As the waterfowl and shorebird migrations wind down in early-mid May, we birders turn our attention to late spring migrants and summer residents; such was the case down at Eagle Bluffs Conservation Area this morning.
Blue-winged teal, once numbering a thousand or more, were down to a few scattered flocks and American coot, which crowded every pool back in April, had disappeared altogether. Ironically, a male common merganser, making the rare bird list for a month or more, still graced the refuge, and a female canvasback, not expected in May, was also observed. Shorebirds, numerous and diverse just a few days ago, were only represented by killdeer, spotted sandpipers and a couple of lesser yellowlegs; American white pelicans and white-faced ibis, regular spring visitors, also have completed their migrations.
Indeed, the avian population has undergone another shift change in the Missouri River Valley; time to focus on raptors, wading birds, certain rails and summer songbirds. The next shift won't arrive until September, though migrant shorebirds will begin drifting south by mid July. Of course, unexpected, late summer vagrants will also attract flocks of birders to this fabulous floodplain refuge.
Blue-winged teal, once numbering a thousand or more, were down to a few scattered flocks and American coot, which crowded every pool back in April, had disappeared altogether. Ironically, a male common merganser, making the rare bird list for a month or more, still graced the refuge, and a female canvasback, not expected in May, was also observed. Shorebirds, numerous and diverse just a few days ago, were only represented by killdeer, spotted sandpipers and a couple of lesser yellowlegs; American white pelicans and white-faced ibis, regular spring visitors, also have completed their migrations.
Indeed, the avian population has undergone another shift change in the Missouri River Valley; time to focus on raptors, wading birds, certain rails and summer songbirds. The next shift won't arrive until September, though migrant shorebirds will begin drifting south by mid July. Of course, unexpected, late summer vagrants will also attract flocks of birders to this fabulous floodplain refuge.
