[TN-Bird] Duck River NWR: Tricolored Heron, Upland Sandpiper
- From: Shawna Ellis <yodergoat@xxxxxxxxx>
- To: Tn Bird List <tn-bird@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Sat, 11 Aug 2012 12:55:28 -0500
**TOS Fall Meeting and Symposium -- Oct 12-14, 2012**
Duck River unit of TN National Wildlife Refuge
New Johnsonville, TN
Humphreys County
8-11-12
6:00-9:00 am
We had a rare chance to do some very early birding this morning at the
Duck River unit of the TN National Wildlife Refuge. We were hoping to
see the immature Tricolored Herons which had been reported, as well as
to see what shorebirds were in.
We arrived at Pool 1 and the pumphouse area shortly after dawn. The
stump fields out on the shallow lake were speckled thickly with so
many egrets and herons that it was really breathtaking in the soft
light. Yet these great numbers made our search for the Tricolored
Herons seem daunting. While scoping across the first area, we found
the lone Sandhill Crane actively feeding on a grassy bank. We had seen
this particular crane in a brief fly-by last week (our first time to
see the "resident" crane), so it was nice to be able to observe it as
it hunted.
Eventually we moved on down the levee and spotted one of the immature
Tricolored Herons rather near the edge of the water. The bird was
running about, feeding in a very active manner and was quite
conspicuous. It was this feeding motion which caught my eye. We
watched it for some time, but did not see the other Tricolored. We had
fantastic views of this bird and were able to look as long as we
liked.
This was a bird we needed for our TN list. Many thanks to Ruben Stoll
who initially reported them and the others who gave updates. We saw
the heron after a couple of bends along the levee, near the area where
the willows end and there is a clear view of the water and mud
flats/grass. Our little daughter made an arrow out of rocks on the
road to show the location to those who might come later!
There were quite a few shorebirds on the exposed mud, but we saw
nothing unusual here and the light was becoming a bit of a problem as
we were looking toward the sun. A pair of Osprey gave us nice views,
as well as a Green Heron at close range.
We were a bit pressed for time, as my husband was due to go in to work
in McKenzie at 10, so we left the pumphouse and headed for the main
refuge area to see what could be found there. The Sedge Wrens which
have been singing along the Blue Goose Boulevard wildlife drive were
still present, although we heard fewer today than we did several days
ago, which had actually been our first time to see Sedge Wrens. But,
although we had only gotten fleeting furtive glimpses of the wrens
before, today a very cooperative bird perched atop a tall stem and
sang in full view for great looks.
An unexpected thrill as we were beginning to head out of the refuge
was an Upland Sandpiper working along the dry roadside next to the
field adjacent to the eagle's nest. The bird was in shockingly clear
view and at unbelievably close range right next to our vehicle for a
few moments, then it flew and landed in the road ahead. It began
chasing about and feeding in the road, then once more went to the
roadside. This time, as we approached it, it flew out over a corn
field and disappeared. When I say that the bird had been close to the
car, I mean that it was so close to us that I had to lean way over to
look out my husband's (the driver's) window just to see it. Wow! A
life bird for us, and such a great look.
Time was pressing and we left to take my husband to work. But it was a
great morning of birding!
Shawna Ellis
Paris, Henry County TN
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
2012 FALL MEETING AND SYMPOSIUM AT NASHVILLE
October 12-14
The Nashville Chapter of the TOS will host TOS members and all other interested
birders to the Fall Meeting and Symposium on October 12-14, 2012. The host
hotel is the Baymont Inn, 111 Penn Warren Drive, Brentwood, TN 37027. call
1-615-376-4666 to make a reservation. For more details:
http://www.tnbirds.org/downloads/warbleraug12.pdf
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