Thursday, November 3, 2011

Tamarack Ranch Wildlife Area and Some More Walk-In-Areas

October 31, 2011

Richard Stevens:

The CoBus group started the day at Tamarack Ranch Wildlife Area (Logan County). Two Eastern Screech-Owls were heard before civil twilight along the north side. We then drove to the southern section (north of CR 46 & 89) in search of Short-eared Owls and Greater Prairie-Chickens; neither was found.

Back at Tamarack Ranch WLA, our next stop was quite enjoyable. A fall plumaged Black-throated Green Warbler and Northern Cardinal flew around the east side of Tamarack Pond. A Spotted Towhee and many White-crowned Sparrows were also here.

Field Sparrows were found at section 7 East. Red-bellied Woodpeckers were seen at the East and West sections (as we stood on the Highway 55 Bridge over the S. Platte River.

We walked several miles of the Platte River hoping for an American Woodcock; hopes were not fulfilled.

Then we headed south into Sedgwick & Phillips Counties. We again visited 5 "Walk-In-Areas" in search of Sprague's Pipits. Again, none was found and it looks like the late date of 11/22 is safe for another year.

An hour walk around Sand Draw Wildlife Area (Sedgwick) found a Harris's Sparrow and 2 Field Sparrows. We found a male Red-bellied Woodpecker at the Pony Express Wildlife Area (Sedgwick).

It was a beautiful fall day in spite of our misses.

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