Results of a 100-Stop Breeding Bird Surveys in the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area, Kentucky and Tennessee, 1997–2006 (data collected by SJS)

From 1997 to 2006 Breeding Bird Surveys (BBS) totaling 100 stops per annum were conducted in the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area.  A total of 80 species was registered on these BBSs (and associated night routes) during this decade as noted below (Table 1).

    Data for slightly different 100-stop BBSs conducted 1994–1996 in the Big South Fork are available in the following source:  

      Stedman, S. J. 1998. Breeding bird survey of the Big South Fork National River and
          Recreation Area, Kentucky and Tennessee, 1994–1996. Kentucky Warbler 74
          (2): 35–43.

During the BBSs conducted 1994–1996 a total 65 species was recorded, only one of which—Wood Duck—was not recorded on BBSs conducted 1997–2006.

    To see yearly BBS data broken out by four BBS routes for any year within the period 1997-2006, click on a link below:

• 1997 BSF BBS

• 1998 BSF BBS

• 1999 BSF BBS

• 2000 BSF BBS

• 2001 BSF BBS

• 2002 BSF BBS

• 2003 BSF BBS

• 2004 BSF BBS

• 2005 BSF BBS

• 2006 BSF BBS

    To return to the BSFNRRA Central Node, click on the link below:

• BSFNRRA Central Node

    Data from the 100-stop breeding bird survey in the BSFNRRA (1997–2001) are also presented in the following source (available for $15 [plus $2 postage] from Stephen and Barbara Stedman, 2675 Lakeland Dr., Cookeville, TN 38506):

        Stedman, S. J., and B. H. Stedman. 2002.  Notes on the Birds of the Big South Fork
            National River and Recreation Area and Obed National Wild and Scenic River.
            Privately printed, Cookeville, Tennessee, 146 + viii pp.

    Although 2003 data were collected slightly later in the season than data for 1997–2002, some results were still of interest, in particular the apparent decline in the population of Pine Warblers, expected in the aftermath of the southern pine beetle outbreak of 1999–2002; the 2004 and 2005 data for Pine Warbler corroborated the 2003 data. Less expected were apparent declines in populations of woodpeckers and other cavity nesters, also down in numbers during 2003.  Of some concern has been an appreciable decline in the population of Red-eyed Vireos in the park from pre-2002 levels, possibly due at least in part to the changes wrought in the park's forests by the pine beetle outbreak and subsequent loss of over half the park's evergreens.

    Maps of the BBS routes in the BSFNRRA may be viewed at the following links:

• Bandy BBS route (center)

• Divide Road route (top left)

• Kentucky route

• Station Camp/O&W route (top right/center right)

Table 1. Total individuals recorded on 100 points conducted for five minutes each at unlimited distance in the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area, Kentucky and Tennessee, 1997–2006.

* Results from four day routes totaling 100 stops (5 minutes at each stop).

** Results from two night routes totaling 30 stops (3 minutes at each stop).

Table 2.  Total stops at which species were noted and total individuals counted during 100 point counts in BSFNRRA, 2005–2006.

* These species also represented by data from two night routes:

Table 3.  Total stops at which species were noted and total individuals counted during 100 point counts in BSFNRRA, 2001–2004.

* These species also represented by data from two night routes:

Table 4.  Total stops at which species were noted and total individuals counted during 100 point counts in BSFNRRA, 1997–2000.