Driving across the snow-covered farmlands east of Columbia this afternoon, I encountered a few of our more common, open country raptors. Two American kestrels were observed, hunting from power lines, a red-tailed hawk was perched on a telephone pole while another soared above the snowy landscape and a northern harrier attacked a massive flock of blackbirds, sending them into the chilly air.
Though I occasionally see short-eared owls and rough-legged hawks in that area, none were observed along my 6-mile route. And while my vigil for migrant snow geese and greater white-fronted geese continues (without success), I did see a large flock of Canada geese, feeding in the crop stubble; it is more rewarding to encounter these common birds on farmlands than on the large, pristine lawns of our various businesses.
My winter tours of Missouri farm country will continue and, one of these days, flocks of migrant geese will grace the scene. For now, I'll enjoy the raptors.
