Big Day Part Four: The Mudflats and Wetlands

Links to previous Big Day posts: Prairie, Drive, and Forests.
With our species count at 102, we headed for Palmetto Meadows and Valley Water Mill to pick up some shorebirds. We were not disappointed at the gathering on FR 166. Greater Yellowlegs, Lesser Yellowlegs, Least Sandpiper, Semipalmated Sandpiper, and one peep that is still haunting me. All photos except the Common Yellowthroat courtesy of Marvin DeJong.

I wanted to call it a Western due to its slight downturned bill, but my confidence on that species is lacking, and I searched for reinforcement from birding companions. Unfortunately, I was unable to help the others lock onto the bird in question before the entire flock took to flight. The Wilson's Phalaropes, however, were easy to identify and fun to watch.After surveying the shorebirds and warblers on FR166, we headed to Valley Water Mill, which had been drained for trail construction. Charley and I took a short trail that was hot! We picked up Lincoln's Sparrow, Palm Warbler, Wilson's Warbler, and I caught this Common Yellowthroat in the brush. We saw the yellow breast and belly of a secretive warbler in thick brush, and I caught the glimpse of a black collar/necklace, or something of the sort. So, I believe that it was the Hooded or Canada that got away for lack of a better look.We watched the Great Egret feeding before heading to Springfield to observe a Cooper's Hawk on the nest, and a Yellow-crowned Night Heron on the nest. Stopped by Lake Springfield toward the end of the day and picked up Double-crested Cormorant, Tree Swallow, and Cliff Swallow.

All in all, a very successful and fun day was had by all. 125 species: a new personal Big Day record. You just can't beat the month of May!

Big Day Part Three: The Glades and Forests

After our prairie visit and our drive to the forests, rains delayed our birding just long enough for us to grab lunch in Ozark before heading down to Busiek Conservation Area. Upon arrival we tried to call up a Cerulean Warbler, but we were unsuccessful. We then headed to the limestone glade to pick up the Prairie Warbler. We were greeted by this Ruby-throated Hummingbird gathering nectar from an Indian Paintbrush.

All Photos courtesy of Marvin DeJong

Soon after we heard the chief avian residence of the Missouri glade habitat, the Prairie Warbler. He paused long enough to give us all great looks, and Marvin caught a bit of his personality in the photos below:


It was then time to head for the deep woods. We followed Prairie Ridge Road over to W highway, which is the gateway to the Mark Twain National Forest. The forests were alive with small birds as our list mount toward the 100 mark. A Red-shouldered Hawk posed near its nest just before the Red Bridge Bull Creek crossing.
Shortly after crossing the bridge, we spotted the Gray-cheeked Thrush, our 100th bird for the day! Pine Warblers become our 101st, where else but on top of Pine Ridge. It was 3:30, and there was much ground to be covered.
On the way to the mudflats of Palmetto Meadows and FR 166, we stopped by Linden to observe nesting Barred Owls and to see if we could add Prothonotary Warbler and Louisiana Waterthrush. Unfortunately, we ended the day with neither of these warblers.

Onward we went, our mission then was to pick up shorebirds and waders. More on that later!

Big Day Part Two: The Drive

The Springfield Plateau is an ecotonal zone between the prairies of the Great Plains and the oak/hickory deciduous and short leaf pine forests in the southern Missouri Mark Twain National Forests.

Fortunately, there were several unique microcommunities to explore on the drive to the forests from the prairies on Big Day 2008. Our first stop was at a wetland area near Ash Grove. The local scouts had developed a trail around the pond. We immediately heard a Yellow Warbler, so we decided to walk the trail. As we left the parking lot, we picked up a Northern Parula. Shortly thereafter, a Green Heron flew in. Yellow-throated Warblers were everywhere, and Tennessee Warblers showed their drab plumage to keep us temporarily puzzling over the ID. But the highlight was this Blackpoll Warbler that gave us great looks. This was only the fourth one of this species I've ever seen, so it was a real treat!All photos courtesy of Marvin DeJong
We were forced off of the trails by rains, so he headed on to the Willard quarry. Along the way, we picked up Bobolinks and a Ruddy Duck. When we arrived at the quarry, the Painted Buntings were waiting for us. We observed 3 birds. Here's a few of Marvin's pictures of two of the 3 birds:
All photos courtesy of Marvin DeJong
After leaving the quarry, we bee-lined to the French's Mustard plant on Interstate 44. There, amid new construction and habitat destruction, is the nest of a Missouri bird. Swainson's Hawks successfully raise young exclusively in and around Springfield, and no where else in the state.A brief look, a few pictures, and we were off once again for the forests of southern Missouri. Next blog entry: the glades of Busiek Conservation Area and the trees of the Mark Twain National Forest. Stick around!
All photos courtesy of Marvin DeJong

Big Day Part One: The Missouri Prairie

Records are made to be broken. Long ago, I was amazed when we broke 100 species on a Big Day of Birding. I thought it would never happen again.

On that day, Mark Goodman, my son Nathan, and I set out for Schell-Osage Conservation Area and Taberville Prairie for a productive day of birding in early May of 1995. When I look back, I remember vividly the life birds for the day: Least Bittern, American Bittern, Bell's Vireo, and Henslow's Sparrow. I think we ended the day with 104 species. I'm sure Nathan with his constant attention to detail could tell you exactly how many species there were. But this I do know. My personal record stood for 13 years, occasionally being challenged as several 100 species days followed.

This year I took Big Day to a new level. I enlisted the help of GOAS and Audubon Missouri president Charley Burwick to map out a successful strategy. Charley had birded big day for years and tirelessly pursues new species in the Ozarks. He reminded me that it's all about hitting all the possible habitats in your region. The birds start stacking up each time you enter a new ecosystem, and that makes all the difference.

So, I felt really great when we ended the day with 125 species. Of the 125, I personally saw and/or heard 122 species! For Southwest Missouri, this is an outstanding total.

To top it off, Marvin DeJong, excellent photographer, joined us to capture the mood and the memorable moments from our 2008 count. I am featuring Marvin's amazing work from that single Big Day. Thank you, Marvin, for sharing.

And so, I begin this story at Niawathe Prairie at sunrise. Although cloudy, the birds were singing as we arrived. First bird of the prairie was Common Yellowthroat, followed quickly by Horned Lark. Soon we were hearing Bell's Vireo. Our successful attempt to see the vireo was characterized by quick jumps into the open and just as quick retreats into the undercover. Along with the ubiquitous Eastern Meadowlarks, Red-winged Blackbirds, and Dickcissels, we heard Henslow's Sparrows and occasionally watched their short flights into the deep grasses. Northern Bobwhite and Yellow-breasted Chat echoed on the horizon. Near the brushy margins of the prairie we picked up a pair of surprise Harris' Sparrows.We searched the surrounding agricultural fields and grasslands unsuccessfully for Greater Prairie Chicken, but picked up Savannah Sparrow, Grasshopper Sparrow, Scissor-tailed Flycatcher, Eastern Kingbird, Great Horned Owl, and Loggerhead Shrike, among others. Marvin caught this American Pipit on his camera.
Our highlights from the prairie were in a recently burned field guarded by this Charolais Bull. Comfortably foraging about at his hooves were 6 Upland Sandpipers in the damp grasses. When I first saw them at a distance with their necks retracted and plumage dampened in the rain, I hoped for prairie chicken, but the next best thing was these beautiful grassland natives.
We left the tall grass prairie around 8:30 a.m. with 40 species, headed for Willard in search of our target Painted Bunting. There were pleasant surprises along the way. Come back for Part Two.