FreeLists / tn-bird / [tn-bird] White Pelican at Rankin Bottoms

[James Brooks <comeback@xxxxxxxx>]

  I met Michael and Leslie Sylva where the road ended at Rankin Bottoms 
Wednesday evening. They already had the canoes in the water. Michael had 
invited birders to go for an evening paddle by canoe at high water to 
see the Bottoms during the heron nesting season, and I was quick to reply.
There was the white of some Great Egrets across the water as I got into 
the canoe. Belted Kingfishers were cavorting in the trees ahead of us, 
and Michael soon pointed out a Yellow-throated Vireo nest in one of the 
cypress seedlings planted by TWRA. The tree was scarcely 3 feet above 
the water, and when I located the nest Michael said there were four 
white eggs in it the last time he was there. I could only see something 
gray and dark, until I tapped the edge of the nest like an arriving 
mother and four yellow-lined beaks popped open.
Black and Turkey Vultures were drifting toward their roosts as we landed 
near the railroad track and attempted to locate two active Great Blue 
Heron nests, but only saw one. The parents were apparently still off 
fishing. Yellow-billed Cuckoos were calling all around us and a Carolina 
Wren chimed in.
We returned to the water and paddled across the road bed, scrapping 
briefly. Double-crested Cormorants came up, and we pushed a half dozen 
Great Egrets as we passed through the channel behind the coal tipple. A 
single Mallard sat on a log, and Red-winged Blackbirds would 
occasionally burst from a bush. A pair of Eastern Kingbirds had another 
small cluster of willows. Each small island of willows or cottonwoods 
had some sort of a bird on nesting territory, and we now entered into 
Prothonotary Warbler territory, with a male singing from each tree clump 
we passed. Some were in nest boxes that had been set out. I was reminded 
of their old name of Southern Swamp Warbler.
Eastern Bluebirds were also out here, and as dusk began to fall Chimney 
Swifts, Tree and Barn Swallows began swooping over the water.
We crossed some open water and entered the Black-crowned Night-Heron 
rookery, and as the canoe glided through the trees the herons took to 
the air for their evening feeding.
Next came rookeries for Double-crested Cormorant and Green Heron.
The sun was dropping now and Michael gave a shout from the stern and I 
looked up to see an American White Pelican fly over our bow.
The final bird of the trip was a Tufted Titmouse scolding from another 
tree island. Leslie reported seeing a tern species from the canoe behind 
us.
We re-crossed the road bed and returned to the cars, where some young 
folk were enjoying the evening around a fire. They quickly left when we 
came drifting silently up out of the gathering darkness.
Michael and Leslie have formed a non-profit support organization for 
Rankin Bottoms, and last fall organized a cleanup of the area. He plans 
to take the new Cocke County Executive and others of influence out for a 
paddle, because many in the county aren't aware of what a tremendous 
resource they have. He told me the invitation is still open to any 
birders on evenings or some weekends. It's free, although contributions 
to their support organization are always welcome, of course. They have 
four canoes available, and since the water is calm, it's easy paddling, 
even for a beginner.
Contact them at:
mtnsylva@xxxxxxx
It was a wonderful way to spend an evening, especially since this time I 
didn't get dumped out of the canoe.
I recommend this experience highly.
James Brooks
Jonesborough, TN



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