[cobirds] Colorado Rare Bird Alert, 12 December 2014
Compiler: Joyce Takamine Date: December 12, 2014 This is the Colorado Rare Bird Alert Friday, December 12 sponsored by Denver Field Ornithologists and Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory. Highlight species include: (* indicates new information on this species). Tundra Swan (Boulder, Park, Pueblo) White-winged Scoter (Arapahoe) Long-tailed Duck (Arapahoe, *Larimer, Park) Barrow's Goldeneye (Adams, Arapahoe, *Garfield, Park, Pueblo) YELLOW-BILLED LOON (*Larimer) Red-necked Grebe (Douglas/Jefferson, Larimer, Prowers, Pueblo) Black-legged Kittiwake (Pueblo) Thayer's Gull (Larimer) ICELAND GULL (Larimer) Glaucous Gull (Arapahoe) Lesser Black-backed Gull (Arapahoe, Boulder, El Paso, Larimer, Park, Pueblo) Great Black-backed Gull (Pueblo) Greater Roadrunner (Baca, Bent) COSTA'S HUMMINGBIRD (*Mesa) Red-bellied Woodpecker (Prowers) Black Phoebe (Mesa) Winter Wren (Baca, El Paso, Otero) Bewick's Wren (Baca) Varied Thrush (El Paso) Curve-billed Thrasher (Baca, *Otero) Pine Warbler (Boulder) Fox Sparrow (Jefferson) Golden-crowned Sparrow (*Jefferson) Northern Cardinal (El Paso, Prowers) Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch (Boulder, Moffat, Pueblo) Black Rosy-Finch (Boulder) Brown-capped Rosy-Finch (Boulder) ADAMS COUNTY: --A pair of Barrow's Goldeneyes was reported by Hutchinson on the South Platte River N of 88th on December 9. ARAPAHOE COUNTY: --On December 8 at Cherry Creek Reservoir, Walbek reported 4 Long-tailed Ducks, White-winged Scoter, Barrow's Goldeneye, ad Glaucous Gull, and 4th-cyc Lesser Black-backed Gull. BACA COUNTY: --At Carizzo Canyon Picnica Area on December 10, Leatherman reported Winter Wren, Bewick's Wren, Curve-billed Thrasher. --At Cottonwood Canyon on December 10, Leatherman reported Winter Wren. --Along CR 177.9 5 - 10 miles N of Villegreen along east rim of Chacuaco/Plum Canyons on December 10, Leatherman reported 2 Curve-billed Thrashers, 2 Bewick's Wren, and 1 Greater Roadrunner. BENT COUNTY: --2 Greater Roadrunners were reported by Dowell on CR J on December 7. BOULDER COUNTY: --On December 6, Kaempfer reported all three species of Rosy-Finches at Fawnbrook Inn -- about 100 Gray-crowned including some Hepburn's, 10 Brown-capped, and 2 Black. On December 7, Mark Miller reported all three species of Rosy-Finches at Fawnbrook Inn. --On December 6 on a pond on Hygiene Road, Kaempfer reported a 1st winter Tundra Swan. On December 9, Dowell and Nunes reported juv Tundra Swan on pond on Hygiene Road. --At McIntosh Lake on December 6, Kaempfer reported an ad Lesser Black-backed Gull. --At Valmont Reservoir on December 6, Kaempfer reported a 1st winter Tundra Swan. --A Pine Warbler was reported by Tumasonis in Louisvile in Ponderosas behind the Cinebarre Theatre at Macaslin Blvd and Dillon Road on December 6. DOUGLAS/JEFFERSON COUNTIES: --Dunning reported Red-necked Grebe at Chatfield on December 6. EL PASO COUNTY: --On December 2, David Rudin reported an ad m Varied Thrush in his backyard on the West side of Colorado Springs. On December 4, Hodges reported the Varied Thrush in Colorado Springs. For updates and to make arrangements to try to see the bird contact him at dbrudin AT yahoo.com. --On December 5, Farese reported a Winter Wren at Sondermann Park in Colorado Springs. --A f Northern Cardinal was reported by Stuart in Sondermann Park in Colorado Springs on December 9. GARFIELD COUNTY: --9 Barrow's Goldeneyes were reported by Filby at Ranch at Roaring Fork in Carbondale on December 11. --2 Black Scoters were reported by Filby at Rifle Gap reservoir on December 11. JEFFERSON COUNTY: --On December 2, Chavez reported Golden-crowned Sparrow at Red Rocks Trading Post. On December 6, Hartman reported Fox Sparrow at Red Rocks Trading Post. On December 11, Mlodinow reported Golden-crowned Sparrow at Red Rocks Trading Post. LARIMER COUNTY: --On December 6 at the Larimer County Landfill, Komar reported 5 Lesser Black-backed Gulls (mostly ad), 5 Thayer's Gulls (mostly juv), and an ad Kumlien's ICELAND GULL. --At Horseshoe Reservoir on December 3, Komar reported 1 ad Thayer's Gull and 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls (4th-cyc). On December 7, Komar reported multiple Lesser Black-backed Gulls, thayer's Gull, and possible Ad ICELAND GULL and juv ICELAND GULL. --A Red-necked Grebe was reported by Hopper at Rawhide Energy Plant on December 6. --On December 10 at Boyd Lake N of Marina, Mlodinow reported YELLOW-BILLED LOON. On December 11, the YELLOW-BILLED LOON was reported by many birders. --A f Long-tailed Duck was found by Doyle in the NW part of Horseshoe Reservoir in Loveland on December 11. MESA COUNTY: --Steve Bouricius (bouricii At earthlink.net) kindly has made arrangements to see the COSTA'S HUMMINGBIRD. Here are his instructions. The Costa's Hummingbird in Grand Junction was still present on November 16. The hosts, Larry and Twanna Cooksey, graciously welcome birders to view the bird from their courtyard at 2217 Tuscany. On December 11, Ortenzio reported that the COSTA'S HUMMINGBIRD continues
[cobirds] Fuertes's Hawk and four-letter codes
Hello, Birders. Back on Wed., Dec. 10, I saw and briefly digiscoped a bird with characters of FUERTES'S HAWK. That is not the same thing as saying I saw a Fuertes's Hawk. Location: near the intersection of 61st and Valmont, Boulder County. Here's a link to the photo and discussion: http://tinyurl.com/FuHa-12-10 Something else. From time to time on COBirds, we discuss the use of four-letter codes (a.k.a. banding codes or alpha codes). Some people hate them. Some people swear by them. Nobody is neutral. And I note that there's an interesting commentary and discussion about all of this, going on right now, at The ABA Blog: http://blog.aba.org/2014/12/open-mic-the-deal-with-alpha-codes-part-1.html I'm just the messenger. Although if you want my opinion on the use of four-letter codes in birding listserves, I'm the guy with his finger stuck far down his throat... :-) Seasons greetings to all of you! Ted Floyd Lafayette, Boulder County, 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/508aefaf-26c3-431c-b3cd-0a8442adc5ef%40googlegroups.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
[cobirds] From Red Rocks to Aurora
Greetings All Yesterday I started at Red Rocks, spreading seed out at twilight. For the first 30 minutes thereafter, juncos, the WT Sparrow and the ad GC Sparrow all came out to play. Then the jays took over. Dozens upon dozens of scrub jays dominated the place, causing minimal activity among the smaller birds. This persisted until I left after 8:30. I bought one of the KingSoopers store brands. Maybe to be avoided at Red Rocks Cherry Creek had an astonishing number of gulls and mergansers and geese. The rarest birds were Clark's Grebe, 7 LBB Gulls and 3 Thayer's Gulls. Aurora Res had tens of thousands of geese including several Snow x Canada and Snow x Cackling Geese. Also, 3 G White-fronted Geese, a few Snows and a Ross's but no Brant other such delectables. Gulls were few (except ringers) and far out. There was an adult Glaucous and a second year Thayer's there Cheers Steve Mlodinow Longmont CO Sent from my iPhone -- 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/25033FED-8356-437D-83BC-8CB5B73BA606%40aol.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
[cobirds] Red Rocks
Greetings I had the company of Michael Kessig and Dan Stringer at Red Rocks, which I failed to mention. Best find of the day. Two fun companions Steve Mlodinow Longmont Sent from my iPhone -- 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/C289E2B9-2E42-44BE-8C89-7578F8E5A68A%40aol.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
[cobirds] Yellow-billed Loon updates
Please, let us know if the Yellow-billed Loon continues to be present, and/or when it isn't there, so everyone south of Loveland, can start looking for it, on their reservoirs. One time the same Yellow-billed Loon left Chatfield Reservoir early in the morning, and ended up at Big Johnson Reservoir for a few hours, and then appear late in the day at Pueblo Reservoir! I saw it at the latter two locations that same day! Thanks, 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. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cobirds/1341391705.2993642.1418395757539.JavaMail.yahoo%40jws10683.mail.bf1.yahoo.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
[cobirds] N. Cardinal, Boulder, 12/12
Just had the neighborhood Northern Cardinal at my feeders in north Boulder this morning, making a good count week appearance. Anyone who would like to try for this beautiful bird is most welcome to join us for the Boulder CBC this Sunday. The cardinal tends to be seen along the border of two territories: the Mt. Sanitas, and territory 1, which I lead and am shamelessly trying to promote with the N. Cardinal. :-) (In case that isn't enough, the cardinal tends to be more regular at my feeders on snowy days). Hope to see you out there, Thomas Heinrich Boulder, CO nyc...@aol.com -- 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/E4F8FBBD-7B75-4501-865D-33EB6030B73C%40gmail.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
[cobirds] Yellow-billed Loon missing
I got a call saying the bird isn't being seen at Boyd Lake this morning. People should be on the lookout. Brandon K. 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. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cobirds/r05tjp2mich8ex673a1rj8kb.1418403353327%40email.android.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
[cobirds] four-letter (a.k.a. banding) codes [end of thread, for me]
COBirders, Thanks to Ted Floyd for directing us to the discussion about using four-letter codes for species names on birding list serves. We had a brief discussion about this several years ago on this list serve (because I am of a certain age I don't know now how many years ago that was). I have a vague memory that it was suggested that codes are fine, when they are used after the poster has already used the AOU name for the particular species being treated. I'm not aware that codes over the years have been much of a problem on COBirds. Leon Bright, Pueblo -- 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/002701d01631%2493e21420%24bba63c60%24%40comcast.net. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
[cobirds] Swan at Valmont Reservoir Complex, Boulder County
Birders, Found a swan on the far north edge of Valmont Reservoir that appears to be a juvenile but is just far enough out that I can't make a definitive ID. If anyone can get a better look and something definitive I'd love to know what it was. Regards, Mark Minner-Lee Superior, CO Sent from my iPhone -- 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/CA05C91A-95CF-4261-858D-C1FE3C5EB95F%40gmail.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
[cobirds] Rosy finches Teller County 12/12
At 11:45 a.m. Jeanne and I were driving south on Hwy 67 south of Divide in Teller county. We were right by the turnoff for the Crags campground when we saw a huge mixed flock of rosy finches on the power lines on the east side of the road. They flew off up the hill toward the campground. We failed to relocate them.Mel & Jeanne Goff Colorado Springs, CO Sent from XFINITY Connect Mobile App -- 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/1352142616.1794935.1418416465113.JavaMail.zimbra%40comcast.net. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
[cobirds] Big Johnson Reservoir
CO birders : I was hoping that the Yellow-billed Loon aka White-billed Diver might be at Big Johnson this afternoon . No loons of any sort but the 2 White-winged Scoters and a Long-tailed Duck remain . John Drummond 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/8D1E4821852D0DA-23E4-409A0%40webmail-va025.sysops.aol.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
[cobirds] Glenmere Park
Greetings All I spent about 3 hours birding around Glenmere Park, a neighborhood rife with coned conifers. I had, in about 3 hours 23 RB Nuts 2 Mountain Chickadees 4 Brown Creepers 12+ type 3 Red Crossbills (at intersection of 14th and 17th nne of the park) 1 male PURPLE FINCH in riparian area extending west from park The pinioned Snow Goose and 2 pinioned Cacklers are still there, tho one of the Cacklers may not be so healthy Cheers Steven Mlodinow Longmont CO Sent from my iPhone -- 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/6B2A1EC0-D7FE-4F9B-B512-F3EA14D8F916%40aol.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
[cobirds] Birding Huerfano and Las Animas Counties on 10th 11th
Dec. 10, Huerfano County 1. Lake Maria: Lake Maria often has Swans this time of the year. On the 10th there was one, however, it was too far away to name the species. 2 Lathrop State Park: Beautiful, sunny day with no wind - a rarity. On Lake Martin: Barrow's Goldeneye - 1 male Long-tailed Duck - 1 male basic Red-necked Grebe - 1 basic Dec. 11, Las Animas County 1. Lake Trinidad State Park: No boats, no hunters! Seen here: Pacific Loon - 1 basic Red-necked Grebe - 1 basic White-winged Scoter - 1 adult male - beautiful Eastern Bluebird - 2 Merlin - 1 All these locations were ice free. Rich Miller Canon City -- 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/3a86d.49209646.41bcec03%40aol.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
