Over 40 visitors to the Hiwassee Wildlife Refuge viewing area at Birchwood in
Meigs County this afternoon were able to see at least 22 species of birds.
Highlights included a fair number of sandhill cranes, 4 great egrets, at least
six species of ducks (mallard, canvasback, redhead, ring-necked, hooded
merganser, and ruddy), and at least three immature bald eagles, two of which
had an aerial hot pursuit and failed attempt to steal a fish that one had
caught. Late in the day from the overlook at the Cherokee Removal Memorial
Park, also at Birchwood in Meigs County, I saw about 30 American white
pelicans, more sandhill cranes, and one whooping crane. I heard a belted
kingfisher. These birds were also on the Hiwassee Wildlife Refuge.
Charles Murray
Birchwood, TN
