[TN-Bird] Big Crowd Rewarded at Hiwassee
- From: Charles Murray <dro_1945@xxxxxxxxx>
- To: TN- BIRD <tn-bird@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Sat, 28 Jan 2012 17:07:45 -0800 (PST)
At least 164 visitors from 11 states signed the visitor list at the Hiwassee
Wildlife Refuge in Meigs Co. at Birchwood today. Many of these visitors saw the
hooded crane. It was in the slough behind some willow trees when the early fog
lifted at about 8:20 a.m., and it remained in view until it flew behind the
tree line northeast of the viewing area about 9:40. It flew back into the right
end of the slough at 5:47 p.m., the latest that I have heard of it flying back
into view. About that time, there were thousands of sandhill cranes flying
within view of the gazebo at HWR. A large number of immature bald eagles were
seen during the day. At about 10:50 when a cold front was moving through the
area, 8 immature bald eagles were circling over the slough at one time. Later
in the day, at least 6 immatures were seen. Northern harriers and red-tailed
hawks were also noted. A flock of at least 50 wild turkeys were observed. I
left the viewing area about 6 p.m.
and went to the Cherokee Removal
Memorial Park overlook where I saw at least 3 whooping cranes on Hiwassee
Island.
Visitors are advised to have plenty of cold weather clothing available when you
visit the HWR or the CRMP. Wind off the waters at either can make for VERY cold
birdwatching! PLEASE SIGN THE VISITOR LIST IN THE GAZEBO any day that you visit
HWR. I'm sure many visitors were missed during the portions of the day today
when I was not at the refuge.
Charles Murray
Birchwood, TN
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