Water levels in the Tennessee and Hiwassee rivers were still above normal
winter levels at Birchwood (Meigs County) today, but the levels had dropped
from being out-of-banks recently. Therefore, a few more duck species were noted
today at the Cherokee Removal Memorial Park and at the Hiwassee Wildlife Refuge
viewing areas. However, I was only able to identify a total of four duck
species for the two sites. I saw a few each of Mallards and Buffleheads at CRMP
and a few Redheads at HWR. The best duck sighting was 28 beautiful Green-winged
Teal at HWR, and there were also a few seen from the CRMP observation ramp. A
Northern Harrier was observed hunting at HWR both late morning and late
afternoon. Monday, February 17, I observed many thousands of Sandhill Cranes
flying north. Today, I heard only one Sandhill Crane and didn’t see it. At dusk
today at my home in Birchwood (Hamilton County), I head a Barred Owl’s familiar
“Who cooks for you, who cooks for you” call.
Charles Murray
Birchwood, TN
