[TN-Bird] Fulvous Whistling-Duck etc; Shelby & Fayette Co 5/27/2013

From: Michael Todd <birder1@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: TN Birds <tn-bird@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Mon, 27 May 2013 18:08:40 -0700 (PDT)

5/27/2013
Memphis area (Shelby & Fayette Co)

Finally able to get to Memphis, my first time since going to Jeff's memorial 
back in February. Definitely not gonna be the same birding Memphis without my 
old friend around. Had hoped to get down for the Fulvous Whistling-Duck before 
now, as it had been about 10 years since my only other ones up at Mud Lake in 
Lake Co. Basically missed all of migration this year, but it was still nice to 
get out.

On my initial pass thru the Pits, I only had a handful of Black-bellied 
Whistling-Ducks, but finally found the Fulvous on my 2nd trip up to TVA Lake, 
initially in the company of 3 Black-bellied. Eventually a total of 9 
Black-bellied had come in to TVA before all of the birds lifted off and headed 
back to their normal haunt in the central pits at Ensley. Followed them and had 
great looks at the Fulvous and a high-count of 29 Black-bellied in the area. 
Didn't expect many shorebirds to be left, but had hoped for a White-rumped 
anyway. However, I had absolutely no transient shorebirds, just a plethora of 
Black-necked Stilts, many on nests, and Killdeer. A lone Forster's Tern that 
traveled thru the area was only other bird of note at Ensley. A Western 
Kingbird 
was on the fence in front of the Fleischmann's Yeast plant. 

From here, traveled to President's Island. Made a brief try for Painted Bunting 
at Ensley, with no luck, and looked for the Anhinga that had been seen along 
Riverport with no luck as well. At President's Island, ran into old friend 
Q.B.Gray enjoying a pair of Scissor-tailed Flycatchers. We located the nest of 
this pair of Scissor-tails, along Channel Avenue just west of Dock Street. 
Didn't see any other Scissor-tails, but had 8 Western Kingbirds on Presidents 
Island, in 4 locations with one nest found along Harbor Avenue. In addition, a 
female Western Kingbird x Scissor-tailed was seen well and photographed, always 
an interesting bird. 10 Western Kingbirds total is definitely my best day for 
that species, though I never made the concerted efforts Jeff always did looking 
for these birds.

Meant to go by the River at Mud Island, but my time was running tight so didn't 
go that route. Only other bird of note was a soaring Anhinga along I-40 in the 
Loosahatchie River bottoms in Fayette Co.

Good Birding!!

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


Will post some photos later of some of the more interesting birds.

[TN-Bird] Fulvous Whistling-Duck etc; Shelby & Fayette Co 5/27/2013

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