I went to Bean Lake looking for the Glossy Ibis today and found no ibis of
any species. I did find a half dozen Snowy Egrets and 30 or more Great
Egrets. Best bird at Bean Lake was 1 MARBLED GODWIT, which flew in at the
west end of the lake while I was scanning it. Also 2 FOY Lark Sparrows.

At Muskrat Lake, I found 1 Cattle Egret among the cattle.

I went to Lake Contrary but missed 14 Hudsonian Godwits seen by Kyle
Driggers a short while before I arrived. (He missed the Marbled Godwit at
Bean Lake). Shore birding is very dynamic. Now you see 'em. Now you don't.

Also of interest were ALL OF THE SWALLOWS (except Cave) and a flock of
Chimney Swifts at L. Contrary.

Neither Kyle nor I could find the Black-necked Stilts at Squaw Creek's
Mallard Marsh. I did count 18 ibis there, most of them identifiable as
White-faced. The Mallard Marsh shorebird scene is disappointing. Too much
decaying vegetation. Good for Yellowlegs and Pectorals and a half dozen L-B
Dowitchers, but not attacting much else.

The best looking shorebird habitat at Squaw Creek right now is at the moist
soil units, where I found Least and Baird's Sandpipers, dowitchers, snipe
and 8-9 Semipalmated Plovers to go with the ubiquitous yellowlegs and
pectorals.

There are thousands of teal, shovelers and coots moving through Squaw Creek.
I think I am the only birder in a 3-state area who has not seen a Cinnamon
Teal this year. That's the way it goes, sometimes.

Bob Fisher
Independence, Missouri
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