FreeLists / tn-bird / [tn-bird] Sunday Quest

[OLCOOT1@xxxxxxx]

Sept. 2, 2002
Ensley Bottoms
Mississippi RV
Shelby Co. TN

Spent some time at the pits Sunday morning with Terry Whit looking for a good 
bird. We found the Baird's Sandpiper, Short-billed Dowitcher immatures and 
had frame filling looks at colorful western Sandpipers. The birds were 
flushing with clouds and wisps of frantic Wind Birds filling the skies at 
some points. It is always exciting to see just how many birds are here at one 
time. It always makes me nervous and I double my efforts to try to scan them 
all.

After Terry left at noon, I finally saw the bird that was causing the ruckus, 
an immature Cooper's Hawk was seen skimming the ditches and bounding into 
view causing the birds to panic. After such instances the birds land in 
tightly packed groups before dispersing to feed again and are much easier to 
look through, so their loss is my gain. After two such instances I found 5 
Buff-breasted in one spot and 3 immature Baird's in another. The immature 
Ruddy Turnstone nor mystery peep graced my glasses.

About 3 PM I left to view the river and found it finally falling after a 2 
week rise of 7 foot. It should lose all that water in just a few days and the 
sand bar birding should improve. Many high flying and soaring egrets and 
herons were seen migrating south. 

Now is the time for Sabine's Gulls to pass through so get out and check your 
small gulls and terns for a most rewarding treat.

Good Birding!!!

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


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