migration

Swamp Sparrow

Swamp Sparrow

At Fair Meadows Sanctuary, the Swamp Sparrow is a common migrant and summer resident. The occasional winter birds that I have seen are invariably found feeding on invertebrates in the shallows of a pond that has year-round open water due to brisk upwelling from underground springs.

Photo by Gary Shackelford

Sparrows in the prairies

Sparrows in the prairies

As summer progresses, the sounds of insects begin to fill the void created by the waning of the calls of our resident birds, but there is still lots of avian activity at Fair Meadows. In late summer I look forward to the arrival of migrating sparrows.

Photo by Gary Shackelford

Nighthawk Meadow

Nighthawk Meadow

Above the swallows and dragonflies, about 100 to 200 feet above the prairie, I observed about 60 birds flapping, gliding, then changing directions suddenly. Their wings were longer and pointed, with white patches—Common Nighthawks!

Photo by Gary Shackelford

Shimmering Swallows

Shimmering Swallows

We have observed six species of swallows at Fair Meadows: three of which nest here (Barn Swallow, Tree Swallow, Purple Martin). Of the other species (Cliff Swallow, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Bank Swallow), we have seen the Bank Swallow only in late summer.

Photo by Gary Shackelford

Red-necked Phalarope

Red-necked Phalarope

Red-necked Phalaropes are the smallest and daintiest of the three phalarope species (Wilson’s and Red Phalaropes), it spends up to 9 months of the year at sea, riding on a raft of dense belly plumage and feeding on tiny planktonic invertebrates.

Photo by Mick Thompson