Last night, a cold front crawled across Missouri, igniting thunderstorms and producing heavy rain. As the front moved off to the southeast, the rain stopped by mid morning and I knew it was a good time for birding; I chose one of my favored birding haunts along the Missouri River.
Veteran birders know that heavy rain and strong winds are the two weather conditions that force many birds into sheltered areas, thereby keeping them out of sight. Once the rain stops, however, birding can be especially productive as clouds of insects attract swifts, swallows and other aerial insectivores, as many birds appear on roadways, attracted by worms, larvae and seeds flushed from the soil or foliage, and as many songsters announce their survival, singing from a variety of natural and man-made perches.
On my field trip this morning, I encountered only 21 species along the 3-mile route but most were numerous and conspicuous. Highlights included a pair of bald eagles, a blue grosbeak, two lark sparrows and a couple of ruby-throated hummingbirds. They should all enjoy a few mild, dry days before the next front arrives.
