April 25, 2002 Shelby Co. TN Running between appointments and job sites I stopped at a few open fields and found flocks of birds, where a few days ago none were to be seen. Looks like a movement north is passing through. At each stop I found rolling mixed flocks of Bobolinks, Dickcissel, Indigo Buntings, and Savannah Sparrows. The large numbers of Savannahs was new since most of their haunts had been nearly abandoned with only a few straggles recently. Late in the afternoon on the way home, I decided to try Shelby Farms where I was rewarded again with the same mix but a few bonus birds to boot. These early Bobolink were almost all males as expected but just a few were talking, I'll be looking for larger flocks bubbling this week end. Numerous Dickcissels were even sitting up and giving half hearted sizzles. All of these birds had the nervous behavior and the tired look of travelers. I also had 2 Palm Warblers, 3 Lincoln Sparrows and a Sedge Wren in a short walk along the edges of this field. I've made room for some birding time today and will hit it hard on the weekend to see what visitors and returning residents I can find in this movement. Good Birding!!! Jeff R. Wilson OL' COOT / TLBA Bartlett Tenn. =================NOTES TO SUBSCRIBER===================== The TN-Bird Net requires you to sign your messages with first and last name, city (town) and state abbreviation. ----------------------------------------------------- To post to this mailing list, simply send email to: tn-bird@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx ----------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe, send email to: tn-bird-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with 'unsubscribe' in the Subject field. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Topographical Maps located at http://topozone.com/find.asp * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Visit the Tennessee Ornithological Society web site at http://www.tnbirds.org * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * TN-Bird Net Owner: Wallace Coffey, Bristol, TN jwcoffey@xxxxxxxxxx (423) 764-3958 =========================================================