Date: 10/3/26 7:42 pm From: Patricia McLean <000008e6fff5e5c8-dmarc-request...> Subject: Today's Field Trip to Bald Knob NWR
We had a fun and successful field trip today, hosted by Friends of Bald Knob National Wildlife Refuge. Over 20 people attended, and many got several life birds.
We checked three distinct areas inside the refuge and one nearby hotspot: Central Ag Fields, Green Pond, Birch Pond/Overflow Creek and nearby Mingo Creek Rd.
We were treated to multiple sightings of the Wood Storks, of which approx 50 are continuing in the area. They are always a delightful treat to see during their fall visits and today gave us great views in flight, feeding, walking and roosting. While we missed seeing them carrying babies, a few folks saw one carrying a large fish!
Another nice surprise was seeing three falcons: American Kestrel, Merlin and Peregrine Falcon. Both the Peregrin and the Merlin were hunting over the cells across from the silos. While there, we also had a Black-bellied and an American Golden Plover fly over our heads, both calling as if they'd been separated from their flock.
We looked for warblers and sparrows without much success but we managed to hear a Rose-breasted Grosbeak and find a Solitary Sandpiper and a Wilson's Snipe in the south section of the refuge.
A few people saw some birds before everyone got there this morning including a single Yellow-headed Blackbird feeding on the spilled grain near the silos. We checked there multiple times but weren't able to relocate it.
