Beginning around 8:45 AM from the gazebo at Hiwassee Wildlife Refuge in Meigs
County at Birchwood, I was surprised to see six species of ducks: wood (>20),
American wigeon (1 male), mallard (1 male), blue-winged teal (~7), Northern
shoveler (4), and green-winged teal (1 or 2). Later I saw several more teal at
a great distance on Hiwassee Island from the Cherokee Removal Memorial Park
observation deck. I think they were green-winged, but they were too far away to
be certain. On the Rhea County side of the Tennessee River, I noted over 60
American white pelicans from the CRMP. I also saw one adult bald eagle on
Hiwassee Island and a few osprey from the CRMP. Near the TWRA boat launching
area at Dry Branch on Burdette Road, I saw an immature snow goose. To finish
the morning outing, I heard and saw my first-of-the-year purple martins near
the intersection of Shadden Road and Highway 60.
Charles Murray
Birchwood, TN
