Thursday, June 17, 2010

6/17 SE Missouri Trip Part 2

Crowley Ridge Conservation Area • Otter Slough Conservation Area
East Prairie Missouri • Ten Mile Pond Conservation Area

We got up at three in the morning to drive to Crowley Ridge CA to try for the Chuck-will's-widow. It is very similar to the Whip-poor-will and the call is very similar. None were seen on the roads but I heard one off in the distance so we played their call. We got three birds to respond and they come in close but couldn't get any eye shine to locate for a photo. Two came in less then fifteen yards it seemed, but stayed in the thick brush.

Found nothing but a couple of Flycatchers and an Eagle at Otter Slough. At Ten Mile Pond there were about ten Least Terns and many Egrets and a few Herons.

We ended the day with a quick scouting trip to Ten Mile Pond CA and Big Oak Tree SP and passing through East Prairie Missouri we found a Common Nighthawk resting on a Church eve. We also stopped in East Prairie looking for the White-winged Doves reportedly nesting there and drove around the streets slowly but no luck. The target bird for Big Oak Tree SP was a Swainson's Warbler. We took a walk around the trail and played its call when we saw some cane. We got responses from of a couple very similar to a Swainson's call. They did come in close but we didn't see the birds. We planned to try these spots the next morning. Again, very hot and humid, temps 89-93°F.

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

Click thumb below for large version. • • • Hover thumb for names.
Indigo Bunting Bald Eagle Eastern Phoebe Eastern Phoebe Common Nighthawk Common Nighthawk Least Terns Snowy Egret Snowy and Great Egret

Preview of Photos in gallery

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