[TN-Bird] Rankin Bottoms- Merlin

Erin Schiding (TVA Terrestrial Zoology intern) and I birded Rankin Bottoms 
today (Dec 16, 05) between 9:48 and 11:21 am.  Water level was at 950.62 at 
10 am.  We watched a

Merlin flush from the ground along with about 50 American pipits.  The 
merlin sat up in a tree for the remaining time we were in the area (about 45 
minutes).  The bird was either a female adult or a juvenile and of the Taiga 
race according to the photos in Sibley's field guide.

The primaries ended near the end of the tail but not at the tip of the tail. 
  A faint mustache was seen.

To get to the location where the bird was seen go to the end of Hill Road 
where it ends before Birder's Point and the coal tipple.  Off of Hill Road 
there is the gravel road that travels southeast out into the flats.  Take 
this road for about 100 yards.  The bird was seen in this location.



Allan Trently
Norris, TN
ajtcorax@xxxxxxxxxxx

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