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[Bristol-Birds] A major vulture roost is developing.

From: "Wallace Coffey" <jwcoffey@xxxxxxxxxx>
To: "Bristol-birds" <bristol-birds@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Wed, 14 Feb 2007 21:23:22 -0500

Middlebrook Lake
Bristol, TN
Sullivan Co.
14 Feb 2007

A major vulture roost is developing along the wooded shoreline of
Middlebrook Lake.

Estimated birds = 250 (predominantly Black Vultures)

Another 20-30 birds soaring low over trees within sight of of the larger 
contingent.

Kevin Hamed told me fireworks had been shot at night near the vultures roost in
the back of Redstone subdivision and he felt like that may have moved that 
roost.

Are we seeing some form of late winter staging before eventual migration ?
Are we seeing flocking behavior in response to regional or national winter 
events ?
Is the behavior triggered by the changing length of days ?
Perhaps, all of these are involved in some combination.

Any birders visiting Middlebrook are asked to make estimates and/or actual 
counts.
More eyes and more minds can only help. 

Let's go birding.....

Wallace Coffey
Bristol, TN