Steve Gifford, Jim Campbell and I birded the Patoka National Wildlife Refuge in northern Gibson County, Indiana on Tuesday, March 6th. We were in search of water birds that might have come in on the heavy southern winds of the previous 3 nights. We were not disappointed. The species count for the day was 73! That was the second highest March species count in my record books. The only one that was higher was 75 but it was taken on March 31st three years ago. 73 species for an early March day is excellent.
Highlights for the day were the close encounter of the Wilson's Snipe kind (pictured above), hundreds of Pintail Ducks, Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs, Solitary Sandpipers and a very early American Golden Plover. We also were able to view 7 immature Bald Eagles. All-in-all a very productive and enjoyable day with two great birding friends.
Patoka National Wildlife Refuge is a collection of wetlands, fields and lowland river bottoms along the Patoka River in Southwest Indiana. During the winter months it holds thousands of ducks, geese and other water birds. It also is the only nesting area for the Interior Least Tern in the state of Indiana, at it's Cane Ridge unit in western Gibson County. For those of us who love the sight of Pintails, Wigeons, Mallards, Gadwalls, Ruddy Ducks, Wood Ducks and the dozens of other ducks and geese found in the Mississippi Flyway, Patoka National Wildlife Refuge is the place to go in the first 3 months of the year. It never disappoints, and you never know what wandering avian delight might show up or when.
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