(From the ODW's Fort Gibson WMA page): "Fort Gibson WMA is a mixture of upland and
bottomland habitats. Upland areas consist of tall grass prairie mixed with farm fields and brushy thickets. Bottomland areas consist of Crosstimbers oak forest with cottonwood and sycamores in and around Fort Gibson lake."
"Approximately 2,700 acres are planted to row crops, annually. Controlled burns are utilized to manage upland habitats. A 3,500 acre waterfowl refuge, in the Jackson Bay area, is managed for waterfowl with 9 wetland units and numerous fields planted to wheat, sunflower, milo and millet."
The southern portion of the WMA is designated a Waterfowl Refuge, meaning one may not hunt within the boundaries during Waterfowl Season (Sept-Apr). This allows for some great opportunities to see migrating waterfowl who are attracted to the area by the lakeside habitat and the crops planted within the WMA. Several species of dabbling ducks can be viewed on the ponds located throughout the Waterfowl Refuge.
March 8th Excursion
While driving through Wagoner (On Highway 69) I noticed several large flocks of birds flying north. Most of the flocks numbered around 50 or 100, but one large group must have been over 300. Both flocks I was able to identify consisted of mixed-sex groups of Red-Wing Blackbirds. 3 or 4 similar flocks were observed while within the WMA boundaries.
I arrived at Ft. Gibson WMA around 7:20 am. The area I chose to explore is located close to the town of Rocky Point, which lies on the west side of Lake Fort Gibson. The Rocky Point parking lot is in the northern section of the WMA, technically a PHA (Public Hunting Area), on county road US-251D.The area consists of several agricultural fields (see photo above) surrounded by wooded sections.
Numerous male Northern Cardinals could be seen perching conspicuously and singing their "cheer" song. A small group of American Crows could be seen and heard around the main agricultural field south of the parking area. Carolina Chickadees could be heard at various wooded locations, I counted at least 4.
3 species of Woodpeckers were observed, an average count for a 3-4 hour walk. I counted at least 5 Northern Flickers, 4 of which I identified by call. Both the Downy and Hairy woodpeckers were observed foraging for insects within a small grove of trees to the south of the agricultural field.
2 small flocks of 6 Double-Crested Cormorants flew over the agricultural field as I made my way back to my car. No other waterfowl were seen during this outing. Also flying overhead were several small flocks (10-15 birds) of Common Grackle.
The highlight of the trip was being able to watch a female Northern Harrier hunt for prey in a small grassy hill south of the agricultural field. She circled a small grove of trees several times before perching on a snag 45 yards from my location. I later spotted an adult male flying overhead.
For a 4 hour outing I felt I saw enough birds to whet my appetite for the day. The chance to watch the Northern Harriers hunt was particularly rewarding and seeing both sexes was a nice bonus. I was able to snap some pictures of the female harrier but they aren't anything special, just enough for basic identification. Weather-wise it was a great day to bird, the temperature reaching close to 60 by the time I left.
Numerous male Northern Cardinals could be seen perching conspicuously and singing their "cheer" song. A small group of American Crows could be seen and heard around the main agricultural field south of the parking area. Carolina Chickadees could be heard at various wooded locations, I counted at least 4.
3 species of Woodpeckers were observed, an average count for a 3-4 hour walk. I counted at least 5 Northern Flickers, 4 of which I identified by call. Both the Downy and Hairy woodpeckers were observed foraging for insects within a small grove of trees to the south of the agricultural field.
2 small flocks of 6 Double-Crested Cormorants flew over the agricultural field as I made my way back to my car. No other waterfowl were seen during this outing. Also flying overhead were several small flocks (10-15 birds) of Common Grackle.
The highlight of the trip was being able to watch a female Northern Harrier hunt for prey in a small grassy hill south of the agricultural field. She circled a small grove of trees several times before perching on a snag 45 yards from my location. I later spotted an adult male flying overhead.
For a 4 hour outing I felt I saw enough birds to whet my appetite for the day. The chance to watch the Northern Harriers hunt was particularly rewarding and seeing both sexes was a nice bonus. I was able to snap some pictures of the female harrier but they aren't anything special, just enough for basic identification. Weather-wise it was a great day to bird, the temperature reaching close to 60 by the time I left.
Bird Count:
Location: Fort Gibson WMA ("Rocky Point") - Rocky Point, OK
Observation date: 3/8/09 Number of species: 22
Double-crested Cormorant - Phalacrocorax auritus 12
Great Blue Heron - Ardea herodias 1
Turkey Vulture - Cathartes aura 1
Northern Harrier - Circus cyaneus 2
Red-tailed Hawk - Buteo jamaicensis 1
Killdeer - Charadrius vociferus 1
Ring-billed Gull - Larus delawarensis 5
Rock Pigeon - Columba livia 8
Downy Woodpecker - Picoides pubescens 1
Hairy Woodpecker - Picoides villosus 2
Northern Flicker - Colaptes auratus 6
American Crow - Corvus brachyrhynchos 4
Carolina Chickadee - Poecile carolinensis 2
Song Sparrow - Melospiza melodia 4
White-throated Sparrow - Zonotrichia albicollis 3
Harris's Sparrow - Zonotrichia querula 2
White-crowned Sparrow - Zonotrichia leucophrys 2
Dark-eyed Junco - Junco hyemalis 2
Northern Cardinal - Cardinalis cardinalis 4
Red-winged Blackbird - Agelaius phoeniceus 50
Eastern Meadowlark - Sturnella magna 2
Common Grackle - Quiscalus quiscula 9
Photos:
Top: A female Northern Harrier in a tallgrass field at Ft. Gibson WMA.
Bottom: A view of the path leading to the main agricultural field south of parking area.
-SPQ 3/8/2009
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