[From Nature Notes (the journal of the Webster Groves Nature Study Society), Vol. 73, No. 8, October, 2001] AUGUST BIRD REPORTBy: Jim Ziebol and Yvonne HomeyerSIGHTINGS: A large flock of 72 Black-crowned Night Herons was observed at REDA (Woodstock Pond) on 8/31 (T Be). Two Avocets, 1 Ruddy Turnstone and 2 Caspian Terns were present at HL on 8/2 (FH). Ruddy Turnstone was found again at HL on 8/4 (G&TB). On 8/17, 8 Black-bellied Plovers were seen at REDA and 4 Golden Plovers were found on Cora Island Road (PB, JS). Five Semipalmated Plovers were observed at HL/111 side on 8/2 (T Be). Mike Brady found a Hudsonian Godwit on Hayford Road on 8/24; it was seen again the following day by the Barkers. Torrey Berger found a Willet on Cora Island Road on 8/8. A Wilson's Phalarope was sighted at HL/111 side on 8/2 (DK). At 2Rivers NWR/Volcano Point on 8/19, Paul Bauer had a female Long-billed Dowitcher. At Honker's Point/CL on 8/18, Dan Kassebaum found 15 shorebird species, including 3 Red Phalaropes, 2 Sanderlings, and 1 Black-bellied Plover. An immature Red Phalarope was sighted a week later, on 8/26, at CL (DK, PB). On 8/25, a juvenile Red Knot, Baird's and Buff-breasted Sandpipers, and 1000 Pectorals were present at 2Rivers NWR (CA, T Bo, KL). A Dunlin was observed at HL/111 side on 8/12 (G&TB). Charlene Malone found a Ruff on Hayford Road on 8/23. Buff-breasted Sandpipers were seen at several locations: 8/4 at HL/111 side (J&CM), 8/5 at Creve Coeur Lake (IH), 8/5 at HL (G&TB), 8/7 at HL/111 side (K McM), 8/8 at HL (T Be), and 8/25 at 2 Rivers NWR (PB, JS). Three Stilt Sandpipers were found at HL on 8/10 (T Be) and one was found at 2Rivers NWR/Volcano Point on 8/19 (G&TB). A Laughing Gull was reported at HL from 7/31 to 8/16 (DK, FH, Thursday Group). On 8/16, the Thursday Group also found a Forster's Tern at HL. Ten Black Terns were seen at REDA on 8/25 (PB, JS). Frank Holmes found 27 Black Terns, 7 Forster's Terns at HL on 8/27. Torrey Berger observed Caspian Terns at HL on 8/10 and at REDA on 8/17 and 8/23. There was a Least Tern (interior race) at CL on 8/25 (DK); this species is federally endangered. Ospreys were found on 8/18 at CL (DK) and on 8/21 at REDA (CA). Four Mississippi Kites flew over Dennis Bozzay's house in Crestwood on 8/12; 5 Mississippi Kites were found at each of 2 locations on 8/19: at the Holsen's (MH) and at Oak Knoll Park (RW). A N. Harrier was present on Hayford Road on 8/17 (T Be). Cooper's Hawks were seen on 8/12 at HL (FH) and on 8/27 at TGP (D Bz, JZ); on 8/30, Jim Ziebol observed one capturing a squirrel. Connie Alwood saw a Red-shouldered Hawk at his home in north county on 8/11 and Dennis Bozzay saw a Broad-winged Hawk at Hilda Young C.A. on 8/7. There were several sightings of Peregrine Falcon. The first was at REDA on 8/3 (T Be). The Malones spotted an immature Peregrine Falcon at HL/111 side on 8/4. And a rare tundrius Peregrine Falcon was seen perched at Kenrick Plaza on 8/30 (JZ). On 8/7, the Barkers found a Merlin at REDA. A Eurasian Collared Dove was seen on 8/19 (J Ch). A Scissor-tailed Flycatcher was reported at CL on 8/12 (DK); it was seen again on 8/14 (T Be). A mixed flock of 2000+swallows (6 species) was seen on Hayford Road on 8/25 (PB, JS). Philadelphia Vireo was seen at TGP on 8/26 (m. ob.) and on 8/30 (G&TB). Other species seen in TGP on 8/26 were Red-eyed Vireo, Black-and-White Warbler, Redstart, and Canada Warbler (m. ob.). A Chestnut-sided Warbler was found at Creve Coeur Park on 8/5 (IH) and a Blackburnian appeared in TGP from 8/26 through 8/31 (J Cook et al.). A male Blue Grosbeak was still being seen at HL/Borrow Pit, with sightings on 8/18 (YH), on 8/27 (FH), and on 8/31 (T Be). COMMENTS: Helen Wuestenfeld has submitted good documentation on the Rose-throated Becard that she and Irene Mondhink found last month at Gilbert Lake. This is as unusual a find as Dan Kassebaum's Gray Kingbird and Tropical/Couch's sightings last year. Paul Bauer submitted a photo of the Sandhill Crane seen at REDA on 4/27. Birds and birders alike are enjoying the Jack Van Benthuysen Memorial Pond in Tower Grove Park just west of the Cypress Circle. Benches have recently been added and the park staff has planted several native species on the edge of the pond. Stop by and visit! CONTRIBUTORS: Connie Alwood, George & Terry Barker, Paul Bauer, Torrey Berger, Tom Bormann, Dennis Bozzay, Jackie Chain, Jean Cook, Ron Goetz, Frank Holmes, Margot Holsen, Yvonne Homeyer, Ian Hunt, Dan Kassebaum, Kent Lannert, Jim & Charlene Malone, Keith McMullen, Irene Mondhink, John Solodar, Kathy Thiele, Rad Widmer, Helen Wuestenfeld, Jim Ziebol, many observers. An asterisk means "documented". To submit a report, call Jim Ziebol or email Yvonne at homeyer@earthlink.net by the last day of the month. If you want to send photos or videos of birds reported, please mail them to Jim Ziebol, 3900 Berger, St. Louis, Mo. 63109. We will keep them on hand for future reference. ABBREVIATIONS: Busch Conservation Area = BCA; Carlyle Lake = CL; Forest Park = FP; Horseshoe Lake = HL; Lost Valley Trail = LVT; Marais Temps Clair = MTC; Riverlands = REDA; Tower Grove Park = TGP; Two Rivers National Wildlife Refuge = 2Rivers. |