The Migrant

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A Quarterly Journal
Devoted To Tennessee Birds

Published by
The Tennessee
Ornithological
Society

September 1993
VoL. 64, No. 3

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 STAFF

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

OFHCERS FOR 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. Ferguson, 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 September 1993 NO. 3

The Migrant, 64 (3): 53-57, 1993.

REPORT OF THE TENNESSEE BIRD RECORDS COMMITTEE

Richard L. Knight

804 North Hills Drive, Johnson City, TN 37604

This report describes actions taken by the Bird Records Committee (formerly
Certification Committee) of the Tennessee Ornithological Society from 1987 into
1993. Committee members and alternates who served during this period were
Dianne P. Bean, Don L. Davidson, Robert P. Ford, R. John Henderson, Richard L.
Knight, George R. Payne, Jr., Stephen J. Stedman, James T. Tanner, David F. Vogt,
and Martha G. Waldron. Most voting was conducted through the mail. Previous
publications of the committee are the official state list (Nicholson 1983) and an
addendum (Nicholson and Stedman 1988). Future reports of the committee should
appear on an annual basis.

Acceptance criteria have remained the same. A species is placed on the confirmed
list based upon either (a) extant, verified specimen, photograph, or sound recording,
each accompanied by written details, or (b) satisfactory written documentation of
three independent sight records. Lacking these levels of documentation, a species is
placed on the provisional list based upon one or two sight records with satisfactory
written documentation. Acceptance to either list requires a unanimous decision by
the committee.

In this account, the committee reports 29 accepted records of 22 species (plus one
subspecies) and seven records of five species that were not accepted. A couple of
records from this coverage period are still pending. Full written accounts of over half
of these records have not yet been published, as is the case for many other previous
records. The committee encourages birders to write and publish accounts of their
observations, as these will become significant historic notes.

As a result of committee action taken up to this point, the official Tennessee bird
list consists of 355 confirmed species and 19 provisional species for a total of 374
species.

Observers who submitted documentation to the committee are Benton Basham,
Donald W. Blunk, James Brooks, Carolyn H. Bullock, C. Kinian Cosner, Jr., William
G. Criswell, Brian Cross, Jack Dodd, C. Gerald Drewry, Jr., Darryl Edmisson,
Maurice E. Edwards, Victor Fazio, Kay Flowers, Joyce Haigh, Ellen Hammond, John
Henderson, Michael Hughes, William N. Jernigan, Richard L. Knight, J. Anthony
Koella, Howard P. Langridge, Madge Lawrence, Larry Masters, Virginia B. Rey-
nolds, John C. Robinson, Damien J. Simbeck, Bobby Snow, Stephen J. Stedman,
Martha

53

54

BIRD RECORDS COMMITTEE

SEPTEMBER

Waldron, and Terry Witt. The committee thanks these people for their cooperation.

Records mentioned only in seasonal summaries in The Migrant or American Birds
(now Audubon Field Notes) are cited in the text.

ACCEPTED RECORDS

Pacific Loon {Gavia pacifica): Written documentation of a single bird seen at Percy
Priest Lake, Davidson County, from 6-20 March 1988 {Am. Birds 42:445, 1988) was
accepted on second reading. This becomes the first record for the state and the
species is placed on the provisional list.

Magnificent Frigatebird {Fregata magnificens): Photographs and written docu-
mentation of a single bird seen soaring over Cherokee Lake, Jefferson County
portion, on 24 September 1988 {Migrant 60:31, 1989) clearly indicate this species.
Written documentation of a single bird seen flying over Columbia, Maury County,
on 27 September 1988 {Migrant 60:28, 1989) was also accepted. These represent the
first and second records for the state and the photographs place the species on the
confirmed list.

Great White Heron {Ardea herodias occidentalis): Written documentation and
marginal photographs of a single bird seen at South Holston Lake, Sullivan County
(and across the border in Virginia), on 15-16 October 1990 (Knight et al. 1992) were
accepted on second reading. This record was also accepted by the Virginia Records
Committee (T. Kain, pers. comm.). This becomes the first state record of what is
currently regarded as a race of the Great Blue Heron {A. herodias).

Glossy Ibis {Plegadisfalcinellus): Written documentation of a single bird seen at the
Barkley Waterfowl Management Area, Stewart County, on 10-11 May 1988 {Migrant
59:96, 1988) was accepted. This becomes the third accepted record (lacking photo-
graphs) in the state; thus, the species is moved up from the provisional list to the
confirmed list.

White-faced Ibis {Plegadis chihi): Photographs and written documentation of a
flock of 19+ birds seen at the T.E. Maxson Sewage Treatment Plant (a.k.a. Ensley
Bottoms, now called The EARTH Complex), Shelby County, on 19 April 1990
(Waldron 1990) clearly indicate this species. This becomes the first unequivocal
record for the state (see Robinson 1990). The photographs allow the species to be
placed on the confirmed list.

Roseate Spoonbill {Ajaia ajaja): Written documentation of a single bird seen at
Cross Creeks NWR, Stewart County, on 23 July 1989 {Migrant 60:105, 1989) was
accepted. This becomes the second state record and the species remains on the
provisional list.

Ross' Goose {Chen rossii): Written documentation of three birds seen at Britton
Ford, part of the Big Sandy Unit of the Tennessee NWR, Henry County, on 25
February 1988 {Migrant 59:64, 1988) was accepted. This becomes the third state
record, moving the species from the provisional list up to the confirmed list.

White-tailed Kite {Elanus leucurus): Written documentation of a single bird seen
near Dyersburg, Dyer County, on 20 May 1991 (Criswell 1991b) was accepted.
Photographs and written documentation of a single bird seen at Little Turkey Creek,
Humphrey's County, on 22 June 1991 {Am. Birds 45:1125, 1991) clearly indicate this
species. These become the first and second state records, with the photographs
allowing placement of the species on the confirmed list. This species was formerly
known as Black-shouldered Kite (E. caeruleus).

1993

THE MIGRANT

55

Snowy Plover {Charadrius alexandrinus): Written documentation of a single bird
seen at Island 13, Lake County, on 9-18 September 1985 {Migrant 57:22, 1986) was
accepted. Written documentation of a single bird seen near Lenox, Dyer County, on
27 March 1992 {Migrant 63:72, 1992) was accepted. These become the second and
third records for the state, with the species already on the confirmed list.

Wilson's Plover {Charadrius wilsonia): Written documentation of a single bird seen
at the T.E. Maxson Sewage Lagoons (a.k.a. Ensley Bottoms, now called The EARTH
Complex), Shelby County, on 17 April 1988 (Waldron 1989b) was accepted. This
becomes the first accepted record in the state and the species is placed on the
provisional list. Two older reports (West 1957, Migrant 32:44, 1961) lacked details
and were deemed unacceptable by the committee prior to publishing the official list
in 1983.

Long-billed Curlew {Numenius americanus): Written documentation of a single
bird seen near Tiptonville, Lake County, on 11 September 1991 was accepted. This
becomes the second record for the state and the species remains on the provisional
list.

Sharp-tailed Sandpiper {Calidris acuminata): A published photograph {Am. Birds
47:106, 1993) and written documentation of a single bird seen at The EARTH
Complex, Shelby County, on 12-19 September 1992 were accepted. This becomes the
first state record and the species is placed on the confirmed list.

Ruff {Philomachus pugnax): Written documentation of a single bird seen at the T.E.
Maxson Sewage Lagoons (a.k.a. Ensley Bottoms, now called The EARTH Complex),
Shelby County, on 21 August 1988 (Waldron 1989a) was accepted. Written docu-
mentation of a single bird seen at Austin Springs, Washington County, on 10-13 May
1989 (Knight 1990) was also accepted. These become the second and third state
records and the species is moved up from the provisional list to the confirmed list.

Pomarine Jaeger {Stercorarius pomarinus): Written documentation of two birds
seen at Watauga Lake, Carter and Johnson counties, on 22-23 September 1989
(Langridge and Cross 1991) was accepted. This becomes the second state record,
with the species already on the confirmed list.

Parasitic Jaeger {Stercorarius parasiticus): Written documentation of a single bird
seen at Watauga Lake, Johnson County portion, on 22-23 September 1989 (Lang-
ridge and Cross 1991) was accepted. This becomes the third record in the state, with
the species already on the confirmed list.

Common Black-headed Gull {Larus ridibundus): Written documentation of a
single bird seen at Kingston Steam Plant, Roane County, on 1 May 1988 {Migrant
59:101, 1988) was accepted. This becomes the second state record, with the species
already on the confirmed list.

Lesser Black-backed Gull {Larus fuscus): Written documentation of two immature
birds seen at Pickwick Dam, Hardin County, on 28-29 December 1990 {Migrant
62:31, 1991) was accepted. Written documentation and a marginal photograph of an
adult gull seen at Chickamauga Lake, Hamilton County, on 13 February 1991 (Witt
1992) were accepted. These become the first and second accepted state records and
the species is placed on the confirmed list.

Sabine's Gull {Xema sabini): Written documentation of a single bird seen at
Chickamauga Lake, Hamilton County, on 20 September 1988 was accepted. This
becomes the first state record and the species is placed on the provisional list.

56

BIRD RECORDS COMMITTEE

SEPTEMBER

Royal Tern (Sterna maxima): Written documentation of two birds seen at Watauga
Lake, Johnson County portion, on 22 September 1989 (Langridge and Cross 1991)
was accepted. This becomes the first state record and the species is placed on the
provisional list.

Arctic Tern (Sterna paradisaea): Written documentation of a single bird seen at
Island 13, Lake County, on 6 July 1990 (Criswell 1991a, Cardiff and Dittmann 1991)
was accepted. This becomes the first state record and the species is placed on the
provisional list.

Black-chinned Hummingbird (Archilochus alexandri): Photographs and written
documentation of a single bird measured and banded at Chattanooga, Hamilton
County, on 6 November 1990 (Sargent 1993) were accepted. This becomes the first
state record and the species is placed on the confirmed list.

Varied Thrush (Ixoreus naevius): Photographs and written documentation of a
single bird seen at Signal Mountain, Hamilton County, from 13 December 1990 to 12
March 1991 (Edwards 1991, Am. Birds 45:340 [photograph], 1991) clearly indicate
this species. Written documentation of a single bird seen near Soddy, Hamilton
County, on 11-12 Eebruary 1991 (Migrant 63:62, 1992) was accepted. These become
the first and second state records and the species is placed on the confirmed list.

Pine Grosbeak (Pinicola enucleator): Written documentation of four birds seen at
Eagle Creek, Tennessee NWR, Benton County, on 28 March 1992 (Migrant 63:73,
1992) was accepted. This becomes the first state record (not counting fossil evidence,
see Parmalee and Klippel 1982) and the species is placed on the provisional list.

RECORDS NOT ACCEPTED

Storm-petrel sp.: Written documentation of a single bird seen at Watauga Lake,
Carter County portion, on 22 September 1989 (Langridge and Cross 1991) was not
accepted (1-2 vote) due to the extreme distance and poor weather conditions.

White-tailed Tropicbird (Phaethon lepturus): Written documentation of a single
bird seen flying over Douglas Lake, Jefferson County, on 8 September 1990 was not
accepted (1-2 vote) due to the brevity and great distance involved, as well as a lack
of weather patterns sufficient to drive such a highly pelagic species so far inland.

Lesser Black-backed Gull: Written documentation of an adult gull seen at Wa-
tauga Lake, Johnson County portion, on 22 September 1989 (Langridge and Cross
1991) was not accepted (1-2 vote) due to the lack of size comparison and leg color
determination, plus the distance involved. Written documentation of an immature
gull seen at Pickwick Dam, Hardin County, on three dates from 10 Eebruary to 11
April 1990 (Am. Birds 44:441, 1990) was not accepted (2-1 vote) due to insufficient
detail to eliminate all other possibilities.

Say's Phoebe (Sayornis say a): Written documentation of a single bird seen at
Nashville, Davidson County, on 4 October 1987 was not accepted (2-1 vote) due to
an incomplete description.

Kirtland's Warbler (Dendroica kirtlandii): Written documentation of a single bird
seen at Jonesborough, Washington County, on 1 October 1989 (Am. Birds 44:91, 1990)
was not accepted (1-2 vote). Written documentation of a single bird seen at
Chattanooga, Hamilton County, on 8 October 1989 was not accepted (1-2 vote).
Committee members felt that each record lacked enough detail to eliminate all other
possibilities.

1993

THE MIGRANT

57

LITERATURE CITED

Cardiff, S.W. and D. Dittmann. 1991. Comments on the first Arctic Tern record
for Tennessee. Migrant 62:67-68.

Criswell, W.G. 1991a. Arctic Tern at Island 13, Lake County, Tennessee: The first
state record. Migrant 62:66.

Criswell, W.G. 1991b. The first Tennessee record of a Black-shouldered Kite.
Migrant 62:69.

Edwards, M.E. 1991. First record of a Varied Thrush in Tennessee. Migrant 62:
57-65.

Knight, R.L. 1990. Ruff in northeast Tennessee. Migrant 61:44.

Knight, R.L., H.P. Langridge and B.L. Cross. 1992. Great White Heron at South
Holston Lake, Tennessee and Virginia. Migrant 63:1-3.

Langridge, H.P. and B. Cross. 1991. Hurricane Hugo brings oceanic birds to
Watauga Lake, Tennessee. Migrant 62:29-31.

Nicholson, C.P. 1983. The official list of Tennessee birds. Migrant 54:2-5.

Nicholson, C.P. and S.J. Stedman. 1988. The official list of Tennessee birds:
Addendum 1. Migrant 59:1-4.

Parmalee, P.W. and W.E. Klippel. 1982. Evidence of a boreal avifauna in middle
Tennessee during the late Pleistocene. Auk 99:365-368.

Robinson, J.C. 1990. An annotated checklist of the birds of Tennessee. University
of Tennessee Press: Knoxville.

Sargent, R.M. 1993. A Black-chinned Hummingbird in Tennessee. Migrant 63:
1-3.

Waldron, M. 1989a. Second record of Ruff in Tennessee. Migrant 60:51.

Waldron, M. 1989b. Wilson's Plover sighting in Shelby County, Tennessee.
Migrant 61:65-66.

Waldron, M. 1990. First Tennessee record of White-faced Ibis. Migrant 61:65-66.

West, Mrs. E.M. 1957. Fall water birds at Chattanooga. Migrant 28:57-59.

Witt, T.J. 1992. The Lesser Black-backed Gull in Tennessee. Migrant 63:89-90.

Accepted 29 January 1995.

The Migrant, 63 (3): 58, 1993.

ANHINGA OVER AMNICOLA MARSH,

HAMILTON COUNTY, TENNESSEE

Lillian H. Dubke

8139 Roy Lane, Ooltewah, TN 37363

On an 11 October 1987 field trip to Amnicola Marsh, Hamilton County, Tennes-
see, a female Anhinga {Anhinga anhinga) was identified as it soared overhead. The
individuals who saw and identified the bird were Lillian H. Dubke, Paul C. Harris,
Elena S. Killian, Jonnie Sue Lyons and J. Thomas Patton.

At the time of the sighting (15:30 hrs) the sun was to the rear with extremely clear
viewing conditions. The bird first appeared low over the nearby treetops gliding at
approximately 7-8m (25 ft) above. It presented a feeling of leisurely movement —
flapping only. Then it caught a thermal and soared gracefully, circling in wider rings
and turning so that its silhouette and color were diagnostic: buffy neck and breast;
silvery wing patches; a long thin outstretched neck; body thin; wings flat and
pointed; tail same length as the head and neck, but fanned out. It soared higher and
higher and then descended again near the treetops and finally headed out of sight
toward the nearby Tennessee River.

Optical equipment used included 10x40 Leitz binoculars and two of the observers
(Dubke and Killian) were able to track the bird with their 15-60x Bausch & Lomb and
20-45x Redfield telescopes. All of the observers were well acquainted with the
species from frequent sightings in Florida.

These are details on the first East Tennessee sighting {Migrant 59:39, 1988).

Accepted 27 November 1992.

58

The Migrant, 63 (3): 59-60, 1993.

MAJOR FALLOUT OF WATER BIRDS IN NORTHEAST TENNESSEE

Richard L. Knight

804 North Hills Drive, Johnson City, TN 37604

Inclement weather associated with the passage of a cold front caused a fallout of
many migrating water birds in the northeast corner of Tennessee on 9 November
1991. More than 6,000 birds of 32 species were involved (Table 1). Included were
several rare species and unusually high numbers of others in a part of the state not
known for spectacular flights of water birds. Following this same weather system,
several noteworthy sightings were reported from western and central North Caro-
lina (LeGrand 1992).

The cold front passed through northeast Tennessee during the night of 8-9
November 1991 with fog, light rain or snow, and temperatures of zero to -5°C. Ice
formed in some mountainous areas, and at least 26 birds (mostly diving ducks) were
killed by traffic on an icy road at Flag Pond in Unicoi County early on the 9th.
Overcast conditions and cool temperatures (to 8°C) prevailed that day. As it was a
Saturday, two groups and several individual observers were afield.

The compilation in Table 1 does not include the following: resident Canada Geese
(over 500 seen that day), one Snow Goose present at Wilbur Lake since mid-
September, resident Wood Ducks (over 250 seen, may have included some mi-
grants), two lingering Blue- winged Teal in Washington County, and a few Greater
Yellowlegs, Pectoral Sandpipers, and Dunlin present before the frontal passage.
Further influx of migrants occurred on following days.

Comments on selected species:

Red-throated Loon: one on South Holston Lake on 12 November.

Common Loon: one grounded on a wet road at the base of Roan Mountain was
the first record there; it was released on Watauga Lake by a Carter County wildlife
officer.

Horned Grebe: the 550 on Boone Lake is a new high count for the state; the
previous local high was 79.

Tundra Swan: two found on the Nolichucky River in Washington County
remained until 1 March 1992, for the second overwintering record locally.

Ring-necked Duck: increased to 260 on 14 November at Wilbur Lake.

scaup sp.: mostly Lesser Scaup, but included at least one Greater.

Black Scoter: the three on Boone Lake were females; another female was found on
South Holston Lake on 12 November; these represent the second and third local
records.

Bufflehead: increased to 345 on 14 November at Wilbur Lake.

Ruddy Duck: the 81 on Boone Lake is a new high count locally.

Ring-billed Gull: a small flock at Burbank, Carter County, was the first Roan
Mountain area record.

Observers: Rhine Britton, Brian Cross, Susan Ford, Beth Hogan, Jim Holt, Danny
Huffine, Richard Knight, Johnny & Pat Lynch, Robin Lynch, Tom McNeil, Charles
Moore, Linda Northrop, Stan Strickland, Gary Wallace, Frank Ward, Jennifer
Wilson, and Pete Wyatt.

LITERATURE CITED

LeGrand, H.E., Jr. 1992. Briefs for the files. Chat 56:83-93.

Accepted 16 November 1993.

59

60 FALLOUT OF WATER BIRDS SEPTEMBER

Table 1. Water Bird Fallout in Northeast Tennessee (9 November 1991)

species

NWS

NOR

BOL

WIL

WAT

SHL

other

total

Common Loon

5

.

11

10

78

10

1

115

Pied-billed Grebe

2

6

6

1

8

42

1

66

Horned Grebe

-

-

550

1

14

70

1

636

Double-crested Cormorant

54

1

-

1

-

56

Great Egret

1

-

-

-

-

-

"

1

Tundra Swan

1

3

-

-

_

-

-

4

Green-winged Teal

-

5

5

1

4

-

2

17

American Black Duck

50

-

-

12

2

-

-

64

Mallard

12

4

6

45

-

-

-

67

Northern Shoveler

-

-

-

1

-

-

-

1

Gadwall

-

8

_

5

6

-

22

41

American Wigeon

-

1

-

22

13

-

-

36

Canvasback

-

3

-

-

-

-

1

4

Redhead

-

8

20

2

-

5

5

40

Ring-necked Duck

-

35

100

108

3

1

35

282

scaup sp.

-

6

900

8

140

1500

1

2555

Surf Scoter

-

-

-

9

-

-

-

9

White-winged Scoter

-

-

-

-

2

-

2

Black Scoter

-

-

3

_

-

-

-

3

Common Goldeneye

-

20

-

-

"

2

-

22

Bufflehead

_

10

95

160

117

35

-

417

Hooded Merganser

-

34

1

6

14

4

11

70

Red-breasted Merganser

-

-

-

-

22

44

-

66

Ruddy Duck

-

2

81

-

18

57

-

158

American Coot

1

15

65

1

200

450

40

772

Dunlin

3

_

_

2

_

-

-

5

Bonaparte's Gull

-

200

42

-

50

125

-

417

Ring-billed Gull

8

120

30

76

20

10

60

324

Herring Gull

2

-

-

-

-

-

-

2

Common Tern

1

-

-

-

“

-

-

1

Forster's Tern

1

-

_

8

-

-

9

tern sp.

-

3

-

~

-

-

-

3

Grand Total 6265

key: NWS=Nolichucky Waterfowl Sanctuary, Greene Co.; NOR~Nolichucky River &
nearby ponds, Washington & Unicoi Cos.; BOL=Boone Lake, Washington & Sullivan
Cos.; WIL=Wilbur Lake & Watauga River, Carter Co.; WAT=Watauga Lake, Carter &
Johnson Cos.; SHL=South Holston Lake, Sullivan Co.; other=other scattered locations
(mostly farm ponds).

Accepted 16 November 93

The Migrant, 63 (3): 61, 1993.

BOOK REVIEW

Robert M. Hatcher

Enjoying Nature About Us — A Tennessee Farmer's Lifelong Observations. Joe D.
Allen. 1994. Austin Peay State University Center for Field Biology, Clarksville. 310
pp. $4.00

The author is a keen observer and student of nature. For 38 years, he has written
a weekly nature column for The Leaf-Chronicle of Clarksville, Tennessee. At the
suggestion of Dr. David Snyder, biology professor and ornithologist at Austin Peay
State University, a sampling of his more than 1,800 articles were compiled for this
paperback book. Approximately half the book (Section I) is devoted to accounts of
60 bird species, including 27 residents, 26 warm season, and 7 cool season species
and/ or groups (e.g. vultures). Section 11 provides 24 pages of practical presentation,
appropriate landscaping materials, and feeding. Sections Ill-V provide 96 pages of
further species/group accounts about mammals, insects, herps, and plant species.
Adaptations to nature and values to the farmer /environment are common threads
of much of his accounts. His interesting write style helps people of all ages and
education levels to better understand, appreciate, enjoy, and conserve birds and
other nature around them. The book is provided at a bargain price as an education
project of APSU, with no royalties going to the author. It is available from:
Publications Manager, The Center of Field Biology, APSU, Clarksville, TN 37044 at
$4.00 per copy.

Received 20 May 1994.

61

The Migrant, 64 (3): 62-72, 1993.

THE SEASON

Robert P. Ford, Editor

SPRING 1993

Spring migration across the state seemed sporadic this season. Waves of birds
traveled through Tennessee early, and later flights were apparently stalled south of
Tennessee during severe weather. Once the weather cleared, many birds seemed to
pass quickly through Tennessee. The weather was significant this season. After a
warm winter in Tennessee, spring brought cooler temperatures. The weather event
''of the century" was a snowstorm that covered much of the eastern United States
during the second week of March (a detailed account is given in the Cumberland
Plateau and Ridge and Valley report).

Each regional compiler offers detailed reports from across the state in this
exceptionally long report. As a result, I will not go into significant detail here, but
instead I will encourage you to find the significant observations in each region. To
add incentive to your search, consider the new state record this season: a Clark's
Grebe.

Abbreviations used in this report include ad-adult; b-banded; Co.-county; EOP-
end of period; ers-earliest reported sighting; fide-reported by; im-immature; Irs-
latest reported sighting; max-maximum one-day count in one county or location;
m.ob.-many observers; ^-written details submitted.

WESTERN COASTAL PLAIN REGION — Spring migration was a little late, but
some species managed to make new early and late dates for the region and the state.
The spring season was marked with cool temperatures following a mild winter. The
expected spring showers were as late as the spring arrivals. All species of warblers
were accounted for this season. Warblers had special attention at Reelfoot Lake
during the Spring meeting of the TOS.

Unexpected visitors were the Tricolored Heron, the Oldsquaw residing from two
past seasons, a Golden Eagle, a Piping Plover, a Laughing Gull and a Painted
Bunting in Lake County. A late state record was set by the Tundra Swan. Early state
records were set by the Western Sandpiper, Long-billed Dowitcher, and a Blue
Grosbeak. Many other early and late west Tennessee records set by other migrants
are noted in the report.

Loon-Merganser: Common Loon: 5/7 May (1) Hardeman Co. (Robert Ilardi); 13
May (1) Dyer Co. (WGC). Horned Grebe: 9/27 Mar (2) Rift L S P, Lake Co. (WGC).
American White Pelican: 21 Mar (6) TEC (DoM, VBR, MGW); 28 Mar-1 Apr (40)
Dyer Co.; 10-20 Apr (37) Lake Co. (WGC); 17 Apr (140+) TEC (MLG, MGW); 4 May

62

1993

THE MIGRANT

63

(3) Lake Co. (WGC). Double-crested Cormorant: 9-29 Mar (400+) Long Pt, Rift L
NWR (m^GC); 20 Mar (650-700) TEC (MLG). American Bittern: 20 Apr (1) Lake Co.
(WGC); 2 May (1) Rift L S P, Lake Co. (RLK). TRICOLORED HERON: 1-26 May (5
max) Lake Co. (WGC, m.ob.). Yellow-crowned Night-Heron: several small colonies
reported in Memphis area (BBC, LCC), 31 Mar (4) courting behavior observed (Joyce
North, Madge Lawrence); individual birds were reported in Dyer and Lake Cos.
(WGC); 8 May (6) Haywood Co. (MAG, BLG). Black-crowned Night-Heron: 2 May

( 1 ) Black Slough / Phillipy Pits, Lake Co. (MAG, RLK) ; 4 / 1 8 May ( 1 ) Dyer Co., 26 May
(2 ad) Lake Co. (WGC). Tundra Swan: 5 Mar (3) Hatchie NWR (USm^S); 27 Mar (2)
Millington, Shelby Co. (Farris Myers), late state. Greater White-fronted Goose: 21
Mar (5) Dyer Co. (WGC). Northern Shoveler: 7 May (1) Lake Co. (MAG, BLG); 13
May (pair) Hwy 79W, Lake Co. (WGC), late west Tennessee. OLDSQUAW: 7-28 Mar

(2) TEC (DoM, VBR, MGW). Hooded Merganser: 14/21 May (1 female) Shelby
Farms (MLG), late for Shelby Co.

Raptors: Osprey: 5-29 Mar/8 May (1/2) O'Neal Lake, Hatchie NWR (USFWS,
MLG, BLG); 14/23 Mar (1 ) Rift L, Obion Co.; 27 Mar (1 ) Millington, Shelby Co. (Farris
Myers); 27 Mar-10 Apr (1) Dyer Co., two locations; 6 Apr (1 on nest) Rift L, Lake Co.,

20 Apr (2) Is 13 (WGC). Mississippi Kite: 31 Mar (1) TEC (Joyce North, Madge
Lawrence); 29 Apr-8/19 May (2) Shelby Farms (MTOS); 8 May (4) Hatchie NWR
(MAG, BLG). Bald Eagle: 5-9 Mar (2 ad) O'Neal Lake, Hatchie NWR (USFWS); 9 Mar
(2 ad on nest)- EOP (2 ad, 2 yg) new site on levee in Kentucky, north of Tenn. line
(WGC); 30 May (1 ad) Decatur Co. (Bonnie White). Northern Harrier: 13 May (1)
Shelby Farms (Gerald Papachristou), late Shelby Co. Sharp-shinned Hawk: 7 Mar (1 )
Gibson Co. (MAG, BLG); 10/27 Mar (1) Shelby Farms (SSL, VBR, MGW); 23 Mar (1)
Rift L S P, Lake Co. (WGC). Cooper's Hawk: 14 Mar (1) TEC (DoM, VBR, MGW); 29
Mar (1) Germantown, Shelby Co. (MLG); 4 Apr (1) Madison Co. (SNM). "Krider's"
Red-tailed Hawk: 7 Mar (1) TEC (VBR, MGW). GOLDEN EAGLE: 17 Mar (1 im)
Phillipy, Lake Co. (WGC), late west Tenn. Peregrine Falcon: 25 Apr (1) TEC (VBR);
29/30 (1) Dyer/Lake Cos. (WGC); 30 May (1 im) Memphis (OKM), late Shelby Co.
and west Tenn.

Sora^Phalarope: Sora: 16 Apr (1) TEC (DoM, VBR, MGW); 10/24 Apr (2) Hwy 79
and Great River Road, Lake Co. (WGC); 2 May (1) Lake Co. (VBR). Common
Moorhen: 26 Apr (4, heard others) Rift L, Obion Co. (WGC); 2 May (1) Rift L (WGC,
WRP, Keith Kunkel, Peggy Kunkel); 20 May-EOP (3) TEC (VBR, MGW, m.ob.).
American Coot: 29 Mar/6 Apr (225/390+) Rift L S P, Lake Co. (WGC). Black-bellied
Plover: 12/23 May (3/1) Dyer Co. (WGC). Observers submitting records for TEC
(CHB, MLG, Aaron Gwin, DoM, WRP, VBR, DLW, MGW). American Golden-
Plover: 8 Mar (24) Dyer Co., (32) Lake Co. (WGC); 15 Mar (22) Shelby Farms (MLG);

21 Mar/3 Apr (14/54) TEC (DoM, VBR, MGW); 26 Mar (2) Shelby Farms (VBR); 29
Mar (400) Lake Co.; 5 Apr (275) Dyer Co. (WGC). Semipalmated Plover: 7/26 May
(57/ 13) Lake Co. (WGC). Piping Plover: 20 Apr (1) Lake Co. (WGC), very rare spring
migrant, early west Tenn. Black-necked Stilt: 10 Apr (7) TEC; 24 Apr (2) Dyer Co.
(WGC); 5 May-EOP (35+ ad, 7 nests) TEC; 10 May (2) Shelby Farms (JBP, GRP); 23
May (2) North Treatment Plant, Shelby Co. (Pat Keiran). Greater Yellowlegs: 17 Mar
(1/4) Dyer/Lake Cos. (WGC); 25 Apr (10) TEC. Lesser Yellowlegs: 17 Mar (14)
Phillipy, Lake Co.; 15 Apr (56+) Lake Co. (WGC); 21 Mar (1) Shelby Farms (MGW);
7 Mar-20 May (75 max) TEC (VBR, MGW); 26 Apr (275+) Long Point, Rift L NWR

64

THE SEASON — SPRING 1993

SEPTEMBER

(WGC). Solitary Sandpiper: 3-17 Apr (9) TEC (MTOS). Willet: 13 Apr (1) TEC, early
west Tenn; 24 Apr (14) Lake Co. (WGC). Upland Sandpiper: 17 Apr (10) TEC
(MTOS); 13 May (1) Shelby Earms (GRP, JBP). Ruddy Turnstone: 23 May (1) North
Treatment Plant, Shelby Co. (Pat Keiran). Semipalmated Sandpiper: 5-29 May (371
max) TEC. Western Sandpiper: 26 Mar/ 10 May (1) Shelby Farms (VBR, GRP, JBP),
early state; 16 May (15+) TEC; 8 May (9) Hatchie NWR (MAG, BLG). Least
Sandpiper: 6 Mar (3) Shelby Farms (VBR); 6 Mar-29 May (32) TEC; 8 Mar (8) Lake Co.
(WGC). White-rumped Sandpiper: 4/26 May (16+) Lake Co. (WGC); 14 May (2)
Shelby Farms (MLG); 16 May-29 May (14 max) TEC. Baird's Sandpiper: 4 Apr (1)
Shelby Farms (VBR^ DoM, MGW); 8/29 May (4 max) TEC; 13/14 May (1) Shelby
Farms (GRP, JBP, MLG). Pectoral Sandpiper: 6/27 Mar (4/200+) Shelby Farms
(VBR, MLG, MGW); 7 Mar-20 May (125 max) TEC (VBR, MGW); 23 Mar (40) Lake
Co. (WGC). Dunlin: 31 Mar/29 May (6-8) TEC; 5 Apr (1) Dyer Co. (WGC); 26 May
(12) Is 13 (WGC). Stilt Sandpiper: 8 May (31) Long Point, Rift L NWR (WGC); 20 May
(14) TEC. Buff-breasted Sandpiper: 4 Apr (1) Shelby Farms (VBR% DoM, MGW),
early; 16 Apr (1) TEC. Dowitcher sp.: 18 May (15) Dyer Co. (WGC). Long-billed
Do Witcher: 12 Apr (1) TEC (MLG), early state. Short-billed Dowitcher: 25 Apr (7)
TEC (MLG, WRP). Wilson's Phalarope: 1 May (1) Lake Co. (TJW, CW); 5 May (1)
TEC.

Giill-Pipit: Laughing Gull: 25 Apr (1 ) Shelby Farms (CHB*^), rare migrant. Franklin's
Gull: 18 May (5) Dyer Co. (WGC). Bonaparte's Gull: 17 Mar (52) Rift L S P, Lake Co.
(WGC). Ring-billed Gull: 1 Mar (2) Trenton Wastewater Lagoon, Gibson Co. (MLG);
21 Mar (110) Shelby Farms (MGW); 10/30 Apr (1 /6) Lake Co. (WGC). Herring Gull:
27 Mar (1) Dyer Co. (WGC). Caspian Tern: 10/17 May (4/1) Dyer Co. (WGC).
Forster's Tern: 15/28 Apr (1/2) Dyer Co.; 26 Apr (1) Rift L, Lake Co. (WGC); 1 May
(3) Rift L, Lake Co. (MAG, m.ob.). Olive-sided Flycatcher: 28 Apr (1) Shelby Farms
(VBR). Yellow-bellied Flycatcher: 18/19 May (1) Shelby Farms (VBR% CHB, SNM,
MGW). Alder Flycatcher: 18 May (1) Shelby Farms (VBR% CHB, SNM, MGW).
Willow Flycatcher: 13 May (1) Shelby Farms (Gerald Papachristou). Least Fly-
catcher: 2-3 May (1) Rift L S P, Lake Co. (George Mayfield, RLK). Scissor-tailed
Flycatcher: 16 May (1) TEC (VBR, MGW). Barn Swallow: 14 Mar (1 ) TEC (DoM, VBR,
MGW). Cliff Swallow: 10 Apr (1) Shelby For S P (WRP); 13 May (15) Eagle Creek,
Decatur Co.; 14 May (300 nests, south side, 160 nests, north side) Tenn. River and US
Hwy. 412, Decatur/Perry Cos.; (450) Tenn. Hwy. 100 and Duck River, Decatur Co.
(BBC, LCC). Red-breasted Nuthatch: 13 Apr (1) Jackson, Madison Co. (Allen and
Helen Hight), only report. Brown Creeper: 2 May (1 ) Rift L S P, Lake Co. (RLK, David
Haggard). House Wren: 10 Apr (1) Shelby For S P (WRP); 17 Apr (1) TEC (MLG); 1
May (3) Lake Co. (RLK). Sedge Wren: 22 Mar (1) Shelby Farms (VBR). Marsh Wren:
10 Apr (11) Iris Hill, northeast Shelby Co. (James and Sue Ferguson); 13 Apr (1) TEC
(VBR). Ruby-crowned Kinglet: 15 May (1) Decatur Co. (CHB), late west Tenn.
American Pipit: 14 Mar (3) TEC (DoM, VBR, MGW); 15 Mar (2) Shelby Farms (MLG);
17 Mar (24) Phillipy, Lake Co. (WGC).

Vireo-Longspur: Red-eyed Vireo: 24 Mar (1) Shelby Farms (VBR), early Shelby Co.
and west Tenn. Cape May Warbler: 1 May (1) Burnt Woods, Rift L, Lake Co. (MAG).
Yellow-rumped Warbler: 31 May (1 ) Hardeman Co. (Linda Zempel, CHB), late west
Tenn. Palm Warbler: 24 Mar (1) Shelby Farms (VBR). Prothonotary Warbler: 31 Mar
(1) TEC (Joyce North, Madge Lawrence), early Shelby Co. Swainson's Warbler: 28/
29 Apr (1) Shelby Farms (WRP, VBR); 8 May (8) Memphis (MTOS); 9 May (1) Shelby

1993

THE MIGRANT

65

Farms (John and Linda Zempel); 13 May (1) Shelby Farms (CHB, VBR); 22 May (1)
Shelby For S P (Nature Conservancy). Connecticut Warbler: 12 May (1) Shelby
Farms (VBR). Mourning Warbler: 1 May (1) Walnut Log, Rift L, Obion Co. (CHB,
Dianne Bean); 13 May (1) Shelby Farms (CHB, VBR); 17 May (1) Iris Hill Farm,
northeast Shelby Co. (Sue Ferguson). Blue Grosbeak: 24 Mar (1 ) Shelby Farms (VBR),
early state. Indigo Bunting: 3 Apr (1) T O Fuller S P (MTOS) early west Tenn.
PAINTED BUNTING: 1 May (1 female) Levee, Lake Co. (RLK’^), first Lake Co.
record. Vesper Sparrow: 22/29 Mar (2/9) Shelby Farms (VBR, MGW); 24 Mar (1)
Fort Pillow State Park, Lauderdale Co. (HBD, SSL, VBR, Barbara Wilson); 27 Mar (6-
8) Dyer Co. (WGC). Grasshopper Sparrow: 28 Apr (3) Shelby Farms (WRP); 2 May

(1) Lake Co. (WGC); 8 May (2) Shelby Farms (MTOS). Song Sparrow: 2 May (2) Rift
L S P, Lake Co. (RLK); 29 May-EOP (2) TEC. Lincoln's Sparrow: 24 Mar (1) Shelby
Farms (VBR); 17 Apr (1) Shelby Farms (VBR, CHB); 25 Apr (3) Memphis Spring
Count ( MTOS); 2 May (2) Lake Co. (RLK); 8 May (1) Memphis (MTOS). Western
Meadowlark: 20 Apr (2) Shelby Farms (VBR). Yellow-headed Blackbird: 13/16 Apr

(2) TEC (VBR, MGW, DoM). Rusty Blackbird: 7 Mar (8) TEC (VBR, MGW). Lapland
Longspur: 6 Mar (3) Shelby Farms (VBR).

Locations: Hatchie NWR-Hatchie National Wildlife Refuge, Haywood Co.; Is 13-
Island 13, Lake Co.; Shelby Farms-Shelby Farms was Penal Farm, Shelby Co.; Rift L
S P-Reelfoot Lake State Park, Lake /Obion Cos.; Shelby For S P-Shelby Forest State
Park, Shelby Co.; TEC-The EARTH COMPLEX, Ensley Bottoms, Shelby Co.; T O
Fuller S P-T.O. Fuller State Park, Shelby Co.; Rift L NWR-Reelfoot Lake National
Wildlife Refuge, Lake Co.

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

HIGHLAND RIM AND BASIN — The Spring migration in the region was felt to
be "good" by the majority of observers. Most of the usual nesting and transient
neotropical migrants were seen, some in above average numbers. Two strong cold
fronts passed through on 4 April and 26 April, with notable "fallouts" following
each front. Another late cold front on 31 May deposited at least one unusual bird
which will be noted in the Summer Season report. While no outstanding rarities
were reported, many uncommon species were observed.

Early Spring was highlighted by large numbers of Chipping Sparrows. In some
residential areas, a drive through with windows rolled down yielded singing birds
in nearly every yard. House Finches have continued to increase in the region and are
nesting in Nashville, as well as other cities. Good numbers of Mourning Warblers
were present at Radnor Lake in late May and at least two Connecticut Warblers were
present at that time.

Loon-Bobwhite: Common Loon: 22 May (1) Woods Res (DLD). American Bittern:
5 May (1) Old Hick L (TJW), fly over. Snowy Egret: 21 Apr (1) Old Hick L (TJW).
Cattle Egret: 21 Apr (2) Old Hick L (TJW); 5 May (8) Old Hick L (TJW, DMc), seen
flying back and forth from an island near Walton Ferry Rd. to a large nesting colony
of Black-crowned Night-Herons, nesting suspected but not confirmed; 8 May (2)
Wilson Co. (KN). Black-crowned Night-Heron: 8 May (200) Old Hick L (LJK, Dick
Newton), nesting colony on island near Walton Ferry Rd. Y ello w-crowned Night-
Heron: 19 Apr (1) Nash (MLM); 30 Apr (1) Burg Falls (SJS); 6 May (2) Putnam Co.
(SJS, Graham S. Kash), at nest. Snow Goose: 24 Apr (1) Woods Res (DLD). Gadwall:

66

THE SEASON — SPRING 1993

SEPTEMBER

1 May (1 ) Mon Pond (SJS), present all May. American Wigeon; 8 May (9) Putnam Co.
(MAS, Ann Sanders), new county late Spring date. Ring-necked Duck: 1 May (1)
Mon Pond (SJS), present all May. Greater Scaup: 21 Apr (7) Old Hick L (TJW).
Bufflehead: 13 Apr (2) Rad L (MEM), Irs. Ruddy Duck: 26 Apr (1) Putnam Co. (SJS),
Irs. Turkey Vulture: 12 Apr (5) Wilson Co. (Mark S. Hackney) on nest. Osprey: 1 Apr

(1) Nash (MLM); 10 Apr (1) Warren Co. (SNM). Bald Eagle: 17 Apr (1) Woods Res
(DLD); 2 May (2) LBL (TJW), nesting pair; 8 May (1) Putnam Co. (SJS, CJB) an
immature, 5th county record. Sharp-shinned Hawk: 8 May (1) Putnam Co. (BHS); (1)
Putnam Co. (SJS, CJB); (1) Putnam Co (DEC). Cooper's Hawk: 10 Apr (1) Warren Co.
(SNM); 29 May (1) Putnam Co. (SJS). Red-shouldered Hawk: 22 Mar (2) Putnam Co.
(CS, Ramona Pennington) on nest; 4 and 25 Apr ( 1 ) Putnam Co. (BHS) on nest; 8 May

(2) Wilson Co. (KN). Broad-winged Hawk: 5 May (1) Cheatham Co. (TJW, DMc); 8
May (1) Wilson Co. (KN). Red-tailed Hawk: (1) Eewis Co. (PGE), leucistic adult.
Rough-legged Hawk: 20 Mar (1) Wilson Co. (CS), light morph. Merlin: 1 Apr (1)
Putnam Co. (SJS). Ruffed Grouse: 8 May (1) Putnam Co. (BHS).

Rail-Szvalloiv: Virginia Rail: 7 Apr (2) Mon Pond (TJW). Sora: 7 Apr (2) Mon Pond
(TJW). Sandhill Crane: 1-25 Mar (5000+) Putnam Co., the first migrants were 65 seen
on 1 Mar (SJS). On 6 Mar over 1000 cranes were sighted by different observers (SJS,
BHS, RWS), some of these may have been the same birds, the last observation was
40 birds on 25 Mar (CS), over 5000 birds were reported which represents 20% of the
Eastern population of Greater Sandhill Cranes. Solitary Sandpiper: 16 Apr (1)
Rutherford Co. (TJW) ers. Upland Sandpiper: 17 Apr (2) Coffee Co. (DED); 25 Apr

(1) Warren Co. (SNM). American Woodcock: 1 Mar (1) Nash. (MEM); 26 May (2)
Metro Ctr. (TJW). Caspian Tern: 21 Apr (2) Old Hick E (TJW). Black-billed Cuckoo:
7May (1) Nash (PGE); (1) Nash (MEM); 16 May (1) Nash (MEM). Barn Owl: Apr-May

(2) Warren Co. (SNM). Common Nighthawk: 28 Apr (1) Rutherford Co. (TJW) ers.
Whip-poor-will: 8 May (2) Wilson Co. (KN); 29 May (1) Warren Co. (SNM). Chimney
Swift: 1 Apr (1) Rutherford Co. (TJW), ers. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker: 11 Apr (1) Rad
E (MEM) Irs. Northern Flicker: 3 Mar (52), seen on drive from Nashville to Savannah,
probable migrants (PGE). Olive-sided Flycatcher: 7 May (1) Nash (PGE). Eastern
Wood-Pewee: 10 Apr (1) Nash (MEM) ers. Willow Flycatcher: 26 May (1) Metro Ctr
(TJW), singing on territory. Eeast Flycatcher: 21 Apr (2) Old Hick E (TJW); 29 Apr (1)
Rad E (MEM); 7 May (1) Nash (PGE). Eastern Kingbird: 11 Apr (1) Metro Ctr (PGE),
(1) Rutherford Co. (TJW), ers. Horned Eark: 8 May (4) Putnam Co. (BHS). Tree
Swallow: May (8+) 4 sites in Putnam Co. and Mon Pond with nesting birds, numbers
decreasing at Mon Pond as habitat declines. Cliff Swallow: 8 May (9) Putnam Co.
(Winston and Catherine Walden).

Creeper-Chat: Brown Creeper: 27 Mar (1) Rad E (MEM), Irs. Bewick's Wren: Apr-
May, Rutherford Co., Wilson Co., several birds found singing on territory, numbers
seem to be average for the area (TJW). House Wren: 14 Apr (1) Nash (PGE) ers; 28
Apr (1) Coffee Co. (DED). Golden-crowned Kinglet: 23 Apr (1) Rad E (PGE) Irs. Blue-
gray Gnatcatcher: 24 Mar (1) Rad E (MEM) ers. Veery: 23 Apr (1) Nash (MEM) ers.
Gray-cheeked Thrush: 22 Apr (1) Cheatham Co. (PGE) ers. Swainson's Thrush: 18
Apr (2) War Pk (PGE) ers. Hermit Thrush: 1 May (1) Overlk Dr. (PGE) Irs. American
Pipit: 17 Apr (3) Coffee Co. (DED). White-eyed Vireo: 14 Apr (1) Nash (PGE); (1)
Cheatham Co. (TJW) ers. Y ello w-throated Vireo: 10 Apr (1) Nash (PGE) ers.

1993

THE MIGRANT

67

Warbling Vireo: 11 Apr (1) Davidson Co. (MLM) ers. Philadelphia Vireo: 2 May (3)
LBL (TJW). Red-eyed Vireo: 12 Apr (1) Rad L (MLM) ers. Blue- winged Warbler: 17
Apr (1) War Pk (PGL) ers. Tennessee Warbler: 11 Apr (1) War Pk (PGL), ers, new
early date in Nash area. Orange-crowned Warbler: 18 Apr (1) War Pk (PGL).
Nashville Warbler: 16 Apr (1) Rad L (PGL) ers. Northern Parula: 7 Apr (1) Rad L
(PGL) ers; 10 Apr (1) Warren Co. (SNM). Yellow Warbler: 18 Apr (1) Davidson Co.
(PGL) ers. Cape May Warbler: 27 Apr (3) Rutherford Co. (TJW); 2 May (1) Nash
(PGL) Black-throated Green Warbler: 27 Mar (1) Putnam Co. (SJS, BHS), new early
record there. Yellow-throated Warbler: 2 Apr (1) Rad L (MLM) ers; 10 Apr (1)
Warren Co. (SNM). Pine Warbler: 25 Mar (1) Putnam Co. (CS, RWS). Palm Warbler:
10 Apr (1) Warren Co. (SNM); (1) War Pk (PGL) ers. Cerulean Warbler: 17 Apr (1)
War Pk (PGL); 8 May (1) Putnam Co. (SJS); (1) Wilson Co. (KN). Black-and-white
Warbler: 19 Mar (l)Nash (MLM) ers. Prothonotary Warbler: 10 Apr (2) Rad L (MLM)
ers. Worm-eating Warbler: 18 Apr (1) War Pk (PGL) ers. Ovenbird: 13 Apr (1)
Oaklands (TJW) ers. Connecticut Warbler: 5 May (1) Nash (MLM); 12 May (1) Rad
L (TJW, Paul Harris, DMc); up to at least two birds present at Rad L over next week
(m.ob.). Mourning Warbler: 12 May to 20 May (high count 7 on 19 May) Rad L (TJW,
m.ob.). Hooded Warbler: 14 Apr (1) Nash (PGL) ers. Wilson's Warbler: 27 Apr (1)
Rad L (MLM); 15 May (1) Nash (MLM). Yellow-breasted Chat: 13 Apr (1) Rad L
(MLM) ers.

Tanager-Siskin: Summer Tanager: 10 Apr (1) War Pk (PGL) ers. Scarlet Tanager: 14
Apr (2) Nash (PGL) ers. Rose-breasted Grosbeak: 13 Apr (1) Rad L (MLM), earliest
Nash area spring arrival (several winter records); 16-30 Apr (up to 25) Putnam Co.
(RWS), many feeders reported birds this spring but a count of 25 males (RWS) on 30
Apr is exceptional. Indigo Bunting: 11 Apr (l)Rad L (MLM) ers; 13 Apr (1) Oaklands
(TJW). Dickcissel: 8-22 May (1-4) Putnam Co. (DLC, SJS); 15 May-June (10-15),
nesting in Rutherford Co. (TJW). Bachman's Sparrow; 15 May (1) Coffee Co. (DLD),
singing on territory. Lark Sparrow: 11 Apr (1) Nash (LJK) found dead on lawn,
migrant?; 15 May (3) found in suitable habitat, Wilson Co., numbers seem a bit down
from prior years (TJW). Grasshopper Sparrow: 25 Apr- 16 May (2) Warren Co.
(SNM); Apr-May several populations located in Rutherford and Wilson Cos.,
numbers higher than usual for the region (TJW). Fox Sparrow: 21 Mar (2) War Pk
(PGL); 27 Mar (1) Franklin Co. (PGL); 8 May (1) Putnam Co. (MAS), new county late
date. Bobolink: 8 May (8) Putnam Co. (DLC). Rusty Blackbird: 4 Apr (40) Warren Co.
(SNM). Orchard Oriole: 21 Apr (5) Putnam Co. (RWS), unusual on plateau. Northern
Oriole: 25 Apr (1) Warren Co. (SNM). Purple Finch: 22 Mar (8) Putnam Co. (CS); 4-
10 Apr (up to 6) Murfreesboro (TJW). Pine Siskin: 15-17 Apr (2) Murfreesboro (TJW);
8 May (1) Putnam Co. (BHS).

Locations: Burg Falls-Burgess Falls State Natural Area, Putnam Co.; Dav. Co.-
Davidson Co.; Metro Ctr-Metro Center, Davidson Co.; Mon Pond-Monsanto Ponds,
Maury Co.; Nash-Nashville, Davidson Co.; Oaklands-Oaklands Mansion, Mur-
freesboro, Rutherford Co.; Old Hick L-Old Hickory Lake, Sumner Co.; Rad L-
Radnor Lake State Natural Area, Davidson Co.; War Pk-Warner Parks, Davidson
Co.; Woods Res-Woods Reservoir, Franklin Co.

TERRY J. WITT, 507 Highland Terrace, Murfreesboro, TN 37130

68

THE SEASON — SPRING 1993

SEPTEMBER

CUMBERLAND PLATEAU / RIDGE AND VALLEY REGION — A single
weather event dominated the season. The ''Blizzard of '93" struck on 12-13 March
with heavy snow and high winds. The Johnson City area received 15 inches and
Chattanooga got about 20 inches. Deep drifts were common. While many spring
snowfalls in this region are short-lived, this one was an exception. Significant snow
cover remained in the Johnson City area until 19 March due to the lingering cold,
where 1°F on 15 March was the coldest temperature ever recorded that late into the
season. The deep snow paralyzed human activity for several days. The most visible
impact of the storm was heavy damage to cedar and pine trees; broken limbs and
treetops, plus uprooted conifers, were widespread. Some whole stands were devas-
tated. Deciduous trees sffered surprisingly little damage. The immediate impact on
birdlife must have been considerable, but was difficult to assess because of the
impassable conditions. Most terrestrial food supplies were covered. Fox Sparrows
and Red-winged Blackbirds swarmed to feeders, but other species continued in
generally low numbers. In the Tri-Cities region, Carolina Wren and bluebird
numbers dropped from the high figures of the last few years, but not below long-
term averages. Early breeders (i.e., Killdeer, Woodcock, Mourning Dove, Horned
Lark) surely lost all nests in progress. Fortunately, few migrants had arrived.

Late March through early April was cool and wet, delaying migration. A warm-
ing trend at Easter (11 April) allowed migrants to proceed. The latter half of the
season was warmer and drier. Deciduous trees seemed to leaf-out suddenly then.

Overall, this was a sub-par birding season, except for two rarities, Clark's Grebe
and Lesser Black-backed Gull. The grebe was possibly blown in by the blizzard.
Most migrants were late and in low numbers. As the weather conditions improved,
many transients apparently passed over without needing to stop.

Loon-Heron: Common Loon: 10 Apr (22) Chick L (RJH), max; 11 May (1) Aus Spr
(FJA), Irs. Pied-billed Grebe: 20 Mar (pair building nest) Bra Lev (RJH). Horned
Grebe: 20 Mar (11) Chick L (KHD, LHD), max; 29 Mar (10) Boone L (RLK). CLARK'S
GREBE: 18-23 Mar (1) Nick L (Elizabeth Wolfed MLB, m.ob.), first state record.
Double-crested Cormorant: 29 Mar/19 Apr (9/4) Kpt (RLK); 8 Apr (18) Nick L
(KHD, LHD); 10 Apr (28) Chick L (RJH). Great Blue Heron: aerial survey (12 Apr)
of colonies along the Tenn. River reservoirs from Knoxville to South Pittsburg
produced the following counts of active nests: Fort Loudoun L (146 nests/2
colonies). Watts Bar L (380/10), Chick L (725/15), Nick L (176/7), and 90 nests on
Burns Is. below Nickajack Dam (Burline Pullin). Great Egret: 7 Apr (2) Boone L
(JWN); 12 Apr (1) Bra Lev (Barbara McMahan); 15-20 Apr (2-3) Sav Bay (KHD, LHD);
21 Apr (1) Gray, Wash Co. (FJA). Snowy Egret: 26 Apr (1) Bra Lev (KC, DEV). Cattle
Egret: 10 Apr (1) Hmlt Co. (RJH); 14 Apr (1) Chat (MLB); 14 May (1) Aus Spr (RLK,
BLC, Glenn Swofford). Green Heron: 8 Apr (2) Sav Bay (KHD, LHD), ers. Black-
crowned Night-Heron: 30 Apr (20) Kpt (SMS), max there. Yellow-crowned Night-
Heron: 14 Apr (2) Bra Lev (MLB); 11 May (1) Aus Spr (FJA).

Duck-Rail: Redhead: 15 Mar (10) Clear Creek L, Bristol (RM). Greater Scaup: 20
Mar (21) Chick L (KHD, LHD), max; 29 Mar (5) Kpt (RLK). Red-breasted Merganser:
29 Mar (190) Boone L (RLK), max; 15 May (3) Chick L (MLB), Irs. Ruddy Duck: 18 Mar
(30) Nick L (MLB), max. Osprey: 29 Mar (nest begun) Long Is., Kpt (RLK), on

1993

THE MIGRANT

69

transmission line tower, nest destroyed 2 weeks latger (RLK), pair rebuilt nearby,
success unknown (Kristin Zimet). Red-tailed Hawk: 30 Mar (kettle of 8) Laurel Run
Park, Hawkins Co. (Arthur Smith), part of poorly known spring hawk flight.
Peregrine Falcon: 31 Mar (1 im) Sullivan Co. (Jane Fleenor). Virginia Rail: 11 May (1)
Meadowview Marsh, Kpt (RLK) ; 1 1 May (2 pairs) Phipp's Bend, Hawkins Co. (RLK) .
Sora: 27 Mar (1) Chat (Chat TOS); 25 Apr (1) Bowmantown, Wash. Co. (PW, RLK),
in newly acquired state wetland; 7 May (1) Amn Marsh (KC, DFV).

Plover- Woodpecker: Black-bellied Plover: 17 May (1) Ktn Stm P (TJW, CW). Ameri-
can Golden-Plover: 30 Mar (1) Ktn Stm P (MLB). Upland Sandpiper: 12 Apr (1) Chat
(RJH); 9 May (1) UT Plant Science Farm, Blount Co. (James Brooks, Audrey Hoff).
Sanderling: 17 May (3) Ktn Stm P (TJW, CW). Western Sandpiper: 9 May (1) Lst
(TSM). White-rumped Sandpiper: 25 Apr (1) Telford, Wash. Co. (RLK); 14/17 May
(3/6) Ktn Stm P (TJW, CW). Dunlin: 21-22 Mar (27-30) Sav Bay (KHD, LHD).
American Woodcock: 1 1 May (1 ) Meadowview Marsh, Kpt (RLK). Bonaparte's Gull:
7-8 Mar (400) Chick L (RJH), max. Ring-billed Gull: 24 Mar (420) Boone L (RLK), max
there. LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL: 27 Feb-22 Mar (1 ad) Nick L (m.ob.),
reported last season. Forster's Tern: 16 May (1) Boone L (RLK). Black-billed Cuckoo:
25 Apr (1) Lst (RLK, PW); 6 May (1) Jhn City (FJA); 6 May (1) Raccoon Mountain,
Marion Co. (KC, DFV); 11 May (1) Phipp's Bend, Hawkins Co. (RLK). Barn Owl: 15
Mar (1) Sav Bay (KHD, LHD); 9 May (1) Hmlt Co. (KHD, LHD). Chimney Swift: 9
Apr (4) Kpt (SMS), ers. Ruby-throated Hummingbird: 2 Apr (1) Bra Lev (MLB), ers.
Red-headed Woodpecker: 7 May (1) Jhn City (FJA); 1 1 May (1) Kpt (SMS), migrants.

Flycatcher-Siskin: Least Flycatcher: 14 May (1 b) Amn Marsh (DFV). Horned Lark:
17 Apr (3 singing males, plus 1 bird carrying nesting material) 6-7 miles east of
Monterey, Putnam Co. (SJS). Tree Swallow: 1-2 pairs nesting at Aus Spr and
apparently also at Phipp's Bend, Hawkins Co. (RLK). Common Raven: 7 Mar (1) Fall
Branch, Wash. Co. (RLK). Ruby-crowned Kinglet: 12 May (1) Jhn City (RLK), Irs.
Cedar Waxwing: 20 Mar (200) Hmlt Co. (RJH); winter scarcity in Tri-Cities area
continued until early May (fide RLK). Warbling Vireo: 25 Apr (1) Lst (RLK); 30 Apr
(1) Kpt (SMS); arrivals at breeding sites. Orange-crowned Warbler: 8 Apr (1) Chat
(RJH); 26 Apr (1) Amn Marsh (KC, DFV). Yellow Warbler: 9 Apr (1) Kpt (SMS), ers.
Cape May Warbler: 16 Apr (1) Chat (MLB), ers. Palm Warbler: 10 Mar (1) Hiwas R,
Meigs Co. (KHD, LHD). Black-and-white Warbler: 2 Apr (1/1) Bra Lev/Jhn City
(MLB /RLK), ers. Prothonotary Warbler: 15 Apr (1) Bowmantown, Wash. Co. (FJA),
ers. Blue Grosbeak: 17 Apr (1) Marion Co. (MLB), ers. Vesper Sparrow: 5 Apr (15)
Aus Spr (BLC), max. SHARP-TAILED SPARROW: 14 May (1) Aus Spr (RLK, BLC,
Glenn Swofford), second local spring record. Fox Sparrow: mid-winter to 30 Mar (1
at feeder) Jhn City (RLK); during & shortly after the blizzard of 12-13 Mar, this
species swarmed to regional feeders, with reports of 1-4 birds widespread around
Tri-Cities, Knoxville, Chattanooga and elsewhere (m.ob.). Lincoln's Sparrow: 7 May
(1) Amn Marsh (DFV). Purple Finch: after winter scarcity, influx during Mar-Apr,
max 6 Apr (43) Kpt (SMS). Pine Siskin: 31 Mar (1) Chat (Barbara McMahan), only
report.

Locations: Amn Marsh- Amnicola Marsh, Hamilton Co.; Aus Spr- Austin Springs,
Washington Co.; Boone L-Boone Lake, Sullivan & Washington Cos.; Bra Lev-
Brainerd Levee, Hamilton Co.; Chat-Chattanooga, Hamilton Co.; Chick L-Chicka-

70

THE SEASON — SPRING 1993

SEPTEMBER

mauga Lake, Hamilton Co. portion; Hmlt Co.-Hamilton Co.; Hiwas R-Hiwassee
River area, primarily Meigs Co.; Jhn City-Johnson City, Washington Co.; Kpt-
Kingsport, Sullivan Co.; Ktn Stm P-Kingston Steam Plant, Roane Co.; Lst-Lime-
stone, Washington Co.; Nick L-Nickajack Lake, Marion Co.; Sav Bay-Savannah Bay,
Hamilton Co.; Wash. Co.-Washington Co.

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

EASTERN MOUNTAIN REGION — Precipitation was over an inch below
normal for the period. A good amount of the precipitation came on one day in what
the media referred to as the "blizzard of the century." On March 13, this blizzard
brought 1 .5 to 3 feet of snow throughout the mountain region.

Loon-Woodcock: Common Loon: 22 Mar-25 Apr (1-2) Wat L (RLK, TSM). Horned
Grebe: 22 Mar (5) Wat L (RLK); 9 Apr (1) S Hoi L (JWC). Double-crested Cormorant:
8/25 Apr (6/4) S Hoi L (JWC). American Bittern: 25 Apr (1) Shady Valley, Johnson
Co. (JWC, JS). Great Egret: 24 Mar-5 Apr (1) Elizabethton, Carter Co. (COW); 4 Apr
(1) Wat L (RLK); 26 Apr (1) Roan Mountain village. Carter Co. (Cathi Sullins); early
May (1) S Hoi L (RPL). Black-crowned Night-Heron: 30 Apr (1) Buffalo Valley,
Unicoi Co. (EJA, RM); 25 Apr (1) Mountain City, Johnson Co. (TSM). Yellow-
crowned Night-Heron: 21 Mar (2) Sycamore Shoals State Park, Carter Co. (David
Blatchly), ers; 2 pairs nesting at this site, 1 pair nesting at Hunter Swamp, Carter Co.
Snow Goose: 2 Apr (7 white) S Hoi L (BLC). Greater Scaup: 7 Mar (2) Wilbur L, Carter
Co. (TSM). Red-breasted Merganser: 8 May (1) Wat L (James Brooks). Black Vulture:
1 Apr (2) Erwin, Unicoi Co. (RLK); 10 Apr (2) Elizabethton (COW); 9 May (1)
Nolichucky River, Unicoi Co. (RLK). Osprey: 4 Apr (1) S Hoi L (JWC), ers; 30 May
(1) Wat L (PW), Irs. Sharp-shinned Hawk: 7 reports. Cooper's Hawk: 7 reports. Red-
shouldered Hawk: 7-8 Mar (1) Unicoi Co. (PW). Golden Eagle: 6 Mar (1 ad) Shady
Valley, Johnson Co. (JS). Peregrine Ealcon: 4 Mar (1 im) Erwin, Unicoi Co. (EJA, RM).
Greater Yellowlegs: 21 Apr/2 May (1) Wat R (TSM, EJA). Lesser Yellowlegs: 7 May

(1) Wat R (TSM). Common Snipe: 2 Apr (14) Wat R (Frank Ward), max. American
Woodcock: 9 Mar (1 calling) Mil Col (RM); 16 May (1 seen) Mil Col (RLK).

GuU-Waxwing: Ring-billed Gull: 4 Apr (24) Wat L (RLK), max. Caspian Tern: 25
Apr (1) S Hoi L (JWC). Barn Owl: 3 Mar (1 dead) S Hoi L (RPL); 9 Mar (1) Mil Col
(COW). Northern Saw-whet Owl: 6 May (4) Roan Mtn (Mark Barb); 6 May (4) Unaka
Mtn (RM); ers and max. Ruby-throated Hummingbird: 16 Apr (1) Mil Col (EJA), ers.
Red-headed Woodpecker: 2 May (1) Simmerly Creek, Carter Co. (TSM); 5 May (1)
Erwin, Unicoi Co. (PW). Yellow-bellied Sapsucker: 7 May (1) Roan Mtn (TSM), Irs.
Willow Flycatcher: 8 May (1) Hampton, Carter Co. (TSM), ers. Alder Flycatcher: 14
May (1) Hampton Creek, near Roan Mtn (EJA, JWN), low elevation. Least Fly-
catcher: 7 May (16) Roan Mtn (TSM), max. Eastern Kingbird: 12 Apr (1) Elizabethton
(TSM), ers. Bank Swallow: 2 Apr (6) S Hoi L (BLC), early. Cliff Swallow: 2 Apr (1) S
Hoi L (BLC), early. Common Raven: 14 Mar (1) Hampton, Carter Co. (TSM); 7 Apr

(2) Doe River Gorge, Carter Co. (RLK); 8/12 Apr (1) Unicoi, Unicoi Co. (EJA /RLK).
Red-breasted Nuthatch: small numbers on Unaka Mtn (RM). Brown Creeper: 4 Apr
(7 in one tree) Buffalo Mtn, Wash. Co. (TSM). Gray-cheeked Thrush: 13 May (1)
Unaka Mtn (JWN), only report. Swainson's Thrush: very few reports. Cedar
Wax wing: scattered pairs in May after complete absence since late Dec.

1993

THE MIGRANT

71

Warbler-Grosbeak: Golden-winged Warbler: 7 May (5) Roan Mtn (TSM), max.
Magnolia Warbler: by 10 May (7-10 on territory) Unaka Mtn (RM). Pine Warbler: 1 1
Apr/22 May (1) Buffalo Mtn (JWN). Prothonotary Warbler: 25 Apr (1) Fishery Park,
Unicoi Co. (BLC, Shirley Wayland). Worm-eating Warbler: 8 Apr (1) Unicoi Co.
(GOW), ers. Swainson's Warbler: 26 May (1) Unaka Mtn (JWN). Chipping Sparrow:
13 Mar (3) Hampton, Carter Co. (TSM), at feeder during blizzard. Field Sparrow: 7
May (1) Carver's Gap, Roan Mtn (TSM), high elev. Grasshopper Sparrow: 18 Apr (1)
Unicoi Co. (JWN), ers. Fox Sparrow: 1 3 Mar (5 at feeder) Hampton, Carter Co. (TSM),
during blizzard; 3 Apr (1) Unaka Mtn (RM), Irs. Swamp Sparrow: 9 May (2) Butler,
Johnson Co. (TSM), Irs. Bobolink: 9 May (7) Siam Valley, Carter Co. (FJA). Rusty
Blackbird: 22 Mar (3) Wat R (RLK), only report. Orchard Oriole: 12 Apr (1) Hampton,
Carter Co. (TSM), ers. Red Crossbill: 7 May (5) Unaka Mtn (RM). Pine Siskin: 14 Mar
(1) Elizabethton (GOW); 31 Mar (2) Hampton, Carter Co. (TSM); 24-28 Apr (10-12)
Hampton, Carter Co. (TSM); only reports. Evening Grosbeak: none.

Locations: Mil Col-Milligan College, Carter Co.; Roan Mtn-Roan Mountain, Carter
Co.; S Hoi L-South Holston Lake, Sullivan Co.; Unaka Mtn-Unaka Mountain, Unicoi
Co.; Wat L-Watauga Lake, Carter and Johnson Cos.; Wat R- Watauga River, Carter
Co.

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

72

THE SEASON — SPRING 1993

SEPTEMBER

Observers

FJA

-

Fred J. Alsop

RM

- Rad Mayfield

CHB

-

Carolyn H. Bullock

MLM

- Margaret L. Mann

CJB

-

Carol J. Brown

OKM

- O. Knox Martin

MLB

-

Mary Lynn Buttram

SNM

- Susan N. McWhirter

KC

-

Kevin Calhoon

DoM

- Dollyann Myers

BBC

-

Ben B. Coffey, Jr.

KN

- Kay Norris

BLC

-

Brian L. Cross

JWN

- Jerry W. Nagel

DLC

-

Daniel L. Combs

GRP

- George R. Payne

JWC

-

J. Wallace Coffey

JBP

- Jeanne B. Payne

LCC

-

Lula C. Coffey

WRP

- William R. Peeples

WGC

-

William G. Criswell

VBR

- Virginia B. Reynolds

OLD

-

Don L. Davidson

BHS

- Barbara H. Stedman

HBD

-

Helen B. Dinkelspiel

CS

- Candy Swan

KHD

-

Kenneth H. Dubke

JS

- John Shumate

LHD

-

Lillian H. Dubke

MAS

- Michael A. Sanders

BLG

-

Bethany L. Greene

RWS

- Richard W. Simmers

MAG

-

Mark A. Greene

SJS

- Stephen W. Stedman

MLG

-

Murray L. Gardler

SMS

- Stan M. Strickland

RDH

-

Ron D. Hoff

DEV

- David F. Vogt

RJH

-

R. John Henderson

CW

- Caryl Witt

LJK

-

Lee J. Kramer

GOW

- Gary O. Wallace

RLK

-

Richard L. Knight

DLW

- Dick L. Whittington

PGL

-

P. Galen Lenhert

MGW

- Martha G. Waldron

RPL

-

Richard P. Lewis

PW

- Pete Wyatt

SSL

-

Selma S. Lewis

TJW

- Terry J. Witt

DMc

-

David McCarroll

MTOS

- Memphis Chapter TOS

TSM

-

Tom S. McNeil

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, 1 00 Beliebrook 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 6060U4298.

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
"continentaT' 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.

CONTENTS

REPORT OF THE TENNESSEE BIRD RECORDS COMMITTEE

Richard L. Knight 53

ANHINGA OVER AMNICOLA MARSH, HAMILTON COUNTY,
TENNESSEE

Lillian H. Dubke 58

MAJOR FALLOUT OF WATER BIRDS IN NORTHEAST TENNESSEE

Richard L. Knight 59

BOOK REVIEW

Robert M. Hatcher 61

THE SEASON — SPRING 1993

Robert P. Ford 62

WESTERN COASTAL PLAIN REGION

Martha G. Waldron 62

HIGHLAND RIM AND BASIN REGION

Terry J. Witt 65

CUMBERLAND PLATEAU/RIDGE AND VALLEY REGION

Richard L. Knight 68

EASTERN MOUNTAIN REGION

Richard P. Lewis 70

OBSERVERS 72

NOTICE TO RESEARCHERS

Several references in this issue include dates later than the cover date of September 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: 15 August 1995]

CURRENT DIRECTORY
TENNESSEE ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY

(Revised May 1995)

EDITORIAL STAFF

Editor: J. Wallace Coffey, 100 Bellebrook Dr., Bristol, TN 37620, 615/764-3958,

FAX: 703 / 645-2527, E-mail: JWCOFFEY@TRICON.NET

Assistant Editor: Richard (Rick) L. Knight, 804 N. Hills Dr., Johnson City, TN 37604,
615/282-5297

Editorial Assistant: Karen Quesenberry, 20210 Avondale Rd., Abingdon, VA 24210,
703/676-2210

State Count Compiler: Vacant. Send to Richard (Rick) L. Knight (address shown above)

Season Editor: Morris D. Williams, Rt. 5, Box 167, Lawrenceburg, TN 38464, 615/363-6562

Western Coastal Plain Region Compiler: Martha G. Waldron, 1626 Yorkshire Dr.,

Memphis, TN 38119, 901/761-0895

Highland Rim and Basin Region Compiler: Vacant. Send to Morris D. Williams
(address shown above)

Cumberland Plateau /Ridge and Valley Region: Richard (Rick) L. Knight, 804 N. Hills Dr.,
Johnson City, TN 37604, 615/282-5297

Eastern Mountain Region: Richard P. Lewis, 407 V. I. Ranch Road, Bristol, TN 37620,
615/878-2505

OFFICERS FOR 1995-1997

President: James Brooks, 114 Malone Hollow Rd., Jonesborough, TN 37659,

615/753-7831, FAX: 615/753-7831, E-mail: HIRlJNDO@AOL.COM
Vice Presidents:

East Tenn. - Marcia Davis, 3450 Navigator Pointe, Concord, TN 37922, 615/690-9212
Middle Tenn. - Richard Connors, 7244 Carothers, Nolens ville, TN 37135, 615/941-1477
West Tenn. - Mark Greene, 1826- A Mitchell St., Humboldt, TN 38343, 901/784-2954
Directors-at-Large:

East Tenn. - John L. Shumate, Jr., Box 130-2, Shady Valley, TN 37688, 615/739-5321
Middle Tenn. - David Hassler, Route 1, Box 164- A, Byrdstown, TN 38549, 615/864-3236
West Tenn. - Susan N. McWhirter, 4962 Gwynne, Memphis, TN 38117, 901 / 682-2355
Curator: Charles (Chuck) P. Nicholson, PO. Box 402, Norris, TN 37828, 615/494-0705
Assistant Curator: N. P. (Mac) McWhirter, 4962 Gwynne, Memphis, TN 38117, 901/682-2355
Secretary: Harriette Spiegel, P. O. Box 21068, Chattanooga, TN 37424, 615/875-8236
Treasurer: Barbara W. Finney, 5213 White Horse Rd., Knoxville, TN 37919, 615/584-9734
Assistant Treasurer: Jo Anne Routledge, 1203 Woodhaven Lane, Greeneville, TN 37743,
615/638-5194

TENNESSEE WARBLER (TOS Newsletter)

Editor: Theresa Irion, 1534 Arbor View Ct. #203, Memphis, TN 38134, 901 /385-0083,

FAX: 901/762-6010

Send Subscriptions & Address Changes
Tennessee Ornithological Society
Box 10452

Knoxville, TN 37939-0452

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