On three occasions this year, I have observed a pair of Bewick's Wrens while bicycling in Chickamauga Battlefield Park. These birds have apparently bred this summer, as on the last occasion (July 24, 2004), I saw two adults and 2 scruffy immature birds in a small group feeding and giving their call notes.

I first observed a single singing male on May 21, 2004. I got an excellent view from 30' with 10X binoculars in great lighting. I observed the tail barring and noted something I had never noticed. The beak seems a good bit longer than the Carolina Wren's beak. When I got back to my car I verified the song with my Stokes CD. The following Saturday (May 29), I "pished" up two birds in the same area. Again I got good views of both birds. One bird sang and both gave call notes. I am reasonably sure I have heard these birds on other days as I frequently ride in the area but my ear is not reliable enough to make a call ID.

I had not observed the birds since until last Saturday. They are located along Alexander Bridge Road about halfway between Alexander Road and the North Entrance of the Park on the west side of the road. They seem to have been very silent now for some time.

This is my first sighting of Bewick's Wrens in Georgia since June of 1975 on a farm in the Beaverdale area north and east of Dalton, Georgia. I do know these birds reasonable well from time spent in Arkansas, Texas, and Missouri.

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