[Bristol-Birds] Chuck-will's-widow
- From: "Michelle" <mbrown@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: "Bristol-birds" <bristol-birds@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Wed, 11 May 2011 23:44:04 -0400
For the last three nights I have been listening to a Chuck-will's-widow calling
here on the farm in Blountville, TN. I have heard this bird in years past and
always in the same area of the farm.
Today I trekked back to the wood lot where over a month ago I observed an adult
Red-Tailed Hawk sitting on a nest. That bird was not seen in the area and no
activity was noted at the nest. I did do a quick sweep under the tree given
the recent high winds our area has sustained and found nothing. Will recheck
in a few days. Praying that chics are present and just aren't bobbing heads
over the edge yet.
I have also been keeping tabs on a nesting wren. We found her nest by mistake
and mostly due to her inability to sit still. Fortunately she did not impale
my face as she flew from her hiding spot. A near miss!!! In the past week and
a half her eggs hatched and bald bug-eyed babies appeared. Today I checked the
nest and found one nestling...he is as big as the adult. Two very small
nestlings were dead on the ground below. One egg pushed from the nest.
Currently this guys pin feathers bear no resemblance to that of the adult. I
am beginning to think this monster nestling is in fact a Cowbird. All that
work and effort to lose her own offspring to a bruiser cowbird...just doesn't
seem fair.
It was nice to get out in the woods for a few minutes and enjoy the peace and
songs of the forest. Hoping I can find more time to enjoy mother nature in the
near future.
Michelle King
Blountville, TN
Sullivan County
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