[TN-Bird] notes on Great White Heron

  • From: "Richard Knight" <rknight8@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
  • To: "bristol-birds" <bristol-birds@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>, "tn-bird" <tn-bird@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
  • Date: Sat, 16 Jul 2011 18:22:56 -0400

16 July 2011
Nolichucky River, Unicoi Co (but near Washington Co. line), TN


Great White Heron  - 1
Found today by Don Holt, seen & photographed by several others.

Typically thought of as a resident of South Florida, this sub-species
of the Great Blue Heron has now been reported in Tenn. at least  NINE
times!  Some authorities think it warrants full species status, as it once did.

This is the 7th record in NE Tenn since 1990, although some may
involve returning birds.  The earlier sightings were at South Holston Lake 
and on the South Holston River, as well as on the Watauga River.

Other Tenn records come from the Caney Fork River (Putnam & DeKalb
Cos.) in fall 2002 and from the Little River (Blount Co.) in winter 2006-2007.

All of these sites have rocky shores & cool water in common, conditions
a Great White is unlikely to find in South Florida.

##############
Rick Knight
Johnson City, TN

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