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Just a few notes on birds this summer. I have been kept occupied by the health of my mother since early June and have not been doing much birding during that time. It was touch and go for a while but she rallying somewhat after an arduous cycle of chemotherapy. I often see a pair of ECDO at the feeders outside Mom's window at Grandview Health Care Center which is near Lion's Lake in the city park in Washington, Mo. She enjoys watching the hummingbirds, house finches and the mallard ducks that clean up around all the feeders the residents have out. For those that might be interested a western kingbird is hanging out around the Ameren UE substation just south of Dutzow, Mo. Jim Jackson first noticed it several weeks ago and I have seen it there a couple of times. I was able to do the breeding bird survey point count at Shaw Nature Reserve in early June and the bird activity was remarkable. The number of Blue Grosbeaks and Northern Bobwhite were noteworthy. Although they did not present themselves during the count, Eastern Meadowlarks were observed nesting for the first time in memory in the Pinetum area of the reserve. The staff is considering management techniques that might encourage them to continue. For those interested, I was able this past week to get some essential mowing done at the Voelkerding Slough Wetland Reserve and will be monitoring the area for whatever might turn up there. This year is the wet cycle in the management plan for the reserve and Mother Nature has accommodated. There is good habitat there now and it should persist for the next month or so. Don Hays _______________ Donald R. Hays Union, Franklin County, Missouri ------------------------------------------------------------ The Audubon Society of Missouri's Wild Bird Discussion Forum Questions or comments? Email the list owners: mailto:[log in to unmask]