[TN-Bird] KY Lake area 9/16/05

From: <birder1@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <tn-bird@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Fri, 16 Sep 2005 21:26:56 -0500

9/16/05
KY Lake areas of Benton and Henry Co.

A day spent working various spots on KY Lake produced some nice birds, but not many real surprises. KY Lake now has some good flats, though not yet to the extent that some of the areas are at their best. The only spot with a diversity of birds though was the flats at the mouth of the Big Sandy River. These can be seen from Manor Rd, but by far the best looks will be had by walking in on the levee just west of the town of Big Sandy.

I started the day at the Danville Levee in Benton Co. (old bridge crossing, shows on the DeLorme as opposite '147'). I had hoped with the bad weather of late, I might catch some birds here. Not much going on, but I did get my only real surprise of the day. The 1st, and only, warbler to come into my pishing at this spot was a 1st-fall female CAPE MAY, my 1st in west TN in the fall. I had missed this bird this spring, and written it off the for the year. Other Warblers on the day were Northern Parula, Chestnut-sided, Magnolia, Pine, Black & White, and Common Yellowthroat (haven't seen a TN yet this fall?) . Vireos were well-represented, with White-eyed being about the most common passerine on the day. Yellow-throated's were still singing several places, and a very bright PHILADELPHIA was a treat.

While on my way to Pace Point, a quick stop at the Lick Creek flats produced nothing more than several Little Blue Herons and Killdeer. A couple of stops on the way into Pace Point, along the refuge road, produced a nice YELLOW-BELLIED FLYCATCHER, as well as a Traill's type. A couple of feeding flocks in the woods produced most of the warblers mentioned above, as well as multiples of both Summer and Scarlet Tanager, and a couple of Swainson's Thrushes.

Pace Point itself was totally devoid of shorebirds, even Killdeer. However, the expected mass of gulls were there, including a dozen or so Caspian Terns, and on my 2nd scan through, an adult-type LAUGHING GULL. This bird was facing straight-on to me, I finally noticed the dark legs on my 2nd pass. This is a great spot for Laughers this time of year. Barry Hart of TVA had seen a Laugher here earlier this week, so I figured it would probably be around.

After leaving Pace Point, I decided to walk in on the levee to view the flats at the mouth of the Big Sandy. This mile and a half or so walk puts you right on top of most of the flats, and you can view some pools not visible from our normal vantage point at Manor Rd. This can also be a good walk for passerines, this is where my Philly Vireo was. Shorebirds were low in number, but a decent diversity. Among the Killdeer, Pectoral's, Least, and Lesser Yellowlegs were 4 Stilt Sandpipers, and singles of Solitary, Western and RUDDY TURNSTONE. I also picked up my 1st Pintail and Gadwall of the season here. I made a quick stop by Manor Rd after leaving Big Sandy, and was rewarded with two AMERICAN AVOCETS feeding in the northwest corner of flats. I'm not sure if I couldn't see them from the levee, or they dropped in after I left. I've had Avocets here three times now over the last couple of years.

Britton Ford wasn't very exciting, as the lake isn't low enough for any flats to be exposed there yet. The flats at Eagle Creek are totally grassy now, and though it looked good for a Baird's or Buff-breasted, all I could come up with were 2 Lesser Yellowlegs, 3 Semipalmated Plovers, and Killdeer. Unusually, there were no gulls or terns in the area.

My last area was Paris Landing, specifically the island just south of the bridge. The island was packed full of gulls and Caspian Terns. I could easily have missed a bird in the mass, but among the Ring-bills and Herrings were a gorgeous adult LESSER BLACK-BACKED and 3 LAUGHING GULLS. The Lesser Black-backed wasn't showing any basic head or nape streaking yet, and the yellow of its bill was practically neon. This is about the time they've shown up the last few years, though this pushes my early arrival date for Lesser Black-back up about a week. Franklin's should start showing up anytime now. The make-up on the island has really changed over the last couple of weeks. Herring's are in big time now, and the 1st young Ring-bills are showing up.

If anyone is interested, I've posted some shots of the Laugher on Pace Point, the Avocets, and the Lesser Black-backed Gull. They are all distant, so if you're wanting to see some pretty shots, don't waste your time:')! The shots are in the following gallery: http://www.pbase.com/mctodd/temp_2005 .

Good Birding!!

Mike Todd
McKenzie, TN
birder1@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
www.pbase.com/mctodd

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[TN-Bird] KY Lake area 9/16/05

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