by Edge Wade

One person (Kim Kraus) from CAS joined me for the well-advertised field trip to the 28th annual Swan Lake Big Sit hosted by Grand River Audubon Society. Emma Buckingham and fiance Bruce drove themselves and arrived in time for lunch.  Brenda Morris came from Jefferson City.

The weather was great–clear, and a bit warm, but comfortable.  More than 60 species were seen by the Grand River Audubon Society participants who arrived before dawn and stayed well beyond the time we left at about 2 p.m.

The checklist is on eBird.

The potluck lunch was centered on the brats prepared by Terry McNeely and supplemented with a good variety of dishes brought by other participants.

I am saddened that what in former years was an annual CAS field trip that drew two or three carloads for a special day of birding and meeting people from around the state was largely ignored.  Yes, Boone County offers great birding, but there is so much beyond to be explored and shared.

Gone, apparently, are the days when adventuresome Columbia area birders routinely participated in CAS field trips that went to places like Swan Lake NWR, Thomas Hill CA, Binder Lake, Hi Lonesome CA, Riverlands, and Tower Grove Park.

CAS birders are missing out on seeing some special birds, becoming familiar with sites beyond Boone Co. and how to bird them, and sharing the joys of birding and getting to know like-minded people from other parts of Missouri.