Date: 2/26/26 6:38 pm From: Carol Thompson <cthompson871...> Subject: MBS Spring meeting volunteers needed
The MBS spring meeting will be held in the St. Louis region May 1-3. There is a need for volunteers to help with registration Friday and Saturday. Also we need items for the silent auction as well as volunteers to help with the auction. If you can help or have donations please contact me offlist.
Date: 2/24/26 4:57 pm From: David Becher <davidbecher...> Subject: WGNSS Birding 2/26 and 2/28
WGNSS Birding
On Thursday, we will meet at Horseshoe Lake State Park in Illinois. We will meet at the HQ/causeway area at 8am. The entrance to the park is on Illinois Rt 111 north of I-70.
On Saturday, we will meet at Columbia Bottom CA at the HQ at 8 am.
David Becher
Saint Louis
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The Missouri Birding Society's Wild Bird Discussion Forum
Date: 2/23/26 11:39 am From: Ryan Steffens <ryanthenaturelover...> Subject: Tundra swan among Trumpeters, Benton Co.
Good afternoon!
I found a tundra swan with six trumpeters yesterday afternoon west of Cole Camp and was able to relocate them this morning north of where I saw them yesterday. I got a couple pictures then they flew south. I drivev around the countryside trying to find where tbey went, ended up back at the field several hours later and watched them fly in and land in the same spot north of Sieving Rd less than a mile west of Hwy 65 (which is just north of 52 junction that goes east to Cole Camp.
According to eBird they are rare, or at least in this area they are.
Date: 2/20/26 9:21 am From: Mark Glenshaw <mglenshaw...> Subject: Upcoming Owl Presentations in Boone County & St. Louis County
Morning, all.
I am honored and excited to be giving presentations in Boone County & St. Louis County about the Great Horned Owls I have studied for 20 years in Forest Park in St. Louis. Both talks are FREE and open to all. The one in St. Louis County is registration required. Here are the details:
"Forest Park Owls: Mating, Nesting and Owlets" Thursday, February 26, 7:00pm. Presentation hosted by the Columbia Audubon Society, presentation taking place at: Boone Electric Cooperative 1413 Rangeline St, Columbia, Missouri 65201 facebook.com/share/1MN4CwMHJD/
"Forest Park Owls: Hiding In Plain Sight" Tuesday, March 3, 3:30pm Webster University Library 101 Edgar Rd. Webster Groves, Missouri 63119. To register, please visit: https://tinyurl.com/4rmxhbf2
This will be my fourth time presenting for the Columbia Audubon Society and my first presenting for Webster University Library. My thanks to both of them for hosting!
Date: 2/18/26 11:56 am From: LISA BERGER <goshawk...> Subject: Great Black-backed Gull near Truman Dam
Just want to get the word out across Missouri: There is a first cycle GBBC at Truman Lake near the Dam, discovered and photographed by Sheila Yoder, who sent me the images.
This would be the third observation at this location, and listed as Casual outside of St. Louis.
Lisa Berger
<goshawk...>
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The Missouri Birding Society's Wild Bird Discussion Forum
Date: 2/16/26 6:00 pm From: Terry Miller <millert832...> Subject: Re: Great-tailed Grackles in Linn County.
I also had a "pure" flock of 260 birds on Jan. 3rd in Clay County (north of
Kansas City, south of Kearney) at a captive elk and deer ranch. There had
been a flock of Great-tailed Grackles in this area several years back but
that was by far the largest flock I have seen. At that time, there was
also a medium-sized pond, about 2 miles away, that had thick cattails
around the entire bankline. It had nesting birds there for several years.
Unfortunately, the owner eventually cleared the shoreline of cattails
completely...so no nesting but a lesser sized flock, in the general area,
was often present...
Terry L. Miller
Plattsburg, MO
<millert832...>
www.millerstaxidermy.net
Follow me on Instagram: terryl.miller
"Ever since the creation of the world his invisible nature, namely his
eternal power and deity, has been clearly perceived in the things that have
been made." Romans 1:20
"The world will never starve for want of wonders; but only for want of
wonder." G.K. Chesterton
On Mon, Feb 16, 2026 at 7:43 PM Dianne & Steve Kinder <
<0000041e4c13219a-dmarc-request...> wrote:
> This afternoon I observed a flock of at least 200 Great-tailed Grackles
> near the NE side of Fountain grove CA. When I went back through that
> location a few minutes later they had moved, and I did not relocate them.
> They appeared to be a flock of pure GTGR, as I did not detect any other
> species of Blackbirds with them.
>
> Steve Kinder
> Chillicothe
> <dmkinder...>
>
> ------------------------------
> *The Missouri Birding Society's Wild Bird Discussion Forum*
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> <mobirds-l-request...>
>
> ABA Birding Code of Ethics <http://www.aba.org/about/ethics.html> >
> MBS Spring Meeting: 125th Anniversary - May 1-3, 2026, Drury Plaza Hotel,
> Chesterfield, MO
>
------------------------------------------------------------
The Missouri Birding Society's Wild Bird Discussion Forum
Date: 2/16/26 5:43 pm From: Dianne & Steve Kinder <0000041e4c13219a-dmarc-request...> Subject: Great-tailed Grackles in Linn County.
This afternoon I observed a flock of at least 200 Great-tailed Grackles near the NE side of Fountain grove CA. When I went back through that location a few minutes later they had moved, and I did not relocate them. They appeared to be a flock of pure GTGR, as I did not detect any other species of Blackbirds with them. Steve <KinderChillicothedmkinder...>
------------------------------------------------------------ The Missouri Birding Society's Wild Bird Discussion Forum
Date: 2/16/26 9:08 am From: Jane Fitzgerald <jane.chjv...> Subject: Re: Timbers are doodling
I’ve yet to hear woodcock this year, though we have had them most years
over the past fifteen. We’ve been in a moderate-severe drought since last
summer so I’m wondering if they won’t stop if the ground is too hard to
probe.
I’ve had wood ducks the past few days, and the red-shouldered hawks are
courting and making lots of noise. The cardinals, nuthatch, chickadees, and
other resident birds are singing a lot now, too.
Jane Fitzgerald
Stone County
On Thu, Feb 12, 2026 at 6:40 PM Cindy Bridges <
<00000329cd04b585-dmarc-request...> wrote:
>
> I had at least 4 Woodcock this evening where my yard and field meet. They
> started at exactly 6 pm and were really going at 6:10. At least 2 were
> within 15 feet of me. Always makes me hopeful for spring!
>
>
>
> Cindy Bridges
> Couch Mo
> Oregon County
> <cjontheriver...>
>
>
>
>
>
> On Tuesday, February 10, 2026 at 03:24:39 PM CST, Mike Taylor <
> <3catacres...> wrote:
>
>
> American Woodcock (aka timberdoodles) have arrived in central Bollinger
> County. I put out a recorder Sunday afternoon on my property on a known
> lekking territory. Picked up the first peents at 6:13 am this morning. Just
> peents from one bird. No evidence of display flights yet.
>
> Mike Taylor
> Bollinger County
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------
> The Missouri Birding Society's Wild Bird Discussion Forum
>
> List archives: https://lists.umsystem.edu/scripts/wa-UMS.exe?A0=MOBIRDS-L > MBS Website: http://mobirds.org/ > Questions or comments? Email the list owners: mailto:
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> To unsubscribe or change subscription options:
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> MBS Spring Meeting: 125th Anniversary - May 1-3, 2026, Drury Plaza Hotel,
> Chesterfield, MO
> Details and registration: https://mobirds.org/MBS/NextMeeting.aspx >
> https://lists.umsystem.edu/scripts/wa-UMS.exe?A0=MOBIRDS-L >
> ------------------------------
> *The Missouri Birding Society's Wild Bird Discussion Forum*
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> Website <http://mobirds.org> / Email the list owners
> <mobirds-l-request...>
>
> ABA Birding Code of Ethics <http://www.aba.org/about/ethics.html> >
> MBS Spring Meeting: 125th Anniversary - May 1-3, 2026, Drury Plaza Hotel,
> Chesterfield, MO
>
------------------------------------------------------------
The Missouri Birding Society's Wild Bird Discussion Forum
Date: 2/15/26 6:17 pm From: Jean L <jaleonatti...> Subject: Timberdoodles - Columbia
American woodcocks were quite active this evening at the Grasslands trail parking lot, Rock Bridge SP, Columbia. At least 5; peenting, displaying, and chasing. At least 2 seen standing in the middle of the path heading south from parking lot.
Jean Leonatti Boone County <jaleonatti...>
------------------------------------------------------------ The Missouri Birding Society's Wild Bird Discussion Forum
Date: 2/15/26 6:04 am From: Diane Bricmont <colaptes.auratus...> Subject: St. Louis County - Redpoll
Several birders saw him yesterday morning before the heavy rain began, but not later in the day. He just made an appearance on my finch feeder. When he's not on the feeder, he's frequently foraging on buds on the maple or the sweet gum balls.
Diane Bricmont STL CO
------------------------------------------------------------ The Missouri Birding Society's Wild Bird Discussion Forum
Date: 2/13/26 6:07 am From: Diane Bricmont <colaptes.auratus...> Subject: Re: St. Louis County - Redpoll is back!
After not being seen since Monday, despite plenty of observers staking out
my feeders, I saw the REDP fly into my dogwood from the south. Briefly came
to my finch feeder where I was able to get a few photos before it departed.
Diane Bricmont
STL CO
On Fri, Feb 6, 2026, 8:30 AM Diane Bricmont <colaptes.auratus...>
wrote:
> The REDP is back in my dogwood this morning. Visitors are welcome to view
> from their cars or on the sidewalk.
>
> Diane Bricmont
> STL CO
>
> On Thu, Feb 5, 2026, 3:58 PM Diane Bricmont <colaptes.auratus...>
> wrote:
>
>> A nice surprise in my dogwood this morning. It has come three times to my
>> finch feeder with fine sunflower chips, then heads to the dogwood or the
>> sweet gum. Disappears for hours between visits. If you want to chase,
>> please view from the street. My feeders are in the front yard. Best bet is
>> to watch the dogwood, sweet gum and finch feeder. Yard lifer #132.
>>
>> Diane Bricmont
>> STL CO
>>
> ------------------------------
> *The Missouri Birding Society's Wild Bird Discussion Forum*
> Archives <https://lists.umsystem.edu/scripts/wa-UMS.exe?A0=MOBIRDS-L> / Subscription
> options
> <https://lists.umsystem.edu/SCRIPTS/wa-UMS.exe/wa?SUBED1=mobirds-l&A=1> / MBS
> Website <http://mobirds.org> / Email the list owners
> <mobirds-l-request...>
>
> ABA Birding Code of Ethics <http://www.aba.org/about/ethics.html> >
> MBS Spring Meeting: 125th Anniversary - May 1-3, 2026, Drury Plaza Hotel,
> Chesterfield, MO
>
------------------------------------------------------------
The Missouri Birding Society's Wild Bird Discussion Forum
I had at least 4 Woodcock this evening where my yard and field meet. They started at exactly 6 pm and were really going at 6:10. At least 2 were within 15 feet of me. Always makes me hopeful for spring!
-
Cindy Bridges Couch Mo Oregon County <cjontheriver...>
On Tuesday, February 10, 2026 at 03:24:39 PM CST, Mike Taylor <3catacres...> wrote:
American Woodcock (aka timberdoodles) have arrived in central Bollinger County. I put out a recorder Sunday afternoon on my property on a known lekking territory. Picked up the first peents at 6:13 am this morning. Just peents from one bird. No evidence of display flights yet.
Mike Taylor
Bollinger County
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The Missouri Birding Society's Wild Bird Discussion Forum
Date: 2/12/26 7:49 am From: William Terrell Stamps <stampst...> Subject: Re: no sighting - bird magazines
If you have no takers, consider contacting your closest elementary or middle school. A lot of times the teachers, especially the art teachers, like to have magazines with a lot of big flashy pictures (Birds and Blooms, e.g.) for kids to use in projects, and science teachers may use the articles as the basis for assignments and such. Also, private schools with much smaller attendance than public schools often don't have the resources or the depth in their libraries and may welcome some of the magazines you have.
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The Missouri Birding Society's Wild Bird Discussion Forum
Date: 2/12/26 7:00 am From: Kathleen Anderson <00000493e9e2f3f6-dmarc-request...> Subject: no sighting - bird magazines
I have an accumulation of bird/nature magazines that I would like to give away and not have to put in recycling.
They include:
Birds and Blooms
ABA Journal
ABC Journal
Nature (Conservancy)
Audubon
Bird Watcher's Digest, some old format
And can't think of the others right now.
Also have National Geographic, which it is supposed that all the old issues could reach from Earth to Moon, and probably back.
Please let me know if you would like any of these. I am willing to mail.
Kathleen Anderson, Columbia
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The Missouri Birding Society's Wild Bird Discussion Forum
Date: 2/10/26 6:58 pm From: David Becher <davidbecher...> Subject: WGNSS BIrding 2/12 and 2/14
WGNSS Birding
On Thursday, we will meet at Teal Pond at Riverlands at 8 am.
On Saturday, we will meet at Horseshoe Lake State Park off Route 111 in Illinois. We will meet along the lakeside near the HQ to the left as you enter the park.
David Becher
Saint Louis
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The Missouri Birding Society's Wild Bird Discussion Forum
Date: 2/10/26 4:13 pm From: Daniel Getman <000003a484abda6a-dmarc-request...> Subject: Cedar Waxwings eating crabapples
I got a call from a friend, who’s neighbor had a flock of Cedar Waxwings in their crabapple tree.
So I quickly went over and was able to get some nice photos.
It’s always a thrill when you have a chance to view Cedar Waxwings up close - such pretty birds.
I’ll have to start watching for them in our yard. We have red cedar and crabapple trees, and american cranberry viburnum bushes, all currently with fruit on them.
Photos can be viewed at:
flickr.com/photos/dgetman/sets
Dan Getman, Kirksville, northeast MO
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The Missouri Birding Society's Wild Bird Discussion Forum
Date: 2/10/26 1:24 pm From: Mike Taylor <3catacres...> Subject: Timbers are doodling
American Woodcock (aka timberdoodles) have arrived in central Bollinger County. I put out a recorder Sunday afternoon on my property on a known lekking territory. Picked up the first peents at 6:13 am this morning. Just peents from one bird. No evidence of display flights yet.
Mike Taylor
Bollinger County
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The Missouri Birding Society's Wild Bird Discussion Forum
Date: 2/8/26 11:20 am From: catherine paris <cparis12010...> Subject: A bird's superbowl?
Of life.
Both Mr and Mrs bluebird showed up 3 days ago.
Profound drought, severe cold then 12 inches of powder with single digits for 10 days.
Astounded by the fact that underneath a shovel full it was bone dry. 8 days later the dirt road grader cleared the road below with the same result. Snow evaporated instead of melting. Antarctica is a desert too.
How did they survive? My roof stayed covered with snow. Creeks are so low that every meager pothole of water froze. They weren't at my feeders/water. Possibly heated horse trough? Hiding in houses?
2 Carolina wrens showed the day before. South of me was snow covered with ice.
2 yellow rumps and a mockingbird came daily to my bird bath to drink throughout. Interestingly, both specie "chewed" their water after dipping.
Amazing really.
Cheers,
Catherine Paris <Cparis12010...> Ozark County
------------------------------------------------------------ The Missouri Birding Society's Wild Bird Discussion Forum
Date: 2/8/26 8:13 am From: Jane Frazier <janefraz2828...> Subject: River Bluffs Audubon Zoom
Please join us Thursday February 12 at 6:30 pm for a zoom meeting on the monitoring and stewardship of Missouri's 110,000 miles of waterways by the citizen scientists of the Missouri Stream Team. Cara Coates of MDC will be giving the program. The meeting ID is 862 3876 0765 and the passcode is 597556. All are welcome.
Jane Frazier River Bluffs Audubon VP
------------------------------------------------------------ The Missouri Birding Society's Wild Bird Discussion Forum
Date: 2/6/26 6:31 am From: Daniel Getman <000003a484abda6a-dmarc-request...> Subject: Great Horned Owl
Yesterday around 4pm, I saw a very large, bulky, dark-colored bird fly through the backyard towards our front. Not readily recognizing it, I went outside to see if it maybe perched in our front treeline. As soon as I opened the back door, it flew through the yard towards the woods in the back. It had been sitting on the corner of the house. I’m almost positive it was a Great Horned Owl. My guess is it was looking to grab a squirrel, that regularly visit under the nearby bird feeders, or a rabbit, which visit the yard.
My haikubox has been regularly hear its soft “hoo” at night. When I later told my wife, she said she’s been hearing one at night, seemingly right on top or around the house. When I told my neighbor, he said he’d heard one around 6:30pm the night before on top of their house and that you could “hear and feel” the call “vibrate” through their sun room.
So in and around the yard, we now have a pair of nesting Barred Owls, an Eastern Screech Owl roosting in a nest box and what I think is a male Great Horned Owl looking for a mate.
Pretty cool!
With the warmer temperatures, it feels like spring is on its way. I’m waiting for the bluebirds to return.
Dan Getman, Kirksville, northeast MO
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The Missouri Birding Society's Wild Bird Discussion Forum
Date: 2/6/26 6:30 am From: Diane Bricmont <colaptes.auratus...> Subject: Re: St. Louis County - Redpoll
The REDP is back in my dogwood this morning. Visitors are welcome to view
from their cars or on the sidewalk.
Diane Bricmont
STL CO
On Thu, Feb 5, 2026, 3:58 PM Diane Bricmont <colaptes.auratus...>
wrote:
> A nice surprise in my dogwood this morning. It has come three times to my
> finch feeder with fine sunflower chips, then heads to the dogwood or the
> sweet gum. Disappears for hours between visits. If you want to chase,
> please view from the street. My feeders are in the front yard. Best bet is
> to watch the dogwood, sweet gum and finch feeder. Yard lifer #132.
>
> Diane Bricmont
> STL CO
>
------------------------------------------------------------
The Missouri Birding Society's Wild Bird Discussion Forum
Date: 2/5/26 1:59 pm From: Diane Bricmont <colaptes.auratus...> Subject: St. Louis County - Redpoll
A nice surprise in my dogwood this morning. It has come three times to my finch feeder with fine sunflower chips, then heads to the dogwood or the sweet gum. Disappears for hours between visits. If you want to chase, please view from the street. My feeders are in the front yard. Best bet is to watch the dogwood, sweet gum and finch feeder. Yard lifer #132.
Diane Bricmont STL CO
------------------------------------------------------------ The Missouri Birding Society's Wild Bird Discussion Forum
Date: 2/2/26 2:17 pm From: Patrick Maloney <maloneypatrick...> Subject: Re: STL City swans, etc
Drove by there at 3:30 and saw the canvasback, redehead and 2 ringnecks, but the swans had gone. I also saw 9 wild turkeys grazing in a grassy spot in the snow just across from the north side of the Zoo,
On Monday, February 2, 2026 at 08:49:03 AM CST, Schneider, Daniel <00000496ddbe8980-dmarc-request...> wrote:
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For the Saint Louis City folks~ this morning there are three trumpeter swans in a small piece of open water adjacent to the Forest Park Golf Course clubhouse. Along with the swans are a beautiful male canvasback, a redhead, and two gorgeous ring-necked ducks.
Date: 2/2/26 6:49 am From: Schneider, Daniel <00000496ddbe8980-dmarc-request...> Subject: STL City swans, etc
For the Saint Louis City folks~ this morning there are three trumpeter swans in a small piece of open water adjacent to the Forest Park Golf Course clubhouse. Along with the swans are a beautiful male canvasback, a redhead, and two gorgeous ring-necked ducks.
Wednesday, Jan 28, the Clark birding car were treated to many Trumpeter and 2 Tundra Swans at Thomas Hill Reservoir, then after a fine fried chicken buffet meal at Don's in Huntsville, turned south.
For me, the highlight of that south leg came at Rocky Fork Lakes CA in Boone Co.
Seconds after we spotted a Red-tailed Hawk high in a winter-bare tree it launched toward us, flying an estimated 175 yards to nail a small (field mouse?) rodent in the snow. It flew about 50 yards into a tree to dine. That tree was farther away from the second hawk watching the action from near where the first was spotted.
I know raptor eyesight is thought to be 8 times our own, but seeing a mouse 175 yards away and then pouncing unerringly on it is astonishing to me.
Edge Wade Columbia, MO <1edgewade...>
------------------------------------------------------------ The Missouri Birding Society's Wild Bird Discussion Forum
Date: 1/29/26 10:28 am From: Edge Wade <1edgewade...> Subject: Randolph County Trumpeter Swans
Looking for Trumpeters? Large numbers are in and around the Randolph County portion of Thomas Thomas Hill Reservoir. The water in the Randolph Co. part is open; Macon County is frozen.
Yesterday, many Trumpeters and 2 Tundras were on the ice in Macon Co. near Rt. T. Many, many more were feeding in fields in Randolph Co.
We also encountered a wintering Eastern Towhee, Swamp and Harris's Sparrow,
Thomas Hill Reservoir, Randolph County is underbirded, especially given the potential there. Access points have been reduced in recent years, but it is still well work checking out.
Edge Wade Columbia, MO <1edgewade...>
------------------------------------------------------------ The Missouri Birding Society's Wild Bird Discussion Forum
Date: 1/29/26 8:39 am From: Diane Bricmont <colaptes.auratus...> Subject: Rough-legged Hawk - St. Charles County
There is a RLHA at Riverlands. First spotted from Riverlands Way, perched on a telephone pole adjacent to the duck club trailer on Red School Road. It's also visible from Confluence Road.
Diane Bricmont STL CO
------------------------------------------------------------ The Missouri Birding Society's Wild Bird Discussion Forum
