[Bristol-Birds] Hooded Merganser population at Middlebrook wandering.
- From: "Wallace Coffey" <jwcoffey@xxxxxxxxxx>
- To: "'bristol-birds'" <bristol-birds@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Thu, 11 Dec 2014 18:22:18 -0500
While birding in the area the past few days, it became apparent that
something had moved the Hooded Merganser raft that was staying at
Middlebrook Lake in east Bristol Tennessee. About six or eight birders
who have been checking birds there were reporting mostly between
100 to 200 birds. In mid November 330+ were found.
They were gone by Tuesday and Wednesday and I spent a couple
of hours and many miles looking for them on area ponds and lakes.
The Nicely Brich lake had 5 birds. Clear Creek Lake in Bristol Virginia,
where they usually go when not at Middlebrook was void of Hoodeds.
A handful was at Nicewonder Pond at Exit 10 of I-81 along with
83 Ring-necked Ducks and two Mute Swans.
This afternoon 50 had shown up at Middlbrook Lake. We don't know
If the larger group left and the present 50 are new arrivals.
Since it Is nearly two months until they head back on their northern
migration, it begs one to think about what is happening with that
population. The only sizeable pond we know about in the
area that could not be checked is the big one in the back of Tara Hills
across from the county club. It has not been available for us to
regularly monitor for nearly 15 years since the surrounding vegetation
screens its view. It is also secured with a tall fence.
Seven birders on the Bristol Christmas Bird Count were the last to
count waterfowl there 30 Dec 2007 when one of the trustees let
us borrow a key. That pond is part of a 570-acre nature preserve
created adjacent to Bristol Tennessee.
Let's go birding . . . .
Wallace Coffey
Bristol, TN
Other related posts:
- » [Bristol-Birds] Hooded Merganser population at Middlebrook wandering. - Wallace Coffey
