BIRDS of the UPPER CUMBERLAND REGION

Spring 2008 UCR Bird Report

(1 March–31 May)

Stephen J. Stedman

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

sstedman@tntech.edu

Introduction

Spring around the Upper Cumberland Region (Figure 1) provided another avian cornucopia; read on.

Weather

There was some.

Organized Bird Counts

A summary of early arrival and late departure dates for migrant species observed during the season is available at this link:

• http://iweb.tntech.edu/sstedman/Spring2008ArrivalDepartureDatesUCR.htm

    A summary of results of Spring Bird Counts and Spring BirdBlitzes (i.e., spring counts not scheduled to be repeated annually) conducted in the Region is available at this link:

• Upper Cumberland Region SBCs and BirdBlitzes 2008

Peripheral Matter

    This May saw the emergence of broods of several species of periodic cicadas (Magicicada sp.), an event which must have had repercussions for the breeding birds of the Region.  Here is a list of Regional counties with an indication of the periodic cicadas' presence if noted:

Kentucky

Adair--present (Mark Willis)

Barren--present (Linda Craiger)

Clinton

Cumberland--present (SJS)

McCreary--present (SJS)

Metcalfe--present (SJS)

Monroe--present (SJS)

Pulaski--present (Laura Kamperman, Roseanna Denton)

Russell--present (Wes Little)

Wayne--present (SJS)

Tennessee

Bledsoe--present (Janie Finch, Dana Girard, Nan Beesley)

Clay--present (SJS, Michael Hawkins, Heather Gothard, Terry Campbell)

Cumberland--present (Margie Buxbaum, Michael Hodge, Ed LeGrand)

DeKalb

Fentress--present (Michael Hawkins, Nan Beesley)

Jackson--present (Ramona Pennington fide Janie Finch, Jim Layzer)

Macon--present (SJS)

Morgan--present (SJS, Michael E. Hodge, Michael Hawkins, Jim McCoullough)

Overton--present (John Froeschauer, Daniel Combs, Tim Riddle, Stanley Carter)

Pickett--present (Michael Hawkins, Robbie Hassler, Margo Hinkle)

Putnam--present (John Froeschauer, Betty Bright, Susan Ford, Ginger Ensor, Michael Hawkins, Greg Brown, Wally Brines, DJ Stanley, Kenneth Morgan, Ed LeGrand)

Scott--present (Michael Hawkins)

Smith

Van Buren--present (John Froeschaucer, Jacquie Wagner, Janie Finch)

Warren--present (Mac McWhirter, Gregg Garrison)

White--present (Susan Ford)

Abbreviations and Symbols: † = documentation form submitted; BSFNRRA = Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area; Co. = County; CTSP = Cumberland Trail State Park; DBNF = Daniel Boone National Forest; KY = Kentucky; OWSR = Obed Wild and Scenic River; S. N. A. = State Natural Area; S. P. = State Park; SBC = Spring Bird Count; TN = Tennessee; UCR = Upper Cumberland Region; USFS = U. S. Forest Service; WMA = Wildlife Management Area.

Waterfowl and Gallinaceous Species

At least 35 Snow Geese, including both white and blue morph individuals, were noted at Keisling Bottom near Taylor's Crossroads, Pickett Co., TN, 2 March 2008 (ES photo, KS), one of the largest flocks to be reported Regionally in recent years; these geese were probably present on other dates before, and possibly after, the date cited, but specifics were not available; a blue morph individual was present at the Randolph Pond, Walter Stone Rd., White Co., TN, 25 March 2008 (DAD).

    A Ross's Goose at Cooley's Pond, Wayne Co., KY, 4 & 7 March 2008 (RMD photo) was just the 2nd recorded in that county and just the 11th Regionally; another Ross's near Eubank, Pulaski Co., KY, 25-28 March 2008 (RMD) was first in spring in that county and 12th overall Regionally; and still another Ross's was photographed on Jaybird Rd., Overton Co., TN, 5 April 2008 (SJS photo), the first record for that county, 13th overall Regionally, and latest this spring Regionally.

    Earliest Blue-winged Teal this spring Regionally were four at the Waitsboro Recreation Area, Lake Cumberland, Pulaski Co., KY, 14 March 2008 (RMD), somewhat late for the first-of-season arrival date of this duck.

    First for Cumberland Co., TN, was a White-winged Scoter at Lake Holiday 2 March 2008 (DSi); this sighting also provided the latest spring record for the Region and was the first ever Regional record during the spring season.

    Two female-plumaged Buffleheads along the Big South Fork near its confluence with the Little South Fork, McCreary/Wayne county line, KY, 17 April 2008 (BPB) were late, but the last Buffleheads of the season to be reported Regionally were two female-plumaged individuals on Lake Tansi, Cumberland Co., TN, 3 May 2008 (DAD) during the Cumberland County SBC.

Loon through Herons

Two alternate-plumaged Common Loons observed near the Center Hill Dam, DeKalb Co., TN, 24 May 2008 (WAW) during the DeKalb County Foray provided the last record of the season Regionally.

    The last Horned Grebes of the season Regionally were nine alternate-plumaged individuals that lingered at the Floating Mill Recreation Area, Center Hill Lake, DeKalb Co., TN, until 12 April 2008 (SJS, EKL).

    The first largish group of Double-crested Cormorants reported during the season Regionally included 140 at Fishing Creek, Lake Cumberland, Pulaski Co., KY, 31 March 2008 (RMD); several flocks totaling 200 migrated north over the TTU campus, Cookeville, Putnam Co., TN, 9 April 2008 (SJS).

    Earliest ever during spring in the Region, an American Bittern was observed at Duck Pond, Duck Pond Rd., White Co., TN, 29 March 2008 (DAD, SJS), providing the 5th record for White County and 20th for the Region.

    Data about Great Blue Heron rookeries in the Region are provided in Appendix A.

    The Region's first report of Great Egret this spring came from Holleman's Bend Rd., Jackson Co., TN, 22 March 2008 (SJS).

    Earliest ever in Putnam Co., TN, and in the Region during spring, a Snowy Egret was present in Cane Creek Park, Cookeville, 19 March 2008 (SJS photo).

    A Cattle Egret on Black Oak Rd., White Co., TN, 11 April 2008 (CE, HH, DE, SJS) was the earliest to be reported Regionally this spring and just the 32nd ever for the Region.

    The first Green Heron of the season Regionally appeared a bit late at Frozen Head State Natural Area, Morgan Co., TN, 5 April 2008 (MEH).

    An adult Black-crowned Night-Heron at Cane Creek Park, Cookeville, Putnam Co., TN, 9 April 2008 (SJS, EKL, HH, CE, DE) tied the early spring arrival date in that county and was earliest this spring Regionally as well.

    The first Yellow-crowned Night-Heron of the spring Regionally was noted at Burgess Falls State Natural Area, Putnam Co., TN, 19 April 2008 (KS, DJS), somewhat late for the first report of the spring for this species.

New World Vultures and Diurnal Raptors

Previously unreported concentrations of Turkey and Black vultures included a roost numbering about 150 of the former species in Livingston, Overton Co., TN (ES, KS); another numbering 200+ of both species 14 March 2008 near mile marker 266 on I-40, far eastern Smith Co., TN (SJS); and still another numbering 100+ of both species 16 March 2008 in Carthage, Smith Co., TN (SJS, TMS).  See the Summer 2008 UCR Bird Rport for information about a late May 2008 breeding site in Cumberland Co., TN.

    A serendipitous result of the 2008 UCR Foray in DeKalb County was the discovery of a probable sub-adult Mississippi Kite in the Sligo Bridge 5 block--Allen Ferry Rd.--of the county 24 May 2008 (DAD†), a sighting that provided the 3rd Regional record of this handsome raptor.  Like the other records (in Overton and Putnam counties, TN), this one took place at a site where steep, wooded hillsides were present near a body of water.

    The first Osprey of the season Regionally was noted at the Sugar Creek nest, Jackson Co., TN, 5 March 2008 (NSL), about the same time that first-of-season Ospreys have arrived at nest sites in that county during each of  the past two years; by 26 March 2008, adults had returned to the four known nesting sites in Jackson County (NSL), and by 2 April 2008 an adult had returned to the nesting site in Smith County (KH).

    An adult Bald Eagle at a nest in Jackson Co., TN, 5 March 2008 (SJS) was present at one of only three breeding sites known to be active in the Region this season by that date (the other two being in DeKalb Co., TN, and Allen/Barren counties, KY), but still other Regional nests were surely also active, especially in the counties where Dale Hollow Lake lies; however, prying loose information about them, even about such general matters as the counties in which they are located, proves difficult each year.

    Earliest Broad-winged Hawks this spring Regionally were singles on Leffle Webb Rd., Cumberland Co., TN (EKL), and at Dry Creek Meadows, northern Putnam Co., TN (GKE), each 7 April 2008.

Rails through Terns

A small, dark-winged, unidentified rail in the Heritage Marsh, White Co., TN, 30 March 2008 (SJS) would have provided a record early spring arrival date for either Sora or Virginia Rail if it could have been pinned down to a species.

    All reports of Sandhill Cranes during this season are listed in an appendix to the Winter 2007-2008 UCR Bird Report; a latish date took place when a single calling Sandhill was heard near Leffle Webb Rd., Cumberland Co., TN, 7 April 2008 (EKL), but reports of two flying cranes near Mayland, Cumberland Co., TN, 18 April 2008 (JD) and two cranes on the ground near the same site 20 April 2008 (JEM) pushed back the late departure date for the season Regionally quite a bit.  A crane on the ground at Snake Creek, Adair Co., KY, 6 May 2008 (RMD) during the Adair County BirdBlitz, may have been sick or injured.

    A nicely described Whooping Crane was observed migrating with a flock of 144 Sandhill Cranes in Cumberland Co., TN, 12 March 2008 (WF).

    The first Spotted Sandpiper of the spring Regionally showed up at Cane Creek Park, Cookeville, Putnam Co., TN, 10 April 2008 (SJS), about on time for this migrant windbird; a late Spotted was a Bee Rock, Pulaski Co., KY, 24 May 2008 (TH).

    The first Solitary Sandpipers of the season in the Region were noted in Putnam and White counties, TN, 11 April 2008 (SJS et al.).

    Earliest Regional Greater and Lesser yellowlegs this spring were noted at Casey Creek, Adair Co., KY, 29 March 2008 (RMD), quite late for first-of-season reports of these shorebirds, especially the former.

    The first Least Sandpipers of the season Regionally were seven at Casey Creek, Adair Co., KY, 29 March 2008 (RMD), quite late for first-of-season reports.

    The first Pectoral Sandpipers of the spring Regionally were 13 that appeared on Student's Home Rd., DeKalb Co., TN, 15 March 2008 (JuF photo), not too much later than the normal arrival time around the Region.

    A nestling/fledgling American Woodcock was photographed on Bull Ridge Rd., Cumberland Co., KY, 17 April 2008 (CK photo), providing the first record for that county; a few days earlier the nest had four eggs (RB).

    First ever during spring in the Region, an adult Laughing Gull at the Waitsboro Recreation Area, Lake Cumberland, Pulaski Co., KY, 21 March 2008 (RMD photo) provided the 6th Regional record and 2nd for that county.

    A concentration of 300 Bonaparte's Gulls at Wisdom Dock and 100 more at the end of Rt. 738, each Dale Hollow Lake, Clinton Co., KY, 5 April 2008 (SJS), were probably staging on that lake during their northward migration.  A count of 200 Bonies on Barren River Reservoir, Barren Co., KY, 3 April 2008 (DLR) and a count of 59 at the Hurricane Bridge, DeKalb Co., TN, 5 April 2008 (MJH) were probably also indicators of the same migratory behavior. A Bonie in Bledsoe Co., TN, 5 April 2008 (EKL) was the first ever to be reported there and probably related to the same phenomenon.  Concentrations of 50-400 Bonies have been present on the big lakes of the Region for periods of a week or so during late March and early April of several past spring seasons (see Spring 2004 UCR Bird Report and Spring 2007 UCR Bird Report).

    Five Common Terns near the Floating Mill Recreation Area, Center Hill Lake, DeKalb Co., TN, 24 May 2008 (MW, JN) were first ever for that county and the last reported Regionally this spring, when found during the DeKalb County Foray.

Doves through Vireos

Two Barn Owls were noted in a nest box erected for this species near Mayland, Cumberland Co., TN, 12 April 2008 (DJS photo, JEM), the same site where a pair raised young during the breeding season of 2007.  The traditional nesting site in Putnam Co., TN, again hosted a nest (with 5 eggs) 10 May 2008 (DLC, EKL) during the SBC in that county.  A single Barn Owl was noted at Mt. Zion, Pulaski Co., KY, another traditional site, 17 May 2008 (RMD).

    A calling Chuck-will's-widow on Allen Hollow Rd., Putnam Co., TN, 17 April 2008 (JCF) was the first of the spring Regionally to be reported, about on time for this goatsucker.

    The earliest reported Eastern Whip-poor-will this spring Regionally was a singer noted on the evening of 6 April 2008 in Dry Creek Meadows, northern Putnam Co., TN (GKE), a bit late for the first-of-season whip to be reported.

    Rather late for the first-of-season Chimney Swift to appear, one was noted 8 April 2008 in the Shenandoah area of Putnam Co., TN, on the evening of that date (MPO).

    The first Ruby-throated Hummingbird of the spring was noted about on time on Creed Rd., Van Buren Co., TN, 30 March 2008 (JW), but slightly later than the first-of-season Ruby-throat reported last year.

    The banded female Rufous Hummingbird that stayed the past two (probably three) winters on Creed Rd., Van Buren Co., TN, was last observed 19 April 2008 (JW video, BW), setting a new late spring departure date for the Region.

    Unrecorded Regionally before 26 April 2008, Acadian Flycatchers in excess of two dozen were observed at various locations in Jackson Co., TN, on that date (m. ob.) during the Jackson County BirdBlitz; this date is about normal for the species, but the large number found on that date suggest that some Acadians may arrive even earlier but be silent during their first days in the Region.

    Earliest ever during spring in the Region, a Willow Flycatcher was heard and seen on Bud Tanner Rd. near Mayland, Cumberland Co., TN, 3 May 2008 (JEM) during the Cumberland County SBC.

    First to be reported this spring Regionally, a Great Crested Flycatcher was heard in Standing Stone State Park, Overton Co., TN, 19 April 2008 (CDW) during the Naturalist Rally there.

    An Eastern Kingbird near Mayland in Cumberland Co., TN, 10 April 2008 (JEM) was the first to be reported Regionally this spring.

    Earliest ever during spring in the Region, two adult Scissor-tailed Flycatchers were noted on Ninemile Crossroad, Bledsoe Co., TN, 3 May 2008 (SJS); one of these flycatchers, which also provided the 12th Regional record, was photographed at this site the next day (DJS photo).

    The earliest White-eyed Vireo of the season Regionally was found in Pulaski Co., KY, 7 April 2008 (RMD), just one day later than the early spring arrival date in that county.

    Several Yellow-throated Vireos were singing in Standing Stone State Park, Overton Co., TN, 6 April 2008 (MPO), the first of the season to be reported Regionally and about on time for this species.

    The first Blue-headed Vireo this spring was singing in Frozen Head State Natural Area along Flat Fork Rd., Morgan Co., TN, 20 March 2008 (MEH), a bit late for the first Regional sighting of the season.

    Warbling Vireos were perhaps a bit late in arriving; the first individual of the season Regionally was found in McCreary Co., KY, 22 April 2008 (RMD).

    The first Philadelphia Vireo of the season Regionally was noted along Potter's Ford Rd., Catoosa WMA, Cumberland Co., TN, 3 May 2008 (BHS) during the Cumberland County SBC.

    Red-eyed Vireos weren't reported Regionally until 12 April 2008 when multiple sightings took place in DeKalb, Jackson, and Putnam counties, TN (SJS, EKL), perhaps a bit late for first-of-season Red-eyes to be found.

Martin through Pipit

The date and site of the first Purple Martin of the season Regionally may be found in the Winter 2007-2008 UCR Bird Report.

    A Tree Swallow was a bit late for the first sighting of the season Regionally when observed at Cooley's Pond, Wayne Co., KY, 4 March 2008 (RMD).

    The first Northern Rough-winged Swallow of the spring Regionally showed up at Cane Creek Park, Cookeville, Putnam Co., TN, 19 March 2008 (SJS), a bit later than usual.

    The Region's first Bank Swallows this spring were three in Pulaski Co., KY, 15 April 2008 (RMD).

    Cliff Swallows made their first Regional appearances of the spring 29 March 2008 in Adair Co., KY (RMD), Smith Co., TN (SJS), and Jackson Co., TN (SJS, BHS), about on time

    The earliest Barn Swallow of the season Regional was noted at Cooley's Pond, Wayne Co., KY, 14 March 2008 (RMD), a bit early but not by much.

    An outstanding observation this season was the first sighting and first nest of Brown-headed Nuthatch for Fentress Co., TN, where adults were found on Oby Blevins Rd. 18-21 April 2008 (DC, LCr photos); at least two adult Brown-heads were observed, as well as a nest with 4 or 5 eggs on the last date.  Up to five Brown-heads were found in this area 26-27 April 2008 (FR).  This record is probably the first for the Cumberland Plateau in Tennessee though it may be the first for just the northern part of the plateau; this record may well also involve the northernmost sighting and nesting in Tennessee.

    The Region's first House Wren of the spring was noted in Glasgow, Barren Co., KY, 10 April 2008 (LC), about on time.

    Two singing Sedge Wrens at the Bridgestone/Firestone Centennial Wilderness, White Co., TN, 22 April 2008 (EKL) were the first of the spring Regionally to be reported.

    The earliest Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher of the season Regionally was observed on Leffle Webb Rd., Cumberland Co., TN, 28 March 2008 (EKL), perhaps a few days later than the usual first-of-season report.

    Information about breeding Veeries during late May 2008 in Cumberland County may be found in the Summer 2008 UCR Bird Report.

    A Wood Thrush sang at dawn in a yard next to City Lake, Putnam Co., TN, 9 April 2008 (SJS, BHS), the earliest this spring Regionally and about on time for the first Wood Thrush of the spring to appear.

    Thirty-five American Pipits at Frozen Head State Natural Area, Morgan Co., TN, 8 March 2008 (MEH) were the first ever reported from that site.

Warblers

At least five Blue-winged Warblers were noted in western Putnam Co., TN, 12 April 2008 (SJS, EKL), the first of the season Regionally.

    Earliest this season Regionally, a Golden-winged Warbler was noted at Mark, Pulaski Co., KY, 29 April 2008 (CSN).

    A singing Orange-crowned Warbler at the Merle Osborn Nature Preserve, Putnam Co., TN, 14 April 2008 (SJS), was the first for that site and the first reported Regionally this spring.

    Northern Parulas were first reported this spring Regionally from Standing Stone State Park, Overton Co., TN (MPO), and Cumberland Falls State Resort Park, McCreary Co., KY (SJS), each 6 April 2008.

    A Yellow Warbler was heard singing near the TTU campus, Cookeville, Putnam Co., TN, 11 April 2008 (MPO), tying the early spring arrival date for that county and providing the first report of the spring Regionally.

    Earliest Black-throated Green Warblers this spring Regionally were reported from the Little Lick Recreation Area, DBNF, Pulaski Co., KY (RMD), from Frozen Head State Natural Area, Morgan Co., TN (MEH), and from Leffle Webb Rd., Cumberland Co., TN (EKL), each 30 March 2008 and each a bit late for the first-of-season report of this warbler.

    The first Yellow-throated Warbler of the spring Regionally was heard in Frozen Head State Natural Area, Morgan Co., TN, 28 March 2008 (MEH), about on time.

    Earliest ever during spring in Pulaski Co., KY, a Prairie Warbler was also the first detected Regionally this spring 7 April 2008 (RMD).

    The last Blackpoll Warbler of the season Regionally was noted in western DeKalb Co., TN, 23 May 2008 (SJS) during the DeKalb County Foray.

    A singing Cerulean Warbler at Edgar Evins State Park, DeKalb Co., TN, 12 April 2008 (SJS, EKL) was earliest this spring Regionally and earliest in some years around the Region.

    The first Black-and-white Warbler of the spring in the Region was noted 5 April 2008 at City Lake, Putnam Co., TN (SJS, BHS), a bit late for the first-of-season sighting to be made.

    Three American Redstarts in western Putnam Co., TN, 12 April 2008 (SJS, EKL) were earliest ever in that county by one day and earliest Regionally this spring.

    The first Worm-eating Warbler of the spring Regionally was noted in Edgar Evins State Park, DeKalb Co., TN, 12 April 2008 (SJS, EKL).

    Earliest this spring Regionally, an Ovenbird was reported from Mayland in Cumberland Co., TN, 9 April 2008 (JEM fide DJS).

    Earliest ever in Pulaski Co., TN, by four days was a Northern Waterthrush near Mt. Zion 20 April 2008 (RMD); this observation was also earliest this spring Regionally.

    The first Louisiana Waterthrushes of the spring Regionally were two singers at Seventy-Six Falls, Clinton Co., KY, 22 March 2008 (RMD), perhaps a bit late for the first-of-season report of this waterthrush.

    Only a day later than the earliest spring arrival date for Putnam Co., TN, a Kentucky Warbler was heard along Martin Creek Rd. 12 April 2008 (EKL, SJS).

    Late Connecticut Warblers included a female in the Lake Cumberland WMA, Pulaski Co., KY, 25 May 2008 (RMD) and a singing bird in the Butternut Valley Nature Preserve, DeKalb Co., TN, 26 May 2008 (SJS, CDW, JCF et al.), the latter sighting part of the DeKalb County Foray.

    A Common Yellowthroat noted 9 April 2008 near Mark, Pulaski Co., KY (CSN), was the earliest reported this spring Regionally.

    About on time for the first-of-season Hooded Warbler, one was present near Casey Cove, DeKalb Co., TN, 8 April 2008 (CDW, JuF), the first of the spring to be found Regionally.

Sparrows through Finches

Single American Tree Sparrows near Mark 9 & 12 March 2008 (CSN) and at the Pulaski County Park 11 March 2008 (RMD), both Pulaski Co., KY, provided the only Regional sightings of the past winter; the first of these individuals on the second day it was detected tied the Regional late spring departure date, also set in Pulaski County (1984). These sightings probably resulted from a fairly major snowfall across north-central Kentucky March 8 (B. Palmer-Ball pers. com.).

    A nonsinging but well described Grasshopper Sparrow on County House Rd., DeKalb Co., TN (JuF), and a singer on Mason Grissom Rd., Warren Co., TN (SNM), each 12 April 2008, were the first individuals of this sparrow to be encountered Regionally this spring.

    A distantly, but convincingly, photographed Henslow's Sparrow on County House Rd., DeKalb Co., TN, 12 April 2008 (JuF photo) was the Region's first to be reported this spring; several Henslow's showed up at this site for a brief time during summer 2006, so it may prove to be a regular breeding location (see the Summer 2008 UCR Bird Report for further information about this breeding site).  Sixteen Henslow's, including 14 singers, were noted at the Bridgestone/Firestone Centennial Wilderness, White Co., TN, 22 April 2008 (EKL photo), making two consecutive breeding seasons that this species has been present in good numbers at that site, where a change to a rotational burn cycle of the grasslands probably assisted the colonization of this site by the Henslow's.  A singing Henslow's heard and seen on Salt Lick Creek Rd., Jackson Co., TN, 26 April 2008 (SJS, DAD) during the Jackson County BirdBlitz was the first to be reported from that county, making 11 Regional counties where this increasing summer resident has been detected, while four found along Holmes Bend Rd. (3) and West Egypt Rd. (1), Adair Co., KY, 6 May 2008 (BHS) during the Adair County BirdBlitz were also first to be reported in that county, bringing the total of Regional counties with records this formerly rare sparrow to 12.

    A Fox Sparrow noted on Leffle Webb Rd., Cumberland Co., TN, 6 April 2008 (EKL) was the last reported this spring Regionally.

    A Scarlet Tanager was heard singing in Edgar Evins State Park, DeKalb Co., TN, 12 April 2008 (SJS, EKL), the first to be recorded Regionally this spring and about on time.

    The earliest Rose-breasted Grosbeak of the season Regionally was a male that showed up at feeders on Creed Rd., northern Van Buren Co., TN, 13 April 2008 (JW, BW). Information about breeding Rose-breasts during late May 2008 in Cumberland Co., TN, may be obtained from the Summer 2008 UCR Bird Report.

    A male Blue Grosbeak on Allen Hollow Rd., Putnam Co., TN, 14 April 2008 (JCF) was earliest ever by two days in Putnam County and the first of its kind to be reported Regionally this season.

    The first Indigo Buntings in the Region this spring were two males noted in DeKalb Co., TN (CDW), and individuals of unspecified sex in Pulaski Co., KY (CSN), each 12 April 2008.

    The first Dickcissels of the spring Regionally were nearly a couple of dozen found at various sites in Adair Co., KY, 6 May 2008 (m. ob.) during the Adair County BirdBlitz.

    The first Bobolinks found in the Region this season were noted 3 May 2008 in Cumberland Co., TN (JEM, DAD) and in Russell Co., KY (RMD).

    A Rusty Blackbird at Frozen Head State Natural Area, Morgan Co., TN, 8 March 2008 (MEH) was the first ever reported from that site and from that county; three Rusties on Nicholson Rd., Cumberland Co., TN, 29 March 2008 (EKL, DJS et al.) were the last of the season to be reported around the Region.

    Two countersinging adult Orchard Orioles at City Lake, Putnam Co., TN, 11 April 2008 (BHS) were the earliest ever in that county during spring and earliest this season Regionally.

    The earliest Baltimore Oriole reported this spring Regionally was noted near Mark, Pulaski Co., KY, 20 April 2008 (CSN).

Observers: Ron Balmer (RB), Daniel L. Combs (DLC), Richard Connors (RC), Linda Craiger (LC), David Crotser (DC), Laura Crotser (LCr), Roseanna M. Denton (RMD), Janet Dowlen (JD), Douglas A. Downs (DAD), Carol Eagle (CE), Don Eagle (DE), Walt Fields (WF), Janie C. Finch (JCF), Judy C. Fuson (JuF), Kathy Harville (KH), Michael J. Hawkins (MJH), Hope High (HH), Michael E. Hodge (MEH), Tim Houghton (TH), Chris Korrow (CK), Nancy S. Layzer (NSL), Edmund K. LeGrand (EKL), Joseph E. Mast (JEM), N. P. "Mac" McWhirter (NPM), Susan N. McWhirter (SNM), Connie S. Neeley (CSN), John Noel (JN), Brainard Palmer-Ball, Jr. (BPB), Frank Renfrow (FR), Thomas M. Saya (TMS), Emily Sells (ES), Kelly Sells (KS), Damien J. Simbeck (DSi), DJ Stanley (DJS), Kay Stanley (KS), Barbara H. Stedman (BHS), Stephen J. Stedman (SJS), Jacquie Wagner (JW), Melinda Welton (MW), Carol D. Williams (CDW).

Literature Cited

Appendix A. Data for Great Blue Heron Rookeries in the UCR during "Spring" 2008.

Figure 2. Great Blue Heron rookery on Dry Valley Rd., Putnam County, Tennessee; photo DJ Stanley (20 March 2008).

Appendix B. Reports of Loggerhead Shrike during Spring 2008 in the Upper Cumberland Region.

Appendix C. Records of Cerulean Warblers at Known or Suspected Breeding Sites in the UCR during Spring and Summer 2008.

Appendix D. Records of Swainson's Warblers in the UCR during Spring and Summer 2008.

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