[cobirds] Colorado Rare Bird Alert, February 9, 2013

[Joe Roller]

RBA for February 9, 2013, updated at 9 PM on Feb 8, sponsored by Denver
Field Ornithologists and the Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory.  If you are
phoning in a message to the RBA phone, *303 659-8750*, 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. Thanks!

**

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


 Trumpeter Swan (Larimer)

Greater Scaup (Arapahoe*)
Long-tailed Duck (Arapahoe*)

Barrow's Goldeneye (Adams)

Turkey Vulture (Boulder)

Thayer's Gull (Arapahoe*)

Iceland Gull (Arapahoe*)

Lesser Black-backed Gull (Arapahoe*)
Glaucous Gull (Arapahoe*)
ACORN WOODPECKER (El Paso, Pueblo)

Sapsucker sp? (Larimer)

Say's Phoebe (Jefferson)

Bohemian Waxwing (Larimer)
GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW (Jefferson)
Rusty Blackbird (Adams)
Rosy-Finches (Grand, Jackson and Summit)
Common Redpoll (Jefferson, Grand, Jackson, Larimer, San Juan)
HOARY REDPOLL (Grand, Jackson, Larimer)


** ***ADAMS COUNTY:*

**

-- On February 4 the small flock of Rusty Blackbirds continues on the South
Platte River, reported by Gilbert, near the mouth of Sand Creek, just south
of where C-470 crosses the river. Barrow's Goldeneyes (both male and
female) continue to be seen on the S. Platte between 78th and 88th
(opposite the green & white water tank); per Gilbert.

**

*ARAPAHOE COUNTY:*

--Two Long-tailed Ducks (Walbek, Feb 8) were still present on South Platte
Reservoir (signed entrance is on Platte Canyon Rd. north of C-470).  A
dozen Greater Scaup continue on the small lake ("Blackrock Lake") between
South Platte Reservoir and the Platte River in South Platte Park on the Feb
2, as well as 2 more on Red Tail Lake, which is just north of of Blackrock
Lake, updated by Gillian, then by Walbek.
Walbek reports a Lesser Black-backed Gull (intermedius race) from South
Platte Reservoir on Feb 8, as well as a first-cycle Iceland Gull.

On Feb 2 Kent Nelson observed a Glaucous Gull in the SE corner of Cherry
Creek Reservoir.

A 2nd cycle Glaucous Gull was reported by Walbek from there on Feb 8.
Also at Cherry Creek Reservoir on Feb 8, Walbek had a couple of Thayer's
Gulls and a possible Glaucous-winged Gull X Herring Gull hybrid.
 *
BOULDER COUNTY:*

- Schmoker reports a Turkey Vulture, unusual in February, at 95th, just
south of Oxford Rd, which is just south of Longmont, on Feb 3.

*EL PASO COUNTY:*

--Maynard reports that the ACORN WOODPECKER continues to be present in SW
Colorado Springs in the 1804 - 1810 section of Cheyenne Blvd. It was seen
again on the 28th.** Sanders saw it on Feb 3.

*GRAND COUNTY:*
--On January 18 Filby reported that in Kremmling the feeders in the 900
block of Eagle had 100 Common Redpolls.  60+ Rosy-Finches of all three
species were present.  Mlodinow reported >200 redpolls including 3 HOARY
REDPOLLs seen in Kremmling on Jan 27; rosy finches continued on Feb 3,
reported by Deininger.

*JACKSON COUNTY:*
--**More than100 redpolls, including at least one HOARY REDPOLL, were seen
in Walden on January 26, reported by Mlodinow. At the Moose Visitor Center
on Feb 3, Deininger reports a White-throated Sparrow and rosy finches, with
more of the latter in Gould.

**

*JEFFERSON COUNTY:*

-- The GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW at the Red Rocks Trading Post, first reported
by Henwood on Nov 26 and present all winter, was seen again on Feb 7. 

--On February 5, Santangelo reported that several Common Redpolls, first
reported on the 14th, were still coming daily to his feeder in Wheatridge.
His address is: 3525 Estes St. (two blocks north of Crown Hill Lake and two
blocks south of 38th Ave). You may park in front of the driveway but please
*do not park in* the driveway and please stay in your car to observe the
redpolls.
It was the upper-level, south entrance.  In other words, the one by

-- A Say's Phoebe was seen by Cameron above the south entrance (near the
Upper Level food court) to the Southwest Plaza Mall on February 5. The mall
is located on the NW corner of West Bowles Ave and South Wadsworth Blvd.



*LARIMER COUNTY:*

--The large flock (>100) of redpolls continues to be seen behind the
Discovery Museum in Ft. Collins, located at Cherry and Mason St, which is
the NW corner of College and Cherry through February 1.  While almost all
are Common Redpolls, multiple observers have seen  HOARY REDPOLLs at this
location since December 23, most recently on Feb1 reported by Sparks.

--One Trumpeter Swan continues on Lower Hoffman Lake, Loveland, on Feb 3,
reported by Rynes; then on Feb 5 by Leatherman.
**

-- An interesting sapsucker of uncertain identity was reported on January
30 by Leatherman from Grandview Cemetery, Fort Collins. It apparently has
plumage features of both Red-naped and Yellow-bellied Sapsucker. It favors
a big Scots Pine in the nw corner of the main sec

[cobirds] South Metro Gulls

[Glenn and Laurie]

Folks,

Kathy Mihm-Dunning and I birded some south metro ponds today, concentrating on 
gulls.  Cherry Creek Reservoir is starting to open up.  It is about 10% open 
and held a few hundred gulls this morning.  There was a 2nd cycle Glaucous 
Gull, originally found by Bob Rozinski along with an adult Glaucous Gull that 
was subsequently found dead.  Bob recovered the bird and took it to the Denver 
Museum of Science.  Cherry Creek had a couple of Thayer's Gulls and a possible 
Glaucous-winged Gull X Herring Gull hybrid.  I expect the number of gulls here 
to increase during the next few weeks.

South Platte Reservoir was our next stop.  Almost immediately, we noticed a 
first cycle Iceland Gull and a Great Black-backed Gull, or so we thought.  The 
dark bird was nearly the size of adjacent Herring Gulls and was very dark with 
bright yellow legs.  We eventually determined the bird is a Lesser Black-backed 
Gull of the intermedius race.  It is as dark as Great black-backed Gull but not 
as large.  Leg color, bill size and gape color eliminate Kelp Gull, but it is 
nearly dark enough for that species.  The first cycle Iceland Gull was very 
pale overall, had a small head and bill and patterned tertials.  A Bald Eagle 
sent a portion of the gulls flying east, including the Iceland Gull.  The 2 
Long-tailed Ducks from before the Denver CBC, continue at South Platte 
Reservoir.  There are also cooperative Greater Scaup, and Swamp Sparrow 
(Henwood, Raker) nearby.

McClellan Reservoir is about 50% open, but had very few birds.  Chatfield 
Reservoir is 100% frozen with no birds.I plan to gull S. Platte Reservoir 
and Cherry Creek again tomorrow.  I will start at S. Platte Reservoir around 8 
am, if anyone cares to join me.   

Glenn Walbek
Castle Rock, CO
http://www.pbase.com/gwalbek/2013_birds

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[cobirds] Elk Thisltle Topic

[Todd Deininger]

I second Norm's proposal and we are moving off the topic of the feeders in
Silverthorne, so no more posts about this topic.


Also, please remember to include your full name and city,state in your
signature.

Thanks all,

-- 
Todd Deininger
List Manager
Longmont, CO

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[cobirds] The Elk Thistle issue

[Norm Lewis]

Good afternoon all!  Thanks for your many kind reponses off list.  At this 
point I think it would be appropriate to drop the whole matter; it is a 
mountain being made out of a molehill.  I know that there have been many such 
situations over the years (none of which, until now, involved me), and I 
thought it would be informative for everyone to know what is lurking out there, 
in case you get any similar harassment.  

However, I am moving on, and I suggest we all do so.  Let's return to talking 
about the wonder of Colroado birding!

Norm


Norm Lewis
migran...@aol.com

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Re: [cobirds] Fwd: Elk Thistle Birds, Summit County

[Norm Lewis]

Good point, but if you put up a whole bunch of bird feeders in your front yard, 
it's fairly predictable what's going to happen.  Birders just need to use a 
certain amount of discretion, which sometimes seems in short supply.  There is 
certainly (Lawyers?  Lawyers?  Bueller?) nothing illegal about it, but staring 
at someone's house for an extended period is probably not in the best taste.  
On the other hand, replying to a rather innocent bird post with a diatribe 
about no parking signs and calling the police is not in particularly good 
taste, either.


Norm Lewis
migran...@aol.com




-Original Message-
From: Amber Carver 
To: cobirds 
Cc: migrant44 ; sueehlmann 
Sent: Fri, Feb 8, 2013 9:32 am
Subject: Re: [cobirds] Fwd: Elk Thistle Birds, Summit County


Walking up a road is one thing, but we birders rarely show up without 
binoculars.  I have often wondered about the ethics/legality of posting the 
location of strangers' feeders.  I think in the future that before we advertise 
a yard where an interesting bird was seen, we should get the permission of the 
property owner.  I'm sure most people don't appreciate having strangers peering 
into their yard with binoculars.


Just a thought.
-Amber

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RE: [cobirds] Fwd: Elk Thistle Birds, Summit County

[Ira Sanders]

Mr. Phillips,

That's the way it should be and thank you for your very competent and
congenial representation of the birding community. 

 

Ira Sanders

Golden, CO

 

From: cobirds@googlegroups.com [mailto:cobirds@googlegroups.com] On Behalf
Of J.D. Phillips
Sent: Friday, February 08, 2013 9:18 AM
To: cobirds@googlegroups.com
Subject: Re: [cobirds] Fwd: Elk Thistle Birds, Summit County

 

Hi birders,

 

I'm a birder from Michigan's Upper Peninsula. I was in Colorado last week,
and on Saturday I was in Wlidernest, looking for rosy-finches. I knew, from
posts on this list, that all four rosy-finches were being seen in
Wildernest, but no street addresses were given. So I drove through the area
with my windows rolled down, listening for rosy-finches. And sure enough, I
found a large flock on Elk Thistle. So I pulled over in front of the house
where the birds were feeding, and approached the homeowner--who was working
in his driveway. He was a friendly and congenial guy, and invited me onto
his property to watch and take photos of the birds. He told me about the
rosy-finch's habits in his neighborhood (which yards they liked to feed in,
best times of day, and so on). I watched the flock for about an hour. During
this time, a number of neighbors walked by; I exchanged pleasantries with
all of them. Each of them seemed fine with my presence. Eventually another
birder showed up (in his car) and he watched the rosy-finches with me for
awhile. He was a friendly guy; we had a nice chat (he told me about the
Barrow's Goldeneye's at the water treatment plant in town). We both
parked--legally--on the street. We stayed off private property (except for
the one yard I was invited onto by the homeowner). We saw, and exchanged
pleasantries with, a number of neighbors. A fine, even happy, hour in a
lovely spot, with friendly, welcoming people. Here's a shot, btw, of a
Brown-capped Rosy-Finch, from the neighborhood:

 

 

http://euclid.nmu.edu/~jophilli/brown-capped-rosy-finch1.jpg

 

 

I also had a pleasant visit to Kremmling that same day, during which I saw,
and photographed, all four rosy-finches, and was treated with lavish
hospitality by a local birder.

 

On Sunday I walked up to the Guanella Pass (from the point on the south
approach, from Grant, at which the snow got too deep for my rental car), to
look for White-tailed Ptarmigans. I didn't find any ptarmigans. But it was
another beautiful Colorado day, and I met two Colorado birders, also
searching for ptarmigans at the Pass, who generously gave me a ride down,
and hence, cut a couple of miles off the return hike to my car (thus giving
me more alpine time). On our way down the mountain, we encountered two cars
stuck in the snow, both of which we helped push out.

 

My brief trip to Colorado was excellent. People were uniformly friendly and
welcoming. The birding community seems strong and helpful (this list was
immensely helpful to me). Thanks to all of the folks who made my trip so
enjoyable.

 

J.D. Phillips

Marquette, Michigan

 

 

 

On Thu, Feb 7, 2013 at 10:13 PM, Norm Lewis  wrote:

I assume that since you have assumed such an exalted position in speaking
for the residents along Elk Thistle, you would probably prefer to have your
comments directed to the entire readership, so that the offending parties
can take note of it.  I don't recall that I have done anything objectionable
to the residents there, so I don't personally require your reprimand.  

 

Most sincerely,

 

Norm

Norm Lewis
migran...@aol.com

-Original Message-
From: sueehlmann 
To: migrant44 
Sent: Thu, Feb 7, 2013 7:55 pm
Subject: Elk Thistle Birds, Summit County

Hello Mr. Lewis,
 
Richard Stevens and Bryan Ehlmann have been friends with Billy and Janey
(Elk 
Thistle residents) for over 16 years now.  Billy has several horror stories
of 
birders/trips to their neighborhood.  Billy is thinking about calling the
police 
when uninvited birders show up.  Two of his bad experiences have been with
DFO 
trips and another with a Wings trip.
 
While it is a small community and calling the police might work, Richard 
suggested that they consider getting no parking laws and signs along Elk 
Thistle.  Then only residents and INVITED guests are allowed to park on the 
road.  Of course then there will still be rude birders who will walk up the 
road.
 
Elk Thistle has never been mentioned on the Colorado Birding Society's
website 
or "cobirders".  We suggest that cobirds forget about Elk Thistle also.
 
Sue Ehlmann, CoBus & RMORC Project Director
Brighton, CO
Contact CoBus/Report Interesting Birds: 303-324-7994
Subscribe to "cobird...@yahoogroups.com
cobirders-subscr...@yahoogroups.com
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Re: [cobirds] Fwd: Elk Thistle Birds, Summit County

[J.D. Phillips]

Hi birders,

I'm a birder from Michigan's Upper Peninsula. I was in Colorado last week,
and on Saturday I was in Wlidernest, looking for rosy-finches. I knew, from
posts on this list, that all four rosy-finches were being seen in
Wildernest, but no street addresses were given. So I drove through the area
with my windows rolled down, listening for rosy-finches. And sure enough, I
found a large flock on Elk Thistle. So I pulled over in front of the house
where the birds were feeding, and approached the homeowner--who was working
in his driveway. He was a friendly and congenial guy, and invited me onto
his property to watch and take photos of the birds. He told me about the
rosy-finch's habits in his neighborhood (which yards they liked to feed in,
best times of day, and so on). I watched the flock for about an hour.
During this time, a number of neighbors walked by; I exchanged pleasantries
with all of them. Each of them seemed fine with my presence. Eventually
another birder showed up (in his car) and he watched the rosy-finches with
me for awhile. He was a friendly guy; we had a nice chat (he told me about
the Barrow's Goldeneye's at the water treatment plant in town). We both
parked--legally--on the street. We stayed off private property (except for
the one yard I was invited onto by the homeowner). We saw, and exchanged
pleasantries with, a number of neighbors. A fine, even happy, hour in a
lovely spot, with friendly, welcoming people. Here's a shot, btw, of a
Brown-capped Rosy-Finch, from the neighborhood:


http://euclid.nmu.edu/~jophilli/brown-capped-rosy-finch1.jpg


I also had a pleasant visit to Kremmling that same day, during which I saw,
and photographed, all four rosy-finches, and was treated with lavish
hospitality by a local birder.

On Sunday I walked up to the Guanella Pass (from the point on the south
approach, from Grant, at which the snow got too deep for my rental car), to
look for White-tailed Ptarmigans. I didn't find any ptarmigans. But it was
another beautiful Colorado day, and I met two Colorado birders, also
searching for ptarmigans at the Pass, who generously gave me a ride down,
and hence, cut a couple of miles off the return hike to my car (thus giving
me more alpine time). On our way down the mountain, we encountered two cars
stuck in the snow, both of which we helped push out.

My brief trip to Colorado was excellent. People were uniformly friendly and
welcoming. The birding community seems strong and helpful (this list was
immensely helpful to me). Thanks to all of the folks who made my trip so
enjoyable.

J.D. Phillips
Marquette, Michigan



On Thu, Feb 7, 2013 at 10:13 PM, Norm Lewis  wrote:

> I assume that since you have assumed such an exalted position in speaking
> for the residents along Elk Thistle, you would probably prefer to have your
> comments directed to the entire readership, so that the offending parties
> can take note of it.  I don't recall that I have done anything
> objectionable to the residents there, so I don't personally require your
> reprimand.
>
> Most sincerely,
>
> Norm
>  Norm Lewis
> migran...@aol.com
>   -Original Message-
> From: sueehlmann 
> To: migrant44 
> Sent: Thu, Feb 7, 2013 7:55 pm
> Subject: Elk Thistle Birds, Summit County
>
>  Hello Mr. Lewis,
>
> Richard Stevens and Bryan Ehlmann have been friends with Billy and Janey (Elk
> Thistle residents) for over 16 years now.  Billy has several horror stories of
> birders/trips to their neighborhood.  Billy is thinking about calling the 
> police
> when uninvited birders show up.  Two of his bad experiences have been with DFO
> trips and another with a Wings trip.
>
> While it is a small community and calling the police might work, Richard
> suggested that they consider getting no parking laws and signs along Elk
> Thistle.  Then only residents and INVITED guests are allowed to park on the
> road.  Of course then there will still be rude birders who will walk up the
> road.
>
> Elk Thistle has never been mentioned on the Colorado Birding Society's website
> or "cobirders".  We suggest that cobirds forget about Elk Thistle also.
>
> Sue Ehlmann, CoBus & RMORC Project Director
> Brighton, CO
> Contact CoBus/Report Interesting Birds: 303-324-7994
> Subscribe to "cobirders@yahoogroups.comcobirders-subscr...@yahoogroups.com
> Read "cobirders" at:http://groups.yahoo.com/group/cobirders/messages
> 
> OVERSTOCK iPads: $33.93
> Get New Apple iPads for $33.93! Limit One Per Customer. Get One 
> Now!http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL3131/511468eeb843468ee219est02vuc
>
>   --
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> "Colorado Birds" group.
> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an
> email to cobirds+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com.
> To post to this group, send email to cobirds@googlegroups.com.
> For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
>
>

Re: [cobirds] Fwd: Elk Thistle Birds, Summit County

[Amber Carver]

Walking up a road is one thing, but we birders rarely show up without 
binoculars.  I have often wondered about the ethics/legality of posting the 
location of strangers' feeders.  I think in the future that before we 
advertise a yard where an interesting bird was seen, we should get the 
permission of the property owner.  I'm sure most people don't appreciate 
having strangers peering into their yard with binoculars.

Just a thought.
-Amber

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[cobirds] Re: Rock Wrens

[Amber Carver]

Sounds like a great project!  I think they're pretty widespread, but here 
are some specific places where I've seen them:
. the Colorado National Monument (specifically, I have seen them in the 
Devil's Kitchen area)
. the Dillon Pinnacle trail (at Blue Mesa Reservoir west of Gunnison)
. far western Colorado (I've seen them near Buckeye Reservoir and in Rabbit 
Valley)

Good luck.
Amber
Montrose, CO

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[cobirds] Re: Rock Wrens

[Regina King]

I saw a Rock Wren on 10/19/2012 at Bear Creek Lake Park, Lakewood, CO at:  
   
▼39.647033,
 
-105.142099more 
info
Address:[image: Station is accessible]‎
Relocated from Relocated to  Not true?  Show all 
edits
 Not true? 
   Placement on map is approximate
+39° 38' 49.32", -105° 8' 
31.56"

▼39.647033,
 
-105.142099more 
info
Address:[image: Station is accessible]‎
Relocated from Relocated to  Not true?  Show all 
edits
 Not true? 
   Placement on map is approximate
+39° 38' 49.32", -105° 8' 
31.56"
 
 +39° 38' 49.32", -105° 8' 31.56"which is the southeast corner of the 
reservoir, at the base of  Mt. Carbon.   It was standing (pumping) on a 
piece of driftwood on the rocky shore. I have been birding this area 
regularly for a few years and this is the only Rock Wren I have seen.  
Likely a migrant, based on the date.
 
Regina King
Littleton, CO
 

On Thursday, February 7, 2013 2:03:35 PM UTC-7, Nadje Najar wrote: 

> Hello all,
>
> I'm a graduate student studying Rock Wren song at the University of 
> Northern Colorado. I will be recording as many Rock Wrens as possible in 
> the states of Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, and New Mexico as part of my 
> thesis project. I've been looking at historical presence/absence data 
> (Breeding Bird Survey, Christmas Bird Count, Breeding Bird Atlases, etc) 
> but I thought I would ask the birders where I can go to find a Rock Wren in 
> any of these states. Any information regarding where you've seen/heard Rock 
> Wrens would be very helpful.
>
> Thanks!
>
> Nadje Najar
> Greeley, CO
>

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