FreeLists / bristol-birds / [Bristol-Birds] Recent observations (various East Tennessee counties)

["Donald Miller" <pandion@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

A few notable birds from the last couple of weeks:

June 21 (Greene County).  An American Woodcock in our yard in Greeneville at 
dusk.  We live on the edge of town, near some fairly open fields and woodlots.  
The bird was probably headed to one of these areas.  Although I have heard 
woodcocks in some of these fields in late winter, an occurrence in the area in 
June is an oddity.

June 23 (Sevier County).  Two Kentucky Warblers along Soak Ash Creek in Great 
Smoky Mountains National Park, below Greenbrier Pinnacle.  Present with me were 
Jesse Webster and Tom Remaley.   

June 23 (Cocke County).  Fifty Cliff Swallows on O'Neil Road at the bridge 
connecting it to Highway 73. 

June 27 (Hamblen County). Two Common Nighthawks at the intersection of Bent 
Creek Road and Highway 113, also observed by David Kirschke.  The site appears 
suitable for nesting.  It consists of upland pasture overgrown with Eastern 
Redcedar and contains areas with disturbed soil and piled rock.  One Summer 
Tanager on Little Mountain Road.

June 29 (Greene County). A singing male Savannah Sparrow in a shortgrass field 
along lower Holly Creek, near Tusculum.  The species breeds in the region in 
limited numbers.  This site appears to offer suitable conditions for nesting.

June 30 (Hawkins County).  A male Ring-necked Duck along Highway 347 about a 
half mile north of the William L. Jenkins Bridge--a rarity in summer.  A 
Red-shouldered Hawk along Van Hill Road 0.6 mile south of Highway 347. Twelve 
Cliff Swallows on Tunnell Hill Road at the boat launch.  Six Cliff Swallows at 
the William L. Jenkins Bridge on Highway 347.  A Yellow-throated Warbler on 
Highway 94 southwest of Pressmen's Home.  Three Summer Tanagers, at three sites.

July 1 (Hawkins County). Two Kentucky Warblers on Devil's Nose Road (end of 
road).


Don Miller
Greeneville, Greene Co., TN

pandion@xxxxxxxxxxxxx