[tn-bird] W. Tenn - Ruff / Bell's Vireo
- From: Chris Sloan <chris.sloan@xxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: TN-Bird Listserv <tn-bird@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Sat, 31 Aug 2002 23:32:24 -0500
In the course of conducting our August big day today, Jay Desgrosellier
and I observed two birds that may be of interest to those still seeking
Labor Day birding opportunities.
At Black Bayou in Lake County, we heard a singing BELL'S VIREO at the
location previously described. More specifically, When you walk across
the levy into the ditch that parallels the treeline, we found the bird
about 30 feet past two trees on the left that were infested with tent
caterpillars.
Later in the afternoon, we found an adult RUFF at the Ensley Pits in
Memphis. This was one bedraggled bird - it looked like it had flown
non-stop from Siberia. When we first found it, it was completely
isolated from the other birds, very worn looking, and didn't move a
muscle. Its plumage condition (adult male molting into basic plumage)
is very interesting, particularly the head pattern. The face and head
are generally grayish, but contrasts strikingly with the almost-white
nape. The dead giveaway was the bill, which was straight, medium
length, and evenly bicolored with the basal portion being very bright
orange and the distal portian black. It appeared to be in heavy molt,
and, as mentioned before, was very worn-looking.
We studied this bird non-stop for 5 minutes or so, with every intent of
watching it for longer than this, but I looked down to swat a fly, and
in that amount of time, it literally appeared to have vanished into thin
air. We could not re-find it in flight, nor anywhere else, despite a
fairly diligent search of all of the "usual locations" in the pits.
Thus, we have no idea whether or not this bird may still be in the area,
but if it is, it should be fairly easy to pick out.
good birding,
Chris Sloan
Nashville, TN
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