[TN-Bird] Mississippi Flyway Migration
- From: OLCOOT1@xxxxxxx
- To: tn-bird@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Mon, 15 Aug 2005 07:23:38 EDT
August 14, 2005
MS RV. - Ensley Bottoms
Shelby Co. TN
The winds strengthen and shifted to more out of the south and migrating
flocks dwindled on Sunday. I had high hopes for a few drop outs but was
disappointed at Ensley as I could only find a single dowitcher that settled in
the
bathing pool early in the day after much flying around. I took a few photos as
the bird presented a lot of mixed signals as to species but all could be
sorted out with patience. It will be a good bird for shorebird quiz sessions.
The
regular cast of characters plus the fresh juvenile plumaged birds made for
some nice looks at shorebird diversity.
I made an early run by the Mississippi River and was able to show a couple
of interested runners, 21 Black Terns flouncing down the river like large
butterflies. The regular species were still scattered over the newly exposed
mud
flats as the river continues to fall. The channel is getting so narrow that
barges are having to wait below some of the narrower passages till all is
clear. One Forster's Tern sat dwarfing the Least terns on one sand spit while
Great Blue Herons and Great Egrets made up the short wader list.
About 2 PM, I returned to find the Forster's was now a part of a trio but
the Black Tern numbers had been reduced to one bird. Other small flocks of Wind
Birds were still traveling south but far fewer than on Saturday.
Red Knots evidently made a move over the weekend with the 11 birds here in
Memphis while others were found on Sunday in Illinois and Arkansas. Now is the
time to look for them traveling the waterways in the interior. I used to get
them as regular fall migrants around Pace Point.
Good Birding!!!
Jeff R. Wilson
OL'COOT / TLBA
Bartlett, TN
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