Monday, 29 February 2016

[cobirds] San Luis Valley New Arrivals

Hi all:
 
First observations of the season are always exciting and fun. Our long winters and the dearth of birds, makes the newcomers a welcome sight for our longing eyes. 
 
Jerry Poe and I got great looks today at Sagebrush Sparrow. There were at least 12 of them that we observed. Their gray heads, eye ring, central breast spot, brown backs and darker tails where readily visible as they even sang perched from shrubs. Other birds showed territorial behavior, fighting and chasing.  They can be seen in the San Luis Hills area by following my suggested routes in my birdbook guide. So todays sightings move the early date ahead by 4 days, with March 4th being the previous early date.
 
As we drove the county roads, a Sage Thrasher flew across the road. It's long tail and gray body were distinctive as it flew into the Greasewood brush. This extends the early date from March 1st to, well, February 29th! So it's a leap year bird and well normally it would have been March 1st anyway! Right!
 
Lots of birds moving in and about. Refuge is loaded with a variety of waterbirds. Canvasback were on the pond on the north of the Auto Tour Loop after the entrance. Cheers....
 
John Rawinski
Monte Vista, CO
 

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[cobirds] Jefferson County, Williamson's Sapsuckers (male and female) at Genesee Mountain house

I originally reported a MALE Williamson's Sapsucker on January 27, 2016 at my home in Genesee at 7500'. This is out-of season, as males start arriving here March 30 and early April. This male remained from Jan 27-30. It was always in one Ponderosa Pine at 35', where it drilled 100+ wells. The male appeared twice (that I saw) in February, on Feb 14 and Feb 22.

A FEMALE WISA appeared on February 24, 2016. It was tapping on a different Ponderosa Pine thirty feet away at 25' height. It was gone when I returned to take its photo.

Birders are welcome to my house at 1298 Northridge Court, Golden (7 minutes off I-70 Lookout Mountain or Genesee Park). But because I saw them only three times total in February, it's not worth the trip unless you want to see the drill holes. The male's ponderosa is marked with a yellow ribbon (thirty feet from my garage door, downhill and next to the driveway.) Call me at 303-968-4750 if you want to come, and I'll be on the lookout for you.
- Kathanne Lynch, Genesee Mountain

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[cobirds] Mountain Bluebird at Walker Ranch

Spotted the first (for me) mountain bluebird of the year.  A brilliant male flew across Flagstaff Rd. just at the Walker Ranch turn.  Seems early for 7500 feet. Perhaps in celebration of Leap Day.

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[cobirds] Lesser Black-backed Gull on Baseline Reservoir

Hi all -

On the 25th of February, David Waltman photographed a juvenile Lesser Black-backed Gull on Baseline Reservoir.  Since I pass by there frequently, I decided to go take a look this weekend.  There is a little sand bank on the southwest part of the reservoir that gulls like, easily seen from Cherryvale Road.  After getting the scope set up, I observed a gull flying around with dark grey on the top side of the wings.  Of course, it headed for the other side of the reservoir.  After ten or fifteen minutes, it came back towards me, and landed close to the shore near the group of ringbills.  I got a pretty good look at it, but it was not the same bird that David had photographed.  I took a few photos through my scope with my cell phone, although they did not completely capture the details.  The red spot on the beak appears dark in my pictures, but the darker grey back clearly shows when compared to the ringbills.  It was most cooperative, staying put for about fifteen minutes so I could get a good look.  It then took off to chase some other gulls that were bringing up crawfish.

David's eBird list, with photos -  http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S27818844

My eBird list, with lesser quality photos -  http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S27867008

On another note, there has been a pretty good showing of hooded mergansers on the reservoir for the last couple of weeks.  One day, I counted 33 of them, which ebird flagged as a high count for the date/location.  The goldeneyes seem to be happy here as well, and a decent sized flock of redheads has been present for the last week or so. 

Happy birding -

Jeff Parks
Boulder, CO

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[cobirds] Colorado Rare Bird Alert, 29 February 2016

Compiler:   Joyce Takamine
e-mail:     RBA AT cobirds.org
Date:  February 29, 2016
This is the Rare Bird Alert for Monday, February 29, sponsored by Denver Field
Ornithologists and the Bird Conservancy of the Rockies.

Highlight species include: (* indicates new information on this species).
 
Mute Swan (Weld)
Tundra Swan (Park)
Surf Scoter (*Adams)
Long-tailed Duck (Arapahoe, El Paso, Mesa, Moffat)
Barrow's Goldeneye (Garfield)
Sharp-tailed Grouse (Weld)
Red-necked Grebe (Weld)
AMERICAN WOODCOCK (Larimer)
Thayer's Gull (Douglas/Jefferson, Larimer, Weld)
ICELAND GULL (Arapahoe, Larimer, Weld)
Lesser Black-backed Gull (Bent, Crowley, Douglas/Jefferson, Larimer, Weld)
GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULL (Larimer)
Glaucous Gull (Bent)
Great Black-backed Gull (Bent, Larimer)
Greater Roadrunner (Baca, Bent)
Burrowing Owl (El Paso)
ACORN WOODPECKER (El Paso)
Red-belllied Woodpecker (Baca, Bent, Prowers, Yuma)
Williamson's Sapsucker (El Paso)
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Boulder, Prowers)
Ladder-backed Woodpecker (Baca, El Paso)
American Three-toed Woodpecker (Park)
Eastern Phoebe (Pueblo)
Carolina Wren (Jefferson)
Winter Wren (Douglas)
Bewick's Wren (El Paso)
Gray Catbird (El Paso)
Curve-billed Thrasher (Baca, *El Paso)
Lapland Longspur (Lincoln, Weld)
Chestnut-collared Longspur (Weld)
McCown's Longspur (Lincoln)
Yellow-throated Warbler (*Larimer)
Canyon Towhee  (Baca, Otero)
Sagebrush Sparrow (*Mesa)
Northern Cardinal (Prowers, Yuma)
Brown-capped Rosy-Finch (Grand, Park, Pitkin)
Black Rosy-Finch (Grand, Pitkin)
Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch (Grand, Jefferson, Park, Pitkin)
Common Redpoll (Grand, Jefferson)

ADAMS COUNTY:
--A f Surf Scoter was reported by J.D. Birchmeier at Lake Ladora in Rocky Mountain Arsenal on February 27.  On February 28, Dan Stringer reported f Surf Scoter at Lake Ladora.

ARAPAHOE COUNTY:
-- On February 9, David Suddjian reported 3 Long-tailed Ducks. On February 12, Niyo reported seeing the Long-tailed Ducks at South Platte Reservoir.  On February 18, Chuck Aid, Michael Kiessig, and Kate Frost reported 3 Long-Tailed Ducks at South Platte Reservoir.  On February 19, David Suddjian reported 2 Long-tailed Ducks at South Platte Reservoir.  On February 20, Ben Sampson reported 3 Long-tailed Ducks at South Platte Reservoir.  On February 21, Gene Rutherford and Ben Sampson reported 3 Long-tailed Ducks at South Platte Reservoir.

BACA COUNTY:
--3 Canyon Towhees were reported by Chip Clouse in Picture Canyon on February 19.
--A Greater Roadrunner was reported by Mark Amershek on February 19 at Comanche National Grasslands.
--At Two Buttes SWA on February 20, Ted Floyd reported Curve-billed Thrasher and Red-bellied and Ladder-backed Woodpecker in same tree.
 
BENT COUNTY:
--At John Martin Reservoir on February 4, Duane Nelson reported 1 1-st winter Glaucous Gull, 2 Great Black-backed Gulls (1 ad, 1 1st cyc), and 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls.  On Feb 14, Nelson reports a Lesser Black-backed Gull at Adobe Creek Reservoir.
--On February 21, Ted Floyd reported 2 Greater Roadrunners at Hasty Campground and Red-bellied Woodpecker.
--On February 21, Ted Floyd reported Glaucous Gull at John Martin Reservoir at far east side of dam.
 
BOULDER COUNTY:
--An ad m Yellow-bellied Sapsucker was reported by Christian Nunes at Bohn Park in Lyons on January 31.  The bird was in pine trees in the SW corner of the park.  On February 12, Bushing reports seeing the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker at Bohn Park in Lyons in the pine trees in the SW corner of the park.  On February 18, Sue Riffe reported Yellow-bellied Sapsucker at Bohn Park.

CROWLEY COUNTY:
--At Lake Henry on February 21, Ted Floyd reported 2-3 Lesser Black-backed Gulls.

DOUGLAS COUNTY:
--A Winter Wren was reported by High Kingery in Castlewood Canyon SP on February 19.

DOUGLAS/JEFFERSON COUNTIES:
--At Chatfield SP on February 24, David Suddjian reported Lesser Black-backed Gull and Thayer's Gull.
 
EL PASO COUNTY:
--On February 20, Mel Goff reported ACORN WOODPECKER in Willow Cricle Neigbhorhood of Colorado Springs.
--A Gray Catbird was reported by Tyler Stuart at Sinton Pond in Colorado Springs on February 22.
--At Big Johnson on February 24, Mark Peterson and Alan Versaw reported Long-tailed Ducks and Burrowing Owl.
--On February 24 at Garden of Gods Park, Tyler Stuart reported a pair of WIlliamson's Sapsuckers.
--A singing Bewick's Wren was reported by Steve Getty at Aiken Cnayon about 0.5 km up trail in pinon-juniper on February 27.
--On February 28 at Chico Basin Ranch, Gloria Nikolai reported 2 Ladder-backed Woodpeckers and Curve-billed Thrasher.

GARFIELD COUNTY:
--On February 19, Louise Glaser reported about 100 Barrow's Goldeneyes in Glenwood Spring on Satank Road by the pond.
 
GRAND COUNTY:
--On February 18, Carol Hunter reported 1 Black Rosy-Finch, 100 Gray-crowned Rosy-Finches, and 12 Common Redpolls on CR 64.
--On February 23, Cath Craig that all 3 Rosy-Finches have returned to her feeders in Granby.  Contact her at PioneerCSC AT aol.com.

JEFFERSON COUNTY:
--Ira Sanders has feeders which attract Common Redpoll and Rosy-Finches.  His address is 314 Defrance Ct, Golden.  He usually posts to CoBirds if birds show up.  If ELK are going after his feeders, or are in his yard, please chase them off, per Ira.  On February 19, Sanders reports the Common Redpoll at his residence, but less frequent visits.  On February 20, Carlos Ross reported Common Redpoll at DeFrance Ct in Golden. On February 23 Ira Sanders reported 14 Gray-crowned Rosy-Finches at his feeders.              
--On December 31, Gwen Moore reported a Carolina Wren at 2695 Newland St in Lakewood at the residence of Patty Echelmeyer.  Patty first saw this bird in November.  On February 12, Gwen Moore reports the Carolina Wren continues at the feeders.  The owners invite you to come in the yard and go to the feeder behind the house on the west and a suet feeder on the south side of the house.  Please be respectful of the bird and do not try to approach too closely.  You may park on Newland.  
 
LARIMER COUNTY:
--On December 11, Jeff Birek reported Yellow-throated Warbler in Fort Collins.  The warbler is visiting the feeders in the backyard of Luke Caldwell at 1520 W Mountain.  Caldwell welcomes birders to enter his yard through the front and proceed along the east side.  The bird spends most of the time visitng the feeder in the pine trees along the east fence line near the alley.  On February 2, Dave Leatherman reported that the home owners at 1520 W. Mountain Ave saw the Yellow-throated Warbler.  On February 23, Dave Leatherman reported that the homeowners reported that the warbler has been very irregular in its visits, most likely to come on cold mornings.  On Februrary 24, Robert Beauchamp reported Yellow-throated Warbler at 1520 W Mountain.  On February 27, Mark Miller reported Yellow-throated Warbler at 1520 W Mountain.  On February 28, Adam Vesely and several other birders reported Yellow-throated Warbler at 1520 W Mountain Ave.
-- On February 5, Norm Erthal reported the AMERICAN WOODCOCK at Bobcat Ridge N.A.  On February 7, Gwen Moore reported 2 AMERICAN WOODCOCK.  They were feeding together. This is the same area where there was an AMERICAN WOODCOCK last year.  Parking is very limited because of mud.  On February 23, Dave Leatherman reported that Ranger Karl says that the Woodcocks have not been seen for 3 days.
--At Douglas Reservoir on February 20, John Shenot reported 2 ad Lesser Black-backed Gulls.
--On February 21, Mark Peterson reported ad ICELAND GULL and 1-st cyc GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULL at Boyd Lake SP.
--At Lake Loveland on February 21, Mark Peterson reported 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls and 2 Thayer's Gulls.  
--On February 22, Joe Mammoser reported 1-st cyc GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULL at Lake Love in the middle of the lake with
Common Mergansers, Common Goldeneey and Ring-billed Gull.
--On February 26 at Lake Loveland, Dave Leatherman reported ad Great Black-backed Gull.
--On February 27, Mark Miller reported ad Lesser Black-backed Gull at Horsehose Lake.

LINCOLN COUNTY:
--On February 20, Tom Behnfield reported McCown's and Lapland Longspurs south of Arriba and Lapland Longspurs south of Genoa.

MESA COUNTY:
--Carol Ortenzio reported a Long-tailed Duck on the Redlands Parkway Ponds in Grand Junction on February 19.
--A Sagebrush Sparrow was reported by Carol Ortenzio near Mack on February 22.
--On February 24, Mike Henwood reported 10 male Sagebrush Sparrows singing on top of Sagebrush near the Colorado/Utah state line.
--3 Sagebrush Sparrows were reported by Rhonda Woodward and Rodene Harwood near the Utah border on old Hwy 6 and 50 on Februray 27.
--On February 28, Denise and Mark Vollmar reported 21 Sagebrush Sparrows at Brewster's Ridge/Bar X wash near the Utah Border.

MOFFAT COUNTY:
--On February 18, Forrest Luke reported a Long-tailed Duck on the gravel pit pond off Hwy 13 between southern city limit of Craig and the bridge over the Yampa River.  It is a male in transition plumage.  On February 20, Vic Zerbi reported the Long-tailed Duck on the gravel pit pond.  On February 21, Jan Leonard reported the Long-tailed Duck with photos on eBird on the gravel pit pond.

PARK COUNTY:
--An American Three-toed Woodpecker was reported by David Suddjian in the Lake George area on CR 61 on February 22.
--At Eleven Mile Reservoir viewed from Cross Creek CG, David Suddjian reported 5 Tundra Swans on February 22.
--In Fairplay at feeders, David Suddjian reported 30 Gray-crowned Rosy-Finches and 2 Brown-Capped Rosy-Finches on February 22.
--In Jefferson at feeders, David Suddjian reported 52 Gray-crowned Rosy-Finches on February 22.
  
PITKIN COUNTY:
--On February 14, Filby reports that in the Snowmass village area, he and others saw 300+Gray-crowned Rosy-Finches – many of them Hepburns, 200+Brown-capped Rosy-Finches, 1 Black Rosy-Finch, 5 Pine Grosbeak, 20 Evening Grosbeak and 1 Northern Pygmy Owl.
 
PROWERS COUNTY:
--On February 9, Leatherman reports Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (ad. m), north end of Willow Creek Park, Lamar, in pines se of outhouse building; Northern Cardinal (1m, 1f) & 1 Red-bellied Woodpecker at LCC Woods, Lamar.  On February 19, Adam Vesely reported Northern Cardinal and Red-bellied Woodpecker at Lamar Community College (LCC) Woods.  On February 19, Ted Floyd reported 2 red-bellied Woodpeckers in Willow Creek neighborhood of Lamar and 3 Northern Cardinal (2m, 1f) at LCCW.
 
PUEBLO COUNTY:
--On February 27, Brandon Percival reported Eastern Phoebe at Pueblo Nature Center.

WELD COUNTY:
--On February 14, Mlodinow reports and ad ICELAND GULL at Windsor Lake.  It has not been reported as refound. 
--On February 21, Mlodinow reported Mute Swan at Bittersweet Park in Greeley.
--On February 22, Mlodinow reported Red-necked Grebe, Thayer's Gull, and Lesser Black-backed Gull at Black Hollow Reservoir.  On February 23, Sue Riffe repeorted Red-necked Grebe at Black Hollow Reservoir.
--On February 24, Sue Riffe reported Chestnut-collared Longspur and Lapland Longspur near Grover in Pawnee NG.
--On February 27, Dean Shoup and Nena Torres reported 2 Sharp-tailed Grouse on CR 136 W of CO 99.
--On February 27, Mark Miller reported ad Lesser Black-backed Gull at Highland Lake.
--On February 27, Robert Beauchamp reported Lapland Longspur at Pawnee NG.

YUMA COUNTY:
--On February 27, Bez Bezuidenhout reported a pair of Northern Cardinal and Red-billied Woodpeckers at South Republican SWA (old Bonny SP).

DFO Field Trips:
The DFO Field Trip for Saturday, March 5 will be to Barr Lake SP led by Bob Shade (wrshade3 AT gmail.com; 303-975-2476).
Meet at  Barr Lake SP  Visitor Center at 0800.  State Parks pass or day pass required.  From Denver, take east I-76 to Bromley Lane, exit 22.  Go east on Bromley Lane to PiccadillyRd, then turn south for about 2 miles to park entrance and follow road to Visitor Center.  
This will be a 3/4 day trip including the southeast and northeast lakesides, below the dam, and maybe a brief cruise around country roads for raptors.  Take lunch and dress for the weather.  A few radios would be helpful.  Register online or contact leader.

The DFO Field Trip for Sunday, March 6 will be to South Platte Park and Carson Nature Center led by Sue Summer (summerssue AT hotmail.com; 253-678-3721)  This trip is full.

Good Birding,
Joyce Takamine
Boulder

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Sunday, 28 February 2016

[cobirds] Rocky Mountain Arsenal NWR

Dan Stringer is correct about Rocky Mountain Arsenal being in Adams County.
When Denver was building DIA, they exchanged some land in old Denver
County for the land that DIA occupies.  So Rocky Mountain Arsenal was
part of the land exchange.  

Joyce Takamine
Boulder

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[cobirds] Yellow-throated Warbler, Larimer Co.

I'm a little late to the 2016 Yellow-throated Warbler party, but this stunning bird made a 5 minute appearance this morning around 8:30 at the Mountain Avenue location in Fort Collins.

Adam Vesely
Thornton, CO

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Re: [cobirds] Photos

Yay!
Deb Carstensen, Littleton, Arapahoe county

Sent from my iPhone

On Feb 28, 2016, at 3:04 PM, David Suddjian <dsuddjian@gmail.com> wrote:

Dear COBirders,

The COBirds list rules are now being changed to permit inclusion of photos in this way: Images of birds or other subjects directly pertinent to the report may be embedded in the body of the email post. (Do not include images as attachments to the email.) 

The rules on the CFO web page will be updated to reflect this new policy. Hopefully this will be a fruitful change. Please be mindful that COBirds still prohibits attachments.

Thank you,

David Suddjian
Littleton CO
list moderator

On Sun, Feb 28, 2016 at 9:31 AM, Jennifer Hyypiō <jhyypio@earthlink.net> wrote:
Is it now possible to post photos to cobirds?

May your winds be strong
And your thermals high

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[cobirds] Winter Burrowing Owl - El Paso County

COBirders,

I am interested to know if Burrowing Owl (Athene cunicularia) has been documented before February 2016 from El Paso County, Colorado.  I looked at eBird records but they didn’t reveal any winter records of this species from El Paso County except for February of 2016. This owl was first found, as far as I know, by Alan Versaw on 12 February from Big Johnson Reservoir (Bluestem Prairie Open Space).  If above ground, it is viewable from the parking area with the aid of a spotting scope.  Mark Peterson electronically measured the distance from the parking lot to the black-tailed prairie-dog colony where the owl is to be looked for and the distance is > 1 mile. I memorized the landmarks near the owl and walked to the north side of the res and I could see part of the owl’s head sticking out of a p-dog burrow (see photo) fairly close to the trail and inside the restricted area on 24 February.  I have only seen the owl on one of four visits. I am also posting this to see what dimensions a photograph should be in order to be inserted into the text of a COBirds  post and to see if this post works for me. FYI, Big Johnson Reservoir is now ice free with tons of ducks and Horned Grebes now increasing in numbers.

Bill Maynard, Colorado Springs

[cobirds] 2016 CFO Convention in Lamar

All,

We are excited to announce that plans for the 2016 CFO Convention that will be held in Lamar, CO from May 5th to 9th, are moving forward. You can see what is planned  via-  http://cobirds.org/CFO/Conventions/Next.aspx 

We will again be opening registration in several stages this year. We will open the registration to CFO and WFO members in the near future.  CFO members will receive a private email announcing when you can register for the convention. We will announce here and also on the CFO web site and Facebook page when registration is open to everyone.

Thanks!
Lisa Edwards 
CFO Membership Chair
Palmer Lake, CO

[cobirds] Adams & Denver County Today

The female Surf Scoter reported by JD Birchmeier was present on Lake Ladora this morning (Sunday the 28th) at 10:00 a.m. working the far east end near the shoreline.
Mr Birchmeier listed this as Denver County, I thought it was barely in Adams County, please correct me if necessary.

At Barr Lake I struck out looking for Rusty Blackbirds in the muck near the main water, on a beautiful day with almost no ice on the reservoir. Among the other ducks were nice numbers of Canvasbacks. Nothing else of note but large numbers of the usual suspects.

On Gun Club Road at 112th going south toward 100th I saw a Prairie Merlin on the West side of the road. Back up on 112th going east as it turns into 114th there was an adult Golden Eagle fairly high up, being harassed by a Red-tailed Hawk and a Northern Harrier, highest I'd seen a Harrier fly. I missed the reported (overwintering? or very early) Burrowing Owl near 114th & Trussville Road...again. Just south of 120th and Haynesmount Rd there was a posing Prairie Falcon. No Longspurs. No rough-legged Hawks which were sparse even earlier in the winter, compared to two years ago when they were abundant in this area.   I believe all of these spots I listed near DIA are inside the Denver County lines.



Dan Stringer
Larkspur, CO

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Re: [cobirds] Photos

Dear COBirders,

The COBirds list rules are now being changed to permit inclusion of photos in this way: Images of birds or other subjects directly pertinent to the report may be embedded in the body of the email post. (Do not include images as attachments to the email.) 

The rules on the CFO web page will be updated to reflect this new policy. Hopefully this will be a fruitful change. Please be mindful that COBirds still prohibits attachments.

Thank you,

David Suddjian
Littleton CO
list moderator

On Sun, Feb 28, 2016 at 9:31 AM, Jennifer Hyypiō <jhyypio@earthlink.net> wrote:
Is it now possible to post photos to cobirds?

May your winds be strong
And your thermals high

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[cobirds] Misc Feb obs - Franktown area - Douglas

A miscellany of observations around here during February:

Winter Wren                     one    2/19    Castlewood Canyon SP
Ruby-crowned Kinglet     one 2/26    Cherry Creek trail near N. Pinery Pkwy.
Mountain Bluebird    2/14 Winkler Ranch, by Kathy Dressel.
    We saw one 2/19 and 2 today, 2/28
Hermit Thrush      one    2/28 Castlewood Canyon SP

Cedar Waxwing    5-10 off an on in our yard from 2/15 on

Hugh & Urling Kingery
Franktown, CO

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[cobirds] Greater White-fronted Goose at Chatfield State Park - Jefferson County

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[cobirds] Photos

Is it now possible to post photos to cobirds?

May your winds be strong
And your thermals high

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[cobirds] Colorado Rare Bird Alert, 28 February 2016

Compiler:   Joyce Takamine
e-mail:     RBA AT cobirds.org
Date:  February 28, 2016
This is the Rare Bird Alert for Sunday, February 28, sponsored by Denver Field
Ornithologists and the Bird Conservancy of the Rockies.

Highlight species include: (* indicates new information on this species).
 
Mute Swan (Weld)
Tundra Swan (Park)
Surf Scoter (*Denver)
Long-tailed Duck (Arapahoe, El Paso, Mesa, Moffat)
Barrow's Goldeneye (Garfield)
Sharp-tailed Grouse (*Weld)
Red-necked Grebe (Weld)
AMERICAN WOODCOCK (Larimer)
Thayer's Gull (Douglas/Jefferson, Larimer, Weld)
ICELAND GULL (Arapahoe, Larimer, Weld)
Lesser Black-backed Gull (Bent, Crowley, Douglas/Jefferson, *Larimer, *Weld)
GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULL (Larimer)
Glaucous Gull (*Bent)
Great Black-backed Gull (Bent, *Larimer)
Greater Roadrunner (Baca, Bent)
Burrowing Owl (El Paso)
ACORN WOODPECKER (El Paso)
Red-belllied Woodpecker (Baca, Bent, Prowers, *Yuma)
Williamson's Sapsucker (El Paso)
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Boulder, Prowers)
Ladder-backed Woodpecker (Baca)
American Three-toed Woodpecker (Park, Summit)
Eastern Phoebe (*Pueblo)
Carolina Wren (Jefferson)
Winter Wren (Douglas)
Bewick's Wren (*El Paso)
Gray Catbird (El Paso)
Curve-billed Thrasher (Baca)
Lapland Longspur (Lincoln, *Weld)
Chestnut-collared Longspur (Weld)
McCown's Longspur (Lincoln)
Yellow-throated Warbler (*Larimer)
Canyon Towhee  (Baca, Otero)
Sagebrush Sparrow (*Mesa)
Northern Cardinal (Prowers, *Yuma)
Rusty Blackbird (El Paso)
Brown-capped Rosy-Finch (Grand, Park, Pitkin)
Black Rosy-Finch (Grand, Pitkin)
Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch (Grand, Jefferson, Park, Pitkin)
PURPLE FINCH (El Paso)
Common Redpoll (El Paso, Grand, Jefferson, Summit)
 
ARAPAHOE COUNTY:
-- On February 9, David Suddjian reported 3 Long-tailed Ducks. On February 12, Niyo reported seeing the Long-tailed Ducks at South Platte Reservoir.  On February 18, Chuck Aid, Michael Kiessig, and Kate Frost reported 3 Long-Tailed Ducks at South Platte Reservoir.  On February 19, David Suddjian reported 2 Long-tailed Ducks at South Platte Reservoir.  On February 20, Ben Sampson reported 3 Long-tailed Ducks at South Platte Reservoir.  On February 21, Gene Rutherford and Ben Sampson reported 3 Long-tailed Ducks at South Platte Reservoir.

BACA COUNTY:
--3 Canyon Towhees were reported by Chip Clouse in Picture Canyon on February 19.
--A Greater Roadrunner was reported by Mark Amershek on February 19 at Comanche National Grasslands.
--At Two Buttes SWA on February 20, Ted Floyd reported Curve-billed Thrasher and Red-bellied and Ladder-backed Woodpecker in same tree.
 
BENT COUNTY:
--At John Martin Reservoir on February 4, Duane Nelson reported 1 1-st winter Glaucous Gull, 2 Great Black-backed Gulls (1 ad, 1 1st cyc), and 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls.  On Feb 14, Nelson reports a Lesser Black-backed Gull at Adobe Creek Reservoir.
--On February 21, Ted Floyd reported 2 Greater Roadrunners at Hasty Campground and Red-bellied Woodpecker.
--On February 21, Ted Floyd reported Glaucous Gull at John Martin Reservoir at far east side of dam.
 
BOULDER COUNTY:
--An ad m Yellow-bellied Sapsucker was reported by Christian Nunes at Bohn Park in Lyons on January 31.  The bird was in pine trees in the SW corner of the park.  On February 12, Bushing reports seeing the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker at Bohn Park in Lyons in the pine trees in the SW corner of the park.  On February 18, Sue Riffe reported Yellow-bellied Sapsucker at Bohn Park.

CROWLEY COUNTY:
--At Lake Henry on February 21, Ted Floyd reported 2-3 Lesser Black-backed Gulls.

DENVER COUNTY:
--A f Surf Scoter was reported by J.D. Birchmeier at Lake Ladora in Rocky Mountain Arsenal on February 27.

DOUGLAS COUNTY:
--A Winter Wren was reported by High Kingery in Castlewood Canyon SP on February 19.

DOUGLAS/JEFFERSON COUNTIES:
--At Chatfield SP on February 24, David Suddjian reported Lesser Black-backed Gull and Thayer's Gull.
 
EL PASO COUNTY:
-- On February 3, Bill Maynard reported PURPLE FINCH at Fountain Creek RP.
--On February 12, Teuton reported seeing the Rusty Blackbird on Birdsall Road, hanging out with some Brewer's and Red-winged Blackbirds over the livestock pens on the left side of the road, before the top of the hill.
--Nikolai reports a Common Redpoll has come to her feeder in NE Colorado Springs on Bell Drive.  The feeders are not visible from the street but if you are in the area you may be able to find the bird.
--On February 20, Mel Goff reported ACORN WOODPECKER in Willow Cricle Neigbhorhood of Colorado Springs.
--A Gray Catbird was reported by Tyler Stuart at Sinton Pond in Colorado Springs on February 22.
--At Big Johnson on February 24, Mark Peterson and Alan Versaw reported Long-tailed Ducks and Burrowing Owl.
--On February 24 at Garden of Gods Park, Tyler Stuart reported a pair of WIlliamson's Sapsuckers.
--A singing Bewick's Wren was reported by Steve Getty at Aiken Cnayon about 0.5 km up trail in pinon-juniper on February 27.

GARFIELD COUNTY:
--On February 19, Louise Glaser reported about 100 Barrow's Goldeneyes in Glenwood Spring on Satank Road by the pond.
 
GRAND COUNTY:
--On February 18, Carol Hunter reported 1 Black Rosy-Finch, 100 Gray-crowned Rosy-Finches, and 12 Common Redpolls on CR 64.
--On February 23, Cath Craig that all 3 Rosy-Finches have returned to her feeders in Granby.  Contact her at PioneerCSC AT aol.com.

JEFFERSON COUNTY:
--Ira Sanders has feeders which attract Common Redpoll and Rosy-Finches.  His address is 314 Defrance Ct, Golden.  He usually posts to CoBirds if birds show up.  If ELK are going after his feeders, or are in his yard, please chase them off, per Ira.  On February 19, Sanders reports the Common Redpoll at his residence, but less frequent visits.  On February 20, Carlos Ross reported Common Redpoll at DeFrance Ct in Golden. On February 23 Ira Sanders reported 14 Gray-crowned Rosy-Finches at his feeders.              
--On December 31, Gwen Moore reported a Carolina Wren at 2695 Newland St in Lakewood at the residence of Patty Echelmeyer.  Patty first saw this bird in November.  On February 12, Gwen Moore reports the Carolina Wren continues at the feeders.  The owners invite you to come in the yard and go to the feeder behind the house on the west and a suet feeder on the south side of the house.  Please be respectful of the bird and do not try to approach too closely.  You may park on Newland.  
 
LARIMER COUNTY:
--On December 11, Jeff Birek reported Yellow-throated Warbler in Fort Collins.  The warbler is visiting the feeders in the backyard of Luke Caldwell at 1520 W Mountain.  Caldwell welcomes birders to enter his yard through the front and proceed along the east side.  The bird spends most of the time visitng the feeder in the pine trees along the east fence line near the alley.  On February 2, Dave Leatherman reported that the home owners at 1520 W. Mountain Ave saw the Yellow-throated Warbler.  On February 23, Dave Leatherman reported that the homeowners reported that the warbler has been very irregular in its visits, most likely to come on cold mornings.  On Februrary 24, Robert Beauchamp reported Yellow-throated Warbler at 1520 W Mountain.  On February 27, Mark Miller reported Yellow-throated Warbler at 1520 W Mountain.
-- On February 5, Norm Erthal reported the AMERICAN WOODCOCK at Bobcat Ridge N.A.  On February 7, Gwen Moore reported 2 AMERICAN WOODCOCK.  They were feeding together. This is the same area where there was an AMERICAN WOODCOCK last year.  Parking is very limited because of mud.  On February 23, Dave Leatherman reported that Ranger Karl says that the Woodcocks have not been seen for 3 days.
--At Douglas Reservoir on February 20, John Shenot reported 2 ad Lesser Black-backed Gulls.
--On February 21, Mark Peterson reported ad ICELAND GULL and 1-st cyc GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULL at Boyd Lake SP.
--At Lake Loveland on February 21, Mark Peterson reported 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls and 2 Thayer's Gulls.  
--On February 22, Joe Mammoser reported 1-st cyc GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULL at Lake Love in the middle of the lake with
Common Mergansers, Common Goldeneey and Ring-billed Gull.
--On February 26 at Lake Loveland, Dave Leatherman reported ad Great Black-backed Gull.
--On February 27, Mark Miller reported ad Lesser Black-backed Gull at Horsehose Lake.

LINCOLN COUNTY:
--On February 20, Tom Behnfield reported McCown's and Lapland Longspurs south of Arriba and Lapland Longspurs south of Genoa.

MESA COUNTY:
--Carol Ortenzio reported a Long-tailed Duck on the Redlands Parkway Ponds in Grand Junction on February 19.
--A Sagebrush Sparrow was reported by Carol Ortenzio near Mack on February 22.
--On February 24, Mike Henwood reported 10 male Sagebrush Sparrows singing on top of Sagebrush near the Colorado/Utah state line.
--3 Sagebrush Sparrows were reported by Rhonda Woodward and Rodene Harwood near the Utah border on old Hwy 6 and 50 on Februray 27.

MOFFAT COUNTY:
--On February 18, Forrest Luke reported a Long-tailed Duck on the gravel pit pond off Hwy 13 between southern city limit of Craig and the bridge over the Yampa River.  It is a male in transition plumage.  On February 20, Vic Zerbi reported the Long-tailed Duck on the gravel pit pond.  On February 21, Jan Leonard reported the Long-tailed Duck with photos on eBird on the gravel pit pond.

PARK COUNTY:
--An American Three-toed Woodpecker was reported by David Suddjian in the Lake George area on CR 61 on February 22.
--At Eleven Mile Reservoir viewed from Cross Creek CG, David Suddjian reported 5 Tundra Swans on February 22.
--In Fairplay at feeders, David Suddjian reported 30 Gray-crowned Rosy-Finches and 2 Brown-Capped Rosy-Finches on February 22.
--In Jefferson at feeders, David Suddjian reported 52 Gray-crowned Rosy-Finches on February 22.
  
PITKIN COUNTY:
--On February 14, Filby reports that in the Snowmass village area, he and others saw 300+Gray-crowned Rosy-Finches – many of them Hepburns, 200+Brown-capped Rosy-Finches, 1 Black Rosy-Finch, 5 Pine Grosbeak, 20 Evening Grosbeak and 1 Northern Pygmy Owl.
 
PROWERS COUNTY:
--On February 9, Leatherman reports Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (ad. m), north end of Willow Creek Park, Lamar, in pines se of outhouse building; Northern Cardinal (1m, 1f) & 1 Red-bellied Woodpecker at LCC Woods, Lamar.  On February 19, Adam Vesely reported Northern Cardinal and Red-bellied Woodpecker at Lamar Community College (LCC) Woods.  On February 19, Ted Floyd reported 2 red-bellied Woodpeckers in Willow Creek neighborhood of Lamar and 3 Northern Cardinal (2m, 1f) at LCCW.
 
PUEBLO COUNTY:
--On February 27, Brandon Percival reported Eastern Phoebe at Pueblo Nature Center.

SUMMIT COUNTY:
--On February 8, Bushong reported an American Three-toed Woodpecker in the same area, as a flock of Common Redpolls foraging in Water Birch on the south side of Rainbow Lake.
 
WELD COUNTY:
--On February 6, Nick Komar reported 25 Sharp-tailed Grouse and 1 Lapland Longspsur in Grover at CR 136 and CO 99
--On February 6, Glenn Walbek reported 2 Sharp-tailed Grouse near Raymer on CR 125.
--On February 6, Glenn Walbek reported 2 Sharp-tailed Grouse on CR 136 W of CR 129.
--On February 14, Mlodinow reports and ad ICELAND GULL at Windsor Lake.  It has not been reported as refound. 
--On February 21, Mlodinow reported Mute Swan at Bittersweet Park in Greeley.
--On February 22, Mlodinow reported Red-necked Grebe, Thayer's Gull, and Lesser Black-backed Gull at Black Hollow Reservoir.  On February 23, Sue Riffe repeorted Red-necked Grebe at Black Hollow Reservoir.
--On February 24, Sue Riffe reported Chestnut-collared Longspur and Lapland Longspur near Grover in Pawnee NG.
--On February 27, Dean Shoup and Nena Torres reported 2 Sharp-tailed Grouse on CR 136 W of CO 99.
--On February 27, Mark Miller reported ad Lesser Black-backed Gull at Highland Lake.
--On February 27, Robert Beauchamp reported Lapland Longspur at Pawnee NG.

YUMA COUNTY:
--On February 27, Bez Bezuidenhout reported a pair of Northern Cardinal and Red-billied Woodpeckers at South Republican SWA (old Bonny SP).

DFO Field Trips:
The DFO Field Trip for Sunday, February 28 will be a Chase Trip led by Chris Rurik (chrisrurik ATgmail.com;  Phone:  253-225-7104).   This trip is full. 

Good Birding,
Joyce Takamine
Boulder

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Saturday, 27 February 2016

[cobirds] Lake Loveland (Larimer), Windsor Lake (Weld)

In my post about the GBB Gull at Lake Loveland, it was pointed out to me that I erroneously put it in Weld County.  It is, and always has been, in Larimer. 

Only birds of note at Windsor Lake today were California Gull (at least 1) and Red-breasted Merg (1m).

Dave Leatherman
Fort Collins

[cobirds] Bewick's Wren, El Paso County; Big Johnson

COBirders,

 

Today, Tyler Stuart and I birded some areas in SW El Paso Cnty seeking a roadrunner – nope! But we did find a singing Bewick’s Wren in Aiken Canyon. It was about 0.5 km up the trail in oak-pinon-juniper habitat before getting into the canyon. Also had a number of Juniper Titmice.   

 

Ice at Big Johnson continues to recede, and tons of ducks are moving-in. As far as we could tell every gull there at 1:00 PM today (many, many hundreds) was ring-billed. We didn’t see Long-tailed Duck, but the heat waves off dam and ice made it very difficult to see open water on northern side.   

 

Best

Steve Getty, Colorado Springs

 

[cobirds] Gulls and Eagles, Weld County

The gulls and bald eagles are still here on Highland Lake, but in lesser numbers. The gulls are quite active. Each day, I see fewer Bald Eagles from a high of eight, today I only two, yesterday, four. They seem to come in the early mornings and are gone by 10am or so, and then back again, around 4 or 5pm. for a short while.

 

From a high of about 600+ gulls, there are probably about 300 or so now.  

 

Pauli Smith

Highlandlake/Mead, Weld

[cobirds] gulls in Weld/Larimer and Ft Collins Yellow-throated Warbler 2/27

Hi everyone,

 

I wandered back roads today 2/27 looking for ponds with gulls. From Longmont, I took WCR 5 north. I stopped at Highland Lake. The gulls are still working on the marooned fish there, and I found an adult Lesser Black-backed Gull loafing on shore. It flew away to the north around 7:40 this morning. Boyd Lake has lots of gulls, but they are at the edge of the ice at the south end, and the heat shimmer made identification infeasible. At the east end of Engelman Street in Loveland, a goodly pile of gulls were loafing at the shore of Horseshoe Lake, and 15 Bald Eagles were standing around on the ice. An adult Lesser Black-backed Gull was off by itself. I didn’t happen to see any Great Black-backed Gulls, but there are a lot of lakes I didn’t get to. My travels also took me to Mountain View Avenue in Fort Collins, where the Yellow-throated Warbler came in for seed and suet just before 9 am and stayed around for about 10 minutes. Grandview Cemetery had a noisy immature Cooper’s Hawk, a Red-breasted Nuthatch, and a few Pine Siskins but was generally quiet.

 

Mark Miller

Longmont, CO

[cobirds] surf scoter, Denver County

In full view of about half the Boulder Bird Club field trip, since it was actively diving and feeding (got at least one) - a female Surf Scoter, east side of Lake LaDora in Rocky Mtn Arsenal near the shore

[cobirds] Mountain Bluebirds Ken Caryl Valley JeffCo 2/27

This morning I saw a trio of Mountain Bluebirds near the main parking lot for South Valley Park. And local resident Sally Cuffin reported one nearby at the south end of the North Hogback Trail, just north of W. Ken Caryl Ave in the valley. 

Welcome back, I say.

David Suddjian
Littleton, CO

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[cobirds] Great Black-backed Gull, Lk Loveland (Weld)

Janeal Thompson and I had an adult Great Black-backed Gull at Lake Loveland  (Weld) late yesterday (2/26) afternoon.  It was seen from the drawn down swim beach area in the nw corner feeding in a frenzy (presumably on shad schools near the south shore).  This huge, dark gull dwarfed all others around it which included a few Herrings.  No doubt about ID.  Flew off to the sw.  A bird to watch for.

Dave Leatherman
Fort Collins

[cobirds] Question about gull

Opinions are being requested about a gull I saw in January in the San Luis Valley. This gull showed up in a farmyard, about 4 miles south of the Monte Vista Wildlife Refuge. I watched it  closely for several minutes with and without bino until I finally left, as it strolled around, pecking at whatever it might.  Ground had patches of snow and clear, dry areas. All  physical features – size, bill, eye, feet, tail -  were like a Bonaparte's Gull EXCEPT that it had no dark patch on cheek. No one else observed this bird, not even the resident birders on the farm who were away. It had never been reported in winter in the San Luis Valley in the past, not even by the 2 Bobs or Rawinski. Any good suggestions??? Virginia Simmons, Del Norte

[cobirds] Eastern Phoebe Pueblo 2/27

Just photographed an Eastern Phoebe at the Pueblo Nature Center parking lot. 2nd Pueblo County record in winter.

Brandon K. Percival
Pueblo West, CO

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Friday, 26 February 2016

[cobirds] Name That Gull Fun/Drake Lake [Weld]

Hi all


I took a series of 11 photos (50x optical zoom, too!) of the gulls loafing at Drake Lake, Weld County this morning.  Can you name the/any gulls sans Ring-billed Gull?

  • http://coloradobirder.ning.com/photo

Thanks Gary Lefko, Nunn
http://coloradobirder.ning.com/
Mobile:  http://coloradobirder.ning.com/m

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[cobirds] Colorado Rare Bird Alert, 25 February 2016

Compiler:   Joyce Takamine
e-mail:     RBA AT cobirds.org
Date:  February 25, 2016
This is the Rare Bird Alert for Thursday, February 25, sponsored by Denver Field
Ornithologists and the Bird Conservancy of the Rockies.

Highlight species include: (* indicates new information on this species).
 
Mute Swan (Weld)
Tundra Swan (Park)
Long-tailed Duck (Arapahoe, El Paso, Mesa, Moffat)
Barrow's Goldeneye (Garfield)
Sharp-tailed Grouse (Weld)
Red-necked Grebe (Weld)
AMERICAN WOODCOCK (Larimer)
Thayer's Gull (Douglas/Jefferson, *Larimer, Weld)
ICELAND GULL (Arapahoe, Larimer, Weld)
Lesser Black-backed Gull (Bent, Crowley, Douglas/Jefferson, Larimer)
GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULL (Larimer)
Glaucous Gull (*Bent)
Great Black-backed Gull (Bent)
Greater Roadrunner (Baca, Bent)
Burrowing Owl (*El Paso)
ACORN WOODPECKER (El Paso)
Red-belllied Woodpecker (Baca, Bent, Prowers)
Williamson's Sapsucker (El Paso)
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Boulder, Prowers)
Ladder-backed Woodpecker (*Baca)
American Three-toed Woodpecker (Park, Summit)
Carolina Wren (Jefferson)
Winter Wren (Douglas)
Gray Catbird (El Paso)
Curve-billed Thrasher (Baca)
Lapland Longspur (Lincoln, *Weld)
Chestnut-collared Longspur (*Weld)
McCown's Longspur (Lincoln)
Yellow-throated Warbler (*Larimer)
Canyon Towhee  (Baca, Otero)
Sagebrush Sparrow (Mesa)
Northern Cardinal (Prowers)
Rusty Blackbird (El Paso)
Brown-capped Rosy-Finch (Grand, Park, Pitkin)
Black Rosy-Finch (Grand, Pitkin)
Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch (Grand, Jefferson, Park, Pitkin)
PURPLE FINCH (El Paso)
Common Redpoll (El Paso, Grand, Jefferson, Summit)
 
ARAPAHOE COUNTY:
-- On February 9, David Suddjian reported 3 Long-tailed Ducks. On February 12, Niyo reported seeing the Long-tailed Ducks at South Platte Reservoir.  On February 18, Chuck Aid, Michael Kiessig, and Kate Frost reported 3 Long-Tailed Ducks at South Platte Reservoir.  On February 19, David Suddjian reported 2 Long-tailed Ducks at South Platte Reservoir.  On February 20, Ben Sampson reported 3 Long-tailed Ducks at South Platte Reservoir.  On February 21, Gene Rutherford and Ben Sampson reported 3 Long-tailed Ducks at South Platte Reservoir.

BACA COUNTY:
--3 Canyon Towhees were reported by Chip Clouse in Picture Canyon on February 19.
--A Greater Roadrunner was reported by Mark Amershek on February 19 at Comanche National Grasslands.
--At Two Buttes SWA on February 20, Ted Floyd reported Curve-billed Thrasher and Red-bellied and Ladder-backed Woodpecker in same tree.
 
BENT COUNTY:
--At John Martin Reservoir on February 4, Duane Nelson reported 1 1-st winter Glaucous Gull, 2 Great Black-backed Gulls (1 ad, 1 1st cyc), and 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls.  On Feb 14, Nelson reports a Lesser Black-backed Gull at Adobe Creek Reservoir.
--On February 21, Ted Floyd reported 2 Greater Roadrunners at Hasty Campground and Red-bellied Woodpecker.
--On February 21, Ted Floyd reported Glaucous Gull at John Martin Reservoir at far east side of dam.
 
BOULDER COUNTY:
--An ad m Yellow-bellied Sapsucker was reported by Christian Nunes at Bohn Park in Lyons on January 31.  The bird was in pine trees in the SW corner of the park.  On February 12, Bushing reports seeing the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker at Bohn Park in Lyons in the pine trees in the SW corner of the park.  On February 18, Sue Riffe reported Yellow-bellied Sapsucker at Bohn Park.

CROWLEY COUNTY:
--At Lake Henry on February 21, Ted Floyd reported 2-3 Lesser Black-backed Gulls.

DOUGLAS COUNTY:
--A Winter Wren was reported by High Kingery in Castlewood Canyon SP on February 19.

DOUGLAS/JEFFERSON COUNTIES:
--At Chatfield SP on February 24, David Suddjian reported Lesser Black-backed Gull and Thayer's Gull.
 
EL PASO COUNTY:
-- On February 3, Bill Maynard reported PURPLE FINCH at Fountain Creek RP.
--On February 12, Teuton reported seeing the Rusty Blackbird on Birdsall Road, hanging out with some Brewer's and Red-winged Blackbirds over the livestock pens on the left side of the road, before the top of the hill.
--Nikolai reports a Common Redpoll has come to her feeder in NE Colorado Springs on Bell Drive.  The feeders are not visible from the street but if you are in the area you may be able to find the bird.
--On February 20, Mel Goff reported ACORN WOODPECKER in Willow Cricle Neigbhorhood of Colorado Springs.
--A Gray Catbird was reported by Tyler Stuart at Sinton Pond in Colorado Springs on February 22.
--At Big Johnson on February 24, Mark Peterson and Alan Versaw reported Long-tailed Ducks and Burrowing Owl.
--On February 24 at Garden of Gods Park, Tyler Stuart reported a pair of WIlliamson's Sapsuckers.

GARFIELD COUNTY:
--On February 19, Louise Glaser reported about 100 Barrow's Goldeneyes in Glenwood Spring on Satank Road by the pond.
 
GRAND COUNTY:
--On February 18, Carol Hunter reported 1 Black Rosy-Finch, 100 Gray-crowned Rosy-Finches, and 12 Common Redpolls on CR 64.
--On February 23, Cath Craig that all 3 Rosy-Finches have returned to her feeders in Granby.  Contact her at PioneerCSC AT aol.com.

JEFFERSON COUNTY:
--Ira Sanders has feeders which attract Common Redpoll and Rosy-Finches.  His address is 314 Defrance Ct, Golden.  He usually posts to CoBirds if birds show up.  If ELK are going after his feeders, or are in his yard, please chase them off, per Ira.  On February 19, Sanders reports the Common Redpoll at his residence, but less frequent visits.  On February 20, Carlos Ross reported Common Redpoll at DeFrance Ct in Golden. On February 23 Ira Sanders reported 14 Gray-crowned Rosy-Finches at his feeders.              
--On December 31, Gwen Moore reported a Carolina Wren at 2695 Newland St in Lakewood at the residence of Patty Echelmeyer.  Patty first saw this bird in November.  On February 12, Gwen Moore reports the Carolina Wren continues at the feeders.  The owners invite you to come in the yard and go to the feeder behind the house on the west and a suet feeder on the south side of the house.  Please be respectful of the bird and do not try to approach too closely.  You may park on Newland.  
 
LARIMER COUNTY:
--On December 11, Jeff Birek reported Yellow-throated Warbler in Fort Collins.  The warbler is visiting the feeders in the backyard of Luke Caldwell at 1520 W Mountain.  Caldwell welcomes birders to enter his yard through the front and proceed along the east side.  The bird spends most of the time visitng the feeder in the pine trees along the east fence line near the alley.  On February 2, Dave Leatherman reported that the home owners at 1520 W. Mountain Ave saw the Yellow-throated Warbler.  On February 23, Dave Leatherman reported that the homeowners reported that the warbler has been very irregular in its visits, most likely to come on cold mornings.  On Februrary 24, Robert Beauchamp reported Yellow-throated Warbler at 1520 W Mountain.  On February 25, Josh Bruening reported Yellow-throated Warbler at 1520 W Mountain Ave.
-- On February 5, Norm Erthal reported the AMERICAN WOODCOCK at Bobcat Ridge N.A.  On February 7, Gwen Moore reported 2 AMERICAN WOODCOCK.  They were feeding together. This is the same area where there was an AMERICAN WOODCOCK last year.  Parking is very limited because of mud.  On February 23, Dave Leatherman reported that Ranger Karl says that the Woodcocks have not been seen for 3 days.
--At Douglas Reservoir on February 20, John Shenot reported 2 ad Lesser Black-backed Gulls.
--On February 21, Mark Peterson reported ad ICELAND GULL and 1-st cyc GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULL at Boyd Lake SP.
--At Lake Loveland on February 21, Mark Peterson reported 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls and 2 Thayer's Gulls.  
--On February 22, Joe Mammoser reported 1-st cyc GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULL at Lake Loveland in the middle of the lake with
Common Mergansers, Common Goldeneey and Ring-billed Gull.
--On February 24, Josh Bruening reported 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls and Thayer's Gull at Lake Loveland.


LINCOLN COUNTY:
--On February 20, Tom Behnfield reported McCown's and Lapland Longspurs south of Arriba and Lapland Longspurs south of Genoa.

MESA COUNTY:
--Carol Ortenzio reported a Long-tailed Duck on the Redlands Parkway Ponds in Grand Junction on February 19.
--A Sagebrush Sparrow was reported by Carol Ortenzio near Mack on February 22.
--On February 24, Mike Henwood reported 10 male Sagebrush Sparrows singing on top of Sagebrush near the Colorado/Utah state line.

MOFFAT COUNTY:
--On February 18, Forrest Luke reported a Long-tailed Duck on the gravel pit pond off Hwy 13 between southern city limit of Craig and the bridge over the Yampa River.  It is a male in transition plumage.  On February 20, Vic Zerbi reported the Long-tailed Duck on the gravel pit pond.  On February 21, Jan Leonard reported the Long-tailed Duck with photos on eBird on the gravel pit pond.

PARK COUNTY:
--An American Three-toed Woodpecker was reported by David Suddjian in the Lake George area on CR 61 on February 22.
--At Eleven Mile Reservoir viewed from Cross Creek CG, David Suddjian reported 5 Tundra Swans on February 22.
--In Fairplay at feeders, David Suddjian reported 30 Gray-crowned Rosy-Finches and 2 Brown-Capped Rosy-Finches on February 22.
--In Jefferson at feeders, David Suddjian reported 52 Gray-crowned Rosy-Finches on February 22.
  
PITKIN COUNTY:
--On February 14, Filby reports that in the Snowmass village area, he and others saw 300+Gray-crowned Rosy-Finches – many of them Hepburns, 200+Brown-capped Rosy-Finches, 1 Black Rosy-Finch, 5 Pine Grosbeak, 20 Evening Grosbeak and 1 Northern Pygmy Owl.
 
PROWERS COUNTY:
--On February 9, Leatherman reports Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (ad. m), north end of Willow Creek Park, Lamar, in pines se of outhouse building; Northern Cardinal (1m, 1f) & 1 Red-bellied Woodpecker at LCC Woods, Lamar.  On February 19, Adam Vesely reported Northern Cardinal and Red-bellied Woodpecker at Lamar Community College (LCC) Woods.  On February 19, Ted Floyd reported 2 red-bellied Woodpeckers in Willow Creek neighborhood of Lamar and 3 Northern Cardinal (2m, 1f) at LCCW.
 
SUMMIT COUNTY:
--On February 8, Bushong reported an American Three-toed Woodpecker in the same area, as a flock of Common Redpolls foraging in Water Birch on the south side of Rainbow Lake.
 
WELD COUNTY:
--On February 6, Nick Komar reported 25 Sharp-tailed Grouse and 1 Lapland Longspsur in Grover at CR 136 and CR 99.
--On February 6, Glenn Walbek reported 2 Sharp-tailed Grouse near Raymer on CR 125.
--On February 6, Glenn Walbek reported 2 Sharp-tailed Grouse on CR 136 W of CR 129.
--On February 14, Mlodinow reports and ad ICELAND GULL at Windsor Lake.  It has not been reported as refound. 
--On February 21, Mlodinow reported Mute Swan at Bittersweet Park in Greeley.
--On February 22, Mlodinow reported Red-necked Grebe, Thayer's Gull, and Lesser Black-backed Gull at Black Hollow Reservoir.  On February 23, Sue Riffe repeorted Red-necked Grebe at Black Hollow Reservoir.
--On February 24, Sue Riffe reported Chestnut-collared Longspur and Lapland Longspur near Grover in Pawnee NG.

DFO Field Trips:
The DFO Field Trip for Saturday, February 27 will be to Beebe Draw in Weld County led by Chris Goulart (cgoulart001 AT comcast.net; phone:  586-764-2126)   This trip is full.

The DFO Field Trip for Sunday, February 28 will be a Chase Trip led by Chris Rurik (chrisrurik ATgmail.com;  Phone:  253-225-7104).   This trip is full. 

Good Birding,
Joyce Takamine
Boulder

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Thursday, 25 February 2016

[cobirds] Gulls and Eagles Highland Lake, Weld.

Just before sundown today, I counted 8 mature Bald Eagles and hundreds upon hundreds of gulls on and around Highland Lake. I don’t know my gulls at all, so can’t tell you what they are. I haven’t seen any juvenile Eagles either, all mature. The eagles and gulls have been hanging around now for over a week. Each day, more arrive.

 

The lake has been drained to its lowest in the 30 years I’ve lived here. The Highlandlake Reservoir Company drained it so they can do repairs on the dike and the outlet. Since the lake is also spring fed, there is  still some water, but it is very shallow. Fish are dying from lack of oxygen and the birds are having a feeding frenzy.

 

Highland Lake is located at the intersection of WCR 5 and WCR 34 ¾. It is a privately owned lake, but it is open to the public, especially for bird watching.

 

Pauli Smith

(Highlandlake/Mead, Weld, CO)

[cobirds] Larimer and Weld County quickies

Hi all!

Just a few quick sighting notes.  Amidst my running around Fort Collins, Loveland, and Windsor I have seen the following birds the last two days (all repeats of previously posted birds):

2/24
Windsor Lake (noon:thirty)
Ross's Goose
Green-winged Teal (FOY for me.  They've been sneaky!)
Quite a few Common Mergs and Common Goldeneye
1-male Red-breasted Merganser
I didn't spend a whole lot of time scoping the gulls.  Ring-bills and Herrings for sure

Lake Loveland-water level extremely low
2-Lesser Black-backed Gulls
1-Thayer's Gull

2/25
Timnath Res-still 90% frozen around 3pm
picked out 1 Snow Goose out of the gabillion Canada's and Cacklers
Northern Pintails were well represented
Smattering of Scaup, Redheads and Canvasbacks

1520 W. Mountain Ave 
1-Yellow-throated Warbler on my second try.  He appeared in the neighbor's tree to the west.  Boxelder maybe.  He was hanging with a couple of Am. Goldfinches.  He came down to the feeder after 3 Bushtits arrived with a Hairy Woodpecker.  He hung out for 10 minutes or so.  He was muttering these very soft "pit pit" calls.  The calls were strikingly more quiet than the Bushtits chips.  What a hearty bird!  One of my favorite warblers. Luke said that he had been around quite a bit yesterday and today.  Saw him somewhere around 4-410 this afternoon.

Bird is the word y'all!

Josh Bruening
Fort Collins


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[cobirds] Tree Swallows - Delta County

Yesterday on the way to Grand Junction I checked a faithful Western Screech-owl hole near parking area for Escalante SWA - Hamilton Tract (near Delta). No owl but 4 Tree Swallows were perched directly above. I doubt this is the earliest record for Colorado but pretty darn early!

--
Jason Beason
Paonia - Delta County

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