Monday, 1 May 2017

Re: [cobirds] Digest for cobirds@googlegroups.com - 23 updates in 19 topics

Two possibilities
Heather Brown    303 840 7194 or 303 665 7171 Parker
Linda Cope    719 495 4477            Black Forest

I thought we had one  in Larkspur but I don't locate her on my list.


Hugh Kingery
Franktown, CO


-----Original Message-----
From: cobirds <cobirds@googlegroups.com>
To: Digest recipients <cobirds@googlegroups.com>
Sent: Mon, May 1, 2017 2:24 am
Subject: [cobirds] Digest for cobirds@googlegroups.com - 23 updates in 19 topics

"SeEttaM ." <seettam@gmail.com>: May 01 12:38AM -0600

I found a flock of about a dozen American Pipits in an agricultural field
yesterday and got some very good photos of them that I have added to my Birds
and Nature blog <http://birdsandnature.blogspot.com/>. I spotted a Great
Egret earlier in the week as well as 2 Snow Egrets at local ponds. Also
saw a single Clark's Grebe, an uncommon visitor here, that came in to the
Canon City Valco Ponds (privately owned with new local owner who is doing
some work on the area) with 22 Western Grebes earlier this week.
 
I saw both the Eastern Phoebe an apparent Black Phoebe that I think is the
mate to the former at Florence River Park today. I saw the pair of Eastern
Phoebes, that are seen along the river at Tunnel Drive parking area,
yesterday and got some great pics that I will put up tomorrow on my blog.
 
SeEtta Moss
Canon City
http://BirdsAndNature.blogspot.com
Nicholas Komar <quetzal65@comcast.net>: Apr 30 10:36PM -0600

> An immature large Gull was at Horseshoe Reservoir, Larimer County tonight at dusk. It appeared to be a first cycle Glaucous-winged Gull, presumably the same individual reported yesterday at Union Reservoir, about 15 miles south. Photos by Austin Hess are available online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S3644408.
 
Nick Komar
Fort Collins CO
DAVID A LEATHERMAN <daleatherman@msn.com>: May 01 04:35AM

I returned from an 11-day visit to Lamar and Great Bend, KA last Wednesday the 26th. After presenting a talk on the fox squirrel to the Silver Sneakers group at the YMCA of Boulder Valley in Lafayette on Thursday the 27th, my buddy David Ely, back in Colorado (Boulder) after a several-year hiatus to Salem, Massachusetts, twisted my arm into going back to Lamar starting at 11am on Friday the 28th. We barely beat the bad weather to Tempel's Grove (Bent) where we found the Worm-eating Warbler discovered on the 27th by Duane Nelson and Janeal Thompson. We also found 3 White-throated Sparrows (undoubtedly the same birds Duane and Janeal also reported). We also located the two Harris's Sparrows found at this location last week during my earlier visit. A Wilson's Warbler, 5 Spotted Towhees and a flyover Eastern Phoebe were about the only other noteworthy birds.
 
 
In the southeastern corner of Nee Noshe we marveled at the huge numbers of waterfowl, including over 90 Marbled Godwits, several dozen Long-billed Dowitchers, a Semipalmated Plover, 3 Snowy Plovers, a few hundred common peep, 100+ avocets, a dozen Bonaparte's Gulls, an early basic-plumaged Stilt Sandpiper (more about this bird to follow), gobs of common waterfowl including a few thousand Gadwalls, all stirred into one big frenzied pot of birdflesh by a Peregrine Falcon. As the rain, wind (out of the northeast), cold and fading light got increasingly serious, we called it a day.
 
 
Saturday April 29 was pretty miserable but being birders who know what bad weather sometimes brings, we gave it a go. With Janeal, we walked the Lamar Community College Woods, ever mindful of half-bushel baskets of snow bombing from the trees overhead, large branches crashing here and there, stiff, chilling wind, and wet clothes no matter how smartly (them) or dumb (me) we were dressed. Best bird: flyover Willet (anybody got that on their LCC list?). A few cardinals, House Wren, Turkey Vultures hunched with enough snow to appear afflicted with leucistic fibrosis, a couple yellow-rumps.
 
 
We had to choose places for the rest of our day with paved or strongly graveled surfaces. Between Lamar and Hasty our best finds were a Barn Owl under a bridge, a female Wood Duck standing in the middle of a gravel road near McClave, and 300 Yellow-headed Blackbirds looking snazzy next to a parked blue and yellow school bus.
 
 
Lake Hasty/John Martin Res (as viewed from the dam road) yielded a good (50+) species total but few rarities. Highlights were 3 Lazuli Buntings with sparrows eating Siberian elm seed wafers in the campground, a Common Loon in breeding plumage plying the John Martin Sea, a few Eastern Bluebirds in the campground clinging nuthatchstyle to the leeward side (i.e. west) of elm trunks in the campground, somewhat early Swainson's Thrush in the campground, 4 Western Kingbirds in the same little tree near the Corps of Engineers Office, 3 Great Egrets on the Lake Hasty island, and a large number of White Pelicans practicing their synchronized fishing routine for the next Avian Olympics. We found no unusual warblers, no roadrunners, no Spizella sparrows other than chippers. The homemade breakfast burritos at the little store in Hasty tasted great for a late lunch. I encourage birders visiting the area in the next few weeks to patronize the store to better enable it to stay open. Ignore the bullet hole in the front door. Jen fixes a nice lunch special most days.
 
 
We drove back to Lamar (David saw a flyover Black-bellied Plover) and went east on 196 to CR 19 s to Highway 50 and back to Lamar in the afternoon. We found nothing of significant interest.
 
 
Today (the 30th) we awoke in Lamar to falling snow, very strong winds and temps hovering near freezing. Many of the area doves were wet and bizarre in appearance, both sitting up against fences and in flight. David remarked one White-winged Dove in Janeal's backyard looked more like a Ruddy Turnstone than what it was. A flock of about 25 Forster's Terns was at Gateway Park east of the Cow Palace. We headed north from Lamar thru Kornman on Prowers CR8 to SR196, east to Sheridan Lake, n on 385 to Burlington w to Flagler town park. After finding nothing except treacherous roads and ferocious winds (I-70 was closed east of Limon presumably because semis were tipping over), we cut our losses and headed back to David's home in Boulder. Conditions improved to downright balmy. We ended by refinding the Black-throated Gray Warbler (and Peter Burke) at the East CU Campus along Boulder Creek.
 
 
[A quick note about the Stilt Sandpiper at Nee Noshe Res. It was in basic plumage (i.e. very gray with a white supercillium), standing in water up to its belly. As such an ID challenge we never thought much about previously presented itself. How do you separate Stilt Sandpiper from Dunlin/Curlew Sandpiper when you can't readily see its structure, feeding posture or leg color? The bird was next to Long-billed Dowitchers and appeared to be smaller-bodied and also shorter (below left). The books say Stilt Sandpipers are smaller-bodied than dowitchers but taller. Maybe we were affected by the wind and cold, maybe we were overly influenced by the recent report of a Curlew Sandpiper at this location, but this bird really messed with us. Tonight I can see the leg color in one of my photos (below at right) as yellow. End of question. Stilt Sandpiper.]
 
 
[cid:a96a00d0-a2fd-4e7f-a263-db7c06330773] [cid:835532ce-17a0-481b-802a-74c33a43e34c]
 
 
Counting birds we saw during our finale in warm, sunny Boulder today, our tally was about 118 species. Not bad considering the storm that engulfed us for 75% of our field time this weekend. Rarities were mostly lacking but memories will be vivid.
 
 
Dave Leatherman (for David Ely and Janeal Thompson)
 
Fort Collins
reports@hawkcount.org: Apr 30 06:33PM -0800

Dinosaur Ridge - Bird Conservancy of the Rockies
Colorado, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Apr 30, 2017
-------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Black Vulture 0 0 0
Turkey Vulture 1 69 69
Osprey 1 9 9
Bald Eagle 0 5 14
Northern Harrier 0 2 2
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1 38 48
Cooper's Hawk 0 58 63
Northern Goshawk 0 0 0
Red-shouldered Hawk 0 0 0
Broad-winged Hawk 2 19 19
Red-tailed Hawk 2 83 263
Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0
Swainson's Hawk 0 14 14
Ferruginous Hawk 0 3 8
Golden Eagle 0 1 4
American Kestrel 0 30 42
Merlin 0 0 0
Peregrine Falcon 1 8 10
Prairie Falcon 0 5 6
Mississippi Kite 0 0 0
Unknown Accipiter 0 7 11
Unknown Buteo 0 12 27
Unknown Falcon 0 5 8
Unknown Eagle 0 0 0
Unknown Raptor 1 17 24
 
Total: 9 385 641
----------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Observation start time: 08:00:00
Observation end time: 13:30:00
Total observation time: 5.5 hours
 
Official Counter: Mike Fernandez
 
Observers:
 
Visitors:
There were very few trail users today (two hikers and a runner, all
favoring shorts, skimpy shoes and shirtless served to amuse). No HawkWatch
conversations today. So my favorite (and only) visitor on the platform was
my new best friend, the Rock Wren.
 
 
Weather:
Snow about 6 inches deep covered the trail to the platform with deer tracks
the only fresh prints ahead of me. Sunny and bright all around all day.
Green Mountain covered in white blended with the high thin white 10-30%
cloud cover to the east. No motocross or gunfire today. Wunderground PWS:
Solera all day.
 
Raptor Observations:
Migrating Raptors: Early migrators flew close to the west side of the ridge
at low height of flight. Second hour pattern changed to riding thermals at
south end of the ridge and then gliding directly above the ridge. After
that, migration shifted to the east, both low and high close to the ridge.
I did not observe any migrating raptors over the higher western ridges
today.
 
Non-Migrating Raptors: A Golden Eagle drove up ridge and then seemed to be
force east by an intercepting Common Raven, forcing him into a canyon fold
below the antenna on Green Mountain. The Golden reappeared later in the day
and stayed near the south end of the ridge. Frequent NM Red-tailed Hawks
rose up high at the far south end of the ridge and then disappeared down
that way. Later in the day the NM raptors ventured as far north as I-70.
 
Local Raptor Count: Turkey Vulture (3), Golden Eagle (1), Red-tailed Hawks
(4), American Kestrel (1), Unk Falcon Sp (1).
 
Non-raptor Observations:
Two Rock Wrens hung around close by my side for hours on exposed rocks on
both sides of the platform. Sweet. Similar experience to what Debbie James
described day prior.
 
Non-Raptors seen or heard: White-throated Swift (2), hummingbird sp (2),
Woodhouse's Scrub-Jay (4), Black-billed Magpie (2), American Crow (2),
Common Raven (1), Bank Swallow (4), Black-capped Chickadee (2), Rock Wren
(2), Canyon Wren (1), American Robin (1), Chipping Sparrow (1), Spotted
Towhee (2), Western Meadowlark (1), House Finch (1).
 
Predictions:
The trail will likely be snowy and muddy. The surrounding landscape was
still mostly snow covered when i departed.
========================================================================
Report submitted by Bird Conservancy of the Rockies (jeff.birek@birdconservancy.org)
Dinosaur Ridge - Bird Conservancy of the Rockies information may be found at:
http://www.birdconservancy.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 Bird Conservancy of
the Rockies from about 9 AM to around 3 PM from March 1st to May 7th.
 
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.
Meredith.McBurney@birdconservancy.org: Apr 30 07:23PM -0700

We arrived about 8:30 this morning, to see what was possible after the
storm. We dealt with the impact of lots of wet snow - broken tree
branches (and in one place an entire tree down across the path), wet and
muddy trails, several nets buried in the snow, and all of them frozen shut.
We had about half the station open by about 10:30 a.m. There seemed to be
lots of birds and numerous species around while we were doing clean up, and
we found ourselves looking upwards, into clear blue skies, at a group (6
-8) of Turkey Vultures, a young Red-tailed Hawk, and then a couple of
Pelicans soaring overhead. But by the time we had the nets open, things
were quiet down at our level, and we caught only 8 birds (highlight being
our first 2 Hermit Thrushes of the season) before calling it a morning.
But, we are all ready for and looking forward to a good day tomorrow!
 
The banding station runs daily, weather permitting, through June 1 (except
for May 4-6 and 29), from 7:00 to approximately 11:30. There have been some
changes in WEEKEND visiting policies - If you are planning a weekend visit,
I strongly encourage you to go to Denveraudubon.org to get more information
and guarantee your spot by PRE-REGISTERING. Weekdays are the same as in the
past - school groups arrive between 9:30 and 10; early weekday mornings are
the best time for a peaceful visit with us and the birds!
 
Meredith McBurney
Bander
Chatfield Banding Station
Bird Conservancy of the Rockies
Jeff Parks <lastimout@gmail.com>: Apr 30 01:22PM -0700

Saw the posts about the Black-throated Grey Warbler and figured that would
be a good spot to walk this morning. Starting from the Arapahoe bridge, the
Dipper was hanging out under the bridge, and it stopped for a few minutes
to groom, which allowed me to get some pretty good looks. Heading up the
path, I didn't see any large flocks of warblers, or much of anything else
for awhile except a few robins and grackles. When I was almost up to 30th,
I turned around and walked back downstream. I saw a few Black-Capped
Chickadees in the trees, and then the Warbler was there. After watching it
for a few minutes, it disappeared into the trees again.
Whiile I was there, I thought I would check the ponds that are close to
Foothills Parkway. No ducks to speak of, a few Canadian Geese, a
Kingfisher and some swallows. At the last pond, as I walked down towards
it to get a better look along the pond, a Green Heron flushed out of the
reeds and flew towards the south end of the pond. I walked down to that
end after a little while, and it popped out of the reeds again and flew
back to the north end of the pond, disappearing into the reeds again. A
Pied-Bill Grebe was diving in that pond as well.
Along the little creek that runs in that area were a few White-Crowned
Sparrows, a few House Finches, and more Grackles and Red-Winged Blackbirds.
 
Good Birding -
 
Jeff Parks
Boulder
Jeff Parks <lastimout@gmail.com>: Apr 30 06:28PM -0700

After I posted this, someone contacted me to let me know that access to the
ponds along Foothills Parkway is restricted. There are signs indicating
this within that area, but there is a main path that is marked as allowing
pubic access which runs through the middle of that general area. I WAS
observing the closure areas, as usual.
 
JP
Brandon <flammowl17@gmail.com>: Apr 30 06:38PM -0600

Yesterday, three of us saw an amazing number of Gray Flycatchers, pushed
down to Canon City, by the weather. We ended up counting 27 Gray
Flycatchers, seen from 4 different locations in Canon City. This species
breeds in the pinyon juniper woodlands of Fremont County, though all of the
27 we saw yesterday, we migrating birds along or near the Arkansas River.
Most birds were along the Canon City Riverwalk, between Sells and
Raynolds. Other species that were seen in large numbers in Canon City
yesterday, because of the weather, were: Western and Mountain Bluebirds,
Say's Phoebes (also a few Black and Eastern Phoebes as well), American
Pipits, and swallows. The only warblers, were Yellow-rumped, a few
Orange-crowned, and one male Common Yellowthroat. We saw both Hermit and
Swainson's Thrushes, Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, a Dusky Flycatcher, two Lazuli
Buntings, Evening Grosbeaks, and variety of sparrows (Chipping, Brewer's,
Lark, White-crowned, and two Black-throated).
 
The water bird highlights were some shorebirds, including Semipalmated,
Western, and Least Sandpipers, Long-billed Dowitchers, Willet, Greater and
Lesser Yellowlegs, Solitary and Spotted Sandpipers, and Killdeer. Also,
large number of White-faced Ibis, and a couple Snowy Egrets.
 
Probably the best birds of the day, were a Caspian Tern in Florence and
four Broad-winged Hawks along the Canon City Riverwalk.
 
A really fun day of birding in Fremont County yesterday. The weather was
much better there, then what we would have encountered in SE Colorado,
where were planning to be this weekend.
 
--
Brandon Percival
Pueblo West, CO
Ben S <benrmnp@gmail.com>: Apr 30 04:36PM -0700

Went to Ketring Park this afternoon. Noteworthy species included a male
Ring-necked Duck, Swainson's Hawk, possible Broad-winged Hawk (only seen
briefly from a distance), likely nesting pair of House Wrens, and two
Myrtle's Yellow-rumped Warblers, and two empidonax flycatchers. I would
greatly appreciate help on the ID soon, thanks to all commentors in advance.
 
 
One (pictured below) individual I think I have identified as a Hammond's
Flycatcher. The grayish-green tinge on the back, squarish head shape, long
primary projection, almost all dark bill.
 
<https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-coe8fA5a3gI/WQZzoXJfP6I/AAAAAAAAF3Q/0Y-V1KJtltM2kYD1WsgSsGVazPlqJvFNQCLcB/s1600/DSCF5476.JPG>

 
The other individual (pictured below) I am leaning towards Gray Flycatcher.
I say this because of the gray back with only a slight brownish tinge,
definite rounded head, not especially long primary projection, obvious
round light eye ring, and relativly long bill with almost the bottom half
orange and top blackish. I did NOT see it do the commonly cited phoebe-like
tail wagging, but I didn't observe it for too long. Thoughts?
 
 
<https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-iQY6VDSFRjs/WQZ0tPEWKaI/AAAAAAAAF3c/1yg_qljryxIArBkNnxyz84gRS9Eltt01QCLcB/s1600/DSCF5497.JPG>
 
<https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-eqj2f0WJIOs/WQZ03gj1qII/AAAAAAAAF3g/gx4KtLPmPwUMKDww_MsYaZRKVgulpeiswCLcB/s1600/DSCF5495.JPG>
 
Ben Sampson
Centennial, Co
Ben S <benrmnp@gmail.com>: Apr 30 04:53PM -0700

Okay, so all empids species were flagged. I thought, the last April is a
bit early, but May 7th or so most would not be flagged. I checked and most
empids have already been reported in Colorado this year. As for Hammonds,
this looks like it would be the first for 2017 in Colorado, possibly the
first for April as well. But, going be the picture, it still seems the most
probable.
 
Ben Sampson
Centennial, Co
"David Tønnessen" <davidtonnessenx@gmail.com>: Apr 30 05:06PM -0700

Ben S,
 
I find myself wanting to call the first bird a Dusky due to the long tail
and not so very stunningly long primary projection. Head shape, bill color,
eye-ring, etc are often similar in Dusky and Hammond's.
For your second bird I am agreeing with Gray Flycatcher.
 
On Sunday, April 30, 2017 at 5:36:52 PM UTC-6, Ben S wrote:
Charles Hundertmark <chundertmark8@gmail.com>: Apr 30 05:27PM -0600

On a DFO field trip to Jackson State Park, a White-eyed Vireo was gleaning with a large group of Yellow-rumped (mostly Myrtle) Warblers in Russian Olives. There were also several small groups of Cedar Waxwings. Choppy water made viewing the reservoir challenging, and there was little shore for shorebirds.
 
Chuck Hundertmark
Lafayette, CO
303-604-0531
Dick FILBY <dickfilby@hotmail.com>: Apr 30 09:43PM

Hi all
 
Linda Vidal led a group to Spring Park reservoir this lunchtime. Thank-you Linda
Most impressive were the Swallows (mainly Tree) in similar numbers to yesterday – of the order of around 10,000 I would estimate. A few Barn Swallows were the only other swallow species identified
 
Also of note..
 
1 Common Loon (alternate plumage
8 Franklin's Gulls
ca10 Barrow's Goldeneyes
10+ Bufflehead
20+ Eared Grebes
75+ Western Grebes
3 (presumed Long-billed) Dowitchers - just a bit too distant to be 100% sure
1 Killdeer
...no other shorebirds were found
25+White-throated Swifts (a species that is unusual at this site)
1 Coopers Hawk
1 Golden Eagle
1 Northern Harrier (male)
Many American Kestrels, sev Turkey Vultures and Red-tailed Hawks
1 Savannah Sparrow
 
Several of
Common Merganser, Lesser Scaup, Ring-necked Duck, Cinnamon and Green-winged Teal
In addition
Sora and Virginia Rails were head (but not seen)
A herd of around 100 Elk were at the north end of the reservoir
 
 
Good birding all.
 
Best wishes
 
Dick Filby
Luke Pheneger <phenegerluke@gmail.com>: Apr 30 09:40PM

At Stewart's Pond NOW.
Luke Pheneger <phenegerluke@gmail.com>: Apr 30 09:41PM

Luke Pheneger
Longmont,Colorado
On Sun, Apr 30, 2017 at 3:40 PM Luke Pheneger <phenegerluke@gmail.com>
wrote:
 
Brandon <flammowl17@gmail.com>: Apr 30 03:29PM -0600

The singing male Yellow-throated Warbler, that Van Truan first found
on April 21st, continues to sing in Mineral Palace Park in Pueblo.
Today, it was in the southern part of the park, near the Main Street
Entrance. Other highlights in Pueblo County today, were Broad-winged
Hawk in north east part Pueblo City Park, single Gray Flycatchers in
my yard in Pueblo West, and in the Osprey Picnic Area in Rock Canyon,
below Pueblo Reservoir dam, and a Solitary Sandpiper at Lake Minnequa
in Pueblo. Lots of tree damage throughout Pueblo, from the heavy wet
snow.
 
--
Brandon Percival
Pueblo West, CO
jcbreitsch@gmail.com: Apr 30 01:24PM -0700

DFO Trip - First Creek at Denver Open Space - Denver County
30 April 2017
DFO members warmed up for the upcoming big month by heading out for a five hour walk at First Creek. It started out cold, ended up windy, and in between there were over 50 species seen. Some of the highlights included Great Horned and Barn Owls, four Solitary Sandpipers, two Willets, three Least Sandpipers, and a Baird's Sandpiper. There was also a Mountain Bluebird and a Northern Mockingbird that Rebecca Laroche found for us. Raptors were pretty much anywhere you looked in the sky and all of the Horned Larks and several American Pipits kept things interesting. The funny thing is, this spot will be so much better in just a few weeks. There are still many species that haven't arrived yet.
 
John Breitsch
Denver, CO
https://www.flickr.com/photos/breitschbirding/
K Miller <kmczbirds@aol.com>: Apr 30 01:48PM -0600

While outside for about an hour I had 4 different groups of bluebirds (about 15 total) flying overhead near the west side of Powers Blvd. Last 2 groups were Mountain BBs as I did not see any hint of orange on them. They are fighting a strong head wind today to head north.
Kathy Miller
Colo Sprgs
John Ealy <jrealy@gmail.com>: Apr 30 12:27PM -0700

I rescued a chipping sparrow from a road in our neighborhood. It can't fly
but has no apparent injuries. Anybody know of a rehabber in the Denver
area? Apologies if this is not the right forum for this question. I won't
be able to care for the bird after a few days.
Thanks,
 
John Ealy
Roxborough Park, Douglas County
Maggie Boswell <picab@qwest.net>: Apr 30 11:38AM -0600

Peter Gent reports 2 Whimbrel and 4 Marbled Godwit on the north side of Union Res. At 11 a.m. they were near the intersection with County Rd 3.
 
Maggie Boswell
Boulder
"Doug Ward" <dougward@frontier.com>: Apr 30 07:57AM -0700

Sorry I didn't get this out last night, but just getting to my computer this
morning. Anyway, after a relatively fruitless shorebirding run along one of
my old routes in Northeastern Colorado (basically Prospect Res out to
Jackson Res, Weld & Morgan Cos.) yesterday (Sat., 29 Apr 17), decided to
swing back by Union Reservoir (Weld Co.) as I knew it had some shoreline;
everything else is chockablock, but paradoxically many old farm ponds were
dry.
 

 
Glad I made that choice as while there were a few fun shorebirds, the bird
of the day was a fist year GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULL which swept through the
northwest corner of the lake and gave a good view. Decent sized, very
uniformly tan gull, with translucent primaries, and good sized all black
bill. Definitely a nice surprise. In terms of the shorebirds, the "fun"
ones included three (3) BLACK-NECKED STILTS, two (2) AMERICAN AVOCETS, a
MARBLED GODWIT, a couple of WILLETS, and a SEMIPALMATED PLOVER, amongst
others. So, if you are hankering for shorebirds before the main push of
passerines make their showing, I'd recommend hitting Union.
 

 
Good Birding,
 
Doug Ward
 

 
PS - As this is my first regular post here to Cobirds, I'm bringing my
posting etiquette from another listserve, so if you think the CAPITALIZED
species of interest reporting, not just rarities, is too much like yelling
here, just let me know and I'll adapt. Plus I need to get into checking and
reporting to the rare bird alert posting as well (suppose I should be
reading those too).
 

 
29 April 2017 Union Reservoir, Weld Co., CO
 
Canada Goose - 2
 
Mallard - 6
 
Blue-winged Teal - 4m 4f
 
Cinnamon Teal - 1m 1f
 
Northern Shoveler - 4m
 
Green-winged Teal - 2m 2f
 
Western Grebe - 30
 
Double-crested Cormorant - 10
 
Great Blue Heron - 1
 
Bald Eagle - 1 ad
 
Red-tailed Hawk - 1
 
American Avocet - 2
 
Black-necked Stilt - 3
 
Semipalmated Plover - 1
 
Killdeer - 15
 
Marbled Godwit - 1
 
Least Sandpiper - 1
 
Semipalmated Sandpiper - 5
 
Wilson's Snipe - 1
 
Willet - 2
 
Lesser Yellowlegs - 1
 
Bonaparte's Gull - 2ad 1-1st
 
Franklin's Gull - 4ad
 
Ring-billed Gull - 1ad
 
GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULL - 1-1st
 
Eurasian Collared-Dove - 4
 
Mourning Dove - 6
 
American Kestrel - 1
 
Say's Pheobe - 2 (out on mudflats feeding with peeps & Semi Plover - weird)
 
Black-billed Magpie - 2
 
Northern Rough-winged Swallow - 2
 
Tree Swallow - 50
 
Violet-green Swallow - 10
 
Barn Swallow - 20
 
swallow sp. - 150
 
American Robin - 3
 
European Starling - 20
 
Yellow-rumped Warbler - 10 "Myrtle"
 
Song Sparrow - 1
 
Red-winged Blackbird - 15
 
Western Meadowlark - 3
 
Yellow-headed Blackbird - 10
 
Common Grackle - 5
 
House Finch - 1
Ed Baker <ednbonniebaker@gmail.com>: Apr 30 08:08AM -0600

Backyard bird
HERMIT THRUSH
 
ID - Kevin Corwin helped me with ID (thank you Kevin)
Confirmed by Tony Leukering
 
admittedly the bird has been with me for past week; finally zeroed-in on
the beautiful song and the rest is history. I've got pictures if anyone
cares.
 
Bonnie Boex
Dillon
Joyce Takamine <jabirujt@gmail.com>: Apr 30 04:43AM -0600

Compiler: Joyce Takamine
e-mail: RBA AT cobirds.org
Date: April 30, 2017
 
This is the Rare Bird Alert for Sunday, April 30 sponsored by Denver Field
Ornithologists and the Bird Conservancy of the Rockies.
 
Highlight species include: (* indicates new information on this species)
NOTE: The RBA is now using the new AOU checklist and the order of families
has changes.
 
Mute Swan (Weld)
Trumpeter Swan (Archuleta, *Routt)
Mallard (Mexican intergrade) (Boulder)
Surf Scoter (Jackson)
Barrow's Goldeneye (Montrose, *Pitkin)
Sharp-tailed Grouse (Weld)
Greater Prairie-Chicken (Washington)
Chimney Swift ( Boulder, El Paso)
Black Rail (Bent)
Black-bellied Plover (*Bent, Crowley , Kiowa)
Snowy Plover (Crowley, Kiowa)
Semipalmated Plover (Crowley, El Paso, Kiowa, *La Plata, *Larimer, *Weld)
Mountain Plover (*Weld)
Upland Sandpiper (Logan)
Whimbrel (El Paso,*Jefferson, *Larimer, Weld)
Long-billed Curlew ( Jefferson, La Plata, *Larimer)
Stilt Sandpiper (Kiowa)
Sanderling (*Boulder, El Paso, Kiowa, Mesa, Weld)
White-rumped Sandpiper (Morgan)
Pectoral Sandpiper (Crowley)
Semipalmated Sandpiper (Crowley, *Douglas, El Paso, *Fremont, *Jefferson,
Kiowa, La Plata,*Larimer, Morgan, *Weld)
Short-billed Dowitcher (El Paso, *Larimer, *Weld)
Solitary Sandpiper (Boulder, Jefferson, *Weld)
BROWN PELICAN (Mesa)
Green Heron (Jefferson, Pueblo)
Glossy Ibis (Mesa, Weld)
Mississippi Kite (Denver)
Broad-winged Hawk (Bent, *Fremont, Douglas, Jefferson)
Laughing Gull (Weld)
Thayer's Gull (*Larimer)
Lesser Black-backed Gull (*Larimer)
GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULL (*Weld)
Caspian Tern (*Larimer, *Fremont, Mesa, Weld)
Red-headed Woodpecker (Logan)
Red-bellied Woodpecker (Logan)
Williamson's Sapsucker (Pueblo)
Ladder-backed Woodpecker (El Paso)
American three-toed Woodpecker (Gunnison)
Least Flycatcher (Douglas, Jefferson)
Gray Flycatcher ( *Fremont, Larimer, Mesa, Rio Grande)
Black Phoebe (Boulder, *Fremont, *Garfield, Rio Blanco)
Eastern Phoebe (Arapahoe, Boulder, Douglas, *Fremont, Jefferson)
Winter Wren (Bent)
Caroline Wren (Pueblo)
BLACK-TAILED GNATCATCHER (Mesa)
Curve-billed Thrasher (Bent)
Lapland Longspur (Jackson, Weld)
Chestnut-collared Longspur (*Weld)
McCown's Longspur (Douglas, *Larimer, *Weld)
Worm-eating Warbler (Bent)
Black-and-white Warbler (Boulder)
Nashville Warbler (Denver, El Paso, Jefferson)
Northern Parula (Arapahoe, *Boulder)
Palm Warbler (Jefferson)
Yellow-throated Warbler (Pueblo)
Black-throated Gray Warbler (*Boulder, Jefferson)
Cassin's Sparrow (Washington)
Brewer's Sparrow (Boulder)
Grasshopper Sparrow (Washington, Weld)
Fox Sparrow (Boulder)
Northern Cardinal (Logan)
 
ARAPAHOE COUNTY:
---On April 26 at Cherry Creek SP East Boat Ramp, a Northern Parula was
reported by Rebecca Laroche, Cheri Phillips, Cheryl Teuton and Dan Brooke.
On April 27 at Cherry Creek SP East Boat Ramp, Cynthia Madsen, Karen
Drozda, Loch Kilpatrick, and Benn Sampson reported Northern Parula. On
April 28 at Cherry Creek SP East Boat Ramp, Northern Parula was reported by
Meg Reck and many other birders and Ajit and Liza Anthony reported Eastern
Phoebe.
 
ARCHULETA COUNTY:
---On April 28 at Pagosa Lake, Brook Nelson reported Trumpeter Swan.
 
BENT COUNTY:
---On April 25 at Tempel Grove on CR 35, Dave Leatherman reported 2
Broad-winged Hawks (1 a, 1imm).
---On April 26 at Fort Lyon, Weston Smith reported 2 Black rail, 3
Curve-billed Thrashers, and Winter Wren.
---On April 27 and April 28 at Tempel Grove, Duane Nelson reported
Worm-eating Warbler.
---On April 29 on Hwy 50 east of Lake Hasty, David Ely reported a flyover
Black-bellied Plover.
 
BOULDER COUNTY:
---On April 25 at Boulder Creek and 75th St, Mike Hensley and Rebecca
Grieser reported Black and Eastern Phoebe. On April 26 Randy Siebert
reported Black and Eastern Phoebe at Boulder Creek and 75th St. On April
27 at Boulder Creek at 75th St, Mike Patterson reported Black and Eastern
Phoebe.
---On April 24 at Hecla Lake in Lafayette, Ted Floyd reported Mallard
(Mexican intergrade).
---On April 27 at Walden/Sawhill Ponds in Boulder, Luke Pheneger and Nick
Moore reported 3 Solitary Sandpipers, Eastern Phoebe. On April 27 at
Walden Ponds, Luke Pheneger reported Solitary Sandpiper, Northern Parula,
Slate-colored Fox Sparrow and f Black-and-white Warbler.
---On April 28 at CU East Campus, Peter Gent reported 2 Black-throated Gray
Warblers at Boulder Creek and Chimney Swift. On April 29 at CU East
Campus, Laura Steadman reported Black-throated Gray Warbler and Mark
Minner-Lee reported m Tennessee Warbler.
---On April 28 at Lagerman Reservoir, Peter Gent reported Sandering.
 
DENVER COUNTY:
---On April 26, Chris Goulart reported a pair of Mississippi Kites at end
of Delgany by Cherry Creek.
---On April 27 at Rocky Mountain Lake Park, Gabriel Wiltse reported
Nashville Warbler.
 
DOUGLAS COUNTY:
--- On April 24 at Chatfield SP Model Airplane Field, David Suddjian
reported McCown's Longspur.
---On April 27 at Chatfield SP downstream of Kingfisher Bridge, Loch
Kilpatrick reported Broad-winged Hawk and Least Flycatcher.
---On April 29 at Chatfield SP Marina Sandspit, Loch Kilpatrick and Dean
Shoup reported Semipalmated Sandpiper. On April 29 at Plum Creek Delta,
Bob Anderson and Kevin DeBoer reported 3 Semipalmated Sandpipers.
 
EL PASO COUNTY:
--- On April 26 at Ramah SWA, Cindy Bouldin reported Sanderling and David
Tonnessen, Joy and Leonard Lake reported Semipalmated Plover, Whimbrel, and
Sanderling. On April 28 at Ramah SWA, Karen Goetz and Matt Clark reported
Sandering, Semipalmated Sandpiper, and 2 Short-billed Dowitchers.
---On April 24 at Paint Mine OS, Rod Schmidt reported Black-throated
Sparrow.
---On April 24, Chris Goulart reported Ladder-backed Woodpecker at Chico
Basin Ranch.
---On April 26 at Sondermann Park, Linda Hodge reported Nashville Warbler
after first bridge.
---On April 26 at Memorial Park and Prospect Lake, Dale Adams reported 6
Chimney Swift. On April 27, 2 Chimney Swifts were reported by David and
Cheryl Hubbard at Memorial Park and Prospect Lake. On April 28 at Memorial
Park and Prospect Lake, Dale Adams reported Chimney Swift.
 
FREMONT COUNTY:
---On April 29 at Holcim Wetlands (private property, view from hwy),
Brandon Percival and Kara Carragher reported 11 Semipalmated Sandpipers.
---On April 29 at Blue Heron Ponds on Hwy 115, Brandon Percival and Kara
Carragher reported Caspian Tern.
---On April 29 at Lakeside Cemetery in Canon City, Brandon Percival and
Kara Carragher reported 4 Gray Flycatchers.
---On April 29 on Canon City Riverwalk between Sells Lake and Raynolds Ave,
Brandon Percival and Kara Carragher reported 4 Broad-winged Hawks, 18 Gray
Flycatchers, 3 Black Phoebe, and 2 Eastern Phoebe.
 
GARFIELD COUNTY:
---On April 28 in Carbondale by Crystal River just downstream of Fish
Hatchery, Dick Filby reported 2 Black Phoebe.
JACKSON COUNTY:
---On April 28 at Walden Reservoir, Christian Nunes reported young male
Surf Scoter.
 
JEFFERSON COUNTY:
---On April 24 at Robert Easton Regional Park, David Suddjian reported 2
Long-billed Curlew.
---On April 24 At Harriman Lake Park, David Suddjian reported Green Heron
and Solitary Sandpiper.
---On April 24 at Chatfield SP, David Suddjian reported Least Flycatcher
upstream of Kingfisher Bridge and a pair of Eastern Phoebe near the bridge.
---On April 24 at Deer Creek at Valley Rd near South Valley Park, David
Suddjian reported Eastern Phoebe. On April 25 at Deer creek at Valley
Road, David Suddjian reported a pair of Eastern Phoebe.
---On April 25near Buckhorn Road bridge about .3 miles downstream from
Valley Road, David Suddjian reported pair of Eastern Phoebe.
---On April 25 in Willow Creek Park near Chatfield Ave downstream of
Garrison St, David Suddjian reported Eastern Phoebe.
---On April 25 at Masey Draw at Dakota Hogback close to culvert un C470,
David Suddjian reported Eastern Phoebe.
---On Apri l 25 at Bear Creek Lake Park Big Soda Lakes N trail, Bruce
Cyganowski, Phil Lyon, and Frank Farrell reported Black-throated Gray
Warbler. On April 26 at Bear Creek Lake Park Big Soda Lakes N trail, Matt
Clark, Susan Bonfiglio, Phil Lyon and Tom Behnfield reported Black-throated
Gray Warbler.
---On April 25 at White Deer Valley Cougar Road, David Suddjian reported 2
Eastern Phoebe and Nashville Warbler.
---On April 26, David Suddjian reported ad Broad-wingd Hawk flew over St
Mary Church at South Prince St in Littleton.
---On April 28 at Harriman Lake Park, Patrick O'Driscoll, Mike Henwood, and
Rebecca Laroche reported Western Palm Warbler and Least Flycatcher.
---On April 29 at Chatfield swim Beach, David Suddjian reported Whimbrel
flying North and 2 Semipalmated Sandpipers.
 
KIOWA COUNTY:
---On April 25 at Nee Noshe Reservoir, Dave Leatherman reported 3
Sanderling, Long-billed Curlew, 150 Semipalmated Sandpipers, 5 Semipalmated
Plovers, and 2 Snowy Plovers.
---On April 28 at Kiowa Creek at CR 40, Anne Casella reported 6 Snowy
Plover, 2 Semipalmated Plovers, and 2 Stilt Sandpipers.
 
LA PLATA COUNTY:
---On April 25 at Pastorius Reservoir, Jason St Pierre and Susan Allerton
reported Semipalmated Plover. On April 25 at Pastorius Reservoir, Amy
Dobins reported Semipalmated Plover and 5 Long-billed Curlews. On April 26
at Pastorius Reservoir, Susan Allerton reported Semi palmated Plover. On
April 27 at Pastorius Reservoir, Susan Allerton reported Semipalmated
Plover and Long-billed Curlew. On April 29 at Pastorius Reservoir, Steve
Smith reported Semipalmated Plover.
 
LARIMER COUNTY:
---On April 24 at Horseshoe reservoir, Nick Komar reported 2 Caspian
Terns. On April 25 at Horsehsoe Reservoir, Nick Komar and David Wade
reported Whimbrel and 1-st cyc Lesser Black-backed Gull. On April 26 at
Horsehsoe Reservoir, Nick Komar reported 2-nd cyc Lesser Black-backed Gull
and Caspian Tern.
---On April 28 at Lee Martinez Park, Rob Sparks reported Gray Flycatcher.
---On April 29 on E CR 60 W of N CR 3, Nick Komar, Georgia Doyle, and David
Wade reported Semipalmated Plover, 25 Semipalmated Sandpipers and they
heard a McCown's Longspur.
---On April 29 at Boyd Lake, Austin Hess and Nick Komar reported 10
Short-billed Dowitchers, 5 Whimbrel, and 2 Long-billed Curlew.
---On April 29 at Horseshoe Reservoir, Austin Hess and Nick Komar reported
3 Caspian Terns and Anne Casella reported Thayer's Gull, Lesser
Black-backed Gull, and 4 Caspian Terns.
 
 
LOGAN COUNTY:
---On April 24 at Tamarck Ranch SWA, Randy Siebert reported 2 Red-headed
Woopeckers, Red-bellied Woodpecker, and Northern Cardinal.
---On April 24 on Hwy 138 between Crook and Proctor, Randy Siebert reported
Upland Sandpiper.
 
MESA COUNTY:
---On April 24 at Highline Lake SP, Mike Henwood reported Glossy Ibis.
---On April 25 at Corn Lake, Susan Longest reported BROWN PELICAN. On
April 26, Dave and Diane Trappet t and many other birders reported BROWN
PELICAN at Corn Lake. On April 27, David Chartier and several other
birders reported BROWN PELICAN at Corn Lake. On April 28, near Corn Lake,
Jason St. Pierre reported Brown Pelican soaring west of the lake and later
in the day Denise and Mark Vollmar reported that the Brown Pelican returned
to Corn Lake.
---On April 27 at Highline Reservoir, Coen Dexter reported Sandering and
Gray Flycatcher.
---On April 27 at Coal Canyon Little Bookcliffs Wild Horse Area, Clinton
Nienhaus reported 3 possible BLACK-TAILED GNATCATCHERS. If documented and
accepted this would be a new state bird.
---On April 28 at Highline Lake SP, David Price and Carol Ortenzio reported
8 Sanderling and 8 Caspian Terns.
 
MONTROSE COUNTY:
---On April 26 at Black Canyon Crystal Dam, Betty Fenton reported Barrow's
Goldeneye.
 
MORGAN COUNTY:
---On April 24 at intersection of Hwy 71 and CR JJ, Clinton Nienhaus
reported 4 White-rumped Sandpipers and 7 Semipalmated Sandpipers.
 
PITKIN COUNTY:
---On April 28 at Spring Park Reservoir in El Jebel, Dick Filby reported 14
Barrow's Goldeneyes.
 
PUEBLO COUNTY:
---On April 26 at Mineral Palace Park, Van Truan reported Yellow-throated
Warbler in SW corner. On April 28 at Mineral Palace Park, Leon Bright
reported Yellow-throated Warbler.
---On April 24 east of Reservoir Road, Rick Clawges reported Carolina Wren,
On April 25, Brandon Percival reported singing Carolina Wren, 6 Black
Poebe along Arkansas River East of Pueblo Blvd.
---On April 25 at Pueblo City Park, Brandon Percival reported Green Heron.
 
RIO BLANCO COUNTY:
---On April 25 at Circle Park in Meeker, Jan Leonard reported Black Phoebe.
 
RIO GRANDE COUNTY:
---On April 23 near Bowen, John Rawinski reported Gray Flycatcher.
 
ROUTT COUNTY:
---On April 28 at Stagecoach SP, Lisa Edwards and Chris Owens reported imm
Trumpeter Swan. On April 28 at Stagecoach Reservoir, Sue Riffe reported
Trumpeter Swan.
 
WASHINGTON COUNTY:
---On April 22 at CR P and CR 52 Chris Wood and Jessie Barry reported 4
Greater Prairie-Chicken, 2 CASSIN'S Sparrows and 2 Grasshopper Sparrows.
 
WELD COUNTY:
---On April 24, Dale and Joel Adams reported Mute Swan and 2 Short-billed
Dowitchers at Stewart's Pond. On April 25 at Stewart's Pond, Steve
Mlodinow reported Mute Swan and Short-billed Dowitcher. On April 27 at
Stewart's Pond, Gene Rutherford reported 2 Short-billed Dowitchers and
Solitary Sandpiper. On April 29 at Stewart's Pond, Gene Rutherford
reported 2 Short-billed Dowitchers.
---On April 26 at CR 59 Pond, Rebecca Grieser reported Glossy Ibis.
---On April 23 on Cr 134 between CR 111 and CR 115, Art Hudak and Mark
Chavez reported 19 Sharp-tailed Grouse and 2 Grasshopper Sparrows.
---On April 27 at Union Reservoir, Steve Mlodinow, Luke Pheneger, and
Maikel Wise reported 2 Sanderling, and 4 Semipalmated Sandpipers. On April
28 at Union Reservoir, Steve Mlodinow reported 10 Semipalmated Plovers, 2
Sandering, and Caspian Tern.
---On April 28 at Lower Reservoir on CR 48, Tom and Mary France reported
10-12 Whimbrel.
---On April 28 at CR 136 east of CR 99, Gene Rutherford reported 2
Grasshopper Sparrows.
---On April 28 at CR 99 between CR 130 and CR 132, Gene Rutherford reported
Sharp-tailed Grouse and Grasshopper Sparrow.
---On April 28 at Pawnee NG Murphy's Pasture area and auto tour stopes 2
and 3, Robert Beauchamp reported Grasshopper Sparrow.
---On April 28 at CR 86 and CR 105, John Kvarnback reported Chest-collared
Longspur, 50 McCown's Longspur and Grasshopper Sparrow.
---On April 29 at Union Reservoir, a GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULL was reported by
Gene Rutherford and Steve Mlodinow. Mlodinow also reported 2 Semipalmated
Plovers and 2 Semipalmated Sandpipers.
---On April 28 at Crom Lake (just south of CR90 off of CR 31), Josh
Bruening reported Semipalmated Sandpiper and 2 Solitary Sandpipers.
---On April 29 at CR 79 and CR 14, Josh Brueing reported 2 Mountain Plovers.
---On April 29 on CR 96, Josh Bruening reported 6 McCown's Longspurs.
---On April 28 on CR 69, Josh Bruening reported 3 m Chestnut-collared
Longspurs.
 
Denver Field Ornithologists Field Trips:
The DFO Field Trip for Sunday, April 30 will be to First Creek at Denver
Open Space led by John Breitsch and Patrick O-Driscoll (jbreitsch AT
Hotmail.com; 303-588-0552). This trip is full
 
The DFO Field Trip for Sunday April 30 will be to Monte Vista NWR led by
jill Boice (jill AT booksandcats.net; 303-864-7580). Meet at Visitor
Center at 0800.
Directions: 6129 S. Highway 15, Monte Vista, CO 81144. From Monte Vista,
go east on US 286/160 about 3 miles. Turn South on S Co Rd 3E and travel
about 8.7 miles. Go west on W Co Rd 6 2 to the Visitor Center.
Overnight trip. Casey Setash, a graduate student at CSU, is tracking
Cinnamon teal at Monte Vista NWR.
She will take us to an area where she is trapping ducks for hand-on-fun.
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