NTOS Christmas Bird Count

The Nashville CBC was conducted on Saturday, Dec. 17 and totaled 76 species, about average for the count. There was also one Count Week species, 5 Canvasbacks, at Radnor Lake. No unusual species were reported, but there was one Red-breasted Nuthatch which has not been common here this year. Three Bald Eagles were found, 2 adults and 1 immature. There was one late Indigo Bunting at Radnor Lake, an occasional winter species in the Nashville area. Thank you to all who helped with the count, and to Susan Hollyday who provided us with a delicious compilation supper.

Click "Bird Count Results" on the right to view the complete results.

Total Species - 77

Total Birds - 9324

Old Hickory Dam Area

J. Percy Priest Dam Area
Davidson Co., TN
Saturday, 2011 Dec. 10
Clear and very chilly

On Saturday morning, December 10, ten intrepid Tennessee birders, representing several counties in middle Tennessee, converged at Old Hickory Dam in northern Davidson County for the Nashville TOS field trip.  They spent a very chilly morning searching for various winter species.  A walk through the woods next to the dam produced an EASTERN PHOEBE, good numbers of GOLDEN CROWNED KINGLETs, and several BROWN CREEPERs, and FOX SPARROWs, the latter being a life bird for some in the group.  Perhaps the best bird of the morning was a FORSTER'S TERN that circled low over Snow Bunting Peninsula.

Also seen in the area were a nearby COMMON LOON, BONAPARTE'S GULLs, and plenty of HORNED and PIED-BILLED GREBEs.  Duck numbers were rather low with only RUDDY and MALLARDs seen.  Since the morning was still young, as a bonus, we drove to the J. Percy Priest Dam.

While no new species were found on the lake, a drive to the area below the dam produced a lone RUSTY BLACKBIRD that posed in a bare tree for the group.  At the end of the morning the group had found 44 species. 

List of birds found:

Mallard 15

Ruddy Duck  18
Common Loon 11
Pied-billed Grebe  12
Horned Grebe  22
Double-crested Cormorant  1
Great Blue Heron  9
Black Vulture  36
Cooper's Hawk 2
Red-tailed Hawk  6
American Coot  81
Killdeer  5
Bonaparte's Gull 3
Ring-billed Gull 170
Forster's Tern 1
Mourning Dove  1
Belted Kingfisher 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker  2
Downy Woodpecker  4
Northern Flicker  2
Eastern Phoebe  1
Blue Jay  4
American Crow  5
Carolina Chickadee  8
Tufted Titmouse  4
Brown Creeper  3
Carolina Wren  6
Golden-crowned Kinglet  9
Ruby-crowned Kinglet  5
Eastern Bluebird  14
American Robin  32
Northern Mockingbird  2
Brown Thrasher  1
European Starling  209
Yellow-rumped Warbler  3
Eastern Towhee  2
Field Sparrow  4
Fox Sparrow  3
Song Sparrow  11
Swamp Sparrow  5
White-throated Sparrow  4
Northern Cardinal  8
Rusty Blackbird 1
American Goldfinch  2

Frank Fekel

NTOS Field Trip Leader

Benton and Henry Counties, TN
Saturday, 2011 Nov. 19
8:30am-4:15 pm

Fifteen birders, including David Kirschke from East Tennessee, enjoyed the NTOS sponsored trip to Pace Point and the Britton Ford areas around Kentucky Lake. The weather was surprisingly warm and conditions were reasonably good for viewing during most of the day. Highlights began even before we reached the town of Big Sandy. The group stopped at a spot on Lower Big Sandy Road and had nice views of a LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE. At Big Sandy we joined forces with several additional birders and headed toward Pace Point. A stop at Lick Creek resulted in several BALD EAGLEs and two distant HORNED LARKs. Bennett's Creek Overlook produced its usual flotilla of MALLARDs plus several other duck species. A NORTHERN HARRIER and a flyover, calling AMERICAN PIPIT added additional spice to our list. The cove area just short of Pace Point produced a RED-NECKED GREBE that spent a good deal of time diving and so unfortunately, was observed by only a few of our group. At the Point the highlight was several COMMON GOLDENEYEs. On our way to Rocky Point we got close up views of a number of HOODED MERGANSERs plus a female WOOD DUCK at a small pond. Eating lunch on the run, the afternoon was spent on the Britton Ford side of Kentucky Lake where we got several new duck species, including BLACK DUCK, REDHEAD, and CANVASBACK, and added a WHITE-WINGED SCOTER that spent much of the time trying to sleep and avoid identification. A brief foray to Eagle Creek produced a raft of 83 PIED-BILLED GREBEs and a lone AMERICAN EGRET. We finished the outing at Paris Landing State Park, where the wind substantially increased, making viewing difficult. Everyone enjoyed the RED-HEADED WOODPECKER found in the picnic area. At the end of a long but satisfying day we had tallied ~63 species.

Totals are very approximate and representative at best for most species:

Canada Geese 25
Wood Duck 1
Gadwall 65
Am. Wigeon 3
Am. Black Duck 9
Mallard hundreds if not a thousand or more
N. Shoveler 2
N. Pintail 2
Green-winged Teal 4
Canvasback 5
Redhead 20
Ring-necked Duck 2
Lesser Scaup 100
White-winged Scoter 1
Bufflehead 40
Common Goldeneye 4
Hooded Merganser 24
Ruddy Duck several hundred
Common Loon 12
Pied-billed Grebe 135
Horned Grebe 20
Red-necked Grebe 1
Double-crested Cormorant 2
Great Blue Heron 30
Great Egret 1
Black Vulture 1
Turkey Vulture 4
Bald Eagle 6
N. Harrier 4
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 2
Am. Kestrel 1
Am. Coot several hundred
Killdeer 11
Bonaparte's Gull 6
Ring-billed Gull 90
Herring Gull 15

Mourning Dove 1
Red-headed Woodpecker 2
Red-bellied Woodpecker 2
Downey Woodpecker 1
N. Flicker 3
Loggerhead Shrike 1
Blue Jay 2
Am. Crow 50
Horned Lark 9
Carolina Chickadee 3
Tufted Titmouse 1
White-breasted Nuthatch 1
Carolina Wren 1
Golden-crowned Kinglet 2
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1
E. Bluebird 6
Am. Robin 3
Am Pipit 1 calling and flyover
E. Towhee 2
Field Sparrow 1
Song Sparrow 3
White-throated Sparrow 3
Dark-eyed Junco 6
N. Cardinal 4
E. Meadowlark 2
Am. Goldfinch 4

Frank Fekel
Nashville TOS Field Trip leader

Radnor Lake Sate Natural Area
Nashville-Davidson Co, TN
19 October 2011
 
Eleven birders braved the raw weather (breezy, low gray ceiling, and temperatures in the mid 40's) to attend the last Radnor Lake Wednesday Walk for Fall 2011. Although we did not travel as far or stay as long as we normally do, we did pick up a species we had not previously seen this fall: an AMERICAN WIGEON was spotted among a small group of WOOD DUCKS on the lake. We ran into several flocks of YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS, which would have been our only Warbler species had it not been for one briefly-seen COMMON YELLOWTHROAT.

Thanks to all who participated this Fall, providing their assistance in spotting and identifying the 77 species that we observed on the six walks.

Here's a recap of today's observations:

19 species

Canada Goose  6
Wood Duck  10
American Wigeon  1
Belted Kingfisher  1
Red-bellied Woodpecker  3
Downy Woodpecker  4
Northern Flicker  2
Pileated Woodpecker  2
Blue Jay  2
Carolina Chickadee  11
Tufted Titmouse  6
Carolina Wren  7
Eastern Bluebird  1
Gray Catbird  1
Common Yellowthroat  1
Yellow-rumped Warbler  16
White-throated Sparrow  3
Northern Cardinal  9
Indigo Bunting  1

ELLINGTON AGRICULTURAL CENTER becomes RADNOR LAKE STATE NATURAL AREA

Early on Saturday morning, October 15, birders for the monthly NTOS field trip arrived at the entrance of the Ellington Agricultural Center (EAC) and found that its gate was locked. That morning they learned that the field trip had been inadvertantly scheduled on the date of the EAC's Music and Molasses Festival, which was to begin later in the day, and so all the trails were closed. Plan B was soon formed and pressed into service. Frank Fekel stayed near the EAC entrance for a time to redirect birders, who quickly drove to the east parking lot of nearby Radnor Lake State Natural Area.

Excellent fall weather produced a pleasant three hour walk around Radnor Lake, and 7 birders were able to discover 39 species, including residents, migrants, and winter visitors. Although only 6 species of warblers were found, everyone enjoyed good looks at fall plumaged BAY-BREASTED WARBLERs. Other highlights included YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER, SWAINSON'S THRUSH, GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLET, and ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK. The most frustrating sighting was a flock (or perhaps a couple flocks) of ducks that flew above the lake several times and almost directly overhead at one point, but which could never be identified as to species.

The bird list from Radnor Lake follows:

Canada Goose 48
Wood Duck 22
American Wigeon 1
Ring-necked Duck 1
Pied-billed Grebe 4
Double-crested Cormorant 2
Great Blue Heron 4
Turkey Vulture 1
Red-tailed Hawk 1
American Coot 5
Belted Kingfisher 2
Red-bellied Woodpecker 7
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 2
Downy Woodpecker 8
Northern Flicker 3
Pileated Woodpecker 3
Eastern Wood-Pewee 2
Eastern Phoebe 2
Blue Jay 6
Carolina Chickadee 12
Tufted Titmouse 7
White-breasted Nuthatch 8
Carolina Wren 11
Golden-crowned Kinglet 2
Eastern Bluebird 7
Swainson's Thrush 1
American Robin 2
Cedar Waxwing 32
Tennessee Warbler 2
Magnolia Warbler 3
Bay-breasted Warbler 5
Palm Warbler 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler 22
Black-throated Green Warbler 5
White-throated Sparrow 1
Rose-breasted Grosbeak 1
Indigo Bunting 3
Brown-headed Cowbird 2

Radnor Lake State Natural Area
Nashville-Davidson County, TN
October 12, 2011

Fall. Fog. Warblers. The combination of these three brought to life the term "Confusing Fall Warblers" this morning for the regular NTOS-sponsored walk at Radnor Lake State Natural Area. In the gray surroundings, we were forced to bird perhaps as we should more often, testing our skills by looking at quantitative shape e.g. bill size and tail length, etc. and flight patterns, rather than by color and the obvious markings. We got better at it. But the improved lighting as the morning progressed may also have been a factor. We still managed to get ELEVEN species of WARBLERS. Once again, BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLERS showed up in large numbers. But perhaps the highlight was a male HOODED WARBLER that flitted low and perched out in the open for a "warbler second" not far from the Long Bridge. We also had a female INDIGO BUNTING near the Spillway. The 250 or so COMMON GRACKLES were flying overhead, a sign that the fog was lifting.

Below is the recap of species observed by the group.

39 species

Canada Goose 18
Wood Duck 37
Blue-winged Teal 96
Northern Shoveler 2
Double-crested Cormorant 1
Great Blue Heron 2
American Coot 2
Red-bellied Woodpecker 4
Downy Woodpecker 8
Northern Flicker 1
Pileated Woodpecker 3
Eastern Wood-Pewee 1
Eastern Phoebe 2
Philadelphia Vireo 2
Carolina Chickadee 6
Tufted Titmouse 9
White-breasted Nuthatch 3
Carolina Wren 14

Ruby-crowned Kinglet 2
Eastern Bluebird 1
Swainson's Thrush 4
Gray Catbird 2
Cedar Waxwing 20
Black-and-white Warbler 1
Tennessee Warbler 3
Common Yellowthroat 2
Hooded Warbler 1
American Redstart 2
Magnolia Warbler 9
Bay-breasted Warbler 1
Blackburnian Warbler 1
Chestnut-sided Warbler 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler 6
Black-throated Green Warbler 10
White-throated Sparrow 1
Northern Cardinal 9
Indigo Bunting 1
Common Grackle 250
American Goldfinch 1

Bird Walk with the Mayor

Oct 8, 2011

In collaboration with Mayor Dean of Nashville and the Metro Parks personnel, NTOS held a bird walk for the public at Shelby Bottoms near downtown Nashville on Saturday, October 8.  Mayor Dean and several of his staff showed up for the walk plus about 40 interested individuals, including several parents with young and enthusiastic children and some NTOS members.  The crowd was divided into several small groups led by NTOS birders Scott Block, Camille Crenshaw, Frank Fekel, Amy Potter, Chris Sloan, Susan Tirrill, and Mary Zimmerman.  Routes through Phase I of Shelby Bottoms varied, and the walk, which began at 7:30 am, lasted 2-3 hours depending on the individual group.

Although much of the time was spent talking about birds and answering questions, the groups did identify a nice variety of birds. Combining lists we found 49 species plus 2 unidentified flycatchers.

There were 10 species of warblers detected with MAGNOLIAs being the most numerous and generally the most accommodating.  Several wintering species showed up such as YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER, BROWN CREEPER, and WHITE-THROATED SPARROW.

Species list and an estimate of the maximum numbers seen by an individual group.

Canada Goose 46

Mallard 3
Double-crested Cormorant 12
Great Blue Heron 1
Great Egret 1
Turkey Vulture 1
Cooper's Hawk 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 2
Killdeer 2
Mourning Dove 2
Chimney Swift 10+
Belted Kingfisher 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 2
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 4
Downy Woodpecker 4
Northern Flicker 4
Pileated Woodpecker
Eastern Wood-Pewee 1
Eastern Phoebe 3
Empidonax species 2
Blue Jay 6
American Crow 7
Carolina Chickadee 11
Tufted Titmouse 4
Brown Creeper 2
Carolina Wren 4
Eastern Bluebird 4
American Robin 10
Gray Catbird 6
Northern Mockingbird 2
Brown Thrasher 1
European Starling   many
Tennessee Warbler 1
Nashville Warbler 1
American Redstart 1
Magnolia Warbler 9
Chestnut-sided Warbler 2
Yellow-throated Warbler 3
Bay-breasted Warbler  1
Yellow-rumped Warbler 1
Common Yellowthroat 1
Black-throated Green Warbler 1
Eastern Towhee 5
Field Sparrow 1
White-throated Sparrow 1
Northern Cardinal 7
Indigo Bunting 1-- sang
Common Grackle 4
Brown-headed Cowbird 30
American Goldfinch  2

Radnor Lake State Natural Area
Nashville-Davidson Co. TN
October 5, 2011

We experienced another good day at Randor Lake for the NTOS-sponsored Wednesday Walk. The weather was splendid, and the birds provided a steady presence in both species and numbers.

Highlights included an immature RED-TAILED HAWK that flew right over us, landing in a branch a short distance from the group. We observed eleven Warbler species. YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS, which had been missing until this week, made up for their previous absence by their numbers. However, in sheer volume, MAGNOLIA WARBLERS were the winners. A NASHVILLE WARBLER cooperated very nicely in the willows at the Spillway and just as the group had almost returned to the parking lot, we spied an OVENBIRD in plain view walking along the ground.

A fall first for us was a WHITE-THROATED SPARROW, an indication that migration is well underway, whereas the numerous CHIMNEY SWIFTS flying overhead were a sign that the waning summer is not completely gone.

Here's a list of what we observed:

43 species (+2 other taxa)

Canada Goose  2

Wood Duck  16
Double-crested Cormorant  2
Great Blue Heron  2
Black Vulture  2
Accipiter sp. 1
Red-tailed Hawk  1
Chimney Swift  120
Belted Kingfisher  1
Red-bellied Woodpecker  3
Downy Woodpecker  4
Northern Flicker  1
Pileated Woodpecker  2
Eastern Wood-Pewee  1
Empidonax sp.  1
Eastern Phoebe  2
Philadelphia Vireo  4
Red-eyed Vireo  2
Blue Jay  12
American Crow  1
Carolina Chickadee  7
Tufted Titmouse  3
White-breasted Nuthatch  1
Carolina Wren  7
Eastern Bluebird  3
Swainson's Thrush  3
American Robin  3
Gray Catbird  2
Cedar Waxwing  13
Ovenbird  1
Black-and-white Warbler  3
Tennessee Warbler  4
Nashville Warbler  4
Common Yellowthroat  1
American Redstart  6
Magnolia Warbler  16
Bay-breasted Warbler  3
Chestnut-sided Warbler  2
Yellow-rumped Warbler  11
Black-throated Green Warbler  12
Eastern Towhee  3
White-throated Sparrow  1
Northern Cardinal  6
Rose-breasted Grosbeak  1
Indigo Bunting  1

Kevin Bowden

Great Blue Heron

NTOS Fall Count

The Nashville Fall Bird Count was held on October 1 with 120 species tallied. It was a crisp, beautiful fall day, but the persistent north winds curtailed the bird activity and sent many of them south the previous night. The excitement of the day came at Radnor Lake where the group there saw and heard a possible Black-headed Grosbeak. The identity wasn't 100% confirmed, so it unfortunately won't be added to our list. Signs of wintering birds were evident with 2 Lesser Scaup at Old Hickory Lake, 1 Northern Harrier at Bells Bend Park, 9 Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers, 4 Ruby-crowned Kinglets, 1 Hermit Thrush at Cheatham Co., 62 Yellow-rumped Warblers, and Savannah, Swamp, and White-throated Sparrows. Other highlights included 171 Wild Turkeys (78 at Harpeth West), 6 Osprey and 6 Bald Eagles, all three expected owl species, 2 Red-headed Woodpeckers at Percy Priest Lake and Cheatham Co., 2 Sedge Wrens at Shelby Bottoms and Bells Bend Park, 2 Lincoln's Sparrows at Percy Priest Lake, and a late Orchard Oriole at Radnor Lake. Disappointments included no Northern Bobwhites, only 1 Black-crowned Night-Heron at Old Hickory Lake where they are usually numerous, only 1 shorebird species (44 Killdeer), and only 1 Loggerhead Shrike at Percy Priest Lake. Thank you to all observers.

Click here to view the list of species seen by route.

Radnor Lake State Natural Area
Nashville-Davidson Co TN
Wednesday 28 September 2011

It was an incredible morning at Radnor Lake for the 25 birders who attended today's Wednesday Morning Walk sponsored by the Nashville Chapter of TOS. Not only was the species count high, we also experienced large numbers of individual birds from the beginning of the walk to the end (for the five birders who stayed until 12:30.)

We totaled 14 Warbler species. Again as in previous weeks, BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLERS were well-represented. MAGNOLIA WARBLERS showed high numbers, but the BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLERS along the dam seemed equally numerous and were very cooperative, feeding at low levels in the bright sunshine. Several brilliant male AMERICAN REDSTARTS were seen among the large numbers of this species. After the group headed on from Long Bridge, we spotted 3 GOLDEN-WINGED WARBLERS at intervals.

As for PHILADELPHIA VIREOS, no one can remember ever seeing so many in one morning. The variety of colors from a faded yellow wash on some mostly-gray birds to an almost-brilliant yellow on others was a good lesson in observing this species.

A dull, greenish-olive bird with dark black wings was spotted from the spillway bridge--a reminder that the male SCARLET TANAGER is not bright red all year long.

Finally, as we walked back along Otter Creek Road, we spied 11 GREAT EGRETS all perched high in the trees on the opposite side of the lake.

Thanks to all the great eyes and ears who contributed to making the morning so productive.

Below is a recap of species observed:

56 species (+1 other taxa)

Canada Goose  72

Wood Duck  45
Northern Shoveler  2
Double-crested Cormorant  1
Great Blue Heron  2
Great Egret  11   
Turkey Vulture  2
Red-shouldered Hawk  1
Red-tailed Hawk  2
Chimney Swift  7
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  3
Belted Kingfisher  1
Red-bellied Woodpecker  4
Downy Woodpecker  9
Hairy Woodpecker  1
Northern Flicker  1
Pileated Woodpecker  3
Eastern Wood-Pewee  3
Empidonax sp.  1
Eastern Phoebe  1
White-eyed Vireo  1
Philadelphia Vireo  17    
Red-eyed Vireo  3
Blue Jay  15
American Crow  5
Carolina Chickadee  16
Tufted Titmouse  15
White-breasted Nuthatch  6
Carolina Wren  18
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet  1
Gray-cheeked Thrush  2
Swainson's Thrush  6
Wood Thrush  1
Gray Catbird  3
Northern Mockingbird  1
Brown Thrasher  1
Golden-winged Warbler  3
Black-and-white Warbler  12
Tennessee Warbler  13
Common Yellowthroat  1
American Redstart  15
Northern Parula  3
Magnolia Warbler  15
Bay-breasted Warbler  3
Blackburnian Warbler  3
Yellow Warbler  1
Chestnut-sided Warbler  8
Black-throated Green Warbler  9
Canada Warbler  1
Wilson's Warbler  1
Eastern Towhee  1
Summer Tanager  2
Scarlet Tanager  1
Northern Cardinal  11
Rose-breasted Grosbeak  5
American Goldfinch  2

Bay-breasted Warbler

Gray Catbird

Radnor Lake State Natural Area

Nashville-Davidson County, TN
September 21, 2011

Today's light rain showers and cloudy skies discouraged neither birders (@20) nor birds (@48 species) as we enjoyed an unusually productive morning at Radnor Lake for the NTOS-sponsored Wednesday morning walk. We tallied 10 WARBLER SPECIES, including numerous BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLERS and MAGNOLIA WARBLERS. Some of us got to see A GOLDEN-WINGED WARBLER again this week and by the Long Bridge we were treated to a fairly cooperative CANADA WARBLER. A HOODED WARBLER was also spotted there. PHILADELPHIA VIREOS were also well-represented this morning. The two DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANTS were spotted perched high in a dead tree on the opposite side of the lake from the group. A pair of very fine SUMMER TANAGERS were seen in the area behind the house by the spillway.

Thanks to all who participated  by adding their spotting and identification skills. Below  is an accounting of what we observed:

48 species (+1 other taxa)

Canada Goose  49

Wood Duck  55
Double-crested Cormorant  2
Great Blue Heron  2
Green Heron  2
Black Vulture  4
Cooper's Hawk  2
Yellow-billed Cuckoo  1
Barred Owl  1
Chimney Swift  12
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  1
Red-bellied Woodpecker  9
Downy Woodpecker  10
Northern Flicker  1
Pileated Woodpecker  2
Acadian Flycatcher  1
Empidonax sp.  1
Eastern Phoebe  1
White-eyed Vireo  1
Philadelphia Vireo  3
Red-eyed Vireo  2
Blue Jay  10
American Crow  9
Carolina Chickadee  20
Tufted Titmouse  11
White-breasted Nuthatch  10
Carolina Wren  13
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  2
Eastern Bluebird  5
Swainson's Thrush  14
American Robin  3
Gray Catbird  1
Brown Thrasher  1
Blue-winged Warbler  2
Golden-winged Warbler  1
Black-and-white Warbler  12
Tennessee Warbler  5
Hooded Warbler  1
American Redstart  6
Magnolia Warbler  12
Chestnut-sided Warbler  2
Black-throated Green Warbler  4
Canada Warbler  1
Eastern Towhee  1
Summer Tanager  4
Northern Cardinal  15
Rose-breasted Grosbeak  2
Common Grackle  1
American Goldfinch  1

Summer Tanager

Shelby Park and Bottoms (Nashville), Davidson Co., US-TN

Sep 17, 2011 7:00 AM - 11:15 AM
3.5+ miles

The Fall Flock outing of the Nashville Chapter of the Tenn. Ornithological Society was held at Shelby Park and Bottoms on Saturday morning. It was attended by 19 birders who enjoyed both the good weather conditions and several nice mixed flocks of warblers.  After walking first around Mission Hill the group descended into Shelby Bottoms for a more extended walk along the paved trail and various grassy side walks.

Highlights on the hill included 1 YELLOW-BELLIED FLYCATCHER and a WILSON'S WARBLER, while the Bottoms produced a nice variety of warblers, 11 species in total, and 3 flyover CASPIAN TERNs.

55 species (+1 other taxa)

Canada Goose  3

Mallard  4
Great Blue Heron  2
Green Heron  1
Turkey Vulture  2
Cooper's Hawk  1
American Kestral 1
Caspian Tern  3
Mourning Dove  1
Chimney Swift  14
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  6
Belted Kingfisher  1
Red-bellied Woodpecker  2
Downy Woodpecker  4
Northern Flicker  2
Eastern Wood-Pewee  4
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher  1
Eastern Phoebe 1
Empidonax sp.  1
White-eyed Vireo  9
Philadelphia Vireo 1
Red-eyed Vireo  3
Blue Jay  9
American Crow  3
Carolina Chickadee  8
Tufted Titmouse  4
White-breasted Nuthatch  3
Carolina Wren  7
House Wren  1
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  4
Eastern Bluebird  4
Swainson's Thrush  1
American Robin  9
Gray Catbird  3
Northern Mockingbird  4
Brown Thrasher  11
European Starling  6
Blue-winged Warbler 2
Tennessee Warbler  3
Nashville Warbler  2
American Redstart  9
Northern Parula  2
Magnolia Warbler  12
Yellow Warbler  2
Chestnut-sided Warbler  3
Black-and-white Warbler 1
Black-throated Green Warbler  2
Wilson's Warbler  3
Eastern Towhee  2
Field Sparrow  2
Summer Tanager 1
Northern Cardinal  15
Indigo Bunting  2
Common Grackle  5
House Finch  6
American Goldfinch  5

Frank Fekel

NTOS Field Trip Chairperson

Brown Thrasher

Radnor Lake State Natural Area,
Nashville-Davidson County,TN
September 14, 2011

Twenty birders attended the first of the Wednesday Walks for Fall 2011 at Radnor Lake State Natural Area. Things started slowly but activity began at the the Spillway. There a confusing fall warbler coyishly teased us until it finally came out in full view. The consensus was a first-year YELLOW WARBLER. A short distance later on the Lake Trail was a hot spot with both GOLDEN-WINGED WARBLER and BLUE-WINGED WARBLER. A BLACKBURNIAN WARBLER appeared nearby as well as a NORTHERN PARULA. BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLERS were well-represented this morning. We also spotted a GRAY-CHEEKED THRUSH near the Long Bridge. In addition to the numerous BLUE-WINGED TEAL on the lake were three female NORTHERN SHOVELERS seen at close range.

44 species

Canada Goose 33
Wood Duck 48
Blue-winged Teal 200
Northern Shoveler 3
Pied-billed Grebe 1
Great Blue Heron 1
Green Heron 4
Cooper's Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Common Nighthawk 1
Chimney Swift 5
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 2
Belted Kingfisher 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 6
Downy Woodpecker 8
Northern Flicker 1
Pileated Woodpecker 2
Eastern Wood-Pewee 1
White-eyed Vireo 2
Red-eyed Vireo 3
Blue Jay 14
American Crow 5
Carolina Chickadee 12
Tufted Titmouse 10
White-breasted Nuthatch 9
Carolina Wren 17
Eastern Bluebird 3
Gray-cheeked Thrush 1
Swainson's Thrush 7
American Robin 11
Brown Thrasher 1
European Starling 3
Blue-winged Warbler 1
Golden-winged Warbler 1
Black-and-white Warbler 4
American Redstart 2
Northern Parula 2
Blackburnian Warbler 1
Yellow Warbler 1
Summer Tanager 1
Scarlet Tanager 1
Northern Cardinal 15
Common Grackle 1
American Goldfinch 2

We will meet again next Wednesday, September 21 in at the Visitor's Center.

Welcome to the NTOS Field Trip Results blog. In this blog we will post the birds seen during the NTOS field trips. We may also post a few other interesting sightings seen in Middle Tennessee.

The first field trip will be Wednesday, Sept 14, 2011 at Radnor Lake State Natural Area.  We will leave from the Visitor Center (west parking lot) at 7:30 AM. This is the first of six Radnor Walks. Each year there are 12 scheduled Wednesday morning walks – six in the spring and six in the fall.

The walks coincide with the spring and fall bird migration. All are welcome, from experience to novice, and you can stay as long as you like. Total distance covered is usually no more than 3 miles on a level trail.

To learn more about NTOS click on the image on the right side of the page. You can also join us on Facebook.