~Three Rest Areas and Two New Species~

Lark Sparrow

Yesterday we were finally able to get out and do some birding!! It feels like a month since we've been birding, but I think a week is more correct. We were driving through Montana on Interstate 94 and we stopped off at three different rest areas! 

The first one brought nothing new, just got some better photos of a few sparrows. The Lark Sparrow and Clay-colored Sparrow.

Clay-colored Sparrow 

We also saw some American Robins, Common Grackles, and Mourning Doves. We decided to move on to the next rest area since we weren't seeing anything new.

At this rest area the Yellowstone River runs along side it, but with on exception the rest area is up really high on this mountain and the stream is below the steep hillside. Almost every time we are there we end up scaling the hillside; only bad thing is climbing back up.

First thing we saw there was a pair of Brown Thrashers flying from tree to tree. Then we were walking along the edge of the hillside and listening for birds when we heard a songbird. We went down the hill and first we saw a Lark Sparrow and then we spotted the songbird. A Yellow Warbler was singing his heart out. So, we waited patiently for the warbler to show himself and finally he did! Just in time too; our alarm went off letting us know it was time to get back on the road! One new bird is not bad at all! #260.

Yellow Warbler

Yellow Warbler

Barn Swallow

The last rest area we stopped at for the day was next to a cow pasture with a little stream running through it. Not the most elegant place to go birding but there was birds there! We saw Mallards on the stream, Downy Woodpecker in the tree, Barn Swallows on the telephone wire, American Goldfinch pair hopping from branch to branch, Red Crossbill family in the trees, and House Wren perched on a branch. The House Wren was #261 a nice addition to our big year list! As we walked the tree line we saw bird after bird and could have spent hours there; as there was evergreens and mountains farther back and birds singing from afar.

Red Crossbill

House Wren

Happy Birding!!