 |
|
| A Turkey
Vulture here displays many of the classic features of this scavenger,
including two-toned wings, red head, and yellow bill; it was photographed
on the Hartselle Bench near Buck Mt. Rd., Putnam County, Tennessee, 18 March 2007; photo Barry
Stein. |
|
Antediluvian
BIRDFOLK Messages (Spring 2007)
Subject: birdfolk message 2007-20 (29
may)
Dear
birdfolk,
A
somewhat incomplete outline of the results of the 2007 White County Foray
is beginning to emerge from the data so far submitted for that event.
I've posted some of the "early returns" at my website, accessible
via this link:
All
in all, the foray was well worth conducting, especially since results of the
1982 foray in White County can be compared to the results obtained this
year. In all, 17 species found this year were not found in the county
during the 1982 foray, while 9 species found in 1982 were not found during
this year's foray. The latter list of 9 species follows:
Ruffed
Grouse
Yellow-crowned
Night-Heron (but found close to White County in Putnam County)
Lesser
Yellowlegs (migrant)
Peep
sp. (migrant)
Horned
Lark
Golden-winged
Warbler
Yellow
Warbler
Swainson's
Warbler
Baltimore
Oriole
Two
of the nine species are migrants, so not of concern since the focus of a foray
is on breeding species. That leaves seven species of birds that were
recorded in 1982 that could not be found a quarter century later.
Several of these species have long been known to have small breeding
populations in White County, including Yellow-crowned Night-Heron and
Golden-winged and Swainson's warblers. The two warblers and Ruffed Grouse are
also known to have decreasing populations in TN. But for the other
species--Horned Lark, Yellow Warbler, and Baltimore Oriole--it is hard to know
how to explain the inability of numerous observers to locate even a single
individual during four days of fairly exhaustive searching.
Of
the 17 species found in White County during the 2007 foray, but not found
during the 1982 foray, several began to occur in White County (either
as introductions or as a result of population increases) only after 1982.
Among these are Great Blue Heron (increasing dramatically since late 1980s),
Eurasian Collared-Dove (invading since mid-1990s), Tree Swallow (increasing
steadily since late 1980s), Cliff Swallow (increasing since 1980s), House Wren
(increasing since 1990s locally, before that in other areas of TN), Henslow's
Sparrow (increasing since early 2000s), and House Finch (invading since late
1970s, but not established as a breeder for a decade after that). Only a
few of these species were missing from the 1982 foray as a result of an
unlucky miss; some of the unlucky misses were Great Horned Owl, Cedar
Waxwing (but probably also a species undergoing a TN population increase since
the early 1980s), and American Redstart.
If
you took part in the 2007 White County Foray, but have not yet turned in your
data, please send it along pronto, so the overall results can be known as soon
as possible. And thanks if you took part in this event.
As
you might suspect or even dread, forays to other Upper Cumberland Region
counties are a distinct possibility in late May during future years. Let
me know if you have a county in mind that could bear a little breeding bird
effort, and we'll see what can be worked out.
Good
bird counting, Steve
BIRDFOLK
messages are shared with those Upper Cumberland Region birders who share their
bird sightings with me, either directly or indirectly. The minimal
sharing threshold is one bird record per month (note: a bird record always
contains the name of a specific species, the number seen, the date seen, the
site where seen, and the name of the observer). BIRDFOLK messages are
archived at a page of my website that is accessible via the birdpage:
Subject: birdfolk message 2007-19 (23
may)
Dear
birdfolk,
Lots
of birding has taken place since the last message went out, not the least of
which was a Spring Bird Count in White County, TN, last Saturday; this SBC
resulted in the observation of 113 species, many of which can be expected to
be found during the upcoming Foray in White County, which will begin in two
days (May 25) and continue through the end of the Memorial Day week-end (May
28). Among the more interesting results of Saturday's SBC in White
County was the discovering of Henslow's Sparrows in the massive grass fields
of the Bridgestone/Firestone Centennial Wilderness; these not so enthralling
songsters had never been recorded at that site before last Saturday, but as
least three of them were singing there about dusk on count day. Another
nice find on the White County SBC was a female Hooded Merganser with six young
in the wetland associated with the Wal-Mart in Sparta, just the fourth ever
breeding record for White County, with all four instances of breeding coming
from that same site; indeed, there are more breeding records of Hooded
Merganser from that site than from all other sites in the history of
bird-finding efforts in the Region.
Almost
complete results of the six Spring Bird Counts and Spring BirdBlitzes in the
Upper Cumberland Region may be viewed at this page of my website:
Thanks
to the many observers who took part in the spring counts and made this season
the best ever in the history of spring bird counting in the Region. And
congrats to the intrepid birders from Pulaski Co., KY, who racked up 131
species May 12, the highest total for a SBC in that county in its nearly
decade long history.
Some
interesting, if a little depressing, news about shrikes emanated from DeKalb
Co., TN, recently. You may recall that Judy Fuson has observed
breeding Loggerhead Shrikes on Student's Home Rd. (and County House Rd.) in
that county for several years, and this year the nest on that road fledged at
least four young May 14. The next day Judy was able to obtain a photo of
three juvenile shrikes near the nest site, but on May 19 when she was
checking the site from a distance, no young could be seen, and when she
approached the nest tree further she found no young shrikes at all and was
then a little surprised when an adult Cooper's Hawk appeared as if from
nowhere in a tree right next to the shrike nest tree. These events
suggest that the Cooper's Hawk may have preyed upon some or all of the young
shrikes and ended this year's production of young at that site. I
have heard that Cooper's Hawks prey upon shrike young and adults, and this
incident suggests that such is in fact the case, at least occasionally.
Since Cooper's Hawk is a species clearly on the increase in the Upper
Cumberland (and probably across its range in eastern North America), it may be
one of many factors implicated in the slow but sure decrease in numbers of
shrikes in the same areas. Not all the news from DeKalb County was
depressing, however; it seems that there may be a second shrike nest near the
first one, which might succeed where the first nest probably did not--courtesy
of the Cooper's caring for its young. If a second nest near the
first one proves to be the case--and more evidence is needed before we
accept that it is the case--then it would constitute an interesting example of
semi-colonial nesting by shrikes on Student's Home Rd.; this sort of nesting
is known to take place in some shrike populations, especially where nesting
substrate is hard for the shrikes to find. Stay tuned for more on the
shrike saga from DeKalb County (and if you have shrikes in your area, please
send along information about their occurrence anytime you encounter it).
It's the least we can do for a species clearly on its way "out the
door" in our Region.
While
I am on the theme of slightly depressing bird news, let me quickly pass along
the results of a survey for Cerulean Warblers that I conducted in western
Putnam Co., TN, last Sunday. I have conducted a survey along the same
route in that county for the past three years, so I continued it this year
(and hope to continue it for many years to come). I counted 28 Ceruleans
along the 50-mile survey route, the same number as during the spring 2006
survey; the depressing news is that just three years ago in 2004 I
counted 47 Ceruleans along the same route, and just two years ago in 2005 I
counted 42, so there has been a considerable decrease in Ceruleans along the
route in just a couple of years. I plan to conduct another Cerulean
survey in Frozen Head State Natural Area soon; am hoping for better news from
that survey site than was extracted from the Putnam survey site. John
Froeschauer conducted a Cerulean survey at about a dozen points in Edgar Evins
State Park, DeKalb Co., TN, recently and counted the same number (four) of
Ceruleans there this year that he counted last year (if he recalls
accurately), so some Cerulean news has been good (or at least not bad); thanks
to John for sharing this important information.
Good
bird news is always welcome as a way of negating some of the depressing vibes
caused by the less than good news noted above, so let me move on to that now.
I've already passed along the news of the return of at least one Scissor-tailed
Flycatcher to the Bledsoe Co., TN, nesting site on Ninemile Rd., and any
further news about STFLs from that site--or any other in the Region--is
welcome.
Keeping
to the good news, let me note that Joseph Mast and I spent some time around
dusk yesterday counting Henslow's Sparrows in a field adjacent to Dynamite
Shanty Rd., Cumberland Co., TN. Last July we counted about 30 singing
Henslow's in that field; yesterday we were able to cover about half the field
during twilight time and counted 15 singers, so it seems that the population
there is about the same as it was last year. Although some observers
feel that the habitat in this field needs better treatment by the owners so as
to make it better for the Henslow's, Joseph and I are inclined to think that
any field with at least 15 singing Henslow's this year (and about 30 last
year) has got to be offering what the HESPs want.
Thanks
to all those who have reported various birds from various sites around the UCR,
including Robbie Hassler, who reported a latish Rose-breasted Grosbeak in
Pickett Co., TN, May 20; John Froeschauer, who saw an immature Black-crowned
Night-Heron at Edgar Evins S. P. May 20; Dave Narrie, who had a Brown-headed
Nuthatch at his feeder near the Cookeville Golf Course May 17; and to DJ
Stanley, who has been turning in some nice photos of migrants and breeders
lately.
Good
bird counting, Steve
Comment on Birding
Behavior: When a birder has acquired enough skill to be let
loose on his or her own to find birds, there seems to develop in that birder
a belief that documenting his or her rare bird finds is no longer an
obligation. Why this kind of thinking comes into being is hard to say,
but it does, despite the fact that any birder who has been properly schooled
in the art and science of birding knows that with greater birding skill
comes greater necessity to document the rare birds which that greater skill
brings to light. So let me not hear from any birdfolk out
there gnashing of teeth when they are asked to provide a few details
about their more unusual finds. Even better, let me not even have to
ask for such details; just provide them as a matter of course--or get thee
to a nunnery or some other place to while away your leisure time. I
still write up details about most of my rare birds, and anyone who has any
pride in his or her birding needs to do the same.
Subject: birdfolk message 2007-18 (14
may)
Dear
birdfolk,
Except
for Christmas Bird Counts conducted in Burkesville, Cumberland Co., KY, in
1964 and 1965, no organized bird counts have been conducted in that
county, so the Spring BirdBlitz there May 5 provided a welcome shot in the arm
to the bird database associated with it. In all, 113 species were
counted by five observers in three parties, despite some pretty intense rain
that fell for a couple of hours from 1030 CDT to 1230 CDT. In all, 18
species listed during the birdblitz were ones for which I had no previous
records in that county, so the county's bird list was considerably expanded by
the birdblitz effort. No especially rare species was detected May 5, but
the overall effort that was expended gave a good idea of what species can be
found during early May in that little-birded county. Check out the
results, accessible via the birdpage (link below) where these is a link to the
spring bird count central node.
Two
spring bird counts (SBCs) were conducted this past week-end, one in Pulaski
Co., KY, and another in Putnam Co., TN. Full results of the former
count have not yet been compiled and made available, but quite a good count of
shorebirds took place at that shorebird mecca--Fishing Creek--in Pulaski Co.
Among these were 21 Short-billed Dowitchers, seldom seen citizens of the
Regional shorebird fauna. As soon as I hear more details about this
count, which seems like it might attain an all-time high species
total for a SBC in that county, I'll post them.
Results
from the Putnam County SBC are now available at the website. In all, 137
species were counted, tying the all-time high species total for a
SBC in that county, where there have been 33 previous SBCs. Each of the
seven parties in the field Saturday in Putnam County contributed to the
overall total. Best birds were two singing Henslow's Sparrows near
Monterey by Barb Stedman; these were new not only to the Putnam County SBC but
were also the first of their kind to be found there--and they made Putnam
County the 10th Regional county to list this formerly quite rare migrant, now
an expanding breeder. Other nice birds of the count included Common Loon
(Janie Finch, Ginger Ensor, Nancy Layzer, and Sue Pirolo), Cattle Egret (Carol
Williams and Judy Fuson), Barn Owl (Doug Downs), Warbling Vireo (Doug Downs
and Barb Stedman), Brown-headed Nuthatch (Winston Walden, Mike O'Rourke, and
John Owens), Veery (Barb Stedman), and Black-throated Blue Warbler
(photographed by new father Joseph Mast).
Between
the Cumberland Co., KY, BirdBlitz and the Putnam County SBC, Barb and I
squeezed in a workshop on birdsong identification for the Kentucky Department
of Fish and Wildlife Resources. The workshop was headquartered at Barren
River Lake State Resort Park in Barren County, KY. During the four days
of the workshop, 117 species were heard (mainly) or seen by the 30
participants. Most interesting birds included Black-billed Cuckoo (not,
alas, singing), Black-throated Blue Warbler, and the first summer Henslow's
Sparrows for Barren County. In all about ten species were added to the
county bird list as a result of the workshop effort. I was especially
pleased to make the acquaintance of a very fine nature preserve in Barren
County--the Brigadoon Nature Preserve, donated to the commonwealth of KY by
Russell and Faye Starr, long-time residents of Barren County back in the mid-
to late 20th Century. This 181-acre preserve provides a fine birding
experience for anyone lucky enough to live near it or to travel to it. I
know that it will be on my itinerary whenever I am in that area in the future.
For
anyone still in need of a SBC fix, there will be one last count conducted this
coming Saturday in White County, TN. If interested in taking part, drop a line
to me or Doug Downs really quickly, and we will set you up with a territory.
Last
but not least by far is the upcoming White County Foray, scheduled for May
25-28. This event will repeat a foray made to the same county May 28-31,
1982, when 96 species of breeding birds were detected within the boundaries of
White County. If you want to be part of Regional birding history, plan
to take part in the repeat foray in two weeks. Contact me or Doug Downs about
participating.
Good
bird counting, Steve
Subject: birdfolk message 2007-17 (3
may)
Dear
birdfolk,
Two
bird surveys--a birdblitz in Smith Co., TN, and a spring bird count in
Cumberland Co., TN--and a couple of days working on final exams have left me
considerably in arrears with BIRDFOLK messages and with early/late dates of
arrival/departure at the website. Preparation for teaching a course
about birdsong this coming week, as well as for the Cumberland Co., KY,
birdblitz in two days, will prevent my catching up anytime soon, so please
bear with me during this busy season for birds and other matters.
The
Smith County BirdBlitz April 28 resulted in a total of 120 species of birds
being recorded, sixteen of which I had no previous county records for, so the
county bird list was expanded quite a bit as a result of the birdblitz effort;
general results of this first-ever bird count in Smith Co., TN, are posted at
my website; many thanks to the eight birdfolk who took part in this count with
me. One of the nice results of the count was information about an active
Osprey nest along Rt. 53 in Smith County; this information was passed along to
me by Kathy Harville, Terry Harville, and Bettie Hubbard, residents of Smith
County who participated in the birdblitz as yard watchers. Kathy also
provided a photo of the nest and a little background about it (it has
apparently been active for several years). Many thanks to Kathy, Terry,
and Bettie for this information.
The
Cumberland County Spring Bird Count on May 1 ended up with a total of 127
species being recorded, three of which-- Western Sandpiper (photo), Barn Owl
(2 adults at nest with 5 eggs), and Connecticut Warbler (all found by Joseph
Mast)--were new for Cumberland Co., TN. This was the second consecutive
SBC in Cumberland Co., TN, and sixth overall. Results of the six counts
have contributed considerably to knowledge of the changing birdlife in
Cumberland County over the past four decades.
In
two days the Cumberland Co., KY, BirdBlitz will be held. Looks like
there will be three field parties active that day. On May 12, SBCs in
Putnam Co., TN, and Pulaski Co., KY, will be conducted as part of
International Migratory Bird Day. For the Putnam Co. SBC, I have room in
my car for one more birder that day, and there are other parties with room to
expand as well, so let me know if you wish to take part in this birding
extravaganza.
Doug
Downs and I are talking about making May 19 the date for a somewhat tardy SBC
in White Co., TN, as part of preparation for the White County Foray, now only
22 days away. If you have some interest in helping cover White County May 19,
let me or Doug know, and if you are interested in the Foray, well, just give a
holler. More help welcome.
Good
bird counting, Steve
Note:
As a result of one of the more spirited suggestions to have come my way
in a long, long time, I am sending this message so that the names and/or email
addresses of recipients are not reflected in the header. Apparently,
this method of sending messages increases the privacy factor in your
life, in the event that your life is not private enough. If you like
this method of receiving BIRDFOLK messages, no need to reply, but if you'd
prefer that I return to the old method, whereby everyone on the list is noted
in the header, please reply and say so. Either way is fine with me, but
if the present method reduces SPAM, viruses, and other inconveniences of the
eworld, I will continue with it, even though its advocates are apparently more
prone to spam the BIRDFOLK membership than anyone else is. sjs
Subject: birdfolk message 2007-16 (23
april)
Dear
birdfolk,
The
Region is slowly returning to normalcy following the frigid conditions that
prevailed for several days during the second week of the month. There
was a decided downturn in the number of first arrival dates (and
record-setting arrival dates) during and for several days after the cold
spell; it also appeared that some winter residents have been lingering a
little longer than usual in the aftermath of that event. Besides these
short-term consequences of the cold spell, there will also be some longer term
consequences that will play out over the next few seasons, mostly having to do
with the kind of wild food crop that will be available next fall and winter.
While
trying to show Leo Chavez the Brown-headed Nuthatches at the Cookeville Golf
Course, Putnam Co., TN, last Friday, I found what I think was a Greater
White-fronted Goose. This goose had all the classic features of a GWFG
except that the speckling on the belly was rather minimal. I'm wondering
if anyone can recall if immature white-fronts lack the speckling on the
belly as late as April of their second year. Drop a line if you have
info on this matter. BTW, we did see two Brown-headed Nuthatches at the
golf course; they appeared to be near a nest, but we were unable to confirm
that fact, because we turned most of our attention to the goose during the
short time we had on the course. Also BTW, access to the golf course
remains very restricted; please do not attempt to gain access unless you have
obtained permission from the course manager in the clubhouse. Usually,
he can accommodate birders if they arrive very early or if inclement weather
is taking place.
Judy
Fuson reports that she has nesting Loggerhead Shrikes on Student's Home Rd.,
Dekalb Co., TN, again this year; I'm pretty sure that Leo Chavez spotted
another nest tree at Central View in White Co., TN, last week. Anyone
else having shrikes now?
Ronnie
Smith noted recently that there are probably at least three active Bald Eagle
nests around Dale Hollow Lake this year. Nancy Layzer has been keeping
track of the four Osprey nests near Gainesboro, Jackson Co., TN, lately; all
seem to be active. Leo Chavez and I visited Granville in western Jackson
Co., TN, last Friday, and we had an Osprey being very territorial near the
bridge over Martin Creek in Granville; the Osprey we saw vocalized
vociferously and appeared to be trying to drive a Turkey Vulture away
from the area near the bridge, but we did not see a nest; anyone know of an
Osprey nest in that location?
Last
Wednesday's birdwalk at Cane Creek Park, Cookeville, Putnam Co., TN, was quite
productive, with 72 species being noted around the lake (we did extend the
walk to 4.5 hours in order to show Leo Chavez as many species as possible that
morning). I've mentioned the species highlights in a previous
email, so I won't rehearse the list again. The birdwalk at CCP this
Wednesday will be the last until late August or early September, so come on
out and enjoy this local birding event before it goes dormant for four months.
The
Spring BirdBlitz in Smith Co., TN, will take place this Saturday. So far
it looks like we will be able to field three parties, but there is room to add
another, so give a quick holler if you want to join in on this fun and
valuable birding event.
The
Spring Bird Count in Cumberland Co., TN, is still tentative, being somewhat
dependent on the availability of Joseph Mast, whose wife, Anita, is expecting
any day now. If all goes well with her delivery, Joseph will be
available to count May 1 (or May 3 if inclement weather hits May 1);
otherwise, he may be tied up with fatherly duties and unable to take part in
the count, in which case it will be postponed a year.
The
Spring BirdBlitz in Cumberland Co., KY, is a go for May 5; three field parties
seem assured for that day, but, again, more participants are welcome.
The
Spring Bird Counts in Putnam Co., TN, and Pulaski Co., KY, are set for May 12.
Drop a line to me if you are interested in the former or to Roseanna Denton if
interested in the latter.
Don't
forget the White County Foray--May 25-28.
Good
bird counting, Steve
Subject: birdfolk message 2007-15 (17
april)
Dear
birdfolk,
Two
sightings of Cattle Egret in the Region last week led the bird news recently.
While birding Macedonia Pond in White Co., TN, Doug Downs found an
alternate-plumaged egret Apr. 11, the earliest ever in Regional history.
The very next day Annette Snow photographed another alternate-plumaged egret
in nearby Putnam Co., TN, the earliest ever for that county, where bird
records go back to the late 1950s. Many thanks to each of these
observers for sharing these nice records, and especially to Annette for taking a
photo of her egret (now posted at my website in a couple of places). Also many
thanks to Tim Riddle for first alerting me to the presence of Annette's egret.
Leonardo
Chavez, a visiting birder from Costa Rica, birded with me yesterday, and we
found some nice birds here and there around the Region. While we were
en route to the Obed Wild and Scenic River on Genesis Rd. in Cumberland Co.,
TN, Leo spotted two Sandhill Cranes on the ground (about a mile from I-40);
this was the first time I have seen SACRs in the Region during April. Perhaps
these cranes slowed their journey north because of all the cold conditions
that have prevailed of late. During the day we were also able to find a
Eurasian Collared-Dove in the Double Springs area of Putnam Co., TN, the first
time in a while that a bird of that species has been found in that area.
Two Loggerhead Shrikes near a probable nest at Central View, White Co., TN,
were another nice find made by Leo, as was a latish American Pipit at the pond
on Black Oak Rd. in the same county. All told, we were able to see
or to hear about 90 species yesterday, despite really windy conditions most
of the afternoon. Leo will be speaking about the culture of Costa Rica
tomorrow evening at 7:00 P.M. in the Bruner Hall auditorium on the TTU campus
in Cookeville, and on Saturday he will be speaking about Costa Rican birds
(870 species, only about 200 of which are migrants from North America) during
NatureFest in Cookeville.
Speaking
of NatureFest, there will be a birdwalk at Cane Creek Park led by Barb Stedman
this Saturday at 7:00 A.M. as part of that event, and I will lead a butterfly
walk at the same site at 10:00 A.M.
Last
week's birdwalk at Cane Creek Park resulted in a list of 47 species; this
week's list might be even higher, so come on out and walk with us tomorrow
morning.
Last
Saturday's birdwalk in Standing Stone State Park during the Naturalists' Rally
there was impeded somewhat by rain most of the morning. Nonetheless,
some early migrants were detected, among which a Worm-eating Warbler was
probably the most impressive (but it was heard only, not seen). On the
way home from the rally, I stopped at the Livingston Reservoir and found two
late Gadwalls there; also on the way home, I stopped in the rain at Cane Creek
Park and was able to spot a nice male Ring-necked Duck, three female
Buffleheads (latest ever in Putnam Co., TN), and a gaggle of Blue-winged Teal
(also seen that day by Winston Walden).
Roseanna
Denton did some birding last Saturday in the Big South Fork in McCreary Co.,
KY, with members of the Somerset Bird Club, finding the earliest Blue Grosbeak
in the Region this spring among many nice birds. Roseanna also checked
out Cooley's Pond in Wayne Co., KY, Apr. 12 and discovered a number of
lingering ducks there; check out the page of the website devoted to early and
late dates (more on this below) for details about her duck finds.
Migrant
species continue to show up on an almost daily basis. Some of the more
intriguing finds lately include the first Wood Thrush of the season in Putnam
Co., TN, Apr. 12; the first Eastern Kingbird of the season Apr. 13 in
Warren Co., TN, by Barb Stedman; the earliest Prothonotary Warbler of the
season in DeKalb Co., TN, Apr. 14 by Winston Walden; the first Indigo Bunting
Apr. 14 in Putnam Co., TN, by Ginger Ensor; the first Blue Grosbeak of the
season in McCreary Co., KY, Apr. 14 by Roseanna Denton and Granville Cox; the
first Blue-winged Warbler of the season found yesterday by Leo Chavez in
Putnam Co., TN; and the first Red-eyed Vireo by Leo and me in Putnam Co., TN,
also yesterday. A full report of recent arrival dates is posted at
my website.
Late
dates of departure are also of interest. Some recent latish (but maybe
not yet latest of the season) records include Redhead in Pulaski Co., KY, Apr.
12 by Roseanna Denton; Hermit Thrush in Scott Co., TN, Apr. 15 by Dan Combs
and Leo Chavez; Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Apr. 16 in Morgan Co., TN, by Leo
Chavez; Winter Wren in Morgan Co., TN, Apr. 16; and Golden-crowned
Kinglet in Putnam Co., TN, Apr. 16 by Leo and me.
Hope
you can work out a way to take part in one of the Regional Spring Bird Counts
(and remember the White County Foray--May 25-28).
Good
bird counting, Steve
Subject: birdfolk message 2007-14 (9
april)
Dear
birdfolk,
Brrrr!
The recent "dogwood winter" event has certainly had a negative
effect on some of the birdlife of the Upper Cumberland Region, and it's
likely to continue to have an effect for several seasons to come, especially
if this year's hard and soft mast crops are much diminished by the bitter cold
conditions we've experienced lately. To judge from the limited freeze
evidence available in my yard, I'd say that those crops will be lower in
quantity this fall than they would otherwise have been.
Newly
arriving transient and summer resident species continued to be reported until
Apr. 6, but since then few reports of newly arriving species have been
submitted, so perhaps the recent spate of cold conditions has temporarily
reduced numbers of migrants headed north. First reported sightings on
Apr. 6 included Solitary Sandpiper in DeKalb Co., TN, by Judy Fuson; and Worm-eating and Hooded warblers
in Morgan Co., TN, by Barb Stedman. Some dates for late-departing
species included Redhead in Pulaski Co., KY, Apr. 7 (a record late date in
that county for that species) by Roseanna Denton and Dark-eyed Junco in
Jackson Co., TN, Apr. 8 by Nancy Layzer. Keep an eye out for newly
arriving species (or late-departing ones)--and keep the other eye ready to
review the website pages with Regional arrival and departure dates posted.
Janet
Dowlen checked the website of the International Crane Foundation recently and
discovered that the two male Whooping Cranes that stayed Mar. 17-27 in
Cumberland Co., TN, were back at their Wisconsin migration training site Apr.
2, taking no more than six days to get there from Tennessee. Let's
hope these Whoopers (and others) make the Upper Cumberland Region a regular
stopover site during future migrations.
The
Wednesday birdwalk at Cane Creek Park last week turned up 44 species; this
week's birdwalk should be at least that productive.
I
will be leading a birdwalk in Standing Stone State Park, Overton Co., TN, this
coming Saturday morning, as part of the Naturalists' Rally taking place in
that park this coming week-end. If you wish to take part in this
birdwalk, meet at the Moses Fisk home at 0730 CDT (this home is on the south
side of the dam about half a mile).
On
Saturday, April 21, Barb Stedman will lead a birdwalk at Cane Creek Park in
Putnam Co., TN, as part of NatureFest in Cookeville; if you can make this
birdwalk, meet at 0700 CDT at the concession stand in the park. At 1000
CDT that day I will be leading a butterfly walk in the park; meet at that time
at the concession stand.
Spring
Bird Counts in the Region will take place as follows:
April
28--Smith Co., TN
May
1--Cumberland Co., TN (tentative date)
May
5--Cumberland Co., KY
May
12--Pulaski Co., KY, and Putnam Co., TN
Please
contact me soon if you can participate in any of these SBCs, which are
important tools for monitoring the status of the Regional birdlife.
And
don't forget the White County Foray, May 25-28.
Good
bird counting, Steve
Subject: birdfolk message 2007-13 (2
april)
Dear
birdfolk,
The
two Whooping Cranes that headlined the last message apparently left
Cumberland Co., TN, sometime early in the day last Tuesday, Mar. 27;
they were seen that morning by personnel with the Grassland Unit of the
agricultural experiment station, but they were not around at 12:30 P.M. that
day when searched for by Michael Hodge. I hope all of you who
witnessed these fine birds were able to report your sighting(s). I am
especially grateful to those who sent along photos of these cranes.
Information about their past history was provided by Sara Zimorski
(International Crane Foundation), and I distributed this information to all
Regional birdfolk whom I know about; it is also summarized in the Spring
2007 UCR Bird Report, accessible via the link at the end of this message
(you may need to copy the URL--or even retype it--to get it to work).
Late
lingering ducks have been few lately. A male American Wigeon was
present on Cane Creek Park lake this past Sunday, and, more
expectedly, six Blue-winged Teal were still present there that
day. Anyone else getting any late ducks? Or any late winter residents?
These species are probably going to clear out of the Region earlier than
usual, if the warmish conditions of late are not too much interrupted by the
cool temps predicted later this week.
Last
Wednesday, I sent around a message asking for reports of hummers, and that
day turned out to be the day when the first Ruby-throat was
noted--by John Milligan, as reported by Michele Ramsey, in DeKalb Co.,
TN. Another Ruby-throat showed up earlier than ever before in Putnam
Co., TN, where seen by Mike O'Rourke Mar. 29. Please keep those early
arrival dates coming for any hummers you encounter for the next week or so
in other counties.
Shorebirds
have been very thinly reported in the Region this spring, mostly as a result
of the extremely dry conditions that have prevailed around most of the
Region for a month now. Some Lesser Yellowlegs in Warren Co., TN, Mar.
31 were the first to be reported this season; thanks to Susan McWhirter for
that record.
On
Mar. 24 I covered about 40 miles of roads in western Putnam Co., TN,
listening for Northern Parulas, but I heard not a one; I covered the same
roads yesterday and counted at least 25 parulas, indicating that when that
species arrives, it arrives en masse and almost all at once.
My first White-eyed Vireo was also singing in Western Putnam Co. yesterday;
Mike O'Rourke had another White-eye yesterday in a different part of that
county. The first Red-eyed Vireo should be reported sometime in
the next week or so, but Red-eyes will not become easy to find for another
two weeks at least.
Whip-poor-wills
sometimes show up by late March in the Region. This year's first
sightings were by Nancy and Jim Layzer in Jackson Co., TN, Mar. 29 and by
Michael Hawkins in DeKalb Co., TN, Mar. 31. The first
Chuck-will's-widow is usually about two weeks later than the first Whip, so
start listening for one in another 10 days or so.
Check
the page of my website devoted to arrival and departure dates of migrant
birds for other first (or last) sightings this spring, and send along your
sightings whenever you encounter a species for the first time. It
helps to know when the various species usually arrive, so have a look at the
pages for arrival and departure data for previous years, to get an idea of
when to start looking and listening for this year's early and late species.
Spring
Bird Counts will be held in the following Regional counties and on the
following dates this year:
Smith
County, TN--28 April
Cumberland
County, TN--1 May (tentative)
Cumberland
County, KY--5 May
Putnam
County, TN--12 May
Somerset
(Pulaski Co., KY)--12 May
If
you can take part in any of these counts, drop a line to me, call
Joseph Mast for Cumberland Co. TN (931-248-5500), or drop a line to Roseanna
Denton for Somerset (roseanna@newwavecomm.net),
and we'll be glad to fix you up with a territory in any of them.
Feeder/Yard watchers are needed for the two counts to be held May 12.
This
coming Saturday I will be visiting DeKalb Co., TN, to provide some basic
training about skills needed to participate in the White County Foray (May
25-28). I'll be working with Carol Williams and Judy Fuson, but those
ladies have said they would be glad for anyone else who wishes to take part
to join with us, so drop me a line later in the week if you want to take
part, and I'll fill you in about the meeting time and place, or call Carol
or Judy for those details.
Last
Wednesday's birdwalk at Cane Creek Park in Putnam Co., TN, was considerably
abbreviated by rain and (much) lightning, but some nice birds were
nonetheless recorded by some of the participants; a Great Egret and some
Bonaparte's Gulls were the best finds during that rain-shortened
birdwalk. This Wednesday's birdwalk is looking like it will be held in
brisk conditions (like that should be any surprise following many weeks of
mostly grim birdwalking conditions at the park). I'll be there
whatever the weather, but I may not do the walk if the weather is not at
least somewhat conducive to good birding).
Keep
those bird reports acomin', and don't forget about those butterfly (and
other critter) reports as well.
Good
bird counting, Steve
Subject: birdfolk message 2007-12 (26
march)
Dear
birdfolk,
By
far the most exciting bird sighting recently came from Cumberland Co., TN,
where two adult, leg-marked Whooping Cranes were spending some time.
First reported by Charles Brendel to Janet Dowlen, these cranes have been
present since at least Mar. 17 at the Grassland Unit of the UT Experimental
Agriculture Farm in southern Cumberland County. Several birdfolk have
taken and sent along distant photos of these cranes, for which I offer thanks.
When the last photos come in, I'll try to post one or two at the website.
Migrant Whooping Cranes on the ground have been very rarely witnessed in the
Upper Cumberland Region in the past, but we can hope that this behavior
becomes standard operating procedure by some Whoopers in the future. The cranes
in Cumberland County are also staying quite a while, adding to the interest
that they have sparked amidst the Regional birding corps. Hope you have
a chance to get out and see these birds before they head north. Please
send along all reports, so we can be as certain as possible about the date
they depart.
Migrant
swallows made news over the past week-end. Besides the first appearances
of Northern Rough-winged Swallows on Saturday in DeKalb and Putnam counties,
TN, Cliff Swallows showed up for the first time this spring in Jackson Co.,
TN, on Mar. 24 and on the White/Warren county line at Rock Island State Park
Mar. 25. The dates for the Cliff Swallows are as early as I have ever known them
to arrive during spring in our Region.
More
migrant warblers are starting to put in appearances, too. A
Yellow-throated Warbler was heard by Mike O'Rourke in Putnam Co., TN, Mar. 22
(one day earlier than the earliest previous spring arrival date in that
county). A Black-and-white Warbler was two days earlier than ever before
in the same county when one was heard Mar. 24. And Northern Parula
was heard at the White/Warren county line at Rock Island State Park Mar. 25; I
have no earlier record for the Region than that one for the NOPA, so congrats
to Doug Downs on hearing that one.
Wintering
ducks from the south are still passing through the Region. Yesterday
Buffleheads, Ring-necked Ducks, Lesser Scaup, and Ruddy Ducks were still on
Lake Tansi, along with a Common Loon and some Bonaparte's Gulls. A
Red-breasted Merganser and many Bonaparte's Gulls were noted yesterday by
Winston Walden at the Center Hill Dam in DeKalb County. This morning
some Buffleheads, Lesser Scaup, and Northern Shovelers were present on the
lake at Cane Creek Park.
Reports
of Great Blue Herons at several known nesting sites in the Region have come in
lately, and all seems to be on track for these birds. Besides news of
rookeries at Floating Mill, Center Hill Lake, DeKalb Co., TN (Carol Williams),
on Flynn Creek Rd. in Jackson Co., TN (Michael Hawkins), and along Dry Valley
Rd., in Putnam Co., TN (SJS), anyone else have news to report of the heron
kind?
The
birdwalk at Cane Creek Park this Wednesday is looking like it might be
preceded by some rain, so Wed. is likely to be a good day to walk the
lake loop in the park if you can find time to make that weekly event.
Butterflies
are starting to make themselves conspicuous again, finally; it was a long
winter without them. I was able to find my first Henry's Elfin for
Putnam County last Sat. near Bee Rock in Putnam Co., TN. Even if you
aren't sure about your butterflies, snap some photos and send them along.
Good
birding, Steve
Subject: birdfolk message 2007-11 (20 march--equinox)
Dear
birdfolk,
A
few more arrival and departure dates for migrant birds in the Region have come
in lately. Barn Swallows first appeared Mar. 19 at Cane Creek Park in
Cookeville, Putnam Co., TN; and Blue-headed Vireo was first noted on the same
date when a singing bird was noted along the Angel Falls Trail in the Big
South Fork National River and Recreation Area, Scott Co., TN, by Connie Neeley
and Gay Hodges. Each of these species is a little later this spring than
last spring, to judge from the arrival dates submitted for Spring 2006.
A Canvasback was still present on the lake at Cane Creek Park yesterday, the
latest report of the spring so far for that often scarce diving duck.
Purple
Finches were extremely scarce this past winter in the Region, but if they
exhibit the same behavior this spring as during past springs, they might
increase in numbers a bit during late March and April, especially at feeders. So
far the late departure date this spring is Mar. 16 in Putnam Co., TN.
Anyone still having them at feeders or elsewhere?
Last
night's small bit of rain was enough to bring down a few birds at Cane Creek
Park lake when I visited that site this morning. Three Horned Grebes,
one in alternate plumage, were on the lake, along with an adult Double-crested
Cormorant and a few migrant ducks that had not been present recently at all or
that had been present in much smaller numbers, including 4 Green-winged Teal,
11 Gadwall, and 13 Lesser Scaup.
Training
days for the White County Foray (May 25-28) are going fast, at least if they
are to be held on a Saturday. This coming Saturday is free, but I have
obligations on Mar. 31, April 14 (Standing Stone Naturalists' Rally), April 21
(NatureFest in Cookeville), April 28 (Smith County SBC), May 5 (Cumberland
County, KY, SBC), and May 12 (Putnam County SBC). That leaves only April
7 and May 19 as viable Saturdays for doing some field work that is focused on
the detection of breeding evidence by birds (this is not really too hard to
pick up on, especially if you consider that the mere presence of many
species during late May and June is evidence of possible breeding). Hope
many of you can take part in a least one day of the White County Foray, which
is going to offer us an interesting window onto changes in the breeding
avifauna of White County from 1982 to 2007, a quarter-century
comparison that has not been possible in too many Tennessee counties ever.
Good
bird counting, Steve
Subject: birdfolk message 2007-10 (16
march)
Dear
birdfolk,
A
week in Florida visiting family over spring break and several days
recuperating from a minor medical problem have left me somewhat in arrears
with these messages, so let me play some catch-up with Regional bird news.
Thanks to all out there who have been able to maintain their work in the field
with the birds recently and who have shared the results of their efforts.
Before
getting into the nitty-gritty of recent bird records, let me share some
information that relates to a sighting that I reported in the last message.
You will recall that a Whooping Crane was sighted with a flock of Sandhill
Cranes in Cumberland Co., TN, during late February, one of very few
records of unassisted migrant Whoopers in the Upper Cumberland Region.
The observer was careful to note that the crane under observation had a red
head and black primaries and was slightly larger than the Sandhill Cranes with
which it associated. These field marks pretty well eliminate all other
possible species that might be confused with Whooping Crane, including Snow
Goose, American White Pelican, and Wood Stork. However, another
candidate for consideration would be a leucistic (albinistic) Sandhill Crane,
a few of which probably occur in the Sandhill Crane flocks that pass
through the Region, though I know of no certain records of such a crane from
the UCR yet. A leucistic Sandhill can be easily separated from a
Whooping Crane by the fact that it does not have black primaries, as does the
Whooper, but if you are not aware of this difference, it might be easy to
misidentify a leucistic Sandhill as a Whooper. So, the lesson here is to stay
alert for white cranes amidst the Sandhills, and if you are ever lucky enough
to find one, to check its primaries and be sure they are jet black before
calling your bird a Whooping Crane. If you'd like to see a photo of a
leucistic Sandhill Crane, go to this page of the KOS website (thanks to
Brainard Palmer-Ball for drawing my attention to this i.d. problem and to this
photo):
Each
spring and fall for the past half decade I have maintained a list of early
arrival dates and late departure dates for migrant birds occurring in the
Region. I am continuing that tradition this spring; the page of my
website that is devoted to this set of data may be accessed via the birdpage
(cited below). Each time you encounter a newly arriving migrant or
summer resident (or late departing migrant or winter resident), please pass
along the date and county of your sighting so that all members of the Regional
birding cadre can keep abreast of the latest goings-on in the migration scene.
Since the last message went out (March 3), several more species have
put in first appearances in the Region, including Pectoral Sandpiper Mar. 5 in
Pulaski Co., KY (Roseanna Denton), Osprey Mar. 6 in Jackson Co., TN
(Nancy Layzer), Greater Yellowlegs and Louisiana Waterthrush Mar. 14 in
Pulaski Co., KY (Roseanna Denton). Also, Jacquie Wagner reports that the
last sighting of her banded female Rufous Hummingbird in Van Buren Co., TN,
took place Mar. 6, quite a bit earlier than expected. So far the latest
Sandhill Cranes to be reported also came from Jacquie, who reported a flock of
100 over her home in Van Buren Co., TN, Mar. 11; anyone else have a later
crane report than that?
In
case you are into butterflies, the 2007 flight season is underway with several
species already having been reported here and there around the
Region by the lep-addicted among us. Many Tennessee counties (and
probably many Kentucky counties, too) do not yet have many butterflies listed
as occurring in them (at the Butterflies and Moths of North America website),
so it is easy to make a first county record if you are willing to get out and
take a few photos of your local butterflies; if you do, please send your
images along, and I will see to it that they are used to update your
county butterfly list. If you are interested in this facet of natural
history, there is a page of my website devoted to butterflies in Tennessee;
have a look some time.
I
missed this week's birdwalk at Cane Creek Park but hope to make the remaining
birdwalks there this spring. Hope to see some of you out there.
Don't
forget about the White County Foray, May 25-28; details also at my website.
It's
been suggested that Spring Bird Counts in the UCR this spring include coverage
of Smith Co., TN, and Cumberland Co., KY (note state). If you could take
part in either or both of these counts April 28 and May 5, please let me know.
Good
bird and butterfly counting, Steve
Subject: birdfolk message 2007-9 (3
march)
Dear
birdfolk,
The
most noteworthy news during the past week was the appearance of a Whooping
Crane with a flock of northbound Sandhill Cranes near Mayland in
Cumberland Co., TN, Feb. 27; Janet Dowlen, fairly new to the BIRDFOLK list but
already with some nice reports submitted, saw the crane and was close enough
to detect its red head, easily distinguishing it from other large white birds
that might just conceivably be migrating with Sandhills Cranes in late
February. This was not the first report of a Whooper with migrating
Sandhills for the Region or even for Cumberland County--Dick Reisz saw a
Whooper with Sandhills Nov. 10, 2004, in Pleasant Hill, Cumberland Co.--but it
is one of just a few records so far accumulated involving an unassisted
migrant Whooping Crane in the Upper Cumberland. Congrats to Janet on a
really nice find.
Tree
Swallows returned to the Region Feb. 25, when one was present at Cane Creek
Park, Cookeville, Putnam Co., TN. I was putting up some new bluebird boxes in
the park to try to entice the swallows to nest in them, and a Tree Swallow
buzzed overhead as I was completing that task. Tree Swallows were first
noted in Wayne Co., KY, Feb. 27 and in Pulaski Co., KY, Mar. 2, the latter
date being a new early spring arrival date for that swallow in that county;
Roseanna Denton reported those swallows.
The
first Purple Martin Regionally showed up Feb. 27 at a martin house in the
Amish community of southeastern Monroe Co., KY, where Jason Troyer made the
observation and Terry Campbell reported it.
Roseanna
Denton had reported two White-winged Scoters at the Waitsboro Recreation Area,
Lake Cumberland, Pulaski Co., KY, Feb. 18; on Feb. 27 two WWSCs were noted by
Roseanna at the same site and were probably the same birds although it is
unusual for WWSCs to hang around that long at one site within the Region, at
least to judge from the meager supply of records currently on hand for WWSC
(just 12 Regional records ever). By finding (or refinding) these
scoters, Roseanna set a new late spring departure date for Pulaski County for
WWSC; the date was also a late one at the Regional level.
Pine
Warblers continue to be reported here and there around the Region as they make
their traditionally early return to the Region.
I
failed to note in the last message that the female Rufous Hummingbird that has been spending the
winter in northern Van Buren Co., TN, was still hanging in there as of Feb.
22. Thanks to Bill and Jacquie Wagner for hosting this bird and for
keeping me apprised of its status. Most Rufous Hummingbirds that have
successfully overwintered in the recent past have undergone a molt during
March and departed for the Northwest shortly thereafter. It will be
interesting to see if the Wagners' bird will stay long enough to set a new
late spring departure date for the Region (currently Apr. 8).
Good
bird counting, Steve