Colorado Rare Bird Alert, 4 April 2016

[Joyce Takamine]

Compiler:   Joyce Takamine

e-mail:     RBA AT cobirds.org

Date:  April 4, 2016

This is the Rare Bird Alert for Monday, April 4, sponsored by Denver Field

Ornithologists and the Bird Conservancy of the Rockies.

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

 

Trumpeter Swan (Pitkin)

Eurasian Wigeon (La Plata)

Mallard (Mexican) (Conejos, Weld)

Surf Scoter (Eagle)

White-winged Scoter (Las Animas)

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

Barrow's Goldeneye (Delta, Eagle, Huerfano, Weld)

Chukar (Gunnison)

Sharp-tailed Grouse (Weld)

Greater Prairie Chicken (Yuma)

Red-throated Loon (*Mesa)

NEOTROPIC CORMORANT (Montrose)

Snowy Plover (Otero)

Mountain Plover (*Lincoln)

Thayer's Gull (Douglas, Jefferson, Larimer)

ICELAND GULL (Larimer)

Lesser Black-backed Gull (Arapahoe, Bent, *Larimer, Weld)

Glaucous Gull (Arapahoe, Kiowa)

White-winged Dove (*Gunnison)

Greater Roadrunner (Baca, Huerfano)

Red-belllied Woodpecker (Bent, Weld)

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (El Paso)

Eastern Phoebe (Baca, El Paso, Larimer, Prowers)

Black Phoebe (Crowley, Delta, Eagle, Huerfano, Mesa, Pueblo)

Chihuahuan Raven (Baca, Boulder, *Otero)

Winter Wren (Jefferson)

Bewick's Wren (Baca, Mesa, Pueblo)

Varied Thrush (*Arapahoe)

Gray Catbird (Jefferson)

Curve-billed Thrasher (Bent, Pueblo)

BENDIRE'S THRASHER (*Montrose)

Chestnut-collared Longspur (Kiowa, Lincoln, Weld)

McCown's Longspur (Kiowa, Lincoln, Weld)

Yellow-throated Warbler (Larimer)

Rufous-crowned Sparrow (Baca)

Canyon Towhee  (*Baca, Bent, Otero, Pueblo)

Sagebrush Sparrow (Conejos, Douglas, Jefferson)

Fox Sparrow (Washington)

GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW (Mesa)

Northern Cardinal (Boulder)

EASTERN MEADOWLARK (Lincoln)

Great-tailed Grackle (Costilla, Douglas, Jefferson, Lincoln, Mesa, Pueblo, Weld)

Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch (Chaffee, Eagle, Summit)

Black Rosy-Finch (Chaffee, Eagle, Jefferson, Summit)

Brown-capped Rosy-Finch (Chaffee, Eagle)

PURPLE FINCH (Sedgwick)

ARAPAHOE COUNTY:

--A 1-st cyc Glaucous Gull was reported by Gene Rutherford at Cherry Creek SP on March 20.  On March 25, Cheryl Teuton reported imm Glaucous Gull and ad Lesser Black-backed Gull at Cherry Creek SP.

--On March 22, a m Varied Thrush visited the yard of Becky Campbell just south of Cherry Creek SP.  If it returns on 3/23, she

will post to CoBirds for those who would like to see it.  On March 23, Becky Campbell and Tom Behnfield reported Varied Thrush

south of Cherry Creek SP.  On March 24, Becky Campbell, Doug Kibbe, and Chris Brown reported Varied Thrush south of Cherry Creek SP. On March 25, Becky Campbell reported Varied Thrush in you yard.  On March 26, Becky Campbell and several others reported Varied Thrush in her yard.  On March 28, Becky Campbell reported that the Varied Thrush continues to visit her yard.   On April 3, Becky Campbell reported that the Varied Thrush returned for a visit. Contact Becky at 3rdgenbirder AT gmail.com.

--On March 29, Michael Kiessig reported 1 f Long-tailed Ducks at South Platte Reservoir.  On March 30, Sue RIffe reported a pair of Long-tailed Ducks at South Platte Reservoir.  On April 1, David Suddjian reported 2 Long-tailed Ducks at South Platte Reservoir.  On April 3, Gene Rutherford reported three and Ben Sampson two Long-tailed Ducks at South Platte Reservoir.

BACA COUNTY:

--On March 30, Nathan Goldberg reported Rufous-crowned Sparrow, Chihuahuan Raven and Bewick's Wren at Cottonwood Canyon.

--On April 2, Jill White Smith reported Greater Roadrunner in Cottonwood Canyon.

--On April 2, at Cottonwood Canyon Joey Kellner and Kathy Mihm Dunning eported 6 Eastern Phoebe, 8 Bewick's Wrens, 4 Canyon Towhee, and 1 Rufous-crowned Sparrow.

--On the Southern Loop in Cottonwood Canyon, Joey Kellner and Kathy Mihm Dunning reported 5 Greater Roadrunners, 1 Juniper Titmouse and 1 Eastern Phoebe on April 2,

--On the Southern Approach to Cottonwood Canyon, Joey Kellner and Kathy Mihm Dunning reported Eastern Phoebe, Bewick's Wren, and 2 Canyon Towhee on April 2.

--On April 2 at CR G and CR 12 Kellner and Dunning reported 2 Canyon Towhee.

BENT COUNTY:

--An ad Lesser Black-backed Gull was reported by Duane Nelson at John Martin Reservoir on March 18.  Duane reported that

the road over the dam is once again open to the public during daylight hours.

--On March 18, Duane Nelson reported Red-bellied Woodpecker, Canyon Towhee, and Curve-billed Thrasher visiting his yard in Las Animas.  On March 28, Duane Nelson reported that the Red-bellied Woodpecker continues to visit.  If you would like to try to see these birds please contact him at dnelson1 AT centurytel.net.

BOULDER COUNTY:

--On March 26, John Vanderpoel reported 11 Chihuahuan Ravens at Lagerman Reservoir.

--On March 29, Jon Webb reported Northern Cardinal in old North Boulder neighborhood east of Broadway and north of Iris.  The

Cardinal seems to be ranging further east than in the past.  

CHAFFEE COUNTY:

--On March 25, Jeff Guy reported all 3 species of Rosy-Finches at Maysville.

CONEJOS COUNTY:

--4 Sagebrush Sparrows were reported by Ted Floyd in San Luis Hills on March 18.

--On March 17 at Fort Garland, Ted Floyd reported 9 Great-tailed Grackles.

--A Mallard (Mexican intergrade) was reported by Ted Floyd on the Rio Grande at Hwy 142 on March 18.

CROWLEY COUNTY:

--A calling Black Phoebe was reported by Van Truan on Canal Road intake overview NE of Manzanola on March 18.

DELTA COUNTY:

--3 Barrow's Goldeneyes (1m, 1f, 1juv) were reported by Mike Henwood at Fruitgrowers Reservoir on March 22.

--A pair of Black Phoebe was reported by Mike Henwood at Hwy 65 and Gunnison River on March 22.

--A Black Phoebe was reported by Andrea Robinsong at old sewer plant in Hotchkiss on March 20.

--2 Black Phoebe were reported by Tom McConnel at Escalante Canyon below Escalante Forks on April 2.

DOUGLAS COUNTY:

--On March 27, Joey Kellner, Mark Chavez, and Aaron Shipe reported Sagebrush Sparrow at end of Handicapped Fisherman's access at Chatfield SP.

--A Great-tailed Grackle was reported by Tim Ryan at Bar CCC Park on March 29.

--A sub adult Thayer's Gull was reported by Norm Lewis at the Handicapped Fisherman's Platform at Chatfield SP on April 1.

EAGLE COUNTY:

--On March 17, Vic Zerbi reported all three Rosy-Finches at a feeder near Tennessee Pass.

--On March 27, Gabriel Wiltse reported m Surf Scoter, Barrow's Goldeneye and Black Phoebe along Colorado River on S side of CO 6 near Dotsero.

 

EL PASO COUNTY:

--On March 20 David Chartier reported 2 Long-tailed Ducks at Big Johnson.

--On March 19, Marty Wolf reported a f Yellow-bellied Sapsucker was in his back yard in NW Colorado Springs.  Birders are

welcome but please call first  719-548-1932, address is 2220 Capra Way.

--An Eastern Phoebe was reported by Mark Peterson at Adams Open Space in Fountain on April 1.  On April 2, Aaron Driscoll reported Eastern Phoebe at Adams Open Space in Fountain.

GUNNISON COUNTY:

--2 Chukar were reported by Nathan Goldberg on Hwy 114 on March 30.

--On April 3, Gabriel Wiltse reported 2 White-winged Doves at Gunnison SWA.

HUERFANO COUNTY:

--A m Barrow's Goldeneye was reported by Bob Spencer at Lathrop SP on March 18.  On March 19, Mark Peterson and Glenn Walbek reported m Barrow's Goldeneye at Lathrop SP.

--On March 28, Polly Wren Neldner reported Greater Roadrunner and Black Phoebe at Lathrop SP.

JEFFERSON COUNTY:             

--A Winter Wren was heard by Cynthia Madsen and Karen Drozda on the first pond N of Audubon Nature Center at Chatfield on March 16.

On March 22, Matt Clark and Susan Bonfiglio reported Winter Wren on the east-west pond at NW end near the boardwalk at Audubon Nature Center and heard a Gray Catbird.

--On March 26, Doug Kibbe reported 2 Long-tailed Ducks on the W side of South Platte Reservoir.

--On March 26 Art Bezuidenhout reported a Sagebrush Sparrow at Belmar Park.  On March 27, Aaron Shipe, Art Hudak, and Tom Behnfield reported Sagebrush Sparrow at Belmar Park.

--On March 29, Michael Kiessig and Chuck Aid reported a pair of Long-tailed Ducks in intermediate plumage between winter and breeding at

South Platte Reservoir.

--On March 29, Tim Mitzen reported Black Rosy-Finch at North Table Mountain Park.

--On March 29, at Chatfield SP David Suddjian reported 1-st cyc Thayer's Gull by North Boat Launch and Great-tailed Grackle near C470 and Wadsworth.

KIOWA COUNTY:

--On March 19, at Upper Queens/Neeskah Reservoir, Steve Mlodinow reported 10 Chestnut-collared Longspurs and 2 McCown's Longspurs.

--On March 27, David Dowell reported Glaucous Gull (1-st or 2-nd cyc) at Upper Queens/Neeskah Reservoir.

LA PLATA COUNTY:

--A m Eurasian Wigeon was reported by Riley Morris in a field south of Pastorius Reservoir in Durango on March 3.  On March 4, Jason St. Pierre reported Eurasian Wigeon in field south of Pastorius Reservoir and Ryan Votta and Vic Zerbi reported the Eurasian Wigeon on the water in a small open area.  On March 5, Amy Dobbins and Jim Beatty reported Eurasian Wigeon at Pastorius Reservoir.  On March 6, Beth Wolff reported Eurasian Wigeon at Pastorius Reservoir.  On March 7, Jason St Pierre reported Eurasian Wigeon at Pastorius Reservoir.  On March 13, Jim Beatty reported Eurasian Wigeon at Pastorius Reservoir.  On March 15, Tom Behnfield and James Turner reported Eurasian Wigeon at Pastorius Reservoir.  On March 23, Jason St Pierre reported m Eurasian Wigeon at Pastorius Reservoir.  On March 24, Glenn Dunmire reported Eurasian Wigeon at Pastorius Reservoir.  On March 25, Ryan Votta reported Eurasian Wigeon at Pastorius Reservoir.  On March 26, Amy Dobbins reported Eurasian Wigeon at Pastorius Reservoir.  On March 27, Kathy Shirley and Kristi Stieffert reported Eurasian Wigeon at Pastorius Reservoir.  On March 29, Riley Morrius and Jason St. Pierre reported Eurasian Wigeon at Pastorius Reservoir.  On March 31, Jim Beatty reported Eurasian Wigeon at Pastorius Reservoir.  On April 1, Jane Stulp reported Eurasian Wigeon at Pastorius Reservoir.

 

LARIMER COUNTY:

--An Eastern Phoebe was reported by Austin Hess and Nick Komar on the Big Thompson RIver Bike Trail W of Wilson Bridge in Loveland on March 19.

--On March 20, Dave Leatherman reported that the Yellow-throated Warbler made an appearance back at 1520 Mountain Ave.

There are reports of the warbler in the City Park area from two different sites a few blocks from the Mountain Ave site.  The

warbler seems to be roaming the neighborhood. 

--On March 26, Nick Komar reported 3-rd cyc Lesser Black-backed Gull at county landfill.

--On March 26, Nick Komar reported ad ICELAND GULL and ad Thayer's Gull at Horseshoe Reservoir.  On March 28, David Wade reported 3 Thayer's Gulls, ICELAND GULL, and Lesser Black-backed Gull at Horseshoe Reservoir.  On March 30, Nick Komar reported 3 Lesser Black-backed Gulls at Horseshoe Reservoir.  On April 2, Nick Komar reported Thayer's Gulls and Lesser Black-backed Gulls at Horseshoe Reservoir in Loveland.  On April 3, Irene Fortune reported 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls at Horseshoe Reservoir.

LAS ANIMAS COUNTY:

--On March 20, Paul Tennery reported 3 White-winged Scoters at Trinidad Lake SP.

LINCOLN COUNTY:

--On March 16, Glenn Walbek reported thousands of McCown's Longspurs with a few Chestnut-collared Longspurs south of Arriba.   Most are in breeding plumage.  Stay on county roads.

--On March 20, Tom Behnfield reported EASTERN MEADOWLARK and 2 Great-tailed Gracles between Genoa and Arriba.

--On April 3, Glenn Walbek reported 2 Mountain Plover N of Punkin Center on CO 71.

MESA COUNTY:

--2 Black Phoebe were reported by Dave Trappett at Redlands canal Phoebe Rock on Audubon section of Riverfront Trail on March 16.  

--2 Black Phoebe were reported by Mike Henwood at Grand Valley Nature Center by Phoebe Rock on March 17.  On April 2, a Black Phoebe was reported by Christ Rurik at Grand Valley Nature Center.

--A Red-throated Loon was reported by Mike Henwood  and seen by several other birders at Highline Lake SP on March 18.  On March 24, Diane Trappett reported Red-throated Loon and f Great-tailed Grackle at Highline Lake SP.  On March 30, Nic Korte, Ronda Woodward, and Mike Henwood reported Red-throated Loon at Highline Lake SP.  On March 31, Mike Henwood reported Red-throated Loon at Highline Lake SP.  On April 2, Tom McConnel and Carol Ortenzio reported Red-throated Loon at Highline Lake SP.  On April 3, Chris Rurik reported Red-throated Loon at Highline Lake SP.

--On March 19, Nic Korte reported 4 Black Phoebe at Connected Lakes SP.  Two were at Phoebe Rock and 1 by pond on south side of Audubon property.

--On March 23, Mike Henwood reported 3 Black Phoebe at pond to east of Phoebe Rock at Grand Valley Audubon Nature Center.

--On March 27, a Long-tailed Duck was reported by Nic Korte and Diane trappett at Redlands Parkway Ponds.  On March 28, Long-tailed Duck was reported by Ronda Woodward, Denise and Mark Vollmar, Eileen Cunningham, and Mike Henwood.  On April 1, a f Long-tailed Duck was reported by Mike Henwood at Redlands Parkway Ponds.  On April 2, Tom McConnel reported Long-tailed Duck at Redlands Parkway Ponds.  On April 3, David Price reported Long-tailed Ducks at Redlands Parkway Ponds.

--On March 30, Juanita Moston reported Bewick's Wren at Audubon Nature Preserve and Riverfront Trail.

--On April 1, Emily Marino and Neva Lee reported a GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW at Snooks Bottom Open Space down the path up from river near the parking area.  Snooks Bottom is near Fruita.

MONTROSE COUNTY:

--On March 17, Coen Dexter reported NEOTROPIC CORMORANT at Chipeta SWA.  On March 18, the NEOTROPIC CORMORANT at Chipeta SWA was observed by Vic Zerbi, and Denise and Mark Vollmar.

--On April 3, Gabriel Wiltse reported a possible BENDIRE'S THRASHER on Hwy 50 E of Montrose.

OTERO COUNTY:
--Lots of Snowy Plovers were reported by David Chartier at Lake Holbrook on April 2.

--A Chihuahuan Rave was reported by Glenn Walbek at Lake Cheraw on April 3.

PITKIN COUNTY:
--2 Trumpeter Swans were reported by Rob Norville at Roaring Fork Club in Basalt on April 1.  They were seen on Golf Course pond along Pumphouse Road.

PROWERS COUNTY:
--An Eastern Phoebe was reported by Jill White Smith on the Willow Creek Nature Trail in Lamar on March 29.

PUEBLO COUNTY:

--On March 19, Brandon Percival reported Curve-billed Thrashers and Great-tailed Grackles in Pueblo West.

--On March 19, Canyon Towhees were reported by Brandon Percival at Pueblo Reservoir.

--A Bewick's Wren and Black Phoebe were reported by Brandon Percival below Pueblo Reservoir dam near Cottonwood Picnic Area parking lot on March 19.

SEDGWICK COUNTY:

--A PURPLE FINCH was heard by Steve Mlodinow at Sand Draw SWA on March 28.

SUMMIT COUNTY:

--On March 24, David Tonnessen reported Gray-crowned and Black Rosy-Finches on Elk Thistle Dr in Silverthorne.

WASHINGTON COUNTY:

--A Slate-colored Fox Sparrow was reported by David Dowell at Last Chance Rest Area on March 26.  On March 27, Renee and Jesse Casias reported Fox Sparrow at Last Chance.

WELD COUNTY:

--A f Barrrow's Goldeneye was reported by Steve Mlodinow at Windsor Lake on March 16.  

--A m Mexican Mallard was reported by Steve Mlodinow at Stewart's Pond on March 16.

--17 Great-tailed Grackles were reported by Tom Behnfield at Behrens Reservoir on March 19.  Behrens is SE of La Salle.

--12 Sharp-tailed Grouse were reported by Kyle Kittelberger on a lek N of CR 134 between CR 111 and CR 115 on March 20.

Also seen were 3 Chestnut-collared Longspurs.    On March 28, Kevin Keirn reported 4 Sharp-tailed Grouse at the lek N of CR 134.  

--11 Sharp-tailed Grouse were flushed on CR 105 N of CR 128 on March 20 by Kyle Kittelberger.

--6 Great-tailed Grackles were reported by Steve Mlodinow at Union Reservoir on March 21.

--On March 22, Sue Riffe reported 1 f Chestnut-collared Longspur and 12 McCown's Longspurs on the Pawnee.

--On March 25, Bob Righter reported 50+ Great-tailed Grackles at near Beebe Draw, on W side of CR 43 between CR 46 and CR 44.

--On March 30, Mark Minner-Lee reported 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull at Firestone Gravel Pits.

--A Red-bellied Woodpecker was reported by Steve Mlodinow at Crow Valley CG on April 2.

YUMA COUNTY:

--Greater Prairie Chickens were reported by Dave on a lek on CR 45 N of Wray on March 19 and 20.

DFO Field Trips:

The DFO Field Trip for Saturday, April 9 will be to Cameron Pass for Boreal Owls led by Chris Rurik (chrisrurik AT gmail.com; 253-225-7104).  This trip is full.

The DFO Field Trip for Sunday, April 10 will be to Cherry Creek SP Wetlands Loop led by Karen von Slatz (kvonsaltz AT yahoo.com; 303-941-4881).  Meet at the Prairie Loop lot in Cherry Creek SP at 0800.  From either park entrance, follow Lake View Road to Prairied Loop that is located at the south rim of the reservoir.  State Parks pass or day pass required.  

  This is a half-day of walking that passes through most of the important habitats found in the park, over a distance of about three miles.  Trails can be slippery so dress accordingly.  Bring water and snacks;  lunch optional.  Register online or contact leader.

Good Birding,

Joyce Takamine

Boulder

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