[TN-Bird] Marbled Godwit, Upland Sandpiper and Bobolinks

April 26, 2003
Highway 79 west
Lake, Co. TN

A few of us converged on 79 Highway this weekend and spent almost all day 
Saturday enjoying the birds. John Noel and Melinda Welton started at Walnut 
Log early Saturday, they picked up Nancy Moore and met me at the junction of 
79 and the Great River Road at 9 AM. I had started at dawn along the Obion 
River near Tigertail, TN.

West 79 highway is noted for what is evidently the highest concentration of 
Warbling Vireos, Orchard and Baltimore Orioles in the mid-south. We were a 
little early in the season but were never out of sight or song of a half doze
n of them at any one time. There are always other surprises to keep to you 
interested along this road. 

Our species total for Saturday was 118 and I went back for a few hours on 
Sunday and added another 12 species to the list.

Three White Pelicans soared over just before noon for a welcomed add on. Only 
8 species of ducks were tallied but the area is running way behind on spring 
rains and most places in that area were dry. A single immature Bald Eagle was 
seen Sunday and a single Harrier made the Saturday list. Two Sharp-shinned 
sailed over heading north. Bobwhite Quail were heard most of the day but two 
pair stopped in the middle of the road in the late afternoon sun and gave us 
all up close looks at their intricate plumage.

Shorebird species were a little on the thin side due to water scarcity with 
only 11 species making to list. A real bonus was tallied when I took a jaunt 
out to the river and found a single MARBLED GODWIT stalking a sandbar. Search 
as we might the only other birds out on the river were a few DC Cormorants. A 
few very distant shots of the Marbled turned out pretty good and IDable for a 
bird over 1/2 mile away. Four UPLAND SANDPIPERS spent Saturday and Sunday in 
a field off 79 highway just west of the Great River Road. They are a treat 
anytime but when you can spend a long time with them they become even more 
special.

On lunch break an Eurasian Collared-Dove was ticked in Ridgley. A Least 
Flycatcher was added late in the afternoon in a favored willow stand. A pair 
of Carolina Chickadees, carrying food, were photographed at a nest hole. Only 
12 species of warblers made themselves known to us but 10 species of sparrows 
was really nice with good looks at multiple Grasshoppers, Lincoln's and we 
absolutely were never out of sight of multiple White-crowned Sparrows. I have 
seen large flocks of this species before numbering over 100 in a single 
location but these birds were spread over a 5 or 6 mile stretch of 79 in 
every direction and every type of habitat. It was a first experience for all 
birders present. 

The vetch is not quite in bloom but I did have 2 male BOBOLINK on Saturday at 
Chic and Nancy Moore and I had another off 79 Highway on Sunday. We were 
studying Grasshopper Sparrows and testing my new digital device that lets me 
hear birds singing in the ranges where I have nerve damage. It works like a 
charm and I could pick up the sparrows singing, even while driving along the 
road. I'll write some more about this wonderful technology later.

Good Birding!!!

Jeff R. Wilson
OL' COOT / TLBA
Bartlett Tenn.


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