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good North Mecklenburg Cnty. birds + questions 2/9/02



My father Ken and I birded several spots in North Mecklenburg/south Cabarrus
County today. We totaled 60 species.
Here are the highlights:

Lake Don T. Howell/Coddle Creek Reservoir
breast:
Pied-billed Grebe-1
Ring necked Duck-17
Ruddy Duck-31
Bufflehead-14
Canada Geese-21
American Coot-12
Double-crested Cormorant-1
Bonoparte's Gull-25
Kildeer-1
Belted Kingfisher-2
Savannah Sparrow-3

Macedonia Church Rd:
GB Heron-1
Bonnies-10
Ruddy Duck-95
Am. Coot-10
Bufflehead-1

Shimpock Rd:
Green-winged Teal-3
Northern Shoveler-33
Ruddy Duck-6
American Coot-78
Common Snipe-3
Kildeer-5
Eastern Meadowlark-3
American Pipit-5
Swamp Sparrow-2
White-throated Sparrow-5
Song Sparrow-10
Field Sparrow-2
Blackbird sp.-1- We first thought Rusty.This was a very odd and interesting
bird. It was perched at the top of a 100 ft. tree, and stayed there for 1+
hours. It had a pale yellow eye, was glossy on the head(bronze) and on the
breast(green). It had no real dull areas on it at all. It was definitely not
a Red-winged. We had it in the scope the whole time, and it never flew. It
never called. Excluding the fact that it would be out of its typical range,
we are wondering why this bird isn't a Brewer's.  Any input would be GREATLY
appreciated.

Energy Explorium-Lk. Norman:
Horned Grebe-6

thermal ponds at McGuire from the road:
Lesser Scaup-67

Cowan's Ford WR viewing stand:
Am. Kestrel-1
NORTHERN HARRIER-2! - this was indeed a surprise. There were two female
harriers circling above us, clearly showing us all distinguishing
characteristics. These are pretty unusual here right? We met a guy there
named Larry, who is from Matthews, that said he had seen a male harrier out
here on the 5th. Wow.
Bufflehead-4
Wild Turkey-7- at least two decked out males

Sort of an interesting side note for our raptors today:
7 species, 41 individuals.
Red-shouldered Hawk-8- we observed 4 of these circling, inlocking talons,
calling, and dive bombing and displaying in apparent mating displays near
Coddle Creek Res.
Red-tailed Hawk-8
Coopers Hawk-1
Black Vulture-12
Turkey Vulture-8
Kestrel-2
Northern Harrier-2

Quite an exciting day!

Alan Kneidel
Charlotte, NC
Peregrinus01@aol.com