FreeLists / tn-bird / [TN-Bird] Re: Getting to Ensley bottoms(The Pits,Earth Complex) in Memphis

[OLCOOT1@xxxxxxx]

In a message dated 6/8/2006 9:12:46 P.M. Central Daylight Time,  
walko@xxxxxxxxxxxxx writes:
Also the  TVA
area, plant, their ponds etc is off limits now due to homeland  security
purposes. 


>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
 
For years, the TVA Ponds have produced some great birds such as all the  
scoters species, Long-tailed and Mottled Ducks, Neotropic Cormorant,  etc but, 
since the invasive Phragmites has crowded out the native  cattail, we have had 
no 
nesting Least Bitterns. 
 
After 9/11, as the security tightened at the power plants and  dams, many 
birders were stopped while birding the ponds and  asked to leave, especially 
when 
the higher alert codes were in  effect. Recently, I was able to correspond 
with the TVA Security  Officer in charge of this area and met with the TVA 
Plant 
Manager. All  this with the help of Hill Henry, TVA biologist.
 
Here is the deal that has been worked out at this time, birders are welcome  
to view the ponds as long as we stay on the paved road and DO NOT cross over 
the  railroad tracks. We are requested to stay away from the CO-2 tank at  the 
east end of the dead end road. Also, they would appreciate our alerting  them 
to the presence of anyone in the area that appear or act  suspicious in any 
way.
 
I think we can all live by these easy rules, enjoy the birds and be helpful  
to the TVA staff, all at the same time. We have a great relationship with the  
treatment plant manager Pete Alfonso and crew at the pits and I would hope we 
 can develop the same with TVA.
 
There has been a few Least Terns using the TVA Ponds recently but little  
else as they are dredging there now. This past weekend there was a single Least 
 
Sandpiper hanging around with 3 White-rumped Sandpipers and about 20  
Semipalmated Sandpipers at the pits along with hundreds of Killdeer. There are 
a  few 
Mallard broods and the Blue-winged teal mom is down to just two young. 
 
Two more weeks and the shorebirds will start to slowly return. I expect  
Black-necked Stilts to hatch this week and it looks like this year  will be 
much 
better than last year with a lot of active nests so far. These  birds are 
active nesters from their arrival in March through the last  of August, we are 
blessed to have so many of these elegant birds. 
 
Good Birding  !!!

Jeff R. Wilson / TLBA
6298 Memphis-Arlington Road
Bartlett, TN  38135


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