On this mild, sunny morning in central Missouri, I visited Eagle Bluffs Conservation Area on the Missouri River floodplain. As expected, migrant waterfowl were abundant, stopping to rest and feed as they move northward through the Heartland.
Flocks of snow geese, greater white-fronted geese and American white pelicans graced the refuge but were far outnumbered by the ducks. Among the latter, northern shovelers were most common, joined by mallards, gadwall, green-winged teal, ring-necked ducks, redheads, hooded mergansers, a couple blue-winged teal and a lone ruddy duck. Other sightings included a bald eagle (on her nest), red-tailed hawks, killdeer, coot, great blue herons and a pied-billed grebe; a river otter was also observed in the central channel.
The waterfowl exodus will continue through April, joined by migrant shorebirds and wading birds in the coming weeks. Eagle Bluffs is an excellent destination for naturalists and birders throughout the year but the spectacular flocks of spring and fall are certainly the annual highlights.
