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

sstedman@tntech.edu

Too much of anything is bad for you, but too much bird data is just enough [with apologies to S. L. Clemens].

Introduction

August was punctuated by several cool fronts, resulting in a month that was quite a bit cooler and a bit wetter than the norms for these weather factors.  Remnants of Hurricane Frances grazed the Region 7-9 September but left no imprint of avian vagrants though weather conditions prevailing during that period led to a number of sightings of terns and shorebirds.  Remnants of Hurricane Ivan passed over the Region 16-17 September but also left no evidence of avian waifs. The end of September and early October witnessed a dry spell across most of the Region; this rainless period ended about 12 October with a good rain Region-wide.  Late October was quite a bit warmer than "normal," providing good conditions for lingering migrants, many of which took advantage of this warm period to set late departure dates for the counties of the Region--Pulaski, KY, and Putnam, TN--where those data are available.

    Regional shorebird sites are quite few and proverbially far between.  The mudflats along Fishing Creek in the Fishing Creek Recreation Area of Pulaski County, Kentucky, and the Pulaski County Park probably are the most consistent producer of shorebird records each migration season.  Visits to Boiling Pond in southern White County, Tennessee, this season suggest that it may also provide a window through which to gain insight about the particulars of shorebird migration within the Region.  See the shorebird section below for records relating to these sites.

    Results of Regional Fall Bird Counts may be viewed by navigating to the BirdPage (click on the "Ornithology" button at the bottom of this page), scrolling down, and clicking on the appropriate links there.

    Many of the records below involve early arrival and late departure dates in the Region.  Some of these also involve record early or late dates within a particular county or smaller unit of the Region. A summary of early arrival and late departure dates for migrant species in the Region may also be accessed via the BirdPage (click on the "Ornithology" button at the bottom of this page). 

Acknowledgments

Thanks are extended to all the field observers whose records are cited below.  Observers who were able to support their sightings with photographs are especially thanked for their submissions.

    Thanks are also extended to Pete Felton and family for allowing access to Boiling Pond, White County, Tennessee; and to Tinker Randolph for allowing access to Randolph Pond, also in White County, Tennessee.

Abbreviations and Symbols

* = documentation provided for sighting; BSFNRRA = Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area; DBNF = Daniel Boone National Forest; KOS = Kentucky Ornithological Society; OWSR = Obed Wild and Scenic River; TOS = Tennessee Ornithological Society; UCR = Upper Cumberland Region; WMA = Wildlife Management Area.

Waterfowl through Gallinaceous Species

A Greater White-fronted Goose appeared at Conley Bottoms, Lake Cumberland, Wayne Co., KY, 6 November 2004 (RMD), the earliest fall arriving White-front ever in the Region and consequently earliest this season.

    The adult Snow Goose (white form) that stayed all last summer at the Swafford Pond, Bledsoe Co., TN, was still present 29 August 2004 (SJS, WAW).

    Four Gadwalls counted along the Cumberland River, Jackson Co., TN, 2 October 2004 (SJS, WAW, TMC) were earliest Regionally this fall.

    A male American Wigeon at Cane Creek Park, Putnam Co., TN, 29 September 2004 (SJS, JaF) was the earliest noted this season Regionally.

    An American Black Duck appeared at Pumphouse Pond, Pulaski Co., KY, 31 October 2004 (RMD), the first sighting Regionally this fall.

    Two Blue-winged Teal at Fishing Creek Recreation Area, Lake Cumberland, Pulaski Co., KY, 11 August 2004 (RMD photo) were earliest ever in fall in that county and the first reported Regionally this season.

    The first Northern Shoveler of the season Regionally appeared on Cooley's Pond, Wayne Co., KY, 30 September 2004 (RMD).

    The season's first Northern Pintail was a female or immature that shattered the record early fall arrival date in Pulaski Co., KY, 30 September 2004 (RMD), when it was sighted near Bronston.

    A Green-winged Teal was present at Cane Creek Park lake, Putnam Co., TN, 1 September 2004 (SJS), the first of the season to be reported Regionally.

    The earliest Ring-necked Duck of the season was a female associating with a pod of coots at the Floating Mill Recreation Area, Center Hill Lake, DeKalb Co., TN, 17 October 2004 (SJS).

    Earliest Greater and Lesser scaup Regionally this season were a single and a flock of 20+, respectively, on Barren River Reservoir, Barren Co., KY, 1 November 2004 (DLR).

    Two Surf Scoters at Mystic View, Lake Cumberland, 5 November 2004 (RMD) were earliest Regionally this season and first ever for Wayne Co., KY.

    A Bufflehead on Barren River Reservoir, Barren Co., KY, 7 November 2004 (DLR) was the first of the season to be reported Regionally.

    Two Hooded Mergansers, a bit late for the first fall arrivals, were at Cane Creek Park, Cookeville, Putnam Co., TN, 3 November 2004 (SJS).

    Macedonia Pond, White Co., TN, hosted the first Ruddy Duck of the fall Regionally 13 October 2004 (SJS).

    Two Ruffed Grouse were counted along Cumberland Trail State Park, Cumberland Co., TN, 3 October 2004 (MLA, EKL, SJS).  Some hunters within the Region express the belief that the Regional grouse population is currently in a period of low numbers.

    A flock of 24 Wild Turkeys seen on Burgess Falls Rd. about one km north of Burgess Falls State Natural Area, Putnam Co., TN, 12 September 2004 (SJS, TMD, BM) established a new all-time, one-day high count in that county, but this record is sure to fall soon, given the increase in the turkey population occurring in that county, Regionally, and in Kentucky and Tennessee.

Loon through Night-Herons

The first Common Loon of the fall Regionally was a basic-plumaged bird noted at the Floating Mill Recreation Area, Center Hill Lake, DeKalb Co., TN, 25 October 2004 (SJS).

    Usually a few Pied-billed Grebes spend the summer or part of it on one or another of the many ponds within the Region, but no such records manifested themselves during the past season, so the first Pied-bill report of the season came from Cane Creek Park 1 September 2004 (SJS et al.); a pod of 18 Pied-bills at Center Hill Dam, DeKalb Co., TN, 8 September 2004 (SJS) had probably been brought down by the drizzly, hurricane-related weather that day; another Pied-bill present the same day on Boiling Pond, White Co., TN (SJS), a site where the species had not been detected during several visits earlier in the season, was probably also weather-related.

    Five Horned Grebes sighted at the Floating Mill Recreation Area, Center Hill Lake, DeKalb Co., TN, 17 October 2004 (SJS) provided the earliest Regional record this fall.

    An Eared Grebe visited the Waitsboro Recreation Area, Lake Cumberland, Pulaski Co., KY, 5 November 2004 (RMD photo), establishing the earliest record Regionally this fall, the first record for Pulaski Co., KY, and the 11th Regional record.

    The first Double-crested Cormorant of the season appeared at the mouth of Big Hurricane Creek, Center Hill Lake, DeKalb Co., TN, 14 August 2004 (MJH); 44 were counted at the Scott County Reservoir, Scott Co., TN, 31 August 2004 (NM); 306 were counted along 40 miles of the Cumberland River, Jackson Co., TN, 2 October 2004 (SJS, TMC, WAW); see the Fall 2001 UCR Bird Report for a count of Double-crests along the same section of river during early September 2001.

    About 10 Great Egrets were counted near Thurston's Pond, Wayne Co., KY, 16 October 2004 (GH), a good count for so late in the season; another Great Egret was quite late at Peters Creek, Barren River Reservoir, Barren Co., KY, 10 November 2004 (DLR).

    A Snowy Egret at the Fishing Creek Recreation Area, Lake Cumberland, Pulaski Co., KY, 21 August 2004 (RMD) was the first of the season to appear Regionally; it remained until 27 August 2004 (RMD).

    An immature Little Blue Heron on Dark Hollow Rd., Warren Co., TN, 12 August 2004 (SJS photo, WAW) provided the first record for that county with details; another immature that first appeared last season at the Fishing Creek Recreation Area, Lake Cumberland, Pulaski Co., KY, remained until 27 August 2004 (RMD photo), setting a new late fall departure date for that county.

    Two Cattle Egrets at Grass Island, Barren River Reservoir, Barren Co., KY, 2 November 2004 (DLR photo) provided the last report of the season Regionally and the 19th Regional record; this is roughly the same site where one was noted even later in the fall during November 2003.

    A Green Heron at City Lake, Putnam Co., TN, 29 November 2004 (SJS, DAD), if not a wintering bird, was the latest ever in that county during fall, as well as the latest Regionally this fall.

    A juvenile Black-crowned Night-Heron was observed at the Fishing Creek Recreation Area, Lake Cumberland, Pulaski Co., KY, 6 August 2004 (RMD), suggesting the possibility of local nesting.  Before this season Black-crowns were not known to breed in Pulaski County or any other UCR county, although the presence of adults during the late nesting season of 2003 strongly suggested that breeding was taking place in DeKalb County, Tennessee.  Almost all doubt about the Regional breeding status of the species was removed 18 August 2004 when an apparently still dependent juvenile Black-crown was observed closely following and watching an adult Black-crown at the Hurricane Marina, Center Hill Lake, DeKalb Co., TN (CDW photo); a juvenile Black-crown was photographed at this site 21 October 2004 (CDW photo), and it remained until at least 7 November 2004 (CDW).  A Black-crown at Rock Island State Park on Center Hill Lake, White Co., TN, 4 September 2004 (GG) became the first record with details for that county.

    An juvenile Yellow-crowned Night-Heron was photographed at Burgess Falls State Natural Area, Putnam Co., TN, 9 October 2004 (VH, CDW photo, MJH), providing a new late fall departure date for this species in that county.

    An immature White Ibis, only the third ever reported in the Region, foraged at Randolph Pond, Walter Stone Rd., White Co., TN, 10 September 2004 (SJS photo, DAD).

Diurnal Raptors through Cranes

Setting an early fall arrival date in Pulaski Co., KY, 4 August 2004 was an Osprey at the Fishing Creek Recreation Area, Lake Cumberland (RMD); this raptor is a likely breeder in Pulaski County in the near future, if it is not already breeding there.  Five Ospreys in Putnam Co., TN, 18 September 2004 during the Fall Bird Count provided an all-time, one-day high count for that county. Seven Ospreys were counted along 40 miles of the Cumberland River, Jackson Co., TN, 2 October 2004 (SJS, TMC, WAW); see the Fall 2001 UCR Bird Report for results of an Osprey count made during early September 2001 along the same section of river.

    Also earliest ever during fall in Pulaski Co., KY, was an adult Bald Eagle at the Fishing Creek Recreation Area, Lake Cumberland 4 August 2004 (RMD); this raptor is a likely breeder in Pulaski County in the near future, if it is not already breeding there.  An adult Bald Eagle at Randolph Pond, Walter Stone Rd., White Co., TN, 10 September 2004 (DAD, SJS) provided only the second record with details for that county.

    An immature Northern Harrier was noted 29 August 2004 at the Southeastern Tennessee State Correctional Facility, northwestern Bledsoe Co., TN (WAW, SJS), the earliest report of the season Regionally; another early harrier appeared 31 August 2004 on Student's Home Rd., DeKalb Co., TN (JCF); still another was only a few days later than the early fall arrival date for Putnam County when it appeared east of Monterey 17-18 September 2004 (BHS), the latter date also being the date of that county's Fall Bird Count.

    Four Cooper's Hawks were noted in 5 hours of field work along about 75 km of roads in eastern Monroe Co., KY, 23 October 2004 (SJS, BHS), the high count for the season, even surpassing the totals accumulated on the Fall Birds Counts taking place in the Region.

    Good counts of migrating Broad-winged Hawks have been scarce Regionally during the past decade and especially so in the OWSR, so 221 Broad-wings counted 18 September 2004 at Lilly Bluff, OWSR, Morgan Co., TN (CAS et al.), were noteworthy.  One adult Broad-wing was observed along the Cumberland River, Jackson Co., TN, 2 October 2004 (SJS, TMC, WAW), the latest of the season reported.

    A nicely photographed Merlin at Fishing Creek Recreation Area, Lake Cumberland, Pulaski Co., KY, 3 September 2004 (RMD photo) was about a month earlier than the earliest previous fall arrival date in that county and the earliest reported in the Region this season; another Merlin was reported from the Ano strip mines, Pulaski Co., KY, 24 September 2004 (RMD); still another Merlin was witnessed while interacting with two kestrels at the Bridgestone/Firestone Centennial Wilderness, White Co., TN, 10 October 2004 (RLK, WAW et al.), providing the first record with details for that county; a male Merlin was observed in southern Adair Co., KY, 16 October 2004 (SJS, WAW), one of few records for that county.  All in all, quite a good Merlin season Regionally took place.

    A Peregrine Falcon with prey was noted at Fishing Creek, Pulaski Co., KY, 23 October 2004 (RMD), a month later than the previous late fall departure date for that county.

    A Virginia Rail at the Heritage Marsh, White Co., TN, 25 September 2004 (DAD, SJS) during the White County Fall Bird Count probably continued a summer 2004 record.  An adult Virginia, the first for Clay Co., TN, and the sixth Regionally, was photographed nicely at the National Fish Hatchery in Celina 5 October 2004 (TMC photo).

     The first Sora of the season Regionally was flushed at Heritage Marsh, White Co., TN (SJS), 25 September 2004, during the White County Fall Bird Count; the same or another Sora was flushed from this marsh 6 November 2004 (SJS, DAD).

    Records of Common Moorhen Regionally are extremely limited, so an adult found at a lily-covered pond near the intersection of Will Thompson Rd. and Pollard Rd., White Co., TN, 25 September 2004 (SJS, DAD) during the White County Fall Bird Count was a welcome sight; this observation provided the first fall record for the Region, there being just three spring records.

    Earliest fall American Coots Regionally were two noted at Cane Creek Park and one at Burgess Falls State Natural Area, both Putnam Co., TN, 6 October 2004 (SJS, MJH et al.); nine coots were counted at Eagle Cove, Dale Hollow Lake, Pickett Co., TN, 10 October 2004 (MH).

    The first migrant flock of Sandhill Cranes showed up at the Cookeville Mall, Putnam Co., TN, 13 October 2004 (MR), when about 150 were counted, setting a new early fall arrival date for that county.  Significant Sandhill flights were detected 30-31 October, mainly in DeKalb Co., TN, and 8-9 November 2004 over a more widespread area.  See Appendix A below for a list of all southbound cranes sighted this "fall."

    Some tantalizing reports of Whooping Cranes were submitted 31 October 2004 from Mayland, Cumberland Co., TN (EA fide JM) and DeKalb Co., TN (CDW), but not until 10 November 2004 was a completely convincing report of a migrant Whooper submitted; on that date a well described Whooper was sighted with a group of c. 20 Sandhill Cranes over the community of Pleasant Hill, western Cumberland Co., TN (DR).  The fourth annual Whooper "training flight," consisting of 14 juvenile cranes, passed through the Region in mid-November, with stops on 16 November 2004 in Adair Co., KY, and 17 November 2004 in Cumberland Co., TN (MH et al.).

Shorebirds through Terns

The earliest fall report of Semipalmated Plover Regionally was provided by one at Fishing Creek Recreation Area, Lake Cumberland, Pulaski Co., KY, 11 August 2004 (RMD).

    Sixty Lesser Yellowlegs at Boiling Pond, White Co., TN, 8 September 2004 (SJS) provided a good count; these birds were probably grounded by the inclement weather brought to the Region that day by remnants of Hurricane Frances; a single Lesser at Macedonia Pond, White Co., TN, 15 October 2004 (SJS, DAD) was getting late.

    A latish Solitary Sandpiper was observed at Randolph Pond, Walter Stone Rd., White Co., TN, 15 October 2004 (SJS, DAD).

    A juvenile Sanderling, quite rare Regionally, was found 8 September 2004 at the Fishing Creek Recreation Area, Lake Cumberland, Pulaski Co., KY (RMD); probably all Regional records of this scarce shorebird have come from this site.

    Earliest this fall Regionally were two Western Sandpipers at Fishing Creek Recreation Area, Lake Cumberland, Pulaski Co., KY, 17 August 2004 (RMD); two others were present 3 September 2004 at the same site (RMD photo).

    A Least Sandpiper with 70 Killdeers on mudflats where Rt. 252 crosses a northern arm of Barren River Reservoir, Barren Co., KY, 20 November 2004 (SJS) was among the last to be reported Regionally this season.

    A convincingly photographed Baird's Sandpiper appeared at the Fishing Creek Recreation Area, Lake Cumberland, Pulaski Co., KY, 3 September 2004 (RMD photo), providing just the fourth county--and fifth Regional--record.

    Quite late was a Pectoral Sandpiper at Walnut Creek, Barren River Reservoir, Barren/Allen counties, 23 November 2004 (DLR).

    Earliest Dunlins of the season Regionally were three at Randolph Pond, Walter Stone Rd., White Co., TN, 15 October 2004 (SJS, DAD); next earliest were two at Fishing Creek Recreation Area, Lake Cumberland,  Pulaski Co., KY, 1 November 2004 (RMD). Latest Dunlins were 30 at Barren River Reservoir, Barren Co., KY, 23 November 2004 (DLR; Palmer-Ball and McNeeley 2005a).

    A molting adult Stilt Sandpiper present at the Fishing Creek Recreation Area, Lake Cumberland, Pulaski Co., KY, 17 August 2004 (RMD photo) was the first noted Regionally this fall, as well as the earliest ever fall arrival for Pulaski County. A Stilt Sandpiper at Boiling Pond, White Co., TN, 8 September 2004 (SJS) was the first with details for that county.

    The first Short-billed Dowitcher of the season Regionally showed up at Boiling Pond, White Co., TN, 8 September 2004 (SJS); this sighting provided the first county record with details.

    The earliest Wilson's Snipe of the season Regionally was found on Lizard Lane, White Co., TN, 25 September 2004 (DAD, SJS) during the White County Fall Bird Count.

    The first Herring Gull of the season was provided by an adult at Barren River Reservoir, Barren Co., KY, 26 October 2004 (DLR); another at Eagle Cove, Pickett Co., TN, 30 October 2004 (BHS, SJS) was the first record with details for that county.

    Three Caspian Terns at Center Hill Dam, DeKalb Co., TN, 8 September 2004 (SJS) furnished the first county record with details; four Caspians were observed at Fishing Creek and one at the Waitsboro Recreation Area, Lake Cumberland, Pulaski Co., KY, the same day (RMD), and two Caspians were noted on Barren River Reservoir, Barren/Allen counties, KY, 9 September 2004 (DLR).

    Some nicely photographed Common Terns visited two sites in Pulaski Co., KY, 8 September 2004 (RMD photo), providing an early fall arrival date for that county, as well as the earliest Regional report of the season.  Twenty Forster's/Common terns were counted at Cane Creek Park, Cookeville, Putnam Co., TN, 8 September 2004 (SJS, JaF), while forty Forster's/Common terns were noted at the Floating Mill Recreation Area, Center Hill Lake, DeKalb Co., TN, that same day (SJS).  All of these terns were probably southbound migrants and not products of Hurricane Frances' visit to the Region, although they probably stopped at these sites, rather than continued to migrate south, as a direct response to the inclement weather brought to the Region by Frances that day. Eighteen Commons near Wolf Creek Dam, Lake Cumberland, Russell Co., KY, 17 September 2004 (DLR) were uncommon visitors to that site; ten Commons were noted at Fishing Creek, Pulaski Co., KY, the same day (RMD, DLR).

    A Forster's Tern at Macedonia Pond, White Co., TN, 13 October 2004 (SJS; Casteel 2005a) was latest Regionally this fall; it foraged at the pond during a day of consistent misting while a frontal passage moved through the Region.

    Six Black Terns were noted at Fishing Creek, Lake Cumberland, Pulaski Co., KY, 11/21 August 2004 (RMD); two at Cane Creek Park, Cookeville, Putnam Co., TN, 8 September 2004 (SJS, JaF) established the all-time, one-day high count, believe it or not, for that county, where there had been just three previous records, all involving single birds; two at Macedonia Pond, White Co., TN, 8 September 2004 (SJS) provided just the second record for that county and the first since 28 July 1932 when Henry M. Stevenson (1933) reported Black Terns near Quebeck; one was also noted at the Waitsboro Recreation Area, Pulaski Co., KY, 8 September 2004  (RMD), a day when remnants of Hurricane Frances shrouded the Region.

Doves through Flycatchers

A count of 37 Eurasian Collared-Doves in and near Pikeville, Bledsoe Co., TN, 29 August 2004 (SJS, WAW) provided one of the highest counts ever for the Region, but it is a number that is sure to be eclipsed within a year or two by numbers in Pikeville or at one of the other sites where the species has taken up residence Regionally.  Fourteen collared-doves in Monticello 9 September 2004 (RMD) confirmed the species' continuing colonization of that site. A lone collared-dove on East Victory View Rd., Putnam County, Tennessee, 18 September 2004 (BHS) during the Fall Bird Count in that county provided just the second county record.  Four collared-doves were found near the intersection of Jaybird Rd. and Rt. 111, Overton Co., TN, 2 October 2004 (SJS, WAW), a now-traditional site for this species; another was noted at this site 30 October 2004 (SJS, BHS).

    A Black-billed Cuckoo sighted at Mark, near Shopville, Pulaski Co., KY, 22 September 2004 (CSN, WN) provided the latest ever fall departure date for that county and was one of few reported Regionally this season, unfortunately the usual circumstance with this scarce species; this sighting also became the first YardWatch registration of this scarce species since the inception of that project in January 2003.  An even later Black-bill was found 8 October 2004 near Blue John Rd. in the southern section of Pulaski Co. (LO), pushing the late fall departure date back even further.

    A gray morph Eastern Screech-Owl was discovered in a garage on Student's Home Rd., DeKalb Co., TN, 5 November 2004 (JCF photo); the photograph initially seemed to display a brown morph individual, rarely noted Regionally, but the lighting undoubtedly created that effect; note the gray coloration on the left side of the bird (i.e., the side on the right in the photograph).

    Earliest in fall ever in Pulaski Co., KY, and earliest reported Regionally this fall was a Northern Saw-whet Owl in the Little Lick area, DBNF, 14 November 2004 (RMD); this bird responded to a tape of the toot (advertising) call with several skew (contact) calls and was found at a site where a saw-whet had been located during a previous winter.

    A count of 300+ Common Nighthawks was made on Martha Washington Rd., Fentress Co., TN, 11 September 2004 (SJS, WAW), the largest migratory group reported during the season; a nighthawk found the same day near the Rt. 56 bridge over Clear Fork, BSFNRRA, Fentress/Morgan counties, TN (SJS, WAW), provided one of few records with details for that park. A very late nighthawk was observed in the Shenandoah area of Putnam Co., TN, 1 November 2004 (MPO), when it set a new late fall departure date for the species in that county.

    The last Regional report of Chuck-will's-widow this fall was made 15 August 2004 on Bullington Rd., Jackson Co., TN (JL).

    A singing Eastern Whip-poor-will was heard 25 September 2004 near Fall Creek Falls State Park, Bledsoe Co., TN (DG), the latest report of the season Regionally.

    An unbanded adult female Rufous Hummingbird appeared on Aspen Dr., Putnam Co., TN, 7 October 2004 (SH), providing the first solid early fall arrival date for the species in the Region; it was still present 2 November 2004 at the same site (SH photo), where two banded Rufous Hummingbirds had spent the previous winter; it was captured, banded, and its identify confirmed 18 November 2004 (MS, RS); and it was still present 30 November 2004 (SH). An adult male Rufous Hummingbird appeared at a feeder on Hurricane Ridge Rd., DeKalb Co., TN, 26-30 November 2004 (TLC photo, VC, CDW photo), providing the first record for that county; this hummingbird was not banded, but photographs of it were reviewed (RS) and determined to represent this species; this Rufous was the first adult male to be recorded within the Region, all five others identified to this species having been immature or adult females.  See the Winter 2004-2005 UCR Bird Report  and the Spring 2005 UCR Bird Report for additional information about these hummingbirds.

    The first Yellow-bellied Sapsucker of the fall Regionally was noted in Cookeville, Putnam Co., TN, 26 September 2004 (WAW).

    An Olive-sided Flycatcher spent several hours hawking for aerial insects from the top of a dead tree during the late afternoons of 23-24 August 2004 on Hurricane Ridge Rd., DeKalb Co., TN (VC, TLC, CDW photo on latter date), providing the first Regional report of the season, the first record from that county with details, and the earliest ever fall arrival date for the Region; this flycatcher remained until 27 August 2004 (TLC photo), in itself a somewhat unusual circumstance as Olive-sided Flycatchers have been present just one day at all Regional sites where observed during fall in the past.

    A late Eastern Wood-Pewee was noted on West Oak Dr., Cookeville, Putnam Co., TN, 30 October 2004 (WAW), setting a new late fall departure date for that county.

    Quite late, and latest reported Regionally this fall, at the Randolph Pond, Walter Stone Rd., White Co., TN, 9 October 2004 (DAD et al.) was an Eastern Kingbird.

    A Scissor-tailed Flycatcher seen on Dodson Branch Rd. about 6 km north of Cookeville, Putnam Co., TN, late in the afternoon of 20 October 2004 (GKE *) provided the second county--and fifth Regional--record and was latest ever during fall in the Region.

Shrike through Lark

Loggerhead Shrikes were noted at quite a few sites in White Co., TN, during the season (Appendix B), but with a high count of only two, noted during the White County Fall Bird Count 25 September 2004 (DAD et al.).  Three shrikes noted on Beech Grove Ridge, Pulaski Co., KY, 23 September 2004 (RMD) provided the high count Regionally this fall and suggested local breeding during the previous season.  Shrikes were also noted at the traditional site on Student's Home Rd., DeKalb Co., TN, (JCF) during the season, and one report emanated from Barren Co., KY, but no other county posted sightings during season.  See Appendix B (below) for a listing of all Regional reports this fall.

    Latest ever during fall in Pulaski Co., KY, and latest reported Regionally this season was a Blue-headed Vireo at Little Lick, DBNF, 14 November 2004 (RMD et al.).

    A Warbling Vireo was identified at the Ano strip mines, Pulaski Co., KY, 24 September 2004 (RMD), a rare fall occurrence that extended the late fall departure data for this vireo in that county by about five weeks.

    Two Philadelphia Vireos were counted during the Putnam County Fall Bird Count 18 September 2004 (BHS, SJS), establishing an all-time, one-day high count for that county; three observed during the White County Fall Bird Count 25 September 2004 (SJS, WAW et al.) provided a nice total for that county; two were noted along the Brady Mountain section of Cumberland Trail State Park, Cumberland Co., TN, 3 October 2004 (SJS, EKL).

    A late Red-eyed Vireo was observed 24 October 2004 in Pickett State Park, Pickett Co., TN (SJS).

    Northern Rough-winged Swallows can be surprisingly difficult to record during the fall migration in the Region, none at all being reported Regionally during fall 2003, so a single observed in the OWSR, Morgan Co., TN, 1 September 2004 (BHS) was noteworthy; two Rough-wings were present at Burgess Falls State Natural Area, Putnam Co., TN, 12 September 2004 (SJS, TMC, BM); five were noted in DeKalb Co., TN, 22 September 2004 (CDW); and four were found at the Randolph Pond, White Co., TN, 25 September 2004 (BHS) during the White County Fall Bird Count.

    The last Bank Swallow of the season was flocking with 50 Barn Swallows at Randolph Pond, Walter Stone Rd., White Co., TN, 10 September 2004 (SJS, DAD).

    The last Cliff Swallow of the season was noted on Dry Valley Rd., Putnam County, Tennessee, 17 September 2004 (BHS); it was also flocking with a large number of Barn Swallows.

Chickadees through Pipit

A Red-breasted Nuthatch at Edgar Evins State Park, DeKalb, Co., TN, 27 September 2004 (SJS, RV, JDF) provided the first record of the fall Regionally, but this was a rather late date for the first fall sighting of this species, suggesting that the coming winter might not see much of an irruption by this nuthatch Regionally. By early October several additional records of single Red-breasts were made Regionally at a variety of sites, indicating a larger irruption might be in the offing.  A few reports filtered in during the remainder of October and early to mid-November, leaving the magnitude of the irruption in doubt.  However, a count of 11 Red-breasts at Barren River Lake State Resort Park, Barren Co., KY, 20 November 2004 (SJS, WAW) indicated that good numbers of this nuthatch were present at some favored sites within the Region.

    Eight Brown-headed Nuthatches were counted at the Cookeville Golf Course, Cookeville, Putnam Co., TN, 18 September 2004 during that county's Fall Bird Count, equaling the all-time, one-day high count in that county, set during spring 2002.  Brown-heads have been counted on every bird count conducted in Putnam County since the December 2001 CBC; thanks to Winston Walden and Michael O'Rourke for their persistence in locating Brown-heads during the past nine consecutive county bird counts.

    The earliest Brown Creeper this fall Regionally was one at Cane Creek Park, Cookeville, Putnam Co., TN, 6 October 2004 (NSL et al.).

    Two Winter Wrens at the Appalachian Center for Crafts, DeKalb Co., TN, 8 October 2004 (SJS) were the first reported Regionally this fall.

    Nine singing Sedge Wrens in the Heritage Marsh, White Co., TN, 14 August 2004 (SJS, DAD) provided a good count, revealing a considerable increase in wrens since the first singer was noted there late the previous month (see Summer 2004 UCR Bird Report).  A visit to the marsh 25 September 2004 resulted in the discovery of two family groups of Sedge Wrens, one including an adult with a recently fledged young and the other including an adult with three recently fledged young; the young in the latter group were nearly tailless and could barely fly, while the adult in the former group displayed agitated behavior (SJS, DAD*, WAW*, MPO, JCO); previous evidence of breeding Sedge Wrens in Tennessee may be limited to Fort Campbell, Montgomery County.  Eight Sedge Wrens remained in the Heritage Marsh 6 November 2004 (SJS, DAD, WAW).

    A singing Marsh Wren at the Hackworth Farm, Campground Rd., Putnam Co., TN, 18 September 2004 (BHS) provided a nice Fall Bird Count sighting, the earliest ever fall arrival date for that county, and the first report of the season Regionally; another Marsh Wren was observed at the Randolph Pond, Walter Stone Rd., White Co., TN, 20 (SJS, DAD) and 25 (BHS) September 2004, the latter report being made during the White County Fall Bird Count, as was a single Marsh Wren noted in the Bridgestone/Firestone Centennial Wilderness on the same date (DAD, SJS).  Marsh Wrens were also found at Mark, Pulaski Co., KY, 3 October 2004 (CSN); at Cane Creek Park, Putnam Co., TN, 9 October 2004 (RLK, SHF, WAW et al.); at the Heritage Marsh, White Co., TN, 9 October 2004 (DAD et al.); at Randolph Pond, Walter Stone Rd., White Co., TN, 9 October 2004 (DAD et al.); and two at the Bridgestone/Firestone Centennial Wilderness, White Co., TN, 10 October 2004 (RLK, WAW et al.).  Quite late and latest ever in fall for Pulaski Co., KY, was a Marsh Wren at Mark 7 November 2004 (CSN).  All in all, it was a better than average season Regionally for this skulking species.

    The first Golden-crowned Kinglet of the season Regionally appeared at Cane Creek Park, Cookeville, Putnam Co., TN, 6 October 2004 (SJS et al.); another was noted at Burgess Falls State Natural Area, Putnam Co., TN, later the same day (SJS et al.); additional  Golden-crowns were noted in Scott Co., TN, 9 October 2004 (SJS, NM) and Pulaski Co., KY, 10 October (SJS, RMD, CSN, AMM).

    The earliest Ruby-crowned Kinglet of the season Regionally showed up during the Putnam County Fall Bird Count 18 September 2004 on Cow Palace Rd., Baxter, Putnam Co., TN (SJS).

    A Veery was getting late during the Putnam County Fall Bird Count 18 September 2004 (RWS); given the great scarcity and reticence of this migrant thrush in the Region, it is no surprise that this was one of very few sightings Regionally this fall.  An indication of the long-term scarcity of this thrush was provided by a Veery found at City Lake, Putnam Co., TN, 20 September 2004 (SJS, BHS); it was the first Veery sighting at that site in 16 years of fairly intensive observations made there.

    The first fall report of Gray-cheeked Thrush Regionally came from the Ano strip mine area of Pulaski Co., KY, 24 September 2004 (RMD), when three were noted; another was counted the next day in White Co., TN (BHS), during the White County Fall Bird Count; two Gray-cheeks were sighted along the Brady Mountain section of Cumberland Trail State Park, Cumberland Co., TN, 3 October 2004 (SJS, EKL).

    A Swainson's Thrush at the Fishing Creek Recreation Area, Lake Cumberland, Pulaski Co., KY, 9 September 2004 (RMD) was the first reported Regionally this fall; another was noted at Stephen's Knob, McCreary Co., KY, 11 September 2004 (SJS, RMD et al.).

    A Hermit Thrush at Cane Creek Park, Cookeville, Putnam Co., TN, 6 October 2004 (CDW, JCF) was earliest Regionally this season; another was detected by call on River Rd., Scott Co., TN, 9 October 2004 (NM, SJS).

    A Wood Thrush at the Waitsboro Recreation Area, Lake Cumberland, Pulaski Co., KY, 10 October 2004 (SJS) was latest ever during fall in that county.

    A latish Gray Catbird was present near the Celina sewage lagoons, Celina, Clay Co., TN, 14 November 2004 (SJS, WAW), and a still later catbird was noted 10 km east of Somerset on Rd. 192, Pulaski Co., KY, 27 November 2004 (RMD et al.), providing the latest fall record ever in that county and the last report of this fall Regionally.

Warblers

Golden-winged Warblers are scarce breeders in and migrants through the Region, making a compilation of all Regional records each season a worthwhile goal (see Appendix C below); one was noted at Lilly Bluff, OWSR, Morgan Co., TN, 1 September 2004 (BHS), providing a new early fall arrival date for that park (Stedman and Stedman 2002).

    Quite late for the first of fall Regionally was a Tennessee Warbler in southern White Co., TN, 10 September 2004 (SJS, DAD).  The entire absence of this usually common or fairly common fall migrant during the White County Fall Bird Count was disquieting.  Late Tennessees were noted 31 October 2004 on West Oak Dr., Cookeville, Putnam Co., TN (WAW), and at the Hurricane Bridge Recreation Area, Center Hill Lake, DeKalb Co., TN (SJS).

    The earliest Orange-crowned Warbler of the season was one at Cane Creek Park, Putnam Co., TN, 20 October 2004 (SJS, JaF); another was noted in Monroe Co., KY, 23 October 2004 (SJS).

    Nashville Warblers are usually reported in low numbers each fall; the first one noted this season Regionally came from Randolph Pond, White Co., TN, 25 September 2004 (BHS) during the White County Fall Bird Count.  Another was noted at Mark, Pulaski Co., KY, 3 October 2004 (CSN); still another was observed in Cane Creek Park, Cookeville, Putnam Co., TN,  6 October 2004 (SJS et al.); a latish Nashville was present in Adair Co., KY, 16 October 2004 (SJS).

    An extremely late Yellow Warbler was observed near the Celina Wastewater Treatment Plant, Celina, Clay Co., TN, 14 November 2004 (SJS, WAW), providing the last report of the season Regionally and establishing the latest ever Regional fall departure date, just eclipsing an observation of a Yellow Warbler made 13 November 1983 at Eubank, Pulaski Co., KY, by Jackie B. Elmore, Sr. (Stamm 1983a).

    A Chestnut-sided Warbler at Cane Creek Park, Putnam Co., TN, 11 August 2004 (SJS, GKE) was by six days the earliest fall arrival in that county, where no breeding of this warbler has yet been detected.

    A Magnolia Warbler at City Lake, Putnam Co., TN, 25 August 2004 (SJS) was the earliest noted Regionally this season and the earliest ever by one day during fall in that county; another Magnolia at Lilly Bluff, OWSR, Morgan Co., TN, 1 September 2004 (BHS) was earliest for that park by one day also (Stedman and Stedman 2002).

    The first fall sighting of Cape May Warbler Regionally took place at the Lake Cumberland WMA, Pulaski Co., KY, 22 September 2004 (RMD); two Cape Mays on River Rd., Scott Co., TN, 9 October 2004 (SJS, NM) were the last reported.

    A Black-throated Green Warbler at Little Lick, DBNF, Pulaski Co., KY, 30 October 2004 (RMD) was latest ever in fall for that county and latest this fall Regionally.

    The earliest Blackburnian Warbler of the season Regionally was found at Science Hill, Pulaski Co., KY, 22 August 2004 (RMD).

    Two Pine Warblers were counted at Barren River Lake State Resort Park, Barren Co., KY, 20 November 2004 (SJS, WAW), a predictable circumstance, given the warmish fall weather experienced Regionally and the great suitability of habitat for Pine Warblers available in that park.

    Earliest-arriving Palm Warblers Regionally this fall were several noted at Cooley's and Thurston's ponds, Wayne Co., KY, 30 September 2004 (RMD).  Sixty-five Palms counted in White Co., TN, 15 October 2003 (SJS, DAD) probably represented the peak of the migration through that county, since only one Palm Warbler could be found the next day in Adair Co., KY (SJS, WAW), and since only five Palms could be located 20 October 2004 in White Co. (SJS, DAD) during a trip over many of the same parts of the county covered the 15th.

    Earliest Regionally this fall was a Bay-breasted Warbler at City Lake, Putnam Co., TN, 9 September 2004 (SJS).

    A Blackpoll Warbler was observed at the Oil Center area of Lake Cumberland WMA, Pulaski Co., KY, 29 September 2004 (RMD), providing one of very few fall sightings of this parulid Regionally.  The only fall sighting of Blackpoll for Putnam Co., TN, was made 1 October 1992 (BHS; Stedman 1993), so it appears that very late September and very early October may be the favored fall period during which to search for this warbler.

    Cerulean Warblers were recorded in about normal--i. e., very low--numbers and during the normal--i. e., early August--period of migration this season; see below (Appendix D) for a list of all reports.

    A Northern Waterthrush calling and nervously circling a Barred Owl at Walnut Park, Cookeville, Putnam Co., TN, 20 September 2004 (SJS) was the first of fall Regionally; a Northern still in Pulaski Co., KY, at Mark 31 October 2004 (CSN) set a new late fall departure date for that county--as well as the commonwealth of Kentucky--and was latest Regionally this season.

    The last Louisiana Waterthrush report of the fall Regionally came rather early--3 August 2004 --at Barnett Bridge, Morgan Co., TN (JTR).

    A Mourning Warbler was reported from the VoTech Center on Flat Fork Rd., Morgan Co., TN, 18 September 2004 (DJT), the first record with details from that county.

    The latest Common Yellowthroat of the year was an immature male found on Lizard Lane, White Co., TN, 26 November 2004 (DAD, SJS).

    A Wilson's Warbler at Obed Junction, OWSR, Morgan Co., TN, 1 September 2004 (BHS) became the first of its species ever recorded in that park (Stedman and Stedman 2002), as well as first Regionally this season and first with details for Morgan County.

    Two Canada Warblers at Lilly Bluff, OWSR, Morgan Co., TN, 1 September 2004 (BHS) provided a new early arrival date for that park (Stedman and Stedman 2002), as well as being the earliest reported Regionally this fall. 

    Latest Summer Tanagers were singles in Pulaski Co., KY, 24 October 2004 (RMD), latest ever there, and in DeKalb Co., TN, 25 October 2004 (CDW).

Sparrows through Siskin 

    What may have been a peak day in the southerly migration of Chipping Sparrows in the Region was suggested by a count of 160 Chippies counted at various sites in Pulaski Co., KY, 25 October 2004 (RMD); totals on Fall Bird Counts in Putnam and White counties, TN, in mid to late September were far lower than this total.

    Vesper Sparrows arrived in a coordinated manner 23 October 2004 when first of fall individuals were observed in Pulaski (CSN) and Wayne (RMD) counties, KY.

    Several Savannah Sparrows appeared at the McCreary County Airport, McCreary Co., KY, during a field trip conducted by the Somerset Bird Club 11 September 2004 (SJS, RMD, CSN, WAW, GH, LM), the earliest Regional report of the season.  Another was close to the early fall arrival date for Putnam Co., TN, when it appeared on the Fall Bird Count there 18 September 2004 (BHS).

    A Henslow's Sparrow studied for five minutes at 6-7 meters at the Ano strip mines, Pulaski Co., KY, 10 October 2004 (RMD, CSN, AMM, SJS) was latest in fall by over seven weeks in that county; another Henslow's was found on the same date in Warren Co., TN (SM; Casteel 2005a), perhaps just the second record of this reclusive sparrow in that county.

    The first Fox Sparrow of the fall appeared at Clifty Pond, Pulaski Co., KY, 27 October 2004 (RMD), setting a new early fall arrival date for that county.

    The season's first Lincoln's Sparrows Regionally included two found on the Putnam County Fall Bird Count 18 September 2004 (BHS); record early in Pulaski Co., KY, was one seen at Twin Lakes 30 September 2004 (RMD); four Lincoln's at Randolph Pond, Walter Stone Rd., White Co., TN, 9 October 2004 (DAD et al.) provided one of few records in that county with details, although it should be noted that a Lincoln's was probably present at the same site a week earlier (DAD); a Lincoln's near the Scott County Airport, Scott Co., TN, 9 October 2004 (SJS, NM) provided only the second sighting with details for that county; a Lincoln's in Adair Co., KY, 16 October 2004 (SJS) was the first with details noted in that county; two Lincoln's noted at Clifty Pond, Pulaski Co., KY, 27 October 2004 (RMD) tied the late fall departure date for this sparrow in that county, but another at Mark, Pulaski Co., KY, 5 November 2004 (CSN) shattered that late fall departure record.  Overall, quite a few occurrences of Lincoln's took place this fall Regionally, indicating either a better than normal migratory flight into the Region or an overall increase in the skill level of the Regional birding cadre or both.

    The first Swamp Sparrow of the season Regionally made an appearance at Randolph Pond, White Co., TN, 25 September 2004 (BHS) during the White County Fall Bird Count; another at Twin Lakes, Pulaski Co., KY, 30 September 2004 (RMD) was earliest ever during fall in that county.

    White-throated Sparrows appeared--a bit tardily--for the first time this fall Regionally at City Lake, Putnam Co., TN, and the Appalachian Center for Crafts, DeKalb Co., TN, both 8 October 2004 (SJS).

    Earliest ever in Pulaski Co., KY, during fall and earliest Regionally this fall was a White-crowned Sparrow at Mark 2 October 2004 (CSN).

    Earliest reported Dark-eyed Junco was a single near Green River Lake, Adair Co., KY, 16 October 2004 (WAW, SJS), somewhat late for the first fall arrival Regionally.

    The earliest record for a fall Rose-breasted Grosbeak in the Region was provided by one near Shopville, Pulaski Co., KY, 12 September 2004 (CSN); late Rose-breasts were 31 October 2004 at two sites in DeKalb Co. TN: the Hurricane Bridge Recreation Area, Center Hill Lake (SJS, WAW) and Hurricane Ridge Rd. (TLC, VC).

    A Blue Grosbeak set a new late fall departure date for Pulaski Co., KY, when it was observed at Clifty Pond 21 October 2004 (RMD).

    An Indigo Bunting at Mark 5 November 2004 was latest ever in Pulaski Co., KY (CSN); an even later Indigo was noted at the Peninsula parking lot, Barren River Reservoir, Barren Co., KY, 8 November 2004 (DLR, RD).

    Eighteen Bobolinks were counted near the Scott County Airport, Scott Co., TN, 31 August 2004 (NM), the first of the season reported Regionally; at least three others were present at the McCreary County Airport, McCreary Co., KY, 11 September 2004 (SJS, RMD et al.); another was found 20 September 2004 at the Heritage Marsh, White Co., TN (SJS, DAD), while four were present at that site 25 September 2004 (SJS, DAD, WAW, MPO, JCO) and nine were counted at the Bridgestone/Firestone Centennial Wilderness, White  Co., TN, 25 September 2004 (SJS, DAD, NSL), both sightings taking place during the White County Fall Bird Count.  A latish Bobolink was sighted at the Heritage Marsh, White Co., TN, 9 October 2004 (DAD et al.).

    A Rusty Blackbird was quite early--and earliest reported Regionally this season--at Randolph Pond, Walter Stone Rd., White Co., TN, 9 October 2004 (DAD et al.).  A count of thirty Rusties at Old Mill Rd., Putnam Co., TN, 21 November 2004 (SJS, BHS) was among the highest counts made this season, albeit the count was quite low by the standard set the previous fall season.

    The first Purple Finches of the season were reported from Hurricane Ridge Rd., DeKalb Co., TN, 25 October 2004 (TLC, VC); within a week quite a few additional sightings took place, indicating that a "normal" irruption of this winter finch might be occurring.

    Seven Pine Siskins at Mark, Pulaski Co., KY, 10 October 2004 (SJS, RMD, CSN, AMM) were about two weeks earlier than the early fall arrival date in that county and first of the fall Regionally; about 20 siskins were noted 24 October 2004 north of Smithville, DeKalb Co., TN (CDW), the next earliest sighting of the season.  By season's end, quite a few reports of siskins had accumulated, suggesting a moderate irruption winter was underway.

Observers: Mark L. Applebaum (MLA), Eddie Argo (EA), Wally Brines (WB), Frank Bulow (FB), Terry M. Campbell (TMC), Tommy L. Curtis (TLC), Virginia Curtis (VC), Roseanna M. Denton (RMD), Robert Dever (RD), Douglas A. Downs (DAD), Tom Durbin (TD), Ginger K. Ensor (GKE), Janie C. Finch (JaF), Susan H. Ford (SHF), Bob Freeman (BF), John D. Froeschauer (JDF), Judy C. Fuson (JCF), Gregg Garrison (GG), Dana Girard (DG), W. Howard Groce (WHG), Terry Hall (TH), Van Harris (VH), Kathy Harville (KH), Terry Harville (TH), Robbie C. Hassler (RCH), Michael J. Hawkins (MJH), Margo Hinkle (MH), Gay Hodges (GH), Stan Hood (SH), David Hume (DH), Peggy Kilgore (PK), James Kiser (JK), Richard L. Knight (RLK), James Layzer (JL), Nancy S. Layzer (NSL), Edmund K. LeGrand (EKL), Barbara Massey (BM), Joseph Mast (JM), Linda McClendon (LM), Susan McWhirter (SM), Nell Moore (NM), Arlene M. Morton (AMM), Connie S. Neeley (CSN), John Noel (JN), Laura Obiso (LO), Michael P. O'Rourke (MPO), John C. Owens (JCO), Michele Ramsey (MR), Jeanne T. Richardson (JTR), Tim R. Riddle (TRR), Dick Riesz (DR), David L. Roemer (DLR), Martha Sargent (MS), Robert Sargent (RS), Jeannie C. Schmitzer (JCS), Richard W. Simmers, Jr. (RWS), Chris A. Sloan (CAS), Ronnie D.Smith (RDS), Barbara H. Stedman (BHS), Stephen J. Stedman (SJS), Ruby Storie (RSt), David J. Trently (DJT), Rita Venable (RV), Winston A. Walden (WAW), Melinda Welton (MW), Carol D. Williams (CDW).

Literature Cited

Appendix A.  Reports of Southbound Sandhill Cranes during "Fall" 2004 in the Upper Cumberland Region.

Appendix B.  Reports of Loggerhead Shrike during Fall 2004 in the Upper Cumberland Region.

Appendix C.  Reports of Golden-winged Warblers during Fall 2004 in the Upper Cumberland Region.

Appendix D.  Reports of Cerulean Warblers during Fall 2004 in the Upper Cumberland Region.

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