BIRDS of the UPPER CUMBERLAND REGION
Spring 2004 UCR Bird Report
(1 March–31 May)
Stephen J. Stedman
Department of English
, Box 5053
Introduction
A summary of arrival and departure dates for migrant species during the season is available at this link:
A summary of results of Spring Bird Counts conducted in the Region is available at this link:
Abbreviations
BSFNRRA = Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area; Co. = County; DBNF = Daniel Boone National Forest; KY = Kentucky; OWSR = Obed Wild and Scenic River; S. N. A. = State Natural Area; S. P. = State Park; SBC = Spring Bird Count; TN = Tennessee; UCR = Upper Cumberland Region; USFS = U. S. Forest Service.
Waterfowl and Gallinaceous Species
Two adults of the white form of Snow Goose were noted 15-30 March 2004 on a pond near Central View, White Co., TN (SJS, DAD), a county without many previous records of this Regionally uncommon goose.
The first report of a Canada Goose with young came from Pumphouse Pond, Pulaski Co., KY, 15 April 2004 (RMD).
The first report of a Wood Duck with young also came from Pumphouse Pond, Pulaski Co., KY, 9 April 2004 (RMD).
Five Gadwall at Twin Lakes, Pulaski Co., KY, 15 April 2004 (RMD) provided a new late spring departure date for that county.
Two American Black Ducks in the Obed River, OWSR, Morgan Co., TN, 27 March 2004 (BHS) provided the first record for the park.
Blue-winged Teal arrived Regionally in a coordinated manner, being sighted in Pulaski Co., KY (RMD), Wayne Co., KY (RMD), Putnam Co., TN (SJS), and White Co., TN (DAD) 6 March 2004. A male at Cane Creek Park, Putnam Co., TN, 16 May 2004 (SJS, WAW) was getting late, as was another male in White Co., TN, 22 May 2004 (SJS, DAD, WAW); see the Summer 2004 UCR Bird Report for later developments at the latter site.
Three Northern Shovelers at Macedonia Pond, White Co., TN, 26 April 2004 (DAD, SJS) were also getting late.
A diseased, parasitized, or injured male Redhead lingered until at least 1 May 2004 on a pond near Taft Church, White Co., TN (DAD, SJS), providing the last report of the season.
Eleven Greater Scaup were counted among a flock of 74 scaup at the Waitsboro Recreation Area, Lake Cumberland, Pulaski Co., KY, 12 March 2004 (RMD), providing a record for a species seldom noted in the Region; some Greaters remained at this site 17 March 2004 (RMD).
Ten Buffleheads along Clear Creek and the Obed River, OWSR, Morgan Co., TN, 19 March 2004 (BHS) provided the first record for that park.
A female Common Goldeneye was Regionally latest this season at Eagle Cove, Dale Hollow Lake, Pickett Co., TN, 3 April 2004 (JL, SJS et al.).
Five Hooded Mergansers at Randolph Pond, White Co., TN, 1 May 2004 (SJS, DAD) provided the last report of the season Regionally except for a female with 10 young noted in a wetland near the Wal-Mart in Sparta, White Co., TN, 16/23 May 2004 (DAD/DAD, WAW, SJS photo); the latter record is one of very few breeding records within the Region, another (perhaps the only other?) being a record of a female with 9 young found 12 May 1993 in Pulaski Co., KY (Monroe and Stamm 1993c); see the Spring 2005 UCR Bird Report for additional breeding records from the White Co., TN, site.
A Ruffed Grouse was observed in Morgan Co., TN, 16 March 2004 (JTR). Another was flushed in the BSFNRRA, McCreary Co., KY, 17 March 2004 (RMD). Four grouse were counted in the DBNF, Pulaski Co., KY, 24 March 2004 (RMD), while three were noted at the same site 10 April 2004 (RMD). A single grouse was flushed in Putnam Co., TN, 28 March 2004 (SJS), one of few recent records in that county, where the species was listed as common during the early 1950s (Schultz 1953). One grouse was registered on the SBC in Morgan Co., TN, 8 May 2004 (DJT), while a nest with 10 eggs was found in the OWSR, Morgan Co., TN, 9 May 2004 (LiS).
Grebes through Ibis
A Common Loon seen injured on a road near Wartburg, Morgan Co., TN, 15 May 2004 (SDP fide LMM) provided the first county record with details.
A flock of 46 Horned Grebes displaying a variety of plumages visited Cane Creek Park, Putnam Co., TN, 18 March 2004 following a night when a moderate amount of rain fell; this flock established a new one-day high count for the county. A single Horned Grebe on a small pond near Science Hill, Pulaski Co., KY, was photographed 20 March 2004 (RMD) placing aquatic vegetation on an exposed plant; such platform-building behavior is occasionally witnessed far from the breeding range of this species. At least 60 Horned Grebes, mostly in alternate plumage, were still present at Floating Mill Recreation Area, Center Hill Lake, DeKalb Co., TN, 2 April 2004 (SJS), but only 2 alternate-plumaged adults could be found there 7 and 14 April 2004 (SJS), being engaged in courtship behavior including the "penguin" dance on the former date. A single in basic plumage was observed at the Obey River Recreation Area, Dale Hollow Lake, Pickett Co., TN, 3 April 2004 (SJS, JM et al.).
If a cormorant that possibly wintered in Monroe Co., KY, is excluded from consideration, the earliest report of Double-crested Cormorant this spring Regionally came from the Floating Mill Recreation Area, Center Hill Lake, DeKalb Co., TN, 12 March 2004 (SJS); by 2 April 2004 the number of cormorants at this site was 42 (SJS). A flock of 300 or more cormorants in DeKalb Co., TN, 15 April 2004 (CDW) provided the Region's high count of this increasing piscivore this season. Four immature cormorants near Gainesboro, Jackson Co., TN, 26 May 2004 (SJS) provided the latest report Regionally this spring.
Seldom reported but always good to see, an American Bittern was flushed from a pond on Beech Grove Ridge, Pulaski Co., KY, 5 May 2004 (RMD).
Some Great Blue Heron rookeries were monitored again this spring. The very small rookery on Moss Island, Floating Mill Recreation Area, Center Hill Lake, DeKalb Co., TN, had 7-8 nests but brooding birds on only two of them March (CDW, SJS et al.); only three nests, all with brooding adults, were visible 28 March 2004 (SJS), and these nests had young visible 9 May 2004 (CDW). The small rookery at one of the boat ramps in Edgar Evins State Park, DeKalb Co., TN, had adults on or near 17 nests in mid-March (CDW photo); a single nest across the lake from this rookery was also active (CDW). Two nests at the Hurricane Marina, Center Hill Lake, DeKalb Co., TN, were active in mid-March (CDW); three nests were active there a week later (CDW). A very small rookery near Dowelltown, DeKalb Co., TN, 15 March 2004 (MH, CDW photo) contained 4 nests with adults on three of them; the fourth nest was also active 16-17 March 2004 (CDW et al.). A very small rookery has been located for many years along the Caney Fork River near the confluence with Polly Branch, Bridgestone/Firestone Centennial Wilderness, White Co., TN; only two nests, both appearing to have been recently refurbished, were present 26 March 2004 (SJS, DAD), but no adults were on the nests though an adult was sighted nearby.
A Great Egret was noted 6 March 2004 near Quebeck, White Co., TN (DAD), the earliest sighting by a considerable margin Regionally this season. Next earliest was an alternate-plumaged bird at Pumphouse Pond, Pulaski Co., KY, 11 April 2004 (RMD).
Three Cattle Egrets on Black Oak Rd., White Co., TN, 26 April 2004 (SJS, DAD) provided the first record for that county and the earliest report of the season Regionally, as well as the 17th record Regionally; a single near that site 30 April 2004 (DAD) may have been one of the three noted above, while still another single, the 18th Regionally, in the Mayland community of Cumberland Co., TN, 30 April 2004 (JM) was unusual for that area.
A Green Heron found in the Shenandoah subdivision of Putnam Co., TN, 29 March 2004 (MPO) was the earliest reported Regionally this season.
An adult Yellow-crowned Night-Heron in the gorge of the Caney Fork River, Rock Island S. P., Warren/White counties, TN, 1 May 2004 (SJS, DAD) was the first reported Regionally this season, but it must have arrived quite a bit earlier than that date; this site is a traditional one for this heron. Another adult was found at another traditional Regional site for Yellow-crowns, Burgess Falls State Natural Area, in Putnam/White counties, TN, 8 May 2004 (DLC, TR, MV, KB) during the Putnam County SBC.
A Plegadis sp. was noted flying over I-40 at the Putnam/Smith county line 17 May 2004 (AE, KDE); neither Glossy nor White-faced ibis has been documented as occurring within either county or within the UCR, making this an extremely noteworthy sighting.
Diurnal Raptors
The earliest arriving Ospreys this season Regionally were represented by single adults on each of two nests in Jackson Co., TN, 12 March 2004 (SJS, BHS). Next earliest was a single at Twin Lakes, Pulaski Co., KY, 18 March 2004 (RMD), establishing a new early spring arrival date for that county.
Bald Eagle sightings in the Tennessee portion of the BSFNRRA continued, following two sightings there during late fall 2003 and one sightings during the winter of 2003-2004. This spring at least two sightings were made in the Tennessee part of the park as follows: 1 near Burnt Mill Bridge, Scott Co., TN, 3 March 2003 (Sammy Walker fide LS); 1 along the O&W railroad bed/North White Oak Creek at the Scott/Fentress county line 4 March 2003 (Bruce Anderson fide LS). Nesting eagles were probable in several Tennessee counties, including Clay, DeKalb, Jackson, and Overton, but specific details about nest success were absent for all of them. It is certainly prudent not to broadcast these details in public places like this website, which I would not do, but deliberately keeping these data out of the hands of persons attempting to ascertain the status of the species Regionally seems imprudent.
After a good winter season for Northern Harriers, the early spring record of harrier sightings in the Region was also noteworthy. Three, including one adult male and one immature male, were noted in north-central Macon Co., TN, 13 March 2004 (SJS, WAW); one was sighted near the intersection of Bandy Creek Rd. and Rt. 297, BSFNRRA, Scott Co., TN, 16 March 2004 (MV fide LS), providing only the second record for that park; five, including one adult male, were counted south and southeast of Smithville, DeKalb Co., TN, 17 March 2004 (CDW, JCF, NSL, SJS), while at least two of these were still present 14 April 2004 (JCF) and one as late as 29 April 2004 (JCF); two were noted in Wayne Co., KY, 20 March 2004 (RMD et al.); one brown harrier was present on Hickey Ridge Rd., Putnam Co., TN, 21 March 2004 (SJS, WAW); a brown harrier was sighted 26 March 2004 in the Bridgestone/Firestone Centennial Wilderness, White Co., TN (SJS, DAD); an adult male was noted along Rt. 294, Overton Co., TN, 3 April 2004 (SJS et al.). A harrier at the Ano strip mines, Pulaski Co., KY, 17 May 2004 (RMD) was, by more than a month, the latest ever recorded during spring there and extremely suggestive of local breeding.
The season's first Broad-winged Hawk sightings came from the BSFNRRA, Scott Co., TN, 25 March 2004 (NM, JM), while one in Pulaski Co., KY, 7 April 2004 (RMD) was earliest ever in that county.
A juvenile of the light morph of the eastern subspecies of Red-tailed Hawk (i.e., Krider's Red-tail) was noted in north-central Macon Co., TN, 13 March 2004 (SJS, WAW); this individual engaged in the species' "sky-dance"--a courtship display--with a "normal" adult, including talon-locking and aerial tumbling while interlocked with the other individual; whether this behavior is unusual to see in a juvenile of a morph that normally does not breed in the Region or even close to it is difficult to know; the origin of the "normal" adult is, of course, unknown, but it might have been a bird from the same region as the Krider's, which would account for the courtship behavior better than most other explanations. Few Regional sightings of this morph of the Eastern Red-tail have been put on record in the past. A juvenile of the intermediate dark morph (streak-breasted type) of the western harlani subspecies of Red-tailed Hawk (i.e., Harlan's Hawk) was noted 15 March 2004 at the intersection of Duck Pond Rd. and Rt. 111, White Co., TN, 15 March 2004 (SJS, DAD); this sighting took place about 8 km from the site where a Red-tail of the same age, morph, and subspecies was observed 20 December 2003; probably the same individual was involved. If this bird exhibits the degree of philopatry (i.e., site fidelity) exhibited by a Harlan's that wintered in Putnam Co., TN, for about a decade from the late 1980s to the late 1990s, consistently returning to the same general area each winter, we can expect this Harlan's to be found in the same area of White Co. during future winters.
A Red-tail nest with 3 young was noted 1 May 2004 and later on the Caney Fork River, Smith Co., TN (KH, TH).
Two Golden Eagles were sighted in eastern Smith Co., TN, 12 March 2004 (SHo fide PC), indicating that this fine raptor continues to be present Regionally during the breeding season of the species.
Rails through Terns
A Sora flushed from a weedy area at Cane Creek Park, Putnam Co., TN, 5 May 2004 (SJS) provided the earliest report of the season for this retiring species, albeit this date is actually rather a late one for first-arriving Soras; another seen "eye to eye" on the edge of a pond in Science Hill, Pulaski Co., KY, 13 May 2004 (RMD) established the latest spring departure date for this rail in that county.
Sandhill Cranes filtered north in mainly small flocks during March; see Appendix A of the Winter 2003-2004 UCR Bird Report for a list that includes all spring 2004 sightings of this species.
The first Semipalmated Plover of the season Regionally came from Pumphouse Pond, Pulaski Co., KY, 20 April 2004 (RMD); a count of 14 Semipals at the same site 16 May 2004 (RMD) was quite a good one; Several seen on Black Oak Rd., White Co., TN, 5 May 2004 (DAD) provided the first record with details for that county.
Two Black-necked Stilts found at a pond on Vaughn Lane, DeKalb Co., TN, 8 May 2004 (JCF, CDW photo) provided the first county and Regional records of this stunning shorebird. Note: on about the same date two stilts were noted at Rankin Bottom, Cocke Co., TN, far to the east, establishing the first local record there.
Two Greater Yellowlegs near Quebeck, White Co., TN, 16 March 2004 (DAD) were the first reported Regionally this season; a Greater noted at Pumphouse Pond, Pulaski Co., KY, 16 May 2004 (RMD) set a new late spring departure date for that county.
Rather late for the first-of-season birds Regionally were four Lesser Yellowlegs in White Co., TN, 14 April 2004 (DAD); three reported from the Happy Hollow Boat Ramp, Caney Fork River, Putnam/DeKalb Co., TN (SJS, CDW, JCF, AMH), were the first reported on the Putnam County SBC in 41 years of counting there.
The first Solitary Sandpipers of the season were two that showed up on a Cane Creek Park birdwalk in Putnam Co., TN, 7 April 2004 (SJS). A good count of 16 not-so-solitary Solitaries was made at Pumphouse Pond, which had been drained, Pulaski Co., KY, 21 April 2004 (RMD).
Two Willets at the Waitsboro Recreation Area, Lake Cumberland, Pulaski Co., KY, 21 April 2004 (RMD photo) provided the first record for that county and only the seventh Regionally, all taking place during spring.
The first Regional report of Spotted Sandpiper this spring came from Cane Creek Park, Putnam Co., TN, 13 April 2004 (SJS).
Two Semipalmated Sandpipers found at a pond near the upper end of Macedonia Cemetery Rd., Putnam Co., TN, during the SBC 8 May 2004 (BHS, TMC) were the first noted Regionally. Thirteen Semis at Pumphouse Pond, Pulaski Co., KY, 16 May 2004 (RMD) provided a good count; 7 at the Happy Hollow Boat Ramp, Caney Fork River, DeKalb Co., TN, 17 May 2004 (SJS) and 8 at Boiling Pond, White Co., TN, 22 May 2004 (SJS, DAD, WAW) provided the first records with details from those counties .
Two Western Sandpipers at Boiling Pond, White Co., TN, 22 May 2004 (WAW, DAD, SJS) were the first reported Regionally, as well as the first for that county.
A Least Sandpiper at Pumphouse Pond, Pulaski Co., KY, 22 April 2004 (RMD) was the first of the season to be reported Regionally and the earliest ever during spring in that county; two others were noted on Black Oak Rd., DeKalb Co., TN, 25 April 2004 (DAD). Eighteen Leasts at Pumphouse Pond, Pulaski Co., KY, 16 May 2004 (RMD) provided a nice count of this fairly common migrant shorebird.
Six Pectoral Sandpipers at Pumphouse Pond, Pulaski Co., KY, 11 April 2004 (RMD) were the first reported Regionally this season.
During the SBC in Pulaski Co., KY, 8 May 2004 a Wilson's Snipe (fide RMD) was reported, the latest of the season Regionally this season, but far from the latest ever reported in that county where the late date is 19 May.
An impressive count of 24 American Woodcocks was made at the Ano strip mines, Pulaski Co., KY, 2 March 2004 (RMD); almost equally impressive were 13 counted 6 March 2004 at Little Lick, DBNF, Pulaski Co., KY (RMD, HC). See Appendix B of the Winter 2003-2004 UCR Bird Report for a list that includes all spring 2004 sightings of this species.
A Bonaparte's Gull at Oneida City Park, Scott Co., TN, 5 March 2004 (JM, NM) provided probably the first county record with details. A gathering of 300+ Bonaparte's at the Floating Mill Recreation Area, Center Hill Lake, DeKalb Co., TN, 28 March 2004 (SJS) provided another record of a sizable flock of this species in early spring; similar gatherings have occurred at this time of spring at this site in past years, suggesting that this site is a migration staging area for Bonaparte's. A rather late Bonaparte's was counted during the Pulaski Co., KY, SBC 8 May 2004 (fide RMD), providing a new late spring departure date for this larid in that county.
Three Forster's Terns at the Floating Mill Recreation Area, Center Hill Lake, DeKalb Co., TN, 17 April 2004 (SJS et al.) were the earliest of the season to be reported.
Doves through Vireos
Two calling Eurasian Collared-Doves were noted 3 April 2004 on Jaybird Rd., Overton Co., TN (CDW, SJS et al.), a traditional site for this species. At least four collared-doves were noted 15 May 2004 at a feed plant in Monticello, Wayne Co., KY (RMD et al.), another traditional site for this invading exotic.
Always eagerly sought Regionally, a Black-billed Cuckoo was found near Science Hill, Pulaski Co., KY, 27 April 2004 (RMD), establishing a new early spring arrival date in that county.
The earliest Regional Yellow-billed Cuckoo of the season showed up in McCreary Co., KY, 26 April 2004 (TBM, LMM).
A calling Eastern Whip-poor-will 3 April 2004 on Bullington Rd., Jackson Co., TN (JaL fide NSL) was the first noted this season Regionally.
First reported Regionally this season was a calling Chuck-will's-widow 19 April 2004 also on Bullington Rd., Jackson Co., TN (JaL).
A lone Chimney Swift at Cane Creek Park, Putnam Co., TN, 7 April 2004 (SJS) was the first reported Regionally this season.
The earliest returning Ruby-throated Hummingbird this season Regionally was represented by an adult male that attended a feeder on Hurricane Ridge Rd., DeKalb Co., TN, 5 April 2004 (TLC, VC).
Both of the Rufous Hummingbirds banded 31 January 2004 on Aspen Dr., Putnam Co., TN, were still present 30 March 2004 (SH photos), with one remaining until 8 April 2004 (SH) and establishing the late spring departure date for the county and the Region; see the Fall 2003 UCR Bird Report and the Winter 2003-2004 UCR Bird Report for information about these hummingbirds and another Rufous Hummingbird during those seasons.
Olive-sided Flycatchers are always prizes when found Regionally; one photographed in the Blue John area of Pulaski Co., KY, 12 May 2004 (RMD photo) was the only member of this species to be recorded this season Regionally, and it probably provided the first spring record for that county as well.
The first Eastern Wood-Pewee of the season Regionally was noted 22 April 2004 on Upper Flynn Creek, Jackson Co., TN (MJH).
Earliest Regionally this season were seven Acadian Flycatchers in Edgar Evins S. P., DeKalb Co., TN, 25 April 2004 (SJS, MJH); tying the early spring arrival date for Putnam Co., TN, was an Acadian at Barnes Hollow 26 April 2004 (RWS). A count of 98 Acadians was made 20 May 2004 in western Putnam Co., TN (SJS, WAW), establishing an all-time one-day high count for that flycatcher in that county.
An Empidonax that responded to a tape of an Alder Flycatcher song by approaching the observer closely, but which ignored a tape of a Willow Flycatcher song, provided interest in the Goodwater area of the Ano strip mines, Pulaski Co., KY, 19 May 2004 (RMD); the bird was also heard uttering the "pip" call thought to be diagnostic for Alder Flycatcher.
Willow Flycatchers were noted on both the Somerset, KY, SBC (Scott Marsh fide RMD), and the Morgan Co., TN, SBC (DJT) 8 May 2004, the earliest arrivals of the season Regionally and the earliest ever spring arrival in the former county. Another returned 9 May 2004 to Cane Creek Park, Putnam Co., TN (SJS), making the sixth consecutive year Willows have been present at that site.
Earliest ever in Putnam Co., TN, and earliest Regionally this season was a Least Flycatcher at Barnes Hollow 26 April 2004 (RWS); single Leasts were also found 5 May 2004 at Cane Creek Park, Putnam Co., TN (SJS, MPO) and 6 May 2004 at Walnut Park, Putnam Co., TN (SJS, WAW); all in all, it was a much better than average season for Leasts in Putnam, but few records came from other Regional counties.
Seventy-seven Eastern Phoebes were tabulated during the SBC in Putnam Co., TN, 8 May 2004 (fide SJS), an all-time one-day high count of phoebes in that county.
The earliest report of Great Crested Flycatcher this spring Regionally was made by a participant in the Naturalist Rally at Standing Stone S. P., Overton Co., TN, 17 April 2004 (RMD); 80 Cresteds were tallied during the SBC in Putnam Co., TN, 8 May 2004 (fide SJS), establishing an all-time one-day high count in that county.
Later than usual were the first Regional Eastern Kingbirds, which turned up in Pulaski Co., KY (RMD), and Putnam (SJS) and White (DAD) counties, TN, all 16 April 2004.
At least one pair of Loggerhead Shrikes nested on Students Home Rd., DeKalb Co., TN (JCF), as occurred at that location last year also; one shrike at this site 28 April 2004 was seen impaling a lizard on a barbed wire fence and then decapitating it (JCF photo). See also Appendix A below for the few other seasonal records of this declining "songbird."
Quite a bit later than expected for a first-arriving bird was the first White-eyed Vireo of the season Regionally, which showed up 16 April 2004 in western Putnam Co., TN (SJS), where the record early date is 27 March.
The earliest Yellow-throated Vireo of the season Regionally, and earliest ever in Pulaski Co., KY, appeared 10 April 2004 at Little Lick, DBNF, Pulaski Co., KY (RMD).
The first singing Blue-headed Vireo of the season Regionally was reported from the Yahoo Falls area, BSFNRRA, McCreary Co., KY, 17 March 2004 (RMD).
Warbling Vireos are scarce Regionally, so three found during the SBC in Pulaski Co., KY, 8 May 2004 (fide RMD) were noteworthy.
The first Regional report of Philadelphia Vireo this spring came from Putnam Co., TN, 3 May 2004 (SJS, WAW).
Red-eyed Vireos first arrived Regionally 16 April 2004 in Pulaski Co., KY (RMD), and Overton (RMD) and Putnam (SJS) counties, TN, a bit later than the usual date for first-arriving Red-eyes.
Swallows through Mimids
The earliest arriving Purple Martins were noted in Pickett Co., TN, 3 March 2004 (fide WHG) and in DeKalb Co., TN, 4 March 2004 (fide CDW).
Tree Swallows first appeared 5 March 2004 at two sites near Oneida, Scott Co., TN (JM, NM). The next day, Trees were also noted in Wayne Co., KY (RMD), Clay Co., TN (TMC), and Putnam Co., TN (SJS).
The earliest Northern Rough-winged Swallows were reported from Celina, Clay Co., TN (TMC), and Wayne Co., KY (RMD et al.), both 20 March 2004.
Bank Swallows returned to the Region 28 April 2004 at Cane Creek Park, Putnam Co., TN (SJS).
Thirty or more Cliff Swallows at the Freeman Bridge, Granville, Jackson Co., TN, 2 April 2004 (SJS) were the earliest reported this season Regionally; a check of that site 28 March 2004 (SJS) had revealed no swallows present. Five Cliffs were present at a colony site at the bridge over the Cumberland River on Rt. 53 in Celina, Clay Co., TN, 3 April 2004 (SJS et al.); Cliff Swallows noted 12 April 2004 in Pulaski Co., KY (RMD) set a new early spring arrival date in that county.
The earliest Barn Swallow reported Regionally came from Macon Co., TN, 13 March 2004 (SJS, WAW).
At least five Brown-headed Nuthatches were present at the Cookeville Golf Course, Putnam Co., TN, 26 April 2004 (SJS, WAW); one bird was seen entering a cavity in the dead top of a still living loblolly pine (WAW). On 3 May 2004 (WAW, SJS) an adult was seen passing food to young in the nest at this same cavity, and on 7 May 2004 (SJS, WAW, MPO) an adult was seen entering the same cavity. One Brown-head was noted at the golf course 15 May 2004 (RMD et al.).
Earliest this spring Regionally and earliest ever in Putnam Co., TN, was a House Wren along Martin Creek 2 April 2004 (SJS); a House Wren found 21 April 2004 in Pulaski Co., KY (RMD), provided a new early spring arrival date in that county; 41 House Wrens were counted on the 8 May 2004 Putnam Co., TN, SBC, providing an all-time one-day high count in that county.
A lingering Winter Wren was still present east of Monterey, Putnam Co., TN, 14 April 2004 (RWS, SJS).
The latest report of Golden-crowned Kinglet derived from Frozen Head S. N. A. 21 April 2004 (TH), where eight were singing on that date.
No Ruby-crowned Kinglets were noted on any of the four Regional SBCs this year, suggesting a slightly earlier than usual migratory exodus from the Region.
The first Blue-gray Gnatcatcher of the season Regionally came from Scott Co., TN, 25 March 2004 (NM).
The first Veery reported this spring was a single on the Merritt Ridge Loop, Edgar Evins S. P., DeKalb Co., TN, 25 April 2004 (SJS, MJH). Few other reports of this scarce migrant thrush were submitted, including one noted at Ensor Sink Natural Area, Cookeville, Putnam Co., TN, 28 April 2004 (SJS) and another reported on the 8 May 2004 SBC in Pulaski Co., KY (fide RMD).
Few Gray-cheeked Thrushes were reported this spring Regionally, a circumstance that sadly duplicates reporting rates in most recent years. The earliest Regionally reported Gray-cheek this year came from Cane Creek Park, Cookeville, Putnam Co., TN, 5 May 2004 (GKE); a freshly dead Gray-cheek was noted in western Putnam Co., TN, 20 May 2004 (SJS, WAW), while a live bird was present in Ensor Sink N. A., Cookeville, Putnam Co., TN, 21 May 2004 (SJS)
A Swainson's Thrush in northern Putnam Co., TN, 23 April 2004 (GKE) was the earliest reported Regionally this spring. Although more common than the Veery or the Gray-cheek, this thrush was not reported in robust numbers anywhere Regionally this season. A late Swainson's was singing in Walnut Park, Cookeville, Putnam Co., TN, 21 May 2004 (SJS).
Late Hermit Thrushes remained in Pulaski Co., KY, and DeKalb Co., TN, 11 (RMD) and 25 (SJS, MJH) April 2004, respectively.
The first report of Wood Thrush this season came from Bledsoe Co., TN, 8 April 2004 (DG), a date about in line with early arrival dates in most past years.
Gray Catbirds were generally quite late in arriving Regionally this season; the first report came from City Lake, Putnam Co., TN, 22 April 2004 (SJS).
Warblers
A singing Blue-winged Warbler at Cane Creek Park, Putnam Co., TN, 13 April 2004 (SJS) was earliest Regionally this season.
A single Tennessee Warbler in Edgar Evins S. P., DeKalb Co., TN, 25 April 2004 (SJS) was the earliest reported Regionally. Numbers on Regional SBCs were somewhat low, continuing a worrisome trend in the number of migratory Tennessees counted each spring.
The earliest Nashville Warblers were two singing on the Merritt Ridge Loop, Edgar Evins S. P., DeKalb Co., TN, 25 April 2004 (SJS, MJH).
The earliest Northern Parulas were singles found along Indian Creek Rd. and in Icy Cove, western and eastern Putnam Co., TN, respectively, 28 March 2004 (SJS), establishing a new early spring arrival date by 7 days in that county.
Yellow Warbler was first recorded Regionally this spring in western Putnam Co., TN, 16 April 2004 (SJS).
A singing Chestnut-sided Warbler at City Lake, Putnam Co., TN, 23 April 2004 (SJS) was the earliest reported this spring.
A Magnolia Warbler found during the SBC in White Co., TN, 1 May 2004 (SJS, DAD) provided the early arrival date in the Region this spring.
Three Cape May Warblers in Cane Creek Park, Putnam Co., TN, 28 April 2004 (SJS et al.) were the first of the season to be reported Regionally.
Black-throated Blue Warblers were found in Frozen Head S. N. A., Morgan Co., TN, 17 April 2004 (MT), the earliest report of the season; Frozen Head is the only known breeding site of this rarish Regional warbler and should produce the early spring arrival date during most spring seasons.
The latest departing Yellow-rumped Warbler of the season Regionally was noted 25 May 2004 at Cane Creek Park, Putnam Co., TN (SJS), where it set a new late spring departure date for the county by a week.
The first Black-throated Green Warblers appeared 24 March 2004 at Cane Creek Park, Putnam Co., TN (SJS, NSL, NAP, DMW) and at Little Lick, DBNF, Pulaski Co., KY (RMD), establishing a new early spring arrival date for each county. At the latter site a count of 52 Greens was made 10 April 2004 (RMD), the Regional high count of the season, occurring, fittingly enough, at a site dominated by Eastern hemlocks.
The earliest Regional report of Blackburnian Warbler this season came 23 April 2004 from City Lake, Putnam Co., TN (SJS).
Yellow-throated Warblers were first noted Regionally in Putnam (MPO) and Scott (NM) counties, TN, 25 March 2004. Forty Yellow-throateds were counted on the 8 May 2004 Putnam Co., TN, SBC, establishing an all-time one-day high count in that county.
Earliest ever in Pulaski Co., KY, and earliest Regionally this season was a Prairie Warbler at Little Lick, DBNF, Pulaski Co., KY, 10 April 2004 (RMD).
A very late Palm Warbler appeared at Cane Creek Park, Putnam Co., TN, 17 May 2004 (WAW) and established a new late spring departure date for this warbler in that county.
On 3 May 2004 a Bay-breasted Warbler was noted at Ensor Sink Natural Area, Cookeville, Putnam Co., TN (SJS), the earliest sighting of the season Regionally.
A Blackpoll Warbler in Edgar Evins S. P., DeKalb Co., TN, 25 April 2004 (SJS, MJH) was the first reported Regionally this season. A latish bird was present in Cane Creek Park, Putnam Co., TN, 16 May 2004 (SJS, WAW).
The earliest Cerulean Warbler of the season was found in a suburban yard in Cookeville, Putnam Co., TN, 16 April 2004 (WAW), a somewhat unusual event because the earliest Cerulean is usually reported from a Regional breeding site. Numbers of Ceruleans counted along Mill Creek Rd., Putnam Co., TN, during the SBC there 8 May 2004 (BHS) were deemed to be considerably below numbers recorded there during SBCs in past years, while the total number (26) on the 8 May 2004 SBC in Putnam County was down somewhat from numbers on the four most recent SBCs in that county. A count of 15 Ceruleans in the Blue John area of southern Pulaski Co., KY, 12 May 2004 (RMD; Palmer-Ball and McNeeley 2004c) was a welcome one. A count of 47 Ceruleans in western Putnam Co., TN, 20 May 2004 (SJS, WAW) was just two fewer than the highest one-day total ever accumulated in that county; results of this survey may be viewed by clicking on this link.
The earliest Regional Black-and-white Warbler report of the spring came from Indian Creek Rd., Putnam Co., TN, 28 March 2004 (SJS).
The earliest American Redstart report this season Regionally came from western Putnam Co., TN, 16 April 2004 (SJS); 68 redstarts were counted on the 8 May 2004 Putnam Co., TN, SBC, an all-time one-day high count for that county.
Somewhat late for the first-reported Regional Prothonotary Warblers of the season were four on Holmes Creek Rd., DeKalb Co., TN, 17 April 2004 (SJS et al.).
A Worm-eating Warbler was noted at the Appalachian Craft Center, DeKalb Co., TN, 14 April 2004 (SJS), the earliest sighting of the season Regionally; another in Pulaski Co., KY, 21 April 2004 (RMD) set a new early spring arrival date in that county.
The first report Regionally of Swainson's Warbler came from sites on Clear Creek and the Obed River, Cumberland and Morgan counties, TN, respectively, 24 April 2004 (BHS). See also Appendix B below.
The earliest arriving Ovenbirds Regionally appeared in northern Putnam (GKE) and DeKalb (SJS) counties, TN, 17 April 2004, a somewhat late date for early arriving Ovenbirds.
The first Northern Waterthrush of the season Regionally appeared in Pulaski Co., KY, 26 April 2004 (RMD), just two days later than the early spring arrival date in that county.
Louisiana Waterthrushes were first reported Regionally from Putnam, TN (SJS), and Pulaski, KY (RMD), 25 and 26 March 2004, respectively, a bit later than the usual first-arriving waterthrushes in the Upper Cumberland.
The earliest Kentucky Warbler of the season appeared on Holmes Creek Rd., DeKalb Co., TN, 17 April 2004 (SJS et al.).
A Connecticut Warbler reported from the vicinity of Lilly Bluff, OWSR, Morgan Co., TN, 8 May 2004 (DJT) during the SBC in that county provided the only Regional record of the season; since convincing details about the bird's vocalizations were provided, it constitutes the first record for that park and probably also for Morgan Co., TN.
By four days the earliest ever reported in Putnam Co., TN, a singing Mourning Warbler was closely observed at Walnut Park 5 May 2004 (SJS).
A Common Yellowthroat heard and seen during a Cane Creek Park birdwalk in Putnam Co., TN, 13 April 2004 (SJS) was the earliest reported Regionally this season.
The season's first Hooded Warbler Regionally was noted at Little Lick, DBNF, Pulaski Co., KY, 10 April 2004 (RMD).
A Wilson's Warbler found 8 May 2004 during the SBC in Pulaski Co., KY (CSN) was the first reported this season Regionally.
By four days the earliest ever in Putnam Co., TN, and earliest Regionally this season, a Canada Warbler was heard singing at Barnes Hollow 26 April 2004 (RWS).
A Yellow-breasted Chat found near Liberty, DeKalb Co., TN, 20 April 2004 (MH) was the earliest noted this season Regionally.
Sparrows through Finches
There have been no reports of Bachman's Sparrow Regionally for some time, perhaps for over a decade, although the species was fairly common in a number of counties lying on the Cumberland Plateau as late as the 1950s and lingered on in smaller numbers into the late 1970s and early 1980s. Consequently, one singing in on Eastland Rd., White Co., TN, 1 May 2004 (SJS, DAD) during the inaugural White County SBC was a welcome reminder that this unobtrusive songster still retains a Regional tarsushold; this record was the first for White County. This Bachman's was still singing territorially at the same site 15 May 2004 when viewed by many observers (DAD, RMD photo, SJS, WAW, CSN et al.).
Grasshopper Sparrows appeared to be late in arriving in the Region this year, although normally early Grasshoppers were noted in counties adjacent to the Region. The earliest Regional sightings took place 29 April 2004 in Pulaski Co., KY (RMD), 30 April 2004 in McCreary Co., KY (TBM, LMM), and 1 May 2004 in White Co., TN (SJS, DAD).
One or two singing Henslow's Sparrows near Science Hill, Pulaski Co., KY, 8 April 2004 (RMD) were the earliest reported Regionally this season, as well as the earliest ever reported in that county. Four Henslow's were found on Beech Grove Ridge, Pulaski Co., KY, 5 May 2004 (RMD), while 13 and 15 Henslow's were seen at the Ano strip mines, Pulaski Co., KY, 17 and 19 May 2004 (RMD), respectively, the latter total providing a Regional high count for the season--and probably establishing an all-time one-day high count Regionally [but see the Summer 2004 UCR Bird Report].
Four Vesper Sparrows near Old Mill Rd., Putnam Co., TN, 21 March 2004 (SJS, WAW) provided a new early spring arrival date, as well as a new high count, for the county, but the earliest sighting of the season Regionally took place 6 March 2004 in Pulaski Co., KY (RMD).
Lincoln's Sparrows are reported all too infrequently each spring, so one at Walnut Park, Cookeville, Putnam Co., TN, 5 May 2004 (SJS) was noteworthy. There were no reports from the Regional SBCs.
Swamp Sparrows lingered long enough to be counted on SBCs in Pulaski Co., KY (fide RMD), and Putnam Co., TN (fide SJS), both 8 May 2004.
A Summer Tanager returned to DeKalb Co., TN, 16 April 2004 (SM) and was the first noted Regionally this spring.
The earliest returning Scarlet Tanager this season Regionally appeared at Bee Rock, DBNF, Pulaski Co., KY, 11 April 2004 (RMD); 75 Scarlets were counted on the 8 May 2004 Putnam Co., TN, SBC, an all-time one-day high count in that county.
The earliest Dickcissel of the season Regionally appeared 1 May 2004 during the SBC in White Co., TN, (SJS, DAD); at least eight were at or near the same site 22 May 2004 (SJS, WAW, DAD).
The first Bobolinks of the season were about 40 that penetrated Regional airspace 2 May 2004 on Students Home Rd., DeKalb Co., TN (JCF photo), providing the first record with details for that county.
The latest Purple Finch of the season Regionally appeared at a feeder in Cookeville, Putnam Co., TN, 11 May 2004 (WAW).
At least six Pine Siskins were still present at feeders near Barnett Bridge, Morgan Co., TN, 14 April 2004 (JTR); a single was seen at Walnut Park, Cookeville, Putnam Co., TN, 16 April 2004 (SJS).
Observers: Kris Bolin (KB), Phillip Casteel (PC), Hap Chambers (HC), Daniel L. Combs (DLC), Tommy L. Curtis (TLC), Virginia Curtis (VC), Ann Davis (AD), Roseanna M. Denton (RMD), Douglas A. Downs (DAD), Amber Edwards (AE), K. Dean Edwards (KDE), Ginger K. Ensor (GKE), Judy C. Fuson (JCF), Dana Girard (DG), W. Howard Groce (WHG), Kathy Harville (KH), Terry Harville (TH), Mary Hays (MH), A. Margo Hinkle (AMH), Susan Hollyday (SHo), Stan Hood (SH), Tom Howe (TH), James Layzer (JaL), Nancy S. Layzer (NSL), Joe Levanowicz (JL), Joseph Mast (JM), Tom B. Mills (TBM), Lynda M. Mills (LMM), Sharon Moffitt (SM), Jimi Moore (JM), Nell Moore (NM), Michael P. O'Rourke (MPO), Nikki A. Panter (NAP), S. D. Perry (SDP), Jeanne T. Richardson (JTR), Thomas Roberts (TR), Richard W. Simmers, Jr. (RWS), Liz Singley (LiS), Leslie Smith (LS), Barbara H. Stedman (BHS), Stephen J. Stedman (SJS), David J. Trently (DJT), Melissa Turrentine (MT), Mark Vance (MV), Mark Vukovich (MV), Winston A. Walden (WAW), Denise M. Weyer (DMW), and Carol D. Williams (CDW).
Literature Cited
Appendix A. Reports of Loggerhead Shrike during Spring 2004 in the Upper Cumberland Region.
| # | Date | Observer(s) | County, State | Site |
| 1–2 | 1–31 March | JCF | DeKalb, TN | Student's Home Rd. |
| 1 | 17 March | DAD | White, TN | Pete Felton Rd., |
| 2 | 1–30 April | JCF | DeKalb, TN | Student's Home Rd., |
| 1 | 3 May | RMD | Pulaski, KY | Hogue |
| 1 | 8 May | GKE, AD | Putnam, TN | Shipley Farm (SBC) |
| 1 | 8 May | fide RMD | Pulaski, KY | (SBC) |
| 1 | 23 May | WAW, DAD, SJS | Van Buren, TN | Near York Rd. |
Appendix B. Records of Swainson's Warblers in the UCR during Spring 2004.
| Date | Number | Observer | Site |
| 24 April | 1 | BHS | Adams Bridge, Cumberland Co., TN |
| 24 April | 1 | BHS | Camp Creek, OWSR, Morgan Co., TN |
| 8 May | 1 | DJT | Morgan Co., TN (SBC) |
| 8 May | 2 | fide RMD | Pulaski Co., KY (SBC) |
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