Today I got a tip from Kevin Smith that there was a large flock of
Horned Larks north of Madras. I zipped out there to find a huge flock
of Canada Geese (estimated at 2000 birds) feeding in a wheat stubble
field. There were several flocks of Horned Larks swarming 100 yards
away. We got out and the geese slowly moved away from us and exposed a
feeding area near the road. Before long, the Horned Larks moved closer
to this exposed area and gave us a reasonable view. Russ Namitz showed
up about this time and promptly found the first Lapland Longspur. The
birds flew to an open snow field and Russ counted 6 longspurs. In
addition, there were 3 Snow Geese and 1 White-fronted Goose in the goose
flock.
2004 was a big year for longspurs in Jefferson County. They were seen
in a half dozen locations that winter. Before that, there was only 1
record for the county (Miller & Summers 11/6/1992). Since 2004 there
have been 2 other county records (Madras CBC 2005 and Dougill
1/6/2012). Nice county rarity.
--
It ain't what you don't know that gets you into trouble. It's what you know for
sure that just ain't so.
Mark Twain
Chuck Gates
541-280-4957
Powell Butte,
Central Oregon
Oregon Birding Site Guide
http://www.ecaudubon.org/#!birding-locations/clvb
Oregon County Checklists
http://www.ecaudubon.org/#!county-checklists/c1s34
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