Date: 4/16/25 3:23 pm From: Joseph Neal <0000078cbd583d7c-dmarc-request...> Subject: Devil's Den State Park
Devil’s Den State Park near Winslow is really one of the best – or at least very accessible -- places to enjoy birds of mature hardwood forest in the Boston Mountain section of the Ozarks. Here’s what I submitted to eBird for today: https://ebird.org/checklist/S226172763.
I entered the park from the south (from Winslow and Blackburn) and slowly worked my way down the mountain top forests into Lee Creek Valley. I never go to the park on the weekends anymore because the crowds can be crazy-noisy. Today, Wednesday, was like “the good ole days” with fewer people. More about birds and flowering trees. More about the chance to see butterflies and dragonflies.
I do the slow drive, stop, get out, and so on. Look for safe places to stop. I want safe stops, short walks, and “listens.” In this way I hope, maybe, I am getting a decent feel for birds in the area. As a result of hearing loss, I have also been using Merlin to back up and check.
Today there were numerous Yellow-throated Vireos, Red-eyed Vireos, Ovenbirds, Hooded Warblers, Northern Parulas, Black-and-white Warblers, and a brilliant male Scarlet Tanager.
I thoroughly enjoyed one Fish Crow that was on a branch at about eye level, calling repeatedly. Two Black Vultures were also perched on a low branch along the road. Nest nearby?
One Broad-winged Hawk flew from a low perch in the woods to another low perch. Maybe hunting chipmunks, common in the park.
