Re: [cobirds] Yard list questions: How many of CO's 520 species have been seen (or heard) from a yard?
Thomas, A great idea. I'm a Maryland resident, but we have a vacation home just outside Estes Park, Larimer County. The house is west of downtown Estes Park surrounded by mainly ponderosa pine on the northwest-facing slope of a small "mountain" at about 7,600 feet above sea level. I've been keeping a yard list there for 43 years, since July 1981 (around the same time my wife and I started birding). At that time the home was owned by my parents, and we would visit from Maryland in the summers. When I first started using eBird in March 2006, I uploaded all my old checklists. Until 2009, most of the eBird checklists were from July and August visits. After my father passed away we took over the home and began spending more time there in other months as well, and the number of visits, eBird checklists, and species increased. I usually do a couple of eBird checklists from the house each day that we are there. My total of eBird checklists from the house stands at 949. I am a dedicated lister at the house. My observations are of birds seen or heard from the house and small yard. We maintain a handful of feeders and bird baths. In good weather, most of the observations are from the deck. My yard list stands at 90, which is pretty respectable given the location and the viewshed we have. Two of my 90 species have not been accepted by eBird reviewers (Yellow-bellied Sapsucker and Pacific Wren, notwithstanding my detailed writeups that, unfortunately, lacked photos or audio support). I think it would be best, for consistency, to only count species that have been accepted by eBird, so I will claim only 88 species on my yard list. As far as rarest species, those two unaccepted species would be the ones. Otherwise, I have been fortunate to have a good variety of flyover species, including lots of water-associated species because we aren't too far from the Big Thompson River and Lake Estes. Our favorite avian visitors are the resident Wild Turkey flock that roams neighborhoods on this side of Estes Park. It's fun to watch them scratching under our feeders like really big chickens! In recent years, a resident pair of Great Horned Owls have been heard calling and sometimes are seen roosting in trees visible from our deck. And a few years back we were lucky to have a Northern Pygmy-Owl sitting in a tree above our deck. Considering our habitat and location, I am fortunate to have seven warbler species on my yard list. Thanks for doing this. Jim NelsonBethesda, Maryland On Monday, March 11, 2024 at 12:40:41 PM EDT, Thomas Heinrich wrote: Hi all, Every now and then one of us will share the excitement of adding a rarity or new species to a yard list, report yard list totals, or comment on local trends. And some of the lists, and variety of species, are really impressive (e.g. David Suddjian's, Gary Lefko's). Yellow Grosbeak, Pyrrhuloxia, Streak-backed Oriole, Long-billed Thrasher, Costa's Hummingbird, Laurence's Goldfinch, and even Anhinga come to mind as rarities that have shown up in or been observed from yards. (Perhaps the recent Brambling, too?) As a pretty obsessive yard lister (i.e. binocs always on, camera ready when outdoors, much of the time indoors too), I often wonder about others' experience with yard-listing. How long have you been keeping your list?What's your style of yard listing: casual, mainly feeder watching, moderate, dedicated, obsessed?How many species? Rarest, or favorite species?Most memorable experience?Location/habitat: urban, suburban, rural, etc? And the big question: if we tallied up all our yard lists, how close to Colorado's 520 species could we get? It seems likely that certain families would be less well-represented; shorebirds, waterfowl, and gulls, for example. But with neighborhoods lining bodies of water such as Boyd Lake, Lake Loveland, Marston Reservoir, Jackson Lake, and MacIntosh Lake (in Boulder), among many others, many of those species theoretically could have been counted on a yard list. Maybe some lucky person living on the shores of Boyd Lake has Long-tailed Jaeger, Slaty-backed Gull, and Garganey on their yard list! Wishing all good health, good birding, and an exciting Spring migration! --Thomas Heinrich My answers to the questions above:15 yearsDedicated to obsessive 152 speciesWood Thrush, Yellow-throated Warbler, N Cardinal, Common Redpoll, Bohemian WaxwingWatching spring raptor migration from the roof-top, 35 Broad-winged Hawks among 130 raptors of 10 species on one high-flow day (4/18/2020)Interface between suburban and open space, base of foothills, el. 5600' -- Thomas Heinrich Boulder, CO teheinr...@gmail.com www.pbase.com/birdercellist -- -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To post to this group, send email to cobirds@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds * All pos
[cobirds] Magnolia Warblers, Matthews-Reeser Bird Scantuary, Estes Park, Larimer Co. 5/21
Enjoying our first visit to Colorado in 18 months, it's been nice to get back to birding in the Estes Park area. I was birding later in the afternon today, May 21, in the Matthews-Reeser Sanctuary at Lake Estes. It was slow for a while, then, as often happens, a flurry of activity at the place where there is a break in the rail fence to allow access to the golf course. I suddenly realized I was seeing two Magnolia Warblers, a male and a female moving around, both in the area behind the fence east of the cut-through and then across the paved trail into the area I think is referred to locally as "pine point." I remember seeing a couple of sightings reported a few days ago on the eBird rare bird alert, and another birder told me yesterday, when I was also birding at this location, that they had been seen yesterday morning. I tried checking eBird for the most recent sightings just now, but it is balky. In any event, given their rarity, these may be continuing birds from the earlier reports. Since at least one was still around about 4:15 as I walked back to my car, and this does not appear to be a good night for migrating, I think one or both may be around tomorrow as well. Other highlights of our visit over the last two days including an amazing fallout of Yellow-rumped Warblers at Lily Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park this morning, literally dozens of birds in view a the same time as we walked around the lake, seeing the nesting Osprey pair at Lake Estes with the male aggressively attacking a Turkey Vulture yesterday, a tom Turkey standing on Bear Lake Raoad in RMNP last evening displaying to two hens feeding on the other side of the road, ignoring the stopping cars, and Great Horned Owls with nestlings in the same tree on the west side of Estes Park where I last saw them two years ago (pre-pandemic). While birding this afternoon at Lake Estes, I met a visiting birder from Paraguay who was seeing many species for the first time. Always fun to share that experience as I got to show him some local birds and help him with names. Looking forward to more great birds in the coming days Jim NelsonBethesda, Maryland -- -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To post to this group, send email to cobirds@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds?hl=en?hl=en * All posts should be signed with the poster's full name and city. Include bird species and location in the subject line when appropriate * Join Colorado Field Ornithologists https://cobirds.org/CFO/Membership/ --- 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 view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cobirds/1475811463.496365.1621641794888%40mail.yahoo.com.
Re: [cobirds] Mute Swans
The Broadmoor has had resident Mute Swans for many years, their birds, not wild. For those who use eBird, if you "Explore Species" for Mute Swan in El Paso County, you won't see any sightings, though many of us have reported the Broadmoor birds, because they are not wild and, therefore, correctly not accepted by the eBird reviewers. If you scan north from El Paso County, you will see many sightings from Arapahoe County north and then also some to the west that have been accepted. Jim Nelson Bethesda, Maryland On 2/9/2021 4:28 PM, Marie Hoerner wrote: I believe someone posted a couple of weeks ago that they are the Broadmoor's birds (they spoke with someone at the Broadmoor to find out). They're still beautiful birds, though! Marie Hoerner Colorado Springs, El Paso County On Tue, Feb 9, 2021 at 2:12 PM Joan Larrabee <mailto:djlarra...@hotmail.com>> wrote: Today, Feb 8, I saw the Mute Swans at the lake at the Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, El Paso County. How do we know they are wild birds and not permanent birds at the Broadmoor? -- -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To post to this group, send email to cobirds@googlegroups.com <mailto:cobirds@googlegroups.com> For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds?hl=en?hl=en <http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds?hl=en?hl=en> * All posts should be signed with the poster's full name and city. Include bird species and location in the subject line when appropriate --- 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 <mailto:cobirds+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com>. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cobirds/DF4PR8401MB046003B2E671935AE7D0D6A3CF8F9%40DF4PR8401MB0460.NAMPRD84.PROD.OUTLOOK.COM <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cobirds/DF4PR8401MB046003B2E671935AE7D0D6A3CF8F9%40DF4PR8401MB0460.NAMPRD84.PROD.OUTLOOK.COM?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer>. -- -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To post to this group, send email to cobirds@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds?hl=en?hl=en <http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds?hl=en?hl=en> * All posts should be signed with the poster's full name and city. Include bird species and location in the subject line when appropriate --- 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 <mailto:cobirds+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com>. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cobirds/CAAPQkTvZSdzLfMnr9vtV-D-%2B319%2B6MK%2BziBe-bnCe22qqH6E0g%40mail.gmail.com <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cobirds/CAAPQkTvZSdzLfMnr9vtV-D-%2B319%2B6MK%2BziBe-bnCe22qqH6E0g%40mail.gmail.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer>. -- -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To post to this group, send email to cobirds@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds?hl=en?hl=en * All posts should be signed with the poster's full name and city. Include bird species and location in the subject line when appropriate --- 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 view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cobirds/40a47265-c545-88a7-3bf6-2ff3a0a8e3a3%40verizon.net.
[cobirds] Interesting Crow Observation, Estes Park, Larimer Co.
We're enjoying a nice wintry Thanksgiving visit at our place in Estes Park. I want to share an interesting observation. On this very windy and cold Saturday morning I eschewed my usual morning walk down to buy the newspaper (a daily excuse to do some early birding) and drove instead. On the way back to our home, I saw well over 20 American Crows in the road up ahead. I assumed they were feeding on road kill, so I drove up slowly. They flew off and all I could see was a large quantify of sand on the pavement, presumably spread by the highway folks after the 15 inches of snow we got on Monday/Tuesday. My guess is that the crows were ingesting the sand as grit for their crops. I have seen groups of small birds doing this on occasion, but it was very interesting first for me to see the highly social crows engaged in this communal behavior. Jim NelsonBethesda, Maryland -- 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 view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cobirds/2084383404.1365727.1575160897120%40mail.yahoo.com.
[cobirds] Canyon Wrens, Gem Lake RMNP, Larimer Co. 11/16
I'm not in Colorado right now, but I'm passing along a sighting of two Canyon Wrens, singing, on the Gem Lake Trail in Rocky Mountain National Park. Our daughter and some friends hiked the trail on Saturday and got to see and hear the birds. eBird shows Canyon Wrens aren't reported up in this area near Estes Park by mid-November. Jim NelsonBethesda, Maryland -- 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 view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cobirds/1001129260.2144133.1574003465133%40mail.yahoo.com.
[cobirds] Nashville Warbler Estes Park, Larimer Co, and other observations
We are enjoying another nice visit to the Estes Park area. I haven't had anything noteworthy to post until today, though I have been seeing lots of good birds. Each morning I take an early long walk around the west end of Estes Park to bird and buy a newspaper. On this morning's walk, I was pleased to find a bright male Nashville Warbler feeding in stream-side vegetation along the Big Thompson River where Mary's Lake Road crosses the River. This area of riparian habitat is behind The Other Side Restaurant and opposite the Spruce Lake RV Park. I have had two other sightings of Nashville Warbler in Estes Park over the years, one at this very location on September 9, 2012, and another at Lake Estes on September 4, 2014. On this visit, which began on August 27, I have been amazed at the substantial numbers of Red-breasted Nuthatches I have seen and heard all over the Estes Park area, including three visiting our feeders and bird baths in our back yard every day. The other big surprise is the large numbers of Red Crossbills I have been seeing and hearing all over the area, including fairly regular visits to our bird baths. To the extent I have heard vocalizations, they all seem to be Type 2. So far I have not been able to record any sounds. It seems from these observations that both the nuthatches and the crossbills had good breeding success this year. Jim NelsonBethesda, Maryland -- 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 view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cobirds/2008492317.1620509.1567463909346%40mail.yahoo.com.
[cobirds] Chestnut-sided Warbler, Lake Estes area, Larimer Co.
Enjoying a nice visit at our vacation home in Estes Park, I've been tracking the influx of migrants iton the Estes Park area since we arrived last Tuesday to several days of snow and cold. Today during a late morning walk at Lake Estes and the Matthews-Reeser Bird Sanctuary at the Lake, we met a birder couple visiting from California who had a warbler in view and were trying to identify it. I was pleased to see it was a female Chestnut-sided Warbler and to introduce them to a lifer. The bird was inside the fenced-off area just east of the opening in the protective wooden fencing that allows access to the golf course from the trail through the Sanctuary. It was interesting to read all the reports of migrants seemingly waiting along the Front Range foothills until the weather improved up here. I wasn't seeing any warblers other than Yellow-rumped, no swallows, no Western Tanagers, no flycatchers, no House Wrens, etc. up here in Estes Park until Friday when the cold weather finally broke and the floodgates opened. Always interesting to be here in the spring. Jim NelsonBethesda, MD -- 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/504392349.7898512.1558908619120%40mail.yahoo.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
Re: [cobirds] Do we want an RBA
I should have said I value the listserv and the RBA, which is a great consolidation of what is being seen each day. It is a "must-read" for me each day. Jim Nelson -Original Message----- From: Jim Nelson To: cobirds Sent: Thu, Dec 6, 2018 12:09 pm Subject: Re: [cobirds] Do we want an RBA As an out-of-stater, who visits Colorado several times a year, I really value the listserv reports, even when I don't have a trip to Colorado pending. They really help me keep track of what's going on. When I am in Colorado, the reports can help me find good birds when I am in the right place. I also try to post interesting sightings when I am fortunate enough to have them. The listserv helps me feel like part of the community of Colorado birders, even when I'm not there. And when I am lucky enough to meet local birders, I often recognize their names from the reports, and it is nice to put faces with names. Jim NelsonBethesda, Maryland -- 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/988982933.2890244.1544116149706%40mail.yahoo.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. -- 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/1489870809.2892197.1544116420817%40mail.yahoo.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
Re: [cobirds] Do we want an RBA
As an out-of-stater, who visits Colorado several times a year, I really value the listserv reports, even when I don't have a trip to Colorado pending. They really help me keep track of what's going on. When I am in Colorado, the reports can help me find good birds when I am in the right place. I also try to post interesting sightings when I am fortunate enough to have them. The listserv helps me feel like part of the community of Colorado birders, even when I'm not there. And when I am lucky enough to meet local birders, I often recognize their names from the reports, and it is nice to put faces with names. Jim NelsonBethesda, Maryland -- 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/988982933.2890244.1544116149706%40mail.yahoo.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
Re: [cobirds] Robin and Black-headed Grosbeak songs
Bob, My wife and I had a similar experience also in RMNP at nearby Hollowell Park on an evening walk in early June. There were many Robins in the ponderosa pines uphill from the trail singing, and one was doing a very Black-headed Grosbeak-like song. There were also some Black-headed Grosbeaks around, mostly in the willows down by the stream, but some flying up to the ponderosas. It is interesting to speculate whether hearing Grosbeaks singing influences song development in nearby Robins. Jim Nelson Bethesda, Maryland On 6/23/2018 6:30 PM, Bob Righter wrote: Was I hearing the song from a Robin or was it from a Black-headed Grosbeak? I usually associate the song of the Black-headed Grosbeak as being patterned like a Robin but embellished with various toots, whistles, and slurred notes, delivered at slightly faster tempo. The Grosbeak’s song is sometimes referred to as sounding like a revved up Robin. On the east side of Moraine Park, in RMNP, I heard a song emanating from a spruce-fir-ponderosa habitat, that to me sounded like a typical Black-headed Grosbeak’s song. However wherever I looked in the direction of the song all I could see were Robins. From a patch of willows that were adjacent to the conifers I heard and saw a Black-headed Grosbeak singing. Shortly it flew to a Douglas-fir limb and continued singing for a short time. What was I to think? Do Robins really have that range of song diversity to sound like a Black-headed Grosbeak, could Robins and Blacked Grosbeaks mimic each other’s song, like individuals from other songbird families, or was I just hearing an odd, revved up Robin singing?I’m inclined to believe I was hearing a revved up Robin that coincidently was in the same neighborhood as the Black-headed Grosbeak. That’s why birding is fun—one never knows where the next birding dilemma will occur. If any one would like to hear the recording I obtained, let me know as I’d be delighted to send a copy, but it wouldn’t be until next week, as I have to download the file to the computer, which is in Denver. Bob Righter Denver, CO 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 <mailto:cobirds+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com>. To post to this group, send email to cobirds@googlegroups.com <mailto:cobirds@googlegroups.com>. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cobirds/E3D52789-F341-40F4-84ED-0FF3D2682A3A%40earthlink.net <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cobirds/E3D52789-F341-40F4-84ED-0FF3D2682A3A%40earthlink.net?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer>. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. -- 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/41b847de-febb-9a4f-766c-acc109b13149%40verizon.net. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
Re: [cobirds] Starling mimicry of Eastern Wood-Pewee
Eric, I live in Maryland, and nearly every spring when I think I'm hearing my first Eastern Pewee of the year, I realize that it is one of the local Starlings instead. The Pewee sound is fairly common among our Maryland Starlings. In the Birds of North America online article on European Starlings, the Starling's mimicry skills are noted and includes the following specific statement -- "In North America, commonly heard mimicries include the Eastern Wood-Pewee...". The interesting thing in my suburban neighborhood just outside Washington, DC, is that Eastern Pewee is not very common at all, but I hear Starlings doing Pewee imitations every Spring before the Pewees arrive. Jim Nelson Bethesda, Maryland -Original Message- From: Eric DeFonso To: cobirds Sent: Sat, Jun 2, 2018 7:35 am Subject: [cobirds] Starling mimicry of Eastern Wood-Pewee Hi folks, I meant to mention this earlier, but about a week ago during a brief trip out to Tamarack Ranch SWA, I got a visual confirmation of a European Starling doing an amazing mimicry of Eastern Wood-Pewee. For about half an hour I was convinced I was hearing a real Eastern singing from somewhere in the woods just out of sight, although I also noticed that I was only hearing a portion of the full song. I was hearing a convincing rendition of the initial 'pee-ur' phrase every so often, but never hearing the subsequent downslurred 'pee-urrr'. Eventually I 'got close' to the pewee and my heart sank as I realized there were a disturbing number of starlings around. And finally, in the bins, I saw the culprit actually vocalize the phrase. The tonal quality of the mimicry was outstanding, and I mean right on the button. I wouldn't have thought it possible, except in recent weeks I've also heard starlings do outstanding mimics of Common Nighthawks, White-crowned Sparrows, Black-billed Magpies, and so on. I offer this just as a cautionary note that any Eastern Wood-Pewee song heard at Tamarack Ranch should be investigated thoroughly. Sure, it's true that the starling had to learn the song from someone who could actually be present, and Eastern Wood-Pewee is certainly a probably find there. But just beware that starlings know this and will deceive you if you don't catch them in the act. --- Eric DeFonso Coal Creek Canyon, Jefferson County, CO (at exactly 8,000' ASL) -- 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/CAFjVA_bf%2BeHbT2_eMusgFUY1dJ2Oi0RGF%3DnMvzQLzHkxgsLpJg%40mail.gmail.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. -- 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/163c30077bd-c8f-19a8e%40webjas-vab162.srv.aolmail.net. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
[cobirds] Possible Male Ruby-throated Hummingbird in Estes Park, Larimer Co. 5/31
Continuing our visit in Estes Park, I took my regular early morning walk on the west end of town to bird and buy the Denver Post. At the intersection of Lower Broadview and Marys Lake Road, I saw a bright green male hummingbird with a ruby-red gorget feeding on a low flower near the road. I was looking down at the bird from no more than 10 feet away. What immediately struck me was the lack of a wing trill as the bird hovered while feeding and when it flew away. All the male Broad-tailed Hummingbirds I have ever observed have the wing trill when hovering to feed and when flying. This is not a voluntary sound since it results from the structure of the wing. The bird guides note that the trill may be absent in the fall due to feather wear. The species account in Birds of North America online notes --"Trill is naturally muted by wear, often inaudible by midwinter." But this bird is flying around in May. The bird flew out of sight before I could get my camera ready. I am very familiar with Ruby-throated Hummingbirds from observations at home in Maryland (our only regular hummer). My brief observation and angle of view did not allow me to note key field marks like the coloring of the breast and armpits, the shape of the tail, and whether the bird had a black "chinstrap" at the top of its gorget which would distinguish it from a Broad-tailed Hummingbird. My quick impression of the "jizz" of the bird was Ruby-throated. So my question for seasoned Colorado birders is whether folks have observed spring male Broad-tailed Hummingbirds that do not produce the wing trill. For now, I have entered this hummer in eBird as "hummingbird sp." but I might change that based on what I hear from you. Thanks. Jim Nelson -- 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/163b81414c3-c92-29817%40webjas-vae164.srv.aolmail.net. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
[cobirds] Cassin's Kingbird, Estes Park, Larimer Co. 5/28
We've been enjoying a nice late spring visit to Estes Park. About 5:00 this afternoon, after the rain stopped, I stepped out on the deck of our vacation home to see what birds would be around. I immediately heard a two note call I did not recognize. After scanning the ponderosa pines where the sound was coming from, I spotted the bird in the top of a pine across the road. It was gray on top and around the head and chest and yellow underneath. My first thought was Western Flycatcher, but I realized the sound was not like any I had ever heard from a Western. I also noted that the head and chest were a darker gray than I would expect for a Western with a lighter area under the chin. My thought went to Cassin's Kingbird because I have been reading reports on the Colorado listservs and the eBird rare bird alerts about Cassin's being seen. The bird flew off before I could get a decent photo or try to record the call. Checking the bird guide descriptions and illustrations and listening to calls on my phone app for the kingbirds and other flycatchers with variations of gray or brown upperparts and yellow underparts, I was able to confirm that it could only be a Cassin's Kingbird giving the characteristic "chi-bew", "chi-beer", or "CHI-Vrrr" (depending on the bird guide description) call. Coolest thing is that this is a life bird for my wife and me. Great to find it at our Colorado house. Jim Nelson Bethesda, Maryland -- 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/163a9b33fcc-c94-1814d%40webjas-vab176.srv.aolmail.net. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
[cobirds] Cassin's Kingbird, Estes Park, Larimer Co. 5/28
We've been enjoying a nice late spring visit to Estes Park. About 5:00 this afternoon, after the rain stopped, I stepped out on the deck of our vacation home to see what birds would be around. I immediately heard a two note call I did not recognize. After scanning the ponderosa pines where the sound was coming from, I spotted the bird in the top of a pine across the road. It was gray on top and around the head and chest and yellow underneath. My first thought was Western Flycatcher, but I realized the sound was not like any I had ever heard from a Western. I also noted that the head and chest were a darker gray than I would expect for a Western with a lighter area under the chin. My thought went to Cassin's Kingbird because I have been reading reports on the Colorado listservs and the eBird rare bird alerts about Cassin's being seen. The bird flew off before I could get a decent photo or try to record the call. Checking the bird guide descriptions and illustrations and listening to calls on my phone app for the kingbirds and other flycatchers with variations of gray or brown upperparts and yellow underparts, I was able to confirm that it could only be a Cassin's Kingbird giving the characteristic "chi-bew", "chi-beer", or "CHI-Vrrr" (depending on the bird guide description) call. Coolest thing is that this is a life bird for my wife and me. Great to find it at our Colorado house. Jim Nelson Bethesda, Maryland -- 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/163a951a82c-c8c-17b52%40webjas-vaa224.srv.aolmail.net. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
Re: [cobirds] Golden-crowned Sparrow in May?
Joey, Intrigued by your question, I used "Explore -- Species Maps" in eBird and searched for Golden-crowned Sparrow records in Colorado May to September and found a scattering of records in May over the years: the Red Rocks bird was present several years in early to mid-May; another in the Tamarack State Ranch area in early May 2016; another at Lathrop State Park in early May 2005; another at the Stulp farm near Lamar in mid-May 2013; and and another at Burchfield State Wildlife Area in Baca County in early May 2014. There is also a Colorado Bird Records Committee record in eBird of a bird at Colorado City in late September 1989. Nothing in eBird between mid-May and late September. Jim Nelson Bethesda, Maryland On 5/12/2018 11:57 PM, Joey Kellner wrote: On today's Chatfield Spring Count Steve Stachowiak and I identified (not hard) an adult Golden-crowned Sparrow along the Highland Canal east of the Douglas County parking lot on Roxburough Road just north of the Highland Canal (and south of the Chatfield pay station). Question, does ANYONE know of a non-fall/winter Golden-crowned Sparrow in Colorado? We thought it was pretty outstanding! Joey. Joey Kellner Littleton, 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 <mailto:cobirds+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com>. To post to this group, send email to cobirds@googlegroups.com <mailto:cobirds@googlegroups.com>. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cobirds/0333cac0-66e1-4003-94fc-7c889ea70011%40googlegroups.com <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cobirds/0333cac0-66e1-4003-94fc-7c889ea70011%40googlegroups.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer>. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. -- 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/fe18976b-b948-7a9c-85e4-e31f0001d0f3%40verizon.net. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
[cobirds] Singing Am. Dipper at Lake Estes, Larimer Co.
Enjoying a nice winter visit to Estes Park, I had a very windy walk at Lake Estes this afternoon. Just east of the Matthews-Reeser Bird Sanctuary, in the Big Thompson right by trail by the Lake, I had a male American Dipper singing his heart out. This is the first time I've heard one sing. A real treat. Jim Nelson Bethesda, Maryland -- 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/161a2426084-c8c-1ad1c%40webjas-vad196.srv.aolmail.net. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
[cobirds] Red-breasted Sapsucker -- thanks Colorado birders and sapsucker neighbors
Nearly at the end of a holiday visit to Colorado to see family, I was lucky to be in Colorado Springs for a less than 24-hour stay. We were in Estes Park the rest of our visit as I read listserv posts and saw eBird Rare Bird Alerts for the Red-breasted Sapsucker expecting the bird to disappear just as we made it to Colorado Springs. We got in too late on Wednesday to try for the bird. I saw reports from Wednesday, so this morning during a 45-minute window I had available to try for the bird before needing to check out from our motel and head to an appointment, I arrived at Mirada Road with no birders in sight (bad sign?). I am usually the kiss of death for unusual birds. I almost always miss the target when I go in search of a bird that dozens of birders have seen over several days. So I had low expectations for success today. Three other birders arrived within a few minutes, none of whom had seen the bird in previous tries, and we were wandering up and own Mirada looking for the sapsucker with no success. The clock was ticking. My stroke of luck was to stand in front of the house of a very nice woman (Carol, who Norm Lewis mentioned yesterday) scanning various pines with my binoculars. Carol came out her door, coffee cup in hand, and asked if I had seen the bird. When I said "no," she told me to wait a minute and she would take me to where she was sure it would be. She walked me back up Mirada where we gathered the other three folks and entered the HOA's open space with Carol, her so, and (I believe) daughter-in-law. And there was the bird. We all had great views and enjoyed sharing the special experience. I added a lifer (thanks to friendly Coloradans, birders and non-birders) and made it back in time to check out and go to our appointment. Couldn't ask for a better experience and a great end to our holiday visit as we fly back east tomorrow. Thanks David T. for the great find and all who helped me and other birders see this great bird. Jim Nelson Bethesda, Maryland -- 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/160a08c0e75-1713-899e9%40webjas-vae043.srv.aolmail.net. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
[cobirds] Singing Dickcissels, Bear Creek Park East, Colorado Springs, El Paso Co. 6/26
Enjoying another visit to Colorado and seeing family in Colorado Springs, I birded Bear Creek Park East this morning. I was surprised to find five singing male Dickcissels in the large field south of the community gardens, running from the power line west to 21st Street. A new Colorado species for me. Jim Nelson Bethesda, Maryland -- 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/15ce7c65a6d-7cbf-1bb32%40webprd-a44.mail.aol.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
[cobirds] Last report of first-of-season Estes Park birds, Larimer Co.
Just finished our nice spring (with wintry weather) trip to Colorado in the Estes Park area. I am sending this email from home in Maryland reporting a few final, first-of-season birds for the Estes Park area. On Monday, May 1, we had our first Tree Swallows at Lake Estes (I think others may have seen them a couple of days earlier, but there are no reports in eBird yet for the Estes Park area) and American Wigeon (first in eBird this year, two other folks reported them to eBird the same day). On my Tuesday morning early walk on the west end of Estes Park, I had a Great Blue Heron flying west toward Rocky Mountain National Park (only one other report this year in eBird of a single bird at Lake Estes in mid March) and two pairs of Blue-winged Teal on the small pond by The Other Side restaurant (no reports in eBird for the Estes Park area this season). It was a great visit with one new Colorado species for me and several new Larimer County species. It was a treat to meet some local birders as well. Jim Nelson Bethesda, Maryland -- 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/26728757.993945.1493824374933.JavaMail.root%40vznit170170.mailsrvcs.net. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
[cobirds] Snowbirding in Estes Park, more first of season species, Larimer Co.
I decided to do my usual late ,afternoon walk at Lake Estes today in the cold snow showers. I wasn't expecting any large birds, and saw none other than Canada Goose, Mallard, American Crow, Common Raven, and Turkey Vulture. The highlights were the many small birds feeding in bare areas along the shore and in sheltered areas. Of particular note were a Green-tailed Towhee and two Hermit Thrush, firsts for the Estes Park area this year in eBird and a White-crowned Sparrow, with only one previous eBird report from March. At one point, the Towhee was feeding right at my feet with one of the Hermit Thrush three feet away. A real treat was seeing many bright Yellow-rumped Warblers (both Myrtle and Audubon's) feeding in plain view along the shore and among the exposed rocks in the water, accompanied by Western Bluebirds, American Pipit, Vesper Sparrow, and Savannah Sparrow. Worth the freezing fingers, toes, and nose. Of course it was in the 90's today back home in Maryland. Jim Nelson Bethesda, Maryland -- 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/9526933.954920.1493523948987.JavaMail.root%40vznit170116.mailsrvcs.net. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
[cobirds] White-faced Ibis, Sheep Lakes, Rocky Mtn. Nat. Park, Larimer Co.
Late this afternoon we decided to drive into Rocky Mountain National Park to see how it looked after our early afternoon snow (mostly melted in the late afternoon sun). It started snowing again as we drove. We ended up at Sheep Lakes in Horseshoe Park around 5:30 and were surprised to find a White-faced Ibis feeding in the marsh of the largest of the three lakes, easily viewed from the road. I found two observations for this location in eBird, one in May 2006 and one in April 2012. It was particularly interesting to find this bird at this location in RMNP after seeing one at Lake Estes yesterday. Jim Nelson Bethesda, Maryland -- 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/22846000.940330.1493431777690.JavaMail.root%40vms170029.mailsrvcs.net. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
[cobirds] Oops! Loggerhead Shrike at Lake Estes and other first arrivals in Estes Park, Larimer Co.
I reported yesterday seeing a Northern Shrike at Lake Estes. Nick Komar kindly wrote and suggested it was late for Northern Shrike and asked whether it could have been a Loggerhead Shrike. As I told Nick, I was still in winter birding mode (experiencing a short snow squall at Lake Estes as I birded yesterday), and was just expecting Northern Shrike. As soon as I read his email, I realized the bird I had seen had a broad black mask, and, upon checking my photos, I quickly realized it was a Loggerhead Shrike that I saw, another first for this season in eBird for the Estes Park area. This morning on my daily birding/newspaper buying walk, I found an Orange-crowned Warbler, also a first for this season in the Estes Park area in eBird. I also encountered a large movement of Chipping Sparrows in one location, easily 20 birds moving through, as well as hearing a couple of males singing along my route. One other person has reported Chipping Sparrows up here in the last 4 days. So they are coming in now, just in time for the predicted 6-12 inches of snow. Jim Nelson Bethesda, Maryland -- 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/16904494.951244.1493403406910.JavaMail.root%40vznit170190.mailsrvcs.net. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
[cobirds] White-faced Ibis and other season firsts, Lake Estes, Larimer Co. 4/27
My late afternoon walks at Lake Estes on this visit to Colorado have been uniformly productive with species not yet reported in the Estes Park area this season. This afternoon was no exception with a White-faced Ibis, a male Common Yellowthroat, two Savannah Sparrows, and a Wilson's Snipe, all not yet reported in eBird up here. The Common Yellowthroat is particularly interesting since the closest sighting in eBird this season is at Boulder Reservoir, but it is consistent with a handful of prior-year eBird sightings in the Estes Park area around this date. I also found a pair of Lesser Scaup and a Say's Phoebe, both reported once earlier this month from the Lake Estes area. I also found a Northern Shrike, with two March sightings at Lake Estes.I also think there was a Common Loon today as well, but the bird was too far down the lake to confirm with the magnification of my binoculars. I later drove to the other end of the lake, but the bird was no longer there.Jim NelsonBethesda, Maryland -- 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/25343002.948289.1493350822958.JavaMail.root%40vznit170130.mailsrvcs.net. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
[cobirds] More New Arrivals in Estes Park, Larimer Co.,
Enjoying more first arrivals in the Estes Park, we walked late afternoon at Lake Estes and were awarded with an American Avocet, three pairs of Cinnamon Teal, a female Bufflehead, a Killdeer, and a Western Meadowlark, all firsts in eBird for the Estes Park area for this year but right on time based on prior-year reports in eBird. One Willet was still present as well along with some American Pipits along the shore. Met two friendly local birders at the lake. It's always a pleasure connecting with folks who share our interest. This morning on my regular morning walk, I found two Horned Larks, right on time but not yet reported in eBird for the Estes Park area this year. Everyday brings surprises. Jim Nelson -- 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/27997336.919683.1493165502058.JavaMail.root%40vznit170080.mailsrvcs.net. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
[cobirds] Band-tailed Pigeons and other new arrivals in Estes Park, Larimer County
Continuing to observe new arrivals in the Estes Park ares, on my daily walk to get the newspaper and count birds, I always check a specific house with feeders along my route. Band-tailed Pigeons frequent these feeders when they are here in Estes Park. The first ones of the season arrived today. Checking eBird, the only other recorded sightings this season are in the Silverthorne area, Summit County to the south and west. Checking prior-year sightings in eBird, I found only one instance of Band-tailed Pigeons arriving in the Estes Park area before this date, and only two for the month of April. I also had one Vesper Sparrow and one Brown-headed Cowbird. First reports in eBird for the Estes Park area this season but on time based on eBird reports from prior years.Jim NelsonBethesda, Maryland -- 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/26987019.918468.1493078779315.JavaMail.root%40vznit170128.mailsrvcs.net. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
[cobirds] Early shorebirds, Lake Estes, Larimar Co., Earth Day
Continuing to enjoy our April visit to Colorado in Estes Park, I took a late afternoon walk at Lake Estes. I was surprised to find three species of shorebird -- a single Marbled Godwit (never reported for the Estes Park area in eBird), 4 Willet (only one other April report in eBird for this species in the Estes Park area -- April 24, 3013), and two Spotted Sandpipers (6 days earlier than the earliest prior reports in eBird for the Estes Park area). Also had two Barn Swallows, the first in eBird for Estes Park this year. Jim Nelson Bethesda, Maryland -- 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/2239043.866167.1492921591545.JavaMail.root%40vms170035.mailsrvcs.net. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
[cobirds] Brown Thrasher and Lincoln's Sparrow, Estes Park, Larimer Co.
Continuing our nice April visit to Colorado, I took my regular early morning walk today, a 2.4 mile loop from our vacation home on the west end of Estes Park down to buy the daily newspaper and back. We have a lovely snowy landscape this beautiful Friday morning up here. It was interesting to see various birds in the snow including gaudy male "Mytle" Warblers in snow-covered bushes. My biggest surprise came as I walked between Smokin' Dave's BBQ and Taphouse and the adjacent Trout Haven. I always check around behind these two establishments for interesting birds. Around Smokin' Dave's dumpster, I had the usual scavengers, then out of a small bush by the dumpster, a Brown Thrasher popped up and gave me a nice view before ducking into the bush. I had to stalk it for about 15 minutes before it flew up into an aspen where I could get decent photos for my eBird checklist. Checking eBird when I returned to the house, I was very surprised to find so few other Brown Thrasher sightings this month, all well and east and south of Larimer County. There were also other sightings in eBird in February and March in Denver County, the closest to where I am. Even looking at other years in eBird, this is the only April thrasher up here and only a handful east of here on the plains. So it is amazing that this bird made it up here already! Yesterday on the same morning walk I found a Lincoln's Sparrow in the piece of Rocky Mountain National Park land across Mary's Lake Road from "The Other Side." This was the first one in eBird up here this season, though we ran into Scott Rashid at Lake Estes two days ago, and he reported finding Lincoln's Sparrow there. Here again, this is almost a week earlier than historical reports in eBird for this species in the Estes Park area, Always fun to see these first of season birds, and a real treat to have the very early Brown Thrasher to report. My eBird checklist with photos of the thrasher can be viewed at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S36144358 Jim Nelson Bethesda, Maryland -- 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/4397740.878670.1492796588874.JavaMail.root%40vznit170128.mailsrvcs.net. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
[cobirds] Broad-tailed Hummingbird Estes Park, Larimer Co.
Enjoying a nice mid-April visit to Colorado, we took a walk at Lake Estes in the late afternoon today, April 19. We heard the distinctive musical wing whir of at least two male Broad-tailed Hummingbirds in the gray, windy chill. Checking eBird there are only a handful of April records of Broad-tailed Hummingbird up here in Estes Park over the years. The earliest is one bird on April 18, 2015. Jim Nelson -- 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/4693160.830531.1492653068037.JavaMail.root%40vznit170134.mailsrvcs.net. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
Re: [cobirds] Eagles, Herons and ebird codes. Longmont Area (Weld & Boulder)
Todd, I agree with the earlier response that which code to use depends on the circumstances. Here is how eBird defines several possibly applicable codes: ON Confirmed--Occupied Nest -- Occupied nest presumed by parent entering and remaining, exchanging incubation duties, etc. (Could be true for the Bald Eagles if they appear to be staying in the nest. The recently published Colorado Breeding Bird Atlas lists January 1 as the beginning of the safe dates for Bald Eagle, and we do have two Bald Eagle pairs with eggs here in the District of Columbia. Great Blue Heron safe dates start March 15.) NB Confirmed/Probable--Nest Building -- Nest building at apparent nest site (should not be used for certain wrens, and other species that build dummy nests). (This would apply if you see either species bringing nest materials or otherwise appearing to rehab a previous nest.) N Probable--Visiting probable Nest site -- Visiting repeatedly probable nest site (primarily hole nesters). (This would apply if they aren’t actively building but are visiting. It sounds like this would require more than one observation at the same nest site.) Jim Nelson Bethesda, Maryland From: Todd Deininger Sent: Sunday, February 19, 2017 2:40 PM To: co-birds Subject: [cobirds] Eagles, Herons and ebird codes. Longmont Area (Weld & Boulder) I saw 20 eagles today SW and SE of Longmont. 2 were immature Golden Eagles and 13 were immature Bald Eagles. Two of the adult BE were perched on their nest. Also, at two different heronries I had multiple Great Blue Herons perched in their nests. What breeding code, if any is this? Also, Tundra Swans are still at Walden Ponds (Boulder). -- Todd Deininger Longmont, 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/CABv4Dr8dusOxFNLsbm9WZ2AD%2B24kPwXttBEpaxsO72rWQAzX9w%40mail.gmail.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. -- 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/19A164441145444286BF2A9C52061FA1%40jimPC. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
Re: RE: [cobirds] Interesting Crow behavior along the river today, Arapahoe County
Crows at our vacation home in Estes Park also soak prey items like small rodents or young birds before carrying them off, presumably to feed to nestlings. I've wondered if it is a way to ensure the young getlots of water along with their food. This can leave the bird bath pretty uninviting with residual entrails left behind.Jim NelsonBethesda, On 02/17/17, Kay Niyo wrote: When I lived on Bear Mt at 8200’ a few years ago, my resident crows soaked lots of bread in my bird bath on my deck. They also brought potato chips and soaked them! There were very few homes on large acreages up there so I have no idea where they were getting all the potato chips! Someone must have been feeding them! When they had young in the nest, the soaking activity increased. They would soak the food and then fly to the nearby nest in a giant ponderosa pine. I had to clean out and refresh the water in the bird bath daily! Fun observations! Kay Kayleen A. Niyo, Ph.D.Niyo Scientific Communications5651 Garnet St.Golden, CO 80403303.679.6646k...@kayniyo.com; www.KayNiyo.com From: cobirds@googlegroups.com [mailto:cobirds@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Deborahann S-CSent: Friday, February 17, 2017 3:09 PMTo: buntingrobin...@gmail.comCc: Colorado BirdsSubject: Re: [cobirds] Interesting Crow behavior along the river today, Arapahoe County We were just in Mexico and noticed Great-Tailed Grackles doing the same thing. On Fri, Feb 17, 2017 at 2:53 PM, Brian Johnson wrote:Today when walking along my local patch along the Mary Carter Greenway (the part I patrol is between Bowles Ave and the Northern Wildlife Area) I watched a American Crow on the rocky beach take a piece of bread or a roll and drop it in the river. The bird started to drink and look around, watching to make sure anther bird did not take the bread likely. Than after a few moments the crow proceed to tear the bread apart and eat it. I don't know if the bread was hard as rock and stale and needed softening or if the bird just likes soaked bread, but it was rather interesting to watch this. Corvids are know for their intelligence so it was quite a treat to get to watch this in person. Brian Johnson Englewood 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/559d976b-11cf-40ac-8f2e-d345ce954652%40googlegroups.com.For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. -- 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/CABc8NxDH326LZYi%2BRKSmLgHeJPuOUeJkpg_dG7rQ57CGqDUaWw%40mail.gmail.com.For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.-- 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/0c1601d28975%248d9fba40%24a8df2ec0%24%40kayniyo.com.For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. -- 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/15228182.5052851.1487377392180.JavaMail.root%40vznit170116.mailsrvcs.net. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
Re: [cobirds] Unusual Kestrel in Adams County
The extent of black spotting on the underparts may be age related. This is from the species account in Birds of North America online -- “Considerable disagreement on how much of the variability in kestrel plumage is age-related. Bent ( Bent 1938b ) suggested that males become less barred dorsally, less spotted ventrally, with a more rufous tail through successive molts; Parkes ( Parkes 1955a ) presented contrary evidence.” Jim Nelson Bethesda, Maryland From: Susan Rosine Sent: Thursday, January 12, 2017 7:19 PM To: Colorado Birds Subject: [cobirds] Unusual Kestrel in Adams County I was on a little road near Thornton, and came across an American Kestrel dining on roadkill. He would fly to a tree on the side of the road when a car would come along, and then go back for more. The unusual thing was, he had no black speckles except a few on the sides, and lots of orange on chest and belly. Is he a subspecies? 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/CACPnx8UzegOMOkJuV38L5wxK-%3DH-2bnNKaT_wojt2mygtd3oAQ%40mail.gmail.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. -- 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/8DEFC099E9CF4963AAEEA9819B365BE0%40jimPC. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
[cobirds] New Yard Bird, N. Pygmy-Owl, Estes Park, Larimer Co.
Enjoying a nice late October visit to Colorado and the unseasonably warm weather, we had a nice surprise as we ate lunch today on the deck of our vacation home in Estes Park. As we finished lunch we realized Pygmy Nuthatches and Mountain Chickadees were fussing high in a ponderosa pine by our deck. It was obvious they were mobbing something, and we finally saw a small bird move to another ponderosa followed by the mob. When we got our binoculars on it, we were surprised to see a Northern Pygmy-Owl. The bird was calmly eating a small gray rodent, probably a mouse or vole, ignoring the mob. Eventually the mob settled down. Several more times during the afternoon, the mobbing started again, and we saw the owl in various trees. Still hanging around just a little while ago. Quite the unexpected sighting. Jim Nelson Bethesda, Maryland -- 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/16371497.1285989.1477180426410.JavaMail.root%40vznit170064.mailsrvcs.net. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
[cobirds] Northern Waterthrush, Estes Park, Larimer Co. 8/5
We have been enjoying a nice midsummer visit in Estes Park in Larimer County. Today we took a late morning walk at the Matthews-Reeser Bird Sanctuary at Lake Estes. We were delighted to see a Northern Waterthrush doing its distinctive tail bob next to a Spotted Sandpiper, similarly bobbing. The bird was on the east side of the pine-covered peninsula that juts into Lake Estes along the water line. The lake level has gone down a bit in the last few days, so there is a nice area for foraging along the water's edge. Checking eBird, I was surprised to find no reports of Northern Waterthrush in Colorado from July 1 until today. So our bird appears to be the first reported fall migrant. On our way back to our car, we spotted a post-breeding-plumage male Lark Bunting in the grassy area between the concrete trail through the Sanctuary and the water outlet from the power plant. It was hunting in the grass and occasionally sitting on the fence by the maintenance yard. eBird shows only one other sighting of this species off the plains since July 1, four birds in Little Horseshoe Park in Rocky Mountain National Park on July 10. \ So nice to see some post-breeding migrant passerines. Jim Nelson Bethesda, Maryland -- 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/32121023.2875409.1470427672475.JavaMail.root%40vms170019.mailsrvcs.net. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
[cobirds] Late report of possible Black Rosy-Finch, Trail Ridge Road, RMNP, Larimer Co.
For those of you who don't subscribe to eBird Rare Bird Alerts, the following sighting from July 25 just appeared on today's Colorado eBird Alert of a Black Rosy-Finch on Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain National Park. Worth keeping an eye out even though it is now five days later. Probably a visiting birder just catching up on eBird submissions. Black Rosy-Finch (Leucosticte atrata) (1) - Reported Jul 25, 2016 11:30 by Louis La Mont - Rocky Mountain NP--Trail Ridge Rd--Medicine Bow Curve/Alpine Visitor Center, Larimer, Colorado - Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&q=40.4436865,-105.7536221&ll=40.4436865,-105.7536221 - Checklist: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S30895302 - Comments: "Bird appeared at the glacier point at the RMNP Visitor Center. It landed next to the remaining snow pack and stayed for approximately 15 seconds. Bird was a breeding male mostly black on body with a slight lighter color at the edge of the beak near his face. Grayish band starting at eye of going around his head. Slight red (or rosy) coloration on leading edge of wings and on flanks Gave brief appearance of whitish color underneath. No media taken Jim Nelson Bethesda, Maryland -- 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/31083615.2686065.1469892662788.JavaMail.root%40vznit170060.mailsrvcs.net. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
Re: [cobirds] Yellow Warbler and Cowbird, Arapahoe County
Brian, It is interesting to see how many different species raise Cowbird chicks. According to the species account in Birds of North America Online, one comprehensive source found that Yellow Warblers are the most frequent host species for Brown-headed Cowbirds. At home here in Maryland, I see Song Sparrows (which are the number two most frequent host species) feeding Cowbird chicks in our yard every summer. The largest size disparity I have ever witnessed was a tiny Ruby-crowned Kinglet feeding a significantly bigger Cowbird chick in Rocky Mountain National Park. Jim Nelson Bethesda, Maryland From: buntingrobin...@gmail.com Sent: Monday, June 27, 2016 1:49 PM To: Colorado Birds Subject: [cobirds] Yellow Warbler and Cowbird, Arapahoe County Today while walking along my favorite part of the Mary Carter Greenway I encounter an odd looking bird that I could not figure out. It was all brown with fine streaks along the breast and belly but the bill was wrong for a finch and it was too big. Then I noticed it was flapping around from branch to branch frantically, and I noticed it was chasing a yellow warbler male and constantly calling. I could not make sense of why this bird would be chasing a warbler and calling like that. Finley both stopped on a Russian olive branch and I was able to get a better view. I observed the warbler glean an insect (likely a gnat) and take it lower down to the unknown bird and stick it in the bird’s mouth. It finally came together then. This was a recently fledged juvenile brown headed cowbird that the warbler believed to be its offspring. It was certainly dwarfed by the cowbird. I have not seen this in the wild before, I have one nature programs but that was it. Interesting behavior to watch, not all that good for the warblers however. Hopefully their population will not be to affected by this along the river. This was at the mile marker 12, the dirt walking path goes through some woods that is a favorite for warblers and other birds. Thought I would share this. Brian Johnson Englewood 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/e6a087cd-2a5e-475a-ae68-035ce6e3d871%40googlegroups.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. -- 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/880480934A114201BE5F208CA72F45EC%40jimPC. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
Re: [cobirds] Re: Bird ID question - Purple Martin?
The coloring certainly suggests Violet-green Swallow, but the lack of any green and the odd pattern on the face and the light colored head don’t seem to line up with adult or juvenile Violet-green. If it weren’t for the violet back color and the fact that the birds are perched, the face suggests White-throated Swift. Or is it a mix of Tree Swallow and Violet-green Swallow? Jim Nelson Bethesda, MD From: Joey Kellner Sent: Thursday, June 16, 2016 4:50 PM To: Colorado Birds Subject: [cobirds] Re: Bird ID question - Purple Martin? Color and overall shape indicate Violet-green Swallow. Joey Kellner Littleton, Colorado On Thursday, June 16, 2016 at 1:02:14 PM UTC-6, Jeff Parks wrote: Hello all - I was birding in the Shanahan Ridge area outside of Boulder yesterday, and saw what I thought were swallows flitting around. While I was watching another bird, a couple of these birds landed on a dead tree nearby, and I took a quick look at them. They didn't look like tree swallows, although they were dark blue on the back. I pulled out my camera and tried to get a few pictures of them while they were still there, and managed to get some, although they are not very good. After looking at them on the computer, I am wondering if they are Purple Martins? I have attached a few pictures which show them from different angles. I would appreciate any feedback as to what bird this is. PS -- since the pictures were not as good as I would have hoped, I went back this morning to see if I could get better ones, but I was not able to find them again. Jeff Parks Boulder, 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/2492352a-79a5-43e2-81c7-8bd899ac8770%40googlegroups.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. -- 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/4A5D678DBD38429884044CB5766D4F30%40jimPC. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
[cobirds] Double-crested Cormorant Lake Estes, Larimer Co.
I thought I had filed my last report earlier today, but on our drive out of Estes Park this morning we spotted a Double-crested Cormorant as we drove across the causeway at Lake Estes. Checking eBird as best I can on my iPhone, it appears this is the first reported up in Estes this year. Sitting here at DIA, I fully expect this will be my last posting for this trip. Enjoy the rest of Spring. Jim Nelson Bethesda, Maryland 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/E3536E99-9A97-45EF-BC07-D7D60B23199D%40verizon.net. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
[cobirds] Swainson's Thrush and House Wren west end of Estes Park, Larimer Co.
Took my last, very cold (14 degrees F starting out), morning walk on the west end of Estes Park before leaving Colorado for this visit. I found a first-of-year Swainson's Thrush and a singing male House Wren. eBird shows no records for this year up here so far.Next visit will be in much warmer weather.Jim NelsonBethesda, Maryland -- 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/12060096.407253.1462206791396.JavaMail.root%40vznit170170.mailsrvcs.net. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
[cobirds] Common Yellowthroat and Broad-winged Hawk, Lake Estes, Larimer Co.
I had a nice walk at the Matthews-Reeser Bird Sanctuary and Lake Estes in Estes Park mid to late afternoon today. Highlights were a Broad-winged Hawk soaring over the Lake and another male Common Yellowthroat (to add to the one I saw this morning at the other end of town), both new up here for this year in eBird. Lincoln's Sparrows have arrived in numbers, and I saw single Vesper Sparrow and Chipping Sparrow, lots of Yellow-rumped Warblers, mostly Mytle, good numbers of Spotted Sandpipers, a few Killdeer, a nice Wilson's Snipe in the Sanctuary that scurried away before I could get a photo, a lot of Western Bluebirds on the adjacent golf course, and the resident Bald Eagle and Osprey.Jim NelsonBethesda, Maryland -- 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/9826981.371803.1462146490882.JavaMail.root%40vms170035.mailsrvcs.net. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
[cobirds] Not so Common Yellowthroat, West Estes Park, Larimer Co.
On my daily morning walk today on the west end of Estes Park, with snow falling, I found a male Common Yellowthroat. Checking eBird I could not find any sightings for this year above the plains. This bird was in my favorite little hot spot, behind The Other Side restaurant near the intersection of Moraine Avenue and Marys Lake Road. There is a small pond on the south side of the restaurant and thickets of willow and alder around the pond and along the stream just behind it and next to a parking area below the buildings in the small shopping center. I had my Orange-crowned Warbler here yesterday and have found Nashville Warbler and Northern Parula in this area in prior years. Quite a pleasant surprise today in the snow. It was not as birdy this morning with lower temperatures and snow falling. No Yellow-rumps today on my walk. I found a large flock of Common Grackles, quite a few Red-winged Blackbirds, and my first Brown-headed Cowbirds. Unfortunately, I will be leaving Colorado just as the weather moderates and gets more spring-like. But it's been interesting to see what is here in the spring snow. Jim Nelson Bethesda, Maryland -- 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/32043112.372526.1462133139009.JavaMail.root%40vznit170064.mailsrvcs.net. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
[cobirds] Orange-crowned Warbler and other snow birds, Estes Park, Larimer Co.
Continuing our spring (though it seems like winter up here) visit to Estes Park, on my morning walk today in the snow I found a first-of-year Orange-crowned Warbler on the west end of Estes Park. No other eBird reports yet for this year up here. I also encountered a large flock of Ruby-crowned Kinglets feeding together in a couple of ponderosa pine. Numbers of Myrtle and Audubon's Yellow-rumped Warblers are increasing even with the snow. This being my first visit in April, I've been surprised at the numbers of Myrtle Warblers I've seen. Here in Estes Park, and a few days ago in Colorado Springs, they seemed to outnumber the Audubon's Warblers that I observed. It would be interesting if eBird did a dynamic map showing the migration of each form to see if Myrtle moves through somewhat ahead of Audubon's which will stay to breed here in the foothills and mountains. I had a large flock of what I believe were American Pipit fly over me headed toward Rocky Mountain National Park. I didn't find any eBird reports for Pipit up here yet for this year. Flocks of Red-winged Blackbirds and Common Grackles seemed to be staging this morning, presumably waiting for the snow to clear so they can move on up to breeding areas. Always something interesting to discover in the world of birds. Jim Nelson Bethesda, Maryland -- 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/249885.347521.1462044318561.JavaMail.root%40vms170019.mailsrvcs.net. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
[cobirds] Board-tailed hummer, Cliff Swallow Estes Park, Larimer Co.
Continuing a nice April visit to Colorado, on my walk this morning I had my first Broad-tailed Hummingbird and Cliff Swallow on the west end of Estes Park. No other reports in eBird for either species up here yet this year. I didn't report the first Violet-green Swallows and Northern Rough-winged Swallows that we saw at Lake Estes two days ago, also the first up here in eBird this year. Something new most days this time of year. Jim Nelson Bethesda, Maryland -- 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/13358095.101313.1461463222487.JavaMail.root%40vznit170164.mailsrvcs.net. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
[cobirds] Myrtle Warbler, Evening Grosbeak, & Ruby-crowned Kinglet in Estes Park, Larimer Co. 4/21
We arrived yesterday for another visit to Colorado. We are at our vacation home in Estes Park. On my morning walk this morning to get the newspaper, I did my usual birding route on the west end of Estes Park. I had two singing male Ruby-crowned Kinglets which I see from eBird have not yet been recorded west of the foothills this year. Also had a nice singing male Myrtle form of the Yellow-rumped Warbler, I see one other reported so far this year in eBird down at Lake Estes. I encountered two flocks of Evening Grosbeak and was surprised to see they have not been reported in eBird this year anywhere around Estes Park and adjacent Rocky Mountain National Park. Lots of other first-of-year western birds for me. Also enjoyed an early visit by the neighborhood Wild Turkeys to our feeder area. Looking forward to more interesting birds on our visit. Jim Nelson\ Bethesda, Maryland -- 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/4327671.14391.1461254238335.JavaMail.root%40vznit170080.mailsrvcs.net. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
[cobirds] Lake Estes, Larimer Co. 12/28, Red-br. Merganser, American Coot, American Dipper
Enjoying a cold holiday visit in the Estes Park area, we had a windy but enjoyable walk at Lake Estes this afternoon. Most of the Lake is frozen over, but in the areas of open water there were a lot of Common Goldeneye, not unexpected. Of most interest we found two male Common Merganser, two female Red-breasted Merganser, and an American Coot. None of these are unusual according to eBird, Checking eBird, I found no eBird reports from the Lake Estes/Matthews-Reeser Bird Sanctuary area since early November. A real treat was a very cooperative American Dipper that was hunting along the shore of the Lake where sheets of ice had been forced up and over rocks on the shore creating sheltered areas. The Dipper went under the ice sheets searching for prey along the shore. We could see its shadow under the ice sheets with occasional glimpses through holes, and one time its head appeared briefly in the open water at the outer edge of the ice. Jim Nelson Bethesda, Maryland -- 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/3715742.386092.1451353073422.JavaMail.root%40vms170019.mailsrvcs.net. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
[cobirds] Green Heron, Lake Estes, Estes Park, Larimer Co. 10/2
We've been enjoying a nice fall visit in Colorado for the past week, but, until today, I didn't have anything special to report. This morning we had a nice sunny walk in the Matthews-Reeser Bird Sanctuary at Lake Estes in Estes Park. We were out on the pine covered peninsula that juts into the lake, when we heard an unusual sound. My wife was the first to spot what turned out to be a hatch-year Green Heron. It was perched in a ponderosa pine near the water and then flew to the marshy end of the inlet on the west side of the peninsula. Checking eBird I found only one other report from the Estes Park/Rocky Mountain National Park area -- at Lake Estes on two days in May 2003, and no other reports for Larimer County above the edge of the foothills. A nice county bird for us. Jim Nelson Bethesda, Maryland -- 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/171007.917450.1443819276635.JavaMail.root%40vznit170190.mailsrvcs.net. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
[cobirds] Lewis's Woodpecker, Estes Park, Larimer Co., 7/31
On my daily birding/newspaper buying walk in Estes Park this morning, I was amazed to find a handsome male Lewis's Woodpecker posing in a dead ponderosa pine along Mary's Lake Road just uphill from the intersection with Lower Broadview Road. I got a quick, out-of-focus picture before it flew west. I don't know if it will be hanging around the area. It was just about a tenth of a mile as the woodpecker flies from the piece of Rocky Mountain National Park that reaches Mary's Lake Road and Moraine Avenue, north of Lower Broadview. So I just missed adding it to my RMNP list. Jim Nelson Bethesda, Maryland -- 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/12304354.230338.1438359385211.JavaMail.root%40vznit170190.mailsrvcs.net. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
[cobirds] Williamson Sapsucker morning, Larimer Co.
As I went out on the deck of our vacation home in Estes Park this lovely Thursday morning, I spotted a juvenile female Williamson's Sapsucker checking out several small ponderosa pines. Later, as I took my morning walk to bird and buy today's newspaper, I saw another juvenile female Williamson's Sapsucker on Mary's Lake Road between Lower Broadview and "Just" Broadview" and a female Williamson's flying with another Williamson's that I was not able to identify (probably another juvenile female) on Riverside Drive between Prospect Park Drive and the Manor RV Park. It was quite a surprise to see so many in one day. I also saw a female or immature Black-chinned or Ruby-throated Hummingbird along Lower Broadview west of Mary's Lake Road. Jim Nelson Bethesda, Maryland -- 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/26906907.688634.1438272432703.JavaMail.root%40vms170019.mailsrvcs.net. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
[cobirds] Williamson's Sapsucker, Hollowell Park, RMNP, Larimer Co. 7/24
Continuing a nice visit to the Estes Park area, we saw a female Williamson's Sapsucker at Hollowell Park in Rocky Mountain National Park on Friday, July 24. Jim Nelson Bethesda, Maryland -- 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/31633677.1000898.1437881020991.JavaMail.root%40vms170027.mailsrvcs.net. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
[cobirds] Green-tailed Towhee feeding juvenile cowbird, Estes Park, Larimer Co.
We are enjoying a nice July visit to Colorado. One of the bird lists I keep is of species I have observed feeding juvenile Brown-headed Cowbirds. At home in Maryland every summer we have Song Sparrows feeding cowbirds in our yard. Today at our vacation home in Estes Park, we observed a Green-tailed Towhee feeding a juvenile Brown-headed Cowbird, a new species for my list. Lots of other species are feeding their own young as well. Jim Nelson Bethesda, Maryland -- 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/13595883.378963.1437416135734.JavaMail.root%40vznit170128.mailsrvcs.net. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
[cobirds] Sora, Lily Lake, Rocky Mtn. Nat. Park, Larimer, 6/1
We had a nice walk at Lily Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park on Monday morning. The highlight, aside from our lifer moose, was a very cooperative Sora in the marsh on the south side of the lake. This is proving to be a reliable spot for this species since we have seen Sora several times here over the years. The water level in the marsh is very high, and I first spotted the Sora when it flew to one end of the marsh and then swam until it reached the edge (I'm used to seeing them walk along marsh edges, so seeing one swimming was a pleasant surprise). It then proceeded to walk about in and out of cover giving us great views. Wilson's Snipe were also active and calling. Jim Nelson Bethesda, Maryland -- 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/29164010.3651372.1433247060250.JavaMail.root%40vznit170132.mailsrvcs.net. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
[cobirds] Redhead, Lake Estes, Larimer Co. 5/31/2015
Birding at Lake Estes in Estes Park this afternoon, I found a male Redhead in the Lake near the head of the Lake. Jim Nelson Bethesda, Maryland -- 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/26943127.2492481.1433116578590.JavaMail.root%40vznit170182.mailsrvcs.net. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
[cobirds] Greater White-fronted Goose still present, Memorial Park, Colo. Sprgs, El Paso Co. 5/30
Enjoying a nice visit in Colorado Springs the last few days, I went by Memorial Park in Colorado Springs this morning and found the previously-reported Greater White-fronted Goose still present. Jim Nelson Bethesda, Maryland -- 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/16815796.2434068.1433001673950.JavaMail.root%40vznit170182.mailsrvcs.net. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
[cobirds] White-throated Sparrow, Estes Park yard, Larimer Co., 5/26
As I was getting my second bowl of cereal this morning at our vacation home on the west side of Estes Park, I glanced out the kitchen door at the back yard area where we have our bird feeders. I saw a bright bird feeding on the ground. Realizing it was something different, I grabbed my binoculars and focused on a very bright White-throated Sparrow. At home in Maryland in late fall, winter, and early spring, we have lots of them in our back yard. But I know it is very unusual in Colorado and especially up here. I managed one documentary photo before it flew off. It has not returned since. I checked eBird and found only one other record in the Estes Park area, at the YMCA Camp in October 2010. There is also an eBird report a bit south in Allenspark, Boulder Co., in November 2012. It is always nice to get a new state bird in our own back yard. Another fun observation was a male Hairy Woodpecker that managed to hold on to a perch on our hummingbird feeder and extract sugar water using its long tongue. We also have been seeing a melanistic Mountain Chickadee which is fairly dark gray in the areas that would normally be white. Jim Nelson Bethesda, Maryland -- 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/29242260.3035998.1432658643720.JavaMail.root%40vznit170128.mailsrvcs.net. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
[cobirds] Magnolia Warbler & American Redstart, Lake Estes, Larimer Co., 5/25
I took a late afternoon walk at Lake Estes in Estes Park and found the previously reported male Magnolia Warbler and a female American Redstart. Both birds were on the peninsula that juts out into the lake in the Matthews-Reeser Bird Sanctuary. Jim Nelson Bethesda, Maryland -- 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/707153.1872128.1432598476468.JavaMail.root%40vms170025.mailsrvcs.net. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
[cobirds] Marsh Wren, Rocky Mtn. Nat. Park, Larimer Co. 5/25
Continuing our visit in the Estes Park area, this morning we had wonderful close views of a Marsh Wren near the side of the road in Moraine Park in Rocky Mountain National Park. I found only a handful of other records in eBird for the Estes Park/RMNP area over the years. The bird was about two thirds of the way down the road from the Bear Lake Road to the Cub Lake trailhead, near the two cabins on the north side of the road. On our return up the road we saw the bird a second time interacting with a House Wren, giving us a nice comparison of the two species. There were also lots of American Pipits in Moraine Park, apparently waiting for all that snow above tree line to start to melt. Jim NelsonBethesda, Maryland -- 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/17149468.1919241.1432584475872.JavaMail.root%40vznit170060.mailsrvcs.net. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
[cobirds] Winter Wren, Moraine Park, Rocky Mtn. Nat. Park, Larimer Co. 5/23
We are enjoying a nice visit in the Estes Park area in Larimer County. This afternoon we drove slowly through Moraine Park in Rocky Mountain National Park watching and listening for birds. We spotted a small, stub-tailed wren at the base of a bush right by the road. It was a very pale gray brown over all, with a very light throat and pale barring on the belly. We concluded it was a Winter Wren. Other expected birds included active Mountain Bluebirds, a female Western Bluebird bathing in a natural bird bath in the hollow of a rock right by the road, a singing Savannah Sparrow, Vesper, Chipping, and Brewer's Sparrows, and Brewer's Blackbird. Looking forward to a break in the rainy weather. Jim Nelson Bethesda, Maryland -- 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/7244647.1799178.1432427276195.JavaMail.root%40vznit170134.mailsrvcs.net. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
Re: [cobirds] Re: Swan at Doubletree Colorado Springs
It is likely a stray from the group that live at the lake at the Broadmoor Hotel a couple of miles west of the Doubletree. There has been a pair at the Broadmoor since I began regularly visiting Colorado Springs a few years back, and they raised several young in recent years. Jim Nelson Bethesda, Maryland From: 'BKP' via Colorado Birds Sent: Saturday, February 14, 2015 11:19 AM To: drchart...@msn.com ; cobirds@googlegroups.com Subject: [cobirds] Re: Swan at Doubletree Colorado Springs Bill Maynard is looking at the swan, it is an adult Mute Swan. Brandon Percival Pueblo West, CO As I was speeding south on I-25 this morning I noticed a swan on the pond next to the Doubletree hotel in Colorado Springs. If anyone is in the area you might want to check it out. I did not turn around to investigate. David Chartier 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/49455462.5167699.1423930740070.JavaMail.yahoo%40mail.yahoo.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. -- 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/ED7AC815568B4CCEB3330C5AF12F74B3%40jimPC. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
[cobirds] Lake Estes, Larimer Co. -- G.W. Teal, Greater Scaup, Dipper 12/4
Finishing a nice early winter trip to Colorado, I birded around Lake Estes in Estes Park, Larimer County, Thursday afternoon. Among the waterfowl lingering on the Lake were a nice pair of Green-winged Teal, a female Greater Scaup, a pair of Common Mergansers, and 5 Common Goldeneye. I also had an American Dipper flying up and down the Big Thompson near where it enters the Lake, and a Belted Kingfisher patrolling the Lake. At our vacation home here in Estes Park this morning we had 40 Wild Turkey in the back feeding under the bird feeders. Quite a sight! Jim Nelson Bethesda, Maryland -- 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/17208448.100355.1417798690535.JavaMail.root%40vms170025.mailsrvcs.net. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
[cobirds] Waves of Yellow-rumped Warblers in Estes Park, Larimer Co. 9/11
Each morning I walk a 2 mile loop down from our vacation home in Estes Park to buy the daily newspaper. On this morning's walk I encountered what I can only describe as a wave of Yellow-rumped Warblers moving through at about 8:00. My conservative count was 30 birds in 3 minutes, and that was just what I could see where I was at that point in my walk. The birds were in the trees, in the bushes, and all over the ground. Later in the morning, I observed another wave coming by our house as I stood on the deck. This time it was at least 20 with Orange-crowned and Townsend's Warblers thrown in. Then this afternoon, after it turned much colder and began spitting rain, from our deck I observed another wave of Yellow-rumps with Orange-crowned, Townsend's, and Wilson's thrown in. I've seen lots of Yellow-rumps and Wilson's on this visit to Estes Park, but this was the first where they were moving in a consistent direction as a group. And it's the most I've ever counted at our home. I suspect it is related to the significant change in the weather that others have discussed. Needless to say, our feeders have been very busy today too as the seed-eaters stock up. Jim Nelson Bethesda, Maryland -- 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/14369054.637950.1410474016698.JavaMail.root%40vznit170176. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
[cobirds] Possible Male Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Estes Park, Larimer Co. 9/10
We had quite an interesting experience this afternoon at our vacation home on the west end of Estes Park. I was scanning for birds from our deck, when I saw a woodpecker land on the side of a wooden telephone pole in front of our house, no more than 100 feet away. Looking at the bird through binoculars I at first assumed it was a Red-naped Sapsucker -- red throat, red on the top of the head, yellow belly. But I quickly realized it had absolutely no red on the back of the head (very white instead) and had a strong black border between the red of the throat and the rest of the head. It really looked like the male Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers I see at home in Maryland in the winter. The bird flew before I could get my camera. I tried to track it down, unsuccessfully, and then I made notes of my observation before going to books and online resources. Reviewing the illustrations and descriptions in several field guides, this seems to be a male Yellow-bellied Sapsucker. I remembered articles on the subject of distinguishing Red-naped from Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers. I read online Tony Leukering's "In the Scope" article from the October 2007 "Colorado Birds" about some female Red-naped Sapsuckers with all-red throats. Tony doesn't say whether the female he observed and photographed for that article had red on its nape. The overall size of its red throat seems bigger than the bird I observed. Unfortunately I cannot access online the article in the November/December 2006 "Birding" about "Variation in Red-naped and Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers", so that will have to wait until I get home to Maryland. I'm mindful that other observations of Yellow-bellied Sapsucker in Colorado have generally been on the plains and along the foothills (checking eBird and the CBRC database), so up here in Estes Park would be even more unlikely. Also, Tony's entirely red-throated female Red-naped Sapsucker was photographed in Rocky Mountain National Park only a couple of miles from where we are. And there is always the issue of an intergrade between the two species. Our neighborhood is mostly Ponderosa Pine and brushy areas up on the side of a hill, so I don't know how likely it might be that this bird will reappear. Whichever it turns out to be, it is a new species for our yard here. Jim Nelson Bethesda, Maryland -- 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/11129186.1791653.1410393062203.JavaMail.root%40vznit170060. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
[cobirds] Male Prothonotary Warbler, Lake Estes, Estes Park, Larimer Co. 9/10
We had a nice, late-morning walk in the Matthews-Reeser Bird Sanctuary and along the north shore of Lake Estes in Estes Park today. There were lots of Wilson's Warblers and Yellow-rumped Warblers. As we explored the side trail that leaves the main trail on the right just east of the small pond, I spotted a beautiful male Prothonotary Warbler in the bushy, wet area on the left of that side trail. It really stood out from the Wilson's Warblers. I lost the bird after about a minute, and we couldn't relocate it, but there is lots of good habitat in the Bird Sanctuary area. I see them each year at home in Maryland, but it's particularly fun to see one here and add it to my Colorado list. Jim Nelson Bethesda, Maryland -- 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/6379987.1785777.1410389030178.JavaMail.root%40vznit170060. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
[cobirds] Pacific Wren, Estes Park, Larimer County, 9/5
We had a remarkably birdy day Friday at our vacation home in Estes Park. The socked-in, and off-and-on rainy conditions seemed to be concentrating migrants around our yard, and I think this was the most species we have ever observed in and from the property in a single day. Late in the afternoon, we were outside tracking lots of warbler activity in the trees and bushes around the house when we spotted a small brown bird fly into a clump of bushes. Our first impression was of a small wren. Almost immediately we heard a long, soft musical song coming from that clump of bushes that we had not heard before. I slowly circled the bushes as the bird continued its soft song. I got many tantalizing, short looks at the bird deep in the bushes. It clearly was a Pacific/Winter Wren based on its size, short tail, and overall markings. (I have observed many Winter Wrens at home in Maryland in the winter.) As the rain picked up, I had to retreat to the shelter of the house, and the bird stopped singing. We immediately went to the computer to listen to Pacific Wren and Winter Wren songs. After listening to them, it was clear that this was a Pacific Wren song. After the rain ended, we went outside several times, but did not hear or see the bird again. Quite a memorable experience. Jim Nelson Bethesda, Maryland -- 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/17785945.1619804.1409977736056.JavaMail.root%40vms170025. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
[cobirds] Solitary Sandpipers at Lake Estes, Estes Park, Larimer Co. 9/5
Continuing our visit in Estes Park, we birded at Lake Estes around noon today and found two Solitary Sandpipers, an adult and a juvenile (not together, so they lived up to their name). Checking eBird I see that none have been reported up here in this part of the Front Range this year (lots down on the plains) and only a very few sightings in the Estes Park area in prior years, often right around this date. A very reliable local birder we ran into this morning reported seeing a Prothonotary Warbler at the beginning of the Matthews-Reeser Bird Sanctuary area at the Lake yesterday. And to really whet your appetite, another local birder ran into a visiting birder today at the Lake who reported seeing a Varied Thrush in the rocks east of the parking area for the fishing platform on the north side of the Lake. Six of us spent a lot of time looking in that area unsuccessfully, so I can in no way vouch for the reliability of that sighting. Jim Nelson Bethesda, Maryland -- 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/4426338.1611134.1409958935189.JavaMail.root%40vms170025. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
[cobirds] Nashville Warbler, Lake Estes, Estes Park, Larimer Co. 9/4
Enjoying a nice visit to Colorado, I took a walk this afternoon at Lake Estes in Estes Park, Larimer Counter, from the Estes Park Visitor Center through the Matthews-Reeser Bird Sanctuary and along the south shore of the Lake. I found 31 species including lots of Yellow-rumped and Wilson's Warblers, Orange-crowned Warbler, Barn, Violet-green, and Tree Swallows, two Bald Eagles, an Osprey, and two dark male Lesser Goldfinch. As I headed back to my car I spotted a lovely female Nashville Warbler low in the large cottonwood just west of the bird sanctuary -- gray head, neck, and sides of face with complete white eye-ring and sharp bill (essentially a gray hood except for the throat); back and wings olive green; yellow on the throat extending through the breast; yellow under the tail; and white around the legs separating the yellow of the breast from the yellow of the tail. Jim Nelson Bethesda, Maryland -- 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/19150551.1429476.1409874920131.JavaMail.root%40vznit170182. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
Re: [cobirds] Re: Two missing birds for CO.
Prompted by Gary’s and Derek’s observations concerning Gray Jays and Clark’s Nutcrackers, I checked eBird for the Rocky Mountain National Park area for this year and past years. At least as far as reported observations in eBird, Clark’s Nutcrackers are being reported in and around RMNP this year in numbers comparable to past years, but Gray Jays aren’t being reported as much this year as in some past years. With more and more data, eBird is very useful for checking things like this. Jim Nelson Bethesda, Maryland From: Derek Hill Sent: Monday, July 14, 2014 11:30 PM To: cobirds@googlegroups.com Subject: [cobirds] Re: Two missing birds for CO. To add to Gary's observation, I spent several days in the Fraser Valley, Grand Co. over the last month, and an afternoon tour through RMNP along Trail Ridge Rd., and throughout all the traveling, hiking, biking, and camping I was surprised at the lack of birds (and also no GRJA or CLNU in RMNP). Granted our drive through RMNP was pretty direct with no woodland hiking, and much of the time in Fraser Valley was spent with family and a wedding, but it was somewhat disappointing birdwise. Hardly needed to carry binocs for the lack of birds, and I wondered if it was the pine bark beetle damage. Though I have very little experience summer birding in the mountains and not sure if my perception of lack of birds is accurate for that locale/season. However with all the wildflowers, lepidoptera, other wildlife, and awesome scenery it took me a while to wonder where the birds were! Good birding, Derek Hill Fort Collins On Monday, July 14, 2014 8:03:34 PM UTC-6, Gary Brower wrote: All, A different take on this thread. I spent the weekend in RMNP, and saw no/zero/nada/zip Gray Jays or Clark’s Nutcrackers. I talked a volunteer at Lake Irene; she had noticed the same thing. And I spoke with a ranger at Kawuneeche Visitor Center who had the same report. Any thoughts? (The ranger suspected it was because the snow melted so late.) Gary Brower Englewood, CO PSBy the way, I did see two WTPT’s (perhaps male and female, as they were in pretty close proximity to one another) at the Rock Cut on Trail Ridge Rd, and a female-on-the-nest Broad-tailed Hummer at Lily Lake. -- 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/5a686e93-f95b-4463-b18e-c9df4e2ab008%40googlegroups.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. -- 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/0BBA0B18BC2B42D29638248C546BA92A%40jimPC. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
[cobirds] First of year Western Meadowlark, Rocky Mtn. Natl. Park, Larimer Co. 3/31
Continuing our visit in the Estes Park area, we found two Western Meadowlarks in Morraine Park in Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP) this afternoon. Also enjoyed our first Mountain Bluebirds in the same area. eBird has no Western Meadowlark reports around Estes Park or RMNP (though we met a birder at Lake Estes yesterday who saw 4 near the lake). I also noted that several others were reporting Mountain Bluebirds today in RMNP. Jim Nelson Bethesda, Maryland -- 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/29667898.1181208.1396325894451.JavaMail.root%40vms170029. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
[cobirds] Probable Broad-tailed Hummingbird, Colorado Springs, El Paso Co. 3/30
My brother lives in Colorado Springs east of the Broadmoor Hotel. He called me yesterday afternoon to tell me that a hummingbird had buzzed by him and stopped to feed briefly on the vinca that were the only flowers blooming in his yard. He described the whistling sound that the bird made as it flew by and said it was green on the back. From the description, it sounds like it could only be a male Broad-tailed Hummingbird since a male Rufous Hummingbird would be obviously orange. I just checked eBird and could not find any hummingbird reports for Colorado, but Broad-tailed has been reported in New Mexico. Jim Nelson Bethesda, MD -- 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/5828750.2104009.1396274472074.JavaMail.root%40vznit170060. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
[cobirds] Greater Scaup and Turkey Vulture in Colorado Springs, El Paso Co.
Continuing a nice visit to Colorado, we spent a couple of days in Colorado Springs visiting family. Yesterday, Thursday, I checked out the Doubletree Hotel pond twice to see if the earlier-reported Greater Scaup were still there. I saw a few male scaup that were diving frequently, and it was very windy, causing the water to be rough. I was not comfortable identifying any of them as Greater. However, a little later I was at the Broadmoor Hotel lake a few miles away and got very nice close-up views of two male Greater Scaup near the much more numerous Lesser Scaup, allowing nice comparisons of head shape, head color, and bill details. Today, Friday, early in the morning, I saw a Turkey Vulture flying over the Broadmoor neighborhood. I see from eBird and the listservs that they are just starting to be reported along the Front Range. Jim Nelson Bethesda, Maryland -- 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/3638458.753106.1396064264744.JavaMail.root%40vznit170116. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
[cobirds] First of Year Killdeer, Lake Estes, Larimer Co.
We found another first-of-year bird at Lake Estes, in Estes Park, Larimer Co., on a walk at the lake this morning -- a Killdeer. None have been reported to eBird for the Estes Park/Rocky Mountain National Park area so far in 2014. Jim Nelson Bethesda, Maryland -- 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/8315573.451371.1395780211639.JavaMail.root%40vznit170116. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
[cobirds] First of Year waterbirds, Lakes Estes, Larimer Co. 3/24
We arrived in Colorado yesterday for a visit, starting in the Estes Park area in Larimer County. This afternoon I walked around Lake Estes and found a good variety of waterbirds. After entering my list in eBird I checked for other reports of the same species and found that only Canada Goose and Mallard have been reported from anywhere in or around Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park since the beginning of the year. And I don't recall any earlier reports from Lake Estes on either of the Colorado listservs. The main lake held 16 Gadwall, 3 (American) Green-winged Teal, a pair of American Wigeon, 8 Common Goldeneye, and a single American Coot. In the smaller body of water on the south side of the U.S. 36 causeway (which was ice free today but almost totally frozen when we arrived yesterday), I was surprised to find two Great Blue Heron. There was also a pair of Hooded Merganser. A nice start to our first visit to Colorado this year. Jim Nelson Bethesda, Maryland -- 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/32588479.353806.1395702923518.JavaMail.root%40vznit170116. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
Re: [cobirds] Northern Goshawk imitators
Jeff, I checked the Birds of North America online article for Steller’s Jay, and here’s what it says about the Jay’s mimicry skills: Mimicry. Good mimic; often heard imitating sounds of other animals in area, including those of fox squirrel (Sciurus niger; Brown 1964), Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus; WD), Northern Goshawk (Accipiter gentilis; Kennedy and Stahlecker 1993), White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis; C. Ghalambor pers. comm.), chicken, and rooster (Gallus gallus), dog (Canis familiaris), cat (Felis domestica), and mechanical sounds such as water sprinklers, telephone, and squeaky door (WD, EG). So, since Northern Goshawk is in its repertoire, it seems you’ll need to see the Goshawk to be able to rule out the Steller’s doing a good imitation. Jim Nelson Bethesda, Maryland From: Jeff J Jones Sent: Wednesday, March 05, 2014 10:00 AM To: 'cobirds' Subject: [cobirds] Northern Goshawk imitators Over the past two weeks at my home in Teller County; on three different occasions; at or just after sunrise; a Northern Goshawk has been calling outside my home office, in dense woods, for 1 to 15 minutes. The call is an absolute dead-ringer to every recording I have for a Northern Goshawk in every respect. Loudness, tempo, etc. Simply dead ringer. I can hear this thing inside my office, and it must be 10-40 yards away. I am invariably tied up in a meeting or other work, but eventually get outside with camera and binos to look for it. Every time I go outside, it ceases to call. Wondering around the acre of woods with an eye towards a sneaky large Accipter flying off silently, I have never found it. But, the Steller’s Jays that are always in my yard at this time of the morning (I put out peanuts in the shell for them) are always there. So, the whole point of this email is, I know that Steller’s Jays do a weak imitation of red-tailed hawks; and I have witnessed this on countless occasions over the years. The Jays breed on my lot most years. But, I have never heard them sound anything like a Goshawk. And further, even though the Jays can be noisy and raucous, I don’t think any of them are capable of the volume of the Goshawk call. Am I wrong? Is it possible that a Steller’s Jay is making this call? Jeff J Jones (jjo...@jonestc.com) Teller County - 8500' - Montane Woodlands -- 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/0d4301cf3883%24ac65d5e0%24053181a0%24%40JonesTC.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out. -- 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/86E600549D87434B838DD3FCFF70F62D%40jimPC. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
[cobirds] Help identifying a possible Brewer's Blackbird
above notes that some first-year Brewer’s retain dark eye color into their first Spring. The other subtle difference between Rusty and Brewer’s noted in several guides is the slightly decurved (bending downward) bill in the Rusty. I did not note how my bird’s bill was shaped at the end so I can’t use this feature. Given the dark but not iridescent coloring of the bird, it if was a Brewer’s, I am leaning toward first-year male rather than a female. I appreciate any and all feedback on my tentative identification of Brewer’s Blackbird, particularly any experience with birds with dark eyes in midwinter. Thanks. Jim Nelson Bethesda, Maryland -- 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/61CF22BD979F40D88864413B3251CA6C%40jimPC. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
[cobirds] Immature Male Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Estes Park, Larimer Co. 8/29/13
We are having another nice visit in the Estes Park area in Larimer County. This morning on my early walk down to get a newspaper, I found what I concluded to be an immature male Ruby-throated Hummingbird. I saw this hummingbird at about 7:25 on Lower Broadview Road just 30 feet west of Lower Broadview's intersection with Mary's Lake Road close to where Mary's Lake Road crosses the Big Thompson River on the west end of Estes Park. I observed the bird for about a minute, clearly, in the bright, early morning sun, perched on top of a bush near the river at a distance of no more than 15 feet through 8x42 binoculars. The back, nape of the neck, and top of the head were a bright, shiny, metallic golden color. The folded wings were dark. Underneath, the breast and belly were whitish, suffused with gray, with no buffy coloring. The throat had fine streaking with some scattered darker feathers near the base of the throat where the bottom border of a gorget could be developing. With the angle of the sun, no iridescence was visible in these darker feathers, so I could not see whether these feathers were red, as in Ruby-throated, or purple, as in Black-chinned. When the bird took flight, the tail feathers had white tips with no sign of rufous coloring in the tail. These field marks ruled out Broad-tailed, Calliope, and Rufous Hummingbirds. I decided this was an immature male Ruby-throated Hummingbird, rather than a Black-chinned Hummingbird, based on the bright, shiny metallic gold color of the back. The National Geographic Field Guide to the Birds of North America description of the Ruby-throated Hummingbird notes that "some immature males have a golden cast on upperparts, unlike Black-chinned Hummingbird." I have seen a few immature male Ruby-throated Hummingbirds with this same metallic golden appearance at my feeders at home in Maryland during fall migration. A nice find, but I need to start carrying my camera when I go for the newspaper. Jim Nelson Bethesda, Maryland. -- 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/28081747.261041.1377830737204.JavaMail.root%40vznit170146. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
[cobirds] Bullock's Oriole, Lark Bunting, Estes Park, Larimer Co. 5/23
Continuing our visit in the Estes Park area, this morning I made my daily walk to get a paper, about a 2 mile loop on the west end of Estes Park. Close to Mary's Lake Road south of the intersection with Morraine Avenue, I had a beautiful singing male Bullock's Oriole and a little later a flock of three females and a male Lark Bunting. I checked eBird and found no sightings up in this area for this year. Jim Nelson Bethesda, Maryland -- 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/14701949.449131.1369323592131.JavaMail.root%40vznit170188?hl=en-US. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
[cobirds] Bobolink, Lake Estes, Larimer County, 5/22
Continuing our visit to the Estes Park area in Larimer County, I birded again in the late afternoon at Lake Estes. Not much around, but I had a great surprise when I came upon a beautiful male Bobolink in the Matthews-Reeser Bird Sanctuary area at the lake. I checked eBird and found Bobolink were observed two times in May 2012 at Lake Estes and once in May and once in early June at Lake Estes in 2011. All the 2013 sightings appear to be out on the eastern plains. A new Colorado bird for me. Jim Nelson Bethesda, Maryland -- 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/21887153.235590.1369274209230.JavaMail.root%40vznit170132?hl=en-US. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
[cobirds] Black-crowned Night-Heron, Lake Estes, Larimer Co. 5/21
We got to Colorado late yesterday for a visit. I've been looking forward to some interesting birds after weeks reading the Colorado listservs about interesting sightings. This afternoon I had a nice walk at Lake Estes in Estes Park, Larimer Co. After enjoying my first of year Lincoln's Sparrow and seeing Gray Catbird, Spotted Sandpiper, copulating Pine Siskins, nest building Osprey (on the steel structure at the power plant), and singing "Audubon's" Yellow-rumped Warblers, I was walking back and stopped to enjoy an elk frolicking in the lake. Out of the corner of my eye I spotted a large brownish bird flying across the lake. My quick binocular view led me to a heron of some kind and a Night-Heron immediately came to mind. I walked toward where it had flown ashore and got a much longer look as it took flight again back across the lake. While is was generally brown like an immature Black-crowned Night-Heron, it had the black crown already formed, so I guess it is still transitioning into full adult plummage. When I last saw it, it had flown into some trees on the shore at the east end of the power plant, near where the road in the recreation area on the north side of the lake ends. I checked eBird and found this species is generally only seen down on the plains along the foothills with only four sightings in Estes Park, 3 around Lake Estes, most recent in the summer of 2011. A nice start to our visit. Jim Nelson Bethesda, Maryland -- 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/15965494.361157.1369180751372.JavaMail.root%40vznit170164?hl=en-US. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
[cobirds] Acorn Woodpecker, Colorado Springs, 2/12/03
We are enjoying a short February visit to Colorado. Before coming, I had been reading on the two Colorado listservs and on the eBird Rare Bird Alert for Colorado about the female Acorn Woodpecker being seen in the 1800 block of Cheyenne Boulevard at Willow Circle in Colorado Springs. I don't get much chance to chase unusual birds, but this one was only a couple of miles from my brother's house where we would be visiting. Today, my wife and I finally had a chance to check out the location, excited by the Friday sighting reported by Seth Gallagher. We drove up Cheyenne Boulevard and saw someone with a camera with a long lens. We stopped to ask if he was looking for the Acorn Woodpecker. He confirmed that he had seen it just a few minutes before and told us to drive up the road to Willow Circle and he would show us. When he caught up with us, we introduced ourselves, and we got to meet Bill Maynard, a name we had seen many times before. Bill showed us the specific tree and waited with us for about 25 minutes, but the bird was a no show. We had to leave to get somewhere by 10:30. After we were finished, we decided to head back to the location arriving about 11:25. Bill was still there with several other people, and they showed us the Acorn Woodpecker in its favorite tree. This was a new Colorado bird for us, and we're pretty sure a new U.S. bird as well, so it was very exciting. Bill personified the many birders we have met in Colorado over the years who have gone out of their way to share good birds with us. It is always a pleasure to bird here. Jim Nelson Bethesda, Maryland -- 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. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
[cobirds] Lily Lake, RMNP, Larimer Co. -- Rough-legged Hawk, no redpolls, 11/18
We're in Colorado for a Thanksgiving visit. I had been reading about the Common Redpolls at Lily Lake in Rocky Mtn. Nat. Park and worried they would have moved on by the time we got here. Sure enough, no sign of them when I walked around the lake this afternoon. But I had a wonderful consolation prize -- nice views of an immature, light morph Rough-legged Hawk right overhead. I see very few reports in the area of Rough-legs on eBird. Jim Nelson Bethesda, Maryland -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To post to this group, send email to cobirds@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
[cobirds] Wild Turkeys, between Boulder and Lyons, U.S. 36, Boulder Co., 9/8/12
We were driving on Saturday afternoon about 4:15 from Boulder to Lyons on U. S. 36 when we spotted a flock of Wild Turkey, about a dozen birds, on the west side of the highway. This was between Nelson Road and St. Vrain Road half way between mile markers 26 and 27. I checked eBird and found very few Wild Turkey reports for Boulder County. This was an interesting way to get a new county bird at 60 mph. Jim Nelson Bethesda, Maryland -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To post to this group, send email to cobirds@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
[cobirds] Nashville Warbler, Estes Park, Larimar Co. 9/9/12
Every morning, I walk down from our vacation home in Estes Park to buy the Denver Post and bird along the way. This cold Sunday morning, I was surprised to find a very cooperative Nashville Warbler. The Nashville was located near the Other Side Restaurant, market, and liquor store at the intersection of Mary's Lake Road and Morraine Avenue on the west end of Estes Park. Entering the small shopping area from Morraine Avenue, the Nashville was behind the market and liquor store. There is a gravel parking area below and behind the buildings which can be reached by going between the market and liquor store. The Nashville was in bushes near the stream on the east side of the parking area very close to a fence with a picnic table behind it. This area behind the buildings has been a little hot spot most mornings. I would not be surprised to have the Nashville Warbler on my home turf, but I know it is unusual here. Since this is our last full day in Colorado for this visit, finding the Nashville was a nice bonus. Jim Nelson Bethesda, Maryland -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To post to this group, send email to cobirds@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
[cobirds] Williamson's Sapsucker & Western Bluebird, Lily Lake, RMNP, Larimar Co. 9/5
We had a very pleasant walk around Lily Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park this beautiful Wednesday morning. Highlights were a male and one or two female Williamson's Sapsuckers and one or more flocks of Western Bluebirds, both species around the western half of the lake. I've never seen this many Western Bluebirds at once. There were at least eight and possibly more, depending on whether we were seeing more than one flock as we walked around the lake. Jim Nelson Bethesda, Maryland -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To post to this group, send email to cobirds@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
[cobirds] Northern Parula, Cub Lake Trail, Rocky Mtn. Nat. Park, Larimer Co. 8/31
We are continuing a nice visit to Colorado. As we started our hike on the Cub Lake Trail in Rocky Mountain National Park this fine Friday morning, we had great views of a very cooperative, fist-fall female Northern Parula in the willows and alders at the beginning of the trail between the parking lot and the stream. We did not relocate it when we returned from our walk. This was a very nice surprise since I had a singing male Northern Parula in Estes Park on our spring visit this year. Jim Nelson Bethesda, Maryland -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To post to this group, send email to cobirds@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
[cobirds] Nice variety of birds in Estes Park and Rocky Mountain Nat. Park
We're off to a nice start on our visit to Colorado. Since putting up the feeders on Saturday at our place in Estes Park in Larimer County and watching from the deck, we've been visited by Calliope, Rufous, and Broad-tailed Hummingbirds, Evening Grosbeak, Cooper's Hawk, and Townsend's, Orange-crowned and Yellow-rumped (Audubon's) Warblers as well as the usual three species of nuthatch, House and Cassin's Finches, American Crows, Common Ravens, Steller's Jay, Hairy Woodpecker, Northern Flicker (Red-shafted), Chipping Sparrow, Dark-eyed (Gray-headed) Junco, and circling Turkey Vultures. On the first stretch of the Cub Lake Trail in RMNP in the Saturday evening dusk, we had a nice Rock Wren, a lifer for my wife. Jim Nelson Bethesda, Maryland -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To post to this group, send email to cobirds@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
[cobirds] N. Parula still present Estes Park, Larimer Co., 6/3/12
I walked down to get the Sunday paper this fine morning and found the male Northern Parula still singing up a storm in the tall Ponderosa Pines on the north side of the river at the intersection of Lower Broadview Road and Mary's Lake Road in Estes Park. It was easily heard from the bridge. It was apparently oblivious to the large number of Common Ravens that were in the area, including four in the very tree from which the Parula was singing. I think all the Ravens on the west side of Estes Park were hanging out in that immediate area. An Osprey was hunting over the river farther west on Lower Broadview, second time I've seen it in this location in the last week. Late yesterday afternoon at the Alluvial Fan in Rocky Mountain National Park, we were treated to a Wilson's Snipe sitting high in a dead pine calling loudly. This was a pleasant surprise since we had never seen a Snipe perched in a tree. All our previous views have been down in marshes or in quick flight. The young Great Horned Owls from the nest west of the Alluvial Fan have left the nest tree and moved to other nearby trees. Jim Nelson Bethesda, Maryland -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To post to this group, send email to cobirds@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds?hl=en.
[cobirds] Singing Northern Parula, Estes Park, Larimer Co., 6/2/12
Continuing to enjoy a great visit to Colorado. This sunny Saturday morning, I walked down to get a newspaper and birded along the way. At 7:55 at the corner of Lower Broadview Road and Mary's Lake Road on the west side of Estes Park, I heard an interesting warbler song, and I immediately thought "what western warbler sounds like a Northern Parula?" I searched for the bird and finally found it actively feeding and singing high in the tall Ponderosa Pines on the north side of the river close to the bridge. I got very good views of a male Northern Parula. At home in Maryland I hear and see them often, but I knew it was unusual here. Jim Nelson Bethesda, Maryland -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To post to this group, send email to cobirds@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds?hl=en.
[cobirds] Northern Waterthrush, Catbird, Brewer's Sp., & more Lake Estes, Larimer Co. 5/25
Having a nice visit to the Estes Park area in Larimer County. This cold, gray morning at Lake Estes, along with many local and visiting birders, primarily in the bird sanctuary area, we enjoyed a Northern Waterthrush (pointed out by local birders who reported one has been seen periodically for the last three or four weeks), a Gray Catbird, a Brewer's Sparrow, a Prairie Falcon, a number of Lincoln's Sparrows, Yellow, Wilson's, Orange-crowned, and MacGillivray's Warblers, American Redstart, and Common Yellowthroat. Later at our vacation home in Estes we had a new yard bird -- two flyover American White Pelicans. Yesterday in Rocky Mountain Park we encountered large numbers of White-crowned Sparrows and American Pipits in Morraine Park and Horseshoe Meadow respectively, apparently waiting for the snows to end up high so they move up to breed. Also had a Western Meadowlark singing in Morraine Park, a first in RMNP for us. Jim and Ann Nelson Bethesda, Maryland -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To post to this group, send email to cobirds@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds?hl=en.
[cobirds] No Trumpeter Swans, Lake Estes, Larimer Co., 11/27/11
I took a walk around Lake Estes on Sunday afternoon, and, as of 3:30 when I left, the previously reported Trumpeter Swans were not present. The colder temperatures have significantly increased the ice cover on the lake, and I suspect the swans moved on because the shallower areas where they had been feeding are no longer available. The numbers and variety of other waterfowl were also down significantly. I saw only Canada Goose, Mallard, and Common Goldeneye. Jim Nelson Bethesda, Maryland -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To post to this group, send email to cobirds@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds?hl=en.
[cobirds] Common Redpole, Estes Park, Larimer Co. 11/27/11
I continued a nice visit to Colorado with a wonderful surprise this morning. I walked to get the Sunday paper at the "Other Side" restaurant on Mary's Lake Road on the west side of Estes Park. I always count birds when I do this. After collecting the paper I walked across Mary's Lake Road and walked west on Lower Broadview Street ("Road" on maps but "Street" on the sign) which is just south of the Other Side across the bridge. Walking back east on Lower Broadview, just 30 feet before Mary's Lake Road, in the willows and alders on the north side of the street I head and saw several American Goldfinch. There was a streaky bird with them that I initially thought was a Pine Siskin until I got my binoculars on it and realized it had a small red patch on the head and pink on the breast. Consulting my bird guide, I discovered I had a nice male Common Redpoll -- a life bird! It gave me wonderful views from only 10 feet away. Next time I will bring my camera when I go to get the paper! Jim Nelson Bethesda, Maryland -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To post to this group, send email to cobirds@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds?hl=en.
[cobirds] Trumpeter Swans, other waterfowl -- Lake Estes, Larimer Co. 11/25/11
We're having a nice Thanksgiving visit in Colorado. We saw the four previously-reported Trumpeter Swans on this past Monday and Tuesday on the drained Lake Estes. After a couple of days in Colorado Springs, we returned this Friday afternoon to see the four Trumpeter Swans are still present on the now-refilled Lake. Also had nice views of a female Hooded Merganser, American Wigeon, Green-winged Teal, Common Goldeneye (tried to turn several distant birds into Barrow's but had to leave them as unidentified Goldeneyes), Bufflehead, Ring-necked Duck, and a nice Western Grebe (down from the three Western/Clark's I saw at a distance on Monday). Birding in the late afternoon, there weren't many land birds around, but I stumbled on a Northern Shrike on my way back to my car near the power plant. My complete list from eBird is below. Jim Nelson Bethesda, Maryland Estes Park--Lake Estes, Larimer, US-CO Nov 25, 2011 3:10 PM - 4:20 PM Protocol: Traveling 0.5 mile(s) Comments: Lake full again. Cool and breezy conditions. Some whitecaps on the water of the Lake. 16 species (+2 other taxa) Canada Goose 146 Trumpeter Swan 4 American Wigeon 15 Mallard 29 Green-winged Teal 8 Ring-necked Duck 1 Bufflehead 3 Common Goldeneye 6 Common/Barrow's Goldeneye 3 Hooded Merganser 1 Western Grebe 1 gull sp. 1 Northern Flicker (Red-shafted) 1 Northern Shrike 1 American Crow 12 Black-capped Chickadee 2 American Robin 8 European Starling 1 -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To post to this group, send email to cobirds@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds?hl=en.
[cobirds] Olive-sided Flycatcher/Wild Turkeys, Hollowell Pk, RMNP, Larimer Co. 7/31
Having a nice visit to Colorado in the Estes Park area. Yesterday evening we did a quick walk in Hollowell Park in Rocky Mountain National Park before being chased back to the car by a thunderstorm. Highlights were a nice view of an Olive-sided Flycatcher perched in the lone dead ponderosa pine in the open at the rise in the early part of the trail and four female Wild Turkeys and at least 22 poults with them seen below the trail near the stream and willows and later heading up to the woods on the north side. Jim Nelson Bethesda, Maryland -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To post to this group, send email to cobirds@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds?hl=en.
[cobirds] Calliope Hummingbird, Estes Park, Larimer Co. 6/2
We had a beautiful male Calliope Hummingbird visit our feeder (which I just put out yesterday) early this morning. His gorget was really striking. According to eBird, this is an unusual sighting. He has not returned. We had many of them last fall on a previous stay here in Estes Park. Our place is on the west end of Estes Park in Prospect Park.Jim NelsonBethesda, Maryland -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To post to this group, send email to cobirds@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds?hl=en.
[cobirds] Warbling Vireo, Chat, Orange-crowned Warbler, Am. White Pelican, Lake Estes, Larimer Co., 5/29
Continuing a great visit to Colorado, we had a nice mid-day walk at a birdy Lake Estes. New birds for me since yesterday's walk at the Lake included 7 American White Pelicans circling in a thermal over the Lake, an Orange-crowned Warbler, a Yellow-breasted Chat, a Warbling Vireo, several McGillivray's Warbler, 2 House Wren, and a beautiful Western Tanager. Saw a Veery again as well as a female American Redstart. Saw several species gathering nesting material and/or mating. My complete eBird list is below. Jim Nelson Bethesda, Maryland Location: Estes Park--Lake Estes Observation date: 5/29/11 Notes: Mix of clouds and sun. Temperature in mid to high 50s. Number of species: 36 Canada Goose 54 Mallard 3 American White Pelican 7 Broad-tailed Hummingbird 4 Belted Kingfisher 1 Alder/Willow Flycatcher (Traill's) 1 Warbling Vireo 1 American Crow 2 Common Raven 2 Tree Swallow 3 Violet-green Swallow 6 Barn Swallow 6 House Wren 2 Ruby-crowned Kinglet 3 Veery 1 Swainson's Thrush 1 American Robin 8 Gray Catbird 17 Brown Thrasher 1 Orange-crowned Warbler 1 Yellow Warbler 24 Yellow-rumped Warbler (Audubon's) 5 American Redstart 1 Northern Waterthrush 2 MacGillivray's Warbler 3 Common Yellowthroat 1 Yellow-breasted Chat 1 Chipping Sparrow 8 Song Sparrow 2 Lincoln's Sparrow 16 White-crowned Sparrow 4 Western Tanager 1 Common Grackle 2 Brown-headed Cowbird 5 Bullock's/Baltimore Oriole 2 House Finch 12 Pine Siskin 22 American Goldfinch 2 -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To post to this group, send email to cobirds@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds?hl=en.
[cobirds] Redstart, Veery, Brown Thrasher, Northern Waterthrush, plus at Lake Estes, Larimer Co. 5/28
We just arrived in Colorado for a spring visit. Saturday afternoon I birded the east end of Lake Estes, primarily in the bird sanctuary area. I had been reading about this area for a couple of years on the listserv, and I can definitely say it lives up to its billing as a great location in spring migration. It was a gray, cold afternoon but the birds were popping. As I started out, I ran into local birders Scott Rashid and Judy Wright who told me about lots of interesting birds, many of which I went on to see during my walk. I saw 39 species plus non-singing Traill's flycatchers which I presume to be Willow. Highlights for me were a female American Redstart flycatching over the stream flowing by the path (joining the many Yellow Warblers and Traill's Flycatchers engaged in the same pursuit), 3 Northern Waterthrush, a Veery right by the trail (foraging close to a Swainson's Thrush for a nice comparison), a Brown Thrasher, Common Yellowthroats, Black-headed Grosbeaks, a Cliff Swallow, a nice male Bullock's Oriole, more Lincoln's Sparrow than I have ever seen, and at least 58 Spotted Sandpipers. A truly wonderful afternoon. My complete list from eBird is below. Jim Nelson Bethesda, Maryland Location: Estes Park--Lake Estes Observation date: 5/28/11 Notes: Very gray day. Temperature low 50s. No precipitation during period of count. Number of species: 39 Canada Goose 28 Mallard 4 Turkey Vulture 1 Spotted Sandpiper 58 Rock Pigeon 3 Mourning Dove 1 Broad-tailed Hummingbird 3 Downy Woodpecker 1 Alder/Willow Flycatcher (Traill's) 12 American Crow 2 Common Raven 6 Violet-green Swallow 3 Barn Swallow 5 Cliff Swallow 1 Mountain Chickadee 2 Red-breasted Nuthatch 3 Ruby-crowned Kinglet 7 Veery 1 Swainson's Thrush 4 American Robin 13 Gray Catbird 11 Brown Thrasher 1 Cedar Waxwing 35 Yellow Warbler 25 Yellow-rumped Warbler (Audubon's) 6 American Redstart 1 Northern Waterthrush 3 Common Yellowthroat 6 Green-tailed Towhee 4 Chipping Sparrow 10 Song Sparrow 4 Lincoln's Sparrow 32 White-crowned Sparrow 1 Black-headed Grosbeak 3 Common Grackle 5 Brown-headed Cowbird 1 Bullock's Oriole 1 House Finch 3 Pine Siskin 18 American Goldfinch 2 -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To post to this group, send email to cobirds@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds?hl=en.
[cobirds] Northern Shrike, Estes Park, Larimer County, 2/11/11
We're visiting in Estes Park for a few days. This morning as I was driving back to our place from an errand I saw a shrike sitting on the wires at Riverside Drive and Prospect Park Drive on the west side of Estes Park. I raced to get my binoculars and made it back in time to have a good look at a Northern Shrike before it flew off. Jim NelsonBethesda, Maryland -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To post to this group, send email to cobirds@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds?hl=en.
[cobirds] 1st WinterBlack-legged Kittiwake, Lake Estes, Larimer County
I'm visiting for a couple of days in Estes Park in Larimer County. This afternoon I decided to go down to Lake Estes to see what was around. As I walked from the parking lot at the Visitor Center at the west end of the Lake at about 2:40 pm, I saw a gull flying from the west toward the Lake. It had very distinct dark wing tips with an interesting pattern of black and white areas in the wings. My mental note was that the black areas formed a "v" shape on each wing with a bright white area behind the black "v". At several points I left the paved walking trail to view the open areas of water, but no gull. Back on the trail I saw the gull again, flying back west toward the power plant water outlet at the head of the lake. I hustled back and left the trail to view the open water below the water outlet. The gull was on the water about 100 feet away from me. I noted the white head and black bill with a blackspot behind the eye and a vertical black line at the back of the head as well as a lot of black in the folded wings. I checked my field guide and quickly realized that I was looking at a first winter Black-legged Kittiwake -- a life bird!! Being from out of state, I had only one potential contact to tell about the bird and seek confirmation of my i.d. As I was viewing the bird, I called Scott Roederer who I had met on Saturday when I helped out on the Rocky Mountain National Park Christmas Count. Scott was not in Estes when I called on his cell, but he promised to call someone to come to the Lake. Just as he and I were talking, the Kittiwake flew back toward the Lake and out of view. I hustled toward the Lake as the snow storm intensified and looked at the open water from several vantage points, but did not see the bird again. I went back to my car and drove to the south side of the Lake where I encountered Scott Rashid and Judy (didn't get Judy's last name). Scott Roederer had called them, and they had arrived in time to see the Kittiwake and confirm my i.d. I understand Scott also got pictures. We were joined by two other folks in cars, and we drove up and down the south side of the Lake, but no one had seen the Kittiwake again as of the time I drove away. I walked to the power plant outfall one more time to see if the bird was back there (the area can't be seen from the driving area on the south side of the Lake), but the Kittiwake was not there when I left about 4:20. I hope it hangs around so others can see it. Jim Nelson Bethesda, Maryland -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To post to this group, send email to cobi...@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds?hl=en.
Re: [cobirds] Estes Park on 26Oct2010
We're visiting in Estes Park for a few days. I had never checked out the bird sanctuary area at Lake Estes so I braved the very gusty winds and took at look on Tuesday midafternoon. The only birds I saw around the crabapple trees by the utility yard were Dark-eyed Juncos. On the pine-covered peninsula that Dave mentions below, in addition to Mountain Chickadees and Brown-headed Nuthatches, I had great veiws of a Dipper along the edge of the Lake.Jim NelsonBethesda, Maryland On Oct 26, 2010, Dave Leatherman wrote: We (Mary & Tom France and I) blew off the weather report and went to Estes Park today. Then the wind did the same to us. North of the Power Plant utility yard at the west end of Lake Estes, we checked the crabapple trees that hosted good warblers last weekend and found 5 Yellow-rumped Warblers eating aphids. Not sure if these aphids were dead from the freezing temps last night or not, but the point is these trees and the insects are still attractive to insectivorous passerine birds and the trees would warrant checking over the next few weeks. A little ways east within the Matthews-Reeser Sanctuary, specifically the pine covered peninsula, were 1 Yellow-rumped Warbler, a few Pygmy Nuthatches, a few Mountain Chickadees, and 1 mountain race, female Hairy Woodpecker. At the north end of the Dry Gulch Road north of US34 in the northeastern part of Estes Park, we found about a dozen cooperative Brown-capped Rosy-Finches feeding along the roadside on what appeared to be the pink flower heads of a tiny, low-growing plant. Between the upper and lower switchback on the Devil's Gulch Road as it descends north into Glenhaven was one female (I think) Pine Grosbeak. The bird's crown was intermediate between what Sibley calls "russet" and what his guide shows for the normal corn-yellow coloration of a female. Russet birds can either be females or young males. Since the rump of this bird was gray, perhaps that makes it a female. Dave Leatherman Fort Collins -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group.To post to this group, send email to cobi...@googlegroups.com.To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com.For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds?hl=en. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To post to this group, send email to cobi...@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds?hl=en.
[cobirds] Calliope Hummingbirds in Estes Park, Larimer Co.
We spent a nice week and half at our place in Estes Park, leaving on Saturday, September 4. We were amazed at the numbers of Calliope Hummingbirds we saw at our feeder. As the days progressed the Rufous Hummers disappeared, and the Broad-tails declined in numbers, but we seemed to have ever-increasing numbers of Calliopes (females/young males). Is this unusual?Jim NelsonBethesda, Maryland -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To post to this group, send email to cobi...@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds?hl=en.