Eastern Douglas County	xx
HABITAT:	Plateau of private wheat farms with shrub-steppe and scattered seasonal wetlands.
BIRDING:	From mid-March to late April and during September, Sandhill Cranes forage in stubble fields and rest in shallow wetlands. Red-tailed and Swainson’s Hawks nest in isolated trees. Seasonal wetlands host breeding American Avocets, Black-necked Stilts, Wilson’s Phalaropes, Cinnamon Teals, Redheads and American Coots. Mallards and large numbers of Canada Geese come during spring migration. Shrub-steppe is home to Sage Thrashers, Loggerhead Shrikes, and Brewer’s and Vesper Sparrows. Wintering birds like Snow Buntings may be present in large flocks or mixed with Horned Larks. Also in winter, view Gray-crowned Rosy-Finches and Rough-legged Hawks; persistent searching can also yield Northern Shrikes and Prairie Falcons – even elusive Gyrfalcons and Lapland Longspurs.
VIEWING:	Birding by car. Property on both sides of road is private; please stay on road easement while birding. Note: this isolated, mostly gravel 42-mile loop has no services; road can be dangerous in winter from snow and ice.
ACCESS:	From Hwy 2 at milepost 181.2, turn north onto Heritage Rd which changes to Rd L SE. Drive 6.3 miles. Turn right (east) onto Rd 6 NE/St. Andrews W Rd. Drive 2 miles. Turn left (north) onto Rd N NE. Drive 3 miles. Turn left (west) onto Rd 9 NE /Buckeye Rd. Drive 2 miles. Turn right (north) onto Rd L NE/Heritage Rd. Drive 5 miles. Turn right (east) onto Rd 14 NE/ Hwy 172. Drive 6 miles. Cross Hwy 17 at milepost 112.1, continue to drive east on Rd 14 NE. Drive 2 miles. Curve right (south) onto Rd T NE. Drive 2 miles. Curve right (west) onto Rd 12 NE/Murphy Rd. Drive 2 miles. Turn left (south) onto Rd R NE/ Hwy 17 at milepost 110.2. Drive south 11.6 miles to Hwy 2 at milepost 187.4.

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