Date:         Tue, 16 Jan 2007 09:06:17 -0500
Reply-To:     Ken Blankenship <kenhblankenship@COMCAST.NET>
Sender:       Georgia Birders Online <GABO-L@LISTSERV.UGA.EDU>
From:         Ken Blankenship <kenhblankenship@COMCAST.NET>
Subject:      Red-necked Grebe continues; Western Kingbird info.

Yesterday I visited a few NW Georgia sites, primarily to find some
previously reported birds. You can find good directions at my website on
the Ridge and Valley page. At Floyd Creek Church Rd, I found not three but
10 SNOW GEESE; more have arrived since Jim Flynn reported from this
location on 1/13. There are three blue-phase birds, two juvenile white-
phase, and five adult white-phase - among which is the "not quite right"
bird that is nearly as large as the others, but with head and bill features
that are very Ross' Goose-esque. Still here is the pair of GREATER WHITE-
FRONTED GEESE, several NORTHERN SHOVELER, 15 SANDHILL CRANES on the ground,
and in the distance a larger group of 40+ flying north, and a mass of
blackbirds that most likely contains Brewer's, but they were too far off
for ID. On Taff Rd, a group of GADWALL is still present, along with a male
AMERICAN WIGEON and a few MALLARD (these birds have been wintering here for
a while). From a great distance in the pasture off Floyd Creek Church Rd, I
saw a falcon-like bird harrassing the blackbirds, sending them up in great
panicking clouds. It reminded me that about this time last year one or two
female Merlin were reported in this area, one eating a blackbird, so folks
should be on the lookout.

At Carter's Lake, I arrived at the Woodring Branch Recreation area boat
ramp to find some birders from Chattanooga who already had the RED-NECKED
GREBE in their scope - very convenient! I stayed a bit longer after they
left, observing the bird, albeit at great distance. When you get there,
walk all the way out to the end of the spit of land with grills and picnic
tables, and scan the lake from directly across from you (the beach area)
and to the right; it has been reported that the bird has not yet been seen
to the left of the beach, but obviously it may move around. The feeders at
the caretakers' trailor at the campground have did not produce any Purple
Finch or Pine Siskin (nor did they earlier this month), which were there in
droves last year. I also saw two COMMON LOONS on the lake.

On Hwy 136 west of Hwy 411, 5 SANDHILL CRANE flew over low. I spent a while
at Fite Bend Rd on the way home. A group of three RED-TAILED HAWKS were
constantly screaming, which was cool. WHITE-CROWNED SPARROWS still present.
A group of 8 SANDHILL CRANES took off from the fields and headed north. I
had a small flock of AMERICAN PIPITS flying very high, calling, but in
general this winter their numbers are way down. I wonder if this may be
related to them not tilling the fields earlier in the winter; right now the
fields are covered with 10-20" corn stalks instead of being tilled under as
they were in other years. I then got to witness a spectacle that I have
read about on GABO but never seen: a massive flock of blackbirds moving
through, headed SW. It came by in three separate waves, and each one was at
least 1/2 mile long and very thick from top to bottom. I'm not good at
estimating those kinds of numbers, but I'd say 100's of thousands at least.

Finally (and this will be on the RBA transcript early this evening - it's
already on the RBA recording) here is info on the WESTERN KINGBIRD. From I-
16, get off at Hwy 301-25 (Claxton) and head south, passing through Claxton
and eventually passing through downtown Glennville. Pass McDonald's on the
right, then a pecan store on the left, and turn left onto Pecan Rd. You'll
pass a field on the left, then look for a road that splits off to the right
between a white brick house and a red brick house. When you pass through
the gate, you're on the property of Virginia and Gene Griffin. Park on
their unpaved driveway, and look for the bird along the power lines or
fence; if you don't see it right away be patient. You can also view the
feeders behind the house to the left under some pecan trees, where
BALTIMORE ORIOLES feed on grape jelly. The homeowners welcome birders, but
do ask that you call first if you're coming on Fri, Sat, or Sun (912) 654-
3128.

Ken Blankenship
Marietta, GA (Cobb County)
http://www.wingsoverga.com

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