Hi all,
It's been over a week since the count but for those not on eBird, then
others who might not have seen the list, here's what Ronnie Maum and I
found while covering the non-flooded eastern portions of the refuge, then a
few miles of Goat Hill rd in the pine/oak uplift northeast of there. The
western portions of the refuge along the river, except for the Chocolate
trail, were passable on 12-30, then flooded and entirely cut off the next
day- through count day/ afterward. Although light levels were really poor
and Ronnie was using his smaller lens for ease of transport, he still did
amazingly well getting voucher shots of many of the birds in our checklists
for the day, which are within the final two lists below. The first is a
semi-comparative list taken by me on 12-30, which also included some
different portions of the refuge not birded on 01-02, then the second being
the owling list from early a.m. on count day.
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S26728214
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S26728810
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S26729556
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S26729826
Also a belated shout out to Charlie Lyon for setting the new La big year
record in 2015! He certainly deserves it after the many years of field work
he has put in throughout the state of Louisiana. Over the years, I have not
birded with a better birder in terms of being well-versed in plumage detail
of cryptic species, vocalizations, then always ready to nail any rarities
that get anywhere near him!!
He treated a big handful of Labirders to an encore on Cross Lake today with
yet another one of his downright exceptional finds- which I'm sure he'll be
posting for all to see, soon. Thanks again, Charlie!
Good birding everyone, (:
Terry
