[TN-Bird] Pickwick Dam TN / No. Alabam Birds

Dec. 26, 2003
Pickwick Dam, TN
Dec. 26 and 28 in North Alabama

On my way down to Birmingham to participate in the Christmas Count, I made a 
stop at Pickwick State Park and the Dam. Out from the state park during a 2 
hour vigil, I had an adult Red-throated Loon. This bird was a typical RT. Loon, 
as I would see it briefly (the first time it just popped into my scope) and 
then it would just disappear to show up in another distant part of the lake. I 
saw the bird on 3 occasions in an hour and a half for 2 or 3 dives each time 
before it would disappear. I see more immatures than adults and I enjoyed this 
classic and classy adult bird, sporting very clean plumage and features. Also 
from the park, I had 3 Surf Scoters. There were less than 100 gulls on the lake 
and below the dam with nothing other than the 3 expected species. There were 
also 3 Common Loons, 9 Horned Grebes, 44 Pied-billed Grebes, 4 Greater Scaup, 
1 Mallard hen, 27 Coots and a 3rd year Bald Eagle. Pretty slim pickings but 
Pickwick is much better in February.

Traveling through north Alabama over the weekend, I had a white Christmas as 
there is an almost pure white Red-tailed Hawk east of Florence; I was lucky 
enough to get photos. The bird was found by others on Christmas Day, what a 
treat that bird was in the bright afternoon sun. On Sunday another white bird 
appeared below Wheeler Dam in the form on an immature Glaucous Gull. The bird 
was 
out from the lower boat ramp. I also had 180 Common Goldeneye and 9 Common 
Loons at the same time. I then took a wrong turn and ended up in an area I had 
never been into down there and as luck would have it I found an adult Little 
Gull. This bird rested and played in front of me all afternoon and I was joined 
by Steve McConnell and we got up close and personal with this most beautiful of 
small gulls. I'll share photos if interested just drop me a line. Steve got 
some great photos of the bird sitting on the water and I can furnish some 
in-flight shots. The bird was found off the point just east of the boat ramp at 
the 
Mallard Recreation Area north of Highway 20 on CR. 400 just south east of 
Wheeler Dam and across from the Brown's Ferry Nuclear Plant. 


Good Birding!!!

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


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