[bristol-birds] large flight of Common Terns

Bristol Birders:

This morning four of us birded by boat at South Holston Lake,
finding a flock of 49 Common Terns and one (1) Black Tern.

The four (4) Eared Grebes were still in the vicinity of Musick's
Campground, Sullivan Co., TN.

Ken Hale took his slick, quick boat and Rack Cross, Wallace
Coffey and Bert Hale rounded out the party.

Near Cliff Island and Brown's Bottom areas of the lake, south
of U.S. 421 bridge, we encountered the terns.

For more than 30 minutes and many miles, we followed the
flock as they flew along the lake.  Most of the time we were
traveling about 20-25 mph and with birds all around the boat.
They frequently flew within 15 to 20 feet of the craft and along
side, just above the water and at other times just a foot or so
above the water where we could look down on the upper
surface of the wing.

The dark tip of the primaries and dark carpal bar on
the leading edge of the wing was evident.  The forked tails
and black area behind the eyes were distinct.

The small Black Tern was in near breeding plummage and
mostly followed the flock or flew on the outside of the group.

We also had about a dozen Great Blue Herons and four or
five Spotted Sandpipers and a single Pied-billed Grebe.  

Otherwise, the cold front may have either not brought us 
much or pushed birdsout. The terns and grebes were likely
moving in relation to the front.

Wallace Coffey
Bristol








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