Date: Sun, 2 May 2004 15:45:21 -0400
Reply-To: Johnny Parks <ringgold_birdchaser@JUNO.COM>
Sender: Georgia Birders Online <GABO-L@LISTSERV.UGA.EDU>
From: Johnny Parks <ringgold_birdchaser@JUNO.COM>
Subject: Gordon County
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After not feeling up to snuff, I went to Plan B Saturday morning and
stayed closer to home in Gordon County. I was well rewarded. Armed with a
list of target birds I went to Whitfield County where I found two from my
list ( I missed more than that), and I did even worse in Gordon County.
But what I did find, I failed to even think about.
Fite Bend Road off GA 136 has been profitable nearly every time I visit
it, and it kept up its reputation again today. Two birds of special
interest I found were SEMIPALMATED PLOVER and HOUSE WREN. The plover was
at the end of the pavement in a little wetland. If you want to look for
them, park on the right at the end of the pavement just past a brick
house which is on the left that does not appear to be occupied. If you
park any closer to the wetland, you will probably flush whatever might be
there. This wetland is on the left about 200' beyond where you park. Take
your scope with you. The only shorebird was the six plovers, but I expect
it should be profitable for more within the next few weeks. Also present
was a Green Heron, three GREAT EGRETS, and about 35 Wood Ducks. Also a
Great Blue Heron and a Red-shouldered Hawk that seemed to upset the
egrets; along with a singing Orchard Oriole. The House Wren is apparently
nesting at a house at 535 Fite Bend Road. I talked with the lady of the
house who showed me a nest in a flower pot with five eggs that were white
with a few very faint brown spots on them. She thinks they belong to the
wren. My only picture of a House Wren egg shows the eggs to have more
brown spots than what were on these eggs. Does anyone have experience
with House Wren eggs? Also, what are the safe dates for House Wren? I
have misplaced my list we used in the atlas.
Another notable find today was nesting Cliff Swallows on Reeves Station
Road near GA 156 over the Oostanaula River. Actually I did not crawl
under the bridge to see the nests, but they, and their neighbors the Barn
Swallows, were both upset that I was on the bridge. Both species were
making many trips under the bridge.
Now if I can just find where Eastern Kingbirds and Great Crested
Flycatchers live in Gordon County. I found them both at numerous
locations in Whitfield County; how do they know where the county lines
are?
I also had a Prothonotary Warbler in Whitfield at a wetland along the
South Dalton Bypass. I found Acadian Flycatchers in both counties.
Johnny Parks
Ringgold, GA
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