FreeLists / tn-bird / [TN-Bird] Home and away

[Oligobird@xxxxxxx]

At home here on October 10 we were thrilled to observe a very large flock  of 
palm warblers, accompanied by a few Yellow-rumped warblers and a Chipping  
Sparrow. We also had our first Brown Creeper, and a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker.  
The last was joined by Hairy, Downy, Pileated, and Red-bellied  Woodpeckers.  
At least eight Flickers were on the grass, two males  displaying to each other. 
We have had a female Summer Tanager around for some  days now. We also have 
at least two Ruby-throated Humming birds at our  feeders.  We have had 
Yellow-throated, Magnolia, Tennessee and Nashville  warblers this week along 
with the 
usual suspects.  We are just returned  from Point Reyes, CA (just north of San 
Francisco) and the Point Lobos and  Monterey areas, where our life lists were 
expanded somewhat. Oak Titmouse,  White-tailed Kites, Chestnut-backed 
Chickadee, Wrentits, Acorn and Nuttall's  Woodpeckers, Townsend's Warbler, 
Black 
Oystercatcher, Tri-colored Blackbird,  Golden-crowned Sparrow, California 
Towhee, 
Hutton's Vireo, Pacific-slope  Flycatcher, Brandt's Cormorant, Elegant Tern, 
Red-throated Loon, and Black  Turnstones were highlights.  The rarities 
included a Tropical Kingbird and  a hybrid Eurasian/American Wigeon. Ralph saw 
his 
500th American bird, Kay added  17 life birds. This was an Elder Hostel course, 
unusual for us as we prefer to  travel independently but it is a great way to 
see many birds in a short time. 
Ralph and Kay Brinkhurst. Lebanon, Wilson County  10/11/05