After yesterday’s cold front passed through East Tennessee, birds were a great
deal more active than in the past several weeks. Some FOY and FOS species were
noted at my home in Birchwood (Hamilton County), at Hiwassee Wildlife Refuge
(Meigs County) at Cottonport Wildlife Management Area (Rhea County), and at a
few other sites in Meigs and Rhea counties. I noted 47 species, which may be a
one-day record for me when no waterfowl (except Canada geese) were observed.
Some highlight species included:
* Osprey (very late ?) – near Frazier Community Park (Rhea Co.)
* Ruby-throated Hummingbird (somewhat late ?) – (home)
* Yellow-bellied Sapsucker – FOS (home)
* Tree Swallows – (HWR)
* Ovenbird – FOY (home)
* Tennessee Warbler (home)
* Magnolia Warblers (home and Cottonport WMA)
* Bay-breasted Warblers – FOY Armstrong Ferry Rd. ((Meigs Co.) and
Cottonport WMA)). I think I saw them earlier in the fall at home, but I
couldn’t identify them then!
* Chestnut-sided Warbler (home)
* Palm Warbler – FOS (HWR)
* Pine Warbler (HWR)
* Yellow-rumped Warblers – FOS (numerous at home, HWR, and Cottonport WMA)
* Swainson’s Thrushes (home)
* Rose-breasted Grosbeaks (home)
Charles Murray
Birchwood, TN
