[Bristol-Birds] Re: more about the Rusty Blackbirds at Paddle Creek
- From: Alice Loftin / Don Miller <pandion@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: jwcoffey@xxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Wed, 29 Oct 2008 21:08:14 -0400 (EDT)
Wallace,
As you probably recall from posts I've sent over the years, Greene County tends
to be a good spot for Rusty Blackbirds. During the peak time from November to
March, I can usually find them on any given day in the western part of the
county if I'm willing to put in enough time. The numbers in which they occur
are normally a few to a few dozen. My personal high count is 200+, found on
February 29, 2004.
I have often seen them exhibit behavior similar to what you observed on October
27. In fact, when I'm searching diligently for Rusties, I drive around until I
find a wet pasture, muddy paddock, or slightly flooded woodlot. I learned a
long time ago that this is where they hang out, and I hardly expect them
anywhere else. Fortunately, Greene County still offers a lot of this habitat.
I was thrilled to read of the magnificent flock of Rusty Blackbirds that you
found on Monday. Long may these threatened beauties live. Thanks for your
post and follow-up.
Don Miller
Greeneville, Greene Co., TN
----- Original Message -----
From: Wallace Coffey <jwcoffey@xxxxxxxxxx>
To: Bristol-birds <bristol-birds@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Tue, 28 Oct 2008 23:52:44 -0400 (EDT)
Subject: [Bristol-Birds] more about the Rusty Blackbirds at Paddle Creek
Area Birders,
Many of you may be rather astonished at
the number of Rusty Blackbirds estimated
in the vicinity of Paddle Creek Ponds on
Monday.
. . . . . . . . .
Wallace Coffey
Bristol, TN
Paddle Creek Ponds
Sullivan Co, TN:
Dunlin 1
Rusty Blackbirds ~500
Brown-headed Cowbirds ~300
Eastern Meadowlark 10
Hooded Merganser 3
Killdeer 9
Great Blue Heron 3
Mallard 2
Cooper's Hawk 1
Gadwall 4
Musick's Campground
South Holston Lake
Sullivan Co., TN
Just a few minutes behind Rick Knight's observations.
The only thing different was:
Common Loon - 2
Did see two birds at rest well downstream with the wind
blowing too hard and waves creating too much movement
for my scope. Felt the birds might be scoters but could
not get a positive ID on that, let alone the species.
Was fascinated at the reports of Surf Scoters seen today.
Rooty Branch Wetlands near Bristol TN Water Treatment
Plan, eastern Sullivan Co:
Wood Ducks 4
Mallards 2
Holston Mountain (3,500 ft. to 4,400 ft.) was white with
snow near the top.
Let's go birding. . . . .
Wallace Coffey
Bristol, TN
*************************************************
BRISTOL BIRDS NET LIST
Bristol Birds Net Photo Gallery located at:
http://photos.yahoo.com/ph/jwcoffeyy/album?.dir=/efd5
Be sure and visit the Bristol Bird Club website at:
http://bristolbirdclub.org
This is a regional birding list sponsored by the
Bristol Bird Club to facilitate communications
between birders and bird clubs of Southwest Virginia
and Northeast Tennessee.
--------------------------------------------------
You are subscribed to Bristol-Birds.
To post to this mailing list, simply send an email
to: bristol-birds@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx To unsubscribe, send
an email to bristol-birds-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with
the one word 'unsubscribe' in the Subject field.
--------------------------------------------------
Wallace Coffey, Moderator
wallace@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
(423)764-****
Other related posts:
