Chestnut-collared Longspur June 16

[Gord]

While over the noon hour, getting ready to leave the sad sight of the dead Loggerhead Shrike, I spotted a brown sparrow looking bird circling over the fields. I watched with a raised eyebrow and pursed lips when something interesting catches one's eye. As it plummeted down to land in the knee-high pasture grass, I saw considerable white in the tail. I was quite intrigued!! a couple minutes later, a horse scared it up and I was able to get better looks at what I was shocked to admit to myself was a female Chestnut-collared Longspur. Again, it flew around fairly high over the fields before diving in for another landing. I would have liked to hang around and hope to capture a photo but I had places to be. Ive passed it on to the property owners to keep an eye open for it and to let me know. This is west of Hope and, for a bird, not far from the Hope Airport were the one was seen last year about the same time. Conceivable it might be the same bird but, if one can make it out of range, I guess no reason why another wouldnt too.

A pretty amazing spring and summer we've had!

Here is a picture of a Western Kingbird that was there.

[Chris]

Nice sighting Gord! I wonder if it would be the same individual as last year?

[Janne]

You say, "While over the noon hour, getting ready to leave the sad sight of the dead Loggerhead Shrike,..." Huh? What Loggerhead shrike? Where? How? etc. Did I miss something?

The rest of the report was more cheery. Would love to see the CCLO.

Janne Perrin
Harrison Hot Springs

[Gord]

Sorry, Janne. I sort of posted in the wrong order last night and this morning. I work birds between my school, work and family priorities so sometimes the bird stuff gets a little behind!! ;D

Unfortunately the bird is on private lands as Id love nothing more than seeing other people enjoying the bird too!

Chris, it could be the same longspur. Maybe the ones that get lost keep the trend going. I think last year's bird was a young female. I did not nearly get a good enough look to see what ths one could be.