Thursday
-5/27/2021
-6:30-12:30 am EST
-Swope Park (Kansas City, MO), and Shawnee Mission Park (Shawnee, Kansas)
-100% cloud cover, Thunderstorming, 15mph S wind, 67 degrees Fahrenheit. 65% Humidity
I started off the day in severe thunderstorms that seemed like they might have progressed into tornado weather, but eventually they staved off into manageable sprinkling. I began at Swope park in Kansas City MO. The area that I spent the most time in there consisted of deciduous trees bordering a small creek. This area was adjacent to a moderately busy road. My best finds here were a Wood Thrush, a Red-eyed Vireo, and a Brown Thrasher. All three of these species were perched high up in trees bordering the stream, so I had to depend on songs for identification.
Next, I moved on to Minor Park. Here I was able to make use of a trail that led through a dense deciduous forest that bordered on a much larger river. When I came upon the river I unfortunately spooked a Great Egret but I was able to make a moderately confident identification as it flew away. My other great finds were a Killdeer that was in some puddles on the drenched trail, and an Eastern Wood-Peewee.
An interesting behavior that I observed happened after I played the Indigo Bunting's song on my phone to confirm what I was hearing was indeed an Indigo Bunting. This prompted the Bunting to rapidly circle me and it even swooped at my head several times. It makes sense to me that birds might be attracted by recordings of their song, but what I don't understand is why the Indigo Bunting was able to identify it was coming from me and turned antagonistic and defensive.
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