A flock of 23 FRANKLIN'S GULLS were at Snow Bunting peninsula in North
Nashville this morning, mostly huddled together out in the water at some
distance. After being flushed by a passing motorboat, the entire flock
circled around the peninsula and broke apart, but at least 9 birds landed
back on the water near their original location and were still present late
in the morning.
Also around were a small group of Lesser Scaup which contained an adult
male Redhead and two Ruddy Ducks. At least four Common Loons were there,
and an adult Bald Eagle which was harassing the dozens of coots with
repeated passes.
Some late, lingering Blue-winged Teal were also present, and a lone
Pectoral Sandpiper flew around the point but never landed.
Michael Smith, Olyver Zahn and I then went over to Crooked Branch park just
down the road and while birding there had an unexpected MERLIN fly over.
Good birding on a dreary day.
Graham Gerdeman
Davidson county
