Rosy-Finches are the most unique finches in North America. There are three species found in the United States (Black, Brown-capped and Gray-crowned). Colorado is one of only a few states where all three species can be seen. The easiest way to find them is in flocks around bird feeders in the mountains and foothills. These birds are a target for many out of state birders in Colorado in winter because of their very limited range.
St. Mary’s and Alice (towns) 2/1/2020
We drove the roads of St. Mary’s and Alice looking for Rosy-Finches and two previously reported rarities (Bohemian Waxwing & White-winged Crossbill). Although we didn’t see either of the rarities we did find a good size flock of Rosy-Finches visiting a feeder that we could see from the road.A flyover Northern Goshawk. Unfortunately, light and distance made it impossible to get a good picture.After driving the snowy mountain roads for almost two hours, Mom spotted a flock of Rosy-Finches at a feeder. It was a mixed flock of Brown-capped and Gray-crowned Rosy-Finches.A Brown-capped Rosy-Finch sitting on the roof of a house.The Brown-capped is the hardest species of Rosy-Finch to see in North America because of its limited range.A Brown-capped (on top) and Gray-crowned (on bottom). As you can see, differentiating these two species is fairly easy with close views. A Hepburn’s subspecies of Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch. This subspecies is easy to identify because of its fully gray head.Clark’s Nutcracker (in front) and Steller’s Jay (behind) at the feeder.Canada Jay (aka Gray Jay) enjoying seeds at the feeder. This bird is commonly known as a Camp Robber.A pair of Steller’s Jays at the feeder.Check out the bill on that Nutcracker!Lots of old mines in this area.
Golden (town) 2/4/2020
After our success with Rosy-Finches several days ago in St. Mary’s we decided to go to a private feeder in Golden. We were hoping to spot a Black Rosy-Finch because we did not see this species in St Mary’s.
Large Flock of Gray-crowned and Black Rosy-Finches visiting the feeders.A Gray-crowned enjoying some seeds.A Black Rosy-Finch sitting on the tin of seeds.A good comparison of the Rosy-Finches. The Black Rosy-Finch is in middle of the dish with a Gray-crowned in front of it and another in the snow.Look at the Rosy pattern of their wings!Rosy-Finches congregating around some of the other feeders.Another angle of the Black Rosy-Finch.This Cooper’s Hawk repeatedly flew over the feeder and flushed every Rosy-Finch in sight.A Bushtit weathering the snow storm.We watched the Rosy-Finches just feet away through the window to our left. Thank you Kirsten for letting us (and so many other birders) watch the Rosy-Finches from the warmth of your home!
On January 23, 24 and 26 we chased multiple Front Range rarities. We covered five counties: Adams, Jefferson, Douglas, Arapahoe and Boulder. We found most of what we were looking for and even a few surprises.
Chatfield State Park January 23
In the late afternoon we headed to Chatfield State Park in search of a Yellow-billed Loon. After carefully scoping the reservoir for 20 minutes we spotted two loons swimming very close to each other. One of them was the Yellow-billed, the other was a Common Loon.
Yellow-billed Loon!You can see the light head & back and slightly upturned bill which differentiates it from a Common Loon. Great view of the light head.Common Loon swimming near the Yellow-billed. He has a much darker back and head.Good comparison of Yellow-billed (on left) and Common (on right) Loons. You can see the much lighter back on the Yellow-billed.
Cherry Creek State Park January 24
We went to Cherry Creek State Park hoping to find some of the common local birds but were pleasantly surprised with an unexpected rarity. We found a Mexican Duck at the Marina. Mexican Ducks are very similar to Mallards, but the male does not have a green head like a Mallard and it is darker overall.
Male Mexican Duck on the left and female Mallard on the right. We know he is a male because of his yellow bill.Mexican Duck feeding.Mexican Duck in the center surrounded by male and female Mallards.An interesting male Mallard still molting into breeding plumage. This Bald Eagle flew over and flushed all the Mallards and the Mexican Duck we were looking at…
While we watched the Mexican Duck we saw this gull trying to steal dinner from a Hooded Merganser.Two coyotes feeding on some kind of carcass on the ice on the other side of the lake. Magpies standing by for leftovers.
Full Birding Day January 26
Today we looked for many rarities along the Front Range. Most of the birds we chased were uncommon or rare birds that were visiting bird feeders in people’s yards. To respect the homeowners who have shared these bird sightings, I will not post exact locations of the feeders and homes.
Morrison
We headed to private feeders in Morrison arriving just before sunrise. Our target was a Golden-crowned Sparrow that had been visiting this feeder. This was our third attempt to see this West Coast bird. After waiting for almost an hour the bird made an appearance and gave us great views!
While we were waiting this Townsend’s Solitaire was feasting on berries.Our patience paid off when the Golden-crowned Sparrow flew into the feeder and started eating seeds on the ground. And time for a drink…Look at that gold crown!Unfortunately this bird is not in breeding plumage this time of year. Otherwise he would have been truly spectacular.
Littleton
Our next stop was another neighborhood where a Carolina Wren had been seen. The wren had been visiting two different feeders only a few blocks away from each other. Although we birded the neighborhood for two hours we only heard the bird call twice. He never made an appearance so we had to settle for just hearing him.
A Red-tailed Hawk in a tree near the feeders.
Lyons
Our third stop of the day was also our third feeder watch of the day. After only five minutes of watching the feeders our target bird, Harris’s Sparrow, appeared on his favorite feeder, an upside down trash can lid. The higher elevation area also produced some other cool birds.
A Steller’s Jay on the Sparrow’s favorite spot. The Harris’s Sparrow arrived on the feeder just after the jay left.Enjoying some seeds.After leaving the feeder we saw this Golden Eagle cruising over the ridgeline. What a view! This is the ridge where we saw the Golden Eagle.As we left Lyons we saw an American Dipper in St. Vrain Creek.
South Platte River at 78th Ave
As the sun began to set on an awesome day of birding we headed back towards Denver to a section of the South Platte River where a pair of Barrow’s Goldeneye had been reported. Although the sun set on our chances of seeing the Goldeneye we did get many other waterfowl.
A Pair of Northern Pintails. Black-crowned Night-heron along the river.The sun setting…
I love chasing Front Range rarities! January is normally not a great time to be doing this but we found some good and rare birds.
Camera: Nikon COOLPIX P1000, SONY Cyber-shot DSC-HX200V
