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June 2017June 2017 Volume 84, No. 2Volume 84, No. 2

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

T H E T H E B L U E B I RB L U E B I R DD

T h e v o i c e o f A S M s i n c e 1 9 3 4T h e v o i c e o f A S M s i n c e 1 9 3 4

Officers

Mark Haas*+, President (2018)

614 Otto Drive; Jackson MO 63755;

(573) 204-0626

[email protected]

Louise Wilkinson*+, Vice-President

(2018); P.O. Box 804, Rolla, MO 65402-

0804; (573) 578-4695

[email protected]

Scott Laurent*+, Secretary (2017)

610 W. 46th Street, #103; Kansas City,

MO 64112; (816) 916-5014

[email protected]

Pat Lueders*+, Treasurer (2017)

1147 Hawken Pl., St. Louis, MO

63119; (314) 222-1711

[email protected]

Honorary Directors

Richard A. Anderson, St. Louis**

Nathan Fay, Ozark**

Leo Galloway, St. Joseph**

Jim Jackson, Marthasville

Lisle Jeffrey, Columbia**

Floyd Lawhon, St. Joseph**

Patrick Mahnkey, Forsyth**

Rebecca Matthews, Springfield**

Sydney Wade, Jefferson City**

Dave Witten, Columbia**

John Wylie, Jefferson City**

Brad Jacobs, 2016 Recipient of the

Rudolf Bennitt Award

Jim Jackson, 2012 Recipient of the


Dr. David Easterla, 2006 Recipient

of the Rudolf Bennitt Award

Paul E. Bauer, 2004 Recipient of the


Regional Directors

Charles Burwick+ (2017)

Springfield (417) 860-9505

Lottie Bushmann+ (2018)

Columbia, (573) 445-3942

Jeff Cantrell+ (2017)

Neosho (471) 476-3311

Mike Doyen+ (2017)

Rolla (573) 364-0020

Allen Gathman+ (2018)

Pocahontas (573) 579-5464

Brent Galliart+ (2018)

St. Joseph (816) 232-6038

Greg Leonard+ (2019)

Columbia (573) 443-8263

Terry McNeely+ (2019)

Jameson, MO (660) 828-4215

Phil Wire+ (2019)

Bowling Green (314) 960-0370

Chairs

Bill Clark, Historian

3906 Grace Ellen Dr.

Columbia, MO 65202

(573) 474-4510

Kevin Wehner, Membership

510 Ridgeway Ave.

Columbia, MO 65203

(573) 815-0352

[email protected]

+ Board Position

* Executive Committee Member **Deceased

The Audubon Society of Missouri

Page i THE BLUEBIRD

The Bluebird

Page ii 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


MO Bird Records Committee:

Brad Jacobs+—Chair, 11300 Vemers Ford Road, Columbia, MO 65201,


Bill Rowe—Secretary, 7414 Kenrick Valley Drive, St Louis, MO 63119-

5726 (314) 962-0544, [email protected]

Seasonal Survey Editors:

Spring: Greg Swick, 1503 E. Bingham St., Ozark, MO 65721-9503, (417)

581-2757, [email protected]

Summer: Paul McKenzie, 2311 Grandview Circle, Columbia, MO 65203-

7240, (573) 445-3019, [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;

Aug. 1 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 Greg Swick by June 10

Summer (June 1-July. 31)—to Paul McKenzie by Aug 10

Fall (Aug. 1-Nov. 30)—to Joe Eades by Dec. 10

Table of Contents

Page iii THE BLUEBIRD

51 President’s Corner—Mark Haas

52 We Welcome our New ASM Members—Kevin Wehner

52 Grassland Wayside Panel Dedication Day Activities

54 Becky Matthews—Bill Clark

58 ASM 2017 Spring Meeting Photos—Mike Grant

59 Memories of a Birding Legend: The Passing of Chandler S. Robbins

(1918-2017)—Paul McKenzie

66 Missouri Christmas Bird Counts, 2016-2017—Randy L. Korotev,

CBC Editor

94 Fall 2016 Seasonal Report—Joseph W. Eades

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

Front Cover—Birders should always be alert for jaegers in fall on Missouri’s

large lakes. This immature Parasitic Jaeger was seen by many observers

September 16-21 at Smithville Lake, Clay County, where it was photo-

graphed on September 17, 2016 by Mary Nemecek.

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 edi-

tors. Send address corrections to ASM, 2101 W. Broadway, PMB 122, Columbia, MO 65203-1261.

June 2017 Volume 84, No. 2

President’s Corner—Mark Haas

1 THE BLUEBIRD

Dear Fellow Birders,

It was an awesome spring bird-

ing season, with many migrants

arriving earlier than expected. I

hope you were able to get out and

experience that most-exciting

season of the birding year. If

your only birding was at the

ASM Spring Meeting, you picked

the right time.

The Greater Ozarks Audubon

Society, our hosts in Springfield, arranged some outstanding field

trips, with Roaring River State Park one of the highlights. Over the

weekend, our birders reported 158 species, including 26 warblers

and southwest specialties like Greater Roadrunner, Swainson’s

Hawk, and Painted Bunting. In addition, the social events, keynote

speaker, and all other portions of the weekend were excellent. Many

thanks to GOAS for a memorable Spring Meeting!

I have mentioned before my appreciation for the volunteers who

keep ASM running. Recently, Patrick Harrison resigned after 14

years as our Webmaster. Within a day, Kevin Wehner agreed to

take over as Webmaster and continue his duties as our Membership

Chair. I am so grateful to Patrick for his many years of service and

thankful to Kevin for stepping up.

Louise Wilkinson just resigned as Vice President, but served on the

board for several years before her term as VP began last year.

Thank you Louise. A search for her replacement continues.

Also, Scott Laurent resigned as our Conservation Partnership Coor-

dinator. Immediately, Edge Wade volunteered to fill this key posi-

tion. Likewise, I am thankful for Scott’s service and for Edge’s will-

ingness to jump back in to serve again. I encourage you to express

your gratitude to all ASM volunteers, past and present.

Edge has already negotiated 2017 cooperative agreements with

State Parks and MDC. State Parks of special emphasis this year are

THE BLUEBIRD

Echo Bluff, Thousand Hills, Crowder, Current River, and Washing-

ton. Some of the priority Conservation Areas are Huzzah, Big Buffa-

lo Creek, Danville, Daniel Boone, Fiery Fork, Donaldson Point, and

Black Island. Watch the MOBIRDS-L listserv for more details.

Each time you bird one of these focus sites and submit your data to

eBird, you are supporting the work of ASM through our cooperative

agreements. Thank you.

Mark Haas, President


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 11 new ASM members

in the 2nd quarter of 2017!

Cliff Amos Kansas City, MO

Penelope & Dennis Beache Saint James, MO

Eric Feltz St. Louis, MO

Doug, Christy, Nicole, Sam & Crystal Henley Columbia, MO

Carol Kuhl Gladstone, MO

Betsy Nace Springfield, MO

Cooperators and others were greeted with perfect weather Sunday,

April 23, to enjoy a full day of activities at Rock Bridge Memorial

State Park. They were celebrating the dedication of the state’s first

interactive bird checklist wayside panel, a product of the 10-year

cooperative agreement between the Audubon Society of Missouri

(ASM) and Missouri Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Divi-

sion of State Parks.

ASM volunteers work to help Missourians become more familiar

with birds through the State Parks Checklist Project (SPARKS). The

program makes park checklists available to the public online and at

WE WELCOME OUR NEW ASM MEMBERS!! Kevin Wehner

GRASSLAND WAYSIDE PANEL DEDICATION

DAY ACTIVITIES

THE BLUEBIRD

Left to right: Lori Turner, Edge Wade, Kathleen Anderson, Eric Wood, Greg

Leonard, John Besser, Sandy Elbert, Laura Hillman, Allison Vaughn.

state park visitor centers. The new interactive wayside panel allows

park visitors to use a QR code to download the Rock Bridge Memori-

al State Park bird checklist to use as they look for birds.

The day began with a bird walk along Spring Creek and the Sink-

hole Trail, led by Kathleen Anderson and Edge Wade. Among the

birds seen were just-returned Great Crested Flycatcher, White-eyed

and Red-eyed Vireo, and Blue-winged and Kentucky Warbler.

Several participants satisfied well-earned appetites and shared bird-

ing lore and experiences over lunch at Buckingham’s Smokehouse

BBQ before returning to the park for the dedication ceremony host-

ed by Park Superintendent Sarah Jones.

Superintendent Jones described the habitat development and

maintenance of the restored prairie traversed by the Grassland

Trail. Allison Vaughn, representing DNR for SPARKS agreements,

followed with additional comments about Missouri State Parks’ hab-

itat maintenance and the value of the SPARKS agreement with

ASM. Edge Wade, conservation partnership coordinator, noted that

the SPARKS program is the work of volunteers and that funds

earned are used for formal bird monitoring work, scholarships for

THE BLUEBIRD

The dedication ceremony. Park Superintendent Sarah Jones (right) speak-

ing. KOMU TV reporter (center) videotaping the event.

young people to learn about habitat needs of birds, and many other

projects in partnership with a variety of organizations in Missouri.

To cap the day, Greg Leonard led an eager troop of birders and

Americorps volunteers on a walk through the grasslands. Northern

Bobwhite, Red-headed Woodpecker, Yellow-throated Vireo, and Yel-

low-breasted Chat were among the species entertaining the group.

Becky Matthews was one of a kind! Unfortunately, she didn’t live

forever, but we’re thankful for the 98 years she shared with us.

When Becky—her full name was Ency Rebecca Jamison Matthews—

died on February 19, 2017, her grandson, Shawn, recalled a recent

incident.

“My wife Juli, and I gave Becky a book about birds and she looked

disappointed. She looked up and said, ‘For the longest time, people

always think that I just like birds.’

BECKY MATTHEWS

Bill Clark

THE BLUEBIRD

I said, ‘You do, Grandma—remember’ And she looked at me, paused,

and with a wry smile said, ‘Well, I have other interests, too.’”

How true. A number of years ago, during a spring meeting south of

Jefferson City, Becky and I began a bird walk with a group. I

stopped to look at a rare spring wildflower and fell behind the

crowd. I then realized I was not alone. Becky Matthews had spotted

the same rarity. By the time we were both satisfied with our plant

identification, the birders were no longer in sight. One flower led to

another and we spent the next two hours looking down, not up, bota-

nizing our way a quarter of a mile before turning toward lunch.

Becky’s comment, “One of these days, I hope to make it a whole

mile.”

It has been said that Becky was first a learner, then a teacher, and

that generations were grateful that she chose to share all that she

had learned.

Becky Matthews was born in 1919, graduated from Southwest Mis-

souri State Teachers College in 1941, where she was a rare female

mathematics and science major. She had been a self-taught master

of algebra by the age of 13. Her first teaching job was at Lincoln,

Missouri, High School where she met and, in 1941, married a young

minister, Faust Matthews. They were married 65 years prior to

Faust’s death in 2006. This marriage produced four children, but by

1954 Becky was back in the classroom, teaching chemistry and biol-

ogy at Willard High School for two years before moving to Southwest

Missouri State University where she taught mathematics from 1956

to 1983, retiring as Professor Emeritus.

It was not until 1968 when she was almost 50 that Becky became a

birder. “Life begins at 50,” she said. She soon became deeply in-

volved with the Greater Ozark Audubon Society of Missouri and, in

1971, began a 35-year run as monthly nature columnist for the

Springfield News-Leader. She also wrote for the Missouri Conserva-

tionist and edited The Bluebird, promoted the Nature Center in

Springfield and served as its first volunteer coordinator when it

opened in 1988.

Among her many awards was the 2000 Communicator Award from

the Conservation Federation of Missouri and in 2006 she was hon-

ored at the Nature Center with the “Becky Matthews Gala.” Becky

was elected as an Honorary Board Member of the ASM, the only fe-

male so honored in the ASM’s 116-year history.

I first met Becky in 1982 when I agreed to become the editor of The

Bluebird. The publication had dwindled to less than 20 pages and

THE BLUEBIRD

reflected the direction of ASM as elected officers moved on to other

roles in life. I was an outsider with a few new ideas and no technical

skills—except a typewriter and a background as a sportswriter for a

daily paper. I was a major league baseball scout first, a working

sports official second, a weighlifter and gym operator third and a

birder fourth. Becky helped rearrange those priorities. One of my

goals was to have the Christmas Bird Counts in the March Bluebird.

Becky made it happen. In two consecutive issues of The Bluebird, I

misspelled “environment.” I quickly received a friendly, but firm,

spelling lesson. When I led the occasional field trip at ASM fall

meetings, Becky often grabbed the front seat.

Becky Matthews joined Jim Jackson and John Wylie in my life as

role models who best understood the entire world of nature around

us. Sadly, only Jim Jackson remains.

Despite Becky’s wide interests in the natural world, birding was al-

ways at the center of her natural world. She summed up her role as

an expanded backyard birder with the column she wrote for the

News-Leader. It is truly a self-portrait of this Grand Lady—Ency

Rebecca Jamison Matthews.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

A Birdwatcher is……

Rebecca Matthews

Some years ago while visiting a Girl Scout Day Camp, I had occasion

to chat with a little Brownie. As usual, my binoculars were hanging

about my neck. When she asked about them I told her I was a bird

watcher. Her eyes widened and with a bit of awe in her voice she

said, “I never saw a real birdwatcher before!”

We may laugh, but when you stop to think, do you really know what

a birdwatcher is?

*A birdwatcher is a scientist—an ornithologist whose laboratory has

trees for walls, the sky for a ceiling and a leaf-carpet for its floor.

*A birdwatcher is an expert amateur who knows birds, their habits

and habitats, their songs and colors; one whose knowledge is exten-

sive by never complete.

*A birdwatcher is a novice, juggling bird guide book in one hand,

binoculars in the other while the uncooperative bird flies away.

*A birdwatcher is a grandfather whose loving family keeps the bird

bath and feeders filled as an invitation to the birds he calls his

friends.

*A birdwatcher is a young adult for whom the challenge of physical

and mental activity enriches his leisure hours.

THE BLUEBIRD

*A birdwatcher is a sixth grader getting a head start on a hobby

which can prove to be an exciting, life-long challenge, perhaps lead-

ing him into his vocation.

*A birdwatcher is a small child whose earliest vocabulary includes

the words “bird” and “car-nal” and “boo-jay.”

*A birdwatcher is a problem solver. Each new bird is a challenge; its

solution a delight.

*A birdwatcher is a list maker. He makes a list for his back yard,

one for the county, another for the state; he makes a list for the day,

for the year, for his life.

*A birdwatcher is a person whose favorite season is fall in October,

winter in December, spring in May, and summer in June.

*A birdwatcher is alternately fascinated and frustrated by his hob-

by, yet he is irresistibly and unexplainably drawn to it.

*A birdwatcher travels from the Florida Keys to Bering Strait to add

one bird to his life list.

*A birdwatcher is content to study and enjoy the birds of his back

yard.

*A birdwatcher spends hundreds of dollars on high-powered tele-

scopes, expensive cameras, tape recorders.

*A birdwatcher enjoys his small investment in a pair of inexpensive

binoculars and his well-worn Field Guide to the Birds.

*A birdwatcher finds solace in solitude, a sense of identity as he

walks alone on quiet woodland paths.

*A birdwatcher delights in the company of his traveling companions

with whom he shares discoveries, beauty, knowledge.

*A birdwatcher is also a rock hound, mushroom hunter, flower find-

er, expert on trees, authority on mosses, star gazer—for an interest

in nature cannot be confined.

*A birdwatcher enjoys the cool green of the deep woods, the warm

sun of the open prairies, the salt breezes by the ocean shore, the

clear waters of a mountain stream, the fresh scent of spring, the

crisp air of autumn.

*A birdwatcher rises early, goes hungry, braves cold, suffers heat,

risks chiggers and endures a thousand spider webs in his hair and

face.

*A birdwatcher may prefer to be known as a “birder” because he is

interested in the total bird—his habits and habitat, his song, and his

general well-being.

*A birdwatcher is one who sees God’s handiwork and says, “It is

good!”

*A birdwatcher is a conservationist, one who recognizes and accepts

his responsibilities as a steward of the blessings of the good earth.

THE BLUEBIRD

A birdwatcher is your florist, your doctor, your teacher, your pastor,

your postman, your next door neighbor, a student, a parent, a child.

A birdwatcher could be you.

Reprinted from the Springfield News-Leader August 3, 1975

ASM 2017 SPRING MEETING PHOTOS Mike Grant

THE BLUEBIRD

Paul M. McKenzie

2311 Grandview Circle

Columbia, Missouri 65203

Photo from: Barbara Dowell - United States Geological Survey - Patuxent

Wildlife Research Refuge, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/

index.php?curid=38030036

Like so many other birders and ornithologists, I was greatly sad-

dened by the recent news of the passing of Chandler (Chan) S.

(Semyour) Robbins on March 20, 2017 at the age of 98. I am one of a

few lucky Missouri birders who was not only aware of his many ac-

complishments but knew him personally, birded with him in the

field, and was influenced by his tremendous enthusiasm, apprecia-

tion, and passion of birds.

I personally met Chan when I lived in Maryland in the early 70s

when I was a beginning birder. As with so many other birders who

live near his home town of Laurel, Maryland, Chan was a birding

mentor and friend; his field skills by sight and sound were simply

unmatched yet he was one of the most gracious, humble, soft-

spoken, kind, and gentle individuals I had ever met. I have many

fond memories of birding trips doing BBS routes, CBCs, and forays

with the Brooks Bird Club in West Virginia. Before I share a few of

Memories of a Birding Legend:

The Passing of Chandler S. Robbins (1918-2017)

THE BLUEBIRD

the more salient memories, a review of his life and accomplishments

are appropriate.

Chan was born on 17 July 1918 in Belmont, Massachusetts, a sub-

urb of Boston. He received a B.A. in Physics in 1940 and a M.S. in

Zoology from George Washington University in 1950. In 1995 he was

awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Sciences from the University of

Maryland for his decades of research and ornithological conservation

efforts. While at Harvard working on his Bachelor’s degree, he was

encouraged and mentored by his freshman advisor and famous orni-

thologist Ludlow Griscom who helped fine tune Chan’s field identifi-

cation skills.

There is surely not enough space to list all of Chan’s accomplish-

ments. While some are well known, others may not be, especially to

the younger readers of this tribute. Chan is probably most readily

known for the publication of the Golden Field Guide: A Guide to

Field Identification of the Birds of North America that he coauthored

with Bertel Bruun and Herbert Zim and illustrated by Arthur Sing-

er in 1966. Along with Roger Tory Peterson’s 1947 field guide, this

book helped set the standard for the multitude of bird identification

manuals that would follow. To date, his field guide has sold over 6

million copies!

Of course most birders are familiar and have participated in the

Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) that was initiated by Chan in 1966 but

many may not know the impetus in the development of this now

classic breeding avian monitoring technique. In the early 1950s,

Chan along with other researchers, conducted studies to determine

the effects of pesticides, particularly DDT on different species of

birds (see Robbins et al. 1951). These studies provided important

background information for Rachel Carson’s classic book Silent

Spring. One day in the early 1950s, Chan received a letter from a

woman who reported the death of hundreds of American Robins on

several college campuses after the spraying of DDT. Concerned

about the ability to track the effect of DDT and other chemicals on

bird populations, Chan realized that we lacked a rigorous survey

technique to assess changes over time, even for such common spe-

cies as Wood Thrush and Red-eyed Vireo. This concern led to the

design and establishment of the Breeding Bird Survey and statisti-

cal analysis of data since its development has led to the documenta-

THE BLUEBIRD

tion of declines of numerous song birds. Chan was one of the first

ornithologists to raise awareness of the potential impacts of indus-

trial wind turbines on migratory birds, especially raptors along the

Appalachian ridge tops.

Chan was a life-long bird bander who banded over 190,000 birds

throughout his illustrious career. None were more famous than his

banding of an adult female Laysan Albatross in 1956 on Midway

Island in the South Pacific who is affectionately known as “Wisdom.”

Based on recaptures and/or band changes in 1966, 1985, 1993, 2002,

and 2006 (see Birding Interview in the September 2012 issue of

Birding-Strycker 2012), her age is now estimated to be 66, which

would make her the oldest known wild living bird.

Some of the initial and classic studies on the effects of forest frag-

mentation on birds nesting in eastern North America were conduct-

ed by Chan and his colleagues (see Whitcomb et al. 1981 and Rob-

bins et al. 1989). Chan was as much interested in the conservation

of Neotropical migrants on their wintering grounds in the tropics as

he was on their breeding grounds in North America. From 1984

through 2000 Chan and others were actively involved in training

researchers in the Caribbean, Mexico, and Central and South Amer-

ica. His efforts in Guatemala were recognized by the Foundation for

Ecodevelopment and Conservation (FUNDAECO) when they named

the Cerro San Gil Reserve research center the Chandler Robbins

Biological Station.

Chan was a prolific writer and during his career the list of papers,

books, maps, and articles he authored is over 650. He was a tech-

nical editor of North American Birds from 1952 through 1989 and

editor of Maryland Birdlife 1947-2014. In addition to being actively

involved in breeding bird research, Chan participated in CBCs for

80 years, a feat few of us will be able to duplicate!

As all of us who enjoy looking for rare or unusual species of birds,

Chan had a keen interest in those species that were extinct or criti-

cally endangered. I guess no bird fascinated him more than Brew-

ster’s Linnet. This rare hybrid between a Common Redpoll and Pine

Siskin was collected by William Brewster on 1 Nov. 1870 near

Chan’s childhood home. It has never been seen again. Chan’s appeal

for this species is similar to his interest in Sutton’s Warbler, a rare

hybrid between N. Parula and Yellow-throated Warbler. On more

THE BLUEBIRD

than one occasion he suggested I consider joining the “Sutton Seek-

ers” with the Brooks Bird Club of WV in search of this hybrid. The

possibility of seeing this hybrid was certainly within Chan’s grasp as

it has been documented with photographs (e.g., PA, WI) in no less

that nine states and the District of Columbia (see review in Anich

2012). As for the linnet, Chan never gave up with the hopes of ob-

serving another one.

I would be amiss if I did not acknowledge the fact that Chan

was a fellow U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service biologist who worked for

the Patuxent Wildlife Research Center for 60 years between 1945

and 2005! The center is part of the Patuxent Wildlife Refuge. This is

the only National Wildlife Refuge established to support wildlife re-

search. When Chan retired in 2005 he was given the title of Scien-

tist Emeritus.

Due to his life-long commitment to bird research and conser-

vation, Chan’s list of awards other than those previously mentioned

is long but worth repeating. These include the Cornell Laboratory of

Ornithology’s Arthur Allen Award, the Linnaean Society of New

York’s Eisenmann Medal, the Elliott Coues Award from the Ameri-

can Ornithologists’ Union, the 2000 Audubon Medal from the Na-

tional Audubon Society, the Ludlow Griscom and Roger Tory Peter-

son Life-time Achievement Awards from the American Birding Asso-

ciation, the U.S. Department of Interior’s Distinguished Service

Award, the Audubon Naturalist Society’s Paul Bartsch Award, the

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Meritorious Service Award, the

Audubon Magazine’s Century of Conservation Award, and the

Prince George County chapter of the Maryland Ornithological Socie-

ty’s Life-time Achievement Award.

A tribute to this ornithological and conservation giant would

not be appropriate without sharing a few cherished memories of

birding with him in the field. All of the following stories occurred

while conducting CBCs in Maryland. I had the good fortune of join-

ing a small dedicated group of birders who enjoyed doing one CBC

after another. I can even remember occasions when we did five

counts in a row. Looking back on it now I realize just how totally

insane it is to even think of doing that many counts in a row! I cer-

tainly no longer have the stamina and energy to do it now in Mis-

souri. The small nucleus included Chan, his son George, Danny By-

strak, Paul Bystrak, Kathleen Klimkiewicz, me and others. Some-

THE BLUEBIRD

times all of us would attend, at other times, other commitments only

allowed a few of us to participate.

The first story I recall was with Chan and his son George. Chan had

dropped me and George off at different stream crossings where we

walked to the next crossing while looking for Winter Wren, Brown

Creeper, etc. When Chan picked us both up he said, “I have a bird I

want you both to see if I can relocate it.” Although we both were still

in the beginner birding stage, we knew enough to realize that what-

ever he found it was something good! “What species is it?” George

asked. “I won’t tell you because I want to see if both of you can iden-

tify it.” Oh, great I thought! The birding master is going to quiz us

on a bird! We stopped at a small bridge and Chan spished next to a

small weedy thicket along the roadside and up popped a flock of

sparrows. I think I remember White-throated, Song, and then I

heard him say softly, “Look at the small sparrow of shrub on the left

and tell me independently what you think it is.” Fortunately, the

bird remained still for several seconds and gave us both an oppor-

tunity to study it and look at illustrations in Chan’s field guide.

George then whispered in Chan’s ear what he thought it was and

Chan nodded in approval. Great I thought!- pressure is on now! I

studied this small sparrow for a few more seconds, referenced the

field guide one more time and said, “I think I got it” so I somewhat

hesitantly whispered in his ear- “Clay-colored Sparrow”- a species I

had never seen before. Chan raised his head with his classic flattop

haircut, smiled and said, “Great job guys!” “You both correctly iden-

tified it.” “This is an exciting find as it is the first winter record for

Maryland.” Whew! I thought- how cool is that!” Of course, it was the

talk at the tally that night and I think George and I were more ex-

cited we identified it correctly than understand the significance of a

first winter record for a state.

The second story also involved me, Chan and George. Chan had

dropped the two of us off a mile apart before dawn to listen for owls.

We did not have tapes to use so we imitated the calls of E. Screech,

Great Horned and Barred owls. On this particular morning Chan

had picked me up first. “What did you hear?” he asked. I replied, “I

had 2 Screech Owls, 1 Great Horned, 2 Barred Owls, George, and

Mallards on a pond.” He raised his eyebrows and first asked, “How

to you know they were Mallards?” “I heard them calling” I respond-

ed. “We will have to record them as Mallard/Black Duck because you

cannot separate the calls of those two species.” I embarrassingly

THE BLUEBIRD

said “OK” as I realized I had rushed to judgement. Then he inquisi-

tively asked, “What do you mean you heard George?” “I heard

George imitating the call of a Barred Owl” I said. “I don’t think that

is possible” he declared with a soft confidence. When we drove to

pick up George, Chan said, “George you stay here and in exactly 5

minutes I want you to imitate a Barred Owl as loud as you can.”

“OK” George responded but he asked why. “I want to do an experi-

ment (meaning he wanted to see if I could hear George a mile

away!)” he replied. Chan and I drove a mile down the road and got

out of the car. When the 5 minutes were up, we both heard this in-

credible loud imitation: “Who who who who. who who who whooall.”

Chan smiled and said, “My goodness! That is George!” I provided no

response as I was just glad to bat 500 for the morning. The story,

nonetheless, provided some humor at the tally later that night and

during subsequent CBCs.

The last story also involved another CBC- Ocean City I think or

somewhere along the Maryland Coast. I do remember that the en-

tire CBC nucleus was present at the tally and we had got to Brown-

headed Cowbird on the checklist. The compiler (Chan) asked the

unlucky soul who had volunteered to count cowbirds how many he

estimated. The counter reported that he estimated the number per

minute that passed a specific point on their way to a gigantic roost.

After discussing his methodology, the counter estimated that 9 mil-

lion cowbirds had gone to roost that night. There were oohs and

aahs all over the room due to the large number and knowledge what

9 million brood parasites could do to our songbirds! Then Chan

asked the obligatory question: “I assume no one else has any other

cowbirds to report?” A senior birder in the back of the room raised

her hand and said, “Yes, I had one.” Laughter broke out across the

room as everyone but her understood the magnitude of the state-

ment so Chan asked helpfully, “You don’t think I should submit a

tally of 9 million and one do you?” Realizing the error in her think-

ing she responded, “No, I guess not.”

There are other stories to tell that are just as memorable as these

but some of the details become harder to remember after 40+ years.

I will conclude by saying what an absolute delight it was to know

and bird with this man. Any of us would consider it a success if we

could but make a small fraction of his contributions to our

THE BLUEBIRD

knowledge and conservation of birds. He will surely go down as one

of the greatest ornithologists of all time. His passion, zeal, and dedi-

cation to bird conservation, identification, and life history ecology,

coupled with his strong moral character and ethical conduct will be

something we can all emulate. There are simply not enough words

in the English dictionary to describe the magnitude of his contribu-

tions to ornithology and the influence that he has had on millions of

peoples’ lives.

One day last month as I walked along the Katy Trail near Columbia,

I heard the always unforgettable song of a Winter Wren. I listened

to Chan’s favorite bird sing for a few seconds and wondered if the

little bird knew who his biggest fan was? After a few more cycles the

wren stopped singing and I wondered if ceased singing because it

had to move on or because it knew it had lost a friend.

Chandler S. Robbins’ legacy will live forever. It seems trite to say

that he will never be forgotten but every time we reference a field

guide, participate in a BBS route or CBC, or reference one of his

publications, our memories of his contributions will be rekindled.

Literature Cited

Anich, M.A., J.A. Swelstad, and B. Pierce. 2012. The first report of

Sutton’s Warbler (Northern Parula x Yellow-throated War-

bler) in Wisconsin. Passenger Pigeon 74:149-155.

Robbins, C.S., D.K. Dawson, and B.A. Dowell. 1989. Habitat area

requirements of breeding forest birds of the Middle Atlantic

States. Wildlife Monographs No. 103. 34pp.

Robbins, C.S., P.F. Springer, and C.G. Webster. 1951. Effects of five-

year DDT application on breeding bird population. Journal

of Wildlife Management 15:213-216.

Strycker, N.K. 2012. A Birding Interview with Chandler S. Robbins.

2012. Birding 44(5):16-21.

Whitcomb, R.F., C.S. Robbins, J.F. Lynch, B.L. Whitcomb, M.K.

Klimkiewicz, and D. Bystrak. 1981. Effects of forest frag-

mentation on avifauna of the eastern deciduous forest. Pages

125-206 in R. L. Burgess and D. M. Sharpe, eds. Forest is-

land dynamics in man-dominated landscapes. Springer-

Verlag, New York, N.Y.

THE BLUEBIRD

Again this past season Missouri hosted 27 Christmas Bird Counts.

Weather was mainly mild in December. Only four counts reported

snow cover (0”–3”) and seven counts reported frozen still water. A

total of 153 species were reported, one less than the all time high six

years ago.

Species for which only a single individual was seen in the state in-

clude American Bittern (Confluence; a first Missouri CBC record),

Black-crowned Night-Heron (Clarence Cannon), Sora (Columbia),

Inca Dove (Horton-Four Rivers), Long-eared Owl (Dent-Texas Coun-

ty), Northern Saw-whet Owl (Horton-Four Rivers), Rufous Hum-

mingbird (Springfield), Northern Shrike (Columbia), Bewick’s Wren

(Joplin), Gray Catbird (Joplin), Palm Warbler (Confluence), Pine

Warbler (Dent-Texas County), Vesper Sparrow (Big Oak Tree S. P.),

and Spotted Towhee (Maramec Spring). Other species seen on only

one count are Golden Eagle (2, Dent-Texas County), Virginia Rail (4,

Columbia), Greater Yellowlegs (4, Dent-Texas County), Greater

Roadrunner (2, Taney County), Peregrine Falcon (6, Confluence),

Snow Bunting (2, Grand River), Orange-crowned Warbler (2, Spring-

field), and Great-tailed Grackle (4, Liberal).

In the Big Table, the column labeled L/H indicates species for which

the party-hour-normalized statewide count was significantly (L or

H, 95% confidence limit) or very significantly (LL or HH, 99% confi-

dence limit) lower or higher than the average over the past 17 years

(but only if the mean number of birds is at least 5). With “only”

99,000 birds, Snow Geese numbers were very low (last year there

were more than a million). Other species especially low numbers

include American Black Duck, Northern Pintail, Lesser Scaup, Buf-

flehead, Ring-necked Pheasant, Wild Turkey, Rough-legged Hawk,

Rock Pigeon, European Starling, American Tree Sparrow, Rusty

Blackbird, Brown-headed Cowbird, House Finch, and House Spar-

row. Some of these low numbers (Lesser Scaup?, American Tree

Sparrow?) may reflect species that wintered farther north because of

the mild winter. Species not seen this season include: Blue-winged

Teal, Greater Scaup, Osprey, Snowy Owl, and Fish Crow. Only 4

species of gulls were reported.

Missouri Christmas Bird Counts, 2016-2017

Randy L. Korotev, CBC Editor

THE BLUEBIRD

Species in substantially greater than normal numbers include

Trumpeter Swan (1495 birds on 13 counts), Tundra Swan, Hooded

Merganser, Common Merganser, Common Loon, Turkey Vulture

(1385 on 13 counts), Red-shouldered Hawk, Sandhill Crane (with 18

at Loess Bluffs N.W.R), Wilson’s Snipe, Eurasian Collared-Dove,

Short-eared Owl, Eastern Phoebe, Winter Wren, Marsh Wren, both

kinglets, Chipping Sparrow, White-throated Sparrow, Savannah

Sparrow, and Lincoln’s Sparrow.

Five counts found 90 or more species, with Horton-Four Rivers set-

ting the new high with 121 species, including 6 species of owl.

Figure 1. Map of Missouri Christmas Bird Count locations.

THE BLUEBIRD

Code Count Compiler

MOBO Big Oak Tree S.P. Bill Eddleman

MOBS Big Spring Steve Paes

MOCC Clarence Cannon N.W.R. Bruce Schuette

MOCF Confluence Randy Korotev

MOCP Cole Camp Prairies IBA Ryan Steffens

MOCO Columbia Laura Hillman

MODA Dallas County David Blevins

MODT Texas-Dent County Daniel Hatch

MOGR Grand River Terry McNeely

MOHF Horton-Four Rivers Mark Robbins

MOJC Jefferson City Barbara Brueggeman

MOJO Joplin Dave Henness

MOKC Kansas City Mike Stoakes

MOKN Knob Noster Vernon Elsberry

MOLI Liberal Dana Hoisington

MOMA Maryville David Easterla

MOMI Mingo N.W.R. Bill Eddleman

MOML Montrose Lake Wildlife Area Rhonda Edmunds

MOMS Maramec Spring Louise Wilkinson

MOPB Poplar Bluff Bruce Beck

MOSQ Loess Bluffs N.W.R. Mark Robbins

MOSJ St. Joseph Thomas Nagel

MOSL Swan Lake N.W.R. Steve Kinder

MOSP Springfield Greg Samuel

MOTC Taney County Charles Burwick

MOTR Trimble Kristi Mayo

MOWS Weldon Spring Anne McCormack

THE BLUEBIRD

THE BLUEBIRD

August in Missouri was warm and very wet, with warmth and hu-

midity continuing through September. October and November were

unusually warm and dry, with temperatures averaging 5 and 7 de-

grees above average respectively. It was the warmest October in

four decades and the eighth-warmest on record, while November

was the fifth-warmest on record. The September-November period

overall was the second warmest in 122 years! The first freeze in Co-

lumbia occurred on November 13, about three weeks later than usu-

al, and Springfield experienced its first freeze on November 19,

nearly a month later than usual.

The most significant rarities included Long-tailed Jaeger and

Parasitic Jaeger, the former being a one-day wonder and the lat-

ter lingering and providing viewing opportunities for many. A Rose-

ate Spoonbill added to the growing list of records over the past two

decades. New early arrival dates were established for Golden-

crowned Kinglet and Swainson’s Thrush. New late departure

dates were established for Marbled Godwit, White-eyed Vireo,

and Bell’s Vireo. A new high count was reported for American

Pipit. Black Vultures continue to expand northward with one at

Fountain Grove Conservation Area and three at Katy Trail State

Park adjacent to Weldon Spring Conservation Area. Red-breasted

Nuthatches appeared in numbers but other winter irruptive spe-

cies were not evident.

There were a few interesting banding records. An adult male Pip-

ing Plover photographed among a group of four birds at Riverlands

Migratory Bird Sanctuary was banded as an adult on the Missouri

River in Yankton, South Dakota, in July 2015. A Yellow Rail was

banded during nocturnal wetland surveys at Fountain Grove Con-

servation Area on 3 September, and Northern Saw-whet Owls

continue to be banded in significant numbers at the World Bird

Sanctuary.

DUCKS THROUGH GREBES

A group of 3 Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks continued from the summer

season until at least 5 Aug at Horseshoe Lake Buchanan (Larry Olpin, Har-

ley Winfrey). Migrating Greater White-fronted Geese were noted with 95

at R.M.B.S. 20 Oct, 150 over the Weldon Interpretive Center St. Charles 23

Oct, 180 just outside R.M.B.S. 3 Nov and another 160 seen overhead at Con-

Fall 2016 Seasonal Report Joseph W. Eades

THE BLUEBIRD

fluence Road S.P. St. Charles on the same date (BR). A phenomenal local

fall high count of 8200 Greater White-fronted Geese was made near Marsh-

field Webster 8 Nov (GSa). A group of 10 Ross’s Geese, mixed in with a

similar number of Snow Geese was seen just outside of R.M.B.S. 3 Nov

(BR). The official R.M.B.S. swan count tallied 300 Trumpeter Swans 22

Nov (PL). A single Ring-necked Duck first observed at R.M.B.S. 1 Aug

continued until at least 19 Sep (BR). A Surf Scoter first seen at S.L. 25

Nov stayed through the end of the season (Rod Wittenberg) and a Black

Scoter was observed at R.M.B.S. 5 Nov (BR). A Long-tailed Duck was

observed at S.L. 9 Nov (Lisa Owens) and family group of 7 at M.S.L. 22-25

Nov established a new fall high count and is the second-highest number

ever recorded in the state (DE). A Red-necked Grebe was observed 5 Nov

at L.L. (KD).

CUCKOOS THROUGH PHALAROPES

A Black-billed Cuckoo observed 29 Oct at Ritter Springs P. Greene estab-

lished a new record-late date (†SM, DM, †CB, Klee Bruce, MO). A couple of

Rufous Hummingbird reports came from the sw., with an ad. m. at a

feeder in Springfield Greene 27 Aug (DT), probably the same individual at

another nearby residential feeder 12, 13 & 19 Sep (LB, CB) and an imm.,

also in Springfield Greene, 20 Nov through the end of season (Betty John-

son). A Yellow Rail was found 2 Sep (Justin Lehman) and subsequently

banded during nocturnal surveys at F.G.C.A. 3 Sep (Kevin Mortensen, ph.).

A Common Gallinule was at O.S.C.A. 2 Oct (MH). A Black-necked Stilt

This gorgeous male Rufous Hummingbird was one of two in Springfield,

Greene County, this fall. Photo taken September 13, 2016 by Andy Reago.

THE BLUEBIRD

Yellow Rail found during night survey at Fountain Grove Conservation Ar-

ea, Livingston County, on September 2, 2016. Photo by Justin Lehman.

was seen at R.M.B.S. 19 Sep–20 Oct (BR). A nice flock of 7 American Avo-

cets was at O.S.C.A. 26 Aug (MH), a single was at R.M.B.S. 10 Sep (BR)

and a rather late one was at M.S.L. 8 Nov (DE). A group of 4 Piping Plov-

ers at R.M.B.S. 8 Sep (David Becher, m. ob., ph.) included an ad. m. banded

as an ad. 18 Jun 2015 on the Missouri River near Yankton SD! (Marilyn

Friedich in comm. with DH, the photographer fide, BR). A Marbled God-

wit was at R.M.B.S. 29 Aug–8 Sept (Connie Alwood, BR) and perhaps the

same bird was observed there again 27 Sep–4 Oct, establishing a new record

-late date (m. ob., ph.). The 19-day gap between eBird submissions is hard to

interpret, but some birders reported this as a “continuing” bird. The bird

was noted to have an injured leg, which may have been a factor in the late

departure. White-rumped Sandpiper was documented twice at R.M.B.S.,

with 3 on 6 Sep (†DH, ph., David Dean) and a single 8 Oct (†CMc, AR, ph.).

A Red-necked Phalarope was found at R.M.B.S. 11 Sep (Mike Thelen).

JAEGERS THROUGH TERNS

A striking ad. Long-tailed Jaeger was observed 13 Aug at S.T.L., Aldrich

Arm (†DB, ph.), and a juv. Parasitic Jaeger drew many birders to S.L. 16-

21 Sep (†MN, MM, †EH, MMc, KD, Ruth Simmons, Bill Blackledge, m. ob.).

A Black-legged Kittiwake was found at M.T.L. Ralls 26 Oct (AC, ph.).

Sabine’s Gull made a very nice showing this fall with one 17 Sep S.L. (NA),

3 on 26 Sep (MM, MN). One juv. was at L.L. 7-24 Sep and 2 juvs. were pre-

sent there 24 Sep (KD). Another was at R.M.B.S. 27 Sep–4 Oct (LR, PL, m.

ob.). A robust count of 550 Bonaparte’s Gulls was made at M.T.L. 11 Nov

(BR). Laughing Gull was widely reported with one at S.T.L. 18 Aug (†Greg

Swick, LB), a juv. at R.M.B.S. 21-22 Aug (Bryan Prather, BR), and an ad.

THE BLUEBIRD

Long-tailed Jaeger in flight over the Aldrich Arm of Stockton Lake, Polk

County, on August 13, 2016. Photo by David Blevins.

there 20 Oct (BR, TP, ph.). Another 3 were at M.T.L. Monroe 29 Aug (†AC,

ph., Corey Gregory). A tally of 110 Franklin’s Gulls at R.M.B.S. 3 Nov was

a pretty good number for the eastern edge of the state (BR). Two first-of-

season ad. Herring Gulls returned to R.M.B.S. by 1 Sep (BR). A Lesser

Black-backed Gull was seen at S.T.L. 14 Nov (DB). An ad. and juv. Least

Tern observed at R.M.B.S. 10 Sep was evidence of late-fledging from a sec-

ond nesting attempt. The first 10 nests produced 23 eggs, 20 of which were

predated by a raccoon (BR, pers. comm. with LR). Two Common Terns

were at R.M.B.S. 10 Sept (BR).

CORMORANTS THROUGH SPOONBILL

A Neotropic Cormorant was observed at Eagle Bluffs C.A. Boone 2 Sep

(†BJ, ph.). There were several reports of late-lingering herons. An Ameri-

can Bittern was observed at L.B.N.W.R. 26 Nov (Bradley Painter, Jess

Painter, ph., m. ob.). An amazing 29 Great Egrets remained at R.M.B.S.

until 3 Nov with 18 still there 5 Nov, and none remained by 14 Nov (BR).

Other lingering Great Egrets included 8 at D.P.C.A. 2 Nov (MH, BB, JG)

and one at Mingo N.W.R. Stoddard 6 Nov (MH, Greg Stoner). A count of 26

Snowy Egrets was made 10 Sep at R.M.B.S. and adjacent West Alton (BR).

A Little Blue Heron at R.M.B.S. 13-18 Oct was near record-late (BR, TP).

A seasonal high count of 64 Cattle Egrets was made at Greenbrier Bol-

linger 27 Aug (MH) and a large number lingered at L.B.N.W.R. with 27 on

18 Nov (MMc and MN). A late Black-crowned Night-Heron was seen at

Springfield L. Greene 6 Nov (GSa, CB). A Roseate Spoonbill was observed

at O.S.C.A. 28 Aug (Stephen Dilks, †MH, ph., KH).

THE BLUEBIRD

This late American Bittern was at Loess Bluffs National Wildlife Refuge,

Holt County, on November 26. Photo by Bradley Painter.

VULTURES THROUGH FALCONS

Black Vulture continues to expand its range in the state with one at

F.G.C.A. 3 Sep (†KM) and 3 seen flying down the ridge above K.T.S.P.SP 17

Nov (BR). A nice count of 18 Mississippi Kites was made 7 Aug at Colum-

bia Bottom C.A. St. Louis (PL). A total of 13 Northern Saw-whet Owls

were banded 13 Oct–30 Nov at the World Bird Sanctuary St. Louis (PL).

One HY bird, was a re-capture, banded in ne. Ontario 1 Oct 2016. Bill Rowe

observed 3 Merlins during the season: a f./imm. columbarius 10 Sep at

R.M.B.S., another there, age/sex unspecified, 13 Oct and a f./imm. richard-

soni 17 Nov at Weldon Spring C.A. St. Charles. A Peregrine Falcon

thought to be a migrant tundrius was observed following a ridge over

K.T.S.P.SP 17 Nov (BR).

SHRIKES THROUGH PIPITS

A Northern Shrike found at Bradford Farm Boone 30 Oct remained

through the end of the season (BJ, SM, DM, JH, m. ob.). A Say’s Phoebe

was observed 12 Sep at Bean L. Platte (†NA). A Western Kingbird was

observed at L.O.S.P. 25 Sep (KMc). A White-eyed Vireo near B.C.C.A. 7

Nov beat the previous record-late date by three days (†TJ, ph.) and a Bell’s

Vireo at V.W.M.P. 2 Oct beat the previous record-late date by a day (†LB,

†JH, †DM, SM). Late Fish Crows included 8 at D.P.C.A. Nov (MH, BB, JG)

and one 17 Nov at Juden Creek C.A. Cape Girardeau (MH). A few Barn

Swallows lingered into early Nov with one at M.S.L. 8 Nov noteworthy

(DE). Red-breasted Nuthatches began arriving early with 2 birds on 12

Sep at Gen. Watkins C.A. Scott (MH) and other sightings of as many as 6

THE BLUEBIRD

birds (24 Sep, L.O.S.P., KMc) suggested an irruption year. A late House

Wren was observed 27 Nov at Apple Creek C.A. Cape Girardeau (Allen

Gathman). A Golden-crowned Kinglet at T.G.P. St. Louis City 10 Sep

(†CMc, AR, ph.) and a Swainson’s Thrush at Sodalis Nature Preserve

Marion 21 Aug both established new record-early dates (†AC, ph.). New

high counts were met and exceeded for American Pipit, with 250 at

Keeteman Road Lincoln 7 Nov (BR) and 375 same location 1 Nov (Al Smith,

TP, fide BR). A Sprague’s Pipit was heard calling overhead at Settle’s

Ford C.A. Cass 23 Oct (EH).

LONGSPURS THROUGH BLACKBIRDS

A flock of 10 Smith’s Longspurs was observed at Penn-Sylvania Prairie

Dade 20 Nov (CB) and a Chestnut-collared Longspur was with 7 Smith’s

at Prairie S.P. Barton 23 Nov (Christian Hagenlocher). A Northern Water-

thrush near B.C.C.A. 22 Oct furnished a third-latest date (†TJ, ph.). Late

Tennessee Warblers included three at Rotary L. Cape Girardeau 30 Oct

and one at R.M.B.S. 3 Nov (BR). Two Orange-crowned Warblers were

observed feeding on insects in a large weed patch with sparrow and gold-

finches at M.S.L. 19 Nov (DE). A late Nashville Warbler was observed 2

Nov in Cole (Chris Barrigar). An always-exciting Black-throated Blue

Warbler was observed 17 Sep at Rock Bridge S.P. Boone (Andrew Kinslow).

Mark Haas continued the tradition of having Chipping Sparrows visit his

Cape Girardeau feeder into the last week of the season and likely beyond. A

Clay-colored Sparrow in Raytown Jackson 7 Sep established a second-

earliest date (†Joseph Mosley). An imm. Harris’s Sparrow was observed at

C.C.N.W.R. 30 Oct (BR). A Rose-breasted Grosbeak in Jackson, Cape

Girardeau (MH, KH) 14-21 Nov provided Missouri’s second-latest fall date,

though there are five winter records. A Blue Grosbeak at V.W.M.P. 18 Oct

A late male Rose-breasted Grosbeak spent a week in Jackson, Cape

Girardeau County, at Mark Haas’ feeder, where he photographed it on No-

vember 18, 2016.

THE BLUEBIRD

furnished a fourth-latest date (JH, ph.). A late Dickcissel visited a Joplin

Jasper yard 30 Nov (Larry Herbert). A careful study revealed 3 Western

Meadowlarks among Easterns at Keeteman Road Lincoln 30 Oct (BR).

Yellow-headed Blackbird is always an exciting find along the eastern

edge of the state. One was encountered at Duck Creek C.A. Bollinger 22 Oct

(MH). Rusty Blackbird was minimally reported by those submitting re-

ports to the editor: the first 3 at C.C.N.W.R. 30 Oct (BR) and a sad-but-true

high count for G.O.A.S. of 8 at was made at McDaniel L. Greene 20 Nov

(DB). Delving into eBird data revealed many, though widely scattered, ob-

servations with the earliest 15 Oct in Clay (Michael Beck). The most obser-

vations and highest numbers were reported 24-30 Nov. The highest counts

for the season were: 138 at R.M.B.S. 24 Nov (CMc, AR), 200 at Busch C.A.

30 Nov (Rich Koestcke) and 225 at Forest P., St. Louis City 30 Nov (TP).

Brewer’s Blackbird reports submitted to the editor were similarly few,

with 4 at Keeteman Road Lincoln 30 Oct; 6 there on 6 Nov and 19 at

R.M.B.S. 14 Nov (BR). A good-sized flock of 32 Great-tailed Grackles was

found in Springfield Greene 16 Sep (DB) and a late ad. m. Baltimore Ori-

ole was at Bois D’ Ark C.A. Greene 5 Nov (MO, LB, et al.).

Observers:

Nic Allen (NA), Bruce Beck (BB), Lisa Berger (LB), David Blevins (DB),

Charley Burwick (CB), Ashley Casey (AC), Karen Davis (KD), David Easter-

la (DE), Joe Garvey (JG), Kathy Haas (KH), Mark Haas (MH), Jill Hays

(JH), Doug Hommert (DH), Eric Hough (EH), Brad Jacobs (BJ), Timothy

Jones (TJ), Pat Lueders (PL), Debbie Martin (DM), Steve Martin (SM),

Chrissy McClarren (CMc), Kelly McKay (KMc), Mark McKellar (MMc), Kev-

in Mortensen (KM), Marky Mutchler (MM), Mary Nemecek (MN), Marilyn

Owens (MO), Tom Parmeter (TP), Andy Reago (AR), Lane Richter (LR), Bill

Rowe (BR), Greg Samuel (GSa).

Abbreviations

C.A. Conservation Area

Comm. Communication

G.O.A.S. Greater Ozarks Audubon Society

L. Lake

P. Park

Pers. Personal

R.M.B.S. Riverlands Migratory Bird Sanctuary

S.P. State Park

Location Abbreviations:

B.C.C.A. Ben Cash C.A., Dunklin.

C.C.N.W.R. Clarence Cannon N.W.R, Pike.

D.P.C.A. Donaldson Point C.A., New Madrid.

F.G.C.A. Fountain Grove C.A., Livingston.

K.T.S.P. Katy Trail S.P.., St. Charles.

L.O.S.P. Lake Ozark S.P., Camden and Miller.

L.L. Longview Lake, Jackson.

THE BLUEBIRD

M.T.L. Mark Twain Lake, Monroe and Ralls.

M.S.L. Maryville Sewage Lagoons, Nodaway.

O.S.C.A. Otter Slough C.A., Stoddard.

R.M.B.S. Riverlands Migratory Bird Sanctuary, St. Charles.

S.L. Smithville Lake, Clay.

S.T.L. Stockton Lake, Dade and Polk.

L.B.N.W.R. Loess Bluffs (formerly Squaw Creek) N.W.R., Holt.

V.W.M.P. Valley Water Mill P., Greene.|

Literature Cited

Guinon, P. Missouri Climate Center. Retrieved from http://

climate.missouri.edu/, 2016.

Sullivan, B.L., C.L. Wood, M.J. Iliff, R.E. Bonney, D. Fink, and S. Kelling.

2009. eBird: a citizen-based bird observation network in the biological sci-

ences. Biological Conservation 142: 2282-2292. Retrieved April 2017.

ONONDAGA CAVE STATE PARK

Edge Wade, Spring 2017

1,317.7 acres Crawford Co. DeLorme 47, E-9/10; GPS: 38.0307136,-

91.1903016; DNR owned; for more information call 573-522-3760

On line link: https://mostateparks.com/park/onondaga-cave-state-park

Directions: From I-44 Exit 214, go south on Rt. H, through Leasburg, for a

total of about 7 miles. This guide does not include the detached Vilander

Unit.

ADA Information: The half-mile Blue Heron Trail (below) is concrete, with

a very gentle slope, going from the visitor center parking area along Spring

Lake, passing wooded hillsides and rocky cliff, giving easy access to very

good birding. The roads through the picnic areas and campground (see be-

low) provide access to riparian, savanna-like and open habitats that can be

birded from within a car or by short ambles.

When to Visit/Species to Expect: At the writing of this guide in early

spring 2017, 145 species have been reported to eBird. This park has such a

broad variety of easily accessed Ozark habitats that it is a fine birding ven-

ue any season. Spring, summer and autumn days will have several birds

nearby nearly every moment. Even winter can be good birding, as wintering

species may be viewed from roads or the many open areas.

Winter is a good time here to see geese, ducks in small numbers, Bald Ea-

gles, Red-tailed and Red-shouldered Hawks, Belted Kingfishers, and wood-

A BIRDERS’ GUIDE TO MISSOURI PUBLIC LANDS

Edge Wade and Others

http://climate.missouri.edu/

http://climate.missouri.edu/

THE BLUEBIRD

peckers (including sapsuckers), as well as resident passerines. Possibilities

include kinglets, creepers, Eastern Phoebes, Winter Wrens, Hermit Thrush,

Yellow-rumped Warblers, juncos and Purple and House Finches. Check the

pines for Red-breasted Nuthatch in invasion years.

In late April listen for Whip-poor-wills and begin watching for Ruby-

throated Hummingbirds. Watch and listen for returning Great Crested Fly-

catchers, Eastern Kingbirds, White-eyed, Yellow-throated and Red-eyed

Vireos, Northern Rough-winged Swallows, Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, Gray-

cheeked and Swainson’s Thrush and early migrating warbler species, espe-

cially Yellow-throated and Yellow-breasted Chat. May brings good chances

of seeing Purple Martins and swallows, and a variety of warblers including

waterthrushes, Chestnut-sided, Black-throated Green, and Wilson’s.

Summer breeders include Broad-winged Hawk, Worm-eating, Black-and-

white, Prothonotary, Kentucky, Cerulean, Pine and Yellow warblers, Oven-

bird, American Redstart and Northern Parula, Chipping and Field spar-

rows, Eastern Towhee, Summer and Scarlet tanagers, and Orchard and

Baltimore orioles.

Fall migration reports have included Golden-winged, Tennessee, Orange-

crowned, Bay-breasted and Blackburnian warblers.

Clearly, an observant birder has an excellent chance of finding a wide varie-

ty of species, including some surprises, on a trip to this state park in any

season.

Features of interest to birders: The PINE GROVE at the northwest side

of the large visitor center parking lot should be checked for Pine and Yellow-

throated Warbler and a good mix of small birds in any season.

BLUE HERON TRAIL (paved) runs along the north side of Spring Lake to

the campground. It passes the natural entrance to the cave and goes over

the 1880s-built dam and millrace. Along this trail in migration and breeding

season the observant birder may find a spectrum of species representative

of the potential of the park: Wood Duck, Acadian Flycatcher, Eastern Wood-

Pewee, Eastern Phoebe, Eastern Kingbird, White-eyed, Yellow-throated and

Red-eyed Vireo, Wood Thrush, Ovenbird, Kentucky Warbler, American Red-

start, Northern Parula, Louisiana Waterthrush, Prothonotary Warbler and

Common Yellowthroat, Red-winged Blackbird, Summer and Scarlet Tana-

ger, and Orchard Oriole. Beavers, muskrats and river otters may distract

even the most focused birder.

CAMPGROUNDS: The primitive (tent) campground is an open area with

good views into an almost savanna-like array of trees. There is a concrete

parking area. Near it are large rocks at a graveled area. From the rocks, a

wide cut may be walked to the river’s edge and a gravel bar to watch for

herons, kingfishers and swallows. A slow drive or walk through the main

campground (parking available at a couple of points) can be productive for

spotting creek-loving species. Unoccupied campsites give opportunities to

check the creek for them.

THE BLUEBIRD

AMPHITHEATER TRAIL is graveled. This short trail begins near the

showerhouse parking area and provides an easily walked peek into the

woodland habitat found along the Deer Run Trail (the amphitheater trail

goes by the trailhead). Sitting quietly in the amphitheater for a few minutes

is likely to result in good views of feeding flocks or individual foragers.

DEER RUN TRAIL is a loop of about 2.75 miles. Start at the showerhouse

parking area near the amphitheater. It is a short way to a split. Go right for

the gentlest uphill route. The first part is mostly north-facing dolomite

based woodland. Worm-eating Warbler, Yellow-throated and Red-eyed Vir-

eo, tanagers, and Yellow-billed Cuckoo are likely along this portion in

spring and summer. At the top on the hogback ridge is a bench. At this

point, the hike can be shortened by taking the old two-track generally east

(toward the river) along the ridge top to its junction with the trail along the

east side of the trail loop where a left turn onto the trail will take you back

to your starting point. To reach the south-facing slope, continue straight on

the trail at the bench. The woodland on this side is drier, and glade restora-

tion efforts are beginning to show results. Great-crested Flycatcher, more

Ovenbirds and Worm-eating Warblers, may be found. The habitat looks

good for Prairie Warbler. The trail crosses the road from the campground to

the Special-Use Area in two places. Using the road instead of the trail for

the last portion of the hike reduces some of the more difficult climb portions

of the trail, but does so by missing some.

OAK RIDGE TRAIL is a hilly 3-mile loop through habitats similar to those

of the slightly less rugged Deer Run Trail. The same bird species can be

expected. There is a .8 mile connecter between these two trails.

THE PICNIC AREAS OFF RT. H just north of the Meramec River bridge

are good for easy, flat ground birding. Both have boat launches that aid in

seeing along the river. The area to the east (right) of Rt. H is larger, with

good birding along the road through it, and if the river is not high, has ac-

cess to a gravel bar near the boat ramp.

THE ROAD LEADING FROM RT. H/CAVE RD. to the campgrounds goes

past Spring Lake to the north and woodland on the south. Drive slowly

through this open area, or walk it to take the fullest advantage of this flat

area easy viewing into diverse habitats.

Toilets: Flush toilets in the visitor center and two in the campgrounds;

vault toilets in the campgrounds and in the picnic area near the boat ramp

off Rt. H.

Camping: Basic and electric/water campsites may be reserved. Weekend

reservations require a two-night minimum stay (Friday/Saturday or Satur-

day/Sunday). There is a special use camping area.

Hazards/Limitations: Much of the park is low lying and subject to flash

flooding and to flooding due to back-up from high river levels, especially in

winter and early spring. Check with the park office if area weather condi-

THE BLUEBIRD

tions have been rainy. Watch for poison ivy. Park gates may be closed after

11 p.m. during the on-season. Day-use areas are open sunrise to sunset.

Nearby Birding Sites: Huzzah CA* (adjacent, immediately across Mera-

mec River), Blue Springs Creek CA, Meramec SP*, Meramec CA*, Maramec

Spring Park, Little Indian Creek CA*, Pea Ridge CA, Dillard Mill SHS.

*Indicates Birders’ Guide available when this guide was written. See http://

www.mobirds.org/Locations/SiteGuides.aspx for these and additional

guides.

*****************************

COLUMBIA AUDUBON NATURE SANCTUARY

Bill Mees, spring 2017

28 acres Boone Co. DeLorme 37, A/B-10; GPS: 38.9423121,-92.3929038;

3607 Bray Avenue, Columbia MO; Owned and maintained by Columbia

Audubon Society.

This site is on The Great Missouri Birding Trail, http://

greatmissouribirdingtrail.com/Wordpress/

The eBird website has this “hotspot” designated as Columbia Audubon/

Bonnie View Nature Sanctuary.

http://www.mobirds.org/Locations/SiteGuides.aspx


http://greatmissouribirdingtrail.com/Wordpress/

http://greatmissouribirdingtrail.com/Wordpress/

THE BLUEBIRD

Directions: From I-70 in Columbia, take the Stadium Blvd. Exit (124)

south 1 mile to a right onto Broadway. Go 0.4 mile to the first traffic light,

turn left onto Fairview Road and go 1 mile to a right on Bray Avenue, then

0.4 mile to a right onto Cunningham Road for a short block straight into the

area parking lot. The trailhead kiosk, visible from the parking lot, offers

maps, natural history-focused postings, the area’s bird checklists, and re-

cently identified species submitted to eBird.

ADA Information: Leading from the parking lot on the south side of the

property is the 8-foot wide concrete Scott’s Branch Trail. Going west from

the lot, it runs past the prairie, a wooded area, and leads down to a board-

walk overlooking Scott’s Branch Creek (about 0.25 miles). Trails within the

site are narrow natural surface and traverse area hills. There are 11 bench-

es along the natural surface trails.

Features of interest to birders: Visitors are greeted with views of a re-

established Missouri prairie (planted in January 2016). Trails go through

gentle hills of grassland and mixed species woods that feature the state

champion American Hornbeam and several massive old growth White Oaks.

Scott’s Branch Creek and a small spring add an aquatic element.

The ability to experience Missouri’s nature has benefitted from the removal

of bush honeysuckle as part of an ongoing volunteer effort to remove inva-

sive exotics from the sanctuary. The area’s accessibility has been enhanced

courtesy of Boy Scout projects, most notably trail markers, benches, and 3

bridges. Readily visible bluebird nest boxes are another Boy Scout project.

Nesting success is monitored and recorded by Audubon volunteers.

Two trails looping through the area provide options as to distance to walk

and habitats to experience. The .56 mile long east loop trail begins just

THE BLUEBIRD

north of the parking lot. There is a cut-off leading up from the creek that

may be taken to shorten the walk. Spurs from the loop trails lead to the

concrete Scott’s Branch Trail and into the city-owned Bonnie View Nature

Sanctuary. The .5-mile west loop is connected to the east loop at the bridge

across Scott’s Branch near the north end of the property.

When to Visit/Species to Expect: Anytime is good. Visitors have identi-

fied 146 bird species in the area. This 28-acre natural area and the adjacent

city-owned 90-acre Bonnie View Nature Sanctuary provide nesting habitat

for resident species and have the potential of attracting a good spectrum of

migrants, as these acres are nature’s island of green within the city limits.

Spring migration brings numerous Ruby-crowned and Golden-crowned

Kinglets, Hermit and Swainson’s Thrushes, and American Woodcock. Olive-

sided, Yellow-bellied, and Least Flycatchers should be watched and listened

for. The bird checklist is proof that a wide variety of warblers can be ex-

pected during migration. One need only to look up and scan the tree tops for

these travelers.

Many Northern Parula, Kentucky Warblers and Blue-gray Gnatcatchers

will establish nests, joining the resident Black-capped Chickadees, Tufted

Titmice and White-breasted Nuthatch. Both Red-eyed and White-eyed Vire-

os are usual nesters, as is Summer Tanager.

Summer regulars include Common Nighthawk, Chimney Swift and Ruby-

throated Hummingbird. All Missouri resident species of woodpecker are

here. Species of flycatchers nesting within the sanctuary are Eastern King-

bird, Eastern Wood-Pewee, Eastern Phoebe, Great-crested and Acadian Fly-

catcher. The Acadian Flycatcher seems to prefer the area along a section of

the trail shortly after entering the woods at the trailhead.

Fall migration records show a near mirror image of spring visitors, includ-

ing Blue-headed and Philadelphia Vireos.

Winter welcomes Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers, more Red-headed Woodpeckers

and Northern Flickers, and additions to the resident populations of Red-

bellied, Downy, Hairy and Pileated Woodpeckers.

Keep an open eye for Winter Wren, Swamp Sparrow, and Rusty Blackbird

near the creek and spring. The Red-headed Woodpeckers are often sighted

in the woods near the trailhead and along the concrete Scott’s Branch Trail

near the boardwalk.

Raptors are regularly seen overhead, especially Red-tailed and Red-

shouldered Hawks and Turkey Vultures. Cooper’s and Sharp-shinned

Hawks are frequently seen. Mississippi Kites may be found some summers.

Broad-winged Hawks and Northern Harriers have been seen in migration.

Although not often seen, but not infrequently heard, are Barred Owl and for

2 years (2016 & 2017) nesting Great Horned Owls.

Toilets: None

THE BLUEBIRD

Camping: None allowed.

Hazards/Limitations: The area is closed to dogs and bicycles except on the

concrete trail.

Nearby Birding Sites: Rock Bridge Memorial State Park, Eagle Bluffs CA.

***********************

ROCKY CREEK CONSERVATION AREA

Woodland Restoration Project Unit

Edge Wade, spring 2017

1,500 acres Shannon Co. DeLorme 65, A 8/9; GPS: 37.061267,-91.314737;

MDC owned: contact Eminence office, 573-226-3616; Conservation Atlas:

http://mdc7.mdc.mo.gov/applications/moatlas/AreaList.aspx?

txtUserID=guest&txtAreaNm=s

Directions: From Eminence (total distance 8.7 miles, 22 minutes), at the

intersection of MO 106 and MO 19, go south on MO 19 (a.k.a. Main St.) for

1.3 miles. Go left onto Rt. F and follow it for 3.1 miles, continue onto CR 106

-513 [old MO 19] for 3.3 miles, turn left onto CR. 313, a.k.a. Shopping Cen-

ter Rd. 313. The driving tour begins .5 along CR 313 at the junction with CR

324 (go straight onto CR 324. The junction of 313 and 324 is the beginning

of the driving tour described below.

http://mdc7.mdc.mo.gov/applications/moatlas/AreaList.aspx?txtUserID=guest&txtAreaNm=s

http://mdc7.mdc.mo.gov/applications/moatlas/AreaList.aspx?txtUserID=guest&txtAreaNm=s

THE BLUEBIRD

ADA Information: Birding for those with difficulty walking is limited to

birding by car or by short walks on the unpaved roads in this area.

Features of interest to birders: The scattered tracts of the 38,000 acre

Rocky Creek CA are overwhelmingly an even-age forest of black, scarlet and

white oak, hickory and some shortleaf pine, resulting from The Great Cut-

over around the beginning of the 20th Century. Hardwood species have in-

vaded native shortleaf pine forest areas. Most of the tracts have little or no

access by auto beyond county roads with few opportunities for pulling off for

safe, rewarding birding.

This Birders’ Guide is limited to the 1,500 acre Woodland Restoration

Project Unit of Rocky Creek CA because it features a 4.75 to 5-mile driving

tour that provides excellent birding access to the best habitat diversity in

Rocky Creek CA. The forest management project is part of multi-state land-

scape scale woodland restoration efforts to enhance open oak/pine woodland

communities of uneven-age trees. A goal for this area is that it will eventu-

ally again host Red-cockaded woodpecker, Brown-headed Nuthatch and

Bachman's Sparrow--species that have been extirpated from Missouri due to

loss of suitable habitat.

It is highly recommended that birders download the Pine Oak Woodland

Driving Tour pamphlet that explains forest management practices along

this route and includes a larger version of the map reproduced below. The

discussion of habitats and forestry management practices is a very useful aid

in understanding conditions that affect bird species found in the differing

microhabitats. Recognition of these microhabitats is a valuable birdfinding

tool.

To download the pamphlet, in the online MDC Conservation Atlas area

summary for Rocky Creek Conservation Area, scroll to the last item in the

“Activities” section, labeled “Tours.” Click on the blue link “driving tour”.

The driving tour starts at the junction of roads 313 and 324, and goes coun-

ter-clockwise following 324 to a left onto 313, following it to a left onto 323

to return to the starting point. Roads are marked by brown square wooden

markers with white numbers at the intersections. The silviculture treat-

ment areas are identified by yellow signs with numbers one through nine

that correspond to the numbers in the pamphlet. Birders are encouraged to

explore roads that intersect and/or extend beyond the driving tour route.

When to Visit/Species to Expect: Anytime can be fun birding, although

the heat and humidity of an Ozark summer may be daunting. Resident inte-

rior forest species and neo-tropical migrants that thrive here include Ameri-

can Woodcock, Wild Turkey, Northern Bobwhite, Yellow-throated Warbler,

Pine Warbler, Prairie Warbler, Carolina Chickadee, and Chipping Sparrow.

Below are samples of what to expect in season. Additional reports from the

area will surely add species to the occurrence lists.

Winter/early spring: Wood Duck, Wild Turkey, Bald Eagle, Red-shouldered

Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, American Woodcock, Red-bellied Woodpecker,

THE BLUEBIRD

Downy Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Blue Jay, American Crow, Carolina

Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, White-breasted Nuthatch, Golden-crowned

Kinglet, Eastern Bluebird, Pine Warbler, Eastern Towhee, Dark-eyed Jun-

co, American Goldfinch.

Spring (early to mid-April): Wood Duck, Wild Turkey, Cooper’s Hawk, Great

-blue Heron, TV, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Eastern Phoebe, Tree Swallow,

Brown Creeper, Brown Thrasher, Louisiana Waterthrush, Orange-crowned

Warbler, Nashville Warbler, Pine Warbler, Northern Parula, Yellow-

rumped Warbler, Yellow-throated Warbler, Chipping Sparrow, Field Spar-

row.

Late April, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Red-eyed Vireo, Indigo Bunting. May and

June: American Redstart, Prairie Warbler, Acadian Flycatcher, White-eyed

Vireo, Yellow-breasted Chat, Summer Tanager.

Autumn: Barred Owl, Great-horned Owl.

Toilets: None.

Camping: Not recommended.

Hazards/Limitations: ATVs roaring at top speed may be encountered on

the roads occasionally. Prescribed burns are an integral part of the forest

management for this area. A burn is probable in early spring 2018.

Nearby Birding Sites: Ozark National Scenic Riverways (Rocky Falls,

Blue Spring Natural Area*, and additional sites), Buttin Rock Access* and

Chilton Landing* both at Eminence, Current River SP, and several units of

Angeline and Sunklands conservation areas.



guides.

Enlargement of the Woodland Restoration Project unit showing the road network.



THE BLUEBIRD

The unit featuring the Woodland Restoration Project is the southern tract

with the internal road network shown on this map.

Map from Driving Tour pamphlet showing placement of silviculture signs.

THE BLUEBIRD

PAINT BRUSH PRAIRIE CONSERVATION AREA

Edge Wade, 2017

314 acres Pettis Co. DeLorme 36, G-2; GPS: 38.5478299,-93.2703573 ;

Owned by MDC; for more information call 660-530-5500.

This area has been designated by Audubon Missouri as an Important Bird

Area (IBA).

Directions: From Sedalia, take US 63 south, then go east on Manilla Rd.

Rod and Gun Club Rd. runs along the east side (coming from Rt. V/Spring

Fork Rd. to the north). From it, take Whiteman Rd going west to return to

US 63 across from MO 52.

ADA Information: There are no ADA compliant facilities/improvements,

and no trails through the area.

When to Visit/Species to Expect: Greater Prairie-Chickens, once ex-

pected in appropriate habitat in this vicinity, have not been reported from

this site for many years. Barn Owls are in the vicinity. Both Western (more

likely in winter) and Eastern Meadowlarks use the area.

On a late spring through summer visit birders have a good chance to en-

counter Upland Sandpiper, Northern Bobwhite, Eastern Kingbird, and Scis-

sor-tailed Flycatcher. Bell’s Vireo nests (check shrubs/bushes, especially on

prairie margins). Loggerhead Shrike, Dickcissel, and a good spread of spar-

rows, including Clay-colored, Lark, Henslow’s, and Grasshopper are likely

in summer. Sedge Wrens occur in late summer (the time of their second

nesting). Autumn species found here include Bobolink, American Pipit, Ves-

per, LeConte’s, and Lincoln’s Sparrow.

Winter birding may produce a Northern Harrier by day, and perhaps Short-

eared Owl at dusk or dawn.

A very fortunate birder may find a Bewick’s Wren in summer, Yellow Rail

in autumn, or Northern Shrike in winter.

Features of interest to birders: Of the 314 acres, 310 are native tallgrass

prairie, including the 74-acre Paint Brush Prairie Natural Area comprising

the northwest portion of the area. The natural area can be explored by

walking north from the parking lot just east of US 63 on Manilla Rd.

Prescribed burns, grazing and other management practices are implement-

ed here to maintain healthy prairie conditions. Pay special attention to re-

cently burned areas, as many birds find feeding in them to their liking. A

Red-shafted (possibly intergrade) flicker was seen among a flock of North-

ern Flickers flying off a burned section in early 2016.

A birder’s appreciative attention may well be diverted from avian delights

by the often riotous wildflower display on this prairie. You may want to tote

that Missouri Wildflowers book when you go for a walk. Mead’s Milkweed, a

species listed as threated, occurs naturally, but has declined for many years,

prompting MDC to implement a Mead’s Millkweed restoration project here.

THE BLUEBIRD

Other specialties found at Paint Brush Prairie include 47 species of

planthoppers (an important sparrow food). Here and on nearby relict prai-

ries 132 bee species have been documented. Prairie Mole Crickets dig ampli-

fying chamber burrows that send sunset mating calls (sounds like a chirp-

ing smoke alarm) to be heard up to a quarter mile away by human ears. The

pink form of short-winged katydid is also here. Watch also for Ornate box

turtles, the praire-loving relative of the Missouri three-toed box turtle.

Toilets: None.

Camping: None.

Hazards/Limitations: None other than potential for ticks and chiggers.

Sunscreen is recommended.

Nearby Birding Sites: Spring Fork Lake*, Mora Prairie CA, Hi Lonesome

Prairie CA*, Drovers Prairie CA, Friendly Prairie CA, Grandfather Prairie

CA, Farrington Park*.



guides.



Awards Committee: The ASM Executive Committee

Webmaster: Kevin Wehner

Executive Committee: Mark Haas, Louise Wilkinson, Scott Laurent, Pat

Lueders, and Bill Eddleman

Missouri Bird Conservation Initiative: Susan Hazelwood

Conservation Partnership Coordinator: Edge Wade (interim)

Grassland Bird Coordinator: Mike Doyen

Missouri Bird Records Committee:

Brad Jacobs, Chair

Bill Rowe, Secretary

Lisa Berger, Joe Eades, Brad Jacobs, Paul McKenzie, Mark Robbins,

Bill Rowe, and Josh Uffman

———————————————————————————————————-

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 ad-

dress, 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]

The Bluebird

mailto:[email protected]

THE BLUEBIRD The voice of ASM since 1934

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