Sunday, 21 December 2025

[cobirds] 51st Pueblo Reservoir CBC on 20 December

Pueblo Reservoir CBC update. At the end of the compilation party in downtown Pueblo at Mark Yaeger's art gallery on Saturday evening, we were at least 113 species of birds today (maybe a feeder watcher added something else) and at least three other count week birds so far. Much less species than last year's 130 species (less rarities around this year, less juniper berries around, it seems).  It has been warm, probably more birds lingering further north.

Two new birds for the count: a BARN SWALLOW (flew by a bunch of us mid-day at Snakeskin Picnic Area at Lake Pueblo State Park) and a SANDHILL CRANE seen early in the morning at the Gravel Pit! Maybe more interesting, no Mountain Bluebirds (or any other bluebird) at all today (not a lot juniper berries around this year), we have had the National Christmas Bird Count high count of Mountain Bluebirds one time on this count, no Rock Wren, Prairie Falcon, Mourning Dove, Juniper Titmouse, Lesser Goldfinch, Western Screech-Owl. 

Other goodies: two Rufous-crowned Sparrows (only the 3rd time for the count), Red-throated Loon, Great Black-backed Gull, Short-billed Gull (count week), Lesser Black-backed Gull, Iceland (Thayer's Gull), American White Pelican (count week), Red-necked and Clark's Grebe, Snow Goose, Greater Scaup, Barrow's Goldeneye, Double-crested Cormorant, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Pygmy Nuthatch, Sage Thrasher, Swamp, White-throated and Lincoln's Sparrows, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, 2 Brewer's Blackbird, Brown-headed Cowbird (count week), only Warblers found were a few Yellow-rumpeds, 3 Greater Roadrunners, I believe more White-winged Doves than Eurasian Collared Doves. Only 1 Loggerhead Shrike and 1 Northern Shrike, also only one Western Scrub-Jay, two Pine Siskins, certainly low totals for some birds. Interesting day, a HUGE thanks to our excellent team of counters today, many coming from out of town to help. The weather was less than ideal, with the strong winds in the morning, it was like 62 degrees at sunrise, strong west winds, then later in the morning, winds switched to the east, and the temperature dropped to like 44 degrees quickly and didn't warm up much after that, and still breezy to windy, then it calmed down after mid-day, and more birds appeared.

Next year's, Pueblo Reservoir CBC is Saturday, 19 December 2026.  We typically only have around 20-25 participants each year, so always looking for more helpers.

We have a few more local Christmas Bird Counts left.  Come join us down here, if you can.

Lake Isabel CBC (southern Pueblo County) : Saturday, Dec 27th
Pueblo CBC (southeast of Pueblo): Friday, Jan 2nd
Spanish Peaks CBC (La Veta): Saturday 3rd

Brandon K Percival
   

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Thursday, 18 December 2025

[cobirds] Still missing a longspur on your year list? Here is an opportunity - Flagler CBC

The Flagler CBC, which has led the nation in Lapland Longspurs for three out of the past four years,  could use a few more observers.
This years count is scheduled for Saturday Dec. 27. Our FOUR area leaders would welcome additional assistance. OK, we could possible use a few more leaders too.  Everyone is welcome, we assemble at the I-70 exit at 8AM,  but please let Doug Kibbe, the compiler, know that you intend to participate. 

Wednesday, 17 December 2025

[cobirds] Re: eBird in Action: Colorado uses eBird data to power their State Wildlife Action Plan

I forgot to sign my name....
Linda Purcell
Denver

On Wednesday, December 17, 2025 at 8:48:30 PM UTC-7 l p wrote:
I opened eBird today.   On the eBird home page, look at Recent News,   12/15/2025   date of the article by Kathi Borgmann.

Highly Recommended Reading! 
 

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[cobirds] eBird in Action: Colorado uses eBird data to power their State Wildlife Action Plan

I opened eBird today.   On the eBird home page, look at Recent News,   12/15/2025   date of the article by Kathi Borgmann.

Highly Recommended Reading! 
 

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Tuesday, 16 December 2025

[cobirds] John Martin Reservoir CBC results

Birders, 

The John Martin Reservoir (Bent County CO) was held on December 15th, 2025, in unseasonably warm temperatures and with a lack of ice on open water and snow on the ground. Thirteen observers found 107 species of birds in a year when species numbers and diversity seem to be low region-wide. The open water allowed us to see some species of birds not expected in winter in Colorado. I'm only listing extraordinary records, but every group found unique birds essential to this successful Count. 

I found a group of 5 White-faced Ibis on the west end of the Reservoir on December 9. They could be hard to locate some days, but 4 were seen on Count Day, a first Count-Day record for Colorado. I predict that they'll stay until extreme cold forces them out. We had the only previous CBC Count Week report in 2015, but a cold snap on Count Day made them no-shows in that year.  

On December 12, 2025, I was in the right place at the right time and photographed two Blue-winged Teal at close range, adding them as Count Week additions to the Count. I would have placed the odds of re-finding them amongst thousands of waterfowl on a huge reservoir as minimal, but two incredible birders did just that, making this a new addition to the Count. 
 
Finally, two Long-billed Dowitchers, I think seen previously on only one CBC (JMR in 2024) stayed through Count Day, joined by record numbers of late Greater Yellowlegs and Killdeer. 

I hope this abbreviated summary spurs more people to find great birds on other CBCs. 

Duane Nelson
Las Animas, Bent County, CO

Monday, 15 December 2025

Re: [cobirds] Red-shouldered Hawk (elegans), McElmo Canyon, Montezuma County

Great documentation, Mike.  
Dave Leatherman
Ft Collins


From: cobirds@googlegroups.com <cobirds@googlegroups.com> on behalf of Mike Thompson <mt@reardonsteel.us>
Sent: Monday, December 15, 2025 2:18:15 PM
To: Colorado Birds <cobirds@googlegroups.com>
Subject: [cobirds] Red-shouldered Hawk (elegans), McElmo Canyon, Montezuma County
 
Hi All - I do not often shoot up flares about rare birds; making exceptions for re-findable, low digit state records.

On December 11 and again yesterday in McElmo Canyon, I observed a Red-Shouldered Hawk (RHSA) belonging to the currently recognized western subspecies, elegans (Buteo lineatus elegans). 

There isn't much to share in terms of tips on seeing the hawk. Both observations were very short, at about 11am, with the hawk perched over the south shoulder, hunting while facing the morning sun. The first instance, it was on the powerline at the entrance to the guest ranch. The second time, it was a quarter mile further west. I spent a considerable amount of time on Dec 12 and 13 following up in vain. 

This section of County Road G is very curvy and narrow surrounded completely by private property with frequent distracted and sometimes drunk drivers. Attempting long duration birding outside of your vehicle from the narrow road shoulder will antagonize certain of my neighbors and potentially lead to open conflict. Certain unhappy neighbors still complain about birders chasing the 2007 Hooded Oriole which has eliminated some private birding opportunities in McElmo Canyon. Regular Montezuma County birders already know this, but to preserve future birding opportunities here, please be discreet with parking and presence. A very good option for viewing this hawk is to reach out to Ming Adams at the Canyon of the Ancients Guest Ranch to arrange parking and viewing on their property. I've spoken to Ming about this and she would like folks to call first (970-565-4288) before parking and viewing from their property.

A 2024 AOS proposal to treat B. l. elegans as a separate species was narrowly defeated (see attached split proposal and votes/comments). Based on the committees comments, it seems possible the western subspecies will eventually be split from its eastern counterparts in the not too distant future.

In the event of a split, this hawk in McElmo would likely represent a first state record. Although there is a 2021 RSHA (mistaken for Cooper's Hawk) posted on iNaturalist in Mesa County that does not appear on other platforms.

Hopefully the McElmo hawk stays for some time, and if so, hopefully its presence is well documented from numerous observations. In the interest of data integrity, if you do observe it and post on ebird, please include photos or audio for documentation until the bird's presence over an extended length of time is evident.

If this is of interest, hopefully you all can find time to see it.

Mike Thompson

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[cobirds] CO Field Ornithologists Grant Opportunities

1) RESEARCH GRANTS

Colorado Field Ornithologists (CFO) makes grants to individuals or organizations to fund programs and projects that will have a lasting benefit to Colorado birds, and the habitats upon which they rely. CFO provides grants for projects up to $2000. CFO grants can either fund a full project or be applied as matching funds for larger grants benefitting Colorado birds.

For more information, and to download the application instructions visit: https://cobirds.org/grants-scholarships/

The deadline for this Research Grants application is December 31, 2025

 

2) Colorado Birding Challenge Conservation Grants

CFO's Colorado Birding Challenge is a fun, county-based birding and conservation event organized by Colorado Field Ornithologists each year. One of the objectives of this fundraiser is to raise funds for an important conservation initiative.

Past Challenge conservation initiative grant recipients have received from $20,000 to $40,000, depending on how much is raised by the Challenge, to support the important work to conserve Colorado birds and their threatened habitats. Organizations and individuals with conservation projects impacting Colorado birds and their habitats are invited to submit proposals.

If you are interested in more information, and to apply for this conservation grant visit https://cobirds.org/grants-scholarships/ and scroll down to "Colorado Birding Challenge Conservation Grants."

The deadline to submit a proposal for this Conservation Grant is February 15, 2026


Linda Lee

Louisville, CO

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