Early this morning I looked for Sharp-tailed Grouse in Weld County with Michael Kiessig and Chuck Aid. After Chuck spotted a Merlin carrying prey at WCR 136 and 99, we drove N on 99 N past 138. While scoping Rough-legged Hawks and a Northern Harrier to the east we saw 3 STGR in the distant tall grass, then they flew and it turned into a flock of 21.
Other birds of note were 9 Rough-legged Hawks in a wide area (seems like a good year to see this wintering species), and 19 Lapland Longspur: two individuals along the way and then 17 on Rd 115 between Rd 134 and 138. Some lingering snow patches appeared to be a draw, I've previously seen small numbers of LALO at stock tanks but these birds didn't need that with their water source in the side-of-the-road ditch.
Dan Stringer
Larkspur, CO