"What a thousand acres of Silphiums looked like when they tickled the bellies of the buffalo is a question never again to be answered, and perhaps not even asked." -Aldo Leopold
Brown Panopoda Panopoda carneicosta fam. Erebidae (Hodges#8588) Host plant: Found on hickory (Carya sp.) Date found: 09 & 16, Aug, 2025 Location found: BK Leach Conservation Area, Lincoln County, MO; Council Bluff Lake, Iron County, MO Notes: With information I have, there appears to be no easy methods to discern between larvae of Panopoda carneicosta and P. rufimargo (red-lined panopoda). However, there is suppose to be distinct differences in host preferences, with P. carneicosta showing strong preferences for hickory and other members of Juglandaceae, while P. rufimardo reportedly feed on oak and beech (Fagaceae). My identification is based on the host plants on which the cats were found.
Small Necklace Moth Hypsoropha hormos fam. Erebidae (Hodges#8528) Host plant: eastern persimmon (Diospyros virginiana) Date found: 02 & 09, Aug, 2025 Location found: Trail of Tears State Park, Cape Girardeau County & BK Leach Conservation Area, Lincoln County, MO Notes: Both common and specific names (hormos – Greek for ‘a chain’) refer to the necklace-like pattern of dots across the postmedial line of the adult moth.
Hypsoropha hormos found at Trail of Tears State Park on 2-Aug-25
Hypsoropha hormos found at BK Leach C.A. on 9-Aug-25
Walnut Caterpillar Datana integerrima fam. Notodontidae (Hodges#7907) Host plant: Found on white oak (Quercus alba) Date found: 09, Aug, 2025 Location found: BK Leach Conservation Area, Lincoln County, MO Notes: This species hosts on hickories, pecans and walnut. On this date and location I found 16 similarly sized individuals all feasting on the same small hickory tree.
In early October of this year, while hunting for autumn migrating sparrows among the marshy grasslands at BK Leach Conservation Area, I came across this cooperative Merlin. As you can see in the photos, this bird appeared to be having the same poor luck as me at finding sparrows or any passerines whatsoever. I watched it catch and consume four dragonflies in the hour or so I sat watching from my car. They are known to prey on dragonflies and other large insects but birds make up the majority of their diet.
Another thing I found interesting in watching this bird is that it seemed to prefer sitting on the power lines although there were plenty of telephone poles and some dead snags available in the area. One of the things I’ve read about Merlins in some field guides, and have heard from my birding mentors over the years, is that when you see a small falcon perched on a wire it will almost always be a Kestrel. This is the third time I have come across Merlin sitting on wires that I can remember. But, I am sure it is still the case that they prefer more natural perches in general.
There are two subspecies of Merlin that can be found in our area during migration and winter. This bird appears to be a juvenile Taiga/Boreal (ssp. columbarius).
I’ve photographed Sedge Wren on numerous occasions and it never gets old. These guys seemed more numerous than I ever remember in eastern Missouri this year. This past Saturday I spent a few hours at BK Leach and Riverlands Migratory Bird Sanctuary and found more than 40 during my travels, including sure pair territories. I’m glad the grasslands are to their liking this year. No Marsh Wrens, however.
First Snowy Owl of the 2020/2021 season in eastern Missouri.
Although it looks like the next official Snowy Owl “irruption year” is predicted to be in the winter of 2021/2022, eastern Missouri has had its first bird of the season and other states have had a few handfuls of sightings as well. This bird was recently spotted in the area of BK Leach Conservation Area and the town of Elsberry, about a 45 minute drive north of the St. Louis metro area. Sarah and I hopped in the car yesterday afternoon and thought we would give it a try.
It didn’t take long to find the bird – by means of finding the birders who had found it for us. This bird looked healthy and was quite active, hunting from perch to perch. Most of our looks were from pretty great distances but we were fortunate to be able to see it up-close, perched on this utility pole just outside Elsberry in the last light of the day. See below of the bird from far away but on a natural perch.
Snowy Owl from our first vantage point from about 200 yards.
If you chase after this one, be aware of the ‘local flavor’. Sarah and I had a couple run-ins with more than the average passive-aggressive douchebags but I guess it takes one to know one. I was pleased to see several birders younger than me (teenagers, actually) out looking at this one as well. From what I heard, these guys were pretty serious birders.
We then went slightly south to BK Leach C.A. proper, hoping to find some opportunities to view and photograph Short-eared Owls. We found approximately five birds during limited light but they were quite active, fighting amongst themselves and the Northern Harriers. The one photographed below came out from a group of birds carrying its prize.
Short-eared Owl flees with its rodent prey.
Overall it was a nice afternoon on another warmer than average December day.
A Thousand Acres of Silphiums 