Trip Participants - Steven & Magdalena Easley, Wayne & Wanda Easley, Larry & Jan Jones and their Grandson Alex
On May 17 all of the gang headed out to birdwatch around Harvey, ND. The wind was unrelenting, yet we still managed to find some really interesting things. My wife Magda got her very first views of the stunning Blackpoll Warbler, a bird she had really wanted to see.
Larry Jones was able to add several to his fast growing list, including several White-rumped Sandpipers.
A few of the better birds seen included: Western & Eared Grebes, Great Egret, Canvasback (photo above), Ring-necked & Ruddy Ducks, Lesser Scaup, Bufflehead, Turkey Vulture, Prairie Falcon, Sharp-tailed Grouse, Ring-necked Pheasant, Sora, Semipalmated Plover, Dunlin, White-rumped, Baird's, Least, Semipalmated and Pectoral Sandpipers, Short-billed Dowitcher, Amercian Avocet, Wilson's Phalarope (photo above), Great Horned Owl, Least Flycatcher (photo above), Northern Rough-winged, Bank, Tree, Barn and Cliff Swallows, Purple Martin, Swainson's Thrush, Gray Catbird, Cedar Waxwing, Yellow-rumped, Black-and-White, Yellow and Blackpoll Warblers, Common Yellowthroat, Marsh Wren, Clay-colored, Chipping, Harris's, White-throated and Song Sparrows, Rose-breasted Grosbeak and several brilliantly colored Baltimore Orioles.
One of the highlights of the drive was a pair of nesting Burrowing Owls (photo above). This species has declined considerably in central North Dakota over the last 50 years, but seems to be making somewhat of a comeback. This is the 2nd nesting record thus far in 2008 in the Well's County alone.
Several mammals were noted as well, these were: White-tailed Deer, Northern Racoon, 13-lined Ground-Squirrel and a curious Fox Squirrel.
Not too shabby for a short, windy afternoon outing!
Good Birding, STEVEN EASLEY
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