FreeLists / tn-bird / [tn-bird] Ensley Finds

[OLCOOT1@xxxxxxx]

Sept. 8, 2002
Ensley Bottoms
Shelby Co. TN

Comparing Saturday to Sunday the numbers had change a little to the down 
side. More Semipalmated Sandpipers had moved on as they should and now 
Western Sandpipers slightly out numbered them. A single adult Western was 
seen in full basic plumage and most of the young are showing signs of molt.

Apparently the immature Short-billed Dowitchers moved out over night and took 
the single immature Wilson's Phalarope with them. The total number of species 
stay the same at 16 species due to a single immature Ruddy Turnstone found 
out in one of the spread fields. There was a slight decrease in Buff-breasted 
with only 15 left of the 22 counted on Saturday only 2 of these were adults. 
With more time today I was able to count 16 Baird's Sandpipers in one sweep 
of the scope and then 3 more found in another area for a total of 19. That 
more than doubles my high count from previous years for Ensley.

After much scanning I kept coming back to a small bird in a large group of 
sleeping peeps. The color didn't look right nor the general shape so I drove 
to the other side to have the sun at my back. From that side the bird was 
partially hidden but I kept rescanning the area until it came into full view. 
It was an immature Red-necked Phalarope, my second for the year at Ensley. 
The bird slept the whole time I was there.

I went over into Arkansas to check a few holes but all had dried up or were 
too full of water. The Mississippi still drops a foot a day which never bodes 
well for immediate food needs for the Wind Birds. They will just be stopping 
for short rests before looking for better habitat. It looks like the river 
will be dropping for quite some time. Shorebirds will not find a lot to 
forage on, until there is enough time to generate some eats in the new mud. 

Good Birding!!!

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


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