I made it! After a day spent sitting in a variety of places (planes, trains and automobiles). I am already having a good time, watching my host, Dave, who is armed with a sling-shot being outwitted by two red squirrels who were stealing seeds and suet from his backyard birdfeeders. I have already seen bird species along the drive from the airport in Kansas City, Missouri to Manhattan, Kansas;
Cackling geese
Canada geese
Mallard
Wild Turkeys (4)
Common loon (1, winter plumage)
Eared grebes (many dozens)
American white pelican (dozens, including several with the nuptial "knob" on beak)
Double-crested cormorant (dozens)
Great blue heron
Turkey vultures (dozens!)
Red-tailed hawks (both the eastern (pale belly) and western (dark belly band) forms)
Rough-legged hawk (1)
American kestrel (2)
American Coots
Ring-billed gull
Rock pigeon
Barred owl (dead, by the road)
American crow
Red-breasted nuthatch
Carolina wren pair
European starling
Dark-eyed (slate-colored) junco
Eastern meadowlark
Red-winged blackbird (huge flocks)
Common grackle
House finch
House (English) sparrow
Everything from finches to herons... that's one seriously birdy place! And it sounds like your birdwatching skills are doing just fine....
Welcome to Kansas!
Did you remember to take your camera?
Have a nice time relaxing and hopefully the broken wing won't cause any major problems
Yay! You made it! Have a great time.
I used to live on Ft. Riley, right next door to Manhattan. It's a beautiful area, I love the prairie, I hope you enjoy your trip!