[TN-Bird] Rankin swallows

Ready for autumn?   TREE SWALLOWS appear to be winding down a very short 
summer; yesterday evening, we saw at least 1000 gathering  in the cottonwoods 
along the the French Broad River downstream from the old Rankin bridge.

Earlier in the month, I tallied 750 active  CLIFF SWALLOW nests under the new 
Rankin Bridge.  The number is likely higher; more than 200 nests appeared to be 
in good shape, but lacked signs of current use.  Does anyone know of a larger 
colony?  

We explored the willow swamp along Holttown Road, just downstream from the 
bridges, for the first  time.  It coverd a much larger  area than we 
anticipated, maybe 20 acres.  There were 2 dozen GREAT EGRETS roosting there, 
wee also observed an assortment of PROTHONOTARY WARBLERS, GREEN HERONS, 
BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERONS, YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOOS there.  A WOOD THRUSH  sang 
in the in the forest across the road.

Michael Sledjeski & Leslie Gibbens
Del Rio TN

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