Tn-birders, Frank Bills, Sharon Bostick, Dollyann Myers and myself went to the marsh just off Shallowford Road, where the Yellow Rail was seen earlier this week to look for it. We did NOT see that rail, but did manage to flush a Virginia Rail and a Least Bittern. When we first pulled into the area, turning left just past the mobile home church on the dirt road, we immediately flushed an Upland Sandpiper. It was in the dirt area on the left of the road, but appeared to be on it's way to the grassy areas on the right of the road. It actually came to within about 50 feet of the vehicle for some super looks. Other sightings included American Bittern, seen by Jim Wilkerson, White-eyed Vireo, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Marsh Wrens (2, singing loudly), Blue-winged Teal, Orchard Orioles, Eastern Kingbird, and a few waders (no Whimbrel). This was the nicest marsh I've ever seen in this 3/4 end of the state. I can't believe it's not some kind of park or reserve already. I certainly hope the Chattanooga chapter can try to organize some way to get this place protected for the future. I don't know who owns the land, but maybe some kind of arrangement can be worked out with the owner to NOT develope it and leave it as it is. The land on the one side of it is already cleared for a new church (I think), but maybe the rest can be saved as is for a park or reserve or something. This area certainly ought to fall under the guidelines of "no net loss of wetlands". The instructions on Tn-birds said to go "east" if coming from I-75, and that is wrong. You have to go WEST from I-75 on Shallowford Road. You will go past a large church on the right after about 1.5 miles or so, and then Mark Lane. When you come to some road widening construction, there will be an unmarked street on the right. That's it. Go right about a mile and follow the original instructions, turning left just past a small trailer church. You will see the wet area on the left. Great birding! Ron Hoff Clinton, Tn. =================NOTES TO SUBSCRIBER===================== The TN-Bird Net requires you to sign your messages with first and last name, city (town) and state abbreviation. ----------------------------------------------------- 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. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Topographical Maps located at http://topozone.com/find.asp * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Visit the Tennessee Ornithological Society web site at http://www.tnbirds.org * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * TN-Bird Net Owner: Wallace Coffey, Bristol, TN jwcoffey@xxxxxxxxxx (423) 764-3958 =========================================================