Greetings!
 
I took advantage of today's absence of rain down here in the bootheel by visiting Scott County's Sand Prairie CA this evening.
 
Based on the habitat, there were a few surprising "fly-bys" until I walked to the East side of the property where there were  flooded fields adjacent to the CA. Fly-bys/overs included: 3-Northern Shovelors, 4-Blue-winged Teal, 4-Mallard, 1-Wood Duck, 6-calling Greater Yellowlegs, 1-Pectoral Sandpiper and 1-Belted Kingfisher. Without the standing water in the fields, I would not think that these species would normally fly over the Sand Prairie CA.
Along the treeline were dueling Mockers and Thrashers. At first, I couldn't tell if I was hearing a Mocker imitating a Thrasher or if it was a Thrasher mocking a Mocker, but after getting a closer look there were several birds of both species within the same area. Made for interesting listening. It reminded me of an evening in California Gulch in Arizona - we were there for the Buff-colored Nightjar, and prior to nightfall we kept hearing one call . . . only to find that a very territorial Mocker had learned its call and was just taunting us!
 
Not to be outdone, 7 Northern Bobwhites removed a few years from my life expectancy, by having the courtesy of giving me great looks at their tail feathers by flushing only 6 feet from me!
 
Oh, a very healthy Coyote was also present on the prairie premises (nearly 40 yards apart when we noticed each other). Sorry, I know it doesn't have feathers; I'll get back to business.
 
On the ride out from the prairie headed back toward Benton, I noticed a tightly flying flock of approx. 30 Little Blue Herons and turned around to follow them to the heronry where they were located last year. Also seen flying in were 2 Great Egrets and 2 Cattle Egrets.
 
 
 
Good Birding!
 
Chris Barrigar
 
 
http://community.webshots.com/user/photosbychris
 
 
 
http://community.webshots.com/user/photosbychris1
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