Feb. 2-4, 2006 Ms Rv, Ensley Bottoms, Shelby Co, TN Tunica Co, MS I started on the north end of Mud Island and surveyed a large group of Ring-billed Gulls, in the mix was a dark backed gull that appeared to be a Lesser Black-backed, judging from size size and under wing pattern. The single, injured White pelican still hangs out along the river front and can fly but still shows a damaged set of primaries. The Peregrine Falcon has been driven to high ground, in fact very high ground as it has taken up perching high on the Memphis Bridge. At TVA Lake in Ensley Bottoms, the numbers of scaup has decreased noticeably and at Robco Lake the thousands had been reduced to just a HAND FULL. Snow and Greater White-fronted Geese were seen streaming north and flying at migration altitude. Hawk numbers and diversity were found to be up from the previous weekend along with both species of vultures kettling on thermals, while Skunks are being run over in numbers along the roads, as they pursue their seasonal amorous adventures. Spring and love, need but little encouragement from warmer weather to burst into full fling. In Tunica Co, MS, Western Meadowlark family groups are coming together prior to migration, so the youngsters can try out their new found singing styles. One flock of 19 and another of 9 were found, where only 3 or 4 have been seen all season. The 29 Sandhill Cranes have started to break into dance and sessions of raucous calling, just practicing for the good times to come. I've posted a few shots of the Western and Eastern Meadowlarks seen this weekend with a few notes. Also a flight shot of the Sandhill Cranes in Tunica Co, a few of a catfish eating Bald Eagle plus three photos of an adult Bald Eagle hunting Coots. Try scrolling to the bottom of this site: _http://www.pbase.com/ol_coot/winter2006&page=all_ (http://www.pbase.com/ol_coot/winter2006&page=all) Good Birding !!! Jeff R. Wilson / TLBA 6298 Memphis-Arlington Road Bartlett, TN 38135 =================NOTES TO SUBSCRIBER===================== The TN-Bird Net requires you to sign your messages with first and last name, city (town) and state abbreviation. You are also required to list the count in which the birds you report were seen. The actual date of observation should appear in the first paragraph. _____________________________________________________________ To post to this mailing list, simply send email to: tn-bird@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx _____________________________________________________________ To unsubscribe, send email to: tn-bird-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with 'unsubscribe' in the Subject field. ______________________________________________________________ TN-Bird Net is owned by the Tennessee Ornithological Society Neither the society(TOS) nor its moderator(s) endorse the views or opinions expressed by the members of this discussion group. Moderator: Wallace Coffey, Bristol, TN wallace@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx _____________________________________________________________ Visit the Tennessee Ornithological Society web site at http://www.tnbirds.org * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Topographical Maps located at http://topozone.com/find.asp _____________________________________________________________