Urling and I spent two days Atlasing in 14 blocks south of Limon
last week. Like BBS observers Bill Kaempfer, Chuck Hundertmark, and Arvind
Panjabi, we saw large numbers of Lark Buntings and Cassin's Sparrows, some
Grasshopper Sparrows, but no Dickcissels. Many Cassin's sang from grassland
that didn't seem to sport what I thought was the requisite complement of
shrubs. We even enjoyed lunch listening to a Cassin's singing its sweet,
rapturous song.
We found several raptors on nests - Swainson's mainly, a few
Red-tails. Several Burrowing Owls, no Mountain Plovers. Loggerhead Shrikes and
Orchard Orioles in several blocks. Lots of Horned Larks, naturally.
Some of you may remember that last May Glenn Walbek photographed a
juvenile Northern Saw-whet Owl which he and two others (I've forgotten who they
are) found along Big Sandy Creek near Agate. Last Thursday night, Urling and I
found a juvenile Saw-whet along the Big Sandy near Limon!
The little guy flew up into a big cottonwood and peered at us from
perches within 20 feet or so. He moved his head comically up, down, and
sideways, but remained perfectly silent. [I've also heard from another
incipient bird watcher north of Agate who thinks he has them.]
Could the Big Sandy support a plains population of these little
owls?
Hugh Kingery
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