[Bristol-Birds] Clancey Deel dealt himself an Ace of Bitterns on the edge of daylight and night rain.
- From: "Wallace Coffey" <jwcoffey@xxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <bristol-birds@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Wed, 15 Oct 2014 21:54:22 -0400
American Bittern Falls Mill_October 15 2014 (5).jpg
Photo by Clancey Deel
Playing his cards safe and close to the vest, Clancey Deel rolled
out of Richlands, VA before daylight early Tuesday (15 October
2014) heading north to the hills west of Bluefield, VA in Tazewell
County. He couldn't have dealt himself a better hand.
As the first break of light spread across Falls Mill Lake near 7:30
a.m. Clancey had reached the upper stretches of Mud Fork Creek and
found what he thought would be there - flooding in the fields and
along the creek where he has discovered many good waterfowl this
year.
Across the quiet waters of the upper end, an American Bittern was
gracefully feeding. Oh yes!
The big bittern is a rare and local migrant during fall passage in
the mountain and valley region of Southwest Virginia and its coalfields.
This big bird is maybe 28 inches long and larger than a Green Heron.
You could probably write a list of all the American Bitterns seen in the
coalfields on a post-it note.
A storm pushed thru the region overnight and rain fell in sheets across
the area.
Falls Mill Lake has become one of Clancey's favorite birding sites and he
has had good waterfowl there this fall. No wonder. He keeps going again and
again.
The lake is likely less than 50 acres. It is privately owned and recently a
bulldozer has been busy near the lake clearing back timber and skidding
logs.
The local Falls Mill Fishing Club has enjoyed access to the site for some
years as a favorite fishing area. Clancey says considerable care has been
taken to cut brush away from the close shoreline and some of it has been
mowed and trimmed until it looks manicured.
He heard that daybreak birding following an early morning rain while it is
dark brings good birds. Sunshine is pretty but not always as rewarding.
The leaf color is very pretty.
Wallace Coffey
Bristol, TN
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- » [Bristol-Birds] Clancey Deel dealt himself an Ace of Bitterns on the edge of daylight and night rain. - Wallace Coffey
