Colorado Rare Bird Alert, 28 November 2014

[Joyce Takamine]

Compiler: Joyce Takamine

Date: November 28, 2014

This is the Colorado Rare Bird Alert Friday, November 28 sponsored by Denver Field Ornithologists and Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory.

 

Highlight species include: (* indicates new information on this species).

Trumpeter Swan (Delta)

Tundra Swan (Larimer)

Long-tailed Duck (Arapahoe, *Boulder, El Paso, Garfield, Huerfano, Larimer, Las Animas, Weld)

Surf Scoter (Arapahoe, *El Paso, Las Animas, Mesa)

White-winged Scoter (Arapahoe, El Paso, Larimer, Las Animas, Mesa)

Black Scoter (Douglas, *El Paso, Garfield, Larimer)

Barrow's Goldeneye (Arapahoe, Douglas, Garfield, Huerfano, Larimer, Weld)

Red-throated Loon (Las Animas)

Pacific Loon (Delta, *Douglas, Weld)

Red-necked Grebe (Arapahoe, Huerfano, Las Animas, Prowers, Pueblo)

Dunlin (Pueblo)

American Golden-Plover (Weld)

Thayer's Gull (Arapahoe, Douglas/Jefferson, El Paso, Larimer, Pueblo, Weld)

Lesser  Black-backed Gull (Arapahoe, Douglas/Jefferson, El Paso, Larimer, Ouray, Pueblo, Weld)

Glaucous Gull (Arapahoe, Weld)

Great Black-backed Gull (Arapahoe, Pueblo)

COSTA'S HUMMINGBIRD (Mesa)

American Three-toed Woodpecker (Douglas, Jefferson)

Black Phoebe (Mesa)

White-eyed Vireo (Pueblo)

Winter Wren (*Baca)

Lapland Longspur (Kiowa)

Chestnut-collared Longspur (Kiowa)

McCown's Longspur (Kiowa)

Fox Sparrow (Jefferson)

Golden-crowned Sparrow (Boulder, Jefferson)

Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch (*Grand)

Black Rosy-Finch (*Grand)

ARAPAHOE COUNTY:

--At Aurora Reservoir on November 16, Dowell reported 2 Surf Scoters, 1 ad Lesser Black-backed Gull and 4 1-st cyc Thayer's Gulls.  On November 21 at Aurora Reservoir, Walbek reported 2 Surf Scoters and 1 ad Lesser Black-backed Gull.  On November 26 at Aurora Reservoir, Dowell reported 1 ad Great Black-backed Gull, 2 imm Surf Scoters, 2+ ad Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 1 imm Thayer's Gull.

--At Cherry Creek Reservoir on November 19, Righter reported 2 ad Lesser Black-backed Gulls and 1 ad Thayer's Gull.  On November 20, Walbek reported imm Long-tailed Duck, ad Thayer's Gull, and 4 Lesser Black-backed Gulls.  At Cherry Creek on November 21, Walbek reported 1 White-winged Scoter, 1 Long-tailed Duck, and 1 ad Lesser Black-backed Gull.  On November 25 at Cherry Creek, Dunning reported 1 White-winged Scoter,  2 m Barrow's Goldeneyes, 2 Long-tailed Ducks, 1 probable ad Thayer's Gull and 4 Lesser Black-backed Gulls (2 ad, 2 imm).  On November 25 at Cherry Creek Suddjian reported 1 1-st cyc Glaucous Gull, 7 Lesser Black-backed Gulls (2 1-st cyc, 1 3rd-cyc, 4 ad), 4 Thayer's Gulls (2 1-st cyc, 2 ad). pair of Barrow's Goldeneyes, 1 Red-necked Grebe, 2 Long-tailed Ducks.

BACA COUNTY:

--A Winter Wren was reported by Chris Wood in Cottonwood Canyon on November 26.

BOULDER COUNTY:

--A f Long-tailed Duck was reported by Dowell at Lagerman Reservoir on November 24.  On November 27, Gent reported Long-tailed Duck at Lagerman.

--On November 25, Floyd reported that the Golden-crowned Sparrow continues at Teller Farm.

DELTA COUNTY:

--A juv Trumpter Swan was reported by Robinsong at Confluence Lake on November 24.

--A Pacific Loon was reported by Robinsong at Schweitzer SP on November 26.

DOUGLAS COUNTY:

--At Aurora Rampart Reservoir at Roxborough on November 18, Suddjian reported 2 f Black Scoters and a Pacific Loon.  On November 27, Roller reported Pacific Loon at Aurora Rampart Reservoir.

--At Platte Canyon Reservoir, Kellner report 1 m Barrow's Goldeneye on November 23.

--An American Three-toed Woodpecker was reported by Suddjian near the intersection of CR 67 and Rampart Range Road on November 25.

DOUGLAS/JEFFERSON COUNTIES:

--At Chatfield on November 25, Suddjian reported 1 ad Lesser Black-backed Gull, and 1 ad Thayer's Gull.

EL PASO COUNTY:

--On November 14, Bill Maynard reported f Black Scoter and 3 White-winged Scoters at Prospect Lake in Colorado Springs.  On November 21, Tina Jones reported 2 Surf Scoters, 1 f Black Scoter, and 1 f-type White-winged Scoter at Prospect Lake.  On November 24, Beaty reported all three species of scoters at Prospect Lake.  On November 27, Percival reported 2 Surf Scoter and 1 Black Scoter at Prospect Lake.

--A White-winged Scoter and Long-tailed Duck was reported by Farese at Big Johnson on November 18.  Percival reported White-winged Scoter and f Long-tailed Duck at Big Johnson on November 19.  On November 24, Beatty reported Surf Scoter and White-winged Scoter at Big Johnson.On November 26, Peterson reported 1 ad Lesser Black-backed Gull and Thayer's Gull at Big Johnson.

GARFIELD COUNTY:

--At Rifle Gap SP on November 17, Dunning reported 1  Barrow's Goldeneye, 1 Long-tailed Duck, and 3 Black Scoters.  On November 19, Zerbi reported 2 Long-tailed Ducks at Rifle Gap Reservoir.  On November 22, McConnell reported  2 Long-tailed Ducks and 3 Black Scoters at Rifle Gap Reservoir.

GRAND COUNTY:

--Rosy-Finches were reported by Hundertmark at the Glory Hole Cafe in Hot Sulphur Springs on November 27.  There were about 100 Gray-crowned (including 2 Hepburn's)  and 2 Black (1 ad, 1 1st winter).

HUERFANO COUNTY:

--At Lathrop SP on November 21, Rich Miller reported 1 Barrow's Goldeneye, 2 Red-necked Grebes, and 1 Long-tailed Duck.  On November 24, Neldner reported Long-tailed Duck and 2 Red-necked Grebes at Martin Lake in Lathrop SP.

JEFFERSON COUNTY:

--On November 15, Kellner and Chavez reported ad Golden-crowned Sparrow and red Fox Sparrow at Red Rocks Trading Post, but no juv Golden-crowned Sparrow.  On November 19, Kibbe reported Golden-crowned Sparrow and red Fox Sparrow at Red Rocks Trading Post.  On November 26, Jeff Dawson reported Golden-crowned Sparrow at Red Rocks Trading Post.

--An American Three-toed Woodpecker was reported by Suddjian at the top of High Grade Road in the Deer Creek Watershed on November 25.

KIOWA COUNTY:

--Longspurs were reported by Chris Wood at Sheridan Lake on November 23.  There were 1000+ Lapland Lonspurs,10 Chestnut-collard, and 2 McCown's.

LARIMER COUNTY:

--On Douglas Reservoir on November 17 and November 18, Leatherman reported ad f White-winged Scoter, f Black Scoter, and f Long-tailed Duck.  On November 20, Bankert reported White-winged Scoter, Black Scoter, and Long-tailed Duck at Douglas Reservoir.  On November 21, Righter reported Long-tailed Duck at Douglas Reservoir. On November 22, Hess reported Black Scoter, White-winged Scoter, and Long-tailed Duck at Douglas Reservoir.   Douglas Reservoir is NW of intersect of CR 50 and CR 15.  

--4 Tundra Swans were reported by Leatherman at Hamilton Reservoir (associated with Rawhide Power Plant) on November 18.  3 Tundra Swans were reported by Bankert at Hamiliton Reservoir on November 19.  On November 22, Hess reported 7 Tundra Swans at Hamilton Reservoir.  On November 26, Leatherman reported 6+ Tundra Swans at Hamiltron Reservoir in the SW corner.

--On November 22, Bankert reported a Thayer's Gull at Cobb Lake.

--At Timnath Reservoir on November 22, Bankert reported m Barrow's Goldeneye.  On November 25, Leatherman reported 1 m Barrow's Goldeneye at Timnath Reservoir.

--A 1-st cyc Thayer's Gull was reported by Bankert at Walmart on Harmony on November 22.

--At Lake Loveland on November 22, Bankert reported 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls.

--Lesser Black-backed Gulls were reported by Komar at the Larimer Landfill on November 26.

--Lesser Black-backed Gulls were reported by Komar at Horseshoe Reservoir on November 26.

--At Boyd Lake swim beach on November 26, Komar reported Lesser Black-backed Gulls and Thayer's Gull.

LAS ANIMAS COUNTY:

--On November 22 at Lake Trinidad SP, Rich Miller reported 1 Red-throated Loon, 2 Red-necked Grebes, 1 Surf Scoter, 1 White-winged Scoter, and 1 Long-tailed Duck.  On November 25, Gwen Moore reported 1 Red-necked Grebe at Lake Trinidad SP.

MESA COUNTY:

--2 Surf Scoters were reported by Henwood at Colorado River State Park, Fruita Section on November 5.  They were on the northern most pond.  On November 18, Luger reported 2 White-winged Scoters and a Black Phoebe at the Fruita Section of Colorado River SP.  On November 20 Henwood reported 1 Surf Scoter at the Fruita Section of Colorado River SP.  On November 22, Woodward reported 1 White-winged Scoter and 2 Surf Scoters at the Fruita Section of Colorado River SP.  On November 24, Baron reported 1 f Surf Scoter at the Fruita Section of Colorado River SP.

--Steve Bouricius (bouricii At earthlink.net) kindly has made arrangements to see the COSTA'S HUMMINGBIRD.  Here are his instructions.

The Costa's Hummingbird in Grand Junction was still present on November 16.  The hosts, Larry and Twanna Cooksey, graciously welcome birders to view the bird from their courtyard at 2217 Tuscany.  Walbek reported seeing the COSTA'S HUMMINGBIRD on November 22.  On November 25, Steve Bouricius reported that the COSTA'S HUMMINGBIRD continues to visit the Cooksey's feeders.  

Directions:  From Redlands Parkway, continue west on S. Broadway about 0.6 mi. and turn left on South Camp Road (the street sign is missing); take S. Camp to Renaissance Blvd., turn left on Renaissance, then right on Tuscany to 2217.  Please enter the gate from the Montero Street side, left of the garage door.

Morning is the best time to see the bird as it may not be present for long periods during mid day.  I suggest leaving the bird to feed undisturbed in late afternoon.  There is seating on the patio but you might want to be prepared with a folding chair.  The courtyard is intimate and the feeders close so a quiet atmosphere may be important to seeing the bird.  She often perches deep in the aspen at the west end of the court yard.

OURAY COUNTY:

--A Lesser Black-backed Gull was reported by Dexter at Ridgway Reservoir on November 17.  On November 20, Zerbi reported Lesser Black-backed Gull at Ridgway Reservoir.

PROWERS COUNTY:

--The Red-necked Grebe was reported by Riffe at North Gateway Park in Lamar on November 25.

PUEBLO COUNTY:

--On November 19 at South Shore Marina and SE Corner of Pueblo Reservoir, Percival reported ad Great Black-backed Gull, 2 imm Lesser Black-backed Gulls, juv Thayer's Gull and Pacific Loon.  On November 21 at the South Shore Marina, Percival reported 1 ad Great Black-backed Gull, 1 ad Lesser Black-backed Gull, and 1 juv Thayer's Gull.  On November 22, Percival reported 1 ad Great Black-backed Gull and 1 1-st cyc Lesser Black-backed Gull at the South Shore Marina tires of Pueblo Reservoir.

--At the Sailboard Lauching area of Pueblo Reservoir a Dunlin was found by Rich Miller on November 18 and seen by Percival and Walbek on November 19.

--A Red-necked Grebe was reported by Percival from the Northern Plains CG of Pueblo Reservoir on November 22.

WELD COUNTY:

--On November 17 at Union Reservoir, Riffe reported 2nd-cyc Glaucous Gull, 2 Thayer's Gulls (1 ad, 1 1-st cyc), f Barrow's Goldeneye, and juv Long-tailed Duck.  On November 20 at Union Reservoir, Dowell reported Long-tailed Duck and Glaucous Gull.  On November 23 at Union Reservoir, Fink reported 1 ad Lesser Black-backed Gull and Thayer's Gull.  On November 24 at Union Reservoir, Mlodinow reported 3rd-cyc Glaucous Gull, 4 Thayer's Gulls (3 ad, 1 juv), and a Pacific Loon.

--A Barrow's Goldeneye was reported by Lefko at 35th Ave Gravel Pond (West Ponds) in Greeley on November 23.

--At Drake Lake at CR 23 just S of Hwy 14 on November 25, Leatherman reported 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls (1 ad, 1 imm).

The DFO Field Trip for Friday, November 28 will be to Fairmont Cemetery/High Line Canal led by A. J. Gest (offsetaj AT comcast.net 303-994-242).  Meet the leader at Fairmont Cemetery at 0800 in the parking lot near the Chapel In The Pines.  Easy1.5 -2 miles walk on paved drives and pathway.  Bring water, binoculars, scopes are optional.  There are restrooms in the Mausoleum after 0900.  Maximum of 12 participants.  Please register online or email/call leader.   Directions:  Approach from E Alameda Ave and turn south on Quebec St to entrance of cemetery.  Proceed to south end to access the High Line Canal Trail.

The DFO Field Trip for Saturday, November 29 will be to Pueblo Reservoir led by Ira and Tammy Sanders (zroadrunner14 AT gmail.com 303-278-7172).  Meet in parking lot of Safeway in Line Tree at Yosemite and Lincoln Ave.  Bring Plenty of water and lunch for an all-day trip.  State Parks pass required.

RMBO's Annual Barrow's Goldeneye Count will be on Sunday, November 30 led by Chuck Hundertmark (chundertmark8 AT gmail.com 303-64-0531).  Meet in the parking lot of Jim Hamm Nature Area, Longmont at 0800. From the Denver area, take I-25 north to exit 240.  Drive west on Hwy 119 to County Line Road.  Head north on County Line Road and look for nature area on the left just past 17th Ave.  Will check Union Reseervoir and McIntosh Lake for Barrow's Goldeneyes and other early winter waterfowl.  Will check other areas as time allows.  This will be primarily a driving trip.  Spotting scopes will be useful.  Please register on the website, or call or email the leader in advance.

Good Birding,

Joyce Takamine

Boulder