THE BLUEBIRD the Bluebird

TT H H E E

BLUEBIRBLUEBIR DD The voice of ASM since 1934

December 2015 Volume 82, No. 4

The Audubon Society of Missouri Missouri’s Ornithological Society Since 1901 The Audubon Society of Missouri

Officers Regional Directors

Shari Harden*+, President (2016) Charles Burwick+ (2017) 513 NE Grant Drive; Blue Springs, Springfield (417) 860-9505 MO 64014; (816) 229-3979 Lottie Bushmann+ (2018) [email protected] Columbia, (573) 445-3942 Mark Haas*+, Vice-President (2016) Jeff Cantrell+ (2017) 614 Otto Drive; Jackson MO 63755; Neosho (471) 476-3311 (573) 204-0626 [email protected] Allen Gathman+ (2018) Pocahontas (573) 382-7306 Scott Laurent*+, Secretary (2015) 610 W. 46th Street, #103; Kansas Brent Galliart+ (2018) City, MO 64112; (816) 916-5014 St. Joseph (816) 232-6038 [email protected] Terry McNeely+ (2016)

Pat Lueders*+, Treasurer (2015) Jameson, MO (660) 828-4215 1147 Hawken Pl., St. Louis, MO Larry Olpin+ (2016) 63119; (314) 222-1711 Warrensburg (660) 747-5228 [email protected] Louise Wilkinson+ (2017) Honorary Directors Rolla (573) 364-9552 Richard A. Anderson, St. Louis** Phil Wire+ (2016) Nathan Fay, Ozark** Bowling Green (314) 960-0370 Leo Galloway, St. Joseph** Jim Jackson, Marthasville Lisle Jeffrey, Columbia** Chairs Floyd Lawhon, St. Joseph** Bill Clark, Historian Patrick Mahnkey, Forsyth** 3906 Grace Ellen Dr. Rebecca Matthews, Springfield Columbia, MO 65202 Sydney Wade, Jefferson City** (573) 474-4510

Dave Witten, Columbia** Kevin Wehner, Membership John Wylie, Jefferson City** 510 Ridgeway Ave. Jim Jackson, 2012 Recipient of the Columbia, MO 65203

Rudolf Bennitt Award (573) 815-0352 [email protected] Dr. David Easterla, 2006 Recipient of the Rudolf Bennitt Award Paul E. Bauer, 2004 Recipient of the Rudolf Bennitt Award

+ Board Position * Executive Committee Member **Deceased

Page i THE BLUEBIRD The Bluebird

The Bluebird Editor: Bill Eddleman*+, 1831 Ricardo Drive, Cape Girardeau, MO 63701, (573) 335-1507, [email protected] Christmas Bird Count Compiler: Randy Korotev, 800 Oakbrook Lane, St. Louis, MO 63132, (314) 993-0055, [email protected] Communication Services: Patrick Harrison Webmaster, http://mobirds.org, Susan Hazelwood and David Scheu, Co-owners Listserve, [email protected],edu ASM Scholarship Committee: Sue Gustafson, Chair, 429 Belleview Ave., Webster Groves MO 63119 (314) 968-8128, [email protected] MO Bird Records Committee: Brad Jacobs+—Chair, 11300 Vemers Ford Road, Columbia, MO 65201, (573) 874-3904, [email protected] Bill Rowe—Secretary, 9033 Big Bend Road, St. Louis, MO 63119, (314) 962-0544, [email protected] Seasonal Survey Editors: Spring: Josh Uffman, 707 Ashton Way Circle, Eureka, MO 63025 (636) 587-6016; [email protected] Summer: Kristi Mayo, 1807 Clear Creek Dr., Kearney, MO 64060 (816) 289–7828, [email protected] Fall: Joe Eades, 517 Willow Lane, Kirkwood, MO, 63122, (314) 835- 0353, [email protected] Winter: Mary Nemecek, 7807 N. Merimac Ct, Kansas City MO 64151- 0000; (816) 210-5148; [email protected]

* Executive Committee Member + Board Position

Deadlines for submission of material for publication in The Bluebird Manuscripts for The Bluebird—to the editor by: Feb. 1 for March issue; May 1 for June issue; Jul. 15 for Sept. issue; Nov. 1 for Dec. issue Deadlines for submissions to the Seasonal Survey Editors Winter (Dec. 1-Feb. 28)—to Mary Nemecek by Mar. 10 Spring (Mar. 1-May 31)—to Josh Uffman by June 10 Summer (June 1-July. 31)—to Kristi Mayo by Aug 10 Fall (Aug. 1-Nov. 30)—to Joe Eades by Dec. 10

Page ii THE BLUEBIRD Table of Contents

December 2015 Volume 82, No. 4

119 President’s Corner—Shari Harden

120 We Welcome our New ASM Members—Kevin Wehner

120 Photos from the Fall Meeting, Camp Clover Point, Lake of the Ozarks—Allen Gathman

122 Untitled (poem)—Dean Heflin

123 Winter 2014-2015 Seasonal Report—Mary Nemecek

132 Spring 2015 Seasonal Report—Ryan Douglas

146 A Birder’s Guide to Missouri Public Lands—Edge Wade & Others

152 Time to Renew!!—Kevin Wehner

Front Cover—Hundreds of birders converged on the Missis- sippi River at Quincy, Illinois and adjacent Marion County, Missouri to see Missouri’s first Ivory Gull, which was present January 2-9, 2015. Photo by Peter Kondrashov.

THE BLUEBIRD is published quarterly by The Audubon Society of Missouri. The submission of articles, photographs, and artwork is welcomed and encouraged. The views and opinions ex- pressed in this journal are those of each contributing writer and do not necessarily represent the views and opinions of The Audubon Society of Missouri or its officers, Board of Directors, or editors. Send address corrections to ASM, 2101 W. Broadway, PMB 122, Columbia, MO 65203-1261.

Page iii THE BLUEBIRD President’s Corner—Shari Harden

Dear Fellow Birders, Once again the presentations at the Fall meeting were very in- formative and gave me an optimis- tic outlook for the future of bird research. Members also learned about the progress on the Great Missouri Birding Trail. The trail should increase every birder’s abil- ity to access information when they visit areas across the state, and could introduce more people to birding. Of course, the best part of the Fall meeting was good birding and catching up with friends we may only see once or twice a year.

The board had a productive meeting that will ensure research funding, habitat restoration, and leadership development in the future. A substantial donation was approved for the Jerry Wade Memorial Fund that will provide annual funding for students working to pro- tect, enhance, or restore habitat for birds. The scholarship funding for bird research that ASM provides will increase this year. The students who receive the scholarships often come to the Fall meeting to share their research activities with our members.

The board also approved enhancements to the website used to submit documentation of rare birds to the Missouri Bird Records Com- mittee, and support for two young leaders in the Green Leadership Academy for Diverse Ecosystems. The GLADE program helps young people develop leadership skills for community conservation. Partici- pants restore habitat for birds and other wildlife, and become more aware of conservation issues.

ASM members had the opportunity to meet the ABA young birder of the year, Marky ‘Birdgirl’ Mutchler. Marky and her mother came to the meeting and gave a presentation highlighting the efforts that led to her young birder of the year award. I hope Marky enjoyed the Fall meeting as much as we enjoyed having her join us.

All of the above makes me proud to be a member of ASM. Support- ing birds and the habitat they need to survive and thrive, and help-

Page 119 THE BLUEBIRD ing young birders, researchers, and conservationists establish them- selves and prepare for the future.

The spring meeting will be at the Bunker Hill Retreat April 29 - May 1, 2016, in south central Missouri along the Jacks Fork. The habitat is so beautiful in that area of the state. The birding should be outstanding, and I can’t wait to see everyone there.

Shari Harden, President The Audubon Society of Missouri

WE WELCOME OUR NEW ASM MEMBERS!! Kevin Wehner

Remember, new members are our future. If a new member lives near you, say, “Howdy and welcome to ASM.” In addition, recruit another new member. Welcome to these six new ASM members in the 4th quarter of 2015. Janet Haslerig Jefferson City, MO Jill Hays Springfield, MO Marky Mutchler Liberty, MO Eric & Joanna Reuter Columbia, MO David Sain Pontoon Beach, IL

PHOTOS FROM THE FALL MEETING

Allen Gathman

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Page 121 THE BLUEBIRD Untitled

Dean Heflin

Sometimes I feel I am losing out And getting to far behind With all this information craze That’s coming down the line.

But when I take time to look around And listen to my friends I see that they are doing fine And that is where my doubting ends.

Because

Does a horned owl use a credit card To catch a rabbit that’s running by Do the snow geese use a G.P.S. To tell them where to fly?

Do the coyotes use a cell phone To call their friends on a far off hill? No, their message travels on the wind And probably always will.

Can you send at E-mail To an eagle nesting high in a lonesome pine Can you click on to a butterfly Does a bullfrog go on line?

No they are smart enough to use God’s ways To get their message sent And knowing that His line is open Leaves me feeling quite content.

—-Dean Heflin Mozingo Lake Nodaway County, Missouri

Page 122 THE BLUEBIRD Winter 2014-2015 Seasonal Report Mary Nemecek ([email protected])

Winter started off with a mild December, with an overall average temp of 36°F, three degrees above the long-term average. This was a nice contrast to the coldest December in 35 years experienced in 2013, but when viewed in a global context, 2014 was the warmest year on record. While the temperatures were up, the sunshine was down, with the least amount of sunny days in the past two decades. Columbia had 27 days of cloudy or partly cloudy weather. Precipita- tion in the northern third of the state was low with only 0.75-1.50 inches. The southwestern, east-central and southeastern portions of the state experienced 2.5-3.5 inches. The only notable snowfall was just north of Kansas City on 17-18 December 17-18, when 3-5 inches fell overnight.

January welcomed an Arctic front that dropped temperatures con- siderably. By January 15 a Pacific front moved in, once again giving Missouri above-average temperatures, making it two consecutive winter months with temperatures that exceeded averages. Precipita- tion was low across the state, coming in an inch below normal with a statewide average of 1.2 inches. Only one small snow event occurred January 3-4 on a line from Kansas City to Hannibal.

February was not about to let winter slide away without making a significant Arctic statement. The state ran 8 degrees below normal, with an average temperature of 26°F. Some of the coldest temperatures were in the southeastern corner of the state, with three consecutive nights in mid-February with lows well below zero. There were four significant snow events in February with 6 inches across most of the state, and up to a foot in the north and southeast.

The warmer December and January accounted for much of the open water allowing for good waterfowl and Bald Eagle numbers. The in- flux of cold at the end of January could account for the diversity of gull species both at Riverlands Migratory Bird Sanctuary in St. Charles County, and Smithville Lake in Clay/Clinton counties, including California, Glaucous, Great Black-backed and Iceland. The hands -down zootie of the winter was an adult Ivory Gull seen on both sides of the state line by Quincy, Ill, a first-state record for

Page 123 THE BLUEBIRD Missouri. Garnering headlines from Kansas City to Chicago, this gull served as the destination bird of the winter and is sure to be the subject of great bird tales for years to come. Other winter highlights included an overwintering Inca Dove at Dan Cowell's residence in Holden, Johnson County. Frankie Cuculich attracted Common Redpolls and a Hoary Redpoll to his feeders in Brashear, Adair County. In early December, 10 Red Crossbills showed up at Crowder State Park in Grundy County. A couple Northern Goshawks moved south this winter and made appearances on 2 CBCs, including a double showing on the Horton-Four Rivers CBC on December 15. Purple Finches and Pine Siskins were widespread. A number of warbler species were represented, including the 6th-winter record of Cape May Warbler in Ferguson, St. Louis County.

Seasonal reports submitted from observers around the state remain a primary source for the data included in this report, as well as a review of Christmas Bird Count and eBird data. Missouri bird watchers are encouraged to submit their observations through eBird. The author is grateful to Kristi Mayo and Joshua Uffman for reviewing this document. Their comments and suggestions greatly enhanced the quality of the report.

Note: Records marked with an asterisk (*) require documentation, but no documentation has yet been received by the Missouri Bird Records Committee (MBRC). Observers involved with such sightings are encouraged to submit documentation. The MBRC has received documentation of those records marked with a dagger (†) and those marked (acc.) have been accepted.

WATERFOWL Trumpeter Swans continued to increase their numbers in Missouri with a CBC high count of 164 on the SLNWR CBC count 17 Dec. That number paled in comparison to the 850 seasonal high reported at RMBS on 17 Jan (Thomas Fuller, Brad Warwick, PL, CH). Gadwall enjoyed open water around the state with a high of 2300 on 13 Feb at Duck Creek CA Bollinger (MH, Mark Goodwin). Blue-winged Teal were scarce as normal with only four sightings, all of single birds, including Binder Lake Cole 31 Dec. (CB). Northern Pintail had a large count of 3500 observed on 13 Feb at CCNWR (Bruce Schutte). Canvasback had a good winter away from the Mississippi with multiple reports including 52 at SL on 11 Feb (DC). Most reports of Redheads were from mid-Dec to mid-Feb, including a new CBC high count

Page 124 THE BLUEBIRD of 150 at HFRCA CBC 15 Dec; 13 on the SCNWR CBC 17 Dec, also a new CBC high count; and 5 at CCNWR 27 Dec where it is listed as an unusual species. SL hosted a respectable number of 40-75 from 10-15 Feb (Brian Sevy, m. obs). On 31 Dec there were 2 at Binder Lake Cole (CB). Ring- necked Duck came in with two CBC high counts: 850 on the CCNWR CBC on 27 Dec and 33 on the STJ CBC 20 Dec. There was a significant number of Ring-necked Ducks 13 Feb at Duck Creek CA Bollinger, with a total of 3800 observed (MH). White-winged Scoters made only one appearance on 15 Feb with 2 birds observed at Hide-A-Way Harbor St. Charles (JM, CM). An unusual Common Goldeneye x Hooded Merganser was observed at SL from 4 Dec—17 Feb (DW). A female Long-tailed Duck was reported at SL from 1 Dec—16 Feb (DW, m. obs.), with 2 females reported on 16 Feb (DW).

LOONS THROUGH EAGLES

Common Loons overwintered at several locations, including a seasonal high of 74 at Stockton Lake Cedar on 28 Dec (PL). Eared Grebes appeared at SL from 10-29 Dec (DW), including 2 on the Trimble CBC 20 Dec (ph., MN, acc.). Additional, single birds were seen on 14 Dec at Binder Lake Cole (ph., CB, acc.); Table Rock Lake Taney 3 Dec—18 Jan (ph., GS, CBu, acc.). A Western Grebe was present at RMBS 12-20 Dec (ph., Al Smith, acc., m. ob.). American White Pelican had seasonal high of 112 on 11 Feb at Wel- don Springs CA St. Charles (Daniel Cornell, CH). Dunklin hosted the 5th winter record American Bittern on 18-20 Dec (TJ, acc.). Great Egrets

This Western Grebe was present at Riverlands Migratory Bird Sanctuary, St . Charles Co., from 12-20 December. Photographed and documented by Al Smith on December 12, 2014.

Page 125 THE BLUEBIRD made a few showings around the state in December, including one on the Columbia CBC 20 Dec. They were largely absent from the state in January with only a single sighting in 11 Feb in Pemiscot (Corey Lange). Northern Goshawks were a welcome species, showing their presence with 1 at the HFRCA CBC 15 Dec and 1 on the SCNWR CBC 17 Dec. The end of December and early January held the only Golden Eagle sightings in the state with one on the MLCA CBC 20 Dec; Kirksville CBC had one for the count week. There were 7 total reports of Golden Eagles.

COOTS THROUGH GULLS

Dunlins were present only once and in Dunklin with 2 on 21 Dec. Least Sandpipers were reported on four dates; 2 on12 Dec (TJ) and cumulative total of 26 on 30 Dec (TJ); 1 on 13 Dec, RMBS (Jamie Goodspeed) and 5 were counted on the HFRCA CBC 15 Dec. A variety of gull species made impressive showings on both sides of the state, including the headline- making adult Ivory Gull (acc.) present on the Mississippi R. near Quincy, Ill. from 2-9 Jan. Many were able to get the gull on the Missouri side of the river during its stay (†SM, †PL, †PK, †Jean Leonatti, †BJa, m. obs.). In the St. Louis area, Bill Rowe reported, "cold weather brought numbers of ‘good’

Linda Williams managed to catch the Ivory Gull in flight in this photograph taken near Quincy, Illinois in Marion County, Missouri in early January.

Page 126 THE BLUEBIRD gulls to the area.” Bonaparte's Gulls were around open water across the state, including 48 on the Trimble CBC 29 Dec and 19 on the Springfield CBC 20 Dec. Herring Gull numbers were equally as widespread but in lower numbers. An impressive 105-150 were reported at SL 4-30 Jan (DW). The Confluence CBC on 1 Jan reported a single Thayer's Gull. There were multiple reports of 1 to 4 birds at SL from 4 Jan- 21 Feb (DW, m. obs.) including an impressive number of 4 seen on 5 Jan (DW). Additional reports also came from RMBS and CB 28 Jan–14 Feb (m. obs) and EBCA had its only bird on 30 Jan (BJa, Kevin Wehner, Eric Reuter). There was a first- cycle Iceland (Kumlien’s) Gull, reported 31 Jan at CBCA, a first record for that area. An adult bird (acc.) was spotted at SL 9-15 Feb (ph., †MM, †DW, †MN, †LO), and a different bird, distinguished by bill and head shape, was documented at SL on 18-Feb (ph., †DW). At least 3 Lesser Black- backed Gulls were present at SL 9 Dec–14 Feb (DW, m. obs.). Other sightings of Lesser Black-backed Gulls included 2 counted on the Confluence CBC 1 Jan; an adult at Long Branch State Park Macon 9 Feb–10 Mar (FC); and 1 at Bellerive Park St. Louis 10-11 Feb (CMc, AR). A Great Black- backed Gull showed up at SL on 29 Jan (ph., †DW) with additional sightings 7-17 Feb (ph, †MN, m. obs.). Glaucous Gulls also had several good showings including: 1 juv, SL, 27 Jan and 8 Feb (MN, DW); 1 ad, SL, 30 Jan (DW, ML, Sherry Leonardo); 1, RMBS, 5 Dec (Bryan Prather, Diane Bric- mont); 1 juv at Ellis Bay, RMBS, 13 Dec (BR); 1 juv, Long Branch State Park Macon, 28 Feb (FC); 1, Lake Jacomo Jackson, 13 Feb (Aaron Mitchell); 1, Holden City Lake, Johnson, 13-15 Feb (DC); and 1, RMBS 7 Feb (CM, CMc, AR). An adult California Gull (acc.) was seen at SL on 28-31 Jan (KM, MM, †DW, LO).

DOVES THROUGH SHRIKES

Missouri’s 6th Inca Dove (acc.) spent a chilly winter at Dan Cowell's residence in Holden Johnson, first sighted on 12 Dec and last seen on 22 Feb (ph. †DC, †SM). A single Northern Saw-whet Owl was counted on the Columbia CBC 20 Dec. A Rufous Hummingbird was present at a feeder in Jackson Cape Girardeau, from 27 Nov–19 Jan (ph. †Jane Nicholas, †Lanny Chambers.) Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers had a few sightings in the north where they are listed as rare: 1, 6 Dec, Decker residence Audrain (Rodney Wright); 3, 10 Dec, Crowder State Park Grundy (DM, SM); 2, 1 Jan, Dalton Bottoms Chariton (Laurie Shawver); and 1, 9 Jan, Pony Ex- press Lake CA DeKalb (DW). A single Merlin on the SLNWR CBC made for an unusual species, 17 Dec. Statewide, there were multiple Merlin sightings throughout the season, with a majority of sightings coming from Kansas City, St. Louis and Boone. Peregrine Falcons were concentrated around Kansas City and St. Louis over most of the winter. There were a few sightings of Prairie Falcons around the state including one that lasted a

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Missouri’s 6th Inca Dove appeared at Dan Cowell’s feeder at Holden, John- son County, where it spent the period December 12, 2014-February 22, 2015. Photograph by Lisa Owens on January 10, 2015. week at Penn-Sylvania Prairie Dade from 16-23 Jan (CBu, GSw, m. obs.). Five counties in the north reported single Northern Shrikes were reported in six northern counties. Other reports included single birds at; SL, 13 Jan (MN), 2 Jan (DW), 27 Feb (Terry Miller); Bradford Farm Boone on 12 Jan- 15 Feb (Greg Leonard, m. obs.);Niawathe Prairie CA Dade hosted one 24 Jan–10 Feb (Ricky Hostetler, m. obs.); 13 Feb, Arcola Dade (Dale Blevins).

VIREOS THROUGH WARBLERS

One Fish Crow was seen at Canton Ferry Access Lewis, 11 Jan (Danny Akers, acc.). Tree Swallows lingered at SL, with 12 on 4 Dec, 1 on the Trimble CBC 28 Dec, and 2 on 5 Jan (ph. DW, acc.). Red-breasted Nut- hatches were scarce over the winter. One report identifies a single bird seen on 15 Jan Gen Watkins CA Scott (MH) and another on 31 Dec in rural Christian (SM, DM). One House Wren was reported on 31 Dec at Delaney Lake CA Mississippi (MH). Five Winter Wrens were reported 10 Feb at Black Island CA Pemiscot (MH). Marsh Wrens showed up in a handful of counties across the state: 2 popped up out of the snow on the edge of Chillicothe Livingston on 19 Dec (SK) and 1 was observed in the cattails 14 Dec–28 Dec at Binder Lake Cole (CB). A Sedge Wren was in St. Louis was unusal for winter the 21 Dec (ph. Collen Crank, acc.). Hermit Thrushes had a good showing as an usual species on the SLNWR CBC and set a record high count on two CBCs: 6, KC CBC, 28 Dec and 6, Trimble CBC, 20 Dec. On 10 Feb, 9 birds were reported at Gen Watkins CA, Scott (MH). Brown Thrashers set a high count on the HFRCA CBC, 15 Dec with 11, and the SWLNWR CBC ticked 1, 3 Jan. A single bird was reported on 28 Jan at the Maintz Wildlife Preserve Cape Girardeau (CB). American Pipit was an unusual winter species for Thomas Hill Reservoir Randolph on 2

Page 128 THE BLUEBIRD Jan (JU, acc.). There were 7 reports of American Pipits logged further south where more expected during the winter season. A Cape May Warbler made a few appearances in Connie Alwood's (ph., acc.) Ferguson backyard St. Louis 1-10 Jan. A handful of sightings of Orange-crowned Warbler dotted the state, including a documented sighting 1 Jan at Lake Jacomo Jackson (ML, acc.) and 13 Feb at Carondelet Park St. Louis City (†CMc). On 28 Jan, a single bird was sighted at Otter Slough CA Stoddard (CB). A few Pine Warblers remained in Missouri over the winter, with one on the Meramec Springs CBC 18 Dec and another at Eagle Point Observation Platform Wayne on 28 Jan (CB). Christian hosted a few also, with 2 reported on 31 Dec (SM, DM) and another at Cobb Ridge Campground on 20 Jan (GSw). A single Palm Warbler was quite late on 10 Dec at Rotary Lake CA Cape Girardeau (MH).

SPARROWS THROUGH FINCHES

There were five Spotted Towhees reports on the west side of the state, including one on the HFRCA CBC 15 Dec and the STJ CBC 20 Dec. Chip- ping Sparrow continues to be found in small numbers in the south, where it is listed as a rare winter resident, with seven sightings reported from southern counties. This included 2 counted on the Springfield CBC 20 Dec and Taney County CBC 27 Dec. In North and central parts, where listed as casual, Chipping Sparrows were documented: 1, 20 Dec at Busch CA St. Charles (PL, acc.); and 1, 10 Jan at Busch CA St. Charles (ph. CMc, acc.). Most reports for Le Conte's Sparrow came from the Kansas City or St. Louis area. A single bird was seen on 3 Jan, Duck Creek CA Bollinger (MH, AG). Big Oak Tree SP CBC had a high count of 72 Fox Sparrows on 17 Dec. A couple of "Oregon” Dark-eyed Juncos were reported on the Grand River and SCNWR CBCs. The “pink-sided" form was counted on the STJ CBC Buchanan. Any diagnostic photos of this race in Missouri would be welcomed by the MBRC. A single Indigo Bunting was reported on 12 Dec at Judan Creek CA Cape Girardeau (MH). An unexpected Dickcissel was at RMBS, 2 Jan (Justyn Stahl). The troubled Rusty Blackbird had a good presence of 1007 on the HFRCA CBC 15 Dec. On 15 Feb, 12 were reported at Diehlstadt Mississippi (MH). Two flocks were observed with 147on 25 Jan and 320 on 6 Feb at Saline Valley CA Miller (CB). Brewer's Blackbirds were reported on 31 Jan–9 Feb with 18 at Renken Farms Moniteau (CB). A season high count of 250 birds were at Niawathe Prairie Dade on 30 Jan (Dorothy Thurman, Kathleen Cowens). Purple Finch sightings included a new CBC high count of 160 on the Trimble CBC where they outnumbered even House Finches. Frankie Cuculich had some coveted feeder visitors with 2 Common Redpolls seen on 1 Jan; 8 were then seen

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Missouri’s 3rd Hoary Redpoll was with a number of Common Redpolls at Frankie Cuculich’s feeder in Brashear, Adair County, February 14-March 11, 2015. Photo by Peter Kondrashov. from 23 Jan–11 Mar. If that was not enough, Missouri’s 3rd Hoary Redpoll (acc.) visited Cuculich's feeders 14 Feb–11 Mar in Brashear Adair (ph., †FC , †JU., †PK †Tony Elliott, †Paul McKenzie). There was also Common Redpoll photographed at Springfield residence Greene, on 25 Feb (Zelda Ellison). A nice surprise of 10 Red Crossbills were reported at Crowder SP Grundy on 7 Dec (Dave Wright). Pine Siskins also made an appearance in the state, including 104 on the Jefferson City CBC on 3 Jan. A Eurasian Tree Sparrow, the most western record for Missouri, arrived 28 Nov and stayed until 5 Mar at Ginny Culver's (acc.) residence in Peculiar Cass.

Observers: Andrew Reago (AR), Chris Barringer (CB), Charles Burwick (CBu), Dan Cowell (DC), Mark Haas (MH), Christian Hagenlock (CH), Jill Hayes (JH), Brad Jacobs (BJa), Timothy Jones (TJ), Steve Kinder (SK), Andrew Kinslow (AK),Peter Kondrashov (PK), Micky Lewis (ML), Pat Lueders (PL), Char- lene Malone (CM), Jim Malone (JM), Steve Martin (SM), Debbie Martin (DM), Chrissy McClarren (CMc) Kristi Mayo (KM), Debbie Martin (DM),

Page 130 THE BLUEBIRD Chrissy McClarren (CMc) Kristi Mayo (KM), Debbie Martin (DM), Steve Martin (SM), Marky Mutchler (MM), Mary Nemecek (MN), Lisa Owens (LO), Bill Rowe (BR), Greg Swick (GSw), Joshua Uffman (JU).

Abbreviations CA-Conservation Area CBC-Christmas Bird Count Co-County NWR- National Wildlife Refuge MBRC-Missouri Bird Record Committee SP-State Park

Location Abbreviations (counties are in italics) CBCA-Columbia Bottom Conservation Area, St. Louis County CCNWR-Clarence Cannon National Wildlife Refuge, Pike County CSP-Confluence State Park, St. Charles County DCCA-Duck Creek Conservation Area, Bollinger/Stoddard County EBCA-Eagle Bluffs Conservation Area, Boone County HFRCA-Horton-Four Rivers Conservation Area, Vernon County LBL-Long Branch Lake, Macon County MLCA- Montrose Lake Conservation Area, Henry County MNWR-Mingo National Wildlife Refuge, Stoddard/Wayne County OSCA-Otter Slough Conservation Area, Stoddard County RMBS-Riverlands Migratory Bird Sanctuary, St. Charles County SCNWR-Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge, Holt County SLNWR-Swan Lake National Wildlife Refuge, Chariton County SL-Smithville Lake, Clay County STJ- St. Joseph, Buchanan County

References: eBird.2014. eBird: An online database of bird distribution and abundance [web application]. eBird, Ithaca, New York. Available: http://

www.ebird.org. (Accessed: 30 March 2015).

Guinon, P. Missouri Climate Center. Retrieved from http:// climate. missouri.edu/, 2014.

Climate Central. Hottest year on record. Videos—Climate in context. Re trieved from http://www.climatecentral.org/videos/climate-in- context/hottest-year-on-record . Published 5 February 2015. (Accessed 30 March 2015).

Page 131 THE BLUEBIRD Spring 2015 Seasonal Report Ryan Douglas ([email protected])

Spring 2015 was a fairly unremarkable spring in terms of bird migration. Across the board, most species arrived and departed within their expected migration windows in expected concentrations. A notable exception was Scarlet Tanager, which appeared record early in several locations.

March was slightly warmer than average across the state, as the average temperature was 0.7°F warmer than normal at 44.3°F. However, temperatures did vary regionally. The northwest was 1°-3° F above normal, while the southeast was 1°-3°F below normal. The southeast was covered in snow in early March, and the Cape Girardeau Municipal Airport in Scott County set a new all-time record low temperature for March when the thermometer dipped to -8° F on March 6. Precipitation was just 0.01 inches below average across the state for the month at 3.27 inches. Like temperatures, there was variation in precipitation across the state. Northern Mis- souri saw as little as 1 inch of precipitation, but most of the southeast had at least 6 inches, and up to more than 9 inches in some spots. The only notable winter weather event occurred March 4-5 in southeast Missouri, where up to 9 inches of freezing rain, sleet, and snow fell. At the end of the month only the extreme northeast and west-central parts of the state were considered abnormally dry by the U. S. Drought Monitor.

Like March, April was warmer than average. April’s average temperature of 57.5°F was 2.7°F warmer than normal. For the 6th month in a row, precipitation was below normal in April. The state averaged 3.65 inches, which was 0.32 inches below normal. South- western Missouri received 4-6 inches of rain, south-central Missouri received 2-3 inches, and the rest of the state generally had 3-4 inches of rain. However, Ste. Genevieve County received just over 9 inches of rain during April. The extreme northeastern and west-central parts of the state remained abnormally dry at the end of the month.

May saw temperatures about 0.5°F above normal; the statewide average was 64.8°F. May’s temperatures meant that 12 out of the past 16 spring seasons have been warmer than average. May 2015 was the wettest May since 2002 and the 13th wettest May on record. The statewide average of 7.48 inches was 2.71 inches above normal. The St. Louis area received the least rain at 4-5 inches; several western

Page 132 THE BLUEBIRD and southern counties received over 10 inches. The 14 inches of rain- fall in Plattsburg, Clinton County, was the highest recorded. A small pocket centering on Phelps County was the only part of Missouri considered abnormally dry at the end of May.

As birding coverage increases in extreme southeastern Missouri, many species are being detected earlier and rare species are being found with some regularity. One highlight from the region this season was a Ruff. Other seasonal highlights included the state’s 7th Mottled Duck, the 5th spring Pacific Loon, several Snowy Plov- ers (including the 6th outside northwest Missouri), a pair of Little Gulls, a Swainson’s Warbler in the Kansas City area, and a lin- gering Hoary Redpoll.

Note: The Missouri Bird Records Committee (MBRC) has received and accepted documentation of those records marked (acc.).

WHISTLING-DUCKS THROUGH GREBES

May 2015 was a good month for Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks in se. Missouri. The 1st 3 appeared in Dunklin 12 May (TJ), the next was at MNWR18 May (CB, Michael David), and a group of 6 was at Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center, Cape Girardeau 26 May (Dave Starrett, MH, NM). Greater White-fronted Geese were reported across the state from the start of the season until the final report of 1 at CCNWR 8 May (Jim Roman, Peter Osenton). Snow Geese arrived in typical high concentrations at their usual stopover locations in Holt. A University of Mis- souri ornithology lab class estimated a high count of 750,000 Snow Geese at SCNWR 15 Mar. Several observers in Boone reported estimates of up to 3000 during the 1st week of March, while the highest e. Missouri counts in eBird were both 11 Mar with 2000 in Creve Coeur, St. Louis (Joe Eades) and 4500 in Perryville, Perry (NM). The final Snow Goose report came from RMBS, where one was observed 24-30 May (m. obs.). Paul McKenzie care- fully estimated an astonishing 580,000 Snow Geese, 6000 White-fronted Geese, and 1800 Ross’s Geese heading north between 12:00 P. M. and 5:00 P. M. 15 March at Pershing SP, Linn. Otherwise, only small numbers of Ross’s Geese were observed, with high counts of 12 in Boone 8 Mar (RD), and 12 at Rotary Lake, Cape Girardeau 14 Mar. The last Ross’s Goose report was 1 at CCNWR 11 Apr (CM, JM). Few Cackling Geese were reported to eBird, and all reports occurred by the end of March. A group of 32 at English Landing Park, Platte 4 Mar (DC) was the largest group observed this season. Canada Geese were seen in typical numbers across the state, with a high of 3382 at Binder Lake, Cole 29 Mar (CB). One or more Mute Swans stayed at RMBS 6 Mar-5 Apr (m. obs.) and at South Farm R-1 Lake, Boone 18 Mar-7 May (m. obs.). Additionally, another was at RMBS 31 May (AR, CMcC). The vast majority of Trumpeter Swans reported to eBird

Page 133 THE BLUEBIRD were at three locations: RMBS, SCNWR, and EBCA. RMBS had the most observations, with reports from 1 Mar-17 May. Tallies there peaked around 100 6-7 Mar (Graham Montgomery, CM, JM) and 135 8 Mar (BR). By 12 Mar only single digit counts were reported at RMBS the rest of the season. Trumpeter Swans departed SCNWR by the 1st few days of April, as the last 3 were seen there 4 Apr (SL). Counts at SCNWR peaked at 152 on 8 Mar (BJ), but roughly 20 were still present 25 Mar (John Besser). A group of around 30 Trumpeter Swans was at EBCA 3-5 Mar (m. obs.), and 6 seen by KA 14 Mar were the last at that location. A single Trumpeter Swan at Tin- gler Prairie CA, Howell 11-20 Mar (Becky Estes) was unexpected, as it was farther south than is typical of the species in spring. Steve Kinder tallied 98 Trumpeter Swans at Fountain Grove CA, Livingston 9 Mar. Essentially all of the Tundra Swans were observed at RMBS, although a few were at SCNWR and a pair was at Longview Lake, Jackson 7 Mar (Eric Walters). At RMBS, anywhere from 1 to 17 Tundra Swans were reported 3 Mar-23 Mar (CM, JM, BR), and 3-4 were at SCNWR 8-13 Mar (BJ, Don Merz).

All of the expected ducks were present to open the spring season in early March. A Gadwall was present at RMBS to close the season 31 May (CM, JM). Two pairs of American Wigeon were at SCNWR (Larry Peterson) and SOCA (JC) 16 May. American Black Ducks were mostly reported at EBCA and RMBS this season. Two were at EBCA 3-8 Mar (GC, AK, CB, m. obs.), and 1 was present 14 Mar (BJ). Another 1-2 American Black Ducks were at RMBS 7-14 Mar (CM, JM, JU, m. obs.). The last of the season was in Pemiscot 11 Apr (TJ). Missouri’s 7th Mottled Duck was photographed at EBCA 10 May (CB, acc.). A Cinnamon Teal was at SCNWR 13-23 Mar, and 1-2 were there 3 Apr-5 May (m. obs.). At least one additional Cinnamon Teal was found at SOCA 28 Mar (m. obs.). Multiple Blue-winged Teal × Cinnamon Teal hybrids were reported to eBird this spring. Up to 3 were at SCNWR 31 Mar-20 Apr (DW, Lisa Owens), 1 was at Legacy Park, Jack- son 8 Apr (MW Stoakes, Aaron Mitchell), 1 was seen at EBCA 18 Apr (GL, GC, KW), and 1 was at Four Rivers CA, Vernon 1 May (DW). Northern Shovelers stuck it out until the end of season on both sides of the state, with 16 still at SCNWR (Ra Del Hinkley) and 2 at RMBS (JM, CM), both 31 May. One Northern Pintail at RMBS 23 May (Andy Reago, CMcC) was the last observed this season. MR reported the last 2 Green-winged Teal at SCNWR 15 May. A lone Canvasback was still in Dunklin 17 May (TJ), and 3 Redheads were at EBCA 25 May (EF). One Ring-necked Duck was at RMBS 31 May (CM, JM). Greater Scaup had mostly left Missouri by the 1st week of April, but 1 was still at Binder Lake, Cole 12 Apr (CB). Lesser Scaup were content to stick around much longer, and the last individual was seen at Lake Springfield City Park, Greene 30 May (JC, AK). Missouri birders only reported a total of three scoters, one of each species. A Surf Scoter was at RMBS 26 Apr (CM, JM); a White-winged Scoter was at BK Leach CA, Lincoln 21 Mar (Bruce Schuette), and a Black Scoter was photographed in the surprising location of Austin Community Lake, Texas in the cen. Ozarks 25 Mar (EW). Three Long-tailed Ducks were seen in Missouri: 1 at Bellerive Park, St. Louis City 7-8 Mar (AR, CMcC, CM, JM), 1 at Stockton Lake, Polk 3-5 Apr (m. obs.), and 1 female widely photographed

Page 134 THE BLUEBIRD

The much-photographed female Long-tailed Duck at Eagle Bluffs Conservation Area in Boone County. Photo by Andrew Kinslow taken on May 16, 2015. at EBCA 16-29 May (AK, m. obs.). Bufflehead departed by the end of April. Only three individuals were observed during the last week of the month: 1 at Lake Contrary, Buchanan 25 Apr (DW), 1 at RMBS 25 Apr (m. obs.), and 1 at Longview Lake, Jackson (KD). Common Goldeneyes barely stayed through March, with scattered reports of single birds from the nw. corner of the state 1-4 Apr. There were numerous reports of Red-breasted Mergan- sers to eBird this year, with a high of 64 at SL 25 Mar (DW). Observations seemed to come from all corners of the state, and the bulk of the species departed by mid-April. However, the last individual was seen at the Bittern Basin Unit of BK Leach CA, Lincoln 8 May (DM, SM).

Northern Bobwhites were reported to eBird from all corners of the state with the exception of the cen. Ozarks. As has been the case for the previous three spring seasons, Ring-necked Pheasants were almost exclusively reported from the nw. corner of Missouri. Sadly, Greater Prairie- Chickens were only reported from their three remaining strongholds in the state: Dunn Ranch, Harrison; Taberville Prairie CA, St. Clair; and Wah’kon -tah Prairie, St. Clair. High counts for the areas were 30 at Dunn Ranch 11 Apr (SK), 8 at Taberville Prairie CA 28 Mar-14 Apr (m. obs.), and up to 16 were reported at Wah’kon-tah Prairie 16 Mar-29 Apr (m. obs.). Missouri’s only Red-throated Loon, the 5th spring record, was at RMBS 31 Mar-1 Apr (Brent Schindewolf, ph. JM, m. obs., acc.). A Pacific Loon, likely just one individual, was reported across the state at SL multiple times in April: 6-8 Apr, 18 Apr, 24 Apr, and 29 Apr (all DW, acc.). No Common Loons were reported from the e. third of the state, but many reports came from cen. and w. Missouri from 7 Mar-21 May. One Horned Grebe turned up at EBCA 22 May (Chase Darr, acc.). Fifteen of 16 Eared Grebe reports (mostly single birds, a few reports of 2) to eBird came from the w. edge of Page 135 THE BLUEBIRD the state, with the exception being 1 in the cen. Ozarks at Austin Communi- ty Lake, Texas 25 Mar (Bill Clark, EW).

CORMORANTS THROUGH CRANES

One Neotropic Cormorant was photographed at SOCA 13 May (DM, SM). Double-crested Cormorants were steadily reported across the state the entire season, and a high of about 3100 was at Smithville 25 Mar (DW). Eight Anhingas were at MNWR 8 May (MR, JB), and 1 was still there 10 May (DM, SM). Another Anhinga was observed at Big Oak Tree SP, Missis- sippi 9 May (MR, JB). American White Pelicans were observed through the entire season, with many parts of the state reporting flocks of over 600 in March and April. In general, heron reports were low this season compared to previous springs. American Bitterns were tough to find outside of the se., SCNWR, and EBCA this year. The 1st record was 1 at SCNWR 3 Apr (DW), quickly followed by 2 in the opposite corner of the state in Dunklin 5 Apr (TJ). Another was seen at Capps Creek CA, Newton in sw. Missouri 6 Apr (JC), then several more were observed in Stoddard, Dunklin, and Bollinger through 10-18 Apr. Only two American Bittern reports came from the St. Louis area: 1 at CBCA 18 Apr (Mary & David Crow- ell) and another at Busch CA, St. Charles 25 Apr (Dave Gibson). One bird (comprising an unknown number of individuals) was seen at EBCA by many birders 23 Apr-4 May. Back at SCNWR, up to 3 American Bitterns were observed 22 Apr-21 May (m. obs.). Least Bitterns were generally few and far between. The 1st was at OSCA 20 Apr (Judy Bergmann), up to 5 were at SCNWR 30 Apr-5 May (DW), and 8 were seen at Monopoly Marsh at MNWR 18 May (CB). Snowy Egrets were seen in low numbers, mostly in the St. Louis area. One individual was at CP 5-18 Apr (AR, CMcC), and 8 were there 22 Apr. As many as 2 Snowy Egrets were in Forest Park, St. Louis City 5 Apr-4 May. Sporadic reports of 1 Snowy Egret at SCNWR arrived from mid-April onwards, and another was at EBCA 3-5 May (m. obs.). Reports of 1-4 Little Blue Herons came from the St. Louis area starting 5 Apr through the end of the season, but the highest count came from the se. when 5 were in Pemiscot 16 Apr (TJ). Few Cattle Egrets were observed this season, and almost all of the reports came from the western half of Mis- souri. In fact, 1 at EBCA 8 Apr (ph. Jack Foreman) and 1 at RMBS 11 Apr and 30 May (both BR) were the only reports east of the Kansas City area; the other 8 reports of 1-4 individuals came from SCNWR, Platte, and Bu- chanan in the nw., Vernon in the w.-cen., and Newton in the sw. 9 Apr-28 May (m. obs.). Two Black-crowned Night-Herons were at Forest Park, St. Louis City 9 Apr, and most of the sightings this season came from the St. Louis area. However, there were only about 20 reports across the entire state. The season’s high count was 21 at SCNWR 5 May (DW). Scattered reports came in from se. Missouri and the w. border s. of Kansas City, and only two reports of a single bird came from EBCA in cen. Missouri. Yellow- crowned Night-Herons were well represented around Kansas City, the sw. and se. corners of Missouri, and the St. Louis area. Two in Springfield,

Page 136 THE BLUEBIRD 25 Mar (CBu) were a bit early. Two locations held 6 individuals, the high count for the season: Greene 30 Mar (DM, SM) and SOCA 2 May (m. obs.).

Missouri hosted three Glossy Ibises in opposite corners of the state. One bird was at SCNWR 10 Apr (DW) and 21 May (SM, DM, acc.), and a 3rd bird was at OSCA 8 May (MR, JB). A pair of Glossy Ibis x White-faced Ibis hybrids was observed at SCNWR 9 Apr (DW), which serves to remind birders to be on a lookout for this potential point of confusion when identify- ing dark ibises in the state. White-faced Ibises were mostly reported from the w. third of Missouri, although 1 was seen around RMBS 30 May and TJ saw 1-2 in Pemiscot and Dunklin 16-18 Apr. In contrast to the previous couple years where double-digit counts were common, EBCA only held 2 20 Apr (KW) this year. Additional White-faced Ibis observations came from SCNWR, where DW tallied 48 on 10 Apr; Lake Springfield City Park, Greene, where several observers noted 15; and SOCA, where JC counted 13 birds 4 May. Black Vultures stayed from the Lake of the Ozarks south, although 2 at did range north to the Capen Park, Boone roost 5 May (MRo). Good numbers were seen all season in the sw., especially around Springfield and Branson. A few reports came from near the Current River in Dent and Shannon in the cen. Ozarks and in the se. in MNWR. The 1st Osprey appeared at the Empire Electric Osprey Platform in Dade 19 Mar (m. obs.), and Dade also had the state’s seasonal high count of 4 on 10 Apr (m. obs.). The last Osprey of the season was observed 24 May at Truman Lake, Henry (Rosemary Paul). DW saw the season’s only Golden Eagle 21 Mar at Dunn Ranch, Harrison. MH spied the 1st Mississippi Kite 19 Apr (acc.) in Cape Girardeau, and many reports came into eBird south of US-36 through the remainder of spring. The bulk of the observations came from the s. Kansas City Area, the St. Louis area, Columbia, Springfield, and MNWR/DCCA. TJ’s count of 24 in Dunklin 17 May was seasonal high. A fairly low count of 11 Broad-winged Hawks at Roaring River SP, Barry was the highest of the season. The usual smatterings of Swainson’s Hawks were observed near Springfield and around Kansas City, but one in Carter in the cen. Ozarks was surprising 9 Apr (MRo). A few Rough-legged Hawks stayed in Missouri through the end of March. Seven were at Dunn Ranch, Harrison 21 Mar (DW), and the last was seen there 11 Apr (SK).

SCNWR hosted the only King Rails reported; DW saw 1 on 5 May, and Mark Robbins had 1 there 15 May. The 1st Virginia Rail was seen at Set- tle’s Ford CA, Cass 26 Mar (DC), and the next to show were a pair at SCNWR 10 Apr (DW). Additional Virginia Rails turned up at EBCA 14 Apr- 11 May, but almost every report was of a single bird. Up to 2 were seen in Dunklin 26 Apr-4 May (TJ), and a high count of 3 were at the Bittern Basin Unit of BK Leach CA, Lincoln 8 May (DM, SM). The 1st Sora of the season was in Dunklin 8 Apr (TJ), a high of 18 was at EBCA 26 Apr (CB), and the final of the season was at EBCA 25 May (EF). In general, the species was regularly reported from Boone, the Bootheel, and the Kansas City area. Un- fortunately, Common Gallinules had a poor showing this year. Only 1 was seen at SOCA 1-16 May (DW, JC, m. obs.), 1 was at the City of Columbia Wetland Cell #4, Boone 17 May (GC), and 2 were at SCNWR 21 May (DM, SM). The lone bright spot for the species was a report of 14 at Monopoly Page 137 THE BLUEBIRD Marsh, MNWR 18 May (CB). American Coot numbers peaked across the state in late March, with reports of 585 at SL 25 Mar (DW), 3200 at RMBS 25 Mar (Brent Schindewolf), over 1400 at EBCA 26 Mar (KA), about 1000 at SCNWR 27 Mar (Jennifer Hammett), over 1700 at OSCA 28 Mar (JeM, NM), and nearly 1800 at Four Rivers CA, Vernon 28 Mar (CB). As many as 3 Sandhill Cranes were at SCNWR 12 Mar-21 May; 1 was at Four Rivers CA, Vernon 23 Mar (Travis Mahan); 2 were at SLNWR 1 Apr (Steven Bu- back); 2 were at Four Rivers CA, Vernon 16 Apr (DC); 1 was in Platte 16 Apr (DW); 1 was at EBCA 27 Apr (m. obs.); and 1 was in Johnson 5 May (DC).

STILTS THROUGH PHALAROPES

Five Black-necked Stilts returned to Dunklin 19 Mar (TJ), and 410 were there 12 May (TJ). The vast majority of records this season came from TJ in the Bootheel. A few ranged north to CCNWR with 1 there 11 Apr (ph. CM, JM), 4 present 19 Apr (DR), and 2 observed 8 May (Peter Osenton, Jim Ro- man). Black-necked Stilts also made it to SCNWR, where DW had 1 on 13 Apr. Another individual was seen by multiple observers 26 and 30 Apr, 5 were seen 16 May, and 3 were still present 24 May (Corey Entriken). Fif- teen American Avocets arrived at SCNWR 20 Apr (DW), and a high of 27 were there 30 Apr (DC). One at RMBS 30 May (m. obs.) was the last of the season. A half dozen Black-bellied Plovers showed in Dade 22 Apr (DB), and a high of 11 were in Dunklin 15 May (TJ). TJ found the season’s 1st American Golden-Plovers in Dunklin 11 Mar, and he found their numbers swelled to about 2500 23 Mar and up to around 5000 by 4 Apr. Another 1500 were in Pemiscot 4 Apr (TJ). In w. Missouri, over 2000 at SLNWR 21 Apr (SK) was the highest count outside the Bootheel. This year was a ban- ner year for Snowy Plovers in Missouri. The 1st turned up at SCNWR 13 Apr (DW), then GC found another bird, the state’s 6th outside nw. Missouri, at EBCA 30 Apr-3 May (ph., acc.). A 3rd Snowy Plover was at Four Rivers CA, Vernon 1 May (DW). The 1st 2 Semipalmated Plovers were seen at SCNWR 9 Apr (DW). The majority of Semipalmated Plover observations came from w. Missouri, EBCA, and the Bootheel, although several observations came from RMBS during the final week of May. Doug Willis discov- ered a trio of Piping Plovers, one each at SCNWR (10 Apr); Lake Contra- ry, Buchanan (25 Apr); and SL (6 May). One more Piping Plover was at Lake Contrary, Buchanan 24 Apr (DR fide JH).

A Spotted Sandpiper returned to RMBS 4 Apr (Peter Milbun), and the 1st Solitary Sandpiper of the season was in Dunklin 18 Mar (TJ, acc.). Gener- ally, Solitary Sandpipers were seen singly or in groups of less than 3 throughout the state until they largely departed in mid-May. A high of 19 was in St. Charles 2 May (CM, JM), and the last was in Greene 25 May (DB). Greater Yellowlegs were back in Dunklin 11 Mar when TJ spied a trio along County Road 723. Numbers peaked in mid-April with 104 at CCNWR (CM, JM) and 150 at OSCA (GS), both 11 Apr. Spring 2015 was a good season for Willets in cen. and w. Missouri. The 1st was at SCNWR 13 Apr (DW), and 4 were there 19 Apr (Rhiannon Thunell). The highest count was an astonishing 79 filmed at Longview Lake, Jackson 29 Apr (KD), and

Page 138 THE BLUEBIRD

This Snowy Plover was at Eagle Bluffs Conservation Area, Boone County, on April 30-May 3. Photographed by Al Smith on April 30, 2015. additional high counts were 20 in Webster 3 May (GS), 32 at Lake Spring- field City Park, Greene 4 May (CBu), and 49 at SOCA 4 May (JC). A lone Willet at CBCA 26 Apr (CM, JM), 1 at Ten Mile Pond CA, Mississippi 8 May (MR), and 5 at OSCA (DM, SM) were the only reported east of Columbia. Thirty Lesser Yellowlegs were the 1st seen this season when TJ came upon them along County Road 720, Dunklin 14 Mar. The species was seen in typical numbers throughout the state, with a high of about 400 in Dunklin 29 Apr (TJ). The last of the season was 1 at RMBS 30 May (BR). Only about 20 reports of Upland Sandpipers came in to eBird this season. DW reported the 1st 8 Apr at SL. No Upland Sandpipers were reported east of Boone, where one was photographed at EBCA 18 May (Ryan Douglas). A pair of Whimbrels arrived at SCNWR 23 Apr (Thomas Gaines), and 1 was still there 26 Apr. The only other Whimbrels reported this season were 5 at RMBS 31 May (ph. CM, JM, CMcC). One Hudsonian Godwit was at SCNWR 9-10 Apr (DW), and a seasonal high of 15 were there 20 Apr (DW). Sporadic sightings of up to 6 continued at SCNWR until 21 May. Elsewhere, 5 were at Four Rivers CA, Vernon 23 Apr (JC), 1 was in Dunklin 11 Apr and 29 Apr-1 May (TJ), 7 were in Dunklin 13-14 May (TJ), and up to 4 were at EBCA 10-17 May. Marbled Godwits are scarcer in Missouri than Hud- sonian Godwits, and they can be a challenge to identify each spring. The 1st Marbled Godwits were single birds 20 Apr at England Pond, Dade (DM, SM) and SCNWR (DW). Three were at EBCA 22 Apr (GC, AK), and 4 were there 26 Apr (CB). One was still at SCNWR 23 Apr (DR fide JH). Few Ruddy Turnstones were seen this spring. Two Red Knots were at SLNWR 6 May

Page 139 THE BLUEBIRD

This trio of Marbled Godwits was at Eagle Bluffs Conservation Area in Boone County on April 22, when they were reported by Grant Connette and Andrew Kinslow. Photo by Andrew Kinslow.

(SK). The 1st was at EBCA 10-11 May (GC). TJ photographed the season’s only Ruff in Dunklin 23 Mar. Missouri birders reported low numbers of Stilt Sandpipers starting with 2 at Grand Pass CA, Saline 20 Apr (MB). MR had the season’s high count of 209 at SCNWR 15 May. DW had the only Sanderling seen away from RMBS with 1 at SOCA 1 May. Single birds were reported at RMBS 8-9 May and 30-31 May (both m. obs.). Dunlin returned 14 Mar, when 8 were in Dunklin (TJ). About 1000 Dunlins were there 8 May (TJ). Doug Willis reported the only 3 Western Sandpipers, more rare in spring than in fall in Missouri, of the spring at SCNWR 13 Apr. Single Wilson’s Phalaropes at EBCA (AK, KW) and OSCA (m. obs.) 10 Apr were the 1st of the season. Nearly 100 were at SCNWR 15 May (MR). Only one Red-necked Phalarope was observed migrating through Missouri this year, and it was at SCNWR 5 May (DW).

GULLS THROUGH FALCONS

Nearly 300 Bonaparte’s Gulls were at Bagnell Dam on the Lake of the Ozarks, Miller 10 Apr (CB). The species was entirely gone from Missouri by the end of April, as the final 10 were at SL 29 Apr (DW). The Aldrich Arm of Stockton Lake, Polk hosted 1-2 Little Gulls 29-30 Mar. An adult was found by Paul Hostetler (ph. and documented by GS, acc.) 29 Mar, and a 1st cycle bird was seen 30 Mar (ph., GSw, GS, acc.). A Laughing Gull was at SL 27- 29 Apr (DW). The vast majority of Franklin’s Gull observations came from w. Missouri, with a high count of 275 at SLNWR 7 Apr (SK). The only outli- ers were 1 at Bellerive Park, St. Louis City 8 Mar (CMcC, AR) and 2 at RMBS 9 May (CM, JM). One Thayer’s Gull was observed at SL 5 Apr (DW) and 2 were across the state at RMBS 7 Mar (CM, JM). An Iceland Gull

Page 140 THE BLUEBIRD was hanging out at RMBS 6-7 Mar (m. obs.), and another 1 was seen at Long Branch Lake SP, Macon 10-14 Mar (m. obs., acc.). One Lesser Black- backed Gull was at Long Branch Lake SP 5-13 Mar (CB, m. obs.), and 2nd cycle individual was very well described by BR at RMBS 25-26 Apr (m. obs.). Two Glaucous Gulls were seen 14 Mar, one each at Long Branch Lake SP (DM, SM) and RMBS (JU, David Marjamaa). Relatively few Least Terns were reported this spring. Only 1-4 were reported from RMBS 12-30 May, and 1-2 were at EBCA 17-21 May. The highest count of the season was a paltry 5 at Ten Mile Pond CA, Mississippi 21 May (MH). Most Caspian Tern counts were of 1-5 individuals this season, so counts of 34 and 21 at SL 14 and 21 May, respectively, were notable. MR tallied 715 Black Terns at SCNWR 15 May. Missouri birders are reminded that distinguishing Common Terns and Forster’s Terns can be quite challenging during spring migration. Generally, Forster’s Terns far outnumber Common Terns in Missouri during most of the season, and not every individual can be suc- cessfully identified to species. eBird users are encouraged to record these confusing terns as “Sterna sp.” or “Common/Forster’s Tern” if a positive identification cannot be made. Several Common Terns were reported to eBird including 1 at RMBS 15 May (CM, JM); 2-6 at SL 18-20 May (DW), and 1 at Lake Springfield, Greene 21 May (GSw). In contrast, eBird saw dozens of Forster’s Tern reports, including counts of 14 at EBCA 26 Apr (EW), 17 at RMBS 2 May (CM), 30 at Longview Lake, Jackson 4 May (KD) and a high of 56 at SL 7 May (DW).

A White-winged Dove visited Dallas 16 Apr (DM, SM). The 1st Yellow- billed Cuckoo arrived 16 Apr at DeLaney Farm, Mississippi, but the 2nd wasn’t seen until 24 Apr at TGP (Tom Bailey). From that point on, the species was seen in good numbers throughout the state through the remainder of spring. As is typical, fewer Black-billed Cuckoos were seen compared to their Yellow-billed congeners. Black-billed Cuckoos arrived 30 Apr in Ralls (Cory Gregory), and were then seen in ones and twos throughout the state, except the Bootheel, through the end of the season. Few Greater Roadrunners were reported, all in the sw., and most reports may represent the same individual hanging around a subdivision in Greene. Reports of a single bird in Greene arrived 16 Mar (CBu, DM, SM), 16 May (CBu, Jill Hays), and 21 May (GSw). The only other Greater Roadrunner reported to eBird was in McDonald 19 May (JC).

Every Barn Owl report came from s. Missouri. Up to 4 were at Maintz Wildlife Preserve, Cape Girardeau 7 Mar-25 May (m. obs.). Others were reported in w. Missouri during March and April in Vernon, Newton, Law- rence, and Henry. The highest count of 7 came from Jackson 29 May (Mary Wilcox). A few Short-eared Owls were still around to start the season at Bradford Farm, Boone 5-9 Mar (GC, AK) and singles were seen in Lawrence, Clay, Dunklin, St. Clair, and Ray through the end of March. Seven were observed in Livingston 7 Mar (SK). The last 1-2 were at SCNWR 10-13 Apr (DW). Common Nighthawks returned 25 Apr in Perryville, Perry (JeM, NM) and quickly spread throughout the state. Unlike the fall, when high numbers of migrants are seen, all but one report to eBird was in the single

Page 141 THE BLUEBIRD digits. The highest count was 10 at Chert Hollow Farm, Boone 25 May (Eric Reuter). Chuck-will’s-widows returned to Montauk SP, Miller 18 Apr (Mike Doyen, Louise Wilkinson), and Eastern Whip-poor-wills were back in Ste. Genevieve 5 Apr (Robert Emmett). TJ reported the 1st Ruby- throated Hummingbird of the season 7 Apr in Dunklin. Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers largely departed by mid-April, with one holdout at CP 27 Apr- 2 May (CMcC, AR). Merlins were sporadically observed in late March through mid April, with at least a few sightings from most parts of the state except the Ozarks, Bootheel, and ne. Don Merz had the season’s only Prai- rie Falcon at SCNWR 13 Mar.

FLYCATCHERS THROUGH LONGSPURS

An Olive-sided Flycatcher was at Longview Lake, Jackson 1-3 May (KD, GJ). BJ saw the last of the season at Runge Conservation Nature Center, Cole 27 May. Eastern Wood-Pewees returned to Carter 25 Apr (MRo). A Yellow-bellied Flycatcher, the season’s 1st, was at Lake Springfield City Park, Greene 10 May (Ann Liles, Jill Hays). The species was subsequently seen through the end of the month. Acadian Flycatchers returned on schedule, with 1 at the Lost Valley Trail of Weldon Spring CA, St. Charles 25 Apr (JM). Alder Flycatchers returned to Boone, Phelps, St. Charles, and Vernon 9 May (m. obs.), and the very similar Willow Flycatchers returned just a couple days earlier 7 May in Barry (MR) and Dunklin (TJ). Least Flycatchers are usually the 1st Empidonax sp. to return to Missouri each spring, and this year was no exception. Brian Voorhees saw the 1st of the year at Centennial Bridge, Platte 20 Apr. A few Eastern Phoebes are usually seen during the winter in Missouri, so the species typically starts showing up throughout the state in mid March. This year was no exception, as multiple birds started showing up across the state starting 11 Mar. TJ found a wayward Say’s Phoebe, Missouri’s 14th, in Dunklin 5 Apr. Several Scissor-tailed Flycatchers began returning to sw. Missouri 1 Apr (m. obs.).

Nearly all of the Loggerhead Shrikes were observed w. of the Lake of the Ozarks, although a few were seen near Rolla and in the se. One Northern Shrike was at Bradford Farm, Boone 21-23 Mar (m. obs.). None of the vireo species arrived earlier than expected, and all were seen in typical numbers through the season after their arrivals. Fish Crows were seen throughout the state south of, and along, Interstate 70. Steve Kinder noted that their numbers are increasing in n.-cen. Missouri. Northern Rough-winged Swallows returned 26 Mar at Bagnell Dam, Miller (CB), Purple Martins showed up 21 Mar in Perryville, Perry (JeM, NM), the 1st Tree Swallow was at Perry County Community Lake, Perry 11 Mar (NM), a Bank Swal- low turned up at Creve Coeur Lake and County Park, St. Louis 3 Apr (CM), the 1st Barn Swallow was in Clay 6 Mar (DW, acc.) and a Cliff Swallow at Bagnell Dam, Miller 25 Mar (CB) was the state’s 3rd earliest spring record. Ten reports of widely scattered single Red-breasted Nuthatches came from Missouri eBird users 3 Mar-2 May. Most of the Brown Creepers departed by mid-April, but 1 was seen at TGP 1 May (m. obs.).

Page 142 THE BLUEBIRD One Winter Wren at TGP 4 May (Tom Bailey) was Missouri’s 3rd latest spring record. A well-described Bewick’s Wren was reported 26 May in Marion, which is well outside the species’ typical range. Two Blue-gray Gnatcatchers at Little Dixie Lake CA, Callaway 28 Mar were the 3rd earliest (Ian Cost). A high of 4 Veeries were at Longview Lake, Jackson 2 May (Eric Walters) and Trail of Tears SP, Cape Girardeau 9 May (JB, MR). DB observed 73 Swainson’s Thrushes along Red Bridge Road, Christian 2 May. MR reported 1 Sprague’s Pipit at Rosecrans Memorial Airport, Bu- chanan 11 Apr. Eight Smith’s Longspurs were at Dunn Ranch, Harrison 21 Mar (DW), and over 200 were at nearby Pawnee Prairie CA, Harrison 23 Mar (SK). Elsewhere, 1 was at Wha-sha-she Prairie, Jasper 29 Mar; 1 was at Bradford Farm, Boone 11 Apr (m. obs.); 10 were at Rosecrans Memorial Airport, Buchanan 11 Apr (MR); 125 were at Dunn Ranch, Harrison 11 Apr (SK); and 7 were in Clinton 16 Apr (Danny Akers).

WARBLERS THROUGH OLD WORLD SPARROWS

Warbler migration went as expected this season; species arrived and departed on time in expected numbers. That said, Missouri saw its earliest and 2nd earliest spring records for Ovenbird when 2 were seen along Red Bridge Road, Christian 9 Apr (DB, acc.) and 8 were along the Sugar Camp National Forest Scenic Byway, Barry 11 Apr (BBs, DB). Worm-eating Warblers tied their earliest arrival 17 Apr with 1 along Red Bridge Road, Christian (m. obs.), 2 at the Lost Valley Trail at Weldon Spring CA, St. Charles (Diana Bricmont, Bryan Prather), and 2 at Rockwoods Reservation, St. Louis (JM). A Golden-winged Warbler at Castlewood SP 25 Apr (m. obs.) tied the 2nd earliest spring record. Only two Swainson’s Warblers were seen this sea-

Always unexpected so far north and west was this Swainson’s Warbler. Found and photographed by Linda Williams at Hidden Valley Park in Clay County, May 28-31, 2015.

Page 143 THE BLUEBIRD son. The 1st was at the expected location of Blue Spring, Shannon 10 May (DM, SM), but the 2nd was very unexpected at Hidden Valley Park, Clay near Kansas City 28-31 May (ph. Linda Williams, m. obs., acc.). A total of 5 Connecticut Warblers were observed this year. Four were in the St. Louis area, and the 5th was across the state near Kansas City. The 1st arrived 15 May at BSP (JM). Single birds were at TGP 19 May and 24 May (m. obs.); 1 was at Busch CA, St. Charles 20 May (CM); and 1 was well described at Longview Lake, Jackson 27 May (Eric Walters). American Redstarts in Christian and St. Charles 17 Apr tied the 3rd earliest record date. Cape May Warblers were only seen in the St. Louis area this year, with 1-4 reported from TGP, CP, Forest Park, and the Missouri Botanical Garden in St. Louis City and at BSP 2-21 May (m. obs.). One Black-throated Blue Warbler visited TGP 14 May (m. obs.). One Palm Warbler at Perry Coun- ty Community Lake, Perry was a little early 12 Apr (JeM, NM). Yellow- breasted Chats arrived early this season, with 1 at Busiek State Forest and Wildlife Area, Christian 17 Apr (m. obs.) setting a new 2nd earliest record, and 1 in Carter 18 Apr tied the 3rd earliest record.

A Spotted Towhee showed at Smithville 23 Mar (DW). American Tree Sparrows departed on schedule with the last 2 being seen at Longview Lake, Jackson 12 Apr (Heidi Retherford). Clay-colored Sparrows can be tough to find in Missouri some years, and this was one of those years with only about 20 reports to eBird 25 Apr-15 May. The majority of the reports came from w. Missouri, but couple came from EBCA in cen. Missouri, and two more reports came from the St. Louis area. Two Lark Sparrows in Webster were record early by three days 17 Mar (GS). One Le Conte’s Sparrow was in Jackson 22 Mar (SL), and another was at SL 23 Mar (DW). Up to 3 were seen at Bradford Farm, Boone 11-14 Apr (m. obs.), and 1 was at EBCA 18 Apr (GC). The last Le Conte’s Sparrow of the season was at SL 29 Apr (DM, SM). The only Nelson’s Sparrow of the year was at EBCA 9- 10 May (GC, BJ, Joseph Bieksza, EF). White-throated Sparrows lingered through most of the season with 1 still at TGP 25 May (Pat Lueders). All of the Harris’s Sparrows were in the w. third of Missouri, except for 1 at Bradford Farm, Boone 15 and 18 Mar (BJ, CB) and 1 in Cole 22 Mar (GL). The last Harris’s Sparrow of the season was in Platte 13 May (Nic Allen). A trio of White-crowned Sparrows stuck around Burr Oak Woods CA, Jack- son until at least 15 May (MB). A single Dark-eyed Junco was still at Weston Bend SP, Platte 6 May (GCu, GJ). A Summer Tanager set a new early arrival date by one day 10 Apr (MRo). Summer Tanagers arrived on the 3rd earliest date for the species, 16 Apr, in Dunklin (TJ) and Newton (JC). Prior to this year the earliest Scarlet Tanager record in Missouri was 15 Apr 2013. This year saw 13 individuals tie or beat that date! The 1st 2, and new earliest record, arrived along Red Bridge Road, Christian 9 Apr (DB, acc.). Another 6 were observed along the Sugar Camp National Forest Scenic Byway, Barry 11 Apr (BBs, DB, acc.), 4 were at Ketcherside Moun- tain CA, Iron 15 Apr (Matt Jones), and 1 was seen at Wildcat Glades, New- ton 15 Apr (JC). One Rose-breasted Grosbeak was the 3rd earliest record 20 Apr in Clinton (Danny Akers). A Blue Grosbeak at Hornersville Swamp, Dunklin 16 Apr (TJ) was the 3rd earliest record. Only one Lazuli

Page 144 THE BLUEBIRD Bunting was observed this year, and it was in Jackson 4 May (Joseph Mos- ley). DC found an adult male Painted Bunting out of range at SLNWR 5 May (acc.). The last 3 Purple Finches were in St. Charles 11 May (Jeff Tamaroff). Leftover from the winter season, up to 7 Common Redpolls were at Frankie Cuculich’s home in Adair 1-10 Mar. They were joined by 1 Hoary Redpoll, Missouri’s 3rd record, during the same time period. Anoth- er Common Redpoll was in Daviess 22 Mar (SK). Pine Siskins stuck around through the entire season, as several scattered reports came to eBird the last half of May. One was still rather far south in Dunklin 31 May (TJ). One Eurasian Tree Sparrow in Cass 1-5 Mar (GCu) was the only individual that strayed away from the Mississippi River.

Observers: Kathleen Anderson (KA), Chris Barrigar (CB), Michael Beck (MB), Barbara Blevins (BB), David Blevins (DB), John Bollin (JB), Charles Burwick (CBu), Jeff Cantrell (JC), Grant Connette (GC), Dan Cowell (DC), Ginny Culver (GCu), Karen Davis (KD), Eric Fishel (EF), Mark Haas (MH), Jack Hil- sabeck (JH), Brad Jacobs (BJ), Gareth Johnson (GJ), Timothy Jones (TJ), Steve Kinder (SK), Andrew Kinslow (AK), Greg Leonard (GL), Sherry Leo- nardo (SL), Charlene Malone (CM), Jim Malone (JM), Jenna March (JeM), Nicholas March (NM), Debbie Martin (DM), Steve Martin (SM), Chrissy McClaren (CMcC), Melissa Roach (MRo), Mark Robbins (MR), Daniel Rob- erton (DR), Bill Rowe (BR), Greg Samuel (GS), Greg Swick (GSw), Josh Uff- man (JU), Edge Wade (EW), Doug Willis (DW), Karen Wosilait (KW).

Abbreviations acc. - Documented and accepted by the MBRC ad. - Adult CA - Conservation Area cen. - Central e. - East m. obs. - Multiple observers n. - North ne. - Northeast NF - National Forest NFWR - National Fish and Wildlife Refuge nw. - Northwest NWR - National Wildlife Refuge ph. - Photographed s. - South se. - Southeast SP - State Park sw. - Southwest w. - West

Location Abbreviations (counties are in italics) BSP-Babler State Park, St. Louis County CP-Carondelet Park, St. Louis City CCNWR-Clarence Cannon National Wildlife Refuge, Pike County

Page 145 THE BLUEBIRD CBCA-Columbia Bottom Conservation Area, St. Louis County DCCA-Duck Creek Conservation Area, Bollinger, Stoddard, and Wayne counties EBCA-Eagle Bluffs Conservation Area, Boone County MNWR-Mingo National Wildlife Refuge, Stoddard, Wayne, and Bollinger counties OSCA-Otter Slough Conservation Area, Stoddard County RMBS-Riverlands Migratory Bird Sanctuary, St. Charles County TGP-Tower Grove Park, St. Louis City SOCA-Schell-Osage Conservation Area, Vernon County SL-Smithville Lake, Clay County SCNWR-Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge, Holt County SLNWR-Swan Lake National Wildlife Refuge Chariton County

References eBird. 2015. eBird: An online database of bird distribution and abundance [web application]. eBird, Ithaca, New York. Available: http:// www.ebird.org. (Accessed: 24 July 2015).

Guinon, P. Missouri Climate Center. Retrieved from http:// climate.missouri.edu/. (Accessed: 10 October 2015).

Uffman, J. Record Arrival and Departure Dates for Missouri. Retrieved from http://www.showme-birds.com/index_files/MORecords%20Earliest- Latest%20Dates.pdf. (Accessed: 10 October 2015).

A BIRDERS’ GUIDE TO MISSOURI PUBLIC LANDS Edge Wade and Others

MARSHALL HABILITATION CENTER LAKE Edge Wade, summer 2015

12 acres (lake portion, only) Saline Co. DeLorme 29, H-8; GPS: 39.1323634- 93.1813846; MDC managed by agreement with MO Dept. of Mental Health. For additional information or to report problems, contact Marshall Habilita- tion Center Facilities Operations Manager 660-886-2201; or MDC at 573- 815-7900.

Directions: From Highway 65 on the north end of Marshall go east on Hwy. 240 about two miles to the junction of Rt. O and North Lincoln Ave- nue. Turn south on Lincoln, which bisects the lake.

ADA Information: This is a good area for birding from a vehicle, as most of it is visible from the lots or from points requiring a minimum of walking.

Features of interest to birders: This park-like area is designed for easy access. It has seven parking lots, eight fishing jetties, a fishing dock, gravel

Page 146 THE BLUEBIRD boat ramp, picnic areas and a pavilion. Birders may walk or drive to several points to observe the lake and view birds in the immediate vicinity.

When to Visit/Species to Expect: Fall and winter bring a variety of waterfowl to the lake, including Greater White-fronted, Snow and Cackling Goose. Ten species of ducks have been reported at the site; more surely drop in occasionally. Great Blue and Green Herons fish there, as do kingfishers. Martins, swallows and swifts hunt overhead. In the surround trees in ap- propriate seasons, species as varied as Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Warbling Vir- eo, Red-bellied and Red-headed Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Cedar Wax- wing and Purple Finch have been observed. Sparrows reported include Chipping, Fox, Song, White-throated, as well as Dark-eyed Juncos.

Toilets: 1 privy

Camping: None

Hazards/Limitations: None noted

Nearby Birding Sites: Van Meter SP, Grand Pass CA, Malta Bend CL, Miami Access, Blue Lick CA.

Page 147 THE BLUEBIRD MCCREDIE FARM LAKE (University of Missouri)

12 acres Callaway Co. DeLorme 38, B-4; GPS: 38.948330, -91.909265; Owned and maintained by the University of Missouri; agreement with MDC, call 573-815-7900.

Directions: From I-70 at Kingdom City, take US 54 north 0.25 miles to a right onto the outer road (Old Hwy. 40) and go 2 miles east to the signed entrance road on the left.

This is a small site worth a stop to see what might be present in the lakelet and mixed habitats around it. As of the summer of 2015, 83 species have been reported.

ADA Information: This area has a mowed, but not paved path along the south and east sides of the pond.

When to Visit/Species to Expect: Anytime is good for expected birds expected in mid-Missouri in season. Eleven species of ducks, Pied-billed and Horned Grebes, all the mimids, Blue Grosbeak, Northern Bobwhite, both kinglets, and several sparrow species, including Vesper, Fox and Swamp have been seen.

Features of interest to birders: The fence row on the right the low, often wet patch of woods on the left along the entrance road should be checked. A fisherman path goes around the pond, but going is difficult on the west, wooded side, and access from that side is fenced and gated from the parking lot. The walk from the dam and part of the east side are usually mowed. The trees near the parking lot and brushy area below the dam can produce some surprises.

The grassland and fields visible from the entrance road and parking lot may harbor meadowlarks, Dickcissels, and sparrows. Raptors may be as interest- ed in these as birders are, so keep an eye to the sky.

Toilet: None

Camping: No facilities

Hazards/Limitations: None noted other than the difficulty to return to the parking lot from the west side of the lake. It is suggested that birders re- trace their steps, rather than attempt to complete the circuit of the lake.

Nearby Birding Sites: Teal and Lakeview Lake in Mexico, Whetstone Creek CA, Little Dixie Lake CA.

Page 148 THE BLUEBIRD

**************** MILLSTREAM GARDENS CONSERVATION AREA Edge Wade, summer 2015 916 acres Madison Co. DeLorme 57, C-7; GPS: 37.5723487,-90.465530; MDC owned; for more information call 573-290-5730

Directions: From Fredericktown, Go 8 miles west on MO 72. Turn left (south) at the MDC sign onto PR 9534. From Ironton, go about 9 miles east on MO 72. At .5 miles down PR 9534, a left (east) turn will take you to the parking lot for the paved Tiemann Shut-ins Hiking Trail discussed below. Stay straight on PR 9534 to continue to a fork where staying left leads to the pavilion and the right option leads to the archery range and the river access (canoe put-in). About 60% of the area lies south of the St. Francis River. There is one parking lot on Rt. D. south of MO 72. The south portion is not discussed in this guide.

There is natural beauty here that will likely distract even the most avid birder from the intensity of birding. Millstream Gardens would be a solid contender for a top ten position in a scenic beauty contest among Missouri conservation areas, even without the Tiemann Shut-ins. The uplands have oak, hickory and pine, the lands toward the river support elm, maple and ash, all contributing to scenes worthy of the efforts of a most demanding artist’s efforts to capture.

ADA Information: Most of the area’s best features are not accessible by vehicle. The trails have difficult portions.

Page 149 THE BLUEBIRD

The pine with the curlicue trunk at the pavilion. St. Francis River shut-ins in the background. Features of interest to birders: One birder’s comments were “awesome habitat variation.” The area is mostly wooded, with an open area around the pavilion overlooking the river at the 20 acres of shut-ins that are part of the 40-acre St. Francis River Natural Area. The St. Francis River crayfish is a species unique to this river basin.

Tiemann Shut-ins, the heart of the St. Francis River Natural area, is a smaller version of the stream-narrowing igneous rock-strewn river gorges found at Castor River Natural Area, also in Madison Co. (an MDC proper- ty), and Johnson’s Shut-Ins SP (a DNR site) in Reynolds Co., and are similar to the granite and sandstone shut-ins of Pickle Creek in Ste. Genevieve Co. When experiencing these shut-ins, the intake of the senses of sight, smell, and hearing may evoke thoughts of landscapes of western states.

The 1-mile paved Tiemann Shut-ins Hiking Trail follows a fairly gentle grade from the parking area on the first left-hand road off PR 9534 down to an overlook at the St. Francis River with a view of the shut-ins in the natural area. The paved portion is not a loop. Unless you are keen for a long hike, when you reach the overlook, the shortest route to your car is to re- trace your steps to the trailhead.

At the overlook, the east-west natural surface Turkey Creek Trail parallels the river. Heading west for 1/3 mile will bring you to the privy and parking lot near the pavilion at the end of the left fork (still a good distance uphill to return to the Tiemann Shut-ins trailhead). Heading east from the overlook, the trail continues for a half-mile within the conservation area then con- nects with another half-mile trail leading to the Silver Mines Recreation Area within the Mark Twain National Forest, managed by the U.S. Forest Service (call 573-364-4621 or see http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/mtnf/ recarea/?recid=21840 for additional information).

Page 150 THE BLUEBIRD When to Visit/Species to Expect: This seldom-birded area would be visited daily if it were close to avid birders. The natural beauty awaits any time of year. The birds are there, too, and the potential for a good variety is present any time of year. The checklist (as of summer of 2014) of 86 species includes many that are found in limited habitats/timeframes in Missouri. Even on a chilly, rainy January day a birder may be rewarded with Winter Wren, Fox Sparrow, Belted Kingfishers and Bald Eagles. March trips have included Wood Ducks, American Woodcock, Barred Owl, Hermit Thrush, Fox, Savannah, Swamp, Field, White-throated and Song Sparrows. Birders visiting in late June have found as many as 51 species in a 3-hour trip. Spe- cies reported in June include Acadian Flycatcher, Ovenbird, Louisiana Wa- terthrush Prairie, Pine, Kentucky and Yellow-throated Warbler, Blue Gros- beak and Henslow’s Sparrow, Wood Thrush, Red-eyed, White-eyed and Warbling Vireos. A late November trip report includes Brown Creeper, Win- ter Wren, and Hermit Thrush. December birds include Golden-crowned Kinglet, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker and Hermit Thrush.

Toilets: 3 privies, near main parking lots

Camping: No designated facilities

Hazards/Limitations: Birders may wish to avoid the hubbub of the Mis- souri Whitewater Championships based at Millstream Gardens CA, typically held in March. Check the date for the annual event. The field archery range provides an area of good birding, but do not enter the archery trail if bowmen are present.

Nearby Birding Sites: Roselle Access, Thompson Ford Access, Fredrick- town City L., Iron Mountain City L., Bismarck Lake, Elephant Rocks SP.

Page 151 THE BLUEBIRD TIME TO RENEW!!

Kevin Wehner

The ASM membership year runs from January 1 to December 31. All ASM memberships other than Life Memberships are due for renewal now. If you are a new member who joined ASM after Septem- ber 1, 2015, you do not need to renew until December 2016. You may renew your membership online or use the membership renewal form on the back cover of any recent Bluebird.

To renew online, go to ASM’s website, www.mobirds.org/ASM/ Membership.aspx and follow the directions.

Online renewal has an advantage in that you may use the online form and still write a traditional check, or you can pay directly, using PayPal. You do not need to establish a PayPal account to use this service. Yes, ASM pays a small fee (74 cents per membership) for this PayPal service. This online service saves the membership chair and the treasurer (both volunteers) a lot of time and work. Further, this saves you the need for a stamp and envelope and makes the renewal process direct. PayPal sends an email receipt for the transaction to the individual renewing and to the membership chair. This same online process is used for new memberships also.

Your membership is important. Membership dues support ASM’s mission of conservation and education, and the services to enhance your birding experience in Missouri.

If you have any questions or problems with the renewal process, please feel free to contact me.

Kevin Wehner ASM Membership Chair 2101 W. Broadway, PMB 122 Columbia, MO. 65203-1261 [email protected] (573) 815-0352

Page 152 THE BLUEBIRD The Bluebird

Awards Committee: The ASM Executive Committee

Webmaster: Patrick Harrison

Executive Committee: Shari Harden, Mark Haas, Scott Laurent, Pat Lueders, and Bill Eddleman

Missouri Bird Conservation Initiative: Susan Hazelwood

Conservation Partnership Coordinator: Scott Laurent

Grassland Bird Coordinator: Mike Doyen

Missouri Bird Records Committee: Brad Jacobs, Chair Bill Rowe, Secretary Brad Jacobs, Paul McKenzie, Mark Robbins, Kristi Mayo, Josh Uffman, Joe Eades, and Bill Rowe ———————————————————————————————————-

ADDRESS CHANGES

If you move to a new address or you register a temporary address with the post office, please let ASM know. For an address change, just send me an email with your new address, or mail me a note. If it is a temporary address, do the same thing, but also let me know the date of your return and whether you want THE BLUEBIRD sent to your temporary address or held and sent after you return home. You can also change your address anytime on your own by logging into your profile at MOBIRDS.ORG. Thank you!

Kevin Wehner ASM Membership Chair 2101 W. Broadway, PMB 122 Columbia, MO 65203-1261 (573) 815-0352 [email protected]

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