On this cool, cloudy morning in central Missouri, I visited Bradford Farm, east of town. An agricultural research center of the University of Missouri, it is also a local birding hotspot; three ponds and several tree lines add diversity to the rolling crop fields.
This morning, a flock of gadwall graced one of the larger ponds, joined by a trio of ruddy ducks, a few mallards and a pair of pied-billed grebes. Northern harriers, American kestrels and American crows patrolled the farm while mourning doves, European starlings, red-winged blackbirds and savannah sparrows foraged on the dry fields. Other sightings included killdeer and white-crowned sparrows.
While my visit was not terribly productive from a birding point of view, I always enjoy an excursion to Bradford Farm where one can just pull over and enjoy the rural landscape, all the while scouring the skies for raptors and migrant waterfowl. It is still a bit early for the latter but flocks of snow and greater white-fronted geese will soon arrive from the north, lifting the spirits of many outdoor enthusiasts during this difficult year.
