News
Great Blue Heron (White Morph)
6-18-09
A White Morph of the GBH has been spotted below the dam. We are not sure how long it has been present but was seen as early as 6-9-09. It seems to prefer the area between the railroad bridge and boat ramp.
Welcome Back Dreama
8-17-08
This past week for several days a peregrine was seen at the dam, and based on photos and the perches it is using, we feel sure it is Dreama. Now if Rocky will explore the area maybe Dreama will take a liking to him.
Be sure to check out info about Rocky at :
Dangling Downy
7-29-08
While walking at Renaissance Park Jack Gentle spotted a downy woodpecker dangling from what appeared to be string or monofilament line. Upon approaching the bird to free it, the bird started flapping and freed itself leaving behind a feather from its wing. With a closer look it was discovered that it was part of a spider web that had snared the downy.
Osprey Nest
The Osprey are still being seen below the dam and have added more sticks on top of the north powerline tower and now have added sticks on top of the east tower.
String Nests
One problem along the riverwalk is that some birds seem to like using fishing line for nest material resulting in a nest that can entangle young birds as well as the adults. Unfortunately some anglers will leave balls of tangled line along the river banks and there is plenty of it. Two such nests were recently spotted along the riverwalk between the dam and the Hubert Frye center.
Banded Geese
On 3-30-08 Jack Gentle photographed a pair of Canada Geese that were located along the railroad behind Amnicola Marsh. When looking at the photos on the computer it was noticed that both geese were banded. One was banded on the left leg and the other banded on the right leg. When the photo of one goose was enlarged some numbers on the band were readable (98-970). With this info. and help from Dr. Aborn, it was determined that this goose was probably banded by the TWRA in 2005 in either Knox or Blount county. Numbers on the band of the other goose couldn't be read in the photo.
Four more banded geese were recently spotted; two at the Olin Mills entrance and two at Amnicola Marsh.
Nest Boxes
Don, Harold and Roger recently expanded the Riverwalk bluebird trail by installing boxes at the new Renaissance Park, and the Chattanooga Nature Center.
Don has come up with a new design for the Riverwalk Club nest box. It has an improved roof, side opening, and improved mounting. One mounting arrangement now will accomodate either post or surface mount.
New Martin "Condos" have been installed at Greenway Farm to replace to PVC houses. Check the "Projects" page for photos.
Sculpture
A metal sculpture was recently erected just below Chickamauga Dam depicting a bird watcher peering through a telescope. The sculpture was partially paid for my RWBC and TOS members.
