[TN-Bird] Pace Point CBC Results
- From: "Desgrosellier, Jay" <jay.desgrosellier@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <TN-BIRD@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Mon, 15 Dec 2003 11:02:19 -0600
Pace Point CBC Trial-Run
12/13/03
Henry, Benton, Stewart and Houston Co., TN
Fifteen hearty individuals braved less-than-perfect weather to conduct
the trial-run of the Pace Point CBC. Six teams found 99 species in the
proposed count circle, a very good total considering the weather. The
day began with cloudy skies and stinging showers of sleet and snow that
were blown about by a stiff breeze. Fortunately the weather let up a
little by late morning and provided better conditions until
mid-afternoon when a steady moderate rain developed and persisted for
the rest of the afternoon and evening.
The weather didn't stop several observers from finding good birds.
Arguably the best birds of the day were 2 Pacific Loons, one each found
by the Pace Point and Paris Landing parties. A Red-necked Grebe found on
Pace Point was also a good find. Several other rare wintering species
were found on the count including Forster's Tern, Palm Warbler, House
Wren and Sedge Wren. Five Purple Finch found by 2 parties were also a
nice find after this species was largely absent from the area last year.
As expected, the weather took its toll on observers' ability to find
some birds. Vultures were not in the skies and therefore only 4 Turkey
Vultures and No Black Vultures were found on the count. Poor visibility
due to gray skies and wind made it impossible to scope distant rafts for
ducks such as Redhead, that are annual in the area. Finally, rain in the
late afternoon and evening inhibited observers from scoping the
afternoon line-up of loons and precluded any attempts at Woodcock.
Individual birds totaled 20,180 with the most common birds being
Mallard, Gadwall, Lesser Scaup and Bonaparte's Gull. These 4 species
represented over half of the total birds observed. As predicted, nearly
every route found Common Loon and Horned Grebe, truly unique among
counts in Tennessee.
Highlights from each route are described below:
Pace Point
Mike Todd and Don Manning covered this route which covers Pace Point
proper south to New Hope Road. They recorded 61 species including a
Pacific Loon and Red-necked Grebe. This route also produced the only
Greater Scaup found on the count. Large numbers of ducks were found on
this route including over 4000 Mallard, 122 Red-breasted Mergansers and
215 Common Goldeneye.
Big Sandy
This route coverd by Dee Thompson, Tarcila Fox, Richard Fox and Paul
Miliotis covered the area south of New Hope Road to Big Sandy and west
of Lick Creek Road. Recording 59 species this team found the only Wood
Duck, Forster's Tern, House Wren and Sedge Wren for the count.
Lick Creek
The team of Joe Stone, Sabin Thompson, and Jerry Drewry covered the area
east of Lick Creek Road including Lick Creek, Bass Bay and the Danville
area. Their total of 50 species on the day included one of only 2
Northern Harriers found on the count. They also had the high count for
Wild Turkey with 11. Two Purple Finch were a nice find, this being 1 of
only 2 routes to find this species on the day.
Britton Ford
Jay Desgrosellier and Charlie Muise intensely birded the Britton Ford
and West Sandy Creek area totaling 87 species. A Palm Warbler and 3
Purple Finch were the best finds for this route. Other birds unique to
this route included Northern Shoveler, Wilson's Snipe, Savannah Sparrow
and Rusty Blackbird. Despite a good number of species recorded several
expected birds were missed including Snow Goose, Redhead, Horned Lark
and LeConte's Sparrow.
Paris Landing
This route covered by Hap Chambers and Roseanna Denton consisted of
Paris Landing State Park south to Antioch Harbor. A Pacific Loon in
Eagle Creek was an outstanding find by this group. Oddly enough they
were one of only two groups to find American Coot. They also found 1 of
only 2 Common Grackles seen on the day.
Kentucky Lake
Mike O'Malley and Jon Mann covered this rather large route which
encompasses the eastern shore of Kentucky Lake. Their efforts netted 46
species. Despite a large amount of water to cover they found little
except American Coots, which they recorded the high count for on the
count with 540. This route had better luck with land birds as they found
the only Northern Bobwhite and Chipping Sparrow for the count.
I want to thank all of the observers for their hard work and for
persevering in some rather poor weather. I hope that all of you saw the
potential the area has for big counts in the future and that all of you
will consider participating next year when the count becomes official!!
I have generated a spreadsheet with the count data that is available
upon request. Just e-mail me and I'll e-mail you back a copy in excel
format. Further, I plan to enter this data into eBird so that it will be
more widely available and to generate a permanent public record.
Good Birding!!
Jay Desgrosellier
Nashville, TN
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