Saturday, November 8, 2014

Sunny and mild. 55�F. 2-3 mph. 15 participants.

This morning was our traditional "Look for Loons" walk which was quite successful. We saw both common and Pacific Loons at Baseline Reservoir. The lighting was a bit tough, but we were able to see the sharp and smooth neck contrast of the Pacific Loons and the broader based bill and white around the eye of the common loon. After Baseline, we headed to Lagerman to find more loons. What we found there were lots of raptors. Lagerman and surroundings had many healthy prairie dog towns which should make it a great raptor area this winter.

View our Regular Saturday, November 8, 2014 Bird Walk

Slide Show

Baseline Reservoir:

Nov 8, 2014 7:45 AM - 8:45 AM
Protocol: Traveling
0.25 mile(s)
25 species

Canada Goose 10
Gadwall 6
American Wigeon 20
Lesser Scaup 2
Bufflehead 6
Common Goldeneye 1
Hooded Merganser 8
Ruddy Duck 4
Pacific Loon 2
Common Loon 1
Horned Grebe 4
Double-crested Cormorant 2
Red-tailed Hawk 2
American Coot 80
Killdeer 1
Ring-billed Gull 3
Eurasian Collared-Dove 1
Belted Kingfisher 1
Northern Flicker 1
Black-billed Magpie 3
American Crow 3
European Starling 8
Song Sparrow 1
Red-winged Blackbird 30
American Goldfinch 1

Sombrero Marsh & Pond:

Nov 8, 2014 8:55 AM - 9:45 AM
Protocol: Traveling
0.25 mile(s)
21 species

Gadwall 20
American Wigeon 10
Mallard 10
Northern Shoveler 10
Redhead 3
Ring-necked Duck 30
Bufflehead 14
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Virginia Rail 2, see Bird of the Day
American Coot 40
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) 20
Black-billed Magpie 1
Black-capped Chickadee 4
Marsh Wren 1
American Robin 1
European Starling 4
Song Sparrow 3
Dark-eyed Junco 3
Red-winged Blackbird 4
House Finch 2
American Goldfinch 2

Lagerman Reservoir:

Nov 8, 2014 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Protocol: Traveling
1.5 mile(s)
15 species (+3 other taxa)

Bufflehead 4
Red-breasted Merganser 7
Horned/Eared Grebe 1
Western Grebe 3
American White Pelican 3
Golden Eagle 1
Northern Harrier 1
Red-tailed Hawk 2
Red-tailed Hawk (Western) 1
Red-tailed Hawk (Harlan's) 1
Ferruginous Hawk 2
Ring-billed Gull 30
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) 50
Black-billed Magpie 1
Horned Lark 2
American Tree Sparrow 5
Western Meadowlark 1
American Goldfinch 2

Total species seen: 45

Note: Species in bold are birds that were special on the walk for
reasons like a great view, out-of-season, great numbers, or rarity.

Every Saturday Morning

- From 7:30 a.m. (promptly) to 10 am -

Meet at Wild Bird Center of Boulder

1641 - 28th St., Boulder, CO 80301

(303) 442-1322

Every Saturday year-round. No reservations required. Every last Saturday of the month we travel further afield than normal and return a little later. Bird Walk locations are determined on the morning of the walk. All ages and birding abilities are welcome!

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simply Click Here. Note: The "Saturday Bird Walks" list is a separate list from our "Monthly eNewsletters." You can update your preference to receive one or both.

--Thanks, Steve

Wild Bird Center of Boulder, CO

NOVEMBER 8, 2014

Wild Bird Center

Boulder, Colorado

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Slide Shows of Photos taken by participants on our Saturday Bird Walks

2014 (all photos)

2014 (grouped by Walks)

2013 (all photos)

2013 (grouped by Walks)

2012 (all photos)

2012 (grouped by Walks)

Bird of the Day
November 8, 2014
Saturday Bird Walk

Virginia Rail

�Steve Frye

Click to Enlarge

Virginia Rail

The Virginia Rail and the loons were a real toss up for Bird of the Day honors. In the end, I guess I'm just a sucker for those hard to find birds. We also spent a long time trying to coax out the marsh wren. The descent images that we able to capture this morning of the rail are backlit, but that lighting does accentuate their brilliant orange bill. Some Virginia Rails will stay here for the winter so Sombrero might be a good spot to watch in the coming months.

Cornell Lab of Ornithology,
All About Birds

Virginia Rail

Birdfellow

Virginia Rail

Youtube Video by Owler2010

Virginia Rail