1 Bird, 2 Birds, 3 Birds . . .
|
|
|
The end of the year meant Bird Counting Season.
Here are some of the results.
|
|
On December 18, 2022, Ryan Steffens, Missy Zimmerschied and Roxanne Stockdall conducted a bird count in an area of the Warrensburg/Knob Noster Circle for the annual Christmas Bird Count. It was quite a brisk morning the counters were afraid the cold would convince many birds to hunker down and they wouldn’t see much. However, there was plenty of activity in most areas.
Our bird tally was enjoyable with good food and sharing bird numbers with an official count of 14,000 birds and 63 species.
Here is the data:
|
|
|
Climate Watch is a science program that explores how North American birds are responding to climate change. The grid that I chose was close to my hometown in Pettis County and LaMonte. On February 12th, 2023 my husband Steven, my daughter Alorah, and her friend Kinlee joined me to survey each of our 12 points to look for our target species, the Eastern Bluebird. Among birds that we saw that were not a part of the survey, but still interesting, were horned larks, greater fronted geese, kestles and more. And while at nearly all the points we did not see a bluebird, it was the last one that we saw a bluebird and there was a possible nesting box nearby. It's rewarding taking my family and my daughter's friend out to hopefully instill a love for citizen science and nature.
|
|
|
|
Roxanne and Missy overlooking Montrose Lake at all the wonderful waterfowl
|
|
|
The Great Backyard Bird Count
|
|
The Great Backyard Bird Count is a global birding event from February 17th-20th. On February 19th, 2023 Missy and I rode with Roxanne to Montrose Conservation Area. It was my first time going, and I was not disappointed! With the expansive Montrose Lake, we were treated to a flourish of water fowl from Northern Pintails, Mallards, and Ring-Billed Gulls. The Merlin Sound ID app worked wonderfully at picking up bird songs, chirps, and calls. It’s even better when we can not only hear the bird but see them too! Among the birds we heard and saw was a Red Headed Woodpecker, Hermit Thrush, Eastern Towhee and much more. A lifer bird for me that day was the Ring-Billed Gull.
Citizen science is important and vital to understand our fine feathered friends not only in the winter, but all year around!
|
|
|
|
Congratulations to Ruth Schlomer (left), who recently passed the Stream Team Level 2 class led by April Sevy, MDC (right) and Randy Sarver, DNR (not pictured). Now, when we submit stream data, it will be considered more reliable and will be used by many organizations for stream quality research.
|
|
|
|
The 2023 Annual Certification Pin is the American Burying Beetle. To receive your Annual Certification Pin, complete only 40 Community Service hours and 8 Advanced Training hours each calendar year. There are plenty of opportunities to earn these hours, just go to our webpage and see what interests you.
|
|
|
Important Information
Chapter Dues for 2023, are still just $12 per person. Please get your dues to Marge Lumpe to be an active member.
Go to our webpage: hilonesome.missourimasternaturalist.org to report your hours, find upcoming Advanced Training and Community Service opportunities.
Check out the photos in the photo gallery on our home page! Send any photos you have to Jerry Barnabee and he will get them added in.
If you have any questions about hours or volunteer opportunities, contact Roxanne Stockdall.
|
|
|
|
