Date: 6/4/25 7:23 am From: Jeff Calhoun <jeffcalhoun11...> Subject: Ford County Year List Update
I was motivated to try for a Ford County Big Year this year that targeted
215 species of birds, hoping to beat my previous high of 214, a bar I set
in 2022. I have recorded 211 species so far this year. Although people
east and west of me continue to find subtle hints of migration, I am not
detecting any locally and instead am preparing and checking my spaces for
the southbound migration, which is not too far off. I think this roundup
paints an interesting but accurate picture for those with no experience
trying to observe biodiversity in Ford County, one of Kansas's Top 105
counties for flora and fauna.
*Highlights So Far*
*The Pine Warbler that showed up on January 1 was the only warbler on my
list for 3.5 months, but the last 1.5 months have actually been one of the
better warbler years I've ever had in the county. I recorded 14 species of
Warbler to date, including my county lifer Black-throated Green Warbler on
May 24.
*The Ross's Gull… especially the first night with just Stan, Christi, and I
on Jan 31. There are a lot of other little anecdotes from that weekend
event for another time.
*The Long-eared Owl (March 8) and Wood Thrush (May 11), were both new
county life birds for me.
*The Black-chinned Hummingbird with the McMillens on a frantic May day with
lots of activities for all. ❤️
*A few clutch targeted finds that could easily have been missed, that
exercised knowledge of timing, habitat, trends from friends, and weather,
and that actually connected: Greater Roadrunner, Poorwill, LB Curlew,
Sanderling, American White Pelican, Bald and Golden Eagle, YB Sapsucker, WW
Pewee, Alder Flycatcher, Mountain Bluebird, Thick-billed Longspur, Lark
Bunting, Cassin's Sparrow, Bobolink
*The Misses*
I was unable to cross paths with the following species that I still have a
reasonable chance at getting later: RT/Rufous/Calliope/Broad-tailed
Hummingbird, any Night-Heron, Wilson's Warbler, Townsend's Solitaire,
Common Goldeneye, Peregrine Falcon, various Shorebirds (Semi/Piping/BB
Plover, Western/Buff-breasted Sandpiper, RN Phalarope), N Waterthrush, BH
Vireo, Snowy Egret, Osprey, Marsh Wren, Swamp Sparrow, Rusty Blackbird,
Lesser Goldfinch, Fox Sparrow, Common Merg, Bonaparte's Gull, Painted
Bunting, Summer Tanager, Bullock's Oriole.
Maybe I can also get a few county lifers: Black-capped Chickadee, Virginia
Rail, Herring Gull, Townsend's (or many other) Warblers, Dunlin
*What's Next*
I'm just going to keep getting outside and generating data, hopefully with
rich media and of other organisms that share the area! Good things will
come. I think 215 bird species will happen one way or another thanks to the
grind of this past Spring.
I am hoping to organize a Morton County birding event for September, and
other non Ford county-based adventures; probably one in August and one in
October, or as prime abiotic conditions dictate good opportunities this
summer. Let me know if you might like to participate!
