[Bristol-Birds] Shorebirds, etc. (Cocke Co., Hamblen Co., TN)

From: Alice Loftin / Don Miller <pandion@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: TN-bird@xxxxxxxxxxxxx, bristol-birds@xxxxxxxxxxxxx, butternuts@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Date: Mon, 7 Sep 2009 10:24:42 -0400 (EDT)

September 6, 2009 
[posted September 7, 2009] 

Cocke County: Rankin Bottoms (RB), with brief scans along Dutch Bottoms 
Hamblen County: mouth of Nolichucky River 

Observers, in canoes: Leslie Gibbens, Rick Knight, Don Miller, Michael 
Sledjeski 

The lake level was still higher than optimum for shoreline viewing, though the 
water had dropped somewhat since last weekend, exposing mudflats running from 
opposite the tipple area at Rankin upstream toward the gate at the end of the 
old railroad bed. The Hamblen County shoreline (accessible only by boat) still 
offered significant shorebird habitat, but much of the area was too dry to 
attract birds. Visitors wishing to view the Rankin Bottoms shoreline would do 
well to wait a few more days. 

Significant observations included: 

American Black Duck (RB; earlier than typical) 
Double-crested Cormorant (90 RB, 3 Hamblen) 
Great Egret (206 Cocke, 35 Hamblen) 
Osprey (2 (at least) RB) 
Merlin (RB) 
Peregrine Falcon (RB) 
Semipalmated Plover (9 RB, 3 Hamblen) 
American Avocet (RB) 
Spotted Sandpiper (2 RB, 1 Hamblen) 
Lesser Yellowlegs (RB) 
Willet ("Western") (RB) 
Semipalmated Sandpiper (3 RB, 6 Hamblen) 
Western Sandpiper (7 RB) 
Least Sandpiper (12 RB, 7 Hamblen) 
Baird's Sandpiper (2 RB) 
Pectoral Sandpiper (44 RB, 4 Hamblen) 
Buff-breasted Sandpiper (5 RB) 
Bonaparte's Gull (juvenile RB; quite early) 
Caspian Tern (2 RB) 

The Bonaparte's Gull engaged in a thrilling aerial match with the Peregrine, 
which the gull won by not being eaten. 

Don Miller 
Greeneville, Greene Co., TN

[Bristol-Birds] Shorebirds, etc. (Cocke Co., Hamblen Co., TN)

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