cobirds colorado rare bird: January 2025

Friday, 31 January 2025

[cobirds] Lapland Longspur numbers in Flagler-Kit Carson County

All,

To follow up on Doug's post about the Flager CBC, the Lapland Longspur numbers in the Flagler area continue to amaze. The storm that came through on Wednesday night grouped all of the Horned Larks and Laplands together again. They tend to split off when the weather is good into somewhat smaller groups. Their densest concentrations are just a few miles out of Flagler proper. In the checklist I've linked below, today I estimated both species at 50,000 in number though I'm convinced that it could be an underestimate by as much as half. By my best judgement it was a 1:1 even ratio though there are times when groups of single species move through. If anyone is interested in this spectacle or Lapland Longspurs are your nemesis bird, this is a good year to take a trip east of the front range. I linked the checklist so anyone curious could see the track/route I've been taking to see these birds. The greatest concentration of birds tends to hang out on CR X between CR 3 and CR 4 on both the north and south sides of the road. But there is a large group that hangs out on CR 4 north to CR Z and east on CR Z to CR 6 as well. The best times to witness these birds is when one of the local raptors sends them into a frenzy. There have been several Northern Harriers, at least 2 Prairie Falcons, and a Merlin in the last few days. The birds are most often found in harvested Milo (Sorghum) and Corn, planted Winter Wheat, and short-grass pasture that borders the ag fields. I have tried desperately to find a Snow Bunting or something even crazier like a Smith's Longspur but other than a male Thick-billed Longspur today, no luck. I hold out hope. There is still much winter to go.

eBird Checklist - 31 Jan 2025 - County Road Z, Flagler US-CO 39.36012, -103.07730 - 6 species

Please reach out directly if you have any questions.

Bird is the word!

Josh Bruening

currently Limon, CO

--
--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group.
To post to this group, send email to cobirds@googlegroups.com
For more options, visit this group at
http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds
* All posts should be signed with the poster's full name and city. Include bird species and location in the subject line when appropriate.
* Join Colorado Field Ornithologists https://cobirds.org/membership/
---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to cobirds+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com.
To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cobirds/846aa5d7-f4c0-48b9-b3e3-bf06d5fc1ee0n%40googlegroups.com.

[cobirds] RE: ROSS'S GULL in Western Kansas

Thanks for the correction Scott.

Colorado's last one was in November 2010, so I am guessing some Colorado people will be interested in trying to see this one in Kansas.

Brandon K. Percival

Pueblo West, CO

Yahoo Mail: Search, Organize, Conquer

On Fri, Jan 31, 2025 at 7:11 PM, sselt@gbta.net
<sselt@gbta.net> wrote:

Hi Brandon,

Kansas has one previous record of Ross's Gull north of Manhattan. I believe it was seen at the outlet of Tuttle Creek Dam.

https://www.ksbirds.org/checklist/maps/ROGU.jpg

For those thinking of chasing today's bird, it was seen about 10 miles south of Dodge City.

Scott Seltman
Larned, KS

From: cobirds@googlegroups.com <cobirds@googlegroups.com> On Behalf Of flammowl17@gmail.com
Sent: Friday, January 31, 2025 7:47 PM
To: Colorado Birds <cobirds@googlegroups.com>
Subject: [cobirds] ROSS'S GULL in Western Kansas

Always rare anywhere nearby, an adult winter Ross's Gull was found in Western Kansas today, near Dodge City, Ford County. Check reports on e-bird, I think this is a first state record for Kansas.

Brandon K. Percival
Pueblo West, CO
--
--

RE: [cobirds] ROSS'S GULL in Western Kansas

Hi Brandon,

Kansas has one previous record of Ross's Gull north of Manhattan. I believe it was seen at the outlet of Tuttle Creek Dam.

https://www.ksbirds.org/checklist/maps/ROGU.jpg

For those thinking of chasing today's bird, it was seen about 10 miles south of Dodge City.

Scott Seltman

Larned, KS

From: cobirds@googlegroups.com <cobirds@googlegroups.com> On Behalf Of flammowl17@gmail.com
Sent: Friday, January 31, 2025 7:47 PM
To: Colorado Birds <cobirds@googlegroups.com>
Subject: [cobirds] ROSS'S GULL in Western Kansas

Always rare anywhere nearby, an adult winter Ross's Gull was found in Western Kansas today, near Dodge City, Ford County. Check reports on e-bird, I think this is a first state record for Kansas.

Brandon K. Percival

Pueblo West, CO

[cobirds] ROSS'S GULL in Western Kansas

Always rare anywhere nearby, an adult winter Ross's Gull was found in Western Kansas today, near Dodge City, Ford County. Check reports on e-bird, I think this is a first state record for Kansas.

Brandon K. Percival

Pueblo West, CO

Yahoo Mail: Search, Organize, Conquer

Re: [cobirds] Update on nesting E. collared-doves, Jefferson Co.

I didn't realize that doves would nest in the middle of winter until you shared this story with us. And then coincidentally, just this morning, as I was researching the subject of photoperiodism for a journal submission, I came across this passage in the Journal of Biological Rhythms (Aug. 2001): "Most species of birds feed their young on

specific food resources, rather than milk, and so breeding is restricted to the time when the required food resource is sufficiently available. Only rarely will this be symmetrical with photoperiodic changes. It may be significant that in the group of birds that do feed their young on milk, the Columbiformes (doves and pigeons, which feed their young on a milk-like secretion derived from the crop-sac), breeding seasons are longer and symmetrical." tends

I had no idea that doves fed their young this way!

Kirstin Chapman, Arvada, CO

be more restricted and more asymmetrical with
respect to the annual cycle in photoperiod than it is in
mammals. Most species of birds feed their young on
specific food resources, rather than milk, and so breed-
ing is restricted to the time when the required food
resource is sufficiently available. Only rarely will this
be symmetrical with photoperiodic changes. It may be
significant that in the group of birds that do feed their
young on milk, the Columbiformes (doves and
pigeons, which feed their young on a milk-like secre-
tion derived from the crop-sac), breeding seasons are
longer and symmetrical. In other species, the food
resource required for the young may be seasonal but
predictable, seasonal but unpredictable, or relatively
constant, and reproductive strategies adopted by di

Sent from my iPad

On Jan 31, 2025, at 9:33 AM, Scott Somershoe <ssomershoe@gmail.com> wrote:

For those of you keeping score at home, the pair of Eurasian Collared-doves in my yard (Littleton, JeffCo) have been keeping busy.

On Jan 20th, the pair flew into my backyard and there was extended courtship and then copulation. It was 9 degrees F. This was at the end of the prolonged cold spell where it got to about -7F here on a couple of previous nights. Details on the interesting behavior here:
https://ebird.org/checklist/S210105706

A bird has been on and off the nest in the last week, more often off the nest for extended periods, and I wasn't sure what was going on. However, there's been a bird on the nest every time I checked over the last couple days. This morning I finally got around to attaching a small mirror to an extending pole (don't tell my daughter I took her favorite mirror and used duct tape on it) and confirmed there are 2 eggs in the nest. This is the same nest they've used at least twice previously. I do not know if they are sprucing up the nest with new sticks or material for each of these nesting attempts or cleaning it out at all. It brought me back to field work days checking bird nests in flooded bottomland hardwood swamps with a long extending pole and mirror. :)

Side notes: I occasionally see a 3rd or 4th bird, presumably the recent fledglings, but I usually do not see any other collared doves around. A few days ago when it was snowing hard, the pair sat very close together in the backyard for over an hour, so I was pretty sure they didn't have eggs. Last week, two adults were sitting on the nest in the morning (next to one another on the nest) with a fledgling (based on the plumage and bill) sitting about a foot away. There are other singing males in the neighborhood and it makes me wonder if a lot of them are also nesting now. Interesting observations during an otherwise hohum winter for birds around here.

Scott Somershoe
Littleton CO

--
--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group.
To post to this group, send email to cobirds@googlegroups.com
For more options, visit this group at
http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds
* All posts should be signed with the poster's full name and city. Include bird species and location in the subject line when appropriate.
* Join Colorado Field Ornithologists https://cobirds.org/membership/
---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to cobirds+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com.
To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cobirds/CAJmtx%2BX%2B8_j2TTQHpW%3D4zUL%2B1o4C9GtTCLBeBc51y1U7gA70AQ%40mail.gmail.com.

[cobirds] Update on nesting E. collared-doves, Jefferson Co.

For those of you keeping score at home, the pair of Eurasian Collared-doves in my yard (Littleton, JeffCo) have been keeping busy.

On Jan 20th, the pair flew into my backyard and there was extended courtship and then copulation. It was 9 degrees F. This was at the end of the prolonged cold spell where it got to about -7F here on a couple of previous nights. Details on the interesting behavior here:

https://ebird.org/checklist/S210105706

A bird has been on and off the nest in the last week, more often off the nest for extended periods, and I wasn't sure what was going on. However, there's been a bird on the nest every time I checked over the last couple days. This morning I finally got around to attaching a small mirror to an extending pole (don't tell my daughter I took her favorite mirror and used duct tape on it) and confirmed there are 2 eggs in the nest. This is the same nest they've used at least twice previously. I do not know if they are sprucing up the nest with new sticks or material for each of these nesting attempts or cleaning it out at all. It brought me back to field work days checking bird nests in flooded bottomland hardwood swamps with a long extending pole and mirror. :)

Side notes: I occasionally see a 3rd or 4th bird, presumably the recent fledglings, but I usually do not see any other collared doves around. A few days ago when it was snowing hard, the pair sat very close together in the backyard for over an hour, so I was pretty sure they didn't have eggs. Last week, two adults were sitting on the nest in the morning (next to one another on the nest) with a fledgling (based on the plumage and bill) sitting about a foot away. There are other singing males in the neighborhood and it makes me wonder if a lot of them are also nesting now. Interesting observations during an otherwise hohum winter for birds around here.

Scott Somershoe

Littleton CO

--
--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group.
To post to this group, send email to cobirds@googlegroups.com
For more options, visit this group at
http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds
* All posts should be signed with the poster's full name and city. Include bird species and location in the subject line when appropriate.
* Join Colorado Field Ornithologists https://cobirds.org/membership/
---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to cobirds+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com.
To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cobirds/CAJmtx%2BX%2B8_j2TTQHpW%3D4zUL%2B1o4C9GtTCLBeBc51y1U7gA70AQ%40mail.gmail.com.

Tuesday, 28 January 2025

Re: [cobirds] Red-tailed Hawk or Great Horned Owl?

Thank you all for your IDs. It's unanimous - Great Horned Owl.

My favorite visual spotting in the area was on a pre-dawn walk through the area. Approaching a streetlight, light fog, two GHOs gliding past the streetlight, just above the edge of light from the streetlight.

My favorite aural spotting in the area was another pre-dawn walk. Heard FOUR GHOs at the same time - 2 males and 2 females.

Jim Tyler
Roxborough

On 1/26/2025 10:57 AM, 'Jim Tyler' via Colorado Birds wrote:

Trailcam capture in the back yard 12/29/2024. At 6:00 p.m. it was nearly dark (and I see hawks at this time of year flying back to roost about 5:00), which is why I suspect an owl, but not sure.

Red tails hunt the hogback behind our house and frequently fly overhead. Great horns definitely in the area. We do have mice in our back yard.

What does the community think - hawk or owl?

Image not cropped for scale.

Jim Tyler
Roxborough

--
--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group.
To post to this group, send email to cobirds@googlegroups.com
For more options, visit this group at
http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds
* All posts should be signed with the poster's full name and city. Include bird species and location in the subject line when appropriate.
* Join Colorado Field Ornithologists https://cobirds.org/membership/
---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to cobirds+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com.
To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cobirds/c82bd7ce-7860-4ba3-98f5-ffaf374f3293%40comcast.net.

[cobirds] Pueblo Reservoir/Valco Ponds, Pueblo County 1/28

Van Truan and I scoped Pueblo Reservoir today, and walked around Valco Ponds as well. Highlights follow:

Pueblo Reservoir:

3 Yellow-billed Loons (the most I have ever seen at one time at Pueblo Reservoir)

2 Red-throated Loons

1 Pacific Loon

12 Common Loons

2 Red-necked Grebes

1 American White Pelican

1 Double-crested Cormorant

1 adult Great Black-backed Gull

11 Lesser Black-backed Gulls

1 adult Iceland (Thayer's) Gull

2 California Gulls

large numbers of Ring-billed and Herring Gulls

bonaparte's gulls might have left, since there is more ice than last week

1 Long-tailed Duck

Western, Horned, and Eared Grebes

Sage and Curve-billed Thrashers

Valco Ponds in Pueblo:

female Eastern Towhee continues since late November

Yellow-rumped Warblers

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

Bewick's Wren

Brandon Percival
Pueblo West, CO

--
--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group.
To post to this group, send email to cobirds@googlegroups.com
For more options, visit this group at
http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds
* All posts should be signed with the poster's full name and city. Include bird species and location in the subject line when appropriate.
* Join Colorado Field Ornithologists https://cobirds.org/membership/
---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to cobirds+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com.
To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cobirds/CA%2BXeEuVCHi0qLa9RGBW4cEYFq4Ek5wytOLDbDeB08TeLLejVpA%40mail.gmail.com.

Monday, 27 January 2025

[cobirds] Re: Updated Announcement

Please re-post prior to our event tomorrow.

Best,

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Why Do We "Band" Birds?

Have you ever wondered why scientists band birds and how this fascinating practice helps us understand their incredible journeys? Join us for "Why We 'Band' Birds" with Meredith McBurney, an engaging talk that will uncover the science and stories behind bird banding.

Date: Tuesday, January 28, 2025

Time: 7:15 PM – 8:45 PM

Location (Hybrid): Unitarian Universalist Church of Boulder (5001 Pennsylvania Ave, Boulder, CO 80303) Or Online info at (https://www.boulderaudubon.org/all-events)

Meredith will take us through the evolving world of bird banding — from the basics of tagging the birds with numbered bands, to cutting edge technologies like automated radio telemetry and genomics. She will share information about what Bird Conservancy of the Rockies and partner organizations are learning that will help us be more successful at conserving birds.

Whether you're a seasoned birdwatcher, a curious nature enthusiast, or simply looking for inspiration, this event is perfect for you.

Spots are limited, so don't miss your chance to connect with fellow bird lovers and expand your understanding of these incredible creatures! And View recordings of previous programs on Boulder County Audubon's YouTube channel.

Let's uncover the mysteries of the skies together.

Warm regards,

Matias Comina (Longmont,CO)

Boulder County Audubon Society Board Member

On Fri, Jan 17, 2025 at 4:11 PM Matias Comina <matiasdcomina@gmail.com> wrote:

Can you please repost this updated version of my last email.

Why Do We "Band" Birds?

Have you ever wondered why scientists band birds and how this fascinating practice helps us understand their incredible journeys? Join us for "Why We 'Band' Birds" with Meredith McBurney, an engaging talk that will uncover the science and stories behind bird banding.

Date: Tuesday, January 28, 2025
Time: 7:15 PM – 8:45 PM
Location (Hybrid): Unitarian Universalist Church of Boulder (5001 Pennsylvania Ave, Boulder, CO 80303) Or Online info at (https://www.boulderaudubon.org/all-events)

Meredith will take us through the evolving world of bird banding — from the basics of tagging the birds with numbered bands, to cutting edge technologies like automated radio telemetry and genomics. She will share information about what Bird Conservancy of the Rockies and partner organizations are learning that will help us be more successful at conserving birds.

Whether you're a seasoned birdwatcher, a curious nature enthusiast, or simply looking for inspiration, this event is perfect for you.

Spots are limited, so don't miss your chance to connect with fellow bird lovers and expand your understanding of these incredible creatures! And View recordings of previous programs on Boulder County Audubon's YouTube channel.

Let's uncover the mysteries of the skies together.
Warm regards,

Matias Comina (Longmont,CO)
Boulder County Audubon Society Board Member

--
--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group.
To post to this group, send email to cobirds@googlegroups.com
For more options, visit this group at
http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds
* All posts should be signed with the poster's full name and city. Include bird species and location in the subject line when appropriate.
* Join Colorado Field Ornithologists https://cobirds.org/membership/
---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to cobirds+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com.
To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cobirds/CALeBeo3SSSFaefqjt9j%3DC%3Dyd3rffrH%3DfOFut_9b3_Ms05iNE6w%40mail.gmail.com.

[cobirds] Cardinal Adams County (not Barr Lake)

Hey, somebody get out here on this cold morning and help me find a male Cardinal that flew over my head while I was driving! It landed in the park.

https://ebird.org/checklist/S210913417

Susan Rosine

Brighton Adams County

--
--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group.
To post to this group, send email to cobirds@googlegroups.com
For more options, visit this group at
http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds
* All posts should be signed with the poster's full name and city. Include bird species and location in the subject line when appropriate.
* Join Colorado Field Ornithologists https://cobirds.org/membership/
---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to cobirds+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com.
To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cobirds/CACPnx8UzVfmzBtea%2BGhL3kYoei7%3DzcVudhXrfXGAq9w1YQ0xAg%40mail.gmail.com.

Sunday, 26 January 2025

Re: [cobirds] Long-lived Juncos

And how many more geriatric birds are out there? Odds of making it the first year are bloody low, but if you find a good plan and repeat it, again and again. Very clever this evolution thing.

Charlie

Denver

On Sun, Jan 26, 2025 at 5:16 PM 'Hugh Kingery' via Colorado Birds <cobirds@googlegroups.com> wrote:

Building on Steve Brown's elderly junco: We have hosted this oddly-plumaged junco since 2019 -- making it a second 7-year wonder.

Hugh

--
--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group.
To post to this group, send email to cobirds@googlegroups.com
For more options, visit this group at
http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds
* All posts should be signed with the poster's full name and city. Include bird species and location in the subject line when appropriate.
* Join Colorado Field Ornithologists https://cobirds.org/membership/
---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to cobirds+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com.
To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cobirds/1488896446.2558751.1737936963828%40mail.yahoo.com.

--
--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group.
To post to this group, send email to cobirds@googlegroups.com
For more options, visit this group at
http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds
* All posts should be signed with the poster's full name and city. Include bird species and location in the subject line when appropriate.
* Join Colorado Field Ornithologists https://cobirds.org/membership/
---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to cobirds+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com.
To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cobirds/CA%2BBAsdt2kaLvH41pgdHhar0WBwK32eLL2rg-H-TUjNs-AYrGfw%40mail.gmail.com.

[cobirds] Long-lived Juncos

Building on Steve Brown's elderly junco: We have hosted this oddly-plumaged junco since 2019 -- making it a second 7-year wonder.

Hugh

--
--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group.
To post to this group, send email to cobirds@googlegroups.com
For more options, visit this group at
http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds
* All posts should be signed with the poster's full name and city. Include bird species and location in the subject line when appropriate.
* Join Colorado Field Ornithologists https://cobirds.org/membership/
---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to cobirds+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com.
To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cobirds/1488896446.2558751.1737936963828%40mail.yahoo.com.

[cobirds] BIRD BOMBS: Raptors for Real video now available

Hi CoBirders,

The latest BIRD BOMBS: Raptors for Real is available on the DFO Youtube channel and our Denver Field Ornithologists webpage. A helpful burst of ID info on Colorado winter raptors, including eagles, falcons, harrier and Buteo hawks.

You may register now for the next BIRD BOMBS on March 13 ID Masters: Spring Edition

David Suddjian

Littleton, CO

--
--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group.
To post to this group, send email to cobirds@googlegroups.com
For more options, visit this group at
http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds
* All posts should be signed with the poster's full name and city. Include bird species and location in the subject line when appropriate.
* Join Colorado Field Ornithologists https://cobirds.org/membership/
---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to cobirds+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com.
To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cobirds/CAGj6RorE7b5mP--XNtTqRSFnFWK%2B1u6xqh0hLgDdzpT76Mw9LA%40mail.gmail.com.

[cobirds] Red-tailed Hawk or Great Horned Owl?

Trailcam capture in the back yard 12/29/2024. At 6:00 p.m. it was nearly dark (and I see hawks at this time of year flying back to roost about 5:00), which is why I suspect an owl, but not sure.

Red tails hunt the hogback behind our house and frequently fly overhead. Great horns definitely in the area. We do have mice in our back yard.

What does the community think - hawk or owl?

Image not cropped for scale.

Jim Tyler
Roxborough

Saturday, 25 January 2025

[cobirds] Old Junco!

Hey COBirders,

I don't usually share info on recaptured juncos, but this one was pretty cool.

I regularly capture various banded juncos returning to winter in my yard in NW Colorado Springs, most years 10-15 returning banded birds. Pretty good site fidelity. This winter has been pretty sparse, I think due to the mild weather we have had until recently. In any event, I had only captured about 7 this winter. Today, in the snow, I've caught 5 from previous years, not seen until today. One was a male Slate-colored Junco, with a number I didn't recognize. Looking back year after year in my data I finally found him - banded 11/7/2018 as a hatch-year bird. That may be the oldest recapture I've encountered. Seven years has to be pretty phenomenal for a junco!

(FYI - no net up in the snow - these are caught in baited cages on my deck)

One more unusual one I'll share since you got this far.

October 2023 I banded an Oregon Junco at Clear Spring Ranch. No big deal.

In November I got a notice from the Bird Banding Lab that it had been recaptured across Ft Carson, off Highway 115 two weeks later, and reported. (I still don't know the particulars there - was it by a bander?) I assumed it was found dead. Still unusual that a junco I'd banded would show up somewhere else and be recognized.

Fast forward to January 2024 - I am looking through banding data from the fall and came across a familiar band number. Turns out in December I caught the same bird in my backyard, 25 miles from those previous sites! That was a first. How did it find me???

Have a good weekend,

Steve Brown
Colo Spgs
Mountain Shadows neighborhood

--
--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group.
To post to this group, send email to cobirds@googlegroups.com
For more options, visit this group at
http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds
* All posts should be signed with the poster's full name and city. Include bird species and location in the subject line when appropriate.
* Join Colorado Field Ornithologists https://cobirds.org/membership/
---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to cobirds+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com.
To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cobirds/9B61BF2E-5CEE-4D31-95AB-67ECC698C49F%40gmail.com.

[cobirds] Sparrow Fallout, Fort Collins

I'm not gonna lie... kind of excited about a seven specie sparrow day at my feeder (doesn't count the House Sparrow). Not really a fallout, as most have been around for a few weeks or more. Nevertheless, nice showing on a snowy day.

https://ebird.org/checklist/S210648498

Robert Beauchamp

Fort Collins

--
--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group.
To post to this group, send email to cobirds@googlegroups.com
For more options, visit this group at
http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds
* All posts should be signed with the poster's full name and city. Include bird species and location in the subject line when appropriate.
* Join Colorado Field Ornithologists https://cobirds.org/membership/
---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to cobirds+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com.
To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cobirds/cac4677e-08f8-4647-b9a5-1d8c41784438n%40googlegroups.com.

[cobirds] San Luis Valley Cranes

Greetings birders and Happy new Year!

Each year the SLV birders keep a sharp eye and ear out for the return of the Sandhill Cranes. The first observer usually wins the accolades of their peers! A prestigious award for sure.

Well this year's contest is off. It seems a number of Cranes have wintered here and have been reported by a number of observers. With no snow in the fields, grains and wetlands are easily accessed and available. But we will await the masses of cranes to start arriving first to second week of February. Get those cameras and binoculars ready.

The SLV area added two new species last year. A Parasitic Jaeger and a Zone-tailed Hawk, bringing our total to 369 species. The Bald Eagles that nested at the Alamosa Refuge in 2023 did not nest there in 2024.

Other birds of interest. A Yellow-bellied Sapsucker in Crestone is unusual to rare. A Tundra Swan at the Malm trail has been attracting some views. A bittern and Wilson's snipe at Blanca Wetlands are unusual. I am still getting settled back in from a trip to eastern Panama that was in Nov-December and it was a thrill. So gearing up for the New Year and am slightly behind things still.

I will be leading a birdwalk as usual at the MV Crane Festival. Also will be presenting "Birds and Jaguars of the Pantanal, Brazil" at the festival so come on down and join us for this annual celebration!

Question for the group. Who is compiling the seasonal report these days? Thanks.

John Rawinski

Monte Vista, CO

--
--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group.
To post to this group, send email to cobirds@googlegroups.com
For more options, visit this group at
http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds
* All posts should be signed with the poster's full name and city. Include bird species and location in the subject line when appropriate.
* Join Colorado Field Ornithologists https://cobirds.org/membership/
---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to cobirds+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com.
To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cobirds/51ef2ff6-17c3-486a-bdc4-8db22655a208n%40googlegroups.com.

Friday, 24 January 2025

[cobirds] Cedar Waxwing convention in Denver

Today at 3pm there were at least 50 Cedar Waxwings in the alley between Monaco Blvd. and Locust Street, where it crosses 23rd Avenue. They were drinking in a puddle next to our garage, then flying into the trees with a couple Robins. Later they were eating yew fruits along 23rd. They stayed until dark, but since they've not been here before, we don't know if they will return tomorrow. No Bohemian mixed in,sadly.

--
--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group.
To post to this group, send email to cobirds@googlegroups.com
For more options, visit this group at
http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds
* All posts should be signed with the poster's full name and city. Include bird species and location in the subject line when appropriate.
* Join Colorado Field Ornithologists https://cobirds.org/membership/
---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to cobirds+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com.
To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cobirds/CAKZ4kUvQWpQuLHVX0ezZ1CW1V6HJQFOynBcsvpN5rc3S5KqgwA%40mail.gmail.com.

Thursday, 23 January 2025

Re: [cobirds] Digest for cobirds@googlegroups.com - 1 update in 1 topic

From a single reservoir in Colorado in winter and perhaps from anywhere else, Pueblo Res continually produces a stunning assortment of waterbirds. Is it the water, is it the unique longitude and latitude. One thing we do know is there is a pethora of excellent birdwatchers in the area.

Bob Righter

Denver, CO

On Jan 23, 2025, at 6:13 AM, cobirds@googlegroups.com wrote:

cobirds@googlegroups.com Google Groups

Topic digest
View all topics

Pueblo Reservoir, Pueblo County 22 Jan - 1 Update

Pueblo Reservoir, Pueblo County 22 Jan

Brandon <flammowl17@gmail.com>: Jan 22 05:23PM -0700

Hi all,

I was able to join Joey Kellner, Dick Schottler, and Doug Ward for a full
day of birding around Pueblo Reservoir and Valco Ponds today.

Pueblo Reservoir highlights:
Long-tailed Duck - 2
Short-billed Gull - 1 adult
Great Black-backed Gull - 1 adult
Lesser Black-backed Gull - 10+
Iceland (Thayer's) Gull - 3+
Bonaparte's Gull - 3
Yellow-billed Loon - 2
Red-throated Loon - 2
Pacific Loon - 1
Common Loon - 11+
Double-crested Cormorant - 3
Western, Horned, Eared Grebes continue
lots of Red-breasted Mergansers
Mountain Bluebirds
Loggerhead and Northern Shrike

Valco Ponds highlights:
Eastern Towhee - 1 female
White-throated Sparrow - 1-2
Yellow-rumped Warbler - 2

A very fun cold day, though it was good to see what is still around, after
the -19 degrees Pueblo had the other night. The ice-line is still west of
West Fishing Road.

Brandon Percival
Pueblo West, CO

Back to top

You received this digest because you're subscribed to updates for this group. You can change your settings on the group membership page.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it send an email to cobirds+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com.

Wednesday, 22 January 2025

[cobirds] Pueblo Reservoir, Pueblo County 22 Jan

Hi all,

I was able to join Joey Kellner, Dick Schottler, and Doug Ward for a full day of birding around Pueblo Reservoir and Valco Ponds today.

Pueblo Reservoir highlights:

Long-tailed Duck - 2

Short-billed Gull - 1 adult

Great Black-backed Gull - 1 adult

Lesser Black-backed Gull - 10+

Iceland (Thayer's) Gull - 3+

Bonaparte's Gull - 3

Yellow-billed Loon - 2

Red-throated Loon - 2

Pacific Loon - 1

Common Loon - 11+

Double-crested Cormorant - 3

Western, Horned, Eared Grebes continue

lots of Red-breasted Mergansers

Mountain Bluebirds

Loggerhead and Northern Shrike

Valco Ponds highlights:

Eastern Towhee - 1 female

White-throated Sparrow - 1-2

Yellow-rumped Warbler - 2

A very fun cold day, though it was good to see what is still around, after the -19 degrees Pueblo had the other night. The ice-line is still west of West Fishing Road.

Brandon Percival
Pueblo West, CO

--
--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group.
To post to this group, send email to cobirds@googlegroups.com
For more options, visit this group at
http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds
* All posts should be signed with the poster's full name and city. Include bird species and location in the subject line when appropriate.
* Join Colorado Field Ornithologists https://cobirds.org/membership/
---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to cobirds+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com.
To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cobirds/CA%2BXeEuWHJwKU4TeOtBeaXAkzXrSZmWxGyYzy%2BcLMNnZs0KCNRg%40mail.gmail.com.

Monday, 20 January 2025

[cobirds] Flycatchers in the news

Rosie Watts, formerly of Penrose and who many of you know, sent me photos recently taken by a friend in Fort Lowell Park, Tucson, AZ that show both a Black Phoebe and a Vermilion Flycatcher with small minnow-type fish they had snatched from the water surface. Maybe we should change the common name of the latter to a “Vermilion Flyfisher”. I think I’ve seen kiskadees getting fish before. Anybody seen flycatchers getting fish in CO?

Eastern Phoebes, which rarely winter in CO, are reported to sometimes take small fish.

Brendan in Fort Collins reports a Say’s Phoebe at one of the Fort Collins’ water treatment plants. No doubt, midges are at the center of this.

And has there ever been an Eastern Kingbird in CO in late January prior to the one reported today by Emily S. at Parker Jordan Centennial Open Space along Cherry Creek in Arapahoe County? I suspect all it is finding to eat in terms of insects is also midges near open water. Of course, flycatchers eat fruit in a pinch so Russian-olives, frozen crabapples and juniper cones are also out there. Eastern Kingbird is also reported to rarely take small fish.

Dave Leatherman

Fort Collins

[cobirds] Fwd: BIRD BOMBS: Raptors for Real January 23

Coming up this Thursday at 7 pm. Raptors for Real

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: David Suddjian <dsuddjian@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, Jan 7, 2025 at 1:01 PM
Subject: BIRD BOMBS: Raptors for Real January 23
To: David Suddjian <dsuddjian@gmail.com>, Colorado Birds <cobirds@googlegroups.com>

Hi Birders,

Register for BIRD BOMBS: Raptors for Real coming up on January 23. Let's look at winter raptor ID as we often encounter them for real in the field. We want to figure out our hawks, eagles and falcons when they are not so near, or maybe obscured or not so well seen.

Check out DFO's BIRD BOMBS video library for lots of good winter season birding episodes. The latest CBC Explosion! focuses on common winter Colorado ID challenges.

David Suddjian

Littleton, CO

--
--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group.
To post to this group, send email to cobirds@googlegroups.com
For more options, visit this group at
http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds
* All posts should be signed with the poster's full name and city. Include bird species and location in the subject line when appropriate.
* Join Colorado Field Ornithologists https://cobirds.org/membership/
---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to cobirds+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com.
To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cobirds/CAGj6RopyY9XYEGX6N%3DvXVF_Nu%3D_B%3DtUD_rmpHTemJi%2BOnt1opA%40mail.gmail.com.