WISN surveys near Newport, Pocahontas, Jonesboro, and Osceola Arkansas

After finishing all of our surveys in Louisiana (37 townships), we headed back north east to help Matt and Jake finish their surveys.  We did not see many snipe due to bad habitat, but as always, saw a few birds of note.

Savannah sparrows were still abundant, as were at least 6 juvenile bald eagles near Newport in a flooded field.  Also in this field were many northern harriers.  The eagles were attracted to a large flock of snow geese, and were perched very close to the flock.

savannah sparrow

savannah sparrow

juvenile bald eagle

northern harrier

In another farm field, there were at least 16 red-tails on a thermal.  Underneath them were 8 red-tails circling low over a rice field that was being tilled.  I have seen this before in Kansas, but only once.  A farmer told us that eagles even join in with the red-tails sometimes as they till their fields, hoping to get an easy snack.

red-tails circling over farm field being tilled

The last snipe I found (number 867 for me!) was in this field.  He was very obvious, as you can see in this photo.

And finally, the last snipe of the season was found in the blowing dust that was the habitat near Lake City.  All of the fields were almost bone dry, but somehow, on our last transect survey, this little guy showed up 5 meteres from the road.  He flew off in the end, into the dust, as snipe number 1403 for the season (our combined team total).

snipe #1403 in a small puddle

snipe #1403 flies off into the dust..