August 24-25, 2019
Richard Stevens:
Terry Michaels and I started up north to survey the Pawnee National Grasslands area for Mountain Plover, Upland Sandpipers, Baird's Sparrows and such.
August 24
High temperature reached 91 degrees today. Winds were 8-9 mph.
About an hour before sunrise, we sat at Weld County 48 at the south end of Lower Latham Reservoir. Our suspicions were proven when a Short-eared Owl was observed flying south of CR 48 (south of the oil tank). We watched it eventually fly north over CR 48 and disappear along the west side of the Reservoir.
We continued north to Keota and Weld CR 100. Three Mountain Plover were encountered about a mile and a half west of CR 390. Several McCown's Longspurs found as we drove west to CR 77.
We dropped down to Weld CR 96 and then continued west. Another pair of Mountain Plovers (one adult, one young) were encountered along the way to my favorite Pawnee National Grasslands area loop.
CR 61 north to CR 94, east to CR 63, south to CR 92, east to CR 65, then south to highway 14. Usually the loop is good for McCown's Longspur, Chestnut-collared Longspur, Upland Sandpiper, Burrowing Owl and Mountain Plover. Regrettably, only a few McCown's Longspurs were found today.
Eventually we drove north of CR 57 to CR 100. Norma's Grove is along CR 100, just east of CR 57. Here the previously reported Gray Flycatcher was found hawking insects. The Eastern Wood-Pewee and Field Sparrow that would be reported on 8/25 we not found by us today.
Our trek continued along the gravel roads as we continued north and west. Sites of previously reported Baird's Sparrows were searched; without success.
Additional birds ran across included a pair of Blue Grosbeaks, two Prairie Falcons, one Ferruginous Hawk, and two Loggerhead Shrikes.
We received a text message about Baird's Sparrows in Logan County. Having no success in Weld County, we decided to head east.
The search for the reported Baird's Sparrows south of Tamarack Ranch Wildlife Area (Logan) was unfortunately not successful.
Our birding day ended at the southeastern end of the Tamarack Ranch Wildlife Area (Logan CR 46 & CR 89). We hiked north over the hill and sat down to wait for sunset. No Greater Prairie-Chickens were found this evening.
August 25, 2019
Terry Michaels and I walked around the Tamarack Ranch Wildlife Area sections 6 East & 7 East several hours before sunrise. An Eastern Screech-Owl was heard calling north of the Platte River.
Just before sunrise, we drove south of I76 to the first windmill along CR 55. Our plan was to hike west for a couple of miles with Sharp-tailed Grouse, Greater Prairie-Chickens and uncommon sparrows in mind.
A Sharp-tailed Grouse was found up over the hill about 1/4 mile west of the windmill. The highlight of the day came at 1.2 miles to the west (GPS coordinates). Two buffy faced sparrows turned out to be Baird's Sparrows!
Afterwards we returned to the northern sections of Tamarack Ranch Wildlife Area. A search for Bell's Vireos and Cuckoos at 1 West to 2 West did not find any. The suspicious Eastern Towhee that has been reported many times this year and in the past was not found today.
A male Red-bellied Woodpecker was along the Platte River and just west of the CR 55 bridge. Two additional Red-bellied Woodpeckers were found at 1 East section.
Warblers found included a Nashville Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warblers, two Yellow Warblers, a Wilson's Warbler and an Orange-crowned Warbler. The only vireo seen was a Plumbeous Vireo. A Field Sparrow flew around 3 East.
A brief stop at Jumbo Reservoir (Logan/Sedgwick) did not find any uncommon birds.
The rest of the afternoon was spent driving Sedgwick County Roads in search of Sprague's Pipits. Although none was expected, we did scout possible locations for future searches in late September and October.
Well after dark, we stopped at Prewitt Reservoir (Logan/Washington) and listened for owls. None called this evening.
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