Colorado Rare Bird Alert for Thursday, January 17, 2019
Allison Hilf
Date: January 17, 2019
Compiler: Allison Hilf, (303) 888-5110, ah...@me.com
E-mail: RBA AT cobirds.org
This is the Colorado Rare Bird Alert for Thursday, January 17, sponsored by Denver Field Ornithologists.
Barnacle Goose/Pink-footed Goose - Weld County
Note, both birds are extremely rare vagrants to Eastern North America; almost unheard of in Western North America. Pink-footed Goose is very rare in captivity; whereas Barnacle Goose is somewhat common in private agriculturalists collections. Populations of both geese are increasing in their breeding habitat, with about twice as many Barnacle than Pink-footed Goose. Both birds are also expanding north over the top of Greenland and could end up in NE Canada, putting them close to Goose populations that winter in the Great Plains. Steve Mlodinow posted a thorough summary on previous sightings and detailed rationale for the Colorado Bird Records Committee to ponder. Paul Hurtado also suggested the following pdf from ABA Birding Magazine about Greenland Geese:
http://publications.aba.org/birding_archive_files/v40n3p46.pdf
There is no guarantee either of these is a wild bird and/or that either will be accepted by the CBRC; but this might be your only chance to see them in CO.
—Both birds were last reported around 8:15 am yesterday (Dec 16) at Frederick Lake (Milavec Reservoir) & Recreation Area in Frederick.
Observers have been diligent in reporting sightings and updates on COBirds; please keep reporting all sightings on COBirds and check for any location updates.
Alternatively, you can phone sightings and updates to Allison Hilf (303) 888-5110, and she will post them on your behalf.
Rare, out of place and out of season species include:
(*) indicates new information on this species; CAPITAL LETTERS are used for very rare species, as listed by the Colorado Bird Records Committee.
PINK-FOOTED GOOSE (*Weld)
BARNACLE GOOSE (*Weld)
Brant (Broomfield, *Boulder)
Trumpeter Swan (Pueblo, Mesa)
Tundra Swan (Arapahoe)
Black Scoter (*Arapahoe)
Long-tailed Duck (Aurora, Weld)
GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULL (Arapahoe, Larimer)
Great Black-backed Gull (Arapahoe,Larimer)
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Larimer)
Winter Wren (Adams)
Carolina Wren (*Pueblo’
Varied Thrush (*Larimer)
Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch (Jefferson)
Brown-capped Rosy-Finch (*Jefferson)
Black Rosy Finch (*Jefferson)
Field Sparrow (*El Paso)
Fox Sparrow (*Jefferson)
Rusty Blackbird (*Arapahoe, *Denver)
Yellow-rumpled Warbler (Arapahoe,*Jefferson)
ADAMS COUNTY:
---On January 12 a Winter Wren was reported on the South Platte River, 88th Ave area by John Breitch.
ARAPAHOE COUNTY:
---On January 16 a Rusty Blackbird was reported at Cherry Creek SP Swim Beach. 1-2 birds have been present since late Oct. 2018.
---On January 16 a (f) Black Scoter was reported at South Platte Reservoir. It was first reported over 6 weeks ago.
—On January 15 (2)Yellow-rumpled Warblers were reported at South Platte Park-Carson Nature Center by Chris Petrizzo.
---On January 15 a (juv) Tundra Swan was reported at South Platte Park at Blackrock Lake. First reported by Ben Sampson on Jan 2.
---On January 13 a Long-tailed Duck was reported at Aurora Reservoir by Corey Ellingson.
—On January 12 a (first winter) GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULL was reported at Aurora Reservoir by Steve Mlodinow.
---On January 12 an adult Great Black-backed Gull was reported at Aurora Reservoir by Steve Mlodinow.
BOULDER COUNTY:
---On January 16 a Brant (Black) was reported at Stearns Lake. First reported by Dan Zmolek on Jan 5.
*Note, this is a different Brant than the one reported below in nearby Broomfield County. Both birds have been seen concurrently.
BROOMFIELD COUNTY:
---On January 13 a Brant (Black) was reported at Glasser Reservoir/Holy Family High School Reservoir, at the intersection of 144th and Sheridan. First reported by David Ely on Jan 6.
*Note, this is a different Brant than the one reported above in nearby Boulder County. Both birds have been seen concurrently.
DENVER COUNTY
---On January 16 (3)Rusty Blackbirds were reported at First Creek at DEN Open Space. (6) birds were first reported on the Denver Urban Christmas Count on Jan 1.
EL PASO COUNTY:
—On January 16 a Field Sparrow was reported at Red Rock Canyon Open Space. First reported by Jim Merritt on Dec 19.
JEFFERSON COUNTY:
---On January 16 a (Red) Fox Sparrow was reported at Red Rock Trading Post. First reported by Cheryl Teuton on Nov 30.
—On January 16 a Yellow-rumpled Warbler was reported at Denver West Office Park by Ginny Bergstrom.
---On January 16 a mixed flock of Gray-crowned, Brown-capped and Black Rosy Finches was reported at the vicinity around the home of Kirsten WItherell and/or at her backyard feeders at 19640 W 55th Pl., Golden. For permission to visit the feeders, please text her at (720) 372-0833 so she can give you more details.
---On January 13 a Winter Wren continued to be reported at Bear Creek Greenbelt--S Kipling to S Wadsworth by Mark Chavez.
LARIMER COUNTY:
*NOTE, If you visit the Larimer County Landfill be sure to check in at one of the pay windows (or the main office) and follow instructions for parking from landfill employees.
—On October 16 a Varied Thrush was reported in Berthoud on 8th street, from Massachusetts to one block north, by Steve Mlodinow.
—On January 15 a GLAUCOUS -WINGED GULL was reported at Warren Lake by Josh Bruening.
—On January 14 a Great-blacked Gull was reported at Larimar County Landfill by Richard Dean. (See above note).
---On January 15 a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker was reported at Grandview Cemetery. It was first reported by David Leatherman on January 8, just out on the golf course, east of the big gray portapotty.
MESA COUNTY:
—-On January 14 a Trumpeter Swan was reported in Fruita at 901-999 1 1/2 Rd by Rhonda Woodward.
PUEBLO COUNTY:
—On January 16 a Carolina Wren was reported at the Arkansas River Trail, east of Pueblo Blvd. by Jerry De Boer.
—On January 15 a Trumpeter Swan was reported at Valco Ponds SWA by Al Garner.
---Note, a Great-black Backed Gull has been at Pueblo Reservoir all winter for many years, most recently Jan 14.
WELD COUNTY:
---On January 16 a BARNACLE GOOSE was reported at Frederick Lake (Milavec Reservoir) & Recreation Area. First reported by Klarissa Lawrence on Jan 6. This would be a first state record if accepted by the CRBC.
---On January 16 a PINK-FOOTED GOOSE continued at Frederick Lake (Milavec Reservoir) & Recreation Area, where it has been among a diverse gaggle of goose species & hybrids. At times it moves to the adjacent golf course, but can be seen from Milavec. First reported by Steve Mlodinow at a nearby location on Dec 11. This would be a first state record if approved by the CBRC.
---On January 16 a Long-tailed Duck continued at Milavec Reservoir. First reported by Steve Mlodinow several weeks ago.
Upcoming DFO Field Trips...trip details are at the DFO website
Cherry Creek State Park (Arapahoe County)
Saturday, January 19
8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Edward "Buzz" Schaumberg (Email: EGSEAGLE171 AT aol.com; 303-478-4641)
Rocky Mountain Arsenal NWR
Sunday, January 20
7:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Karen Drozda (Email: drozforte AT AOL.com; 303-388-0891)
South-Central Colorado
Monday, January 21
5:30 AM - 6:00 PM
David Suddjian (Email: dsuddjian AT gmail.com; 831-713-8659)
Good Birding,
Allison Hilf
Aurora, CO