Monday, December 28, 2009

Trip to Eastern Plains

December 16, 2009

Richard Stevens:

Bryan Ehlmann and I searched for Short-eared Owls early this morning at Jackson Reservoir (Morgan County). None appeared (which has been the case for my last for visits, 2009).

On the drive into the State Park, we stopped at the western Campgrounds. Two Eastern Screech-Owls called to each other. Several (4+) Long-eared Owls were also heard calling (whining) back and forth!

The flock of 20+ Great-tailed Grackles was again at the first house along Morgan County Road Y.5, just west of CR 3.5.

While driving the roads north and west of Jackson Reservoir we found several Lapland Longspurs in large flocks of Horned Larks.

We drove over to Riverside Reservoir and north hoping for a Snowy Owl (did not happen).

Our next stop was Brush Wildlife Area (Morgan). A quick walk around the pond found a male Red-bellied Woodpecker searching for food on the large cottonwoods. We were able to call out the resident Eastern Screech-Owl and were "mobbed" by a flock of Dark-eyed Juncos while doing so!

We backtracked to Fort Morgan Ponds and searched for uncommon sparrows between there and Riverside Park to the west; without success. We had no luck calling out one of the resident Eastern Screech-Owls.

After lunch, we walked the north side of Prewitt Reservoir (Logan/Washington Counties). A Field Sparrow was found along the main road inside the Wildlife Area (from the eastern entrance and heading west about 0.2 miles toward the western end).

At dusk, we heard (but did not see) an Eastern Screech-Owl at the western end. Later, we stopped at the eastern parking area and walked back west about 0.4 miles. Another Eastern Screech-Owl responded to our recordings here!

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