Snith's Longspur Update-Afternoon (April 27), Berrien Co

[Jonathan Wuepper]

Hi,



Around noon today (27 April 2009), I scoped at least FOUR breeding
plumage males 9and saw more in flight) SMITH'S LONGSPURS along Buffalo
Road, located about half-way between Avery Road (west) and Beaver Dam
Road (east). Corn stalk stubble is present on both sides of the road.
The birds were seen west of the white piles of lime. I scoped 2 males
on the south side of the road, which were among a larger flock of
longspurs. When the south side males flew, a flock of approximately 15
longspurs became visible were and could be heard chattering. In flight,
I saw the buffy colored breasts of at least 5 males (including the 2
males on the south side of Buffalo Road) as well as white lesser
coverts and the black & white head pattern.  These 15 or so birds
flew away (south) of the road. After these birds flew out of sight, I
noticed 2 breeding plumaged males on the NORTH side of Buffalo, just a
few feet off the road (about 10-15 feet in front of me). Of course,
this will be submitted to the Michigan Bird Records Committee.



I hope that others will witness the numbers of the species that I did.
Thank you to Alison Village and Rhoda Johnson for initially reporting
this sighting!



Jon Wuepper


      
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