ML618972556

Age

Not specified

Sex

Not specified

Observation details

**Crazy high count for the state; previous high count was three (from this location) but I had long suspected the population here was significantly higher. Very careful tally by 1's of birds along a relatively small stretch of Power Plant Rd from the easternmost house to the bridge. First two birds were heard simultaneously; one signing from deep in the brush here (42.107818, -104.361766) and another responding from somewhere up on the hillside here (42.106357, -104.362071). I have never encountered a NOCA at either of these locations. Both birds were vocalizing consistently from the same location and appeared to be stationary. There were two more here (42.108192, -104.363724) and here (42.108526, -104.364807) where I've found them traditionally. I then encountered three (!) singing males within the vicinity of here (42.109742, -104.369780). All three were seen/heard simultaneously, and at one point two birds were chasing each other across the road. Shortly after, I observed a female foraging discretely near the MGWA x MOWA. I suspect there were several more females in the area that I didn't see. Also, from what I've heard from local residents, this population extends all the way down to the westernmost end of Power Plant Road where it enters into the ag fields, so I suspect there may be as many of 20 birds in the immediate vicinity of Power Plant Road.

Technical information

Model

NIKON D500

ISO

640

Focal length

420 mm

Flash

Flash did not fire

f-stop

f/5.6

Shutter speed

1/400 sec

Dimensions

3217 pixels x 2522 pixels

Original file size

1.23 MB