Monday, 17 March 2014

[cobirds] Not grebes at Union - Mink in Boulder

Mark Miller found this Mink on the side of Colo. 52 (barely in Boulder County) as he headed to Franktown to look for the Eurasian Wigeon. He entrusted it to Urling to take to the Collections Dept. (Jeff Stephenson) at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science. Since I didn't have his email, I went to the Cobirds Archives and clicked on one of Mark's messages. I thought it would go to him and not to the whole world of Cobirds. Oh well - a learning experience - mine about Cobirds, the rest of you about something different in the natural world from wigeons, brants, and obscurely plumaged gulls.
    ouzels <ouzels8@aol.com> Mar 16 10:51AM -0700  

    Urling bagged your critter after we both took a look at it. We checked our
    field guides, and yours has a (large) white patch on the throat. Martens
    have orange to yellow patches there. It turns out that it's a Mink instead
    of a Marten. Equally lost on Colorado 52.
     
    Urling will haul it to the Museum tomorrow. Thanks for sharing it.
     
    Urling & Hugh Kingery


Hugh Kingery
Franktown, CO



-----Original Message-----
From: cobirds <cobirds@googlegroups.com>
To: Digest Recipients <cobirds@googlegroups.com>
Sent: Mon, Mar 17, 2014 2:25 am
Subject: [cobirds] Digest for cobirds@googlegroups.com - 11 Messages in 10 Topics

    Adam Johnson <adamjohnson.2386@gmail.com> Mar 16 11:13PM -0700  

    Spent most of the afternoon out at Timnath Reservoir, along the south
    entrance to the park, going no further than the red gate to the west of the
    parking lot and the pump house on the east. This is what I saw:
     
     
     
    - Thousands of Canada geese on the far north side of the reservoir, all
    of which were calling it sounded like.
    - Common mergansers
    - Common goldeneye
    - Red-tailed hawk
    - Several western meadowlark
    - Seagulls of some variety (not very good with them yet)
    - A group of American pipit along the rock wall east of the parking lot.
    I would guess about 15 or so but I only saw 4 or 5 at a time.
    - I got nearly to the pump house east of the parking lot when I finally
    found the Barrow's goldeneye. I only saw one pair, a male and a female.
     
     
    Here is a picture of the pair, and then a comparison shot of the two
    different goldeneye males.
     
     
    <https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-EcCEzZCEN3A/UyaR31OBCMI/AAAAAAAADWM/QHYwyNQP5n4/s1600/DSCN3344.JPG>
     
    <https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-MTnwvvXGAT4/UyaR_yRzEiI/AAAAAAAADWU/dVdh0au7xmk/s1600/1.jpg>
     
    Tina Jones <tjcalliope@hotmail.com> Mar 16 11:44PM -0600  

    Hi all,

    I did a quick look at Marston Reservoir today, only from the east side, from Bow Mar Dr., Littleton.

    I saw 1, Lesser Black-backed Gull, 1, first cycle Thayer's Gull, many Herring Gulls, quite a few California Gulls, and many Ring-billed Gulls. On the east side of the lake there is a spit in the southern part of the reservoir where these Gulls were.

    I counted 5 Eared Grebes, 1, Horned grebe, all three Merganser species, Common Goldeneye, 12 Greater Scaup [I did not see any Lesser], and around 42 Gadwall, 28 American Widgeon, and 5, Green-winged Teal. Remember the above were only seen from the eastern side of the lake.

    Right now bird variety seems to be changing over at Marston every or every other day.

    Happy Birding!
    Tina Jones
    Littleton, Jefferson County, CO.
     
    reports@hawkcount.org Mar 17 12:03AM -0400  

    Dinosaur Ridge
    Colorado, USA
    Daily Raptor Counts: Mar 16, 2014
    -------------------------------------------------------------------
     
    Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
    ------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
    Black Vulture 0 0 0
    Turkey Vulture 0 0 0
    Osprey 0 0 0
    Bald Eagle 0 15 15
    Northern Harrier 0 0 0
    Sharp-shinned Hawk 0 1 1
    Cooper's Hawk 0 2 2
    Northern Goshawk 0 0 0
    Red-shouldered Hawk 0 0 0
    Broad-winged Hawk 0 0 0
    Red-tailed Hawk 6 35 35
    Rough-legged Hawk 0 5 5
    Swainson's Hawk 0 0 0
    Ferruginous Hawk 1 5 5
    Golden Eagle 1 2 2
    American Kestrel 1 3 3
    Merlin 0 0 0
    Peregrine Falcon 0 0 0
    Prairie Falcon 1 3 3
    Mississippi Kite 0 0 0
    Unknown Accipiter 0 0 0
    Unknown Buteo 0 1 1
    Unknown Falcon 0 0 0
    Unknown Eagle 0 0 0
    Unknown Raptor 1 2 2
     
    Total: 11 74 74
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------
     
    Observation start time: 09:00:00
    Observation end time: 16:00:00
    Total observation time: 7 hours
     
    Official Counter: Bill Wuerthele
     
    Observers: Francis Commercon, Karen Fernandez, Lee Farrell,
    Mike Fernandez
     
    Visitors:
    A warm Sunday and a dry trail brought many hikers/bikers/joggers/families
    to the Ridge. A number stopped by to talk and ask questions. One group
    got a spotting-scope view of a perched male American Kestrel. Ann Groshek
    and Barb VerSteeg stopped to visit as well. Ann was one of the original
    Dinosaur Ridge Hawk Watchers back when the program was run by the Denver
    Museum of Natural History. Ann continues to volunteer in the Museum's
    Ornithology Department.
     
     
    Weather:
    It was a warm, sunny day with a nearly cloudless sky and a high temperature
    of 60 F. There was, however, a fairly constant 15 to 20 mph wind out of
    the northwest throughout much of the day. During the mid-day, scattered
    cirrus clouds moved in and out, but cloud cover was never more than 15%.
     
    Raptor Observations:
    Migrating Raptors: A total of eleven migrating raptors of five species were
    seen - Six Red-tailed Hawks, an immature Golden Eagle, a Ferruginous Hawk,
    an American Kestrel, and a Prairie Falcon. Alas, the count also included
    one unidentified raptor which slipped by the Site and got far north before
    anyone could get a look sufficient to even place it in a Family.
     
    Non-migrating Raptors: There were numerous sightings of local Red-tailed
    Hawks, with several pairs in courtship/pair-bonding display. A local
    Prairie Falcon made several appearances, and a local male American Kestrel
    was seen flying up and down the Ridge, perching on wires and harassing one
    of the migrating Red-tailed Hawks.
     
    Non-raptor Observations:
    Non-Raptor observations included the following species: Common Raven,
    American Crow, Mountain Chickadee, Black-billed Magpie, Townsend's
    Solitaire, Western Scrub-Jay, House Finch, Western Meadowlark (occasionally
    heard signing despite the roar of the dirt bike race underway on the east
    side of the Ridge), American Robin, Dark-eyed Junco, Bushtit, and Mountain
    Bluebird (small flocks passing the Site throughout the day).
     
    Predictions:
    Another warm, breezy day is predicted and has possibilities.
    ========================================================================
    Report submitted by Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory (jeff.birek@rmbo.org)
    Dinosaur Ridge information may be found at:
    http://www.rmbo.org/
     
     
    Site Description:
    Dinosaur Ridge is the only regularly staffed hawkwatch in Colorado and is
    the best place in the world to see migrating Ferruginous Hawks. Dinosaur
    Ridge may be the best place in the country to see the rare dark morph of
    the Broad-winged Hawk (a few are seen each spring). Hawkwatchers who linger
    long enough may see resident Golden Eagles, Red-tailed Hawks and Prairie
    Falcons, in addition to migrating Swainson's, Cooper's and Sharp-shinned
    Hawks, American Kestrels and Turkey Vultures. Peregrine Falcons and
    Ferruginous Hawks are uncommon; Northern Goshawk is rare but regular.
    Non-raptor species include Rock Wren, and sometimes Bushtit, Western
    Bluebird, Sandhill Crane, White-throated Swift, American White Pelican or
    Dusky Grouse. Birders are always welcome.
    The hawkwatch is generally staffed by volunteers from the Rocky Mountain
    Bird Observatory from about 9 AM to around 4 PM from the first week of
    March to the first week of May.
     
    Directions to site:
    From exit 259 on I-70 towards Morrison, drive south under freeway and take
    left into first parking lot, the Stegosaurus lot. Follow small signs from
    the south side of lot to hawkwatch site. The hike starts heading east on an
    old two-track and quickly turns south onto a trail on the west side of the
    ridge. When the trail nears the top of the ridge, turn left, head through
    the gate, and walk to the clearly-visible, flat area at the crest of the
    ridge.
     
    Linda Paulsen <birdgirl1@gmail.com> Mar 16 08:58PM -0600  

    Please unsuscribe please. Thanks. Linda Paulsen
     
    "bomaanka@yahoo.com" <bomaanka@yahoo.com> Mar 16 07:22PM -0700  

    HI CoBirders
    I saw at least three Red-breasted Mergansers at Jim Baker Resv. (Adams
    Cty.) today. They were on the east end, with many Common Mergs, Ring-billed
    Gulls, and Double-crested Cormorants. The path around the res. is closed on
    the south side. The path around the north side is open from the parking off
    of Tennyson. I walked up from Lowell Ponds.
    Bob Canter, Denver, CO
     
    Glenn Walbek <juncos@comcast.net> Mar 16 02:17PM -0600  

    Glenn Walbek
     
    Sent from my Verizon Wireless 4G LTE DROID
     
    Robb Hinds <robbh5970@gmail.com> Mar 16 02:16PM -0600  

    Yes, several people saw it earlier today.
     
    Robb Hinds
    Colorado Springs
     
     
    On Sun, Mar 16, 2014 at 1:34 PM, Gloria Nikolai
     
    Linda Paulsen <birdgirl1@gmail.com> Mar 16 01:58PM -0600  

    Janeal Thompson asked me to report for her that the Brant's was seen by her
    at 1:50 pm today (Sunday March 16th, 2014) at Red Stone Park Pond
    (Highlands Ranch). It is swimming with Snow Geese and other water fowl on
    the pond. I don't have directions as I am in Lamar, CO. Highlands Ranch
    is south of Denver.
     
    Linda Paulsen......on behalf of Janeal Thompson
    Lamar,CO
     
    ouzels <ouzels8@aol.com> Mar 16 10:51AM -0700  

    Urling bagged your critter after we both took a look at it. We checked our
    field guides, and yours has a (large) white patch on the throat. Martens
    have orange to yellow patches there. It turns out that it's a Mink instead
    of a Marten. Equally lost on Colorado 52.
     
    Urling will haul it to the Museum tomorrow. Thanks for sharing it.
     
    Urling & Hugh Kingery
     
    Joyce Takamine <jabirujt@gmail.com> Mar 16 05:18AM -0600  

    Compiler: Joyce Takamine
    Date: March 16, 2014
    email: rba AT cfobirds.org
    phone: 303-659-8750
     
    This is the Colorado Rare Bird Alert for Sunday, March 16, 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)
    TUNDRA SWAN (Boulder)
    EURASIAN WIGEON (*Douglas)
    Barrow's Goldeneye (Adams, Larimer)
    Broad-winged Hawk (Larimer)
    Upland Sandpiper (Rio Grande)
    Lesser Black-backed Gull (Bent)
    Thayer's Gull (Bent, Denver, Kiowa)
    Glaucous Gull (Bent,Denver)
    Black Phoebe (*fremont, Montrose)
    Bohemian Waxwing (Routt)
    Sagebrush Sparrow (Montrose)
    Harris's Sparrow (Delta, *Garfield, Montrose)
    Rusty Blackbird (Douglas/Jefferson, El Paso)
    Great-tailed Grackle (Boulder, El Paso, Weld)
    Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch (*Pitkin)
    Black Rosy-Finch (*Pitkin)
    Common Redpoll (Rio Grande)
     
    ADAMS COUNTY:
    --3 Barrow's Goldeneyes were reported by Gilbert on West Brant Lake on
    March 14. The lake is on 100th Ave
    between Riverdale and McKay near the Platte River.
     
    BENT COUNTY:
    --On March 8 Mlodinow reported Glaucous Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, and
    Thayer's Gull at John Martin Reservoir.
     
    BOULDER COUNTY:
    --On February 1, Wilberding reported a TUNDRA SWAN at Cottonwood Marsh; the
    swan was seen there again on February 23 by Breitsch, and may still be
    around. On March 8, at Cottonwood Marsh, Hansley reported TUNDRA SWAN and
    Great-tailed Grackle.
     
    DELTA COUNTY:
    --A Harris's Sparrow was reported by Garrison at the FS office feeder in
    Paonia on March 12.
     
    DENVER COUNTY:
    --On March 11 Suddjian reported 1-st cyc Glaucous Gull and 1-st cyc
    Thayer's Gull at Marston Reservoir.
    --On March 8 Tina Jones reported 2nd-cyc Glaucous Gull at Marston Reservoir.
     
    DOUGLAS COUNTY:
    --A m EURASIAN WIGEON was reported by Kingery at Walker Pit in Franktown on
    March 15. Directions: A .25 to .5 mile W of the Franktown traffic light
    on CO 86, turn north on Walker Road. Viewing area is straight ahead half
    mile on W side.
    -- 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. The
    Brant was seen
    by Nunes at Redstone Park on March 8. Kaemfper reported that the Brant was
    seen by the DFO Field Trip on March 9 at Redstone Park. Nikolai reported
    seeing the Brant at Redstone Park on March 15.
     
    EL PASO COUNTY:
    --On March 10, Peterson reported a f Rusty Blackbird on a pond where
    Stetson Hills Rd crosses Sand Creek W of intersection with Peterson. The
    bird was at the north end of the pond. There were also 8 Great-tailed
    Grackles at the pond.
     
    FREMONT COUNTY:
    --A Black Phoebe was reported by Moss in tree behind the Fremont
    Sanitation District Plant in Florence on March 15.
     
    GARFIELD COUNTY:
    --Dick Filby reported that his yard Harris's Sparrow continues on March 15.
    If you would like to
    try to see it e-mail him at dickfilby AT hotmail.com.
    --58 Barrow's Goldeneyes were reported by Filby at the private ponds at
    Coryell Ranch viewable from the county road in Carbondale on March 15.
     
    KIOWA COUNTY:
    --A Thayer's Gull was reported by Mlodinow at Adobe Creek Reservoir on
    March 8.
     
    LARIMER COUNTY:
    --A pair of Barrow's Goldeneyes was reported by Baron at Timnath Reservoir
    on March 10. They were seen from the parking lot of open space (South
    Shore) off of CR 40. Lefko reported on March 14, that the pair of Barrow's
    Goldeneyes continues at Timnath.
    --A dark juv Broad-winged Hawk was reported by Sparks perched over the
    Poudre River then flew and perched at Poudre Bike Trail and Lee Martinez
    Park on March 13.
     
    MONTROSE COUNTY:
    --On March 14, Dexter reported 3 Black Phoebes at Uravan.
    --On March 7, Dexter reported Sagebrush Sparrow and Harris's Sparrow on
    West 5th Ave near the Nucla Sewer Ponds.
     
    PITKIN COUNTY:
    --200 Rosy-Finches of all 3 species were reported by Filby at Snowmass Ski
    Area on March 15.
     
    RIO GRANDE COUNTY:
    --A Common Redpoll was reported by Simmons behind Homelake Cemetery at
    Monte Vista on March 9.
    --2 Upland Sandpipers were reported by Simmons on a rail fence at Monte
    Vista NWR on the west side of Hwy 15 on March 13.
     
    ROUTT COUNTY:
    On March 11, Litteral reported great numbers of Bohemian Waxwings working
    the Yampa
    River in Steamboat Springs.
     
    WELD COUNTY:
    --On March 9 Starace reported 6 Great-tailed Grackles 2 miles S of CR 48
    and CR 47.
     
    Upcoming DFO Field trips:
    The DFO Field Trip for Sunday , March 16 will be to Barr Lake SP led by
    Mark Amershek and Bruce Neuman.
    Limit of 12 participants. Please register with leader before hand,
    inclement weather might cause a change.
    Mark's phone: (303-329-8646) or email: mamershek AT msn.com
    Meet the leaders at 7:30 am at the Barr Lake SP Visitor Center. You will
    need a State Parks Pass or get a day pass at the park entrance. Bring
    Binocs, scopes, water and dress for predicted weather. Walk on mostly flat
    concrete pathways for 3-4 miles. We will be checking out water fowl,
    raptors, and early migrant birds. This is a half day trip with conclusion
    around noon. There will be an opportunity for those interested in an
    extension trip to the DIA loop in the afternoon. Bring lunch or snacks if
    continuing.
     
    Good Birding,
    Joyce Takamine
    Boulder
     
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