Colorado is world famous for its chickens and last year April I visited western Colorado to look for 5 out of the 7 North American chickens possible there, among other great birds like all 3 rosy-finches and Pinyon-Juniper specialties. I had then resolved to come back the next year to check out the 2 remaining chickens - the Greater Prairie-Chicken and Lesser Prairie-Chicken. Both are endangered, and the Lesser even more so as it has disappeared from most of its range and currently survives mostly in private ranches. Lek viewings are managed by the ranchers, and these leks are some of the most memorable experiences a birder can have anywhere.
There are lots of other great birds possible in the prairies but in spring, the prairies of eastern Colorado are also host to 3 other mega species - Chestnut-collared Longspur, Thick-billed Longspur (aka McCown's Longspur), and the unpredictable Mountain Plover, which contrary to its name, seems to be equally at ease on flat plains.
For details on this adventure, please check out the link below:
https://www.cloudbirders.com/be/download?filename=BARUAH_ColoradoKansas_04_2022.pdf
There are lots of other great birds possible in the prairies but in spring, the prairies of eastern Colorado are also host to 3 other mega species - Chestnut-collared Longspur, Thick-billed Longspur (aka McCown's Longspur), and the unpredictable Mountain Plover, which contrary to its name, seems to be equally at ease on flat plains.
For details on this adventure, please check out the link below:
https://www.cloudbirders.com/be/download?filename=BARUAH_ColoradoKansas_04_2022.pdf
