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NEW: The State of the Birds: United States of America 2009
...a report from partners in the North American Bird Conservation Initiative

Colorado Bird Atlas Quarterly Newsletters

Volume I (2008) Volume II (2009) Volume III (2010)

    • Issue 1, Spring                  • Issue 1, Spring                       • Issue 1, Spring
    • Issue 2, Summer               • Issue 2, Summer                    • Issue 2, Summer
    • Issue 3, Fall                      • Issue 3, Fall
    • Issue 4, Winter                 • Issue 4, Winter

Atlas Presentations
No Atlas presentations are schedule during the 2010 field season. Check back this fall...

Trainings
No trainings are scheduled after June of the 2010 field season.

Blockbusters / Rendezvous

Schedule for July, 2010:

Audubon Society of Greater Denver’s Elbert Atlas block
Date: Thursday, July 8

Leaders: Urling & Hugh Kingery (Pre-Registration required, with leaders)

Meeting Place: Meet at 6 a.m. at the Franktown Post Office. From the intersection of Colo.83 and 86 in Franktown, go east 1/4 mile, turn left and left again at the first opportunities; park on the south side of the area to set up car pools.

Description: One of ASGD’s four Atlas blocks, this one, south of Elbert, already has 60 species, so we will concentrate on the 38 that need confirmations. Targets include Red-tailed Hawk, Killdeer, Broad-tailed Hummingbird, Plumbeous Vireo, Black-capped and Mountain Chickadees, Green-tailed and Spotted Towhees, Chipping, Vesper, & Lark Sparrows, and both goldfinches. Bring binoculars, field guides, water, and lunch. Details from Urling & Hugh Kingery, 303-814-2723, <ouzels8@aol.com>

Saddle Mountain Blockbuster, Part 2
Date: Saturday, July 10

Leader: Lynn Wickersham

Meeting Time and Place: TBD, contact Lynn Wickersham (wickersham_l@fortlewis.edu; 970-247-7245) if interested.

Description: Join Atlas II Coordinator Lynn Wickersham for the second visit to the Saddle Mountain-SE block, between Pagosa Springs and Wolf Creek Pass. We will try to match the 91 species reported in the block during the first atlas, visiting riparian, rural, woodland, and forested habitats. This will be a day trip only, but bring plenty of water, lunch/snacks, and a positive attitude. There will be opportunities to observe waterfowl, shorebirds, raptors, as well as a wide array of woodpeckers and songbirds.

Atlas “Blockbuster” trip to Summit County
Date: Saturday and Sunday, July 10-11

Leaders: Urling & Hugh Kingery (Pre-Registration required, with leaders)

Fee: None (except camping permits, motel, etc.)

Meeting Place: Saturday: 7:00 a.m., Wendy’s restaurant in Silverthorne. From I-70, turn right onto Colorado 9, then right at the traffic light into Wendy’s parking lot. Sunday: 7:00 a.m., Horseshoe Campground, 15 miles south of Parshall on Grand County Road 3 (also about an hour north of Silverthorne).

Description: This weekend, all across the state (especially the mountains) Atlasers will go out to work on untouched blocks far from where most of us live. This trip will work on one block along the Blue River and two blocks about an hour north of Silverthorne (on the east side of Ute Pass). Observers can stay in Dillon/Silverthorne or camp on the Williams Fork. Target blocks include:

Squaw Creek–hike about two miles (one-way) on an unmarked Forest Service trail up Harrigan Creek, about 15 miles north of Silverthorne. Elevation 8300-9200 feet.
Sylvan Reservoir, with two forest roads and a jeep trail; elevation from 8800 to 10,634 feet.
Battle Mountain, with one forest road and two jeep trails; elevation 8550 to 9700 feet.

Bring binoculars, scope, field guides, water, lunches (all meals if you camp) and camping gear if needed. Details from Urling & Hugh Kingery, 303-814-2723, ouzels8@aol.com

Hotchkiss Reservoir and Horsefly Peak Priority Blocks
Date: July 9-11

Leaders: Coen Dexter and Brenda Wright

Meeting Time and Place: TBD

Description: Join Coen and Brenda atlasing a few of the untouched blocks in Region 7. These blocks are mostly private property and offer a diversity of habitats and the potential for a huge species list. Contact Coen Dexter for information (coenbrenda@yahoo.com).

Audubon Society of Greater Denver’s Pine Atlas block
Date: Wednesday, July 14

Leaders: Urling & Hugh Kingery (Pre-Registration required, with leaders)

Meeting Place: Meet at 6 a.m. at Walmart, SE sector of C470 and Bowles Avenue, far south side next to plant sales.

Description: One of ASGD’s four Atlas blocks, this one, in the foothills town of Buffalo Creek and surrounding trails, already has 61 species, so we will concentrate on the 48 that need confirmations. These include Spotted Sandpiper, Broad-tailed Hummingbird, Olive-sided Flycatcher, Plumbeous and Warbling vireo, both chickadees, Rock and House wren, both bluebirds, five warbler species, and both goldfinches. We might add Lincoln’s and White-crowned sparrows, Lazuli Bunting, Tree Swallow, and Hermit Thrush. Bring binoculars, field guides, water, and lunch. Details from Urling & Hugh Kingery, 303-814-2723, <ouzels8@aol.com>

Orphan Butte Priority Block, La Plata Mountains

Date: July 16-18

Leaders: Lynn and John Wickersham

Meeting Time and Place: TBD

* Pre-registration is required. Contact Lynn Wickersham for details (wickersham_l@fortlewis.edu; 970-247-7245)

Description: Join Lynn and John Wickersham for a weekend backpacking/blockbuster adventure. We will backpack approximately 6 miles on Friday, from Cumberland Basin at the end of the La Plata Canyon Road, into the Orphan Butte priority block via a spectacular ridgeline trail that ascends above treeline before it drops down into the block. We will be above 10,500 feet the entire trip, and have the opportunity to observe and confirm alpine species and high elevation forest birds. We will camp Friday and Saturday nights in the block, then hike out on Sunday afternoon. The hike is moderate, but well worth the trip. We recommend that participants are in good physical condition, but we welcome anyone willing to make the trip and help with this high elevation block.

Whitepine and Sargents and/or Cumberland Pass Priority Blocks, Gunnison and Saguache counties
Date: July 17-18

Leader: Lori Brummer

Meeting Time/Place: TBD; contact Lori Brummer (see contact info below)

Description: Birders of all abilities are invited to participate in a Region 8 Blockbuster and do some high elevation birding. Join us Saturday and Sunday, July 17th and 18th for atlas training, birding, good company, and an all around fun weekend! Inexperienced birders will be paired with experienced birders. There will be opportunities to bird on foot or by car and you’ll have the opportunity to add to your Gunnison and Saguache county lists. Saturday, we will work the Whitepine priority block; Sunday, we will most likely work the Sargents priority block. However, if there is enough interest and people willing to hike above timberline, the Cumberland Pass block would be an option. Please contact Lori Brummer (lbrummer@frii.com or 970-416-8971) by July 15th if you are interested in working the Cumberland Pass block. We will camp at Snowblind Campground south of Whitepine on Friday night. Saturday night camping will depend on the block to be worked the next day. Information will be posted on the campground information board. Non-campers are welcome to meet us at 8 a.m. Saturday. Sunday only birders should contact Lori for more information.

Other Birding Events

United States Nightjar Survey Network

The U.S. Nightjar Survey Network is recruiting volunteers to collect data on population distribution and trends of nightjars in Colorado and across the United States. This is a terrific opportunity to maximize your field efforts for the benefit of the Nightjars Survey Network as well as the Colorado Breeding Bird Atlas II project. Click on the link above for information about the Survey Network and how to sign up for a survey route.