I never made it Coville Park for ducks. Instead I headed to Frontenac State Park and made the rounds of a Bluebird trail I monitored last summer. It turned out to be a very productive walk. Many Song Sparrows and Juncos, and a number of other sparrows that would not show themselves were singing. After hearing several Eastern Bluebirds I finally spotted a pair near one of the nest boxes. I spotted another male further down the trail. There were Killdeer passing through the area calling often though not sighted. A flock of 15 Wild Turkey occupied a portion of the Buffalo pasture that can be seen from Frontenac Pond. I watched them for some time, 4 toms did their best to impress the ladies. Despite their best efforts, full tail fans, colorful head regalia and strutting, the jennies seem more impressed with the buffalo "pies" exposed by the thaw! Other notable birds seen along the Frontenac trails were 3 Northern Flicker, a flock of 20 swans (to far away to ID), and 2 pair of Bald Eagles soaring circles around each other. I worked my way over to a ridge over looking Wells Creek hoping to sneak up on the waterfowl I knew would be there. They had to many look-outs! I spooked about 150 Mallard. In the frenzy that followed I did pick out 6 pair of Wood Duck. Bird of the day, a lone Eastern Phoebe seen near Wells Creek. The bird was making short flights from a hunting perch, occasionally pumping it's tail as it waited. I was buzzed by one HUGE fly, saw many gnats, one Checkerspot/Crescentspot and one Question Mark butterfly, and one woolybear crossed my path. An excellent day to be anywhere but inside!
Kelly Feathered Friend -- Visit Our Website ~ http://www.thefeatheredfriend.com The Great River Birding Festival Is Coming http://www.mississippi-river.org/birding/
