[cobirds] Re: Comments on reported Boulder Ross's Goose, Bay-breasted Warbler and update on Larimer LBBGs

Thanks to Nick getting some photo documentation shots of the Ross's-type goose at Dodd Reservoir, I believe there are two in Boulder County. The one I observed yesterday at Fairgrounds Lake (at essentially the same time as Nick was over at Dodd) was a very white individual appearing adult-like until I scoped it, with limited dusky feathers on head and nearly all white on back. It had a darkish line from bill to eye and a small triangular bill. Bird smaller than nearby Cackling Geese, I lean toward a pure Ross's for this bird.

There is definitely something to this aphid thing as all the late warblers in Boulder over the years seem to have an affinity to planted pines in office parks! I have a ton of trees to sort through on my lunch breaks! :)

Scott Severs

Longmont
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On Sunday, November 10, 2013 12:42:28 PM UTC-7, Nick Komar wrote:

I have posted some photos of the Larimer County Brant, the Boulder County Bay-breasted Warbler and the three Chen geese reported from Longmont, which includes the reported juvenile Ross's Goose, the adult white Snow Goose and the adult "blue" Snow Goose. These are in my recent bird pix gallery at www.pbase.com/quetzal.

Update: I have heard that the 6 Lesser Black-backed Gulls are still loafing in the northwest corner of Horseshoe Lake in northeast Loveland.

Comment on Ross's Goose: The photo is not the best, but the bill shape and head shape do not look right for Ross's Goose. I suspect hybrid Ross's x Snow Goose. Note the lack of a vertical edge to the base of the bill.

Comment on the Bay-breasted Warbler: First, thanks to Alan Contreras for finding it, identifying it and sharing with the birding community. This bird has provided a rare Colorado learning opportunity for solving one of the greatest ID challenges (young Pine vs. Bay-breasted vs. Blackpoll Warblers in fall) as well as for understanding warbler foraging behavior. I have posted some comments on the ID features with my photos. I am thinking that this is a first fall male. Anyone disagree?

Suggestion: Everyone walk outside, find a pine tree with moths and bees flying around it on this warm afternoon (indicating an aphid infestation), and then check the infested pine carefully for a happy warbler. I'll bet there are others out there.

Nick Komar
Fort Collins, CO

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