Made it out to the lake over the weekend and was privileged to see our first of the season scissor-tailed flycatcher. It was a chilly morning (31), so there were quite a few birds hanging out on the warm(er) pavement. At this time of year, I always worry about the early arrivals who primarily eat insects. We also saw this beautiful young red-tailed hawk.
I think it has been about two years since I last saw a scissor-tailed flycatcher. Good to see them again!
We also managed very good looks at a sleeping barred owl and several deer foraging near the road.
Checked in on a nearby great blue heron rookery. They’ve moved back a bit more into the wooded area, so the pictures are not so great, but so glad to see they’re still there!
In the press release, you can find a link to the Excel file noting the species in trouble, and it is staggering. Think of the species in your part of the world that are regular visitors to your yard, the birds you see at area lakes, rivers, streams, and wetlands. Imagine them gone. Birds we regularly see in Kansas on this list include the American white pelican, red-headed woodpecker, common nighthawk, chimney swift, rufous hummingbird, American coot, American avocet, lesser yellowlegs, Franklin’s and Ross’s gulls, common tern, little blue heron, northern harrier, belted kingfisher, orchard oriole, scarlet tanager, rose-breasted grosbeak, painted bunting, dickcissel, and the list goes on. The last four years did so much damage. Please support conservation in any way you can.
I am still seeing quite a few young tree swallows and was lucky enough the other day to see a young flycatcher (note the absence of the scissor-tail). Click on pictures to enlarge.
One of my favorite sounds at this time of year is the “whee-eep” of great crested flycatchers. Their acrobatics in the tree tops are pretty fun to watch, too. Click on pictures to enlarge.
The last couple of weeks have been full of new arrivals. I know I shouldn’t play favorites, but the scissor-tailed flycatchers are one of mine. Of course, the ruby-crowned kinglet is adorable and the singing of the brown thrasher can’t be beat. OK, maybe not so much favorites. 🙂 Click on pictures to enlarge.