[birdky] Recent Warren County Observations

The transient pools of southern Warren County have begun to recede but there is 
still a nice diversity of waterfowl at McElroy.  Up to 200 Sandhill Cranes are 
also staging in the area and I expect a shorebird other than Killdeer or snipe 
to show up any day.  Species of interest observed at the pools in the past few 
days are listed below.

Greater White-fronted Goose
Snow Goose
Ross's Goose
Canada Goose (including 4 B.c.parvipes this morning)
Cackling Goose
Tundra Swan (Walton)
Wood Duck
Gadwall
Am Wigeon
Am Black
Mallard
No Shoveler
No Pintail
Gr-winged Teal
Canvasback
Redhead
Ring-necked 
Gr Scaup
L Scaup
Common Goldeneye
Pied-billed Grebe
Horned Grebe
Ring-billed Gull
Am Pipit
Lapland Longspur
Rusty Blackbird (~50 in a blackbird flock along hwy 240 this morning)

I observed the light morph Harlan's redtail on the WKU farm on 10 February for 
the first time this winter as well as this morning.  This makes the 8th 
consecutive winter that this hawk has spent time on the farm.  I have not seen 
his mate yet which wintered with him for at least the previous four.  She 
appears to be a light morph B.j.calurus or intergrade.  A Merlin was also 
present on the farm on 11 February.

Joanie and I still have at least one American Tree Sparrow feeding with the 
other birds in the yard as well as numerous Chipping Sparrows.  I checked a 
cemetery in Bowling Green which has some trees suitable for White-winged 
Crossbills but saw none.  Any areas with hemlock or spruce would be worth 
checking, so keep this in mind regardless of where you live in Kentucky.  And 
scrutinize those finch flocks for redpolls!

McElroy Lake should remain for another week or two without additional rainfall. 
 Keep in mind that waterfowl viewing here is from a great distance and a scope 
is necessary for decent looks.  Viewing conditions have been horrible most days 
recently due to refraction from air and ground/water temperature differences as 
well as looking across several hundred yards of emerging wheat on sunny days.  
Following are tips for birding the area along with location.

McElroy Lake is located south of Bowling Green between Richpond and Woodburn 
along hwy 884 or Three Springs Rd.  There are only 2 good places to park.  One 
is at the south end of the field along hwy 884 where a gravel/grassy lane turns 
east from the road just north of a couple of houses.  Please do not drive into 
the field beyond the walnut trees here.  There is an EXTREMELY dangerous curve 
here due to a high bank and I would suggest coming to a complete stop before 
turning left into the lane when southbound to look for oncoming traffic.  The 
other is a wide grassy area along Meng Road east of the lake and just north of 
a curve and house.  Be sure to park well off the highway.  In the mornings or 
when the birds are at the north end, viewing conditions are typically better 
from the east where one can walk to a woodlot to scope the lake.  Afternoon 
viewing or when birds are at the south end is best from the lane off hwy 884.

The property owner's house and farm buildings are located on hwy 884 about 
midway along the lake.  PLEASE DO NOT DRIVE INTO OR PARK IN THIS AREA.  It is 
ok to walk from the described parking areas, but be aware of the crops and keep 
in mind that waterfowl are not as tolerant as shorebirds, so approaching closer 
than the parking areas will probably send them on their way.

David L. Roemer
Bowling Green















      
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