As an update for the proposed trip to western KY...
It appears the waterbirds on the western lakes are abysmally low at present
(almost no gulls; very few ducks). As well, the tundra swans seem to have flown
from Bernheim Forest. Bummer. It would probably not be worth our time to drive
all the way out there.
I'd suggest leaving the current walk schedule as it is. A walk proposed for
this Saturday (the 6th) at the Cemetery. On the 13th we have an otherwise
unspecified "Gull walk." The Kentucky Ornithological Society is having a joint
walk with the Tennessee Ornithological Society at the far western KY dams on
the 13th anyway. Who knows, by then the waterbirds there may have picked back
up. I just can't commit to a drive down there on the 13th personally. If folks
want to try the lakes on the 13th, you'll have experienced folks with you from
those groups.
See the following from Pat Bell (KOS president):
The Kentucky and Tennessee Ornithological Societies are having a joint field
trip to Kentucky Lake and Dam on Saturday, February 13. Hap Chambers will be
leading the group. Everyone is to meet at Kentucky Dam Village State Resort
Park at 8:30 a.m. CST. Bring lunch, snacks, water, etc. Dress warmly as it can
be very cold along the lake.
Contact Tarcila Fox (TOS) for more details at 615-405-8625.
The state park is open if anyone would like to spend the night.
Also, don't forget the Fayette County Science Fair held at Tates Creek High
School from 8a-1p on Saturday the 6th. Our friends at CKAS will be there giving
away some fantastic prizes! Raptor Rehab will be there as well.
Sorry for the back-and-forth,
Mark Tower
On 01/27/2016 04:16 PM, Mark Tower wrote:
Hi all,
I was thinking of trying to arrange a trip down to the western portion of the
state. It looks like Saturday February 6th will be our target day. I know we
have a Cemetery walk scheduled that day. We'll switch the Cemetery walk to
the 13th. Our target birds will center around water birds...ducks (including
ones hopefully that we can't see here in Lexington) and gulls. We might try
for Tundra Swans or overwintering Le Conte's sparrows as well. I'm hoping to
have Brainard Palmer-Ball from Louisville accompany us. Some in the group may
be staying overnight on Saturday and bird our way back to Lexington on
Sunday. We'll probably have multiple cars, with some staying over in western
KY Saturday night, others coming back.
Please let me know your interest.
Mark
