Blustery winds and cooler. Pairs moved into the first split in WG6. A few alfalfa blossoms detected.  Juvenile male American redstarts seen and heard singing in pines NW of the house. Today’s flower is Sisyrinchium montanum  (blue-eyed grass). This plant is a lovely fine grass-like monocot found in moist loamy draws. I saw the plant at first a few years ago in a draw in the south end of SG2.  I am seeing it more often in other places on the ranch-management or better observation? And, because it is the nesting season, I share another meadowlark nest (photo).

More evening showers on the 27th. Cool and pleasant. Ryan transported the last 8 yearling steers to Wolf Point. Early morning bird surveys found more breeding Sprague pipits in WL5 and NG5. Pipits have been heard singing in 8 separate paddocks. Curlews and upland sandpipers were both seen and heard in those areas. Crested wheat grass is heading into the boot (pre-flower) stage. Koeleria macrantha (june grass) also in the boot and can be detected from a distance by a red-purple hue. Today’s flower (photo) is Coryphantha missouriensis (yellow pincushion). Lazuli bunting and American redstarts arrived at the ranch headquarters-just passing through.

Modest temperatures and light scattered showers. Perfect. On the 26th, I moved cows (pairs) into WL1. Calving is winding down-maybe 40 left. I have been taking early morning walks in different parts of the ranch and doing informal breeding bird surveys.  I was in NBW11 today. I saw my first Chestnut-collard longspur singing on the ranch. The ranch supports many McGown longspurs but never has a CC  longspur been seen. Equally exciting was the long-billed curlew nest (see photos) in the same area. During the entire walk I had curlews circling and calling. I also heard another singing Sprague pipit. I have located so far six distinct areas supporting breeding pipits. The four birds referenced, are all species of concern in the Northern Plains. Finally check out the showy flower (photo) Castilleja sessiliflora-every year this plant that hugs shallow sites flower in abundance.

Breezy, and at times gusty winds, with a few scattered showers. Most cows have moved into WL2. I was gone giving talks to Helena and Bozeman sanghas and visiting Morgan, Jessica, and Jack. In the afternoon I pulled a yard patch of toadflax in west half of NG1. I also pulled Scotch thistle in the sandstone in SBW6. Decreasing plants, but annual checks are important (see photo). Also found Bluebird nest tucked into depression in sandstone (see photo).

Today begins with cool breezy fog and overcast and ends with thunder, heavy rain, and another shot of light hail. Close to 2” of rain has fallen over the last six days, at times as hail, downpour, or steady drizzle. Only today, have all the cows finally moved out of NG1 (at times in SG6) into SG7, now on their way to WL2-the intended destination 11 days ago. A winter-like storm on the 10th compelled me to drop the fence on the east end of WL4 allowing the calving cows to drift east into the sagebrush and breaks of NG1 and SG6 to escape the stinging NW winds of the storm. While uncomfortable with the unplanned long grazing period, the abundant moisture will encourage plant recovery. The cows are close to ¾ done calving. The unexplained deaths of over 10 calves (we posted a few) seemed to be caused by a poorly understood respiratory infection. During this time, towhees, goldfinches, orioles, brewer sparrows, and lark buntings have arrived.
Erysimum asperum, Astragulus pectinatus and missouriensis, Erigeron compositus and ochroleucus, Zygadenus venonosus, Hymenoxys acaulis, Castilleja sessiliflora, and Cryptantha celosiodes are the showy flowers of this stage of spring.

Partly cloudy and cool with NE wind. Maybe rain? I finally accepted trailing pairs in the third week of calving is just too risky. I constructed with temporary fence a two-mile corridor (NG1 and SG7) to the paddock we want to go next (WL2). We will allow the pairs, and cows still to calve, to move there on their own. One Western Kingbird arrives at headquarters and the first flock of lark buntings (rain birds) seen with cows.