Results of the 44th Cookeville, Tennessee, Christmas Bird Count, Conducted 17 December 2005

During the 44th Cookeville CBC a record high count of Barred Owls, depicted above, was made; photo credit: Stephen J. Stedman.

The 44th Cookeville Christmas Bird Count (CBC) was conducted 17 December 2005.  The species total for the count—89—tied the previous record, set two years ago, for total species tallied on this count.  It is noteworthy that 24 species were counted in all-time high numbers on this CBC, with four of those high counts also representing all-time high counts for Putnam County.

    For several species that were seen in record numbers, the reason for their high numbers can be attributed to the excellent wild food crop present this year.  Soft mast (i.e., berries and fruits) is in excellent supply, and species depending on this food source are also in excellent numbers.  For instance, Cedar Waxwings were counted in record numbers this year, as were Eastern Phoebes and Pine Warblers.  Yellow-rumped Warblers, though not counted in record numbers, were also present in excellent numbers this year.  The hard mast (i.e., nuts and seeds) crop this year is also quite good.  The nut crop perhaps accounts at least in part for the record number of Wild Turkeys and Red-bellied Woodpeckers found during the count, while the seed crop may have contributed to record high counts accumulated for four species of common sparrows—Field Sparrow, Song Sparrow, White-throated Sparrow, and Dark-eyed Junco—and one species of uncommon sparrow—Chipping Sparrow.  All of these sparrows depend on seeds for sustenance during winter.

    Weather and astronomical conditions probably explain the record numbers of three species of owls found in the count circle this year.  In the hours before dawn some CBC participants attempted to count as many owls as possible; this effort was aided by nearly calm conditions this year, as well as by clear skies, moderate temperatures (29 degrees F at dawn), and especially by the nearly full moon present December 17.  These conditions are ideal for hearing owls, so it was no surprise that all the common owls were found in record numbers.

    Record numbers of four species of uncommon ducks—Northern Shoveler, Redhead, Bufflehead, and Ruddy Duck—as well as American Coot, were counted this year.  All of these species were found on the lake at Cane Creek Park, testifying to the importance of this lake to the CBC results this year (and in most years).

    Many thanks to the 18 field observers and 3 feeder-watchers who took part in this year's CBC in Cookeville; their names are listed below.

    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
• http://iweb.tntech.edu/sstedman/CookevilleCBC2007–2016.htm

    To see the annual results of the Cookeville CBCs for 2000–2004, click on the appropriate item below:

• Results of 2004 Cookeville CBC
• Results of 2003 Cookeville CBC
• 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 

Table 1. Results of Cookeville CBC Conducted 17 December 2005.

Key to Observer Initials (FW = Feederwatcher):

Notes:

cw = observed count week (December 14–16 & 18–20) only.

* = new Cookeville CBC high count (20 species).

** = new Cookeville CBC high count and Putnam County high count (4—Putnam County high count in parentheses; the Putnam County high count is lower than the CBC high count because part of the CBC circle is in White County; any birds seen in that county may be counted as part of the Cookeville CBC high count, but not as part of a high count for Putnam County).

One species—Eurasian Collared-Dove—was new to the count, bringing the all-time Cookeville CBC species total to 130. The Eurasian Collared-Dove was found near Double Springs in the extreme western part of the count circle (BHS).

Besides the Great Blue Herons noted during count day, a rookery of 6 nests was located on Dry Valley Rd. (BHS), the first such rookery to be located within the county.

The vulture roost at City Lake is assumed to have included nearly all the vultures reported during the course of the day within the count circle (SJS, DAD).  Thus, daily totals for other parties are placed in parentheses and not included in the overall totals for those highly beneficial scavengers.

The Rufous Hummingbird found during count week (SH) was a bird banded December 5 on Aspen Dr.; at the time of its banding it was determined to be an immature male.

The Brown-headed Nuthatches were found along the railroad tracks next to the Cookeville Golf Course (WAW, MPO, JCO)

One House Wren was found at the end of Dacco Quarry Rd. (BHS, BD); the other was noted on Poplar Grove Rd. near Blackberry Lane (SJS, DAD).

The American Pipits were found on Dry Valley Rd. (BHS).

The Rusty Blackbird was found at Cane Creek Park (BHS).

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