November 2011 recorded 108 bird species, a respectable total for a month that often has low numbers of species. Four new species for the year were reported: Long-tailed Duck, Red-throated Loon, Pinyon Jay and Eastern Towhee. Other diving ducks of note, apart from the Long-tailed Duck or Oldsquaw as it once was called, included a White-winged Scoter, a Barrow's Goldeneye and several late sightings of Ruddy Duck. November is the peak month for viewing loons; three Pacific Loons and one Common Loon were also reported. However, we suspect that Common Loons, which should be our commonest loon, were under-reported. It is somewhat surprising that this was our first report of Pinyon Jay for the year. This is an irruptive species that can occasionally be found in large numbers, but is usually reported in small numbers in the mountains and foothills. Eastern Towhee was reported for the third time since the wildlife inventory began; previous reports were in 1999 and 2006. Eastern Towhee and Spotted Towhee were formerly sub-species of Rufous-sided Towhee.

Both Ross's Goose and Snow Goose were reported in more than one location. Two Tundra Swans were seen on Lagerman Reservoir, but did not linger. Grebes were reported in fair numbers with a Red-necked Grebe being a nice addition to our more normal species. American Pelicans lingered well into the month with the last sighting on the 24th. A Say's Phoebe on the 27th was a very late sighting for this flycatcher. Sedge Wren is a most unusual wren species for Boulder County, amazingly this was the second report of this species for this year. Only one bluebird species was reported in November and that was a group of eight Eastern Bluebirds. This is another species that is on the increase in the county; any winter bluebirds have to be considered carefully as they could be any of our three species: Eastern, Western or Mountain Bluebirds. Palm Warbler is an unusual species that is most frequently found in Boulder County in the winter. Three Brown-headed Cowbirds on the 27th were another very late sighting. Common Redpoll is always a good sighting. TOP