March 17, 2011 Alice Loftin and I observed an American Bittern at close range this evening in the Tusculum area of Greene County. We found the bird alongside Brown's Bridge Road about a half mile upstream from the mouth of Frank Creek, which parallels the road for much of its (the road's) length below the residential areas near Tusculum College. The bird appeared to be feeding and allowed close approach by car. This is a personal early date for American Bittern in the county, eclipsing the date of March 21 (2007). Don Miller Greeneville, Greene Co., TN