Cowbane Prairie Preserve, July 8, 2025

Three members ventured to Cowbane Prairie Natural Area Preserve on Tuesday, July 8 (Ann Cline, Vic Laubach and Rich Wood). It was a beautiful, warm morning as we strolled past fields of summer wildflowers, hedgerows and wetlands with lots of bird activity for mid-July. We were happy to tally 40 species. Some highlights included a rather noisy Yellow-breasted Chat that challenged a Great-crested Flycatcher, a young Red-tailed Hawk looking for breakfast, and summer songs from a Field Sparrow, Orchard Oriole and Warbling Vireo. A Willow Flycatcher was busy catching insects, while a female Eastern Towhee carried grass for a late-season nest. Above the fields and trees several members of the swallow family (Purple Martin, Barn & Tree) seemed to be starting to gather in preparation for migration. It was a fun morning! –Rich Wood