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Cottonwood Marsh photo by Peter Burke

Haxtun area - Phillips County
Aliases:
Ownership: None Listed
Description: The westernmost town in Phillips County may not look like much at first, but don't be deceived – it's just about the best birding to be had in the county. The town itself has many trees, though mostly in people's yards. Driving around town and birding the area with more trees and thickets is probably the best strategy. Some houses may have feeders, so keep an eye out for sparrows and finches. Some species that breed here that may be hard to find elsewhere include Orchard Oriole, Brown Thrasher, and Red-headed Woodpecker.

The Haxtun Sewage Ponds, just east of town, are perhaps the best bodies of water in the county. While you are unlikely to see many diving ducks here, dabblers often abound, and an occasional shorebird is found. Even a rarity or two has been seen here, such as Whimbrel and hybrid American Black-Duck x Mallard. Keep an eye out for Merlin or small accipiters and falcons harassing the starling flocks.

CO 59 north of Haxtun passes through some decent grassland habitat, especially near the Sedgwick County line, that can be worth a look for sparrows and longspurs in season. Mountain Plover has been seen along this road, as have both Chestnut-collared and McCown's Longspurs in the fall, and Lapland Longspur during the winter.

CO 59 south of Haxtun also passes through some decent grassland habitat, and also passes a few private hedgerows that a visiting birder may be able to get permission to bird, or bird from the road. A Snow Bunting was seen near one of these near the Yuma County line one winter.

Habitat: Urban/Suburban, Pond, Grassland/Prairie
Elevation:
Directions: Haxtun is along US 6 in western Phillips County, 32 miles east of Sterling, and 18 miles west of Holyoke. The Sewage Ponds are along the west side of CR 7, north of US-6, one mile east of the center of town.
Restrictions/Hazards:
Other Wildlife:
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Latest Haxtun area Sightings from eBird

 


CBRC Records from Haxtun area

SpeciesAccession No.Date(s)
American Black Duck x Mallard2002-12811/30/2002
Inca Dove2010-119 7/31/2010
Wood Thrush2011-164 11/18/2011