[TN-Bird] Re: Gull-billed Tern details 5/22/04 Dyer Co.
- From: "Wallace Coffey" <jwcoffey@xxxxxxxxxx>
- To: "TN-birds" <tn-bird@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Sun, 23 May 2004 13:23:18 -0400
To Mike Todd and TN-Birders:
May 23, 2004 Mike Todd wrote:
Subject: [TN-Bird] Gull-billed Tern details 5/22/04 Dyer Co.
> Gull-billed Tern
> 5/22/04
> Dyer Co. TN
>
> The obvious question with the Gull-billed is what it's doing here now? The
only thing that seems to make much sense at all, is that it got brought
inland with the bad weather of a few days ago, and is working it's way back
south.
Unless the bird is found dead and its body sent for an autopsy at the LSU
Museum of Natural History or some other qualified institution, we will
probably never make much sense as to what the Gull-billed Tern was doing in
Dyer County. No other explanations will likely suffice.
More often than we expect, such far-displaced birds die. From time to time
their bodies are discovered. When sent for autopsy, they are found to have
serious disease or parasite damage to the brain and similar inflictions that
could have caused them to lose all ability to migrate a correct route or
even to determine direction very well (maybe just lose homing instinct).
Obviously that is not a satisfactory explanation for all such vagrants. We
know that hurricanes and certain major weather developments drive birds
inland and/or off course. Then, too, many simply leave the area where a
birders finds them and go somewhere -- maybe even back where they can
live out normal lives. Who knows?
I always wish such birds could be captured and banded and someday recovered
in order to give us a little insight to those that move on.
Mike, I want to compliment you for the detailed accounting you posted to
TN-Birds regarding the Gull-billed Tern. It was so complete I felt somewhat
like I was watching a video of your adventure. This is a real strength of
TN-Birds. Think about how, in previous years, almost no one in Tennessee
birding could have learned from what you found and saw
and shared with us. Even if you were able to published a note it would not
likely have the detail and personal touch you provided.
Thanks also to Nancy Moore and Jeff Wilson for hustling out to the area
and helping with the search. That is at the heart of the good things they
do. That is why talented people like Nancy and Jeff work so hard and
accomplish so much.
This was a great discovery. It adds knowledge to the birds of Tennessee.
And, once again, to Mike for the courage to write it all on TN-Birds for us
to enjoy. So many hesitate to do that because of all the editing eyes.
Let's go birding...
Wallace Coffey
Bristol, TN
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