Yesterday was a highlight day considering that a number of Birchwood winter
season birds have already gone north and others may leave soon. 50 species were
seen altogether, 49 of those species were from my home property in Birchwood
(H) in Hamilton County or from Blythe Ferry (BF), the Hiwassee Wildlife Refuge
(HWR), and along Blythe Ferry Road (BFR) between the ferry and the refuge at
Birchwood in Meigs County. One immature Bald Eagle was seen near the Highway 58
bridge over Wolftever Creek in Hamilton County. The eagle was seen as I was
returning home from getting my first Covid-19 vaccination in Chattanooga! Other
highlights follow.
* (HWR) Gadwalls, American Black Ducks, Mallards (also BF), Northern
Shovelers, Green-winged Teal (25), Canvasbacks, Redheads
* ( BFR) Greater White-fronted Geese (14), American Wigeons (12 or more),
Hooded Mergansers
* (BF) American White Pelicans, Sandhill Cranes (approximately 3 dozen
around Hiwassee Island)
* (H) Red-breasted Nuthatch(s) , Pine Warbler, Purple Finches
Charles Murray
Birchwood, TN
