date:20200410

[cobirds] Yard Report (Douglas Co)

2020-04-10 Thread 'Dan Stringer' via Colorado Birds

Keeping safe has kept my April count to a flyover Turkey Vulture. Until I
started looking around my yard west of Larkspur in Douglas County, 7000',
Ponderosa Pine / Gambel Oak.

My three-day count:
A striking male Eastern Bluebird landed close to me, mixing with Westerns.
A Brown Creeper made it's occasional appearance among the Pygmy,
Red-breasted, and White-breasted Nuthatches. Northern Flickers are doing
that jungle-bird call and hammering at my stucco wall and roof vents, Hairy
and Downy Woodpeckers behaving a bit better. Baby American Crows (seemingly
early) are making a gosh-awful sound over my neighbor's deck. A few
Bushtits, Black-capped Chickadees, and Spotted Towhees. Sounds include
at-dawn American Robins, melodious House Finches, whining Pine Siskins, and
Gray-headed
Dark-eyed Juncos doing that low, rapid rattle call from fairly high up. And
an out of place Say's Phoebe across the street calling incessantly from the
top of a ponderosa pine.

A single fly-by Broad-tailed Hummingbird pushed out the last Steller's
Jays, Mountain Chickadees, Cassin's Finches, and Townsend's Solitaires,
following the rest of their kind up into the foothills. I was down to one
each three days ago (surprised the Steller's was still around), none
yesterday or today.

I've got far more cones in the yard than ever, maybe five-fold. I typically
see Red Crossbills 8 to 10 times over a whole year, flocking tree to tree
for about a minute and then gone. This winter almost every day they've been
coming through, lingering, sometimes several visits. Bill sizes are
variable. I've learned what the aftermath of the cone looks like vs. Red
Fox Squirrel foraging. They've also been on the ground a lot, feeding on
weed seeds. Thanks to someone for noticing that there should be six types
of crossbills, ID'd by vocalization. I'm stalled at two types in the yard
so far, it's not easy, but hey...what else are we going to do while penned
in at home?

Dan Stringer
Larkspur, CO

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[cobirds] COLORADO RARE BIRD REPORT for FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2020

2020-04-10 Thread Patrick O'Driscoll

Date: Friday, April 10, 2020

Email: RBA  AT cobirds.org

Compiler:  Patrick O’Driscoll, patodrisk AT gmail.com

Phone:  303-885-6955

_



The Colorado Rare Bird report is an informational service.

Because of statewide coronavirus “Stay at Home” orders,* the purpose of
this report is to keep homebound readers abreast of rare bird sightings
across the state during spring migration.*

*It does NOT endorse or encourage illegal travel to see or "chase" rare
birds beyond your own local area.*

We urge readers to respect state and local restrictions on non-critical
travel and limits on outdoor activities that include birding.

Please bird ONLY at or close to home and ONLY with universally promoted
safety precautions, including physical “social distancing” and face
coverings.

Or, as Dave Leatherman noted this week, “Be like a Cedar Waxwing . . . very
compliant in their wearing of masks.”





Birders have been helpful by reporting updates to COBirds. Thanks!

CAPITAL LETTERS denote very rare species, as listed by the Colorado Bird
Records Committee at the CFO website.

(*) indicates new information on a species.

For more information on birds seen today, go to cobirds.org and scroll to
the bottom for “Recent eBird Sightings.”

__



*Spring migration notes: *

Swallows, vultures, Broad-tailed Hummingbirds and a few Swainson’s Hawks
are returning. Burrowing Owls, too. The sparrow and longspur migration is
also upon us. The first shorebirds (sandpipers, phalaropes) are arriving,
too.

What’s in your yard or near your home?



Rare, out-of-place and some out-of-season species reports are listed below.



EURASIAN WIGEON (El Paso, Logan)

Long-tailed Duck (Arapahoe, Jefferson)

Common Poorwill (Prowers)

Black-necked Stilt (*Ouray)

Long-billed Curlew (*Adams)

Stilt Sandpiper (Kiowa)

Dunlin (Kiowa)

Pectoral Sandpiper (Kiowa)

Willet (*Larimer)

Mew Gull (Adams)

Glaucous Gull (El Paso)

Common Loon (*Denver, Kiowa)

Neotropic Cormorant (Bent, El Paso)

Great Egret (Delta)

Red-bellied Woodpecker (Mesa)

Williamson’s Sapsucker (Ouray)

Red-naped Sapsucker (*Summit, *Weld)

Black Phoebe (Larimer)
Vermilion Flycatcher (*El Paso, *Jefferson)

Veery (*Eagle)

Sprague’s Pipit (Baca)

Common Redpoll (Gunnison)

Lark Bunting (Crowley)

Golden-crowned Sparrow (Mesa)

Fox Sparrow (slate colored) (*Clear Creek)

Sagebrush Sparrow (Douglas, El Paso, *Jefferson)

Rusty Blackbird (Douglas)

Black-and-White Warbler (*Weld)

Northern Parula (Larimer, Washington)

Summer Tanager (Douglas)

Western Tanager (Larimer, Mesa)

—



*ADAMS COUNTY:*

—On Apr 9 two Long-billed Curlews were reported at Rocky Mountain Arsenal
NWR by Liz Steiner.

—On Apr 4 a Mew Gull was seen again at Dunes Reservoir by Adam Vesely, who
first reported it there Mar 29. This may be the same bird first reported
from nearby lakes on Mar 18 by Burke Angstman.

Dunes Reservoir, an eBird hotspot, is NW of intersection of E 112th Ave and
Highway 85. There’s a small public parking lot near the SW corner of the
reservoir.



*ARAPAHOE COUNTY:*

—On Apr 8 a Long-tailed Duck was reported at Quincy Reservoir by G Stacks.
First reported Apr 3 by Stacks.



*BACA COUNTY:*

—On Apr 4 a Sprague’s Pipit was reported along US 160 in Walsh by Norman
Erthal.



*BENT COUNTY:*

—On Apr 4 a Neotropic Cormorant was reported at Lake Hasty by Duane Nelson,
who first reported it there a few days earlier.



*CLEAR CREEK COUNTY:*

—On Apr 9 a Fox Sparrow (slate-colored) was reported at The Goshawk
(private, but open to public) by Cameron Carver.



*CROWLEY COUNTY:*

—On Apr 3 a Lark Bunting (molting male) was reported on County Lane 20
north of Sugar City by Norman Erthal.

*DELTA COUNTY:*

—On Apr 8 a Great Egret was reported at Fruitgrowers Reservoir - North Road
Causeway by Bill Harris.



*DENVER COUNTY:*

—On Apr 9 a Common Loon male in breeding plumage was reported at Marston
Reservoir. First reported Apr 7 by Mackenzie Goldthwait and Doug Kibbe.

*DOUGLAS COUNTY:*

—On Apr 6 a Sagebrush Sparrow was reported along Wildlife Way and the
Highline Canal near Chatfield SP by Ted Uhlemann.
—On Apr 5 three Rusty Blackbirds were reported at Chatfield SP - Plum Creek
Nature Area. First reported Apr 4 by Frank Farrell.

—On Apr 5 a Summer Tanager was reported at "190-210 W Happy Canyon Rd" in
Castle Rock by Cynthia Kristensen.



*EAGLE COUNTY:*

—On Apr 9, a Veery was reported at Brush Creek Confluence Open space by
Rich McCain.



*EL PASO COUNTY:*

—On Apr 9 a Vermilion Flycatcher was reported at Palmer Park in Colorado
Springs. First reported Apr 7.

—On Apr 8 a Neotropic Cormorant was reported at Memorial Park and Prospect
Lake. First reported by Tyler Stewart.

—On Apr 6 a Sagebrush Sparrow was reported on Hemingway Road between
Drennan and Brook by Tyler Stewart. Another was found Apr 6 off Brewer Lane
1/3 mile west of Milne Road by John Bruder.

—On Apr 4 a Eurasian

[cobirds] Walden Ponds, Boulder Co, Myrtle Warbler and Virginia Rail

2020-04-10 Thread Charles Hundertmark

Had my first-of-year Myrtle Warbler and Virginia’s Rail at Walden Ponds this 
morning. Also 2 singing Marsh Wrens, many singing Song Sparrows, and at least 4 
Canada Geese on nests. At one nest, the adult on the nest was hissing at a pair 
of presumed competitors that were aggressively honking at her in what looked 
like an attempt to hijack the nest site.

Chuck Hundertmark
Lafayette, CO

 

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[cobirds] 2 Say's Phoebe's - Jeffco - Golden

2020-04-10 Thread Ira Sanders

Birders,
Just had 2 Say's Phoebe's in the front yard.
-- 
Ira Sanders
Golden, CO
"My mind is a raging torrent flooded with rivulets of thought cascading
into a waterfall of creative alternatives."

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[cobirds] Larimer County migrants and breeders

2020-04-10 Thread 'arvind panjabi' via Colorado Birds

A few migrants were passing over Horsetooth Mountain Park this morning
including two northern harriers and a merlin that were kettling and traveling
north. Also seen was a FOY vesper sparrow.
More interestingly, the red-breasted nuthatches that invaded here last winter
now appear to be breeding. I have seen several of these nuthatches going in and
out of cavity holes (mostly excavating) and singing from the treetops,
including in my own backyard. Not in 20 years of living here have I ever seen
red-breasted nuthatches nesting here in the lower foothills in the dry and open
ponderosa pine forest, although I recall they do nest in these types of forests
in the Black Hills.
Of other news, red crossbills appear to have wrapped up breeding and have
mostly moved on, although a few linger. A nest I was monitoring fledged on
March 25.
Other recent arrivals include Broad-tailed Hummingbird and Says Phoebe.
Mountain Bluebirds have been coming through but unfortunately have nowhere to
nest since the county took down the nest boxes in the park.
Hope everyone is able to enjoy the birds near their home these days.
Arvind Panjabi5500’ on the north slope of Milner MountainLarimer Co.
Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPhone

[cobirds] FYI: All 2020 BBS Field Activities Cancelled

2020-04-10 Thread 'The "Nunn Guy"' via Colorado Birds

Hi all

Just received an email from BBC National Offices stating "All 2020 BBS 
Field Activities Cancelled" due to COVID-19. :-(

Thanks Gary Lefko, Nunn
http://www.friendsofthepawneegrassland.org/


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[cobirds] Black Phoebe at Washington Park, first Denver County record

2020-04-10 Thread Joe Roller

I was circumnavigating Grasmere Lake (counter-clockwise, for those who want
all the details) in Washington Park, Denver, near my home, staying a GOOD 6
feet from others, admiring recent arrivals like Cinnamon and Blue-winged
Teal. I ran into keen birders, Cole and Beth Sage, who were staring at the
big old cottonwood tree on southeast corner of the island.
They got me onto the adult Black Phoebe that Jeff Dawson had found this
morning.
It was easy to spot as it sallied forth from the long white limbs that
extended over the water.
The phoebe seemed loyal to that spot, just where Jeff had also seen it this
morning.

I see that it is not only the first report for Washington Park, but will be
a first Denver County
eBird record if accepted by the CBRC (Colorado Bird Record Committee).

Black Phoebes have expanded their range dramatically into much of Colorado
and the Front Range over the decades since I started birding, but never
before in Denver County.
About the only place they were found in the mid-70's was Burnt Mill Road,
SW of Pueblo.

Thanks Jeff and the Sages! It was a nice respite from hunkering down for 3
weeks.

Joe Roller, Denver

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[cobirds] Dinosaur Ridge - Bird Conservancy of the Rockies (10 Apr 2020) 29 Raptors

2020-04-10 Thread reports

Dinosaur Ridge - Bird Conservancy of the Rockies
Colorado, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Apr 10, 2020
---

SpeciesDay's CountMonth Total Season Total
-- --- -- --
Black Vulture0 0 0
Turkey Vulture 5 5 7
Osprey 2 2 2
Bald Eagle 0 0 14
Northern Harrier 0 0 1
Sharp-shinned Hawk 3 3 8
Cooper's Hawk2 2 8
Northern Goshawk 0 0 0
Red-shouldered Hawk 0 0 0
Broad-winged Hawk0 0 0
Red-tailed Hawk 6 6 89
Rough-legged Hawk0 0 0
Swainson's Hawk 0 0 1
Ferruginous Hawk 0 0 0
Golden Eagle 2 2 4
American Kestrel 9 9 14
Merlin 0 0 1
Peregrine Falcon 0 0 2
Prairie Falcon 0 0 2
Mississippi Kite 0 0 0
Unknown Accipiter0 0 2
Unknown Buteo0 0 4
Unknown Falcon 0 0 0
Unknown Eagle0 0 0
Unknown Raptor 0 0 4

Total: 29 29163
--

Observation start time: 08:30:00
Observation end time: 13:30:00
Total observation time: 5 hours

Official Counter:Carol Cwiklinski

Observers:David Gulbenkian, Steve Small

Visitors:
The count was conducted at the power line to increase social distancing.
There were many hikers and bike riders on the trail.

Weather:
Early in the the count period there were few clouds and as the day
progressed 70% cloud cover. The winds predominantly NW 2-5 mph G12. The
last hour winds were variable.

Raptor Observations:
It was difficult to find a migration flight pattern. Birds were generally
very high, very few low and close to observation.

Non-raptor Observations:
White-throated swifts were numerous in migration.
Violet-green and tree swallows also seen.

Report submitted by Matthew Smith (matt.sm...@birdconservancy.org)
Dinosaur Ridge - Bird Conservancy of the Rockies information may be found at:
http://www.birdconservancy.org/

More site information at hawkcount.org:
http://hawkcount.org/siteinfo.php?rsite=123

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 Bird Conservancy of
the Rockies from about 9 AM to around 3 PM from March 1st to May 7th.

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, turn left, head through
the gate, and walk to the clearly-visible, flat area at the crest of the
ridge.

[cobirds] Re: Larimer County migrants and breeders

2020-04-10 Thread Jeff Kehoe

Arvind,

I live in the lower Big Thompson Canyon just a few miles from you.  I 
haven't witnessed Red-breasted Nuthatchs nesting here, but they are a year 
round resident at my feeders.  White-breasted are also year round and 
Pygmys usually in the winter.  I saw a Pygmy going into a hole excavated by 
a Hairy Woodpecker recently.  I'll keep an eye on them.

Jeff

On Friday, April 10, 2020 at 11:28:57 AM UTC-6, Arvind wrote:
>
> A few migrants were passing over Horsetooth Mountain Park this morning 
> including two northern harriers and a merlin that were kettling and 
> traveling north. Also seen was a FOY vesper sparrow.
>
> More interestingly, the red-breasted nuthatches that invaded here last 
> winter now appear to be breeding. I have seen several of these nuthatches 
> going in and out of cavity holes (mostly excavating) and singing from the 
> treetops, including in my own backyard. Not in 20 years of living here have 
> I ever seen red-breasted nuthatches nesting here in the lower foothills in 
> the dry and open ponderosa pine forest, although I recall they do nest in 
> these types of forests in the Black Hills.  
>
> Of other news, red crossbills appear to have wrapped up breeding and have 
> mostly moved on, although a few linger.  A nest I was monitoring fledged on 
> March 25.  
>
> Other recent arrivals include Broad-tailed Hummingbird and Says Phoebe. 
>  Mountain Bluebirds have been coming through but unfortunately have nowhere 
> to nest since the county took down the nest boxes in the park.
>
> Hope everyone is able to enjoy the birds near their home these days.
>
> Arvind Panjabi
> 5500’ on the north slope of Milner Mountain
> Larimer Co.
>
> Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPhone 
> 
>

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[cobirds] Colorado-relevant resources for birding during the COVID-19 emergency

2020-04-10 Thread Ted Floyd

Hey, all.

With the permission of COBirds moderator David Suddjian, I am posting a
summary of online resources from the American Birding Association (ABA)
that are intended to provide guidance and encouragement during the COVID-19
emergency:

https://www.aba.org/aba-code-of-birding-ethics/
Along with the ABA's well-known Code of Birding Ethics, a new set of
guidelines for ethical birding during the COVID-19 emergency.

https://www.aba.org/so-youre-noticing-birds-all-of-a-sudden/
Information for folks who are watching birds for the first time. The
outreach here is to people birding from their homes, in their yards, and at
local parks. Most subscribers to COBirds are more experienced than the
intended audience, so please consider sharing this content with your
friends who are just getting started.

https://www.aba.org/what-to-do-when-they-close-school/
A primer and tutorial by Centaurus High School student Hannah Floyd on
using iNaturalist and Instagram for documenting birds and other objects in
nature.

https://www.aba.org/how-to-know-the-birds-no-31-social-distancing-with-a-shelter-in-place-solitaire/
This one is by Yours Truly. Thoughts on birding from the kitchen window
when a spring snowstorm hits during a pandemic.

https://www.aba.org/how-to-know-the-birds-no-29-mind-of-the-magpie/
I enjoyed the recent COBirds thread on magpie nest-building. Here's more!
And this is the sort of birding that can easily be enjoyed right now.

https://www.aba.org/live/
Although the lead item here is from a speaker with the Pittsburgh-based
Three Rivers Birding Club, I note that Colorado-based birding and
ornithological organizations would be eminently qualified for inclusion in
this new initiative from the ABA. Be in touch with me if you want to
proceed in this way, or, probably better, just contact the ABA directly.

Finally, I want to say that I appreciate the leadership of CFO and COBirds
at the present time. I think the note that accompanies the daily Rare Bird
Alert is exemplary, and I hope other states are doing likewise. Also, I'm
grateful for the statement by CFO President Nick Komar (who just happens to
be an expert on the transmission of infectious diseases).

Ted Floyd
Lafayette, Boulder County

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[cobirds] Re: Douglas County ID question

2020-04-10 Thread Joe Kipper

Looks like Western Meadowlark. The shape is perfect, it is very bright 
yellow on the front, and if you look close, the dark "V" that you mentioned 
is visible!
>
> Joe Kipper
Fort Collins

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[cobirds] Four Robins and a Cooper's Hawk along Little Dry Creek Trail, west Centennial, Arapahoe County

2020-04-10 Thread kevygudguy via Colorado Birds

Hello Fellow Birders,
Today's constitutional was on the trail along Little Dry Creek, from where it 
crosses Holly Street just north of Arapahoe Road toward the northwest to 
trail's end where it meets the High Line Canal Trail a little ways south of 
Orchard Road.  Just as we were approaching the canal trail bridge over the 
creek there was an explosion of frantic bird chatter immediately behind and 
above us.  I looked up to catch a glimpse of 5 birds in close formation flying 
very fast and passing about 20 feet above.  I was able to peg a couple of them 
as robins and guessed another two were also, but the trailing bird was a little 
larger and had a banded tail - Cooper's Hawk!  They disappeared into the 
overstory and a few seconds later the chatter stopped.  Then a few seconds 
after that two of the robins reappeared and flew - rather nonchalantly it 
seemed to me - back in the direction from which they came.
Keep Smilin',
Kevin Corwin;  west Centennial in Arapahoe County 

Sent from my Remington Rand Typewriter via my Rotary Dial Wall Phone

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[cobirds] COLORADO RARE BIRD REPORT for SATURDAY, APRIL 11, 2020