FreeLists / birdky / [birdky] RPT: No. Shrike, W. Meadowlark, *possible* Com. Redpoll Sinclair WMA, Muhlenberg Co.

["Palmer-Ball, Brainard (EPPC OOS KNPC)" <Brainard.Palmer-Ball@xxxxxx>]

I spent a very enjoyable couple of hours on the Sinclair Unit of Peabody WMA in 
Muhlenberg County this morning. I was parked at the high spot just southeast of 
the jct of S1 and S2 looking for raptors when I heard a raspy call just behind 
the truck. I looked out the window to see a first-year Northern Shrike sitting 
in the top of a patch of shrubbery, not 20 yards away! The bird dropped down 
out of view, then flew southwest down into the adjacent valley. About five 
minutes later I heard it give the same call 3 or 4 times again from downslope; 
however, I was not able to relocate it over the course of about 45 minutes of 
walking and scanning. 
 
While down in the valley I heard an odd call coming from one of the cottonwood 
trees and finally realized that it was a Western Meadowlark "whisper" singing 
and calling. I got some decent photos before it flew down into the grass with 
two Easterns. 
 
Also in the area was a first for me on the Sinclair Unit ... a Loggerhead 
Shrike, perched on the north side of S2 a couple of hundred yards from where 
the Northern had been seen. So if you go looking for the Northern and see a 
Loggerhead ... know that I wasn't crazy! 
 
I also may have heard a Common Redpoll about half way around the "S2 Loop" ... 
there were several flocks of American Goldinches including one of more than 100 
birds along S2. It's somewhat early for a redpoll and it's been about 10 years 
since I heard one, but this sounded right. It might be something to look for if 
anyone visits this area in coming days.

Hopefully the Northern Shrike will set up a territory on the Sinclair Unit, but 
given that I could not relocate it, it is possible that quite a bit of effort 
and/or luck will be required to refind it. I did *not* get a photo of it, so 
keep in mind that photo-documentation would be great if it can be refound. The 
cottonwood trees are retaining some leaves so perched birds the size of the 
shrike don't stand out as well as they might in a few weeks. I made a token 
scan of the honey locusts where the bird a few years ago hung out a lot. 

bpb, Frankfort