[From Nature Notes (the journal of the Webster Groves Nature Study Society), Vol. 78, No. 7, Sept., 2005]

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JUNE 2005 BIRD REPORT

By: Jim Ziebol and Yvonne Homeyer

Introduction: During May, the Johnsons found an atypical Brewster’s Warbler (Golden-winged x Blue-winged) at Lost Valley Trail. Another hybrid, an apparent Lazuli Bunting x Indigo Bunting, was seen in the summer of 2004 at SNR by Ed Barressi. The bird sang a burry Indigo song.

Sightings: On 6/5, 50+ Pied-billed Grebes, 4 Ruddy Ducks, a male Blue-winged Teal and a flyover Yellow-crowned Night Heron were seen at Eagle Park (SM, JZ). A Glossy Ibis made a brief appearance at Indian Lake on 6/12 (SM, JZ). On 6/19, Frank Holmes observed immature Ruddy Ducks at Eagle Park, confirming their breeding. On 6/4, Mike Thelen visited BK Leach and found 2 King Rails, Sora, a Common Nighthawk and a very unusual summer sighting – a Sandhill Crane. Two Least Sandpipers were present at the Borrow Pit, HL on 6/12 (SM, JZ) and on 6/26, a Snipe and a Lesser Yellowlegs were found at Indian Lake (SM, JZ). Another Lesser Yellowlegs was found at REDA on 6/29 (CM). A Black Tern at HL was a late migrant on 6/1 (FH).

The Thursday Group found 2 Mississippi Kites at Ft. Kaskaskia SP on 6/9. On 6/23, the Thursday Group saw an immature Bald Eagle at Confluence SP, and an adult and juvenile near the nest by Alton Barge (J Chain). At BCA, Mike Thelen observed a Barred Owl and 2 adult Turkeys with 7 young on 6/18. Two Eurasian-collared Doves were found at Valmeyer on 6/21 (B Rudden) and the Thursday Group found this species at two locations in Ste. Genevieve County on 6/23 (J Chain). The first Scissor-tailed Flycatcher reported for the year was found in Bridgeton on 6/29 (JP). On 6/11, Joe Eades reported 20 Western Kingbirds along the St. Louis riverfront. Another Western Kingbird was reported along Hwy. 94 (RD). Late migrants seen in TGP on 6/1 included 2 Yellow-bellied Flycatchers and a Summer Tanager (JE). On 6/25, several hundred Cliff Swallows were observed constructing nests under the I-44 overpass at Route 66 SP (JZ). Dan Kassebaum reported 2 pairs of Marsh Wrens breeding at CL. On 6/2, Mike Brady encountered Bewick’s Wrens on the Chubb Trail. The Thursday Group visited Robertsville CP on 6/2 and found Prairie Warbler and Henslow Sparrow. Later in the day, they found a Lark Sparrow in Labadie. Prairie Warblers are nesting at Young CA (YH) and on 6/16, the Thursday Group found another Prairie Warbler at St. Francois SP, along with a Scarlet Tanager at Magnolia Hollow. The Barkers also found a Prairie Warbler at St. Francois SP on 6/9. Mourning Warblers seen on 6/3 at both TGP (MR) and in Kirkwood (MT) were late migrants. A Clay-colored Sparrow seen on 6/3 at the Katy Trail Access was another late migrant (GA).

Backyard Birds: Two to three Eurasian Collared Doves, 5 male Cowbirds and a Red-winged Blackbird have been seen in Jim Ziebol’s backyard in south St. Louis. A second brood of Carolina Wrens was observed in Linda Virga’s yard. On 6/26, Dan Kassebaum placed a Painted Bunting decoy (model) on his dashboard and after playing a Painted Bunting tape, attracted an immature Painted Bunting, which flew into his truck.

Contributors: Gail Ahumada, Connie Alwood, George & Terry Barker, Mike Brady, Jackie Chain, Ryan Douglas, Joe Eades, Frank Holmes, Yvonne Homeyer, Ian Hunt, Paul & Barbara Johnson, Dan Kassebaum, Jim & Charlene Malone, Sherry McCowan, Joe Pennell, Mick Richardson, Margy Terpstra, Mike Thelen, and Jim Ziebol. An asterisk means “documented”. Please submit sightings by the last day of the month to Jim Ziebol or Yvonne Homeyer (homeyer@earthlink.net).

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