[TN-Bird] Long-tailed Duck - Hamilton Co. 2/10/14
- From: David Hollie <featherbrain1223@xxxxxxxxx>
- To: "TNBird@xxxxxxxxxxxxx" <tn-bird@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Mon, 10 Feb 2014 15:22:17 -0500
I stopped by several areas around Chickamauga Lake this afternoon and
noticed quite a bit of change in birds.Viewing from the Chickamauga Dam
Recreation Area, I found a Long-tailed Duck. As far as I know, the
previously known bird has not been seen since 2/1/14. It was quite a ways
out, but it appeared to be a female (much browner with more extensive brown
in the cheek and crown), making me believe that this is a different bird.
When I viewing from the dam itself, I could not find the Long-tailed, but
that's not surprising considering that the raft of Bufflehead that it was
hanging out with was just barely in sight. Also of note was that there were
only 3 White-winged Scoters and no Black or Surf at the dam.
At Webb Road, there were 4 White-winged Scoter in addition to a Herring
Gull and good numbers of Common Goldeneye.
At Booker T. Washington State Park, there was a massive raft of sleeping
Redhead, Scaup, and Canvasback (likely ~500 birds total). Most of the birds
were Redhead, and there were definitely both scaup species (around 100),
but due to the distance i was only able to positively identify a small
portion of the scaup to species. Also of note were 3 Northern Pintail out
in the main channel and a lone female Red-breasted Merganser hanging out
with a group of Horned Grebes.
At Vincent Road boat ramp, there was a good number of Common Loons (around
75) as well as 3 Red-throated Loon. I also had an interesting loon that
seemed good for a Pacific (dark bird with thinner bill and smooth neck
line), but it was quite a ways off and constantly preening, making it a
tough call.
It will be interesting to see how this weather will affect the birds on the
river!
Good Birding!
--
David Hollie
Ringgold, GA
Catoosa Co.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/featherbrain1223/
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