FreeLists / tn-bird / [TN-Bird] Migration Day

[OLCOOT1@xxxxxxx]

July 27, 2003
Ensley Bottoms
Shelby Co. TN
I joined Jerry Ingles from Sewanee, TN and Wayne Patterson from Shannon, MS 
at the pits this morning. There had been a drop in overall numbers and from 
about 9:30 till 1:30, I had small groups of shorebirds dropping in and leaving. 
Most of the travelers were Pectoral Sandpipers and Lesser Yellowlegs but I also 
had a few Stilt Sandpipers come through.

When I left to go south at 1:30, the female Avocet was still present along 
with one Short-billed Dowitcher. One Semipalmated Sandpiper gave me a start 
with 
a pink cast over its body. It did not look like the normal acid stain they 
use on shorebirds. I got a few photos through the heat shimmers and maybe I can 
find an answer to this mystery. I have had dyed birds before but none colored 
like this. I've had 3 Semipalmated and a Least Sandpiper before that were 
colored brownish that were definitely not dyed. These birds always keep you on 
your toes. Total shorebird species for the day rounded out at 14 again.

A little more time spent today looking for Western Kingbirds paid off with 
both of the adults and their 4 fledged young. The adults were still feeding 2 
of 
the young while two seemed to be getting their own snacks. They would break 
up and move in different directions but then end up sometimes sitting together 
for a short period. One adult leaves for extended periods and I think it is 
the male because he is far less worn than the bird that stays with the young 
most of the time.

No luck on the levee at Mud Lake nor any of the other regular areas I looked 
into in TN or MS for unusual waders.


Good Birding!!!

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


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