[Bristol-Birds] western Sullivan County

The Great Blue Herons were busy this morning at the Netherland Inn Colony 
adding more and more sticks to their nests.  Not having much experience with 
these birds nesting I didn't think they would build such substantial 
structures, but they are.  They made trip after trip to the riverbank along the 
greenbelt picking up sticks and flying back to the nests.  Also  present, but 
not nesting as far as I could see, were 16 Double-crested Cormorants, as well 
as a half dozen Black Vultures.  A few Ring-billed Gulls were still hanging 
around.

On up the river along the sluice on Riverport Road I stopped and checked the 
old cavity where Great Horned Owls have nested in past years.  I saw no birds 
present.  Usually if they are there by this time of year you can see the large, 
fluffy chicks standing in the cavity.

On up the road about a quarter mile I saw four female Hooded Mergansers and the 
largest concentration of Gadwall I've ever seen here.  I counted 28 birds on 
the water and a flock of 10 that flew by as I drove up the road.  A total of 38 
Gadwall.  Don't know why this particular stretch is so attractive to Gadwall 
and Hooded Mergansers, but they can usually be found here all winter.  

Rick

Rick Phillips
Kingsport, Tennessee

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