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

sstedman@tntech.edu

Introduction

August was hot and mainly dry across the Region, with the exception of a coolish spell at the end of the month caused by the passage of the remnants of Hurricane Katrina 30 August 2005.  Regional weather for two weeks following Katrina's passage was dominated by a series of clear, calm, fairly hot days.  The first break in the weather following Katrina's passage took place 15 September 2005 when a cold front from the northwest passed through the Region, providing at least an inch of rain at most Regional sites and also apparently providing fairly good conditions for a fallout of migrant birds in western, but not in eastern, Putnam County during the Fall Bird Count there two days later.  Another period of warm dry conditions prevailed until September 25-26 when weak remnants of Hurricane Rita brushed the Region, bringing a small amount of rainfall to most Regional sites.  A cold front passed through the Region during the night of September 28/29, somewhat reducing temperatures in its aftermath but bringing little precipitation.  Another front passed through the Region October 5/6, also reducing temperatures and bringing a small amount of precipitation.  The next two weeks were rainless, but some cool temperatures coincided with a dry front passing through the Region in mid-month.  On October 21 a cold front brought a very modest amount of rainfall to the Region, as well as night-time temperatures in the high 30s by October 23 and in the low 30s (with frost) by October 26--and for several days thereafter.  Overall, October was among the driest months on record, whether determined by viewing rainfall during that month in the past or by viewing rainfall during all months of the year in the past.  November began with the passage of a mainly dry front on the first day of the month; then a continuation of the same weather that ended October--clear, calm days that dawned with temperatures in the 30s or low 40s F--ensued.  Several minor fronts passed through the Region during the first two weeks of November; then a strong front went through during the evening of 15 November, bringing wind gusts of 80+ kph and temperatures in the 20s at night by 17 November.  Later in November fronts passed through the Region 22-23, 25, and 28 November, with the first two of these events being accompanied by massive southward movements of Sandhill Cranes.

    Production of hard and soft mast this fall was considerably greater than the production of these food resources during the fall of 2004, auguring well for populations of species that depend on mast during fall and winter.

    In the past systematic monitoring of birds during fall has not been a practice much engaged in by the Regional birding cadre, though that status is slowly changing.  This year Fall Bird Counts were again conducted in Putnam and White counties, TN; additionally, a Fall BirdBlitz took place in Pickett Co., TN, where no previous fall bird count had taken place.  Results of these efforts can be viewed via links at this page of the website:

http://iweb.tntech.edu/sstedman/FallBirdCountCentralNode.htm

    A summary of early and late dates of arrival and departure for migrant birds during this season may be accessed via the link below:

http://iweb.tntech.edu/sstedman/Fall2005ArrivalDepartureDatesUCR.htm

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

* = documentation provided for sighting; 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

The total of 140 Wood Ducks tallied 17 September 2005 during the Putnam County FBC nearly tripled the previous high count of this duck in that county.

    Three Gadwalls near the Casey Cove Campground, Center Hill Lake, DeKalb Co., TN, 10 September 2005 (MJH, JCF) provided the earliest report of the season Regionally.

    A male American Wigeon at the Floating Mill Recreation Area, Center Hill Lake, DeKalb Co., TN, 16 October 2005 (SJS) was the first reported Regionally this fall.

    Three American Black Ducks on Barren River Reservoir, Barren Co., KY, 24 October 2005 (DLR) were the first of the fall Regionally.

    The first Blue-winged Teal of the season Regionally involved 7 that appeared at Clifty Pond, Pulaski Co., KY, 22 August 2005 (RMD); another was present the next day at Cane Creek Park, Cookeville, Putnam Co., TN (SJS).

    Earliest ever in Pulaski Co., KY, during fall and earliest reported this season Regionally was a Northern Shoveler at Clifty Pond 25 August 2005 (RMD); another shoveler appeared at a pond on Hickory Valley Rd., White Co., TN, 9 September 2005 (PSM, SJS).

    Earliest reported Northern Pintails included two males and two females at the Floating Mill Recreation Area, Center Hill Lake, DeKalb Co., TN, 2 November 2005 (SJS).

    Three Green-winged Teal at Macedonia Pond, White Co., TN, 23 October 2005 (SJS) provided the first record of the fall Regionally.

    Earliest ever during fall in Pulaski Co., KY, and earliest Regionally this season were two Redheads at Twin Lakes 25 October 2005 (RMD photos).

    The first report of Ring-necked Ducks this fall Regionally involved 3 females or immatures at Cane Creek Park, Cookeville, Putnam Co., TN, 16 October 2005 (SJS).

    A Greater Scaup at the Waitsboro Recreation Area, Lake Cumberland, Pulaski Co., KY, 16 November 2005 (RMD) was the first reported this season Regionally.

    The earliest Lesser Scaups of the season Regionally were singles at Barren River Reservoir, Barren Co., KY, 28 October 2005 (DLR) and at the Floating Mill Recreation Area, Center Hill Lake, DeKalb Co., TN, 29 October 2005 (SJS, EKL).

    A female or immature Black Scoter at the Floating Mill Recreation Area, Center Hill Lake, DeKalb Co., TN, 28 October 2005 (SJS) established the first record of the season Regionally, the second record for DeKalb County, and the sixth record for the Region, as well as the earliest sighting ever during fall in the Region; three females or immatures at the same site 18 November 2005 (SJS) provided the second and last record of the season Regionally, the third record for DeKalb County, the seventh record for the Region, and the latest sighting ever during fall in the Region.

    Four Buffleheads at the Floating Mill Recreation Area, Center Hill Lake, DeKalb Co., TN, 10 November 2005 (SJS) were the first reported Regionally this fall; a total of 140 at Lake Tansi, Cumberland Co., TN, 26 November 2005 (JEM) was noteworthy.

    A Common Goldeneye at Clifty Pond, Pulaski Co., KY, 5 November 2005 (RMD) was the first of the season to be reported Regionally.

    A stubby-winged female or immature Hooded Merganser at Cane Creek Park, Cookeville, Putnam Co., TN, 23 & 31 August 2005 (SJS, GKE, NSL) was probably either a molting bird or, more likely, a product of local, but very late, breeding; it remained in the park during most of the early part of the fall, being sighted there 17 September 2005 (MJH, CDW, JCF) during the Putnam County FBC  and again 28 September 2005 (SJS, JaF, BD).

    Earliest Red-breasted Mergansers Regionally this fall were three at Mason's Island, Barren River Reservoir, Barren Co., KY, 14 November 2005 (DLR).

    The first Ruddy Duck of the season Regionally appeared in Wayne Co., KY, 25 October 2005 (RMD); a total of 115 at Lake Tansi, Cumberland Co., TN, 26 November 2005 (JEM) was noteworthy.

Loon through Night-Herons

An alternate-plumaged Common Loon near the dam on Barren River Reservoir, Barren County, KY, 7 August 2005 (LK photo) was either a very early migrant or one of few adult loons to summer Regionally; this seemingly uninjured bird allowed the observer to approach in a boat and then allowed itself to be picked up, before struggling enough to indicate it was fairly healthy and should be released.   Another early loon was noted at the Dale Hollow Lake dam, Clay Co., TN, 31 August 2005 (TMC).  See the Summer 2005 UCR Bird Report for a sighting of a basic-plumaged loon at Dale Hollow Lake during that season.  First arrivals during the "normal" migration period of the species were two loons noted on Barren River Reservoir, Barren Co., KY, 24 October 2005 (DLR).

    Eighteen Horned Grebes at the Floating Mill Recreation Area, Center Hill Lake, DeKalb Co., TN, 16 October 2005 (SJS) were the first reported Regionally this season; these birds arrived sometime between 8 October 2005, when no grebes were noted at this site, and the above-noted date.  At least two Horned Grebes were noted at the Waitsboro Recreation Area, Lake Cumberland, Pulaski Co., KY, 25 October 2005 (RMD).

    The first sizable incursion of Double-crested Cormorants took place 24 October 2005 at Barren River Reservoir, Barren Co., KY (DLR), where 155 in three flocks were noted; see the Summer 2005 UCR Bird Report for the earliest sightings of the "fall."

    The last sightings of Great Egrets Regionally this fall involved singles at the Roaring River Recreation Area, Jackson Co., TN, 10 October 2005 (WAW), at the Narrows, Barren River Reservoir, Barren Co., KY, 25 October 2005 (DLR), and at City Lake, Putnam Co., TN, 19 November 2005 (SJS, BHS).

    A Little Blue Heron noted last season near Celina, Clay Co., TN, was still present there 22 August 2005 (TMC); four immature Little Blues present at Thurston's Pond, Wayne Co., KY, 27 September 2005 (RMD) were the first ever reported in that county, the latest reported this season Regionally, and the latest ever reported in the Region during fall.

    A flock of eight late Cattle Egrets at Russell Springs, Russell Co., KY, 15 November 2005 (LC) was noteworthy.

    An immature Black-crowned Night-Heron observed on Martin Creek, Putnam Co., TN, 17 September 2005 (SJS, DAD) during the Putnam County FBC was the first noted this fall Regionally.

    An adult Yellow-crowned Night-Heron was observed at Burgess Falls State Natural Area, Putnam Co., TN, 17 September 2005 (SJS, DAD) during the FBC in that county, providing the latest Regional sighting of this uncommon ardeid this fall.

Diurnal Raptors through Cranes

The first Northern Harrier of the season Regionally was observed on Student's Home Rd., DeKalb Co., TN, 18 September 2005 (JCF), somewhat late for the first report of the season.

    The last Broad-winged Hawk of the season Regionally was reported 1 October 2005 (BHS) during the White County FBC.

    Rare Regionally, a dark morph "Harlan's" Red-tailed Hawk (B. j. harlani) was noted near Park City, Barren Co., KY, 2 November 2005 (DLR); this hawk had an unusually dark tail dorsally.

    A Merlin 'scoped near Brotherton, Putnam Co., TN, 17 September 2005 (WAW, MPO, TS) was the first of its species to be recorded on the FBC in that county; it also provided the earliest fall arrival date ever for this scarce but increasing raptor there; and it was the earliest Merlin reported Regionally this fall.  Another Merlin was observed at the Burnside Marina, Pulaski Co., KY, 27 September 2005 (RMD).

    A Peregrine Falcon was noted at the Floating Mill Recreation Area, Center Hill Lake, DeKalb Co., TN, 28 September 2005 (SJS), providing the first record for that county and the first report of the fall Regionally; an immature Peregrine was noted in northeastern White Co., TN, 1 October 2005 (BHS) during the White County FBC.

    An immature Virginia Rail found road-killed in Cookeville, Putnam Co., TN, 6 September 2005 (ILC fide SHF) provided the first record for that county, the seventh Regional record, and the first report this season Regionally; the specimen (SJS photo) was deposited in the collection of the Biology Department, University of Tennessee--Chattanooga.

    The first Sora of the season Regionally appeared in Pulaski Co., KY, 16 September 2005 (RMD).

    The American Coot that summered (see Summer 2005 UCR Bird Report) at a pond on Black Oak Rd., White Co., TN, remained through mid-September (SJS, PSM, DAD) on the same pond; a pod of ten coots at Center Hill Dam, DeKalb County, TN, 7 October 2005 (SJS) provided the early arrival date for migrant coots Regionally this fall.

    The earliest conclusive report of Sandhill Crane Regionally this fall involved a flock of about 20 seen 18 October 2005 over Somerset, Pulaski Co., KY, (JD fide RMD), establishing the earliest fall arrival date in that county by over a month.  See below (Appendix A) for a list of all crane sightings reported around the Region during "fall" 2005.

    The "training flight" of 19 juvenile Whooping Cranes reached the Region 21 November 2005, staying through several days of inclement weather in Cumberland Co., TN, until the morning of  25 November 2005, when wind conditions allowed them to continue southeast to Hiwassee Refuge; the flight was witnessed crossing I-40 near Peavine Rd. at 0714 CST 25 November 2005 (Judy and Art Wojta fide MB).   Incidentally, on 19 November 2005 a flight of Sandhill Cranes with one white crane, probably a Whooping Crane, among them was noted over Cookeville, Putnam Co., TN (PZ fide RCH).

Shorebirds through Terns

An alternate-plumaged American Golden-Plover on Fishing Creek, Pulaski Co., TN, 29 August 2005 (RMD photo) was earliest ever in that county and earliest ever in the Region during fall; consequently, it was also earliest Regionally this season.

    The first Semipalmated Plover of the fall Regionally was observed at Swafford Pond, Bledsoe Co., TN, 7 August 2005 (SJS, WAW); the last Semi of the season Regionally was noted in Pulaski Co., KY, 29 September 2005 (RMD).

    Ten American Avocets visited the Celina Wastewater Treatment Plant in Clay Co., TN, 15 September 2005 (TMC photo), establishing the first record for that site and that county and just the eighth record Regionally.

    Two Greater Yellowlegs were found at the Celina Wastewater Treatment Plant, Celina, Clay Co., TN, 9 November 2005; one stayed until 13 November 2005 (TMC photo), the latest reported Regionally this season.

    Latest Regionally this season was a Lesser Yellowlegs at Cooley's Pond, Wayne Co., KY, 27 September 2005 (RMD).

    Also latest Regionally this fall was a Solitary Sandpiper at Cooley's Pond, Wayne Co., KY, 27 September 2005 (RMD).

    Latest Regionally this season were three Spotted Sandpipers at Fishing Creek, Pulaski Co., KY, 5 November 2005 (RMD).

    A Semipalmated Sandpiper at Fishing Creek, Pulaski Co., KY, 24 August 2005 (RMD) was the first of fall reported Regionally, though quite late for a first-of-season bird; three Semis at the same site 8 September 2005 (RMD) were the last reported around the Region this fall.

    See the Summer 2005 UCR Bird Report for the first Pectoral Sandpiper of the "fall"; the last Pec of the season was reported 27 September 2005 from Cooley's Pond, Wayne Co., KY (RMD).

    The first Dunlin of the season Regionally appeared on Fishing Creek, Pulaski Co., KY, 21 October 2005 (RMD), about a normal date of first arrival for this windbird.

    Stilt Sandpipers are quite rare Regionally, so singles on Fishing Creek, Pulaski Co., KY, 29 August and 23 September 2005 (RMD) were noteworthy and provided the 12th and13th Regional records.

    Three Buff-breasted Sandpipers at Fishing Creek, Pulaski Co., KY, 5 & 8 September 2005 (RMD) provided the fifth county (and Regional) record of this shorebird; why Pulaski County has a monopoly on Buff-breast records Regionally is a good question, for which there appears as yet to be no good answer.

    The first Long-billed Dowitcher for Pulaski Co., KY, and just the third ever for the Region was found and photographed on Fishing Creek, Pulaski Co., KY, 30 November 2005 (RMD photo); like the birds associated with each of the first two Regional records, both from Adair Co., KY, in late October of 1981, this bird was heard giving its diagnostic single-noted call. See the Winter 2005-2006 UCR Bird Report for a continuation of this record.

    A Wilson's Snipe was noted at Randolph Pond, Walter Stone Rd., White Co., TN, 9 September 2005 (PSM, SJS), the earliest report Regionally this fall; a count of 80 at Cooley's Pond, Wayne Co., KY, 26 November 2005 (RMD) was the largest made this season.

    First ever in the Region and in Russell Co., KY, were 2 Laughing Gulls, an adult and a juvenile, identified at the Wolf Creek Dam, Lake Cumberland, 25 September 2005 (DLR); these were possibly products of the distant passage of remnants of Hurricane Rita or else holdovers from Dennis.  One day later 1-2 adult and 2 immature Laughing Gulls were observed at the Waitsboro Recreation Area, Lake Cumberland, Pulaski Co., KY (RMD), establishing the second Regional record and another first county record; one of the immature Laughers remained at this site until 27 September 2005 (RMD).  A basic-plumaged Laugher was noted at the Floating Mill Recreation Area, Center Hill Lake, DeKalb Co., TN, 28 September 2005 (SJS), providing the third Regional record and yet another first county record.  A second-year Laugher appeared on Barren River Reservoir, Barren/Allen counties, KY, 24-25 October 2005 (DLR photo), being photographed at the Narrows on the latter date and providing the fourth Regional record, as well as still another first county record.

    Earliest Bonaparte's Gulls this fall Regionally were two at the Narrows, Barren River Reservoir, Barren Co., KY, 25 October 2005 (DLR).

    Quite early were 2 Ring-billed Gulls at Barren River Reservoir, Barren Co., KY, 31 August 2005 (DLR), the first reported this fall Regionally.

    Earliest this fall Regionally was a Herring Gull on Lake Cumberland, Russell Co., KY, 24 September 2005 (DLR).

    First of the fall Regionally, a Caspian Tern was observed at Wolf Creek Dam, Russell Co., KY, 30 August 2005 (RMD), a likely consequence of Hurricane Katrina's northward passage through the Region that day; 8 Caspians were counted at the same site 3 September 2005 (RMD).

    Twenty Common Terns at Fishing Creek, Pulaski Co., KY, 29 August 2005 (RMD) were the earliest reported Regionally this fall, as well as the largest number reported Regionally; two other Commons were found at Barren River Reservoir, Barren Co., KY, 31 August 2005 (DLR); ten Commons in Russell Co., KY, 24 September 2005 (fide BPB; Palmer-Ball and McNeeley 2006a) provided a nice record of an uncommon migrant there.

    A basic-plumaged Forster's Tern near the confluence of Indian Creek and the Cumberland River (Cordell Hull Lake), Smith Co., TN, 21 August 2005 (SJS, WAW) was the first of the fall to be reported Regionally, as well as the first reported with details from that county.

    Perhaps "grounded" as a result of the passage of the remnants of Hurricane Katrina, 14 Black Terns were noted 29 August 2005 at Fishing Creek, Pulaski Co., KY (RMD); singles were at Fishing Creek and on Barren River Reservoir, Barren Co., KY, 30 August 2005 (RMD, SD); ten were at the Celina Wastewater Treatment Plant, Clay Co., TN, 30 August 2005 (TMC), representing a first county record; and 10/14 were counted on Barren River Reservoir 31 August/1 September 2005 (DLR).

Doves through Swallows

A Eurasian Collared-Dove was found near the intersection of Rt. 325 and Step Gap Rd. east of Byrdstown, Pickett Co., TN, 24 September 2005 (WAW, CEW, MH) during the Pickett County Fall BirdBlitz; two collared-doves were noted in downtown Edmonton, Metcalfe Co., KY, 30 September 2005 (BPB, SJS); these records were the first for those counties and brought to eleven the number of Regional counties with collared-dove records. Six collared-doves were found on Rt. 70 west of Cookeville, Putnam Co., TN, 13 November 2005 (SJS); this record, just the fourth for the county, was probably the first there involving collared-doves located at or near a permanent breeding site.

    Yellow-billed Cuckoos were remarkably scarce this season, going unrecorded on the three FBCs conducted in the Region; the last report came from the Cathy Crockett Memorial Trail, Pulaski Co., KY, 29 September 2005 (RMD, JD).  The drier than normal conditions this fall, especially in October, may have contributed to the low number of reports of this usually somewhat more common fall migrant.

    A count of 17 Eastern Screech-Owls was compiled 1 October 2005 (BHS, SJS, DAD) during the White County FBC, one of the largest totals of this small and common owl ever achieved Regionally but a total that could easily be eclipsed by a single determined fieldworker.

    At least 1000 Common Nighthawks were noted in a large aerial flock over Science Hill, Pulaski Co., KY, 31 August 2005 (RMD), the largest concentration reported this fall Regionally; a single nighthawk seen near Mark, Pulaski Co., KY, 11 October 2005 (CSN, WN) was the latest of the season Regionally and the latest ever during fall in that county.

    Two singing Eastern Whip-poor-wills in Pickett State Forest, Pickett Co., TN, 24 September 2005 (SJS) during the Pickett County BirdBlitz were the latest reported during the season Regionally.

    A single Chimney Swift at the Pulaski County Park, Pulaski Co., KY, 15 October 2005 (RMD) was the last of the season reported Regionally.

    The last Ruby-throated Hummingbird of the season Regionally was noted at City Lake, Putnam Co., TN, 26 October 2005 (BHS).

    An adult female Rufous Hummingbird was noted at a feeder in Lovelady, Pickett Co., TN, 1 October-30 November 2005 (RCH), being banded 22 October 2005 (CS); this sighting provided the first record for that county and just the sixth record Regionally.

    An immature or female Selasphorus sp. appeared at a feeder on Aspen Dr., Putnam Co., TN, 11 September 2005 (SH); it was photographed 14 September 2005 (SH photo) and last seen 15 September 2005 (SH).  Another Selasphorus, possibly the same one, was photographed at the same site 8 November 2005 (SH photo); it remained until 30 November 2005 (SH) and survived the cold fronts that blasted through the Region 15 and 22-23 November 2005, bringing strong winds and leaving subfreezing temperatures in their wakes.  Based on photographic evidence, the Aspen Dr. hummer seen in November was tentatively identified as an immature male Rufous Hummingbird (SJS, RS, CS).  See the Winter 2005-2006 UCR Bird Report for details about the banding and identification of this hummer.  Rufous Hummingbirds appeared at and then were banded at this same site during each of the two previous winters, one being banded during the winter of 2004-2005 and two being banded during the winter of 2003-2004.

    A singing Olive-sided Flycatcher at the Casey Cove Campground, Center Hill Lake, DeKalb Co., TN, 10 September 2005 (MJH, JCF) was the first with details to be reported this fall Regionally; another Olive-side was noted in Lake Cumberland State Resort Park, Russell Co., KY, 23 September 2005 (LAB fide BPB), the first of its kind to be reported in that county.

    Latest Regionally this season was an Eastern Wood-Pewee at the Pulaski County Park, Pulaski Co., KY, 23 October 2005 (RMD).

    The last Acadian Flycatchers of the season were reported during the Putnam County FBC 17 September 2005 when one singing Acadian was noted at Barnes Hollow (RWS) and three calling birds were heard along Indian Creek Rd. (SJS, DAD).

    The latest Eastern Kingbird of the season Regionally was noted In White Co., TN, 24 September 2005 (DAD, MD).

    All Regional records of Loggerhead Shrike are collected below (Appendix B); the total number of Regional shrike sightings this fall is a depressingly small one; two of the three sightings resulted from "official" counts undertaken in the Region, underscoring the importance of these counts as a means of monitoring populations of bird species, especially rare ones.

    Latest Blue-headed Vireos included singles at Ano, Pulaski Co., KY, 8 November 2005 (RDM) and at Frozen Head State Natural Area, Morgan Co., TN, 9 November 2005 (MHo).

    Seldom reported during fall Regionally, a Warbling Vireo was noted 3 September 2005 in Russell Co., KY, (RMD); another was reported 11 September 2005 along Clifty Creek, Pulaski Co., KY (RMD); never before recorded within the OWSR, Morgan Co., TN, yet another Warbling Vireo was noted at Obed Junction 21 September 2005 (BHS).

    The great Purple Martin roost at Lillydale, Dale Hollow Lake, Clay Co., TN, still numbered at least 5000 on 19 August 2005 (HP); a late martin was noted over Lake Cumberland, Russell Co., KY, 24 September 2005 (BPB et al.).

    Ten Tree Swallows at Fishing Creek, Pulaski Co., KY, 27 October 2005 (RMD) were the last reported Regionally this fall.

    The last Northern Rough-winged Swallow of the season Regionally was noted at Granville, Jackson Co., TN, 7 October 2005 (SJS).

    The last Regional Bank Swallows of the season were noted 31 August 2005 when four were present at Clifty Pond, Pulaski Co., KY (RMD), and when at least one was present at Cane Creek Park, Cookeville, Putnam Co., TN (SJS et al.).

    The last Cliff Swallow of the season Regionally was detected over Lake Cumberland, Russell Co., KY, 24 September 2005 (BPB et al.).

    A count of 450 Barn Swallows during four hours of car-birding in the northern end of the Sequatchie Valley, Bledsoe Co., TN, 7 August 2005 (SJS, WAW) probably represented autumn mustering of this species; two late Barn Swallows were found at Thurston's Pond, Wayne Co., KY, 25 October 2005 (RMD).

Chickadee through Pipit

The first report of Red-breasted Nuthatch this fall Regionally emanated from the Pulaski County Park, Pulaski Co., KY, 28 September 2005 (RMD), a rather late date of first arrival; next earliest were two Red-breasts at Lilly Bluff, OWSR, Morgan Co., TN, 17 October 2005 (BHS, SJS). If there is an irruption of this nuthatch during the coming winter, it does not appear from evidence gathered during the present season that it will be of much magnitude.

    Brown-headed Nuthatches continue to reside at the Cookeville Golf Course, Cookeville, Putnam Co., TN, where three (WAW, MPO, TS) were tallied during the FBC in that county.

    Earliest ever during fall in Pulaski Co., KY, was a Winter Wren found along the Cathy Crockett Memorial Trail 29 September 2005 (RMD). Few other Winter Wrens were reported until mid-October.

    One or two Sedge Wrens at Clifty Pond, Pulaski Co., KY, 12 August 2005 (RMD) were the first migrants--or late breeders?-- reported this season Regionally; another showed up at Randolph Pond, Walter Stone Rd., White Co., TN, 9 September 2005 (SJS, PSM); still another was the first ever to be recorded in Adair Co., KY, where it was found 1 October 2005 (RMD); yet another was sighted at the Heritage Marsh, White Co., TN, 14 October 2005 (SJS); two in the big fields at the Bridgestone/Firestone Centennial Wilderness, White Co., TN, 29 October 2005 (SJS, EKL) were latest Regionally, perhaps ever, if a Regional CBC record is excluded.

    A Marsh Wren in Adair Co., KY, 1 October 2005 (RMD) was the first from that county since four tower-killed Marsh Wrens were found 16/17 October 1990 at the WGRB tower north of Columbia (Elmore and Palmer-Ball 1991), while six in the Heritage Marsh, White Co., TN, on the same date (DAD, SJS) during the White County FBC provided the high count this season Regionally and the all-time Regional high count; these records collectively provided the first Regional sightings of the season.  A Marsh Wren was also noted at Mark, Pulaski Co., KY, 18 October 2005 (CSN, WN), the last report of the season Regionally.

    The first Golden-crowned Kinglet of the season Regionally was heard at the Floating Mill Recreation Area, Center Hill Lake, DeKalb Co., TN, 7 October 2005 (SJS, BHS).

    The earliest Regional Ruby-crowned Kinglet of the season was noted on Fork Ridge Rd., BSFNRRA, Pickett Co., TN, 24 September 2005 (SJS) during the Pickett County Fall BirdBlitz.

    Getting late were single Veeries near Rock Creek Campground, OWSR, Morgan Co., TN, 29 September 2005 (BHS) and on Railroad Grade Rd., White Co., TN, 1 October 2005 (SJS, DAD) during the White County FBC.

    A window-killed Catharus thrush that was probably a Gray-cheeked Thrush was discovered near Lake Holiday, Crossville, Cumberland Co., TN, possibly as early as "mid-August" (LB fide MB), but the observer was not certain of the date to any credible degree.  Six Gray-cheeks were counted in Pickett State Park and Forest, Pickett Co., TN, 24 September 2005 (SJS) during the Pickett County Fall BirdBlitz; five of these Gray-cheeks were identified based on pre-dawn flight calls, and the other was seen.  The Gray-cheek is seldom reported Regionally in numbers exceeding 1 or 2 individuals.  

    The earliest Swainson's Thrush of the season Regionally was noted at City Lake, Putnam Co., TN, 10 September 2005 (SJS, BHS). The night of 23/24 September 2005 witnessed a fairly good flight of Swainson's; flight calls of 25+ individuals were heard in the hour before dawn 24 September 2005 in Pickett State Park, Pickett Co., TN (SJS), and at least 16 additional individuals were found that day by counters taking part in the Pickett County Fall BirdBlitz (SJS, WAW, CEW, MH).

    The first Hermit Thrush of the season appeared at Cane Creek Park, Cookeville, Putnam Co., TN, 12 October 2005 (SJS); half a dozen "cluckers" were also found near Lilly Bluff, OWSR, Morgan Co., TN, 17 October 2005 (BHS, SJS).

    Earliest American Pipits this fall were eleven at the Heritage Marsh, White Co., TN, 29 October 2005 (EKL, SJS) and a single the same date at the Bridgestone/Firestone Centennial Wilderness in the same county (EKL, SJS).

Warblers

A Blue-winged Warbler in Pulaski Co., KY, 19 September 2005 (RMD) provided the late fall departure date for that county while the latest report of the season Regionally took place 1 October 2005 in Adair Co., KY (RMD).

    See below (Appendix C) for a list of all reports of Golden-winged Warbler within the Region this fall.  Of special note was an immature female Golden-wing noted 15 October 2005 in the Pulaski County Park, Pulaski Co., KY (RMD), where it set a new late fall departure date for that county and for the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

    The first Tennessee Warbler of the season Regionally was noted in Pulaski Co., KY, 1 September 2005 (RMD), while the last Tennessee was found at Clifty Pond in the same county 30 October 2005 (RMD).

    An Orange-crowned Warbler in Pulaski Co., KY, 16 October 2005 (RMD) was the first of the season to be noted Regionally; another Orange-crown at Cane Creek Park, Cookeville, Putnam Co., TN, 2 November 2005 (SJS, NSL) was the latest Regionally and latest ever during fall in that county.

    Earliest ever in Pulaski Co., KY, and earliest Regionally this season was a Nashville Warbler near Science Hill 1 September 2005 (RMD).

    The latest Northern Parula of the season Regionally was one at Cane Creek Park, Cookeville, Putnam Co., TN, 12 October 2005 (SJS).

    Earliest Regionally this fall was a Magnolia Warbler in Pulaski Co., KY, 1 September 2005 (RMD); a noteworthy count of 97 Magnolias was made 21 September 2005 at several sites within the OWSR, Morgan Co., TN (BHS).

    Cape May Warblers are scarce fall migrants through the Region, making one found along Fork Ridge Rd., BSFNRRA, Pickett Co., TN, 24 September 2005 (SJS) during the Pickett County BirdBlitz noteworthy; two others were sighted near Science Hill, Pulaski Co., KY, 29 September 2005 (RMD); and still another was found along Rt. 200 in Wayne Co., KY, 30 September 2005 (BPB).

    Black-throated Blue Warblers are rare during fall--and during any other season--in the Region, making all sightings worthy of mention; one was noted in the OWSR, Morgan Co., TN, 30 September 2005 (BHS); and a female-plumaged Blue appeared on the Cathy Crockett Memorial Trail, Pulaski Co., KY, 18 October 2005 (RMD), providing the latest fall departure date ever in that county.

    Yellow-rumped Warblers made their first Regional appearance this fall in the Pulaski County Park, Pulaski Co., KY, 28 September 2005 (RMD), right about on schedule.

    Getting late was a Black-throated Green Warbler at the Pulaski County Park, Pulaski Co., KY, 23 October 2005 (RMD), the last report of the season Regionally.

    The last Yellow-throated Warbler of the season Regionally was observed at Casey Creek Campground, Holmes Creek Recreation Area, Center Hill Lake, DeKalb Co., TN, 8 October 2005 (CDW, WAW, SJS).

    The earliest Palm Warbler of the season Regionally was found northeast of Cookeville, Putnam Co., TN, 17 September 2005 (WAW) during the Putnam County FBC.

    A rather late Cerulean Warbler was noted at Lilly Bluff, OWSR, Morgan Co., TN, 21 September 2005 (BHS), providing the last report of the season Regionally and the latest report ever in the Region; the bird was singing a partial version of its song when observed.  See below (Appendix D) for a list of all Regional sightings of this lovely but declining songbird.

    The first Bay-breasted Warbler of the season Regionally was noted near Science Hill, Pulaski Co., KY, 1 September 2005 (RMD); this record was also earliest ever during fall in that county.  A Bay-breast found near Science Hill, Pulaski Co., KY, 20 October 2005 (RMD) was latest ever during fall in that county and the latest Regionally this season.

    Extremely rare during fall in the Region, a Blackpoll Warbler was noted 18 October 2005 on the Cathy Crockett Memorial Trail, Pulaski Co., KY (RMD *); this sighting was latest ever during fall in that county, it constituted just the third Regional record during fall, and it was the latest ever recorded in Kentucky during fall.

    The first report of Northern Waterthrush this fall Regionally came on the somewhat late date of 21 September 2005 when one was sighted in the OWSR, Morgan Co., TN (BHS).

    The last reported Louisiana Waterthrush of the season Regionally was noted at Pumphouse Pond, Pulaski Co., KY, 8 August 2005 (RMD), a typically early late date for this early-departing warbler.

    A Canada Warbler at Science Hill, Pulaski Co., KY, 22 August 2005 (RMD) was earliest in fall ever in that county.  Breeding of this warbler in Morgan Co., TN, diminishes the need to maintain Region-wide records of late spring departure and early fall arrival for it, but maintenance of early spring arrival dates and late fall departure dates for this warbler is still imperative at the Regional level, and all four dates could reasonably be maintained in all Regional counties except Morgan.

    The first fall Wilson's Warbler found Regionally appeared along Clifty Creek, Pulaski Co., KY, 11 September 2005 (RMD); another was noted in eastern Putnam Co., TN, 17 September 2005 (BHS) during the Putnam County FBC; two were found at sites within the OWSR, Morgan Co., TN, 21 September 2005 (BHS); the last Wilson's reported Regionally this fall was found in the Kendall Recreation Area below Wolf Creek Dam, Russell Co., KY, 27 September 2005 (RDM).

Sparrows through Siskin 

Vesper Sparrows were not reported Regionally until 16 October 2005 when one was noted at the Ano strip mines in Pulaski Co., KY (RMD); four at Clifty Pond, Pulaski Co., KY, 6 November 2005 (RMD) were the last reported this season in the Region..

    The earliest Savannah Sparrow reported this season Regionally appeared at Fishing Creek, Pulaski Co., KY, 8 September 2005 (RMD), a fairly normal early arrival date for this species.

    A singing Grasshopper Sparrow on Campground Rd., Putnam Co., TN, 17 September 2005 (BHS) during the Putnam County FBC was the first ever recorded on a FBC in that county and rather late for a singing bird; another Grasshopper Sparrow was found near Central View, White Co., TN, 1 October 2005 (SJS, DAD) during the White County FBC; even later were single Grasshoppers at Clifty Pond, Pulaski Co., KY, 18 October 2005 (RMD), near  Science Hill, Pulaski Co., KY, 20 October 2005 (RMD), and at the Heritage Marsh, White Co., TN, 29 October 2005 (EKL, SJS).

    Seven singing Henslow's Sparrows at Clifty Pond, Pulaski Co., KY, 9 August 2005 (RMD) were the first ever reported at that site, which became about the seventh site in that county where this inconspicuous sparrow has been located; late breeding was suggested by the number of singing birds, which still numbered five at that site 24 August 2005 (RMD); a Henslow's was photographed at this site 30 October 2005 (RMD photo), providing the latest fall departure date ever in Pulaski County--and perhaps in the Region--as well as the latest report this fall Regionally.

    Earliest ever during fall in Pulaski Co., KY, and earliest this fall Regionally was a Fox Sparrow at Mark 16 October 2005 (CSN); two others at Clifty Pond in the same county 19 October 2005 (RMD) also broke the previous record early date for the county, but not by as much.

    The first Lincoln's Sparrow of the season Regionally was noted in Pulaski Co., KY, 2 October 2005 (RMD); quite a few other sightings were made during the remainder of the month, making it one of the better seasons for this sparrow on record.

    The first Swamp Sparrows of the fall Regionally were two observed in the Heritage Marsh, White Co., TN, 1 October 2005 (SJS, DAD) during the White County FBC.

    Earliest ever in the OWSR, Morgan Co., TN, 21 September 2005 was a White-throated Sparrow seen near the rapid named Oh My God! (BHS); this sighting also provided the first Regional report of the season.

    The earliest White-crowned Sparrow of the season showed up near Mark, Pulaski Co., KY, 11 October 2005 (CSN, WN).

    Very early for the first fall arrival in the Region was a Dark-eyed Junco below the Wolf Creek Dam, Russell Co., KY, 24 September 2005 (DLR, JR); most other early reports fell during mid-October.

    Extremely late was a Rose-breasted Grosbeak at the Casey Cove Campground, Center Hill Lake, DeKalb Co., TN, 12 November 2005 (CDW, MJH *, JCF).

    Four Rusty Blackbirds at Science Hill, Pulaski Co., KY, 21 November 2005 (RMD) were the first to be reported Regionally this fall, quite late for a first-of-season report of this blackbird.

    The last Orchard Oriole of the season Regionally appeared on the typically early date of 8 August 2005 at Cane Creek Park, Cookeville, Putnam Co., TN (SJS).

    Latest this fall Regionally was a Baltimore Oriole at Mt. Zion, Pulaski Co., KY, 1 September 2005 (RMD).

    A Pine Siskin at Mt. Zion, Pulaski Co., KY, 29 October 2005 (RMD) was the first to be reported around the Region this fall.

Observers: Lou Anne Barriger (LAB), Liz Bott (LB), Wally Brines (WB), Sharon Brines (SB), Greg Brown (GB), Margie Buxbaum (MB), Terry M. Campbell (TMC), Ivan L. Cordrey (ILC), Ray cornett (RC), Granville Cox (GC), Lloyd Curry (LC), Julie Denton (JD), Roseanna M. Denton (RMD), Steve Denton (SD), Bettie Doyle (BD), Douglas A. Downs (DAD), Marti Downs (MD), Ann Drothler (AD), Ginger K. Ensor (GKE), Janie C. Finch (JaF), Richard C. Finch (RCF), Susan H. Ford (SHF), Judy C. Fuson (JCF), W. Howard Groce (WHG), Robbie C. Hassler (RCH), Michael J. Hawkins (MJH), Margo Hinkle (MH), Michael Hodge (MHo), Gay Hodges (GH), Stan Hood (SH), David Hume (DH), Linda King (LK), James Layzer (JL), Nancy S. Layzer (NSL), Edmund K. LeGrand (EKL), Joseph E. Mast (JEM), Martha McKnight (MM), Theodore McKnight (TM), Paul S. Miliotis (PSM), Lynda M. Mills (LMM), Thomas B. Mills (TBM), Sharon Moffitt (SM), Arlene M. Morton (AMM), Connie S. Neeley (CSN), Wendell Neeley (WN), Michael P. O'Rourke (MPO), Brainard Palmer-Ball (BPB), Harry Paulk (HP), Michele Ramsey (MR), Dick Riesz (DR), David L. Roemer (DLR), Joanie Roemer (JR), Robert Sargent (RS), Tom Saya (TS), Richard W. Simmers, Jr. (RWS), Chris Sloan (CS), Barbara H. Stedman (BHS), Stephen J. Stedman (SJS), Ruby Storie (RS), Catherine E. Walden (CEW), Winston A. Walden (WAW), Faye Wells (FW), Carol D. Williams (CDW), and Paula Zimmerman (PZ).

Literature Cited

Appendix A.  Reports of Southbound Sandhill Cranes during "Fall" 2005 in the Upper Cumberland Region.

Appendix B.  Reports of Loggerhead Shrike during Fall 2005 in the Upper Cumberland Region.

Appendix C.  Reports of Golden-winged Warblers during Fall 2005 in the Upper Cumberland Region.

Appendix D.  Reports of Cerulean Warblers during Fall 2005 in the Upper Cumberland Region.

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