The Migrant

A Quarterly Journal
Devoted To Tennessee Birds

Published by
The Tennessee
Ornithological
Society

June 1993
VoL. 64, No. 2

THE MIGRANT

A QUARTERLY JOURNAL OF ORNITHOLOGY
FIRST ISSUE PUBLISHED IN JUNE 1930

Published by

THE TENNESSEE ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY

Founded at Nashville, Tennessee on 7 October 1915
The T.O.S. is a non-profit, educational, scientific,
and conservation organization.

EDITORIAL STAEE

Editor — J. Wallace Coffey, 100 Bellebrook Dr., Bristol, TN 37620
Assistant Editor — Richard L. Knight, 804 N. Hills Dr., Johnson City, TN 37604
State Count Compiler — Susan N. McWhirter, 4962 Gwynne, Memphis, TN 38117
Season Editor — Robert P. Ford, 4141 Scenic View Dr., Pegram, TN 37143
Editorial Assistant — Beth E. Hogan, 1092 Charter Row, Johnson City, TN 37604
Editorial Advisors — Fred J. Alsop III Charles P. Nicholson
Robert J. Cooper Charles R. Smith
Kenneth H. Dubke Gary O. Wallace

OEHCERS EOR 1993-1995

President — Robert P. Ford, 4141 Scenic View Dr., Pegram, TN 37143
Vice Presidents:

East Tenn. — James Brooks, 114 Malone Hollow Rd., Jonesborough, TN 37659
Middle Tenn. — Candy Swan, 1172 Dry Valley Rd., Cookeville, TN 38501
West Tenn. — Jim A. Eerguson, 5400 Kimbark Rd., Memphis, TN 38134
Directors-at-Large:

East Tenn. — John L. Shumate, Jr., P.O. Box 130-2, Shady Valley, TN 37688
Middle Tenn. — David Hassler, Rt. 1, Box 164-A, Byrdstown, TN 38549
West Tenn. — John Conder, P.O. Box 443, Camden, TN 38320
Curator — Charles P. Nicholson, P.O. Box 402, Norris, TN 37828
Secretary — Robert M. Hatcher, Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
P.O. Box 40747, Nashville, TN 37204

Treasurer — George R. Payne, Jr., 5851 Ardwick Dr. #4, Memphis, TN 38119

All TOS members receive The Migrant and the TOS newsletter. The Tennessee Warbler.

The newsletter carries information about meetings, forays, and club activities.

Annual dues are $10.00 for an Active membership. Other categories of membership
are: Student - $5.00; Family - $12.00; Library - $15.00; Sustaining - $20.00; Life - $200.00.
Chapters may collect additional fees to cover local expenses. Dues, contributions, and
bequests are deductible from Federal income and estate taxes. Back issues of The Migrant
may be purchased from the Curator. Please correspond with the Treasurer for subscriptions,
memberships, and changes of address.

Published quarterly (March, June, September, and December).

Printed by Mallicote Printing Inc., 509 Shelby Street, Bristol, TN 37620.

Copyright © 1995 by the Tennessee Ornithological Society
ISSN 0026-3575

THE MIGRANT

Published by the Tennessee Ornithological Society,
to Record and Encourage the Study of Birds in Tennessee.
Issued in March, June, September, and December.

VOL. 64

June 1993

The Migrant, 64 (2): 25-31, 1993.

THE 1992 FORAY: HAYWOOD COUNTY, TENNESSEE

Robert P. Ford

Tennessee Conservation League
300 Orlando Ave., Nashville, TN 37209
and

Paul B. Hamel

U.S.D.A. Forest Service

Southern Hardwoods Lab, Stoneville, MS 38776

The 1992 Foray took place 23-24 May 1992 in Haywood County, Tennessee. The
Foray objectives were to document bird species richness and relative abundance of
birds in Haywood County and to demonstrate bird census techniques for interested
observers. Poor weather conditions for bird observation prevailed during the
afternoon of 23 May and continued through the remainder of the Foray weekend.
Despite the weather, many noteworthy observations were made during the Foray
and the demonstrations were conducted. Most results were qualitative rather than
quantitative, however. Our objectives in this paper are to provide the list of birds
recorded during 23-24 May 1992 in Haywood County, Tennessee, and to comment
on certain of the species.

DESCRIPTION OF STUDY AREA

Haywood County, Tennessee, lies in the Gulf Coastal Plain Physiographic
Province in west Tennessee. The dominant landscape features of the county were
formed by rivers and erosion of loess soils (Wilkerson 1973). The province is
characterized by low elevation, rolling topography and swamp rivers with broad
and flat floodplains. Spring and summer are characterized by a warm, humid
climate and short duration thunderstorms.

Haywood County encompasses approximately 1,400 km^ (540 mP). Row crop
agriculture, primarily soybeans and cotton, occupied approximately 650 km^ (46%
of the county) at the time of this survey. Forest lands occupied approximately 285
km^ (20% of the county). The remaining lands were small farms not in row crops and
rural communities and public lands, such as the Hatchie National Wildlife Refuge
(NWR), which occupied approximately 4,500 ha. Human population in 1990 was
approximately 20,000.

Two major river systems influence the county, the Hatchie River and the Forked
Deer River. The main stem of the Hatchie River is natural and free flowing, whereas

25

26

1992 FORAY

JUNE

the Forked Deer River has been channelized, severely altering natural hydrology.
Typical forest communities are sweetgum-mixed bottomland hardwoods in the
Hatchie River floodplain and red maple-mixed bottomland hardwoods in the
Forked Deer River floodplain (Patterson and DeSelm 1989).

METHODS

Twelve observers made 13 trips throughout Haywood County during the 23-24
May 1992 Foray and accumulated 70 party-hours. Ten of the trips were survey trips
during which observers recorded total numbers of birds observed. Three trips were
miniroutes, roadside counts of 15 three-minute stops each. Presence of species was
recorded at each stop (Nicholson in press). Miniroute I was located in the Forked
Deer watershed; five stops were in wetland habitats and the remainder were in
mostly agricultural lands of both floodplain and upland. Miniroute II was in the
Hatchie watershed, where all stops occurred in a landscape mixture of upland forest
habitats and agricultural lands. All stops for Miniroute III were in mature bottom-
land hardwood forest in the Hatchie NWR on Powell Road, approximately the same
distance from the Hatchie River.

Breeding Bird Census spot-mapping and point count techniques were demon-
strated by Hamel for Foray participants. The results of these demonstrations were
included in the total of birds observed.

Weather during the Foray deteriorated dramatically. During the first afternoon
of the Foray, temperatures dropped, while wind and rain increased. Conditions
were not appropriate for accurate bird censusing on the second day of the Foray. As
a result, nocturnal counts and other roadside counts could not be conducted.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Ninety-six species were recorded in Haywood County from 23-24 May 1992, 66
of these occurring in miniroutes (Appendix I). Common Crackle, Indigo Bunting,
American Crow, Red-winged Blackbird, Northern Cardinal, Common Yellowthroat,
Acadian Flycatcher, Eastern Meadowlark, Mourning Dove, Carolina Wren, and
Prothonotary Warbler were the 11 most abundant species.

Twenty-one species occurred on at least one stop during each of three miniroutes.
Indigo Bunting was the most widely distributed of these, and occurred on at least
five stops per miniroute. Highest species richness on miniroutes occurred in the
Forked River watershed.

Notable differences existed for relative abundance and species composition
among miniroutes. For example, the most frequently encountered species in the
Forked Deer watershed were Mourning Dove and Indigo Bunting, while in the
uplands of the Hatchie watershed, the most frequent species were Common Crackle
and Red- winged Blackbird. In the Hatchie NWR, the most frequently encountered
species were Tufted Titmouse, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Prothonotary Warbler, and
Acadian Flycatcher (see Appendix I).

The relatively early date of the 1992 Foray resulted in observations of at least four
migratory species: Cedar Wax wing. Magnolia Warbler, Prairie Warbler, and White-
crowned Sparrow. Although Cedar Waxwing may nest rarely in west Tennessee
(see Nicholson in press), observations during the Foray were of large, highly mobile
flocks that we believe were migrants. Prairie Warblers may nest rarely in Haywood
County (Coffey 1976); however, the Foray observation of a single bird in mature

1993

THE MIGRANT

27

bottomland hardwood forest makes this individual a probable migrant. An obser-
vation on 24 May of a White-crowned Sparrow, a winter resident in west Tennessee,
is apparently the latest spring record in west Tennessee (Martha G. Waldron, pers.
comm.).

Eight species were notable for either an unexpected relative abundance or nest
season records:

Blue-winged Teal. A male and female were observed on 23 May at O'Neal Lake,
Hatchie NWR; the female had a broken right wing (Ron Hoff, pers. comm.). This
species has nested in adjacent Lauderdale County (Waldron 1989).

Turkey Vulture. The relatively high number of Turkey Vultures (53 individuals) is
unusual and may reflect multiple counting of some individuals.

American Coot. Three individuals were observed on 23 May at O'Neal Lake,
Hatchie NWR. Individuals have occurred during every month of the year across the
state and nesting pairs are scattered across west Tennessee (see Nicholson in press).
However, no nesting evidence was confirmed. Ford and Jeff R. Wilson observed one
American Coot at O'Neal Lake 4 June 1988.

Yellow-billed Cuckoo. Seven Yellow-billed Cuckoos were noted, an extremely low
number. In contrast, 157 individuals were observed during the Lauderdale County
Foray on about the same dates in May 1975 (Coffey 1976). Because cuckoos are
known to congregate in areas of high densities of hairy caterpillars, it may be that
their food supply in Haywood County was low at the time of the Foray (Robinson
1990). The low number could be caused by poor weather conditions, unfavorable
migration timing or location for cuckoos, a general population decrease range-wide
or a combination of these and other factors.

Tree Swallow. Nicholson and Pitts (1982) summarized the nesting status of Tree
Swallows in west Tennessee as occurring in counties adjoining the Mississippi River
or Tennessee River. Among the first possible nest records for the Hatchie NWR was
on Little Lake in 1985 (Waldron, pers. comm.). The Breeding Bird Atlas increased the
number of inland nesting records (see Nicholson in press). At least one nest was
observed at O'Neal Lake, Hatchie NWR during the Foray. Tree Swallows have
nested consistently at this location since at least 1988.

Willow Flycatcher. Nest season records for Willow Flycatcher are scattered but
increasing in west Tennessee (Pitts 1982, Nicholson in press). One individual was
observed and heard singing during the Foray at the intersection of Sugar Creek and
Sugar Creek Road. Three subsequent visits to this location during June failed to
reveal this bird, although non-singing males and females can be difficult to detect
(Pitts 1982).

Fish Crow. One individual was observed and heard in the Hatchie River flood-
plain downstream from the Hatchie NWR. Reports of Fish Crows from the interior
of west Tennessee have occurred since at least 1974 (Waldron, pers. comm.). We
speculate that Fish Crows may be expanding their breeding season range in west
Tennessee in bottomland hardwood forests of tributaries with suitable nest habitats.

Yellow Warbler. Nesting season records for Yellow Warbler are concentrated in
west Tennessee along the Mississippi River and Tennessee River (Nicholson 1982),
although nest records are increasing from inland counties (see Nicholson in press).
Two individuals were observed at different locations in the Hatchie River water-
shed during the Foray weekend.

28

1992 FORAY

JUNE

At least two factors influenced these results from Haywood County. Both,
unfortunately, caused numbers to be lower than otherwise expected. First, deterio-
rating weather conditions resulted in different bird watching during much of the
Foray. Second, the timing of Memorial Day, the traditional Foray weekend, oc-
curred earlier than usual this year, perhaps reducing chances of observing breeding
birds this year.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Foray participants were Dianne Bean, Bob Ford, Paul Hamel, Ron Hoff, Theresa
Irion, George Mayfield, Cleo Mayfield, Dollyann Myers, Gerald Papachristou,
Virginia Reynolds, Ann Tarbell, and Martha Waldron. We thank Chuck Nicholson
and Martha Waldron for their review of this manuscript. We dedicate this report to
Ben Coffey, whose curiosity and intense interest in birds motivates us to continue
to learn more about the avifauna of west Tennessee.

LITERATURE CITED

Coffey, Ben B., Jr. 1976. The 1975 Foray: Lauderdale County. Migrant 47:1-7.
Nicholson, Charles P. in press. An atlas of the breeding birds of Tennessee. Univ-
ersity of Tennessee Press: Knoxville.

Nicholson, Charles P. 1982. The Yellow Warbler in west Tennessee. Migrant 53:
82-84.

Nicholson, Charles P. and T. David Pitts. 1982. Nesting of Tree Swallow in west
Tennessee. Migrant 53:73-80.

Patterson, W.B. and H.R. DeSelm. 1989. Classification of forest vegetation of the
bottomlands of west Tennessee. Contract #89-3347 between the University of
Tennessee and the Tennessee Department of Conservation. 151 pp.

Pitts, T. David. 1982. Nesting season records of Willow Flycatcher in west Tennes-
see. Migrant 53:84-85.

Robinson, J ohn C . 1 990. An annotated checklist of the birds of Tennessee. University
of Tennessee Press: Knoxville.

Waldron, Martha G. 1989. The season: Western coastal plain region. Migrant 60:103.
Wilkerson, Alicia. 1973. The physiographic provinces of central and west Tennes-
see. Master's thesis. University of Oklahoma. 49 pp.

1993

THE MIGRANT

29

Appendix I. Birds detected during the 23-24 May 1992 Foray in Haywood
County, Tennessee. The total represents all birds observed during approximately
70 party-hours and 13 trips into all parts of the county, including miniroutes.
Miniroute results represent the number of stops a species occurred out of 15 total
stops per route. Miniroute I was in the Forked Deer watershed. Miniroute II was
in uplands adjacent to the Hatchie River, Miniroute III was on Powell Road in
the Hatchie National Wildlife Refuge.

Miniroutes

Species

Total

I

II

Ill

Great Blue Heron

30

3

3

Cattle Egret

3

—

—

Green Heron

8

1

1

—

Yellow-crowned Night-Heron

2

—

—

—

Canada Goose

8

—

—

1

Wood Duck

9

—

—

1

Mallard

1

—

—

—

Blue-winged Teal

2

—

—

—

Hooded Merganser

12

—

—

—

Black Vulture

5

—

—

—

Turkey Vulture

53

—

—

—

Osprey

1

—

—

—

Mississippi Kite

2

—

—

—

Sharp-shinned Hawk

1

—

—

—

Red-shouldered Hawk

7

—

—

1

Red-tailed Hawk

3

—

1

—

American Kestrel

3

—

1

—

Northern Bobwhite

33

6

3

3

American Coot

3

—

—

—

Killdeer

15

1

3

—

Rock Dove

8

—

1

—

Mourning Dove

65

13

5

—

Yellow-billed Cuckoo

7

—

1

1

Barred Owl

13

—

—

1

Common Nighthawk

3

—

—

—

Chimney Swift

26

1

1

4

Ruby-throated Hummingbird

20

1

—

—

Belted Kingfisher

7

1

2

—

Red-headed Woodpecker

15

1

—

—

Red-bellied Woodpecker

47

2

1

11

Downy Woodpecker

31

1

1

2

Hairy Woodpecker

8

—

—

—

Northern Flicker

12

3

—

1

Pileated Woodpecker

12

—

—

—

Eastern Wood-Pewee

28

2

1

6

Acadian Flycatcher

72

4

—

12

Willow Flycatcher

1

—

—

—

30

1992 FORAY

JUNE

Miniroutes

Species

Total

I

II

III

Eastern Phoebe

12

2

—

—

Great Crested Flycatcher

39

4

1

6

Eastern Kingbird

19

—

2

—

Horned Lark

2

—

~

—

Purple Martin

24

3

—

—

Tree Swallow

6

—

—

—

N. Rough-winged Swallow

4

—

—

—

Barn Swallow

55

2

3

_

Blue Jay

40

1

2

1

American Crow

103

7

3

10

Fish Crow

1

—

—

Carolina Chickadee

61

I

1

3

Tufted Titmouse

61

3

1

14

White-breasted Nuthatch

12

—

4

Carolina Wren

65

4

4

1

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher

62

5

—

13

Eastern Bluebird

29

—

2

—

Wood Thrush

15

1

—

4

American Robin
Gray Catbird

36

3

—

1

2

—

Northern Mockingbird

49

5

4

—

Brown Thrasher

23

—

1

Cedar Waxwing

22

—

—

Loggerhead Shrike

14

1

—

—

European Starling

41

—

1

White-eyed Vireo

34

1

2

5

Yellow-throated Vireo

10

—

—

2

Warbling Vireo

1

-

—

—

Red-eyed Vireo

9

1

1

6

Northern Parula

33

1

—

6

Yellow Warbler

2

—

—

—

Magnolia Warbler

2

—

—

Yellow-throated Warbler

11

1

—

1

Prairie Warbler

1

—

—

—

Cerulean Warbler

2

—

-

1

Black-and-white Warbler

1

—

—

1

American Redstart

13

—

—

1

Prothonotary Warbler

65

—

—

13

Swainson's Warbler

2

—

—

—

Louisiana Waterthrush

5

—

■—

—

Kentucky Warbler

9

1

1

—

Common Yellowthroat

78

6

7

4

Yellow-breasted Chat

23

6

2

1

Summer Tanager

21

1

3

—

Northern Cardinal

97

12

4

5

1993

THE MIGRANT

31

Miniroutes

Species

Total

I

II

III

Blue Grosbeak

12

—

—

Indigo Bunting

119

11

9

10

Dickcissel

29

3

1

Rufous-sided Towhee

26

2

1

Field Sparrow

24

3

4

—

White-crowned Sparrow

1

—

—

—

Red-winged Blackbird

100

11

10

2

Eastern Meadowlark

69

7

9

1

Common Crackle

349

9

11

—

Brown-headed Cowbird

55

10

3

5

Orchard Oriole

7

—

—

—

House Finch

1

—

—

—

American Goldfinch

36

2

2

1

House Sparrow

44

—

1

—

Accepted 20 November 1994

The Migrant, 64 (2): 32, 1993.

ENCOUNTERS OE A TENNESSEE-HACKED BALD EAGLE

Robert M. Hatcher
Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
P.O. Box 40747, Nashville, TN 37204

Hacking is a management technique whereby young birds of prey are released
into the wild in an effort to restore breeding populations. This process has proven
successful for Bald Eagles {Haliaeetns leiicocephalus) and other species in Tennessee
and elsewhere. This is the story of one such hacked eagle, band #629-37409 (also
marked by a patagial tag on the left wing with the two-inch high orange number 79).

This eagle was a product of captive breeding at the zoo in Montgomery, Alabama.
At almost 13 weeks old, it was released from a hack site at Douglas Lake, Tennessee,
on 27 June 1992 by the National Foundation to Protect America's Eagles and the
Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency. Tracking by radio telemetry indicated that it
had dispersed from the area by about 29 June. Ohio Department of Natural
Resources personnel reported this eagle to have been observed 4-9 July on Lake Erie,
about 30 km (20 mi) west of Cleveland, Ohio.

Within a one-half hour period on 2 August 1992 this eagle was live-trapped by
two separate, but nearby, hawk banders on the southern shore of Lake Ontario.
David Petlow and a colleague, of the Braddock Bay Raptor Research Project, each
captured the eagle in bow nets at sites about 16 km (10 mi) northwest of Rochester,
New York. Its transmitter was still intact on a central tail feather. Petlow stated that
the eagle was in good condition and did not demonstrate any tameness.

The final encounter of this juvenile eagle occurred on 1 5 January 1 993 when it was
found dead in Washington County, in southeastern Ohio. Keith Morrow of the Ohio
DNR reported that it was found in the bottom of a ravine in a heavily timbered area.
It had been dead for an estimated four to six weeks. Scavengers had removed most
of the flesh, leaving only the skeleton and feathers. The leg band and transmitter
were still intact. No broken bones were detected and the cause of death is unknown.
The remains were to be sent to the Eagle Repository in Oregon.

Of four eagles released at Douglas Lake in 1992, this was the first to have been
reported dead. It was the fifth of 34 eagles released that year in Tennessee to be
reported dead (as of February 1993). Since we project that 45% will die during the
first year following release and 10% during each subsequent year, it is highly likely
that several other mortalities have gone undiscovered and/or unreported. Despite
this rate of mortality, Tennessee's Bald Eagle population continues to increase.

We appreciate NFPAE's contribution to releases at Douglas Lake and other hack
sites. Thanks also to those who report encounters of marked birds. I thank Richard
Knight for assistance with this note.

Accepted 23 February 1993.

32

The Migrant, 64 (2): 33-34, 1993.

IN MEMORIAM: LILLIE HASSLOCK MAYFIELD, 1890-1990

Lillie Hasslock in
1916 was the first female
member "permitted to
join" the Tennessee Or-
nithological Society.

One should recall that
this was several years
before the Constitution
of the United States was
amended to allow
women the right to vote.

Lillie was born on 26
September 1 890 in south
Nashville. All four fami-
lies of her grandparents
had emigrated from
Germany to the United
States about 1848 at the
time of the failed "Revo-
lution," an attempt to
join the multiple small principalities of Germany into a single large republic. She
was the daughter of the late Herman Adam and Clara Woolsey Hasslock. She
attended Nashville public schools and Peabody College, from which she graduated
in 1912. She then began teaching at Turner School on Nolensville Road in "Flatrock,"
where she taught all high school subjects to all high school students in the Davidson
County System. Later, she taught biology at Hume Fogg High School in the
Nashville City School System, where the late Ben B. Coffey and the late Vernon
Sharp were her pupils.

About the time she finished college she met and was courted by TOS founder,
George R. Mayfield, Sr. On many occasions they would ride the No. 8 Glendale
streetcar to the end of the line near Lealand and Tyne Lanes, then walk over the hills
to Radnor Lake for an outing and day of nature study. Her husband-to-be was the
first secretary of the TOS in 1915-16 and, when he departed for France during World
War I, Lillie became the second secretary in 1917-18. Upon his return, they were
married 15 March 1920 at First (now Downtown) Presbyterian Church in Nashville.
Shortly before the wedding, George's German students at Vanderbilt wrote "Be-
ware the Ides of March" on the blackboard before classes began.

George, Jr., born in 1927, and his father are the only father and son who have
served as president of the TOS. During the 1930s the entire family of three attended
meetings of the Nashville Chapter in the Social-Religious Building on the Peabody
campus and annual TOS Spring Meetings in Nashville and Knoxville. TOS meetings
in Knoxville were held in the beautiful area surrounding the home of Mr. and Mrs.
H.P. Ijams, which is now preserved as a nature center. In Nashville, the meetings
were held at various places on streams such as Stones River ("Birds I View," the
camps of Mayfield, Ganier, Vaughn, and Sharp), Harpeth River, and Sycamore
Creek. It was not unusual for the annual Spring Meeting to take place on a sandbar

33

34

LILLE HASSOCK MAYFIELD

JUNE

in the creek, while women prepared lunch and Dr. Harry Vaughn made coffee in
the shade nearby.

In 1940, after a 13-year interruption, Lillie returned to teaching biology at
Hillsboro High School in Nashville, where she also served as a guidance counselor
and carried the unofficial title of ''assistant principal." She continued to teach for 18
more years. In addition to ornithology and biology she had a principal interest in
botany and flowers, shared in years past with Mrs. Albert F. Ganier and now by her
grandson, Mark Hasslock Mayfield, who is presently seeking a Ph.D. in Botany at
the University of Texas, Austin. Another grandson, George R. Mayfield III is
working on a master's degree in ornithology under Dr. Fred Alsop at East Tennessee
State University, Johnson City.

Lillie was a tireless worker in her chosen endeavors. She belonged to AAUW,
Nashville Centennial Club, and The Vanderbilt Garden Club. She had an indomi-
table spirit, was physically active until age 89, and lived until 2 December 1990, past
age 100. She is buried in Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Nashville. She also is survived by
a daughter-in-law, Cleo Gillund Mayfield of Columbia, who serves as secretary of
Columbia TOS, and a granddaughter, Rebecca Paine Mayfield, a Hollins College
graduate in studio art, with an emphasis in photography.

GEORGE R. MAYFIELD, JR.

Accepted 23 October 1993.

The Migrant, 64 (2): 35-38, 1993.

MINUTES OF 1993 BOARD OF DIRECTORS & BUSINESS MEETING

The 78th Annual Meeting of the Tennessee Ornithological Society was held in
Ellington Auditorium of Reelfoot State Park on 1 May 1 993. The meeting was hosted
by the Memphis and Jackson Chapters. President Bob Ford presided at both the
afternoon Board of Directors and General Business Meeting that evening.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING

The minutes of the Fall 1992 Board of Directors meeting were approved as
written.

REPORTS OF OFFICERS:

West Tennessee V.P. — Martha Ramey reported that the Memphis Chapter
proposes to assist with hacking approximately six Peregrine Falcons in downtown
Memphis.

East Tennessee V.P. — Wallace Coffey reported that a membership exchange list
had been prepared between the Virginia Society of Ornithology and TOS, but had
not been mailed.

Treasurer — George Payne, Jr. reported for the period of 29 October 1992 - 25 April
1993. The current assets were $100,247. There had been an income of $20,118 and
expenses of $15,778. The capital reserve was $83,522. There were 641 paid-up
members; after a report of membership rosters by three chapters, it is anticipated
that membership will be between 900 and 950, as for the prior year. A detailed
written report is maintained in the TOS Secretary's files.

Curator — In the absence of Curator Chuck Nicholson, President Ford reported
that most past Migrants had been sent to Memphis to Associate Curator Mac
McWhirter's home; some were still in Nicholson's home. All will be permanently
assigned to Rhodes College for storage. Susan McWhirter moved that back issues of
the Migrant be donated to institutions, such as libraries and wildlife refuges,
committing to subscriptions of five years. The motion passed. She moved that at
least five originals of each Migrant issue are to be retained in the files. The motion
passed. She moved that each person requesting issues of the Migrant be charged the
same amount a current member would have to pay, which was then $2.50 per issue,
plus postage. The motion passed.

THE MIGRANT EDITOR'S REPORT — Wallace Coffey reported that:

— the mailing permit has been moved to Bristol;

— the December 1991 issue, which is the last issue under former Editor David
Pitts, is ready for mailing;

— the March 1992 issue has been completed and will be mailed in a few weeks;

— Galen Lenhert has resigned as compiler of Highland Rim /Central Basin for
"Season Reports." Dr. Terry Witt has consented to take his place. His address is 507
Highland Terrace, Murfreesboro, Tennessee 37130.

NOMINATING COMMITTEE — Robbie Hassler reported the following slate of
nominees for the next two years:

35

36

SPRING 1993 TOS BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING JUNE

West Tennessee V.P. - Jim Perguson
Middle Tennessee V.P. - Candy Swan
East Tennessee V.P. - James Brooks

Director at Large - West Tennessee - Martha Waldron
Director at Large - Middle Tennessee - David Hassler
Director at Large - East Tennessee - John Shumate

Treasurer - George Payne, Jr.

Secretary - Bob Hatcher

Curator - Chuck Nicholson

Editor of The Migrant - Wallace Coffey

FINANCE COMMITTEE — Barbara Einney reported the committee has re-
viewed the books of the Treasurer. All records are in order except that some
membership dues hadn't reached the State Treasury. The Endowment Fund,
designed to defray expenses for publishing The Migrant, is growing.

AWARDS COMMITTEE - — President Ford reported that committee chairman
Ron Hoff has resigned. Awards are to be reduced to one per year, beginning with the
Spring 1993 recipient.

BREEDING BIRD ATLAS COMMITTEE — In the absence of committee chairman
Chuck Nicholson, President Eord reported that the Atlas write-up is 85 to 90 percent
complete. The final draft was expected by June 1993, with the manuscript to be sent
to the publisher in the fall of 1993.

BIRD RECORDS COMMITTEE — Rick Knight and President Ford reported the
committee proposes to meet in late August with the Executive Committee to
restructure the committee.

CONSERVATION-EDUCATION COMMITTEE - Chairman Ken Dubke reported:

— a Cherokee Indian-Sandhill Crane weekend was held at the end of Eebruary,
with about 1,000 people attending;

— 750 acres of Armstrong Bend in Meigs County has been acquired by the
Conservation Fund for transfer to TWRA for management of Sandhill Cranes,
waterfowl, and other wildlife;

— TOS is to assist in hacking peregrines in downtown Chattanooga in July;

— George Mayfield, Jr. reported that Monsanto dedicated a third observation
blind in April 1993. He received a favorable oral response from a Monsanto vice-
president about saving an approximately 400-acre lake that has been proposed for
drainage; George is to send him an official recommendation.

PATCHES AND DECAL COMMITTEE — Wallace Coffey reported for the
committee chairman, who could not be present. As per the Fall 1992 meeting, Fred
Alsop has proposed six potential TOS patches. The Executive Board previously
selected a Mockingbird patch, with green border and a more correctly colored
Mockingbird egg. The border was to be extended to the edge of the wing tip.
Discussion was made of possibly substituting a colorful warbler for the Mocking-
bird; the Directors' consensus was for the Mockingbird, since TOS has been
instrumental in legislative designation of the Mockingbird as the state bird.

1993

THE MIGRANT

37

THE WARBLER EDITOR'S REPORT — The Board commended Dianne Bean for
a "wonderful job" as Editor and wished her well in her likely transfer out of state.

PARTNERS IN FLIGHT COMMITTEE — President Ford reported that goals are
to inventory neotropical migrants and other birds in key areas and to understand
their habitat associations. The results are to be compared with the breeding bird atlas
and other data and serve as guides to management recommendations. Four pilot
Wildlife Management Areas are to be surveyed: Shelby, Cheatham, Catoosa, and
Tellico. Also, the Tennessee River Gorge near Chattanooga and Westvaco Timber
Company lands of Stewart County will be surveyed. Point counts will be utilized at
off-road sites in key habitat areas. Atlas-type miniroutes will be made around these
WMA's. A Cheatham County foray was planned over Memorial Day weekend to
demonstrate techniques.

OLD BUSINESS:

TOS HISTORIAN — President Ford advised he is still open to a volunteer to fill
this position. If not filled, these duties will be handled by the Curator or not at all.

TENNESSEE ENVIRONMENTAL COUNCIL -- George Payne advised TOS has
been paying dues of $50 per year. TEC now has two categories of dues: affiliate
membership groups at $50 for less than 250 members and $250 for larger groups like
TOS. Ken Dubke moved to discontinue membership; seconded by Barbara Finney.
Motion carried.

BIRDS AND BIODIVERSITY MANUAL — An interpreter's manual has been
drafted to aid state park naturalists and others. The authors include individual TOS
members for different species. The TOS Executive Board will review the manual
before release.

TOS BIRD CALENDAR — Tommie Rogers advised a minimum of 100 calendars
could be ordered from the Charles Clayton Company at $1.72 each. They could be
sold by TOS for $3.25 to $4.50 as a fundraiser. Each month would depict a different
bird species. TOS would be credited on each page. The consensus of the Board is that
individual interested chapters can pursue this in coordination with Tommie.

NEW BUSINESS:

TOS MEMBERSHIP LIST — A membership list, with name, address, and tele-
phone number, has been proposed at a cost of $916. To determine such demand, the
Executive Board has requested that the Treasurer prepare an updated membership
list (without telephone number) and send it to the Secretary for copying and
distribution as requested. Advertising would be provided in the Fall issue of The
Warbler. Should there be sufficient demand for the list, preparation of additional lists
would be considered.

AT-LARGE MEMBERSHIP — At-large members' names are to be made available
by the Treasurer to area Directors at Large for overall guidance. Such new members
are to be given the opportunity to join chapters and receive chapter newsletters.
Area Members at Large are to be encouraged by Directors at Large to join local
chapters to receive chapter benefits.

38

SPRING 1993 TOS BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING JUNE

NONGAME FUNDING SOURCE COMMITTEE — Tennessee Conservation
League Executive Director Tony Campbell submitted a resolution for joint sponsor-
ship by TOS to recommend legislation for Nongame Funding for the future.

CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT DUES — A written recommendation was sent by
James Brooks of the Herndon Chapter for withdrawing from sending Christmas
Bird Counts to American Birds as protest for Audubon's charge of $5.00 per partici-
pant. Ben Coffey moved that TOS should not demean itself by withdrawing from
American Bird's contributions. Ann Tarbell stated that Audubon has submitted an
accounting of cost, and they are quite near contributions by TOS Christmas Bird
Count participants. No change was made.

LOCATIONS OF FUTURE MEETINGS — The Fall 1993 meeting site is to be
selected. For the Spring 1994 meeting. Roan Mountain was the preferred site, to be
hosted by the Lee R. Herndon Chapter.

GENERAL BUSINESS MEETING:

TOS members were served dinner in Ellington Auditorium of Reelfoot State Park.

Field trip leaders described highlights of trips to Walnut Log, Burnt Woods, and
Long Point. Unusual birds included a Painted Bunting, Bald Eagle, Tricolored
Heron, and a Stilt Sandpiper.

Treasurer George Payne, Jr. gave the Treasurer's Report, as recorded for the
Directors' Meeting.

President Ford reported on highlights of the Directors' Meeting, including the
Curator's Report and associated actions. Wallace Coffey gave his status report as
Editor of The Migrant and invited articles.

Robbie Hassler presented the Nominating Committee's slate of officers for the
next two years. They were elected by acclamation as listed for the Directors'
Meeting.

Committee reports were summarized, as recorded in the Directors' Meeting
minutes. It was announced that the Fall Meeting will be hosted by either the Upper
Cumberland or Chattanooga Chapters, both of which have volunteered. The Spring
1994 Meeting will be hosted by the Lee R. Herndon Chapter in the Roan Mountain
area.

The TOS Distinguished Service Award was given to Virginia Price, a member of
the Nashville Chapter since 1971. She was recognized for her 10 years of operation
of the Amelia Laskey Memorial Wildlife Refuge for rehabilitation of birds. She has
given numerous talks to garden clubs and other organizations. She is a bird bander,
has held various TOS chapter officer positions, and has graciously hosted numerous
chapter bird count compilations. Her enthusiastic and contagious attitude about
birds has influenced many people for the good of our bird life.

Ben Coffey introduced the guest speaker. Dr. James A. Kushlan, who is chairman
of the University of Mississippi's Department of Biology and co-author of two books
concerning herons. Dr. Kushlan then presented an informative and interesting slide
program concerning "Herons, Storks and Ibises."

Respectfully submitted,

BOB HATCHER, TOS Secretary

The Migrant, 64 (2): 39-44, 1993.

1993 SPRING FIELD DAYS

Susan N. McWhirter

Twelve counts were held across the state during the 1993 Spring Field Days with
a total of 200 species seen. Several of these counts were conducted in conjunction
with the second annual North American Migration Count (NAMC), a nationwide
count with emphasis on neotropical migrants. Counts such as these provide
valuable information for studies on the declining populations of these birds due to
brood parasitism, predation, habitat loss, and pesticide use. The TOS has been
conducting annual Spring counts in the current format since 1946, but never with the
degree of participation that the annual Christmas count receives. With our Society's
commitment to Partners in Flight, we should increase our Spring counts both in
number of individual counts and in participants, and, if possible, conduct these
counts in coordination with the NAMC, thereby making the results useful beyond
our own records.

INFORMATION ON THE COUNTS

MEMPHIS - 25 April; 0730-1800; rain; 20 observers in 5 parties. Martha Waldron
(compiler - 1626 Yorkshire Dr., Memphis 38119).

HATCHIE NWR - 8 May; sunny and clear; temp. 75-86F; 3 observers in one party.
Bethany Greene, Gail Greene, Mark Greene (compiler - 194 Mt. Orange Rd., Trenton
38382).

MONTGOMERY COUNTY - 8,9 May; sunny; temp. 65-88F; 10 observers. Joe
Allen (compiler - 2915 Rossview Rd., Clarksville 37043), Amy Atkins, Angele
Crouch, Annie Heilman, Nancy Hughes, W.G. Lyle, Bill Milliken, Gloria Milliken,
Jean Thomas, Stanley York.

COLUMBIA - 7,8 May; partly cloudy; temp. 62-85F; 10 observers. Barbara Finney,
Jim Finney, William Jernigan, Allyn Lay, Anne Lochridge, Bedford Lochridge, Cleo
Mayfield, George Mayfield (compiler - 999 Sunnyside Dr., Columbia 38401), Wen-
dell Robinson, Karen Stephens.

NASHVILLE - 8,9 May; 0500-1800 Sat.; 0600-1200 Sun.; sunny and calm; temp. 60-
85F; 31 observers in 7 parties; 58 party hours; 120 party miles. Jan Alexander, Rachel
Brenner, Robert M. Brayden, Richard Connors, Jerry Drewry, Frances Duvall, Ray
Fleischer, Ed Cleaves, Miles Cleaves, Mark Hackney, Barbara Harris (compiler -
2225 Pinewood Rd., Nashville 37216), Bob Hatcher, Daniel Jacobson, Alan Justiss,
Lee Kramer, Joni Langevoort, Gail Lavely, Galen Lenhart, Scott Lavell, F. Joseph
McLaughlin, Sharon Monroe, Richard Newton, Elizabeth O'Connor. Magness
Persmark, Walter Powers, Cathy Schlessman, Jan Shaw, Sheila Shay, Joe Stone, Jim
Thomas, Sabin Thompson, Bob Van Kirk, Kenneth Walkup.

MANCHESTER - 23 April, 0600-2100, and 24 April, 0515-1800; clear to partly
cloudy with winds 15-25 mph; temp. 63-72F; 23 observers in 12 parties plus 10 at
feeders; 71 party hours (44 by car, 26 on foot, 1 by boat), plus 27 at feeders and 1
owling; 649 party miles (616 by car, 30 on foot, 3 by boat), plus 15 owling. John
Bruner, Lois Bruner, Dean Butler, Laura Butler, Don Davidson (compiler - 1703 2nd
Ave., Manchester 37355), Suzanne Dundas, Ivan Field, Frances Fults, Katherine
Gilliam, Nancy Gilliam, Jerry Ingles, Dot Latremore, Fred Latremore, Jim Liester,
Ruth Luckadoo, Agnes Marcrom, Joe Martinez, Nickie Medley, Phil Medley, Anna

39

40

1993 SPRING FIELD DAYS

JUNE

Parker, Chloe Peebles, Howell Peebles, Catherine Powell, Erma Rogers, Mary
Shelton, Rieda Shelton, Quincy Styke, Jean Sullivan, Ann Wells, Harry Yeatman,
Jean Yeatman, Grady York, Wilma York.

PUTNAM COUNTY - 8 May; clear in AM, cloudy with thunderstorm in PM;
temp. 57-87P; 15 observers in 6 parties; 69 party hours plus 4 owling; 501 party miles
plus 66 owling. The Bald Eagle and American Wigeon are new for this count. Carol
J. Brown, Daniel L. Combs, David Hume, Graham S. Kash, John Lane, Ken Morgan,
Handley Oswalt, Thomas H. Roberts, Ann M. Sanders, Michael A. Sanders, Joanne
T. Schaefer, Barbara H. Stedman, Stephen J. Stedman (compiler - 2675 Lakeland Dr.,
Cookeville 38501), Catherine E. Walden, Winston A. Walden.

HAMILTON COUNTY - 8 May; 26 observers in 11-13 parties; 82.25 party hours
(24 on foot, 58.25 by car); 588 party miles (30 on foot, 558 by car). The gull species was
either a Laughing Gull or Eranklin's Gull. Betty Anderson, Lloyd Anderson, Edith
Bromley, Mary Lynn Buttram, Kevin Calhoon, Paul Cole, Ken Dubke, Lil Dubke,
Edgar Grundset, Bill Haley, Candy Haley, A1 Jenkins, Jonnie Sue Lyons, Barbara
McMahan, Mike McMahan, Tom Patton, Robert Pierce, Charles Roberson, Peter
Robinson, Tommie Rogers, Lynn Sauls, Bernie Tompkins, Brent Tompkins, David
Vogt, David Winters, Libby Wolfe. Non-participating compiler - John Henderson,
7323 Pairington CL, Hixon 37343.

CUMBERLAND COUNTY - 8 May; clear with no wind; temp. 55-89P; 5 observers;
16 party hours; 176 party miles. The Red-shouldered Hawks were 2 adults with 2
fledglings near nest. Matt Dungan, Ramona Pennington, Joseph Richardson, Rich-
ard Simmers, Candy Swan (compiler - 2834 Pen Hook Rd., Monterey 38574).

KNOXVILLE - 25 April; partly cloudy with light to moderate wind; temp. 40-80E;
22 observers in 15 parties; 74 party hours, plus 4 owling; 217 party miles. Mike Baltz,
Jane Beintema, Frank Bills, Sharon Bostick, Betty Reid Campbell, Jim Campbell,
Howard Chitwood, Mary French, Paul Hartigan, Erin Hinton, Audrey Hoff (com-
piler - 4523 McCloud Rd., Knoxville 37938), Susan Hoyle, Tony Koella, Bettie Mason,
James Mason, Alison McNutt, Bill McNutt, Paul Pardue, Truett Patterson, Martha
Rudolph, Paul Saunders, Boyd Sharp, John Upchurch.

GREENEVILLE - 24 April; partly cloudy; wind S, 5 mph; temp. 41-75F; 23
observers in 13 parties plus 4 at feeders; 62 party hours (31 by car, 29 on foot, 2 by
boat), plus 12 at feeders; 319.5 party miles (294 by car, 23.5 on foot, 2 by boat). Mark
Britton, Orland Britton, Rhine Britton, Cynthia Cragin, Herb Cragin, Marjorie
Earnest, Ann Gaut, King Gaut, Heather Hayes, Paul Hayes, Barbara Holt, Carrie
Holt, Henrietta Holt, Jim Holt (compiler - 31 1 Colonial CL, Greeneville 37743), Alice
Loftin, Don Miller, Richard Nevius, Willie Ruth Nevius, Doug Ratledge, Helen
Reed, Joanne Routledge, Larry Routledge, Tom Sanders, Helen Spees, Royal Spees,
Virginia Williams.

ELIZABETHTON - 25 April; 0430-2130; clear, becoming cloudy in late PM; temp.
34-80F; wind SE, 0-15 mph, with gusts to 35 mph in mtns.; 109.5 party hours, plus five
hours owling; 25 observers in 10 parties. Details submitted for White-rumped
Sandpiper (RK). Ered Alsop, David Blatchly, Janet Brown, Wallace Coffey, Patricia
Countiss, Joy Crass, Mark Crass, Brian Cross, Martha Dillenbeck, Rusty Dunn, Rick
Knight (compiler - 804 N. Hills Dr., Johnson City 37604), Kelli Mayfield, Rad
Mayfield, Tom McNeil, Jerry Nagel, John Shumate, Lorrie Shumate, Stan Strickland,
Cathi Sullins, Gary Wallace, Frank Ward, Jim Wayland, Shirley Wayland, Krystal
Winebarger, Pete Wyatt.

1993

THE MIGRANT

41

1993 SPRING FIELD DAYS

Species

Memp

Hatch

Mont

Colu

Nash

Manch

Putn

Hamil

Cumb

Knox Greene

Eliz

Common Loon

1

31

3

2

Pied-billed Grebe

1

4

3

2

1

1

1

Double-crested Cormorant

6

16

7

19

4

American Bittern

=f

*

*

»

1

*

*

»

1

Great Blue Heron

1

12

1

6

21

41

10

112

1

48

6

3

Great Egret

6

6

-

-

1

-

1

-

*

Little Blue Heron

1

1

1

’*■

*■

*

=*■

Cattle Egret

3

2

2

26

1

=*■

49

*

Green Heron

1

1

8

15

3

7

11

2

10

5

17

Black-crowned Night-Heron

H-

*

218

*

*

5

2

3

Yellow-crowned Night-Heron

1

6

*

4

*

1

Snow Goose

»

*

1

*

*

2

2

1

Canada Goose

17

2

9

92

161

181

51

144

87

87

95

Wood Duck

20

4

5

27

63

10

23

26

'<■

25

10

54

Mallard

46

3

15

14

82

23

79

*

14

13

37

Blue-winged Teal

9

-

1

14

-

1

2

5

14

Northern Shoveler

*

*■

*

=*•

2

*■

Gadwall

*

1

2

=<■

»■

1

American Wigeon

*

9

=<■

*

*

Ring-necked Duck

1

*

*

*

*

Bufflehead

-

*

*

3

Hooded Merganser

*

1

>*■

1

*

*

*•

1

*

Red-breasted Merganser

*

*

1

*

*

*

Black Vulture

5

6

26

18

75

1

8

23

18

6

Turkey Vulture

4

36

43

67

67

66

30

6

33

35

103

Osprey

-

2

1

3

2

»

1

6

3

6

Bald Eagle

=f

*■

=*■

»

1

*

Mississippi Kite

4

*

*

*

’*■

*

’*■

Northern Harrier

*■

*

=*■

*■

3

*■

*

*

1

'*•

Sharp-shinned Hawk

*■

<■

*

2

3

1

3

2

1

2

Cooper's Hawk

*

2

-

-

-

2

-

3

2

4

Accipiter sp.

*

1

*

Red-shouldered Hawk

*

10

2

4

10

3

1

21

4

Broad-winged Hawk

*■

«■

4

6

7

2

8

5

4

2

12

Red-tailed Hawk

4

5

9

11

19

11

16

5

5

5

4

16

American Kestrel

4

1

2

8

16

12

15

2

*

5

12

12

Peregrine Falcon

1

=f

*

=*•

*

Ruffed Grouse

*

*

=*■

=*■

1

"*■

4

12

Wild Turkey

1

*

1

4

2

Northern Bob white

16

5

22

48

43

9

34

11

1

6

4

6

Sora

*

1

1

-

*

-

1

American Coot

*

*■

*

5

2

3

Killdeer

31

4

18

110

27

33

63

55

10

45

34

62

Greater Yellowlegs

10

1

*■

*■

*

=<•

Lesser Yellowlegs

85

*

4

1

*

2

1

Solitary Sandpiper

46

-

*

3

1

6

3

3

-

21

11

43

Spotted Sandpiper

2

<■

*

18

9

1

14

6

7

4

14

Upland Sandpiper

*

1

*

“■

Western Sandpiper

8

*

Least Sandpiper

33

*

*

22

*

*

9

3

6

White-rumped Sandpiper

-

*

-

*

*

-

-

-

-

1

Pectoral Sandpiper

140

5

*

10

1

*

*

*

*

*

*

Short-billed Dowitcher

7

*

*

*

Common Snipe

3

*

=*•

*

9

*

*

15

*

5

American Woodcock

*'■

*

2

2

*

1

Black-necked Stilt

5

*

*

*

*

Laughing Gull

1

*

*■

*

*

*

=<•

*

=*•

Ring-billed Gull

’*■

*

20

8

1

*

55

42

1993 SPRING FIELD DAYS

JUNE

1993 SPRING FIELD DAYS

Species Memp Hatch Mont Colu Nash Manch Putn Hamil Cumb Knox Greene Eliz

Gull sp.

Caspian Tern
Forster's Tern
Rock Dove
Mourning Dove

Black-billed Cuckoo
Yellow-billed Cuckoo
Barn Owl

Eastern Screech-Owl
Great Horned Owl

Barred Owl
Common Nighthawk
Chuck- will' s- widow
Whip-poor-will
Chimney Swift

Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Belted Kingfisher
Red-headed Woodpecker
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker

Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Pileated Woodpecker
Olive-sided Flycatcher

Eastern Wood-Pewee
Acadian Hycatcher
Willow Hycatcher
Least Hycatcher
Eastern Phoebe

Great Crested Elycatcher
Eastern Kingbird
Horned Lark
Purple Martin
Tree Swallow

N. Rough-winged Swallow
Bank Swallow
Cliff Swallow
Barn Swallow
Blue Jay

American Crow
Pish Crow
Common Raven
Carolina Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse

Red-breasted Nuthatch
White-breasted Nuthatch
Brown-headed Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
Carolina Wren

Bewick's Wren
House Wren
Winter Wren
Sedge Wren
Marsh Wren

Golden-crowned Kinglet
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
Eastern Bluebird
Veery

255

5

35

31

93

16

114

98

*

»

X

X

*

3

5

23

=!•

*

X-

*

6

*

*

*

7

4

2

2

9

*

1

2

9

*

=<■

*

15

*

*

15

21

31

72

104

2

6

7

7

1

3

6

11

5

3

8

16

33

10

30

47

*

*

*

11

6

12

29

*

*

6

8

6

2

8

5

10

4

13

18

*

*

*

3

9

44

39

*

8

9

25

*

*

1

>!■

X-

X

5

2

19

43

7

8

25

45

22

4

44

76

5

2

*

*

29

7

62

28

9

13

4

13

26

81

*

*

*

*

*

1200

*

74

16

61

81

29

6

64

50

14

15

81

61

3

5

*

*

»

»

X-

X-

25

12

44

35

54

10

73

59

*

»

X

X

1

2

22

18

=<■

X-

X-

=!■

X-

X

67

7

44

73

*

*

1

1

*

*

17

7

<■

*

X-

X

=(■

X

X

*

*

*

*

X

X

1

X-

X

X

49

12

32

80

3

*

94

131

1

2

1

2

*

*

X

1

=<•

2

X-

2

*

1

X

X

15

46

75

41

102

179

155

260

1

X

X

X

26

1

5

6

X

X

X

1

5

1

2

1

5

1

X

3

5

4

6

4

4

1

8

4

5

1

16

11

2

2

30

13

121

62

186

324

13

24

5

12

19

8

3

17

5

9

11

12

56

27

31

57

2

X

22

28

8

38

4

1

6

9

14

24

28

34

20

11

14

21

3

*

*

X

63

X

74

37

35

*

34

6

3

*

X

1

1

1

X

X

32

6

30

22

43

8

34

61

66

38

76

114

*

3

4

X

45

79

68

144

*

28

4

*

31

53

40

38

*

*

4

15

500

17

10

79

32

120

114

105

79

123

121

204

89

182

112

229

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

80

73

46

128

80

84

50

126

X

X

X

X

32

25

16

33

*

X

12

X

X

X

X

78

36

80

108

X

X

X

X

7

5

X

X

X

X

X

1

X-

X

X

1

*

X

X

X

X

X

X

1

7

X

X

156

27

104

116

68

95

98

128

7

*

X

2

X

X

X

1

X

X

X

X

30

149

70

159

27

263

44

229

X

X

1

1

1

X

X

X

X

X

3

1

X

1

1

5

X

1

1

3

X

X

X

1

X

1

X

1

X

7

X

4

X

X

X

X

44

245

76

280

1

3

7

22

1

8

4

17

2

X

X

3

3

48

26

41

*

X

X

1

35

22

30

1

1

1

7

2

24

28

76

4

14

31

50

X

X

X

X

9

X

X

X

3

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

3

2

5

11

34

1

12

2

10

9

16

17

20

X

X

X

X

48

52

79

84

3

36

4

31

10

66

17

141

4

3

4

2

X

1

X

45

73

101

144

162

20

226

95

200

26

234

148

519

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

6

3

141

60

176

9

102

41

139

X

X

X

9

3

8

2

13

X

X

X

X

X

X

1

1

9

134

34

90

X

X

X

X

1

15

13

31

X

X

2

17

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

1

X

9

X

71

2

33

27

120

8

150

14

24

39

54

X

4

X

1

1993

THE MIGRANT

43

1993 SPRING FIELD DAYS

Species Memp Hatch Mont Coin Nash Manch Putn Hamil Cumb Knox Greene Eliz

Gray-cheeked Thrush
Swainson's Thrush
Wood Thrush
American Robin
Gray Catbird

Northern Mockingbird
Brown Thrasher
American Pipit
Cedar Waxwing
Loggerhead Shrike

European Starling
White-eyed Vireo
Solitary Vireo
Yellow-throated Vireo
Warbling Vireo

Philadelphia Vireo
Red-eyed Vireo
Blue-winged Warbler
Golden-winged Warbler
Tennessee Warbler

Nashville Warbler
Northern Parula
Yellow Warbler
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Magnolia Warbler

Cape May Warbler
Black- throated Blue Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Black-throated Green Warbler
Blackburnian Warbler

Y ellow- throated Warbler
Pine Warbler
Prairie Warbler
Palm Warbler
Bay-breasted Warbler

Blackpoll Warbler
Cerulean Warbler
Black-and-white Warbler
American Redstart
Prothonotary Warbler

Worm-eating Warbler
Swainson's Warbler
Ovenbird

Northern Water thrush
Louisiana Waterthrush

Kentucky Warbler
Connecticut Warbler
Mourning Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
Hooded Warbler

Wilson's Warbler
Canada Warbler
Yellow-breasted Chat
Summer Tanager
Scarlet Tanager

Northern Cardinal
Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Blue Grosbeak
Indigo Bunting
Dickcissel

3

1

*

1

77

2

12

16

22

7

16

46

70

10

194

106

6

2

7

20

38

16

167

75

10

2

28

42

*

*

*

*

*

20

19

8

2

3

11

13

192

81

291

180

42

6

26

64

*

*

*

8

1

6

6

3

*

16

8

*

*

31

5

21

42

14

1

10

*

*

»

*

29

3

28

38

1

*

1

37

11

1

9

8

7

1

24

2

1

1

9

*

*

11

*

*

*

8

*

*

*

43

7

1

6

6

*

2

1

1

*

*

2

2

2

7

22

*

4

2

11

*

2

20

19

8

4

*

1

’*■

2

*

1

15

6

1

4

7

»

7

3

13

*

7

9

5

18

10

*

*

7

1

*

*

3

*•

2

9

1

*■

*

3

1

*

3

11

11

3

11

29

*

«•

*

»

*

H-

*

17

15

32

65

2

*

*

5

*

*

»

2

3

5

24

61

16

3

35

32

7

*

3

26

125

17

203

119

5

*

7

11

1

2

4

4

20

55

91

182

5

18

8

11

*

*

79

*

1

2

33

6

87

68

160

301

230

296

31

9

35

18

50

66

118

114

35

46

49

75

“I-

=<■

*

»

171

32

6

208

6

3

4

11

502

374

601

608

55

12

75

39

1

1

4

*

12

3

25

14

10

*

*

*

2

*

72

19

262

114

13

5

22

1

*

*

1

60

*

4

7

1

*

*

*

12

10

27

29

8

29

9

11

3

3

1

11

3

3

*

5

»

6

7

»

*

*

*

57

30

9

27

2

4

2

1

1

*

1

12

4

12

14

2

7

9

42

24

12

58

28

5

18

3

6

25

*

3

21

2

12

10

3

2

29

*

15

8

31

7

4

*

23

3

18

3

4

2

7

3

10

*

»

*

*

7

6

55

18

5

*

5

5

7

2

25

3

38

10

2

*

*

*

4

*

*

*

98

14

130

46

17

5

27

9

1

*

*

»

2

*

1

1

33

4

59

44

45

5

41

32

23

7

28

26

180

167

179

238

22

7

5

24

9

9

7

14

155

55

230

141

4

1

4

*

18

1

1

10

33

*

51

61

300

251

792

1

4

3

5

3

123

47

61

2

31

31

42

*

4

*

*

1

5

*

*

2

4

120

581

299

918

2

16

4

14

1

5

1

54

13

2

1

1

1

*

2

1

*

43

63

1

22

1

6

*

1

=!•

*

5

1

*

*

4

7

*

47

2

6

3

35

2

3

*

2

*

5

*

4

4

*

*

*

5

3

72

129

67

65

5

21

4

116

1

12

*

*

8

2

*

10

5

8

1

1

29

5

*

1

*

9

*

9

*

6

*

*

1

4

*

2

*

13

*

*

8

11

3

56

1

7

5

2

*

*

3

2

2

8

2

19

*

*

*

*

27

12

6

121

*

1

*

*

10

1

*

15

12

2

*

4

*

*

*

*

*

=<■

10

41

9

21

15

15

*

139

*

»

»

*

4

2

1

*

5

6

8

*

4

15

2

5

14

225

125

217

2

35

1

1

1

2

*

1

53

36

6

4

44

1993 SPRING FIELD DAYS

JUNE

1993 SPRING FIELD DAYS

Species Memp Hatch Mont Coin Nash Manch Putn Hamil Cumb Knox Greene Eliz

Rufous-sided Towhee
Chipping Sparrow
Field Sparrow
Savannah Sparrow
Grasshopper Sparrow

Fox Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Lincoln's Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow

White-crowned Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Bobolink

Red-winged Blackbird
Eastern Meadowlark

Common Crackle
Brown-headed Cowbird
Orchard Oriole
Northern Oriole
Purple Finch

House Finch
Pine Siskin
American Goldfinch
House Sparrow

20

7

78

55

9

*

27

20

1

3

14

54

7

*

*

15

*

*

*

8

2

*

*

3

*

*

1

*

*

1

49

3

12

14

3

*

5

»

*

*

8

36

333

73

105

124

45

7

135

132

55

84

126

240

96

21

63

140

5

3

20

47

16

1

3

1

*

*

*

*

5

52

18

*

*

»

1

126

12

109

117

39

2

176

35

119

94

98

137

71

42

86

103

13

54

57

33

58

33

139

58

1

9

2

*

*

4

11

*

1

1

2

20

56

87

2

*

*

*

5

3

1

*

12

39

12

17

4

2

*

1

*

4

*

20

*

7

1

198

104

230

225

71

215

256

141

231

371

195

292

101

111

95

112

41

3

48

16

7

1

5

4

*

*

1

27

62

22

74

*

’<■

1

=*■

134

218

107

217

30

98

65

62

145

134

125

127

6

74

23

135

22

14

41

126

14

42

4

67

*

24

1

13

*

1

*

*

»

*

46

122

45

274

*

=*■

*

*

*

16

11

111

76

74

1

2

11

23

*

*

4

86

12

*

1

36

197

40

437

29

100

42

227

37

241

282

713

7

60

30

91

1

7

1

8

*

1

1

1

*

*

8

7

*

88

64

105

*

*

*

5

8

107

77

506

30

143

29

134

89

130

104

145

Total Species

The Migrant, 64 (2): 45-52, 1993.

THE SEASON

Robert P. Ford, Editor
(Received for publication 12 February 1994)

WINTER 1992-93

The occurrence and abundance of birds in Tennessee this winter seemed deter-
mined by the warm and slightly wet winter, which had only a few minor cold snaps.
Across the state, temperatures were warm and mild, and precipitation was slightly
above average. Several long distance migrants to the neotropics occurred in Tennes-
see and the eastern United States this winter, possibly finding food sources abun-
dant during the warm weather. Species of note included Barn Swallow and two
species of tanagers. In fact, among the most notable of records this season was a
Western Tanager that occurred in middle Tennessee.

Several good waterfowl sightings occurred in the state, both in the kind of species
and the number of individuals. Waterfowl examples include an Oldsquaw in west
Tennessee and White-fronted Geese and Tundra Swan in east Tennessee. The winter
irruptives, however, were notable in their absence. Very few observers recorded
Purple Finch, Pine Siskin, or Evening Grosbeak. Purple Finch numbers are becom-
ing consistently low statewide, especially at feeders, while House Finch numbers
are consistently growing. Accurate records each year of numbers and behavior at the
feeders, as well as in the field, are important.

The Winter Roadside Raptor Survey continued during the winter of 1992-93.
Many of those observations are reported in this Season report. This worthwhile
monitoring program can be accomplished by most TOS observers, with a minimum
of effort. Contact your regional compiler for more details about the survey and how
to become involved.

Many other observations of note are recorded in this report, such as Common
Ground-Doves in west Tennessee and northern Mississippi this year. I encourage
you to read through them carefully for more information.

Abbreviations used in this report include ad-adult; CBC-Christmas Bird Count;
Co. -county; EOP-end of period; f-female; fide-reported by; im-immature; L-Lake;
m-male; max-maximum one day count in one county or location; m.ob.-many
observers; WM A- Wildlife Management Area; WRRS- Winter Roadside Raptor Sur-
vey; "^-details submitted.

45

46

THE SEASON: WINTER 1992-93

JUNE

Table 1 . 1993 Midwinter Bald Eagle Count — - Tennessee

Date

Agency

Adults

Immatures

Total

West Tennessee Mississippi River Area

Reelfoot/Isom Lakes

1/13

FWS

37

24

61

Tiptonville to Kentucky state line

1/13

FWS

1

3

4

Dyer Co.

1/8

TWRA

1

—

2

Hatchie NWR

1/10

FWS

2

—

2

TOTAL

41

28

69

West Tennessee River Area

Kentucky Reservoir

1/6

FWS

10

10

20

Pickwick Reservoir
Land Between The Lakes

1/8

TWRA

5

1

6

Barkley Lake

1/14

TVA

2

—

2

Kentucky Lake

1/14

TVA

14

12

26

TOTAL

31

23

54

Middle Tennessee
Cross Creeks NWR

1/15

FWS

2

2

Cordell Hull Reservoir

1/9

TOS

8

4

12

Center Hill Reservoir

1/10

COE

2

1

3

Normandy Reservoir

1/6

TOS

2

—

2

Woods Reservoir

1/8

TOS

2

—

2

Dale Hollow Reservoir

1/6

COE

50

16

66

TOTAL

60

18

78

East Tennessee
Nickajack Reservoir

1/9

TOS

3

2

3

Parksville Reservoir

1/9

TOS

1

—

1

Norris Reservoir

1/13

TWRA

3

1

4

Chickamauga Reservoir

1/6

TWRA

11

5

16

Watts Bar Reservoir

1/8

TWRA

16

2

18

TOTAL

34

10

44

STATE TOTAL 172 82 254

FWS

TWRA

TVA

COE

TOS

Eish and Wildlife Service
Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
Tennessee Valley Authority
Corps of Engineers
Tennessee Ornithological Society

Accepted 5 June 1993

1993

THE MIGRANT

47

WESTERN COASTAL PLAIN REGION — The Western region experienced a
mild winter with above average rainfall. Unusual winter visitors included Oldsquaw,
Golden Eagle, Peregrine Falcon, Pectoral Sandpiper, Common Ground-Dove, Barn
Swallow, Common Yellowthroat and a Lark Sparrow. Field work for the Winter
Roadside Raptor Survey (WRRS) accounted for the number of raptors reported this
season. The Red-tailed Hawk observations were not included in this report. Purple
Finch, Goldfinch and Pine Siskin were not reported at feeders or in field reports;
however, many feeders hosted House Finch.

Loon-Merganser: Common Loon: 22 Dec (45) Henry Co. (RDH, DoM); 22 Dec (1)
CBC, Rift L, Lake Co. (MAG, BLG, JCG). Pied-billed Grebe: 5 Dec-EOP (10 max) Lake
Co. (WGC). Horned Grebe: 22 Dec (58) Henry Co. (RDH, DoM);16 Jan-EOP (9 max)
Lake Co. (WGC). Double-crested Cormorant: 1 Dec-EOP (65 max) Rift L, Obion Co.
(WGC). Greater White-fronted Goose: 9 Jan (3) Lauderdale WMA, Lauderdale Co.
(JRW, BLG); 3 Jan-14 Feb (230 max) Rift L, Lake Co. (WGC), high count was 26 Jan.
Snow Goose: 17 Jan-EOP (25,000) Rift L, Lake Co., 31 Jan-28 Feb (30,000 max) Long
Point, Rift L NWR, Kentucky (WGC). Ruddy Duck: 22 Dec (4000) Rift L, Lake/Obion
Cos. (MAG, BLG, JCG). Oldsquaw: 21 Dec-EOP (1 ) TEC (MLG, DoM, GRP, JBP, VBR,
Dick Whittington, JEW, MGW). Red-breasted Merganser: 4/27 Feb (86 max) Rift L,
Lake Co. (WGC).

Raptors: Bald Eagle: 17 Jan (on nest) Lake Isom, Lake Co. (WGC). Sharp-shinned
Hawk: 21 Dec (2) Memphis CBC (MTOS); 15 Jan (1) Shelby Farms (MLG); 29 Jan (1)
Memphis (MGW); 21 Feb (1) Shelby Farms (SNM, MGW); 28 Feb (1) Germantown
(MLG). Cooper's Hawk: 3 Jan (1) Memphis Zoo (OKM); 16 Jan (1) Chickasaw NWR
(MTOS); 21 Jan (1) Memphis (MGW); 31 Jan/17 Feb (1) E Memphis (JBP, GRP); 16
Feb (1) E Memphis (CHB, Fred Carney); 20 Feb (1) Germantown, 21 Feb (1) Shelby
Farms (MLG); 22 Feb (1) Gibson Co. (MAG). Red-shouldered Hawk: 21 Dec (1)
Memphis CBC (MTOS); 22 Dec (1) Henry Co. (RDH, DoM); 2 Jan (3) Jackson CBC,
Madison Co. (BLG, MAG, JRW, GMG); 10 Jan (1) Lake Co. (GRP, JBP, Bob Feutsch,
Joel Simpson); 16 Jan (3) Chickasaw NWR (MTOS); 23 Jan (2) Sunk L (MGW, VBR,
DoM, CHB); 27 Jan (2) Obion Co. (HBD, BHW, SLL, CHB, VBR); 3 Feb (3) Rift L,
Obion Co. (VBR, Susan Reynolds); 3 Feb (3) WRRS, W Hardeman Co. (CHB, HBD,
SLL); 23/27 Feb (1/1) Rift L, Lake Co. (WGC); 28 Feb (3) Germantown (MLG).
Rough-legged Hawk: 2 Jan (1 ) Jackson CBC, Madison Co. (BLG, GMG, MAG, JRW).
GOLDEN EAGLE: 26 Jan (1 sub-adult) Air Park Inn, Rift L, Lake Co. (WGC).
PEREGRINE FALCON: 2 Dec-EOP (1) Memphis (OKM).

Yellowlegs-Gull: Greater Yellowlegs: 21 Dec (1) Memphis CBC (MTOS); 14 Feb (1)
Long Point (WGC), early date. Lesser Yellowlegs: 14 Feb (1) Long Point (WGC), early
date. Western Sandpiper: 1 Dec (1) Hwy 103 and Great River Rd, Dyer Co. (WGC).
Least Sandpiper: 6 Dec-EOP (5 max) Shelby Farms (MLG); 21 Dec (6) Memphis CBC
(MTOS); 24 Jan (5) TEC (DoM, VBR, MGW). PECTORAL SANDPIPER: 18/24 Jan (1)
TEC (MLG, VBR, DoM, MGW). Dunlin: 6 Dec (1) Shelby Farms (MLG); 18 Dec (2)
TEC (MLG). American Woodcock: 2-14 Feb (max 3 males heard) Iris Hill Farm, E
Shelby Co., 20-21 Feb (3 males heard, 2 seen) E Shelby Co., 22 Feb (2 males heard, one
seen) third E Shelby Co. site (James and Sue Ferguson); 9/21 Feb (1/1) Mt. Orange/
Trenton, Gibson Co. (MAG). Bonaparte's Gull: 1 Dec-5 Dec (52 max) Rift L, 5 Dec (10)
Ridgely, Lake Co. (WGC); 6 Dec/15 Feb (1) Shelby Farms (MGW/MLG); (1) Shelby

48

THE SEASON: WINTER 1992-93

JUNE

Farms; 21 Dec (1) Memphis CBC (MTOS); 22 Dec (13) Paris Ldg S P (DoM, RDH); 22
Dec (1 7) CBC, Rift L, Lake Co. (JCG, MAG, BEG); 3 Jan (41 ) Spillway, Rift L, Lake Co.
(WGC). Ring-billed Gull: 5 Dec-12 Jan (650 max) Rift L, Lake Co. (WGC); 21 Dec (64)
Memphis CBC (MTOS); 22 Dec (70) Paris Ldg S P (DoM, RDH); 22 Dec (725) CBC,
Rift L, Lake/Obion Cos. (MAG, BLG, JCG); 10 Jan (66) Lake Co. (GRP, JBP, Bob
Feutsch, Joel Simpson); 10 Feb (26 max) Gibson Co. (MAG); 26 Feb (150+) Shelby
Farms (MGW); 28 Feb (225) TEC (MGW, VBR). Herring Gull: 22 Dec (8) Paris Ldg
S P (RDH, DoM); 22 Dec (6) Rift L CBC, Lake Co. (JCG, BLG, JCG).

Dove-Waxzvmg: COMMON GROUND-DOVE: 16 Jan (2) Lauderdale Co. (MGW,
VBR, Kate Freidman) ; 4 Feb (2) TEC (CHB, JRW), this must be the year of the ground-
dove, three were seen on the Arkabutla (Mississippi) CBC 27 Dec (GRP, JBP) and one
was observed three-quarter mile SW at a fish hatchery 24 Feb (VBR, CHB, HBD,
BHW). Swallow sp.: 23 Feb (2) Kirby Pocket, Rift L (WGC). BARN SWALLOW: 13
Jan (1) Paris Ldg S P (Terry J. Witt). Fish Crow: 23 Jan (2) Sunk L, Lauderdale Co.
(CHB, DoM VBR, MGW). Winter Wren: 23 Jan (3) Lauderdale Co. (MGW, VBR,
CHB, DoM); 3 Feb (4) Rift L, Obion Co. (VBR, Susan Reynolds); 10 Feb (1) Shelby
Farms (MGW). House Wren: 25 Dec/3 Jan (1) Shelby Farms (MGW/MLG). Cedar
Waxwing: 26 Feb (500+) Germantown (MLG); 28 Feb (800+) Memphis (MGW).

Shrike-Siskin: Loggerhead Shrike: 2 Dec (9) WRRS, N Shelby Co. (CHB, HBD, SLL,
BHW, VBR); 21 Dec (14) Memphis CBC (MTOS); 22 Dec/20 Feb (4 max) WRRS, S
Shelby Co. (Gaynell Perry); 22 Dec (5) CBC, Rift L, Lake Co. (MAG, JCG, BLG); 30
Dec (8) WRRS, Hardeman Co. (VBR, HBD); 2 Jan (2) Jackson CBC, Madison Co.
(BLG, JRW, GMG, MAG); 9 Jan (4) WRRS, Haywood Co. (William Fowler); 17 Feb
(4) WRRS, N Shelby Co. (VBR, BHW). Pine Warbler: 3 Jan (3-5) E Shelby Co. (MLG).
Common Yellowthroat: 18 Jan (1) TEC (MLG). Western Meadowlark: 7 Feb (4-5)
TEC (MGW, JEW). American Tree Sparrow: 22 Dec (2) CBC, Rift L, Obion Co. (MAG,
JCG, BLG); 2 Jan (2) Jackson CBC, Madison Co. (BLG, JRW, GMG, MAG). Vesper
Sparrow: 18 Feb (2) Shelby Farms (MLG). LARK SPARROW: 21 Dec (1) Memphis
CBC (SNM, Mac McWhirter). Lincoln's Sparrow: 18 Feb (1) Shelby Farms (MLG).
Rusty Blackbird: 21 Dec (200) Memphis CBC (MTOS); 25 Dec (150) Shelby Farms
(MGW); 18 Jan (200+) TEC (MLG); 24 Jan (18) TEC (MGW, DoM, VBR, CHB); 28 Feb
(50+) TEC (VBR, MGW). Brewer's Blackbird: 24 Dec/18 Feb (1/2) Shelby Farms
(MLG); 18 Jan (15) TEC (MLG). Pine Siskin: 22 Dec (2) CBC, Rift L, Obion Co. (JCG,
MAG, BLG).

Locations: Chickasaw NWR-Chickasaw National Wildlife Refuge, Lauderdale
Co.; Germantown-Germantown, Shelby Co.; Paris Ldg S P-Paris Landing State Park,
Henry Co.; Shelby Farms-Shelby Farms was Penal Farm, Memphis, Shelby Co.;
Sunk L-Sunk Lake, Lauderdale Co.; TEC-The EARTH COMPLEX was Ensley
Bottoms, Shelby Co.

MARTHA G. WALDRON, 1626 Yorkshire Dr., Memphis, TN 38119

HIGHLAND RIM AND BASIN REGION — Winter rainfall in Nashville was
below average. The deficiency was 1.7 inches in Dec. and about half-an-inch in Jan.
and Feb. Temperatures varied from normal in Dec. to 5° F above normal in Jan. and
1° F below normal in Feb. The outstanding bird sightings of the period were the

1993

THE MIGRANT

49

Western Tanager, which attended a feeder in Franklin for most of the period, and the
Rufous Hummingbird, reported in Nov. in Manchester which remained until Dec.
The Eared Grebe on Percy Priest Lake is one of only a few winter records for this
species. Other unusual sightings were the Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, one of few winter
records, and the Scarlet Tanager, evidently the first December record for Tennessee.
Irruptive species were scarce.

Grebe-Falcon: Eared Grebe: 10 Feb (1) Anderson Recreation Area, Percy-Priest
Lake, Dav. Co. (Merry J. Witt). Great Egret: 26 Dec (1) Columbia CBC. Greater White-
fronted Goose: 14 Jan (2) Woods Res, (fide Mark C. Kelly), taken by hunters. Snow
Goose: 9-10 Jan (1) Madison, Dav. Co. (Lee Kramer); 13 Feb (3) Woods Res (DLD).
Canvasback: 15 Dec (75) Rad L (MLM), max. Osprey: 21 Dec (1) Pen Bend (MLM),
only report. Bald Eagle: 9 Jan (2 ad, 1 im) Gainsboro, Jackson Co. (*CS, Reed Cripps);
also 3 reports 30 Dec , 6 & 8 Jan from Coffee & Franklin Cos. of adult eagles. Cooper's
Hawk: 9 Dec to 21 Feb (im) Nashville (PGL), observed 4 times at intervals of several
weeks perched on trees in city lot, observed eating a Mourning Dove on 21 Feb.
Golden Eagle: 27 Feb (1) Cannon Co. near Shiloh Baptist Church (Upper Cumber-
land Chapter TOS, fide CS). Merlin: 15 Dec (1) Summertown, Lawrence Co., (fide
Vicky Carder), injured bird. Peregrine Falcon: early Dec to 25 Jan (1) Nashville (Cleo
Hughes).

Rail-Waxwing: Virginia Rail: 26 Dec (1) Columbia CBC. Sora: 26 Dec (3) Columbia
CBC. Sandhill Crane: 3 Dec (150), 6 Dec (70) all in flight, Macedonia, Putnam Co.
C*"RWS); 8 Feb (100 in flight) Monterey, Putnam Co. C^CS); 27 Feb (4) Woods Res
(DLD). Least Sandpiper: 2 Jan (17) Tims Ford L (DLD). American Woodcock: 8 Feb
(3) Warner Parks, Dav. Co. (PGL), courtship flights observed. Barn Owl: 12 Feb (2)
Mason Grissom Rd, Warren Co. C^SNM). Long-eared Owl: 14 Jan (1 ad) found dead
near Mill Creek, Dav Co (fide Michael Bierly). Common Nighthawk: 1 Dec (1)
Nashville (PGL), very late. RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD: Nov to 13 Dec (1 ad m,
photo) Manchester, Coffee Co. (DLD). Red-breasted Nuthatch: 2 Jan (1) Woods Res.
(DLD); 6 Feb (1) UT Tree Farm, Franklin Co. (DLD). Blue-gray Gnatcatcher: 19 Dec
(1) Brentwood, Williamson Co. (Chris Sloan, Hazel Cassel and “^FJM); 19 Dec (1)
Woods Res (DLD). American Pipit: 2 Jan (1) Tims Ford L (DLD); 13 Feb (7) Woods
Res (DLD). Cedar Wax wing: 27 Feb (200) Pen Bend (MLM), max.

Warbler-Grosbeak: Pine Warbler: 8 to 28 Jan (1) at feeder, Hendersonville, Sumner
Co. (Dick & Grace Newton). Palm Warbler: 19 Dec (1) Poplar Creek Rd, Dav. Co.
(Ann Tarbell). Scarlet Tanager: 19-22 Dec (1 f) Goodlettsville, Dav. Co. (Judy & Pete
McKee, Martha Patterson, *FJM et al). WESTERN TANAGER: 7 Dec to FOP (1 ad
m, winter plumage) Franklin, Williamson Co. (*Jane Trabue, m.ob.). Vesper Spar-
row: 2 Jan (1) AEDC Airport (DLD), only report. Rusty Blackbird: 14 Feb (35)
Cheatham Co. (PGL), max. Purple Finch: 15 Feb (9), 25 Feb (13) Macedonia, Putnam
Co. (RWS). Pine Siskin: no reports submitted. Evening Grosbeak: 27 Feb (2) Manches-
ter, Coffee Co. (Annie R. Norvell), only report.

Locations: AEDC-Arnold Engineering Development Center, Franklin Co.; Dav.
Co.-Davidson Co.; Pen Bend-Pennington Bend, Davidson Co.; Rad L-Radnor Lake
State Natural Area, Davidson Co.; Tims Ford L-Tims Ford Lake, Franklin Co.;
Woods Res- Woods Reservoir, Franklin Co.

P. GALEN LENHERT, 3109 Overlook Drive, Nashville, TN 37212

50

THE SEASON: WINTER 1992-93

JUNE

CUMBERLAND PLATEAU/RIDGE AND VALLEY REGION — This was a very
mild winter, with near normal precipitation. December and Eebruary had a few
minor cold snaps, but there was no prolonged cold. January was especially mild. At
Johnson City, three December snowfalls totaled 4.5 inches and three in Eebruary
amounted to just 1 .5 inches. That is more than some recent winters, but below long-
term averages there.

It appeared to be a rather dull season, except for some good waterbirds in the
Chattanooga area. Ducks were "scarcer than usual" in the Johnson City area. Boreal
irruptives were absent. Frugivores (robins and waxwings) were notably scarce in
the Johnson City area; and, although wild fruits were somewhat scarce there, some
fruit remained until season's end. Fewer birds showed up at feeders. Many casual
feeder-watchers asked, "Where are all the birds?" On a brighter note, shrikes and
kestrels seemed to be slightly more numerous in the northeastern part of the region.
A few "half-hardy lingerers" remained.

The number of reports were low this season. What does that mean? Did the mild
weather result in bland birding? Are observers getting lazy and just covering the
easily accessible lakes? Are we all reporting our observations?

Loon-Heron: Red-throated Loon: 30 Dec-17 Jan (1) Chick L (JAK, m.ob). Common
Loon: regular, max 19, Chick L (KHD, LHD); 5 Dec (1) Boone L (RLK), only report
there; 30 Jan (8) Tellico L, Monroe Co. (JAK). Horned Grebe: 5 Dec (25) Boone L
(RLK), only report there. Double-crested Cormorant: 5 Jan (1) Boone L (RLK); 5
wintered at Kingsport (RLK). Green Heron: 30 Dec (1 ) Chick L (JAK). Black-crowned
Night-Heron: 10+ wintered at Kingsport (RLK). Yellow-crowned Night-Heron: 11
Jan (1 ad) Jonesborough, Wash. Co. (JWB).

Waterfowl: Tundra Swan: 8 Feb (1) Hiwas R (TWRA). Greater White-fronted
Goose: 8 Dec/27 Feb (1 /7) Hiwas R (TWRA/LHD, David Vogt, m.ob.). Snow Goose:
late Nov-late Dec (1 ) Warrior's Path S P, Sullivan Co. (fide RLK); 8 Dec-27 Feb (1-200)
Hiwas R (TWRA, LHD, m.ob.), high number for region; 10 Dec (1 ) Alcoa, Blount Co.
(JAK); 23 Jan (1) Savannah Bay, Hamilton Co. (RJH). Canada Goose: 15 Jan (1934)
Hiwas R (TWRA), max. American Black Duck: 15 Jan (1937) Hiwas R (TWRA), max.
Mallard: 15 Jan (4573) Hiwas R (TWRA), max. Northern Pintail: 16 Jan (40) Hiwas
R (LHD), max. Gadwall: 23 Feb (345) Hiwas R (TWRA), max. American Wigeon: 6/
23 Feb (18) pond in Jeff. Co./Hiwas R (JAK/TWRA), max. Canvasback: 2 Jan (35)
Nickajack L, Marion Co. (RJH). Redhead: 16 Feb (80) Chick L (RJH), max. Ring-
necked Duck: 15 Jan (354) Hiwas R (TWRA), max. Greater Scaup: 8 Feb (175) Chick
L (KHD), max. Common Goldeneye: 9-17 Jan (10-25) Chick L (RJH), max. Hooded
Merganser: 16 Jan (75) Hiwas R (KHD, LHD); 6 Feb (80) pond in Jeff. Co. (JAK); 7 Feb
(74) Middlebrook L, Bristol (JWC), max. Common Merganser: 19 Dec (1 f) Boone L
on Kingsport CBC (RLK), only report. Ruddy Duck: 2 Jan (125) Nickajack L, Marion
Co. (RJH), max.

Eagle-Tern: Bald Eagle: 25 Dec (2 ad) Cherokee L, Hamblen / Hawkins Co. portion
(Stan Strickland); 1 Feb (1 ad) Boone L (JWN). American Kestrel: seemed to be in
above average numbers for recent years in the Johnson City area (m.ob.). Peregrine
Falcon: 14 Feb (1 im) Boone L (RLK). Killdeer: 14 Jan (90) Lst (RLK, DEH), max. Least
Sandpiper: 14 Jan (1) Lst (RLK, DEH), second Jan. record in Johnson City area; no

1993

THE MIGRANT

51

word on Chatttanooga area wintering sites. American Woodcock: 1 Jan (1) Haws
Crossroads, Wash. Co. (Stan Strickland); 13 Feb (1 ) Austin Springs, Wash. Co. (JWB);
27 Feb (2) Amnicola Marsh, Hamilton Co. (RJH). Bonaparte's Gull: 9 Jan (600) Chick
L (RJH), max. Ring-billed Gull: 9 Jan (about 3000) Chick L (RJH), max. Herring Gull:
9 Jan (20) Chick L (RJH), max. ICELAND GULL: 19 Dec-1 Jan, 11 Jan (1) Chick L
(Daniel Jacobson, RJH, m.ob.). LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL: 27 Feb into March
(1 ad) Nickajack L, Marion Co. (RJH, m.ob.). Caspian Tern: 22 Jan (1 ) Chick L (PCD,
second winter record in state.

Passerines: Horned Lark: 4 Jan (29) Lst (RLK); 30 Jan (3) Marion Co. (RJH); none
found in parts of Greene and Jeff. Cos. where previously occurred (JAK). Red-
breasted Nuthatch: 6 Dec (1) Wash Co. (RLK), only report. House Wren: 22 Jan (1)
Hawkins Co. (RLK). American Robin: very few in the Johnson City area, after being
numerous last winter. Brown Thrasher: only one Johnson City area report (JWN).
Cedar Waxwing: none in the Johnson City area from the CBC period until late
spring, a most unusual occurrence (m.ob.); no mention by other reporting stations.
Loggerhead Shrike: above average numbers in Johnson City area, 10 on Wash. Co.
WRRS route in Dec & Jan (RLK, DEH). Palm Warbler: 9 & 30 Jan (1) Johnson City
(RLK); 16 Jan (3) Hiwas R (KHD); 6 Feb (2) Jeff. Co. (JAK); 25 Feb (1) Blount Co. (JAK).
Chipping Sparrow: 5 Feb (1 ) Johnson City (JWN). Vesper Sparrow: 21 Feb (4) Wash.
Co. (RLK, DEH). Savannah Sparrow: about 30 all season on farm in Jeff. Co. (JAK).
White-crowned Sparrow: 26 Dec (120) McDonald, Greene Co. (JAK), max. Brewer's
Blackbird: 6 Dec (2, m&f) Lst (RLK). Purple Finch: very scarce in Johnson City area,
mild influx to feeders in late Feb (m.ob.). Pine Siskin & Evening Grosbeak: no
reports.

Locations: Boone L-Boone Lake, Sullivan & Washington Cos.; Chick L-Chickamauga
Lake, Hamilton Co. portion; Hiwas R-Hiwassee River Area, primarily Meigs Co.,
but also Bradley, McMinn, & Rhea Cos.; Jeff. Co.-Jefferson Co.; Lst-Limestone,
Washington Co.; Wash. Co.-Washington Co.

RICHARD L. KNIGHT, 804 North Hills Drive, Johnson City, TN 37604

EASTERN MOUNTAIN REGION — Precipitation was above normal for Decem-
ber and about normal for the rest of the period. Roan Mountain received 18 inches
of snow on 1 1 December.

Birding during this period was considered dull by most observers. Ducks were
scarce in places where they are normally common, like Wilbur and Watauga Lakes.
There was no cone crop on Roan Mountain this winter. Thus, there were no
nuthatches, grosbeaks, finches, crossbills or siskin there either. Brown Creepers,
both kinglets. Winter Wrens, and Hermit Thrushes were in above average numbers.
The Northern Bobwhite was virtually absent from northeast Tennessee and south-
west Virginia Christmas counts. We need to keep a closer eye on populations of that
species.

Loon-Gull: Common Loon: 13 Jan/22 Feb (3) Wat L (RLK); 7 Feb (1) S Hoi L (JWB).
American Black Duck: only 2-3 reports of 1-2 birds on Wilbur L. Gadwall: 8/30 Jan
(2) Erwin, Unicoi Co. (FJA, JWN). Ring-necked Duck: max of 24 on Wilbur L. Lesser
Scaup: 26 Dec (93) S Hoi L (RPL, JWC, et al.), max. Bufflehead: 20 Dec (145) Wilbur

52

THE SEASON: WINTER 1992-93

JUNE

L (LHTOS), max. Hooded Merganser: 6 Feb (1) Watauga River, Carter Co. (JWB); 22
Feb (1) Wat L (RLK). Bald Eagle: 30 Jan (2 ad) Wat L (Rusty Dunn), possibly
overwintered. Peregrine Falcon: 19 Dec (1) Eliz. (Gary Wallace). Wild Turkey: 26 Dec
(2) S Hoi L (JWC, et al.). Northern Bobwhite: lacking on most area CBCs. Bonaparte's
Gull: 26 Dec (3) S Hoi L (JWC et al). Ring-billed Gull: 26 Dec (534) Bristol CBC (RPL,
JWC, RLK), max.; 31 Dec (40)/22 Feb (14) Wat L (RLK).

Phoebe-Grosbeak: Eastern Phoebe: 26 Dec (8) Bristol CBC (RPL, JWC, RLK), max.,
slightly above normal numbers. Horned Lark: 26 Dec (26) S Hoi R (RLK). Red-
breasted Nuthatch: 19 Feb (3) Unaka Mountain, Unicoi Co. (RM), only report. House
Wren: 20 Dec (1) Eliz. CBC (Brian Cross, Glenn Swofford, Shirley & Jim Way land).
American Robin: very scarce all season. American Pipit: 26 Dec (12) S Hoi R (RLK).
Cedar Waxwing: low numbers, none after 20 Dec. Palm Warbler: 6 Feb (2) Eliz.
(JWB). Northern Cardinal: 1 8 Dec (1 m at 4450 ft elev) Roan Mt CBC (RLK). Chipping
Sparrow: 13 Dec (1) Hampton, Carter Co. (Tom McNeil). Swamp Sparrow: 26 Dec
(7) S Hoi L (JWC et al.). Purple Finch: 1 8 Dec (4) Roan Mt CBC, 1 -2 feeder reports, only
reports. Red Crossbill: 18 Dec (1) Ripshin Lake, Carter Co. (FJA), only report. Pine
Siskin: 2 reports of 2 birds (Jan & Feb) at Milligan, Carter Co. (RM, FJA). Evening
Grosbeak: no reports.

Locations: Eliz.-Elizabethton, Carter Co; Roan Mt.-Roan Mountain, Carter Co.;
S Hoi L-South Holston Lake, Sullivan Co.; S Hoi R-South Holston River, Sullivan
Co.; Wat L-Watauga Lake, Carter and/or Johnson Cos.; Wilbur L- Wilbur Lake,
Carter Co.

RICHARD P. LEWIS, 407 V.I. Ranch Road, Bristol, TN 37620

OBSERVERS

FJA - Fred J. Alsop
JWB - James W. Brooks
CHB - Carolyn H. Bullock
JWC - J. Wallace Coffey
WGC - William G. Criswell
DLD - Don. L. Davidson
HBD - Helen B. Dikelspiel
KHD - Kenneth H. Dubke
LHD - Lillian H. Dubke
BLG - Bethany L. Greene
GMG - Gail M. Greene
JCG - J. Christopher Greene
MAG - Mark A. Greene
MLG - Murray L. Gardler
DEH - DanE.Huffine
RDH - Ron D. Hoff
RJH - R. John Henderson
JAK - Jon A. Koella
RLK - Richard L. Knight
PGL - P. Galen Lenhert
RPL - Richard P. Lewis

SLL - Selma L. Lewis
OKM - O. Knox Martin
RM - Rad Mayfield
SNM - Susan N. McWhirter
DoM - Dollyann Myers
FJM - F. Joseph McLaughlin
MLM - Margaret L. Mann
JWN - Jerry W. Nagel
GRP - George R. Payne
JBP - Jeanne B. Payne
VBR - Virginia B. Reynolds
CS - Candy Swan
RWS - Richard W. Simmers, Jr.

BHW - Barbara H. Wilson

JEW - James E. Waldron

JRW - Jeff R. Wilson

MGW- Martha G. Waldron

LHTOS - Lee Herndon Chapter of TOS

MTOS - Memphis Chaper of TOS

TWRA - Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency

INSTRUCTIONS TO AUTHORS

The Migrant records observations and studies of birds in Tennessee and adjacent
areas. Most articles are written by members of the Tennessee Ornithological
Society.

SUBMISSIONS: The original and, if feasible, two copies of the manuscript
should be sent to the Editor: J. Wallace Coffey, 100 Bellebrook Dr., Bristol, TN 37620.
Manuscripts that have been published in other journals should not be submitted.

MATERIAL: The subject matter should relate to some phase of Tennessee
ornithology. It should be original, factual, concise, and scientifically accurate.

STYLE: Both articles and short notes are solicited; recent issues of The Migrant
should be used as a guide in the preparation of manuscripts. Where more detail is
needed, reference should be made to the CBE Style Manual; this book is available
at many public libraries and from the Council of Biology Editors, Inc., Ill East
Wacker Drive, Suite 3200, Chicago, IL 60601-4298.

COPY: Manuscripts should be typed double spaced on 8.5 x 11" paper with
adequate margins for editorial notations. Tables should be prepared on separate
sheets with appropriate title and column headings. Photographs intended for
reproduction should be sharp with good contrast on glossy white paper; black and
white photographs will usually reproduce better than color photographs. Weights,
measurements, and distances should be in metric units. Dates should be in
"continental" form (e.g., 16 March 1992). Use the 24-hour clock (e.g., 0500 or 1900).

NOMENCLATURE: The scientific name of a species should be given after the
first use of the full common name in the text. The scientific name should be
underlined and in parentheses. Names should follow the A.O.U. Check-list of
North American Birds (sixth edition, 1983, or supplements).

TITLE: The title should be concise, specific, and descriptive.

ABSTRACT: Manuscripts of five or more typed pages should include an ab-
stract. The abstract should be less than 5% of the length of the manuscript. It should
include a brief explanation of why the research was done, the major results, and
why the results are important.

LITERATURE CITED: List all literature citations in a Literature Cited section at
the end of the text. Text citations should include the author and year.

IDENTIFICATION: Manuscripts including reports of rare or unusual species or
of species at atypical times should be submitted to the TOS Bird Records Commit-
tee. Verifying evidence should include: date, time, light and weather conditions,
exact location, habitat, optical equipment, distance, behavior of bird, comparison
with other similar species, characteristic markings, experience of observer, other
observers verifying the identification, and reference works consulted.

REPRINTS: Reprints are available to authors on request. Billing to authors will
be through the TOS Treasurer.

SEASON REPORTS: Observations that are to be considered for publication in
The Season section should be mailed to the appropriate Regional Compiler.
Consult a recent issue of The Migrant for the name and address of the compilers.

3 9088 00998

0731

CONTENTS

THE 1992 FORAY: HAYWOOD COUNTY, TENNESSEE

Robert P. Ford and Paul B. Hamel 25

ENCOUNTERS OF A TENNESSEE-HACKED BALD EAGLE

Robert M. Hatcher 32

IN MEMORIAM: LILLIE HASSLOCK MAYFIELD, 1890-1990

George R. Mayfield, Jr 33

MINUTES OF 1993 BOARD OF DIRECTORS & BUSINESS MEETING

Bob Hatcher 35

1993 SPRING FIELD DAYS

Susan N. McWhirter 39

THE SEASON — WINTER 1992-93

Robert P. Ford 45

WESTERN COASTAL PLAIN REGION

Martha G. Waldron 47

HIGHLAND RIM AND BASIN REGION

P. Galen Lenhert 48

CUMBERLAND PLATEAU/RIDGE AND VALLEY REGION

Richard L. Knight 50

EASTERN MOUNTAIN REGION

Richard P. Lewis :.. 51

OBSERVERS 52

NOTICE TO RESEARCHERS

Several references in this issue include dates later than the cover date of June 1993. The journal
is behind schedule and it has been necessary to use material which, in some cases, was submitted and
accepted later in the year.

(Vol. 64, 1993)

[ACTUAL PRINTING DATE: 30 May 1995]