[TN-Bird] Rankin WMA Expansion
- From: michael sledjeski <mbsledjeski@xxxxxxxxx>
- To: tn-bird@xxxxxxxxxxxxx, bristol-birds@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Mon, 25 Mar 2013 12:28:40 -0400
To all Tennessee birders,
TWRA and the Conservation Fund are currently engaged in negotiations for the
purchase of an 800-acre parcel adjoining the Rankin WMA. The tract includes
most of the mudflats of Rankin Bottoms and, on the opposite side of the
railroad grade, most of the high ground, extending all the way to the shoreline
on the Ten Islands side. Rankin is best-known by birders for the number and
variety of migratory shorebirds appearing in late summer to feed on the
mudflats that emerge as Douglas Reservoir is drawn down. The purchase would
allow protection of critical habitat and secure public access to shoreline
that's now posted with no-trespassing signs by the property manager.
As drawdown proceeds, vegetation covers the Rankin Bottoms floodplain, and the
Ten Islands mudflats emerge, becoming the prime Douglas birding hotspot.
Viewing from shore is very limited and there are far fewer records than on the
Rankin side, but the variety of birds reported is equivalent. Certain species
seen at Ten Islands, namely, Franklin's Gull, Black Scoter, and Tricolored
Heron have never been reported at Rankin Bottoms, as far as I know. The
proposed acquisition would allow viewing from more than a mile of the eastern
shoreline of Ten Islands and, of course, ensure habitat protection there as
well.
So, for birders, the deal would mean a huge expansion of protected shorebird
habitat and public shoreline access. The high ground, consisting of about 300
acres of fields and woodlands between Rankin Bottoms and Ten Islands would also
be opened to the public.
Your letter of support for the acquisition can help to emphasize its importance
for conservation and wildlife observation. Send a few words to John Gregory,
TWRA Region IV Manager-
john.c.gregory@xxxxxx
and copy to Pete Wyatt, Regional Wildlife Manager-
Pete.Wyatt@xxxxxx
The tract under consideration consists of nearly all the land, and mudflats,
that are encompassed by Douglas Lake in the center of the image. The Rankin
Bottoms mudflats are partly exposed; Ten Islands, above the Rankin peninsula,
is still flooded in the photo.
If you're in the Knoxville area, you might be interested in attending the
program about birding on Upper Douglas Lake to be presented by Leslie Gibbens
and me after the KTOS meeting on April 3.
Michael Sledjeski
Del Rio TN
Other related posts:
