There were several notable sightings in Nashville yesterday, and a number
of personal first-of-season species, which I decided to summarize here:
With the weather conditions favorable for storm fallout, I had decided to
check Snow Bunting Peninsula (SBP) early, but that was sidelined by
commitments at home, so when I saw a report from Mike Smith of an adult
FRANKLIN'S GULL, I thought, "well, at least someone is checking." Then
about 8:30am, Pam Lasley reported a pair of MARBLED GODWITS, so I swore and
grabbed my keys.
I reached SBP around 9:20 and eased my way onto the point. I was surprised
that there weren't a million fishermen out there. I noticed Sharon Cardin
(I think) photographing a group of eight CASPIAN TERNS, but then I just as
quickly noticed three adult LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLS and at least two
adult HERRING GULLS standing in the middle of the circle with all the
Ring-billed Gulls! I have personally never seen more than one LBBG at one
time in Nashville, and I've never seen so many adult large white-headed
gulls together here before. It didn't even feel like Nashville. The birds
flushed from a car after about 10 minutes of studying them and flew high in
the air.
They had not been standing on the point, but out in the water there was
another group of immature large gulls, including at least 10 young Herring
Gulls. A young Lesser Black-backed Gull circled the point in the air,
making at least 4 of that species. Shortly thereafter, the Stoll brothers
showed up, fortunately in time to see the adult Black-backed gulls, and not
long after that, I took off around 10:30.
The Godwits were long gone, a lone SPOTTED SANDPIPER being the only
shorebird I saw. Lots of NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED and BARN SWALLOWS, and a few
Tree Swallows
I checked the small pasture at PEELER PARK after that and only had three
SOLITARY SANDPIPERS, but my first of season birds. Then I went home, still
before noon.
In the afternoon, I was able to finish up other chores and head out to the
Bell's Bend area to check the shorebirds at the old sod farm. Paige O'neal
had reported several there, and I wanted to scan them. Mike Smith pulled up
shortly after I got there. There were several GREATER and LESSER
YELLOWLEGS, at least half a dozen PECTORAL SANDPIPERS, and one LEAST
SANDPIPER among more usual suspects (Meadowlarks, etc). My FOS CHIMNEY
SWIFTS were flying around with Barn Swallows and a Purple Martin. Four
first of season EASTERN KINGBIRDS were there. Ken Oeser pulled up with his
dog, and as we were comparing notes on the shorebirds, a SORA began calling
from the pond opposite the sod farm. We tried unsuccessfully to see it, but
no one thought it worth harassing the bird with playback.
Mike wanted to hike back to the pond at Bells Bend for previously reported
birds, so I decided to hike along. Mike and I recently returned from
sharing rooms and a car in Costa Rica for 2 weeks, so it felt a little
weird keeping the mandatory social distancing zone, but I guess it's a new
world now. At Bells, we quickly found a MERLIN flying past and then
perching on a tall tree for great looks. There were also a couple of
singing PRAIRIE WARBLERS and a COMMON YELLOWTHROAT - both of which I missed
because I was yapping and didn't hear them. At the back pond, we had a
First of season CLIFF SWALLOW, a continuing GREATER SCAUP female
(previously reported), and Wood Ducks, a Hooded Merganser female, and some
Blue-winged Teal. We did not find the Little Blue Heron, which may have
left, or may have simply been roosting in a tree and out of sight. On the
hike back, we had a Sharp-shinned Hawk fly over with a full crop.
The sun was setting as we got back to the Nature Center area, and things
were starting to be active again, including a first of season male ORCHARD
ORIOLE, and no fewer than 8 PALM WARBLERS. We also flushed a small covey of
NORTHERN BOBWHITE.
All in all, a nice day, and a nice break from solitude.
Graham Gerdeman
Nashville
