FreeLists / birdky / [birdky] Sloughs Fieldtrip 16 April 2005

[David Roemer <dlroemer@xxxxxxxxx>]

Fifteen observers braved the weather Saturday for a
fabulous trip to the Sloughs WMA in Henderson County
in which 87 species were recorded.  Highlights of the
trip are as follows:

American Bittern 3
Gr Egret 2
Bald Eagle  4+ in addition to at least 2 chicks in
nest
Virginia Rail  1 with splendid looks by all
Sora 33+
Semipalmated Plover 4
Gr Yellowlegs 20
L Yellowlegs 15
Solitary Sandpiper 5
Upland Sandpiper
Least Sandpiper 6+
Pectoral Sandpiper  2000
Snipe 30+
Rusty Blackbird

It was nice to see shorebirds using the Shorebird
Unit.  While we were in the Hardy Slough, a Coopers'
Hawk got the shorebirds up and the distant cloud of
over 2000 birds wheeling in unison was inspiring.

Scott Record and I heard the croaking of a frog in
distress which usually means a snake has found it.  We
located a Copper-belly Watersnake with a Leopard Frog
in its mouth, head and legs still visible.  I backed
up with the scope and camera to get some shots but the
frog disappeared.  We then heard the croaking and
thought maybe the snake had dropped the frog, but when
it moved off the sound of the croaking frog went with
it.  We could hear it croaking from inside the snake! 
Really cool.

My thanks to all the participants who worked hard in
the marshes to make it such a great trip.

David L. Roemer
Bowling Green, Ky.


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