Bowie Nature Park
Fairview, TN
July 18, 2015

Six birders gathered for the NTOS's monthly field trip, which was held at Bowie Nature Park in Fairview. It was a sticky morning, but the birds didn't seem to mind! Bowie is a great place to see Red-headed Woodpeckers, and today was no exception. Throughout our walk we saw and heard many of these stunning birds, and we even observed a few feeding young. Pine Warblers were also actively foraging in the treetops along the Loblolly Loop trail. Finally, we all got a bit of practice identifying juvenile birds, including an Eastern Bluebird, an Eastern Towhee, and a Chipping Sparrow. A big thank you to everyone who showed up! Our trip list is as follows:

33 species

Canada Goose - 40 Mallard - 6 Mourning Dove - 7 Yellow-billed Cuckoo - 2 Ruby-throated Hummingbird - 1 Red-headed Woodpecker - 9 Red-bellied Woodpecker - 1 Downy Woodpecker - 1 Hairy Woodpecker - 3 Northern Flicker - 1 Eastern Wood-Pewee - 2 Blue Jay - 2 American Crow - 6 Northern Rough-winged Swallow - 2 Barn Swallow - 6 Purple Martin - 22 Carolina Chickadee - 5

Tufted Titmouse - 8 White-breasted Nuthatch - 1 Carolina Wren - 2 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher - 5 Eastern Bluebird - 4 American Robin - 2 Gray Catbird - 1 Pine Warbler - 6 Yellow-throated Warbler - 1 Eastern Towhee - 4 Chipping Sparrow - 6 Field Sparrow - 1 Summer Tanager - 2 Northern Cardinal - 5 Indigo Bunting - 3 American Goldfinch - 4

Chloe Walker

TOS Meeting Field Trips
May 1-3, 2015


The 100-year anniversary TOS meeting at Montgomery Bell State Park featured a wide variety of field trips. A number of our walks took place at the park itself, yielding a good tally of species expected in a forest habitat. On Saturday and Sunday we ventured farther afield to a variety of mid-state locales such as Mound Bottoms, Bicentennial Trail/Dyson's Ditch, Narrows of the Harpeth, Ft. Campbell, and the Duck River, and those outings brought our count up considerably.

Our total species count for the weekend was 132 (list below), including 27 species of warblers and 11 sparrow species. Among the highlights were Bachman's Sparrow (Ft. Campbell), Henslow's Sparrow (Ft. Campbell), Grasshopper Sparrow (Ft. Campbell), Glossy Ibis (Duck River), Sora (Duck River), and White-rumped Sandpiper (Duck River). Additionally, participants on the Mound Bottoms walk were treated to a young Woodcock, while those on the park's Lake Loop on Sunday got up close looks at a Great Horned Owl.

Thanks to all the field trip leaders and participants for making the weekend excursions memorable and productive!


TOS 100-year Anniversary Meeting Species list:

Canada Goose Wood Duck Mallard Blue-winged Teal Northern Shoveler Northern Bobwhite Wild Turkey Double-crested Cormorant Great Blue Heron Great Egret Green Heron Glossy Ibis Black Vulture Turkey Vulture Osprey Mississippi Kite Sharp-shinned Hawk Copper’s Hawk Bald Eagle Red-shouldered Hawk Broad-winged Hawk Red-tailed Hawk Sora American Coot American Golden-Plover Semipalmated Plover Killdeer Spotted Sandpiper Solitary Sandpiper Greater Yellowlegs Lesser Yellowlegs Least Sandpiper White-rumped Sandpiper Pectoral Sandpiper American Woodcock Rock Pigeon Mourning Dove Barred Owl Great Horned Owl Chimney Swift Ruby-throated Hummingbird Red-headed Woodpecker Red-bellied Woodpecker Downy Woodpecker Hairy Woodpecker Pileated Woodpecker Eastern Wood-Pewee Acadian Flycatcher Willow Flycatcher Eastern Phoebe Great Crested Flycatcher Eastern Kingbird White-eyed Vireo Yellow-throated Vireo Blue-headed Vireo Warbling Vireo Red-eyed Vireo Blue Jay American Crow Horned Lark Tree Swallow Barn Swallow Cliff Swallow Carolina Chickadee Tufted Titmouse White-breasted Nuthatch

Carolina Wren Blue-gray Gnatcatcher Eastern Bluebird Veery Gray-cheeked Thrush Swainson's Thrush Wood Thrush American Robin Gray Catbird Brown Thrasher Northern Mockingbird European Starling Ovenbird Worm-eating Warbler Louisiana Waterthrush Northern Waterthrush Blue-winged Warbler Golden-winged Warbler Black-and-white Warbler Prothonotary Warbler Tennessee Warbler Nashville Warbler Kentucky Warbler Common Yellowthroat Hooded Warbler Cerulean Warbler Northern Parula Bay-breasted Warbler Blackburnian Warbler Yellow Warbler Chestnut-sided Warbler Blackpoll Warbler Palm Warbler Pine Warbler Yellow-rumped Warbler Yellow-throated Warbler Prairie Warbler Black-throated Green Warbler Yellow-breasted Chat Eastern Towhee Bachman’s Sparrow Chipping Sparrow Field Sparrow Lark Sparrow Savannah Sparrow Grasshopper Sparrow Henslow’s Sparrow Swamp Sparrow White-throated Sparrow White-crowned Sparrow Summer Tanager Scarlet Tanager Northern Cardinal Rose-breasted Grosbeak Blue Grosbeak Indigo Bunting Dickcissel Bobolink Red-winged Blackbird Eastern Meadowlark Common Grackle Brown-headed Cowbird Orchard Oriole House Finch American Goldfinch House Sparrow

Tony Lance

Beaman Park
Davidson County, TN
June 20, 2015

The NTOS's field trip to Beaman Park was a great success, despite the wet and windy conditions. Upon arrival, we were treated to a chorus of juvenile Carolina Wrens learning to sing. Worm-eating Warblers, an annual breeder here, responded to pishing and cooperated nicely for the group. A couple of us had fleeting looks at a Great Egret as it flew from the creek - quite a surprise. Louisiana Waterthrushes were also present during our walk, though they were heard only. Thank you to those who participated! Our checklist can be found below.

24 species

Great Egret - 1
Chimney Swift - 4
Ruby-throated Hummingbird - 1
Downy Woodpecker - 1
Eastern Wood-Pewee - 2
Acadian Flycatcher - 3
Red-eyed Vireo - 2
Blue Jay - 1
Carolina Chickadee - 3
Tufted Titmouse - 4
White-breasted Nuthatch - 1
Carolina Wren - 4
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher - 2
Wood Thrush - 2
Worm-eating Warbler - 4
Louisiana Waterthrush - 4
Kentucky Warbler - 1
Northern Parula - 2
Yellow-throated Warbler - 3
Summer Tanager - 2
Scarlet Tanager - 2
Northern Cardinal - 2
Indigo Bunting - 1
Brown-headed Cowbird - 1


Chloe Walker
NTOS Field Trip Coordinator

Radnor Lake State Natural Area
Nashville, TN
May 20, 2015

The last of the NTOS-sponsored Wednesday Radnor Walks took place in ideal weather- sunshine, light breeze and comfortable temperatures. The big migration wave has mostly passed through; however, there were a few stray migrants in addition to species that normally spend the summer months at Radnor.

All the group got great looks at a YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO along the dam. It perched low on a bare branch over the lake in several ideal spots. Later the group saw a female MAGNOLIA WARBLER at the spillway and a few of us spotted a quick moving female ORCHARD ORIOLE in the same location. And due to its position on the sunlight, a male RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD stood out like a brilliant gem on a bare branch. An interesting find further along was a BARRED OWL and then a GREAT-CRESTED FLYCATCHER. The latter we often hear, but seldom see at Radnor. Other cooperative birds included an ACADIAN FLYCATCHER. WHITE-EYED VIREOS were very vocal, but mostly hidden. On the other hand, while the RED-EYED VIREOS remained unusually quiet, one was seen by some of the group as it came down low to feed near the Spillway.

Thanks to all who led and participated in the six Wednesday Walks this Spring.

Below is a recap of species observed:

40 species

Canada Goose  6 Wood Duck  2 Wild Turkey  3 Double-crested Cormorant  6 Red-tailed Hawk  1 Yellow-billed Cuckoo  2 Barred Owl  1 Ruby-throated Hummingbird  1 Red-bellied Woodpecker  3 Downy Woodpecker  4 Pileated Woodpecker  2 Eastern Wood-Pewee  4 Acadian Flycatcher  3 Eastern Phoebe  1 Great Crested Flycatcher  3 White-eyed Vireo  2 Red-eyed Vireo  1 Blue Jay  3 American Crow  2 Northern Rough-winged Swallow  16

Barn Swallow  2 Carolina Chickadee  8 Tufted Titmouse  5 Carolina Wren  2 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  3 Cedar Waxwing  21 Kentucky Warbler  2 Northern Parula  2 Magnolia Warbler  1 Bay-breasted Warbler  1 Blackpoll Warbler  1 Yellow-throated Warbler  1 Black-throated Green Warbler  1 Summer Tanager  2 Northern Cardinal  8 Indigo Bunting  1 Red-winged Blackbird  1 Brown-headed Cowbird  4 Orchard Oriole  1 American Goldfinch  8

Kevin Bowden

Radnor Lake State Natural Area
Nashville, TN
May 16, 2015

The NTOS field trip to Radnor Lake this morning was quite soggy to say the least, yet nonetheless, 12 birders happily participated. Although there was no steady bird action, we eventually finished with 46 species. Highlights included awesome views of a singing Kentucky Warbler near Long Bridge and a surprise adult Common Loon in breeding plumage diving on the lake. In addition, a few of us heard a weak "Old Sam Peabody" song from a White-throated Sparrow by bench #13. Thank you to all who "braved the rain" today, and especially Chris Sloan, who led the trip.


46 species

Canada Goose - 4 Wood Duck - 3 Wild Turkey - x Common Loon - 1 Double-crested Cormorant - 2 Green Heron - 1 Mourning Dove - 1 Yellow-billed Cuckoo - 1 Barred Owl - 1 Chimney Swift - 3 Ruby-throated Hummingbird - 2 Red-bellied Woodpecker - 3 Downy Woodpecker - 3 Pileated Woodpecker - 2 Eastern Wood-Pewee - 4 Acadian Flycatcher - 2 Eastern Phoebe - 1 Great Crested Flycatcher - 1 Eastern Kingbird - 2 White-eyed Vireo - 1 Red-eyed Vireo - 4 Blue Jay - 1 American Crow - 1

Northern Rough-winged Swallow - 6 Barn Swallow - 3 Carolina Chickadee - 5 Tufted Titmouse - 4 Carolina Wren - 3 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher - 3 Swainson's Thrush - 1 Cedar Waxwing - 52 Louisiana Waterthrush - 2 Kentucky Warbler - 2 American Redstart - 3 Northern Parula - 3 Bay-breasted Warbler - 2 Blackpoll Warbler - 3 Black-throated Green Warbler - 1 Canada Warbler - 1 White-throated Sparrow - 1 Summer Tanager - 2 Northern Cardinal - 7 Indigo Bunting - 2 Brown-headed Cowbird - 4 Orchard Oriole - 1 American Goldfinch - 1

Chloe Walker

Radnor Lake State Natural Area
Nashville, TN
May 13, 2015

Today's NTOS Wednesday Walk at Radnor Lake was a good one with 16 participants.  The weather was beautiful though a little breezy early on.  While our overall numbers weren’t exceptional, we made up for it with some great sightings.  Many in the group were able to see Yellow-Billed Cuckoo, Yellow-Throated Warbler (on the ground for a couple of minutes), Canada Warbler, Wilson’s Warbler - and most exciting - a male Black-Throated Blue Warbler.  Total number of species was 51, with 15 species of warblers observed (all but Tennessee Warbler were viewed).


51 species (+1 other taxa)

Canada Goose  10 Wood Duck  4 Mallard  2 Wild Turkey  1 Pied-billed Grebe  1 Double-crested Cormorant  1 Great Blue Heron  2 Turkey Vulture  1 Red-tailed Hawk  2 Yellow-billed Cuckoo  1 Chimney Swift  20 Red-bellied Woodpecker  3 Downy Woodpecker  3 Pileated Woodpecker  1 Eastern Wood-Pewee  3 Acadian Flycatcher  2 Least Flycatcher  1 Empidonax sp.  2 Eastern Phoebe  1 Great Crested Flycatcher  3 Eastern Kingbird  2 White-eyed Vireo  4 Philadelphia Vireo  1 Red-eyed Vireo  3 Blue Jay  2 American Crow  3

Northern Rough-winged Swallow  5 Barn Swallow  2 Carolina Chickadee  4 Tufted Titmouse  7 Carolina Wren  3 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  6 Cedar Waxwing  15 Louisiana Waterthrush  2 Black-and-white Warbler  1 Tennessee Warbler  1 Kentucky Warbler  1 Common Yellowthroat  2 American Redstart  6 Northern Parula  3 Magnolia Warbler  1 Bay-breasted Warbler  2 Blackpoll Warbler  6 Black-throated Blue Warbler  1   Yellow-throated Warbler  1 Black-throated Green Warbler  2 Canada Warbler  1 Wilson's Warbler  1 Summer Tanager  1 Northern Cardinal  9 Red-winged Blackbird  1 American Goldfinch  7

Jim Arnett

Radnor Lake State Natural Area
Nashville, TN
May 6, 2015

Twenty-plus birders joined the NTOS Wednesday walk at Radnor Lake today.  The weather was sunny, without wind, temperature ranging from 65 degrees at 7:30 to 81 degrees at 10:45 am. Warbler migration appears to have peaked, but we saw and/or heard 10 warbler species.  Highlights of the morning were watching barn swallows gather mud for their nest under the rafters at the old visitor's center; watching a Red-eyed and a Philadelphia Vireo within feet of each other in a willow below the dam, and good looks at a Bay-breasted Warbler fairly low in a tangle of trees not far down the lakeside trail from the dam.  A total of 44 species were seen and/or heard as follows:

Canada Goose 13 Wood Duck  6 Mallard 1 Wild Turkey- loud gobbling out of sight Turkey Vulture 1 Spotted Sandpiper 1 Mourning Dove 2 Chimney Swift 3 Ruby-throated Hummingbird 2 Belted Kingfisher 1 Red-bellied Woodpecker 6 Downy Woodpecker 2 Pileated Woodpecker 3 Eastern Wood Pewee 2 Acadian Flycatcher 3 Great Crested Flycatcher 4 Eastern Kingbird 3 White-eyed Vireo 6 Yellow-throated Vireo 1 Blue-headed Vireo 1 Philadelphia Vireo 1 Red-eyed Vireo 3

Blue Jay 2 American Crow 2 Barn Swallow 2 Carolina Chickadee 2 Tufted Titmouse 4 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 6 Swainson's Thrush 1 Louisiana Waterthrush 1 Northern Waterthrush 1 Tennessee Warbler 2 Kentucky Warbler 2 American Redstart 1 Northern Parula 3 Bay-breasted Warbler 3 Blackpoll Warbler 1 Palm Warbler 5 Yellow-rumped Warbler 2 Field sparrow 1 Summer Tanager 3 Northern Cardinal 8 Rose-breasted Grosbeak 3 American Goldfinch 4

Camille Monohan