[cobirds] Scarlet Tanager at Home Lake Tonite

[mvjohnski]

A rare male Scarlet Tanager was feeding in the willow trees on the west 
side of Home Lake just south of the handicap fishing ramp (Rio Grande 
County). This represents only the 6th record, so far as I know, of this 
species in the San Luis Valley. It was only the second time I have seen it 
in 37 years of birding down here. 

John Rawinski
Monte Vista, CO


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[cobirds] Black Phoebe Plus in San Luis Valley

[mvjohnski]

Things are really heating up in this high elevation valley. Today I found a 
Black Phoebe at Home Lake SWA. This species is unusual to rare in our area. 
It was last seen on the north side of Home Lake near the canal. Yesterday 
my wife Lisa spotted an Ash-throated Flycatcher (unusual) in the willows 
north of the Veterans Center. And at the Veteran Center crabapple trees 
(one of the best places to bird when crabapples are flowering like now), 
Yellow, OC, YR, and Virginia's Warblers were in the trees and shrubs. All 
in Rio Grande County. 

Mary Thompson has a White-throated Sparrow (unusual) to accompany the Brown 
Thrasher (unusual) lurking in her shrubs. She is located at the 1E and 1S 
intersection in Monte Vista, just south of the Colorado Parks and Wildlife 
office. She invites birders to stop and check it out. 

We are doing our big day and fundraiser on wed May 8th. Our goal is to find 
101 or more species to match the 101 years of the Migratory Bird Treaty 
act. Stay tuned. 

John Rawinski
Monte Vista, CO


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[cobirds] San Luis Valley Fallout of Sorts

[mvjohnski]

We got heavy rains last night and it stopped about 8:00 am. Figured the 
birds might have been tight in cover so spent a few hours out and about 
around Alamosa and Monte Vista. Once it warmed up, the birds started to 
move and things picked up. Here's what was out and about today.

Alamosa:

Many YR Warblers, both Myrtle and Audubons
Empids..(could not get on them well enough)
Least Sandpiper
Semi-palmated Plovers
Lark Bunting
Bullock's Oriole
Sharp-shinned Hawk

In Monte Vista at Veterans Center and Home Lake

Yellow-rumped Warblers
OC Warblers
Osprey
Marbled Godwits
Long-billed Dowitcher
Forsters Tern

And Mary Thompsons place is really hopping. In Monte Vista, She is at 1E 
and 1S junction south of Colorado Parks and Wildlife and she invites 
birders to stop by and see her colorful assortment of birds. She has:

Lazuli Bunting
Brown Thrasher
American and Lesser Goldfinch
Bullocks Oriole
Lark Bunting

John Rawinski
Monte Vista, CO

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[cobirds] Lathrop Birds

[mvjohnski]

Had a 1 hour stop at Lathrop yesterday after a trip to Springs. It was mid 
afternoon and not much action. The waves of warblers have not hit here yet 
so tough to find much. So I did see YR Warbler, Osprey, Wilson's Phalarope, 
RC Kinglets, and Blue-gray Gnatcatcher. Highlight would have to be a Gr 
Roadrunner walking right past me at 10 feet as I stood motionless in the 
shadows. This Lake always has excellent birds but it is still a bit early 
for the greater varieties. 

John Rawinski
Monte Vista, CO

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[cobirds] Horned Grebe at Smith Reservoir

[mvjohnski]

I spent a much needed day afield yesterday making a 160 mile loop through 
the south San Luis valley. There are still a few thousand Sandhill Cranes 
around. They leave the MV Refuge at first light and then head north to 
various grainfields. 

Up Conejos Canyon (Conejos Cty), the familiar drumming of the Williamson's 
Sapsuckers was heard and was a sure sign of spring. There still is a lot of 
snow up there and the road to Platoro was closed. 

Sagebrush Sparrows were present along the county roads east of Antonito 
(Conejos Cty). The roads have dried out now and are very passable. Still 
would recommend high clearance vehicle. 

A Horned Grebe was near the south shore of Smith reservoir in Costilla 
County yesterday. We have only a handful of records for this species in the 
Valley so a good find. 

Changes are happening

John Rawinski
Monte Vista, CO

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[cobirds] Crane Festival Results Plus More

[mvjohnski]

Well the Crane Festival has passed and thought I would bring you up to date 
on things in case you are still considering a visit. First of all, it was 
amazing that Saturday and Sunday were ideal for being outdoors, but that 
was sandwiched by horrendous winds on Friday and 3 days of snow since 
Sunday!  March weather go figure. 

Wished the cranes had cooperated a bit more. All was going well and 5,000 
birds were feeding at the 8S  just 2 days ahead of crane festival. Then, 
with warm temps, other fields melted their snows and became available and 
cranes vanished from the refuge overnight. I had never seen such an abrupt 
change. That left the bus tours having to scramble a bit to show what 
cranes they could. They made it work the best they could and I hope you all 
got to see cranes in some manner. I cruised the Refuge again this morning 
and a few cranes on the 7S road is your best bet. Otherwise, drive the 
various county roads like 2S, 1S, and go to San Luis Lake (2,000 birds). As 
I type this, cranes are spiraling over my house and moving out so enjoy 
them while you can. 

With warmer temps, some of the local lakes have some open water. Yesterday 
at Smith Reservoir there was a good assortment of ducks including Gadwall, 
Am Wigeon, Les Scaup, Ruddy, Mallard, Common Goldeneye, GW Teal, Common 
Mergansers and some gulls. San Luis Lake is opening up as well and is worth 
a look. Sagebrush Sparrowsmight find them along county roads around the 
San Luis Hills, but beware of mud and crud. 

Home Lake is also worth a look. Yesterday 2 Bald Eagles were terrorizing 
the ducks there at mid day. 

Enjoy your visit!

John Rawinski
Monte Vista, CO 




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[cobirds] Re: Latest issue of COLORADO BIRDS

[mvjohnski]

Agree...nice issue.

On Thursday, March 7, 2019 at 4:00:53 PM UTC-7, León wrote:
>
> COBirders--  Today I received the combined Fall and Winter issues of CFO’s 
> quarterly Colorado Birds. Kudos to editor Christy Payne and dedicated staff 
> for publishing a most attractive and informative volumes 52/53!
>
> Leon
>

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[cobirds] Crane Festival Weekend Ahead

[mvjohnski]

Birds are still changing by the day. It seems their usual spot on the 8S 
road has been left behind as birds are finding new grainfields in which to 
feed. There are numerous off-refuge fields that have recently thawed off 
the snows, and the birds are feeding in those locations.  So try the 7S 
road and there were still lots of birds there. 
And try 2S road in my neighborhood headed east. At least 1000 birds there 
too. 

In early morning Cranes are seen close at the west side turnouts but very 
few birds are roosting on the east side turnouts on Hwy 15. So best to 
drive some of these options and you will be rewarded. 

Other birds appearing for the Crane Festival include a dozen snow geese, 
one GWF Goose, Cinnamon, GW Teal, Pintails, Gadwalls and Mallards. Home 
Lake is still frozen so not much there. 

If I hear more, will let you know. Enjoy your visit!

John Rawinski
Monte Vista, CO

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[cobirds] Re: Birds Pouring In at Monte Vista NWR

[mvjohnski]

Water is now running and birds are congregating at the usual turnouts. 
Cinnamon Teal made a showing today as well as Common Goldeneye. 

On Tuesday, February 12, 2019 at 2:54:24 PM UTC-7, mvjo...@gmail.com wrote:
>
> The action is picking up at the Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge and 
> other Valley places. There are currently 2-3,000 assorted Cackling, Canada 
> and Sandhill Cranes at the refuge (Rio Grande County). To see them, they 
> are on the 7S and 3E roads. There is still plenty of snow cover so birds 
> are flocking to fields with standing grain. Another 2,000 birds (assorted) 
> were 2 miles north of La Jara on the east side of the highway.
>
> A trip to Antonito failed to produce Sagebrush Sparrow, which should be 
> arriving soon. 
>
> Still some Bald Eagles to be seen along South River Road, south of Alamosa 
> (Alamosa County). 
>
> John Rawinski
> Monte Vista, CO 
>

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[cobirds] Birds Pouring In at Monte Vista NWR

[mvjohnski]

The action is picking up at the Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge and 
other Valley places. There are currently 2-3,000 assorted Cackling, Canada 
and Sandhill Cranes at the refuge (Rio Grande County). To see them, they 
are on the 7S and 3E roads. There is still plenty of snow cover so birds 
are flocking to fields with standing grain. Another 2,000 birds (assorted) 
were 2 miles north of La Jara on the east side of the highway.

A trip to Antonito failed to produce Sagebrush Sparrow, which should be 
arriving soon. 

Still some Bald Eagles to be seen along South River Road, south of Alamosa 
(Alamosa County). 

John Rawinski
Monte Vista, CO 

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[cobirds] Conejos County Rosy-finches

[mvjohnski]

Just chatted with Susan Hochstetler and she told me she now has 4-500 Rosy 
finches coming to her feeders, south of the Monte Vista Refuge. (Conejos 
County). They are primarily Brown-capped with 8-10 Black and a few 
Gray-crowned as well. She is located 7 miles south of the Monte Vista 
Refuge and welcomes birders to stop by. So to get there, go south on CO 15 
and when the pavement ends at the 12S, continue south for 1 mile. Her place 
is second on the left, about a mile south of the end of pavement.

Susan is an Amish lady who lost her husband Martin this past fall. She 
would welcome your visit and please consider helping her out with a 
donation. She said she goes through 10-11 gallons of feed per day! 

John Rawinski
Monte Vista, CO 

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[cobirds] Re: Cobirds vs Facebook

[mvjohnski]

 Tools in the tool box can never be a bad thing. 
I am not much of a chaser these days although there are some I would 
pursue. Last years Red-naped Sapsucker was one of those I did chase, and in 
that case, checking the latest and best info on FB would have been helpful. 
We did see the bird the old fashioned way, with some help from Ira S! 

I am a strong supporter of our COBIRDS list, a quick and concise source of 
info on what's happening in our State. In fact, I have trouble finding 
current bird data in other states and am proud of all who have kept ours 
running so well. Being here in the San Luis Valley, I am quickly able to 
assess birds of interest and decide if I wish to travel considerable 
distances to chase. Another useful tool in my opinion. It is great times to 
have such choices!

John Rawinski
Monte Vista, CO

On Saturday, December 8, 2018 at 11:02:20 AM UTC-7, Robert Righter wrote:
>
> Hi 
>
> Leon Bright makes a good point. For almost 30 years Cobirds has been the 
> established platform for communicating all kinds of interesting birding 
> news about what is  going on in the state 
> By promoting the advantages, or perhaps its 
> disadvantage of using Facebook as a platform (check out facebooks recent 
> stock collapse) for disseminating bird information could have the effect of 
> splintering, or complicating how we get the daily bird news. Is this what 
> we want? 
>
> Are there ways of making Cobirds more relevant to changing times ? 
>
> Bob Righter 
> Denver CO 
>
>
>
> Sent from my iPhone 
>

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[cobirds] Re: The Colorado RBA will continue into 2019.

[mvjohnski]

thanks Joe. Joyce did an awesome job. Glad to know you and group will carry 
forward. Much appreciated.

John Rawinski

On Thursday, December 6, 2018 at 10:31:09 AM UTC-7, Joe Roller wrote:

> A team of six Rare Bird Alert compilers has been recruited to continue 
> what Joyce Takamine has done so well for so many years. 
> I thought that now was a good time to announce this good news. We are 
> still interviewing additional volunteer compilers, and appreciate
> the support received from the birding community!
>
> Thanks, 
> Joe Roller, Denver
> past president DFO
>

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[cobirds] Immature Harris's Sparrow at Monte Vista Refuge

[mvjohnski]

Well the snow and cold seem to have slowed down the birds a bit. Very few 
cranes around the Valley and only saw 2 this morning on the 1S road east of 
the 3E. 

Home Lake is nearly all frozen, except for a small pool where Canada Geese, 
American Wigeon and other ducks are keeping it open. A Kingfisher was 
perched along the canal and a Great Blue Heron (yesterday). It was 5 below 
zero this morning!

At the 8S observation turnout at the Monte Vista Refuge, was an 
immature Harris's Sparrow (Rio Grande County). We only have a handful of 
records for the San Luis Valley. Check it out and look for it in the brushy 
areas. 

Sometimes it seems that when I leave my camera at home, I am sure to see 
something cool. Well it happened last Friday near Fort Garland when a 
Northern Pygmy-owl flew into a nearby tree. All I could do was look and 
appreciate it and remind myself to take the camera as if it were like 
dressing up. Unfortunately, the owl was on a private ranch.

It also was a day to start thinking about Christmas Bird Counts. They are 
not too far ahead. 

Enjoy the birds!

John Rawinski
Monte Vista, CO

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[cobirds] CBRC Help

[mvjohnski]

Can anyone tell me how to delete photos from my rare bird report before I 
submit my report. Have not found the way to get this done. Thanks. 

John Rawinski
Monte Vista, CO

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[cobirds] Sometimes Birding Better Than Fishing

[mvjohnski]

Spent some time fishing/birding at Williams Fork Reservoir. So maybe it was 
more BIRDING than fishing as the bite was slow. 
Really enjoyed watching 2 Common Loons swimming nearby (Grand Cty). Not 
much else in way of birds or fish!

John Rawinski
Monte Vista, CO

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[cobirds] Re: BIG SIT! results from Chatfield

[mvjohnski]

Nice list and sounded like fun in spite of weather!



On Sunday, October 14, 2018 at 8:28:29 PM UTC-6, Joey Kellner wrote:

> Thirteen hardy souls participated through the course of the day.  17-25F, 
> snowy on and off, steam on the water on and off, windy and calm.  Wow! 
> Was the weather finicky!  A BIG “THANK YOU” to Colorado Parks & Wildlife 
> for bringing us hot coffee, donuts and even hot pizza for lunch  Thank 
> you SO much!  
>
>  
>
> In the past, bad weather has brought the most species on the Big Sit, with 
> two years with bad weather each having 72 species.This year…75 
> species!!  Wow!
>
>  
>
> None of the participants expected this many after the first half of the 
> day with such nasty weather.  Highlights were Sabine’s, Bonaparte’s and 
> Franklin’s Gulls, multiple flocks of cranes throughout the day totaling 555 
> individuals, Surf Scoter, Baird’s and Pectoral Sandpipers, and two Common 
> Loons.
>
>  
>
> We ran an eBird checklist every hour (so have 12 checklists for the day).  
> Total species list is below.
>
>  
>
> Cackling Goose
>
> Canada Goose
>
> Wood Duck
>
> Blue-winged/Cinnamon Teal
>
> Northern Shoveler
>
> Gadwall
>
> American Wigeon
>
> Mallard
>
> Northern Pintail
>
> Green-winged Teal
>
> Ring-necked Duck
>
> Lesser Scaup
>
> Surf Scoter
>
> Bufflehead
>
> Common Merganser
>
> Ruddy Duck
>
> Pied-billed Grebe
>
> Horned Grebe
>
> Eared Grebe
>
> Western Grebe
>
> Mourning Dove
>
> American Coot
>
> Sandhill Crane
>
> Killdeer
>
> Baird's Sandpiper
>
> Pectoral Sandpiper
>
> Wilson's Snipe
>
> Greater Yellowlegs
>
> Sabine's Gull
>
> Bonaparte's Gull
>
> Franklin's Gull
>
> Ring-billed Gull
>
> California Gull
>
> Herring Gull
>
> Common Loon
>
> Double-crested Cormorant
>
> American White Pelican
>
> Great Blue Heron
>
> Osprey
>
> Northern Harrier
>
> Cooper's Hawk
>
> Bald Eagle
>
> Red-tailed Hawk
>
> Great Horned Owl
>
> Belted Kingfisher
>
> Downy Woodpecker
>
> Northern Flicker
>
> American Kestrel
>
> Merlin
>
> Prairie Falcon
>
> Black-billed Magpie
>
> American Crow
>
> Common Raven
>
> Horned Lark
>
> Barn Swallow
>
> Black-capped Chickadee
>
> White-breasted Nuthatch
>
> Western Bluebird
>
> Mountain Bluebird
>
> Townsend's Solitaire
>
> Hermit Thrush
>
> American Robin
>
> American Pipit
>
> House Finch
>
> Lesser Goldfinch
>
> American Goldfinch
>
> Chipping Sparrow
>
> Dark-eyed Junco
>
> White-crowned Sparrow
>
> Song Sparrow
>
> Spotted Towhee
>
> Western Meadowlark
>
> Red-winged Blackbird
>
> Brewer's Blackbird
>
> Yellow-rumped Warbler
>
>  
>
>  
>
> Joey Kellner
>
> Littleton, Colorado
>
>  
>

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[cobirds] Re: San Luis Valley Bird Report, Sept. 14 to 16

[mvjohnski]

Nice list Joe. Thanks for sending. 

John Rawinski
Monte Vista, CO

On Friday, October 5, 2018 at 12:54:49 PM UTC-6, 
joe...@betterbirdwatching.com wrote:

> San Luis Valley area, September 14 to 16, 2018
>
> Turkey Vulture- Montville Nature Trail area at Great Sand Dunes on 9-15
> Red-tailed Hawk- Montville Nature Trail area at Great Sand Dunes on 9-15
> Osprey- San Luis Lakes on 9-14
> Dusky Grouse- 2 along trail to Zapata Lake on 9-14
> Mourning Dove- Great Sand Dunes on 9-14
> Great Horned Owl- PM calling at campground Great Sand Dunes on 9-14, 
> calling along trail to Willow Lake on 9-16
> Northern Pygmy-Owl- 2 calling before dawn along trail to Willow Lake on 
> 9-16
> Common Poorwill- along entrance road at dusk Great Sand Dunes on 9-14, 
> several calling after sunset and one right on the trail along trail to 
> Willow Lake on 9-16
> Callliope Hummingbird- along trail to Zapata Lake on 9-14, Montville 
> Nature Trail area at Great Snd Dunes on 9-15
> Hairy Woodpecker- Montville Nature Trail area at Great Sand Dunes on 9-15
> Northern Flicker- Montville Nature Trail area at Great Sand Dunes on 9-15
> Northern Three-toed Woodpecker- along trail to Zapata Lake on 9-14, along 
> trail to Willow Lake on 9-16
> Plumbeous Vireo- along trail to Zapata Lake on 9-14, singing at Montville 
> Nature Trail area at Great Sand Dunes on 9-15
> Loggerhead Shrike- Montville Nature Trail area at Great Sand Dunes on 9-15
> Steller’s Jay- Montville Nature Trail area at Great Sand Dunes on 9-15
> Woodhouse’s Scrub-Jay- Montville Nature Trail area at Great Sand Dunes on 
> 9-15
> Pinyon Jay- Montville Nature Trail area at Great Sand Dunes on 9-15
> Clark’s Nutcracker- Montville Nature Trail area at Great Sand Dunes on 9-15
> Common Raven- Montville Nature Trail area at Great Sand Dunes on 9-15
> Ruby-crowned Kinglet- singing along trail to Zapata Lake on 9-14
> Golden-crowned Kinglet- singing along trail to Zapata Lake on 9-14
> Bushtit- Campground area at Great Sand Dunes on 9-15, along trail to 
> Willow Lake on 9-16
> Mountain Chickadee- Along trail to Ellingwood Point along summit ridge at 
> about 13,000 feet, Montville Nature Trail area at Great Sand Dunes on 9-15
> Mountain Bluebird- Great Sund Dunes on 9-15
> Hermit Thrush- along trail to Zapata Lake on 9-14
> American Robin- Montville Nature Trail area at Great Sand Dunes on 9-15
> Townsend’s Solitaire- singing along trail to Zapata Lake on 9-14, singing 
> at Montville Nature Trail area at Great Sand Dunes on 9-15
> House Wren- Montville Nature Trail area at Great Sand Dunes on 9-15
> Canyon Wren- Mosca Pass Trail on 9-15
> American Dipper- at Zapata Lake on 9-14, swimming in the lake and floating 
> on top of the water, looked like a miniature gull
> White-breasted Nuthatch- Montville Nature Trail area at Great Sand Dunes 
> on 9-15
> Brown Creeper- singing along trail to Zapata Lake on 9-14, Montville 
> Nature Trail area at Great Sand Dunes on 9-15
> American Pipit- along trail to Zapata Lake on 9-14, along trail to 
> Challenger Point on 9-16
> Wilson’s Warbler- along trail to Zapata Lake on 9-14, Montville Nature 
> Trail area at Great Sand Dunes on 9-15, along trail to Willow Lake on 9-16
> Yellow-rumped Warbler- along trail to Zapata Lake on 9-14, Montville 
> Nature Trail area at Great Sand Dunes on 9-15
> Spotted Towhee- Montville Nature Trail area at Great Sand Dunes on 9-15
> Green-tailed Towhee- along trail to Willow Lake on 9-16
> Chipping Sparrow- along trail to Zapata Lake on 9-14, Montville Nature 
> Trail area at Great Sand Dunes on 9-15
> Lark Sparrow- along trail to Zapata Lake on 9-14
> White-crowned Sparrow- Montville Nature Trail area at Great Sand Dunes on 
> 9-15
> Dark-eyed Junco- Montville Nature Trail area at Great Sand Dunes on 9-15
> Pine Siskin- along trail to Zapata Lake on 9-14
> Pine Grosbeak- along trail to Zapata Lake on 9-14
> Brown-capped Rosy-Finch- along trail to Challenger Point on 9-16
>
> Huge Bull elk near San Luis Lakes on 9-14 in early AM, in valley a few 
> miles W of treeline
>
> Joe LaFleur
> Woodland Park, Teller Cty., 8500 feet
>  
>  
>

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[cobirds] Cranes in Monte Vista NWR

[mvjohnski]

The cranes are returning to the San Luis valley and there were a few 
hundred at the Monte Refuge yesterday. Right now, they are feeding in the 
grain fields to the south of the 8S Turnout. If you watch from that 
location, you will get some good in flight looks. There are a few on the 
Hwy 15 turnouts too, a ways out. 

Be aware that many of the Monte Vista refuge wetlands are bone dry. So the 
drive loop is mostly uneventful. However, do check out Home Lake, which has 
been a hotspot all fall. 

Be sure to look in the trees and shrubs at the 8S turnout.  Yesterday there 
were 4 species of Warblers plus a thrush sp, and many kinds of sparrows. 

John Rawinski
Monte Vista, CO

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[cobirds] Re: Recommendation for Spotlight?

[mvjohnski]

I have been using a Fenix flashlight which uses Lithium batteries that are 
not rechargeable. It has 4 light levels which are useful. Small but very 
powerful. Considered a tactical flashlight. I use this for night prowls. 

On Thursday, October 4, 2018 at 5:18:56 PM UTC-6, Norman Erthal wrote:
>
> I am looking to buy a rechargeable spotlight for travel. If you have one 
> you would recommend, please let me know.
> Thank you
> Norm Erthal
> Arvada CO
>

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[cobirds] Sabines Today

[mvjohnski]

John Stump and I birded Smith Reservoir today (Costilla County) and 
re-found the juvenile Sabine's Gull. It was way across the lake on the NE 
lake shore. Baird's and Semi-palmated Sandpipers were still on the west 
side shoreline. 

At San Luis Lake( Alamosa County), we did not re-find the Lesser 
Black-backed Gull. We did find 5 Black-bellied Plovers, 1 Semi-palmated 
Plover, 5 Sanderlings and about 20 Baird's Sandpipers. 

John Rawinski
Monte Vista, CO

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[cobirds] Gulls Galore in San Luis valley

[mvjohnski]

Exciting day today on this calm sunny day in the San Luis valley. Spent 
some serious time with camera and scope working on gulls at Smith Reservoir 
and San Luis lake. It was worth the effort as I saw some species we don't 
see very often. 

A juvenile *Sabine's Gull* was easily seen walking on the west shoreline. 
This is a totally different bird than the adult I reported a week ago. The 
adult was nowhere to be found but this juvenile was very cooperative and I 
was able to capture some images as well  (soon to be on my website under 
recent additionshttps://johnrawinski.zenfolio.com/). Also very 
available were two *Baird's Sandpipers* and 1 *Semi-palmated Sandpiper* 
again on the west shore. All of this in Costilla County. Finally, we don't 
often get *Herring Gull* but one adult was present among the Ring-billeds.  

At San Luis lake, a dark-mantled gull caught my attention from quite some 
distance. Eventually I got within 40 yards of an adult *Lesser Black-backed 
Gull* resting on a sandbar (Alamosa County). It was hanging out on the west 
side of the lake. We get this species on rare occasions and less than 5 
records for our Valley. 

I like to run the photos by my wife Lisa and she confirmed them as well. 

Probably my best gull day ever in the SLV. 

John Rawinski
Monte Vista, CO

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[cobirds] Re: Pueblo jaeger update 9/24

[mvjohnski]

Was there Saturday afternoon and struck out on both!

On Monday, September 24, 2018 at 6:06:15 PM UTC-6, Brandon wrote:
>
>
> It seems like there were no jaegers or Sabine's Gulls today unfortunately 
> at Pueblo Reservoir, I believe a Parasitic was seen on Saturday by quite a 
> few people, and the last report of any Long-tailed Jaeger was Thursday the 
> 20th (note that the e-bird report from the 21st, was really from the 
> 20th).  I saw an e-bird report of a Sabine's Gull on Saturday at Pueblo 
> Reservoir, hopefully more will show up soon.
>
> Videos of Long-tailed Jaeger from Thursday, can be seen at 
> https://www.facebook.com/bkpercival
>
> Photos of both jaegers that I saw during the afternoon on Sept 20th, have 
> been submitted to the Colorado Birds Records Committee (luckily other 
> birders saw them too and will hopefully also submit any photos and/or other 
> details).  I don't know if it is possible to add a video to the record of 
> the Long-tailed or not, I couldn't figure it out.
>
> -- 
> Brandon Percival
> Pueblo West, CO
>
>

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[cobirds] Adult Sabine Gull at Smith Reservoir

[mvjohnski]

Today in both the afternoon and evening, I observed and attempted to 
photograph an adult Sabine Gull at Smith reservoir, Costilla County. It has 
the striking wing pattern of white, black and gray, and dark head with dark 
bill tipped in yellow. I first saw it in flight and then saw it on water. 
But it is staying at the extreme north end of the lake so bring a scope. 
Got enough pics for identification but not for artistry!

Long-billed Curlew was another enjoyable sighting. 

A few years ago, we had a number of juvenile Sabines visit the Valley. This 
may be the first adult. 

On another note, a Cassin's Vireo was on the Mosca Pass Trail today 
(Alamosa Cty).

John Rawinski
Monte Vista, CO

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[cobirds] News Story about the San Luis valley jaeger

[mvjohnski]

Here is a link of the article in the Valley Courier regarding the 
road-killed Jaeger we found a few weeks ago. 


https://alamosanews.com/article/bird-trip-finds-first-san-luis-valley-record-of-rare-seabird


John Rawinski
Monte Vista, CO

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[cobirds] Black Swifts Return to Home Lake

[mvjohnski]

Yesterday I photographed about 20 Black Swifts over Home Lake (Rio Grande 
County). Not nearly as many as previous report, but still a sight to see. 
Home lake remains a hotspot for warblers and shorebirds. Insects are still 
very plentiful and are drawing birds like a magnet. 

John Rawinski
Monte Vista CO

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[cobirds] Re: Jaegers Chatfield SP

[mvjohnski]

Great shots of the Jaegers. Those are nicely detailed and will help with 
our determination of the road killed Jaeger we found last week in the San 
Luis valley. 


On Monday, September 10, 2018 at 11:34:30 PM UTC-6, Mark wrote:

> Today, I went to Chatfield to hopefully see the jaegers found by Myron 
> Gerhard on Sunday afternoon.  We were able to identify 2 Long-tailed (one 
> light and 1 intermediate juvenile) and 1 Parasitic Jaeger(dark juvenile) on 
> the same body of water on the same day.  Are you kidding me  A great 
> thanks to Myron getting the word out on this great find!  Photos of the 
> birds can be seen below:
>
>
> https://jaeger29.smugmug.com/BIRDS/RARE-AND-UNCOMMON-2018/
>
>
> Mark Chavez
> Lakewood-Green Mtn
> http://jaeger29.smugmug.com/
>

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[cobirds] Birding Trip With Bizarre Ending

[mvjohnski]

I led a San Luis valley birding trip on Friday, Sept 7, and 11 of us had a 
great day afield. We stayed on the west side of the Valley as this seems to 
be where most of the birds are congregating during this outstanding fall 
migration. We tallied 94 species and the best birds were 7 species of 
warblers including Townsend's and Northern Waterthrush, Osprey, Lincoln's 
Sparrow, Stilt Sandpiper, and Burrowing Owl. 

As we finished up Cat Creek and were driving back to our vehicles, we found 
an apparent road killed bird on the side of the road and stopped to examine 
it. After considerable head scratching and wonderment, we determined it to 
be a seabird! And more specifically a Jaeger of some variety. 

As long as I have been keeping records in the San Luis Valley, I have no 
records for Jaegers here. However, I have long suspected they pass through 
our area and that sooner or later one might be found. So I would invite you 
to look at the images (roadkilled) of the bird, and let me know what 
species you think it is. It had a noticeable broken wing on one side and 
was found on the side of the road. We estimated its length at 15-16 inches. 
It was still rather ripe and was killed in the last few days by our 
estimate.  

I have posted a number of pictures of the bird on my website for your 
perusal. Look in the folder "Jaeger Plus Warblers" and let me know what you 
think. We were all very excited by this strange and bewildering ending to 
our adventure. 

 https://johnrawinski.zenfolio.com/

John Rawinski
Monte Vista, CO

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[cobirds] San Luis Valley Birding Trip Invitation

[mvjohnski]

Hi all:

Well it is looking like peak migration is upon us and there are a LOT of 
birds passing through the San Luis Valley. So next Friday, Sept 7th, I will 
be leading a birding trip to the Valley hotspots. We will meet at the Monte 
Vista refuge Headquarters 6 miles south of Monte Vista on Hwy 15 at 0700 
am.  Will do a quick sign in and then carpool onward to spend the day 
looking for birding treasures. Please make sure you gas up your vehicle as 
our travel distances can be long.  I am planning a full day, from 7 to 
about 4:00 pm, so bring a lunch, scope, guidebooks, cameras, binocs and 
jacket as necessary. Bring walkie talkies too. Half days are possible. 
Expect moderate hiking.

The fall migration here has been phenomenal.  Let me know if you are 
interested. 

John Rawinski
Monte Vista, CO

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[cobirds] Re: Black Swifts - Rio Grande County

[mvjohnski]

Thanks David for forwarding that message. 

I have seen this fall gathering of Black Swifts a few times in my 35 years 
of record keeping here. Most of the time, I was camped in the South San 
Juan mountains and would see large numbers overhead. But I have only seen 
these large gatherings once or twice in the flat of the San Luis Valley. I 
believe the aphids on the trees those in flight had a lot to do with 
yesterday's incredible observation. I am headed there today to see if they 
are still around. 

John Rawinski
Monte Vista, CO



On Thursday, August 30, 2018 at 8:36:59 AM UTC-6, David Wade wrote:

> I just received a request (through several intermediaries) to pass on a 
> message from John Rawinski. He is reporting that there are about 100 Black 
> Swifts being seen at Home Lake in Rio Grande County. 
>
> David Wade
> Fort Collins, CO
>

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[cobirds] Cassin's Vireo and Finally Warblers

[mvjohnski]

Today, I planned a 15 minute "look see" at the 8S Turnout Grove at the 
Monte Vista Refuge (Rio Grande County). Well, 2 and a half hours later, I 
still don't think I saw all the birds there! It was an extraordinary 
day for our area. But it required diligence to see them in the thick 
foliage and took numerous trips around the loop.

Best bird was Cassin's Vireo, unusual in our Valley. Warbling Vireos were 
also about.

Six species of warblers, included OC, YR, Yellow, Virginia's, Wilson's, and 
MacGills.  Finally some warblers for the drought in my soul!

Western Wood-pewee, Western tanager, GT Towhee, Chipping Sparrow, Lazuli 
Bunting and Vesper Sparrow were all nice to see. 

Yesterday, I birded Blanca Wetlands (Alamosa County). It seems the Snowy 
Plovers have moved out. Still some excellent shorebirds with Western, 
Baird's and Spotted Sandpipers, LB Dowitcher, and Black-necked Stilt. 
Plenty of Bitterns too. 

At Home Lake (Rio Grande County), on the south mudflats, up to 4 Solitary 
Sandpipers have been feeding there. 
Enjoy the fall migration.

John Rawinski
Monte Vista, CO

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[cobirds] Re: Summary of recent visit to Lamar (mostly Prowers)

[mvjohnski]

Great report Dave. Thanks for the updates. Not many warblers here either!

John Rawinski
Monte Vista, CO

On Monday, August 27, 2018 at 12:45:24 PM UTC-6, Dave Leatherman wrote:

> This is just a general report on my assessment of autumn migration in the 
> Lamar area.  I was down there August 15-26.  None of the birds listed are 
> probably chaseable, with most of the best ones being on private land.  This 
> is mostly an FYI for folks wondering about going down there at present.  
> The little birds are coming, probably imminent, but hunting for them 
> further north would be more productive. 
>
>
> First off, no I didn't chase the M ducks or Neotropic Cormorants, as I 
> consider positive ID of these species beyond my skill set under the 
> conditions one is usually presented with in terms of distance to the birds, 
> heatwaves, threat of chiggers, access to the specific water bodies, time of 
> day I am out birding (*not* normally midnight to 8am), etc.  *I am not 
> questioning the IDs as presented by Steve, Tony, David Ely and others, just 
> being honest.*
>
>
> Things with landbirds are picking up but seem behind schedule somewhat.  I 
> had zero Great Crested Flycatchers during my 12-day stay.  Admittedly, I 
> did not really bird more than half the days of the visit but would expect 
> to have seen half a dozen *Myiarchus* (which also includes Ash-throated) 
> at the places checked at this time of year.
>
>
> Other flycatchers (pewees, Olive-sided, empids) are present in the wooded 
> traps like Tempel's Grove, LCC, Van's Grove, Hasty CG, Lamar cemeteries, 
> some of the private woodlots.  Had three very bright (much yellower than 
> Sibley shows,) Willow Flycatchers at Van's Grove (Road JJ w of 
> Hasty).  BTW, Bent CR JJ is open all the way now from Hasty to its western 
> terminus near Ft. Lyon, after having been overrun with water in two places 
> most of the summer.  The formerly overrun areas look great for shorebirds, 
> ducks, waders, rails, etc.
>
>
>
> Willow Flycatcher (one of three) in the middle of Van's Grove, viewable 
> from the rusty nail-infested road that goes around the east side of the 
> grove (walk this, driving your vehicle not recommended).
>
>
> Ditto for certain vireos (Warbling and Cassin's).  I also had what I am 
> calling a Blue-headed Vireo at a private woodlot north of Lamar.  "Bright" 
> Cassin's can be very difficult to separate from Blue-headed and every year 
> a few of these individuals pop up.  I waffled about this individual in the 
> field and again when looking at the photographs.  At some point, one has to 
> pull the trigger and I am calling it an early Blue-headed (Cassin's is much 
> more likely in August in my experience).  Input welcome. 
>
>
>   
>
>Three views of the same "Solitary" Vireo in 
> a private tree grove 5 miles north of Lamar on 23 August 2018.
>
> The only warblers I saw besides Yellows were Common Yellowthroats, one 
> American Redstart, one MacGillivray's, one Townsend's, and a couple 
> Wilson's.  The time-frame is certainly not primetime for warblers in SECO 
> but I would have expected at least a few orange-crowns and an eastern 
> species or two.
>
>
> Didn't do a lot of shorebird checking, as I concentrate on the imaginary 
> Lamar "CBC" circle where there is little shoreline.  Did get to see a 
> Short-billed Dowitcher found on 18 August on a private pond w of town by 
> Norma Verhoeff (thank you).  Thurston Res is full and choked with cattails 
> all around the edge.  I did not see a Tricolored Heron there but one (and 
> bitterns) could certainly be lurking in the reeds.  North Gateway Park in 
> Lamar has a small bit of shorebird habitat but very few birds.  
>
>
> The Tundra Swan found by Claudia in spring at North Gateway Park and 
> nearby private gravel ponds apparently persisted all summer and is still 
> present!  It does not appear to be a cripple and flies readily between the 
> water bodies and hayfields.
>
>
> "Wertz Pond" just north of Highway 50 on US287 nw of Lamar is worth 
> checking.  Jane and Janeal found a few Black Terns there which I was able 
> to see.  It also hosted a Snowy Egret (eBird shows a recent report of Great 
> Egret from here, which I question, but I suppose one white wader could have 
> been replaced by another).  
>
>
> Hummingbirds seen in Lamar in a Willow Creek Subdivision private yard 
> include Calliope (apparently an immature male), Broad-tailed (female) and 
> Ruby-throated (adult male) along with the normal Black-chinned pair.
>
>
> Chimney Swifts migrating thru.  No big movements of Common Nighthawks 
> yet.  Swallows are mostly Barns, although a fair number of Banks are mixed 
> in.  Saw a good group of Cliffs in mid-August.
>
>
> Mississippi Kites are still in town, with lots of juveniles learning the 
> ropes of flying and catching cicadas/dragonflies.  The photo below shows 
> one hiding its pa

[cobirds] Re: Question about nesting bald eagles in Colorado

[mvjohnski]

On Friday, August 24, 2018 at 1:18:28 PM UTC-6, Jean Stevenson wrote:
>
> Do bald eagles which nest in Colorado migrate at all?  Or do they stay in 
> Colorado year round?  Thank you for the help.  Jean Stevenson, Aurora CO
>
>  
>
> =J=
>
>  
>

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[cobirds] Re: Question about nesting bald eagles in Colorado

[mvjohnski]

Not sure Jean. Some breed in the San Juan Mountains in SW Colorado 
regularly. But then with fall migration, the San Luis valley gets a whole 
passel of birds from presumably the north that spend November to March 
here. Those birds could easily overlap local birds. One radio tracked Bald 
Eagle in the SLV was tracked all the way to Canada so we know that many are 
migrants from the north. Other than this one study, don't know of any 
others done. Good question for sure. 

On Friday, August 24, 2018 at 1:18:28 PM UTC-6, Jean Stevenson wrote:
>
> Do bald eagles which nest in Colorado migrate at all?  Or do they stay in 
> Colorado year round?  Thank you for the help.  Jean Stevenson, Aurora CO
>
>  
>
> =J=
>
>  
>

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[cobirds] Sego Springs SWA Report

[mvjohnski]

This SWA is east of Manassa (Conejos County), and it was a nice cool day 
for some birding down that way. At this location, the San Antonio River 
joins the Conejos river and there is a least a few miles of cottonwood 
galleries to explore. This area is normally closed during the nesting 
season so be advised. 

Sadly, both rivers are bone dry. I have never seen that in my years here.  
Birds were never abundant, but could be coaxed into view. 

Sagebrush Sparrow, at least 6, were seen along the 2 track going in. Rock 
Wren families were flitting on the rocks.

Virginia's and MacGillivrays Warblers were observed in the brushy habitats. 
 Cordilleran and W Wood-pewees, Am Goldfinch, Spotted Towhees, Lincoln's 
Sparrow and Kingfisher were some of the other treasures along the way. 
Please send us some RAIN!

John Rawinski
Monte Vista, CO

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[cobirds] Re: Birds on Quandary Peak

[mvjohnski]

Thanks for the help Sandra.

On Wednesday, August 8, 2018 at 5:44:08 PM UTC-6, mvjo...@gmail.com wrote:
>
> Did Quandary Peak today and noted a few birds along the way. Two Rock 
> Wrens at 13,000 ft were a surprise. Heard the WT Ptarmigan but could not 
> locate them in a rock and tundra hillslope.  There were a few BC 
> Rosy-finches in the area. Nice day up there under blue skies and no storms 
> threatening. 
>
> John Rawinski
> Monte Vista
>
> PS I would like to contact the gentleman from Fort Collins that commented 
> about the snake/flycatcher episode of a few weeks ago. I want a few more 
> details of your thoughts but lost your message. Thanks. 
>

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[cobirds] Re: Crow Valley Campground on Wednesday 8Aug2018 (Weld)

[mvjohnski]

cool snake! Thanks for the update Dave. 

On Wednesday, August 8, 2018 at 9:56:40 PM UTC-6, Dave Leatherman wrote:
>
> This is mostly a note about the condition of Crow Valley Campground.  I 
> was told this area has had two hail storms in the last 10 days, the most 
> recent being day before yesterday.  The sum of these storms has knocked a 
> lot of leaves off trees, put Russian-olive fruits on the ground, shredded 
> leaves, caused local flash flooding that has the ground vegetation 
> flattened and leaning the same direction, filled little pools in Crow Creek 
> and killed a lot of insects.  Today the place felt like a place in shock.  
> Everything was quiet except for a barking dog in one of the campsites and 
> the blower the host seemed compelled to use to clean off sidewalks nobody 
> ever walks on near the outhouse and donation post.
>
>
> I think the loss of insects (elm leaf beetle larvae on elms, dragonflies, 
> flies, wasps, for ex.) will affect migrating birds that visit the area.  My 
> guess is they won't stay as long.
>
>
> Birding today was so-so, not great.  I had at least 4 Olive-sided 
> Flycatchers, several Western Wood-Pewees, 1 Orchard Oriole, 1 Bullock's 
> Oriole, 1 Gray Catbird, 2 Brown Thrashers, at least 3 families of House 
> Wrens, at least 5 Common Nighthawks, a few Yellow Warblers and an eastern 
> race Hairy Woodpecker.  I also had 2 Loggerhead Shrike fledglings picking 
> at a dead Horned Lark on the ground wedged into willow stems in the creek 
> bed out north.  Total of 30 species.  I had no vireos, no empids, no 
> thrushes, no migrant warblers.  
>
>
> Coolest thing was a rather large (2 feet long) Western Hognose Snake doing 
> all his tricks to look ominous but that allowed itself to be picked up 
> without struggle.  I moved him a short distance out of the road to a pile 
> of boards in the antique farm machinery area.
>
>
>
>
>
>
> 15 miles or so to the north at A&B #1 Res on CR124 a few miles w of CR77 
> were 2 Marbled Godwits, 4 Least Sandpipers, two Solitary Sandpipers, 1 
> Spotted Sandpiper, a few avocets, several yellowlegs of both species.
>
>
> Dave Leatherman
>
> Fort Collins
>

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[cobirds] Black Rail Search

[mvjohnski]

 

Today John Stump and I ventured out to search for the Black Rail this 
morning at the Bluff Overlook on the Alamosa Refuge. We arrived at 7 am as 
the fog was lifting, giving us expansive views of the wetlands and the 
flocks of birds below. We scoped the area for the next hour and a half. 

 

This must be one of the few wetlands having water in this Valley for there 
were high concentrations of birds, including over 200 Am White Pelicans, 
Great Blue Herons, BC Night-herons, Snowy Egrets and WF Ibis. 

 

Shorebirds included Wilson Phalaropes, Killdeer, Black-necked Stilts, Gr 
Yellowlegs, and peeps that were too far to discern. A juvenile Peregrine 
Falcon came speeding by, scattering the flocks of peeps. 

 

We never did see the Black Rail, though we did scope many Sora and Virginia 
Rails, which included one dark fuzzy juvenile Virginia Rail, walking on 
mudflats. 

 
We ventured over to Smith Reservoir taking the back roads and were 
impressed with the bountiful numbers of Lark Buntings. I estimate we saw 
more than 60. At Smith, lots of birds, ducks, egrets and shorebirds, which 
included Baird’s, Western, Least and Spotted Sandpipers.  I highly 
recommend working these places into your birding visits as the numbers at 
wetlands are very concentrated and high at the moment. 

John Rawinski
Monte Vista, CO

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[cobirds] Birds on Quandary Peak

[mvjohnski]

Did Quandary Peak today and noted a few birds along the way. Two Rock Wrens 
at 13,000 ft were a surprise. Heard the WT Ptarmigan but could not locate 
them in a rock and tundra hillslope.  There were a few BC Rosy-finches in 
the area. Nice day up there under blue skies and no storms threatening. 

John Rawinski
Monte Vista

PS I would like to contact the gentleman from Fort Collins that commented 
about the snake/flycatcher episode of a few weeks ago. I want a few more 
details of your thoughts but lost your message. Thanks. 

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[cobirds] Natural Arch and August Lull

[mvjohnski]

John Stump and I ventured out to the Natural Arch, north of Del Norte under 
smoky, hazy skies. Even in the early hours, birds were not calling and not 
moving around very much. No Bendire's Thrashers were seen and in fact nary 
a Sage Thrasher. But we did dig out some of these silent travelers.and 
enjoyed seeing Williamson's Sapsucker, Bushtit, White-throated Swift, 
Green-tailed Towhee, Western Tanager, Cordilleran Flycatcher, Kingfisher 
and Gray Catbird. (The Catbird was at the Del Norte River Walk area).

We birded Swede Lane, north of Monte Vista, for the Dickcissels, and not a 
single one was found. We both felt we were in the bird transition period 
and had fun just being out!

John Rawinski
Monte Vista, CO

 

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[cobirds] Blanca Wetlands Shorebirds Numbers Down

[mvjohnski]

Lisa and I birded the Blanca Wetlands complex today and gave the area a 
good look. When all was said and done, Lisa, who has done shorebird surveys 
there for many years, noted that shorebird numbers are way down for this 
time of year. Usually this count and the next have the highest total 
shorebird numbers each year. But not this year and we can only speculate 
the cause...drought? Smoke and fires? Conditions in the north breeding 
grounds? 

We still tallied some nice birds for the day including Baird's, 
Western, Spotted and Solitary Sandpipers,  Greater Yellowlegs, Am. Bittern, 
Peregrine Falcon, and Snowy Plovers (All Alamosa County). We would add that 
the Snowy Plovers are still raising young so please minimize disturbance to 
them by viewing them from afar. 

John Rawinski
Monte Vista, CO

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[cobirds] Dickcissels Still There Swede Lane

[mvjohnski]

Today, there were at least 10 singing Dickcissels on Swede Lane, Rio Grande 
County. This is the road about 1-2 miles north of Monte Vista on Hwy 285. 
Watch for Swede lane going to the west. Birds were in the first mile on 
north side of road. 

Had a report the Common Shelducks have again been seen at Blanca Wetlands. 

Also, a report of Bendire's Thrasher came to water at a private 
residence near Capulin. This species is always of interest and was well 
described by the observer. 

John Rawinski
Monte Vista, CO

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[cobirds] Bird of the Tundra

[mvjohnski]

My friend Dr Gary and I bushwhacked to the summit of 13,100 Montezuma Peak 
(Conejos County) yesterday. There were blue skies, lots of wildflowers and 
still a few drifts of snow. Birding was excellent for those species you 
just don't see regularly. Brown-capped Rosy-finches, Olive-sided 
Flycatcher, American Pipit, Prairie Falcon, Dipper, and feathers of 
White-tailed Ptarmigan were a delight to find. Pretty rigorous climb 
through the dead trees but you can also reach this peak by trail system  
from Elwood Pass. 

John Rawinski
Monte Vista, CO 

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[cobirds] Surf Scoter at San Luis Lake

[mvjohnski]

My wife Lisa reports a Surf Scoter at San Luis Lake (Alamosa Cty). This is 
a first ever summer record for the species in the San Luis valley! No one 
has since reported the Common Shelducks at Blanca Wetlands which are now 
open. Dickcissels are still present on Swede lane, 2 miles north of Monte 
Vista on 285 then left.  

John Rawinski
Monte Vista, CO

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[cobirds] Re: Common Shelducks

[mvjohnski]

On Wednesday, July 11, 2018 at 3:28:36 PM UTC-6, mvjo...@gmail.com wrote:
>
> I was helping my wife Lisa with some shorebird surveys at Blanca Wetlands, 
> when 4 strange ducks flew overhead. Snapped photos that were poor as the 
> birds disappeared into the horizon. Half hour later, rounded a bend and 
> there they were. This time the photos were better and we later keyed them 
> out to be 4 adult Common Shelducks. These birds acted very wild at human 
> presence. 
>
> Looked into R&A and saw no mention of these. Sibley says these exotics can 
> show up about anywhere. So question for the group is...what is the status 
> of this bird in our state?  Sure was an odd and unexpected sighting.   I 
> wanted to mention this since Blanca Wetlands will soon be open (closed 
> through July 15th then open) in case anyone might want to see them and 
> other birds there. Some shorebirds like Baird's Stilt, and Western 
> Sandpipers are there.  
>
> Also, in this drought we are having, I would ask you all to be careful in 
> your observations of Snowy Plovers, some of which still have young and are 
> being confined by ever-drying/shrinking wetlands this year. Seriously need 
> the monsoons to bring us moisture.
>
> John Rawinski
> Monte Vista, CO
>

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[cobirds] Re: Common Shelduck

[mvjohnski]

Thanks Peter. These 4 acted very much like wild birds and really captured 
my interest. I wonder what their story is? 

John R

On Wednesday, July 11, 2018 at 5:51:01 PM UTC-6, Peter Gent wrote:

> All, 
>
> Common Shelduck is an Eurasian species with the nearest breeding locations 
> to CO being western Europe and Iceland.  For the USA, eBird shows one 
> sighting from northeastern Pennsylvania and some sightings from the New 
> England coast in 2017, but nothing further west.  The field guides say that 
> Common Shelduck is frequently kept in waterfowl collections. 
>
> Cheers,  Peter Gent. 
> Boulder, CO.   
>

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[cobirds] Common Shelducks

[mvjohnski]

I was helping my wife Lisa with some shorebird surveys at Blanca Wetlands, 
when 4 strange ducks flew overhead. Snapped photos that were poor as the 
birds disappeared into the horizon. Half hour later, rounded a bend and 
there they were. This time the photos were better and we later keyed them 
out to be 4 adult Common Shelducks. These birds acted very wild at human 
presence. 

Looked into R&A and saw no mention of these. Sibley says these exotics can 
show up about anywhere. So question for the group is...what is the status 
of this bird in our state?  Sure was an odd and unexpected sighting.   I 
wanted to mention this since Blanca Wetlands will soon be open (closed 
through July 15th then open) in case anyone might want to see them and 
other birds there. Some shorebirds like Baird's Stilt, and Western 
Sandpipers are there.  

Also, in this drought we are having, I would ask you all to be careful in 
your observations of Snowy Plovers, some of which still have young and are 
being confined by ever-drying/shrinking wetlands this year. Seriously need 
the monsoons to bring us moisture.

John Rawinski
Monte Vista, CO

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[cobirds] Re: Shocking Saga at Sand Dunes

[mvjohnski]

I thought long about this and decided to post a few pics of the event on my 
webpage. Be forewarned they are graphic but give you an idea of what 
transpired. You can view 5 pics under "Recent Additions" on my photography 
webpage:

http://johnrawinski.zenfolio.com/

John Rawinski
Monte Vista, CO

On Monday, July 9, 2018 at 1:05:14 PM UTC-6, mvjo...@gmail.com wrote:

> Yesterday some friends and I saw a shocking sight that I will not soon 
> forget. I was hiking and birding at the Great Sand Dunes with some friends 
> when we spotted bird activity at eye level in an aspen tree on the side of 
> the trail 15 feet ahead. Flitting around the tree was a pair of alarmed 
> Dusky Flycatchers. Soon, we spotted a small nest in the tree, about 4 feet 
> up, with something odd sticking out of the nest. My friend said “It’s a 
> snake!” Sure enough there was a 14 inch Western Garter Snake coiled around 
> the nest and in its mouth was one of the three nestlings! What a shocking 
> sight to see! It was quite disturbing to watch but then again, this goes on 
> all the time in nature, and is rarely witnessed. We had to swallow hard, 
> and watch the drama unfold.  The snake stayed on the nest for a good 20 
> minutes and continued to grapple with the nestling which was long since 
> deceased. The bird seemed so much bigger than this small snake could 
> handle. We left the scene after watching this disturbing yet amazing event 
> and headed up the Mosca Pass Trail. 
>
>  
>
> Upon our return 45 minutes later, we saw the snake at the base of the tree 
> with the bird nearly devoured. We left the scene under the mixed emotions 
> of grief, sadness and amazement all chaotically working inside us as we 
> strolled down the trail to the vehicle. 
>
>  
>
> The event sparked a number of questions.  First, I never knew Western 
> Garter Snakes could climb a tree so well and skillfully. I had always 
> pictured them as ground-hunting predators, slinking through the grasses and 
> brush. To see one in a tree definitely shattered my long-held belief. 
>
>  
>
> Secondly, how did the snake know there was food in that direction? Was it 
> a keen sense of smell? Or was it the sound of chirping babies on the nest? 
> I am not exactly sure. 
>
>  
>
> Thirdly, the snake was not large, being about 14 inches in length…not big 
> as garter snakes go. But this snake successfully devoured the chick which 
> was the size of a ping pong ball! It did take considerable time for the act 
> to be completed, but I never knew snakes had such an extreme ability to 
> accomplish such a feat. 
>
>  
>  John Rawinski
> Monte Vista, CO
>
>  
>

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[cobirds] Shocking Saga at Sand Dunes

[mvjohnski]

 

Yesterday some friends and I saw a shocking sight that I will not soon 
forget. I was hiking and birding at the Great Sand Dunes with some friends 
when we spotted bird activity at eye level in an aspen tree on the side of 
the trail 15 feet ahead. Flitting around the tree was a pair of alarmed 
Dusky Flycatchers. Soon, we spotted a small nest in the tree, about 4 feet 
up, with something odd sticking out of the nest. My friend said “It’s a 
snake!” Sure enough there was a 14 inch Western Garter Snake coiled around 
the nest and in its mouth was one of the three nestlings! What a shocking 
sight to see! It was quite disturbing to watch but then again, this goes on 
all the time in nature, and is rarely witnessed. We had to swallow hard, 
and watch the drama unfold.  The snake stayed on the nest for a good 20 
minutes and continued to grapple with the nestling which was long since 
deceased. The bird seemed so much bigger than this small snake could 
handle. We left the scene after watching this disturbing yet amazing event 
and headed up the Mosca Pass Trail. 

 

Upon our return 45 minutes later, we saw the snake at the base of the tree 
with the bird nearly devoured. We left the scene under the mixed emotions 
of grief, sadness and amazement all chaotically working inside us as we 
strolled down the trail to the vehicle. 

 

The event sparked a number of questions.  First, I never knew Western 
Garter Snakes could climb a tree so well and skillfully. I had always 
pictured them as ground-hunting predators, slinking through the grasses and 
brush. To see one in a tree definitely shattered my long-held belief. 

 

Secondly, how did the snake know there was food in that direction? Was it a 
keen sense of smell? Or was it the sound of chirping babies on the nest? I 
am not exactly sure. 

 

Thirdly, the snake was not large, being about 14 inches in length…not big 
as garter snakes go. But this snake successfully devoured the chick which 
was the size of a ping pong ball! It did take considerable time for the act 
to be completed, but I never knew snakes had such an extreme ability to 
accomplish such a feat. 

 
 John Rawinski
Monte Vista, CO

 

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[cobirds] Dickcissels A Plenty

[mvjohnski]

Got a report this week that a couple of Dickcissels were seen on Rd CC and 
Rd 22 south of Alamosa. There were less numbers than last year however. 

Today I took a bike ride and encountered no less than 12 Dickcissels on 
Swede Lane, which is 2 miles north of Monte Vista on Hwy 285 (Rio Grande 
County). Swede Lane travels west and watch the hayfields on the north side 
of the road as well as fence posts and power poles. easy to find at the 
moment although hay cutting is commencing. In spite of the drought, pretty 
good numbers of this species once again. Will check other locations to see 
how they fare as well. 

Wonder how smoke affects birds. On east winds , the Spring Fire has us 
coughing and on westerly, the 416 Fire. 

John Rawinski
>From occasionally smoky Monte Vista, Colorado




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[cobirds] Pikes Stockade Closed

[mvjohnski]

One of my favorite birding places is closed for the summer. In April, on 
one of my ventures there, I saw where the intense winds had knocked over a 
massive narrowleaf Cottonwood tree, which crushed the west wall of the 
Pikes Stockade structure. I reported it to the State Historical group. They 
have since removed the huge tree but still need to re-construct the west 
wall and thus have closed it down until further notice. Will let you know 
when things open up again. 

And in a brief look at the CC road south of Alamosa, wife Lisa and I noted 
no Dickcissels, which were thick there last year. 

Hot and DRY down here. 

John Rawinski
Monte Vista, CO

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[cobirds] Re: Proliferation of Dickcissels in Canon City area

[mvjohnski]

Hi SeEtta….will be headed out to local San Luis valley areas for 
Dickcissels. Wonder if they will be there in a dry year, with poor 
vegetation growth? Will let all know. 

John Rawinski
Monte Vista, CO


On Tuesday, June 12, 2018 at 12:37:21 AM UTC-6, SeEtta wrote:

> Canon City has historically been a marginal area for Dickcissel breeding 
> with usually no more than 6 to 8 singing male Dickcissels and presumably as 
> many females.  Today I located more than a dozen singing males, most 
> viewable from public roads in Canon City.  I have some good pics, a little 
> video and a map (of where to find those along MacKenzie Ave) on my blog at 
> https://birdsandnature.blogspot.com/2018/06/a-dozen-singing-dickcissels-in-canon.html
>
> Unfortunately no Bobolink have shown up this year.
>
> SeEtta Moss
> Canon City
> http://BirdsAndNature.blogspot.com
>

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[cobirds] Saguache Bonanza

[mvjohnski]

I birded the Saguache area (all in Saguache County) and it was a bonanza of 
colorful birds. I have never seen so many hundreds of Evening Grosbeaks in 
town! Amazing. 

*Russell Lakes:* Great Egret and Canvasbacks were highlights. 

*Road 46.* Take Road Z west from Saguache to Rd 46 and go south to stream 
crossings: Northern Waterthrush, Gray Catbird. 

*In Saguache Town:* Many hundreds of Evening Grosbeaks and Pine Siskins. 
When you enter the town, it sounds like going into an aviary, loud with all 
sorts of birds singing. A few reasons why is that Chinese Elms are seeding 
and this is a big attraction for grosbeaks and siskins. Another reason is 
that the town is gridded with a network of small ditches that flow water. 
Finally the town has done some excellent landscaping and there is a variety 
of spruce, elm, cottonwoods and crabapples for outstanding cover. very 
little street traffic to worry about either. You might get a few "looks" as 
not a whole lot of birders walk though town. 

It took me a while to sort through the songs but heard a rising buzzy 
warbler. After considerable effort, I saw the male American Redstart at the 
Museum building. Black-headed Grosbeak, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Lewis's 
Woodpecker, many Western Tanagers, and some Cassin's Finches. A Swainson's 
Thrush stayed in the dark shadows of the habitat. 

All in all, a fabulous day in Saguache. I know it will change by the day so 
enjoy it if your path takes you this way. 

John Rawinski
Monte Vista, CO




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[cobirds] No Greater White fronted Goose in Rio Grande County

[mvjohnski]

Just for your info, there is no Gr White-fronted Goose in Rio Grande County 
so far as I know. I did see the Canada X Greylag Hybrid last night, which 
may look like a GR WF Goose, but has been examined and determined to be a 
hybrid. So please remove it from the Rare Bird listing. Thanks. 

John Rawinski
Monte Vista, CO

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[cobirds] Whimbrel at Smith Reservoir

[mvjohnski]

Today I got excellent looks at a Whimbrel on the south shore of Smith 
Reservoir, Costilla County. It was near the dam near the boat launch. There 
are only a handful of records for the species in the San Luis Valley, and 
not surprising, most of them occur around mid-May. 

John Rawinski
Monte Vista, CO

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[cobirds] Scissor-tailed Flycatcher Near Mosca

[mvjohnski]

Did some birding this morning and worked San Luis Lake pretty hard with the 
scope. Best birds there were Marbled Godwits, Willet, and Snowy Egrets. 

But the best was on the drive home where I saw and photographed a 
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher (juvenile) on a fence. There may actually have 
been a second bird, as one flew off way out into a field. Then I saw one 
closer and it seemed like 2 birds. (Fumbling with camera can be a 
distraction sometime!) But for sure one! Just north of Mosca, take Lane 6 
as if you are headed toward the Sand Dunes. The bird was seen about 1 mile 
east of the junction of Hwy 17 and Lane 6N. This is in Alamosa County. 

Only a handful of records for this species in the San Luis Valley! Have 
fun! These are the weeks we live for!!! 

John Rawinski
Monte Vista, CO

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[cobirds] Monte Vista Northern Waterthrush

[mvjohnski]

Yesterday at the Wright-Schriver Wildlife Area (north of Home Lake in Monte 
Vista), I observed a single Northern Waterthrush in the bog to the south 
(Rio Grande County). There likely was a second bird there as well chipping 
some calls at me. 

I know some of you are seeing reports about birds at Blanca Wetlands. The 
wetlands are closed at this time of year so please realize that when you 
see some posts regarding that area. They re-open July 15th each year. 

Overall, the density of birds in the San Luis Valley is low. We have not 
had a fallout this year and suspect that many birds are bypassing this 
area. Maybe things will get busier in the next 2 weeks. 

John Rawinski
Monte Vista, CO

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[cobirds] Zapata Ranch report

[mvjohnski]

A group of us had the pleasure of birding the Zapata Ranch this morning. We 
were invited by John Sanderson of the Nature Conservancy and were tasked 
with coming up with a daylist of birds in celebration of global bird day 
and the year of the bird. The count was part of TNC trying to get all 
properties globally birded at this time. So our bunch of folks (13 of 
us) were VERY excited to help. 

Around the headquarters, we were wowed by the beautiful colors of the 
Lewis' Woodpeckers. Lesser Goldfinches added a splash of yellow. Bullock's 
Orioles were about but hard to see. All 13 of the birders were avid birders 
and were spotting things left and right.  In a tree almost 1/2 an mile 
away, a bird was spotted and scoped out to be an adult Peregrine Falcon. It 
later did some aerial turns on the breezes and gave us a chance to see it 
closer. 

Then we birded the Medano Ranch. This is TNC property that may soon become 
part of the Great Sand Dunes Park. We went to Cotten Lake and got a good 
assortment of ducks, along with Long-billed Dowitcher, Wilson's Phalaropes, 
American Avocets, and another Peregrine Falcon that was harassing the 
shorebirds. At noon, we called it a day and had 63 species. Wonderful 
day

John Rawinski
Monte Vista, CO

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[cobirds] Re: Birding South Africa

[mvjohnski]

What a trip and at that reasonable cost...wow...

On Wednesday, May 2, 2018 at 6:56:18 AM UTC-6, Norman Erthal wrote:
>
> Hi,
>
> Posting of these announcements have been previously approved by  the CFO 
> Board
>
> I have a trip to South Africa on October 24 through November 11. It had 
> filled from an earlier announcement. Due to a cancellation, I have up to 3 
> spaces available. Estimated cost is about $4,600. This does not include the 
> flight to Johannesburg. I expect we should see over 400 species and of 
> course, many mammals and other critters. We will have experienced local 
> guides. If you are not able to take advantage of this trip, please forward 
> to anyone you think might be interested.
>
> *Day 1 Tue Oct 22: Arrive in Johannesburg. *Night in Johannesburg
>
> *Day 3 Wed Oct 23: *Recovery day and maybe some light birding near the 
> city.
>
> *Day 3 Thu Oct 25: Arrive in Johannesburg *Day in the thornveld of 
> Rust-de-Winter area and Zaagkuilsdrift Road for Southern Carmine Bee-eater, 
> Shaft-tailed Whydah, and Greater Painted-Snipe. Sunset 6:15 pm. 2 hours to 
> Kgomo-Kgomo. Night in Bela Bela. Birding from vehicle and on foot.
>
> *Day 4-5 Fri-Sat Oct 26-27: To Polokwane. *Sunrise 5:30 am. Drive to 
> Polokwane Reserve for birding in grassland, reedbeds, and riverine bush on 
> 26th. All day at the mountains and Afro-montane forest at Magoebaskloof and 
> at New Agatha Forest Reserve for Bat Hawk for second day. Nights at Kurisa 
> Mayo Lodge. Birding generally on foot.
>
> *Day 6-7 Sun-Mon Oct 28-29: *Early morning birding on second day 
> depending on if we have missed anything then drive 3 hours to the amazing 
> Kruger National Park. Night at Punda Maria Camp in north end of Kruger NP. 
> Birding in Kruger will be mostly by car, although there are some trails and 
> birding within the camp compound will also be done. Will do a night drive.
>
> *Days 8-9 Tue-Wed Oct 30-31: Kruger National Park*. Travel to southern 
> Kruger through the National Park birding on the way. Nights at Satara Rest 
> Camp in Kruger NP. Will do a night drive.
>
> *Day 10 Thu **Nov 1: To Wakkerstroom *Early morning at Kruger then a 
> 7-hour drive south to Wakkerstroom with a stop at Abel Erasmus Pass for the 
> very rare Taita Falcon and a possible stop in Swaziland for the rare Blue 
> Swallow. Night in Wakkerstroom. Driving and walking. Night in Wakkerstroom.
>
> *Day 11 Fri Nov 2: Wakkerstroom.* Day at Wakkerstroom in grassland and 
> wetlands with primary targets being two very local lark species, Rudd’s and 
> Botha’s as well as White-bellied and Blue Bustards. Night in Wakkerstroom.
>
> *Day 12 Sat **Nov 3: Mkuze Game Reserve*. Early morning at Wakkerstroom 
> then a 3-hour drive to Mkuze Game Reserve for it's acacia savanna, sand 
> forest, riverine forest. Night *at Gooderson DumaZulu Lodge in Hluhluwe. 
> Walking and several blinds.*
>
> *Day 13 Sun Nov 4:* *Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve*. Driving, walking in 
> low elevation grassland and coastal scarp forest, and maybe a boat cruise. 
> Night at Gooderson DumaZulu Lodge in Hluhluwe.
>
> *Day 14 Mon **Nov 5: Saint Lucia area. *Visit nearby coastal dune forest, 
> lakes and estuary of the Saint Lucia system and iSimangaliso Wetland Park. 
> Night drive in Eastland shores section of iSimangaliso. Night at Gooderson 
> DumaZulu Lodge in Hluhluwe. Livingstone’s Turaco, Woodward’s Batis, 
> Neergard’s Sunbird. Driving and walking.
>
> *Day 15 Tue **Nov 6: *We will visit the coastal forests of Ongoye Forest 
> and Dlinza Forest with a canopy walkway*. *Night in Eshowe.
>
> *Day 16 Wed Nov 7: *Visit the coastal lowland Entumeni Forest and 
> Amatikulu Reserve. Night in Durban at Faraway Lodge
>
> *Day 17 Thu 18 Nov 8: Durban Pelagic. *In addition to birds, especially 
> highlights of albatross, there can be whales, dolphins, and fur seals. 
> Depart at 7 and return between 2 and 3. Night in Durban at Faraway Lodge
>
> *Day 18 Fri **Nov 9: Karkloof Mountains *Sunrise 5:04 am. Here we will 
> travel in spectacular terrain in mist belt forest and high altitude 
> grassland. Possible sites are Darvill Park, Karkloof Conservancy and 
> Hella-Hella Pass. Walking and canopy tour. Night in Himeville.
>
> *Day 19 Sat **Nov 10: Sani Pass and Lesotho. *Night in Underberg Sunset 
> 6:16 pm. Take 4-wheel vehicles to Lesotho for alpine grassland and protea 
> savanna. Driving and walking. Night in Himeville. Start at 6 am and 
> conclude about 5:30.
>
> *Day 20 Sun Nov 11:* Bird at Marutswa Forest in the morning or other 
> location depending on what we have not seen. Drive to Johannesburg 6 hours 
> with possible stop at Marievale near Johannesburg, Evening flight home.
>
> Day 21 Nov 12: Arrive home
>

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[cobirds] Black Phoebe in San Luis Valley

[mvjohnski]

Yesterday in Rio Grande Gorge, south of Lobatos Bridge, I saw a Black 
Phoebe (Conejos County).  There are less than a dozen reports in my 
database, and we get this species every few years. Ironically, the first 
SLV record that I am aware of was one found by Hugh and Urling Kingery in 
1996 in the same area.  I would suspect they nest somewhere in there. Would 
be a good summer trip and I would wear my snake gaiters as this is a good 
area to find a snake too!

John Rawinski
Monte Vista, CO

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[cobirds] Ute Mountain Mesa Verde Birding Festival

[mvjohnski]

Just wanted to let folks know that the Ute Mountain Mesa Verde Birding 
Festival will be held May 9-13, 2018 in Cortez Colorado. This annual event 
includes a number of exciting birding and cultural events that explore some 
of the special places of the Cortez area. The purpose of this weekend 
birding adventure is to help raise funds for the Cortez Cultural Center. 
You can find more details in the attached website. I know lots going on in 
May but check this one out if you can. 

https://cortezculturalcenter.org/events/birding-festival/

John Rawinski
Monte Vista, CO

This notice was allowed through requested permission. 

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[cobirds] Re: Monte Vista Refuge Changes Overnight

[mvjohnski]

Forgot to mention that about 40 Avocets were there as well as 4 
Black-necked Stilts. 

On Sunday, April 1, 2018 at 7:19:57 PM UTC-6, mvjo...@gmail.com wrote:
>
> After observing birds in the San Luis valley for 35 years (gasp!), and 
> keeping records, I can say with certainty that April 1st is no foolish date 
> for birds! Overnight it seems there is a new, and expected arrival of birdy 
> characters that brighten the wetlands and meadows. Tonite, wife Lisa and I 
> birded the Monte Vista Refuge. A huge contingent of Yellow-headed 
> Blackbirds were here today and not just a few days ago. Cinnamon Teal were 
> much more abundant and the first Blue-winged Teal was seen. In many past 
> Aprils, Great Egrets seem to wander this way and tonite we are fairly 
> certain we scoped one in the bulrushes. About 4-5,000 cranes still remain, 
> and that hasn't changed much from last week. Two Loggerhead Shrikes tonite 
> had not been seen last week. So things are changing...enjoy each and every 
> day
>
> John Rawinski
> Monte Vista, CO
>

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[cobirds] Monte Vista Refuge Changes Overnight

[mvjohnski]

After observing birds in the San Luis valley for 35 years (gasp!), and 
keeping records, I can say with certainty that April 1st is no foolish date 
for birds! Overnight it seems there is a new, and expected arrival of birdy 
characters that brighten the wetlands and meadows. Tonite, wife Lisa and I 
birded the Monte Vista Refuge. A huge contingent of Yellow-headed 
Blackbirds were here today and not just a few days ago. Cinnamon Teal were 
much more abundant and the first Blue-winged Teal was seen. In many past 
Aprils, Great Egrets seem to wander this way and tonite we are fairly 
certain we scoped one in the bulrushes. About 4-5,000 cranes still remain, 
and that hasn't changed much from last week. Two Loggerhead Shrikes tonite 
had not been seen last week. So things are changing...enjoy each and every 
day

John Rawinski
Monte Vista, CO

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[cobirds] Winter and Spring Collide in San Luis valley

[mvjohnski]

There still are 3-5,000 Sandhill Cranes in the San Luis valley, though some 
have been leaving under favorable conditions. Today, after our recent 8 
inches of wet snow, the seasons of winter and spring collided and it made 
for some unique viewing opportunities. Most birds are still on the Monte 
Vista Refuge at the usual turnouts. The auto tour loop is still the best to 
get close views. The birds in this photo waited until the fog lifted a bit 
before heading out to feed. 

John Rawinski
Monte Vista, CO


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[cobirds] Re: Mountain Plovers in Weld

[mvjohnski]

Hi Dave: How does one embed pics into these messages. I'm not having any 
luckthanks.

John Rawinski
Monte Vista, CO

On Wednesday, March 28, 2018 at 6:00:45 PM UTC-6, Dave Leatherman wrote:

> I found 4 Mountain Plovers this afternoon in a strip of winter wheat where 
> I have found them in previous years: about 1/10 mile s of SR14 on the east 
> side of Weld CR79.  CR79 is the first n-s road e of the turnoff to Crow 
> Valley CG (CR77/SR392).  In the way of another reference, the green winter 
> wheat strips are about a half mile east of the Briggsdale High School 
> football/baseball field, the school being on the east side of the little 
> town of Briggsdale.  
>
>
>   
>
> FYI, I made a quick walk-thru of Crow Valley Campground in a light rain 
> and only saw a few Eurasian Collared-Doves, 1 Blue Jay, 2 American 
> Kestrels, 2 Canada Geese (flyovers, must be a little water in the creek up 
> north) and heard several Western Meadowlarks.  Very dry (until today) and 
> very quiet.  I did not go out north of the campground along Mourning Dove 
> Trail because the rain/snow was picking up. The gate is still closed up by 
> CR77 and you have to walk in.  The creek thru the cg is dry with a few 
> puddles north of the Group Area in the nw corner.  The host van and an 
> attendant vehicle plus the trailer of the contractors working on the trees 
> are still parked down in the campground.  
>
>
> In Briggsdale I had the usual European "Fab Four" plus a whopping two 
> North American natives: Rock Pigeons, Eurasian Collared-Doves, European 
> Starlings, House Sparrows plus House Finches and a small flock of about 10 
> Common Grackles.
>
>
> Dave Leatherman
>
> Fort Collins
>

On Wednesday, March 28, 2018 at 6:00:45 PM UTC-6, Dave Leatherman wrote:
>
> I found 4 Mountain Plovers this afternoon in a strip of winter wheat where 
> I have found them in previous years: about 1/10 mile s of SR14 on the east 
> side of Weld CR79.  CR79 is the first n-s road e of the turnoff to Crow 
> Valley CG (CR77/SR392).  In the way of another reference, the green winter 
> wheat strips are about a half mile east of the Briggsdale High School 
> football/baseball field, the school being on the east side of the little 
> town of Briggsdale.  
>
>
>   
>
> FYI, I made a quick walk-thru of Crow Valley Campground in a light rain 
> and only saw a few Eurasian Collared-Doves, 1 Blue Jay, 2 American 
> Kestrels, 2 Canada Geese (flyovers, must be a little water in the creek up 
> north) and heard several Western Meadowlarks.  Very dry (until today) and 
> very quiet.  I did not go out north of the campground along Mourning Dove 
> Trail because the rain/snow was picking up. The gate is still closed up by 
> CR77 and you have to walk in.  The creek thru the cg is dry with a few 
> puddles north of the Group Area in the nw corner.  The host van and an 
> attendant vehicle plus the trailer of the contractors working on the trees 
> are still parked down in the campground.  
>
>
> In Briggsdale I had the usual European "Fab Four" plus a whopping two 
> North American natives: Rock Pigeons, Eurasian Collared-Doves, European 
> Starlings, House Sparrows plus House Finches and a small flock of about 10 
> Common Grackles.
>
>
> Dave Leatherman
>
> Fort Collins
>

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[cobirds] Whitey Wing Returns to Monte Vista

[mvjohnski]

Hi all:  The Red-winged Blackbird with the unusual white primaries, showed 
up recently at our feeders. We first saw him as an adult in 2010, so he has 
endured at least 9 years in the wilds. He nests about a half mile from our 
home in a nearby wetland. Wonder where he goes for the winter? 

John Rawinski
Monte Vista, CO

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[cobirds] Clark's Nutcracker Building Nests

[mvjohnski]

Hi all. Last week while out with the camera, I encountered two Clark's 
Nutcrackers building a nest. It was one of a few times I have seen Clark's 
Nutcrackers building nests as they, like other Corvids are early nesters. I 
sat and observed as both male and female cycled in with nesting materials 
every 3 minutes. It was amazing to watch. This species may have been 
under-represented in Atlas block surveys since they are such early 
nesters and habitats are often inaccessible so early in the year due to 
snow (except for this year!).

I took photos whenever the busy birds perched for a moment. They pretty 
much ignored me which was somewhat fascinating of itself. I have included 
about 6 photos of their labors on my photography website 
http://johnrawinski.zenfolio.com/  under "Recent Additions". Note that the 
photos are intended as documentation and not necessarily for artistic 
merit.  If you get a moment, please check it out. 

John Rawinski
Monte Vista, CO

 

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[cobirds] Re: Canada goose, Monte Vista, Alamosa county

[mvjohnski]

On Sunday, March 11, 2018 at 1:29:56 PM UTC-6, fiddlenurs wrote:
>
> I would like some input on this goose at the Montevista wildlife refuge. I 
> thought he was partially leucystic but now have noticed the orange legs. 
> That makes me wonder if he is a white fronted goose cross Canada goose. 
> Snow goose cross Canada goose. Thoughts? 
>
> Thanks, Deb Carstensen, Arapahoe County 
>

Yes this is a Greylag X Canada Goose Hybrid. It has been around the refuge 
for 3 years now. Good spot and quite a different bird!

John Rawinski
Monte Vista, CO 

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[cobirds] 10-15K Sandhill Cranes

[mvjohnski]

Hi all:

I have been visiting the Monte Vista Refuge Daily, and my current estimate 
is that 10 to 15 thousand Sandhill Cranes are in and around the Monte Vista 
Refuge. Because many fields are open for feeding, there are many birds 
scattered around the San Luis Valley, bumping those numbers considerably. 
Drive some of the county roads around the refuge for closer looks. 

Plenty of Cackling Geese, the Hybrid Goose, and one WF Goose are in the 
area, though no white geese have been seen. Sage Thrashers are just 
filtering into the area, and I have not heard recently whether the 
Rosy-finches are still in at Hostettlers. 

It is Crane Festival Weekend and weather looks good. See some of you there!

John Rawinski
Monte Vista, CO

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[cobirds] Sagebrush Sparrows Plus

[mvjohnski]

Hi all:

A group of us headed to Antonito to chase Sagebrush Sparrows (Conejos 
County) and were not disappointed on this blustery day. We counted no less 
than 11 east of Antonito. This established the earliest spring record for 
the species in the San Luis valley, beating the previous date of Feb 29th. 

To see them, go to Antonito and take road G east until Road F joins from 
the SE. Take F and start watching for the next 2-3 miles and you should 
catch them. Some were singing today. WOW.

Other great birds for the day included about 4-5,000 Sandhill Cranes at the 
Monte Vista NWR (Rio Grande), hundreds of Cackling geese, 1 Greater 
White-fronted Goose at the turnouts, a female Hooded Merganser on the auto 
tour loop, the hybrid Greylag X Canada, and 6 Cinnamon Teal. 

We missed the Rosy-finches at Hostetlers, but had a nice consolation of 
Merlin! (which is why there were no Rosy-finches!)

John Rawinski
Monte Vista, Colorado 

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[cobirds] Status Cranes at Monte Vista

[mvjohnski]

Still waiting for the numbers of birds to arrive. Yes there are a few 
cranes here and there but big numbers are yet to arrive. Water is flowing 
onto the fields and wetlands now so more should be coming in daily when 
winds are favorable. Forecast is for cold front to hit Tuesday so that may 
slow things down for a few days. 

Some cranes are in the grain fields just south of Home Lake. Others are 
scattered about. A few Cackling Geese in amongst the Canadas.

Susan Hochstetler still has the Rosy-finches (Conejos County) for those 
wishing to see them. She is one mile south after pavement ends on Co Hwy 15 
due south of Monte Vista. 

Many of the wetlands down here have closed for the waterfowl nesting season 
so be aware of that in your travels here. 

A Swan was reported to Lisa and I last week. It was a vague picture so we 
could not determine species. Lisa went out (Blanca Wetlands now closed) and 
could not re-find it. But be on the lookout in other accessible wetland 
areas. 

John Rawinski
Monte Vista, CO 

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[cobirds] Water is Flowing at Monte Vista NWR

[mvjohnski]

Today, my wife Lisa and I observed that the water has been turned onto the 
wetlands, and birds are starting to gather there. Best place to see these 
birds is along Co Hwy 15, 6 miles south of Monte Vista. Did not have a 
chance to glass through them because of other errands, but will give you a 
report soon as we can. The magic of migration begins

John Rawinski
Monte Vista, CO 

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[cobirds] First Cranes in San Luis valley

[mvjohnski]

The first sightings of 2018 occurred in the last few days as two different 
persons reported a group of 5 seen (Alamosa County). While they are the 
first for the year, they may actually be some of the few that wintered here 
and were counted on the Christmas Bird Count. With no snow cover, food has 
been available all winter. I just returned from a few days in Bosque doing 
some photography and those birds will soon be headed our way. In mid 
February, the Monte Vista Refuge should be dancing with cranes. Will keep 
you posted along the way. 

John Rawinski
Monte Vista, CO 

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[cobirds] All Three Rosy-finches in Conejos County

[mvjohnski]

I stopped by Susan Hochstetler's place this week (Conejos County) and 
observed the wonderful assortment of Rosy-finches at her feeders. I was 
able to see and photograph all three species including coastal and inland 
races of Gray-crowned. We were wondering if we ever get "Bering Sea" race 
of Gray-crowned in Colorado. Anyone seen them? 

Susan is open to birders. She is an Amish lady and her husband Martin is 
ill. You can see these birds by going south from Monte Vista on Hwy 15 
until the pavement ends. Then go another 1 mile and watch for her place on 
the east side of the road. Hers is the place with numerous feeders out. 

I know Susan spends enormous amounts on bird seed. If you are so inclined, 
please consider a donation to help her out. 

John Rawinski
Monte Vista, CO


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[cobirds] Lathrop Birding

[mvjohnski]

Today there was considerable open water on Martin Lake (Huerfano 
County) and it had some interesting birds. My favorites were male and 
female Hooded Mergansers. Mountain Bluebirds were plentiful. Other birds 
included Bewicks Wren, Townsend's Solitaire, RC Kinglet, and Common 
Goldeneye. 

John Rawinski
Monte Vista, CO 

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[cobirds] Swing and Miss at Standley

[mvjohnski]

On Jan 16th afternoon, I gave the Standley Lake Open Space a good walk and 
then neighborhood drive to find the Snowy Owl. No luck but wonderful park. 

This morning, Leon Bright, Bill DeMoss and myself saw the Snowy Owl at the 
South Marina which made for a fabulous way to start a day. 

John Rawinski
Monte Vista, Colorado

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[cobirds] Anyone See Standley Snowy Owl Today?

[mvjohnski]

I know it was snowy and nasty up that way today, but wondering if anyone 
saw the Standley Snowy Owl today (Monday)? 

Gracias

John Rawinski
Monte Vista, CO

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[cobirds] Re: Snowy Owl at Standley Lake

[mvjohnski]

Am thinking about making the 200 mile drive up tomorrow (Monday) to see 
this bird if it is still around. If anyone has details about where it is 
known to hang out, I would appreciate any information you could lend. 
Street addresses? Park? etc. Thank you. 

John Rawinski
Monte Vista, CO

On Saturday, January 13, 2018 at 4:40:24 PM UTC-7, dpd wrote:

> Anybody seen it today? 
>
> Dan Dietrich 
> Firestone, CO 
>
>
>

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[cobirds] Great to See Friends in Pueblo

[mvjohnski]

John Stump and I traveled over from the San Luis Valley for a chance at the 
Snowy Owl and RB Sapsucker. RB Sapsucker might be a $3,000 value life bird 
for me as I have missed it in numerous attempts on the west coast and 
probably spent those kind of $$ in the journey for this nemesis species!! 
We were not disappointed in that we did see the birds...both of those 
magnificent species were inspirational and exciting. And the nemesis is 
gone (to be replaced by the next nemesis, whatever that might be). But 
equally exciting was to see many friends I have not seen in a few 
years. Special thanks to Ira S for pointing out the RB Sapsucker, which 
would have been a challenge to find among the numerous pine trees.  It was 
a day John and I shall not soon forget.   

John Rawinski
Monte Vista, CO

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[cobirds] Re: Snowy owl found, Pueblo co

[mvjohnski]

What a day and nice to meet you two. 

John Rawinski
Monte Vista, CO

On Friday, January 12, 2018 at 10:24:58 AM UTC-7, Dale Adams wrote:

> It's hunting in the area northwest of the dam, southeast of juniper rd. 
>  Best seen by walking out on dam from parking lot at top of dam on Juniper 
> rd.  Currently on the center of 3 objects at base of dam. Likely hunting 
> prairie dogs.  No prairie warbler just yet.
>
> Dale and Joel Adams 
> Fremont County 
>

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[cobirds] San Luis Valley Cranes and Oddities

[mvjohnski]

Wow what birds on the east slope. Great opportunities for sure. 
In the San Luis Valley, we had a brown Christmas, warm with 50 degree 
temps. It is no wonder that yesterday, as I was ice skating with my 
daughter, that 8 Sandhill Cranes flew overhead. Not totally unexpected but 
unusual for sure. In addition, the Monte Vista Christmas Count found 25 
Brown-headed Cowbirds for a first winter record for this area. Poor skiing 
but the ice skating is great this year! Happy new year from the San Luis 
valley!

John Rawinski
Monte Vista, CO

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[cobirds] Re: RFI: cranes in the San Luis Valley

[mvjohnski]

On Wednesday, October 18, 2017 at 12:33:55 PM UTC-6, Sandra Laursen wrote:
>
>
> hi folks,
> I'm heading to the Arkansas River valley and San Luis Valley this weekend 
> and would be glad of info on where sandhill cranes are hanging out.  And 
> any other birdy spots!  The recent messages have been Front Range-centric 
> and I'd love to hear from folks in Chaffee and Saguache counties 
> (especially) or Rio Grande and Alamosa counties.
>
> thanks
> Sandra Laursen
> Boulder
>




It is a fabulous year for fall Sandhill Cranes in the San Luis Valley. Here 
are some hotspots to check out when you visit. Near Monte Vista, try the 3E 
road north of Home Lake SWA. Today there were ample numbers scattered in 
the wetlands and grainfields. Also try south of Monte Vista on Hwy 15. 
There are excellent numbers 1 mile south of the town and farther south. I 
live in that area and the daily flyovers morning and evenings have been 
superb. Finally a good area is to drive the Stanley Road east from 
Countyline Road (aka 6E). This road is 6 miles East of Monte Vista on Hwy 
160 and then turn left (north) and drive for about 3 miles and watch for a 
right turn (Stanley Road). Hope that helps...

John Rawinski
Monte Vista, CO

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[cobirds] Save the Trees

[mvjohnski]

It's been an interesting week. After seeing more trees at Home Lake in the 
San Luis Valley succumb to the beavers on the east side, I had finally had 
enough.  So on this past Monday, I called the Colorado Parks and Wildlife 
Monte Vista Office, and discussed my concerns with District Manager Luke 
Hoffman. The trees around the lake are very important in providing shade 
for the lake's fisheries, keeping waters cool for a variety of fish that 
they stock there. The fish also feed numerous birds such as the pelicans, 
cormorants, osprey and eagles that we see there fairly frequently. The 
trees, as we birders know, also provide an important resting and feeding 
area for breeding and migrating birds. That was Monday. 

Today Friday, as I drove around the lake, I was surprised to see wire-mesh 
screens placed around many of the smaller cottonwood trees on the east side 
of the lake. I also bumped into Fred?...the CPW assistant that put the 
screens up this past week and thanked him for doing so. It made my week for 
sure

It is a rare day when we can experience such expeditious response from 
agency personnel. And I know first hand how processes have to run their 
course, having spent 30 years in government service. But it was a 
refreshing sight to see such a quick response that should have immediate 
positive effects on the birds and fish at Home Lake. And the beavers will 
do fine with the many willows available to them in the canal and river. 
Great job by CPW personnel. 

John Rawinski
Monte Vista, CO

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[cobirds] Ruddy Turnstone at San Luis Lake

[mvjohnski]

My wife Lisa reports that a Ruddy Turnstone is still at San Luis Lake 
(Alamosa County), on the west side of the lake, middle peninsula.  It has 
been there for the past week. This is only the 4th record for the San Luis 
Valley that I am aware of. 

An Ash-throated Flycatcher south of Monte Vista (Rio Grande) was unusual 
for this area. Lots of migrating Yellow-rumped and Wilson's Warblers too. 

John Rawinski
Monte Vista, CO

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[cobirds] Ovenbird in Alamosa (Alamosa County)

[mvjohnski]

I birded the Alamosa hotspots this morning for a quick hour. Spent my time 
at "cougar woods" at the north end of the Cattails Golf Course (on the left 
side as you head to the disc golf area) and then at the "black tee" area 
just west of the clubhouse. Best birds were at black tee. 

Waves of Wilson's Warblers were widespread. Lincoln's Sparrows seemed to 
jump out of each shrubby tangle. The best bird was a rare fall record of 
Ovenbird at the black tee. MacGills Warblers were also foraging about. 
Trees are starting to turn yellow a bit. 

Yesterday wife Lisa and I birded at Blanca Wetlands and while there are 
still a few Snowy Plovers about (Alamosa County), the varieties and 
numbers of shorebirds have dwindled. Stilt Sandpipers were a good find in 
winter plumage. 

John Rawinski
Monte Vista, CO

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[cobirds] Towndsend's Warbler in Sangres

[mvjohnski]

Took a nice hike up Rito Alto Creek, Saguache County,  yesterday and 
watched birds along the trail. Went to Blind Lake (no fish) and it was a 
healthy climb. I saw my first Townsend's Warbler of the year. Another bird 
I don't see very often is Golden-crowned Kinglet and it was there with many 
Ruby-crowned Kinglets. Dipper, Yellow-rumped warbler, Junco, Thrush 
spp, and Hairy Woodpecker rounded out the day.  

John Rawinski
Monte Vista, CO

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[cobirds] Blanca Wetlands

[mvjohnski]

Just wanted to clarify the RBR, snowy plover is best seen at the Watchable 
Wildlife area, pond 46 (Alamosa Cty). Other shorebirds are best seen at 
North Mallard, pond 114. 

John Rawinski
Monte Vista, CO.

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[cobirds] Snowy Plover at Blanca Wetlands

[mvjohnski]

There are still some Snowy Plover at Blanca Wetlands. The watchable 
wildlife area still has some. Lisa and I birded the area today and had a 
good variety of shorebirds with Baird's and Least Sandpipers, Lesser 
Yellowlegs, hundreds of Avocets and Semi-palmated Plover. North Mallard 
area is your best bet right now and morning is better than mid day when 
birds seem to wander off. There are a handful of Peregrine Falcons 
harassing and catching shorebirds there and is quite a spectacle to watch. 
All in Alamosa County. 

John Rawinski
Monte Vista, CO

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[cobirds] Fisher Mountain Ptarmigans

[mvjohnski]

Yesterday, I climbed Fisher Mountain, 12,865, and had a terrific day up 
there viewing the rest of the Weminuche Wilderness. On the assent trail, I 
spotted 5 White-tailed Ptarmigan, which made the day very special. This is 
not a place to go and get this species necessarily as there are easier 
places in these mountains. Anyway, got down just ahead of the afternoon 
lightening. Other cool birds included Northern Three-toed Woodpecker and 
Dusky Grouse. 

John Rawinski
Monte Vista, CO

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[cobirds] Hummingbirds in Wild Display

[mvjohnski]

Well it has been a very exhilarating time watching and photographing the 
fall migration of hummingbirds through the San Luis Valley. Based on 
numbers alone, this year seems to have surpassed most other years by far! I 
had numbers of 20 birds buzzing the feeders and vying for feeder 
domination. The species include Broad-tailed, Rufous, and Calliope. 
Strangely, we rarely see Black-chinned in the Valley proper. The birds are 
extremely challenging to photograph and are actually faster than 
"autofocus", which creates challenges in and of itself. Anyway, I thought 
you might enjoy seeing them at my website. johnrawin...@zenfolio.com  under 
"Recent Additions". Enjoy the rapidly changing fall season. Numbers of 
hummers have declined since last night!

John Rawinski
Monte Vista, CO

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[cobirds] Olive-sided Flycatcher near South Fork

[mvjohnski]

Took a nice hike in the old Million Fire where I worked on restoration 16 
years ago. Birding was good and the burn recovery very good too. Highlites 
of the birds were 2 Olive-sided Flycatchers, singing their "quick three 
beers" tune. Other nice birds for the morning included Brown Creeper, 
Western Tanager, Warbling Vireo, Western Wood-pewee, Dusky Flycatcher and 
Black-headed Grosbeak. To get here for an easy hike, start at the junction 
of Hwy 160 and Willow Park Road (a few miles east of South Fork). Drive up 
the Willow Park Road for 5.2 miles until you see a FS gate across a road on 
the right. Hike up this road for a nice birdwalk and view too. All in Rio 
Grande County. 

John Rawinski
Monte Vista, CO

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[cobirds] Re: SLV Dickcissels

[mvjohnski]

Thanks for the report Kathy. SLV is San Luis Valley in the south-central 
part of Colorado. It sure has been quite the year for this species down 
here!

John Rawinski
Monte Vista, CO



On Monday, July 10, 2017 at 9:38:08 PM UTC-6, Dunnings wrote:

> Greetings -
>
>
> This evening while heading from Saguache to  the Crestone area, I found 
> yet another SLV Dickcissel field.
>
>
> This one is on Saguache CR-X between CR-50 and CR-52.
>
>
> Most of the birds were on the south side of the road in the field with the 
> pink and lavender flowered plant (clover maybe?)
>
>
> The field to the north was being cut - not sure if the Dickcissel field is 
> about to suffer the same fate.
>
>
> I kept hoping one of the birds would pose, so that I could capture its 
> picture with the Sangres in the background, but none would cooperate.
>
>
> Gorgeous spot for a cool bird.
>
>
> Good birding,
>
> Kathy Mihm Dunning
>
> Denver
>
>

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[cobirds] More Dickcissels Costilla County

[mvjohnski]

Yesterday, I heard the unmistakable buzzy song of the Dickcissel just north 
of Smith Reservoir (Costilla County). I was driving windows open when I 
heard it and braked to a stop, backed up and observed 2 birds on a wire 
singing at each other. This location is on Cty Rd 12 (the road to Smith 
Reservoir from Hwy 160) and is about 1/2 mile north of the northern most 
entrance into the Smith Res SWA. On the west side of the road. What a year!

John Rawinski
Monte Vista, CO

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[cobirds] Re: Dickcissel plant associations

[mvjohnski]

Dave: We have been carefully observing the plant cover types where we are 
seeing the dickcissels. Myself and a range conservationist discussed this 
very topic yesterday on our trip to see Dickcissels south of Alamosa. Here 
is the San Luis Valley perspectivelist:

Tall Brome Grasses: Usually of nonnative grasses like smooth brome, timothy
Tall Grasses-Alfalfa complex: Birds are in a mix of these two plant cover 
types. 
Barley: Today I heard one singing in a barley field. These are all cover 
types. Habitat types or plant associations usually refer to native plant 
potentials. A cover type is just the combo of plants that are currently on 
an ecological site.
Most of these types are currently being cut for hay. In which case, birds 
have moved to fencelines or uncut corners and edges. We will be looking at 
this population to see if we can see breeding evidence, aka Atlas 
procedures. 

I have not seen or heard any Dickcissels in the San Luis Valley that are on 
native habitat types/plant associations. Not surprising since we lack true 
tall grass prairie ecosystems in our high desert shrubland communities. 

John Rawinski
Retired Soil Scientist USDA


On Monday, June 26, 2017 at 12:08:12 PM UTC-6, Dave Leatherman wrote:

> I would be interested in hearing from COBIRDS folks about their 
> observations of the dominant plant(s) in the areas where Dickcissels seem 
> to be territorial (lots of singing on multiple days).  Of course, alfalfa 
> has always been a crop that seems to attract Dickcissels, presumably 
> because of the sulphur and white butterfly caterpillars found in these 
> fields, and probably a lot of other insects like grasshoppers.
>
>
> During this year when the Colorado prairie and foothills are lush with 
> plant life due to much needed moisture over the last couple years, 
> Dickcissels can exist in our midst and they seem to have choices.  Which 
> choices are they making?  In addition to alfalfa fields, I have also seen 
> them in salt-cedar/tamarisk (of all things, in this case near Nee Noshe Res 
> south of Eads (Kiowa)) and in wild licorice (*Glycyrrhiza lepidota*) 
> north of Nunn (Weld).
>
>
> What other plants are you seeing Dickcissels favor?
>
>
> Thanks,
>
> Dave Leatherman
>
> Fort Collins
>

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[cobirds] Latest San Luis Valley Dickcissels

[mvjohnski]

I led a group of 9 of us to the CC Road south of Alamosa this morning. Our 
goal was to see and possibly count the number of Dickcissels in this area. 
I can assure you there are more birds in that area than what we counted but 
we tallied 14 individuals...both male and female, in our morning trip. This 
exceeds all previous amounts ever recorded in the San Luis Valley. Consider 
for reference, Atlas I had 1 block with Dickcissels, Atlas IInone. 
Suddenly they are being found far and wide in the Valley. Pretty amazing 
phenomenon for sure. Now WHY is this happening is worth discussion. 
Theories? 

All of these birds straddle the Alamosa and Conejos County Line.

John Rawinski
Monte Vista, CO

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[cobirds] Directions to Dickcissels in SLV

[mvjohnski]

Go south from Alamosa on Hwy 285 to Road 11s. Turn left (going east) on 11s 
for about a mile. Turn right on S109 and go for a few miles. Turn left on 
CC Road (aka 15S) and Dickcissels are all along that road up to Rd 22. Take 
22 south as there are some there too. The 15S road is the boundary between 
Alamosa Cty to the north and Conejos Cty to the south. 

John Rawinski
Monte Vista, CO

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[cobirds] Dickcissels in San Luis Valley (SLV)

[mvjohnski]

I received a tip from local birder Lance Cheslock that Dickcissels were 
making an appearance for the 2nd straight year just south of Alamosa. This 
species is very interesting. According to my records, Kingery reported them 
south of Alamosa for the only block record in the SLV in Atlas I. Last 
year, Stump and others found some. This year, there are no less than 8 
singing males who are very vocal. Atlas II had no blocks showing any 
Dickcissels at all. So I will be monitoring this population and hoping they 
don't get mowed down with the forthcoming hay harvest. Really cool species 
and was my first SLV observation. Got some photos too. 

John Rawinski
Monte Vista, CO

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[cobirds] Costilla County Results

[mvjohnski]

Costilla county is not a heavily birded place. First of all, there are few 
public lands and lots of private subdivisions. People who do live in these 
remote locations watch out for each other. Secondly, after a poaching ring 
sting back in the 1980's, locals are suspicious of people with binoculars 
peering through the landscapes. Over the years I have received a number of 
reports of birders being accosted when out there birding. Thirdly, the 
crime rate is a concern in those remote locations. So, John Stump and I 
headed out and hoped today would work out okayand thankfully, it did. 

Up on San Pedro Mesa (aka Wild Horse Mesa) just south of San Luis, we saw a 
great diversity of species on this Father's day morning. Sagebrush Sparrows 
were fairly common. A Black-throated Gray Warbler was a very good find. 
Gray Flycatcher, Cooper's Hawk, Red Crossbills, Hermit Thrush, Plumbeous 
and Warbling Vireo, and Ash-throated Flycatcher were exciting finds. (Note: 
the Ash-throated Flycatcher may have been into NM as we likely crossed into 
the state to our south toward the end. All the rest were CO side). 

I don't know if any guidebooks list this area, and mine did not know about 
this place at the time, so it  was not a listed hotspot. John and I talked 
at length about the possibility of SW species like Hepatic Tanager, 
Black-chinned Sparrow, Canyon Towhee and similar and feel the potential for 
rarities is there. The place certainly has intriguing possibilities. If you 
go there, bring a GPS and maps to negotiate the maze of roads.  And above 
all, try to not look too suspicious and respect the private property. 

Was a wonderful start to this Father's Day and great morning out. 

John Rawinski
Monte Vista, CO

PS Thanks to all for the nice comments on my photo website!

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[cobirds] Things Slowing Down in San Luis Valley

[mvjohnski]

Looks like we are well into the breeding season. Migration has passed and 
birds are building nests. I was excited to see Western Kingbirds, Northern 
Mockingbirds, Vesper Sparrows, and Sage Thrashers breeding on our property. 
We do take considerable efforts to protect bird habitat but also have to 
weigh the fire hazards as one wildfire came unnervingly close in March, 
while we were up in the mountains skiing. Had an expert give us some 
recommendations and will have to do a bit more mowing.  

I have also just completed the springtime portfolio of bird and fauna 
images, most taken in the San Luis Valley. The theme is "fastest animals" 
and includes images of Peregrine Falcons. If interested check out "Recent 
Additions' on my webpage and hope you enjoy them.

http://johnrawinski.zenfolio.com/

Headed out tomorrow to explore Costilla County and will report what we 
find. Happy Fathers day to all...

John Rawinski
Monte Vista, CO


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[cobirds] Re: Mineral County May 23

[mvjohnski]

On Tuesday, May 23, 2017 at 8:26:13 PM UTC-6, Roger Linfield wrote:
>
> The Red-necked Phalarope invasion made it into the mountains in small 
> numbers.  Today in Mineral County there were 12 on the FR 523 pond and 8 on 
> one of the two large ponds along state route 149 near the Hinsdale line. 
>  In both cases, they were in one tight cluster on the water. 
>
> Other birds of note: 
> 3 dowitchers on the state route 149 ponds 
> Northern Waterthrush in the willows south of the Creede sewage ponds 
> Northern Mockingbird in those same willows.  This is the third time I have 
> seen one at this location in May, all in different years. 
>
> Roger Linfield 
> Boulder




Thanks Roger for the report. Good to know it is an area-wide wave. 

John Rawinski
Monte Vista, CO 

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