Date: 3/9/25 5:52 pm From: Patty McLean <000008e6fff5e5c8-dmarc-request...> Subject: Shorebirds and Short-eared Owls at Bald Knob NWR
Michael and I made an afternoon trip through the Bald Knob National Wildlife Refuge today and found thousands of lingering ducks, hundreds of shorebirds (including new arrivals of Pectoral, STILT, LB Dowitchers and a single Am golden-plover) plus TWO Short-eared Owls that came out a little after 6:50p, while there was still good light The first owl was hunting along one of the levys and nabbed what's probably a swamp rat. Soon a Northern Harrier showed up and STOLE it from him. Dawna Stirrup was just up the road and we called her to come join us. We watched the owl fly over the field for a good 15 minutes until it flew too far away. Eventually a second owl, a much darker morph, showed up, giving us great views. This is the approx location where we watched these grand owls: https://goo.gl/maps/JYiDAMiRqScAcddd7The Golden-plover was in one of the north fields just south the Admin Bldg. The Long-billed Dowitchers and Stilt Sandpipers were in Cell 2. Pectorals and Lesser and Greater Yellowlegs were in various fields. A few Wilson's Snipe also made an appearance as did several Bald eagles, red-tailed hawks, and a Loggerhead Shrike. It was all a nice treat in preparation of Spring Migration. Patty McLean and Michael Linz The Roadrunners
