[cobirds] Pawnee Grasslands & Lower Latham/BB Draw, Weld.

My husband (Lucky Al) and I went out early this morning. Arriving at Crow Valley at about 6 a.m. and 32 degrees, we drove through only, seeing mostly Robins, Eurasian Collared Doves and a surprising amount of tent campers.

We then went to the "Birding Tour" on CR 96 etc. for about the first mile or so, they've been grading, and after that it was smooth sailing. We saw several lovely Lark Bunting males, many Horned Larks, of which one pair we watched engaging in a dramatic ring-around-the rosie breeding "dance". Fantastic display. There were Brewer's and Vesper Sparrows and one Savannah Sparrow, Western Meadowlarks, Mallards, Brown-headed Cowbirds and many Mourning Doves.

We then headed north along the route and had a chilly walk down to some distant cottonwoods, seeing Lincoln's, WC Sparrows, Starling and Red-winged Blackbirds. I think we only saw one car the whole time!

Continuing north as it goes uphill we began to see male McCown's Longspurs - what stunning birds! Then we were treated to killer looks at a gorgeous male Chestnut-collard Longspur. We saw 3 total on the route and even a few McCown's were displaying. We saw American Kestrel, Swainson's Hawk, a stunning juvenile Golden Eagle, Red-tailed Hawk, Prairie Falcon, Northern Harrier, Rock Wren and Brewer's Blackbird.

We then proceeded to Norma's grove (100/57) and found Hermit and Swainson's Thrush, Brown Thrasher, Loggerhead Shrike, Song Sparrow, Spotted Towhee, American Robins, and a beautiful Jackrabbit.

Back on CR57 we then turned east again on CR96 and found a beautiful pair of Mountain Plover - making it a triple play for Al - all 3 prairie specialties the first time out to Pawnee! That ended our prairie visit (oops! Western Kingbird!) and we motored on down to Lower Latham.

We stayed off the main road CR 44 - but went up and down, CR 48, 42 and 40. Finding a nice mix of birds:
Black-billed Magpie
House Sparrow
Cinnamon Teal
Northern Shoveler
Ring-necked Ducks
Great Blue Heron
House Finch
Barn Swallow
Black-necked Stilts- Lovely!
Blue-winged Teal
Canada Goose
Am. White Pelican
Great-tailed Grackle
White-faced Ibis
Greater Yellowlegs
Lesser Yellowlegs
Willet
Rock Pigeon
Marbled Godwit
Gadwall
Am. Wigeon
Lark Sparrow
House Wren
Sage Thrasher and
3 American Pipits.

All in all a fantastic day!

Connie Kogler
Loveland,CO
AslansOwn.com



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