CHRIS MICHELSON Bird Watch | Posted: Thursday, April 10, 2008 12:00 am
Spring is certainly here. One can tell by the fact that it rains before it snows and quite a few bird species are showing up in the area.�Several species are now nesting or soon will be.�
Great horned owls are on their nests now, while Canada geese and mallards are paired up and will be nesting shortly. Other duck species are pairing up as they migrate to their nesting areas.
American robin and house finch are busy attracting a mate now.�You can hear them singing in the morning.
Waterfowl continue to be the largest number of migrants. Wood duck is now present in several areas along the North Platte River. Edness Kimbal Wilkins State Park is one place to look for them. Canvasback, lesser scaup, redhead, ring-necked duck, American widgeon, gadwall�and green-winged teal can now be found in many areas. Most will move on to other places but some will nest in this area.
The first common loons have been reported from the JTL ponds in Evansville. This is the normal time for this species to begin moving through the region. Sandhill cranes have been noted in several locations as they begin to move to their nesting areas.�Listening for their loud calls is a good way to locate them. American white pelican has been observed moving through the area in good-sized flocks.
The first migrant turkey vultures have been found in the area. They're often sighted in the air and may roost for a day or two around Casper before moving to their usual nesting areas.�Osprey have also been observed this past week along or near the river. American Kestral, our smallest falcon, is being sighted along many roadways as it moves into and through our area.
Songbird migration, as usual, is slower to begin.�
Western meadowlark is being seen and heard in many areas.�Red-winged blackbirds are now common in suitable habitat with males staking out breeding territory. Dark-eyed juncos of several subspecies are moving through the area now.�Look for conspicuous white tail feathers on a sparrow sized bird to locate this species.�This species is quite vocal now. Mountain bluebirds are now common in suitable habit. A common redpoll, a northern finch, was sighted at the weekly Thursday Brown Bag Birding event at the Garden Creek Audubon Center this past week. This is a little late for this species and may indicate that winter is not yet over.
* Chris Michelson is a veteran bird watcher and board member of the Murie Audubon Society.�