On this cool, sunny morning in the Missouri River Valley, I encountered a trial run of spring at Eagle Bluffs Conservation Area. Not yet into the heart of the migration season, my limited expectations were met.
Waterfowl were present but in rather small flocks; fifty gadwall led the count, followed by 35 Canada geese and a handful of shovelers, ring-necked ducks, mallards and green-winged teal. Raptors dominated the scene, including several bald eagles, red-tailed hawks and red-shouldered hawks. Other sightings included ring-billed gulls, killdeer, horned larks, eastern bluebirds, American tree sparrows and a host of common woodpeckers and songbirds.
I bided my time, hoping to encounter flocks of migrant geese or American white pelicans, but they did not show. The action at this floodplain refuge should increase significantly over the next few weeks and I will return to witness the spectacle (and, of course, to report on that experience).
