Bill Grossmeyer and I made the trip out to Brooklyn Wildlife Area in Dane County this morning with hopes to see Smith’s Longspurs that have been reported recently by Steve T and others, thanks all. We both knew this was like looking for a needle in a haystack. After about 3 hours of a lot of walking, up and down corn rows Bill with his keen vision spotted a female, then a male. It was an exciting moment. A little stressful when a birder standing next to you can see a life bird, and you cannot. That is how good the Smith’s Longspurs blend in with the surrounding area. Life birds for both of us and a great time too. Images were taken on April 25, 2016.
Smith’s Longspur, male
Smith’s Longspur
Binomial name: Calcarius pictus
Category: Longspurs
Size: 6.25” long, 11.25” wing span
Weight: .91 oz
Smith’s Longspur, male
Smith’s Longspur, male
Smith’s Longspur, male
Smith’s Longspur, male in a fly by
Smith’s Longspur, male in a fly by
Great photos!! My son Shawn Miller and I were in that area yesterday for well over an hour but we never spotted any of this species. It was very overcast and we couldn’t stay any longer because he had to take his oldest daughter to a soccer game.In what part of the cornfield quadrant did you see them? Shawn was there again about 6:30am but couldn’t find them.
I have seen them in North Dakota but never in Wisconsin.
Excellent photo’s.
There was a male Smith’s Longspur in our yard this morning. I had never seen one before. I had to look it up in our bird guide. We live in Franklin Wisconsin and this is the first time I’ve seen this bird. Very exciting.