05/27/2017
FRANKLIN COUNTY: City of Winchester (southern outskirts) TN
Wilton Circle (Road)
N35.175246 W-086.1369452 (the coordinates will get you to the exact spot to
view the westerly pond)
All,
I wanted to report a possible LITTLE EGRET in Franklin County.
My e-bird notes: *MEGA Rarity- Bird was observed from over 100 yards away. I
originally thought that I had a perched Snowy Egret. Smaller size to Great
Egrets. Black legs (could not see feet at that distance), very dark bill, white
body overall. When the bird was preening (head down), the windy conditions
enabled two plumes to distance themselves from the body. All waterbirds were
flushed by a juvenile Bald Eagle. The Egrets/Herons were circling so I am
assuming they will return to this pond. I checked the photos from the Delaware
bird found in mid May and the size of the plumes appear comparable to this
bird."
The reason I didn't report this earlier was I just looked at the distant photos
when I got home...
Southern edge of Winchester TN: Wilton Circle is just off of Route 50
(Lynchburg Highway). Wilton Circle is near the Franklin County Jail (east) and
the Army National Guard (east).
The pond is a good distance away and spotting scope is essential. It is on
private farmland so please respect this.
Good Luck to Anyone Who Looks for It!!
Dan Snell
Lynchburg, TN
