Nashville Christmas Bird Count
Dec. 20, 2014

The 100th Nashville CBC took place December 20 and totaled 82 species, right about average. A whopping 50 birders took part, with 17 at Owls Hill alone. Thank you to all for such a remarkable turnout! And thank you to Susan Hollyday for providing a delicious compilation dinner. The numbers by route may be viewed on the Bird Count Results page (link on the right). Some interesting finds for our count:

2 Double-crested Cormorants at Poplar Creek route - have only occurred 8 times in 100 counts.

1 Bald Eagle at Poplar Creek - only occurred 11 times.

8 American Woodcock at Bells Bend Park - highest count ever and occurred only 16 times.

2 Eurasian Collared-Doves at West Meade - only occurred 4 times.

23,957 American Robins - 20,000 seen flying at dawn at Bells Bend Park.

6 Rusty Blackbirds - one at Bells Bend and 5 at Radnor Lake.

2 Purple Finches - at Poplar Creek route.

5 Pine Siskins - one at Bells Bend and 4 at Poplar Creek.


Jan Shaw, Compiler

Old Hickory Dam Area
Nashville, TN
Dec. 13, 2014


It was a chilly morning at Old Hickory Lake; nonetheless, thirteen birders gathered for a wonderful outing. Activity was slow along the Nature Trail, but a few highlights included brilliant views of a Pileated Woodpecker which landed on a telephone pole behind the woodlands and Hermit Thrushes and Fox Sparrows near the trail's entrance.

"Snow Bunting Peninsula" was a bit more productive. One Bonaparte's Gull and one Herring Gull were the only gulls in the vicinity other than the abundant Ring-bills. Common Loons were scattered around the lake, as well as both Horned and Pied-billed Grebes. A raft of Ruddy Ducks was a nice addition to the trip list, and not far away floated a lone female Bufflehead.

Overall, it was a nice morning! Thank you to all who participated! (List below.)


44 species

Canada Goose - 2 Gadwall - 1 Mallard - 20 Northern Shoveler - 8 Bufflehead - 1 Ruddy Duck - 35 Common Loon - 6 Pied-billed Grebe - 20 Horned Grebe - 40 Great Blue Heron - 5 Cooper's Hawk - 1 Bald Eagle - 1 Bonaparte's Gull - 1 Ring-billed Gull - 100 Herring Gull - 1 Belted Kingfisher - 1 Red-bellied Woodpecker - 1 Downy Woodpecker - 5 Hairy Woodpecker - 2 Northern Flicker - 3 Pileated Woodpecker - 5 Blue Jay - 3

American Crow - 7 Carolina Chickadee - 15 Tufted Titmouse - 7 White-breasted Nuthatch - 1 Carolina Wren - 4 Winter Wren - 2 Golden-crowned Kinglet - 10 Ruby-crowned Kinglet -3 Eastern Bluebird - 10 Hermit Thrush - 6 American Robin - 70 Brown Thrasher - 2 Northern Mockingbird - 1 European Starling -160 Yellow-rumped Warbler - 3 Field Sparrow - 1 Fox Sparrow - 2 Song Sparrow - 5 Swamp Sparrow - 3 White-throated Sparrow - 6 Northern Cardinal - 9 American Goldfinch - 13

Herring Gull
Photo by Chloe Walker

Horned Grebes
Photo by Chloe Walker

Chloe Walker - NTOS Field Trip Coordinator
www.chloesbirdingblog.blogspot.com

Wheeler Wildlife Refuge
Decatur, Alabama
November 8, 2014


Seven NTOS members ventured to the refuge in Decatur, Alabama for our November field trip. We were met at the Visitor’s Center by Refuge Project Manager and longtime friend Dwight Cooley. It was a beautiful sunny morning and no sooner did we step out of our cars when the delightful song of Sandhill Cranes filled the air and treated us to great looks as they flew directly overhead. Our first stop was the observation tower at the Visitor’s Center. Highlights there included PINE WARBLER, SANDHILL CRANES, WOOD DUCKS, GADWALLS and AMERICAN WIGEON. Then it was onto Beaver Dam. Highlights here were HORNED LARKS, NORTHERN HARRIER, and a VESPERS SPARROW. Limestone Bay was our next stop where we were treated to GREATER YELLOWLEGS, 700+ WHITE PELICANS, LEAST and PECTORAL SANDPIPERS and a REDHEADED WOODPECKER. From there we enjoyed a delicious lunch at Greenbrier Barbacue…the hush puppies were plentiful and oh so yummy. After lunch we went to the opposite side of Limestone Bay where we found about 250 SNOW GEESE and about 4 ROSS’S GEESE among the group. Onward to White Springs Dike next where highlights included NORTHERN SHOVELER, GREAT EGRETS, a GREAT HORNED OWL, AMERICAN PIPITS and another 400 WHITE PELICANS. We ended our day back at the Visitor’s Center where we were treated to fantastic views of 3 adult WHOOPING CRANES right outside the observation tower. A wonderful ending to a great day. All tolled we had 69 species. The complete list can be viewed below.

Many thanks to go out to Dwight for a delightful bird filled day.

Complete trip list:

Snow Goose Ross’ Goose Canada Goose Wood Duck Gadwall American Wigeon Mallard Northern Shoveler Green-winged Teal Ring-necked Duck Pied-billed Grebe Horned Grebe American White Pelican Double-crested Cormorants Great Blue Heron Great Egrets Turkey Vulture Northern Harrier Sharp-shinned Hawk Red-tailed Hawk American Kestrel American Coot Sandhill Cranes Whooping Cranes Killdeer Least Sandpiper Pectoral Sandpiper Ring-billed Gull Mourning Dove Rock Pigeon Great Horned Owl Belted Kingfisher Red-headed Woodpecker Red-bellied Woodpecker Yellow-bellied Sapsucker

Downy Woodpecker Northern Flicker Eastern Phoebe Blue Jay American Crow Horned Larks Carolina Chickadee Tufted Titmouse White-breasted Nuthatch Carolina Wren Winter Wren Golden-crowned Kinglet Ruby-crowned Kinglet Eastern Bluebird Hermit Thrush American Robin Northern Mockingbird Brown Thrasher American Pipet Cedar Waxwings Yellow-rumped Warbler Pine Warbler Eastern Towhee Field Sparrow Vesper Sparrow Song Sparrow White-throated Sparrow Dark-eyed Junco Northern Cardinal Red-winged Blackbird Common Grackle House Finch American Goldfinch House Sparrow

Cyndi Routledge

Bells Bend Park, Davison County
Oct. 18, 2014

Fourteen birders attended today's walk at Bells Bend. Although it was quite chilly and a bit foggy to start, the weather was perfect by the time we finished. One of the first birds we saw this morning was a Marsh Wren at the second intersection in the paths. A little further down, we flushed a fairly large group of House Finches, and among them was one leucistic/albino bird. Likely the biggest surprise of the day were 20+ Pine Siskins in multiple groups throughout the Bend. Finally, four Bald Eagles put on a fantastic display, calling and soaring overhead. Thank you to all who participated! A checklist is below.

51 species

Canada Goose - x (heard) Mallard - 44 Black Vulture - 10 Turkey Vulture - 3 Bald Eagle - 4 Cooper's Hawk - 1 Broad-winged Hawk - 1 Red-tailed Hawk - 2 American Kestrel - 1 Killdeer - 7 Mourning Dove - 2 Belted Kingfisher - 1 Red-bellied Woodpecker - 8 Downy Woodpecker - 3 Hairy Woodpecker - 2 Northern Flicker - 15 Blue Jay - 30 American Crow - 2 Carolina Chickadee - 9 Tufted Titmouse - 1 Carolina Wren - 5 Marsh Wren - 1 Ruby -crowned Kinglet - 2 Eastern Bluebird - 8 American Robin - 75 Gray Catbird - 3

Northern Mockingbird - 11 Brown Thrasher - 9 European Starling - 20 Tennessee Warbler - 5 Common Yellowthroat - 7 Magnolia Warbler - 1 Palm Warbler - 4 Yellow-rumped Warbler - 8 Black-throated Green Warbler - 1 Eastern Towhee - 18 Field Sparrow - 13 Fox Sparrow - 3 Song Sparrow - 10 Swamp Sparrow - 18 White-throated Sparrow - 9 White-crowned Sparrow - 3 Dark-eyed Junco - 1 Northern Cardinal - 12 Indigo Bunting - 1 Red-winged Blackbird - 15 Eastern Meadowlark - 4 Brown-headed Cowbird - 4 House Finch - 35 Pine Siskin - 20+ American Goldfinch - 10

Chloe Walker
NTOS Field Trip Corrdinator

Radnor Lake State Natural Area
Oct. 8, 2014

The storms that moved through the Nashville area overnight had cleared by morning resulting in some good birding for the NTOS Wednesday morning walk.

We totaled 42 species, including 13 warbler species. The unexpected warbler species present were: WILSON'S WARBLER, ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER and OVENBIRD. The group also got good looks at a male SUMMER TANAGER.

There was a group of ducks on the late, but the distance and the lighting made a positive identification difficult.

Species observed:

Canada Goose  20 Wood Duck  6 Wild Turkey  8 Pied-billed Grebe  7 Great Blue Heron  3 Cooper's Hawk  1 Red-tailed Hawk  1 Chimney Swift  100 Red-bellied Woodpecker  6 Downy Woodpecker  4 Pileated Woodpecker  1 Eastern Wood-Pewee  2 Eastern Phoebe  2 White-eyed Vireo  1 Blue Jay  6 American Crow  1 Carolina Chickadee  8 Tufted Titmouse  12 White-breasted Nuthatch  3 Carolina Wren  10 Eastern Bluebird  1

Swainson's Thrush  2 American Robin  7 Gray Catbird  1 Cedar Waxwing  14 Ovenbird  1 Black-and-white Warbler  2 Tennessee Warbler  6 Orange-crowned Warbler  1 American Redstart  4 Northern Parula  3 Magnolia Warbler  19 Bay-breasted Warbler  3 Chestnut-sided Warbler  3 Palm Warbler  2 Yellow-rumped Warbler  16 Black-throated Green Warbler  10 Wilson's Warbler 1 Summer Tanager  1 Northern Cardinal  10 Rose-breasted Grosbeak  1 American Goldfinch  4

Kevin Bowden

Radnor Lake State Natural Area
Oct. 1, 2014

21 birders enjoyed the fourth Radnor Walk of Fall 2014 on a beautiful day. Highlights of the 35 species seen and heard were male Black-throated Blue Warbler and Solitary Sandpiper. Magnolia Warbler continued to be the most numerous Warbler species.

Leader: Danny Shelton

Wood Duck 8 Wild Turkey 13 Pied-billed Grebe 1 Great Blue Heron 2 Black Vulture 5 Solitary Sandpiper 1 Chimney Swift 50+ Red-bellied Woodpecker 6 Downy Woodpecker 6 Hairy Woodpecker 1 Northern Flicker 2 Pileated Woodpecker 1 Eastern Phoebe 2 White-eyed Vireo 1 Philadelphia Vireo 1 Blue Jay 5 American Crow 4 Carolina Chickadee 8

Tufted Titmouse 7 White-breasted Nuthatch 2 Carolina Wren 5 Eastern Bluebird 1 American Robin 3 Cedar Waxwing 40+ Black and White Warber 2 Tennessee Warber 2 Common Yellowthroat 1 Northern Parula 1 Magnolia Warbler 14+ Bay-breasted Warbler 1 Black-throated Blue Warbler 1 Palm Warbler 1 Black-throated Green Warbler 1 Northern Cardinal 10+ Rose-breasted Grosbeak 1

Kevin Bowden

Radnor Lake State Natural Area
Sep. 24, 2014

32 birders enjoyed a gorgeous morning birding Radnor Lake today. 46 species and one taxa including 14 warblers were seen. Among the highlights : the elusive Black-throated Blue, one Hooded Warbler, several Magnolia Warblers, a lone sighting of an Orange-crowned warbler, and several American Redstarts. Below is the cumulative list:

Wood Duck - 12 Mallard - 1 Blue-winged Teal - 3 Wild Turkey -10 Great Blue Heron -2 Green Heron -1 Barred Owl-1 Chimney Swift -42 (conservative) Ruby-throated Hummingbird -2 Belted Kingfisher -1 Red-bellied Woodpecker-7 Downy Woodpecker-6 Northern Flicker-1 Pileated Woodpecker-1 Eastern Wood Pewee-8 Empidonax species -1 White-eyed Vireo-2 Red-eyed Vireo-1 Blue Jay-15 American Crow -10 Carolina Chickadee -15 Tufted Titmouse -9 White-breasted Nuthatch -4 Carolina Wren -9

Swainson's Thrush -1 Wood Thrush -1 American Robin -9 Cedar Waxwing - 47 Northern Waterthrush -1 Blue-winged Warbler -1 Black and White Warbler -2 Tennessee Warbler -9 Orange-crowned Warbler -1 Nashvile Warbler -4 Hooded Warbler -1 American Redstart -23 Northern Parula -3 Magnolia Warbler-17 Bay-breasted Warbler -3 Yellow Warbler -2 Chestnut-sided Warbler -1 Black-throated Blue Warbler -1 Black-throated Green Warbler -8 Summer Tanager -3 Northern Cardinal -11 Rose-breasted Grosbeak -3 American Goldfinch -3

Steve Routledge

Shelby Park, Davidson County
9/20/2014

Today's field trip to Shelby Park and Bottoms was pleasant, with wonderful weather and nice birding. Fourteen birders participated in the walk, and we observed forty-one species. Magnolia Warblers and American Redstarts were extremely abundant, seeming to be at nearly every corner. A Least Flycatcher perched briefly on a low branch provided the first empidonax challenge of the day. Finally, we had simply fantastic looks at a Philadelphia Vireo (a great spot by Joshua Stevenson!) at Mission Hill. A huge thank you to NTOS member Frank Fekel for leading the trip! A complete species list is below:

41 species (+1 taxa.)

Mallard - x Turkey Vulture - 3 Killdeer - 1 Mourning Dove - 4 Yellow-billed Cuckoo - 1 Chimney Swift - x Ruby-throated Hummingbird = 4 Red-bellied Woodpecker - 2 Northern Flicker - 2 Hairy Woodpecker - 1 Downy Woodpecker - 2 Eastern Wood-Pewee - 3 Acadian Flycatcher - 1 Least Flycatcher - 1 Empidonax sp. - 1 White-eyed Vireo - 5 Philadelphia Vireo - 1 American Crow - 3 Blue Jay - 3 Carolina Chickadee - 14 Tufted Titmouse - 8

White-breasted Nuthatch - 1 House Wren - 1 Carolina Wren - 6 Eastern Bluebird - 7 American Robin - 100+ Swainson's Thrush - 1 Gray Catbird - 3 Brown Thrasher - 12 Northern Mockingbird - 4 European Starling - 175+ Yellow Warbler - 1 Common Yellowthroat - 1 American Redstart - 13 Magnolia Warbler - 15 Wilson's Warbler - 2 Eastern Towhee - 1 Northern Cardinal - 6 Indigo Bunting - 5 Common Grackle - 14 House Finch - 4 American Goldfinch - 8

Chloe Walker
NTOS Field Trip Coordinator

Radnor Lake State Natural Area
Sep 10, 2014

Slow birding this morning for the first NTOS Wednesday bird walk for this fall, with just 6 species of warblers tallied. Sixteen people enjoyed the breezy conditions, and what birds were around. Our best small flock was in the big timber along the lake trail between the old lake platform and the long bridge. The Wilson's warbler was seen at the point by the spillway.

34 species

Double-crested Cormorant  1 Great Blue Heron  2 Green Heron  1 Turkey Vulture  6 Cooper's Hawk  1 Red-tailed Hawk  1 Chimney Swift  1 Ruby-throated Hummingbird  2 Red-bellied Woodpecker  4 Downy Woodpecker  4 Pileated Woodpecker  1 Eastern Wood-Pewee  4 Acadian Flycatcher  1 Empidonax sp.  1 Eastern Phoebe  1 White-eyed Vireo  1 Red-eyed Vireo  1 Blue Jay  1

American Crow  8 Carolina Chickadee  8 Tufted Titmouse  2 White-breasted Nuthatch  1 Carolina Wren  10 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  2 Swainson's Thrush  1 American Robin  8 Cedar Waxwing  20 Black-and-white Warbler  1 American Redstart  1 Northern Parula  1 Magnolia Warbler  1 Black-throated Green Warbler  2 Wilson's Warbler  1 Northern Cardinal  6 American Goldfinch  3

Richard Connors

Radnor Lake State Natural Area, Davidson County
Aug. 8, 2014

Despite the humid weather throughout the trip, eleven birders attended today's walk at Radnor Lake. A total of 32 species were observed (list below), and we had several interesting sightings - most notably an early male Black-throated Green Warbler singing pitifully on the Lake Trail just past the construction area where the old platform once was. Our group had wonderful looks at a male Summer Tanager, two noisy Eastern Phoebes (one adult; one juvenile), and four fly-over Double-crested Cormorants on the Spillway as well. Thank you to all who participated, and we hope to see everyone at next month's field trip!

32 species

Wood Duck - 4 Double-crested Cormorant - 4 Great Blue Heron - 2 Green Heron - 1 Yellow-billed Cuckoo - 1 Chimney Swift - 3 Ruby-throated Hummingbird - 3 Red-headed Woodpecker - 1 (Heard) Red-bellied Woodpecker - 4 Downy Woodpecker - 3 Pileated Woodpecker - 2 Eastern Wood-Pewee - 6 Eastern Phoebe - 2 Great Crested Flycatcher - 2 empidonax sp. - 1 White-eyed Vireo - 2

Red-eyed Vireo - 1 Blue Jay - 5 American Crow - 3 Purple Martin - 4 Carolina Chickadee - 9 Tufted Titmouse - 11 White-breasted Nuthatch - 6 Carolina Wren - 15 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher - 2 Eastern Bluebird - 11 American Robin - 5 Black-throated Green Warbler - 1 Eastern Towhee - 1 Summer Tanager - 1 Northern Cardinal - 7 American Goldfinch - 6

Chloe Walker - NTOS Field Trip Coordinator

Bowie Nature Park, Fairview
July 12, 2014

It was a wonderful morning for birding at Bowie Nature Park in Fairview, with a total of five birders who saw/heard 43 species. The Red-headed Woodpeckers stole the show today, for we observed eleven, stunning individuals throughout the park. A special surprise was a Willow Flycatcher flycatching in the willow trees near the pond. We enjoyed watching Pine Warblers forage for insects to give to their young, and we got decent looks at a Yellow-throated Warbler in a Sweet Gum. A pair of Hairy Woodpeckers was also a nice treat. Thank you to all who participated in today's walk. A complete checklist can be found below.

43 species

Canada Goose - x Mallard - x Killdeer - 1 Mourning Dove - 2 Yellow-billed Cuckoo - 2 Ruby-throated Hummingbird - 2 Red-headed Woodpecker - 11 Red-bellied Woodpecker - 2 Downy Woodpecker - 2 Hairy Woodpecker - 3 Northern Flicker - 1 Eastern Wood-Pewee - 2 Acadian Flycatcher - 2 Willlow Flycatcher - 1 Great Crested Flycatcher - 2 Eastern Phoebe - 1 Eastern Kingbird - 2 Red-eyed Vireo - 1 vireo sp. - 1 Blue Jay - 2 American Crow - 2 Purple Martin - 45+

Carolina Chickadee - 9 Tufted Titmouse - 6 White-breasted Nuthatch - 4 Carolina Wren - 2 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher - 2 Eastern Bluebird - 1 American Robin - 15 European Starling - 30 Northern Parula - 2 Yellow-throated Warbler - 5 Pine Warbler - 12 Eastern Towhee - 2 Chipping Sparrow - 2 Field Sparrow - 1 Summer Tanager - 2 Northern Cardinal - 7 Indigo Bunting - 1 Common Grackle - 1 Brown-headed Cowbird - 1 House Finch - 1 American Goldfinch - 3

Chloe Walker

Rutherford and Wilson Counties
June 7, 2014

Nine birders showed up for the Rutherford/Wilson county field trip this morning, Saturday June 7th. Fortunately, the morning wasn't too hot and was free of rain showers. The target birds cooperated nicely, several of which were life birds for many of the participants.

We began by taking a brief walk around the Discovery Center Wetlands. This was somewhat successful; we found several muskrats, a raccoon, Wood Duck and Mallard ducklings, and an agitated Green Heron. Next we drove along Florence Road and found two Scissor-tailed Flycatchers at two different locations. After Florence Road we checked the speedway in Wilson county and were happy to find two Lark Sparrows and had wonderful looks at a Cliff Swallow. We moved on to Simmons Bluff Road and found a Red-headed Woodpecker in a stand of trees. At the corner of Simmons Bluff Road and Cedar Forest Road, we were thrilled to see three additional Lark Sparrows, one of which appeared to be a recently-fledged juvenile. Several participants were fortunate enough to see a fly-over Cattle Egret on Cedar Forest Road as well. On Barlow Lane, we had outstanding views of both a Dickcissel and a Grasshopper Sparrow on electrical wires. Finally we checked Middlepoint Landfill and saw a handsome male Blue Grosbeak that was wonderfully colored against the purple Thistle.

A big thanks to Terry Witt for co-leading the trip. Also, thanks to those who joined us on this wonderful outing. A complete checklist can be found below.

67 species

Canada Goose - 15+ (some w/ducklings) Wood Duck - 15+ (some w/ ducklings) Mallard - 15+ (some w/ ducklings) Northern Bobwhite - 3 Wild Turkey - x Great Blue Heron - 4 Green Heron - 1 Black Vulture - 100+ Turkey Vulture - 20+ Red-tailed Hawk - 6 Killdeer - 2 Rock Pigeon - x Mourning Dove - 20+ Yellow-billed Cuckoo - 2 (heard) Chimney Swift - x Belted Kingfisher - 1 Red-headed Woodpecker - 2 (one seen; one heard) Red-bellied Woodpecker - 2 Downy Woodpecker - 1 Northern Flicker - 1 American Kestrel - 3 Eastern Wood-Pewee - 1 (heard) Eastern Phoebe - 3 Great Crested Flycatcher - 1 (heard) Eastern Kingbird - 4 Scissor-tailed Flycatcher - 2 Blue Jay - 2 American Crow - 8 White-eyed Vireo - 2 (heard) Yellow-throated Vireo - 1 (heard) Northern Rough-winged Swallow - 20+ Purple Martin - 1 Barn Swallow - 40+ Cliff Swallow - 1

Carolina Chickadee - 2 Tufted Titmouse - 2 Carolina Wren - 2 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher - 2 Eastern Bluebird - 20+ (one juvenile) American Robin - 20+ Brown Thrasher - 1 (heard) Northern Mockingbird - 6 European Starling - x Kentucky Warbler - 2 (heard) Common Yellowthroat - 3 (heard) Prairie Warbler - 3 (only one seen) Yellow-breasted Chat - 3 (heard) Eastern Towhee - 4 Chipping Sparrow - 5 Field Sparrow - 20+ Lark Sparrow - 5 (four adults; one juvenile) Grasshopper Sparrow - 10+ (one seen) Song Sparrow - 2 Summer Tanager - 2 (heard) Scarlet Tanager - 1 (heard) Northern Cardinal - 11 Blue Grosbeak - 6 (only two seen) Indigo Bunting - 20+ Dickcissel - 10+ (only one seen) Eastern Meadowlark - 20+ Red-winged Blackbird - 10+ Common Grackle - 20+ Brown-headed Cowbird - 10+ Orchard Oriole - 5 House Finch - 9 American Goldfinch - 6 House Sparrow - x

The following pictures were taken by Chloe during the field trip. Lark Sparrow, Grasshopper Sparrow, Raccoon.

Chloe Walker - NTOS Field Trip Coordinator

Nashville Area
May 21, 2014

The Nashville Spring Bird Count was held on May 10 and totaled 145 species, eleven fewer than last year, and lower than normal. For several days leading up to the count, there were warm, sunny days with south winds, contributing to fewer transient migrants in our area. After a little rain in the morning, the day turned pleasant. Some of the highlights included 28 Northern Bobwhites, 3 Common Loons, 7 Great Egrets, 2 Osprey, 1 Caspian Tern, 6 Red-headed Woodpeckers, 1 Alder Flycatcher, 2 Scissor-tailed Flycatchers, 1 American Pipit, 31 warbler species, 24 Savannah Sparrows, 7 Grasshopper Sparrows, 2 Lincoln's Sparrows, 24 Dickcissels, and 7 Bobolinks.

To view a detailed list of species seen go to the Bird Count Results page (link on the right side of this page).

Jan Shaw co-compiler

Bark Camp Barrens WMS
Coffee County
May 17, 2014

Susan McWhirter led ten birders around Bark Camp Barrens WMA this morning, and it resulted in an interesting (for lack of a better word!) trip. The weather was abnormally cool for May - around 50 F with a slight drizzle, strengthening near the end of the trip. It was slow-going at first, but things sped up when we found three Loggerhead Shrikes - two adults and one juvenile. (There might have been four, but they were darting around as quick as warblers!) These were observed on the electrical wire that runs behind the barn on Warren Road. We walked around the fields a bit and flushed a pair of Northern Bobwhites and got great looks at a calling male Blue Grosbeak. Near one of the plowed areas we found a couple of late Savannah Sparrows. As we were walking along the pine stand in the recently-burned field (the field that can be accessed from the sod farm), we finally heard a Henslow's Sparrow! The bird was on the opposite side of the tree line, so we climbed through the barbed wire fence to get some looks at him. It didn't take long to find him; he was perched next to some bright yellow flowers throwing back his head every now and then to give his "tsi-lick". A complete list of species can be found below. A big thanks to Susan for leading us out here!

35 species

Northern Bobwhite - 2 Wild Turkey - 3 Red-tailed Hawk - 2 Yellow-billed Cuckoo - 1 Ruby-throated Hummingbird - 1 Red-bellied Woodpecker - 1 Great Crested Flycatcher - 2 Eastern Kingbird - 3 Loggerhead Shrike - 3 White-eyed Vireo - 1 Blue Jay - 2 American Crow - 1 Barn Swallow - 3 Tufted Titmouse - 1 Carolina Wren - 1 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher - 1 Brown Thrasher - 2 Northern Mockingbird - 1

Common Yellowthroat - 7 Yellow-throated Warbler - 2 Prairie Warbler - 2 Black-throated Green Warbler - 1 Yellow-breasted Chat - 6 Eastern Towhee - 6 Field Sparrow - 11 Savannah Sparrow - 2 Henslow's Sparrow - 1 Summer Tanager - 2 Scarlet Tanager - 1 Northern Cardinal - 1 Blue Grosbeak - 4 Indigo Bunting - 7 Red-winged Blackbird - 3 Eastern Meadowlark - 8 Brown-headed Cowbird - 2

Chloe Walker - NTOS Field Trip Coordinator

Radnor Lake State Natural Area
May 14, 2014

Four birders bravely ventured to Radnor Lake for the fifth of the 2014 NTOS-sponsored Spring Radnor Walks. Most of the birds were tucked in their beds keeping dry, but we did have a few highlights including a briefly seen (yet very vocal!) Barred Owl in the West parking lot, several Swainson's Thrushes, a Veery, and one Wood Thrush in various locations along the Lake Trail, and a Northern Waterthrush bobbing in a honeysuckle bush on Otter Creek Road. A complete list of species is below.


47 Species

Canada Goose - 4 Wood Duck - 11 American Black Duck - 1 Double-crested Cormorant - 1 Great Blue Heron - 2 American Coot -1 Barred Owl - 1 Chimney Swift - 3 Ruby-throated Hummingbird - 1 Red-bellied Woodpecker - 5 Downy Woodpecker - 4 Hairy Woodpecker - 1 Northern Flicker - 2 Pileated Woodpecker - 4 Eastern Wood-Pewee - 5 Acadian Flycatcher - 4 Great Crested Flycatcher - 3 Eastern Kingbird - 2 White-eyed Vireo - 2 Red-eyed Vireo - 3 Blue Jay - 2 American Crow - 3 Northern Rough-winged Swallow - 4 Barn Swallow - 2

Carolina Chickadee - 6 Tufted Titmouse - 5 White-breasted Nuthatch - 2 Carolina Wren - 13 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher - 2 Veery - 1 Swainson's Thrush - 4 Wood Thrush - 1 Louisiana Waterthrush - 1 Northern Waterthrush - 2 Prothonotary Warbler - 2 Tennessee Warbler - 1 American Redstart - 1 Northern Parula - 2 Bay-breasted Warbler - 1 Yellow-throated Warbler - 1 Summer Tanager -6 Scarlet Tanager - 1 Northern Cardinal - 17 Indigo Bunting - 1 Red-winged Blackbird - 2 Brown-headed Cowbird - 4 American Goldfinch - 2

Chloe Walker

Radnor Lake State Natural Area

May 7, 2014

Quite a few people were present today. The temperatures are warming up with a steady south wind. Below is combined list of two groups at the lake this morning.

57 Species 

Canada Goose - 5 Wood Duck - 3 American Black Duck - 1 Wild Turkey - 5 Pied-billed Grebe - 1 Double-crested Cormorant - 10 Cooper's Hawk - 1 Red-tailed Hawk - 1 Spotted Sandpiper - 2 Chimney Swift - 1 Ruby-throated Hummingbird - 1 Red-bellied Woodpecker - 3 Downy Woodpecker - 2 Pileated Woodpecker - 2 Eastern Wood-Pewee - 2 Acadian Flycatcher - 3 Great Crested Flycatcher - 2 White-eyed Vireo - 1 Philadelphia Vireo - 3 Red-eyed Vireo - 2 Northern Rough-winged Swallow - 6 Barn Swallow - 2 Carolina Chickadee - 7 Tufted Titmouse - 1 White-breasted Nuthatch - 2 Carolina Wren - 7 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher - 4 Eastern Bluebird - 3 Veery - 1

Swainson's Thrush - 2 Wood Thrush - 1 Gray Catbird - 1 Tennessee Warbler - 5 Northern Parula - 2 Chestnut-sided Warbler - 1 Magnolia Warbler - 1 Black-throated Green Warbler - 1 Blackburnian Warbler - 1 Yellow-throated Warbler - 1 Palm Warbler - 3 Bay-breasted Warbler - 2 Blackpoll Warbler - 5 American Redstart - 1 Prothonotary Warbler - 2 Ovenbird - 2 Louisiana Waterthrush - 1 Mourning Warbler - 1 Wilson's Warbler - 2 Canada Warbler - 2 Summer Tanager - 5 Field Sparrow - 1 White-throated Sparrow - 1 Northern Cardinal - 8 Indigo Bunting - 2 Brown-headed Cowbird - 1 Baltimore Oriole - 1 American Goldfinch - 3

Radnor Lake State Natural Area

Apr 30, 2014

The heavy rains moved out and the birds moved in. It was a great morning once the sun came out.

67 species 

Canada Goose  5 Wood Duck  6 Wild Turkey  1 Great Blue Heron  1 Red-tailed Hawk  1 Chimney Swift  10 Ruby-throated Hummingbird  1 Red-bellied Woodpecker  4 Downy Woodpecker  2 Pileated Woodpecker  1 Eastern Wood-Pewee  2 Acadian Flycatcher  1 Great Crested Flycatcher  1 White-eyed Vireo  3 Yellow-throated Vireo  2 Blue-headed Vireo  2 Warbling Vireo  1 Philadelphia Vireo  1 Red-eyed Vireo  4 Blue Jay  2 American Crow  1 Northern Rough-winged Swallow  6 Barn Swallow  3 Carolina Chickadee  7 Tufted Titmouse  8 White-breasted Nuthatch  1 Carolina Wren  6 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  3 Ruby-crowned Kinglet  1 Eastern Bluebird  1 Veery  2 Swainson's Thrush  5 Wood Thrush  1 Gray Catbird  1

Cedar Waxwing  6 Ovenbird  1 Louisiana Waterthrush  3 Northern Waterthrush  1 Black-and-white Warbler  1 Prothonotary Warbler  1 Tennessee Warbler  6 Nashville Warbler  2 Common Yellowthroat  1 Hooded Warbler  2 American Redstart  3 Cerulean Warbler  1 Northern Parula  3 Magnolia Warbler  3 Bay-breasted Warbler  2 Blackburnian Warbler  1 Yellow Warbler  1 Chestnut-sided Warbler  4 Blackpoll Warbler  4 Palm Warbler  8 Yellow-rumped Warbler  6 Yellow-throated Warbler  1 Black-throated Green Warbler  4 Canada Warbler  2 Field Sparrow  1 White-throated Sparrow  4 Summer Tanager  4 Scarlet Tanager  2 Northern Cardinal  8 Indigo Bunting  2 Brown-headed Cowbird  5 Baltimore Oriole  1 American Goldfinch  3

Radnor Lake State Natural Area

April 23, 2014

On a beautiful spring morning a couple of groups went birding at the lake. Below is a combined list of the species seen. For the past week or so, Yellow-rumped Warblers were the most dominant warbler species, however, they were outnumbered by Palm Warblers today.

49 species

Canada Goose  6 Wood Duck  3 Mallard  3 Wild Turkey  1 Great Blue Heron  2 Turkey Vulture  1 American Coot  3 Broad-winged Hawk 1 Barred Owl  1 Chimney Swift  7 Ruby-throated Hummingbird  1 Red-headed Woodpecker  4 Red-bellied Woodpecker  5 Downy Woodpecker  2 Hairy Woodpecker  1 Pileated Woodpecker  2 Acadian Flycatcher  1 Eastern Phoebe  1 Eastern Kingbird  3 White-eyed Vireo  2 Blue-headed Vireo 3 Blue Jay  4 American Crow  1 Northern Rough-winged Swallow  1 Carolina Chickadee  5

Tufted Titmouse  3 White-breasted Nuthatch  1 Carolina Wren  6 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  6 Eastern Bluebird  2 Wood Thrush  1 Cedar Waxwing  8 Louisiana Waterthrush  1 Prothonotary Warbler  1 Nashville Warbler  2 Kentucky Warbler  1 Hooded Warbler  2 Northern Parula  1 Blackpoll Warbler  1 Palm Warbler  7 Yellow-rumped Warbler  3 Eastern Towhee  1 White-throated Sparrow  3 Summer Tanager  1 Scarlet Tanager  2 Northern Cardinal  7 Red-winged Blackbird  1 Brown-headed Cowbird  2 American Goldfinch  7

Long Hunter State Park
Apr. 19, 2014

The weather was great, the sky a brilliant blue, and the birds happily out-and-about this morning as six birders gathered for the NTOS field trip to Long Hunter State Park. We all agreed it was a wonderful trip. Highlights include a welcoming Orchard Oriole singing in the parking lot; dozens of Prothonotary Warblers singing and feeding, even a couple at nearly eye level; four Ospreys circling (two of which were carrying fish) in the same field of view; five Spotted Sandpipers feeding and bobbing along the rocky bank; one somewhat cooperative Great Crested Flycatcher; a handsome male Summer Tanager; a very vocal Broad-winged Hawk that briefly soared above us; and finally, a "bee-buzzy" Blue-winged Warbler that almost broke our backs and necks.

A complete species list is below. Thank you, Mary Zimmerman, for your great help today!

44 species

Wood Duck-2 Great Blue Heron-3 Black Vulture-2 Osprey-4 Cooper's Hawk-1 Broad-winged Hawk-1 Spotted Sandpiper-5 Red-bellied Woodpecker-6 Downy Woodpecker-3 Hairy Woodpecker-3 Pileated Woodpecker-1 Great Crested Flycatcher-2 Eastern Kingbird-5 Yellow-throated Vireo-1 Red-eyed Vireo-3 Blue Jay-2 American Crow-5 Northern Rough-winged Swallow-x (heard only) Purple Martin-20+ Barn Swallow-20+ Tree Swallow-10+ Carolina Chickadee-12

Tufted Titmouse-12 White-breasted Nuthatch-2 Carolina Wren-6 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher-20+ (2 w/nests) Blue-winged Warbler-1 Prothonotary Warbler-20+ Palm Warbler-1 Yellow-rumped Warbler-8 Yellow-throated Warbler-1 Prairie Warbler-1 Eastern Towhee-2 Chipping Sparrow-5 Field Sparrow-1 Summer Tanager-1 Northern Cardinal-15 Indigo Bunting-1 Red-winged Blackbird-3 Common Grackle-2 Brown-headed Cowbird-12 Orchard Oriole-1 House Finch-2 American Goldfinch-15+

Chloe Walker

Radnor Lake State Natural Area

Nashville-Davidson Co TN

Wednesday 16 April 2014

It was cold this morning, but the sun was bright, providing some great looks at spring migrants at Radnor Lake for the first of the six weekly walks sponsored by the Nashville chapter of NTOS. The group had barely left the parking lot when we spotted a beautiful male ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK high in bare branches. Lower down within easy view was a BLUE-WINGED WARBLER while several BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLERS sang and flitted about.

It got calm as we crossed over the dam, but the spillway came to life with warblers: PALM WARBLER, PROTHONOTARY WARBLER, NORTHERN PARULA, and a female PRAIRIE WARBLER  sitting calmly at eye level; this latter is a rare visitor at Radnor. The large number of YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS was a good study in the variety of plumages in this species.

Later along the lake trail, we got looks at BLUE-HEADED VIREO, WHITE-EYED VIREO, YELLOW-THROATED-VIREO and a lone RED-EYED VIREO.

A RED-TAILED HAWK flew in and perched close by and an OSPREY soared overhead its disinctive M shape in outstretched wings.

Thanks to all who participated and helped to spot and identify and to Pam Lasley who kept the checklist going.

44 species

Canada Goose 6 Wood Duck 2 Wild Turkey 3 Great Blue Heron 1 Osprey 1 Cooper's Hawk 1 Red-tailed Hawk 1 American Coot 2 Barred Owl 1 Chimney Swift 50 Belted Kingfisher 1 Red-bellied Woodpecker 3 Downy Woodpecker 2 Pileated Woodpecker 2 Eastern Phoebe 1 White-eyed Vireo 3 Yellow-throated Vireo 2 Blue-headed Vireo 1 Red-eyed Vireo 1 Blue Jay 2 American Crow 2 Northern Rough-winged Swallow 30

Tree Swallow 2 Carolina Chickadee 6 Tufted Titmouse 2 Carolina Wren 3 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 9 Ruby-crowned Kinglet 4 Eastern Bluebird 1 Cedar Waxwing 20 Blue-winged Warbler 3 Prothonotary Warbler 1 Northern Parula 2 Palm Warbler 5 Yellow-rumped Warbler 14 Prairie Warbler 1 Black-throated Green Warbler 6 Field Sparrow 1 White-throated Sparrow 3 Summer Tanager 1 Northern Cardinal 3 Rose-breasted Grosbeak 1 Brown-headed Cowbird 2 American Goldfinch 6

Kevin Bowden

Beaman Park

Mar. 29, 2014

The cold rain soaked six daring birders from head to foot today as we bravely ventured to Beaman Park to look for waterthrushes. Despite the rain, our spirits were kept dry and lively! We heard at least four Lousiana Waterthrushes, two of which we saw very well. Other species that were seen/heard included: Eastern Phoebe, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Carolina Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, and Northern Cardinal. A HUGE thanks to Ed Schneider for leading us!

Chloe Walker

Field Trip Coordinator

Bell’s Bend Park

Feb. 15, 2014

Despite the bizarre meeting time, nineteen birders showed up at Bell's Bend this evening to look for displaying American Woodcocks. Many of us did a little birding before the "big show" and produced a decent list. Most notable were a couple of Fox Sparrows, one Northern Harrier, and a few fly-over blackbird flocks of several thousand birds consisting of mostly Red-winged Blackbirds and Common Grackles, though there could have been a few Rusties hidden with them. But of course, the main attraction was the woodcocks, and they did not disappoint. At least ten woodcocks were heard and a few seen just after sundown. A big thanks to Cyndi Routledge for leading the outing! A complete list of species is below.

19 species

Northern Harrier-1

Red-tailed Hawk-1

Cooper's Hawk-1

American Woodcock-10

Mourning Dove-1

Carolina Chickadee-x (heard only)

Carolina Wren-2

American Robin-50+

Northern Mockingbird-1

Yellow-rumped Warbler-1

Eastern Towhee-6

Swamp Sparrow-20+

Song Sparrow-20+

White-throated Sparrow-20+

Northern Cardinal-25+

Red-winged Blackbird-1500+

Common Grackle-1500+

Eastern Meadowlark-12

House Finch-2

Chloe Walker

Field Trip Coordinator

Duck River Unit, TWR

Jan. 11, 2014

Eleven birders ventured out to the Duck River Unit of the Tennessee National Wildlife refuge for a wonderful outing with THOUSANDS of waterfowl and other interesting birds. Highlights included one fairly close Greater Scaup at the pump station; four species of geese including Greater White-fronted, Snow, Cackling, and Canada; twenty-six American Pipits at close range; a Palm Warbler at Pintail Blind; two male Brewer's Blackbirds; and an (not surprisingly) uncooperative Le Conte's Sparrow. Below is a list of all the species that were seen/heard.

  

77 species

Greater White-fronted Goose-400 Snow Goose-15 Cackling Goose-15 Canada Goose-300 Gadwall-280 American Wigeon-170 American Black Duck-2 Mallard-2000 Northern Shoveler-200 Northern Pintail-500 Green-winged Teal-60 Canvasback-110 Ring-necked Duck-12 Greater Scaup-1 Scaup sp.-200 Bufflehead-78 Common Goldeneye-7 Hooded Merganser-5 Ruddy Duck-30 Pied-billed Grebe-17 Horned Grebe-6 Double-crested Cormorant-59 American White Pelican-35 Great Blue Heron-8 Turkey Vulture-6 Bald Eagle-10 Northern Harrier-10 Sharp-shinned Hawk-1 Cooper's Hawk-1 Red-tailed Hawk-3 American Kestrel-2 American Coot-195 Killdeer-7 Wilson's Snipe-6 Bonaparte's Gull-35 Ring-billed Gull-45 Herring Gull-4 Mourning Dove-25 Belted Kingfisher-1

Red-headed Woodpecker-2 Red-bellied Woodpecker-4 Yellow-bellied Sapsucker-1 Downy Woodpecker-2 Hairy Woodpecker-1 Northern Flicker-3 Pileated Woodpecker-1 Eastern Phoebe-6 Blue Jay-2 American Crow-11 Horned Lark-2 Carolina Chickadee-4 Tufted Titmouse-1 Brown Creeper-1 Carolina Wren-5 Ruby-crowned Kinglet-5 Eastern Bluebird-4 Northern Mockingbird-2 European Starling-75 American Pipit-26 Lapland Longspur-2 Palm Warbler-1 Yellow-rumped Warbler-4 Field Sparrow-1 Savannah Sparrow-8 Le Conte's Sparrow-1 Song Sparrow-20 Swamp Sparrow-25 White-throated Sparrow-25 White-crowned Sparrow-2 Dark-eyed Junco-20 Northern Cardinal-5 Red-winged Blackbird-15 Eastern Meadowlark-19 Rusty Blackbird-5 Brewer's Blackbird-2 Brown-headed Cowbird-12 House Finch-1 American Goldfinch-x (heard only)

Chloe Walker

NTOS Field Trip Coordinator

Hickory-Priest Christmas Bird Count

Jan. 1, 2014

Twenty-five people in 5 parties participated, 96 species were reported. The count covers eastern Davidson County with bit of Sumner and Wilson counties included.

Highlights: Some highlights were previously reported by Scott  Somershoe for the Percy Priest Lake section, most notably the out-of-season Yellow Warbler. Fortunately it was seen (and heard) by  most of the party, and well-seen by a few. Also from this location was  Scott's early morning sighting of Pacific Loon and Peregrine Falcon. Ducks, 13 species including 2 merganser species, were fairly well represented but in mostly low numbers; no scoters found. Not too surprisingly Black Vultures outnumbered Turkey Vultures 20-1. 7 Bald Eagles counted, with 3 reported as adults. Falcons totaled 3 Merlins plus the Peregrine. On Priest the evening gull roost was productive with Ring-billed Gull and Com. Loons present in expected high numbers, plus Scott's addition of 2 Red-throated Loons to the mix. Sandhill Crane made the list with a fly-over of 2 at Priest. Several "winter" warblers were found on the Old Hickory section: Orange-crowned (2), Palm (1) & Pine (1), with the addition of Yellow-rumped giving them a 4 warbler day on Jan. 1st! Only 2 Purple Finches and 1 Rusty Blackbird reported, those from Neely's Bend.

To view the entire list click on Bird Count Results on the right menu and select Hickory-Priest CBC under 2014.

Richard Connors

Compiler