[mou] Smith's Longspurs @ Rothsay

[JELLISBIRD at aol.com]

    Yesterday, 11-10-07, I saw a Smith's Longspur in the company of two other 
probable Smith's Longspurs on 200th Street between 280th Ave and 300th Ave at 
a few minutes after 2:00 PM. There is a sign near a fencerow on the south 
side of 200th Street that says "Prairie Chicken Blind." On either side of the 
fencerow, about 25 yards from the road is a small pond/mud-hole. The one on the 
east is surrounded by a mud flat and the one on the west was surrounded by 
short, dried grass. I noticed Longspurs coming into the ponds (especially the 
Western one) about One and had been sitting and watching the ponds trying to find 
a Smith's. The three Smith's came together a little after Two. I stayed and 
began tallying birds at that point. No more Smith's came that I could ID (some 
water was in the 4-6" grass and I could not see all the birds.) The birds came 
in singles, twos, threes, fives, eights and more. Some larger (20-30) flocks 
swung over but did not light. The birds would stay to drink for 10-15 seconds 
for up to a couple of minutes and then be on their way.
`   There were also Snow Buntings, a few H. Larks and three Rough Legged 
Hawks. 

        John Ellis-St. Paul 
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