[cobirds] Many parulas, etc., forecast for northern Front Range tomorrow
Hello, Birders. I believe tomorrow, Wednesday, May 1st, has great potential for birders (bad for migrating birds) in the northern Front Range region. As I gaze into my crystal ball, I see Northern Parulas, a Scarlet Tanager or two maybe, and possibly a White-collared Swift. Hmm... The image is shifting... I see myself, freezing cold, standing in the snrain on the north shore of Boulder Rez... Ted Floyd tedfloy...@hotmail.com Lafayette, Boulder County, Colorado P.s. If you need inducement to go birding tomorrow, try this, from the U.S. National Weather Service: A STRONGER SYSTEM IS EXPECTED TO DROP OUT OF THE NORTHERN ROCKIES AND INTO COLORADO LATE TUESDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY NIGHT. TEMPERATURES WILL BE MUCH COLDER WITH SNOW IN THE FRONT RANGE MOUNTAINS...FOOTHILLS AND THE NORTHERN FRONT RANGE URBAN CORRIDOR...WITH A MIX OF RAIN AND SNOW TUESDAY NIGHT CHANGING INTO ALL SNOW WEDNESDAY MORNING ELSEWHERE. SIGNIFICANT SNOWFALL WILL BE POSSIBLE ESPECIALLY IN THE FRONT RANGE MOUNTAINS AND FOOTHILLS NORTH OF INTERSTATE 70. THE SYSTEM WILL EXIT THE REGION EARLY THURSDAY. CURRENTLY STORM TOTAL ACCUMULATIONS COULD BE 2 TO 6 INCHES OVER THE PLAINS...WITH HIGHER AMOUNTS THE CLOSER TO THE MOUNTAINS DUE TO UPSLOPE FLOW. FOOTHILLS AND THE NORTHERN URBAN CORRIDOR COULD SEE 5 TO 8 INCHES...AND THE FRONT RANGE MOUNTAINS MAY SEE 6 TO 12 INCHES. ALL THESE ACCUMULATIONS ARE GOING TO BE HEAVILY INFLUENCED BY THE CURRENT WARM TEMPERATURES WE ARE EXPERIENCING WHICH WILL MELT THE INITIAL SNOWFALL. HOWEVER...THE NEARBY JET WILL LIKELY INFLUENCE THE ACCUMULATIONS WITH BANDED SNOWFALL. THIS IS A VERY CHALLENGING SET-UP...ESPECIALLY WITH IT BEING MAY 1ST. STAY TUNED TO THE FORECAST FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AS IT BECOMES AVAILABLE. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups 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.
[cobirds] Colorado Rare Bird Alert, April 30, 2013
Compiler: Joyce Takamine Date: April 30, 2013 email: rba AT cfobirds.org phone: 303-659-8750 This is the Colorado Rare Bird Alert for Tuesday, April 30, 2013 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) EURASIAN WIGEON (Mesa) Barrow's Goldeneye (Eagle) Green Heron (Fremont) Glossy Ibis (Archuleta, Boulder, Kit Carson, Prowers) Broad-winged Hawk (Arapahoe, *Boulder, Douglas/Jefferson, Fremont, *Jefferson, Kit Carson, *Larimer, Las Animas, Prowers) American Golden Plover (Weld) Snowy Plover (Otero) HUDSONIAN GODWIT (Prowers) MEW GULL (*Weld) Thayer's Gull (Arapahoe, *Weld) ICELAND GULL (Arapahoe) Lesser Black-backed Gull (*Weld) Glaucous Gull (Arapahoe) Caspian Tern (Arapahoe, Jackson) White-winged Dove (Denver) ARIZONA WOODPECKER (Las Animas) Black Phoebe (Fremont) Eastern Phoebe (Baca, Boulder, Douglas/Jefferson, Fremont, Jefferson, *Morgan) Winter Wren (Las Animas) Carolina Wren (Fremont, *Prowers) Northern Waterthrush (Archuleta) Blue-winged Warbler (Prowers) Black-and-white Warbler (Pueblo) Nashville Warbler (*El Paso) Northern Parula (*Prowers) EASTERN TOWHEE (Baca) BLACK-CHINNED SPARROW (Mesa) Black-throated Sparrow (Fremont) Fox Sparrow (Jefferson) Swamp Sparrow (Baca) White-throated Sparrow (*Clear Creek, *Prowers) Harris's Sparrow (El Paso, *Morgan, Prowers) GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW (Jefferson) Northern Cardinal (*Boulder, *Morgan, Otero, *Prowers) Rose-breasted Grosbeak (*Prowers) Indigo Bunting (*Prowers) Rosy-Finches (Teller) Common Redpoll (Jackson, *Larimer) ARAPAHOE COUNTY: --A Broad-winged Hawk was reported by Strecher at Cherry Creek SP flying by the West Side Picnic Area on April 24. On April 25, Filby reported a Broad-winged Hawk in a tree near the Prairie Loop at Cherry Creek SP. --On April 24, Filby reported the following at Cherry Creek SP: 3 Thayer's Gulls, 1 Glaucous Gull, and 1 ICELAND GULL. --On April 26 at Cherry Creek SP, Teuton reported 3 Caspian Terns on the spit closest to the Marina. ARCHULETA COUNTY: --A Northern Waterthrush was reported by Beatty on a small lake along CR 600 opposite Jack's Pasture Road on April 28 --A Glossy Ibis was reported by Beatty at Navajo Lake on the mudflats of Piedra Arm south of Windsurf Beach area on April 28. BACA COUNTY: --A f EASTERN TOWHEE was reported by Komar in Cottonwood Canyon on April 26. --At Two Buttes on April 26, Leatherman reported Eastern Phoebe and Swamp Sparrow. BOULDER COUNTY: --An Eastern Phoebe was reported by Kaempfer at 75th St bridge over Boulder Creek on April 27. --A Glossy Ibis was reported by Kingswood at Cottonwood Marsh on April 24. --A Broad-winged Hawk was reported by Hansley near 75th St and Boulder Creek on April 25. --A singing Northern Cardinal was reported by Morton on Norton St in South Boulder on April 29. The bird flew around the neighborhood and sang from tree tops. --A Broad-winged Hawk was reported by Piombino where N 61st changes into N 63rd and crosses St Vrain Creek on April 29. CLEAR CREEK COUNTY: --A White-throated Sparrow was reported by Modesitt coming to feeders at 294 Mountain Ave in Empire on April 29. DENVER COUNTY: --A White-winged Dove was reported by Hudak coming to his feeders In Bear Valley on April 27 and 28. Birders are welcome to try to see the dove. Both days the bird came in around the 10 am hour in the company of 2 Eurasian Collared Doves. They come to a hanging platform feeder. The address is 3070 S. Hobart Way which is W of Sheridan off of Dartmouth Ave. The backyard can be enetered via the gate on the right hand side of the garage. There are no pets. Please stay on the patio or the benches on the right side of the yard. DOUGLAS/JEFFERSON COUNTIES: --On April 27, Kellner reported 2 Eastern Phoebes and 2 Broad-winged Hawks at Chatfield SP. One phoebe was at the foot bridge over Plum Creek and the other was at Kingfisher Bridge. Both birds were singing. One hawk was at Plum Creek and the other by the Platte River. . EAGLE COUNTY: --10+ Barrow's Goldeneyes were reported by Filby at Spring Park Reservoir on April 26. On April 28, Filby reported a pair of displaying Barrow's Goldeneyes at Spring Park Reservoir. EL PASO COUNTY: --A Harris's Sparrow was reported by Dan Maynard at Fountain Creek Regional Park on April 27. --A Nashville Warbler was reported by Goff at Fountain Creek Nature Center on April 29. FREMONT COUNTY: --On April 24, Moss reported Green Heron and Carolina Wren at Sell's Lake. --On April 27, Percival reported 2 Broad-winged Hawks along the Bluff Trail portion of Canon City Riverwalk east of Sells Pond Parking Lot; 3 Eastern Phoebes
[cobirds] Pine Siskin - west Centennial, Arapahoe County
Hello Fellow Birders, Just had a pine siskin on the feeders in my little townhouse yard in west Centennial, near Holly Arapahoe. Keep Smilin', Kevin Corwin west Centennial Arapahoe County -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups 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.
[cobirds] More on the Karval Mountain Plover Festival - Lincoln County
Hello Fellow Birders, I just want to embellish Seth Gallagher's report on the Karval Mountain Plover Festival with an account of the effort that went into finding the plovers this year. Typically we see plovers during the Friday evening tour, they're often quite approachable via the big yellow school bus and give us great looks. However, this year the Friday night tour failed to discover any plovers in the usual haunts. Saturday dawned with folks anxious to catch a glimpse of the Ghosts of the Prairie and we were certain we'd see a few on our way to the Brett Grey Ranch (TNC property) about 20 miles west of Karval. As the morning wore on the false alarms triggered by horned larks and killdeer seemed to exacerbate the situation, and the entire morning trip failed to turn up even a single plover. By noon the festival sponsors were getting quite nervous; folks had traveled from faraway places like Maryland and Canada, and even the distant country of Texas!, to see Mountain Plovers. Where were they? Much hypothesizing was done; were they not back from their wintering grounds yet? Had the drought opened up so much more bare ground that they were dramatically more dispersed? Had we all gone blind? Regardless of the reason, we simply hadn't seen any. So right after lunch the Karval Community Alliance in the form of Jeff Thornton, and Doctor Vicky Dreitz, director of the plover research project at Karval, set out on an expanding square search of Lincoln County to find the elusive birds while we tourists enjoyed our visits to various properties to discover the many other birds (and Swift Fox!) in the vicinity. Around 5pm Jeff called our bus driver to announce they had conjured up three plovers, so off we went across country (it's amazing where those folks will take a big yellow bus). Finally, there they were! The late afternoon light shown brightly off their breasts, giving us great looks. One male worked on a scrape and performed both aggression and courtship displays for us (actually for the other male and the female, but we enjoyed them, too). Though we were famished and there was a great chuckwagon dinner awaiting us in Karval, we were loathe to leave them. After all, without the plovers it is most probable none of us would have ever heard of Karval, met it's amazing people or experienced it's wonderful community. And an 87-species list for a short weekend ain't bad, either. Karval - it's great for birding. Keep Smilin', Kevin Corwin west Centennial Arapahoe county -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups 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] Little Egret ID
Hi Norm, Thanks for chiming in. I have no experience with Little Egrets, having never seen one. I do want to ask however about the discussion of back plumes. All I have to go on are the field guides (Natl Geo 6th Ed, Sibley, among others). It seems to me that in reviewing these texts, they make a point (and the pictures show it) that in breeding plumage the 2-3 plumes of the Little Egret far exceed anything we might see on the Snowy at any time of year. And they seem quite distinctive in the drawings. And match precisely my memory of what I saw on Sunday. Is your comment (Discussion of back plumes is not very helpful) meant to apply generally or at all times of the year? If one sees these distinctive plumes on a white egret, to the same degree as shown in both of the above mentioned field guides for a breeding Little Egret, is that still not enough to go on? I am just wondering if your comment was meant for times when the plumes were not distinctive and in high-breeding, or if the plumes are truly of no assistance in ID'ng a bird even in this case. I have seen, as I am sure many folks here have, hundreds of Snowy's over the years, and I don't think I have ever seen any sporting 2-3 distinctive long plumes; even in high-breeding plumage. Have you (or anyone) ever seen a Snowy Egret with 2-3 very distinct and long plumes? Perhaps this is common and I just don't know about it. Thanks for educating us. Jeff J Jones ( mailto:jjo...@jonestc.com jjo...@jonestc.com) Teller County - 8500' - Montane Woodlands From: cobirds@googlegroups.com [mailto:cobirds@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Norm Erthal Sent: Monday, April 29, 2013 10:31 PM To: cobirds@googlegroups.com Subject: [cobirds] Little Egret ID I have seen hundreds of little egrets in several countries. This includes in Trinidad and Tobago where there was one in breeding plumage with snowys present. The id is not readily apparent. Discussion of back plumes is not very helpful. They are not significantly different than on snowy. Black legs and yellow feet are of course no use as this is a primary field mark for snowy. Without a photograph, calling an egret with the field marks mentioned would lead me to say that it is a snowy. Norm Erthal Arvada -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups 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. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msg/cobirds/-/htjZjb0VUowJ. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups 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] Little Egret ID
One field mark not yet mentioned is the size of the bill. After seeing a Little Egret in MA late last year, and paying more attn to this difference than I did when seeing Little Egret in other places in the world, I'd say the larger bill is a noticeable field mark. There is also a difference in behavior as pointed out in Nat Geo and this was evident in the bird in MA. Ira Sanders Golden, CO From: cobirds@googlegroups.com [mailto:cobirds@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Jeff J Jones Sent: Tuesday, April 30, 2013 7:41 AM To: nert...@comcast.net; cobirds@googlegroups.com Subject: RE: [cobirds] Little Egret ID Hi Norm, Thanks for chiming in. I have no experience with Little Egrets, having never seen one. I do want to ask however about the discussion of back plumes. All I have to go on are the field guides (Natl Geo 6th Ed, Sibley, among others). It seems to me that in reviewing these texts, they make a point (and the pictures show it) that in breeding plumage the 2-3 plumes of the Little Egret far exceed anything we might see on the Snowy at any time of year. And they seem quite distinctive in the drawings. And match precisely my memory of what I saw on Sunday. Is your comment (Discussion of back plumes is not very helpful) meant to apply generally or at all times of the year? If one sees these distinctive plumes on a white egret, to the same degree as shown in both of the above mentioned field guides for a breeding Little Egret, is that still not enough to go on? I am just wondering if your comment was meant for times when the plumes were not distinctive and in high-breeding, or if the plumes are truly of no assistance in ID'ng a bird even in this case. I have seen, as I am sure many folks here have, hundreds of Snowy's over the years, and I don't think I have ever seen any sporting 2-3 distinctive long plumes; even in high-breeding plumage. Have you (or anyone) ever seen a Snowy Egret with 2-3 very distinct and long plumes? Perhaps this is common and I just don't know about it. Thanks for educating us. Jeff J Jones ( mailto:jjo...@jonestc.com jjo...@jonestc.com) Teller County - 8500' - Montane Woodlands From: cobirds@googlegroups.com [mailto:cobirds@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Norm Erthal Sent: Monday, April 29, 2013 10:31 PM To: cobirds@googlegroups.com Subject: [cobirds] Little Egret ID I have seen hundreds of little egrets in several countries. This includes in Trinidad and Tobago where there was one in breeding plumage with snowys present. The id is not readily apparent. Discussion of back plumes is not very helpful. They are not significantly different than on snowy. Black legs and yellow feet are of course no use as this is a primary field mark for snowy. Without a photograph, calling an egret with the field marks mentioned would lead me to say that it is a snowy. Norm Erthal Arvada -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups 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. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msg/cobirds/-/htjZjb0VUowJ. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups 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. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups 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] Little Egret ID
Leg and foot color are the most helpful marks with solid black legs and the absence of yellow stripe running up the back of the tarsus. The yellow on the feet is largely restricted to the toes. In addition the lores are paler than the iris. Here is an excellent article on the separation of Little Egret from Snowy Egret: http://www.oceanwanderers.com/LTEGRT.html Check here for a photograph (taken by me) of the first breeding record of Little Egret in Barbados: http://www.pbase.com/hopko/image/106617954 --- Rachel Hopper Ft. Collins, CO -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups 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.
[cobirds] More re Little Egret ID
Hi all For anyone interested in how to separate a vagrant Little Egret from our Snowy Egrets, a great resource is David Sibley's web page on the subject http://www.sibleyguides.com/bird-info/little-egret/finding-and-identifying-a -little-egret-among-snowy-egrets/ last updated August 2012 best wishes Dick Filby Carbondale CO -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups 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] Little Egret ID
Back plumes are not what matter. It is the plumes off the top of the head that do. These are only present in full breeding plumage. The color of the lores is very critical. I agree with Ira about the MA bird. It is ditinctive but easier to judge when in comparison to a nearby snowy. Norm - Original Message - One field mark not yet mentioned is the size of the bill. After seeing a Little Egret in MA late last year, and paying more attn to this difference than I did when seeing Little Egret in other places in the world, I'd say the larger bill is a noticeable field mark. There is also a difference in behavior as pointed out in Nat Geo and this was evident in the bird in MA. Ira Sanders Golden, CO From: cobirds@googlegroups.com [mailto:cobirds@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Jeff J Jones Sent: Tuesday, April 30, 2013 7:41 AM To: nert...@comcast.net; cobirds@googlegroups.com Subject: RE: [cobirds] Little Egret ID Hi Norm, Thanks for chiming in. I have no experience with Little Egrets, having never seen one. I do want to ask however about the discussion of back plumes. All I have to go on are the field guides (Natl Geo 6 th Ed, Sibley, among others). It seems to me that in reviewing these texts, they make a point (and the pictures show it) that in breeding plumage the 2-3 plumes of the Little Egret far exceed anything we might see on the Snowy at any time of year. And they seem quite distinctive in the drawings. And match precisely my memory of what I saw on Sunday. Is your comment (“ Discussion of back plumes is not very helpful ”) meant to apply generally or at all times of the year? If one sees these distinctive plumes on a white egret, to the same degree as shown in both of the above mentioned field guides for a breeding Little Egret, is that still not enough to go on? I am just wondering if your comment was meant for times when the plumes were not distinctive and in high-breeding, or if the plumes are truly of no assistance in ID’ng a bird even in this case. I have seen, as I am sure many folks here have, hundreds of Snowy’s over the years, and I don’t think I have ever seen any sporting 2-3 distinctive long plumes; even in high-breeding plumage. Have you (or anyone) ever seen a Snowy Egret with 2-3 very distinct and long plumes? Perhaps this is common and I just don’t know about it. Thanks for educating us. Jeff J Jones ( jjo...@jonestc.com ) Teller County - 8500' - Montane Woodlands From: cobirds@googlegroups.com [ mailto:cobirds@googlegroups.com ] On Behalf Of Norm Erthal Sent: Monday, April 29, 2013 10:31 PM To: cobirds@googlegroups.com Subject: [cobirds] Little Egret ID I have seen hundreds of little egrets in several countries. This includes in Trinidad and Tobago where there was one in breeding plumage with snowys present. The id is not readily apparent. Discussion of back plumes is not very helpful. They are not significantly different than on snowy. Black legs and yellow feet are of course no use as this is a primary field mark for snowy. Without a photograph, calling an egret with the field marks mentioned would lead me to say that it is a snowy. Norm Erthal Arvada -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups 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 . To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msg/cobirds/-/htjZjb0VUowJ . For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out . -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups 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 . -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups 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] Little Egret ID
Excellent ID info from both Ira and Rachel. Let me respond based on what I saw, or did not see in this case. . At 120 yards, and not expecting anything other than snowy or cattle egret for this size; bill-size did not stand out to me nor do I remember noting anything unusual about it. . Also, behavior is probably of no help, as this bird was perched on a snag and intermittently preening; not actively feeding. . The bird in question was facing me, so I had no look at the color of the back of the legs. Yellow feet definitely stood out against the black legs; but as to where the yellow started or stopped on the feet would have been hard to tell at that distance with binos. Of course, if Little Egret had been on my radar (especially with the possible significance of 2 plumes) I would have made a much grander effort - or any effort for that matter other than simply dismissing it as a Snowy. Still kicking myself. I am reminded now of an email, years ago, from Tony Leukering - I think - about how all should be on the lookout for those birds not yet reported here, but possible for showing up. He wondered just how many such rare finds have all too often been dismissed as similar-looking commonly-found Colorado birds. I had really expected some news from Belmar Lake this morning. I suppose at least someone went to check this out? Did anyone ever hear back from DirectionerBirder that reported this at Belmar? I also think it is reasonable to assume that IF, this is the same bird that I saw at Fountain Creek on Sunday, AND it was seen at Belmar Park on Monday; perhaps folks from Denver and further north should definitely be on the lookout and carefully scrutinizing all white egrets. Thanks to all for chiming in and providing good clues for ID. Jeff J Jones ( mailto:jjo...@jonestc.com jjo...@jonestc.com) Teller County - 8500' - Montane Woodlands From: cobirds@googlegroups.com [mailto:cobirds@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Rachel Hopper Sent: Tuesday, April 30, 2013 8:05 AM To: cobirds@googlegroups.com Subject: RE: [cobirds] Little Egret ID Leg and foot color are the most helpful marks with solid black legs and the absence of yellow stripe running up the back of the tarsus. The yellow on the feet is largely restricted to the toes. In addition the lores are paler than the iris. Here is an excellent article on the separation of Little Egret from Snowy Egret: http://www.oceanwanderers.com/LTEGRT.html Check here for a photograph (taken by me) of the first breeding record of Little Egret in Barbados: http://www.pbase.com/hopko/image/106617954 --- Rachel Hopper Ft. Collins, CO -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups 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. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups 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] Little Egret ID
Oh! Sorry – I missed that distinction Norm. To be clear, I saw two plumes off the top of the head. Jeff J Jones ( mailto:jjo...@jonestc.com jjo...@jonestc.com) Teller County - 8500' - Montane Woodlands From: nert...@comcast.net [mailto:nert...@comcast.net] Sent: Tuesday, April 30, 2013 8:23 AM To: Ira Sanders Cc: jjo...@jonestc.com; cobirds@googlegroups.com Subject: Re: [cobirds] Little Egret ID Back plumes are not what matter. It is the plumes off the top of the head that do. These are only present in full breeding plumage. The color of the lores is very critical. I agree with Ira about the MA bird. It is ditinctive but easier to judge when in comparison to a nearby snowy. Norm _ One field mark not yet mentioned is the size of the bill. After seeing a Little Egret in MA late last year, and paying more attn to this difference than I did when seeing Little Egret in other places in the world, I'd say the larger bill is a noticeable field mark. There is also a difference in behavior as pointed out in Nat Geo and this was evident in the bird in MA. Ira Sanders Golden, CO From: cobirds@googlegroups.com [mailto:cobirds@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Jeff J Jones Sent: Tuesday, April 30, 2013 7:41 AM To: nert...@comcast.net; cobirds@googlegroups.com Subject: RE: [cobirds] Little Egret ID Hi Norm, Thanks for chiming in. I have no experience with Little Egrets, having never seen one. I do want to ask however about the discussion of back plumes. All I have to go on are the field guides (Natl Geo 6th Ed, Sibley, among others). It seems to me that in reviewing these texts, they make a point (and the pictures show it) that in breeding plumage the 2-3 plumes of the Little Egret far exceed anything we might see on the Snowy at any time of year. And they seem quite distinctive in the drawings. And match precisely my memory of what I saw on Sunday. Is your comment (“Discussion of back plumes is not very helpful”) meant to apply generally or at all times of the year? If one sees these distinctive plumes on a white egret, to the same degree as shown in both of the above mentioned field guides for a breeding Little Egret, is that still not enough to go on? I am just wondering if your comment was meant for times when the plumes were not distinctive and in high-breeding, or if the plumes are truly of no assistance in ID’ng a bird even in this case. I have seen, as I am sure many folks here have, hundreds of Snowy’s over the years, and I don’t think I have ever seen any sporting 2-3 distinctive long plumes; even in high-breeding plumage. Have you (or anyone) ever seen a Snowy Egret with 2-3 very distinct and long plumes? Perhaps this is common and I just don’t know about it. Thanks for educating us. Jeff J Jones ( mailto:jjo...@jonestc.com jjo...@jonestc.com) Teller County - 8500' - Montane Woodlands From: cobirds@googlegroups.com [mailto:cobirds@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Norm Erthal Sent: Monday, April 29, 2013 10:31 PM To: cobirds@googlegroups.com Subject: [cobirds] Little Egret ID I have seen hundreds of little egrets in several countries. This includes in Trinidad and Tobago where there was one in breeding plumage with snowys present. The id is not readily apparent. Discussion of back plumes is not very helpful. They are not significantly different than on snowy. Black legs and yellow feet are of course no use as this is a primary field mark for snowy. Without a photograph, calling an egret with the field marks mentioned would lead me to say that it is a snowy. Norm Erthal Arvada -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups 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. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msg/cobirds/-/htjZjb0VUowJ. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups 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. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups 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.
[cobirds] NO EGRET (Cattle, that is)
Just biked around City Park in Denver and found no sign of the Cattle Egret that was here yesterday. Of course, that doesn't mean it's not around. Naturally, I was rewarded for my efforts with a few new year birds for my Denver County list: a grackle-attacking Cooper's Hawk, a White-breasted Nuthatch, and a Hairy Woodpecker. Bonaparte's Gulls and Greater White-fronted Goose continue. Yellow-rumped Warblers finally around. Chris Rurik Denver, CO -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups 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. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msg/cobirds/-/qYtk-Hlez0IJ. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
[cobirds] white-cr sparrow Centennial/Arapahoe
Last night just after 10 PM I heard an occasional white-cr sparrow (I believe) passing over. This night music was in comparison with the soundless sky the three previous nights. So..today I have one, and one only, white-cr sparrow (my FOS)on the ground at the base of my feeders. Still, few birds here today. We have had an out-migration the past few days. Karl Stecher Centennial near Colorado Blvd and Orchard -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups 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.
[cobirds] Additional Little vs Snowy Egret comments
I will disagree with Rachel on some ID points. I have seen Little Egrets in full breeding plumage with completely yellow feet and extending above the ankle a short ways up the tarsus very similar to Snowy. I have also seen some in nonbreeding plumage or not full breeding plumage with plumes that have yellow extending up the back of the tarsus. This is depicted in Sibley. I have also seen Little Egrets with yellow lores in full breeding. Snowy can have nearly completely black or completely black legs. I have found photos online with this link depicting that. http://www.pbase.com/dadas115/image/113268028 This link shows a Little with extensive yellow feet. http://www.naturephoto-cz.com/little-egret-photo-18164.html What this all means is how VERY dificult the ID is unless you have them side by side. For acceptance of Little Egret in Colorado, very good photos to my way of thinking would be an absolute necessity. Norm Erthal Arvada, CO -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups 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. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msg/cobirds/-/AnM_MpYdaSwJ. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
[cobirds] Eared Grebes Cowbird / S. Platte Res
On the 'new' reservoir this morning, several Eared Grebes, and one nearby Brown-headed Cowbird. A White-crowned Sparrow at the feeders in my backyard Sat and Sun. Many Tree Swallows fighting over nest boxes at Chatfield Sat. Also Yellow-rumps (Myrtle), Western Grebes, 1 Osprey, 2 Red-tails, 2 TVs. Dave Cameron Denver -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups 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. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msg/cobirds/-/mb8a0pB9cf4J. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
[cobirds] Boulder County: leucistic Sandhill Crane and Franklin's Gull
A couple of sightings this weekend that reminded me to always think outside the box about birds: Sat. AM 4/27/13 - a large and lone circling bird, not vocalizing, on the former gravel pit turned open space at US 36 and S Boulder Creek. Pale colored with dark wing tips, trailing legs, outstretched neck and straight beak ruled out Ibis and Heron species. It looked like a Whooping Crane more than anything else- but how could this be? Thanks to the Skunk Canyon birders this morning for solving the puzzle with their suggestion of a leucistic Sandhill Crane. An internet photo search showed the range of coloring of such birds so a good match. Mon. AM 4/29/13 - doing my Burrowing Owl survey (no owls spotted) out on county open space grasslands/ag property north of Broomfield off Dillon Rd. A couple of good-sized birds flapped over the prairie dog colony -- my brain started through the list of local raptors, then one let out a raucous call that required rapid mental recalibration to the gull part of the bird book. Black heads, pale breast, grey wings with black tips and a brilliant orange beak enabled us to recognize a pair of Franklin's Gulls. The rest of our sightings were more typical prairie species: Horned Lark, Say's Phoebe, and abundant Western Meadowlarks among the highlights. - Sandra Laursen, Boulder County -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups 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. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msg/cobirds/-/E6C517OJEXMJ. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
[cobirds] no white Egret at Rice's Pond at 9a Tue. :(
no white Egret at Rice's Pond at 9a Tue. :( Dave From: jjo...@jonestc.com To: r-hop...@comcast.net; cobirds@googlegroups.com Subject: RE: [cobirds] Little Egret ID Date: Tue, 30 Apr 2013 08:24:28 -0600 Excellent ID info from both Ira and Rachel. Let me respond based on what I saw, or did not see in this case. · At 120 yards, and not expecting anything other than snowy or cattle egret for this size; bill-size did not stand out to me nor do I remember noting anything unusual about it.· Also, behavior is probably of no help, as this bird was perched on a snag and intermittently preening; not actively feeding.· The bird in question was facing me, so I had no look at the color of the back of the legs. Yellow feet definitely stood out against the black legs; but as to where the yellow started or stopped on the feet would have been hard to tell at that distance with binos. Of course, if Little Egret had been on my radar (especially with the possible significance of 2 plumes) I would have made a much grander effort – or any effort for that matter other than simply dismissing it as a Snowy. Still kicking myself. I am reminded now of an email, years ago, from Tony Leukering – I think – about how all should be on the lookout for those birds not yet reported here, but possible for showing up. He wondered just how many such rare finds have all too often been dismissed as similar-looking commonly-found Colorado birds. I had really expected some news from Belmar Lake this morning. I suppose at least someone went to check this out? Did anyone ever hear back from “DirectionerBirder” that reported this at Belmar? I also think it is reasonable to assume that IF, this is the same bird that I saw at Fountain Creek on Sunday, AND it was seen at Belmar Park on Monday; perhaps folks from Denver and further north should definitely be on the lookout and carefully scrutinizing all white egrets. Thanks to all for chiming in and providing good clues for ID. Jeff J Jones(jjo...@jonestc.com)Teller County - 8500' - Montane Woodlands From: cobirds@googlegroups.com [mailto:cobirds@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Rachel Hopper Sent: Tuesday, April 30, 2013 8:05 AM To: cobirds@googlegroups.com Subject: RE: [cobirds] Little Egret ID Leg and foot color are the most helpful marks with solid black legs and the absence of yellow stripe running up the back of the tarsus. The yellow on the feet is largely restricted to the toes. In addition the lores are paler than the iris. Here is an excellent article on the separation of Little Egret from Snowy Egret: http://www.oceanwanderers.com/LTEGRT.html Check here for a photograph (taken by me) of the first breeding record of Little Egret in Barbados: http://www.pbase.com/hopko/image/106617954---Rachel HopperFt. Collins, CO -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups 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. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups 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. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups 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.
[cobirds] Larimer County: Bullock's Oriole
This morning I had my FOS Bullock's Oriole (male) in a tree top at the North Shields Pond Natural Area in Fort Collins. Other migrants of interest were a male Common Yellowthroat, a few Brown-headed Cowbirds, Orange-crowned Warbler, Say's Phoebe, and plenty of Yellow-rumped Warblers (both Myrtle and Audubon's). Regards, Kevin Keirn Fort Collins, CO -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups 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. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msg/cobirds/-/Kx2Mj1cgTWwJ. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
[cobirds] Western Grebe/Eared Grebe, Grand County
Spent four days birding in Grand Country for my birthday. Driving from Fraser, just before Granby, we stopped at a small pond with a sign Edgewater. It appears to be a private drive back from the pond. The pond is small so the birds were close for photographing. A nice stop at the start of our day. 5 Western Grebe 2 Eared Grebe Red-winged Blackbird Canada Goose Praire Falcon Osprey Bald Eagle adult Bald Eagle 2nd year 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 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.
[cobirds] No Little Egret at Belmar (Jefferson)
I ran into Jim Schmoker and his wife at Belmar, and I joined them in studying a small white heron, but alas, it looked like a perfect Snowy Egret to us. No head plumes, just the usual fluffy crest. Bright yellow lores and yellow feet, all black legs. No feeding activity observed. At about 11:00 AM the bird suddenly flew off to the west and joined another small white heron. Both flew north and out of sight. Bob Shade, Lakewood -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups 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.
[cobirds] Huerfano County Update: Broad-winged Hawks, Northern Goshawk
Was not able to post yesterday as the internet was down all day and into the wee hours of this morning. On Saturday afternoon we saw a mature Northern Goshawk flying at Spanish Peaks Wilderness Area Through this morning we have added first of the season Western Kingbird, Loggerhead Shrike, Western Wood-Peewee, Lazuli Bunting, Bullock's Oriole, Ash-throated Flycatcher, Black-chinned and Broad-tailed Hummningbird, Tennessee Warbler (finally a different warbler) and copulating Mountain Bluebirds...they have no shame...right out there on the power line! It would appear we have broken our drought on both Virginia's Warbler and Broad-winged Hawks for Huerfano County. Saw our first of each on Rouse Road on Sunday...saw two more Virginia's Warblers at Lathrop State Park this morning! Now am just hoping for major snow to break the real drought! Is it a particularly good year for Broad-winged Hawks in Colorado? Had never see one before this year and now have two in three days in Huerfano County...now if one would just come to my backyard... There are so many Evening Grosbeaks in the yard right now...it feels like an invasion. Polly Wren and Paul Neldner La Veta, CO -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups 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.
[cobirds] RFI: Black Swifts at Hanging Lake
I would like to head up to Hanging Lake to see the Black Swifts. Anyone have an idea if they'll be around soon or if they are already back or the best time of the summer to see them? Evonne Schroeder Littleton, CO -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups 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. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msg/cobirds/-/fNCpjOn7w84J. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
Re: [cobirds] More on the Karval Mountain Plover Festival - Lincoln County
You mentioned seeing a swift fox on our trip in Karvall, but I thought they said it was a kit fox. It seems like both could fit the animal we saw, does anyone know for sure which one it was? Deb Carstensen, Littleton Sent from my iPhone On Apr 30, 2013, at 7:35 AM, kevygud...@aol.com wrote: Hello Fellow Birders, I just want to embellish Seth Gallagher's report on the Karval Mountain Plover Festival with an account of the effort that went into finding the plovers this year. Typically we see plovers during the Friday evening tour, they're often quite approachable via the big yellow school bus and give us great looks. However, this year the Friday night tour failed to discover any plovers in the usual haunts. Saturday dawned with folks anxious to catch a glimpse of the Ghosts of the Prairie and we were certain we'd see a few on our way to the Brett Grey Ranch (TNC property) about 20 miles west of Karval. As the morning wore on the false alarms triggered by horned larks and killdeer seemed to exacerbate the situation, and the entire morning trip failed to turn up even a single plover. By noon the festival sponsors were getting quite nervous; folks had traveled from faraway places like Maryland and Canada, and even the distant country of Texas!, to see Mountain Plovers. Where were they? Much hypothesizing was done; were they not back from their wintering grounds yet? Had the drought opened up so much more bare ground that they were dramatically more dispersed? Had we all gone blind? Regardless of the reason, we simply hadn't seen any. So right after lunch the Karval Community Alliance in the form of Jeff Thornton, and Doctor Vicky Dreitz, director of the plover research project at Karval, set out on an expanding square search of Lincoln County to find the elusive birds while we tourists enjoyed our visits to various properties to discover the many other birds (and Swift Fox!) in the vicinity. Around 5pm Jeff called our bus driver to announce they had conjured up three plovers, so off we went across country (it's amazing where those folks will take a big yellow bus). Finally, there they were! The late afternoon light shown brightly off their breasts, giving us great looks. One male worked on a scrape and performed both aggression and courtship displays for us (actually for the other male and the female, but we enjoyed them, too). Though we were famished and there was a great chuckwagon dinner awaiting us in Karval, we were loathe to leave them. After all, without the plovers it is most probable none of us would have ever heard of Karval, met it's amazing people or experienced it's wonderful community. And an 87-species list for a short weekend ain't bad, either. Karval - it's great for birding. Keep Smilin', Kevin Corwin west Centennial Arapahoe county -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups 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. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups 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.
[cobirds] Whimbrels - Barr Lake State Park (Adams County) and others
Found 5 Whimbrels on 4/29/13 out in the fields east of the visitor's center parking lot at Barr Lake State Park. Also had 13 new year birds, including House Wrens, Chipping Sparrows, Tree Swallow, Spotted Towhee, Yellow-rumped Warblers (Both Audubon's, Myrtle, and even a few Audubon's x Myrtle), Burrowing Owls, Vesper Sparrows, Western Kingbirds, and lifer Savannah Sparrow. Also note I've seen 6 Willets in the past week at Warren Lake in Fort Collins and have had a Caspian Tern multiple days sitting out on Kechter Ponds in Southern Fort Collins (off of Strauss Cabin Rd., scope needed). Austin Hess Fort Collins, Colorado -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups 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.
[cobirds] Chatfield Banding Station CLOSED tomorrow, Wed, May 1
Just an FYI - Based on all the weather predictions about snow, rain, cold, and worse, and given that our school groups have already cancelled, we are NOT going to be open tomorrow. Looking forward to better weather and birds on Thursday.. Meredith McBurney Biologist/Bander Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory 303-329-8091 Celebrating 25 Years of Bird and Habitat Conservation -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups 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.
[cobirds] Pueblo birding 30 April
Hi all, Since it wasn't windy this morning, I decided to check out Pueblo City Park hoping for a Hermit Warbler, since one of the two that have been seen in Pueblo, was seen on this date (though there was a snow storm involved, so maybe tomorrow will be better). The best birding was along the Frisbee Golf Course creek, on the west side of the park. I quickly saw two Virginia's Warblers, two Orange-crowned Warblers, quite a few Yellow-rumped Warblers, a male Wilson's Warbler, a male Lazuli Bunting, and a male Bullock's Oriole. The rest of the park, was a bit more quiet, though I saw 40 or more Chipping Sparrows. Both Red-breasted and White-breasted Nuthatches, Bushtits, Mountain Chickadees, and Pine Siskins were present as well. Pearle and Clif, and I went over to check the Arkansas River, below Pueblo Reservoir dam, and saw hundreds of Wilson's Phalaropes, though not much else. In Rock Canyon, at the Osprey Picnic Area, there were two Cassin's Kingbirds singing loudly, and quiet a few Yellow-rumped Warblers and one Orange-crowned Warbler. On the way back to Pueblo West, I stopped at Sailboard launching area, and there were a flock of large shorebirds, both Marbled Godwits and Willets were present. Brandon Percival Pueblo West, CO -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups 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.
[cobirds] BelMar Snowy Egret, Avocets and Solitary Sandpiper
A definite Snowy Egret at Kountze Lake (Bel Mar) this evening-- full yellow feet, shaggy crest, yellow lores, hunkered-forward foraging position. Also in the NE corner of the lake, three breeding plumage Am. Avocets, and one Solitary Sandpiper foraging the shoreline near the footbridge. Bob Shade mentions earlier that the Snowy he saw joined a second small white heron-- I circumnavigated the lake and checked both small ponds adjoining, but never saw another white heron (2 black-crowned night herons and one 1st yr Great Blue). So one wonders about that second bird, though one assumes another Snowy. Dave Cameron Denver -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups 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. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msg/cobirds/-/OaOeCutx25AJ. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
[cobirds] Boulder Common Redpoll, etc.
This evening I saw and photographed a male Common Redpoll in my yard. Other interesting birds here today: Broad-tailed Hummingbird, at least 2 male and 2 female (I may have had only one male for the past week until today) Western Scrub-Jay, 1 (infrequent yard bird) Red-breasted Nuthatch, 1 Chipping Sparrow, 1 today, 2 yesterday Lazuli Bunting, 2 male Cassin's Finch, 10 (more than I've been getting) Pine Siskin, 10 (more than I've been getting) Lesser Goldfinch, 1 male green-backed (Without checking, I'm pretty sure this is earlier than usual for my yard) And, my usual foothills species. I suspect the next couple of days in the state could be interesting. David Waltman 6,000 feet, 1/2 way between Boulder and Lyons -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups 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.
[cobirds] Las animas county FOS birds
Just saw FOS: Western Tanager Lazuli Bunting(yard bird) Vireo sp. this am(singing only) This weekend's returnees included: Black-chinned hummingbird Broad-tailed hummingbird Black-headed grosbeak Violet-green swallow Barn swallow Also white-crowned sparrows, mourning doves, common grackles arrived last week. Still lots of pine siskins and evening grosbeaks at the feeders. Paul Tennery Valdez, Las Animas county, CO Sent from my iPhone On Apr 30, 2013, at 5:41 PM, Brandon K. Percival bkperci...@yahoo.com wrote: Hi all, Since it wasn't windy this morning, I decided to check out Pueblo City Park hoping for a Hermit Warbler, since one of the two that have been seen in Pueblo, was seen on this date (though there was a snow storm involved, so maybe tomorrow will be better). The best birding was along the Frisbee Golf Course creek, on the west side of the park. I quickly saw two Virginia's Warblers, two Orange-crowned Warblers, quite a few Yellow-rumped Warblers, a male Wilson's Warbler, a male Lazuli Bunting, and a male Bullock's Oriole. The rest of the park, was a bit more quiet, though I saw 40 or more Chipping Sparrows. Both Red-breasted and White-breasted Nuthatches, Bushtits, Mountain Chickadees, and Pine Siskins were present as well. Pearle and Clif, and I went over to check the Arkansas River, below Pueblo Reservoir dam, and saw hundreds of Wilson's Phalaropes, though not much else. In Rock Canyon, at the Osprey Picnic Area, there were two Cassin's Kingbirds singing loudly, and quiet a few Yellow-rumped Warblers and one Orange-crowned Warbler. On the way back to Pueblo West, I stopped at Sailboard launching area, and there were a flock of large shorebirds, both Marbled Godwits and Willets were present. Brandon Percival Pueblo West, CO -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups 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. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups 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] More on the Karval Mountain Plover Festival - Lincoln County
Deb: The critter we saw was indeed a Swift Fox, Kit Fox are pretty scarce and native to the west slope of Colorado.thanks for coming out! Seth Gallagher Fort Collins, CO -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups 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. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msg/cobirds/-/xjzL81oT7kwJ. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
[cobirds] Before the storm, Walden - Sawhills, Boulder
Cobirds: A brief just before we get plastered again by more snow. Stopped at Walden Ponds in Boulder. Everything is feeding close to or on the ground. There is a sense of desperation for the insectivores as they try to get every scrap of fat and protein, before dark. Most of this seen at Cottonwood Marsh and Duck Pond. Glossy ibis - has returned with a white faced ibis. Great study of both birds 20 feet from the boardwalk. White faced ibis - a flock of 15 more came in, feed, and then left American white pelican - 12 huddled out on a rocky spit, bills all tucked in for the night Double crested cormorant - 2 hanging out with the pelicans Great yellowlegs - 4 Lesser yellowlegs - 2 Long billed dowitcher - a group of 8 foraging over on Duck Pond Solitary sandpiper - 1 - still hanging out at Duck Pond Wilson's snipe - 4 Killdeer - 3 - numbers have dropped off All three species of teal are still here Audubon's warbler - swarms coming through - feeding like crazy Myrtle warbler - more swarms Female yellow rumps have arrived Yellow warbler - 2 breeding plumage males, frantically searching for insects on dried willow branches House wren - present Eastern kingbird - 1 at the parking lot Swarms of swallows over cottonwood marsh including: barn, violet-green, tree, and northern rough winged Bald eagle - flying over and terrifying the ducks From this last weekend: Broad tailed hummingbirds have returned to Estes and Lyons Golden eagle nest is active at Lyons Meadow Park in the cliff face Great horned owl chicks are coming off the nests in droves, while others in higher mountain regions are still on nests Melanistic fox squirrel present in Lyons Tracks of black bear, mountain lion, elk, mule deer, coyote, fox ssp, in lower foothills (Boulder County) Wild turkey and barn owl seen at Sandstone Ranch - Weld County Chorus frogs singing for over a month now Western painted turtles are out, but now back in with the cold front moving in. Reports of snakes from other hikers. Wildflowers are scant - two weeks late from last year. It'll be better in two weeks. Get your snow gear back out. John T (Tumasonis) of Louisville CO -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups 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. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msg/cobirds/-/EmdMxzAEL3IJ. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
[cobirds] Lamar (Prowers) on 30April2013
A warm day with some dust and wind in the AM, hot and calmer winds in the PM. HIGHLIGHTS Fairmount Cemetery: Scaled Quail (2 in lawn across Memorial Drive nw of cemetery entrance) Black-and-white Warbler (1f on the move, off to the southeast and out of sight) Rose-breasted Grosbeak (1f) Dark-eyed Junco (4 gray-headed) Hackberries about 100 yards se of entrance are a hotspot at present Jane Stulp's farmyard about 5 miles south of the south end of Lamar (private): Ash-throated Flycatcher (found by Jane earlier) MacGillivray's Warbler (found by Jane earlier) Harris's Sparrow (1 beautiful breeding plumage bird, found by Jane earlier) Yellow Warbler (2, found by Jane earlier) Wilson's Warbler (2, found by Jane earlier) large assortment of common sparrows including Savannah's, Brewer's, and Lincoln's) Lamar Community College Woods: MacGillivray's Warbler (2m) Nashville Warbler (1m eastern, feeding high in cottonwoods just n of Library Feeder area) Rose-breasted Grosbeak (2 young m) White-eyed Vireo (1, in currant/salt cedar thicket s of Library Feeder area) Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (2) White-throated Sparrow (1a) Carolina Wren (heard, roams around but frequents the extreme north end) Northern Cardinal (1 pair) Indigo Bunting (1m) Green-tailed Towhee (1) Brewer's Sparrow (several) Chimney Swift (several overhead) Riverside Cemetery: Dark-eyed Junco (1 gray-headed) Not much else but hackberries in sw corner worth checking during any visit, and the big White Poplars along the north edge by the ditch will be more attractive by the day. Total of 125 species seen within about a 5-mile radius of downtown Lamar since 4/22 (David Chartier's Hudsonian Godwit would be 126). Dave Leatherman Fort Collins -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups 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.
[cobirds] Gull ID Question - Cherry Creek SP, CO - Arapahoe County
I saw a gull today off of the bird observatory platform that I am not sure of the ID. Definitely larger than the Ring-billed Gulls it was near, and it seemed larger than the California Gulls that were farther off along the shore. It didn't see quite big enough to be a Herring, but size can be deceiving. I have three sad little pictures here if anyone wants to give me their thoughts. I'm going to keep my thoughts of Juvenile Thayer's to myself so I don't sound overly stupid. http://www.flickr.com/photos/breitschbirding/8697829456/in/photostream http://www.flickr.com/photos/breitschbirding/8697829310/in/photostream http://www.flickr.com/photos/breitschbirding/8696707103/in/photostream John Breitsch Denver, Colorado http://www.flickr.com/photos/breitschbirding/ -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups 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. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msg/cobirds/-/fWouInI9gY0J. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
[cobirds] El Paso County: Leucistic Eurasian Collared Dove
Another awesome bird in our yard! (never thought I'd say that about a dove.) A Leucistic Eurasian Collared Dove was hanging around for about an hour. http://www.flickr.com/photos/93843744@N06/ Aaron Driscoll Colorado Springs -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups 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.
[cobirds] Fox + Golden-crowned Sparrow - Red Rocks - Jeffco
Before 7 A.M. this morning the Lincoln's Sparrow, Slate-colored Fox Sparrow, and the Golden-crowned Sparrow appeared at the feeders behind the Red Rocks Trading Post in that order. Still have some Dark-eyed Juncos including Oregon, Pink-sided, Slate-colored and Gray headed. With the storm coming, I'm confident these birds will all remain through the end of the week. Mike Henwood Morrison Jefferson County -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups 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.
[cobirds] Chico Today
CO Birders : Aiken Audubon visited Chico Basin Ranch ( fee area ) today and found signs of migrant activity around HQ but not at the banding station. Highlights around HQ were Nashville , Virginia' ,Wilson's and Orange-crowned Warblers , Brown Thrasher and Green-tailed Towee . The banding station and Casita was slow , the best observing the capture of a Long-eared Owl , 6 of which have been around for the last two weeks. Western Kingbirds , Northern Mockingbirds are back too. We had no luck with Burrowing Owls or Mountain Plover , a complete change from Saturday where I had both , Burrowing Owls in double digits. Shorebirds were limited to a single Spotted Sandpiper , Lesser Yellowlegs and 4 Long-billed Dowitcher.Still good numbers of waterfowl. John Drummond Monument -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups 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.
[cobirds] RMBO Banding Station Report, CHAT, 4/30/13
Still slow, but at least there were a few warblers/migrants around. But most of our activity today involved catching White-crowned Sparrows and House Finches from the feeder nets. Here's today's breakdown: Black-capped Chickadee 2 Orange-crowned Warbler2 Virginia's Warbler2 Green-tailed Towhee1 Song Sparrow1 Lincoln's Sparrow 2 White-crowned Sparrow, Gambel's4 House Finch 5 new, 1 banded 5/11/10 As I mentioned in an earlier e-mail, we have already made the decision to CLOSE tomorrow, Wed, May 1. Hoping this storm doesn't do too much damage to our plants, that are finally starting to leaf out Meredith McBurney Biologist/Bander Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory 303-329-8091 Celebrating 25 Years of Bird and Habitat Conservation -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups 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] More on the Karval Mountain Plover Festival - Lincoln County
Thanks for everyone's response the the fox question! Swift fox it is! Deb Carstensen , Littleton Sent from my iPhone On Apr 30, 2013, at 7:19 PM, Seth Gallagher seth.gallag...@rmbo.org wrote: Deb: The critter we saw was indeed a Swift Fox, Kit Fox are pretty scarce and native to the west slope of Colorado.thanks for coming out! Seth Gallagher Fort Collins, CO -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups 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. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msg/cobirds/-/xjzL81oT7kwJ. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups 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.
