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LeConte's Sparrows were fairly numerous at Bradford Farms this morning - but what was really delightful is that they were very "curious" this morning, giving good views, some too close for binoculars! It was a drizzly, cool morning with little wind. The crew that went out around 8a found good numbers with good views. As I was leaving around 9:15, the Bathke's showed up so I took them back to the site. Birds were in same location but came in even closer to us. It was like they were fluttering down around us like snowflakes! (At one point, Joyce was focused on a LeConte's about 10 feet away and one fluttered in within 4 feet of her!) We also had a Sedge Wren within 3 feet, Swamp and Savannah Sparrows. A Western Meadowlark was vocalizing, along with Eastern Meadowlarks, Horned Larks, and Killdeer. White Crowned and Throated Sparrows were in the brushpile. Harrier Hawk was working some of the fields. To get to the area, come in the east entrance to Bradford Farms. Follow the main gravel road to the end of all the metal work buildings. There is a small mud/gravel cross road. Turn left (south). Go almost to end of this road, and you will see two stands of tall native grasses to the left (east) of you. The two stands are divided by a wide, mowed fescue path. The native grass on the right (south) of the green path had all the LeConte's in it. Fairly easy to walk through, and just about smack in the middle of the native grass plot were some tall dark brown "weeds" (maybe 5-10 stalks) - very obvious in the middle of the native grasses - the LeConte's seemed to be using those as perches. When we walked back down the fescue path to get to our cars, the LeConte's were also on the edges, spending most of the time in trampled down sections of the native grass right on the edge. To get to Bradford Farms, take the "AC" exit off of Highway 63 (this is the furthest south exit for Columbia). Go east, the road changes it name to New Haven Road. Follow this until it deadends at Rangeline Road (couple of miles). Turn right on Rangeline, and in one mile you will see the east entrance to Bradford Farms, it is on your right hand side (west side) of the road. Jean Leonatti [log in to unmask] Columbia, MO ________________________________________________ * Audubon Society of Missouri's * * Wild Bird Discussion Forum * *-----------------------------------------------* * To unsubscribe send the message * * SIGNOFF MOBIRDS-L * * to [log in to unmask] * * To subscribe send the message * * SUBSCRIBE MOBIRDS-L your name * * to [log in to unmask] * *-----------------------------------------------* * To access the list archives from July 2002: * * http://po.missouri.edu/archives/mobirds-l.html* #################################################