FreeLists / bristol-birds / [bristol-birds] Burkes Garden

[RonEHarrin@xxxxxxx]

Thirty-three birders, representing four bird clubs in the area (Russell 
County, Buchanan County, Herndon Chapter of Elizabethton, and Bristol Bird 
Club), made the annual Golden Eagle pilgrimage to Burkes Garden, Tazewell 
County, VA on February 16, 2002.

Led by Bob Riggs and his entourage riding in the back of a pickup truck (yes, 
in the open bed of the truck), the convoy of birders, like high school 
revelers celebrating a football victory, snaked its way around the valley 
floor, stopping whenever something of interest appeared, or at places known 
to be "hot spots" for certain species.  The "locals" occasionally stood and 
looked us over; and every now and then a vehicle would pass us, perhaps 
thinking that this was some strange funeral procession, and one of their own 
died without their knowledge.

Overall, it was a beautiful, sunny day, but cold early with a brisk wind out 
of the West, northwest. There was lingering snow on the sheltered ridges. 
Some folks decided, after not seeing as many eagles or Rough-legged hawks as 
desired, that the weather was too nice, allowing the birds, especially the 
eagles, to stay high on the ridges. It was also noted that the cattle had 
eaten the grass down almost into the ground, perhaps contributing to a lack 
of adequate cover for voles and other food sources for the hawks.

Nevertheless, the fellowship and food at the cookout were great. Grilled hot 
dogs, turkey burgers, Fred and Janice Martin's famous chili, and plenty of 
homemade salads and deserts left us satiated and, in some cases, the need for 
a quick siesta in the sun. ( A great big thanks goes out to the Tazewell 
County Sportsmen's Association for allowing us to use their shelter for the 
cookout)

As for the birding, we picked up 37 species, including two Golden Eagles and 
one Rough-legged hawk, which, in addition the food, made our day. 

Mallard Duck: 56      Gadwall: 1         E. Starling:        150             
C. Goose: 8
E. Bluebird:     10     Blue Jay: 2        Red-bellied WP: 5           
Killdeer:    2  
Golden Eagle:  2       Raven: 9           Red-tailed Hawk: 21      E. Meadow 
Lark: 5
C. Crow:      500       Song Sp: 4        WB Nuthatch:    8         Rock 
Dove:  5
Horned Lark: 57         Robin:   4         Red-winged Black Bird: 2
Turkey Vulture: 6      Goldfinch: 2       Rough-legged Hawk: 1   Am. Kestrel: 
2
C. Chickadee: 1       Tufted Titmouse: 3    Red-headed Woodpecker: 2
Hairy WP:     1         Downy WP: 2    House Sparrow: 8    Yellow-bellied SS: 
1
N. Flicker: 1             Bufflehead: 1     Hooded Merganser: 1     Wild 
Turkey: 1
Swamp Sp.: 4          Green-winged Teal: 13          Fox Sparrow: 1

Ron Harrington
Bristol,  VA





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       BRISTOL BIRDS NET LIST

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between birders and bird clubs of Southwest Virginia
and Northeast Tennessee.  It serves the Russell County
Bird Club, Herndon Chapter TOS, Greeneville TOS 
Chapter, Blue Ridge Birders Club, Butternut Nature
Club, Buchanan County Bird Club, Bristol Bird Club,
Clinch Valley Bird Club and Cumberland Nature Club.
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