Subject: GRNRA (Kent Ponds) 10-13-02
Date: Oct 14 09:37:53 2002
From: Lynn & Carol Schulz - linusq at worldnet.att.net


Hi Tweeters:
We had an exciting time at the Green River Natural Resources Area (Kent
Ponds) yesterday during a monthly census. The highlights were a SANDHILL
CRANE, a MERLIN, two COOPER'S HAWKS, a female KESTREL, many Lincoln's
Sparrows, a fly-over of 150 Cackling Canada Geese, and two Meadowlarks. We
divided up into two groups, each with an FRS radio so we could speak to each
other. At first the cold fog (36 degrees) kept the birds hunkered down, and
they were quiet. Then the fog lifted, the sun was shining, and everything
started to happen at once. At one point Roger Orness and I were up the
south tower
accessed from the Advo bldg near the Power Line Trail on the south side of
the area. We had already been told by the other group that they had
possibly seen a Sandhill Crane fly away from them into the fog. This would
be a very special sighting as there had not been any of those birds reported
for several years. Suddenly a Sandhill lifted up
from the west edge of the main pond and flew toward the other group. Oh,
man, I couldn't get my radio out of my pocket! It was stuck there! Arghh.
Finally Roger took pity, found his radio, and told them to watch for it as
it flew over to the east side of the area. Unfortunately the other group
didn't see the bird or relocate it. Next time I guess I'll have to hang the
radio around
my neck.
About the time the Sandhill lifted off in the sunshine, raptors started to
fly too. I didn't know where to look first. But one thing I found out up
in the tower was it was a lot easier to see Lincoln's Sparrows looking down
on them. Roger was down on the ground. I watched as the sparrows would fly
in toward him, land on top of tall grass, and then almost immediately
disappear down into the grasses. What a great view of these small sparrows.
They were not calling their usual litttle call which sounds like "peed" to
me. I was hearing a very small chip, which I'm still not able to recognize.
So we probably missed a number of these birds. Nevertheless, our two groups
saw at least 16 of them. I believe that is a high count for GRNRA.
Here is a preliminary count from our half of the census team. The other
group accessed the interior ponds and we haven't received their counts yet
so I won't include numbers and some species may be missing.
Wow, what a great day at Kent Ponds.
----------------
Green River Natural Resources Area (Kent Ponds) 10-13-02
(Partial list)
Pied-billed Grebe
Dbl-crested Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Canada Goose
Gadwall
American Wigeon
Mallard
Northern Shoveler
Green-winged Teal
Ring-necked Duck
Hooded Merganser
Ruddy Duck
Northern Harrier
Cooper?s Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
American Kestrel
Merlin
Ring-necked Pheasant
Sandhill Crane
Killdeer
Rock Dove
Belted Kingfisher
Northern Flicker
American Crow
Blk-capped Chickadee
Marsh Wren
American Robin
European Starling
Cedar Waxwing
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Savannah Sparrow
Fox Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Lincoln?s Sparrow
Wht-crowned Sparrow
Golden-crowned Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Red-winged Blackbird
Western Meadowlark
Brewer?s Blackbird
House Finch
American Goldfinch
Reported by Carol Schulz
DesMoines
linusq at att.net