(1 December–28 February)

Stephen J. Stedman

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

                                                                                        The whole of birdlife is always changing.  J. T. Tanner

Introduction

This winter was a decidedly good one for the populations of many species of birds wintering in the Region; generally mild weather conditions and an excellent wild food crop conspired to produce high population numbers of many wintering species, particularly woodland birds.  See the Regional Christmas Bird Count data and the Putnam County Winter Roadside Survey data linked below for details about the status of many birds wintering in the Upper Cumberland Region.

Weather

    December began with the passage of a violent front on the night of 2/3 December 2005; hail, as well as strong wind, was associated with this frontal passage; otherwise the first ten days of the month experienced about normal temperatures but lower than normal rainfall amounts.  Episodes of fairly cold weather characterized most days during the middle of the month, with low temperatures occasionally dipping into the teens in the more northern parts of the Region and in areas of higher elevation.  Dry conditions from the fall and the early part of December persisted into mid-December with many ponds Region-wide falling to very low levels or drying up completely.  Low water levels in many ponds made them especially susceptible to freeze-over during the very cold period from 19–22 December, when at least two Christmas Bird Counts were conducted in the Region with very little open water available.  Slightly warmer, wetter conditions prevailed during the last ten days of the month, and the New Year was ushered in by several unseasonably warm days in early January, when temperatures reached the 60s Fahrenheit on several  afternoons.  However, cold temperatures returned quickly with a light snow falling the night of 5/6 January on the Cumberland Plateau with some dusting also occurring at lower elevation sites during the day 6 January.  The weather immediately turned warm again with afternoon temperatures in the 60s 7–9 January; 7–8 January was also a very windy period.  A mild rain front went through the Region on the night of 10/11 January 2006.  Up to several inches of snow fell on most of the Region during the night of 13-14 January 2006, but most of it melted during the day 14 January 2006.  Several days of rainy weather characterized the period from 15–23 January with over three inches falling at most Regional sites during this interval.  The night of 25/26 January saw the temperature fall into the low 20s F after a week or more of warmish conditions.  More short bouts of rainy weather occurred during the end of January and very early February.  A small amount of snow fell during the day 4 February, leaving accumulations of an inch or more at higher elevations and in the northern parts of the Region.  Another snow event took place during the night of 8/9 February, leaving an inch or more of accumulated frozen stuff at most sites in the southern part of the Region, more to the north, and still another snow event began the night of 10/11 February and continued on and off through the night of 12/13 February, leaving some fairly impressive accumulations at high elevations (like eastern White Co., TN, where eight inches were reported 12 February) and at many sites in the Kentucky portion of the Region.  Low temperatures were usually  in the 20s F at night during most of the first half of February; however, during the brief interval of 15–16 February nighttime lows were in the 40s F.  During the night of 17–18 February another weather event featuring frozen precipitation began and lasted until the afternoon of 19 February, leaving an inch or two of snow on the ground and somewhat curtailing Great Backyard Bird Count field work on the morning of 18 February.  Cold night-time temperatures and snowless skies characterized most days during the last week of February.

Wild Food Crop

    The wild food crop, especially soft mast, around the Region was excellent this winter, in contrast to the extremely poor wild food crop experienced during the winter of 2004–2005 but similar to the excellent wild food crop produced during the winter of 2003–2004.  Numbers of frugivores recorded on Regional CBCs (see link in next paragraph below) confirm the excellent quality of the soft mast crop during these winters.

Results of Various Bird Counts

    As in most years for the past few decades, Christmas Bird Counts were conducted at a number of Regional sites.  A summary of results of the Regional CBCs may be accessed via this link:

    A Winter Roadside Survey (WRS) of birds was conducted in Putnam County, Tennessee, during January 2006 (SJS, BHS). Birds were counted for four minutes at each of 500 points scattered throughout this 408-square-mile county.  Data from the 2006 WRS may be compared to data collected from the same 500 stops on WRSs conducted during January of 1991, 1996, and 2001.   Click on the following link to view these data:

    As during the past few years, Great Backyard Bird Count data for the Saturday (18 February 2006) of that count's period were pooled for several counties of the Region, leading to useful data about species occurring in late winter in the Region.  To view this year's pooled GBBC data, click on the following link:

    
    The first of its kind Regionally, a Late Winter Bird Count was conducted in Cumberland County, Tennessee, near the end of February; results of this count may be accessed by clicking on the following link:

Parting Remark

    The coincidence of this winter's excellent mast crop and the conducting of the WRS in Putnam County this particular winter has pointed me to the inescapable conclusion that food resources drive the population numbers of winter resident bird species (in contrast to permanent resident bird species) in that county, and probably in the entire Upper Cumberland Region, to such an extent that they tend to mask any actual fluctuations in the overall populations of most of these species.  In effect, results of localized and Regional bird survey work, including CBCs, conducted during winter may point much more to the quality of food resources available in a given winter and area than to the actual state of winter resident bird populations, a somewhat disquieting circumstance for the local and Regional bird counter. It may not be possible to tease out information relating to population trends of winter resident species from the background (foreground?) noise created by the effect of winter food resources on their numbers using data from just one count or from the collective counts for a Region, or even from the counts for an entire state, pointing to the great need to collect winter bird data on a continental scale, as is done by the National Audubon Society and Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology.  Data collected continentally will even out the unevenness of winter resident bird distribution caused by unevenness of local, Regional, or state-wide food resources, resulting in trend data that ought to be fairly reliable.  Consequently, the more areas that contribute local data to the continental CBC database, the more reliable the resulting trend data about continental populations of winter resident birds should be.

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; WRS = Winter Roadside Survey, Putnam County, Tennessee (SJS and BHS).

Waterfowl and Gallinaceous Species

Forty Snow Geese (of unspecified morph) were counted in southwest Monroe Co., KY, 5 December 2005 (JT fide TMC), a nice number within the Region; three Snows, including an adult blue morph, an immature blue morph, and an adult intermediate morph (seldom reported in the Region), were noted at Harvest Farm Lake, Warren Co., TN, 11 December 2005 (SJS, WAW).  The only Snow Goose noted on Regional CBCs was a white morph found 20 December 2005 (RMD) on the Wayne County CBC.  A lone adult white morph individual was photographed in DeKalb Co., TN, 6 January 2006 (JCF, CDW photo) and remained until at least 11 January 2006 (JCF), providing one of few records for that county. A lone adult blue morph individual was photographed near the Stone Farm, Clay Co., TN, 7 January 2006 (TMC), providing one of few records for that county. A lone white morph adult was observed on Ninemile Crossroad, Bledsoe Co., TN, 15 February 2006 (WAW, MPO), and another white morph was found at Cooley's Pond, Wayne Co., KY, on the same date (RMD), probably the same bird as found on the Wayne County CBC.

    A juvenile Ross's Goose was noted at Twin Lakes, Pulaski Co., KY, 4–11 December 2005 (RMD photo), the first record for that county and just the eighth for the Region.

    At least three Mute Swans appeared at Cedar Hill Resort, Dale Hollow Lake, Clay Co., TN, 18 December 2005 (fide TMC); seven were found at Cooley's Pond, Wayne Co., KY, 20 December 2005 (RMD) during the Wayne County CBC and were still present 7 January 2006 (RMD); five (3 adults and 2 immatures) were reported from Livingston City Lake, Overton Co., TN, 23 December (GM, KM) and 25 December (SJS) 2005 and were still present 12 January 2006 (SJS), providing one of very few records for that county; three adults were noted at Moss Island near the Floating Mill Recreation Area, Center Hill Lake, DeKalb Co., TN, 24/27 December 2005 (SJS, CDW/SJS, MH), providing the first record for that county, as well as the first CBC record for DeKalb County on the latter date; one was present at Twin Lakes, Pulaski Co., KY, 24 December-6 February 2006 (RMD); four adults were noted near the Obey River Recreation Area, Dale Hollow Lake, Pickett Co., TN, 12 January 2006 (SJS, CN, BG); three adults were noted on Sulfur Creek, Dale Hollow Lake, Clinton Co., KY, 12 January 2006 (SC), providing the first record for that county.  Nineteen Mutes were photographed on the Cumberland River near Holleman's Bend Rd., Jackson Co., TN, 5 February 2006 (CDW photo), a sizable number; four remained at or near this site 17 February 2006 (SJS). Late in the winter single Mutes appeared at Fishing Creek, Pulaski Co., KY, 18 February 2006 (RMD, CGH, AMM) during the GBBC and on Vaughn Rd., DeKalb Co., TN, 20 February 2006 (JCF, CDW photo), also during the GBBC.

    An immature Tundra Swan associated with four Mute Swans near the Obey River Recreation Area, Dale Hollow Lake, Pickett Co., TN, 12 January 2006 (SJS, CN, BG), providing the first record with details for that county; this immature swan, when approached, repeatedly flushed noticeably sooner than the Mute Swans it was with, probably indicating by this behavioral difference that it was of a different species than the Mutes.

    A male Blue-winged Teal at Cooley's Pond, Wayne Co., KY, 7 January 2006 (RMD photo) was hard to figure but certainly noteworthy; three female-plumaged Blue-wings in Smithville, DeKalb Co., TN, 23 January 2006 (CDW photo, JCF) were also quite early if migrants; a returning migrant was noted in Barren Co., KY, 28 February 2006 (DLR).

    Two Northern Shovelers at Lake Hiawatha, Cumberland Co., TN, 25 February 2006 (SJS, ASF, CBu, AEB, ACE) provided the first record with details for that county; this sighting took place during a bird count run according to CBC guidelines in preparation for the inaugural CBC in Crossville next December.

    A dozen Canvasbacks at the Waitsboro Recreation Area, Lake Cumberland, Pulaski Co., KY, 5 December 2005 (RMD) were the first of "fall" 2005 reported around the Region; four Cans in the Tansi area of Cumberland Co., TN, 10 December 2005 (SJS, JEM, MB) were the first with details to be reported in that county; 14 at the Obey River Recreation Area, Pickett Co., TN, 25 December 2005 (SJS) provided a nice number for that site.

    A mixed-species flock of ducks at the Waitsboro Recreation Area, Lake Cumberland, Pulaski Co., KY, 5 December 2005 (RMD) contained at least 350 Redheads, quite a sizable concentration of this scarce diving duck; three Redheads counted at Cane Creek Park, Cookeville, Putnam Co., TN (BHS), during the Cookeville CBC became just the third record for that CBC; this trio remained at the park until mid-January (SJS), providing one of few county records of prolonged stay during winter; a female in Stearns, McCreary Co., KY, 5 February 2006 (RMD) provided the first record with details from that county.  By mid-February small numbers of Redheads were reported at several sites around the Region, and within a week numerous reports of flocks up to 80 were widely reported in the Region, providing yet more evidence of the "trickle northward slowly" migratory habit of this handsome duck.

    At least one Greater Scaup was present in the mixed flock of ducks at the Waitsboro Recreation Area, Lake Cumberland, Pulaski Co., KY, 5 December 2005 (RMD); three Greaters were found on Barren River Reservoir, Barren Co., KY, on the same date (DLR); another Greater was counted 20 December 2005 at Conley Bottoms, Lake Cumberland, Wayne Co., KY, (RMD) during the Wayne County CBC; still another was present 28 December 2005 on Green River Lake, Adair Co., KY (BPB, RMD) during the Green River Lake CBC (mainly in Taylor Co., KY), providing the first record with details for that county; and a group of five (3 males and 2 females) was noted at the Floating Mill Recreation Area, Center Hill Lake, DeKalb Co., TN, 1 February 2006 (SJS).  The largest group of Greaters found this winter involved 14 on Barren River Reservoir, Barren/Allen counties, KY, 28 February 2006 (DLR).

    Nine Surf Scoters were observed at the Fishing Creek Recreation Area, Lake Cumberland, Pulaski Co., KY, 5 December 2005 (RMD photo); at the Waitsboro Recreation Area in the same county 13 more Surf Scoters were counted the same day (RMD); two female or immature Surfs were noted at the Wolf Creek Dam, Lake Cumberland, Russell Co., KY, 6 December 2005 (RMD), the first record for that county of this scarce diving duck.  The first two records, when combined, serve to provide the highest ever one-day count of Surf Scoter in a single Regional county.

    Five Black Scoters--including one male and four females or immatures--at the Wolf Creek Dam, Lake Cumberland, Russell Co., KY, 6 December 2005 (RMD) represented the first record for that county and just the eighth record Regionally of this rare diving duck.

    At least 55 Buffleheads were noted at the Waitsboro Recreation Area, Lake Cumberland, Pulaski Co., KY, 5 December 2005 (RMD), a sizable number for this duck.

    A count of 103 Red-breasted Mergansers was made on Barren River Reservoir, Barren Co., KY, 5 December 2005 (MBe, DLR); 10  were counted at the Waitsboro Recreation Area, Lake Cumberland, Pulaski Co., KY,  the same day (RMD).

    Seven Ruddy Ducks at the Obey River Recreation Area, Pickett Co., TN, 25 December 2005 (SJS) were the first with details for that county.

Two Common Loons on Lake Tansi, Cumberland Co., TN, 10 December 2005 (SJS, JEM, MB), and a single there 18 December 2005 (JEM), following a record of a single at the same site 3 December 2005 (JEM), suggested that local wintering of this loon might occur, at least during warmer winters, more and more of which have been occurring; however, a check of this site in early January 2006 (JEM) and in late Feburary (SJS et al.) revealed no loons present.  Several Common Loons on Green River Lake, Adair Co., KY, 28 December 2005 (RMD, BPB) also indicated possible overwintering.

    A Horned Grebe on Lake Tansi, Cumberland Co., TN, 3 and 10 December 2005 (JEM/SJS, JEM) provided one of few records for that county and suggested the possibility that the species may winter on the lake in small numbers, an intriguing prospect given the lake's elevation (c. 500 m [c. 1650 ft]). Counts of 70 and 66 on Barren River Reservoir, Barren Co., KY (DLR), and at the Waitsboro Recreation Area, Lake Cumberland, Pulaski Co., KY (RMD), respectively, both 5 December 2005, were notable early concentrations. Numbers of Horned Grebes near the Floating Mill Recreation Area, Center Hill Lake, DeKalb Co., TN, remained low (30-40) during CBC season, but the number (c. 140) of grebes found around the rest of the lake during the DeKalb County CBC indicated that about a "normal" number of grebes were present on the lake early in the season; 210 grebes were noted at this site 1 February 2006 (SJS), also fairly normal for that time of winter.  Forty-nine were counted from Rowena Rd., Lake Cumberland, Russell Co., KY, 7 January 2006 (RMD), a fairly substantial number to be wintering on that lake.  A count of 250, fairly standard for a mid-winter count at the site, was made 12 January 2006 near Trooper Island, Dale Hollow Lake, Clay Co., TN (SJS, CN, BG); 42 on Lake Cumberland, Russell Co., KY, 15 February 2006 (RMD) may have been migrants but were more likely wintering birds.

    An immature Double-crested Cormorant found near the dam at Center Hill Lake, DeKalb Co., TN, 27 December 2005 (MJH) during the DeKalb County CBC provided the latest sighting of "fall" 2005 for this increasing piscivore and the first record for that CBC; another immature cormorant was found near Trooper Island, Dale Hollow Lake, Clay Co., TN, 12 January 2006 (SJS, CN, BG), providing one of few Regional mid-winter records for the species.

    As usual, Great Blue Heron rookeries in the Region were active by mid-February, the earliest active nests being located at two sites--Hurricane Marina and just below Center Hill Dam--around Center Hill Lake, DeKalb Co., TN, 17 February 2006 (SJS); a "new" (at least newly discovered) rookery of Great Blue Herons was located along I-40, Smith Co., TN, 26 February 2006 (KO) near mile marker 266 where I-40 crosses the Caney Fork River; about a dozen nests were counted along with 4-5 birds.

The annual Mid-Winter Eagle Survey resulted in lowish numbers of Bald Eagles on and near Dale Hollow Lake (fide MW; see table below) compared to numbers found there the last couple of winters.  Numbers of eagles sighted at other Regional concentration points (i.e., mainly the other big lakes and the big rivers of the Region) will be presented when they become available.  An (incomplete) summary of past eagle counts at Dale Hollow Lake (and other sites) is accessible via a link provided at the page devoted to Bald Eagle (accessible via links beginning at the page for the Official Checklist of Birds of the Upper Cumberland Region).

    Turkey Neck Bend, Monroe Co., KY, harbors an extensive array of bottomland fields, so it was unsurprising but noteworthy that four Northern Harriers were found there near Gee Cemetery 8 January 2006 (JaF, RCF).  Three to five harriers were also noted at Ninemile Crossroad, Sequatchie Valley, Bledsoe Co., TN, 15 January-11 February 2006 (m. ob.). For whatever reason, harriers were a bit fewer in number on Regional CBCs this winter than last.  Anyone out there aware of any way to find out what the Regional rodent populations were doing this winter?  The condition of prey populations plays a crucial role in determining the density of wintering raptors in the Region, so this information would be good to know if available.

    Red-shouldered Hawks were recorded in highest ever numbers (21) on this winter's Cookeville CBC and in highest ever numbers on the Putnam County WRS (35), indicating that its status as a top-of-the-food-web predator in that county is excellent; less certainty exists about the status of this fine raptor in the remaining counties of the Region, only because fewer data are available about its population level in those counties.

    Two Rough-legged Hawks including an adult male light morph and a juvenile light morph were observed in eastern Wayne Co., KY, 17 December 2005 (RMD photos), a county that fairly regularly hosts this scarce wintering raptor; each of these birds was relocated 20 December 2005 during the Wayne County CBC (RMD, SJS); these were the first Rough-legs to be reported Regionally during "fall" 2005 and the first Rough-legs to be reported on the Wayne County CBC, now in its fourth year of operation.

    Two adult Golden Eagles at Frozen Head State Natural Area, Morgan Co., TN, 19 December 2005 (DME, MEH) provided the first record with details for that park and that county and the first sighting of this raptor Regionally for "fall" 2005.

    Following a period of inclement weather 2-4 December 2005 that included extremely foggy conditions on the last date, a Merlin of uncertain sex and age was noted on Plateau Rd., Cumberland Co., TN, 4 December 2005 (JEM photo, AFM, RJY); an adult male was found and photographed at the Fishing Creek Recreation Area, Lake Cumberland, Pulaski Co., KY, 5 December 2005 (RMD photo); a female or immature was the first of its kind reported on Frazier Rd., Wayne Co., KY, where found 17 December 2005 (RMD photo), during count week of the Wayne County CBC.

Cranes through Gulls

All Regional sightings of southbound Sandhill Cranes this winter are listed in the Fall 2005 UCR Bird Report (Appendix A), the last such sighting taking place 1 January 2006 when 15 cranes were noted flying south at mile marker 52 in Adair Co., KY (TBM, LMM)., though a record of 30 low-flying cranes headed east southeast 14 January 2006 on Cowan Rd., Putnam Co., TN (MR) probably represented an even later "fall" record.  All Regional sightings of northbound cranes are listed below (Appendix A), the first such sighting taking place 7 January 2006, when 81 northbound cranes were noted flying over Cowan Rd., Putnam Co., TN (MR).  These sightings probably indicate temporal overlap of south- and northbound cranes, as has happened several times in recent years.  Five cranes in a cornfield near Cooley's Pond, Wayne Co., KY, 20 December 2005, four in the same cornfield 7 January 2006, and six there 15 February 2006 (all RMD) strongly indicated local wintering, not a common behavior of cranes in the Region, but David Roemer (pers. com.) reminded me that a small flock of Sandhills wintered along the tailwaters of the dam at Barren River Reservoir in the late 1970s or early 1980s; there are few other records of cranes' wintering in the Region, though this behavior may well be on the increase.  An interesting phenomenon appears to be taking place in the northern Sequatchie Valley; cranes from Hiwassee Refuge appear to be using the valley as a foraging site during the day and then either roosting there or returning to Hiwassee at night to roost; several hundred cranes were noted on Ninemile Crossroad, Bledsoe Co., TN, at dusk on 15 February 2006 (WAW, MPO), at first flying north and then turning to head south, a suggestion that this behavior--first noted last winter--is being carried out by large numbers of cranes.  The peak of the northward migration this "spring" appears to have taken place during the period from 21 to 27 February 2006, with 3050 being noted at Mayland, Cumberland Co., TN, 21 February (AFM, JEM) and 2300 being counted at Lovelady, Pickett Co., TN, 25 February 2006 (RCH); this peak is closer to the peak of spring crane migrations during the 1990s and before than to the peak of spring crane migrations during the early 2000s.  Note: A white crane with black wingtips was sighted among a large number of Sandhill Cranes 21 February 2006 near Vernon, Monroe Co., KY (JT fide TMC).

    Five Dunlins near Walnut Creek, Barren River Reservoir, Barren/Allen counties, KY, 5 December 2005 (DLR) were at a site where this shorebird typically lingers into early or even mid-winter.

    The Long-billed Dowitcher found on Fishing Creek, Pulaski Co., KY, late last season remained until 15 December 2005 (RMD et al.), obviously setting a Regional late fall departure date but also setting a late departure date for the commonwealth of Kentucky (fide BPB); see the Fall 2005 UCR Bird Report for details about the initial discovery of this windbird, the third of its species to be found within the Region.

    All Regional reports of American Woodcocks during the season are listed below (Appendix B).

    A Laughing Gull on Barren River Reservoir, Barren Co., KY, 26-30 January 2006 (DLR photo) provided probably the first Regional winter record; this bird may have lingered since last fall, when the first Regional sightings took place.

    A count of 800+ Ring-billed Gulls were noted at Barren River Reservoir, Barren Co., KY, 26 January 2006 (DLR).

    During a period of inclement weather 2-4 December 2005, two adult Herring Gulls were noted with four adult Ring-billed Gulls 3 December 2005 at Cane Creek Park, Cookeville, Putnam Co., TN (SJS), a site where the former gull is seldom reported.

Doves through Shrike

Eleven Eurasian Collared-Doves were noted near Double Springs, Putnam Co., TN, 4 December 2005 (SJS, WAW), the highest count ever accumulated in that county, but one that is sure to be supplanted soon; a single collared-dove at this site 17 December 2005 (BHS) became the first of its kind to be reported on the Cookeville CBC, while three seen at this site 19 February 2006 (SJS, BHS) became the first of their kind to be reported on the Cookeville GBBC.  No collared-dove could be located in Monticello, Wayne Co., KY, 20 December 2005 (SJS) during the Wayne County CBC. Three collared-doves were observed 22 December 2005 in and near Sparta, White Co., TN, (BHS) during the White County CBC; these were the first collared-doves to be reported on that CBC.  No collared-doves were found 27 December 2005 during the DeKalb County CBC, but two were noted the day before in an area southwest of Smithville near the intersection of Rts. 146 and 83 (JI), providing a count week record of this dove for that CBC. Two calling collared-doves were noted at Vervilla, Warren Co., TN, 30 December 2005 (SJS) during the Warren County CBC, the third consecutive CBC there to record this invading exotic.

    A possibly unusual posture of Barred Owl was noted 14 December 2005 in the Standing Stone State Forest, Overton Co., TN, during the Clay County CBC; while being mobbed by songbirds, a Barred Owl was noted in a "normal" posture (SJS photo); it then hunched over (SJS photo), as if to hide its facial disc from the mobbing songbirds, and remained completely motionless for 30 seconds to a minute; it repeated this behavior at least one more time during the observation.  Any comments on this posture, not described in the BNA account of Barred Owl, are welcome.

    A Short-eared Owl noted off Old Glasgow-Munfordville Rd., Barren Co., KY, 6 December 2005 (EW) provided the first record with details from that county and was the 9th record Regionally.  At least four Short-ears were noted near dusk on Ninemile Crossroad, Sequatchie Valley, Bledsoe Co., TN, 15 January 2006 (DJT, ARH, MN), a substantial number in the Region and also the first record with details for that county; three Short-ears were observed at the same site 18 January 2006 (SJS, WAW, CDW, NSL, JaF, RCF) and 20 January 2006 (StC et al.), while four were noted there 21 January 2006 (DAD), one or two were detected 24 January 2006 (JMC, BRC), four were noted 26 January 2006 (CB) and 28 January 2006 (RAH et al.), three were noted 31 January 2006 (HC), four were present 1 February 2006 (ZB et al.), two were found 5 February 2006 (RB), four were noted 6 February 2006 (SJS, GKE), four were noted 7 February 2006 (RAH et al.), three were noted amid a snowstorm 12 February 2006 (DRJ et al.), two were found 15 February 2006 (WAW, MPO), four were noted 17 February 2006 (SJS et al.), five were counted perched in one tree 20 February 2006 (RAH), and three were counted 27 February 2006 (RDS).  On at least two occasions (15 and 21 January) Northern Harriers at this site exhibited kleptoparasitism, i.e., stealing prey initially captured by the owls.  See the Spring 2006 UCR Bird Report for details about continuation of this record.

    The adult female Rufous Hummingbird reported last season (RCH; see Fall 2005 UCR Bird Report) in Pickett Co., TN, was still present 20 December 2005 (RCH), making it just fine through the night of 19/20 December 2005 when the temperature fell to a low of 12 degrees F; however, the next night (20/21 December 2005) the temperature dipped to 10 degrees F, and this hummer was not seen 21 December 2005 or thereafter (RCH).  The Selasphorus hummingbird that appeared on Aspen Dr., Putnam Co., TN, last season (SH; see Fall 2005 UCR Bird Report) was banded 10 December 2005 (CS) and determined to be--as suspected, based on photographic evidence--an immature male Rufous Hummingbird, the fourth Rufous (including 1 male and 3 females) to be banded at this site since the winter of 2003-2004; it also established the fourth record (involving five individuals) of this hummingbird in the county, as well as the seventh record (involving 8 individuals) Regionally; it remained until 28 February 2006 (SJS), making it through the bitterly cold nights of 19/20 & 21/22 December 2005 (SH), the snowy, cold day of 14 January 2006 (SH), and the snowy, cold days of 11-12 & 17-19 February 2006. See the Spring 2006 UCR Bird Report for data relating to a continuation of this record.  Note: Probably no other site in Tennessee has previously hosted four banded Rufous Hummingbirds, so Aspen Dr., Putnam Co., TN, is now a famous hummer site.  An unidentified hummingbird spent the season at Creed Rd., Van Buren Co., TN (BW, JW); this record surfaced in December 2006.

    All woodpeckers were up in frequency and abundance on the 2006 WRS in Putnam Co., TN.  Red-bellied Woodpeckers in particular revealed considerable increases in those factors this winter, suggesting a long-term (15-year) increase has been taking place in this species' county (and Regional?) population, perhaps in response to maturing oak and hickory populations in the county?

    Loggerhead Shrikes continue to be reported with decreasing frequency; all Regional sightings this season are listed below (Appendix C).  Most shrike records this season derived from CBCs and GBBC effort in the southern part of the Region, pointing once again to the great value of systematic counts as a means of keeping tabs on all species, but especially scarce and declining ones, around the Region.  Sadly, results of the 2006 WRS in Putnam County once again reflected a total absence of shrikes at 500 points located in nearly all areas of that county.

Vireo through Warblers

Blue-headed Vireos have been reported during winter in the Region just three times prior to this season (see the Winter 2003-2004 UCR Bird Report, the Winter 2000-2001 UCR Bird Report, and Birds of Putnam County, Tennessee [Pigeons through Weaver Finches], all at this website), so one observed along the Loop Trail, Joe L. Evins Appalachian Center for Craft, DeKalb Co., TN, 27 December 2005 (SJS) during the DeKalb County CBC was a rarity, though not entirely unexpected, given the excellent crop of soft mast, including cedar "berries" (i.e., cones), present this winter.

    Red-breasted Nuthatches were absent or reported in mostly lowish numbers Regionally this winter; even the Regional CBCs, which generated fairly intensive efforts to find Red-breasts, turned up few, indicating a fairly poor irruption winter (and cone crop?) in the Region.

    Three of the Brown-headed Nuthatches resident at the Cookeville Golf Course, Cookeville, Putnam Co., TN, were found from adjoining property 17 December 2005 (WAW, MPO, JCO) during the Cookeville CBC, but access to the golf course was denied to birders, so continued monitoring of this disjunct population may be difficult in the future.  During the Putnam County WRS, one Brown-head was detected 22 January 2006 from a stop on Shag Rag Rd. next to the golf course (SJS), the first time since the inception of the WRS in 1991 that this species has been registered on that survey, which is conducted every five years.

    Carolina Wrens were dramatically (100%) more frequent and abundant on the 2006 WRS in Putnam Co., TN, than during any of three WRSs conducted there in the past (1991, 1996, 2001).  Several consecutive warmish winters have probably produced a high population level of this commonest of wrens in that county; perhaps the Regional population is also at a high level?  Numbers on Regional CBCs this year suggest such a status is highly probable.

    House Wrens have been observed during December with increasing frequency in recent years (perhaps another indication of the recent trend toward warmer winters that is undoubtedly linked to global warming?): a single was noted on Flatt Fork Rd., Overton Co., TN, 14 December 2005 (SJS *) during the Clay County CBC; singles were next reported 17 December 2005 in Putnam Co., TN, during the Cookeville CBC, one on Dacco Quarry Rd. (BHS) and one on Poplar Grove Rd. near Blackberry Lane (SJS, DAD); other singles were noted in Pulaski Co., KY, one at Clifty Pond 22 December 2005 (RMD) and one near Waitsboro Landing 31 December 2005 (SJS) during the Somerset CBC; the Clifty Pond wren was relocated at the same site 20 February 2006 (RMD), providing strong evidence of overwintering there.  Were it not for the Regional CBC effort, late lingering or overwintering by this wren would be much less documented than is actually the case.  The WRS effort in Putnam Co., TN, resulted in three records of House Wrens (compared to none registered during WRS efforts in 1991, 1996, and 2001): one near the north end of Fairview Rd. 5 January 2006 (SJS); one about 0.2 km west of the intersection of Martin Creek Rd. and Puncheon Camp Rd. on the former road 11 January 2006 (SJS); and one on Thomas Twin Oaks Rd. 24 January 2006 (BHS).

    A Marsh Wren found 31 December 2005 during the Somerset CBC at Twin Lakes, Pulaski Co., KY (TBM, LMM, GC, JK) represented only the third of its kind to be found during winter in the Region, the other two records coming from White Co., TN, last winter; the Pulaski wren was heard 3 January 2006  at the same site (RMD), indicating that it was possibly a wintering individual.

    Probably in response to the excellent crop of soft mast present Region-wide this winter, Hermit Thrushes were encountered slightly over four times more frequently and abundantly during the 2006 Putnam County WRS (61 individuals noted at 51 stops) than during the Putnam County WRS with the next best results (2001--15 noted at 12 stops); Hermits increased in frequency and abundance mainly on the escarpments of the county and on the Cumberland Plateau portion of the county--both areas with much cedar thicket habitat--while considerably less increase in thrushes was detectible on the Highland Rim where the Cookeville CBC takes place--and where cedar thickets are a smaller component of the overall habitat; Hermit Thrush numbers (17) on the Cookeville CBC for December 2005 were at the upper end of the range of numbers (0-21) detected on past CBCs there but not notably higher, a result fairly consistent with the WRS data from the Highland Rim portion of the Putnam County, showing thrushes somewhat more frequent and abundant than in the past but not strikingly so.  Thus, Hermit Thrush data from the Cookeville CBC, if viewed alone, showed a good season for this species, but not a remarkable one on the Highland Rim; the 2006 WRS Hermit Thrush data from all of  Putnam County corroborate the status of the Hermit on the Highland Rim but reveal a much increased wintering population of Hermits in many areas of the county not surveyed by the CBC.  CBC data alone, therefore, do not necessarily reflect the status of wintering species beyond the area being covered by the CBC, indicating the need for supplemental bird surveys that cover a larger area in a more intensive and consistent manner than CBCs can do, and suggesting caution in the extrapolation of some CBC results to areas outside of CBC circles.

    As expected, numbers of Cedar Waxwings this winter were similar to, or larger than, numbers of waxwings recorded during the winter of 2003-2004, when the soft mast crop was also excellent; during the early part of last winter (2004-2005), when the soft mast crop was poor, waxwings were, by contrast, extremely few or entirely missing.  This status can be confirmed by viewing CBC data for almost any Regional site where such a count was conducted during the three winters in question.

    An Orange-crowned Warbler found near the intersection of Cripps Lane and Evins Mill Rd., DeKalb Co., TN, 13 February 2006 (JCF photo) provided the first record for that county and one of few winter records for the Region.

    This winter saw a large contingent of Yellow-rumped Warblers take up residence around the Region, certainly another result of the bountiful crop of soft mast, especially cedar "berries," present.

    Early returning Pine Warblers at sites where they were not known to winter this season included a single at West Oak Dr., Cookeville, Putnam Co., TN, 11 February 2006 (WAW)--this sighting was all the more interesting in view of the snow event that was underway on that date; and another single 18 February 2006 north of Smithville, DeKalb Co., TN (CDW photo)--another sighting that took place during a snow event.

    Palm Warblers were absent from the Regional CBC picture this winter, so two on Ensor Creek Rd., Putnam Co., TN, 6 January 2006 (SJS) were noteworthy though not especially surprising; another on Mystic View Rd., Wayne Co., KY, 7 January 2006 (RMD) was a bit farther north but still well within expectations for this fairly cold-hardy warbler.  Two Palms were found in Mt. Zion, Pulaski Co., KY, 17 February 2006 (RMD) during GBBC effort there.

Sparrows through Blackbirds

A Chipping Sparrow was noted at the Pulaski County Park, Pulaski Co., KY, 15 January 2006 (RMD), a county where no Chippies could be found on the local CBC though at least 8 spent the winter near Mt. Zion (RMD).  Chippies were quite well represented on the CBCs elsewhere in the Region, including 22 found on the Cookeville CBC 17 December 2005, but only one could be located in Putnam County during the 500-stop WRS conducted during January (BHS), suggesting that increases in Chippies on Regional CBCs in recent years may be more a function of their lingering longer into late fall and early winter (and then heading south?) than a function of actual overwintering in the Region.  More study needed here.  Four Chippies were noted in Barren Co., KY, 19 Feburary 2006 (DLR). Ten Chippies south of Crossville in Cumberland Co., TN, 25 February 2006 (SJS, ASF, CBu) may have been wintering birds or very early returning migrants; if the former status is correct, then these birds were probably unusual for having chosen the Cumberland Plateau as a wintering site.

    A Lincoln's Sparrow near Celina, Clay Co., TN, during the Clay County CBC 14 December 2005 (BHS *) provided one of few December records of this sparrow Regionally, and it was the first of its species ever to be recorded on a Regional CBC, of which at least 151 have been conducted previously.

    An Indigo Bunting was observed at Mark, Pulaski Co., KY, 31 December 2005 (CSN) during the Somerset CBC, providing one of very few Regional winter records of this common summer breeder and the first record for that CBC--or any Regional CBC; it, or another individual, was seen and photographed at the same site 12 January 2006 (CSN photo).

    A count of 86 Rusty Blackbirds near Lake Tansi, Cumberland Co., TN, 25 February 2006 (SJS, ASF, ACE, AEB, CBu) provided the first record with details for that county, while three in Russell Co., KY, 1 December 2005 (CGH, RMD) may have been the first noted with details in that county.

Finches through Weaver Finch

Purple Finches appeared in fair to moderately good numbers by the CBC season; they were registered in quite high numbers of the Putnam County WRS, compared to numbers registered during past WRSs there.

    Pine Siskins were reported in low numbers or were absent at most sites around the Region.

Observers:  Robin Barrow (RB), Zack Barrow (ZB), Mark Bennett (MBe), Anna [Nan] E. Beesley (AEB), Clyde Blum (CB), Judy Brant (JB), Greg Brown (GB), Chester Bush (CBu), Margie Buxbaum (MB), James M. Campbell (JMC), Betty Reid Campbell (BRC), Terry M. Campbell (TMC), Sondra Carmen (SC), Howard Chitwood (HC), Steve Clendenen (StC), Granville Cox (GC), Julie Denton (JD), Roseanna M. Denton (RMD), Douglas A. Downs (DAD), Chuck Estes (CE), Arthur C. Evans (ACE), Kim Feltner (KF), Annell S. Fields (ASF), Walt Fields (WF), Janie C. Finch (JaF), Richard C. Finch (RCF), Judy C. Fuson (JCF), Dana Girard (DG), Ben Gore (BG), Robbie C. Hassler (RCH), Ruth Ann Henry (RAH), Margo Hinkle (MH), C. Gay Hodges (CGH), Audrey R. Hoff (ARH), Stan Hood (SH), Jerry Ingles (JI), James Kiser (JK), James Layzer (JL), Nancy S. Layxer (NSL), Edmund K. LeGrand (EKL), Anita F. Mast (AFM), Joseph E. Mast (JEM), Linda McClendon (LM), Jerry McGregor (JMc), Carol Merrill (CM), Don Merrill (DM), Virginia Merrill (VM), Kirk Miles (KMi), Lynda M. Mills (LMM), Thomas B. Mills (TBM), Ginny Morton (GM), King Morton (KM),  Charlie M. Muise (CMM), Connie S. Neeley (CSN), Wendell Neeley (WN), Mike Nelson (MN), Craig Norris (CN), Jason W. Norris (JWN), Michael P. O'Rourke (MPO), Ken Oeser (KO), John C. Owens (JCO), Brainard Palmer-Ball, Jr. (BPB), Michele Ramsey (MR), David L. Roemer (DLR), Debbie Shannon (DS), Roi Shannon (RS), Chris Sloan (CS), Ronnie D. Smith (RDS), Barbara H. Stedman (BHS), Stephen J. Stedman (SJS), David J. Trently (DJT), Jason Troyer (JT), Bill Wagner (BW), Jacquie Wagner (JW), Winston A. Walden (WAW), Eric Williams (EW), Mark Willis (MW), Reuben J. Yoder (RJY).

Literature Cited

Appendix A.  Records of northbound Sandhill Cranes in the Upper Cumberland Region during "Spring" 2006, including those seen January through April 2006; see the Fall 2005 UCR Bird Report for records of southbound cranes during this winter. 

Appendix B.  Records of  American Woodcocks in the Upper Cumberland Region during Winter 2005-2006 and Spring 2006.

Appendix C.  Reports of  Loggerhead Shrike during Winter 2005–2006 in the Upper Cumberland Region.

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