Despite its slow and erratic progression, spring has finally taken control at Eagle Bluffs Conservation Area, southwest of Columbia. Though the weather remained cool and cloudy this morning, the Missouri River floodplain is now adorned with the rich greenery of May and most summer residents have returned to nest in its woods and wetlands.
Shorebirds, on their way to breeding grounds across the Northern Plains and Arctic tundra, were especially abundant, represented by yellowlegs, stilt sandpipers, short-billed dowitchers, western sandpipers and Wilson's phalaropes, among other species. Encouraged to leave their secluded haunts by the gray overcast, a group of soras foraged along a marsh-lined stream. Out on the open pools, blue-winged teal, American coot and pied-billed grebes were found while Canada geese nested along the grassy shores and great-blue herons stalked the shallows. Of special interest was a small flock of white-faced ibis, the first that I have ever encountered at Eagle Bluffs.
Checking the riparian woodlands along the Missouri River, I found indigo buntings, yellow and prothonotary warblers, common yellowthroats, American redstarts, northern orioles, house wrens and gray catbirds, joining mixed flocks of permanent residents. Red-tailed hawks soared above the refuge, a variety of swallows strafed the open waters and turkey vultures lounged on the roadways, playing chicken as my pickup approached. A few box turtles also took their chances on the graveled roads, attracted by their warmth on this cool spring morning.
