Results of the Jackson County, Tennessee, Spring BirdBlitz—26 April 2008
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| A first county record for Jackson County, Tennessee, during the Spring BirdBlitz 26 April 2008 was provided by a Henslow's Sparrow found singing on Salt Lick Creek Rd. by SJS and Douglas A. Downs. The Henslow's depicted above was photographed just a few days earlier in nearby White County, Tennessee; photo Edmund K. LeGrand (22 April 2008). |
The first bird count of any kind to be conducted in Jackson County, this birdblitz was quite a success, despite some persistent rain during the early morning hours of the count. This rain prevented much nightwork from being conducted in the early A.M., and it did not appear to provide much of a "fallout" of migrants to be counted during the day. Some factors that nonetheless led to the overall success of the birdblitz were the addition of seven new species to the county's bird list (listed in red in the table below), one of which until quite recently had been considered rare in the Upper Cumberland Region; the discovery of a new (fifth) Osprey nest in the county; the discovery of a new Great Blue Heron rookery in the county; and the acquisition of sufficient data to allow the relative abundance of various species in the county to be compared with their relative abundance elsewhere Regionally.
Twelve observers (see key to observers after the table below) took part in this inaugural bird count for the county, finding over 7000 individuals of 117 species of birds. See the table below and the comments below it for details about the results of the count.
Everyone taking part in the 2008 Jackson County BirdBlitz commented on the picturesque qualities of the county, which supports many little-traveled back roads with good populations of Neotropical migrants. A reprise of this birdblitz someday in the future ought to be a memorable and worthwhile experience.
Table 1. Results of the 2008 Jackson County Spring BirdBlitz.
| Location | NE | NW | SW | SE | SSE | |
| Party Leaders | BHS | SJS | CDW | MPO | GKE | Total |
| Party Members | JaF | DAD | JuF | TMS | DE | |
| MJH | JL | |||||
| Number Field Observers | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 12 |
| Number Field Parties | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1-2 | 1 | 5-6 |
| Number Feederwatchers | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Start CDT | 0544 | 0420 | 0700 | 0600 | 0630 | 0420 |
| End CDT | 1924 | 1920 | 1920 | 1800 | 1930 | 1930 |
| Hours on Foot | 0 | 0 | 2.75 | 2.5 | 1 | 6.25 |
| Hours by Car | 13.75 | 14 | 11.75 | 12 | 5.25 | 56.75 |
| Total Party Hours | 13.75 | 14 | 14.5 | 14.5 | 6.25 | 63 |
| Miles on Foot | 0 | 0 | 1.5 | 1 | 0.5 | 3 |
| Miles by Car | 92 | 162 | 91.25 | 100 | 47 | 492.25 |
| Total Party Miles | 92 | 162 | 92.75 | 101 | 47.5 | 495.25 |
| Owling Hours | 0.25 | 1 | 0 | 0.25 | 0 | 1.5 |
| Owling Miles | 2.5 | 20 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 22.5 |
| Low Temperature (F) | 62 | 59 | 59 | |||
| High Temperature (F) | 72 | 73 | 73 | |||
| Wind AM (Beaufort) | 0–2 | 0–1 | 0–2 | |||
| Wind PM (Beaufort) | 0–2 | 0– 1 | 0–2 | |||
| Sky AM | 1–4 | 1–4 | fog; cloudy | |||
| Sky PM | 0–2 | 0–2 | cloudy to clear | |||
| Precipitation AM | rain | rain | rain early | |||
| Precipitation PM | none | none | none | |||
| Moon Phase | last quarter | |||||
| Total Species | 96 | 95 | 87 | 83 | 68 | 117 |
| Location | NE | NW | SW | SE | SSE | |
| Canada Goose | 29 | 5 | 8 | 2 | 6 | 50 |
| Wood Duck | 2 | 5 | 2 | 2 | -- | 11 |
| Mallard | -- | -- | -- | 2 | 3 | 5 |
| Blue-winged Teal | 4 | -- | -- | -- | -- | 4 |
| Northern Bobwhite | 1 | -- | -- | -- | 1 | 2 |
| Wild Turkey | 5 | 13 | 8 | 11 | 1 | 38 |
| Double-crested Cormorant | 14 | 25 | 19 | 1 | -- | 59 |
| Great Blue Heron | 30 | 8 | 16 | 10 | 2 | 66 |
| Green Heron | 1 | 3 | 3 | -- | 3 | 10 |
| Black Vulture | 11 | 9 | 1 | 8 | 2 | 31 |
| Turkey Vulture | 30 | 35 | 14 | 34 | 1 | 114 |
| Osprey | 4 | 4 | 1 | -- | -- | 9 |
| Bald Eagle | -- | -- | 1 | -- | -- | 1 |
| Cooper's Hawk | -- | 1 | -- | -- | -- | 1 |
| Red-shouldered Hawk | 4 | -- | -- | -- | -- | 4 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 1 | 2 | 1 | -- | -- | 4 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 5 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 16 |
| Killdeer | 2 | 4 | 1 | 5 | 8 | 20 |
| Spotted Sandpiper | 1 | 1 | -- | -- | -- | 2 |
| Solitary Sandpiper | 2 | 4 | -- | -- | 2 | 8 |
| Lesser Yellowlegs | -- | -- | -- | 1 | -- | 1 |
| Gull sp. | -- | -- | 1 | -- | -- | 1 |
| Location | NE | NW | SW | SE | SSE | |
| Rock Pigeon | 18 | 11 | 1 | 6 | -- | 36 |
| Mourning Dove | 63 | 29 | 44 | 36 | 28 | 200 |
| Yellow-billed Cuckoo | -- | -- | 1 | -- | -- | 1 |
| Eastern Screech-Owl | 1 | -- | -- | -- | -- | 1 |
| Barred Owl | 2 | 2 | -- | 2 | -- | 6 |
| Chuck-will's-widow | -- | -- | -- | 2 | -- | 2 |
| Eastern Whip-poor-will | 4 | -- | -- | -- | -- | 4 |
| Chimney Swift | 5 | 16 | 8 | 26 | 9 | 64 |
| Ruby-throated Hummingbird | 1 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 9 |
| Belted Kingfisher | 2 | 2 | -- | -- | -- | 4 |
| Red-headed Woodpecker | 1 | -- | -- | -- | -- | 1 |
| Red-bellied Woodpecker | 16 | 15 | 12 | 9 | 9 | 61 |
| Downy Woodpecker | 5 | 2 | -- | -- | 1 | 8 |
| Northern Flicker | 3 | 4 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 14 |
| Pileated Woodpecker | 5 | 11 | 4 | 5 | 2 | 27 |
| American Kestrel | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | -- | 6 |
| Eastern Wood-Pewee | 8 | 1 | 1 | 1 | -- | 11 |
| Acadian Flycatcher | 13 | 2 | 2 | 8 | -- | 25 |
| Eastern Phoebe | 32 | 41 | 14 | 15 | 3 | 105 |
| Great Crested Flycatcher | 1 | 7 | 1 | 3 | 12 | 24 |
| Eastern Kingbird | 10 | 17 | 10 | 15 | 14 | 66 |
| White-eyed Vireo | 83 | 101 | 41 | 47 | 5 | 277 |
| Yellow-throated Vireo | 8 | 14 | 6 | 13 | -- | 41 |
| Red-eyed Vireo | 139 | 119 | 31 | 54 | 16 | 359 |
| Location | NE | NW | SW | SE | SSE | |
| Blue Jay | 36 | 20 | 16 | 28 | 13 | 113 |
| American Crow | 61 | 92 | 41 | 39 | 21 | 254 |
| Purple Martin | 23 | 30 | 12 | -- | 10 | 75 |
| Tree Swallow | 7 | 21 | 3 | 20 | -- | 51 |
| Northern Rough-winged Swallow | 35 | 15 | 29 | 18 | 1 | 98 |
| Cliff Swallow | 2 | 203 | 45 | -- | -- | 250 |
| Barn Swallow | 52 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 13 | 113 |
| Carolina Chickadee | 18 | 13 | 9 | 15 | 12 | 67 |
| Tufted Titmouse | 38 | 35 | 14 | 32 | 23 | 142 |
| White-breasted Nuthatch | 1 | 2 | 1 | 19 | 2 | 25 |
| House Wren | -- | -- | 1 | -- | 1 | 2 |
| Carolina Wren | 45 | 54 | 14 | 35 | 14 | 162 |
| Blue-gray Gnatcatcher | 31 | 76 | 18 | 22 | 24 | 171 |
| Ruby-crowned Kinglet | 2 | 1 | -- | 1 | 1 | 5 |
| Eastern Bluebird | 48 | 32 | 27 | 39 | 16 | 162 |
| Swainson's Thrush | -- | -- | -- | -- | 1 | 1 |
| Wood Thrush | 32 | 65 | 13 | 17 | 4 | 131 |
| American Robin | 15 | 25 | 11 | 30 | 16 | 97 |
| Gray Catbird | 4 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 13 |
| Northern Mockingbird | 14 | 13 | 16 | 27 | 16 | 86 |
| Brown Thrasher | 8 | 8 | 6 | 6 | 14 | 42 |
| European Starling | 69 | 120 | 34 | 90 | 65 | 378 |
| Cedar Waxwing | 2 | -- | 2 | -- | -- | 4 |
| Location | NE | NW | SW | SE | SSE | |
| Ovenbird | 6 | 22 | 16 | 2 | -- | 46 |
| Worm-eating Warbler | -- | 7 | -- | -- | -- | 7 |
| Louisiana Waterthrush | 4 | 15 | 3 | 2 | - | 24 |
| Blue-winged Warbler | 5 | 25 | 5 | 2 | -- | 37 |
| Black-and-white Warbler | 1 | 12 | 1 | 2 | -- | 16 |
| Prothonotary Warbler | -- | -- | -- | 1 | -- | 1 |
| Tennessee Warbler | 1 | -- | -- | 2 | -- | 3 |
| Orange-crowned Warbler | -- | 1 | -- | -- | -- | 1 |
| Kentucky Warbler | 2 | 15 | 6 | 12 | 8 | 43 |
| Common Yellowthroat | 91 | 120 | 43 | 26 | 5 | 285 |
| Hooded Warbler | 11 | 39 | 6 | 12 | 2 | 70 |
| American Redstart | 3 | 8 | 1 | 1 | -- | 13 |
| Cape May Warbler | -- | 3 | -- | -- | -- | 3 |
| Cerulean Warbler | 1 | 19 | 5 | 6 | -- | 31 |
| Northern Parula | 15 | 42 | 20 | 9 | 1 | 87 |
| Yellow Warbler | 3 | 9 | 2 | 1 | -- | 15 |
| Chestnut-sided Warbler | 5 | -- | -- | -- | -- | 5 |
| Palm Warbler | -- | 2 | 4 | -- | 2 | 8 |
| Pine Warbler | -- | -- | -- | -- | 1 | 1 |
| Yellow-rumped Warbler | -- | 2 | 1 | 3 | -- | 6 |
| Yellow-throated Warbler | 3 | 20 | -- | 1 | -- | 24 |
| Prairie Warbler | 17 | 52 | 3 | 30 | 4 | 106 |
| Yellow-breasted Chat | 45 | 34 | 10 | 8 | -- | 97 |
| Location | NE | NW | SW | SE | SSE | |
| Eastern Towhee | 45 | 90 | 30 | 29 | 7 | 201 |
| Chipping Sparrow | 36 | 42 | 31 | 15 | 7 | 131 |
| Field Sparrow | 37 | 82 | 32 | 33 | 12 | 196 |
| Savannah Sparrow | -- | 2 | 1 | -- | -- | 3 |
| Grasshopper Sparrow | 2 | -- | -- | -- | -- | 2 |
| Henslow's Sparrow | -- | 1 | -- | -- | -- | 1 |
| Song Sparrow | 21 | 10 | 10 | 17 | 14 | 72 |
| Swamp Sparrow | -- | 2 | -- | -- | -- | 2 |
| White-throated Sparrow | 9 | 25 | 22 | 8 | 5 | 69 |
| White-crowned Sparrow | -- | -- | 2 | -- | 1 | 3 |
| Summer Tanager | 9 | 9 | 15 | 7 | 3 | 43 |
| Scarlet Tanager | 3 | 16 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 28 |
| Northern Cardinal | 104 | 85 | 42 | 74 | 25 | 330 |
| Rose-breasted Grosbeak | 2 | 2 | -- | 2 | -- | 6 |
| Blue Grosbeak | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 12 |
| Indigo Bunting | 139 | 120 | 44 | 59 | 20 | 382 |
| Red-winged Blackbird | 32 | 100 | 24 | 41 | 15 | 212 |
| Eastern Meadowlark | 5 | 25 | 11 | 11 | 20 | 72 |
| Common Grackle | 27 | 39 | 11 | 10 | 3 | 90 |
| Brown-headed Cowbird | 40 | 38 | 35 | 5 | 8 | 126 |
| Orchard Oriole | 13 | 20 | 6 | 17 | -- | 56 |
| Baltimore Oriole | -- | -- | 1 | -- | -- | 1 |
| House Finch | 1 | 2 | 2 | 19 | 1 | 25 |
| American Goldfinch | 46 | 93 | 25 | 31 | 8 | 203 |
| House Sparrow | 2 | 2 | 7 | 6 | -- | 17 |
| Total Individuals | 1900 | 2624 | 1071 | 1290 | 578 | 7463 |
| Total Species | 96 | 95 | 87 | 83 | 68 | 117 |
| Location | NE | NW | SW | SE | SSE |
Key to Observers:
| Initials/Code | Name |
| DAD | Douglas A. Downs |
| DE | Dale Ensor |
| GKE | Ginger K. Ensor |
| JaF | Janie C. Finch |
| JuF | Judy C. Fuson |
| MJH | Michael J. Hawkins |
| JL | James Layzer |
| MPO | Michael P. O'Rourke |
| TMS | Thomas M. Saya |
| BHS | Barbara H. Stedman |
| SJS | Stephen J. Stedman, compiler |
| CDW | Carol D. Williams |
Comments:
The county was divided into the following territories for this birdblitz:
Northeast (BHS and JCFi)--bounded on the west by Rt. 135 near Whitleyville, then by Rt. 56 south to the bridge over the Cumberland River, then bounded on the south by Rt. 53 east to Rt. 85, then by Rt. 85 southeast to Kirkpatrick Hollow Rd., then south on that road to Roaring River Rd.; then east on that road on the north side of the Roaring River to Rt. 135; then southeast on Rt. 135 to Dodson Branch Rd. and east to county line.
Southsoutheast (GKE, DE)--a small territory encompassing a narrow band of the county between Dodson Branch Rd. on the northeast and Gainesboro Grade on the southwest; Cummins Mill Rd. is the northern boundary to Rt. 135, then Rt. 135 is the northwestern boundary to Willis Martin Rd.; then that road is the northwestern boundary to Dodson Branch Rd.
Southeast (MPO, TMS, JL)--Bounded on the southwest by Flynn Creek Rd. from Rt. 56 to Rt. 53; then bounded on the west by Rt. 53 from Flynn Creek Rd. to Hopkins Hollow Rd.; then bounded on the north by the Cumberland River to Rt. 56; then bounded on the north by the southern boundary of the Northeast territory. JL counted on Bullington Lane.
Southwest (CDW, JCFu, MJH)--west of Rt. 56 from the county line to Flynn Creek Rd.; then bounded on the northeast by Flynn Creek Rd., Rt. 53 to intersection with Hopkins Hollow Rd.; then bounded on the north by the Cumberland River west to the county line. MJH counted at his farm before joining the party.
Northwest (SJS, DAD)--bounded on the south by the Cumberland River from the Smith County line to Rt. 56 bridge over the Cumberland River; then bounded on the east by Rt. 56 north to Whitleyville and then by Rt. 135.
The Blue-winged Teal were found near the Gainesboro Port Authority property at 1501 Rt. 53 north of Gainesboro (BHS, JCFi).
A new, small Great Blue Heron rookery was found on Roaring River Rd. (BHS, JCFi) about 2.1 mi east the intersection of that road and Rt. 135; other known GTBH rookeries were also visited during the birdblitz: end of Holleman's Bend Rd. on Cumberland River (apparently defunct); Rt. 53 at Hurricane Branch (active); on Flynn Creek Rd. (active).
An Osprey nest was found at the Gainesboro Port Authority property (JCFi, BHS), the first time this nest has been known to be present; it appeared to be active, as were three of four other Osprey nests known to be present in the county; the fourth nest was also determined to be active the day after the count (SJS).
The Solitary Sandpiper (found by three parties) was a new species for the county bird list, as was the Lesser Yellowlegs, found at the Roaring River Recreation Area (MPO, TMS).
The gull sp. was observed along Holleman's Bend Rd. (CDW, JCFu).
The absence of Hairy Woodpeckers was notable. White-breasted Nuthatches were observed in quite low numbers except in the southeast quadrant of the county.
The large number of Acadian Flycatchers was notable as this flycatcher had not been reported returning to the Region as of the previous day.
The Orange-crowned and Cape May warblers (SJS, DAD) found in the northwest quadrant were new to the county bird list.
The Savannah (CDW, JCFu, SJS, DAD) and Henslow's (SJS, DAD) sparrows were new to the county bird list, as was the male Baltimore Oriole, found on Eagle Mountain Rd. (CDW photo, JCFu).
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