[cobirds] Colorado Rare Bird Alert for Saturday, February 15, 2014

Compiler: Ira Sanders

Date: February 15, 2014

email: rba AT cfobirds.org

phone: 303-659-8750

 

This is the Colorado Rare Bird Alert for Saturday, February 15, 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)

AMERICAN WOODCOCK (El Paso)

MEW GULL (Pueblo)

Lesser Black-backed Gull (Arapahoe, Pueblo*)

Thayer's Gull (Pueblo*)

Glaucous Gull (Arapahoe, Pueblo)

GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL (Arapahoe, Pueblo*)

Winter Wren (El Paso*)

VARIED THRUSH (Huerfano*)

Fox Sparrow (Douglas)

Harris's Sparrow (Huerfano)

Lapland Longspur (Adams)

Rusty Blackbird (Adams, El Paso*)

Rosy-Finch (Boulder*, Jefferson)

Common Redpoll (Douglas)

 

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.

 

ARAPHOE COUNTY:

--On February 5, Suddjian reported a GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL at McLellan Reservoir.

--Dowell reports the following at Aurora Reservoir (fee area $10.00):  3 immature Glaucous Gulls and 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls were present on February 7.

 

BOULDER COUNTY:

--On February 1, Wilberding reported a TUNDRA SWAN at Cottonwood Marsh.  On February 3, Teuton reports the TUNDRA SWAN has moved to Hillcrest Reservoir in the Valmont Reservoir complex and is observable from Legion Park.

--2 Gray-crowned Rosy-Finches were reported by Starace at the Lyons cemetery on February 14.

--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:

--A BRANT was reported by Kellner at Chatfield State Park at the south marina with 1200 Cackling Geese on February 2.

--About 12 Common Redpolls were reported by Crews in the parking area at Roxborough State Park February 5.

--On February 7, Kingery reports a Fox Sparrow at the feeders at his home in Franktown.  It has not been seen again.

 

EL PASO COUNTY:

--An AMERICAN WOODCOCK was found by Teuton and Brooke at Fountain Creek Regional Park on February 9.  It was seen again on Feb 10 at the same location but apparently not on Feb 11.  Directions: go south on the trail from the Willow Springs parking area (at north end of the park) past mile marker 18 to the concrete gazebo.  It was in the little creek to the right of the trail.

--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.

 

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. The Harris's Sparrow is last reported on February 2.

 

JEFFERSON COUNTY:

--On February 6, Moore reported there were 8 Rosy-Finches at Red Rocks Trading Post.  

 

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.

 

PUEBLO COUNTY:

--On February 9 Teuton reports the following seen below the Visitors Center at Pueblo Lake State Park: 2 GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULLS, several Lesser Black-backed Gulls and an imm Glaucous Gull.

--On February 8 Teuton saw a MEW GULL at the same location.

--On February 14, Percival reports 1 adult GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL, 1 adult Lesser Black-backed Gull and 1 first year Thayer's Gull in the SE corner of Pueblo Reservoir.

 

 

Upcoming DFO Fieldtrips:

 

Saturday, February 15  Red Rocks Park

Leader: Tom Bush, 303-904-4576

Meet at 9 a.m. at the Red Rocks Trading Post and bird until 12 noon. We’ll spend some time checking out all the activity at the feeders––possible rosy-finches, jays, chickadees, and maybe some surprises.

We’ll do some walking, 2 miles or less, looking for raptors. Be prepared for the weather. Trails could be slick and challenging. Bring water, snack, and lunch. To reach Red Rocks Trading Post go west out of Morrison on Hwy 74. Less than 0.5 mile out of Morrison, turn right on Red Rocks Park Road (Entrance 2 to Red Rocks Park). Stay right at the first fork. Continue on Red Rocks Road approximately a mile to the Trading Post.

Sunday, February 16  Roxborough State Park

Leader: Doris Cruze, 303-798-8072

Meet leader at 8 a.m. at the Visitor’s Center for a 3.5-hour walking tour on an easy trail. Participants should see Golden Eagles and species common in the foothills. State Parks Pass required or $5 entrance fee per car. Lunch will be optional but there is a beautiful place to sit on the patio and watch the birds as you eat lunch.

Take S. Wadsworth Blvd. past Chatfield SP to Waterton Rd on left. Take Waterton Rd. 1.6 miles east to North Rampart Range Rd., turn right and go south 2.3 miles to Roxborough Park Rd. Turn left and follow signs to the park (2.2 miles). This is an excellent trip for novice birders and new members.

Good Birding,

Ira Sanders

Golden, CO