What a morning! 9.30.21

September 30, 2021 Hal

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What a morning! Out for a hike this morning with Gege at Busch Wildlife Area, we came across some wonderful sightings. First I’ve been wanting to see some red-headed woodpeckers and get some snaps. The one below is greatly cropped. Then while glassing the red-head, we hear a Cooper’s hawk fly in and chase the red-head. Near the same area sounds of a northern flicker caught our ear. High up in the canopy a male comes zooming into a dead branch where an immature is sitting. Later while walking back to our car we sight about 8 chukars. I had no idea what they were until we got back home and could research them. They are not native MO birds. The Conservation department said they are probably escapees nearby as anyone can buy them. (I since found out they may be leftovers from dog field trials.) Throw in a female woody, catbird, and white-eyed vireo and what more could a guy ask for! Whew! What a morning. That doesn’t include all of the migrating birds we saw, but didn’t get to snap! Hope you enjoy.

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