Tuesday, 7 July 2015

[cobirds] CcLongspur and Upland Sandpiper, PawneeNG (Weld) 7/7/15

Today the 7th of July on Weld CR49 about half way between CR122 and CR114, I had a few pairs of territorial Chestnut-collared Longspurs and an Upland Sandpiper.  Both species were in a pasture on the east side of CR49.  I also had at least one more pair of territorial Chestnut-collared Longspurs on the east side of CR49 about 0.8 miles south of CR114.  I also heard a Chestnut-collared Longspur on the south side of CR122 about 2 miles w of CR49.  As Amber Carver reported yesterday, a very few Chestnut-collared Longspurs were in the middle of the road (CR114 just e of CR45).  A Sage Thrasher was also in this area.

Of late I have seen at least 3 families of Sage Thrashers along CR37 between CR128 and CR114.

CR49 between 122 and 114 also had a number of McCown's Longspurs, a Ferruginous Hawk, Grasshopper and Brewer's Sparrows.

I am of the impression this is the beginning of the CcLongspurs' second breeding cycle, assuming they were able to pull off a first one in all the moisture.  The prairie is as lush as it has been in over a decade.  Great to see blue grama grass over a foot tall!

Dave Leatherman
Fort Collins

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