No Forster's Tern at Monsanto Ponds outside of Columbia this morning. But, there were other interesting birds. Rose-breasted Grosbeaks-at least 10 female (Purple Finch on steroids) and first fall males. Ruby-throated Hummingbirds-I saw 12 along a 300' walk feeding on spotted jewelweed and other flowers growing along drainage ditches. Gray Catbird-2 Lots of sparrows moving too quickly for good looks. One great big acorn that fell from a tree and hit me square on top of the head. I've got a Blackjack Oak going through some form of decay-it is oozing sap from various places on the trunk. This "oozing" has made a great butterfly observation area. This evening I counted 5 Red Admirals, 7 Question Marks and 1 Cow Killer (this is not a butterfly but something that looks like an overgrown ant, red/black body segments). Thanks to everyone, namely Charlie, on the salamander issue. It was really stupid of me to pack up books, namely field guides! Anna Varney Summertown, TN =================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 =========================================================