2007 Bird Walks at Allegawaho Park

January FKH Bird Count
Thursday, January 18, 2007, 9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.

Solo Walk at Allegawaho Memorial Heritage Park – Reported by a member of the bird count group.

CONDITIONS:  Conditions at beginning of the walk: 28 degrees, partly cloudy, breeze from SW 5 to 10 mph, ice-packed ground surface. It was partly cloudy, 33 degrees at the end of the walk.

COURSE:  Walk began at the southwest trailhead and continued west into trees, then north through the timber. Attempted to ascend hill east of road but cold conditions made it impossible to gain traction, so returned along the road. Also walked trail from road to east viewing circle before returning to starting point.

BIRD LIST:
Northern Flicker - 2
Crow - 1
Barred Owl - 2 (one high in his sycamore throne, the other near fallen cottonwood)
Junco - 2
Bluejay - 2
Starling - 1
Great Blue Heron - 1
Cardinal (male) - 1
Brown Creeper - 1
Red-tailed Hawk - 1
Eastern Bluebird - 7
Northern Harrier (male) - 1
Robins - 829

TOTALS: 12 avian species with a total of 851 birds observed.  1 White-tailed Deer was sighted.

COMMENTS: The robins were feeding on hackberry berries, which grew profusely this year in this area. I think the size of the berries is larger than normal this year too. Especially on the south end of the timbered segment of the trail, the berries littered the trail and my boots would send them rolling ahead of me across the smooth, white surface. Just about everywhere you looked on the ground there were burnt orange splotches accented by dark brown flecks—robin defecations. A year ago we had a larger robin count at the park but we also counted many robins in large flocks moving aloft. This time the robins were feeding in the trees; very few of the 829 were flying in groups. At times the din of robin peeps and squeaks drowned out all other sounds. Also, the sheer number of robins in the tree branches made it more difficult to distinguish other species.

I thought it was interesting that I did not see our common winter residents: Tufted Titmice, Chickadees, and Nuthatches. It is possible they were there but not seen or heard amidst the Robin barrage.

February FKH Bird Count
February 22, 2007, 8:20 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.

CONDITIONS:  Clear skies, breeze from northeast that during the walk increased in velocity up to 10-12 mph. Temperatures in mid-30s at onset, mid-40s at the end.

BIRD LIST:
Eastern bluebird - 2
Cardinal - 3
Tufted titmouse - 3
Crow - 2
Chickadee - 1
Red-bellied woodpecker - 1
Nuthatch - 1
Downy woodpecker - 1
Hairy woodpecker - 1
Bald eagle - 1 (mature, observer was on promontory point in northeast corner of A-Park when the eagle was about spotted one-half mile west moving north)
Canada geese-approx. - 120
Junco - 1
Duck - 1 (species not identified) 

TOTALS: 13 avian species with a total of 138 birds observed.

March FKH Bird Count
Tuesday, March 6, 2007, 8:10 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.

CONDITIONS: Began walk at approx. 8:10 a.m. and finished at 10:30 a.m. Clear skies, cold wind from south with velocity up to approximately 10-12 mph with gusts up to 15-18 mph. Wind was barely observable by the end of the walk.  Temperatures ranged from 34 degrees at onset to the mid-50s at the end of the walk.

COURSE: We began our walk at the southwest entrance to the Kanza Trail walking the stream land area first then crossing to the upland prairie area and ending at the southeast entrance to the trail.

BIRD LIST:
Barred Owl – 1
Black-capped Chickadee - 10
Bluejay - 3
Cardinal – 4
Crow - 9
Downy Woodpecker - 2
Eastern Bluebird - 8
Eastern Meadowlark – 1
Northern Harrier (male) – 1
Mallard Duck – 10
Red-bellied Woodpecker - 2
Red-tailed Hawk – 1
Robin – 1
Song Sparrow – 1
Sparrow sp. (unidentified LLB) - 1
Tufted Titmouse - 2
Canada Geese-approx. – 368 total (observed in 4 groups of 76, 97, 150, & 45 each)
Junco - 1
Duck - 1 (species not identified)

TOTALS: 19 avian species with a total of 427 birds observed.

COMMENTS:  One Flicker feather was observed on the trail and identified by two participants.  Sharp eyes! 

We observed that the southernmost wall of the southernmost stone hut remains is tipping considerably and may fall soon if not reinforced. 

APRIL FKH Bird Count
Tuesday, April 3, 2007, 8:10 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

CONDITIONS: Cloudy skies, cold wind from northwest with velocity up to approximately 10-12 mph with gusts up to 15-18 mph.  At the beginning of the walk, viewing conditions were less than ideal due to cloudiness and glare from the angle of the sun.  Temperatures ranged from 62 degrees at onset to the to 60 degrees at the end of the walk.

COURSE: We began our walk at the southwest entrance to the Kanza Trail walking the streamland area first then crossing to the upland prairie area and ending at the southeast entrance to the trail.

BIRD LIST:
Black-capped Chickadee - 3
Brown Headed Cowbird – 4
Cardinal – 9   (5 male & 4 female)
Eastern Meadowlark – 8
Great Blue Heron – 1
Mourning Dove – 3
Northern Parula. – 4
Red-bellied Woodpecker - 3
Robin – 5
Sparrow sp. (unidentified LLB) - 1
Tree Swallow – 2
Tufted Titmouse - 2
Turkey Vulture – 4
White Breasted Nuthatch – 1
Wood Duck – 2

Note:  We observed several small birds that we determined were either some type of Warbler or Gnatcatcher.  We couldn’t agree on the identification, as our visual perception was impaired due to the cloudy skies and the angle of the sun.  One of the group returned to the park the following day and positively identified the birds as Northern Parula.

TOTALS: 15 avian species with a total of 52 birds observed.

COMMENTS:  This morning was a perfect morning to observe the flora of the Flint Hills.  Most of them we observed were either soon to bloom or blooming. Among the spring wildflowers and shrubs we encountered were:

Perennial Forbs:
Field Pussytoes (Antennaria millefolium)
Carrotleaf Lomatium, Wild Carrot (Lomatium foeniculaceum)
Common Violet (Viola sp.)
Ground Plum Milkvetch (Astragalus crassicarpus)
Johnny-jump-up, Wild Viola (Viola rafinequii)
Plains Wildindigo (Baptisia leucophaea)
Pale or Purple Poppy Mallow (Callirhoe alcaeoides)
Prairie Blue-eyed Grass (Sisyrinchium campestre)
Prairie Violet, Bird’s Foot Violet (Viola pedatifida)  

Perennial Shrubs:
Inland Ceanothus, New Jersey Tea (Blooms May-June)
Bottlebrush Buckeye (Aesculus parviflora)

A participant pointed out an area to the west of the road and when the trail begins the climb to the highest point of the park where he has observed the Downy or Prairie Gentian (Gentiana puberulenta) blooming (September – October).  We made note to watch that area for their emergence and fall bloom as time progresses.

Early in our walk a member of the group spotted a tiny snake beside the path.  It was pencil thin and probably not much more than 12” in length, black with a lovely orange-stripped underbelly.  General conscensus of opinion was to identify it as a Black Snake; however, after consulting the pamphlet A Pocket Guide to Kansas Snakes, Collins, Collins, & Gress, 2006.  We believed it may have been the Western Rat Snake (Pantherophis obsoletus), which, according to this source, is restricted to the eastern half of Kansas. We also thought it could also be the Western Worm Snake (Carphophis vermis), which is also found throughout the eastern third of Kansas from the central Flint Hills east to the Missouri border.  This snake is dark gray above with a pink or coral underbelly. 

In the upland portion of the trail, near the monument, we encountered another snake.  This snake was larger than the first, maybe 30” long, and we all thought it was a Prairie Rattler (Crotalus viridis).  There were 4 distinct rattles on its banded tail.  At first we thought it might be a Hognose Snake but the rattles were a dead giveaway.  This species is usually found in the western half of Kansas though.  Upon closer examination we decided the field markings matched the Massasauga Rattlesnake to a tee! Malcolm took several photos of this angry little reptile that helped in identifying him.

NOTE:  We consulted Bob Gress, Great Plains Nature Center Naturalist & Director, who said that, considering the field markings described to him, he thought we saw the Worm Snake and the Massasauga Rattlesnake. 

MAY FKH BIRD COUNT

Tuesday, May 1, 2007,

CONDITIONS:  Began walk at approx. 8:00 a.m. and finished at 11:45 a.m. Clear skies, wind from southeast with velocity up to approximately 2 mph.  At the beginning of the walk, viewing conditions were ideal and at the end a little cloudier but still good.  Temperatures ranged from 64 degrees at onset to the to 67 degrees at the end of the walk with high humidity throughout the walk.

COURSE:  We began our walk at the southwest entrance to the Kanza Trail walking the streamland area first then crossing to the upland prairie area and ending at the southeast entrance to the trail.

BIRD LIST:

Black-capped Chickadee – 2
Bluejay – 3
Blue Gray Gnatcatcher – 11
Brown Headed Cowbird – 4
Brown Creeper - 1
Brown Thrasher - 4
Cardinal – 6
Catbird – 3
Cowbird - 6
Eastern Bluebird – 5
Eastern Kingbird - 4
Eastern Meadowlark – 7
Goldfinch - 2
Grasshopper Sparrow - 3
Great Blue Heron – 1
Harris Sparrow – 6
Horned Lark Sparrow – 4
House Wren – 4
Indigo Bunting - 2
Killdeer – 2
Kingfisher - 2
Lincoln Sparrow - 1
Mourning Dove – 7
Nighthawk - 1
Palm Warbler - 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker – 1
Red-eyed Vireo – 6
Red Tail Hawk – 2
Ruby Throated Hummingbird - 1
Tree Swallow – 1
Tufted Titmouse - 1
Turkey Vulture – 4
Upland Sand Piper 4
White Breasted Nuthatch – 5
Wild Turkey – 3 

TOTALS: 34 avian species with a total of 123 birds observed.

COMMENTS:  This morning was a perfect morning to observe the flora of the Flint Hills.  Among the May blooming wildflowers we encountered were:

Perennial Forbs:
Dame’s Rocket
Garlic Mustard
Painted Lady
Pepper Mustard Grass
Prairie Blue-eyed Grass (Sisyrinchium campestre)
Woodland Phlox
Yellow Oxalis

Butterflies:
Monarch
Painted Lady
Yellow Swallow Tail 

NOTE:  We encountered a muskrat swimming in the Little John Creek as well as a large green bullfrog with eyes showing above the water line.  We also spotted a moss in bloom with small, poppy-like, white blossoms born about 5 inches above the moss. The moss appeared to be an exotic species presumably escaped from someone’s aquarium.

JUNE 2007 FKH BIRD COUNT
Tuesday, June 5, 2007

CONDITIONS:  Began walk at approx. 8:15 a.m. and finished at 11:00 a.m. Clear skies, wind from north with velocity up to approximately 10 mph.  Viewing conditions were ideal throughout the walk.  Temperatures ranged from 63 degrees at onset to the lower 70 degrees and wind velocity at about 15 mph at the end of the walk.

COURSE:  We began our walk at the southwest entrance to the Kanza Trail walking the streamland area first then crossing to the upland prairie area and ending at the southeast entrance to the trail.

BIRD LIST:
Baltimore Oriole – 1
Black-capped Chickadee – 1
Bluejay – 1
Blue Gray Gnatcatcher – 2
Brown Headed Cowbird – 9
Cardinal – 5
Carolina Wren - 1
Crow - 1
Dicksissel - 18
Eastern Bluebird – 4
Eastern Kingbird - 1
Eastern Meadowlark – 7
Eastern Pee Wee - 1
Great Blue Heron – 1
Great Crested Flycatcher - 1
House Wren – 4
Lark Sparrow – 4
Mourning Dove – 5
Orchard Oriole – 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker – 3
Red-eyed Vireo – 2
Red Tail Hawk – 1
Red Winged Blackbird - 2
Tree Swallow – 4
Tufted Titmouse - 2
Turkey Vulture – 7
Upland Sand Piper - 7
White Breasted Nuthatch – 1
Yellow Billed Cuckoo - 5
Yellow Throated Warbler - 1 

TOTALS: 30 avian species with a total of 103 birds observed.

COMMENTS:   Among the June blooming wildflowers & shrubs we encountered were:

Perennial Forbs & Shrub:
Elderberry
Illinois Bundleflower
Yarrow 

Butterflies Spotted:
Common Black Butterfly
Fritillary 

Animal:
Fox Squirrel

JULY 2007 FKH BIRD COUNT
Tuesday, July 10, 2007

CONDITIONS: Began walk at approx. 8:05 a.m. and finished at 10:30 a.m. Overcast skies but relative good visibility, no noticeable wind.  Temperatures ranged from 67 degrees at onset to about 80 degrees at the end of the count, overcast skies, and wind about five miles per hour from the south at the end of the walk.

COURSE: We began our walk at the southwest entrance to the Kanza Trail walking the streamland area first then crossing to the upland prairie area and ending at the southeast entrance to the trail.

BIRD LIST:
American Goldfinch – 2
Barred Owl – 1
Black-capped Chickadee – 1
Bob White – 3 
Brown Headed Cowbird – 5
Cardinal – 7
Dickcissel – 36
Eastern Bluebird – 2
Eastern Kingbird - 2
Eastern Meadowlark – 12
Eastern Pee Wee - 2
Great Blue Heron – 1
Great Crested Flycatcher - 2
House Wren – 3
Indigo Blue Bunting – 8
Mourning Dove – 5
Nighthawk – 2
Northern Rough Winged Swallow - 13
Red-eyed Vireo – 3
Red Tail Hawk – 1
Red Winged Blackbird - 1
Swallow sp. – 2
Tufted Titmouse - 2
Turkey Vulture – 4
White Breasted Nuthatch – 3
Yellow Billed Cuckoo (Rain Crow) - 5

TOTALS: 26 avian species with a total of 128 birds observed.

COMMENTS:  Among the July blooming wildflowers & critters we encountered were:

Perennial Forbs:
Compass Plant, Silphium laciniatum, Asteraceae family.
Gray-headed Coneflower, Ratidiba pinnata, Asteraceae family
Pale Spiked Lobelia, Lobelia spicata. Wetland/woodland species related to Cardinal Flower,         Lobelia cardinalis - Bellflower family, Campanulaceae.
Sweet Black-eyed Susan, Rudbeckia subtomentosa, Asteraceae family
Hoary Vervain, Verbena stricta, Vervain family. Verbenaceae.

Butterflies:
Common Black Beauty Butterfly
Zebra Swallowtail

Amphibian:
Small Happy Hoppy Frogs (3)

SEPTEMBER 2007 FKH BIRD COUNT

Saturday, September 25, 2007

CONDITIONS: Began walk at approx. 8:05 a.m. and finished at 10:45 a.m. Sunny skies, relative good visibility, no noticeable wind and temperatures at 45 degrees at onset.  Sunny skies, approximately 65 degrees and wind about five miles per hour from the south at the end of the walk.

COURSE: We began our walk at the southwest entrance to the Kanza Trail walking the streamland area first then crossing to the upland prairie area and ending at the southeast entrance to the trail.

BIRD LIST:
American Goldfinch – 7
Black-capped Chickadee – 2
Blue Jay - 15
Bob White Quail – 9
Chimney Swift – 6
Crow - 2
Eastern Bluebird – 4
Field Sparrow – 1
Great Blue Heron – 1
Mourning Dove – 7
Red Bellied Woodpecker - 4
Red-tailed Hawk – 4
Starlings – 20
Turkey Vulture - 6
Yellow Shafted Flicker – 3
Warbler sp. – 1

TOTALS: 16 avian species with a total of 92 birds observed. 

COMMENTS:  Among the September blooming wildflowers & park critters we encountered were:

Perennial Forbs:
Asclepias asperula, Antelope Horns Agalinis tenuifolia, Slender False Foxglove
Chamaecrista fasciculate, Partridge Pea
Eupatorium rugosum, White Snakeroot
Lespedeza capitata, Round Headed Lespedeza
Linum sulcatum ,Grooved Yellow Flax
Lobelia siphilitica, Great Blue Lobelia
Menispermum canadense L., Common Moonseed or Moonseed Vine
Phytolacca Americana, Pokeweed or Inkweed:
Solidago rigida, Stiff Goldenrod
Verbesina alternifolia, Wingstem. 

Butterflies:
Monarch Butterfly - 16

BIRD LIST:
American Goldfinch – 11
Black-capped Chickadee – 4
Canada Geese - 2
Crow - 8
Eastern Bluebird – 6
Eastern Meadowlark – 3
Hairy Woodpecker – 2
House Sparrow - 20
Junco – 10
Northern Flicker – 1 
Red Bellied Woodpecker - 4
Red-tailed Hawk – 2
Tufted Titmouse - 3
Red Breasted Nuthatch – 3
Red Winged Blackbirds - 35
Robin – 1
Water Fowl sp.– 10
White Crowned Sparrow – 3
Wild Turkey - 12

TOTALS: 19 avian species with a total of 140 birds observed.

COMMENTS:  Among the November flora & fauna we encountered were:

Perennial Forbs:
Menispermum canadense L., Common Moonseed or Moonseed Vine  (Grape-like fruit persisting.)
Phytolacca Americana, Pokeweed or Inkweed:

Insects:
Buffalo Grasshopper (On upland eastern trail.) 

NOTE:  Ron Parks reports seeing a large flock of Fox Sparrows at Allegawaho Park on Tuesday, November 12^th.  He said they characteristically migrate through our area during mid October through November. I have seen a couple of flocks of White Pelican on the Council Grove Reservoir in early November as well.
                       

DECEMBER 2007 FKH BIRD COUNT
Saturday, December 15, 2007

CONDITIONS: Began walk at approx. 8:05 a.m. and finished at 10:20 a.m. Sunny skies, good visibility, 10 mph wind out of the north and a temperature of 17 degrees at onset; sunny skies, 20 degrees and 20-25 mph wind at the end of the walk. Snow was falling gently throughout the walk.

COURSE: We began our walk at the southwest entrance to the Kanza Trail walking the streamland area first then crossing to the upland prairie area and ending at the southeast entrance to the trail.

Black-capped Chickadee – 2
Canada Geese – 6
Cardinal – 3
Crow - 8
Harris Sparrow – 45
Horned Lark - 80
Junco – 18
Kinglet – 1
Northern Harrier (male) – 2
Red Bellied Woodpecker - 2
Tree Sparrow – 60
Red Breasted Nuthatch – 3
Song Sparrow - 1

TOTALS: 13 avian species with a total of 231 birds observed.

COMMENTS: December fauna we encountered were:
Animals:
Deer - 2
Fox Squirrel – 3

NOTE: We saw large flocks of Harris Sparrows and Tree Sparrows at the beginning of his walk. There were very few birds spotted in the wooded area of the trail. The large flock of Horned Larks & 3 of the Juncos were spotted on Dunlap Road while we were returning to Council Grove.