Middle Creek Wildlife Area Field Trip

This morning I led members of QAS on a birding field trip to the Middle Creek Wildlife area and the surrounding area. I had 7 participate on sunny rather mild winter day. The day started out rather show with temps in the upper 20's at 8am...but quickly warmed to the mid-40's once the sun creasted the horizon.

The main lake at Middle Creek is still 95% frozen and the surrounding land area is about 76% snow covered....but we did end seeing 34 species if birds.

Some of the highlights included: 4 Bald Eagles, 1 Great Horned Owl, 5,000 Snow Geese, 2,000 Tundra Swans and 1 Red Headed Woopecker (a life bird for 4 members of the group).


We also made a stop along Prescott Road to see the Great Horned Owl nest...you can see the 'tufted ears' in the photo attached. 

The field trip lasted 4 hours and covered about 10 miles in driving and 3 miles walking the trails.



Great Horned Owl sitting on nest - look for the tufted ears in the middle of the photo.
photo credits: F Heilman

Red Headed woodpecker - gave outstanding views in the sunlight.
Photo credit: F Heilman

Not all that wonder are lost