[cobirds] Colorado RBA, Monday, December 19, 2011

[Joyce Takamine]

Compiler:  Joyce Takamine
Date:  December 19, 2011
e-mail:  rba@cfo-link
phone:  303-659-8750

This is the Colorado Rare Bird Alert for Monday, December 19, 2001
sponsored by Denver Field Ornithologists and the Rocky Mountain Bird
Observatory.  If you are phoning in a message, you can skip the
recording by pressing the star key (*) on your phone at any time.
Please leave your name, phone number, detailed directions, including
county and dates for each sighting.  It would be helpful if you would
spell your last name.

Highlight species include:  (* denotes that there is new information
on this species in this report)

BRANT (*Douglas/Jefferson, Otero)
TUNDRA SWAN (Delta)
TRUMPETER SWAN (Delta)
Surf Scoter (Pueblo)
White-winged Scoter (*Jefferson, Pueblo)
Long-tailed Duck (Denver, El Paso)
Barrow's Goldeneye (Pueblo, Summit)
Pacific Loon (Pueblo)
Thayer's Gull (Pueblo)
Lesser Black-backed Gull (Arapahoe, *Denver, Pueblo)
Glaucous Gull (Douglas/Jefferson, Pueblo)
GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL (Bent, Pueblo)
White-winged Dove (Pueblo)
YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER (*Jefferson, Pueblo)
Black Phoebe (Pueblo)
Carolina Wren (*Yuma)
Winter Wren (Boulder)
Curve-billed Thrasher (Bent)
PINE WARBLER (Arapahoe)
Swamp Sparrow (Bent, *Boulder, Pueblo)
Field Sparrow (Ben, *Yumat)
White-throated Sparrow (*Boulder, Pueblo)
Harris's Sparrow (*Boulder, *Jefferson, Pueblo, *Yuma)
GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW (*Boulder, *Jefferson)
Lapland Longspur (Douglas/Jefferson, Sedgwick)
Snow Bunting (Bent)
Indigo Bunting (Bent)
Rusty Blackbird (Bent, *Douglas/Jefferson, Pueblo)
PURPLE FINCH (*Yuma)
Common Redpoll (*Grand, *Yuma)

Please note, detailed directions to most of the following locations
can be found on the Colorado County Birding Website:
http://www.coloradocountybirding.com/index.php

Arapahoe County:
--An ad m PINE WARBLER was reported by Becky Campbell coming to her
suet feeder in the backyard on December 8.  Pollock reported on
December 15 that the PINE WARBLER continues to visit ther suet
feeder.   Please contact Campbell at 303-771-0897.
--A Lesser Black-backed Gull was reported by Niyo at Centennial Pond
on December 14.

Bent County:
--On the John Martin CBC on December 14, Duane Nelson reported:
   1 1-st winter f Indigo Bunting,
   1 ad GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL
   1 Curve-billed Thrasher
      Rusty Blackbird
   5 Field Sparrow
      Swamp Sparrow
   1 Snow Bunting.

Boulder County:
--A Winter Wren was reported by Heinrich on December 9 along Boulder
Creek west of 75th.  It was feeding in one of the sewage treatment
plant outlets.  On December 15, Blackford found the Winter Wren along
the bank of Boulder Creek.
--On the  Boulder CBC on December 18, Schmoker reported GOLDEN-CROWNED
SPARROW, White-throated Sparrow, Harris's Sparrow, and Swamp Sparrow.

Delta County:
--A young TUNDRA SWAN was reported by Garrison around 10am on December
11 on ice at a pond across from Escalante SWA but was gone when he
returned later.  On December 13, Garrison reported that the swan was back.
--2 TRUMPETER SWANS were reported by Garrison at Confluence Park in
Delta on December 16.

Denver County:
--A female type Long-Tailed Duck was reported by Wuerthele at Duck
Lake in City Park on November 22 and was relocated by Wuerthele on December 7.
--A Lesser Black-backed Gull was reported by Kellner at Marston
Reservoir on December 17 on the Denver CBC.

Douglas/Jefferson Counties:
--At Chatfield State Park:
--2 "pale-bellied" Atlantic BRANT were reported by Komar at Chatfield in the SW
corner on November 30.   On December  17, Kellner reported that the BRANT
were seen at mouth of Plum Creek on the Denver CBC.
--6 Rusty Blackbirds were reported by Hodges at Chatfield at Plum
Creek Delta on December 18.

El Paso County:
--A Long-tailed Duck was reported by Driscoll on a lake by I-25 and S
Circle Drive on December 10.  On December 12, Enbody reported that the
Long-tailed Duck continues at the Doubletree Hotel Pond.

Grand County:
--35 Common Redpolls were reported by Binkley on CR 55 about 3.5 - 4
miles west of US 40 south of Granby on December 18.

Jefferson County:
--Kellner reported that the GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW was seen at Red
Rocks Trading Post on December 17 on the Denver CBC
--At Bear Creek Lake Park, Henwood reported 2 Harris's Sparrows (1 ad,
1 1-st yr) on December 5.   On December 17, Kellner reported 2 Harris's Sparrows
at Bear Creek Lake Park on the Denver CBC.
--A White-winged Scoter was reported by Kellner at South Platte Park
Reservoir on December 17 on the Denver CBC.

Otero County:
--On the Rocky Ford CBC on December 15, Oswald reported that Nick Moore
and Mark Peterson found a BRANT at Lake Cheraw.

Pueblo County:
--On the Pueblo Reservoir CBC on December 17, Percival reported:
 1 Surf Scoter, 1 White-winged Scoter, 4 Barrow's Goldeneyes, 1
Pacific Loon, 2 Thayer's Gulls,
 6 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 1 Glaucous Gull, 1 GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL,
 50 White-winged Doves, 1 Greater Roadrunner, 1 YELLOW-BELLIED
SAPSUCKER, 4 Black Phoebe,
 1 White-thro

[cobirds] N. Mockingbird & Harris's Sparrow, El Paso

[macawolf]

Fun to see several other CBC results including sightings of N. Mockingbird... 
In the N. Cheyenne Canyon section of the COS CBC on Saturday, I had a 
mockingbird right near the Ridgeway parking lot for Stratton Open Space (SW 
COS)... unusual even during the summer I think, in the foothills. I at first 
assumed it was N. Shrike, which I've seen there previous years, but was 
pleasantly surprised on then seeing the details in my binocs! 


Also, late yesterday I had an immature Harris's sparrow at one of my feeders in 
the back yard (NW COS). Haven't seen it yet this a.m., but hoping it'll still 
be around.


Marty Wolf,
6633' in NW Colo. Spgs.

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Re: [cobirds] Snow goose?? (picture)

[Nick Komar]

Bill, I would call this a hybrid Snow (Blue) x Cackling (Richardson's) Goose, 
with the caveat that with hybrids between Chen spp. and Branta spp., one can 
never be 100% certain of parentage without DNA evidence. The breast color, bill 
shape and gray tones in the bill and legs would be Richardson's Cackling Goose 
traits; the rest looks like Snow (or Ross's) trait’s. Check out 
http://www.pbase.com/quetzal/hybridgoose02012009. The first hybrid goose shown 
at this website (photographed 2 years ago in Fort Collins) is  very similar to 
your bird. It could even be the same bird, with the small differences 
attributed to molt. 

Nick Komar  
Fort Collins CO

-Original Message- 
From: kickback 
Sent: Sunday, December 18, 2011 6:20 PM 
To: Colorado Birds 
Cc: bill_ko...@msn.com 
Subject: [cobirds] Snow goose?? (picture) 

I saw this goose at the pond by the Doubletree hotel in Colorado
Springs this afternoon. I think it is a Snow Goose but the bill around
it's mouth and the head profile don't look right.

http://avoapples.com/birds/_MG_9298_cr.jpg

Comments?

Thanks

Bill Kosar
bill_ko...@msn.com
Colorado Springs

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[cobirds] Photo of Red Fox Sparrow, Larimer County

[Charles Bell]

The Red Fox Sparrow returned to our feeders late yesterday afternoon and hung 
around long enough for Nancy to get a good photo, which can be seen at:  
www.bellbirdramblings.blogspot.com
 
Charles Bell
612 Manhead Mountain Drive
Livermore, CO 80536
970-484-8791

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Re: [cobirds] Snow goose?? (picture)

[Greg Pasquariello]

I'm not sure if I see any snow in it or not.  The bill structure and head shape 
match exactly with the Canada goose behind it, the bill and the legs are 
grayish pink, and I _believe_ the eye looks pink as well.  The white of the 
head/neck ends exactly where the black stocking of Canada behind it ends.

I'm feeling like it might be a partial albino Cackling goose.

Regards
-Greg Pasquariello

Email:g...@pasq.net
Phone:   303-800-1925
Skype:   gregpasq




On Dec 19, 2011, at 9:01 AM, Nick Komar wrote:

> Bill, I would call this a hybrid Snow (Blue) x Cackling (Richardson's) Goose, 
> with the caveat that with hybrids between Chen spp. and Branta spp., one can 
> never be 100% certain of parentage without DNA evidence. The breast color, 
> bill shape and gray tones in the bill and legs would be Richardson's Cackling 
> Goose traits; the rest looks like Snow (or Ross's) trait’s. Check out 
> http://www.pbase.com/quetzal/hybridgoose02012009. The first hybrid goose 
> shown at this website (photographed 2 years ago in Fort Collins) is  very 
> similar to your bird. It could even be the same bird, with the small 
> differences attributed to molt.
>  
> Nick Komar 
> Fort Collins CO
>  
> -Original Message-
> From: kickback
> Sent: Sunday, December 18, 2011 6:20 PM
> To: Colorado Birds
> Cc: bill_ko...@msn.com
> Subject: [cobirds] Snow goose?? (picture)
>  
> I saw this goose at the pond by the Doubletree hotel in Colorado
> Springs this afternoon. I think it is a Snow Goose but the bill around
> it's mouth and the head profile don't look right.
>  
> http://avoapples.com/birds/_MG_9298_cr.jpg
>  
> Comments?
>  
> Thanks
>  
> Bill Kosar
> bill_ko...@msn.com
> Colorado Springs
>  
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> 
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[cobirds] Lesser Black-backed Gull still at Centennial P, Arapahoe Sat

[Kayleen A Niyo]

Sorry for the late post, but am working on CBC data.  The Lesser
Black-backed Gull seen at Centennial Pond, Arapahoe, on Dec 14 (count week)
was refound across the street at the garbage processing facility on near
Union Ave just west of Federal on the Dec 17.  It was studied closely by
several Marston CBCers with scopes and likely is the same bird seen on Dec
14.

 

http://www.kayniyo.com/trip_Unusual_Birds.htm

 

Kay

Kayleen A. Niyo, Ph.D.
Niyo Scientific Communications
Kay Niyo Photography
  k...@kayniyo.com

  www.KayNiyo.com
__
5651 Garnet Street
Golden, CO 80403
Phone: (303) 679-6646
Fax: (866) 849-8013 

 

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[cobirds] Osprey(?), Boulder Christmas count

[Paula Hansley]

CObirders and Christmas count participants,

Upon much reflection last night, I realized that I cannot say for certain
that the hawk, which we saw through our scopes in Louisville yesterday, was
an Osprey.  The lighting was not good, and we were some distance away from
the bird.  The shape of the hawk was right and there was quite of bit of
light color/white and dark on the head in the right places.  The Osprey
would be a first record for the count, and the identification should be
100% certain!

I encourage people to look for the hawk, because we would like for there to
be a positive identification of the bird!


Paula Hansley
Louisville

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[cobirds] Northern Saw-whet Owl found dead on road, Ute Valley Park, Colorado Springs

[Gmail]

Good morning, all,

Today as Liz and I were driving on Vindicator Lane, just past the northern 
parking lot at Ute Valley Park (Colorado Springs, El Paso County), we spotted a 
bird in the middle of road. Sadly, it was flatter even than the proverbial 
pancake.

But the white-spotted primaries suggested an owl, so we made a couple of 
U-turns and pulled up next to it. I was somewhat surprised to find that it was 
a Northern Saw-whet Owl, thinking a couple of other species more likely there, 
in a rather open habitat with little cover. 

The bill was black and there was no evidence of a black frame to the face, 
eliminating the even slimmer possibility of it being a Boreal Owl.

I do have photographs of the bird if anyone is interested in seeing them. Fair 
warning, though, they're pretty grisly.

Obviously not the sort of encounter one wants to have with a Saw-whet or any 
other bird, but still an interesting sighting.

Good birding,

Jeff

Jeffrey Gordon
President
American Birding Association
Colorado Springs, CO
jgor...@aba.org
www.aba.org

719-884-8226 direct line @ office

Check out ABA's awesome multi-author blog: http://blog.aba.org/


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[cobirds] Rosy-Finches back in La Veta, Huerfano Co.

[Beverly]

Just a note to let you know all three Rosies are back.  It started
snowing a couple hours ago...there is a fine dusting on the ground but
it looks worse higher up.  I really didn't imagine they'd come till
later or even tomorrow; but here they are, swooping down in large
flocks.

Usually about 10% are Blacks; perhaps 40% Grey-crowned, including
several many Hepburn's; and the rest are Brown-capped.  So far, I've
only seen flocks with as many as 200...but as the season continues,
the number could be well over 600; if all things go as they have in
the past several years.

Anyone is welcome to come into my yard to see them, but I'd appreciate
an e-mail first...for directions and new requests concerning gates.
One of my pups was mauled when a gate was left open and she wandered
next door where a killer-dog is chained in the front yard.

Beverly Jensen
goldilou...@yahoo.com (don't forget the U...)

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[cobirds] Re: Rosy-Finches back in La Veta, Huerfano Co.

[Beverly]

It got posted before I could add that I'm in La Veta, Huerfano Co.,
Colorado

And that's: all this as one word, no spaces:  goldiloucks @ yahoo .com

Thanks again, Beverly

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[cobirds] PINE WARBLER at Denver West Office Park, Jeffco

[Joe Roller]

I was able to squeeze in a little birding between errands and found
a bright, male PINE WARBLER with a flock of BC Chickadees,
juncos and Red-breasted Nuthatches in the Denver West Office Park,
in the west metro area.  The flock was in the riparian area of Lena Gulch,
just east of Building number 4. The warbler was confiding.

Enter the office park from West Colfax on Cole Blvd and inspect the
large sign which is a map of all the buildings and roads. Building
number 4 is situated in the far southeast corner of this complex.
Or enter from I-70 at the Denver West Blvd exit and Cole Blvd (which is a
long looping road) is the next cross street you come to. Again, look for
signage.
Park east of Bldg 4 and walk to the bushes near where the adjacent road,
Orchard Drive, makes a sharp corner.

Historical note: On the south side of Bldg number 4, a small feeder was in
use
by a Pine Warbler and other birds several years ago. The feeder
is still there, but was empty when I walked past.

Note of interest: On Google maps, the south end of Bldg 4 is labelled
"EXECUTIVE INTELLIGENCE," which is both a business operation with
that building and additionally may be an oxymoron.

Merry Christmas,
Joe Roller, Denver

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[cobirds] Flicker Trifecta

[Robert Zilly]

Cobirds,

This morning, in the span of less than an hour, my back yard hosted
Red-shafted, Yellow-shafted, and intergrade Northern Flickers. Actually,
the intergrade has been a regular visitor for several weeks and is a male
sporting both a bold red malar and a slightly less bold looking red V on
its nape. It otherwise looks like a typical Red-shafted. The Yellow-shafted
was a yard first. I don't know if intergrades are particularly uncommon
along the front range but it is new to me.

Bob Zilly
Longmont

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[cobirds] Long-tailed Duck - Colorado Springs El Paso County

[mtnpals]

COBirders, 

  

The Long-tailed Duck that was reported in earlier emails last week was still at 
the Tinsel Town - DoubleTree Hotel Pond this morning.  The pond is near the 
intersection of I-25 and Circle Drive in Colorado Springs. 

  

The Long-tailed Duck was probably one of the best birds for the Colorado 
Springs CBC this past Saturday.  Other known notables include Northern Goshawk, 
Northern Mockingbird, Great-tailed Grackle, Western Grebe.  I am not aware of 
any warblers for the count this year. There was not a compilation dinner and I 
am still awaiting reports from area leaders.  

  

Ken Pals 

Colorado Springs 

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