The Rankin Project is sponsoring a litter pickup at Rankin Bottoms in Cocke County on Saturday, Dec. 7, from 10:30 to 1:30. Gloves recommended. We'll also be clearing out a small tract in preparation for an overlook near the RR crossing. This new viewing area will expand birding opportunities and offer a great view across to the French Broad. Rankin East, Rankin West: The Rankin Wildlife Management Area is on the east side of a peninsula bounded by Douglas Lake in the summer, or the French Broad River after the lake is drawn down. The number and variety of waterbirds there peak at a lake level of about 980 feet. This summer, following Tony Koella's advice, we began to find more birds on the west side of the peninsula as the lower-elevation mudflats were exposed. Populations peak there at roughly 970 feet. Rankin West is all privately-owned, though subject to TVA flood easement. Initially, we visited the area in a canoe; later, we got permission from 2 local landowners to park at the gate, cross a narrow field and access the bottoms. Birders in general are welcome to do the same. However, since some of the landowners are less hospitable, a guided visit would be more prudent than following printed directions. >>> The point, at last, is that we'd be happy to show anyone who's interested how to access the bottoms of Rankin West after the litter pickup on 12/7. Michael Sylva and Leslie Gibbens Del Rio TN Get more from the Web. FREE MSN Explorer download : http://explorer.msn.com =================NOTES TO SUBSCRIBER===================== The TN-Bird Net requires you to sign your messages with first and last name, city (town) and state abbreviation. ----------------------------------------------------- To post to this mailing list, simply send email to: tn-bird@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx ----------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe, send email to: tn-bird-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with 'unsubscribe' in the Subject field. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Topographical Maps located at http://topozone.com/find.asp * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Visit the Tennessee Ornithological Society web site at http://www.tnbirds.org * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * TN-Bird Net Owner: Wallace Coffey, Bristol, TN jwcoffey@xxxxxxxxxx (423) 764-3958 =========================================================