Were it not for the foliage and the birdsong, one might think it was October here in central Missouri. Cool, dry air has invaded the Midwest; after an overnight low of 36 degrees F, we enjoyed an afternoon high of 64 under clear, sunny skies.
What a gorgeous day for eBird's annual Global Big Day on which counts are solicited from across the planet. My wife and I spent an hour or so at Eagle Bluffs this morning and I observed 28 bird species, including a blue grosbeak and the stubborn common merganser that refuses to move on to more northern climes. Late this afternoon, a backyard count turned up 19 species, none of which were unexpected here in early May but all of which seemed to be invigorated by the autumn weather.
So I enjoyed the fall-like conditions and helped to catalogue the status of avian populations across the globe. Some forms of social distancing can be pleasant, productive and rewarding and the Canadian air made the experience all the more inviting.
What a gorgeous day for eBird's annual Global Big Day on which counts are solicited from across the planet. My wife and I spent an hour or so at Eagle Bluffs this morning and I observed 28 bird species, including a blue grosbeak and the stubborn common merganser that refuses to move on to more northern climes. Late this afternoon, a backyard count turned up 19 species, none of which were unexpected here in early May but all of which seemed to be invigorated by the autumn weather.
So I enjoyed the fall-like conditions and helped to catalogue the status of avian populations across the globe. Some forms of social distancing can be pleasant, productive and rewarding and the Canadian air made the experience all the more inviting.
