Date: 5/7/25 6:20 am From: Chris Barrigar <1chrisbarrigar...> Subject: No Sighting - MBS Spring Mtg. at Bunker Hill Retreat
I'd like to thank Michael, Mike, and all those involved in making the MBS Spring Mtg at Bunker Hill Retreat (and surrounding areas) a wonderful success!
I saw smiles all around from those that attended. The evening program speakers shared their knowledge of woodland/forest habitats and habitat development/studies as well as mapping cave systems and their inhabitants. Very cool and though provoking. Thank you!
Field trips were full of birds and good times around every turn. Of course, the Ozark Mountains have SO much to offer via Nature; the springs are always cool to visit (both figuratively and literally)!
As always, it was fun catching up with those I hadn't seen for a while and meeting new people. I look forward to the next meeting!
I'm not sure of everyone's "bird of the weekend", but I think mine would be the Yellow-crowned Night Heron at Greer Spring Campground boat ramp Saturday morning . . . with a calling Swainson's Warbler in the background. Of course, each stop had its own favorite bird which makes it hard to choose just one. Perched and singing Prairie Warbler and Yellow-breasted Chat on the hillside above the Alley Spring Mill (thanks to Sherry Leonardo's advice) were certainly some birder's "bird-experience" of the weekend. What a joy to spend time with these birds and birders!
On the way to Bunker Hill Retreat, I decided to go by way of BDR (Birder's Direct Route) as explained to me by Edge Wade. While not a new concept to me, it IS a new term and didn't know it had a name. From Central MO, I started in Kennett, MO at Little River CA on a foggy and rainy Friday morning. I swung through Otter Slough CA in Dexter, MO with the intent to visit Mingo NWR and/or Duck Creek CA. Though, arriving at Otter Slough at 12:45 I was met with an hour of rain; however, Otter Slough CA being what it is, she just kept giving and giving. Nearly 5 hrs. later, I had to say goodbye to O.S. with a solid 132 species she shared with me. My favorite bird at O.S. kept changing at every turn but probably either the female Greater Scaup (yes, really) or the Neotropic Cormorant both observed in Cypress Lake. It was a banner day there and certainly made me miss living in the area. BDR. . .
Thank you again for a wonderful weekend of birding, programs, and fellowship!
