(1 December–28 February)

Weather during the winter was punctuated by several periods of low temperatures, including 22-25 December, 17-19 January, 23-24 January, and 11-12 February. These short bouts of frigid weather were interspersed with warmer periods of longer duration, especially during early to mid-January when nearly  balmy conditions prevailed.  Snowfall was negligible during the entire season, the period of icy conditions and moderate snowfall just before Christmas being the most notable exception to this prevailing condition.

    Poor production of hard and soft mast during fall 2004 probably affected numbers of wintering species dependent on mast in a negative manner.  Some frugivores, including Cedar Waxwing and Yellow-rumped Warbler, were considerably less abundant this winter than last, when an excellent soft mast crop was present.  Some species dependent on nuts for sustenance, such as Red-headed Woodpecker and Blue Jay, were also present in lower numbers this winter than last, when a good hard mast crop was present.

    Another fine Christmas Bird Count (CBC) season took place in the Region with eight CBCs being conducted, including the initial running of the White County, Tennessee, CBC.  To see a summary of CBC data for the season, click below:

    As occurred during the previous two winters, Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) data obtained in some Regional counties on the Saturday (19 February 2005) of the GBBC period (18-21 February 2005) were pooled, resulting in sufficient data to provide a "snapshot" of late winter distribution for many species.  The GBBC snapshot provides a welcome addition to the somewhat more comprehensive early winter "portrait" of birdlife provided by the Regional CBC effort.

    Project ParkWatch was initiated in the Region this winter, and some data about species present in a variety of parks and other public access birding sites were obtained; many of these data would probably not have been obtained had this project not begun.  Designed to initiate or to add to the species listed on bird checklists for parks and other sites where little previous bird survey effort has taken place, this project will continue at least two years.

    Project YardWatch ended, or at least was suspended, in December 2004 after two years of data collection. Annual results from this two-year effort to quantify the presence of bird species in Regional yards and neighborhoods are available at the following underlined links: 2003 and 2004.

    Quite a few sightings of interest took place this season, as noted primarily with bold-faced red type in the following report.  Two Rufous Hummingbirds wintered Regionally, one each in DeKalb and Putnam counties, Tennessee, a nice follow up to the three Rufous hummers present during the winter of 2003-2004.

Abbreviations and Symbols: * = documentation form provided in support of bird record; BSFNRRA = Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area; CBC = Christmas Bird Count; DBNF = Daniel Boone National Forest; GBBC = Great Backyard Bird Count; m. ob. = many observers; OWSR = Obed Wild and Scenic River.

Waterfowl and Gallinaceous Species

Snow Geese were not much in evidence during the CBC season, a single adult white morph at Boiling Pond, White Co., TN, 21 December 2004 (SJS, DAD) during the inaugural White County CBC being the prominent exception.  Two Snows (1 blue morph and 1 white morph, age unspecified) were observed at the Swafford Pond, Bledsoe Co., TN, 7 January 2005 (TW); the white morph might have been the same bird that stayed at this site last summer. A single white morph Snow Goose (age unspecified) on Flat Fork Rd., Morgan Co., TN, 21 January 2005 (MHo) provided what was probably the first record with details for that county.

    A single Ross's Goose stayed 13-14 January 2005 in a soggy field along Rt. 83, DeKalb Co., TN (CDW photo, JCF photo), becoming the 2nd county record and just the 7th Regional record.

    Mute Swans continue to increase both in numbers and in number of sightings annually recorded; 21 including at least 1 juvenile were counted at Cooley's Pond, Wayne Co., KY, during the Wayne County CBC 27 December 2004 (RMD, CSN, SJS), surely an all-time Regional high count but probably not for too long.  The Region is still without a valid breeding record of this exotic swan, so any evidence that it is breeding is of great value.

    Tundra Swans are rare winter visitors to the Region, so 2 juveniles at Cooley's Pond, Wayne Co., KY, during the 3rd Wayne County CBC 27 December 2004 (RMD photo1, photo2, photo3, photo4, CSN, SJS*) were quite noteworthy; a debate about the identity of these swans resulted in confirmation of the original i.d.

    An American Black Duck found 30 January 2005 on the pond in back of the headquarters building, BSFNRRA, Scott Co., TN (SJS), was only the second sighting recorded in that park.

    A male Blue-winged Teal at Cane Creek Park, Cookeville, Putnam Co., TN, 16 February 2005 (SJS, NSL, BD) was by 10 days the earliest spring arrival ever in that county and the earliest of its kind reported Regionally this season; a few winter records have taken place in Putnam County.

    Four Northern Pintails at Heritage Marsh, White Co., TN, 26 February 2005 (SJS, DAD, WAW) provided one of few records for that county; this handsome duck is reported all too seldom around the Region.

    Canvasbacks are usually infrequently encountered during winter in the Region, so a female at Randolph Pond, White Co., TN, 19 and 26 February 2005 (DAD et al.) was a welcome presence.

    A flock of 109 Redheads was counted at the Waitsboro Recreation Area, Lake Cumberland, Pulaski Co., KY, 13 February 2005 (RMD); another flock of 112 Redheads was noted at Cooley's Pond, Wayne Co., KY, 25 February 2005 (RMD); smaller numbers were noted in several other Regional counties for a few weeks during late January and early February.

    A male and a female Greater Scaup at Cane Creek Park, Cookeville, Putnam Co., TN, 15 January-2 February 2005 (SJS, DLC, WAW), and intermittently on earlier dates during the winter (on which dates the identity of the birds remained uncertain), were studied at some length by several observers, becoming just the 2nd county record; interestingly, the only other record of this rare wintering duck in that county also involved a male and female found at Cane Creek Park 5 December 1988-5 January 1989.  Four Greaters in Wayne Co., KY, 22 January 2005 (RMD) provided the first record with details for that county.

    A female or immature Surf Scoter on the lake at Cane Creek Park, Cookeville, Putnam Co., TN (SJS), and a male at the Waitsboro Recreation Area, Lake Cumberland, Pulaski Co., KY (RMD), both 12 December 2004, provided the 28th and 29th Regional sightings of this, the most commonly occurring scoter in the Region; the record in Putnam County was also the latest "fall" record in that county and the eighth county record for Surf Scoter.

    Regional records of Common Merganser are very uncommon, often being associated with severe winter weather to the north where the species actually  lives up to its name; therefore, three female-plumaged Commons on Harvest Farms Lake, Warren Co., TN, during the 17th running of the Warren County CBC 30 December 2004 (CDW photo, SJS, NSL) were quite noteworthy; seven Commons (1 adult male and 6 female-plumaged birds) the next day at Walnut Creek, Barren River Reservoir, Barren Co., KY, during the 57th running of the Glasgow CBC (DLR photo, SJS) were equally notable.  All these mergansers were probable products of the extremely cold temperatures and icy conditions occurring to the north of the Region during the week preceding the sightings.

    Seldom reported during most seasons, 2 Ruffed Grouse were noted in the BSFNRRA, Scott Co., TN, 4 December 2004 (SJS), while a single was noted in another part of the same park, Scott Co., TN, 6 February 2005 (SJS).

    Just the second record of Wild Turkey on the Cookeville CBC took place 18 December 2004 when a flock of 26 was noted on Hunter's Cove Rd., Putnam Co., TN (SJS, DAD, NSL); earlier that month a flock of 52 was counted along the Calfkiller River in eastern Putnam Co., TN, 5 December 2004 (JCF, RCF), providing an all-time high count for that county, but this record was eclipsed 18 January 2005 when 82 turkeys, including several albinistic birds (typically present in any large flocks of turkeys around the Region), were counted on Dry Valley Rd. (SJS).  Clearly, turkeys continue to expand their population in this county and probably in most other Regional counties.

When heavy rain in December caused the water in the eastern end of Lake Cumberland in Pulaski Co., KY, particularly the Waitsboro Recreation Area, to become muddy, Horned Grebes apparently vacated that end of the lake and moved westward into areas with clearer water (R. M. Denton pers. com.); 36 were sighted in an area of clear water at Camp Earl Wallace, Wayne Co., KY, 27 December 2004 (SJS), a count of 51 was made at that site 28 December 2004 (RMD), and about 25 were still present at that site 22 January 2005 (RMD); each of these counts represents a substantial number for Lake Cumberland during winter, but a comprehensive survey of the lake for wintering grebes has either never been undertaken or at least never reported; by 27 February 2005 water clarity at Waitsboro improved, and 2 Horned Grebes were noted at that site that day (RMD).  A count of 283 Horned Grebes at the Floating Mill Recreation Area, Center Hill Lake, DeKalb Co., TN, 16 January 2005 (SJS) was the highest count of the season Regionally but was well below the maximum winter count (575+) made at that site during a previous winter (23 February 1997).  A Horned Grebe at Cane Creek Park, Putnam Co., TN, 17 January 2005 (SJS) became the first of its species to be recorded in that county during January. 

    Double-crested Cormorants are seldom detected during winter in the Region, even as a result of the Regional CBC effort, so 2 sightings this year resulting from Regional CBC work were quite noteworthy.  Single cormorants appeared on Dale Hollow Lake, Clay Co., TN, 16 December 2004 (BHS et al.) during the Clay County CBC and on Lake Cumberland, Wayne Co., KY, 27 December 2004 (RMD, CSN) during the Wayne County CBC.  A cormorant near Mason's Island, Barren River Reservoir, Barren/Allen counties, KY, 21 January 2005 (DLR) provided an even more noteworthy sighting.  If not wintering individuals, 2 cormorants at Faubush Creek, Lake Cumberland, Wayne Co., KY, 12 February 2005 (SD fide RMD) and 1 at Lee's Ford Dock, Lake Cumberland, Pulaski Co., KY, 15 February 2005 (SD fide RMD) were the earliest spring migrants reported Regionally.

    Great Blue Herons return to Regional nest sites by mid-February in most winters; this winter the earliest reports of breeding activity came from the following rookeries: Lee's Ford Marina (3 adults on nests 19 February 2005), Lake Cumberland, Pulaski Co., KY (RMD et al.); Floating Mill Recreation Area (5 adults on 3 nests 26 February 2005), Center Hill Lake, DeKalb Co., TN (SJS).

    The vulture roost at City Lake, Putnam Co., TN, numbered 470 (310 Black Vultures and 160 Turkey Vultures) during a count made on the Cookeville CBC 18 December 2004 (SJS, DAD, NSL, MH); following the passage of a fairly severe Arctic front 23-24 December 2004, the number of vultures at the roost diminished to 180 by 26 December 2004 (SJS); however, nearly 400 were once again at the roost during the warm spell in early to mid-January, and numbers did not appreciably decline during the very frigid period from 17 to 19 January; during early February numbers of vultures at this roost increased to 550+ (SJS).  Substantial numbers of vultures (i.e., several hundred) were reported 21 December 2004 in and near Rock Island State Park, Warren/White Co., TN (GG fide DAD), during the White County CBC, as well as 28 December 2004 around Center Hill Lake, DeKalb Co., TN (fide CDW), during the DeKalb County CBC.

Raptors

The annual Mid-Winter Eagle Survey, conducted by personnel from many state and federal agencies, as well as private individuals, was run again this winter.  Results--nearly identical to results from last winter regarding the total number of eagles counted at Dale Hollow Lake but higher than results from last winter regarding the total number of eagles counted at Lake Cumberland (see Winter 2003-2004 UCR Bird Report)--are posted below (data courtesy MW [Dale Hollow Lake] and SV, LB [Lake Cumberland, Barren River Reservoir]):

    Northern Harriers appeared to be somewhat less common this winter than last in the Kentucky portion of the Region, judging from numbers reported on CBCs there and from miscellaneous reports made in that part of the Region (R. M. Denton pers. com.); however, four were noted at the Ano strip mines, Pulaski Co., KY, 22 February 2005 (RMD et al.), a modestly good number for late winter.  The DeKalb County, TN, CBC registered 12 harriers this year, up from 5 last year and possibly an all-time, one-day Regional high count; the newly established White County, TN, CBC tallied 9 harriers. 

    A subadult Golden Eagle became the first Wayne Co., KY, record, as well as the first Wayne County CBC record, when it was noted 27 December 2004 near Swifton at the intersection of Rt. 92 and Twyford's  Point Rd. (SJS); another immature Golden was well described on Bullington Lane, Jackson Co., TN, 4 February 2005 (NSL), when it was observed interacting with 2 Red-tailed Hawks.

Cranes through Gulls

Conspicuous northward flights of Sandhill Cranes took place 15 January (m. ob.), 5 February 2005 (m. ob.), 12 February (m. ob.), 18 February (m. ob.), and 22-23 February (m. ob.).  All sightings of southbound cranes during this season are listed in Appendix A of the Fall 2004 UCR Bird Report; all sightings of northbound cranes during this season and during Spring 2005 are listed below (Appendix A).  Once again, sightings of southbound cranes temporally overlapped sightings of northbound cranes, this year by more than a week. 

    The first report of courting American Woodcocks for "spring 2005" came from the Terry Cemetery, BSFNRRA, Scott Co., TN, 3 December 2004 (SJS); a tally of 6 "peenting" woodcocks at Cane Creek Park, Cookeville, Putnam Co., TN, 19 February 2005 (SJS) during the GBBC tied the high count for woodcocks in that county; 10 courting woodcocks in the Ano strip mine area of Pulaski Co., KY, 22 February 2005 (RMD et al.) provided a good number but was considerably below the high count (24) for that site; a count of 12 peenters in the Bear Creek area of the BSFNRRA, McCreary Co., KY, 25 February 2005 (SJS) substantially increased the one-day high count for that park; see below (Appendix B) for a list of all Regional reports of woodcocks.

    A count of 4600 Ring-billed Gulls at the gull roost near Mason's Island, Barren River Reservoir, Barren/Allen counties, KY, 31 December 2004 (DLR, SJS) during the Glasgow CBC provided one of the highest counts of this gull species on record Regionally.  About 250 gulls, including 200 Ring-bills, were counted at the gull roost at the Floating Mill Recreation Area, Center Hill Lake, DeKalb Co., TN, 28 December 2004 (SJS), while about 100 gulls, including 75 Ring-bills, were counted at the gull roost at the Waitsboro Recreation Area, Lake Cumberland, Pulaski Co., KY, 1 January 2005 (SJS).

    Nine immature Herring Gulls were also present at the gull roost on Barren River Reservoir, Barren/Allen counties, KY, 31 December 2004 (DLR, SJS); another immature Herring at the gull roost located at the Waitsboro Recreation Area, Lake Cumberland, Pulaski Co., KY, 1 January 2005 (SJS) became the first of its kind to be recorded on a Somerset CBC; 2 immature Herring Gulls noted at the Celina Wastewater Treatment Plant, Clay Co., TN, 29 January 2005 during a ParkWatch survey (TMC) provided one of the first sightings for that location.

Doves through Shrike

Five Eurasian Collared-Doves in Science Hill, Pulaski Co., KY, 17 January 2005 (RMD) became the first ever recorded in that county, now the 8th Regional county with records of this exotic columbid.  Collared-Doves were also noted during CBCs in the Wayne County (KY), DeKalb County (TN), and Warren County (TN), all at sites where the species has been previously reported, but in lower numbers than previously reported at the first two of these sites.

    For the 5th consecutive CBC season, Barn Owl was recorded on the Cookeville CBC, held 18 December 2004 (DLC, KB); during this year's CBC, 2 adult owls were present at the traditional site in the county; an adult with 2 eggs was noted at the same site 19 February 2005 (SJS) during the GBBC.  A Barn Owl roosting in a small cedar was observed 27 February 2005 on Allen Hollow Rd., Putnam Co., TN (JCF, RCF), one of very few Regional sightings not involving birds at known breeding sites.

    First for the OWSR and the Catoosa WMA, as well as for Morgan Co., TN, was a Northern Saw-whet Owl that responded to a tape playback of its toot call at Alley Ford (OWSR) after dark (sometime between 1845-2045 EST) 5 February 2005 (BHS); this or another saw-whet tooted without the incentive of tape playback at 0230 EST 6 February 2005 at a site (in the Catoosa WMA) about 0.4 km from the site of the first encounter.  There are probably no other Regional records of a saw-whet's being heard tooting (or using any call) without first being prompted by a tape recording; of course, the tape playback earlier in the night might have caused the owl to call, but, if so, the time lag still makes this sighting an interesting one.  A survey for this owl in the BSFNRRA during December revealed no owls at any of 60 stops also surveyed during several earlier winters.

    The adult male Rufous Hummingbird present at Hurricane Ridge Rd., DeKalb Co., TN, at the end of last season (see Fall 2004 UCR Bird Report) remained through the entire season (TLC, VC), being nicely photographed 4 December 2004 (RC photos) and becoming the first record of this (or any) hummingbird species on the DeKalb County CBC, held 28 December 2004 (RC, TLC, VC et al.).  The adult female Rufous present at Aspen Dr., Putnam Co., TN, since early October 2004 (see Fall 2004 UCR Bird Report) was present 1 December 2004-28 February 2005 (SJS), being recorded on the Cookeville CBC 18 December 2004 (BHS, TMC, SH) and on the Putnam County GBBC 19 February 2005 (SJS).

    Red-headed Woodpeckers were present in low numbers throughout the Region this winter, at least as represented by CBC numbers and miscellaneous reports; most of the few reports submitted referred to immature, rather than adult, woodpeckers; this winter's generally poor hard mast crop was probably implicated in the low numbers of Red-headeds noted Regionally.

    Counts of Eastern Phoebes on Regional CBCs this winter were more than double the counts made during Regional CBCs last winter, a result that cries out for explanation, although it is difficult to say what might have caused such numbers of phoebes to remain in the Region this winter.

    Loggerhead Shrikes continue to deserve special attention from Regional observers, meaning that all Regional records would benefit from archiving.  CBC field work was responsible for several sightings at locations where shrikes had not been previously noted, at least recently.  See below (Appendix C) for a list of all shrike sightings reported from the Region this winter.

Jays through Warblers

Blue Jays were encountered less frequently on Regional CBCs this winter than they were during CBCs in the Region last winter, perhaps a population response to a poor hard mast crop around most of the Region this winter.

    The earliest Regional reports of Purple Martin for the season emanated from Liberty, DeKalb Co., TN (TS fide CDW), and southeast Monroe Co., KY (JT fide TMC), both 24 February 2005 .

    Earliest reported Tree Swallows were 5 at Randolph Pond, Walter Stone Rd., White Co., TN, 26 February 2005 (SJS, DAD, WAW); given the number involved in this sighting, it is possible that still earlier Tree Swallows were missed this year, although the early spring arrival date for neighboring Putnam County, TN, is just 24 February.

    Red-breasted Nuthatches were present in quite modest numbers, being observed in low single-digit numbers on a few of the Regional CBCs and occasionally reported elsewhere during the season.

    Brown-headed Nuthatches persisted at the Cookeville Golf Course, Putnam Co., TN, where 2 were counted during the Cookeville CBC 18 December 2004 (WAW, MPO, JCO), the fourth consecutive winter during which they have been noted on this CBC.  Regional observers are urged to seek these nuthatches at any site where mature pines, especially introduced loblolly pines, are present in substantial numbers (i.e., about 5 hectares [12.5 acres] or more).

    House Wrens regularly winter in the Region in small numbers, but they are seldom reported as often as they were during the early part of this season.  Most early winter reports of this semi-hardy wren derive from CBC field work, and for the most part that was true this season: one was reported 18 December 2004 in Putnam Co., TN (GKE, MJH*), during the Cookeville CBC; a non-CBC wren was found on a horse trail near Holleman's Bend Rd., Jackson Co., TN, 25 December 2004 (BHS, SJS); another wren was noted 28 December 2004 in DeKalb Co., TN (WAW, MPO) during the DeKalb County CBC; yet another wren was found 30 December 2004 in Warren Co., TN (CDW, NSL, SJS) during the Warren County CBC; and still another wren was reported 1 January 2005 at the Brown Power Plant, Pulaski Co., KY (SJS) during the Somerset CBC.  A House Wren near the Joe Branch area of the BSFNRRA, Fentress Co., TN, 6 February 2005 (SJS) provided the first winter record for that park and was among very few Regional records of this wren occurring so late in the season; another late winter record of this skulking wren was made 19 February 2005 at Clifty Pond, Pulaski Co., KY (RMD), where this wren was registered during the composite GBBC in that county.

    Winter records of Sedge Wren in the Region have been absent prior to this winter, so the sighting of one in the Heritage Marsh during the inaugural CBC in White Co., TN, 21 December 2004 (CM, SJS*, DAD) was welcome.

    Winter records of Marsh Wren have also been absent Regionally prior to this winter, so a sighting of one 8 December 2004 on Walnut Grove Rd., White Co., TN (WB) was welcome news, especially as this sighting was also incorporated into the YardWatch database for 2004. During the inaugural White County CBC 21 December 2004 (DAD, SJS*, CM) another Marsh Wren was discovered in the Heritage Marsh, indicating that this species is probably a bit more abundant as a winter resident of the Region than suggested by the total absence of previous winter records.

    The poor mast crop in the Region this winter had no effect on wintering numbers of  Golden-crowned Kinglets, indicating that this species is not at all dependent on mast production of either the soft or hard varieties.  In fact, on six Regional CBCs (Somerset, Wayne County, Clay County, Cookeville, DeKalb County, and Warren County) kinglets were recorded in higher numbers this winter (209) than last winter (127); additionally, a survey of 7 transects (covering 70.8 km [44 mi] of trails) in the BSFNRRA turned up about the same number of golden-crowns this winter (135) as last winter (140).  

    Fifteen Cedar Waxwings were noted 1 December 2004 at City Lake, Putnam Co., TN (SJS); records of this frugivore were quite scarce from mid-December 2004 to mid-January 2005, probably an indication of the poor soft mast crop Regionally.  Most notably, no records of waxwings were made on any of the 8 Regional CBCs.  Starting in mid-January, a few reports of waxwings were made, including 150+ feeding on late-ripening Foster holly berries on the Tennessee Tech campus, Cookeville, Putnam Co., TN, 31 January-7 February 2005 (SJS, WAW, DH).

    Yellow-rumped Warbler numbers this winter were considerably down from numbers reported during the banner winter of 2003-2004; a comparison of Regional CBC data from this winter (74 Yellow-rumps reported on the Somerset, Wayne County, Clay County, Cookeville, DeKalb County, and Warren County CBCs) with Regional CBC data from last winter (1533 reported on the same six CBCs) underscores this point.  Such impressive year-to-year changes in the Regional winter population of this warbler are quite normal.  The poor soft mast crop around the Region undoubtedly played a role in the reduced numbers of Yellow-rumps this winter.  Note: there is probably a relationship between numbers of wintering Yellow-rumps in the Region, the general fertility of Regional soils, and the overall growth rate of Regional forests; i.e, during winters when many Yellow-rumps are present, a greater amount of guano is deposited Region-wide than during winters when Yellow-rump numbers are low, which would affect soil fertility and eventually forest growth rate.  I will leave it to others to experimentally substantiate this hypothesis.

    Pine Warblers are reported irregularly during winter from a few sites in the Region, but one site where they are probably regular winter residents is Barren River Lake State Park, Barren Co., KY (D. L. Roemer pers. comm.) where 2 were noted during the Glasgow CBC 31 December 2004 (DLR, SJS).  A single adult male Pine Warbler visited a feeder in Cookeville, Putnam Co., TN, 16 January 2005 (WAW), and another single was noted on the Baugh Branch Nature Trail,  Lake Cumberland State Resort Park, near Jamestown, Russell Co., KY, 17 January 2005 (CSN, CGH); the latter park would make a good ParkWatch site should the observers wish to continue their efforts there.   Pine Warblers were back at many sites around the Region by mid-February, the usual date of return for this earliest of the breeding warblers in the Region.

    Palm Warblers were recorded on two of the eight Regional CBCs--Wayne County, KY, and White County, TN; during the remainder of the season the only additional reports came from Frazier Rd., Wayne Co., KY, where a Palm was observed 8 February 2005 (RMD), and from Shipley Farm, Putnam Co., TN, where another Palm was observed during the GBBC 19 February 2005 (SJS).

    A female or immature Common Yellowthroat on the Cookeville CBC, Putnam Co., TN, 18 December 2004 (GKE*, MJH) was just the 3rd recorded on that CBC during 43 counts dating back to the winter of 1957-1958; there are no non-CBC winter records for the county, indicating the importance of the CBC effort in revealing the presence of this and other rare wintering species in the county and Region.

Sparrows through Blackbirds

Lincoln's Sparrows are quite rare wintering birds in the Region, so one along Holleman's Bend Rd., Jackson Co., TN, 25 December 2004 (SJS, BHS) was noteworthy.

    Ten Brewer's Blackbirds on Lizard Lane, White Co., TN, 5 December 2004 (SJS, WAW) were the first Regionally during "fall 2004."  Brewer's are not often confirmed as overwintering in the Region, so reports of 30+ and 10 near Lizard Lane 7 and 19 February 2005 (DAD), respectively, were noteworthy.

Finches through Weaver Finch

Pine Siskins staged a fairly minor irruption this winter, appearing on a few CBCs and being sighted in low numbers at other sites around the Region, mainly early in the season.

Observers:  Kris Bolin (KB), Betty Bright (BB), Sharon Brines (SB), Wally Brines (WB), Laura Burford (LB), Margie Buxbaum (MB), Terry M. Campbell (TMC), Daniel L. Combs (DLC), Richard Connors (RC), Tommy L. Curtis (TLC), Virginia Curtis (VC), Roseanna M. Denton (RMD), Steve Denton (SD), Douglas A. Downs (DAD), Bettie Doyle (BD), Ginger K. Ensor (GKE), Janie C. Finch (JCF), Richard C. Finch (RCF), Susan H. Ford (SHF), Judy C. Fuson (JuF), Gregg Garrison (GG), Dana Girard (DG), W. Howard Groce (WHG), Robbie C. Hassler (RCH), Michael J. Hawkins (MJH), Margo Hinkle (MH), Michael Hodge (MHo), C. Gay Hodges (CGH), Stan Hood (SH), David Hume (DH), James Layzer (JL), Nancy S. Layzer (NSL), Joseph Mast (JM), Linda McClendon (LM), Charlie Muise (CM), Michael P. O'Rourke (MPO), Handley "Ozzie" Oswalt (HO), John C. Owens (JCO), John Ramsey (JR), Michele Ramsey (MR), Reilly Reagan (RR), Jeanne T. Richardson (JTR), Thurman Seber (TS), Ronnie D. Smith (RDS), Barbara H. Stedman (BHS), Stephen J. Stedman (SJS), Joas Troyers (JT), Shawchyi Vorisek (SV), Winston A. Walden (WAW), Carol D. Williams (CDW), Mark Willis (MW), Terry Witt (TW).

Literature Cited

Appendix A.  Records of northbound Sandhill Cranes in the Upper Cumberland Region during "Spring" 2005, including those seen from January through April 2005; see the Fall 2004 UCR Bird Report for records of southbound cranes during this winter. 

Appendix B.  Records of  American Woodcocks in the Upper Cumberland Region during Winter 2004-2005 and Spring 2005.

Appendix C.  Reports of  Loggerhead Shrike during Winter 2004–2005 in the Upper Cumberland Region.

Quick links to other sections of this website:

• HomePage for SJS

• The BirdPage

• The ButterflyPage