Compiler: Ira Sanders Date: March 16, 2012 e-mail: rba AT cfobirds.org phone: 303-659-8750
Please note that the RBA tape cannot be updated due to problems with the phone lines. This is the Colorado Rare Bird Alert for Friday, March 16, 2012, sponsored by Denver Field Ornithologists and the Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory. If you are phoning in a message, you can skip the recording by pressing the star key (*) on your phone at any time. Please leave your name, phone number, detailed directions, including county and dates for each sighting. It would be helpful if you would spell your last name. Highlight species include: (* denotes that there is new information on this species in this report) TUNDRA SWAN (Logan) Red-necked Grebe (Weld) Barrow's Goldeneye (Garfield) Thayer's Gull (Washington) MEW GULL (Washington) ICELAND GULL (Washington, Boulder) Lesser Black-backed Gull (Washington, Boulder) GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULL (Washington, *Boulder) Glaucous Gull (Washington) GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL (Logan) SNOWY OWL (*Bent) Greater Roadrunner (Jefferson) GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW (Boulder, *Jefferson) Harris's Sparrow (Jefferson) Please note, detailed directions to most of the following locations can be found on the Colorado County Birding Website: http://www.coloradocountybirding.com/index.php Bent County: --On March 15 Nelson reports a SNOWY OWL at John Martin Reservoir on the north side. On March 16 Nelson saw the owl numerous times while working between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Duane believes it is an immature female. Today it liked sitting atop rocky outcrops on the north side of the lake about 1 1/2 miles west of Overlook Point. Duane requests that birders be considerate of the stress the bird might be under, and do viewing from vehicles instead of walking, and settling for distant views instead of close views. This particular bird does not allow close approach, maybe a sign that it's relatively healthy. Boulder County: --The GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW continues near the Teller Farm Parking lot on Valmont through March 11. --On March 11 Floyd reports an ICELAND GULL and 5 Lesser Black-backed Gulls at Panama Reservoir. --On March 15, Mlodinow found a 1st cycle GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULL at Panama Reservoir. Garfield County: --On March 11, Filby reports 41 Barrow's Goldeneye at Coryell Ranch viewable from Hwy 82. Jefferson County: --The GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW at the Red Rocks Trading Post feeders continues to be seen thru March 15 as reported by Brown. --The Greater Roadrunner has been seen again on March 4 by Burke at Dinosaur Ridge. --Henwood refound the adult and juv Harris's Sparrows on March 12 near the Boat Launch area at Bear Creek Lake Park. Logan County: --On March 11 Mlodinow reports 2 TUNDRA SWANS at Red Lion SWA and Roller confirms they were present on the 12th. --On March 12 Roller reports a GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL at Jumbo Reservoir. Washington County: --On March 10, Walbek and Kellner report at Prewitt Reservoir a Glaucous Gull (1st cyc), ICELAND GULL (1st cyc), Thayer's Gull (3-1st cyc) and an adult MEW GULL. --On March 11, Mlodinow reports 6 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 6 Glaucous Gulls,13 Thayer's Gulls, 2 ICELAND GULLS (ad and 2nd cycle) and 1 GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULL (2nd cycle) at Prewitt Reservoir. Weld County: --The Red-necked Grebe 1st reported by Plage is still at Union Reservoir as of March 15. Upcoming DFO Field Trips: Saturday, March 17 Chatfield State Park Leader: Joe Roller Meet leader at the Swim Beach parking lot inside west entrance of park off S. Wadsworth, 1 1/2 miles south of C-470 at 7:00 am. Trip will be 2/3 day long. State Parks pass required. Bring two-way radios, lunch and other necessities. Who knows what you'll find but good things await. Questions? If you plan on joining the group for this trip, please E-mail Joe at jroll...@gmail.com. ONLY use this phone number as a last resort: 303.204.0828 Sunday, March 18 Longmont Area Leader: Chris Owens Meet leader at 8:00 am at Jim Hamm Natural Area parking lot at County Line Road and 17th Avenue in east Longmont. Bird until 1 or 2 pm. From I-25 take Exit 240. To reach the park, go west four miles on CO 119 to Boulder-Weld County Line Road, then north two miles to Jim Hamm Park at 17th Ave. Joint trip with Boulder Bird Club. 303.772.6048 or christ...@q.com Good Birding, Ira Sanders -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To post to this group, send email to cobirds@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds?hl=en.