Winter Birding Adventures
By Andrea Goldstrom
As the long cold winter is drawing to a close I watch from my home as thousands of snow geese make their annual flight and remind me that it's time to plant my seeds indoors for my garden and that spring is not too far away. It’s an annual event that I look forward to each time, and has caused me to reflect on the many birding adventures that I have had this winter.
On Monday, December 28th 2020 I met up with Ryan Steffens and Missy Zimmerschied in Cole Camp for our Christmas Bird Count adventure. That is the fun about these outings, you never know what the day will bring. We encountered a newly birthed calf that was taking its first steps. We were also surprised by a prescribed burn at Mora conservation area. A lifer bird for me was a rough legged hawk that was doing a flying technique called kiting, where he hovered in one spot and vigorously flapped its wings. We also sighted a rare/uncommon eastern phoebe! Another treat was when our group drove to Spring Fork as we were told there were pelicans, eagles and other wondrous birds and we were not disappointed. The pelicans were numerous, and gilded so serenely on the water. There were dozens of eagles, flying and tageling with each other it was hard to keep up. Then to end the great birding day, we drove to Hi Lonesome where we were treated to the sight of several Northern harriers and a short eared owl on a fence.
My birding adventure continued from February 12th-15th with the Great Backyard Bird Count. I usually like to stay home as I get lots of birds at my multiple feeders as well as thousands of snow geese and Canadian geese. The weather had also turned bitterly cold with several snow systems, so I made sure to fill up my feeders and provide fresh heated water in my bird bath. Dozens of goldfinches flocked to my yard, as well as purple finches, white throated and white crowned sparrows, downy woodpeckers, red bellied woodpeckers, and even my favorite, a Harris sparrow.
My husband, daughter and I also participated in my first Climate Watch on February 13th with our target species the Eastern Bluebird. I observed 12 points in Pettis county around La Monte. Of all the birds that we saw, none were bluebirds which did disappoint me but there were still many other species such as Eastern meadowlarks, Kestrels, goldfinches, purple finches, and dark eyed juncos. In between those searches we also observed birds along the way to our next point for the Great Backyard Bird Count and were able to see bald eagles, harris sparrows, dozens of Eastern meadowlarks, pigeons, and my favorite horned larks. Adventures in birding is a treat for the eyes and ears no matter the season and I look forward to what the spring and summer will bring in from the skies.
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Another Honorary Member
Steve Cooper received his Honorary Membership
I believe the whole chapter agrees that Steve has been such a great friend and mentor for our chapter for many years. He has been our MDC adviser, helper, and inspiration. We have benefited, greatly, from his knowledge and patience. Much respect to you, Steve!
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Have you been to the chapter's new webpage? This is a place for members! Enter your hours and within seconds, you'll know how close you are to being certified each year. See what Volunteer opportunities and Advanced Training is available each month. There are so many webinars and other opportunities, Jerry Barnabee will upload your images to share with other members and Roxanne Stockdall can help you enter your hours or add new opportunities.
This year, the Certification requirements are only 30 Volunteer Hours (not 40) and 8 Advanced Training hours. What can you find on our website that will help you earn the 2021 certification pin . . .the Eastern Meadowlark?
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