[TN-Bird] Arctic Terns/ Reelfoot Lake
- From: OLCOOT1@xxxxxxx
- To: tn-bird@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Sun, 15 Jun 2003 22:27:06 EDT
June 14, 15, 2003
Reelfoot Lake
Lake Co. TN
There were at least 5 species of terns seen in the Reelfoot area over the
weekend. The Mississippi River is on a fast rise again and all the terns were
seen away from the river. Two birds were seen on Reelfoot Lake that passed all
the tests that I know of for Arctic Terns. I first found them out from Champy
Pocket late Saturday but needed better looks to be certain. I was able to track
down Glen Criswell and we located them at a distance from Keystone and went to
Bo's Landing to get closer. Glen once walked up to within 10 - feet of an
Arctic Tern resting on Island 13 a few years back.
From Bo's Landing, we were able to compare them directly with a Common Tern,
as they eventually were seen sitting together on a log. The conditions were
perfect even though they were again pretty far away. The details were seen
using
my 85 mm Zeiss and Questar. With direct comparison the two exhibited details
expected of Arctic. Sunday morning, I was able to get much closer looks at the
birds in flight from two locations. The closest was from Keystone and they
were the best views with the lighting being almost perfect. I will give full
details of the sighting later but wanted anyone that can get to open water to
be
on the lookout for these birds.
This is a little late but still a good time for these to pass through. I
found the first for Mississippi on May 31, 1997. That year these birds were
seen
after that date all across the eastern US and Texas north for many first state
records including I believe Texas. Maybe this is another banner year.
With direct comparison to the Common (they sat within inches of each other,
at one time one of the Arctic fenced with the Common during a brief
altercation), we noted the size difference in body, head and legs plus long
extension of
tail. The very contrasty white at the cheek was entirely different from the
larger cheek patch on the Common that extended down onto the upper breast. In
flight the even, pale gray upper wing and thin black trailing edge to the
underwing was seen. I was not fully confident of the ID until the Sunday
morning
viewing around 11AM. I could not relocate the birds again at 1PM.
I just got in from the long drive and will post details of the observation
when I get Criswell's written description to be sure of his account. I feel
like
we were not close enough on Saturday for a conclusive ID but with the details
we saw then and the later views, I could confidently rule out Forster's and
Common.
Even without this chase there was a lot of great adventures this weekend, but
they will have to wait till tomorrow.
Good Birding!!!
Jeff R. Wilson
OL' COOT / TLBA
Bartlett Tenn.
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