Birds of the Upper Cumberland Region: Species Accounts

Alder Flycatcher (Empidonax alnorum)

Abundance: Rare (9 records in 4 counties, 2 in Kentucky and 2 in Tennessee, all but one involving a single individual).

Status: Transient  during spring (8 records) and fall (1 record); photograph (see link below).

Regional High Count: 3 (23 May 2006; Dry Creek Unit, Barren River Reservoir, Barren County, Kentucky; David L. Roemer).

Information on Records: 

14 May 1984 (1) site unspecified, Cumberland County, Tennessee (Betty Reid Campbell, James M. Campbell; Dubke and Dubke 1984).

28 May 2001 (1 heard) Cane Creek Park, Cookeville, Putnam County, Tennessee (Stephen J. Stedman; Casteel 2001 c).

11 May 2002 (1) Lake Cumberland Wildlife Management Area, Pulaski County, Kentucky (Roseanna M. Denton, Judy Brant; Busroe 2002c), a Spring Bird Count record.

11 May 2002 (1) Whetstone, Pulaski County, Kentucky (Scott Marsh, Rhonda Bryant unpubl. data), a Spring Bird Count record.

19 May 2004 (1) Ano strip mines, Pulaski County, Kentucky (Roseanna M. Denton; Palmer-Ball and McNeeley 2004c).

17 May 2005 (1 heard) Bud Tanner Rd., Mayland, Cumberland County, Tennessee (Joseph E. Mast unpubl. data).

20 & 23 May 2005 (1 heard) Cane Creek Park, Cookeville, Putnam County, Tennessee (Stephen J. Stedman unpubl. data).

23 & 26 May 2006 (3/2) Cry Creek Unit, Barren River Reservoir, Barren County, Kentucky (David L. Roemer/David L. Roemer, Robert Dever unpubl. data).

24-25 September 2006 (1 calling) Clifty Pond, Pulaski County, Kentucky (Roseanna M. Denton photo and unpubl. data), photo (25 September 2006).

Regional Extreme Dates:

    Spring: 11 May 2002 (1; Lake Cumberland Wildlife Management Area, Pulaski County, Kentucky; Roseanna M. Denton, Judy Brant; Busroe 2002c) and 11 May 2002 (1; Whetstone, Pulaski County, Kentucky; Scott Marsh, Rhonda Bryant unpubl. data)-28 May 2001 (1 heard; Cane Creek Park, Cookeville, Putnam County, Tennessee; Stephen J. Stedman; Casteel 2001 c).

    Fall: 24 September 2006 (1; Pulaski County, Kentucky; Roseanna M. Denton)-25 September 2006 (1 calling; Pulaski County, Kentucky; Roseanna M. Denton photo). 

Habitat: Wet, brushy sites, often those also selected by Willow Flycatcher; at least two Regional records took place at sites where Willow Flycatchers were present simultaneously.

YardWatch Results 2003 and 2004: No registrations.

Remarks: A rather narrow window of occurrence during mid- to late May characterizes the spring migration of this species.  Fall migration through the Region undoubtedly takes place but has not yet been documented sufficiently well to know its period of occurrence.

Counties with Observations (boldfaced):

To see a map (Figure 1) displaying the data in the table above, click on the boldfaced word in this sentence.

Literature Cited