Sunday, November 6, 2011

Trip to Northern Plains; High Winds

November 5, 2011

Richard Stevens:

Bryan Ehlmann, John Westin and I had planned on a trip to Jackson Reservoir (Morgan County) and Prewitt Reservoir (Logan/Washington) today. Winds were 24-25 mph with gusts to 39 mph.

We did make it to Jackson Reservoir about two hours before sunrise. An Eastern Screech-Owl was in the western Campgrounds. After sunrise, we found several Long-eared Owls!

Winds were ridiculous. Two Bonaparte's Gulls flew by (or were blown by us?). A Common Loon swam at the northwest corner.

We looked for Snow Buntings along the dam; without success. A Harris's Sparrow in the thickets below the dam was a nice consolation.

We gave up on going to Prewitt Reservoir and looking for birds there in the wind. Instead drove up Morgan County Road 4 (turns into Weld County Road 105). Several Lapland Longspurs were found (look for flocks of Horned Larks).

I called a friend who has a Northern Saw-whet Owl in his windbreak and we drove up there and saw small pieces of it as it hid in the thick fir trees.

At sunset, we walked County Road 48, south side of Lower Latham Reservoir (Weld). Several Marsh Wrens popped up from the cattails. Two Short-eared Owls flew by just after sunset.

Having a good owl week, going for Flammulated and Boreal Owls Sunday morning and night!

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