(1 December–29 February)

One highlight of this winter was a stellar Christmas Bird Count (CBC) season, including a record number of Regional CBCs' being conducted (7).  Many records below stem from field work conducted pursuant to the various CBCs in the Region.  To see a summary of Regional CBC results, click below:

    Another winter bird count of more recent vintage than the CBC is the Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC), focused mainly but not exclusively on birds of yards and feeders.  As was the case last winter, this season saw data from many GBBCs combined into daily lists for February 14; one of these combined lists was produced for Wayne Co., KY, and another for Putnam Co., TN.  Results of these new-fangled counts may be viewed at this website:

   The wild food crop throughout much of the Region was excellent, perhaps the best in more than a decade.  High counts of many frugivorous species no doubt stemmed at least in part from this condition.  See the passerine accounts for mention of many species benefiting from the fine crop of wild food this winter. 

   Increasing numbers of exotic species are probably an inevitable consequence of the continuing human conquest of the natural world.  Eurasian Collared-Doves, introduced by humans into the Bahamas during the 1970s and then self-introduced into North America during the following decades, are just one example of this trend.  This exotic was found for the first time in Warren County, Tennessee, during the CBC there, while 20 were counted on the inaugural DeKalb County CBC.  In a category of its own, however, was a Diamond Dove (Geopelia cuneata) that showed up in a yard on City Lake, Putnam Co., TN, 10-11 January 2004 (BHS, SJS photo).  Clearly, the bird, a native of Australia, must have escaped locally, but its appearance is probably a taste of avifaunal changes in store for the Regional birders of the next century.

Abbreviations and Symbols: * = documentation form provided in support of bird record; ACE = Army Corps of Engineers; BSFNRRA = Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area; CBC = Christmas Bird Count; DBNF = Daniel Boone National Forest; KDFWS = Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Services; OWSR = Obed Wild and Scenic River.

Waterfowl and Gallinaceous Species

Two Greater White-fronted Geese were photographed on Rt. 1318, Barren Co., KY, 23 February 2004 (SJS photo, WAW), providing possibly the first record for that county.

    An adult white form of Snow Goose on Rt. 127 about 8 km south of Jamestown, Fentress Co., TN, 1 and 3 December 2003 (TT, BT, SJS) provided the first record for that county.  An immature blue form of Snow Goose was noted in eastern Wayne Co., KY, 17 December 2003 (RMD) during the Wayne County CBC; three Snows were present in Wayne Co. 14 February 2004 during the GBBC (RMD et al.).  Two white forms of Snow Goose were present at the Swafford Pond, Bledsoe Co., TN, 12 January 2004 (KC, JN, BJ, HW), probably representing the same two birds present at that site at the end of the fall 2003 season; see the next entry for a bird that accompanied these Snow Geese.

    A Ross's Goose, possibly the same one noted in northwestern Bledsoe County 30 November 2003, was found at the Swafford Pond, Bledsoe Co., TN, 12 January 2004 (KC, JN, BJ, HW), providing perhaps only the second county record; two Ross's Geese were reported  from the same site 17 January 2004 (JH, DJ), while one was at the site 24 January 2004 (RDH, DAM).  Three Ross's Geese were found on Students Home Rd., DeKalb Co., TN, 27 January 2004 (JCF, CDW photo), establishing the first record for that county, where there is, oddly enough, only one record of Snow Goose (Fekel 2000).  Another Ross's Goose was observed 22 February 2004 near the intersection of Rts. 87 and 921, Barren Co., KY (SJS, WAW), probably the easternmost Ross's Goose ever sighted in Kentucky.

    Two Mute Swans were observed on Fishing Creek, Lee's Ford Dock, Pulaski Co., KY, 2 February 2004 (RMD), while eight were noted in Wayne Co., KY, 11& 14 February 2004 (RMD et al.). Note: four unidentified swans were present on a pond near the Central View community, White Co., TN, 30 January & 2 February 2004 (DAD).

    Three Northern Pintails, scarce winter residents throughout most of the Region, were counted at L Spring Pay Lake near Science Hill, Pulaski Co., KY, 30 January 2004 (RMD).

    Canvasback sightings during a typical winter in the Region are usually few to none.  The only sighting made early this winter involved a male found on the larger of the two ponds at the end of Watson Rd., Putnam Co., TN, 20 December 2003 (SJS, DAD, CDW, NSL), during the Cookeville CBC.  On 30 January 2004 a flock of Cans totaling 65 was observed on Barren Reservoir, Barren Co., KY (DLR), easily the largest group reported this season Regionally.  A single male was on the lake at Cane Creek Park, Putnam Co., TN, 2, 4, & 7 February 2004 (SJS et al.), and four Cans were present on Fanchers Mills Rd., White Co., TN, 4 February 2004 (DAD), providing probably the first record with details for that county.

     Redheads are usually scarce in winter Regionally.  One on the Cookeville CBC, Putnam Co., TN, 20 December 2003 (BHS) was the only Redhead reported until late January.  Then several appeared somewhat unexpectedly on the few remaining unfrozen ponds in several counties during the very cold period in late January; most of these small groups then stayed a week or more, including 5-19 on the lake at Cane Creek Park, Putnam Co., TN, 20-January-9 February 2004 (SJS et al.); flocks of 7, 20, and 17 at Mt. Zion, Pulaski Co., KY, 19, 20, & 30 January 2004 (RMD), respectively; and 1-8 on Eck Pond, White Co., TN, 23 January-8 February 2004 (DAD, SJS, WAW), the latter records providing the first sightings with details from that county. Whether these ducks were driven south by inclement weather in the north, were hardy migrants forging northward despite inhospitable conditions, or were locally wintering birds driven to unfrozen quarters by the freeze-up cannot be known, but the fact that most of them stayed on the ponds where they suddenly showed up in late January indicates that the last of these options is probably not the case.  It may be that in some or most years Redheads move slowly north, staying on ponds just south of the freeze line until the freeze line moves north.  Fourteen Redheads on Lake Elizabeth, Scott Co., TN, 5 February 2004 (NM) provided the first county record with details; at least 8 were still present at this site 29 February 2004 (SJS).  A total of 66 Redheads was present in southwestern White Co., TN, 8 February 2004 (SJS, WAW); these were eclipsed by 98 in the same county 11 February (DAD), and by 101 on 17 February (DAD).

    Three Greater Scaup on Barren Reservoir, Barren Co., KY, 30 January 2004 (DLR) and six at Floating Mill Recreation Area, Center Hill Lake, DeKalb Co., TN, 16 February 2004 (SJS) provided the only sightings of the winter.

    Two White-winged Scoters east of Trooper Island, Dale Hollow Lake, Clinton Co., KY, 16 February 2004 (SJS photo, TMC) were nice visitors to the Region and probably represented the first record for that county.

    An immature male Long-tailed Duck was found at Cane Creek Park, Putnam Co., TN, 20 December 2003 (BHS) during the Cookeville CBC, providing the second Cookeville CBC record and the third Putnam Co., TN, record; photographed 21 December 2003 (MJH photo) and 25 December 2003 (SJS photo), it stayed until 4 February 2004 (SJS, NSL, JaF).  Two Long-tails were noted 1 January 2004 on Lake Cumberland about 1 km west of the boat ramp at the end of Waitsboro Rd., Pulaski Co., KY (SJS, MY, JB), during the Somerset CBC; at least 18 Long-tails were counted and photographed from the nearby Waitsboro Recreation Area 10 January 2004 (RMD photo), a remarkable number, possibly a Regional high count, for this seldom seen species.

   A female Common Goldeneye at Quinland Lake, Putnam Co., TN, 14 December 2003 (SJS, WAW) provided one of few records from that site and one of few in the county (and Region) during December of this season.  Three were present at the Waitsboro Recreation Area, Lake Cumberland, Pulaski Co., KY, 1 January 2004 (SJS, MY, JB) during the Somerset CBC.  A female at Macedonia Pond, White Co., TN, throughout the season (DAD et al.) was probably the same bird first found at this site in mid-November last fall.  By far the largest concentration of goldeneyes was noted on Green River Lake, Adair Co., KY, 25 February 2004 when 17 were counted (RMD).

    Three Hooded Mergansers at Fox Creek, OWSR, Morgan Co., TN, 10 February 2004 (BHS) provided the first record of that species for the park.

    Reports of Ruffed Grouse remain few.  One was noted 30 December 2003 in the BSFNRRA, McCreary Co., KY (LMM, TBM).  Another was flushed in the BSFNRRA, McCreary Co., KY, 23 January 2004 (SJS); still another was flushed three times within a few minutes in the BSFNRRA, Scott Co., TN, 13 February 2004 (SJS)-- its learning curve was none too steep; and, finally, two were flushed in the BSFNRRA, Scott Co., TN, 21 February 2004 (SJS).

    Northern Bobwhite went unreported on four of the seven Regional CBCs and were noted in smallish to small numbers on the other three.  As usual, no other reports were submitted during the season except on lists for the Yard and Neighborhood Watches.  Perhaps it is time to do a little more during winter with this declining species?

A Common Loon on Barren River Reservoir, Barren Co., KY, 9 January 2004 (DLR) was indicative of local wintering.  At least nine loons were counted at the Floating Mill Recreation Area, Center Hill Lake, DeKalb Co., TN, 6 February 2004 (CDW), while 40 and 10 were in the Tennessee and Kentucky sections of Dale Hollow Lake, Clay Co. and Clinton Co., respectively, 16 February 2004 (SJS, TMC); these sightings are certainly also indicative of local wintering in modest numbers.

    Nine Horned Grebes in a wide part of the Cumberland River at Sullivan's Bend, Smith Co., TN, 5 December 2003 (SJS, BHS) were moderately noteworthy; this site may harbor a small, but regular, wintering flock.  The flock that traditionally winters at and near the Floating Mill Recreation Area, Center Hill Lake, DeKalb Co., TN, reached 265 members 31 December 2003 (SJS).  Seven were present 1 January 2004 at the Waitsboro Recreation Area, Lake Cumberland, Pulaski Co., KY (SJS, MY, JB), during the Somerset CBC; this record provides additional evidence that small numbers of Horned Grebes spend at least part of the winter in the Kentucky part of the Region. A flock of 75 Horned Grebes was noted at Lillydale, Dale Hollow Lake, Clay Co., TN, 14 February 2004 (FB, ShB, RDH, DAM); about 120 Horned Grebes were in this area 16 February 2004 (SJS, TMC). 

    An Eared Grebe at the Floating Mill Recreation Area, Center Hill Lake, DeKalb Co., TN, 30 December 2003 (SJS, NSL) added a bit of interest to the DeKalb County CBC; it provided the 3rd sighting from the Floating Mill area in the last few years.

    An Aechmophorus sp. was found at Lillydale, Dale Hollow Lake, Clay Co., TN, 14 February 2004 (FB, ShB, RDH, DAM).  Either Clark's or Western grebe would be a county record, and either would provide a first record for the Tennessee part of the Region.

    A single Double-crested Cormorant was present on Cane Creek Park lake, Putnam Co., TN, 7 December 2003 (SJS); three others were on the lake in Tompkinsville City Park, Monroe Co., KY, 8 December 2003 (TMC).  These were the latest reports of the "fall."   At least one of the birds at the latter site may have wintered, being noted there 9 February 2004 (TMC) and 22 February 2004 (SJS, WAW).

    The first indication of breeding activity by Regional Great Blue Herons took place 6 February 2004 when an adult was observed sitting on a nest and another adult was perched nearby at Hurricane Marina, Center Hill Lake, DeKalb Co., TN (CDW).  On the same date no activity was noted at the small rookery on Moss Island, Center Hill Lake, DeKalb Co., TN (CDW).  Shortly thereafter, on 9 February 2004 the rookery at Lee's Ford Dock, Lake Cumberland, Pulaski Co., KY (RMD), hosted 19 Great Blues, sitting on or near nests.  Activity on Moss Island, Center Hill Lake, DeKalb Co., TN, was finally noted 23 February 2004 (SJS), when two adults, one possibly brooding (at least it assumed the brooding posture), were noted.

    Quite a few known roosts of vultures dot the Regional landscape, but surveys of these roosts are seldom accomplished and even more seldom reported.  About 200 vultures were noted kettling near the Sligo Bridge over Center Hill Lake, DeKalb Co., TN, on the afternoon of 9 December 2003 (CDW). A roost count of 188 mainly Black Vultures was made near the intersection of Rt. 53 and Butler's Landing Rd., Clay Co., TN, 15 December 2003 (TMC).  At least 100 vultures of both species were noted roosting near Starpoint Dr., Pickett Co., TN, 22 December 2003 (MH), but they were not seen again at this site this winter, so they probably represented migrants.  The roost in the vicinity of Rock Island S. P., Warren/White Co., TN, was estimated to include 150 Black and 50 Turkey vultures 17 January 2004 (SRH photo); a follow-up count 24 January 2004 revealed 438 Black and 63 Turkey vultures at this site (GG). The roost at City Lake, Putnam Co., TN, exceeded 300 vultures (about half Black and half Turkey) on several dates during January 2004 (SJS, BHS) and exceeded 350 birds (three-quarters Black) 14 February 2004 (SJS).

Raptors

An adult Bald Eagle was noted 5 December 2003 along the Cumberland River near Horseshoe Bend Rd., Smith Co., TN, (BHS, SJS), probably a regular site for this species but one from which few records are submitted; another adult at Center Hill Dam, DeKalb Co., TN, on the same date (SJS, BHS) was present at a site where many observers have reported this species in the past (but it was the first observation ever at that site by the first of the observers listed). One adult was present 7 and 30 December 2003 at the Floating Mill Recreation Area (SJS) and two adults were present 12 December 2003 at Hurricane Bridge (JCF), both Center Hill Lake, DeKalb Co., TN.  Of great interest was a Bald Eagle at the confluence of North White Oak Creek and the Big South Fork of the Cumberland River, BSFNRRA, Scott Co., TN, 4 January 2004 (MB), a good deal upriver from the only other confirmed sighting of this species in the Tennessee sector of the BSFNRRA.  Five Bald Eagles, including 4 adults and a second-year bird, were counted on Barren Reservoir, Barren Co., KY, 30 January 2004 (DLR).  An adult was noted on Green River Lake, Adair Co., KY, 25 February 2004 (RMD). Results of Mid-Winter Eagle Surveys conducted in early to mid-January 2004 on Dale Hollow Lake (data courtesy of Gregory Nivens, ACE) and Lake Cumberland (data courtesy Shawchyi Vorisek, KDFWS) follow:

    It was a good season for Northern Harriers.  Three, including two adult males, were noted 3 and 6 December 2003 at the Hackworth Farm on Rt. 62 about 7 miles east of Monterey, Putnam Co., TN (SJS), detected at dusk, they were probably preparing to roost communally at the site.  Three harriers, including one adult male, were noted at dusk 7 and 29 December 2003 in a large field east of the intersection of Rts. 127 and 287, Warren Co., TN (SJS).  Up to three, including one adult male, were observed on several dates during December 2003 and during January 2004 on Students Home Rd., DeKalb Co., TN (FCF), south of Smithville and east of Rt. 56; additionally, four harriers, including one adult male, were seen south of Smithville and west of Rt. 56, DeKalb Co., TN, 29 December 2003 (SJS, CDW) [one recently dead male was also found in the same area the same day (SJS photo); the cause of the bird's death was not apparent].  Five harriers, including one adult male, were present at dusk in the Bridgestone/Firestone Centennial Wilderness, White Co., TN, 15 December 2003 (SJS); four were noted at this site at dusk 14 February 2004 (SJS, BHS).  At least 9 harriers were in Wayne Co., KY, 17 December 2003: five, including one adult  male, were present at dusk in a large grassy field about a mile east of the intersection of Rts. 90 and 834 in western Wayne Co. (SJS); a single brown bird was present about eight miles east at the Wayne County Airport (SJS); and three birds were found still further east in Wayne Co. (RMD); the last four were counted during the Wayne County CBC.  Four harriers were noted on the Clay County CBC, Clay Co., TN, 18 December 2003 (m. ob), and two were counted on the Cookeville CBC, Putnam Co., TN, 20 December 2003 (m. ob.); one of the Cookeville harriers harried a flock of migrant Sandhill Cranes, causing some apparent consternation among them.  Four harriers were located on the Warren County CBC, 27 December 2003 (m. ob.); five were present for the DeKalb County CBC 30 December 2003 (m. ob.); and three were found on the Somerset CBC, Pulaski Co., KY, 1 January 2004 (m. ob.).  A single brown harrier was noted on Rt. 111 in Van Buren Co., TN, 9 January 2004 (SJS). A single harrier was noted near the Celina sewage lagoons, Clay Co., TN, 11 January 2004 (TMC).  Two harriers were noted on Ball Hill Rd., southwestern Putnam Co., TN, 17 January 2004 (SJS, WAW); a single was present there 14 February 2004 (SJS, BHS).  An adult male was identified west of Sparta on Rt. 136 about 0.5 km north of Rt. 70S, White Co., TN, 20 January 2004 (WB, SB); a brown harrier was noted abut 2 km west of this location 8 February 2004 (SJS, WAW).  An adult male was noted on several dates during January including 24 January 2004 along Rt. 83, DeKalb Co., TN (CDW).  A male was noted hunting over two small islands at Lillydale, Dale Hollow Lake, Clay Co., TN, 14 February 2004 (SB, WB).  Five harriers, including three males, were noted at dusk on Neeley's Creek Rd. about 11 km from Rt. 53, Clay Co., TN, 16 February 2004 (SJS).

    A juvenile intermediate dark morph (streaked-breasted type) Harlan's Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis harlani), a subspecies of Red-tail breeding in the far northwest of North America, was identified in northern White Co., TN, 20 December 2003 (SJS, DAD, CDW, NSL) during the Cookeville CBC, providing just the second record of harlani for that CBC and probably the first record for White Co.  A juvenile dark morph Red-tail of either the calurus or harlani subspecies was noted near Hurricane Bridge, DeKalb Co., TN, 30 December 2003 (SJS, NSL); although very good overhead looks at the bird were had, it still was not possible to be certain if the outer halves of the underside of the primaries were barred or solid, the key mark in distinguishing juvenile dark morph calurus from juvenile dark morph harlani.  An adult dark morph Red-tail of either calurus or harlani was noted on Ninemile Rd., Bledsoe Co., TN, 24 January 2004 (RDH et al.) and perhaps on other dates during that month; it was present in the same area frequented by a dark morph Rough-legged Hawk (see below).  Except for a very few records of dark morph Harlan's Hawks, little evidence of the occurrence of the various morphs of the Western (B. j.  calurus and B. j. harlani) subspecies of Red-tail has been obtained in the Region; the same is true regarding the occurrence of the light morph of the Eastern (B. j. borealis) subspecies (i.e., Krider's Red-tailed Hawk).  Now that an extremely fine guide on the subject (Wheeler's Raptors of Eastern North America) is available, more records of the five morphs (light, light intermediate, intermediate, dark intermediate, and dark) of the two likely western subspecies (calurus and harlani) of Red-tail, as well as of the light morph (Krider's) of the eastern subspecies (borealis), might be forthcoming in the Region.

     Two Rough-legged Hawks in Wayne Co., KY, 3 December 2003 (RMD) provided sightings from a county that somewhat regularly harbors this scarce winter resident of the Region; one of the birds was a male found on Frazer Rd., and the other a female found on Frazer Chapel Rd.  A dark morph Rough-leg was noted 18 December 2003 along Ninemile Rd. in northern Bledsoe Co., TN (CR, RS), a site where the species has been regular for the last half decade or so (possibly because the same individual has been returning each winter during that period); the same or another Rough-leg was noted at this site 12 (KC, JN, BJ, HW), 14 (GC, SC), and 28 (TJW) January 2004 [note: confusion with a locally resident dark morph Red-tailed Hawk possible for some of these records].  A juvenile female light morph Rough-leg was also noted on Frog Hollow Rd., near Science Hill, Pulaski Co., KY, 30 January 2004 (RMD).

    A Merlin was identified at the Ano strip mines, Pulaski Co., KY, 20 December 2003 (RMD).  Another was seen 28 December 2003 at Students Home Rd., DeKalb Co., TN (JCF), and convincingly photographed at the same site 30 December 2003 (JCF photo) during the inaugural DeKalb County CBC; it returned the next day (JCF) and then again 10 February 2004 (JCF).

Cranes through Gulls

The southward migration of Sandhill Cranes came to a temporary halt New Year's Day, but reports of 400+ moving south during bitter cold 19 January 2004 (m.ob.) indicated that the "fall" migration had not yet ended on that date; even later southbound migrants appeared 20 January 2004 in Bledsoe Co., TN (DG), 24 January 2004 in Putnam Co., TN (SJS, WAW), 30 January 2004 in Barren Co., KY (DLR; see below), and 4 February 2004 in White Co., TN (BRT, TT/DAD).  No early to mid-January reports of northbound cranes were obtained this winter, unlike the case prevailing in a couple of fairly recent winters.  However, the first northbound crane flocks, comprising 25 birds, appeared 21 January 2004 at Barren Reservoir, Barren Co., KY (DLR); 2 northbound flocks comprising about 200 cranes were noted 30 January 2004 at Barren Reservoir, Barren Co., KY (DLR); interestingly, a southbound flock of c. 100 cranes was noted the same date at the same site (DLR).  Many sightings of northbound cranes took place 1 February and thereafter, especially 13, 22, and 28 February 2004.  All reports of northbound cranes this season (and next) are noted below (Appendix A); all reports of southbound cranes this season are listed in the Fall 2003 UCR Bird Report (Appendix A).

    Note: This season the last southbound cranes once again overlapped the first northbound cranes.  This phenomenon is among the more puzzling elements of migratory movement within the Region.  Since it is possible for flocks of cranes to become disoriented and not know quite where in the world to go occasionally, it may be that the true direction of some of the late southbound or early northbound flocks reported was not actually what was observed, but the interesting phenomenon of northbound flocks appearing before southbound flocks stop being observed has now occurred in January of several recent winters, so it seems fairly certain that temporal overlap of north- and southbound cranes is actually taking place.

    A count of 320 Killdeers in the Walnut Creek area of Barren River Reservoir, Barren/Allen counties, KY, 4 January 2004 (DLR) represented the high count Regionally this season.

    Four Least Sandpipers at the Walnut Creek area of Barren River Reservoir, Barren/Allen counties, KY, 4 Janaury 2004 (DLR) were extremely late migrants if not wintering birds; two Leasts were still present 9 January 2004 at the same site (DLR).

    At least one Dunlin was present 8 December 2003 in the Walnut Creek area of Barren River Reservoir, Barren/Allen counties, KY (DLR), while five were quite late migrants or wintering wannabes at the same site 4 January 2004 (DLR); one was still present at this site 9 January 2004 (DLR).

    Eighteen Wilson's Snipes were noted on the Somerset CBC, Pulaski Co., KY, 1 January 2004 (fide RMD), while 30 were found 14 February 2004 on Ball Hill Rd., Putnam Co., TN (BHS, SJS), providing the high count Regionally this season and the all-time high count for that county; the latter snipes were flushed by a hunting Cooper's Hawk.

    About the usual number of sightings of courting American Woodcocks were submitted in February; some high counts of courting males were made in Pulaski Co., KY, early in the Spring 2004 season (see below or that report).

    Over 500 Bonaparte's Gulls were counted on Lake Cumberland during the Wayne County, KY, CBC, 17 December 2003 (RMD), but this number was exceeded by a count of 900+ in the Walnut Creek area, Barren River Reservoir, Barren/Allen counties, KY, 4 January 2004 (DLR).  About 300 Bonaparte's were counted at Lee's Ford Dock, Pulaski Co., KY, 25 February 2004 (RMD).

    A flock of 300 Ring-billed Gulls foraging in wet fields near Boiling Pond, Pete Felton Rd., White Co., TN, 8 February 2004 (SJS, WAW) was of interest, partly because the number was a bit larger than expected and partly because few or no county records of this common gull have been made in the past; a nearby landfill may explain the presence of these gulls; about 200 Ring-bills were noted near this site 21 February 2004 (DAD).  A gathering of 1300 Ring-bills at the Floating Mill Recreation Area, Center Hill Lake, DeKalb Co., TN, 18 February 2004 (SJS) provided a good number for that locality.  About 350 Ring-bills were counted at Lee's Ford Dock, Pulaski Co., KY, 25 February 2004 (RMD).

Doves through Vireo

Three Rock Pigeons at Nemo Bridge, OWSR, Morgan Co., TN, 24 January 2004 (AW) provided just the second record for that park.

    One Eurasian Collared-Dove was noted in Monticello, Wayne Co., KY, 17 December 2003 (SJS) during the Wayne County CBC; this was fewer collared-doves than had been generally reported at that site during the latter half of 2003; however, eight were counted there 14 February 2004 (RMD et al.) during the GBBC.  Five collared-doves were found in Vervilla, southwestern Warren Co., TN, 27 December 2003 (SJS,  CDW); this sighting was not only the first for the Warren County CBC but was probably also the first for Warren County.  Twenty collared-doves, a Regional high count (but soon to be superseded, no doubt), were found 30 December 2003 in Smithville, DeKalb Co., TN (CDW et al.), during the first-ever DeKalb County CBC.

    Two Barn Owls found near the Norris Ford section of the OWSR, Morgan Co., TN, 8 December 2003 (BHS) provided what was probably the first record from that park and that county.  A single adult was noted at the traditional site in Putnam Co., TN, 12/20 December 2003 (SJS/DLC) and 27 February 2004 (SJS) when two eggs were also present.  Two Barn Owls were located in a private silo in Bledsoe Co., TN, 12 January 2004 (KC, JN, BJ, HW).

    During an owling effort conducted before dawn on the Warren Co., TN, CBC 27 December 2003, a Long-eared Owl uttered its short, mellow, medium-pitched "whoo" call about 15-20 times in response to a tape recording of an Eastern Screech-Owl tremolo; this owl was then seen in the headlights of the observer's car as it flew away from the location of the sighting, but little more than its size (medium) could be obtained from the visual observation.  A Long-ear was counted on the Warren County CBC 27 December 1994 (observer not known), but this is the only other evidence of the occurrence of this rare owl in that county, and there are few observations Regionally.

    Two Short-eared Owls were noted at the Ano strip mines, Pulaski Co., KY, 20 December 2003 (RMD). Another Short-ear was noted in a large grassy field on the north side of Rt. 90 about 15 km west of Monticello, Wayne Co., KY, 10 January 2004 (RMD, TMC), providing the first record for Wayne County.

    A count of at least six Northern Saw-whet Owls in the Little Lick area of the DBNF, Pulaski Co., KY, 1 February 2004 (RMD) provided a high daily (nightly?) count for the Region this winter and undoubtedly constitutes an all-time Regional high count; the air temperature began at 50 degrees F for this survey, and the moon was nearing full with clear skies and calm winds (these are probably ideal conditions for saw-whet surveys, except possibly a bit too warm); one saw-whet was located in this area 28 February 2004 (BY).  Survey efforts for saw-whets in the BSFNRRA near Bandy Creek/Divide Rd. (SJS, BHS) and at Bear Creek, McCreary Co., KY (RMD), 17 and 31 January 2004, respectively, met with no success. However, one saw-whet responded to a tape recording of its toot call by tooting for three minutes (2005-2008 EST) 13 February 2004 along Divide Rd., Scott Co., TN (SJS) and another responded to the same tape recording by tooting for at least a minute 21 February 2004 along Duncan Hollow Rd., Scott Co., TN (SJS).

    The immature female Rufous Hummingbird banded in Putnam Co., TN, last fall remained until 12 January 2004 (MaB fide SJS [photo taken 5 January 2004]).  An unidentified hummingbird was noted 20 December 2003 on Aspen Dr., Putnam Co., TN (SH); it was still present the next day (SJS), 1 January 2004 (SH photo), and 17 January 2004 (SH, SJS, WAW).  Two unidentified hummers were noted 18 January 2004 at the Aspen Dr. site (SH); both were captured, banded, and identified at that site 31 January 2004 (PM, CAS) as Rufous Hummingbirds (one being an immature female and the other probably an adult female); together these became the second county record of Rufous Hummingbird in as many seasons--and second all-time in the county; both hummers remained until the end of the season (SH).  Since the Cowan Rd. hummingbird and one of the Aspen Dr. hummingbirds were seen 20 December 2003 and since they were both located within the Cookeville CBC circle, they provided the first record of this species on the Cookeville CBC.

    A lone Loggerhead Shrike was briefly observed at the intersection of Rts. 127 and 287, Warren Co., TN, 7 December 2003 (SJS).  Another was present on Students Home Rd., DeKalb Co., TN, 13, 18, 22, and 23 December 2003 (JCF), a site where breeding occurred during Summer 2003, where at least one bird was noted during October 2003, where one bird was noted 30 December 2003 during the DeKalb County CBC, where one was seen 12 & 18 January 2004, and where a single was noted 23 and 26 February 2004 (JCF).  Three shrikes during the Warren County CBC 27 December 2003 were good to see; one was near Mud Creek Rd. east of McMinnville (CDW, SJS), while the other two were northwest of McMinnville (WAW, MPO).  A shrike was well studied near the northern end of Boyd Creek Rd., White Co., TN, 12 January 2003 (DAD).  Two shrikes were noted north of Cassville, White Co., TN, 4 February 2004 (SJS): one was on Fanchers Mill Rd. between Rt. 136 and Boyd Creek Rd.; the other was on Hutchings College Rd. near the intersection with Odell Rd; neither of these shrikes could be relocated 8 February 2004 (SJS, WAW).  However, another shrike was located in White Co., TN, on Eaton Rd. 8 February 2004 (SJS photos, WAW).  Two shrikes just north of Viola, Warren Co., TN, 14-16 February 2004 (JN) were observed during the GBBC.  Two shrikes were also counted during the GBBC at Shipley Farm, Putnam Co., TN, 14 February 2004 (SJS), a site where the species has been reported fairly regularly in the past few years.  

    Note: Nearly all shrike records this winter came from the Region's southern counties--DeKalb, Warren, and White, TN--where apparently there remains a more dense shrike  population than in the counties north of these.

    A Blue-headed Vireo was identified in Edgar Evins State Park, DeKalb Co., TN, 28 December 2003 (SJS, MJH), providing probably just the third Regional winter record (the second record having taken place 10 January 2001 in McCreary Co., KY [see the Winter 2000-2001 UCR Bird Report] and the first 21 February 1998 in Putnam Co., TN).

Nuthatches through Warblers

Red-breasted Nuthatches did not have a banner invasion winter, only one being reported on the six Regional CBCs.  Five were noted along the road to the East Rim Overlook, BSFNRRA, Scott Co., TN, 16 January 2004 (BHS), the highest daily total reported during the season.  Given our recently acquired knowledge that Red-breasted Nuthatches breed sparingly in the BSFNRRA (see the Summer 2003 UCR Bird Report), it should come as no surprise that the highest daily total of the season Regionally derives from that site, where locally hatched birds undoubtedly supplement those that migrate into the park for the winter.  One Red-breast was noted in Dry Creek Meadows, northern Putnam Co., TN, in early December 2003; two were there 13 February 2004 (GKE).  Another was counted at Colditz Cove Natural Area, east of Allardt, Fentress Co., TN, 13 February 2004 (SJS).

    Seven Brown-headed Nuthatches at the Cookeville Golf Course, Putnam Co., TN, 14 December 2003 (SJS, WAW) provided a nice number, only one shy of the county high count, for this rare resident of the Region. Two Brown-heads were noted at the same site 20 December 2003 (WAW, MPO, JCO) during the Cookeville CBC, and one was present 14 February 2004 at the same site during the GBBC (SJS).

    House Wrens showed up on CBCs in Cookeville, Putnam Co., TN, 20 December 2003 (SJS, JaF, DAD, MH) and in Warren County 27 December 2003 (SJS, CDW); another was seen in the Barren Co., KY, portion of Mammoth Cave National Park 2 December 2003 (MM; Palmer-Ball and McNeeley 2004b).

    Eastern Bluebirds counted during the CBC season this winter were down in numbers from those tallied during last winter's CBC season on all Regional CBCs, possibly indicative of a die-off resulting from last winter's harsh cold periods (see the Winter 2002-2003 UCR Bird Report).

    The advent of the DeKalb County CBC allows a clearer view of the abundance of Hermit Thrushes in the Region than was available heretofore.  The widely and thickly distributed cedar thickets of that county (and several adjacent counties) harbor a dense population of this retiring winter resident; 52 were counted during the DeKalb County CBC 30 December 2003, including 22 in Edgar Evins S. P.(MJH) mainly along the trails of that park; a follow-up survey of about 12 km of trails in the park 1 February 2004 (MJH, SJS) resulted in a tally of 29 Hermits during about 7.25 hours of walking.

    Large flights of American Robins were noted at least twice this season: a "canopy" of "thousands" of robins was seen overhead along 15 miles of  I-40 mainly in Smith Co., TN, 21 December 2003 (VC); and a wave of robins estimated at considerably more than 10,000 was observed flying in a southwesterly direction for 40 minutes in and near Celina, Clay Co., TN, before dark 22 January 2004 (TMC).

    Twenty-one American Pipits at L Springs Pay Lake near Science Hill, Pulaski Co., KY, 30 January 2004 (RMD) provided a good count for the northeastern corner of the Region in Kentucky.  Flocks totaling 200 pipits were seen south of Smithville, DeKalb Co., TN, 30 December 2003 (CDW et al.) during the DeKalb County CBC, constituting the largest sighting reported Regionally during the winter in the Tennessee part of the Region. Three pipits on Bud Tanner Rd., Cumberland Co., TN, 28 February 2004 (SJS, WAW, JM et al.) provided the first county record with details.

    An Orange-crowned Warbler foraging in a privet bush within a large dense thicket on Jericho Rd., White Co., TN, 8 February 2004 (SJS, WAW) provided the first record for that county and one of few winter records for the Region.

    It was an extremely good winter for Yellow-rumped Warblers, probably a direct response to the excellent wild food crop, especially berries, that became available last fall and lasted through much of the winter.  Many highest-ever counts of butterbutts were made on Regional CBCs with the new CBC in DeKalb County recording over 500, perhaps a new Regional high count.

    Two Pine Warblers were located in a yard in the Dry Creek Meadows area of northern Putnam Co., TN, 8 December 2003 (GKE). Another Pine was located southeast of McMinnville on Rt. 30, Warren Co., TN, 27 December 2003 (CDW, SJS) during the Warren County CBC, and still another was noted 1 January 2004 on the Somerset CBC, Pulaski Co., KY (KF et al.). An adult male Pine along the road to the East Rim Overlook, BSFNRRA, Scott Co., TN, 16 January 2004 (BHS) provided the first January record for that park and just the second winter record for the park. The preceding records probably involve wintering birds, while all the following records are more likely to represent newly arriving birds from the south: a singing Pine was noted at the Cookeville Golf Course, Putnam Co., TN, 14 February 2004 (SJS); a nonsinging male Pine along Long Branch Rd., BSFNRRA, Scott Co., TN, 21 February 2004 (SJS) provided the third BSFNRRA winter season record albeit it may not have been a wintering bird; a singing male was in Barren River Lake State Resort Park, Barren Co., KY, 22 February 2004 (SJS, WAW); one Pine was noted in the Shenandoah subdivision northeast of Cookeville, Putnam Co., TN, 22 February 2004 (MPO); a singing male was noted near Barnett Bridge, Morgan Co., TN, 29 February 2004 (JR); and two nonsinging males near the Ledbetter Trailhead, BSFNRRA, McCreary Co., KY, 29 February 2004 (SJS) provided the fourth BSFNRRA winter record.

    Note: for Pine and Palm warblers I will no longer publish early dates for spring birds or late dates for fall birds since both species appear to winter in the Region sufficiently often to make such dates of dubious value.  However, I will continue to collect dates for late spring and early fall Palm Warblers, and I will continue to collected winter records of each, as well as records of early spring singing by Pine Warblers.

    Six Palm Warblers at the Lowe Cattle Co. cattle yard on Old Rt. 42, Putnam Co., TN, 15 December 2003 (SJS) provided a nice number for so late a date; three of these were relocated 20 December 2003 (WAW, MPO, JCO) during the Cookeville CBC, while another was found near the TRW plant southeast of Cookeville (SJS, DAD, JaF, MH) on the same count.   Three Palms were present in eastern Wayne Co., KY, 17 December 2003 (RMD) during the Wayne County CBC; these were found at a site where several had been noted  in very early December (RMD).  One Palm was noted at the Ironwood Golf Course, Putnam Co., TN, 25 December 2003 (SJS), and another was found during the Warren County CBC, Warren Co., TN, 27 December 2003 (CDW, SJS).  A Palm at Cane Creek Park, Putnam Co., TN, 21 January 2004 (SJS, JaF) provided one of few January records for that county, and another 8 February 2004 on Old Smithville Hwy near Lizard Lane, White Co., TN (SJS, WAW) was one of few February sightings for that county. Collectively, these sightings probably represent a typical showing of this typically scarce wintering warbler in the Region.

    An Ovenbird was noted near the Southern Hills Golf Course, Putnam Co., TN, 20 December 2003 (DLC) during the Cookeville CBC, providing the first local CBC and winter records.

    A Yellow-breasted Chat well studied during the DeKalb County CBC on the Buffalo Valley Nature Trail below Center Hill Dam, DeKalb Co., TN, 30 December 2003 (MJH) provided a welcome addition to that count besides establishing the twelfth Tennessee winter Record, the third Tennessee CBC record, and the first winter records for the Region and DeKalb County; still another chat found at Walnut Park, Cookeville, Putnam Co., TN, 23-24 January 2004 (SJS photo, WAW) provided the thirteenth Tennessee winter record, the second Regional winter record, and the first winter record for Putnam County.  The bountiful wild berry crop this winter no doubt figured in these appearances of this unexpected winter parulid.

Sparrows through Blackbirds

Chipping Sparrows were recorded on all six Regional CBCs, testifying to a greater than usual presence Regionally this winter.  

    Note: Chippies may possibly be present more densely in the Region during winters following summers and/or falls with higher than average precipitation since those years are usually ones producing good to excellent seed crops, as was certainly the case this season.  More study of the relationship between Chippy wintering density, precipitation amounts, and food crop plenitude is needed.

    A Lincoln's Sparrow on Nash Rd., Putnam Co., TN, 5 December 2003 (SJS, BHS) provided the first winter record for that county; this sparrow is seldom detected during winter anywhere in the Region and is often reported as a result of misidentifications.  While the previous record may have involved a late-lingering migrant, the following records clearly constitute wintering birds: one observed on Beech Grove Rd., near Science Hill, Pulaski Co., KY, 29 January 2004 (RMD); one in a WMA in Barren Co., KY, 9 February 2004 (DLR).

    A basic-plumaged adult male Bobolink was found 20 December 2003 at the Ironwood Golf Course, Putnam Co., TN (KLM, MJH, GKE), during the Cookeville CBC, providing the first Putnam County CBC record, the first Putnam County winter record, the first Regional winter record, and probably the first Tennessee CBC and winter records. The bird remained at the same site 21 (MJH photos, SJS), 24-25 (SJS photo, BHS), and 28 (DAD) December 2003.

    At least 10 Rusty Blackbirds were in White Co., TN, 19 January 2004 (SJS, WAW, DAD), providing probably the first local record with details.  Rusties were found on several Regional CBCs, but nowhere were they in large numbers, a seemingly normal Regional circumstance for this attractive but declining blackbird.  Twelve visited a feeder on Hurricane Ridge Rd., DeKalb Co., TN, 3 February 2004 (TLC, VC). A very good count of 200 Rusties was made in Wayne Co., KY, 14 February 2004 (RMD et al.).  About 25 were found along Rt. 259 south of Glasgow, Barren Co., KY,  22 February 2004 (SJS, WAW).

    A flock of at least 35 Brewer's Blackbirds was present on Lizard Lane, White Co., TN, 4 February 2004 (SJS), probably providing the first county record with details.  Brewer's are sometimes hard to find in January and February Regionally; any and all sightings would benefit from archiving.

    Flocks of 1000 and 1100 Common Grackles in the BSFNRRA, Scott County, TN, and McCreary County, KY, 17 and 23 January 2004 (SJS), respectively, were pitifully small by comparison with many winter grackle and blackbird flocks found Regionally each winter, but they nonetheless established successive high counts for that park.

    Two female Brown-headed Cowbirds were noted 16 January 2004 near the Bandy Creek Visitor Center, BSFNRRA, Scott Co., TN (SJS, BHS), providing the first winter record of this common icterid for the park.

Finches through Weaver Finch

Purple Finches invaded the Region in moderate to fairly good numbers this winter, following a very poor showing last winter.  All Regional CBCs reported this species with the 83 found on the Clay County CBC being the highest number reported on one count or during one day Regionally.

    Five Pine Siskins were detected at Lilly Bluff, OWSR, Morgan Co., TN, 9 December 2004 (BHS). Sixty siskins foraging in a cornfield on Rt. 292 about a mile east of Rt. 53, Clay Co., TN, 17 December 2003 (BHS) provided a good count of this boreal irruptive finch Regionally this winter.  No siskins occurred on count day of any Regional CBC, but the sighting noted above constituted a count week registration for the Clay County CBC.  Up to 40 siskins were noted near Barnett Bridge, Morgan Co., TN, beginning 8 January 2004 (JR) and continuing through the end of the season.  A siskin was found in the Bear Creek part of the BSFNRRA, McCreary Co., KY, 31 January 2004 (RMD).  The high count of siskins Regionally came from Flat Top Mountain, Bledsoe Co., TN, where at least 75 were noted throughout the season (DS, RS).  All in all, it was a poor winter at best for this irruptive finch.

    A single Evening Grosbeak near Barnett Bridge, Morgan Co., TN, 29 December 2003 (JR) was the only one reported in December this season.

Observers:  Mary Bennett (MaB), Frank Bills (FB), Sharon Bostick (ShB), Jean Brickell (JB), Betty Bright (BB), Harold Bright (HB), Sharon Brines (SB), Wally Brines (WB), Michael Brown (MB), Kevin Calhoon (KC), Terry M. Campbell (TMC), Hap Chambers, (HC), Gail Clendenen (GC), Steve Clendenen (SC), Daniel L. Combs (DLC), Tommy L. Curtis (TLC), Virginia Curtis (VC), Roseanna M. Denton (RMD), Douglas A. Downs (DAD), Ginger K. Ensor (GKE), Carol Fegarido (CF), Kim Feltner (KF), Janie C. Finch (JaF), Judy C. Fuson (JCF), Gregg Garrison (GG), Dana Girard (DG), W. Howard Groce (WHG), Michael J. Hawkins (MJH), John Henderson (JH), Steven R. Hewett (SRH), Margo Hinkle (MH), Ronald D. Hoff (RDH), Stan Hood (SH), David Hume (DH), Daniel Jacobson (DJ), Bonnie Johnson (BJ), Peggy Lynn Kilgore (PLK), Nancy S. Layzer (NSL), Allen Lively (AL), Joseph Mast (JM), Lynda M. Mills (LMM), Thomas B. Mills (TBM), Mark Monroe (MM), Nell Moore (NM), Kenneth L. Morgan (KLM), Dolly Ann Myers (DAM), Judy Newsome (JN), Jason  Norris (JN), Michael P. O'Rourke (MPO), Ken Oeser (KO), John C. Owens (JCO), Handley Oswalt (HO), Michele Ramsey (MR), Jeanne Richardson (JR), David L. Roemer (DLR), Dena Russell (DR), Susan Schott (SS), Debbie Shannon (DS), Roi Shannon (RS), Boyd Sharp (BS), Richard W. Simmers, Jr., (RWS), Barbara H. Stedman (BHS), Stephen J. Stedman (SJS), Betty Thornton (BT), Terry Thornton (TT), Winston A. Walden (WAW), Carol D. Williams (CDW), Hayden Wilson (HW), Terry J. Witt (TJW), Adam Wright (AW), Ben Yandell (BY), Margaret York (MY).

Literature Cited

Appendix A.  Records of northbound Sandhill Cranes in the Upper Cumberland Region during "Spring" 2004, including those seen from January through April 2004; see the Fall 2003 UCR Bird Report for Records of southbound Cranes seen during this winter. 

Appendix B.  Records of  American Woodcocks in the Upper Cumberland Region during Winter 2003-2004 and Spring 2004.

Appendix C.  Reports of  Loggerhead Shrike during Winter 2003–2004 in the Upper Cumberland Region .

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