Run 9 June. This route runs westward through Swift County SW of Benson, then north to the Pomme de Terre River bridge N of US 12. This is a very enjoyable route made better this year by all the flooded fields. This year it's easy to tell where many of the drained wetlands once were. Six species of waterfowl was a record high and the usual Upland Sandpiper field held a Marbled Godwit instead. I found 648 individuals of 71 species. Highlights included a courting Wild Turkey showing his stuff to a rather unimpressed hen, Black-billed Cuckoo, 6 species of flycatchers, good numbers of both orioles, and 2 Grasshopper Sparrows. Chipping Sparrows were a very low 2 and Sedge Wrens only 3. Fifteen Y-H Blackbirds were a record high. Uncommon species found for this route included Brewer's Blackbird, Chimney Swift, Bald Eagle, and Cardinal. Local farmers said they had never seen so many drake Mallards hanging around in their fields which might portend of a good duck breeding season. Bob Russell, USFWS
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