[TN-Bird] Cackling Goose & American Tree Sparrows at Britton Ford; Henry Co.

From: <birder1@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <tn-bird@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Sat, 15 Jan 2005 14:29:24 -0600
1/15/04
Henry Co.
Britton Ford Unit; TNWR

I made a blitz run this morning through Paris Landing, Britton Ford, and the 
Big Sandy (Pace Point) areas. Lots of birds around, but not much out of the 
ordinary, other than the above mentioned birds, though I wasn't able to 
spend much time anywhere.

The last time I was at Britton Ford there were several Greater White-fronted 
and a couple of Ross's Geese with the Canada's, along with a couple of 
hybrids. Today, the Canada Geese were using two separate areas, and I didn't 
see either White-fronts or Ross's. The Cackling (hutchinsii) Goose was among 
500-600 Canada Geese that were grazing and sleeping in the closest field 
visible from the observation platform at Britton Ford. This field forms the 
left shore of the bay you are looking at from the observation platform.

There was another smaller goose in this area, that I never got a really good 
look at, which was likely a Lesser (parvipes) Canada Goose. This bird was 
sleeping, but I saw it briefly raise it's head. Though it was obviously 
smaller than the other geese, in proportions and structure it still looked 
like a Canada. The Lesser and Cackling weren't associating at all together. 
The Cackling had the diminutive size (obviously), but also the much shorter 
neck and black sock, stubby triangular bill, and steep forehead. The profile 
of the neck was always that it was proportionately heavier than the surround 
Canada's.

Also in this area, 4 American Tree Sparrows were found near the north 
entrance (Swayne Rd) to Britton Ford. A good number of sparrows were feeding 
in the along the edge of the road about 75-100 yards west of where you 
actually hit the refuge road and skirt along the water. This location is 
coming into the refuge on the north entrance, you will come to where you can 
either go across the road to park, take a left (gate closed) or go right. 
After going right 75-100 yards, this is where the sparrows were. I've only 
had Tree's here a few times, but these 4 gave me great looks.

I'll post a little more info and hopefully some shots later tonight.

Good birding!!

Mike Todd
McKenzie, TN
Carroll Co.
birder1@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
www.pbase.com/mctodd


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[TN-Bird] Cackling Goose & American Tree Sparrows at Britton Ford; Henry Co.

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