Missouri Christmas Bird Counts—2010-2011—Randy L

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BLUEBIRBLUEBIR DD The voice of ASM since 1934

June 2011 Volume 78, No. 2

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

Officers Regional Directors Bruce Beck*+, President (2012) Lisa Berger+ (2011) 230 CR 466; Poplar Bluff, MO 63901 Springfield (417) 881-8393 (573) 785-3871 Gary Chastain+ (2013) [email protected] Lesterville June Newman*+, Vice-President Jo Ann Eldridge+ (2011) (2012) Kearny (816) 628-4840 209 Santa Fe Street Carrollton, MO 64633; (660) 542-0873 Susan Hazelwood+ (2012) [email protected] Columbia, (573) 445-4925 Shari Harden*+, Secretary (2012) Larry Lade+ (2012) 513 NE Grant Drive St. Joseph (816) 232-6125 Blue Springs, MO 64014; Terry McNeely+ (2013) (816) 229-3979 Jameson, MO (660) 828-4215 [email protected] Ruth Simmons+ (2011) Pat Lueders*+, Treasurer (2012) Lee’s Summit 1147 Hawken Pl. St. Louis, MO 63119; (314) 779-1372 Clare Wheeler+ (2013) [email protected] Lake Ozark & Canton (573) 365-2951 Honorary Directors Phil Wire+ (2013) Richard A. Anderson, St. Louis** Bowling Green

Nathan Fay, Ozark** Leo Galloway, St. Joseph Chairs Jim Jackson, Marthasville Rare Bird Alert (VACANT) Lisle Jeffrey, Columbia** 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** John Wylie, Jefferson City** Jerry Wade, Membership 1221 Bradshaw Avenue Columbia, MO 65203 Dr. David Easterla, 2006 Recipient (573) 445-6697 of the Rudolph Bennitt Award [email protected] Paul E. Bauer, 2004 Recipient of the Rudolph 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, 429 Belleview Ave., Webster Groves MO 63119 (314) 968-8128, [email protected]

Migratory Bird Count Compiler David Rogles, 60 Shadowridge Drive St. Peters, MO 63376 (636) 936-0660, [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: Kristi Mayo, 1807 Clear Creek Dr., Kearney, MO 64060 (816) 289–7828, [email protected] Summer: Josh Uffman, 707 Ashton Way Circle, Eureka, MO 63025 (636) 587-6016; [email protected] Fall: Walter Wehtje, 106 N. Glenwood Avenue, Columbia, MO 65203 (573) 447-0039; [email protected] Winter: Joe Eades, 517 Willow Lane, Kirkwood, MO, 63122, (314) 835- 0353, [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 Compilers Winter (Dec. 1-Feb. 28)—to Joe Eades by Mar. 10 Spring (Mar. 1-May 31)—to Kristi Mayo by June 10 Summer (June 1-July. 31)—to Josh Uffman by Aug 10 Fall (Aug. 1-Nov. 30)—to Bill Eddleman by Dec. 10

Page ii THE BLUEBIRD Table of Contents

June 2011 Volume 78, No. 2

59 President’s Corner—Bruce Beck 61 Backyard Birding—Steve Vogel 62 Armchair Birding: A Review of The Crossley ID Guide (2011) by Rich- ard Crossley—Kristi Mayo 65 Missouri Christmas Bird Counts—2010-2011—Randy L. Korotev 88 Winter 2010-2011 Seasonal Report—Joseph W. Eades

100 A Birder’s Guide to Missouri Public Lands—Edge Wade and Others

Front Cover— Golden-crowned Sparrow found by Steve Dilks January 9, 2011 at his backyard feeder in Linn, Osage County. The bird stayed until the end of the season and was enjoyed by many. Photo taken January 14, 2011 by Josh Uffman.

A Short-eared Owl shows off its black wrists. Photo by Al Smith, taken at Riverlands Migratory Bird Sanctuary, St. Charles County, on December 28, 2010.

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—Bruce Beck

Dear Fellow Birders, All who attended the Spring Meeting in Kan- sas City are grateful for an outstanding experi- ence. Liz and Mike Stoakes and the many Bur- roughs Audubon Chapter are to be commended for a superb job as hosts.

The weather on Friday and Saturday was perfect for great field trips, lots of birds – and a little sunburn. A total of 183 species is some- thing to brag about. Too bad everyone could not be on each of the field trips. The Eurasian Wigeon was a life bird for many, if not all who went to Squaw Creek. There were more life birds for many participants.

Below is the total list for all field trips. Read through it and see what the Kansas City area has to offer this time of year. Let me know of any addi- tions or corrections.

Snow Goose American White American Golden-Plover Ross's Goose Pelican Wilson’s Plover Canada Goose Double-crested Semipalmated Plover Wood Duck Cormorant Killdeer Gadwall Great Blue Heron American Avocet Eurasian Wigeon Great Egret Spotted Sandpiper American Wigeon Snowy Egret Solitary Sandpiper Mallard Green Heron Greater Yellowlegs Blue-winged Teal White-faced Ibis Willet Northern Shoveler Turkey Vulture Lesser Yellowlegs Northern Pintail Osprey Upland Sandpiper Green-winged Teal Bald Eagle Hudsonian Godwit Canvasback Northern Harrier Marbled Godwit Ring-necked Duck Sharp-shinned Hawk Semipalmated Lesser Scaup Cooper’s Hawk Sandpiper Hooded Merganseer Red-shouldered Hawk Least Sandpiper Ruddy Duck Broad-winged Hawk White-rumped Ring-necked Pheasant Swainson’s Hawk Sandpiper Wild Turkey Red-tailed Hawk Baird’s Sandpiper Northern Bobwhite American Kestrel Pectoral Sandpiper Common Loon Peregrine Falcon Dunlin Pied-billed Grebe Sora Short-billed Dowitcher Horned Grebe American Coot Long-billed Dowitcher Eared Grebe Black-bellied Plover Wilson’s Snipe

Page 59 THE BLUEBIRD Wilson's Phalarope Purple Martin American Redstart Bonaparte's Gull Tree Swallow Prothonotary Warbler Franklin's Gull Northern Rough- Ovenbird Ring-billed Gull winged Swallow Northern Waterthrush Caspian Tern Bank Swallow Louisiana Waterthrush Black Tern Cliff Swallow Kentucky Warbler Forster's Tern Barn Swallow Common Yellowthroat Rock Pigeon Black-capped Chickadee Yellow-breasted Chat Eurasian Collared Tufted Titmouse Eastern Towhee -Dove Red-breasted Nuthatch American Tree Sparrow Mourning Dove White-breasted Chipping Sparrow Barred Owl Nuthatch Clay-colored Sparrow Common Nighthawk Brown Creeper Field Sparrow Chimney Swift Carolina Wren Lark Sparrow Ruby-throated House Wren Savannah Sparrow Hummingbird Winter Wren Grasshopper Sparrow Belted Kingfisher Marsh Wren Henslow’s Sparrow Red-headed Woodpecker Ruby-crowned Kinglet Song Sparrow Red-bellied Woodpecker Blue-gray Gnatcatcher Lincoln’s Sparrow Downy Woodpecker Eastern Bluebird Swamp Sparrow Hairy Woodpecker Swainson’s Thrush White-throated Sparrow Northern Flicker Wood Thrush Harris’s Sparrow Pileated Woodpecker American Robin White-crowned Sparrow Eastern Wood-Pewee Gray Catbird Summer Tanager Least Flycatcher Northern Mockingbird Scarlet Tanager Eastern Phoebe Brown Thrasher Northern Cardinal Great Crested European Starling Rose-breasted Grosbeak Flycatcher American Pipit Indigo Bunting Western Kingbird Cedar Waxwing Dickcissel Eastern Kingbird Blue-winged Warbler Red-winged Blackbird Scissor-tailed Tennessee Warbler Eastern Meadowlark Flycatcher Orange-crowned Warbler Yellow-headed Loggerhead Shrike Nashville Warbler Blackbird White-eyed Vireo Northern Parula Common Grackle Bell's Vireo Yellow Warbler Brown-headed Cowbird Yellow-throated Vireo Yellow-rumped Warbler Orchard Oriole Blue-headed Vireo Black-throated Green Baltimore Oriole Warbling Vireo Warbler House Finch Red-eyed Vireo Blackburnian Warbler American Goldfinch Blue Jay Yellow-throated Warbler House Sparrow American Crow Palm Warbler Fish Crow Black-and-white Horned Lark Warbler

Bruce Beck President, Audubon Society of Missouri

Page 60 THE BLUEBIRD Backyard Birding

Steve Vogel

Want to make backyard birding more fun and less of a chore? It’s all about how you log your sightings. The key is to do weekly lists, not daily lists.

My wife Corinne and I started keeping backyard bird lists in the 1980s. For years we weren’t very consistent in compiling the daily lists. We were either gone, too busy, forgot, or just felt it was too much of a chore. Then in the late 90s we started keeping the weekly lists. We log only those birds that we positively see or hear on or adjacent to our heavily wooded property.

We use 9 ½ x 6 ¾” spiral notebooks and log each week’s sightings on a single page. Every Sunday morning we start a new list that ends at midnight on the following Saturday. We also jot the date we first observe an arriving or migrating fall or spring bird. By referencing previous years’ notes, we know when to expect new migrants arriving or passing through. We have many spiral notebooks completely full of records. It’s become somewhat of a game for us to see how many species we can log for a given week. Our record is 83 different species during the 2nd week of May in 2005.

There’s always a little extra room on the weekly pages to note unusual events such as extreme cold or snow fall. Interesting unique events are sometimes noted too: “The deer romped at the turkey to shoo them away from the cracked-corn on the ground…. A red-fox unsuccessfully lunged from behind a large stump trying to nab a young turkey…. Screech owls fledged 5 kids May 17…. Yellow- rumped warblers eating suet & white millet daily…. Pileated Wood- pecker feeding two young…. Cooper’s Hawk ate all the peanut butter laced corn-meal.” Sometimes special or personal family events are added as well.

We’ve learned over the years how to keep unwanted varmints off the feeders and what’s the best food to use. Our choices are white millet, black sunflower seed, niger seed, cracked corn, suet cakes, and sometimes peanut butter laced corn meal. Our home-made BigBoy feeder works the best. It has a large feeding tray under it and the unit holds up to 85 lbs of black sunflower seed… enough to last for months when we are away.

Page 61 THE BLUEBIRD Over the years, our efforts have rewarded us with many unusual birds that have stayed days or weeks. Here’s just a few…. Hermit Thrush, Brown Thrasher, Ovenbird, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, orioles, Pine Siskin, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Swamp Sparrow, Fox Sparrow, American Tree Sparrow, Brown Creeper, and six species of woodpecker.

Our notebooks are full of special memories as well as birding records. Some day the grand-kids hopefully will enjoy thumbing (and chuckling) through the pages. Backyard birding is not a chore for us! Join the fun and start your weekly backyard bird lists today! Can you beat our record of 83 different species for a single week? Go for it! Steve and Corinne Vogel [email protected]

Armchair Birding: A Review of The Crossley ID Guide (2011)

(by Richard Crossley)

Kristi Mayo

Field guides have traditionally sought to restore order to an otherwise chaotic world of bird identification—a world so easily set into a state of confusion by an- gle, posture, light, distance, age, sex, molt, and wear. The standard guides present the species to us in a perfect, sterile environment on the printed page: sorted neatly into taxonomic order, arranged one above the other, drawn in similar poses for ease of comparison, and key field marks conveniently highlightedwith ar-

rows, callouts, and captions.

Those field guides remain invaluable for the wealth of information they provide. Earlier this year, however, birder and photographer Richard Crossley released a reference that merges the educational qualities of a field guide with the chaos of the world we view through our binoculars. The result is The Crossley ID Guide.

Page 62 THE BLUEBIRD The feature that sets this book apart from any other is its species plates. In most cases, one page is dedicated to one species. In every case, Crossley has chosen a variety of photographs that depict all plumages (male, female, breeding, non-breeding, adult, juvenile, light morph, dark morph, etc.) and different poses (perched, crouched, flying, etc.). The individual photographs were then “cut and pasted” into multi- layered scenes that attempt to show the birds as they might appear in the field. The images in the foreground are the largest and show the most detail. Mid-range images show birds in flight or for- aging off into the distance. And the most distant images depict birds wheeling through the sky in flocks, loafing on a marsh, or perched backlit in the top of a tall tree.

At first, the approach is almost overwhelming. It is difficult for me to imagine a beginning birder—puzzled at a feathered creature they just saw in the field—flipping open this book and easily finding the clear answer they are looking for. But wait: that is not Crossley’s intent. Instead, he wants each of us to become a “better birder” by studying the plates and coming to our own conclusions—perhaps not in the field, but at home, in our recliners, when we are ready and willing to do a little homework. Then we can take that information and apply it in the field.

In building these plates, Crossley has managed to give us visual cues to a bird’s habitat, behavior, and—most importantly—jizz. Some of the examples will make you smile: a Veery peering out from behind a leaf, only one eye and part of its wing and breast visible; a dimly lit Eastern Whip-poor-will flashing white corners on its tail as it disappears into the dark; or a Prothonotary Warbler emerging from a nest cavity in the swamp. He also provides, where appropri- ate, size comparisons with other familiar species (such as Cackling

Page 63 THE BLUEBIRD Goose beside a Mallard) and side-by- side comparisons of similar species (such as a close-up profile of a Ross’s Goose with a

Snow Goose).

The text below each plate provides an additional level of detail, calling the reader’s atten- tion to the bird’s preferred habitat, voice, similar species, and key identification points. For even more information, the author points us to his website, www.crossleybirds.com, that includes “interactive pages” with notes about identification, tricky ornithological problems (such as the hazy status of “Kumlien’s” Gull), and corrections and clarifications. The in- troductory text of the book also provides a good overview of the author’s approach, and an explana- tion of how he would like to help you become a “better birder”.

One final note about range: Although this book is designated a guide to Eastern Birds, it includes all of the probable vagrants, including those from western North America, Mexico, Europe, and Asia. Crossley plans to develop a Western Birds edition some time in the future, but any birder in the Midwest should be well served by the detail provided in the Eastern Birds edition.

Ruby-throated Hummingbirds “feeding frenzy” at John Hitzeman’s feeder in Troy, Lincoln County, on September 2, 2007. Photo by John Hitzeman.

Page 64 THE BLUEBIRD Missouri Christmas Bird Counts—2010-2011

Randy L. Korotev, CBC Editor

Birders found a total of 154 species on Missouri’s 27 Christmas Bird Counts (Fig. 1, Table 1) this past season. This species count is 4 more than the previous record. Over the past ten years, 184 species have been recorded and 118 of those have been seen each of the ten years. Of the 36 species seen this past season that are not seen every year, 2 are year-round residents, 7 are summer residents, 12 are transients, and 15 are winter visitors. Good weather conditions may have contributed to the high species count. There was little or no snow on most counts, none of the counts experienced any serious rain, and winds of 20 mph or more were an issue on only three counts. Unusual species include 1 Long-tailed Duck (Jefferson City), 1 Black- crowned Night-Heron (Horton-Four Rivers), 1 Iceland Gull (Confluence), 1 Northern Saw-whet Owl (Columbia), and 1 Baltimore Oriole (Horton-Four Rivers). Species reported in high numbers include a remarkable 15,000 Ross’s Geese at Montrose Lake Wildlife Area (along with 240,000 Snow Geese), 1686 Wood Ducks (1560 at Mingo NWR), 2524 Common Goldeneye (1830 at Con- fluence), 248 Ruddy Ducks (12 counts), 226 American White Pelicans (Confluence and Montrose Lake), 666 Northern Harriers (observed on all 27 counts), 242 Red-shouldered Hawks (22 counts), 48 Rough-legged Hawks (16 counts), 22 Merlins (12 counts), 7 Thayer’s Gulls (Confluence), 92 East- ern Screech-Owls (17 counts), 162 Barred Owls (22 counts), 83 Fish Crows (81 at Poplar Bluff), 92 Red-breasted Nuthatches (14 counts), 549 Golden- crowned Kinglets (24 counts), 126 Hermit Thrushes (20 counts), half a mil- lion American Robins (Taney Co.), 295 American Pipits (5 counts), 1543 Yellow-rumped Warblers (24 counts), 16 Pine Warblers (3 counts), 179 East- ern Towhees (13 counts), 11,600 Brown-headed Cowbirds (10,350 at Spring- field), and 86 Common Redpolls (Columbia). Song Sparrows, White-throated Sparrows, and White-crowned Sparrows were more numerous than usual. Bald Eagles, Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers, and Brown Creepers were reported on all 27 counts. Species not reported this year include Greater Prairie- Chicken and Northern Goshawk. I deleted several reports for lack of documentation: 1 each Swainson’s Thrush on 2 counts, 3 Gray Catbirds on one count, 1 American Pipit, 1 Northern Parula, 1 Rose-breasted Grosbeak, and 2 Indigo Buntings on 1 count. These species require documentation because they are listed as casual or accidental, or not listed at all on the Annotated Checklist of Missouri Birds for winter in the region of the state in which they were reported. I

Page 65 THE BLUEBIRD also changed reports of 166 Brewer’s Blackbirds on 5 counts to “blackbird species” for lack of documentation. The Missouri Bird Records Committee requires that all reports of Brewer’s Blackbirds in winter be documented. Four counts recorded 90 or more species, with 101 at Mingo NWR. There was a record 504 observers in the field (a new record), with 29 watching feeders.

MA GR SC SJ TR SL CC KC CO CF KN WS CP JC ML HF LC MS DC LI SP BS MI JO BO TC PB

Figure 1. Locations of Missouri Christmas Bird Counts (see Table 1 for key).

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Table 1. Missouri Christmas Bird Counts and Their Compilers

Code Count Compiler

MOBO Big Oak Tree S.P. Bill Eddleman MOBS Big Spring Kimberly Houf MOCC Clarence Cannon N.W.R. Bruce Schuette MOCP Cole Camp Prairies IBA Marge Lumpe MOCO Columbia Laura Hillman MOCF Confluence Randy Korotev MODC Dallas County David Blevins MOGR Grand River Terry McNeely MOHF Horton-Four Rivers Mark Robbins MOJC Jefferson City Julie Lundsted MOJO Joplin Lawrence Herbert MOKC Kansas City Mike Stoakes MOKN Knob Noster Vernon Elsberry MOLC Laclede County Lester Pannell MOLI Liberal Lawrence Herbert MOMS Maramec Spring Mike Doyen MOMA Maryville David Easterla MOMI Mingo N.W.R. Bill Eddleman MOML Montrose Lake Wildlife Area John Belshe MOPB Poplar Bluff Bruce Beck MOSP Springfield David Blevins MOSQ Squaw Creek N.W.R. Mark Robbins MOSJ St. Joseph Larry Lade MOSL Swan Lake N.W.R. Steve Kinder MOTC Taney County Charles Burwick MOTR Trimble Kristi Mayo MOWS Weldon Spring Anne McCormack

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Page 87 THE BLUEBIRD Winter 2010-2011 Seasonal Report Joseph W. Eades

The winter season was characterized by cold temperatures and significant snowfall. This winter was reminiscent of those during the 1970s when cold temperatures and heavy snowfall were typical. De- cember was much colder than average until the last few days of the month when unseasonal warmth broke the cold snap. Others contributing to this report declared December to be mild and the last couple days certainly were. The extreme contrast in temperature unleashed a series of violent storms and tornados on New Year’s Eve. Very cold weather returned in January and what many will remember as “The Big Snow” fell over much of the state on the first of February. Precipitation was above average throughout the season. Kansas City had the second snowiest February on record. Snowfall remained on the ground for long periods of time. The cold pattern broke before the middle of February. It was quite surreal to walk about in a T-shirt, feeling warm in the sunshine while seeing snow all about. The remainder of February was warmer than usual. Kristi Mayo details the season for her area north of Kansas City in play-by-play fashion: “After December 2010, which brought only a small dusting of snow and relatively mild temps, January brought winter in earnest with plentiful snowfall and cold temperatures. This trend continued through February. A milder trend began mid-February, with temps even reaching the 70s... only to get heavy snowfall a few days later. 10 Jan 2011 - 6 inches of snow / 11-13 Jan 2011 - single-digit temps for lows, teens for highs; this resulted in Smithville Lake being 100% frozen (except for a few holes at the ma- rinas) by 13 Jan 2011 / 1 Feb 2011 - About 12 inches of snow (blizzard) / 24-25 Feb 2011 - 6 inches of snow”. Steve Kinder described the winter as one with “several periods of heavy snow and cold temps, with a few milder days in be- tween. This seemed to affect numbers and distribution of some birds more than in most winters. Large numbers of American Robins ap- peared in the last part of January, climaxing in a huge flock, at least for north-central Missouri in mid-winter, when tens of thousands flocked to a cedar grove in southwest Livingston County. Unfortu-

Page 88 THE BLUEBIRD nately, this roost came to an end during the blizzard of February 1 when birds were seen acting disoriented flying in the storm, and hundreds were found dead afterwards”. Steve goes on the say that “Swamp Sparrows were observed in higher than usual numbers during the first half of the season, but were rarely detected after the heavy snows”. Paul McKenzie described the weather as among “the coldest and certainly snowiest winters I can remember in Missouri”. Avian highlights of the season included a Brant, an adult male Harlequin Duck, a Red-necked Grebe, a cooperative Gold- en-crowned Sparrow, a Dark-eyed “Gray-headed” Junco and a Lesser Goldfinch. Black Vulture sightings continue to provide confirmation of range expansion in Missouri. Rough-legged Hawks were widely reported but were scarcer than last winter in northern Missouri. Winter gulls were about average, with Long Branch and Smithville Lakes providing the most interesting species. These two areas are proving consistent for Lesser Black-backed and Thayer’s Gulls and this year Smithville produced a Black- legged Kittiwake. Winter Owls were not widely noted—there were few reports of Long-eared Owls and no Snowy Owls although average numbers of Short-eared Owls were reported. A Selaspho- rus hummingbird spent a few weeks at a Jasper County feeder, lingering into mid-December. A purported Least Flycatcher made a surprise showing on opening day of the winter season. A couple of Northern Shrikes were reported, including one in southwest Mis- souri. Red-breasted Nuthatches were widely reported but mostly in low numbers. A Gray Catbird was seen on the Davies County Christmas Bird Count (CBC). Snow Buntings were reported in above average numbers. A Yellow-rumped “Audubon’s” Warbler was documented on the Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge CBC and several Palm Warblers were seen for at least a couple of weeks in January at Otter Slough Conservation Area. Three Baltimore Orioles were reported and one spent a couple of months at a feeding station in Cape Girardeau County. Winter Finches were infrequent, with one White-winged Crossbill, no redpolls and only a few Pine Siskins reported. There were several Spotted Towhees reported, the easternmost at Mingo National Wildlife Refuge. CBC data are only included here if considered significant by contributors and sub- mitted as part of contributor’s seasonal reports. Full CBC data is

Page 89 THE BLUEBIRD available in this issue of The Bluebird and on-line at http:// birds.audubon.org/christmas -bird-count. Observer participation and contributions to this report were widespread and seem to be grow- ing. Your contributions are greatly appreciated because they en- hance the quality of this record of bird occurrence in Missouri.

WATERFOWL Greater White-fronted Goose numbers peaked at 150 at FRCA on 14 Dec (GSw) and 34 at RMBS on 3 Jan (MT). Elsewhere, 3 were seen at Excelsior Springs Clay on 2 Jan (KM), 1 was seen on the Maryville CBC Nodaway 18 Dec (DE) and 1 was seen in Greene by the GOAS Field Trip 16 Jan (MS, GSw). Snow Goose numbers peaked at 46,900 at OSCA on 8 Jan (CBa). Small numbers of Ross’ Goose were seen in Dade with a peak of 8 on 8 Feb (CBu, GSw). A single Ross’ was also present for the St. Joseph CBC Buchan- an on 18 Dec (JH). Small numbers of Cackling Goose were reported from southwest Missouri with a local peak of 12 at FRCA on 14 Dec (GSw, CBu). Higher counts of 100+ were noted for Maryville with a peak of 177 tallied on the Maryville CBC Nodaway (DE). A Brant (acc.) was reported at Blue Springs Jackson (AD). The high count for Canada Goose was 5024 on the Maryville CBC Nodaway 18 Dec (DE). Trumpeter Swan was widely reported, although no reports were received for RMBS where a large number typically winter each year. Elsewhere, peak numbers reached 74 at CBCA 1 Jan (MT), 41 in Jasper 2 Jan (JC) and 8 at SL 8 Jan (KM). MSL held 2 birds until the Maryville CBC Nodaway 18 Dec (DE), a single bird was observed at the Poplar Bluff Sewage Lagoon Butler 17 Dec (CBa) and 2 were at Fel- low’s Lake Greene 16 Jan (MS, fide GSw). A single Tundra Swan was observed at FRCA on 14 Dec (GSw, CBu, RG). The Columbia CBC Boone provided the high count of American Wigeon with 7 (PM), while 5 were seen at CBCA 1 Jan (MT). Mallard numbers reached an impressive 31,547 at EBCA during the Columbia CBC on 18 Dec (PM), followed by 18,041 at OS- CA on 3 Feb (CBa). The high count for American Black Duck came from the Columbia CBC Boone 18 Dec with 9 birds, an impressive total (PM). Others were reported at RMBS (3) 23 Dec (MT) and 1 on the St. Joseph CBC Buchanan 18 Dec (JH). The Springfield CBC Greene produced the only mid-winter Blue-winged Teal with 5 on 18 Dec (DB). The arrival of 2 at Muskrat Lake Buchanan on the early date of 22 Feb (SK, LL) confounded the groundhog’s assessment of a lingering winter. Over 1500 Northern Shoveler braved the cold when open water persisted at MSL on 4 Dec, while just 21 lingered for the Maryville CBC 18 Dec (DE). An incredible 25,245 Northern Pintail were tallied at OSCA 3 Feb (CBa). Green- winged Teal numbered 19 at MSL on 4 Dec and 1-4 were seen in St.

Page 90 THE BLUEBIRD Charles and Clay into early Jan (MT, KM). The largest number of Canvas- back reported was 49 from MSL 4 Dec (DE). A few Redhead were reported: 3 on the Springfield CBC Greene 18 Dec (DB), 5 on a GOAS Field Trip in the same region on 16 Jan (MS), and a single female was observed at RMBS 9 Jan (MT). Ring-necked Duck numbers peaked at MSL at 43, and an impressive 51 Greater Scaup were counted on the Maryville CBC Noda- way 18 Dec (DE), certainly a high count for that location. Few were reported elsewhere. Lesser Scaup numbers on the Maryville CBC still topped Greater with 58. One of the highlights of the season, an adult male Harle- quin Duck (acc.) first spotted at MSL in late November was seen again on 4 and 5 Dec and was photographed (DE). A female White-winged Scoter was seen at BL 9 Dec (RD) and a striking drake was seen at RMBS on the St. Louis Audubon Society Field Trip 19 Feb (JE). A Long-tailed Duck spent a month, 9 Dec-9 Jan, at BL (RD, PK). A high count of 50 Bufflehead was made from College of the Ozarks Taney 4 Dec (GSw). A Common Goldeneye count of 52 at MSL 4 Dec was the highest reported and was considered noteworthy for that location. The Maryville CBC Nodaway tallied 15 Hooded Merganser on 18 Dec (DE). An impressive high count of 575 was made at MCA 16 Jan (MR, MA, JK). Only a few were reported from RMBS and these only into early Jan (MT). Another merganser high count, this one of 3000+ Common Mergansers, was made at MCA on 16 Jan; 3 Red-breasted Mergansers were there on that date as well (MR, MA, JK). The only other report of Red-breasted Merganser was of 2 lingering at SL until 1 Dec (KM). The Maryville CBC Nodaway tallied a high count of 74 Ruddy Ducks on 18 Dec (DE); 2 were at WMSP 1 Jan (KM), and 1 was in Greene 16 Jan (MS, et al.).

PRAIRIE-CHICKENS THROUGH DIURNAL RAPTORS

Greater Prairie-chicken is under scrutiny in Missouri and the following reports splash a few strokes of bright color on an otherwise grim picture: 4 birds were observed at TPCA, one with a radiotransmitter, 16 Jan (MR, MA, JK) and 2 were noted at Mo-No-I Prairie Barton on the same date; 1 found dead with transmitter 18 Jan at Maple Grove Prairie Jasper north of Car- thage had dispersed from Wah-Kon-Tah Prairie Cedar (JC) and 5 birds were observed at PSP 7 Feb (Brian Miller, fide JC). Finally, 3 were seen on a GO- AS Field Trip in Dade 12 Feb (LB et al. fide GSw). A high count of 135 Common Loons from STNL 16 Jan appears to be an all-time winter high count (MR, MA, JK); 10 were reported on the Taney CBC 1 Jan (CBu). A total of 4 Pied-billed Grebes on the Maryville CBC Nodaway 18 Dec was noteworthy (DE) as were 31 at SL 31 Dec (KM); a single Pied-billed wintered in a small area of open water at a marina here even though the lake was 99% frozen. A nice high count of 254 Horned Grebes was one of the Page 91 THE BLUEBIRD highlights of the Taney CBC 1 Jan (CBu). A seasonal highlight was a Red- necked Grebe (acc.) at Stephen’s Lake Boone 3 Jan (RD). A tardy Eared Grebe was at SL 1 Dec (Keith Brink, KM). OSCA hosted 2 lingering Dou- ble-crested Cormorants 1 Dec, while 23 at DCCA may have been returning spring migrants (CBa). CBCA held 30 American White Pelicans 23 Dec while a high count of 100 at RMBS 3 Jan illustrates this species’ ten- dency to linger or winter until forced out by freeze-up (MT). LS produced 6 of this species 6-11 Feb (CBU, GSw) and 2 were observed at Robert G. Delaney Lake CA Mississippi 12 Feb (CBa). An immature Black-crowned Night Heron (acc.), quite unusual in winter, was reported on the Horton- FRCA CBC 14 Dec (MR). This winter’s reports of Black Vulture illustrate the species current range in Missouri very well. The high count came from the traditional heart of the Missouri population: 455 on the Taney CBC 1 Jan, while 12 at LS was a high count for that locality (CBu). Small “outpost” populations exist south of St. Louis and at Lake of the Ozarks: a single bird was noted at Crystal City Jefferson 1 Jan and 3 were noted among Turkey Vultures at Osage Beach Camden (PM); 2 were also noted at Apple Creek CA Cape Girardeau 6 Feb (MH). The high count for Turkey Vulture came from Busch CA St. Charles with 30 observed 2 Jan (PL). The highest Bald Eagle numbers of reported came from the southwest part of the state. An estimated 200-300 were present along the Elk River and Shoal Creek water- sheds Barry in Jan, with actual counts of 72 in a clump of sycamores along Indian Creek and 62 near Stella (JC, AB, KG). The SLNWR CBC produced a high count of 122 (SK). A nice count of 25+ Northern Harriers at TPCA (MR) was topped by 31 at OSCA (CBa). A “Harlan’s” Red-tailed Hawk was reported on the Davies CBC 18 Dec (SK) and 4 were reported from southwest Missouri in Webster, Greene, Dade and Christian, 2 of which wintered (GSw, Andrew Kinslow). Rough-legged Hawks put in a good showing, including day counts of 4 in southwest Missouri 16 Jan (MR) and 4 in Dade 3 Feb (CBu, GSw). A single Rough-legged was seen at CBCA 27 Dec (MT), 2 were noted in the areas around THL Macon 19 Jan (BJ) and single birds were seen at both Golden Prairie Barton and Providence Prairie Law- rence on 21 Jan (CBu). There were two reports of Golden Eagle: BL 9 Dec (RD) and MNWR 18 Dec-16 Jan (CBa). There were an impressive eight Merlin reports coming from all sections of the state, all singles except 4, 3 of which were of the prairie type (appropriately over the prairie), at SCNWR 16 Dec (MR). Three Peregrine Falcon reports traced the Mississippi River in St. Charles, St. Louis and Mississippi (MT, CBa). There were four reports of Prairie Falcon, all from the southwest and all singles except for 2-3 at TPCA 16 Jan (MR, MA, JK).

Page 92 THE BLUEBIRD RAILS THROUGH OWLS

A high count of 36 American Coots was noteworthy for the Maryville CBC Nodaway 18 Dec (DE). Three Sandhill Cranes were sighted at OSCA 12 Dec (CBa). Shorebirds other than Wilson’s Snipe and Killdeer are always unusual during the winter in Missouri, so the records listed here will take up more space than usual. Greater Yellowlegs made an early northward push, with the most significant early arrival being 2 birds in northern Mis- souri at Horseshoe Lake Buchanan 22 Feb (SK). Other early birds were 2 calling overhead at Sand Prairie CA Scott 23 Feb (CBa), 2 at Dudley Stoddard 26 Feb (CBa), a single at SL 26 Feb (DW, KM) and 8 at OSCA 27 Feb, joined by 2 Lesser Yellowlegs (CBa). Left over from the 2009-2010 winter season, a previously unreported and unprecedented 132 Dunlin (acc.) were seen and photographed in Dunklin 26 Dec 2010 (Timothy Jones). A late Long-billed Dowitcher (acc.) was observed and photographed near Confluence SP St. Charles 4 Dec (Bill Rowe). American Woodcock court- ship displays began in earnest in sync with the approach of a 19 Feb full moon in Newton (JC), Cape Girardeau (MH), and Stoddard (CBa). An immature Black-legged Kittiwake made a stop at SL in late February (DW, KM). LS attracted 5 Bonaparte’s Gulls 12 Dec (GSw), 3 were at STNL 16 Jan (MR, MA, JK) and the season’s high count of 32 came from the Taney CBC 1 Jan (CBu). High counts for Ring-billed Gull (440) 19 Jan (BJ) and Herring Gull (45) 1 Jan came from LBL (PK). As usual, a few Thayer’s Gulls were reported from RMBS (MT). Less usual was 1 on 31 Dec, then 2 on 8 Jan at SL* (DW, KM). A “Kumlien’s” Iceland Gull was reported along with 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls at RMBS on 29 Dec and 3 Jan (JU, MT). Another 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls (acc.) were at LBL 1 Jan (PK) through 9 Jan (BJ). A Glaucous Gull was also present at LBL 9 Jan (RD), while another was present at RMBS 27 Dec -5 Feb (PL). Great Black -backed Gull went unreported. The high count for Eurasian Collared- Dove came during a “project feederwatch” session in Cape Girardeau with 30 on 31 Dec (MH). A Greater Roadrunner was observed in Greene 11 Feb (GSa, GSw, Ann & Dan Liles). A Barn Owl was reported from Capps Creek CA Newton 11 Dec (JC) and as interesting as that may be; it pales in comparison to an astronomically high count of 43 Eastern Screech Owls on the Columbia CBC Boone 18 Dec (PM)! Another high count on the Taney CBC was a bit more down to earth with 9 on 1 Jan (CBu). High counts for Great Horned Owl and Barred Owl were even with 7 each on the Maryville CBC Nodaway (DE). Long-eared Owl was reported only from north-central Missouri with 6 on 10 Dec and 5 on 20 Feb in different areas of Livingston (SK). Short-eared Owl was widely reported though numbers were a far cry from last year’s stratospheric peaks. Records included 8 at

Page 93 THE BLUEBIRD at STCA on 3 Jan (JC) and the season’s high count was 27 from Dade Co. 3 Feb (CBu, GSw). However, the best story came out of the metropolitan St. Louis area, where 6 Short-eared Owls set up shop 14 Jan-23 Feb in an abandoned overgrown industrial lot, roosting in pallets and hunting in the evening (Charlene Malone). Such adaptability is remarkable and heartening as it suggests interesting species may find new niches and food resources to exploit where industrial areas “decay” and are reclaimed by nature. A Northern Saw-whet Owl was captured and banded in rural Boone on 16 Feb (Dana Ripper, Ethan Duke, fide BJ).

HUMMINGBIRDS THROUGH WRENS

A Selasphorus hummingbird held over from the fall season at a Jasper feeder until 13 Dec (Kathy Eaton, fide LH). A Belted Kingfisher was noteworthy at SL on the mid-winter date of 25 Jan because it called a tiny patch of open water home when 99% of the lake was frozen (KM). High counts of Yellow-bellied Sapsucker included 8 on the St. Joseph CBC Buchanan (JH) and 3 on the Maryville CBC Nodaway (DE) both on 18 Dec. The high count for Northern Flicker was 214 on the SLNWR CBC 1 Jan (Terry McNeely, SK). A remarkable winter report of Least Flycatcher** was documented at Pershing SP Linn 1 Dec (Edge Wade). There were a few East- ern Phoebe reports as usual. The high count came from the Taney CBC with 10 on 1 Jan (CBu). One was observed at LS 5 Dec (DRi), one at Trail of

Tears SP Cape Girardeau 13 Jan (MH) and another in St. Louis on 26 Jan

This Selasphorus hummingibird remained from the fall season through De-

cember 13, 2010, at a feeder in Joplin, Jasper County. Photo taken December 7, 2010, by Kathy Eaton.

Page 94 THE BLUEBIRD (JU). A bird returning to Rolla Phelps on 21 Feb was considered about normal (LF). The decline of Loggerhead Shrike continues to be a concern. None were reported on the SLNWR CBC for the first time in memory (SK). This species was reported from just two areas, 2 in Dade on 29 Jan and 8 Feb and 1 at OSCA 5 Jan. Northern Shrike was reported on the Davies CBC (Mark McNeely) and on the Liberal CBC Barton (LH). CBCA provided a haven for 135 American Crow, the high count for the season (MT). A single Fish Crow seen and heard in St. Louis on 12 Dec provides an unusual winter record (JU), another single in Cape Girardeau 13 & 16 Feb (MH) and 2 at MNWR 26 Feb (CBa) would seem to represent spring arrivals. There was a very surprising mid-winter report of 10 Tree Swallows* at SL 10 Jan (SK) and 19 of this species returned to DCCA 26 Feb (CBa). Red- breasted Nuthatch was reported from many areas, generally in small numbers, but with high counts of 7 at LDMF on 18 Dec (MR) and 10 at Wal- lace SP Clay 15 Jan (SK). Carolina Wren numbers were just half that of last year’s SCNWR CBC total and a single bird at WMSP on 1 Jan was the first at that location since last winter. Prolonged cold and snow cover last winter produced the unfortunate but predictable drop in this species’ numbers in these areas. The Springfield CBC Greene tallied a nice high count of 11 Winter Wren on 18 Dec (DB). Sedge Wren was reported in the South- west where expected with 2 at STCA 11 Dec (JC) and 16 at PSP 18 Dec (MR). The species is not expected in northern Missouri in winter, so 1 at LC (acc.) 5 Jan was a great find (SK, LL). Sedge Wren reports from southeast- ern Missouri are on the increase, 1** was documented on the MNWR CBC Wayne 18 Dec (Brad Pendley).

THRUSHES THROUGH WOOD-WARBLERS

Eastern Bluebird can be shy about cold weather, so 32 on the Maryville CBC Nodaway 18 Dec was a good high count (DE). A high count of 13 Her- mit Thrush on the Columbia Boone CBC was also noteworthy (PM). LDMF produced 2 of the “Audubon’s” type 18 Dec (MR). American Robin generally winters in enormous numbers in Taney, still 5,000,000 birds on the CBC 1 Jan was very impressive (CBu). A Gray Catbird*, casual in winter was reported on the Daviess CBC 18 Dec (Myrna Carlton, SK). A total of 5 Northern Mockingbirds was considered noteworthy on the Maryville CBC Nodaway 18 Dec (DE). Brown Thrashers wintered in Dade, Newton and Boone (CBu, GSw, LS, BJ). One returned to a Newton residence 26 Feb marking a nice crisp arrival date (LH). American Pipit was seen in McDonald (1) 14 Feb (LH), LS (1) (DRi) and STNL 16 Jan (2) (MR, MA, JK). Cedar Waxwing was scarcely mentioned, meaning they must have been elsewhere, which is where they are when they are not here! Lapland Long- spur numbers were not impressive with the best counts being 200 in the

Page 95 THE BLUEBIRD Palmette area Greene 1 Dec (BB), 150 on the Maryville CBC Nodaway 18 Dec (DE) and 150 in Dade 23 Jan (LB, CBu, fide GSw). A single adult male Smith’s Longspur was observed at Osage Prairie Vernon 18 Dec (MR). Snow Bunting was widely reported. Significant and long-standing snow cover assists in finding this species along roadsides. The high count was 6 on the Maryville CBC Nodaway 18 Dec (DE). Other reported locations included 2 at LBL 20 Dec (PK), 1 at RMBS 27 Dec (MT), 1 in Linn 13 Jan (SK) and 1 at Bradford Farm Boone 29 Jan (RD). Orange-crowned Warbler was reported from OSCA 26 Dec and DCL 3 Feb (CBa) The species is sel- dom reported in northern Missouri during winter so 1 trying to winter in Chillicothe (acc.) 11 Jan-1 Feb was significant. The bird frequented a feeder but was not seen again after “The Big Snow” (SK). The best warbler of the season was a Yellow-rumped (Audubon’s) Warbler (acc.) at SCNWR 16 Dec (PM). Standard issue Yellow-rumped (Myrtle) Warbler abundance tapers off to the north, so 2 at North Sever CA Knox 28 Dec was worthy of note (PK). Several Pine Warblers were observed in various public parks in Stoddard (CBa). Mark Haas generally sees them every winter at his Cape Girardeau feeders but this year he observed 3 or 4 at a time. A single (acc.) at a St. Louis feeder 9 Jan was north of the species’ usual winter range (Shannon Sock). Palm Warbler is casual in southern Missouri in winter. This season a small group of 5 (acc.) tried to winter at OSCA 4 Dec-1 Jan, with 1 lingering until at least 14 Jan and another (acc.) occurring at DCL 2- 8 Dec (CBa). Four of the OSCA birds reappeared after the close of the winter season on 21 Mar, suggesting they may have made it through the winter locally. Common Yellowthroat was detected at Oak Ridge CA 10 Dec and OSCA 14 Jan-27 Feb (CBa). More unusual was one much further north at LC 5 Jan (SK).

SPARROWS THROUGH BUNTINGS

Spotted Towhee was widely reported, with a total of 6 observations, all of single birds except for 2 at STCA on the Liberal CBC 3 Jan (JC). Half of the reports were from western Missouri, two were from central Missouri: Linn (SD), Boone (Eric Seaman) and one was from eastern Missouri at MNWR 18 Dec (CBa). Eastern Towhee was also well-reported with the highest deep winter count being 3 at STCA on the Liberal CBC Barton 3 Jan (JC). A count of 28 at Crowley Ridge CA Stoddard 21 Feb (CBa) suggests a spring influx of birds. A state-wide American Tree Sparrow seasonal high count of 583 was also high for the Maryville CBC Nodaway (DE). Much further south, local high counts included 89 at STCA on the Liberal CBC and 93 in Dade 8 Feb (CBu, GSw, GSa). A few Chipping Sparrows were recorded; two reports came from the south where rare but almost expected in Greene 5 -18 Dec (DRi, DB, fide GSw) and Cape Girardeau where a few wintered at a

Page 96 THE BLUEBIRD

One of six Spotted Towhees reported this season was this male at Wildcat Glades Conservation and Audubon Center in Joplin, Newton County. Photo taken February 16, 2011 by Randy Haas. feeding station (MH). A single bird (acc.) visited a St. Louis) feeder 21 Jan (Al Smith). Single Field Sparrows were recorded from a few northern locations in January, the northernmost being on the SLNWR CBC 1 Jan (SK) and SL 30 Jan (KM). Vesper Sparrow generally winters south of Missouri, so two records on 29 Dec were of interest: 1 (acc.) near Trail of Tears SP Cape Girardeau (Ida Domazlicky) and another (acc.) in Pettis (DRi). There were 3 reports of Savannah Sparrow from the state’s northwest quadrant: 5 on the SLNWR CBC 1 Jan (SK), singles in northeast Clay 16 Jan and at a home feeder in Clay 20-21 Jan (KM). Another 5 were observed in the THL area Randolph 19 Jan (BJ). A nice winter count of 7 Le Conte’s Sparrows came from PSP 18 Dec (MR). Lincoln’s Sparrow, so curiously absent from the state’s eastern half in winter, was recorded in the west where annual on the SLNWR CBC (3), northeast Clay (KM) and Greene 13 Jan (KC, fide GSw). An impressive tally of 578 Swamp Sparrows came from EBCA on the Columbia CBC 18 Dec (PM). A single Harris’ Sparrow was found in the THL area Randolph 19 Jan (BJ) and a nice count of 15 was made in Dade on 29 Jan (KC, GSw). One of the season’s highlights and one which allowed many to enjoy its subtle regality, a Golden-crowned Sparrow** first discovered by SD at his home feeder in Linn Osage on 9 Jan remained through the end of the period. Another exciting western highlight, a Dark-

Page 97 THE BLUEBIRD eyed (Gray-headed) Junco** was observed at a feeder in Rolla Phelps 13- 18 Feb (LF). Documentations were received for 2 apparently different Indi- go Buntings (acc.) 12-17 Dec and 15-16 Jan at the same Johnson feeder (AB).

BLACKBIRDS THROUGH FINCHES

A high count for Red-winged Blackbird at CBCA 1 Jan totaled 36,005 (MT) while a blackbird spp. flock east of Joplin Newton was estimated at 1,500,000 on 26 Jan (LH). A high count of 65 Great-tailed Grackles in Greene on 30 Jan was significant (CBu, GSw). JC observed an Eastern Meadowlark exhibiting unusual behavior in Newton on 2 Feb as he wit- nessed the bird eating a dead junco in the snow! Rusty Blackbird was well -reported with significant numbers represented by 41 at STCA 11 Dec (JC), 40 on the Taney CBC 3 Jan (KC, Dorothy Thurman, fide GSw), 24 at STCA 3 Jan (JC), and 40 in Jackson Cape Girardeau during the Great Backyard Bird Count on 21 Feb (MH). Four groups of Brewer’s Blackbirds were reported: 25 on the Horton-FRCA CBC 16 Dec (PM), 20 (acc.) on the Clar- ence Cannon NWR Pike CBC Pike 16 Dec (PL), 80 in Dade 29 Jan (GSw, KC) and another 80 in Cape Girardeau 21 Feb (MH). Three Baltimore Ori- oles were reported: in Boone 7 Dec (acc.) (Lori Hagglund), an adult male (acc.) 14 Dec on the Horton-FRCA CBC (Sara Bodbyl Roels), and 1** 6 Dec- 21 Feb at a Cape Girardeau feeder (Steve Juhlin). Purple Finches were not widely reported. The only significant numbers were 40 that wintered at the Thompson River Wetlands Livingston (SK) and a peak of 100 in late February at a Boone feeding station (PM). It was a poor season overall for winter finches, although a White-winged Crossbill was reported from Platte 23 Dec (PK). Single Pine Siskins were noted in Christian 5 Dec (GSw), Cape Girardeau 22 Dec (MH), and Greene 15 Feb (GSw). A few were also seen occasionally in Boone (PM). The final highlight to report for the winter 2010-2011 season was a Lesser Goldfinch (acc.) of the green- backed hersperophila sub-species which visited Ruth Simmons’ Jackson feeder 20 Dec.

Observers Mike Anderson (MA), Chris Barrigar (CBa), David Blevins (DB), Alan Branhagan (AB), Charley Burwick (CBu), Jeff Cantrell (JC), Kathy Cowens (KC), Steve Dilks (SD), Andrew Donner (AD), Ryan Douglass (RD), David Easterla (DE), Linda Frederick (LF), Mark Haas (MH), Lawrence Herbert (LH), Jack Hillsabeck (JH), Brad Jacobs (BJ), Steve Kinder (SK), John King (JK), Peter Kondrashov (PK), Larry Lade (LL), Pat Lueders (PL), Kristi Mayo (KM), Paul McKenzie (PM), Dean Rising (DRi), Mark Robbins (MR),

Greg Samuel (GSa), Greg Swick (GSw), Mike Thelen (MT), Josh Uffman (JU), Doug Willis (DW).

Page 98 THE BLUEBIRD Key

* Documentation needed for MBRC review ** Documentation received by MBRC for review acc. Accepted by MBRC

Abbreviations

CA-Conservation Area CBC-Christmas Bird Count GOAS-Greater Ozarks Audubon Society NWR-National Wildlife Refuge Res.-Reservoir SP-State Park

Location Abbreviations (counties are in italics)

BL-Binder Lake, Cole CBCA-Columbia Bottom Conservation Area, St. Louis DCL-Dexter City Lake, Stoddard DCCA-Duck Creek Conservation Area, Stoddard EBCA-Eagle Bluffs Conservation Area, Boone FRCA-Four Rivers Conservation Area, Vernon LBL-Long Branch Lake, Macon LC-Lake Contrary, Buchanan LDMF-Lester Davis Memorial Forest, Barton LS-Lake Springfield, Greene MCA-Montrose Conservation Area, St. Clair MNWR-Mongo National Wildlife Refuge, Stoddard MSL-Maryville Sewage Lagoons, Nodaway OSCA-Otter Slough Conservation Area, Stoddard PSP-Prairie State Park, Barton RMBS-Riverlands Migratory Bird Sanctuary, St. Charles SCNWR-Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge, Chariton SLNWR-Swan Lake National Wildlife Refuge, Holt SL-Smithville Lake, Clay STCA-Shawnee Trails Conservation Area, Barton STNL-Stockton Lake, Cedar TPCA-Taberville Prairie Conservation Area, St. Clair THL-Thomas Hill Lake, Macon/Randolph WMSP-Watkin’s Mill State Park, Clay

Corrigenda: A California Gull reported in the 2009-2010 Winter Season- al Report at LBL Macon on 22 Dec 2009 was not accepted by the MBRC.

Page 99 THE BLUEBIRD A BIRDERS’ GUIDE TO MISSOURI PUBLIC LANDS Edge Wade and Others

MERAMEC STATE PARK

by Dan Drees and Brian Wilcox; revised by Edge Wade, January 2011

6,896 acres Franklin Co. DeLorme 48, C-1. DNR owned. Contact 573-468- 6072 for additional information.

Directions: From I-44 Exit 226 at Sullivan, follow MO 185 south for three miles to the park entrance on the right.

When to Visit/Species to Expect: The Meramec River is recognized as an unusually highly diverse midwestern biological area. Spring and autumn are especially good for migrating passerines. Many species nest in the park or nearby, including Great Blue Heron, Cliff Swallows on the MO 185 bridge, Northern Rough-winged Swallows and Eastern Phoebe in the entrance of Fisher Cave, and a good suite of owls, raptors, flycatchers, wrens, warblers, vireos, tanagers and orioles in the park’s diverse habitats.

Features of interest to birders: Park maps are available at the visitor center. Be sure to get one to help you become acquainted with the many trails and special features of this large park.

River Trail (.8 mile loop) begins at the southern end of the campground near showerhouse #3. Part of the route is along a slough of the Meramec River. Green Herons and kingfishers may be seen. Check out the high earth riverbank for nest holes.

Bluff View Trail (1.5 mile loop) is moderately difficult with access points near picnic shelter #3, the dining lodge, and at the trail shelter on River

Trail.

Natural Wonders Trail (1.3 mile loop) begins at the visitor center. It passes through glades, mature forest and overgrown beaver meadows, a diverse habitat spread sure to produce some rewarding views of several species. The wildlife viewing area near the trailhead overlooks a one-acre beaver pond.

Be sure to check it for stopover waterfowl, and seek Winter Wren in season.

Wilderness Trail is a 10-mile moderately difficult loop with the 4-mile northern section and 6-mile southern section joined by a connector trail. The trail also crosses MO Spur Rt. 185 twice, so a shorter loop can be walked.

The southern section provides access to a shortleaf pine plantation planted in the 1930s. Summer breeders include Cooper’s and Sharp-shinned Hawks and Pine Warbler. In winter, look for Northern Saw-whet and Long-eared Owls, and Pine Siskin, and cross your fingers for erratic Evening Gros- beaks. In the mature forest along most of the Wilderness Trail, look for Eastern Screech -Owl, Carolina and Bewick’s Wren, Great Crested Flycatch- er, Ovenbird, Worm-eating Warbler and tanagers in the breeding season.

Page 100 THE BLUEBIRD Cane Bottom is reached from the first road within the park off MO 185 near the park’s west boundary. This is MO Spur Rt. 185, about a mile toward Sullivan from the visitor center. Follow this road to the gravel Cane Bottom Rd., which ends at the Meramec River on the eastern edge of a 50-acre floodplain forest. The river can be viewed from this point, and an old road can be walked into mature bottomland, mid-succession bottomland and a mature toeslope forest. Breeding species include Prothonotary, Worm- eating, Cerulean and Hooded Warblers, American Redstart, Northern Paru- la, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, and Warbling Vireo. The large campground area can provide excellent birding when no campers are present. Parking areas near the park store and the boat launch are often good for easy access birding.

Toilets: Flush toilets are in the visitor center, near the cabins and in the campground, and at the camp store.

Camping: There are 210 campsites (some reservable, some first come-first served), see the park website for specifics. Also available are 20 rental cabins, a motel, restaurant and store (in season).

Hazards/Limitations: The Meramec River floods, often causing park closure. Check the status before you go. This popular park may be full of campers and picnickers in the height of summer or on spring and autumn weekends. Ticks and chiggers, common banes for Missouri birders, should be expected here in summer.

Nearby Birding Sites: Meramec CA (adjacent), Little Indian Creek CA, Pea Ridge CA, Washington SP, Long Ridge CA

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BINDER COMMUNITY LAKE 223 acres Cole Co. DeLorme 38, G-1. Lake and marsh owned by MDC, call 573-884-6861. Park area owned by Jefferson City, call 573-634-6486.

Directions: From US 50 west of Jefferson City take the Apache Flats/St. Martin's exit, continue west on Bus. 50, turn right (north) at South Binder Lake Rd., left (west) on Rainbow Dr., and right (north) on Binder Park Rd. In winter, the road along the west shore connecting this main entrance with the north end near the dam may be closed. To reach the north (dam) end of the lake, take the Country Club Rd. exit off US 50 to a right (second road past the service station) onto Rainbow Dr., go .5 mile to Henwick. Go right onto Henwick to the lake and Binder Park Rd. on the left.

When to Visit/Species to Expect: Binder Lake can be an exciting place, especially in winter. It gets a fine mix of diving waterfowl. Common Loons, a variety of grebes, Long-tailed Ducks, scoters, Common Goldeneye and more may be found here among the Canada and Cackling Geese. Trumpeter and Tundra Swans may rest on the ice. Page 101 THE BLUEBIRD In early spring, American Woodcock may be observed near the northwest shore. The viewing blind near the area below the dam provides opportunity to watch shorebirds and Tree Swallows. Migrating songbirds can be found in the woods along the trail on the east side, or fairly close to the road along the west shore.

Features of interest to birders: Binder Lake Rd. crosses the lower end of the lake. Birders may pull off and view the lake on one side and a marshy area on the other. The road has several large pull-off areas along the west side. The two fishing docks provide excellent viewpoints for scanning the length of the lake with a scope. The Audubon Trail along the east side may be en- tered near the pavilion on southwest side of lake. The pond for shorebird viewing from the blind is east of the dam, off Henwick.

Toilets: One near the northwest corner of the lake.

Camping: Campground on the southeast side with RV sites.

Hazards/Limitations: This is a popular place, especially in warm weather. There may be many people present. In winter, for safety in icy conditions, Binder Lake Rd. is often closed south of the boat ramp.

Nearby Birding Sites: Runge Conservation Nature Center, Scrivner Road CA, Stringtown Bridge Access, Noren Access.

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KAHRS-BOGER PARK 108 acres Pettis Co. DeLorme 36, G-3. MDC owned for additional information call 660-530-5500

Directions: From US 50 in southeast Sedalia, go 11 miles southeast on Rt. M .

When to Visit/Species to Expect: Anytime. Expect a normal array of species for the season, habitats and vicinity.

Features of interest to birders: A one-acre pond/lake may harbor waterfowl. The quarter-mile walk from the parking area to the impoundment goes past some dense shrubs, woods and grassland. Narrow paths through the area provide access into woods and grasses and to Lake Creek that crosses the southeast corner of the area.

Toilets: None

Camping: None

Hazards/Limitations: None noted

Nearby Birding Sites: Spring Fork Lake (Sedalia Water Dept.), Paint Brush Prairie CA, Mora CA.

Page 102 THE BLUEBIRD POAGUE (HAYSLER A.) CONSERVATION AREA

879 acres Henry Co. DeLorme 35, I-7. MDC owned; for information call 660- 885-6981.

Directions: From Clinton, go 4 miles west on MO 7 to the entrance on the right at a roadside park.

When to Visit/Species to Expect: Spring and summer for nesting raptors and passerines; autumn and winter for waterfowl. This under-birded area could hold many surprises. Mississippi Kites were found here in 2009. Northern Bobwhite and Wild Turkey are present.

Features of interest to birders: This is an abandoned coal strip mine area. There are 14 deep water-filled strip pits, ranging from 2 to 11 acres, and wetlands, surrounded by forest (mostly oak-hickory, sycamore, and some pines). Nine parking areas provide bases for roadside birding and for exploration into the interior on foot.

A turn to the left after the entrance leads to two parking areas near pools 13 and 14 along the west side of the area. Staying right, the road goes along the southern portion, with short roads on the left leading toward several pits. The road angles northeast, and after the junction with CR NW 351, goes north along an abandoned railroad bed on the right and gives good views of Pool 1 on the left.

Toilets: None

Camping: Along roads and in parking lots

Hazards/Limitations: These unreclaimed strip mine lands are comprised of many steep slopes and deep pits. There are no designated trails. Paths may be treacherous.

Nearby Birding Sites: Fewel (Connor O.) CA, numerous sites associated with Truman Reservoir, Urich CA.

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TWIN PINES CONSERVATION EDUCATION CENTER 456 acres Shannon Co. Delorme 65, B-9. MDC owned; for information call 573-325-1381.

Directions: The site straddles US 60, one mile east of Winona. The education center and most of the property are on the south side of US 60.

Page 103 THE BLUEBIRD When to Visit/Species to Expect: Any season (but avoid times when school groups are present). A broad spectrum of migrants, nesters and wintering birds should be present in this pine-oak community, abandoned pasture and 2-acre pond.

Features of interest to birders: A stand of pines at the parking area should be checked for Chipping Sparrows, Pine Warblers and other nesting and migrating birds. A loop trail from the education center wends its way through the area, giving good, easy access to woodland in various stages of succession. Two old county roads make longer distance exploration possible. This is an easily accessed, fine site to look for Ozark forest species.

Toilets: Modern restrooms inside the education center

Camping: None

Hazards/Limitations: None noted other than an archery range. Site may be very busy when school groups are present.

Nearby Birding Sites: Peck Ranch CA, Rocky Creek CA, Birch Creek CA ##################### CEDAR BLUFF ACCESS 40 acres Monroe Co. DeLorme 31, D-8. MDC owned; for more information call 573-248-2530.

Directions: From US 24, 1 mile west of Paris, go south on CR 857 for about 2.5 miles. Stay left (straight) at junction with CR 870. The small parking lot is on the right, .4 miles ahead.

When to Visit/Species to Expect: Anytime. Migration and songbird breeding season and winter for sparrows will offer good birding. The moist bottom area is excellent migratory thrush habitat; Rose-breasted Grosbeaks and Summer Tanagers breed here; expect several species of flycatchers in spring and fall migration.

Features of interest to birders: Moist bottomland on the Elk Fork of the Salt River can be viewed from the road and grass verge when the area is too wet to walk.

Toilets: None

Camping: On and adjacent to the parking lot (very limited space), walk-in and backpack, except during firearms deer an turkey seasons.

Hazards/Limitations: Wet conditions may limit exploring the area on foot.

Nearby Birding Sites: White (Robert M., II) CA, Willingham (Ruby Clark) Mem. WA, Rocky Hollow NA, Paris Access, Union Covered Bridge.

Page 104 THE BLUEBIRD The Bluebird

Awards Committee: The ASM Executive Committee

Conservation Area Checklist Project (CACHE) State Parks & Historic Sites Project (SPARKS) Patrick Harrison, Web Development; Database Administrator Mike Thelen, Editor

Executive Committee: Bruce Beck, June Newman, Shari Harden, Pat Lueders, and Bill Eddleman

Missouri Bird Conservation Initiative: Susan Hazelwood

Conservation Partnership Coordinator: Edge Wade.

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 ———————————————————————————————————-

A GUIDE TO BIRDING IN MISSOURI

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