Tuesday, August 4, 2009

Pawnee National Grasslands

August 3, 2009

Richard Stevens:

Suzy Murphy and I birded Pawnee National Grasslands and surrounding areas.

A quick stop at Cottonwood Marsh found Least Bittern (off Artist's Point) and a lone and uncommon for that area Sage Thrasher (trail just below Artist's Point).

On the grasslands I took waypoints of Chipping Sparrow in five locations. We found a first Weld County breeding record (4 witness's to young--being fed and adult Clay-colored Sparrows; see future "Colorado Field Notes"). A few Grasshopper Sparrows and Cassin's Sparrows were also around.

Burrowing Owls were relocated at five locations.
Northeast corner Highway 14 & Weld CR 51
Southeast corner of Hwy 14 & CR 51
Northeast corner of CR 51 & CR 90
Field North of CR 94 and CR 63
Field South of CR 96 and 1.7 miles west of CR 77

I found one Mountain Plover at the field North of Weld CR 94 and CR 63. It took about 1.5 hours to find one. The plover was 1012 yards west of the old cement drain and 20 yards north of the dirt track.

We also found an adult and juvenile Ferruginous Hawks, one Prairie Falcon, and a Golden Eagle.

The highlight for me was 4 Swift Fox Dens spread around the grasslands. I saw 2 young at each (duh 8 total) and Suzy saw an adult while I was searching for Mountain Plover.

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