[TN-Bird] Brown Pelicans, two places in TN
- From: Scott Somershoe <Scott.Somershoe@xxxxxx>
- To: TN-Birds <tn-bird@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Thu, 24 May 2012 01:33:51 +0000
As a follow up to Tommie Rogers post about a reported Brown Pelican on
Chickamauga Lake on Saturday, May 19th, I coincidentally received photos of the
bird from a user of the Tennessee's Watchable Wildlife web page. The person
had photos of the bird and wanted to make sure of the identification. I
subsequently got detailed info on the location. The bird was seen about 2
miles north of the Sequoyah Nuclear Plant, in Hamilton Co. on Saturday, May 19.
The bird is an adult in breeding plumage. I was on the lake in that vicinity
today (by coincidence) and did not see any pelicans.
I also just got an email with nice photos of an adult breeding plumage Brown
Pelican from Defeated Creek, in Carthage, Smith Co. I do not yet know what
date, but have inquired. I suspect it was within the last few days.
These records represent the 11th and 12th state records. Very odd for spring
birds, in adult breeding plumage, and not associated with any strong storms
coming through the state. We last had brown pelicans in spring 2009 (3
different birds) also not associated with storms. Maybe their occurrences
aren't associated with storms!
As I always say, birds have wings and fly. You just never know what you'll find
nor where you'll find it.
Good birds!
Scott Somershoe
State Ornithologist
Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
P.O. Box 40747
Nashville, TN 37204
615-781-6653 (office)
615-781-6654 (fax)
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