DeSoto's Gooseless Wonders Contribute to Bird Distribution Research

Whether it was swallows flitting above riverine lake waters in search of a tasty insect morsel, cormorants resting on a perch or geese winging into a safe haven, each of some particular bird species noted on Sunday were a contribution that will help in the understanding of particular distribution of autumn season birds across the U.S. and a few other places of the world.

View from the Bit Sit "circle" at DeSoto NWR.

The sightings of an autumn Sunday were made during another Big Sit at DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge, along the Missouri River, west of Missouri Valley, Iowa.

With temperatures in the mid-30s, and under gray, overcast skies, the tiny observation spot for this annual event was in the comfort of the viewing gallery of the refuge nature center. Valid observations were made from a small place at the end of a hallway, with glass walls conducive to looking outside. There was warmth and chairs. A spotting scope was setup used to view the oxbow lake and other habitats visible outside the windows.

It was a good vantage point to look at where the Canada geese gathered, and to scan the water habitat which attracted other notable species. A Northern Harrier could be seen in a nearby field. Off in the distance was a Red-tailed Hawk sitting on the snag of a tree. A Pied-billed Grebe floated along, ignorant of it being noted in a tally of results for a days' research. Occasionally, gulls coursing over the lake, in search of a tasty tidbit. Other bird activity was intently watched.

Being inside, the participants were able to converse with other visitors. Some inquired about which birds were being seen, or took the opportunity to look through the spotting scope to get an upclose view of the avifauna in view.

The wintery weather of Saturday, moved waterfowl southward, and this included flocks of geese moving down the Missouri River valley.

Deb Hunsberger and James Hartman looking for bird species during the Big Sit.

For Deb Hunsberger, the highlight of her time closely watching the scene for birds was the arrival of a small flock of greater white-fronted geese, which she had not seen in a while. She was present to help - being a regular refuge volunteer - and a member of the Friends of DeSoto Refuge board. She normally birds outside, so did miss not seeing any songbirds which might have been identified after being heard among the woods along the banks of the lake-shore.

The 41 species noted this year was comparable to the two previous Big Sits, when the watchers made their observations from a boardwalk on the east side of the nature center, and outside.

During the morning, when the majestic Bald Eagle was seen winging southward over the oxbox lake, Jim Hartman noted that a pair have raised a brood - just off to the east on the refuge - since 2000. Next season, the refuge will install a web-cam at the nest, so live views of the breeding activity can be sent back to the nature center. This will help with environmental education efforts, he said, and allow visitors to get a close-up view of the birds' breeding activities.

DeSoto refuge is "happy to participate in this important research effort," said Hartman, a biologist at the refuge. "DeSoto NWR was established as a refuge for migratory waterfowl. So birding is a natural fit on our refuge. The date of The Big Sit falls in National Wildlife Refuge week. We were looking for activities to do during that week and found this one."

The moniker "Desoto's Gooseless Wonders" refers to the dramatic change which has occurred at the refuge, which was formerly a haven for tens of thousands of snow geese during autumn migrations. Snow geese which formerly occurred, now migrate further west, Hartman said, noting that people still call and ask when the geese will be present.

The Big Sit is always held on the second Sunday of October. DeSoto NWR has participated for three years, and plans to be involved next year as well, Hartman said. About 10-12 people have participated each year.

There were 194 registered circles for the Big Sit this year, with eight located outside the U.S.A.

Species noted during the Big Sits done at the refuge.
The 1 is used to represent that the species was observed, and does not have anything to do with the number present, which is not recorded.

Common Name	Oct 2007	Oct 2008	Oct 2009
Greater White-fronted Goose	-	-	1
Snow Goose	-	-	1
Canada Goose	1	1	1
Wood Duck	1	1	1
Mallard	1	1	1
Blue-winged Teal	-	1	1
Northern Shoveler	-	-	1
Northern Pintail	-	1	1
Green-winged Teal	1	1	1
Common Goldeneye	-	-	1
Common Merganser	1	1	1
Ring-necked Pheasant	1	1	1
Wild Turkey	1	1	1
Northern Bobwhite	1	-	-
Pied-billed Grebe	-	-	1
American White Pelican	1	1	1
Double-crested Cormorant	1	1	1
Great Blue Heron	1	1	1
Great Egret	1	1	1
Turkey Vulture	1	-	1
Osprey	1	1	-
Bald Eagle	1	1	1
Northern Harrier	1	-	1
Broad-winged Hawk	-	1	-
Red-tailed Hawk	1	1	1
Prairie Falcon	-	-	1
Killdeer	-	1	1
Ring-billed Gull	-	-	1
Rock Pigeon	1	1	-
Eurasian Collared-Dove	-	1	-
Mourning Dove	1	-	-
Great Horned Owl	-	-	1
Barred Owl	1	-	-
Belted Kingfisher	1	-	1
Red-bellied Woodpecker	1	-	1
Northern Flicker	1	1	1
Acadian Flycatcher	1	-	-
Eastern Phoebe	1	-	-
Blue Jay	1	1	1
American Crow	1	1	1
Tree Swallow	1	-	1
Bank Swallow	-	1	-
Cliff Swallow	-	-	1
Barn Swallow	1	1	1
Black-capped Chickadee	1	-	-
Eastern Bluebird	-	-	1
American Robin	1	-	1
European Starling	1	1	1
Northern Cardinal	1	-	1
Common Grackle	1	-	1
American Goldfinch	-	-	1
House Sparrow	-	-	1