[TN-Bird] Mini-migration
- From: OLCOOT1@xxxxxxx
- To: tn-bird@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Sun, 11 Sep 2005 08:09:32 EDT
Sept. 11, 2005
MS. River Front / Ensley
Shelby Co. TN
The river is falling about 2 foot a day and slowly giving up possession of
recently claimed territory. While sitting there we actually could see areas
slowly emerge late Saturday. In the morning there was nothing moving except a
few Rough-winged Swallows and Chimney Swifts. A few Great Blues and 1 Great
Egret with a scattering of Killdeer were re-occupying the sandbars. The
afternoon was but a little better.
At the pits, I ran into Gail King and we were joined by Mike Todd. The Least
Sandpipers rule, by overpowering numbers, and just a few Pectoral,
Semipalmated and Western Sandpipers could be found in the mix. A single
Semipalmated
Plover was located but on our second trip around, a small mini migration had
swelled the species count with 13 immature Stilt Sandpipers and 9 Lesser
Yellowlegs.
We were really treated, with up close looks at a troop on 10 Buff-breasted
that at times blended in so well with the buff colored earth, that only their
shoe button eyes revealed their presence. These were all neat patterned
immatures in brand spanking new attire.
There was some movement of the raptor kind with Cooper's and Sharp-shinned
garnering attention as they passed through, gathering large balls of Cowbirds
for escorts. An immature female Kestrel had the wind knocked out of her sails,
after trying to capture a Least Sandpiper out of the hordes. She was not
match for these nervous Nellie's aerobatics and left cruising south after
having her attentions un-rewarded again and again.
The big excitement came when Mike called, Peregrine! We watched along with
thousands of shorebird eyes, as it circled and stooped flinging birds in every
direction. It was small and sleek and appeared to be a male in adult
plumage. We watched till it soared out of sight we did not stay for its
certain
return.
We all picked up a sandwich and went down to the river to find the
population of birds not much improved and only after a long while added a
Semi-Plover,
Least and Spotted Sandpiper for the list.
The Wind Bird species total peaked at a measly 10 species, unusual for this
time of the year. Instead of the Least, I think the drought RULES>>.......
Good Birding!!!
Jeff R. Wilson
OL'COOT / TLBA
Bartlett, TN
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