(1 December–28 February)

    Among many notable records made during the season was the Region's first sighting of Red-necked Grebe, found and photographed by David L. Roemer on Barren River Reservoir in January.  Another notable find was made by Winston Walden et al., who identified two Brown-headed Nuthatches on the Cookeville CBC.

   Weather conditions during the season were mainly fairly moderate, but three intervals of severe weather took place that need mention.  During late December and early January, severe cold gripped the Region for a period of about a week, causing most or all ponds in the Region to freeze.  These conditions affected Christmas Bird Counts run late in the CBC period, often reducing waterfowl numbers appreciably.  Then in late January and early February a period of wet weather set in.  Considerable rainfall was experienced during this period.  Water level on Regional lakes increased notably; for instance, the level on Center Hill Lake in DeKalb Co., TN, went up about 30 feet in less than a week.   This influx of rainwater into Regional lakes often caused a decline in water clarity, which in turn often caused a change in populations of species such as loons and grebes dependent on clear water for foraging success.  In late February another period of very cold temperatures was experienced, no doubt setting back the breeding cycles of many early breeding species, such as Red-winged Blackbirds.

    Christmas Bird Counts (CBC) provide much of the quantitative data available to judge changes in bird populations during each winter season.  This year all four of the regularly conducted CBCs in the Region took place with Clay Co. placing first in species total with 84, followed by Cookeville with 78, Somerset 77, and Warren Co. 71. Thanks to Terry Campbell, Roseanna Denton, and Doug Malone for sharing CBC data from the Clay Co., Somerset, and Warren Co., CBCs, respectively.  Links to the results of those CBCs (listed geographically from north to south) follow:

• Somerset CBC, Pulaski Co., KY
• Clay Co., TN, CBC
• Cookeville CBC, Putnam Co., TN
• Warren Co., TN, CBC

Abbreviations and Symbols: * = documentation form provided; BSFNRRA = Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area; CBC = Christmas Bird Count.

A Snow Goose was present on Lake Cumberland, Pulaski Co., KY, 8 December 2001 (RMD).  An immature was on Lake Cumberland, KY, 20 January 2002 (RMD).  An adult white morph showed up at Cane Creek Park, Putnam Co., TN, 31 January 2002 (SJS photo) and stayed until 4 February 2002.  Unrecorded on any of this year's Regional CBCs, this scarce goose usually shows up at several Regional sites each winter singly or in very small numbers.

    An adult Mute Swan was present on Lake Canterbury, Fairfield Glade, Cumberland Co., TN, 7-11 January 2002 (CC, SJS, WAW; CC photo), providing a first county record.

    A Northern Pintail found on a pond near the old McCreary Co., KY, airport provided a first county record 8 December 2002 (TM).

    Redheads totaling 102 birds were noted at Fishing Creek Recreation Area and Waitsboro Recreation Area, Lake Cumberland, Pulaski Co., KY, 8 December 2001 (RMD), presumably southbound migrants.  Thirty Redheads at the Waitsboro Recreation Area, Lake Cumberland, Pulaski Co., KY, 26 February 2002 (RMD) were undoubted northbound migrants, appearing as they did out of a snowstorm.

    One thousand or more Lesser Scaups covered Barren River Reservoir, Barren Co., KY, 8 December 2001 (DLR).  At least 3500 ducks were present on the lake on the evening of that day, but rain reduced visibility considerably.  By the next morning most ducks had departed that site.

    An immature or female Surf Scoter visited the Floating Mill Recreation Area on Center Hill Lake, DeKalb Co., TN, 7 December 2001 (SJS).  Two were noted at Fishing Creek Recreation Area, Lake Cumberland, Pulaski Co., KY, 8 December 2001 (RMD); these apparently moved to the Waitsboro Recreation Area, Lake Cumberland, Pulaski Co., KY, the next day (RMD). On 11 December 2001 a flock of 13 Surf Scoters visited Floating Mill Recreation Area, Center Hill Lake, DeKalb Co., TN (SJS).

    Two Common Goldeneyes in Wayne Co., KY, 26 February 2002 (RMD) provided a first county record.

    Two hundred Red-breasted Mergansers were counted on Lake Cumberland, Pulaski Co., KY, 8 December 2001 (RMD), while at least 325 were noted on Barren River Reservoir, Barren Co., KY, the same day (DLR).

   A juvenile Red-throated Loon was found on Barren River Reservoir, Barren Co., KY, 12-14 December 2001 (DLR photo, on last date).

    At least 125 Common Loons were on Barren River Reservoir, Barren Co., KY, 8 December 2001 (DLR).  Sixteen were counted near Mason's Island, Barren River Reservoir,  9 December 2001 (DLR, SJS), while 38 were found 11 December 2001 on Barren River Reservoir (DLR).  Two Common Loons remained near Sawyer's Landing, Barren River Reservoir, 13 & 20 January 2002 (DLR et al.).  About 10 were present on Dale Hollow Lake, Clinton and Cumberland counties, KY, and Clay and Pickett counties, TN, 11 January 2002 (SJS). Another 10 were at Floating Mill Recreation Area, Center Hill Lake, DeKalb Co., TN, 12 January 2002 (SJS); at least 3 remained near Floating Mill 1 February 2002 (SJS).

    Flocks of 150 and 300 Horned Grebes were at Lillydale and Willow Grove, respectively, Dale Hollow Lake, Clay Co., TN, 1 December 2001 (SJS, WAW), but numbers apparently declined at these sites by 11 January 2002 when widely scattered flocks of 2-10, totaling about 30 individuals, were noted near and east of Lillydale, Clinton and Cumberland counties, KY, and Clay and Pickett counties, TN (SJS).  Wintering of Horned Grebes in Kentucky has not been well established in the past, so flocks of 12 and 13 seen at the Waitsboro Recreation Area, Lake Cumberland, Pulaski Co., KY, on 5 (SJS) and 13 January 2002 (RMD), respectively, are noteworthy; only four were present at this site 20 January 2002 (RMD), and no grebes were present 27 January 2002 (RMD) after several days of heavy rain  muddied the water. However, 19 grebes were noted 2 February 2002 between Wolf Creek and Difficulty Creek on Lake Cumberland, Russell Co., KY (SD), while 46 were present near the same site 23 February 2002 (SD).  Two grebes were also noted at the Fishing Creek Recreation Area, Lake Cumberland, Pulaski Co., KY, 26 February 2002 (RMD). The flock at Floating Mill Recreation Area, DeKalb Co., TN, numbered 145 on 12 January 2002 (SJS), but after the heavy rains of late January 2002 the flock was reduced to 0 by 15 February 2002 (SJS); however, by 24 February 2002 the flock at Floating Mill had reassembled, numbering 154 (SJS). Full results of grebe surveys at Floating Mill may be seen at this website:

http://iweb.tntech.edu/sstedman/HOGR1.htm

The negative effects of heavy rainfall on lake conditions, and therefore on wintering populations of Horned Grebes in the Region, has perhaps been insufficiently appreciated in the past.  Horned Grebes were vocal 7 and 11 December 2002 at Floating Mill Recreation Area, Center Hill Lake, DeKalb Co., TN (SJS), often uttering their advertising call.  As far as I know, there is no recording of this call in the public domain in North America, although several tapes of European birds contain it.

    An immature Red-necked Grebe stayed at Sawyer's Landing, Barren River Reservoir, Barren Co., KY, 7-25 January 2002 (DLR et al.; DLR photo), providing a first county and Regional record.

    Great Blue Herons were active at Regional rookeries by early February.  Eight were on or near nests at Floating Mill Recreation, Center Hill Lake, DeKalb Co., TN, 3 February 2002 (SJS), while about 30 were noted on or near nests at this site 16 February 2002 (CW photo).  A rookery  at Lee's Ford Dock on Lake Cumberland, Pulaski Co., KY, had five Great Blues in attendance 6 February 2002 (RMD). 

    A roost of Turkey Vultures numbering at least 850 individuals was present near the Narrows on Barren River Reservoir, Barren Co., KY, 9 December 2001 (DLR, SJS), one of the largest congregations I know about within the Region.  The roost at City Lake, Putnam Co., TN, totaled about 240 Turkey Vultures and 120 Black Vultures 15 December 2001 for the Cookeville CBC (SJS), but the total and ratio changed to 450+ including 150 Turkey and 300 Black vultures 19 January 2002 (SJS); the Black Vulture total provided a new high count for Putnam County.  The only other vulture reports probably involving roosts in the Region came from Dale Hollow Dam, where 200 (mainly Turkey Vultures) were noted roosting 18 December 2001 (fide TMC) during the Clay Co., TN, CBC, and the Sligo Boat Dock, Center Hill Lake, DeKalb Co., TN, where 200 vulture sp. were present 28 February 2002 (CDW, DW).  All reports of vulture roosts in the Region this season came from sites near medium- to large-sized bodies of water, which apparently cause a moderating influence on local temperatures that the vultures favor.

Diurnal Raptors

During a canoe trip 26 January 2002 on Clear Creek between Rt. 127 and Barnett Bridge, Cumberland, Fentress, and Morgan counties, TN, a probable Osprey nest was located about 5-8 miles downstream from Rt. 127 near the Cumberland/Fentress, TN,  line (KW, SJS, BHS).

    The annual Bald Eagle Survey at Dale Hollow Lake--mainly in Clinton and Cumberland counties, KY, and Clay and Pickett counties, TN--was conducted 11 January 2002 by personnel from several state and federal agencies (AB, BB, GB, JB, BrB, SH, CN, SJS, MW); the survey resulted in a total of 49 Bald Eagles (35 adults, 13 immatures, and 1 unknown), down somewhat from totals in recent years (fide SH) but still an impressive total.  Smaller numbers were noted on later public tours of the lake in the Lillydale area during mid- and late January (MW).

    Reports of nesting and nest-building Red-shouldered Hawks came from several counties around the Region in February 2002, but similar reports for Red-tailed Hawks were missing, perhaps suggesting a difference in the detectability of these two Buteos when they are in breeding mode.

    Two Rough-legged Hawks were noted near Nine Mile Crossroad in the Sequatchie Valley, Bledsoe Co., TN, 12 January 2002 (RDH et al.) and in late January 2002 (RS); this site is almost the only "traditional" one for Rough-legs in the Upper Cumberland, the area around Wayne Co., KY, being the best candidate for a second regular Regional Rough-leg site.

Coot through Gulls

The wintering eagle population on Dale Hollow Lake depends for nutrition partly on American Coots that also winter on that lake.  About 1500 coots were noted east of Lillydale 1 December 2001 (SJS, WAW), but only about half that number were noted 11 January 2002 in that vicinity (SJS).

    Sandhill Cranes were reported migrating south through the Region during all of December and most of January with the last southbound flock noted 20 January 2002. On 25 January 2002 the first small northbound flocks were detected, followed by much larger numbers of northward flying cranes 26-27 January 2002.  Northward migration continued for several weeks thereafter.  See Appendix A below.  No evidence of cranes headed south after the appearance of the first northbound bird was discovered this winter, as occurred during a couple of recent winters, but the period between the last southbound cranes and the first northbound cranes was extremely brief this winter.

    Using the mudflats at Walnut Creek, Barren River Reservoir, Barren (and Allen) County, KY, as a migration stopover point 9 (DLR, SJS) and 14 December 2001 (DLR) were 600 and 620 Killdeers, respectively, quite a large number; by mid-January nearly all these birds were absent from the site.

    Five Dunlins were present at the Walnut Creek mudflats, Barren (and Allen) County, KY, 12 December 2001 (DLR); one was still present 14 December 2001 (DLR).

    Six or more displaying American Woodcocks were near the Eastport Marina, Pickett Co., TN, in late January 2002 (RSm); few reports were submitted with none involving more than a few birds except the one cited.

    At least 500 Bonaparte's Gulls were present on Barren River Reservoir, Barren/Allen counties, KY, during the period from 10 December to 14 December 2001 (DLR).  At least as many Ring-billed Gulls were also present at the same site during the same time frame (DLR).  By 20 January 2002 numbers for each had fallen to 125 and "a few hundred," respectively (DLR).

Owls through Shrikes

A Long-eared Owl was heard using the mellow, repeated "whoo" call several times at the Lillydale Campground on Dale Hollow Lake, Clay Co., TN, 26 January 2002 (RDS*, GN), providing a first record for the county and the only Regional report of this owl during the season.

    A Northern Saw-whet Owl responded to a tape playback of its advertising call 27 January 2002 on Divide Rd. in Pickett Co., TN (SJS), during a "toot-route" (i.e., survey) for this species in the BSFNRRA; two saw-whet owls were heard "tooting" near the horse camp in the Bear Creek area of BSFNRRA, McCreary Co., KY, 28 January 2002 (RMD), while another was heard giving the "skew" call several miles distant from the horse camp 12 February 2002 (RMD); others were heard along Divide Rd. in Scott Co., TN, 8 February 2002 (SJS, NM) and McCreary Co., KY, 12 February 2002 (SJS).  These reports indicate that saw-whets irrupted into the Region last fall in at least modest numbers and that some stayed the winter; however, saw-whet owl numbers this winter do not appear to equal the numbers present two winters ago (1999-2000).  Full results of the survey in the BSFNRRA may found at this website:

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

    Loggerhead Shrikes were scarce on or absent from the Regional CBCs; few other records of this declining species occurred this winter, when birds from the north presumably swelled the population.  See Appendix B below.

Swallows through Warblers

Returning earlier than ever recorded in Putnam Co., TN, previously, a Tree Swallow was noted at Cane Creek Park 21 February 2002 (SJS).

    Red-breasted Nuthatches irrupted into the Region in small to modest numbers last fall and most stayed through the winter. A few were reported on each of the Regional CBCs, and small numbers were reported at feeders through the period (e.g., by GKE, SHF, JH).

  Two Brown-headed Nuthatches at the Cookeville Golf Course, Putnam Co., TN, 15 December 2001 during the Cookeville CBC (WAW*, MPO*, GSK) provided a first record for that CBC.  It turned out that Brown-headed Nuthatches had been seen near this site at least as long ago as February 1999 (TRR).  A visit to the site 19 December 2001 (WAW, SJS, GKE) and 20 January 2002 (SJS photo) revealed at least 5 nuthatches on each date, providing the high count for the county.  Brown-headed Nuthatches have been found in several counties within the Region in the past, but no location of previous sightings gave promise of being a breeding site, as this one does.  More information about this apparent colony of nuthatches will be offered in future reports.

    The only report of a wintering Pine Warbler came from the Willow Grove Campground on Dale Hollow Lake, Clay Co., TN, 12 December 2001 (RDS).  The first returning Pine Warbler showed up in northern Putnam Co., TN, 1 February 2002 (GKE); within a week several others had been reported around the Region.

    Wintering Palm Warblers were found in Pulaski and Barren counties, KY, 5 (SJS) and 13 January 2002 (SJS, DLR et al.), respectively; the former was recorded during the Somerset CBC.

Blackbirds through Weaver Finch

At least 10 Brewer's Blackbirds were noted near Cooley's Pond, Wayne Co., KY, 30 January 2002 (RMD); 20 others were noted on Old Mill Rd., Putnam Co., TN, 18 February 2002 (SJS).  No Regional CBCs recorded this rarish icterid, which often becomes even harder to find during mid- to late winter than during the CBC season.

    Purple Finches were thinly but widely distributed throughout the Region this season, as reflected by their presence in low numbers on all of the Regional CBCs and by their appearance in lowish numbers at many feeders across the Region during the season.

    Pine Siskins were scarce this winter, indicating a small to negligible irruption into the Region.  Two were counted on the Cookeville CBC and one on the Clay Co. CBC.  A single showed up in McCreary Co., KY, 7 February 2002 (LMM, TM).  Generally, few sightings and low numbers prevailed throughout the Region, but a smallish flock stayed most of the winter along Clear Creek, Morgan Co., TN (JR).

    An Evening Grosbeak visited a bird feeder near Somerset, Pulaski Co., KY, 21 December 2001 (CN), about the only report for the season in the Region.

Observers: Andy Barlow (AB), Bobby Bartlett (BB), Gary Boles (GB), Jeff Brown (JB), Brian Bullock (BrB), Carol Campbell (CC), Roseanna M. Denton (RD), Steve Denton (SD), Ginger K. Ensor (GKE), Susan H. Ford (SHF), Sondra Hafling (SH), Jane Herrin (JH), Ronald D. Hoff (RDH), Graham S. Kash (GSK), Tom Mills (TM), Nell Moore (NM), Connie Neeley (CN), Gregg Nivens (GN), Craig Norris (CN), Michael P. O'Rourke (MPO), Jeanne Richardson (JR), Timothy R. Riddle (TRR), David L. Roemer (DLR), Roi Shannon (RS), Ronnie D. Smith (RDS), Stephen J. Stedman (SJS), Winston A. Walden (WAW), Kent Warren (KW), Carol Williams (CW), Don Williams (DW), Mark Willis (MW).

Literature Cited

Appendix A.  Records of Migrant Sandhill Cranes in the Upper Cumberland Region during Winter 2001-2002.

Key to Initials in Appendix A:

Appendix B.  Reports of  Loggerhead Shrike during Winter 2001–2002 in the Upper Cumberland Region .

Key to Initials in Appendix B:

Quick links to other sections of this website:

• HomePage for SJS

• The BirdPage

• The ButterflyPage