Fieldnotes 2/7/2013 4:30-6:15 Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge

The cold winter had kept us inside for at least a month but a break in the weather and a warming trend sent us west to the Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge.

 We saw:

 --2 rough-legged hawks

--First sighting of the season - numerous sandhill cranes crossing the blue skies. HOORAY!!

--2-3 cranes in field (intersection Rio Grande County 3E and 7S)

--Huge flock of ducks in flight (possible lesser scaup)

--10-20 red-winged blackbirds

--8-10 song sparrows

--20 pronghorns - territorial chasing

--Elk bedding down for the night

And the sun dropping below the San Juan Mountains.