Off-topic question on the effects on birds of the poisoning of prairie dogs.

[Dave Cameron]

I just learned, in time only to be disgusted by the futility and stupidity of it, that it has been decided at my place of work to poison the sizable prairie-dog colony that lives on our grounds. 

Tomorrow. 

To say nothing of the fact that the prairie-dogs do not pose the barest inconvenience to anyone, I am also concerned about the effect this action will have on the birds. 

Obviously, the Red-tails that live in the area because of the easy meals risk being poisoned themselves, by eating poisoned prey. 

Can anyone comment on any additional threats to birds and other wildlife as a result of this kind of action?

Thanks,

Dave Cameron

Denver

[Rob Parsons]

Hi all,

I'm back in your great state. Wonderful weather and not bad birding! I'm here for a wedding and won't have much time for birding, alas. I did manage to sneak in a little today, though.

A brief stop at the rest stop in Julesberg, Sedgwick County immediately yielded a couple of Eurasian Collared-Doves. What would a visit to Colorado be without some? (First of year for me.) Wouldn't that be a much more exciting state bird than a Lark Bunting? (Anyone who knows me at all knows I'm speaking tongue-in-cheek, because I'm a huge fan of Lark Buntings.) Speaking of Lark Buntings, I had a sighting of a seemingly quite late individual along the Interstate, just south of the rest stop.

Arriving in Arapahoe County, I managed a walk over to Cherry Creek and, although I didn't see a huge variety of species, one of the first birds swimming in the reservoir I clapped eyes on eventually proved to be a Sabine's Gull. It never actually flew, but only swam. I looked at it for quite some time, and nearly convinced myself that's what it was--a small & slender brownish gull--but a small nagging voice kept asking me if I was *sure* it couldn't be something else. (Although there was a Franklin's Gull not too far away available for comparison and I really thought it was slightly heftier looking than the probable Sabine's.) Fortunately for me, it eventually raised its wings, revealing the striking white, black & brown triangles on the wings and I believe I yelled "YES!" when it did. I was aware there had been several seen there but figured no way would any of them linger for me.  If anyone is still looking for one, it was along the west side, about half way between the so-called bird observation point and the marina area.

Ah, what an awesome state Colorado is. Where else can you see a Lark Bunting and a Sabine's Gull on the same day?

Cheers,

Rob Parsons

Temporarily in Arapahoe County

[Rob Parsons]

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Hi all,

Just in case anyone is still in need of a Sabine's Gull, I saw what I would expect to be the same bird again today, Sunday, September 28th. I had great views of it in flight, while standing at the handicapped accessible fishing site (Carolyn Armstrong) in Cherry Creek S.P., Arapahoe County.

Cheers,

Rob Parsons

Temporarily in Arapahoe County for a few more hours, but usually

Winnipeg, MB

CANADA