[cobirds] Huerfano County: Harris's Sparrow, American Tree Sparrow, Pinyon Jays, White-winged Dove
The cold snap yesterday brought in hundreds of birds to our backyard feeders...at times the action was frantic. Here is a listing: PINYON JAYS 50+ several times during the day...a little note to the gentleman who came down to see them...I have lost your phone number...but the birds are here if you want to try again! HARRIS'S SPARROW 1 still coming in...yesterday it was quite bold! American Goldfinch 50+ Pine Siskin 60+ Dark-eyed Junco 40+ numbers are down for this bird this year Mountain Chickadees at least 4 Black-capped Chickadees 6 Evening Grosbeak 50+ Spotted Towhee 3 AMERICAN TREE SPARROW 1 this bird is quite uncommon for us in the winter...we get maybe 1 or 2 a year Blue Jays 6 - these have become a regular winter visitor...until 6 or 7 years ago we never had them! House Finches 20+ we were just remarking as to how few of these were showing up when the cold snap hit and brought them in! CASSIN'S FINCH 4 males and 4 females a record for our yard White-breasted Nuthatch 3 Hairy Woodpecker 1 female Downy Woodpecker 2 males and 2 females American Crows 4 just stopped by and then took off again Black-billed Magpie 3 brief visit Eurasian Collared Dove 2 WHITE-WINGED DOVE 2 Song Sparrow 2 Happy New Year! Polly Wren and Paul Neldner 1.6 miles east of La Veta Huerfano County -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups Colorado Birds group. To post to this group, send email to cobi...@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds?hl=en.
[cobirds] Rosy-Finches 4+4 - Red Rocks -Jeffco
I saw the flock of 20+ Rosy-Finches at the Red Rocks feeders about 7:30 this morning. The flock then returned about 8:10 a.m. Nothing different than yesterday to report. Mostly Gray-crowned and Brown- capped with one Gray-cheeked(Hepburn's) and one first winter Black Rosy-Finch. Between 7:30 and 8:00 a.m. I saw, in order, the Golden-crowned Sparrow, Curve-billed Thrasher, Harris's Sparrow, and finally one of the White-throated Sparrows along with the throngs of regulars. I will put out seed tomorrow morning, then folks will be on their own (meaning they may want to bring seed). Mike Henwood Red Rocks Trading Post Morrison, Jefferson County -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups Colorado Birds group. To post to this group, send email to cobi...@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds?hl=en.
[cobirds] La Veta, Huerfano Co: All 3 Rosy-Finches, Evening Grosbeaks, White-crowned and White-throated Sparrow, Cassin's Finches
Well, the Rosies were not an entire month late; they made it back on the morning of December 31st. Last year they were here on Dec. 4th. I was a bit late to work that morning, as I could hardly pull myself away from watching the pretty 'pink-butts', as I like to call them. As for the past several years, every species was present...including Hepburn's. And as usual, the numbers were low and will grow as the season progresses. This morning, January 01, 2011, there were a few hundred Rosy-Finches at my feeders...and likely at Tom's and at Jerry's, too. Apparently I have a good yard for them and they rather like it here, but I don't kid myself that they're not also at other feeders in La Veta. When the snow piles up too high to find food later in the winter, and if things progress as they have, I should have close to 1000 Rosy-Finches visiting daily. I'll just have to wait and see. You're welcome to come visit; just call first. Sometimes the Rosies even come up to a feeder that hangs against my kitchen window. Actually, that's how I saw my first: from the bottom-side up and how they got the nick-name: Pink-butts. The strong, little snow-storm that blew through here yesterday also brought even more Dark-eyed Juncos; Oregon, Slate-colored, Pink-sided and, I think, some Cassiar Juncos (the established hybrid). While I've had White-winged in the past, I've yet to see them today. There are probably some 60-75 or more Juncos out there; Snowbirds, they're called. The weather also brought in a young White-crowned Sparrow (FOS) and the White-throated Sparrow we got in my yard for the CBC is still here. Still no Towhees for me...not in my yard (yet?) Do you know what a nemesis is? This morning, in addition to the hundreds of Rosies, I have about 75 Evening Grosbeaks, but still can't see bands on them; several many dozens of strippy House Finch with males alll decked out in red; three or four male, pale-breasted, Cassin's Finch, whose red crests seem on- fire in the sun. My my numbers are probably off...as I only really notice the males. And there are dozens each of Am. Goldfinch and Pine Siskens, maybe 50 or 60 each. And a single Am. Robin came to drink from my waterfall. I knew this pond idea was gonna work; the birds love to drink and bath in the little falls. But, I also heard the pump struggling with so much water being frozen...so I turned the falls off and filled a bird-bath instead. Of course, as with every morning lately, 8-10 B-b Magpies and 6-8 Blue Jays came for the raw peanuts (in the shell) and kibble I put out for them. Thankfully, I have a large dog; the kibble is really too big for doves and black-birds. Soon, I'll have to start with the 'fat- worms'; long strips of fat I buy from the butcher. They love fat- worms! Sometimes I roll them in corn-meal so they don't all stick together. Also, amongst the far-too-many Eur.Collared Doves was a single Mourning Dove that had a problem with one foot...it seemed to have lost toes and the single one left looks very dark. Perhaps frostbite? The bird limped and rested on the snow a lot and actually seemed happier with the less-pushy Grosbeaks and Rosy-finches. A White-winged Dove still drops in every day or so, too. And there are, of course, nearly as many Red-winged Blackbirds with the dozen or so Starlings, too. Oh, and a dozen or more House Sparrows that seldom come, are here today. With all the rest are also six or eight each Black-capped and Mtn. Chickadees, two White-breasted Nuthatches and a few Woodpeckers; both Downy and Hairy. There seems to be more Flickers than ever this year; three were in my yard at once this morning. Also, perhaps six or eight Common Ravens and maybe 18 American Crows were over or around my yard. They often come; I think a neighbor feeds them...but what? Only once did one come down to feed on the ground here...they don't even go after the kibble or fat worms. I can't imagine what they're interested in; unless an owl or raptor is hiding, though I can't find one. Hey, it's busy out there! I'd best get out and re-fill feeders and scatter more seed... Addendum: I picked a 'quiet' time to go re-feed and startled up a pretty Cooper's Hawk...young. Yes, they like my yard, too. And now it's still quiet, but they'll all be back! Beverly Jensen, 719-989-1398 La Veta, Huerfano Co., CO RuralChatter.blogspot.com -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups Colorado Birds group. To post to this group, send email to cobi...@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds?hl=en.
[cobirds] Re: Chatfield Reservoir
I don't know why the posting of what I saw I Thursday, Dec 30 at Chatfield didn't hit cobirds until this morning, but although the earlier posting today says today, it wasn't. Sorry Ira Sanders Golden, CO -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups Colorado Birds group. To post to this group, send email to cobi...@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds?hl=en.
[cobirds] saturday 1/1/11 birds
A chilly AM jog at Harper Lake in Louisville produced some good looks at several dozen Cackling-type geese mixed in with several Canada Geese. A brief stop at Teller Farms Lake No. 5 found the imm. Golden-crowned Sparrow continuing to winter with White-crowned and Song Sparrows. A second-year Bald Eagle, Harlan's Hawk, and some Brewer's Blackbirds were also around. Happy New Year! -- Scott Scott Severs Longmont, CO http://picasaweb.google.com/scottesevers -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups Colorado Birds group. To post to this group, send email to cobi...@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds?hl=en.
[cobirds] pine warbler, Harris's sparrow, Fountain Creek, El Paso
Stopped by Fountain Creek Regional Park this afternoon, and the pine warbler was still in the same area. I did not see the ovenbird, though. I saw one Harris's sparrow, but it was not along the ditch as previously. It was at the feeders at the nature center. David Chartier Colorado Springs, CO -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups Colorado Birds group. To post to this group, send email to cobi...@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds?hl=en.
[cobirds] Varied Thrush - Loveland
Hello, This morning (1/1/11) I found a Varied Thrush on my property in SW Loveland which is Larimer County. I then watched it fly towards the east. I found out that a Varied Thrush was seen a little over a mile east of my house today about 30 minutes after my observation. This could be the same bird. I will post if I see it again as I am not sure if this bird will be chasable. If anyone would like to look for it please contact me privately by email. Cole Wild Loveland -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups Colorado Birds group. To post to this group, send email to cobi...@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds?hl=en.
[cobirds] Noteworthy Buteos near Hygiene, (Boulder Co) today
Folks- I had 4 quite interesting buteos near Hygiene (NW of Longmont, Boulder County) today. The first was the light-morph Harlan's Hawk back for its 4th winter (that I know of) near 75th St. Vrain Road. Big thanks to David Waltman for reporting this bird last week- so nice to see it back again after another round trip (presumably) to Alaska, where Jerry Liguori photographed it in April 2009. It likes the power lines along 75th south of St. Vrain Road or the cottonwoods along St. Vrain Road west of that intersection. There were also two darker adult Harlan's Hawks nearby (both dark-intermediate morphs in my opinion after consulting Brian Wheeler's Raptors of Western North America- sadly now out of print so hang on tight to your copy if you have it.) One was along St. Vrain Road just east of 75th (in sight of the light Harlan's) while another was on a branch over Hygiene Road west of the town of Hygiene, near the bridge at the St. Vrain River crossing. I ended my little tour with a show-stopping adult male dark rufous-morph Ferruginous Hawk along 75th St. just south of Nelson as I headed home. I'm judging it to be male by the gray head after again consulting Wheeler's Raptors of Western North America. I have some pics of these beauties at http://blog.aba.org/2011/01/snow-light.html. Happy New Year to all- hope 2011 is filled with great birds for you all! Enjoy- Bill Schmoker, Longmont __ • Bill Schmoker • __ http://schmoker.org http://brdpics.blogspot.com bill.schmo...@gmail.com 720/201-5749 __ -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups Colorado Birds group. To post to this group, send email to cobi...@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds?hl=en.
[cobirds] Red Rocks Trading Post: Sparrows and Wren
Went to RRTP at 3:45PM in hopes of seeing Rosy-finches, instead observed Winter Wren at West corner of building, near drain pipe that is close to stairway: up to stairway wall and then down to base; repeated twice. Unfortunately, had just arrived and hands were full of stuff, and couldn't get camera out in time for photo. In subsequent cold windy 30 minutes did observe Golden-crowned Sparrow, White-throated Sparrow, and Harris's Sparrow. I added seed to the quite plentiful supply already on the ground. Will Burt Lakewood Google Voice: 720-432-3379 http://willburt.zenfolio.com/ -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups Colorado Birds group. To post to this group, send email to cobi...@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds?hl=en.
[cobirds] Sharpie or Coopers-results-Arapahoe Cty, CO
Thanks to all who responded to my identification query. The votes were 6 sharpie, and 1 coopers with lots of useful supporting info. It's always difficult to distinguish sharpies from coopers, and both birds will zoom through your field of vision before the brain can register enough data. I saw and photographed this bird flying down my street to perch on a light pole as I was loading my car to go photograph golden eagles at the Rocky Mtn. Raptor Program open house in Ft. Collins. Couldn't ask for a better bird photographing day. Thanks again. Jane Isaacs -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups Colorado Birds group. To post to this group, send email to cobi...@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds?hl=en.
[cobirds] Lamar area (December 28 thru January 1)
Highlights of 3 days of birding since arriving in Lamar (Prowers County) at dusk on the 28th: ___ Carolina Wren (1) extreme southeast part of the Lamar Community College Woods in Lamar on the 30th Brown Thrasher (1) same location as the wren on the 30th VESPER SPARROW (1 today, in the sandy dunes along Lake Drive between Memorial Drive and the Truck Bypass (Road 9.4), within a tenth of a mile of the bypass, this is a crazy bird for the date anywhere in CO, feeding with a small group of White-crowned Sparrows on wild sunflower seedheads) Lapland Longspur (several at several locations east of Lamar on various county roads between the Truck Bypass and Road SS between Rd 10 and Rd 18) McCown's Longspur (several, in the vacinity of the junction of Roads SS and 18 (several miles northeast of north Lamar) Merlin (two beautiful adult male prairie race) county roads northeast of town Red-bellied Woodpecker (at least 3, at LCC and Willow Valley Subdivision east of Willow Creek Park) Yellow-rumped Warbler (at least 16, with 1 at LCC and 15 or so in the Willow Creek Subdivision feeding on juniper berries and coming to a heated water bath) Common Grackle (1 at suet and unfrozen water bath in Willow Creek Subdivision) White-winged Dove (4 associated with big Tree-of-Heaven on nw corner of S. 1st St. and Walnut) Mourning Dove (few in Willow Valley Subdivision, being bullied away from water bath by Eurasian Collared-Damneddoves) Pine Siskin (small number in Lamar this winter, far fewer than last year or the year before) Scaled Quail (group of at least 30 on the various streets running east from Memorial Drive just north of Fairmount Cemetery in Lamar, best group I've seen since the big blizzard of a few years ago) Northern Bobwhite (1) in with the Scaled Quail (could be a bird raised locally and released, but I counted it since it didn't respond when told to get back in the coop - these two species have to overlap somewhere in eastern CO and, while the area from Bonny Res down to Sheridan Lake might be more likely, Lamar is an OK place for this to occur) American Coot (about 400 packed into a small area of open water at Thurston Res n of Lamar on 12/30, about 75 today (the hole was much smaller and probably will shrink or disappear altogether tonight)) [Did NOT see Northern Cardinals or Red Fox Sparrow at LCC as hoped, but they could still be there, especially the cardinals.] Total of 54 spp. so far Dave Leatherman 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 cobi...@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds?hl=en.
[cobirds] Greeley CBC Fun
Great day for birding (no wind; bone chilling)! Good eats at the Corral. Photos: http://coloradobirder.ning.com/photo/albums/2010-greeley-cbc Recently seen in Greeley: Varied Thrush (private residence); 2 White- throated Sparrows (private residence); Ovenbird (private residence); Short-eared Owl (Latham Reservoir Marsh). No rarities in my section southeast of Eaton but we did have 409 American Tree Sparrows; Bald Eagle; 16 Song Sparrows; 2 Prairie Falcons among a bunch of other birds. Thanks Gary Lefko, Nunn http://coloradobirder.ning.com/ -- Home of the Nunn Guy -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups Colorado Birds group. To post to this group, send email to cobi...@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds?hl=en.
