Colorado Rare Bird Alert, 14 March 2015

[Joyce Takamine]

Compiler:  Joyce Takamine
Date: March 14, 2015
This is the Rare Bird Alert, Saturday, March 14, sponsored by Denver Field Ornithologists and the Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory.

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

Trumpeter Swan (Delta)
Tundra Swan (Boulder, Fremont)
Long-tailed Duck (Park, *Mesa, *Weld)

Barrow's Goldeneye (*Weld)
Thayer's Gull (Adams, Larimer, *Weld)
ICELAND GULL (Adams, Washington)
Lesser Black-backed Gull (Adams, Arapahoe, El Paso, Larimer, Washington, Weld)
Glaucous Gull (Larimer, Washington, *Weld)

GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULL (Weld)
American Three-toed Woodpecker (Park)

GYRFALCON (Mesa)

Bewick's Wren (*Mesa)
Lapland Longspur   Prowers, Weld)
EASTERN TOWHEE (Logan)
White-throated Sparrow (Mesa)
Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch (Jackson,*Jefferson, Park)
Black Rosy-Finch (Jefferson, Park)
Brown-capped Rosy-Finch (Jefferson,Montrose, Park)
PURPLE FINCH (Bent)
 
ADAMS COUNTY:
--On February 28, Davis reported a Dunlin at the bridge over S Platte on McKay (about 9300 N). On March 7, Behnfield reports the Dunlin was working the rocky edge of the water about 200 yds. east of the McKay bridge.  On March 9 Vesely reported the Dunlin at McKay and S. Platte.  On March 10, Candice Johnson reported Dunlin at S. Platte and McKay.  On March 11, Riffe reported Dunlin near McKay and 100th.
--On March 6, Dowell reports an ICELAND GULL on one of the ponds east of the river between McKay and 88th Ave.
--On February 28, Starace reported m Barrow's Goldeneye on the S Platte River near 88th. On March 8, Gent reported male Barrow's Goldeneye below the green/white big water tank on the S Platte River, between the 78th St. and 88th St. parking lots.
 
ARAPAHOE COUNTY:
--On March 6, Suddjian reports a 3rd cy. Lesser Black-backed Gull with Ring-billed Gulls at Cooley Lake at South Platte Park.
 
BENT COUNTY: 
--On February 28, Duane Nelson reported f-type PURPLE FINCH and Cassin's Finch at his feeders. If you would
like to try for the birds, contact Duane at dnelson1 AT centurytel.net<http://centurytel.net/> On March 1, Duane reported that both the Cassin's Finch and PURPLE FINCH returned to his feeders. On March 6, Duane Nelson reports the PURPLE FINCH coming to his feeder.
 
BOULDER COUNTY:
--On February 21, Kaempfer reported Tundra Swan at the Valmont Complex on the N shore of Leggett Reservoir.  On March 8, Floyd reported Tundra Swan at the Valmont Complex.

DELTA COUNTY:

--On March 12, Horn reported 3 - 9 Trumpeter Swans at Hart's Basin.
 
FREMONT COUNTY: 
—On March 8, Kosar reports the Tundra Swans, first found by R. Miller, are still at Holcim Wetlands. Most of the trail there is closed due to damage.   On March 9, Goff reported 2 Tundra Swans at Holcim Wetlands.
 
JEFFERSON COUNTY:
--Ira Sanders reports Gray-crowned, Brown-capped and Black Rosy-Finches coming to his front yard at 314 DeFrance Ct in Golden on December 29. Birders are welcome to watch from the street. On February 27, Jen Small reported Gray-crowned and Brown-capped Rosy-Finches at the Sanders residence. On February 28, Niyo reported about 30 Rosy-Finches including 1 Black and 1 Brown-capped at Sanders residence. About 100 Rosy-Finches were at the Sanders residence on March 3. Sanders is allowing birders to walk around the south side of the house on the stone path to the backyard to see the Rosy-Finches in the backyard. From the street near the north edge of the property you can see the cottonwood tree in the backyard where the Rosy-Finches stage. If there aren't any Rosy-Finches there then they aren't around except for maybe the 2 fluffy Gray-crowned that appear to be ill that hang around almost all the time. Sanders reports only a couple of Rosy-Finches this morning. On March 7, Sanders reported one Rosy-finch at his feeder.  On March 12, Sanders reported 1 Rosy-Finch in his yard.
 
LARIMER COUNTY:
--On March 5, Komar reported 10 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 8 Thayer’s Gulls, and 1 Glaucous Gull, subadult (at least 3yrs. old -Gorgeous) at Boyd Lake SP, (just northeast of Loveland).
 
LOGAN COUNTY:
--On February 21, Dowell reported m EASTERN TOWHEE at eastern section, area 10 at Tamarack SWA. On March 8, Dowell reports the EASTERN TOWHEE in the eastern section of Tamarack SWA, area 10.
 
MESA COUNTY:
--On March 5, Henwood reports a White-throated Sparrow at the Grand Junction Wildlife Area. Korte reports seeing a White-throated Sparrow on the sparrow walk on March 7 at GJWA.
--A f Long-tailed Ducks was reported by Dexter at Whitewater Ponds on the N side of CO 141 and W of Gunnison River on February 28. Lambeth reports the Long-tailed Duck continues at Whitewater Ponds, same area as first reported on March 7.

On March 9, McGinley reported that the Long-tailed Duck continues at Whitewater Ponds.  On March 10, Ortenzio reported Long-tailed Ducks at Whitewater Ponds.  On March 11, Tischbein reported Long-tailed Duck on Whitewater Ponds.  On March 12, Riggle reported Long-tailed Duck on Whitewater Ponds.  On March 13, Fenton reported Long-tailed Duck at Whitewater Ponds.  

--On March 10, Henwood reported a white Gyrfalcon on Pinyon Mesa, S of Glade Park Store below intersection of S16.5 and JS Road.

--On March 13, Henwood reported 3 pairs of Bewicks's Wrens on Audubon Trail and Connected Lakes SP.

MONTROSE COUNTY:

--On March 11, Garrison reported 2 small flocks of Brown-capped Rosy-Finches along WAPA power line near Forest Road 716 on Black Mesa south of Crawford.

 
PARK COUNTY:
--On February 24, Suddjian reported Rosy-Finches (all three species) in Jefferson at a feeder at house behind the market;
in Fairplay at feeder at Front Street, on a snag tree off Beaver Creek Lane in Silverheels Circle. Also south of Fairplay and east of US 285 along Kokanee and Trout Roads.

--On March 9, Suddjian reported an American Three-toed Woodpecker on Hwy 59 between Saddle Mountain and Thritynine Mile Mountain.

--On March 9, Suddjian reported Long-tailed Duck on Eleven Mile Reservoir.

--On March 9, Suddjian reported Rosy-Finches at Fairplay and Jefferson.
 
WASHINGTON COUNTY:
—On March 8, Kellner reports Lesser Black-backed Gull, 1 ad., ICELAND GULL, 1 ad., GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULL, 1, 1st winter - possibly a hybird, but mostly (?) GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULL, and Glaucous Gull, 1 (likely 2) 1st. winter birds.
 
WELD COUNTY:
--On February 16, Hess reported Long-tailed Duck at Windsor Lake. On February 26, Mlodinow reported Long-tailed Duck and Thayer's Gull at Windsor Lake.  On March 9, Leatherman reported Long-tailed Duck, juv Thayer's Gull, and 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls (1 ad, 1 3-rd cyc).  On March 11, Mlodinow reported Long-tailed Duck at Windsor Lake.  On March 13, Leatherman reported 1 sub ad Glaucous Gull, 2 juv Thayer's Gulls, 1 f Long-tailed Duck, and 1 f Barrow's Goldeneye.
--On February 28, Commercon reported Long-tailed Duck and Barrow's Goldeneye at Windsor Lake. On March 1, Hess reported f Barrow's Goldeneye at Windsor Lake but no sign of the Long-tailed Duck.
--On March 1, Knight reported 1 or 2 Rusty Blackbirds along the St Vrain at the far SE border of Sandstone Ranch. Sandstone Ranch is east of Longmont.

--On March 8, Lefko reported a Lapland Longspur on CR 33 between CR 98 and CR 100.

--On March 11, Mlodinow reported GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULL at Black Hollow Reservoir.
 
UPCOMING DFO TRIPS:
 
Wheat Ridge Greenbelt
Saturday, March 14
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Jackie King (Email: jacki...@ccd.edu <mailto:jacki...@ccd.edu> Phone: 720-381-3314) Trail Difficulty: Easy
Directions: From I-70 exit 267, take Kipling south about 0.75 mile and turn right (west) on 44th Ave. Go one mile west. Look for the entrance to Prospect Park on your left (south). Meet just inside the park in the lot right next to Prospect Lake. Bring water and snacks and we will see what we can scare up. Ducks, gulls, finches, sparrows, raptors to be expected with waxwings and nuthatches possible. You never know what will be sheltering in this tree rich area.Please register online or contact leader to register.
Roxborough State Park
Sunday, March 15
8:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Doris Cruze (Email: cruz...@aol.com <mailto:cruz...@aol.com> Phone: 303-798-8072) Trail Difficulty: Easy Directions: Take S Wadsworth Blvd past Chatfield SP to Waterton Rd on left. Take Waterton Rd 1.6 miles east to North Rampart Range Road. Turn right and go south 2.3 miles to Roxborough Park Rd. Turn left (east) onto Roxborough Park Rd and then turn immediately right (south) on Roxborough Rd and follow signs to the Park (2.2 miles). We will take an easy walk through the red rocks valley looking for resident jays, towhees, golden eagles and maybe some early migrants. There is a $6 fee for a day pass (bring correct change) or you can purchase an annual pass at the Visitor Center. Bring water and a snack. The trip will end before noon, but if you want to bring a lunch, there is a patio with picnic tables. Please register online or contact leader to register. 
 

Good Birding,

Joyce Takamine

Boulder