Pawnee \ Chestnut Sided Warbler

[JohnT]

Late Post:

           For Wednesday May 15th:

Observed a male CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER in Pawnee Grasslands yesterday near intersection of roads 106 (east west) and 77 (north south).  Unusual, as this was pure short grass prairie habitat - no trees, no bushes, just flat dry scrublands and short stubble.   Unlikely to see this bird again, unless it turns up at Crow Valley. 

Wasn't a very birdy day but there were some highlights.  (CV = Crow Valley Camping area;  P = Pawnee Grasslands, general)

Bobolink - 2 males singing from the tops of trees in the north side of CV

Cedar waxwing - 12 - CV

Bullock's oriole - 4 - CV

Green-tailed towhee - 2 - P

Clay colored sparrow - 40+   P

Savannah sparrow - 1 - P

Chipping sparrow - 50+  CV and P

Lark sparrow - 15 - P

Lark bunting - 900+  - P

Western kingbird - 100+  CV, P

Northern mockingbird - 1 - CV

Brown thrasher - 1 - CV

Blue grosbeak - 1 - CV

Black headed grosbeak - 1 - CV

Yellow warbler - 30+  - CV, P

Myrtle warbler - 2 - CV

Audubon's warbler - 1 - CV

Brown headed cowbird - 40+ - CV, P

Swainson's hawk - 1 - P  (where are they?  should be tons flying in by now)

Red tailed hawk - 1 - P

Say's phoebe - 4 - P

Empid flycatcher ssp:  - 1 - CV - did not get a good look, but thought maybe cordilleran?

Passerine numbers are low.  There is no creek water flowing at Crow Valley, and only a few trees are beginning to leaf.   Very dry compared to the front range area.  Lark buntings are still migrating through in large flocks.  Mixed flocks of sparrows still coming through.  I did not see one damned snake, but lots of pronghorn and a coyote. 

Perhaps the cooler weather this weekend will drive more birds in?  (Good luck Mr. Lefko!) 

John Tumasonis (John T),  Louisville CO