[tn-bird] Peeps Reign
- From: OLCOOT1@xxxxxxx
- To: tn-bird@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Thu, 22 Aug 2002 23:41:52 EDT
Aug. 22, 2002
Ensley Bottoms
Shelby Co. TN
Two hours this afternoon sweltering in the heat and humidity that you could
cut with a knife was worth it. The juvenal plumaged Semipalmated, Western and
Least Sandpipers that had dropped in since Sunday were trans-fixingly
gorgeous. I spent most of the time sitting in one place letting them filter
in close. I got some good detailed head and plumage shots. There are a ton of
Peeps at the Pits.
I heard two birds while I was lurking and taking photos. A Willet was calling
almost constantly and I finally traced it down to its hiding place. The bird
was a very pale interior race immature. In another far corner I found the
elegant Black-bellied Plover, giver of that plaintive call that I barely
could hear over all the pig grunting that three immature Wilson's Phalarope
that were doing their spinning on the mud flat and not in the water. They
looked like devout "whirling dervishes" as they spun around and around in
white robes, yellow feet flashing. I've never heard them call so much while
busily twirling. Looking through the scope at them made me dizzy. They were
so close at times I could almost here their coot like feet slapping in the
slop.
A single, molting adult Sanderling and an adult Baird's Sandpiper were the
only other birds of note. Could have been something else in the mob but I was
too busy soaking in the up close and personal juveniles splayed out before
me.
Seventeen Species of Wind Birds in two hours and more coming for the weekend.
Study Time!
Good Birding!!!
Jeff R. Wilson
OL' COOT / TLBA
Bartlett Tenn.
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