Colorado Rare Bird Alert, 16 January 2014

[Joyce Takamine]

Compiler: Joyce Takamine

Date: January 16, 2014

email: rba AT cfobirds.org

phone: 303-659-8750

This is the Colorado Rare Bird Alert for Thursday, January 16, 2014

sponsored  by the Denver Field Ornithologists and the Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory.

If you are phoning in a message, you can skip the recording by pressing the

star key (*) on your phone at any time. Please leave your name, phone

number, detailed directions including county, and dates for each sighting.

It would be helpful if you would spell your last name.

 

Highlight species include (* indicates new information on this species in

this report):

 

BRANT (Douglas/Jefferson, *Weld)

TUNDRA SWAN (Boulder, Rio Grande)

White-winged Scoter (Adams)

Long-tailed Duck (Arapahoe/Jefferson)

Barrow's Goldeneye (Adams, Pueblo)

RED-THROATED LOON (Pueblo)

Pacific Loon (Pueblo)

Thayer's Gull (Arapahoe, *Douglas/Jefferson, Pueblo)

ICELAND GULL (Arapahoe)

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

SLATY-BACKED GULL (Arapahoe)

GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULL (Arapahoe)

Glaucous Gull (Arapahoe, Pueblo)

GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL (Arapahoe, Pueblo)

Red-bellied Woodpecker (*Logan)

American Three-toed Woodpecker (*Douglas)

Greater Roadrunner (Baca)

House Wren (Baca)

Winter Wren (Baca)

Curve-billed Thrasher (Pueblo)

Swamp Sparrow (Baca)

Harris's Sparrow (Boulder, Garfield)

GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW (Boulder, *Jefferson)

Lapland Longspur (Adams, Kit Carson, Weld)

Snow Bunting (Boulder)

Black Rosy-Finch (Pitkin)

ADAMS COUNTY:

--On January 12, Dunning reported 1 Barrow's Goldeneye at the Teal tank south of 88th along the Platte.

--A White-winged Scoter was reported by Walbek at 104th and McKay/Monaco on January 11.  On January 12, Dunning reported White-winged Scoter on an open gravel pond east of the intersection of 100th Ave and McKay.  On January 13, Mitzen reported the White-winged Scoter on a gravel pond east of the intersection of 100th Ave and McKay.

--Lapland Longspurs were reported by Breitsch flying around Haynesmount Rd south of 120th Ave north of DIA on January 14.

 

ARAPHOE COUNTY:

--On December 30, Ferrell and Moulton reported a SLATY-BACKED GULL at Aurora Reservoir.

--On January 7, Brenda Linfield reported the SLATY-BACKED GULL at Aurora Reservoir.  On January 7, Roller reported Lesser Black-backed Gulls, Glaucous Gulls, and Thayer's Gulls at Aurora Reservoir.  On January 9, Mark Peterson reported 1 GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULL, ICELAND GULL, 4 Glaucous Gulls (2 1-st cyc, 1 2-nd cyc, 1 ad), and a number of Thayer's Gulls at Aurora Reservoir.  On January 11, Komar reported 2 2nd-cyc ICELAND GULL, 4 Glaucous Gulls (1 ad, 3 juv), 5 Thayer's Gulls, 4 Lesser Black-backed Gulls (2 ad, 1 1-st cyc, 1 2nd-cyc) at Aurora Reservoir.

--A f Long-tailed Duck was reported by Suddjian at Cooley Lake in South Platte Park on January 8.

ARAPAHOE/JEFFERSON COUNTIES:

--Suddjian reported on January 13, that the two Long-tailed Ducks continue at South Platte Reservoir.

BACA COUNTY:

--At Cottonwood Canyon on January 11, Mlodinow reported out of season House Wren, 3 Winter Wrens, 2 Swamp Sparrows, and 2 Greater Roadrunners.

 

BOULDER COUNTY:

--The GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW was reported by Hundertmark at the Teller Farm parking lot on Valmont on January 11.

--A Snow Bunting was reported by Mark Miller in the NW corner of Lookout Road and 95th on January 7.

--Hundertmark reported that the TUNDRA SWAN continues at Valmont on January 11.

--Harris's Sparrows have been visiting the feeders at Pam Piombino's house which is S of Hygiene since the end of November.  On Jan 14th there were 4 Harris's Sparrows.  Birders are welcome.  Best viewing is from inside her

house.  If you would like to try to see the birds contact Pam at 303-776-1939.

DOUGLAS COUNTY:

--An American Three-toed Woodpecker was reported by Breitsch in Sedalia along Hwy 67 and Rampart Range Road.

DOUGLAS/JEFFERSON COUNTIES:

--A BRANT was found by Stachowiak at Chatfield open water on the Denver CBC

on December 14.  On January 7, Erthal reported the BRANT at the Model Airplane Field at Chatfield SP.  On January 9, Walbek reported the BRANT at the Marina Sandspit at Chatfield SP.  On January 13 early in the morning the BRANT was reported by Suddjian at the Marina.

--On January 15, Tina Jones reported 1-st cyc Thayer's Gull and ad Lesser Black-backed Gull on ice S of Marina and sandspit.

GARFIELD COUNTY:

--Filby reported that the Harris's Sparrow continues  on January 10 in his back yard in Carbondale.  If you would like to try to see the bird email Dick at dickfilby AT hotmail.com for updates and directions.

JEFFERSON COUNTY:

--The GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW was reported at Red Rocks Trading Post on January 15 by Tina Jones.

LOGAN COUNTY:

--A Red-bellied Woodpecker was reported by Wilberding in Crook across the street from the old railroad car museum on January 15.

 

PITKIN COUNTY:

--All three species of Rosy-Finches were reported by Levantin at Sam's Knob at Snowmass on January 10.  Dick Filby will be there at 11 am on Saturday, Jan 11 if you would like to try to see the birds.  You will need a lift ticket or foot passenger ticket.

PUEBLO COUNTY:

--On January 8, Percival reported 1 ad GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL, 1 ad Lesser Black-backed Gull, and 1 m Barrow's Goldeneye at Pueblo Reservoir.  On January 9 at Pueblo Reservoir, Percival reported 2 ad GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULLS, 1 ad Glaucous Gull, 1 ad Thayer's Gull, lot of Lesser Black-backed Gulls and 1 RED-THROATED LOON.  On January 11, at Pueblo Reservoir, Percival reported Pacific Loon, RED-THROATED LOON, 1 ad GREAT  BLACK-BACKED GULL, 5 Lesser Black-backed Gulls (3 ad, 2 imm), 3 Thayer's Gulls (2ad, 1 juv).

--A Curve-billed Thrasher was reported by Percival in Pueblo West on January 8.

RIO GRANDE COUNTY:

--A Tundra Swan was reported by Simmons by the bridge across the Rio Grande NW of Monte Vista on West Road on January 11.

WELD COUNTY:

--Lapland Longspurs were reported by Lefko on January 11, primarily on CR 27 between Pierce, Nunn, and Carr at Prairie Dog Colonies.

--An Atlantic BRANT was reported by Mlodinow in Greeley W of 35th along the Poudre River Trail on a pond on the S side about 1/4 mile from 35th on January 15.

 

DFO Field Trips:

The DFO Field Trip for Thursday, January 16 will be to Red Rocks Park led by Tom Bush(303-904-4576).  Meet the leader at 0900 at the Red Rocks Trading Post and bird until 12 noon.  We will spend some time checking out all the activity at the feeders.  Will do some walking, 2 miles or less, looking for raptors.  Be prepared for the weather.  Trails could be slick and challenging.  Bring water, snack, and lunch.  To reach Red Rocks Trading Post go west out of Morrison on Hwy 74.  Less than 0.5 mile out of Morrison, turn right on Red Rocks Park Road (Entrance 2 to Red Rocks Park).  Stay right at the first fork. Continue on Red Rocks Road approximately a mile to the Trading Post.

The DFO Field Trip for Saturday, January 18 will be to Sawhill and Walden Ponds led by Paula Hansley (home: 720-890-2628 or cell:  303-263-1714).  Meet the leader at 0800 at Cottonwood Marsh parking lot at Walden Ponds on 75th St in Boulder County.  Bird until about 1100.  Walden is accessed from a short road, which goes west from 75th St about 0.9 miles north of Valmont Road.  Will look on ponds and in the woods for ducks and winter residents in both Walden and Sawhill.  Will look for Dippers and other birds along Boulder Creek near 75th St.  Bring a scope if you have one, along with snack, water, and appropriate clothing.  Will walk about 2 miles mostly in Sawhill area because most of Walden Trails are still closed due to the September flooding.  Trails are relatiavely flat and easy.

The DFO Field Trip for Sunday, January 19 will be to the Longmont Area led by Chris Owens (303-772-6048 or christiel At q.com)  Meet the leader at 0830 at Jim Hamm Natural Area parking lot.  From I-25, take Exit 240.  Go west 4 miles on CO 119 to Boulder/Weld County Line Road, then approximately 2 miles north to park on left at E 17th Ave.  Bird until 1 or 2 p.m.  Walking will be held to a minimum, less than 2 miles, and we will drive from site to site.  Will look for waterfowl, raptors, and other winter residents.  Bring lunch, water, snacks if needed and dress for the predicted weather.  Also be prepared to be a rider in a car pool.  Call or email to register.

Good Birding,

Joyce Takamine

Boulder