Date: 3/7/26 3:18 pm From: Joseph Neal <0000078cbd583d7c-dmarc-request...> Subject: One Big Beautiful Brush Pile (Fayetteville)
A brief report about migration so far in my Fayetteville. March 7. 2026. Ebird checklist with photographs here: https://ebird.org/checklist/S306961349 Northward bird migration is well underway. I had a front row seat today. Or I should say, front seat in my “blind,” parked at various angles around One Big Beautiful Brushpile on the old former Tallgrass Prairie north of campus in Fayetteville.
Good thing I had that seat, too, because we had heavy rain last night. Renewed fog and cold today. The cold weather with north wind stalls the northward migration, grounding many birds that otherwise would have gone on. Many of this morning’s migrants were in elegant breeding plumage.
It all started with a substantial flock (2) of Fish Crows. Heard them at distance and thought at first it was maybe 2-3. Then they came over, ensemble of southern caws with that distinctive drawl. They were 20 altogether. They’d reached the Promised Land.
The Big Beautiful Brushpile has been growing over past few months. Eventually it will be burned. It’s current size similar to a two car garage. It is composed of limbs, logs, bush, masses of leaves, old fence posts, and lumber bits. For little birds there are so many places to hide down inside. So many outside perches to have a good look around.
When I first drove up this morning I noticed that the topmost branches were filled with a bunch of female Red-winged Blackbirds. They look rather smart with golden yellow feathers at their throats. Later, they were joined by male Brown-headed Cowbirds singing their curious burbling.
Slowly, slowly, I worked my way around the pile … staying at some distance … looking for movement …
Eventually saw Dark-eyed Junco, White-crowned Sparrow, White-throated Sparrow, Savannah Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Lincoln’s Sparrow, Swamp Sparrow, Northern Cardinal. One of the juncos was perched in the opening, singing their chipping song. I heard some other songs that sounded vaguely familiar. Forgot I could have checked that with the Merlin ap.
Was wondering if the EASTERN TOWHEE of a few days ago was still present. YES was there, plus a lot more.
