052220 Post-Rain Comes, More Good Birds

052120                                              American Robin in Nest

A couple of Ruddy Ducks were seen upon distant water at Boomer Lake in the morning, late birds for the season.  We may have seen our last four Spotted Sandpipers.  My figure of 145 Cedar Waxwings was conservative, there were likely more.  There were chances for an impending storm later in the day, and if that occurs, we can expect good birds on the morrow.

052220                                                    Eastern Meadowlark

                                                                   Franklin's Gull

                                                                         Willet

                                                                 Neotropic Cormorant

                                                         Juvenile Hooded Merganser


052220

There was an early morning rain/thunderstorm with wind gusts between 26 and 44 mph between 0553-0753, and we received 0.83" of precipitation.   The strongest winds were west and south of Stillwater, which were even worse with straightline storms some of which prompted winds up to 81 mph and wreaked a lot of devastation in several locales.

However, much of Payne county experienced very good birding, as birds are generally down before a storm unless they are within the wrong cell at the wrong time.  With this time period and migration waning, we were still going to get a drop before the storm.  When the storm was over, most birders were out, writer included.

We noticed more Canada Geese than usual that were either on Boomer Lake or upon the property, along with some downed trees, limbs, and branches.  The downed tree that was noticed on the east side was a deciduous tree that came out of the ground at water's edge, due to extreme saturation.

The nests on Heron Cove seemed to be intact and everything was normal, save for the above notation.  Females usually spend the night on their nests and are relieved in the morning.

Meridian had a response early and there was a Whimbrel, female Hooded Merganser, Baird's, White-rumped and Spotted Sandpipers, and a Least Tern.

First unusual item noticed on Boomer Lake was a notable Least Tern and a Ruddy Duck, a late bird for the season.  Another birder was already at Shorebird Jetty to count several Franklin's Gulls, two Willow Flycatchers, and a Willet.  There were no Spotted Sandpipers located, yet only one Cedar Waxwing.

There was also an Eastern Meadowlark, Least Flycatchers, and Yellow Warblers.

Continuing on, Turkey Vultures were riding thermals, as were Mississippi Kites.  We also encountered a Yellow-billed Cuckoo, a couple of Great Crested Flycatchers, and a juvenile Hooded Merganser.  The merganser came close enough to permit a nice photograph, but the nearby Pied-billed Grebe noticed writer's location, whereas the young merganser did not.

Nothing else was noteworthy at Boomer Lake.   Throughout the morning, many other locations were checked throughout the county.