[TN-Bird] NW TN 12/03/04 (6 Red-tail morphs/subspecies)
- From: "Todd, Michael C." <michael.c.todd@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <tn-bird@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Thu, 4 Dec 2003 18:37:52 -0600
Reelfoot Lake vicinity
Obion,Lake, Weakley Co.
12/03/04
A quick trip in the rain to Reelfoot didn't produce much out of the
ordinary. One of the biggest things I was curious about proved to be a
disappointment, the Smith's Longspur field (aka Smith's field or mat field)
at Reelfoot hasn't been cut, and appears to be in much worse shape than last
year, when we were able to occasionally get a Smith's in the area.
The Long Point Unit just north of the state line in KY, was a treat. I was
there mid-morning, but at least 1000 Greater White-fronted Geese were using
the area, making for a great study of the variability of this species.
Canada Geese were using the area as well, but definitely in the minority.
Not a single Snow or Ross's was to be found. Mallard was the dominant duck,
with a few Shovelers and American Widgeons as well. A scarce duck for the
area, American Black, was also represented by a few birds, and has often
been the case lately, a hybrid Mallard x American Black. A large mixed flock
of blackbirds held good numbers of Rusty's, but I couldn't pull a Brewer's
out of the bunch.
State Line Rd and adjacent areas produced a few Pipits and Horned Larks, but
I didn't run across any Longspurs all day. During the time I was in Black
Bayou, there was a fairly heavy rain coming down, and nothing of any
interest was seen. I didn't spend any time looking over the lake, as I came
home mid-afternoon because of the conditions.
Highlight of the day, was the Red-tailed Hawk variety. I didn't have
especially high numbers of Red-tails, but had a nice variety of plumages. On
the way to Reelfoot, the section of Highway 22 just east of Union City that
has been good for Red-tails in the past is now re-opened, and sure enough
the Krider's intergrade was back in its usual haunts. This is an interesting
bird, as from the front it has a very light head, with only faint streaks,
but a distinct malar line, and unmarked snow-white underparts. From the rear
the bird has the extensive white mottling on the coverts and scapulars of a
Krider's, but then you get to the tail. The basal half of the tail is white,
and the terminal half is brick red, like a typical Red-tail.
While at Reelfoot, I had an adult dark-morph Harlan's at the camping area at
the old Airpark Inn. I've had a shy Harlan's in this area before, and this
time was no exception. On the way home, between Dresden and Gleason in
Weakley Co., I noticed a dark raptor perched in a tree which was used last
year by a dark intermediate (rufous) morph Western Red-tail. This same bird
has returned to the location again. Not a mile down Highway 22 towards
Gleason, another dark Red-tail turned out to be an adult dark-morph Western
(calurus) Red-tail. For the finishing touch, (and again less than a couple
of miles down the road), a very rufous-tinged light Red-tail turned out to
be a light-morph adult Western Red-tail. This bird gave me some good looks
before it vacated the scene, and showed the classic rufous-barred thigh and
lower belly feathering, long wings, and dark throat. When it flew it
clinched the ID with multiple bands in the tail. Along with the many Eastern
(borealis) Red-tails, this was probably my best day for Red-tail varieties.
The 3 Western race birds were a surprise that far off of the Mississippi.
Unfortunately, the weather prevented me from getting much of a shot of any
of these birds (although I've photographed the same Krider's and
rufous-morph before). I believe Jeff has had at least 7 morphs/subspecies
down in his Red-tail haven around Tunica.
A fairly brief, but interesting day in the rain,
Good birding!!
Mike Todd
McKenzie,TN
Carroll Co.
birder1@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
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