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

sstedman@tntech.edu

Introduction

August weather in the Region (Figure 1) was substantially hotter and drier than the norms for these meteorological factors, with record daytime highs being reached on numerous dates at numerous Regional sites.  Early September remained largely hot and dry, with the first noteworthy break in these conditions occurring 13-16 September when a modest cold front penetrated the Region, bringing night-time lows in the lower 50s and upper 40s and providing cool, but breezy, conditions for the first of the fall bird counts, which took place 15 September in Putnam County, TN.  Day-time highs returned to the 80s Fahrenheit during the week  following the first cold front--17-22 September--and to the 90s Fahrenheit during the second week thereafter--23-26 September.  A spell of normally cool days started with the passage of a front 27 September that dropped a small amount of rain at most Regional sites, leading to widespread fog (and perhaps some tower kills) on the morning of 28 September. The press of many obligations prevented my keeping track of Regional weather during October and November; apologies to anyone who is inconvenienced by this matter.

    Records of rare species are noted in bold-faced red below.

    Fall Bird Counts and BirdBlitzes provide many of the quantitative data on which an assessment of the Regional birdlife may be made during autumn; access to these data, collected in three Regional counties,  is available via links at the following page of this website:

• Fall Bird Count and BirdBlitz Data 2007

    Early and late dates of arrival and departure for migrant species in the Region this autumn may be viewed at the following page of this website:

• UCR Early/Late Dates Fall 2007

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.

Abbreviations and Symbols

† = written documentation provided; BSFNRRA = Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area; DBNF = Daniel Boone National Forest; FBC = Fall Bird Count; 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

An adult blue morph Snow Goose found 10 November 2007 on Hickory Valley Rd., White Co., TN (EKL, SJS), was the first of its kind to be reported Regionally this fall.

    Earliest Gadwalls this autumn in the Region were a dozen observed at ponds along Campground Rd., Putnam Co., TN, 11 September 2007 (BHS); these were also earliest ever during fall in that county.

    Four American Wigeons on Campground Rd., Putnam Co., TN, 15 September 2007 (BHS, RS) during the Putnam County FBC were earliest Regionally this fall and earliest ever during fall in that county; a single wigeon at the Waitsboro Recreation Area, Lake Cumberland, Pulaski Co., KY, 25 October 2007 (RMD) was earliest ever in that county.

    Two American Black Ducks at Burgess Falls Natural Area, Putnam Co., TN, 15 September 2007 (DAD) during the Putnam County FBC were earliest this fall Regionally and earliest ever during fall in that county.

    The first Blue-winged Teal of the fall Regionally appeared 25 August 2007 in Adair Co., KY (RMD), and White Co., TN (DAD).

    A Northern Shoveler in Adair Co., KY, 10 September 2007 (RMD) was the earliest reported around the Region this fall.

    The first Green-winged Teal of the season Regionally was noted along the Green River, Adair Co., KY, 27 August 2007 (RMD).

    Canvasback went unrecorded in the Region this fall until 24 November 2007 when two females were noted at Granville, Jackson Co., TN (SJS).

    A male Redhead among hundreds of Ring-necked Ducks on Lake Hiawatha, Cumberland Co., TN, 11 November 2007 (EKL) was the first of its species to be found Regionally this fall.

    The first Ring-necked Ducks of the season were represented by a flock of 30+ on Barren River Reservoir, Barren Co., KY, 24 October 2007 (DLR); 16 Ring-necks at the Tompkinsville City Park, Monroe Co., KY, 28 October 2007 (SJS) were the first ever reported in that county.

    Earliest Lesser Scaups this season were 150+ on Barren River Reservoir, Barren Co., KY (DLR), and eight on Center Hill Lake, DeKalb Co., TN (SJS), both 24 October 2007.

    The Surf Scoter was first registered this fall Regionally at the Waitsboro Recreation Area, Lake Cumberland, Pulaski Co., KY, 25 October 2007 (RMD) when one was found, also providing the earliest fall arrival date ever in that county; another was present at the same site 23 November 2007 (RMD).

    Three White-winged Scoters at Walnut Creek, Barren River Reservoir, Barren/Allen counties, KY, 24 October 2007 (DLR) provided the 13th Regional record of this scoter; this sighting also set a new early fall arrival date and a record high count for the Region.

    Three female-plumaged Black Scoters were noted near Mason's Island, Barren River Reservoir, Barren/Allen counties, KY, 19 November 2007 (TAH), establishing the 11th record for the Region and the first record this fall in the Region; three others were noted at the Wolf Creek Dam, Russell Co., KY, 24 November 2007 (RMD), the 12th record for the Region.

    Two Buffleheads at the Waitsboro Recreation Area, Lake Cumberland, Pulaski Co., KY, 25 October 2007 (RMD) were the first of the season Regionally and the earliest ever during fall in that county.

    A female Common Goldeneye at Cane Creek Park, Cookeville, Putnam Co., TN, 16 November 2007 (BHS) was the first to be reported around the Region this fall.

    A Hooded Merganser in the Walnut Creek area, Barren River Reservoir, Barren Co., KY, 24 October 2007 (DLR) was the first of the fall to be reported Regionally; seven Hoodies at the Waitsboro Recreation Area, Lake Cumberland, Pulaski Co., KY, 25 October 2007 (RMD) were the earliest ever during fall in that county.

    A female-plumaged Common Merganser visited the lake at Cane Creek Park, Cookeville, Putnam Co., TN, 21/22/23/24/25/26/27/28/29 November 2007 (TMS/SJS, BHS/SJS, SEP photo/m.ob., JCF photo/SJS/SJS/TMS/SJS/TMS), providing the first record for the park, the third record for the county, and the first record this fall in the Region, where only 23 other records have occurred.

   The first Red-breasted Mergansers of the season Regionally were noted on Barren River Reservoir, Barren/Allen counties, KY, 19 November 2007 (TAH).

    A flock of Ruddy Ducks at Lake Tansi, Cumberland Co., TN, 21 October 2007 (JEM) was the first of the season to be reported Regionally; 22 Ruddies in Pulaski Co., KY, 25 October 2007 (RMD) were the earliest ever during fall in that county.

    Several reports of Ruffed Grouse, including a drummer on the 22nd, were made during October in Morgan Co., TN (BHS); two grouse were reported in Cumberland Co., TN, 27 October 2007 (EKL, JEM).

Loons through Night-Herons

The first Common Loon of the autumn in the Region was found on Barren River Reservoir, Barren Co., KY, 22 October 2007 (DLR); by 26 October 2007 at least 50 were noted at that site (DLR, TAH).

    Seventy Pied-billed Grebes at the Waitsboro Recreation Area, Lake Cumberland, Pulaski Co., KY, 25 October 2007 (RMD) provided the high count Regionally this fall and perhaps an all-time high count for the Region as well

    Nine Horned Grebes at the Floating Mill Recreation Area, Center Hill Lake, DeKalb Co., TN, 24 October 2007 (SJS) were the first of fall to be found Regionally.

    An American White Pelican at Grassy Island (and later Goose Island), Barren River Reservoir, Allen Co., KY, 25-27 October 2007 (TAH, DLR photo) was unlikely to have visited that area without having entered Barren County as some point during its stay; thus it provided the sixth Regional record of this species and third for Barren River Reservoir.

    A tally of 350+ Double-crested Cormorants on Barren River Reservoir, Barren/Allen counties, KY, 26 October 2007 (DLR) was the first large number of the season to be reported Regionally.

    An American Bittern was photographed in flight at the Dry Creek Unit of the Barren River Reservoir WMA, Barren Co., KY, 8 October 2007 (DLR photo), providing the first record for that county and just the 18th Regionally.  Another first county record was made on Fred Tollet Rd., Cumberland Co., TN, where a dead bittern was found on a fence 2 November 2007 (EKL) and photographed there 7 November 2007 (EKL photo), providing the 19th Regional record; this bittern apparently flew into and became inextricably entangled in the barbed wire of the fence, leading to its demise; the best date that can be assigned to this record is mid- to late October 2007; the degree to which this carcass disintegrated by 26 June 2008 was considerable (EKL photo).

    Two juvenile Black-crowned Night-Herons were noted 14 August 2007 and an adult 17 August 2007 in Adair Co., KY (RMD); by 27 August 2007 (RMD) eight Black-crowns--three adult, four juvenile, and one probable advanced immature (i.e., in second summer)--were counted (RMD); these night-herons may have been post-breeding dispersers, but considerable likelihood that they were local breeders also exists; one Black-crown was still present 9 October 2007 (RMD).  After being discovered along the Obey River near Celina, Clay Co., TN, last season, Black-crowned Night-Herons remained at the site until at least 26 August 2007 (TMC photo, GG) when two adults were noted along with a possible juvenile.  Currently, confirmation of Regional breeding by this night-heron rests on the presence of juveniles/immatures during late summer, but to judge from recent evidence, there are several Regional sites, including each of those noted above, where confirmation by finding a nest or rookery could take place during a future breeding season.

    Thirteen Great Egrets at Casey Creek, Adair Co., KY, 27 September 2007 (RMD) provided the Regional high count this season; several remained at that site into late October (RMD).

    A Cattle Egret along the Green River, Adair Co., KY, 10-13 September 2007 (RMD) was the first ever reported in that county, which became the 14th Regional county with a record of this long-legged wader; this sighting also provided the 30th Regional record of Cattle Egret.

Diurnal Raptors through Cranes

The first Northern Harriers of the season in the Region were two noted along Campground Rd., Putnam Co., TN, 15 September 2007 (RS, BHS), establishing a record early fall arrival date in that county.

    Four Broad-winged Hawks in a small kettle over the Green River, Adair Co., KY, 17 August 2007 (RMD) were the earliest probable migrants reported around the Region; five Broad-wings on Leffle Webb Rd., Cumberland Co., TN, 23 August 2007 (EKL, SJS) were quite vocal while interacting aerially and were most likely local residents.

    An adult light morph Rough-legged Hawk was observed at Cooley's Pond, Wayne Co., KY, 10 November 2007 (RMD), tying the early fall arrival date for the Region.

    Three Golden Eagles, two adults and a juvenile/immature, were observed along the Caney Fork River about 2-3 km from its confluence with the Cumberland River, Smith Co., TN, 23 September 2007 (TF, SD photo, photo); the date and the ages of these eagles suggest local breeding was highly likely.

    A Merlin of undetermined age and sex was briefly sighted 17 October 2007 near Leffle Webb Rd., Cumberland Co., TN (EKL); a male was noted 23 & 26 October 2007 at Barren River Reservoir, Barren Co., KY (DLR, TAH); and an immature or female was sighted at Lake Tansi, Cumberland Co., TN, 17 November 2007 (EKL, JEM).

    An adult Peregrine Falcon at Casey Creek, Adair Co., KY, 5 October 2007 (RMD photo) was the first found in that county and the only one reported Regionally this fall; Adair County became the 14th Regional county with a record of this fine raptor; this record was at least the 28th in Regional history.

    A road-killed Sora on Mason Grisson Rd., Warren Co., TN, 15 September 2007 (NPM, SNM) was the first of the season to be reported around the Region and the 26th record Regionally; a live Sora in the Dry Creek Unit, Barren River Reservoir WMA, Barren Co., KY, 8 October 2007 (DLR) provided the first-ever report in that county and established the 27th record Regionally.

    A few American Coots at ponds along Campground Rd., Putnam Co., TN, 11 September 2007 (BHS) were earliest this fall Regionally and earliest ever during fall in that county.  A peak in the coot migration occurred 3 November 2007 when the following numbers were noted at the following sites: Cane Creek Park, Cookeville, Putnam Co., TN--95 (SJS); Floating Mill Recreation Area, Center Hill Lake, DeKalb Co., TN--400 (SJS); Lillydale Campground, Dale Hollow Lake, Clay Co., TN--1000 (SJS); Willow Grove, Dale Hollow Lake, Clay Co., TN--1500 (SJS); and Sunset Recreation Area, Dale Hollow Lake, Pickett Co., TN--1500 (SJS).

    The first report of Sandhill Crane this fall Regionally occurred 29 October 2007 at 1245 CDT in Cookeville, Putnam Co., TN (HH), barely beating out a record of 130+ cranes seen and heard the same day from 1530 to 1700 CDT in Cumberland Co., TN (EKL).  See Appendix A (below) for a listing of all Regional crane reports this "fall."

    One Whooping Crane was observed in a flock of migrant Sandhill Cranes on Flynn Creek Rd., Jackson Co., TN, 25 November 2007 (MJH), the first to be reported around the Region this fall (although at least two sightings of large white birds with black wingtips were reported earlier in the season from Putnam Co., TN, suggesting that one or both of these sightings might have referred to this species; additionally, two observations later in the crane season than 25 November may also have involved Whooping Cranes).  See the Winter 2007-2008 UCR Bird Report for details about the passage of the 17-member Whooping Crane training flight through the Region.

Shorebirds through Terns

See the Summer 2007 UCR Bird Report for additional "fall" shorebird records.

    Providing the third Regional record of Black-bellied Plover, a basic-plumaged individual was photographed at Cooley's Pond, Wayne Co., KY, 25 October 2007 (RMD photo); this sighting was also the first for Wayne County.

    An American Golden-Plover in basic plumage was photographed at Cooley's Pond, Wayne Co., KY, 25 October 2007 (RMD photo); this sighting was the 14th Regionally and fifth for Wayne County.

    One Semipalmated Plover was noted at Cooley's Pond, Wayne Co., KY, 25 October 2007 (RMD photo), the latest report of the season Regionally.

    The last Solitary Sandpiper of the season was noted at the Randolph Pond, Walter Stone Rd., White Co., TN, 29 September (SJS, DAD, EKL) during the White County FBC.

    The first Ruddy Turnstone record for Adair Co., KY, took place 4 September 2007 at Casey Creek (RMD photo); this bird remained until at least 7 September 2007 (RMD photo), providing just the third Regional record.

    A juvenile Sanderling was nicely photographed in flight 5 September 2007 at Barren River Lake SRP, Barren Co., KY (DLR photo), providing the first record for that county and just the sixth Regionally with all these records having taken place during the autumn migration.  The seventh Regional record and first for Wayne Co., KY, came 18 October 2007 when another Sanderling was found at Thurston's Pond (RMD†).

    Two late Least Sandpipers remained at Cooley's Pond, Wayne Co., KY, until at least 24 November 2007 (RMD); see the Winter 2007-2008 UCR Bird Report for the last sighting of the "fall" for this typically late-lingering shorebird.

    A well photographed juvenile Baird's Sandpiper was found at Cooley's Pond, Wayne Co., KY, 23 October 2007 (RMD photo), establishing the first record for that county and just the seventh for the Region.

    The first Pectoral Sandpiper of the fall Regionally was found at Clifty Pond, Pulaski Co., KY, 13 August 2007 (RMD).

    The season's first Dunlin Regionally was noted at Green River, Adair Co., KY, 19 October 2007 (RMD); the first record of Dunlin for Bledsoe Co., TN, was made 4 November 2007 (EKL) at the Southeast Tennessee Regional Correctional Facility in the northwestern part of that county.

    A worn adult Stilt Sandpiper became the first of the season reported Regionally when found along the Green River, Adair Co., KY, 25 August 2007 (RMD et al.); six juvenile Stilts were counted at this site 7 September 2007 (RMD), the high count for the season and also the all-time Regional high count; a juvenile Stilt was still present at this site 27 September 2007 (RMD), and three Stilts were counted at this site 9 October 2007 (RMD), the latest report of the season; collectively, these sightings provide the 18th Regional record. The 19th Regional record came from Cooley's Pond, Wayne Co., KY, 31 August 2007 (RMD) when three juveniles were observed at that site; one juvenile Stilt was present at the same site 6 September 2007 (RMD), two juveniles were present there 11 September 2007 (RMD); and one Stilt, age unspecified, was noted at this site 18 October 2007 (RMD), tying the Regional late fall departure date; it is difficult to know what overlap, if any, exists among these sightings, which are also treated here as a single record.  The Region's 20th record came 19 October 2007, when one Stilt was sighted in Barren River Lake State Resort Park, Barren Co., KY (TD), providing the first record for that county and, briefly, the late departure date for the Region this season, as well as the latest fall departure date ever for the Region.  Regional record # 21 came a few days later when three Stilts were photographed at Fishing Creek, Lake Cumberland, Pulaski Co., KY, 24 October 2007 (RMD photo), pushing back both the late fall departure date this season and the all-time late fall departure date for the Region, as well as the late fall departure date for Pulaski County.  Never before in Regional history have sightings of Stilt Sandpipers been made in four counties during the same season.

    The first record of Buff-breasted Sandpiper for Adair Co., KY, was made at Casey Creek 4 September 2007 (RMD photo) when one was photographed there, providing just the seventh record for the Region.

    Three Long-billed Dowitchers were present at Casey Creek, Adair Co., KY, 19 October 2007 (RMD photo), providing the first record of the fall Regionally, the second record for that county, and the fifth record Regionally; another Long-bill, the first for Wayne Co., KY, and sixth Regionally, was present at Cooley's Pond 25 &30 October 2007 (RMD photo [first date])

    An American Woodcock was induced to engage in a courtship display by a tape playback of its "peent" call on Dry Valley Rd., Putnam Co., TN, 15 September 2007 (BHS) during the FBC there; another was observed in Frozen Head State Natural Area, Morgan Co., TN, 2 November 2007 (MEH, DME), the first record from that site.

    Just the third Regional record of Wilson's Phalarope was established at Cooley's Pond, Wayne Co., KY, 21 August 2007 (RMD photo) when a basic-plumaged bird was photographed there.

    A flock of 32 Franklin's Gulls on Barren River Reservoir, Barren Co., KY, 22 October 2007 (DLR) was the first of the season Regionally; this flock also provided just the sixth Regional record and by far the highest count ever made in the Region; 27 Franklin's were still present at that site the next day (DLR photo).

    Bonaparte's Gulls returned to the Region 24 October 2007 when five were found at Grass Island, Barren River Reservoir, Barren Co., KY (DLR), and an immature was found at Fishing Creek, Lake Cumberland, Pulaski Co., KY (RMD).

    The earliest Ring-billed Gull of the fall Regionally was noted on Barren River Reservoir, Barren/Allen counties, KY, 30 September 2007 (DLR).

    Two late Caspian Terns showed up at Grass Island, Barren River Reservoir, Barren/Allen counties, KY, 24 October 2007 (DLR).

    Eighteen Black Terns visited Barren River Reservoir, Barren/Allen counties, Kentucky, 24 August 2007 (DLR); two were at Cooley's Pond, Wayne Co., KY, 6 September 2007 (RMD).

    Two Forster's Terns, of three present, were photographed at Barren River Reservoir, Barren Co., KY, 23 October 2007 (DLR photo), providing the last sighting of the season Regionally.

Doves through Vireos

Two Barn Owls that had been rehabilitated in Memphis, TN, by Knox Martin were released (by SNM, NPM) on Masson Grissom Rd., Warren Co., TN, 3 August 2007, providing a boost to the local population.

    Twenty-seven Eastern Screech-Owls were counted during the White County FBC 29 September 2007 (m. ob.) and 22 screech-owls were counted during the Putnam County FBC 15 September 2007 (m. ob), establishing all-time high counts for those counties in the process; the former record may also be the all-time Regional high count, but it is a number that can be eclipsed by a greater effort on the part of FBC participants in the future.

    A road-killed, banded Northern Saw-whet Owl was found along Rt. 56 in northern DeKalb Co., TN, 3 November 2007 (SJS photo), establishing the first record of this owl in that county; this record also provided a record early fall arrival date for the Region; from its fresh condition, the owl appeared to have been killed during the night of 2/3 November 2007; an inquiry to the Bird Banding Laboratory revealed that this owl was banded as a hatch-year individual of unknown sex in Plover, Wisconsin, 20 October 2004, so it was a bit more than three years old when killed in DeKalb County.

    A total of 170+ Common Nighthawks over Mt. Zion, Pulaski Co., KY, 30 August 2007 (RMD) provided the high count for the season Regionally; the last report of the season was made 14 October 2007 in Glasgow, Barren Co., KY (LC).

    A Chuck-will's-widow still singing during the evening of 17 August 2007 near Lovelady, Pickett Co., TN (RCH) was quite late for a singer of this species; another singer on Leffle Webb Rd., Cumberland Co., TN, 22 August 2007 (EKL) was even later.

    An Eastern Whip-poor-will sang briefly during the early morning hours of 27 September 2007 on Leffle Webb Rd., Cumberland Co., TN (EKL), providing the last report of the season Regionally.

    The nest of a Ruby-throated Hummingbird was found 12 August 2007 near Walnut Grove Rd., White Co., TN (SB), and  photographed a few days later (WB photo); the last Ruby-throat of the season Regionally appeared 29 October 2007 at Creed Rd., Van Buren Co., TN (JW).

    A Selasphorus sp. was noted 17 August 2007 on Creed Rd., Van Buren Co., TN (JW, BW), the same site where an adult female Rufous Hummingbird was banded and spent the winter of 2006-2007 (see Winter 2006-2007 UCR Bird Report).  This year's hummer, which remained at the Van Buren County site through the end of the period (JW), was recaptured 30 November 2007 (MA fide JW) and confirmed to be the same Rufous Hummingbird that was banded last year; it therefore provided the earliest fall arrival date ever for Rufous Hummingbird in the Region, and it was the first western hummingbird confirmed to have returned to the same site in the Region during consecutive winters (but it should be noted that an unidentified hummingbird was present at the Creed Rd. site during the winter of 2005-2006; in all probability it was the same hummer that was present at that site during the winter of 2006-2007 and so far during the early part of the winter of 2007-2008).

    The first Yellow-bellied Sapsucker of the fall Regionally was noted at the Pumphrey Farm, Pulaski Co., KY, 21 September 2007 (RMD), a record early fall arrival date in that county.

    An Olive-sided Flycatcher was carefully observed on The Lane Rd., eastern Putnam Co., TN, 15 September 2007 (WAW, TMS) during the Putnam County FBC, the only report of the fall.

    A singing Acadian Flycatcher was heard along the Calfkiller River, White Co., TN, 29 September 2007 (BHS) during the FBC in that county, providing the last report of the season Regionally.

    A singing (first date observed) and calling (second date observed) Least Flycatcher on Leffle Webb Rd., Cumberland Co., TN, 30 September-1 October 2007 (EKL) provided a record late fall departure date for the Region.

    A Scissor-tailed Flycatcher was noted on Upper East Valley Rd. about 2 km southeast of the intersection of that road and Ninemile Crossroad, Bledsoe Co., TN, 2 September 2007 (SJS); the site where this flycatcher was observed lies about 3 km southeast of the nesting site on Ninemile Crossroad.

    Latest by far this fall Regionally was a White-eyed Vireo near Mayland, Cumberland Co., TN, 28 October 2007 (JEM).

    A slightly tardy Yellow-throated Vireo was still present at the Merle Osborn Nature Preserve, Putnam Co., TN, 17 October 2007 (SJS, NSL, JuF, JaF).

    A Blue-headed Vireo near  Science Hill, Pulaski Co., KY, 16 November 2007 (RMD) was latest this fall Regionally and latest ever during fall in Pulaski County.

    The first Philadelphia Vireo of the fall Regionally was noted at Mt. Zion, Pulaski Co., KY, 2 September 2007 (RMD), while the last of its species was noted in the same county 7 October 2007 (RMD).

    The Region's last Red-eyed Vireo this fall was a calling bird at City Lake, Putnam Co., TN, 12 October 2007 (SJS).

Jay through Pipit

A Common Raven was seen, heard, and photographed near the fire tower in Frozen Head State Natural Area, Morgan Co., TN, 6 October 2007 (MEH photo); at least two other fairly recent records of this expanding corvid have taken place within the Region, one also being noted in Morgan County 13 May 2000 (DJT unpubl. data) and others being noted in extreme southeastern Scott County during the 2004 and 2005 breeding seasons (Bulluck and Timpf 2005).

    The great Purple Martin roost at Lillydale, Dale Hollow Lake, Clay Co., TN, developed in July again this year and by early August was estimated to number in the tens of thousands, causing it to be once again visible on radar (TS, DD; also reported in the Nashville Tennessean and the Cookeville Herald-Citizen); thousands of martins were still present at the site 25 August 2007 (RCF, JCF photo; this photo depicts c. 835 martins and was estimated to reflect c. 10% of the martins present on the evening of that date).  A roost of several thousand or more martins was noted in Gorin Park, Glasgow, Barren Co., KY (LC) during late summer.

    Latest ever during autumn in Pulaski Co., KY, was a Northern Rough-winged Swallow at Fishing Creek 24 October 2007 (RMD); the last reports of the season Regionally came 26/27 October 2007 at Barren River Reservoir in Barren Co., KY (DLR/TAH).

    A Bank Swallow along the Green River, Adair Co., KY, 14 August 2007 (RMD) was the first reported this fall Regionally (unless it was possibly part of a small and usually undetected local breeding population); another Bank was latest ever during fall by over a month in Pulaski Co., KY, and latest this season Regionally at Fishing Creek 24 October 2007 (RMD photo).

    A rather late Barn Swallow was noted near the Wolf Creek Dam, Russell Co., KY, 24 November 2007 (SM), providing the last report of the season Regionally.

    The first Red-breasted Nuthatch of the season Regionally was found at Mt. Zion, Pulaski Co., KY, 9 September 2007 (RMD); another in Barren Co., KY 14 September 2007 (LC) and four in Putnam Co., TN, during the FBC there 15 September 2007 (RWS/GKE/JuF, CDW) suggested that an irruption event was underway, the first in several years; 11 Red-breasts were counted during the 29 September 2007 FBC in White County, further indicating that an irruption event was in progress.

    Two Brown-headed Nuthatches were found at the Cookeville Golf Course, Cookeville, Putnam Co., TN, 15 September 2007 (WAW, MPO) during the FBC there; these birds confirm the continuing presence of this rare species at the only known Regional site with a permanent resident population.

    The first report of Brown Creeper in the Region this fall came from the BSFNRRA at the intersection of Divide Rd. and Twin Arches Rd., Pickett Co., TN, 26 October 2007 (SJS, SGS), quite a bit later than the first arrival of the fall is usually recorded.

    An early Winter Wren was counted along the Calfkiller River in White Co., TN, 29 September 2007 (BHS) during the White County FBC, providing the first report of the season Regionally.

    The first Sedge Wren of the fall Regionally was noted along Joe Jackson Rd., Putnam Co., TN, 15 September 2007 (BHS) during the FBC in that county; another was nicely photographed at the Beesley Farm, Cumberland Co., TN, 22 September 2007 (DJS, KS photo, m. ob.).

    The first Marsh Wrens of the season in the Region were two at Casey Creek, Adair Co., KY, 5 October 2007 (RMD); two others--one at Skaggs Creek and one in the Dry Creek Unit, Barren River Reservoir WMA--were noted in Barren Co., KY, 8 October 2007 (DLR), the first ever recorded in that county; still another was noted along the Green River, Adair Co., KY, the next day (RMD).

    Earliest in the Region this autumn, a Golden-crowned Kinglet was noted in the recently established Merle Osborn Nature Preserve, Putnam Co., TN, 12 October 2007 (SJS).

    The first Ruby-crowned Kinglets of the fall Regionally were two found along Dripping Springs Rd., Putnam Co., TN, 15 September 2007 (BHS) during the FBC there.

    Tying the early fall arrival date in Putnam Co., TN, two Gray-cheeked Thrushes observed during the FBC 15 September 2007 (BHS/SJS) were also the first of the autumn reported Regionally; a singing Gray-cheek was heard near City Lake, Putnam Co., TN, 28, 30 September and 1 October 2007 (SJS, BHS); a latish Gray-cheek was noted in Dale Hollow Lake State Resort Park, Cumberland Co., KY, 20 October 2007 (SJS).

    Earliest ever during fall in Pulaski Co., KY, and earliest this fall Regionally was a Swainson's Thrush 3 September 2007 at Mt. Zion (RMD).

    The season's earliest Hermit Thrushes were two at the Merle Osborn Nature Preserve, Putnam Co., TN, 12 October 2007 (SJS).

    American Pipits were first noted this fall Regionally in Adair Co., KY, 9 October 2007 (RMD) when 12 were noted.

Warblers

All Regional records of Golden-winged Warbler are listed in Appendix C (below).

    Earliest ever during fall in Pulaski Co., KY, and earliest this fall Regionally was a Tennessee Warbler at Science Hill 5 August 2007 (RMD).

    The Region's first Nashville Warbler of the fall was noted 31 August 2007 at Mt. Zion, Pulaski Co., KY (RMD), a quite early date for the arrival of this warbler and the earliest ever by one day during fall in that county.

    The first Orange-crowned Warbler of the season Regionally was a well described individual at Lake Tansi, Cumberland Co., TN, 17 September 2007 (EKL), a somewhat early date for the first arriving Orange-crown.

    A latish Yellow Warbler was noted along Lost Creek Rd., White Co., TN, 29 September 2007 (EKL, SJS) during the White County FBC.

    A Magnolia Warbler was noted on Leffle Webb Rd., Cumberland Co. TN, 23 August 2007 (EKL), the first of the fall to be found Regionally.

    A Cape May Warbler was noted in northeastern White Co., TN, 29 September 2007 (BHS) during the FBC there; this species is quite uncommon during fall in the UCR; all records should therefore be submitted for archiving.

    The first Yellow-rumped Warblers of the season Regionally were two noted along Dripping Springs Rd., Putnam Co., TN (BHS), during the FBC in that county; this record was also earliest ever during fall in Putnam County.

    The last Black-throated Green Warbler of the fall Regionally was recorded near Mayland, Cumberland Co., TN, 27 October 2007 (EKL, JEM).

    The first migrant Blackburnian Warblers of the fall Regionally involved two at Mt. Zion, Pulaski Co., KY, 19 August 2007 (RMD), tying the early fall arrival date in that county.

    The last Prairie Warbler of the fall Regionally was noted in Pulaski Co., KY, 5 October 2007 (RMD), providing a record late fall departure date in that county.

    Earliest ever during fall in Pulaski Co., KY, and earliest Regionally this autumn, a Palm Warbler was observed at Mt. Zion 12 September 2007 (RMD).

    Bay-breasted Warblers underwent a rather poor fall. The first sighting did not occur until 21 September 2007 (RMD), and the last sighting was made on the rather early date of 8 October 2007 (RMD), each of these sightings taking place in Pulaski Co., KY.  Additionally, very few Bay-breasts were registered on the FBCs and FBB in the Region.  Anyone have any idea what might explain these meager findings?

    A bit later than usual, the first-arriving Northern Waterthrush of the fall Regionally was noted at City Lake, Putnam Co., TN, 14 September 2007 (BHS, SJS).

    The last Regional sighting of a Louisiana Waterthrush this fall took place at Mark, Pulaski Co., KY, 3 August 2007 (CSN), an expected last departure date for this species in the Region.

    The last Hooded Warbler of the season Regionally was found 0.5 km upriver from the Rock Creek Campground, OWSR, Morgan Co., TN, 22 October (BHS).

    An extremely early female-plumaged Wilson's Warbler was well studied on Mason Grissom Rd., Warren Co., TN, 4 August 2007 (SNM†), providing one of the earliest Regional fall records of this species ever; in fact, it was probably the earliest all-time Regional record during fall.

    The first record of a migrant Canada Warbler this fall Regionally was made 22 August 2007 at the Lake Cumberland WMA, Pulaski Co., KY (RMD); a Canada along the Green River, Adair Co., KY, 30 August 2007 (RMD) provided the first record for that county; 

    A Yellow-breasted Chat at Mark, Pulaski Co., KY, 25 September 2007 (CSN) was record late during fall in that county and latest Regionally this season.

Sparrows through Siskin 

Nine Savannah Sparrows in eastern Putnam Co., TN, 15 September 2007 (BHS) were earliest this fall Regionally and only a few days later than the record early fall arrival date in that county.

    Three Fox Sparrows near the West Rim Overlook, BSFNRRA, Scott Co., TN, 26 October 2007 (SGS, SJS) were the first of the fall to be found Regionally.

    Earliest ever in Putnam Co., TN, and earliest this season Regionally was a Swamp Sparrow near Monterey Lake 15 September 2007 (BHS) during the Putnam County FBC.

    The White-throated Sparrow present near City Lake, Putnam Co., TN, last season continued its stay 8-9, 13, & 15 August 2007 (BHS); the earliest migrant White-throat was found 29 September 2007 in northeastern White Co., TN (BHS), during the FBC in that county.

    The White-crowned Sparrow returned to the Region earliest this fall at Mark, Pulaski Co., KY, 10 October 2007 (CSN).

    The first Dark-eyed Juncos of the fall Regionally appeared on Hurricane Ridge Rd., DeKalb Co., KY, 12 October 2007 (TLC, VC).

    Quite rare Regionally, a Lapland Longspur associating with Horned Larks in the fields of the Grassland Unit of the UT Experimental Agriculture Station on Ted Davis Rd., Cumberland Co., TN, 11 November 2007 (EKL) was the 9th Regionally, 2nd for Cumberland County, and first of the fall for the Region.

    The last Summer Tanager of the fall Regionally was noted in Putnam Co., TN, 12 October 2007 (SJS).

    The season's last Scarlet Tanager turned up in Pulaski Co., KY, 7 October 2007 (RMD).

    The first Rose-breasted Grosbeaks of the season Regionally were singles noted 12 September 2007 at Mark (CSN) and Mt. Zion (RMD), Pulaski Co., KY; the last report of the season was made 28 October 2007 in Cookeville, Putnam Co., TN (MR), tying the late fall departure date in that county.

    Earliest this fall Regionally were four Rusty Blackbirds found at two sites in White Co., TN, 10 November 2007 (EKL, SJS).

    An early Purple Finch at Mark, Pulaski Co., KY, 14 October 2007 (CSN) was the first of the fall Regionally to be reported; Purples were reported in several other counties of the Region by the end of October, indicating that they might be coming south in moderate or greater numbers.

    The season's first Pine Siskin was a flyover calling at Skaggs Creek, Barren River Reservoir, Barren Co., KY, 20 October 2007 (DLR); within a week siskins were reported from several other Regional counties, giving hope that they might represent the first moderate-sized or greater irruption into the Region in several years, but, alas, such hope was dashed by the end of the season, when it became apparent that few siskins has lingered in the Region.

Observers: Mark Armstrong (MA), Nan Evans Beesley (NEB), Betty Bright (BB), Harold Bright (HB), Sharon Brines (SB), Wally Brines (WB), Greg Brown (GB), Frank Bulow (FB), Chester Bush (CB), Terry M. Campbell (TMC), Thais Carr (TC), Daniel L. Combs (DLC), Linda Craiger (LC), Tommy L. Curtis (TLC), Virginia Curtis (VC), Steven DeBlois (SD), Roseanna M. Denton (RMD), Douglas A. Downs (DAD), Dale Driskill (DD), Tom Durbin (TD), Dale Ensor (DE), Ginger K. Ensor (GKE), Annell S. Fields (ASF), Walt Fields (WF), Janie C. Finch (JCF), Richard C. Finch (RCF), Eddie Fuson (EF), Judy C. Fuson (JuF), Gary Gilpatrick (GG), Dana Girard (DG), W. Howard Groce (WHG), Robbie C. Hassler (RCH), Michael J. Hawkins (MJH), Hope High (HH), Margo Hinkle (MH), Michael E. Hodge (MEH), T. Aaron Hulsey (TAH), David Hume (DH), Laura Kamperman (LK), James Layzer (JL), Nancy S. Layzer (NSL),  Edmund K. LeGrand (EKL), Harry E. LeGrand (HEL), Scott Marsh (SM), Joseph E. Mast (JEM), Robert McCaleb (RM), Martha McKnight (MMc), N. P. "Mac" McWhirter (NPM), Susan N. McWhirter (SNM), Lynda M. Mills (LMM), Thomas B.  Mills (TBM), Arlene M. Morton (AMM), Connie S. Neeley (CSN), Deborah Nelson (DN), Craig Norris (CN), Ken Oeser (KO), Donald Pelly (DP), Susan E. Pirolo (SEP), John Ramsey (JRa), Michele Ramsey (MR), Jeanne Richardson (JR), Dick Riesz (DR), Joyce Riesz (JR), David L. Roemer (DLR), Ed Rossi (ER), Thomas M. Saya (TMS), Rebecca Schapansky (RS), Thurman Seber (TS), Paul Shipley (PS), Richard W. Simmers, Jr. (RWS), Scott G. Somershoe (SGS), Jim Stafne (JS), Barbara Stagg (BS),  DJ Stanley (DJS), Kay Stanley (KS),  Barbara H. Stedman (BHS), Stephen J. Stedman (SJS), David J. Trently (DJT), Bill Wagner (BW), Jacquie Wagner (JW), Winston A. Walden (WAW), Carol D. Williams (CDW).

Literature Cited

Appendix A.  Reports of (Mostly) Southbound Sandhill Cranes during "Fall" 2007 in the Upper Cumberland Region.

Appendix B.  Reports of Loggerhead Shrike during Fall 2007 in the Upper Cumberland Region.

Appendix C.  Reports of Golden-winged Warblers during Fall 2007 in the Upper Cumberland Region.

Appendix D.  Reports of Cerulean Warblers during Fall 2007 in the Upper Cumberland Region.

Appendix D.  Reports of Rusty Blackbirds during Fall 2007 in the Upper Cumberland Region.

For more information about Rusty Blackbirds and about the Rusty Blackbird Technical Group, go to this website: http://nationalzoo.si.edu/ConservationAndScience/MigratoryBirds/Research/Rusty_Blackbird/

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