[TN-Bird] FW: Robertson County/Loggerhead/Red-headed Woodpeckers Galore/and more

From: Duane Rice <drbirdsong4@xxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <tn-bird@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Thu, 22 Oct 2009 22:20:43 -0500

Oct.20th,2009
8am-12noon
Weather: perfect
Tony Lance and I met in Pleasant View, had a cup, then we headed out to Cedar
Hill Swamp Wildlife Management Area.
Not exactly an easy place to find without a guide(thanks Tony), but well worth
the trek.
Fortunately, Tony had explored the area extensively, discovering the swamp
isn't where it used to be, as the signs indicate.
After a short hike through a field and woods,and a slight detour,we came to the
Cedar Hill Swamp.
How this beautiful place has gone unnoticed by birders is not surprising, but
it's a travesty that it sin't more accessable and well known.
If you want to see Red-headed woodpeckers in numbers like you have never seen
before, this is THE place.
Perhaps, as an indicator of a rough winter ahead, the woodpeckers are on a
mission.
We observed them constantly flying back and forth, gathering acorns from the
oak trees,on one side of the railroad tracks, to stash them in the snags, on
the other side of the tracks. This went on, the entire time we were there.
Flickers,Pileated, Red-bellied and Downys were also in attendance.

Nonetheless, as Tony said, something needs to be done, to bring this special
place to the attention of the powers that be, who can make it more accessable
and maintain it, for others to enjoy.
The old entrance doesn't make it an easy place to reach. It would be better, if
a new entrance was made on the northeast side of the swamp.

From there, we went looking for the Loggerhead Shrike, Tony had spotted over
the weekend, on Carter Rd.
We were in luck! The shrike was still in the same area. It's no surprize, given
the habitat is perfect for shrikes. Lots of Osage Orange, Black Locust Trees,
fence rows that aren't overmaintained, and dairy cows.
This was the first time I've ever been able to get a really good look at a
Loggerhead Shrike, as well as observe it's rapid wing beat in flight. It made
my day.

Our drive through the Robertson County countryside also yeilded mant other
species.
They are listed below:
Eastern Bluebird
Eastern Phoebe
Eastern Towhee
Eastern Meadowlark
Red-tailed Hawk
Red-shouldered Hawk
American Kestrel
Belted Kingfisher
Palm Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Red-winged Blackbird
Great Blue Heron
Field Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Winter Wren
Killdeer
Turkey Vulture
Black Vulture
Rough-winged Swallow
Common Grackle
Indigo Bunting
American Robin
Carolina Chickadee
Carolina Wren
Tufted Titmouse
Blue Jay
Wild Turkey
Mourning Dove
Brown-headed Cowbird
and perhaps a few that escape my memory.
Thanks again Tony,

Duane Rice
Pleasant View,Tennessee

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[TN-Bird] FW: Robertson County/Loggerhead/Red-headed Woodpeckers Galore/and more

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