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Late May 2021 Breeding Bird Point Counts

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Late May 2021 Breeding Bird Point Counts

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Late May 2021 Breeding Bird Point Counts

June 1, 2021

We started our 12th year of point counts. This note summarizes observations from the first 10 days in grassland areas.

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This Cliff Swallow, a bird that catches and eats insects while flying, rests after foraging over the grasslands.

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We visit location points twice to document all the birds we see and hear as well as how far away they are from the center of the point.

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Birds in lower elevation grasslands arrive on their breeding grounds, set up territories, and begin mating sooner than other species which breed in different habitats.

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Western Meadowlarks migrate, but they return early enough in the spring to lay eggs before other species arrive

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When standing in a grassland, you are sure to see a “Little Brown Bird” or LBB. LBBs may appear the same, but a closer look can reveal distinct marks that identify them.

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Vesper Sparrow is another LBB of the grasslands and our most common bird.

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We often see birds gathering dry strands of grass to use as nesting material. Eric saw this Tree Swallow collect the perfect piece lying in the middle of the road.

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When the fickle weather suddenly turns cold, windy, rainy, and sometimes snowy, some birds retreat to the grasslands for forage and shelter.

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Chipping Sparrows, Yellow-rumped warblers, and Lazuli Buntings were observed in grasslands this past week as small single or mixed flocks of species.

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Kerr observed this fuzzy coyote pup in an exclosure near the North Center Pivot.

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Debbie found a possible coyote den up Partridge Alley. Fresh tracks and scat surrounded the area.

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After we’ve completed the grassland points, we plan to move to shrubby draws, shrublands, and forests.

Previous Field Note

Fall 2020 Migration Report, Part I

Next Field Note

Swainson’s Thrush Motus update

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- Lab
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- Visit Us
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- Waivers
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Photos
Videos
- MPG Conference Videos
Research
- Published Papers
Field Notes
Dispatches
Maps
- Habitat Restoration
- Raptor Tracker

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