Colorado Rare Bird Alert, 3 January 2016

[Joyce Takamine]

Compiler:   Joyce Takamine

e-mail:     RBA AT cobirds.org

Date:  January 3, 2016

This is the Rare Bird Alert, Sunday, January 3, sponsored by Denver Field

Ornithologists and the Bird Conservancy of the Rockies.

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

 

Trumpeter Swan (Arapahoe, Chaffee, Douglas, *Jefferson, Mesa, Weld)

Tundra Swan (Boulder)

Swan Spec (Mesa)

White-winged Scoter (Arapahoe)

Long-tailed Duck (*Arapahoe, Douglas, *El Paso, Jefferson, Logan)

Barrow's Goldeneye (Arapahoe, Chaffee, Garfield, Moffat, *Pueblo)

Sharp-tailed Grouse (Logan)

Pacific Loon (Bent)

American White Pelican (Bent, Larimer)

AMERICAN WOODCOCK (*Larimer)

Thayer's Gull (Arapahoe,  Bent, Boulder, Douglas, Larimer, *Pueblo)

Lesser Black-backed Gull (Arapahoe, Douglas, Larimer, *Pueblo)

Glaucous Gull (Arapahoe)

Great Black-backed Gull (Arapahoe, Larimer, *Pueblo)

White-winged Dove (*Pueblo)

Greater Roadrunner (Baca, Otero)

SNOWY OWL (Sedgwick)

Burrowing Owl (Denver)

White-throated Swift (Otero, *Pueblo)

ACORN WOODPECKER (*El Paso)

Red-bellied Woodpecker (*Logan, Pueblo, Weld)

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Fremont, *Larimer, Pueblo)

Williamson's Sapsucker (El Paso, Fremont)

Eastern Phoebe (Weld)

Black Phoebe (Fremont. *Pueblo)

Chihuahuan Raven (Boulder, Otero)

Carolina Wren (*Jefferson)

Bewick's Wren (Fremont, Otero)

Winter Wren (*Douglas, *Pueblo)

Varied Thrush (Arapahoe, *Grand)

Curve-billed Thrasher (*Pueblo)

Brown/Long-billed Thrasher (Weld)

Brown Thrasher (Baca)

Lapland Longspur (Douglas, *Kit Carson, Logan)

Yellow-throated Warbler (*Larimer)

Rufous-crowned Sparrow (Fremont)

Canyon Towhee (Fremont, Otero)

GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW (Boulder)

Northern Cardinal (*Logan)

Lazuli Bunting (Larimer)

Rusty Blackbird (*Arapahoe, Archuleta, Pueblo)

Brown-capped Rosy-Finch (*Jefferson, *Mesa, Teller)

Black Rosy-Finch (Jefferson, *Teller)

Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch (*Jefferson,*Mesa,  *Teller, Weld)

PURPLE FINCH (*Kit Carson)

Common Redpoll (*Jefferson, Larimer, Routt)

ARAPAHOE COUNTY:

--A White-winged Scoter was reported by Tim King at South Platte Reservoir on December 14.  On December 18, Charles Lawrence reported White-winged Scoter at South Platte Reservoir.  A White-winged Scoter was reported by Daniel Horton at South Platte Reservoir on December 24.

--On December 24, Ben Sampson reported 6 Lesser Black-backed Gulls and 1 Great Black-backed Gull at Cherry Creek SP.  On December 24, Glenn Walbek reported 8 Lesser Black-backed Gulls and a Glacous Gull at Cherry Creek SP.

--On December 24, David Dowell reported 4 Thayer's Gulls, 10 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, and 1 ad Glaucous Gull at Aurora Reservoir.

--On December 29 at South Platte Reservoir, Mark Chavez and Steve Miller reported 2 Trumpeter Swans and 3 Long-tailed Ducks and David Suddjian reported ad Lesser Black-backed Gull and 1-st cyc Thayer's Gull.  On December 30, Jayne James reported Long-tailed Ducks and 2 Trumpeter Swans at South Platte Reservoir.  On December 31, Joey Kellner reported 2 Trumpeter Swans, 2 Barrow's Goldeneyes (1m, 1f), 3 Long-tailed Ducks (2f, 1m) at South Platte Reservoir.  On January 1, 2-3 Long-tailed Ducks were reported Gwen Moore and many other birders at South Platte Reservoir.  On January 2, Joey Kellner and several others reported 3 Long-tailed Ducks at South Platte Reservoir.

--A Varied Thrush was reported by Becky Campbell near Cherry Creek on the Denver Urban CBC on January 1.

--A Rusty Blackbird was spotted by Doug Shoffner at South Platte Park along the river about 1/4 miles N of C470 overpass, spillway, and paved roundabout on January 2.

ARCHULETA COUNTY:

--A f Rusty Blackbird was reported by Bennett Bailey at Pagosa Hot Springs on December 31.

BACA COUNTY:

--On January 1, Steve Mlodinow reported Greater Roadrunner and Brown Thrasher at Two Buttes below the dam.

BENT COUNTY:

--On December 31, Duane Nelson reported Pacific Loon and American White Pelicans at John Martin Reservoir.

--On January 1, Steve Mlodinow reported 60 American White Pelican and 1 Thayer's Gull at John Martin Reservoir.

BOULDER COUNTY: 

--On November 24, Stephen Knox reported Golden-crowned Sparrow at Teller Farm.  On December 24, Jack Harlan reported Golden-crowned Sparrow at Teller Farm.  On December 25, Craig Rasmussen reported Golden-crowned Sparrow at Teller Farm.

--On December 25, Ted Floyd reported Chihuahuan Raven and Tundra Swan at the Valmont Complex.

CHAFFEE COUNTY:

--A Trumpeter Swan and 4 Barrow's Goldeneyes were reported by Jack Harlan at Sands Lake SWA in Salida on January 1.

DOUGLAS COUNTY:

--Scott Somershoe reported one Long-tailed Ducks at Chatfield.  On December 21, Bryan Arnold reported 3 Long-tailed Ducks at Chatfield.  On December 24 at Chatfield, David Dowell reported 3 Long-tailed Ducks, 1 juv Thayer's Gull and 1 juv Lesser Black-backed Gull.

--On December 29, Joey Kellner reported Lapland Longspur at Chatfield SP at the Model Airplane Field.  On December 30, Frank Farrell reported Lapland Longsur at Model Airplane Field at Chatfield SP.  On January 1, Bez Bezuidenhout reported Lapland Longspur at Chatfield SP.

--On December 30, Daniel Horton reported 2 Trumpeter Swans below the dam at Chatfield SP.

--A Winter Wren was reported by Chip Clouse at Louviers on January 2.

EL PASO COUNTY:

--The f ACORN WOODPECKER has returned to the Willow Circle neighborhood in Colorado Springs.  Marty Wolf first discovered her on December 18 and his CBC team observed the woodpecker again on December 19.  Please observe from Willow Circle or Cheyenne Blvd and stay off of private property.  On December 21, Monday Birders reported ACORN WOODPECKER in Willow Circle Neighborhood.  On December 28, Gloria Nikolai reported ACORN WOODPECKER in Willow Circle Neighborhood.  On December 31, Joy and Leonard Lake reported ACORN WOODPECKER at Willow Circle Neighborhood.  On January 1, ACORN WOODPECKER was reported by Joy and Leonard Lake, Richard Bunn, and Joey Kellner at Willow Circle Neighborhood.  On January 2, John Drummond reported ACORN WOODPECKER at Willow Circle Neighborhood.

--A Williamson's Sapsucker were reported by David Tonnessen at Aiken Canyon Preserve on December 27.

--On January 1, Bill Maynard reported 1 Long-tailed Duck at Big Johnson.

FREMONT COUNTY:

--A Bewick's Wren was reported by Scott Somershoe on Phatom Canyon Road on December 30.

--At Tunnel Drive in Canon City on December 30, Scott Somershoe reported Rufous-cornwed Sparrow and a couple of Canyon Towhee.

--A Black Phoebe was reported by Joey Kellner at Florence River Park on January 1.

--A Williamson's Sapsucker was reported by Joey Kellner at Holy Cross Abbey in Canon City on January 1.

--At Lakeside Cemetery in Canon City, Joey Kellner reported Yellow-bellied Sapsucker on January 1.

--At Centenial Park in Canon City, Joey Kellner reported Yellow-bellied Sapsucker on January 1.

GARFIELD COUNTY:

--On December 24, Vic Zerbi reported 5 Barrow's Goldeneyes on the Colorado River along Devereaux Rd in Glenwood Springs.

--50 Barrow's Goldeneyes were reported by Dick Filby on Roaring Fork RIver at Aspen Glen viewed from CR 109.

--4 Barrow's Goldeneyes were reported by Dick Filby on Frying Pan River, 6-8 miles upstream of Basalt.

GRAND COUNTY:

--A Varied Thrush has been visiting the yard of Cathy Craig in Granby since late November.  Cathy is willing to allow birders to come and try to see the thrush.  But she does not want anyone to come closer to the feeders than the block that she will place in the driveway.  Please contact her at PioneerCSC at aol.com for information.  On December 6, Carol Hunter and Cathy Craig reported that the Varied Thrush continues to come to the feeders.  On December 8, Mark Chavez reported Varied Thrush, 100 Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch, and 5 Brown-capped Rosy-Finch in Granby at home of Cathy Craig.  On December 12, Scott Manwaring reported Varied Thrush, 4 Hepburn's Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch, 55 Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch and 1 Black Rosy-Finch at yard of Cathy Craig in Granby.  On December 15, Cathy Craig reported that the  Varied Thrush continues to visit her yard along with Rosy-Finches.  On December 17, Cathy Craig reported that the Varied Thrush continues to vist her yard.  On December 18 Gwen Moore reported Varied Thrush, Gray-crowned and Black Rosy-Finch at yard of Cathy Craig in Granby.  The Varied Thrush was last seen at yard of Cathy Craig on December 26.  Cathy reported that the thrush seems to have moved to her neighbors since it did not like the company of all the Rosy-Finches who come to her feeders.  On December 29, Cathy Craig reported that the Varied Thrush returned to her feeders.  On December 31, Bob Spencer reported Varied Thrush at Granby.  On January 1,

Cathy Craig reported that the Varied Thrush continues at her feeders.  On January 2, Cathy Craig reported that there are now a pair (m and f) of Varied Thrush visiting her feeders.

JEFFERSON COUNTY:

--Ira Sanders has feeders which attract Common Red Poll and Rosy-Finches.  His address is 314 Defrance Ct, Golden.  He usually posts to CoBirds if birds show up.  On December 31, Ted Keyel and Bill Kaempfer reported Common Redpoll at Ira Sanders Feeder.  On January 1, Ryan and Jack Bushsong and Linda and Lee Farrel reported Common Redpoll and Christine Alexander reported 3 Gray-crowned Rosy-Finches at Ira Sanders feeders.  On January 2, Tom Behnfield reported Common Redpoll and 2 Gray-crowned Rosy-Finches and Adam Vesely reported 2 Brown-capped Rosy-Finches at feeders of Ira Sanders.

--On December 23, A Carolina Wren was reported by Gwen Moore, Matt Clark, and Susan Bonfiglio near Wadsworth between W 26th and W 29th Ave in Wheat Ridge.  On December 24, Matt Clark reported Carolina Wren again on W 29th W of Wadsworth.  He saw it briefly and heard it several times.  On December 31, Gwen Moore reported a Carolina Wren at 2695 Newland St in Lakewood.  The Wren has been visiting the feeders in the yard for over a month.  The owners invite you to come in the yard and go to the feeder behind the house on the west and a suet feeder on the south side of the house.  On January 1, Adam Vesely reported Carolina Wren at 2695 Newland, but Mark Chavez, Bruce Newman, Loch Kilpatrick, and Glenn Walbek reported the Carolina Wren near 28th and Newland so the bird moves around.  On January 2, Ben Sampson reported Carolina Wren near 28thand Newland.

Please be respectful of the bird and do not try to approach too closely.  You may park on Newland.

--On December 23, Doug Kibbe reported 3 Long-tailed Ducks near the boat launch at Chatfield Sp.

--On December 25,m Eric Albright reported 2 Hepburns Gray-crowned Rosy-Finches and 30 Rosy-Finch species at North Table Mountain Park (mesa top and sides).  

--On December 31, Doug Kibbe reported 1 Trumpeter Swan at South Platte Reservoir.

--On January 1, Aaron Shipe reported a Carolina Wren near town of Jefferson.

--On January 2, 2 Trumpeter Swans were reported by Loch Kilpatrick and Glenn Walbek at Standley Lake.

KIT CARSON COUNTY:

--At Flagler Reservoir SWA on January 2, Mackenzie Goldthwait reported PURPLE FINCH and 5 Lapland Longspurs.

LARIMER COUNTY:

--On December 11, Jeff Birek reported Yellow-throated Warbler in Fort Collins.  The warbler is visiting the feeders in the backyard of Luke Caldwell at 1520 W Mountain.  Caldwell welcomes birders to enter his yard through the front and proceed along the east side.  The bird spends most of the time visitng the feeder in the pine trees along the east fence line near the alley.  On December 22 David Wade reported Yellow-throated Warbler at 1520 W. Mountain.  On December 24, Dave Leatherman reported Yellow-throated Warbler at 1520 W. Mountain.  On December 28, Dave Leatherman reported Yellow-throated Warbler at 1520. W. Mountain.  On January 1, Mark Chavez, Loch Kilpatrick, Glenn Walbek, and Sean Walters reported Yellow-throated Warbler at 1520 W. Mountain.  On January 2, David wade and Austin Hess reported Yellow-throated Warbler at 1520 W. Mountain.

--An ad m Lazuli Bunting was reported by Rachel Hopper at The Gardens on Spring Creek in Fort Collins on December 19.  On December 21, Dave Leatherman reported Lazuli Bunting at Gardens on Spring Creek.

--8 Common Redpolls were reported by Nick Komar and Ken Pals in Wellington in neighborhood SE of Waverly on December 19 as part of the Fort Collins CBC.

--On December 25, Brandon Nooner reported juv Great Black-backed Gull at Horsehoe Reservoir.

--On January 1, David Bray found a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker on Hilltop Dr on the Loveland CBC.  On January 2, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker was reported by David Wade and Georgia Doyle in the Hilltop Dr neighborhood.

--On January 1, David Wade reported AMERICAN WOODCOCK by the entrance to parking area of Bobcat Ridge NA.

This is the same area where there was an AMERICAN WOODCOCK last year.  This year it showed up for the Loveland CBC.  On January 2, the AMERICAN WOODCOCK was reported by Ryan Cummings, Laura Steadman, Loch Kilpatrick, Glenn Walbek, and David Blue and Michael King.

--On January 1 at Rawhide Energy Station/Hamilton Reservoir, Bill Kaempfer reported 1 American White Pelican, 2 Thayer's Gulls, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull and 1 Common Redpoll.

LOGAN COUNTY:

--A Sharp-tailed Grouse was reported by Kathy Mihm Dunning and Austin Hess on the Crook CBC on December 27.

--On the Sterling CBC on December 28, Bill Kaempfer reported 2 Long-tailed Ducks, Red-bellied Woodpecker, and Lapland Longspur.

--On January 2 at Tamarack ranch SWA, Bez Bezidenhout reported Northern Cardinal and Red-bellied Woodpecker.

MESA COUNTY:

--5 Trumpeter Swans were reported by Denise and Mark Vollmar at Highline Lake SP on December 31.

--Cecilia Barr reported 8 Swans on the Colorado River at Connected Lakes SP on January 1.

--On January 1, around Jerry Creek Reservoir, Nic Korte reported two flocks of Rosy-Finches which include Brown-capped and Gray-Crowned.

OTERO COUNTY:

--On December 21, Steve Mlodinow reported Greater Roadrunner, 2 Chihuahuan Ravens, Bewick's Wren, and 4 Canyon Towhees around Higbee Cemetery.

--On December 24, Duane Nelson reported White-throated Swift on CR 802.

PUEBLO COUNTY:  

--At Pueblo Reservoir, South Shore Marina on December 30, Scott Somershoe reported ad Great Black-backed Gull and 2 ad Lesser Black-backed Gulls.

--On December 30 in the Sunset Neighborhood of Pueblo, Scott Somershoe reported White-winged Dove.

--On December 22 on the Pueblo CBC, Brandon Percival reported Thayer's Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, White-winged Dove, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, and Rusty Blackbird.

--On January 1 on the Arkansas River below Pueblo Reservoir Dam, Brandon Percival reported Black Phoebe, Winter Wren, and 3 Curve-billed Thrashers.

--At Pueblo Reservoir on January 1,  Brandon Percival reported 7 Long-tailed Ducks, 1 m Barrow's Goldeneye, 1 ad Great Black-backed Gull, 5 Lesser  Black-backed Gulls ( 4 ad, 1 juv), and Thayer's Gulls (1-2 ad, 1 juv).  On January 2, at West Fishing road at Pueblo Reservoir, Brandon Percival reported 7 Long-tailed Ducks.

--A White-winged Dove was reported by Brandon Percival in the Sunset Park area of Pueblo on January 1.

--In Pueblo West on January 2, Brandon Percival reported Curve-billed Thrasher.

--White-throated Swifts were seen by Pearl Sandstrom-Smith and Clif Smith by Valco Ponds on January 2.

ROUTT COUNTY:

--A Common Redpoll was reported by Tom Litteral on the Steamboat Springs CBC on December 21.

SEDGWICK COUNTY:

--A SNOWY OWL was reported by Lori Zabel on CR 10 Between CR 25 and CR29 on December 29.

TELLER COUNTY:

--All 3 Rosy-Finch species were reported by Cici Lee in Victor on December 31.  There were at a 'Blue" house on Diamond past 4th St.

WELD COUNTY:

--A Brown/Long-billed Thrasher was reported by Bill Prather at a ditch on the South side of Union Reservoir on December 23.  The bird is difficult to see so Bill hopes that someone can get a good photo to make a positive identification.  

--A Red-bellied Woodpecker was reported by Steve Mlodinow at Crow Valley CG on December 28.

--On December 28, Steve Mlodinow reported 25 Gray-crowned (Hepburn's) Rosy-Finch and 90 Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch on CR 126, Carr to US 85.  On December 30 Georgia Doyle report 120 Gray-crowned Rosy-Finches on CR 126 from Carr to US 85.  On January 1, Loch Kilpatrick and Glenn Walbek report Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch on CR 126 from Carr to US 85.

--On December 31, Bill Kaempfer reported 2 Trumpeter Swans at LUNA Reservoir.

DFO Field Trips: 

No Field Trips scheduled until Jan 10.  Help with a Christmas Bird Count.

  

Good Birding,

Joyce Takamine

Boulder