Coming down to the final stretch out here in Newcastle; hard to believe it’s September already but the change in weather confirms it.  I’m continuing work on some projects and finishing others, in the coming weeks I’ll be tidying up my data and summarizing some things.  My point counts didn’t turn up any mountain plovers but I did see a few burrowing owls which was pretty sweet.  Except for a nest or two my raptor nest checks are complete.  Still tracking my sage grouse and in the next few weeks my mentor and I will be trying to get some of the young of the year sage grouse fixed with radio collars.  Didn’t get as far on my habitat assessments for sage grouse as I would have liked, but what can you do.  I had a blast this past summer doing bird work and I am ever grateful for being given this opportunity; I learned a ton about avian research and biological field work as a whole.  Bird work is where I want to stay and make my career.