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[From Nature Notes (the journal of the Webster Groves Nature Study Society), Vol. 79, No. 7, Sep., 2007] JULY 2007 BIRD REPORTBy: Jim Ziebol and Yvonne HomeyerSightings: The Neotropic Cormorant, first reported in June, was seen throughout the month (JChain, RAB, FH), and many people, both local and out of the area, had a chance to see this unusual bird. Jackie Chain and Rose Ann Bodman got very good looks at a Least Bittern at the Hwy. 111 boat launch. At least 105 Double-crested Cormorants were present at HL on 7/15 (m. ob.). On 7/19, 194 Pied-billed Grebes were reported in the HL area (FH). On 7/25, a Black-crowned Night Heron nest in FP contained 6 young and 2 Yellow-crowned Night Herons were also seen that day (M Botz, M. Johnston). By 7/8, Clarence Zacher had observed the following species in FP: Snowy Egret, Black-crowned Night Heron, Yellow-crowned Night Heron, 7 Green Herons, and a Red-headed Woodpecker. Two adult and 2 juvenile Moorhens were seen at HL on 7/27 (J&CM) and on 7/28, Dick Coles refound these birds for the Saturday Group. On 7/28, Jean Cook found 2 Semipalmated Plovers at HL. On 7/7, 2 Stilt Sandpipers, 11 Least, and 1 Spotted were seen at Confluence Park (DR, TB). On 7/22, Bill Rowe reported 2,000 Pecs, 1000 Kildeer, 200 Least Sandpipers, 8 Semipalmated Sandpipers, Lesser Yellowleg and Spotted Sandpiper at Two Rivers NWR/Swan Lake. Good birds for David Rogles on 7/23 included Semipalmated Plover, Semipalmated Sandpipers, Pecs, and Least Sandpipers, plus a Blue Grosbeak, at Riverlands. The Thursday Group visited Sandy Slough on 7/26 where they encountered Yellow-billed Cuckoo, a few Pecs, 2 Spotted, and a Solitary Sandpiper. Connie Alwood reported Short-billed Dowitcher, Lesser Yellowlegs, and 2 Common Terns at Riverlands, and 1,000 Pecs at Two Rivers NWR on 7/28. Dan Kassebaum reported that California Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, and a Laughing Gull were present at CL on 7/30; ages of the birds are unknown. Two Black Terns were found at HL on 7/19 (FH). Steve Ewer saw 3 Caspian Terns and an Osprey at Riverlands on 7/14. The nesting pair of Cooper’s Hawks in TGP produced 3 young, seen on 7/14 (SM) and 7/19 (JZ). Connie Alwood reported 3 Broad-winged Hawks perched near the headquarters at Two Rivers NWR on 7/28. While attending a baseball game at Busch Stadium on 7/28, Mike Thelen observed a Peregrine Falcon. A Western Kingbird was seen at the Bridgeton Municipal Athletic Complex on 7/2 (A&LS). Several Red-headed Woodpeckers and a calling Sedge Wren were found on the Chubb Trail, CSP, on 7/3 (MB). An adult Lark Sparrow was observed on Bend Road, HL, not far from the Neotropic Cormorant tree, on 7/8 (JZ). On 7/16, Jackie Chain saw both a male and female Painted Bunting at Katy Access/Weldon Spring. Unfortunately, on 7/22, the male was found dead on the parking lot. A typical day at HL for the Thursday Group, on 7/12, included Neotropic Cormorant, Yellow-crowned Night Heron, 2 Least Bitterns, Least and Solitary Sandpipers (JChain). A typical day at Confluence Park on 7/15 included 25 Least Sandpipers, 1 Semipalmated Sandpiper, a Long-billed Dowitcher (early), 180 Great Egrets, 100 Snowy Egrets, 20 Little Blue Herons, and at Riverlands the usual Pelicans, Cormorants, Ring-billed Gulls, and a Caspian Tern (BR). Back Yard Birds: On 7/8, a Blue-gray Gnatcatcher was a very good yard bird for Randy Korotev in University City. A Black-crowned Night Heron was seen throughout the summer at the lake at the Brentwood Forest condos, and Mississippi Kites have been seen soaring over the area (YH). Contributors: Connie Alwood, David Becher, Rose Ann Bodman, Tom Bormann, Mike Brady, Jackie Chain, Jean Cook, Steve Ewer, Frank Holmes, Yvonne Homeyer, Dan Kassebaum, Randy Korotev, Jim & Charlene Malone, Sherry McCowan, David Rogles, Bill Rowe, Sherry McCowan, Al & Lois Smith, Mike Thelen, Clarence Zacher, Jim Ziebol. Abbreviations: BCA, Busch Conservation Area; CC, Clarence Cannon NWR; CL, Carlyle Lake; CSP, Castlewood State Park; CB, Columbia Bottoms; FP, Forest Park; HL, Horseshoe Lake; LP, Lafayette Park; LCCL, Little Creve Coeur Lake; MTC, Marais Temps Clair; RMBS, Riverlands Migratory Bird Sanctuary, SNR, Shaw Nature Reserve, TGP, Tower Grove Park. |