FreeLists / tn-bird / [TN-Bird] Rankin heronry

["michael sledjeski" <mtnsylva@xxxxxxx>]

Yesterday evening, we set out from the Rankin Coal Chute (or tipple) by 
canoe to look for shorebirds on the emerging mudflats in the area. Douglas 
Lake is at 990 feet, still a foot or two too high for extensive flats.  We 
found a couple dozen peeps (LEAST, WESTERN, AND SEMI-PALMATED), and single 
SOLITARYand  PECTORAL sandpipers in the Holt Town Rd. wetland; 3 SPOTTED 
sandpipers, and 15 CANADA GEESE foraged near the tipple.

We returned to watch waders return to the rookery in the tree line 1/2 mile 
east of the tipple, across the embayment.  We could see a couple dozen  
GREAT EGRETS in the trees, and hear more out of sight.  The sun set as we 
waited, and about 50 more GEs flew in.  We could see 4  LITTLE BLUE HERONS, 
including one adult, in the canopy.  Seven more immature little blues came 
in a flock, and at the same time 2 immature WHITE IBISES arrived.  Three 
more ibises came after about 5 minutes.  A mature  BALD EAGLE  flew past at 
one point.

OSPREY fledglings were flying with adults, one pair roosted side-by-side 
near the heronry; the difference in size was striking; the parent looked 
NEARLY twice as big.  DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANTS, WOOD DUCKS, MALLARDS, 
EASTERN KINGBIRDS, GREEN HERONS, and BLACK-CRESTED NIGHT HERONS were common 
throughout the area.  Early in the trip, a single CASPIAN TERN  flew 
overhead.  We saw and heard several YELLOW-BILLED  CUCKOOS, and an EASTERN 
WOOD- PEEWEE  in the willows.

Overall the weather was idyllic, despite the thunderstorm warnings, and the 
sunset was sublime.

Michael Sledjeski & Leslie Gibbens


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