[TN-Bird] Search for Inca Dove; 5/23/05

5/23/05
Shelby Co.

I spent most of today birding around Ensley and the TVA Allen Steam Plant 
area, with a short trip to President's Island and Shelby Forrest and Eagle 
Lake.

I made 5 different trips up to the area that Jeff had seen the Inca, for a 
total of over 4 hours of searching today. I arrived at 06:45 and stayed 
initially until 08:15, then returned at 09:45 for another hour, and repeated 
this a few more times, until I finally headed for home at about 3:30 this 
afternoon. Unfortunately no sign of the Dove, but it's really the needle in 
the haystack. Hopefully Jeff's luck will hold, and he can nail some kind of 
pattern with the bird. Maybe late afternoon will be the time? I spent my 
time up on the levee, and birding the Painted Bunting and dredge parking 
areas.

Of interest this morning, were both Willow and Alder Flycatchers singing in 
the Painted Bunting area. This morning there were no Painteds to be found, 
but after lunch, and after the clouds cleared, 2 male Painteds were singing 
their hearts out. Shorebirds at the Pits were few and far between, with Semi 
Sands being far and away the most common birds. Others were a sprinkling of 
Least and only a handful of Pec's, with 1 Western, 2 White-rumped, and 3 
Dunlin, along with 3 Stilt Sandpipers. Lesser Yellowlegs and Semi Plovers 
were also scattered about.

I spent a little time enjoying the Western Kingbirds that are nesting in the 
area, hopefully another pair or two will show up yet this year. The 
Scissor-tails on President's Island also helped ease the disappointment of 
dipping on the Inca Dove, they are always a treat. The female is a striking 
bird, being very yellow on the flanks, with a shortish tail. A search on the 
web turned up similar birds, but a Western Kingbird x Scissor-tail cross 
comes to mind when looking at the bird. Who knows, Mr. Scissor-tail doesn't 
seem to mind.

A quick trip up to Eagle Lake and Shelby Forrest produced nothing of note. 
Interesting day to be out, hope the Dove shows back up.

I've posted a few shots from the day at: 
http://www.pbase.com/mctodd/memphis_52305 . Clicking on any thumbnail will 
enlarge the picture.

Good Birding!!

Mike Todd
McKenzie, TN
Carroll Co.
birder1@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
www.pbse.com/mctodd

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