November 1st, 2018
I had a RED-THROATED LOON (FOS) back in a favoured location up lake from
Bruton branch early this morning. It was with Common Loons, flying around
some.
Later at Pickwick State Park I was watching a long line of Cormorants
flying straight towards me from up the lake, I started thinking the yellow
lores look really strange on those birds. As they drew closer they morphed
into eleven adult male and five presumed female BLACK SCOTERS which then
circled at the dam and headed back much closer. I quickly ran to retrieve
my camera (which was in the car because it was raining) but then could not
find the Scoters again when I got back. 16 is a personal high count, but
the State high is more like 22, also from Pickwick in 2017.
Highlights in Savannah Bottoms were a late BOBOLINK and a nice count of
43 VESPER SPARROWS. And one LECONTE’S SPARROW.
RWS, Centerville, TN
