[cobirds] Horned Larks, Weld County
Driving home from work last night around 6pm I came across a flock of about 150 Horned Lark on CR 20.5 just east of CR 1. I first stopped for two birds on the road, then the rest came and landed on the road in front of me. There were a few on the well road to the south, but most were trying to hunker down out of the wind on the road. Tough little guys. Todd Deininger Longmont, CO -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups Colorado Birds. 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?hl=en Visit the CFO Website at: www.cfo-link.org To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscribegooglegroups.com or reply to this email with the words REMOVE ME as the subject.
Re: [cobirds] R-T Hawk predates a Cooper's
I have witnessed the Red-tail Hawk at Bracken Cave in TX catching a Mexican Free-tailed Bat. Also, I have read accounts of Golden Eagles catching Peregrine Falcons. Todd Deininger Longmont, CO Only the muddy fox lives -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups Colorado Birds. 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?hl=en Visit the CFO Website at: www.cfo-link.org
[cobirds] Wheatridge Greenbelte Sunday 3/14
Probably to late for Chip, but I saw no Rusty Blackbirds yesterday morning. I did find the previos reported Barrow's Goldeneye on the small pond east of West Lake and a possible Greater Scaup among the Lesser Scaup on Prospect Lake. (Bad weather and optics didn't allow me to positively id the bird.) Two large rafts on Northern Shovelers were on tabor Lake. Almost all lakes held Common Goldeneye and West Lake had a raft of Redheads. Clear Creek had a pair of Wood Ducks by the car park off of Youngfield. (pointed out to me by a pair of British birders. Also on the creek were Am. Wigeon, Mallards, and Green-winged Teal. An American Dipper was signing under I-70. song Sparrows were also singing. Todd Deininger Longmont, CO Only the muddy fox lives -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups Colorado Birds. 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?hl=en Visit the CFO Website at: www.cfo-link.org
[cobirds] Hybrid Hooded Merganser x Common Goldeneye, Chatfield SP, Jeffco
After searching and not finding the Juniper Titmouse this morning on Dinosaur Ridge I headed south to Chatfield to look for teal. On the pond in the SW corner of Chatfield SP I found what looks like a Hooded Merganser x Common Goldeneye hybrid. I have some not so great digi-scoped and cropped photos. The duck had a head similar to a HOME, but it was all back. The eye looked exactly like the male HOME swimming in the same pond. The bill was long and thin and the head profile from the front was narrow. It had yellow legs. I displayed by flapping and coming off the water like the COGO, but it did not throw its head all the way back like a COGO. Its scapulars remind me of a COGO, but not a lot of white and its sides looked similar to the HOME, but not the same colors. Photos: http://picasaweb.google.com/blueskyhapkido/HydridDuck# Map: http://tinyurl.com/yj6svuw Todd Deininger Longmont, CO Only the muddy fox lives -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups Colorado Birds. 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?hl=en Visit the CFO Website at: www.cfo-link.org
Re: [cobirds] Snowy owl - GBBC - El Paso
Just got back form a SE trip and stopped by to see the owl so I guess I could send it in if no one else has. Todd Deininger Longmont, CO -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups Colorado Birds. 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?hl=en Visit the CFO Website at: www.cfo-link.org
[cobirds] correction Black-tailed Gull at Thomas
I just talked to Walter and the gull is no longer at Thomas, he is searching other water. He is currently at Valmont. I am sure Walter will give the details later, but he said all field marks look good except for eye color. Todd Deininger Longmont, CO (currently in Houston, PA) -- 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] Long-tailed duck. Lagerman, Boulder 11/17
I stopped by Lagerman around 4:45 pm last night and the Long-tailed Duck was still there. Todd Deininger Longmont, CO -- 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] Lapland Longspur, Union Res. Weld Cty 10/30
Drove the north side on Union Res. yesterday after work. All the birds must have still been on the south end of the reservoir except for a few Pied-billed Grebe and 30 American white Pelican. The field in the north east end of the reservoir had Lapland Longspur . Todd Deininger Longmont, CO --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ 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] Arctic Loon, Union Res.
Stopped by Union Res. after work today. I was hoping the with the wind coming from the north the birds would seek some shelter on the north side of the lake. Surprisingly there weren't many birds on the north side of the lake and I was wondering where all the grebes were since I did not see many. Luckily though the Arctic/Pacific Loon was actively diving. I only saw it through binoculars since the road had 12 inch snow drifts and didn't think it wise to stand on the side of the road. Last week in California I had some good looks at Pacific Loons from a boat and this loon seemed to show more white in the flanks then I thought the pacifics did. Couldn't pick much else up on the bird do to the snow and poor light. Anyway, I headed around to the south side and most of the Western Grebes were hanging out in the south part on the lake. The gulls were flying into the wind close to the road, but nothing unusual. Todd Deininger Longmont, CO --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ 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] Red-necked Grebe Union Res., Weld Cty.
Went looking for loons, but only found four species of grebes. While scanning the west shore I found a Red-necked Grebe amongst the Western Grebes. I saw no loons. Also in Longmont today was 113 American crows over my house heading back into town. I saw them leaving this morning, but must have missed the first flight because I saw only 37. Todd Deininger Longmont, CO --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ 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] Northen Parula photos from Estes Park
http://picasaweb.google.com/blueskyhapkido/NothernParula# Todd Deininger Longmont, CO --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ 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] Re: Plover at Lagerman?, Boulder Co. 10/14
I am now in Humboldt Cty., CA and saw quite a few Black-bellied Plovers. I would have to say that the bird from Lagerman was not a BBPL and I am strongly leaning to American Golden Plover . Todd Deininger Longmont, CO currently in Fortuna, CA - Original Message - From: Mike Blatchley mabx...@gmail.com To: cobirds@googlegroups.com Sent: Friday, October 16, 2009 12:45:40 PM GMT -07:00 US/Canada Mountain Subject: [cobirds] Re: Plover at Lagerman?, Boulder Co. 10/14 I will comment that when I first saw the plover on Tuesday afternoon, initial reaction was Black-bellied Plover. But when it took flight on that day, I didn't detect any signs of white on upper wings or tail. Certainly got me to thinking about American Golden, but I hate identifying basic plumage shorebirds, especially based on flight characteristics. When Todd and I saw it fly on Wednesday, we had good views of underneath side of wings, and I didn't catch any hints of black axillaries, further suggesting American Golden. I haven't been back out since Wednesday, but I will stop by today and see if it's still around. As for the confusing gull, Bob Zilly and I have been discussing that one since Tuesday also. I just got email from him; he just returned from Lagerman and managed to get views of underneath side of primaries--no color/gray suggesting Thayer's Gull. Mike Longmont, CO On Thu, Oct 15, 2009 at 8:33 PM, bluesky...@comcast.net wrote: Mike also pointed out a plover to me that he said has been around a few days. It flew once and I did not notice the black underwings like a Black-bellies Plover and didn't seem as white underneath as the photos I looked at last night. It might be worth a look because I believe it could be good for an American Golden Plover . Maybe Mike had better looks today. --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ 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] Plover at Lagerman?, Boulder Co. 10/14
Leaving Boulder Res. yesterday I stopped by Lagerman Res. and ran into Mike Blatchley. Mike turned me on to a gull slightly larger than Ring-billed Gulls around it. It had dark streaking around the head, neck and breast. The light was getting bad, but I think it might have been a Thayer's Gull. I didn't seem to have a large bill like a Herring Gull. Mike also pointed out a plover to me that he said has been around a few days. It flew once and I did not notice the black underwings like a Black-bellies Plover and didn't seem as white underneath as the photos I looked at last night. It might be worth a look because I believe it could be good for an American Golden Plover . Maybe Mike had better looks today. Also, there might have been three Mew Gull s at Boulder Res. yesterday. Is this possible? The two I saw showed the larger white area on their primaries like a Mew Gull should and they were smaller than the ringers and larger than the Franklin's Gulls. While I was retrieving my dog, a third bird flew in that looked about the smae size, but then the wind picked up and I couldn't even keep my scope steady. Hopefully I will get better looks at some on CA tomorrow. Todd Deininger Longmont, CO --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ 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] Common Loon and Thayer's Gull, Union Res., Weld Co.
A stop on the south shore of Union Res after work today I saw a Common Loon try to take flight with no success. Very windy. Noticing a different gull flying by I found a Thayer's Gull flying in the strong wind. Todd Deininger Longmont, CO --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ 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] Hudsonian Godwit, Timnath Res,, Larimer
The Hudsonian Godwit was still on the West shore close to the rock dam today around 4pm. Todd Deininger Longmont, CO --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ 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] Phillips County today
After waking up early today I decided to give some nocturnal birding a try. Not hearing anything in Longmont, I decided to head east and found myself in Haxtun City Park before sun up. American Robins were make some alarm calls so I quickly found the Great Horned Owl. A softer chirp lead me to a SWAINSON'S THRUSH. I saw three individuals. Next I headed south east to 'climb' the highest point in Phillips Cty, Which turned up BREWER;S SPARROWs and the first of many Nothern Harriers. Leaving the county line with Logan I headed east towards Holyoke on CR 18 where I cam across a weird mixed flock of Red-winged and Yellow-headed Blackbirds, American Robins, Mourning Doved and a half dozen Chipping Sparrows. A dark morph FERRUGINOUS HAWK landed on a roll of hay later on down the road. On the way into Holyoke I spotted a RED-HEADED WOODPECKER. The first of three around town. The sewage ponds turned up a lone TREE SWALLOW among the many Barn Swallows. A stop a Frenchcreek SWA was productive. What looked like an Olice-sided Flycatcher fly off the post when I pulled in the lot off of CR 27, but I couldn't refind it. A EASTERN and WESTERN KINGBIRD were perched on the wire across the road at the farm house. The fruit trees.shrubs held at least eight BROWN THRASHERS, AMERICAN GOLDFINCH, GRAY CATBIRD and CLAY-COLORED SPARROW. Walking east a very annoyed Brown Thrasher turned me on to a SHARP-SHINNED HAWK. The sharpy then went after the thrasher, but the larger thrasher escaped into the junipers. There was a ROCK WREN in the broken concrete at the dam and my only warbler of the day below the dam. (WILSON'S WARBLER) Heading south I ended up east of Fiddler Peak which sent me out on CR 35. This turned out to be a bonus. Two ORNATE BOX TURTLEs, one WESTERN HOGNOSE SNAKE, and rounding a corner a GREATER PRAIRE-CHICKEN had to get off the road quickly flying right over my vehicle barely missing. If my sun roof was open I could have grabbed it. Sadly my camera battery died after the box tutle photo or I could of had a picture of chicken track in the road. There were to small ponds on CR 35. The first one held only a Great Blue Heron and the second had a Blue Green-winged Teal, GREATER YELLOWLEGS and a WILSON'S SNIPE The water on CR 2 between road 29 31 was not over the road, but it was still right nrxt to the road. By now the wind was picking up. Coots, Green Blue-winged Teal, Mallard (Yuma) and a lone HORNED GREBE (Yuma) were the only water fowl. Many Killdeer, one SPOTTED SANDPIPER, one probable WESTERN SANDPIPER (it hunkered down behind some clumps of mud) and ten WILSON'S PHALAROPE were the only shoebirds. Todd Deiniger Longmont, CO http://picasaweb.google.com/blueskyhapkido/RecentWildlifeSighting# --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ 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] Buff-breasted Sandpiper, Arapahoe 8/31
Just a quick note before students walk throuhg the door. I saw the Buff-breasted Sandpiper last night (8/31). I last saw it around 4:45 with Norm and Linda. Todd Deininger Longmont, CO --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ 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] dark morph Northern Harrier, LUNA Res. Weld Cty. 8/26
A few people emailed me for some more information on the bird, so I am just sending it out to the group. On Wednesday 8/26 I was driving south on York next to LUNA Res. I spotted a Northern Harrier take flight from on top of the hill east of the road. On second glance I thought Turley Vulture since the wings and body were dark. Looking at the head I confirmed it was a NOHA. The harrier then flew northwest across the field in typical harrier flight. The back of the bird was all dark and it had no white rump patch. The flight weathers were very pale almost white contrasing sharply with the underwing. It also appeared to have a little white on top of the wings, but it was heading into the sun so I didn't geta great look. I google searched and came up with an ABA photo quiz, http://www.aba.org/birding/v41n4p74.pdf , that shows a dark morph Northern Harrier, but could find no other information. Todd Deininger Longmont, CO --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ 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] Laughing Gull, Weld Cty
I did a brief drive around Frederick, Ft. Lupton and Dacono in SW Weld Cty. today. Driving south on CR 23 a large flock of gulls were feeding in a field just north of CR 10. Mostly Ring-billed Gulls with a dozen Franklin's Gulls. The Laughing Gull caught my attention because it was making short flights around the field. Finally it took flight and headed northwest towards the river. Also off interest was seven Swainson's Hawks trailing a tractor. All total I saw twelve SWHA. Two Bald Eagle with a nest just east of Frederick. With a third flying up down the Platte A dozen Wilson's Snipe in a pond on CR 8. Finally I believe a dark morph Northern Harrier on York Rd next to LUNA Res. I didn't get a chnace to scope LUNA, but there was quite a few water fowl out there. It look like they are enlarging LUNA. Todd Deininger Longmont, CO --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ 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] Upland Sandpiper nocturnal migration Boulder Aug 24
Thanks Ted for posting about the Upland Sandpiper. Foxy and I heard the call yesterday flying over Pratt Park in Longmont on our early morning run. I can hear the chips of other birds flying over, but the UPSA was very distinct. It appeared to be heading southwest. Todd Deininger Longmont, CO --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ 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] White-tailed Ptarmigan, Rollins Pass, Gilpin Co.(and maybe Boulder Co.)
Today Tom Wilberding, Foxy ( http://picasaweb.google.com/blueskyhapkido/Foxy ) and I headed up to Rollins pass from the Gilpin Co. side. We drove up Rollins Pass Road as far is possible, parked and hiked up to the tunnel. We hiked around the tunnel and headed towards Rollins Pass. Being our first trip up there, Tom wanted to hike over and see Winter Park. We headed up the hill to look over the edge and saw the road we drove up. Next we headed west. Good call by Tom. As we were hiking towards the pass, about ten feet in front of us Foxy flushed a WHITE-TAILED PTARMIGAN and then promtly ignored it becasue it wasn't a Yellow-bellied Marmot or a Pika. We then tried to get a few pics of the bird before moving on to the pass. ( http://picasaweb.google.com/blueskyhapkido/WhiteTailedPtarmigan_RollinsPass_Gilpin_Deininger_06Aug2009 ) I took a waypoint of the spot we saw the WTPT and tried to pin point it on a map. If I changed my Lat/Long to the proper decimal, the WTPT flew from Gilpin Co. into Boulder Co. Any advice here would be appreciated. Below is our list from Rollins Pass area. Todd Deininger Longmont, CO White-tailed Ptarmigan Broad-tailed Hummingbird* Northern Flicker* Horned Lark* American Pipit* House Wren Mountain Bluebird* American Robin Mountain Chickadee Common Raven* Green-tailed Towhee Chipping Sparrow Lincoln’s Sparrow Dark-eyed Junco Fox Sparrow - Boulder Co. only * seen in Boulder also --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ 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] Winter Wren, Nevadaville, Gilphin Co.
After meeting the Tuesday Birders today I headed home by way of Gilpin Co. A stop on Nevadaville Rd. to look at some MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRDS and other birds on the hillside lead me to a wren in the bushes on the side or the road. Up popped a WINTER WREN. It flew off deeper into the brush when up popped a second winter wren. Other birds observed are listed below. Todd Deininger Longmont, CO Gilpin Co. birds: Wood Duck Mallard Ring-necked Duck Red-tailed Hawk Calliope Hummingbird Broad-tailed Hummingbird Rufous Hummingbird Red-naped Sapsucker Northern Flicker Western Wood-Pewee Bank Swallow Tree Swallow Violet-green Swallow Ruby-crowned Kinglet Winter Wren Mountain Bluebird Townsend’s Solitaire American Robin Mountain Chickadee White-breasted Nuthatch Steller’s Jay American Crow Common Raven Pine Siskin Yellow-rumped Warbler Song Sparrow Dark-eyed Junco Red-winged Blackbird --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ 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] Cassin's Sparrow still in Boulder, Lefthand Valley Res
Spent some time today around Boulder. I started out today at Marshal Valley Trail to see if the NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRDs were still around that Joce reported yesterday. I found a singing bird at the top of the trail where it meets with the community ditch. SPOTTED TOWHEEs were by far the most numerous bird out there this morning. Complete list below. I then headed to the open space west of Lefthand Valley Res. to try and find the CASSIN'S SPARROWs reported awhile back. Walking into the open space a small group of CHIPPING SPARROWs (TED) were in the drainage north of the access road. There were also quite a few LARK SPARROWs in the area. After walking in to the trail that runs north/south I walked through the field to see if I could scare up any rattlesnales, no luck. I did however find at least two singing Cassin's Sparrows larking in the thisltes on the way back to the car. Todd Deininger Longmont, CO Birds at Marshall Valley Trail Mourning Dove Broad-tailed Hummingbird Downy Woodpecker Northern Flicker Western Wood-Pewee Western Kingbird Violet-green Swallow Barn Swallow Cliff Swallow Cedar Waxwing House Wren Northern Mockingbird American Robin Blue-gray Gnatcatcher Black-capped Chickadee Blue Jay Black-billed Magpie European Starling House Finch Lesser Goldfinch American Goldfinch Yellow-breasted Chat Spotted Towhee Chipping Sparrow Vesper Sparrow Lazuli Bunting Western Meadowlark Common Grackle Bullock’s Oriole --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ 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] Cortez to Carbondale, Fri through Sun, long
For some reason these posts did not make it to CO-birds so I am including the whole weekend. Friday after Gunnison we headed to Montrose and on to Ridgeway. A stop at Billy Creek SWA was quiet except for the American Dipper under the bridge. We stopped at the small pond in Ridgeway at the Golden Eagle development and saw Cinnamon Teal, Snowy Egret, and Belted Kingfisher. Next we headed towards Cortez via Rico. A Fox Sparrow surprised us on the west side of town in some willows below the town. The ride to Dolores was uneventful, but the stop at the ponds and McPhee Res. proved fruitful. The ponds hosted Brewer’s Blackbird, Common Grackle, and Brown-headed Cowbird. A small group of eight Bonaparte’s Gull in various was fun to get close looks at. Also on the res. were good looks at comparing Lesser and Greater Scaup . Spending time look at the gulls we had a flyover Broad-tailed Hummingbird and driving out a flyover Peregrine Falcon . Our last stop of the day was Totten Res. to observe Western Grebe doing their mating dance including an exchange of nesting material. Adding to the post about Montezuma Co. today it was great to meet up with Jim Beatty again and to put some faces to a few other west slope birders. Jim, Tom Wilberding and I started today with a trip to Yellowjacket Canyon. If it wasn’t for Jim, Tom and I might still be out there looking for the turn off. Adding to Jim’s post about the canyon’s specialties with saw Bushtits, Dark-eyed Junco (gray-headed), Copper’s Hawk, Loggerhead Shrike, Say’s Phoebe, Rock, Bewick’s and Canyon Wren, Western Bluebird, Gambel’s Quail (heard only) and House Finch. Oops, forgot, we also had Yellow Jackets. Driving out of the Canyon a few Western Kingbird perched on the wires. Picking up my vehicle at the Cortez airport a Bald Eagle was perched in the Ferruginous Hawk tree. From here we followed Jim to Denny Lake to lunch and have a close listen to Yellow-headed Blackbird. The lake hosted a number of diving and dabbling ducks. Here we met Dennis Garrison and his father. They brought up that a Wood Duck had been hanging out on Thomas Pond for quite awhile, so off we went in search. On the drive there Jim decided to stop at Totten Res. in hope of seeing Western and Eared Grebe, which we did, Jim slammed on his brakes (we were following) and yelled pelican. Looking up expecting to see a large white bird a large brown bird flew into view. No realizing Jim’s excitement we hoped back in the cars and met up with Dennis and his father at the lower parking area to get great views of the previously posted Brown Pelican . While watching and wondering where did this pelican come from a Bald Eagle corralled bunch of American Coot , then dive into them and fly off with one of them. Next stop west side of McPhee Res. to search for the missing water fowl on Tom and my county list. Pulling in we spotted five Marbled Godwit and then twenty more hanging out with a Black-necked Stilt . Watching some Ring-billed Gulls fly in I spotted the previously posted Caspian Tern . We then drove down the shore line in search of more waterfowl. Red-breasted and Common Merganser, Common Loon, Double-crested Cormorant, Common Goldeneye, American Wigeon, Redhead and Green-winged Teal were added to the day. While a flock of White-faced Ibis flew over, Jim received a call about a Snowy Plover ; we moved out for better cell phone reception and came across Dennis, his father and the group that found the plover. Along with the plover were two Least Sandpiper. Our last stop off the day was at Rafter J to search for Acorn Woodpecker. No luck. Heading north to Fruitgrowers Res.tomorrow after a few stops in La Plata Co. Last day of our trip on the West Slope, Tom Wilberding and I started the day at Zink’s Pond south of Durango. Bufflehead was the only diving duck. We were lucky and had views of Marsh Wren, Sora, and Virginia Rail . There were about two hundred Tree Swallows and a few Barn Swallows on the wires and thirty-five White-faced Ibis in the field east of the road. Next we headed north to Silverton to try to get Tom’s twenty to list San Juan Co. We were more than successful. A stop at Coal Bank Pass had a Gray Jay perched in a tree. Feeding on feeders around town were Brown-capped and one Black Rosy-Finch, Cassin’s and House Finch, Pine Siskin, Mourning and Eurasian Collared-Dove, and Evening Grosbeak . Trying to pick up a few more birds we heading east of town to the small ponds for Great Blue Heron, White-faced Ibis, Canada Goose, and Song Sparrow. Looking for more Rosy-Finch in Ouray we found a small flock of Evening Grosbeak in the mini park on the east side of town. We also had the first Mountain Chickadee and Townsend Solitaire of the trip. No Loons at Ridgeway SP, but Eared, Western, and Pied-billed Grebe. Our
[cobirds] Montrose to Cortez, Firday 4/24
Friday after Gunnison we headed to Montrose and on to Ridgeway. A stop at Billy Creek SWA was quiet except for the American Dipper under the bridge. We stopped at the small pond in Ridgeway at the Golden Eagle development and saw Cinnamon Teal, Snowy Egret, and Belted Kingfisher. Next we headed towards Cortez via Rico. A Fox Sparrow surprised us on the west side of town in some willows below the town. The ride to Dolores was uneventful, but the stop at the ponds and McPhee Res. proved fruitful. The ponds hosted Brewer’s Blackbird, Common Grackle, and Brown-headed Cowbird. A small group of eight Bonaparte’s Gull in various was fun to get close looks at. Also on the res. were good looks at comparing Lesser and Greater Scaup . Spending time look at the gulls we had a flyover Broad-tailed Hummingbird and driving out a flyover Peregrine Falcon . Our last stop of the day was Totten Res. to observe Western Grebe doing their mating dance including an exchange of nesting material. --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ 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] Montezuma Co. Saturday 4/25
Adding to the post about Montezuma Co. today it was great to meet up with Jim Beatty again and to put some faces to a few other west slope birders. Jim, Tom Wilberding and I started today with a trip to Yellowjacket Canyon. If it wasn’t for Jim, Tom and I might still be out there looking for the turn off. Adding to Jim’s post about the canyon’s specialties with saw Bushtits, Dark-eyed Junco (gray-headed), Copper’s Hawk, Loggerhead Shrike, Say’s Phoebe, Rock, Bewick’s and Canyon Wren, Western Bluebird, Gambel’s Quail (heard only) and House Finch. Oops, forgot, we also had Yellow Jackets. Driving out of the Canyon a few Western Kingbird perched on the wires. Picking up my vehicle at the Cortez airport a Bald Eagle was perched in the Ferruginous Hawk tree. From here we followed Jim to Denny Lake to lunch and have a close listen to Yellow-headed Blackbird. The lake hosted a number of diving and dabbling ducks. Here we met Dennis Garrison and his father. They brought up that a Wood Duck had been hanging out on Thomas Pond for quite awhile, so off we went in search. On the drive there Jim decided to stop at Totten Res. in hope of seeing Western and Eared Grebe, which we did, Jim slammed on his brakes (we were following) and yelled pelican. Looking up expecting to see a large white bird a large brown bird flew into view. No realizing Jim’s excitement we hoped back in the cars and met up with Dennis and his father at the lower parking area to get great views of the previously posted Brown Pelican . While watching and wondering where did this pelican come from a Bald Eagle corralled bunch of American Coot , then dive into them and fly off with one of them. Next stop west side of McPhee Res. to search for the missing water fowl on Tom and my county list. Pulling in we spotted five Marbled Godwit and then twenty more hanging out with a Black-necked Stilt . Watching some Ring-billed Gulls fly in I spotted the previously posted Caspian Tern . We then drove down the shore line in search of more waterfowl. Red-breasted and Common Merganser, Common Loon, Double-crested Cormorant, Common Goldeneye, American Wigeon, Redhead and Green-winged Teal were added to the day. While a flock of White-faced Ibis flew over, Jim received a call about a Snowy Plover ; we moved out for better cell phone reception and came across Dennis, his father and the group that found the plover. Along with the plover were two Least Sandpiper. Our last stop off the day was at Rafter J to search for Acorn Woodpecker. No luck. Heading north to Fruitgrowers Res.tomorrow after a few stops in La Plata Co. Todd Deininger Longmont, CO (currently in Durango) --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ 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] Chaffee Co. Thursday 4/23
Tom Wilberding and I are heading to Cortez to bird Yellowjacket Canyon Saturday. Leaving Boulder Thursday we birded Chaffee County by the road side. Trout creek had a flock of 8 Clark’s Nutcracker. American Pipt was a surprise in the fields SW of Johnson Village along with about 500 Mule Deer . Heading into Salida on 291 we encountered a large flock of Pinyon Jays maybe 75-80 birds. Stopping to observe a Red-tailed Hawk on the nest. Its mate was a few trees over and in the next tree was a smaller raptor. Turns out it was a Peregrine Falcon . Sands Lake SWA had Great-tailed Grackle, Common Goldeneye, and Ring-necked Duck seemed to be good birds for the lake. Todd Deininger Longmont, CO (currently in Cortez) --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ 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] Gunnison Co. today, yes Gunnison Grouse
Tom Wilberding and I started this morning at the Waunita Hot Springs Rd. Gunnison Grouse lek. The beginning of the performance started with Venus as a crescent and coyotes howling. Twenty-six birds were counted. At about 6am sixteen grouse flew across the road north of us. Three more followed and the experience was completed by 6:10am. Cars from ND, KS, OK, CA and CO were there this morning. On a small pond east of Gunnison we saw Snowy Egret, Cinnamon Teal, Wood Duck , and Yellow-heade Blackbird. Next we stopped at the McCabe wetlands west of Gunnison and had ten Cinnamon Teal, 30-35 White-faced Ibis, Pied-billed Grebe, Greater Yellowlegs, Spotted Sandpiper, and Blue-winged Teal. Scanning Blue Mesa we saw Clark’s and Western Grebe, Lesser Scaup, and Rock Wren next to the road. We found Sage Thrasher and Brewer’s Sparrow at Steven Creek campground, but no sage Sparrow. More to follow later. After fourteen hours of birding today, it is time to call it a day. Todd Deininger Longmont, CO (currently in Cortez) --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ 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 -~--~~~~--~~--~--~---
