[TN-Bird] Percy Priest Lake loons

From: "Scott Somershoe" <Scott.Somershoe@xxxxxx>
To: <tn-bird@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Mon, 30 Nov 2009 19:43:27 -0600
I birded the Hamilton Creek Rec Area boat ramp and marina this afternoon from 
2:50-3:30 (west side Percy Priest Lake, N of Hobson Pike).  Way off shore to 
the NE towards the Cook Public use area (on the east side) there were several 
groups of Common Loons, totalling at least 81 individuals.  Those loons were 
preening and loafing, not foraging.  A few other individuals were foraging 
closer to shore, but the large groups were out in the middle of the lake.  
While counting the loons, several more flew in from various directions, landed 
with their typical not-so-graceful crash landing, and joined the flocks.  If 
the wind, heat waves, lighting, etc. were better, I have no doubt I'd have been 
able to count 100+ loons, if not many more. 

Other highlights:
Bufflehead - group of 40 or so
Scaup spp, probably Lesser way, off shore - 80
American Coot - 45, in the tightest group I've ever seen.  They were in a very 
tight little ball of coot.
Ring-billed Gull - 2, No other gulls seen.

Good birding,
Scott Somershoe

State Ornithologist
Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
P.O. Box 40747
Nashville, TN 37204
615-781-6653 (o)
601-868-0101 (cell)
615-781-6654 (fax)

"Keeping the rubber side down." -SGS
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[TN-Bird] Percy Priest Lake loons

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