Twelve participants took part in our NTOS field trip that visitedtwo North
Nashville Metro Parks last Saturday, January 21st. We started at Crooked
Branch Park where therecent rains have rejuvenated the large seasonal wetland,
as evidenced by thepresence of several hundred ducks and geese. In additional
to numerous Gadwall, Mallards and Green-winged Teal, therewere two Greater
White-fronted Geese and two American Black Ducks, one of whichwas a Mallard
hybrid complete with chocolate-brown body and green head. Following our hike
around the one-mile paved loop,we then made the short drive to Peeler Park. The
birding activity ebbed and flowed as is typical of mid-winter, and weeventually
ran into several mixed-species flocks, noteworthy for the largenumbers of
Hermit Thrushes and Golden-crowned Kinglets they contained. We were also able
to make the “woodpeckersweep”, by tallying all 7 regularly occurring species,
including a juvenileRed-headed, which put on a nice show at the wooded
boardwalk.
It was great exploring some lesser-known hotspots and hopefullygoing forward
they will receive the birding attention they are most certainlydue.
Our next field trip will be on February 18th aswe visit Robertson County.
Mike SmithHendersonville, TN
