To follow up on Doug's post about the Flager CBC, the Lapland Longspur numbers in the Flagler area continue to amaze. The storm that came through on Wednesday night grouped all of the Horned Larks and Laplands together again. They tend to split off when the weather is good into somewhat smaller groups. Their densest concentrations are just a few miles out of Flagler proper. In the checklist I've linked below, today I estimated both species at 50,000 in number though I'm convinced that it could be an underestimate by as much as half. By my best judgement it was a 1:1 even ratio though there are times when groups of single species move through. If anyone is interested in this spectacle or Lapland Longspurs are your nemesis bird, this is a good year to take a trip east of the front range. I linked the checklist so anyone curious could see the track/route I've been taking to see these birds. The greatest concentration of birds tends to hang out on CR X between CR 3 and CR 4 on both the north and south sides of the road. But there is a large group that hangs out on CR 4 north to CR Z and east on CR Z to CR 6 as well. The best times to witness these birds is when one of the local raptors sends them into a frenzy. There have been several Northern Harriers, at least 2 Prairie Falcons, and a Merlin in the last few days. The birds are most often found in harvested Milo (Sorghum) and Corn, planted Winter Wheat, and short-grass pasture that borders the ag fields. I have tried desperately to find a Snow Bunting or something even crazier like a Smith's Longspur but other than a male Thick-billed Longspur today, no luck. I hold out hope. There is still much winter to go.
Please reach out directly if you have any questions.
Bird is the word!
Josh Bruening
currently Limon, CO
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