Michael and I made a late morning/early afternoon stop at the refuge today. The cloud cover made viewing so much gentler than usual and we were able to get great views and some fun photos of many of the awesome birds out there. Here's a list from two particular locations: Huntsman Road (east of the silos) and Fracken Rd (west of Coal Chute).Huntsman has not disappointed in recent days. There's a flooded and marshy area on the south side of the road that has been teeming with ducks, shorebirds, rails and waders. Some of the more unique species from Huntsman Rd -- several at corner of Coal Chute and Huntsman and most further down where the marshy area is:Sora (2)Common Gallinule (2 a few days ago)Black-necked Stilt (2)American Golden-plover (10)Short-billed Dowitcher (2)Wilson's Phalarope (4)Semipalmated Sandpiper (1)White-faced Ibis (2)American Bittern (1 today)Some of the unique birds seen in the large flooded area toward the west end of Fracken Rd:American Avocet (5)American Golden-plover (10)Wilson's Phalarope (10 -- most in breeding plumage)Baird's Sandpiper (9)Semipalmated Sandpiper (1)Just around the corner, we could hear Marsh Wrens singing, and further down the road, near Cell 4, we found two Forster's TernsWe also ran into a few birder friends: Terry and Judy Butler and also Jake Marquess. The birds are loving these flooded fields, fattening up on all kinds of treats including crawdads, tadpoles and damselflies. I know the farmers will be happy when it dries up, but fortunately the birds are gaining the energy they need to have a successful migration and breeding season. Patty McLean and Michael Linz The Roadrunners
