Began the day today at Cross Creeks NWR in Stewart County. Wader numbers
have remained high, but slightly less diversity in the shorebirds and
waders. 197 Great Egrets, 78 Great Blue Herons, and 12 Little Blue Herons
along with Least, Semipalmated, and Pectoral Sandpipers as well as a pair
of Semipalmated Plovers. Perhaps this has to do with the flats being less
"fresh". Next, went to check the shorebird habitat at Barkley WMA, and
ended up primarily looking for passerines as the remaining habitat is
almost dry with only a single Spotted and Least Sandpiper along with
Killdeer. The mixed flocks have begun to be a bit more diverse as passerine
migration kicks off and highlights include one Cerulean Warbler at the more
densely wooded area at the back, FOS Chestnut-sided Warbler, and FOS Alder
Flycatcher which surprised me when it gave a "pip" call as I was expecting
Willow. The other noteworthy bird was a FOS Sora flushed from a moist
grass/sedge mix as I was walking to the shorebird habitat. Finally after
taking a wrong turn to Bear Creek Waterfowl Refuge, I spotted a NEOTROPIC
CORMORANT resting on a rock right off the levee between the Gatlin Point
Campground and boat ramp in Land Between the Lakes. The bird seemed fairly
tame and comfortable allowing for excellent looks from the road and may be
chaseable.
Daniel Redwine
Dickson County, TN
