbirds. There were a lot of Snow Geese flying around as well.

I would've stayed until the fog lifted and the sun shone a little brighter so I could get better photos, but the temperature was 5 degrees and I thought frost bite was a poor trade off, so I left. On the way home, the temperature measured in at a hefty 13 degrees as I was passing the exit for Jackson Lake SP, so the optimist in me decided to go there. It was a lot warmer, even hitting the 20s while I was there, but all I picked up was a few more accipiters chasing all the robins and waxwings. All the waxwings were cedars, but I can't complain about that.

John Breitsch

Denver, Colorado

http://www.flickr.com/photos/breitschbirding/

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[cobirds] Summary of recent (Feb14-24) visit to SE CO (Prowers, Bent, Baca, Las Animas))

Southeastern CO is always interesting. The birds are, too.

Per usual, my recent 11-day visit concentrated on the Lamar area (Prowers), with a few side trips to Lake Hasty (Bent) and one to Carrizo and Cottonwood Canyons (Baca/LasAnimas).

Lamar Area Summary: Total of 67 species. This compares with 69 species seen during the 30Dec2013-9Jan2014 period. Seen during the earlier visit and not seen this visit: Greater Scaup, Golden Eagle, Merlin, Wilson's Snipe, Northern Shrike, White-breasted Nuthatch, Marsh Wren, Northern Mockingbird, Swamp Sparrow, Lapland Longspur, Brewer's Blackbird, and Brown-headed Cowbird. (Note: several of these were seen this visit but outside what I consider the "Lamar Area", which is roughly a CBC-sized "circle" centered on downtown Lamar*). Seen this visit in the Lamar Area but not during the earlier visit: Greater White-fronted Goose, Cinnamon Teal, Northern Pintail, American Wigeon, Mountain Bluebird, Sandhill Crane, Redhead, Lesser Scaup, Canvasback, and Barn Owl.

In other words, some semi-hardy species seen at the beginning of 2014 either wigged out, moved on, or avoided detection this trip (probably mostly the latter), and obviously some migrants are beginning to show up (cranes, Cinnamon Teal, pintails, Barn Owl).

The cardinals and Red-bellied Woodpeckers are doing well in Lamar, with the redbirds being usually found at the sporadically-filled feeders (in recent years only during the Snow Goose Festival) and in the real-world Russian-olive tangles at the south end of the LCC Woods, and with the woodpeckers being regular at various areas that sport mature trees and/or suet/peanut feeders around town. Great-tailed Grackles like the Walmart parking lot e of downtown. A few Yellow-rumped Warblers have wintered per usual in Lamar, and are usually near berry-laden junipers and/or feeders. No sapsuckers this winter that I can find.

Cranes are going over daily at present. Thousands of geese of 5 species are milling about, their daily numbers and locations heavily influenced by hunters and instincts. Soon, all but a very few Canadas will move north.

Thurston Reservoir (Prowers) has a fair covering of very shallow seep-water from nearby ditches. When thawed, this is good for dabbling ducks (at present, especially 100's of pintails), cranes, and if it persists, should be good for shorebirds. Divers will have a tough time doing more than floating. All the fish died in the fall of 2012 and their carcasses still decorate a massive swath of what used to be shoreline. Signs at the entry to the southside boat ramp overgrown with tamarisk remind would-be sportspersons to be careful about importing exotic mollusks into the dirt at the bottom of the ramp. Will do.

The Black Hole and nearby area east of Two Buttes Reservoir Dam, historically one of the most exiciting birding sites in all of CO, is still closed to regular folks. Rumor has it a male Pine Grosbeak is down there at present. Weather-permitting, heavy equipment is hard at work in the area of the dam preparing it and associated spillway for the imminent 10,000 Year Flood, both of which (equipment and impending flood) render the place unsafe for normal visitation, including unfestivous birders. As Dave Barry always says, I'm not making this up.

John Martin Reservoir and Lake Hasty were mostly unfrozen during our last visit (22Feb). Waterfowl numbers seemed very low for a sizable water body at this time of year. As the winter-killed fish resource immediately available after a thaw diminishes with each ice-free day, so do the numbers of gulls and eagles. In the CG were an Eastern Bluebird and two Brown Creepers. A nice flock of over 20 Scaled Quail usually frequents the sage flats south of Lake Hasty, including the area immediately south of the outlet canal, the Corps of Engineers work buildings and the corral just e of "downtown" Caddoa. We did not see the pair of roadrunners that usually frequents the sw part of the CG. As a heads-up to would-be visitors, the only bathroom currently open in the area of Lake Hasty and nearby CG (other than one at the sometimes-open VC) is sw of the normally-unmanned CG paystation. In distinct contrast, the confederate flags in the town of Caddoa just south of Lake Hasty are unfurled, in good working order, and overtop the U.S. and Colorado banners. The only things higher on the poles are TV dishes. Unfortunately, the frayed and flapping redneck dynasty is never closed, never lays-off clerks, outreach specialists, or biologists.

Southwest of Springfield at the USFS Carrizo Canyon Picnic Area (just south of Baca CR M about 25 miles w of US287) on 20Feb was a pair of Ladder-backed Woodpeckers working drought-killed pinyons and junipers. Also in this area were Western Scrub-Jays and a Loggerhead Shrike. Probably lots of other species, had there been more time to search.

Along the Cottonwood Canyon Loop which dips down from Road M (Baca and Las Animas) on 20Feb were at least 3 Rock Wrens, 3 Canyon Wrens, singing Bewick's Wren, probable heard-only Canyon Towhee, heard-only Western Screech-Owl, 2 Mountain Chickadees, Brown Creeper, and Ruby-crowned Kinglet. No Winter Wrens, House Wren, Lewis's Woodpecker, Wild Turkey, roadrunner, or Rufous-crowned Sparrow, although such secretive birds could certainly have been present.

The number of ravens along 287 between Lamar and Campo, and between Springfield and Pritchett on US160, is higher than I can remember. Their ID is as confusing as ever. Bill Maynard and I have discussed and cussed the questionable utility of bill bristle extent along the top mandible in separating Common from Chihuahuan. If Steve Mlodinow comes down here and discovers a hybrid, I will never give this matter of trying to separate the two another thought.

* The "Lamar Area" as used here is the place name of Prowers (Rd HH/Bent CR34.5) on the west, Prowers CR13 along US50 on the east, Prowers CR X at US287 on the south, and Prowers CR UU/8 Rd on the north. While not a perfect or precise square/circle, I do not consider Tempel's Grove or the Great Plains Reservoirs within this area.

Dave Leatherman
Fort Collins

[cobirds] RFI: a book to borrow (Boulder area only)

Hey folks,

I was wondering if anyone in the Boulder city area or immediate vicinity has a copy handy of the following book that I could borrow for a couple weeks:

A Birdwatchers' Guide to Cuba, Jamaica, Hispaniola, Puerto Rico, and the Caymans

by Guy Kirwan et al.

I'd be happy to come pick it up wherever you are at a time of your convenience. Thanks!

--
Eric DeFonso
Boulder, CO

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[cobirds] Ten Thousand Cranes

I just got back from a morning at the Monte Vista NWR and it was a delightful morning. I estimate there are now about 10,000 cranes in the Valley....not quite peak yet. Add in 10,000-15,000 geese and ducks and it was amazing. (Great therapy that puts me in a better state before I tackle taxes!!!) Bald Eagles had the birds nervous and huge flocks erupted at their approach. Most snow is gone from the Valley floor so birds are spread out. But plenty to see at the Refuge.

I keep looking for the leucistic crane from last year and have not yet seen it. But today, I did spy one with white secondary coverts on both sides of the bird...very unusual appearance.

In Alamosa, up to 30 Bald Eagles have been reported in a single tree near the Cattails Golf Course.

John Rawinski

Monte Vista, CO

[cobirds] Colorado Rare Bird Alert for Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Compiler: Mary Driscoll
Date: February 26, 2014
email: rba AT cfobirds.org
phone: 303-659-8750

This is the Colorado Rare Bird Alert for Wednesday, February 26, 2014 sponsored by the 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 (* indicates new information on this species in this report).

BRANT (Douglas)

TRUMPETER SWAN (Morgan)
TUNDRA SWAN (Boulder)

Barrow’s Goldeneye (Jefferson)
GYRFALCON (Larimer)
MEW GULL (Pueblo)
Lesser Black-backed Gull (Arapahoe, Larimer, Pueblo, Weld)
Thayer's Gull (Arapahoe,Pueblo)

ICELAND GULL (Weld)

GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULL (Arapahoe,Pueblo)
Glaucous Gull (Arapahoe, Pueblo)
GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL (Pueblo)

Western Screech Owl (Delta*)

Northern Pygmy-Owl (Larimer)

Red-bellied Woodpecker (Prowers)
Winter Wren (El Paso)
VARIED THRUSH (Huerfano)
Swamp Sparrow (El Paso)

White-throated Sparrow (Montrose)
Harris's Sparrow (Boulder, Huerfano)
Lapland Longspur (Adams)

Northern Cardinal (Prowers)
Rusty Blackbird (Douglas, El Paso)
Rosy-Finch (Boulder)

ADAMS COUNTY:
--Lapland Longspurs were reported by Breitsch on the DIA Owl Loop which starts .5 mile east of Tower Rd on 96th Ave. On February 3, he found them on Trussville Rd between 114th and 120th Aves. On February 7, Walbek reports a flock of 75 Longspurs near 128th and Pohawton Rd.

ARAPAHOE COUNTY:

DELTA COUNTY:

--On February 25, Beason reports a Western Screech-Owl in a cavity near Escalante SWA yesterday at about 11 am.

DOUGLAS COUNTY:

--On February 22, Kellner reports up to 20 male, and female Rusty Blackbirds were see at Chatfield Reservoir State Park. The birds were singing in a cottonwood tree along Plum Creek between the Plum Creek picnic area parking lot and the reservoir. The birds were present for about 20 minutes singing up a storm and then flew towards the reservoir and out of sight.

--On February 16, Percival reports seeing a Swamp Sparrow at Fountain Creek Regional Park.

HUERFANO COUNTY:

--On February 18, Hackos reports seeing a Barrow’s Goldeneye at Chatfield Reservoir over the weekend. It was in the open water near the dam and west of the tower. On February 23, Kibbe reports the Barrow’s Goldeneye continues on the northwest side of the reservoir, and is easily seen just south of the picnic area near the NW boat launch parking lot.

LARIMER COUNTY:

--On February 23, Wade reports a Lesser Black-backed Gull at Douglass Reservoir.

--On February 13, Todd reports seeing a beautiful white morph Gyrfalcon over the open land between Fort Collins and Horsetooth Reservoir. It has likely flown many miles since then, but birders along the front range may want to keep an eye peeled for it. John states the bird was too large and stocky to be a Northern Harrier, and flight pattern was unlike a Northern Harrier.

MONTROSE COUNTY:

--On February 16, Wright reports a White-throated Sparrow one mile southeast of Nucla.

MORGAN COUNTY:

Prowers County:
--On February 22, Floyd reports an adult Red-bellied Woodpecker, and at least three dueling male Northern Cardinals along Willow Creek, right below Lamar Community College.

PUEBLO COUNTY:

--On February 16, Percival reports a Lesser Black-backed Gull (1st yr.) at Runyon Lake, in Pueblo.

--On February 16, Percival reports a first yr. Glaucous Gull, first yr. Lesser Black-backed Gull at the South Shore Marina in Pueblo.

Upcoming DFO Fieldtrips:

Saturday, March 1 and Sunday, March 2
San Luis Valley Exploration
Leaders: Chris Owens and Jim Petri, <christiel@q.com>, 303-772-6048

Good Birding,

Tuesday 25 February 2014

[cobirds] birder biker blog

I just wanted to share a blog that Sandra Laursen discovered which I'm enjoying a lot. It's produced by a birder-biker, touring his way around the U.S. (he'll be in Colorado later this summer). This is a fellow with a green theme, a sense of humor, the ability to contemplative and upbeat at the same time, and an incredibly stalwart attitude about his project and goals. If you go to the website and start at the bottom, you can scan through his peregrinations in chronological order. Keep in mind the insane weather the East Coast has had since he began biking in January in New England.

At present he's in the St Augustine/Daytona area of FL. Gull-lovers will enjoy the 55th "episode." (As did I, but I am not a gull-lover, notwithstanding the encouragement of local experts in the matter who have tried to coach me).

Read and enjoy. He has great photos in his collection, too.

Linda Andes-Georges
central Boulder County

http://bikingforbirds.blogspot.com

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[cobirds] Sat. Feb.22 Brant Goose/ Today 25th here

Hi Cobirders. Thanks to Steve Stachowiak good directions to Redstone Park my son Bob took me there to finally get to see the Brant Goose.
Saturday the 22nd it was seen in the large meadow south of the parking lot. There was over 500 Canada Geese strung across end of the meadow
Bob found the Brant with the telescope straight out from the lot in front of the Canada Geese. He got some pictures thru telescope good enough to
see the markings . I also saw it well. Late post thanks to Sochi.

This morning I saw a male Downy Woodpecker fly into the round cage feeder and take out a Sunflower seed and leave immediately fly to the
trunk of the tall Olive tree. Where it either stored it or ate it. First time I have seen it go into the feeder. Acted like it had been doing it many times.

Fun birding

Bob Spencer N.E. of Golden

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[cobirds] Colorado Rare Bird Alert for Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Compiler: Mary Driscoll
Date: February 25, 2014
email: rba AT cfobirds.org
phone: 303-659-8750

This is the Colorado Rare Bird Alert for Tuesday, February 25, 2014 sponsored by the 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 (* indicates new information on this species in this report).

BRANT (Douglas)

TRUMPETER SWAN (Morgan*)
TUNDRA SWAN (Boulder)

Barrow’s Goldeneye (Jefferson)
GYRFALCON (Larimer)
MEW GULL (Pueblo)
Lesser Black-backed Gull (Arapahoe, Larimer, Pueblo, Weld)
Thayer's Gull (Arapahoe,Pueblo)

ICELAND GULL (Weld)

GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULL (Arapahoe,Pueblo)
Glaucous Gull (Arapahoe, Pueblo)
GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL (Pueblo)

Northern Pygmy-Owl (Larimer)

Red-bellied Woodpecker (Prowers*)
Winter Wren (El Paso)
VARIED THRUSH (Huerfano)
Swamp Sparrow (El Paso)

White-throated Sparrow (Montrose)
Harris's Sparrow (Boulder, Huerfano)
Lapland Longspur (Adams)

Northern Cardinal (Prowers*)
Rusty Blackbird (Adams, Douglas, El Paso,)
Rosy-Finch (Boulder)

ADAMS COUNTY:
--2 Rusty Blackbirds were reported by the DFO Field Trip led by Hundertmark at Barr Lake SP below the dam on January 26. Walbek reports that 6 continue at this location as of February 7.
--Lapland Longspurs were reported by Breitsch on the DIA Owl Loop which starts .5 mile east of Tower Rd on 96th Ave. On February 3, he found them on Trussville Rd between 114th and 120th Aves. On February 7, Walbek reports a flock of 75 Longspurs near 128th and Pohawton Rd.

ARAPAHOE COUNTY:

BOULDER COUNTY:
--On February 1, Wilberding reported a TUNDRA SWAN at Cottonwood Marsh, the swan was seen again on February 23 by Breitsch, at Cottonwood Marsh.
--On February 15, Piombino reports the return of Harris’s Sparrows to her yard. On 2/16, Dunning reports seeing one Harris’s Sparrow at Piombino’s. Birders are welcome to visit, she lives near the little hamlet of Hygiene. Call her for directions at 303-776-1939. Park at the end of her driveway, tapes not necessary.
--On February 8, at Fawn Brook Inn in Allenspark, Hill reports a flock of several hundred Rosy-Finches at the feeders. 95+% Brown-capped, with at least one adult Black, and at least a couple Gray-crowned.

DOUGLAS COUNTY:

-- Stachowiak reports seeing the BRANT, on February 15, at the southeast corner of Redstone Park located in Highlands Ranch. Access the parking lot located on the west side of S Foothills Canyon Blvd approximately 2/10's of a mile south of W Town Center Drive. Look straight ahead as you enter the parking lot or to the left towards the houses on the edge of the park. I have located the bird in this area in the past as well. The Brant was seen by Keller on February 23, at the playground pond at Redstone Park.

--On February 16, Percival reports seeing a Swamp Sparrow at Fountain Creek Regional Park.

HUERFANO COUNTY:

LARIMER COUNTY:

--On February 23, Wade reports a Lesser Black-backed Gull at Douglass Reservoir.

MONTROSE COUNTY:

--On February 16, Wright reports a White-throated Sparrow one mile southeast of Nucla.

MORGAN COUNTY:

Prowers County:
--On February 22, Floyd reports an adult Red-bellied Woodpecker, and at least three dueling male Northern Cardinals along Willow Creek, right below Lamar Community College.

PUEBLO COUNTY:

--On February 16, Percival reports a Lesser Black-backed Gull (1st yr.) at Runyon Lake, in Pueblo.

--On February 16, Percival reports a first yr. Glaucous Gull, first yr. Lesser Black-backed Gull at the South Shore Marina in Pueblo.

Upcoming DFO Fieldtrips:

Saturday, March 1 and Sunday, March 2
San Luis Valley Exploration
Leaders: Chris Owens and Jim Petri, <christiel@q.com>, 303-772-6048

Good Birding,