FreeLists / birdky / [birdky] RPT: Larks and longspurs

["Brainard Palmer-Ball, Jr." <brainard@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Today, December 25th, our family farm has held from about 275 (early AM) to
300-350 or more larks (since mid-morning).  There also have been up to 10
Lapland Longspurs with the larks.  One of the longspurs was either so
hungry or so tame that she allowed me to approach within a few feet, just
sitting there munching on corn while I stood there and appreciated the
moment.  The influx of Northern Horned Larks has subsided and the winds
have turned around to the south, so there has been a lot less movement
today. I suspect all the moving birds have by now found spots they are
preferring to hang out at until this weather improves.

I was surprised to see one of the longspurs leave the main feeding group
and go out and land in the middle of one of the Indian grass fields
earlier.  I suspected they were doing so yesterday, but couldn't catch one
joining the loose flock of American Tree, Song, Savannah and Chipping
sparrows. This grass is not really thick, but it's 6 feet tall! The 'gray
ghost' appeared again today as well.

Today the "regular" feeders have hosted two male Purple Finches . . . quite
unusual for me here in recent years.

bpb, Louisville
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