FreeLists / tn-bird / [TN-Bird] Bell's Vireo - Willow Flycatchers TN-AR PLUS Snake

[OLCOOT1@xxxxxxx]

June 2, 2007
Ensley Bottoms, Shelby Co. TN
Wapanocca NWR, Crittenden Co, AR
 
We found Painted Buntings very cooperative Saturday, while the Bell's at  
Ensley was covering a wider territory and singing less. The Wapanocca Bell's 
has  
found a girl friend and was following her around and singing as she collected 
 nesting material. Robert Gooch and I had great looks at the couple at  
Wapanocca and also a calling Willow Flycatcher at the same site. A single  
Willow 
was also seen at Ensley at the Bell's location, this bird was also  calling 
from low perches as it hunted in the grassy open areas in the trees.  Seems 
like 
these two species like similar habitat at new growth thicket  edges.
 
At the pits in Ensley Bottoms, only 5 Least Sandpipers were  located along 
with the nesting Black-necked Stilts and Killdeer. The male  leucistic Mallard 
was seen hanging out with a hen and young. A single Moorhen  was seen at 
Wapanocca NWR along with scattered American Coots and now there are  5 American 
White Pelicans lounging about the lake.
 
While we were watching the Bell's couple at Wapanocca NWR, a scrubby Oak  
tree exploded with activity, the tree shook and about 5 feet up out flew or  
catapulted 2 barely feathered Mourning Doves, they could only make it about  10 
feet in the air before hitting the grass. Another bird fell underneath the  
tree 
into the dense grass and started to flounce around. The last bird was  an 
adult dove. We kept watching the tree and finally Robert said he thought  he 
saw 
a snake in the tree. Sure enough, a very large Speckled Kingsnake  slid down 
through the branches to the ground while the adult dove tried to lead  him 
away. Nature's high drama........  
Good Birding  !!!

Jeff R. Wilson / TLBA
6298 Memphis-Arlington Road
Bartlett, TN  38135
http://www.pbase.com/ol_coot/
What is this feathered thing that  lifts my heart to the heavens.




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