COBirders, I did a quick jaunt out to some grasslands just east of Colorado Springs on Tamlin Road. Tamlin turns from pavement to dirt and just beyond this point I had a flock of 10-15 birds. I thought at first it was just Horned Larks but I got out and heard both LAPLAND and CHESTNUT-COLLARED LONGSPURs. While watching them fly around I picked out a MCCOWN'S LONGSPUR. I never saw the Lapland but at least one of the Chesnut-collared was a male as it had an almost entirely black underside. The black was certainly not pure black but I was surprised at how much black it was showing. I am not sure how many of each species were there as I only detected one of each but suspect there were multiple Chestnut-collared. There are wet spots as you go east on this road so the birds may come into the water on occasion. If they are not flying around they will be very difficult to find as it is private land on both sides of the road.
To get to Tamlin road: From I25 head east on Woodmen to Marksheffel Road and turn right (south). Go about 2.1 miles to Huber Road/Stetson Hills Road and turn left (east). It will "T" with Tamlin and turn left onto Tamlin and go until the dirt road and start looking from there. ----- Mark Peterson Colorado Springs -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds?hl=en.
