the bluebirdmobirds.org/bluebird/2010-2019/2016/june_2016.pdf · deadlines for submission of...

June 2016June 2016 Volume 83, No. 2Volume 83, 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

Shari Harden*+, President (2016)

513 NE Grant Drive; Blue Springs,

MO 64014; (816) 229-3979

[email protected]

Mark Haas*+, Vice-President (2016)

614 Otto Drive; Jackson MO 63755;

(573) 204-0626

[email protected]

Scott Laurent*+, Secretary (2015)

610 W. 46th Street, #103; Kansas

City, MO 64112; (816) 916-5014

[email protected]

Pat Lueders*+, Treasurer (2015)

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**

Jim Jackson, 2012 Recipient of the

Rudolf Bennitt Award

Dr. David Easterla, 2006 Recipient

of the Rudolf Bennitt Award

Paul E. Bauer, 2004 Recipient of the

Rudolf Bennitt Award

+ Board Position

* Executive Committee Member **Deceased

Regional Directors

Charles Burwick+ (2017)

Springfield (417) 860-9505

Lottie Bushmann+ (2018)

Columbia, (573) 445-3942

Jeff Cantrell+ (2017)

Neosho (471) 476-3311

Allen Gathman+ (2018)

Pocahontas (573) 579-5464

Brent Galliart+ (2018)

St. Joseph (816) 232-6038

Terry McNeely+ (2016)

Jameson, MO (660) 828-4215

Larry Olpin+ (2016)

Warrensburg (660) 747-5228

Louise Wilkinson+ (2017)

Rolla (573) 364-9552

Phil Wire+ (2016)

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]

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, 9033 Big Bend Road, St. Louis, MO 63119,


Seasonal Survey Editors:

Spring: Josh Uffman, 707 Ashton Way Circle, Eureka, MO 63025

(636) 587-6016; [email protected]

Summer: Kristi Mayo, 1807 Clear Creek Dr., Kearney, MO 64060

(816) 289–7828, [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;

Jul. 15 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 Josh Uffman by June 10

Summer (June 1-July. 31)—to Kristi Mayo by Aug 10

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

Table of Contents

Page iii THE BLUEBIRD

39 President’s Corner—Shari Harden

40 We Welcome our New ASM Members—Kevin Wehner

40 Photos from the Spring ASM Meeting—Mike Grant and Allen

Gathman

42 A Different Point of View—Dean Heflin

43 In Memoriam: Mariel Stephenson—Edge Wade and Susan Hazel-

wood

45 Missouri Christmas Bird Counts, 2015-2016—Randy L. Korotev,

Christmas Bird Count Editor, CBC Editor

74 Fall 2015 Seasonal Report—Joseph W. Eades

81 A Birder’s Guide to Missouri Public Lands—Edge Wade & Others

90 Peer Reviewed Paper: Missouri’s First Record of Townsend’s War

bler (Setophaga townsendi)—Jack Hilsabeck, Larry Lade, and Dan-

iel Roberton

Front Cover—Missouri’s first definitive record of Townsend’s

Warbler was this bird banded on the Missouri Western State

University campus at Jack Hilsabeck’s banding station on

October 9, 2015. Photograph by Larry Lade.

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 2016 Volume 83, No. 2

President’s Corner—Shari Harden

Page 39 THE BLUEBIRD

Dear Fellow Birders,

I can’t imagine a better way to en-

joy an April day in Missouri than

watching the sunrise as prairie

chickens dance on their lek.

Thanks to the work of Edge Wade

and Kevin Wehner, coordinating

with MDC, more than 40 ASM

members were able to view the lek,

and listen to Henslow’s Sparrows

and meadowlarks while the sun lit

the prairie landscape. We are so

fortunate to live in a state where

so many people are working hard

to maintain the habitat needed for

our native birds.

At the spring meeting, members learned about the people working

to protect our rivers. Rebecca Landewe of the Nature Conservancy

shared information about the history of the region and current ef-

forts to protect habitat in and along the river ways. The beautiful

Bunker Hill Retreat was the perfect setting for this presentation,

and a perfect spring meeting location. Birders did not need to ven-

ture from Bunker Hill to see phoebes, Red-eyed Vireos, and Scarlet

Tanagers, and to hear Hooded Warblers. Great sightings of Swain-

son’s, Prairie, and Pine warblers added to many life lists. A huge

thank you to Steve Paes and Mark Haas for organizing a great

weekend for our members.

ASM members should be proud of their contributions as well. Each

time an ASM member birds a focus area included in our agreements

with the state parks or MDC and enters their data into eBird, they

are supporting ASM. Scott Laurent has finalized our 2016 agree-

ment with the State Parks. The focus areas for 2016 include the fol-

lowing state parks: Wallace, Onondaga Cave, Robertsville, Mera-

mac, Harry S. Truman, Stockton, Pomme de Terre, Van Meter, and

Arrow Rock state historic site.

Please visit as many of the focal parks as you can throughout the

year. If you can visit a park multiple times, that is most beneficial,

THE BLUEBIRD

but every visit is crucial to building a good database. Please try to

visit as many areas as you can.

Good Birding,

Shari Harden, 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 19 new ASM members

in the 2nd quarter of 2016.

George Banfield Montgomery City, MO

Joe & Shelia Collins Chesterfield, MO

Fran & Jim Fulton Chesterfield, MO

Brenda Gavilan Kansas City, MO

Charles & Juanita Harrison Sikeston, MO

Paul & Liz Konarske Wildwood, MO

Rebecca Landewe Van Buren, MO

Frank Nickell Cape Girardeau, MO

Sam Phillips Columbia, MO

Susan Roberts Columbia, MO

Pam Spencer Columbia, MO

Christopher, Clayton,

& Sherry Stapleton Farmington, MO

Bill Wiebold Columbia, MO

ASM members had a great time experiencing the scenic Missouri

Ozarks, its birds and other fauna, and the diverse habitat types of

the region at the Spring Meeting. Also had a super time at a won-

derful venue for the meeting—Bunker Hill Retreat. Photos on the

next page….

WE WELCOME OUR NEW ASM MEMBERS!! Kevin Wehner

PHOTOS FROM THE SPRING MEETING

Allen Gathman & Mike Grant

THE BLUEBIRD

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While walking in the pasture fields,

Out where the beef cows roam,

I chanced to see a coyote there

Digging tunnels for a home.

With haste I fetched my varmint gun

To do the creature harm.

I would show him there is no room

For his kind on my farm.

On my return I eased my way

Where I could get a sight

Well within my rifle’s range,

Without the creature taking flight

I brought the scope up to my eye

And was about to squeeze a round,

When to my left and from some grass,

I heard a yelping sound.

I cast my view from where it came

And there I saw some coyote pups

come bounding out to play.

They chased their tails and scampered about

In a beguiling sort of way.

I watched them for a while at least

Then turn my sight back to the other,

When all at once I had the thought,

This coyote was their mother!

Now once again I walk the field,

Out where the beef cows graze

And still I see a coyote there

Acting out its cunning ways.

But somehow the field seems larger now

Though it measures not one acre more,

I realize there is room for all God’s creatures

To share what nature has in store.

A DIFFERENT POINT OF VIEW

Dean Heflin

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[It is with a heavy heart that we report that Mariel Stephenson died

on February 29 due to heart failure after an extended illness. Mariel

was a well-known artist, conservationist, birder and educator. Her

friendship and creativity brought joy to many. The following sketch

was written a few years ago by Edge for an assignment in a writing

class, and first appeared in the Columbia Daily Tribune. It provides

a great profile of this remarkable birder.]

There are things Mariel Stephenson would change if she could, but

her life is not one of them.

Mariel was nine when she first saw America from the deck of the

MS Nieuw Amsterdam. The sun was rising; Manhattan shimmered

in golden light. “It was absolutely glorious,” she recalls.

Her father, William, had come a year earlier as a visiting professor

at the University of Chicago. His wife, Maimie, and four children

were joining him from England. Mariel smiles at the memory, “It

was all exciting. The ship was luxurious and the food

was...wonderful.”

With her came memories of war-time Oxford: Her mother teaching

her birdsongs and the names of wildflowers along a brick wall; a

house always harboring English refugees; POWs in work gangs. She

had begun to look to nature when ponderings of man’s inhumanity

toward man became too heavy.

The first two years in North America were not easy. After six

months living in cramped quarters, Mrs. Stephenson and the chil-

dren went to live with her brother in a small town near Vancouver,

BC. Mariel was teased about her Oxford accent. She sought solace

and solitude in the beauty of nature. The family was reunited in

Chicago; Mariel was comfortable at the University Lab School.

“University towns are much alike, the world over,” she notes.

Mariel entered Bennington and immersed herself in art, history,

music. The cultural achievements of the world were before her; she

imbibed and built the foundations of a life-sustaining perspective

and vocation.

A clerical job at the Metropolitan Museum of Art paid the rent, but

was unchallenging. Mariel decided she really wanted to teach art.

In Memoriam: Mariel Stephenson Edge Wade and Susan Hazelwood

THE BLUEBIRD

She earned a Master’s degree in art from the University of Missouri

in 1964, but had no teaching certificate, so applied at a private

school on Long Island. She notes with a chuckle, “It was my accent

that got me the job--they were all anglophiles--the accent and the

Metropolitan Museum on my resume.”

So began a 24-year run of teaching on Long Island--a run she loved.

“Art is a fabulous way to introduce the rest of the world to students,”

she explains. “Teaching art is teaching the cultures of the world, the

people, geography.” Those years were not all idyllic. Mariel was 35

when she learned she had breast cancer. She sums it up with, “You

think you are in control of your life, and then you find you aren’t,

and you jolly well better deal with it.”

Mariel returned to Columbia to help care for her mother. She at-

tended Columbia College to earn a second bachelor’s degree and

Missouri teaching certification. She taught art in Columbia from

1992 to 2001. As in New York, she brought nature into her class-

room and taught art as a cultural ambassador, bringing the world’s

diversity to American kids who often possessed a limited world view.

Mariel became a U.S. citizen in 1996. Citizenship gave her the right

to vote, and she says of that right, “It is the ultimate defense.” She

became more assertive, a change necessary to teach effectively in

public schools, but difficult for a self-labeled loner. With it came an-

other change: Mariel became a gentle political activist.

The cultured Oxford accent is as clear and precise as it was in child-

hood. Mariel attributes it largely to Miss Franklin, headmistress of

a school in Squitchey Lane, who taught the children to speak clearly

and move lips fully. Her quiet voice has often championed maintain-

ing the integrity of “places people can feel at peace and be of one

with nature.” She is proud of her involvement in Green Belt Land

Trust and in the designation of Rock Quarry Road as a Scenic Road.

More than her mode of transportation, Mariel’s car has become a

vehicle of expression. One of many stickers sums up Mariel’s life

credo: We belong to the earth; the earth does not belong to us.

Mariel continues as she has always lived, assured and active, living

a life she wouldn’t trade for the world. Her vibrant, freedom-full

brush strokes share her love of space and freedom of movement with

all who view her work. There are things Mariel Stephenson would

change if she could, but the way she has lived her life isn’t one of

them. Perhaps she wouldn’t trade that for the world because she

already has the world.

THE BLUEBIRD

Missouri hosted 25 Christmas Bird Counts this past season, two less

than in recent years (Figure 1). After many seasons, David Blevin

retired as compiler of both the Dallas County count, with no succes-

sor, and the Springfield count, succeeded by Greg Samuel. There

was no count at Kirksville, but a new count, Dent-Texas County,

was started by Daniel Hatch (Table 1). Finally, your editor was

forced to cancel the Confluence count, scheduled for January 1, on

account of record flooding along the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers.

Four other compilers noted that some roads and areas were inacces-

sible as a result of December flooding (Clarence Cannon, Dent-Texas

County, Swan Lake, Taney County). Road and bridge closures from

summer flooding impeded the Trimble count. Horton-Four Rivers

and Squaw Creek were hampered by strong winds.

Neither snow nor rain were significant problems for any count and

only at Grand River was still water completely frozen. Mark Robbins

noted that the fruit food crop was poor at both Horton-Four Rivers

and Squaw Creek. Nevertheless, 150 bird species were reported, 4.5

more than the 16-year mean. (This total includes 5 counts with

Mute Swan but does not include four reports still under review by

the Missouri Bird Records Committee: Yellow-throated Vireo, Yel-

low-breasted Chat, Vesper Sparrow, and a count-week Lark Spar-

row.) There was a total 504 field observers.

Several species were observed on only one count: 4 Tundra Swans

(Squaw Creek), 1 Blue-winged Teal (Trimble), 1 Surf Scoter (Kansas

City), 3 Eared Grebes (Trimble), 1 Green Heron (Trimble), 2 North-

ern Goshawks (Columbia), 3 Virginia Rails (Columbia), 2 Soras

(Columbia), 1 Greater Yellowlegs (Horton-Four Rivers ), 4 Least

Sandpipers (Columbia), 2 Franklin’s Gulls (Maryville), 1 Lesser

Black-backed Gull (Kansas City), 2 Inca Doves (Horton-Four Riv-

ers), 1 Snowy Owl (Maryville), 1 Long-eared Owl (Trimble), 1 Anna’s

Hummingbird (Springfield), 2 Northern Shrikes (Grand River), 2

Red-breasted Nuthatches (Knob Noster), 2 Sedge Wrens (Liberal), 1

Gray Catbird (Weldon Springs), 3 Pine Warblers (Mingo), and 1 In-

digo Bunting (Big Oak Tree). The Inca Doves and Anna’s Humming-

bird are new species to the Missouri CBC list. Eight species were

seen on only two counts: Wood Duck, Greater Scaup, Osprey,

Sandhill Crane (30 at Squaw Creek), Fish Crow, Common Yel-

Missouri Christmas Bird Counts, 2015-2016

Randy L. Korotev, CBC Editor

THE BLUEBIRD

lowthroat, LeConte’s Sparrow, and Eurasian Tree Sparrow. Three

counts had Marsh Wren (Columbia, Liberal, and Squaw Creek), and

three counts had one each Barn Owl (Big Oak Tree, Horton-Four

Rivers, and Trimble). Black Vultures were found on six counts as far

north as Weldon Spring.

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 16 years

(but only if the mean number of birds is at least 5). (I would like to

go back more than 16 years, but the Audubon CBC web site does not

support downloading historical data by state, only by count circle.)

Species reported in less than half the average abundance (>99% con-

fidence) include American Black Duck (0.21 times the average), Blue

-winged Teal (0.12, one bird at Weldon Springs), Ring-necked Pheas-

ant (0.11), Wilson’s Snipe (0.39), Eastern Screech-Owl (0.48), Red-

breasted Nuthatch (0.06), European Starling (0.37), Cedar Waxwing

(0.28), Le Conte’s Sparrow (0.23), and Eurasian Tree Sparrow (0.18).

Some of the lows, most notably Common Merganser, Bald Eagle,

Herring Gull, and Eurasian Tree Sparrow, are simply an artifact of

cancellation of the Confluence count. Species not seen on any count

this year include Red-breasted Merganser, Peregrine Falcon, and

Spotted Towhee.

Species reported in greater than two times the average abundance

(99% confidence) include Greater White-fronted Goose (2.1 times the

average), Snow Goose (2.0) Trumpeter Swan (2.3, observed on six

counts), Gadwall (3.3), Northern Shoveler (2.5), Northern Pintail

(2.9), Redhead (2.9), Ring-necked Duck (2.5), Hooded Merganser

(2.0), Ruddy Duck (3.7), Turkey Vulture (2.3), American Coot (2.4),

Killdeer (3.0), Merlin (2.1), Chipping Sparrow (3.3), and Savannah

Sparrow (2.5).

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

ing the lead at 102 and Columbia not far behind at 101.

THE BLUEBIRD

Table 1. Missouri Christmas Bird Counts and Their Compilers.

Code Count Compiler

MOBO Big Oak Tree S.P. Bill Eddleman

MOBS Big Spring Steve Paes

MOCC Clarence Cannon N.W.R. Bruce Schuette

MOCP Cole Camp Prairies IBA Marge Lumpe

MOCO Columbia Laura Hillman

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 Squaw Creek N.W.R. Mark Robbins

MOSJ St. Joseph Larry Lade

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

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Figure 1. Map of Missouri Christmas Bird Count locations.

THE BLUEBIRD

THE BLUEBIRD

The fall season followed the wettest May-July period on record. Au-

gust was cool with near average precipitation; the coolness high-

lighted by a record low of 46◦ F at St. Joseph on August 24. Septem-

ber was warm and dry, the warmest in a decade and the driest since

2004. Drought conditions returned to central and northeastern Mis-

souri by the end of September with smaller patches of drought else-

where. October was mild and dry, the warmest in five years and the

driest since 2011 with the Southeast experiencing the driest weath-

er patterns. The first freeze came to eastern Missouri the morning of

October 18 and a widespread freeze occurred across the state Octo-

ber 30-31. November was mild and very wet. Precipitation was 5

inches above average, which again brought all drought conditions to

an end. Heavy rains occurred on November 16-17 and November 26-

30. Temperatures frequently reached the 50s and 60s, occasionally

touching 70. In stark contrast to 2014, there were no unusually cold

days in November.

Surprisingly, no rare loons were reported through eBird this season.

Seasonal highlights included Brown Pelican, Red Phalarope,

Anna’s Hummingbird, Rock Wren and the first state record for

Townsend’s Warbler.

GEESE THROUGH DIURNAL RAPTORS

The first 4 returning Greater White-fronted Geese were reported 28 Sep-

tember from SLNWR (SK). A single Mute Swan was reported 2 October at

RMBS (PL). Trumpeter Swans peaked at RMBS with 500 on 24 November

and 25 Tundra Swans were in the mix (PL). A flock of 10 Northern Pin-

tail returned to SLNWR by 24 August (SK). Surf Scoters loitered at BL

with 2-3 present from 8-27 November (DM, SM, GSa, AK, PL). A single

White-winged Scoter accompanied 2 Black Scoters at RMBS 28 Novem-

ber (CM, JM). A Long-tailed Duck was observed 28 November on a large

farm pond in Halfway, Polk (LB, CB). There were two reports of Greater

Prairie-Chicken: 5 at DR 26 October (SK) and one 30 October at Shelton

Prairie CA Dade (JH). A nice local high count of 41 Horned Grebes was

made 29 November at PCCL (MH). Western Grebes were reported only

from SL with the first two 10 October and the last one 7 November (Mary

Nemecek, LO). Neotropic Cormorant was recorded twice, the first 20 Au-

gust at EBCA (acc. †BJ, while another was an unexpected find 7 October on

a “Big Sit” at SLNWR (SK, m.obs). American White Pelican numbers

built quickly in early September, with 1000 on 2 September at ZT and 2000

on 10 September at SLNWR (SK). A Brown Pelican found at SLNWR by

Fall 2015 Seasonal Report Joseph W. Eades

THE BLUEBIRD

area manager Steve Whitson was present 10-29 September (acc. †SK, DM,

SM, †June Newman, JH, AK). A nice high count for Great Egret was of

750 at pools along road between RMBS and CSP 3 September (BR); a late

Great Egret was at RMBS 28 November (CM, JM) and a surprising count of

80+ Snowy Egrets was made at Heron Pond, RMBS 5 August (BR). The

high count for Cattle Egret was 230 on 12 August in Cape Girardeau (MH,

Mike Doyen) and a straggler was at PSP 10 November (SK). A flock of 6

Plegadis Ibis was observed at SLNWR 11 November (Steve Whitson, fide

SK) and a single was at FGCA 23 November (SK). An Osprey lingered at

SL until at least 16 November (SK). A dark-phase Rough-legged Hawk

was observed 26 October at PPCA (SK) and another Rough-legged was ob-

served at OSCA 20 November (MH). The sole report of Golden Eagle was

of an immature observed in Putnam 31 October (Joshua Uffman).

RAILS THROUGH TERNS

A Yellow Rail was observed during nocturnal wetland surveys at Nodaway

Valley CA Holt 24 September (Aurid Fournier). A pair of Sandhill Cranes

was observed throughout the period at SLNWR (SK). Piping Plovers were

detected 8 August at Schell-Osage CA St. Clair (GSa) and 19 September at

STL (Greg Swick, JH). A Black-necked Stilt was present 20 August at

CBCA and 5 were along the road to CSP 3 September (BR). A minimum of

102 Killdeer were counted at Keeteman Road sod farm Lincoln 12 Novem-

ber (BR). A nice flock of 40 American Avocets graced SL 7 November (SK)

and a single was observed 11 November at STL (CB). A late Solitary Sand-

piper was reported at PCCL 14 October (MH) and a very late Upland

Sandpiper was observed 17 October in Dunklin (TJ). A flock of 27 Dunlin

was present 31 October at WD (BR). An adult Baird’s Sandpiper 13 Au-

gust at CBCA was not noteworthy as to species, but (as far as the observer

could recall) is the first adult he has seen in fall migration in eastern MO

(BR). An estimated 150 Least Sandpipers 31 October at WD was a good

number for the date (BR) and 12 were at PCCL 9 November (MH). There

were two records for White-rumped Sandpiper: one 10 October (acc. †BJ)

and another 31 October at WD (acc. †BR). The species is unusual in fall and

the latter is the latest fall date for Missouri. A couple of Buff-breasted

Sandpipers were observed at CBCA 5 September (PL). An estimated 1000

Pectoral Sandpipers present at CBCA 20 August was the largest number

noted this season (BR). A late Semipalmated Sandpiper was reported 19

October at SLNWR (SK). A conservative estimate of 15 Western Sandpi-

pers, all juveniles, along with an estimated 40 Semipalmated Sandpipers

20 August at CBCA was quite a large number for eastern MO (BR). A Wil-

son’s Phalarope was observed at CBCA 5 September (PL). A casual and

late juvenile Red Phalarope was observed 22 November at ML Henry (ph,

acc. †MR, Chris Hobbs). A Laughing Gull in second summer plumage was

observed 5 August at RMBS (BR). Approximately 200 Franklin’s Gulls

lingered at RMBS for a while this fall. An estimated 210 were present 22

October, and 205 were counted almost individually 29 October. In addition

(or perhaps from the same group), 40+ were on the Mississippi at CBCA 6

November (BR). A nice high count of 1000 was made at SLNWR 28 October

THE BLUEBIRD

This juvenile Red Phalarope appeared late, on November 22, 2015, at Mont-

rose Lake, Henry County. Photograph by Mark Robbins.

(SK) and the highest count was 6515 at SL 11 October (Don Glasco, LO).

Two tardy Franklin’s were observed feeding on midges on the waters sur-

face at MSL 28 November (DE). Black Tern numbers peaked at 100+ at

SLNWR 3 August and 80 at FGCA 7 September, Forster’s Tern peaked at

40 at FGCA 7 September (SK) and one adult was fairly late, 29 October, at

RMBS (BR).

OWLS THROUGH FALCONS

A Short-eared Owl was seen 26 October at PPCA (SK). A total of 15

Northern Saw-whet Owls were banded for the season at WBS 1 October-

30 November while separately 1 was observed there 21 October (PL). White

-winged Dove was reported twice, once from Dunklin 1-24 August (TJ) and

once near Hi-Lonesome Prairie CA Benton 9 August (ML). Inca Dove gets

a status upgrade with a first, though unsuccessful, nesting attempt in

Vernon 23 October (ph., acc. †BJ). Two Greater Roadrunners were ob-

served 16 September in Taney (CB). A couple of apparently different Rudy-

throated Hummingbirds were reported, appearing separately at a Clay

feeder 26 & 27 November (Marky Mutchler, eBird). Surprisingly Anna’s

Hummingbird was recorded twice during the season; a female visited a

Franklin feeder 31 October-19 November (ph., acc. †Daniel Burke, Lanny

Chambers) and an adult male was seen at a feeder 21 November to the end

of the season in Springfield Greene (ph., acc. †LB). A Rufous Humming-

bird was re-captured at the same Cape Girardeau residence where it win-

tered and was banded last year (Jane Nicholas, MH, LC, m.obs). This is the

THE BLUEBIRD

An adult male Anna’s Hummingbird was first observed at a feeder in Spring-

field, Green County, on November 21, and remained into the Winter Season.

Photographed on December 6, 2015 by Peter Kondrashov.

first documented instance of this pattern in Missouri. The bird, recaptured

in early November, was present 1-30 November, if not beyond. Another Ru-

fous Hummingbird was reported 19 & 22 August at the home of Linda Chil-

ders near Joplin, Newton (fide Lawrence Herbert). An early Yellow-bellied

Sapsucker was detected 10 September at Rock Bridge Memorial S.P.

Boone (acc. †Edge Wade). Merlin was observed much more often than usual

in north-central Missouri this fall with 11 total individuals and a high of 4

on 28 September. Early birds included singles 27 August at TRW and 30

August at FGCA (SK), others were observed 3 October at STL (DB) and 22

November in rural Morrisville Polk GSa, AK). A Peregrine Falcon was

also observed 3 October at STL (DB). The shorebirds must have been fran-

tic! Two Prairie Falcons were observed at TP 22 November (CB, LB, MR).

SHRIKES THROUGH WARBLERS

A Northern Shrike was observed 14-15 November (AK, BJ, BR) and again

27 November (PL, m.obs.) at BF. A White-eyed Vireo 8 October at DCCA

was a bit late (MH) while Red-eyed Vireos on 17 October at CP (ph., acc.

†CMc) and 24 October Jefferson (ph., acc. †Wally George) were very late.

Fish Crow movements in fall are not well understood, so one 21 October in

Cape Girardeau was noteworthy (MH). A flock of 50 Cliff Swallows at a

THE BLUEBIRD

This Rock Wren was seen by many birders from November 9 to 23 in Polk

County. Photo by Debbie and Steve Martin on November 11.

Nodaway pond 16-18 October was a remarkable number for such a late a

date (DE). A late Barn Swallow was observed at SL 16 November (acc.

†SK). Red-breasted Nuthatch was very scarce with almost all reports

being of single birds. A Rock Wren was present 9-23 November in Polk

(acc. DM,† SM, †BP, PL, m.obs). Marsh Wrens lingered in the Southeast

with 3 at OSCA 20 November (MH). A Veery at CP 10 November was rec-

ord-late (ph., acc.†CMc). An early Swainson’s Thrush arrived at TGP by

A record-late Veery was at Carondelet Park, St. Louis City, on November 10,

2015. Photo by Chrissy McClarren.

THE BLUEBIRD

29 August (acc. †CMc). A single Sprague’s Pipit was seen and photo-

graphed at RA 29 October (MR). The first 3 Smith’s Longspurs were de-

tected 26 October at DR (SK), 9 were at RA 29 October (MR) and another 9

were observed 7 November at Penn. P. (CB). An adult male “Brewster’s”

Warbler was observed at TGP 11 September (CMc, Andy Reago, m.obs.). A

Black-and-white Warbler 13 August at CBCA was apparently the earli-

est record of a migrant at a non-breeding site (BR). A tardy Tennessee

Warbler was observed 25 October at MNWR Wayne (MH). A lingering Or-

ange-crowned Warbler was present 20 November at OSCA (MH). An

American Redstart 13 August at CBCA was a pretty early record away

from a known breeding site (BR). A tardy American Redstart was observed

at Cape Woods CA 9 October (MH) and a very late bird was in University

City St. Louis 24 October (ph., acc. †RK). A very late Northern Parula,

probably a first-fall female, was observed 25 October at CBCA. This is ap-

parently the second-latest for the state (except for one winter record) (BR).

A somewhat late Magnolia Warbler was observed 12 October in Cape

Girardeau (MH). A very tardy Chestnut-sided Warbler was reported

through eBird 29 October, but the author can find no other details on this

report. A Black-throated Blue Warbler was observed 20 September at

Little Sac Woods CA Greene (DB) and another very late bird was reported 2

November in Greene (DT). A lingering Pine Warbler was a yard bird in

Cape Girardeau 21 November (MH). A tardy Black-throated Green War-

bler was present 31 October at CP (ph., acc. †CMc). A Townsend's War-

bler captured and banded 9 October at MWSU Buchanan was a definitive

and overdue first record for the state (ph., acc. † Jack Hilsabeck, †Larry

Lade, †Daniel Roberton).

SPARROWS THROUGH FINCHES

A count of 26 Chipping Sparrows at Trail of Tears SP Cape Girardeau 2

November was considered a large number for such a late date and 1-6 con-

tinued to visit Cape Girardeau feeders through the end of the season (MH).

An early Swamp Sparrow was observed at RMBS 31 August (ph., acc.

†Justin Stahl) and an early returning White-throated Sparrow arrived at

TGP by 26 August (ph., acc. †BP, †CMc). An Indigo Bunting 3 November

at GWCA was behind departure schedule (MH). Bobolinks seemed scarce

in north-central Missouri with no large flocks reported; the first migrant

was detected 5 August at ZT, 30 were observed at SLNWR 11 August and

one on the edge of Chillicothe Livingston 23 October was very late (acc.

†SK). One or more Western Meadowlarks were with Easterns 25 October

at CBCA (BR) and 54 were reported 2 November in Dade (DT, KC). An esti-

mated 120 Rusty Blackbirds were found in several locations at BKLCA 12

November (BR). A flock of 12 was observed 10 November at SLNWR (SK).

The sole report from the Southwest was a single bird 21 November in Al-

drich Polk (DB). It was surprising to see higher numbers for Brewer’s

Blackbird in eastern Missouri than the west. The high for the southwest

was 42 at Niawathe Prairie CA Dade 2 November (DT, KC). High counts for

the east included an estimated 340+ at Keeteman Road sod farm Lincoln 12

November; the flock consisted almost exclusively of Brewer’s. This was the

THE BLUEBIRD

largest group of this species the observer had ever seen in the St. Louis ar-

ea. In addition, another 50+ were in a field north of BKLCA, bringing the

total to over 400 Brewer’s in one day (BR). Another 26 were reported from

the southwest 22 November in Dade (AK). A nice high count of 110 Great-

tailed Grackles was made in rural Rogersville Greene 7 November (GSa).

Common Redpoll made its entry into this report at the tail end of the sea-

son with 3 on 26 November in Redford, MO Reynolds (Kendall Loyd). A

First of season Pine Siskin was observed 26 October in Springfield Greene

(CB) and up to a dozen visited feeders in Cape Girardeau. 7-28 November

(MH).

Observers:

Lisa Berger (LB), David Blevins (DB), Charley Burwick (CB), Kathleen

Cowens (KC), Dave Easterla (DE), Mark Haas (MH), Jill Hayes (JH), Steve

Kinder (SK), Andrew Kinslow (AK), Brad Jacobs (BJ), Timothy Jones (TJ),

Pat Lueders (PL), Debbie Martin (DM), Steve Martin (SM), Chrissy McClar-

ren (CMc), Lisa Owens (LO), Bryan Prather (BP), Mark Robbins (MR), Bill

Rowe (BR), Greg Samuel (GSa), Dorothy Thurman (DT).

Key

* Documentation needed for MBRC review

† Documentation received by MBRC for review

acc. Documentation reviewed and accepted by MBRC

Abbreviations

CA Conservation Area

m.obs. Many observers

SLAS St. Louis Audubon Society

SP State Park

Location abbreviations (counties are in italics)

BL Binder L.-Binder Lake, Cole

BF Bradford-Bradford Farm, Boone

BKLCA B. K. Leach Conservation Area, Lincoln

CBCA Columbia Bottom Conservation Area, St. Louis

CSP Confluence State Park, St. Charles

CP Carondelet Park, St. Louis City

DCCA Duck Creek Conservation Area, Bollinger

DR Dunn Ranch, Harrison

EBCA Eagle Bluffs Conservation Area-Boone

FGCA Fountain Grove Conservation Area, Livingston

GWCA General Watkin’s Conservation Area, Scott

ML Montrose Lake, Henry

MNWR Mingo National Wildlife Refuge-Stoddard and Wayne

MWSU Missouri Western State University, Buchanan

MSL Maryville Sewage Lagoons, Nodaway

OSCA Otter Slough Conservation Area, Stoddard

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PCCL Perry County Community Lake, Perry

PPCA Pawnee Prairie Conservation Area, Harrison

Penn. P. Pennsylvania Prairie, Dade

PSP Pershing State Park, Linn

RA Rosecrans Airport, Buchanan

RMBS Riverlands Migratory Bird Sanctuary, St. Charles

SLNWR Swan Lake National Wildlife Refuge, Chariton

SL Smithville Lake, Clay

STL Stockton Lake, Polk

TGP Tower Grove Park, St. Louis City

TP Taberville Prairie, St. Clair

TRW Thompson River Wetlands, Livingston

WD Winfield Dam and Slough, Lincoln

WBS World Bird Sanctuary, St. Louis

ZT Zell Tract, Pershing State Park, Linn

References:

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

missouri.edu/, 2015.

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 biologi

cal sciences. Biological Conservation 142: 2282-2292. Retrieved

April 2016.

MONITEAU CREEK CONSERVATION AREA

Eric Seaman, Spring 2016

844 acres, Howard Co., Delorme 30, I-3; GPS: 39.0976282,-92.5870228;

MDC owned; for information call 573-815-7900.

Directions: From Columbia, take I-70 West to Highway 40 (Exit 121).

Head north on Highway 40. Turn North on Rt. J. Turn West on Rt. EE.

Three parking lots can be accessed by going straight on Rt. A, and another

is reached by turning west on Rt. W.

When to Visit/Species to Expect: Early spring thaw is good for waterfowl

migration. Soras are here if the wetlands last after spring. The area has

been reliable for Harris's Sparrow in winter and Fox Sparrow in spring.

Chipping, Field and Grasshopper Sparrows are summer residents. The lim-

ited warbler list for the site is due in part to a low number of visits in the

appropriate seasons. Bell’s Vireo breeds here in brush-dotted grasslands.

A BIRDERS’ GUIDE TO MISSOURI PUBLIC LANDS

Edge Wade and Others

http://climate.missouri.edu/

http://climate.missouri.edu/

THE BLUEBIRD

Sedge Wren has been reported in late July, the Missouri-based second

breeding season for the species.

ADA Information: Trails are not level. Best viewing opportunities for bird-

ers with difficulty walking are from in or near a vehicle in parking lots.

Features of interest to birders: The wetlands are accessed from an ease-

ment coming from the southeast parking lot on Rt. A. A field road reached

and traveled by foot can take birders north along the wetlands to fields and

wet forest. The parking lot on Rt. W takes birders to a pond, Moniteau

Creek, fields and the hardwood buffer between Moniteau Creek and the

fields. The hotspot for migratory warblers appears to be the hardwood buff-

er between Moniteau Creek and the fields. Grassland birds appear to be

more prevalent from the Rt. W parking lot. The private land just northwest

of the wetland and north of Moniteau Creek supported a blue heron rookery

as late as 2012. There is a scenic view of a creek bluff northwest of the Rt.

CC parking lot.

Toilets: None.

Camping: Primitive camping allowed off the parking lots at Rt. CC, the

northernmost Rt. A and Rt. W.

Hazards/Limitations: This area is popular during deer and turkey season.

Wetlands are intended to swell with floodwater during wet seasons. Midway

Arms owns the land east of Rt. A and south of Rt. CC and uses it for hunt-

ing and shooting events, so it can get loud around the Rt. CC section.

Nearby Birding Sites: Fayette Lakes (D.C. Rogers, Peters and Ricketts),

Dairy Farm Lakes #1 & #3, and Davisdale Conservation Area.

THE BLUEBIRD

BISMARCK CONSERVATION AREA

Edge Wade, spring 2016

1,188 acres Iron, Saint Francois, Washington Co. DeLorme 56, A-4/5; GPS:

37.7249759,-90.6616509. Owned by MDC, for additional information call 57-

290-5730 or see; http://mdc4.mdc.mo.gov/applications/moatlas/

AreaList.aspx?txtUserID=guest&txtAreaNm=s

Directions: From the intersection of MO 32 and Rt. N in Bismarck, go

south on Rt. N to a right turn onto Grider Rd. (a.k.a. CR 532), then left

(south) onto a road that may be signed as Lakeview Rd. or Bismarck Lake

Rd. into the area.

ADA Information: The lake can be scanned from 2 parking lots, and much

of the passerine supporting habitats may be birded from or near a vehicle

along the road.

When to Visit/Species to Expect: Anytime is good. You can plan a 30-

minute to one-hour short round of checking the parking lots and vicinity, or

hike down to the dam or along the trail north into the Washington County

portion.

More than 100 species have been reported for the area. Among them are 16

species of waterfowl (most in February/March), turkey and bobwhite, a

Short-eared Owl (December), the full suite of Missouri woodpeckers, 12 war-

bler species (including Cape May, Chestnut-sided, and Blackburnian), and

Rusty Blackbird (late February).

Features of interest to birders: The centerpiece of the area is 210-acre

Carl DiSalvo Lake (formerly called Hematite Lake). Formed by the dam-

ming the upper stretch of the St. Francis River by the Hanna Mining Com-

THE BLUEBIRD

pany in 1944 as a reservoir for lead mining operations, it straddles the Iron/

St. Francois county line. MDC acquired it in 1981.

There are 3 parking lots. The first is just beyond the entrance sign. From it

a foot trail leads down to the dam. The second lot is at the privy and fishing

jetty, and the third (largest) is at the end of the road at the boat ramp.

A 32-acre igneous glade and savanna area is reached by taking the trail

heading north into Washington County from Bismarck Lake Rd. after pass-

ing the turn into the fishing jetty and privy.

The lush array of bottomland and glade wildflowers may divert a birder’s

attention from feather-focus.

THE BLUEBIRD

The lush array of bottomland and glade wildflowers may divert a birder’s

attention from feather-focus.

Toilets: 1 privy at the lakeside lot with the fishing jetty.

Camping: To reach the primitive camping area, bear right off the road

leading to the fishing jetty and privy. Individual sites are spaced along a

loop road. A foot trail leads from the camping area to the lot with the privy.

Hazards/Limitations: None noted. The lake is popular with local anglers,

so several boats may be on the lake and the campground active.

Nearby Birding sites: Buford Mountain CA, Hughes Mountain CA, Ele-

phant Rocks SP, St. Joe SP, Ketcherside Mountain CA, Taum Sauk Moun-

tain SP, Johnson’s Shut-Ins SP, Lesterville Access, Millstream Gardens CA.

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

ROBERTSVILLE STATE PARK

Edge Wade, Spring 2016

1,224.65 acres Franklin Co. DeLorme 40, I-3; GPS: 38.4282114,-90.8257978;

DNR owned; for more information call 636-257-3788.

Directions: From Union, go east on US 50, turn left onto Historic US 66

East (a.k.a. Rt. AT) for .7 mile, then right onto MO Rt. O for 4.9 miles to a

left onto Montgomery Rd. into the park. From St. Louis, follow I-44, take

exit 253 and go south on Robertsville Rd., then left onto Rt. O, and left onto

Montgomery Rd. into the park.

ADA Information: A sampling of the habitats can be birded from a car

and/or from one of the day use areas. Restroom and vault toilet are ADA

compliant.

When to Visit/Species to Expect: Good birding begins at the park en-

trance on Montgomery Road. A slow drive along the road as it parallels the

brushy railroad embankment makes good use of the car as a blind. Spar-

rows are common here, with species varying according to season. Of the 11

sparrow species reported from the park, all but Vesper and Henslow’s are

likely to be seen along this section of road.

As of 2016, a good spectrum of species made up the 110 birds on the list of

sightings. Summer nesters include Wood Thrush, Gray Catbird, Brown

Thrasher, Blue Grosbeak, Summer and Scarlet Tanager, and Orchard Ori-

ole, as well as the year-round residents of Carolina Chickadee, Tufted Tit-

mouse, White-breasted Nuthatch and Carolina Wren.

Features of interest to birders: The Meramec River bounding the park

on the north and west, and Calvey Creek on the east create a riparian bor-

dered cul-de-sac mosaic of rich bottomland and upland forest habitats fa-

vored by many bird species.

THE BLUEBIRD

Exploring the park by car and foot will bring the birder to glades, grass-

lands, old fields and riparian areas, each with a rewarding mix of birds to

enjoy. An aggressive habitat improvement effort is underway at the park.

Controlled burns are opening up woodland understory. Cedars have en-

croached into glades and old fields. Removal will be a major effort.

The Spice Bush Trail is a .8-mile loop. Access is to the left (west) a little

north of the road into the day use area with the playground equipment. Mi-

grant passerines, and in summer, typical Ozark breeders should be expected

along the trail. In migration, watch along the trail for any one of the 19 spe-

cies of warblers and 5 species of vireo reported from the park. In summer,

watch and listen especially for Bell’s Vireo, Louisiana Waterthrush, Com-

mon Yellowthroat, Northern Parula, Kentucky, Blue-winged and Prairie

Warbler.

Additional strolls through bottomland forest and old fields may be had “far

from the madding crowd” in more remote parts of the park. Two old roads to

cemeteries traverse habitats likely to produce the same broad variety of

species as on the Spice Bush Trail, but with fewer park visitors frolicking

along the way.

Along Red Tail Hawk Loop, before it reaches the campground, a .4 mile-long

old road leads south to Shiloh Cemetery. The Roberts family cemetery lies

at the end of a .3 mile long old road to the right of the main road as it ap-

proaches the boat ramp day use area.

A wide power line right-of-way paralleling the Meramec River intersects the

road just south of the boat ramp day use area. A check of the utility poles

and of the sky above may produce a raptor or two, and the open glade-like

and grassy areas below are likely to harbor sparrows and meadowlarks.

Toilets: Flush toilets are in the playground day-use area and at the

campground. A Vault toilet is near the boat ramp.

Camping: There are 12 basic and 13 electric campsites, and a family site.

All may be reserved. Some sites have wood platforms to provide a level tent

area.

Hazards/Limitations: This park is near St. Louis, so it may have heavy

visitation on warm weekends and in summer. Ticks, chiggers, and bright

sun should be considered when planning a trip here if you’ll be hiking. The

Meramec is a flood-prone river. Portions of the park may be closed in high

water times.

Nearby Birding Sites: Catawissa CA, Union Access, Chouteau Claim Ac-

cess, Shaw Nature Reserve, Pacific Palisades CA, Young CA.

THE BLUEBIRD

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

BLUE SPRING NATURAL AREA AND VICINITY

Edge Wade, spring 2016

17 acres Shannon Co. DeLorme 55, H-10; GPS: 37.1660727,-91.1644152 ;

Ownership NPS (along the river) and MDC (17 acres parking area Blue

Spring Natural Area). For information call Ozark National Scenic River-

ways 573-323-4236, or MDC 573-663-7130

Blue Spring Natural Area is within the Jack’s Fork/Current River water-

shed, a part of Shannon County, recognized as a globally significant Im-

portant Bird Area.

Directions: From Eminence go 16 miles east on MO, turn right (south) on

gravel CR 535 (may be unmarked). Follow CR 535 for 3 miles through NPS

lands, staying right at the “Y”, to the Blue Spring parking area. From the

parking area, follow a .25-mile trail downstream to the spring.

Alternatively, From Eminence stay on MO 106 for 14 miles, turn right

(south) to the NPS Powder Mill campground and parking area. From the

trailhead sign at the boat launch area, walk the Powder Mill/Blue Spring

Trail 1.5 miles downriver.

A third route is by canoe on the Current River, with a landing slightly up-

river of the mouth of Blue Spring branch.

THE BLUEBIRD

ADA information: There are no ADA compliant facilities. The trail to the

spring and along the river upstream is narrow, with uneven surfaces.

Features of interest to birders: Blue Spring, Missouri’s deepest known

spring (300 feet), with a discharge of 90 million gallons per day, is the sixth

largest. The depth gives the spring its striking dark blue color, reputedly

acknowledged by the Osage people with the name “Spring of the Summer

Sky”. The deep blue water, bright green watercress, and white spray pro-

duced as the spring ripples over its rocky course create a mesmerizing scene

with a spell perhaps only broken by a flash of color or snatch of song from a

foraging bird.

When to Visit/Species to Expect: Twenty-one warbler species have been

seen in the parking area, nearby on the trail along the river, or along the

spring branch. These include local breeders Louisiana Waterthrush, Ameri-

can Redstart, Northern Parula, Ovenbird, and Black-and-White, Kentucky,

Worm-eating, Prothonotary, Yellow-throated, Pine, Hooded, and Cerulean

Warbler, as well as the much sought after Swainson’s Warbler.

Swainson’s Warbler here is not limited to giant cane stands. It has been

found on the fringes of the small clearing with the picnic table just off the

parking area, and more frequently along the trail upriver less than .5 mile

from the parking lot. Sightings range from mid-May through the first week

of July.

Other birds to look for here in spring and summer include Eastern Screech-

owl, Red-shouldered Hawk, Eastern Whip-poor-will, Chuck-will’s Widow,

Belted Kingfisher, Acadian and Great-crested Flycatcher, Yellow-throated

and Warbling Vireo, American and Fish Crow, and Wood Thrush.

In winter, early spring or autumn, birders may find Wild Turkey, Bald Ea-

gle, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Winter Wren, Brown Creeper, Golden-

crowned Kinglet, and Fox Sparrow.

Toilets: 1 privy at parking area

Camping: One camping area at the parking lot with no amenities other

than a picnic table and pit toilet.

Hazards/Limitations: No swimming is allowed in the spring or spring

branch. Hunting and fishing (but not at the spring, itself) are allowed.

Nearby Birding Sites: Current River CA, Alley Spring, Round Spring,

Current River SP, Buttin Rock Access and Eminence City Access.

A

THE BLUEBIRD

Blue Spring Natural Area and Vicinity.

THE BLUEBIRD

Missouri’s First Record of Townsend’s Warbler

(Setophaga townsendi)

Jack Hilsabeck, Larry Lade, and Daniel Roberton

Department of Biology

Agenstein Hall 237

Missouri Western State University

4525 Downs Drive

St. Joseph, MO 64507

On Friday, October 9, 2015, members of the Missouri Western Banding Lab

opened mist nets at two locations. Both sites, Heartland 1 and Heartland 2,

are located just east of Missouri Western College Property (39o 45’ 30” N –

94 o 46’ 30” W). We were very excited about the numbers of birds we might

catch that morning because of the strong northwest winds (29 to 32 mph)

that occurred the previous evening.

Hilsabeck [JH] opened Heartland 2 and Roberton [DR], a subpermittee of

JH, opened Heartland 1. JH only caught a handful of birds in his, but at

about 0830 he received a text from DR stating they were capturing large

numbers of birds at Heartland 1 and they needed help extracting and pro-

cessing them.

When JH arrived, DR and Lade, another longtime bander with our group,

immediately approached with a bird they both felt certain was a Townsend’s

Warbler. The bird was a small warbler with a color pattern suggesting a

Black-throated Green Warbler, but the appearance of the ear patch suggest-

ed otherwise. Nonetheless, JH suggested that the bird be examined more

closely after other birds were extracted from the mist nets. This occurred

within a few minutes. DR spent summer 2015 in Montana doing point

counts for the Intermountain Bird Observatory (IBO) where he observed

several Townsend’s Warblers, so he felt confident about the bird’s identity

as that species.

After looking at Townsend’s Warbler photos in Stephenson and Whittle

(2013), all agreed that the bird in hand was indeed a Townsend’s Warbler—

a new species for Missouri (absent from Robbins and Easterla 1992 and

MBRC 2015). JH emailed a photo of the warbler to Mark Robbins, and

quickly contacted Mark to hear his opinion after he observed the photo

(Figures 1, 2). His first word upon seeing the photo was, “Wow, I think you

have a Townsend’s Warbler!” Ironically, JH had just talked to Mark several

days earlier, when he said that Mount Mora, a historical cemetery in St.

Joseph located about 6 km west of our banding site, would be the spot where

a Townsend’s Warbler would likely appear in Missouri.

Peer-Reviewed Paper

THE BLUEBIRD

Townsend’s Warbler is long overdue in the state, because virtually every

state that borders Missouri has one or more records (M. B. Robbins, Univer-

sity of Kansas Biodiversity Institute and Natural History Museum, personal

communication).

Literature Cited

Missouri Bird Records Committee (MBRC). 2015. Annotated Checklist of

Missouri Birds. Audubon Society of Missouri. Accessed October 10,

2015 at: http://www.mobirds.org/Birds/MOChecklist.aspx.

Robbins, Mark B., and David E. Easterla. 1992. Birds of Missouri. Universi-

ty of Missouri Press, Columbia.

Stephenson, Tom, and Scott Whittle. The Warbler Book. Princeton Universi-

ty Press, Princeton, New Jersey.

Figure 1. Right lateral view of Missouri’s First Definitive Record Town-

send’s Warbler captured at Missouri Western State University Campus, Bu-

chanan County, 9 October 2015. Photo by Daniel Roberton.

http://www.mobirds.org/Birds/MOChecklist.aspx

THE BLUEBIRD

Figure 2. Left anterior view of Missouri’s First Definitive Record Town-

send’s Warbler captured at Missouri Western State University Campus, Bu-

chanan County, 9 October 2015. Photo by Daniel Roberton.

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

Song Sparrow, Apple Creek Conservation Area, Cape Girardeau County,

March 25, 2016. Photo by Allen Gathman.

Awards Committee: The ASM Executive Committee

Webmaster: Patrick Harrison

Executive Committee: Shari Harden, Mark Haas, Scott Laurent, Pat

Lueders, and Bill Eddleman

Missouri Bird Conservation Initiative: Susan Hazelwood

Conservation Partnership Coordinator: Scott Laurent

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

———————————————————————————————————-

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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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