Birchwood area birds, experiencing light rain much of the day and possibly
sensing heavier rain on the way, were quite active today. Some waterfowl
highlights from a TWRA boat ramp on Thatch Road off Birchwood Pike in Hamilton
County included Lesser Scaup, Common Goldeneye (only my second sighting of this
species ever), Bufflehead, and Pied-billed and Horned grebes. Numerous Sandhill
Cranes and a number of American Pelicans were noted on the Hiwassee Wildlife
Refuge in Meigs County at Birchwood. Some observations at my property in
Birchwood (Hamilton County) included Red-breasted Nuthatches, a Brown Creeper,
a Pine Warbler, a handsome Swamp Sparrow that likes suet, and Purple Finches.
Altogether, I saw 47 species of birds today.
Charles Murray
Birchwood, TN
