FreeLists / tn-bird / [TN-Bird] Saturday and Sunday at Hiwassee Refuge

[JimmWilkerson@xxxxxx]

As an attendee at Friday nights function in Chattanooga I would also like to 
offer my thanks to all who planned the meeting!  I had been waiting until 
someone posted the results before I made any comments about our two day 
outing  at the refuge.  

Saturday morning was a day for the "real troopers" to come out with their 
spotting scopes and binoculars, along with their expertise, to offer to the 
droves of people arriving by car and bus.  Most of the morning the ground 
remained frozen and there was a brisk wind in our faces.  But, nothing seemed 
to stop the rosy cheeked T.O.S. participants from imparting their wisdom on 
anyone who would gather around and listen.  Almost all our guests, it seemed, 
possessed hopes of seeing  the Whooping Cranes this year.  There was only 
mild disappointment as we explained they were on a different time table from 
their cousins the Sandhill Cranes.  In the last seven years, I have never had 
to field so many questions about Whooper's as opposed to Sandhill's.  

As always, even though the event is geared toward the Sandhill Cranes, the 
appearance of an eagle will steal the show.  On Saturday we saw three 
immature Bald Eagles  before having two adults who circled just over the 
heads of everyone.  A group from the Atlanta Audubon Society laid claim to 
the best bird of the day as they viewed a perched Merlin.  Someone added it 
to our list of birds seen for that day but we didn't learn who had posted the 
sighting until later in the morning.  In the afternoon the Merlin again made 
an appearance as it flew about four foot above the ground and only about 
forty foot in front of the roped off area.  What a sight!  And what a 
commotion a small dark falcon with blue gray pointed wings, chocolate body 
and much dark streaking on its breast caused.  Kenn Kaufman described it as 
"a classic example of an adult male Merlin".  I wondered just how many of the 
people gathered around knew who this special person was?  He joined us at the 
viewing area for just over an hour.

Sunday was a carbon copy of the day before minus people arriving on buses and 
also minus the Merlin.  However, it was still another exciting day as Ken 
Dubke entertained the crowd with stories and facts from the past and the 
present.  In the late afternoon as it began to grow colder, snow flurries 
began to fall just as the crowd was dwindling. That became the signal for the 
last of the volunteers to pack up and depart for home.  

For those of you who were not able to attend, hopefully you will be in for a 
big surprise next year!  T.W.R.A. is now in the process of building an 
educational facility for our use in the coming years.  Believe me, it will be 
a welcomed addition.  If any of you have had to endure using the porta 
potties or standing outside freezing, you can understand my excitement at the 
prospect of having a roof over our heads.  There will be indoor plumbing, 
classrooms and large glassed windows to view the cranes from.  Did I mention 
all this can be enjoyed while in heated comfort!  The foundation, block work, 
flooring, framing and very stable full length porches on both sides of the 
facility are already completed.

Each year we enjoy the hospitality and fruits of labor of the T.W.R.A. 
Hiwassee Refuge employees who work so hard to make "our" event such a 
success!  I know a lots of thanks are due other  T.W.R.A. employees as well 
but I think it is time we offer special recognition to the Hiwassee Refuge 
employees themselves.

Nobody died and made me head deacon but I would like to express my gratitude 
to each of the T.O.S. volunteers who faithfully come year after year.  Your 
efforts are indeed commendable.  I count it a special blessing that you allow 
me inclusion in the group and to participate with you!  The eleventh annual 
Sandhill Crane / Cherokee Heritage viewing days is in the books.  Here's to 
the success of next year!!!

Jimmy Wilkerson
Hixson, Tn.


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