We haven’t really talked about who hangs out with who at the Bottoms. Right now, with ice on the pond and duck hunters in the marsh, the only flocks are small groups of ducks at a time and gobs of geese and gulls sticking together in this part of the migration. There are a few groups of White-faced Ibis still here, but they won’t stay much longer. That one group of 13 Whooping Cranes was the largest group I have seen in several years. We had about 20 in a group at Quivira one year.
We occasionally see a duck that has resulted from crossbreeding between species. Mallard/Pintail and a few others will produce odd ducks. Mostly, however, each species sticks together, and they all will join forces only if there is frozen or limited water. They cross party lines if there is trouble. In our marsh with so many different species of waterfowl, shore birds and raptors, we see lots of visiting and cohabitating. Cinnamon teal usually stay with blue-winged teal, which are the most numerous of the teal species. Gulls sit almost anywhere and are in close contact with geese and ducks. The cormorants almost always hunt for food in groups. They are very successful predators.
It would be irresponsible to not mention turkeys. I haven’t hunted turkeys for about five years. We had such a huge decline in population, and nobody really understood why. They seem to be recovering. I am thrilled. Our other upland game birds – pheasant, quail, prairie chicken – also gather in flocks or coveys. Everyone knows those guys.
We have all seen the large groups of Turkey Vultures on water towers, grain elevators and trees in town. They live in their own world.
I personally love the big flocks of birds. Watching the huge flocks of black birds ravage the fields and cattails is amazing. The murmuration of the thousands of birds flying in tighter patterns than the Blue Angels is very entertaining. If you happen to be hunting ducks and a flock of black birds comes over it will be almost impossible to recognize a duck in the group. The stunning groups of gulls flying and calling over the Bottoms is a signature experience. The liftoff of thousands of geese to leave and go out to feed will take your breath. I have seen sandhill cranes do the same thing. Yes, you must get up a little bit early and get out there – but there is nothing in the world that compares to that sight and sound. That anticipation makes getting out of bed very easy. Sitting on the edge of the marsh in the cold, clear, quiet morning and watching the sky fill with calling geese magnifies the idea in the song “my heart goes where the wild goose goes” and I promise you there is nothing like that in this world. And it is all in our backyard. What an unbelievable gift!
Go see the birds and restore your soul. It will make your day and life better!
Doc
Doctor Dan Witt is a retired physician and nature enthusiast. He can be reached at danwitt01@gmail.com.
