Travel

Today, pictures from valued commenter Albatrossity.

More images of the critters found in the Flint Hills of Kansas.

Taken on 2016-05-07 00:00:00

Flint Hills of Kansas

Upland Sandpipers are one of those counter-intuitive shorebirds that are found on grasslands (like Long-billed Curlew in North America or Greater Sandplover in Asia). They also have one of the longest migrations of any bird, flying from the North American grasslands to the pampas of Argentina and back on an annual basis. Their cheerful wolf-whistle calls are a sure sign of spring here.

Taken on 2018-07-27 00:00:00

Flint Hills of Kansas

Common Nighthawks were formerly indeed common, but are now declining across much of North America. They are a common breeding bird in the Flint Hills still, but even here there are signs of decreasing populations, perhaps due to the precipitous decline in populations of flying insects.

Taken on 2018-08-16 00:00:00

Flint Hills of Kansas

Blue Grosbeaks are a surprisingly unobtrusive bird, despite their colorful plumage, but can usually be located by listening for their song. They are not a strictly grassland-dependent species, but are found in the edges (ecotone) between shrubs/small trees and grass.

Taken on 2018-05-08 00:00:00

Flint Hills of Kansas

One of the birds whose return I look forward to every year is the Orchard Oriole. Smaller and less flashy than our Baltimore Orioles, they also are a bird of the edges, frequenting shrubby patches in the grasslands. It is a good day if you can get out out in the open and admire it.

Taken on 2017-08-08 00:00:00

Flint Hills of Kansas

This is one of the most mysterious birds in North America, the Sedge Wren. These birds travel through the Flint Hills in the spring, heading north to short-grass meadows and sedge marshes in the upper midwest, the Dakotas, and Canada’s prairie provinces. They head south in late July and spend August and September in the Flint Hills, building nests and singing lustily from tallgrass or sedges along the streamsides. They apparently do not breed here, despite all that effort, and in October they disappear. This one is perched on an Ironweed, a very common flowering plant here in July and August.

Thank you so much Albatrossity, do send us more when you can.

Travel safely everybody, and do share some stories in the comments, even if you’re joining the conversation late. Many folks confide that they go back and read old threads, one reason these are available on the Quick Links menu.