Thursday, April 22, 2010

4/22 Weldon Spring Conservation Area

Weldon Spring Conservation Area • Weldon Spring Site Interpretive Center Prairie
Lost Valley Trail • Busch Wildlife Conservation Area


I added two new birds to "My Lifetime List of Birds Photographed in Missouri" today for new total of 278. The Prairie Warbler is my 278th "Bird Species Photographed in Missouri" and the Henslow's Sparrow is my 277th "Bird Species Photographed in Missouri".

Started out at Hwy 94 and D in the Weldon Spring Conservation Area after receiving a tip as to where to find a Prairie Warbler. Played its call and in no time one came flying in. I then proceeded down Hwy 94 and turned west on the road at the south edge of the Weldon Spring Site Interpretive Center to look for the Henslow's Sparrows heard there a couple days ago. This is just north of Toonerville. I walked the prairie north of the Hamburg Bike Trail. There were bulldozers making a lot of noise at the west end of the prairie so hearing them call was difficult. I finally heard a couple and walked into that area and played their call. All of a sudden I could hear one very loud, thought my iPhone was miss behavin', turned it off and still heard the very loud call. Looked to my left and 10-15 feet away there he was on a weed calling away. The next area birded was Lost Valley Trail and finished up behind the Busch Lodge.

A few of the birds seen, complete set and larger photos in gallery. Click here to view the gallery.
For location of birds click for Map here.

Click thumb below for large version • • • Hover thumbs for names
Prairie Warbler Prairie Warbler Prairie Warbler Prairie Warbler Henslow's Sparrow Henslow's Sparrow Henslow's Sparrow Red-tailed Hawk Blue-gray Gnatcatcher Blue-gray Gnatcatcher Blue-gray Gnatcatcher Red-bellied Woodpecker Prairie Warbler Blue-gray Gnatcatcher Eastern Phoebe Tree Swallow Eastern Bluebird

Preview of Photos in gallery

3 comments:

  1. You truly are a gifted photographer, Al!

    Alicia Bradley
    Chesterfield, MO

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  2. Hey Al! I really enjoy your photos, experiences, links, and maps! Both of these birds are tough to find, let alone photograph. We have a link to your blog on the Webster Groves Nature Study's event page. http://sites.google.com/site/neverenoughnature/Home/bird-walks

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  3. I am a new bird watcher....and I truely enjoyed... and hope to continue to enjoy your blog... thank you for identifying the birds that would have taken me a nice long while. Beautiful photos. Thank you. Brenda St. Louis, Mo

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