On the Mississippi (1 Viewer)

Tero · Nov 23, 2003

GR Triever said:
The river is still a major transportation route; in addition to coal, you'll find gas, chemicals, grain, etc. AND... there are (3) large paddlewheelers operating from New Orleans almost the entire length of the river (and the Ohio River), owned by the Delta Steamboat Line. The Queens (Delta, American, and Mississippi) are booked year-round for excursions ranging from 2 to 7 days, if anybody's interested in a river vacation.

Regards,

GR

Hi GR. Yes, there are a few cruise boats here too. Then there are the casino boats that never move!

Not sure the boat trips here would be interesting to birders, but the ones close to New Orleans probably would. Wonder if they have swamp tours too?

GR Triever · Nov 23, 2003

There's a lot of wildlife viewing to be done along these big ol' rivers; don't know why birders wouldn't enjoy it. Heron, Crane, Eagle, Osprey, Duck, Geese, etc., as well as the mammals (Raccoon, Deer, Beaver, Otter) along the banks.

Tero · Dec 13, 2003

Has been pretty dead in the spot I take walks along. Only the Eurasian Tree Sparrows and a few Mocking Birds and Cardinals stay in these trees along the river and along railroad tracks, for the midwinter months.

In the industrial area where I work I am greeted by the curious noises of Starlings every morning.

Tero · Dec 29, 2003

Not on the river, but our state, we have some 315 birds
http://waxwing.westhost.com/birds/species.html

just was comparing to 400 in Texas.

I don't plan to make yearly lists, but such lists could be generated, I guess, from dates in notebook scribbles.

Tero · Jan 1, 2004

suburban St. Louis

I guess I should have a separate thread for away from the river, we are in the western suburbs.

At feeder and morning walk:

Carolina Wren
Sharp Shinned Hawk
Starling
Mourning Dove
Tufted Titmouse
Chickadee
House Finch
House Sparrow
Cardinal
Am. Goldfinch
blue Jay
Northern Flicker
Am. Robin
Red Bellied Woodpecker

absent: Downy Woodpecker, Nuthatch
will see those two within a week

Tero · Jan 13, 2004

On the downtown stretch of the river, some gulls, we only have maybe 2 kinds, and crows were interacting on the sandy bank on the far side.

On the shore, a Kestrel on a wire.

A jogger has seen a Bald Eagle a week ago on a cold day.

streatham · Jan 13, 2004

Just reading your stuff - the bird that you saw in August - The Grosbeak would almost definitely have been a Rose-Breasted Grosbeak. Either immature male or female. Pine Grosbeaks that far south in August would be very uncommon. Hope that helps - Luke

Tero · Jan 15, 2004

First Killdeer of the year. All by him-her-self.

Tero · Jan 16, 2004

I went to the river by where the "eagle" was supposed to hang out. Unfortunately, a police car cruised by on the bike path by the shore, and the bird flew half way across the river before I had any good look. It landed on the other side a few hundred meters away, could not see it after it landed.

Otherwise, a flock of Juncos and another of Eurasian Tree Sparrows.

Tero · Jan 16, 2004

streatham said:
Just reading your stuff - the bird that you saw in August - The Grosbeak would almost definitely have been a Rose-Breasted Grosbeak. Either immature male or female. Pine Grosbeaks that far south in August would be very uncommon. Hope that helps - Luke

Yeah, maybe female. Or even a female Blue Grosbeak
http://www.mbr-pwrc.usgs.gov/Infocenter/i5970id.html

Tero · Jan 18, 2004

Out here in the suburbs, 25 miles from the Mississippi and 10 from the Missouri, we had an eagle sized bird this morning. Dark head, partly light underneath, probably a juvenile. Looking for road kill?

samuel walker · Jan 19, 2004

JJ Audubon

Tero said:
I figured anyone actually on the Mississippi could post, as long as you were only a few miles from it. I am in Missouri.

I go for walks along the river, as it is the only nature I can get to at lunch. In the spring, so lots of Red Winged Blackbirds and flycatchers. All year you see Eurasian Tree Sparrows, now in small flocks.

After not much anything for weeks, saw a heron today. Probably a Little Blue Heron. It observed me for a minute and flew along the water lazily to a a post further away.

A male and female Downy Woodpecker were having an argument about a particularly appealing long crack in a tree.

OK, no more.

My other postings could be further from the river.

these days I see more House Finches now than all summer. Some Purple Finches.

Hi Tero:
I read with interest of your birding on the Miss'ppi. I have as I'm sure you have too read Audubon's travel diary of his 1820 trip down the Ohio to Mississippi to Missouri river. I would like the same trip even knowing I likely would not see the Ivory-Billed Woodpeckers he witnessed. It has always sounded like a magical part of America.
Good sightings,
Sam

Tero · Jan 20, 2004

No, have not looked at the diary. I was leafing through a book about Lewis and Clark, focusing on the wildlife. But we have no trips out west planned, so that got postponed.

So far, I have only looked at fairly recent wildlile/bird narratives, the classics are yet to explore. Even Darwin!

Tero · Jan 25, 2004

Local news on Bald Eagles
http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/ne...ter+draws+eagles+-+and+fans&highlight=2,Eagle

Tero · Feb 10, 2004

Lots of Red Tailed Hawks are about. Some snow is around, but they are flying around the open areas near the interstate highway and the airport. Saw one being mobbed by two crows yesterday.

Tero · Feb 11, 2004

A large group, maybe 50, of Common Goldeneyes on the river.

Gulls as well, in same area. Ring Billed most common, so no reason to think they were not.

Tero · Feb 19, 2004

Common Goldeneyes again today, maybe 20. They were fun to watch. They took off and flew together to another spot on the river. On the opposite shore saw two very large birds in a tree, one took off. Probably young Bald Eagles. They will move on soon.

kriskend · Feb 19, 2004

Tero said:
Common Goldeneyes again today, maybe 20. They were fun to watch. They took off and flew together to another spot on the river. On the opposite shore saw two very large birds in a tree, one took off. Probably young Bald Eagles. They will move on soon.

I thought maybe I could join you in your discussion of birds along the Mississippi. I grow up along the Mississippi. It is about a half mile or so from my house. I am also lucky enough to have a bluff in my backyard literally, so it is a great place for birds of prey. We see many bald eagles and vultures. I just started bird watching so other than the obvious ones I haven't id any of the other birds but I plan on paying a lot of attention this spring. The Mississippi does have a lot of backwaters ( wetlands ) by our house so I think it might be a lot different than the way it is by you. I will dig out some of my pictures taken of the river from on top of the bluff so that you can see what I am talking about. If you ever get up to the WI/MN area plan on taking drives on the Great River Road. That is highway 35 on the WI side or 61 on the MN side. There are lots of great places to see the river and watch the birds hunt for lunch.

More info to come,
Kris

Tero · Feb 19, 2004

Sure, post pictures. I have few pictures, and most of mine will not be from the river.

kriskend · Feb 20, 2004

Tero said:
Sure, post pictures. I have few pictures, and most of mine will not be from the river.

This is a picture of the bluff taken from my yard. I have to do some more digging to find the pictures of the river taken from on top the bluff.

Kris

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