River Walk, Saint Joseph, Missouri

[Larry Lade]

One of my local birding venues is the "River Walk" located in the northern part of Saint Joseph, Missouri. The "walk" consists of a one and a half mile (2.5 Km), paved path adjacent to the Missouri River through riparian habitat. Some of the trees are dead due to wind, ice and other weather related issues (as well as some of them having been girded by beavers). Consequently, it is a very good area to see a good variety of woodpeckers. Of course, there are other woodland birds to be found there among the trees, vines and understory.

This morning I went for an hour and a half walk on this path. My target bird was a Pileated Woodpecker (which I have not seen in Missouri this year) and possibly a Fox Sparrow, which I would like to get on my 2007 Missouri List.

Soon after leaving my automobile in the parking lot and beginning on the path I heard the unmistakeable whistling sound of flying goldeneyes. Looking out over the river I watched as a male Common Goldeneye flew a short way over the river and landing among the numerous ice floes which were floating down the river. A short way down the path I encountered a magnificent, adult Bald Eagle accompanied by an immature Bald Eagle. They soared effortlessly over the river. Red-bellied Woodpeckers were calling from the riverside trees and I continued on. Several Northern Flickers went flying through the trees landing at times to forage on the bark of various trees for insects/larvae. Just then I hear the chattering of a Belted Kingfisher. Looking around in the direction of the call, I found this bird sitting on a branch of a tree right beside the river. The bird flew back and forth along the ice clogged river apparently looking for an opening between the floes where it might dive for a minnow.

Hearing the calls of Tufted Titmice and White-breasted Nuthatches, I scanned the leafless trees until I found both of these common denizens of our woods. Next were the European Starlings, giving their various calls from high in the bare branches of the Cottonwoods and other trees. At that point I noticed a black and white bird go sailing through the trees and perch on the side of one of the larger trees in the area. Adjusting my 8 X 42's on the bird I could see that it was a Red-headed Woodpecker. [I was hoping that it would be my target bird, the Pileated Woodpecker.] Oh well, I needed to continue down the path. Hearing the honking of geese, I looked skyward where about 40 Canada Geese flew west over my position and thence over the river into Kansas. Two or three Black-capped Chickadees caught my attention feeding on seeds and buds on nearby trees. A Carolina Wren called but was staying out of view as I continued my walk. Walkiing by a more open area of dead trees, bushes and weeds, I observed a number of Northern Cardinals and Dark-eyed Juncos. Flying around and perching on the sides of trees in this area I spied Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers. At times gleaning food from crevices in the bark of trees and at times drumming their territorial calls. I sat down on a bench beside the path and imitated the calls of the screech and barred owls to see if I could get a response. The only result was that a Red-tailed Hawk flew off of his unseen perch and further into the woods.

As I sat silently on the bench I observed several birds working a weedy patch. There were more cardinals, juncos and woodpeckers. These birds were then joined by some American Tree Sparrows. Then suddenly there was a Carolina Wren in among the other birds. (So after hearing an "out of sight one" earlier, I now got to see the little fellow!)

Time to reverse my steps and head back to my vehicle. On the was back I heard American Crows and spotted one additional bird, a Winter Wren. It gave me several short looks and then disappeared in the root wads, and brown vegetation next to the small stream over which I was crossing.

Even though it was only 25 F (-4 C), the sun was shining and it was a fun day to be out.

I will have to wait another day to get the Pileated Woodpecker and Fox Sparrow, though!

[Mark Bruce]

A very enjoyable piece, Larry. Thanks :t: ! I got out my Sibley and had a good look. It's been cold and wet here the last few days but the sun is just coming out now. You've put me in the mood for a walk.

[joannec]

Nice account of what was obviously an enjoyable day. I envy you the bald eagles. ;)

Joanne

[Larry Wheatland]

I enjoyed that Larry, thanks and good luck with the Pileateds next time!

[Larry Lade]

Not being one to "give up" too easily, I drove over to the Saint Joseph River Walk again this morning about 9 o'clock. The sky was overcast and the temperature was about the same as yesterday 25 F (-4 C). I wanted to try for the Pileated Woopecker again, having missed it yesterday.

The first birds I encounted after getting out of my Toyota were the ever present European Starlings. Except this morning they were not vocalizing, just sitting high in the bare trees at the beginning of the path. Looking toward the Missouri River, where I had seen the Common Goldeneye yesterday, I saw a lone, female Common Merganser (Goosander to most of you). She was drifting with the flow of the river in among the numerous ice floes. Crossing the bridge over the small stream which runs into the river I noticed a Song Sparrow where the Winter Wren had been yesterday. Walking a little further along the paved path I saw an adult Bald Eagle take off from its perch and fly over the river towards the Kansas side. One lone Mallard drake was flying high and going down river. Several Blue Jays, Red-bellied Woodpeckers and Northern Flickers were calling and flitting around in the leafless trees next to the path. American Robins were the next birds encountered (a species I had missed yesterday), singing and going about their business of finding something to eat. As the trees thinned out somewhat I began to see Northern Cardinals and Black-capped Chickadees doing their morning's foraging in a brushy, weedy area. A Red-tailed Hawk flew off from its perch in a nearby tree and landed in another tree a little further from the trail. Some Dark-eyed Juncos joined the cardinals and chickadees. Some noisy American Crows flew over head probably heading out in search of some corn left over in some fields which were not too far away. Three American Goldfinches flitted around nearby and then took off for parts unknown. Another bird not seen yesterday was the Mourning Dove. Three of these were perched in some trees near the rivers edge. They flew off as I walked by.

At this point I noticed some bird activity a little distance off of the trail. I decided to do a little "bush whacking" (a term used by American birders to indicate having to wade through a tangle of brush, vines, brambles and weeds) to see what birds they might be. I found a downed tree and used it as a bench. I sat motionless for about twenty minutes watching the birds as they fed on weed seeds and "whatever they were finding under the leaf litter". It turned out to be the best spot of the day! I first saw several Fox Sparrows (a new year species) in the mixed, feeding flock of birds. Then I observed several more Song Sparrows, some White-throated Sparrows and a female Eastern Towhee (also a new year bird). They were eventually joined by some American Tree Sparrows, Carolina Wren, some more cardinals and juncos.

As the birds began to move away from this area, I decided to head back to the parking lot. On the way back there were no birds calling or moving around. Not until I got back to my auto did I see several American Crows calling and flying over the car park.

It was then about 11 o'clock, which is about the time that bird activity usually subsides. So I headed back home and to lunch!

I still did not get the Pileated Woodpecker. But it is just a matter of time! I did find a couple of trees where there appeared to be rather recent Pileated Woodpecker foraging sign, where the wood from dead snags had been ripped away leaving wood chips scattered about on the ground beneath the tree.

[Mark Bruce]

Another enjoyable piece. Thanks, Larry :t: ! I almost hope those Pileated Woodpeckers take their time in showing up because it will mean more trips which in tern will mean more enjoyable reading to follow ;) ! A good read, Larry, and holding thumbs for the next trip !

[Larry Lade]

This morning I took a walk along the River Walk in Saint Joseph. It was -9.5 C (15 F) warming to 3 C (38 F) during the time I was on the trail (9 AM - 11:30 AM). Leaving my Toyota at the parking lot I first encounter two Common Goldeneye floating down the river. In spite of the frigid temperature the river was free of ice, which was somewhat of a surprise.

Some "honking" overhead alerted me to a flock of Canada Geese flying by. Heading down the track several Blue Jays flew in and out of the trees which also harbored calling Red-bellied Woodpeckers, Northern Cardinals and Dark-eyed Juncos (sometimes referred to as "snow birds"). High in the trees were perched European Starlings giving their various calls. I then spotted a White-breasted very high up in one of the trees beside the path. Coming to an area where there were a lot of dead trees I looked intently for a Pileated Woodpecker, but was only rewarded with views of three Red-headed Woodpeckers, seven or eight Northern Flickers and a Hairy Woodpecker. A little further along I was entertained by White-throated Sparrows, Song Sparrows, American Tree Sparrows and three Carolina Wrens. They were all in a weedy, brushy area coming out at intervals into the short grass beside the trail. A troop of six or seven Eastern Bluebirds flew gracefully across the path, landing in clear view quite close by. A Red-tailed Hawk glided by and landed in a distant, bare-leafed tree. I heard an American Robin calling but could not locate it. A lone American Goldfinch was the only other bird I saw until I was leaving the area when a single Mourning Dove put in an appearance.

Time to get home for a sandwich and some hot soup!