[TN-Bird] Reelfoot CBC highlights

From: Mark Greene <greenesnake@xxxxxxxxx>
To: tn bird <tn-bird@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Mon, 17 Dec 2012 08:35:57 -0800 (PST)
December 15, 2012
Reelfoot Lake Christmas Bird Count

We had several regular participants absent and the weather was not cooperative 
but 8 individuals birded through the wind and periods of rain to tally 112 
species. There were several species that were seen the day before when the 
weather was calm with no wind that were not seen on count day.

Highlights include:

18 species of waterfowl (4 more species were seen the day before or after)
Northern Bobwhite - nice to get some of these after several years of missing 
them
American White Pelican - 240 were seen on the lake and MS River
Great Egret - one was seen in the area of the observation platform at the end 
of Walnut Log Road
Laughing Gull - one seen coming into the gull roost on the lake late in the day
Short-eared Owl - at least 3 of these were present, probably more
Fish Crow - a single one was heard with the multitudes of Am. Crows on the east 
side of the lake
Red-breasted Nuthatch - seen by 2 parties in 2 locations
House Wren - seen in 2 locations
Sedge Wren - one seen near Tiptonville wastewater treatment facility
Orange-crowned Warbler - one seen near Walnut Log
Pine Warbler - seen in 2 locations by 2 parties
Common Yellowthroat - one seen in marsh grass along the edge of the lake near 
the old Hamilton's Resort area
Spotted Towhee - as reported earlier by Mike Todd
Lapland Longspur - 1500+ in flocks SW of Tiptonville

Western Meadowlark - seen on the east side of the lake, not far from the 
Reelfoot NWR office
Brewer's Blackbird - 2 seen in a mixed flock of blackbirds 
Purple Finch - a total of 5 were seen in 2 locations in mixed feeding flocks
Pine Siskin - small numbers seen in multiple locations by 2 parties

Additional count week species missed on count day: Ross's Goose, American Black 
Duck, Green-winged Teal, Common Merganser, Least Sandpiper, and Tree Swallow.

Notable misses were few but include: Redhead (seen last week), Barn Owl (not in 
barn favored in recent years), American Tree Sparrow (none here yet?), and 
LeConte's Sparrow (no suitable habitat).

Participants were: Bob Foehring, Mark Greene, Gail King, Nancy Moore, Allan 
Trently, Mike Todd, Donna Ward, and Jeff Wilson.

Thanks to all who participated and for the regulars that missed, we hope to see 
you again next year!

Good birding,

Mark Greene
Count Compiler
Trenton, TN
[TN-Bird] Reelfoot CBC highlights

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