On this cool, misty morning in central Missouri, I headed down to Eagle Bluffs Conservation Area on the Missouri River floodplain. Despite the weather, I wanted to make one final tour of the refuge before it closes until March 1 of next year; the closure is to provide refuge for wintering waterfowl and an undisturbed killing zone for duck hunters. To be fair, I should mention that birders and nature lovers are granted a 2-hour visit window in mid afternoon (a perfect time for birding) during the closure.
Ironically, the refuge is finally being "re-watered" after prolonged dryness due to our hot summer, a low river level and projects to reconfigure the preserve's landscape. While the hunters may well benefit from the influx of water, there were hardly any waterfowl this morning; I only observed 13 mallards and a lone pied-billed grebe. Fortunately, raptors were well represented, including two bald eagles, an osprey, three northern harriers, a red-tailed hawk and an American kestrel (not to mention a dozen or so turkey vultures). I also enjoyed watching a river otter in the central channel.
Having such a "non-productive" experience on the last morning of the Eagle Bluffs birding year was frustrating. I hope the hunters are just as fortunate.
