[TN-Bird] Ensley area 9/13/04
- From: <birder1@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <tn-bird@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Tue, 14 Sep 2004 11:17:51 -0500
9/13/04
Ensley bottoms & TVA Lake
Shelby Co.
I decided to spend the day in Memphis Monday since the Sooty Tern has vacated
east TN and saved me a long drive. I have been looking for a Neotropic
Cormorant in TN for some time now, so that was the impetus for my trip. I never
need much of an excuse to go down to Ensley during shorebird migration though!
I spent probably about 4 hours at TVA Lake yesterday, over several different
times. I never saw the Mottled Duck (though I left at about 5:30, so it could
have come in late like it does sometimes), nor the Neotropic Cormorant. Most of
the day there were 6 Double-crested Cormorants at TVA Lake, at about 1:30 when
I arrived back up there, a 7th bird was sleeping. This bird looked to be the
right color for a Neotrop, but I couldn't get a good feel for it. After a
while it finally awoke and occupied my time for the next hour or so.
It looked to be too large and not quite long-tailed enough for a Neotrop, but
the facial pattern (especially what always looked to be solidly dark lores and
upper mandible, as this is supposed to be a very good indicator) kept me on the
bird. I have limited experience with Neotropic from TX, and this bird didn't
fit the profile that I was expecting of a small, skinny, long-tailed Cormorant.
This bird was smaller than some of the DC's, but as large as some as well, and
did seem to have a longer tail (or me just wanting it to:'). I got some distant
photos of the bird, which I have posted a couple of on my website for anyone
interested. In talking to Jeff he verified that my bird wasn't his bird, which
fit the typical small, long-tailed profile. Interesting yes, Neotropic no! Also
present most of the day at TVA Lake was a Forster's Tern. Later in the day
several more Cormorants arrived, but nothing interesting in the mix.
I spent a few minutes yesterday morning in the woods near-by, with nice
results. A Least Flycatcher was a year-bird, and 7 species of warbler
(Blue-winged, TN, Magnolia, Blackburnian, Black-throated Green,
Black-and-white, and Kentucky) along with both Tanagers.
Most of my day not spent at TVA Lake was spent going through shorebirds at the
Pits, with 14 species counting a Greater Yellowlegs that dropped into TVA Lake
briefly. Raptors were much in evidence, and one of the 1st birds I saw was a
gorgeous adult Peregrine sitting out in one of the turned fields. The
shorebirds were obviously in turmoil with this bird in the area, along with all
of the usual raptors that work the Pits. I did see the Peregrine take a kill to
a nearby tree to enjoy it's meal.
Among the highlights of the shorebirds was finally seeing pretty good numbers
of nice, bright juvenile Pectorals. I only saw 1 Baird's (the same bird in two
spots I think), but got great looks and some decent shots of it, and 2
Buff-breasted's (decent shots as well). The Semi and Western Sands are still
eye-candy, and who can tire of the fiery little juvenile Least.
Great day to be out, and I've got a better feel for wannabe Neotropic
Cormorants as well! I have made a temporary gallery with some shots from
Memphis, including some of the Peregrine, Cormorant, Baird's, Buffie, etc. at:
http://www.pbase.com/mctodd/ensley_91304
Good birding!!
Mike Todd
McKenzie, TN
Carroll Co.
birder1@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
www.pbase.com/mctodd
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