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Early yesterday I went in search of the N Shrike which was seen west of Big Lake SP. I was unsuccessful after spending about two hours there. To my disappointment, I did not hear any longspurs in the area, either. On the drive out to Big Lake SP on hwy 118, just past the town of Bigelow, Snow Geese (100,000), Ross's, Canada, and White-fronted Geese (400) were going into nearby corn stubble to feed. A Merlin flew into a hedgerow containing blackbirds and failed to come out. I assumed the Merlin caught breakfast. A Northern Harrier hunted the same area and numerous Bald Eagles were accompanying the geese. Back at the refuge, I observed more geese and eagles (60+) with thousands of geese returning from the corn fields. I estimated 170,000 Snow Geese, observed 2 Ross's, 600+ White-fronted Geese, 10,000+ Canada Geese, and no Cacklings. Trumpeter and TUNDRA Swans are still present, possibly 70 total swans of both species combined. Mallards are still the most abundant ducks. Northern Shovelers, Gadwall, Canvasback(18), Green-winged Teal, Hooded Mergansers, Common Goldeneyes, Common Mergansers (150+), and a single Bufflehead were present. Purple Finch was at the headquarters. Total species seen for the day was close to 50. At 5 PM, I watched SHORT-EARED OWLS hunting over the fields on the north end of the refuge. Then I made a quick exit to avoid getting locked in by the automatic gates which close at sundown. Tommie Rogers Mound City, MO __________________________________________________ ########################################################### * Audubon Society of Missouri's * * Wild Bird Discussion Forum * *---------------------------------------------------------* * To subscribe or unsubscribe, click here: * * https://po.missouri.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mobirds-l&A=1 * *---------------------------------------------------------* * To access the list archives, click here: * * http://po.missouri.edu/archives/mobirds-l.html * * * * To access the Audubon Society of Missouri Web * * Site: http://mobirds.org * ###########################################################