122124 SNP Edition, Life at Boomer Lake

https://stwnewspress-cnhi.newsmemory.com/?publink=09071827c_134d569&fbclid=IwY2xjawHTqD5leHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHRlOYv02I8eeKiwaWBkkigsZw_GIIoF1pYuWQZXpc8TFYFQyvdzUQLiOdQ_aem_VMGmSY0xgcnWKtlfJzxnxA 

061621 SNP Edition, Life At Boomer Lake

https://www.stwnewspress.com/news/nightjars-becoming-active-in-the-night/article_944a078e-ce1b-11eb-bd34-c39961cba018.html 

060621 SNP Edition, Life At Boomer Lake

https://www.stwnewspress.com/news/2021-has-been-a-productive-year-for-the-birds/article_cd9b3686-c5ae-11eb-9eef-571505c9598a.html 

040421 SNP Edition, Life At Boomer Lake

https://www.stwnewspress.com/news/life-at-boomer-lake-time-to-get-birdbaths-shining-again/article_9075c072-93f0-11eb-8982-7b5010091e2b.html 

040121 SNP Edition, Life at Boomer Lake

https://www.stwnewspress.com/news/several-species-of-birds-are-on-the-move/article_a3a498d6-9197-11eb-8ee0-db66c896ff13.html 

031521. Muskogee Edition, Birding Today

https://www.muskogeephoenix.com/news/birding-today-birds-ready-for-spring/article_cafe3737-bb85-5767-bbe9-c65caf4703c7.html 

030621. SNP Edition, Life At Boomer Lake

https://www.stwnewspress.com/news/life-at-boomer-lake-plenty-to-see-in-the-skies-area-environment/article_a367b686-7e2e-11eb-9ef7-8bd42df0433d.html 

052520 The Rain in Oklahoma Doesn't Always Fall On the Plain

052320                                              Female Baltimore Oriole
                                                         and Nest Under Branch (R)

052320  This Baltimore Oriole nest has been repaired every other year and used every other year.  It has been in that location since at least 2013.  I know this, as I looked up the photo from the same area.  Orioles are one of the best nest fabricators for strength and longevity.  Amazing, is it not?

052420                                                  Great-tailed Grackle

We still have the Ruddy Duck visiting with us.  It is already a late migrant.  I wonder if the species will be gone by June 1?

                                                          Ruddy Ducks, Late Migrants

                                                              Female Purple Martin
                                                            Gathering Nest Material


052520                                  

 
                                                                  Alder Flycatcher

                                                                 
                                                                  Neotropic Cormorant


052520  Another cloudy day and weather.com tells me that the rain is holding off until 1230.  Hopefully writer will not be rained upon like happened yesterday.  Fat chance, pretty much the same area, too.

  Approaching the top of the berm, one of the first things witnessed are two Green Herons heading south and a third bird out of view, but vocal.  Swallows are everywhere after insects, and seem to be catching them, too.  There are plenty of Canada Geese out again, just like yesterday, which tells me it will be raining again.  Great Blue Herons are winging their way across the lake and are also actively in pursuit of fish for breakfast.  It is also another active fishing day for the general populace.

A Northern Flicker is heard, and eventually seen in another twenty minutes atop a telephone pole.  Two Warbling Vireos are sounding off, American Robins are seeking food beside a pair of Brown Thrashers, who no doubt have young.  The European Starling population is growing on a daily basis, more young than adults.  Purple Martins have been active for the past couple of days, capturing their own insects with plenty more left to go around.  A pair of Eastern Kingbirds are savoring theirs, as well, but we're missing the Ruddy Ducks out on the water.  Are they finally gone?

A Blue Jay is calling in the distance, and as always, our nomadic Cedar Waxwings are seeking those sweet mulberries.  This is the first year that we've had so many trees and bushes, and if they were as common as the Bradford pear, we'd be doing well.  I think the pear has a disease going around, as the leaves seem to be browning up.

Orchard and Baltimore Orioles are a-plenty.  It's actually amusing, as there was a time when the Orchard Oriole would not leave Boomer Creek.  Now there are more of them than the Baltimore Oriole.  They are being fruitful and prospering in more way than one.  Western Kingbirds are doing the same, and I still look for the Couch's to turn up.  It will eventually transpire.  We have more Mallard ducklings, and more Canada Geese than I thought we'd have with the addlers having been here over a month ago.

Two Spotted Sandpipers are on Shorebird Jetty, and the martin population is still working on nests and nest repair.  Looks like it is time for another clutch's eggs.  It is getting harder to spot Yellow Warblers, who could well be on their way northbound.  The Great Crested Flycatcher was back out and it appears that they have young, which I thought was possible since I saw mom with a brood patch several days earlier.

Bell's Vireo was silent across from Kicker, but there was a Yellow-billed Cuckoo in the same area, AND the highlight of the day was a fairly decent shot of an Alder "free beer!" Flycatcher.  I've been trying to get a photo of one for years without it being questionable.  Yes!  The rain can come at any time, because that photo made it all worthwhile.  And it started slowly.

The final agenda was a Neotropic Cormorant, another nice way to end the birding, even though this is the year where it is most common at the snag between Goose Island and the northeast jetty

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.

050920 Boomer Lake Thunderstorm and May Cold Snap 2020

050520                                                   Spotted Sandpiper

                                                                   Cedar Waxwing

  050620                                                    Swainson's Thrush

                                                                     Western Kingbird

050820                                                             Opossum

                                                         Double-crested Cormorant (R)
                                                             Neotropic Cormorant (L)


Migrants are still coming through the area, especially with the last early morning thunderstorm on Friday, May 8.  Temperatures never went over 59 F, the barometer was rising at 30.05 and the winds were N-18 - NNW-15 between 0709 and 0818 hrs.  Mesonet data recorded 1.13" on rain in Stillwater at the airport.  Birding numbers were excellent throughout the day.

Couch Park at first light shared Wood Ducks, the Cooper's and Red-shouldered Hawk, Mississippi Kite, a Red-bellied and Downy Woodpecker,  Eastern Pewee, Least, Traill's, and Great Crested Flycatcher, Warbling, Blue-headed, and Red-eyed Vireo, Blue Jay, American and Fish Crow, Carolina Chickadees, Tufted Titmice, Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Carolina and House Wrens,  Eastern Bluebird, Swainson's Thrushes, American Robins, American Goldfinch, several Chipping Sparrows, Brown-headed Cowbirds, Northern Parulas, Ovenbird, Yellow, Tennessee, Nashville, and Blackpoll Warblers, Summer Tanager, and Northern Cardinals.

Boomer Lake Park counted the usuals plus Cliff, Barn, and a lone Bank Swallow,  Pied-billed Grebe, Neotropic Cormorants, Cooper's Hawk, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Eastern and Western Kingbirds, Bell's Vireo, Common Yellowthroat and a Blackpoll Warbler.

The OSU Cross Country Course added Red-tailed Hawks, American Kestrel, Willow Flycatcher, Sedge Wren, Clay-colored, Lark, White-crowned, and Harris's Sparrows,  Blue Grosbeak, Painted Bunting, and Dickcissels.

Meridian Tech provided Ruby-throated Hummingbird, American Golden-Plover, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Baird's, Pectoral, Semi-palmated and Least Sandpipers, and Black Tern.

Lake Carl Blackwell observations included Franklin's Gulls, Forster's Terns, large numbers of Black Terns, Merlin, Field Sparrow, Black-and-White, Orange-crowned, Kentucky, Pine, and Yellow-throated Warblers, and Indigo Bunting.

Sanborn Lake tallied Bewick's Wrens.

Teal Ridge had Great Egrets and Lincoln's Sparrow.

Hoyt Grove Park added Great Horned Howl, Hammond's Flycatcher (Nice find!  Reminds me of the coniferous forests of AZ.  Must have been very breezy.), Philadelphia Vireo, White-breasted Nuthatch, House Finch, and Pine Siskin.

The morning of May 9 ushered in a northern cold front.  Much of the north managed a few inches of snow during this same period.  Boomer Lake still has the Northern Waterthrush holding over, which it has been for several days knowing full well that the weather in the north was not in its best interests.  An Eastern Towhee and American Redstart also stayed in the arms of The South, and our ubiquitous Cedar Waxwings are still dining upon every wild mulberry that they can come within ten miles for.  They will continue to gain weight for the next month, if they decide to finally move to their northern breeding grounds or stay here.

050920 SNP Edition, Life At Boomer Lake

https://www.stwnewspress.com/news/lifestyles/life-at-boomer-lake-take-care-to-not-displace-bird-nests/article_8464ae5a-8ffb-11ea-96b2-6bfdbe422a8e.html

050520 Cinco de Mayo By the Migrants

050220                                            Male First Summer Orchard Oriole

                                                                  American Bullfrog

050420                                                    Neotropic Cormorants

                                                                  Carolina Chickadee
                                                                           View 1

                                                                   Carolina Chickadee
                                                                            View 2

                                                                  Carolina Chickadee
                                                                             View 3

                                                               Rose-breasted Grosbeak

050420

There was plenty of activity today with plenty of Yellow Warblers, Savannah Sparrows, an Eastern Phoebe, Spotted Sandpipers,  a Forster's Tern, and our lone Least Sandpiper.   Cedar Waxwings were all over the area eating mulberries on the south and central part of Boomer Lake, while the White-winged Dove came out of its neighborhood to perch upon the new high wires.  We even had more Cliff Swallows than Barn Swallows, and they gave great views at the end of Shorebird Jetty.

We've moved up to at least two Least Flycatchers, are up to three Eastern Kingbirds, and five Western Kingbirds.  Two Neotropic Cormorants were on their normal snag off Goose island sunning themselves.

There are two Mallard families, and more than enough going on where there are ripe mulberries, which means that the migrant fruit eaters are getting their fills.  That also means that raptors like the Red-shouldered Hawk that was out today is finding numbers of songbirds to attempt to prey upon.

A pair of Greater Roadrunners were a sight for sore eyes in the Kicker field.  This is where our lone resident Killdeer is also hanging its hat since we have no available gravel or bare cement for camouflaged eggs.

The male Bell's Vireo was back to protecting his territory by the northeast martin house.

I was first greeting by a very social Carolina Chickadee that gave several poses, along with Swainson's Thrush, Northern Cardinal, and the Rose-breasted Grosbeak activity dining upon the mulberries that were ripe or close to it.

The Pileated, Red-bellied, and Northern Flicker were not far from all the action.

The longer that I waited, the more birds I heard in the woods, like the White-eyed Vireo, Great Crested Flycatcher, Northern Parula, Indigo Bunting, Blue Grosbeak,  Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Ruby Crowned Kinglet, and Prothonotary Warbler.  It was birdy, pleasantly breezy, and all was well until the Red-shouldered Hawk that I spied going into the Kicker field earlier, showed up here.  Prior to its arrival, many of the mentioned birds exited south, and an Ovenbird and Kentucky Warbler were even flushed.  The Red-shoulder was first seen on the ground, but missed whatever it was, then came right past me.  It was probably what saved the warblers.

When it left, also heading south, I knew my chances for more photos were over for. while.  The hawk was on the power lines and while I was readying to get a shot of it, it headed further north by the northeast martin house and planted itself there.  All ten Purple Martins were in the sky dive bombing it, and as I came around, it again fled, perching a little north while it again perched on the low power lines.  Round the bend, it headed back to Kicker.  I don't think the juvenile got anything to eat during all that action.

However, it was a 60 species morning for me and I added the Ovenbird and Kentucky Warbler to my numbers today.

043020 The Migrant Balance Is In Check

042920                                                  Lincoln's Sparrow

                                                             Neotropic Cormorants

043020                                                       Forster's Tern

                                                                  Least Sandpiper

                                                      Female Yellow-headed Blackbird

                                                                Clay-colored Sparrow

                                                                  American Bullfrog


04-30-20

The Barn and Cliff Swallows have been building more nests under the Lakeview Rd. Bridge.  There were seven swallows observed today, and several more nests.  Some of the nests are the standard mud cup nests with grasses that are for Barn Swallows.  Cliff Swallows make nests that are also cup shaped, but they look like they are constructed with mud pellets and are not smooth structures.  Swallows can be found collecting their mud on the higher ground by Heron Cove and have all the grass removed from the ground, as well as mud puddles and along stream and river banks.  Since many of the banks on Boomer Lake have concrete, that's why the swallows here create their own source.

Yellow Warblers are arriving slowly, but numbers are increasing.  I listed seven today, but that was on the conservative side.  Today seemed like there were less Yellow-rumped Warblers, most of them hidden within tree leaves.

An Eastern Bluebird was on the short powerlines as writer rounded the bend enroute to Shorebird Jetty.  A lone Chimney Swift was overhead, my good luck sign for the day.

Our usual three Savannah Sparrows were found on Shorebird Jetty, as well as three Spotted Sandpipers.    A couple of Scissor-tailed Flycatchers were discovered noisily hanging around the east side of the middle portion of the scrubs.  Toward the west side of the jetty, two Least Sandpipers held over from yesterday, and a female Yellow-headed Blackbird allowed photos in the same area.   The Forster's Tern that had been sitting on the west side snag by the southwest jetty became mobile, and the photo here was taken on the west side of the jetty.  Five Blue-winged Teal flew in from the north while I was in the area and parked themselves off the stretch where the Brown Thrasher nest was recently build on the west side of the bald cypress trees by the east side sidewalk.

A Baltimore Oriole was seen and heard in one of the trees along the sidewalk just south of the east side restrooms.  I haven't discovered a females yet, or she is silently in a nest, but both usually forage.  I think I saw a female Orchard Oriole in the large oak north of the restrooms.  They were only twenty feet from the water, so I thought they were coming to spend some time, but they didn't.  However, there were five Turkey Vultures riding the thermals skyward.  Western and Eastern Kingbirds paid tribute to their own business after that, with one Western Kingbird in a tree branch.  I double-checked just to make certain that it wasn't a Couch's (with the white border on both sides of the tail), but it wasn't.  These days, it is necessary to check with temperature anomalies.

More Yellow Warblers were found between Finch Corner and Memorial Jetty, as well as an Eastern Kingbird.

A group of four Clay-colored Sparrows were foraging on the scrub stretch across from Kicker, which is where the above photo was made.  Yellow Warblers, an Orchard Oriole and Scissor-tailed Flycatchers were also seen here.

There was only one Neotropic Cormorant when I went by the usual snag off the northwest jetty, and there were five Blue-winged Teal off Goose Island.

There is still no sign of the male Bell's Vireo that has been settling the area south of the last Purple Martin House.  There are some at Couch Park, but ours are usually here at Boomer around now.  Disruption will force them to move on, so I am hoping for the best, even with the loss of the sixty foot tree that was across from the sheltered and treed area on the north Kicker field.  A new metal telephone poles took some habitat out of the area that was critical habitat.

Twenty-seven Purple Martins were on this side of the lake today, which tends to vary on a daily basis.  Peering north from the high point across from the north end of Goose Island, a Red-shouldered Hawk was sitting on a snag at Boomer Creek.  Down below in the marsh grass was a Common Yellowthroat male, though not the same one from the marsh woods up ahead.

The Marsh was a lot more productive than yesterday with Northern Cardinals, a Brown Thrasher, a couple of Swainson's Thrushes, Prothonotary and Yellow Warblers, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Eastern Towhee (calling "drink your teaaaa!"  This bird has been heard here more than once and is likely waiting for the mulberries to ripen before it moves on.  Once nesting happens, it won't have many opportunities to get any of those and there may not be any where it nests north of here.  There was even a Savannah Sparrow in a small red cedar in these woods today, and a Great Crested Flycatcher also vocalized from the area, too.  There was also a White-eyed Vireo, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, and a social Ruby-crowned Kinglet within the mostly riparian wooded region with second story trees and leaf litter in parts.  This is likely going to be ideal for the Kentucky Warbler and Ovenbird before much more time passes.

I startled the leopard frog from its perch in the creek and it grunted in exasperation, but gave me this shot for being in the right place at the right time.  Even though there is not break in the marsh grass, I heard a Virginia Rail, but was unable to see it.  That is not unusual though, as most rails are very secretive.  Oddly enough, there was a Clapper Rail in Texas that I encountered several years ago off High Island somewhere.  A tip was given to my birding pal that the rail met everyone in the dirt parking lot for potential snacks.  Imagine that!  I also got lucky with a King Rail maybe four years ago at Red Slough that would sit out in the open.  Some birds are so much more tolerant.

Today I only stayed for forty-five minutes or so and cut through the former construction area that still has what may be a generator for lighting to find my Northern Mockingbird for the day.  Fifty-eight species were listed for the day.

There were a conservative five Great Blue Herons for the day, but the two Green Herons were missing today as well as yesterday.  I even stood on the bank to see at least if I could hear them.  Nothing.  Hopefully, they are not pulling out of the area, too.

042520 The Secrets of the Wood and Migrants Galore

042320                                                    Yellow-rumped Warbler

Cedar Apple Rust

                                                                      Yellow Warbler

                                                                   Painted Turtle

   042420                                               Neotropic Cormorant                                                    

                                                     
042320 and 042420 were outstanding birding days.  It started off at about sixty degrees after midnight and by 0700 hrs, we were raring to go on Friday the 24th, since it had rained all day Thursday until around 1800 hrs with a little more in the wee hours Friday.  Two Green Herons were on Heron Cove, which appeared to be a mated pair looking for a nest site in the center overhanging trees where they usually build the first nest.  We may be getting down to business shortly, since we recall that the herons moved out six weeks early last year due to extreme heat by June-early July on the west side of the Cove where the afternoon sun is strongest.

There were Pied-billed Grebes, Northern Shovelers, Blue-winged Teal, American Coots, and  Double-crested Cormorants all around the outskirts of the Heron Cove area on the main portion of Boomer Lake.  There were plenty of Myrtle Yellow-rumped Warblers all around the Cove, as there were normal resident birds and at least one out-of-the ordinary Bobolink for this area.  It was heard but remained hidden within the taller grass on the west end of The Cove.  It was refreshing to hear the cheerful and bubbly warbling on assorted pitches, but it was unfortunate that the bird did not avail itself for a photo.  That really would have been the feather in writer's cap, especially since the first bird didn't avail itself to me either back in 2017.

Responding toward Shorebird Jetty, there was what appeared to be a White-faced Ibis among American Coots, Northern Shovelers, and Blue-winged Teal.  Spotted Sandpipers were wafting around The Jetty, and eventually a Lesser Scaup was observed among a second raft of Blue-winged Teal, much larger than the diminutive ducks on the northwest side of the jetty.  Another birder was sneaking up on the ibis trying to get a positive identification and it flushed, heading south and off Boomer Lake.  Our Savannah Sparrow, which has been hanging its hat on this jetty for the past two weeks, continued to show itself.  There were also multiple waves totaling hundreds of Franklin's Gulls, while the three Bonaparte's Gulls hung tight at Boomer Lake Park.

Heading north, sparrows were apparent, including the Lincoln's, Chipping, and another Savannah Sparrow.  All over the east side of the lake, the Purple Martins were riding high capturing insects.  At least one female must be sitting on eggs!

Baltimore and Orchard Orioles are actively ringing in the spring, along with additional Scissor-tailed Flycatchers, Eastern Kingbirds, and a single Western Kingbird.  An Eastern Meadowlark was heard on the Kicker field.  Several young patches of trumpet vines are awaiting happy customers at choice locations.

Plenty of high breeding plumaged Double-crested Cormorants are roosting on the trees of Goose Island, as well as fishing in the nearby waters.  Every day the male's crests are getting longer.  The lone Neotropic Cormorant that was stationed on a snag between the northeastern jetty and Goose Island left the area over a week ago,  and on Friday there was another one possibly replace it.
Heading nearer Airport Road, a couple of first of year Yellow Warblers were madly feeding on insects, likely having just extricated themselves from dealing with yesterday's assorted thunderstorms and rain.

It started to get interesting around the former new metal power pole clear cut site where trees were removed last year to make room for added electrical connections.  For unusual nature there was a very young painted turtle and an odd orange fungus on a red cedar tree.

Within the now damp area along the small creek bed near Airport Road, numerous warblers were cavorting, including Yellow-rumped, more Yellow, and a Black-and-White Warbler.  Fully investigating this area, we came up with Louisiana Waterthrush, possibly additional Black-and-White Warblers, a Painted Bunting, and more Harris's Sparrows in the distance and what could be emulating the Hooded Warbler in the drier area near the taller marsh grasses, along with a Marsh Wren.  These additional birds were confirmed with a hosting Carolina Chickadee in the area of the columbines, while more Brown Thrashers went about their new nesting area.  Spending a good hour in this region, it truly paid off, including the Red-bellied Woodpecker sounding off across Airport Rd.

After over four hours of birding and 67 species for the day, writer was very pleased with the  fruitful adventure.   

041220 SNP Edition, Life at Boomer Lake

https://www.stwnewspress.com/news/life-at-boomer-lake-getting-greetings-from-eagles/article_1ca4343c-7acc-11ea-be8a-5b99242a9688.html

040220 Starring Eared Grebe and American White Pelican Convention

03-21-20

                                                                   American Crow

                                                                Neotropic Cormorant

                                                         American White Pelicans

032420

                                                               Eastern Meadowlark

                                                        Double-crested Cormorant nearly 

                                                            in full breeding plumage

032520

                                                                  American Robin

03-26-20

                                                          Downy Woodpecker (female)

03-27-20

                                                             Eared Grebe nearing

                                                            full breeding plumage

Migration is clearly an event with several movements, including our late ducks and breeding plumage waterbirds.  The one that I refer to especially in this arrival is the Eared Grebe, one of which I personally have never observed in breeding plumage.  It was sleeping among a raft of Ruddy Ducks, including two others that I later spied.  This grebe had rudely been awakened by a couple of American Coots that rudely ran noisily in front of it.  The Eared Grebe made the attempt to return to sleep, but the ruddies awakened and decided to move.  To my good fortune, the group swam closer to me and paraded right across me at a reasonable distance and I managed to get a fairly decent shot.  At least it was enough to give a good look, since my observations in the past only included winter birds.

The Neotropic Cormorant has also been a fixture in the spring, having been visiting since at least 2015, when my original shots were obtained.  We're hoping that it is breeding somewhere in OK.

The Eastern Meadowlark cannot be overlooked, as it is an iconic prairie bird in the great plains.  Even though it has been losing population due to loss of habitat and pesticide use, perhaps we can manage to bring some of the numbers back with proper land management.

As of late, the Fish Crows have been more prevalent than the American Crow, and seem to be expanding their range more than the Black Vulture, which is being sighted in OK, too.

Several days prior to this photo there were nearly two dozen American White Pelicans around the Goose Island area.  They stayed about four days, though numbers dropped.  At one point, they were observed sleeping on the island.  The Canada Geese didn't feel threatened, even with eggs in their ground nests. 

032920 SNP Edition, Life at Boomer Lake

https://www.stwnewspress.com/news/life-at-boomer-lake-spring-has-just-sprung-but-migrants/article_fd7e8ca6-6fc7-11ea-a00f-3f342b567160.html

032220 SNP Edition, Life at Boomer Lake

https://www.stwnewspress.com/news/life-at-boomer-lake-we-may-have-another-shorebird-fallout/article_cf00a010-6a4c-11ea-be8d-5b175b2ba2d4.html

051919 SNP Edition, Life at Boomer Lake

https://www.stwnewspress.com/news/lifestyles/life-at-boomer-birding-should-only-get-better-from-here/article_5fab8899-abc4-5b0e-aed0-fbf2858e89af.html

051219 SNP Edition, Life at Boomer Lake

https://www.stwnewspress.com/news/lifestyles/life-at-boomer-abundance-of-rain-brings-elevated-shorebird-numbers/article_6e29594a-5870-5d9b-958a-3475c224782f.html