FreeLists / birdky / [birdky] RPT: One Bluebird and Cave Run Lake, 2/16/2007

[brainard@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx]

This message did not go out from state last night; emailing from home Sat AM; 
apologize for any duplication from state email later.

I certainly hope today (Fri) was no indication of what the recent frigid 
weather and natural food crops that are disappearing has done to the Eastern 
Bluebird population. I was in southeastern Bourbon and northern Montgomery 
counties this afternoon in what appeared to be good bluebird habitat and saw 
NOT A ONE! I would have gone without having one all day if it was not for one 
heard at Cave Run Lake late in the day.  This weather has hit at a bad time ... 
when what natural food crops that remain are beginning to run out ... and it 
didn't seem to be a bumper crop to begin with. I certainly hope today was an 
aberration.
 
After completing my tasks in Montgomery County, I ran by  Cave Run Lake. There 
was a nice array of waterbirds present with maybe 3/4 of the lake frozen. There 
were some large, open areas off the dam and around Twin Knobs, with one east of 
Muskie Bend. Following is what I encountered; most were around the dam unless 
noted otherwise:
 
Snow Goose 3
Ross's Goose 2 
Canada Geese 750-800+
Mute Swan 8 off Twin Knobs
Gadwall 3
Am. Black Duck 6-8
Mallard 35-50
Northern Pintail 5
Canvasback 8
Redhead 3
Greater Scaup 1 west of Muskie Bend
Bufflehead 10-15
Common Goldeneye 4+ off Twin Knobs
Hooded Merganser 25-30+
Common Merganser 20-25 most off Twin Knobs
Pied-billed Grebe 25-30
Horned Grebe 35-40+ off Twin Knobs
Ring-billed Gull 1000-1500 (a steady stream was coming in from high in the sky 
to the north while I was at the dam ... I guess they were on the move today)
Herring Gull 105 counted, probably more (this may be the largest number of 
Herring Gulls reported from a reservoir in the state other than Lake Barkley/Ky 
Lake?)
Bald Eagle 2 juvs.
 
bpb, Frankfort
 
 

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