Four greater white-fronted geese were noted at the Hiwassee Wildlife
Refuge at Birchwood in Meigs County this morning. Ten ruddy ducks, the most I’ve
seen together, were also at HWR. Several hundred sandhill cranes remain in the
HWR area. As I was beginning to drive out of the refuge viewing area,
I saw a first-of-season (FOS) fox sparrow just 20-30 yards from the parking lot.
That is almost the same exact spot I first saw a fox sparrow two years ago.
From HWR
I drove to the Cherokee Removal Memorial Park nearby. I noted American white
pelicans on a portion of Hiwassee Island on the Tennessee River side. Some were
still in the same area in late afternoon, and Cynthia Wilkerson counted around
thirty. About 6:45 PM (late dusk) at home in Birchwood (Hamilton County), I
heard the “peent” call of an American woodcock, a FOS and new “yard bird” for
me.
Charles Murray
Birchwood, TN
