First Scissor-tailed Flycatcher nestings in Shelby Co, Memphis TN
While looking for Western Kingbirds that have dispersed from their nesting area in Ensley Bottoms on 7-24-04, I cruised the industrial park on President's Island in Memphis. Checking the numerous fences and power lines, I lucked up on a nest with newly hatched Scissor-tailed Flycatchers. After many years of finding occasional adults and immatures around Memphis, this is my first nest in Shelby Co.
UPDATE- The female of this pair is a hybrid Scissor-t/Western Kingbird. I've added photos at the end of a nesting pair of Scissor-tail. Check the following site for info on the breeding hybrids in Memphis: https://pbase.com/ol_coot/sex_in_city
The birds returned early in 2005 and the female was probably in the process of laying eggs by May 28, 2005. Three young birds were being fed in the nest on June 18 and viewed again on June 23. The birds returned to nest in the exact location again in 2006 and the female was seen on the nest on June 3rd. Nests at this location through 2010 then moved nearby in 2011.
S-T Flycatcher - 7-24-04 first look.jpg
S-T Flycatcher 7-24-04 female checking young.jpg
S-T Flycatcher 7-23-04 female tail.jpg
S-T Flycatcher - 7-24-04 Presidents Island male.jpg
S-T Flycatcher 7-24-04 Pesidents Is female at nest.jpg
S-T Flycatcher - 7-24-04 female head.jpg
S-T Flycatcher 7-24-04 - nest location
Scissor-tailed FC - nest Pres. Is. 5-22-05
Scissor-tailed FC - Presidents Is. 6-4-05
Scissor-tailed FC - Pres. Is. 6-11-05 male on fence