[cobirds] Larimer County Gulls (Great Black-backed Gull)
I visited the local gull hotspot this evening (5:45-7 pm) and was not disappointed, as 800 gulls lounged on the mudflats and shallow waters of Horseshoe Lake's southwest corner, located in northeast Loveland, just west of Boyd Lake State Park. Most (95%) of these gulls are staging adult California Gulls which will eventually move out to a nearby nesting colony, either in Jackson or Weld County. Today, there were about 35 (4%) Herring Gulls, many in adult breeding plumage. There were 8 (1%) Lesser Black-backed Gulls, half of which were in adult breeding plumage, and half immature of various ages. Amazingly, there were only 2 Ring-billed Gulls, which apparently have moved out in search of greener pastures, literally. And last, but certainly not least, was a first-cycle Great Black-backed Gull. One had been reported here about a month ago which I had missed, so I was especially happy to see it. A photo of this monster of a gull is below, on the right, with Herring and California Gulls to its left. There was no sign of the first spring Mew Gull or the adult Franklin's Gull which have been tripping the eBird rarity filter all month. You can view these birds through a telescope from a city utility easement just north of the inlet canal. I parked on a side street to the west, across Monroe St. Nick Komar 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/msgid/cobirds/2D3E1E92-D207-4A84-9A7F-9D0F385F95F7%40comcast.net. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. 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/2D3E1E92-D207-4A84-9A7F-9D0F385F95F7%40comcast.net. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
[cobirds] Arkansas Valley birding
Well, the middle part of the Arkansas Valley, anyway. I took an enjoyable weekend trip, birding spots more or less along the Arkansas River from Canon City to La Junta over the weekend. Friday, I was able to get away early because I could tele-commute by joining in on a 90 minute conference call (oh, joy!). That enabled me to get to Canon City by 7:00, early enough to finally enjoy the Riverwalk Western Screech Owl (oh rapture) that I've dipped on for at least three years (got that, Dan S.-thanks). On Saturday morning, things started slowly with not much at the Holy Cross Winery or Lakeside (where's the lake?) Cemetery. I was disappointed to find that access to the Rufous-crowned Sparrow spot at Tunnel Drive is closed off. To quell my disappointment I headed up Temple Canyon Drive. I have a favorite spot up there a few miles-but I'm sorry I can't really describe it very well. In any event, it always seems to produce good birds. On Saturday I found a little side slot filled with scrub oak and junipers that held Spotted Towhee, Bewick's Wren, Plain Titmouse and Bushtit. On my way to Pueblo, I birded near Wetmore. The Hardscrabble Valley north of Wetmore in Fremont County was very pleasantly birdy with a flyover Lewis' Woodpecker being a highlight. The rest of the day around Pueblo was not all that great as I couldn't come up with the winter resident Red-necked Grebe on the Reservoir or the early Sage Thrasher that Brandon had found a few days earlier. Today I floated on downstream. I stopped at the Nepasta Road Marsh east of Boone (east of Pueblo). This is a spot that looks like it has great potential, and although the best bird I saw was only a Bald Eagle, I recommend visiting here to bird. Olney Springs "Reservoir", while not a reservoir looks like it has Tempel Grove potential a lot closer to Pueblo-my thanks to Darth Aves for making this a hot spot. Lakes Henry and Meredith had lots of usual birds, but many displaying Clark's Grebes were a real treat. From Crowley County I slipped back toward Rocky Ford in order to head toward Holbrook Res. Well it's full of water, but not all that birdy (at least in a cold north wind without Stan Oswald around to chat with). I continued on to whatever that wet spot is at FF and 26 SE of Holbrook. Va-va-voom, it was great with lots of ducks, Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs and 4 Black-necked Stilts. Lake Cheraw was overflowing with water (maybe that will help with salinity issues?), but another disappointment as there was no shore for Snowy Plovers. I continued on to Adobe Creek-Blue Reservoir (I use both names because it is in two counties). Almost all the bird action was in Bent where the "island" held single Franklin's and Herring Gulls as well as 8 American Avocets, and get this, contrasting groups of American White Pelicans and Snow Geese. That's usually a sign of spring, right? Passing from winter to spring means that we pass from Snow Geese to American White Pelicans. Well both birds were at Adobe Creek today; both seasons, too. >From Adobe Creek I headed north toward US 287 and home. Maybe not a good idea >for everyone as the roads were a bit of a tussle. Birds, however as usual, >were interesting. Cutting across that wide open space that you circle over >and over if you've ever been delayed coming into DIA, it was clear that the >three most abundant birds were Western Meadowlark, Horned Lark and >American Kestrel. Kestrels were everywhere. But I will note in one very >long stretch between Red-tailed Hawks, I tallied 2 Great Horned Owls, 2 >Northern Harriers, 1 Merlin, 1 Prairie Falcon, 1 Rough-legged Hawk and the >aforementioned hoards of kestrels. A word to the wise-although canal fed bodies of water (Holbrook, Cheraw, Adobe Creek) are overfull, other water spots are dry. Long Lake NE of Adobe Creek which was a must stop last year is now a winter wheat field; Schafer is back to about what it looks like on Google-not the swan-hosting expanse that it was last spring. Well, that's what makes Colorado, Colorado! Bill Kaempfer Boulder -- 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/SN1PR0301MB1648FD2966DB6936BB66684DE1330%40SN1PR0301MB1648.namprd03.prod.outlook.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
[cobirds] Tues., Mar. 28, Boulder Audubon presents a program by Ted Floyd
This program is brought to you by *Boulder County Audubon* 7:15 p.m., Tuesday, March 28, 2017 Unitarian-Universalist Church 5001 Pennsylvania Avenue, Boulder Free and open to the general public *Birding and Birders in Boulder County: Past, Present, and Future* Fifteen years ago, Ted Floyd moved to Boulder County. At the time, nobody had ever seen a collared-dove in the county, nobody had Cackling Goose on their life list, and nobody had ever heard of a Woodhouse's Scrub-Jay. Times have changed: Today Bushtits swarm the county's eastern lowlands, Black-chinned Hummingbirds are widespread breeders, and Lesser Black-backed Gulls don't even raise an eyebrow. In this presentation, Ted will review some recent changes to our avifauna, and he will gaze into his crystal ball and tell us what lies ahead. *Ted Floyd* is known for his passion for all things avian, amazing birding ear and the erudite Editor of *Birding* magazine, published by the American Birding Association, as well as the author of various books and articles about birds and nature. Floyd serves on the board of directors for Colorado Field Ornithologists, and is a frequent speaker at bird festivals and ornithological conferences. He and his family live in Lafayette, eastern 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/msgid/cobirds/CAF2zbduaL%3DFzudpJUkM_ApuQSDOy5Shm6EoVFdi9OicUCmVEzg%40mail.gmail.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
[cobirds] Eurasian Wigeon at Stewarts Pond Yes
Looking at it right now on south east side with gulls. -- 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/CAAPQkTsRnmpBKa27er8Z2sQf31z07HvycTjVz6hUKK85%2BhkqWg%40mail.gmail.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
[cobirds] Dinosaur Ridge (26 Mar 2017) 2 Raptors
Dinosaur Ridge Colorado, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Mar 26, 2017 --- SpeciesDay's CountMonth Total Season Total -- --- -- -- Black Vulture0 0 0 Turkey Vulture 0 0 0 Osprey 0 0 0 Bald Eagle 0 8 8 Northern Harrier 0 0 0 Sharp-shinned Hawk 0 5 5 Cooper's Hawk0 5 5 Northern Goshawk 0 0 0 Red-shouldered Hawk 0 0 0 Broad-winged Hawk0 0 0 Red-tailed Hawk 2152152 Rough-legged Hawk0 0 0 Swainson's Hawk 0 0 0 Ferruginous Hawk 0 4 4 Golden Eagle 0 3 3 American Kestrel 0 12 12 Merlin 0 0 0 Peregrine Falcon 0 2 2 Prairie Falcon 0 1 1 Mississippi Kite 0 0 0 Unknown Accipiter0 4 4 Unknown Buteo0 12 12 Unknown Falcon 0 3 3 Unknown Eagle0 0 0 Unknown Raptor 0 6 6 Total: 2217217 -- Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 11:15:00 Total observation time: 3.25 hours Official Counter:Mike Fernandez Observers:Karen Fernandez Visitors: Approximately 6 parties of 1-4 people each made it up to the platform, but no one seemed to be in a chatty or inquisitive mood. Very few even said hello, but generally folks came up, took pictures and left without a word. No cyclists. Weather: The first two hours we had sleet (frozen raindrops) and light rain. Rain columns pushed from north to south along the foothills. The Rooney Valley side and eastward did not appear to have the same weather as the Hwy 93 side. There was a little bit of sun lighting up the distant southeast horizon; nothing but dark skies to the west. The sky cleared in small patches briefly overhead right about the time our two migrating Red-Taileds came through after about 45 minutes of no rain. After that, the sky darkened, the ceiling lowered, waves of dark cumulus clouds moved in overhead and hung above us and to the west. Sleet and rain restarted at about 11:15 MST and unfortunately we ended the count after 3-1/4 hrs. Raptor Observations: When the rain paused briefly after the first two hours, all the local and migrating Red-Taileds appeared within a 15 minute window. The first appeared from behind Green Mountain, circled up, went north, paused and circled above Table Mountain, then continued north to the limit of our binocs. The second Red-Tailed also appeared from behind Green Mountain circled up and north, then did a stoop back south, then a glide south back up in elevation, then another stoop south; four times it did this roller-coaster move until he led our eyes to a migrating Red-Tailed coming up from southeast of the ridge. The local acrobat then alighted on the telephone pole on the Rooney side above the motocross track. Non-raptor Observations: Seen or heard: White-throated Swifts (5), Northern Flickers (2), Black-billed Magpie (1), Dark-eyed Junco (Gray-headed) (1), Spotted Towhees (3), Western Meadowlark (1). Reported on eBird. Two Spotted Towhees flew back and forth close to the ground on the north end of the platform between junipers, scrounging up berries deep inside while it rained. Two mule deer stared up at us from midway down the east side of the ridge. Predictions: The trail was in excellent condition on the way up and down, but if rain continues it could be slick for Monday's climbers. Report submitted by Bird Conservancy of the Rockies (jeff.bi...@birdconservancy.org) Dinosaur Ridge information may be found at: http://www.birdconservancy.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
[cobirds] Re: Black-necked Stilt in San Luis Valley, Rio Grande Co. 3/25-3/26
Forgot to sign off...ooops John Rawinski Monte Vista, CO On Sunday, March 26, 2017 at 2:30:14 PM UTC-6, Brandon wrote: > Yesterday (25 March 2017), there was a Black-necked Stilt at Home Lake > in Monte Vista, Rio Grande County, not sure how regular they are in > the San Luis Valley. According to a recent e-bird report, the bird is > still there today (26 March). > > Some other birds that caused e-bird flags yesterday, for whatever > reason in the San Luis Valley, were a Lincoln's Sparrow at Smith > Reservoir, Costilla County; a Mallard x Mexican Duck intergrade at > Monte Vista NWR, in Rio Grande Co.; Blue-winged x Cinnamon Teal hybrid > and a Savannah Sparrow at Russell Lakes SWA, Saguache County. > > -- > 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/be1b24f1-f08f-49b2-9668-ce4fb45f10f6%40googlegroups.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
[cobirds] Re: Black-necked Stilt in San Luis Valley, Rio Grande Co. 3/25-3/26
Brandonthanks for the heads up. All of the species you mentioned are to be expected. Maybe a tad early, but that is the way our SLV migration has been going this year. Always appreciate hearing about what others are seeing. It really helps build the database I keep for SLV birds. See you down the trail... Lisa Had a Long-billed Dowitcher at San Luis Lake today. On Sunday, March 26, 2017 at 2:30:14 PM UTC-6, Brandon wrote: > Yesterday (25 March 2017), there was a Black-necked Stilt at Home Lake > in Monte Vista, Rio Grande County, not sure how regular they are in > the San Luis Valley. According to a recent e-bird report, the bird is > still there today (26 March). > > Some other birds that caused e-bird flags yesterday, for whatever > reason in the San Luis Valley, were a Lincoln's Sparrow at Smith > Reservoir, Costilla County; a Mallard x Mexican Duck intergrade at > Monte Vista NWR, in Rio Grande Co.; Blue-winged x Cinnamon Teal hybrid > and a Savannah Sparrow at Russell Lakes SWA, Saguache County. > > -- > 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/4c84c84e-48ec-4ed6-b82d-83f1791e31d5%40googlegroups.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
[cobirds] Black-necked Stilt in San Luis Valley, Rio Grande Co. 3/25-3/26
Yesterday (25 March 2017), there was a Black-necked Stilt at Home Lake in Monte Vista, Rio Grande County, not sure how regular they are in the San Luis Valley. According to a recent e-bird report, the bird is still there today (26 March). Some other birds that caused e-bird flags yesterday, for whatever reason in the San Luis Valley, were a Lincoln's Sparrow at Smith Reservoir, Costilla County; a Mallard x Mexican Duck intergrade at Monte Vista NWR, in Rio Grande Co.; Blue-winged x Cinnamon Teal hybrid and a Savannah Sparrow at Russell Lakes SWA, Saguache County. -- 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/CA%2BXeEuU71K%2Br2DSGTx8HyQds1eLN9XGJkf4cPB9_jRCfGGnWRg%40mail.gmail.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
[cobirds] Weld County birding
Hi Nick and All, The day I went up to Stewart's Pond, I actually found the GadwallxShoveler on a smaller pond, just a bit east of Stewart's. I did get some decent photos. When I record it on Ebird I will post the link so you can see it, if you'd like. Susan Rosine Thornton -- 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/eae522e9-61a7-41df-aff7-e6bde128252c%40googlegroups.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
[cobirds] Colorado Rare Bird Alert, 26 March 2017
Compiler: Joyce Takamine e-mail:RBA AT cobirds.org Date: March 26, 2017 This is the Rare Bird Alert for Sunday, March 26 sponsored by Denver Field Ornithologists and the Bird Conservancy of the Rockies. Highlight species include: (* indicates new information on this species) NOTE: The RBA is using the new AOU checklist and the order of families has changed. Eurasian Wigeon (Weld) Mallard (Mexican intergrade) (Douglas, *Rio Grande) Tundra Swan (*Weld) Long-tailed Duck (Pueblo) Snowy Plover (Bent) Mountain Plover (Kit Carson) Mew Gull (Larimer) Thayer’s Gull (Larimer) ICELAND GULL (Weld) Lesser Black-backed Gull (Adams, Larimer, Weld) Great Black-backed Gull (Denver) Red-bellied Woodpecker (Logan) Williamson’s Sapsucker (Gilpin, Jefferson, Pueblo) Ladder-backed Woodpecker (El Paso) Black Phoebe (*Boulder, *Denver, Fremont, Mesa) Eastern Phoebe (*Douglas, Fremont, Logan) Winter Wren (El Paso, Pueblo) Carolina Wren (*Pueblo) Bewick’s Wren (Moffat) Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch (Gunnison) Lapland Longspur (Weld) Chestnut-collared Longspur (Kit Carson) Savannah Sparrow (Kit Carson, Mesa, Montrose, *Saguache) Fox Sparrow (El Paso, Routt) Lincoln’s Sparrow (*Adams, El Paso, *Larimer, Logan, Montrose, Pueblo) EASTERN MEADOWLARK (Douglas) Great-tailed Grackle (El Paso, *Jefferson, Kit Carson, *Larimer, Pueblo) ADAMS COUNTY: ---On March 20 at Rocky Mountain Arsenal NWF, N shore of Lake Ladora, Brian Johnson reported 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls. ---On March 21 at Barr Lake SP below the dam, Norm Lewis reported Lincoln’s Sparrow. ---On March 25 at East Lake Shores Park, Riley Morris reported Lincoln’s Sparrow. BENT COUNTY: ---On March 20 at John Martin Reservoir, Duane Nelson reported first Snowy Plover of season. BOULDER COUNTY: ---On March 22 at Boulder Creek and 75th St., Jonathan Montgomery reported Black Phoebe. On March 24 at Boulder Creek and 75th St., Christian Nunes and Jeff Parks reported Black Phoebe. On March 25 at Boulder Creek and 75th St, David Dowell, Luke and Tracy Pheneger, Ted Floyd, Adam Vesely, Steve Frye, and David Waltman reported Black Phoebe. DENVER COUNTY: ---On March 24 at Marston Reservoir, west end, Doug Kibbe reported imm Great Black-backed Gull. ---On March 25 at First Creek at DEN Open Space, Cynthia Madsen and David Hill reported Black Phoebe at First Creek about 100 yards N of 56h Ave bridge. DOUGLAS COUNTY: ---On March 21 on Cherry Creek Tail – south end to Walker Road Gravel Pond, Hugh Kingery reported Eastern Phoebe. On March 22, Kingery reported Eastern Phoebe singing is same spot. On March 25 on Cherry Creek trail S end to Walker Rd Gravel Pond, Cheryl Teuton, Hugh Kingery, and Glenn Walbek reported Eastern Phoebe. ---On March 21 at Parker Regional Park, Marier Hoerner reported possible Mallard/Mexican intergrade and possible EASTERN MEADOWLARK. ---On March 25 at Chatfield SP, Gregg Goodrich reported that the DFO Field Trip has an Eastern Phoebe on the SE side of Kingfisher Bridge. EL PASO COUNTY: ---On March 19 at Fountain Creek Regional Park, Tanja Britton reported 2 Lincoln’s Sparrows. ---On March 19 at Birdsall Road, Kara Carragher reported m Ladder-backed Woodpecker and 46 Great-tailed Grackles. ---On March 20 at Sinton Pond Open Space, David Tonnessen reported Winter Wren. On March 23 at Sinton Pond Open Space, David Tonnessen reported Winter Wren and Fox Sparrow (Red). On March 23, Chris Bronbin reported Winter Wren at Sinton Pond. On March 24 at Sinton Pond Open Space, Glenn Walbek and Mark Peterson reported Fox Sparrow (Red). FREMONT COUNTY: ---On March 22 in Canon City, Dan Stringer reported Black and Eastern Phoebe. On March 23, SeEtta Moss reported a pair of Black Phoebes between Sell’s Lake and Arkansas River and Eastern Phoebe in Canon City. GILPIN COUNTY: ---On March 19 at Golden Gate SP, Kriley Pond, Christ Goulard reported 1 m Williamson’s Sapsucker. GUNNISON COUNTY: ---On March 20 at El Notcho, white bowl, Holly Annala reported 4 Gray-crowned Rosy-Finches above 12000 ft. JEFFERSON COUNTY: ---On March 21 at Reynolds Park – Elkhorn, Chris Wood reported Williamson’s Sapsucker. ---On March 21 at Reynolds Park Eagles View Trail 1, Chris Wood reported calling Williamson’s Sapsucker. ---On March 25 at Harriman Lake Park, Chris Brown reported Great-tailed Grackle. KIT CARSON COUNTY: ---On March 20, Glenn Walbek reported 10 Chestnut-collared Longspurs flying overhead, Savannah Sparrow, and 4 Great-tailed Grackles. ---ON March 20 on CR 58 between CR N and CR P, Glenn Walbek reported 2 Mountain Plovers. LARIMER COUNTY: ---On March 13 at Horseshoe Reservoir in Loveland, Andy Bankert reported a 1st cyc Mew Gull, 14 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, Thayer’s Gull, ICELAND GULL, and early Franklin’s Gulls. On March 19 at Horseshoe Reservoir, Nick Komar reported Mew Gull and 9 Lesser Black-backed Gulls. On March 23, Nick Komar and David Wade reported Mew Gull and 10 Lesser Black-backed Gulls (4 ad, 2 2nd-cyc, 4 1-st
