[TN-Bird] Smith's Longspur - Mooring TN - late post

Jan. 11, 2003
Mooring, Dyer Co. TN


I forgot to mention this bird last week. There has been large numbers of Laps 
and Horned Larks in the fields just south of Mooring for a few weeks. Ken 
Allen and I spent quite a bit of time gleaning through the up close birds 
last Saturday. We got some great looks at these birds and some were feeding 
in an unusually grassy field while others used a more typical open field.

We were treated by one of the birds flying just a few feet over our heads and 
giving the distinctive tinny rattle of the Smith's Longspur. It is so much 
different from the Lap's rattle that we had been hearing that we both turned 
on the bird. We were able to get on the bird and I saw the typical flight 
pattern of a plain breasted, buffy bird well enough to satisfy my Smith's, 
ID. We did not see or hear the bird again as it flew well to the south of us 
and disappeared.

The reason I bring this up is that I visited this area again for the third 
week and found fewer birds but still good numbers using the snow covered 
fields. More birds were in the grassy areas as would be expected for more 
protection from the cold wind but a few still foraged in the open fields. 
Those colorful, male Laps just shone in the bright sun against the sparkling 
snow. 

It is almost perfect habitat for a Chestnut-collared to show up in and worth 
the time to check this field if you are in the area. If they hang around it 
would be nice to ease around in this huge grassy field, if I can find the 
owner and get permission. Look in the area of Bingham and Asa Guess Roads 
south of Mooring.

Good Birding!!!

Jeff R. Wilson
OL' COOT / TLBA
Bartlett Tenn.


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