Friday, January 20, 2012

More Kansas Birds for Me to Get

Here is another update to the continuing list of birds I still need in Kansas:
21.  Inca Dove-Lifer!  I'll likely have to go to the SW to get this bird.  It's an attractive dove species, but for some reason, I have a hard time getting too excited about any doves.
22.  Black-billed Cuckoo-This species has been kind of a bugaboo bird for me the past few years.  Up until 2010, I didn't have too much difficulty getting it, but I haven't seen it the past two years.  In Kansas, it's a bird that I could easily get during migration or could easily miss.  I think it's a pretty rare breeder, so I'm not going to count on that.  I think my best shot for this cuckoo is during spring migration in the area.
23.  Long-eared Owl-Lifer!  I'll get this bird; I swear!  In fact, I might get it tomorrow.  I'm keeping my fingers crossed.
24.  Short-eared Owl-I'm pretty sure I've seen two of these babies down in Pawnee County.  As my wife and I drove 156 from Rozel to Larned, I've seen two birds flying like Short-eared Owls just after sunset.  I couldn't stop to get a better look, so I haven't counted either of them.  There is a chance that they could have been harriers flying late.  I'll get a Short-eared some time by driving the country roads around sunset (or sunrise if I ever get up that early).  
25.  Common Poorwill-Lifer!  I am determined to get this bird this Spring.  I don't think it should be too terribly difficult; it will just involve driving around at night and playing the poorwill call.  There's plenty of good  habitat for it in Rooks County.  Or I might get it at Bird Runner in June.
26.  Chuck-will's-widow (Lifer!) and Eastern Whip-poor-will-My best shot for both of these birds is at Bird Runner later this year.  I should be able to get the Chuck's there, but the Whip is going to be more difficult.  It's definitely a possibility, though.
27.  Black-chinned (Lifer!), Broad-tailed (Lifer!), and Rufous Hummingbirds-I could get one at my hummingbird feeder or I could get any one of them at Henry Armknecht's.  The most likely time is during Fall migration, which seems like a long time from now.  
28.  Ladder-backed Woodpecker-Lifer!  This is one of the main target species that I would try to get if I go down to Morton County.  I need to go soon!  I can feel the itch.
29.  Pileated Woodpecker-Always an awesome bird to see, but I've just seen so many of them in Michigan.  I definitely want to get one in Kansas, but it's not a bird that I would make a trip for by itself. I think I can get it at Bird Runner; otherwise, I'll have to get it in the East some time.  I don't have any specific trip to that area planned, though.
30.  Western Wood-Pewee-Lifer!  This is a bird that I should get in Morton County.  Theoretically, I could get it in my own county, but that is not as likely.  I guess I better start brushing up on my flycatcher song identification!

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