Birds of note sensed:
After getting a not so early start, I arrived near where WY-NE-CO come together ne of Grover about 8am. My target was Sharp-tailed Grouse, which everybody has seemingly found. I got a few extra hours of sleep but not the birds, these two facts being no doubt related. However, I could sense their presence. Can I make a pencil mark on the checklist if I don't push hard? Also, for what it's worth, I met a nice local rancher named Mr. Klingensmith who has lived in the area 20+ years and said he often sees them while driving e on CR134 between 125 and 129 and also going from 134 n on 125 a few miles to the unmarked State Line.
Birds of note seen:
Chestnut-collared Longspur (at least 20): mostly near the recently reported S-t Grouse locations, especially on the w side of Weld CR115 n of 134.
Northern Shrike (1a) 117 n of 134
Loggerhead Shrike (1a) 111 just s of the State Line (not too many days in spring or autumn when both shrikes occur on the northern CO plains).
Long-billed Curlew (4) in wheat stubble s of 134 just w of 125
Rough-legged Hawk (at least 4): in the general area of the S-t Grouse sightings plus one on CR77 near GR96 n of Crow Valley (shown)
Golden Eagle (1) CR90 w of CR49
A&B Res #1 on 124 a few miles w of 77: water is high, no shorebirds, just common duck species.
At Crow Valley late this afternoon into early evening (gate is now open, hosts on site):
Ruby-crowned Kinglet (1m)
Townsend's Solitaire (2)
Total of 25 bird species at CVCG/Briggsdale plus my FOY heard western chorus frogs (note, I did NOT see Mountain Plovers e of Briggsdale in the green strips of winter wheat on CR79 just s of SR14 where they were a week or so ago).
Crom Lake on 131 w of Pierce: water high, mostly common ducks and killdeer, no swallows.
Furthermore, I did NOT drive GR96 ("Murphy's Pasture") out of not wanting to get pissed at all the gun activity on a route supposedly devoted to nature observation.
Dave Leatherman
Fort Collins
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