Results of the Fifth Annual Fall Bird Count in Putnam County, Tennessee—18 September 2004

An Eastern Wood-Pewee, 33 of which were recorded on the Fall Bird Count in Putnam County,  Tennessee, 18 September 2004; photo Stephen J. Stedman.

The fifth annual Fall Bird Count (FBC) in Putnam County took place September 18, 2004, with eleven field observers and 2 feeder watchers taking part in this effort to monitor the bird populations in the county.  These observers tallied about 5800 individuals of 109 species during the course of this day-long event, which always takes place on the third Saturday of September and is part of International Migratory Bird Day, a world-wide event conducted to draw attention to migratory birds.  Results of the first four FBCs in the county included species totals of 97, 103, 107, and 111, so the total this year is near the upper end of the range of totals accumulated during the first four years of the count.

Some public sites that were included in the coverage of the county undertaken last Saturday were Burgess Falls State Natural Area, operated by the state of Tennessee; the Happy Hollow Boat Ramp, also operated by the state, on the Caney Fork River; Cane Creek Park, a municipal park operated by Cookeville; City Lake Natural Area, another municipal park of Cookeville; and Shipley Farm, a site operated by Tennessee Tech University.  Many miles of public roadsides were also covered by observers on count day.

Results of this count are not only compiled locally, but they are also incorporated into state-wide and national databases as a means of assisting land managers in making long-term decisions that might affect bird populations.

Some species of interest encountered during the day included the second confirmed county record of an exotic species, the Eurasian Collared-Dove; the earliest ever fall arrival date for Marsh Wren in the county; and the highest ever one-day county totals for Osprey (5), Red-shouldered Hawk (16), and Philadelphia Vireo (2).

No sightings of Loggerhead Shrike took place on Saturday, another sign that this predatory songbird is not maintaining as much of a population in the county as it once did.  Clearing of hedgerows and roadsides has probably been a major factor in the decline of this species.

Observers and feeder watchers (all from Putnam except as noted) included Janie Finch, Judy Fuson (DeKalb County), Michael Hawkins (Jackson County), Jane Herrin, Margo Hinkle (Pickett County), Nancy Layzer (Jackson County), Michael O'Rourke, Richard Simmers, Barbara Stedman, Steve Stedman, Catherine Walden, Winston Walden, and Carol Williams (DeKalb County).

To see the full results of the 2004 Fall Bird Count in Putnam County, go to this website:

http://iweb.tntech.edu/sstedman/FallBirdCount2004PUC.htm

To see a table of results for all years 2000–present, click on the following link:

Key to Observers:

Comments:

* = new all-time one-day high count for species in Putnam County; three species attained new high count totals: Osprey, Red-shouldered Hawk, and Philadelphia Vireo; two species tied high count totals: Brown-headed Nuthatch and Lincoln's Sparrow.

One species of migrant--Marsh Wren--arrived in the county earlier than ever before: the previous early fall arrival date in the county for that species was 24 Sep.  Several species of migrants and winter residents arrived close to the early fall arrival date in the county, including Northern Harrier (early date = 16 Sep), Ruby-crowned Kinglet (early date = 15 Sep), Savannah Sparrow (early date = 12 Sep), and Lincoln's Sparrow (early date = 15 Sep).

Several migrants and summer residents departed close to the late fall departure date in the county, including Great Crested Flycatcher (late date = 21 Sep), Eastern Kingbird (late date = 21 Sep), and Veery (late date = 22 Sep).

The Northern Harrier was sighted at the Hackworth Farm on Rt. 62 about 9 miles east of Monterey (BHS).

The Eurasian Collared-Dove provided just the second record for the county; it was found on E. Victory View Rd. (BHS).

The Barn Owl was found at the traditional site in the county (SJS).

The Horned Larks were found at the Hackworth Farm on Rt. 62 about 9 miles east of Monterey (BHS).

The Brown-headed Nuthatches were found at the Cookeville Golf Course (WAW, CEW, MPO), a site where they have been present since at least 1999.

The Marsh Wren was located at the Hackworth Farm on Rt. 62 about 9 miles east of Monterey (BHS).

The Veery was present at Barnes Hollow (RWS).

The Golden-winged Warbler was noted on Indian Creek Rd. (SJS).

The Savannah Sparrow appeared at the Hackworth Farm on Rt. 62 about 9 miles east of Monterey (BHS).

Quick links to other sections of this website:

• HomePage for SJS

• The BirdPage

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