Lake Leathrwood birding report

Had an excellent morning with 41 species observed. And that's with not all the woodpeckers, as the Hairies I had been finding managed to hide. Both Kinglets, Golden-crowned and Ruby-crowned, made appearances, as well as both Vultures, Turkey and Black. Many Bufflehead have settled in, scattered and diving on the Lake, and there were large flocks of Goldfinches, and smaller ones of Robins, Cedar Waxwings, and White-throated Sparrows. The best surprise was a very late Gray Catbird. It was more than six weeks later than any I'd seen in the fall here before. The Arkansas Audubon Society checklist shows them only to the third week of October, statewide except in the south. I'm also still seeing an Eastern Phoebe in the meadow campground area, where two tayed all inter last year. Other nice touches were a brown Creeper in the cabin area, and a Ross's Goose among the several hundred Snow Geese flying over. As late as Friday there were still five Wood Ducks, but I couldn't refind them this morning. There are more Pied-bill Grebes and American Coots than I've seen in previous years. The reliable Great Blue Heron was at it's post, as well as the usually resident Belted Kingfisher.

The Arkansas checklist can be found as a PDF file at

http://www.arbirds.org/pdf/aas_00_checklist_4pg.pdf

If you want to order nicely printed heavy cardbord versions, the ordering information can be found in the pdf file.