Birdingonthe.Net Recent Postings from The Colorado Birding List > Home > Mail > Alerts Updated on Friday, November 20 at 02:47 PM ET The most recently received Mail is at the top.	Summer Tanager,©Barry Kent Mackay

20 Nov Winter visitors on the plains [] 20 Nov Bald Eagle, etc., Home Lake ["Virginia Simmons" ] 20 Nov Basic Gull Identification Resource [Walter M Szeliga ] 20 Nov Rare Bird Alert for Colorado November 20, 2009 [JOYCE TAKAMINE ] 19 Nov Interesting Raven observation Louisville [Suzi PLOOSTER ] 19 Nov Gulls and Ducks at Lake Loveland [Cole Wild ] 19 Nov Douglas Res. ["pygmyowl" ] 19 Nov Black Scoter/Pueblo Reservoir 11/19 ["Brandon K. Percival" ] 19 Nov Annual Barrow's Goldeneye Count! [Jason Beason ] 19 Nov Gateway Pk. Goldeneye, NE Denver Co. [] 19 Nov Big Johnson Res. and Fountain Creek Nature Ctr, El Paso Cty, 11/19 ["Mel Goff" ] 19 Nov Ferruginous Hawk, Jefferson County [Chishun Kwong ] 19 Nov Swamp Sparrow Ft. Carson (UNCLASSIFIED) ["Clawges, Rick M CTR USA IMCOM" ] 19 Nov Just a reminder - A Visit to Bolivia with John Drummond - Hosted by Aiken Audubon Society [] 19 Nov Rare Bird Alert for Colorado November 19, 2009 [JOYCE TAKAMINE ] 18 Nov Today at Douglas Resvr [Bob Spencer ] 18 Nov Big Johnson Res. (El Paso Cty) - 2 common loons ["Jeff J Jones" ] 18 Nov Red-throated Loon still at Chatfield State Park [Joey Kellner ] 18 Nov out of area murrelet ["Karl Stecher Jr." ] 18 Nov Barrows Goldeneye at Cherry Creek Res [] 18 Nov Long-tailed Duck: Lagerman Reservoir: Boulder County [Bryan Guarente ] 18 Nov Merlin in City Park, Fort Collins [Jeff ] 18 Nov Bldr Co. Audubon Program: Small Mountain Owls with Scott Rashid. 11/24 [rostrhamus ] 18 Nov flock size estimation [Eric DeFonso ] 18 Nov Warren Lake access (Larimer County) and nearby gull hangouts [] 18 Nov Long-tailed duck. Lagerman, Boulder 11/17 [] 18 Nov Rare Bird Alert for Colorado November 18, 2009 [JOYCE TAKAMINE ] 17 Nov North Larimer County on 11/17 ["Dave Leatherman" ] 17 Nov Immature Red-throated Loon --Chatfield [] 17 Nov RE: Re: Blue Jay behavior [Wayne Wathen ] 17 Nov Re: Interesting Larimer County Birds [] 17 Nov Loons - Cherry Creek SP - Arapaho Co ["Ira Sanders" ] 17 Nov November 2009 D.F.O. Fieldtrips -- with changes [] 17 Nov Interesting Larimer County Birds [Cole Wild ] 17 Nov Delta CBC date [Dennis Garrison ] 17 Nov White-throated Sparrow/Larimer ["Carol Sullivan" ] 16 Nov Michigan Ancient Murrelet Pic! ["JANINE LECHLEITNER" ] 17 Nov Rare Bird Alert for Colorado November 17, 2009 [JOYCE TAKAMINE ] 16 Nov El Paso County --- White-winged Scoter [Mark Peterson ] 16 Nov Colorado CBC dates ["Brandon K. Percival" ] 16 Nov Long-tailed Duck @ Lagerman Res, Boulder Co. [Bill Schmoker ] 16 Nov Mr Bill answers [] 16 Nov You'd better watch out! The old and ancient story of Colorado's first murrelet [] 16 Nov Weather conditions prior to the two Chatfield sightings [Joey Kellner ] 16 Nov Re: Murrelet Watch [Bryan Guarente ] 16 Nov Previous Murrelet dates for Colorado ["Brandon K. Percival" ] 16 Nov murrelet watch ["Karl Stecher Jr." ] 16 Nov Pueblo Reservoir Pacific Loon & White-winged Scoter 11/16 ["Brandon K. Percival" ] 16 Nov White-winged Scoters still present, Larimer [Eric DeFonso ] 16 Nov Ancient Murrelets! ["JANINE LECHLEITNER" ] 16 Nov Murrelet Watch [Walter M Szeliga ] 16 Nov Bonaparte's Gulls, Nov. 15th [Ted Floyd ] 16 Nov Lake Co. Waterfowl & Rosies [Tim Kalbach ] 16 Nov Rare Bird Alert for Colorado November 16, 2009 [JOYCE TAKAMINE ] 15 Nov Post for Tim Smart [Tina Jones ] 15 Nov Greater Scaup, Denver co. [Tina Jones ] 15 Nov Possible Western Gull (Larimer County) (long!) ["Nick Komar" ] 15 Nov White-throated Sparrow/Larimer county ["Carol Sullivan" ] 15 Nov Red-throated Loon still at Chatfield... ["Joey Kellner" ] 15 Nov Cheery Creek [Robert Righter ] 15 Nov Harris's Sparrow/Larimer [Rob Sparks ] 15 Nov White-throated Sparrow - Jeffco ["Ira Sanders" ] 15 Nov Grandview Cemetery, Fort Collins (Larimer) on 15Nov09 ["Dave Leatherman" ] 15 Nov Pueblo Reservoir 11/15 ["Brandon K. Percival" ] 14 Nov Re: "Nunn Guy" and Cheyenne Auddubon Trip (typo) ["The \"Nunn Guy\"" ] 15 Nov Rare Bird Alert for Colorado November 15, 2009 [JOYCE TAKAMINE ] 15 Nov Odd gull in Fort Collins ["Nick Komar" ] 15 Nov Canon City area update [SeEtta Moss ] 14 Nov Tree Swallow, Broomfield CO. [Tina Jones ] 14 Nov PARASITIC JAEGER -- Pueblo Reservoir 11/14 ["Brandon K. Percival" ] 14 Nov Red-throated Loon , Chatfield SP [] 14 Nov No Winter Wren - Gregory Canyon Boulder, Colorado ["Steve Stachowiak" ] 14 Nov Rookie Birder in Lakewood [] 13 Nov Odd Peep [VAN A KRISTYN J TRUAN ] 14 Nov Castlewood Canyon, Douglas Co. [Connie Kogler ] 14 Nov Cherry Creek Reservoir, Arapahoe County, Nov. 13th [Ted Floyd ] Subject: Winter visitors on the plains From: PERGRN AT aol.com Date: Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:47:34 EST I had fun driving some back roads over the past two days, looking for Lapland Longspurs. I found them in eastern Adams and Arapahoe Counties and in the lower parts of Elbert County. I found only low numbers of Horned Larks, in fairly widespread flocks of 10 to 50 or 100. I estimated that I found a Lapland Longspur to Horned Lark ratio of 1 to 400 or so. There were also low numbers of Merlins and Northern Shrikes, perhaps one each per 2 hours of driving around in the proper plains habitat. Joe Roller -- Colorado Field Ornithologists: http://www.cfo-link.org/ Colorado County Birding: http://www.coloradocountybirding.com/ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To post to this group, send email to cobirds AT googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscribe AT googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.as/group/cobirds?hl=en Subject: Bald Eagle, etc., Home Lake From: "Virginia Simmons" <vsimmons76 AT netzero.net> Date: Fri, 20 Nov 2009 20:13:55 GMT At Home Lake, east of Monte Vista, a Bald Eagle (my first sighting for this season) made a pass over the hundreds of geese and ducks that were on the water, resulting in nothing but a brief lift off. Unusual numbers of Buffllehead (100-200), Northern Shoveler.,American Wigeon, etc. , and geese. I have been watching for scoters for a few weeks, in hopes of a repeat of White-winged Scoters, as there was a pair a couple of years in succession at Home Lake in November, but no luck so far in 2009. Lots of Sandhill Cranes remain on MVNWR. The auto tour road is now open with its new improvements. Virginia Simmons, Del Norte -- Colorado Field Ornithologists: http://www.cfo-link.org/ Colorado County Birding: http://www.coloradocountybirding.com/ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To post to this group, send email to cobirds AT googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscribe AT googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.as/group/cobirds?hl=en Subject: Basic Gull Identification Resource From: Walter M Szeliga <Walter.Szeliga AT Colorado.EDU> Date: Fri, 20 Nov 2009 06:52:57 -0700 Cobirders, As the Winter gets closer, more and more Gulls will appear throughout the state. They will be of various ages with various plumages and mixed parentage. I've stumbled upon a wonderful tool to help narrow the possibilities when looking at a Gull here in Colorado. As a former Lariphobe, I offer up the following dichotomous key to Gulls of the Western US: http://fog.ccsf.edu/~jmorlan/gull_key.pdf Cheers, Walter Szeliga Boulder, CO -- Colorado Field Ornithologists: http://www.cfo-link.org/ Colorado County Birding: http://www.coloradocountybirding.com/ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To post to this group, send email to cobirds AT googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscribe AT googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.as/group/cobirds?hl=en Subject: Rare Bird Alert for Colorado November 20, 2009 From: JOYCE TAKAMINE <jabiru55 AT msn.com> Date: Fri, 20 Nov 2009 05:07:57 -0700 Compiler: Joyce Takamine Date: November 20, 2009 e-mail: rba AT cfo-link.org phone: 303-659-8750 This is the Colorado Rare Bird Alert for Friday, November 20, 2009 at 5 am sponsored by Denver Field Ornithologists and the Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory. Highlight species include (*Denotes that there is new information for this species in this report) White-winged Scoter (Larimer, *El Paso, Pueblo) Black Scoter (*Pueblo) Long-tailed Duck (Boulder, Larimer) Barrow's Goldeneye (Arapahoe, *Denver, Garfield, Lake, *Larimer, Routt) Chukar (Delta) RED-THROATED LOON (Douglas/Jefferson, Pueblo) Pacific Loon (Arapahoe, Larimer, Pueblo) PARASITIC JAEGER (Pueblo) Thayer's Gull (*Larimer, Pueblo, Routt) Lesser Black-backed Gull (*El Paso, *Larimer) WESTERN GULL (Larimer) BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKE (Boulder) Swamp Sparrow (*El Paso) White-throated Sparrow (Larimer) Harris's Sparrow (Larimer) Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch (Grand, Lake) Black Rosy-Finch (Lake) To skip this recording to leave a message, press the star key at any time. Please leave your name, phone number, detailed directions including the county and dates for all sightings. It would be helpful if you would spell your last name. Arapahoe County: --A Pacific Loon was reported by Sanders at Cherry Creek Reservoir on November 17. --A single male Barrow's Goldeneye was reported by Modesitt at Cherry Creek Reservoir on November 18. Boulder County: --An imm BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKE was reported by Halsey, a visitor from Arizona at Lagerman Reservoir on November 15. --A female Long-tailed Duck was reported by Schmoker at Lagerman Reservoir on November 16 and seen again on November 18 by Guarente. --A juv Long-tailed Duck was reported by Takamine at Baseline Reservoir on November 16. It was in a group of Redheads. Delta County: --4 Chukar were reported by Garrison at Pleasure Park in Hotchkiss on November 15. Denver County: --A pair of Barrow's Goldeneyes were reported by Hatch at Gateway Park on November 19. Douglas/Jefferson Counties: --A 1st winter RED-THROATED LOON was reported by Drummond at Chatfield on November 14. The loon was seen again on November 18 by Kellner. El Paso County: --At Big Johnson on November 16, Peterson reported an imm White-winged Scoter and Lesser Black-backed Gull. Goff saw the Scoter and Gull at Big Johnson on November 19. --A Swamp Sparrow was reported by Clawges on a small pond in the El Paso county portion of Fort Carson on November 19. Garfield County: --5 Barrow's Goldeneyes were reported by McConnell at Rifle Gap Reservoir on November 15. Grand County: --Gray-crowned Rosy-Finches were reported by Cathy Craig coming to her feeders in the Granby area on November 16 and 17. If you are interested in trying to see the birds contact her at PioneerCSC AT aol.com or call 970-887-9640 for directions and to confirm that they are still around. Lake County: --1 male Barrow's Goldeneye was reported by Kalbach at Mt Elbert Forebay on November 15. --Kalbach reported that Rosy-Finches including Gray-crowned and 1 Black were seen at various feeders on November 13 - 15 in Leadville. Larimer County: --3 White-winged Scoters were reported by Wild at North Poudre Reservoir #3 on November 13. Two scoters were seen by Wild on November 17. --A Harris's Sparrow was reported by Sparks at Riverbend Ponds NA in Fort Collins about 50 feet from the west entrance on November 15. --A juv White-throated Sparrow was reported by Sullivan at her feeder in Bellvue. It was seen as recently as November 17. If you want to try to see the bird contact her at flam_owl AT copper.net. --A possible WESTERN GULL and 2 Thayer's Gulls were reported by Komar at Warren Lake in Fort Collins on November 15. --An imm male White-winged Scoter was reported by Roller at Warren Lake on November 17. --At Douglas Reservoir, Wild reported 1 Pacific Loon and 1 Long-tailed Duck on November 17. The Loon and Long-tailed Duck were seen again on November 18 by Bob Spencer. A Lesser Black-backed Gul was reported by Rashid at Douglas Reservoir on November 18. --At Lake Loveland on November 19, Wild reported 3 ad Thayer's Gulls, 1 ad Lesser Black-backed Gull and a pair of Barrow's Goldeneyes. Pueblo County: --A RED-THROATED LOON was reported by Percival at Pueblo Reservoir by the Sailboard Launching Area on November 9. The RED-THOATED LOON was seen again on November 14 by the Arkansas Valley Audubon field trip. --A PARASITIC JAEGER and juv Thayer's Gull were seen by the Arkansas Valley Audubon field trip led by Percival at Pueblo Reservoir on November 14. The jaeger was seen again on November 15 by Percival. --A Pacific Loon was reported by Percival at Pueblo Reservoir on November 15 and seen again on November 16 by Percival. --A female type White-winged Scoter was reported by Percival at Pueblo Reservoir on November 16. --A female type Black Scoter was reported by Percival at Pueblo Reservoir on November 19. Routt County: --Litteral found a pale juv Thayer's Gull at Stagecoach Reservoir on November 5. The gull was seen again on November 18 by Zerbi. --Dodson reported Barrow's Goldeneyes at Stagecoach Reservoir on November 14. The DFO Field Trip for Saturday, November 21 will be a Walk along the Platte led by Sue Shulman (303-773-3540). Meet the leader at the Park-n-Ride parking lot near the Carson Nature Center. Take Santa Fe to Mineral and turn west into Parking lot for the RTD Park-n-Ride. DO NOT PARK AT THE NATURE CENTER. Trip may go to other ponds to look for more birds so bring lunch and drinking water. Please contact leader to verify exact meeting place. The DFO Field Trip for Sunday, November 22 will be to the Longmont Area led by Chris Owens (303-772-6048). Meet the leader at 0800 at Jim Hamm Nature Center. Bring lunch and water as trip will end around 1 or 2 pm depending on weather and birds. State Parks Pass may be needed. The next monthly meeting of Denver Field Ornithologists will be on Monday, November 23 at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science in the Ricketson Auditorium at 7:30 pm. The program will be "The Chichuahuan Desert: Critical Winter Habitat for Colorado Birds" by Greg Levandoski, a research biologist for RMBO. Joyce Takamine Boulder -- Colorado Field Ornithologists: http://www.cfo-link.org/ Colorado County Birding: http://www.coloradocountybirding.com/ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To post to this group, send email to cobirds AT googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscribe AT googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.as/group/cobirds?hl=en Subject: Interesting Raven observation Louisville From: Suzi PLOOSTER <splooster AT gmail.com> Date: Thu, 19 Nov 2009 22:39:33 -0700 While leaving Coal Creek Bowling Center in Louisville, two Ravens were perched on a slanted part of the roof. One was delicately grooming the other on the breast feathers . Carefully sliding its beak down each separate feather. First time I have ever seen this in 20 years of birding. Suzi plooster -- Colorado Field Ornithologists: http://www.cfo-link.org/ Colorado County Birding: http://www.coloradocountybirding.com/ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To post to this group, send email to cobirds AT googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscribe AT googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.as/group/cobirds?hl=en Subject: Gulls and Ducks at Lake Loveland From: Cole Wild <birdingwild1 AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 19 Nov 2009 18:53:40 -0800 (PST) This evening (11/19) I watched the gulls come into their roost at Lake Loveland. I saw 6 species of gulls which involved Ring-billed, California, Herring, Thayer's (3 adults), Lesser Black-backed (1 adult), and Bonaparte's (32). The interesting ducks were Barrow's Goldeneye (1 male, 1 female) and Hooded Merganser (1 male). Cole Wild Loveland -- Colorado Field Ornithologists: http://www.cfo-link.org/ Colorado County Birding: http://www.coloradocountybirding.com/ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To post to this group, send email to cobirds AT googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscribe AT googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.as/group/cobirds?hl=en Subject: Douglas Res. From: "pygmyowl" <pygmyowl AT frii.com> Date: Thu, 19 Nov 2009 19:07:36 -0700 Hi all, Yesterday there was a Lesser Black-backed Gull at Douglas Res. along witht the Pacific Loon and the Long-tailed Duck. Scott Rashid Estes Park -- Colorado Field Ornithologists: http://www.cfo-link.org/ Colorado County Birding: http://www.coloradocountybirding.com/ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To post to this group, send email to cobirds AT googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscribe AT googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.as/group/cobirds?hl=en Subject: Black Scoter/Pueblo Reservoir 11/19 From: "Brandon K. Percival" <bkpercival AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 19 Nov 2009 15:17:13 -0800 (PST) There is a female/immature Black Scoter at Pueblo Reservoir, Pueblo County late this afternoon.  It is hanging out near the dam.  Margie Joy and I saw it from North Picnic Road, looking way east toward the dam.  The lake is glass (no wind at all), so it is easy to see the birds that are out there right now.  Brandon Percival Pueblo West, CO -- Colorado Field Ornithologists: http://www.cfo-link.org/ Colorado County Birding: http://www.coloradocountybirding.com/ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To post to this group, send email to cobirds AT googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscribe AT googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.as/group/cobirds?hl=en Subject: Annual Barrow's Goldeneye Count! From: Jason Beason <aeronautes.saxatalis AT gmail.com> Date: Thu, 19 Nov 2009 15:43:10 -0700 Greetings, Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory will be accepting counts of Barrow's Goldeneyes again this year from 20 November through 28 November (includes this weekend and next). This will be the eleventh year of the count! This is not a statistically rigorous endeavor, but it should provide insight into whether or not Barrow's Goldeneye populations are taking a rapid severe crash. We would like to concentrate on counting all of the Barrow's Goldeneyes in Colorado, however, we would appreciate a full species list with counts for each for the waterbodies that are counted. Also, if participants could enter their count totals into the eBird web site that would be much appreciated. Please let me know if you would like to help with the count and/or if you would like me to e-mail datasheets to you (datasheets are not required to participate). Here are the lakes that have had the bulk of Barrow's Goldeneyes on past counts and will hopefully be visited the next two weekends: Bear Creek Reservoir – Jefferson County Blue Lake – Eagle County Blue Mesa Reservoir – Gunnison County Clear Creek Reservoir – Lake County Dillon Reservoir – Summit County Eleven Mile Reservoir – Park County Grand Lake – Grand County Horsetooth Reservoir – Larimer County Ice Lake – Chaffee County Jerry Creek Reservoir – Mesa County Lake Avery – Rio Blanco County Lake Granby – Grand County Mount Elbert Forebay – Lake North Pond Park - Summit Ranch at the Roaring Fork Ponds – Garfield Rifle Falls Fish Hatchery – Garfield County Rifle Gap Reservoir – Garfield County Shadow Mountain Reservoir – Grand County Silverthorne Sewage Ponds – Summit County Spring Park Reservoir - Eagle County Stagecoach Reservoir - Routt County Steamboat Lake – Routt County Taylor Park Reservoir – Gunnison County Union Reservoir – Weld Vega Reservoir – Mesa County Yampa River (near Craig) – Moffat County Here are the totals for each year of the count: 1999 – 226 at 8 sites 2000 – 107 at 16 sites 2001 – 181 at 20 sites 2002 – 189 at 16 sites 2003 – 245 at 21 sites 2004 – 226 at 14 sites 2005 – 219 at 16 sites 2006 – 280 at 21 sites 2007 – 225 at 17 sites 2008 - 183 at 19 sites Thank you, Jason Beason Special Monitoring Projects Coordinator Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory (jason.beason AT rmbo.org or reply to this e-mail address) -- Colorado Field Ornithologists: http://www.cfo-link.org/ Colorado County Birding: http://www.coloradocountybirding.com/ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To post to this group, send email to cobirds AT googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscribe AT googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.as/group/cobirds?hl=en Subject: Gateway Pk. Goldeneye, NE Denver Co. From: HATCHFN AT aol.com Date: Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:09:22 EST Hi Cobirders, This morning there was a picture-perfect pair of Barrow's Goldeneyes among the Common Goldeneye, Bufflehead, Shovellers, Mallard, and many Canada Geese on the lake at Gateway Pk. No promises that any of the birds except the last three, and several decoy Wood Ducks, will be there beyond today. Neighbors tell us that the best time to see the most birds is about 9 AM. They also report that eagles are often seen nabbing ducks later in the day. The west side of Gateway community surrounding the lake has offered good views of the birds. From Chambers, go east on at 46th Ave., and drive along the street that parallels the lake to any public parking area, all deceptively small, and walk to the lake. While you are in the area, consider visiting Idalia Park and lake, about 5 minutes north. It sometimes has a good collection of ducks and geese. Off Chambers, turn right on 53rd Ave. and go east to the first left turn. This is the entrance to the rec center parking lot and the lake. Frank and Nancy Hatch Denver -- Colorado Field Ornithologists: http://www.cfo-link.org/ Colorado County Birding: http://www.coloradocountybirding.com/ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To post to this group, send email to cobirds AT googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscribe AT googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.as/group/cobirds?hl=en Subject: Big Johnson Res. and Fountain Creek Nature Ctr, El Paso Cty, 11/19 From: "Mel Goff" <melgoff AT comcast.net> Date: Thu, 19 Nov 2009 13:26:44 -0700 Jeanne and I birded Big Johnson (in a big wind) and Fountain Creek Nature Center (Area 4 only) this morning and had a couple of highlights. Big Johnson: Common Golden Eyes White-winged Scoters Lesser Black-backed Gull Hooded Mergansers Fountain Creek: Western Wood Pewee (1 near feeders at park visitor center, and it seems late for that) Wilson Snipe (Rice's Pond) We'll go back to Big Johnson tomorrow or this weekend when the wind dies down a little. Mel Goff -- Colorado Field Ornithologists: http://www.cfo-link.org/ Colorado County Birding: http://www.coloradocountybirding.com/ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To post to this group, send email to cobirds AT googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscribe AT googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.as/group/cobirds?hl=en Subject: Ferruginous Hawk, Jefferson County From: Chishun Kwong <chishunkwong AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 19 Nov 2009 09:30:47 -0800 (PST) Hi All, This is not exactly a rare bird, but I've had a Ferruginous Hawk two days in a row along Indiana St just north of 86th Parkway while driving to work. The bird was perched on a tall power pole, makes for great photo opportunity. Chishun Kwong Superior, CO -- Colorado Field Ornithologists: http://www.cfo-link.org/ Colorado County Birding: http://www.coloradocountybirding.com/ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To post to this group, send email to cobirds AT googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscribe AT googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.as/group/cobirds?hl=en Subject: Swamp Sparrow Ft. Carson (UNCLASSIFIED) From: "Clawges, Rick M CTR USA IMCOM" <rick.clawges AT us.army.mil> Date: Thu, 19 Nov 2009 08:45:20 -0700 Classification: UNCLASSIFIED Caveats: NONE Found a Swamp Sparrow yesterday near a small pond in the El Paso county portion of Ft. Carson. The bird was in tall dried weeds not far from teasel and cattails. A Song Sparrow was also present. Both species responded to pishing. The Swamp Sparrow jumped up to the top of a stalk so I had a good quick look. Had an interesting observation of Belted Kingfusher at the same pond. A female hovered above the shallow end of the pond, dove in and emerged with a northern leopard frog in its bill. Flew off to a fallen snag in the water and proceeded to beat the frog against a branch. The frog was apparently too large or too active because the kingfisher dropped it on the ice below after a short time. The kingfisher immediately returned to the same hunting spot and pulled out another frog. Repeated the process with the same result. The kingfisher then flew off, leaving two frogs stranded on ice. It was cold and the ice was slick, so the frogs would struggle for a few seconds then rest. One managed to make it to a small hole in the ice after some time. The other one needed some help. The ice was too thin to walk on, so my colleagues and I did some old-fashioned rock tossing. Took a while, but we managed to plunk in a hole close enough for the frog to climb into and go below water. That's a frog with some stories to tell. Thanks to Bobby Day, April Estep, and Erin Parks for their compassion and rock-throwing abilities. Have seen American Tree Sparrows at a monitoring site also in El Paso county for about two weeks now (first sighting 5 Nov). Quite a few Northern Shrikes here. A nice brownish juvenile is hanging around the wildlife office. Have seen an eastern Red-tailed Hawk recently. Currently have ~30 Red-winged Blackbirds foraging under some Ponderosa pines. Rick Clawges Ft. Carson Classification: UNCLASSIFIED Caveats: NONE -- Colorado Field Ornithologists: http://www.cfo-link.org/ Colorado County Birding: http://www.coloradocountybirding.com/ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To post to this group, send email to cobirds AT googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscribe AT googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.as/group/cobirds?hl=en Subject: Just a reminder - A Visit to Bolivia with John Drummond - Hosted by Aiken Audubon Society From: birdingspacepig AT aol.com Date: Thu, 19 Nov 2009 10:02:52 -0500 Just a reminder... Come experience a thrilling account of 12 days and 429 species. Despite civil unrest, road blockages and cancelled returning flights from La Paz, Aiken member John Drummond successfully covered Bolivia's topographic diversity and great variety of habitats. The birders recorded numerous regional endemics (also found in southern Peru) such as Hooded Mountain-Toucan, Light-crowned Spinetail, Diademed Tapaculo (ext), Goldencollared Tanager (ext), and Orange-browed Hemispingus. Others shared with northwest Argentina included Bluecapped Puffleg, Rufous-bellied Saltator, Citron-headed Yellow-Finch. Twelve or thirtenn endemics were seen including marvelous views of the endangered Red-fronted Macaw, Black-hooded Sunbeam, Cochambamba Mountain-Finch and the Rufous-faced Antpitta (ext). Other favorites during the main trip included Greater Rhea, Andean Condor, Cliff Parakett, Yungas Pygmy Owl, Cream-backed Woodpecker, and Giant Conebill. The lucky four birders on the extension trip managed to add Short-winged Grebe, Scimitar-winged Piha (one of the rarest birds in South America), Chestnut-crowned Cotinga, Rufous-bellied Seedsnipe, and Berlepsch's Canastero. When: Thursday, November 19, 2009 (note that it is not on a Wednesday!) Time: 6:30 p.m. - Refreshments and socializing 7:00 p.m. - Program Where: Colorado Division of Wildlife, 4255 Sinton Road, Colorado Springs / Entrance is at the rear of the building Cost: Free! Hope to see you there! Respectfully submitted, Christine A. Bucher Secretary, Aiken Audubon Society Perched on the edge of Palmer Park, Colorado Springs -- Colorado Field Ornithologists: http://www.cfo-link.org/ Colorado County Birding: http://www.coloradocountybirding.com/ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To post to this group, send email to cobirds AT googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscribe AT googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.as/group/cobirds?hl=en Subject: Rare Bird Alert for Colorado November 19, 2009 From: JOYCE TAKAMINE <jabiru55 AT msn.com> Date: Thu, 19 Nov 2009 04:48:49 -0700 Compiler: Joyce Takamine Date: November 19, 2009 e-mail: rba AT cfo-link.org phone: 303-659-8750 This is the Colorado Rare Bird Alert for Thursday, November 19, 2009 at 5 am sponsored by Denver Field Ornithologists and the Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory. Highlight species include (*Denotes that there is new information for this species in this report) White-winged Scoter (Larimer, El Paso, Pueblo) Black Scoter (Larimer) Long-tailed Duck (*Boulder, *Larimer) Barrow's Goldeneye (*Arapahoe, Garfield, Lake, Routt) Chukar (Delta) RED-THROATED LOON (*Douglas/Jefferson, Pueblo) Pacific Loon (Arapahoe, *Larimer, Pueblo) PARASITIC JAEGER (Douglas/Jefferson, Pueblo) Thayer's Gull (Larimer, Pueblo, *Routt, Weld) Lesser Black-backed Gull (El Paso) WESTERN GULL (Larimer) BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKE (Boulder) White-throated Sparrow (Larimer) Harris's Sparrow (Larimer) Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch (*Grand, Lake) Black Rosy-Finch (Lake) To skip this recording to leave a message, press the star key at any time. Please leave your name, phone number, detailed directions including the county and dates for all sightings. It would be helpful if you would spell your last name. Arapahoe County: --A Pacific Loon was reported by Sanders at Cherry Creek Reservoir on November 17. --A single male Barrow's Goldeneye was reported by Modesitt at Cherry Creek Reservoir on November 18. Boulder County: --An imm BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKE was reported by Halsey, a visitor from Arizona at Lagerman Reservoir on November 15. --A female Long-tailed Duck was reported by Schmoker at Lagerman Reservoir on November 16 and seen again on November 18 by Guarente. --A juv Long-tailed Duck was reported by Takamine at Baseline Reservoir on November 16. It was in a group of Redheads. Delta County: --4 Chukar were reported by Garrison at Pleasure Park in Hotchkiss on November 15. Douglas/Jefferson Counties: --A PARASITIC JAEGER was reported by Kellner at Chatfield State Park on November 5. The jaeger was seen again on November 13 by Modesitt. --A 1st winter RED-THROATED LOON was reported by Drummond at Chatfield on November 14. The loon was seen again on November 18 by Kellner. El Paso County: --At Big Johnson on November 16, Peterson reported an imm White-winged Scoter and Lesser Black-backed Gull. Garfield County: --5 Barrow's Goldeneyes were reported by McConnell at Rifle Gap Reservoir on November 15. Grand County: --Gray-crowned Rosy-Finches were reported by Cathy Craig coming to her feeders in the Granby area on November 16 and 17. If you are interested in trying to see the birds contact her at PioneerCSC AT aol.com or call 970-887-9540 for directions and to confirm that they are still around. Lake County: --1 male Barrow's Goldeneye was reported by Kalbach at Mt Elbert Forebay on November 15. --Kalbach reported that Rosy-Finches including Gray-crowned and 1 Black were see at various feeders on November 13 - 15 in Leadville. Larimer County: --3 White-winged Scoters were reported by Wild at North Poudre Reservoir #3 on November 13. Two scoters were seen by Wild on November 17. --A 1st-cycle Thayer's Gull was reported by Wild at Timnath Reservoir on November 13. --1 imm Black Scoter was reported by Wild at Fossil Creek Reservoir on November 13. --A Harris's Sparrow was reported by Sparks at Riverbend Ponds NA in Fort Collins about 50 feet from the west entrance on November 15. --A juv White-throated Sparrow was reported by Sullivan at her feeder in Bellvue. It was seen as recently as November 17. If you want to try to see the bird contact her at flam_owl AT copper.net. --A possible WESTERN GULL and 2 Thayer's Gulls were reported by Komar at Warren Lake in Fort Collins on November 15. --An imm male White-winged Scoter was reported by Roller at Warren Lake on November 17. --At Douglas Reservoir, Wild reported 1 Pacific Loon and 1 Long-tailed Duck on November 17. The Loon and Long-tailed Duck were seen again on November 18 by Bob Spencer. Pueblo County: --A RED-THROATED LOON was reported by Percival at Pueblo Reservoir by the Sailboard Launching Area on November 9. The RED-THOATED LOON was seen again on November 14 by the Arkansas Valley Audubon field trip. --A PARASITIC JAEGER and juv Thayer's Gull were seen by the Arkansas Valley Audubon field trip led by Percival at Pueblo Reservoir on November 14. The jaeger was seen again on November 15 by Percival. --A Pacific Loon was reported by Percival at Pueblo Reservoir on November 15 and seen again on November 16 by Percival. --A female type White-winged Scoter was reported by Percival at Pueblo Reservoir on November 16. Routt County: --Litteral found a pale juv Thayer's Gull at Stagecoach Reservoir on November 5. The gull was seen again on November 18 by Zerbi. --Dodson reported Barrow's Goldeneyes at Stagecoach Reservoir on November 14. Weld County: --A 1st-cycle Thayer's Gull and and 2nd-cycle Lesser Black-backed Gull were reported by Wild at Black Hollow Reservoir on November 13. The DFO Field Trip for Saturday, November 21 will be a Walk along the Platte led by Sue Shulman (303-773-3540). Meet the leader at the Park-n-Ride parking lot near the Carson Nature Center. Take Santa Fe to Mineral and turn west into Parking lot for the RTD Park-n-Ride. DO NOT PARK AT THE NATURE CENTER. Trip may go to other ponds to look for more birds so bring lunch and drinking water. Please contact leader to verify exact meeting place. The DFO Field Trip for Sunday, November 22 will be to the Longmont Area led by Chris Owens (303-772-6048). Meet the leader at 0800 at Jim Hamm Nature Center. Bring lunch and water as trip will end around 1 or 2 pm depending on weather and birds. State Parks Pass may be needed. The next monthly meeting of Denver Field Ornithologists will be on Monday, November 23 at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science in the Ricketson Auditorium at 7:30 pm. The program will be "The Chichuahuan Desert: Critical Winter Habitat for Colorado Birds" by Greg Levandoski, a research biologist for RMBO. Joyce Takamine Boulder -- Colorado Field Ornithologists: http://www.cfo-link.org/ Colorado County Birding: http://www.coloradocountybirding.com/ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To post to this group, send email to cobirds AT googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscribe AT googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.as/group/cobirds?hl=en Subject: Today at Douglas Resvr From: Bob Spencer <bobolink AT indra.com> Date: Wed, 18 Nov 2009 21:51:20 -0700 Hi Cobirders A nice day so I ventured further afield. Went to Douglas Reservoir north of Fort Collins. Thanks to Cole Wild and others. I saw a couple of feeding frenzies on the lake. The Pacific Loon was swimming with Gulls and was easy to identify with my scope. Lots of Gulls, I did not try to find any odd ones. Plenty of Common Goldeneyes. The last group had a female Long- tailed Duck. It was brown on its back and sides were a grayish white. Head was white with black patch on it behind cheek and black on top of its head. No long tail, they are reserved for the males! I didn't check other lakes for Scoters. Too slow!. Good birding day. Bob Spencer -- Colorado Field Ornithologists: http://www.cfo-link.org/ Colorado County Birding: http://www.coloradocountybirding.com/ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To post to this group, send email to cobirds AT googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscribe AT googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.as/group/cobirds?hl=en Subject: Big Johnson Res. (El Paso Cty) - 2 common loons From: "Jeff J Jones" <JJones AT JonesTC.com> Date: Wed, 18 Nov 2009 17:29:26 -0700 A stop by Big Johnson Res (http://www.coloradocountybirding.com/county/bird_a_county.php?name=El Paso#859) today found 2 common loons; staying in the west-central part of the lake. I did not find any scoters; but that doesn't mean they weren't there. Otherwise, no surprises. Many, many gulls. But all I saw were Ring-billed, California and Herring Gulls. A walk around Fountain Creek Regional park turned up no rarities as well. Jeff J Jones ( jjones AT jonestc.com) Teller County - 8500' - Montane Woodlands -- Colorado Field Ornithologists: http://www.cfo-link.org/ Colorado County Birding: http://www.coloradocountybirding.com/ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To post to this group, send email to cobirds AT googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscribe AT googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.as/group/cobirds?hl=en Subject: Red-throated Loon still at Chatfield State Park From: Joey Kellner <vireo1 AT comcast.net> Date: Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:04:53 -0800 (PST) Two of the Common Loons and one juv. plumaged Red-throated Loon were still on Chatfield Reservoir and seen this afternoon along the dam. Joey Kellner Littleton, CO -- Colorado Field Ornithologists: http://www.cfo-link.org/ Colorado County Birding: http://www.coloradocountybirding.com/ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To post to this group, send email to cobirds AT googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscribe AT googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.as/group/cobirds?hl=en Subject: out of area murrelet From: "Karl Stecher Jr." <kstecher AT idcomm.com> Date: Wed, 18 Nov 2009 15:50:20 -0700 To add to our knowledge/discussion...an ancient murrelet has just been spotted in the Salton Sea, California. Karl Stecher Centennial -- Colorado Field Ornithologists: http://www.cfo-link.org/ Colorado County Birding: http://www.coloradocountybirding.com/ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To post to this group, send email to cobirds AT googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscribe AT googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.as/group/cobirds?hl=en Subject: Barrows Goldeneye at Cherry Creek Res From: lm1crow AT aol.com Date: Wed, 18 Nov 2009 13:13:56 -0500 Cobirders, Lurking among the feverishly fishing flock of common goldeneyes was a lone male Barrows. There were at least 75 commons between the swim beach and the dam outlet. I didn't see any female Barrows. Of the 50 or so mergansers, I could find none of the red-breasted mergs that Ira Sanders reported yesterday. The pacific loon he saw probably is there. Either it or an imposter managed to always be 9/10 of the way across the reservoir, so I couldn't be sure. Why don't I ever learn? The bird is ALWAYS on the other side. If you get good views, don't tell me. Larry Modesitt Greenwood Village -- Colorado Field Ornithologists: http://www.cfo-link.org/ Colorado County Birding: http://www.coloradocountybirding.com/ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To post to this group, send email to cobirds AT googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscribe AT googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.as/group/cobirds?hl=en Subject: Long-tailed Duck: Lagerman Reservoir: Boulder County From: Bryan Guarente <dafekt1ve AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 18 Nov 2009 09:49:05 -0800 (PST) CoBirders, The female Long-tailed Duck reported originally by Bill Schmoker and refound yesterday by Todd Deininger was still present this morning on the southeast side of the reservoir with a bunch of Common Goldeneye. I needed a scope to identify the bird, but that is partially because of the lighting conditions at 10am this morning. Without lighting issues, the squarish head and white auriculars should be easily seen through powerful binoculars. Directions to Lagerman Reservoir are here: http://www.coloradocountybirding.com/county/bird_a_county.php?name=Boulder#362 Bryan Guarente Instructional Designer The COMET Program University Corporation for Atmospheric Research Boulder, CO -- Colorado Field Ornithologists: http://www.cfo-link.org/ Colorado County Birding: http://www.coloradocountybirding.com/ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To post to this group, send email to cobirds AT googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscribe AT googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.as/group/cobirds?hl=en Subject: Merlin in City Park, Fort Collins From: Jeff <jeff.birek AT rmbo.org> Date: Wed, 18 Nov 2009 08:03:56 -0800 (PST) There was an adult male "Prairie" Merlin being very cooperative on the east end of city park. This was near the intersection of Jackson and Olive at 8:30 this morning. The bird was perching high in the deciduous trees being followed by a few starlings that were keeping their distance. Nice surprise on my bikeride to work! Happy birding, Jeff Birek Biologist, Science Division Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory work: (970) 482-1707 ext. 25 cell: (530) 400-5301 fax: (970) 472-9031 jeff.birek AT rmbo.org -- Colorado Field Ornithologists: http://www.cfo-link.org/ Colorado County Birding: http://www.coloradocountybirding.com/ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To post to this group, send email to cobirds AT googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscribe AT googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.as/group/cobirds?hl=en Subject: Bldr Co. Audubon Program: Small Mountain Owls with Scott Rashid. 11/24 From: rostrhamus <scottesevers AT gmail.com> Date: Wed, 18 Nov 2009 07:13:37 -0800 (PST) November 24, 7:30pm. Scott Rashid, Independent Bird Bander & Teacher, "Small Owls of the Northern Front Range" Where: Unless otherwise noted, these events are held at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Boulder, 5001 Pennsylvania Ave. (off 55th St. between Arapahoe and Baseline) Scott Rashid's new book contains 160 striking photos and drawings of four small mountain owls of the Rocky Mountains: flammulated owl, northern pygmy-owl, northern saw-whet owl, and boreal owl. He'll discuss the lives and ranges of these tiny predators, along with their anatomy, coloration, vocalizations, diets, hunting strategies, and nesting behaviors. Scott has been banding birds and studying small owls in Rocky Mountain National Park for 20 years, so expect wonderful stories about owl encounters and owl behavior. Scott will sign copies of Small Mountain Owls after the program. Scott is a licensed bird bander, bird rehabilitator, artist, and researcher. As an artist, Scott has been able to depict aspects of the owls' behaviors that have not been previously described. His art is presently hanging in private collections throughout North America, Europe, and Australia. NOTE: The Holiday Sale begins at 6:15pm, prior to Scott's program. Boulder County Audubon Society is Having it's Annual Fundraising Holiday Sale to support its field trips, school programs, birding courses, and pending IBA sponsorship. Tuesday, November 24, 6:15-7:30 p.m., Boulder Unitarian Universalist Church, 5001 Pennsylvania Ave. Come join the holiday festivities. Enjoy hot punch and homemade cookies while meeting local authors and artists. Authors: Raymond Bridge, Ruth Carol Cushman, Joyce Gellhorn, Chris Hoffman, Connie Holsinger, Steve Jones, and Scott Rashid. Artists: Ron Butler, Maureen Lawry, Jim Morris, Wendy Stuart, Bob Wing Hope to see you on the 24th! ________________________________ Scott Severs Field Trip Co-chair. Longmont, CO -- Colorado Field Ornithologists: http://www.cfo-link.org/ Colorado County Birding: http://www.coloradocountybirding.com/ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To post to this group, send email to cobirds AT googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscribe AT googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.as/group/cobirds?hl=en Subject: flock size estimation From: Eric DeFonso <bay.wren AT gmail.com> Date: Wed, 18 Nov 2009 08:03:09 -0700 Hi all, With the upcoming Christmas bird counts in mind I want to pass along a very cool link that allows you to estimate flock sizes and see how close you are to reality. I know that for my part I have probably tended to underestimate flock sizes for bird counts, while I'm sure others perhaps overestimate. This could be a nice resource to pass along to enthusiastic but inexperienced recruits in your CBCs, or to anyone for that matter. http://www.iowabirds.org/birds/counting_quiz.asp -- Eric DeFonso Fort Collins, CO -- Colorado Field Ornithologists: http://www.cfo-link.org/ Colorado County Birding: http://www.coloradocountybirding.com/ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To post to this group, send email to cobirds AT googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscribe AT googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.as/group/cobirds?hl=en Subject: Warren Lake access (Larimer County) and nearby gull hangouts From: quetzal65 AT comcast.net Date: Wed, 18 Nov 2009 13:32:53 +0000 (UTC) Joe, Great job finding a White-winged Scoter at Warren Lake in Fort Collins. The lake is private but the roads around it are public. There are at least 6 spots that I have used to view the lake, mostly 3 points along the west side where there are no houses. I hope someone else can find and, more importantly, photograph the possible Western Gull. It occurred to me that when it flew off on Sunday afternoon it may have been headed to the Boyd Lake nocturnal roost or the one at Lake Loveland. Other daytime places to search besides Warren Lake would be the Larimer County landfill and the North Weld County Landfill and popular gull hangouts at the south end of Horsetooth Reservoir, the northwest shore of Horseshoe Lake, the Boyd Lake swim beach, the north shore of Windsor Res, the west shore of Black Hollow Res and possibly Timnath Reservoir. Probably some other spots too. Nick Komar Fort Collins CO From : PERGRN AT aol.com I stopped by Warren Lake to look for the Western Gull seen there by Komar. ... It was my first time there and I discovered that it is a private lake and access is difficult. About the only place I found where I could scope from a public road or sidewalk was a little cul-de-sac off Harbor Drive. I think it was called Harbor Lane and it is an the extreme geographic south end of the lake. You can see what I am talking about on a Google map, but although the little lane is shown on the map, it is not named. If someone familiar with Fort Collins can tell where else to study this lake from, please post me. Joe Roller, Denver -- Colorado Field Ornithologists: http://www.cfo-link.org/ Colorado County Birding: http://www.coloradocountybirding.com/ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To post to this group, send email to cobirds AT googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscribe AT googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.as/group/cobirds?hl=en Subject: Long-tailed duck. Lagerman, Boulder 11/17 From: blueskyhkd AT comcast.net Date: Wed, 18 Nov 2009 13:19:11 +0000 (UTC) I stopped by Lagerman around 4:45 pm last night and the Long-tailed Duck was still there. Todd Deininger Longmont, CO -- Colorado Field Ornithologists: http://www.cfo-link.org/ Colorado County Birding: http://www.coloradocountybirding.com/ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To post to this group, send email to cobirds AT googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscribe AT googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.as/group/cobirds?hl=en Subject: Rare Bird Alert for Colorado November 18, 2009 From: JOYCE TAKAMINE <jabiru55 AT msn.com> Date: Wed, 18 Nov 2009 04:48:28 -0700 Compiler: Joyce Takamine Date: November 18, 2009 e-mail: rba AT cfo-link.org phone: 303-659-8750 This is the Colorado Rare Bird Alert for Wednesday, November 18, 2009 at 5 am sponsored by Denver Field Ornithologists and the Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory. Highlight species include (*Denotes that there is new information for this species in this report) White-winged Scoter (*Larimer, El Paso, Pueblo) Black Scoter (Larimer) Long-tailed Duck (*Boulder, *Larimer) Barrow's Goldeneye (Garfield, Lake, Routt) Chukar (Delta) RED-THROATED LOON (*Douglas/Jefferson, Pueblo) Pacific Loon (*Arapahoe, *Larimer, Pueblo) PARASITIC JAEGER (Douglas/Jefferson, Pueblo) Thayer's Gull (Larimer, Pueblo, Routt, Weld) Lesser Black-backed Gull (El Paso) WESTERN GULL (Larimer) BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKE (Boulder) White-throated Sparrow (*Larimer) Harris's Sparrow (Larimer) Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch (Lake) Black Rosy-Finch (Lake) To skip this recording to leave a message, press the star key at any time. Please leave your name, phone number, detailed directions including the county and dates for all sightings. It would be helpful if you would spell your last name. Arapahoe County: --A Pacific Loon was reported by Sanders at Cherry Creek Reservoir on November 17. Boulder County: --An imm BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKE was reported by Halsey, a visitor from Arizona at Lagerman Reservoir on November 15. --A female Long-tailed Duck was reported by Schmoker at Lagerman Reservoir on November 16 and seen again on November 17 by Takamine --A juv Long-tailed Duck was reported by Takamine at Baseline Reservoir on November 16. It was in a group of Redheads. Delta County: --4 Chukar were reported by Garrison at Pleasure Park in Hotchkiss on November 15. Douglas/Jefferson Counties: --A PARASITIC JAEGER was reported by Kellner at Chatfield State Park on November 5. The jaeger was seen again on November 13 by Modesitt. --A 1st winter RED-THROATED LOON was reported by Drummond at Chatfield on November 14. The loon was seen again on November 17 by Chavez. El Paso County: --At Big Johnson on November 16, Peterson reported an imm White-winged Scoter and Lesser Black-backed Gull. Garfield County: --5 Barrow's Goldeneyes were reported by McConnell at Rifle Gap Reservoir on November 15. Lake County: --1 male Barrow's Goldeneye was reported by Kalbach at Mt Elbert Forebay on November 15. --Kalbach reported that Rosy-Finches including Gray-crowned and 1 Black were see at various feeders on November 13 - 15 in Leadville. Larimer County: --3 White-winged Scoters were reported by Wild at North Poudre Reservoir #3 on November 13. Two scoters were seen by Wild on November 17. --A 1st-cycle Thayer's Gull was reported by Wild at Timnath Reservoir on November 13. --1 imm Black Scoter was reported by Wild at Fossil Creek Reservoir on November 13. --A Harris's Sparrow was reported by Sparks at Riverbend Ponds NA in Fort Collins about 50 feet from the west entrance on November 15. --A juv White-throated Sparrow was reported by Sullivan at her feeder in Bellvue. It was seen as recently as November 17. If you want to try to see the bird contact her at flam_owl AT copper.net. --A possible WESTERN GULL and 2 Thayer's Gulls were reported by Komar at Warren Lake in Fort Collins on November 15. --An imm male White-winged Scoter was reported by Roller at Warren Lake on November 17. --At Douglas Reservoir, Wild reported 1 Pacific Loon and 1 Long-tailed Duck on November 17. Pueblo County: --A RED-THROATED LOON was reported by Percival at Pueblo Reservoir by the Sailboard Launching Area on November 9. The RED-THOATED LOON was seen again on November 14 by the Arkansas Valley Audubon field trip. --A PARASITIC JAEGER and juv Thayer's Gull were seen by the Arkansas Valley Audubon field trip led by Percival at Pueblo Reservoir on November 14. The jaeger was seen again on November 15 by Percival. --A Pacific Loon was reported by Percival at Pueblo Reservoir on November 15 and seen again on November 16 by Percival. --A female type White-winged Scoter was reported by Percival at Pueblo Reservoir on November 16. Routt County: --Litteral found a pale juv Thayer's Gull at Stagecoach Reservoir on November 5. The gull was seen again on November 14 by Dodson. --Dodson reported Barrow's Goldeneyes at Stagecoach Reservoir on November 14. Weld County: --A 1st-cycle Thayer's Gull and and 2nd-cycle Lesser Black-backed Gull were reported by Wild at Black Hollow Reservoir on November 13. The DFO Field Trip for Saturday, November 21 will be a Walk along the Platte led by Sue Shulman (303-773-3540). Meet the leader at the Park-n-Ride parking lot near the Carson Nature Center. Take Santa Fe to Mineral and turn west into Parking lot for the RTD Park-n-Ride. DO NOT PARK AT THE NATURE CENTER. Trip may go to other ponds to look for more birds so bring lunch and drinking water. Please contact leader to verify exact meeting place. The DFO Field Trip for Sunday, November 22 will be to the Longmont Area led by Chris Owens (303-772-6048). Meet the leader at Jim Hamm Nature Center. Bring lunch and water as trip will end around 1 or 2 pm depending on weather and birds. State Parks Pass may be needed. The next monthly meeting of Denver Field Ornithologists will be on Monday, November 23 at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science in the Ricketson Auditorium at 7:30 pm. The program will be "The Chichuahuan Desert: Critical Winter Habitat for Colorado Birds" by Greg Levandoski, a research biologist for RMBO. Joyce Takamine Boulder -- Colorado Field Ornithologists: http://www.cfo-link.org/ Colorado County Birding: http://www.coloradocountybirding.com/ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To post to this group, send email to cobirds AT googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscribe AT googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.as/group/cobirds?hl=en Subject: North Larimer County on 11/17 From: "Dave Leatherman" <daleatherman AT msn.com> Date: Tue, 17 Nov 2009 18:30:54 -0700 North Poudre Reservoir #4 Great-tailed Grackle (approx. 95) along the east shore Nothing unusual, very few birds on the res itself North Poudre #3 Thanks to Cole for letting me look thru his scope at the beautiful White-winged Scoters Bonaparte's Gull (1) Douglas Res Thanks to Cole for the heads-up about the Pacific Loon and Long-tailed Duck. I saw both. Looks like Douglas has a viable gizzard shad population again and that the birds (gulls, mergansers, etc.) have found them. Maybe other rarities (Pomerine Jaeger?) will show up there within the next month. Northern Shrike (1a) along the east shore in the big rabbitbrush shrubs Hamilton Res Continues to be poor and nothing compared to what it was "in the day". Dave Leatherman Fort Collins -- Colorado Field Ornithologists: http://www.cfo-link.org/ Colorado County Birding: http://www.coloradocountybirding.com/ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To post to this group, send email to cobirds AT googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscribe AT googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.as/group/cobirds?hl=en Subject: Immature Red-throated Loon --Chatfield From: markchavez AT comcast.net Date: Tue, 17 Nov 2009 22:51:15 +0000 (UTC) I went out to Chatfield on this sunny and pleasant day. I was able to re-find the immature Red-throated Loon viewed from the sand spit, looking toward the dam. I drove toward the dam to get better looks and was unable to locate the bird again. Also seen were Western Grebes, Eared Grebe, 5 Common Loons, Herring Gull and all the regulars. Mark Chavez Lakewood-Green Mtn http://www.pbase.com/mark2929c -- Colorado Field Ornithologists: http://www.cfo-link.org/ Colorado County Birding: http://www.coloradocountybirding.com/ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To post to this group, send email to cobirds AT googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscribe AT googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.as/group/cobirds?hl=en Subject: RE: Re: Blue Jay behavior From: Wayne Wathen <wwathen AT msn.com> Date: Tue, 17 Nov 2009 15:42:43 -0700 I would have responded sooner but just returned from a birding trip to Ireland. Not many new birds but lots of interesting sights and fun. I tend to agree with SeEtta on the blue jay. However, Roy's bird in Lake Manyara I suspect may have been a Black Heron and not a ibis. In that case, I have seen Black Herons feed a number of times in Kenya and Tanzania where if forms sort of a canopy with its wings. According to Terry Stevenson's Birds of Kenya, they do that while feeding possibly to reduce reflection or to attract food by creating a shading area from the warm sun. Wayne Wathen Date: Thu, 5 Nov 2009 17:59:45 -0700 Subject: [cobirds] Re: Blue Jay behavior From: seettam AT gmail.com To: ouzels8 AT aol.com CC: cobirds AT googlegroups.com If the location was in the sun, I would suspect the jay was engaged in sunning behavior which many species engage in. SeEtta Moss On Thu, Nov 5, 2009 at 9:45 AM, Hugh and Urling Kingery wrote: Roy Hohn posed what he calls "A strange behavior question." Do any Cobirders have theories about this kind of behavior? Hugh Kingery "On August 21 I watched a blue jay land on the mulch in our back yard. It spread its tail and wings, like it was making a tent, and ducked its head beneath the wings. It stayed motionless for about 30 seconds and then flew away. A few minutes later I watched a repeat of the same behavior. We saw a similar behavior at Lake Manyara in Tanzania, with an ibis (I think it was an ibis.) But the ibis was in shallow water and using the behavior as a strategy to catch fish and small critters in the water. What was the blue jay doing? I walked back and examined the area later, but saw nothing unusual - like a colony of ants or some other insects it could eat." Roy Hohn orcaorion AT yahoo.com suburban Centennial, near Arapahoe and Colorado Blvd. --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ Colorado Field Ornithologists: http://www.cfo-link.org/ Colorado County Birding: http://www.coloradocountybirding.com/ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To post to this group, send email to cobirds AT googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscribe AT googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.as/group/cobirds?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~--- -- Colorado Field Ornithologists: http://www.cfo-link.org/ Colorado County Birding: http://www.coloradocountybirding.com/ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To post to this group, send email to cobirds AT googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscribe AT googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.as/group/cobirds?hl=en Subject: Re: Interesting Larimer County Birds From: PERGRN AT aol.com Date: Tue, 17 Nov 2009 17:27:27 EST I stopped by Warren Lake to look for the Western Gull seen there by Komar. There were a gazillion Common Mergansers, a many gulls and an immature male White-winged Scoter, but nothing resembling the Western Gull as Nick described it. I was there for an hour around 1 PM and gulls might congregate in larger numbers later in the day. It was my first time there and I discovered that it is a private lake and access is difficult. About the only place I found where I could scope from a public road or sidewalk was a little cul-de-sac off Harbor Drive. I think it was called Harbor Lane and it is an the extreme geographic south end of the lake. You can see what I am talking about on a Google map, but although the little lane is shown on the map, it is not named. If someone familiar with Fort Collins can tell where else to study this lake from, please post me. Joe Roller, Denver -- Colorado Field Ornithologists: http://www.cfo-link.org/ Colorado County Birding: http://www.coloradocountybirding.com/ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To post to this group, send email to cobirds AT googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscribe AT googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.as/group/cobirds?hl=en Subject: Loons - Cherry Creek SP - Arapaho Co From: "Ira Sanders" <greatauk AT msn.com> Date: Tue, 17 Nov 2009 14:46:30 -0700 Birders, Today at Cherry Creek Reservoir: 1 Common Loon 1 Pacific Loon 3 Red-breasted Mergs Hooded Mergs 3 usual gulls Pelicans Assorted ducks and grebes. Ira Sanders Golden, CO -- Colorado Field Ornithologists: http://www.cfo-link.org/ Colorado County Birding: http://www.coloradocountybirding.com/ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To post to this group, send email to cobirds AT googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscribe AT googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.as/group/cobirds?hl=en Subject: November 2009 D.F.O. Fieldtrips -- with changes From: CorvidColo AT aol.com Date: Tue, 17 Nov 2009 15:06:06 EST Denver Field Ornithologists November 2009 Field Trips Saturday, November 21 Walk Along the Platte Leader: Sue Schulman, 303-773-3540. Meet leader at the Park-n-Ride parking lot at 0800 near the Carson Nature Center. Take Santa Fe to Mineral and turn west into the parking lot for the RTD Park-n-Ride. DO NOT PARK AT THE NATURE CENTER!!!! Trip may go to other ponds to look for more birds so bring lunch and drinking water. Please contact leader to verify the exact meeting place. (We had left the time out of this announcement -- sorry!) Sunday, November 22 Longmont Area Leader: Chris Owens, 303-772-6048. Meet leader at 0800 at Jim Hamm Nature Center – From I-25 take exit 240. Go west 4 miles on CO 119 to Boulder-Weld Co. Line Road, then 2 miles north to park on left at E. 17th Ave. Bring lunch and water as trip will end around 1 or 2 p.m. depending on weather and birds. State Parks Pass may be needed. Friday, November 27 Platte River Greenway Leader: Jackie King, 303-287-1644. Meet leader at 0830 at E. 88th and the South Platte River – From I-76 take E. 88th Ave. exit, go west on 88th for 1.6 miles then turn south at Colorado Blvd. Turn left again into the parking lot for the South Platte River Greenway Trailhead. Explore along the river on the bike path which is paved and level. Bring lunch and drinking water. Please call leader if going in case weather is bad. Saturday, November 28 Pueblo Leaders: Ira and Tammy Sanders, 303-278-7172. Meet leaders at 0630 at the Safeway on Lincoln just west of I-25. Bring lunch, extra drinking water and come prepared for extremes of weather. State Parks pass needed. Sunday, November 29 Rigli Ranch Leader: Joe Rigli, 970-768-7121. Meet leader at 0900 at the ranch. From Denver, take East I-76 to Hudson, Exit 31(C 52). Go east on C 52 for approx. 32 miles until it turns north, do NOT turn north but continue east on Morgan County Rd. F for another 14 miles to CR 14. Turn left (north) on CR 14 and go about 2 miles to the first white house on the left (with 2 boxcars). Bring lunch and drinking water. Help Joe locate those birds wintering on the plains and raptors. Scheduled by Jackie King and compiled by Cris Cook. * * * * * * * * * * * * Wray Colorado Greater Prairie Chickens April 10-11 2010 DFO will lead a trip to Wray, Colorado the weekend of April 10-11 to view the Greater Prairie Chickens. The Wray Chamber of Commerce is taking reservations Now! This will be a prime weekend and spaces are limited. Sign-up now. The cost is $135 per person and includes Saturday night dinner, orientation, entertainment, hotel room, transport to lek and, breakfast on Sunday morning. Fee is paid directly to Wray. Registration On-Line is preferred. www.wraychamber.net Click on photo of Prairie Chicken at top of page. Click on "Click here for additional information for Greater Prairie Chicken Tour Packages" Sign up for "Special Tour" April 10-11. Pay $135 per person to Wray Chamber. If you do not have a roommate yet just sign up for one room and we will notify them later. And please notify DFO trip leader Mary Burger (303-771-3431) mcburger3 AT juno.com. If you do not want to give credit card info online, call them at 970-332-3484 or you can send them a check. Submitted by Chris A. Blakeslee - DFO Board Member Centennial, Colorado CorvidColo AT aol.com -- Colorado Field Ornithologists: http://www.cfo-link.org/ Colorado County Birding: http://www.coloradocountybirding.com/ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To post to this group, send email to cobirds AT googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscribe AT googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.as/group/cobirds?hl=en Subject: Interesting Larimer County Birds From: Cole Wild <birdingwild1 AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 17 Nov 2009 11:51:10 -0800 (PST) Today (11/17) I stopped by a few lakes in Northern Larimer County. Douglas Reservoir Long-tailed Duck - 1 Pacific Loon - 1 North Poudre Reservoir #3 White-winged Scoter - 2 Cole Wild Loveland -- Colorado Field Ornithologists: http://www.cfo-link.org/ Colorado County Birding: http://www.coloradocountybirding.com/ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To post to this group, send email to cobirds AT googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscribe AT googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.as/group/cobirds?hl=en Subject: Delta CBC date From: Dennis Garrison <dennisgarrison AT hotmail.com> Date: Tue, 17 Nov 2009 19:22:52 +0000 Delta CBC is going to be the 19th of December, meet 0730 at the north side of the parking lot of City Market in Delta. Yours truly is somehow in charge this year. Call me for details or questions, or to sign up: 970-985-2244 (cell) or 970-527-5806 (home) or even at work, I suppose, 527-4131, although I am taking some time off next week. Update as we get a couple weeks out. BCAS is, or possibly has sent out a press release. So far I know of half a dozen who tell me they will, or are trying to, be there. Will get the info on the CBC website today if I can remember my password. If not, probably tomorrow. Dennis Garrison Paonia _________________________________________________________________ Windows 7: I wanted simpler, now it's simpler. I'm a rock star. http://www.microsoft.com/Windows/windows-7/default.aspx?h=myidea?ocid=PID24727::T:WLMTAGL:ON:WL:en-US:WWL_WIN_myidea:112009 -- Colorado Field Ornithologists: http://www.cfo-link.org/ Colorado County Birding: http://www.coloradocountybirding.com/ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To post to this group, send email to cobirds AT googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscribe AT googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.as/group/cobirds?hl=en Subject: White-throated Sparrow/Larimer From: "Carol Sullivan" <flam_owl AT copper.net> Date: Tue, 17 Nov 2009 08:04:14 -0700 The White-throated Sparrow continues to come to our feeder...a cute, chubby little bird . Carol Sullivan 8000' in the lodgepole forest West Stove Prairie Bellvue, Larimer county -- Colorado Field Ornithologists: http://www.cfo-link.org/ Colorado County Birding: http://www.coloradocountybirding.com/ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To post to this group, send email to cobirds AT googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscribe AT googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.as/group/cobirds?hl=en Subject: Michigan Ancient Murrelet Pic! From: "JANINE LECHLEITNER" <tjlechleitner AT msn.com> Date: Mon, 16 Nov 2009 19:53:43 -0700 For those who would like to see a killer photo of the Ancient Murrelet from the Michigan sighting, go to surfbirds.com. Hopefully, colorado can get one here soon and that close for a pic. Enjoy and good birding. Tom Lechleitner Fort Lupton, CO Weld County -- Colorado Field Ornithologists: http://www.cfo-link.org/ Colorado County Birding: http://www.coloradocountybirding.com/ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To post to this group, send email to cobirds AT googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscribe AT googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.as/group/cobirds?hl=en Subject: Rare Bird Alert for Colorado November 17, 2009 From: JOYCE TAKAMINE <jabiru55 AT msn.com> Date: Tue, 17 Nov 2009 04:45:45 -0700 Compiler: Joyce Takamine Date: November 17, 2009 e-mail: rba AT cfo-link.org phone: 303-659-8750 This is the Colorado Rare Bird Alert for Tuesday, November 17, 2009 at 5 am sponsored by Denver Field Ornithologists and the Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory. Highlight species include (*Denotes that there is new information for this species in this report. Surf Scoter (Larimer) White-winged Scoter (*Larimer, *El Paso, *Pueblo) Black Scoter (Larimer) Long-tailed Duck (*Boulder) Barrow's Goldeneye (Garfield, *Lake, Routt) Chukar (Delta) RED-THROATED LOON (Douglas/Jefferson, Pueblo) Pacific Loon (*Pueblo) Green Heron (El Paso) PARASITIC JAEGER (Douglas/Jefferson, Pueblo) Thayer's Gull (Larimer, Pueblo, Routt, Weld) Lesser Black-backed Gull (*El Paso) WESTERN GULL (Larimer) BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKE (Boulder) INCA DOVE (Bent) BLUE-HEADED VIREO (Bent) White-throated Sparrow (Bent, Larimer) Harris's Sparrow (Bent, Jefferson, Larimer) Northern Cardinal (Bent) Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch (*Lake) Black Rosy-Finch (*Lake) To skip this recording to leave a message, press the star key at any time. Please leave your name, phone number, detailed directions including the county and dates for all sightings. It would be helpful if you would spell your last name. Bent County: --At Las Animas Junction, Duane Nelson reported a female Northern Cardinal, White-throated Sparrow, and a late BLUE-HEADED VIREO on November 11. The area is on the east side of the Purgatoire River railroad crossing, 2 miles east of Las Animas. --Nelson reported that he has had INCA DOVE and Harris's Sparrow at his feeders. The INCA DOVE was last seen on November 10 and the Harris's Sparrow on November 11. Please contact Duane at dnelson1 AT centurytel.net if you want to try to see the birds. Boulder County: --An imm BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKE was reported by Halsey, a visitor from Arizona at Lagerman Reservoir on November 15. --A female Long-tailed Duck was reported by Schmoker at Lagerman Reservoir on November 16. --A juv Long-tailed Duck was reported by Takamine at Baseline Reservoir on November 16. It was in a group of Redheads. Delta County: --4 Chukar were reported by Garrison at Pleasure Park in Hotchkiss on November 15. Douglas/Jefferson Counties: --A PARASITIC JAEGER was reported by Kellner at Chatfield State Park on November 5. The jaeger was seen again on November 13 by Modesitt. --A 1st winter RED-THROATED LOON was reported by Drummond at Chatfield on November 14. The loon was seen again on November 15 by Kellner. El Paso County: --At Big Johnson on November 16, Peterson reported an imm White-winged Scoter and Lesser Black-backed Gull. Garfield County: --5 Barrow's Goldeneyes were reported by McConnell at Rifle Gap Reservoir on November 15. Jefferson County: --An imm Harris's Sparrow was reported by Tina Jones in her yard on November 12. Contact her at tjcalliope AT hotmail.com or 303-794-2647 to find out the latest information. Lake County: --1 male Barrow's Goldeneye was reported by Kalbach at Mt Elbert Forebay on November 15. --Kalbach reported that Rosy-Finches including Gray-crowned and 1 Black were see at various feeders on November 13 - 15 in Leadville. Larimer County: --3 Surf Scoters were reported by Lefko at North Poudre Reservoir #3 on November 11. --3 White-winged Scoters were reported by Wild at North Poudre Reservoir #3 on November 13. The scoters were seen again by DeFonso on November 16. --A 1st-cycle Thayer's Gull was reported by Wild at Timnath Reservoir on November 13. --1 imm Black Scoter was reported by Wild at Fossil Creek Reservoir on November 13. --A Harris's Sparrow was reported by Sparks at Riverbend Ponds NA in Fort Collins about 50 feet from the west entrance on November 15. --A juv White-throated Sparrow was reported by Sullivan at her feeder in Bellvue. If you want to try to see the bird contact her at flam_owl AT copper.net. --A possible WESTERN GULL and 2 Thayer's Gulls were reported by Komar at Warren Lake in Fort Collins on November 15. Pueblo County: --A RED-THROATED LOON was reported by Percival at Pueblo Reservoir by the Sailboard Launching Area on November 9. The RED-THOATED LOON was seen again on November 14 by the Arkansas Valley Audubon field trip. --A PARASITIC JAEGER and juv Thayer's Gull were seen by the Arkansas Valley Audubon field trip led by Percival at Pueblo Reservoir on November 14. The jaeger was seen again on November 15 by Percival. --A Pacific Loon was reported by Percival at Pueblo Reservoir on November 15 and seen again on November 16 by Percival. --A female type White-winged Scoter was reported by Percival at Pueblo Reservoir on November 16. Routt County: --Litteral found a pale juv Thayer's Gull at Stagecoach Reservoir on November 5. The gull was seen again on November 14 by Dodson. --Dodson reported Barrow's Goldeneyes at Stagecoach Reservoir on November 14. Weld County: --A 1st-cycle Thayer's Gull and and 2nd-cycle Lesser Black-backed Gull were reported by Wild at Black Hollow Reservoir on November 13. The DFO Field Trip for Saturday, November 21 will be a Walk along the Platte led by Sue Shulman (303-773-3540). Meet the leader at the Park-n-Ride parking lot near the Carson Nature Center. Take Santa Fe to Mineral and turn west into Parking lot for the RTD Park-n-Ride. DO NOT PARK AT THE NATURE CENTER. Trip may go to other ponds to look for more birds so bring lunch and drinking water. Please contact leader to verify exact meeting place. The DFO Field Trip for Sunday, November 22 will be to the Longmont Area led by Chris Owens (303-772-6048). Meet the leader at Jim Hamm Nature Center. Bring lunch and water as trip will end around 1 or 2 pm depending on weather and birds. State Parks Pass may be needed. The next monthly meeting of Denver Field Ornithologists will be on Monday, November 23 at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science in the Ricketson Auditorium at 7:30 pm. The program will be "The Chichuahuan Desert: Critical Winter Habitat for Colorado Birds" by Greg Levandoski, a research biologist for RMBO. Joyce Takamine Boulder -- Colorado Field Ornithologists: http://www.cfo-link.org/ Colorado County Birding: http://www.coloradocountybirding.com/ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To post to this group, send email to cobirds AT googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscribe AT googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.as/group/cobirds?hl=en Subject: El Paso County --- White-winged Scoter From: Mark Peterson <mpeterson33 AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 16 Nov 2009 21:27:04 -0800 (PST) COBirders, I made a stop at Big Johnson reservoir tonight near dusk to check out the gulls and anything else that might have shown up recently. Shortly after getting there an immature White-winged Scoter appeared. I was able to call John Drummond, who had just left and he was able to also see the bird. But, in typical fashion at this reservoir, it took us about 10 minutes to relocate the bird. Other birds of note to me were at least four Common Loons and one Lesser Black-backed Gull (3rd or 4th cycle bird). By the time I left there were approximately 2000 gulls. They were still coming in when it was almost too dark to see them. Also, I have had as many as seven White-winged Doves at my feeders this month but the past few days I have only seen one. ----- Mark Peterson Colorado Springs -- Colorado Field Ornithologists: http://www.cfo-link.org/ Colorado County Birding: http://www.coloradocountybirding.com/ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To post to this group, send email to cobirds AT googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscribe AT googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.as/group/cobirds?hl=en Subject: Colorado CBC dates From: "Brandon K. Percival" <bkpercival AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 16 Nov 2009 17:41:55 -0800 (PST) Hi all,   It looks like 30 Colorado CBCs have a date set on the CBC Website.  The following count dates haven't appeared yet on the CBC Website.  Hopefully the compilers can figure out their CBC date soon, and go to the CBC Website and enter it.   Aspen Black Forest Cortez Denver Delta Durango Greeley John Martin Reservoir Montrose Nunn Pikes Peak Roaring Fork River Valley Sterling Steamboat Springs Summit County You can see the dates that have been set at http://app.audubon.org/cbcapp/findCircles.jsp?state=US-CO&start=1     Thanks, Brandon Percival Colorado Christmas Bird Count Editor Pueblo West, CO   -- Colorado Field Ornithologists: http://www.cfo-link.org/ Colorado County Birding: http://www.coloradocountybirding.com/ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To post to this group, send email to cobirds AT googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscribe AT googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.as/group/cobirds?hl=en Subject: Long-tailed Duck @ Lagerman Res, Boulder Co. From: Bill Schmoker <bill.schmoker AT gmail.com> Date: Mon, 16 Nov 2009 17:13:26 -0700 Folks- I was joined by a few post-work Lagerman Res. kittiwake- scanners at sunset this evening. While the 'wake eluded us I did chance across a female Long-tailed Duck out near the raft of Western Grebes. Enjoy- Bill Schmoker, Longmont Bill Schmoker -bill.schmoker AT gmail.com- Sent from my iPhone -- Colorado Field Ornithologists: http://www.cfo-link.org/ Colorado County Birding: http://www.coloradocountybirding.com/ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To post to this group, send email to cobirds AT googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscribe AT googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.as/group/cobirds?hl=en Subject: Mr Bill answers From: coloradodipper AT aol.com Date: Mon, 16 Nov 2009 17:05:24 -0500 Hi all: I have posted the solutions to the past two Mr. Bill Mystery Quizzes (www.cfo-link.org). Enjoy, Tony Leukering Villas, NJ P.S. I know that it's not particularly kosher to report this to Cobirds, but I saw Harlequin Duck and Swainson's Hawk on the same date here in Cape May, yesterday. Nice combo of species. -- Colorado Field Ornithologists: http://www.cfo-link.org/ Colorado County Birding: http://www.coloradocountybirding.com/ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To post to this group, send email to cobirds AT googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscribe AT googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.as/group/cobirds?hl=en Subject: You'd better watch out! The old and ancient story of Colorado's first murrelet From: PERGRN AT aol.com Date: Mon, 16 Nov 2009 16:00:16 EST The story of Colorado's first murrelet is thus, according to ancient lore (and Bailey and Niedrach): On November 28, 1957, long ago and not so far away, on US Highway 287 just south of Lafayette, Boulder County, Colorado, was found the first Colorado record of any member of the family Alcidae, an Ancient Murrelet (Synthliboramphus antiquum), DOR (dead on the road). The corpse (CU no.6282) was discovered by John and Margaret Douglass. (Short pause to pay respects). The second record was collected on October 14, 1965 on Union Reservoir, Weld County by Allegra Collister. (Extra credit if you have met her). Thanks to Brandon for supplying so many murrelet records.There are many dates in October, November and December when murrelets have not been seen so far. Joe Roller, Denver PS. One cannot mention murrelets without mentioning the great murrelet finder, Joey Kellner, who found not one but both species of these little black and white bobbins on Chatfield Reservoir and took care to alert others to hasten forth to the scene before dark and ante-mortem. -- Colorado Field Ornithologists: http://www.cfo-link.org/ Colorado County Birding: http://www.coloradocountybirding.com/ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To post to this group, send email to cobirds AT googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscribe AT googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.as/group/cobirds?hl=en Subject: Weather conditions prior to the two Chatfield sightings From: Joey Kellner <vireo1 AT comcast.net> Date: Mon, 16 Nov 2009 12:50:25 -0800 (PST) Chatfield Reservoir has two documented murrelet sightings (one each...see Brandon's post for the specific dates). The semi-local weather conditions in the days prior to each were the same. That being, multiple days of high westerly winds (Chinooks) followed by a "dead" calm day. My guess/theory on this is: The Chinook winds are caused by a cold front coming through the mountains (okay that's not theory). This cold front likely causes some lakes to start to freeze or completely freeze over. Some birds, wanting to escape the potential freeze, flyout. Heavy Chinook winds blow them towards the east. Once out of the mountains the birds, being out of "normal looking" habitat (remember these guys nest in costal conifers) drop into large nearby reservoirs and wait-out the storm/winds. Then next day they spend time feeding. The calm (like a sheet of glass) waters are "unnatural" to them (they are used to cold, deep, wave action of the sea) and they leave. This is "evidenced" by no Colorado record of a murrelet staying more than one day on a lake. The calm weather is also VERY important from a birding perspective. On a lake that's like a "sheet of glass" it is MUCH easier to find a bird that is SMALLER than any North American duck or grebe. Waves or wavelets can easily conceal such a bird. On a calm lake every little ripple can be seen and traced to it cause. Now that being said, my theory on the winds may be total "bunk" (time will tell...maybe), but for sure get out on those ultra-calm days because that's about the only way to see one way out on a lake! Good luck on your search! Joey Kellner Littleton, CO -- Colorado Field Ornithologists: http://www.cfo-link.org/ Colorado County Birding: http://www.coloradocountybirding.com/ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To post to this group, send email to cobirds AT googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscribe AT googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.as/group/cobirds?hl=en Subject: Re: Murrelet Watch From: Bryan Guarente <dafekt1ve AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 16 Nov 2009 12:01:59 -0800 (PST) I would love to hear the criteria for what we would expect weather-wise for a Murrelet Watch. Does anyone know what conditions we have seen in the past that have lead to our murrelet sightings in the Front Range? Also, where would we expect our murrelets are coming from, what source region? Does anyone have any info or guesses on this kind of stuff? I understand Walter that you were trying to give people a heads up to the possibility of murrelets, so I don't hold you responsible for answering my questions here, yet maybe you could answer those questions partially. Currently, like Walter has mentioned, the conditions don't seem right for birds to cross the Rockies into Colorado, but I have been wrong before and hope to be proven wrong in the future. For those interested parties, I would take a look at the 850 and 700mb streamlines on my webpage to get an idea of why I think the conditions aren't right to get these birds to our location from the Pacific coast. 700mb is about mountaintop for our higher peaks in Colorado and 850mb is about the height of the base of the foothills (our surface conditions here in the front range metropolis). http://homes.comet.ucar.edu/~guarente/birdweather/stream.htm Click on the "00hr" analysis for 850mb or 700mb and you can see where the winds entering your area of Colorado are originating. This is NOT exactly the trajectory a bird would take, but it gives a good idea of the prevailing winds and which direction a bird might fly if looking for the greatest flight efficiency at that pressure level. If you want to look into the future for these two levels, once clicking on the first image, you can use the right arrow key to advance, or the next button in the bottom left of the slide show player. Any questions, feel free to email me back privately or if the list would benefit from an answer please email the list proper. Bryan Guarente Instructional Designer/Meteorologist The COMET Program University Corporation for Atmospheric Research Boulder, CO -- Colorado Field Ornithologists: http://www.cfo-link.org/ Colorado County Birding: http://www.coloradocountybirding.com/ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To post to this group, send email to cobirds AT googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscribe AT googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.as/group/cobirds?hl=en Subject: Previous Murrelet dates for Colorado From: "Brandon K. Percival" <bkpercival AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 16 Nov 2009 11:48:34 -0800 (PST) Here are the records for the two species of murrelets from the Colorado Birds Records Committee Website:   Long-billed Murrelet -- two state records Aug 23, 1982 in Aspen, Pitkin County Nov 2, 1996 at Chatfield Reservoir, Jefferson County   Ancient Murrelet -- six state records Nov 28, 1957 south of Lafayette, Boulder County Oct 14, 1965 at Union Reservoir, Weld County Nov 4, 1995 at Louisville, Boulder County Dec 5, 1995 at Chatfield Reservoir, Jefferson/Douglas County Nov 8, 2004 at Bear Creek Lake Park, Jefferson County Nov 16, 2008 at Pueblo Reservoir, Pueblo County Brandon Percival Pueblo West, CO -- Colorado Field Ornithologists: http://www.cfo-link.org/ Colorado County Birding: http://www.coloradocountybirding.com/ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To post to this group, send email to cobirds AT googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscribe AT googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.as/group/cobirds?hl=en Subject: murrelet watch From: "Karl Stecher Jr." <kstecher AT idcomm.com> Date: Mon, 16 Nov 2009 12:30:18 -0700 Whereas the northwest front may be favorable for pushing murrelets our way, and I support looking out for them, I would note that murrelet sightings in Colorado are generally November 2 and 3. Karl Stecher Centennial -- Colorado Field Ornithologists: http://www.cfo-link.org/ Colorado County Birding: http://www.coloradocountybirding.com/ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To post to this group, send email to cobirds AT googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscribe AT googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.as/group/cobirds?hl=en Subject: Pueblo Reservoir Pacific Loon & White-winged Scoter 11/16 From: "Brandon K. Percival" <bkpercival AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 16 Nov 2009 11:28:45 -0800 (PST) Bill Maynard and I looked around Pueblo Reservoir today.  Highlights follow:   Pacific Loon - 1 Common Loon - 3 White-winged Scoter - 1 female/immature Northern Mockingbird - 1   There was no sign of the jaeger, and no murrelets were found (today was the date last year, that there was an Ancient Murrelet at Pueblo Reservoir). Brandon Percival Pueblo West, CO -- Colorado Field Ornithologists: http://www.cfo-link.org/ Colorado County Birding: http://www.coloradocountybirding.com/ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To post to this group, send email to cobirds AT googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscribe AT googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.as/group/cobirds?hl=en Subject: White-winged Scoters still present, Larimer From: Eric DeFonso <bay.wren AT gmail.com> Date: Mon, 16 Nov 2009 10:41:53 -0700 Good morning, The three White-winged Scoters reported by Cole Wild a few days ago are still present at North Poudre Reservoir #3 as of this morning. I located them on the south side of the reservoir, mostly all together but occasionally drifting apart as they floated around. At one point a large influx of Mallards flew in to their area, which seemed to have the effect of bringing them closer together. (There are currently thousands of Mallards on that lake right now, it's actually quite impressive.) There was no wind and the light was decent, but heat distortion off the water on this cold morning made careful study of the birds less than ideal at a distance. I don't recall seeing any earlier discussion of this, but as best as I could tell, I'd say at least 2 of the birds appeared to be adult or sub-adult males, as they had quite distinct white crescents under the eye. I also couldn't detect any bright orange coloration to the tip of the bill; it instead looked fairly dark, but it was hard to know for sure. (Perhaps this means they could be 2nd-yr birds?) The third bird had more female/juvenile characters, but all three showed the requisite white patch on the folded wing, large size (nearly equal to the Mallards and Gadwall floating around them) and a noticeably shallow concave facial profile. In any case, I can't recall having before seen a clearly male individual of any scoter species since I moved to Colorado, so this was nice to see today. -- Eric DeFonso Fort Collins, CO -- Colorado Field Ornithologists: http://www.cfo-link.org/ Colorado County Birding: http://www.coloradocountybirding.com/ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To post to this group, send email to cobirds AT googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscribe AT googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.as/group/cobirds?hl=en Subject: Ancient Murrelets! From: "JANINE LECHLEITNER" <tjlechleitner AT msn.com> Date: Mon, 16 Nov 2009 08:13:15 -0700 Westerly winds have already brought Ancient Murrelets to Southwest lower Michigan this November-specifically this past weekend. It was seen in the St. Joseph area of Lake Michigan and about 15-20' off shore. Really close for pics. Hopefully, one shows up here. Enjoy and good birding- Tom Lechleitner -- Colorado Field Ornithologists: http://www.cfo-link.org/ Colorado County Birding: http://www.coloradocountybirding.com/ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To post to this group, send email to cobirds AT googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscribe AT googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.as/group/cobirds?hl=en Subject: Murrelet Watch From: Walter M Szeliga <Walter.Szeliga AT Colorado.EDU> Date: Mon, 16 Nov 2009 07:35:43 -0700 Murrelet Watch in effect until 0Z Wednesday The National Weather Service has issued a Murrelet Watch for Montana, eastern Wyoming and the Front Range area of Colorado. A strong Pacific storm will be bringing westerly winds to the north Cascades and northern Rockies. These conditions have provided sightings of Ancient Murrelet and Long-billed Murrelets in along the east slope of the Rocky Mountains in past Novembers. While westerly wind conditions away from the Pacific Northwest coast currently do not favor a push of vagrants over the interior of the continent, the possibility of sightings is increased by the severity of the storm in the Cascades proper. A Murrelet Watch means conditions are favorable for far inland sightings of Murrelets. People in the watch area should prepare for the possibility of Ancient and Long-billed Murrelets. Residents near reservoirs or large bodies of water should be alert for later statements or warnings and take action to provide access to telescopes and bird identification literature for those who do not have them. Walter Szeliga Boulder, CO -- Colorado Field Ornithologists: http://www.cfo-link.org/ Colorado County Birding: http://www.coloradocountybirding.com/ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To post to this group, send email to cobirds AT googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscribe AT googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.as/group/cobirds?hl=en Subject: Bonaparte's Gulls, Nov. 15th From: Ted Floyd <tedfloyd57 AT hotmail.com> Date: Mon, 16 Nov 2009 06:21:15 -0800 Hello, Birders. Hannah and I swung by McIntosh Lake, Boulder County, yesterday afternoon, Sunday, Oct. 15th, where we saw at least 83 Bonaparte's Gulls. Now, I hate gulls as much as any other normal person, but the sight of those beautiful gulls was really something. Hannah called them "ice swallows." Curious about whether 83 Bonaparte's Gulls was an unusually high count, I checked eBird as soon as I got back to a computer. With the literal click of a mouse, I was able to determine that our 83 Bonaparte's Gulls at McIntosh were a new record for the site (deposing Bob Zilly's previous record, set less than a year ago), for the county (sorry, Chris Wood), and, in fact, for the entire state (Tony Leukering's old record of 78 has fallen). Needless to say, the eBird database doesn't include every single bird record from Colorado. (Although it's getting there...) So I checked "Bob & Bob" (Andrews and Righter's -Colorado Birds-, 1992), which gives an all-time high of 200 (!) on Oct. 6th, 1974, at Holbrook Reservoir, Otero County. Which brings me around to my real point in writing. At Saturday's quarterly meeting of the board of directors of Colorado Field Ornithologists (the folks who bring you COBirds, among other things), the persons in attendance learned that progress is being made toward the production of an "Online Bob & Bob." The devil is in the details, of course, and a lot remains to be worked out. But when this happens, it will be a groundbreaking, state-of-the-art resource. Check this out: It has now been as many years since the publication of the original Bob & Bob as the number of years between the publication of Bailey and Niedrach's -Birds of Colorado- and the original Bob & Bob. We're long overdue for a definitive state work, and it's headed our way. Can't wait! ------------------------------- Ted Floyd Editor, Birding ------------------------------- Check out Birding magazine on Twitter: http://twitter.com/BirdingMagazine Please visit the website of the American Birding Association: http://www.aba.org _________________________________________________________________ Windows 7: I wanted simpler, now it's simpler. I'm a rock star. http://www.microsoft.com/Windows/windows-7/default.aspx?h=myidea?ocid=PID24727::T:WLMTAGL:ON:WL:en-US:WWL_WIN_myidea:112009 -- Colorado Field Ornithologists: http://www.cfo-link.org/ Colorado County Birding: http://www.coloradocountybirding.com/ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To post to this group, send email to cobirds AT googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscribe AT googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.as/group/cobirds?hl=en Subject: Lake Co. Waterfowl & Rosies From: Tim Kalbach <pbdipper AT gmail.com> Date: Mon, 16 Nov 2009 05:15:58 -0700 Sunday 11-15-09, *Mt Elbert Forebay*: 1 female Hooded Merganser, 2 male Com. Mergansers, 1 male Barrow's Goldeneye, 15+ Com Goldeneyes; 20+ Ring-necked Ducks; 2 female Lesser Scaup; 5 Mallards; 2 Eared Grebes; no gulls or loons. Clark's Nutcracker, Steller's Jay, Black-capped Chickadee, Hairy Woodpecker *Twin Lakes*: 1 female Greater Scaup; 20+ Lesser Scaup; 2 male N. Pintail, 25+ Am. Wigeon, 5 Gadwall; 10+ Mallards; 20+ Com. Goldeneyes 5 Bufflehead; 11 Eared Grebes; 1 Western Grebe; no gulls or loons. *Leadville/feeders* Friday-Sunday: 40+ Brown-capped, 30+ Gray-crowned, 5 Hepburn's, 1 Black Rosy-Finches; 3 Am. Goldfinches -- Colorado Field Ornithologists: http://www.cfo-link.org/ Colorado County Birding: http://www.coloradocountybirding.com/ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To post to this group, send email to cobirds AT googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscribe AT googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.as/group/cobirds?hl=en Subject: Rare Bird Alert for Colorado November 16, 2009 From: JOYCE TAKAMINE <jabiru55 AT msn.com> Date: Mon, 16 Nov 2009 04:44:08 -0700 Compiler: Joyce Takamine Date: November 16, 2009 e-mail: rba AT cfo-link.org phone: 303-659-8750 This is the Colorado Rare Bird Alert for Monday, November 16, 2009 at 5 am sponsored by Denver Field Ornithologists and the Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory. Highlight species include (*Denotes that there is new information for this species in this report. Surf Scoter (Boulder, Larimer) White-winged Scoter (Larimer) Black Scoter (Larimer) Barrow's Goldeneye (*Garfield, *Routt) Chukar (*Delta) RED-THROATED LOON (*Douglas/Jefferson, Pueblo) Pacific Loon (*Pueblo) Green Heron (El Paso) PARASITIC JAEGER (Douglas/Jefferson, *Pueblo) Thayer's Gull (Larimer, Pueblo, *Routt, Weld) WESTERN GULL (*Larimer) BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKE (*Boulder) INCA DOVE (Bent) BLUE-HEADED VIREO (Bent) Winter Wren (Boulder) Swamp Sparrow (Boulder) White-throated Sparrow (Bent, Jefferson, *Larimer) Harris's Sparrow (Bent, Jefferson, *Larimer) Northern Cardinal (Bent) To skip this recording to leave a message, press the star key at any time. Please leave your name, phone number, detailed directions including the county and dates for all sightings. It would be helpful if you would spell your last name. Bent County: --At Las Animas Junction, Duane Nelson reported a female Northern Cardinal, White-throated Sparrow, and a late BLUE-HEADED VIREO on November 11. The area is on the east side of the Purgatoire River railroad crossing, 2 miles east of Las Animas. --Nelson reported that he has had INCA DOVE and Harris's Sparrow at his feeders. The INCA DOVE was last seen on November 10 and the Harris's Sparrow on November 11. Please contact Duane at dnelson1 AT centurytel.net if you want to try to see the birds. Boulder County: --2 female Surf Scoters were reported by Nunes at Baseline Reservoir on November 1. On November 8, Waltman reported that a male Surf Scoter had joined the 2 female scoters at Baseline Reservoir. On November 10, Szeliga reported the 2 female Surf scoters at Baseline. --A Winter Wren was reported by Szeliga at Gregory Canyon on the Saddle Rock Trail on November 10. --A Swamp Sparrow was reported by Szeliga at Walden Ponds on November 10. --An imm BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKE was reported by Halsey, a visitor from Arizona at Lagerman Reservoir on November 15. Delta County: --4 Chukar were reported by Garrison at Pleasure Park in Hotchkiss on November 15. Douglas/Jefferson Counties: --A PARASITIC JAEGER was reported by Kellner at Chatfield State Park on November 5. The jaeger was seen again on November 13 by Modesitt. --A 1st winter RED-THROATED LOON was reported by Drummond at Chatfield on November 14. The loon was seen again on November 15 by Kellner. Garfield County: --5 Barrow's Goldeneyes were reported by McConnell at Rifle Gap Reservoir on November 15. Jefferson County: --Keithler reported that the Tuesday Birders saw a White-throated Sparrow on the Waterton Canyon Trail on November 10. --An imm Harris's Sparrow was reported by Tina Jones in her yard on November 12. Contact her at tjcalliope AT hotmail.com or 303-794-2647 to find out the latest information. Larimer County: --3 Surf Scoters were reported by Lefko at North Poudre Reservoir #3 on November 11. --3 White-winged Scoters were reported by Wild at North Poudre Reservoir #3 on November 13. --A 1st-cycle Thayer's Gull was reported by Wild at Timnath Reservoir on November 13. --1 imm Black Scoter was reported by Wild at Fossil Creek Reservoir on November 13. --A Harris's Sparrow was reported by Sparks at Riverbend Ponds NA in Fort Collins about 50 feet from the west entrance on November 15. --A juv White-throated Sparrow was reported by Sullivan at her feeder in Bellvue. If you want to try to see the bird contact her at flam_owl AT copper.net. --A possible WESTERN GULL and 2 Thayer's Gulls were reported by Komar at Warren Lake in Fort Collins on November 15. Pueblo County: --A RED-THROATED LOON was reported by Percival at Pueblo Reservoir by the Sailboard Launching Area on November 9. The RED-THOATED LOON was seen again on November 14 by the Arkansas Valley Audubon field trip. --A PARASITIC JAEGER and juv Thayer's Gull was seen by the Arkansas Valley Audubon field trip led by Percival at Pueblo Reservoir on November 14. The jaeger was seen again on November 15 by Percival. --A Pacific Loon was reported by Percival at Pueblo Reservoir on November 15. Routt County: --Litteral found a pale juv Thayer's Gull at Stagecoach Reservoir on November 5. The gull was seen again on November 14 by Dodson. --Dodson reported Barrow's Goldeneyes at Stagecoach Reservoir on November 14. Weld County: --A 1st-cycle Thayer's Gull and and 2nd-cycle Lesser Black-backed Gull were reported by Wild at Black Hollow Reservoir on November 13. The DFO Field Trip for Saturday, November 21 will be a Walk along the Platte led by Sue Shulman (303-773-3540). Meet the leader at the Park-n-Ride parking lot near the Carson Nature Center. Take Santa Fe to Mineral and turn west into Parking lot for the RTD Park-n-Ride. DO NOT PARK AT THE NATURE CENTER. Trip may go to other ponds to look for more birds so bring lunch and drinking water. Please contact leader to verify exact meeting place. The DFO Field Trip for Sunday, November 22 will be to the Longmont Area led by Chris Owens (303-772-6048). Meet the leader at Jim Hamm Nature Center. Bring lunch and water as trip will end around 1 or 2 pm depending on weather and birds. State Parks Pass may be needed. Joyce Takamine Boulder -- Colorado Field Ornithologists: http://www.cfo-link.org/ Colorado County Birding: http://www.coloradocountybirding.com/ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To post to this group, send email to cobirds AT googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscribe AT googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.as/group/cobirds?hl=en Subject: Post for Tim Smart From: Tina Jones <tjcalliope AT hotmail.com> Date: Sun, 15 Nov 2009 22:30:44 -0700 Tim Smart found a pair of Blue-winged Teal at Plaster Reservoir today[Broomfield county]. This date is quite late for these birds. Tina Jones, Littleton, Jefferson county -- Colorado Field Ornithologists: http://www.cfo-link.org/ Colorado County Birding: http://www.coloradocountybirding.com/ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To post to this group, send email to cobirds AT googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscribe AT googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.as/group/cobirds?hl=en Subject: Greater Scaup, Denver co. From: Tina Jones <tjcalliope AT hotmail.com> Date: Sun, 15 Nov 2009 22:20:53 -0700 I birded Fort Logan Cemetary for a short time today. In the far east pond was 1, female Greater Scaup, in with some Lesser Scaup. It seems as if this time of year one or two Greater Scaup appear in the Cemetary ponds[Denver County]. It's a great opportunity to compare Greater with Lesser. Happy Birding, Tina Jones Littleton, Jefferson county, CO -- Colorado Field Ornithologists: http://www.cfo-link.org/ Colorado County Birding: http://www.coloradocountybirding.com/ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To post to this group, send email to cobirds AT googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscribe AT googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.as/group/cobirds?hl=en Subject: Possible Western Gull (Larimer County) (long!) From: "Nick Komar" <quetzal65 AT comcast.net> Date: Sun, 15 Nov 2009 19:35:06 -0700 Late this afternoon, hundreds of minnow-gorging gulls put on a spectacle along the west shore of Warren Lake, Fort Collins (Larimer County). Among the equinumerous Ring-billed and California Gulls were dozens of Herring Gulls, 3 Bonaparte's Gulls, and a handful of unusual individuals. Two were juvenal Thayer's Gulls. Two were probable 1st cycle Nelson's Gulls (Herring x Glaucous, identified by pale bodies, Glaucous-like black-ink-tipped bills, black wingtips and tails) and one I considered to be a possible 1st cycleYellow-footed Gull (species from North-West Mexico that winters in small numbers at the Salton Sea). I will look it up in my reference books to confirm, but first I will post the description here (for conclion, skip to next paragraph): Gull observed floating and flying at 100-200 m through 7x binoculars and 20-60x Kowa telescope, for 10 minutes between 4:10 and 4:30 pm in great light as sun set behind me. When floating, similar in size and shape to a large, block-headed male Herring Gull (HERG); plumage matched juv Herring Gull with overall brown coloration (but lighter on head and neck). In flight also paler rump and whitish lower belly/vent. Crisp white edges to scapulars and wing coverts as in juv HERG. All black tail seen in flight. When floating, all black primaries and pale-tipped blackish tertials, darker than HERG. I did not view the color of the inner primaries relative to the outer primaries, which would be visible on the extended upperwing. Most notable feature of this bird was its bill, much larger and longer than that observed on nearby HERG, and pale-based (pinkish-horn color) with blackish tip beginning at the gonys, which was very angular. In my estimation this was the largest bill I have seen on a gull except for perhaps Kelp Gull, which would have a slightly deeper bill and thus not appearing quite as long as this bill. Unfortunately I did not have my camera, and the bird flew off by itself just before sun-down, headed southeast. All the other gulls eventually flew to the center of the lake between 4:45 and 4:55 to roost with the various ducks and grebes. Now to the reference books.... Sibley: Wow, definitely not a Yellow-footed Gull, nor Kelp, both of which are dark-billed and paler-rumped than this bird. However, a close match for first-basic Western Gull which can show a pinkish base to the bill after October. The bill did seem to droop as described by Sibley although I did not articulate that in my written description. Olsen and Larsson: Same assessment, but bird still in juvenal plumage (no obvious sooty gray feathers yet; pale base of bill should develop beginning in December; northern population uniformly dark on belly whereas southern population paler on lower belly as described for this bird.) Howell and Dunn: Similar assessment, close match to photographs of juvenal Western Gull (southern "wymani" population); also similar to juv. Yellow-footed Gull but these molt prior to November. Text describes increasing occurrence of "wymani" in inland locations, such as Salton Sea. Stress structural difference of Western Gull relative to Herring Gull (e.g. thicker wings) which was not noted. They also discuss extensive hybridization of Western Gull (especially northern population) with Glaucous-winged Gull. Conclusion: I believe this gull is probably a Western Gull, but it needs to be photographed to assess structure and wing morphology more carefully. From what I noticed on the bird, hybrid status is not indicated, but can never be ruled out entirely. If it tuns out to be a hybrid, I would guess Herring crossed with either Western, Yellow-footed or Kelp. Birders should watch for a large brown first-cycle gull resembling Herring Gull with an enormous bill and document its appearance as much as possible as it may represent Colorado's first record of Western Gull. Hopefully it will stick around to permit more careful assessment. I would search for it and report back but I am migrating to the east coast in the morning, back in a week. Nick Komar Fort Collins CO -- Colorado Field Ornithologists: http://www.cfo-link.org/ Colorado County Birding: http://www.coloradocountybirding.com/ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To post to this group, send email to cobirds AT googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscribe AT googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.as/group/cobirds?hl=en Subject: White-throated Sparrow/Larimer county From: "Carol Sullivan" <flam_owl AT copper.net> Date: Sun, 15 Nov 2009 18:13:11 -0700 Just before dark while washing dishes, I glanced out the window at the feeders and saw a White-throated Sparrow skulking about with some junkos. I think it a first winter bird. Anyone interested in this bird, please contact me privately by replying to this post. Carol Sullivan 8000' in the lodgepole forest West Stove Prairie Bellvue/Larimer county -- Colorado Field Ornithologists: http://www.cfo-link.org/ Colorado County Birding: http://www.coloradocountybirding.com/ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To post to this group, send email to cobirds AT googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscribe AT googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.as/group/cobirds?hl=en Subject: Red-throated Loon still at Chatfield... From: "Joey Kellner" <vireo1 AT comcast.net> Date: Sun, 15 Nov 2009 17:22:26 -0700 The immature Red-throated Loon was still present along with 11 Common Loons seen by Steve Stachowiak and myself around 4pm this afternoon. Joey Kellner Littleton, CO -- Colorado Field Ornithologists: http://www.cfo-link.org/ Colorado County Birding: http://www.coloradocountybirding.com/ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To post to this group, send email to cobirds AT googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscribe AT googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.as/group/cobirds?hl=en Subject: Cheery Creek From: Robert Righter <rorighter AT earthlink.net> Date: Sun, 15 Nov 2009 16:23:40 -0700 Hi: I visited CC Res Sunday afternoon for an hour and there were lots of water birds, most what one would expect, the highlights included: Red-breasted Merganser, 4 females, West side Hooded Mergansr, mostly males West side Common Loon east side Herring Gulls west side Bonaparte Gulls east side Bob Righter Denver CO -- Colorado Field Ornithologists: http://www.cfo-link.org/ Colorado County Birding: http://www.coloradocountybirding.com/ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To post to this group, send email to cobirds AT googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscribe AT googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.as/group/cobirds?hl=en Subject: Harris's Sparrow/Larimer From: Rob Sparks <robsparks AT hotmail.com> Date: Sun, 15 Nov 2009 14:17:16 -0800 (PST) At Riverbend Ponds Natural Area in Fort Collins I saw a Harris's Sparrow about 50 feet west of the entrence in some shrubs on the east side of the trail. Also of note was a Northern Shrike perched on a russian olive looking into a waterway foraging for crawfish? Rob Sparks Old Town Fort Collins -- Colorado Field Ornithologists: http://www.cfo-link.org/ Colorado County Birding: http://www.coloradocountybirding.com/ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To post to this group, send email to cobirds AT googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscribe AT googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.as/group/cobirds?hl=en Subject: White-throated Sparrow - Jeffco From: "Ira Sanders" <greatauk AT msn.com> Date: Sun, 15 Nov 2009 14:20:07 -0700 Birders, This A.M. we had a WT Sparrow and a Tree Sparrow at our feeder. The WTSP was not photogenic though Tammy tried and he has not returned. Yard bird #118. Ira Sanders Golden, CO -- Colorado Field Ornithologists: http://www.cfo-link.org/ Colorado County Birding: http://www.coloradocountybirding.com/ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To post to this group, send email to cobirds AT googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscribe AT googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.as/group/cobirds?hl=en Subject: Grandview Cemetery, Fort Collins (Larimer) on 15Nov09 From: "Dave Leatherman" <daleatherman AT msn.com> Date: Sun, 15 Nov 2009 11:50:06 -0700 As the overnight snow was falling from the trees this morning at Grandview Cemetery, Fort Collins: American Robin (flocks high up, flying south (mostly), total of 150 birds) Townsend's Solitaire (1) perhaps a bird that will overwinter at the cemetery, not present in previous visits this fall Canada Goose (small flocks, mostly going south, total of about 165 individuals) Cackling Goose (with the bigger geese, estimate 8) Pine Siskin (one small group heard) low numbers this fall so far Black-billed Magpie (1) seen chasing junco, missed it (I think), later eating morsel in a big spruce that looked like cached but unfrozen meat (bird or mouse?)) RED CROSSBILL (3m, 1f) well-studied for wingbars, in CO blue spruce, first I've seen at the cemetery in several months Golden-crowned Kinglet (1f) in mixed flock of chickadees, creepers and red-breasted nuthatches, if it winters will be the first in couple years (a species that was regular at the cemetery in small numbers for several years prior to the 07-08 absence) Total of 20 species (which is good for the cemetery on the date) Dave Leatherman Fort Collins -- Colorado Field Ornithologists: http://www.cfo-link.org/ Colorado County Birding: http://www.coloradocountybirding.com/ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To post to this group, send email to cobirds AT googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscribe AT googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.as/group/cobirds?hl=en Subject: Pueblo Reservoir 11/15 From: "Brandon K. Percival" <bkpercival AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 15 Nov 2009 10:22:00 -0800 (PST) I saw the Parasitic Jaeger floating near the dam, and then flying around for about five minutes this morning from Sailboard launching area at Pueblo Reservoir.  It seemed to have disappeared after that, and might have left.  Later, I saw a Pacific Loon with some Common Loons in the middle part of the reservoir off North Picnic Road. Brandon Percival Pueblo West, CO -- Colorado Field Ornithologists: http://www.cfo-link.org/ Colorado County Birding: http://www.coloradocountybirding.com/ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To post to this group, send email to cobirds AT googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscribe AT googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.as/group/cobirds?hl=en Subject: Re: "Nunn Guy" and Cheyenne Auddubon Trip (typo) From: "The \"Nunn Guy\"" <lefkogt AT coloradobirder.info> Date: Sat, 14 Nov 2009 17:40:13 -0800 (PST) Little Blue Heron an obvious typo ... -----------------------------------------Previous message About 20 of us met up at Rawhide Energy Plant and headed south to Timnath covering points between. Highlights: White-winged Scoter - 3 (Poudre Reservoir #3 Bonaparte's Gull - 8+ (2-Smith Lake SWA; 6-Timnath Reservoir) Bald Eagle - 5 Merlin (Timnath Reservoir) Hooded Merganser - 3 (Smith Lake SWA) Canvasback - 7+ (Duck Lake) Complete List (50 species): Canada Goose Gadwall American Wigeon Mallard Northern Shoveler Northern Pintail Green-winged Teal Canvasback Redhead Ring-necked Duck Lesser Scaup White-winged Scoter Bufflehead Common Goldeneye Hooded Merganser Common Merganser Ruddy Duck Pied-billed Grebe Horned Grebe Western Grebe Great Blue Heron Bald Eagle Northern Harrier Red-tailed Hawk Rough-legged Hawk Golden Eagle American Kestrel Merlin American Coot Wilson's Snipe Bonaparte's Gull Ring-billed Gull California Gull Herring Gull Rock Pigeon Eurasian Collared-Dove Belted Kingfisher Northern Flicker Blue Jay Common Raven Horned Lark American Robin European Starling White-crowned Sparrow Red-winged Blackbird Western Meadowlark House Finch American Goldfinch House Sparrow Thanks Gary Lefko/Nunn http://coloradobirder.ning.com --Home of the "Nunn Guy" -- Colorado Field Ornithologists: http://www.cfo-link.org/ Colorado County Birding: http://www.coloradocountybirding.com/ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To post to this group, send email to cobirds AT googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscribe AT googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.as/group/cobirds?hl=en Subject: Rare Bird Alert for Colorado November 15, 2009 From: JOYCE TAKAMINE <jabiru55 AT msn.com> Date: Sun, 15 Nov 2009 04:52:51 -0700 Compiler: Joyce Takamine Date: November 15, 2009 e-mail: rba AT cfo-link.org phone: 303-659-8750 This is the Colorado Rare Bird Alert for Sunday, November 15, 2009 at 5 am sponsored by Denver Field Ornithologists and the Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory. Highlight species include (*Denotes that there is new information for this species in this report. Surf Scoter (Boulder, Larimer) White-winged Scoter (Larimer) Black Scoter (Larimer) RED-THROATED LOON (*Douglas/Jefferson, *Pueblo) PARASITIC JAEGER (Douglas/Jefferson, *Pueblo) Thayer's Gull (Larimer, *Pueblo, Weld) INCA DOVE (Bent) BLUE-HEADED VIREO (Bent) Winter Wren (Boulder) Swamp Sparrow (Boulder) White-throated Sparrow (Bent, Jefferson) Harris's Sparrow (Bent, Broomfield, Jefferson) Northern Cardinal (Bent) To skip this recording to leave a message, press the star key at any time. Please leave your name, phone number, detailed directions including the county and dates for all sightings. It would be helpful if you would spell your last name. Bent County: --At Las Animas Junction, Duane Nelson reported a female Northern Cardinal, White-throated Sparrow, and a late BLUE-HEADED VIREO on November 11. The area is on the east side of the Purgatoire River railroad crossing, 2 miles east of Las Animas. --Nelson reported that he has had INCA DOVE and Harris's Sparrow at his feeders. The INCA DOVE was last seen on November 10 and the Harris's Sparrow on November 11. Please contact Duane at dnelson1 AT centurytel.net if you want to try to see the birds. Boulder County: --2 female Surf Scoters were reported by Nunes at Baseline Reservoir on November 1. On November 8, Waltman reported that a male Surf Scoter had joined the 2 female scoters at Baseline Reservoir. On November 10, Szeliga reported the 2 female Surf scoters at Baseline. --A Winter Wren was reported by Szeliga at Gregory Canyon on the Saddle Rock Trail on November 10. --A Swamp Sparrow was reported by Szeliga at Walden Ponds on November 10. Broomfield County: --A Harris's Sparrow was reported by Zorawowicz at Plaster Reservoir in Broomfield on November 9. Douglas/Jefferson Counties: --A PARASITIC JAEGER was reported by Kellner at Chatfield State Park on November 5. The jaeger was seen again on November 13 by Modesitt. --A 1st winter RED-THROATED LOON was reported by Drummond at Chatfield on November 14. Jefferson County: --Keithler reported that the Tuesday Birders saw a White-throated Sparrow on the Waterton Canyon Trail on November 10. --An imm Harris's Sparrow was reported by Tina Jones in her yard on November 12. Contact her at tjcalliope AT hotmail.com or 303-794-2647 to find out the latest information. Larimer County: --3 Surf Scoters were reported by Lefko at North Poudre Reservoir #3 on November 11. --3 White-winged Scoters were reported by Wild at North Poudre Reservoir #3 on November 13. --A 1st-cycle Thayer's Gull was reported by Wild at Timnath Reservoir on November 13. --1 imm Black Scoter was reported by Wild at Fossil Creek Reservoir on November 13. Pueblo County: --A RED-THROATED LOON was reported by Percival at Pueblo Reservoir by the Sailboard Launching Area on November 9. The RED-THOATED LOON was seen again on November 14 by the Arkansas Valley Audubon field trip. --A PARASITIC JAEGER and juv Thayer's Gull were seen by the Arkansas Valley Audubon field trip led by Percival at Pueblo Reservoir on November 14. Weld County: --A 1st-cycle Thayer's Gull and and 2nd-cycle Lesser Black-backed Gull were reported by Wild at Black Hollow Reservoir on November 13. The DFO field trip for Sunday, November 15 will be to Roxborough State Park led by Doris Cruze (303-773-3540). Meet the leader at the Visitor Center at 0800. Trip will finish by noon. State parks pass required. Take S. Wadsworth Blvd past Chatfield SP to Waterton Rd on the left. Take Waterton Rd 1.6 miles east to North Rampart Range Rd. Turn right and go south 2.3 miles to Roxborough Park Rd. Turn left and follow signs to Park (2.2) miles. Joyce Takamine Boulder -- Colorado Field Ornithologists: http://www.cfo-link.org/ Colorado County Birding: http://www.coloradocountybirding.com/ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To post to this group, send email to cobirds AT googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscribe AT googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.as/group/cobirds?hl=en Subject: Odd gull in Fort Collins From: "Nick Komar" <quetzal65 AT comcast.net> Date: Sun, 15 Nov 2009 04:12:07 -0700 I have posted photos of an unidentified gull present yesterday at Warren Lake in Fort Collins, at http://www.pbase.com/quetzal/mysterygullm. I presume it is a hybrid, as it seems to have features of several species including Glaucous, Great Black-backed, Herring, and Slaty-backed. Or maybe it isn't a hybrid!? Let me know what you think it might be. Nick Komar Fort Collins CO -- Colorado Field Ornithologists: http://www.cfo-link.org/ Colorado County Birding: http://www.coloradocountybirding.com/ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To post to this group, send email to cobirds AT googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscribe AT googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.as/group/cobirds?hl=en Subject: Canon City area update From: SeEtta Moss <seettam AT gmail.com> Date: Sun, 15 Nov 2009 00:21:21 -0700 I am really behind on posting and uploading photos to my blog. Earlier this week a Black Phoebe visited as my friend's place just east of Canon City, the location where many Black Phoebes have visited, foraged and bred. Though the photos I got of the bird were not the best due to the lack of light in the fading afternoon sun, I did get one that showed the tail feathers nicely as I caught it in mid-flight with it's tail spread wide. Better yet were the photos I got of a female Bushtit as she foraged in rabbitbrush with other members of the flock off the Canon City Riverwalk (I am really very happy with these as I took them handheld, as I often do). I posted these and other recent photos on my blog at http://BirdsAndNature.blogspot.com A flock of 9 adult and 2 juvenal plumaged Greater White-fronted Geese continue in the Canon City area. They are found not only at the city water pond off of Tunnel Drive on the far west side of Canon City but also on the far east side of town in the ag fields off of MacKenzie Ave (this may say a lot about the size of Canon City, which is still small enough for a flock of geese to forage from one end to the other). The largish flock of Cedar Waxwings devoured most of the juniper berries from the more than 100 juniper trees in Veteran's Park. Dave Leatherman identified the seed looking object I photographed a Cedar Waxwing eating as a hackberry "stone" or seed from it's fruit (which he said are referred to technically as "drupes"). Several Cedar Waxwings were in my neighbors tree last week but there are a lot of trees and shrubs laden with berries/fruit so they have a lot of choices around the area right now. It is a little after midnight and it is still in the mid-30's in Canon City and raining lightly as it has done most of today. Though the television shows heavy snow in many Colorado areas (and I experienced it in the forest near Wetmore this afternoon), the lower elevations of SE Colo including Canon City and Pueblo are still too warm. SeEtta Moss Canon City http://BirdsAndNature.blogspot.com -- Colorado Field Ornithologists: http://www.cfo-link.org/ Colorado County Birding: http://www.coloradocountybirding.com/ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To post to this group, send email to cobirds AT googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscribe AT googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.as/group/cobirds?hl=en Subject: Tree Swallow, Broomfield CO. From: Tina Jones <tjcalliope AT hotmail.com> Date: Sat, 14 Nov 2009 23:28:10 -0700 I am posting for Tim Smart. Today Tim found 1, Marsh Wren and 1, TREE SWALLOW at Plaster pond/reservoir, in Broomfield county. There are also many puddle ducks and diving ducks at the pond. Good Birding Tina Jones littleton, jefferson county,CO -- Colorado Field Ornithologists: http://www.cfo-link.org/ Colorado County Birding: http://www.coloradocountybirding.com/ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To post to this group, send email to cobirds AT googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscribe AT googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.as/group/cobirds?hl=en Subject: PARASITIC JAEGER -- Pueblo Reservoir 11/14 From: "Brandon K. Percival" <bkpercival AT yahoo.com> Date: Sat, 14 Nov 2009 14:57:28 -0800 (PST) Today's Arkansas Valley Audubon field trip to Pueblo Reservoir found a PARASITIC JAEGER.  The bird looks like the Chatfield Reservoir bird (thanks Joey and Glenn and all for sending it down here!!).  The bird seemed to like the eastern part of the reservoir, first from Sailboard launching area, and then over by the South Shore Marina area, and then in the middle of the reservoir, east of the North Shore Marina.  We also saw the continuing RED-THROATED LOON off the south east side of Pueblo Reservoir.  There was a juvenile THAYER'S GULL at the South Shore Marina tires, which the jaeger chased around at one point.  Another interesting bird that was seen by some of the group, was a SWALLOW, that seemed to be brown backed, or perhaps buffy rumped.  It wasn't a Tree, Violet-green, or Barn Swallow, which would all be more likely.  The bird flew by while we were at West Fisherman's Point, and flew east.  Toward the middle part of the day, the SNOW, BLUE and ROSS'S GEESE started to appear in flocks around Pueblo Reservoir.  There was an adult BALD EAGLE seen by the entire group, and I saw an OSPREY along the river early this morning.  There was about six COMMON LOONS and about 10 BONAPARTE'S GULLS around the lake as well.  All and all, it was a good day at Pueblo Reservoir, though it was cold, a little steamy at times, and a little breezy. Brandon Percival Pueblo West, CO   -- Colorado Field Ornithologists: http://www.cfo-link.org/ Colorado County Birding: http://www.coloradocountybirding.com/ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To post to this group, send email to cobirds AT googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscribe AT googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.as/group/cobirds?hl=en Subject: Red-throated Loon , Chatfield SP From: Jxdrummo AT aol.com Date: Sat, 14 Nov 2009 16:57:49 EST Cobirders : While searching in vain for the Jaeger this morning at Chatfield , I did find a first winter Red-throated Loon in the eastern part of the reservoir , visible from the sand spit. Other birds of note Common Loon , American Pipit , Common Goldeneye , Lesser Scaup . As I left around 12:30 , hundreds of Snow Geese began arriving ,probably in advance of the cold front. I did pick out a few Ross's amongst the Snows . John Drummond Monument -- Colorado Field Ornithologists: http://www.cfo-link.org/ Colorado County Birding: http://www.coloradocountybirding.com/ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To post to this group, send email to cobirds AT googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscribe AT googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.as/group/cobirds?hl=en Subject: No Winter Wren - Gregory Canyon Boulder, Colorado From: "Steve Stachowiak" <waxwing2 AT q.com> Date: Sat, 14 Nov 2009 14:39:20 -0700 Cobirders, I made a stop in Gregory Canyon around noon today while I was in Boulder. There was no sign or "double chup" sound of the wee beastie, but there is quite a bit of suitable looking habitat in the area. Good Birding, Steve Stachowiak Highlands Ranch, CO -- Colorado Field Ornithologists: http://www.cfo-link.org/ Colorado County Birding: http://www.coloradocountybirding.com/ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To post to this group, send email to cobirds AT googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscribe AT googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.as/group/cobirds?hl=en Subject: Rookie Birder in Lakewood From: Snowmdn55 AT aol.com Date: Sat, 14 Nov 2009 10:10:25 EST I am an long passive bird observer interested in taking a more proactive approach. Can I get some ideas for viewing sites around Lakewood area within 20 minutes, and what I can expect to see? I'm more interested in seeing and photographing than hearing, I am a bird carver too, so always looking for reference material. Thanks Mike McAteer Lakewood -- Colorado Field Ornithologists: http://www.cfo-link.org/ Colorado County Birding: http://www.coloradocountybirding.com/ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To post to this group, send email to cobirds AT googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscribe AT googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.as/group/cobirds?hl=en Subject: Odd Peep From: VAN A KRISTYN J TRUAN <vtruan4744 AT msn.com> Date: Fri, 13 Nov 2009 22:56:06 -0700 Howdy all, I was going through some old digiscoping shots and found an odd peep. The shot was on 22 Aug. 2003 at Smith Res., Costilla Co. It maybe a Baird's but I have never seen one with a look like this. Any ideas. The peep with it I think is a Western or Semipalmated for size. http://www.flickr.com/photos/truan/sets/72157622799168140/ Van Truan Pueblo -- Colorado Field Ornithologists: http://www.cfo-link.org/ Colorado County Birding: http://www.coloradocountybirding.com/ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To post to this group, send email to cobirds AT googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscribe AT googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.as/group/cobirds?hl=en Subject: Castlewood Canyon, Douglas Co. From: Connie Kogler <zblueheron AT gmail.com> Date: Sat, 14 Nov 2009 06:40:03 -0700 My sis Lauren and I spent the better part of yesterday exploring Castlewood Canyon in wonderful weather. While we didn't find any "birds of note" the place was filled with them. The Canyon rim hosted a slew of Townsend's Solitaires singing nearly non-stop. Spotted Towhees mewing from every bush. We came upon a flock of 30 or so Pine Siskins up there feasting on fir cones and doing spiral wing- dances above the rim. I expected Ponderosa Pines, but was surprised at all the Fir trees there. Many Juncos on the rim also, Oregon, Gray-headed and Pink-sided. The views were spectacular and we avoided the weather to the north. The canyon bottom was busy as well. We found one Canyon Wren near the dam and heard one 'seet' note from, we think, a White-crowned Sparrow, our only sparrow of the day. The canyon was full of Steller's Jays, Juncos, the above 3 and Slate-colored, both Mountain and Black-capped Chickadees, several Brown Creepers, scads of Red- breasted Nuthatches with much to talk about. A few Pygmy Nuthatches and about a basketful of White-breasted. We also had a few unusually quiet Scrub-Jays and a couple of handfuls of Downy Woodpeckers. Spotted Towhees filled the brushy areas down here too. Just as we were about to reach our car, in the scrub oak near the Westside trailhead, we were surrounded by a flood of birds. Seriously, we stood with our jaws hanging open, (not a pretty sight and we quickly got ourselves under control lest a chickadee cache seeds under our tongues.) All the same species as listed, both chickadees, all 3 nuthatches, downys, juncos, 1 robin, creepers and towhees, feedingfeedingfeeding and talking with their mouths full and stashing seeds and chasing one another and peeking at us from behind tree trunks. It was an amazing and glorious sight and we felt privileged to be a part of it. Connie Kogler Twitter AT lefthanddbirder Loveland, CO. BirdsOTheMorning.com -- Colorado Field Ornithologists: http://www.cfo-link.org/ Colorado County Birding: http://www.coloradocountybirding.com/ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To post to this group, send email to cobirds AT googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscribe AT googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.as/group/cobirds?hl=en Subject: Cherry Creek Reservoir, Arapahoe County, Nov. 13th From: Ted Floyd <tedfloyd57 AT hotmail.com> Date: Sat, 14 Nov 2009 04:37:56 -0800 Hello, Birders. I swung by Cherry Creek Reservoir, Arapahoe County, yesterday afternoon, Friday, Nov. 13th, during a drive through the Denver metro area. It was stormy, and there were many birds on the lake. Didn't have a lot of time, but I did see at least 7 Common Loons, including 1 pale juvenile masquerading as a Yellow-billed (but it was certainly a Common). Also at least 13 Bonaparte's Gulls. Of interest was a brief, fast, strong passage of Cackling Geese low over the lake--at least 800 birds, all flying south. Nothing else of note from my quick visit there, but careful study this weekend of the many gulls and grebes might well produce a goodie or ten. ------------------------------- Ted Floyd Editor, Birding ------------------------------- Check out Birding magazine on Twitter: http://twitter.com/BirdingMagazine Please visit the website of the American Birding Association: http://www.aba.org _________________________________________________________________ Hotmail: Trusted email with Microsoft's powerful SPAM protection. http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/177141664/direct/01/ http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/177141664/direct/01/ -- Colorado Field Ornithologists: http://www.cfo-link.org/ Colorado County Birding: http://www.coloradocountybirding.com/ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To post to this group, send email to cobirds AT googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscribe AT googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.as/group/cobirds?hl=en