Pawnee National Grassland

This summer's birding adventures once again took us east (though not nearly as far as last year!), into the wide open spaces of Colorado, Wyoming and the southern fringe of Montana.  After several rather wet days in the Rocky Mountains back in mid-June, we dropped down into the rolling green grasslands of Weld County. 

Storm across the Grasslands...


During our summer visit, we were delighted to find an abundance of prairie wildflowers in full bloom across Pawnee National Grassland.  


While we came for the birds, the real breath-taking experience turned out to be the incredible wildflower show!



Signature bird species of Pawnee National Grassland include Lark Bunting, both Chestnut-collared and Thick-billed Longspurs, Burrowing Owl and Mountain Plover.  Some species were abundant... while others eluded us altogether. 

Male Lark Bunting


Lark Buntings were one of the most abundant species we encountered across the grasslands.  Their jumbled song filled the air above us, and it was such a delight to watch the strikingly-patterned black-and-white males parachuting down from above in their aerial displays.  

Since grassland habitats typically lack high perches from which male songbirds can sing to defend their territory, many grassland songbirds instead sing their gorgeous songs from the air, flying high over their territories before "parachuting" down slowly as they belt out their song.

Male Lark Bunting


This neat strategy of grassland birds is an incredible sight to behold - and even more enjoyable to listen to - but it can make getting good, satisfying looks at certain birds incredibly challenging.  The longspurs, I found, were particularly difficult, and none of my distant in-flight photos of Thick-billed Longspurs turned out.  

Excellent views - but unsatisfactory photos - of a male Chestnut-collared Longspur who showed himself briefly along the side of the road.


Horned Larks, familiar faces from our grasslands back home, were abundant as well! 

Horned Lark


We also spotted one Burrowing Owl...

Distant Burrowing Owl


And several Common Nighthawks napping near some corrals.

Napping Nighthawk


We also enjoyed good looks at two iconic prairie mammals: Pronghorn Antelope...



And Prairie Dogs.


And, of course, happy prairie cattle.



Click here to learn more about Pawnee National Grassland's birding tour!

Comments

  1. HollisSeptember 10, 2023 at 9:21 AM

    It's a wonderful place, especially with all the moisture we've had :) Prairie landscapes at their best ... as your beautiful photos show.

    ReplyDelete

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