Cone Marsh had a Mockingbird and Logger-headed Shrike at the house at T and
220th, a pair of Redheaded Woodpeckers at the next little house going west on
220th and one over in the NW section of the marsh, two Sandhill Cranes from the
caboose, Marsh Wren around a nest(I was surprised at how high up in the
sedge/reeds the nest was), a big surprise was a large owl, probably Barred, way
out on the middle dyke flushing from either the rocky shore line or the long
grass(when I was thinking about what kind it might be I remembered all the
holes I had to dodge on the dyke and thought maybe Burrowing, massive long
shot, but I guess a Barred could be hanging out there, any ideas?
Above Washington where the Upland Sandpipers were reported the other day I gave
them a shot. Must have driven for an hour along 200th and where 200th curves
and turns into Juniper--lots of tilled beans on corn stubble to check out. Had
my second encounter with Western Meadowlarks, one, or maybe 2 along 200th, and
one on Juniper. Had the one on 200th filling up may scope and singing at the
same time. And, although I have heard that the yellow on the malar is not
always conclusive, this one had yellow there. I was driving slow checking the
rows between the beans and looked in my side mirror to see a large brown bird
crossing the road--figured out pretty quick that it wasn't an Uplander, but for
a second I thought I had the Uplander, would have been fun to get a lifer
looking with binocs in the mirrow. Didn't see any Uplanders so came back to
Larch where they were seen the other day and drove to where the new corn starts
and didn't see any. Parked and
thought I would walk a 'road'(a little better than mowed but not much) back
towards Hwy 1, thinking maybe they like long grass along small roads. Must have
walked three quarters of mile along there checking row after row of tilled
beans in corn stalk--and it was hot. No luck but just as I started back into
the sun the clouds showed up and saved me from completely baking. When I got
back to the car I stopped for a moment to listen to the longest Horned Lark
song I have ever heard and then heard something different. And there it was,
yes, the Uplander, lifer, and much sweated after. He would fly a big circle,
making his call all the way, and light back in the tilled beans and run like a
pheasant. Those guys can really run--and for a long way--didn't know they did
that. And then he/it/she would take of on another circle flight. It kept
repeating this the whole time I was there--at least thirty minutes, maybe an
hour--couldn't get enough of him. Finally
there were two making the circle flights but am not sure it the other one
would run. Maybe it's a male thing. Never saw the kids. This was a bit long but
it was a great moment--wasn't sure I would ever get one. I always wonder who
these drivers are who motor along at 50 or 55 mile and hour, but I was so
satisfied with the days doings I struggled to do the speed limit.
Who first finds these remote birds? Well done.
Tim
Fairfield
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