This has been one of the strangest migration years in our marsh that I can recall. We have essentially had NO shorebirds. I’ve visited with a few smart folks, and the consensus is that they ran their sensors over the Bottoms from a thousand feet up in the air and elected to keep on flying. We have hunted for snipe a few times and haven’t found any. We have great water and habitat – they aren’t here. I’ve seen very few Yellow legs and sandpipers. No plovers or rails. It’s just odd. The herons and egrets have appeared in small numbers.
That doesn’t mean there is no joy in Mudville. These ducks have been fun to watch. Mallards and Pintails do their best to dress up and show off their colors. The Buffleheads and mergansers are beautiful! I found a Common Goldeneye in the pool by the platform outlook – Mike Rader and some other great birders helped me with identification.
I would be remiss if I didn’t thank all the folks who helped me put this little column together, fix the mistakes, and identify the birds and stuff that are unknown to me. I keep trying and they keep helping, so life goes on.
Kim and Gene Schneweis have been great friends and role models to birders, hunters, and everyone who comes through the Bottoms. They are retiring this month from working at the Bottoms for a long time. Their joyful presence has been a beacon and post at the Bottoms. I know that Jason will miss them as will all of us who have watched that small woman run that big machinery for so many years.
Ducks Unlimited banquets have been elegant and impressive under their management. I can remember when Karl and Charlie retired and Jason stepped up. Our marsh is in good hands and it is a genuine pleasure to wish Gene and Kim the very best in the next phase of lives well lived with such energy and joy. We are grateful for your service and presence! You have made us all better folks! Go live your dream!
Other birds grab our attention. When these ducks and geese appear, so do the Eagles and other raptors. They follow the food chain. These thousands of geese always have a few weak or damaged birds, and the raptors keep things cleaned up. I have seen bald and golden eagles.
I am looking for Short-eared and Snowy Owls. Northern Harriers are so elegant and agile when they hunt. They hover over their prey and dive directly down on the meal. They swoop silently over the marsh with intense focus and vision. It is fun just to watch them hunt.
A group of pelicans have taken over a small plot of land at the south end of pool one. There is always a group of other birds (geese, cormorants, avocets, coots, etc...) that join them. There is always something going on in that spot and it is easy to view.
Some youngsters prepare to leave as this fall migration progresses. Brian found a young moorhen in one of the pools. I found this juvenile Black-crowned night heron hiding in the marsh – that red eye is so striking! Other youngsters are born here and start leaving with the fall migration.
Take your binoculars and scan the edges – there is no telling what you will see. The masses of geese and ducks are worth a trip just to hear them call when they launch off the deck. This marsh is alive and well—never take it for granted and it will add joy to your life for ages to come.
I hope your Thanksgiving was as good as mine—and I am so grateful to be able to share our marsh with you wonderful folks!
Doc
Doctor Dan Witt is a retired physician and nature enthusiast. He can be reached at danwitt01@gmail.com.
