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Birdathon 2009

Fifth Annual Birdathon — 143 Species!

This year’s Birdathon was once again, to simply say, inspiring. The diversity of birds we saw and quality of habitats vistited strengthens our resolve to continue protecting and advocating for Missouri birds and their habitats.

The birding team consisted of Charley Burwick and Lisa Berger, both state board members, Brad Jacobs, ornithologist and state board member, Andrew Forbes, avian ecologist, and myself. These folks know birds! This year’s focus was on Boone County—the intention was to break the all-time county record of species seen in Missouri—164. Although we didn’t this year, we came close and irregardless, still had a fantastic time! Locations included Rock Bridge State Park, Eagle Bluffs Conservation Area, the Bradford Farm vicinity, and the Thomas Baskett Wildlife Area, all in and around Columbia. We spent 18 hours non-stop on our birding blitz, which yielded 143 species—some of the most amazing birds you’ll see in Missouri.

Per usual, the day started early at 3:45 a.m. as we gathered in the hotel parking lot, headed toward Bradford Farms, and stopped for our first couple birds, Chuck-will’s-widow and Whip-poor-wills. By mid-morning, we were at Eagle Bluffs Conservation Area where we found waterfowl and shorebirds, including one caught in the talons of a Peregrine Falcon, a chance sighting for certain! Also, calling and hiding just out of sight amongst the cattails, were Sora, King Rail, and Marsh Wren—no American Bitterns yet again this year. Another cool find was a Swainson’s Hawk hanging out in a newly cultivated field. Later on we visited Rock Bridge State Park, the highlight being a lone Cerulean Warbler in the canopy. Ceruleans have seen major declines in Missouri due to the destruction of bottomland forests and are listed on Audubon’s Watchlist, so we were enthused to have located one and paused a few moments just to listen and enjoy the moment.

Eagle Bluffs Conservation Area, Boone County

With a storm front forecasted to roll in late in the day, we were hopeful to see a major fallout of shorebirds in the evening at Eagle Bluffs. Although we didn’t see a lot of variety, we weren’t disappointed. Wilson’s Phalarope, Dunlin, and other shorebirds dropped out of an incredible spring, sunset sky (shown left). Caspian Tern, Black Tern, Red-breasted Merganser and a flock of Black-crowned Night-Herons, the last birds of the day, literally fell out of the sky in front of our spotting scopes.

We all agreed the Blackburnian Warbler and the Cerulean Warbler were the cool “birds-of-the-day.” For those of you interested, I have attached a complete list of birds seen.

Blackburnian Warbler

Whether through our policy efforts, education programs at Wildcat Glades Conservation & Audubon Center in Joplin, our restoration efforts at Cole Camp Prairies Grassland Restoration Project, or our new Audubon Center under development in St. Louis, Audubon Missouri’s programs and activities are intended to do just this – connect people to nature and help foster understanding, appreciation and stewardship of wildlife resources. You are playing a vital role!

Your generous tax-deductible Birdathon donation directly supports the ongoing development of these efforts – thank you.

I want to thank the birding team for their expertise and personal time in making the Birdathon a success, the staff for their dedication, and also you, for your part in supporting the work of Audubon Missouri.

I hope this summary is encouraging and prompts you to take some time this spring to explore your favorite spot. If you would still like to donate for our Birdathon, please check out our link to make a pledge/donation.