Chatt-A-Birdin'

The Sandhills Are Back

Friday, November 06, 2009

Riverwalk Bird Club members Charles and Dreama Dean checked the Hiwassee Refuge on Wednesday to see if the Sandhill Cranes had arrived. The first hour or so were spent looking and listening for and Sandhills with no luck, then they heard a far off sound that is so familiar to anyone who has ever hear a Sandhill and soon they saw a flock arriving. For the next hour they watched several flocks of 50 or more checking in at the refuge, Charles estimates they saw 1500 or more looking for corn that had been cut. They also saw bush hogs heading in the direction of the corn to knock down some corn for the early arrivals. It’s always an exciting time for birders when the Sandhills and ducks return to the Hiwassee Refuge for the winter. We hope you enjoy the photos by the Deans.


Ultralight-Led Whooping Cranes Released At Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge

The nine whooping cranes led by ultralight aircraft have been released from a holding pen at Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge after Whooping Crane Eastern Partnership biologists attached marking bands and transmitters to help track their movements. “So far the cranes are foraging and hanging around close to the pen and moving into the flooded fields,” said Bill Gates, biologist ... (click for more)

New Youth Elk Hunt Tag Approved At February TWRC Meeting

The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Commission approved the 2012 special elk hunting season and the addition of a permit for one state resident youth to participate in the elk hunt among its business at its February meeting that concluded Friday.  The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency had made its recommendations for the 2012 elk hunt at the January TWRC meeting. The TWRC ... (click for more)

Man Tells Police He Just Murdered His Wife

An Chattanooga man told police Monday night that he had just murdered his wife.  Police said Robert Hardnett showed up at the County Jail to turn himself in. He said his wife's body could be found at his place of employment, Power Supply Company, 1907 Daisy St.   Officers responded to that address and found the victim inside the warehouse with multiple gunshot ... (click for more)

Ammonia Leak At BASF On Amnicola Highway Causes Major Traffic Backups

An Anhydrous Ammonia leak at BASF Corporation on Amnicola Highway is causing major traffic issues this morning. The leak reportedly occurred shortly before 5 a.m. The Chattanooga Fire Department responded with several fire companies, and the haz-mat team. As a precaution, the area around BASF has been evacuated, and Chattanooga Police have blocked Amnicola Highway at Chattanooga ... (click for more)

Thoughs On The Mathews Sentencing

It is not by coincidence I haven’t submitted an opinion piece in some time to the Chattanoogan.  The topics I cover are generally vitriolic in regards to local political decisions and their makers regarding public safety and I do not wish to associate my name with more noble subjects such as that of the heroic death and cowardly murder of Chattanooga Police Sergeant Tim Chapin, ... (click for more)

Thank You, Judge Mattice And Chattanooga

I would like to thank Judge Mattice for handing down a 30.5 year sentence for Kathleen Mathews.  Obviously, no amount of jail time, fines, or lashings can bring back Tim Chapin.   A 30-year sentence will, however, make the world just a little safer.  That's what Sgt. Chapin would have wanted.  He was a protector and sacrificed his life so the rest of ... (click for more)