FreeLists / tn-bird / [TN-Bird] Rodents

["David & Gloria Patterson" <dgpatterson@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

At Standifer Gap Marsh I have found about 12 nests(?) this summer that appear 
to be rodents' nests.  The nests are in cattails, about a foot above water, and 
look like Red-winged Blackbird nests, except that they have tops.  The inside 
is almost completely filled with fine fibers, finer than Red-wings use.
Four of them in late June/July each had one gray/brown vole-like animal 2 
inches long with an additional 1/2 inch tail.  These jumped out when I 
inspected the nests and ran away on the surface of the water.  

Two in August each had one much larger animal, dark brown, about 3 inches long 
and fairly plump, perhaps 2 inches diameter in the middle; I didn't observe the 
tail length.  These dived from the nests and went under water.

I would appreciate any suggestions as to what these might be or how I might 
learn more.  My few mammal references say nothing about nests like these.  


There are many "islands" in the cattails, apparently built on a foundation of 
fallen cattails, perhaps beginning with a Virginia Rail or Least Bittern nest.  
Many float, including some as large as 8 by 10 feet.  Most have an upper 
surface about 2 inches above water level.  At least two of them are much 
higher, reaching about 14 to 18 inches above water level, with sloped ramps 
from below water level.  Some have the upper parts of fresh cattails scattered 
about, with the lower ends chewed up.  I suppose Musk Rats do this (there are 
plenty of Musk Rats and Beavers in the marsh,) and I am fairly sure that Canada 
Geese nest on some of them.  Ducks frequently stand on them.    

David Patterson
Standifer Gap Marsh
Chattanooga, Hamilton County, TN
August 11, 2004

=================NOTES TO SUBSCRIBER=====================

The TN-Bird Net requires you to sign your messages with
first and last name, city (town) and state abbreviation.
-----------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------
To post to this mailing list, simply send email to:
tn-bird@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
----------------------------------------------------- 
To unsubscribe, send email to:
tn-bird-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx 
with 'unsubscribe' in the Subject field.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

  TN-Bird Net is owned by the Tennessee Ornithological Society 
       Neither the society(TOS) nor its moderator(s)
        endorse the views or opinions expressed
        by the members of this discussion group.
 
         Moderator: Wallace Coffey, Bristol, TN
                 wallace@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
     Visit the Tennessee Ornithological Society
          web site at http://www.tnbirds.org
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Topographical Maps located at http://topozone.com/find.asp
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

    ========================================================