Late Fall Migration in the Oxbow

Some people think of November as a cold and dreary month but I think late autumn is a beautiful time of year with the subtle hues of the landscape interspersed with brilliant fall colors offering up a stark beauty. Against this backdrop our trip leader, Gary Stegner, an excellent naturalist and veteran birder, will lead this morning visit to the Oxbow to help us find a diverse number of seasonal birds.

When birders and naturalists think of the Oxbow during November, the first thing that usually comes to mind is waterfowl, which peaks in our region during November. The Oxbow offers a great refuge for them and waterfowl will be the primary focus of this trip, but Gary will not ignore the many other species found here at this season. Bald Eagles are now present in the Oxbow area every month of the year, but November is the peak of fall migration for this species, so we may see several on this trip. Other species of hawks may also be seen as well as migrating Sandhill Cranes. Late migrant and winter songbirds should also be abundant and the weedy fields will abound with sparrows of many species. We can expect a diverse number of species as Gary plans to visit several spots in the Oxbow including the East property and maybe a stop at Lost Bridge over the Great Miami River. Join Gary for a beautiful morning visit to the Oxbow.

The Oxbow can be muddy this time of year and November weather can be cold & wet, so prepare accordingly. Feel free to contact Gary if you have any questions. Leader: Gary Stegner, (812) 667-6433, garyandsally@hotmail.com