BirdForum is the net's largest birding community dedicated to wild birds and birding, and is absolutely FREE!

Register for an account to take part in lively discussions in the forum, post your pictures in the gallery and more.

Reply to thread

Message: <blockquote data-quote="Larry Lade" data-source="post: 1971136" data-attributes="member: 2676">Saint Joseph, Missouri, OxbowsThis after noon from 1:30 PM until 3 PM, I braved the 40 MPH west wind, 51 degree temperature and blowing dust to venture out around the oxbow lakes just south of Saint Joseph, Missouri. I thought I might have a chance to see a loon or a grebe on Lake Contrary. That did not happen, but there was a raft of about 150 ducks bobbing on the white caps, most of them were content to ride the waves and "catch a few winks". Included in the gathering were GADWALL, NORTHERN SHOVELERS, LESSER SCAUP, RUDDY DUCKS, REDHEADS and a RING-NECKED DUCK. Driving around on the back roads in the area I observed a RED-TAILED HAWK make a half-hearted attempt to drive away a hunting NORTHERN HARRIER from "his territory". All along the gravel roads I saw blowing leaves and other debris looking like small sparrows, and small sparrows impersonating blowing leaves. On the north levee of Lake Contrary I did actually see a few Dark-eyed Juncos and a Northern Cardinal which were hunkered down in some Red Cedars. One BARN SWALLOW was flying (or being blown by the wind) in an attempt to catch some flying insects. There was a single Ring-billed Gull on the edge of Muskrat Lake pecking at something it had found to eat. The only shorebirds around were the eight KILLDEER, seemingly attempting to keep warm. Normally there are "wire sitting" birds in the area, but today the only ones I saw doing this were several ROCK PIGEONS and about 1300 EUROPEAN STARLINGS. Five EURASIAN COLLARED-DOVES were seeking shelter in the holding pens at the Saint Joseph Stockyards. A number of GREAT-TAILED GRACKLES were also using these accommodations. The bird of the day was a juvenile BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON which was hunched on a low branch of the now leafless willows on the north shore of Horseshoe Lake. He looked like he was a bit chilly! Lake Contrary also was hosting two or three DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANTS who were diving for their dinner. The Canada Geese, American Coots, Red-winged Blackbirds, American Crows, House Sparrows rounded out today's finds.*  A Groundhog was standing upright beside the road on the northern side of the road next to the Missouri River. It only whisked off into the woods as I passed right by it.</blockquote>

Verification