Saturday, July 28, 2018

Reynolds Park, Jefferson County

July 25, 2018

Richard Stevens:

Winds were a strong 16-17 mph at Reynolds Park in the morning.  Afternoon temperature reached a pleasant 80 degrees.  Afternoon storms quenched any birding opportunities.

Illinois birder Jake Johnstone and I drove up to Reynolds Park (Jefferson).  He had a plane to catch in the afternoon; the trip was a short one.

A Common Poorwill responded to a recording played at the larger (western) parking area.  I called from somewhere on the hillside to the northwest.  We never saw it.

A hike up the Oxen Draw trail found a male American Three-toed Woodpecker drumming about 500 yards south of the parking area.  Regrettably, no owls were encountered.

Time did not allow a hike of the whole Oxen Draw, Eagle's View and Raven's Roost Loop.  Instead, we returned to the parking area and hiked the Songbird trail to 1000 yards up Raven's Roost trail.  No Dusky Grouse were found; however, a male Williamson's Sapsucker searched for food about 100 yards south (uphill) of the old service road.

A Ferruginous Hawk stood on one of the tall light poles along Pena Blvd.  A last lifebird for Jake as we approached the airport!

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