FreeLists / tn-bird / [TN-Bird] Storm Birds at Pickwick

[tnbarredowl@xxxxxxx]

Pickwick Reservoir
Hardin Co., TN
Tishomingo Co., MS
Lauderdale Co. AL
 
I started this morning at Bruton Branch, where I was soon joined by Jeff Wilson 
and crew.  I was watching 2 adult Sooty Terns flying near State Line Island 
when they arrived, and they had been watching several others flying toward the 
dam before they met me, so there were at least 6-8 birds in the area.  They had 
also seen a dark, unidentified jaeger.  While we were talking, one adult Sooty 
put on a show, flying within a few hundred feet of the shoreline in front of 
us...I haven't seen them that well near salt water!  I had to get to a meeting, 
so we parted company (a dumb thing to do, I know, but some of us have to work 
for a living).  I did stop by Pickwick Dam before my meeting and found 1 adult 
and 1 immature Sooty Tern.  After the meeting, I went to Eastport, MS and found 
1 adult Sooty Tern flying over Alabama waters near the mouth of Bear Creek.  I 
couldn't coax it into MS, unfortunately.  I called Jeff, and he let me know 
they had found a Royal Tern at State Line Islan
 d, visible from McKelvey Hollow Rd.  From other reports, it looks like Sooty 
Terns are everywhere.  Enjoy them if you can.
 
Damien Simbeck
Killen, AL