October 11th, 2016
I spent most of the day birding hotspots on the Big Sandy Unit of the
TNWR in Henry County, then made a quick stop at the Duck River Unit on the
way home for a few additional birds, for a total of 102 species.
Highlights include 16 species of raptors (with vultures and owls) with
an adult GOLDEN EAGLE along the entrance road to Pace Point the only one
new for the season. Also nice was an adult PEREGRINE FALCON at Lick Creek
and a MERLIN at the DRU. 2 KESTRELS at Britton Ford completed a 3-falcon
day.
Four species of shorebirds included a GREATER YELLOWLEGS at Bennet's
Creek (pointed out by Rick Knight), 6 LESSER YELLOWLEGS and 32 LEAST
SANDPIPERS at the DRU.
5 gull species, with an adult LAUGHING and FOS BONAPARTE'S at Pace Point,
and 8 LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLS at Paris Landing.
32 FORSTER'S and 2 CASPIAN TERNS were at Eagle Creek.
I had all seven woodpecker species at Pace Point, then again a few
minutes later at Rocky Point.
A YELLOW-BELLIED FLYCATCHER was seen briefly several times at Pace Point,
working in the tangled understory beneath a nice warbler flock.
47 BAY-BREASTED WARBLERS at Pace Point was a new personal high count.
Over half the entire warbler population seemed to be this species. Also
nice was a single BLACKPOLL WARBLER nearly overlooked among the BBWAs.
A Westerly migration route was likely the intelligent choice this week.
The rest of the day's 14 warblers were Black-and-white, Tennessee,
Orange-Crowned, Nashville, Com.Yellowthroat, Northern Parula, Magnolia,
Blackburnian, Palm, Pine, Yellow-rumped, and Black-throated Green.
Only 8 species of the most common sparrows was a little disappointing.
Dark-eyed Junco was FOS.
Good birding! Ruben Stoll, Centerville TN.
