McKenzie area (Carroll/Henry Co.) 5/20/03 A few minutes after work today produced some interesting sightings, although nothing I haven't already posted about. On my way out to the Henslow's spot (and through one of the Lark Sparrow areas) I was driving slowly through an area that I've often had Grasshopper Sparrows sitting on a fence just off the road (never when I've had my camera handy though). No luck with the Grasshopper today, but I had the most leisurely looks from 25-30 feet at what I'm assuming is the female half of the Lark Sparrow pair in the area. After a few minutes of feeding and returning to the fence, she joined her mate and they flew out across the field. I can't rule out there being more than one pair of Larks in this area, but I don't believe that's the case. This makes at least three locations where pairs of Larks have been regularly seen. When I arrived at the Henslow's location, after a few minutes I finally had two Henslow's singing on different sides of the road. I'm glad to know there are more than just the one pair I had been seeing. Another interesting sighting involved Mississippi Kites. I've had a pair of Kites working the same area in the Clear Creek bottom of Carroll Co. since Saturday. They may be just lingering around, but they are acting like they might be thinking about nesting in the area. I've had Kites in this same location once before, and in the McKenzie area several times, but they were all just one-time observations. I have posted my best shot yet of the Lark Sparrow from today, and also a distant shot of the 2nd singing Henslow's. This shot captures the effort these little guys go to, to get that little bit of song out! For anyone interested, they are in the Uncommon to rare local birds (vol. 2) folder at: http://home.bellsouth.net/p/s/community.dll?ep=330&groupID=116215&folderview=thumbs&ck= . Good birding!!!! Mike Todd McKenzie, TN Carroll Co. birder1@xxxxxxxxxxxxx =================NOTES TO SUBSCRIBER===================== The TN-Bird Net requires you to sign your messages with first and last name, city (town) and state abbreviation. ----------------------------------------------------- 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. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Topographical Maps located at http://topozone.com/find.asp * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Visit the Tennessee Ornithological Society web site at http://www.tnbirds.org * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * TN-Bird Net Owner: Wallace Coffey, Bristol, TN jwcoffey@xxxxxxxxxx (423) 764-3958 =========================================================