Several of us spent most of today in Jackson County scanning for the Caracara. When we got there, my carload of birders found Sarah Morris already there. She hadn't seen it. One of the local residents came by and told us he had seen it last week in the field that Paul Provence gave me the GPS coordinates for. That was the area we spent scanning for most of the day. Unfortunately it never slowed. Paul showed up and said he had seen it yesterday. Fun to visit with him and catch up. Turns out he grew up in Tuckerman and his family owns most of the land where they've been seeing the Caracara. One field had a huge flock of Snow Geese and Greater White-fronted Geese, plus a couple of Ross's Geese. At least 2,500 birds total. It's always a noisy and exciting experience when a giant flock of geese lift off and move. In the flooded part of the field there were Gadwalls, Shovelers, Wigeons, Pintails, Green-winged Teal, Mallards, and one Redhead. At one point in the search, Kenny and LaDonna decided to make a quick scout through the adjacent area in case the Caracara had moved. They came back disappointed to report no Caracara. We also saw a total of 6-8 Bald Eagles, adults and juveniles, soaring overhead. Also found Snipe, Pipits, Killdeer, Savannah Sparrows, Turkey and Black Vultures, Harriers (males and females) and Red-tailed Hawks. It was a fun, relaxing, sunny day with good birds and good birding friends. Karen Holliday Chasing the elusive Jackson County Caracara GPS coordinates 35.769938, -91.264212 (Jackson City Road 66 Newport AR)
