FreeLists / tn-bird / [TN-Bird] 3000+ shorebirds at pits/ 13 species/Plus

[OLCOOT1@xxxxxxx]

July 17, 2004
Ensley Bottoms
Shelby Co. TN


After a quick check on the Western Kingbirds, I spent 6 hours with the Wind 
Birds at the Ensley pits. The north winds were dropping small flocks in for the 
first few hours. I wait each year for the tide to come to flood time and this 
is it.

The following species presented themselves for perusal: Semipalmated 
Plover-1, Killdeer - 761, Black-necked Stilts (124 adults- 36 black and white 
juniors 
and 22 fuzzy young with 16 active nests-one hatching young at the time) total 
182, Lesser Yellowlegs - 7, Solitary Sandpiper - 36, Spotted Sandpiper - 9, 
SANDERLING - 1, Semipalmated Sandpiper - 69,
Western Sandpiper-25, Least Sandpiper - 1387, Pectoral Sandpiper - 334, Stilt 
Sandpiper - 9 and last but not least, a completely unexpected WILSON'S SNIPE. 

The Wilson's Snipe just plopped down out in the open right in front of me, it 
was in very fine plumage and posed for photos; it is not a species I usually 
see in July. It never fed but just preened and went to sleep so it probably 
will not stay but I enjoyed the sharp plumage it was in. The Sanderling was 
seen 
early and not relocated after the first hour.

On the Duck Front, the Blue-winged Teal female has raised 5 young to flying 
size and a Shoveler in still present, I only saw it at a distance going away 
and could not make out if it was the male in eclipse plumage or the female. If 
it is the male maybe the female is brooding some eggs!

Speaking of eggs, the Western Kingbirds are feeding young at one nest and 
fledglings at another location where a single Eastern Kingbird was busy feeding 
3 
fledged youngsters. It looks like two other Western Kingbird nests are still 
being attended but I could not get a handle on any activity at the 5th site. 
They may have fledged young and moved them over to the McKellar Lake side.


Good Birding!!!

Jeff R. Wilson
OL'COOT / TLBA
Bartlett, TN


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