The snowstorm of October 29-30 caused an overnight power outage and missing the finish to the 5th game of the World Series, 1.5 inches of rain/snow in the rain gauge, and a new species to our feeders. The bird is a Chestnut-collared Longspur which Sibley describes as an adult non-breeding male. The Longspur rapidly adjusted to our presence and has been feeding two days at our platform feeder right out the window from our kitchen table. We generally find them north of Belle Fourche, but this the first at our feeders. Attached are a couple of pictures.
A veterinarian friend from Sturgis once told us if we wanted to see Bald Eagles, just bring in a roadkill deer. We did this a few years ago and all we got was every stray dog in the neighborhood. A couple of days ago we had a roadkill deer right on Crook City Road beside our driveway, so I took the tractor and moved it across the creek. I thought we might get a Mountain Lion on the deer and some good pictures. Instead, we got a mature Bald Eagle the same afternoon. Still no Mountain Lions.
