Hiwassee Wildlife Refuge

Hiwassee Wildlife Refuge A place to post sightings and current happenings at Hiwassee Wildlife Refuge.

02/09/2018

Report from Charles Murray, Feb 8, 2017

For the past several years I have observed Sandhill Cranes in Southeast Tennessee. I have also monitored Whooping Cranes in that area for the past few years. Over those years, the peak population of Sandhill Cranes at the Hiwassee Wildlife Refuge in Birchwood, TN, has usually been Christmas week or New Year’s week. This year the peak was unusually late. Weather, especially the passage of strong cold fronts, has been the chief determining factor for the biggest numbers of cranes found in the area in a migration season. The largest number seen by far this season was late in the day, January 20, and they were seen from the viewing ramp of the Cherokee Removal Memorial Park. This ramp overlooks Hiwassee Island where the Tennessee and Hiwassee rivers join. While cranes in Southeast Tennessee sometimes roost in other nearby areas, the majority roost near Hiwassee Island. Many Sandhill Cranes have already migrated from the Birchwood area toward the north or northwest. I probably saw fewer than 1,000 cranes remaining late today, adding the ones seen from the CRMP and the HWR viewing areas.

01/15/2018
12/31/2017

Hiwassee report from Charles Murray, Dec 30, 2017.

A Greater White-fronted Goose pair flew over the Hiwassee Wildlife Refuge viewing area in Meigs County at Birchwood this morning. This was likely my last 2017 First-of-the-Year bird. Several other species were highlights at HWR today. Nine species of ducks were noted. They were: Gadwall, American Black Duck, Mallard, Northern Shoveler, Northern Pintail, Green-winged Teal, Canvasback, Lesser Scaup, and Hooded Merganser. At least 100 American White Pelicans were observed from the Cherokee Removal Memorial Park. The largest number of Sandhill Cranes that I’ve seen this season flew in to roost around the Hiwassee Island area late today. Some of them would have been in Rhea County and the rest in Meigs County. Ruby-crowned Kinglets and Pine Warblers were among the species feeding on my modified Stokes recipe peanut butter suet at my yard in Birchwood (Hamilton County).

Charles Murray
Birchwood, TN

12/16/2017

Hiwassee Report from Charles Murray, Dec 15, 2017

Yesterday and today Sandhill Cranes were very active at Hiwassee Wildlife Refuge in Meigs County at Birchwood. Yesterday, many kettled and flew south. However, both yesterday and today many came into HWR. I think the numbers of cranes are the highest so far this season.

There was also a noticeable increase in the number of ducks today. However, the numbers of ducks may still be lower than some weeks ago. Late in the day today, I saw a swan in the slough at the viewing area of HWR. I am not an expert at identifying swans. I did note in the low light remaining today that it has a black bill.

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Hiwassee Island At The Tennessee And Hiwassee River Confluence
Birchwood, TN

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