[cobirds] Colorado Rare Bird Alert, 16 December 2014
Compiler: Joyce Takamine Date: December 16, 2014 This is the Colorado Rare Bird Alert Tuesday, December 16 sponsored by Denver Field Ornithologists and the Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory. Highlight species include: (* indicates new information on this species). Swan spec (Boulder, Huerfano) Tundra Swan (Boulder) White-winged Scoter (El Paso, Las Animas) Black Scoter (Garfield) Surf Scoter (Fremont) Long-tailed Duck (El Paso, Huerfano, Larimer) Barrow's Goldeneye (*Douglas/Jefferson, Garfield, Huerfano) Pacific Loon (Las Animas) YELLOW-BILLED LOON (*Douglas/Jefferson, Larimer) Red-necked Grebe (*Douglas/Jefferson, Huerfano, Larimer, Las Animas, Prowers) Thayer's Gull (Adams, *Arapahoe, *Douglas/Jefferson) Glaucous Gull (*Arapahoe) Lesser Black-backed Gull (Adams, *Douglas/Jefferson, El Paso, Larimer, Park) Greater Roadrunner (Baca) COSTA'S HUMMINGBIRD (Mesa) Red-bellied Woodpecker (Logan) Black Phoebe (Mesa) Winter Wren (Baca, *Douglas/Jefferson, Otero) Bewick's Wren (Baca) Curve-billed Thrasher (Baca, Otero) Lapland Longspur (Logan) Snow Bunting (Logan) Golden-crowned Sparrow (Jefferson) Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch (Pitkin) Brown-capped Rosy-Finch (Pitkin) Rosy-Finch (Teller) PURPLE FINCH (Weld) ADAMS COUNTY: --At Barr Lake SP on December 11, Dowell reported 3 Lesser Black-backed Gulls and 2 Thayer's Gulls. ARAPAHOE COUNTY: --On December 10 at Cherry Creek Reservoir, Mlodinow reported ad Glaucous Gull and 2nd-cyc Thayer's Gull. --On December 12 at Cooley Lake, Suddjian reported ad Glaucous Gull and 1-st cyc Thayer's 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. BOULDER COUNTY: --At Valmont Reservoir on December 6, Kaempfer reported a 1st winter Tundra Swan. A swan was reported by Minner-Lee at Valmont Reservoir Complex on December 11. DOUGLAS/JEFFERSON COUNTIES: --A Red-necked Grebe was reported by Cyganowski at the Handicapped Fisherman Platform at Chatfield Sp on December 11. On December 11, Tina Jones reported Red-necked Grebe near the dame at Chatfield. On December 13, Kellner reported Red-necked Grebe best viewed from Lake View Parking Area. On December 15, Kirkpatrick reported Red-necked Grebe at Chatfield. --On December 13, Kellner reported YELLOW-BILLED LOON at Chatfield SP between Massey Draw Parking Lot and Swim Beach Parking Lot. On December 14, Mark Miller reported YELLOW-BILLED LOON and m Barrow's Goldeneye at Chatfield SP. On December 15, Suddjian and many other birders reported YELLOW- BILLED LOON at Chatfield SP. It seems to move around the reservoir. --At Chatfield on December 15, Suddjian reported 1 m Barrow's Goldeneye, 1 ad Thayer's Gull, and 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull. --At Plum Creek Nature Area at Chatfield Suddjian reported Winter Wren on December 15. EL PASO COUNTY: --On December 11, Drummond reported 2 White-winged Scoters and a Long-tailed Duck at Big Johnson. On December 13, Steve Brown reported White-winged Scoter and Long-tailed Duck at Big Johnson. FREMONT COUNTY: --On December 13, Dale Adams reported Surf Scoter at Valco Pond in Canyon City. 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. On December 13, Riffe reported 2 Black Scoters at Rifle Gap. HUERFANO COUNTY: --On December 10 at Lake Maria, Rich Miller reported a Swan spec. --At Lathrop SP on December 10, Rich Miller reported 1 m Barrow's Goldeneye, 1m Long-tailed Duck, and 1 Red-necked Grebe. JEFFERSON COUNTY: --On December 11, Mlodinow reported Golden-crowned Sparrow at Red Rocks Trading Post. LARIMER COUNTY: --A Red-necked Grebe was reported by Hopper at Rawhide Energy Plant on December 6. On December 13, Hopper reported Red-necked Grebe at Hamilton Reservoir. --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. LAS ANIMAS COUNTY: --On December 11 at Lake Trinidad SP, Rich Miller reported Pacific Loon, Red-necked Grebe, and ad m White-winged Scoter. LOGAN COUNTY: --A Red-bellied Woodpecker was reported by Kaempfer at CR 40 east of US 138 on December 13. --At North Sterling SP on December 13, Kaempfer reported hearing Snow Buntings and Lapland Longspurs in the fog. 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
[cobirds] 4-letter codes, English names, scientific names, and 6-letter codes
A couple of recent posts on cobirds prompted me to create a web-based program for matching English bird names, scientific bird names, four-letter codes derived from English names, and six-letter codes derived from scientific names. If you know one code or name, it will give you all the others. The web page for running the program is http://stockerphotos.com/BirdCodes I'd appreciate comments and suggestions for improvement. Bob Stocker Denver, 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/548FD86A.7070101%40stockerphotos.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
[cobirds] Larimer County: golden-crowned kinglets, brown creepers, hairy woodpeckers, and more
Yesterday mid-morning we walked the Overlook trail at Lory State Park and just where a small spring crosses the trail was a mixed flock. There were about 6-8 golden-crowned kinglets right in front of us, all hovering around a few scraggly junipers above the water. We first heard the high-pitched notes and then saw the flock. They were like moving Christmas ornaments, lighting up the space in the forest. There was also a brown creeper moving upside-down on the juniper branches and several black-capped chickadees. Along the same trail were 3 hairy woodpeckers chasing each other off their feeding posts. While contouring, a red-tailed hawk landed a few feet from us at the stop of a small ponderosa, not seeing us. A Townsend's Solitaire greeted us around the next corner and we spotted 2 scrub jays down the hill. A memorable walk on a chilly December morning. Libby Edwards Fort Collins Larimer 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/CABwznz%2BHv6AKXZbC9vfu7BREavYVXmTu%2Br-oWiEhj6gtg28cCw%40mail.gmail.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
[cobirds] RE: Yellow-billed Loon/Douglas
Daren O'brien reports that the Yellow-billed Loon was seen off the Handicapped Fisherman's Platform at 845am. He states the bird was near the tires and then dove moving to the west past the platform. Daren's photos can be seen at the link below: http://naturesimage.smugmug.com/Other/Yellow-billed-Loon-Chatfield/46408257_qTZ4nV Mark ChavezLakewood-Green Mtnhttp://jaeger29.smugmug.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/1926738127.2712379.1418756039479.JavaMail.zimbra%40comcast.net. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
[cobirds] "Interludes with Nature", a few spots left, the perfect gift!
- *BOULDER COUNTY AUDUBON’S* *“INTERLUDES WITH NATURE, 2015”* Proceeds from these popular field trips, now being offered for the 3rd year, benefit out Youth Naturalist Program. This year we are sending 3!! promising young students to National Audubon’s Hog Island Environmental Camp at a cost to BCAS of over $7500. *IT’S A REDTAIL UNTIL PROVEN OTHERWISE!!* *SOLD OUT!! Wait list closed, Leader, Cathy Sheeter*: Are you confused by the endless color and pattern variations displayed by our wintering raptor populations? If so, plan on joining fine nature artist and birder, Cathy Sheeter, for this January near-plains field trip. She will help you key in on important field marks while studying Red-tails, Ferruginous and Rough-legged Hawks. The planned route should also grace us with Eagles, Accipters and Falcons. Limited to 12, $35 per person, January 24, 9 a.m., back-up date, January 25. You will be notified of the meeting place. *PICNICKING WITH PRAIRIE DOGS* *1 SPOT LEFT: Will take four on the wait list, Leaders: Maureen Lawry & Ghia Zalewa:* This very special outing will be an introduction to the prairie ecosystem and the Prairie Dog’s critical role in this habitat. Join Maureen Lawry (who for 7 years has done educational outreach for children via the Prairie Saga puppet show) and biologist and Prairie Dog specialist, Ghia Zalewa, at the City of Boulder’s Waneka Open Space release site. Enjoy a gourmet picnic with stunning views of the Flatirons and a chance to see the social interaction of these charming animals. There is a good possibility that you will see other prairie natives; Falcons, Eagles, hawks, Badger and Coyotes. $50 per person, including a gourmet picnic. Limited to 12, Saturday, May 16. You will be notified of time and meeting place. *DAZZLING DRAGONFLIES REDUX* *6 SPOTS LEFT, Leader: John Barr:* Photographer and odonata aficianado, John Barr, knows the Walden/Sawhill complex intimately. Last year, he was able to find and identify almost all of the possible species of dragonflies, damselflies and spread-wings to be found in those wetlands during July. He can also give you hints for honing your insect photography skills AND identify the butterflies we see. Meet at the Cottonwood parking lot at Walden Ponds at 8 a.m. Limited to 8 lucky souls, $35 a person. July, 23. *LOVE ON A LEK, AN APRIL AFFAIR* *SOLD OUT!!, Wait list closed, Leader: Alison Holloran:* Alison is currently the Executive Director of the Audubon Rockies office, where one of her priorities is conserving habitat and forming partnerships for the protection of Greater Sage Grouse. We will visit a lek where Alison will explain conservation priorities and strategies, while we view the ritualized male displays as they try and entice the females to, “pick me”, “pick me”! After the morning’s early lek visit, you would be fed a gourmet brunch, and then have a private tour of the wildlife refuge. This will be an overnight trip, leaving on an afternoon weekday in mid-late April. Limited to 10, $50 a person. You will be responsible for one meal and overnight lodging. (We will be visiting a lek in either Arapaho National Wildlife Refuge (Walden), or near Laramie, Wyoming. Details are being worked out.) You will be notified of the time and meeting place. * SIX-LEGGED SINGERS* *SOLD OUT!!, Will take 2 on a wait list, Leader, Scott Severs: * Do you ever wonder about the buzzes, trills, rattles and clicks you hear during summer evenings? Join one of Boulder’s best all around naturalists, *Scott Severs*, for a late summer walk at dusk, when these insect songsters emerge to intone their mating choruses. We'll learn about our local species of crickets, katydids, cicadas and listen for each of their unique songs. We might even see a firefly or two. $35 per person. Limited to 10, Saturday, September 12, 6 to 9 pm. You will be notified of meeting place. *HARRIERS, BOBOLINKS & FIREFLIES: EXPLORING EFFORTS TO SAVE BOULDER COUNTY’S ISOLATED & THREATENED GRASSLAND SPECIES* *SOLD OUT!! Will take 2 on a wait list, Leader: Steve Jones:* Explore nesting habitat for some of Boulder County's most interesting and locally threatened birds with prairie naturalist and writer Steve Jones. Enjoy a fully catered picnic supper at a quiet location in northern Boulder County. Finish up with observation of flickering fireflies in our remnant tallgrass prairies. What we see will depend on which species are breeding successfully and can be safely observed, but we promise a delightful early summer evening with lots of cool critter sightings. $50 per person, limited to 12, including a gourmet picnic. Tuesday, June 30, 4-9 p.m. *BUTTERFLY DREAMS: * *THE COLORADO HAIRSTREAK* *4 SPOTS LEFT, Leaders: Jan Chu, Ellen Shannon and Gordon Revey:* Join three of the most accomplished amateur lepidopterists in Colorado, for a unique opportunity to see our Colorado State butterfly. You will
[cobirds] Larimer Landfill
Greetings All This afternoon went to Larimer County Landfill with Georgia Doyle and David Wade. My apologies to Nick Komar. The bird I had called a Thayer's Gull was an adult Iceland as he'd thought. Also, there was a bird that looked excellent for a first cycle Western Gull. Will post photos and get outside opinions shortly 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/73B11BFA-4758-4660-9341-632AE90D250A%40aol.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
[cobirds] Re: 4-letter codes, English names, scientific names, and 6-letter codes
This is really great! Thanks so much. - Chuck Lowrie, 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/msgid/cobirds/5f61a041-4192-4450-a8e7-cfd80f16115f%40googlegroups.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
[cobirds] Followup on white faced hybrid duck, Adams County
Hi all, Last Tuesday I posted about seeing an unusual white faced duck in the South Platte River at 88th and Colorado. I had guessed it might be a ruddy duck-Northern shoveler hybrid. That was unlikely, as a few people pointed out, since ruddies and shovelers have little in common. The white faced duck was actually a gadwall-shoveler hybrid and has been photographed by several people over the last few years. John Breitsch sent a link to a great photo of the duck, which he said I could share with the group (https://www.flickr.com/photos/breitschbirding/12034050915/in/set-72157616618427148). I was surprised that a gadwall-shoveler hybrid would have a white face, but apparently this is also the case in a gadwall-mallard hybrid. Mary Keithler, unincorporated Arapahoe County Sent from my iPad -- 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/FCD87A1E-C9FC-4F1E-A4D1-75CD2B574C79%40gmail.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
[cobirds] "Interludes with Nature" spots left only on the Colorado Hairstreak and Dragonfly trips
- *BOULDER COUNTY AUDUBON’S* *“INTERLUDES WITH NATURE, 2015”* Proceeds from these popular field trips, now being offered for the 3rd year, benefit out Youth Naturalist Program. This year we are sending 3!! promising young students to National Audubon’s Hog Island Environmental Camp at a cost to BCAS of over $7500. *IT’S A REDTAIL UNTIL PROVEN OTHERWISE!!* *SOLD OUT!! Wait list closed, Leader, Cathy Sheeter*: Are you confused by the endless color and pattern variations displayed by our wintering raptor populations? If so, plan on joining fine nature artist and birder, Cathy Sheeter, for this January near-plains field trip. She will help you key in on important field marks while studying Red-tails, Ferruginous and Rough-legged Hawks. The planned route should also grace us with Eagles, Accipters and Falcons. Limited to 12, $35 per person, January 24, 9 a.m., back-up date, January 25. You will be notified of the meeting place. *PICNICKING WITH PRAIRIE DOGS* *SOLD OUT!!, Will take four on the wait list, Leaders: Maureen Lawry & Ghia Zalewa:* This very special outing will be an introduction to the prairie ecosystem and the Prairie Dog’s critical role in this habitat. Join Maureen Lawry (who for 7 years has done educational outreach for children via the Prairie Saga puppet show) and biologist and Prairie Dog specialist, Ghia Zalewa, at the City of Boulder’s Waneka Open Space release site. Enjoy a gourmet picnic with stunning views of the Flatirons and a chance to see the social interaction of these charming animals. There is a good possibility that you will see other prairie natives; Falcons, Eagles, hawks, Badger and Coyotes. $50 per person, including a gourmet picnic. Limited to 12, Saturday, May 16. You will be notified of time and meeting place. *DAZZLING DRAGONFLIES REDUX* *6 SPOTS LEFT, Leader: John Barr:* Photographer and odonata aficianado, John Barr, knows the Walden/Sawhill complex intimately. Last year, he was able to find and identify almost all of the possible species of dragonflies, damselflies and spread-wings to be found in those wetlands during July. He can also give you hints for honing your insect photography skills AND identify the butterflies we see. Meet at the Cottonwood parking lot at Walden Ponds at 8 a.m. Limited to 8 lucky souls, $35 a person. July, 23. *LOVE ON A LEK, AN APRIL AFFAIR* *SOLD OUT!!, Wait list closed, Leader: Alison Holloran:* Alison is currently the Executive Director of the Audubon Rockies office, where one of her priorities is conserving habitat and forming partnerships for the protection of Greater Sage Grouse. We will visit a lek where Alison will explain conservation priorities and strategies, while we view the ritualized male displays as they try and entice the females to, “pick me”, “pick me”! After the morning’s early lek visit, you would be fed a gourmet brunch, and then have a private tour of the wildlife refuge. This will be an overnight trip, leaving on an afternoon weekday in mid-late April. Limited to 10, $50 a person. You will be responsible for one meal and overnight lodging. (We will be visiting a lek in either Arapaho National Wildlife Refuge (Walden), or near Laramie, Wyoming. Details are being worked out.) You will be notified of the time and meeting place. * SIX-LEGGED SINGERS* *SOLD OUT!!, Will take 2 on a wait list, Leader, Scott Severs: * Do you ever wonder about the buzzes, trills, rattles and clicks you hear during summer evenings? Join one of Boulder’s best all around naturalists, *Scott Severs*, for a late summer walk at dusk, when these insect songsters emerge to intone their mating choruses. We'll learn about our local species of crickets, katydids, cicadas and listen for each of their unique songs. We might even see a firefly or two. $35 per person. Limited to 10, Saturday, September 12, 6 to 9 pm. You will be notified of meeting place. *HARRIERS, BOBOLINKS & FIREFLIES: EXPLORING EFFORTS TO SAVE BOULDER COUNTY’S ISOLATED & THREATENED GRASSLAND SPECIES* *SOLD OUT!! Will take 1 on a wait list, Leader: Steve Jones:* Explore nesting habitat for some of Boulder County's most interesting and locally threatened birds with prairie naturalist and writer Steve Jones. Enjoy a fully catered picnic supper at a quiet location in northern Boulder County. Finish up with observation of flickering fireflies in our remnant tallgrass prairies. What we see will depend on which species are breeding successfully and can be safely observed, but we promise a delightful early summer evening with lots of cool critter sightings. $50 per person, limited to 12, including a gourmet picnic. Tuesday, June 30, 4-9 p.m. *BUTTERFLY DREAMS: * *THE COLORADO HAIRSTREAK* *4 SPOTS LEFT, Leaders: Jan Chu, Ellen Shannon and Gordon Revey:* Join three of the most accomplished amateur lepidopterists in Colorado, for a unique opportunity to see our Colorado State butterfly. You will
[cobirds] Yellow Billed Loon at Chatfield (Douglas County)
The Yellow-billed Loon was present at 3PM this afternoon between the ends of the spits on either side of the marina. Great views were had while the sun was shining, then as the sun was obscured by clouds, the Loon swam away and became more difficult to find. Tom Behnfield Lakewood, CO behnfi...@q.com www.flickr.com/photos/behnfield -- 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/782c28e0-231d-42ce-b3d7-5e06b1b4c58f%40googlegroups.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
[cobirds] Yellow-billed Loon @ Chatfield State Park
Cobirders, The Chatfield Yellow-billed Loon is trending of late on Cobirds. Is the rarity of this bird making it popular? A click over to the CFO website and then to the Colorado Bird Records Commitee link can quickly answer that question. An easy query of the data indicates there are currently twenty-five accepted records of the species going back to 1944. So the bird is fairly rare and would indeed be worth a detour on the trip to the grocery store in order to observe it. Interestingly, this species has been documented every year or two since 1987 after decades of no observations. Is this change attributable to the distribution of the species or the maturation of birding in Colorado? Good birding, Steve Stachowiak Highlands Ranch, 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/0f4e4327-72f1-41d3-876b-2f432c615e16%40googlegroups.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.