[TN-Bird] Hiwassee Cranes

Hiwassee Refuge
Meigs County

For the benefit of Charlie, Patty and others I think it would be faster to 
use this media rather than answering each individually.  First off, I'm sorry 
for the late hour for the post but I just got off work and back home.

Hiwassee Refuge is just off Hwy 60 near Birchwood.  The closest large town is 
Dayton.  Since most people usually come in from the Birchwood side I'll use 
it as a starting point.  Birchwood is in Hamilton County.  From Birchwood 
school which is on Hwy. 60 continue on Hwy 60 toward the Tennessee River for 
just 
under 3 miles. At the county lines of Hamilton and Meigs there is a cemetery on 
the right.  Immediately past the county line turn right onto SHADDEN ROAD 
proceed for a mile.  Turn right onto BLYTHE FERRY LANE.  Proceed for just under 
a 
mile until you see PRIDDY ROAD on your left. Priddy Rd. is a dirt road.  
Proceed down Priddy to it's dead end.  Park in the parking lot and walk uphill 
to 
the gazebo.

All of the refuge is off limits to visitors this time of year except the 
small confined area at the gazebo.  Please stay behind the fence.  The gate is 
locked so don't walk around it, at least not for this event.  As Charlie stated 
earlier there is another site to view from at the Cherokee Memorial.  The 
Gazebo is my favorite because Heather Ray with Operation Migration is there.  
She 
has a radio and is in constant contact with the pilots and other ground crews.  
From my point of view this is better because Heather keeps me up to date on 
all the happenings.  At the Cherokee Memorial I would be always wondering 
things like: how much longer, did I get here on time, or are they even going to 
migrate today?  And, nearly all the crowd is at the gazebo.  I enjoy renewing 
acquaintances!  If you like to avoid the crowd ( 30 + - ) people then I would 
suggest 3 other alternate places:  A)- Pull off the road at Birchwood school  
B)- 
The cemetery previously mentioned at the county line and C)- the area in and 
around the pond where so many previous sparrow species have been sighted.  *** 
 To get to the pond area continue down Shadden Road past Blythe Ferry Lane 
for about a fourth mile until you see a small farm pond on the left.  Stop here 
and watch the skies to your right.  To get to the Cherokee Memorial continue 
straight down this road until you see the entrance on the right.  The Cherokee 
Memorial would be my very last choice. This is due to the fact that the 
departing cranes will be flying away from you and you may never see them.  If 
they 
were incoming you would have a better chance of seeing them.

Let me mention weather.  If it's raining the migration will be called off and 
if the wind is out of the South and stronger than 8 MPH that would be another 
indicator of a no go.

Jimmy Wilkerson
Hixson, TN.


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