JULY BIRD REPORT
By: Jim Ziebol and Yvonne Homeyer
A Western Grebe, perhaps the same bird from early June, was still present at Riverlands on 7/5 (CM). By 7/17, 18 White Pelicans had returned to Stump Lake (LH). Two Yellow-Crowned Night Herons were located at Parks Air College on 7/1 (CM). Of the four Yellow-Crowneds nesting on the east side (see June report), the last nest, which still had eggs in it, was destroyed by a storm in mid-July (FH). Many Mississippi Kites were reported in the area, including Glendale (SM), St. Luke’s Hospital (MB), an adult feeding young at a nest in Webster Groves (KR), and an adult with an immature near Kirkwood High (MR). On 7/7, on the South Levee Roads, an adult Bald Eagle was located (MH). Two Broad-winged Hawks’ nests were successful at Castlewood (MB) and a pair of Broad-wings were seen on 7/20 in Forest Park (JZ). A nice count of 8 Kestrels was reported on 7/13 on Bruns/Bischoff Roads (T Be). A Merlin was observed at Riverlands on 7/6 (G&TB).
The shorebird migration was in full swing by the first week of July and 1,000+ were present at Riverlands and Stump Lake on 7/17 (m.ob.). On 7/7, Gina Deddens observed a Black-necked Stilt at Riverlands. Two Greater Yellowlegs and 2 Lessers were found on Schoolhouse Road/Horseshoe Lake on 7/1 (J&CM). The highlight of early July was a Willet at Riverlands on 7/16 (CM). On 7/24, 2 Avocets were present at the boat launch of Horseshoe Lake (FH). Baird’s Sandpiper was observed at Horseshoe Lake, 111 side, on 7/27 (FH) and 7/31 (YH). An Upland Sandpiper was seen at Mark Twain NWR on 7/31 (HW et al.) Buff-breasted Sandpipers also appeared on 7/31 at Riverlands and Horseshoe Lake (T Bo, CA, C&JM). High counts for July were at Horseshoe Lake (111 side) with 100+ Killdeer, 1,000+ Pectoral Sandpipers, 50-75 Least Sandpipers, and 2 Westerns on 7/26 (T Be). Two Laughing Gulls seen on 7/4 at Riverlands were a good find for summertime (CM). A Franklin’s Gull on 7/13 at Riverlands was an equally good find at this time (KL). On 7/4, a Least Tern was located at Riverlands (DB, CM) and on 7/6, two were found there (KL). Six Black Terns, 6 Common Terns and a Least Tern were seen at Riverlands on 7/18 (CA, m.ob.). On 7/31, a Least Tern was seen at Lincoln Shields (CA, T Bo) and 2 Least Terns and 2 Black Terns were seen at Horseshoe Lake/Causeway (C&JM).
Dan Kassebaum’s best flycatcher for July was the Scissor-tailed at Fort Chartres, Ill. on 7/6. Willow Flycatchers were seen at Teal Pond/Riverlands on 7/8 (LH). A Sedge Wren was found on Chubb Trail/Castlewood on 7/10 (MB). A Loggerhead Shrike was seen on Bend Road on 7/13 (T Be). Loggerhead Shrikes are holding their own in Illinois but are now so rare in Missouri that they are considered an endangered species. A new location for Cerulean Warblers in southwest St. Louis County was found by David Rabenau. Several Redstarts bred at Castlewood (MB). A family of Worm-eating Warblers was found at Castlewood on 7/10 (SG). Blue Grosbeaks were apparently feeding young near the Borrow Pit on 7/16 (FH & T Be).
Dan Kassebaum July Highlights: An apparently injured White Pelican from 7/13-18, Carlyle; 18 Snowy Egrets on 7/14, Mississippi River Levee; 39 Little Blue Herons on 7/5, MRL; 39 Turkey Vultures, 7/3, Carlyle; 4 Blue-winged Teal, 7/13, Carlyle; Pintail, eclipse drake, 7/15, Carlyle; Green-winged Teal, hen, 7/27, Carlyle; Bald Eagle, adult and juvenile, 7/16, Carlyle; Cooper’s Hawk, 7/15, Carlyle; Willet, 7/15, Carlyle; 35 Short-billed Dowitchers, 7/15, Carlyle; 212 M. Doves, 7/5, MRL; Willow Flycatcher, 7/13 & 18, Carlyle; 11 E. Bluebirds, 7/5, Prairie DuRocher; 14 Yellowthroats, 7/5, MRL; 5 Chats, 7/13, Carlyle.
Comments: Bewick’s Wrens that used to nest on the Delashmit’s property in Franklin County arrived as usual but did not breed there this year. The deep-woods nesting songbirds are in low numbers at Busch Wildlife, according to data gathered in June by WGNSS members. The third edition of the National Geographic field guide has many improvements including the illustration of the latest bird splits. The Empidonax flycatchers are especially well represented, especially the coloring. Many of the shorebird plates have been redone.
CONTRIBUTORS: Connie Alwood, Dave Becher, Torrey Berger, Tom Borman, Mike Brady, Don & Cheryl Delashmit, Sue Gustafson, Lou Hanes, Frank Holmes, Jim & Margot Holsen,Yvonne Homeyer, Dan Kassebaum, Kent Lannert, Jim & Charlene Malone, Scott Marshall, David Rabenau, Kevin Renick, Margie Richardson, Helen Wuestenfeld, Jim Ziebol, many observers.