Birding and Beer!

Saint Louis sits near the confluence of our two greatest rivers, the Missouri and the Mississippi. The rivers drain 40% of the U.S. and provide the "fly way" for 60% of our migrating birds.

This past Sunday I took a leisurely drive to the Audubon Center at Riverlands. In past years, I have observed the coming of Spring with the appearance of red-winged blackbirds. The males usually charge ahead of the females as they migrate, claiming and defending their territories.

However, at River-lands Bird Sanctuary, I saw several flocks of red-winged blackbirds. The public chart kept there by birders in February documented them everyday! This means that our winter was so warm, that the blackbirds did not even migrate South!

I drove through Riverlands along a gravel road which deadended at the State of Missouri Edward 'Ted' and Pat Jones-Confluence Point State Park. This tract of land was donated by businessman and philanthropist, Edward "Ted" Jones and his wife, Pat, to preserve the meeting of the two rivers.

The 1/4 mile path takes you to the exact point where the turbulent Missouri River flows into the more tranquil Mississippi River. In fact, if you stand on the farthest point of the pathway, you can hear the gentle lapping of the Mississippi on your left contrasting with the higher volume gurgle of the Missouri on your right.

Endangered Interior Least Terns frolicked on the sand bars and beaches at the confluence. A few gentle snowflakes pelted my car as I headed back to the Visitors' Center. Inside I observed male and female goldfinches, mourning doves, field sparrows, and a fast moving flying cormorant through the cathedral windows.

A fellow birder with a spotting scope told me that he saw eagles earlier. The "birding log" noted a Trumpeter Swan, seen the day before.

Hungry and thirsty, I headed over the Lewis and Clark Bridge to Alton, IL. This old river city is full of history (abolitionist, Elijah Lovejoy is buried there and there is a Confederate Prison), antique shops, bars and restaurants. I followed the signs to Fast Eddie's Bon Air where I downed a dozen peel 'n eat shrimp (29 cents each), a Fast Eddie Burger (99 cents), and a beer ($2.50).

There is nothing more relaxing on a lazy Sunday afternoon than birding followed by a beer!