[TN-Bird] Tipton Terns / Arctic?

June 12, 2004
Mississippi River
Tunica Co. MS to Tipton Co. TN

After leaving the Western Kingbirds in Mississippi, I returned along the 
levee checking where ever I could see out on the river. After a steady 22 foot 
rise in 3 weeks the Mississippi has finally turned its head down today but it 
will probably be a slow fall. I found one small exposed spit in MS and of 
course 
it was covered with Least Terns but the Mother Load was near Randolph in TN, 
the spoils island that was dredged a couple of years out from the mouth of the 
Hatchie was covered with terns. In flight and sitting on nests I could count 
somewhat over 600 birds. That does not account for the nests on the far side of 
the island.

There were two Black Terns and I had what I firmly believe to be an Arctic 
Tern. The afternoon sun did not help matters but I spent an hour watching the 
bird and saw the thin black trailing edge of the wing, plain colored upper 
wing, 
extremely long tail streamers, very dark gray body and a striking narrow 
white contrasting moustachial mark. 

When the bird finally landed on the island, it landed where I could not see 
it. I then spent a good bit of time tracking down the farmer and getting 
permission to walk to the rivers edge across his field. I stayed till 8 PM but 
I 
never saw the bird again. The head and bill seemed small but I'd need a little 
better look before I'm 100%. The sun in the morning will be just right and I'll 
try again then.

The river did not make it up to the Bank Swallow's lines of nests and there 
are quite a few Banks skimming the water with Martins, Barn, Tree and 
Rough-winged. I'll bet there is a cliff or two in the mix.  


Good Birding!!!

Jeff R. Wilson
OL'COOT / TLBA
Bartlett, TN


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