FreeLists / tn-bird / [TN-Bird] W. Kingbird Nests -4 / Scissor-tailed FC Nests -2 - Memphis, TN

[OLCOOT1@xxxxxxx]

June 3-4, 2006
Memphis, Shelby Co. TN
 
Sorry for delay, but my phone line has been out a week due to construction.  
Western Kingbirds are now nesting in at least 3 locations in Memphis. At the  
Allen Steam Plant in Ensley Bottoms, there is only one pair (that I can find)  
nesting, where over the last few years we have had 5-6 nests?? This single 
pair  has moved to the McKellar Lake side of the plant and the nest cannot be 
seen  from the road. I located another pair not 200 yards from where I found 
the 
first  nest for TN some years ago near the causeway to President's Island. 
That nest  was not successful but I always check the area just in case. This 
nest is  in a section of oil storage tanks and hard to see. Security in the 
area 
is very  high and the police don't like you stopping on the road looking at 
the storage  areas with a scope. This location is about 5 miles northeast of 
the 
Ensley  nesting area. 
 
Last year, I found an adult Western Kingbird feeding a fledged young near  
the Mississippi River in Frayser , a northwest Memphis suburb. These  birds 
were 
(where else) at a power sub-station. I returned this year and  found a pair 2 
weeks ago and then this weekend, I found 2 pair, at nests,  plus a fifth 
adult, so there may be 3 nests at this site. This location is about  12 miles 
as 
the Kingbird flies from the Ensley Bottoms site.
 
On Saturday, I found the Scissor-tailed Flycatcher male, that has been  
hanging around by himself a couple of weeks, had a lady friend already on a 
nest  
at the same location they have nested now for 3 years. All they do is alternate 
 the end of the cross arm each year for their nest site. After taking a few  
photos, I left for the Frayser Western Kingbird site and lo and behold what  
should I see perched on the wires?? a single Eastern Kingbird, 4 Western  
Kingbirds and a pair of Scissor-tailed Flycatchers copulating!!!! You don't 
have  
to "Go west Young Man" the birds are coming HERE! 
 
 
Good Birding  !!!
Jeff R. Wilson / TLBA
6298 Memphis-Arlington Road
Bartlett, TN  38135


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