Crowley County
After a morning appointment I drove to Crowley County to check some of the lakes in the area. Lake Meredith was fairly active with both Western and Clark's Grebes giving their "advertising calls" as part of their courting behavior; however, I did not observe other courting behaviors. Another treat were the Stilt Sandpipers. About 15 of them were working the shore along the north side of the lake. Occasionally the sun would hit the rufous cheek patch on one, the color making for a more striking appearance.
An unusual sight was a Sanderling that appeared to be still in Basic (non-breeding) Plumage when it should be in Alternate (breeding) Plumage. However I just read that this species undergoes a partial Definitive Prealternate molt so need to run my photos by those who know the molt patterns of this species better than I do (not til tomorrow as I have to do some editing). Other birds including 1 Snowy Egret, 2 Spotted Sandpipers, a number of American Avocets as well as distant mixed waterfowl and gulls.
A the nearby Crowley feedlot ponds and drainage areas were 6 Black-necked Stilts including one I saw sitting on a nest. There were also several White-faced Ibis. And I saw at least 2 Northern Mockingbirds in the area.
Nearby Lake Henry was slow with fewer Western and Clark's Grebes. One male Yellow-headed Blackbird emitted their dissonant call. There was some distant waterfowl and at least one Ring-billed Gull on the lake. A Burrowing Owl sat on top of a post in the prairie dog town next to the lake, providing me with a great photo subject. However, the photo upload is not working so will have to put photos tomorrow.
I found a nesting Swainson's Hawk not far from Lake Henry. Other birds seen around Crowley County included Western Kingbirds (which are abundant), Bullock's Orioles (commonly seen), Killdeer (also abundant), Black-billed Magpies (abundant), Lark Sparrows (common), Horned Larks (very abundant), Western Meadowlarks (abundant).
It's late so will add the birding I did in Otero County then too.
SeEtta
