The Cookeville Christmas Bird Count (CBC) was conducted December 20, 2003.  A record total of 89 species of birds was recorded on this count, far surpassing the previous high count of 80 species set in 1998.  Sixteen field observers and 7 feederwatchers took part in this bird-monitoring event, which has now been active in Cookeville 42 years and in North America 104 years.

    Like the 2002 CBC, this one occurred on a day when many migrant Sandhill Cranes were passing southward on their way to Hiwassee Refuge near Chattanooga, Tennessee, and eventually to Florida.  However, the number of cranes observed this year, over 2400, considerably surpassed the number counted last year when about 350 were tabulated.

    Three species--Rufous Hummingbird, Ovenbird, and Bobolink--were new to the Cookeville CBC, bringing the all-time Cookeville CBC species total to 129.  One of the Rufous Hummingbirds was located at the home of Mary and Grover Bennett on Cowan Rd. southwest of Cookeville; it had been present since early October 2003 and was banded during November. The other Rufous Hummingbird was located at the home of Stan Hood on Aspen Dr. in west-central Putnam County; it was banded and identified 31 January 2004 and had been present since the late fall. The Ovenbird was found near the Southern Hills Golf Course southwest of Cookeville.  The Bobolink was carefully studied at Ironwood Golf Course northwest of Cookeville.

    The Long-tailed Duck was registered for just the second time on a Cookeville CBC (and just the third time in county history); it was found at Cane Creek Park.  A Harlan's form of Red-tailed Hawk was also counted for just the second time on this CBC; it was found on Walnut Grove Rd. in the part of the CBC circle that extends southward into White County.  The Brown-headed Nuthatches were present at the Cookeville Golf Course, a site where they have been present for several years or more.  The Barn Owl was noted at a site south of Cookeville where it has become regular in appearance.

    Six species were recorded in higher numbers than on any previous Cookeville CBC: Gadwall, Northern Shoveler, Green-winged Teal, American Coot, Sandhill Crane, and Pileated Woodpecker.  Two species were noted in highest ever Cookeville CBC numbers and highest ever numbers in Putnam County: Turkey Vulture and Yellow-rumped Warbler.

    Some species whose populations are declining regionally or continentally were not sighted during this Cookeville CBC.  These include Northern Bobwhite and Loggerhead Shrike.  In addition, some species were recorded in lower numbers than the numbers in which they have often been recorded on the Cookeville CBC.  Among these species were the American Kestrel and the Eastern Bluebird.

    Names of field observers and feederwatchers during the 43rd Cookeville CBC follow, all being from Putnam County unless otherwise designated: Kris Bolin, Dan Combs, Doug Downs (White County), Ginger Ensor, Janie Finch, Michael Hawkins (Jackson County), Jane Herrin, Margo Hinkle (Pickett County), Stan Hood, David Hume, Peggy Kilgore, Nancy Layzer (Jackson County), Ken Morgan, Michael O'Rourke, John Owens, Dena Russell, Michele Ramsey, Richard Simmers, Barb Stedman, Steve Stedman, Winston Walden, and Carol Williams (DeKalb County).

    To view a summary of Cookeville Christmas Bird Count (CBC) data 1987-present, go to each of these pages:

• http://iweb.tntech.edu/sstedman/CookevilleCBC1987-1996.htm
• http://iweb.tntech.edu/sstedman/CookevilleCBC1997-2006.htm

    To see the annual results of the Cookeville CBCs for 2000-2002, click on the appropriate item below:

• Results of 2002 Cookeville CBC
• Results of 2001 Cookeville CBC
• Results of 2000 Cookeville CBC

    For a summary of high counts for each species registered on the Cookeville CBC, click below:

• Summary of Cookeville CBC High Counts

    For CBC guidelines in Cookeville, click below:

• Guidelines