[TN-Bird] Shorebird Passage - Memphis
- From: OLCOOT1@xxxxxxx
- To: tn-bird@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Mon, 1 Aug 2011 07:56:42 -0400 (EDT)
July 29-30-31, 2011
Ensley Bottoms
Shelby Co. TN
Sorry for the wrong dates on yesterday's postings.
The best way to bird the "Pits" these days is to go ahead and pour a
bucket of water on yourself, get soaked and have at it. Had to pour water out
of
my shoes twice yesterday;o)
Each day brings new things to the table. Black-necked Stilts are still
hatching young, you can not put your glasses up in any direction, with out
seeing adults and broods of various ages from flying families to wobbling fuzz
balls. Killdeer are also tending their late newly hatched.
Least and Semipalmated Sandpipers are the big number tickets with Pectoral
and Solitary holding second place but in much lower numbers. Then come
Western and Spotted plus sporadic movements of small numbers the last few days
of 2 Short-billed Dowitchers, Lesser Yellowlegs, Semipalmated Plovers, and
Stilt Sandpipers. Counting has been difficult as the Mississippi Kites and
a single immature Red-tailed Hawk kept stirring the mix.
Yesterday, a mini-fall out, which really turned into just a passage of
migrating Wind Birds, added a molting SANDERLING and a very trusting (head
shots) UPLAND SANDPIPER to the list. With the Mississippi River still high,
over 13 feet, we should get a few more early Sanderlings at the "pits" plus a
few more unusual birds looking for a place to rest until the sandbars are
exposed.
Right on schedule from 9:30 until 11, groups of up to 20 birds would fall
in, preen sleep and depart, with one flight of 9 Lesser Yellowlegs taking
the remaining Stilt Sandpipers with them when they left calling, inviting
all to follow. At one time Saturday, there was a single Greater Yellowlegs
and 9 Stilt Sandpipers all in pretty nice plumages but by noon Sunday they
had all headed south with the movement!
Fifteen species of Wind Birds and counting; of course a little RAIN would
help!!
The last time I saw the young Black-bellied Whistlers Sunday afternoon,
the triplets were fine but the new brood was down to 17, I expect when
everything in the area fledges we will be covered with
Whistlers.................
Jeff R. Wilson / TLBA
6300 Memphis-Arlington Rd.
Bartlett, TN. 38135_ http://WWW.pbase.com/ol_coot/_
(http://www.pbase.com/ol_coot/)
What is this feathered thing that lifts my heart to the heavens.
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