Compiler: Mary Driscoll
Date: March 26, 2012
e-mail: rba AT cfobirds.org
phone: 303-659-8750
This is the Colorado Rare Bird Alert for Monday, March 26, 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 (La Plata)
WESTERN GULL (Washington)
Thayer's Gull (*Logan)
ICELAND GULL (*Washington)
GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULL (Boulder,*Washington)
Glaucous Gull (*Logan,*Washington)
GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL (Logan)
Lesser Black-backed Gull (Boulder, Larimer, Washington, Weld)
Greater Roadrunner (Jefferson)
SNOWY OWL (*Bent, Lincoln,*Logan,*Weld)
Short-eared Owl (*Weld)
Red-bellied Woodpecker (*Weld)
GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW (Boulder,*Jefferson)
Harris's Sparrow (Jefferson)
Brown-capped Rosy-Finch (Summit)
Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch (Summit)
PURPLE FINCH (Boulder)
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 25, Neldner reports the Snowy Owl continues at John Martin
Reservoir. It was located on Clayton Point. They were rewarded with wonderful
views of this beautiful rarity. We watched her fend off a Northern Harrier,
completely ignore a scolding Rock Wren and held our breath as she actually flew
in our direction for a drink of water!
--On March 22, Nelson reports the immature female SNOWY OWL still present at
John Martin Reservoir on the north side. It prefers cliff tops and areas of
sand, rock and beach on the north side of the reservoir approximately one and
one-half miles west of Point Overlook. So far, birders have given the Snowy Owl
a wide berth while observing, and I'd like to say thanks for the cooperation
shown so far with following my request to remain in vehicles while looking, and
not approaching too closely. Snowy Owls this far south have enough problems
without being flushed by birders.
Boulder County:
--The GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW continues near the Teller Farm Parking lot on
Valmont through March 11.
--On March 15, Mlodinow found a 1st cycle GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULL at Panama
Reservoir. It is present as of March 17.
--On March 17, Floyd reports a Lesser Black-backed Gull at Panama Reservoir.
--On March 23, Hutchinson reports 2 PURPLE FINCH, a male and female, in
southern Lafayette; This is about 70 yds east of US 287, 0.5 mi south of Empire
Rd and 0.5 mi north of the Northwest Pkwy overpass. There is a culvert over a
drainage ditch here and the two were in the second tree east of the highway
along the south side of the drainage. For those with GPS the exact coordinates
are: 39.965280, -105.089267. (Give these coordinates to Google Maps or
MapQuest.)
Jefferson County:
--The GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW at the Red Rocks Trading Post feeders continued to
be seen thru March 26, as reported by Henwood.
--Schmoker reports the Greater Roadrunner cruised by the Hawkwatch on March 18,
at Dinosaur Ridge. It appeared around 10:15 below Hawk
watch on the East side of the ridge and continued to move steadily to the South
and out of view.
--Henwood refound the adult and juv Harris's Sparrows on March 12, near the
Boat Launch area at Bear Creek Lake Park.
La Plata County:
--Barrow's Goldeneyes remain on the Animas River. On March 17, as reported by
Beatty, there was an adult female at the second fishing pull-out south from
town as the road descends to near river level. This section of the Animas has
been fairly reliable for Barrow's this winter. However, the mixed Goldeneye
flock spooks easily and then flies up or down river for a quarter mile or more.
Logan County:
--On March 25, Mlodinow reports 5 Thayer's Gulls, 3 Glaucous Gulls,
(1st yr.), at No. Sterling Reservoir near the SE corner.
--On March 25, Mlodinow reports a juvi or female SNOWY OWL near
Highway 138 and County Rd. 95. The location was on the north side of US
138, just west of Logan County Road 95. SNOWY OWL flew up and landed
on a water tank about 100 yards from the road. The bird was still
there 2-3 hours later. This is near the entrance to little Jumbo Reservoir.
--On March 25, Mlodinow reports 6 Red-bellied Woodpeckers east from
CO 55, as he was heading back to Tamrack.
--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.
Lincoln County:
--On March 18, Ackert reports a "very white" Snowy Owl just off of
I-70 near exit 376 (Bovina). The Owl was on the north side of the highway
between the towns of Bovina and Arriba.
Summit County:
--On March 17, Pieplow reports Gray-crowned and Brown-capped
Rosy-Finches at residential feeders in Silverthorne.
Washington County:
--On March 25, Mlodinow reports from a pond along CO 6, just W. of Prewitt Res.
2 Thayer's Gulls (1st year and 2nd year), 4 Lesser Black-Backed Gulls (2
second yr and 2 ads.), 3 Glaucous Gulls (2 first yr. and a 2nd yr), and a
Thayer's/Iceland mix.
--On March 25, Mlodinow reports from Prewitt Reservoir first year ICELAND GULL
across the reservoir, but could not be certain due to head waves, a Lesser
Black-backed Gull (ad), a GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULL (ad), 2 Glaucous Gulls
(immature).
Weld County:
--On March 25, Mlodinow reports a SNOWY OWL on CO 52, east of
Hudson about 16 miles, between Weld Co Rds 77 and 79. It was ON THE
SHOULDER OF THE ROAD, on the north side, about half way between these
roads. It flushed up onto a roadside pole. This was at about 7:10 pm.
--On March 26, Lefko reports a Short-eared Owl sitting atop post (north side)
between WCR 23 and WCR 27 along WCR 100 (just west of "Raptor
Alley" (WCR 27)) who then flew across road as we approached at 7:50PM last
night, 3/25.
--On March 25, Hackos reports a Red-Bellied Woodpecker at Crow
Valley.
--On March 19, Lefko reports a Lesser Black-backed Gull (ad) (WCR
31/80)--the Weld County gulls love chasing farmer's disced fields.
--The Red-necked Grebe 1st reported by Plage is still at Union
Reservoir as of March 15.
Upcoming DFO Field Trips:
Saturday, March 31 Rollin’ on the River:
Leader: Jackie King Meet leader at 9:00 am in the parking lot at 3rd and Walnut
on the Auraria Campus. Observ-ers will walk along the South Platte River to
look at ducks, gulls, and any other birds we can find. This will be a half day
trip, ending by noon so lunch is optional. The leader uses a wheelchair so the
trip will be on paved, level sidewalks perfect for those with limited mobility.
Please call leader if you intend on going. 720.381.3314 or 303.287.1644
Saturday, March 31 Fountain Creek Regional Park and Big Johnson Reservoir:
Leader: Paul Slingsby, (303) 422-3728, mail to pasling...@comcast.net . Please
register with the leader before-hand, spring weather might cause a change. Meet
the leader at 07:00 at the south-east corner of the Great Indoors parking lot.
We will carpool from there. Great Indoors is just north of C470 on Yosemite.
From Denver by I-25 use exit 195, and go West on County Line Road to Yosemite.
Take Yosemite south to the Great Indoors, which will be on the right (west).
Fountain Creek Regional Park has good trails for easy walking near ponds,
wet-lands, grassland and the creek. Spring migration might be underway, expect
surprises. Bring lunch. Telescope and 2-way radio will be useful if you wish to
bring them. Plan to be back at the carpool meeting place by 17:00 at the
latest. If you want to meet us at Fountain Creek Regional Park, plan for 08:30
at the Peppergrass lane parking lot.
Good Birding,
Mary Driscoll
Unincorporated Arapahoe County
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