Chirps and Cheeps

On my way home from an appointment this morning, I decided to stop by "the Mounds" at Tillman WMA again.  When I last saw a Grasshopper Sparrow, it was a life list addition with looks long enough to ID it, but too short for my satisfaction.  Plus I really wanted to capture a photo of it.  And so, with my little lightweight chair in tow, I hiked on up to the Mounds, taking care not to step on any nesting sparrows, and found a spot to sit and wait one out.

I heard several of the sparrows in the tall grasses surrounding me - and I had a few nice views of some Savannahs that popped-up every now and then.  I enjoyed the melodious calls of Bobolinks that sporadically interrupted the buzzing of the Savannah and Grasshopper Sparrows - and I puzzled over a couple of Eastern Meadowlarks that gave an unusually "gruff" call.  I had to look their calls up when I got home because I thought my eyes and ears were playing tricks on me.  But no, that rougher "chirp" is indeed, one of their calls!

I got some distant looks at some Grasshopper Sparrows and I even caught a couple of photos of one on one of the gas pipes.  But eventually, a little further away than I had hoped - but still relatively close - one popped up and balanced on a dead twig in the strong wind, swaying but staying long enough for me to study for a short while. He stayed for at least a couple of minutes, during which I grabbed as many photos as I could before he went on his way.  Other than a few more distant "teases", that was all I got - BUT it was a GREAT view this time!

In addition to the Savannah Sparrows, Bobolinks, and Eastern Meadowlarks seen during my short visit, I also saw:  an American Kestrel, an Eastern Kingbird, a Yellow Warbler, and a couple of fly-overs by a Great Blue Heron.

I also heard a song that sounded sweet, like some warbler songs - 3 long notes, then 3 short.  I tried finding it in my bird app after I got home, but no luck.  I wish I had been able to locate the singer!