Eagle Bluffs Conservation Area, on the Missouri River floodplain, is not always a pretty place in late March. Cloudy, cool weather with intermittent showers is typical and flooding often inundates the woodlands and fields.
But, while they may not appeal to humans, such conditions are ideal for migrant waterfowl and shorebirds and, of course, for raptors that feast on those travelers. This morning, as a fine mist obscured the view from my Beetle, I drove slowly along the muddy roads, stopping at various points to scan the pools and flooded fields. Blue-winged teal, American coot and northern shovelers were abundant, joined by smaller flocks of lesser scaup, gadwall and green-winged teal. Wilson's snipe were common in the boggy wetlands while early tree swallows strafed the sloughs and canals. A few dozen American white pelicans lounged on a sandbar, pairs of Canada geese guarded nest sites along the grassy shorelines and a host of raptors (bald eagles, red-tails and northern harriers) patrolled the refuge; both eagle nests at the preserve were occupied. Among other sightings were great blue herons, belted kingfishers, pied-billed grebes and pectoral sandpipers.
More than 30 bird species and a lone river otter were observed during my final visit to Eagle Bluffs before returning to Colorado. As always, the refuge offered a memorable and inspiring sendoff.
But, while they may not appeal to humans, such conditions are ideal for migrant waterfowl and shorebirds and, of course, for raptors that feast on those travelers. This morning, as a fine mist obscured the view from my Beetle, I drove slowly along the muddy roads, stopping at various points to scan the pools and flooded fields. Blue-winged teal, American coot and northern shovelers were abundant, joined by smaller flocks of lesser scaup, gadwall and green-winged teal. Wilson's snipe were common in the boggy wetlands while early tree swallows strafed the sloughs and canals. A few dozen American white pelicans lounged on a sandbar, pairs of Canada geese guarded nest sites along the grassy shorelines and a host of raptors (bald eagles, red-tails and northern harriers) patrolled the refuge; both eagle nests at the preserve were occupied. Among other sightings were great blue herons, belted kingfishers, pied-billed grebes and pectoral sandpipers.
More than 30 bird species and a lone river otter were observed during my final visit to Eagle Bluffs before returning to Colorado. As always, the refuge offered a memorable and inspiring sendoff.
