Friday, 27 February 2026

[cobirds] Birding Camera Optics Question

Need assistance understanding pixel pitch effect on resolution.
Due to life changes, I am now birding using my camera at the limits of its abilities.
My Nikon D7200 plus 300mm zoom lens is aging, and I want to replace it with a Z 6 iii mirrorless with 200mm zoom plus 2x telextender. The D7200 has 3.89 µm pixel pitch, the Z 6 iii has 5.92 µm. Am I correct that, all things being equal, this means worse resolution at the same distance?
I had been thinking that better image stabilization, larger sensor, and newer electronics would be an advantage, then it occurred to me to check the pixel pitch. I really don't want to spend thousands of dollars to make my remaining birding years worse. Any advice greatly appreciated.
The picture attached (I'm thinking red tailed hawk) is taken at the limit of my D7200 rig.)  I hope this image clarifies my dilemma. Image taken in North Boulder CO on 2 24 2026.
For_id_shrp_crop_DSC1495 copy.jpg

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[cobirds] Additional instructions to birders from Cemetery Staff - Longmont.

Cemetery staff ask that birders should stay on roads only, please do not shortcut across burial plots. We were able to see both woodpeckers this morning 2/27 from the many roads in the cemetery. 

Thanks,
Scott Severs
Longmont

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[cobirds] Re: [nature-net] the Decline

Thanks Scott.    
           The "canary in the coal mine".    I've watched the decline of birds and bird species throughout the Colorado region for 48 years.  My observations are not strictly scientific I admit, but yearly and monthly trips to favored areas have led me to see and believe that many species are in decline.   Pawnee Grasslands, Rocky Mt. National Park, Boulder Mt. Park, Indian Peaks Wilderness, Boulder County Open Space, among many other places all are showing some species rapidly decreasing, including the following:
Flycatchers - all
Vireos - all
Black Headed Grosbeaks
Lazuli Buntings
Tanagers
Green Tailed Towhees
Bluebirds
Western Meadowlarks
Yellow Breasted Chats
Cassin's Finches
Woodpecker species - especially Williamson's Sapsuckers and Red Napped Sapsuckers
and many other species. 

In my observations, habitat is being lost at a rapid rate, both north and south along end-point migratory routes.   Some species though, are adapting to these changes by nesting in suburban-urban areas.   Not because they want to, but because they are forced to.   Examples include:
Say's Phoebes
Great Horned Owls
Coopers Hawks
Red Tailed Hawks
Swainson's Hawks
etc, etc. 
       48 years ago, you would almost NOT see any of these species' nesting near human habitats.  

And note that this isn't just birds - its many species of wildlife and plant life.  

Just my two cents. 

John T (Tumasonis) 





On Friday, February 27, 2026 at 7:39:12 AM UTC-7 Linda wrote:
Scott, thanks so much for sharing this article (and research links). It confirms what we have all been saying with increasing dread.

I think daily of Carson's Silent Spring as my yard becomes more and more bereft of its former soundscape and busy creatures of all kinds. I imagine that city folk have no clue about all this, unless they are critter-watchers. We and those intrepid science scholars have become the iconic canaries, shrieking into the wind about what is happening.

Heaven help us all.

It sure feels alarmingly like spring, far too early this year. Our little orchard crop is certainly doomed!

Go outside, everyone, and be grateful for all you see at present. Explain and apologize to your grandkids, if you have any!

Linda



On Feb 26, 2026, at 18:40, Scott E. Severs <scotte...@gmail.com> wrote:

Common factors: intensive agriculture, pesticides, loss of insects, climate change, unnatural predation.

 

Scott E Severs Longmont ScottE...@gmail.com (Note the "E" in the address above) Sent from Gmail Mobile

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[cobirds] Re: [nature-net] the Decline

Scott, thanks so much for sharing this article (and research links). It confirms what we have all been saying with increasing dread.

I think daily of Carson's Silent Spring as my yard becomes more and more bereft of its former soundscape and busy creatures of all kinds. I imagine that city folk have no clue about all this, unless they are critter-watchers. We and those intrepid science scholars have become the iconic canaries, shrieking into the wind about what is happening.

Heaven help us all.

It sure feels alarmingly like spring, far too early this year. Our little orchard crop is certainly doomed!

Go outside, everyone, and be grateful for all you see at present. Explain and apologize to your grandkids, if you have any!

Linda



On Feb 26, 2026, at 18:40, Scott E. Severs <scottesevers@gmail.com> wrote:

Common factors: intensive agriculture, pesticides, loss of insects, climate change, unnatural predation.

 

Scott E Severs Longmont ScottESevers@gmail.com (Note the "E" in the address above) Sent from Gmail Mobile

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Thursday, 26 February 2026

[cobirds] Leaf-footed Bug Woodpecker

The Acorn Woodpecker that showed up recently at Mountain View Cemetery in Boulder is generating lots of interest from birders.  Todd Deininger of Longmont was kind enough to share a few photos of the bird with something in its beak.  I thought those of you who have seen the bird might be interested in what it ate for at least one meal.  It obviously has other food issues figured out, too.  I know from having led “what birds eat” field trips in that cemetery that it has some fine oak trees.  In the right year, those oaks probably have lots of acorns.

 

The insect in Todd’s photo is a leaf-footed bug in the family Coreidae, genus Leptoglossus.  There are multiple species in this genus in Colorado, but it is probably L. occidentalis (common name Western Conifer Seed Bug).  It inserts its long needlelike mouthpart, called a stylet, in the seeds of pines and other conifers.  These bugs are reported to also feed on the moist fruits of other woody plants.  I have long suspected they poke juniper cones (“berries”), as I see a lot of these insects associated with Rocky Mountain Juniper.  Below at left is Todd’s photo, highly cropped.  Note the wide “calf” (tibia) expansion on each hind leg that is leaflike and gives the group its name.  At right is a photo of a leaf-footed bug (Leptoglossus sp.) from a pine tree on the Baca County Courthouse grounds, Springfield, CO.  I wager anyone who has spent considerable time outside paying attention to anything other than their Merlin app has seen these.

 

          

 

Thanks to Todd for sharing his observation.  If anybody else sees this bird eat something interesting, please take a pic and send it to me.  Thanks.

 

Dave Leatherman

Fort Collins

 

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[cobirds] Birds Aren’t Just Declining. They’re Declining Faster, a New Study Finds

Common factors: intensive agriculture, pesticides, loss of insects, climate change, unnatural predation.

 

Scott E Severs Longmont ScottESevers@gmail.com (Note the "E" in the address above) Sent from Gmail Mobile

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[cobirds] Acorn Woodpeck visitation in Longmont

I talked with the grounds keeper this morning and he asked me to pass on some information about visiting to see the Acorn Woodpecker.

Parking, park on 11th Ave, too many people have been parking on the grass or blocking roads.

Try and stick to walking on the roads in the cemetery to avoid groups of people standing on the graves. Also, be aware of cars using these roads and don't block cars driving through.

Avoid people that are there visiting their loved ones.

He understands our excitement and is glad people are enjoying the birds in the cemetery.

Note: there is a funeral today at 11am, try and avoid coming.


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Todd Deininger
Longmont, CO

Latest on Flickr
Follow me on inaturalist at toddwd1
youtube.com/@DeiningerProductions

"A good teacher leaks curiosity into the cracks of indifference."
-- unknown

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