Rare Snow Buntings in Colorado?

[Doug Eddy]

Maybe it's a small thing, but I am sort of fascinated by Snow Buntings receiving the "very rare" designation on the Rare Birds Alert. As someone who desperately (and unsuccessfully) sorts through flocks of Horned Larks and longspurs this time of year looking for Snow Buntings, I would very excited to find one. However, they seem to be within their documented winter range in both counties where they've been reported recently (Jefferson and Weld). Is it the fact that this is a species that wanders over large swaths of open uninhabited land that makes them difficult to find and, as such, earns the very rare moniker? Or am I misinterpreting their range map and they are indeed notably rare?

Again, a small thing. But what else am I going to think about about while waiting for spring?

Doug Eddy

Laramie, WY