FreeLists / tn-bird / [TN-Bird] Great egret nests

["michael sledjeski" <mtnsylva@xxxxxxx>]

Yesterday, June 4, Leslie Gibbens and I canoed around a very active heronry 
on Cherokee Lake from 7:00 PM until sunset.  "Bird Island", as it's called 
by local fishermen and boaters, is marked by 12-mile signs at the east and 
west ends, and located 1 mile north of the Kidwell boat ramp near Panther 
Creek State Park.  Since it's south of the Holston River channel, I suppose 
it's located in Hamblen county, although it's a bit closer to the Grainger 
county riverbank to the north.  The island, presumably owned by TVA and 
managed by TWRA, is no more than a couple of acres in size and covered with 
a variety of mature deciduous trees mixed with a few pines and red cedars.

Nestlings clamored for food  and adults came and went continuously while we 
cruised around.  The birds seemed accustomed to close human proximity.  
Great blue heron and double-crested cormorant nests were set high in the 
canopy; black-crowned night heron nests were lower down, often obscured by 
foliage; several great egret nests, with at least 2 nestlings apiece, were 
above mid-level in some trees in the middle of the island.

According to Nicholson's 1997 TN Breeding Bird Atlas, there's been only one 
confirmed great egret nest not on or near the Mississippi River.  
Yesterday's sighting indicates that this "in-need-of-management" species is 
starting to flourish in East Tennessee.

I'm sure that my counts were on the low side for individuals and nests; 
leaves blocked some nests, and birds kept arriving and leaving, and we were 
short of time.  Bird Island heronry merits recognition and protection for 
its importance to waterbird populations in this end of the state.

The numbers (N - occupied nest):

Canada goose (3)
Mallard (4)
Double-crested cormorant (190, 33N)
Great blue heron (155, 30N)
Great egret (39, 4N)
Cattle egret
Black-crowned night heron (124, 32N)
Black vulture (34)
American coot (one-legged & left behind)
Tree swallow (3)
Common grackle (many)

Michael Sledjeski
Del Rio, Cocke county TN


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