In the course of doing a four-hour census at Columbia Bottom CA, St.  
Louis Co., yesterday, I found both species of meadowlark singing.   
They were segregated, however, with 6 Westerns perched to the right  
of the paved drive within its first mile, just before it reaches the  
levee and turns east, and a number of Easterns (8 or more) singing in  
fields much farther along, on either side of the drive between the  
boat dock and the big ramp.

I also found ducks numerous but bunched together where the water was  
open, with Pintails seeming to equal or exceed Mallards (maybe 1000  
of each?), a nice showing of Green-winged Teal (maybe 200), and a few  
other species in small numbers.  Some White-fronted Geese grazed a  
grassy area with Canadas, and a few Snows went overhead.  Sparrows  
were abundant, especially Eurasian Tree, American Tree, Song, and  
White-crown, with lesser numbers of White-throat, Swamp, Field,  
Savannah, and junco.  A distant Merlin powered down from the tree  
line and scared up a flock of sparrows.  No sign of the Harlan's Hawk  
that was present a month ago.

Nice clear day, but mighty cold when the wind gusted -- as it did a lot.

Bill Rowe
St. Louis
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