[cobirds] Colorado Rare Bird Alert, 16 April 2014
Compiler: Joyce Takamine Date: April 16, 2014 email: rba AT cfobirds.org phone: 303-659-8750 This is the Colorado Rare Bird Alert for Wednesday, April 16, 2014, sponsored by the 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 (* indicates new information on this species in this report). White-winged Scoter (La Plata) Barrow's Goldeneye (Eagle, La Plata, Park) GLOSSY IBIS (Fremont) Piping Plover (Bent) Broad-winged Hawk (Boulder, Larimer) Thayer's Gull (*El Paso) Lesser Black-backed Gull (Denver, *El Paso, Larimer) Glaucous Gull (*El Paso) White-winged Dove (Boulder, El Paso, Pueblo) YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER (Boulder) American Three-toed Woodpecker (Park) Black Phoebe (Alamosa, Mesa) Eastern Phoebe (*Bent, Boulder, Chaffee, Douglas Larimer, Pueblo) SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER (Huerfano) Curve-billed Thrasher (El Paso) LUCY'S WARBLER (*Montezuma) Northern Parula (*El Paso) YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER (*El Paso) Black-and-white Warbler (*Bent, Prowers) Field Sparrow (Logan) Fox Sparrow (Eagle, Jefferson, Pitkin) Swamp Sparrow (Weld) White-throated Sparrow (Logan) Harris's Sparrow (*Delta, Garfield, Pueblo) GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW (Boulder, Jefferson) Northern Cardinal (Boulder) Rusty Blackbird (Boulder) ALAMOSA COUNTY: --A Black Phoebe was reported by Rawinski in Alamosa at the Frisbee Golf course parking lot on April 14. Take the trail going SE along the levee. BENT COUNTY: --Duane Nelson reported that Piping Plovers have returned to their nesting habitat at John Martin Reservoir on April 12. If you would like to try to see the birds contact Duane at dnelson1 AT centurytel.net. --A m Black-and-white Warbler was reported by Duane Nelson at Tempel Grove and a pair of Eastern Phoebes were building a nest under the bridge on CR 35 on April 15. BOULDER COUNTY: --Severs reported that the GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW continues at the Teller Farm Parking lot by the windbreak on March 27. On April 10, Waltman reported that the GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW continues at the windbreak by the Teller Farm Parking Lot. --An Eastern Phoebe was reported by Starace at Walden/Sawhill Ponds in Boulder on April 7. --An ad m YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER was reported by Dowell in lower Skunk Canyon near the fence line between NOAA property and neighborhood along Dartmouth Ave in Boulder on April 8. --A singing male Rusty Blackbird was reported by Dowell at Walden/Sawhill in Boulder on April 9. --An Eastern Phoebe was reported by Waltman on the CU East Campus in Boulder on April 10 and by Moore on April 12. --On April 10, Nunes reported that the male Northern Cardinal was singing in the area beyond the end of Hawthorn in Boulder. --A singing White-winged Dove was reported by Pieplow in the NW corner of Gunbarrel Commons Park on April 11. --A singing White-winged Dove was reported by DeFonso at 4th and Cedar on April 11. --A Broad-winged Hawk was reported by Floyd in Boulder near the intersection of 28th and Iris on April 14. CHAFFEE COUNTY: --An Eastern Phoebe was reported by Norbu at Sands Lake SWA in Salida on April 11. DELTA COUNTY: --Garrison reported that the Harris's Sparrow continues to visit the feeder at the FS office in Paonia on April 14 and April 15. DENVER COUNTY: --A Lesser Black-backed Gull was reported by Tina Jones at Marston Reservoir on April 11. DOUGLAS COUNTY: --A singing Eastern Phoebe was reported by Kibbe at Chafield SP on March 28. It was singing in a tree adjacent to Phoebe Bridge over Plum Creek. On April 7, Suddjian reported the singing Eastern Phoebe at Plum Creek on the east side of the picnic area. EAGLE COUNTY: --A pair of Barrow's Goldeneyes and a singing Fox Sparrow were reported by Filby on the Frying Pan River near Basalt on April 11. EL PASO COUNTY: --A White-winged Dove was reported by Farese at Fountain Creek RP near the Nature Center on April 6. --A Curve-billed Thrasher was reported by Drummond by the banding station at Chico Basin Ranch (fee area) on April 11. --A YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER was reported by Stuart at the banding station at Chico Basin Ranch (fee area) on April 13. On April 14, Maynard, Percival, and Walbek refound the YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER by the banding station at Chico Basin Ranch. --At Big Johnson on April 14, Mark Peterson reported 2-nd cyc Glaucous Gull, 3-rd cyc Lesser Black-backed Gull, and 1-st cyc Thayer's Gull. --A Northern Parula was reported by Tyler Stuart along the creek on the south side of Sinton Pond in Colorado Springs on April 15. FREMONT COUNTY: --A GLOSSY IBIS was reported by Moss in Florence on April 12. GARFIELD COUNTY: --Filby reported on April 11 that his yard Harris's Sparrow in Carbondale is now singing daily. If you would like to
[cobirds] Northern Parula, Sinton Lake, Colo Springs, STILL THERE
The Northern Parula remains as of 7AM Wednesday morning, 16 April. Tyler's directions in another post are excellent, or you can put 3630 Sinton Road in your GPS, park in their lot, and walk across the street to the lake. Due south of the lake, just downhill from the bank (50 feet from the water) is a lone, short-needle pine of some sort (sorry I don't know my trees well enough). 40 feet south of that tree is a patch of 3 foot-tall willowy stuff. The Northern Parula was in that area this morning. It does not respond to pishing, but at 15-minute intervals it just sort of popped up, flitted around, then popped back down making friends with a couple of song-sparrows in the area. Full breeding plumage. Rick Taylor Colorado Springs, El Paso 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/msgid/cobirds/36442205-fece-48e6-89a4-b5373e71f49c%40googlegroups.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
[cobirds] Savannah Sparrow - Cherry Creek SP - Arapahoe
Date: 16 April 2014 Time: 0700-0830 Location: Cherry Creek State Park - Wetland Preserve area Yesterday I thought I had some Savannah's out at Jackson SP, but I couldn't get a better look at them, so I didn't count them. Today I saw four of them for sure at Cherry Creek. It was nice to see them back. Other birds in the area were Barn and Violet-green Swallows (VG's by 12 mile Trail), Blue-winged Teal, Yellow-headed Blackbirds, Black-crowned Night Herons, a Greater Yellowlegs, calling pheasants and rails, Osprey, Sharp-shinned Hawks, and more of the usual stuff. Also yesterday, just as a side note, I visited the known longspur location in Washington county along road KK north and south of CR20. It was early, but I was out that way. I did have McCown's out there amongst the many Horned Larks. Savannah Sparrow https://www.flickr.com/photos/breitschbirding/13896531653/in/photostream/ John Breitsch Denver, Colorado https://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/msgid/cobirds/ca61a32f-5394-4f3c-85f6-e7380324c6ff%40googlegroups.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
[cobirds] FW: Roaring Fork Wednesday
Hi all.. Denise just called from Snowmass ski area, Pitkin Cty - three White-tailed Ptarmigan by the Cirque Poma lift (about halfway up the lift). Back here at home the Harris's Sparrow continues, as do the Pinyon Jays, and a single Lincoln's Sparrow. Good birding all Dick Filby Carbondale, Garfield Cty -- 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/msgid/cobirds/BLU0-SMTP1758521193FBA577D174AA9B2530%40phx.gbl. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
[cobirds] HSR: Dinosaur Ridge (16 Apr 2014) 32 Raptors
Dinosaur Ridge Colorado, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Apr 16, 2014 --- SpeciesDay's CountMonth Total Season Total -- --- -- -- Black Vulture0 0 0 Turkey Vulture 15 68 71 Osprey 0 1 1 Bald Eagle 0 0 25 Northern Harrier 0 2 2 Sharp-shinned Hawk 2 20 25 Cooper's Hawk2 29 44 Northern Goshawk 0 1 1 Red-shouldered Hawk 0 0 0 Broad-winged Hawk0 0 0 Red-tailed Hawk 7 74204 Rough-legged Hawk0 2 9 Swainson's Hawk 0 0 0 Ferruginous Hawk 0 1 9 Golden Eagle 0 3 10 American Kestrel 5 54 68 Merlin 0 2 2 Peregrine Falcon 0 1 3 Prairie Falcon 0 1 6 Mississippi Kite 0 0 0 Unknown Accipiter0 12 14 Unknown Buteo0 8 13 Unknown Falcon 0 1 1 Unknown Eagle0 0 0 Unknown Raptor 1 3 7 Total: 32283515 -- Observation start time: 08:45:00 Observation end time: 14:45:00 Total observation time: 6 hours Official Counter:Roger Rouch Observers:Rob Reilly Visitors: A younger gentleman stopped just as I was leaving and promised to return. He was quite interested and a former Audubon Society employee. Weather: A clear mild morning with winds from the N and NW. Increasing clouds through the day with the wind shifting and from the E and NE. Temperatures rising from 47F in the morning to 53F. Morning winds were gusty and averaging about 4 Bft. with lighter winds after noon. Raptor Observations: The majority of migrating raptors were Turkey Vultures as singles and small groups, which were tracked as far from south to north as possible, as there were also several local Turkey Vultures. Local TV's wandered up and down the ridge and circled Mt Morrison and Rocky Ridge. Morning migration was mostly close and along the ridge with afternoon migration mostly high and often to the west. Playful local Red-tails to the east and circling Cabrini. Non-raptor Observations: Observed or heard: Northern Flicker, Spotted Towhee, Western Bluebird, Scrub Jay, Bushtit, Black-billed Magpie, Dark-eyed, Junco, and Common Raven. A group of four American Pelican passed directly over the ridge travelling north at moderate elevation and many White-throated Swift buzzed up and down the ridge much of the day. Predictions: Evening storms could offer a totally different day, but still anticipate a decent peak season tally? Report submitted by Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory (jeff.bi...@rmbo.org) Dinosaur Ridge information may be found at: http://www.rmbo.org/ Site Description: Dinosaur Ridge is the only regularly staffed hawkwatch in Colorado and is the best place in the world to see migrating Ferruginous Hawks. Dinosaur Ridge may be the best place in the country to see the rare dark morph of the Broad-winged Hawk (a few are seen each spring). Hawkwatchers who linger long enough may see resident Golden Eagles, Red-tailed Hawks and Prairie Falcons, in addition to migrating Swainson's, Cooper's and Sharp-shinned Hawks, American Kestrels and Turkey Vultures. Peregrine Falcons and Ferruginous Hawks are uncommon; Northern Goshawk is rare but regular. Non-raptor species include Rock Wren, and sometimes Bushtit, Western Bluebird, Sandhill Crane, White-throated Swift, American White Pelican or Dusky Grouse. Birders are always welcome. The hawkwatch is generally staffed by volunteers from the Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory from about 9 AM to around 4 PM from the first week of March to the first week of May. Directions to site: From exit 259 on I-70 towards Morrison, drive south under freeway and take left into first parking lot, the Stegosaurus lot. Follow small signs from the south side of lot to hawkwatch site. The hike starts heading east on an old two-track and quickly turns south onto a trail on the west side of the ridge. When the trail nears the top of the ridge,
[cobirds] Yellow-throated Warbler continues at Chico Basin Ranch, El Paso County
Hi, Cobirders. On a day when winds were howling, eleven of us ventured out to Chico Basin Ranch. Several of our folks scored Life Birds today. The Yellow-throated Warbler and Burrowing Owl were lifers for several in the group. Highlights: Yellow-throated Warbler at the banding station area, along with Ladderback Woodpeckers, and a Mountain Chickadee. Other El Paso goodies included Sage Thrasher, and Northern Mockingbird. In Pueblo county we had Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs, all 3 teals, a flock(?) of Bobwhite, a Merlin, and EIGHT PEEPS (the blue sugary kind). We also got to see several Burrowing Owls flying low over a prairie dog village, and Jeanne and I saw a Greater Roadrunner. Best birds at the Squirrel Creek Road pond were two Semipalmated Sandpipers, a few Franklin’s Gulls, and several American Avocets. At Big Johnson we had a beautiful Common Loon, a Clark’s Grebe, a group of Bonaparte’s Gulls, and a Herring Gull. Here comes migration, y’all. Mel Goff 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. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cobirds/6D5A9610360241528A65157E0716158C%40MelDesktop. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
[cobirds] White Pelicans in Longmont (Boulder County)
I was treated yesterday (4/15) to the sight of 26 White Pelicans congregating on Fairgrounds Lake in Longmont (Hover and Rogers Road). There were still quite a few of the Fabulous Fliers today, either on the water or soaring overhead. Kat Bradley-Bennett Longmont -- 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/msgid/cobirds/65a05ca2-27a9-4010-aa84-ed2eace98c17%40googlegroups.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
[cobirds]
Cobirders, Judy Scheig and I wanted to see the creek at Crow Valley today. There weren't many birds at the campground -- W. Meadowlark, Chipping Sparrow, N. Harrier, E. Collared-Dove. The Field Guides group had Townsend's Solitaire. We then drove the grassland, knowing it was too early to see much besides Horned Larks. Heading S on CR 69, though, we found four McCown's Longspurs and two Long-billed Curlews. We then drove CR 105 to Jackson Lake and encountered a flock of hundreds of McCown's. Nothing much at Jackson Lake. It was windy and cold. But we had a couple of pairs of Wood Ducks in the ponds near the river crossing on 144. Kent Nelson Ouray -- 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/msgid/cobirds/1397690137.50767.YahooMailNeo%40web121102.mail.ne1.yahoo.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
[cobirds] Ash-throated Flycatcher, Larimer County
This morning I made a short stop at Arapaho Bend Natural Area in Fort Collins and saw several butterbutts (yellow-rumped warblers) and about 30 violet-green swallows flying catching insects. The great surprise was a new bird but a cooperative one so I could positively ID it, an ash-throated flycatcher. It was catching insects at the lower edge of the cottonwoods and I watched it scoop a large insect, maybe a grasshopper, into its beak and land. Dave, it was unmistakable with the size, color, and markings. Libby Edwards 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. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cobirds/CABwznzJDb4adpYkoUs0qhJRMhAuft7ZrwCaAdzSBH16Pi-jWtQ%40mail.gmail.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
[cobirds] HSR: Dinosaur Ridge (15 Apr 2014) 18 Raptors
Dinosaur Ridge Colorado, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Apr 15, 2014 --- SpeciesDay's CountMonth Total Season Total -- --- -- -- Black Vulture0 0 0 Turkey Vulture 5 58 61 Osprey 1 2 2 Bald Eagle 0 0 25 Northern Harrier 0 2 2 Sharp-shinned Hawk 3 21 26 Cooper's Hawk3 30 45 Northern Goshawk 0 1 1 Red-shouldered Hawk 0 0 0 Broad-winged Hawk0 0 0 Red-tailed Hawk 3 70200 Rough-legged Hawk0 2 9 Swainson's Hawk 0 0 0 Ferruginous Hawk 0 1 9 Golden Eagle 0 3 10 American Kestrel 1 50 64 Merlin 2 4 4 Peregrine Falcon 0 1 3 Prairie Falcon 0 1 6 Mississippi Kite 0 0 0 Unknown Accipiter0 12 14 Unknown Buteo0 8 13 Unknown Falcon 0 1 1 Unknown Eagle0 0 0 Unknown Raptor 0 2 6 Total: 18269501 -- Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 15:00:00 Total observation time: 7 hours Official Counter:Claude Vallieres Observers:Paul Slingsby, Tom Dennehy Visitors: Gisela Billmayer, a Jeffco Open Space Nest Monitoring volunteer, was accompanied by Don Milsten arrived with Tom Dennehy whom the had met on the hike up. All spent the afternoon with us. Weather: Morning weather was cool with temperatures in 30s to 40s F. with heavy cloud cover in 90%-100% range throughout the day. At noon the sun shed its light through the clouds bringing warmth and rising temperatures to the low 60s F. Little to no wind in a.m. Around noon light winds from the S/SE brought out a thaw in migrating activity. Raptor Observations: Cool morning temperatures kept migrators grounded except for 2 Merlins during the first hour, flying the same flight line within 10-15 minutes of each other. Around noon favorable S/SE winds and warming temperature brought a flurry of 7 migrating raptors which included 1 Osprey, 1 Turkey Vulture, 3 cooper's Hawks and 2 Red-tailed Hawks. Other migrants included 3 Sharp-shinned Hawks one of which caught prey close by the observation sight, 1 female American Kestrel and 4 additional TVs,one being a juvenile, and 1 additional Red-tailed for a day's total of 18 migrants. Non-raptor Observations: The usual array of local raptors and other regular birds were seen and included: 1 male American Kestrel, 1 female American Kestrel, several TVs, Sharp-shinned Hawks, Cooper's Hawks and several Red-tailed Hawks, many displaying extended talons and aerial dives before coming to an abrupt sailing/still position in the wind. 2 migrating Great Blue Herons soared above the ridge for a period of time before flying North. Most notably was a lone Crane, presumably a Sandhill, flew around beyond Mt Morrison, heading South. Other birds included White- throated Swifts, Violet-green Swallows, Mt. Chickadees, Juncos, Black-billed Magpies, Northern Flickers, Mt. Bluebirds, Western Meadowlarks, Spotted Towhees, Ravens, Townsend's Solitaire and Western Scrub Jays. Elk were on the Cabrini Ridge and a lone Mule deer fed on the Dino Ridge. Predictions: Cooler temperature and winds are predicted for tomorrow with late day rain/snow showers will likely have an impact on migration. Report submitted by Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory (jeff.bi...@rmbo.org) Dinosaur Ridge information may be found at: http://www.rmbo.org/ Site Description: Dinosaur Ridge is the only regularly staffed hawkwatch in Colorado and is the best place in the world to see migrating Ferruginous Hawks. Dinosaur Ridge may be the best place in the country to see the rare dark morph of the Broad-winged Hawk (a few are seen each spring). Hawkwatchers who linger long enough may see resident Golden Eagles, Red-tailed Hawks and Prairie Falcons, in addition to migrating Swainson's, Cooper's and Sharp-shinned Hawks, American Kestrels and Turkey Vultures. Peregrine Falcons and
