[TN-Bird] Gulls-Sparrows-Loons

March 19-20-21, 2004
TN NWR, Henry Co.
Kentucky Dam Area in KY


Diligent searching of the area around Pace Point, Britton Ford, Port Road and 
Paris Landing on Friday produced fewer Common Loons and great looks at single 
Red-throated and Pacific Loons. Mark Greene, Mike Todd and I, also spent time 
walking some fields that are now open to public access after their winter 
closings. These fields produced the best birds of the day with 8 LeConte's and 
a 
surprise in 3 very early Sharp-tailed Sparrows. The Sharp-tailed are 3 weeks 
ahead of the earliest dates in John Robinson's out dated Annotated Check list 
and another 3 weeks ahead of the usually expected dates in May. You might 
thoroughly check wet grassy areas to see if these boys are passing through your 
area, early and in their usual stealth mode.  

A new policy on the TN NWR, especially at Britton Ford, will produce more of 
this type habitat in appropriate areas by delineating and marking these 
special areas so that farming encroachment. This movement toward a more diverse 
and 
balanced habitat for all types of birds is a great and welcomed development 
that should benefit all. The management should be commended

A trip to the North into Kentucky and the area around Kentucky Dam produced, 
7 species of gulls and looks at their Yellow-billed Loon. Besides the 3 
expected gull species, I found a very pale Thayer's below the dam with brief 
looks 
on Saturday and then extended views on Sunday. It was agreed that it was only a 
pale Thayer's and not the light Thayer's/Iceland/Kumlien's being discussed on 
the ID pages that was extensively photographed and minutely detailed by Dave 
Roemer. 

I was fortunate in finding the adult California Gull multiple times above and 
below the dam, sitting and flying. It was seen briefly on both mornings below 
the dam in flight and again in flight above the dam near the beach. I was 
able to pick it out both afternoons, when it roosted above the dam. Distant 
photos were taken. The distinct flight and under wing pattern were seen by 3 of 
us 
at the beach area on Sunday. In poor lighting, on Saturday afternoon I believe 
we actually had 2 adult California Gulls. As usual the color of the back can 
go from very distinct to hardly discernible but one of the birds has a much 
richer colored bill than the Ring-billed and Herring, a deeper almost 
orange-yellow. This bill coloration was not seen on the bird found at Pace 
point in TN. 
A Glaucous Gull was seen in the YB LOON area on Saturday and again at the dam 
on Sunday morning. At least 3 Lesser Black-backed Gulls are present at the 
dam, 1 first year and 2 adults. The two adults were seen at the same time 
roosting above the dam.

The Yellow-billed Loon was found in its usual haunt and was seen diving at 
first but then disappeared. It was relocated after a short period and viewed 
for 
an extended time as it bathed and preened. The coloration, conformation and 
feathering further convinced me that this is not the same bird as the immature 
or the 2nd winter Yellow-billed Loons that were found earlier in TN.


Good Birding!!!

Jeff R. Wilson
OL'COOT / TLBA
Bartlett, TN


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