McCown's Longspur!

Yesterday evening I decided to bike over to some alfalfa fields nearby to see if I could find any interesting birds.
 There were dozens of American Pipits flying around, as well as several Baird's Sandpipers looking out of place in the dry field. Before long I heard a longspur flying over. It didn't sound quite right for Lapland (the most common species in the area). As it landed it flashed a mostly white tail with a black "T" pattern. Bingo! Diagnostic for McCown's! This lifer then helpfully flew far out in the field, far out of photography range. I was a bit disappointed that I hadn't got better looks or photos, but then a second McCown's flew in as well! This one was just barely close enough for my camera, but I managed to get some horrible but identifiable pics.

Bryant, Andrew and Anthony showed up a bit later to look for the longspurs, but although we found several Lapland and Chestnut-collared Longspurs we were unable to relocate the McCown's.

A horrible photo, but you can just make out the black "bib" of the McCown's

This morning I returned to the field with Anthony and relocated one of the McCown's, along with many Lapland and Chestnut-collared Longspurs. This time we were able to get much closer and got far better looks and photos.

  American and Sprague's Pipits were also common. A few of them doing their display flights, singing their beautiful song as they soared high above us.

  It isn't surprising that this species is often overlooked! Their secretive nature, choice of habitat (mostly wide open short-grass prairie) and camouflage, makes them very hard to find. 

Sprague's Pipit's are supposedly quite uncommon in the area (and in fact didn't make on to the Reno county list until 2012), but we have found that they are actually quite common migrants in short alfalfa and overgrazed pastures.


First of year migrants are an almost daily occurrence now, with Swainson's Hawk, House Wren, Cliff Swallow, Grasshopper Sparrow, and Upland and Least Sandpipers all making appearances in the last couple of days.

 Eastern Phoebes are back, singing at the top of their lungs.

 As are Vesper (above) and Chipping Sparrows

While winter residents like this American Tree Sparrow, have nearly all left for the summer.

And the butterflies are back! This Common Checkered Skipper was one of several new species for my year list recently.


Joseph