Shelby CoEnsley, Mud Island and North Treatment Plant
Excellent day in Shelby Co, with a total of 18 species of shorebirds between
Ensley and Dacus Bar at Mud Island. Birded the first couple of hours at Ensley
with Rob Harbin and Hal Mitchell. Recent rains have raised the levels at Ensley
even more than they have been, making shorebird habitat pretty hard to come by
except for longer-legged species. But, there are still several hundred
shorebirds hanging on, including my first of the season Baird's and American
Golden-Polver (adults) and a juvenile Wilson's Phalarope. My highlight...
though was a cooperative Upland I randomly spotted on one of the levees; I
usually hear them before seeing them! Peep numbers were way down, but still a
few young Westerns in the mix; still not a juvenile Pec for the season though.
A 2nd-year Peregrine blasted thru which didn't help things on watching the
shorebirds front any easier. Three Western Kingbirds where Rob had mentioned
having them yesterday were nice as well. No Ground-Dove or Neotropic Cormorant
for me today. 35 White Ibis were seen, and seen often, with some very close
fly-by's. One of the on and off again Fulvous Whistling-Ducks was again present
today with the mass of Black-bellied Whistling Ducks.
Mud Island was quite, but at least 14 (hard to count) sleeping American
Avocets were on a tiny bar out from the big one, no doubt travelers just
getting a bit of rest before moving on again. A Sanderling also came in while I
watched. A few Black and Forster's Terns worked up and down the river.
North Treatment Plant had good number of birds in the small amount of
available habitat, but nothing new for the day.
eBird report for Ensley (will add photos later)
https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S47987065
Good birding!
Michael ToddJackson, TNbirder1@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx/mctodd
