High Plains Birding Club Saturday Field Trip Results

[The "Nunn Guy"]

A group of 15-20 birders enjoyed a fabulous outing (and hot weather) to the high plains of Northern Colorado and Cheyenne, WY for our target species longspurs.  They did not disappoint.

At Weld CR 108/Hwy 85 SE corner (permitted area) we had numerous Grasshopper Sparrow, Lark Bunting, two calling McCown's Longspurs and when we fanned out in the field other reported getting good views of McCown's and possible female Chestnut-collared.  On to Chalk Bluffs Road just over WY border.

We probably saw and heard 12+ Chestnuts along the south portion--and a few McCown's.  At one stop we had the McCown's closeup in hay covering new underground pipeline along road.  Numerous points along road had Chestnuts flying about.  My "plant" male Chestnut-collared did not disappoint--present and very active with others in the same vicinity. 

We then went over to Hereford Ranch for a visit and some had lunch as well.   Nothing rare found here.  This spring migration they had a cuckoo here as told by Mark and Barb G from Cheyenne, WY.

Sunday my wife and I heard Nick's Baird's Sparrow near cattle crossing about one mile in.  Also at same locale on east were 12+ Burrowing Owls.  In Nunn on way to Greeley along Weld CR 33 owl site (btw 98/100) we had 10 Burrowing Owls on the fence line.

Thanks
Gary Lefko, Nunn
http://coloradobirder.ning.com/
Mobile:  http://coloradobirder.ning.com/m