2024 Field Trip Recaps

2024 Field Trip Recaps

We encourage you to share your experience with others. Add your photos to the trip list within eBird, share them on social media, and invite your friends to an upcoming trip. If you attended a trip in the past and wish the eBird checklist shared with you, please send an email request to Burroughs Audubon.

12/21/24 – Eight birders joined for a walk along Rocky Point Glade at Swope Park on Saturday, December 21st. Exciting species included eight Golden-crowned Kinglets, sixteen Cedar Waxwings, four Pileated Woodpeckers and a Sharp-shinned Hawk.

12/14/24 – Three brave birders faced the rainy morning for a two-hour birding walk at the Trailside Center off 99th and Holmes. We saw 18 species, with highlights including two Brown Creepers, one Ruby-Crowned Kinglet, and five Golden-Crowned Kinglets. There were many White-Throated Sparrows as well, and we picked up the chattery call of at least two Belted Kingfishers.

12/8/24 – 18 birders met in Olathe, and carpooled for an entire day around Osage, Lyon, and Coffey Counties.  It was a cold and overcast start to the day, but the group still managed to record an impressive 72 species!  A nice variety of waterfowl, gulls, sparrows, and winter raptors were seen, including Lapland and Smith’s Longspurs.

12/3/24 – Four birders walked through parts of the Arboretum on a cold, but calm morning. Highlights included a couple of silent Pileated Woodpeckers and a vocal Brown Creeper.

11/24/24 – Twenty-five eager birders joined for this 2.5 hour walk of the Forest Hill Cemetery. We saw 17 species! Our highlights included our first sighted bird, an American Kestrel, perched for a long while on an evergreen near Buck O’Neil’s gravesite. Other memorable birds included a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Red-Headed Woodpecker and Red-Shouldered Hawk! We also took a tour of Champion Trees on this 160-acre property, and visited both Satchel Paige’s gravesite as well as Kate Spade’s.

11/5/24 – Twenty birders enjoyed a mostly cloudy but mild fall morning walk at the Arboretum. Highlights included an adult Bald Eagle, a male and female pair of Golden-crowned Kinglets, a large flock of foraging Cedar Waxwings, male and female Purple Finches, and a Fox Sparrow.

10/25/24 – Fifteen birders enjoyed a picturesque autumn morning at Weston Bend State Park.  The fall foliage was breathtaking along the trail, and the birds were good as well.  Highlights included several excellent views of adult & juvenile Red-headed Woodpeckers caching food away for the upcoming winter,  active Golden-crowned Kinglets that would constantly elude the photographers, a Bald Eagle flyover, and great views of Cedar Waxwings munching on wild grapes.  Unfortunately the group was never able to get a visual on the elusive Pileated Woodpecker.  Maybe next time!

10/19/24 – Fifteen individuals met up below Clinton Lake Dam (Douglas County) early this morning in search of fall sparrows and southbound migrants for a Burroughs Audubon Field Trip. We had lots of Savannah, Swamp, and Song Sparrows out in the field to the east of the parking area. A lingering Dickcissel, a flyover Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, a long line of gulls at first light, and a couple of LeConte’s Sparrows were among the other species observed trudging through the grass.  Also, an extremely cooperative Sprague’s Pipit was observed by many!

10/16/24 – Seven people braved the coldest morning of the season to help with the 13th annual fall census for KC Wildlands. Turned out to be a beautiful, sunny fall morning. One of the first species seen was a couple of LeConte’s Sparrows. Everyone got extended looks at both. Eight other sparrow species were seen: Chipping, Fox, White-crowned, White-throated, Harris’s, Savannah, Song and Lincoln’s. We also enjoyed a flyover of estimated 110 Double-crested Cormorants. A non-bird highlight was an adult and 2 young Bobcats.

10/14/24 – Ten birders scanned Clinton & Perry Lakes, as well as the surrounding areas.  They tallied 37 species, including an impressive estimated 113,000 migrating Franklin’s Gulls!  Click the link to see what else they saw!

10/2/24 – Thirty-one birders enjoyed a beautiful late-morning walk around Meadowbrook Park after Ann’s Prothonotary Warbler presentation. Well conceived streamside shelterbelts of grasses, forbs and scattered mature trees provided habitat for a couple dozen Mourning Doves and should prove fruitful this winter when looking for sparrows.

10/1/24 – Thirteen birders enjoyed a beautiful early fall morning at the Arboretum. Highlights included Pileated Woodpecker and several female/immature Indigo Buntings.

9/27/24 – It was a great morning for a Burroughs bird walk at the Unity Village trail! Seven birders tallied 37 species, including excellent looks at southbound migrants such as Scarlet Tanager, Nashville Warbler, American Redstart, Northern Parula, and many others! We also heard a Belted Kingfisher rattling down the creek several times.

9/15/24 – Nine folks enjoyed a beautiful late summer morning at Kaw Point Park in Kansas City, KS, an area with a rich history where the Kansas River joins the Missouri. Highlights included three raptors, with multiple views of a young Broad-winged Hawk.

9/3/24 – After Johnson County Extension Master Naturalist, Beth Welsh, presented Backyard Birding for Beginners, 25 participants and two leaders took a short bird walk around the Meadowbrook Clubhouse grounds to practice their birding skills. Highlights included two raptor species and a shorebird.

6/15/24 – Four birders helped conduct the Blue River Parkway breeding bird census. Most of the normal cast was noted except for Eastern Phoebe, and Pileated and Hairy Woodpeckers, but there’s no cause for concern as these species are certainly nearby, but quiet. Viewing treats included great looks at a Broad-winged Hawk and several minutes observing a foraging Yellow-crowned Night Heron, a crayfish specialist which we observed catch at least two of the crustaceans.

6/12/24 – Six birders, including two young birders, showed up for the census which started at 7 am. A highlight was getting 2 Blue Grosbeaks right off the bat. Another highlight was close looks at a singing male Common Yellowthroat. The group tallied 33 species and enjoyed seeing a variety of butterflies and native wildflowers.

6/8/24 – Ten individuals gathered for a beginning birder walk and overview of AOK Nature AdventurePacks at Basehor Library and walk around the city park.

6/1/24 – Sixty-two individuals took advantage of beginning bird walks as part of Johnson County Library Adventure Day. A partial list of birds seen is included here.

5/28/24 – Twenty-nine individuals gathered for a beginning birder walk and overview of AOK Nature AdventurePacks at Meadowbrook Park in Prairie Village and enjoyed summer resident species.

5/25/24 – 5/27/24 – Nine individuals explored northern Minnesota and Sax-Zim Bog area. Many lifers and great looks at breeding warblers were present as well as good looks of Great Gray Owl and Black-backed Woodpecker.

5/15/24 – It was a big group of 17 this morning and 52 species seen by them, including lifers for some folks! Highlights were watching a Barred Owl fly through the forest, lifer western kingbird for a young birder, and fun looks at Blackpoll and Chestnut-sided Warblers.

5/11/24 – Twenty-six individuals gathered for a beginning birder walk and overview of AOK Nature AdventurePacks at Olathe Indian Creek Library in Johnson County. They split into multiple smaller groups, with additional reports here and here.

5/10/24 – Twelve birders gathered to walk Blue River Parkway for the spring migration census for KC Wildlands. The group found a nice variety of migrant passerines in addition to year round residents.

5/7/24 – Nine intrepid birders, including two young birders, braved mud and wet conditions to conduct the census at Jerry Smith Park. 55 species were tallied and highlights included good looks at Blue-headed and White-eyed Vireos, Yellow- breasted Chats, Eastern Towhee, Clay-colored and Lincoln’s Sparrows, a pair of American Redstarts and flyovers by Franklin Gulls and Double-crested Cormorants.

5/6/24 – A group of ten individuals enjoyed a nice selection of north bound migrants at Burr Oak Woods.

5/4/24 – Ten individuals met for a an overview of AOK Nature AdventurePacks at Osawatomie Library in Miami County and then went on a beginning bird walk along the Flint Hills Nature trail.

5/1/24 – Ten individuals gathered at Antioch Park for early migration action. Observing nature in its honesty wasn’t planned for the trip but happened this morning among the double digit warbler highlights.

4/27/24 – Thirteen individuals gathered for a beginning birder walk and overview of AOK Nature AdventurePacks at Paola Library in Miami County.

4/27/24 – Sixteen individuals gathered for a beginning birder walk and overview of AOK Nature AdventurePacks at Louisburg Library in Miami County.

4/24/24 – Twenty individuals walked the multi-use paved trails of Tomahawk Creek Parkway and enjoyed singing warblers, vireos, and other first of year spring arrivals.

4/21/24 – Six individuals walked the paved trail between Wilderness Wetlands and the Blue River. A decent variety of shorebirds, waterfowl, sparrows, and early migrants were present.

4/20/24 – Thirty individuals gathered for a beginning birder walk and overview of AOK Nature AdventurePacks at Schlagle Library in Wyandotte County. Nest building by Blue-gray gnatcatchers was among the many highlights!

4/10/24 – Sixteen individuals walked the multi-use paved trails of Tomahawk Creek Parkway, finding a few early migrants among the sparrows and year-round residents. Fledgling Great Horned Owls were the without a doubt the favorite bird of the group.

3/13/24 – Despite a tornado watch and the program actually being canceled 7 people showed up. Again the program proceeded until lightning moved in when the wood- cocks started flying. Everyone got good looks at at least one before everyone headed safely to their cars.

3/12/24 – 22 people attended, including a couple of children (few in the group had actually seen a a woodcock). With a background of lightning off to the east the program proceeded and wood- cocks started to peent. Just as soon as the first one was flying overhead with everyone excited about great looks there was a flash of lightning above him. We immediately headed for cars and everyone got safely on their way home.

3/6/24 – 22 people attended. After a 20- discussion about woodcocks, 4 were observed doing their Sky Dance. Viewing was difficult, but about all were able to hear the 3 parts of the display.

3/05/2024 – Thirteen people enjoyed an unwinter-like day at the Overland Park Arboretum and Botanical Gardens. Even though mixed-species flocks were still in characteristic winter foraging mode, nesting season was on the minds of some year-round residents. Highlights included two Carolina Wrens shopping for real estate amongst a limestone outcrop, a pair of courting White-breasted Nuthatches, and a very vocal pair of Red-shouldered Hawks. In addition, a Barred Owl and Pileated Woodpecker called from the woods, and a Belted Kingfisher called as it flew along the creek, but never appeared.

2/10/2024 – Six birders joined Don Arney on this winter census of the Blue River Parkway (Minor Park section), including Jonny Montgomery, a visitor to KC from Colorado. Jonny took some lovely photos which are embedded in the eBird list. Highlights included a couple of Pileated Woodpeckers occupied with courting and nest building and a furtive Fox Sparrow.

2/06/2024 – Twenty people enjoyed an early spring-like day in February at the Overland Park Arboretum and Botanical Gardens! Mixed-species flocks in characteristic winter foraging mode were widely scattered, but more numerous and easily seen around the Arboretum’s feeding stations. Highlights there included Fox Sparrow and Oregon Junco (see wonderful photos by Betty Lou Peckham in eBird list).

1/30/2024 – It took 3 tries, but thanks to 6 hearty people it was completed on January 30th. The morning started clear and crisp, but warmed up nicely. 22 species were tallied with highlights being great looks at a Red-shouldered Hawk soaring in slow circles overheard and a pair of Red-tailed Hawks sitting at a nest. The latter found by one of the participants.

1/21/24 – Seven individuals met on a cold morning with the focus on finding a Tundra Swan.  Among the nearly 300 on Wyandotte County Lake we found a handful.

1/2/2024 – Eight individuals walked the paved and wood-chipped trails of Overland Park Arboretum to kick of 2024 with over thirty species and good looks at all of the seven expected woodpecker species of the Kansas City Area.