Pawnee Grasslands yesterday (Weld Co.)

[rjpa...@gmail.com]

14 of us from Boulder Bird Club took a trip to the Pawnee Grasslands yesterday, arriving about 9:30.  The Grasslands were noticeably drier than in past years, and there were virtually no wildflowers, and lower numbers of fewer birds.  But there were lots of Nighthawks, including 8 perched/sleeping of the rails and fenceposts of the corral near the beginning of the birding trail, Horned Larks were everywhere, and we encountered a small group of Vesper Sparrows .  We only saw 2 (Chestnut-sided) Longspurs, one Shrike, single Brewer's and Grasshopper Sparrows, and one (Swainson's) Hawk (plus a couple of very far away probable Ferruginous).  Norma's Grove was active, with a singing Orchard Oriole and a Great-Horned Owl being harassed by an assortment of other birds.

If you're going, I'd recommend getting there as early as you can for better birding.