[cobirds] Baird's Sparrows, Soapstone Prairie, Larimer Co.

I’m typically not much of a “chaser”, but when I learned from list serve posts back in May (2017) about the small breeding population of Baird’s Sparrows that has been on the Soapstone Prairie in extreme north central Larimer Co., CO, for the past three (3) years (?), and that they were a little over three (+3) mile hike across near pristine prairie, I was sold, particularly since this one would be a “lifer” for me and they are coming fewer and further between, so just needed to find the time.  Well the time finally came this morning (Sun., 18 Jun.’17).  I started hiking around 5:45am, which I thought was going to be a little too late – got tied up in Denver after hoping to leave around 4am,but didn’t get on the highway until almost 4:30am - though immediately relaxed as this was my first true prairie walk for a very long time and I realized how much I missed this ecosystem since being away in Idaho. 

 

As per previous desciptions, I headed east on Pronghorn Loop from the south parking lot for the 3.2 mile hike to the intersection with Plover Trail.  I had read most folks were finding the birds just north of this junction, so walked, listened, walked, listened for the next hour to the north…no Baird’s.  Feeling a bit disappointed, though still very happy in this setting on a beautiful morning, started to head back.  Before turning west, thought I’d try to the south of the junction for a last ditch effort.  Good decision.  I stopped and listened to a couple of species singing, then heard the distinctive song of a BAIRD’S SPARROW  a little further down the trail (before the fence).  I’d familiarized myself with their song last night and was now stoked.  After about 15 minutes of hunting, found one singing from a low perch, but a decent view.  Over the next half hour or so, located three (3) individuals around a taller patch of vegetation, including several good views singing from the fence, with good comparisons to several GRASSHOPPER SPARROWs as well as a nice SAVANNAH SAPRROW. The walk back was now going to be much more gratifying.  Lifer – high five!!  Kudos to whomever initially found this population out there given the extreme extralimital extent they represent, and being cognizant of their identity in such a remote place – still find it incredible.

 

So finding the Baird’s was a great joy for me.  But as all of you who spend any time in the field can attest, some sort of weirdness is almost expected every time you head out.  Today, it wasn’t the sparrow show for me, but an immature SNOW GOOSE calling and flying low over the open prairie without a lick of water in sight!!  He dropped down just over a rise from the trail, so not believing what I’d just seen, followed it to see if I could get a better look to confirm its identity.  Sure enough, there he was walking around in a waterless swale of taller grass, thinking, and looking very much like, he was wandering the Arctic tundra.  No question on identity – medium sized, mostly dirty white goose with pink legs and a triangular pinkish-grey bill with distinctive black “lips”; blackish primaries, but retaining immature’s grey secondaries.  Go figure.

 

Heading into this morning’s hike, I certainly was hoping to find the Baird’s Sparrows, but honestly was really looking forward to spending time in a beautiful patch of prairie; many thanks to the City of Fort Collins for the foresight to preserve this area.  Not only was the bird life abundant, but the mammals put on a good show too with Pronghorn, Coyotes, and Black-tailed Prairie Dogs everywhere, a SWIFT FOX “hiding in plain sight” at its den (?), a big Badger checking me out from his, as well as a White-tailed Jackrabbit and cottontails scattered throughout the walk. 

 

I apologize for the windy email, but obviously had a pretty nice morning that I wanted to share.  More important than my musings is that the Baird’s Sparrows are still out there for others to find, and if you haven’t already, give it a try and enjoy this nice piece of the State.

 

Good Birding,

Doug Ward

Denver

 

18 June 2017  Soapstone Prairie, Larimer Co., Colorado

SNOW GOOSE – 1 imm

Golden Eagle – 1 ad

Swainson’s Hawk - 1

Killdeer – 1

Wilson’s Snipe – 1 h

California Gull – 1 ad (not as unexpected out there as the Snow Goose, but still strange to see)

Burrowing Owl - 2

Common Nighthawk – 1

Say’s Pheobe – 1

Common Raven – 1

Horned Lark – 35

McCown’s Longspur – 7

Grasshopper Sparrow – 15

BAIRD’S SPARROW – 3

Lark Bunting – 1 m

Vesper Sparrow – 20

Savannah Sparrow – 2

Spotted Towhee – 2 (in brushy draws)

Western Meadowlark – 30

Brewer’s Blackbird – 3

Brown-headed Cowbird - 2