This BBS runs northward from a point 4 miles NW of Clara City ending up about 12 miles directly east of Benson. It runs through very intensive agriculture (corn-soybean desert to many biologists) with one nice wetland at the north end of Hollerberg Lake. Shelterbelts are sparsely distributed with a couple of old "claim-belts" (19th century shelterbelts dominated by old cottonwood). Under ideal conditions on 23 June I was surprised to find 60 species. The route has been seldom run in the past so no comparisons can be made. Most widely distributed species included pheasant (32 out of 50 stops), Killdeer (16/50), Mourning Dove (22/50), Crow (25/50), Horned Lark (31/50), Yellowthroat (25/50), Vesper Sparrow (28/50), Song Sparrow (22/50), Red-wing BB (27/50), Grackle 30/50-- the most common bird with 118 individuals, and B-H Cowbird (24/50). Uncommon species included Orchard Oriole seen on 2 stops, Swainson's Hawk, one stop), Upland Sandpiper (1 stop), Black Tern (7 at one stop but moving NW--first year birds?), and Red-headed WP (2 stops). Swallow numbers were low with Barn Swallows at only 10 stops and Bank at 2. Bob Russell, US Fish and Wildlife Service
