[cobirds] BBS route north of Nunn yesterday and Larimer Co. surprise today

I did my BBS route which starts about 14 miles north of Nunn on hwy 85 and heads west through the Pawnee Experimental Range and then the National Grassland.  Bird numbers were WAY low.  I usually get between 400-600 Lark Buntings on this route.  Yesterday I had 38.  Only a single Cassin's sparrow (compared to 15-20 in past years) and ZERO Grasshopper Sparrows.  Even Horned Lark numbers were way down.  The only bird that seemed roughly in 'normal' numbers was McCown's Longspur.  Very few raptors too.  Overall the grasslands are very dry in this area, although I suspect the hard drought in the Chihuahuan Desert last year reduced wintering populations considerably (RMBO's winter survey data from northern Mexico suggest grassland bird populations were roughly half of what they were in 2011).

Today I had a nice surprise as I went to the Colorado Rockies Old-time Music Association Festival at the Parrish Ranch west of Berthoud in Larimer Co.  Beautiful and lush riparian forest there supported several (2-3) singing Red-eyed Vireos and an American Redstart.  Wish I had got their early and brought my binoculars!  This is private property, but if you ever have a chance to visit, bring your binoculars!  The festival continues tomorrow.

Cheers,

 

Arvind Panjabi
5700' feet, Larimer County, CO
On the north slope of Milner Mtn
Mountain mahogany shrubland and grassland