Post by kingbird on Jul 20, 2013 21:11:26 GMT -6
LaDonna and I drive the Arkansas/Mississippi River levee every summer, usually in early to mid-August. Unless we have time, we usually just hit the best areas -north of Ark. City, just south of the Lake Chicot Pumping Plant and the section from the north end of Grand Lake to the south end.
We decided to run most of it today, starting at Pendleton. About 12 miles north of Arkansas City, we encountered probably a dozen immature White Ibis and numerous herons and egrets. We continued on, past Arkansas City, past the Lake Chicot Pumping Plant and exited near Lake Chicot SP.
Near the north end of Grand Lake, we found probably 20 Least Terns and a single Willet.
At the extreme south end of Grand Lake, there is a marshy area that is always productive for wading birds. Today, was no exception. Among the many Little Blue Herons, Snowy and Great Egrets were 8 adult White Ibis, 3 White-faced Ibis, 3 Glossy Ibis and at least 6 more dark ibis that I was unable to identify. Roosting in a large cypress above them were 4 Wood Storks. Interestingly, one of the immature dark ibis still had the two-tone pink and black bill. It was associating with a pair of adult Glossies. I'm guessing it was probably raised nearby.
Also, on the extreme south end of Grand Lake is a very large Purple Martin roost. It's been there every year for as long as I can remember. Today, we saw probably 25,000 birds.
We decided to run most of it today, starting at Pendleton. About 12 miles north of Arkansas City, we encountered probably a dozen immature White Ibis and numerous herons and egrets. We continued on, past Arkansas City, past the Lake Chicot Pumping Plant and exited near Lake Chicot SP.
Near the north end of Grand Lake, we found probably 20 Least Terns and a single Willet.
At the extreme south end of Grand Lake, there is a marshy area that is always productive for wading birds. Today, was no exception. Among the many Little Blue Herons, Snowy and Great Egrets were 8 adult White Ibis, 3 White-faced Ibis, 3 Glossy Ibis and at least 6 more dark ibis that I was unable to identify. Roosting in a large cypress above them were 4 Wood Storks. Interestingly, one of the immature dark ibis still had the two-tone pink and black bill. It was associating with a pair of adult Glossies. I'm guessing it was probably raised nearby.
Also, on the extreme south end of Grand Lake is a very large Purple Martin roost. It's been there every year for as long as I can remember. Today, we saw probably 25,000 birds.
