Matt Crooks' e-mail about the golden-crowned White-crowned prompted me to report on our experience with WCSPs last Saturday. We set up 3 nets at the feeder area at the ASGD Nature Center and banded some birds as part of the training for Audubon's new naturalists. It was a WCSP morning - we caught 11, 10 of them second year birds (that is, hatched last summer). WCSPs molt their crowns early in the spring, just before migrating to their summer grounds, and these guys were in various stages of that molt. If I had been naming the species last Saturday, I would have called it a Calico-crowned Sparrow - wildly different patterns of new black and white feathers, plus some retained tan and brown ones, with some of the tans and browns sticking up a bit and in some lights looking almost orange/golden.
Also caught 3 Juncos - 1 each of Slate-colored, Oregon and Pink-sided. The Pink-sided had been banded at the same time last year during the same training event. Also 1 very entertaining 2nd year male Red-winged Blackbird.
Banding station at Chatfield opens Saturday, April 26!
Meredith McBurney
Biologist/Bander
Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory
303-329-8091
Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory
303-329-8091
Group: http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds/topics
- Lincoln's Sparrow feeding under my nyger feeders in Canon City [1 Update]
- Golden-crowned sparrow??? ID help needed - near Chatfield, CO Douglas CO [3 Updates]
- Chatfield SP April 7 [1 Update]
- Fort Collins Turkey Vulture roost (Larimer) [1 Update]
- HSR: Dinosaur Ridge (07 Apr 2014) 7 Raptors [1 Update]
- Franklin's Gulls, Colo Spgs, El Paso Co. [1 Update]
- White-throated Swift invasion [1 Update]
- Emergency Digiscoping [2 Updates]
- Grand Valley Audubon Society Owl Prowl - Saturday April 5 [1 Update]
- At Walden Ponds/ Sawhill, Boulder County [1 Update]
- Colorado BBS routes [1 Update]
- "SeEttaM ." <seettam@gmail.com> Apr 07 11:48PM -0600
Maybe others host Lincoln's Sparrows at their home feeders but don't post
about it, but I was surprised to find one in my backyard today foraging on
the ground under my nyger feeders. I often have White-crowned Sparrows
that feed on the spilled nyger seed as well as perched on the hanging nyger
feeders (clearly they are not always the ground feeders they are reported
to be) in addition to finch species. I have always found Lincoln's
Sparrows in thick vegetation near the Arkansas River which is also where
others have reported this species in Fremont County. I am curious if
others get these at their feeders. I did get a few good photos of this
pretty bird that I have uploaded to my Birds and Nature
blog<http://birdsandnature.blogspot.com/>
.
SeEtta Moss
Canon City
http://BirdsAndNature.blogspot.com
- Matt Crooks <cheezwhizdom@gmail.com> Apr 07 09:00PM -0700
I am pretty sure it is a golden crowned that I saw. I have a picture of it
on our website. I was thrown a little by the orange bill and distinct eye
line. Is it a white-crowned with some yellow on it, or a golden-crowned?
From what I read, immature yellow-crowned can have orangish bills at times?
I am not that good with the identification of sparrows yet!
I have a picture of it on our website.
http://www.cheezwhizdom.com/nonflash/content/IMG_1766_large.html Any
help is appreciated!
Matt Crooks, Littleton CO
www.cheezwhizdom.com
- David Suddjian <dsuddjian@gmail.com> Apr 07 10:10PM -0600
That is an adult White-crowned Sparrow.
David
Littleton, CO
- Matt Crooks <cheezwhizdom@gmail.com> Apr 07 09:24PM -0700
Thanks Dave. That is certainly what I thought as well. Is it normal for a
white-crowned to have some yellow markings on top like that? Never seen
that before...
On Monday, April 7, 2014 10:00:52 PM UTC-6, Matt Crooks wrote:
- David Suddjian <dsuddjian@gmail.com> Apr 07 09:52PM -0600
The EASTERN PHOEBE continued along Plum Creek at Chatfield this morning,
singing nearly continuously, pausing only to reposition or sally after a
morsel. He was mostly very close to the east side of the Plum Creek Picnic
Area parking lot. A BARN SWALLOW was in that area, too. The Plum Creek
Nature Area had a LINCOLN'S SPARROW, 2 BLUE-WINGED TEAL, AND 1 flyover
GREATER YELLOWLEGS. A FRANKLIN'S GULL was at the marina sandspit.
The Chatfield arm at the mouth of South Platte inflow had 4 AM. WHITE
PELICANS, 1 CLARK'S GREBE with Westerns, 1 FRANKLIN'S GULL, 2 BALD EAGLES,
1 CINNAMON TEAL, 1 flyover SANDHILL CRANE, and 1 adult PEREGRINE FALCON.
David Suddjian
Littleton, CO
- David Wade <davespeedbump@gmail.com> Apr 07 06:58PM -0700
Made a quick stop at the roost this evening (6:40) and saw 9 TV's - I'm
sure there's more - in the traditional roost on Mountain Ave. Around the
corner on Washington, about mid block, East side I saw a dozen vultures in
the tall spruces. It's amazing how easily they meld into the limbs.
David Wade
Fort Collins
- reports@hawkcount.org Apr 07 09:04PM -0400
Dinosaur Ridge
Colorado, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Apr 07, 2014
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Black Vulture 0 0 0
Turkey Vulture 0 33 36
Osprey 0 0 0
Bald Eagle 0 0 25
Northern Harrier 0 1 1
Sharp-shinned Hawk 0 8 13
Cooper's Hawk 0 10 25
Northern Goshawk 0 1 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 0 0 0
Broad-winged Hawk 0 0 0
Red-tailed Hawk 5 35 165
Rough-legged Hawk 0 2 9
Swainson's Hawk 0 0 0
Ferruginous Hawk 0 0 8
Golden Eagle 0 1 8
American Kestrel 2 10 24
Merlin 0 0 0
Peregrine Falcon 0 0 2
Prairie Falcon 0 1 6
Mississippi Kite 0 0 0
Unknown Accipiter 0 5 7
Unknown Buteo 0 3 8
Unknown Falcon 0 0 0
Unknown Eagle 0 0 0
Unknown Raptor 0 0 4
Total: 7 110 342
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Observation start time: 09:15:00
Observation end time: 16:00:00
Total observation time: 6.75 hours
Official Counter: Bill Flowers
Observers: Nelson Ford
Visitors:
A few hikers and some mountain bike riders were seen in the afternoon. Two
women stayed for about 5 minutes and one of the women spotted a migrating
Red-tailed Hawk. I tried to recruit them as observers, but they decided to
finish their hike instead.
Weather:
The day had sunshine and snow. In the morning, about 10:00 AM, it started
snowing and became heavy for the entire 10:00-11:00 survey hour. The snow
became spotty from 11:00 AM through 1:00 PM. There were no raptors or very
few other birds observed during these periods. A welcomed observer, Nelson
Ford, showed up at 11:00 to help but the weather did not cooperate. Of
course when he left, a few Red-tailed Hawks migrated through from 1:30
through 2:30 PM.
Raptor Observations:
A few raptors were observed migrating during the times when it was not
snowing. These included 5 Red-tailed Hawks and 2 American Kestrels. These
raptors flew low over Dinosaur Ridge or just to the East of the Ridge.
Resident Red-tailed Hawks and Turkey Vultures were observed in the
afternoon.
Non-raptor Observations:
Other birds seen or heard included Townsend's Solitaire, Western
Meadowlark, Spotted Towhee, Black-billed Magpie, Western Scrub-jay,
American Crow, Common Raven, American Robin, and Mountain Bluebird.
Several mule deer were seen on both sides of Dinosaur Ridge. On the East
side, two bucks and a doe stayed below the Hawk Watch site for most of the
day.
Predictions:
As the weather warms, migration should increase significantly. Tomorrow
should be much better than today.
========================================================================
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.
- Steven Brown <sbrown37@gmail.com> Apr 07 05:25PM -0600
Hi COBirders,
We just observed a large flock (75+) of Franklin's Gulls battling the wind and heading North at low elevation, here on the West side of Colorado Springs, at the edge of the foothills in Mountain Shadows. A yard-bird for me!
Happy Migration,
Steve Brown
Colorado Springs
- Glenn Walbek <gwalbek@comcast.net> Apr 07 12:57PM -0600
Loch and I are witnessing hundreds and hundreds of WTSWs streaming in low along the Arkansas River in Florence.
Glenn Walbek
Castle Rock, CO
Sent from my Verizon Wireless 4G LTE DROID
- Ted Floyd <tedfloyd57@hotmail.com> Apr 07 12:27PM -0700
Here's a whole article on how to do it:
http://bg.aba.org/i/216642/31
Author is Sharon Stiteler. Article appears in the ABA's quarterly magazine,
"Birder's Guide."
Ted Floyd
Lafayette, Boulder County, Colorado
P.s. Turkey Vultures aplenty yesterday afternoon in Gregory Canyon, Boulder
County, and a few Vesper Sparrows yesterday (with an Eastern Bluebird,
which I posted earlier) at the Coalton Trail, Boulder County. And this
morning at Greenlee Preserve, Boulder County, a Black-crowned Night-Heron.
On Monday, April 7, 2014 10:36:28 AM UTC-6, Dick Filby wrote:
- John Maynard <JohnAMaynard@comcast.net> Apr 07 04:42PM -0600
You can also use your iPhone with your binoculars to photo birds if a scope is not available. Hold steady!
John Maynard
- Dick Filby <dickfilby@hotmail.com> Apr 07 10:46PM +0100
Hi all
On Saturday 30 folks joined me for a fun afternoon in rural, and not so
rural, Mesa and Delta Counties, in search of owls. In the evening some of us
continued to the Grand Mesa, despite a poor weather forecast of wind and
snow as it didn't look bad up there, looking up from Clifton. The weather
forecast was incorrect - it was idyllic up there early evening!
We started out in search of Burrowing Owls near the Utah border, and enjoyed
at least four Golden Eagles as well as plenty of Horned Larks and
White-tailed Prairie-Dogs. It took much searching before a couple of us
glimpsed a Burrowing Owl, very distantly, that unfortunately promptly
disappeared. We then headed into the nearby washes and searched the
tamarisks for Long-eared Owls. After finding an owl pellet under a roost
tree, we later had a glimpse of a flying owl, before seeing a female
incubating on a nest in the depths of a tamarisk thicket. Watching from a
distance with a scope, she seemed unconcerned - indeed she was facing away
the whole time we were there, so although the views were less than stellar,
we felt very privileged to see her at all. We left her in peace, wishing her
good luck for breeding success and lack of disturbance. Please don't ask me
where she was! Next stop was Highline State Park where the Great Horned
Owls have taken over a heron nest, and all the herons have left the other
nests in the tree! That's the way it works! It was very nice to enjoy great
views in the scope.
Heading back east along 6/50 we spotted some aerial action in the form of
two Peregrine Falcons doing their best to catch a Franklin's Gulls. Despite
having a tag team of combatants intent of a meal, it seemed the Franklin's
managed to avoid become dinner. Dave then invited us to his yard where a
Western Screech Owl has been in the nest box every day for recent weeks, but
unfortunately it was not present today. We tried other boxes in the Redlands
later, but all without success.
In Clifton we tried for a Barn Owl, but it wasn't co-operating, although
three Ospreys flying around provided some excellent alternative viewing. By
now it was nearly dark so those of that were up-for-it decided to head up
onto the Grand Mesa, as the weather looked fine up there.
Well, the weather was just fine when we arrived. We stopped at dusk and
search the lower aspen groves for a Northern Pygmy Owl, but not a hoot or
any other sign.. With the weather still and perfect for listening, we
headed up on top and stopped at many spots on both sides of the summit,
hoping to hear a Boreal Owl, but tonight they just were not singing. Soon it
started to snow, although there was no wind, we decided that we'd had the
best of the day and so we left the 12F temps behind and went homewards. A
Porcupine was at the side of the road as we headed down.
For me, I had to head back to my desk to finalise details of next year's
Snow Leopard tour and get it on sale.
All in all a good day, filled with humor and good company.
Thanks all and good birding,
Dick Filby
Carbondale CO
- Carl Starace <castarace@gmail.com> Apr 07 02:16PM -0600
Hello all, Just south of Sawhill Preserve in the big field to the
east there were two female Wild Turkey preening away .The male Cinnamon
Teal continues, [pond to the rt. as you walk towards Sawhill side from
Cottonwood marsh. There were 4 BW Teal at Cottonwood, a White Pelican and
a lone Avocet. I also had an Eastern Phoebe and single Chipping Sparrow
this morning. Best, Carl Starace, Longmont
- "Leon Bright" <urraca2@comcast.net> Apr 07 01:48PM -0600
COBirders,
To have 128 of the State's 132 Breeding Bird Survey routes covered this
year is phenomenal! Super job, Hugh-maybe you will bat 1000 this spring!
Leon Bright (Pueblo)
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