Department of English, Box 5053
Tennessee Technological University
Cookeville, TN 38505

sstedman@tntech.edu

Introduction

Remnants of two hurricanes, Isidore and Lili, that made landfall in the northern Gulf of Mexico moved inland somewhat to the west of the Region 25-27 September 2002 and 4 October 2002, respectively.  Rainfall was moderate to heavy in the wake of the former system, while strong winds characterized the passage of the latter system.  Lili brought a few Sooty Terns to western Tennessee and western Kentucky, but similar waifs were not found within the Region.

    Late October was quite warm with few nights when frost occurred.  Leaf-fall, usually complete or nearly so in the Region by the end of October or very early November, was still not complete by the end of the second week of November.  Probably as a result of these benign conditions, many record late dates for migratory species were set; contrarily, fewer record early arrival dates were set.  A cold snap in early November diminished, but did not end, the bountiful number of late-lingering species.

    By season's end, little indication of significant boreal irruptions was apparent.  Only a few sightings of Purple Finches and Pine Siskins were reported, and no evidence at all of an incursion of Red-breasted Nuthatches or Evening Grosbeaks was available.  A single report of Northern Saw-whet Owl--probably best considered a boreal invader of the Region at the present time--was submitted, but no Rough-legged Hawks had been noted by December.

    Much of this report deals with earliest and latest reports of the season for each species, as well as with high numbers reported.  Some of the earliest reports of "fall" birds fell within the Summer 2002 period, so see the Summer 2002 UCR Bird Report for those records, mainly among the shorebirds.  Similarly, some of the latest reports of  "fall" birds fell within the Winter 2002-2003 period, so consult the Winter 2002-2003 UCR Bird Report for those records.  Regional arrival and departure dates are also summarized at this page of the website:

• Fall 2002 Arrival and Departure Dates in UCR

Reports of birds found on the earliest or latest dates ever for a specific location or county, as well as reports of counts that establish record highs, are limited to sightings in Putnam Co., TN, and in the BSFNRRA and OWSR, where sufficient data exist to allow for these matters to determined.  These data may become available for more Regional sites and counties in the future, making it possible to cite additional records of this sort, and it is highly probable that a draft compilation of arrival and departure dates for migrant species, as well as high counts for all species, within the UCR will become available within the next year or two.

    Only one Fall Bird Count (FBC) took place Regionally this autumn.  Conducted 21 September 2002 in Putnam Co., TN, it resulted in a list of 107 species, the highest species total on a FBC in that county during the three years that FBCs have been conducted there.  The highlight of the count was an immature of the white form of Great Blue Heron (see below for details about this bird's stay).  Details about the FBC in Putnam County are provided at this page of the website:

• FBC 2002 Putnam Co., TN

Abbreviations and Symbols: * = written documentation provided; BSFNRRA = Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area; Co. = County; FBC = Fall Bird Count; KY = Kentucky; OWSR = Obed Wild and Scenic River; TN = Tennessee; UCR = Upper Cumberland Region; WMA = Wildlife Management Area.

Geese and Ducks

One individual of the white form of  Snow Goose at Lake Elizabeth, Scott Co., TN, 23 November 2002 (NM photo) provided the first sighting this fall for the Region and was probably the first record with details for that county, but it was somewhat late for an early fall sighting.

    Earliest Regional Gadwalls this fall Regionally included three on the FBC in Putnam Co., TN, 21 September 2002 (BHS, WAW, MPO); another was at Clifty Pond, Science Hill, Pulaski Co., KY, a day later (RMD).

    American Wigeons first appeared Regionally this fall 24 October 2002 at Cane Creek Park, Putnam Co., TN (SJS), and 25 October 2002 in Adair Co., KY (RMD).

    The first-arriving American Black Duck this fall Regionally was noted at the Waitsboro Recreation Area, Lake Cumberland, Pulaski Co., KY, 1 November 2002 (RMD).

    The earliest Blue-winged Teal of the season Regionally was noted 17 August 2002 in Pulaski Co., KY (RMD).

    Earliest Northern Shovelers this fall Regionally included five at Clifty Pond, Pulaski Co., KY, 4 September 2002 (RMD).

    A female Northern Pintail at the Floating Mill Recreation Area, Center Hill Lake, DeKalb Co., KY, 18 October 2002 (SJS) provided the early fall arrival date in the Region this fall.

    The earliest Green-winged Teal showed up in Wayne Co., KY, 18 September 2002 (RMD).  Two on the lake at Oneida City Park, Scott Co., TN, 1 November 2002 (NM, JM) provided one of few records with details for that county.

    The first report of Canvasback came late at Barren River Reservoir, Barren Co., KY, 16 November 2002 (DLR), when two females were noted; a lone male was present on Boring Pond, Putnam Co., TN, 22 November 2002 (SJS); and another male was present at Floating Mill Recreation Area, Center Hill Lake, DeKalb Co., TN, 24 November 2002 (SJS).

    Five Redheads at the Waitsboro Recreation Area, Lake Cumberland, Pulaski Co., KY, 1 November 2002 (RMD) were the first noted this fall Regionally. The Regional high count was 43, noted 17 November 2002, also at the Waitsboro Recreation Area, Lake Cumberland, Pulaski Co., KY (RMD et al.).

    The earliest Regional Ring-necked Ducks this fall mirrored the earliest American Wigeons, being found 24 October 2002 at Cane Creek Park, Putnam Co., TN (SJS), and 25 October 2002 in Adair Co., KY (RMD). A flock of 21 on the lake at Oneida City Park, Scott Co., TN, 1 November 2002 (NM, JM) provided one of few records with details for that underbirded county.

    A Greater Scaup above the Wolf Creek Dam, Lake Cumberland, Russell Co., KY, 4 November 2002 (DLR) provided the earliest Regional record this fall of this infrequently encountered and difficult-to-identify diving duck.  Thirty or more on Barren River Reservoir, Barren Co., KY, 26 November 2002 (DLR) provided the seasonal high count for the Region.

    The earliest-arriving Lesser Scaup of the season in the Region was a female at Cane Creek Park, Putnam Co., TN, 30 October 2002 (SJS). A flock of 500+ at the Waitsboro Recreation Area, Lake Cumberland, Pulaski Co., KY, 26 November 2002 (RMD) represented the Regional high count this fall.

    The first Regional Surf Scoters of the season appeared 1 November 2002: two at the Waitsboro Recreation Area, Lake Cumberland, Pulaski Co., KY (RMD); and four at Cane Creek Park, Putnam Co., TN (SJS). Another was present 5-16 November 2002 at the Celina Wastewater Treatment Plant, Clay Co., TN (TMC photos, SJS, WAW).  Two at the Waitsboro Recreation Area, Lake Cumberland, Pulaski Co., KY (RMD et al.), 17 November 2002 may have been the same birds noted at that site 1 November.  Two other females/immatures were present 27 November 2002 on Barren River Reservoir, Barren Co., KY (DLR).

    A White-winged Scoter near the Floating Mill Recreation Area, Center Hill Lake, DeKalb Co., TN, 1 November 2002 (SJS) was the first of the season Regionally and possibly the first for that county.  Another was noted on Barren River Reservoir, Barren Co., KY, 19 November 2002 (DLR photos).

    Black Scoters are quite rare Regionally, so a female 6 November 2002 at the Floating Mill Recreation Area, Center Hill Lake, DeKalb Co., TN (SJS), was a treat--and probably provided the first record for that county.

    Earliest-arriving Buffleheads included two female-plumaged individuals at Cane Creek Park lake, Putnam Co., TN, 6 November 2002 (SJS, MPO).

    The first Common Goldeneye of the season Regionally was one female present 7 November 2002 at the Celina Wastewater Treatment Plant, Clay Co., TN (TMC photos, SJS, WAW).

    A male Hooded Merganser on Cane Creek Park lake, Putnam Co., TN, 29 October 2002 (SJS) was the first reported Regionally this season; another showed up in Pulaski Co., KY, 1 November 2002 (RMD).

    The first Regional Red-breasted Merganser of the season was noted above Wolf Creek Dam, Lake Cumberland, Russell Co., KY, 4 November 2002 (DLR); another at Cane Creek Park, Putnam Co., TN, 6 November 2002 (SJS), although two days later, still set a new early fall arrival date for that county.

    The earliest Regional report of Ruddy Duck for the season came from Cane Creek Park, Putnam Co., TN, 18 October 2002 (SJS). Two on the lake at Oneida City Park, Scott Co., TN, 1 November 2002 (NM, JM) provided one of few records with details for that county.

Loon through Herons

A Common Loon in alternate (i.e., definitive/breeding/nuptial/summer) plumage visited Clifty Pond, Science Hill, Pulaski Co., KY, 2-6 August 2002  (RMD photos); another loon in alternate plumage was noted at Wolf Creek Dam, Lake Cumberland, Russell Co., KY, 6 August 2002 (LM); these individuals were considerably earlier than "normal" first-arriving fall loons, which typically appear during mid- to late October in basic (i.e., nonbreeding/winter) plumage.  This year the first  reports of typically arriving loons came 22 October 2002 from the Floating Mill Recreation Area, Center Hill Lake, DeKalb Co., TN, (SJS), where two basic-plumaged loons were noted, and from the Fishing Creek Recreation Area, Lake Cumberland, Pulaski Co., KY (RMD), where four were noted in basic or juvenile plumage.  The first moderate-sized concentrations of loons were found 3 November 2002, with 49 reported at Bailey's Point, Barren River Lake, Barren/Allen counties, KY (JBE), and 22 counted at the Floating Mill Recreation Area, Center Hill Lake, DeKalb Co., TN (SJS).  A count of 800+ (including a "single sweep" count of 748) on Barren River Reservoir, Barren/Allen counties, KY, 16 November 2002 (DLR) was extraordinary (but equaled by loon counts to the north and west of the Region the same day [fide JRW]); no similar reports came from any of the other big lakes--Green River Lake, Lake Cumberland, Dale Hollow Lake, Cordell Hull Lake, and Center Hill Lake--around the Region that day; I doubt there is any other Regional report ever that equals or exceeds the one cited above. A lone Common Loon on the lake in Oneida City Park, Scott Co., TN, 18 November 2002 (NM) probably provided the first record with details for that county.

    The first Horned Grebes of the season in the Region included nine found 18 October 2002 at the Floating Mill Recreation Area, Center Hill Lake, DeKalb Co., TN (SJS); this arrival date was a bit later than typical at that site. Three Horned Grebes were present 22 October 2002 at the Fishing Creek Recreation Area, Lake Cumberland, Pulaski Co., KY (RMD).  The high count Regionally this fall consisted of 210+ at Barren River Reservoir, Barren Co., KY, 16 November 2002 (DLR).  Counts of 140+ and 170+ on Center Hill and Dale Hollow lakes, DeKalb and Clay counties, TN, respectively, on 24 November 2002 (SJS) were also noteworthy, as was a count of 70 at the Waitsboro Recreation Area, Lake Cumberland, Pulaski Co., KY (RMD; Busroe 2003a).  A basic-plumaged Horned Grebe was observed uttering an advertising call while posing in what appeared to be an advertising display 18 November 2002 at Floating Mill Recreation Area, Center Hill Lake, DeKalb Co., TN (SJS); these behaviors suggest the initiation of pair formation, a process whose timing is not well understood in this species in North America.

    An Eared Grebe showed up on the lake in Oneida City Park, Scott Co., TN, 28 September 2002 (NM photos), probably the first sighting in that county and one of few UCR sightings on record.

    A Western Grebe, quite rare Regionally, was observed at the Waitsboro Recreation Area, Lake Cumberland, Pulaski Co., KY, 6-30 November 2002 (RMD, BPB photos, CSN, MY et al.), providing the first record for that county and one of few records for the UCR.

    A Double-crested Cormorant at Yahoo Falls, BSFNRRA, McCreary Co., KY, 11 October 2002 (LMM, TBM) provided only the third record for the BSFNRRA.

    An American White Pelican was noted on Grass Island near Bailey's Point, Barren River Reservoir, Barren/Allen counties, KY, 26 November 2002 (DLR photos), providing perhaps only the third record of this rare migrant in the UCR, the others having been located in Pulaski and Russell counties, KY, 24 October 1987 and 25 October 1988, respectively.  The pelican found this fall was never actually seen in Barren County, but it was only a few hundred meters from the county line and so probably entered Barren County and the UCR at some point during its stay.

    The vulture roost at City Lake, Putnam Co., TN--a gathering that has been active only during the last 3-4 winters--totaled 180+ of both species 21 November 2002 (BHS); at least 450 Turkey Vultures were noted at Floating Mill Recreation Area, Center Hill Lake, DeKalb Co., TN (SJS), in the late afternoon on the same date. Since the history of vulture roosts at this site is absent and since the Turkey Vulture migration is still underway in late November, it is hard to know if this sighting represented a winter roost, a roost supplemented by migrants, or  consisted purely of a group of migrants.

   An adult Great White Heron  (Ardea herodias occidentalis), currently known as the white form/morph of Great Blue Heron, was present 21 September-11 November in DeKalb and Putnam counties, TN.  It was first noted 21 September 2002 (CDW) during the Putnam County FBC at the Happy Hollow Boat Ramp on the Caney Fork River at the boundary of DeKalb, Putnam, and Smith counties, TN; it was photographed 27 September (SJS photos) and on several later dates; it was observed 28 September (LIG,  KG), 29 September (TR), 1 October (WAW), 3 October (DW), 4 October (SJS, TMC), 6 October (CDW, SJS, WAW), 9 October (SJS, RMD), 11 October (SJS), 13 October (SJS), 18 October (SJS), 19 October (WKW), 20 October (SJS), 22 October (SJS), 27 October (SJS), 29 October (SJS), 31 October (SJS), 1 November (SJS, HWH photos), 3 November (SJS), 6 November (SJS), 7 November (JKS, PC, GC), 8 November (ABS), 10 November (SJS), and 11 November (SJS, PC, MZ, JSL et al.), all in Putnam Co; on 4 October (TMC), 22 October (SJS), 27 October (SJS), and 31 October (SJS) it was noted in DeKalb Co.  The bird's light-colored legs were its chief field mark, but other field marks were noted as follows: on 27 September (SJS), 4 October (TMC), and 22 October (SJS) size comparisons with "normal" Great Blues were obtained, with the Great White appearing about the same size as the normal birds (or a bit larger 22 October); on 4 October (TMC), 22 October (SJS), and 27 October (SJS) the bird produced vocalizations similar to those of "normal" Great Blues; on 9 October (SJS, RMD), 29 October (SJS), and 1 November (SJS photos) a short occipital (i.e., head) plume (absent in Great Egret) was noted; during all dates when viewed the bird displayed a massive bill with much dark brown coloration on the upper mandible, which was yellow-tipped, and a straight culmen (photo), unlike the mostly yellow, slightly decurved, smaller, often black-tipped bill of Great Egret (photo); and on 22 October (SJS) and 3 November (SJS) the Great White exhibited an aggressive (or territorial) posture--head uptilted, wings slightly drooped, neck feathers fluffed up, walking slowly--identical to the aggressive (or territorial) posture displayed simultaneously by nearby Great Blue Herons.  This bird probably wandered north from south Florida where this subspecies is expected.  At least one previous record of Great White Heron has occurred in the UCR--one (a likely immature) 21-25 July 2000 in Pulaski Co., KY (RMD photo).  Furthermore, at least one previous record of Great White Heron exists for Tennessee--a lone adult noted on South Holston Lake, Sullivan Co., TN, 15-19 October 1990, 29-31 August 1991, 25 August 1994, and 7-29 August 2002 (R. L. Knight, pers. com.), sightings that may have all involved the same bird, which might also have been reported from western North Carolina in recent years.

    See the Summer 2002 UCR Bird Report for the early "fall" arrival date Regionally of Great Egret; the highest number reported Regionally was eight in Warren Co., TN, 23 August 2002 (CM, DM); the latest report came from Cane Creek Park, Putnam Co., TN, where one was present 12-27 November 2002 (SJS photos). Three along the Cumberland River in Cumberland Co., KY, 12 October 2002 (SJS, WAW, TMC) provided one of few  records with details for that county.

    A Cattle Egret was present 26 October 2002 in a pasture north of Monterey, Putnam Co., TN (BB, HB photos), the only report of the season Regionally; it was also only the third record for that county and first during fall.

    Black-crowned Night-Herons are seldom reported Regionally, so an adult in Cane Creek Park, Putnam Co., TN, 13 October 2002 (SJS) was noteworthy.

Diurnal Raptors through Cranes

A late Osprey was noted flying south 9 November 2002 near the Scott Co., TN, airport (NM, WAW, SJS); this bird had an orange smudge on its breast and a wire extending from its tail (perhaps connected to a transmitter?).

    A mature Bald Eagle on the Cumberland River near "Slick Rocks," McCreary Co., KY, 14 October 2002 (LMM, TBM) was an unexpected find.

    The earliest arriving Northern Harrier was noted along the Cumberland River in Cumberland Co., KY, 12 October 2002 (SJS, WAW, TMC).

    Two Peregrine Falcons on Hinch Mountain, Cumberland Co., TN, 28 September 2002 (DS, RS; Knight 2003a) provided a good count for a rarely reported raptor in the Region.

    Very early Regionally were two Sandhill Cranes near Cumberland Falls, McCreary Co., KY, 13 October 2002 (LMM, TBM); another north of Crossville, Cumberland Co., TN, 23 October 2002 (BHS) was also notably early.  See Appendix A (below) for a list of additional Regional crane reports, and see the Winter 2002-2003 UCR Bird Report for the latest "fall" sighting.

    For the second consecutive year, an ultralight-assisted flock of juvenile Whooping Cranes passed southward through the Region.  First spotted in Pickett Co., TN, 14 November 2002 (RCH), this group of 16 proceeded south that day into Fentress Co., TN, where it remained grounded for several days by inclement weather; on 18 November 2002 the group departed Fentress Co., overflew Cumberland Co., TN, and exited the Region on its way to Hiwassee Refuge in Meigs Co., TN, and its ultimate destination--Florida.  Several cranes from last year's smaller training flight apparently migrated south on their own, overflying the Region in mid-November in the process.

Shorebirds through Terns

See the Summer 2002 UCR Bird Report for the earliest Semipalmated Plover of this "fall"; the latest sighting of the fall took place in Pulaski Co., KY, 16 September 2002 (RMD). 

    A Greater Yellowlegs stayed until 17 November 2002 in Pulaski Co., KY (RMD), the latest sighting Regionally this fall.

    See the Summer 2002 UCR Bird Report for the earliest Lesser Yellowlegs of this "fall" in the Region; the latest fall sighting occurred 8 October 2002 in Pulaski Co., KY (RMD).

    See the Summer 2002 UCR Bird Report for the earliest Solitary Sandpiper of this "fall" in the Region; the latest fall sighting was made 8 October 2002 in Pulaski Co., KY (RMD).

    Because of probable breeding of Spotted Sandpiper in the Region last summer (see Summer 2002 UCR Bird Report), no early fall arrival date is given for this shorebird.  A Spotted at the National Fish Hatchery, Celina, Clay Co., TN, 27 November 2002 (TMC) was the latest reported in the Region this fall, but see the Winter 2002-2003 UCR Bird Report for an even later report at that site.

    See the Summer 2002 UCR Bird Report for the earliest Semipalmated Sandpiper of the "fall."  Earliest ever in fall for the county and one of few recorded in the county at that season, a Semipalmated Sandpiper was found 21 September 2002 on the Putnam Co., TN, FBC (BHS).

    Two juvenile Western Sandpipers in Pulaski Co., KY, 28 August 2002 (RMD) were the earliest reported Regionally this fall; the latest sighting was made 16 September 2002, also in Pulaski Co., KY (RMD).

    See the Summer 2002 UCR Bird Report for the earliest Least Sandpiper of this "fall"; the latest Regional sighting of the season took place 26 October 2002 in Pulaski Co., KY (RMD).

    See the Summer 2002 UCR Bird Report for the earliest Pectoral Sandpiper of this "fall"; the latest report for the Region came 8 October 2002 in Pulaski Co., KY (RMD).

    This fall the first Regional report of  Dunlin, a typically late-migrating shorebird, involved four at the Fishing Creek Recreation Area, Lake Cumberland, Pulaski Co., KY, 24 October 2002 (RMD).  The Regional high count for the season was 60,  noted at Walnut Creek, Barren River Reservoir, Barren/Allen counties, KY, 7 November 2002 (DLR); 16 counted in the upper end of Martin Creek, Cordell Hull Reservoir, Putnam Co., TN, 1 November 2002 (SJS), while many fewer, still established an all-time high count for that county.

    The earliest Regional sighting of Stilt Sandpiper this fall took place near Creelsboro, Russell Co., KY, 7 September 2002 (RMD, SJS et al.), while the latest occurred 8 October 2002 at the Fishing Creek Recreation Area, Lake Cumberland, Pulaski Co., KY (RMD).

    A Buff-breasted Sandpiper visited Mt. Zion, Pulaski Co., KY, 7 September 2002 (RMD photo), providing the only Regional report of this scarce shorebird this fall.

    Providing the first county record with details was a Wilson's Snipe at the McCreary County Airport, McCreary Co., KY, 15 October 2002 (LMM, TBM).  The earliest Regional report of the season came from Pulaski Co., KY, 18 September 2002 (RMD).

    Seldom reported in the UCR, a well described juvenile Wilson's Phalarope at the Fishing Creek Recreation Area, Lake Cumberland, Pulaski Co., KY, 3 August 2002 (RMD) provided the only record of the season.

    The earliest Bonaparte's Gull of the season was noted at the Fishing Creek Recreation Area, Lake Cumberland, Pulaski Co., KY, 22 September 2002 (RMD).

    Two Franklin's Gulls, one adult and one first-winter, were noted 4 November 2002 near Mason's Island, Barren River Reservoir, Barren Co., KY (DLR), probably providing a first county record and certainly providing one of very few Regional sightings.

    The earliest Ring-billed Gull of the season showed up 8 October 2002 at the Fishing Creek Recreation Area, Lake Cumberland, Pulaski Co., KY (RMD); another was present the next day at the Floating Mill Recreation Area, Center Hill Lake, DeKalb Co., TN (SJS, RMD); a Ring-bill south of Oneida, Scott Co., TN, 28 October 2002 (BHS) provided one of few county records with details.

    The first Regional Herring Gulls of the season involved an adult and a first-year bird at the Floating Mill Recreation Area, Center Hill Lake, DeKalb Co., TN, 24 October 2002 (SJS).

    Earliest Regional Caspian Terns of the season were three over the lake at Cane Creek Park, Putnam Co., TN, 18 August 2002 (SJS); these also established a new high count for the county.  Four Caspians were noted at Fishing Creek, Lake Cumberland, Pulaski Co., KY, 16 September 2002 (RMD). Latest Caspians were one and five noted 6 October 2002 at the Lilydale Recreation Area and the Willow Grove Recreation Area, respectively, Dale Hollow Lake, Clay Co., TN (SJS, WAW).

    Five Black Terns at Mt. Zion, Pulaski Co., KY, 15 August 2002 (RMD) were the only ones reported during the season Regionally.

    Forty Common Terns, carefully counted and identified by their carpal (i.e., shoulder) bars, were noted 22 September 2002 at the Fishing Creek Recreation Area, Lake Cumberland, Pulaski Co., KY (RMD); this is a large number for the UCR (perhaps the largest ever recorded Regionally?).

    The earliest Regional Forster's Tern of the fall was noted 17 August 2002 in Pulaski Co., KY (RMD); the seasonal high count in the Region was 20, present 22 September 2002 at the Fishing Creek Recreation Area, Lake Cumberland, Pulaski Co., KY (RMD; Busroe 2003a), a very respectable count for that tern in the Region.  The latest sighting of the season took place 16 November 2002 when 2 were noted at the Waitsboro Recreation Area, Lake Cumberland, Pulaski Co., KY (RMD, Somerset Bird Club; Busroe 2003a).

Cuckoos through Vireos

On the Barren/Hart county line, KY, 1-8 Eurasian Collared-Doves were noted daily during the period (MS; Busroe 2003a); this is a new location for this expanding columbid.

    Late-departing Yellow-billed Cuckoos included singles at Mark near Shopville, northeast Pulaski Co., KY (CSN, WWN), and in Morgan Co., TN (JR), both 26 October 2002, but latest of all was a lone bird at the Waitsboro Recreation Area, Lake Cumberland, Pulaski Co., KY, 9 November 2002 (ALC, BPB).

    A Barn Owl, always scarce in the Region, was noted at the Bridgestone/Firestone Centennial Wilderness, White Co., TN, 31 October 2002 (DFV).  [Note: a check of this site by TE 1 May 2003 revealed no owl in evidence.]

    On 12 November 2002 a Northern Saw-whet Owl responded to a tape playback with a descending "skew" contact call in the Peninsula Unit, Barren River Reservoir, Barren Co., KY (DLR), providing one of few fall arrival dates--perhaps the only one?--of this scarce wintering owl for the UCR.

   Two Common Nighthawks foraging low over the highway in dense fog just at dawn 12 October 2002 along Rt. 111 in Cookeville, Putnam Co., TN (SJS, WAW) provided the latest fall departure date ever for that county and the latest Regional report this season.

   A Chimney Swift at Cane Creek Park, Putnam Co., TN, 25 October 2002 (SJS) was the latest ever in fall for that county and the latest reported Regionally this season.

    The last Ruby-throated Hummingbird report of the season in the Region came from City Lake, Putnam Co., TN, 31 October 2002 (BHS) when one immature or female was noted.

    An immature male Allen's Hummingbird appeared in mid-November 2002 on Upchurch Rd., Smith Co., TN, stayed through the end of the season (KH, TH), but was not identified until late January 2003; this bird provided the first Regional record of the species and the fifth for the state; see Winter 2002-2003 UCR Bird Report for further information about this bird.

    The first Regional Yellow-bellied Sapsucker of the season appeared in Barren River Lake State Resort Park, Barren Co., KY, 2 October 2002 (JBE).

    An Acadian Flycatcher was identified by call 21 September 2002 on the FBC in Putnam County, TN (SJS), becoming the latest ever in fall for that county and the latest Regionally this season.

    A Great Crested Flycatcher noted on the FBC in Putnam County, TN, 21 September 2002 (SJS) was the latest ever in fall for that county and the latest Regionally this season.

    The last report of Eastern Kingbird emanated from the Kendall Recreation Area below the Wolf Creek Dam, Russell Co., KY, 7 September 2002 (MY, SBC).

    The only report of Loggerhead Shrike in the Tennessee portion of the Region this season involved a lone bird at Shipley Farm, Putnam Co., TN, on the FBC 21 September 2002 (SJS).  In the Kentucky portion of the Region single shrikes were noted near Hogue, Pulaski Co., 16 August 2002 (RMD); in Adair Co. 25 October 2002 (RMD); and in Wayne Co. 13 November 2002 (RMD).  Please report ALL sightings of this seriously declining bird for every season in the future.

    A White-eyed Vireo at Cane Creek Park, Putnam Co., TN, 20 October 2002 (SJS) established a new late fall departure date for that county; another singing 23 October 2002 near Obed Junction, OWSR, Morgan Co., TN (BHS), was record late at that site.

    Latest Regionally this fall was a Yellow-throated Vireo at Cane Creek Park, Putnam Co., TN, 2 October 2002 (SJS et al.).

    The last report of Blue-headed Vireo this fall Regionally came from eastern Putnam Co., TN, where one appeared 7 November 2002 (RWS).

    For the late "fall" date on Warbling Vireo in the Region, see the Summer 2002 UCR Bird Report.

    The first seasonal report of Philadelphia Vireo in the Region was made 7 September 2002  at the Kendall Recreation Area below Wolf Creek Dam, Russell Co., KY (WAW, RMD, SJS et al.); the latest report for the season came 20 October 2002, when one was noted at Cane Creek Park, Putnam Co., TN (SJS), establishing a new late fall departure date for the county.  A Philadelphia noted 26 September 2002 at the Floating Mill Recreation Area, Center Hill Lake, DeKalb Co., TN (SJS), probably provided the first county record with details.

    The last Red-eyed Vireo of the season Regionally came rather early 9 October 2002 when one was noted at Cane Creek Park, Putnam Co., TN (RMD, MPO; SJS).  No particularly noteworthy high counts of this common species were submitted.

Lark through Pipit

Four Horned Larks at Oneida City Park, Scott Co., TN, 18 October 2002 ( NM) probably provided the first record with details for that county.

   A late-lingering Tree Swallow was noted at Cane Creek Park, Putnam Co., TN, 6/10 November 2002 (SJS, MPO/SJS, WAW), providing a new late fall departure date for that county on the latter date; another was present 6 November 2002 in Pulaski Co., KY (RMD); another 6 & 9 November 2002 in Barren Co., KY (DLR); and still another, the latest Regionally this season, 11 November 2002 at the Celina Wastewater Treatment Plant, Clay Co., TN (TMC).

    Barn Swallows sometimes linger late, as did one at Walnut Creek, Barren/Allen counties, KY, 6 & 9 November 2002 (DLR); see the Fall 2001 UCR Bird Report for details about a similar sighting.

    By season's end, no sightings of Red-breasted Nuthatches were reported within the Region, and few were noted within either Kentucky or Tennessee, indicating a non-irruption year for this sporadic boreal invader.

    Five Brown-headed Nuthatches were observed 21 September 2002 during the FBC in Putnam Co., TN (WAW, MPO), and two were present  there 9 October 2002 (SJS, RMD), confirming the species' continued presence at that site.  This small population inhabits the northernmost known breeding site in Tennessee and the only one currently known within the UCR.

    The first Regional report of Brown Creeper this fall came from Rock Island State Park, Warren Co., TN, 14 October 2002 (MPO).

    A House Wren singing at Cane Creek Park, Putnam Co., TN, 9 October 2002 (SJS, RMD) was vocalizing on a rather late, but not unprecedented, date for the species to be in song; possibly the same bird was still present at the site 20 October 2002 (SJS).

    The first Regional report of Winter Wren for the season came 8 October 2002 from City Lake, Putnam Co., TN (SJS).

    Few sightings of Marsh Wren are reported annually in the Region.  This fall the earliest Regional sighting took place 27 September at Cane Creek Park, Putnam Co., TN (SJS), and the latest sighting came 7 October 2002 from Pulaski Co., KY (RMD).

    A Veery was noted 21 September 2002 in McCreary Co., KY (RMD), providing the first record for that county; on the same date a Veery was also recorded on the Putnam County FBC.

    Earliest ever in fall for the county where sighted was a Swainson's Thrush feeding on pokeberries 3 September 2002 at City Lake, Putnam Co., TN (BHS); latest ever in the same county was another noted at Ensor Sink Natural Area 23 October 2002 (SJS).

    An American Pipit at the Fishing Creek Recreation Area, Lake Cumberland, Pulaski Co., KY, 23 September 2002 (RMD) was by far the earliest noted this season; another at Cane Creek Park, Putnam Co., TN, 9 October 2002 (SJS, RMD) was considerably later but still earliest in fall ever for that county.  The Regional high count was 152, noted near the airport in Scott Co., TN, 9 November 2002 (SJS, NM, WAW).

Warblers

Blue-winged and Golden-winged warblers were last reported in the Region this fall 2 October 2002, when one of each was sighted at Cane Creek Park, Putnam Co., TN (SJS et al.).

    The first report of Tennessee Warbler came rather late on 7 September 2002, when one was found at the Kendall Recreation Area, Russell Co., KY (RMD, SBC); the latest sightings took place 31 October 2002, when one was noted in Pulaski Co., KY (RMD), and another was seen in Putnam Co., TN (BHS).

    The first Regional Orange-crowned Warbler of the season was found at Cane Creek Park, Putnam Co., TN, 9 October 2002 (SJS, RMD, MPO); the latest sighting took place 1 November 2002 on Martin Creek Rd., Putnam Co., TN (SJS), tying the late fall departure date for the Orange-crown in that county.

    A Northern Parula present in Putnam Co., TN, 10 October 2002 (SJS) provided a new late fall departure date for that county and was the latest reported Regionally this fall.

    A Yellow Warbler found 21 September 2002 on the Putnam Co., TN (SJS), FBC provided a new late fall departure date for the county; a male 14 October 2002 in DeKalb Co., TN (CDW) was well described and quite late.

    The latest Chestnut-sided Warbler, a scarce breeder in the UCR, this fall was noted in Putnam Co., TN, 10 October 2002 (SJS).

    The early and late dates of arrival and departure for Magnolia Warbler Regionally this fall were 3 September 2002 and 23 October 2002 in McCreary Co., KY (RMD), and Cumberland Co., TN (BHS), respectively.  Thirty-six on the Putnam County FBC 21 September 2002 constituted the high count for the season Regionally.

    No reports at all came in for Cape May and Black-throated Blue warblers, not a surprising paucity for these scarce Regional fall migrants.

    The earliest Yellow-rumped Warblers of the season Regionally included three at Cane Creek Park, Putnam Co., TN, 29 September 2002 (SJS, WAW).

    A Black-throated Green Warbler noted on Brady Mt., Cumberland Co., TN, 27 October 2002 (SJS) was the last of its kind to be reported Regionally this fall.

    The first and last Bay-breasted Warblers reported Regionally this fall were in Pulaski Co., KY, 11 September 2002 (RMD) and McCreary Co., KY, 27 October 2002 (RMD), respectively.

    Among the guild of early-departing parulids, the Cerulean Warbler was last reported Regionally this fall 31 August 2002 in Pulaski Co., KY (RMD).

    The latest Black-and-white Warbler and American Redstart Regionally were noted 9 October 2002 in Barren Co., KY (JBE), and 13 October 2002 in Pulaski Co., KY (RMD), respectively.

    The last Regional reports of Prothonotary and Worm-eating warblers this fall came 11 September 2002, when singles were noted in Pulaski Co., KY (RMD), and Putnam Co., TN (SJS et al.), respectively.

    See the Summer 2002 UCR Bird Report for the late "fall" date in the Region for Swainson's Warbler, a species not reported after July in the Region during most years.

    Latest ever in fall for Putnam Co., TN, was an Ovenbird found in the northern part of the county 30 October 2002 (GKE); it was also the latest reported Regionally this fall.

    A Kentucky Warbler found 21 September 2002 on the Putnam Co., TN, FBC (BHS) provided a new late fall departure date for the county.

    Connecticut and Mourning warblers were entirely unreported this season in the Region, a rather typical showing for these scarce and retiring migrants.

    Establishing a new late fall departure date for the county was a Hooded Warbler at Cane Creek Park, Putnam Co., TN, 18 October 2002 (SJS).

    The late departure date Regionally this season was provided by a Wilson's Warbler at Cane Creek Park, Putnam Co., TN, 9 October 2002 (RMD, SJS). Another 26 September 2002 at the Floating Mill Recreation Area, Center Hill Lake, DeKalb Co., TN (SJS), probably provided the first county record with details.

Buntings through Siskin

Late Indigo Buntings included one near Bear Creek, McCreary Co., KY, 15 October 2002 (LMM, TBM) that tied the late fall departure date for the BSFNRRA, two at City Lake, Putnam Co., TN, 31 October 2002 (BHS), and one at Sawyer's Landing, Barren River Reservoir, Barren Co., KY, 3 November 2002 (JBE), the latest Regional sighting of the season.

    A Dickcissel, rarely encountered Regionally during fall, was noted 30 September 2002 at Mark near Shopville, northeastern Pulaski Co., KY (CSN, WWN).

    Earliest and latest Vesper Sparrows this fall in the Region included birds noted in Pulaski Co., KY, 7 October 2002 (RMD) and 24 October 2002 (RMD), respectively.

    A Henslow's Sparrow, not often encountered Regionally, was noted 19 October 2002 on Mason Grissom Rd., Warren Co., TN (SNM).

    The earliest Fox Sparrow of the season Regionally appeared 5 November 2002 at City Lake, Putnam Co., TN (BHS, SJS), setting a new early fall arrival date for that county.

    A Lincoln's Sparrow in White Co., TN, 31 October 2002 (DFV; Knight 2003a) provided the last report of the season Regionally and the first report ever for that county.

    The first  Swamp Sparrows of the season Regionally included two at Cane Creek Park, Putnam Co., TN, 9 October 2002 (SJS, RMD).

    Earliest for the fall Regionally during the season was a White-throated Sparrow at City Lake, Putnam Co., TN, 8 October 2002 (SJS).

    Twenty-seven White-crowned Sparrows in Scott Co., TN, 23 November 2002 (NM) provided a high count for the season Regionally, while one noted 18 October 2002 in Pulaski Co., KY (RMD) was the earliest reported during the season in the Region.

    The last sightings of Summer and Scarlet tanagers Regionally came from Pulaski Co., KY, 7 October 2002 (RMD) and 13 October 2002 (RMD), respectively. A female or immature Piranga sp. was noted in Morgan Co., TN, on the late date of 24 November 2002 (JR*).

    The first Regional Rusty Blackbird of the season appeared at City Lake, Putnam Co., TN, 12 November 2002 (BHS).

    The earliest Brewer's Blackbird of the season Regionally was noted in Scott Co., TN, 18 November 2002 (NM), when it was probably also the first county record with details.

    The first Regional report of Purple Finch this fall came from Putnam Co., TN, 1 November 2002 (JH); very few other reports surfaced by season's end, probably indicating another winter with lowish numbers.

    A lone Pine Siskin 7 November 2002 at Sawyer's Landing, Barren River Reservoir, Barren Co., KY (DLR), was the first encountered during the season Regionally.  By season's end, few other indications of an irruption of this species into the Region had been detected.

Observers: Betty Bright (BB), Harold Bright (HB), Sharon K. Brines (SKB), Wally Brines (WB), Terry M. Campbell (TMC), Gary Casey (GC), Phillip Casteel (PC), Amy L. Covert (ALC), Tommy Curtis (TC), Virginia Curtis (VC), D. Ann Davis (DAD), Roseanna M. Denton (RMD), Jackie B. Elmore, Sr. (JBE), Ginger K. Ensor (GKE), Troy Ettel (TE), Janie C. Finch (JCF), Dana Girard (DG), Ken Gum (KG), Louann I. Gum (LIG), Kathy Harville (KH), Terry Harville (TH), Robbie C. Hassler (RCH), Michael Hawkins (MH), Steven E. Hayslette (SEH), Jane Herrin (JH), Harold W. Howell (HWH), Regina Lee (RL), Jonnie Sue Lyons (JSL), Crystal Malone (CM), Doug Malone (DM), Linda McClendon (LM), Josephine A. McQuail (JAM), Susan N. McWhirter (SNM), Lynda M. Mills (LMM), Thomas B. Mills (TBM), Jimi Moore (JM), Nell Moore (NM), Connie S. Neeley (CSN), Wendell W. Neeley (WWN), Michael P. O'Rourke (MPO), John C. Owens (JCO), Brainard Palmer-Ball (BPB), Jeanne Richardson (JR), Tim Riddle (TR), David L. Roemer (DLR), Debbie Shannon (DS), Roi Shannon (RS), A. Boyd Sharp (ABS), Jan K. Shaw (JKS), Richard W. Simmers, Jr. (RWS), Ronnie D. Smith (RDS), Somerset Bird Club (SBC), Barbara H. Stedman (BHS), Stephen J. Stedman (SJS), Mitchell Sturgeon (MS), W. Terry Thornton (WTT), David F. Vogt (DFV), Winston A. Walden (WAW), W. Kent Warren (WKW), Carol D. Williams (CDW), Don Williams (DW), Jeff R. Wilson (JRW), Margaret York (MY), Mary Zimmerman (MZ).

Literature Cited

Appendix A.  Reports of Southward Migrating Sandhill Cranes during "Fall" 2002 in the Upper Cumberland Region.