3/8/06 KY Lake area (Big Sandy to Paris Landing) Henry & Benton Co. Finally got out to bird a little yesterday, after much work and returning from a whirlwind California birding trip. I enjoyed the company of a visiting Colorado birder, who was visiting relatives and working on her TN list. No real surprises, but we were able to add several birds to her list, and it was a delightful if windy day. Highlights are as follows: Very few loons around, all Common. A couple in near-alternate plumage though. We didn't hang around for the afternoon line-up, as the heat shimmer was terrible Western Grebes: both were in the usual location in the cove just west of Pace Point. Large numbers of American White Pelicans hanging around near Pace Point. A few at Lick Creek (Benton Co.) as well. 1st Osprey of the season, at Britton Ford Waterfowl numbers down, but still good variety. All regular dabblers seen, except for Blue-winged Teal. Several good looks at Greater Scaup (all Henry Co.), a total of 3 Canvasbacks, and we couldn't find a Redhead. Lots of Red-breasted and Hooded Merg's, but no Commons. No geese other than Canada. 18 species total Single Least Sandpiper and Long-billed Dowitcher at Britton Ford; the Dowitcher was a bit of a surprise (though with the big increase in wintering birds very close to TN, may not be a surprise for long). Gulls were only the 3 expected species, though a dozen Forster's Terns at Eagle Creek were nice. The island at Paris Landing had two Peregrines on it, the 1st time I've seen this. There was an adult male and female, both sitting on driftwood, about 100 feet apart. A large flock of at least 100 American Pipits was working the Britton Ford area. The 1st Rusty Blackbirds that I've seen lately were about 20 birds at Britton Ford. A couple of the males were in spiffy breeding attire, with no 'rust'. . Pine Warblers were singing at several locations, and Tree Swallows overhead were among the signs of spring. Good Birding!! Mike Todd McKenzie, TN birder1@xxxxxxxxxxxxx www.pbase.com/mctodd The information contained in this communication and its attachment(s) is intended only for the use of the individual to whom it is addressed and may contain information that is privileged, confidential, or exempt from disclosure. If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution, or copying of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you have received this communication in error, please notify postmaster@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx and delete the communication without retaining any copies. Thank you. Translations available: http://www.owenscorning.com/emailfooter.html =================NOTES TO SUBSCRIBER===================== The TN-Bird Net requires you to sign your messages with first and last name, city (town) and state abbreviation. You are also required to list the count in which the birds you report were seen. The actual date of observation should appear in the first paragraph. _____________________________________________________________ To post to this mailing list, simply send email to: tn-bird@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx _____________________________________________________________ To unsubscribe, send email to: tn-bird-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with 'unsubscribe' in the Subject field. ______________________________________________________________ TN-Bird Net is owned by the Tennessee Ornithological Society Neither the society(TOS) nor its moderator(s) endorse the views or opinions expressed by the members of this discussion group. Moderator: Wallace Coffey, Bristol, TN wallace@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx _____________________________________________________________ Visit the Tennessee Ornithological Society web site at http://www.tnbirds.org * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Topographical Maps located at http://topozone.com/find.asp _____________________________________________________________