Scoter-fest continues and Chestnut-collared Longspurs at Crowley Reservoir

From: Chris Howard
Email: choward@telis.org
Remote Name: 209.209.67.153
Date: 10/19/02
Time: 06:29:18 PM

Description

Today, 19 Oct, approximately 9 Surf Scoters were at Layton Springs, a bay on the east side of Crowley Reservoir, close to shore and drifting among the fisherman float-tubes. These birds continue this fall's pattern of a good sea duck influx to the interior. There was only one full adult male and one adult female; the rest were immatures.  

Just north of Layton Springs in the grassy shore margin, at least three Chestnut-collared Longspurs were in with American Pipits. Jon Dunn and Debbie House also arrived to enjoy these easily-flushed sparrows and to clinch their id, and later tallied 8 Chestnut-collared Longspurs.

Click on a photo to view; Photos digiscoped by Chris Howard (c) with handheld Nikon Coolpix 995 and Leica Televid APO 77mm:

Surf Scoters:  DSCN7398_susc.JPG (24419 bytes) 

Chesnut-collared Longspur: DSCN7416_cclo.JPG (31052 bytes) DSCN7421_cclo.JPG (40462 bytes) DSCN7422_cclo.JPG (50053 bytes)