FreeLists / tn-bird / [TN-Bird] Henslow's Sparrows in TN and KY (and Big Barrens progress report)

[jgiocomo@xxxxxxx]

We are still seeking Henslow's Sparrow information in Tennessee and 
Kentucky. I posted an updated map with the locations of the new 
Henslow's Sparrow county records this year (web.utk.edu/~jgiocomo). 
Keep your ears open in the often neglected grassland areas (even in 
east TN) for the weak call that passes as a Henslow's Sparrow song.

At Fort Campbell and the surrounding Big Barrens Study Area (Including 
parts of Trigg, Logan, Simpson, Christian and Todd counties in KY and 
parts of Stewart, Mongomery and Roberston counties in TN) our crew, led 
by Daniel Hinnebusch and assisted by Daniel Moss (and partially funded 
by TOS!), are monitoring over 100 nests including >10 Henslow's 
Sparrows, >40 Field Sparrows, Dickcissels, Prairie Warblers, 
Yellow-breasted Chats, and various other grassland associated species.

The Henslow's Sparrows are just finishing their first successful 
nesting cycle and are gearing up for their second attempts. The 
Dickcissles are just starting to show signs of nesting activity. Of the 
three nests I found this weekend, two were found while the female was 
carrying material to the nest. This may be due to the recent mowing of 
the hay fields in the surrounding area causing a re-shuffling of birds 
to unmowed sites.

Finally, we were able to find a pocket of Henslow's Sparrows north of 
Elkton, KY on private agricultural land. The field contained about 40 
individual males singing, and we are trying to find their nests. When 
we searched the surrounding fields within two or three miles of the 
original field, we found two more fields with significant populations 
of (presumably) breeding Henslow's Sparrow populations. We are still 
working on getting permission to work in the new fields.

They are out there, we just need to be looking in the right places.  
Keep you eyes (and ears) open!

--Jim Giocomo
Knoxville, TN
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                  EXCELLENT MAP RESOURCES
Topographical Maps located at http://topozone.com/find.asp
Tenn.Counties Map at http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/states/tennessee3.gif
Aerial photos to complement google maps http://local.live.com

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