FreeLists / birdky / [birdky] RPT ballard

["Scott and Glenda Record" <sgrecord@xxxxxxxx>]

Spent some time this morning touring Ballard Co with several interesting finds. 
 Most waterfowl are scattered in the backwater and not readily visible but a 
few common species are still around the refuge.  The best find was a nice 
shorebird area along Palmore road.  This road runs from the tower at Monkey's 
Eyebrow due South and comes out on the road between Bandana and Oscar.  This 
road bisects Bandana hunt club which has about 50 acres of nice shorebird 
habitat on the east side and 100 acres still flooded on the west.  Dozens of 
killdeer and at least 6 W. snipe were present in the shallow water and 
mudflats.  This shallow water won't last long unless we get some rain and may 
be at it's peak right now.  The flooded fields however may provide some habitat 
into shorebird season.  Some waterfowl and some rusty blackbirds are present 
here as well.  Also of note were groups of horned larks nearly everywhere as 
well as many small groups of eastern meadowlarks.  Most conspicuous were 
raptors with most of the numbers concentrated near the edge of the backwater 
areas.  A couple other interesting finds were 1 gray form Savannah sparrow with 
very clean crisp streaks,  little or no rufous on the back, and no hint of 
yellow in the lores.  A Purple finch was a nice county bird for me at Charlie's 
feeders on the refuge.   Following are the raptor numbers on the day:

Redtail  12 +  (all eastern and most immature)
Red shouldered  5
Harrier  3
kestrel  4
Bald eagle  5

Scott Record
Ragland KY