FreeLists / tn-bird / [TN-Bird] Reelfoot Weekend

[OLCOOT1@xxxxxxx]

Dec. 6-7, 2003
Lauderdale, Dyer and Lake Co. TN
I started my way north toward the Vermilion early Saturday but just had to 
take a few detours and back roads. First stop was Lauderdale Waterfowl Refuge, 
throngs of ducks filled both land and water. An adult Bald Eagle was keeping a 
few of the resting ducks alert as it circled overhead. Three Red-tailed Hawks 
and 2 Harriers filled the raptor list along with a Kestrel. Over the next 12 
hours I counted 27 Kestrels. I had 15 species of waterfowl in 30 minutes of 
scanning. The numbers and density warrant more time but the Vermilion called. 
Taking the back roads to Reelfoot paid off with a lot of nice Red-tailed Hawks 
of 
various morphs but best find was an adult female light morph Rough-legged 
sporting a single wide tail band that was sitting in a field near Mooring. A 
few 
Lapland Longspurs were seen in 4 locations but numbers were low, this would 
change by Sunday morning.

After searching for the Vermilion for an hour, the bird just appeared right 
in front of me and after one photo, it just as quickly disappeared. I did 
relocate the bird and spent good study time with it that afternoon and Sunday.

After Mike Todd, Don Manning, Judy Newsome, Kevin Calhoon and I had our fill 
of the ultimate bird of the day on Sunday, we went to view a huge flock of 
Laps that I had seen early that morning in a field that I had checked multiple 
times on Saturday and had had just a few birds. There were 2 groups working a 
large area of rolled rice. I estimate there were 7-800 birds in each group. 
Kevin and Judy also needed a Brewer's Blackbird for a year list and I lucked up 
on 
spying a small group flying over the field that obliged us by landing in a 
tree so we could see both the males and females.

Bald Eagles were present in good numbers and Saturday I had 9 in view at one 
time when searching for the flycatcher. I photographed one immature bird 
circling overhead that had a white head, body and white underwing coverts, a 
strange almost exotic looking raptor to say the least. Greater White-fronted 
Geese 
were see trading almost all day long and late on Sunday we had a couple of good 
sized flocks of Snow Geese with a few small white geese in the mix. Black 
Bayou Saturday evening hosted sky darkening clouds of ducks.

Later on Sunday Kevin said he also would like a LeConte's for his year list 
and I took him to sparrow heaven in Dyer Co. We walked a small portion of my 
favorite LeConte's field that is huge and had flushed 10 LeConte's with up 
close 
and personal looks at two. During our walkabout we flushed a Short-eared Owl 
from the field and 1 or 2 Sedge Wrens. A huge field of Panicum with Smart Weed 
and Sesbania make for a nice ending to any winter day. 

Good Birding!!!

Jeff R. Wilson
OL'COOT / TLBA
Bartlett, TN


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