American Avocet and others in Memphis, TN, 22 Oct '07
Birding Ensley bottoms this afternoon after the rain storm came through around noon. Wondering what might have dropped in. When I got to the "Pits" (waste water treatment plant lagoons) the normal fall regimen of Least Sandpipers (1000+) spread out all over the two big lagoons. Several Killdear also around sounding the alarm every 5 sec's. A Merlin or Perigrin was doing some flyby's as I entered at the north end of Pit #4, but flew off, but that didn't make the birds any less skittish.
Once I got to the middle of pond #5 a spyed a big white bird down in the south end of the lagoon about 80-100 yds off the south levee. Once I got down there and set up, low and behold an Avocet. Just wish I had a scope and/or a better zoom camera. Enjoy.