FreeLists / bristol-birds / [bristol-birds] Significant Sighting in Northeast Tennessee

["Rack Cross" <frogfarm@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hello Birders

This evening (Aug 18, 2002) while birding at Musick's Campground, =
Bristol, TN (Sullivan Co.) at approx. 6:30PM until 7:45PM, Don Holt, =
David Smith and myself observed an aerial show as displayed by a Least =
Tern. The bird was within close range (less than 15 yards) several =
times. Many near shore hovering dives were made by the tern. The field =
marks gathered by the group causes us to believe this was a first year =
bird and include the following: Dark bill, black leading edge on =
shoulder, forked tail noticed when hovering, smaller in overall size =
than the (9) Black Terns in the area (BTW the Least Tern remained =
independant of the Black Terns), black lines through the eyes and =
lighter on top of head, white underside and light gray back.

According to Knight's "The Birds of Northeast Tennessee" only two =
previous accounts of this species have occurred in Northeast Tennessee, =
both at Austin Springs, Johnson City (Washington Co.).  Knight lists the =
species as: Visitor (accidental). Robinson lists more than twenty =
records each for both East and Middle TN in the state records book, per =
communication with Wallace Coffey.

Bird movement is certainly underway in the Northeast portion of our =
state and this makes for exciting outings with many surprises!

Good Birding

F.D. Rack Cross II
Blountville, TN
Sullivan County

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Club, Buchanan County Bird Club, Bristol Bird Club,
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