August 10-11, 2002 SW TN We counted 5 locations in and around Memphis and tallied only 14 species with about 3500 birds counted. This was better than I expected after Wayne Forsythe from NC and I checked the pits on Friday afternoon. The winds had blown out of the north all week and dropped the numbers to about a third of what had been present. The winds changed from the north to the west and southwest over night and the numbers at the pits rose to 3220 on Saturday but again dropped 30% by Sunday morning. We were joined by Winston Walden from Cookeville for breakfast on Saturday morning and a long day of counting began. The only Western Sandpiper seen over the weekend was a brilliant immature and out of the thousands of Least sandpipers we went through I found only 1 fresh and brightly feathered juvenile. This is not a good sign and could possibly indicate a low nesting success. The first immature Lesser Yellowlegs also made its arrival known and singles of Short-billed and Long-billed Dowitchers were studied. The Black-necked Stilts still surprise me on every trip. All of the adults and flying immature birds have left the area but there were still plenty of family groups to be counted. The more amazing observations were an adult setting eggs and building on a nest and then Sunday, a pair was watched as they went through all the rituals and proceeded to breed. This is the most successful and protracted breeding season for these birds ever in Memphis. Not a spectacular weekend for shorebirds but any time I can spend just sorting through Wind Birds is all right in my book. Good Birding!!! Jeff R. Wilson OL' COOT / TLBA Bartlett Tenn. PS: I did get some real fine photos of 2 male, 2 female and an immature Common Nighthawk sitting together in some pine trees. These birds are super fine when viewed at 20 feet in a good scope; their intricate patterns and colors are marvelous. =================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 =========================================================