Here's a sneak peek. Eleven of Colorado's finest field ornithologists at
The Arsenal this frigid but beautiful Sun. morning, Feb. 22. It's not even
9am (and the temperature's not yet out of the teens Fahrenheit), and
they're already playing drinking games. L.–r.: Isabelle Busch, Topiltzin
Martínez, Patrick O'Driscoll, Amelie Anderson, Yours Truly, Elena Klaver,
Tykee James, Linda Lee, Eric Perryman, Lori Potter, Isaac Boardman.
Come to the talk tomorrow night to learn more, much more. All secret
knowledge & hidden truths shall be revealed. You will be enlightened, you
will be admitted into the brotherhood & sisterhood of The Arsenal
Illuminati. See you tomorrow!
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Thanks for the update on “your” Yellow-throated Warbler – very interesting! The Auraria bird seems to have been there since February 6th based on eBird records, and considering your previous post was from late-January, figured there was a very good chance it was the same bird – obviously not the case. So two of these rare guys in central Denver at the same time is even that much more remarkable. Thanks again for your report.
Cheers,
Doug
From: Nicole Teel <teelnicole11...>
Sent: Sunday, February 22, 2026 1:51 PM
To: Doug Ward <dougward...>
Cc: Colorado Birds <Cobirds...>
Subject: Re: [cobirds] Yellow-throated Warbler-Auraria Campus (Denver)
I have had a male Yellow-Throated Warbler at my peanut feeder all weekend. I hadn’t seen him for 3 weeks then he came back Friday and has been here every day since.
Nicole Teel
Denver County
Wash park east
On Sat, Feb 21, 2026 at 10:17 PM Doug Ward <dougward...> <mailto:<dougward...> > wrote:
As I hadn’t seen a post out here on COBirds about the YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER that has been down on the Auraria Campus in downtown Denver (Denver Co.) for the past couple of weeks, thought I would drop a note if you don’t happen to troll eBird for your rare bird information. We were in the area today (Sat., 21 Feb.’26) so decided to try and did eventually find the bird. Started looking in the pines around the parking lots along Speer Blvd near Kalamath/Champa where it has been found most regularly, but no luck. Then thought we should check the pristine wilderness of the median “park” wedged between Speer, Colfax, and Kalamath which has a small stand of conifers. Just a tad noisy, but as luck would have it, the Yellow-throated chipped a couple of times letting us know our decision to brave the traffic was about to pay off. If you do try for this guy, plan on checking the larger area if the main spots don’t produce as I would think it should stick around until migration. The YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERs it has apparently been hanging out with weren’t that active today, but did see a few.
Off to bed now as puck drop is pretty early tomorrow. Good luck to Team USA and also to you if you try for the warbler.
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I have had a male Yellow-Throated Warbler at my peanut feeder all weekend.
I hadn’t seen him for 3 weeks then he came back Friday and has been here
every day since.
Nicole Teel
Denver County
Wash park east
On Sat, Feb 21, 2026 at 10:17 PM Doug Ward <dougward...> wrote:
> As I hadn’t seen a post out here on COBirds about the YELLOW-THROATED
> WARBLER that has been down on the Auraria Campus in downtown Denver (Denver
> Co.) for the past couple of weeks, thought I would drop a note if you don’t
> happen to troll eBird for your rare bird information. We were in the area
> today (Sat., 21 Feb.’26) so decided to try and did eventually find the
> bird. Started looking in the pines around the parking lots along Speer
> Blvd near Kalamath/Champa where it has been found most regularly, but no
> luck. Then thought we should check the pristine wilderness of the median
> “park” wedged between Speer, Colfax, and Kalamath which has a small stand
> of conifers. Just a tad noisy, but as luck would have it, the
> Yellow-throated chipped a couple of times letting us know our decision to
> brave the traffic was about to pay off. If you do try for this guy, plan
> on checking the larger area if the main spots don’t produce as I would
> think it should stick around until migration. The YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERs
> it has apparently been hanging out with weren’t that active today, but did
> see a few.
>
>
>
> Off to bed now as puck drop is pretty early tomorrow. Good luck to Team
> USA and also to you if you try for the warbler.
>
>
>
> Good Birding,
>
> Doug
>
> Currently Denver
>
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Date: 2/22/26 12:58 pm From: David Suddjian <dsuddjian...> Subject: [cobirds] Re: DFO with Ted Floyd on the Rocky Mountain Arsenal NWR tomorrow Feb 23 at 7pm
Folks are asking if Ted's talk will be recorded. All DFO programs are
recorded and available later on the DFO webpage.
David
Littleton CO
On Sun, Feb 22, 2026 at 9:31 AM David Suddjian <dsuddjian...> wrote:
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Please join us Tuesday, February 24 for a free screening of the documentary
Citizen Ruth: Environmental Warrior, followed by a discussion with
Producer/Director Pamela Hoge and Ruth's friend, local community
naturalist Dave
Sutherland.
We expect that Ruth Wright will be attending! Ruth is an extraordinary
environmental activist who helped achieve lasting environmental and
community changes in Boulder County and beyond.
Pam Hoge is an Emmy Award–winning producer and director with extensive
experience in public television, educational videos, radio, photography,
and mixed media. A graduate of Duke University, her work ranges from
in-studio, multi-camera productions to field-based documentaries. Pam is
based in Boulder and Durham, North Carolina.
Sandra Laursen and Wynne Whyman will be on hand before the program to show
folks the FM hearing assistive devices. Stop by the table just inside the
Earth room between 6:30-6:55 pm if you'd like to check out how they work.
p.s. Please forgive the cross-post if you also subscribe to Nature Net.
Thank you!
--
*Kit Seeborg*
Communication and Outreach Volunteer
Boulder County Audubon Society <http://www.boulderaudubon.org> Boulder, Colorado
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Date: 2/22/26 8:31 am From: David Suddjian <dsuddjian...> Subject: [cobirds] DFO with Ted Floyd on the Rocky Mountain Arsenal NWR tomorrow Feb 23 at 7pm
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As I hadn't seen a post out here on COBirds about the YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER that has been down on the Auraria Campus in downtown Denver (Denver Co.) for the past couple of weeks, thought I would drop a note if you don't happen to troll eBird for your rare bird information. We were in the area today (Sat., 21 Feb.'26) so decided to try and did eventually find the bird. Started looking in the pines around the parking lots along Speer Blvd near Kalamath/Champa where it has been found most regularly, but no luck. Then thought we should check the pristine wilderness of the median "park" wedged between Speer, Colfax, and Kalamath which has a small stand of conifers. Just a tad noisy, but as luck would have it, the Yellow-throated chipped a couple of times letting us know our decision to brave the traffic was about to pay off. If you do try for this guy, plan on checking the larger area if the main spots don't produce as I would think it should stick around until migration. The YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERs it has apparently been hanging out with weren't that active today, but did see a few.
Off to bed now as puck drop is pretty early tomorrow. Good luck to Team USA and also to you if you try for the warbler.
Good Birding,
Doug
Currently Denver
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Date: 2/21/26 2:17 pm From: Brenda Beatty <bbeatty7704...> Subject: Re: [cobirds] Townsend's Solitaire in west Centennial, Arapahoe County
That is wonderful Kevin!
On Sat, Feb 21, 2026, 3:14 PM 'jim_tyler' via Colorado Birds <
<cobirds...> wrote:
> Interesting timing - I had one at the (heated) birdbath in our back yard
> yesterday.
>
> Jim Tyler
> Roxborough
>
>
> On 2/21/2026 9:50 AM, kevygudguy via Colorado Birds wrote:
>
> Hello Fellow Birders;
>
> Yesterday, while my wife & I were talking in our kitchen, we noticed a
> small gray bird on the concrete birdbath in the front lawn of our little
> townhouse home in western Centennial, near the intersection of Holly &
> Arapahoe. My first impression was female Mountain Bluebird but it seemed
> too big for that. So I referred to my bird ID books and determined it was
> a Townsend's Solitaire. The big white eye ring was confirmation. A new
> species of yard bird for me.
>
> Keep Smilin',
> Kevin Corwin
> west Centennial, Arapahoe
>
> Sent from my Remington Rand Typewriter via my Rotary Dial Wall Phone
>
>
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>
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Date: 2/21/26 2:14 pm From: 'jim_tyler' via Colorado Birds <cobirds...> Subject: Re: [cobirds] Townsend's Solitaire in west Centennial, Arapahoe County
Interesting timing - I had one at the (heated) birdbath in our back yard
yesterday.
Jim Tyler
Roxborough
On 2/21/2026 9:50 AM, kevygudguy via Colorado Birds wrote:
> Hello Fellow Birders;
> Yesterday, while my wife & I were talking in our kitchen, we noticed
> a small gray bird on the concrete birdbath in the front lawn of our
> little townhouse home in western Centennial, near the intersection of
> Holly & Arapahoe. My first impression was female Mountain Bluebird
> but it seemed too big for that. So I referred to my bird ID books and
> determined it was a Townsend's Solitaire. The big white eye ring was
> confirmation. A new species of yard bird for me.
>
> Keep Smilin',
> Kevin Corwin
> west Centennial, Arapahoe
> Sent from my Remington Rand Typewriter via my Rotary Dial Wall Phone
> --
> --
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Date: 2/21/26 9:20 am From: Chris H <chobbs.f1...> Subject: Re: [cobirds] Tanzania birding
Is this sponsored by CFO?
Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone
Get Outlook for Android<https://aka.ms/AAb9ysg> ________________________________
From: <cobirds...> <cobirds...> on behalf of Norm Erthal <normanerthal...>
Sent: Saturday, February 21, 2026 11:08:54 AM
To: Colorado Birds <cobirds...>
Subject: [cobirds] Tanzania birding
Hi All,
I have finalized the birding trip to eastern Tanzania for October 31 through November 16 which includes travel days. If you want to go but have possible conflicts, I could possibly rearrange by a couple days. I have some commitments but there is space available.
This is a physically demanding trip with some long steep hikes and some camping. Porters are available for the hikes and we will have a cook when camping.
The expected cost is $5,500.
Please contact me for detailed itinerary and species list.
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Date: 2/21/26 9:09 am From: Norm Erthal <normanerthal...> Subject: [cobirds] Tanzania birding
Hi All, I have finalized the birding trip to eastern Tanzania for October 31 through November 16 which includes travel days. If you want to go but have possible conflicts, I could possibly rearrange by a couple days. I have some commitments but there is space available.
This is a physically demanding trip with some long steep hikes and some camping. Porters are available for the hikes and we will have a cook when camping.
The expected cost is $5,500.
Please contact me for detailed itinerary and species list.
Norm Erthal Arvada
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Date: 2/21/26 8:51 am From: kevygudguy via Colorado Birds <cobirds...> Subject: [cobirds] Townsend's Solitaire in west Centennial, Arapahoe County
Hello Fellow Birders;
Yesterday, while my wife & I were talking in our kitchen, we noticed a small gray bird on the concrete birdbath in the front lawn of our little townhouse home in western Centennial, near the intersection of Holly & Arapahoe. My first impression was female Mountain Bluebird but it seemed too big for that. So I referred to my bird ID books and determined it was a Townsend's Solitaire. The big white eye ring was confirmation. A new species of yard bird for me.
Keep Smilin',Kevin Corwinwest Centennial, Arapahoe Sent from my Remington Rand Typewriter via my Rotary Dial Wall Phone
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Date: 2/20/26 5:07 am From: David Suddjian <dsuddjian...> Subject: Re: FW: [cobirds] Binoculars Question - thread closed
Thread now closed. Not pertaining to Colorado birds or Colorado birding.
Commercial promotion not allowed on the list.
Thanks,
David Suddjian
list moderator
On Fri, Feb 20, 2026 at 6:03 AM <jhmoss...> wrote:
> I know several people who work for Swarovski so I forwarded Nicole’s email
> to them. Here was their response.
>
>
>
> And no, I don’t even get deals on their products.
>
>
>
> Jim [image: Eagle Scout Pin representing that I am an
> Eagle Scout The Eagle Scout Pin is a symbol that the person displaying this
> is and always will be an Eagle Scout. That also indicates the person is
> still volunteering as an adult for Scouting America.]
>
>
>
> James H. Moss, JD
>
> Attorney at law
>
> Schedule an Appointment <https://cal.com/james-jim-moss-efjb9a/hour-call> >
>
>
> PO Box 621088
>
> Littleton, CO 80162
>
>
>
> 720 334 8529
>
> <Jim...>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Thanks for the heads-up!
>
>
>
> We can’t control how Cabela’s chooses to package the products we sell, but
> due to the ruggedness of our product and our packaging, I would not be
> concerned about the integrity of the binocular at all.
>
>
>
> I would tell Nicolle that to prevent something like this in the future, I
> would suggest she purchase from Front Range Birding & Optics near C470 and
> Kipling (or the store in Boulder). They are an amazing birding shop that
> supports all the local birding groups! They are also the only SWAROVSKI
> OPTIK dealer in Colorado that specializes in birding.
>
>
>
> As another option, she could have just gone to the Cabela's store in Lone
> Tree to prevent the shipping issue. Finally, she could have purchased
> directly from the SWAROVSKI OPTIK website, and we definitely pack our boxes
> better than that!!
>
>
>
> FYI: The pricing should be the same at all outlets.
>
>
>
> Please let me know if you, Nicolle, or anyone from the group has any
> questions.
>
>
>
>
>
> *From:* <cobirds...> <cobirds...> *On Behalf Of
> *Nicolle Martin
> *Sent:* Thursday, February 19, 2026 2:09 PM
> *To:* Colorado Birds <cobirds...>
> *Subject:* [cobirds] Binoculars Question
>
>
>
> Birders, I just received my first and long awaited pair of Swarovski
> Binoculars (NL Pure) via FedEx. This photo depicts how Cabela packed them
> and shipped them to me:
>
>
>
>
>
> No packing material, nothing. My question for you experts is whether you
> would accept binoculars that were shipped like this w/o any protection?
> Should I be worried about the integrity of the binoculars after bouncing
> around for a few days?
>
>
>
> Many thanks,
>
>
>
> Nicolle Martin
>
> Littleton, CO
>
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We can't control how Cabela's chooses to package the products we sell, but due to the ruggedness of our product and our packaging, I would not be concerned about the integrity of the binocular at all.
I would tell Nicolle that to prevent something like this in the future, I would suggest she purchase from Front Range Birding & Optics near C470 and Kipling (or the store in Boulder). They are an amazing birding shop that supports all the local birding groups! They are also the only SWAROVSKI OPTIK dealer in Colorado that specializes in birding.
As another option, she could have just gone to the Cabela's store in Lone Tree to prevent the shipping issue. Finally, she could have purchased directly from the SWAROVSKI OPTIK website, and we definitely pack our boxes better than that!!
FYI: The pricing should be the same at all outlets.
Please let me know if you, Nicolle, or anyone from the group has any questions.
From: <cobirds...> <mailto:<cobirds...> <cobirds...> <mailto:<cobirds...> > On Behalf Of Nicolle Martin Sent: Thursday, February 19, 2026 2:09 PM To: Colorado Birds <cobirds...> <mailto:<cobirds...> > Subject: [cobirds] Binoculars Question
Birders, I just received my first and long awaited pair of Swarovski Binoculars (NL Pure) via FedEx. This photo depicts how Cabela packed them and shipped them to me:
No packing material, nothing. My question for you experts is whether you would accept binoculars that were shipped like this w/o any protection? Should I be worried about the integrity of the binoculars after bouncing around for a few days?
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Birders, I just received my first and long awaited pair of Swarovski Binoculars (NL Pure) via FedEx. This photo depicts how Cabela packed them and shipped them to me:
No packing material, nothing. My question for you experts is whether you would accept binoculars that were shipped like this w/o any protection? Should I be worried about the integrity of the binoculars after bouncing around for a few days?
Many thanks,
Nicolle Martin Littleton, CO
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Date: 2/19/26 11:18 am From: Audrey Hicks <audreyjhicks...> Subject: [cobirds] Next Thursday: The Bird Genoscape Project with Erica Robertson
Hello all,
We’re excited to invite you to join Denver Audubon at Belmar Library
<https://maps.app.goo.gl/tbxB3EPXh6oH3Awd8> next Thursday, February 26 for
an evening with Erica Robertson on The Bird Genoscape Project
<https://www.birdgenoscape.org/> — a groundbreaking effort that is
transforming how we understand bird migration.
This fascinating project uses genetic information from the tips of bird
feathers to create “genoscapes” — detailed maps that connect bird
populations across their entire annual cycle. In other words, scientists
can now trace where birds breed, migrate, and winter using nothing more
than a couple of feathers. Erica will share what has been learned so far,
where the project is going, and how it connects to her work with Bank
Swallows.
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Date: 2/18/26 10:17 pm From: aiantony <aiantony...> Subject: [cobirds] Yet another HMA Winter Raptor Survey in Colorado !
This is great. Colorado birders seem to be taking to the Hawk Migration Association’s Winter Raptor Surveys. I looked at the HMA WRS website and found that yet one more group has done a new WRS for the first time called the Cobb Lake Fort Collins WRS.Congratulations to Simone Clark, Allison Vogel, Ava Normant, and William Hernstrom who did the survey on 2/4/26 and had 16 raptors.That's 8 active surveys in Colorado for the year.For anyone else who wants to start a Winter Raptor Survey under the auspices of HMA, where your data may be used by researchers, check my earlier post on the subject from 2/10/26 on the COBirds Google grouphttps://groups.google.com/g/cobirds (use this link Linda Andes-Georges). Here is a link to a webinar on HMA WRS from a year ago which explains what a survey entails:https://youtu.be/OV5jipnSjEM?si=cbY90wyMCRhhaNCBAlso HMA has a monthly “Lunch & Learn” (lunch of course meaning 12 noon in the East, 10:00 a.m. our time) on various aspects of raptors - ID, specific raptors, migration, etc. which are always very informative. You can sign up to get an email regarding future programs by emailing Julie Brown at <brown...> Past programs can be accessed on YouTube on the Hawk Migration Association Channel.Ajit I AntonySent from my Galaxy
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Date: 2/18/26 11:24 am From: 'Linda Andes-Georges' via Colorado Birds <cobirds...> Subject: [cobirds] raptor surveys: the originals?
Hello all --
I noticed Ajit's post about raptor surveys on CObirds and I'm really delighted that these are ongoing with many faithful volunteers. There may be a bit of overlap, however. (And that might be interesting in itself: verification by double-teams!)
I've lost Ajit's original post and can't figure out how to recover it on CObirds (I'm a tech-ninny), so I have lost his enumeration of the areas being covered. All I do remember is that he mentioned areas that include several in Boulder County: Boulder/south and Boulder/east as well as the Valmont area, I believe.
Those and Rabbit Mountain as well have been surveyed since 1983 by volunteer squads of Boulder County Nature Association, supervised and data-crunched for many years by Steve Jones and then the late (and much missed) Sue Cass. So there is a big databank there, ready to be mined by anyone who is not a tech ninny. There are a handy-dandy pdfs of the totals, trends, populations & prey selection, and others for those curious to peek at the olden (and the recent) days here:
My best to all, and may your yards be blessed with more birds rather than fewer,
Linda Andes-Georges
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Date: 2/16/26 2:23 pm From: 'Tony Leukering' via Colorado Birds <cobirds...> Subject: [cobirds] Re: Documenting crossbills, warbling-vireos, etc.
All:
I cannot agree more thoroughly with Ted's cautions about Merlin, and,
particularly, his cautions once we get into the warbling-vireo season. I,
too, find many warbling vireo songs far from cut-and-dried enumerators of
species, and please, please, please, don't take Merlin's word on it as
gospel. Save the recording. Save the spectrogram. Both species have been
detected during the breeding season at Barr Lake, and there's absolutely no
guarantee against warbling-vireo hanky-panky. We want our understanding of
the occurrence parameters in eastern Colorado to be based on provable
facts, not intuition, supposition, or blind trust in technology.
Enjoy,
Tony Leukering
Denver
On Sunday, February 15, 2026 at 7:03:21 PM UTC-7 Ted Floyd wrote:
> Thanks, everybody, for the recent discussions about documenting crossbills
> and warbling-vireos in Colorado. Inspired by a recent report from Eric
> DeFonso of crossbills at the Green Mountain West trailhead, near the high
> point along Flagstaff Rd., Boulder Co., I went up there myself earlier this
> sunny Sun., Feb. 15. But it was windy—too windy, really—at Green Mountain,
> so I retreated downslope a bit to the comparatively leeward Long Canyon
> trailhead <https://ebird.org/checklist/S301111567>, where the wind wasn't
> nearly as strong. And, oh yes, there were crossbills there.
>
> As far as I can tell, all were type 2 ("ponderosa pine") red crossbills.
> And how do we know they were type 2s, as opposed to type 3s, or type πs,
> or, for that matter, Cassia crossbills? Because of the diagnostic sound
> spectrograms of birds like this one
> <https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/650991415>, and these two
> <https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/650991406>, and also these two or three
> <https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/650991425>. Which brings us to Mark
> Obmascik's recent musings on the identification of Cassia crossbills in
> Colorado. I concur with Mark: It is essentially impossible to credibly
> identify birds in the "Red Crossbill complex" in Colorado without an
> assist from technology. But there's a big "but" here: I didn't fire up
> Merlin, not even once, the whole time I was up Flagstaff this morning.
> Rather, I made recordings, studied the spectrographic output, and confirmed
> that all the crossbills up there were type 2s. Maybe that's a mere quibble,
> differing exegeses of "crossbill theology." But I dunno, it feels
> different, to me, to say: "Because Merlin said so" *vs*. "Because I
> figured it out on my own." In any event, it remains the case that we
> require technology, in the form of sound spectrograms, whether
> Merlin-vetted or human-vetted, to get the ID correct here in Colorado.
> Which, as Mark implies, is a paradigm shift. Culture shock, even.
>
> I actually heard more "toop notes" up there than flight calls. Type 2
> "toop notes" sound like this <https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/650991432>,
> and also like this <https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/650991448>. They
> are clear and ringing like flight calls, and I can totally see that one
> might imagine they're the flight calls of a "good" crossbill—a Cassia
> perhaps, or one of the rarer (for us) red crossbill types other than type
> 2. But they are spectrographically unlike the flight calls of any crossbill
> expected in Colorado. This is fun: If you jack up the type 2 red crossbills
> flight call a kilohertz or two, you get pygmy nuthatch; and if you raise it
> another kilohertz or two, you get hairy woodpecker; and if you're on a boat
> at sea, your hairy woodpecker is become a red phalarope. Who'da thunk?
>
> Along with the type 2 flight calls and "toop notes," there was full-on
> <https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/650991469> crossbill song
> <https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/650991469> up there. Sorry about the
> wind noise; someone musta left the gate open up at Green Mountain. Anyhow,
> it's a cool song. I put in my notes that the run-on, "random" song of the
> type 2 red crossbill sounds a bit like the song of a dipper or even a
> woodcock.
>
> I made videos, too. They're not great, but they get the job done: They
> show type 2 red crossbills caught in the act of giving both flight calls
> <https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/650991511> and "toop notes
> <https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/650991477>." Yes, flight calls are
> routinely given by perched birds.
>
> And some photos. While probably of limited utility for field
> identification, photos of crossbills can contribute importantly to a recent
> finding, both surprising and counterintuitive, by Blanca Fernández-Eslava
> and collaborators that male crossbills acquire a female-like plumage aspect
> as they age. That is quite the opposite of the "standard model," wherein
> female birds acquire male-like plumage aspects as they age; examples in
> Colorado are the wood duck, western tanager, and Wilson warbler.
>
> Anyhow, here are a few crossbill pics from this morning:
>
> [image: ReCr 01.jpg]
>
> [image: ReCr 02.jpg]
>
> [image: ReCr 03.jpg]
>
> And for fans of weird & unexpected catchlights:
>
> [image: ReCr 04.jpg]
>
> The Douglas-fir cone crop up there was insane, which insanity I duly
> iNatted <https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/338788435>. (And which
> Owen Robertson already has research-graded. Thanks, brother.) You heard it
> here first: If type 4 ("Douglas-fir") red crossbills make their way to
> Colorado anytime soon, it's going to be up Flagstaff. Okay, it was Eric who
> put that idea in my mind, not gonna lie. Anyhow, there must be untold
> millions of juicy douglas-fir cones up there. The nuthatches seemed happy
> about it. So did the siskins.
>
> Back to crossbills. A possible take on the preceding: Okay, that's all
> well and good, but can't we just say "Red Crossbill," at least in the Front
> Range metro region, and be done with it? Yes, that is true. I, personally,
> think it is a worthwhile challenge to try to figure out the different
> types, but, for now, we treat them all as the same species. Although...what
> about Cassia crossbill?? It's not far at all, the way the crossbill flies,
> from Grand Co. In fact, Grand & Boulder cos. share a long border. So why
> not?
>
> In any event, that same take isn't gonna cut it come warbling-vireo time,
> not even three months out. Because the two warbling-vireos are indeed full
> species, according to current science, and both of them are here in the
> Front Range metro region. David Suddjian reminds us that the songs of
> Eastern and Western warbling-vireos are distinct, and I don't disagree. But
> I am wary of our ability to tell them apart, especially where they overlap,
> as here. Do they differ, to our human ears, between Nevada and New Jersey?
> Sure. Between San Miguel Co., Colo., and New Jersey? Yes, I would say so.
> But all up and down the I-25 corridor, from Ft. Collins to Pueblo and
> beyond, where most of us live and bird? I'm not convinced of that. I've
> been studying these birds' songs intensively for close to 20 years now, and
> I simply don't trust my ears, or, let's be honest, my *brain* all that
> much. I think it's probably true that there are some, well, no-brainers in
> the mix. But birds on migration? Birds exposed to the "wrong" vireo's song?
> Hybrids or intergrades, perish the thought? I imagine there's an awful lot
> of that going on here. And then mix in all the undeniable subjectivity and
> suggestibility at play in the human engagement of the natural world,
> and...yeah. Speaking for myself, I'm not good enough! I'm either going to
> upload spectrogram-supported sound recordings to my eBird checklists, or
> I'm going to happily and proudly call my warbling-vireos unidentified.
>
> But can we, please, pretty please, agree on one thing? "Merlin" isn't
> adequate for the ID. It really isn't. And please keep in mind: I am one of
> the loudest champions of Merlin. It's a magnificent guide, pedagogically
> brilliant, informing and inspiring millions of peeps who might not
> otherwise notice birds. Merlin is all those things. It really is. But,
> again, Merlin is, in the first and final analysis, a *guide*. A
> suggestion, a recommendation. And so, as the old saying goes, we "trust but
> verify." The great thing is, Merlin makes it easy! Merlin wonderfully
> outputs spectrograms, and saves the audio, for every single bird it
> provisionally identifies for you. When Merlin says "Eastern Warbling-Vireo"
> (it will actually say "Eastern Warbling Vireo," without the hyphen, but
> that's a matter for another day) or "Cassia Crossbill" or even
> "White-winged Crossbill" or, what the heck, "White-winged Tern," think of
> it the way you might inform the clerk at Buc-ee's in Berthoud that you're
> holding a winning Colorado Lottery ticket. Great—but you'd better be
> prepared to produce the goods: a valid permutation of lottery numbers for
> the cashier, or the spectrogram for your friendly neighborhood eBird
> reviewer. And don't even get me started on "photos," or, in the case of
> crossbills and warbling-vireos, "recording." As in, "lotto ticket," am I
> right?
>
> Alrighty, I've just now been reminded—re-reminded, actually—that I
> promised to go pick up the Chinese food, getting cold now, at Mr. Sake
> Sushi & Grill. I'm Audi...
>
> Ted Floyd
> Lafayette, Boulder Co.
>
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Ted's observations and notes are helpful and I will enthusiastically follow
his lead. Our ability to see bird sounds like crossbills and
warbling-vireos via spectrograms and use those for documentation is
miraculous. What Ted doesn't highlight in his recent post is the bottleneck
. The multiple time consuming steps needed to provide those recordings
to ebird (and to a lesser extent also ---what he doesn't want us to get
him started on--- "photos.") are formidable. The complicated relationship
between ebird the phone app, and Merlin, and ebird the desktop forces extra
steps.
I try to just accept that I'll have to:
1. Trim the recording to isolate the specific bird sound.
2. Export the audio file from Merlin using the Share icon to save the
.wav file to my phone. (Because eBird requires the actual audio file .wav
allowing researchers to listen to the data and run their own analysis.)
3. Transfer the file to my computer using a cloud service like Google
Drive, iCloud, or email.
4. Open my submitted checklist on the eBird website and click the "Add
Media" button.
5. Upload the audio file directly to the corresponding species on my
list.
The frustration of seeing someone just note "Merlin" on an unusual sighting
makes me want them to get a popup: "Your sighting mentions 'Merlin or
photos in the text,' please note that without an uploaded .wav audio file
or a photo, this sighting cannot be verified for public records."
Best,
Kristi S.
La Plata Co.
On Sunday, February 15, 2026 at 4:03:21 PM UTC-10 Ted Floyd wrote:
> Thanks, everybody, for the recent discussions about documenting crossbills
> and warbling-vireos in Colorado. Inspired by a recent report from Eric
> DeFonso of crossbills at the Green Mountain West trailhead, near the high
> point along Flagstaff Rd., Boulder Co., I went up there myself earlier this
> sunny Sun., Feb. 15. But it was windy—too windy, really—at Green Mountain,
> so I retreated downslope a bit to the comparatively leeward Long Canyon
> trailhead <https://ebird.org/checklist/S301111567>, where the wind wasn't
> nearly as strong. And, oh yes, there were crossbills there.
>
> As far as I can tell, all were type 2 ("ponderosa pine") red crossbills.
> And how do we know they were type 2s, as opposed to type 3s, or type πs,
> or, for that matter, Cassia crossbills? Because of the diagnostic sound
> spectrograms of birds like this one
> <https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/650991415>, and these two
> <https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/650991406>, and also these two or three
> <https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/650991425>. Which brings us to Mark
> Obmascik's recent musings on the identification of Cassia crossbills in
> Colorado. I concur with Mark: It is essentially impossible to credibly
> identify birds in the "Red Crossbill complex" in Colorado without an
> assist from technology. But there's a big "but" here: I didn't fire up
> Merlin, not even once, the whole time I was up Flagstaff this morning.
> Rather, I made recordings, studied the spectrographic output, and confirmed
> that all the crossbills up there were type 2s. Maybe that's a mere quibble,
> differing exegeses of "crossbill theology." But I dunno, it feels
> different, to me, to say: "Because Merlin said so" *vs*. "Because I
> figured it out on my own." In any event, it remains the case that we
> require technology, in the form of sound spectrograms, whether
> Merlin-vetted or human-vetted, to get the ID correct here in Colorado.
> Which, as Mark implies, is a paradigm shift. Culture shock, even.
>
> I actually heard more "toop notes" up there than flight calls. Type 2
> "toop notes" sound like this <https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/650991432>,
> and also like this <https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/650991448>. They
> are clear and ringing like flight calls, and I can totally see that one
> might imagine they're the flight calls of a "good" crossbill—a Cassia
> perhaps, or one of the rarer (for us) red crossbill types other than type
> 2. But they are spectrographically unlike the flight calls of any crossbill
> expected in Colorado. This is fun: If you jack up the type 2 red crossbills
> flight call a kilohertz or two, you get pygmy nuthatch; and if you raise it
> another kilohertz or two, you get hairy woodpecker; and if you're on a boat
> at sea, your hairy woodpecker is become a red phalarope. Who'da thunk?
>
> Along with the type 2 flight calls and "toop notes," there was full-on
> <https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/650991469> crossbill song
> <https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/650991469> up there. Sorry about the
> wind noise; someone musta left the gate open up at Green Mountain. Anyhow,
> it's a cool song. I put in my notes that the run-on, "random" song of the
> type 2 red crossbill sounds a bit like the song of a dipper or even a
> woodcock.
>
> I made videos, too. They're not great, but they get the job done: They
> show type 2 red crossbills caught in the act of giving both flight calls
> <https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/650991511> and "toop notes
> <https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/650991477>." Yes, flight calls are
> routinely given by perched birds.
>
> And some photos. While probably of limited utility for field
> identification, photos of crossbills can contribute importantly to a recent
> finding, both surprising and counterintuitive, by Blanca Fernández-Eslava
> and collaborators that male crossbills acquire a female-like plumage aspect
> as they age. That is quite the opposite of the "standard model," wherein
> female birds acquire male-like plumage aspects as they age; examples in
> Colorado are the wood duck, western tanager, and Wilson warbler.
>
> Anyhow, here are a few crossbill pics from this morning:
>
> [image: ReCr 01.jpg]
>
> [image: ReCr 02.jpg]
>
> [image: ReCr 03.jpg]
>
> And for fans of weird & unexpected catchlights:
>
> [image: ReCr 04.jpg]
>
> The Douglas-fir cone crop up there was insane, which insanity I duly
> iNatted <https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/338788435>. (And which
> Owen Robertson already has research-graded. Thanks, brother.) You heard it
> here first: If type 4 ("Douglas-fir") red crossbills make their way to
> Colorado anytime soon, it's going to be up Flagstaff. Okay, it was Eric who
> put that idea in my mind, not gonna lie. Anyhow, there must be untold
> millions of juicy douglas-fir cones up there. The nuthatches seemed happy
> about it. So did the siskins.
>
> Back to crossbills. A possible take on the preceding: Okay, that's all
> well and good, but can't we just say "Red Crossbill," at least in the Front
> Range metro region, and be done with it? Yes, that is true. I, personally,
> think it is a worthwhile challenge to try to figure out the different
> types, but, for now, we treat them all as the same species. Although...what
> about Cassia crossbill?? It's not far at all, the way the crossbill flies,
> from Grand Co. In fact, Grand & Boulder cos. share a long border. So why
> not?
>
> In any event, that same take isn't gonna cut it come warbling-vireo time,
> not even three months out. Because the two warbling-vireos are indeed full
> species, according to current science, and both of them are here in the
> Front Range metro region. David Suddjian reminds us that the songs of
> Eastern and Western warbling-vireos are distinct, and I don't disagree. But
> I am wary of our ability to tell them apart, especially where they overlap,
> as here. Do they differ, to our human ears, between Nevada and New Jersey?
> Sure. Between San Miguel Co., Colo., and New Jersey? Yes, I would say so.
> But all up and down the I-25 corridor, from Ft. Collins to Pueblo and
> beyond, where most of us live and bird? I'm not convinced of that. I've
> been studying these birds' songs intensively for close to 20 years now, and
> I simply don't trust my ears, or, let's be honest, my *brain* all that
> much. I think it's probably true that there are some, well, no-brainers in
> the mix. But birds on migration? Birds exposed to the "wrong" vireo's song?
> Hybrids or intergrades, perish the thought? I imagine there's an awful lot
> of that going on here. And then mix in all the undeniable subjectivity and
> suggestibility at play in the human engagement of the natural world,
> and...yeah. Speaking for myself, I'm not good enough! I'm either going to
> upload spectrogram-supported sound recordings to my eBird checklists, or
> I'm going to happily and proudly call my warbling-vireos unidentified.
>
> But can we, please, pretty please, agree on one thing? "Merlin" isn't
> adequate for the ID. It really isn't. And please keep in mind: I am one of
> the loudest champions of Merlin. It's a magnificent guide, pedagogically
> brilliant, informing and inspiring millions of peeps who might not
> otherwise notice birds. Merlin is all those things. It really is. But,
> again, Merlin is, in the first and final analysis, a *guide*. A
> suggestion, a recommendation. And so, as the old saying goes, we "trust but
> verify." The great thing is, Merlin makes it easy! Merlin wonderfully
> outputs spectrograms, and saves the audio, for every single bird it
> provisionally identifies for you. When Merlin says "Eastern Warbling-Vireo"
> (it will actually say "Eastern Warbling Vireo," without the hyphen, but
> that's a matter for another day) or "Cassia Crossbill" or even
> "White-winged Crossbill" or, what the heck, "White-winged Tern," think of
> it the way you might inform the clerk at Buc-ee's in Berthoud that you're
> holding a winning Colorado Lottery ticket. Great—but you'd better be
> prepared to produce the goods: a valid permutation of lottery numbers for
> the cashier, or the spectrogram for your friendly neighborhood eBird
> reviewer. And don't even get me started on "photos," or, in the case of
> crossbills and warbling-vireos, "recording." As in, "lotto ticket," am I
> right?
>
> Alrighty, I've just now been reminded—re-reminded, actually—that I
> promised to go pick up the Chinese food, getting cold now, at Mr. Sake
> Sushi & Grill. I'm Audi...
>
> Ted Floyd
> Lafayette, Boulder Co.
>
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Date: 2/16/26 11:17 am From: John Rawinski <johnrawinski0...> Subject: [cobirds] Water is Running Cranes are a Coming
Drove by the Monte Vista NWR this morning (2/16) and saw that the wells are running and flooding into the wetland fields. The birds are flocking into these areas, and will venture out for feeding mornings and evenings. Fantastic time of year to be out there. I will try to keep you posted on best places to watch, as the birds do make adjustments during the next 5 weeks.
I will again be leading a birdwalk at 10 on Friday March 6th. We bird at Home Lake which is now open water and has an abundance of waterfowl. Kingfisher has also been hanging around as well. You will need to sign up on the MV Crane Festival website to participate. Let the birding begin!!
John Rawinski Monte Vista, CO
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Date: 2/15/26 8:47 pm From: 'Tony Leukering' via Colorado Birds <cobirds...> Subject: [cobirds] The reported Snow Goose at Denver City Park
Hi all:
Back in December, I saw a goose at Denver City Park that I identified as a Snow x Cackling Goose hybrid: ML647525562 - Snow x Cackling Goose (hybrid) - Macaulay Library <https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/647525562>
This bird looks somewhat superficially like a juv Snow Goose, but juvs of blue Snow Geese are entirely dark (ML650527380 - Snow Goose - Macaulay Library <https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/650527380>) while juvs of white Snow Geese are mostly white (ML650779634 - Snow Goose - Macaulay Library <https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/650779634>), lacking my bird's mostly dark upperparts. A bird looking very much like this one was also reported from the South Platte River in Denver in late January.
I've also seen photos of a white goose in Washington Park that looks like a Snow x Ross's Goose hybrid, given the extensive blackish base to the small bill on a bird with a distinct grin patch.
Hybrids are something to consider when looking at white geese in Denver in winter, where neither Snow nor Ross's is at all common. In my experience, hybrid geese are nearly as likely in the county as pure Snow or Ross's, at least in winter.
Happy Birding,
Tony Leukering Denver
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Date: 2/15/26 8:14 pm From: 'Tony Leukering' via Colorado Birds <cobirds...> Subject: [cobirds] Re: Juvenile western bluebird and Merlin
Hey Bill:
That is decidedly a juv Western Bluebird. Juveniles of Townsend's
Solitaire, in addition to having spotting below, have spotting on the head,
unlike juvenile bluebirds.
On Saturday, February 14, 2026 at 9:31:11 AM UTC-7 Bill Kosar wrote:
> I took this picture about 12 years ago in northern New Mexico but I had
> not identified what kind of bird it was. As part of a current project I
> needed a good ID on it. It sort of resembled a juvenile robin but was
> really not a good match, several online tools came up with that ID. Merlin
> has said it was a Wesstern bluebird which I think is correct.
>
> I know this site is supposed to be about Colorado birds but I seen many
> mountain and western bluebirds in Colorado so I thought this post was
> appropriate. I tried Merlin on a few other pictures as a test and I was
> impressed with its accuracy but once in a while it was way off.
>
> Comments are welcome!
>
> Bill Kosar
> El Paso country
>
> [image: _MG_6500_cr.jpg]
>
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Thanks, everybody, for the recent discussions about documenting crossbills
and warbling-vireos in Colorado. Inspired by a recent report from Eric
DeFonso of crossbills at the Green Mountain West trailhead, near the high
point along Flagstaff Rd., Boulder Co., I went up there myself earlier this
sunny Sun., Feb. 15. But it was windy—too windy, really—at Green Mountain,
so I retreated downslope a bit to the comparatively leeward Long Canyon
trailhead <https://ebird.org/checklist/S301111567>, where the wind wasn't
nearly as strong. And, oh yes, there were crossbills there.
As far as I can tell, all were type 2 ("ponderosa pine") red crossbills.
And how do we know they were type 2s, as opposed to type 3s, or type πs,
or, for that matter, Cassia crossbills? Because of the diagnostic sound
spectrograms of birds like this one
<https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/650991415>, and these two
<https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/650991406>, and also these two or three
<https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/650991425>. Which brings us to Mark
Obmascik's recent musings on the identification of Cassia crossbills in
Colorado. I concur with Mark: It is essentially impossible to credibly
identify birds in the "Red Crossbill complex" in Colorado without an
assist from technology. But there's a big "but" here: I didn't fire up
Merlin, not even once, the whole time I was up Flagstaff this morning.
Rather, I made recordings, studied the spectrographic output, and confirmed
that all the crossbills up there were type 2s. Maybe that's a mere quibble,
differing exegeses of "crossbill theology." But I dunno, it feels
different, to me, to say: "Because Merlin said so" *vs*. "Because I figured
it out on my own." In any event, it remains the case that we require
technology, in the form of sound spectrograms, whether Merlin-vetted or
human-vetted, to get the ID correct here in Colorado. Which, as Mark
implies, is a paradigm shift. Culture shock, even.
I actually heard more "toop notes" up there than flight calls. Type 2 "toop
notes" sound like this <https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/650991432>, and
also like this <https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/650991448>. They are
clear and ringing like flight calls, and I can totally see that one might
imagine they're the flight calls of a "good" crossbill—a Cassia perhaps, or
one of the rarer (for us) red crossbill types other than type 2. But they
are spectrographically unlike the flight calls of any crossbill expected in
Colorado. This is fun: If you jack up the type 2 red crossbills flight call
a kilohertz or two, you get pygmy nuthatch; and if you raise it another
kilohertz or two, you get hairy woodpecker; and if you're on a boat at sea,
your hairy woodpecker is become a red phalarope. Who'da thunk?
Along with the type 2 flight calls and "toop notes," there was full-on
<https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/650991469> crossbill song
<https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/650991469> up there. Sorry about the
wind noise; someone musta left the gate open up at Green Mountain. Anyhow,
it's a cool song. I put in my notes that the run-on, "random" song of the
type 2 red crossbill sounds a bit like the song of a dipper or even a
woodcock.
And some photos. While probably of limited utility for field
identification, photos of crossbills can contribute importantly to a recent
finding, both surprising and counterintuitive, by Blanca Fernández-Eslava
and collaborators that male crossbills acquire a female-like plumage aspect
as they age. That is quite the opposite of the "standard model," wherein
female birds acquire male-like plumage aspects as they age; examples in
Colorado are the wood duck, western tanager, and Wilson warbler.
Anyhow, here are a few crossbill pics from this morning:
[image: ReCr 01.jpg]
[image: ReCr 02.jpg]
[image: ReCr 03.jpg]
And for fans of weird & unexpected catchlights:
[image: ReCr 04.jpg]
The Douglas-fir cone crop up there was insane, which insanity I duly iNatted
<https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/338788435>. (And which Owen
Robertson already has research-graded. Thanks, brother.) You heard it here
first: If type 4 ("Douglas-fir") red crossbills make their way to Colorado
anytime soon, it's going to be up Flagstaff. Okay, it was Eric who put that
idea in my mind, not gonna lie. Anyhow, there must be untold millions of
juicy douglas-fir cones up there. The nuthatches seemed happy about it. So
did the siskins.
Back to crossbills. A possible take on the preceding: Okay, that's all well
and good, but can't we just say "Red Crossbill," at least in the Front
Range metro region, and be done with it? Yes, that is true. I, personally,
think it is a worthwhile challenge to try to figure out the different
types, but, for now, we treat them all as the same species. Although...what
about Cassia crossbill?? It's not far at all, the way the crossbill flies,
from Grand Co. In fact, Grand & Boulder cos. share a long border. So why
not?
In any event, that same take isn't gonna cut it come warbling-vireo time,
not even three months out. Because the two warbling-vireos are indeed full
species, according to current science, and both of them are here in the
Front Range metro region. David Suddjian reminds us that the songs of
Eastern and Western warbling-vireos are distinct, and I don't disagree. But
I am wary of our ability to tell them apart, especially where they overlap,
as here. Do they differ, to our human ears, between Nevada and New Jersey?
Sure. Between San Miguel Co., Colo., and New Jersey? Yes, I would say so.
But all up and down the I-25 corridor, from Ft. Collins to Pueblo and
beyond, where most of us live and bird? I'm not convinced of that. I've
been studying these birds' songs intensively for close to 20 years now, and
I simply don't trust my ears, or, let's be honest, my *brain* all that
much. I think it's probably true that there are some, well, no-brainers in
the mix. But birds on migration? Birds exposed to the "wrong" vireo's song?
Hybrids or intergrades, perish the thought? I imagine there's an awful lot
of that going on here. And then mix in all the undeniable subjectivity and
suggestibility at play in the human engagement of the natural world,
and...yeah. Speaking for myself, I'm not good enough! I'm either going to
upload spectrogram-supported sound recordings to my eBird checklists, or
I'm going to happily and proudly call my warbling-vireos unidentified.
But can we, please, pretty please, agree on one thing? "Merlin" isn't
adequate for the ID. It really isn't. And please keep in mind: I am one of
the loudest champions of Merlin. It's a magnificent guide, pedagogically
brilliant, informing and inspiring millions of peeps who might not
otherwise notice birds. Merlin is all those things. It really is. But,
again, Merlin is, in the first and final analysis, a *guide*. A suggestion,
a recommendation. And so, as the old saying goes, we "trust but verify."
The great thing is, Merlin makes it easy! Merlin wonderfully outputs
spectrograms, and saves the audio, for every single bird it provisionally
identifies for you. When Merlin says "Eastern Warbling-Vireo" (it will
actually say "Eastern Warbling Vireo," without the hyphen, but that's a
matter for another day) or "Cassia Crossbill" or even "White-winged
Crossbill" or, what the heck, "White-winged Tern," think of it the way you
might inform the clerk at Buc-ee's in Berthoud that you're holding a
winning Colorado Lottery ticket. Great—but you'd better be prepared to
produce the goods: a valid permutation of lottery numbers for the cashier,
or the spectrogram for your friendly neighborhood eBird reviewer. And don't
even get me started on "photos," or, in the case of crossbills and
warbling-vireos, "recording." As in, "lotto ticket," am I right?
Alrighty, I've just now been reminded—re-reminded, actually—that I promised
to go pick up the Chinese food, getting cold now, at Mr. Sake Sushi &
Grill. I'm Audi...
Ted Floyd
Lafayette, Boulder Co.
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Date: 2/14/26 7:32 pm From: zroadrunner14 <zroadrunner14...> Subject: Re: [cobirds] Juvenile western bluebird and Merlin
After a little study, I'm going with Western Bluebird. A Solitaire looks more scaled than spotted. This bird looks more spotted than scaled. Solitaires have longer tails. This birds tail is shorter.
Just my opinion.
Ira Sanders
Golden
>
> On Feb 14, 2026 at 2:37 PM, T. Luke George <t.luke.george...> wrote:
>
>
> Tail seems too short for a solitaire, I think juvenile Western Bluebird is correct.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> 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...>
>
>
> "what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?" Mary Oliver
>
>
>
>
>
>
> On Sat, Feb 14, 2026 at 1:51 PM Steve Stachowiak <birdingemails...> wrote:
>
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > Bill - It appears to be a juvenile Townsend’s Solitaire. Steve
> >
> >
> >
> > > On Feb 14, 2026, at 9:31 AM, Bill Kosar <bill_kosar...> wrote:
> > >
> >
> > >
> > > I took this picture about 12 years ago in northern New Mexico but I had not identified what kind of bird it was. As part of a current project I needed a good ID on it. It sort of resembled a juvenile robin but was really not a good match, several online tools came up with that ID. Merlin has said it was a Wesstern bluebird which I think is correct.
> > >
> > >
> > > I know this site is supposed to be about Colorado birds but I seen many mountain and western bluebirds in Colorado so I thought this post was appropriate. I tried Merlin on a few other pictures as a test and I was impressed with its accuracy but once in a while it was way off.
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > Comments are welcome!
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > Bill Kosar
> > >
> > > El Paso country
> > >
> > >
> > >
> >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > <_MG_6500_cr.jpg>
> > >
> > > --
> > > --
> > > 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.
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> > > <_MG_6500_cr.jpg>
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
> >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> >
> > --
> > --
> > 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
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Date: 2/14/26 3:11 pm From: Bill Kosar <bill_kosar...> Subject: Re: [cobirds] Juvenile western bluebird and Merlin
Image ID via AI is a very challenging area where a lot of work is being
done. There is a very strong focus on identifying melanoma using
two-dimension images taken in the doctor's office but the accuracy of
current software tools seems to be about 95% at best which is similar to
what dermatologists' accuracy is. They are using huge databases (20,000 or
more) of pictures of one particular type of cancer and a very experienced
dermatologist expects the AI tools to get better over time.
By contrast the database of juvenile western bluebirds (and other
juveniles) is probably very small so the Merlin model will not be that
accurate, for now. Merlin is making decisions based on a single image, if
you could give it images from multiple angles its accuracy would probably
be much better.
Bill
On Saturday, February 14, 2026 at 3:04:39 PM UTC-7 Caoimhín Perkins wrote:
> Correct me if I’m wrong and if Merlin is incomplete in its photos of
> immature western bluebirds and townsend’s solitaires, but the gape flange
> is yellow in this photo, which is a western bluebird trait, yes?
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Date: 2/14/26 2:04 pm From: Caoimhín Perkins <ksperkins59...> Subject: Re: [cobirds] Juvenile western bluebird and Merlin
Correct me if I’m wrong and if Merlin is incomplete in its photos of
immature western bluebirds and townsend’s solitaires, but the gape flange
is yellow in this photo, which is a western bluebird trait, yes?
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Date: 2/14/26 1:37 pm From: T. Luke George <t.luke.george...> Subject: Re: [cobirds] Juvenile western bluebird and Merlin
Tail seems too short for a solitaire, I think juvenile Western Bluebird is
correct.
*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 Sat, Feb 14, 2026 at 1:51 PM Steve Stachowiak <birdingemails...>
wrote:
> Bill - It appears to be a juvenile Townsend’s Solitaire. Steve
>
> On Feb 14, 2026, at 9:31 AM, Bill Kosar <bill_kosar...> wrote:
>
> I took this picture about 12 years ago in northern New Mexico but I
> had not identified what kind of bird it was. As part of a current project I
> needed a good ID on it. It sort of resembled a juvenile robin but was
> really not a good match, several online tools came up with that ID. Merlin
> has said it was a Wesstern bluebird which I think is correct.
>
> I know this site is supposed to be about Colorado birds but I seen many
> mountain and western bluebirds in Colorado so I thought this post was
> appropriate. I tried Merlin on a few other pictures as a test and I was
> impressed with its accuracy but once in a while it was way off.
>
> Comments are welcome!
>
> Bill Kosar
> El Paso country
>
> <_MG_6500_cr.jpg>
>
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Date: 2/13/26 11:26 am From: Sandra Laursen <salaursen...> Subject: [cobirds] be inspired by Citizen Ruth! screening in Boulder 2/24
Boulder County Audubon invites you to join us for a special showing of the film *Citizen Ruth: Environmental Warrior,* on Tuesday, February 24, 2026. To protect the filmmaker's intellectual property, this program is offered in person only (no Zoom option, no recording) at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Boulder (5001 Pennsylvania Avenue Boulder, CO, 80303). We'll start a little earlier than usual - 7:00 pm - and please join us beforehand for cookies and conversation, starting at 6:30 pm.
Ruth Wright is one of Boulder's environmental heroes, whose story of problem-solving, persisting, and finding allies in unexpected places is inspiring no matter where you live. Now is a good time to watch it (anew or again), as it offers a lesson for environmental advocates to take to heart: One person can make a difference, and all of us should try. Ruth will join us for a moderated conversation afterwards, along with two friends - naturalist and open space advocate Dave Sutherland, who appears in the film, and filmmaker Pam Hoge, who is in town for the Colorado Environmental Film Festival.
An FM hearing assistive system is available in the church - pick up a receiver as you enter. See more details at the link above.
- Sandra Laursen for the BCAS programs committee
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Date: 2/13/26 7:53 am From: DAVID A LEATHERMAN <daleatherman...> Subject: [cobirds] photo need
Hello COBIRDERS,
I am writing my next "The Hungry Bird" article for "Colorado Birds" and need photos of pigeon or dove parents feeding regurgitated material to their young. The only pic I have of my own involves an exotic species in a zoo. If you have a photo of a young Rock Pigeon or Colorado dove species with its beak up to the beak of its parent, I would really like to consider it for possible use in the column. My deadline is the end of February but the sooner you could reply the better. Just respond to me personally with the image attached. Of course, you will be given full credit. Thank you!
Dave Leatherman
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Best wishes
Dick Filby
Carbondale, CO
________________________________
From: <cobirds...> <cobirds...> on behalf of Peter Ruprecht <pruprecht...>
Sent: 13 February 2026 03:25
To: Mark Obmascik <mobma...>
Cc: Colorado Birds <cobirds...>
Subject: Re: [cobirds] Cassia crossbill + technology -- Grand County
Regarding Merlin and crossbills, first note that Cassia and Red are best differentiated by their flight calls. I'm no expert but in June, 2024, I used Merlin on my mediocre cellphone to record quite a few crossbill calls in several locations in S. Idaho. Merlin did not seem to offer ID suggestions very often for Red Crossbill even when a large flock flew over making loud flight calls. It seemed to be more willing to ID Cassias. Maybe this is similar behavior to what Mark reports in CO?
But if you go back and look at the sonogram that Merlin creates (or, if you like a bigger screen, open the recording in an app like Raven Lite, Audacity, or Ocenaudio on your computer) you can visually see the "shape" of the calls and make the ID yourself. Alternatively, the sonograms that are generated from uploaded recordings in eBird these days are usually clear and easy to read. For me personally, it seems prudent to look for this "visual" confirmation before reporting a crossbill species in Idaho or central CO, at least in a lodgepole pine forest. (My ears aren't good enough to tell the difference consistently in the field.)
Of course there's the added twist that Red Crossbills in North America have around 11 different flight call types. You can see sonograms of all of these (plus Cassia) at https://finchnetwork.org/crossbills-of-north-america-species-and-red-crossbill-call-types . I think in Colorado we mostly have Type 2 (ponderosa) and Type 5 (lodgepole). Maybe it's easier just to take Merlin's word for it!
Just for fun, here's a sonogram of a Red Crossbill recorded by a member of the "Marshall Mesa" team on the Boulder CBC last December. You can clearly see the downslur of a Type 2 call.
Peter Ruprecht
Superior
On Thu, Feb 12, 2026 at 5:24 PM 'Mark Obmascik' via Colorado Birds <cobirds...><mailto:<cobirds...>> wrote:
I checked out the Cassia crossbill stakeout feeders north of Granby today and saw many crossbills.
Can I pretend that these crossbills sounded or looked different than the hundreds I have seen over the years at our home feeders 20 miles away? No.
But there was the Merlin app on my phone, identifying a Cassia crossbill by sound when the birds dived onto the feeders or flew overhead. Merlin did not identify a single red crossbill, though there were times I saw and heard crossbills without a Merlin ID.
There has been some good talk on CObirds lately about the pluses and minuses of technology in birding. Here's a species that I never would have ID'd without tech. In fact, with this bird I'm relying 100 percent on tech for the ID (or a veto from an eBird reviewer.)
Today's experience makes me wonder if all the crossbills I identified at my home feeders over the years were really red crossbills. Next time I'm pulling out my Merlin app and listening.
As a side note, am I correct to remember that this species originally was believed to live in only one limited area in Idaho that was swept by wildfire, and that there were fears at the time that the bird might have been wiped out? And then I remember Christian Nunes camping some years later in summer near Church Park in Grand County (maybe 10 miles from today's feeder site) and identifying Cassia crossbill by sound. I biked many times in that area afterward hoping to see the birds in summer, but nada.
I salute birders with keen ears, and I salute Merlin.
Here's a pic, not that this matters with this species.
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Regarding Merlin and crossbills, first note that Cassia and Red are best
differentiated by their flight calls. I'm no expert but in June, 2024, I
used Merlin on my mediocre cellphone to record quite a few crossbill calls
in several locations in S. Idaho. Merlin did not seem to offer ID
suggestions very often for Red Crossbill even when a large flock flew over
making loud flight calls. It seemed to be more willing to ID Cassias. Maybe
this is similar behavior to what Mark reports in CO?
But if you go back and look at the sonogram that Merlin creates (or, if you
like a bigger screen, open the recording in an app like Raven Lite,
Audacity, or Ocenaudio on your computer) you can visually see the "shape"
of the calls and make the ID yourself. Alternatively, the sonograms that
are generated from uploaded recordings in eBird these days are usually
clear and easy to read. For me personally, it seems prudent to look for
this "visual" confirmation before reporting a crossbill species in Idaho or
central CO, at least in a lodgepole pine forest. (My ears aren't good
enough to tell the difference consistently in the field.)
Of course there's the added twist that Red Crossbills in North America have
around 11 different flight call types. You can see sonograms of all of
these (plus Cassia) at
https://finchnetwork.org/crossbills-of-north-america-species-and-red-crossbill-call-types . I think in Colorado we mostly have Type 2 (ponderosa) and Type 5
(lodgepole). Maybe it's easier just to take Merlin's word for it!
Just for fun, here's a sonogram of a Red Crossbill recorded by a member of
the "Marshall Mesa" team on the Boulder CBC last December. You can clearly
see the downslur of a Type 2 call.
Peter Ruprecht
Superior
On Thu, Feb 12, 2026 at 5:24 PM 'Mark Obmascik' via Colorado Birds <
<cobirds...> wrote:
> I checked out the Cassia crossbill stakeout feeders north of Granby today
> and saw many crossbills.
>
> Can I pretend that these crossbills sounded or looked different than the
> hundreds I have seen over the years at our home feeders 20 miles away? No.
>
> But there was the Merlin app on my phone, identifying a Cassia crossbill
> by sound when the birds dived onto the feeders or flew overhead. Merlin did
> not identify a single red crossbill, though there were times I saw and
> heard crossbills without a Merlin ID.
>
> There has been some good talk on CObirds lately about the pluses and
> minuses of technology in birding. Here's a species that I never would have
> ID'd without tech. In fact, with this bird I'm relying 100 percent on tech
> for the ID (or a veto from an eBird reviewer.)
>
> Today's experience makes me wonder if all the crossbills I identified at
> my home feeders over the years were really red crossbills. Next time I'm
> pulling out my Merlin app and listening.
>
> As a side note, am I correct to remember that this species originally was
> believed to live in only one limited area in Idaho that was swept by
> wildfire, and that there were fears at the time that the bird might have
> been wiped out? And then I remember Christian Nunes camping some years
> later in summer near Church Park in Grand County (maybe 10 miles from
> today's feeder site) and identifying Cassia crossbill by sound. I biked
> many times in that area afterward hoping to see the birds in summer, but
> nada.
>
> I salute birders with keen ears, and I salute Merlin.
>
> Here's a pic, not that this matters with this species.
>
> [image: Inline image]
>
>
> Good birding,
>
> Mark Obmascik
> Tabernash, CO
>
>
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Date: 2/12/26 4:24 pm From: 'Mark Obmascik' via Colorado Birds <cobirds...> Subject: [cobirds] Cassia crossbill + technology -- Grand County
I checked out the Cassia crossbill stakeout feeders north of Granby today and saw many crossbills.
Can I pretend that these crossbills sounded or looked different than the hundreds I have seen over the years at our home feeders 20 miles away? No.
But there was the Merlin app on my phone, identifying a Cassia crossbill by sound when the birds dived onto the feeders or flew overhead. Merlin did not identify a single red crossbill, though there were times I saw and heard crossbills without a Merlin ID.
There has been some good talk on CObirds lately about the pluses and minuses of technology in birding. Here's a species that I never would have ID'd without tech. In fact, with this bird I'm relying 100 percent on tech for the ID (or a veto from an eBird reviewer.)
Today's experience makes me wonder if all the crossbills I identified at my home feeders over the years were really red crossbills. Next time I'm pulling out my Merlin app and listening.
As a side note, am I correct to remember that this species originally was believed to live in only one limited area in Idaho that was swept by wildfire, and that there were fears at the time that the bird might have been wiped out? And then I remember Christian Nunes camping some years later in summer near Church Park in Grand County (maybe 10 miles from today's feeder site) and identifying Cassia crossbill by sound. I biked many times in that area afterward hoping to see the birds in summer, but nada.
I salute birders with keen ears, and I salute Merlin.
Here's a pic, not that this matters with this species.
Good birding,
Mark ObmascikTabernash, CO
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Date: 2/11/26 7:28 pm From: Ryan Bushong <bushongryan...> Subject: [cobirds] Standley Lake Gull Bonanza
Hi all,
Following up on a few recent reports of gulls from Standley Lake (including
a Glaucous Gull by Jack Bushong yesterday evening), I made the trip late
this evening. I encountered an absolute absurd number of gulls (spread out
across four flocks, ranging in size from 1200 to 3200 birds). I estimated
the total number of gulls on the reservoir to be around 6400 individuals.
In these flocks, I tallied 27 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 14 Iceland Gulls,
an estimate of 125 Herring, and 3200 Ring-billed. I also could not identify
to species the largest flock which was too far out. Also, of interest, I
had a first year Glaucous-winged Gull fly by at close distance chasing an
adult LBBG. Unfortunately, I spent too much time watching the bird through
my scope and binoculars, and by the time I had my camera out the bird had
passed through towards the NE corner.
I want to get the word out as this might be the largest group of gulls I
have ever seen at one place in Colorado (outside of maybe Aurora Reservoir
years ago), and in hopes of anyone re-finding the Glaucous-winged, as well
as any other rare individuals (I'm sure there were more out there).
Hopefully more people can venture out here in the coming days. I parked
here (39°51'19.4"N 105°06'29.3"W) and walked out to here (39°51'24.2"N
105°06'33.5"W) to scan. I suggest getting here around 4:00 p.m., as it
seems the gulls really only arrive in the evening. I left at 5:32 and the
birds were still active.
Cheers, and good birding!
Ryan Bushong
Louisville, Colorado
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Date: 2/11/26 6:00 pm From: 'BCO gal' via Colorado Birds <cobirds...> Subject: [cobirds] CFO Speaker Series - Feather Trails with Sophie A.H. Osborn (Thurs., Feb 26)
CFO's Dead of Winter Knowledge Quest continues with award-winning
environmental writer and wildlife biologist Sophie A.H. Osborn.
Birds are visible, vocal sentinels that alert us to environmental harms
through their declining numbers or their failure to thrive. In her book *Feather
Trails—A Journey of Discovery Among Endangered Birds*, Sophie Osborn shares
her personal experiences reintroducing endangered Peregrine Falcons,
Hawaiian Crows, and California Condors to the wild. While immersing readers
in the triumphs and tribulations of being a wildlife biologist, Sophie
explores the threats that imperiled these birds, and reveals that what
harmed them threatens us, too. She will discuss what led to the
endangerment of these three captivating species, recount the efforts of
biologists to recover their populations, and read a few excerpts from her
book that describe what it was like to work with these magnificent birds.
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Whatever Ted -- Colorado birder-writer-educator and editor of Birding Magazine -- decides to show and tell about that improbably rich haven for birds, bison and other critters on the edge of urban Denver will be worth every minute. Readers of CoBirds will recall his great posts reporting on his visits to this favorite birding spot.
David Suddjian DFO Communications and Outreach
[image: Ted Floyd.jpg] Ted Floyd
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Date: 2/11/26 7:07 am From: Lynne Forrester <lforrester27...> Subject: Re: [cobirds] Colorado now has 7 regular Hawk Migration Association Winter Raptor Surveys this season
Ajit (and Liza)
Thank for this write up. It was very interesting and helpful.
Lynne Forrester
Littleton, Jeffco
________________________________
From: <cobirds...> <cobirds...> on behalf of AJIT ANTONY <aiantony...>
Sent: Tuesday, February 10, 2026 7:32:18 PM
To: COBirds <cobirds...>
Subject: [cobirds] Colorado now has 7 regular Hawk Migration Association Winter Raptor Surveys this season
I am happy to let you know that Colorado now has 7 regular Winter Raptor Surveys under the auspices of the HMA - Hawk Migration Association, formerly HMANA - Hawk Migration Association of North America.
Like Hawkcount, also managed by HMA, the data from these surveys can be used by researchers, so this is good citizen science.
Liza and I moved from New York to Denver in summer 2022. In New York State between the two of us we had 4 different Winter Raptor Surveys which we conducted as per the protocol of HMA once a month in December, January, and February. We had started doing them when we first heard of them in 2016. Once in Colorado we started 3 Winter Raptor Surveys in 2022 –
1. South and East Boulder,
2. Valmont Rd to Rabbit Mountain,
3. Rocky Mountain Arsenal NWR and the area West of Denver International Airport going up to Barr Lake,
4. Bennett to Jackson Lake, added in 2023.
Prior to 2022 there was a short lived WRS by Jillian and Patrick Glover and Deb Callahan in the St Luis Valley with 3 surveys between December 2019 and December 2020, but none since.
There is also an infrequent survey along NE I-76 conducted by the former coordinator of the WRS who lives in Illinois and who does this survey with her son whenever she visits a son in Colorado Springs, so that there are single surveys in 2019, 2021, 2023,and 2025.
The past few 4 years I had posted occasional reports in COBirds of some of the highlights of our WRS, encouraging Colorado birders to start their own WRS, including a link to the WRS website
Winter Raptor Survey – Hawk Migration Association (https://www.hawkmigration.org/winter-raptor-survey/) offering my help if needed.
Robert Beauchamp started his own survey starting in 2022 incorporating the Nunn Raptor Alley Route, and completed 9 surveys, the last of which was in February 2025, unfortunately none this winter season. I don’t know him, I hope he is in good health.
This winter season looking at the Winter Raptors Survey website I was delighted to find that 3 new HMA WRS have been started in Colorado this winter season.
* Jeffco Foothills WRS by Audrey Hicks, Sharon Tanaka, Karolyn Chan, and Amy Walsh who have completed 2 surveys in December and January.
* El Paso County East of Colorado Springs WRS by Chris Nigro and Jennifer McLain who have completed 3 surveys in December and January. We we had thought it could be a productive area, but it was a little too far for us to go to.
* Arapahoe East WRS by Jason Zolle, Zak Hepler and Ryan Gannon who have completed 2 surveys in December and January.
Congratulations to all these birder surveyors, and may they continue their surveys into the future.
If you go to the WRS website https://wrs.hmana.org/public_html/index.php if you click on Main In the left sidebar you can see all the surveys done this season all over the country.
If you want to hone in on Colorado, and especially see prior years surveys, click on Survey Map in the left sidebar, zoom in on the map to Colorado and click on one of the teardrop markers. You can then click on Survey Date and GO under the WRS Survey Summary and find all previous surveys. Each survey at the bottom of the page has Survey Totals by Species. Those who already have a WRS have additional access to notes on individual raptors on each survey.
Any birder or raptor enthusiast can do a Winter Raptor Survey on their own. It is a volunteer program. If you like raptors and know of an area with raptors you can develop your own route and follow it exactly the same way each time, as long as it doesn’t overlap an established route. Just follow the guidelines on the website. If you want any questions answered you can email the WRS coordinator.
If anyone is interested in starting their own route and needs advice or help, please feel free to contact me.
If you’re interested in starting one and don’t know of an area where there are a lot of raptors, the best way to figure out where to create your route is what we did, which is to look at eBird data for the past1-5 years for the location you are interested in – look up sightings for FH,RL, PrF, and GE – which will give you where you could see numbers of individuals of interesting wintering raptor species.
The dirt roads North and South of I-70 from Limon eastward is a good area, so also the area of Loveland and Fort Collins.
If you do start a survey, you will find that you will learn a lot about wintering raptors especially their ID, as we have improved our ID skills since 2022. We had to learn all about Ferruginous Hawk, Prairie Falcon, and all dark morph raptors which are not found in the east.
Ajit I Antony
Central Park, Denver, CO
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Date: 2/10/26 6:32 pm From: AJIT ANTONY <aiantony...> Subject: [cobirds] Colorado now has 7 regular Hawk Migration Association Winter Raptor Surveys this season
I am happy to let you know that Colorado now has 7 regular Winter Raptor Surveys under the auspices of the HMA - Hawk Migration Association, formerly HMANA - Hawk Migration Association of North America.
Like Hawkcount, also managed by HMA, the data from these surveys can be used by researchers, so this is good citizen science.
Liza and I moved from New York to Denver in summer 2022. In New York State between the two of us we had 4 different Winter Raptor Surveys which we conducted as per the protocol of HMA once a month in December, January, and February. We had started doing them when we first heard of them in 2016. Once in Colorado we started 3 Winter Raptor Surveys in 2022 –
1. South and East Boulder,
2. Valmont Rd to Rabbit Mountain,
3. Rocky Mountain Arsenal NWR and the area West of Denver International Airport going up to Barr Lake,
4. Bennett to Jackson Lake, added in 2023.
Prior to 2022 there was a short lived WRS by Jillian and Patrick Glover and Deb Callahan in the St Luis Valley with 3 surveys between December 2019 and December 2020, but none since.
There is also an infrequent survey along NE I-76 conducted by the former coordinator of the WRS who lives in Illinois and who does this survey with her son whenever she visits a son in Colorado Springs, so that there are single surveys in 2019, 2021, 2023,and 2025.
The past few 4 years I had posted occasional reports in COBirds of some of the highlights of our WRS, encouraging Colorado birders to start their own WRS, including a link to the WRS website
Winter Raptor Survey – Hawk Migration Association (https://www.hawkmigration.org/winter-raptor-survey/) offering my help if needed.
Robert Beauchamp started his own survey starting in 2022 incorporating the Nunn Raptor Alley Route, and completed 9 surveys, the last of which was in February 2025, unfortunately none this winter season. I don’t know him, I hope he is in good health.
This winter season looking at the Winter Raptors Survey website I was delighted to find that 3 new HMA WRS have been started in Colorado this winter season.
* Jeffco Foothills WRS by Audrey Hicks, Sharon Tanaka, Karolyn Chan, and Amy Walsh who have completed 2 surveys in December and January.
* El Paso County East of Colorado Springs WRS by Chris Nigro and Jennifer McLain who have completed 3 surveys in December and January. We we had thought it could be a productive area, but it was a little too far for us to go to.
* Arapahoe East WRS by Jason Zolle, Zak Hepler and Ryan Gannon who have completed 2 surveys in December and January.
Congratulations to all these birder surveyors, and may they continue their surveys into the future.
If you go to the WRS website https://wrs.hmana.org/public_html/index.php if you click on Main In the left sidebar you can see all the surveys done this season all over the country.
If you want to hone in on Colorado, and especially see prior years surveys, click on Survey Map in the left sidebar, zoom in on the map to Colorado and click on one of the teardrop markers. You can then click on Survey Date and GO under the WRS Survey Summary and find all previous surveys. Each survey at the bottom of the page has Survey Totals by Species. Those who already have a WRS have additional access to notes on individual raptors on each survey.
Any birder or raptor enthusiast can do a Winter Raptor Survey on their own. It is a volunteer program. If you like raptors and know of an area with raptors you can develop your own route and follow it exactly the same way each time, as long as it doesn’t overlap an established route. Just follow the guidelines on the website. If you want any questions answered you can email the WRS coordinator.
If anyone is interested in starting their own route and needs advice or help, please feel free to contact me.
If you’re interested in starting one and don’t know of an area where there are a lot of raptors, the best way to figure out where to create your route is what we did, which is to look at eBird data for the past1-5 years for the location you are interested in – look up sightings for FH,RL, PrF, and GE – which will give you where you could see numbers of individuals of interesting wintering raptor species.
The dirt roads North and South of I-70 from Limon eastward is a good area, so also the area of Loveland and Fort Collins.
If you do start a survey, you will find that you will learn a lot about wintering raptors especially their ID, as we have improved our ID skills since 2022. We had to learn all about Ferruginous Hawk, Prairie Falcon, and all dark morph raptors which are not found in the east.
Ajit I Antony
Central Park, Denver, CO
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Date: 2/10/26 4:40 pm From: Steve Bouricius <bouricii...> Subject: [cobirds] Northern Pygmy-Owl predation on Eurasian Collared-Dove
Deb had worked to rake the collection of leaves and sticks from the main
pathway through the 800 ft. wildlife shelter-belt on our farm in order
to walk more quietly. This afternoon, she stepped through and flushed a
Pygmy-Owl from the ground to a nearby olive tree. In it's talons are
the remains of a Eurasian Collared-Dove, already substantially
consumed. The dove would have outweighed the owl by 2-4 times. It
seems we have a well fed Pygmy-Owl in the yard.
In past years, I haven't found Pygmy-Owls to remain into a second day at
our farm on Central Orchard Mesa. Tomorrow is another day and there's
more of the dove remaining. We'll see, and hope. There are plenty more
collared doves to feast on.
Steve, and Deb Bouricius
Palisade, CO
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Date: 2/10/26 3:51 pm From: 'Buzz' via Colorado Birds <cobirds...> Subject: Re: [cobirds] Next BIRD BOMBS: Ups and Downs in Colorado, Feb 26 at 7 pm
Sorry, I can't make it.
Sent from the all new Aol app for iOS
Buzz Schaumberg
On Tuesday, February 10, 2026, 4:14 PM, David Suddjian <dsuddjian...> wrote:
Hi CoBirders,
You can register now for DFO's next BIRD BOMBS: Ups and Downs in Colorado, set to explode on Thursday, February 26 at 7pm. This free Zoom webinar will highlight Colorado's bird population trends from the North American Breeding Bird Survey (BBS). Learn what the BBS is all about, and how you can get involved.
Check out any of the prior 41 BIRD BOMBS episodes in DFO's BIRD BOMBS library and on the DFO YouTube Channel.
David SuddjianLittleton CO
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Date: 2/10/26 9:31 am From: John Rawinski <johnrawinski0...> Subject: [cobirds] The Chorus of Cranes
Well of *chorus* I would have to get you the latest news on the San Luis Valley cranes. Both yesterday and today, the skies have been alive as cranes are entering the Valley. Most of the time, they are calling from very high up and hard to see. But the show has begun and it is getting exciting.
This winter we had an unusually high number winter over. Wife Lisa had about 200 at Blanca Wetlands most of the winter. Scattered groups elsewhere as well. But it seems that the rest are starting to arrive from points south.
No water is yet running on the MV NWR yet but I expect that to happen soon...maybe next week. Other notable arrivals are hundreds of Cackling Geese at Home Lake...arriving in the past week.
John Rawinski Monte Vista CO
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Date: 2/8/26 3:23 pm From: 'Tony Leukering' via Colorado Birds <cobirds...> Subject: [cobirds] Re: Appropriate use of tools, including "technology", when identifying birds?
All:
Appropriate technology is all fine and good, but I'd like to make two
points. Many eBirders (including me) use Merlin to detect birds for eBird
checklists. However, its use to generate date for eBird checklists has two
problems.
1 -- The first is that some eBirders start a checklist, open Merlin, let it
run, and enter the species Merlin detects into the eBird checklist.
However, Merlin CANNOT discern the number of different individuals
vocalizing; it can only note the species it "believes" it detects. If an
eBirder does this, all species detected ONLY by Merlin should be entered
with 'X" for the number (but see problem #2).
2 -- The Cornell Lab, both the Merlin and eBird aspects, cautions observers
*NOT* to enter data generated solely by Merlin. The rule is that one must
personally identify the individual(s), typically through visual ID. Merlin
is *very* far from foolproof, and certain species or combos of species
cause it extreme difficulty, often identifying vocalizing birds
INCORRECTLY. Chief among these species in my own experience -- but
certainly nowhere near all of them -- are the three species of "Solitary
Vireo" (Blue-headed, Plumbeous, and Cassin's) and Green-tailed Towhee
versus Fox Sparrow, in which case it generally defaults to Fox Sparrow,
because it cannot see that your phone is in a sea of sage shrubland. Again,
these species are *not* the only ones that cause Merlin problems.
This spring/summer, we may find out how well it does at distinguishing
between the two species of Warbling Vireo.
Finally, I have encountered eBird photos misidentified as species, with
those identifications that the observer stated were made by Merlin. In
fact, the impetus for me finally responding to this thread was a photo I
ran across today in eBird of what seemed to me to be an obvious molting
Forster's Tern that Merlin had identified as a Common Tern... so the
observer submitted it as such, despite the obvious pale outer primaries.
And the above points out the primary problem with using "appropriate
technology" on science-based surveys: Those technologies are still not as
good as a skilled AND experienced birder.
Sincerely,
Tony Leukering
Denver
On Friday, February 6, 2026 at 6:09:09 PM UTC-7 Kevin Schutz wrote:
> Hello CoBirds Community,
>
> Today's post by Bill Kosar and subsequent responses prompted me to start
> the following discussion.
>
> First, some background. We all hear and read of the risks and appeals of
> not relying upon common technology in popular use today - Merlin, etc. In
> the past, I've been forthright in admitting some of my identification
> limitations when inquiring about participation with various surveys and
> describing how I use multiple tools to (personally) learn and narrow on any
> reported identifications I may make. As such, I have been declined for
> participation - no technology allowed, etc. That's fine as I know the
> intent is to provide (reasonably) accurate data for various scientific
> purposes. What I've found curious is reading subsequent posts from other
> participants for the same surveys indicating their use of technology.
> Argh!! - so some routes potentially went uncovered. We know of examples of
> published experts/authors of books covering their "big year" efforts and
> garnering numerous speaking engagements afterwards that use technology such
> as frequency shifting headphones to assist them with identification while
> birding.
>
> I admit confusion, especially in the context of mixed inputs pleading for
> more data reporting juxtaposed against pleas and warnings that at times
> feel more like one is receiving a "thou shalt not" style sermon. When is
> technology use appropriate when recording an identification? Does use of
> technology depend on specific surveys/records/databases? What constitutes
> "technology" and how is technology defined? Does technology include sound
> amplification headphones, recordings that can be compared post observation
> at a later time against vetted libraries, optics, photography, electronic
> or printed guide books? Even consultation to more experienced birders
> relies upon some form of technology (vocalizations, photographic
> confirmation, etc.). All of the examples listed above could be
> characterized as "technology" in the context of humankind, and in some
> cases would seem to be dismissed out-of-hand.
>
> Today, within eBird, when one submit a checklist, one is asked "Are you
> submitting a complete checklist of the birds you were able to identify?"
> I think eBIrd used to ask something along the lines of "... to the best of
> your ability", but I can't attest to that with certainty. I've always
> adopted the philosophy that I would record identifications to the best of
> my ability, which includes the use of various forms of technology to assist
> me with a confident identification.
>
> What are the current, best practices deemed acceptable today for bird
> identification? Should technology use be context specific (eBird database,
> bird surveys, other...)? While database corruption is and always will be a
> concern, are we artificially limiting community science resources over such
> concerns? Humans will always be fallible. When technology limitations are
> appropriate, how much cheating is likely occurring? Are we at a point
> where we are past being able to use an honor system, of relying upon one's
> best abilities? When some form of technology has been used to assist with
> an identification, is it incumbent to disclose all forms of technology used
> (optics, photography, recordings, various forms of guidebooks, applications
> such as Merlin, various AI applications)?
>
> I am sincerely interested in understanding the breadth of views present.
> I may find myself having to reconsider my philosophy of using "my best
> ability" as no longer being appropriate.
>
> I hope this post results in a respectful, thoughtful discussion.
>
> KS
> El Paso County
>
>
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Date: 2/8/26 8:39 am From: Bill Kosar <bill_kosar...> Subject: Re: [cobirds] Appropriate use of tools, including "technology", when identifying birds?
I have been taking pictures of birds for about 22 years and then
identifying them after the fact by studying the pictures and various books,
online pics, etc. Most of them have been in Colorado but a few are from the
Gulf coast, east coast, and west coast. It is an interesting and enjoyable
hobby for me, not a competition. I am personally looking forward to using
the Merlin app to verify a few of the "shaky" IDs I have. I absolutely
cannot capture and remember all of the details I see when checking out
different birds in the field, I have a personal rule that I have to have an
identifiable picture of a bird before I add it to my life list.
The use of AI for image analysis (especially in the medical field) gets
more accurate each year and I think the case will be the same for bird
IDs. I personally see AI in general as a very useful tool, it is not
always right but it can quickly give you additional insight on a topic
whether its a bird picture or something else..
Thanks
Bill Kosar
El Paso County
On Sunday, February 8, 2026 at 6:54:30 AM UTC-7 David Suddjian wrote:
> As for Warbling Vireos, I think the songs of the two newly-split vireos
> can be distinguished once you become familiar with them. In some areas of
> the state a recording may be needed to have a reviewer confirm the
> report in eBird, but they can be identified without technology. They are
> fairly distinct in their quality.
>
> David
>
> On Sun, Feb 8, 2026 at 6:06 AM Lynne Forrester <lforre......>
> wrote:
>
>> This made think of Warbling Vireos here in Colorado. For many of us, we
>> will have no choice but to use technology to distinguish them, whether
>> skill or physically challenged.
>>
>> Lynne Forrester
>> Littleton, Jefferson County
>>
>> ------------------------------
>> *From:* <cob......> <cob......> on behalf of
>> David Hyde <davidh......>
>> *Sent:* Saturday, February 7, 2026 12:01:20 PM
>> *To:* Colorado Birds <cob......>
>> *Subject:* Re: [cobirds] Appropriate use of tools, including
>> "technology", when identifying birds?
>>
>> If the fundamental purpose of databases like eBird is to locate a bird
>> species in a specific place at a specific time then how this is done is a
>> matter of indifference. The bird-observer can use whatever technology they
>> like, within ethical bounds. Technology makes the process more efficient
>> but introduces errors of its own. Bird-watching, if we can still call it
>> that, becomes a scientific enterprise. Tools like Merlin in a sense replace
>> the observer - the girl wandering about in a woods -- with themselves.
>> What's the next step in this AI-ification of bird-watching? Mini
>> bird-tropic drones to get closer to any bird for a better look? With built
>> in AI analyzer and mini-transmitter to the birder's ear saying suavely
>> "this is a Yellow-rumped warbler, data uploaded to eBird." Is it here
>> already?
>> And what about that girl in the woods? I'm sure eBird knows that
>> we're human beings and not data points. There will always be errors in
>> their reports. I guess I just don't see the need for advanced gadgetry in
>> the simple pastime of watching birds; it becomes about the gadgets and not
>> the birds.
>>
>>
>>
>> On Friday, February 6, 2026 at 8:58:01 PM UTC-7 Nathan Pieplow wrote:
>>
>>> Hi Kevin,
>>>
>>> This is an excellent question, and I'm happy to weigh in. I wrote the
>>> book on bird sounds (well, one of the books), and I use Merlin Sound ID all
>>> the time.
>>>
>>> I used to do bird surveys for Bird Conservancy of the Rockies, but had
>>> to quit a number of years ago when I realized my high-pitched hearing was
>>> much worse than other surveyors'. During training, everybody else could
>>> hear the Blue-gray Gnatcatcher at 100 yards and I still couldn't hear it at
>>> 50. I feared my bad ears would skew the data.
>>>
>>> But nobody has exactly the same abilities, either physical or mental.
>>> Differences between observers are an inevitable confounding factor in all
>>> big-data citizen science initiatives, including the Christmas Bird Count,
>>> eBird checklists, and Breeding Bird Survey routes. The idea is that these
>>> differences mostly wash out across the huge number of repeated surveys over
>>> time.
>>>
>>> Merlin helps me be more accurate. It can hear things I can't. But it
>>> also makes lots of mistakes. In some situations it performs better than the
>>> average human, in some situations worse. It helps to know what it does well
>>> and what it does poorly.
>>>
>>> I don't think we should be too afraid of assistive technology -- after
>>> all, eyeglasses and binoculars and scope are assistive technologies that
>>> greatly change detection rates of birds. But we shouldn't let technology
>>> operate unsupervised by human judgment. If Merlin detects a bird I haven't
>>> detected, I pay attention to context. It's got a great track record of
>>> detecting real Bushtits and Cedar Waxwings before I do. If it's detecting
>>> those species repeatedly during an observation, in decent habitat, I might
>>> put them on my list. I usually like to be able to see the shape of the call
>>> on the spectrogram, though, if I can't spot the birds.
>>>
>>> If it's telling me there's an Indigo Bunting around, I'm going to be
>>> skeptical. Merlin can't tell Indigo from Lazuli in Colorado. Neither can
>>> humans. Neither can buntings. (That's why we have a lot of hybrids here --
>>> the two species learn elements of each other's songs in the overlap zone.)
>>> With experience and study, you can learn when to place more trust in
>>> technology and when to place less. It's not a matter of using it or not
>>> using it, it's a matter of using it carefully.
>>>
>>> Nathan Pieplow
>>> Boulder, Colorado
>>>
>>> On Fri, Feb 6, 2026 at 6:09 PM Kevin Schutz <ksc......> wrote:
>>>
>>>> Hello CoBirds Community,
>>>>
>>>> Today's post by Bill Kosar and subsequent responses prompted me to
>>>> start the following discussion.
>>>>
>>>> First, some background. We all hear and read of the risks and appeals
>>>> of not relying upon common technology in popular use today - Merlin, etc.
>>>> In the past, I've been forthright in admitting some of my identification
>>>> limitations when inquiring about participation with various surveys and
>>>> describing how I use multiple tools to (personally) learn and narrow on any
>>>> reported identifications I may make. As such, I have been declined for
>>>> participation - no technology allowed, etc. That's fine as I know the
>>>> intent is to provide (reasonably) accurate data for various scientific
>>>> purposes. What I've found curious is reading subsequent posts from other
>>>> participants for the same surveys indicating their use of technology.
>>>> Argh!! - so some routes potentially went uncovered. We know of examples of
>>>> published experts/authors of books covering their "big year" efforts and
>>>> garnering numerous speaking engagements afterwards that use technology such
>>>> as frequency shifting headphones to assist them with identification while
>>>> birding.
>>>>
>>>> I admit confusion, especially in the context of mixed inputs pleading
>>>> for more data reporting juxtaposed against pleas and warnings that at times
>>>> feel more like one is receiving a "thou shalt not" style sermon. When is
>>>> technology use appropriate when recording an identification? Does use of
>>>> technology depend on specific surveys/records/databases? What constitutes
>>>> "technology" and how is technology defined? Does technology include sound
>>>> amplification headphones, recordings that can be compared post observation
>>>> at a later time against vetted libraries, optics, photography, electronic
>>>> or printed guide books? Even consultation to more experienced birders
>>>> relies upon some form of technology (vocalizations, photographic
>>>> confirmation, etc.). All of the examples listed above could be
>>>> characterized as "technology" in the context of humankind, and in some
>>>> cases would seem to be dismissed out-of-hand.
>>>>
>>>> Today, within eBird, when one submit a checklist, one is asked "Are
>>>> you submitting a complete checklist of the birds you were able to
>>>> identify?" I think eBIrd used to ask something along the lines of
>>>> "... to the best of your ability", but I can't attest to that with
>>>> certainty. I've always adopted the philosophy that I would record
>>>> identifications to the best of my ability, which includes the use of
>>>> various forms of technology to assist me with a confident identification.
>>>>
>>>> What are the current, best practices deemed acceptable today for bird
>>>> identification? Should technology use be context specific (eBird database,
>>>> bird surveys, other...)? While database corruption is and always will be a
>>>> concern, are we artificially limiting community science resources over such
>>>> concerns? Humans will always be fallible. When technology limitations are
>>>> appropriate, how much cheating is likely occurring? Are we at a point
>>>> where we are past being able to use an honor system, of relying upon one's
>>>> best abilities? When some form of technology has been used to assist with
>>>> an identification, is it incumbent to disclose all forms of technology used
>>>> (optics, photography, recordings, various forms of guidebooks, applications
>>>> such as Merlin, various AI applications)?
>>>>
>>>> I am sincerely interested in understanding the breadth of views
>>>> present. I may find myself having to reconsider my philosophy of using "my
>>>> best ability" as no longer being appropriate.
>>>>
>>>> I hope this post results in a respectful, thoughtful discussion.
>>>>
>>>> KS
>>>> El Paso County
>>>>
>>>> --
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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/ >>>> ---
>>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google
>>>> Groups "Colorado Birds" group.
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>>>> an email to cobirds+<u......>
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>>>>
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Date: 2/8/26 5:54 am From: David Suddjian <dsuddjian...> Subject: Re: [cobirds] Appropriate use of tools, including "technology", when identifying birds?
As for Warbling Vireos, I think the songs of the two newly-split vireos
can be distinguished once you become familiar with them. In some areas of
the state a recording may be needed to have a reviewer confirm the
report in eBird, but they can be identified without technology. They are
fairly distinct in their quality.
David
On Sun, Feb 8, 2026 at 6:06 AM Lynne Forrester <lforrester27...>
wrote:
> This made think of Warbling Vireos here in Colorado. For many of us, we
> will have no choice but to use technology to distinguish them, whether
> skill or physically challenged.
>
> Lynne Forrester
> Littleton, Jefferson County
>
> ------------------------------
> *From:* <cobirds...> <cobirds...> on behalf of
> David Hyde <davidhyde1951...>
> *Sent:* Saturday, February 7, 2026 12:01:20 PM
> *To:* Colorado Birds <cobirds...>
> *Subject:* Re: [cobirds] Appropriate use of tools, including
> "technology", when identifying birds?
>
> If the fundamental purpose of databases like eBird is to locate a bird
> species in a specific place at a specific time then how this is done is a
> matter of indifference. The bird-observer can use whatever technology they
> like, within ethical bounds. Technology makes the process more efficient
> but introduces errors of its own. Bird-watching, if we can still call it
> that, becomes a scientific enterprise. Tools like Merlin in a sense replace
> the observer - the girl wandering about in a woods -- with themselves.
> What's the next step in this AI-ification of bird-watching? Mini
> bird-tropic drones to get closer to any bird for a better look? With built
> in AI analyzer and mini-transmitter to the birder's ear saying suavely
> "this is a Yellow-rumped warbler, data uploaded to eBird." Is it here
> already?
> And what about that girl in the woods? I'm sure eBird knows that
> we're human beings and not data points. There will always be errors in
> their reports. I guess I just don't see the need for advanced gadgetry in
> the simple pastime of watching birds; it becomes about the gadgets and not
> the birds.
>
>
>
> On Friday, February 6, 2026 at 8:58:01 PM UTC-7 Nathan Pieplow wrote:
>
>> Hi Kevin,
>>
>> This is an excellent question, and I'm happy to weigh in. I wrote the
>> book on bird sounds (well, one of the books), and I use Merlin Sound ID all
>> the time.
>>
>> I used to do bird surveys for Bird Conservancy of the Rockies, but had to
>> quit a number of years ago when I realized my high-pitched hearing was much
>> worse than other surveyors'. During training, everybody else could hear the
>> Blue-gray Gnatcatcher at 100 yards and I still couldn't hear it at 50. I
>> feared my bad ears would skew the data.
>>
>> But nobody has exactly the same abilities, either physical or mental.
>> Differences between observers are an inevitable confounding factor in all
>> big-data citizen science initiatives, including the Christmas Bird Count,
>> eBird checklists, and Breeding Bird Survey routes. The idea is that these
>> differences mostly wash out across the huge number of repeated surveys over
>> time.
>>
>> Merlin helps me be more accurate. It can hear things I can't. But it also
>> makes lots of mistakes. In some situations it performs better than the
>> average human, in some situations worse. It helps to know what it does well
>> and what it does poorly.
>>
>> I don't think we should be too afraid of assistive technology -- after
>> all, eyeglasses and binoculars and scope are assistive technologies that
>> greatly change detection rates of birds. But we shouldn't let technology
>> operate unsupervised by human judgment. If Merlin detects a bird I haven't
>> detected, I pay attention to context. It's got a great track record of
>> detecting real Bushtits and Cedar Waxwings before I do. If it's detecting
>> those species repeatedly during an observation, in decent habitat, I might
>> put them on my list. I usually like to be able to see the shape of the call
>> on the spectrogram, though, if I can't spot the birds.
>>
>> If it's telling me there's an Indigo Bunting around, I'm going to be
>> skeptical. Merlin can't tell Indigo from Lazuli in Colorado. Neither can
>> humans. Neither can buntings. (That's why we have a lot of hybrids here --
>> the two species learn elements of each other's songs in the overlap zone.)
>> With experience and study, you can learn when to place more trust in
>> technology and when to place less. It's not a matter of using it or not
>> using it, it's a matter of using it carefully.
>>
>> Nathan Pieplow
>> Boulder, Colorado
>>
>> On Fri, Feb 6, 2026 at 6:09 PM Kevin Schutz <ksc......> wrote:
>>
>>> Hello CoBirds Community,
>>>
>>> Today's post by Bill Kosar and subsequent responses prompted me to start
>>> the following discussion.
>>>
>>> First, some background. We all hear and read of the risks and appeals
>>> of not relying upon common technology in popular use today - Merlin, etc.
>>> In the past, I've been forthright in admitting some of my identification
>>> limitations when inquiring about participation with various surveys and
>>> describing how I use multiple tools to (personally) learn and narrow on any
>>> reported identifications I may make. As such, I have been declined for
>>> participation - no technology allowed, etc. That's fine as I know the
>>> intent is to provide (reasonably) accurate data for various scientific
>>> purposes. What I've found curious is reading subsequent posts from other
>>> participants for the same surveys indicating their use of technology.
>>> Argh!! - so some routes potentially went uncovered. We know of examples of
>>> published experts/authors of books covering their "big year" efforts and
>>> garnering numerous speaking engagements afterwards that use technology such
>>> as frequency shifting headphones to assist them with identification while
>>> birding.
>>>
>>> I admit confusion, especially in the context of mixed inputs pleading
>>> for more data reporting juxtaposed against pleas and warnings that at times
>>> feel more like one is receiving a "thou shalt not" style sermon. When is
>>> technology use appropriate when recording an identification? Does use of
>>> technology depend on specific surveys/records/databases? What constitutes
>>> "technology" and how is technology defined? Does technology include sound
>>> amplification headphones, recordings that can be compared post observation
>>> at a later time against vetted libraries, optics, photography, electronic
>>> or printed guide books? Even consultation to more experienced birders
>>> relies upon some form of technology (vocalizations, photographic
>>> confirmation, etc.). All of the examples listed above could be
>>> characterized as "technology" in the context of humankind, and in some
>>> cases would seem to be dismissed out-of-hand.
>>>
>>> Today, within eBird, when one submit a checklist, one is asked "Are you
>>> submitting a complete checklist of the birds you were able to identify?"
>>> I think eBIrd used to ask something along the lines of "... to the best of
>>> your ability", but I can't attest to that with certainty. I've always
>>> adopted the philosophy that I would record identifications to the best of
>>> my ability, which includes the use of various forms of technology to assist
>>> me with a confident identification.
>>>
>>> What are the current, best practices deemed acceptable today for bird
>>> identification? Should technology use be context specific (eBird database,
>>> bird surveys, other...)? While database corruption is and always will be a
>>> concern, are we artificially limiting community science resources over such
>>> concerns? Humans will always be fallible. When technology limitations are
>>> appropriate, how much cheating is likely occurring? Are we at a point
>>> where we are past being able to use an honor system, of relying upon one's
>>> best abilities? When some form of technology has been used to assist with
>>> an identification, is it incumbent to disclose all forms of technology used
>>> (optics, photography, recordings, various forms of guidebooks, applications
>>> such as Merlin, various AI applications)?
>>>
>>> I am sincerely interested in understanding the breadth of views
>>> present. I may find myself having to reconsider my philosophy of using "my
>>> best ability" as no longer being appropriate.
>>>
>>> I hope this post results in a respectful, thoughtful discussion.
>>>
>>> KS
>>> El Paso County
>>>
>>> --
>>> --
>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google
>>> Groups "Colorado Birds" group.
>>> To post to this group, send email to <cob......>
>>> 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+<u......>
>>> To view this discussion visit
>>> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cobirds/<e7168f62-d4fa-4ae9-a246-23797720569cn...> >>> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cobirds/<e7168f62-d4fa-4ae9-a246-23797720569cn...>?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> >>> .
>>>
>> --
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Date: 2/8/26 5:07 am From: Lynne Forrester <lforrester27...> Subject: Re: [cobirds] Appropriate use of tools, including "technology", when identifying birds?
This made think of Warbling Vireos here in Colorado. For many of us, we will have no choice but to use technology to distinguish them, whether skill or physically challenged.
Lynne Forrester
Littleton, Jefferson County
________________________________
From: <cobirds...> <cobirds...> on behalf of David Hyde <davidhyde1951...>
Sent: Saturday, February 7, 2026 12:01:20 PM
To: Colorado Birds <cobirds...>
Subject: Re: [cobirds] Appropriate use of tools, including "technology", when identifying birds?
If the fundamental purpose of databases like eBird is to locate a bird species in a specific place at a specific time then how this is done is a matter of indifference. The bird-observer can use whatever technology they like, within ethical bounds. Technology makes the process more efficient but introduces errors of its own. Bird-watching, if we can still call it that, becomes a scientific enterprise. Tools like Merlin in a sense replace the observer - the girl wandering about in a woods -- with themselves. What's the next step in this AI-ification of bird-watching? Mini bird-tropic drones to get closer to any bird for a better look? With built in AI analyzer and mini-transmitter to the birder's ear saying suavely "this is a Yellow-rumped warbler, data uploaded to eBird." Is it here already?
And what about that girl in the woods? I'm sure eBird knows that we're human beings and not data points. There will always be errors in their reports. I guess I just don't see the need for advanced gadgetry in the simple pastime of watching birds; it becomes about the gadgets and not the birds.
On Friday, February 6, 2026 at 8:58:01 PM UTC-7 Nathan Pieplow wrote:
Hi Kevin,
This is an excellent question, and I'm happy to weigh in. I wrote the book on bird sounds (well, one of the books), and I use Merlin Sound ID all the time.
I used to do bird surveys for Bird Conservancy of the Rockies, but had to quit a number of years ago when I realized my high-pitched hearing was much worse than other surveyors'. During training, everybody else could hear the Blue-gray Gnatcatcher at 100 yards and I still couldn't hear it at 50. I feared my bad ears would skew the data.
But nobody has exactly the same abilities, either physical or mental. Differences between observers are an inevitable confounding factor in all big-data citizen science initiatives, including the Christmas Bird Count, eBird checklists, and Breeding Bird Survey routes. The idea is that these differences mostly wash out across the huge number of repeated surveys over time.
Merlin helps me be more accurate. It can hear things I can't. But it also makes lots of mistakes. In some situations it performs better than the average human, in some situations worse. It helps to know what it does well and what it does poorly.
I don't think we should be too afraid of assistive technology -- after all, eyeglasses and binoculars and scope are assistive technologies that greatly change detection rates of birds. But we shouldn't let technology operate unsupervised by human judgment. If Merlin detects a bird I haven't detected, I pay attention to context. It's got a great track record of detecting real Bushtits and Cedar Waxwings before I do. If it's detecting those species repeatedly during an observation, in decent habitat, I might put them on my list. I usually like to be able to see the shape of the call on the spectrogram, though, if I can't spot the birds.
If it's telling me there's an Indigo Bunting around, I'm going to be skeptical. Merlin can't tell Indigo from Lazuli in Colorado. Neither can humans. Neither can buntings. (That's why we have a lot of hybrids here -- the two species learn elements of each other's songs in the overlap zone.) With experience and study, you can learn when to place more trust in technology and when to place less. It's not a matter of using it or not using it, it's a matter of using it carefully.
Nathan Pieplow
Boulder, Colorado
On Fri, Feb 6, 2026 at 6:09 PM Kevin Schutz <ksc......> wrote:
Hello CoBirds Community,
Today's post by Bill Kosar and subsequent responses prompted me to start the following discussion.
First, some background. We all hear and read of the risks and appeals of not relying upon common technology in popular use today - Merlin, etc. In the past, I've been forthright in admitting some of my identification limitations when inquiring about participation with various surveys and describing how I use multiple tools to (personally) learn and narrow on any reported identifications I may make. As such, I have been declined for participation - no technology allowed, etc. That's fine as I know the intent is to provide (reasonably) accurate data for various scientific purposes. What I've found curious is reading subsequent posts from other participants for the same surveys indicating their use of technology. Argh!! - so some routes potentially went uncovered. We know of examples of published experts/authors of books covering their "big year" efforts and garnering numerous speaking engagements afterwards that use technology such as frequency shifting headphones to assist them with identification while birding.
I admit confusion, especially in the context of mixed inputs pleading for more data reporting juxtaposed against pleas and warnings that at times feel more like one is receiving a "thou shalt not" style sermon. When is technology use appropriate when recording an identification? Does use of technology depend on specific surveys/records/databases? What constitutes "technology" and how is technology defined? Does technology include sound amplification headphones, recordings that can be compared post observation at a later time against vetted libraries, optics, photography, electronic or printed guide books? Even consultation to more experienced birders relies upon some form of technology (vocalizations, photographic confirmation, etc.). All of the examples listed above could be characterized as "technology" in the context of humankind, and in some cases would seem to be dismissed out-of-hand.
Today, within eBird, when one submit a checklist, one is asked "Are you submitting a complete checklist of the birds you were able to identify?" I think eBIrd used to ask something along the lines of "... to the best of your ability", but I can't attest to that with certainty. I've always adopted the philosophy that I would record identifications to the best of my ability, which includes the use of various forms of technology to assist me with a confident identification.
What are the current, best practices deemed acceptable today for bird identification? Should technology use be context specific (eBird database, bird surveys, other...)? While database corruption is and always will be a concern, are we artificially limiting community science resources over such concerns? Humans will always be fallible. When technology limitations are appropriate, how much cheating is likely occurring? Are we at a point where we are past being able to use an honor system, of relying upon one's best abilities? When some form of technology has been used to assist with an identification, is it incumbent to disclose all forms of technology used (optics, photography, recordings, various forms of guidebooks, applications such as Merlin, various AI applications)?
I am sincerely interested in understanding the breadth of views present. I may find myself having to reconsider my philosophy of using "my best ability" as no longer being appropriate.
I hope this post results in a respectful, thoughtful discussion.
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Date: 2/7/26 5:11 pm From: Douglas Kibbe <dpkibbe...> Subject: [cobirds] Found: Camera battery at South Platte Reservoir
While watching the 8 long-tailed ducks and two immature surf scoters at South Platte Park this evening, I discovered that someone had left a camera battery atop a fence post. Ironically, it was the same post that I left my cell phone on just a week or two ago.
The battery is a Powerextra 3.7 V. but I have no idea what type of camera it goes to.
Contact Doug Kibbe at <dpkibbe...> or call 303-910-9476 and we can arrange for you to get it back.
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Date: 2/7/26 12:13 pm From: David Suddjian <dsuddjian...> Subject: Re: [cobirds] Appropriate use of tools, including "technology", when identifying birds?
Hi CoBirds,
If the discussion continues, please keep it focused on Colorado birds and
Colorado birding.
Thank you,
David Suddjian
CoBirds moderator
On Sat, Feb 7, 2026 at 1:08 PM Kevin Schutz <kschutz...> wrote:
> Thank you to Paula and Nathan for participating in this discussion.
>
> I'm curious why some surveys/studies apply different rules for the use of
> various forms of technology, along with how often different surveys may
> revisit their guidelines as technology improves. One always should guard
> against being unduly influenced by suggested results and then succumbing to
> confirmation bias. Both humans and technology are fallible and not 100%
> accurate in all situations.
>
> I suppose unless one was able to perform DNA analysis, there may always be
> a small amount of ambiguity related to any specific ID. Even then, one may
> question the fidelity of the testing methods skewing results. As
> technology improves and costs come down to deploy at scale, who knows,
> maybe ordinary individuals could perform DNA testing one day.
>
> Speaking of which, I viewed an interesting news segment on local TV this
> past week. I didn't get all of the details, so I am not locating the
> source at the moment. The gist was that someone has developed a "new"
> touchless DNA testing method for use in forensics. I believe the piece
> stated the Colorado Bureau of Investigation would be the first department
> in the country to deploy its use. It sounded like the testing was based on
> some form of a photonic "gun" to detect DNA on surfaces without
> contaminating the scene. If the methodology proves reliable, think of the
> possibilities down the road if one could apply its use to avian or other
> forms of life.
>
> Did anyone happen to see this news piece, or another similar mention of
> this technology?
>
> Kevin
>
> On Fri, Feb 6, 2026 at 8:57 PM Nathan Pieplow <npieplow...> wrote:
>
>> Hi Kevin,
>>
>> This is an excellent question, and I'm happy to weigh in. I wrote the
>> book on bird sounds (well, one of the books), and I use Merlin Sound ID all
>> the time.
>>
>> I used to do bird surveys for Bird Conservancy of the Rockies, but had to
>> quit a number of years ago when I realized my high-pitched hearing was much
>> worse than other surveyors'. During training, everybody else could hear the
>> Blue-gray Gnatcatcher at 100 yards and I still couldn't hear it at 50. I
>> feared my bad ears would skew the data.
>>
>> But nobody has exactly the same abilities, either physical or mental.
>> Differences between observers are an inevitable confounding factor in all
>> big-data citizen science initiatives, including the Christmas Bird Count,
>> eBird checklists, and Breeding Bird Survey routes. The idea is that these
>> differences mostly wash out across the huge number of repeated surveys over
>> time.
>>
>> Merlin helps me be more accurate. It can hear things I can't. But it also
>> makes lots of mistakes. In some situations it performs better than the
>> average human, in some situations worse. It helps to know what it does well
>> and what it does poorly.
>>
>> I don't think we should be too afraid of assistive technology -- after
>> all, eyeglasses and binoculars and scope are assistive technologies that
>> greatly change detection rates of birds. But we shouldn't let technology
>> operate unsupervised by human judgment. If Merlin detects a bird I haven't
>> detected, I pay attention to context. It's got a great track record of
>> detecting real Bushtits and Cedar Waxwings before I do. If it's detecting
>> those species repeatedly during an observation, in decent habitat, I might
>> put them on my list. I usually like to be able to see the shape of the call
>> on the spectrogram, though, if I can't spot the birds.
>>
>> If it's telling me there's an Indigo Bunting around, I'm going to be
>> skeptical. Merlin can't tell Indigo from Lazuli in Colorado. Neither can
>> humans. Neither can buntings. (That's why we have a lot of hybrids here --
>> the two species learn elements of each other's songs in the overlap zone.)
>> With experience and study, you can learn when to place more trust in
>> technology and when to place less. It's not a matter of using it or not
>> using it, it's a matter of using it carefully.
>>
>> Nathan Pieplow
>> Boulder, Colorado
>>
>> On Fri, Feb 6, 2026 at 6:09 PM Kevin Schutz <kschutz...> wrote:
>>
>>> Hello CoBirds Community,
>>>
>>> Today's post by Bill Kosar and subsequent responses prompted me to start
>>> the following discussion.
>>>
>>> First, some background. We all hear and read of the risks and appeals
>>> of not relying upon common technology in popular use today - Merlin, etc.
>>> In the past, I've been forthright in admitting some of my identification
>>> limitations when inquiring about participation with various surveys and
>>> describing how I use multiple tools to (personally) learn and narrow on any
>>> reported identifications I may make. As such, I have been declined for
>>> participation - no technology allowed, etc. That's fine as I know the
>>> intent is to provide (reasonably) accurate data for various scientific
>>> purposes. What I've found curious is reading subsequent posts from other
>>> participants for the same surveys indicating their use of technology.
>>> Argh!! - so some routes potentially went uncovered. We know of examples of
>>> published experts/authors of books covering their "big year" efforts and
>>> garnering numerous speaking engagements afterwards that use technology such
>>> as frequency shifting headphones to assist them with identification while
>>> birding.
>>>
>>> I admit confusion, especially in the context of mixed inputs pleading
>>> for more data reporting juxtaposed against pleas and warnings that at times
>>> feel more like one is receiving a "thou shalt not" style sermon. When is
>>> technology use appropriate when recording an identification? Does use of
>>> technology depend on specific surveys/records/databases? What constitutes
>>> "technology" and how is technology defined? Does technology include sound
>>> amplification headphones, recordings that can be compared post observation
>>> at a later time against vetted libraries, optics, photography, electronic
>>> or printed guide books? Even consultation to more experienced birders
>>> relies upon some form of technology (vocalizations, photographic
>>> confirmation, etc.). All of the examples listed above could be
>>> characterized as "technology" in the context of humankind, and in some
>>> cases would seem to be dismissed out-of-hand.
>>>
>>> Today, within eBird, when one submit a checklist, one is asked "Are you
>>> submitting a complete checklist of the birds you were able to identify?"
>>> I think eBIrd used to ask something along the lines of "... to the best of
>>> your ability", but I can't attest to that with certainty. I've always
>>> adopted the philosophy that I would record identifications to the best of
>>> my ability, which includes the use of various forms of technology to assist
>>> me with a confident identification.
>>>
>>> What are the current, best practices deemed acceptable today for bird
>>> identification? Should technology use be context specific (eBird database,
>>> bird surveys, other...)? While database corruption is and always will be a
>>> concern, are we artificially limiting community science resources over such
>>> concerns? Humans will always be fallible. When technology limitations are
>>> appropriate, how much cheating is likely occurring? Are we at a point
>>> where we are past being able to use an honor system, of relying upon one's
>>> best abilities? When some form of technology has been used to assist with
>>> an identification, is it incumbent to disclose all forms of technology used
>>> (optics, photography, recordings, various forms of guidebooks, applications
>>> such as Merlin, various AI applications)?
>>>
>>> I am sincerely interested in understanding the breadth of views
>>> present. I may find myself having to reconsider my philosophy of using "my
>>> best ability" as no longer being appropriate.
>>>
>>> I hope this post results in a respectful, thoughtful discussion.
>>>
>>> KS
>>> El Paso 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/<e7168f62-d4fa-4ae9-a246-23797720569cn...> >>> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cobirds/<e7168f62-d4fa-4ae9-a246-23797720569cn...>?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> >>> .
>>>
>>
>
> --
> Kevin Schutz
>
>
> --
> --
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups
> "Colorado Birds" group.
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> For more options, visit this group at
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> bird species and location in the subject line when appropriate.
> * Join Colorado Field Ornithologists https://cobirds.org/membership/ > ---
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Date: 2/7/26 12:09 pm From: Kevin Schutz <kschutz...> Subject: Re: [cobirds] Appropriate use of tools, including "technology", when identifying birds?
Thank you to Paula and Nathan for participating in this discussion.
I'm curious why some surveys/studies apply different rules for the use of
various forms of technology, along with how often different surveys may
revisit their guidelines as technology improves. One always should guard
against being unduly influenced by suggested results and then succumbing to
confirmation bias. Both humans and technology are fallible and not 100%
accurate in all situations.
I suppose unless one was able to perform DNA analysis, there may always be
a small amount of ambiguity related to any specific ID. Even then, one may
question the fidelity of the testing methods skewing results. As
technology improves and costs come down to deploy at scale, who knows,
maybe ordinary individuals could perform DNA testing one day.
Speaking of which, I viewed an interesting news segment on local TV this
past week. I didn't get all of the details, so I am not locating the
source at the moment. The gist was that someone has developed a "new"
touchless DNA testing method for use in forensics. I believe the piece
stated the Colorado Bureau of Investigation would be the first department
in the country to deploy its use. It sounded like the testing was based on
some form of a photonic "gun" to detect DNA on surfaces without
contaminating the scene. If the methodology proves reliable, think of the
possibilities down the road if one could apply its use to avian or other
forms of life.
Did anyone happen to see this news piece, or another similar mention of
this technology?
Kevin
On Fri, Feb 6, 2026 at 8:57 PM Nathan Pieplow <npieplow...> wrote:
> Hi Kevin,
>
> This is an excellent question, and I'm happy to weigh in. I wrote the book
> on bird sounds (well, one of the books), and I use Merlin Sound ID all the
> time.
>
> I used to do bird surveys for Bird Conservancy of the Rockies, but had to
> quit a number of years ago when I realized my high-pitched hearing was much
> worse than other surveyors'. During training, everybody else could hear the
> Blue-gray Gnatcatcher at 100 yards and I still couldn't hear it at 50. I
> feared my bad ears would skew the data.
>
> But nobody has exactly the same abilities, either physical or mental.
> Differences between observers are an inevitable confounding factor in all
> big-data citizen science initiatives, including the Christmas Bird Count,
> eBird checklists, and Breeding Bird Survey routes. The idea is that these
> differences mostly wash out across the huge number of repeated surveys over
> time.
>
> Merlin helps me be more accurate. It can hear things I can't. But it also
> makes lots of mistakes. In some situations it performs better than the
> average human, in some situations worse. It helps to know what it does well
> and what it does poorly.
>
> I don't think we should be too afraid of assistive technology -- after
> all, eyeglasses and binoculars and scope are assistive technologies that
> greatly change detection rates of birds. But we shouldn't let technology
> operate unsupervised by human judgment. If Merlin detects a bird I haven't
> detected, I pay attention to context. It's got a great track record of
> detecting real Bushtits and Cedar Waxwings before I do. If it's detecting
> those species repeatedly during an observation, in decent habitat, I might
> put them on my list. I usually like to be able to see the shape of the call
> on the spectrogram, though, if I can't spot the birds.
>
> If it's telling me there's an Indigo Bunting around, I'm going to be
> skeptical. Merlin can't tell Indigo from Lazuli in Colorado. Neither can
> humans. Neither can buntings. (That's why we have a lot of hybrids here --
> the two species learn elements of each other's songs in the overlap zone.)
> With experience and study, you can learn when to place more trust in
> technology and when to place less. It's not a matter of using it or not
> using it, it's a matter of using it carefully.
>
> Nathan Pieplow
> Boulder, Colorado
>
> On Fri, Feb 6, 2026 at 6:09 PM Kevin Schutz <kschutz...> wrote:
>
>> Hello CoBirds Community,
>>
>> Today's post by Bill Kosar and subsequent responses prompted me to start
>> the following discussion.
>>
>> First, some background. We all hear and read of the risks and appeals of
>> not relying upon common technology in popular use today - Merlin, etc. In
>> the past, I've been forthright in admitting some of my identification
>> limitations when inquiring about participation with various surveys and
>> describing how I use multiple tools to (personally) learn and narrow on any
>> reported identifications I may make. As such, I have been declined for
>> participation - no technology allowed, etc. That's fine as I know the
>> intent is to provide (reasonably) accurate data for various scientific
>> purposes. What I've found curious is reading subsequent posts from other
>> participants for the same surveys indicating their use of technology.
>> Argh!! - so some routes potentially went uncovered. We know of examples of
>> published experts/authors of books covering their "big year" efforts and
>> garnering numerous speaking engagements afterwards that use technology such
>> as frequency shifting headphones to assist them with identification while
>> birding.
>>
>> I admit confusion, especially in the context of mixed inputs pleading for
>> more data reporting juxtaposed against pleas and warnings that at times
>> feel more like one is receiving a "thou shalt not" style sermon. When is
>> technology use appropriate when recording an identification? Does use of
>> technology depend on specific surveys/records/databases? What constitutes
>> "technology" and how is technology defined? Does technology include sound
>> amplification headphones, recordings that can be compared post observation
>> at a later time against vetted libraries, optics, photography, electronic
>> or printed guide books? Even consultation to more experienced birders
>> relies upon some form of technology (vocalizations, photographic
>> confirmation, etc.). All of the examples listed above could be
>> characterized as "technology" in the context of humankind, and in some
>> cases would seem to be dismissed out-of-hand.
>>
>> Today, within eBird, when one submit a checklist, one is asked "Are you
>> submitting a complete checklist of the birds you were able to identify?"
>> I think eBIrd used to ask something along the lines of "... to the best of
>> your ability", but I can't attest to that with certainty. I've always
>> adopted the philosophy that I would record identifications to the best of
>> my ability, which includes the use of various forms of technology to assist
>> me with a confident identification.
>>
>> What are the current, best practices deemed acceptable today for bird
>> identification? Should technology use be context specific (eBird database,
>> bird surveys, other...)? While database corruption is and always will be a
>> concern, are we artificially limiting community science resources over such
>> concerns? Humans will always be fallible. When technology limitations are
>> appropriate, how much cheating is likely occurring? Are we at a point
>> where we are past being able to use an honor system, of relying upon one's
>> best abilities? When some form of technology has been used to assist with
>> an identification, is it incumbent to disclose all forms of technology used
>> (optics, photography, recordings, various forms of guidebooks, applications
>> such as Merlin, various AI applications)?
>>
>> I am sincerely interested in understanding the breadth of views present.
>> I may find myself having to reconsider my philosophy of using "my best
>> ability" as no longer being appropriate.
>>
>> I hope this post results in a respectful, thoughtful discussion.
>>
>> KS
>> El Paso 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/<e7168f62-d4fa-4ae9-a246-23797720569cn...> >> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cobirds/<e7168f62-d4fa-4ae9-a246-23797720569cn...>?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> >> .
>>
>
--
Kevin Schutz
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Date: 2/7/26 11:01 am From: David Hyde <davidhyde1951...> Subject: Re: [cobirds] Appropriate use of tools, including "technology", when identifying birds?
If the fundamental purpose of databases like eBird is to locate a bird
species in a specific place at a specific time then how this is done is a
matter of indifference. The bird-observer can use whatever technology they
like, within ethical bounds. Technology makes the process more efficient
but introduces errors of its own. Bird-watching, if we can still call it
that, becomes a scientific enterprise. Tools like Merlin in a sense replace
the observer - the girl wandering about in a woods -- with themselves.
What's the next step in this AI-ification of bird-watching? Mini
bird-tropic drones to get closer to any bird for a better look? With built
in AI analyzer and mini-transmitter to the birder's ear saying suavely
"this is a Yellow-rumped warbler, data uploaded to eBird." Is it here
already?
And what about that girl in the woods? I'm sure eBird knows that
we're human beings and not data points. There will always be errors in
their reports. I guess I just don't see the need for advanced gadgetry in
the simple pastime of watching birds; it becomes about the gadgets and not
the birds.
On Friday, February 6, 2026 at 8:58:01 PM UTC-7 Nathan Pieplow wrote:
> Hi Kevin,
>
> This is an excellent question, and I'm happy to weigh in. I wrote the book
> on bird sounds (well, one of the books), and I use Merlin Sound ID all the
> time.
>
> I used to do bird surveys for Bird Conservancy of the Rockies, but had to
> quit a number of years ago when I realized my high-pitched hearing was much
> worse than other surveyors'. During training, everybody else could hear the
> Blue-gray Gnatcatcher at 100 yards and I still couldn't hear it at 50. I
> feared my bad ears would skew the data.
>
> But nobody has exactly the same abilities, either physical or mental.
> Differences between observers are an inevitable confounding factor in all
> big-data citizen science initiatives, including the Christmas Bird Count,
> eBird checklists, and Breeding Bird Survey routes. The idea is that these
> differences mostly wash out across the huge number of repeated surveys over
> time.
>
> Merlin helps me be more accurate. It can hear things I can't. But it also
> makes lots of mistakes. In some situations it performs better than the
> average human, in some situations worse. It helps to know what it does well
> and what it does poorly.
>
> I don't think we should be too afraid of assistive technology -- after
> all, eyeglasses and binoculars and scope are assistive technologies that
> greatly change detection rates of birds. But we shouldn't let technology
> operate unsupervised by human judgment. If Merlin detects a bird I haven't
> detected, I pay attention to context. It's got a great track record of
> detecting real Bushtits and Cedar Waxwings before I do. If it's detecting
> those species repeatedly during an observation, in decent habitat, I might
> put them on my list. I usually like to be able to see the shape of the call
> on the spectrogram, though, if I can't spot the birds.
>
> If it's telling me there's an Indigo Bunting around, I'm going to be
> skeptical. Merlin can't tell Indigo from Lazuli in Colorado. Neither can
> humans. Neither can buntings. (That's why we have a lot of hybrids here --
> the two species learn elements of each other's songs in the overlap zone.)
> With experience and study, you can learn when to place more trust in
> technology and when to place less. It's not a matter of using it or not
> using it, it's a matter of using it carefully.
>
> Nathan Pieplow
> Boulder, Colorado
>
> On Fri, Feb 6, 2026 at 6:09 PM Kevin Schutz <ksc......> wrote:
>
>> Hello CoBirds Community,
>>
>> Today's post by Bill Kosar and subsequent responses prompted me to start
>> the following discussion.
>>
>> First, some background. We all hear and read of the risks and appeals of
>> not relying upon common technology in popular use today - Merlin, etc. In
>> the past, I've been forthright in admitting some of my identification
>> limitations when inquiring about participation with various surveys and
>> describing how I use multiple tools to (personally) learn and narrow on any
>> reported identifications I may make. As such, I have been declined for
>> participation - no technology allowed, etc. That's fine as I know the
>> intent is to provide (reasonably) accurate data for various scientific
>> purposes. What I've found curious is reading subsequent posts from other
>> participants for the same surveys indicating their use of technology.
>> Argh!! - so some routes potentially went uncovered. We know of examples of
>> published experts/authors of books covering their "big year" efforts and
>> garnering numerous speaking engagements afterwards that use technology such
>> as frequency shifting headphones to assist them with identification while
>> birding.
>>
>> I admit confusion, especially in the context of mixed inputs pleading for
>> more data reporting juxtaposed against pleas and warnings that at times
>> feel more like one is receiving a "thou shalt not" style sermon. When is
>> technology use appropriate when recording an identification? Does use of
>> technology depend on specific surveys/records/databases? What constitutes
>> "technology" and how is technology defined? Does technology include sound
>> amplification headphones, recordings that can be compared post observation
>> at a later time against vetted libraries, optics, photography, electronic
>> or printed guide books? Even consultation to more experienced birders
>> relies upon some form of technology (vocalizations, photographic
>> confirmation, etc.). All of the examples listed above could be
>> characterized as "technology" in the context of humankind, and in some
>> cases would seem to be dismissed out-of-hand.
>>
>> Today, within eBird, when one submit a checklist, one is asked "Are you
>> submitting a complete checklist of the birds you were able to identify?"
>> I think eBIrd used to ask something along the lines of "... to the best of
>> your ability", but I can't attest to that with certainty. I've always
>> adopted the philosophy that I would record identifications to the best of
>> my ability, which includes the use of various forms of technology to assist
>> me with a confident identification.
>>
>> What are the current, best practices deemed acceptable today for bird
>> identification? Should technology use be context specific (eBird database,
>> bird surveys, other...)? While database corruption is and always will be a
>> concern, are we artificially limiting community science resources over such
>> concerns? Humans will always be fallible. When technology limitations are
>> appropriate, how much cheating is likely occurring? Are we at a point
>> where we are past being able to use an honor system, of relying upon one's
>> best abilities? When some form of technology has been used to assist with
>> an identification, is it incumbent to disclose all forms of technology used
>> (optics, photography, recordings, various forms of guidebooks, applications
>> such as Merlin, various AI applications)?
>>
>> I am sincerely interested in understanding the breadth of views present.
>> I may find myself having to reconsider my philosophy of using "my best
>> ability" as no longer being appropriate.
>>
>> I hope this post results in a respectful, thoughtful discussion.
>>
>> KS
>> El Paso County
>>
>> --
>> --
>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups
>> "Colorado Birds" group.
>> To post to this group, send email to <cob......>
>> 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+<u......>
>> To view this discussion visit
>> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cobirds/<e7168f62-d4fa-4ae9-a246-23797720569cn...> >> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cobirds/<e7168f62-d4fa-4ae9-a246-23797720569cn...>?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> >> .
>>
>
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Date: 2/6/26 7:58 pm From: Nathan Pieplow <npieplow...> Subject: Re: [cobirds] Appropriate use of tools, including "technology", when identifying birds?
Hi Kevin,
This is an excellent question, and I'm happy to weigh in. I wrote the book
on bird sounds (well, one of the books), and I use Merlin Sound ID all the
time.
I used to do bird surveys for Bird Conservancy of the Rockies, but had to
quit a number of years ago when I realized my high-pitched hearing was much
worse than other surveyors'. During training, everybody else could hear the
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher at 100 yards and I still couldn't hear it at 50. I
feared my bad ears would skew the data.
But nobody has exactly the same abilities, either physical or mental.
Differences between observers are an inevitable confounding factor in all
big-data citizen science initiatives, including the Christmas Bird Count,
eBird checklists, and Breeding Bird Survey routes. The idea is that these
differences mostly wash out across the huge number of repeated surveys over
time.
Merlin helps me be more accurate. It can hear things I can't. But it also
makes lots of mistakes. In some situations it performs better than the
average human, in some situations worse. It helps to know what it does well
and what it does poorly.
I don't think we should be too afraid of assistive technology -- after all,
eyeglasses and binoculars and scope are assistive technologies that greatly
change detection rates of birds. But we shouldn't let technology operate
unsupervised by human judgment. If Merlin detects a bird I haven't
detected, I pay attention to context. It's got a great track record of
detecting real Bushtits and Cedar Waxwings before I do. If it's detecting
those species repeatedly during an observation, in decent habitat, I might
put them on my list. I usually like to be able to see the shape of the call
on the spectrogram, though, if I can't spot the birds.
If it's telling me there's an Indigo Bunting around, I'm going to be
skeptical. Merlin can't tell Indigo from Lazuli in Colorado. Neither can
humans. Neither can buntings. (That's why we have a lot of hybrids here --
the two species learn elements of each other's songs in the overlap zone.)
With experience and study, you can learn when to place more trust in
technology and when to place less. It's not a matter of using it or not
using it, it's a matter of using it carefully.
Nathan Pieplow
Boulder, Colorado
On Fri, Feb 6, 2026 at 6:09 PM Kevin Schutz <kschutz...> wrote:
> Hello CoBirds Community,
>
> Today's post by Bill Kosar and subsequent responses prompted me to start
> the following discussion.
>
> First, some background. We all hear and read of the risks and appeals of
> not relying upon common technology in popular use today - Merlin, etc. In
> the past, I've been forthright in admitting some of my identification
> limitations when inquiring about participation with various surveys and
> describing how I use multiple tools to (personally) learn and narrow on any
> reported identifications I may make. As such, I have been declined for
> participation - no technology allowed, etc. That's fine as I know the
> intent is to provide (reasonably) accurate data for various scientific
> purposes. What I've found curious is reading subsequent posts from other
> participants for the same surveys indicating their use of technology.
> Argh!! - so some routes potentially went uncovered. We know of examples of
> published experts/authors of books covering their "big year" efforts and
> garnering numerous speaking engagements afterwards that use technology such
> as frequency shifting headphones to assist them with identification while
> birding.
>
> I admit confusion, especially in the context of mixed inputs pleading for
> more data reporting juxtaposed against pleas and warnings that at times
> feel more like one is receiving a "thou shalt not" style sermon. When is
> technology use appropriate when recording an identification? Does use of
> technology depend on specific surveys/records/databases? What constitutes
> "technology" and how is technology defined? Does technology include sound
> amplification headphones, recordings that can be compared post observation
> at a later time against vetted libraries, optics, photography, electronic
> or printed guide books? Even consultation to more experienced birders
> relies upon some form of technology (vocalizations, photographic
> confirmation, etc.). All of the examples listed above could be
> characterized as "technology" in the context of humankind, and in some
> cases would seem to be dismissed out-of-hand.
>
> Today, within eBird, when one submit a checklist, one is asked "Are you
> submitting a complete checklist of the birds you were able to identify?"
> I think eBIrd used to ask something along the lines of "... to the best of
> your ability", but I can't attest to that with certainty. I've always
> adopted the philosophy that I would record identifications to the best of
> my ability, which includes the use of various forms of technology to assist
> me with a confident identification.
>
> What are the current, best practices deemed acceptable today for bird
> identification? Should technology use be context specific (eBird database,
> bird surveys, other...)? While database corruption is and always will be a
> concern, are we artificially limiting community science resources over such
> concerns? Humans will always be fallible. When technology limitations are
> appropriate, how much cheating is likely occurring? Are we at a point
> where we are past being able to use an honor system, of relying upon one's
> best abilities? When some form of technology has been used to assist with
> an identification, is it incumbent to disclose all forms of technology used
> (optics, photography, recordings, various forms of guidebooks, applications
> such as Merlin, various AI applications)?
>
> I am sincerely interested in understanding the breadth of views present.
> I may find myself having to reconsider my philosophy of using "my best
> ability" as no longer being appropriate.
>
> I hope this post results in a respectful, thoughtful discussion.
>
> KS
> El Paso County
>
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Date: 2/6/26 5:09 pm From: Kevin Schutz <kschutz...> Subject: [cobirds] Appropriate use of tools, including "technology", when identifying birds?
Hello CoBirds Community,
Today's post by Bill Kosar and subsequent responses prompted me to start the following discussion.
First, some background. We all hear and read of the risks and appeals of not relying upon common technology in popular use today - Merlin, etc. In the past, I've been forthright in admitting some of my identification limitations when inquiring about participation with various surveys and describing how I use multiple tools to (personally) learn and narrow on any reported identifications I may make. As such, I have been declined for participation - no technology allowed, etc. That's fine as I know the intent is to provide (reasonably) accurate data for various scientific purposes. What I've found curious is reading subsequent posts from other participants for the same surveys indicating their use of technology. Argh!! - so some routes potentially went uncovered. We know of examples of published experts/authors of books covering their "big year" efforts and garnering numerous speaking engagements afterwards that use technology such as frequency shifting headphones to assist them with identification while birding.
I admit confusion, especially in the context of mixed inputs pleading for more data reporting juxtaposed against pleas and warnings that at times feel more like one is receiving a "thou shalt not" style sermon. When is technology use appropriate when recording an identification? Does use of technology depend on specific surveys/records/databases? What constitutes "technology" and how is technology defined? Does technology include sound amplification headphones, recordings that can be compared post observation at a later time against vetted libraries, optics, photography, electronic or printed guide books? Even consultation to more experienced birders relies upon some form of technology (vocalizations, photographic confirmation, etc.). All of the examples listed above could be characterized as "technology" in the context of humankind, and in some cases would seem to be dismissed out-of-hand.
Today, within eBird, when one submit a checklist, one is asked "Are you submitting a complete checklist of the birds you were able to identify?" I think eBIrd used to ask something along the lines of "... to the best of your ability", but I can't attest to that with certainty. I've always adopted the philosophy that I would record identifications to the best of my ability, which includes the use of various forms of technology to assist me with a confident identification.
What are the current, best practices deemed acceptable today for bird identification? Should technology use be context specific (eBird database, bird surveys, other...)? While database corruption is and always will be a concern, are we artificially limiting community science resources over such concerns? Humans will always be fallible. When technology limitations are appropriate, how much cheating is likely occurring? Are we at a point where we are past being able to use an honor system, of relying upon one's best abilities? When some form of technology has been used to assist with an identification, is it incumbent to disclose all forms of technology used (optics, photography, recordings, various forms of guidebooks, applications such as Merlin, various AI applications)?
I am sincerely interested in understanding the breadth of views present. I may find myself having to reconsider my philosophy of using "my best ability" as no longer being appropriate.
I hope this post results in a respectful, thoughtful discussion.
KS El Paso County
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Decades ago, years before my eBird use, I found it strange to see
Broad-tailed Hummingbirds in ABQ on a Christmas Day. On more recent
visits, they seem present in abundant numbers all year around.
On our back deck in northern El Paso County, our Hummingbird season has
expanded by a good 5-6 weeks in recent years.
I agree with Eric's view. Unlikely, but we have been experiencing very
strange weather patterns.
KS
El Paso County
On Friday, February 6, 2026 at 5:32:21 PM UTC-7 Eric DeFonso wrote:
> According to eBird, you'd have to go to Albuquerque in January to find a
> single documented report of Broad-tailed Hummingbird closest to the Front
> Range. That's the farthest north recent report I could find. Further south,
> just a single documented report from a few days ago in El Paso, TX
>
> I mean, never say never, especially this year, but a number of other
> similar sounds should probably be ruled out first.
>
> -------
> Eric DeFonso
> Boulder County, CO
>
>
> On Thu, Feb 5, 2026 at 11:09 AM Kat Bradley-Bennett <katpb......>
> wrote:
>
>> Hey, Colorado Birders,
>>
>> I have a colleague who swears she heard hummingbirds passing over her
>> yard in Firestone yesterday (2/4/26).
>>
>> Have there been any sightings of hummers? I'm wracking my brain to guess
>> what she might have heard that she could confuse with a Broad-Tail, say.
>>
>> Thanks!
>> Kat Bradley-Bennett
>> Longmont
>>
>> --
>>
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>>
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According to eBird, you'd have to go to Albuquerque in January to find a
single documented report of Broad-tailed Hummingbird closest to the Front
Range. That's the farthest north recent report I could find. Further south,
just a single documented report from a few days ago in El Paso, TX
I mean, never say never, especially this year, but a number of other
similar sounds should probably be ruled out first.
-------
Eric DeFonso
Boulder County, CO
On Thu, Feb 5, 2026 at 11:09 AM Kat Bradley-Bennett <katpbennett...>
wrote:
> Hey, Colorado Birders,
>
> I have a colleague who swears she heard hummingbirds passing over her yard
> in Firestone yesterday (2/4/26).
>
> Have there been any sightings of hummers? I'm wracking my brain to guess
> what she might have heard that she could confuse with a Broad-Tail, say.
>
> Thanks!
> Kat Bradley-Bennett
> Longmont
>
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Hi Bill.
I decided to put your mystery bird to the test of Merlin's (the app) photo
ID ability. I clicked on Photo ID, then Choose Photo where I used a
screenshot of your photograph, and Yellow-headed Blackbird came up as the
only ID, consistent with Caleb's ID.
You needn't have waited all13 years... the photo ID feature of Merlin's
Bird app has been around since 2016.
Ajit Antony
Central Park, Denver, Colorado
On Fri, Feb 6, 2026, 3:56 PM Caleb A <calebscotta...> wrote:
> Hello Bill!
>
> In high school, I worked for a gentlemen who owned property that was home
> to a large Yellow-headed Blackbird nesting area, so as soon as I saw this
> picture, this is certainly a young Yellow-headed Blackbird. Although some
> of that thicker streaking on the undersides can resemble Red-winged
> Blackbird females/juveniles, the yellowish wash as in this picture would
> not be found on a Red-winged Blackbird. Neat picture!
>
> Happy birding,
> Caleb Alons
> Larimer County
>
> On Thursday, February 5, 2026 at 9:31:00 PM UTC-7 Bill Kosar wrote:
>
>> I saw this bird way back in August of 2013 and have never been able to
>> figure out what kind of bird it is. I kind of think I saw it out by Chico
>> ranch but I am not sure of this. Any help in ID would be appreciated. [image:
>> IMG_2254_cr.jpg]b
>>
>> Thanks
>> Bill Kosar
>> El Paso county
>>
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In high school, I worked for a gentlemen who owned property that was home
to a large Yellow-headed Blackbird nesting area, so as soon as I saw this
picture, this is certainly a young Yellow-headed Blackbird. Although some
of that thicker streaking on the undersides can resemble Red-winged
Blackbird females/juveniles, the yellowish wash as in this picture would
not be found on a Red-winged Blackbird. Neat picture!
Happy birding,
Caleb Alons
Larimer County
On Thursday, February 5, 2026 at 9:31:00 PM UTC-7 Bill Kosar wrote:
> I saw this bird way back in August of 2013 and have never been able to
> figure out what kind of bird it is. I kind of think I saw it out by Chico
> ranch but I am not sure of this. Any help in ID would be appreciated. [image:
> IMG_2254_cr.jpg]b
>
> Thanks
> Bill Kosar
> El Paso county
>
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Date: 2/6/26 12:30 pm From: DAVID A LEATHERMAN <daleatherman...> Subject: RE: [cobirds] Re: Hummingbirds?
All,
In the Jeopardy category of “True Confessions” for $1000, I will admit to being temporarily duped into thinking I heard an out-of-season male broadtail (more than once) by distant vehicles with ailing fan belts.
Dave Leatherman
From: 'Cyndy Johnson' via Colorado Birds <cobirds...>
Sent: Friday, February 6, 2026 12:19 PM
To: <okbookwoman...>
Cc: <cobirds...>
Subject: Re: [cobirds] Re: Hummingbirds?
To: colorado birds
Possibly, a flock of Cedar Waxwings flying by might sound "Hummingbird-ish"?
On Thursday, February 5, 2026 at 11:09:45 AM UTC-7 Kat Bradley-Bennett wrote:
Hey, Colorado Birders,
I have a colleague who swears she heard hummingbirds passing over her yard in Firestone yesterday (2/4/26).
Have there been any sightings of hummers? I'm wracking my brain to guess what she might have heard that she could confuse with a Broad-Tail, say.
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Date: 2/6/26 10:54 am From: Deb Evers <okbookwoman...> Subject: [cobirds] Re: Hummingbirds?
Possibly, a flock of Cedar Waxwings flying by might sound "Hummingbird-ish"?
On Thursday, February 5, 2026 at 11:09:45 AM UTC-7 Kat Bradley-Bennett
wrote:
> Hey, Colorado Birders,
>
> I have a colleague who swears she heard hummingbirds passing over her yard
> in Firestone yesterday (2/4/26).
>
> Have there been any sightings of hummers? I'm wracking my brain to guess
> what she might have heard that she could confuse with a Broad-Tail, say.
>
> Thanks!
> Kat Bradley-Bennett
> Longmont
>
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Date: 2/6/26 9:25 am From: Brandon <flammowl17...> Subject: [cobirds] Brant at Pueblo City Park, Pueblo County
The Black Brant Tanja Brittan found yesterday at the pond in Pueblo City Park is present currently on the pond.
Brandon K. Percival Pueblo West, CO
Sent from my Phone
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This clip from the Macaulley library seems to support Judd's link pictures
pretty well, these guys look much better than mine!
Bill
[image: Screenshot 2026-02-05 225139.jpg]
On Thursday, February 5, 2026 at 10:20:51 PM UTC-7 Judd Patterson wrote:
> Hi Bill,
>
> Your photograph shows an immature Yellow-headed Blackbird. Here is an an
> example of a couple late-summer birds in similar plumage:
> https://media.ebird.org/catalog?birdOnly=true&taxonCode=yehbla&mediaType=photo&sort=rating_rank_desc&age=juvenile,immature >
> Best,
>
> -Judd
>
> On Thu, Feb 5, 2026 at 10:04 PM Bill Kosar <bill_......> wrote:
>
>> Copilot says it is most likely a juvenile robin........
>>
>> On Thursday, February 5, 2026 at 9:47:18 PM UTC-7 Bill Kosar wrote:
>>
>>> Gemini (which we did not have in 2013!) says it is an immature
>>> red-winged blackbird but I don't think I have seen another.
>>>
>>> Bill
>>>
>>> On Thursday, February 5, 2026 at 9:31:00 PM UTC-7 Bill Kosar wrote:
>>>
>>>> I saw this bird way back in August of 2013 and have never been able to
>>>> figure out what kind of bird it is. I kind of think I saw it out by Chico
>>>> ranch but I am not sure of this. Any help in ID would be appreciated. [image:
>>>> IMG_2254_cr.jpg]b
>>>>
>>>> Thanks
>>>> Bill Kosar
>>>> El Paso county
>>>>
>>> --
>>
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Hi! I believe this is a yellow-headed blackbird, probably immature as you
said. Note the black mask, the bib on the chest, and the color coming in on
the head.
An immature red-winged blackbird tends to be browner and streakier overall,
not only streaky on the belly like we see here.
Best,
Rachel Leggett
Arapahoe County
On Thu, Feb 5, 2026, 9:47 PM Bill Kosar <bill_kosar...> wrote:
> Gemini (which we did not have in 2013!) says it is an immature red-winged
> blackbird but I don't think I have seen another.
>
> Bill
>
> On Thursday, February 5, 2026 at 9:31:00 PM UTC-7 Bill Kosar wrote:
>
>> I saw this bird way back in August of 2013 and have never been able to
>> figure out what kind of bird it is. I kind of think I saw it out by Chico
>> ranch but I am not sure of this. Any help in ID would be appreciated. [image:
>> IMG_2254_cr.jpg]b
>>
>> Thanks
>> Bill Kosar
>> El Paso county
>>
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On Thu, Feb 5, 2026 at 10:04 PM Bill Kosar <bill_kosar...> wrote:
> Copilot says it is most likely a juvenile robin........
>
> On Thursday, February 5, 2026 at 9:47:18 PM UTC-7 Bill Kosar wrote:
>
>> Gemini (which we did not have in 2013!) says it is an immature red-winged
>> blackbird but I don't think I have seen another.
>>
>> Bill
>>
>> On Thursday, February 5, 2026 at 9:31:00 PM UTC-7 Bill Kosar wrote:
>>
>>> I saw this bird way back in August of 2013 and have never been able to
>>> figure out what kind of bird it is. I kind of think I saw it out by Chico
>>> ranch but I am not sure of this. Any help in ID would be appreciated. [image:
>>> IMG_2254_cr.jpg]b
>>>
>>> Thanks
>>> Bill Kosar
>>> El Paso county
>>>
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Copilot says it is most likely a juvenile robin........
On Thursday, February 5, 2026 at 9:47:18 PM UTC-7 Bill Kosar wrote:
> Gemini (which we did not have in 2013!) says it is an immature red-winged
> blackbird but I don't think I have seen another.
>
> Bill
>
> On Thursday, February 5, 2026 at 9:31:00 PM UTC-7 Bill Kosar wrote:
>
>> I saw this bird way back in August of 2013 and have never been able to
>> figure out what kind of bird it is. I kind of think I saw it out by Chico
>> ranch but I am not sure of this. Any help in ID would be appreciated. [image:
>> IMG_2254_cr.jpg]b
>>
>> Thanks
>> Bill Kosar
>> El Paso county
>>
>
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Gemini (which we did not have in 2013!) says it is an immature red-winged
blackbird but I don't think I have seen another.
Bill
On Thursday, February 5, 2026 at 9:31:00 PM UTC-7 Bill Kosar wrote:
> I saw this bird way back in August of 2013 and have never been able to
> figure out what kind of bird it is. I kind of think I saw it out by Chico
> ranch but I am not sure of this. Any help in ID would be appreciated. [image:
> IMG_2254_cr.jpg]b
>
> Thanks
> Bill Kosar
> El Paso county
>
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I saw this bird way back in August of 2013 and have never been able to figure out what kind of bird it is. I kind of think I saw it out by Chico ranch but I am not sure of this. Any help in ID would be appreciated. [image: IMG_2254_cr.jpg]b
Thanks Bill Kosar El Paso county
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Date: 2/5/26 10:09 am From: Kat Bradley-Bennett <katpbennett...> Subject: [cobirds] Hummingbirds?
Hey, Colorado Birders,
I have a colleague who swears she heard hummingbirds passing over her yard in Firestone yesterday (2/4/26).
Have there been any sightings of hummers? I'm wracking my brain to guess what she might have heard that she could confuse with a Broad-Tail, say.
Thanks! Kat Bradley-Bennett Longmont
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It looks like this bird won't be able to be identified, at least from the
photos that I got. The first two photos, which had the primaries stretched
out, after review, turned out to be of a different bird, which was an
American Herring Gull. Cook Inlet Gull (Glacous-winged X American Herring)
is ruled out by the head being streaked, where Glaucous-winged would be
more smudgy. I am pretty confident that this bird has a dark eye. I
attached a couple more photos from different angles to the list
<https://ebird.org/checklist/S297335547>. Dark-eyed *Smithsonianus *do
occasionally occur. Here <https://ebird.org/atlaspa/checklist/S289440230> is a great example of a Vega-type Gull that ended up being Smith due mainly
to a lighter mantle and the lack of the string of pearls pattern, which is
another key mark of adult Vega. I don't think the mantle color can be
honestly judged from my photos due to the lighting conditions. Overall, the
dark eye, larger tercial crescent and secondary skirt, brighter pink legs,
head streaking, and bill are what make this bird intriguing for Vega, but
unless someone else gets an open wing shot, and a comparison shot with
other gulls for the mantle, it won’t be identified.
Although Vega would currently be a first state record, Andy Bankert
recently found a promising Vega candidate while reviewing old photos (
https://ebird.org/checklist/S50449398), which has been submitted to the
COBRC.
One more quick aside- Alvaro Jaramillo has a great video
<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C4ku5Urn3rQ&t=1435s> on the identification
of adult Vega Gulls if folks are interested in learning more about the
topic.
Happy birding!
Archer Silverman
Denver, CO
On Wed, Feb 4, 2026 at 8:59 AM David Hyde <davidhyde1951...> wrote:
> I'm no gull expert. This looks like a regular Herring gull to me (
> *Smithsonianus*). If you look in the Nat. Geographic field guide (6th
> edition) page 225 you will see the wingtip pattern in your photographs
> shown for Herring gull breeding adult next to the *vegae* illustration.
> They look similar. The three differences between the two seem to be
> (acccording to NG): *vegae* has a slightly darker mantle, a dark eye, and
> streaked head in winter. From your photos we can't tell if the mantle is
> 'slightly darker', the head is streaked, on zooming in on your photos the
> eye looks like it might be pale. A tough call
>
> On Wed, Feb 4, 2026 at 7:38 AM Patricia Cullen <hathcockcolorado...>
> wrote:
>
>> So has anyone chased this interesting gull? Eye appears too dark for
>> HEGU.
>> Is it a hybrid GWGU/HEGU or a VEGU? Would that be a state record VEGU?
>> I don't see any new eBird reports for south side of Lake Pueblo studying
>> this gull so far.
>> Have Colorado gull experts weighed in on this one?
>>
>> Thanks,
>>
>> Pat Cullen
>> Longmont, CO
>>
>> On Saturday, January 31, 2026 at 6:37:39 PM UTC-7 Archer Silverman wrote:
>>
>>> Earlier this evening Sean Huntley and I had a candidate Vega Gull on the
>>> tires at the South Pueblo Marina. The bird displayed field marks like the
>>> broader white trailing edge to the wing, darkish eye, and wing pattern, but
>>> we still have to review the photos a bit more in depth. We’ll send to
>>> experts and see what they say. It would be great if someone could refind
>>> this bird and get a full spread wing shot.
>>>
>>> Archer Silverman
>>> Denver
>>>
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Date: 2/4/26 4:24 pm From: <dgulb......> <dgulbenkian...> Subject: [cobirds] possible Ferruginous Hawk at Wheatridge Greenbelt
Midday today a mile west of Kipling. I know it seems prohibitively unlikely, and I'm afraid I told a couple of passers-by that this unusually large bird with the pure white breast and belly had to be a Red-Tail, since they are the only ones around the city in winter. But now that I'm home, remembering the "impossible" Black Vulture I saw a few years back in the Greenbelt (confirmed by others), and looking at lots of photos, I think it likely was. The size of its open wings was simply stunning. If you looked really hard, the tail had the faintest tinge of pink. Unfortunately I completely forgot to look at his thighs. The Hogback hawk-watch starts looking for Ferruges in 3 1/2 weeks, but possibly our extremely mild January has caused some early movement! I wonder whether anybody else will see one.
David Gulbenkian Jefferson County
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Date: 2/4/26 7:59 am From: David Hyde <davidhyde1951...> Subject: Re: [cobirds] Re: Candidate Vega Gull, Pueblo
I'm no gull expert. This looks like a regular Herring gull to me (
*Smithsonianus*). If you look in the Nat. Geographic field guide (6th
edition) page 225 you will see the wingtip pattern in your photographs
shown for Herring gull breeding adult next to the *vegae* illustration.
They look similar. The three differences between the two seem to be
(acccording to NG): *vegae* has a slightly darker mantle, a dark eye, and
streaked head in winter. From your photos we can't tell if the mantle is
'slightly darker', the head is streaked, on zooming in on your photos the
eye looks like it might be pale. A tough call
On Wed, Feb 4, 2026 at 7:38 AM Patricia Cullen <hathcockcolorado...>
wrote:
> So has anyone chased this interesting gull? Eye appears too dark for HEGU.
> Is it a hybrid GWGU/HEGU or a VEGU? Would that be a state record VEGU?
> I don't see any new eBird reports for south side of Lake Pueblo studying
> this gull so far.
> Have Colorado gull experts weighed in on this one?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Pat Cullen
> Longmont, CO
>
> On Saturday, January 31, 2026 at 6:37:39 PM UTC-7 Archer Silverman wrote:
>
>> Earlier this evening Sean Huntley and I had a candidate Vega Gull on the
>> tires at the South Pueblo Marina. The bird displayed field marks like the
>> broader white trailing edge to the wing, darkish eye, and wing pattern, but
>> we still have to review the photos a bit more in depth. We’ll send to
>> experts and see what they say. It would be great if someone could refind
>> this bird and get a full spread wing shot.
>>
>> Archer Silverman
>> Denver
>>
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Date: 2/4/26 6:38 am From: Patricia Cullen <hathcockcolorado...> Subject: [cobirds] Re: Candidate Vega Gull, Pueblo
So has anyone chased this interesting gull? Eye appears too dark for HEGU.
Is it a hybrid GWGU/HEGU or a VEGU? Would that be a state record VEGU?
I don't see any new eBird reports for south side of Lake Pueblo studying
this gull so far.
Have Colorado gull experts weighed in on this one?
Thanks,
Pat Cullen
Longmont, CO
On Saturday, January 31, 2026 at 6:37:39 PM UTC-7 Archer Silverman wrote:
> Earlier this evening Sean Huntley and I had a candidate Vega Gull on the
> tires at the South Pueblo Marina. The bird displayed field marks like the
> broader white trailing edge to the wing, darkish eye, and wing pattern, but
> we still have to review the photos a bit more in depth. We’ll send to
> experts and see what they say. It would be great if someone could refind
> this bird and get a full spread wing shot.
>
> Archer Silverman
> Denver
>
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Birders-- Perry Conway wants to report that he has been seeing a Say's Phoebe along a Broomfield Open Space trail directly below Overlook Drive in north Broomfield since January 31.
He sent me a beautiful picture of the bird, but I have been unable to resize it into a format compatible with CObirds standards.
Paula Hansley
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Date: 2/2/26 8:54 pm From: 'Tony Leukering' via Colorado Birds <cobirds...> Subject: Re: [cobirds] What's Up with That-Goose Edition
Doug et al.:
Snow Geese have pink legs, not orange, and *Branta* geese have blackish
legs. It would have been best to have another goose in the photo for size
and shape reference. However, I'd say the non-*Branta* goose parent of your
bird is likely to be a Greater White-fronted, given the very angular head
typical of Greater White-fronted and the Richardson's subspecies of
Cackling Goose (the abundant one in Colorado), and unlike the very round
heads of Snow and Ross's geese.
Tony Leukering
Denver
On Sunday, February 1, 2026 at 4:42:32 PM UTC-7 Patrick O'Driscoll wrote:
> I'm no goose expert, but I see a lot of them in Denver City Park through
> the winter.
> What interests me most about this one are the notable striations up and
> down its neck plumage.
> That characteristic reminds me most of Greater White-fronted Goose and
> also of some domestic geese with Graylag and/or Swan Goose parentage.
> I'd wager one or the other of these might be in this bird's genetic makeup.
>
> Patrick O'Driscoll
> Denver
>
>
>
> On Sun, Feb 1, 2026 at 3:20 PM Doug Ward <doug......> wrote:
>
>> Several of us conducted a DFO field trip yesterday (Sat., 31 Jan’26)
>> along the South Platte River near the Overland Golf Course (Denver Co.) to
>> study waterfowl at close range. While we had good looks at many of the
>> beautiful regulars on this stretch, including the now famous drake BARROW’S
>> GOLDENEYE, had a very weird hybrid goose that had us stumped, so asking
>> COBirders to chuck in their thoughts (photos below and attached):
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> Initial thoughts were Greater White-fronted X Cackling Goose based on its
>> general coloration, including its superficial “white-front”, but also its
>> bright yellow-orange legs as can be seen in the second photo. After
>> further examination of Bonnie’s (Prado) great photos, now thinking this guy
>> has too much white on its face, so now thinking it may be a Snow X Cackling
>> back cross with a full Cackling. Again, interested in what the group
>> thinks – maybe we start a New York Times daily puzzle…GooseConnections!
>>
>>
>>
>> Bonnie was our “hybrid whisperer” yesterday as she also found this likely
>> Snow X Cackling hybrid in the horde as well:
>>
>>
>>
>> So again, interested in your opinions so let the group know, these guys
>> are fun. If interested in our morning, here is a link to the trip report:
>> https://ebird.org/tripreport/470832 >>
>>
>>
>> Good Goosing,
>>
>> Doug
>>
>> Currently Denver
>>
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Date: 2/2/26 8:36 pm From: 'Tony Leukering' via Colorado Birds <cobirds...> Subject: [cobirds] The Gateway Park duck
Hi all:
Nick Moore found a Mexican-like Duck at Gateway Park in northeastern Denver County on the 31st. Kathy Mihm Dunning and I went to check it out later that day. Although there were very few ducks present, it took us a while to find it, and it looked quite good for a good male Mexican Duck. It was not very close. Later, when it was a bit closer, I took about a dozen photos of it.
Upon getting back home, I uploaded the photos to my computer, only then noticing that the bird's entire rump (not the tail feathers (!!) -- eBird Checklist - 31 Jan 2026 - Gateway Park - 10 species (+2 other taxa) <https://ebird.org/checklist/S297343745>) was black. That single feature is a death knell for a pure male Mexican Duck. It would also be the same for a pure male Mottled Duck. An entirely black rump is a feature of male Mallard, but NOT Mottled or Mexican ducks, with the latter two having the black rump feathers edged in cinnamon or buff.
Interestingly, the same site had a female Mallard x Mexican Duck, although it's possibly a 2nd-generation bird (known as an f2 hybrid, or one generation removed from the hybridization event, which would be f1), as the bird was quite Mallard-like, but with a bright orange bill with very little in the way of dark smudging on it and with the white borders to the speculum being Mallard-like, but narrower than typical for Mallard. I included photos of both birds in my eBird checklist.
Sincerely,
Tony Leukering Denver
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Date: 2/1/26 3:42 pm From: Patrick O'Driscoll <patodrisk...> Subject: Re: [cobirds] What's Up with That-Goose Edition
I'm no goose expert, but I see a lot of them in Denver City Park through
the winter.
What interests me most about this one are the notable striations up and
down its neck plumage.
That characteristic reminds me most of Greater White-fronted Goose and also
of some domestic geese with Graylag and/or Swan Goose parentage.
I'd wager one or the other of these might be in this bird's genetic makeup.
Patrick O'Driscoll
Denver
On Sun, Feb 1, 2026 at 3:20 PM Doug Ward <dougward...> wrote:
> Several of us conducted a DFO field trip yesterday (Sat., 31 Jan’26) along
> the South Platte River near the Overland Golf Course (Denver Co.) to study
> waterfowl at close range. While we had good looks at many of the beautiful
> regulars on this stretch, including the now famous drake BARROW’S
> GOLDENEYE, had a very weird hybrid goose that had us stumped, so asking
> COBirders to chuck in their thoughts (photos below and attached):
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Initial thoughts were Greater White-fronted X Cackling Goose based on its
> general coloration, including its superficial “white-front”, but also its
> bright yellow-orange legs as can be seen in the second photo. After
> further examination of Bonnie’s (Prado) great photos, now thinking this guy
> has too much white on its face, so now thinking it may be a Snow X Cackling
> back cross with a full Cackling. Again, interested in what the group
> thinks – maybe we start a New York Times daily puzzle…GooseConnections!
>
>
>
> Bonnie was our “hybrid whisperer” yesterday as she also found this likely
> Snow X Cackling hybrid in the horde as well:
>
>
>
> So again, interested in your opinions so let the group know, these guys
> are fun. If interested in our morning, here is a link to the trip report:
> https://ebird.org/tripreport/470832 >
>
>
> Good Goosing,
>
> Doug
>
> Currently Denver
>
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Date: 2/1/26 3:01 pm From: Debbie Campbell <kanjigirl...> Subject: [cobirds] Dark Morph Snow Goose / Larimer County
My first post! This morning around 8am I found a single dark morph Snow Goose at Fossil Creek Park in Fort Collins, among the Canada and cackling geese.
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Date: 2/1/26 2:20 pm From: Doug Ward <dougward...> Subject: [cobirds] What's Up with That-Goose Edition
Several of us conducted a DFO field trip yesterday (Sat., 31 Jan'26) along the South Platte River near the Overland Golf Course (Denver Co.) to study waterfowl at close range. While we had good looks at many of the beautiful regulars on this stretch, including the now famous drake BARROW'S GOLDENEYE, had a very weird hybrid goose that had us stumped, so asking COBirders to chuck in their thoughts (photos below and attached):
Initial thoughts were Greater White-fronted X Cackling Goose based on its general coloration, including its superficial "white-front", but also its bright yellow-orange legs as can be seen in the second photo. After further examination of Bonnie's (Prado) great photos, now thinking this guy has too much white on its face, so now thinking it may be a Snow X Cackling back cross with a full Cackling. Again, interested in what the group thinks - maybe we start a New York Times daily puzzle.GooseConnections!
Bonnie was our "hybrid whisperer" yesterday as she also found this likely Snow X Cackling hybrid in the horde as well:
So again, interested in your opinions so let the group know, these guys are fun. If interested in our morning, here is a link to the trip report: https://ebird.org/tripreport/470832
Good Goosing,
Doug
Currently Denver
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Earlier this evening Sean Huntley and I had a candidate Vega Gull on the
tires at the South Pueblo Marina. The bird displayed field marks like the
broader white trailing edge to the wing, darkish eye, and wing pattern, but
we still have to review the photos a bit more in depth. We’ll send to
experts and see what they say. It would be great if someone could refind
this bird and get a full spread wing shot.
Archer Silverman
Denver
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Date: 1/31/26 8:31 am From: 'Dan Stringer' via Colorado Birds <cobirds...> Subject: [cobirds] Re: Long-tailed Ducks Jeffco/Douglas
I’m told they actually floated from Jeffco east into Arapahoe County, not
Douglas. Can you tell I’m not a county lister? Hard enough just figuring
out what birds I’m seeing.
On Saturday, January 31, 2026 at 9:16:47 AM UTC-7 Dan Stringer wrote:
> I only post on CObirds if I actually see something interesting, which is
> why I haven’t posted in quite a while : ) But eight Long-tailed Ducks at
> South Platte Reservoir yesterday were an eye-opener. All appeared to be
> females or young birds that were just past juvenile stage. Hanging together
> in the far southwest corner (Jeffco) for great photos, many observers…a few
> would occasionally drift eastward into Douglas County so people could get
> all fired up about listing them in both counties.
>
> Dan Stringer
> Larkspur, CO
>
>
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Date: 1/31/26 8:16 am From: 'Dan Stringer' via Colorado Birds <cobirds...> Subject: [cobirds] Long-tailed Ducks Jeffco/Douglas
I only post on CObirds if I actually see something interesting, which is
why I haven’t posted in quite a while : ) But eight Long-tailed Ducks at
South Platte Reservoir yesterday were an eye-opener. All appeared to be
females or young birds that were just past juvenile stage. Hanging together
in the far southwest corner (Jeffco) for great photos, many observers…a few
would occasionally drift eastward into Douglas County so people could get
all fired up about listing them in both counties.
Dan Stringer
Larkspur, CO
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Date: 1/29/26 11:39 am From: 'Buzz' via Colorado Birds <cobirds...> Subject: Re: [cobirds] Re: BCAS January Program: Birds, Science, and Art with Dr. Johanna Beam
Thank you.
Sent from the all new Aol app for iOS
Buzz Schaumberg
On Thursday, January 29, 2026, 12:03 PM, Megan Jones Patterson <mtns4meg...> wrote:
Chris, Most Boulder County Audubon program's get recorded and posted. I know this is up to the discretion of the presenter. If it is being shared, the video will be posted to the BCAS YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@bouldercountyaudubon You can also watch past programs on the channel.
It was an excellent talk so I hope you are able to watch it.
Thank you,
Megan
---Megan Jones PattersonBoulder County, CO
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Date: 1/29/26 11:03 am From: Megan Jones Patterson <mtns4meg...> Subject: Re: [cobirds] Re: BCAS January Program: Birds, Science, and Art with Dr. Johanna Beam
Chris, Most Boulder County Audubon program's get recorded and posted. I know this is up to the discretion of the presenter. If it is being shared, the video will be posted to the BCAS YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@bouldercountyaudubon You can also watch past programs on the channel.
It was an excellent talk so I hope you are able to watch it.
Thank you, Megan
--- Megan Jones Patterson Boulder County, CO
> >
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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: 1/26/26 11:16 am From: linda hodges <hikerhodges...> Subject: [cobirds] Aiken Audubon Grant Applications Open
Aiken Audubon's Foothills and Prairie Grant Application is now accepting
applications.
This grant program is open to individuals and organizations conducting
research, education programs or conservation projects focused on foothills
and prairie ecology related to birds of the Pikes Peak Region and Front
Range.
*Proposal Deadline: February 28, 2026*
*Notification of Funding Decision: March 5, 2026*
Submission: Email requests (as a single PDF document) to
<AikenAudubon...> <to%<20AikenAudubon...>%20> with the subject
line “Grant Proposal Submission”.
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Date: 1/26/26 9:40 am From: 'Linda Andes-Georges' via Colorado Birds <cobirds...> Subject: [cobirds] a snowstorm yardbird, central Bldr Cnty; and general passersby
Hi folks-- It is rare nowadays that I can share a good yardbird. New species are extremely rare (yardlist now stuck at 128), and the numbers in general, as most of us can agree, are way down in the past 5 years. Gone are the winter flocks of White-crowned Sparrows, not to mention the very welcome surprise visits like Rosy Finches.
But as we ventured out in the recent snowstorm, we were treated to our first actually "perched" Bald Eagle in the basswood next to our house.
We' ve had flyovers, of course, but never a close view like this one. Boy, are they big, compared to the starlings perched all around them. It was a spirit-booster. It seemed very habituated, and was probably hungry, with all the ponds frozen solid.
So far, the songbird mix is steady at a couple dozen each of House Finches, D.E. Juncos, Pine Siskins, and Amer. Goldfinches. Occasionally a Tree Sparrow shows up, and of course the steady visits by flickers, downies and WB Nuthatches. I don't really count the EC Doves and their faithful predators, the Coopers. An Amer. Kestrel comes by to hunt from time to time. Pretty bleak...
Linda
Boulder Hills up north 68th St, 2 miles west of Lagerman
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Date: 1/25/26 6:01 pm From: Chris Skan <wildskan...> Subject: [cobirds] Re: BCAS January Program: Birds, Science, and Art with Dr. Johanna Beam
Hi Matias,
Just wondering, does the program get recorded to watch at a later date?
Sounds really intersting but I havea conflict.
Thanks!
Chris
On Thursday, January 22, 2026 at 8:46:28 PM UTC-7 Matias Comina wrote:
> Hello everyone,
>
> Boulder County Audubon Society invites you to our January evening program:
>
> *Intersecting Birds, Science, and Art*
> *Tuesday, January 27, 2026*
> *7:15–8:45 PM* (Doors open at 6:30 PM)
> *Unitarian Universalist Church of Boulder*
> 5001 Pennsylvania Ave, Boulder, CO
>
> *In-person and Zoom options available*
>
> What do art, science, and eBird sightings all have in common?
> Join us for an engaging presentation by *Dr. Johanna Beam*, who will
> share her journey from teen naturalist to research scientist and scientific
> illustrator. Johanna will explore how eBird data are used by scientists and
> artists alike, including how these data have helped illuminate species’
> ranges and evolutionary history—highlighted through the *Yellow-breasted
> Chat* and the discovery of the *Chihuahuan Meadowlark*.
>
> Dr. Beam is a postdoctoral research fellow at Colorado State University
> and Texas Tech University, working with the Bird Genoscape Project. Her
> research focuses on evolutionary genomics in birds, and she is also an
> accomplished scientific illustrator. As a high school student, Johanna’s
> careful observation of an unusual meadowlark led to a genetic study that
> ultimately contributed to the recognition of a new bird species added to
> the official North American species list in 2022.
>
> *In-Person Program*
> BCAS is pleased to welcome everyone back to in-person programs at the
> Unitarian Universalist Church of Boulder. Doors open at 6:30 PM for
> socializing with light refreshments, and the program begins at 7:15 PM.
> Masks are optional; free surgical masks will be available. Please stay home
> if you are feeling sick.
>
> An FM hearing assistive system is available in the Earth room where BCAS
> programs are held. The receivers and headsets for these can typically be
> found in a basket on the table to the right as you enter the double doors
> to the Earth room. There are four receivers of this type. They are fed
> sound directly from the sound system and the user can control the volume
> themselves. More information on how to use these systems - links to
> https://centerforhearingaccess.org/wp-content/uploads/How-to-use-assistive-listening-systems.pdf?t=1768882810 > <https://centerforhearingaccess.org/wp-content/uploads/How-to-use-assistive-listening-systems.pdf?t=1768882810> >
> *Online Program (Zoom)*
> The Zoom meeting room opens at 7:10 PM, with the program beginning at 7:15
> PM. Questions for the speaker will be taken through the chat feature. The
> zoom link will be posted here on the day of the event Intersecting Birds,
> Science, and Art — Boulder County Audubon
> <https://www.boulderaudubon.org/all-events/jan-2026-program>.
>
> We hope you’ll join us for this unique evening at the intersection of
> birding, science, and art.
>
> Best regards,
> *Boulder County Audubon Society*
>
> Matias Comina, Boulder County
>
> Board Member at Large
>
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Date: 1/25/26 6:43 am From: Bk Bj <bbj39839...> Subject: [cobirds] Yellow-Throated Warbler Denver County
Hi all, sharing a nice find I have had at my peanut feeder at least twice
this week in Wash Park east. A Yellow-Throated Warbler visiting in January
and also when it’s 17 degrees out! Not great pics taken through my screen
door but can still tell what it is.
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Date: 1/24/26 8:32 pm From: 'Buzz' via Colorado Birds <cobirds...> Subject: Re: [cobirds] Yellow-Throated Warbler Denver County
Cool.
Sent from the all new Aol app for iOS
Buzz Schaumberg
On Saturday, January 24, 2026, 5:58 PM, Nicole Teel <teelnicole11...> wrote:
Hi all, sharing a nice find I have had at my peanut feeder at least twice this week in Wash Park east. A Yellow-Throated Warbler visiting in January and also when it’s 17 degrees out! Not great pics taken through my screen door but can still tell what it is.
Nicole TeelDenver
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Date: 1/24/26 7:18 pm From: Bk Bj <bbj39839...> Subject: [cobirds] BCAS January Program: Birds, Science, and Art with Dr. Johanna Beam
1
Hello everyone,
Boulder County Audubon Society invites you to our January evening program:
Intersecting Birds, Science, and Art
Tuesday, January 27, 2026
7:15–8:45 PM (Doors open at 6:30 PM)
Unitarian Universalist Church of Boulder
5001 Pennsylvania Ave, Boulder, CO
In-person and Zoom options available
What do art, science, and eBird sightings all have in common?
Join us for an engaging presentation by Dr. Johanna Beam, who will share
her journey from teen naturalist to research scientist and scientific
illustrator. Johanna will explore how eBird data are used by scientists and
artists alike, including how these data have helped illuminate species’
ranges and evolutionary history—highlighted through the Yellow-breasted
Chat and the discovery of the Chihuahuan Meadowlark.
Dr. Beam is a postdoctoral research fellow at Colorado State University and
Texas Tech University, working with the Bird Genoscape Project. Her
research focuses on evolutionary genomics in birds, and she is also an
accomplished scientific illustrator. As a high school student, Johanna’s
careful observation of an unusual meadowlark led to a genetic study that
ultimately contributed to the recognition of a new bird species added to
the official North American species list in 2022.
In-Person Program
BCAS is pleased to welcome everyone back to in-person programs at the
Unitarian Universalist Church of Boulder. Doors open at 6:30 PM for
socializing with light refreshments, and the program begins at 7:15 PM.
Masks are optional; free surgical masks will be available. Please stay home
if you are feeling sick.
An FM hearing assistive system is available in the Earth room where BCAS
programs are held. The receivers and headsets for these can typically be
found in a basket on the table to the right as you enter the double doors
to the Earth room. There are four receivers of this type. They are fed
sound directly from the sound system and the user can control the volume
themselves. More information on how to use these systems - links to
https://centerforhearingaccess.org/wp-content/uploads/How-to-use-assistive-listening-systems.pdf?t=1768882810
Online Program (Zoom)
The Zoom meeting room opens at 7:10 PM, with the program beginning at 7:15
PM. Questions for the speaker will be taken through the chat feature. The
zoom link will be posted here on the day of the event Intersecting Birds,
Science, and Art — Boulder County Audubon.
We hope you’ll join us for this unique evening at the intersection of
birding, science, and art.
Best regards,
Boulder County Audubon Society
Matias Comina, Boulder County
Board Member at Large
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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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Date: 1/24/26 4:58 pm From: Nicole Teel <teelnicole11...> Subject: [cobirds] Yellow-Throated Warbler Denver County
Hi all, sharing a nice find I have had at my peanut feeder at least twice
this week in Wash Park east. A Yellow-Throated Warbler visiting in January
and also when it’s 17 degrees out! Not great pics taken through my screen
door but can still tell what it is.
Nicole Teel
Denver
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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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Date: 1/24/26 1:18 pm From: Bk Bj <bbj39839...> Subject: [cobirds] BCAS January Program: Birds, Science, and Art with Dr. Johanna Beam
Hello everyone,
Boulder County Audubon Society invites you to our January evening program:
Intersecting Birds, Science, and Art
Tuesday, January 27, 2026
7:15–8:45 PM (Doors open at 6:30 PM)
Unitarian Universalist Church of Boulder
5001 Pennsylvania Ave, Boulder, CO
In-person and Zoom options available
What do art, science, and eBird sightings all have in common?
Join us for an engaging presentation by Dr. Johanna Beam, who will share
her journey from teen naturalist to research scientist and scientific
illustrator. Johanna will explore how eBird data are used by scientists and
artists alike, including how these data have helped illuminate species’
ranges and evolutionary history—highlighted through the Yellow-breasted
Chat and the discovery of the Chihuahuan Meadowlark.
Dr. Beam is a postdoctoral research fellow at Colorado State University and
Texas Tech University, working with the Bird Genoscape Project. Her
research focuses on evolutionary genomics in birds, and she is also an
accomplished scientific illustrator. As a high school student, Johanna’s
careful observation of an unusual meadowlark led to a genetic study that
ultimately contributed to the recognition of a new bird species added to
the official North American species list in 2022.
In-Person Program
BCAS is pleased to welcome everyone back to in-person programs at the
Unitarian Universalist Church of Boulder. Doors open at 6:30 PM for
socializing with light refreshments, and the program begins at 7:15 PM.
Masks are optional; free surgical masks will be available. Please stay home
if you are feeling sick.
An FM hearing assistive system is available in the Earth room where BCAS
programs are held. The receivers and headsets for these can typically be
found in a basket on the table to the right as you enter the double doors
to the Earth room. There are four receivers of this type. They are fed
sound directly from the sound system and the user can control the volume
themselves. More information on how to use these systems - links to
https://centerforhearingaccess.org/wp-content/uploads/How-to-use-assistive-listening-systems.pdf?t=1768882810
Online Program (Zoom)
The Zoom meeting room opens at 7:10 PM, with the program beginning at 7:15
PM. Questions for the speaker will be taken through the chat feature. The
zoom link will be posted here on the day of the event Intersecting Birds,
Science, and Art — Boulder County Audubon.
We hope you’ll join us for this unique evening at the intersection of
birding, science, and art.
Best regards,
Boulder County Audubon Society
Matias Comina, Boulder County
Board Member at Large
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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/ ---
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