[cobirds] Harris's Sparrow - BCLP - Jeffco
After visiting Red Rocks this morning, I drove to the Boat Launch area in Bear Creek Lake Park (BCLP). Found both the adult and 1st year Harris's Sparrows feeding in a large mixed flock of sparrows just to the east of the parking lot. As near as I could tell, the mixed flock included: American Tree Sparrows approx. 30 White-crowned Sparrows 10-12 both adult and 1st year birds; all Gambell's Song Sparrows 4 Dark-eyed Juncos6 Harris's Sparrows 2 one adult and one 1st year bird Mike Henwood 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 cobirds@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] Golden-crowned Sparrow - Red Rocks - Jeffco
The Golden-crowned Sparrow showed up under the lower apple tree about 7:27 A.M. this morning. If you are planning on visiting the feeders at Red Rocks this weekend, plan on bringing some seed with you. I will be unable to visit the feeders this weekend. Mike Henwood 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 cobirds@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] Results of RMBO field trip to Dinosaur Ridge today: Wind 1, Roadrunner 0
A baker's dozen intrepid birders gathered today and bravely faced a 20+ mph cold (41 degrees) wind (predicted to have been on a 12 mph) and after a fuitless hour at the roadrunner site on Dinosaur Ridge, decided to walk away and try it another day. Weather for tomorrow's scheduled trip is predicted to be warmer (50 degrees) with less wind (10 mph) at nearby Morrison, CO. Please let me know if you signed up but want to drop out. Saturday's trip will proceed as planned and slots are still available. I did receive a couple of emails wondering whether we are bothering the already stressed bird. I can assure you that we are not. I can provide details if you desire. Joe Roller, Denver "If birding were too easy, it wouldn't be any fun!" (Murphy) -- 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. 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] Denver Urban CBC
A NorthernGoshawk delighted Lynn Willcockson’s Urban Christmas Count group when itperched on a power pole in suburban Cherry Hills – at Colo. Blvd. &Mansfield! Doris Cruze mentioned “a Ring-billed Gullstanding in the middle of the (South Platte) river, and the water came up only tothe bird's knees! That tells the story of low water levels and lack ofbirds for us on Sunday.” Denver Urbancounted 35,492 birds of 82 species, both less than our 23-year average of37,955 birds and 83 species. Low counts included Ducks – 3,870 (59% ofaverage), Ring-billed Gull, 1,142 (73%), Rock Pigeon, 1,660 (76%), magpie, 288(40%, average 726), starling, 2,486 (50%), New World sparrows 481 (55%), HouseFinch 652 (45%), and House Sparrow 740 (42%). Robinshighlighted the count: the total of 1,386 almost doubled the previous high of794 (well – 75% more), and exceeded the average (313) by 443%. Other new highcounts included Red-tailed Hawk, 92 (average 50) and Downy Woodpecker 80 (ave.39). And naturally, the 19,749 Canada/Cackling Geese amounted 55% of the totalcount. Favoritesincluded a Long-tailed Duck, originally found by Bill Wuerthele in City Park inearly December. Paul Slingsby’s group walked 7 miles from Cherry Creek Dam toUniversity Blvd.; he says, “AHooded Merganser pair gave us a duet of head dipping and splashing withthe beautiful crests of both male and female spectacularly displayed in a sprayof glowing droplets. They then paraded past us, still strutting their stuff,with the low angle winter light causing both the merganser pairand the water to glow.” Sometimes common species shine. HarrietStratton mentions “a murmuration of European Starlings - high above University Hills(used to be) Shopping Center - shifting shapes and altogether dipping andbanking - letting the sun silver their underwings for a gleaming second beforeturning in perfectly choreographed precision to form yet another formreallyquite a display..for about 60 birds.” MaryKeithler’s favorite, “aBelted Kingfisher at Bible Park. It was a handsome male, which gave 2parties a great look and we also enjoyed hearing his rattle.” KevinCorwin mentioned “Cedar Waxwings who popped up in alarge flock of robins just east of Cranmer (Sundial) Park.” Coincidentally, two leadersmentioned as favorites species seen only by their groups. Polly Reetz: “the BrownCreeper we spotted over by the train tracks, south of the Carousel.” (The countaverages 10 creepers.) Bob Brown’s group watched a Rough-legged Hawk that satstill for all of us. Over the years they've become less frequent at CherryCreek State Park.” (One Rough-leg = 15% of the count average of 7.) “I guess raptors were the show stoppers for us,” wrote Mike Serruto, “but among them: bald eagle who flew low andslow off his/her perch, making several passes over a magpie in effort to knockit off its lunch.” Bob Santangelo said, “Toss-up between theMerlin and Bald Eagle we found at Denver Country Club. The Merlin becauseit is an exciting species to find in the city this time of year - plus, thisbird flew into Cherry Creek and waded in the water - and the Bald Eagle soaringover the golf course My close ‘2nd’ would be the flock ofbeautiful Cedar Waxwings gobbling berries at the Botanic Gardens .” At Rocky Mountain ArsenalNational Wildlife Refuge, our group marveled at anextraordinary-looking Ferruginous Hawk: solid chestnut from chin to tail witha necklace of white spots and an enormous yellow gape. Hugh Kingery Franktown, 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. 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] Backyard Visitor - Downy Woodpecker with no red cap?
Woodpecker identification has never been my strong suit….I've got a daily visitor that looks to be a Downy but there's no red cap…..is that a Male vs. Female distinction? Have I misidentified it altogether? Brook Watts Longmont -- 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. 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] RFI does Sibley eBirds guide work on Kindle Fire?
Does anyone have experience using Sibley's eGuide for North American Birds on Kindle Fire? It was recently redesigned to work on IPad, but I can't determine whether it will work on the new Kindle Fire. Any tips or info will be much appreciated. I'm especially hoping that it can be used in the field. Ruth Carol Cushman -- 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. 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: Robins - Douglas, Denver, Jeffco, Arapaho (and Adams?)
This year, the number of robins persisting through the winter in the foothills has become a topic non-birders of my acquaitnance are commenting on. I too suspect the juniper berry crop is higher this year due to summer moisture, and the Robins and Townsend's Solitaires may be competing for this resource. I regularly walk my local patch and have observed robins throughout the fall and winter. The numbers have not been as high as you have observed but they are a continuous presence regardless of how cold it gets. I have heard and seen a couple of Townsend's Solitaires, but the robins have been far more consistent and abundant. Makes me wonder whether a combination of food supply and milder winter temps triggers this behavior. According to the species account for American Robin on Birds of North America: "Restless migrant and wintering flocks are seen in many new areas within the geographic range of the breeding population, where there is either damp soil or a source of berries. Wintering numbers may vary significantly from year to year in many (especially northern) areas." Suggests we may be seeing irruptive-like behavior. Definitely worth folks' time to note Robin #s and submit observations to eBird! Ed Furlong Evergreen, CO On Jan 12, 9:53 am, Hugh Kingery wrote: > Thismorning I counted 325 robins flying acrossour driveway. Maybe > more. Maybe fewer. (Theway they swirl around you have to have eyes in the > back of your head to countaccurately.) Urling and I marvel at their chorus > that emanates from the oaksand conifers at and near our house. They chatter, > tweet, sing, squeal, andsquawk incessantly, particularly in the morning and > mid-afternoon. Flocks flyout and blanket the trees; they announce their > presence constantly. > What theyfind for food puzzles me – this morning some dined on > juniper berries/cones –and that makes me wonder how the Townsend’s Solitaires > can persist. The drovesof robins browbeat the solitaires by sheer numbers. > Yet the invaders spend timein the scrub oak and the riparian stream bottoms > and on the ground. They don’tpatronize our feeders (suet, seeds, e.g.). Our > complement of solitaires droppedfrom six in November to three this month. > Adding tothis: the Denver Christmas bird count had its > second-highest count of robins –1828, Joey Kellner says. Denver Urban count > had about 1400 – 75% more than ever(previous high, 794; 24-year average, > 285). We can’t really tell how many populate our little vale: before I’d > nevercounted more than 150. More flocks persist in Castlewood State Park, > ahalf-mile away. The total must number thousands. > This immensegaggle of robins, I think, amounts to the biggest > bird story this winter, atleast in Denver metro (bigger than a rare owl, > wayward warbler, or vagrant sparrow). > > I wonderhow many robins Cobirders, collectively, saw this morning > – do we have any wayof amassing this information? I suppose eBird could help, > but it doesn’t have reportsfrom many observers (and mine won’t go in until > next month). > > Hugh Kingery > Franktown, 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. 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] Colorado RBA, Friday, January 13, 2012
Compiler: Mary Driscoll Date: January 13, 2012 e-mail: r...@cfobirds.org phone: 303-659-8750 This is the Colorado Rare Bird Alert for Friday, January 13, 2012 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) TRUMPETER SWAN (Larimer) TUNDRA SWAN (Boulder, Larimer) White-winged Scoter (*Pueblo) Long-tailed Duck (Denver) Barrow's Goldeneye (Adams, Garfield, Morgan) Turkey Vulture (Montezuma) Thayer's Gull (Broomfield, Jefferson, Larimer, Morgan) Lesser Black-backed Gull (Broomfield, Morgan) Glaucous Gull (Broomfield, Douglas/Jefferson, Morgan) Greater Roadrunner (Jefferson) SNOWY OWL (Adams) Swamp Sparrow (Mesa) White-throated Sparrow (El Paso) Harris's Sparrow (El Paso, Jefferson) GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW (*Jefferson) Lapland Longspur (El Paso, Weld) Snow Bunting (Pueblo) Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch (*Teller) Black Rosy-Finch (Huerfano, Montrose, *Teller) Common Redpoll (Logan) 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 Adams County: --A m & f Barrow's Goldeneye was reported by Gilberts on the Platte River approx. 2 blocks So. of the parking area at 78th St. and Steele on January 4. Kibbe refound the pair of Barrow's Goldeneyes on January 7. - A SNOWY OWL was found by Peter Plage on the Barr Lake CBC on January 2. Directions: Take Bromley Lane (152nd) east from I-76 and go 2 miles past Piccadilly to Harvest Road. Turn right and go south to 144th. On January 8, McBurney report both SNOWY OWLS could be seen from 138th Ave and Harvest Rd. The adult was to the south and the young one to the north. On January 10, Kemena reported the adult SNOWY OWL could be seen with a scope from 138th and Harvest to the NW. Boulder County: --A TUNDRA SWAN was reported by Kaempfer at Valmont Reservoir on January 7. Broomfield County: --On January 7, Mlodinow reported 2 Thayer's Gulls (1 ad, 1 juv), 2 Glaucous (1 ad, 1 imm), 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull (nearly adult) at Siena Pond. On January 9 at Siena Pond, Filby reported 6 Thayer's Gulls (2 ad, 4 juv), 2 Glaucous Gulls (1ad, 1 imm) and 1 ad Lesser Black-backed Gull. Siena Pond is at Sheridan Parkway & Lowell Blvd. --On January 7 at the Anthem Ponds, Gent reported 2 1-st cyc Glaucous Gulls, 1 nearly ad Lesser Black-backed Gull and 1 imm Thayer's Gull. On January 7, Mlodinow reported 7 Thayer's Gulls (2 ad, 4 juv, 1 2-nd cyc), 2 Glaucous Gulls (both 1-st winter) at Anthem Ranch Pond. On January 9, Filby reported 4 Thayer's Gulls (3 ad, 1 juv) and 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull (3 rd winter). 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 Dunning on January 9. El Paso County: --A Harris Sparrow was reported by Teuton at the feeders at Fountain Creek Regional Park on January 3. The Harris's Sparrow returned to the feeder for Taylor on January 7. --All 3 species of Longspurs were reported by Peterson on Tamlin Road east of Colorado Springs on January 8. They were near where road goes from paved to dirt. Garfield County: --10 Barrow's Goldeneyes (including 2 ad m) were reported by Filby at Coryell Ranch in Carbondale on January 8. Huerfano County: --Once again the Rosy-Finches have returned to the yard of Beverly Jensen in La Veta on January 8. Please contact her at goldilou...@yahoo.com. Jefferson County: --Henwood reported that the GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW was seen both early and late morning on January 12 at Red Rocks Trading Post. --At Bear Creek Lake Park, Henwood reported 2 Harris's Sparrows (1ad, 1 1-st winter) on December 5. On January 11, Chavez found both Harris's Sparrows up the road from the Boat Launch Area. --At Upper Church Ranch Lake, Kaempfer reported 1 1-st cyc Thayer's Gull on January 7. --A Greater Roadrunner was reported by Roller on Dinosaur Ridge on January 9. On January 10, Roller's Raiders had quick views of the Greater Roadrunner on Dinosaur Ridge. Larimer County: --On the Loveland CBC on January 1, Komar reported TUNDRA and TRUMPETER SWAN on Cattail Pond. On January 7, the Such boys refound the TRUMPETER SWAN at Cattail Pond and reported 1 ad Thayer's Gull at Lon Hagler Reservoir. Mesa County: --A Swamp Sparrow was reported by Arnold at the mitigation pond along the Blue Heron Trail in Grand Junction on January 6. Montezuma County: --Turkey Vultures have returned to Cortez on January 8 according to Dennis Garrison's sister. Morgan County: --At Jackson Reservoir on Ja
