FreeLists / tn-bird / [tn-bird] July Fourth - Shorebirds

[OLCOOT1@xxxxxxx]

July 4, 2002
Ensley Bottoms
Shelby Co. TN

I checked the river this morning before going to the pits and with very 
little sand showing came away with only a few Least Terns. At the pits two 
Song Sparrows were singing away among the clamor of all the Black-necked 
Stilts.

Another American Golden-Plover was found and photographed. This bird was in 
full basic plumage where the one last week had just started to molt from 
alternate. Three Lesser Yellowlegs besides the hordes of stilts and Killdeer 
were all I could find until late afternoon when 5 Least Sandpipers dropped in 
to rest.

A quick trip down to North and Robco Lakes produced a single DC Cormorant. 
Farther south on the MS-TN line and the levee south of Horn Lake produced a 
Grasshopper Sparrow carrying food (in Mississippi). I thought this to be 
pretty late for young Grasshopper Sparrows. I was struck by how few 
Dickcissel were present. I believe there have been far fewer everywhere this 
year overall than any time I remember. They can get pretty concentrated but I 
still think their numbers are down. The trees have grown up in front of the 
TN areas of Mud and Cocklebur Lake and are going to make seeing into the area 
quite difficult.

At Star Landing in Mississippi, there is a sand bar forming right at the Horn 
Lake outlet. This could make for some interesting habitat at this birdie 
location.

Good Birding!!!

Jeff R. Wilson
OL' COOT / TLBA
Bartlett Tenn.


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