Birds of Putnam County, Tennessee
Species Accounts, Part I: Geese through Terns
Second Edition (2006-2009)

Stephen J. Stedman

To access the species from Pigeon through Weaver Finch, click on the underlined part of this sentence.

            Status:A rare winter and spring visitor. All Records: 28 November-16 December 1998 (1 immature) BOP (BHS et al.; Stedman 1999b); 27 March 1999 (1) CCP (SJS et al.); 20 April 2007 (1) Cookeville Golf Course (SJS, LC).  Remarks: Observed at CCP; see CBC.  The first two records possibly refer to the same wintering individual, which belonged to the Greenland subspecies.  

            Status: A very uncommon winter resident.  High Count: 30 (26 October 1992, SJS). Extreme Dates: 22 October 1992 (BHS)-26 May 1999 (SJS).  Remarks: Observed at BUF and CCP; see CBC and SBC. Rare or absent after mid-March during most years.  

            Status: A rare winter visitor.  All Records: 26 November 1998-3 January 1999 (1 immature) BOP and CLN (SJS, BHS et al.; Stedman 1999b); 17-18/20 April 2002 (1 adult) John Stites' farm on Liberty Church Rd. near Jackson Co. line (John Stites, Evelyne Stites, SJS photos, Jason Carbaugh/Daniel L. Combs).  Remarks: Observed at CLN; see CBC.

            Status: A rare winter visitor.  All Records: 9 December 1997 (1) CCP (SJS). Remarks: Observed at CCP. Split from the following species by decree of the 45^th Supplement to the AOU Check-list.

            Status: A common to abundant (or even superabundant) permanent resident.  Breeding Evidence: Downy young with adults (3 May 1991, SJS).  High Count: 576 (17 December 2005, CBC).  Remarks: Observed at BUF, CCP, and CLN; see BBC, CBC, FBC, GBBC, SBC, SRS, WBPS, and WRS.  Three collared Canada Geese observed during winter in Putnam County were originally marked in Ontario, Canada; another was originally marked in Kentucky.  Establishment of the local flock began in the mid-1980s (see CBC); most members of the local flock have dispersed within a radius of 80 kilometers, but some have wandered much farther afield (fide DLC).

            Status: Rare winter and spring visitor.  All Records: 5 April 1995 (1 adult) CCP (SJS photograph); 15 February 2000 (2 adults) R62 ponds (SJS); 21 January 2001 (2 adults) Locust Grove Rd. (SJS), see WRS.  Remarks: Observed at CCP; see WRS. An expanding exotic now resident in some parts of Tennessee.

            Status: A rare winter and spring visitor.  All Records: 18 March and 2 April 1990 (2-4) CKV (JWW); 6-7 December 1991 (2) CCP (SJS [photographs] et al.); 11 December 1999 (1 immature) CCP (SJS, ND photograph).  Remarks: Observed at CCP. The first record cited is later than any other spring sighting for Tennessee.  The two Tundra Swans from the second sighting were also observed 15-20 km south in White County 18-19 December 1991 (THR, SJS).

            Status: A permanent resident, uncommon during spring, summer, and fall, and very uncommon during winter.  Breeding Evidence: Female on eggs (29 March 1993, BHS).  High Count: 140 (17 September 2005, FBC).  Remarks: Observed at BUF, CCP, and CLN; see BBC, CBC, FBC, GBBC, SBC, SRS, WBPS, and WRS. Hurst (1977), Bradshaw (1978), and Folkerth (1982) studied Wood Duck breeding biology at CLN. Photo (female]:12 December 2004, SJS.

            Status: An uncommon to fairly common winter resident.  High Count: 79 (15 December 2007, CBC).  Extreme Dates: 11 September 2007 (BHS)-10 April 2005 (WAW).  Remarks: Observed at BUF, CCP, and CLN; see CBC, FBC, and WRS.

            Status: An uncommon winter resident.  High Count: 28 (23 March 1988, SJS).  Extreme Dates: 15 September 2007 (BHS)-11 May 2002 (WAW et al.).  Remarks: Observed at BUF, CCP, and CLN; see CBC, FBC, and SBC.

            Status: An uncommon winter resident.  High Count: 25 (9 December 1990, SJS, MGB).  Extreme Dates: 15 September 2007 (DAD)-2 April 1991 (SJS).  Remarks: Observed at BUF, CCP, and CLN; see CBC, FBC, GBBC, WBPS, and WRS.

            Status: A permanent resident, uncommon during fall, winter, and spring, and very uncommon during summer.  Breeding Evidence: Downy young with female (13 May 1990, SJS).  High Count: 170 (20 January 1992, SJS).  Remarks: Observed at BUF, CCP, and CLN; see BBC, CBC, FBC, GBBC, SBC, SRS, WBPS, and WRS.

            Status: An uncommon migrant.  High Count: 154 (29 August 1990, SJS).  Extreme Dates: 16 February 2003 (SJS, NSL, Bettie Doyle)-31 May 2003 (SJS); 6 August 2000 (SJS)-5 October 1990 (SJS).  Out-of-Season Records: 21 November-19 December 2001 (1) CCP (SJS photo), this bird had sustained an injured left wing; 28 June 2006 (1 male) CCP (SJS et al.).  Remarks: Observed at BUF, CCP, and CLN; see CBC, FBC, and SBC.

            Status: A winter resident, uncommon during spring and fall, and very uncommon during winter.  High Count: 25 (22 April 1999, SJS).  Extreme Dates: 24 August 2003 (SJS photo)-12 May 2006 (JCF, Richard C. Finch).  Remarks: Observed at CCP and CLN; see CBC.

            Status: A very uncommon winter resident.  High Count: 4 (3 January 1989, SJS).  Extreme Dates: 23 October 1988 (SJS)-10 February 1990 (BHS).  Remarks: Observed at BUF and CCP; see CBC and WRS.

            Status: An uncommon winter resident.  High Count: 41 (28 November 1998, SJS). Extreme Dates: 30 August 2000 (SJS)-18 April 1988 (SJS).  Remarks: Observed at BUF, CCP, and CLN; see CBC and WRS.

            Status: A very uncommon winter resident.  High Count: 30+ (1 February 2009, TMS).  Extreme Dates: 10 November 1989 (BHS)-28 March 1993 (SJS, BHS).  Remarks: Observed at CCP and CLN; see CBC WBPS, and WRS.

            Status: A winter resident, uncommon during spring and fall, and very uncommon during winter.  High Count: 70 (8 December 2001, SJS).  Extreme Dates: 31 October 1987 (SJS, BHS)-18 March 1988 (SJS).  Remarks: Observed at CCP and CLN; see CBC and GBBC.

            Status: A fairly common winter resident.  High Count: 350 (18 November 1992, SJS).  Extreme Dates: 28 September 1991 (SJS et al.)-12 May 2001 (SBC).  Remarks: Observed at BUF, CCP, and CLN; see CBC, GBBC, SBC, and WRS.

            Status: A rare winter visitor.  All Records: 5 December 1988-5 January 1989 (1 male and 1 female) CCP (SJS, BHS); 15 January-2 February 2005 (1 male and 1 female) CCP (SJS, DLC, WAW, DAD); 20 March 2005 (2 males) CCP (SJS, WAW); 30 November-19 December 2008 (1 male) CCP (SJS).  Remarks: Observed at CCP; see CBC.  The Greater Scaup is difficult to separate from Lesser Scaup; observers reporting this species should study the birds in question with a telescope for some time, attempting to obtain a good view of the “nail” on the bill of these birds, as well as other features of these rare diving ducks, including overall size, size of bill, shape of crown, length of wing-stripe on outstretched wing of both sexes; auricular patch of females; and whiteness of dorsal area of males.  Color of sheen on the heads of males not a definitive field mark.

            Status: An uncommon winter resident.  High Count: 93 (9 March 2009, DJS).  Extreme Dates: 19 October 1989 (SJS)-17 May 2004 (SJS, WAW).  Remarks: Observed at CCP and CLN; see CBC, GBBC, SBC, and WRS.

            Status: A rare spring and very uncommon fall visitor.  All Records: 23 October 1988 (1 female or immature male) CCP (SJS, photographs); 29 November 1992 (1 immature) pond east of Monterey (SJS, BHS); 7 May 1996 (1) CCP (TAE); 21 November 1996 (4) CCP (SJS, BHS et al.); 16 November 1997 (1) MOL (SJS); 27 November 1997 (1 immature) CCP (SJS); 1 November 2002 (4 females or immatures) CCP (SJS); 12 December 2004 (1 female or immature) CCP (SJS); 23 May 2006 (1 second-year male) CCP (SJS); and 27 December 2006 (1 female or immature) CCP (SJS).  Remarks: Observed at CCP.

            Status: A rare fall and winter visitor.  All Records: 17-29 November 1974 (2) MOL (WJJ); 5-8 November 1989 (1) CCP (SJS photos, BHS); 19 January 1993 (1) CCP (SJS, DLC, THR); 4 December 1995 (1) CCP (TAE); 29-30 October 1997 (1 immature) CCP (SJS); 9 January 1999 (1 immature) CCP (SJS; Stedman 1999b).  Remarks: Observed at CCP.

            Status: A rare fall and winter visitor.  All Records: 17 November-16 December 2000 (1 female) CCP (SJS et al.); 8-11 May 2002 (1 male) CCP (SJS photo, SHF, MPO, LIG, GKE et al.); and 20 December 2003-4 February 2004 (1 juv. male) CCP (BHS, SJS photo, MJH photo). Remarks: Observed at CCP; see CBC and SBC. Casteel (2001a) blemished the first cited record in several ways: he provided an inaccurate ending date for the bird's stay; he claimed that a male was present on the only date (24 November 2000) that he and one other observer attempted to see the female, but no male was ever seen before, on, or after that date by any other observers, and it is extremely doubtful that a male was present at all; and he made it appear that the male was observed by SJS, who, however, made no such observation.

            Status: An uncommon winter resident. High Count: 46 (24 November 1990, SJS).  Extreme Dates: 29 October 1988 (SJS)-14 April 2007 (SJS); next earliest 12 April 2003 (SJS, WAW, CEW, NSL, GSK, BB, Thedodore McKnight, Marty McKnight).  Out-of-Season Records: 12 April-9 August 1992 (1) pond east of Monterey (SJS, BHS).  Remarks: Observed at BUF, CCP, and CLN; see CBC, GBBC, and WRS.

            Status: An uncommon winter resident.  High Count: 10 (19 January 1993, SJS).  Extreme Dates: 5 November 1989 (SJS, BHS)-10 April 1989 (SJS).  Remarks: Observed at CCP and CLN; see CBC.

            Status: An uncommon winter resident.  High Count: 125 (25 November 1989, SJS).  Extreme Dates: 23 October 1990 (SJS)-21 April 1988 (SJS).  Out-of-Season Records: 8&10 June 1990 (1 immature) CCP (SJS); 19 July 1993 (1 female) CCP (SJS); summer 1994 (1 female) CCP (SJS); summer 1996 (1 female) CCP (SJS).   Remarks: Observed at BUF, CCP, and CLN; see CBC, FBC, GBBC, SBC, WBPS, and WRS. Hooded Mergansers may be rare breeders in the county. Note: The out-of-season records probably all pertain to one bird.

            Status: A rare winter visitor.  All records: 22/23 April 1961 (2) site unspecified (SBC); 18 December 1976 (2) site unspecified (CBC); 21-29 November 2007 (1) CCP (TMS, SJS, BHS et al.).  Remarks: See CBC and SBC.  While the CBC record lacks documentation, it falls within the expected period of occurrence for Common Merganser in Tennessee. The SBC record also lacks documentation and is questionable because it occurred on a very late date for this species.

            Status: A winter resident, uncommon during spring and fall, and rare to very uncommon during winter.  High Count: 52 (4 December 2000, SJS).  Extreme Dates: 6 November 2002 (SJS)-18 May 2005 (SJS). Remarks: Observed at BUF and CCP; see CBC and SBC.

            Status: An uncommon to very uncommon winter resident.  High Count: 29 (18 December 2005, SJS).  Extreme Dates: 4 October 2000 (SJS, GKE, MPO, GSK)-13 May 2006 (SBC--JCF, CDW, MH, NSL).  Out-of-Season Records: all of June 2006 (1 male) CCP (SJS et al.).  Remarks: Observed at BUF, CCP, and CLN; see CBC, GBBC, SBC, and WRS.  Prior to the winter of 1998-1999 there were no January records of Ruddy Duck in the county.

            Status: A very uncommon permanent resident.  Breeding Evidence: None except presence of birds.  High Count: 3 (8&12 December 1984, RWS; 14 May 1994, SBC). Remarks: See BBC, CBC, SBC, and WBPS.  Mainly or entirely restricted to the eastern end of the county on the eastern escarpment and plateau. Significantly reduced in population numbers and range since the early 1950s when considered common county wide (Schultz 1953).

            Status: A fairly common and increasing permanent resident.  Breeding Evidence: Hen with young (1 June 2001, SJS).  High Count: 98 (15 December 2007, CBC).  Remarks: Observed at CLN; see BBC, CBC, FBC, SBC, SRS, and WRS. Wild Turkeys are increasing in the county as a result of a very successful restocking program begun in the 1980s (SRS).  Most flocks inhabit the eastern or western ends of the county and stay close to escarpment slopes.

            Status: A fairly common but decreasing permanent resident that becomes hard to detect when not vocal (i.e., from late fall until early spring [see WRS]).  Breeding Evidence: None except presence of singing birds.  High Count: 68 (23 April 1977, SBC).  Remarks: Observed at BUF, CCP, and CLN, but decreasingly at the second site since the early 2000s and not since the early 1990s at the last site; see BBC, CBC, SBC, SRS, and WRS. Evidence of species’ decrease most evident from SRS data.

            Status: An uncommon migrant and rare winter resident.  High Count: 7 (24 April 1989, BHS; 28 March 1994, SJS).  Extreme Dates: 22 October 1989 (SJS)-14 May 1994 (BHS).   Remarks: Observed at BUF, CCP, and CLN; see CBC and SBC. A typical Common Loon stays one or two days on the larger ponds and lakes of the county; the longest stay occurred 29 January-8 May 1999 at CCP lake (SJS et al.). Common Loons are occasionally observed migrating high overhead during spring, less so during fall when nocturnal migration is possibly more prevalent. Note: There are no records from early and mid-January.

            Status: A winter resident primarily, fairly common during fall, and uncommon during winter and spring; a very uncommon summer visitor.  High Count: 52 (12 September 1996, SJS). Extreme Dates: Cannot be determined due to presence of summering birds.  Remarks: Observed at BUF, CCP, and CLN; see CBC, FBC, GBBC, SBC, WBPS, and WRS.  Summering birds have been noted mostly at CCP.

            Status: An uncommon migrant.  High Count: 46 (18 March 2004, SJS).  Extreme Dates: 4 February 2009 (SJS)-18 April 1988 (SJS); 12 October 1989 (BHS)-30 Dec 1977 (CBC).  Out-of-Season Records: 17 January 2005 (1) CCP (SJS); 8-9 January 2007 (1) CCP (SJS).  Remarks: Observed at CCP and CLN; see CBC.  A typical Horned Grebe stays one or two days on larger ponds and lakes; the longest stay occurred 2-29 November 1992 (1-2) CCP (SJS et al.). Photo: 12 December 2002, SJS.

            Status: An uncommon migrant.  High Count: 100+ (14 April 2002, BHS, SJS).  Extreme Dates: 4 February 1999-31 May 1995 (SJS); 12 August 2000 (SJS)-31 December 2000 (SJS). Out-of-Season Records: 2 June 2004 (1) CCP (SJS). Remarks: Observed at BUF, CCP, and CLN; see FBC and SBC.  A Double-crested Cormorant typically stays in the county only a day or two; most are seen singly or in groups numbering five or fewer.

            Status: A rare migrant.  All Records: 15 October 1989 (1) CCP (SJS photos), probably seen a few days earlier (MAS); 9 December 1998 (1) CCP (GKE, SJS; Stedman 1999b); 11 April 1999 (1) near Meadow Creek east of Monterey (RWS).  Remarks: Observed at CCP. Possibly observed in county during May 1968 when an ornithological meeting was held in CKV. The preferred habitat--marsh and other wetlands--of American Bittern is scarce in the county.

            Status: A rare summer resident and migrant.  Breeding Evidence: Semi-dependent juvenile with adult (2 August 1977, WJJ).  High Count: 2 (2 August 1977, WJJ).  All Records: 7 September 1976 (1) MOL (Morris D. Williams [Williams 1977]); 2 August 1977 (2 seen) CLN (WJJ [Bierly 1978a]); 5 June 1994 (1 heard) CLN (BHS; Stedman and Stedman 1995b); and 19 September 2009 (1 seen) Waterview Rd. northeast of Monterey (BHS). Remarks: Observed at CLN; see BBC and FBC.  Like the preceding species, the Least Bittern is scarce in the county because its preferred habitat, marsh, is also scarce; though not reported from the cattail marsh on lower Martin Creek alongside Rt. 96, it may occur there, if only during migration.

            Status: A fairly common and increasing permanent resident.   Breeding Evidence: Used nests (17 December 2005, BHS); occupied rookery (late February 2006, SJS).  High Count: 30 (10 May 2008, SBC).  Remarks: Observed at BUF, CCP, and CLN; see BBC, CBC, FBC, GBBC, SBC, SRS, WBPS, and WRS.  Great Blue Herons have increased in frequency since the 1970s (see CBC and SBC); their year-round presence long suggested breeding in the county, a status finally confirmed 17 December 2005, when a rookery of 6 used nests was found on Dry Valley Rd. (BHS).  A Great White Heron, the white morph of the Great Blue Heron, was present at the Happy Hollow Boat Ramp on the Caney Fork River 21 September-11 November 2002 (CDW, SJS photo [27 September 2002], m.ob.; Stedman and Williams 2003).  A count of 28 Great Blue Herons on the 1962 Cookeville CBC undoubtedly refers to a flock of Sandhill Cranes since no other daily count of Great Blue Herons in the county equaled or exceeded 28 until 2006, when the local population had undergone increase for several decades.

            Status: An uncommon spring, late summer, and early fall visitor; also a rare late fall and early winter visitor.  High Count: 24 (9 October 1994, MAS, AMS, MR).  Extreme Dates: 23 March 1991 (SJS, WHG, DaH, MAS, WAW, CEW)-22 May 1992 (SJS); 7 July 1990 (SJS)-9 October 1994 (MAS, AMS), but see next section.  Out-of-Season Records: 25 November 1993 (1) R62 ponds (SJS, BHS); 12 December 2000 (1) BOP (SJS); 12-25 November 2002 (1) CCP (SJS photo); 4 December 2006 (1) CLN (BHS).  Remarks: Observed at BUF, CCP, and CLN; see SBC. Photo: 12 May 2002, SJS.

              Status: A very uncommon spring and rare fall visitor.  All Records: 29 March 1988 (1) CCP (SJS photo); 26 May 1991 (1) CCP (MGB); 12 August-10 September 1993 (1) BUF (SJS et al.); 28 April 1998 (1) CCP (SJS); 16 April 2002 (1) CCP (SJS photo); 19 March 2008 (1) CCP (SJS photo).  Remarks: Observed at CCP and BUF.

            Status: A very uncommon spring and summer visitor.  High Count: 19 (19 August 1990, SJS and BHS).  Extreme Dates: 9 April 1992 (SJS, DaH)-23 April 1961 (SBC); 11 July 1993 (SJS, BHS)-26 September 1993 (SJS, MAS).  Remarks: Observed a BUF, CCP, and CLN; see SBC.  Little Blue Heron has been reported at least eight times; all but one sighting involved 1-3 individuals; fall sightings generally involve immature birds though the herons comprising the high count (above) were entirely adults; the longest stay occurred 27 July-21 August 1992 (1 immature) BUF (SJS et al.).

            Status: A very uncommon spring and rare fall visitor.  All records: 11 or 12 May 1968 (1) CKV (fide Ken Leggett and some Tennessee Ornithological Society members attending the spring meeting of that organization); 17 April 1989 (1 adult) CCP (SJS photo); 28 April 1998 (1 adult) CCP (SJS); 26 October 2002 (1) north of Monterey at Bright farm (BB), HB photos); 13 June 2005 (2 alternate) Tommy Dodson Rd. (DLC); 13 May 2006 (1 alternate) pond at intersection of Lexus Place and Clemmons Rd. (CDW photo) JCF, NSL, MH), a SBC record; 12 April 2007 (1 alternate) Bluff Top Rd. (Timothy R. Riddle, Annette Snow photo); and 12 May 2007 (1 alternate) St. Mary's Rd. (CDW, JCFuson, SJS), a SBC record.  Remarks: Observed at CCP; see SBC.  The egrets seen during June 2005 in the extreme northern part of the county were very probably breeders somewhere in or near the county. Photo: 12 April 2007, AS.

            Status: An uncommon summer resident and rare winter visitor.  Breeding Evidence: Fledged young with downy feathers (6 June 1991, SJS).  High Count: 36 (8 August 1990, SJS).  Extreme Dates: 27 March 2007 (MPO)-29 November 2004 (SJS, DAD).  Out- of- Season Records: 18&28 February and 10 March 1990 (1) CLN (SJS, BHS; Stedman and Stedman 1991 [first date only]), a WBPS record; 13&18 December 1992 (1) Hidden Cove Rd. (SJS, BHS); 29 November 2004 (1) CLN (SJS, DAD).  Remarks: Observed at BUF, CCP, and CLN; see BBC, CBC, FBC, SBC, SRS, and WBPS. Photo: 15 September 2001, CDW.

            Status: A very uncommon spring, summer, and fall visitor.  High Count: 3 (several times during 1990).  Extreme Dates: 9 April 1990/2008 (SJS, BHS/SJS, EKL, Hope High, Carol Eagle, Don Eagle)-27 November 1989 (SJS, BHS).   Remarks: Observed at BUF, CCP, and CLN; see FBC.  The Black-crowned Night-Heron is not known to breed in the county, but several observations along Martin Creek during late spring and early fall in early 2000s (and at least one report from early 1990s) suggest breeding may have been occurring for two decades or more in that area.

            Status: A very uncommon summer resident.  Breeding Evidence: Young in nest (June 1991, Roy C. Phillips).  High Count:  8 (June 1991, Roy C. Phillips; includes young in or near nests).  Extreme Dates: 26 March 2003 (SJS)-9 October 2004 (Van Harris, CDW photo [immature], MJH).  Remarks: Observed at BUF; see FBC, SBC, and SRS.  One or two pairs of Yellow-crowned Night-Herons nested in Algood during the late 1980s and early 1990s (Roy C. Phillips fide WHG).  Since 1987 adults and occasional immatures have been present at BUF every year, but not until 13 April 2002 was breeding evidence found; on that date an adult was seen carrying nest material (WAW) and on 21 & 27 April and 4 & 11 May 2002 an adult was observed incubating (SJS photo, WAW et al.). Photo [adult]: 26 June 2002, SJS.

            Status: A rare summer visitor.  All Records: 10 July 1990 (1 immature flying) east of CKV near the intersection of Rts. 70 and 111 (SJS).

            Status: A rare spring and fall visitor.  All Records: 17 May 2004 (1 flying) along I-40 at the easternmost bridge over the Caney Fork River (K. Dean Edwards; Casteel 2004c); 7 October 2008 (1 immature) CCP (GKE, NSL).

            Status: An fairly common and perhaps increasing permanent resident.  Breeding Evidence: None except presence of birds.  High Count: 391 (16 December 2006, CBC).  Remarks: Observed at BUF, CCP, and CLN; see CBC, FBC, GBBC, SBC, SRS, and WRS. A winter roost sometimes numbering 300+ birds developed at City Lake during the late 1990s and 2000s.

            Status: A fairly common permanent resident.  Breeding Evidence: None except presence of birds.  High Count: 289 (20 December 2003, CBC).  Remarks: Observed at BUF, CCP, and CLN; see BBC, CBC, FBC, GBBC, SBC, SRS, WBPS, and WRS.  Photo: 18 March 2007, B. Stein.

            Status: An uncommon migrant.  High Count: 5 (18 September 2004, FBC/16 September 2006, FBC).  Extreme Dates: 10 March 1994 (SJS, BHS)-23 May 1994 (SJS, GKE, TAE); 3 September 1992/1993 (SJS/SJS)-7 November 2000 (SJS).  Remarks: Observed at BUF, CCP, and CLN; see FBC and SBC.

            Status: A rare spring visitor.  All Records: 12 May 2001 (1 subadult) the end of Carr’s Chapel Rd. on Center Hill Lake (SJS).  Remarks: See SBC.

            Status: A very uncommon winter and spring visitor.  All Records:  28 December 1966 (1) site unspecified (CBC); 18 January 1991 (1 adult) R96 (SJS), see WRS; 28 January 1992 (1 adult) TTU (GSK); 15 May 1992 (1 immature) CCP (SJS); 8 May 1993 (1 immature) Martin Creek arm of Cordell Hull Reservoir on R96 (CJB, SJS); 30 December 1993 (1 adult) BAH (RWS); 22 December 1997 (1 immature) CLN (SJS, BHS); 19 January 2000 (1 immature) CCP (SJS, ND). Remarks: Observed at CCP and CLN; see CBC, SBC, and WRS. The 1966 CBC record lacks the name(s) of the observer(s).

            Status: a winter resident, uncommon during spring and fall, and very uncommon during winter.  High Count: 4 (17 December 1991, CBC).  Extreme Dates: 17 August 2008 (SJS); next earliest: 15 September 2007 (BHS, Rebecca Schapansky)-21 May 1988 (JWW).  Remarks: Observed at BUF, CCP, and CLN; see CBC, FBC, GBBC, SBC, and WRS.

            Status: A permanent resident, uncommon during fall, winter, and spring, and rare during summer.  Breeding Evidence: Adult near nest (9 May 1996, BHS); two fledged juveniles (24 July 1997, SJS, GKE).  High Count: 5 (25 September 1987, SJS and BHS/18 December 2004, CBC). Remarks: Observed at BUF, CCP, and CLN; see BBC, CBC, FBC, GBBC, SBC, SRS, WBPS, and WRS.  Both records of breeding evidence took  place in Icy Cove.

            Status: an uncommon and increasing permanent resident.  Breeding Evidence: Nest with four young (July 1996, SJS); nest with three young (June 1998, WAW, CEW).  High Count: 8 (18 December 2004, CBC).  Remarks: Observed at BUF, CCP, and CLN; see BBC, CBC, FBC, GBBC, SBC, SRS, WBPS, and WRS. The 1996 nest noted above was in CCP; a Great Horned Owl used the same nest in 1998.  The 1998 nest noted above was in woods near West Oak Dr.; this nest was reused (unsuccessfully) in 1999.

            Status: An uncommon permanent resident.  Breeding Evidence: Young in nest (4 June 1989, SJS, Jez Simms).  High Count: 19 (16 September 2006, FBC).  Remarks: Observed at BUF, CCP, and CLN; see BBC, CBC, FBC, GBBC, SBC, SRS, WBPS, and WRS.

            Status: An uncommon summer resident.  Breeding Evidence: Adult at nest (June 1992, BHS).  High Count: 290 (18 September 1993, BHS).  Extreme Dates: 25 March 1989 (BHS)-18 October 1990 (BHS).  Remarks: Observed at BUF, CCP, and CLN; see BBC, FBC, SBC, and SRS.

            Status: A permanent resident, fairly common during fall, winter, and spring, and uncommon during summer.  Breeding Evidence: Juvenile begging near nest (29 June 1991, SJS).  High Count: 46 (19 December 1994, CBC).  Remarks: Observed at BUF, CCP, and CLN; see BBC, CBC, FBC, GBBC, SBR, SRS, WBPS, and WRS.  Dark morph Red-tails (probably B. j. calurus) were observed 27 October 1990 and 18 December 1997; a light morph (B. j. krideri) immature was noted 24 November 1990; an immature Harlan’s Red-tail (B. j. harlani) was photographed near Dry Valley Rd. 9 April 1989 (SJS) and was present in that vicinity during most winters thereafter for a decade, last being observed in early 1999 (Stedman 1999b). More Red-tails apparently breed at lower elevations in the county than at higher elevations (SRS), while the breeding population is roughly half the size of the wintering one (SRS, WRS).

            Status: A rare winter visitor.  All Records: 26 December 1973 (1) c. 11 km west of CKV on I-40 (James Holt [Parmer 1973]); 15 December 1991 (1 immature) near SHF (SJS, WAW); 17 February 2001 (1) R62 ponds (BHS).  Remarks: See CBC.  A Rough-leg in White County 18 & 20 December 1991 may have been the same bird noted in the second record above.

            Status: A rare winter visitor.  All Records: 8 November 1995 (1 immature) near intersection of Rt. 70 and Dry Valley Rd. (BHS); 20 February 2000 (1 adult) Algood (WB).  Remarks: The eagle on display above the information desk in the University Center at Tennessee Technological University is an immature Bald Eagle, not this species, which is the mascot of TTU.

            Status: A permanent resident, fairly common and perhaps decreasing during fall, winter and spring, and uncommon and certainly decreasing during summer.  Breeding Evidence: Juveniles begging near adults (13 June 1991, SJS).  High Count: 81 (17 December 1991, CBC).  Remarks: Observed at BUF, CCP, and CLN; see CBC, FBC, GBBC, SBC, SRS, WBPS, and WRS.  Kestrel numbers on the Cookeville CBC are often among the highest reported on Tennessee CBCs.

            Status: A very uncommon migrant and early winter visitor.  All Records:  24 September 1987 (1) Cookeville Fire Tower at end of Old Cavalry Rd. (BHS); 21 October 1989 (1) CLN (SJS); 20 September 1991 (1) Hidden Cove Rd. (SJS); 1 April 1993 (1) CCP (SJS); 20 September 1993 (1) R62 ponds (BHS); 30 September 1998 (1) CCP (SJS, GKE, Michael Breen); 20 December 1999 (1) CCP (SJS); 6 December 2002 (1 male) OMR (SJS); 2 March 2005 (1 immature) east of Monterey on Campground Rd. (BHS); 17 September 2005 (1 brown-backed) Overlook Circle off of The Lane Rd. near Brotherton (WAW, MPO).   Remarks: Observed at CCP and CLN; see CBC and FBC.

            Status: A very uncommon migrant.  All Records: 27 September 1987 (1 adult) Cookeville Fire Tower at end of Old Cavalry Rd. (SJS); 20 April 1989 (1 immature) Cookeville Fire Tower at end of Old Cavalry Rd.  (BHS); 19 September 1992 (1 adult) R62 ponds (SJS, BHS).; and 19 September 2009 (1 immature) Ironwood Golf Course (JuF, MJH).

            Status: A rare migrant.  All Records: 6 September 2005 (1 road-killed immature) near Cookeville Regional Medical Center, CKV (ILC specimen; photo [of specimen] SJS).  Remarks: The specimen noted above is now housed in the bird collection of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.  Alsop (undated [1980]) reported this rail's presence in Putnam County, but, when the author was queried about the record, he could provide no details. Although included in the first edition (1993) of the present work, this record is undoubtedly invalid, the result of a mapping error. Instead of showing Virginia Rail as occurring between August and April in Putnam County, Alsop (undated [1980]) should have shown it as occurring between August and April in Cumberland County where a bona fide record exists (Bierly 1979a).

            Status: A very uncommon migrant.  Extreme Dates: 13 April 1966 (BIO)-27 May 1989 (SJS); 23 September 1990 (SJS)-10 October 1992 (SJS).  Remarks: Observed at CCP and CLN; see SBC

            Status: A rare spring visitor.  All Records: 18 & 20 May 1990 (1 adult) wet weather swamp in southeast corner of the intersection of Rts. 70 and 111 (SJS).

            Status: A rare spring visitor.  All Records: 6 May 1976 (1 adult) CLN (WJJ et al.); spring 1977 (1 specimen [BIO]) near CKV (fide WJJ).  Remarks: Observed at CLN.

            Status: A winter resident, very uncommon (and sometimes absent) during winter but uncommon during spring and fall.  High Count: 217 (20 December 2008, CBC).  Extreme Dates: 11 September 2007 (BHS)-22 May 1988 (SJS).  Remarks: Observed at BUF, CCP, and CLN; see CBC, GBBC, SBC, and WRS.

            Status: A fairly common and increasing migrant, sometimes abundant for a few days during the peak of migration.  High Count: 3600+ (23 February 2007 John Ramsey fide Michele Ramsey et al.; also 3525 (15 February 2000, WHG, Robbie C. Hassler, WB).  Extreme Dates: 13 October 2004 (MR)-10 May 1989 (BHS).  Remarks: Observed at BUF, CCP, and CLN; see CBC and GBBC. Sandhill Cranes are noisy migrants, often heard before seen. Seldom noted on the ground, they are most frequently observed during late February and mid- to late November, but there is almost no period between mid-October and late March when migrant cranes have not been observed.  Indeed, during January cranes have been seen flying north before other cranes have been seen flying south, a puzzling circumstance; during December 2006 northbound cranes were noted (GKE et al.).

            Status: A rare fall migrant.  All Records: 10 September 2000 (1 in alternate plumage) TTU (SJS et al.); and 23-24 October 2009 (1 in basic plumage) Lexus Pond on Clemmons Rd. (SJS, BHS, WAW photo [24 October 2009]). Remarks: Amy S. Johnson recalled a sighting of this species made during the early 1980s, possibly during late summer or early fall, on Dry Valley Rd. (fide BHS).

            Status: A rare spring migrant.  All Records: 6 April 2006 (7 in basic plumage) pond at intersection of Lexus Place and Clemmons Rd. (SJS, NSL photo).

            Status: A migrant, very uncommon during spring and rare during fall.  High Count: 7 (18 May 1993, SJS).  Extreme Dates: 21 April 1993 (SJS, CJB)-24 May 1993 (SJS); 7 September 1999 (SJS et al.).  Remarks: Observed at BUF and CCP; see SBC.

            Status: A common permanent resident.  Breeding Evidence: Downy young with adults (25 May 1988, BHS).  High Count: 140 (28 October 1992, SJS).  Remarks: Observed at BUF, CCP, and CLN; see CBC, FBC, GBBC, SBC, SRS, and WRS.

            Status: A fairly common migrant.  High Count: 27 (5 May 1991, SJS and BHS).  Extreme Dates: 6 April 2006 (SJS)-11 June 1988 (SJS); 1 July 1990 (SJS)-19 December 1998 (SJS et al.; Stedman 1999b).  Remarks: Observed at BUF, CCP, and CLN; see CBC, FBC, and SBC. Usually hard to find after early October during fall.

            Status: A fairly common migrant.  High Count: 16 (21 April 1989, SJS).  Extreme Dates: 28 March 1990 (SJS)-27 May 1994 (SJS); 19 July 1988 (SJS)-4 November 1990 (SJS).  Remarks: Observed at BUF, CCP, and CLN; see SBC.

            Status: An uncommon migrant.  High Count: 13 (27 April 1988, SJS).  Extreme Dates: 8 March 1988 (SJS)-22 May 1988 (SJS); 30 July 1988 (SJS)-22 November 1991 (BHS).  Out of Season Records: 18 December 1976 (1) site unspecified (CBC).  Remarks: Observed at BUF, CCP, and CLN; see CBC and SBC. Photo: 2 November 2002, SJS.

            Status: A rare spring visitor.  All Records: 24 April 1992 (5) CLN (BHS, SJS photo, CJB, WAW, CEW).  Remarks: Observed at CLN.

            Status: An uncommon migrant.  High Count: 9 (26 April 1993, SJS).  Extreme Dates: 2 April 1990 (SJS)-17 May 1988 (SJS); 27 July 2003 (SJS)-19 October 1987 (SJS).  Remarks: Observed at BUF and CCP; see FBC and SBC.  Note: next earliest early fall arrival date is 9 September 1987 (SJS).

            Status: A migrant, very uncommon in spring and rare in fall.  High Count: 6 (16 May 1990, SJS; 19 May 1993, SJS).  Extreme Dates: 4 May 1995 (SJS)-24 May 1993 (SJS); 21 September 2002 (BHS)-4 October 1994 (SJS). Remarks: Observed at BUF and CCP; see FBC and SBC.

            Status: A rare migrant.  All Records: 18 May 1991 (1) CCP (SJS); 24 May 1993 (1) CCP (SJS); 21 May 1994 (1) CCP (SJS); 19 August 1994 (1) CCP (SJS).  Remarks: Observed at CCP.

            Status: An uncommon migrant.  High Count: 25 (5 May 1992, SJS and BHS).  Extreme Dates: 11 April 1992 (SJS)-20 May 1992 (SJS); 2 July 1990 (SJS)-20 September 1990 (SJS).  Remarks: Observed at BUF, CCP, and CLN; see SBC.

            Status: A rare spring migrant.  All Records: 17-18 May 1990 (2) CCP (SJS); 4-14 May 1994 (1) CCP (SJS et al.); 5&8 May 1995 (2) CCP (SJS); 12 May 1995 (1) Hickey Ridge Rd. (SJS); 7 May 2003 (1/1) TTU/Hickey Ridge Rd. (SJS, GKE, WAW/SJS, DLC).  Remarks: Observed at CCP; see SBC.

            Status: An uncommon migrant.  High Count: 18 (27 April 1989, SJS).  Extreme Dates: 21 March 1988 (SJS)-11 May 1989 (SJS); 4 August 1991 (SJS)-21 October 1987 (SJS).  Remarks: Observed at BUF and CCP; see SBC.

            Status: A rare spring and very uncommon fall migrant.  High Count: 16 (1 November 2002, SJS; next highest 3--1 November 1992, SJS, BHS; and 23 October 2009, SJS BHS). Extreme Dates: 5 May 2003 (SJS)-7 May 2003 SJS, DLC); 19 October 1991 (SJS)-4 November 1988 (SJS).  Remarks: Observed at BUF and CCP.

          Status: A rare fall visitor.  All Records: 3 August 1987 (1) Pond on Green Valley Farm on south side of I-40 between mm 283 and 284 (SJS).

            Status: A rare spring visitor.  All Records: 10 May 1988 (1) CCP (SJS, photo); 14 May 2005 (1 [plus 2 dowitcher sp.]) upper end of Martin Creek arm of Cordell Hull Reservoir (NSL, SJS, CDW photo, JuF).  Remarks: Observed at CCP; see SBC. Note: two dowitcher sp. were noted 7 May 2003 on Hickey Ridge Rd. (SJS, DLC); one of the Martin Creek dowitchers uttered the "tu-tu-tu" call.

           Status: An uncommon winter resident.  High Count: 30 (14 February 2004, BHS and SJS).  Extreme Dates: 10 August 1987 (SJS, BHS)-16 May 1988 (SJS).  Remarks: Observed at BUF, CCP, and CLN; see CBC, GBBC, SBC, and WBPS. Photo: 27 February 2004, SJS.

            Status: A permanent resident, very uncommon during spring, summer, and fall, and becoming uncommon during winter.  Breeding Evidence: Nest (spring/summer 1982, RWS [Simmers 1983]); nest with four eggs (26 March-1 April 1994, MAS, SJS).  High Count: 6 (24 April 1976, SBC/19 February 2005, SJS).  Remarks: Observed at CCP and CLN; see BBC, CBC, FBC, GBBC, SBC, SRS, and WBPS.

            Status: A rare fall visitor.  All Records: 5 November 1991 (1) CLN (BHS).  Remarks: Observed at CLN.

            Status: A rare fall visitor.  All Records: 10 October 1981 (1 immature) TTU (GSK, Lucius Dubose et al.).  Remarks: This gull landed in the middle of Tucker Stadium on the Tennessee Technological University campus, in front of 8000 people during half-time of a night football game; briefly mentioned in the Cookeville Herald-Citizen October 10 [sic; actually 11], 1981, as the "evil E-gull," it established the third Tennessee record for this species; an article about the bird, including a photograph (TTU Photographic Services; Appendix H) in which the bird is identifiable, ran in the Herald-Citizen October 15, 1981 (pp. 7, 12).

            Status: A very uncommon migrant.  High Count: 17 (23 March 1990, SJS).  Extreme Dates: 29 October 2000 (SJS)-7 May 1996 (TAE).  Remarks: Observed at CCP and CLN; see CBC and WRS.

            Status: An uncommon fall, winter, and spring visitor.  High Count: 70 (8 December 1994, SJS).  Extreme Dates: 19 September 2009 (BHS)-8 May 2003 (SJS photo).  Remarks: Observed at BUF, CCP, and CLN; see CBC, FBC, GBBC, and WRS.

           Status: A very uncommon winter and spring visitor.  All Records: 29 December 1958 (4) site unspecified (CBC); 6 April 1988 (1) CCP (SJS); 25 February 1990 (1) CLN (BHS); 22 March 1991 (1) CLN (BHS, SJS); 6-7 December 1992 (1 adult) CCP (SJS, DaH); 24 November 2000 (6) CCP (SJS); 3 December 2005 (2 adults) CCP (SJS).  Remarks: Observed at CCP and CLN; see CBC.

            Status: Rare hurricane-borne vagrant. All Records: 12 July 2005 (1 road-killed individual) Rt. 96 c. 5 km north of I-40 (Stephen J. Stedman photo [of specimen] and Barbara H. Stedman).  Remarks: This record was correlated with, and undoubtedly caused by, the northward passage of remnants of Hurricane Dennis 11-13 July 2005; the specimen was deposited in the bird collection of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTCB # 146).

            Status: A very uncommon migrant.  All Records: 17 April 1990 (1) CCP (SJS); 22 September 1990 (1) CCP (SJS, DaH, GSK, ASJ, WHG, Carrell A. Warren); 1 September 1992 (1) BUF (SJS); 2 May 1995 (1) CCP (SJS); 23 August 1995 (2) CCP (SJS); 12 September 2001 (1) CCP (SJS); 18 August 2002 (3) CCP (SJS); 18 April (2) CCP (SJS, LC, GKE, NSL, JCF); 16 May 2008 (2) CCP (EKL, Hope High)  Remarks: Observed at BUF and CCP.

            Status: A rare fall migrant.  All Records: 6 September 1992 (1) CCP (SJS, MAS, AMS); 24 September 1994 (1) CCP (SJS et al.); 14 August 1998 (1) CCP (SJS); 8 September 2004 (2) CCP (SJS, JCF), following Hurricane Frances.  Remarks: Observed at CCP.

            Status: A very uncommon migrant.  High Count: 17 (3 May 1999, SJS).  Extreme Dates: 9 April 2003 (SJS, TMS)-11 May 2002 (GKE et al.); 24 July 1990 (SJS)-16 October 2009 (SJS) [next latest: 8 September 2004 (SJS, JCF)].  Remarks: Observed at CCP; see SBC.

Literature Cited