Wife Sylvia and I had the privilege of seeing the black-legged kittiwake
at Pickwick Dam in Hardin County this afternoon at 2:15. Nice find by
Ruben Stoll and Alan Troyer on Monday, I believe. I found the bird
sitting on the concrete wall that forms an extension of the lock wall,
maybe 250 yards below the dam. Noticed the kittiwake perched on the
concrete, while most of the ringbills perched on the steel handrails
above. We were able to see the black spot on the nape, black bill, and
black ear mark well, as well as the dark terminal band on the tail and
the dark line in the wings. We did not see the bird fly. However, it
was the 5th or 6th pass down the wall with the scope when I found the
bird, so it was flying somewhere during that time (20-30 mins). Note
the birds can go off the back side of that wall as well.
Jud Johnston
Waynesboro, TN