On this glorious morning at Eagle Bluffs Conservation Area, the avian diversity was a bit disappointing; red-winged blackbirds were abundant, as usual, while blue-winged teal, turkey vultures and chimney swifts were also common. In addition, there were a few highlights.
A pair of ospreys were hunting above the central channel, plunging to snare fish in their talons. A trio of river otters also graced the channel, swimming and diving in linear formation. Finally, a half-dozen pied-billed grebes were observed on the floodplain pools; while they are expected at the refuge by late September and will be increasingly common over the next month or so, the grebes are just the latest sign that the tide of autumn is building.
Once again, a morning visit to Eagle Bluffs did not disappoint. Though many birds seemed to be sleeping in, the ospreys, otters and grebes rewarded my effort, not to mention the pleasant weather and beautiful scenery. I'll be back in a few days.
