FreeLists / tn-bird / [tn-bird] TN - Waterfowl Weekend

[OLCOOT1@xxxxxxx]

June 8-9, 2002
Shelby, Lauderdale,
Lake, Dyer Co. TN

With 13 species of waterfowl seen over the weekend, you might think it to be 
winter rather than June. Of course Canada Geese are breeding everywhere now 
and making more poop than you can shake a foot at. The most surprising and 
pleasing birds were both Tree Ducks that were enjoyed, with 5 Black-bellied 
at North Lake in south Ensley Bottoms in Shelby County on Saturday; and the 
pair of Fulvous still seen early in the day by Todd and Greene at Mud Lake in 
Lake Co. These two were hard to find as they flew into and out of the flooded 
winter wheat. They were sitting out in the open near a little island that 
they had been using all week when I arrived at 7:30 Saturday evening. I saw 
them fly from that area into the wheat again early Sunday morning and many 
trips back by Mud Lake did not prove fruitful all day except for the many 
other duck species picked up at that location.

There were 6 Wood Ducks at Mud Lake, 3 pair along with; one Gadwall male, 3 
Wigeon, 2 male and 1 female, an American Black Duck that I had to walk a 
quarter of a mile to make sure it was not a wayward Mottled, another species 
soon to be found in TN. Mallards in all sizes and conditions of molt were in 
all the wet holes with 27 counted at Mud Lake, Blue-winged Teal were 
represented by 3 males hanging together and another mated pair that stayed 
away from the cruisers. A single female Northern Shoveler and a ratty looking 
Canvasback were seen off and on all day. A male Lesser Scaup is still present 
at Champy's Pocket at Reelfoot Lake and Hooded Mergansers were seen along the 
Great River Road, Reelfoot Lake and another pair of females at Mud Lake. The 
final species I mention here put on a real show, I found 1 Ruddy Duck in a 
barrow pit just north of 155 on the Great River Road and a pair on Reelfoot 
Lake but the 70 counted at Mud Lake with 62 brightly plumaged males and 8 
females were stunning in numbers and colors. The bright blue bills, white 
cheek patches, ruddy bodies and stiff tails were to be marveled at again and 
again.

What a difference 7 days can make here along the Mississippi River as since 
last Sunday the river has dropped 18 feet. The fields are quickly drying, 
much too quickly, as two Black-necked Stilt nest in Lake Co. were destroyed 
this week, one by a road grader and another by plow. Most of the 14 or so 
Black-necks seen last week in Lake Co. have moved on but at Memphis the 
number of active nests grew and birds were seen breeding while hatched young 
were being located.  

There are a few sand bars just rising from the waters and Least Terns have 
abandoned the fields where there were hundreds last week except for a few 
that could not wait; most of these nests will fall to the ever present plow 
that follows the pale color of drying soil across the wide fields. Life goes 
on along the Mighty Missisip'.

Good Birding!!!

Jeff R. Wilson
OL' COOT / TLBA
Bartlett Tenn.


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