Field Trip to Wheeler NWR – Saturday, 21 January 2017

Posted on 10 January 2017 by Greg

SANDHILL-CRANEThe Lebanon Birding Club – John W Sellars Chapter of the Tennessee Ornithological Society is heading to Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge [ Wheeler NWR website ] near Decatur, Alabama on Saturday, 21 January 2017, and you are invited. This field trip will take the place of our regularly scheduled meeting,  and as always, you do not have to be a member of our club to  participate  in our field trips. All are welcome.

We will meet at the Wheeler NWR Visitor Center parking lot at 9:00 AM on Saturday, 21 January 2017. Plans are to bird the refuge first,  hit a few other hotspots in the area, have lunch at a nearby restaurant, then more birding in the afternoon before coming home.

Please Sign Up!

If you plan to join us on the field trip Saturday, please complete the brief online sign-up form here:  [ Wheeler NWR Sign-Up Form ]. We would like to know how many plan to make the trip to 1) possibly coordinate a carpool or two, and 2) make arrangements for lunch. Plus, it’s nice to have contact information in the event of a change of plans. It only takes a minute to complete the form. Thanks.

What Will I See?

Expect to see Sandhill cranes by the thousands, Whooping cranes, thousands of ducks and geese of all stripes and colors, and many other birds. Be sure to bring your binoculars, cameras, scopes, water to drink, and dress appropriately.

The refuge visitor center opens at 9:00 AM and is located at 3121 Visitor Center Road, Decatur, AL 35603. Click the image below for the [ Google map ]. The lat/long coordinates for the visitor center are: 34.54742, -86.951081

wheeler_nwr_map

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Christmas Bird Count – Monday, 2 January 2017

Posted on 4 January 2017 by Greg
Christmas Bird Count crew about to head out to count birds - Monday, 2 January 2017

Christmas Bird Count crew about to head out to count birds – Monday, 2 January 2017

The Lebanon Birding Club – John W Sellars Chapter of TOS participated in the 117th Audubon Christmas Bird Count on Monday, 2 January 2017.  Eleven participants gathered at Cedars of Lebanon State Park before breaking up into groups to canvass the four quadrants of the 15 mile diameter circle. When the checklists were gathered and tallied, 11,128 birds representing 76 species were spotted.

Highlights of the count were a pair of Lark Sparrows spotted among a flock of Chipping Sparrows in the southeast quadrant by Justin and Robin Nation, and a Least Sandpiper seen preening among the Wilson’s Snipe and Killdeer in the muddy, harvested cornfield in front of Lebanon High School in the northeast quadrant.

All woodpecker species were found, and Great Horned, Barred and Screech Owls were also located. Two species of gulls, eight species of ducks and eight species of sparrows were seen. Rusty Blackbirds were also located among a large flock of mixed blackbirds near the high school.

This was the second running of this new count circle, and our first year to be an official Audubon count. Thanks to all who participated, including Stephen Zipperer our count coordinator, for making this such a successful and fun event. Good birding!

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