[Bristol-Birds] Rankin Bottoms and vicinity (Cocke Co., TN)

May 14, 2005

[posting date: May 15, 2005]

Rankin Bottoms, etc., Cocke County

The International Migratory Bird Day event at Rankin Bottoms on Saturday
the 14th produced some splendid birds, as expected, although the
activity was cut short by mid-day rain.  Led by Michael Sledjeski and
Leslie Gibbens, birders in six canoes surveyed a loop of about five
river miles in a two-hour trip beginning at and returning to the
entrance road near the tipple.  During the canoe trip, Marcia Davis,
Pete Wyatt, and possibly others counted birds from the shore near the
railroad track.  In the early afternoon, Marcia Davis, Don Miller, Linda
Northrop, and Stan ____ from Knoxville added a little more data to the
tally by surveying the entrance road and a few areas near Rankin
Bridge.  (Sorry I never learned your last name, Stan, but I'm very
pleased to have met you.)

A complete list of the day's birds is being compiled and is thus
unavailable at this time, but I'd like to go ahead and share some
significant info that I already have on selected species.  These numbers
include Rankin Bottoms, Rankin Hill Road, Rankin Bridge, the Bybee area,
Highway 160, and a few back roads.

Great Egret (none);
Cattle Egret (none);
shorebirds (17 unidentified fly-by birds at Rankin and 2 Killdeer seen
along backroads);

Double-crested Cormorant (69+ birds and a few nests at Rankin);
Osprey (6 birds and 3 nests observed at and near Rankin);
Northern Bobwhite (2 near Rankin Bridge);
Yellow-billed Cuckoo (7);
Red-headed Woodpecker (2 just below Rankin Bridge);
Eastern Kingbird (14);
Cliff Swallow (152+ at Rankin and Rankin Bridge);
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (30);
White-eyed Vireo (6);
Warbling Vireo (7--6 from canoe and 1 at Rankin Bridge);
Red-eyed Vireo (14);
Northern Parula (near Rankin Bridge);
Yellow Warbler (3);
Yellow-rumped Warbler (2);
Prairie Warbler (near tipple);
Blackpoll Warbler (near Rankin Bridge);
Prothonotary Warbler (38 at and near Rankin--it was stunning and
delightful to be in a place where this species was never beyond view or
earshot);
Common Yellowthroat (14);
Summer Tanager (2);
Orchard Oriole (15);
Baltimore Oriole (12 at and near Rankin--this is by far the most BAOR I
have ever found in one day in east TN, and it represents a conservative
tally).

Michael and Leslie--many thanks again for all your hard work in making
this event possible.  You are true friends to Rankin Bottoms and the
many regional birders who love it.

Don Miller
Greeneville, TN



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