Plains Birding (Cheyenne/Lincoln)

[Seth Gallagher]

A blustery day on the plains for work with colleagues from The Nature Conservancy, Cheyenne county highlights include the return of Lark Buntings and a Common Yellowthroat along Rush Creek (both FOY). The Brett Grey Ranch (private) housed many surprises, I wish I had more time to explore, highlights include: Broad-winged Hawk (an incredible eye level look while perched in a wood lot), Peregrine Falcon, a dozen or so Long-billed Dowitcher, with several Willet and both Yellowlegs, all three drake teal species in one scope, large flocks of Yellow-rumped Warblers with Ruby-crowned Kinglets (more time would have no doubt produced more migrants!).

Lark/ Vesper Sparrows and Swainson's Hawk seem to be back in mass. We need the moisture, but I sure hope the migrants can find enough food to sustain the journey...

Seth Gallagher
Fort Collins, CO