[cobirds] Harris's Sparrow - El Paso County
COBirders, I am assuming that the same Harris's Sparrow that has been seen at Fountain Creek Nature Center most of this winter is still at the center. We saw one on Saturday at the south feeders; now near adult breeding plumage. We also saw the Green Heron reported in an earlier posting at Rice's Pond in Fountain Creek REgional Park. Ken Pals Colorado Springs -- 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] BlackWhite Warbler - El Paso County
Cobirders, I spent this morning birding with Tim deBoer from the Netherlands at Fountain Creek Creek Regional Park. The park was not very birdy today. We did see a f Black-and-white Warbler and also at least two Northern Waterthrush at the small pond in the Hanson Nature Park section of the park. We also stopped at the small stock/irrigation pond east of Link Road on Squirrel Creek Road. Just west of the pond in an irrigated pasture was at least 360 White-faced Ibises. We scope them all, but failed to find any glossy ibis. Stopped briefly at Big Johnson. Birds of note here included Common Loon and Black-necked Stilt. Ken Pals Colorado Springs -- 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] Chestnut-sided Warbler - El Paso County
COBirders, While prepping this morning for tomorrow's El Paso County's Bear Creek Regional Park Spring Bird Count, Brad Tyler and I observed a male Chestnut-sided Warbler in front of Bear Creek Nature Center. Other highlights for the park this morning included Yellow-breasted Chat, Northern Mockingbird, Virginia's Warbler MacGillivray's Warbler. I also had a report from Steve Getty today that he had a Yellow-throated Vireo in his yard this morning. He lives about a block south of Bear Creek Park. Interested and able birders are invited to assist with Bear Creek's spring bird count. Meet at Bear Creek Nature Center, Saturday, May 21 at 7:00 a.m. We'll bird till 10:30 or so. A $5 donation to the center for bird seed is appreciated. Ken Pals Colorado Springs -- 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] Tennessee WA, Black-throated Blue WA N Parula - El Paso County
COBirders, I spent another couple of early morning hours today at the small pond at the south end of Fountain Creek Regional Park. Once again a bunch of warblers and other birds. Mel Goff met me there and also Robert Craven. We saw 10 warbler species today including Tennessee, Northern Parula, Northern Waterthrush, Virginia's, Orange-crowned, Wilson's, Yellow, Yellow-rumped, Common Yellowthroat warblers at this small pond west of the Hanson Nature Park parking lot. Also many Chipping, Brewer's and Lincoln's sparrows. The Eastern Wood-Pewee was not found this morning, replaced by several Western Wood-Pewees in the area. Yesterday there were a few empids. Today I did not see any. Further north in the park along the irrigation ditch east of the waterfall area and west of the nature center, we refound the male Black-throated Blue Warbler that was seen on Saturday. Great birding! Ken Pals Colorado Springs -- 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] Eastern Wood-Pewee - El Paso County refound today
Cobirders, The Eastern Wood-Pewee found by Bill Maynard yesterday was refound this morning at the south end of Fountain Creek Regional Park in El Paso County. Park at the Hanson Nature Park trail access, head west across the creek bridge and follow the regional trail west and south to the 2nd small pond. It was actively foraging at the south end of the pond this morning from 6:30 till at least 8:30 a.m. Brandon Percival and Cara Caragher also met up with me there. Brandon took more photos. Other birds of interest this morning that were not seen on Saturday's spring count included Orchard Oriole and Ruby-crowned Kinglet. The above mentioned pond was by far the most active of three places that I birded in the park today with Yellow-rumped, Wilson's, Virginia's, Common Yellowthroat, Orange-crowned, and Northern Waterthrush warblers. Also Brewer's, Clay-colored and Lincoln's Sparrows and Empid sp., Black-headed Grosbeak, BT Hummingbird and others. Good birding, -- 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] Eastern Wood-Pewee - El Paso County refound today
Cobirders, The Eastern Wood-Pewee found by Bill Maynard yesterday was refound this morning at the south end of Fountain Creek Regional Park in El Paso County. Park at the Hanson Nature Park trail access, head west across the creek bridge and follow the regional trail west and south to the 2nd small pond. It was actively foraging at the south end of the pond this morning from 6:30 till at least 8:30 a.m. Brandon Percival and Cara Caragher also met up with me there. Brandon took more photos. Other birds of interest this morning that were not seen on Saturday's spring count included Orchard Oriole and Ruby-crowned Kinglet. The above mentioned pond was by far the most active of three places that I birded in the park today with Yellow-rumped, Wilson's, Virginia's, Common Yellowthroat, Orange-crowned, and Northern Waterthrush warblers. Also Brewer's, Clay-colored and Lincoln's Sparrows and Empid sp., Black-headed Grosbeak, BT Hummingbird and others. Good birding, -- 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] Fountain Creek Reg. Park Spring Bird Count, El Paso County
Fellow Birders, Thirty-two people participated in the 21st annual Fountain Creek Regional Park Spring Bird Count that occured today. Most of the birding took place between the hours of 7:30 and 10:30 a.m., but several other birds were added later in the day while many of the participants chased great birds found earlier by other groups. All birds reported except one were seen by more than one participant. Ninety-nine species were seen, but I have not yet totaled the gross number of individual birds. My hunch is that the numbers are lower than normal. If anyone is in the park over the next three days, I'd be interested in any new week of birds. Following is a list of best birds and possibly some FOS birds for this park: White Pelican - 2 Snowy Egret - 2 Green Heron - 1 Virginia Rail - 2 Sora - 1 American Avocet - 2 Solitary Sandpiper Spotted Sandpiper Wilson's Phalarope Olive-sided Flycatcher - 1 Cassin's Kingbird Western Kingbird Eastern Kingbird Warbling Vireo - 1 All six swallow species Mountain Chickadee Blue-gray Gnatcatcher Swainson's Thrush Gray Catbird Northern Mockingbird - 1 Brown Thrasher - 1 American Pipit Orange-crowned Warbler - few Yellow Warbler - quite a few Black-throated Blue Warbler - 1 male, many observers, near the gazebo east of the waterfall/headgate to the irrigation ditch Yellow-rumped Warbler - many, but not lots Black-throated Gray Warbler - 1 male, many observers, in the woods at the northeast side of Cottonwood Meadows where a house use to be. Bay-breasted Warbler - 1 male, seen by all 4 members of Bob Goycoolea's team, but not refound later Northern Waterthrush - a couple Green-tailed Towhee - Chipping Sparrow Clay-colored Sparrow Brewer's Sparrow Lark Sparrow Lincoln's Sparrow White-crowned Sparrow Rose-breasted Grosbeak - 1 Black-headed Grosbeak Lazuli Bunting Great-tailed Grackle - 2 Pine Siskin Good birding. It sure made up for last week Saturday when I only picked up about 40 species. Of course, more eyes and ears help. Feel free to respond if you have any questions regarding specific locations of where birds were seen. Ken Pals Colorado Springs -- 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] Monument Valley Park - Colorado Springs
COBirders, This morning I led a group of Friends of Monument Valley Park on a bird walk through the north end of the park that parallels Monument Creek. I suspect that this park is under birded. Very few migrants were seen today. Best birds included a Black-chinned Hummingbird, nesting Cooper's Hawk and Spotted Sandpipers. Ken Pals Colorado Springs -- 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] Harris Sparrow - Fountain Creek Reg Park
COBirders, Fountain Creek Regional Park, El Paso County yielded few good birds today. It was not particularly birdy for a May 7th day. Normally we see Yellow Warblers, Bullock's Oriole and many other migratory species here on May 1 so to me it seems that spring migration is at least a week later than normal. We did see our first of spring Yellow Warbler. There were only a few Yellow-rumped Warblers and only one Orange-crowned Warbler. Our best bird for the day was the Harris's Sparrow that remains after spending a whole winter near the nature center. It is now taking on its breeding plumage. Other birds seen by the Birding for Beginners class included American Avocet, Black-throated Hummingbird, Hermit Thrush, Chipping Sparrow, and Great-tailed Grackle. Later in the afternoon, I met Jeannie Mitchel and Aaron Shipe who had photos of a molting Summer Tanager observed near the Duckwood Road Trailhead in the park. Fountain Creek's Spring Bird Count is next Saturday from 7 - 11 a.m. I hope the floodgates open for us as it seems most of the great birds are being observed elsewhere in Colorado. Ken Pals Colorado Springs El Paso County -- 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] Palm Warbler - El Paso County
COBirders, Sonderman Park in Colorado Springs had a few good birds this morning. A smattering of Yellow-rumped Warblers, one Orange-crowned Warbler, one Palm Warbler near the Beidleman Environmental Center and south of the first bridge, and several Swainson's Thrushes, among the other expected residents. Ken Pals -- 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] Harris's Sparrow-El Paso County
Cobirders, Today, I saw one first year Harris's Sparrow at Fountain Creek Regional Park Nature Center near the south nature center bird feeders. This is probably still one of the two Harris's Sparrows that have spent most of the winter here. Ken Pals Colorado Springs -- 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] Fountain Creek Reg Park - El Paso County
Cobirders, I made a quick run at Fountain Creek Regional Park this morning and saw the usual species for March. Highlights included one very ruddy-looking, white-throated Winter Wren and one female Audubon's Yellow-rumped Warbler just north of the South Rice's Pond Gazebo. There were also two first winter Harris's Sparrows foraging at the nature center feeders. The wren responded to Winter Wren vocalizations on my ipod, but not to Pacific Wren leading me to call this bird Winter Wren. I did not take any photos of the bird. Ken Pals Colorado Springs -- 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] Pine Warbler - Harris Sparrow, El Paso County
Cobirders, This is a day late, but the Pine Warbler and Harris's Sparrow continues to be seen at Fountain Creek Regional Park in El Paso County. The warbler was observed by me and many others again yesterday (Jan. 22) between the trail mile marker 18 and the sewage treatment box with the yellow rails. The Harris's Sparrow is hanging out by Fountain Creek Nature Center primarily near the south side feeders. I was not able to locate any Winter Wrens yesterday. Yesterday, I led a Hawk ID Field Trip for Fountain Creek Nature Center and had an incredible stop at Big Johnson Reservoir where we located: 2 adult Bald Eagles 1 juv. Bald Eagle an estimated 4 Ferruginous Hawks an estimated 7 Red-tailed Hawks 1 Prairie Falcon I have never seen this many raptors at Big J at one time. We also observed American Kestrel, Rough-legged Hawk and Golden Eagle during the trip. Ken Pals Colorado Springs -- 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] Pine Warbler Winter Wren remain at Fountani Creek Reg Park
CoBirders, Bob Bonestroo and I saw the Pine Warbler and Winter Wren again this afternoon at Fountain Creek Regional Park, El Paso County, a little north of Trail Mile Marker 18 near the yellow pipe fence / sewage treatment box. Ken Pals -- 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] Rusty Blackbirds still at Clear Spring Ranch, El Paso County
Cobirders, I refound the Rusty Blackbirds at Clear Spring Ranch this afternoon between 2:30 and 3:30 p.m. They were first reported by Cici Lee on Sunday and John Drummond on Monday. They were in the same general location. I first found them on the east side of Fountain Creek roughly 50 yards south of the big death cottonwood tree that lies on the east creek bed. The 3 birds (2 female and 1 male) then flew to right in front of me on the west side of the creek and then they flew north of the sandbar willows, but still feeding on the mud bars near the flowing water. To get there, take I-25 south of Colorado Springs about 15 miles to Exit 123. Follow the road east to the Clear Spring Ranch parking lot and then hike east to the creek. Ken Pals -- 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] Fountain Creek Reg. Park Fall Bird Count Highlights, El Paso County
Cobirders, Yesterday, Fountain Creek Nature Center hosted 19th annual fall bird count for Fountain Creek Regional Park with 33 people participating in five teams. We had roughly 77 species for the day which was down from the high eighties of the past two years. We had a new species added to the park list with a flyby flock of 27 Pinyon Jays. Birds by groups included: Canada Goose, Wood Duck, Mallard, Blue-winged Teal, N Shoveler Pied-billed Grebe Double-crested Cormorant Green Heron, Great Blue Heron, BC Night-Heron Turkey Vulture N Harrier, Red-tailed Hawk, Am. Kestrel Wild Turkey Killdeer, Spotted Sandpiper Rock Pigeon, Euro. Collared-Dove, Mourning Dove Great Horned Owl Black-chinned Broad-tailed Hummingbirds Belted Kingfisher Downy Woodpecker, Hairy WP, Northern Flicker Olive-sided Flycatcher, W Wood-Pewee, Cordilleran Flycatcher, Say's Phoebe, Western Kingbird Plumbeous Vireo Warbling Vireo Western-Scrub-Jay, Pinyon Jay, Blue Jay, BB MAgpie, AM. Crow Barn Swallow BC Chickadee Bushtit WB Nuthatch House Wren Blue-gray Gnatcatcher American Robin Gray Catbird Euro Starling Orange-crowned, Yellow, Townsend's, MacGillivray's Warblers, N Waterthrush, Common Yellowthroat Yellow-breasted Chat. Western Tanager Spotted Towhee, Chipping, Brewers, Vesper, Lark, Song Lincoln's Sparrows Blue Grosbeak, Lazuli Bunting Red-winged, Yellow-headed Brewer's Blackbirds, Common Grackle, Western Meadowlark and BH Cowbird House Finch, Pine Siskin, Lesser and American Goldfinch House Sparrow. If you happened to bird in the park during the week of (Wednesday, Sept. 8 through Tuesday, Sept. 14, I'd be happy to hear of your report. There were a few should see species that we missed on count day that I'd like to add to the week of list. And of course, I'd like to hear about any rarities as species seem to move in and out almost every day. Good Birding, Ken Pals Colorado Springs -- 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] Fall Bird Count this Saturday at Fountain Creek Regional Park, El Paso County
Cobirders, All available beginning to advanced birders are invited to participate in Fountain Creek Regional Park's annual Fall Bird Count this coming Saturday, September 11, from 7:30 - 11:00 a.m. We'll rendezvous at Fountain Creek Nature Center at 7:30, break in to smaller teams and bird the park. Sixty to eighty bird species are expected in this park that now boasts over 290 bird species sightings. Confirmation of your attendance is appreciated by either responding to this e-mail or calling Fountain Creek Nature Center at 719-520-6745. A $5 donation for the birds (bird seed) is appreciated. Good Birding! Ken Pals Colorado Springs. -- 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] Manitou Lake - Trout Creek Highlights
Cobirders, Manitou Lake north of Woodland Park was not particularly birding today. It was very warm and windy. Highlights for the group I led included one Ash-throated Flycatcher, one Red-naped Sapsucker, one singing Gray Catbird, one Green-tailed Towhee, one Evening Grosbeak and two singing American Dippers. The only warblers we could find were Yellow and Yellow-rumped. There were only two Western Bluebirds. The best birding was at and below the dam along Trout Creek. Thirty-nine species total. Ken Pals Colorado Springs -- 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] Highlights of Bear Creek Reg. Park , El Paso County - Blue-winged Warbler
Cobirders, Bear Creek Nature Center hosted is mostly annual Spring Bird Count this morning. Birding wasn't great, but it wasn't bad either. We had 68 species for the morning. By far the best bird seen by Rise Foster-Bruder, Neil Basdekas and Paula Megorden was a male Blue-winged Warbler along the Creekbottom Trail the goes upstream from the nature center. They found the bird around 7:30 a.m. Several of us were unsuccessful in trying to refind the bird between 10:45 and 12:30. The stables around Penrose Stadium had over two hundred Chipping Sparrows, 40 or more Lark Sparrows, 12 Clay-colored Sparrows, a few White-crowned Sparrows and two Lark Buntings. The buntings were a surprise for us. Other good birds included Cassin's and Plumbeous Vireos, Orange-crowned Warblers, Virginia Warblers, and several dozen Yellow-rumped Warblers; Green-tailed Towhee, Cordilleran Flycatcher and other Empids; Swainson's and Hermit Thrush; Broad-winged Hawk,Northern Goshawk and finally two seemingly late Dark-eyed Juncos. Good Birding! Ken Pals Colorado Springs -- 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
[cobirds] Hooded Warbler, American Redstart at Fountian Creek Park, El Paso County
Cobirders, I birded from 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. today at Fountain CreeK Regional Park near the nature center. The woods were full of birds especially just south of the nature center, south of nature center pond, along warbler alley and then also in the woods north of the nature center along the fence line that runs east from the dock for the little pond. There were at least a hundred yellow-rumps, but the best was a male American Redstart, a male Hooded Warbler and a Northern Waterthrush. The Redstart was near the hairpin curve in the trail in elms and willows. The Northern Waterthrush was in the cattail area below the nature center pond and the Hooded Warbler was along the irrigation ditch near the only American Elm on the east side of the ditch in a clump of Golden Currants near the water's edge. I was able to relocate the birds a second time after walking west along Woodpecker Alley near Fountain Creek (the area below the diversion dam). There were also many other good birds: Hermit Thrush, Swainson's Thrush, Dusky Flycatcher, Eastern Kingbird, Cassin's Kingbird, Common Yellowthroat, Orange-crowned Warbler, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Western Wood-Pewee, another Empid. sp., Say's Phoebe, Plumbeous Vireo, Chihuahuan Raven, Gray Catbird, Clay-colored Sparrow, Lincoln's Sparrow. I also went to the south end of the park and found a female American Redstart by the ponds, before I was called home to share my vehicle. I could have stayed at the park all afternoon. In these two hours of birding I saw 55 species. I hope it is as birdy tomorrow morning for the Bear Creek Park count. Ken -- 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
[cobirds] Invite to Bear Creek Regional Park Bird Count, Colo. Springs
Cobirders, Bear Creek Nature Center is hosting it's annual Spring Bird Count this Saturday, May 15 from 7 - 10:30 a.m. Bird enthusiasts of all ages and abilities are invited to participate in this citizen science project counting species and populations of birds in this El Paso County Park. Reservations are requested so we can plan on how we are going to split the teams as well as a $5.00 donation for the birds (bird seed). You may RSVP by either calling Bear Creek Nature Center at 719-520-6387 or returning an email to me. Thanks, Ken Pals Colorado Springs -- 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
[cobirds] Highlights of Fountain Creek Reg. Park Count, El Paso County
CO Birders, Twenty one birders in five teams searched Fountain Creek Regional Park in El Paso County this morning and found 88 species. Highlights for the day include: White-faced Ibis - 70 fly over Merlin Wilson's Phalrope Gray Flycatcher Black Phoebe Western Kingbird Eastern Kingbird Plumbeous Vireo Rock Wren Blue-gray Gnatcatcher Gray Catbird Brown Thrasher Orange-crowned Warbler Virginia's Warbler Northern Parula Yellow Warbler Yellow-rumped Warbler Common Yellowthroat Wilson's Warbler Westen Tanager Green-tailed Towhee Lark Sparrow Lincoln's Sparrow Black-headed Grosbeak Lazuli Bunting Great-tailed Grackle Bullock's Oriole Lesser Goldfinch I'd be interested in your sightings if you happen to bird in the park during the next three days. Thanks. At my home feeders this afternoon I had Rose-breasted, Black-headed and Evening Grosbeaks. Ken Pals Colorado Springs near Garden of the Gods -- 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
[cobirds] Fountain Creek Regional Park Birds 5/7
Cobirders- I spent a few hours at Fountain Creek Regional Park this afternoon to prep for the Spring Bird Count. Sheltered areas of the park were quite birdie with the following birds seen: Yellow Warbler - 6 Yellow-rumped Warbler - 50+ Wilson's Warbler - 1 Orange-crowned Warbler - 1 Virginia's Warbler - 1 male and 1 female McGillivray's Warbler - 1 Cassin's Vireo - 1 Warbling Vireo - 1 Western Tanager - 3 Bullock's Oriole - 2 Eastern Kingbird - 1 Broad-tailed Hummingbird - 1 Black-chinned Hummingbird - 1 Swainson's Thrush - 2 Ken Pals Colorado Springs -- 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
[cobirds] Fountain Creek Reg. Park Spring Bird Count Saturday, El Paso County
Cobirders, Interested and able birds are invited to attend the annual Spring Bird Count at Fountain Creek Regional Park this Saturday, May 8, from 7:00 - 11:00 a.m. We'll meet at Fountain Creek Nature Center, 320 Pepper Grass Lane, Fountain, CO 80817 and then split into teams. Last year we broke triple digits in the number of species seen. Will it be that great this year? I hope so and with your help it is possible. The cost is free, but a $5.00 donation is requested to help the nature center buy bird seed. Reservations are appreciated and that can be done by calling Fountain Creek Nature Center at 719-520-6745 or by replying to this email. Thanks, Ken Pals Colorado Springs PS: Bear Creek Regional Parks Spring Bird Count is the following Saturday, May 15. The time for that is 7:00 - 10:30 a.m. Make reservations at 719-520-6387 or by replying to this email. -- 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
[cobirds] Birds at Fountain Creek Park, El Paso County
Cobirders, Despite the wind, our Birding for Beginners 101 group had a nice assortment of birds (55) today at Fountain Creek Regional Park. What caught my eye most was the number of hawks that were slowly migrating into the strong north headwind. I surmise that the wind provided lift and they still could almost effortlessly continue with their migration. We saw Osprey, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Broad-winged Hawk, and Peregrine Falcon moving north. In the sheltered areas of the riparian woodlands, there were many Yellow-rumped Warblers. I saw somewhere between 50 - 70 warblers - all YRWA, but it made us hopeful that we would find some other warbler species and of birds to soon come. Other good birds included Double-crested Cormorant, Snowy Egret, Black-crowed Night-heron. The Yellow-crowned Night-heron could not be relocated. We had a good variety of dabbling ducks including all three teal species. At the nature center pond north bridge we saw a Sora. Also saw Franklin's Gull, two Wilson's Snipe, a Great Horned Owl with two owlets, Broad-tailed Hummingbird, Say's Phoebe, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Chipping Sparrows, and still a few straggling winter White-crowned Sparrows and Dark-eyed Juncos. Based on past records at Fountain Creek Park, migratory passerine birds should really start showing up this coming week - April 30 on through the third week of May. Good birding, Ken Pals Colorado Springs -- 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
[cobirds] Winter Bird Count Tally, Fountain Creek Park, El Paso Couonty
CoBirders, We still have a day and a half left for count week for the Fountain Creek Regional Park Winter Bird Count in El Paso County. In case anyone birds there today or tomorrow, I like to hear if you have any additional birds. Birds that we often see, but did not for this count include Ring-necked Duck and other divers, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Great Horned Owl, Marsh Wren, American Pipit and House Sparrow. We had at least 53 species along with some unidentified gulls. The day could not have be better weather wise, The sky was clear, starting temperature at 22 degrees ending at 40 degrees F. Little wind with a rising barometer. Thirty birders birded in five teams from roughly 9:00 - 10:45 a.m. Following are the best birds observed among the many usual common winter residents: Common Goldeneye-1 (Area 3) Golden Eagle - 1 (Area 4) Bald Eagle - 1(Area 3) Virginia Rail - 2 (Area 3) Wilson's Snipe - 1 (Area 2/3) Herring Gull - 1 (Area 1) Winter Wren - 1 (Area 2/3) Golden-crowned Kinglet - 1 (Area 3) Ruby-crowned Kinglet - 1 (Area 3) Good birding, Ken Pals Colorado Springs
[cobirds] Winter Wren at Fountain Creek Park, El Paso County
Cobirders, A Winter Wren, reported by Bill Maynard about a week ago, was observed by several people today at Fountain Creek Regional Park south of Colorado Springs. Aaron Driscoll was the first to see the wren on the north side of the gazebo at North Rice's Pond. A few minutes later he connected with me, and we refound the bird in the same location. Leslie Holzman and Rise Foster-Bruder also had brief glimpses of the bird. I found the bird again at around 3:30 p.m. with Kaye Lafreniere. I had a great look at the bird this time and we heard it's call several times. It was found in what is known by some as area 2 in the park, near the Trail Marker #18 first in the dead Crack Willow tree on the east side of the regional trail, it flew across the trail to another willow and dead branches, then proceeded to the sewage treatment outflow area. Thanks, Bill, for your tips on finding this new county bird for all of us. Ken Pals Colorado Springs
[cobirds] Fountain Creek Regional Park Winter Bird Count Sat. Jan 9
Cobirders, Beginning to advanced birders are invited to El Paso County Park's Fountain Creek Nature Center next Saturday, January 9 from 8:30 - 11:00 a.m. to observe and record the numbers and species of birds in Fountain Creek Regional Park. A $5 donation or bird seed donation to the nature center is requested. Registration is requested by calling Fountain Creek Nature Center at 719-520-6745 or by replying to this e-mail. Thanks, Ken Pals Colorado Springs -- Colorado Field Ornithologists: http://www.cfo-link.org/ Colorado County Birding: http://www.coloradocountybirding.com/ 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.as/group/cobirds?hl=en
[cobirds] Bald Eagles, El Paso County
Cobirders, Aaron Driscoll asked me to post that he saw three Bald Eagles at Big Johnson Reservoir yesterday. Three was more than he had ever seen before at Big J. Ken Pals -- Colorado Field Ornithologists: http://www.cfo-link.org/ Colorado County Birding: http://www.coloradocountybirding.com/ 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.as/group/cobirds?hl=en
[cobirds] Prothonotary Warbler at Fountain Creek Reg. Park, El Paso County
Cobirders, At around 11:45 a.m. this morning, my Birding 202 group observed a bright Prothonotary Warbler in the tangles/shrubs on the west side of the second small pond at the south end (Area 7) of Fountain Creek Regional Park. Park at the Hanson Nature Park parking lot off of Highway 85 and Lyckman Drive, walk west on the regional trail across the bridge that crosses Fountain Creek and head west and south to the second small pond. At the same location we also saw Common Yellowthroat, Wilson's and Orange-crowned Warblers. About ten of us saw the bird. Bright yellow head, throat, breast belly, bluish-gray wings with no wingbars, and white undertail coverts. We also birded at the Bluestem Prairie Open Space / Big Johnson Reservoir today. Best birds for us were a Long-billed Dowitcher and Wilson's Phalarope. Ken Pals Colorado Springs --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ Colorado Field Ornithologists: http://www.cfo-link.org/ Colorado County Birding: http://www.coloradocountybirding.com/ 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.as/group/cobirds?hl=en -~--~~~~--~~--~--~---
[cobirds] California Quail at Fountain Creek Nature Center
Cobirders, This e-mail is to confirm that there has been sightings of a pair of California Quail (not Gambel's Quail) in Fountain Creek Regional Park, El Paso County over the past month and photos taken. The Colorado Division of Wildlife is aware of the pair that was likely dumped here by someone or escaped from a game farm and is checking into the situation. It is disappointing that people consider parks as dumping grounds for Red-eared Sliders, Zebra Finches, cats, dogs, rabbits, the list goes on. A tremendous amount of time, money and energy is spend on alien and invasive plant and animal species on both public and private lands. I call it the Alien Dilemma. On a small scale in the park, I have observed changes over the last 15-20 years: Leopard frogs have succumbed to Bullfrogs, Red-eared Sliders have displaced Western Painted Turtles. What next? Ken Pals Colorado Springs --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ Colorado County Birding: http://www.coloradocountybirding.com/ 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.as/group/cobirds?hl=en -~--~~~~--~~--~--~---
[cobirds] Manitou Lake - Trout Creek, Teller County
Cobirders, The El Paso County Park's Birding for Beginners group birded at the Manitou Lake Recreation Area north of Woodland Park this morning and saw several good birds including Black-and-white Warbler, McGillivray's Warbler, Lincoln Sparrow and Green-tailed Towhee. We also heard at least two Wilson's Snipe but did not see them. Today at my feeder in west Colorado Springs, I had a male Rose-breasted Grosbeak. Ken Pals Colorado Springs --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ Join us at the 2009 Convention in Alamosa: http://cfo-link.org/convention/index.php 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.as/group/cobirds?hl=en -~--~~~~--~~--~--~---
[cobirds] Scarlet Tanager misreported yesteray
Cobirders, After posting our preliminary sightings for the Fountain Creek Regional Park Spring Bird Count yesterday, I must apologize for the report of the Scarlet Tanager. It was mismarked on the list and I was not able to follow up with the area team leader until today. Regrets, but still great birding! Ken Pals El Paso County --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ Join us at the 2009 Convention in Alamosa: http://cfo-link.org/convention/index.php 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.as/group/cobirds?hl=en -~--~~~~--~~--~--~---
[cobirds] Fountain Creek Park Big Johnson Birding, El Paso County
Cobirders, I birded with my Birding for Beginners class at the north end of Fountain Creek Regional Park, Big Johnson Reservoir and along Goldfield Drive below the BJ dam. We saw and heard 65 birds on a rather cold, breezy and occasionally drizzly morning. Beginners are usually fair weather birders and these new birders learned some new lessons on outdoor dress (we too often assume people know better in Colorado to dress in layers and be prepared for anything) and that lousy weather often provides some great birding. While we didn't see anything out of the ordinary, nearly all the birds were extraordinary for these beginners. It is wonderful to encourage this joy and excitement of birding. Best birds at Fountain Creek Park included a pair of American Kestrels, 1 Great-Horned Owl, 8 Yellow-rumped Warblers (all Audubon's), 1 Snowy Egret, 5 Black-crowned Night-Herons with plumes extended, Say's Phoebe. Birding at Big Johnson was much more tolerable than last week. Hundreds of Western Grebes are present (John Dan Maynard reported a Clark's Grebe that we were not able to relocate), also Horned and Eared Grebes. Also Willet, American Avocet, Wilson's Phalarope, 1 Red-breasted Merganser, Common Loon, Franklin's, Bonaparte's and California Gulls and the usual waterfowl. Also 1 Western Kingbird, Say's Phoebe and all six swallows. I am sure we might have found other birds but did not bird the eastern or northern side of the reservoir as we ran out of time. Below the dam in the irrigated hayfield on Fountain Valley School property we observed 12 Willets, 6 or more Great-tailed Grackles, observed one American White Pelican fly over within 50 feet of us, followed by a skein of about 40 Pelicans flying over Big Johnson to the east. To top off the morning, a flock of 15 White-faced Ibis landing in the hayfield. Great birding for everyone, Ken Pals Colorado Springs --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ Join us at the 2009 Convention in Alamosa: http://cfo-link.org/convention/index.php 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.as/group/cobirds?hl=en -~--~~~~--~~--~--~---
[cobirds] Ramah SWA Birds - El Paso County
Cobirders, Bob Bonestroo and I birded between Falcon and Ramah State Wildlife Area this morning and saw 40 species. The is a very nice wetland just east of the Falcon Safeway that had among others a Great Egret and 3 Great-tailed Grackles. The Falcon area Meadow Lake Ranch Heron Rookery was active with nearly 50 Great Blue Herons present this morning. Another nice birding location is along Fairplay Road Big Sandy Creek just north of Sweet Road, 4 or so miles nw of Calhan. A very small rookery was located here last year, but no activity this year. The land is private, but there can be good birding just walking along Fairplay Road. Scott Shaum's earlier posting for Ramah Reservoir was better than ours. There are some nice mud flats, but the water is still very low and no water was running into the reservoir despite the latest snow and rain. We did see 1 Marbled Godwit, 8 Greater Yellowlegs, 4 Lesser Yellowlegs, 1 Willet and an assortment of puddle ducks - all three teal, Say's Phoebe, Tree Swallows, Vesper Sparrows. Good birding everyone. Ken Pals Colorado Springs --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ Join us at the 2009 Convention in Alamosa: http://cfo-link.org/convention/index.php 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.as/group/cobirds?hl=en -~--~~~~--~~--~--~---
[cobirds] Saturday Birding El Paso County
CoBirders, After postponing my Saturday Birding for Beginners field trip on Friday evening due to the storm, I couldn't help this morning but still venture out to see what we might have found. Despite the winds, Fountain Creek Regional Park had some good birds this morning. Bob Goycoolia, Kara Lewantowitz, Dan and I randomly rendezvoused at the site where Bill Maynard saw the Winter Wren a few days ago. We could not find the wren, but saw nearly 50 species including 1 Horned Grebe, 2 Snowy Egrets, 4 Black-crowned Night-herons, a pair of copulating American Kestrels, 30 Franklin's Gulls, 4 Say's Phoebe, 1 Loggerhead Shrike, a few Northern Rough-winged and Barn Swallows, 1 Ruby-crowned Kinglet, 8 - 10 Western and Mountain Bluebirds, about 10 Yellow-rumped Warblers (both Audubon's and Myrtle) and 4 Yellow-headed Blackbirds. After Fountain Creek I drove over to Big Johnson Reservoir. It was incredibly windy there with three foot waves and whitecaps. My best bird from the car was a Clark's Grebe that was tucked in the cove at the south end of the dam, otherwise the usual waterfowl, Horned and Eared Grebes, Franklin's and California Gulls, Barn Swallows. There were many birds at the far north side of the reservoir, but chose not to endure the bighting wind and sleet. Ken Pals --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ Join us at the 2009 Convention in Alamosa: http://cfo-link.org/convention/index.php 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.as/group/cobirds?hl=en -~--~~~~--~~--~--~---
