FreeLists / tn-bird / [TN-Bird] Big Sit practice run - Ensley

[olcoot1@xxxxxxx]

Oct. 14, 2007
Ensley Bottoms
Shelby Co. TN


I've been saying for some time that Ensley would be a great spot for a Big Sit. 
Just for the heck of it, since there was little movement early this AM on the 
Mississippi River, I decided?to try?my favorite spot and started at 9 AM and 
counted through 6 PM. The wind was too high for the small birds to be real 
active on the edge of the brushy habitat but the wind was delivering a great 
stream of?raptors.

A total of 69 species was a good number?for a one person venture. At the right 
time of the year with a good crew, there is no telling what number you could 
come up on the right day. Pelicans drifted over along with a great array of 
raptors; 1 Osprey, 1 adult Bald Eagle, 1 adult female Harrier, 1 Sharp-shinned, 
3 Cooper's, 1 Red-shouldered, 3 Broad-winged Hawks, 9 Red-tailed, 4 Kestrel, 1 
female Merlin and 1 adult Peregrine. The Peregrine made one appearance in the 
morning but the Merlin raised cane all day. The Gooches got great looks and 
photos this afternoon as it perched up after one on its many low level runs.

Only eight species of shorebirds included, Killdeer, 24 Lesser Yellowlegs, 1 
Western, 3500+ Least, 7 Pectoral, 2 Dunlin, 3 Stilt Sandpiper and 1 LB 
Dowitcher. A couple of times today there were no shorebirds in sight after the 
Merlin, Peregrine and Cooper's runs. Sometimes it took two hours for all the 
birds to come back. Late this afternoon, all the original bunch was back with 
another 10 Lesser Yellowlegs that dropped in with a single Stilt. One Dunlin 
and the LB Dowitcher were no shows after this mornings first Peregrine run, 
hopefully not casualties..........

Great Day!!?I think I'll try that again..........



Jeff R. Wilson
Ol'Coot / TLBA
Bartlett, TN


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