Results of the 30th Putnam County, Tennessee, Spring Bird Count—10 May 2003

Three Double-crested Cormorants, a migrant species in Putnam County, were observed during the Putnam County Spring Bird Count, held May 10, 2003; photo S. J. Stedman

Spring Bird Counts (SBC), also known as North American Migration Counts, have been conducted in Putnam County thirty times.  The latest SBC took place Saturday, May 10, 2003.  The years when SBCs have been conducted in the county were 1961–1978 and 1992–2003.

    The species total for the Putnam County SBC in 2003 was 126, which falls within the range of all counts conducted since 1992 (125–137).  The range for counts held during 1961–1978 was 67–101; fewer observers took part during the early years of the count, and much of the county was not covered then, accounting for the lower species totals that occurred during those years.

    The total of individual birds counted during the SBC was 7023, fewer than have been counted on most recent counts.  Weather for the 2003 SBC in Putnam County partly explains why the totals for both species and individuals are in the low end of the expected range for each.  Winds on May 10 were quite high, usually 15-20 miles per hour, thereby often making it difficult to hear or to see birds.

    No new species was found on this year's SBC, the first year since 1992 without at least one new species being added to the cumulative species total for the Putnam County SBC, which remains at 196.

    Four species were noted in high numbers for the SBC.  These include Common Loon (5), Green Heron (13), Black Vulture (30), and Tree Swallow (25).  Two additional species were seen in highest ever numbers on the SBC and highest ever one-day numbers for the county.  These two species were Wild Turkey (10) and Yellow-throated Warbler (33), both increasing species here.

    Several species that are sensitive to cold weather during winter were detected in lower numbers than last year, perhaps indicating a reduction in their numbers as a result of the fairly cold winter of 2002-2003.  These species include Eastern Phoebe (32 counted in 2003 compared to 58 in 2003), Carolina Wren (111 counted in 2003 compared to 212 in 2002), and probably Eastern Bluebird (189 in 2003 compared to 244 in 2002).  Numbers of these species should rebound if mild winters resume.

    Observers taking part in the SBC were Kris Bolin, Dan Combs, Ann Davis, Ginger Ensor, Drew Fedak (from Rutherford County), Janie Finch, Ric Finch, Steve Hayslette, Mike Hawkins (Jackson County), Jane Herrin, Nancy Layzer (Jackson County), Ken Morgan, Mike O'Rourke, Tom Roberts, Richard Simmers, Barb Stedman, Steve Stedman, Winston Walden, and Carol Williams (DeKalb County).

    Complete results of the SBC in Putnam County (1992–2003) may be viewed at this website:

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

    Results of the 2003 SBC in Putnam County may be viewed at this website:

            http://iweb.tntech.edu/sstedman/PutnamCountySBC2003.htm

    The next major birding event of the year will be the Fall Bird Count (FBC), always scheduled for the third Saturday in September; this year that Saturday falls on September 20. E-mail (sstedman@tntech.edu) Steve Stedman if you wish to take part in the FBC.

Key to Observers:

Comments:

    No species new to the Spring Bird Count in Putnam County were observed this year, the first count since 1992 to take place without a new species being added to the cumulative total. Species totals (4) with an asterisk (*) next to them are highest ever totals for the Spring Bird Count in Putnam County; species totals (2) with two asterisks (**) are all-time high counts for the county as well as highest-ever totals for the Spring Bird Count in Putnam County.

   The Common Loons were noted by two field parties.  Ginger Ensor and Ken Morgan heard and then saw a loon on the lake at Cane Creek Park; Carol Williams, Nancy Layzer, and Steve Stedman saw four northbound loons migrating overhead on Ensor Creek Rd. in the west part of the county.

   The Barn Owl was noted at the traditional breeding site of this species in the county; three young were also noted by Dan Combs, Tom Roberts, Ann Davis, and Kris Bolin.

   The Willow Flycatcher was found at Cane Creek Park by Ginger Ensor and Ken Morgan; this is the 5th consecutive year that this flycatcher species has been found at the park.

   The Brown-headed Nuthatches were seen at the Cookeville Golf Course by Winston Walden and Michael O'Rourke; nuthatches of this species have been present at this site for over four years.

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