[cobirds] Colorado Rare Bird Alert for Saturday July 12

['Allison Hilf' via Colorado Birds]

Compiler:  Allison Hilf
Date: July 12, 2014
email: r...@cfobirds.org

This is the Colorado Rare Bird Alert for Saturday, July 12 sponsored by Denver 
Field Ornithologists and Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory. 

Highlight species include: (* indicates new information on this species).

Red-necked Grebe (*Jackson)
Green Heron (Mesa)
EASTERN WOOD-PEWEE (Larimer)  
Black Phoebe (Boulder)
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher (Baca)(Prowers)
Blue-winged Warbler (Jefferson)
Ovenbird (Jefferson)
Black-throated Sparrow (Pueblo)

Migration notes: 
Rufous and Calliope Hummingbirds are humming in the Centennial State, in small 
numbers.
Shorebirds are starting to come through.

BACA COUNTY:
--Janeal Thompson reported a Scissor-tailed Flycatcher at a private residence 
on July 2. She kindly provided her email address (prairiestarflo...@gmail.com) 
so you can contact her and seek permission to visit.

BOULDER COUNTY:
--On June 30 Starace noted that a Black Phoebe (with an Eastern Phoebe) 
continued at the 75th St. crossing of Boulder Creek. A Black Phoebe has been 
hanging out along the creek since the spring.

JACKSON COUNTY:
--On July 11 Hundertmark reported that the pair of Red-necked Grebes continues 
incubating egg(s) on Lake John. 

JEFFERSON COUNTY
--0n July 7 SuddjianI reported 3 singing Ovenbirds along Pleasant Park Run , 
and High Grade (2 perhaps repeats previously noted, but one in a new spot). The 
Pleasant Park Run were with Aspen, while the High Grade birds were in oak 
dominated areas with nice understory.
--A Blue-winged Warbler was discovered by Jones at Welchester Tree Grant Park 
on May 22, to the delight of  many. It was most recently reported by Leatherman 
on June 26. Please let me know of any sightings or visits there with negative 
news.

LARIMER COUNTY:
--A singing EASTERN WOOD-PEWEE was reported by Mammoser on the Poudre River 
Bike Trail north of Prospect Road on June 26 and was most recently reported by 
Leatherman on July 6.  The bird started singing on a regular basis about 8:20am 
west of the bike trail on the west side of the river in a lush tall cottonwood 
grove west of the Cattail Chorus sign (Yellow-headed Blackbird on this sign) 
and spur trail that goes west from the main trail up to benches on a little 
hill.

MESA COUNTY:
--Kaempfer reported a Green Heron from James M. Robb Colorado River State 
Park--Connected Lakes section on July 3.

MPUEBLO COUNTY:
--Knight reported 3 Black-throated  Sparrows on July 5 near Pueblo West.  
Percival reported them again on July 8.  The sparrows were found by parking at 
Liberty Point in Pueblo West at the end of Purcell Blvd. The rest involves a 
hike that isn't for those who are out of shape. Take the trail off to the right 
before the flag pole and memorial. Proceed to the bottom of the cliff keeping 
to your right. You will pass a cement "well" just before merging with a now 
unused dirt road which heads WNW to a distant pass in the cliff. The first 
arroyo with slab rocks is where the sparrows were.

PROWERS COUNTY:
Miller reported a Scissor-tailed Flycatcher on July 8 on Rte 67, Is was seen 
flying alongside the highway. It was seen 0.75 miles north of the Custer County 
line.  

DFO Field Trips:
The DFO Field Trip for Saturday, July 12 is to Riverside Cemetery/Platte River, 
led by Kevin Corwin.  There is a limit of 12 people-- preregister with leader 
at kevygud...@aol.com (preferred); home phone 720-482-8454.
Meet at Riverside Cemetery at 8 a.m. for trip ending at noon.  Entrance is at 
5201 Brighton Blvd in Denver.  The gates open at 8, so if they're closed when 
you arrive, park off yo the side to allow the cemetery workers to get through, 
and ensure you're not parked on the mainline railroad tracks that cross the 
entry drive.  We will park next to the main office building, which is on the 
right as you enter the property.
This will be an easy hike on flat terrain.  The lanes in the cemetery are dirt, 
so they could be muddy if there's been a recent rain.  We'll cover 1-3 miles, 
depending on the birds, weather, etc.  Bring water, sunscreen, insect 
repellant, head gear, and optics.  Restrooms available in the maintenance 
building next to the office building.

The DFO field trip for Sunday, July 13 will be to Cherry Creek Wetlands Loop 
led by Karen von Saltza (cell 303-941-4881).  Meet the leader a 0800 at the 
Prairie Loop lot in Cherry Creek SP.  From either park entrance, follow Lake 
View Rd. to the Prairie Loop that is located at the south rim of the reservoir. 
 State Parks Pass or day pass required.  
This half-day walk passes through most of the important habitats found in the 
park over a distance of about 3 miles.  Trails could be slippery or muddy, so 
dress accordingly in layers and boots.  Beginning birder's welcome.  Bring 
water and snacks; lunch is optional  No registration required.  Note: this is a 
regularly conducted trip the second Sunday of each month, Cosponsored with  
Audubon Society of Greater Denver.

Good Birding,
A

[cobirds] Am. Redstart & Red-eyed Vireo, Boulder, 7/12

[Scott E. Severs]

Hi Folks,

These previously reported birds are still present near the S. Mesa
Trailhead along S. Boulder Creek. Both detected first by song this AM,
plus many other summer residents.

Good birding!

Scott E. Severs
Longmont, CO

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[cobirds] Bullocks Oriole Weld county

[Norma J. Erickson]

The Bullocks Orioles are coming to eat from the Trumpet vine. He surely is 
pretty in the green with orange-red flowers. 
Norma Erickson
Weld county
North of Greeley
Along HWY 392

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[cobirds] Ken Caryl Valley (Jefferson) - more on Ovenbirds

[David Suddjian]

On July 10 and July 11 I walked a significant portion (but not all) of the
trails at Ken Caryl Ranch (KCR) that provide access to likely Ovenbird
habitat. (Note: access to these trails is only open to KCR residents). This
included all or parts of Bradford Trail, Lost Canyon Trail, Shaffer Trail,
High Meadow Trail and Massey Draw Trail. On these dates I encountered 22-23
singing Ovenbirds, plus 4 other adults not singing, two of which were
feeding 3 begging recently-fledged juveniles (two different broods, in
different spots). All were in drainages that flow east from the first main
ridge of the Front Range (mostly Massey Draw and its tribs), but a female
feeding a fledgling was just over the ridge line in the Turkey Creek
watershed.

Now a bit of a summary of my Ovenbird observations in this area from May 24
through July 11.
During that time span I made an effort to visit most (maybe 85%) of the
likely Ovenbird habitat at KCR (some away from trails). I also detected
Ovenbirds along roads in the Deer Creek watershed while making
opportunistic stops along West Deer Creek Canyon Road, South Deer Creek
Road, High Grade Road and Pleasant Park Run. Coverage in the Deer Creek
watershed was just spotty roadside stops and was in no way thorough.

I found Ovenbirds to be widespread and fairly common in proper settings. My
overall totals (trying to account for birds counted on more than one date)
were 60-64 singing Ovenbirds, 7-8 other adult ovenbirds, and 3 juvenile
Ovenbirds. Breeding evidence observed was carrying nest material (May 31
and June 17), carrying food (July 10 and July 11), and feeding young (July
10 and July 11).

I encountered Ovenbirds at KCR at elevations ranging from about 6,500 -
7350 feet. Suitable habitat is lacking at elevations below 6,500 at KCR,
and not much of the Ranch is above 7,350. While Ovenbirds in the Deer Creek
watershed ranged at least as high as 8,200 feet.

The great majority of Ovenbirds were found along drainages or on side
slopes within 150 yards of the drainage channel. Deer Creek is perennial,
but the drainages in KCR are all seasonal except for a section of Massey
Draw. Most are dry by late June.  The prime setting seems to be moist
forest with a mixture of aspen and Douglas-fir, or aspen stands
significantly bordered by Douglas-fir. Some birds were in areas dominated
by Gambel oak (occasionally only oak, but more often with some Douglas-fir
and Ponderosa pine). One spot had Douglas-fir as the only overstory tree,
no aspen, but an understory of some species of maple and some species of
hazelnut. Good understory development was characteristic off all spots
where I found ovenbirds.

Totals by Area:
Ken Caryl Ranch - 48-51 singing, 7-8 other adults, 3 juv.
Deer Creek - 12-13 singing

This has been fun for me, coming from CA where Ovenbird encounters are
rare, and I'm excited that I ended up living at KCR where I can enjoy these
birds regularly during the nesting season. They are one among many good
excuses for a hike in the woods!

David Suddjian
Littleton, CO

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[cobirds] Early Sanderling at Lake Meredith, good # Burrowing Owls in n. Otero Co.

[SeEttaM .]

Late report--I birded Lake Meredith, Lake Henry and Lake Holbrook on
Tuesday to see what early shorebirds may have stopped over and what other
birds were around (on an unusually cool so enjoyable birding day with temps
only going to 82 in the lower Ark Valley).  At Lake Meredith I found an
early Sanderling transitioning from alternate to basic plumage--and very
different looking from what we usually see here as it was mostly in
alternate plumage.  I got some very good photos of this bird that I have
uploaded to my Birds and Nature blog. 
Only other shorebird there was a Killdeer (tho most of the lake is
surrounded by private property and not viewable).  Lake Henry had only a
couple of Killdeers for shorebirds. A pair of Western Grebes were doing
their stereotypical breeding moves. Lake Holbrook had 2 Greater Yellowlegs.

On the drive to Lake Holbrook I spotted a very good number of Burrowing
Owls--15 from a quarter mile of road, on both sides of the road from at
least 4 burrows.  All of the lower Arkansas Valley has been in a
exceptional drought for the past 5 or 6 years and this year some parts of
the area have had some rains to at least reduce the drought conditions
which likely allowed this small increase in nesting.  I also posted some
photos of the Burrowing Owls on my blog.

More on another species I found later.

SeEtta Moss
Canon City
http://BirdsAndNature.blogspot.com

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[cobirds] Grosbeaks, Buntings and Bears.....oh my. Chatfield State Park, Douglas CO

[Matt Crooks]

I made my regular quick trip to Chatfield this morning to see if I could 
find anything new and exciting.  My favorite area is near Plum Creek 
because there are rarely any other people around.  I spotted a blue 
grosbeak, a lazuli bunting (near deer creek inlet on the way in) and the 
usual assorted flycatchers.

As I was catching some good shots of the Eastern Phoebes while standing on 
the footbridge over Plum Creek, kind of zoning out to the sound of Chats, 
and Wrens.  I noticed some movement on the bridge no more than 20 ft from 
me.  To my surprise, it was a black bear.  He was literally on the bridge 
with me by the time a finally noticed him coming toward me.  He looked like 
a youngster, but fortunately not so young as to have momma next to him.  A 
was able to get some good photos before I backed away and let him have at 
it.

http://www.cheezwhizdom.com/categories/recent/index.html


Eastern Phoebes are cool and all...but not cool enough to fight him for the 
prime spot on the bridge.  Since it was only almost noon, my teenage son 
who usually joins me was still sleeping.  Must be rough.


Matt Crooks   Littleton, CO
www.cheezwhizdom.com

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