TN-birders,
We joined Tony King, Beth Schilling, and Mort Massey this morning to re-find
the Northern Wheatear this morning at Windy Hill Farm around 9 am, after the
fog burned off some. Seems to be finding plenty of food and there is a water
supply as well.
The entrance to Windy Hill Farm is on a road called Poplar Springs Blair Bend
Rd. Once you turn onto this road, go about a mile. The entrance to the farm is
on the right. Go up the gravel drive, past a small house on the left, over the
top of the hill and down the other side until you see a cow pasture on the
left. The wheatear is hanging out near the red and yellow plastic thing up on
the side of the hill. You could get by fine with binoculars if you are patient.
The bird was working the whole area while we were there. At one point coming to
about 30 feet of us. A scope would be nice to have to for an extra close look
at this rare visitor to Tennessee. I’m pretty sure this is a first state record
for Tennessee.
There is plenty space for parking on the side of the gravel farm road. Please
do not block the road. This is a working farm. The property manager has been
kind enough to allow birders to come try to see the wheatear. He would prefer
to get a phone call at 865-385-4709 (cell) to let him know someone is on the
property.
Mega kudos to Tony King for finding and identifying this little beauty, and for
talking with the farm folks getting birders access to it. Well done, mate!
Great birding,
Ron Hoff
Clinton, TN
Attachment:
Northern Wheatear 1.jpg
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