[Bristol-Birds] Willet/Merlin/Rankin

From: michael sledjeski <mtnsylva@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: tn-bird@xxxxxxxxxxxxx, bristol-birds@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Date: Fri, 29 Apr 2011 22:30:08 -0400
Rankin area, Cocke  & Hamblen (*) counties, 4/29/11, 4-7 PM
Douglas Lake elevation: 989.5 ft.

We stopped at Rankin Bridge on the way to the WMA and saw a Merlin swoop 
through the swarms of cliff swallows, then disappear down the river.  We 
continued on and parked where the lake is  now crossing the road to the coal 
tipple, looked out across the embayment and watched a Willet flying in from the 
south.  It settled on a floating log and rested while we passed by for a photo 
op from the canoe, then went on the usual circuit to the Gate Pond, across the 
river to the Riverwood Pond, then up the Nolichucky River to Gregg's Bottoms.  
We found a lot of Solitary Sandpipers, and 2 flocks of Lesser Yellowlegs with a 
few Pectoral Sandpipers, but no other exceptional shorebird species.  

Partial list (totals for all sites) -Hamblen county*:
Wood duck (ca. 55, plus 3 clutches of ducklings) - 28*
Northern shoveler  
Great egret (8) - 3*
Green heron (5-FOY) -2*
Osprey (10) - 3*
Bald eagle (8) -2*
Am. kestrel
MERLIN
Killdeer (3)
Lesser yellowlegs (82) - 45*
Solitary sandpiper (22)  -2*
WESTERN WILLET
  photo at  http://www.pbase.com/image/134294580/original
Spotted sandpiper (6) -2*
  photo at  http://www.pbase.com/image/134294581/original
Pectoral sandpiper (10)  -8*
Yellow-throated warbler

Michael Sledjeski & Leslie Gibbens
Del Rio TN


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[Bristol-Birds] Willet/Merlin/Rankin

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