[TN-Bird] The Bluebird Trail of Tears (Port Royal/Shelby Bottoms)

From: Duane Rice <drbirdsong4@xxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <bluebird-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>, Anthea Gladkowski <algladkowski@xxxxxxx>, Benny Weakley <brandpdw@xxxxxxx>, Beth Britton <bbritton6236@xxxxxxxxx>, Bill and Mary Thompson <bill1109@xxxxxxxxxxx>, Bob Peak <blubrds@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>, "Bonnie Cain (bluebirder)" <bjwcain@xxxxxxx>, Brent Nickles <brent@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>, <brianrebeccajones@xxxxxxxxx>, Charlie & Paulette Cothern <cothern@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>, Craig and Lori Oshoney <loshoney@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>, Debbie & Steve Griggs <debbie55@xxxxxxxxxxx>, Donna Smith <momshometn@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>, Drew Schmidt <itstimeclockshop@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>, Elaine Foust <elaine.foust@xxxxxxxxxxx>, Gary Newman <gnewman41a@xxxxxxx>, George and Obera Curevich <gcurevich@xxxxxxx>, Heather Gallagher <heather.gallagher@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>, Hugh Smith <hsmith1941@xxxxxxx>, Henry & Maxine Menees <hjmenees@xxxxxxx>, Iloff & Anita Jenkins <iajakj@xxxxxxxxx>, Jan Wiles <tingirl@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>, Julie Walski <signer1@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>, Larry Carpenter <ldc_jcs_carpenter@xxxxxxx>, Margaret Howell <mshowell@xxxxxxxxxxx>, Mary Beth Hudspeth <mary.beth.hudspeth@xxxxxx>, Sandy Bivens <sandy.bivens@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>, <tn-bird@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Mon, 3 May 2010 20:04:01 -0500

Good People who love birds,

Let me first say at the outset, that the human loss we're experiencing here in
Middle Tennessee is more important than what I am about to tell you. That being
said, now you know, I know.

After many detours and turning around countless times, so I wouldn't be driving
through waters over the road, I finally made it to Port Royal after I got off
work today.

Though I knew what to expect, after seeing a few pictures, I was still not
prepared for what I saw.

After record-breaking rains (13 inches in 48 hours), my Bluebird Trail at Port
Royal is almost a complete loss. One box still remains above water, and it is
even now in a current, where there once was dry land. That box had Bluebird
eggs in it, when I was last there on the 22nd. I didn't dare wade out to it
today, to see if they have hatched, but according to my monitor records, they
are due.

All other boxes are under water. Lots of water. If they are there at all. Some
had eggs (Bluebird and Chickadee) , some had chicks.

I had recently mounted a few smaller boxes for Porthonotary Warblers on some
trees. They were investigating them when I was there on the 22nd, so I don't
know if they had begun nesting in them yet, or not.

The silver lining is that it's still early in the season, so despite the losses
now, there is still time for them to nest again, once the waters recede.

I'm sure Shelby Bottoms trail in Nashville is under water as well. This is an
even bigger loss than my trail at Port Royal. It borders the Cumberland River
in Nashville and is a testament to their dedication to the recovery of
Bluebirds.

I helped Steve and Regina Garr on this trail way back when, and I know of it's
incredible success since then. Hundreds of Bluebirds and Tree Swallows will be
displaced, no doubt.

As I said at the start, I know there are thousands of people whose lives have
been affected by the historical flood of 2010, and my heart and prayers go out
to them.

I just wanted to share with you, the loss I've experienced, no matter how
trivial it may seem, in relation to others.

Thanks for listening,

Duane Rice aka drbirdsong4

pictures will be posted on my flickr account asap

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[TN-Bird] The Bluebird Trail of Tears (Port Royal/Shelby Bottoms)

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