[birdky] Common Ground-Dove

November 27, 2002:

As David Roemer reported the Common Ground-Dove was still present this morning 
as of about 8:45 AM.  There were also 3 Dunlin and several Killdeer on the Lake 
Mudflat.

I observed the bird intermittently between 7:50 AM and 8:45 AM.  I will state 
that I thought I saw it upon my arrival at 7:15 AM, but whatever it was flew 
into the weeds and was not relocated.  I spent a few minutes waiting, then 
decided to check out the lake quickly and the surrounding weeds.  

Upon my return to my scope, the Dove was feeding on the road as described by 
others.  The bird fed there for about 10 - 15 minutes, then flew into the scrub 
trees/weeds on the south side of the dirt farm lane.  After a hiatus of about 
20 minutes, the bird re-appeared on the road.  By that time, the sun had risen 
above the trees in the east and the second the Dove got in my field of vision 
from the scope, it flew.  I am convinced that the sun shining on my lens 
frightened it.

After another wait of about 10 - 15 minutes, the bird re-appeared.  I watched 
it for quite some time,  For such a small plainly colored bird, it is really 
beautiful.  The intricate scale design of the feathers on the neck, breast, 
throat, and crown were much more impressive than on the excellent photographs 
that I had seen of the bird.  When it flew again, I was able to discern rufous 
beneath, but I could not discern exactly what part of the bird showed rufous.  
I will just have to use the diagrams in the field guide.

Kentucky Dam had nice still water, but few birds.  The usual assortment of 
Coots, Grebes, Goldeneye, Scaup, and common gulls were all that I observed.

Lake Barkley was similar, except that the large raft of Scaup/divers was 
present as usual this time of year.  Even though the water was quite calm, 
viewing was difficult due to heat distortion.  I did not take the time nor 
strain my eye in to try to sort out fuzzy shapes/forms of species that were not 
Scaup or Bufflehead.

8 American White Pelicans were the only birds of interest to me on the lake.  
They were between "Green Road" and Boyd's Landing.

That concludes this report.

Mark Bennett
Russellville, KY
Logan County
benn5609@xxxxxxxxxxxxx





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