This is the first month that we give the Boulder County Wildlife Inventory in its new format - a summary of the highlights written for “On The Wing” and a complete listing of all the sightings on the Audubon website (www.boulderaudubon.org). As usual January was a somewhat slow winter month for both birds and birders, mitigated by the fact that many birders were trying to start a new list of sightings for 2003. January was unusually warm (the third warmest January since 1893), and dry. Only one day failed to get above freezing. Consequently there was more open water than usual, increasing the sightings of water birds. Valmont Reservoir was the place to see the most grebes and diving ducks. However, a White-winged Scoter was found at the Lafayette holding pond, to the west of US287 just north of Monarch Road, and was observed by many. Gulls were present in fair numbers. A Mew Gull was seen at Baseline Reservoir, and a Thayer’s Gull at Valmont Reservoir.

The species reported by the most people was Trumpeter Swan. After a lot of debate it was conclusively proven that there were two birds, one at Left Hand Valley Reservoir and one that kept moving between Valmont Reservoir and Sawhill/Walden Ponds. In recent years Trumpeter Swan has become a commoner sighting than Tundra Swan, presumably due to the release of new breeding pairs in the Northern Rockies. This is particularly interesting because it was not until December 1990 that we had any record of Trumpeter Swan in the county. The Indian Peaks Winter Bird Count increased the number of mountain birds seen. Perhaps of most note were the low numbers of certain finches with only 21 Pine Siskin reported and no Evening Grosbeak. However, Pine Grosbeak and Gray-crowned Rosy Finch were seen in reasonable numbers.

Allenspark produced the first Black Rosy Finch since February 2001. Other unusual sightings for January included a White-winged Dove near the Ecocycle facility on the St. Vrain in Longmont. This is a species that is expanding its range rapidly, and we can expect to see more in the future. The habitat where it was found has potential for being a local riparian hot spot. Another bird that is becoming much commoner is Great-tailed Grackle; the feed-lot at Teller Lake #5 on Valmont Road has consistently hosted them among large numbers of icterids. Three-toed Woodpeckers continue to be found at the burn areas near Walker Ranch. A Harris’ Sparrow was found in a yard; this is always a potential winter yard sighting.

A few birds have wintered this year providing unseasonal sightings. Such is the case with the Eastern Bluebirds seen at both Boulder Valley Ranch and Walden Ponds. Yellow-rumped Warblers (both Audubon’s and Myrtle sub-species) were found along Boulder Creek at 75th Street. An American Pipit continued to linger in the Valmont area.

Altogether 103 bird species were seen in January 2003. Somewhat to our surprise this makes January 2003 a record month, beating the previous high total of 100 species. Mammals were, however, very poorly reported. TOP