Results of Bird Inventory at Chattanooga and Chickamauga National Military Park, Georgia and Tennessee, Fall 2005-Summer 2006

Savannah Sparrow photographed in Brotherton Field, Chickamauga NMP, Catoosa Co., GA, 29 September 2005; photo Kevin A. Calhoon.

Under contract with the National Park Service, Kevin A. Calhoon (KAC), Barbara H. Stedman (BHS), and Stephen J. Stedman (SJS) conducted a bird inventory of this park service unit for each season of the year, beginning the inventory during the fall of 2004 and completing it by the end of summer 2006.

   If you have data about any bird species not noted below or for any seasons without records in the table below, even if from a year before 2004, please contact us at the following e-mail address with the particulars of the sighting, including as accurate a date as possible:

                sstedman@tntech.edu

    Fall 2005 data were collected by KAC and BHS on the following dates: 1, 7, 9, 14-15, and 20 August; 1, 6, 11-13, 16, 23-26, and 29 September, 2-3, 9-10, 17, 23-25, 30-31 October, and 8, 14, 20, 27 November 2005; x = present during season on at least one of the dates indicated.

    Winter 2005-2006 data were collected by KAC and BHS (or both) on the following dates: 8-9, 11-12, and 18-19 December 2005; and 1-2, 8-9, 11, 23, and 30 January 2006; and 6, 19-20, 23, and 26-27 February 2006; x = present during season on at least one of the dates indicated.

    Spring 2006 data were collected by KAC and BHS  (or both) on the following dates: 1, 5, 6, 26, and 27 March; 3, 9, 10, 12, 13, 16, 21, 22, 23, and 24 April; and 1, 3, 8, 9, 13, 14, 21, and 22 May; x = present during season on at least one of the dates indicated.

    Summer 2006 data were collected by KAC and BHS on the following dates: 28, 29, 30, and 31 May; 1,  4, 5, and 11 June; and 2, 3, 9, and 23-26 July.  Point count data were collected from 40 plots covered once each for 10 minutes on the following dates: 28, 29, 30, and 31 May; and 1, 4, 5, and 11 June 2006.  x = present during season on at least one of the dates indicated.

    Codes for breeding evidence follow (a date is provided with codes for probable and confirmed breeding):

        Possible Breeders:

            X = present

        Probable Breeders:

            T = territorial (present at same site on dates at least a week apart)
            P = pair
            A = agitated behavior (presumably near nest or young)
            C = courtship or copulation

        Confirmed Breeders:

            DD = distraction display
            CN = adult carrying nest material
            NB = adult building nest
            UN = used nest
            FY = adult carrying food for young
            BG = begging young
            FL = fledged young
              FS = fecal sac removed from nest by adult
            ON = adult on nest incubating
            NE = nest with eggs
            NY = nest with young

    To view a preliminary checklist of species recorded at Chattanooga and Chickamauga N. M. P. during the inventory, as well as species recorded during previous years, click on the following link:

• Checklist of Birds of Chattanooga and Chickamauga N. M. P.

   The following table summarizes bird inventory work at Chattanooga and Chickamauga National Military Park during the second year of the inventory for seasons from fall 2005 through summer 2006. Species listed in red were not recorded in the park during the first year of the inventory.

Brown-headed Nuthatch photographed on Snodgrass Hill, Chickamauga NMP, Catoosa Co., GA, 20 November 2005; photo Kevin A. Calhoon.

    Thanks are due all personnel in the Resource Management Office and the Rangers Office at Chattanooga and Chickamauga National Military Park for vital assistance with logistical support of this bird inventory.