[TN-Bird] Reelfoot Lake area 5/12/03

From: <birder1@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <tn-bird@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Mon, 12 May 2003 20:20:03 -0500
Reelfoot Lake area
5/12/03

Highlights:

Bell's Vireo nest
Connecticut Warbler
Olive-sided Flycatcher
Least Flycatcher
Black-bellied Plover

I decided to head back to Reelfoot, as we had a great count on Saturday, and 
the weather promised to be a little better. I had hoped to possibly get some 
better shots of the Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks on the outside chance they 
were still around, but no luck. This area did produce a gorgeous Black-bellied 
Plover (Jeff would get 17!), and one of two nice groups of Dunlin on the day, 
along with the White-rump's, Least, Semi Plovers, and Spotties. I had my only 
Semi Sandpiper on the day in the one the wet spots going out Highway 79. You 
can't get far out 79 now, as the water is already rolling over about 100 yards 
of the road. 

I began the morning on the road we had the Connecticut Warbler Saturday. I 
spent a very enjoyable couple of hours here, and was rewarded with some good 
birds. Best of which was Connecticut again, this time it sang twice but I never 
saw it. Also here were Golden-winged and Canada Warblers, Least Flycatcher (1 
of 2 on the day), and two singing Philadelphia Vireos who were determined not 
to get along. This is the only place I can remember hearing all 3 of our 
spring/fall thrushes in song. I wound up with 20 warbler species on the day, 
but northern migrants were scarce with only singles seen of Golden-winged, 
Yellow-rumped, Blackburnian, Palm, Bay-breasted, N. Waterthrush, Connecticut, 
and Canada. I did have multiple Tennessee, Magnolia, Cape May, and Blackpoll, 
but no Chestnut-sided all day. 

While riding the levees, I found one of my targets, an Olive-sided Flycatcher. 
He was very cooperative and let me photograph and watch him for several minutes 
before points farther north beckoned. A second calling Least Flycatcher was 
also found from the levees, but no Alder, and it's getting about time for a 
Yellow-bellied or two.

After driving some levees looking for migrants I wound up back at Black Bayou 
to try and get a photo of the Bell's Vireo that has returned to the same area 
they were last year. I spent almost 3 hours there this afternoon, and 
eventually figured out that there is a pair of Bell's and the female is sitting 
on a nest with 4 eggs. The male sings almost incessantly, but getting a picture 
of him in the thick cover they like, together with his refusal to sit still, 
was maddening. I finally just sat back at what seemed to be the center of this 
territory, waiting for a chance at a shot. He seemed to have one small, scrubby 
oak (I think) that he played close attention too, but not for very long. I 
finally heard his mate calling from within the oak, and thought there might be 
a nest. I eventually got a decent shot or two of him, and found the female 
sitting on the nest in the bottom of the tree. I took one look at the nest, and 
she is sitting on four eggs. With this I decided to call it a day.

I have posted a couple of shots of the Olive-sided and Bell's Vireo in the 
"Uncommon to rare local bird (Vol. 2) album on my site, and a shot of the 
Bell's nest and with her on the nest, in the "Nests" album. The link is: 
http://home.bellsouth.net/p/s/community.dll?ep=330&groupID=116215&folderview=thumbs&ck
 .

Good birding!!!!!!!!

Mike Todd
McKenzie, TN
Carroll Co.
birder1@xxxxxxxxxxxxx




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[TN-Bird] Reelfoot Lake area 5/12/03

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