I spent the greater part of Friday and Saturday working BBA blocks 347 and 348, both in Carroll County. While covering the said areas, I made some rather surprising observations (I also had a few misadventures, like accidentally stepping in a fresh cow-pie and getting stopped by a sherriff who thought I was running away from home because I was walking alone down a dirt road, but that's another story). The first of my noteworhty sightings took place in block 348. On the stretch of gravel road between Merritt Access and Dickson Timber, I saw oodles of Lark Sparrows-I counted at least 15 and I'm sure that there were more. In the same area I heard and saw at least 2 Grasshopper Sparrows and located an Orchard Oriole nest site. I was quite surprised to see a pair of Carolina Wrens at Dickson Timber. The two acted as though they may have had a nest nearby but I couldn't say for sure. In the woods uphill from the campground, I heard and saw Scarlet Tanagers and more than one Wood Thrush. As unlikely as this may be, think that I might have heard a Summer Tanager, but the bird was far in the distance and stopped singing before I could make any sort of confirmation. While birding the timber near Butrick Bluff, I saw 3 juvenile Cooper's Hawks. Block 347 (Buck Run Creek, Hobbs Access) held more surprises. I watched as a male Scarlet Tanager got into a fight with a Blue Jay. The scuffle lasted only a few seconds and AMAZINGLY the Tanager was the clear victor. The Blue Jay got told where to go and how to get there. I saw recently fledged Warbling, Red-eyed, and Yellow-throated Vireos. Along the edge of an open field, I saw several Vesper Sparrows and a handful of Lark Sparrows. In a stand of tall reeds along a dirt road near Hobbs Access, I heard and saw at least 7 Sedge Wrens and located another Orchard Oriole nest site. In the same area, near a river, I heard and saw an immature Bald Eagle. Sunburn, insect bites, scrapes and all, it was a good time and I can't wait to get back out again!!
Rachel Simmons, Carroll --- Please contribute your sightings to our list; it is only as good as members make it! --- Birding channel recommendation for FRS/GMRS radio use: Primary selection; channel 5/0 , alternate selection; channel 6/0 --- This mailing list is sponsored by the Iowa Ornithologists' Union. Membership available on-line at http://www.iowabirds.org/iou/PayDues.aspx. ----- You are currently subscribed to ia-bird as: [email protected]
