19 Dec 2012

Nashville, TN

The Nashville CBC was held on Dec. 15 and totaled 85 species, a little higher than usual.  There was also one count week species, Barred Owl at Radnor Lake, and 2 possible heard only Sedge Wrens on count day at Warner Parks. The day was mild and mostly cloudy, but with some rain and strong winds. Highlights included 1 Peregrine Falcon in West Meade, 2 Whooping Cranes in Bells Bend, 1 Wilson's Snipe at Poplar Creek, 2 American Woodcock at Bells Bend, 1 Bonaparte's Gull at Radnor Lake, 11 Eastern Screech-Owls (7 at Warner Parks), 4 Red-headed Woodpeckers, 1 Horned Lark and 1 American Pipit at Bells Bend, 8 Red-breasted Nuthatches, 12 Rusty Blackbirds at Bells Bend, 6 Purple Finches, and 23 Pine Siskins. The cranes were on private property. The colored leg bands identify them as birds #1-03 and #8-05 by the International Crane Foundation. These are the same individuals that were observed in the same general area during the 2007 and 2008 Nashville CBCs.

Thank you so much to all who participated. Click on Bird Count Results on the right to see complete results.

Jan Shaw, co-compiler

Pace Point, Britton Ford, Paris Landing State Park

Henry County, Tennessee
2012 December 8

Fourteen birders, including some from Kentucky, joined forces  on the Saturday NTOS field trip with leader Mike Todd to search  the Kentucky Lake area for birds. The air temperature was  warm, and the lake level was as low as I have ever seen it. In most places it looked like the tide was out. While the rain  held off, the extremely cloudy skies resulted in very low light levels, and fog descended at our last stop. There was little wind and the lake surface looked like glass. There were only small  numbers of diving ducks and no geese besides CANADA were found. However, we did find several species of particular interest, the  best of which was a RED-NECKED GREBE, seen from Pace Point. Duck highlights include plenty of COMMON GOLDENEYEs, GREATER SCAUP, HOODED and RED-BREASTED MERGANSERs. In addition to a number of  COMMON LOONs, a probable RED-THROATED LOON was seen, but was too far away for a firm identification. At least a dozen BALD EAGLEs and several groups of AMERICAN WHITE PELICANs were spotted. We had a total of 44 species. We thank Mike Todd for leading the group.

Frank Fekel

NTOS Field Trip Coordinator

Old Hickory Dam area

J. Percy Priest Dam
Sat. Nov. 17 2012

Nine birders enjoyed a morning outing to the Old Hickory Dam area followed by a short visit to J. Percy Priest Dam. The forest trail at the dam produced large numbers of HERMIT THRUSHes BROWN CREEPERs and GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLETs. Two PINE SISKINs called as they flew over, while a single RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH was heard by only a small part of the group. Two RED-SHOULDERED HAWKs were calling in the distance. Seen circling overhead through the pines was a flock of 12 BONAPARTE'S GULLs. At Snow Bunting Peninsula highlights included COMMON LOONs, HORNED GREBEs, two NORTHERN SHOVELERs, and two HERRING GULLs. A quick visit to J. Percy Priest Dam added no additonal species. We found a total of 55 species for the morning.

Frank Fekel

NTOS field trip coordinator

Radnor Lake State Natural Area

Oct. 17, 2012

This morning 11 folks shared the last of our fall Wednesday walks. Most of the warblers have moved on, waterfowl and winter birds beginning to arrive. Spectacular foliage, mild temperature and a slight breeze made for a pleasant morning.

Canada Goose  84

Wood Duck  41
Gadwall  8
American Black Duck  1
Ring-necked Duck  3
Wild Turkey  15
Pied-billed Grebe  6
Great Blue Heron  1
Black Vulture  3
Turkey Vulture  1
American Coot  15
Belted Kingfisher  1
Red-bellied Woodpecker  6
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker  1
Downy Woodpecker  5
Northern Flicker  1
Pileated Woodpecker  5
Eastern Phoebe  1
Blue Jay  15
American Crow  21
Carolina Chickadee  11
Tufted Titmouse  10
White-breasted Nuthatch  1
Carolina Wren  5
Ruby-crowned Kinglet  2
Eastern Bluebird  3
American Robin  12
Gray Catbird  1
Brown Thrasher  1
Cedar Waxwing  40
Yellow-rumped Warbler  35
Black-throated Green Warbler  5
White-throated Sparrow  4
Northern Cardinal  7
House Finch  1
American Goldfinch  2

Susan Hollyday

Radnor Lake State Natural Area

October 10, 2012

Fourteen birders gathered in the birdy parking lot to begin our fifth Wednesday Walk. Cloudy and chilly, we had a remarkable morning observing 56 species, many very close-up. Next Wednesday will be our final fall walk. Join us if you can.

Canada Goose  177

Wood Duck  26
Gadwall  5
Mallard  32
Blue-winged Teal  8
Wild Turkey  5
Double-crested Cormorant  1
Great Blue Heron  2
Turkey Vulture  2
American Coot  24    
Chimney Swift  3
Belted Kingfisher  1
Red-bellied Woodpecker  8
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker  1
Downy Woodpecker  7
Hairy Woodpecker  1
Northern Flicker  2
Pileated Woodpecker  3
Eastern Wood-Pewee  2
Acadian Flycatcher  1    
Eastern Phoebe  2
Blue-headed Vireo  1
Blue Jay  25
American Crow  9
Carolina Chickadee  18
Tufted Titmouse  10
White-breasted Nuthatch  8
Brown Creeper  12    
Carolina Wren  12
Golden-crowned Kinglet  1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet  2
Eastern Bluebird  2
Swainson's Thrush  1
American Robin  57
Gray Catbird  2
Northern Mockingbird  1
Cedar Waxwing  8
Golden-winged Warbler  1   
Tennessee Warbler  10
Orange-crowned Warbler  2
Nashville Warbler  5   
Common Yellowthroat  2
Northern Parula  1
Magnolia Warbler  19
Bay-breasted Warbler  6
Blackburnian Warbler  1
Palm Warbler  1
Yellow-rumped Warbler  25
Black-throated Green Warbler  12
White-throated Sparrow  4   
Northern Cardinal  17
Rose-breasted Grosbeak  7
Indigo Bunting  1
Common Grackle  100
House Finch  2
American Goldfinch  2

Susan Hollyday

 

Radnor Lake State Natural Area
October 3, 2012

Under clear skies and brilliant sunshine with mist rising from the lake, 20 birders set off this morning on the NTOS-sponsored walk at Radnor Lake State Natural Area. As might be expected, MAGNOLIA WARBLERS were in high numbers, but they were actually outdone by the BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLERS. Several BAY-BREASTED WARBLERS were seen; one along the Lake Trail was particularly cooperative. A little unusual was a lone female YELLOW WARBLER spotted in bare branches near the Spillway. A first for this fall for the group was a GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLET. Dozens of CHIMNEY SWIFTS flew out over the lake, swooping down, skimming along the surface for a a second or two, and rising up only to do it again. A large gathering of ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAKS was seen near Grassy Point and a few males still had considerable color.

Below is a list of species observed.

 

41 species

Canada Goose 8
Wood Duck 27
Blue-winged Teal 7
Pied-billed Grebe 8
Great Blue Heron 1
Turkey Vulture 1
Chimney Swift 105
Red-bellied Woodpecker 5
Downy Woodpecker 3
Northern Flicker 2
Pileated Woodpecker 2
Eastern Phoebe 2
Blue-headed Vireo 1
Philadelphia Vireo 1
Red-eyed Vireo 3
Blue Jay 12
Carolina Chickadee 14
Tufted Titmouse 11
White-breasted Nuthatch 7
Carolina Wren 11
Golden-crowned Kinglet 1
Eastern Bluebird 1
Gray-cheeked Thrush 2
Swainson's Thrush 1
American Robin 12
Gray Catbird 1
Cedar Waxwing 35
Tennessee Warbler 1
Nashville Warbler 1
Northern Parula 2
Magnolia Warbler 11
Bay-breasted Warbler 3
Blackburnian Warbler 2
Yellow Warbler 1
Chestnut-sided Warbler 1
Black-throated Green Warbler 14
Field Sparrow 1
Northern Cardinal 7
Rose-breasted Grosbeak 9
Indigo Bunting 1
Common Grackle 2

Kevin Bowden

NTOS Fall Count
September 29, 2012

This year's Nashville Fall Count totaled 126 species, the highest since 2006.  With cool temperatures and partly cloudy skies, it was a great day to be out.  There was a good mix of breeding birds, transient migrants, and early wintering species.  Highlights included 4 Bald Eagles at Cheatham Co. and Warner Parks, a kettle of 8 Broad-winged Hawks at Shelby Bottoms, 1 Peregrine Falcon at Rutherford Co.,1 Sora at Cheatham, 4 Red-headed Woodpeckers at Harpeth East, Bells Bend and Cheatham, 12 Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers (4 in one tree at Shelby), 1 Olive-sided Flycatcher, 1 Yellow-bellied Flycatcher, and 1 Least Flycatcher all at Shelby, 5 Scissor-tailed Flycatchers in Rutherford Co., 3 Red-breasted Nuthatches at Shelby, a whopping 17 Sedge Wrens (14 at Bells Bend), 6 Marsh Wrens at Bells Bend and Rutherford, 1 Lark Sparrow and 1 Savannah Sparrow at Rutherford, and 7 Swamp Sparrows at Cheatham and Bells Bend.  Thank you to all who participated.

Click Bird Count Results in the right side menu to view all route results.

Jan Shaw

Radnor Lake State Natural Area

September 26, 2012

On this beautiful fall morning 23 birders enjoyed 43 species including 10 warbler species and 3 vireo species. We had a visitor from Arizona and a former NTOS member who now resides in Kentucky join us on the walk. There were many excellent looks at close-up birds, always a treat.

Canada Goose 6

Blue-winged Teal 7

Great Blue Heron 1

Turkey Vulture 1

Red-shouldered Hawk 1

Mourning Dove 2

Chimney Swift 30

Ruby-throated Hummingbird 4

Red-bellied Woodpecker 5

Downy Woodpecker 3

Eastern Wood-Pewee 1

Empidonax sp. 1

Eastern Phoebe 4

Blue-headed Vireo 3

Warbling Vireo 1

Philadelphia Vireo 2

Blue Jay 6

American Crow 1

Carolina Chickadee 10

Tufted Titmouse 12

White-breasted Nuthatch 4

Carolina Wren 9

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 1

Eastern Bluebird 1

Gray-cheeked Thrush 6

American Robin 26

Gray Catbird 5

Cedar Waxwing 33

American Redstart 8

Northern Parula 1

Magnolia Warbler 7

Bay-breasted Warbler 3

Blackburnian Warbler 2

Yellow Warbler 2

Chestnut-sided Warbler 2

Yellow-rumped Warbler 1

Black-throated Green Warbler 5

Canada Warbler 3

Scarlet Tanager 1

Northern Cardinal 8

Rose-breasted Grosbeak 4

Brown-headed Cowbird 1

American Goldfinch 2

Susan Hollyday

Shelby Park and Bottoms

2012 September 22

On Saturday morning a modest contingent of 5 birders came out for the annual NTOS Fall Flock at Shelby Park and Bottoms in Nashville.  In addition to the large flock of AMERICAN ROBINs that swarmed over Mission Hill, the path around the hill produced an unsolicited calling E. SCREECH OWL, and later we heard several ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAKs and saw two SCARLET TANAGERs. Aside from the robins, migrants on our walk were dominated by BROWN THRASHERs (at least 2 dozen), who seemed to be calling everywhere we went, and GRAY CATBIRDs (at least 15 seen and heard).  Transferring our walk to Phase I of Shelby Bottoms, we found several SWAINSON'S THRUSHes, two INDIGO BUNTINGs, and a SUMMER TANAGER.  Along the Ecology trail we heard a chip in the weeds that might have be a SEDGE WREN, but the bird never popped into view. Warblers were dominated by MAGNOLIAs and AMERICAN REDSTARTs. Those who stayed for the full walk enjoyed a YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER along the Cornelia Fort trail in the woods of Phase 2.  In all we totaled 39 species for the morning.

 

Frank Fekel

NTOS Field Trip Coordinator

Radnor Lake State Natural Area

September 19, 2012

With cool temperature and optimal lighting conditions, twenty birders participated in this morning's walk at Radnor Lake sponsored by the Nashville Chapter of TOS. Highlights included great looks at a BALTIMORE ORIOLE on the dam by the lake, an extremely cooperative CANADA WARBLER along the lake trail, a tail-bobbing SPOTTED SANDPIPER on a log in the lake, as well as a rare fly over of a RED-HEADED WOODPECKER heading in a southerly direction.

Below is a tally of what was observed.

47 species

Wood Duck 15

Wild Turkey 2
Pied-billed Grebe 2
Great Blue Heron 1
Turkey Vulture 1
Cooper's Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Spotted Sandpiper 1
Mourning Dove 2
Chimney Swift 50
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 3
Belted Kingfisher 1
Red-headed Woodpecker 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 4
Downy Woodpecker 5
Pileated Woodpecker 3
Eastern Phoebe 2
White-eyed Vireo 2
Philadelphia Vireo 2
Red-eyed Vireo 1
Blue Jay 8
American Crow 3
Carolina Chickadee 9
Tufted Titmouse 8
White-breasted Nuthatch 2
Carolina Wren 9
Swainson's Thrush 3
American Robin 11
Gray Catbird 2
Cedar Waxwing 52
Blue-winged Warbler 1
Golden-winged Warbler 1
Tennessee Warbler 5
Nashville Warbler 1
Common Yellowthroat 1
American Redstart 8
Northern Parula 3
Magnolia Warbler 8
Blackburnian Warbler 2
Chestnut-sided Warbler 2
Black-throated Green Warbler 5
Canada Warbler 1
Northern Cardinal 4
Rose-breasted Grosbeak 3    
Common Grackle 70
Baltimore Oriole 1    
American Goldfinch 3

Kevin Bowden

Radnor Lake State Natural Area
September 12, 2012

Twenty birders gathered this morning to participate in the first regular NTOS Wednesday morning walk at Radnor Lake State Natural Area. Due to the cloud cover, the lighting conditions were not optimal; however, birds were still quite active and put on a good show for the group.

Highlights were a very cooperative CANADA WARBLER seen near the spillway, a GREAT BLUE HERON sitting high overhead in a tree along the dam road, a BALD EAGLE flying towards us from the other side of the lake. Twelve warbler species made for a good count. One of them, a NORTHERN PARULA, was still singing despite the rather late date. Another possible sighting, which is not listed below, was an AMERICAN COOT. Since this species would be rare for this time of year and the bird was seen at a distance without the aid of a scope, it does not appear as a confirmed sighting, although several in the group felt that the bird was likely to be a Coot.

Below is a recap of the group's observations.

46 species

Canada Goose  1
Wood Duck  19
Blue-winged Teal  8
Double-crested Cormorant  1
Great Blue Heron  2
Green Heron  2
Bald Eagle  1
Red-tailed Hawk  1
Barred Owl  1
Chimney Swift  75
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  3
Red-bellied Woodpecker  3
Downy Woodpecker  3
Hairy Woodpecker  2
Pileated Woodpecker  1
Eastern Wood-Pewee  2
Eastern Kingbird  1
Blue Jay  8
Carolina Chickadee  8
Tufted Titmouse  7
White-breasted Nuthatch  4
Carolina Wren  7
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  4
Eastern Bluebird  1
Veery  1
Swainson's Thrush  1
American Robin  3
Northern Mockingbird  1
European Starling  20
Cedar Waxwing  15
Golden-winged Warbler  1
Black-and-white Warbler  3
Prothonotary Warbler  1
American Redstart  2
Northern Parula  4
Magnolia Warbler  4
Blackburnian Warbler  1
Yellow Warbler  3
Chestnut-sided Warbler  3
Black-throated Green Warbler  3
Canada Warbler  1
Wilson's Warbler  1
Summer Tanager  1
Northern Cardinal  8
Rose-breasted Grosbeak  2
American Goldfinch  6

Kevin Bowden

Peeler Park, Neelys Bend

Old Hickory Dam, Snow Bunting Peninsula
Davidson Co., TN
Saturday, 2012 Aug. 25
 
Ten birders from the Nashville chapter of TOS got an early start Saturday at Peeler Park in the Neelys Bend area of north Davidson County.  Perhaps the best bird of the morning was CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER found near the end of our three mile walk. Other warbler species included two BLACK-AND-WHITEs and a COMMON YELLOWTHROAT. We also enjoyed views of three YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOOs and a BARRED OWL calling in the distance at the beginning of our walk.  Two BLUE GROSBEAKs were a special treat for some of our group. In the meadow sections INDIGO BUNTINGs were our nearly constant companions, along with numerous butterflies.  By the end of our walk we had found 34 bird species.

After finishing our visit to Peeler Park several birders tagged along for the short hop to Snow Bunting Peninsula in the Old Hickory Dam area.  The 1500-2000 PURPLE MARTINs flying around the peninsula and sitting on high tension lines provided an impressive spectacle.

 

Frank Fekel

NTOS Field Trip Coordinator

Radnor Lake
July 15, 2012
Davidson County

Six birders participated in the NTOS field trip to Radnor Lake on Saturday, July 14. We walked around the lake in quite humid conditions and with some light rain. Several WOOD THRUSHES were singing as we started up the road to the lake. BLACK VULTURES were seen feeding on a deer carcass near the lake-side deck but we did not dally as the smell was quite strong.  Along the way we heard and saw a few SUMMER TANAGERS and GREEN HERONS. On the east end of the lake a dark colored duck with orange legs was seen preening on a log. Based on the color, size, bill color and an absence of white in the wings, it was determined to be an AMERICAN BLACK DUCK. It was a good outing and we made it back to the cars just before the heavy rains started.

Below is a recap of the walk.

Canada Goose - 30
Wood Duck - 40
American Black Duck - 1
Mallard - 12
Great Blue Heron - 1
Green Heron - 5
Black Vulture - 8
Sharp-shinned Hawk - 1
Mourning Dove - 1
Barred Owl - 1
Chimney Swift - 3
Belted Kingfisher - 2
Red-bellied Woodpecker - 6
Downy Woodpecker - 4
Northern Flicker - 1
Pileated Woodpecker - 2
Eastern Wood-Pewee - 2
Acadian Flycatcher - 2
White-eyed Vireo - 1
Red-eyed Vireo - 1
Blue Jay - 2
American Crow - 2
Northern Rough-winged Swallow - 8
Barn Swallow
Carolina Chickadee - 9
Tufted Titmouse - 6
White-breasted Nuthatch - 2
Carolina Wren - 8
Wood Thrush - 5
American Robin - 2
Summer Tanager - 6
Northern Cardinal - 9
American Goldfinch – 8

Scott Block

Rutherford County

2012 June 9

On Saturday 15 enthusiastic birders, including one visiting from Pittsburgh, showed up for the Nashville Chapter of TOS trip, led by Terry Witt, to search for the open field specialties of Rutherford and Wilson Counties.  We saw all of our primary target species, starting with a family of 5 SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHERs. Puzzling however was the yellow lower breast coloration of the 3 young birds, and we wondered if they could be hybrids. We soon added good looks at a GRASSHOPPER SPARROW, a singing DICKSISSEL, BLUE GROSBEAK, and an ORCHARD ORIOLE feeding young.  Unfortunately, a LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE was less cooperative, flying away as we approached it. A BEWICK'S WREN proved to be even more elusive, but we eventually were able to find one singing and to see it.  As a bonus, at that stop we spotted two BROAD-WINGED HAWKs and heard a PRAIRIE WARBLER. Our final quest took us in search of a LARK SPARROW, which we eventually tracked down. Looking for the sparrow, we also found RED-HEADED WOODPECKERs and to our pleasant surprise, two COMMON NIGHTHAWKs. With a big assist from Terry Witt, we finished the morning with an excellent 67 species.

Numbers of the more common species are approximate.

Canada Goose 1
Wood Duck  3
Mallard    2
N. Bobwhite 1
Wild Turkey 18
Great Blue Heron  1
Green Heron  1
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron 1
Black Vulture  27
Turkey Vulture  4
Broad-winged Hawk  2
Red-tailed Hawk 1
American Kestral 1
Killdeer  1
Rock Pigeon  3
Eurasian Collared-Dove 1
Mourning Dove 7
Common Nighthawk 2
Chimney Swift 2
Belted Kingfisher  1
Red-headed Woodpecker 2
Red-bellied Woodpecker 2
Hairy Woodpecker    1
Pileated Woodpecker 1
Eastern Wood-Pewee  1
Eastern Phoebe      2
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher 6
Loggerhead Shrike   1
White-eyed Vireo    2
Yellow-throated Vireo 1
Blue Jay  4
American Crow  3
Purple Martin  2
Tree Swallow   1
N. Rough-winged Swallow  2
Barn Swallow   3
Carolina Chickadee  2
Tufted Titmouse   1
Carolina Wren     2
Bewick's Wren   1
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 1
Eastern Bluebird   6
American Robin     2
Northern Mockingbird  2
Brown Thrasher     1
European Starling  11
Prairie Warbler  3
Common Yellowthroat 2
Yellow-breasted Chat  2
Eastern Towhee   1
Chipping Sparrow  1
Field Sparrow    2
Lark Sparrow     1
Grasshopper Sparrow  2
Song Sparrow     1
Northern Cardinal  1
Blue Grosbeak    1
Indigo Bunting   1
Dickcissel       4
Red-winged Blackbird  1
Eastern Meadowlark  8
Common Grackle  18
Brown-headed Cowbird  2
Orchard Oriole   3
House Finch      5
American Goldfinch    2
House Sparrow    2 

Frank Fekel, NTOS Field Trip Leader

Shelby Bottoms Greenway, Phase 3
Nashville, Davidson Co., TN
2012 May 19

Saturday morning ten birders began a search for Connecticut, Mourning, and Swainson's Warblers at Shelby Bottoms Greenway, Phase 3 section. The Swainson's Warbler was very cooperative. We first heard and then got excellent looks at the Swainson's that has been announcing its territory since late April. It is presumably the same bird that was found in the same place last year. Connecticut and Mourning Warblers were not as cooperative, so unfortunately we did not hear or see any, although a late arriving Phillip Casteel reported hearing a Connecticut Warbler in Phase 1 earlier in the morning. As expected we found numerous Yellow-breasted Chats and Common Yellowthroats, as well as several Prairie Warblers and Indigo Buntings. Also seen or heard were Yellow-billed Cuckoo and Gray-cheeked Thrush.

44 Species

Double-crested Cormorant 2
Green Heron 1
Cooper's Hawk 1
Mourning Dove 2
Yellow-billed Cuckoo 2
Chimney Swift 1
Belted Kingfisher 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Downy Woodpecker 5
E. Wood-Pewee 1
White-eyed Vireo 4
Red-eyed Vireo 2
Blue Jay 4
American Crow 1
N. Rough-winged Swallow 2
Tree Swallow 2
Barn Swallow 1
Carolina Chickadee 7
Tufted Titmouse 3
Carolina Wren 3
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 6
E. Bluebird 1
Gray-cheeked Thrush 1 singing in deep woods
American Robin 1
European Starling 2
Swainson's Warbler 1  star of the morning, heard and seen
Common Yellowthroat 7
N. Parula 2
Magnolia Warbler 1
Prairie Warbler  3
Yellow-breasted Chat 5
E. Towhee 7
Field Sparrow 4
Song Sparrow 1
Summer Tanager 1
N. Cardinal 9
Blue Grosbeak 1
Indigo Bunting 8
Red-winged Blackbird 6
Common Grackle 4
Brown-headed Cowbird 4
Orchard Oriole 1
American Goldfinch 4

Frank Fekel
NTOS Field Trip Chair

Swainson's Warbler



Radnor Lake State Natural Area

Nashville-Davidson Co. TN
16 May 2012

The last of this year's Spring 2012 walks at Radnor Lake sponsored by the Nashville Chapter of TOS took place in brilliant sunshine and seasonably warm temperatures. While the birding was a bit slow, we did get good looks at a BLACKBURNIAN WARBLER in the parking lot before we got underway and we got a fine look at a MAGNOLIA WARBLER. A male SUMMER TANAGER stayed low to the ground lake side so that we all got a good view. But no doubt the highlight, perhaps a bit gruesome, was watching a BARRED OWL swoop down to catch a large frog and carry it off to an exposed branch where the bird gave us quite a frog anatomy lesson as it pulled its prey apart.

Thanks to all who participated this spring and a special thank you Susan Hollyday, who always keeps an accurate checklist for the group.

Here's a recap of today's walk:

43 species

Canada Goose  12

Wood Duck  17
Mallard  3
Wild Turkey  2
Mourning Dove  1
Barred Owl  1
Chimney Swift  5
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  2
Red-bellied Woodpecker  5
Downy Woodpecker  2
Northern Flicker  1
Pileated Woodpecker  1
Acadian Flycatcher  2
Eastern Phoebe  2
Great Crested Flycatcher  2
White-eyed Vireo  3
Yellow-throated Vireo  1
Philadelphia Vireo  2
Red-eyed Vireo  5
Blue Jay  2
American Crow  2
Barn Swallow  2
Carolina Chickadee  7
Tufted Titmouse  6
White-breasted Nuthatch  2
Carolina Wren  7
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  3
Swainson's Thrush  3
Wood Thrush  3
American Robin  1
Louisiana Waterthrush  1
Tennessee Warbler  1
Northern Parula  1
Magnolia Warbler  1
Blackburnian Warbler  2
Field Sparrow  1
Summer Tanager  5
Northern Cardinal  15
Rose-breasted Grosbeak  2
Indigo Bunting  2
Common Grackle  1
Brown-headed Cowbird  3
American Goldfinch  4

Kevin Bowden

Radnor Lake State Natural Area

Nashville-Davidson Co. TN
09 May 2012

No doubt the highlight of today's walk at Radnor Lake sponsored by the Nashville Chapter of TOS was one very cooperative CERULEAN WARBLER. Repeatedly heard along the trail between the Lake Trail overlook and the Long Bridge, the bird flitted at mid level for a long period of time such that we all were able to see him quite well. At one point the bird sat on a branch with a large insect in his bill as if to display his prize. Other warblers of note were a singing MAGNOLIA WARBLER seen at the Spillway and a YELLOW WARBLER at the same location. A COMMON YELLOWTHROAT was also seen nearby. In addition, a few lucky participants got a look at the MOURNING WARBLER that had been reported at the Long Bridge.

Next week will be the last of this Spring's regularly scheduled NTOS walks at Radnor Lake.

Below is a complete list of today's observations:

62 species

Canada Goose - 5

Wood Duck - 15
Mallard - 4
Wild Turkey - 1
Double-crested Cormorant - 1
Great Blue Heron - 2
Green Heron - 2
Black Vulture - 2
Red-tailed Hawk - 2
American Coot - 2
Mourning Dove - 2
Barred Owl - 2
Chimney Swift - 6
Ruby-throated Hummingbird - 5
Red-bellied Woodpecker - 6
Downy Woodpecker - 6
Hairy Woodpecker - 1
Pileated Woodpecker - 2
Eastern Wood-Pewee - 2
Acadian Flycatcher - 2
Eastern Phoebe - 2
Great Crested Flycatcher - 2
White-eyed Vireo - 2
Red-eyed Vireo - 4
Blue Jay - 3
Northern Rough-winged Swallow - 2
Purple Martin - 1
Barn Swallow - 4
Carolina Chickadee - 12
Tufted Titmouse - 11
Carolina Wren - 7
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher - 9
Eastern Bluebird - 4
Veery - 1
Swainson's Thrush - 3
Wood Thrush - 7
Cedar Waxwing - 6
Ovenbird - 1
Louisiana Waterthrush - 2
Black-and-white Warbler - 1
Mourning Warbler - 1
Common Yellowthroat - 2
Hooded Warbler - 2
Cerulean Warbler - 1
Northern Parula - 2
Magnolia Warbler - 4
Yellow Warbler - 1
Yellow-throated Warbler - 1
Black-throated Green Warbler - 1
Wilson's Warbler - 1
Field Sparrow - 3
Song Sparrow - 1
White-throated Sparrow - 1
Summer Tanager - 6
Scarlet Tanager - 1
Northern Cardinal - 14
Rose-breasted Grosbeak - 2
Indigo Bunting - 5
Common Grackle - 1
Brown-headed Cowbird - 5
House Finch - 3
American Goldfinch - 3

Kevin Bowden

NTOS Spring Bird Count

May 5, 2012

The Nashville Spring Count was held Saturday and totaled 164 species which ties the highest for the last 10 years. Migrant numbers were low possibly due to high temperatures and southerly winds for the past week. But early morning rains kept it cool until it cleared off in the afternoon.  Several waterfowl species remained, mostly at Radnor Lake where there was a breeding plumaged Horned Grebe. Other highlights included 1 American Bittern at Shelby Bottoms, 5 adult Bald Eagles, 1 late Northern Harrier in Rutherford Co., 1 Black-billed Cuckoo in Cheatham Co., 7 Red-headed Woodpeckers, 2 young Pileateds being fed in a nest hole at Warner Park, 1 Olive-sided Flycatcher along the Natchez Trace Pkwy., 8 Scissor-tailed Flycatchers in Rutherford Co., 2 Loggerhead Shrikes, 1 Bewick's Wren, all the thrushes (including a late Hermit), 1 Swainson's Warbler at Shelby Bottoms, 2 Ceruleans in Williamson Co., 3 Lark Sparrows, 2 Henslow's, 6 Lincoln's, and 30 Grasshopper Sparrows, and 45 Bobolinks.

Thank you to all who participated.

Jan Shaw, Compiler

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

Radnor Lake State Natural Area

Nashville-Davidson Co. TN
2 May 2012

It was a warm morning for this spring's fourth Radnor Lake Walk hosted by NTOS. The excitement began in the parking lot where Phillip Casteel first heard then located a BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER. The bird eventually landed on dead branch at near eye level providing great views. Unfortunately the bird flew before most of the participants arrived. Also seen from the parking lot were a BALD EAGLE, a BARRED OWL and several BLACKPOLL and MAGNOLIA WARBLERS. Further along the trail a NORTHERN PARULA and a YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER came down from the tree tops to give most birders nice views.

Thanks to all who participated today. Below is a recap of what we observed:

77 Species

Canada Goose - 7

Wood Duck - 7
Mallard - 3
Blue-winged Teal - 2
Lesser Scaup - 1
Wild Turkey - 3
Pied-billed Grebe - 1
Double-crested Cormorant - 1
Great Blue Heron - 1
Green Heron - 2
Black Vulture - 1
Turkey Vulture - 2
Bald Eagle - 1
Red-tailed Hawk - 2
Spotted Sandpiper - 3
Mourning Dove - 2
Barred Owl - 2
Chimney Swift - 1
Ruby-throated Hummingbird - 4
Red-bellied Woodpecker - 5
Downy Woodpecker - 1
Hairy Woodpecker - 1
Pileated Woodpecker - 1
Eastern Wood-Pewee - 2
Acadian Flycatcher - 3
Great Crested Flycatcher - 5
Eastern Kingbird - 1
White-eyed Vireo - 5
Yellow-throated Vireo - 1
Philadelphia Vireo - 1
Red-eyed Vireo - 1
Blue Jay - 1
Tree Swallow - 1
Northern Rough-winged Swallow - 1
Barn Swallow - 2
Carolina Chickadee - 9
Tufted Titmouse - 7
White-breasted Nuthatch - 2
Carolina Wren - 5
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher - 4
Eastern Bluebird - 4
Veery - 2
Gray-cheeked Thrush - 2
Swainson's Thrush - 6
Wood Thrush - 2
American Robin - 1
Gray Catbird - 1
Cedar Waxwing - 15
Tennessee Warbler - 3
Nashville Warbler - 2
Northern Parula - 2
Chestnut-sided Warbler - 3
Magnolia Warbler - 6
Black-throated Blue Warbler - 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler - 2
Black-throated Green Warbler - 3
Yellow-throated Warbler - 2
Palm Warbler - 2
Bay-breasted Warbler - 1
Blackpoll Warbler - 7
Black-and-white Warbler - 1
Worm-eating Warbler - 1
Ovenbird - 1
Louisiana Waterthrush - 2
Common Yellowthroat - 1
Wilson's Warbler - 3
Summer Tanager - 5
Scarlet Tanager - 3
Eastern Towhee - 1
Field Sparrow - 4
White-throated Sparrow - 2
Northern Cardinal  - 6
Rose-breasted Grosbeak - 2
Indigo Bunting - 3
Common Grackle - 1
Brown-headed Cowbird - 3
American Goldfinch - 4
 
Scott Block

Red-eyed Vireo

Radnor Lake State Natural Area

Nashville-Davidson Co. TN
25 April 2012

On a windy morning nearly 30 birders were present for the third of six Radnor Lake Walks hosted by NTOS. The wind made viewing birds difficult but there were several people with excellent hearing which aided in locating many of the birds. A NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH was clearly heard at the spillway which was in the same location as reported by Jan Shaw on Sunday. Also at the spillway, some birders were able to see an ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER. A little further along the trail all were able to see a CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER. 

Thanks to all who participated today. Below is a recap of what we observed:

64 Species

Canada Goose – 12

Wood Duck – 11
Mallard – 5
Lesser Scaup – 5
Wild Turkey – 3
Double-crested Cormorant – 1
Great Blue Heron – 2
Green Heron – 2
Osprey – 1
Red-tailed Hawk – 2
American Coot – 2
Barred Owl – 2
Chimney Swift – 1
Ruby-throated Hummingbird – 3
Belted Kingfisher – 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker – 8
Downy Woodpecker – 5
Hairy Woodpecker – 1
Pileated Woodpecker – 2
Acadian Flycatcher – 1
Great Crested Flycatcher – 4
Eastern Kingbird – 1
White-eyed Vireo – 3
Yellow-throated Vireo – 3
Red-eyed Vireo – 6
Blue Jay – 4
Northern Rough-winged Swallow – 7
Barn Swallow – 3
Carolina Chickadee – 11
Tufted Titmouse – 10
White-breasted Nuthatch – 1
Carolina Wren – 16
Ruby-crowned Kinglet – 2
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher – 18
Eastern Bluebird – 2
Swainson's Thrush – 2
Wood Thrush – 1
Gray Catbird – 3
Cedar Waxwing – 10
Blue-winged Warbler - 1
Tennessee Warbler - 1
Orange-crowned Warbler – 1
Nashville Warbler – 4
Northern Parula – 4
Yellow Warbler – 1
Chestnut-sided Warbler – 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler – 8
Black-throated Green Warbler – 6
Prothonotary Warbler – 2
Ovenbird – 1
Northern Waterthrush – 2
Louisiana Waterthrush – 2
Common Yellowthroat – 3
Hooded Warbler – 3
Summer Tanager – 4
Scarlet Tanager – 2
Eastern Towhee – 2
Field Sparrow – 1
White-throated Sparrow – 1
Northern Cardinal – 13
Rose-breasted Grosbeak – 1
Red-winged Blackbird – 3
Brown-headed Cowbird – 2
American Goldfinch – 4

Scott Block

Green Heron

Radnor Lake State Natural Area
Nashville-Davidson Co. TN
18 April 2012

Almost 30 birders participated in the second of six Radnor Lake Spring Walks. The weather was very cooperative (sunny and cool) as were the birds. We had a total of 70 species including 16 species of warblers. The Lesser Scaup are beginning to move out (44 last week and just 12 this week).  

Thanks to all who participated today. Below is a recap of what we observed:

70 Species

Canada Goose - 5

Wood Duck - 20
Lesser Scaup - 12
Wild Turkey - 4
Pied-billed Grebe - 9
Horned Grebe - 6
Double-crested Cormorant - 2
Great Blue Heron - 1
Green Heron - 2
Black Vulture - 1
Turkey Vulture - 1
Cooper's Hawk - 1
Red-tailed Hawk - 3
American Coot - 2
Mourning Dove - 2
Chimney Swift - 25
Ruby-throated Hummingbird - 2
Red-bellied Woodpecker - 8
Downy Woodpecker - 2
Hairy Woodpecker - 1
Pileated Woodpecker - 3
Great Crested Flycatcher - 2
White-eyed Vireo - 3
Blue-headed Vireo - 2
Red-eyed Vireo - 4
Blue Jay - 8
American Crow - 2
Purple Martin - 2
Northern Rough-winged Swallow - 1
Barn Swallow - 3
Carolina Chickadee - 6
Tufted Titmouse - 14
White-breasted Nuthatch - 1
Carolina Wren - 7
House Wren - 2
Ruby-crowned Kinglet - 3
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher - 10
Eastern Bluebird - 3
Wood Thrush - 3
American Robin - 2
Gray Catbird - 1
Cedar Waxwing - 10
Blue-winged Warbler - 3
Tennessee Warbler - 1
Orange-crowned Warbler - 1
Nashville Warbler - 4
Northern Parula - 7
Yellow-rumped Warbler - 10
Black-throated Green Warbler - 1
Yellow-throated Warbler - 1
Palm Warbler - 5
Black-and-white Warbler - 2
Prothonotary Warbler - 5
Ovenbird - 1
Louisiana Waterthrush - 4
Kentucky Warbler - 1
Common Yellowthroat - 2
Hooded Warbler - 5
Summer Tanager - 1
Scarlet Tanager - 2
Field Sparrow - 3
White-throated Sparrow - 2
Northern Cardinal - 16
Rose-breasted Grosbeak - 2
Indigo Bunting - 1
Red-winged Blackbird - 1
Common Grackle - 2
Brown-headed Cowbird - 5
House Finch - 2
American Goldfinch – 5

Scott Block

Prothonotary Warbler

Bells Bend Park

Davidson Co., TN

2012 April 14

On Saturday, April 14, 15 eager birders showed up for the Nashville Chapter of TOS visit to Bells Bend Park in western Davidson County. A group of young scouts and their parents joined us for part of our stroll. The walk began with a SAVANNAH SPARROW perched on a wire fence near the office building, but we missed hearing or seeing HENSLOW'S SPARROWs. On the other hand, NORTHERN BOBWHITEs were very vocal, and a male and female pair seen in the middle of the path provided excellent looks. Singing PRAIRIE WARBLERs and COMMON YELLOWTHROATs seemed to be ubiquitous, but seeing them took patience. BLUE-WINGED and wagging PALM rounded out the warbler contingent. A male ORCHARD ORIOLE graced us with its song and some brief views. Near the Cumberland River we found an OSPREY, EASTERN KINGBIRDs, a flyby FORESTER'S TERN, and a DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT that showed off it double crests.

Frank Fekel

NTOS Field Trip Leader

58 species

Minimum numbers are listed for several species

Wood Duck 2

Mallard  1

Northern Bobwhite  11     6 seen including a pair on the path.

Wild Turkey  1

Double-crested Cormorant  3

Great Blue Heron  1

Green Heron  1

Black Vulture  14

Turkey Vulture  2

Osprey  1

Sharp-shinned Hawk  1

Cooper's Hawk  1

Red-shouldered Hawk  1

Red-tailed Hawk  2

American Kestrel  1

Killdeer  1

Forster's Tern  1     flyby on the Cumberland River

Belted Kingfisher 1

Red-bellied Woodpecker  2

Downy Woodpecker 1

Eastern Phoebe 1

Eastern Kingbird  2

White-eyed Vireo  5

Blue Jay  8

American Crow  4

Purple Martin 1

Northern Rough-winged Swallow  1

Tree Swallow  2

Barn Swallow  1

Carolina Chickadee 1

Tufted Titmouse  1

Carolina Wren  3

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  2

Eastern Bluebird  3

American Robin  1

Northern Mockingbird  2

Brown Thrasher 1

European Starling  7

Blue-winged Warbler  3  singing

Common Yellowthroat  9  singing and seen with difficulty

Palm Warbler  3

Prairie Warbler  11  singing and seen

Eastern Towhee  6

Chipping Sparrow  1

Field Sparrow  8

Savannah Sparrow  2

Song Sparrow  1

Swamp Sparrow  2

White-throated Sparrow  2

White-crowned Sparrow  13

Northern Cardinal  3

Red-winged Blackbird  11

Eastern Meadowlark 1

Common Grackle 2

Brown-headed Cowbird  9

Orchard Oriole  1     singing and seen

American Goldfinch  8

House Sparrow 1

Prairie Warbler