I have not had and Longspurs, nor have I had Snow Buntings. However, for the first time since I have had a feeder, I have had up to 6 Horned Larks in my yard this year, apparently driven here by the ice that covers everything. Mark Bennett Russellville, KY (Logan) benn4509@xxxxxxxxxxxxx -----Original Message----- From: birdky-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:birdky-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Brainard Palmer-Ball, Jr. Sent: Saturday, December 25, 2004 1:49 PM To: birdky@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [birdky] RPT: Larks and longspurs 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 ================NOTES TO SUBSCRIBERS============== The BIRDKY Mailing List requires you to sign your messages with first & last name, city, & state abbreviation. -------------------------------------------------- To post to this mailing list, send e-mail to: birdky@xxxxxxxxxxxxx -------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe, send e-mail to: birdky-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with 'unsubscribe' in the Subject line. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Visit the Kentucky Ornithological Society web site at http://www.biology.eku.edu/kos.htm * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * BIRDKY List Manager: Gary Ritchison, Richmond, KY E-mail: gary.ritchison@xxxxxxx ================NOTES TO SUBSCRIBERS============== The BIRDKY Mailing List requires you to sign your messages with first & last name, city, & state abbreviation. -------------------------------------------------- To post to this mailing list, send e-mail to: birdky@xxxxxxxxxxxxx -------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe, send e-mail to: birdky-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with 'unsubscribe' in the Subject line. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Visit the Kentucky Ornithological Society web site at http://www.biology.eku.edu/kos.htm * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * BIRDKY List Manager: Gary Ritchison, Richmond, KY E-mail: gary.ritchison@xxxxxxx