Thanks, Colin. This is precisely the analysis I hoped someone would provide!
Nathan Pieplow
Boulder
On Tue, Oct 13, 2026 at 4:29â¯PM 'Colin Woolley' via Colorado Birds <
<cobirds...> wrote:
> This looks like what we'd call a second-year bird (hatched in 2025 and now
> in its 2nd calendar year). Young kingbirds will often undergo an eccentric
> pre-formative molt, meaning they replace outer primaries and inner
> secondaries in their first fall. This is fairly unusual (but the norm for
> kingbirds) as for most species, young birds won't replace any flight
> feathers in their first fall. However, the eccentric molt pattern will
> start somewhere in the middle of the primaries and proceed outward, while
> also starting in the middle of the secondaries and proceed inwards, such
> that juvenile flight feathers (inner primaries and outer secondaries) are
> still retained through the first cycle. In this bird we see that the molt
> started with p1 and is going outward, and has made it as far as p8, with
> p9-p10 still retained but likely to drop soon. The secondaries have also
> started to molt, beginning with s1. This is the standard pre-basic molt
> pattern seen in adult birds, and not the eccentric pre-formative we'd see
> in a young bird. The cool part here is, because the outer p9-10 are clearly
> juvenile based on shape, we can say that this bird is undergoing its 2nd
> pre-basic molt (i.e. starting its 2nd cycle). If the p9-10 had already
> dropped and started growing in anew, we wouldn't be able to tell a
> second-year from any bird that could be older. This also means that this
> kingbird *didn't* molt outer primaries during its pre-formative molt last
> fall, which according to the Pyle Guide is not as common but may be seen
> more often in COKI in particular compared to other kingbirds. That also
> explains why the p9-10 are so very worn out; they are juvenile feathers and
> perhaps 16+ months old at this point and have more wear and tear than any
> feather this bird will have the rest of its life. Here's a diagram based on
> this photo <https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/666411731> from eBird.
> [image: Screenshot 2026-10-13 143750.png]
> Having so many photos of this individual bird in the Macauley Library is
> great, and shows how valuable this resource is for studying molt. Keep
> taking pictures of messy, molty birds!
>
> Colin Woolley
> Wheat Ridge
>
> On Tuesday, October 13, 2026 at 2:02:04â¯PM UTC-6 Buzz Schaumberg wrote:
>
>> Thank you.
>>
>>
>> Sent from the all new Aol app for iOS
>> <https://apps.apple.com/us/app/aol-news-email-weather-video/id646100661> >> Buzz Schaumberg
>>
>> On Tuesday, October 13, 2026, 12:57 PM, Paul Malinowski <
>> <pilla......> wrote:
>>
>> Interesting link, Nathan. Thank you. Here's a photo I got Friday showing
>> the distinct orange crown patch on her.
>>
>> [image: COKI-261009-2.jpg]
>>
>> Paul Malinowski
>> Littleton, CO
>>
>> On Mon, Oct 12, 2026 at 6:05â¯PM Nathan Pieplow <npie......> wrote:
>>
>> Hi all,
>>
>> I got a spread-wing photo of the Couch's Kingbird that shows not all the
>> flight feathers are worn:
>>
>> https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/666136706 >>
>> The outermost two primaries, P10 and P9, are very worn, but the next few
>> are fresh. Comparing their shapes with those at
>> https://www.birds.cornell.edu/crows/kingbirdsX.htm makes it clear that
>> the Colorado Couch's must be a female. I suspect it is a juvenile female,
>> based on molt pattern, primary shapes, and the bare patches in the
>> underwing visible in Paul Malinowski's photo, but I am not great at ageing
>> birds by molt, so I'd love to hear other opinions. Juveniles are not
>> supposed to have the orange crown patch which many people (not me) reported
>> seeing.
>>
>> Nathan Pieplow
>> Boulder
>>
>> On Sat, Oct 10, 2026 at 8:45â¯AM David Suddjian <dsud......> wrote:
>>
>> Jared, This BIRD BOMBS episode I'm Molting!
>> <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oZ-F3pYfJJA&t=3s> offers a good primer
>> on feather molt in our birds.
>>
>> David
>>
>> On Sat, Oct 10, 2026 at 7:30â¯AM Paul Malinowski <pilla......>
>> wrote:
>>
>> Jared, I noticed that too this afternoon. Look at the bare spots in this
>> photo as well as the worn feathers.
>>
>> [image: COKI-261009-1.jpg]
>>
>> Paul Malinowski
>> Littleton, CO
>>
>> On Fri, Oct 9, 2026 at 6:49â¯PM Jared Del Rosso <jared.d......>
>> wrote:
>>
>> I enjoy reading *Birds of the World*, but I don't understand plumages,
>> molts, and the terminology used to describe them. So it's hard for me to
>> understand what the Couch's Kingbird currently at Marjorie Perry Nature
>> Preserve in Arapahoe County *should* look like. But the bird, who I
>> visited for the first time this afternoon, looks to be really worn to me.
>> Could someone out there who both has access to *Birds of the World* and
>> understands the terms of molting, offer some perspective on this?
>>
>> Here's a couple photos from this afternoon that show what I mean.
>>
>> [image: Screenshot 2026-10-09 at 6.46.43â¯PM.png]
>>
>> [image: Screenshot 2026-10-09 at 6.47.28â¯PM.png]
>>
>> - Jared Del Rosso
>> Centennial, CO
>>
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Date: 10/13/26 6:06 pm From: 'Meredith McBurney' via Colorado Birds <cobirds...> Subject: [cobirds] Bird Conservancy of the Rockies - Barr Lake Banding Report, 10/13/26
The cooler weather did not (yet) produce more birds, but we had some
interesting species....our 3rd Sharp-shinned Hawk, our 2nd Brown Creeper,
and our 1st Winter Wren. It was also wonderful to not have to close early
due to the heat and to not be sweating.......
Here's the full breakdown of the 12 new birds today:
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1
Brown Creeper 1
Winter Wren 1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 2
White-crowned Sparrow 5 new, 1 banded last fall
Dark-eyed Junco, Oregon 1
If the weather report is correct, it will be raining the next day or so, so
we may have our first closures due to rain this season. (Whew!)
Meredith McBurney
Bander, Barr Lake Station
Bird Conservancy of the Rockies
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Date: 10/13/26 4:22 pm From: <reports...> Subject: [cobirds] Mount Zion Hawk Watch at Windy Saddle Park (13 Oct 2026) Raptors
Mount Zion Hawk Watch at Windy Saddle Park
Golden, Greater Denver, Colorado, USA
To see hourly weather data and details of migrant raptors, look up this watch at hawkcount.org.
This is a new raptor migration site identified and designated in mid-September 2024. This is Colorado's 1st fall hawk watch site, and the second hawk watch in Colorado.
To get to the site which is along Lookout Mountain Rd. in Golden, enter either Windy Saddle Park or Mount Zion into Google Maps on your favorite navigation app, or enter the coordinates 39.7368,-105.2454. From the parking lot ascend the stone steps to the watch site.
EVERYONE IS WELCOME TO THE HAWK WATCH TO ENJOY THE SPECTACLE OF RAPTOR MIGRATION, EVEN IF YOU KNOW NOTHING ABOUT IDENTIFYING RAPTORS IN FLIGHT. We will help you to learn Raptor ID if you are interested.
See https://groups.google.com/g/cobirds/c/Oznn4uc6MBk
Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 13, 2026
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Observation start time: 08:00:00
Observation end time: 08:45:00
Total observation time: 0.75 hours
Official Counter: Ajit Antony
Observers: Liza Antony
Weather:
On our way West toward the watch on I-70 there was a fine drizzle and we
wondered whether to go back home, but the clouds to the West looked
slightly brighter so we went on. The top of Mount Zion was cloud-wreathed,
and Liza suggested stopping at our alternative site on Lookout Mountain
Road, but that too was in cloud so we went further down where it was clear
and dry to the parking area for the Tiers of Zion rock climbing area
39.7479,-105.2436 where we could see Golden below to the east which had
some filtered sunlight as did Mount Galbraith to the North, so we thought
that if we stayed the cloud could possibly lift, however after half an hour
the clouds were actually dropping down the flank of Mount Galbraith and
into Golden with a light drizzle, so we decided to go home.
Raptor Observations:
No hawks seen. As we were leaving, we were rewarded by a low, close adult
GE molting an inner left primary and many secondaries.
Non-raptor Observations:
Predictions:
A front is coming through Denver so the next two days are going to be
rainy, consequently Friday and Saturday could be excellent days for
migration of hawks.
========================================================================
Report submitted by Ajit Antony (<aiantony...>)
This is an automated email report from hawkcount.org. If you do not wish to receive these reports,
please send email to <unsubscribe...> to unsubscribe.
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This looks like what we'd call a second-year bird (hatched in 2025 and now
in its 2nd calendar year). Young kingbirds will often undergo an eccentric
pre-formative molt, meaning they replace outer primaries and inner
secondaries in their first fall. This is fairly unusual (but the norm for
kingbirds) as for most species, young birds won't replace any flight
feathers in their first fall. However, the eccentric molt pattern will
start somewhere in the middle of the primaries and proceed outward, while
also starting in the middle of the secondaries and proceed inwards, such
that juvenile flight feathers (inner primaries and outer secondaries) are
still retained through the first cycle. In this bird we see that the molt
started with p1 and is going outward, and has made it as far as p8, with
p9-p10 still retained but likely to drop soon. The secondaries have also
started to molt, beginning with s1. This is the standard pre-basic molt
pattern seen in adult birds, and not the eccentric pre-formative we'd see
in a young bird. The cool part here is, because the outer p9-10 are clearly
juvenile based on shape, we can say that this bird is undergoing its 2nd
pre-basic molt (i.e. starting its 2nd cycle). If the p9-10 had already
dropped and started growing in anew, we wouldn't be able to tell a
second-year from any bird that could be older. This also means that this
kingbird *didn't* molt outer primaries during its pre-formative molt last
fall, which according to the Pyle Guide is not as common but may be seen
more often in COKI in particular compared to other kingbirds. That also
explains why the p9-10 are so very worn out; they are juvenile feathers and
perhaps 16+ months old at this point and have more wear and tear than any
feather this bird will have the rest of its life. Here's a diagram based on
this photo <https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/666411731> from eBird.
[image: Screenshot 2026-10-13 143750.png]
Having so many photos of this individual bird in the Macauley Library is
great, and shows how valuable this resource is for studying molt. Keep
taking pictures of messy, molty birds!
Colin Woolley
Wheat Ridge
On Tuesday, October 13, 2026 at 2:02:04â¯PM UTC-6 Buzz Schaumberg wrote:
> Thank you.
>
>
> Sent from the all new Aol app for iOS
> <https://apps.apple.com/us/app/aol-news-email-weather-video/id646100661> > Buzz Schaumberg
>
> On Tuesday, October 13, 2026, 12:57 PM, Paul Malinowski <
> <pilla......> wrote:
>
> Interesting link, Nathan. Thank you. Here's a photo I got Friday showing
> the distinct orange crown patch on her.
>
> [image: COKI-261009-2.jpg]
>
> Paul Malinowski
> Littleton, CO
>
> On Mon, Oct 12, 2026 at 6:05â¯PM Nathan Pieplow <npie......> wrote:
>
> Hi all,
>
> I got a spread-wing photo of the Couch's Kingbird that shows not all the
> flight feathers are worn:
>
> https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/666136706 >
> The outermost two primaries, P10 and P9, are very worn, but the next few
> are fresh. Comparing their shapes with those at
> https://www.birds.cornell.edu/crows/kingbirdsX.htm makes it clear that
> the Colorado Couch's must be a female. I suspect it is a juvenile female,
> based on molt pattern, primary shapes, and the bare patches in the
> underwing visible in Paul Malinowski's photo, but I am not great at ageing
> birds by molt, so I'd love to hear other opinions. Juveniles are not
> supposed to have the orange crown patch which many people (not me) reported
> seeing.
>
> Nathan Pieplow
> Boulder
>
> On Sat, Oct 10, 2026 at 8:45â¯AM David Suddjian <dsud......> wrote:
>
> Jared, This BIRD BOMBS episode I'm Molting!
> <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oZ-F3pYfJJA&t=3s> offers a good primer
> on feather molt in our birds.
>
> David
>
> On Sat, Oct 10, 2026 at 7:30â¯AM Paul Malinowski <pilla......>
> wrote:
>
> Jared, I noticed that too this afternoon. Look at the bare spots in this
> photo as well as the worn feathers.
>
> [image: COKI-261009-1.jpg]
>
> Paul Malinowski
> Littleton, CO
>
> On Fri, Oct 9, 2026 at 6:49â¯PM Jared Del Rosso <jared.d......>
> wrote:
>
> I enjoy reading *Birds of the World*, but I don't understand plumages,
> molts, and the terminology used to describe them. So it's hard for me to
> understand what the Couch's Kingbird currently at Marjorie Perry Nature
> Preserve in Arapahoe County *should* look like. But the bird, who I
> visited for the first time this afternoon, looks to be really worn to me.
> Could someone out there who both has access to *Birds of the World* and
> understands the terms of molting, offer some perspective on this?
>
> Here's a couple photos from this afternoon that show what I mean.
>
> [image: Screenshot 2026-10-09 at 6.46.43â¯PM.png]
>
> [image: Screenshot 2026-10-09 at 6.47.28â¯PM.png]
>
> - Jared Del Rosso
> Centennial, CO
>
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Sent from the all new Aol app for iOS
Buzz SchaumbergÂ
On Tuesday, October 13, 2026, 12:57 PM, Paul Malinowski <pillarpaul...> wrote:
Interesting link, Nathan. Thank you. Here's a photo I got Friday showing the distinct orange crown patch on her.
Paul MalinowskiLittleton, COÂ
On Mon, Oct 12, 2026 at 6:05â¯PM Nathan Pieplow <npieplow...> wrote:
Hi all,
I got a spread-wing photo of the Couch's Kingbird that shows not all the flight feathers are worn:
https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/666136706 The outermost two primaries, P10 and P9, are very worn, but the next few are fresh. Comparing their shapes with those at https://www.birds.cornell.edu/crows/kingbirdsX.htm makes it clear that the Colorado Couch's must be a female. I suspect it is a juvenile female, based on molt pattern, primary shapes, and the bare patches in the underwing visible in Paul Malinowski's photo, but I am not great at ageing birds by molt, so I'd love to hear other opinions. Juveniles are not supposed to have the orange crown patch which many people (not me) reported seeing.
Nathan PieplowBoulder
On Sat, Oct 10, 2026 at 8:45â¯AM David Suddjian <dsuddjian...> wrote:
Jared, This BIRD BOMBS episode I'm Molting! offers a good primer on feather molt in our birds.Â
David
On Sat, Oct 10, 2026 at 7:30â¯AM Paul Malinowski <pillarpaul...> wrote:
Jared, I noticed that too this afternoon. Look at the bare spots in this photo as well as the worn feathers.
Paul MalinowskiLittleton, CO
On Fri, Oct 9, 2026 at 6:49â¯PM Jared Del Rosso <jared.delrosso...> wrote:
I enjoy reading Birds of the World, but I don't understand plumages, molts, and the terminology used to describe them. So it's hard for me to understand what the Couch's Kingbird currently at Marjorie Perry Nature Preserve in Arapahoe County should look like. But the bird, who I visited for the first time this afternoon, looks to be really worn to me. Could someone out there who both has access to Birds of the World and understands the terms of molting, offer some perspective on this?
Here's a couple photos from this afternoon that show what I mean.
- Jared Del RossoCentennial, CO
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Date: 10/13/26 11:58 am From: Paul Malinowski <pillarpaul...> Subject: Re: [cobirds] Couch's Kingbird Feather Conditions - Arapahoe
Interesting link, Nathan. Thank you. Here's a photo I got Friday showing
the distinct orange crown patch on her.
[image: COKI-261009-2.jpg]
Paul Malinowski
Littleton, CO
On Mon, Oct 12, 2026 at 6:05â¯PM Nathan Pieplow <npieplow...> wrote:
> Hi all,
>
> I got a spread-wing photo of the Couch's Kingbird that shows not all the
> flight feathers are worn:
>
> https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/666136706 >
> The outermost two primaries, P10 and P9, are very worn, but the next few
> are fresh. Comparing their shapes with those at
> https://www.birds.cornell.edu/crows/kingbirdsX.htm makes it clear that
> the Colorado Couch's must be a female. I suspect it is a juvenile female,
> based on molt pattern, primary shapes, and the bare patches in the
> underwing visible in Paul Malinowski's photo, but I am not great at ageing
> birds by molt, so I'd love to hear other opinions. Juveniles are not
> supposed to have the orange crown patch which many people (not me) reported
> seeing.
>
> Nathan Pieplow
> Boulder
>
> On Sat, Oct 10, 2026 at 8:45â¯AM David Suddjian <dsuddjian...>
> wrote:
>
>> Jared, This BIRD BOMBS episode I'm Molting!
>> <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oZ-F3pYfJJA&t=3s> offers a good primer
>> on feather molt in our birds.
>>
>> David
>>
>> On Sat, Oct 10, 2026 at 7:30â¯AM Paul Malinowski <pillarpaul...>
>> wrote:
>>
>>> Jared, I noticed that too this afternoon. Look at the bare spots in this
>>> photo as well as the worn feathers.
>>>
>>> [image: COKI-261009-1.jpg]
>>>
>>> Paul Malinowski
>>> Littleton, CO
>>>
>>> On Fri, Oct 9, 2026 at 6:49â¯PM Jared Del Rosso <jared.delrosso...>
>>> wrote:
>>>
>>>> I enjoy reading *Birds of the World*, but I don't understand plumages,
>>>> molts, and the terminology used to describe them. So it's hard for me to
>>>> understand what the Couch's Kingbird currently at Marjorie Perry Nature
>>>> Preserve in Arapahoe County *should* look like. But the bird, who I
>>>> visited for the first time this afternoon, looks to be really worn to me.
>>>> Could someone out there who both has access to *Birds of the World* and
>>>> understands the terms of molting, offer some perspective on this?
>>>>
>>>> Here's a couple photos from this afternoon that show what I mean.
>>>>
>>>> [image: Screenshot 2026-10-09 at 6.46.43â¯PM.png]
>>>>
>>>> [image: Screenshot 2026-10-09 at 6.47.28â¯PM.png]
>>>>
>>>> - Jared Del Rosso
>>>> Centennial, CO
>>>>
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>>>>
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Date: 10/13/26 6:38 am From: T. Luke George <t.luke.george...> Subject: Re: [cobirds] Couch's Kingbird Feather Conditions - Arapahoe
A hatch year bird would not be molting wing feathers at this time of year
so it must be an after hatch year.
Luke
*âT. Luke George, PhD*
Pârofessor 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 Tue, Oct 13, 2026 at 6:57â¯AM 'Woodcreeper29' via Colorado Birds <
<cobirds...> wrote:
> Hi all just a quick comment on the reddish crown patch, I have several
> photos that show the patch on this bird.
> Steve Larson
> Northglenn
> Sent from my iPhone
>
> On Oct 12, 2026, at 6:05â¯PM, Nathan Pieplow <npieplow...> wrote:
>
> 
> Hi all,
>
> I got a spread-wing photo of the Couch's Kingbird that shows not all the
> flight feathers are worn:
>
> https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/666136706 >
> The outermost two primaries, P10 and P9, are very worn, but the next few
> are fresh. Comparing their shapes with those at
> https://www.birds.cornell.edu/crows/kingbirdsX.htm makes it clear that
> the Colorado Couch's must be a female. I suspect it is a juvenile female,
> based on molt pattern, primary shapes, and the bare patches in the
> underwing visible in Paul Malinowski's photo, but I am not great at ageing
> birds by molt, so I'd love to hear other opinions. Juveniles are not
> supposed to have the orange crown patch which many people (not me) reported
> seeing.
>
> Nathan Pieplow
> Boulder
>
> On Sat, Oct 10, 2026 at 8:45â¯AM David Suddjian <dsuddjian...>
> wrote:
>
>> Jared, This BIRD BOMBS episode I'm Molting!
>> <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oZ-F3pYfJJA&t=3s> offers a good primer
>> on feather molt in our birds.
>>
>> David
>>
>> On Sat, Oct 10, 2026 at 7:30â¯AM Paul Malinowski <pillarpaul...>
>> wrote:
>>
>>> Jared, I noticed that too this afternoon. Look at the bare spots in this
>>> photo as well as the worn feathers.
>>>
>>> <COKI-261009-1.jpg>
>>>
>>>
>>> Paul Malinowski
>>> Littleton, CO
>>>
>>> On Fri, Oct 9, 2026 at 6:49â¯PM Jared Del Rosso <jared.delrosso...>
>>> wrote:
>>>
>>>> I enjoy reading *Birds of the World*, but I don't understand plumages,
>>>> molts, and the terminology used to describe them. So it's hard for me to
>>>> understand what the Couch's Kingbird currently at Marjorie Perry Nature
>>>> Preserve in Arapahoe County *should* look like. But the bird, who I
>>>> visited for the first time this afternoon, looks to be really worn to me.
>>>> Could someone out there who both has access to *Birds of the World* and
>>>> understands the terms of molting, offer some perspective on this?
>>>>
>>>> Here's a couple photos from this afternoon that show what I mean.
>>>>
>>>> <Screenshot 2026-10-09 at 6.46.43â¯PM.png>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> <Screenshot 2026-10-09 at 6.47.28â¯PM.png>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> - Jared Del Rosso
>>>> Centennial, CO
>>>>
>>>> --
>>>> --
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>>>>
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The outermost two primaries, P10 and P9, are very worn, but the next few
are fresh. Comparing their shapes with those at
https://www.birds.cornell.edu/crows/kingbirdsX.htm makes it clear that the
Colorado Couch's must be a female. I suspect it is a juvenile female, based
on molt pattern, primary shapes, and the bare patches in the underwing
visible in Paul Malinowski's photo, but I am not great at ageing birds by
molt, so I'd love to hear other opinions. Juveniles are not supposed to
have the orange crown patch which many people (not me) reported seeing.
Nathan Pieplow
Boulder
On Sat, Oct 10, 2026 at 8:45â¯AM David Suddjian <dsuddjian...> wrote:
> Jared, This BIRD BOMBS episode I'm Molting!
> <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oZ-F3pYfJJA&t=3s> offers a good primer
> on feather molt in our birds.
>
> David
>
> On Sat, Oct 10, 2026 at 7:30â¯AM Paul Malinowski <pillarpaul...>
> wrote:
>
>> Jared, I noticed that too this afternoon. Look at the bare spots in this
>> photo as well as the worn feathers.
>>
>> [image: COKI-261009-1.jpg]
>>
>> Paul Malinowski
>> Littleton, CO
>>
>> On Fri, Oct 9, 2026 at 6:49â¯PM Jared Del Rosso <jared.delrosso...>
>> wrote:
>>
>>> I enjoy reading *Birds of the World*, but I don't understand plumages,
>>> molts, and the terminology used to describe them. So it's hard for me to
>>> understand what the Couch's Kingbird currently at Marjorie Perry Nature
>>> Preserve in Arapahoe County *should* look like. But the bird, who I
>>> visited for the first time this afternoon, looks to be really worn to me.
>>> Could someone out there who both has access to *Birds of the World* and
>>> understands the terms of molting, offer some perspective on this?
>>>
>>> Here's a couple photos from this afternoon that show what I mean.
>>>
>>> [image: Screenshot 2026-10-09 at 6.46.43â¯PM.png]
>>>
>>> [image: Screenshot 2026-10-09 at 6.47.28â¯PM.png]
>>>
>>> - Jared Del Rosso
>>> Centennial, CO
>>>
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>>
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Date: 10/12/26 4:35 pm From: <reports...> Subject: [cobirds] Mount Zion Hawk Watch at Windy Saddle Park (12 Oct 2026) 8 Raptors
Mount Zion Hawk Watch at Windy Saddle Park
Golden, Greater Denver, Colorado, USA
To see hourly weather data and details of migrant raptors, look up this watch at hawkcount.org.
This is a new raptor migration site identified and designated in mid-September 2024. This is Colorado's 1st fall hawk watch site, and the second hawk watch in Colorado.
To get to the site which is along Lookout Mountain Rd. in Golden, enter either Windy Saddle Park or Mount Zion into Google Maps on your favorite navigation app, or enter the coordinates 39.7368,-105.2454. From the parking lot ascend the stone steps to the watch site.
EVERYONE IS WELCOME TO THE HAWK WATCH TO ENJOY THE SPECTACLE OF RAPTOR MIGRATION, EVEN IF YOU KNOW NOTHING ABOUT IDENTIFYING RAPTORS IN FLIGHT. We will help you to learn Raptor ID if you are interested.
See https://groups.google.com/g/cobirds/c/Oznn4uc6MBk
Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 12, 2026
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Observation start time: 08:30:00
Observation end time: 12:00:00
Total observation time: 2.5 hours
Official Counter: Ajit Antony
Observers:
Weather:
Only a slight haze around Denver and beyond indicating a mild subsidence
inversion layer around 4,000 to 8,000 feet above ground level. Closer from
Denver the air was very clear. No cloud cover to start with and only
increasing to 15% which was cumulus clouds which moved in from the West to
cover the North and NE by the last hour giving me a good background to look
for high flying hawks but I could not find any. The subsidence inversion
layer caps thermals from going any higher so that the Soaring Forecast of
the NWS had a lift of 12 ft/sec and the maximum height of thermals only to
9,048 ft AGL. Migrant raptors as well as local ones were scarce today,
perhaps they did not fly because of the cap on the height of thermals. The
indication that the subsidence inversion layer clears up is when the haze
around Denver dissipates and I can see DIA with the naked eye in the
distance, as well as when strong winds come from the direction of Denver
causing a strong ridge lift, which did not really materialize today in that
the WSW winds persisted interspersed with light winds from the East.
Raptor Observations:
The first migrant was a very high CH at 9:25 a.m. MDT. All the migraine
hawks were found over Lookout Mountain.
Non-migrant raptors: adult GE 1 soaring far to the NW, adult BE, RT 2.
The last hour had no raptors at all, neither migrants nor local.
Predictions:
A slight chance of showers between noon and 3pm, then a chance of showers
and thunderstorms after 3pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 61. Calm wind
becoming east northeast 5 to 7 mph in the afternoon. Chance of
precipitation is 30%.
The winds aloft are going to be from the NNE>NE.
========================================================================
Report submitted by Ajit Antony (<aiantony...>)
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Audrey Hicks
Bander, Denver Audubon + Bird Conservancy of the Rockies
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Date: 10/11/26 8:24 pm From: 'Joey Kellner' via Colorado Birds <cobirds...> Subject: [cobirds] The Big Sit! at Chatfield State Park - Results
A huge, "Thank you," for all those that came out today (30+ people) and
helped look for birds! Even with the warm temperatures and windy
conditions, the group tallied 62 species todayâ¦from ONE spot! Below is the
eBird Trip Report for the DFO event.
https://ebird.org/tripreport/583079 Some really nice birds were seen today. Red-necked Grebe, Swamp Sparrow,
Sabineâs Gulls(x4), Sandhill Cranes, American Pipit, Merlin(x2), and one
Peregrine Falcon!
This was the the 20th Chatfield Big Sit! that DFO has held and that I have
hosted. Usually this event has more species seen during inclement
weather. The highest species numbers were 72 species (two different
years). Nice weather yields fewer species (two years had only 52
species). So, having 62 species today is pretty good!
Until next time... :-)
Joey.
Joey Kellner
Littleton, Colorado
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Date: 10/11/26 6:59 pm From: <reports...> Subject: [cobirds] Mount Zion Hawk Watch at Windy Saddle Park (11 Oct 2026) 12 Raptors
Mount Zion Hawk Watch at Windy Saddle Park
Golden, Greater Denver, Colorado, USA
To see hourly weather data and details of migrant raptors, look up this watch at hawkcount.org.
This is a new raptor migration site identified and designated in mid-September 2024. This is Colorado's 1st fall hawk watch site, and the second hawk watch in Colorado.
To get to the site which is along Lookout Mountain Rd. in Golden, enter either Windy Saddle Park or Mount Zion into Google Maps on your favorite navigation app, or enter the coordinates 39.7368,-105.2454. From the parking lot ascend the stone steps to the watch site.
EVERYONE IS WELCOME TO THE HAWK WATCH TO ENJOY THE SPECTACLE OF RAPTOR MIGRATION, EVEN IF YOU KNOW NOTHING ABOUT IDENTIFYING RAPTORS IN FLIGHT. We will help you to learn Raptor ID if you are interested.
See https://groups.google.com/g/cobirds/c/Oznn4uc6MBk
Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 11, 2026
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Observation start time: 09:00:00
Observation end time: 13:00:00
Total observation time: 4 hours
Official Counter: Zak Hepler
Observers: Ajit Antony
Visitors:
We had many curious visitors at the watch today. Early in the morning, a
young girl by the name Ruth was surprised to find out that "tiny speck" was
an adult bald eagle. Ajit and Ruth discussed curvature of the Earth and why
that would NOT be the reason for the 'small' bird. It is simply due to
distance. One couple stayed for a long time painting. They wore aprons as
they painted. The last visitors was a young couple from Tennessee and they
both stated, in their own, that the love Red-tailed hawks. So, naturally,
they became fast friends. The man even had a Red-tailed Hawk tattoo. Ajit
and I spoke about the free Merlin app to many people and encouraged the
young Tennessee couple to purchase some binoculars.
Weather:
Great morning weather conditions at Mount Zion. Cloud cover at 90% helped
with raptor spotting. This cloud cover was largely gone by 11 AM MDT. The
usual western winds became eastern winds as the clouds disappeared and the
ground heated up. We had strong gusts coming from the East and Southeast.
Almost blew over the scopes! Many lenticular clouds were present. Ajit and
I spotted two very far east, past Denver. Lenticular clouds are formed by
the western winds blowing over the tops of the Front Range. The far eastern
lenticular clouds that we viewed were the same clouds made of the Front
Range, but moved very far due to downstream wave propagation.
Raptor Observations:
A rather slow day, but a busy start. Between 10:30 AM MDT and 11 AM MDT, we
had 5 migrants! The fast-moving Merlin was a treat to see. These birds move
with purpose. The adult BE was seen near Green Mountain before heading
southeast. Most migrants were spotted near Green Mountain today. Only one
bird (CH) was spotted in the Kestrel Channel. Non-migratory raptors: 1 GE,
2 RT.
Non-raptor Observations:
Full eBird list for today found here:
https://ebird.org/checklist/S401472737. We only had one WTSW today. It
seems like these lovely birds have moved on. Mount Zion Hawk Watch is
currently a good place to see and hear many Townsend's Solitaires.
Predictions:
Tomorrow will be a sunny day at Mount Zion. Reaching high 70s, we can
expect zero rain, and southward winds up to 11mph. Be prepared for strong
gusts. Migrant raptor numbers seem to be declining.
========================================================================
Report submitted by Zak Hepler (<zakhepler...>)
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Date: 10/11/26 6:28 pm From: Kelly Ambler <kelly.ambler1...> Subject: Re: [cobirds] Corvids in unusual places
Much to our surprise, an Eastern Blue Jay is visiting our feeder in the Tarryall foothills above Tarryall Reservoir (9,400' elevation). It is hanging out with the Steller Jays. Photos to follow later.
Kelly Ambler Jefferson, CO, Park County
>
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Date: 10/10/26 3:49 pm From: <reports...> Subject: [cobirds] Mount Zion Hawk Watch at Windy Saddle Park (10 Oct 2026) 12 Raptors
Mount Zion Hawk Watch at Windy Saddle Park
Golden, Greater Denver, Colorado, USA
To see hourly weather data and details of migrant raptors, look up this watch at hawkcount.org.
This is a new raptor migration site identified and designated in mid-September 2024. This is Colorado's 1st fall hawk watch site, and the second hawk watch in Colorado.
To get to the site which is along Lookout Mountain Rd. in Golden, enter either Windy Saddle Park or Mount Zion into Google Maps on your favorite navigation app, or enter the coordinates 39.7368,-105.2454. From the parking lot ascend the stone steps to the watch site.
EVERYONE IS WELCOME TO THE HAWK WATCH TO ENJOY THE SPECTACLE OF RAPTOR MIGRATION, EVEN IF YOU KNOW NOTHING ABOUT IDENTIFYING RAPTORS IN FLIGHT. We will help you to learn Raptor ID if you are interested.
See https://groups.google.com/g/cobirds/c/Oznn4uc6MBk
Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 10, 2026
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Observation start time: 08:30:00
Observation end time: 11:00:00
Total observation time: 2.5 hours
Official Counter: Ajit Antony
Observers: Liza Antony
Visitors:
7 hikers asked whether we were bird watching and we explained. One wanted
to know if hawks migrate singly, and I explained the massive kettles of BW
and SW currently going through Veracruz. 3 young men were interested in
what we were looking with our telescope and I explained. They were very
interested and asked numerous questions - they did not know that hawks
migrated. They wanted to know if this was a job or a hobby, and I explained
that I have been counting migrant hawks longer than they were even thought
of - 40 years, even while I was working as a physician in New York State,
and for the past 5 years in Colorado.
Weather:
There was a weak inversion layer over Denver with mild haziness, 40% cloud
cover dropping to 25% - altocumulus to the East dissipated by the next hour
with the low humidity of 10%, and cumulus to the immediate west of the
watch which came over to the NE & SE and overhead which we scanned with
binoculars regularly but did not find any migrant hawks. Clouds, in
addition to making finding hawks easily is supposed to keep the thermalns
at a lower level, however the Soaring Forecast of the NWS predicted
excellent lift at 21 ft/second with height of thermals at 14,982 ft above
ground level AGL by 10:45 a.m. MDT i.e. 1.5 miles above the watch! The
winds aloft were from the SW.
Raptor Observations:
The first raptor was a local RT at 10:04 a.m. and the first migrant was an
RT at 10:18 a.m.
At 10:28 a.m. we saw a GE easily visible to the naked eye flying in from
the North along Clear Creek Canyon and Rising progressively soaring to the
SW until it was barely visible and seemed like a migrant. It had some white
to the base of its "split tail" which is black central adult feathers and
white on the sides, indicating a Basic III, Liza kept following it
assiduously, eventually deeming it a non-migrant as it flew NW, taking
about 6 minutes in all.
Again like yesterday most of the migrant action was over Lookout Mountain
with few along other channels we usually see migrants on.
Non-raptor Observations:
Predictions:
There is a cold front going through Denver so it may be good for migrant
hawks tomorrow. Cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly sunny, with a high
near 81. West southwest wind around 6 mph becoming light and variable.
Winds could gust as high as 16 mph after 2:00 p.m.
The winds aloft are expected to be from the SW and South.
========================================================================
Report submitted by Ajit Antony (<aiantony...>)
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please send email to <unsubscribe...> to unsubscribe.
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Date: 10/10/26 3:48 pm From: <reports...> Subject: [cobirds] Mount Zion Hawk Watch at Windy Saddle Park (10 Oct 2026) 12 Raptors
Mount Zion Hawk Watch at Windy Saddle Park
Golden, Greater Denver, Colorado, USA
To see hourly weather data and details of migrant raptors, look up this watch at hawkcount.org.
This is a new raptor migration site identified and designated in mid-September 2024. This is Colorado's 1st fall hawk watch site, and the second hawk watch in Colorado.
To get to the site which is along Lookout Mountain Rd. in Golden, enter either Windy Saddle Park or Mount Zion into Google Maps on your favorite navigation app, or enter the coordinates 39.7368,-105.2454. From the parking lot ascend the stone steps to the watch site.
EVERYONE IS WELCOME TO THE HAWK WATCH TO ENJOY THE SPECTACLE OF RAPTOR MIGRATION, EVEN IF YOU KNOW NOTHING ABOUT IDENTIFYING RAPTORS IN FLIGHT. We will help you to learn Raptor ID if you are interested.
See https://groups.google.com/g/cobirds/c/Oznn4uc6MBk
Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 10, 2026
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Observation start time: 08:30:00
Observation end time: 11:00:00
Total observation time: 2.5 hours
Official Counter: Ajit Antony
Observers: Liza Antony
Visitors:
7 hikers asked whether we were bird watching and we explained. One wanted
to know if hawks migrate singly, and I explained the massive kettles of BW
and SW currently going through Veracruz. 3 young men were interested in
what we were looking with our telescope and I explained. They were very
interested and asked numerous questions - they did not know that hawks
migrated. They wanted to know if this was a job or a hobby, and I explained
that I have been counting migrant hawks longer than they were even thought
of - 40 years, even while I was working as a physician in New York State,
and for the past 5 years in Colorado.
Weather:
There was a weak inversion layer over Denver with mild haziness, 40% cloud
cover dropping to 25% - altocumulus to the East dissipated by the next hour
with the low humidity of 10%, and cumulus to the immediate west of the
watch which came over to the NE & SE and overhead which we scanned with
binoculars regularly but did not find any migrant hawks. Clouds, in
addition to making finding hawks easily is supposed to keep the thermalns
at a lower level, however the Soaring Forecast of the NWS predicted
excellent lift at 21 ft/second with height of thermals at 14,982 ft above
ground level AGL by 10:45 a.m. MDT i.e. 1.5 miles above the watch! The
winds aloft were from the SW.
Raptor Observations:
The first raptor was a local RT at 10:04 a.m. and the first migrant was an
RT at 10:18 a.m.
At 10:28 a.m. we saw a GE easily visible to the naked eye flying in from
the North along Clear Creek Canyon and Rising progressively soaring to the
SW until it was barely visible and seemed like a migrant. It had some white
to the base of its "split tail" which is black central adult feathers and
white on the sides, indicating a Basic III, Liza kept following it
assiduously, eventually deeming it a non-migrant as it flew NW, taking
about 6 minutes in all.
Again like yesterday most of the migrant action was over Lookout Mountain
with few along other channels we usually see migrants on.
Non-raptor Observations:
Predictions:
There is a cold front going through Denver so it may be good for migrant
hawks tomorrow. Cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly sunny, with a high
near 81. West southwest wind around 6 mph becoming light and variable.
Winds could gust as high as 16 mph after 2:00 p.m.
The winds aloft are expected to be from the SW and South.
========================================================================
Report submitted by Ajit Antony (<aiantony...>)
This is an automated email report from hawkcount.org. If you do not wish to receive these reports,
please send email to <unsubscribe...> to unsubscribe.
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Date: 10/10/26 3:48 pm From: <reports...> Subject: [cobirds] Mount Zion Hawk Watch at Windy Saddle Park (10 Oct 2026) 12 Raptors
Mount Zion Hawk Watch at Windy Saddle Park
Golden, Greater Denver, Colorado, USA
To see hourly weather data and details of migrant raptors, look up this watch at hawkcount.org.
This is a new raptor migration site identified and designated in mid-September 2024. This is Colorado's 1st fall hawk watch site, and the second hawk watch in Colorado.
To get to the site which is along Lookout Mountain Rd. in Golden, enter either Windy Saddle Park or Mount Zion into Google Maps on your favorite navigation app, or enter the coordinates 39.7368,-105.2454. From the parking lot ascend the stone steps to the watch site.
EVERYONE IS WELCOME TO THE HAWK WATCH TO ENJOY THE SPECTACLE OF RAPTOR MIGRATION, EVEN IF YOU KNOW NOTHING ABOUT IDENTIFYING RAPTORS IN FLIGHT. We will help you to learn Raptor ID if you are interested.
See https://groups.google.com/g/cobirds/c/Oznn4uc6MBk
Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 10, 2026
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Observation start time: 08:30:00
Observation end time: 11:00:00
Total observation time: 2.5 hours
Official Counter: Ajit Antony
Observers: Liza Antony
Visitors:
7 hikers asked whether we were bird watching and we explained. One wanted
to know if hawks migrate singly, and I explained the massive kettles of BW
and SW currently going through Veracruz. 3 young men were interested in
what we were looking with our telescope and I explained. They were very
interested and asked numerous questions - they did not know that hawks
migrated. They wanted to know if this was a job or a hobby, and I explained
that I have been counting migrant hawks longer than they were even thought
of - 40 years, even while I was working as a physician in New York State,
and for the past 5 years in Colorado.
Weather:
There was a weak inversion layer over Denver with mild haziness, 40% cloud
cover dropping to 25% - altocumulus to the East dissipated by the next hour
with the low humidity of 10%, and cumulus to the immediate west of the
watch which came over to the NE & SE and overhead which we scanned with
binoculars regularly but did not find any migrant hawks. Clouds, in
addition to making finding hawks easily is supposed to keep the thermalns
at a lower level, however the Soaring Forecast of the NWS predicted
excellent lift at 21 ft/second with height of thermals at 14,982 ft above
ground level AGL by 10:45 a.m. MDT i.e. 1.5 miles above the watch! The
winds aloft were from the SW.
Raptor Observations:
The first raptor was a local RT at 10:04 a.m. and the first migrant was an
RT at 10:18 a.m.
At 10:28 a.m. we saw a GE easily visible to the naked eye flying in from
the North along Clear Creek Canyon and Rising progressively soaring to the
SW until it was barely visible and seemed like a migrant. It had some white
to the base of its "split tail" which is black central adult feathers and
white on the sides, indicating a Basic III, Liza kept following it
assiduously, eventually deeming it a non-migrant as it flew NW, taking
about 6 minutes in all.
Again like yesterday most of the migrant action was over Lookout Mountain
with few along other channels we usually see migrants on.
Non-raptor Observations:
Predictions:
There is a cold front going through Denver so it may be good for migrant
hawks tomorrow. Cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly sunny, with a high
near 81. West southwest wind around 6 mph becoming light and variable.
Winds could gust as high as 16 mph after 2:00 p.m.
The winds aloft are expected to be from the SW and South.
========================================================================
Report submitted by Ajit Antony (<aiantony...>)
This is an automated email report from hawkcount.org. If you do not wish to receive these reports,
please send email to <unsubscribe...> to unsubscribe.
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Date: 10/10/26 3:48 pm From: <reports...> Subject: [cobirds] Mount Zion Hawk Watch at Windy Saddle Park (10 Oct 2026) 12 Raptors
Mount Zion Hawk Watch at Windy Saddle Park
Golden, Greater Denver, Colorado, USA
To see hourly weather data and details of migrant raptors, look up this watch at hawkcount.org.
This is a new raptor migration site identified and designated in mid-September 2024. This is Colorado's 1st fall hawk watch site, and the second hawk watch in Colorado.
To get to the site which is along Lookout Mountain Rd. in Golden, enter either Windy Saddle Park or Mount Zion into Google Maps on your favorite navigation app, or enter the coordinates 39.7368,-105.2454. From the parking lot ascend the stone steps to the watch site.
EVERYONE IS WELCOME TO THE HAWK WATCH TO ENJOY THE SPECTACLE OF RAPTOR MIGRATION, EVEN IF YOU KNOW NOTHING ABOUT IDENTIFYING RAPTORS IN FLIGHT. We will help you to learn Raptor ID if you are interested.
See https://groups.google.com/g/cobirds/c/Oznn4uc6MBk
Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 10, 2026
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Observation start time: 08:30:00
Observation end time: 11:00:00
Total observation time: 2.5 hours
Official Counter: Ajit Antony
Observers: Liza Antony
Visitors:
7 hikers asked whether we were bird watching and we explained. One wanted
to know if hawks migrate singly, and I explained the massive kettles of BW
and SW currently going through Veracruz. 3 young men were interested in
what we were looking with our telescope and I explained. They were very
interested and asked numerous questions - they did not know that hawks
migrated. They wanted to know if this was a job or a hobby, and I explained
that I have been counting migrant hawks longer than they were even thought
of - 40 years, even while I was working as a physician in New York State,
and for the past 5 years in Colorado.
Weather:
There was a weak inversion layer over Denver with mild haziness, 40% cloud
cover dropping to 25% - altocumulus to the East dissipated by the next hour
with the low humidity of 10%, and cumulus to the immediate west of the
watch which came over to the NE & SE and overhead which we scanned with
binoculars regularly but did not find any migrant hawks. Clouds, in
addition to making finding hawks easily is supposed to keep the thermalns
at a lower level, however the Soaring Forecast of the NWS predicted
excellent lift at 21 ft/second with height of thermals at 14,982 ft above
ground level AGL by 10:45 a.m. MDT i.e. 1.5 miles above the watch! The
winds aloft were from the SW.
Raptor Observations:
The first raptor was a local RT at 10:04 a.m. and the first migrant was an
RT at 10:18 a.m.
At 10:28 a.m. we saw a GE easily visible to the naked eye flying in from
the North along Clear Creek Canyon and Rising progressively soaring to the
SW until it was barely visible and seemed like a migrant. It had some white
to the base of its "split tail" which is black central adult feathers and
white on the sides, indicating a Basic III, Liza kept following it
assiduously, eventually deeming it a non-migrant as it flew NW, taking
about 6 minutes in all.
Again like yesterday most of the migrant action was over Lookout Mountain
with few along other channels we usually see migrants on.
Non-raptor Observations:
Predictions:
There is a cold front going through Denver so it may be good for migrant
hawks tomorrow. Cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly sunny, with a high
near 81. West southwest wind around 6 mph becoming light and variable.
Winds could gust as high as 16 mph after 2:00 p.m.
The winds aloft are expected to be from the SW and South.
========================================================================
Report submitted by Ajit Antony (<aiantony...>)
This is an automated email report from hawkcount.org. If you do not wish to receive these reports,
please send email to <unsubscribe...> to unsubscribe.
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Date: 10/10/26 3:47 pm From: <reports...> Subject: [cobirds] Mount Zion Hawk Watch at Windy Saddle Park (10 Oct 2026) 12 Raptors
Mount Zion Hawk Watch at Windy Saddle Park
Golden, Greater Denver, Colorado, USA
To see hourly weather data and details of migrant raptors, look up this watch at hawkcount.org.
This is a new raptor migration site identified and designated in mid-September 2024. This is Colorado's 1st fall hawk watch site, and the second hawk watch in Colorado.
To get to the site which is along Lookout Mountain Rd. in Golden, enter either Windy Saddle Park or Mount Zion into Google Maps on your favorite navigation app, or enter the coordinates 39.7368,-105.2454. From the parking lot ascend the stone steps to the watch site.
EVERYONE IS WELCOME TO THE HAWK WATCH TO ENJOY THE SPECTACLE OF RAPTOR MIGRATION, EVEN IF YOU KNOW NOTHING ABOUT IDENTIFYING RAPTORS IN FLIGHT. We will help you to learn Raptor ID if you are interested.
See https://groups.google.com/g/cobirds/c/Oznn4uc6MBk
Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 10, 2026
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Observation start time: 08:30:00
Observation end time: 11:00:00
Total observation time: 2.5 hours
Official Counter: Ajit Antony
Observers: Liza Antony
Visitors:
7 hikers asked whether we were bird watching and we explained. One wanted
to know if hawks migrate singly, and I explained the massive kettles of BW
and SW currently going through Veracruz. 3 young men were interested in
what we were looking with our telescope and I explained. They were very
interested and asked numerous questions - they did not know that hawks
migrated. They wanted to know if this was a job or a hobby, and I explained
that I have been counting migrant hawks longer than they were even thought
of - 40 years, even while I was working as a physician in New York State,
and for the past 5 years in Colorado.
Weather:
There was a weak inversion layer over Denver with mild haziness, 40% cloud
cover dropping to 25% - altocumulus to the East dissipated by the next hour
with the low humidity of 10%, and cumulus to the immediate west of the
watch which came over to the NE & SE and overhead which we scanned with
binoculars regularly but did not find any migrant hawks. Clouds, in
addition to making finding hawks easily is supposed to keep the thermalns
at a lower level, however the Soaring Forecast of the NWS predicted
excellent lift at 21 ft/second with height of thermals at 14,982 ft above
ground level AGL by 10:45 a.m. MDT i.e. 1.5 miles above the watch! The
winds aloft were from the SW.
Raptor Observations:
The first raptor was a local RT at 10:04 a.m. and the first migrant was an
RT at 10:18 a.m.
At 10:28 a.m. we saw a GE easily visible to the naked eye flying in from
the North along Clear Creek Canyon and Rising progressively soaring to the
SW until it was barely visible and seemed like a migrant. It had some white
to the base of its "split tail" which is black central adult feathers and
white on the sides, indicating a Basic III, Liza kept following it
assiduously, eventually deeming it a non-migrant as it flew NW, taking
about 6 minutes in all.
Again like yesterday most of the migrant action was over Lookout Mountain
with few along other channels we usually see migrants on.
Non-raptor Observations:
Predictions:
There is a cold front going through Denver so it may be good for migrant
hawks tomorrow. Cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly sunny, with a high
near 81. West southwest wind around 6 mph becoming light and variable.
Winds could gust as high as 16 mph after 2:00 p.m.
The winds aloft are expected to be from the SW and South.
========================================================================
Report submitted by Ajit Antony (<aiantony...>)
This is an automated email report from hawkcount.org. If you do not wish to receive these reports,
please send email to <unsubscribe...> to unsubscribe.
--
--
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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.
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Date: 10/10/26 3:47 pm From: <reports...> Subject: [cobirds] Mount Zion Hawk Watch at Windy Saddle Park (10 Oct 2026) 12 Raptors
Mount Zion Hawk Watch at Windy Saddle Park
Golden, Greater Denver, Colorado, USA
To see hourly weather data and details of migrant raptors, look up this watch at hawkcount.org.
This is a new raptor migration site identified and designated in mid-September 2024. This is Colorado's 1st fall hawk watch site, and the second hawk watch in Colorado.
To get to the site which is along Lookout Mountain Rd. in Golden, enter either Windy Saddle Park or Mount Zion into Google Maps on your favorite navigation app, or enter the coordinates 39.7368,-105.2454. From the parking lot ascend the stone steps to the watch site.
EVERYONE IS WELCOME TO THE HAWK WATCH TO ENJOY THE SPECTACLE OF RAPTOR MIGRATION, EVEN IF YOU KNOW NOTHING ABOUT IDENTIFYING RAPTORS IN FLIGHT. We will help you to learn Raptor ID if you are interested.
See https://groups.google.com/g/cobirds/c/Oznn4uc6MBk
Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 10, 2026
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Observation start time: 08:30:00
Observation end time: 11:00:00
Total observation time: 2.5 hours
Official Counter: Ajit Antony
Observers: Liza Antony
Visitors:
7 hikers asked whether we were bird watching and we explained. One wanted
to know if hawks migrate singly, and I explained the massive kettles of BW
and SW currently going through Veracruz. 3 young men were interested in
what we were looking with our telescope and I explained. They were very
interested and asked numerous questions - they did not know that hawks
migrated. They wanted to know if this was a job or a hobby, and I explained
that I have been counting migrant hawks longer than they were even thought
of - 40 years, even while I was working as a physician in New York State,
and for the past 5 years in Colorado.
Weather:
There was a weak inversion layer over Denver with mild haziness, 40% cloud
cover dropping to 25% - altocumulus to the East dissipated by the next hour
with the low humidity of 10%, and cumulus to the immediate west of the
watch which came over to the NE & SE and overhead which we scanned with
binoculars regularly but did not find any migrant hawks. Clouds, in
addition to making finding hawks easily is supposed to keep the thermalns
at a lower level, however the Soaring Forecast of the NWS predicted
excellent lift at 21 ft/second with height of thermals at 14,982 ft above
ground level AGL by 10:45 a.m. MDT i.e. 1.5 miles above the watch! The
winds aloft were from the SW.
Raptor Observations:
The first raptor was a local RT at 10:04 a.m. and the first migrant was an
RT at 10:18 a.m.
At 10:28 a.m. we saw a GE easily visible to the naked eye flying in from
the North along Clear Creek Canyon and Rising progressively soaring to the
SW until it was barely visible and seemed like a migrant. It had some white
to the base of its "split tail" which is black central adult feathers and
white on the sides, indicating a Basic III, Liza kept following it
assiduously, eventually deeming it a non-migrant as it flew NW, taking
about 6 minutes in all.
Again like yesterday most of the migrant action was over Lookout Mountain
with few along other channels we usually see migrants on.
Non-raptor Observations:
Predictions:
There is a cold front going through Denver so it may be good for migrant
hawks tomorrow. Cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly sunny, with a high
near 81. West southwest wind around 6 mph becoming light and variable.
Winds could gust as high as 16 mph after 2:00 p.m.
The winds aloft are expected to be from the SW and South.
========================================================================
Report submitted by Ajit Antony (<aiantony...>)
This is an automated email report from hawkcount.org. If you do not wish to receive these reports,
please send email to <unsubscribe...> to unsubscribe.
--
--
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/ ---
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Date: 10/10/26 3:40 pm From: <reports...> Subject: [cobirds] Mount Zion Hawk Watch at Windy Saddle Park (10 Oct 2026) 12 Raptors
Mount Zion Hawk Watch at Windy Saddle Park
Golden, Greater Denver, Colorado, USA
To see hourly weather data and details of migrant raptors, look up this watch at hawkcount.org.
This is a new raptor migration site identified and designated in mid-September 2024. This is Colorado's 1st fall hawk watch site, and the second hawk watch in Colorado.
To get to the site which is along Lookout Mountain Rd. in Golden, enter either Windy Saddle Park or Mount Zion into Google Maps on your favorite navigation app, or enter the coordinates 39.7368,-105.2454. From the parking lot ascend the stone steps to the watch site.
EVERYONE IS WELCOME TO THE HAWK WATCH TO ENJOY THE SPECTACLE OF RAPTOR MIGRATION, EVEN IF YOU KNOW NOTHING ABOUT IDENTIFYING RAPTORS IN FLIGHT. We will help you to learn Raptor ID if you are interested.
See https://groups.google.com/g/cobirds/c/Oznn4uc6MBk
Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 10, 2026
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Observation start time: 08:30:00
Observation end time: 11:00:00
Total observation time: 2.5 hours
Official Counter: Ajit Antony
Observers: Liza Antony
Visitors:
7 hikers asked whether we were bird watching and we explained. One wanted
to know if hawks migrate singly, and I explained the massive kettles of BW
and SW currently going through Veracruz. 3 young men were interested in
what we were looking with our telescope and I explained. They were very
interested and asked numerous questions - they did not know that hawks
migrated. They wanted to know if this was a job or a hobby, and I explained
that I have been counting migrant hawks longer than they were even thought
of - 40 years, even while I was working as a physician in New York State,
and for the past 5 years in Colorado.
Weather:
There was a weak inversion layer over Denver with mild haziness, 40% cloud
cover dropping to 25% - altocumulus to the East dissipated by the next hour
with the low humidity of 10%, and cumulus to the immediate west of the
watch which came over to the NE & SE and overhead which we scanned with
binoculars regularly but did not find any migrant hawks. Clouds, in
addition to making finding hawks easily is supposed to keep the thermalns
at a lower level, however the Soaring Forecast of the NWS predicted
excellent lift at 21 ft/second with height of thermals at 14,982 ft above
ground level AGL by 10:45 a.m. MDT i.e. 1.5 miles above the watch! The
winds aloft were from the SW.
Raptor Observations:
The first raptor was a local RT at 10:04 a.m. and the first migrant was an
RT at 10:18 a.m.
At 10:28 a.m. we saw a GE easily visible to the naked eye flying in from
the North along Clear Creek Canyon and Rising progressively soaring to the
SW until it was barely visible and seemed like a migrant. It had some white
to the base of its "split tail" which is black central adult feathers and
white on the sides, indicating a Basic III, Liza kept following it
assiduously, eventually deeming it a non-migrant as it flew NW, taking
about 6 minutes in all.
Again like yesterday most of the migrant action was over Lookout Mountain
with few along other channels we usually see migrants on.
Non-raptor Observations:
Predictions:
There is a cold front going through Denver so it may be good for migrant
hawks tomorrow. Cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly sunny, with a high
near 81. West southwest wind around 6 mph becoming light and variable.
Winds could gust as high as 16 mph after 2:00 p.m.
The winds aloft are expected to be from the SW and South.
========================================================================
Report submitted by Ajit Antony (<aiantony...>)
This is an automated email report from hawkcount.org. If you do not wish to receive these reports,
please send email to <unsubscribe...> to unsubscribe.
--
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Date: 10/10/26 1:58 pm From: David Suddjian <dsuddjian...> Subject: [cobirds] Pine Birds: Corvids and more around the San Luis Valley
There are very impressive numbers of corvids now in the Pinyon / Juniper (PJ) woodland of northern Costilla and northeastern Alamosa counties, (i.e.,the low slopes of the Blanca Massif). The pinyon pines have a prodigious new cone crop with lots of freshly available pine nuts. Birding in the southern San Luis Valley area Oct 7-9 found 847 Pinyon Jays, 177 Steller's Jays, 4 Blue Jays (filtered as rare by eBird), 30 Woodhouse's Scrub-Jays, 685 Clark's Nutcrackers and 191 Cassin's Finches. Mountain Chickadees and Red-breasted Nuthatches were also abundant. Red Crossbill was little in evidence at the time, but many were found on the Huerfano side of La Veta Pass.
It was a spectacle. Clark's Nutcrackers are super common. Pinyon jay calls are ever present on the landscape, but numbers are highly concentrated (i.e. a flock of about 475 feeding near the bottom of the Zapata Falls entry road. Many of the 177 Steller's Jays were seen making long flights high over the landscape, as if making movements vs just foraging. A spot near Fort Garland had 71 Steller's flying by. The Zapata Falls Trail road is highly recommended, and the P/J habitats in the Great Sand Dunes National Park. These species were in P/J and mixed forests in Conejos County, but the pinyon crop is much more limited there and there were fewer of these pine birds.
David Suddjian Littleton CO
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Date: 10/10/26 12:53 pm From: Pauli Driver-Smith <hollyhockfarms...> Subject: [cobirds] Interesting visitor to my feeders
I just had a juvenile yellow-headed blackbird visit my feeder this morning. It was with a flock of Red-Winged blackbirds. The Yellow-headed Blackbirds left their nests in the cattails along the south shore of Highland Lake by late July, so this was a real surprise.
Is this common?
Pauli Smith
Highlandlake/Mead, Weld county, CO
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On Sat, Oct 10, 2026 at 7:30â¯AM Paul Malinowski <pillarpaul...>
wrote:
> Jared, I noticed that too this afternoon. Look at the bare spots in this
> photo as well as the worn feathers.
>
> [image: COKI-261009-1.jpg]
>
> Paul Malinowski
> Littleton, CO
>
> On Fri, Oct 9, 2026 at 6:49â¯PM Jared Del Rosso <jared.delrosso...>
> wrote:
>
>> I enjoy reading *Birds of the World*, but I don't understand plumages,
>> molts, and the terminology used to describe them. So it's hard for me to
>> understand what the Couch's Kingbird currently at Marjorie Perry Nature
>> Preserve in Arapahoe County *should* look like. But the bird, who I
>> visited for the first time this afternoon, looks to be really worn to me.
>> Could someone out there who both has access to *Birds of the World* and
>> understands the terms of molting, offer some perspective on this?
>>
>> Here's a couple photos from this afternoon that show what I mean.
>>
>> [image: Screenshot 2026-10-09 at 6.46.43â¯PM.png]
>>
>> [image: Screenshot 2026-10-09 at 6.47.28â¯PM.png]
>>
>> - Jared Del Rosso
>> Centennial, CO
>>
>> --
>> --
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>> "Colorado Birds" group.
>> To post to this group, send email to <cobirds...>
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>> http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds >> * All posts should be signed with the poster's full name and city.
>> Include bird species and location in the subject line when appropriate.
>> * Join Colorado Field Ornithologists https://cobirds.org/membership/ >> ---
>> 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/<b79b99b0-217d-404f-a18d-02511b8d6a75n...> >> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cobirds/<b79b99b0-217d-404f-a18d-02511b8d6a75n...>?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> >> .
>>
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Date: 10/10/26 6:30 am From: Paul Malinowski <pillarpaul...> Subject: Re: [cobirds] Couch's Kingbird Feather Conditions - Arapahoe
Jared, I noticed that too this afternoon. Look at the bare spots in this
photo as well as the worn feathers.
[image: COKI-261009-1.jpg]
Paul Malinowski
Littleton, CO
On Fri, Oct 9, 2026 at 6:49â¯PM Jared Del Rosso <jared.delrosso...>
wrote:
> I enjoy reading *Birds of the World*, but I don't understand plumages,
> molts, and the terminology used to describe them. So it's hard for me to
> understand what the Couch's Kingbird currently at Marjorie Perry Nature
> Preserve in Arapahoe County *should* look like. But the bird, who I
> visited for the first time this afternoon, looks to be really worn to me.
> Could someone out there who both has access to *Birds of the World* and
> understands the terms of molting, offer some perspective on this?
>
> Here's a couple photos from this afternoon that show what I mean.
>
> [image: Screenshot 2026-10-09 at 6.46.43â¯PM.png]
>
> [image: Screenshot 2026-10-09 at 6.47.28â¯PM.png]
>
> - Jared Del Rosso
> Centennial, CO
>
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I have a female Evening Grossbeak at my feeders. She flew away before I could get my camera, but I did get a good look at her before the Blue Jays chased her away.
Pauli Smith Highlandlake/Mead, Weld County, CO
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Date: 10/9/26 7:13 pm From: <reports...> Subject: [cobirds] Mount Zion Hawk Watch at Windy Saddle Park (09 Oct 2026) 24 Raptors
Mount Zion Hawk Watch at Windy Saddle Park
Golden, Greater Denver, Colorado, USA
To see hourly weather data and details of migrant raptors, look up this watch at hawkcount.org.
This is a new raptor migration site identified and designated in mid-September 2024. This is Colorado's 1st fall hawk watch site, and the second hawk watch in Colorado.
To get to the site which is along Lookout Mountain Rd. in Golden, enter either Windy Saddle Park or Mount Zion into Google Maps on your favorite navigation app, or enter the coordinates 39.7368,-105.2454. From the parking lot ascend the stone steps to the watch site.
EVERYONE IS WELCOME TO THE HAWK WATCH TO ENJOY THE SPECTACLE OF RAPTOR MIGRATION, EVEN IF YOU KNOW NOTHING ABOUT IDENTIFYING RAPTORS IN FLIGHT. We will help you to learn Raptor ID if you are interested.
See https://groups.google.com/g/cobirds/c/Oznn4uc6MBk
Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 09, 2026
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Observation start time: 08:30:00
Observation end time: 12:30:00
Total observation time: 4 hours
Official Counter: Ajit Antony
Observers: Liza Antony
Weather:
Mild haze around Denver, perfectly blue sky initially 20% and 35% cloud
cover in the last 2 hours respectively all of which was cumulus clouds
coming in from the West.
Raptor Observations:
The first raptor was a local RT in the Kestrel Channel. The first migrant
was only seen by 10:18 a.m. MDT which was a UR extremely distant to the
SE.
Most of the migratory activity was over Lookout Mountain.
A migrating AK was seen diving on an RT.
The GE was missing an outer primary and many secondaries.
The Soaring Forecast of the NWS was excellent with lift of 18 ft/second and
height of thermals by 10:45 a.m. MDT of 13,018 ft AGL - more than a mile
above the watch.
Once hawks began showing up they came through the regular channels though
much farther off. This is probably because of a mild inversion layer caused
by the high pressure zone keeping the height of the thermals low, i.e. blue
sky thermals, and I guessed that once the haze around Denver cleared up,
hawks would fly at the maximum height of thermals and we wouldn't see them
at all, but I was wrong - we kept seeing small numbers of hawks every hour
migrating. I was telling Liza that when there is a strong ridge lift as
there was in the last 2 hours with gusts to Level 5 (18-24 mph), in
addition to the primary mountain standing wave there is also a secondary
wave to the lee side/west, so we were scanning the clouds for any raptors
there which we did not find.
Non-migrant raptors: SS 1, RT 2. A TV in the last hour was found high to
the South rising ever higher, moving to the South, we had to watch it for
10 minutes in turn because our shoulders hurt holding binoculars, until it
went East and then Northeast!
Non-raptor Observations:
2 paragliders at 11:15 a.m., a tandem one which had no lift at all, and a
single one which had moderate lift. One at noon had only moderate lift.
Predictions:
Increasing clouds, with a high near 82. West southwest wind 5 to 7 mph
becoming south in the afternoon. The winds aloft are predicted to come from
the SW.
========================================================================
Report submitted by Ajit Antony (<aiantony...>)
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Date: 10/9/26 6:25 pm From: DAVID A LEATHERMAN <daleatherman...> Subject: [cobirds] Hasty Campground (Bent) 10/9/26
With Susan Dietrich, Duane Nelson, Norma Verhoeff and Janeal Thompson, I saw the same mixed flock today in Hasty Campground as yesterday: Northern Parula, Black-throated Green Warbler, Philadelphia Vireo and Blue-headed Vireo, all in a matrix of yellow-rumps, Ruby-crowned Kinglets and Red-breasted Nuthatches. Overhead we heard Evening Grosbeak flyovers and glimpsed one flock numbering ~20 birds!
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Date: 10/9/26 5:49 pm From: Jared Del Rosso <jared.delrosso...> Subject: [cobirds] Couch's Kingbird Feather Conditions - Arapahoe
I enjoy reading *Birds of the World*, but I don't understand plumages,
molts, and the terminology used to describe them. So it's hard for me to
understand what the Couch's Kingbird currently at Marjorie Perry Nature
Preserve in Arapahoe County *should* look like. But the bird, who I visited
for the first time this afternoon, looks to be really worn to me. Could
someone out there who both has access to *Birds of the World* and
understands the terms of molting, offer some perspective on this?
Here's a couple photos from this afternoon that show what I mean.
[image: Screenshot 2026-10-09 at 6.46.43â¯PM.png]
[image: Screenshot 2026-10-09 at 6.47.28â¯PM.png]
- Jared Del Rosso
Centennial, CO
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Meredith McBurney
Bander, Barr Lake Station
Bird Conservancy of the Rockies
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Too add to Lukeâs report of Philadelphia Vireos, I have been birding east
and south of Baca County in Morton County, Kansas from Sunday to Wednesday
morning and saw Philadelphia Vireos at several locations, and then on
Thursday, 8 October I saw four in Cimarron County, Oklahoma! In Kansas, I
was also seeing Black-throated Green and Nashville Warblers, and
Blue-headed Vireos at several locations in Morton County as well. Seems
like a big movement of those species in SE Colorado and nearby locations in
Kansas and Oklahoma.
The mountain birds were also around this week, I did find Pinyon and
Woodhouseâs Scrub-Jays, Evening Grosbeaks, Cassinâs Finch, a Red-naped
Sapsucker all in Morton County, Kansas, and both Cassinâs Finch and Evening
Grosbeak in Oklahoma, since I have been here Wednesday and Thursday.
Brandon K. Percival
Currently at Black Mesa SP in Oklahoma
Sent from my Phone
On Thu, Oct 8, 2026 at 1:14â¯PM Luke Pheneger <phenegerluke...> wrote:
> Epic!!! Theyâre so much fun!
>
> On Thu, Oct 8, 2026 at 11:56â¯AM Brandon <flammowl17...> wrote:
>
>> I just saw two in Boise City, Oklahoma and saw a several in Morton
>> County, KS.
>>
>>
>> Brandon K. Percival
>> Pueblo West, CO
>>
>> Sent from my Phone
>>
>>
>> On Thu, Oct 8, 2026 at 10:12â¯AM Luke Pheneger <phenegerluke...>
>> wrote:
>>
>>> Hi All,
>>>
>>>
>>> I just thought Iâd make a quick post about an exceptional migration
>>> event occurring in SE Colorado right now. Over the past 41 hours I have
>>> seen 8 Philadelphia Vireos spread across 4 counties. One in Las animas
>>> represented the first eBird record for the county. There were also 2 Black
>>> Throated Green Warblers at Burchfield SWA in Baca county yesterday. Not
>>> really any other rare eastern migrants around.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Luke Pheneger
>>>
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>>>
>>
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Date: 10/8/26 8:38 pm From: Jeff P <jeff.percell...> Subject: [cobirds] Grasshopper Sparrow - Chaffee County
I've been enjoying the various "mountain birds visit the city" threads, but I had the opposite experience. Last weekend I was up at higher elevations in the Buena Vista area and found a grassland bird I wasn't expecting. I stopped by Clear Creek Reservoir on Sunday Oct 5 hoping to find the long staying Western Gull. To my disappointment, Larus-wise, all I found were Ring-billed Gulls. However, I was quite surprised to find a Grasshopper Sparrow, as it seemed a bit out of place, hanging out in a few shrubs on the east edge of the parking area. I checked and according to eBird it is a 2nd observation for Chaffee County with the first observation coming a few days earlier in Salida by James Bennett.
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Date: 10/8/26 6:38 pm From: Colorado Bird Research <colorado.birdresearch...> Subject: [cobirds] Calling All Volunteers: Brown-capped Rosy-Finch Surveying!
ð£ Calling all volunteers! ð£
Interested in helping preserve & understand one of Colorado's most
sought-after species? Help the Rosy-Finch Winter Project by surveying
habitats and monitoring feeders to strengthen our understanding on the
Brown-capped Rosy-Finch. Coloradoâs Brown-capped Rosy-Finch is a species of
conservation concern, but there are still important gaps in our
understanding of where they spend the winter. The Rosy-Finch Winter Project
has identified key winter habitats that are currently under-sampled.
Volunteers will help fill these gaps by visiting priority habitats during
the 2026â27 non-breeding season and documenting the birds and other
relevant observations they encounter. All ages and experience levels are
invited to help survey under-sampled winter habitats across Colorado,
particularly in the mountains and along the Front Range. Experience with
rosy-finch identification is helpful but not required. Volunteers can
participate in a single survey or multiple surveys throughout the winter,
with locations and timing coordinated based on their availability and
abilities. If youâre interested in participating, please fill out the
volunteer interest form below. Volunteers that express interest will
receive follow-up information and details on surveying priorities.
This research has led to some super fascinating results (findings regarding
climate change's impact on their migration, quantitative response to
snowfall, priority habitat usage, and more!) Feel free to email
me(<colorado.birdresearch...>) for more details!
[image: Image]
Grant Brandberg
Highlands Ranch, CO
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Date: 10/8/26 4:12 pm From: 'Meredith McBurney' via Colorado Birds <cobirds...> Subject: [cobirds] Bird Conservancy of the Rockies - Barr Lake Banding Report, 10/8/26
Another slow, hot day, with some interesting captures:
- One of the European Starlings that serenades us each morning with
their mimicry of various other species decided to officially visit today.
They are rarely caught, high personality birds that we can't help but enjoy.
- A Mountain Chickadee. We occasionally catch MOCH/BCCH hybrids, but
this is the first MOCH since 2017.
- A latish Wilson's Warbler, an adult female, that had a ton (that's a
scientific term) of fat and weighed in at 9.2 grams; I think the only one
this season over 9 grams. Just enjoying the scenery going south?!
Okay, here's the official breakdown of the day's 18 new birds:
Meredith McBurney
Bander, Barr Lake Station
Bird Conservancy of the Rockies
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Date: 10/8/26 2:13 pm From: <reports...> Subject: [cobirds] Mount Zion Hawk Watch at Windy Saddle Park (08 Oct 2026) 10 Raptors
Mount Zion Hawk Watch at Windy Saddle Park
Golden, Greater Denver, Colorado, USA
To see hourly weather data and details of migrant raptors, look up this watch at hawkcount.org.
This is a new raptor migration site identified and designated in mid-September 2024. This is Colorado's 1st fall hawk watch site, and the second hawk watch in Colorado.
To get to the site which is along Lookout Mountain Rd. in Golden, enter either Windy Saddle Park or Mount Zion into Google Maps on your favorite navigation app, or enter the coordinates 39.7368,-105.2454. From the parking lot ascend the stone steps to the watch site.
EVERYONE IS WELCOME TO THE HAWK WATCH TO ENJOY THE SPECTACLE OF RAPTOR MIGRATION, EVEN IF YOU KNOW NOTHING ABOUT IDENTIFYING RAPTORS IN FLIGHT. We will help you to learn Raptor ID if you are interested.
See https://groups.google.com/g/cobirds/c/Oznn4uc6MBk
Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 08, 2026
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Observation start time: 08:30:00
Observation end time: 12:30:00
Total observation time: 4 hours
Official Counter: Ajit Antony
Observers:
Visitors:
Jane Haddock from Lakewood saw our eBird reports, realize there was a new
hawk watch at Mount Zion, and came up for a while with binoculars. She said
she remembers me from Dinosaur Ridge when the Bird Conservancy of the
Rockies Managed it, and had done on a trip to Veracruz with HMANA with Phil
and Julie Brown.
Weather:
Denver was hazy, completely cloudless blue sky to begin with, but by the
12:00 p.m. MDT hour there was 50% cloud cover, cumulus clouds coming in
from the west and gradually covering overhead, Northeast and Southwest
giving me a good backdrop to look for migrant raptors. I scanned in all
directions and overhead was only able to find 1 CH there.
Denver's notorious Brown Haze was visible over the horizon and it took
until the 12:00 hour for it as well as the haziness over Denver to clear
up. Before it cleared up the immersion layer would reduce the height that
thermals could lift up to, so my question to myself was Since there are a
few migrants, is it because they sense that conditions are poor for
migration so are not flying, or whether they're flying too high for me to
be able to detect them with binoculars. Today I was able to feel that since
my attempts to find migrants against a good cloudy background did not yield
much, my conclusion is that the hawks were not flying in large numbers
today.
Raptor Observations:
The first migrant was an RT by 9:30 a.m.. 2 adult GE migrated at 12:01
p.m.
The Soaring Forecast of the NWS predicted excellent lift at 18 ft/second
with thermals at 12,696 FT AGL by 11:45 a.m.
Non-migrant raptors: RT 6 including a dark morph juvenile we lastt saw in
September which together with another light move juvenile were checking out
2 adult migrant RT, TV 2.
Non-raptor Observations:
3 paragliders at 10:45 a.m. had no lift whatsoever, the 2 at 11:35 a.m. had
moderate lift and by 12:30 had excellent left going really high, so also
could the raptors, limited by the height of the cumulus clouds which would
in Golden Colorado be around 10,000 to 11,000 ft AGL, i.e. 3000 to 4000 ft
above the watch, at which height I should be able to see them especially
against good cumulus clouds.
https://ebird.org/checklist/S400372422
Predictions:
Increasing clouds, with a high near 84. West wind 5 to 10 mph becoming east
in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 17 mph.
The winds are aloft predicted by earth.nullschool.net are light from the
SW.
========================================================================
Report submitted by Ajit Antony (<aiantony...>)
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Date: 10/8/26 8:12 am From: Luke Pheneger <phenegerluke...> Subject: [cobirds] Philadelphia Vireos
Hi All,
I just thought Iâd make a quick post about an exceptional migration event
occurring in SE Colorado right now. Over the past 41 hours I have seen 8
Philadelphia Vireos spread across 4 counties. One in Las animas represented
the first eBird record for the county. There were also 2 Black Throated
Green Warblers at Burchfield SWA in Baca county yesterday. Not really any
other rare eastern migrants around.
Luke Pheneger
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Date: 10/7/26 7:52 pm From: <reports...> Subject: [cobirds] Mount Zion Hawk Watch at Windy Saddle Park (07 Oct 2026) 28 Raptors
Mount Zion Hawk Watch at Windy Saddle Park
Golden, Greater Denver, Colorado, USA
To see hourly weather data and details of migrant raptors, look up this watch at hawkcount.org.
This is a new raptor migration site identified and designated in mid-September 2024. This is Colorado's 1st fall hawk watch site, and the second hawk watch in Colorado.
To get to the site which is along Lookout Mountain Rd. in Golden, enter either Windy Saddle Park or Mount Zion into Google Maps on your favorite navigation app, or enter the coordinates 39.7368,-105.2454. From the parking lot ascend the stone steps to the watch site.
EVERYONE IS WELCOME TO THE HAWK WATCH TO ENJOY THE SPECTACLE OF RAPTOR MIGRATION, EVEN IF YOU KNOW NOTHING ABOUT IDENTIFYING RAPTORS IN FLIGHT. We will help you to learn Raptor ID if you are interested.
See https://groups.google.com/g/cobirds/c/Oznn4uc6MBk
Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 07, 2026
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Observation start time: 08:30:00
Observation end time: 12:30:00
Total observation time: 4 hours
Official Counter: Ajit Antony
Observers: Liza Antony
Visitors:
One visitor asked what we were looking at and thanked to me when I told
him.
Weather:
Haze around Denver with a brown layer above the horizon representing a
subsidence inversion (with PM 10 at a high level) which gradually cleared.
Starting cloud cover cirrocumulus 35% which dissipated, with 20% at the end
all cumulus far to the West. Cool all day especially out of the sun.
Raptor Observations:
The first migrant was an NH at 9:54 a.m. MDT. A group of 6 TV migrating
together had to flap a lot while they were circling in a thermal. The high
pressure zone over Denver created the subsidence inversion layer, which in
turn kept thermals low until the layer dissipated, keeping the hawks at the
level that we could find them, though the Soaring Forecast was for
excellent lift at 15 ft per second with the height of thermals to 10,546
ft. AGL by 12:45 p.m. MDT.
Non-migrant raptors: GE adult was dived on by a CORA, RT 6 one of which was
carrying a stick in the Kestrel Channel followed by another adult RT
perhaps reinforcing pair bonds, TV 1.
Non-raptor Observations:
https://ebird.org/checklist/S400164169 2 paraglider at 11:00 a.m. had no lift whatsoever staying low above the
Coors Brewery, 1 at noon had moderate lift. A single hang glider had more
than moderate lift.
Predictions:
Sunny, with a high near 83. West wind 5 to 7 mph becoming east in the
afternoon.
The winds I left are predicted to start in the West, change to the SE then
East.
========================================================================
Report submitted by Ajit Antony (<aiantony...>)
This is an automated email report from hawkcount.org. If you do not wish to receive these reports,
please send email to <unsubscribe...> to unsubscribe.
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Date: 10/7/26 7:45 pm From: <reports...> Subject: [cobirds] Mount Zion Hawk Watch at Windy Saddle Park (07 Oct 2026) 28 Raptors
Mount Zion Hawk Watch at Windy Saddle Park
Golden, Greater Denver, Colorado, USA
To see hourly weather data and details of migrant raptors, look up this watch at hawkcount.org.
This is a new raptor migration site identified and designated in mid-September 2024. This is Colorado's 1st fall hawk watch site, and the second hawk watch in Colorado.
To get to the site which is along Lookout Mountain Rd. in Golden, enter either Windy Saddle Park or Mount Zion into Google Maps on your favorite navigation app, or enter the coordinates 39.7368,-105.2454. From the parking lot ascend the stone steps to the watch site.
EVERYONE IS WELCOME TO THE HAWK WATCH TO ENJOY THE SPECTACLE OF RAPTOR MIGRATION, EVEN IF YOU KNOW NOTHING ABOUT IDENTIFYING RAPTORS IN FLIGHT. We will help you to learn Raptor ID if you are interested.
See https://groups.google.com/g/cobirds/c/Oznn4uc6MBk
Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 07, 2026
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Observation start time: 08:30:00
Observation end time: 12:30:00
Total observation time: 4 hours
Official Counter: Ajit Antony
Observers: Liza Antony
Visitors:
One visitor asked what we were looking at and thanked to me when I told
him.
Weather:
Haze around Denver with a brown layer above the horizon representing a
subsidence inversion (with PM 10 at a high level) which gradually cleared.
Starting cloud cover cirrocumulus 35% which dissipated, with 20% at the end
all cumulus far to the West. Cool all day especially out of the sun.
Raptor Observations:
The first migrant was an NH at 9:54 a.m. MDT. A group of 6 TV migrating
together had to flap a lot while they were circling in a thermal. The high
pressure zone over Denver created the subsidence inversion layer, which in
turn kept thermals low until the layer dissipated, keeping the hawks at the
level that we could find them, though the Soaring Forecast was for
excellent lift at 15 ft per second with the height of thermals to 10,546
ft. AGL by 12:45 p.m. MDT.
Non-migrant raptors: GE adult was dived on by a CORA, RT 6 one of which was
carrying a stick in the Kestrel Channel followed by another adult RT
perhaps reinforcing pair bonds, TV 1.
Non-raptor Observations:
https://ebird.org/checklist/S400164169 2 paraglider at 11:00 a.m. had no lift whatsoever staying low above the
Coors Brewery, 1 at noon had moderate lift. A single hang glider had more
than moderate lift.
Predictions:
Sunny, with a high near 83. West wind 5 to 7 mph becoming east in the
afternoon.
The winds I left are predicted to start in the West, change to the SE then
East.
========================================================================
Report submitted by Ajit Antony (<aiantony...>)
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please send email to <unsubscribe...> to unsubscribe.
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Date: 10/7/26 4:44 pm From: 'Meredith McBurney' via Colorado Birds <cobirds...> Subject: [cobirds] Bird Conservancy of the Rockies - Barr Lake Banding Report, 10/7/26
The story of the first full week in October continues.......warmer than
normal weather and relatively few birds banded. A total of 15 today, at
least 1 of pretty much every expected species:
Meredith McBurney
Bander, Barr Lake Station
Bird Conservancy of the Rockies
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Date: 10/7/26 10:05 am From: Doug Ward <dougward...> Subject: [cobirds] And Now It's Crossbills - SW Denver
In keeping with "Mountains in the City", we had a small flock (9) of "Ponderosa" (aka Type 2) RED CROSSBILLs in their namesake trees while walking the dogs today (Weds, 7 Oct'26) up at Huston Park (SW Denver, Denver Co.); did get a good recording which I'll attach to an eBird list when I get to the task. In addition, had a single CASSIN'S FINCH and our continuing MOUNTAIN CHICKADEEs at the house, but no repeat Evening Grosbeak.yet. What's next, Ptarmigan? Keep your ears and eyes open as the mountain wave continues.
Good Birding,
Doug
Currently Denver
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Date: 10/6/26 6:31 pm From: <reports...> Subject: [cobirds] Mount Zion Hawk Watch at Windy Saddle Park (06 Oct 2026) 8 Raptors
Mount Zion Hawk Watch at Windy Saddle Park
Golden, Greater Denver, Colorado, USA
To see hourly weather data and details of migrant raptors, look up this watch at hawkcount.org.
This is a new raptor migration site identified and designated in mid-September 2024. This is Colorado's 1st fall hawk watch site, and the second hawk watch in Colorado.
To get to the site which is along Lookout Mountain Rd. in Golden, enter either Windy Saddle Park or Mount Zion into Google Maps on your favorite navigation app, or enter the coordinates 39.7368,-105.2454. From the parking lot ascend the stone steps to the watch site.
EVERYONE IS WELCOME TO THE HAWK WATCH TO ENJOY THE SPECTACLE OF RAPTOR MIGRATION, EVEN IF YOU KNOW NOTHING ABOUT IDENTIFYING RAPTORS IN FLIGHT. We will help you to learn Raptor ID if you are interested.
See https://groups.google.com/g/cobirds/c/Oznn4uc6MBk
Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 06, 2026
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Observation start time: 08:15:00
Observation end time: 12:00:00
Total observation time: 3.75 hours
Official Counter: Ajit Antony
Observers: Liza Antony
Visitors:
Jack a frequent hiker who hails us with Hello ornithologists, I could see
was picking up trash, for which I thanked him. It's the least I can do, he
said.
Weather:
The usual slight haziness over Denver, 85% cloud cover cirrus especially
smooth overhead, so and used this to scan overhead, high to the North, and
the South to see if we could see any migrant raptors but we couldn't, light
winds starting in the WNW changing to ESE,
Raptor Observations:
Very few raptors today. A slow flight early in the morning could have been
explained on the basis of the high pressure zone causing an inversion layer
which would limit the height of the thermals, as well as preventing any
ridge lift from East. The Soaring Forecast predicted lift at 18 feet/second
and height of thermals by 11:30 a.m. MDT of 12,508 ft. AGL.
Liza thought that the migrants we saw may have roosted the night nearby
which is why we saw them, while hawks used the ridge lift from Wyoming
through the Northern Colorado to where we were high and beyond the
binocular range of detection.
Non-raptor Observations:
https://ebird.org/checklist/S399881557 A tandem paraglider at 11:00 a.m. had no lift whatsoever, the 14 after
11:30 a.m. had excellent lift and went very high, quickly, going in circles
indicating they had caught good thermals.
Predictions:
A 20 percent chance of showers after 3pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near
80. Calm wind becoming northeast 5 to 7 mph in the afternoon. Aloft the
winds are predicted to be mainly from the East.
========================================================================
Report submitted by Ajit Antony (<aiantony...>)
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please send email to <unsubscribe...> to unsubscribe.
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Date: 10/6/26 2:50 pm From: 'Meredith McBurney' via Colorado Birds <cobirds...> Subject: [cobirds] Bird Conservancy of the Rockies - Barr Lake Banding Report, 10/6/26
As we all know, we are experiencing some of the hottest weather ever for
early October. It seems wrong to most of us, and perhaps the birds feel
the same way........whatever the cause, today was the slowest day of the
season, with only 7 birds banded:
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1 (our second of the season, the other was caught on
Saturday)
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 2
Spotted Towhee 1
White-crowned Sparrow, Gambel's 2
Dark-eyed Junco, Oregon 1
Meredith McBurney
Bander, Barr Lake Station
Bird Conservancy of the Rockies
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Date: 10/6/26 12:03 pm From: 'Joey Kellner' via Colorado Birds <cobirds...> Subject: [cobirds] Need something to do on Sunday...The Big Sit! at Chatfield!
Hello COBIRDERS!
Looking for something to do Sunday? How about some leisure birding at a
Big Sit? Mark your calendars.
What is a "Big Sit" you ask?
Well, a Big Sit is similar to the birding event called a "Big Day", in both
events participants try to count as many bird species as possible, the
difference is that in a Big Day you travel all over a geographical area
whereas during a Big Sit you sit (or stand) in one location (a 17-foot
diameter "circle") and count as many species seen or heard as possible in
the course of the day.
I will once again host a Denver Field Ornithologists field trip, *"The Big
Sit!" at Chatfield State Park on Sunday,* *October 11th.* This will be the
20th year (non-consecutive, due to covid) for this fun and frivolous
event. It is open to the public and EVERYONE is welcome! It will be held
from dawn to dusk. Come when convenient. Come for an hour, half a day, or
stay all day. Whatever works for your schedule. This is a great event to
bring kids, grandkids and friends that might have an interest in birding. ð
In addition to a day list, we will perform hourly counts so that every hour
there are "new" birds to be added to the hour's count.
"The Big Sit!" at Chatfield will be located at the Heronry Overlook on the
east side of the reservoir. A park map is at the entrance stations. Come
and help find some birds! NOTE: State Parks Pass required for all cars
entering the park.
Bring your own chair or use the bench seating provided by the heronry
overlook deck. Bring binoculars, spotting scope (if you have), food,
water, treats to share or whatever you need to spend time birding!
If you cannot attend "The Big Sit!" at Chatfield create your own! The
details and rules can be found at:
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Date: 10/6/26 11:53 am From: 'Karl Stecher Jr.' via Colorado Birds <cobirds...> Subject: Re: [cobirds] Townsend’s Solitaire, Louisville
About a dozen years ago, at this time of year, I was sitting in my car in my driveway in Centennial. Both front windows were fully open. A Townsend's solitaire landed next to the right outside rear view mirror, then spent five minutes or more looking at himself in the mirror. No aggression, just seeming curiosity for the image in the mirror. I took photos.
Solitaires defend fall and winter feeding territories, using song, calls and lots of chasing.
David
Sent from my iPhone
On Oct 6, 2026, at 7:00â¯AM, Buzz Schaumberg <egseagle171...> wrote:
 Cool.
Sent from the all new Aol app for iOS
Buzz Schaumberg
On Tuesday, October 6, 2026, 1:24 AM, Patrick O'Driscoll <patodrisk...> wrote:
Along with juncos, solitaires are my favorite harbinger of the coming winter -- and they are definitely back in Denver City Park.
Monday evening two pairs of them were doing something I'd never witnessed before:
Madly chasing each other in and out of and around the tight confines of the park's "pinetum" conifer grove, below the south wall of the Denver Museum of Nature & Science.
And they were singing -- not calling yet -- all the while.
At one point I stood still as they repeatedly whooshed past at eye/head level, oblivious of me.
Occasionally one or another would alight on an evergreen branch for a few seconds, still warbling, then resuming the circular chase. This went on for a good 15 minutes, maybe more.
The pinetum has a number of berry-filled junipers that will tide over one of these very territorial birds through the coming winter. It's a favorite stop on birding rounds of the park to catch that soft yet penetrating whistle:
heep . . . heep . . . heep . . .
Patrick O'Driscoll
Denver
On Mon, Oct 5, 2026 at 5:51â¯PM David Suddjian <dsuddjian...> wrote:
Solitaires are very common right now in juniper habitats in the lowest JeffCo foothills. We counted 85on a 3 hour morning walk at Mt Falcon on Oct 3. Twenty in 0,2 miles at Deer Creek Canyon on Sept 27. For example . . .
David Suddjian
Littleton, CO
On Mon, Oct 5, 2026 at 5:35â¯PM 'DuWayne Worthington' via Colorado Birds <cobirds...> wrote:
I also saw a Townsends Solitaire at the Marjorie Nature Preserve while searching for the Couch's Kingbird yesterday on Sunday morning. We first heard it off in the distance, and then when walking out, it was at eye-level in one of the trees on the trail. We were like, "Oh, there you are!"
On Mon, Oct 5, 2026 at 5:15â¯PM Paula Hansley <plhansley...> wrote:
At 10:15 am I heard the familiar whistle of the Townsendâs Solitaire for the first time this fall!
The call was coming from a tall juniper tree east of my property.
Itâs amazing how far its whistle carries!
Paula HansleyBoulder County
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Date: 10/6/26 10:12 am From: Patrick O'Driscoll <patodrisk...> Subject: [cobirds] Couch’s Kingbird moving around
FWIW, the bird is now atop the tall lone cottonwood at the east end of the
loop around the lake and marsh area, well east where it has been reliably
seen previously.
39.61803° N, 104.92963° W
Patrick OâDriscoll
Denver
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Date: 10/6/26 9:27 am From: Doug Ward <dougward...> Subject: [cobirds] (Mountain) Birds of a Feather - SW Denver
To continue the "Mountain Birds in the Plains" thread, the (?) female EVENING GROSBEAK seen last week and heard a few times since here in the Athmar Park/Huston Park neighborhood (SW Denver, Denver Co.) returned this morning (Tues., 6 Oct'26), but this time was with three (3) CASSIN'S FINCHs. First heard the grosbeak calling off in the distance, but then picked up the Cassin's calling before they all flew over our yard together giving good looks. You know how you bump into someone you know at a concert, then end up hanging out with them for the rest of the show.thinking this might be a similar situation. In addition like many of you, we had a couple of TOWNSEND'S SOLITAIREs bounce through yard last night, so they are back too.
Good Mtn Birding,
Doug
Currently Denver
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Date: 10/6/26 6:00 am From: 'Buzz Schaumberg' via Colorado Birds <cobirds...> Subject: Re: [cobirds] Townsend’s Solitaire, Louisville
Cool.
Sent from the all new Aol app for iOS
Buzz SchaumbergÂ
On Tuesday, October 6, 2026, 1:24 AM, Patrick O'Driscoll <patodrisk...> wrote:
Along with juncos, solitaires are my favorite harbinger of the coming winter -- and they are definitely back in Denver City Park.Monday evening two pairs of them were doing something I'd never witnessed before:Madly chasing each other in and out of and around the tight confines of the park's "pinetum" conifer grove, below the south wall of the Denver Museum of Nature & Science.And they were singing -- not calling yet -- all the while.At one point I stood still as they repeatedly whooshed past at eye/head level, oblivious of me.Occasionally one or another would alight on an evergreen branch for a few seconds, still warbling, then resuming the circular chase. This went on for a good 15 minutes, maybe more.The pinetum has a number of berry-filled junipers that will tide over one of these very territorial birds through the coming winter. It's a favorite stop on birding rounds of the park to catch that soft yet penetrating whistle:heep . . . heep . . . heep . . .
Patrick O'DriscollDenver
Â
On Mon, Oct 5, 2026 at 5:51â¯PM David Suddjian <dsuddjian...> wrote:
Solitaires are very common right now in juniper habitats in the lowest JeffCo foothills. We counted 85 on a 3 hour morning walk at Mt Falcon on Oct 3. Twenty in 0,2 miles at Deer Creek Canyon on Sept 27. For example . . . Â
David SuddjianLittleton, CO
On Mon, Oct 5, 2026 at 5:35â¯PM 'DuWayne Worthington' via Colorado Birds <cobirds...> wrote:
I also saw a Townsends Solitaire at the Marjorie Nature Preserve while searching for the Couch's Kingbird yesterday on Sunday morning. We first heard it off in the distance, and then when walking out, it was at eye-level in one of the trees on the trail. We were like, "Oh, there you are!"
|
|
|
|
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On Mon, Oct 5, 2026 at 5:15â¯PM Paula Hansley <plhansley...> wrote:
At 10:15 am I heard the familiar whistle of the Townsendâs Solitaire for the first time this fall!The call was coming from a tall juniper tree east of my property.
Itâs amazing how far its whistle carries!
Paula HansleyBoulder County
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Date: 10/6/26 12:25 am From: Patrick O'Driscoll <patodrisk...> Subject: Re: [cobirds] Townsend’s Solitaire, Louisville
Along with juncos, solitaires are my favorite harbinger of the coming
winter -- and they are definitely back in Denver City Park.
Monday evening two pairs of them were doing something I'd never witnessed
before:
Madly chasing each other in and out of and around the tight confines of the
park's "pinetum" conifer grove, below the south wall of the Denver Museum
of Nature & Science.
And they were singing -- not calling yet -- all the while.
At one point I stood still as they repeatedly whooshed past at eye/head
level, oblivious of me.
Occasionally one or another would alight on an evergreen branch for a few
seconds, still warbling, then resuming the circular chase. This went on
for a good 15 minutes, maybe more.
The pinetum has a number of berry-filled junipers that will tide over one
of these very territorial birds through the coming winter. It's a favorite
stop on birding rounds of the park to catch that soft yet penetrating
whistle:
*heep . . . heep . . . heep . . .*
Patrick O'Driscoll
Denver
On Mon, Oct 5, 2026 at 5:51â¯PM David Suddjian <dsuddjian...> wrote:
> Solitaires are very common right now in juniper habitats in the lowest
> JeffCo foothills. We counted *85* on a 3 hour morning walk at Mt Falcon
> on Oct 3. Twenty in 0,2 miles at Deer Creek Canyon on Sept 27. For example
> . . .
>
> David Suddjian
> Littleton, CO
>
> On Mon, Oct 5, 2026 at 5:35â¯PM 'DuWayne Worthington' via Colorado Birds <
> <cobirds...> wrote:
>
>> I also saw a Townsends Solitaire at the Marjorie Nature Preserve while
>> searching for the Couch's Kingbird yesterday on Sunday morning. We first
>> heard it off in the distance, and then when walking out, it was at
>> eye-level in one of the trees on the trail. We were like, "Oh, there you
>> are!"
>> DuWayne
>> Worthington
>> Instructional Faculty â Science
>> 303.471.3278 | <duwayne.worthington...>
>>
>>
>> On Mon, Oct 5, 2026 at 5:15â¯PM Paula Hansley <plhansley...> wrote:
>>
>>> At 10:15 am I heard the familiar whistle of the Townsendâs Solitaire for
>>> the first time this fall!
>>> The call was coming from a tall juniper tree east of my property.
>>>
>>> Itâs amazing how far its whistle carries!
>>>
>>> Paula Hansley
>>> Boulder County
>>>
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>>>
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Solitaires are very common right now in juniper habitats in the lowest
JeffCo foothills. We counted *85* on a 3 hour morning walk at Mt Falcon on
Oct 3. Twenty in 0,2 miles at Deer Creek Canyon on Sept 27. For example . .
.
David Suddjian
Littleton, CO
On Mon, Oct 5, 2026 at 5:35â¯PM 'DuWayne Worthington' via Colorado Birds <
<cobirds...> wrote:
> I also saw a Townsends Solitaire at the Marjorie Nature Preserve while
> searching for the Couch's Kingbird yesterday on Sunday morning. We first
> heard it off in the distance, and then when walking out, it was at
> eye-level in one of the trees on the trail. We were like, "Oh, there you
> are!"
> DuWayne
> Worthington
> Instructional Faculty â Science
> 303.471.3278 | <duwayne.worthington...>
>
>
> On Mon, Oct 5, 2026 at 5:15â¯PM Paula Hansley <plhansley...> wrote:
>
>> At 10:15 am I heard the familiar whistle of the Townsendâs Solitaire for
>> the first time this fall!
>> The call was coming from a tall juniper tree east of my property.
>>
>> Itâs amazing how far its whistle carries!
>>
>> Paula Hansley
>> Boulder County
>>
>> --
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>>
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I also saw a Townsends Solitaire at the Marjorie Nature Preserve while
searching for the Couch's Kingbird yesterday on Sunday morning. We first
heard it off in the distance, and then when walking out, it was at
eye-level in one of the trees on the trail. We were like, "Oh, there you
are!"
DuWayne
Worthington
Instructional Faculty â Science
303.471.3278 | <duwayne.worthington...>
On Mon, Oct 5, 2026 at 5:15â¯PM Paula Hansley <plhansley...> wrote:
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At 10:15 am I heard the familiar whistle of the Townsendâs Solitaire for
the first time this fall!
The call was coming from a tall juniper tree east of my property.
Itâs amazing how far its whistle carries!
Paula Hansley
Boulder County
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Date: 10/5/26 2:48 pm From: <reports...> Subject: [cobirds] Mount Zion Hawk Watch at Windy Saddle Park (05 Oct 2026) 4 Raptors
Mount Zion Hawk Watch at Windy Saddle Park
Golden, Greater Denver, Colorado, USA
To see hourly weather data and details of migrant raptors, look up this watch at hawkcount.org.
This is a new raptor migration site identified and designated in mid-September 2024. This is Colorado's 1st fall hawk watch site, and the second hawk watch in Colorado.
To get to the site which is along Lookout Mountain Rd. in Golden, enter either Windy Saddle Park or Mount Zion into Google Maps on your favorite navigation app, or enter the coordinates 39.7368,-105.2454. From the parking lot ascend the stone steps to the watch site.
EVERYONE IS WELCOME TO THE HAWK WATCH TO ENJOY THE SPECTACLE OF RAPTOR MIGRATION, EVEN IF YOU KNOW NOTHING ABOUT IDENTIFYING RAPTORS IN FLIGHT. We will help you to learn Raptor ID if you are interested.
See https://groups.google.com/g/cobirds/c/Oznn4uc6MBk
Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 05, 2026
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Observation start time: 08:15:00
Observation end time: 11:00:00
Total observation time: 1.75 hours
Official Counter: Ajit Antony
Observers:
Weather:
The usual haze around Denver, perfectly blue sky so the sun felt very hot.
In the second hour there was no wind which made it hotter and sweatier, it
felt like August all over again with the high today being 88�F.
Raptor Observations:
Almost no raptors today because of the cloudless blue sky, they were
probably flying really high, as the Soaring Forecast of the NWS predicted
lift at 18 ft per second and height of thermals at 12,459 ft. above ground
level! That would be a mile above the watch by 11:30 a.m., the mile high
elevation of Denver with its consequent thinner atmosphere and no clouds
today made for super high thermals. I tried to avoid 'blue sky myopia' by
relaxing my eyes muscles and allowing my eyes to look to infinity, I
scanned along the usual hawk channels and up to two or three binocular
fields higher as well as directly overhead and could not find any hawks.
The only ones I found migrating were over Lookout Mountain. In addition the
air was hazy and I was losing hawks suddenly looking through binoculars.
Non-migrant raptors: RT 2.
Predictions:
Mostly sunny, with a high near 84. West wind 5 to 9 mph becoming calm.
However the prediction is for 35% cloud cover, so it wouldn't be as bad as
today. The winds aloft are predicted to start from the West and end coming
from the East.
========================================================================
Report submitted by Ajit Antony (<aiantony...>)
This is an automated email report from hawkcount.org. If you do not wish to receive these reports,
please send email to <unsubscribe...> to unsubscribe.
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Another enjoyable week at Chatfield! We banded 151 new birds of 14 species
over the course of our 3 banding days including a Northern Parula and our
third Eastern Phoebe of the season. A large portion of our birds this week
were Yellow-Rumped Warblers. We also had 18 same season recaptures and 2
birds that returned from previous seasons of banding.
Audrey Hicks
Bander, Denver Audubon + Bird Conservancy of the Rockies
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Date: 10/4/26 7:47 pm From: 'KATHY HOLLAND' via Colorado Birds <cobirds...> Subject: Fwd: Re: [cobirds] Found a small microphone at Yellow-bellied Flycatcher location
Thanks to everyone for letting me whose it was. I've sent him an email.
Kathy
> ---------- Original Message ----------
> From: Patrick O'Driscoll <patodrisk...>
> To: KATHY HOLLAND <kcloudview...>
> Date: 10/04/2026 8:22 PM MDT
> Subject: Re: [cobirds] Found a small microphone at Yellow-bellied Flycatcher location
>
>
> Assume you've probably been told it's Scott Hammel's.
> He posted on CoBirds yesterday about his missing mic, including with a photo.
> I'm sure he'll be relieved!
>
> pat o'
>
>
>
> On Sun, Oct 4, 2026 at 6:28â¯PM 'KATHY HOLLAND' via Colorado Birds <cobirds...> mailto:<cobirds...> wrote:
>
> > Itâs attached to a limb on the left side of the trail, if anyone is missing it.
> >
> >
> > Kathy Holland
> > Arapahoe Co
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > --
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Kathy Holland
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Date: 10/4/26 7:28 pm From: Doug Ward <dougward...> Subject: [cobirds] Mts in the City (Take 2) - Cassin's Finch in SW Denver
Stepped out back (Athmar Park neighborhood, SW Denver Co.) after the Broncos game this afternoon (Sun. 4 Oct'26) to get some fresh air and had a nice male CASSIN'S FINCH pop up from our neighbor's feeder into our yard in a continuation of mountain species down here in the plains. It stuck around for the rest of the day fairly conspicuously calling and perching in the tops of the surrounding trees. We have three feeding stations in the immediate area, so will see if he stays.unlike the female Evening Grosbeak I posted about a couple of days ago; if you are interested in chasing, please let me know separately. As mentioned previously, we are off to an interesting season for our mountain species at lower elevations.
Good Mtn Birding,
Doug
Currently Denver
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Date: 10/4/26 5:59 pm From: 'Meredith McBurney' via Colorado Birds <cobirds...> Subject: [cobirds] Bird Conservancy of the Rockies - Barr Lake Banding Report, 10/4/26
A pretty typical fall morning; about half the birds caught were Juncos.
Lots of raptors flying around, occasionally getting low enough to almost
get caught in a net. 26 birds banded:
Meredith McBurney
Bander, Barr Lake Station
Bird Conservancy of the Rockies
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Date: 10/4/26 4:59 pm From: <reports...> Subject: [cobirds] Mount Zion Hawk Watch at Windy Saddle Park (04 Oct 2026) 13 Raptors
Mount Zion Hawk Watch at Windy Saddle Park
Golden, Greater Denver, Colorado, USA
To see hourly weather data and details of migrant raptors, look up this watch at hawkcount.org.
This is a new raptor migration site identified and designated in mid-September 2024. This is Colorado's 1st fall hawk watch site, and the second hawk watch in Colorado.
To get to the site which is along Lookout Mountain Rd. in Golden, enter either Windy Saddle Park or Mount Zion into Google Maps on your favorite navigation app, or enter the coordinates 39.7368,-105.2454. From the parking lot ascend the stone steps to the watch site.
EVERYONE IS WELCOME TO THE HAWK WATCH TO ENJOY THE SPECTACLE OF RAPTOR MIGRATION, EVEN IF YOU KNOW NOTHING ABOUT IDENTIFYING RAPTORS IN FLIGHT. We will help you to learn Raptor ID if you are interested.
See https://groups.google.com/g/cobirds/c/Oznn4uc6MBk
Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 04, 2026
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Observation start time: 08:15:00
Observation end time: 12:00:00
Total observation time: 3.75 hours
Official Counter: Ajit Antony
Observers: Liza Antony
Visitors:
5 hikers asked us what we were looking for, including a young woman who had
just moved here from New Orleans who asked whether we were bird watching,
and when we explained she said that before she had the two children with
her she had worked for the CCC, but hawk watching was out of her
experience.
Weather:
A weak cold front had gone through yesterday without any rain and a high
pressure zone supervened with a subsidence inversion layer causing haziness
from just East of the Table Mountains all the way to the Eastern horizon.
There was a perfectly blue sky all day, and this is going to continue all
week except for Tuesday when there's going to be about 40% cloud cover.
Raptor Observations:
The first Raptor was an adult GE at 9:19 a.m. MDT in the gap between Green
Mountain and Lookout low but it did not migrate.
Instead of a 'noon lull' we had an 'early morning lull' because of the
perfectly blue sky, very few hawks we could see migrating compared to
yesterday, presumably they went high early. The Soaring Forecast of the NWS
predicted lift at 8 ft per second but the height of thermals was only 7392
ft AGL at 11:00 a.m., however the Hawks could have used a ridge lift
extending all the way from northern Colorado along the Front Range of the
Rockies. We did scan straight up with binoculars but couldn't see any
migrants - perhaps too high for binocular detection.
Non-raptor Observations:
https://ebird.org/checklist/S399292730 10 paragliders, the ones starting at 10:45 a.m. MDT had no lift, only 1 got
above our elevation, by 11:30 a.m. 2 had moderate lift only.
Predictions:
Sunny, with a high near 86. West wind 5 to 9 mph becoming calm in the
afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 15 mph.
The winds Aloft at 700 hectopascals was expected to be from the West to
North and then from the NE.
========================================================================
Report submitted by Ajit Antony (<aiantony...>)
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please send email to <unsubscribe...> to unsubscribe.
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Date: 10/4/26 4:59 pm From: <reports...> Subject: [cobirds] Mount Zion Hawk Watch at Windy Saddle Park (04 Oct 2026) 13 Raptors
Mount Zion Hawk Watch at Windy Saddle Park
Golden, Greater Denver, Colorado, USA
To see hourly weather data and details of migrant raptors, look up this watch at hawkcount.org.
This is a new raptor migration site identified and designated in mid-September 2024. This is Colorado's 1st fall hawk watch site, and the second hawk watch in Colorado.
To get to the site which is along Lookout Mountain Rd. in Golden, enter either Windy Saddle Park or Mount Zion into Google Maps on your favorite navigation app, or enter the coordinates 39.7368,-105.2454. From the parking lot ascend the stone steps to the watch site.
EVERYONE IS WELCOME TO THE HAWK WATCH TO ENJOY THE SPECTACLE OF RAPTOR MIGRATION, EVEN IF YOU KNOW NOTHING ABOUT IDENTIFYING RAPTORS IN FLIGHT. We will help you to learn Raptor ID if you are interested.
See https://groups.google.com/g/cobirds/c/Oznn4uc6MBk
Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 04, 2026
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Observation start time: 08:15:00
Observation end time: 12:00:00
Total observation time: 3.75 hours
Official Counter: Ajit Antony
Observers: Liza Antony
Visitors:
5 hikers asked us what we were looking for, including a young woman who had
just moved here from New Orleans who asked whether we were bird watching,
and when we explained she said that before she had the two children with
her she had worked for the CCC, but hawk watching was out of her
experience.
Weather:
A weak cold front had gone through yesterday without any rain and a high
pressure zone supervened with a subsidence inversion layer causing haziness
from just East of the Table Mountains all the way to the Eastern horizon.
There was a perfectly blue sky all day, and this is going to continue all
week except for Tuesday when there's going to be about 40% cloud cover.
Raptor Observations:
The first Raptor was an adult GE at 9:19 a.m. MDT in the gap between Green
Mountain and Lookout low but it did not migrate.
Instead of a 'noon lull' we had an 'early morning lull' because of the
perfectly blue sky, very few hawks we could see migrating compared to
yesterday, presumably they went high early. The Soaring Forecast of the NWS
predicted lift at 8 ft per second but the height of thermals was only 7392
ft AGL at 11:00 a.m., however the Hawks could have used a ridge lift
extending all the way from northern Colorado along the Front Range of the
Rockies. We did scan straight up with binoculars but couldn't see any
migrants - perhaps too high for binocular detection.
Non-raptor Observations:
https://ebird.org/checklist/S399292730 10 paragliders, the ones starting at 10:45 a.m. MDT had no lift, only 1 got
above our elevation, by 11:30 a.m. 2 had moderate lift only.
Predictions:
Sunny, with a high near 86. West wind 5 to 9 mph becoming calm in the
afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 15 mph.
The winds Aloft at 700 hectopascals was expected to be from the West to
North and then from the NE.
========================================================================
Report submitted by Ajit Antony (<aiantony...>)
This is an automated email report from hawkcount.org. If you do not wish to receive these reports,
please send email to <unsubscribe...> to unsubscribe.
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Date: 10/4/26 10:52 am From: zroadrunner14 <zroadrunner14...> Subject: [cobirds] Sandhill Cranes - Trinidad- Las Animas
We just had about 40 Sandhill Cranes headed south.
Ira and Tammy Sanders
Trinidad, CO
"
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Date: 10/4/26 9:53 am From: <mvjo......> <mvjohnski...> Subject: [cobirds] Bugling Elk and Birds at MV Refuge
Greetings all. A good number of cranes are back and easily seen now. Monte Vista Refuge has some and check the 8S Road where they are very active.
One benefit of birding today was the elk bugling in the far reaches of the Refuge. Also, the antelope rut is in full swing, leading to some close photo ops west of the headquarters.
Unusual bird today was White-throated Sparrow at the Headquarters this morning.
Best news of all is the 2 inches of rain I measured and more in the mountains. As a result, the Refuge is getting ample water now along the Auto Tour Loop...places that have not had water for some time.
Come on down for a visit. It is a great time for wildlife watching...
John J Rawinski Monte Vista, Colorado
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Date: 10/3/26 8:06 pm From: <reports...> Subject: [cobirds] Mount Zion Hawk Watch at Windy Saddle Park (03 Oct 2026) 30 Raptors
Mount Zion Hawk Watch at Windy Saddle Park
Golden, Greater Denver, Colorado, USA
To see hourly weather data and details of migrant raptors, look up this watch at hawkcount.org.
This is a new raptor migration site identified and designated in mid-September 2024. This is Colorado's 1st fall hawk watch site, and the second hawk watch in Colorado.
To get to the site which is along Lookout Mountain Rd. in Golden, enter either Windy Saddle Park or Mount Zion into Google Maps on your favorite navigation app, or enter the coordinates 39.7368,-105.2454. From the parking lot ascend the stone steps to the watch site.
EVERYONE IS WELCOME TO THE HAWK WATCH TO ENJOY THE SPECTACLE OF RAPTOR MIGRATION, EVEN IF YOU KNOW NOTHING ABOUT IDENTIFYING RAPTORS IN FLIGHT. We will help you to learn Raptor ID if you are interested.
See https://groups.google.com/g/cobirds/c/Oznn4uc6MBk
Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 03, 2026
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Observation start time: 09:00:00
Observation end time: 13:00:00
Total observation time: 4 hours
Official Counter: Zak Hepler
Observers: Ajit Antony, Liza Antony
Visitors:
DFO/Denver Audubon Trip to Mount Zion Hawk Watch. We had a nice group (10
people) at the watch today. The focused, curious, and astute observations
led to a great number of raptors being seen in quick succession. Our entire
group asked great questions, learned quickly, and expressed interest in
furthering their raptor ID skills. For some, seeing the Golden Eagles this
morning was a first time event and we explained to them how lucky they are
to have such great views of these majestic birds! There were other
visitors, of course, at the watch and I was asked once "What are you
looking for?". I explained that we are looking for migrating hawks.
Weather:
Overall, great weather conditions. No precipitation and winds were steady,
but not unbearable. The raptors were able to get plenty of lift and with
the little bit of cloud cover, we were able to spot them without too much
difficulty. In typical fashion, the morning started with Western winds that
became Eastern winds as the day progressed.
Raptor Observations:
A very raptor-heavy morning. Before we were even set up, the group had seen
a GOEA in the Northern Channel at the Watch. This was but one of FOUR GOEA
birds seen today. All GOEA were seen before 10 AM. Most of the birds were
in some stage of molt. We had the usual variety of raptors in migration
today: SH, RT, CH, GE, AK, TV, and SW. One rufous-morph calurus ssp of RTHA
was seen and photos were taken. We try to note ssp, age, and sex of the
raptors whenever possible. Non-migratory raptors: OS (1), RT (13), AK (2),
CH (3), GE (3)
Non-raptor Observations:
For a full list of passerines, please see the eBird list from today's trip:
https://ebird.org/checklist/S398840002. There were no unusual sightings,
but I did note that the hummingbirds and swallows seem to be gone. The
WTSWs are still plenty active and we had a great time hearing them 'swoosh'
past the group plenty of times.
Predictions:
Tomorrow should bring more of the same weather as today; mostly clear skies
with high 50s in the morning that will warm to a temperature of 70s by
noonish. Great visibility is also expected.
========================================================================
Report submitted by Zak Hepler (<zakhepler...>)
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Date: 10/3/26 5:14 pm From: Scott Hammel <scottahammel...> Subject: [cobirds] Lost DJI Mic at Yellow-bellied Flycatcher Cherry Creek Location
Long shot here, but if anyone found a DJI Mic (see image) laying on one of
the trails, please reach out to me. It was lost on the afternoon of 10/2.
Thanks so much![image: Screenshot 2026-10-03 at 6.07.47â¯PM.png]
Scott Hammel
Englewood, CO
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Meredith McBurney
Bander, Barr Lake Station
Bird Conservancy of the Rockies
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Date: 10/3/26 6:15 am From: Cole Sage <colesage03...> Subject: [cobirds] Couch’s Kingbird Marjorie Perry Nature preserve, Arapahoe County
Hi all,
There is a Couchâs Kingbird at Marjorie Perry Nature preserve. The bird is
currently in this area:
(39.6198955, -104.9361018).
Bird was initially found by Luke Friedman on Oct 1st but reported as a
Western Kingbird.
Best,
Cole Sage
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Date: 10/2/26 8:03 pm From: Mary Driscoll <wddriscoll...> Subject: [cobirds] Yellow-bellied Flycatcher:Check this blog report from Black Swamp Bird Observatory from just a couple days ago.
Correction from 9/18/2026..
Mary D.
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Date: 10/2/26 8:00 pm From: Mary Driscoll <wddriscoll...> Subject: [cobirds] RE: Yellow-bellied Flycatcher:Check this blog report from Black Swamp Bird Observatory from just a couple days ago.
Interesting blog report from Black Swamp Bird Observatory..we arenât the only ones.
Mary D,
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Date: 10/2/26 7:51 pm From: <reports...> Subject: [cobirds] Mount Zion Hawk Watch at Windy Saddle Park (02 Oct 2026) 42 Raptors
Mount Zion Hawk Watch at Windy Saddle Park
Golden, Greater Denver, Colorado, USA
To see hourly weather data and details of migrant raptors, look up this watch at hawkcount.org.
This is a new raptor migration site identified and designated in mid-September 2024. This is Colorado's 1st fall hawk watch site, and the second hawk watch in Colorado.
To get to the site which is along Lookout Mountain Rd. in Golden, enter either Windy Saddle Park or Mount Zion into Google Maps on your favorite navigation app, or enter the coordinates 39.7368,-105.2454. From the parking lot ascend the stone steps to the watch site.
EVERYONE IS WELCOME TO THE HAWK WATCH TO ENJOY THE SPECTACLE OF RAPTOR MIGRATION, EVEN IF YOU KNOW NOTHING ABOUT IDENTIFYING RAPTORS IN FLIGHT. We will help you to learn Raptor ID if you are interested.
See https://groups.google.com/g/cobirds/c/Oznn4uc6MBk
Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 02, 2026
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Observation start time: 08:45:00
Observation end time: 15:30:00
Total observation time: 6.75 hours
Official Counter: Ajit Antony
Observers: Liza Antony
Visitors:
Lehi German from Kansas City game with his long lens camera and binoculars
visiting family in Denver. He had read our reports on Hawkcount. When I
told him that we have local and migrant GE, he said he had used Google
Gemini AI and asked for the best place to be able to photograph GE close up
and the answer came that it was the "Mount Zion Hawk Watch, the best spot
within 75 miles of Denver!" I directed him to the Kestrel Channel to be
able to photograph raptors from fairly close, and asked him to monitor the
channel, as a result of which he found us a number of raptors. He got
excellent dorsal photographs of CH,SS, RT, AK.
6 hikers asked questions about the watch. A woman who had been here a week
ago asked how many migrants I had seen today. I was able to show a couple a
close RT. Another hiker had attended a talk by Ed Yong at the School of
Mines and had a new appreciation for birds- she did have the Merlin app
when I asked her.
Weather:
Slight haze over Denver and a brown subsidence-inversion layer over the
horizon from East to North. PM 10 was at a moderate level. Cloudless the
entire day.
Because of the inversion layer, according to the Soaring Forecast of the
NWS though the lift was at 10 ft per second the height of thermals was only
8133 ft AGL by 12:30 p.m.
Raptor Observations:
The first migrant was a CH at 9:46 a.m. MDT already a binocular bird.
In the 10-11:00 hour there were numerous hawks flying through the Kestrel
Channel, presumably because the thermals hadn't developed well yet.
Non-migrant raptors: GE adult 1, AK 1, RT 3, TV 4.
Even though after 12:00 p.m. there were very few migrants, or even local
hawks I decided to stay until 4:30 p.m. and observe in order to answer the
question for this site 'When there is a perfectly blue sky and there is an
extended "noon lull" caused by hawks flying too high to be detected even
with binoculars, will migrants start showing up later and lower when the
thermals drop in height?' The answer today was No, with 2 migrants in the
1:00 MDT hour, none in the 2:00 hour and 3 in the 3:00 hour and none in the
30 minutes of the 4:00 hour.
Non-raptor Observations:
WEBL 1, WTSW 2, VGSW 3, STJA 4, BBMA 3, TOSO 2, HOFI 1, NOFL 1, CORA 3.
The 4 paragliders before 11:30 a.m. had no lift, the one at noon had
moderate lift, and the 5 at noon had excellent lift. A paraglider walked
past me with his huge backpack. I asked him why was he here when the others
hiked up from the Lookout Mountain Road close to the 'M.' He said it was
his first time here, and thanked me for my suggestion.
Predictions:
Sunny, with a high near 83. West wind 5 to 9 mph becoming east northeast in
the afternoon.
========================================================================
Report submitted by Ajit Antony (<aiantony...>)
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Meredith McBurney
Bander, Barr Lake Station
Bird Conservancy of the Rockies
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A few years ago I asked why GHOs would call a bit in the fall. I recall an offered answer that possibly shorter day-lengths matched day-lengths in March enough to trigger some calling behavior. This year though a GHO has called every single night for 5 weeks at 5 AM and sometimes at dusk as well. (I only heard an answering call on two nights). Drought year causes new behavior?
Incidentally, it's ironic that my two resident rabbits have stayed safe in spite of the nightly presence of this owl. Wish my predator could help out with the rabbit population, but I guess the rabbits sleep all night.
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Date: 10/2/26 12:07 pm From: Pam Piombino <piombino.pam...> Subject: Re: [cobirds] Chico Basin Ranch Banding Station Report-Bird Conservancy of the Rockies-October 2, 2026
Dear Banders,
A hearty thank you for all of your hard work and daily postings. You are
appreciated!
Now relax, Pam Piombino
On Fri, Oct 2, 2026 at 12:51â¯PM Chicobander <jshieldcastle...> wrote:
> The Last Day of banding turned out to be a beautiful day here on the
> Ranch. Many thanks to all the volunteers who made the season a success!
> Also a shout out to Flying Diamond Ranch personnel for always being helpful
> with the project. Thank you!!
>
> *15 New Banded Birds*
> Wilson's Warbler- 5
> Audubon's (Yellow-rumped) Warbler- 1
> Ruby-crowned Kinglet- 2
> Red-breasted Nuthatch- 1
> Song Sparrow- 1
> Hermit THrush- 3
> Spotted Towhee- 2
> Gray Catbird- 1
>
> *2 Recaptured Hermit Thrushes*
>
> Look forward to seeing you all in the Spring! Have a good rest of your
> fall and Winter.
>
> Take Care,
>
> Julie Shieldcastle, Bander
> Chico Basin Ranch
> Bird Conservancy of the Rockies
>
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Date: 10/2/26 11:51 am From: Chicobander <jshieldcastle...> Subject: [cobirds] Chico Basin Ranch Banding Station Report-Bird Conservancy of the Rockies-October 2, 2026
The Last Day of banding turned out to be a beautiful day here on the Ranch. Many thanks to all the volunteers who made the season a success! Also a shout out to Flying Diamond Ranch personnel for always being helpful with the project. Thank you!!
Look forward to seeing you all in the Spring! Have a good rest of your fall and Winter.
Take Care,
Julie Shieldcastle, Bander Chico Basin Ranch Bird Conservancy of the Rockies
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Interesting observations by David, Ira and Tammy, Scott and Rachel. Ira and
Tammy's, and Rachel's buteos were most likely Broadwings (or Swainson's if
they were longer-winged) since these are the only species which migrate in
groups.
This information helps complement our fall observations at the Mount Zion
Hawk Watch.
Broad-winged Hawk and Swainson's Hawk are known to migrate on a broad front
using thermals - they do not need ridges to fly south.
Beginning in August from the Mount Zion Hawk Watch we would see migrant
raptors around the easternmost of the two tall antennae on Lookout
Mountain, but look as we might we could never find any migrant raptors
north of and leading to Lookout Mountain. In fact we had very few migrants
flying above the horizon. We theorized that they were flying low over
Golden or Denver, getting a ridge lift/ orographic lift off the SE face of
Lookout Mountain, as we did not see any ascending the 3 âfeetâ/bases of
that mountain running NE we could see from the watch.
In September the migration was different in that we could see migrants
above the horizon going south over Green Mountain or in the gap between
that mountain and Lookout Mountain, but we would still see many migrants
for the first time around the two antennae, indicating that these were
still flying low before reaching Lookout Mountain.
One observation we had made when we last counted here in 2024 was that
raptors that flew over North, then South Table Mountain, when they left the
latter and went over Lakewood, they would lose lift and drop very low and
we would often lose them against the trees and houses, which are not
conducive to thermal formation. This year we know better and we anticipate
and look to the northern flank of Green Mountain where we often find them
again.
In one notable instance I found a Turkey Vulture over Denver which I was
able to find in my scope before it dropped below the horizon and follow it
all the way going over the same trees and houses, it went up to the two
antennae on Lookout Mountain, gained a lot of height through ridge lift,
going straight up as if in an invisible escalator (i.e. without going in
circles as in a thermal), and migrated to the South.
The Mount Zion Hawk Watch is at 7165 feet. We are looking down on Golden
and Denver. Trying to find a raptor flying over the trees and houses all
around Denver is very difficult, and when we find raptors over the Eastern
horizon and they drop below the horizon it's very difficult to continue
following them with our binoculars, they are lost to us unless they fly
above the horizon again.
Looking from the watch we can see how many trees there are around Denver,
so there's not much lift available to raptors on migration south. Thermal
formation requires hard surfaces like huge parking lots or highways, or
rocky surfaces which can absorb the sun's heat and radiate them out as
thermals. Perfect examples of these are the two Table Mountains made of
lava flows, and the foothills of the Rockies which are made of granite.
So all the hawks that you folk have described flying over various parts of
Denver, you have been fortunate seeing them because of a lack of lift.
Given time they would all find thermals to rise up on.
The Soaring Forecast of the National Weather Service predicted lift at 12
feet per second, though the height of thermals was only 7474 ft above
ground level provided the trigger temperature of 65.4°F /18.5°C was
achieved, which was expected to be reached around 12:30 MDT, so the height
of the thermals would be lower in the morning, accounting for the lower
buteo observations.
Here at the watch, most of the raptors are found by binocular scanning and
very few found without binoculars.
Ajit I Antony
Central Park, Denver
On Thu, Oct 1, 2026, 12:18â¯PM Rachel <leggett.rachel...> wrote:
> ***I mean US 85 and I-25 lol sorry
>
> Rachel Leggett
>
>
> On Thu, Oct 1, 2026 at 12:15â¯PM Rachel <leggett.rachel...> wrote:
>
>> I saw a kettle of about 16-18 raptors, looked like mixed turkey vultures
>> and buteos, over Castle Rock between 85 and US25 here in DougCo on Tuesday.
>> I was driving so I unfortunately couldn't pause to ID, but it was exciting!
>>
>> Rachel Leggett
>>
>>
>> On Thu, Oct 1, 2026 at 12:04â¯PM Scott Somershoe <ssomershoe...>
>> wrote:
>>
>>> After seeing Ira's post, and being a mile away, I went for a walk. I had
>>> 2 Broad-winged up high with a kettle of turkey vultures. I saw mostly
>>> vultures. Sky watching sure beats doing work. This was on the fed center in
>>> Lakewood, JeffCo.
>>>
>>> Scott Somershoe
>>> Littleton CO
>>>
>>> On Thu, Oct 1, 2026 at 11:57â¯AM David Suddjian <dsuddjian...>
>>> wrote:
>>>
>>>> On the theme of kettling Buteos . . .
>>>> Yesterday in the late afternoon I spotted a flock of 6 Broad-winged
>>>> Hawks pass right over my Ken Caryl (JeffCo) home, heading south. And this
>>>> morning a kettle of 15 Broad-wingeds was moving south at Chatfield SP
>>>> (Douglas) along the Platte south of Kingfisher Bridge. Prior to these
>>>> observations, all of my occasional fall BWHA sightings in CO have been of
>>>> singletons (all from September).
>>>>
>>>> David Suddjian
>>>> Littleton CO
>>>>
>>>> On Thu, Oct 1, 2026 at 10:22â¯AM zroadrunner14 <zroadrunner14...>
>>>> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> Birders,
>>>>> At 10 am we were N bound on Kipling S of Alameda and Tammy spotted a
>>>>> kettle of at least 70 - 80 hawks just E of Kipling. 2 min later there was
>>>>> another of about 15 birds. She spotted a couple of TV's but the rest were
>>>>> buteos.
>>>>> Too far east for Ajit to get them.
>>>>> I've never seen that in Colorado before.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Ira Sanders
>>>>> Trinidad, CO
>>>>> Temporarily in Lakewood
>>>>> "
>>>>>
>>>>>
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Date: 10/1/26 8:08 pm From: <reports...> Subject: [cobirds] Mount Zion Hawk Watch at Windy Saddle Park (01 Oct 2026) 49 Raptors
Mount Zion Hawk Watch at Windy Saddle Park
Golden, Greater Denver, Colorado, USA
To see hourly weather data and details of migrant raptors, look up this watch at hawkcount.org.
This is a new raptor migration site identified and designated in mid-September 2024. This is Colorado's 1st fall hawk watch site, and the second hawk watch in Colorado.
To get to the site which is along Lookout Mountain Rd. in Golden, enter either Windy Saddle Park or Mount Zion into Google Maps on your favorite navigation app, or enter the coordinates 39.7368,-105.2454. From the parking lot ascend the stone steps to the watch site.
EVERYONE IS WELCOME TO THE HAWK WATCH TO ENJOY THE SPECTACLE OF RAPTOR MIGRATION, EVEN IF YOU KNOW NOTHING ABOUT IDENTIFYING RAPTORS IN FLIGHT. We will help you to learn Raptor ID if you are interested.
See https://groups.google.com/g/cobirds/c/Oznn4uc6MBk
Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 01, 2026
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Observation start time: 08:15:00
Observation end time: 17:00:00
Total observation time: 8.42 hours
Official Counter: Ajit Antony, Liza Antony
Observers: Ajit Antony
Visitors:
A repeat visitor who insisted on calling me an ornithologist inquired as to
how many more weeks we are likely to count at the Mount Zion Hawkwatch. It
depended on the migrating hawks, and it could be as late as November 15 or
even later.
A regular hiker, a geographer who designs hiking trails named Fletcher from
Virginia who is in Denver while his wife does her PhD at the School of
Mines asked how many migrants I had seen, and how long I was going to count
this season.
Another hiker said I saw your last time I was here, and asked a number of
questions- What was I looking for? Migrant hawks. Only hawks? Yes, only
migrant hawks. Passerines migrate at night. Is this research? Yes. For
whom? HMA Hawk Migration Association of North America. There are around 76
active fall hawk watches which report to HMA. How many have you seen today?
35 or so. What species? Up to 17 different species, 3 of which are rare,
mainly CH, RT. How many hours have you been counting? Have you noticed any
trends? This is only the first year we have counted regularly here. So
yours is the baseline? Yes.
Weather:
A cool day with a starting temperature of 58�F. A fine drizzle in Golden
and on Lookout Mountain Road to the parking lot. The ground adjacent to the
stone steps leading to the watch was dry making me suspect that there
wasn�t significant rain yesterday at the watch..
Interestingly, downtown Denver was clear at the start of the watch and
around 12 noon MDT a low haze was noted over downtown Denver and adjacent
areas caused by a moderate level of PM 10.
At 1:45 p.m. MDT when I took over there was mostly blue sky overhead and to
the east with a layer of cumulus just about the eastern horizon. I stayed
up to 6:00 p.m. to see if they would be any late migrants especially low,
once the thermals shut down. Answer: a few along the Kestrel Channel and
just over Lookout Mountain between 4:00 and 5:00 p.m., and only one SS at
eye level through the Kestrel Channel at 5:09 p.m.
Raptor Observations:
The first migrant an RT was seen at 9:28 AM MDT already at the limit of
binocular detection.
A juvenile NH flew 40 feet downslope of me, skimming only a foot off the
ground.
In the 1 PM hour MDT there were no migrants detected, and in the 2:00 PM
our only 1. The migrants were flying much too high to be detected. I
scanned with binoculars straight up as well as to the S without any
result.
Non-migrant raptors: RT 6, CH 1, TV 3, adult GE 3 the one in the afternoon
was extremely distant and rocking like a TV but with my scope I could see
the dorsal carpal bar, adult BE 1.
Non-raptor Observations:
In the far distance and very high I saw 25 Sandhill Crane migrating south,
to the east of the watch.
https://ebird.org/checklist/S398134054 The first paraglider was noted at 11:11 AM. At 1:45 p.m. MDT a paraglider
had excellent lift and went really high, later saw far to the North where 3
of them were only visible with binoculars.
Predictions:
Sunny, with a high near 79. Calm wind becoming east around 6 mph in the
afternoon.
The winds aloft that raptors use are expected SW>S>E>N.
========================================================================
Report submitted by Ajit Antony (<aiantony...>)
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Date: 10/1/26 6:45 pm From: David Tønnessen <davidtonnessenx...> Subject: [cobirds] Yellow-bellied Flycatcher, Arapahoe County, found by Jason Zolle
For those not on the discords, Jason Zolle found a Yellow-bellied
Flycatcher at a woodlot in the western part of Cherry Creek State Park,
Arapahoe County, this morning at the following pin: 39.6194355, -104.8575386
https://ebird.org/checklist/S398102780
It stayed for many birders today, and other birds seen in this woodlot
today included a Philadelphia Vireo and a Rose-breasted Grosbeak.
There have been almost no chaseable records of Yellow-bellied Flycatcher in
the state, so hopefully this bird continues tomorrow.
Happy birding,
David Tønnessen
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Date: 10/1/26 4:56 pm From: 'Meredith McBurney' via Colorado Birds <cobirds...> Subject: [cobirds] Bird Conservancy of the Rockies - Barr Lake Banding Report, 10/1/26
This first day of October was pretty typical fall banding.......a bunch of
Yellow-rumped Warblers, most caught in one run in the same net. Then a few
Hermit Thrushes and various sparrows. Here's the breakdown of today's 39
new birds:
Meredith McBurney
Bander, Barr Lake Station
Bird Conservancy of the Rockies
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Date: 10/1/26 12:39 pm From: Chicobander <jshieldcastle...> Subject: [cobirds] Chico Basin Ranch Banding Station Report-Bird Conservancy of the Rockies-October 1, 2026
Yesterday was a rain day. The Ranch needed rain. Today was a nice day to be outside. As you would expect not a whole lot of diversity but still a surprise of a Yellow-breasted Chat. Birders spotted a White-winged Dove hanging around the barn/corral area and a Broad-winged Hawk in the Olive grove. *25 New Banded Birds* Wilson's Warbler- 5 Ruby-crowned Kinglet- 8 Hermit Thrush- 8 American Goldfinch- 1 Lincoln's Sparrow- 1 Yellow-breasted Chat- 1 American Robin- 1
Tomorrow is the last day or banding and birding on the ranch for the year. Hoping for a good bird day. Please register online to visit the ranch tomorrow at www.aikenaudubon.com
Many thanks to all the volunteers who made this season a success! Thanks also to the birders who shared their knowledge of Colorado Birds.
Have a good day,
Julie Shieldcastle, Bander Chico Basin Ranch Bird Conservancy of the Rockies
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Date: 10/1/26 11:18 am From: Rachel <leggett.rachel...> Subject: Re: [cobirds] Kettles of Hawks - Jeffco - Lakewood
***I mean US 85 and I-25 lol sorry
Rachel Leggett
On Thu, Oct 1, 2026 at 12:15â¯PM Rachel <leggett.rachel...> wrote:
> I saw a kettle of about 16-18 raptors, looked like mixed turkey vultures
> and buteos, over Castle Rock between 85 and US25 here in DougCo on Tuesday.
> I was driving so I unfortunately couldn't pause to ID, but it was exciting!
>
> Rachel Leggett
>
>
> On Thu, Oct 1, 2026 at 12:04â¯PM Scott Somershoe <ssomershoe...>
> wrote:
>
>> After seeing Ira's post, and being a mile away, I went for a walk. I had
>> 2 Broad-winged up high with a kettle of turkey vultures. I saw mostly
>> vultures. Sky watching sure beats doing work. This was on the fed center in
>> Lakewood, JeffCo.
>>
>> Scott Somershoe
>> Littleton CO
>>
>> On Thu, Oct 1, 2026 at 11:57â¯AM David Suddjian <dsuddjian...>
>> wrote:
>>
>>> On the theme of kettling Buteos . . .
>>> Yesterday in the late afternoon I spotted a flock of 6 Broad-winged
>>> Hawks pass right over my Ken Caryl (JeffCo) home, heading south. And this
>>> morning a kettle of 15 Broad-wingeds was moving south at Chatfield SP
>>> (Douglas) along the Platte south of Kingfisher Bridge. Prior to these
>>> observations, all of my occasional fall BWHA sightings in CO have been of
>>> singletons (all from September).
>>>
>>> David Suddjian
>>> Littleton CO
>>>
>>> On Thu, Oct 1, 2026 at 10:22â¯AM zroadrunner14 <zroadrunner14...>
>>> wrote:
>>>
>>>> Birders,
>>>> At 10 am we were N bound on Kipling S of Alameda and Tammy spotted a
>>>> kettle of at least 70 - 80 hawks just E of Kipling. 2 min later there was
>>>> another of about 15 birds. She spotted a couple of TV's but the rest were
>>>> buteos.
>>>> Too far east for Ajit to get them.
>>>> I've never seen that in Colorado before.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Ira Sanders
>>>> Trinidad, CO
>>>> Temporarily in Lakewood
>>>> "
>>>>
>>>>
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>>>> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cobirds/b95f7983-ec3c-4964-bb10-283db4ee4d15%40edison >>>> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cobirds/b95f7983-ec3c-4964-bb10-283db4ee4d15%40edison?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> >>>> .
>>>>
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>>>
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>>
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Date: 10/1/26 11:18 am From: Rachel <leggett.rachel...> Subject: Re: [cobirds] Kettles of Hawks - Jeffco - Lakewood
I saw a kettle of about 16-18 raptors, looked like mixed turkey vultures
and buteos, over Castle Rock between 85 and US25 here in DougCo on Tuesday.
I was driving so I unfortunately couldn't pause to ID, but it was exciting!
Rachel Leggett
On Thu, Oct 1, 2026 at 12:04â¯PM Scott Somershoe <ssomershoe...>
wrote:
> After seeing Ira's post, and being a mile away, I went for a walk. I had 2
> Broad-winged up high with a kettle of turkey vultures. I saw mostly
> vultures. Sky watching sure beats doing work. This was on the fed center in
> Lakewood, JeffCo.
>
> Scott Somershoe
> Littleton CO
>
> On Thu, Oct 1, 2026 at 11:57â¯AM David Suddjian <dsuddjian...>
> wrote:
>
>> On the theme of kettling Buteos . . .
>> Yesterday in the late afternoon I spotted a flock of 6 Broad-winged
>> Hawks pass right over my Ken Caryl (JeffCo) home, heading south. And this
>> morning a kettle of 15 Broad-wingeds was moving south at Chatfield SP
>> (Douglas) along the Platte south of Kingfisher Bridge. Prior to these
>> observations, all of my occasional fall BWHA sightings in CO have been of
>> singletons (all from September).
>>
>> David Suddjian
>> Littleton CO
>>
>> On Thu, Oct 1, 2026 at 10:22â¯AM zroadrunner14 <zroadrunner14...>
>> wrote:
>>
>>> Birders,
>>> At 10 am we were N bound on Kipling S of Alameda and Tammy spotted a
>>> kettle of at least 70 - 80 hawks just E of Kipling. 2 min later there was
>>> another of about 15 birds. She spotted a couple of TV's but the rest were
>>> buteos.
>>> Too far east for Ajit to get them.
>>> I've never seen that in Colorado before.
>>>
>>>
>>> Ira Sanders
>>> Trinidad, CO
>>> Temporarily in Lakewood
>>> "
>>>
>>>
>>> --
>>> --
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>>>
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>>
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Date: 10/1/26 11:04 am From: Scott Somershoe <ssomershoe...> Subject: Re: [cobirds] Kettles of Hawks - Jeffco - Lakewood
After seeing Ira's post, and being a mile away, I went for a walk. I had 2
Broad-winged up high with a kettle of turkey vultures. I saw mostly
vultures. Sky watching sure beats doing work. This was on the fed center in
Lakewood, JeffCo.
Scott Somershoe
Littleton CO
On Thu, Oct 1, 2026 at 11:57â¯AM David Suddjian <dsuddjian...> wrote:
> On the theme of kettling Buteos . . .
> Yesterday in the late afternoon I spotted a flock of 6 Broad-winged Hawks
> pass right over my Ken Caryl (JeffCo) home, heading south. And this morning
> a kettle of 15 Broad-wingeds was moving south at Chatfield SP (Douglas)
> along the Platte south of Kingfisher Bridge. Prior to these observations,
> all of my occasional fall BWHA sightings in CO have been of singletons (all
> from September).
>
> David Suddjian
> Littleton CO
>
> On Thu, Oct 1, 2026 at 10:22â¯AM zroadrunner14 <zroadrunner14...>
> wrote:
>
>> Birders,
>> At 10 am we were N bound on Kipling S of Alameda and Tammy spotted a
>> kettle of at least 70 - 80 hawks just E of Kipling. 2 min later there was
>> another of about 15 birds. She spotted a couple of TV's but the rest were
>> buteos.
>> Too far east for Ajit to get them.
>> I've never seen that in Colorado before.
>>
>>
>> Ira Sanders
>> Trinidad, CO
>> Temporarily in Lakewood
>> "
>>
>>
>> --
>> --
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>> "Colorado Birds" group.
>> To post to this group, send email to <cobirds...>
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>> http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds >> * All posts should be signed with the poster's full name and city.
>> Include bird species and location in the subject line when appropriate.
>> * Join Colorado Field Ornithologists https://cobirds.org/membership/ >> ---
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>>
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Date: 10/1/26 10:57 am From: David Suddjian <dsuddjian...> Subject: Re: [cobirds] Kettles of Hawks - Jeffco - Lakewood
On the theme of kettling Buteos . . .
Yesterday in the late afternoon I spotted a flock of 6 Broad-winged Hawks
pass right over my Ken Caryl (JeffCo) home, heading south. And this morning
a kettle of 15 Broad-wingeds was moving south at Chatfield SP (Douglas)
along the Platte south of Kingfisher Bridge. Prior to these observations,
all of my occasional fall BWHA sightings in CO have been of singletons (all
from September).
David Suddjian
Littleton CO
On Thu, Oct 1, 2026 at 10:22â¯AM zroadrunner14 <zroadrunner14...>
wrote:
> Birders,
> At 10 am we were N bound on Kipling S of Alameda and Tammy spotted a
> kettle of at least 70 - 80 hawks just E of Kipling. 2 min later there was
> another of about 15 birds. She spotted a couple of TV's but the rest were
> buteos.
> Too far east for Ajit to get them.
> I've never seen that in Colorado before.
>
>
> Ira Sanders
> Trinidad, CO
> Temporarily in Lakewood
> "
>
>
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>
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Date: 10/1/26 10:44 am From: Doug Ward <dougward...> Subject: [cobirds] Mountains in the City - Evening Grosbeak in SW Denver
To continue the theme of mountain stuff showing up out in the plains, was working at home (Athmar neighborhood, SW Denver, Denver Co.) this morning (Thurs. 1Oct.'26) and heard the familiar calls of an EVENING GROSBEAK out our open window. Quickly found her, but didn't see or hear any others which is weird in-and-of-itself. In addition to the grosbeak (which was the first here in 7 years), we have a couple of continuing MOUNTAIN CHICKADEEs (first in five years) and a WOODHOUSE'S SCRUB-JAY (guess not technically a mountain species) today so far. In the past week or so have also had Ruby-crowned Kinglets, Hermit Thrush, and a small flock of Pine Siskins, though the kinglets and thrush were likely migrants, but still "mountains.ish".
So keep your eyes and ears open and please keep the mountain theme going, it's going to be an interesting winter.
Good Birding,
Doug
Currently Denver
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Date: 10/1/26 9:22 am From: zroadrunner14 <zroadrunner14...> Subject: [cobirds] Kettles of Hawks - Jeffco - Lakewood
Birders,
At 10 am we were N bound on Kipling S of Alameda and Tammy spotted a kettle of at least 70 - 80 hawks just E of Kipling. 2 min later there was another of about 15 birds. She spotted a couple of TV's but the rest were buteos.
Too far east for Ajit to get them.
I've never seen that in Colorado before.
Ira Sanders
Trinidad, CO
Temporarily in Lakewood
"
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Date: 9/30/26 6:01 pm From: 'Meredith McBurney' via Colorado Birds <cobirds...> Subject: [cobirds] Bird Conservancy of the Rockies - Barr Lake Banding Report, 9/30/26
The weather prediction was that today would be the first day of the season
that we got rained out, perhaps the latest in a fall season for us to have
not missed a day due to weather. But no, simply grey skies and a bit
cooler.
We did get our first flock (as opposed to a bird here and there) of
Yellow-rumped Warblers, and a bunch of other birds telling us that it is
fall.
Our big excitement - we caught a Blue Jay (first of season), a beautiful
bird, with a band. A check of our records shows we (actually I!) banded
this bird on September 2, 2012, as an adult!! So, this bird is at least 15
years old!! It isn't close to the longevity record for this species -
there was one found (dead) in 2016 that was 27! But the next 3 on the list
were 16-17 years old and all were last caught in the 1970-80's.
Meredith McBurney
Bander, Barr Lake Station
Bird Conservancy of the Rockies
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Date: 9/29/26 9:44 pm From: <aiantony...> Subject: [cobirds] Sandhill Cranes at the Mount Zion Hawk Watch
At 12:45 p.m. MDT today at the Mount Zion Hawk Watch, Liza found a huge sedge of Sandhill Crane far and high to the Northeast while she was binocular scanning for migrant raptors. She was so excited she could not even remember the name of the species and said 'the ones in Nebraska.' I was able to get on them with binoculars and scope, and at a conservative estimate there were about 500. They looked beautiful against a blue sky when their white stood out, and again when they were over Lookout Mountain over the easternmost 2 antenna the sun hit them, looking bright against the blue gray clouds. At no point could we hear them bugling, they were so very far away. https://ebird.org/checklist/S397629502 Ajit I AntonyCentral Park, Denver
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Date: 9/29/26 8:58 pm From: <reports...> Subject: [cobirds] Mount Zion Hawk Watch at Windy Saddle Park (29 Sep 2026) 66 Raptors
Mount Zion Hawk Watch at Windy Saddle Park
Golden, Greater Denver, Colorado, USA
To see hourly weather data and details of migrant raptors, look up this watch at hawkcount.org.
This is a new raptor migration site identified and designated in mid-September 2024. This is Colorado's 1st fall hawk watch site, and the second hawk watch in Colorado.
To get to the site which is along Lookout Mountain Rd. in Golden, enter either Windy Saddle Park or Mount Zion into Google Maps on your favorite navigation app, or enter the coordinates 39.7368,-105.2454. From the parking lot ascend the stone steps to the watch site.
EVERYONE IS WELCOME TO THE HAWK WATCH TO ENJOY THE SPECTACLE OF RAPTOR MIGRATION, EVEN IF YOU KNOW NOTHING ABOUT IDENTIFYING RAPTORS IN FLIGHT. We will help you to learn Raptor ID if you are interested.
See https://groups.google.com/g/cobirds/c/Oznn4uc6MBk
Observation start time: 08:15:00
Observation end time: 15:30:00
Total observation time: 7.25 hours
Official Counter: Ajit Antony
Observers: Liza Antony
Visitors:
A couple who had visited 3 weeks ago were back and asked just many
questions - how many raptors we had seen, amazed that we had 55 for the
day. They insisted that we tell them the number of migrant raptors and
explain that 55 was the number of migrants (excellent for Denver in fall).
Another visitor asked what we were looking at.
Weather:
Completely overcast just like yesterday except a silver lining, far to the
Northeast was sunlight. Stratus clouds all over, with beautiful asperitas
clouds to the SSE. Chilly. Virga to the north. Light winds from the NE, and
the winds aloft were from the NNE to NE. Minimal haze to the east/DIA.
Raptor Observations:
In the parking lot a juvenile CH was chasing a BBMA, much too large a prey,
I would have thought. Playing at hunting?
The first migrant at 10:01 a.m. MDT was a juvenile SW.
There were no migrants until the clouds parted so that sunlight could hit
the ground and create thermals.
A non-migrant RT chased a migrant CH. A migrant CH dove on an RT perched on
top of a high tension power pole 10x and then continued its migration.
An adult GE migrated through at 1:46 p.m., another at 2:54 p.m. over Denver
was lost when I went to my scope, and was not counted as a migrant.
I stayed late this afternoon, one of the few days without afternoon
thunderstorms to see if they would be any low migrants after the sun got
hidden behind clouds to the West, but all the hawks continued to be
binocular raptors except a juvenile RT which came at eye level through the
Kestrel Channel 'escorted' by an adult RT. In the last 36 minutes there
were no migrants.
Non-migrant raptors: GE 1, RT 4, TV 5.
Non-raptor Observations:
https://ebird.org/checklist/S397629502 Around 500 Sandhill Crane flying south, so far that they could not be heard
at all.
A paraglider at 11:00 a.m. had no lift and could not even reach our level.
The one at noon had excellent lift and went very high.
Interestingly today is the only day I have ever seen a Soaring Forecast
with a lift of 0 meters per second, and the predicted height of thermals
was only 4,199 ft AGL by 1:45 p.m. MDT - below the level of the watch.
However that seems to have been predicted on the basis of perhaps
continuing cloud cover, which broke enough to allow the sun to produce
thermals which the buteos used.
Predictions:
A cold front is going through Denver tomorrow with a 65% chance of rain by
9:00 a.m., so we will not count tomorrow. Thursday after the front goes
through should be excellent for migrant raptors. The winds aloft are
expected to be from the N>NE>E.
========================================================================
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Date: 9/29/26 2:48 pm From: Isabel Hardwig <isabelhardwig...> Subject: [cobirds] Bird Conservancy of the Rockies - Grand Valley Audubon Society Banding Report (9/21 - 9/26)
Hi, all!
We had another great week here at the GVAS banding station in Grand Junction. Thank you especially to everyone who came out for our Public Banding Day on Sept 26. Here are the totals for the week:
The highlight of this week was definitely the Grasshopper Sparrow, which we banded at 7:10 on Monday, Sept 21. This was the first Grasshopper Sparrow ever banded at this station, and it enjoyed quite a lot of attention and paparazzi photos.
Until next week!
Isabel Hardwig Bander, Ridgway and Grand Valley Audubon Society Stations Bird Conservancy of the Rockies
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Date: 9/29/26 12:51 pm From: Chicobander <jshieldcastle...> Subject: [cobirds] Chico Basin Ranch Banding Station Report-Bird Conservancy of the Rockies-September 29, 2026
Well, after the rain that keeps filtering up from Hurricane Polo on the Mexican Baja; I did not think I would be able to open the nets today. The sun shined believe it or not after 10:30 AM . There were a few birds around the Olive grove. Several Wilson's Warblers and Ruby-crowned Kinglets flitting around. Five bird species were banded. The Highlight is always a Townsend's Solitaire! *11 New Banded Birds* Wilson's Warbler- 5 Ruby-crowned Kinglet- 2 Red-breasted Nuthatch- 1 Townsend's Solitaire- 1 Hermit Thrush- 2
*2 Recaptures- banded this season- both gained almost 2 grams since last banding* Hermit Thrush- 2
This is the last week of banding this season. Banding will commence at Sunrise until @ 11:45 AM weather permitting through Friday. If interested in visiting the Ranch, Please register online at www.aikenaudubon.com Stop by the Banding station and share your sightings.
Enjoy the Day!
Julie Shieldcastle, Bander Chico Basin Ranch Bird Conservancy of the Rockies
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Date: 9/29/26 10:34 am From: Chris Selvig <mrselvig...> Subject: [cobirds] Sora, downtown Colorado Springs
I was out for my morning walk around the neighborhood and bumped into a juvenile Sora on the sidewalk, on Cache la Poudre a few blocks from Shook's Run Creek. It did not seem to be ill or injured, and ducked back into a bush before I could get a photo, so I left it to its own devices. Not a wildly unusual bird in the general area, but the first I've seen away from riparian reeds/grasses.
Chris Selvig Colorado Springs
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Date: 9/29/26 8:20 am From: DAVID A LEATHERMAN <daleatherman...> Subject: [cobirds] Field Sparrow reports
At the risk of rocks being thrown my direction, it seems to me "Field Sparrows" are being over-reported. Yes, the occasional Field Sparrow can show up almost anywhere in CO, but they are only semi-expected on the far eastern plains. Lots of young Spizella sparrows are pouring thru at present and Brewer's Sparrows in particular can have a pinkish beak and conspicuous eyering. As such, they can look a lot like the western gray race of Field Sparrow, especially young birds. I have seen several checklists with "multiple" "Field Sparrows" on them that are suspicious. The beak of Field Sparrow is usually a deeper pink than Brewers. Field Sparrow eyering is a bit wider and brighter white. Rump of Field Sparrow is gray, that of Brewer's is brownish-gray. Photos are always good. If the bird photographed really is a Field Sparrow, the photo might prove that AND provide valuable information on which subspecies is involved. I feel for the eBird vetters.
No rocks, please, I'm stiff and dodging is more difficult by the day.
Dave Leatherman
Fort Collins
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The mountain birds are invading nearby Oklahoma and Kansas too this month.
The big news in Oklahoma was the first state record American Three-toed
Woodpecker near Felt, Oklahoma on Sept 9-10. Also, flocks of Clarkâs
Nutcrackers, Stellerâs, Pinyon, and Woodhouseâs Scrub-Jays, Evening
Grosbeak, Red Crossbill, Lewisâs Woodpecker, Williamsonâs and Red-named
Sapsuckers, Mountain Chickadee, Calliope and Broad-tailed Hummingbirds,
Green-tailed Towhees, various western empids (Gray, Hammondâs, Dusky
Flycatchers), Townsendâs Warblers all in Cimarron County, Oklahoma this
month. I am guessing Cassinâs Finch and Pine Grosbeak might be coming soon
too, and who knows what else. Morton County in southwest Kansas had both
Pinyon and Woodhouseâs Scrub-Jays, Evening Grosbeak as well this month.
The birds in Aspen Acres Fire area in the Wet Mountains are certainly
moving around. Keep reporting lowland mountain birds to eBird and cobirds,
it is interesting to hear where these birds are wandering this fall.
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Date: 9/28/26 6:15 pm From: 'Joey Kellner' via Colorado Birds <cobirds...> Subject: [cobirds] Save the Date - Denver Christmas Bird Count
*72nd DENVER CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT - SATURDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2026*
Denver CBC Compiler: Joey Kellner (303-978-1748), SWDenverBirding at
gmail.com <SWDenverBirding...>
All are encouraged to participate in the annual Denver Christmas Bird Count
(CBC) sponsored the National Audubon Society. This CBC has been run since
1954 and participants gather valuable data used to trend winter bird
populations over a long period of time.
*Fees: *None! So, no excuses! Come have a great time and help count birds!
Beginners and experts all welcome!
POTLUCK and COMPILATION:
After a day in the field, ALL participants are invited to attend the
compilation count down potluck meeting to warm up, chat with other birders,
and find out how the count fared. It is a lot of fun. Contact Laura
Steadman (lauramsteadman at gmail.com <https://groups.google.com/> ) and
let her know what you will be bringing (or ask her what items she needs
more of). Bringing food is *NOT* a requirement to join in the fun! The
compilation count down itself will start closer to 5:30pm when a
representative from each count area arrives/reports in with their
sightings. Come find out who found what, where!
The 15-mile diameter âcount circleâ is subdivided into 24 âcount areasâ
each with an Area Leader. Stay tuned for a list of the Area Leaders and
contact info. Meanwhile, *mark your calendars* and review the Count Circle
map below and see where you would like to volunteer your efforts on Count
Day!
Joey Kellner
Compiler â Denver CBC
Littleton, Colorado
[image: Denver CBC Count Circle.png]
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Date: 9/28/26 6:11 pm From: David Suddjian <dsuddjian...> Subject: Re: [cobirds] "Low elevation" Pine Grosbeak at High Grade Road, Jefferson Co
Yes, I think the wild food situation may be leading these jays to move
around to areas where they are rare or uncommon. But where they are coming
from could be anyone's guess. Esp. since the scrub-jays are still numerous
in the hogbacks and the lowest foothill habitat at the edge of the Front
Range, which is their core zone. So they haven't left that area to move
into town, but feeders seem to be a draw.
David Suddjian
Littleton, CO
On Mon, Sep 28, 2026 at 10:34â¯AM Patrick O'Driscoll <patodrisk...>
wrote:
> Having had visits from both a Steller's J and a Woodhouse's S-J in my
> east-central Denver backyard earlier this month, is the prevailing opinion
> that lack of food (drought?) in their usual habitat may be driving more of
> these and other higher-country species down here to the Plains?
>
> Patrick O'Driscoll
> Denver
>
>
> On Mon, Sep 28, 2026 at 9:08â¯AM Brad Dobson <bradford.dobson...>
> wrote:
>
>>
>> Interesting. We had a number of Steller's Jays here recently on the west
>> side of
>> Loveland and I see a number of reports further East, almost all
>> 2026: I usually have to get up into the forest a little more to see them.
>>
>> David Suddjian <dsuddjian...> writes:
>>
>> > Now much bird reporting is happening on the list, so I thought I'd
>> chime in with a report of Pine Grosbeak this morning at 7,150' elevation in
>> > Ponderosa / Douglas-fir forest along High Grade Road in Jeff Co near
>> Littleton. eBird does not have any other records for the county between
>> > mid-Aug to late Oct, and most are from late winter into early spring.
>> >
>> > David Suddjian
>> > Littleton CO
>> >
>> > --
>>
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Date: 9/28/26 4:33 pm From: 'jim_tyler' via Colorado Birds <cobirds...> Subject: Re: [cobirds] "Low elevation" Pine Grosbeak at High Grade Road, Jefferson Co
Last week in Roxborough saw a Stellar's Jay in the back yard for only the 3rd time in nearly 30 years.
Jim Tyler Roxborough
On 9/28/2026 6:47 AM, Brad Dobson wrote: > Interesting. We had a number of Steller's Jays here recently on the west side of > Loveland and I see a number of reports further East, almost all > 2026: I usually have to get up into the forest a little more to see them. > > David Suddjian<dsuddjian...> writes: > >> Now much bird reporting is happening on the list, so I thought I'd chime in with a report of Pine Grosbeak this morning at 7,150' elevation in >> Ponderosa / Douglas-fir forest along High Grade Road in Jeff Co near Littleton. eBird does not have any other records for the county between >> mid-Aug to late Oct, and most are from late winter into early spring. >> >> David Suddjian >> Littleton CO >> >> --
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Date: 9/28/26 3:51 pm From: <reports...> Subject: [cobirds] Mount Zion Hawk Watch at Windy Saddle Park (28 Sep 2026) 3 Raptors
Mount Zion Hawk Watch at Windy Saddle Park
Golden, Greater Denver, Colorado, USA
To see hourly weather data and details of migrant raptors, look up this watch at hawkcount.org.
This is a new raptor migration site identified and designated in mid-September 2024. This is Colorado's 1st fall hawk watch site, and the second hawk watch in Colorado.
To get to the site which is along Lookout Mountain Rd. in Golden, enter either Windy Saddle Park or Mount Zion into Google Maps on your favorite navigation app, or enter the coordinates 39.7368,-105.2454. From the parking lot ascend the stone steps to the watch site.
EVERYONE IS WELCOME TO THE HAWK WATCH TO ENJOY THE SPECTACLE OF RAPTOR MIGRATION, EVEN IF YOU KNOW NOTHING ABOUT IDENTIFYING RAPTORS IN FLIGHT. We will help you to learn Raptor ID if you are interested.
See https://groups.google.com/g/cobirds/c/Oznn4uc6MBk
Observation start time: 08:15:00
Observation end time: 10:00:00
Total observation time: 1.75 hours
Official Counter: Ajit Antony
Observers:
Weather:
Completely overcast today with stratus clouds all over, very smooth
looking, perfect for finding hawks against if there had been any. Chilly.
By 10:30 a.m. MDT I could see rain falling on the 14ers to the West, and by
11:00 a.m. it reached the watch causing a continuous drizzle.
Raptor Observations:
I managed to find 3 migrant AK, the first of which was at 10:12 a.m. coming
up from below the top of Lookout Mountain, the second one 6 minutes later
over the Eastern horizon, and the last one at 10:31 a.m. close to the
easternmost antenna on Lookout Mountain.
Probably because of a lack of thermals there were no buteos in flight, not
even the local ones, nor any TV.
Non-raptor Observations:
Red Crossbill 19, PYNU 1, CONI 1 found while looking at an AK through my
scope, RBNU 2, WEBL 8, STJA 3, TOSO 1, GHJU 2, WTSW 1, NOFL 1, HOFI 1, MOCH
1.
Predictions:
Could be same as today. A chance of showers, with thunderstorms also
possible after 3pm. Cloudy, with a high near 66. Calm wind becoming north
northeast around 6 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
The winds aloft are predicted to be from the north.
========================================================================
Report submitted by Ajit Antony (<aiantony...>)
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Date: 9/28/26 2:01 pm From: Paula Hansley <plhansley...> Subject: [cobirds] Pine Siskins, Louisville
Birders, Just to add a mountain species to Steve Brown's post-- I heard a small flock of Pine Siskins fly over my house early Saturday (9/26) morning!
I also saw a juvenile Black-chinned Hummingbird feeding at one of my hummingbird feeders on Saturday and a Gray Catbird "gorging on" berries of my Virginia Creeper, which grows all over my wooden fence.
I have two hummingbird feeders, one seed feeder, and two suet feeders and plenty of water (a waterful and bird baths) set out in my forested yard.
I've noticed that some of the hummers that I've been seeing this week seem shy and, at times, unsure of how to get sugar water from my feeder.
Paula Hansley Boulder County
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Date: 9/28/26 12:20 pm From: Chicobander <jshieldcastle...> Subject: [cobirds] Chico Basin Ranch Banding Station Report-Bird Conservancy of the Rockies-September 28, 2026
The wind overnight calmed down for the morning banding session. Nine bird species were captured with a Blue Jay being the first of the season. A Hammond's Flycatcher was in the vicinity of the banding station. *22 New Banded Birds* Wilson's Warbler- 3 Oregon (Dark-eyed) Junco- 1 Lincoln's Sparrow- 1 Blue Grosbeak- 1 Gambel's White-crowned Sparrow- 8 Spotted Towhee- 1 Gray Catbird- 1 Blue Jay- 1 Hermit Thrush- 5
*2 Recaptures* Spotted Towhee- 2
The Banding Station will be open tomorrow through Friday Weather permitting from sunrise until @ 11:45AM. Please register if interested in visiting the ranch at www.aikenaudubon.com
Enjoy the Day!
Julie Shieldcastle, Bander Chico Basin Ranch Bird Conservancy of the Rockies
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Date: 9/28/26 11:32 am From: David Suddjian <dsuddjian...> Subject: [cobirds] Re: Spotting scope found at Marston Reservoir on Sept 27
Scope and owner are now reconnected.
David
On Mon, Sep 28, 2026 at 9:08â¯AM David Suddjian <dsuddjian...> wrote:
> CoBirders,
>
> I'm posting this for Lorna Thomas. She was at Marston Reservoir yesterday
> at 4pm and someone had left their spotting scope there. She waited and no
> one came by for it, so rather than leave it she kept it hoping to find
> the owner.
>
> If you think it is yours please email her at lornat303 at gmail.com
>
> David Suddjian
> Littleton CO
>
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Date: 9/28/26 9:34 am From: Patrick O'Driscoll <patodrisk...> Subject: Re: [cobirds] "Low elevation" Pine Grosbeak at High Grade Road, Jefferson Co
Having had visits from both a Steller's J and a Woodhouse's S-J in my
east-central Denver backyard earlier this month, is the prevailing opinion
that lack of food (drought?) in their usual habitat may be driving more of
these and other higher-country species down here to the Plains?
Patrick O'Driscoll
Denver
On Mon, Sep 28, 2026 at 9:08â¯AM Brad Dobson <bradford.dobson...>
wrote:
>
> Interesting. We had a number of Steller's Jays here recently on the west
> side of
> Loveland and I see a number of reports further East, almost all
> 2026: I usually have to get up into the forest a little more to see them.
>
> David Suddjian <dsuddjian...> writes:
>
> > Now much bird reporting is happening on the list, so I thought I'd chime
> in with a report of Pine Grosbeak this morning at 7,150' elevation in
> > Ponderosa / Douglas-fir forest along High Grade Road in Jeff Co near
> Littleton. eBird does not have any other records for the county between
> > mid-Aug to late Oct, and most are from late winter into early spring.
> >
> > David Suddjian
> > Littleton CO
> >
> > --
>
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Date: 9/28/26 9:26 am From: Steve Brown <sbrown37...> Subject: [cobirds] Mountain birds here
Hey COBirders,
Iâm doing backyard banding this fall, and while not seeing any unusual migrants, some higher elevation birds are showing up here, in NW colorado Springs -Mountain Shadows neighborhood.
Seen this week -Evening Grosbeak male (first in several years), 3 Stellerâs Jays, (2 banded -first in several years), Cassinâs Finch (2 female type, banded. I had one last year.), and the first three Gray-headed Juncos (2 banded). In addition, I still have at least one Broad-tailed Hummer (female) hanging around. Usually here the first juncos appear about the same day as the last hummers.
Plus, several raptors seen heading S over the neighborhood this weekend -TVâs, Red-tails, Cooperâs, and a few not idâd.
Happy Migration,
Steve Brown
Colo spgs
Sent from my iPad
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Date: 9/28/26 8:08 am From: Brad Dobson <bradford.dobson...> Subject: Re: [cobirds] "Low elevation" Pine Grosbeak at High Grade Road, Jefferson Co
Interesting. We had a number of Steller's Jays here recently on the west side of Loveland and I see a number of reports further East, almost all 2026: I usually have to get up into the forest a little more to see them.
David Suddjian <dsuddjian...> writes:
> Now much bird reporting is happening on the list, so I thought I'd chime in with a report of Pine Grosbeak this morning at 7,150' elevation in > Ponderosa / Douglas-fir forest along High Grade Road in Jeff Co near Littleton. eBird does not have any other records for the county between > mid-Aug to late Oct, and most are from late winter into early spring. > > David Suddjian > Littleton CO > > --
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Date: 9/28/26 8:08 am From: David Suddjian <dsuddjian...> Subject: [cobirds] Spotting scope found at Marston Reservoir on Sept 27
CoBirders,
I'm posting this for Lorna Thomas. She was at Marston Reservoir yesterday at 4pm and someone had left their spotting scope there. She waited and no one came by for it, so rather than leave it she kept it hoping to find the owner.
If you think it is yours please email her at lornat303 at gmail.com
David Suddjian Littleton CO
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Another great week at Chatfield! We banded 113 new birds of 20 species over
the course of our 3 banding days. We also had 13 same-season recaptures and
3 recaptures from previous seasons. Our Wilson's Warbler numbers are
slowing but we had an increase in Orange-crowned Warblers this week plus
our first flock of Yellow-rumped Warblers.
Audrey Hicks
Bander, Denver Audubon + Bird Conservancy of the Rockies
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Date: 9/27/26 7:18 pm From: <reports...> Subject: [cobirds] Mount Zion Hawk Watch at Windy Saddle Park (27 Sep 2026) 44 Raptors
Mount Zion Hawk Watch at Windy Saddle Park
Golden, Greater Denver, Colorado, USA
To see hourly weather data and details of migrant raptors, look up this watch at hawkcount.org.
This is a new raptor migration site identified and designated in mid-September 2024. This is Colorado's 1st fall hawk watch site, and the second hawk watch in Colorado.
To get to the site which is along Lookout Mountain Rd. in Golden, enter either Windy Saddle Park or Mount Zion into Google Maps on your favorite navigation app, or enter the coordinates 39.7368,-105.2454. From the parking lot ascend the stone steps to the watch site.
EVERYONE IS WELCOME TO THE HAWK WATCH TO ENJOY THE SPECTACLE OF RAPTOR MIGRATION, EVEN IF YOU KNOW NOTHING ABOUT IDENTIFYING RAPTORS IN FLIGHT. We will help you to learn Raptor ID if you are interested.
See https://groups.google.com/g/cobirds/c/Oznn4uc6MBk
Observation start time: 07:45:00
Observation end time: 14:15:00
Total observation time: 5.75 hours
Official Counter: Ajit Antony
Observers: Liza Antony
Visitors:
5 visitors asked whether we were bird watching, and we explained. One woman
said Yeah that she has a Cooper's Hawk in her backyard and wanted to know
whether we had seen any Bald Eagle, we had said we had seen 1 as well as a
GE.
Weather:
Minimal haze over Denver. Winds from the WSW changing to ESE with
increasing force ending in level 4 winds with gusts to level 5. Good cloud
cover all day starting with cirrus, with cumulus clouds coming in from the
West. Mostly sunny.
Raptor Observations:
The first migrant looked like a passerine constantly flapping just over the
NE horizon, and I wondered whether it could be a Merlin, fortunately it
flew under a linear cloud, so I could find it in my scope and confirm that
indeed it was a Merlin. Interestingly when it flew over the trees and
houses well north of Green Mountain even though it was flapping constantly
it lost elevation, dropping below the top of Green Mountain.
Most of the raptors migrated through the Gap closer to Green Mountain until
12:00 PM after which they flew mostly over Lookout Mountain
While Liza was following an adult BE to decide if it was migrating or not,
she excitedly said there was a bunch of smaller birds above it, and we saw
visible as small dots through binoculars 10 BW, confirmed to be small
compact buteos through my scope.
The last migrant but one was an adult Swainson's Hawk which was found to
the NW, and migrated to the SW.
It was difficult to find many migrant raptors today probably because while
the Soaring Forecast of the NWS predicted lift at 21 ft/sec but the maximum
height of thermals was to be at 12407 feet AGL which is 10,000 feet or 2
miles above the watch!
Non-migrant raptors: juvenile GE 1, Adult BE, CH 1, RT 6, TV 4.
Non-raptor Observations:
https://ebird.org/checklist/S397036356?subID=S397036356 3 tandem barraglers at 10:30 AM had no lift, the 4 an hour later had
excellent lift going high, the ones at 12 pm and 1:00 PM had not much lift,
probably because of heavy cloud cover covering the sun, dropping the
thermals' height.
Predictions:
A chance of showers between 9am and 3pm, then a chance of showers and
thunderstorms after 3pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 74. Light and
variable wind becoming west 5 to 7 mph in the afternoon. Chance of
precipitation is 50%.
The winds aloft at 700 hPa, a level migrants would fly at is from the SW.
========================================================================
Report submitted by Ajit Antony (<aiantony...>)
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Meredith McBurney
Bander, Barr Lake Station
Bird Conservancy of the Rockies
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Date: 9/27/26 2:19 pm From: David Suddjian <dsuddjian...> Subject: [cobirds] "Low elevation" Pine Grosbeak at High Grade Road, Jefferson Co
Now much bird reporting is happening on the list, so I thought I'd chime in with a report of Pine Grosbeak this morning at 7,150' elevation in Ponderosa / Douglas-fir forest along High Grade Road in Jeff Co near Littleton. eBird does not have any other records for the county between mid-Aug to late Oct, and most are from late winter into early spring.
David Suddjian Littleton CO
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Date: 9/26/26 4:07 pm From: <reports...> Subject: [cobirds] Mount Zion Hawk Watch at Windy Saddle Park (26 Sep 2026) 17 Raptors
Mount Zion Hawk Watch at Windy Saddle Park
Golden, Greater Denver, Colorado, USA
To see hourly weather data and details of migrant raptors, look up this watch at hawkcount.org.
This is a new raptor migration site identified and designated in mid-September 2024. This is Colorado's 1st fall hawk watch site, and the second hawk watch in Colorado.
To get to the site which is along Lookout Mountain Rd. in Golden, enter either Windy Saddle Park or Mount Zion into Google Maps on your favorite navigation app, or enter the coordinates 39.7368,-105.2454. From the parking lot ascend the stone steps to the watch site.
EVERYONE IS WELCOME TO THE HAWK WATCH TO ENJOY THE SPECTACLE OF RAPTOR MIGRATION, EVEN IF YOU KNOW NOTHING ABOUT IDENTIFYING RAPTORS IN FLIGHT. We will help you to learn Raptor ID if you are interested.
See https://groups.google.com/g/cobirds/c/Oznn4uc6MBk
Observation start time: 08:15:00
Observation end time: 11:30:00
Total observation time: 3.25 hours
Official Counter: Ajit Antony
Observers: Liza Antony
Visitors:
5 visitors were interested in what we were doing.Jacqui Ainlay-Conley the
Museum Director of the Buffalo Bill Museum and Grave came and was wondering
what we were doing. We explained that Colorado has had no fall hawk watch,
and that we came from the Hudson Valley in New York 1 hour north of New
York City from where within 3 hours we could visit at least 15 hawk
watches! We explained that we normally count on top of Mount Zion, the road
to which was closed today. She thought that her superiors at Denver
Mountain Parks would be interested, and wanted their naturalist to get in
contact with us.
Weather:
After the rain yesterday there was minimal haze in the air, completely
cloudless initially but by 10:30 a.m. MDT small and then larger thermal
clouds formed and pushed in from the West, coming overhead and to the east
giving us a good backdrop to look for migrants which were few today. One
reason could be explained by the Soaring Forecast of the NWS which had lift
predicted at 15 ft per second, and height of thermals by 11:00 a.m. to be
11,827 ft AGL!
Raptor Observations:
The first migrant was an RT at 9:27 a.m. MDT which came from the NNW, a
binocular bird at moderate height. Around 10:15 a.m. we saw a juvenile GE
which needed a scope to age it (white at the base of the tail, no white on
the primaries, and no carpal bar) to the NNW and it seemed not to be a
migrant, we saw it again 5 minutes later still a non-migrant, and at 10:30
a.m. we saw, presumably the same GE, far to the NE now definitely a migrant
going SE through the Gap. At 11:10 a.m. we saw an adult GE over North Table
Mountain, missing a right 7th primary and had a full crop migrated over
South Table Mountain through the Gap closer to Green Mountain. An adult BE
far to the north moved South and overtook another adult BE which turned out
to be a non-migrant.
Non-migrant raptors: adult GE 1, adult BE 1 which we had to follow for 10
minutes with binoculars as it kept going higher and seeming to migrate
before it decided to go NW, RT 3.
Most of the migrant raptors in the 11:00 mdtr came very high overhead to
the NE. Has anyone heard of 'raptor neck' (like warbler neck in the East)?
Non-raptor Observations:
Part of the way up Lookout Mountain Road there was a barrier across the
road. The road was closed for a in both directions leading to Mount Zion,
so we had to go all the way around to the Buffalo Bill Museum, our
alternate site at 39.7337, -105.2385 at 7375 feet, around 200 ft higher
than Mount Zion Hawk Watch. From here, both the Lookout Mountains looked
'quite close' as well as Green Mountain which is in actuality 4 miles away!
Predictions:
A 20 percent chance of showers after 5pm. Increasing clouds, with a high
near 81. Calm wind becoming east southeast 5 to 7 mph in the afternoon.
The winds aloft are expected to be from the SW.
========================================================================
Report submitted by Ajit Antony (<aiantony...>)
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Meredith McBurney
Bander, Barr Lake Station
Bird Conservancy of the Rockies
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Date: 9/26/26 2:25 pm From: Chicobander <jshieldcastle...> Subject: [cobirds] Chico Basin Ranch Banding Station Report-Bird Conservancy of the Rockies-September 26, 2026
A crisp morning at the banding station. There were a few Wilson's Warblers flitting about but none got into the mist nets. The only warbler species we caught today were Yellow-rumps. We did catch a nice Townsend's Solitaire and a Green-tailed Towhee. *17 New Banded Birds* Myrtle (Yellow-rumped) Warbler- 1 Audubon's (Yellow-rumped) Warbler- 2 Myrtle X Audubon's (Yellow-rumped) Warbler- 1 Red-breasted Nuthatch-1 Oregon (Dark-eyed) Junco- 2 Lincoln's Sparrow- 1 Green-tailed Towhee- 1 Swainson's Thrush- 1 Hermit Thrush- 5 Townsend's Solitaire- 1 American Robin- 1
*2 Recaptures - banded earlier this season* Swainson's Thrush- gained almost 3 grams since last captured Gray Catbird- gained 2.5 grams since last captured.
The Banding station will be closed tomorrow and open on Monday at sunrise until around noon. Birding areas are open tomorrow on the ranch. Please register online at www.aikenaudubon.com.
Beautiful day outside, Enjoy!
Julie Shieldcastle, Bander Chico Basin Ranch Bird Conservancy of the Rockies
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Date: 9/26/26 7:46 am From: Margaret Smith <margaretalicesmith...> Subject: Re: [cobirds] Digest for - 9 updates in 6 topics
Re: Jeff, Oregon Dark-eyed Junco
I, too still have Black-chinned Hummingbirds coming to my feeder.
-- Margaret
> On Sep 26, 2026, at 7:13 AM, <cobirds...> wrote:
>
>
> <cobirds...> Google Groups
> Topic digest
> View all topics
> Oregon Dark-eyed Junco, Louisville, Boulder County - 3 Updates
> Mount Zion Hawk Watch at Windy Saddle Park (25 Sep 2026) 65 Raptors - 1 Update
> Bird Conservancy of the Rockies - Barr Lake Banding Report, 9/25/26 - 1 Update
> Chico Basin Ranch Banding Station Report-Bird Conservancy of the Rockies-September 25, 2026 - 1 Update
> DFO Presents: Sept 30 The Lesser Prairie-Chicken in Colorado: Ecology and Conservation - 2 Updates
> Digest for <cobirds...> - 3 updates in 3 topics - 1 Update
> Oregon Dark-eyed Junco, Louisville, Boulder County
> Gary & Sharon <gebsmn...>: Sep 25 10:45PM -0600
>
> I was surprised to see a beautiful early Male Oregon Dark-eyed Junco in the yard this late afternoon in Louisville. Too early?
>
> Sharon Norfleet
> Louisville, Boulder. County
> Sent from my iPad
> Jeff P <jeff.percell...>: Sep 25 10:50PM -0600
>
> I had a pair come through Erie 10 days ago, perhaps a little early but not
> crazy.
>
> https://ebird.org/checklist/S393253337 >
> Separately, I've still had a couple of Black-chinned Hummingbirds hanging
> around the yard all week, so they are still here.
>
> Thanks,
> Jeff
>
> Susan Rosine <u5b2mtdna...>: Sep 26 07:06AM -0600
>
> They are early this year out at Barr Lake State Park Banding Station, Adams
> County!! We've banded several, starting back on September 8th!!!
>
> Susan Rosine
> Brighton
> Bird Conservancy of the Rockies
>
> Back to top
> Mount Zion Hawk Watch at Windy Saddle Park (25 Sep 2026) 65 Raptors
> <reports...>: Sep 26 02:28AM
>
> Mount Zion Hawk Watch at Windy Saddle Park
> Golden, Greater Denver, Colorado, USA
>
> To see hourly weather data and details of migrant raptors, look up this watch at hawkcount.org.
>
> This is a new raptor migration site identified and designated in mid-September 2024. This is Colorado's 1st fall hawk watch site, and the second hawk watch in Colorado.
>
> To get to the site which is along Lookout Mountain Rd. in Golden, enter either Windy Saddle Park or Mount Zion into Google Maps on your favorite navigation app, or enter the coordinates 39.7368,-105.2454. From the parking lot ascend the stone steps to the watch site.
> EVERYONE IS WELCOME TO THE HAWK WATCH TO ENJOY THE SPECTACLE OF RAPTOR MIGRATION, EVEN IF YOU KNOW NOTHING ABOUT IDENTIFYING RAPTORS IN FLIGHT. We will help you to learn Raptor ID if you are interested.
> See https://groups.google.com/g/cobirds/c/Oznn4uc6MBk >
> Daily Raptor Counts: Sep 25, 2026
> -------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
> ------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
> Black Vulture 0 0 0
> Turkey Vulture 0 106 211
> Osprey 1 21 23
> Bald Eagle 0 3 4
> Northern Harrier 2 17 18
> Sharp-shinned Hawk 0 15 18
> Cooper's Hawk 17 142 156
> American Goshawk 0 0 0
> Broad-winged Hawk 2 88 88
> Red-tailed Hawk 36 284 441
> Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0
> Swainson's Hawk 0 172 187
> Ferruginous Hawk 0 1 1
> Golden Eagle 2 10 11
> American Kestrel 3 100 120
> Merlin 0 2 2
> Peregrine Falcon 0 0 1
> Prairie Falcon 0 1 2
> Mississippi Kite 0 0 0
> Unknown Accipitrine 0 3 3
> Unknown Buteo 2 6 7
> Unknown Falcon 0 0 0
> Unknown Eagle 0 0 0
> Unknown Raptor 0 9 10
>
> Total: 65 980 1303
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Observation start time: 08:30:00
> Observation end time: 13:00:00
> Total observation time: 4.5 hours
>
> Official Counter: Ajit Antony
>
> Observers: Crystal Wilson, Liza Antony
>
> Visitors:
> Crystal Wilson of Englewood had been following our reports on COBirds, and
> seeing 50 TV flying south over her house, decided to come to the watch, and
> found us some raptors. We were able to show her 3 adult GE together, and
> how to distinguish GE adult from immature, and CH ID.
> Sabrina Chande a ranger with Jeffco, cleaning up. She asked what we were
> looking at, and told us that Jeffco has a hawk watch. We said we know about
> Dinosaur Ridge as we've helped count there. We explained that this is
> Colorado's only fall hawk watch, which she was surprised at. We told her
> that Jeffco now has the only 2 hawk watches in Colorado.
> 6 hikers were interested in what we were doing. I was able to show one of
> them a TV on an antenna and one flying around it. We showed another couple
> a flying Golden Eagle which they hadn't seen before.
>
>
> Weather:
> Denver and beyond was hazy. 100% cloud cover with altostratus and
> stratocumulus. They were large very dark cumulus clouds which passed to the
> NW and the SW, thanks to the effect of Clear Creek Canyon just north of the
> watch, the storms bypass the watch largely. In the last 2 hours we could
> see dark clouds far to the west and rain falling. At 2:00 p.m. the rain
> came closer and we could hear thunder. My Lightning app showed numerous
> lightning strikes 13 miles NW, so we left, especially because there were
> 100 lightning strikes due West of us at Idaho Springs 17 miles away which
> looked like they were going to come directly over the watch.
>
> Raptor Observations:
> The first migrants were 2 BW adults at 9:30 a.m. MDT seen initially to the
> NE, came overhead and then went toward the SE. In the next hour the
> majority of the migrants went through the Gap, closer to Green Mountain
> than Lookout Mountain.
> We saw a migrant CH dive on an immature RT in the Kestrel Channel, then
> dive on it when it first on a tree. An AK dove on an NH, both migrants.
> 2 adult GE at 12:38 p.m.
> Non-migrant raptors: 4 adult GE, 3 just below the top of Lookout Mountain,
> one of which had a few secondaries missing. Immature GE 1.
>
> Non-raptor Observations:
> A tandem paraglider and four others at 10:30 a.m. at no lift but by 11:45
> they were able to go high.
>
> Predictions:
> Sunny, with a high near 80. West wind 8 to 13 mph becoming light and
> variable. Winds could gust as high as 21 mph.
> The winds aloft are predicted to come from the West and after 1:00 p.m.
> from the East.
> ========================================================================
> Report submitted by Ajit Antony (<aiantony...>)
>
>
> More site information at hawkcount.org: https://hawkcount.org/siteinfo.php?rsite=968 >
>
> This is an automated email report from hawkcount.org. If you do not wish to receive these reports,
> please send email to <unsubscribe...> to unsubscribe.
> Back to top
> Bird Conservancy of the Rockies - Barr Lake Banding Report, 9/25/26
> Meredith McBurney <Meredith.McBurney...>: Sep 25 04:57PM -0700
>
> Barr was covered in a dense fog this morning, which burned off slowly over
> the morning. Sun was out by the time we were closing. Probably as a
> result there was limited bird activity. 25 new birds plus 1 recapture from
> last year:
>
> Downy Woodpecker 1 return, banded last year
> Dusky Flycatcher 1
> Ruby-crowned Kinglet 4
> Hermit Thrush 2
> Orange-crowned Warbler 1
> Wilson's Warbler 7
> Song Sparrow 1
> White-crowned Sparrow, Gambel's 9
>
> We are open Tuesday through Sunday, weather permitting, through October
> 23. Most weekday mornings there is a visitor session from 7:30 to 8:30,
> and on the weekends there are sessions at 8, 9 and 10 a.m. Reservations
> are needed; here
> <https://campscui.active.com/orgs/BirdConservancyoftheRockies?e4q=b2bfe837-0b71-4b75-925b-f36b536eb857&e4p=4c592869-969a-4f02-9976-6f90b39e161c&e4ts=1787596706&e4c=active&e4e=snlvcmpscui00001load&e4rt=Safetynet&e4h=439587f8d42cbb095738a1671f169c4b&newcui=true> is
> the link. Please join us......It is a great year to visit Barr!
>
> Meredith McBurney
> Bander, Barr Lake Station
> Bird Conservancy of the Rockies
> Back to top
> Chico Basin Ranch Banding Station Report-Bird Conservancy of the Rockies-September 25, 2026
> Chicobander <jshieldcastle...>: Sep 25 12:57PM -0700
>
> Low lying fog and clouds in the surrounding area curtailed migrating birds
> from dropping into the banding station olive grove this morning. There have
> been a couple accipiter hawks around the area all week. We caught another
> male immature Sharp-shinned Hawk today. otherwise a slow and quiet bird
> day. Fortunately we had a couple birds to show and talk about bird
> migration to Gold Camp 5th graders this morning.
> A Hammond's Flycatcher was hanging out in the cottonwoods singing this
> morning. What a loud singer for such a little bird!
> *15 New Banded Birds*
> Wilson's Warbler- 4
> Oregon (Dark-eyed) Junco- 3
> Pink-sided (Dark-eyed) Junco- 1
> Gambel's White-Crowned Sparrow- 1
> Spotted Towhee- 2
> Hermit Thrush- 2
> Brown Thrasher- 1
> Sharp-shinned Hawk- 1
>
> *3 Recaptures*
> Brown Thrasher
> Yellow-breasted Chat
> Gray Catbird
>
> The Banding station will be open tomorrow from sunrise until @ noon. If
> interested in visiting the ranch, please register online at
> www.aikenaudubon.com
> Have a good weekend!
>
> Julie Shieldcastle, Bander
> Chico Basin Ranch
> Bird Conservancy of the Rockies
> Back to top
> DFO Presents: Sept 30 The Lesser Prairie-Chicken in Colorado: Ecology and Conservation
> David Suddjian <dsuddjian...>: Sep 25 08:41AM -0600
>
> Join Denver Field Ornithologists on Monday Sept 30 at 7pm for an evening of
> learning about the charismatic Lesser Prairie-Chicken of Colorado. We are
> excited to welcome Colorado Parks & Wildlife biologist *Katie Merewether*,
> a leading researcher and conservationist working with *Lesser
> Prairie-Chickens in Colorado* to present. This presentation will cover the
> history of the bird in Colorado, the ecology of this imperiled species, and
> current and proposed conservation efforts. .*DFO members and non members
> are invited to attend this in-person event. This presentation will not be
> recorded or live streamed.*
> *Please RSVP here if you will attend*
> <https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdg7MGmzRNZaVBTDGB_TSWC9neRs7rbo6nEPGMPn9I-LIzaBg/viewform> > Read more program details here. <https://dfobirds.org/Projects/Events.aspx> >
> David Suddjian
> Littleton CO
>
> [image: 812875475_1422089730034946_7254046471303254298_n.jpg]
> Katie Merewether, prairie-chicken researcher and presenter.
> David Suddjian <dsuddjian...>: Sep 25 09:14AM -0600
>
> Sorry- the talk is Wednesday Sept 30, not Monday.
>
> David
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
> On Sep 25, 2026, at 8:41 AM, David Suddjian <dsuddjian...> wrote:
>
> 
>
> Join Denver Field Ornithologists on Monday Sept 30 at 7pm for an evening of learning about the charismatic Lesser Prairie-Chicken of Colorado. We are excited to welcome Colorado Parks & Wildlife biologist Katie Merewether, a leading researcher and conservationist working with Lesser Prairie-Chickens in Colorado to present. This presentation will cover the history of the bird in Colorado, the ecology of this imperiled species, and current and proposed conservation efforts. .DFO members and non members are invited to attend this in-person event. This presentation will not be recorded or live streamed.
>
> Please RSVP here if you will attend
>
> Read more program details here.
>
> David Suddjian
>
> Littleton CO
>
> <812875475_1422089730034946_7254046471303254298_n.jpg>
>
> Katie Merewether, prairie-chicken researcher and presenter.
> Back to top
> Digest for <cobirds...> - 3 updates in 3 topics
> Sharon Tinianow <sharontinianow...>: Sep 25 08:41AM -0600
>
> Sent from my iPad
>
> On Sep 25, 2026, at 7:24 AM, <cobirds...> wrote:
>
> 
>
> <cobirds...> Google Groups Logo Google Groups
>
> Topic digest
>
> View all topics
>
> Mount Zion Hawk Watch at Windy Saddle Park (24 Sep 2026) 40 Raptors - 1 Update
>
> Bird Conservancy of the Rockies - Barr Lake Banding Report, 9/24/26 - 1 Update
>
> Chico Basin Ranch Banding Station Report-Bird Conservancy of the Rockies-September 24, 2026 - 1 Update
>
> Mount Zion Hawk Watch at Windy Saddle Park (24 Sep 2026) 40 Raptors
>
> <reports...>: Sep 25 03:06AM
>
> Mount Zion Hawk Watch at Windy Saddle Park
>
> Golden, Greater Denver, Colorado, USA
>
> To see hourly weather data and details of migrant raptors, look up this watch at hawkcount.org.
>
> This is a new raptor migration site identified and designated in mid-September 2024. This is Colorado's 1st fall hawk watch site, and the second hawk watch in Colorado.
>
> To get to the site which is along Lookout Mountain Rd. in Golden, enter either Windy Saddle Park or Mount Zion into Google Maps on your favorite navigation app, or enter the coordinates 39.7368,-105.2454. From the parking lot ascend the stone steps to the watch site.
>
> EVERYONE IS WELCOME TO THE HAWK WATCH TO ENJOY THE SPECTACLE OF RAPTOR MIGRATION, EVEN IF YOU KNOW NOTHING ABOUT IDENTIFYING RAPTORS IN FLIGHT. We will help you to learn Raptor ID if you are interested.
>
> See https://groups.google.com/g/cobirds/c/Oznn4uc6MBk >
> Daily Raptor Counts: Sep 24, 2026
>
> -------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
>
> ------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
>
> Black Vulture 0 0 0
>
> Turkey Vulture 2 106 211
>
> Osprey 0 20 22
>
> Bald Eagle 1 3 4
>
> Northern Harrier 1 15 16
>
> Sharp-shinned Hawk 1 15 18
>
> Cooper's Hawk 10 125 139
>
> American Goshawk 0 0 0
>
> Broad-winged Hawk 11 86 86
>
> Red-tailed Hawk 3 248 405
>
> Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0
>
> Swainson's Hawk 3 172 187
>
> Ferruginous Hawk 0 1 1
>
> Golden Eagle 1 8 9
>
> American Kestrel 4 97 117
>
> Merlin 0 2 2
>
> Peregrine Falcon 0 0 1
>
> Prairie Falcon 0 1 2
>
> Mississippi Kite 0 0 0
>
> Unknown Accipitrine 0 3 3
>
> Unknown Buteo 3 4 5
>
> Unknown Falcon 0 0 0
>
> Unknown Eagle 0 0 0
>
> Unknown Raptor 0 9 10
>
> Total: 40 915 1238
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Observation start time: 08:15:00
>
> Observation end time: 12:15:00
>
> Total observation time: 4 hours
>
> Official Counter: Liza Antony
>
> Observers:
>
> Visitors:
>
> No visitors
>
> Weather:
>
> 100 percent cloud cover at the start of the watch. An inversion layer was
>
> noted over downtown Denver. Clear visibility to Green Mountain, which is 6
>
> km away. There was a prediction for showers however it did not materialize
>
> while I was counting raptors. At the start of the watch it was very still
>
> however in 45 minutes there was a light breeze from the north east which
>
> change to NNE followed by N the NE at the end of the watch.
>
> Raptor Observations:
>
> The first two raptors were seen at 8:48 AM MST and where Swanson�s Hawks.
>
> Most of the hawks were flying very high, and the clouds helped spot the
>
> birds, but I had difficulty finding it in the spotting scope and had to
>
> rely on the overall shape of the bird.
>
> Non-migrant raptors: 1 GE; 2 TV, 3 RT
>
> Non-raptor Observations:
>
> Songbird seen are noted in eBird checklist S395905437
>
> The birds included WTSW,NOFL, PYNU, AMCR, RECR, STJA, Western Bluebird,
>
> RBNU, YRWA, TOSO, GHJU, CHSP, HOFL, BBMA, CORA
>
> Predictions:
>
> A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Partly sunny,
>
> with a high near 74. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph in the afternoon.
>
> ========================================================================
>
> Report submitted by Liza Antony (<liza.antony15...>)
>
> More site information at hawkcount.org: https://hawkcount.org/siteinfo.php?rsite=968 >
> This is an automated email report from hawkcount.org. If you do not wish to receive these reports,
>
> please send email to <unsubscribe...> to unsubscribe.
>
> Back to top
>
> Bird Conservancy of the Rockies - Barr Lake Banding Report, 9/24/26
>
> Meredith McBurney <Meredith.McBurney...>: Sep 24 05:56PM -0700
>
> Another "inbetweener" day - some sparrows mixed in with Wilson's and
>
> Orange-crowned Warblers and Ruby-crowned Kinglets. But the highlight was a
>
> pair of Flickers caught together - one red-shafted and one yellow-shafted.
>
> Beautiful, noisy and great to share with Christy Carello's Metro State
>
> University Ornithology class!
>
> Here's the breakdown of the 35 new birds:
>
> Northern Flicker, Red-shafted 1
>
> Northern Flicker, Yellow-shafted 1
>
> Red-breasted Nuthatch 1
>
> Ruby-crowned Kinglet 4
>
> Orange-crowned Warbler 3
>
> Wilson's Warbler 17
>
> Chipping Sparrow 1
>
> Song Sparrow 3
>
> Lincoln's Sparrow 1
>
> White-crowned Sparrow, Gambel's 2
>
> Dark-eyed Junco, Pink-sided 1
>
> We are open Tuesday through Sunday, weather permitting, through October
>
> 23. Most weekday mornings there is a visitor session from 7:30 to 8:30,
>
> and on the weekends there are sessions at 8, 9 and 10 am Reservations
>
> are needed; here
>
> <https://campscui.active.com/orgs/BirdConservancyoftheRockies?e4q=b2bfe837-0b71-4b75-925b-f36b536eb857&e4p=4c592869-969a-4f02-9976-6f90b39e161c&e4ts=1787596706&e4c=active&e4e=snlvcmpscui00001load&e4rt=Safetynet&e4h=439587f8d42cbb095738a1671f169c4b&newcui=true> is
>
> the link. Please join us......It is a great year to visit Barr!
>
> Meredith McBurney
>
> Bander, Barr Lake Station
>
> Bird Conservancy of the Rockies
>
> Back to top
>
> Chico Basin Ranch Banding Station Report-Bird Conservancy of the Rockies-September 24, 2026
>
> Chicobander <jshieldcastle...>: Sep 24 01:37PM -0700
>
> The Ranch received some nice rain early in the morning. It basically
>
> stopped before we opened the nets-thankfully. Wilson's Warblers were
>
> chipping most of the morning while searching for insects. Sixteen bird
>
> species were captured today with a highlight of an adult male Western
>
> Tanager and a Clay-colored Sparrow. Those sparrows are very beautiful. A
>
> birder saw a Townsend's Warbler around the banding station- a bit late for
>
> them but seems there are more around the area this fall.
>
> *37 New Banded Birds*
>
> Wilson's Warbler- 17
>
> Orange-crowned Warbler- 1
>
> Common Yellowthroat- 1
>
> Ruby-crowned Kinglet- 2
>
> Lesser Goldfinch- 1
>
> Pine Sisken- 3
>
> Lincoln's Sparrow- 1
>
> Clay-colored Sparrow- 1
>
> Pink-sided Junco (Dark-eyed)- 1
>
> Oregon Junco (Dark-eyed)- 1
>
> Gambel's White-crowned Sparrow- 1
>
> Spotted Towhee- 1
>
> Western Tanager- 1
>
> Swainson's Thrush- 1
>
> Hermit Thrush- 3
>
> Yellow-breasted Chat- 1
>
> *1 Recapture- banded yesterday*
>
> Swainson's Thrush- gained 2 grams since yesterday.
>
> The Banding station will be open tomorrow from sunrise until @ noon. There
>
> will be a 5th grade class from 9-11 AM tomorrow at the banding station. If
>
> wanting to visit the ranch, please register online at www.aikenaudubon.com
>
> Enjoy the Day!
>
> Julie Shieldcastle, Bander
>
> Chico Basin Ranch
>
> Bird Conservancy of the Rockies
>
> Back to top
>
> You received this digest because you're subscribed to updates for this group. You can change your settings on the group membership page.
>
> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it send an email to cobirds+<unsubscribe...>
> Back to top
> You received this digest because you're subscribed to updates for this group. You can change your settings on the group membership page.
> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it send an email to cobirds+<unsubscribe...>
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Date: 9/26/26 6:06 am From: Susan Rosine <u5b2mtdna...> Subject: Re: [cobirds] Oregon Dark-eyed Junco, Boulder County, Adams County
They are early this year out at Barr Lake State Park Banding Station, Adams County!! We've banded several, starting back on September 8th!!!
Susan Rosine Brighton Bird Conservancy of the Rockies
On Fri, Sep 25, 2026, 10:43 PM Gary & Sharon <gebsmn...> wrote:
> I was surprised to see a beautiful early Male Oregon Dark-eyed Junco in > the yard this late afternoon in Louisville. Too early? > > Sharon Norfleet > Louisville, Boulder. County > Sent from my iPad > > -- > -- > 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/<EFCDE938-E01D-4317-B25B-27438D830B57...> > . >
-- -- 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/CACPnx8WXcHpdBAXmBERPzQT-qys6sQAnWOT63Kt%<2BfnQLD5LnxA...>
Separately, I've still had a couple of Black-chinned Hummingbirds hanging
around the yard all week, so they are still here.
Thanks,
Jeff
On Fri, Sep 25, 2026, 10:43â¯PM Gary & Sharon <gebsmn...> wrote:
> I was surprised to see a beautiful early Male Oregon Dark-eyed Junco in
> the yard this late afternoon in Louisville. Too early?
>
> Sharon Norfleet
> Louisville, Boulder. County
> Sent from my iPad
>
> --
> --
> 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
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> 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/<EFCDE938-E01D-4317-B25B-27438D830B57...> > .
>
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Date: 9/25/26 9:43 pm From: Gary & Sharon <gebsmn...> Subject: [cobirds] Oregon Dark-eyed Junco, Louisville, Boulder County
I was surprised to see a beautiful early Male Oregon Dark-eyed Junco in the yard this late afternoon in Louisville. Too early?
Sharon Norfleet Louisville, Boulder. County Sent from my iPad
-- -- 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/<EFCDE938-E01D-4317-B25B-27438D830B57...>
Date: 9/25/26 7:28 pm From: <reports...> Subject: [cobirds] Mount Zion Hawk Watch at Windy Saddle Park (25 Sep 2026) 65 Raptors
Mount Zion Hawk Watch at Windy Saddle Park
Golden, Greater Denver, Colorado, USA
To see hourly weather data and details of migrant raptors, look up this watch at hawkcount.org.
This is a new raptor migration site identified and designated in mid-September 2024. This is Colorado's 1st fall hawk watch site, and the second hawk watch in Colorado.
To get to the site which is along Lookout Mountain Rd. in Golden, enter either Windy Saddle Park or Mount Zion into Google Maps on your favorite navigation app, or enter the coordinates 39.7368,-105.2454. From the parking lot ascend the stone steps to the watch site.
EVERYONE IS WELCOME TO THE HAWK WATCH TO ENJOY THE SPECTACLE OF RAPTOR MIGRATION, EVEN IF YOU KNOW NOTHING ABOUT IDENTIFYING RAPTORS IN FLIGHT. We will help you to learn Raptor ID if you are interested.
See https://groups.google.com/g/cobirds/c/Oznn4uc6MBk
Observation start time: 08:30:00
Observation end time: 13:00:00
Total observation time: 4.5 hours
Official Counter: Ajit Antony
Observers: Crystal Wilson, Liza Antony
Visitors:
Crystal Wilson of Englewood had been following our reports on COBirds, and
seeing 50 TV flying south over her house, decided to come to the watch, and
found us some raptors. We were able to show her 3 adult GE together, and
how to distinguish GE adult from immature, and CH ID.
Sabrina Chande a ranger with Jeffco, cleaning up. She asked what we were
looking at, and told us that Jeffco has a hawk watch. We said we know about
Dinosaur Ridge as we've helped count there. We explained that this is
Colorado's only fall hawk watch, which she was surprised at. We told her
that Jeffco now has the only 2 hawk watches in Colorado.
6 hikers were interested in what we were doing. I was able to show one of
them a TV on an antenna and one flying around it. We showed another couple
a flying Golden Eagle which they hadn't seen before.
Weather:
Denver and beyond was hazy. 100% cloud cover with altostratus and
stratocumulus. They were large very dark cumulus clouds which passed to the
NW and the SW, thanks to the effect of Clear Creek Canyon just north of the
watch, the storms bypass the watch largely. In the last 2 hours we could
see dark clouds far to the west and rain falling. At 2:00 p.m. the rain
came closer and we could hear thunder. My Lightning app showed numerous
lightning strikes 13 miles NW, so we left, especially because there were
100 lightning strikes due West of us at Idaho Springs 17 miles away which
looked like they were going to come directly over the watch.
Raptor Observations:
The first migrants were 2 BW adults at 9:30 a.m. MDT seen initially to the
NE, came overhead and then went toward the SE. In the next hour the
majority of the migrants went through the Gap, closer to Green Mountain
than Lookout Mountain.
We saw a migrant CH dive on an immature RT in the Kestrel Channel, then
dive on it when it first on a tree. An AK dove on an NH, both migrants.
2 adult GE at 12:38 p.m.
Non-migrant raptors: 4 adult GE, 3 just below the top of Lookout Mountain,
one of which had a few secondaries missing. Immature GE 1.
Non-raptor Observations:
A tandem paraglider and four others at 10:30 a.m. at no lift but by 11:45
they were able to go high.
Predictions:
Sunny, with a high near 80. West wind 8 to 13 mph becoming light and
variable. Winds could gust as high as 21 mph.
The winds aloft are predicted to come from the West and after 1:00 p.m.
from the East.
========================================================================
Report submitted by Ajit Antony (<aiantony...>)
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Date: 9/25/26 4:57 pm From: 'Meredith McBurney' via Colorado Birds <cobirds...> Subject: [cobirds] Bird Conservancy of the Rockies - Barr Lake Banding Report, 9/25/26
Barr was covered in a dense fog this morning, which burned off slowly over
the morning. Sun was out by the time we were closing. Probably as a
result there was limited bird activity. 25 new birds plus 1 recapture from
last year:
Downy Woodpecker 1 return, banded last year
Dusky Flycatcher 1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 4
Hermit Thrush 2
Orange-crowned Warbler 1
Wilson's Warbler 7
Song Sparrow 1
White-crowned Sparrow, Gambel's 9
Meredith McBurney
Bander, Barr Lake Station
Bird Conservancy of the Rockies
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Date: 9/25/26 12:57 pm From: Chicobander <jshieldcastle...> Subject: [cobirds] Chico Basin Ranch Banding Station Report-Bird Conservancy of the Rockies-September 25, 2026
Low lying fog and clouds in the surrounding area curtailed migrating birds from dropping into the banding station olive grove this morning. There have been a couple accipiter hawks around the area all week. We caught another male immature Sharp-shinned Hawk today. otherwise a slow and quiet bird day. Fortunately we had a couple birds to show and talk about bird migration to Gold Camp 5th graders this morning. A Hammond's Flycatcher was hanging out in the cottonwoods singing this morning. What a loud singer for such a little bird! *15 New Banded Birds* Wilson's Warbler- 4 Oregon (Dark-eyed) Junco- 3 Pink-sided (Dark-eyed) Junco- 1 Gambel's White-Crowned Sparrow- 1 Spotted Towhee- 2 Hermit Thrush- 2 Brown Thrasher- 1 Sharp-shinned Hawk- 1
*3 Recaptures* Brown Thrasher Yellow-breasted Chat Gray Catbird
The Banding station will be open tomorrow from sunrise until @ noon. If interested in visiting the ranch, please register online at www.aikenaudubon.com Have a good weekend!
Julie Shieldcastle, Bander Chico Basin Ranch Bird Conservancy of the Rockies
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Date: 9/25/26 8:14 am From: David Suddjian <dsuddjian...> Subject: [cobirds] Re: DFO Presents: Sept 30 The Lesser Prairie-Chicken in Colorado: Ecology and Conservation
Date: 9/25/26 7:42 am From: David Suddjian <dsuddjian...> Subject: [cobirds] DFO Presents: Sept 30 The Lesser Prairie-Chicken in Colorado: Ecology and Conservation
Join Denver Field Ornithologists on Monday Sept 30 at 7pm for an evening of learning about the charismatic Lesser Prairie-Chicken of Colorado. We are excited to welcome Colorado Parks & Wildlife biologist *Katie Merewether*, a leading researcher and conservationist working with *Lesser Prairie-Chickens in Colorado* to present. This presentation will cover the history of the bird in Colorado, the ecology of this imperiled species, and current and proposed conservation efforts. .*DFO members and non members are invited to attend this in-person event. This presentation will not be recorded or live streamed.* *Please RSVP here if you will attend* <https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdg7MGmzRNZaVBTDGB_TSWC9neRs7rbo6nEPGMPn9I-LIzaBg/viewform> Read more program details here. <https://dfobirds.org/Projects/Events.aspx>
David Suddjian Littleton CO
[image: 812875475_1422089730034946_7254046471303254298_n.jpg] Katie Merewether, prairie-chicken researcher and presenter.
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Date: 9/24/26 8:06 pm From: <reports...> Subject: [cobirds] Mount Zion Hawk Watch at Windy Saddle Park (24 Sep 2026) 40 Raptors
Mount Zion Hawk Watch at Windy Saddle Park
Golden, Greater Denver, Colorado, USA
To see hourly weather data and details of migrant raptors, look up this watch at hawkcount.org.
This is a new raptor migration site identified and designated in mid-September 2024. This is Colorado's 1st fall hawk watch site, and the second hawk watch in Colorado.
To get to the site which is along Lookout Mountain Rd. in Golden, enter either Windy Saddle Park or Mount Zion into Google Maps on your favorite navigation app, or enter the coordinates 39.7368,-105.2454. From the parking lot ascend the stone steps to the watch site.
EVERYONE IS WELCOME TO THE HAWK WATCH TO ENJOY THE SPECTACLE OF RAPTOR MIGRATION, EVEN IF YOU KNOW NOTHING ABOUT IDENTIFYING RAPTORS IN FLIGHT. We will help you to learn Raptor ID if you are interested.
See https://groups.google.com/g/cobirds/c/Oznn4uc6MBk
Observation start time: 08:15:00
Observation end time: 12:15:00
Total observation time: 4 hours
Official Counter: Liza Antony
Observers:
Visitors:
No visitors
Weather:
100 percent cloud cover at the start of the watch. An inversion layer was
noted over downtown Denver. Clear visibility to Green Mountain, which is 6
km away. There was a prediction for showers however it did not materialize
while I was counting raptors. At the start of the watch it was very still
however in 45 minutes there was a light breeze from the north east which
change to NNE followed by N the NE at the end of the watch.
Raptor Observations:
The first two raptors were seen at 8:48 AM MST and where Swanson�s Hawks.
Most of the hawks were flying very high, and the clouds helped spot the
birds, but I had difficulty finding it in the spotting scope and had to
rely on the overall shape of the bird.
Non-migrant raptors: 1 GE; 2 TV, 3 RT
Non-raptor Observations:
Songbird seen are noted in eBird checklist S395905437
The birds included WTSW,NOFL, PYNU, AMCR, RECR, STJA, Western Bluebird,
RBNU, YRWA, TOSO, GHJU, CHSP, HOFL, BBMA, CORA
Predictions:
A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Partly sunny,
with a high near 74. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph in the afternoon.
========================================================================
Report submitted by Liza Antony (<liza.antony15...>)
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Date: 9/24/26 5:56 pm From: 'Meredith McBurney' via Colorado Birds <cobirds...> Subject: [cobirds] Bird Conservancy of the Rockies - Barr Lake Banding Report, 9/24/26
Another "inbetweener" day - some sparrows mixed in with Wilson's and
Orange-crowned Warblers and Ruby-crowned Kinglets. But the highlight was a
pair of Flickers caught together - one red-shafted and one yellow-shafted.
Beautiful, noisy and great to share with Christy Carello's Metro State
University Ornithology class!
Meredith McBurney
Bander, Barr Lake Station
Bird Conservancy of the Rockies
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Date: 9/24/26 1:37 pm From: Chicobander <jshieldcastle...> Subject: [cobirds] Chico Basin Ranch Banding Station Report-Bird Conservancy of the Rockies-September 24, 2026
The Ranch received some nice rain early in the morning. It basically stopped before we opened the nets-thankfully. Wilson's Warblers were chipping most of the morning while searching for insects. Sixteen bird species were captured today with a highlight of an adult male Western Tanager and a Clay-colored Sparrow. Those sparrows are very beautiful. A birder saw a Townsend's Warbler around the banding station- a bit late for them but seems there are more around the area this fall. *37 New Banded Birds* Wilson's Warbler- 17 Orange-crowned Warbler- 1 Common Yellowthroat- 1 Ruby-crowned Kinglet- 2 Lesser Goldfinch- 1 Pine Sisken- 3 Lincoln's Sparrow- 1 Clay-colored Sparrow- 1 Pink-sided Junco (Dark-eyed)- 1 Oregon Junco (Dark-eyed)- 1 Gambel's White-crowned Sparrow- 1 Spotted Towhee- 1 Western Tanager- 1 Swainson's Thrush- 1 Hermit Thrush- 3 Yellow-breasted Chat- 1
The Banding station will be open tomorrow from sunrise until @ noon. There will be a 5th grade class from 9-11 AM tomorrow at the banding station. If wanting to visit the ranch, please register online at www.aikenaudubon.com
Enjoy the Day!
Julie Shieldcastle, Bander Chico Basin Ranch Bird Conservancy of the Rockies
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Date: 9/23/26 8:03 pm From: DAVID A LEATHERMAN <daleatherman...> Subject: [cobirds] Piratic Flycatcher food responses
To summarize the responses so far to my inquiry about Piratic Flycatcher food habits in Wray, CO and elsewhere:
The Stalker Lake birds WAS seen eating Virginia Creeper berries. It WAS seen flycatching successfully for unknown insects. It was also reported pursuing a large dragonfly (and half-heartedly went after a monarch butterfly). Interestingly, nobody has confirmed it eating Russian-olives. One photo shows the bird with something that appears to be dark in its beak. This might be an insect or it could be a purple Virginia creeper berry. Since the photo shows it on a bare branch, the object is probably an insect caught on the wing. Peter Gent relayed the CO bird is thought to be an immature, based on coloration of the shoulder area, which is consistent with a diet that includes a complement of insects.
As stated, the immature AZ bird is eating the fruits of Chinese pistache tree. It was also seen in a pecan tree and apparently foraging on the bark of a dead tree (presumably for insects).
Bill Kaempfer reports the FL bird is eating Virginia creeper berries. "Privet" is also mentioned on at least one FL checklist.
Dave Leatherman
Fort Collins
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Date: 9/23/26 7:13 pm From: <reports...> Subject: [cobirds] Mount Zion Hawk Watch at Windy Saddle Park (23 Sep 2026) 40 Raptors
Mount Zion Hawk Watch at Windy Saddle Park
Golden, Greater Denver, Colorado, USA
To see hourly weather data and details of migrant raptors, look up this watch at hawkcount.org.
This is a new raptor migration site identified and designated in mid-September 2024. This is Colorado's 1st fall hawk watch site, and the second hawk watch in Colorado.
To get to the site which is along Lookout Mountain Rd. in Golden, enter either Windy Saddle Park or Mount Zion into Google Maps on your favorite navigation app, or enter the coordinates 39.7368,-105.2454. From the parking lot ascend the stone steps to the watch site.
EVERYONE IS WELCOME TO THE HAWK WATCH TO ENJOY THE SPECTACLE OF RAPTOR MIGRATION, EVEN IF YOU KNOW NOTHING ABOUT IDENTIFYING RAPTORS IN FLIGHT. We will help you to learn Raptor ID if you are interested.
See https://groups.google.com/g/cobirds/c/Oznn4uc6MBk
Observation start time: 08:30:00
Observation end time: 12:15:00
Total observation time: 3.75 hours
Official Counter: Ajit Antony
Observers:
Weather:
What's getting to be usual is the inversion layer with haze around Denver.
Perfect hawk watching cloud cover 100% - altostratus to the East,
altocumulus overhead to the South, and stratocumulus to the West, all of
which provided the perfect backdrop to be able to see hawks as well as to
scan with binoculars without any eye strain even high up. The overcast sky
would also serve to reduce the height of thermals. The Soaring forecast of
the NWS predicted lift of 6 ft per second and maximum height of thermals
7345 ft AGL by 1:30 p.m.. The winds aloft were from the South. Surprisingly
there was snow on the 14ers visible from the watch, specifically Mount Blue
Sky which had partly melted by the time I left. At that time there were
very dark clouds to the West with rain falling.
Raptor Observations:
The first migrant was a very distant AK beyond Green Mountain found only
through my scope while looking at a TV at 10:26 a.m. MDT. Migrants could be
seen coming from every direction, from the NE, overhead, and from the NW,
as well as finding them past the watch to the South and SE. By the 10-11
hour MDT Raptors were already at Level 4 (needing binoculars too see). BW
initially found with the naked eye and thereafter only with binoculars in
every hour, singly and up to 3 together. A single SW.
An adult GE at the top of Lookout Mountain dove to the NE toward Golden
doing its undulating roller coaster) sky dance which I presumed was
territorially directed, and sure enough it was chasing as much smaller
raptor CH size very low.
At 11:30 a.m. I found a 'kettle of 7 BW' a distance to the South but they
turned out to be an unkindness of ravens.
Predictions:
A chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after noon. Mostly
cloudy, with a high near 69. Light and variable wind becoming north 5 to 7
mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 50%, though there's a chance
of precipitation of 37% in the morning.
If it rains all day tomorrow, Friday could be a good day for migrants,
though the predicted winds aloft are from the SSW.
========================================================================
Report submitted by Ajit Antony (<aiantony...>)
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Date: 9/23/26 5:15 pm From: 'Meredith McBurney' via Colorado Birds <cobirds...> Subject: [cobirds] Bird Conservancy of the Rockies - Barr Lake Banding Report, 9/23/26
The White-crowned Sparrow invasion yesterday did not repeat; today was
again basically about Wilson's Warblers. A slower day, with only 35 new
birds and 1 return from last year:
Meredith McBurney
Bander, Barr Lake Station
Bird Conservancy of the Rockies
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I lucked into this shot, for what it's worth. See attached.
-------
Eric DeFonso
Boulder County, CO
On Wed, Sep 23, 2026 at 3:07â¯PM DAVID A LEATHERMAN <daleatherman...>
wrote:
> A big thanks to *Dan Maynard* for finding and reporting this CO 1st State
> Record bird!
>
>
>
> Congrats to *Joey Kellner* for his 500th CO species and everybody else
> (including *Duane Nelson* with ??? species) who has had the fortune to
> visit Wray and see it.
>
>
>
> What is this bird eating? BOW Cornell account for Piratic Flycatcher
> says, âinsects and fruit, with adults being entirely fruit-eaters
> (frugivorous)â. The two obvious fruits available at Stalker Lake SWA are
> those of Russian-olive and Virginia Creeper. The bird seems to sit up in
> bare Russian-olive branches a lot. It apparently doesnât do so to flycatch
> but rather to just âchillâ or digest. After bouts in bare branches, it
> goes down into the olives, presumably to feed. Olives are abundant, but is
> that what it is eating? Virginia creeper vines at this site often climb up
> into the olives, and they, too, are full of purple fruits. If anyone gets
> a photo of the bird with something in its beak, Iâd love to see it. Here
> are photos taken in the last few days at the Piratic Flycatcher site along
> the north side of Stalker Lake (Russian-olive on left, Virginia Creeper on
> right).
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Currently, there is a SECOND Piratic Flycatcher in Phoenix, AZ that my
> friend Dr. *David Steingraeber* says has been wonderfully documented in
> eBird (*Cristina Avila*) eating the fruits of Chinese Pistache Tree (*Pistachia
> chinensis*). Photo below showing fruits from Stanford University.
>
>
>
>
>
> And, Dave Steingraeber also informs me, thereâs a THIRD Piratic Flycatcher
> on a recent checklist at Sawgrass Lake Park (near St. Petersburg FL) by a
> former prominent Colorado birder, *Bill Kaempfer*. No mention of what it
> might be eating.
>
>
>
> Every CO birder ought to give Russian-olives a taste test. The pulp birds
> are after is either bland or mildly sweet, like weak watermelon. Donât eat
> the pit, obviously.
>
>
>
> Again, nice job *Dan Maynard*.
>
>
>
> Dave Leatherman
>
> Fort Collins
>
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Date: 9/23/26 2:34 pm From: Chicobander <jshieldcastle...> Subject: [cobirds] Chico Basin Ranch Banding Station Report-Bird Conservancy of the Rockies-September 23, 2026
More Southerly winds overnight and today. More Wilson's Warblers were in the area but most did not want to receive a band. Hoping for a northerly wind to assist the birds south and get some to drop into the olive grove. A Great-crested Flycatcher called several times in the Olive grove near the banding station. When the nets were closed it called more to the southwest of the olive grove. *25 New Banded Birds* Wilson's Warbler- 5 Orange-crowned Warbler- 2 Common Yellowthroat- 1 American Goldfinch- 3 House Finch- 2 Lincoln's Sparrow- 1 Gambel's White-crowned Sparrow- 5 Mountain White-Crowned Sparrow- 2 Spotted Towhee-1 Blue Grosbeak- 1 Hammond's Flycatcher-1 Swainson's Thrush- 1
*3 Recaptures- banded this season* Swainson's Thrush- 2 Gray Catbird
The Banding Station will be open tomorrow through Saturday from Sunrise until @ Noon. If interested in visiting the ranch, please register online at www.aikenaudubon.com Enjoy the Day!
Julie Shieldcastle, Bander Chico Basin Ranch Bird Conservancy of the Rockies
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Last Sunday morning between 11:25 and noon the Flycatcher was not in
Russian olives but in deciduous trees immediately north of the lake. It was
sitting on prominent perches and then making sallies after insects and
frequently going back to the same perch: peewee like although the sallies
were mostly shorter than a peewee. Of course, I have no idea what it was
catching but it was being successful.
Cheers, Peter Gent.
On Wed, Sep 23, 2026, 3:07 PM DAVID A LEATHERMAN <daleatherman...>
wrote:
> A big thanks to *Dan Maynard* for finding and reporting this CO 1st State
> Record bird!
>
>
>
> Congrats to *Joey Kellner* for his 500th CO species and everybody else
> (including *Duane Nelson* with ??? species) who has had the fortune to
> visit Wray and see it.
>
>
>
> What is this bird eating? BOW Cornell account for Piratic Flycatcher
> says, âinsects and fruit, with adults being entirely fruit-eaters
> (frugivorous)â. The two obvious fruits available at Stalker Lake SWA are
> those of Russian-olive and Virginia Creeper. The bird seems to sit up in
> bare Russian-olive branches a lot. It apparently doesnât do so to flycatch
> but rather to just âchillâ or digest. After bouts in bare branches, it
> goes down into the olives, presumably to feed. Olives are abundant, but is
> that what it is eating? Virginia creeper vines at this site often climb up
> into the olives, and they, too, are full of purple fruits. If anyone gets
> a photo of the bird with something in its beak, Iâd love to see it. Here
> are photos taken in the last few days at the Piratic Flycatcher site along
> the north side of Stalker Lake (Russian-olive on left, Virginia Creeper on
> right).
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Currently, there is a SECOND Piratic Flycatcher in Phoenix, AZ that my
> friend Dr. *David Steingraeber* says has been wonderfully documented in
> eBird (*Cristina Avila*) eating the fruits of Chinese Pistache Tree (*Pistachia
> chinensis*). Photo below showing fruits from Stanford University.
>
>
>
>
>
> And, Dave Steingraeber also informs me, thereâs a THIRD Piratic Flycatcher
> on a recent checklist at Sawgrass Lake Park (near St. Petersburg FL) by a
> former prominent Colorado birder, *Bill Kaempfer*. No mention of what it
> might be eating.
>
>
>
> Every CO birder ought to give Russian-olives a taste test. The pulp birds
> are after is either bland or mildly sweet, like weak watermelon. Donât eat
> the pit, obviously.
>
>
>
> Again, nice job *Dan Maynard*.
>
>
>
> Dave Leatherman
>
> Fort Collins
>
> --
> --
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Date: 9/23/26 2:11 pm From: Adrian Lakin <adrianlakin1...> Subject: Re: [cobirds] Piratic Flycatcher
Hi Dave,
We saw it eating Virginia Creeper berries on Monday. I don't think anyone
got pictures though.
Adrian Lakin,
Mead,CO
On Wed, Sep 23, 2026, 3:07â¯PM DAVID A LEATHERMAN <daleatherman...>
wrote:
> A big thanks to *Dan Maynard* for finding and reporting this CO 1st State
> Record bird!
>
>
>
> Congrats to *Joey Kellner* for his 500th CO species and everybody else
> (including *Duane Nelson* with ??? species) who has had the fortune to
> visit Wray and see it.
>
>
>
> What is this bird eating? BOW Cornell account for Piratic Flycatcher
> says, âinsects and fruit, with adults being entirely fruit-eaters
> (frugivorous)â. The two obvious fruits available at Stalker Lake SWA are
> those of Russian-olive and Virginia Creeper. The bird seems to sit up in
> bare Russian-olive branches a lot. It apparently doesnât do so to flycatch
> but rather to just âchillâ or digest. After bouts in bare branches, it
> goes down into the olives, presumably to feed. Olives are abundant, but is
> that what it is eating? Virginia creeper vines at this site often climb up
> into the olives, and they, too, are full of purple fruits. If anyone gets
> a photo of the bird with something in its beak, Iâd love to see it. Here
> are photos taken in the last few days at the Piratic Flycatcher site along
> the north side of Stalker Lake (Russian-olive on left, Virginia Creeper on
> right).
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Currently, there is a SECOND Piratic Flycatcher in Phoenix, AZ that my
> friend Dr. *David Steingraeber* says has been wonderfully documented in
> eBird (*Cristina Avila*) eating the fruits of Chinese Pistache Tree (*Pistachia
> chinensis*). Photo below showing fruits from Stanford University.
>
>
>
>
>
> And, Dave Steingraeber also informs me, thereâs a THIRD Piratic Flycatcher
> on a recent checklist at Sawgrass Lake Park (near St. Petersburg FL) by a
> former prominent Colorado birder, *Bill Kaempfer*. No mention of what it
> might be eating.
>
>
>
> Every CO birder ought to give Russian-olives a taste test. The pulp birds
> are after is either bland or mildly sweet, like weak watermelon. Donât eat
> the pit, obviously.
>
>
>
> Again, nice job *Dan Maynard*.
>
>
>
> Dave Leatherman
>
> Fort Collins
>
> --
> --
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> * Join Colorado Field Ornithologists https://cobirds.org/membership/ > ---
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>
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Date: 9/23/26 2:07 pm From: DAVID A LEATHERMAN <daleatherman...> Subject: [cobirds] Piratic Flycatcher
A big thanks to Dan Maynard for finding and reporting this CO 1st State Record bird!
Congrats to Joey Kellner for his 500th CO species and everybody else (including Duane Nelson with ??? species) who has had the fortune to visit Wray and see it.
What is this bird eating? BOW Cornell account for Piratic Flycatcher says, "insects and fruit, with adults being entirely fruit-eaters (frugivorous)". The two obvious fruits available at Stalker Lake SWA are those of Russian-olive and Virginia Creeper. The bird seems to sit up in bare Russian-olive branches a lot. It apparently doesn't do so to flycatch but rather to just "chill" or digest. After bouts in bare branches, it goes down into the olives, presumably to feed. Olives are abundant, but is that what it is eating? Virginia creeper vines at this site often climb up into the olives, and they, too, are full of purple fruits. If anyone gets a photo of the bird with something in its beak, I'd love to see it. Here are photos taken in the last few days at the Piratic Flycatcher site along the north side of Stalker Lake (Russian-olive on left, Virginia Creeper on right).
[cid:<image002.jpg...>] [cid:<image003.jpg...>]
Currently, there is a SECOND Piratic Flycatcher in Phoenix, AZ that my friend Dr. David Steingraeber says has been wonderfully documented in eBird (Cristina Avila) eating the fruits of Chinese Pistache Tree (Pistachia chinensis). Photo below showing fruits from Stanford University.
[cid:<image001.jpg...>]
And, Dave Steingraeber also informs me, there's a THIRD Piratic Flycatcher on a recent checklist at Sawgrass Lake Park (near St. Petersburg FL) by a former prominent Colorado birder, Bill Kaempfer. No mention of what it might be eating.
Every CO birder ought to give Russian-olives a taste test. The pulp birds are after is either bland or mildly sweet, like weak watermelon. Don't eat the pit, obviously.
Again, nice job Dan Maynard.
Dave Leatherman
Fort Collins
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Date: 9/23/26 11:27 am From: David Suddjian <dsuddjian...> Subject: Re: [cobirds] Piratic Flycatcher: Joey Kellner's 500th species in Colorado
On the theme of first Colorado records, *BIRD BOMBS: First State Record!*
from Dec 2022 made an attempt, with expert input, to consider which species
would be found for the next new state record. You can view it here: *First
State Record! <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q24mLXCugm4> *
Ten new species were predicted (including Piratic Flycatcher) to be the
next most likely choices, although in reality the wide pool of possible
species makes such predictions very challenging to get correct. Also
included is discussion on past state additions and why and where vagrants
come from. All 47 episodes of BIRD BOMBS are available here.
<https://dfobirds.org/Programs/BirdBombs.aspx>
David Suddjian
Littleton CO
On Wed, Sep 23, 2026 at 7:27â¯AM Nathan Pieplow <npieplow...> wrote:
> Hi all,
>
> An article in today's Denver Post celebrates the Yuma County Piratic
> Flycatcher found by Dan Maynard as the 523rd species ever to be seen in
> Colorado, and Joey Kellner's 500th state bird.
>
>
> https://www.denverpost.com/2026/09/23/rare-tropical-bird-colorado-piratic-flycatcher/ >
> Huge congratulations to Joey on this enormous milestone. As far as I can
> tell from a quick stroll around eBird, a single person seeing 500 species
> has only been accomplished in 5 other states: California, Arizona, New
> Mexico, Texas, and Florida, although it's possible that someone's done it
> in Oregon as well, as the top public eBird list there is 495.
>
> If you needed more evidence that we live in one of the finest US states
> for birding, there it is.
>
> (Note: it's possible Duane Nelson has also seen 500 species in Colorado,
> but Duane doesn't officially keep track of his number, according to what he
> told me when I ran into him at the Phainopepla in Baca County last
> month ð).
>
> Nathan Pieplow
> Boulder
>
> --
> --
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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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>
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Date: 9/23/26 11:17 am From: Patrick O'Driscoll <patodrisk...> Subject: Re: [cobirds] Piratic Flycatcher: Joey Kellner's 500th species in Colorado
That's all right, Doug -- Google Maps calls it that, too.
Good navigating
Patrick O'Driscoll
Denver
On Wed, Sep 23, 2026 at 12:09â¯PM Doug Ward <dougward...> wrote:
> Sorry for any confusion, but had a âTrumpianâ moment in my previous email
> in renaming Stalker Lake to âStocker Lakeâ. Hope my fat fingers and spell
> check didnât lead anyone astray.
>
>
>
> Cheers,
>
> Doug
>
>
>
> *From:* <cobirds...> <cobirds...> *On Behalf Of
> *Doug Ward
> *Sent:* Wednesday, September 23, 2026 8:43 AM
> *To:* 'cobirds' <cobirds...>
> *Subject:* RE: [cobirds] Piratic Flycatcher: Joey Kellner's 500th species
> in Colorado
>
>
>
> Nathan, thanks for passing this fun article along, and a big
> congratulations to Joey (and probably Duane too) for hitting an
> unfathomable milestone! Also want to thank Daniel (Maynard) for having the
> awareness that this was a crazy unusual bird and getting the word out so
> others could head to Wray and experience the bird for themselves. I was
> one of the lucky ones yesterday (Tues., 22 Sept.â26) around 2pm in the
> Russian olives on the far northwest part of Stocker Lake SWA (near the
> train tracks), so there may still be a good chance if youâd like to chase
> for yourself.
>
>
>
> Again, congrats Joey and thank you Daniel on this amazing find!
>
>
>
> Good Birding,
>
> Doug
>
> Currently Denver
>
>
>
> *From:* <cobirds...> <cobirds...> *On Behalf Of
> *Nathan Pieplow
> *Sent:* Wednesday, September 23, 2026 6:28 AM
> *To:* cobirds <cobirds...>
> *Subject:* [cobirds] Piratic Flycatcher: Joey Kellner's 500th species in
> Colorado
>
>
>
> Hi all,
>
>
>
> An article in today's Denver Post celebrates the Yuma County Piratic
> Flycatcher found by Dan Maynard as the 523rd species ever to be seen in
> Colorado, and Joey Kellner's 500th state bird.
>
>
>
>
> https://www.denverpost.com/2026/09/23/rare-tropical-bird-colorado-piratic-flycatcher/ >
>
>
> Huge congratulations to Joey on this enormous milestone. As far as I can
> tell from a quick stroll around eBird, a single person seeing 500 species
> has only been accomplished in 5 other states: California, Arizona, New
> Mexico, Texas, and Florida, although it's possible that someone's done it
> in Oregon as well, as the top public eBird list there is 495.
>
>
>
> If you needed more evidence that we live in one of the finest US states
> for birding, there it is.
>
>
>
> (Note: it's possible Duane Nelson has also seen 500 species in Colorado,
> but Duane doesn't officially keep track of his number, according to what he
> told me when I ran into him at the Phainopepla in Baca County last month
> ð).
>
>
>
> Nathan Pieplow
>
> Boulder
>
> --
> --
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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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>
> --
> --
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>
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Date: 9/23/26 11:09 am From: Doug Ward <dougward...> Subject: RE: [cobirds] Piratic Flycatcher: Joey Kellner's 500th species in Colorado
Sorry for any confusion, but had a âTrumpianâ moment in my previous email in renaming Stalker Lake to âStocker Lakeâ. Hope my fat fingers and spell check didnât lead anyone astray.
Cheers,
Doug
From: <cobirds...> <cobirds...> On Behalf Of Doug Ward
Sent: Wednesday, September 23, 2026 8:43 AM
To: 'cobirds' <cobirds...>
Subject: RE: [cobirds] Piratic Flycatcher: Joey Kellner's 500th species in Colorado
Nathan, thanks for passing this fun article along, and a big congratulations to Joey (and probably Duane too) for hitting an unfathomable milestone! Also want to thank Daniel (Maynard) for having the awareness that this was a crazy unusual bird and getting the word out so others could head to Wray and experience the bird for themselves. I was one of the lucky ones yesterday (Tues., 22 Sept.â26) around 2pm in the Russian olives on the far northwest part of Stocker Lake SWA (near the train tracks), so there may still be a good chance if youâd like to chase for yourself.
Again, congrats Joey and thank you Daniel on this amazing find!
Good Birding,
Doug
Currently Denver
From: <cobirds...> <mailto:<cobirds...> <cobirds...> <mailto:<cobirds...> > On Behalf Of Nathan Pieplow
Sent: Wednesday, September 23, 2026 6:28 AM
To: cobirds <cobirds...> <mailto:<cobirds...> >
Subject: [cobirds] Piratic Flycatcher: Joey Kellner's 500th species in Colorado
Hi all,
An article in today's Denver Post celebrates the Yuma County Piratic Flycatcher found by Dan Maynard as the 523rd species ever to be seen in Colorado, and Joey Kellner's 500th state bird.
Huge congratulations to Joey on this enormous milestone. As far as I can tell from a quick stroll around eBird, a single person seeing 500 species has only been accomplished in 5 other states: California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, and Florida, although it's possible that someone's done it in Oregon as well, as the top public eBird list there is 495.
If you needed more evidence that we live in one of the finest US states for birding, there it is.
(Note: it's possible Duane Nelson has also seen 500 species in Colorado, but Duane doesn't officially keep track of his number, according to what he told me when I ran into him at the Phainopepla in Baca County last month ð).
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Date: 9/23/26 8:43 am From: Doug Ward <dougward...> Subject: RE: [cobirds] Piratic Flycatcher: Joey Kellner's 500th species in Colorado
Nathan, thanks for passing this fun article along, and a big congratulations to Joey (and probably Duane too) for hitting an unfathomable milestone! Also want to thank Daniel (Maynard) for having the awareness that this was a crazy unusual bird and getting the word out so others could head to Wray and experience the bird for themselves. I was one of the lucky ones yesterday (Tues., 22 Sept.â26) around 2pm in the Russian olives on the far northwest part of Stocker Lake SWA (near the train tracks), so there may still be a good chance if youâd like to chase for yourself.
Again, congrats Joey and thank you Daniel on this amazing find!
Good Birding,
Doug
Currently Denver
From: <cobirds...> <cobirds...> On Behalf Of Nathan Pieplow
Sent: Wednesday, September 23, 2026 6:28 AM
To: cobirds <cobirds...>
Subject: [cobirds] Piratic Flycatcher: Joey Kellner's 500th species in Colorado
Hi all,
An article in today's Denver Post celebrates the Yuma County Piratic Flycatcher found by Dan Maynard as the 523rd species ever to be seen in Colorado, and Joey Kellner's 500th state bird.
Huge congratulations to Joey on this enormous milestone. As far as I can tell from a quick stroll around eBird, a single person seeing 500 species has only been accomplished in 5 other states: California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, and Florida, although it's possible that someone's done it in Oregon as well, as the top public eBird list there is 495.
If you needed more evidence that we live in one of the finest US states for birding, there it is.
(Note: it's possible Duane Nelson has also seen 500 species in Colorado, but Duane doesn't officially keep track of his number, according to what he told me when I ran into him at the Phainopepla in Baca County last month ð).
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Date: 9/23/26 8:13 am From: John Tumasonis <snakemonev...> Subject: [cobirds] Re: The Buena Vista Shuffle
That's "Corvid Rich" as in family Corvidae. My data collection is not
bad, just my typing and spelling. Thanks, Elena for catching that.
John T
One more note: Residents of Buena Vista I conversed with are saying there
is an uptick in black bear encounters in and around town. Be "bear
aware".
On Tuesday, September 22, 2026 at 1:53:14â¯PM UTC-6 John Tumasonis wrote:
> Clark's Nutcracker getting a drink at Buena Vista River Park on the
> Arkansas River.
> [image: Clark's Nutcracker River Park 3 signed copy.jpg]
>
>
>
> All:
> For the 8th, 9th, and 10th of September. Late post. This is for
> the Buena Vista Colorado area.
> For those birders familiar with Buena Vista, you know that its
> "Covid Rich". And two noteworthy things about it are that hundreds of
> mule deer pile into town in the winter, as well as pinyon jays that attack
> bird feeders with vigor.
>
> *Clark's Nutcracker* - over 60, most concentrated at the Buena Vista
> River Park trail(s) - easy to observe and photograph. This part of the
> Arkansas River must be like paradise for Nutcrackers, as one side is open
> pinyon forest sloping down the river, which is thick with narrow-leaf
> cottonwoods, willow, oak, rabbitbrush, three leaf sumac, and other
> deciduous shrubs. Their numbers seem to be increasing along the river each
> year.
>
> *Pinyon Jay *- over 100 seen at the Collegiate Peaks Overlook off of
> route 285 (state parks pass required). This is one of best places in
> Colorado to watch for Pinyon Jays.
>
> *Scrub Jay* - about 6 at the River Park Trail and a couple more in town.
>
> *Stellar's Jay* - about 30 along the River Park Trail, and more up the
> Cotton Pass Road.
>
> *Gray Jay* - 2 - near Little Ptarmigan Lake \ Ptarmigan Lake Trail. A
> grueling hike that I would not recommend unless you are in good shape.
>
> *Black Billed Magpie* - scant, only 2 heard in town.
>
> *Common Raven* - 2 at Cottonwood Pass (12,126 feet).
>
> *American Crow* - about 40 in and around town.
>
> Other birds and wildlife.
> Cottonwood Pass = CP
> Cottonwood Pass Road = CR
> Cottonwood Hot Springs = CS
> Buena Vista River Trail - BVT
> Buena Vista (town proper) - BV
> Ptarmigan Lake(s) Trail - PL
> Continental Divide Trail - CD
>
> *Mountain Chickadee* - 100 + CR, PL
> *Red Breasted Nuthatch* - 15 CR, CS, PL
> *Pygmy Nuthatch* - 12 - BV, BVT
> *White Breasted Nuthatch* - 2 - BV
> *Black Capped Chickadee* - 6 - BVT
> *Gray Headed Junco* - hundreds, even above Cottonwood Pass along the
> Continental Divide Trail. CD, CP, CR, BVT, BV, PL
> *House Wren* - only 1 seen at BVT
> *Chipping Sparrow* - about 50 including migratory groups above 12,000
> feet foraging in the tundra. CD, BV, BVT, PL, CP
> *Ruby Crowned Kinglet* - 12 - along PL
> *Broad Tailed Hummingbird* - 2 at CS and 2 in BV
> *Wilson's Warbler* - only a couple - PL and BVT
> *Audubon's Warbler* - 11 - BV, BVT, CR
> *MacGillivray's Warbler* - 1 at CL
> *White Crowned Sparrow *- 12 - at CD and CP
> *House Sparrow* - few in numbers, only 6 - BVT
> *Bushtit *- 20 - BV, BVT
> *Belted Kingfisher *- 1 - flying along CR
> *Green Tailed Towhee* - 6 - at CL and BVT - foraging
> *Townsend's Solitaire* - 6 - BVT - eating juniper berries
> *American Robin* - 60 + most in higher mixed evergreen forests. BVT, PL,
> CP, CR
> *Mallard *- 40 in ponds and lakes, most at CL
> *Common Grackle* - 200 - two large flocks at BV
> *Eurasian Collared Dove* - only 4 in BV
> *Mountain Bluebird *- 2 along CD above 12,000 feet foraging
> *Plumbeous Vireo* - 1 - at BVT in a ponderosa pine
> *American Pipit* - 20+ foraging groups along CD in the tundra
> *Red Crossbill *- 2 - the only ones seen - at BVT flyover \ calling
> *Northern Flicker* - 6 - BVT, PL, CR
> *Downy Woodpecker* - 2 - CR and BV
>
> *Pika* - 4 - PL trail
> *Pine Squirrel* - hundreds gathering Doug fir cones and spruce cones in
> mixed conifer forests up to tree line.
> *Mule Deer* - 25 - BV, CR - early morning was the worst, as they wandered
> right out onto roads around corners while driving.
> *Chipmunk* spp: 100+ - in mixed conifer habitats and surprisingly lots
> of them foraging above 12,000 along the CDT.
>
> *Conspicuously absent*: starlings, house finches, and raptors of any
> kind.
>
> The two great things near and in Buena Vista are the numerous hot springs,
> and the cool plunge pools along the Arkansas River Trail - which I took
> advantage of. Cottonwood Hot Springs now has a cold plunge right into cold
> numbing Cottonwood Creek. Great after a hot day of hiking and birding.
> Wim Hof eat your heart out.
>
> Happy fall,
> John T (Tumasonis)
> "I'm not a real birder. I only pretend to be one on CoBirds."
>
>
>
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Date: 9/23/26 6:28 am From: Nathan Pieplow <npieplow...> Subject: [cobirds] Piratic Flycatcher: Joey Kellner's 500th species in Colorado
Hi all,
An article in today's Denver Post celebrates the Yuma County Piratic
Flycatcher found by Dan Maynard as the 523rd species ever to be seen in
Colorado, and Joey Kellner's 500th state bird.
Huge congratulations to Joey on this enormous milestone. As far as I can
tell from a quick stroll around eBird, a single person seeing 500 species
has only been accomplished in 5 other states: California, Arizona, New
Mexico, Texas, and Florida, although it's possible that someone's done it
in Oregon as well, as the top public eBird list there is 495.
If you needed more evidence that we live in one of the finest US states for
birding, there it is.
(Note: it's possible Duane Nelson has also seen 500 species in Colorado,
but Duane doesn't officially keep track of his number, according to what he
told me when I ran into him at the Phainopepla in Baca County last
month ð).
Nathan Pieplow
Boulder
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Date: 9/22/26 4:41 pm From: 'Meredith McBurney' via Colorado Birds <cobirds...> Subject: [cobirds] Bird Conservancy of the Rockies - Barr Lake Banding Report, 9/22/26
There were lots of birds around the station to welcome us back after our
day off. You will notice that there are more sparrow species and fewer
insectivores among our captures, even though the number of Wilson's
Warblers continues to be above normal. A total of 73 new birds today:
Meredith McBurney
Bander, Barr Lake Station
Bird Conservancy of the Rockies
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Date: 9/22/26 4:25 pm From: <reports...> Subject: [cobirds] Mount Zion Hawk Watch at Windy Saddle Park (22 Sep 2026) 33 Raptors
Mount Zion Hawk Watch at Windy Saddle Park
Golden, Greater Denver, Colorado, USA
To see hourly weather data and details of migrant raptors, look up this watch at hawkcount.org.
This is a new raptor migration site identified and designated in mid-September 2024. This is Colorado's 1st fall hawk watch site, and the second hawk watch in Colorado.
To get to the site which is along Lookout Mountain Rd. in Golden, enter either Windy Saddle Park or Mount Zion into Google Maps on your favorite navigation app, or enter the coordinates 39.7368,-105.2454. From the parking lot ascend the stone steps to the watch site.
EVERYONE IS WELCOME TO THE HAWK WATCH TO ENJOY THE SPECTACLE OF RAPTOR MIGRATION, EVEN IF YOU KNOW NOTHING ABOUT IDENTIFYING RAPTORS IN FLIGHT. We will help you to learn Raptor ID if you are interested.
See https://groups.google.com/g/cobirds/c/Oznn4uc6MBk
Observation start time: 07:45:00
Observation end time: 12:15:00
Total observation time: 4.5 hours
Official Counter: Ajit Antony
Observers: Liza Antony
Visitors:
Ben Fassett from Arvada who read our eBird reports, had never seen a
Broad-winged Hawk and came up for an hour with his binoculars and camera.
He was able to see the Swainson's Hawk in migration and got good images of
an AK in flight.
Bob Sargeant a biologist and ornithologist from the Georgia Department of
Natural Resources came to the watch for an hour. He had also found the
Mount Zion Hawk Watch hotspot on eBird.
Weather:
Severe brown haze over Denver going up 5� above ground level. Minimal cloud
cover at the start going up to 30% maximum, light winds from the ESE,
visibility 6 km gradually increasing to 20 km with the haze persisting.
Raptor Observations:
The first migrant was at 9:45 a.m. mdte and was an AK in the Kestrel
Channel.
Between 10: 20 a.m. and 10:28 a.m. we had 7 Swainson's Hawk fly low over
the Table Mountains migrating through the gap between Green Mountain and
Lookout Mountain. A single adult BW overhead at 12:29 p.m. 2 Merlin flying
fairly close to the east.
Non-raptor Observations:
The 2 paragliders at 12:15 p.m. MDT had no lift, but the 2 at 1:00 p.m. had
moderate lift.
Predictions:
A chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 3pm. Mostly
cloudy, with a high near 77. Light and variable wind becoming northeast 5
to 7 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 40%
========================================================================
Report submitted by Ajit Antony (<aiantony...>)
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Date: 9/22/26 1:12 pm From: Chicobander <jshieldcastle...> Subject: [cobirds] Chico Basin Ranch Banding Station Report-Bird Conservancy of the Rockies-September 22, 2026
Southerly winds appeared to push some already banded birds back into the area. Fifteen bird species captured including a nice Canyon Towhee. We caught a representative from all the towhee family: Green-tailed, Canyon and Spotted. A Gray Catbird was banded on August 26th and captured 3 times since then. I believe it had moved south and worked its way back today. The last time it was recaptured before today was on September 1st. It had gained almost 2 grams since September 1st. *24 New Banded Birds* Wilson's Warbler- 8 Ruby-crowned Kinglet- 1 Red-breasted Nuthatch- 2 Gray Catbird- 2 Lincoln's Sparrow- 1 Gambel's White-crowned Sparrow- 2 Mountain White-crowned Sparrow- 1 Song Sparrow- 1 Spotted Towhee- 3 Green-tailed towhee- 2 Canyon Towhee- 1
*6 Recaptures* Spotted Towhee Brown Thrasher Gray Catbird Orange-crowned Warbler- banded 5 days ago Swainson's Thrush- 2
The Banding station will be open tomorrow through Saturday from sunrise until @ noon. If interested in visiting the ranch, please register online at www.aikenaudubon.com
Have a good day,
Julie Shieldcastle, Bander Chico Basin Ranch Bird Conservancy of the Rockies
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Date: 9/22/26 12:53 pm From: John Tumasonis <snakemonev...> Subject: [cobirds] The Buena Vista Shuffle
Clark's Nutcracker getting a drink at Buena Vista River Park on the Arkansas River. [image: Clark's Nutcracker River Park 3 signed copy.jpg]
All: For the 8th, 9th, and 10th of September. Late post. This is for the Buena Vista Colorado area. For those birders familiar with Buena Vista, you know that its "Covid Rich". And two noteworthy things about it are that hundreds of mule deer pile into town in the winter, as well as pinyon jays that attack bird feeders with vigor.
*Clark's Nutcracker* - over 60, most concentrated at the Buena Vista River Park trail(s) - easy to observe and photograph. This part of the Arkansas River must be like paradise for Nutcrackers, as one side is open pinyon forest sloping down the river, which is thick with narrow-leaf cottonwoods, willow, oak, rabbitbrush, three leaf sumac, and other deciduous shrubs. Their numbers seem to be increasing along the river each year.
*Pinyon Jay *- over 100 seen at the Collegiate Peaks Overlook off of route 285 (state parks pass required). This is one of best places in Colorado to watch for Pinyon Jays.
*Scrub Jay* - about 6 at the River Park Trail and a couple more in town.
*Stellar's Jay* - about 30 along the River Park Trail, and more up the Cotton Pass Road.
*Gray Jay* - 2 - near Little Ptarmigan Lake \ Ptarmigan Lake Trail. A grueling hike that I would not recommend unless you are in good shape.
*Black Billed Magpie* - scant, only 2 heard in town.
*Common Raven* - 2 at Cottonwood Pass (12,126 feet).
*American Crow* - about 40 in and around town.
Other birds and wildlife. Cottonwood Pass = CP Cottonwood Pass Road = CR Cottonwood Hot Springs = CS Buena Vista River Trail - BVT Buena Vista (town proper) - BV Ptarmigan Lake(s) Trail - PL Continental Divide Trail - CD
*Mountain Chickadee* - 100 + CR, PL *Red Breasted Nuthatch* - 15 CR, CS, PL *Pygmy Nuthatch* - 12 - BV, BVT *White Breasted Nuthatch* - 2 - BV *Black Capped Chickadee* - 6 - BVT *Gray Headed Junco* - hundreds, even above Cottonwood Pass along the Continental Divide Trail. CD, CP, CR, BVT, BV, PL *House Wren* - only 1 seen at BVT *Chipping Sparrow* - about 50 including migratory groups above 12,000 feet foraging in the tundra. CD, BV, BVT, PL, CP *Ruby Crowned Kinglet* - 12 - along PL *Broad Tailed Hummingbird* - 2 at CS and 2 in BV *Wilson's Warbler* - only a couple - PL and BVT *Audubon's Warbler* - 11 - BV, BVT, CR *MacGillivray's Warbler* - 1 at CL *White Crowned Sparrow *- 12 - at CD and CP *House Sparrow* - few in numbers, only 6 - BVT *Bushtit *- 20 - BV, BVT *Belted Kingfisher *- 1 - flying along CR *Green Tailed Towhee* - 6 - at CL and BVT - foraging *Townsend's Solitaire* - 6 - BVT - eating juniper berries *American Robin* - 60 + most in higher mixed evergreen forests. BVT, PL, CP, CR *Mallard *- 40 in ponds and lakes, most at CL *Common Grackle* - 200 - two large flocks at BV *Eurasian Collared Dove* - only 4 in BV *Mountain Bluebird *- 2 along CD above 12,000 feet foraging *Plumbeous Vireo* - 1 - at BVT in a ponderosa pine *American Pipit* - 20+ foraging groups along CD in the tundra *Red Crossbill *- 2 - the only ones seen - at BVT flyover \ calling *Northern Flicker* - 6 - BVT, PL, CR *Downy Woodpecker* - 2 - CR and BV
*Pika* - 4 - PL trail *Pine Squirrel* - hundreds gathering Doug fir cones and spruce cones in mixed conifer forests up to tree line. *Mule Deer* - 25 - BV, CR - early morning was the worst, as they wandered right out onto roads around corners while driving. *Chipmunk* spp: 100+ - in mixed conifer habitats and surprisingly lots of them foraging above 12,000 along the CDT.
*Conspicuously absent*: starlings, house finches, and raptors of any kind.
The two great things near and in Buena Vista are the numerous hot springs, and the cool plunge pools along the Arkansas River Trail - which I took advantage of. Cottonwood Hot Springs now has a cold plunge right into cold numbing Cottonwood Creek. Great after a hot day of hiking and birding. Wim Hof eat your heart out.
Happy fall, John T (Tumasonis) "I'm not a real birder. I only pretend to be one on CoBirds."
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Date: 9/22/26 12:33 pm From: Brandon <flammowl17...> Subject: [cobirds] ZONE-TAILED HAWK very close to Baca County
I saw a Zone-tailed Hawk in Oklahoma maybe within a mile of Colorado in
Oklahoma this morning. One was photographed this month at Carrizo Canyon
in Baca County, todayâs bird wasnât far away. Maybe Picture Canyon is also
not too far away.
Brandon K. Percival
Currently in Boise City, Oklahoma
Sent from my Phone
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Date: 9/21/26 7:34 pm From: <reports...> Subject: [cobirds] Mount Zion Hawk Watch at Windy Saddle Park (21 Sep 2026) 82 Raptors
Mount Zion Hawk Watch at Windy Saddle Park
Golden, Greater Denver, Colorado, USA
To see hourly weather data and details of migrant raptors, look up this watch at hawkcount.org.
This is a new raptor migration site identified and designated in mid-September 2024. This is Colorado's 1st fall hawk watch site, and the second hawk watch in Colorado.
To get to the site which is along Lookout Mountain Rd. in Golden, enter either Windy Saddle Park or Mount Zion into Google Maps on your favorite navigation app, or enter the coordinates 39.7368,-105.2454. From the parking lot ascend the stone steps to the watch site.
EVERYONE IS WELCOME TO THE HAWK WATCH TO ENJOY THE SPECTACLE OF RAPTOR MIGRATION, EVEN IF YOU KNOW NOTHING ABOUT IDENTIFYING RAPTORS IN FLIGHT. We will help you to learn Raptor ID if you are interested.
See https://groups.google.com/g/cobirds/c/Oznn4uc6MBk
Observation start time: 07:45:00
Observation end time: 14:00:00
Total observation time: 6.25 hours
Official Counter: Ajit Antony
Observers: Liza Antony
Visitors:
Michael K. of South Platt Park who was a volunteer counter at Dinosaur
Ridge Hawk Watch from 2011 to 2013 had seen our reports on COBirds and came
up for about an hour.
A couple asked whether we were birding, and I explained. She wanted to know
how many raptors we had seen, and I said 61, and she said I'm jealous. To
console her, I said that they were quite far and she wouldn't have been
able to see most of them without binoculars.
Weather:
Denver was completely hazy today due to 10� inversion layer over the
horizon. There were cumulus clouds both to the east as well as to the west
going from 45% to 25% to 60% and back to 20%. Cool and pleasant all day.
Raptor Observations:
Another great Swainson's Hawk day, which started with Liza finding 3 buteos
overhead and a little to the north of us, which she promptly identified as
SW - 2 juveniles with light heads and an adult with a dark head. As they
streamed toward the SW, remembering what we did with BW in New York, I
looked ahead of them and sure enough there were more. In the next 10
minutes we had 47 SW streaming and kettling!
As of today we have counted 176 SW for the season which is the highest
compared to all the spring season counts since 1990 - 99 more SW than the
highest seasonal total of 77 counted in 2023! This may be a fall migration
phenomenon.
An adult female AK flew straight at us at eye level from the north and
veered only 20 ft from us, We had 3 single BW, 2 "local TV" I found over
North Table Mountain which when they came closer Liza correctly identified
as adult GE, one of which was a non-migrant and dove from a great height
into Clear Creek Canyon and then flew NW, the other was a migrant at 2:02
p.m. MDT which had a molting/missing left inner primary. A migrant CH dove
onto a migrant AK near it and then both continued migrating South.
Non-migrant raptors: GE 2 one of which glided at eye level to the east of
us seeming to be a migrant, dropped below the top of Lookout Mountain and
then flew back out to the NE, RT 3, TV 5.
Non-raptor Observations:
2 tandem paragliders had no lift at 10:30 a.m. DST, not even reaching our
height, while at 12:15 p.m. 3 paragliders had excellent lift going really
high, going far to the North where we could just about see them without
binoculars.
The Soaring Forecast of the NWS had good lift at 11 feet per second, and
height of thermals at 8,684 ft AGL.
Predictions:
A slight chance of showers between noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 78.
Calm wind becoming east 5 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
The winds aloft are predicted to be light coming from the SW to the West.
========================================================================
Report submitted by Ajit Antony (<aiantony...>)
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Date: 9/21/26 5:05 pm From: Isabel Hardwig <isabelhardwig...> Subject: [cobirds] Bird Conservancy of the Rockies - Grand Valley Audubon Society Banding Station (9/14 - 9/18)
Hi, all!
We are now onto our second week of banding at Connected Lakes State Park in Grand Junction, and here are the totals from last week! (9/14 - 9/18)
That brings us to a total of 122 birds and 25 species for the week! Not too shabby for this site :) My personal favorite was our Yellow-Breasted Chat, which we banded at 7:10 am on 9/16.
Thank you so much to everyone who visited or volunteered at this site this week! Stay tuned for more.
Isabel Hardwig Bander, Ridgway and GVAS Stations Bird Conservancy of the Rockies
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Date: 9/21/26 1:13 pm From: Chicobander <jshieldcastle...> Subject: [cobirds] Chico Basin Ranch Banding Station Report-Bird Conservancy of the Rockies-September 21, 2026
Some major storms went through overnight here on the Ranch. Much Needed Rain. A few Wilson's Warblers were around today. I have not seen any flycatchers today so they must be mostly south of here. We banded a Brown Creeper today which is new for me at the Chico banding station. Such camouflaged birds that always impress me with their many brown feathers and that curved bill. Brown Thrashers are still hanging around. Guess they are finding food in the leaf litter. The recaptured Swainson's Thrush lost a couple tenths in weight since Saturday. Not sure why they are not finding enough food to fatten up to migrate? *26 New Banded Birds* Wilson's Warbler- 13 Brown Creeper- 1 Ruby-crowned Kinglet- 1 Oregon Junco- 1 Spotted Towhee- 1 Swainson's Thrush- 2 Hermit Thrush- 3 Red-breasted Nuthatch- 1 Brown Thrasher- 2 American Robin- 1
*1 Recapture* Swainson's Thrush
The Banding station is open tomorrow through Saturday from Sunrise until @ noon. If interested in visiting the ranch/banding station, please register online at www.aikenaudubon.com Stop by the station to share your sightings. We would love to hear about them. Enjoy the beautiful weather!
Julie Shieldcastle, Bander Chico Basin Ranch Bird Conservancy of the Rockies
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Date: 9/21/26 10:21 am From: Kristi Streiffert <krististreiffert...> Subject: [cobirds] 50th Annual Western Field Ornithologists Conference
Hi All!
I just attended the Sept. 17â20 50th Annual Western Field Ornithologists
Conference in Ashland, Oregon. The mix of field trips, skill-building,
brand-new info, and camaraderie has me fired up for another year of
birding. Much like our own CFO, the proceeds from this conference directly
fund student research grants and give scientists a platform to share their
knowledge through rapid-fire, 15-minute presentations detailing their
hypotheses, methods, and results. I was especially impressed by the high
school and undergrad students presenting their workâso poised, and really
good educators! The master's students' presentations were a bit harder to
follow with much more complicated graphs and analysis, but it was a good
challenge for the brain.
Among all the many excellent sessions, a few presentations I especially
liked:
Tracking winter feeding ecology of Coloradoâs elusive Brown-capped
Rosy-Finches (presented by 16-year-old Grant Brandberg)
Rethinking common names for North American Red Crossbill call types (a
really useful review of the history of these birds' nomenclature)
Impact of wildfire smoke on songbird physiology and behavior in dry pine
forests of central Oregon (turns out, it's complicated);
Factors influencing body condition and survival of Western Snowy Plover
chicks (so many cute photos)
The Bird Sounds Challenge (moderated by Nathan Pieplow and Ben Guo) and the
Photo Quiz (moderated by Ed Harper) were interactive masterclasses that
left us both wanting more and with overheated brains. Hearing the teams and
expert panelists think out loudâbreaking down calls, field marks, and
process-of-elimination techniquesâprovided practical tools to improve our
own field ID skills. I didn't attend any workshops, which were held during
field trip hours, but upon reflection, I think they may have been an even
better opportunity for learning.
National Wildlife Forensics Lab Tour: I was gobsmacked by the tour of the
National Fish and Wildlife Forensics Laboratory. This is the world's only
federal lab dedicated strictly to solving crimes against wildlife. We saw
the pathology lab, the chemistry departments, and the massive repositories
from global trafficking busts, most notably the illegal collection seized
from Dr. John Waldropâthe largest taxidermy forfeiture in U.S. history.
Standing in front of thousands of confiscated specimens, including
critically endangered vultures, tiny owls, and so many others, was a
heart-rending experience. The lab morphology expert who served as our guide
pulled out dozens of specimens from the bird collections, and we got to
hold a baby auklet, touch the bill of a hornbill, and examine ornaments
made from curassow heads (gross!). You can see some of the lab for yourself
in this short video: *Solving Crimes Against Animals With Forensic Experts*.
<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DaToaxxLjuk>
Colorado Contingent: The conference was understandably mostly attended by
Oregonians and Californians, with a smattering of birders from Nevada,
Washington, Mexico, etc. Colorado had a showing, too. Our state was
represented by young presenter Grant Brandberg, author Nathan Pieplow, and
CFO columnist David Leatherman. In fact, I think my hubby Tom and I were
the only Coloradans in attendance who didn't present! (Sorry if I missed
anybodyâlet us hear from you if I did.)
Best,
Kristi
Durango
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We had an exciting week of banding at Chatfield with 161 new birds of 23
species, plus 26 same-season recaptures and 5 birds who had returned from
previous seasons.
Audrey Hicks
Bander, Denver Audubon + Bird Conservancy of the Rockies
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Date: 9/20/26 9:03 pm From: <reports...> Subject: [cobirds] Mount Zion Hawk Watch at Windy Saddle Park (20 Sep 2026) 82 Raptors
Mount Zion Hawk Watch at Windy Saddle Park
Golden, Greater Denver, Colorado, USA
To see hourly weather data and details of migrant raptors, look up this watch at hawkcount.org.
This is a new raptor migration site identified and designated in mid-September 2024. This is Colorado's 1st fall hawk watch site, and the second hawk watch in Colorado.
To get to the site which is along Lookout Mountain Rd. in Golden, enter either Windy Saddle Park or Mount Zion into Google Maps on your favorite navigation app, or enter the coordinates 39.7368,-105.2454. From the parking lot ascend the stone steps to the watch site.
EVERYONE IS WELCOME TO THE HAWK WATCH TO ENJOY THE SPECTACLE OF RAPTOR MIGRATION, EVEN IF YOU KNOW NOTHING ABOUT IDENTIFYING RAPTORS IN FLIGHT. We will help you to learn Raptor ID if you are interested.
See https://groups.google.com/g/cobirds/c/Oznn4uc6MBk
Observation start time: 08:00:00
Observation end time: 16:00:00
Total observation time: 8 hours
Official Counter: Ajit Antony
Observers: Liza Antony, Scott Severs
Visitors:
Scott Severs from Longmont, president of Boulder Audubon, joined us for the
entire day. He read our reports on COBirds, and is an experienced birder
and hawk watcher, having counted hawks 2-3 times a week in the 1990s for 4
years after the Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory now the Bird Conservancy of
the Rockies stopped funding paid counters, and Jeff Birek organized
volunteers to count. Scott was excellent in finding numerous hawks
especially distant ones to the NW and west, identifying them rapidly, and
photographing them, so helping us ID sexes of kestrels for example.
Many hikers asked us many questions about the hawk watch, and one of them
stayed over an hour. We were able to show easily visible GE, BE, CH, NH, TV
to visitors who were duly impressed, as some of them were initially
difficult to see against the blue sky, and they felt elated when they were
able to see them.
Weather:
Slight haze around Denver caused by an inversion layer which cleared up,
light cloud cover, light winds from the NE while the winds aloft were from
the West.
Raptor Observations:
This is the highest single day total this season - 82 migrant raptors. We
also passed the 1,000 migrant raptor count for the season. We had an
excellent Cooper's Hawk day with 27, and 3 GE - 2 adults and a juvenile.
Checking Hawkcount.org for the Dinosaur Ridge Hawk Watch in spring which is
what we have to compare with in Colorado, before the last 5 years when
there have been paid professional counting 8 hours daily, going back to 11
years before that there have only been 3 years which have had seasonal
counts over 1,000, and the counts going back from 2021 for 5 years had
1101, 556, 808, 588, 692 respectively.
A subadult GE with no white wing or tail patches but with faint whitish
along the greater coverts ventrally gave us a big problem. We initially
found soaring to the East at 2:25 p.m. where joined an adult GE and both
flew to the South looking like migrants, but they individually went to the
NE at 2:25 p.m., the subadult circling around for a long time, then glided
strongly to the SW close to the horizon and we counted it, and a few
minutes later a visitor named Rob, the one who stayed over an hour, told us
that it had perched on a tree next to the westernmost antenna on Lookout
Mountain. This was a few minutes after we had counted it, and we thought
perhaps he saw a TV land, but looking through a scope we could easily see
it was a GE, this being 2:55 p.m. We decided to watch it in case it was a
migrant. An RT dove on it 6 times with dropped talons, and the GE finally
flew far to the NE at 3:11 p.m., non-migrant.
Non-migrant raptors: GE 2, RT 3, TV 3, BE 2.
Non-raptor Observations:
8 paragliders after 11:00 a.m. MDT with excellent lift flying extremely
high and going far north and south.
Predictions:
Sunny, with a high near 73. Calm wind becoming east 5 to 7 mph in the
afternoon.
========================================================================
Report submitted by Ajit Antony (<aiantony...>)
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Date: 9/20/26 6:32 pm From: 'Meredith McBurney' via Colorado Birds <cobirds...> Subject: [cobirds] Bird Conservancy of the Rockies - Barr Lake Banding Report, 9/20/26
For the second day, an early evening thunderstorm last night, very wet nets
when we arrived to open this morning, and the same number of new birds
banded - 19:
American Kestral 1 (A bird that is seen frequently around the station but
rarely caught - only the second in 20 years. Small for a raptor but
fierce!)
Orange-crowned Warbler 3
Yellow-rumped Warbler, Audubon's 2
Wilson's Warbler 5
Spotted Towhee 1
Lincoln's Sparrow 2
Song Sparrow 3
White-crowned Sparrow, Gambel's 1
Dark-eyed Junco, Oregon 1
Meredith McBurney
Bander, Barr Lake Station
Bird Conservancy of the Rockies
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Date: 9/20/26 6:24 am From: Derek Hill <derek.jackson.hill...> Subject: Re: [cobirds] VARIEGATED FLYCATCHER at Stalker Lake, Yuma County 9/19/26
Josh
Looking in "Rare Birds of North America" by Howell, Lewington, Russell
(2014 Princeton University Press), in the account for Piratic Flycatcher
they write
"Similar Species: ... Variegated Flycatcher, another austral vagrant, is
appreciably larger with longer bill (pinkish below at base), flattish crown
slightly peaked at the nape (versus more rounded head of Piratic), slightly
flared whitish eyebrow, bolder rufous edgings to uppertail coverts and
tail, and paler underparts without bright yellow wash; often perches lower
and in less open situations than Piratic."
They do not mention pale edges of any wing feathers as a field mark between
these two species. In their illustrations of the two species side by side,
Piratic is shown with quite crisp and bold white edges to wing coverts and
remiges (as is Variegated). BTW this book has awesome illustrations by Ian
Lewington. A fantastic reference book
Good birding,
Derek Hill
currently OH
On Saturday, September 19, 2026 at 2:57:34â¯PM UTC-4 Josh Bruening wrote:
> Daniel, et al.,
>
> The white edging to the wing coverts and secondary stack eliminates
> Piratic. Heckuva find!!! Wish I could chase...
>
> Josh Bruening
> Currently Lewistown, MT
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
> On Sep 19, 2026, at 12:46â¯PM, Daniel Maynard <dma......> wrote:
>
> 
>
> Folks,
>
> I found what appears to be a VARIEGATED FLYCATCHER at Stalker Lake in Yuma
> County. It's been in the area of (40.0866284, -102.2765109) for a while
> now, mostly perching high in olive snags. Mediocre iPhone photos below
>
> Daniel Maynard
> Ecologist
> Grief Ritual Facilitator
> 971.237.3906 <(971)%20237-3906>
> Denver, CO
>
> --
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> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cobirds/CAN0ycWizaGRowqb7d%3DHW2w%2BRYiuCTBZgyBG%<3DS26jM5oqF8LD6w...> > <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cobirds/CAN0ycWizaGRowqb7d%3DHW2w%2BRYiuCTBZgyBG%<3DS26jM5oqF8LD6w...>?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> > .
> <IMG_0070.jpeg>
> <IMG_0071.jpeg>
>
>
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Date: 9/19/26 8:23 pm From: <reports...> Subject: [cobirds] Mount Zion Hawk Watch at Windy Saddle Park (19 Sep 2026) 69 Raptors
Mount Zion Hawk Watch at Windy Saddle Park
Golden, Greater Denver, Colorado, USA
To see hourly weather data and details of migrant raptors, look up this watch at hawkcount.org.
This is a new raptor migration site identified and designated in mid-September 2024. This is Colorado's 1st fall hawk watch site, and the second hawk watch in Colorado.
To get to the site which is along Lookout Mountain Rd. in Golden, enter either Windy Saddle Park or Mount Zion into Google Maps on your favorite navigation app, or enter the coordinates 39.7368,-105.2454. From the parking lot ascend the stone steps to the watch site.
EVERYONE IS WELCOME TO THE HAWK WATCH TO ENJOY THE SPECTACLE OF RAPTOR MIGRATION, EVEN IF YOU KNOW NOTHING ABOUT IDENTIFYING RAPTORS IN FLIGHT. We will help you to learn Raptor ID if you are interested.
See https://groups.google.com/g/cobirds/c/Oznn4uc6MBk
Observation start time: 08:00:00
Observation end time: 16:00:00
Total observation time: 7.17 hours
Official Counter: Ajit Antony
Observers:
Visitors:
While I was looking at 2 BW someone asked What were those? I found a woman
with binoculars. She was Lily Pad who had never seen a BW and saw our eBird
report of 10 BW yesterday and decided to come up. She got her lifer BW and
more with the kettle.
At 3:20 p.m. an adult GE to the SE was chased all the way to the NE by an
RT which flew over it, harassing it. The GE closed his wings and dove, a
beautiful sight, then glided all the way toward the South where the RT
chased it again into Lookout Mountain.
An AK attacked a CH on migration, seen through my scope while watching an
RT.
Non-migrant raptors: dark morph adult RT without any molt, 3 other RT. TV 7
at 3:25 p.m. flying NE together, probably going to a roost. AK 1.
Many hikers listened in on my instructing Lily regarding hawk ID. A woman
came up to me and said You were here two weeks ago weren't you, what are
you looking at. I explained about hawk migration, hawk counts, HMA. She
wanted to know whether I got paid. In pleasure, I replied, and added Most
rewarding things you do in life you don't get paid for- the philosopher in
me.
Weather:
Slight haze over the bases of the buildings in downtown Denver caused by an
inversion layer which could be seen as a 3� whitish cloud over the eastern
horizon. Pleasantly cool all day especially after the rain. Light winds
from the ESE changing to NE. Cloud cover progressively increasing, clear
visibility only 6 km increasing to 20 km, after the rain it increased to 39
km. At 11:25 a.m. MDT there were very dark clouds to the SW of the watch.
Lightning strikes had been recorded 13 miles to the SW, and I thought the
storms might blow south of us, but then there was a flash of stick
lightning to the SW which made me almost run down to the car with my
equipment, where I found that lightning had struck one mile NE of the watch
in Golden. After half an hour I was ready to leave as the rain and thunder
continued, but as I backed my car out I noticed the sky brightening and
within a short time the rain had almost stopped and the sun came out. My
Lightning app showed the nearest lightning strikes to the West were 100 mi
away at Glenwood Springs, and there was blue sky between clouds to the West
so I thought I might get a few more hours of observation, and went back up
to the watch getting there at 12:30 p.m.
Once the rain cleared the air was very clear and everything looked razor
sharp.
Just before I left at 5:00 p.m. there were dark clouds to the SW and
distant thunder rumbles, but the nearest lightning strikes were 35 miles
away to the SW.
Raptor Observations:
23 Broadwing hawks including a single kettle of 16 found quite by luck in a
blue sky when I was looking at an RT at 10:54 a.m. MDT to the SE. I could
see adults tail bands on some of them with my scope. Dark morph BW 1. GE
juvenile at 2:33 p.m. flew SE.
I stayed till 5:00 p.m. today to see if there are late flights in the
afternoon at this site. At most sites thermal production slows down by 3:00
p.m. and the hawks migrate at a lower height, but in Denver because of the
elevation a mile high and the thin atmosphere, thermals keep forming until
much later. At 4:00 p.m. I could see 2 local RT high over Lookout Mountain.
At Dinosaur Ridge in Spring I have seen migrant hawks quite high in the sky
(Level 4) even at 5:00 p.m.
Predictions:
A cold front went through this evening, so tomorrow could be a good day for
migrants.
The winds aloft according to earth.nullschool.net are from the north which
should be favorable for migrants.
A slight chance of showers, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms
after noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 70. Calm wind becoming northeast
around 6 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
========================================================================
Report submitted by Ajit Antony (<aiantony...>)
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Date: 9/19/26 5:05 pm From: 'Meredith McBurney' via Colorado Birds <cobirds...> Subject: [cobirds] Bird Conservancy of the Rockies - Barr Lake Banding Report, 9/19/26
An isolated thunderstorm passed through the Barr Lake area early evening
yesterday; the nets were still quite wet when we opened on this cool
Saturday morning for one of our slowest days of the season. Guessing that
any bird that could left after the storm and nothing new came in.
We will see what tomorrow brings......In the meantime, here are today's 19
new:
Meredith McBurney
Bander, Barr Lake Station
Bird Conservancy of the Rockies
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Date: 9/19/26 3:25 pm From: Daniel Maynard <dmaynar...> Subject: Re: [cobirds] VARIEGATED FLYCATCHER at Stalker Lake, Yuma County 9/19/26
Bird has been refound just now, a little further west on the north side of
the lake in the far NW corner by the train tracks. ID is in question, may
be PIRATIC
Good luck to all chasers!
Daniel Maynard
Ecologist
Grief Ritual Facilitator
971.237.3906
Denver, CO
On Sat, Sep 19, 2026 at 12:57â¯PM Josh Bruening <87211jjb...> wrote:
> Daniel, et al.,
>
> The white edging to the wing coverts and secondary stack eliminates
> Piratic. Heckuva find!!! Wish I could chase...
>
> Josh Bruening
> Currently Lewistown, MT
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
> On Sep 19, 2026, at 12:46â¯PM, Daniel Maynard <dmaynar...> wrote:
>
> 
> Folks,
>
> I found what appears to be a VARIEGATED FLYCATCHER at Stalker Lake in Yuma
> County. It's been in the area of (40.0866284, -102.2765109) for a while
> now, mostly perching high in olive snags. Mediocre iPhone photos below
>
> Daniel Maynard
> Ecologist
> Grief Ritual Facilitator
> 971.237.3906
> Denver, CO
>
> --
> --
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> <IMG_0070.jpeg>
> <IMG_0071.jpeg>
>
>
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Date: 9/19/26 1:42 pm From: Chicobander <jshieldcastle...> Subject: [cobirds] Chico Basin Ranch Banding Station Report-Bird Conservancy of the Rockies-September 19, 2026
A great day to be outside! It would be better if the skies would drop some precipitation on the northern half of the ranch. Despite the dryness, there were a few birds around. Twelve bird species were captured including a Sharp-shinned Hawk! An immature Sharpy was a nice finale for the day. This is the first accipiter caught and banded this year at Chico. Unfortunately the kids that were here at the station earlier were not around to see the hawk. They did get to see a wide variety of birds while they were present. Always good to see some up and coming birders. *27 New Banded Birds* Wilson's Warbler- 6 Orange-crowned Warbler- 1 N. House Wren- 1 Ruby-crowned Kinglet- 1 Hammond's Flycatcher- 2 Oregon Junco- 3 Song Sparrow- 1 Lincoln's Sparrow- 2 Spotted Towhee- 2 Hermit Thrush- 5 Swainson's Thrush- 2 Sharp-shinned Hawk- 1
1 Recaptured Swainson's Thrush banded yesterday. Not sure why but it lost weight. Plenty of insects and food resources around.
The banding station will be closed tomorrow Sunday, but will reopen on Monday. Birding is still open tomorrow, if interested in visiting the Ranch, please register online at www.aikenaudubon.com <http://www.aikenauduon.com>
Have a good day! Enjoy your Sunday!
Julie Shieldcastle, Bander Chico Basin Ranch Bird Conservancy of the Rockies
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Date: 9/19/26 11:46 am From: Daniel Maynard <dmaynar...> Subject: [cobirds] VARIEGATED FLYCATCHER at Stalker Lake, Yuma County 9/19/26
Folks,
I found what appears to be a VARIEGATED FLYCATCHER at Stalker Lake in Yuma County. It's been in the area of (40.0866284, -102.2765109) for a while now, mostly perching high in olive snags. Mediocre iPhone photos below
Daniel Maynard Ecologist Grief Ritual Facilitator 971.237.3906 Denver, CO
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Date: 9/18/26 9:52 pm From: 'elena' via Colorado Birds <cobirds...> Subject: [cobirds] Peregrine Falcón at Lagerman Reservoir, Boulder County
Topi MartÃnez and I went to Lagerman about an hour before sunset today. No peeps, a lot of killdeer and other expected ducks, some in eclipse plumage and others not as much. At one point a peregrine falcon flew in and chased a barn swallow, ignoring all the chubby ducks on the water. A fierce chase with much acrobatics by both birds ensued, and finally the falcon caught the swallow. Shortly after, the falcon flew towards us on the north shore of the reservoir and had what was left of the swallow on the sandy shore, standing and eating a little S/he stayed for awhile and then took off toward the west, just before a couple with two dogs on leashes headed down the trail. It was pretty exciting. The two resident adult bald eagles were there, as well as a few red tailed hawks, but we didnât see any harriers.
Sent from my iPhone
Elena Holly Klaver
Federally Certified Court Interpreter
Conference Interpreter
English <> Spanish
303 475 5189
Member: American Translators Association
Colorado Translators Association
Pronouns: she, her, hers
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Date: 9/18/26 6:59 pm From: <reports...> Subject: [cobirds] Mount Zion Hawk Watch at Windy Saddle Park (18 Sep 2026) 35 Raptors
Mount Zion Hawk Watch at Windy Saddle Park
Golden, Greater Denver, Colorado, USA
To see hourly weather data and details of migrant raptors, look up this watch at hawkcount.org.
This is a new raptor migration site identified and designated in mid-September 2024. This is Colorado's 1st fall hawk watch site, and the second hawk watch in Colorado.
To get to the site which is along Lookout Mountain Rd. in Golden, enter either Windy Saddle Park or Mount Zion into Google Maps on your favorite navigation app, or enter the coordinates 39.7368,-105.2454. From the parking lot ascend the stone steps to the watch site.
EVERYONE IS WELCOME TO THE HAWK WATCH TO ENJOY THE SPECTACLE OF RAPTOR MIGRATION, EVEN IF YOU KNOW NOTHING ABOUT IDENTIFYING RAPTORS IN FLIGHT. We will help you to learn Raptor ID if you are interested.
See https://groups.google.com/g/cobirds/c/Oznn4uc6MBk
Observation start time: 08:00:00
Observation end time: 13:30:00
Total observation time: 5.5 hours
Official Counter: Ajit Antony
Observers: Liza Antony
Visitors:
Liza talked to 2 walkers about raptor migration, and about Hawkcount which
she put on her phone. A hiker asked us if we had seen anything good.
Another hiker thought it was Very cool what we were doing. While scanning
with binoculars I heard a young voice saying Excuse me, what are you
looking at? It was a 7-year-old first grader Porter Johnson with his
mother. I explained that we were counting hawks and eagles which migrated
south for the winter, and asked him why he thought they migrated. The cold,
he said. I explained that they had feathers to keep them warm, and what
other need did they have? Food. Correct, what happens when there are 2-3
feet of snow on the ground, how will they feed? They're not stupid, they
won't stay there and die. That's why they migrate, that some of them go as
far as Argentina which is 6,000 miles away which is twice the width of the
USA, and that an RT has the wingspan longer than he was tall! I told him he
knows something that his classmates would not know, and to tell his teacher
he came to a hawk watch. His mother had taken a picture of a hawk near
their house, I explained how to identify it was an RT. I asked if they had
an open space near the house, as RT are hawks of open spaces, and they did
have a Denver Open Space next to them. She said she was encouraging Porter
if he saw something interesting to go and ask questions. I told her that we
had two grandchildren his age, and they ask us questions all the time.
Weather:
Very clear air today with Denver downtown easily visible though with a
little haziness to the NE of Denver. Good cloud cover with cirrus to the
east and altocumulus to the east and west varying between 60 and 85%.
Initially cool, hot when the sun came out, and cool and comfortable when
dark cumulus clouds came in from the West. By 2:00 p.m. we had a complete
ring of cumulus clouds around us - a narrow band of cumulus clouds to the
north and east, with heavy broad clouds South and West. There were a few
fine drops of rain in the last 30 minutes and we saw stick lightning to the
SW which we've never seen here, and we got out as fast as we could. Thunder
kept rumbling on our way down and 5 minutes later My Lightning app showed
lightning strikes in Golden only 5 miles away.
Raptor Observations:
The first migrant was a Prairie Falcon at 9:22 a.m. MST found over North
Table Mountain, flew toward us, then toward Green Mountain. The last 15
minutes of this hour was magical with a BW was easily seen just to the
South followed by 2 immediately at eye level soaring 15 ft from us, then 6
more to the South, none needing binoculars for except for the last one
which was low to the South, flew to Lookout Mountain, then dropped and
gradually made its way the entire length to the east. It could easily have
gone to the west and gone straight over if it's new better, except that the
winds were from the west and pushed it eastward.
For the last 3 hours migrant raptors were few, so we scanned high over
Lookout Mountain but did not see any that high.
Non-migrant raptors: a juvenile dark morph RT we've seen before, seen 3
times today "escorting" migrant RT; an adult dark morph RT missing a right
8th primary; 2 GE adult to the North and NW; TV 8; RT 3.
Non-raptor Observations:
3 paragliders together at 11:15 a.m., all tandem, so likely novices being
instructed, had very good lift getting quite high so they were just barely
visible to the naked eye.
The Soaring Forecast of the NWS was for good lift at 9 ft per second with
the height of thermals only 7,563 ft AGL as a result of an inversion layer,
cooler surface temperature and cold air advection. However many of the
raptors were flying at level 4 and level 5 and even level 6 helped by
orographic/ridge lift; also individual thermal columns have an
ultra-intense thermal core where the upward velocity is much stronger than
the surrounding air, and raptors possess specialized sensory
capabilities�detecting minute changes in wind torque and
acceleration�allowing them to lock onto these tight cores gaining greater
height; if there is moisture present the top of the thermal begins to
condense into cumulus clouds releasing latent heat, which gives the air
current a second burst of energy, acting like a vacuum that pulls air and
the hawks riding it much higher into the atmosphere.
STJA 6, WTSW 47, NOFL 1, MOBL 3, MOCH 1, AMCR 1, CORA 4, SPTO 1, RBNU 2,
BBMA 1, BTHU 1, BGGN 1, PYNU 3.
Predictions:
A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 2pm, increasing clouds, with a
high near 74. Calm wind becoming north northwest 5 to 7 mph in the
afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
========================================================================
Report submitted by Ajit Antony (<aiantony...>)
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Date: 9/18/26 4:18 pm From: 'Meredith McBurney' via Colorado Birds <cobirds...> Subject: [cobirds] Bird Conservancy of the Rockies - Barr Lake Banding Report, 9/18/26
Another moderate day, with 40 birds banded. We've never had a season quite
like this one, but this is the time when, even is a big year, things start
to settle down......Wilson's Warblers, always our dominate species, are
slowing down. (We have caught more of them this year than any prior year,
which drove the unusual 100+ bird days we've experienced.) Today was a mix
of insect and seed eaters:
Red-breasted Nuthatch 1
Northern House Wren 1
Gray Catbird 1
Brown Thrasher 1 (FOS, and likely only one we will catch!)
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 2
Orange-crowned Warbler 3
Yellow-rumped Warbler, Audubon's 2
Townsend's Warbler 1
Wilson's Warbler 18
Green-tailed Towhee 2
Lincoln's Sparrow 1
White-crowned Sparrow, Gambel's 4
White-crowned Sparrow, Mountain 2
Dark-eyed Junco, Oregon 1
Meredith McBurney
Bander, Barr Lake Station
Bird Conservancy of the Rockies
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Date: 9/18/26 12:24 pm From: Chicobander <jshieldcastle...> Subject: [cobirds] Chico Basin Ranch Banding Station Report-Bird Conservancy of the Rockies-September 18, 2026
The day was better than yesterday bird wise. It is always good to see birds. An Ovenbird early on was the highlight of the day. Three recaptures where 2 of the three birds gained weight. The other was a Brown Thrasher did not gain weight. However, there are many hanging around the station throwing leaves with their bills looking for bugs. *25 New Banded Birds* Wilson's Warbler- 13 Orange-crowned Warbler- 2 Ovenbird- 1 N. House Wren- 1 Lincoln's Sparrow- 1 Gambel's White-crowned Sparrow- 2 Song Sparrow- 1 Green-tailed Towhee- 1 Spotted Towhee- 1 Swainson's Thrush- 2
*3 Recaptures* Brown Thrasher- 1 individual did not gain weight/mass; 1 gained almost a half of a gram. Swainson's Thrush banded 3 days ago gained over 4 grams.
The banding station will be open tomorrow at sunrise through @ 11:45 AM. If interested in visiting the ranch, please register online at www.aikenaudubon.com Please stop by the banding station and share your sightings- We would love to hear what you see.
Have a good day,
Julie Shieldcastle, Bander Chico Basin Ranch Bird Conservancy of the Rockies
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Date: 9/17/26 5:23 pm From: 'Meredith McBurney' via Colorado Birds <cobirds...> Subject: [cobirds] Bird Conservancy of the Rockies - Barr Lake Banding Report, 9/17/26
Things were slow today. Everything was down - Wilson's still led the
parade, but there were fewer of them; we banded only one flycatcher, but
also only one sparrow. The one flycatcher was an Olive-sided, a definite
rarity for us.
Meredith McBurney
Bander, Barr Lake Station
Bird Conservancy of the Rockies
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Date: 9/17/26 5:18 pm From: John Tumasonis <snakemonev...> Subject: [cobirds] Brown Thrasher at Big Dry Creek
All: Brown Thrasher seen at Big Dry Creek Park in Westminster this afternoon. The bird was quiet but not shy about perching out in the open. Also, present were two scrub jays which are uncommon at this location
[image: Brown Thrasher Big Dry Creek Park Westminster CO 28 signed copy.jpg]
Happy birding, John T
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Date: 9/17/26 2:28 pm From: <reports...> Subject: [cobirds] Mount Zion Hawk Watch at Windy Saddle Park (17 Sep 2026) Raptors
Mount Zion Hawk Watch at Windy Saddle Park
Golden, Greater Denver, Colorado, USA
To see hourly weather data and details of migrant raptors, look up this watch at hawkcount.org.
This is a new raptor migration site identified and designated in mid-September 2024. This is Colorado's 1st fall hawk watch site, and the second hawk watch in Colorado.
To get to the site which is along Lookout Mountain Rd. in Golden, enter either Windy Saddle Park or Mount Zion into Google Maps on your favorite navigation app, or enter the coordinates 39.7368,-105.2454. From the parking lot ascend the stone steps to the watch site.
EVERYONE IS WELCOME TO THE HAWK WATCH TO ENJOY THE SPECTACLE OF RAPTOR MIGRATION, EVEN IF YOU KNOW NOTHING ABOUT IDENTIFYING RAPTORS IN FLIGHT. We will help you to learn Raptor ID if you are interested.
See https://groups.google.com/g/cobirds/c/Oznn4uc6MBk
Observation start time: 07:00:00
Observation end time: 08:15:00
Total observation time: 0 hours
Official Counter:
Observers:
Visitors:
No visitors
Weather:
98% cloud cover with dark grey clouds to the west of the watch and
overlying the watch. A tiny sliver of blue was seen in the sky over the far
south east where Aurora is located. Brisk winds from the West with drizzle
noted at the end of the first hour. I stayed for 15 minutes of the second
hour when the drizzle turned to rain.
Raptor Observations:
No migrant or non- migrant raptors seen.
Non-raptor Observations:
An unseen animal made a growling sound which startled me.
AMCR 1,SPTO 1, VGSW 5, WEBB 3, Flicker 1, AMRO 2, PYNU 3, MOCH 1, BBMA 1
Predictions:
A slight chance of showers before noon, then a chance of showers and
thunderstorms between noon and 2pm, then showers likely and possibly a
thunderstorm after 2pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 63. Southwest wind
around 5 mph becoming light and variable in the afternoon. Chance of
precipitation is 70%.
========================================================================
Report submitted by Liza Antony (<liza.antony15...>)
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Date: 9/17/26 12:12 pm From: Chicobander <jshieldcastle...> Subject: [cobirds] Chico Basin Ranch Banding Station Report-Bird Conservancy of the Rockies-September 17, 2026
What a difference a day makes! The banding olive grove was quiet today, unless you count the Red-winged Blackbirds around. Three recaptures today all increased weight by over .4 grams! That is a good amount since yesterday's banding. *13 New Birds Banded* Wilson's Warbler- 4 Orange-crowned Warbler- 1 Hammond's Flycatcher- 1 Western Flycatcher- 1 Red-breasted Nuthatch- 1 Lincoln's Sparrow- 1 Blue Grosbeak- 1 Hermit Thrush- 1 Gray Catbird- 1 Brown Thrasher- 1
The banding station will be open tomorrow through Saturday at sunrise until @ 11:45AM. If interested in visiting the ranch, please register online at www.aikenaudubon.com
Enjoy the Day!
Julie Shieldcastle, Bander Chico Basin Ranch Bird Conservancy of the Rockies
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Date: 9/16/26 7:45 pm From: <reports...> Subject: [cobirds] Mount Zion Hawk Watch at Windy Saddle Park (16 Sep 2026) 51 Raptors
Mount Zion Hawk Watch at Windy Saddle Park
Golden, Greater Denver, Colorado, USA
To see hourly weather data and details of migrant raptors, look up this watch at hawkcount.org.
This is a new raptor migration site identified and designated in mid-September 2024. This is Colorado's 1st fall hawk watch site, and the second hawk watch in Colorado.
To get to the site which is along Lookout Mountain Rd. in Golden, enter either Windy Saddle Park or Mount Zion into Google Maps on your favorite navigation app, or enter the coordinates 39.7368,-105.2454. From the parking lot ascend the stone steps to the watch site.
EVERYONE IS WELCOME TO THE HAWK WATCH TO ENJOY THE SPECTACLE OF RAPTOR MIGRATION, EVEN IF YOU KNOW NOTHING ABOUT IDENTIFYING RAPTORS IN FLIGHT. We will help you to learn Raptor ID if you are interested.
See https://groups.google.com/g/cobirds/c/Oznn4uc6MBk
Observation start time: 08:30:00
Observation end time: 13:00:00
Total observation time: 4.5 hours
Official Counter: Ajit Antony
Observers: Liza Antony
Visitors:
Aaron Lefland from Connecticut who lives near Lighthouse Point Hawk Watch
and has visited there, was in Denver for a conference on Land Management,
looked up eBird hotspots and found the Mount Zion Hawk Watch (which Zak
Hepler had recently requested hotspot designation), so we found him at the
watch when we got there, he helped us find a number of raptors, we in turn
helped him learn to identify raptors in flight. He had a number of
passerine lifers today.
Weather:
Less hazy over Denver then the day before, again caused by an inversion
layer we could see as a brown haze to the Northeast which gradually moved
South. Cool, breezy and pleasant all day, winds from the ESE changing to
ENE, cloud cover 30% increasing to 85% mainly cirrus in the morning with
cumulus coming in from the West as usual by the afternoon, clear visibility
initially only 5 km and increasing only to 19 km.
Raptor Observations:
The first two migrants were AK along the Kestrel Channel way below us at
9:39 a.m. MDT. In addition to AK, RT (mainly local) were seen along the
channel, as did all the Steller's Jay seen.
At 10:46 a.m. a migrant juvenile dark morph RT promptly IDed by Liza.
Non-migrant raptors: AK 2, CH 1, RT 4, TV 6.
Non-raptor Observations:
Two paragliders at 10:00 a.m. had no lift, 8 after 11:00 a.m. had none to
moderate left while by 11:45 a.m. some of them were really high, barely
visible to the eye.
CAWR 1 calling, STJA 12, VGSW 4, WTSW 6, NOFL 1, SPTO 1, AMRO 1, AMCR 1,
CORA an unkindness or conspiracy of 26, HAWO 1, BLJA 1.
Because of the inversion layer, lift was very poor at 2 ft per second with
the predicted maximum height of thermal 5,114 ft AGL, though the migrants
were flying much much higher. As we say, they hadn't read the prediction.
Predictions:
A chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after noon. Mostly
cloudy, with a high near 78. Calm wind becoming east northeast around 6 mph
in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
========================================================================
Report submitted by Ajit Antony (<aiantony...>)
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Date: 9/16/26 7:45 pm From: <reports...> Subject: [cobirds] Mount Zion Hawk Watch at Windy Saddle Park (16 Sep 2026) 51 Raptors
Mount Zion Hawk Watch at Windy Saddle Park
Golden, Greater Denver, Colorado, USA
To see hourly weather data and details of migrant raptors, look up this watch at hawkcount.org.
This is a new raptor migration site identified and designated in mid-September 2024. This is Colorado's 1st fall hawk watch site, and the second hawk watch in Colorado.
To get to the site which is along Lookout Mountain Rd. in Golden, enter either Windy Saddle Park or Mount Zion into Google Maps on your favorite navigation app, or enter the coordinates 39.7368,-105.2454. From the parking lot ascend the stone steps to the watch site.
EVERYONE IS WELCOME TO THE HAWK WATCH TO ENJOY THE SPECTACLE OF RAPTOR MIGRATION, EVEN IF YOU KNOW NOTHING ABOUT IDENTIFYING RAPTORS IN FLIGHT. We will help you to learn Raptor ID if you are interested.
See https://groups.google.com/g/cobirds/c/Oznn4uc6MBk
Observation start time: 08:30:00
Observation end time: 13:00:00
Total observation time: 4.5 hours
Official Counter: Ajit Antony
Observers: Liza Antony
Visitors:
Aaron Lefland from Connecticut who lives near Lighthouse Point Hawk Watch
and has visited there, was in Denver for a conference on Land Management,
looked up eBird hotspots and found the Mount Zion Hawk Watch (which Zak
Hepler had recently requested hotspot designation), so we found him at the
watch when we got there, he helped us find a number of raptors, we in turn
helped him learn to identify raptors in flight. He had a number of
passerine lifers today.
Weather:
Less hazy over Denver then the day before, again caused by an inversion
layer we could see as a brown haze to the Northeast which gradually moved
South. Cool, breezy and pleasant all day, winds from the ESE changing to
ENE, cloud cover 30% increasing to 85% mainly cirrus in the morning with
cumulus coming in from the West as usual by the afternoon, clear visibility
initially only 5 km and increasing only to 19 km.
Raptor Observations:
The first two migrants were AK along the Kestrel Channel way below us at
9:39 a.m. MDT. In addition to AK, RT (mainly local) were seen along the
channel, as did all the Steller's Jay seen.
At 10:46 a.m. a migrant juvenile dark morph RT promptly IDed by Liza.
Non-migrant raptors: AK 2, CH 1, RT 4, TV 6.
Non-raptor Observations:
Two paragliders at 10:00 a.m. had no lift, 8 after 11:00 a.m. had none to
moderate left while by 11:45 a.m. some of them were really high, barely
visible to the eye.
CAWR 1 calling, STJA 12, VGSW 4, WTSW 6, NOFL 1, SPTO 1, AMRO 1, AMCR 1,
CORA an unkindness or conspiracy of 26, HAWO 1, BLJA 1.
Because of the inversion layer, lift was very poor at 2 ft per second with
the predicted maximum height of thermal 5,114 ft AGL, though the migrants
were flying much much higher. As we say, they hadn't read the prediction.
Predictions:
A chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after noon. Mostly
cloudy, with a high near 78. Calm wind becoming east northeast around 6 mph
in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
========================================================================
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Date: 9/16/26 5:49 pm From: 'Meredith McBurney' via Colorado Birds <cobirds...> Subject: [cobirds] Bird Conservancy of the Rockies - Barr Lake Banding Report, 9/16/26
Wilson's Warblers continue coming through in record numbers; another 53
caught today. Starting to see a higher number of sparrows mixed in with
the primarily insect eaters. Our total new birds for today was 98, but we
also caught 29 recaps. Three cheers to our volunteer team for making this
system work day after day!
Here's the breakdown of the 98 new:
Mourning Dove 1
Western Wood-pewee 1
Dusky Flycatcher 1
Northern House Wren 1 new, 1 banded last year
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1
Orange-crowned Warbler 5
Yellow-rumped Warbler, Audubon's 7
Townsend's Warbler 1
MacGillivray's Warbler 1
Common Yellowthroat 2
Wilson's Warbler 53
Green-tailed Towhee 4
Clay-colored Sparrow 3
Lincoln's Sparrow 6
Song Sparrow 2
White-crowned Sparrow, Gambel's 8
Meredith McBurney
Bander, Barr Lake Station
Bird Conservancy of the Rockies
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Date: 9/16/26 2:00 pm From: Chicobander <jshieldcastle...> Subject: [cobirds] Chico Basin Ranch Banding Station Report-Bird Conservancy of the Rockies-September 16, 2026
You never know what birds will appear at Chico Basin Ranch. Many Lincoln's Sparrow, Green-tailed Towhees, and Wilson's Warblers around today. Fourteen bird species were captured. Mountain Academy 6th graders visited the station today. Kudos for the teachers that ask questions to make their students think about bird conservation. We definitely had lots of species to show them. *58 New Banded Birds* Wilson's Warbler- 21 Orange-crowned Warbler- 2 Dusky Flycatcher- 2 Hammond's Flycatcher- 1 N. House Wren- 1 Red-breasted Nuthatch- 1 Lincoln's Sparrow- 13 Green-tailed Towhee- 9 Hermit Thrush- 2 Western Tanager- 2 Gambel's White-crowned Sparrow- 2 Yellow-breasted Chat- 1 Spotted Towhee- 1
*2 Recaptures * American Robin Western Tanager
The Banding station will be open tomorrow through Saturday from sunrise until @11:45AM. Please register online if interested in visiting the ranch at www.aikenaudubon.com Enjoy the Day!
Julie Shieldcastle, Bander Chico Basin Ranch Bird Conservancy of the Rockies
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Date: 9/16/26 5:15 am From: Isabel Hardwig <isabelhardwig...> Subject: [cobirds] Ridgway State Park Banding Report - Bird Conservancy of the Rockies
Apologies for the delay in getting out this message! We had a great 2 weeks in Ridgway State Park, banding a total of 161 birds of 29 species. Here were the counts for those weeks:
The highlight for me was definitely the Brown Creeper, which we caught on our 7:00 run on 9/4.
Thank you so much to everyone who came out to visit or to help out at Ridgway! We had a wonderful few weeks of birds, and we engaged tons of students. Stay tuned for our first Grand Junction tally at the end of this week!
Isabel Hardwig Bander, Ridgway and Grand Junction Stations Bird Conservancy of the Rockies
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Date: 9/15/26 6:25 pm From: 'Meredith McBurney' via Colorado Birds <cobirds...> Subject: [cobirds] Bird Conservancy of the Rockies - Barr Lake Banding Report, 9/14/26
Today was really windy at the station area, but down below, just a few feet
lower where the nets are, it was calm and cool, and there were plenty of
birds. We again caught a good number of Wilson's Warbler (a mix of hatch
years and adults) and the Yellow-rumped Warblers started to show up in
numbers. A nice surprise was a hatch year Blackpoll Warbler, a species
rarely caught at this station. Here's the breakdown of today's 93 new
birds. (I'm trying to stay cool; these numbers are pretty extraordinary for
us!):
Meredith McBurney
Bander, Barr Lake Station
Bird Conservancy of the Rockies
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Date: 9/15/26 5:59 pm From: <reports...> Subject: [cobirds] Mount Zion Hawk Watch at Windy Saddle Park (15 Sep 2026) 62 Raptors
Mount Zion Hawk Watch at Windy Saddle Park
Golden, Greater Denver, Colorado, USA
To see hourly weather data and details of migrant raptors, look up this watch at hawkcount.org.
This is a new raptor migration site identified and designated in mid-September 2024. This is Colorado's 1st fall hawk watch site, and the second hawk watch in Colorado.
To get to the site which is along Lookout Mountain Rd. in Golden, enter either Windy Saddle Park or Mount Zion into Google Maps on your favorite navigation app, or enter the coordinates 39.7368,-105.2454. From the parking lot ascend the stone steps to the watch site.
EVERYONE IS WELCOME TO THE HAWK WATCH TO ENJOY THE SPECTACLE OF RAPTOR MIGRATION, EVEN IF YOU KNOW NOTHING ABOUT IDENTIFYING RAPTORS IN FLIGHT. We will help you to learn Raptor ID if you are interested.
See https://groups.google.com/g/cobirds/c/Oznn4uc6MBk
Observation start time: 08:30:00
Observation end time: 14:30:00
Total observation time: 6 hours
Official Counter: Ajit Antony
Observers: Liza Antony
Visitors:
4 hikers were interested and asked questions. A young man carrying
binoculars asked if this was the hawk watch, and when I said Yes, I asked
what the binoculars were for, he said he likes to watch birds, and promptly
left! Other comments were Very cool, I love that from a young woman who
asked about what I was looking at, then wanted to know how many hawks I had
seen, and when I had started counting this morning.
Weather:
A strong cold front had gone through the night before and yet Denver was so
hazy I could only see it because I knew where it was, because of a cold
inversion layer trapping atmospheric pollutants and fine dust particles
carried by the front. Chilly, very pleasant air. Cirrus clouds to the East
and cumulus developing from the West moving East.
Raptor Observations:
I was wondering whether a cold front would bring any raptors here in the
west compared to New York, initially the answer seemed No but by the end of
the day it was a resounding Yes. Very peculiar migration in that the first
half hour had no migrants, a big flurry of 12 migrants in the next hour,
the first being a BW at 10:05 a.m. MDT. The next hour had only 2 migrants,
the hour after only 1, the 1:00 hour had streaming SW, a trio of an adult
with two juveniles, then followed by a stream of 26, followed by 6 followed
by 2 and then two singles, all in a new channel we've never had migrants
fly through before - high 35� North going to the SE through a perfectly
blue sky, the only reason I could find them was as they went SE there was a
large cloud I could see them against, and the ones following I could track
in a blue sky knowing where they might have been.
Non-migrant raptors: RT 2, TV 6.
Non-raptor Observations:
WEBL 1, STJA 1, BTHU 1, GHJU 3, VGSW 5, ROPI 11, WBNU 1 Eastern subspecies
heard, RBNU 1, WTSW 10, BBMA 1, YRWA 1, BGGN 1, TOSO 1, NOFL 1.
2 paragliders at 10:00 a.m. had no lift, and of 4 after 11:30 a.m., 2 had
moderate lift and 2 had none.
The Soaring Forecast from the NWS predicted poor lift at only 3 ft per
second and the height of thermals only 5,014 ft AGL - lower than the watch,
though the large count of raptors including the SW were at level 4 and
level 5 (at the limit of 10x binoculars) height of flight - certainly much
much higher than predicted.
Predictions:
A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 3pm. Partly
sunny, with a high.
Winds aloft are predicted to be from the SW changing to East, by
Earth.nullschool.net
========================================================================
Report submitted by Ajit Antony (<aiantony...>)
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Date: 9/15/26 1:02 pm From: DAVID A LEATHERMAN <daleatherman...> Subject: FW: [cobirds] Re: Late nesting barn swallows
I intended this to go to Mr. Killam plus the entire COBIRDS clan.
Dave
From: DAVID A LEATHERMAN
Sent: Tuesday, September 15, 2026 1:55 PM
To: '<wmrki......>' <wmrkillam69...>
Subject: RE: [cobirds] Re: Late nesting barn swallows
The discussion of late Barn Swallow fledging initially brought up by Scott, the interesting question by Nathan about what constitutes âfledgingâ and the various other reports of late BASW activity has been very interesting. It is exactly what COBIRDS is better at than eBird and I hope both communication outlets continue to thrive. I have no doubts regarding eBird but sometimes COBIRDS feels threatened and endangered.
The two Barn Swallow situations I mentioned in Fort Collins essentially came to an end yesterday.
On 9/14 I visited Sheldon Lake in City Park (just north of Mountain Avenue west of Shields) and during late morning a flock of about 45 fledglings and adults sat on boat ramp wires loudly discussing impending travel plans. When I visited in late afternoon, they were gone. Today I saw a few BASW up high over the lake that I suspect were migrants from points north.
The nest under the Grandview Cemetery entrance bridge spanning the New Mercer Ditch was completely abandoned as of September 14. I think some of the last activity of adults flying in to feed young during the period of September 11-13 might well have been Nathanâs âteenagers with driverâs licenses still living at homeâ scenario. I bet there are a lot of human parents that wished this phenomenon only lasted a max of a couple days/weeks.
Safe travels to our beautiful fork-tailed, West Nile mosquito-eating friends.
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Date: 9/15/26 12:46 pm From: Chicobander <jshieldcastle...> Subject: [cobirds] Chico Basin Ranch Banding Station Report-Bird Conservancy of the Rockies-September 15, 2026
A northerly wind which was breezy early on but reduced its strength by mid-morning. There was a group of species around today. They were just hard to see in the fluttering leaves. Eighteen bird species were banded/handled today and released including another Great-crested Flycatcher and a Common Yellowthroat. Flycatchers were fairly prolific as well. A Brown Thrasher returned to the olive grove which was banded in fall of 2023 as and adult. It is at least 5 years old. *47 New Banded Birds* Wilson's Warbler- 15 Common Yellowthroat- 1 Dusky flycatcher- 4 Hammond's Flycatcher- 2 Great-crested Flycatcher- 1 Red-breasted Nuthatch- 1 Ruby-crowned Kinglet- 2 Chipping Sparrow- 1 Lincoln's Sparrow- 8 House Finch- 2 Blue Grosbeak- 1 Gambel's White-crowned Sparrow- 3 Green-tailed Towhee- 1 Spotted Towhee- 1 Yellow-breasted Chat- 1 Swainson's Thrush- 1 Townsend's Solitaire- 2
*1 Return- bird banded in a previous year and recaptured again* Brown Thrasher - banded as an adult in August 2023
The Banding station will be open tomorrow through Saturday from sunrise until @ 11:45AM. If interested in visiting the Ranch, Please register online at www.aikenaudubon.com. Enjoy the nice fall day!
Julie Shieldcastle, Bander Chico Basin Ranch Bird conservancy of the Rockies
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Date: 9/15/26 8:45 am From: David Tønnessen <davidtonnessenx...> Subject: Re: [cobirds] Empid help - Arapahoe
Hey Jared,
You're correct, for the reasons you stated about Hammond's being in a
fresh, yellowish plumage this time of year. In fact, they're so much so
that often a stronger source of confusion right now is Western Flycatcher.
But the small, all-dark bill and the long, thin sabre-like primary
projection are good Hammond's cues. Not just the length, but the thin shape
of those primaries with a noticeable gap between the 3rd and the 4th
longest visible primary feathers.
David Tønnessen
On Tue, Sep 15, 2026, 9:25â¯AM Jared Del Rosso <jared.delrosso...>
wrote:
> Had a tough empid in my Centennial yard last night. Everything--bill,
> primary extension, tail length, at least at variable angles of
> photos--seems intermediate between a Hammond's and Dusky, but I have very
> little experience with Hammond's. (One experience, to be precise.) A
> Hammond's would rate as a "good" yard bird here in Centennial. A Dusky
> would be, well, another Dusky, though any empid visit to a suburban yard is
> exciting.
>
> The freshness and brightness of the plumage seems a good sign of a
> Hammond's, which molt before fall migration and are in, according to Kenn
> Kaufman, "very fresh plumage during fall migration, with buffy wing bars,
> fairly bright yellow on the belly and dark olive-gray on the chest" (but
> note I have no chest photos). But the paleness of the throat and the
> olive-green on the head seem a strike against it (to my inexperienced
> eyes).
>
> Duskies don't molt until arriving on wintering grounds. Kaufman describes
> adults as "worn and drab" in fall; juveniles are "slightly more
> colorful...but these colors are fading rapidly as the late summer turns to
> fall."
>
> The bill color seems closer to Hammond's to me -- mostly dark, but this
> seems to depend on the angle and clarity of the photo and seems fairly
> variable among birds anyway.
>
> Photos below.
>
> [image: Screenshot 2026-09-14 at 8.09.30â¯PM.png]
> This photo gives me Hammond's vibes -- but are the primaries long enough?
> Certainly, the tail doesn't seem long to me. (I saw a Dusky in my yard a
> week or so ago, and the tail seemed much longer?) Bill looks small, no? Or
> is that the angle?
>
> [image: Screenshot 2026-09-15 at 9.03.03â¯AM.png]
> Clear shot of the primary extension. Seem neither long nor short. Same
> goes for the tail. A lot of olive-yellow, though.
>
> I have a several more photos, but they're all mostly variants of these.
>
> Any help and input appreciated!
>
> - Jared Del Rosso
> Centennial, CO
>
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Date: 9/15/26 8:25 am From: Jared Del Rosso <jared.delrosso...> Subject: [cobirds] Empid help - Arapahoe
Had a tough empid in my Centennial yard last night. Everything--bill,
primary extension, tail length, at least at variable angles of
photos--seems intermediate between a Hammond's and Dusky, but I have very
little experience with Hammond's. (One experience, to be precise.) A
Hammond's would rate as a "good" yard bird here in Centennial. A Dusky
would be, well, another Dusky, though any empid visit to a suburban yard is
exciting.
The freshness and brightness of the plumage seems a good sign of a
Hammond's, which molt before fall migration and are in, according to Kenn
Kaufman, "very fresh plumage during fall migration, with buffy wing bars,
fairly bright yellow on the belly and dark olive-gray on the chest" (but
note I have no chest photos). But the paleness of the throat and the
olive-green on the head seem a strike against it (to my inexperienced
eyes).
Duskies don't molt until arriving on wintering grounds. Kaufman describes
adults as "worn and drab" in fall; juveniles are "slightly more
colorful...but these colors are fading rapidly as the late summer turns to
fall."
The bill color seems closer to Hammond's to me -- mostly dark, but this
seems to depend on the angle and clarity of the photo and seems fairly
variable among birds anyway.
Photos below.
[image: Screenshot 2026-09-14 at 8.09.30â¯PM.png]
This photo gives me Hammond's vibes -- but are the primaries long enough?
Certainly, the tail doesn't seem long to me. (I saw a Dusky in my yard a
week or so ago, and the tail seemed much longer?) Bill looks small, no? Or
is that the angle?
[image: Screenshot 2026-09-15 at 9.03.03â¯AM.png]
Clear shot of the primary extension. Seem neither long nor short. Same goes
for the tail. A lot of olive-yellow, though.
I have a several more photos, but they're all mostly variants of these.
Any help and input appreciated!
- Jared Del Rosso
Centennial, CO
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Date: 9/14/26 5:03 pm From: <reports...> Subject: [cobirds] Mount Zion Hawk Watch at Windy Saddle Park (14 Sep 2026) 37 Raptors
Mount Zion Hawk Watch at Windy Saddle Park
Golden, Greater Denver, Colorado, USA
To see hourly weather data and details of migrant raptors, look up this watch at hawkcount.org.
This is a new raptor migration site identified and designated in mid-September 2024. This is Colorado's 1st fall hawk watch site, and the second hawk watch in Colorado.
To get to the site which is along Lookout Mountain Rd. in Golden, enter either Windy Saddle Park or Mount Zion into Google Maps on your favorite navigation app, or enter the coordinates 39.7368,-105.2454. From the parking lot ascend the stone steps to the watch site.
EVERYONE IS WELCOME TO THE HAWK WATCH TO ENJOY THE SPECTACLE OF RAPTOR MIGRATION, EVEN IF YOU KNOW NOTHING ABOUT IDENTIFYING RAPTORS IN FLIGHT. We will help you to learn Raptor ID if you are interested.
See https://groups.google.com/g/cobirds/c/Oznn4uc6MBk
Observation start time: 08:30:00
Observation end time: 13:45:00
Total observation time: 5.25 hours
Official Counter: Ajit Antony
Observers: Liza Antony
Visitors:
7 hikers had questions for us as to what we were looking at and only 2 of
them from High Island Texas who therefore knew about birds, birders and had
liked movie The Big Year. They said they would get interested in birding
when they retired. I told them about a surgeon 15 years older than me who
always planned to do different things including travel when he retired, and
unfortunately developed metastatic kidney cancer and died at 57 years, so I
recommended that if they have any interests they engage with them now. Also
I know many physicians who were only interested in the practice of medicine
with no other interests, consequently when they retired after a year of
travel, a number of them didn't know what to do with themselves went back
to work! Sad. In our case we had so many interests other than birding and
hawk watching while both of us were practicing medicine that our retirement
was seamless. I told them that they could see that I was a philosopher as
well. The man's father was a birder, so I suggested guidance from him as
well as joining a local bird club, as well as using the Merlin app, which
they had, to figure out what they were hearing while hiking.
Weather:
Winds had blown in from the south last night so this morning the sky was
completely overcast but there was no smoke haze over Denver, very clear
air, clear visibility to 39 km to DIA, though there was virga between East
and SE, winds from the WSW corresponding to the winds aloft at 700 hPa at
the level hawks would migrate at, changing to ESE. By 10:00 a.m. DST there
was some blue sky from the SW to the North, with very dark large clouds to
the SW which bypassed us to the South. The sun came out intimately from
12:19 p.m. on.
Raptor Observations:
The first 0.5 hours we had 3 distant migrants, the first was a TV at 9:41
a.m. MST, after which the 10:00 hour had no migrants and not even local
raptors, so it looked as if we would go home early with a low count,
however at 11:28 a.m. a BW was seen with the naked eye slightly to the
West/ overhead which was joined by 2 more, 2 more low BW easily seen with
the naked eye which gradually rose in thermals to the point that we could
barely see them with binoculars taking 6 minutes before migrating South,
then a BW which took the same path followed by 3 BW which were merely dots
in the sky requiring a scope to identify because of their compactness cf
RT, flat wings in a soar or because of a 'twitchy' partial flap only. The
next hour had 1 more and the next hour had 2 more for a total of 13 BW,
uncommon as they are in the West as they are an Eastern breeder.
The first local raptor were 2 TV at 12:32 p.m., oddly late.
GE 2 adults. RT 1.
Non-raptor Observations:
RBNU 1, TOSO 1, WBNU 1 Eastern subspecies heard, WTSW 5, VGSW 18.PYNU 3,
MOBL 1, WEBL 2, STJA1, MOCH 1, BBMA 1, SPTO 2.
The Soaring Forecast of the NWS was for lift at 12 feet per second and
height of thermals 9241 feet AGL, quite low, only 2,000 ft above the watch.
Predictions:
A chance of showers between noon and 3pm, then a chance of showers and
thunderstorms after 3pm. Increasing clouds, with a high near 73. Light and
variable wind becoming east 5 to 7 mph in the morning. Chance of
precipitation is 30%.
========================================================================
Report submitted by Ajit Antony (<aiantony...>)
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Betsy Rumely Sent from my iPhone
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Birders,
Iâm watching another Olive-sided Flycatcher in a field just north of
Annette Brand Park! It is actively flycatching. Just a little west of
where I saw one a few days ago.
Paula Hansley
Boulder County
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Date: 9/14/26 1:09 pm From: Chicobander <jshieldcastle...> Subject: [cobirds] Chico Basin Ranch Banding Station Report-Bird Conservancy of the Rockies-September 14, 2026
Southwest winds are not the most favorable for birds migrating south. A couple Wilson's warblers banded a few days ago returned to get their energetic condition assessed again. Both Wilson's gained weight since they were last banded. Thirteen bird species were captured with two new species for the season including Ruby-crowned Kinglet and Plumbeous Vireo. It appears that there are quite a few Townsend's Warblers hangin around Colorado this fall season. A couple birders came by the banding station and showed us a Vermilion Flycatcher they saw at HQ pond. Always a pleasure to see what others are seeing on the ranch. *31 New Banded Birds* Wilson's Warbler- 17 Yellow Warbler- 1 MacGillivray's Warbler- 2 Ruby-crowned Kinglet- 1 Red-breasted Nuthatch- 1 Western Wood-Pewee- 1 Hammond's flycatcher- 1 Dusky Flycatcher-1 Cassin's Vireo- 2 Plumbeous Vireo- 1 Gambel's White-crowned Sparrow- 2 Yellow-breasted Chat- 1
*3 Recaptures* Wilson's Warbler- 2 Brown Thrasher
The Banding station will be open tomorrow through Saturday at sunrise until @11:30 AM. If interested in visiting the Ranch, Please register online at www.aikenaudubon.com Please stop by the banding station and share your sightings.
Have a good day,
Julie Shieldcastle, Bander Chico Basin Ranch Bird Conservancy of the Rockies
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Date: 9/14/26 6:04 am From: <mvjo......> <mvjohnski...> Subject: [cobirds] Migrating Birds Abound at Home Lake
Find the water and you'll find the birds. Pretty easy formula that seems to be working well in the otherwise DRY San Luis Valley. Yesterday at Home Lake, which has the water and the habitat, there was a bounty of interesting and unusual birds. Among the warblers, there were hundreds of Wilsons Warblers with a few MacGillivrays and others. At least two Townsend's Warblers were present. Other unusuals included Black Phoebe and Green Heron. Definitely a bird banquet and nourishment for the soul.
John Rawinski Monte Vista, CO
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Last week started out very, very slow but our busy (for Chatfield) Saturday
made up for those slow days. We ended the week with 72 new birds of 17
species banded, 10 same-season recaptures, and 3 returns from previous
seasons.
Audrey Hicks
Bander, Denver Auduon + Bird Conservancy of the Rockies
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Date: 9/13/26 5:43 pm From: 'Meredith McBurney' via Colorado Birds <cobirds...> Subject: [cobirds] Bird Conservancy of the Rockies - Barr Lake Banding Report, 9/13/26
Okay, here is the report for today, Sunday.
Forgot to mention yesterday how nice and cool it was. We catch more birds
on those days because the birds are more likely to be out and active then.
Plus, on the hottest days we are closing some/many/all nets early which
also reduces the numbers caught. So only 75 birds caught today (which in
most seasons would seem like a big day!) Wilson's Warblers still led the
numbers but we have a good mix of species for our weekend visitors:
Western Flycatcher 1
Hammond's Flycatcher 1
Dusky Flycatcher 1
Warbling Vireo 1 (called it "unidentified", but it measured as a Western)
Hermit Thrush 1
Orange-crowned Warbler 1
Yellow Warbler 3
Yellow-rumped Warbler, Audubon's 2
Yellow-rumped Warbler, unidentified subspecies 1
Townsend's Warbler 4
Common Yellowthroat 3
Wilson's Warbler 43
Spotted Towhee 1
Green-tailed Towhee 2
Chipping Sparrow 1
Clay-colored Sparrow 1
Song Sparrow 2
Lincoln's Sparrow 3
White-crowned Sparrow, Gambel's 2
White-crowned Sparrow, Mountain 1
Meredith McBurney
Bander, Barr Lake Station
Bird Conservancy of the Rockies
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Date: 9/13/26 5:28 pm From: 'Meredith McBurney' via Colorado Birds <cobirds...> Subject: [cobirds] Bird Conservancy of the Rockies - Barr Lake Banding Report, 9/12/26
This is the Barr report for SATURDAY, 9/12/26. (My apologies; my computer
went crazy yesterday.)
We had another very busy day at Barr, banding a total of 128 birds. As
usual this year (and most years) driven by Wilson's Warblers. We banded
another 97 today, bringing our total to date to 679, which is more than any
total season in at least the past 20 years. They must have had a
spectacular breeding season. Here's the breakdown of the 128 banded
Saturday:
Meredith McBurney
Bander, Barr Lake Station
Bird Conservancy of the Rockies
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Date: 9/13/26 3:57 pm From: Kit Seeborg <kit...> Subject: [cobirds] Register now for BCAS bird walks and Teen Naturalists programs
Fall is around the corner, and birds are on the move! Join Boulder County
Audubon Society for Saturday morning field trips with Carl Starace. These
bird walks are free, but we do ask that you register. Details in the links
below:
Be sure to get your favorite teenagers involved in birding and conservation
with our upcoming Teen Naturalists programs!
Sunday, September 20, âHow Weather Affects Bird Migration in the Front
Rangeâ
We will spend the morning at Lagerman reservoir looking for migrating
birds. Weâll discuss where they may have come from, the weather that
affects their passage and stopover, and the gap in our understanding of
bird migration related to weather. Details and registration:
Sunday, October 11, âA Glimpse at a Unique Boulder Habitat - White Rocks
Nature Preserveâ
The area is host to a bald eagle nest, rare plants and a rare lizard that
are found nowhere else in Boulder County. Weâll keep an eye out for fossils
and view the creek scenery that will be at the height of fall color change
in this unique sand prairie ecosystem. Details and registration:
https://www.boulderaudubon.org/all-events/tn-oct2026-white-rocks
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*Kit Seeborg*
Board Member and Outreach Volunteer
Boulder County Audubon Society <http://www.boulderaudubon.org> Boulder, Colorado
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Date: 9/13/26 3:31 pm From: <reports...> Subject: [cobirds] Mount Zion Hawk Watch at Windy Saddle Park (13 Sep 2026) 23 Raptors
Mount Zion Hawk Watch at Windy Saddle Park
Golden, Greater Denver, Colorado, USA
To see hourly weather data and details of migrant raptors, look up this watch at hawkcount.org.
This is a new raptor migration site identified and designated in mid-September 2024. This is Colorado's 1st fall hawk watch site, and the second hawk watch in Colorado.
To get to the site which is along Lookout Mountain Rd. in Golden, enter either Windy Saddle Park or Mount Zion into Google Maps on your favorite navigation app, or enter the coordinates 39.7368,-105.2454. From the parking lot ascend the stone steps to the watch site.
EVERYONE IS WELCOME TO THE HAWK WATCH TO ENJOY THE SPECTACLE OF RAPTOR MIGRATION, EVEN IF YOU KNOW NOTHING ABOUT IDENTIFYING RAPTORS IN FLIGHT. We will help you to learn Raptor ID if you are interested.
See https://groups.google.com/g/cobirds/c/Oznn4uc6MBk
Observation start time: 08:30:00
Observation end time: 13:00:00
Total observation time: 4.5 hours
Official Counter: Zak Hepler
Observers:
Visitors:
First visitors of the day were Frank and Judy from Ohio. They have a
daughter who likes eagles and she is a naturalist. A few different people
liked taking phone calls at the Watch. They must have better reception than
I do. The heat kept most people from lingering too long. I took requested
photos of three different groups of people throughout the day. One couple
brought their own stand for their camera like a photoshoot.
Weather:
Beautiful blue sky. No clouds covered the hawk watch during the entirety of
the shift. Reaching high 80s with strong SE gusts. Not stormy whatsover and
visibility reached 39 km throughout the entire watch.
Raptor Observations:
First migrant was an AK at 9:18 AM. Only one SW was reported at 11:00 AM.
Most raptors leveraged the lift from Kestrel Channel and North Channel.
These gullies allowed the birds to get lift without being blown around as
much as they would have being exposed on the outside of the range. The
highest count at the watch today happened between 11AM-12PM. Overall, it
was not very migrant-heavy, but fairly steady. I had considered that the
birds were too high in the air to be visible, but when scanning, I did not
get any new birds.
Non migrant raptors: 6 TUVU, 2 COHA, 9 RTHA
Non-raptor Observations:
I noticed that the WTSW became active at 9:06 AM and the fireants became
active around 9:45 AM. The prairie fence lizard sighting was at 10:06 AM
and it hung around for quite awhile. Only two paragliders were seen today.
The first took off at 10:52 AM and the second was at 12:28 PM.
Predictions:
Another warm day with a chance of afternoon thunderstorms (20%). This is
typical of the front range at this time of year. We can also expect the
western wind in the morning until the air over Denver warms up to create
the eastern breeze that we experience.
========================================================================
Report submitted by Zak Hepler (<zakhepler...>)
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