Wow! 70 species! The NTOS Field trip at Rockland Park, the Hendersonville side
of Old Hickory Dam was really rocking with birds this chilly morning. It was
sunny and the temps started out at 43 degrees, warming to 60 degrees. There was
a slight breeze, but if the nine birders ever thought about the chilly weather
it would be surprising because the whole morning was packed with bird sightings
and sounds.
The highlight of the morning was a taking a narrow trail back around a slough
to follow the sound of a Blackburnian Warbler who would not show where it was
easy to get to. Persistence won out and we got very good looks at the beautiful
little bird. Someone said it is also called a “Fire-throat," and I can
certainly understand why. Other highlights were several male Baltimore
Orioles, which were calling loudly around the picnic area near the ranger
station. We also located two of their nests. There is an Osprey on the nest
near the TVA towers.
A great time was had by all! A big thank you to Ken Oeser who offered to do
this field trip, and also to Mike Smith, both of whom shared their experienced
eyes and ears for birds with us all.
Canada Goose
Mallard
Common Loon
Pied-billed Grebe
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Black-Crowned Heron
Black Vulture
Turkey Vulture
Osprey (plus one on the nest)
Spotted Sandpiper
Ring-billed Gull
Mourning Dove
Chimney Swift
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Pileated Woodpecker
Great-crested Flycatcher
Eastern Kingbird
White-eyed Vireo
Yellow-throated Vireo
Warbling Vireo
Red-eyed Vireo
Blue Jay
American Crow
Purple Martin
Tree Swallow
Northern Rough-winged Swallow
Barn Swallow
Carolina Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
White-breasted Nuthatch
Carolina Wren
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
Eastern Bluebird
American Robin
Northern Mockingbird
Brown Thrasher
European Starling
Blue-winged Warbler
Black and White Warbler
Prothonotary Warbler
Nashville Warbler
Kentucky Warbler
American Redstart
Cape May Warbler
Blackburnian Warbler
Yellow Warbler
Blackpoll Warbler
Palm Warbler
Pine Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Yellow-throated Warbler
Black-throated Green Warbler
Eastern Towhee
Chipping Sparrow
Field Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Summer Tanager
Scarlet Tanager
Northern Cardinal
Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Indigo Bunting
Red-winged Blackbird
Common Grackle
Brown-headed Cowbird
Baltimore Oriole (2 nests)
House Finch
American Goldfinch
Tarcila
tarcila@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
littleowl48@xxxxxxxxx
