[cobirds] Colorado Rare Bird Alert for Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Compiler: Ira Sanders Date: February 7, 2012 e-mail: rba AT cfobirds.org phone: 303-659-8750 This is the Colorado Rare Bird Alert for Tuesday, February 7, 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) Red-necked Grebe (Boulder) TRUMPETER SWAN (Boulder, Larimer) TUNDRA SWAN (Boulder, Sedgwick/Logan) Barrow's Goldeneye (Chaffee, Delta, *Eagle, *Garfield) Long-tailed Duck (Denver, Mesa) ICELAND GULL (Larimer) Glaucous Gull (Sedgwick/Logan) GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL (Bent, Larimer) Greater Roadrunner (Jefferson) SNOWY OWL(Adams) Short-eared Owl (Weld) VARIED THRUSH (LaPlata) White-throated Sparrow (Jackson) Harris's Sparrow (Jefferson) GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW (*Jefferson, Boulder) Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch (Jackson, *Jefferson) Black Rosy-Finch (*Jefferson) Brown-capped Rosy-Finch (*Jefferson) Northern Cardinal (Otero) 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: --No reports on the SNOWY OWL's east of Barr Lake have been received for over 1 week. They were seen in the vicinity of Harvest Rd. between 138th Av and 144th Av thru January 29. Directions: Take Bromley Lane (152nd) east from I-76 and go 2 miles past Piccadilly to Harvest Road. Turn right and go south to 138th. When looking for/observing the owls, use common sense: park and observe from the shoulders of public roads; do not obstruct traffic; do not walk or drive into fields; do not go up to people's houses to ask for information or request permission to enter their property (they apparently are growing tired of owl watchers). Bent County: --On January 31 Duane Nelson had a Great Black-backed Gull at the west end of John Martin Reservoir. Boulder County: --The TRUMPETER SWAN reported by Mlodinow at Valmont Reservoir was present as of February 1 but not seen on February 4. --A TUNDRA SWAN was found at Valmont on February 4 by the joint club fieldtrip and was present on February 6. --A GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW continues at the North Teller Farm Trailhead off Valmont Rd through February 4. --An adult basic plumage Red-necked Grebe was found at Valmont on February 4 by the joint club fieldtrip. Chaffee County: --On February 6 Moss reports a flock of Barrow's Goldeneye at Sand Lake in Salida. Delta County: --On February 5 Thurmon reports 10 Barrow's Goldeneye and 12 White-fronted Geese at Confluence Park on the Gunnison River. Denver County: --A male Long-tailed Duck at Duck Lake in City Park continues to be seen thru January 31. Eagle County: --On February 6 McConnell had 2 Barrow's Goldeneye on a small open pond near MM 6 (Taylor Creek) on the Fryingpan River Road. Garfield County: --On February 6 McConnell reports 55 Barrow's Goldeneye at Coryell Ranch near Carbondale. Huerfano County: --Rosy-Finches are back at Beverly Jensen's yard in LaVeta. Please call Beverly before going to her house: 719-742-3195 Jackson County: --On February 1 Craig Dodson reports 2 tan morph White-throated Sparrows and Gray-crowned Rosy-Finches at the Moose Visitor Center on the west side of Cameron Pass. Jefferson County: --The GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW at the Red Rocks Trading Post feeders continues to be seen thru February 7. --A Greater Roadrunner first reported by Roller on Dinosaur Ridge was seen again on February 2 along Alameda Pkwy. on the west side of Dinosaur Ridge (aka Dakota hogback). The best times to try for the Roadrunner seem to be on mild, sunny, calm afternoons. --On February 4, Henwood again found the 2 Harris's Sparrows at Bear Creek Lake Park near the boat launch. --On February 7, all 3 species of Rosy-Finch continue to be seen at the feeders at Red Rocks Trading Post. There were about 75 birds today. LaPlata County: --On January 31 Riley Morris reports a male VARIED THRUSH is being seen very infrequently at the Durango Fish Hatchery. The two best areas to try for it are: 1) the grassy area behind the DOW office where a Varied Thrush showed up five years ago. 2) Walk through the entrance gate and along the fish raceways until you reach the end of the wooden fence on your left. Look in the open area under the spruce trees, especially by the stumps and logs. This bird is very skittish and often appears seemingly from nowhere, runs around on the ground for 10 or 15 seconds, and disappears back into the spruce trees. Patience is required. --Morris reports on February 5 that the male VARIED TH
[cobirds] Harlan's Hawks - Jeffco - C470 & Quincy
Hello All, Cyndy Johnson has been seeing a Harlan's Hawk on a fairly regular basis in the area between Quincy & Belleview off C470 in Jefferson County. This is the same area I reported a Harlan's in December. Last Saturday afternoon I was able to explore the area and found two Harlan's Hawks. After conferring with Cyndy, we agree that there are two Harlan Hawks in this stretch of C470 between Belleview Avenue and Quincy Avenue. Harlan Hawk #1 - This is the all dark Harlan's I first reported on Dec. 10. This dark morph Harlan has just a trace of white on his belly. Likes to sit way up high on the light poles along C470. Extremely wary and difficult to approach. On Saturday I observed this Harlan's and a Western Red-tail sitting up high on the same light pole. I just stopped the car with the window rolled down to look at him, and the bird immediately flew across C470 to another high perch. The Western Red-tail sat perched the whole time, wasn't bothered at all by the car stopping, and was still in the same spot when I left. Harlan's Hawk #2 - This is the bird Cyndy has seen perched along C470 on the tops of telephone poles. This Harlan's is a dark intermediate morph with a "necklace of white feathers". This bird often sits on the tops of the wooden telephone poles along C470. I have also seen it perched in the grove of trees just west of the roundabout on Belleview. Both of these perches are much lower than the light poles used by Harlan #1. Harlan #2 is wary, but not as skittish as Harlan #1. I have been able to get several good looks with my scope. Probably the best way to find these two Harlan's is to drive the road on the west side of C470 between Quincy and Belleview early in the morning or later in the afternoon. Cyndy has also reported seeing another Harlan's Hawk in the vicinity of Bear Creek Blvd. and West Jewell Avenue (east of C470 and north of Bear Creek Lake Park). Don't know if this is a different Harlan's, or if it is the same bird as Harlan's #2??? 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
Hi All, Since I won't be able to get to the feeders at the Red Rocks Trading post for the next couple of days, I took some seed down about 4:30P.M. and stayed for 45 minutes. Seems like some new birds arrived during the day. As soon as I arrived I noticed two White-winged Juncos side by side below the lower apple tree. During my stay I observed 4-5 distinct White-winged Juncos plus a lone American Tree Sparrow. This is the first Tree Sparrow I have seen this season at Red Rocks and I have never seen more than a couple of White-winged Juncos at any one time. Other birds missing from this morning's report included 4 Black- capped Chickadees (which I neglected to mention this morning), 5 American Robins, and one calling Townsend's Solitaire. At 4:45 P.M. a Great Horned Owl hooted and the Golden-crowned Sparrow came to the platform feeder and fed for several minutes at 5:15 P.M. The Rosy-Finch flock did not appear while I was there, but with all the snow cover and cold, I would think the Rosy's would show up tomorrow morning. 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] Probably Ross's Goose in Fort Collins
Cobirders - I just received a phone call from a birder friend (Bob) who works at 3801 Automation Way in Fort Collins. His building is on the east side of the railroad tracks that are running N-S at this point and are about .22 miles west of Timberline. He and another birder who works two buildings away spotted what appears to be a Ross's Goose mixed in with lots of Canada Geese on the golf course located on the west side of the railroad tracks, also about .22 miles south of Horsetooth Road. Bob indicated that he was looking down on this batch of birds from his office and was about 40 yards away. Access for viewing is extremely limited, as there is only a paved bike trail running N-S parallel to and on the west side of the railroad tracks. You can access the bike trail at Horsetooth Road, north of the spot where the gees were spotted. Neither of my friends are signed on to Cobirds. Bill Miller Fort Collins, 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] Shrike
As I was looking out my back window at the new fallen snow and the foothills there came a flash of wings across the yard. A shrike had zipped in and grabbed a bird on the bush. I have seen the "butcher birds" meal remains on fence wire but have never witnessed the catch. Cool!Jennifer HyypioLittleton, CO Jennifer Hope Hyypio May your winds be strong and your thermals high. -- 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] White House Finch -- with band -- Jefferson (unless its Arapahoe)
An almost totally white, apparentHouse Finch has visited a yard in Columbine Knolls South, Littleton, for the last month. The observer, Sandy Bettis, says, “We see her almost daily when shearrives with the House Finches and leaves when they leave. She's notintimidated by other birds that feed here - flickers, downy woodpecker, blue jays, black birds, crows, chickadees, one robin.” The reason for posting this,though, is that the bird has a band on its left leg. Does anyone have anyknowledge about its provenance? You can contact Sandy at dbett...@aol.com to seepictures of the bird. If you do know anything about this bird, please post iton Cobirds as well as contacting Sandy. 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] Rosy's & Golden-crowned - Red Rocks - Jeffco
Good morning Birders, When I arrived at the Red Rocks Trading Post feeders this morning at 7:00 A.M., Art Hudak already spread seed and was watching the Rosy- Finches. We estimated the flock of Rosy's to be about 75 birds with the largest proportion Gray-crowned, some Hepburn's, 5-10 Brown- capped, and maybe 5 Black Rosy-Finches. We were joined later by Rick Taylor from Colorado Springs. The flock of Rosy-Finches (from today as well as other earlier observations) seems to prefer the rock wall, then the area under the lower apple tree, and then the platform feeder in that order. A few use the flat area under the apple tree, but I believe their first preference is to fly down from the cliffs on the south directly to the rock wall or to the tops of the trees, and then descend to the rock wall or to the other feeding areas previously mentioned. On the other hand, often the first place the Golden-crowned Sparrow appears in the morning is the flat rock under the upper apple tree, which is where he made his first appearance this morning around 7:40 A.M. About 7:45 A.M., I departed and left Art & Rick enjoy the large numbers of feeding birds. 1 Golden-crowned Sparrow 60 Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch, including 10-15 Hepburn's 10 Brown-capped Rosy-Finches 5 Black Rosy- Finches 4 Spotted Towhee 100 Dark-eyed Junco including Gray-crowned, Pink-sided, Slate, Oregon, cassiar, White-winged, PS x WW cross 4 Song Sparrow 1 White-crowned Sparrow - 1st year bird 1 Black-billed Magpie 25 House Finch 1 Cassin's Finch previous occasions I have seen 3 male Cassin's at once and two pairs(male & female) at once 3 Pine Siskins 2 American Goldfinch 20 House Sparrow 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] Re: Swamp Sparrow in Fort Collins
I used Joe's great directions but struck out on the Fort Collins Swamp Sparrow--even played my iPod recording to entice. Thanks Gary Lefko, Nunn http://coloradobirder.ning.com On Feb 6, 11:30 am, Joe Mammoser wrote: > I went out to Running Deer Natural Area off of East Prospect Road this lunch > time today. I found a Swamp Sparrow in the large cattail marsh straight south > of the parking area. Take the gravel/dirt road straight south from the green > gate. When is bends around the south edge of the large marsh and the road > branches left to go further south to the river, continue right around the > marsh. The sparrow was seen in the southwest corner of the marsh close to the > gravel road. Also in the area around the south edge of the marsh was a > Northern Shrike and two immature bald eagles. > > At the large Cottonwood Hollow pond (which looks like it has been drained), > there was a congregation of about 50-75 American Crows and 30-40 Ring-billed > Gulls picking at the ice and items in the bare areas. > > As an additional note, I went to Grandview Cemetery yesterday, Sunday, and > refound the immature Yellow-bellied Sapsucker originally found by Dave. It > was working the tall trees on both sides of the dirt road that goes due north > from the entrance bridge on the west side of the ditch. It then flew into the > trees on the east side of the ditch and I could not follow it further. > > Joe Mammoser > 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. 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.
