BIRDS of the UPPER CUMBERLAND REGION

Spring 2002 UCR Bird Report

(1 March–31 May)

Stephen J. Stedman

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

sstedman@tntech.edu

Introduction

Weather during the period was quite various.  Late March was wet with many counties of the Upper Cumberland receiving in excess of 6 inches of rainfall.  April was largely dry except for one short period toward the end of the month. May rainfall was heavy during the first half of the month but light thereafter.  Temperatures were moderate most of the period.  An exception took place 19-22 May when frost occurred on several nights.  Thanks to Richard W. Simmers, Jr., for most of the meteorological information summarized above.

    Many data in this report deal with the migration of birds, with emphasis on the arrival dates of many species, but, as is always the case, late May also saw a number of important breeding events take place in the Region, so anyone interested in that facet of the Regional avifauna should consult this report in combination with the upcoming report for Summer 2002 in order to gain a full perspective on breeding activity.  In particular, this season witnessed some important Regional nesting by Brown-headed Nuthatches and Golden-winged Warblers.  Read below for information on each of these species.

    Spring Bird Counts (SBC) were conducted in three Regional counties: Pulaski, KY; Putnam, TN; and Bledsoe, TN.  Results from those counts are summarized at this link:

• UCR Spring Bird Counts 2002

SBC data for 2002 may be compared to data from previous SBCs, where available, at these links:

• Pulaski County, KY, SBC (2000-2002)
• Bledsoe County, TN, SBC (2002)
• Putnam County, TN, SBC (1992-2001)

    Arrival and departure dates for migrant species, discussed in detail below, are summarized at the following website:

        http://iweb.tntech.edu/sstedman/Spring2002ArrivalDatesUCR.htm

    The counties of Kentucky and Tennessee covered by this report are listed at this website:

• Upper Cumberland Region Counties

Abbreviations: BSFNRRA = Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area; CTSP = Cumberland Trail State Park; DBNF. =  Daniel Boone National Forest; OWSR = Obed Wild and Scenic River; SBC = Spring Bird Count; UCR = Upper Cumberland Region.

Acknowledgments

Many thanks to Carol Williams for sharing photographs of important ornithological events this season.  Thanks are also due to the compilers of spring count data referred to above and below and to the compiler of the spring 2002 season report for Kentucky (Busroe 2002c) for providing unpublished and published bird data, respectively; corrections to errors in  Busroe (2002c) are noted below in the species accounts for Northern Saw-whet Owl, Henslow's Sparrow, and Lincoln's Sparrow.  Finally, the many field observers who shared their records are thanked and encouraged to continue their generosity.

Geese Through Ducks

An adult Ross's Goose at the farm of John and Evelyne Stites on the Putnam/Jackson Co. line, TN, 17 April 2002 (JS, SJS photo) and nearby 20 April 2002 (DLC) was only the second ever noted in the former county, probably the first record for the latter county, and the only Regional report of the season.  Two Canada Geese along Clear Fork in the BSFNRRA, Scott Co., TN, 14 April 2002 (SJS, BHS) provided one of few recent records for that park.

    Very late and providing a new late spring date for Putnam Co., TN, as well as being registered on the Putnam County SBC, a female American Wigeon was noted at a pond on the Cookeville Golf Course 9 & 11 May 2002 (SJS, WAW).  The earliest arriving Regional Blue-winged Teal were two seen south of Jamestown, Fentress Co., TN, 10 March 2002 (SJS); four in Russell Co., KY, 23 March 2002 (RMD) probably provided a new county record, while four in the BSFNRRA near Station Camp, Scott Co., TN, 24 March 2002 (SJS, BHS) provided the second park record; two near Nemo  in the OWSR, Morgan Co., TN, 30 March 2002 (SJS) provided just the third record for that area.  A Green-winged Teal 23 March 2002 in Pickett Co., TN (DH, RH), became the first ever for that county; three in the BSFNRRA near Bear Creek, McCreary Co., KY, 24 March 2002 (SJS, BHS) were the first ever for that federal site.

    Four Redheads at Cane Creek Park, Putnam Co., TN, 18 March 2002 (SJS) were the first migrants reported of this species; two of these were still present the next day; singles were present at the sewage plant in Celina, Clay Co., TN (TMC), and on Lake Cumberland, Pulaski Co., KY (RMD), both 20 March 2002.  Ninety Lesser Scaups on the lake at Cane Creek Park, Putnam Co., TN, 16 March 2002 (SJS) constituted a record high count for that county; the latest northward migrant was noted in Pulaski Co., KY, 29 April 2002 (RMD).  Quite unexpected and looking considerably disheveled, a molting male Long-tailed Duck was present on the lake at Cane Creek Park, Putnam Co., TN, 8-11 May 2002 (SJS photo, SHF, MPO, LIG), providing only the second record for the county and one of the latest spring records for the UCR and Tennessee, as well as remaining just long enough to be recorded on the SBC in that county.  A latish female Hooded Merganser was present at Montgomery Bridge over the Emory River, Morgan Co., TN, 26 April 2002 (SJS); another female foraging on the lake at Cane Creek Park, Putnam Co., TN, 30 May 2002 (SJS photo, WAW et al.) suggested local breeding.  Seventy Red-breasted Mergansers in Russell Co., KY, 23 March 2002 (RMD) were perhaps the first ever reported, although certainly not the first to occur, in that county.

Loons through Herons

Thirty Common Loons at the Floating Mill Recreation Area, Center Hill Lake, DeKalb Co., TN, 27 April 2002 (SJS et al.) were the most and the latest reported Regionally during the season. Two Pied-billed Grebes on the Big South Fork of the Cumberland River, BSFNRRA, were sighted from canoes between Station Camp and the Kentucky state line, Scott Co., TN (SJS, BHS); they constituted a high count and a late spring date for the park, as well as providing one of  the few records for that site; another Pied-bill stayed the season at Cane Creek Park, Putnam Co., TN, and was still present, in good breeding plumage, 30 May 2002 (SJS photo, WAW et al.).  A flock of 18 Horned Grebes on the lake at Cane Creek Park, Putnam Co., TN, 14 March 2002 (SJS) provided a new high count for that county; a lone Horned Grebe on a pond in northern Fentress Co., TN, 19 March 2002 (PC) became the first record for that county; the last Horned Grebes of the season at the Floating Mill Recreation Area, Center Hill Lake, DeKalb Co., TN, were 41 counted 25 March 2002 (SJS); all data from Horned Grebe surveys at this site during the past winter may be accessed at this website: http://iweb.tntech.edu/sstedman/HOGR1.htm.  A migrating flock of 100+ Double-crested Cormorants in Putnam Co., TN, 14 April 2002 (BHS, SJS) provided a new high count for that county; a cormorant at the Dillon Pond, Livingston, Overton Co., TN, 29 May 2002 (SJS photo) was latest for the season Regionally.

    The Great Blue Heron rookery on Moss Island near the Floating Mill Recreation Area, Center Hill Lake, DeKalb Co., TN, was active again this year with about 20 nests noted on several dates in March and April; however, high water in the lake inundated some of the nests by 18 May 2002 (SJS).  The small, but long-standing, rookery on the Caney Fork River in the the Bridgestone/Firestone Centennial Wilderness, White Co., TN, had four nests 21 May 2002 (SJS photo); one of these had two half-grown young.  The rookery at the marina in Edgar Evins State Park, Center Hill Lake, Dekalb Co., TN, had eight nests, seven with birds sitting on them, 25 May 2002 (CDW); last year only two nests were present at this site.  On 11 April 2002 32 Great Blues and 36 nests were counted at a heronry at Lee's Ford Dock, Pulaski Co., KY (RMD); leaf emergence made monitoring of this rookery difficult after that date.  Better monitoring of these and other rookeries around the Region would be benefit our knowledge of this species. 

    The first Great Egrets of the season were two seen in northern Putnam Co., TN, 3 April 2002 (GKE); three were sighted the next day near Celina, Clay Co., TN (TMC). A Snowy Egret at the lake in Cane Creek Park, Putnam Co., TN, 16 April 2002 (SJS photo) provided the fifth county record (and fourth during spring).  A Tricolored Heron at the Lillydale Campground, Dale Hollow Lake, Clay Co., TN, 20 April 2002 (WAW, SJS photo, RMD et al.) provided the first record for that county and probably for the UCR.  The only Cattle Egret reported during the season was noted 11 May 2002 on the Bledsoe County, TN, SBC (DS, RS).  The National Fish Hatchery near Celina, Clay Co., TN, hosted the first returning Green Heron 8 April 2002 (TMC).

    Earliest ever in Putnam/White Co., TN, 13 April 2002 (WAW), an adult Yellow-crowned Night-Heron at Burgess Falls State Natural Area was carrying nest material, the first time this behavior has been noted for birds at this site (although breeding has been strongly suspected to have occurred there since at least 1987, mainly based on the presence of immatures during June and July); an adult was incubating on a nest at the same site 21 & 27 April and 4, 11, & 18 May 2002 (SJS photo, CDW photo, WAW et al.); an adult was standing on the nest and another adult was foraging below the dam in the nearby Falling Water River 29 May 2002 (SJS photos). 

Raptors through Shorebirds

The earliest Osprey appeared at Cane Creek Park, Putnam Co., TN, 3 April 2002 (SJS et al.); an Osprey seen 21 May 2002 in the Bridgestone/Firestone Centennial Wilderness, White Co., TN (SJS), was either a very late migrant or a bird that might be breeding locally (i.e., along the Caney Fork River); one pair nesting in Jackson Co., TN, was back by late April (TMC), and at least two nests were active in that county 28 May 2002 (SJS photos).  The latest Northern Harriers were represented by two at Cane Creek Park 28 April 2002 (WAW).  A Cooper's Hawk was noted on a nest near Mt. Zion, Pulaski Co., KY, 15 April 2002 (RMD; Busroe 2002) and another was observed in courtship flight over Dillon Pond, Livingston, Overton Co., TN, 27 April 2002 (SJS et al.).  Following the first Regional report 9 April 2002 in Putnam County, TN (RWS), a Broad-winged Hawk was found inspecting a nest east of Crossville along the Grassy Cove Segment of the Cumberland Trail, Cumberland Co., TN, 10 April 2002 (SJS); on 29 April, 8 and 31 May 2002 an adult Broad-wing was incubating on the same nest (SJS, DLC).  Quite rare Regionally, a Peregrine Falcon showed up on the Pulaski Co., KY, SBC 11 May 2002 (SM fide RMD), the first record of that fine raptor on that SBC, now in its third year of operation.

    Four Whooping Cranes spent the night of 14/15 April 2002 near Clarkrange in Fentress Co., TN (fide TE), during their northward flight from Florida to Wisconsin. Another Whooper was in McMinn Co., TN--to the south of the UCR--that night and might also have passed northward through the Region on a later date.  The latest migrant Sandhill Cranes were noted 11 March 2002 in Putnam Co., TN (BHS, MPO; see Appendix A below), but an injured bird remained in that county until at least 6 May 2002 (WB); very late were two straggling Sandhills heard during the Pulaski Co., KY, SBC 11 May 2002 (SM).  The only regional  Sora was reported at Pumphouse Pond, Pulaski Co., KY, 26 April 2002 (RMD).  A late American Coot was present at Dillon Pond, Livingston, Overton Co., TN, 29 May 2002 (SJS photo).

    A Semipalmated Plover in Pulaski Co., KY, 15 May 2002 (RMD) was the earliest reported Regionally.  Three Greater Yellowlegs at Plum Point, Green River Lake, Adair Co., KY, 9 March 2002 (RMD) were the first of the season reported.  Two Lesser Yellowlegs in Pickett Co., TN, 22-23 March 2002 (RCH) were earliest reported in the Region and the first-ever reported from that county; five were at Mt. Zion, Pulaski Co., KY, 17 May 2002 (RMD).   The first Solitary Sandpiper was noted about four miles west of Clarkrange, Fentress Co., TN, 6 April 2002 (JD, CS et al.); among the latest reported was one near Mt. Zion, Pulaski Co., KY, 17 May 2002 (RMD).  Three Least Sandpipers at Plum Point, Green River Lake, Adair Co., KY, 9 March 2002 (RMD) were the first of the season reported.  Sixteen latish Semipalmated Sandpipers were at Mt. Zion, Pulaski Co., KY, 31 May 2002 (RMD).   Three Pectoral Sandpipers in Pulaski Co., KY, 21 April 2002 (RMD) were the first of the season Regionally.  Six American Woodcocks at Bear Creek, BSFNRRA, McCreary Co., KY, 29 April 2002 (LMM, TM) established a new high count for the park.

    A Forster's Tern at Cane Creek Park, Putnam Co., TN, on the SBC 11 May 2002 (GKE, KM, DAD; Casteel 2002c) provided the only sighting of the season Regionally, as well as being the first record for the SBC in that county.

Owls through Flycatchers

Black-billed Cuckoos are seldom reported Regionally, so one on the Pulaski County, KY,  SBC 11 May 2002 (MY) was noteworthy.  The first Yellow-billed Cuckoo of the season showed up in Warren Co., TN, 29 April 2002 (CM, DM). 

    Several young Barn Owls were present 27 April and 4, 11, & 18 May 2002 at the site in Putnam Co., TN (SJS, CDW photo, BHS et al.) where a brood of six was found during April-June 2001 (see the Spring 2001 and Summer 2001 UCR bird reports for details about the 2001 breeding record); by 29 May 2002 all the young were able to fly (SJS photo).  A pair of Great Horned Owls nested on 6th Street in Cookeville, Putnam Co., TN (Michael Harvey fide GKE) and had young on the nest by early April; on 27 April 2002 two young were out of the nest with an adult nearby (CDW photo; SJS [photo] et al.).  A Northern Saw-whet Owl about four miles north of the Bandy Creek Visitor Center in the BSFNRRA, Scott Co., TN, 1 March 2002 (SJS, NM) was the fourth encountered during a 100-stop survey for the species in the BSFNRRA during Jan-March 2002; complete results of the survey are posted at this website:

         http://iweb.tntech.edu/sstedman/NorthernSaw-whetOwlSurveyResults.htm.

Two saw-whets were heard and seen in the Little Lick area, DBNF, Pulaski Co., KY, 10 March 2002 (RMD; reported incorrectly as "1" by Busroe [2002c]), providing the first record for that county; one saw-whet was still present at the same site 13 March 2002 (RMD, GH, CN, WN).

    The earliest Eastern Whip-poor-will was heard in McCreary Co., KY, 11 April 2002 (LMM, TM); another was in Cookeville, Putnam Co., TN, 13 April 2002 (ILC).   The earliest Chuck-will's-widow was heard 17 April 2002 in south Cookeville, Putnam Co., TN (SHF).  A Common Nighthawk in Cookeville, Putnam Co., TN, 20 April 2002 (GKE) tied the early arrival date for that county and also provided the early arrival date in the UCR this season.

    Two Chimney Swifts noted at Cane Creek Park, Putnam Co., TN, 1 April 2002 (SJS) represented the first of the season in the Region.  Jackson Co., TN, hosted the earliest-arriving Ruby-throated Hummingbird 3 April 2002, when one was noted near Flynn's Lick (Michael Hawkins fide CDW).  A count of eight Belted Kingfishers in the BSFNRRA between Station Camp, Scott Co., TN, and Blue Heron, McCreary Co., KY, 24 March 2002 (SJS, BHS) provided a record high count for the park.

    Earliest Regionally was an Eastern Wood-Pewee at Barnes Hollow, Putnam Co., TN, 28 April 2002 (RWS).  Acadian Flycatchers generally arrived a bit later than usual; the first report of the season came from Barnes Hollow, Putnam Co., TN, 29 April 2002 (RWS).  Two Alder Flycatchers, scarce migrants in the Region, were noted in Pulaski Co., KY, 11 May 2002 during the SBC in that county (RMD, JB).  Back for the fourth consecutive year at Cane Creek Park, Putnam Co., TN, a Willow Flycatcher was noted 8 May 2002 (SJS, SHF, MPO), the earliest ever for the county and earliest this season Regionally; two singing birds and a nonsinging bird on 30 May 2002 at Cane Creek Park provided a high count for that county; another Willow was singing at the McCreary County, KY, airport 14-15 & 22-27 May 2002 (SJS, LMM, TM et al.), a site where a singing Willow was present during May 2000; at least three singing males along with a nonsinging bird were present 22 May 2002 at the McCreary Co., KY, airport (SJS, TM); a singing Willow was noted near Gainesboro, Jackson Co., TN, 28 May 2002 (SJS); and a singing Willow was in Oneida, Scott Co., TN, 30 May 2002 (NM). The earliest report of Least Flycatcher, another scarce migrant--and even more scarce breeder--in the Region, came from City Lake, Putnam Co., TN, 3 May 2002 (SJS); another was present near Science Hill, Pulaski Co., KY, 19 May 2002 (RMD).  The earliest Great Crested Flycatcher was a bit late at Norris Ford in Morgan Co., TN, 19 April 2002 (SJS, BHS, SHF).  Western Putnam Co., TN, hosted the earliest arriving Eastern Kingbird 7 April 2002 (SHF).

Shrikes through Wrens

Two Loggerhead Shrikes at Hogue and two others at Beechgrove, both Pulaski Co., KY, 14 and 22 March 2002 (RMD), respectively, represented likely breeding pairs; see the SBC Summary for records of shrikes in Pulaski Co., KY, and Bledsoe Co., TN, 11 May 2002.  The earliest White-eyed Vireo showed up in western Putnam Co., TN, 7 April 2002 (SHF), and the earliest Yellow-throated Vireo was noted 4 April 2002 at Barnes Hollow, Putnam Co., TN (RWS), the latter being the earliest ever in that county.  The earliest report of Blue-headed Vireo was provided by one 15 March 2002 at the Floating Mill Recreation Area, Center Hill Lake, DeKalb Co., TN (SJS); others were heard 16 March 2002 at Montgomery Bridge near Wartburg, Morgan Co., TN,  (BHS) and near Buzzard Rock, McCreary Co., KY (LMM), the latter providing a new early arrival date for the BSFNRRA; ten 6 April 2002 near Little Lick, DBNF, Pulaski Co., KY (RMD), constituted a good number.  Two Warbling Vireos at Dillon Pond, Livingston, Overton Co., TN, 27 April 2002 (SJS et al.) provided the earliest sighting of the season Regionally and also represented a probable first record for that county; others were at Cane Creek Park, Putnam Co., TN, 3 May 2002 (SJS), on the Pulaski Co., KY, SBC 11 May 2002 (fide RMD), and near Science Hill, Pulaski Co., KY, 21 May 2002 (RMD).  The first Philadelphia Vireos of the season were two on the Pulaski County, KY, SBC 11 May 2002 (SM); another was reported 19 May 2002 near Science Hill, Pulaski Co., KY (RMD).  The first Red-eyed Vireos showed up 12 April 2002 in Clay Co., TN (RS) and Putnam Co., TN (SJS).

    Four Horned Larks at the McCreary Co., KY, airport 14-27 May 2002 (SJS, LMM, TM et al.) probably represented the first record for that county. The earliest Purple Martins showed up on the Putnam/White County line, TN, 16 March 2002 (RWH).  See the Winter 2001-2002 UCR Bird Report for the first Tree Swallow report of the "season"; territorial birds were noted at many traditional breeding sites around the Region by mid-April, as well as some not-so-traditional ones, including Dillon Pond, Livingston, Overton Co., TN, where a nest was active 29 May 2002 (SJS photo), and near the Hurricane Bridge, Center Hill Lake, DeKalb Co., TN, where at least two nests was active (CDW photo).   The earliest Northern Rough-winged Swallows of the season were noted in Cane Creek Park, Putnam Co., TN, 23 March 2002 (SJS), while the earliest Bank Swallow was noted at Cane Creek Park 26 April 2002 (SJS); a late Bank was also present at Cane Creek Park 28 & 30 May 2002 (SJS), suggestive of local nesting. The earliest reported Cliff Swallows were 50+ in Granville, Jackson Co., TN (SJS), but this sighting was a couple of week later than the birds probably arrived; the colony usually nesting at exit 268 on I-40, Putnam Co., TN, was not active this spring; the small colony on Spring Fork Rd., Putnam Co., TN, had four birds present 11 May 2002, but none could be found later in the month (SJS).  Earliest Barn Swallows of the season were four in Pickett Co., TN (DH, RCH), and two at Pulaski County Park, Pulaski Co., KY (RMD), both 23 March 2002.

    A male Red-breasted Nuthatch exhibiting apparent territorial behavior was found in the Bandy Creek area of BSFNRRA, Scott Co., TN, 26 May 2002 (FR), providing a late spring date for the park and strongly indicating the possibility of local breeding; however, subsequent searches of this area (RF, SJS) did not disclose any further evidence of the bird's presence; elsewhere the latest spring departure date in the Region was 9 May 2002, when one was present at the Cookeville Golf Course, Putnam Co., TN (SJS, WAW).  A Brown-headed Nuthatch was possibly excavating a cavity in the dead limb of an old but still living loblolly pine at the Cookeville Golf Course, Putnam Co., TN, 5 April 2002 (SJS); four or five, representing 2-3 pairs, were found at this site 21 April 2002 (SJS, WAW); at least three were noted 9 May 2002 when one bird was seen repeatedly entering and exiting a cavity (SJS, WAW); five were reported from this site on the Putnam County SBC (WAW, MPO et al.); eight (a new high count for the county), including a juvenile, were noted 30 May 2002, also at the golf course (SJS), providing the first evidence of breeding at the site; see the report for Winter 2001-2002 Bird Report  for the first record of this species in Putnam Co.  Six Brown Creepers were noted at Little Lick, DBNF, Pulaski Co., KY, 6 April 2002 (RMD), probably an indication of migration. 

    The first House Wren of the season appeared near City Lake, Putnam Co., TN, 14 April 2002 (SJS); 40 were counted on the Putnam Co., TN, SBC 11 May 2002, the highest count in that county ever; four were counted in Smithville, DeKalb Co., TN, 27 May 2002 (SJS) during a two-hour search of the town; ten were counted in Tompkinsville, Monroe Co., KY, 29 May 2002 (SJS) during a one-hour search of the town. The earliest report of Blue-gray Gnatcatcher came from Cane Creek Park, Putnam Co., TN , where one was singing 1 April 2002 (SJS).  Somewhat late for a first sighting of the spring was a Veery at Cane Creek Park, Putnam Co., TN, 2 May 2002 (SJS).  The earliest report of Swainson's Thrush came from the Floating Mill Recreation Area, Center Hill Lake, DeKalb Co., TN, 27 April 2002 (SJS et al.); two were noted on Brady Mountain, CTSP, Cumberland Co., TN, 20 May 2002 (SJS), the latest report of the season.  Counts of 19 and 4 Hermit Thrushes at Little Lick, DBNF, and Bee Rock, respectively, both Pulaski Co., KY, 6 April 2002 (RMD) were quite high; four were noted, one singing, near the Hattie Blevins Cemetery, BSFNRRA, Scott Co., TN, late on the same day (SJS, CS), providing a late spring date for that area; the reports on 6 April 2002 were the latest of the season Regionally.  Earliest for the season was a Wood Thrush at City Lake, Putnam Co., TN, 11 April 2002 (BHS).  Three American Pipits on Old Mill Rd., Putnam Co., TN, 27 April 2002 (LIG, SJS et al.) were nearly a month later than any previous pipits in that county and the latest reported Regionally this season.

Warblers

Earliest arriving Blue-winged Warblers were five singing in western Putnam Co., TN, 13 April 2002 (SJS).  Two Golden-winged Warblers were noted on the Pulaski Co., KY, SBC 11 May 2002 (SM), the first of the season noted Regionally; another singing (both Type A and Type B songs) territorially 14 May 2002 on Indian Knob Rd. near the McCreary Co., KY, airport (SJS, LMM et al.) could not be found during subsequent searches; however, still another Golden-wing was singing (Type A song only) territorially 1-2 miles away on Rt. 478, McCreary Co., KY, 22-23 & 27 May 2002 (SJS, TM, LMM), and its song was slightly different from the song of the bird found 14 May; on 31 May 2002 a singing bird was noted at another site on Indian Knob Rd. about a half mile from the site where the 14 May sighting took place (LMM, TM).  These sites are located at an elevation of about 1200 feet, lower than one would expect to find breeding GWWAs. All these sites possessed similar habitat--thick second growth brush about 5-10 feet tall with scattered taller, but dead, pines. None of the records for McCreary Co. was included in the spring report of bird sightings in Kentucky by Busroe (2002).  During  past breeding seasons LMM has heard GWWA songs in this area but was never able to confirm any of her birds visually. The 2002 records, if breeding-related, would represent an extension of the known breeding range of the species.

    The Pleasant Grove Recreation Area on Dale Hollow Lake, Clay Co., TN, produced the first Tennessee Warbler of the season 20 April 2002 (SJS, RMD et al.).  An Orange-crowned Warbler on East Valley Rd., Bledsoe Co., TN, 21 April 2002 (SJS, WAW), possibly provided the first county record. The earliest Nashville Warblers were two in McCreary Co., KY, 24 April 2002 (TM); a count of seven on Brady Mt., CTSP, Cumberland Co., TN, 29 April 2002 (SJS) was higher than normally reported. A Northern Parula 6 April 2002 at Bee Rock, Pulaski Co., KY (RMD), was the first reported Regionally for the season.  Six singing Yellow Warblers in western Putnam Co., TN, 13 April 2002 (SJS) were the first reported of the season.  Earliest ever in Putnam Co., TN, 15 April 2002 (RWS), as well as earliest this season Regionally, was a singing Chestnut-sided Warbler; ten and twelve territorial Chestnut-sides at an elevation of 2600-2800 feet on Brady Mt., CTSP, Cumberland Co., TN, 29 April 2002 (SJS) and 20 May 2002 (SJS), respectively, were at a likely breeding site; six territorial males on Black Mountain, CTSP, Cumberland Co., TN, 20 May 2002 (SJS) were also likely breeders; 19 singing males on Hinch Mountain, Cumberland Co., TN, 31 May 2002 (SJS) also represented likely breeders; a singing male on Indian Knob Rd. in the DBNF, McCreary Co., KY, 23-31 May 2002 (LMM. TM) was also a probable breeder; a second bird was singing nearby on one date during that period (LMM, TM).  Earliest Magnolia and Cape May warblers were noted at Cane Creek Park, Putnam Co., TN, 1 May 2002 (SJS et al.); one of the latter species was noted 21 May 2002 at Mt. Zion, Pulaski Co., KY (RMD).  The earliest report of Black-throated Blue Warbler, a scarce Regional migrant, came from Putnam Co., TN, 28 April 2002 (RWS).

    Black-throated Green Warblers returned to Clear Fork, BSFNRRA, near Rugby, Morgan Co., TN, 29 March 2002, when at least five were counted along ten miles of river between there and Burnt Mill Bridge, Scott Co., TN (SJS).  The first Yellow-throated Warbler reported Regionally was noted in Barnes Hollow, Putnam Co., TN, 26 March 2002 (RWS).  

    See the Winter 2001-2002  Bird Report for the earliest Pine Warbler of the year.  Since at least 1989 this species has nested every year at City Lake Natural Area, Putnam Co., TN, but in 1999 and 2000 southern pine beetles wiped out the hectare-sized stand of loblolly pines that the warblers used for nesting. The warblers nested at City Lake in 2001 despite the fact that all the pines were dead, but during Spring 2002 (by which time some, but not all, of the dead pines had been cut down) no Pine Warblers were noted at this site.  See the Summer 2002 UCR Bird Report  for comments on the effect of pine beetles on this species in the BSFNRRA.

    A Prairie Warbler at City Lake, Putnam Co., TN, 6 April 2002 (BHS) was the first of the season reported in the Region and earliest ever by one day in that county; a good count of 36 was made 29 April 2002 at Little Lick, DBNF, Pulaski Co., KY (RMD). The first probable migrant Palm Warbler was noted near Dale Hollow Dam, Clay Co., TN, 7 March 2002 (RS).  The earliest Bay-breasted Warbler showed up at City Lake, Putnam Co., TN, 23 April 2002 (BHS); a late bird was at Mt. Zion, Pulaski Co., KY, 21 May 2002 (RMD). A Blackpoll Warbler in Cookeville, Putnam Co., TN, 18 April 2002 (WAW) tied the early spring date for that county and was the first reported in the UCR this season; a late Blackpoll was in McCreary Co., KY, 23 May 2002 (LMM).

    Two singing Cerulean Warblers on Martin Creek Rd. in western Putnam Co., TN, 13 April 2002 (SJS) were earliest ever in that county, as well as earliest reported Regionally this season; a female was noted gathering nest material near this site 4 May 2002 (SJS); three Ceruleans were singing 29 April 2002 on Brady Mountain, CTSP, Cumberland Co., TN, (SJS), a potential breeding site; another was noted on Rt. 56 in southeastern Macon Co., TN, 28 May 2002 (SJS), one of few records for that county.  The earliest report of Black-and-white Warbler came from northern Fentress Co., TN, 22 March 2002 (PC).  Six singing American Redstarts in western Putnam Co., TN, 13 April 2002 (SJS) provided the earliest record ever for that county, as well as being earliest reported Regionally this season.  The earliest Prothonotary Warbler of the season came from Lake Cumberland Wildlife Management Area, Pulaski Co., KY, 11 April 2002 (RMD). Two singing Worm-eating Warblers on Rt. 96 in western Putnam Co., TN, 13 April 2002 (SJS) were the first reported of the season.  The first Swainson's Warbler of the season was noted near Yahoo Falls, BSFNRRA, McCreary Co., KY, 21 April 2002 (LMM, TM), tying the early arrival date for the park; four near Little Lick, DBNF, Pulaski Co., KY, 29 April 2002 (RMD) represented a good count (but none were reported on the Pulaski Co., SBC); see Appendix B below for a list of sightings in the Region this season.  An Ovenbird in the Little Lick area, DBNF, Pulaski Co., KY, 6 April 2002 (RMD) was the first of the season in the Region and second-earliest ever in the Bluegrass State (fide BPB).

    The first Northern Waterthrush of the season was noted at City Lake, Putnam Co., TN, 20 April 2002 (BHS).  The season's first Louisiana Waterthrushes involved two in the BSFNRRA along the main river  between Station Camp and Difficulty Creek, Scott Co., TN, 24 March 2002 (SJS, BHS).  The earliest Kentucky Warbler was at Barnes Hollow, Putnam Co., TN, 16 April 2002 (RWS).  A Connecticut Warbler at Fishing Creek, Lake Cumberland Wildlife Management Area, Pulaski Co., KY, 21 May 2002 (RMD) provided the only Regional record for the season of this seldom-encountered parulid.

    The earliest Common Yellowthroat was near City Lake, Putnam Co., TN, 12 April 2002 (SJS). During the Putnam Co., TN, SBC, the party in the western section of the county tabulated 82 Common Yellowthroats during 14.5 hours of field work over 141 miles.  During the 2001 SBC in the same part of the county 197 yellowthroats were counted in 14.75 hours over 168 miles.  This major change in yellowthroat numbers cries out for explanation, which seems to derive from the herbicide spraying schedule along power lines in that part of the county by the Tennessee Valley Authority and by the Upper Cumberland Electric Membership Corporation.  The right-of-ways for most lines were severely devegetated as a result of spraying this year but had not been recently sprayed at the time of the 2001 SBC.  It will be interesting to see if yellowthroat numbers on the SBC in the county rebound during future years when herbicide spraying does not affect vegetation in power line right-of-ways.

    The first report of Hooded Warbler was provided by one singing 10 April 2002 along the Black Mountain Section of the Grassy Cove Segment, CTSP, Cumberland Co., TN (SJS).  The earliest Canada Warbler was at Barnes Hollow, Putnam Co., TN, 4 May 2002 (RWS).  The earliest Wilson's Warbler  was noted 19 April 2002 at Mt. Zion, Pulaski Co., KY (RMD); others noted were singles 11 May 2002 on the SBCs in Pulaski Co., KY (TM, LMM), and Putnam Co., TN (BHS).  The earliest Yellow-breasted Chat was noted on Potter's Chapel Rd., Morgan Co., TN, 19 April 2002 (SJS, BHS, SHF).

Sparrowss through Finches

A flock of 28 Field Sparrows in the BSFNRRA, Scott Co., TN, 7 March 2002 (NM) provided a record high count for that Area.  The earliest Vesper Sparrow arrival was provided by at least one in Pulaski Co., KY, 20 March 2002 (RMD).  Earliest Grasshopper Sparrows included two singing at the Ano strip mines, Pulaski Co., KY, 14 April 2002 (RMD); a nest with one egg was found at the McCreary Co., KY, airport 15 May 2002 (LMM, TM).   Earliest Henslow's Sparrows included three singing at the Ano Strip Mines, Pulaski Co., KY, 14 April 2002 (RMD); two in Wayne Co., KY, 17 April 2002 (RMD; reported incorrectly as "10"  by Busroe [2002c]) probably provided the first record for that county; seven were counted 11 May 2002 on the Pulaski Co., KY, SBC (fide RMD).  The latest report of Savannah Sparrow came from the McCreary Co., KY, airport 15 May 2002 (LMM, TM).  The latest Fox Sparrow was represented by one in Pulaski Co., KY, 6 April 2002 (RMD).  Two Song Sparrows at the Barthell Mining Camp, BSFNRRA, McCreary Co., KY, 13-14 May 2002 (SJS et al.) represented only the second "breeding season" report for that park.  Few reports of Lincoln's Sparrow typically are made each spring in the Region, so one was noteworthy 29 April 2002 at Little Lick, DBNF, Pulaski Co., KY,  (RMD; incorrectly reported as occurring at "Mt. Zion," Pulaski Co., KY, by Busroe [2002c]). The latest Swamp Sparrow came from Old Mill Rd., Putnam Co., TN, 4 May 2002 (SJS, BHS), and the latest White-crowned Sparrow was in the Shenandoah subdivision of Cookeville, Putnam Co., TN,  7 May 2002 (JH).

    The earliest reported Summer Tanager was noted in Cookeville, Putnam Co., TN, 18 April 2002 (WAW), while the earliest Scarlet Tanager was at Barnes Hollow, Putnam Co., TN, 12 April 2002 (RWS). 

    "Eeking" diagnostically, a Rose-breasted Grosbeak at Cane Creek Park, Putnam Co., TN, 17 April 2002 (SJS, SHF) was the first reported Regionally.  The earliest Blue Grosbeak was found in Wayne Co., KY, 17 April 2002 (RMD).  A very early arriving (or wintering) male Indigo Bunting showed up at Science Hill, Pulaski Co., KY, 18 March 2002 (RMD), certainly one of the earliest arrival dates ever recorded in the Region, if the bird was, in fact, a migrant.

    The earliest reported Bobolinks Regionally were eight on Ball Hill Rd., Putnam Co., TN, 27 April 2002 (SJS et al.); 25 (mainly females) were present at the Chestnut Ridge fields in the Bridgestone/Firestone Centennial Wilderness, White Co., TN, 21 May 2002 (SJS).  Twenty-eight Red-winged Blackbirds near the Bandy Creek Visitor Center, Scott Co., TN (NM), 8 March 2002 provided a record high count for the BSFNRRA.  The latest departing Rusty Blackbirds in the Region were two19 March 2002 at Cane Creek Park, Putnam Co., TN (SJS). The first Orchard Oriole of the season appeared in Wayne Co., KY, 17 April 2002 (RMD).   A Baltimore Oriole in Cookeville, Putnam Co., TN, 18 April 2002 (WAW) provided the earliest report of the season Regionally.  

    The latest Purple Finch report came from the Shenandoah subdivision in Cookeville, Putnam Co., TN, 7 May 2002 (JH), while the last Pine Siskin was reported east of Monterey during the Putnam Co., TN, SBC 11 May 2002 (RWS).  Quite unexpected but delightful were three Evening Grosbeaks in Byrdstown, Pickett Co., TN, 2 April 2002 (RCH; Casteel 2002c), the only report of the season.

Observers: Judy Brant (JB), Wally Brines (WB), Peggy Camden (PC), Terry M. Campbell (TMC), Jason Carbaugh (JC), Daniel L. Combs (DLC), Ivan L. Cordrey (ILC), D. Ann Davis (DAD), Jay Desgrosellier (JD), Roseanna M. Denton (RMD; listed incorrectly as Roseanna "Deaton" by Busroe [2002]), Ginger K. Ensor (KE), Troy Ettel (TE), Louann I. Gum (LIG), David Hassler (DH), Robbie C. Hassler (RCH), R. Wayland Hawkins (RWH), Jane Herrin (JH), Gay Hodges (GH), Crystal Malone (CM), Doug Malone (DM), Scott Marsh (SM), Lynda M. Mills (LMM), Tom Mills (TM), Nell Moore (NM), Ken Morgan (KM), Connie Neeley (CN), Wendell Neeley (WN), Michael P. O'Rourke (MPO), Brainard L. Palmer-Ball, Jr. (BPB), Frank Renfrow (FR), Debbie Shannon (DS), Roi Shannon (RS), Richard W. Simmers, Jr. (RWS), Chris Sloan (CS), Ronnie Smith (RS), Barbara H. Stedman (BHS), Stephen J. Stedman (SJS), John Stites (JS), Winston A. Walden (WAW), and Carol D. Williams (CDW), Margaret York (MY).

Literature Cited

Appendix A.  Records of Migrant Sandhill Cranes in the Upper Cumberland Region during Spring 2002.

Appendix B. Records of Swainson's Warblers in UCR during Spring 2002.

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