Colorado Rare Bird Alert for July 2.

[Joe Roller]

Compiler:  Joe Roller

Date: July 2, 2014

email: rba AT cfobirds.org

This is the Colorado Rare Bird Alert for Wednesday, July 2, updated at 0620, sponsored

by Denver Field Ornithologists and Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory.

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

Barrow's Goldeneye (Clear Creek)

Red-necked Grebe (Jackson)

Least Tern (Logan)

EASTERN WOOD-PEWEE (*Larimer)  

Black Phoebe (*Boulder)

Red-eyed Vireo (Boulder)

Purple Martin (Gunnison)

Blue-winged Warbler (Jefferson)

Black-throated Gray Warbler (Gunnison) 

White-winged Crossbill (Park, Boulder)

BOULDER COUNTY:

--A lone White-winged Crossbill was reported by Dowell where the road to Long and Mitchell Lakes branches off the loop road on the west side of Brainard Lake on June 25.

--Ron Bolton reported a Red-eyed Vireo at Golden Ponds in Longmont, on the path between the ponds and the creek, on June 27.

--On June 30 Starace noted that a Black Phoebe (with an Eastern Phoebe) continued at the 75th St. crossing of Boulder Creek. A Black Phoebe has been hanging out along the creek since the spring.

CLEAR CREEK COUNTY:

--A Barrow's Goldeneye was reported by Breitsch at Echo Lake on June 24.

GUNNISON COUNTY:

--A singing Black-throated Gray Warbler was reported by Beason north of Gateview off of Bue Mesa Cutoff on June 26.  It was at 8000 ft in Douglas Fir habitat.

-- Garrison  reported Purple Martins on the north side of the Kebler Pass road, west of the Pretty Place road (near mile marker 11) on June 30.

JACKSON COUNTY:

--On June 18, Hundertmark reported that the pair of Red-necked Grebes continues incubating egg(s) on Lake John.  He found them there again on June 28.

JEFFERSON COUNTY: 

--A Blue-winged Warbler was discovered by Jones at Welchester Tree Grant Park on May 22, to the delight of  many. It was most recently reported by Leatherman on June 26.

LARIMER COUNTY:

--A singing EASTERN WOOD-PEWEE was reported by Mammoser on the Poudre River Bike Trail near Prospect Road on June 26 and reported again on June 27 just south of the Spring Creek footbridge by Komar. It may be easier to see from the Riverbend Ponds Natural Area. Later it was a bit farther north. Keirn et al saw it on June 29. Minner reported it on June 30, and Mammoser saw it nearby on July 1.

LOGAN COUNTY:

--Kaempfer reported a Least Tern in the SW corner of Jumbo Reservoir on June 28.

PARK COUNTY:

-- Hansley found White-winged Crossbills near Boreas Pass on June 26. They were about three miles south of the pass, along Park Co. Rd. 33, aka Rd. 404.  From Denver take Hway 285 SW to the metropolis of Como, then follow signs for Boreas Pass or Rd. 33. The pass can also be reached from the north through Breckinridge.

DFO Field Trips:

Saturday, July 5,  Golden Gate Canyon State Park, Jefferson County

Leader: Paula Hansley, 720-890-2628, cell 303-263-1714 Trail: Easy hiking, 8000–9000 ft.

RSVP required so leader can arrange carpools. Limit: 12 people

Meet at 8 a.m. at Visitor’s Center in Golden Gate Canyon State Park, Jefferson and Gilpin counties for a trip lasting until after lunch.

Habitats will include montane, riparian, and pine forest. A wide variety of mountain birds will be seen (many at their nests). Bring water, snacks, and lunch. Walking will be on easy trails, so light boots or sneakers will be fine. 

Sunday, July 6,  Central Plains Experimental Range (CPER) near Pawnee Grasslands

Leaders: Amber Carver and Mary Cay Burger Trail: Moderate

RSVP required to Mary Burger, 303-771-3431, <mcbu...@juno.com>

Limit: 8 people

Meet at the CPER field houses at 9:15 a.m. To get there from Denver, take I-25 north to

Wellington (exit 278). After exiting, turn right and then take an immediate left onto the frontage road. After half a mile, turn right on CR 64 (labeled as “Nunn Road”). After 11.1 miles, you will have reached the town of Nunn. Turn left on U.S. 85. After 7.2 miles, turn right on CR 114. Take the first right (after 0.7 miles) down a dirt driveway toward a cluster of buildings. Amber Carver will be waiting outside.

The hike will be easy but uneven, and only one or two miles total, with some driving

from place to place. Bring sturdy walking shoes to protect ankles (due to cactus). Spotting scopes optional (in case of raptors).

Expected species include McCown’s Longspur, Lark Bunting, & Horned Lark. Species

that are possible (but not guaranteed) include Burrowing Owl, Mountain Plover, Ferruginous

Hawk, & Chestnut-collared Longspur.

NOTE: Amber Carver is an M.S. candidate at CU who was recently awarded a DFO

grant for research to study the impact of grazing management on McCown’s Longspur.

Good Birding,

Joe Roller

jrol...@gmail.com