Tom is correct. The approximate coordinates are 35.789225, -83.961038. The
largest area of potential King Rail habitat is on the south side of
MacArthur Road. Many years ago there was also some good rail habitat on the
north side of the road, but that area is more grown up in shrubs and small
trees. The area north of the road was at one time more reliable for Least
Bitterns.
Some historic published records from Alcoa Marsh also refer to the area at
35.774461, -83.987885, which used to be a nice marsh along Pistol Creek
just east of Alcoa Highway. A lot of this wetland was filled as Anderson
Truss Company expanded over the years.
Chuck Nicholson
Norris, TN
On Fri, Sep 28, 2018 at 2:25 PM Tom Howe <blountbirder@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Alcoa marsh is on the south side of McArthur Road on both sides of the
creek that divides it, ie, Springfield Branch. I’ve looked for the king
rail there for years but haven’t seen it since 1983. But there is still
good habitat there for it.
Tom
On Fri, Sep 28, 2018 at 2:21 PM Randy Winstead <randywendy@xxxxxxx> wrote:
Mark, I am not personally familiar with any area being referred to as
"Alcoa Marsh". There is a reference to it in Tennessee Watchable Wildlife
as a place in which King Rail were found. This leads me to believe that it
might be the "Little River Marsh", a place mentioned in a report by Morton
Massey.
https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S24427039
The only other place that I can think of that might be a possibility
would be a place that Tom Howe frequently visits designated as "Springfield
Branch". It is an extensive, marshy area. It is listed as having no
public access.
https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S44283913
I don't know if this helps or not. It would appear to be a name that may
have been used more widely in the past than now. Perhaps either Morton or
Tom could help.
Randy Winstead
Maryville, Blount County
------------------------------
*From:* Mark Greene <dmarc-noreply@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
*To:* Tn-bird Listserv <tn-bird@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
*Sent:* Friday, September 28, 2018 10:41 AM
*Subject:* [TN-Bird] Location question - Alcoa Marsh?
I’m currently entering some historical data in eBird and was wondering if
someone could point out on a map the historical location of Alcoa Marsh in
Blount County.
Thanks!
Mark Greene
Trenton, TN
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