Date: 1/8/26 11:54 am From: Polly Neldner <pollywren...> Subject: [cobirds] Spanish Peaks CBC - Huerfano County
The Spanish Peaks Christmas Bird Count wrapped up on January 3rd with a respectable 54 species for the day and 56 for the week. The weather conditions were clear with a low of 38 and a high of 63 degrees. Winds were from the Southwest between 15 and 20 mph with stronger gusts throughout the day. All bodies of water were completely open, quite unusual for January. We had 18 enthusiastic participants with one dedicated feeder watcher.
Canvasback (drake) was a new species for the count! Photo of CFO Facebook page Other highlights for the day were: 4 Bufflehead - 3rd time seen 47 Common Goldeneye - 7th time seen 2 Northern Harrier - 9th time for the count 4 American Coot 5th time seen 16 Lewis's Woodpecker 13th time seen and the best numbers in a while 1 Prairie Falcon was seen marking is 6th time seen on count day 1 Harris's Sparrow - 15th time seen 1 Spotted Towhee 16th appearance on the count - was afraid we might be skunked on that one! A flock of Rosy-finch were spotted: 13 Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch 10th time seen 150 Brown-capped Rosy-Finch were seen making their 9th time
All in all it was quite a successful day!
Polly Wren and Paul Neldner Huerfano County
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Date: 1/7/26 9:23 pm From: Jeff P <jeff.percell...> Subject: Re: [cobirds] Interesting goose at Dodd Reservoir, Boulder County
(apologies for 2nd email, but looks like the images didn't go through on
the first one)
[image: image.png]
[image: image.png]
On Wed, Jan 7, 2026 at 10:20 PM Jeff P <jeff.percell...> wrote:
> For this bird I'd recommend snow x cackling-- Mottled bill rules out pure
> snow, slight grin patch indicative of snow. It appears to be slightly
> larger than nearby Cackling indicative of Cackling.
>
> I'll take Peter's cue to provide a write up on keys to identifying
> interesting geese such as this (I was actually already in process with this
> write up when I noticed his response):
>
> 1. Start with the bare parts:
> 1. Bill color - most hybrids have mottled bills or grayish-blue
> cast over pink. Snow & Ross's geese have pink bills.Though note that
> juvenile snow geese will transition from brownish (black in the case of
> dark morph) to pink bill as an adult. Canada/Cackling have black legs.
> Greater White-fronted have orange bills.
> 2. Bill size/shape - Apply similar review as you would to the base
> species - length/slope with cackling heritage will be more petite, less
> sloped though with Snow influence this makes the bill larger, more sloped
> than a regular cackler. Likewise Ross's heritage will have a more stubby
> bill with a flatter base of the bill, though Cackler influence adds
> curvature to the base of the bill. Presence of the grin patch gives good
> indication between Snow & Ross's, though note that Ross's base species does
> still have a limited grin patch.
> 3. Leg color - Snow/Ross's x Canada/Cackling have pinkish gray
> legs, whereas Snow & Ross's geese have pink legs, Canada/Cackling have
> black legs. Orangish legs indicate GWFG or Greylag influence.
> 2. Then move to body shape:
> 1. Snow x Cackling will be slightly larger than Cackling.
> 2. Snow x Canada will be slightly smaller or similar sized to
> Canada.
> 3. You can also apply the birds of a feather flock together rule
> here -- a hybrid in a large group of Cackling geese will likely be Cackling
> x whatever else... a hybrid in a group of Canada geese is likely Canada x
> other xy or z.
> 3. Plumage:
> 1. This can be inconsistent and watch out for leucism/melanism - if
> you see a mostly white headed goose, refer to the bare parts as if it has
> black legs and bill it could well be a leucistic Canada or Cackling goose (see
> for example this bird <https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/506034251>,
> which I think is a Cackling but looks like I decided to list as goose sp.).
> 2. Plumage can be helpful in identifying Greater White-fronted
> crosses, as the "speckle belly" influence may be evident there.
> 3. Attention to folded wings can help with differentiation between
> a dark (blue or intermediate) snow vs hybrid, as snow x cackling/canada.
> The dark Snow Goose will generally have a thicker white edge to their
> feathers, whereas the hybrid will have more Canada/Cackling feature here
> and/or a thinner white edge.
> 4. Document with photos!
> 1. This is super helpful not only to have others review and provide
> input to your sightings, but also to compare other sightings. While eBird
> doesn't make it easy to get to a hybrid "species" page (they do exist but I
> find typing in the hybrid to google is the only way to get there),
> the hybrids are easily searchable in the media search tool (as well as the
> range map tool).
> 2. Focus on good photos of the bare parts - showing bill/legs,
> plumage as well as group shots that enable you to see body size comparison
> to nearby species.
>
> Also, remember not every bird is identifiable, so leaving a slash
> --Snow/Ross's x Cackling/Canada Goose is not a bad thing, and requested by
> eBird reviewers if you don't have documentation.
>
> Looking at the eBird status/trends page for the geese in Colorado is
> interesting.
>
> - Snow x Cackling Goose <https://ebird.org/species/x00692/US-CO> > (a.k.a the Waneka Goose -- credit TF for that moniker) is our most
> prominent hybrid goose in Colorado - 1,039 reports in eBird -->* that
> is 83% of all records in eBird for this type of hybrid! Colorado is truly
> the best place on earth to see this type of bird.*
> - Snow/Cackling x Canada/Cackling Goose
> <https://ebird.org/species/y00765/US-CO> - 806 Colorado eBird records.
> - Greylag (domestic) x Canada Goose
> <https://ebird.org/species/x00758/US-CO> 720 Colorado eBird records --
> I wouldn't be surprised if more than half of these are from Belmar Park in
> Jefferson County.
> - Ross's x Cackling Goose <https://ebird.org/species/x00694/US-CO> -
> 416 Colorado eBird records --> less than half as frequent as Snow x
> Cackling, which makes sense as that is a similar proportion to Snow vs
> Ross's Goose observations.
> - Snow x Canada Goose <https://ebird.org/species/x00197/US-CO> - 347
> Colorado eBird records.
> - Greater White-fronted x Cackling Goose
> <https://ebird.org/species/x00414/US-CO> - 193 Colorado eBird
> records.
> - Domestic sp. x Canada Goose <https://ebird.org/species/x00759/US-CO> > - 136 Colorado eBird records.
> - Greater White-fronted x Canada Goose
> <https://ebird.org/species/x00415/US-CO> - 54 Colorado eBird records.
> - Swan (domestic) x Canada Goose
> <https://ebird.org/species/swagoo3/US-CO> - 12 Colorado eBird records.
> - Ross's x Canada Goose <https://ebird.org/species/x00693/US-CO>- 15
> Colorado eBird records.
> - Snow x Greater White-fronted Goose
> <https://ebird.org/species/x00627/US-CO>- 13 Colorado eBird records.
> - Barnacle x Cackling Goose <https://ebird.org/species/x00416/US-CO>- > 1 Colorado eBird record -- what a rare bird!.
>
> Hybrid's are fun id challenges --> I have 18 on my life list including all
> but 4 of the above listed ones. Snow x GreaterWhite-fronted Goose is one of
> my favorite bird sightings, though it was in Southern Indiana. (photo here
> <https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/517615751>)
>
> Here's to hoping we all get an opportunity to go outside and sort some
> geese on a freezing morning in the upcoming days - I'm looking forward to
> some incoming weather to move the geese around!
>
> [image: image.png]
>
> [image: image.png]
>
> Best,
> Jeff Percell
> Erie, CO
>
> On Wed, Jan 7, 2026 at 8:24 PM Peter Ruprecht <pruprecht...> wrote:
>
>> Hi Randy,
>>
>> One thing I find useful when identifying dark morph Snow Geese is the
>> tertial feathers that flop over the flanks and rump when the bird is
>> standing or swimming. On a dark morph Snow, these will be black with
>> distinctive white outlines. On hybrids, they're almost always solid brown
>> like on the Canada or Cackling parent.
>>
>> Sometimes you can also see the nice blue-gray leading edge of the wing
>> even when a dark morph Snow has its wings folded. Again, the whole wing is
>> usually brown on a hybrid.
>>
>> See for example https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/36514851 >>
>> Based on that, I'd call the bird in your photos a hybrid. I personally
>> have a hard time deciding what Anser/Branta mix is in most hybrids (except
>> for tiny Ross's/Cackling hybrids), so maybe someone else will want to offer
>> advice there.
>>
>> Peter Ruprecht
>> Superior
>>
>> On Wed, Jan 7, 2026 at 4:01 PM Randy Siebert <rlsiebert52...>
>> wrote:
>>
>>> I got photos of a goose which is either a blue morph Snow Goose or a
>>> hybrid. A nice Greater White-fronted Goose was around for size comparison.
>>>
>>> Opinions will be appreciated and may save me dealing with an eBird
>>> reviewer.
>>>
>>> You can see them at:
>>> eBird Checklist - 7 Jan 2026 - Dodd Reservoir - 12 species
>>> <https://ebird.org/checklist/S292982911> >>>
>>> Randy Siebert
>>> Lafayette, Boulder County
>>>
>>> --
>>> --
>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google
>>> Groups "Colorado Birds" group.
>>> To post to this group, send email to <cobirds...>
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>>> http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds >>> * All posts should be signed with the poster's full name and city.
>>> Include bird species and location in the subject line when appropriate.
>>> * Join Colorado Field Ornithologists https://cobirds.org/membership/ >>> ---
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>>> Groups "Colorado Birds" group.
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>>> an email to cobirds+<unsubscribe...>
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>>> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cobirds/<a7a293af-a374-45a5-8e73-2457bbd48aban...> >>> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cobirds/<a7a293af-a374-45a5-8e73-2457bbd48aban...>?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> >>> .
>>>
>> --
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>>
>
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Date: 1/7/26 9:21 pm From: Jeff P <jeff.percell...> Subject: Re: [cobirds] Interesting goose at Dodd Reservoir, Boulder County
For this bird I'd recommend snow x cackling-- Mottled bill rules out pure
snow, slight grin patch indicative of snow. It appears to be slightly
larger than nearby Cackling indicative of Cackling.
I'll take Peter's cue to provide a write up on keys to identifying
interesting geese such as this (I was actually already in process with this
write up when I noticed his response):
1. Start with the bare parts:
1. Bill color - most hybrids have mottled bills or grayish-blue cast
over pink. Snow & Ross's geese have pink bills.Though note that juvenile
snow geese will transition from brownish (black in the case of
dark morph)
to pink bill as an adult. Canada/Cackling have black legs. Greater
White-fronted have orange bills.
2. Bill size/shape - Apply similar review as you would to the base
species - length/slope with cackling heritage will be more petite, less
sloped though with Snow influence this makes the bill larger, more sloped
than a regular cackler. Likewise Ross's heritage will have a more stubby
bill with a flatter base of the bill, though Cackler influence adds
curvature to the base of the bill. Presence of the grin patch gives good
indication between Snow & Ross's, though note that Ross's base
species does
still have a limited grin patch.
3. Leg color - Snow/Ross's x Canada/Cackling have pinkish gray legs,
whereas Snow & Ross's geese have pink legs, Canada/Cackling have black
legs. Orangish legs indicate GWFG or Greylag influence.
2. Then move to body shape:
1. Snow x Cackling will be slightly larger than Cackling.
2. Snow x Canada will be slightly smaller or similar sized to Canada.
3. You can also apply the birds of a feather flock together rule here
-- a hybrid in a large group of Cackling geese will likely be Cackling x
whatever else... a hybrid in a group of Canada geese is likely Canada x
other xy or z.
3. Plumage:
1. This can be inconsistent and watch out for leucism/melanism - if
you see a mostly white headed goose, refer to the bare parts as if it has
black legs and bill it could well be a leucistic Canada or
Cackling goose (see
for example this bird <https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/506034251>,
which I think is a Cackling but looks like I decided to list as
goose sp.).
2. Plumage can be helpful in identifying Greater White-fronted
crosses, as the "speckle belly" influence may be evident there.
3. Attention to folded wings can help with differentiation between a
dark (blue or intermediate) snow vs hybrid, as snow x
cackling/canada. The
dark Snow Goose will generally have a thicker white edge to
their feathers,
whereas the hybrid will have more Canada/Cackling feature here and/or a
thinner white edge.
4. Document with photos!
1. This is super helpful not only to have others review and provide
input to your sightings, but also to compare other sightings. While eBird
doesn't make it easy to get to a hybrid "species" page (they do
exist but I
find typing in the hybrid to google is the only way to get there),
the hybrids are easily searchable in the media search tool (as
well as the
range map tool).
2. Focus on good photos of the bare parts - showing bill/legs,
plumage as well as group shots that enable you to see body size
comparison
to nearby species.
Also, remember not every bird is identifiable, so leaving a slash
--Snow/Ross's x Cackling/Canada Goose is not a bad thing, and requested by
eBird reviewers if you don't have documentation.
Looking at the eBird status/trends page for the geese in Colorado is
interesting.
Hybrid's are fun id challenges --> I have 18 on my life list including all
but 4 of the above listed ones. Snow x GreaterWhite-fronted Goose is one of
my favorite bird sightings, though it was in Southern Indiana. (photo here
<https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/517615751>)
Here's to hoping we all get an opportunity to go outside and sort some
geese on a freezing morning in the upcoming days - I'm looking forward to
some incoming weather to move the geese around!
[image: image.png]
[image: image.png]
Best,
Jeff Percell
Erie, CO
On Wed, Jan 7, 2026 at 8:24 PM Peter Ruprecht <pruprecht...> wrote:
> Hi Randy,
>
> One thing I find useful when identifying dark morph Snow Geese is the
> tertial feathers that flop over the flanks and rump when the bird is
> standing or swimming. On a dark morph Snow, these will be black with
> distinctive white outlines. On hybrids, they're almost always solid brown
> like on the Canada or Cackling parent.
>
> Sometimes you can also see the nice blue-gray leading edge of the wing
> even when a dark morph Snow has its wings folded. Again, the whole wing is
> usually brown on a hybrid.
>
> See for example https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/36514851 >
> Based on that, I'd call the bird in your photos a hybrid. I personally
> have a hard time deciding what Anser/Branta mix is in most hybrids (except
> for tiny Ross's/Cackling hybrids), so maybe someone else will want to offer
> advice there.
>
> Peter Ruprecht
> Superior
>
> On Wed, Jan 7, 2026 at 4:01 PM Randy Siebert <rlsiebert52...>
> wrote:
>
>> I got photos of a goose which is either a blue morph Snow Goose or a
>> hybrid. A nice Greater White-fronted Goose was around for size comparison.
>>
>> Opinions will be appreciated and may save me dealing with an eBird
>> reviewer.
>>
>> You can see them at:
>> eBird Checklist - 7 Jan 2026 - Dodd Reservoir - 12 species
>> <https://ebird.org/checklist/S292982911> >>
>> Randy Siebert
>> Lafayette, Boulder County
>>
>> --
>> --
>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups
>> "Colorado Birds" group.
>> To post to this group, send email to <cobirds...>
>> For more options, visit this group at
>> http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds >> * All posts should be signed with the poster's full name and city.
>> Include bird species and location in the subject line when appropriate.
>> * Join Colorado Field Ornithologists https://cobirds.org/membership/ >> ---
>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups
>> "Colorado Birds" group.
>> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an
>> email to cobirds+<unsubscribe...>
>> To view this discussion visit
>> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cobirds/<a7a293af-a374-45a5-8e73-2457bbd48aban...> >> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cobirds/<a7a293af-a374-45a5-8e73-2457bbd48aban...>?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> >> .
>>
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Date: 1/7/26 7:45 pm From: Cassie Cranmore <cassiecranmore...> Subject: [cobirds] NoCo Bird Alliance January Program - available on Zoom!
The State of the Butterflies in the United States: A Colorado Viewpoint
Declines in insect abundance are increasingly being documented in recent years; however, additional insights about the geographic scopes and implications for specific groups and species is greatly needed. Butterflies have some of the most geographically widespread data available in the United States due to long-term monitoring programs and community science efforts across the country. This talk will summarize a study focusing on the Mountain-Prairie region and provide illustrative examples of butterflies occurring in Colorado. Additionally, we'll hear how these findings can reinforce the importance of existing conservation efforts and what we all can do to take action.
Steve Armstead is a pollinator conservation specialist for the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation in Colorado. His work focuses on management and creates high quality, connected, and climate-resilient pollinator habitat. Steve has collaborated with local communities, land managers, community organizations, and other pollinator conservation organizations to explore ways to expand and leverage support for pollinator conservation throughout the state. He has over three decades of experience working in natural lands management, environmental planning, and community engagement. Steve co-authored the Colorado Native Pollinating Insects Health Study for the Department of Natural Resources.
Join us at &:15pm on January 8th for this informative program that is free and open to the public. If you are not able to be there in person, we will record the entire program through Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88962672607
[image: FB EVENT NOCOBIRDS.png]
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Date: 1/7/26 7:24 pm From: Peter Ruprecht <pruprecht...> Subject: Re: [cobirds] Interesting goose at Dodd Reservoir, Boulder County
Hi Randy,
One thing I find useful when identifying dark morph Snow Geese is the
tertial feathers that flop over the flanks and rump when the bird is
standing or swimming. On a dark morph Snow, these will be black with
distinctive white outlines. On hybrids, they're almost always solid brown
like on the Canada or Cackling parent.
Sometimes you can also see the nice blue-gray leading edge of the wing even
when a dark morph Snow has its wings folded. Again, the whole wing is
usually brown on a hybrid.
Based on that, I'd call the bird in your photos a hybrid. I personally have
a hard time deciding what Anser/Branta mix is in most hybrids (except for
tiny Ross's/Cackling hybrids), so maybe someone else will want to offer
advice there.
Peter Ruprecht
Superior
On Wed, Jan 7, 2026 at 4:01 PM Randy Siebert <rlsiebert52...> wrote:
> I got photos of a goose which is either a blue morph Snow Goose or a
> hybrid. A nice Greater White-fronted Goose was around for size comparison.
>
> Opinions will be appreciated and may save me dealing with an eBird
> reviewer.
>
> You can see them at:
> eBird Checklist - 7 Jan 2026 - Dodd Reservoir - 12 species
> <https://ebird.org/checklist/S292982911> >
> Randy Siebert
> Lafayette, Boulder County
>
> --
> --
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> "Colorado Birds" group.
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> http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds > * All posts should be signed with the poster's full name and city. Include
> bird species and location in the subject line when appropriate.
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>
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Date: 1/7/26 2:36 pm From: Colin Woolley <colin.woolley...> Subject: [cobirds] Barr Lake CBC results
On Dec 28th, we held the 45th consecutive CBC at Barr Lake. We had 32
participants among 10 survey groups and collectively we saw 32,867 birds of
76 species. We average about 72 species for this count circle, and our
total number of individual birds has held steady around 30k over the last
decade.
The day of the count we actually had a few inches of snow on the ground
around Barr Lake; a welcome change from the unusually warm weather that
preceded (and has followed) the count date. There was nearly no ice on Barr
Lake itself nor other reservoirs and ponds within the count circle.
Cackling and Canada Geese numbers were down from their average though still
accounted for almost a third of the total number of birds (9,161 Cackling
and Canada Geese combined). Overall waterfowl numbers were low across most
species, except notably Northern Shovelers had their 2nd highest total ever
with 4,089 tallied.
Bald Eagle numbers were low again this year, though up slightly from last
year. We counted 52 this year compared 47 last year, down from our all-time
high of 153 Bald Eagles in 2023.
Bonaparte’s Gulls were a new species for the count circle with 10
individuals counted, and we had all-time high counts of Wild Turkey (60)
and White-crowned Sparrows (566). Western Meadowlarks (418) came in at
their highest in over a decade. Some notable misses this year were Virginia
Rails (usually we get a few) and the rarer winter sparrows (no Lincoln’s,
Swamp, White-throated, Harris’s or Golden-crowned Sparrows). Overall, it
was a surprisingly average year, despite the unusually warm weather leading
up to the count date.
Thanks to all our participants, hope to see you all again in a year!
Colin Woolley
Bird Conservancy of the Rockies
Barr Lake CBC Compiler
Wheat Ridge, CO
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On Tuesday, January 6, 2026 at 4:15:30 PM UTC-7 linda hodges wrote:
> I always enjoy hearing your reports, John!
>
>
> *Linda Hodges*
>
>
>
> On Tue, Jan 6, 2026 at 3:40 PM John Rawinski <johnra......> wrote:
>
>> Just watched a line of 60 cranes fly over my house near the Monte Vista
>> NWR. Can't say that has happened very often in January. I live a few miles
>> from the Monte Vista NWR but this further underscores what a strange
>> "winter" (unseasonally warm and free of snow and ice) it has been.
>>
>> John Rawinski
>> Monte Vista, CO
>>
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Having been part of the team covering Pueblo Reservoir on the CBC many,
many times, I know that there have been multiple winters at Pueblo Res in
which there were at least two fully adult Great Black-backed Gulls, so
there is no certainty that the individual present this winter is the same
as the original Murray. I thought that the first time I saw two adults
there.
Sincerely,
Tony Leukering
Denver
On Sunday, January 4, 2026 at 5:26:07 PM UTC-7 Leon Bright wrote:
> Thanks, David S., for your news on Cobirds about “Murray” a few minutes
> ago. My wife and I have enjoyed wondering about Murray’s possible longevity
> ever since the then very young Brandon Percival announced Murray’s
> arrival. At ages 85 and almost 88, we appreciate longevity.
>
> Leon Bright Pueblo, and Custer County when it’s warm.
>
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On Tue, Jan 6, 2026 at 3:40 PM John Rawinski <johnrawinski0...>
wrote:
> Just watched a line of 60 cranes fly over my house near the Monte Vista
> NWR. Can't say that has happened very often in January. I live a few miles
> from the Monte Vista NWR but this further underscores what a strange
> "winter" (unseasonally warm and free of snow and ice) it has been.
>
> John Rawinski
> Monte Vista, CO
>
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Just watched a line of 60 cranes fly over my house near the Monte Vista NWR. Can't say that has happened very often in January. I live a few miles from the Monte Vista NWR but this further underscores what a strange "winter" (unseasonally warm and free of snow and ice) it has been.
John Rawinski Monte Vista, CO
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Date: 1/6/26 8:37 am From: Denise B. <dbretting...> Subject: [cobirds] Loveland CBC results
We had a very interesting, productive Christmas Bird Count in Loveland on
January 1 – unseasonably warm weather with no snow on the ground, no wind,
and most water bodies completely ice-free. We recorded high counts for
several bird species, and recruited a record number of volunteers! To
delve into the details a bit, we logged 107 species on January 1; one more
(Greater Scaup) was seen during count week. For comparison, last year we
ended up with 107 species, and an additional 4 species during count week.
Our 113 volunteers, approximately 30 of them new to our CBC, reported that
they walked or hiked 173 miles and drove 378 miles. They spent more than
190 hours trying to find and count birds on New Year’s Day. Twenty-five
feeder watchers spent almost 84 hours watching their feeders and
birdbaths.
Three new species were seen during this year’s CBC – American White
Pelican, Orchard Oriole, and Golden-crowned Sparrow. High counts for the
26 years of the Loveland CBC were recorded for Pied-billed Grebe (10),
Great Horned Owl (52), Merlin (5), Say’s Phoebe (5), Bushtit (234, previous
high 111), White-crowned Sparrow (427), Spotted Towhee (65), and Red-winged
Blackbird (4488). We logged five species of grebes– Pied-billed, Eared,
Horned, Red-necked, and Western, and four species of owls – Great Horned,
Eastern Screech, Northern Pygmy, and Northern Saw-whet. We counted 18
Bonaparte Gulls this year. Until this year, we had seen only one
Bonaparte’s on a CBC – fourteen years ago. Several species were low in
numbers – Golden Eagles (only 4), Rough-legged Hawk (only 1), Great Blue
Heron (only 9). We saw no Ferruginous Hawks (but understand they were
plentiful on the Rawhide CBC). We counted over 21,000 geese and over
46,000 birds in total.
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Formerly British Honduras until gaining independence from Great Britain in
1981, Belize is known to travelers as an English-speaking vacation mecca
(also Spanish and Creole) of beaches, snorkeling and diving, rainforest
adventuring and ancient Mayan ruins on the Caribbean side of Central
America.
It is also a dream habitat for birds. Although Belize is Central America’s
second-smallest country (roughly the size of Massachusetts), half of its
land is covered with rainforests. More than a third of the land is under
environmental protection, and it is the region’s least-populated country.
No wonder it is home to more than 600 species of birds, from multiple kinds
of trogons, motmots and puffbirds to the endemic Yellow-headed Parrot and
the Jabiru stork, tallest bird in the Western Hemisphere. The species also
include large numbers of North American warblers and flycatchers that
overwinter in Belize.
Meet the birds of Belize and more through the eyes and photographs of
Belizean bird guides *Eduardo Ruano* and *Ruben Arevalo* in DFO’s first
evening program of 2026. *“Birding former British Honduras? You’d better
BELIZE It!”* is set for *Monday, January 26 at 7 p.m. MST* via Zoom.
Ruano and Arevalo are longtime guides at Lamanai Outpost Lodge, one of
several well-known destinations on the Belize birding tour circuit. Their
home base has checklisted more than 400 bird species, and the lodge is a
four-time winner of the H. Lee Jones Belize Bird-a-thon, an annual 24-hour
competition named for the ornithologist-author of the *Birds of
Belize* guidebook.
It is also headquarters of a long-term University of Florida study of
Morelet’s crocodile
Presentation topics range from the land and tree birds of Belize’s inland
rainforests and pine savannas to shorebirds and waders of the Caribbean
coastal region, where the Belize Barrier Reef of corals, mollusks and fish
is part of the 700-mile Great Mayan Reef, second longest in the world.
Nighttime boat safaris may reveal Yucatan nightjars and poorwills, and
tropical forest walks cross paths with Great Curassows, Ocellated Turkeys,
Red-lored Parrot and Collared Aracari, a kind of toucan.
[image: 06C - 2025-04 - Fall-Winter Program Previews_Ruben Arevalo_no
credit.jpg]
Ruben Arevalo
[image: 06B - 2025-04 - Fall-Winter Program Previews_Eduardo Ruano_no
credit.jpg]
Eduardo Ruano
* * *
David Suddjian
DFO Communications and Outreach
Littleton CO
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Date: 1/5/26 1:36 pm From: Pauli Driver-Smith <hollyhockfarms...> Subject: Re: [cobirds] Dead Snow Geese
Apparently, there are a large number of them along the side of the road, not just a handful. I ended not going to check this out because I couldn't get away, but from the sounds of the ongoing discussion on Nextdoor, CPW has been notified. The discussion is about divided in half as to the case, hunters or Avian flu.
Reportedly, two Bald Eagles, dead from Avian Flu were picked up at Macintosh Lake in Longmont over the weekend. I haven't seen anything here on Highland Lake, in Weld County, near Mead, but there are a lot of geese coming and going right now.
________________________________
From: Chip Dawes <chipdawes...>
Sent: Monday, January 5, 2026 12:53 PM
To: Pauli Driver-Smith <hollyhockfarms...>
Subject: Re: [cobirds] Dead Snow Geese
I agree with the Avian Flu suspicion. I expect the hunter theory is from a non-hunter. I am a hunter and have a hard time imagining why someone would go to the hassle of locating and successfully bagging geese only to dump them on the side of a road. If someone just wants to blow holes in something flying, they go to the range and blast away at clay pigeons (skeet) which is far cheaper and carries no risk of a game warden issuing a citation.
But people come in all varieties and slob hunters do make some bad choices.
If you do investigate and find the cause of death, please share it. Avian Flu has taken quite the toll on our feathered friends.
Chip Dawes
On Mon, Jan 5, 2026 at 5:51 AM Pauli Driver-Smith <hollyhockfarms...><mailto:<hollyhockfarms...>> wrote:
Someone reported on Nextdoor that they saw a number of dead snow geese laying off the side of Weld County Road 7, just north of County Road 38, north of Mead. They were assuming that hunters had shot them and then dumped them. I read it too late to go investigate. I will tomorrow. My suspicions is more on the idea of avian flu. Apparently they were laying with their wings spread out.
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Date: 1/5/26 11:45 am From: Douglas Kibbe <dpkibbe...> Subject: [cobirds] Results of Record Setting Flagler CBC
Six observers in three teams established a new state (and probably national) mark on the Flagler CBC on Dec 27, 2025.
Although only 37 species were tallied count day, they included a Lark Bunting (photographed to become only the third December ebird record for Colorado), 2 American coots (secord record for the count), a White-winged Dove (third count record) and three Chestnut-collared Longspurs among the 10, 820 Horned Larks and 111, 970 Lapland Longspurs recorded.
The latter number, almost certainly a new National record, is, according to those there, probaly low! Special thanks to Meredith Kinney who added three count period birds to the tally the following day. Coverage of this, one of the few CBCs from the Colorado plains, continues to an issue as all participants traveled at least two hours from the Front Range to share in the effort. Their efforts to get there are GREATLY appreciated.
Doug Kibbe
Compiler
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Date: 1/5/26 4:51 am From: Pauli Driver-Smith <hollyhockfarms...> Subject: [cobirds] Dead Snow Geese
Someone reported on Nextdoor that they saw a number of dead snow geese laying off the side of Weld County Road 7, just north of County Road 38, north of Mead. They were assuming that hunters had shot them and then dumped them. I read it too late to go investigate. I will tomorrow. My suspicions is more on the idea of avian flu. Apparently they were laying with their wings spread out.
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Date: 1/4/26 7:13 pm From: Brandon <flammowl17...> Subject: [cobirds] Pueblo CBC results January 2, 2026
Hi all,
13 birders helped with the Pueblo Christmas Bird Count this year, on Friday 2 January 2026. We finished with 94 species of birds on count day, and two others during count week (American White Pelican and Greater White-fronted Goose). The big highlights were two new species for this count, a female Black Scoter and a nicely photographed Northern Yellow Warbler. Other highlights, thousands of Snow and Ross's Geese, Greater Scaup, 6 Double-crested Cormorants, 5 Black-crowned Night-Herons, 5 Virginia Rail, a Sora, Lesser Black-backed Gull, 122 White-winged Doves, American Barn Owl, 5 Western Screech-Owls, 8 Great Horned Owls, Say's Phoebe, Chihuahuan Raven, only 1 Black-capped Chickadee, a Mountain Chickadee, 2 Red-breasted Nuthatch, 2 Brown Creeper, Winter Wren, 3 Curve-billed Thrashers, 52 Cedar Waxwings, a Lapland Longspur, a Swamp Sparrow, Common Grackle, 2 Brown-headed Cowbirds.
A big thank to all the helpers, sometimes it is hard to get enough helpers for this count.
Next year's Pueblo CBC, is planning to be Saturday, 2 January 2027, hope many of you can attend.
Brandon K Percival
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Thanks, David S., for your news on Cobirds about "Murray" a few minutes ago. My wife and I have enjoyed wondering about Murray's possible longevity ever since the then very young Brandon Percival announced Murray's arrival. At ages 85 and almost 88, we appreciate longevity.
Leon Bright Pueblo, and Custer County when it's warm.
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Date: 1/4/26 3:26 pm From: Ginny Bergstrom <peakhomeservices...> Subject: Re: [cobirds] Wondering about "Murray" the Lake Pueblo Great Black-backed Gull
Here is one of Murray today. Was so excited to catch him all by himself and not on the tires. Not the best photo as the wind was whipping but if anyone cares to try and edit my photo to see his face better, feel free. Thanks.
Ginny Bergstrom
________________________________
From: <cobirds...> <cobirds...> on behalf of David Suddjian <dsuddjian...>
Sent: Sunday, January 4, 2026 2:15 PM
To: Colorado Birds <cobirds...>
Subject: [cobirds] Wondering about "Murray" the Lake Pueblo Great Black-backed Gull
Hi Co-Birders,
I thought I'd post some photos here to see if anyone has any thoughts on what is going on with Lake Pueblo's famous long-visiting Great Black-backed Gull, nicknamed "Murray." We were viewing him near the South Marina on January 1 on a DFO field trip. Melody Serra took some good photos, and when I looked at them after the trip I noticed that something appears to be wrong with his face where it meets the bill, and the left and right sides are not the same. Check out the images here by Melody Serra and share if you have any insights. Brandon Percival informs me that, if it is indeed the same wintering individual over many years, it would be 34 years old. That is one old gull.
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Date: 1/4/26 1:15 pm From: David Suddjian <dsuddjian...> Subject: [cobirds] Wondering about "Murray" the Lake Pueblo Great Black-backed Gull
Hi Co-Birders,
I thought I'd post some photos here to see if anyone has any thoughts on what is going on with Lake Pueblo's famous long-visiting Great Black-backed Gull, nicknamed "Murray." We were viewing him near the South Marina on January 1 on a DFO field trip. Melody Serra took some good photos, and when I looked at them after the trip I noticed that something appears to be wrong with his face where it meets the bill, and the left and right sides are not the same. Check out the images here by Melody Serra and share if you have any insights. Brandon Percival informs me that, if it is indeed the same wintering individual over many years, it would be 34 years old. That is one old gull.
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Date: 1/2/26 12:43 pm From: Paula Hansley <plhansley...> Subject: [cobirds] American Goshawk, Louisville
Birders—
I pulled into my driveway a few minutes ago and noticed a large hawk
sitting in my catalpa tree. I couldn’t believe what it was—- an adult male
American Goshawk! I tried to get a cell phone picture but he flew across
the street.
I’m very familiar with this species because I lived at 9000’ for over 20
years.
I’ll try to refind it and get a picture.
Paula Hansley
Louisville (near police station)
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Date: 1/2/26 12:03 pm From: 'Tony Leukering' via Colorado Birds <cobirds...> Subject: [cobirds] Re: Another strange gull
As noted already, this is an American Herring Gull. Besides the pink legs,
note the wide, white tertial and scapular crescents. The latter is not
particularly obvious in this photo, but the tertial crescent (created by
the broad, white tips to the three tertials creating a white crescent just
anterior to the black primary tips). Ring-billed Gull has both crescents
thin and nowhere near as obvious. You can read more about scapular and
tertial crescents in the In The Scope article in the January 2012 issue of
Colorado Birds (CB_2012_46_1_Jan.pdf
<https://cobirds.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/CB_2012_46_1_Jan.pdf>),
page 78.
Tony Leukering
Denver
On Thursday, January 1, 2026 at 1:59:05 PM UTC-7 David Hyde wrote:
> Happy New Year to everyone! On Lake McIntosh this afternoon I saw a
> Ring-billed gull with pink legs! Never seen nothing like it before. I took
> some photos and here's one, it kinda looks like a Thayer's gull but... it
> has a light eye... Any suggestions at to what bird this is appreciated 😁
>
> [image: P1150588.JPG]
>
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Date: 1/2/26 12:02 pm From: Don Marsh <ridgwaybrdr...> Subject: [cobirds] Yellow-billed Loon Ouray County
This morning a Yellow-billed Loon was found on Ridgway Reservoir. It was seen swimming near two Common Loons, which made the identification easily; it dwarfed the Common Loons. I have been looking to find this species on Ridgway Reservoir since I moved to Colorado. I believe this is a first county record. Here is my eBird checklist: eBird Checklist - 2 Jan 2026 - Ridgway SP--Bay View Day Use Area - 6 species<https://ebird.org/checklist/S291917357>.
Don Marsh
Ridgway, CO
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Date: 1/1/26 1:41 pm From: T. Luke George <t.luke.george...> Subject: Re: [cobirds] Another strange gull
I’m thinking American Herring Gull but the red on the bill is faded or
missing- which occurs in some cases.
Luke George
*T. Luke George, PhD*
*Master Instructor, **Colorado State University*
*Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology*
*Wagar 110*
*970-491-3311 (o)*
Professor Emeritus, Humboldt State University
707-499-4053 (c)
*<t.luke.george...> <t.luke.george...>*
"what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?" Mary
Oliver
On Thu, Jan 1, 2026 at 1:59 PM David Hyde <davidhyde1951...> wrote:
> Happy New Year to everyone! On Lake McIntosh this afternoon I saw a
> Ring-billed gull with pink legs! Never seen nothing like it before. I took
> some photos and here's one, it kinda looks like a Thayer's gull but... it
> has a light eye... Any suggestions at to what bird this is appreciated 😁
>
> [image: P1150588.JPG]
>
> --
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Date: 1/1/26 12:59 pm From: David Hyde <davidhyde1951...> Subject: [cobirds] Another strange gull
Happy New Year to everyone! On Lake McIntosh this afternoon I saw a
Ring-billed gull with pink legs! Never seen nothing like it before. I took
some photos and here's one, it kinda looks like a Thayer's gull but... it
has a light eye... Any suggestions at to what bird this is appreciated 😁
[image: P1150588.JPG]
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Date: 12/30/25 5:18 pm From: 'MARK CHAVEZ' via Colorado Birds <cobirds...> Subject: [cobirds] North Jeffco CBC
On December 14th, the North Jeffco CBC was held on a beautiful winter day. Once again, we had a very successful count, seeing a suprising 111 species, which beat our record of 107! We had a very good year for owls including 8 Saw Whet, and 2 Pygmy Owl (Thanks Chris W). This year, lacked the rarities that occured in past counts. That being said, the count was still successful because of the skill, committment, and energy everyone brought to count day. This count has only been in existence for seven years and the engagement and committment gets better every year. A huge thank you to the skilled leaders and everyone who participated. Let us know if you want to join this great count next year.
Best Birds:
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Lincoln Sparrow
2 Winter Wren
Gray-crowned Rosy Finch--Great job Chris Wood
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Date: 12/30/25 11:39 am From: linda purcell <linpurcellzz...> Subject: [cobirds] Re: CBC Colorado Christmas wish list
Regarding participation ---- I volunteered for 4 CBC's this year, two
outside of Denver Metro, including Spanish Peaks. I'm thrilled to have the
opportunity to bird with experienced local birders! In that case, my
strategy is to make a couple of days of it, taking some time to personally
enjoy winter birding on the way to the meet site on Jan 3 by leaving Denver
on Jan 2, with overnite at a friend's in Ft Garland. I'm not a
particularly experienced birder. Before this year, it was intimidating,
because of my experience level. Fortunately, that anxiety has passed.
Linda Purcell
Denver
On Sunday, December 21, 2025 at 12:15:11 PM UTC-7 Diana Beatty wrote:
> Just for fun discussion:
>
> Linked below is a map of Christmas Bird Count circles.
>
> Is there anywhere in Colorado you think should have one that doesn't?
> Volunteer capacity and time are certainly factors, but if those weren't
> problems, where might we be missing?
>
> Near me, I thought maybe a circle centered on or around Eleven Mile State
> Park could be cool. Maybe it would also have Antero and Spinney within it.
>
>
> Diana Beatty
> El Paso County
>
>
> https://gis.audubon.org/christmasbirdcount/?_gl=1*161wzvj*_gcl_au*MTQzMzU4MzYxMy4xNzY2MzQzODc4*_ga*MjE0MzA1MzQxMy4xNzY2MzQzODc4*_ga_X2XNL2MWTT*czE3NjYzNDM4NzckbzEkZzEkdDE3NjYzNDQyNTIkajYwJGwwJGgw >
> ******
>
> “I wish it need not have happened in my time,” said Frodo. “So do I,” said
> *Gandalf*, “and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for
> them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is
> given us.”
>
>
>
>
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>
> On Dec 28, 2025 at 11:51 AM, Jessi Oberbeck <ivory.billed.wdpkr...> wrote:
>
>
>
> Were they?
>
>
>
> Jessi Oberbeck
>
>
>
>
> On Sun, Dec 28, 2025, 11:48 AM zroadrunner14 <zroadrunner14...> wrote:
>
> >
> >
> >
> > Thanks all for the correction.
> >
> > Ira Sanders
> >
> > Golden
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > >
> > > On Dec 28, 2025 at 10:47 AM, zroadrunner14 <zroadrunner14...> wrote:
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > Birders,
> > >
> > > Weren't the Pacific and Winter Wrens lumped?
> > >
> > > Ira Sanders
> > >
> > > Golden CO
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > --
> > --
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> >
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> > On Dec 28, 2025 at 10:47 AM, zroadrunner14 <zroadrunner14...> wrote: > > > > Birders, > > Weren't the Pacific and Winter Wrens lumped? > > Ira Sanders > > Golden CO > > > > > > > >
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Date: 12/28/25 9:47 am From: zroadrunner14 <zroadrunner14...> Subject: [cobirds] Question
Birders,
Weren't the Pacific and Winter Wrens lumped?
Ira Sanders
Golden CO
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The Crook CBC has been rescheduled to Saturday the 3rd if anyone is interested. Steve Larson Sent from my iPhone
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Date: 12/26/25 11:39 am From: David Hyde <davidhyde1951...> Subject: [cobirds] Gull i.d.?
Hi CO birders, while scanning through gulls at McIntosh Lake on Dec 21st, I ended up with this one bad photo of what I think may be a California Gull. I didn't notice it at the time and saw it only in this one photo. What do you all think?
[image: CaliforniaGull-Dec2025.JPG]
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Date: 12/25/25 7:40 am From: 'Woodcreeper29' via Colorado Birds <cobirds...> Subject: [cobirds] Crook CBC
To anyone who was considering joining in the Crook CBC scheduled for the 28th has been postponed to a later date to be determined. Steve Larson Sent from my iPhone
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Jeff Percell of Erie Colorado photographed the Union Reservoir Ross's Gull!
He also raised funds for CFO, with the Pawnee Nomads team in Weld County!
Pat Cullen
Longmont, CO
On Tuesday, December 23, 2025 at 10:34:41 AM UTC-7 Todd Deininger wrote:
> A ROSS’S GULL was photographed at Union Res, WELD Co. on Saturday. I don’t
> know by who, but get out and search your local res. It was associating with
> BOGUs.
>
> Todd Deininger
> Longmont, CO
>
> Latest on Flickr <https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjAd1LF> > Follow me on inaturalist <https://www.inaturalist.org>at toddwd1
> youtube.com/@DeiningerProductions
>
> "A good teacher leaks curiosity into the cracks of indifference."
> -- unknown
>
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Date: 12/23/25 4:17 pm From: 'Joey Kellner' via Colorado Birds <cobirds...> Subject: [cobirds] Re: CBC Colorado Christmas wish list
My two-cents worth, regarding participation by younger people. Christmas
bird counts prior to Covid were widely attended and revered by birders of
all ages. When Covid hit, most people hunkered down and stayed home or
birded sparingly locally. HOWEVER, the younger generation found ways to
communicate on social media (Discord, etc.) and, in my opinion, were
invincible healthwise and went birding together. After Covid "ended" the
"older generations" were (still are?) slow to gather again.
That all being said, the younger generation have become REALLY good birders
in their own right! I took it upon myself to reach out to young people and
have been making them "Area Leaders" for the Denver CBC. Not just any
areas, and certainly not the worse areas. For example, I have young people
leading the Marston Reservoir area, another group the Littleton/McClellan
Reservoir area, one really young birder and his friends cover a difficult
foothills area. ALL of these young people are scouring their areas and
finding birds. This year I had one young person "shadow" me in my area at
Chatfield Reservoir. Next year she will take over my area; that I've done
more or less since the late 1980! I'm just trying to get young people
involved in the CBC tradition with us "old timers." After last years'
compilation, one of my new, young area leaders came up to me and said,
"Thanks for making me an area leader. I had a BLAST!" Needless to say,
this year young people in two Denver CBC count areas found TWO new birds
never before seen on the Denver CBC! Sandhill Crane and Hammond's
Flycatcher! Both well documented with photos.
As far as promoting the Denver CBC to older birders that are new to the
hobby, I have reached out via COBIRDS and had DFO reach out via the DFO
Facebook account. I've had success with a number of new, older birders
joining this year! I will continue to reach out in the coming years. :-)
Again, just my two cents.
Joey Kellner
Littleton, Colorado
On Sunday, December 21, 2025 at 12:15:11 PM UTC-7 Diana Beatty wrote:
> Just for fun discussion:
>
> Linked below is a map of Christmas Bird Count circles.
>
> Is there anywhere in Colorado you think should have one that doesn't?
> Volunteer capacity and time are certainly factors, but if those weren't
> problems, where might we be missing?
>
> Near me, I thought maybe a circle centered on or around Eleven Mile State
> Park could be cool. Maybe it would also have Antero and Spinney within it.
>
>
> Diana Beatty
> El Paso County
>
>
> https://gis.audubon.org/christmasbirdcount/?_gl=1*161wzvj*_gcl_au*MTQzMzU4MzYxMy4xNzY2MzQzODc4*_ga*MjE0MzA1MzQxMy4xNzY2MzQzODc4*_ga_X2XNL2MWTT*czE3NjYzNDM4NzckbzEkZzEkdDE3NjYzNDQyNTIkajYwJGwwJGgw >
> ******
>
> “I wish it need not have happened in my time,” said Frodo. “So do I,” said
> *Gandalf*, “and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for
> them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is
> given us.”
>
>
>
>
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Date: 12/23/25 9:34 am From: Todd Deininger <goldeneagle90a...> Subject: [cobirds] Ross’s Gull, Weld on Saturday
A ROSS’S GULL was photographed at Union Res, WELD Co. on Saturday. I don’t
know by who, but get out and search your local res. It was associating with
BOGUs.
"A good teacher leaks curiosity into the cracks of indifference."
-- unknown
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Date: 12/23/25 8:56 am From: DAVID A LEATHERMAN <daleatherman...> Subject: FW: [cobirds] Re: 25 Balds at Union...and 1 Falling Fish Weld Co this morning
I see where I just sent my reply to Pat only. I meant for this to go out to all the folks who still utilize COBIRDS. And I reiterate, this is no disrespect to Pat, John, Steve or Luke. I just don’t want the Prathers and their contributions to be forgotten. As Ted is right about the “new”, I am right about the “old”. The full richness of birding in CO is realized when we combine the two.
Dave
From: DAVID A LEATHERMAN
Sent: Tuesday, December 23, 2025 9:36 AM
To: Patricia Cullen <hathcockcolorado...>
Subject: RE: [cobirds] Re: 25 Balds at Union...and 1 Falling Fish Weld Co this morning
Pat et al,
Perhaps the persons who best put Union Reservoir on the map were the late Bill and Inez Prather. They lived on the northwest side of Union and found many, many rarities well before, with all due respect, the three distinguished gentlemen mentioned ever visited the place. This wonderful couple found Colorado’s first Ross’s Gull in northeastern CO and our state’s only Buff-bellied Flycatcher near Fountain. Their now-deceased son John, while an ornithology student at Northern Arizona University, discovered Lucy’s Warblers nesting inside CO near Four Corners. John suggested we might find Red-faced Warblers and Crissal Thrashers regularly visiting, maybe even nesting within CO, in the near future. He was right.
I should also add the Prathers were perhaps the foremost authorities on Colorado odonates (dragonflies and damselflies). They curated the collection at Colorado State University and Bill, right up until his recent passing, vetted CO odonate records to Odonata Central, an entomological equivalent to eBird.
Colorado has a rich bird and birder history that goes back well before eBird and I couldn’t resist giving my dear friends the Prathers their due.
Dave Leatherman
Fort Collins
From: <cobirds...><mailto:<cobirds...> <cobirds...><mailto:<cobirds...>> On Behalf Of Patricia Cullen
Sent: Tuesday, December 23, 2025 7:05 AM
To: Colorado Birds <cobirds...><mailto:<cobirds...>> Subject: [cobirds] Re: 25 Balds at Union...and 1 Falling Fish Weld Co this morning
Jay,
You are inspiring me to do the driving lap around Union!
Union Reservoir in Weld County is a marvelous place to bird! While the south side park requires a city of Longmont
sticker, (and may have great warblers in the ditches near the blue city park building and near the children's playground )
both WCR 28 on the north and WCR 26 on the south offer ample views with a scope, both unpaved roads, with a few fast trucks but
not too much traffic. There is a little pond on the north side of WCR 28 that often has teal in the right season. The WCR 28 side
has the mud flats most years, and good terns, gulls and shorebirds may be had. Sandhill cranes land, and I have had 24 Marbled Godwits
land in the water along WCR 28 in April, as well as terns and rare gulls at good photographing distances !
Over the years, Union has been birded by Boulder County birding GREATS like John Vanderpoel, Steve Mlodinow, and Luke Pheneger
so the list is very long indeed for this fabulous hot spot and wanna bees like me, with thousands of blackbirds, all three kinds, many raptors, ducks
and loons being found over the years. There has been a Harlan's Hawk for several years too!
Pat Cullen
Longmont
On Sunday, December 21, 2025 at 9:05:16 AM UTC-7 <jay......><mailto:<jay......> wrote:
So here's a Public Service Announcement for everyone this morning.
On my daily lap around Union Res this morning I was treated to the "usual" count of approximately 10,000 Cackling geese and a personal high count of 25 Balds.
I finished up at the picnic area near the entrance and had stopped under one of the tall cotton woods watching 4 juvies chasing each other right above me. While watching through the (closed) sun roof, several small branches fell on my car roof as they were fussing with each other. I saw a bigger branch (or so I assumed it was) falling and was surprised when it landed next to my open window with a rather loud "ker-plop". Linguists might argue it was a "ker-splat".
Nope, NOT a twig but a rather mangled fish landed maybe a foot away. Alright then, I will show myself out once it starts raining fish.
So children, today's lesson is to keep your sunroof closed while observing raptors that are trying to have breakfast. And with apologies to Leatherman and Floyd, I did not get an ID of the fish. It was wet, scaly and missing large chunks out of it.
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Date: 12/23/25 8:07 am From: Ted Floyd <tedfloyd73...> Subject: Re: [cobirds] CBC Colorado Christmas wish list
This is an interesting and important conversation. I totally get Brandon's
concern about prospective new CBCs potentially cannibalizing existing ones.
But it's also a fun parlor game to brainstorm about where new CBCs might be
located; maybe that was part of Diana's point? And then there's the bigger
and weightier problem of the disconnect with basically flatline
participation in Colo. CBCs in the face of surging interest in birding. Why
is that?
Here's my take. The CBC is the grandest of Birding traditions. I actually
have a piece on that in the Dec. 2025 *Birding*. Anyhow, I think this means
that recruitment and participation rely, perhaps to a large extent, on
traditional "old media," as they say. Not to put too fine a point on it,
but: COBirds. Also: coverage in local/regional newspapers and television.
Those outlets are not where most people under the age of 50 get their
information anymore. So there's that. I think it's incumbent on "us" (peeps
born before 1975) to go to where the "kids" (b. after 1975) are.
The other thing is, if I may be so bold, something of a problem with
presenting all of this with, hm, a bit more éclat and verve—shall we
say?—than some of us are accustomed to. Joey Kellner's posts are exemplary
in that regard. I've never done his Denver CBC with him, but it's not for
lack of trying on Joey's part. One gets the impression, from Joey's COBirds
posts, that the Denver CBC is tremendous good fun. And it sounds like they
have strong participation to back that up.
So: Go to where the kids are; keep it fun. Folks, this isn't that hard.
Here are a few pics from the CBC season in the Front Range metro region
thus far:
[image: CBC 01.jpg]*Upperclasspersons at Boulder High School scouting for
the Boulder CBC, Boulder Co., Dec. 11, the first day of count week. We're
looking at an American Dipper roost in this pic from the Boulder Creek
path. We'd staked out two Wood Ducks a moment earlier, and we'd later go
looking for the famous warbler flock along the creek.*
[image: CBC 02.jpg]*My crew on the Boulder CBC, Boulder Co., Dec. 14. We'd
just seen a small troupe of Woodhouse's Scrub-Jays, scarce in Boulder.
Great birders, all of them, but they don't, for the most part, get their
birding news at COBirds, in the Boulder Daily Camera, or on Channel 7. I'm
just saying.*
[image: CBC 03.jpg]
*Me and a birding companion on the Fountain Creek CBC, El Paso Co., Dec.
17. We're celebrating our discovery of an American Pipit, the only one seen
on that count, I believe. I'm sure Diana will correct that if I'm wrong.😁*
[image: CBC 04.jpg]*My crew on the Broomfield CBC, multiple Colo. cos.,
Dec. 21. About an hour earlier, we saw the first bird—ever!—on the
first-ever Broomfield CBC. It was a Great Horned Owl.*
The best thing of all is: We're not nearly done with the 2025–2026 season!
We're not even halfway there yet. There's plenty of time to get out there
and find new birders for your sector. And check this out: Four years from
now, or forty years from now, they'll be the sector leader or even the
compiler.
Ted Floyd
Lafayette, Boulder Co.
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Date: 12/23/25 6:04 am From: Patricia Cullen <hathcockcolorado...> Subject: [cobirds] Re: 25 Balds at Union...and 1 Falling Fish Weld Co this morning
Jay,
You are inspiring me to do the driving lap around Union!
Union Reservoir in Weld County is a marvelous place to bird! While the
south side park requires a city of Longmont
sticker, (and may have great warblers in the ditches near the blue city
park building and near the children's playground )
both WCR 28 on the north and WCR 26 on the south offer ample views with a
scope, both unpaved roads, with a few fast trucks but
not too much traffic. There is a little pond on the north side of WCR 28
that often has teal in the right season. The WCR 28 side
has the mud flats most years, and good terns, gulls and shorebirds may be
had. Sandhill cranes land, and I have had 24 Marbled Godwits
land in the water along WCR 28 in April, as well as terns and rare gulls
at good photographing distances !
Over the years, Union has been birded by Boulder County birding GREATS
like John Vanderpoel, Steve Mlodinow, and Luke Pheneger
so the list is very long indeed for this fabulous hot spot and wanna bees
like me, with thousands of blackbirds, all three kinds, many raptors, ducks
and loons being found over the years. There has been a Harlan's Hawk
for several years too!
Pat Cullen
Longmont
On Sunday, December 21, 2025 at 9:05:16 AM UTC-7 <jay......> wrote:
> So here's a Public Service Announcement for everyone this morning.
>
> On my daily lap around Union Res this morning I was treated to the "usual"
> count of approximately 10,000 Cackling geese and a personal high count of
> 25 Balds.
>
> I finished up at the picnic area near the entrance and had stopped under
> one of the tall cotton woods watching 4 juvies chasing each other right
> above me. While watching through the (closed) sun roof, several small
> branches fell on my car roof as they were fussing with each other. I saw a
> bigger branch (or so I assumed it was) falling and was surprised when it
> landed next to my open window with a rather loud "ker-plop". Linguists
> might argue it was a "ker-splat".
>
> Nope, NOT a twig but a rather mangled fish landed maybe a foot away.
> Alright then, I will show myself out once it starts raining fish.
>
> So children, today's lesson is to keep your sunroof closed while observing
> raptors that are trying to have breakfast. And with apologies to
> Leatherman and Floyd, I did not get an ID of the fish. It was wet, scaly
> and missing large chunks out of it.
>
> Jay Hutchins
> Longmont
> Sent from my iPhone
>
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Videos of all 41 episodes of BIRD BOMBS are available here in the DFO BIRD BOMBS archive <https://dfobirds.org/Programs/BirdBombs.aspx>. There are many topics great for winter birding in Colorado.
David Suddjian Littleton, CO [image: Winter Birds Around Town Dec 18.png]
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Ah, that's true about the reservoirs being frozen.
Your fantasy idea would be a fascinating area!
Thinking about the difficulties in participation:
1. A lot of the counts are scheduled on the same few weekend dates, and
people are more likely than not to choose their local one due to proximity
and relationships.
2. Counts scheduled during the week lose most non-retired persons from
participation.
3. Counts tend to avoid dates closest to Christmas thinking people would
have holiday commitments competing for availability.
4. It isn't super easy to travel in winter to remote counts without many
options for lodging and early starts.
5. It can be a little hard for an average birder to know what counts are
desiring new volunteers and how to join them unless they know the
coordinator or see a message from the coordinator in COBIRDS or other
commonly used forums. A lot of them kind of feel mostly closed to outside
volunteers, and I don't know how accurate that is.
A few ideas if people really want to aim to improve participation that
could be considered:
1. More communication and coordination amongst coordinators statewide to
develop a statewide plan of when counts are scheduled to maximize volunteer
availability at different counts. I do think coordinators try to honor
tradition and avoid conflict, but I don't think coordinators currently have
the ability to talk to each other as a whole group in a planning capacity?
2. I wonder if Audubon would ever consider expanding the count window to
maybe add an additional weekend in January? Since people have lots of
commitments in the holiday season maybe that would open some availability
without hurting the scientific objectives?
3. More tools for coordinators to easily invite and onboard volunteers
from other communities in the state. I don't know exactly what this would
look like and I do think Audubon has been making some efforts and people
like Brandon obviously help try to get the word out.
4. One issue with out of area volunteers is that they may be unfamiliar
with the area and less familiar with some birds there. I wonder if a system
developed for non locals to easily plug in such as a map of suggested route
and stops for each sector would help.
5. While we have increased interest in birding, the number and capacity of
individuals to coordinate, lead sectors, and confidently ID, count, and use
reporting tools is a bottleneck point. A lot of birders are not well
connected into the state birding communities, and may not even identify as
birders or know other birders; and birding organizations in the state that
have programs to train and build capacity are very few in number and
location. There are also likely issues of people who could step up not
believing they are ready, not being identified and asked, etc.
While the number of birders has grown, this has not happened in an
institutional framework; a great many birders do not even know there are
Christmas Bird Counts that they could be part of, let alone any other
events like field trips, classes, or conventions.
Maybe some kind of community awareness and count training for public
consumption could help grow interest and capacity.
Enthusiastic beginners are great, but require someone to guide and manage
them, and that can sometimes be harder than just running with the overly
lean but seasoned crew.
The CBCs are useful scientific endeavors, but also tools of citizen
engagement. Maybe we could be engaging more citizens to some extent.
Diana Beatty
El Paso County
******
“I wish it need not have happened in my time,” said Frodo. “So do I,” said
*Gandalf*, “and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for
them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is
given us.”
On Sun, Dec 21, 2025, 4:53 PM David Suddjian <dsuddjian...> wrote:
> To Brandon's point, it is interesting to consider counts that are
> under-supported by participating birders and those whose participation has
> declined. The number of birders has grown greatly, but it seems that the
> tradition of Christmas count participation has not grown similarly. The CBC
> culture feels different in some ways. I think some impact occurred in
> connection with the Covid-19 shutdown when many counts took a hiatus, and
> substantial growth in birding happened at that same time and in the
> following years.
>
> To Diana's idea for consideration, the corners of Colorado all seem
> depauperate in coverage. One fantasy circle for me would be focused on the
> canyonlands of Baca and far eastern Las Animas counties -- but no birders
> live there. Those reservoirs in Park County she mentions -- all great
> birding areas -- are completely frozen in the CBC season and one of the
> state parks is closed for winter.
>
> David Suddjian
> Littleton, CO
>
> On Sun, Dec 21, 2025 at 12:25 PM Brandon <flammowl17...> wrote:
>
>> Since there are over 50+ Christmas Bird Counts in Colorado, and some
>> counts don't get 10 observers on their counts, which they suppose to be
>> (according to National Audubon, every year), I am not sure about starting
>> new Christmas Bird Counts, that don't have a lot of birders, that live in
>> the circle (the new count this year, Broomfield, probably have lots of
>> people, since it is in northern Colorado). I know several of our local
>> counts down here, like Lake Isabel, Spanish Peaks, Rocky Ford, Pueblo, and
>> Westcliffe (which we've discontinued since there aren't any birders close
>> by), don't get enough of helpers (nowadays, they use to get more, back when
>> they started), since there's not a lot of birders in these areas. Please
>> help these rural counts that have few people helping usually, and not try
>> to start new counts in areas that don't have helpers.
>>
>> Brandon Percival
>>
>>
>>
>> On Sun, Dec 21, 2025 at 12:15 PM Diana Beatty <otowi33.33...>
>> wrote:
>>
>>> Just for fun discussion:
>>>
>>> Linked below is a map of Christmas Bird Count circles.
>>>
>>> Is there anywhere in Colorado you think should have one that doesn't?
>>> Volunteer capacity and time are certainly factors, but if those weren't
>>> problems, where might we be missing?
>>>
>>> Near me, I thought maybe a circle centered on or around Eleven Mile
>>> State Park could be cool. Maybe it would also have Antero and Spinney
>>> within it.
>>>
>>>
>>> Diana Beatty
>>> El Paso County
>>>
>>>
>>> https://gis.audubon.org/christmasbirdcount/?_gl=1*161wzvj*_gcl_au*MTQzMzU4MzYxMy4xNzY2MzQzODc4*_ga*MjE0MzA1MzQxMy4xNzY2MzQzODc4*_ga_X2XNL2MWTT*czE3NjYzNDM4NzckbzEkZzEkdDE3NjYzNDQyNTIkajYwJGwwJGgw >>>
>>> ******
>>>
>>> “I wish it need not have happened in my time,” said Frodo. “So do I,”
>>> said *Gandalf*, “and so do all who live to see such times. But that is
>>> not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time
>>> that is given us.”
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> --
>>> --
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>>> Groups "Colorado Birds" group.
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>>> * Join Colorado Field Ornithologists https://cobirds.org/membership/ >>> ---
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>>> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cobirds/<CAM-_j9t7rYG62uQiTt5KJKEPkezNKc4Gk-nNOuRK3fd2u2KUJA...> >>> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cobirds/<CAM-_j9t7rYG62uQiTt5KJKEPkezNKc4Gk-nNOuRK3fd2u2KUJA...>?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> >>> .
>>>
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>>
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Date: 12/21/25 3:53 pm From: David Suddjian <dsuddjian...> Subject: Re: [cobirds] CBC Colorado Christmas wish list
To Brandon's point, it is interesting to consider counts that are
under-supported by participating birders and those whose participation has
declined. The number of birders has grown greatly, but it seems that the
tradition of Christmas count participation has not grown similarly. The CBC
culture feels different in some ways. I think some impact occurred in
connection with the Covid-19 shutdown when many counts took a hiatus, and
substantial growth in birding happened at that same time and in the
following years.
To Diana's idea for consideration, the corners of Colorado all seem
depauperate in coverage. One fantasy circle for me would be focused on the
canyonlands of Baca and far eastern Las Animas counties -- but no birders
live there. Those reservoirs in Park County she mentions -- all great
birding areas -- are completely frozen in the CBC season and one of the
state parks is closed for winter.
David Suddjian
Littleton, CO
On Sun, Dec 21, 2025 at 12:25 PM Brandon <flammowl17...> wrote:
> Since there are over 50+ Christmas Bird Counts in Colorado, and some
> counts don't get 10 observers on their counts, which they suppose to be
> (according to National Audubon, every year), I am not sure about starting
> new Christmas Bird Counts, that don't have a lot of birders, that live in
> the circle (the new count this year, Broomfield, probably have lots of
> people, since it is in northern Colorado). I know several of our local
> counts down here, like Lake Isabel, Spanish Peaks, Rocky Ford, Pueblo, and
> Westcliffe (which we've discontinued since there aren't any birders close
> by), don't get enough of helpers (nowadays, they use to get more, back when
> they started), since there's not a lot of birders in these areas. Please
> help these rural counts that have few people helping usually, and not try
> to start new counts in areas that don't have helpers.
>
> Brandon Percival
>
>
>
> On Sun, Dec 21, 2025 at 12:15 PM Diana Beatty <otowi33.33...>
> wrote:
>
>> Just for fun discussion:
>>
>> Linked below is a map of Christmas Bird Count circles.
>>
>> Is there anywhere in Colorado you think should have one that doesn't?
>> Volunteer capacity and time are certainly factors, but if those weren't
>> problems, where might we be missing?
>>
>> Near me, I thought maybe a circle centered on or around Eleven Mile State
>> Park could be cool. Maybe it would also have Antero and Spinney within it.
>>
>>
>> Diana Beatty
>> El Paso County
>>
>>
>> https://gis.audubon.org/christmasbirdcount/?_gl=1*161wzvj*_gcl_au*MTQzMzU4MzYxMy4xNzY2MzQzODc4*_ga*MjE0MzA1MzQxMy4xNzY2MzQzODc4*_ga_X2XNL2MWTT*czE3NjYzNDM4NzckbzEkZzEkdDE3NjYzNDQyNTIkajYwJGwwJGgw >>
>> ******
>>
>> “I wish it need not have happened in my time,” said Frodo. “So do I,”
>> said *Gandalf*, “and so do all who live to see such times. But that is
>> not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time
>> that is given us.”
>>
>>
>>
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>> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cobirds/<CAM-_j9t7rYG62uQiTt5KJKEPkezNKc4Gk-nNOuRK3fd2u2KUJA...> >> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cobirds/<CAM-_j9t7rYG62uQiTt5KJKEPkezNKc4Gk-nNOuRK3fd2u2KUJA...>?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> >> .
>>
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Date: 12/21/25 11:25 am From: Brandon <flammowl17...> Subject: Re: [cobirds] CBC Colorado Christmas wish list
Since there are over 50+ Christmas Bird Counts in Colorado, and some counts
don't get 10 observers on their counts, which they suppose to be (according
to National Audubon, every year), I am not sure about starting new
Christmas Bird Counts, that don't have a lot of birders, that live in the
circle (the new count this year, Broomfield, probably have lots of people,
since it is in northern Colorado). I know several of our local counts down
here, like Lake Isabel, Spanish Peaks, Rocky Ford, Pueblo, and Westcliffe
(which we've discontinued since there aren't any birders close by), don't
get enough of helpers (nowadays, they use to get more, back when they
started), since there's not a lot of birders in these areas. Please help
these rural counts that have few people helping usually, and not try to
start new counts in areas that don't have helpers.
Brandon Percival
On Sun, Dec 21, 2025 at 12:15 PM Diana Beatty <otowi33.33...> wrote:
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Date: 12/21/25 11:15 am From: Diana Beatty <otowi33.33...> Subject: [cobirds] CBC Colorado Christmas wish list
Just for fun discussion:
Linked below is a map of Christmas Bird Count circles.
Is there anywhere in Colorado you think should have one that doesn't?
Volunteer capacity and time are certainly factors, but if those weren't
problems, where might we be missing?
Near me, I thought maybe a circle centered on or around Eleven Mile State
Park could be cool. Maybe it would also have Antero and Spinney within it.
“I wish it need not have happened in my time,” said Frodo. “So do I,” said
*Gandalf*, “and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for
them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is
given us.”
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Date: 12/21/25 8:56 am From: John Rawinski <johnrawinski0...> Subject: [cobirds] Monte Vista Christmas Count preliminary
I don't have the full count results but we had a nice turnout of about 14 participants. The major story is that it was WARM. In fact, Alamosa set a record high of 59 degrees for the date, which surpassed the previous record of 56 degrees. No need for pack boots and down jackets! Results are being compiled by count leader Lisa Clements, who does a fantastic job each year. Details when that is completed.
Happy holidays all!
John Rawinski Monte Vista, CO
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Date: 12/21/25 8:06 am From: 'Joey Kellner' via Colorado Birds <cobirds...> Subject: [cobirds] 71st Denver CBC concluded
Twenty-four groups scoured the circle and found just over 100 species. Not bad. Over the years we've counted 205 species, but yesterday we added TWO more! Luke Pheneger's team found a VERY late Hammond's Flycatcher in the Marston/Bow Mar count area and Cole Sage's team found a late, singleton Sandhill Crane circling overhead in the Lower South Platte - East count area! Wow! Both species were documented via photographs.
Otherwise, the notables were much reduced waterfowl numbers and a number of species of waterfowl were missed, such as Canvasback, Greater Scaup, Northern Pintail, and Ruddy and Wood Ducks. Other misses were Northern Harrier, Ferruginous Hawk, & Merlin and Say's Phoebe!
Several birds could not be found on Count Day, but were recorded Count Week (e.g. White-winged Scoter, California Gull, and American Pipit.
The "rarest" of the birds seen were: Surf Scoter - only the third time on the Denver CBC! American Three-toed Woodpecker - Only the 7th time Common Yellowthroat - Only the 5th time observed on the count
Notes: With such a warm and dry late fall, there is still much water ice-free to the north of Colorado. I suspect that waterfowl may be lingering north of us until such time as the water freezes and they need to head south. Oddly though, even with the two new species we added, we still did not see the "half-hearty" species I would have expected to see with such warm conditions this fall. Only one Yellow-rumped Warbler, no Hermit Thrush, sapsuckers, cormorants, or pelicans. Strange year.
A HUGE "THANK YOU" to all who participated and to those that enjoyed the food and friends at the compilation after a day in the field.
Count Compilers depend upon their area leaders and numbers of observers (of *ALL* experience levels). IF you have not participated in a CBC this season, *PLEASE *consider it. It is one of birdings greatest events, both from a citizen science and a social standpoint.
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Date: 12/21/25 8:05 am From: <jay1125...> Subject: [cobirds] 25 Balds at Union...and 1 Falling Fish Weld Co this morning
So here's a Public Service Announcement for everyone this morning.
On my daily lap around Union Res this morning I was treated to the "usual" count of approximately 10,000 Cackling geese and a personal high count of 25 Balds.
I finished up at the picnic area near the entrance and had stopped under one of the tall cotton woods watching 4 juvies chasing each other right above me. While watching through the (closed) sun roof, several small branches fell on my car roof as they were fussing with each other. I saw a bigger branch (or so I assumed it was) falling and was surprised when it landed next to my open window with a rather loud "ker-plop". Linguists might argue it was a "ker-splat".
Nope, NOT a twig but a rather mangled fish landed maybe a foot away. Alright then, I will show myself out once it starts raining fish.
So children, today's lesson is to keep your sunroof closed while observing raptors that are trying to have breakfast. And with apologies to Leatherman and Floyd, I did not get an ID of the fish. It was wet, scaly and missing large chunks out of it.
Jay Hutchins
Longmont
Sent from my iPhone
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Date: 12/21/25 8:00 am From: Diana Beatty <otowi33.33...> Subject: [cobirds] Fountain Creek CBC Wednesday Dec. 17th
The Fountain Creek CBC took place this past Wednesday. Winds held off from extremes for the morning but became a factor in the afternoon. Warm temperatures, dry conditions and open water were features of the count setting this year.
We are looking at around 88 species reported, a decent number for this count in recent years. Total number of birds was on the high end for us but this is pretty species-specific with lots of Ring-billed Gulls and Starlings, and the overall feeling was that things were a bit slow, and no significant rarities were around.
We did have both Great-tailed and Common Grackle as well as Brewer's Blackbirds, a few Lapland Longspurs, both Northern and Loggerhead Shrikes (as is typical for our count), 5 Merlins, 5 Golden Eagles, Lewis's and Ladder-backed Woodpeckers, and a few Snow Geese.
Diana Beatty El Paso County Fountain Creek CBC coordinator
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Date: 12/21/25 4:54 am From: Brandon <flammowl17...> Subject: [cobirds] 51st Pueblo Reservoir CBC on 20 December
Pueblo Reservoir CBC update. At the end of the compilation party in downtown Pueblo at Mark Yaeger's art gallery on Saturday evening, we were at least 113 species of birds today (maybe a feeder watcher added something else) and at least three other count week birds so far. Much less species than last year's 130 species (less rarities around this year, less juniper berries around, it seems). It has been warm, probably more birds lingering further north.
Two new birds for the count: a BARN SWALLOW (flew by a bunch of us mid-day at Snakeskin Picnic Area at Lake Pueblo State Park) and a SANDHILL CRANE seen early in the morning at the Gravel Pit! Maybe more interesting, no Mountain Bluebirds (or any other bluebird) at all today (not a lot juniper berries around this year), we have had the National Christmas Bird Count high count of Mountain Bluebirds one time on this count, no Rock Wren, Prairie Falcon, Mourning Dove, Juniper Titmouse, Lesser Goldfinch, Western Screech-Owl.
Other goodies: two Rufous-crowned Sparrows (only the 3rd time for the count), Red-throated Loon, Great Black-backed Gull, Short-billed Gull (count week), Lesser Black-backed Gull, Iceland (Thayer's Gull), American White Pelican (count week), Red-necked and Clark's Grebe, Snow Goose, Greater Scaup, Barrow's Goldeneye, Double-crested Cormorant, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Pygmy Nuthatch, Sage Thrasher, Swamp, White-throated and Lincoln's Sparrows, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, 2 Brewer's Blackbird, Brown-headed Cowbird (count week), only Warblers found were a few Yellow-rumpeds, 3 Greater Roadrunners, I believe more White-winged Doves than Eurasian Collared Doves. Only 1 Loggerhead Shrike and 1 Northern Shrike, also only one Western Scrub-Jay, two Pine Siskins, certainly low totals for some birds. Interesting day, a HUGE thanks to our excellent team of counters today, many coming from out of town to help. The weather was less than ideal, with the strong winds in the morning, it was like 62 degrees at sunrise, strong west winds, then later in the morning, winds switched to the east, and the temperature dropped to like 44 degrees quickly and didn't warm up much after that, and still breezy to windy, then it calmed down after mid-day, and more birds appeared.
Next year's, Pueblo Reservoir CBC is Saturday, 19 December 2026. We typically only have around 20-25 participants each year, so always looking for more helpers.
We have a few more local Christmas Bird Counts left. Come join us down here, if you can.
Lake Isabel CBC (southern Pueblo County) : Saturday, Dec 27th Pueblo CBC (southeast of Pueblo): Friday, Jan 2nd Spanish Peaks CBC (La Veta): Saturday 3rd
Brandon K Percival
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Date: 12/18/25 5:40 am From: Douglas Kibbe <dpkibbe...> Subject: [cobirds] Still missing a longspur on your year list? Here is an opportunity - Flagler CBC
The Flagler CBC, which has led the nation in Lapland Longspurs for three out of the past four years, could use a few more observers.
This years count is scheduled for Saturday Dec. 27. Our FOUR area leaders would welcome additional assistance. OK, we could possible use a few more leaders too. Everyone is welcome, we assemble at the I-70 exit at 8AM, but please let Doug Kibbe, the compiler, know that you intend to participate.
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Date: 12/17/25 7:58 pm From: linda purcell <linpurcellzz...> Subject: [cobirds] Re: eBird in Action: Colorado uses eBird data to power their State Wildlife Action Plan
I forgot to sign my name....
Linda Purcell
Denver
On Wednesday, December 17, 2025 at 8:48:30 PM UTC-7 l p wrote:
> I opened eBird today. On the eBird home page, look at Recent News,
> 12/15/2025 date of the article by Kathi Borgmann.
>
> Highly Recommended Reading!
>
>
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Date: 12/17/25 7:48 pm From: l p <linpurcellzz...> Subject: [cobirds] eBird in Action: Colorado uses eBird data to power their State Wildlife Action Plan
I opened eBird today. On the eBird home page, look at Recent News, 12/15/2025 date of the article by Kathi Borgmann.
Highly Recommended Reading!
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Date: 12/16/25 2:03 pm From: 'DUANE NELSON' via Colorado Birds <cobirds...> Subject: [cobirds] John Martin Reservoir CBC results
Birders,
The John Martin Reservoir (Bent County CO) was held on December 15th, 2025, in unseasonably warm temperatures and with a lack of ice on open water and snow on the ground. Thirteen observers found 107 species of birds in a year when species numbers and diversity seem to be low region-wide. The open water allowed us to see some species of birds not expected in winter in Colorado. I'm only listing extraordinary records, but every group found unique birds essential to this successful Count
I found a group of 5 White-faced Ibis on the west end of the Reservoir on December 9. They could be hard to locate some days, but 4 were seen on Count Day, a first Count-Day record for Colorado. I predict that they'll stay until extreme cold forces them out. We had the only previous CBC Count Week report in 2015, but a cold snap on Count Day made them no-shows in that year.
On December 12, 2025, I was in the right place at the right time and photographed two Blue-winged Teal at close range, adding them as Count Week additions to the Count. I would have placed the odds of re-finding them amongst thousands of waterfowl on a huge reservoir as minimal, but two incredible birders did just that, making this a new addition to the Count.
Finally, two Long-billed Dowitchers, I think seen previously on only one CBC (JMR in 2024) stayed through Count Day, joined by record numbers of late Greater Yellowlegs and Killdeer.
I hope this abbreviated summary spurs more people to find great birds on other CBCs.
Duane Nelson
Las Animas, Bent County, CO
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Date: 12/15/25 9:25 pm From: DAVID A LEATHERMAN <daleatherman...> Subject: Re: [cobirds] Red-shouldered Hawk (elegans), McElmo Canyon, Montezuma County
Great documentation, Mike.
Dave Leatherman
Ft Collins
Get Outlook for iOS<https://aka.ms/o0ukef> ________________________________
From: <cobirds...> <cobirds...> on behalf of Mike Thompson <mt...>
Sent: Monday, December 15, 2025 2:18:15 PM
To: Colorado Birds <cobirds...>
Subject: [cobirds] Red-shouldered Hawk (elegans), McElmo Canyon, Montezuma County
Hi All - I do not often shoot up flares about rare birds; making exceptions for re-findable, low digit state records.
On December 11 and again yesterday in McElmo Canyon, I observed a Red-Shouldered Hawk (RHSA) belonging to the currently recognized western subspecies, elegans (Buteo lineatus elegans).
There isn't much to share in terms of tips on seeing the hawk. Both observations were very short, at about 11am, with the hawk perched over the south shoulder, hunting while facing the morning sun. The first instance, it was on the powerline at the entrance to the guest ranch. The second time, it was a quarter mile further west. I spent a considerable amount of time on Dec 12 and 13 following up in vain.
This section of County Road G is very curvy and narrow surrounded completely by private property with frequent distracted and sometimes drunk drivers. Attempting long duration birding outside of your vehicle from the narrow road shoulder will antagonize certain of my neighbors and potentially lead to open conflict. Certain unhappy neighbors still complain about birders chasing the 2007 Hooded Oriole which has eliminated some private birding opportunities in McElmo Canyon. Regular Montezuma County birders already know this, but to preserve future birding opportunities here, please be discreet with parking and presence. A very good option for viewing this hawk is to reach out to Ming Adams at the Canyon of the Ancients Guest Ranch to arrange parking and viewing on their property. I've spoken to Ming about this and she would like folks to call first (970-565-4288) before parking and viewing from their property.
A 2024 AOS proposal to treat B. l. elegans as a separate species was narrowly defeated (see attached split proposal and votes/comments). Based on the committees comments, it seems possible the western subspecies will eventually be split from its eastern counterparts in the not too distant future.
In the event of a split, this hawk in McElmo would likely represent a first state record. Although there is a 2021 RSHA (mistaken for Cooper's Hawk) posted on iNaturalist in Mesa County that does not appear on other platforms.
Hopefully the McElmo hawk stays for some time, and if so, hopefully its presence is well documented from numerous observations. In the interest of data integrity, if you do observe it and post on ebird, please include photos or audio for documentation until the bird's presence over an extended length of time is evident.
If this is of interest, hopefully you all can find time to see it.
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Date: 12/15/25 5:09 pm From: 'BCO gal' via Colorado Birds <cobirds...> Subject: [cobirds] CO Field Ornithologists Grant Opportunities
*1) RESEARCH GRANTS*
Colorado Field Ornithologists (CFO) makes grants to individuals or
organizations to fund programs and projects that will have a lasting
benefit to Colorado birds, and the habitats upon which they rely. CFO
provides grants for projects up to $2000. CFO grants can either fund a full
project or be applied as matching funds for larger grants benefitting
Colorado birds.
CFO's *Colorado Birding Challenge* <https://cobirds.org/cobc/> is a fun,
county-based birding and conservation event organized by Colorado Field
Ornithologists each year. One of the objectives of this fundraiser is to
raise funds for an important conservation initiative.
Past Challenge conservation initiative grant recipients have received from
$20,000 to $40,000, depending on how much is raised by the Challenge, to
support the important work to conserve Colorado birds and their threatened
habitats. Organizations and individuals with conservation projects
impacting Colorado birds and their habitats are invited to submit proposals.
If you are interested in more information, and to apply for this
conservation grant visit https://cobirds.org/grants-scholarships/ and
scroll down to “Colorado Birding Challenge Conservation Grants."
The deadline to submit a proposal for this Conservation Grant is February
15, 2026
Linda Lee
Louisville, CO
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Date: 12/15/25 1:24 pm From: Mike Thompson <mt...> Subject: [cobirds] Red-shouldered Hawk (elegans), McElmo Canyon, Montezuma County
Hi All - I do not often shoot up flares about rare birds; making exceptions for re-findable, low digit state records.
On December 11 and again yesterday in McElmo Canyon, I observed a Red-Shouldered Hawk (RHSA) belonging to the currently recognized western subspecies, *elegans *(*Buteo lineatus elegans*).
There isn't much to share in terms of tips on seeing the hawk. Both observations were very short, at about 11am, with the hawk perched over the south shoulder, hunting while facing the morning sun. The first instance, it was on the powerline at the entrance to the guest ranch. The second time, it was a quarter mile further west. I spent a considerable amount of time on Dec 12 and 13 following up in vain.
This section of County Road G is very curvy and narrow surrounded completely by private property with frequent distracted and sometimes drunk drivers. Attempting long duration birding outside of your vehicle from the narrow road shoulder will antagonize certain of my neighbors and potentially lead to open conflict. Certain unhappy neighbors still complain about birders chasing the 2007 Hooded Oriole which has eliminated some private birding opportunities in McElmo Canyon. Regular Montezuma County birders already know this, but to preserve future birding opportunities here, please be discreet with parking and presence. *A very good option for viewing this hawk is to reach out to Ming Adams at the Canyon of the Ancients Guest Ranch to arrange parking and viewing on their property. I've spoken to Ming about this and she would like folks to call first (970-565-4288) before parking and viewing from their property.*
A 2024 AOS proposal to treat *B. l. elegans* as a separate species was narrowly defeated (see attached split proposal and votes/comments). Based on the committees comments, it seems possible the western subspecies will eventually be split from its eastern counterparts in the not too distant future.
*In the event of a split, this hawk in McElmo would likely represent a first state record.* Although there is a 2021 RSHA (mistaken for Cooper's Hawk) posted on iNaturalist in Mesa County that does not appear on other platforms.
Hopefully the McElmo hawk stays for some time, and if so, hopefully its presence is well documented from numerous observations. In the interest of data integrity, if you do observe it and post on ebird, please include photos or audio for documentation until the bird's presence over an extended length of time is evident.
If this is of interest, hopefully you all can find time to see it.
Mike Thompson
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Yesterday, the Colorado Christmas Bird Counts began for this winter, and one of them at least found a new Colorado Christmas Bird Count species, a Bay-breasted Warbler was found on the Penrose CBC, as well as four other warbler species (Nashville and Orange-crowned were new for the count, and Common Yellowthroat and Yellow-rumped for five warblers species). It is starting off as big Warbler season for Colorado Christmas Bird Counts, sincei am sure Boulder had some too. Quite a few more CBCs will be going on until January 5th, many for next Saturday, including usually high species Counts like Pueblo Reservoir, Denver, Fort Collins, Colorado Springs, and Longmont, among others. The new Broomfield CBC next Sunday, should be an interesting addition to the Colorado Christmas Bird Counts.
Go to the Christmas Bird Count website and find join a count, contact the complier and help.
Brandon K Percival
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Date: 12/13/25 2:42 pm From: John Tumasonis <snakemonev...> Subject: [cobirds] Broomfield data for upcoming count
Sent to the Broomfield Compiler for the upcoming Broomfield Christmas Bird Count (December 21st) These are from the last 4 days.
Here's some more reports:
Plaster Reservoir has an immature *Snow Goose*, amidst about 1,500 Canada and Cackling Geese.
Quail Creek Park had a *Prairie Falcon* fly over - since prairie falcons are highly nomadic this time of year, it's not likely to be seen again.
There were several *American Tree Sparrows *at Stearns Lake, along with *White Crowned Sparrows*. Plus 2,000 Cackling and Canada Geese. American Tree Sparrows are a declining species and one of special concern.
I have not returned to Westminster City Park to check for the two *Harlan's Hawks* I saw a few days ago but will likely recheck in a couple of days.
*Marsh Wrens* have been seen and heard several times at Eastlake #3 in Thornton. If warm weather persists, I believe they might still be there on December 21st. Patience will be required for these observing these little guys.
More sick and dying *Cackling Geese* discovered at Hunter's Glen Park, Stearns Lake and Cascade Lake (Broomfield). They appear listless, heads hanging down, and will not fly away when approached. Be careful out there.
John T (Tumasonis), Broomfield CO "I'm not a real birder. I only pretend to be one on CoBirds."
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