livingstonbirds.com

I decided to check out a few spots in Oak Grove State Game area on Saturday 2/20/10. My first stop was along Jones Road. I used the parking area just east of the river. The first thing that I heard as I stepped out of my car was a singing SONG SPARROW. The bird was fairly easy to track down by the river itself. I then headed down the trail on the north side of Jones Road that takes off just east of the cemetery across from the parking area. I heard a singing BROWN CREEPER in the first set of pines. In the pine grove north of the power line clearing I found at least one RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH.

I headed to the northern section of Oak Grove next. I parked on Wiggins Road. If you are traveling north on Wiggins Road, the road takes a 90 degree turn to the west, it then takes a 90 degree turn back to the north in about two blocks. The parking area is just after this 90 degree turn back to the north on the right or east side of the road. I then headed down the trail that takes off on the west side of the road, right at the 90 degree turn to the north. If you follow this trail for about 1 mile, you will eventually come to a frozen lake. Scanning the dead snags on the opposite side of the lake, I was able to locate a RED-HEADED WOODPECKER. After crossing the lake to try to unsuccessfully photograph the Red-headed, I heard a PILEATED WOODPECKER calling from the opposite side of the lake. I trekked across the lake to where the Pileated was calling and came across at least 3 more Red-headed Woodpeckers. Eventually I was able to locate a pair of Pileated working the dead trees on the slope. This spot has had Red-headed Woodpeckers for the last couple of years, year round.

I next headed over to Bennett Lake and only saw the birds that were previously posted by Sean. Heading back down Argentine road to the south, I found an adult BALD EAGLE on the west side of Argentine, just south of Hogan. I searched through the manure and only saw HORNED LARKS. I did hear SNOW BUNTINGS flying over head, but was not able to locate the birds either in flight or on the ground.

I was in those same pines just a week ago and was amazed at how quiet it was I was expecting both the creeper and rb nuthatch but came out with absolutly nothing!!