[TN-Bird] Sandhill Cranes (Robertson Co.)

From: Tony Lance <tonylance@xxxxxxx>
To: tn-bird@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Date: Sun, 06 Dec 2009 08:58:11 -0600
Following the NTOS field trip yesterday, Ken Oeser and his son  
Braxton joined me at Cedar Hill Swamp. The Red-headed Woodpeckers  
seemed more widely dispersed and much less active than they have been  
lately, and we saw no more than 15. In fact, activity in general  
appeared low, perhaps due to the cold temperatures. While we were  
watching a group of about 25 Turkey Vultures fly nearby, a V began to  
come into view from the north. As it got closer we could make out and  
then hear Sandhill Cranes. We counted 31. They caught a thermal and  
circled, calling loudly from time to time, before continuing on.

On the way out of the swamp we found a Barred Owl in a tree near the  
railroad tracks. As we drew near it clacked its beak loudly and  
raised its wings in a defensive posture, seemingly reluctant to fly.  
When we got closer it jumped from its perch and plopped in a puddle— 
its left wing was broken. I captured it, wrapping it my jacket, and  
later took it the wonderful folks at Walden's Puddle. (Allison, who  
was on duty, said the break looked recent and the bird stood a good  
chance of recovery.)

To finish up a long day of birding, Ken, Braxton and I stopped by  
Johnson's dairy farm for a look at the Loggerhead Shrikes. As we  
scanned for them in the hedgerows lining one of their favorite  
fields, a pasture which had gotten a visit from the manure spreader  
earlier in the day, Ken spied a group of Killdeers. We counted 46.

Tony Lance
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[TN-Bird] Sandhill Cranes (Robertson Co.)

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