Brainard Palmer-Ball, Jr.
Kentucky State Nature Preserves Commission
801 Schenkel Lane
Frankfort, Kentucky 40601
(brainard.palmer-ball@ky.gov)

The spring 2004 season was a relatively uneventful one. Precipitation was below normal, especially early in the period, resulting in a dearth of shorebird habitat in most areas. Relatively normal early spring temperatures yielded to well above-average readings during the latter three weeks of May.  Avian highlights included up to three Yellow-billed Loons, continuing Little and California gulls and Spotted Towhee, and a vagrant Gull-billed Tern. Many observers noted that this spring's songbird migration was very poor; most likely, the relatively warm, stable weather throughout the Region during much of May resulted in most transients flying right through

Abbreviations:  Duck River (Duck River Unit of Tennessee N.W.R., TN), Ensley (Ensley Bottoms, including the EARTH Complex, in sw. Shelby, TN), Kentucky Dam (Kentucky Dam, Marshall/Livingston, KY), Pace Point (Pace Point, Big Sandy Unit of Tennessee N.W.R., Henry, TN), Radnor (Radnor L. State N.A., Nashville, TN), Rankin Bottom (Rankin Bottom, Cocke, TN), Sauerheber (Sauerheber Unit Sloughs W.M.A., Henderson, KY), White L. (White L. W.M.A., Dyer, TN).

LOONS THROUGH IBIS
The loon spectacle at Pace Point continued through early Mar, highlighted by a second Yellow-billed Loon discovered near the Region's first 8 Mar (ph.JRW, m.ob.). Soon thereafter, Kentucky's first Yellow-billed Loon was discovered and photographed ca. 35 air mi. to the n. on Kentucky L., Marshall 13–30 Mar (ph. BP, AC et al.). An amazing 5 Red-throated and 2 Pacific loons were at Pace Point 6 Mar (JRW) and another Red-throated and Pacific were found nearby in Henry, TN 19 Mar (JRW, MG, MT). A basic-plumaged Red-throated Loon at Nickajack L., Marion, TN 27 Apr–1 May (KC, DJ, m.ob.) represented a first for se. Tennessee. In Kentucky, one to 2 Red-throateds were observed on Kentucky L., Marshall 13–24 Mar (BY, BP, AC, ME, DR) and a Pacific was observed on Kentucky L., Marshall 10 Mar (DR). Eighty-four Common Loons at Watuaga L., Carter 2 Apr (TM) was a noteworthy concentration for upper e. Tennessee.
 From one to 3 Red-necked Grebes were present at S. Holston L., TN 7–27 Mar (LMcD, WC, m.ob.), but a total of 15 there 10 Mar (RK) furnished a new high count for the Region. Singles were also present at Pace Point 13 Mar (JRW et al.) and on Kentucky L., Marshall, KY 10–15 Mar (vt. DR, et al.). Up to 9 Eared Grebes, which now winter annually at S. Holston L., TN, remained through 11 Apr (m.ob.). There are only a couple of dozen records of Western Grebe for the Region – most in fall and winter – so one reported at Duck River 14 Apr (CF) was a nice find.
 American White Pelicans are unusual in e. Tennessee, so 6 at Douglas L. 27 Mar–7 Apr (MSl, m.ob.) and 5 in Hamilton 15 May (DTr) were noteworthy; the easternmost report for Kentucky was for 9 in Warren 29 Apr (LD). An estimated 2000 pelicans at Ballard W.M.A., Ballard 10 Mar (SVi) shattered Kentucky's previous high count.  In w. Tennessee, it was a good spring for Anhingas, with a m. at Eagle L. W.M.A., Shelby 3 Apr & 22 May (JRW), a f. at Mud L., Shelby 10 Apr (JRW), and 3 at Shelby Forest, Shelby [correct county?] 8 May (†WRP et al.).
 An American Bittern in Muhlenberg, KY 27 Mar (HC, RD, ME) may have overwintered. Snowy Egrets are uncommon in upper e. Tennessee, so three separate reports of single birds in Sullivan (DH, RC, BSv) were noteworthy. Single Tricolored Herons were reported 8–9 May in Lake, TN (JRW et al.) and 30 May at Murfreesboro, Rutherford, TN (DTh). A White-faced Ibis, the rarest of the three ibis species in the Region, was present in Dyer, TN 9–11 May (KL, m.ob.). Single Plegadis ibis were reported in Gibson, TN 6 Apr (MG), at Lower Hatchie N.W.R., TN 16–19 Apr (fide DBr), and crossing I-40 at the White/Smith, TN line 17 May (AE, KDE).

WATERFOWL THROUGH FALCONS
A Snow Goose in Hamilton, TN 8 Apr–8 May (JC et al.) was a rare spring sighting. A Blue Goose in Rowan, KY lingered into late May (LH), suggesting that its presence in late summer 2003 was the result of injury or unnatural origin rather than a record early fall arrival. A Greater White-fronted Goose in Lake, TN 8 May (JRW) was exceptionally late; two orange-billed Greater White-fronted Geese at Duck River 3 Apr (†CS, JDe) were possibly of the subspecies A. a. flavirostris.  The flock of Tundra Swans that wintered at Sauerheber numbered 29 birds 1 Mar, but all departed ca. 4 Mar (MMr); 2 (a pair?) were observed in ne. Fayette, KY 7 Apr (SM).
 At least 3 m. and one f. Gadwall lingered at the 2003 nesting locale in Union, KY to at least 18 May (BP, MMn). A Blue-winged Teal nest with 12 eggs at Standifer Gap Marsh furnished the first breeding record for Hamilton, TN (CS, m.ob.). A number of ducks remained later than normal; although it is difficult to ascertain in most cases, many of these were likely injured survivors of the previous hunting season. A m. and f. Northern Shoveler at Ensley 8–31 May+ (CB et al.) showed no signs of breeding; one at White L. [__ May] (JRW) was also late. Other late ducks included an American Wigeon at White L. 28 May (WGC, KL); a m. Northern Pintail in Dyer, TN 23–28 May (WGC et al.); a Green-winged Teal at White L. 31 May (JRW); a Redhead in Union, KY 18 May (BP, MMn), a f. Greater Scaup in Dyer, TN 20–31 May (WGC et al.); 7 ad. m. Lesser Scaup at McKellar L., Shelby, TN 29 May (JRW) and one at Ensley 30 May (CB, VR, LZ); and a f. Bufflehead at Black Bayou W.M.A., Lake, TN [__ May] (WGC, KL).
 A few sea ducks – quite rare in the Region in spring – were detected. There were three reports of Surf Scoters: 2 on Douglas L., TN 29 Mar (DH), 3 on Green River L., Taylor, KY 7 Mar (ph. RD, HC), and 1 at Hickman, Fulton, KY 17 Apr (ph. HC). Black Scoters were found twice: a f. at Ensley that lingered through 3 Mar (ph. JRW) and a small flock (one m. and 2 f.) on Herrington L., Boyle/Garrard 6 May, that established a new late spring departure date for Kentucky (KP).  A f. White-winged Scoter was found on Robco L., Shelby, TN 13 Mar (WRP, CB et al.) and a f. Long-tailed Duck was reported at Rankin Bottom 20 Apr (MSl).
 A f. Hooded Merganser with 10 ducklings in White 16–23 May (SJS, WW, DDo) made the second consecutive year in which this species bred far to the e. of its normal breeding range in the w. Tennessee bottomlands. Red-breasted Mergansers were present in above average numbers in upper e. Tennessee late Mar–early Apr (fide WC). At least 6 Ruddy Ducks were still in Union, KY, where a pair nested in 2003, 30 May (BP, AC).
 A Mississippi Kite in Memphis, TN 25 Mar (LZ) was exceptionally early. A pair of Red-shouldered Hawks fledged 3 yg. at Kingsport, Sullivan, TN 21 May (RP, BG); this was only the second nest ever found in the Upper Holston R. drainage and the first in forty years (fide WC). Two Golden Eagles in e. Smith, TN 12 Mar (SSH) were a noteworthy discovery.
 Single Merlins were reported four times during the period: at Bowling Green, KY 11 & 18 Mar (DR), at Mammoth Cave N.P., Edmonson, KY 26 Mar (MMn), and at the Soddy Mt. Hawkwatch 16 Apr (WGB, JW). For the second consecutive year, there were at least 2 Peregrine Falcon nests in Great Smoky Mts. N.P. (fide CMu, SH). A pair also nested again on the railroad trestle below Chickamauga Dam in Chattanooga, TN; 2 eggs hatched, but only one chick fledged (fide KC). Five nests were again initiated this year on the Ohio R., KY from Jefferson to Greenup (SVo, TC).

RAILS THROUGH SHOREBIRDS
Two calling King Rails at Mossy Creek Wildlife Viewing Area, Jefferson 8 May (KDE) furnished only the third record for ne. Tennessee (fide WC). Only Sauerheber hosted this declining species in Kentucky during the period (DR, BP, JE).  A tally of 8 Virginia Rails at Sauerheber 18 Apr (DR, et al.) represented a new high count for Kentucky. Common Moorhens were observed at three Kentucky locales (CMo, LMcN, BP).
 An impressive concentration of 6000 shorebirds at Ensley 2 May (JRW) included the following season high counts: 48 Semipalmated Plovers, 241 Solitary Sandpipers, 3540 Least Sandpipers and 76 Long-billed Dowitchers. Other noteworthy season high counts included 90+ Semipalmated Plovers at McElroy Lake, Warren, KY 24 May (DR, NR), 3100 Lesser Yellowlegs at Lower Hatchie N.W.R. and Chickasaw N.W.R., TN 14 Apr (JRW), over 700 Semipalmated Sandpipers at Ensley 17 May (JRW), 933 Pectoral Sandpipers at Ensley 11 Apr (JRW), 700+ Pectoral Sandpipers in w. Fulton, KY 17 Apr (HC) and 133 Dunlin at McElroy L., Warren, KY 16 May (MSt).
 A Western Sandpiper at Ensley 10 Apr (JRW) was unusually early. Three Baird's Sandpipers at Shelby Farms, Shelby, TN [?_ Mar] (JRW) were almost a month early; this species, normally a rare spring migrant in the Region, was reported in greater than normal numbers, with high counts of 4 at Obion W.M.A., Fulton, KY 17 Apr (HC), 4 at Ensley 24 Apr (JRW), 5 at Kingston Steam Plant, Roane, TN 18 Apr (SJS, WW), and 9 in Union, KY 21 Apr (ph. BP). A Long-billed Dowitcher in w. Henderson 27 Mar (vt. BY) was relatively early for Kentucky.
 Unusually late transient shorebirds included the following: a Black-bellied Plover at White L. 31 May (KL, BL, JRW); an American Golden-Plover in Dyer, TN 23 May (KL, BL); an American Avocet at Ensley 29 May (JRW, TW); 3 Lesser Yellowlegs at Ensley 30 May (CB, VR, LZ); [a Solitary Sandpiper at Ensley 10 May (MO, JRW) -- not late at all??] a Willet at Ensley 25–26 May (JRW, CB, VR); and 3 Pectoral Sandpipers at White L. 31 May (KL, BL).
 There were also a number of reports of the less common transient shorebirds. [CS, there are a few reports of these types of species EVERY year – bp] Two (a pair?) of Piping Plovers were observed in Union, KY 29 Apr (ph. BP, JE). There were five reports of Black-necked Stilts away from the Mississippi R., where the species is now locally fairly common in the Region: 2-3 at Sauerheber 15–20 Apr (DR, CC); one in Boone 2 May (DMt) that was a first for n.-cen. Kentucky; 2 at Rankin Bottom 8 May (CMu et al.); 2 in Dekalb, TN 8 May (CW, JF); and 2 at Duck River 14 May (CF). Six Willets and 4 Marbled Godwits were a surprising sight at Cross Creeks N.W.R., Stewart, TN 24 Apr (JDe). A flock of 12 Willets at Austin Springs, Washington, TN 26 Apr (RK, m.ob.) was unusual for ne.[?__] Tennessee; one to 23 were seen on seven occasions 21 Apr–9 May in Kentucky. Whimbrel were observed on three occasions in Tennessee: one at White L. 20 May (MR, m.ob.); 3 in Dyer 22 May (JRW); and 5 in Lake 25 May (WGC, KL, NM). Always a very rare find in the Region, a Hudsonian Godwit was found in Tipton, TN 13 May (DB, DP) and 2 were at White L. 28 May (WGC, KL). Single Ruddy Turnstones were reported from three locations in Tennessee 20–30 May and at McElroy L., Warren, KY on the relatively early date of 30 Apr (DR). From one to 4 Sanderlings were reported from three locations in Tennessee 16–23 May, but the species was not found in Kentucky.

GULLS THROUGH OWLS
The first-year Little Gull found on the n. end of Kentucky L., Livingston/Marshall, KY in Feb lingered to 17 Mar (BP, MMn). The ad. California Gull discovered at Pace Point 25 Feb was still present as of 9 Mar (MT); another adult, likely a different individual, was present at Kentucky Dam 17–29 Mar (MMn, ph. BP, et al.). A first-year Thayer's Gull lingered in the Kentucky Dam vicinity to 29 Mar (TD). One to 2 first-year Glaucous Gulls lingered on n. Kentucky L., KY to 29 Mar (TD).
 A Caspian Tern at Kentucky Dam 27 Mar (BY) established a new early arrival date for Kentucky. A well-described Gull-billed Tern in Dyer, TN 22 May (†MT) was a very unexpected first for Tennessee [CS, we have a KY record]. Five Common Terns at Rankin Bottom 29 May (MSl, LG) were late. Somewhat amazingly, Black Tern went unrecorded in Kentucky during the season.
 A Common Ground-Dove in Memphis, TN 23–29 May (†KM) was a rare find for the Region. It was an above-average spring for Black-billed Cuckoos, with 5 reported from four locations across Tennessee and five locales in Kentucky.
 Two or 3 Northern Saw-whet Owls were calling on territory on Roan Mt., Carter, TN 27 Mar (CS, DH). Two Selasphorus hummingbirds became the first ever to be documented to overwinter successfully in Kentucky: a f. Rufous in s. Warren that lingered to 7 Apr (ph. JE, DE) and a probable f. Rufous at Lexington that lingered to 24 Mar (ph. RS).
 
FLYCATCHERS THROUGH CATBIRDS
It was an average spring for Olive-sided Flycatchers in Tennessee, with 5 reported from five locations 29 Apr–15 May, but only one was reported from Kentucky in Pulaski 12 May (RD). A Least Flycatcher at Radnor 14 Apr (PC, MZ) was early. An Alder Flycatcher 15 May in Lauderdale, TN (JRW) was a rare find away from the few breeding area in ne. Tennessee [I would suggest this is not unusual]. A Yellow-bellied Flycatcher at Radnor 26 May (FF) was the only one reported for the season. Two Tyrannus flycatchers – Scissor-tailed Flycatcher and Western Kingbird – continued their apparent range expansion in the Region. At least 3 pairs of Scissor-taileds – one in Murfreesboro, Rutherford, TN 15 & 25 Apr (TW, JDe), one in S. Pittsburgh, Marion, TN (JI) and one in s. Livingston, KY (m. ob.) – appeared to be breeding. Single individuals at Ensley 16 May (CB, VR, LZ) and at Eagle L. W.M.A., Shelby, TN 19 May (MR et al.) may have been transients. Four Western Kingbirds thought to represent locally nesting birds were at Ensley 25 Apr (JRW, MR et al.); single birds were also found at Eagle L. W.M.A., Shelby, TN 25 Apr (JRW) and in Lauderdale, TN 31 May (JRW). The imm. m. Vermilion Flycatcher discovered at Hatchie N.W.R., TN 22 Feb was still present as of 13 Mar (KO, JI).
 Loggerhead Shrikes are rare in ne. Tennessee so a breeding pair discovered in Washington (RK) was noteworthy.
 For the second consecutive year, a Bell's Vireo appeared to be on territory at Black Bayou W.M.A., Lake, TN 7–31 May+ (NM, m.ob.). A Blue-headed Vireo in McCreary 17 Mar (RD) represented a new early arrival date for Kentucky. Warbling Vireos are very _____ [rare/uncommon?] in se. Tennessee; one in Hamilton 26 Apr (KC, DJ) was only the third county record, with the second only last year (fide KC). A Red-eyed Vireo at Ft. Donelson National Battlefield, Stewart, TN 9 Apr (SJS, BSd) was early. [may warrant inclusion, but not sure; it's not early for KY]
 Two Fish Crows at Chickamauga L., Hamilton (KC et al.) provided further evidence that the species has begun to colonize the Tennessee R. in se. Tennessee; one farther upriver at the Kingston Steam Plant 8 Apr (SJS, WW) may be the first e. Tennessee record outside of Hamilton. A Common Raven nest discovered in Morgan, KY in mid-Apr (fide CL) represents another expansion in nesting range farther nw. from the Appalachian Mts.
 Single Barn Swallows from two different mid. Tennessee locations 13 Mar (GC et al., SJS, WW) were early. Cliff Swallows had returned to Barkley Dam, Lyon/Livingston, KY by the state record early date of 17 Mar (MMn, BP).
 Two Bewick's Wrens at Sharp's Ridge, Knox, TN 6 May (fide David Trently) were an exceptional find for the Southern Appalachians. The only one reported for Kentucky reappeared at a 2002 nesting location in Scott but did not appear to find a mate (LB).
 Two Wood Thrushes – one at Shelby Forest, Shelby, TN 2 Apr (WRP) and one in Bledsoe, TN 9 Apr (DG) – were early. Conversely, a Hermit Thrush at Old Hickory L., Davidson, TN 8 May (SSH, JB) was relatively late.
 Two Gray Catbirds at the Shelby Farms, Shelby, TN 10 Mar (CB, VR, LZ) either overwintered or were unusually early.

WARBLERS THROUGH SISKINS
Warbler numbers were reported to be overall significantly lower than average in most areas, likely at least in part due to weather patterns that allowed for unimpeded northward movement during most of May. A Northern Waterthrush at Nashville, TN 1 Apr (LK) was very early. A Black-throated Green in Wolfe 20 Mar (FR) tied the early arrival date for Kentucky. Unusually late were a Palm Warbler in Putnam, TN 17 May (WW) and a Yellow-rumped Warbler in Putnam, TN 25 May (SJS). It was a good spring for Connecticut Warblers, with at least 10 reported from six locations in Tennessee, including an exceptional count of 4 at Shelby Bottoms, Davidson, TN 17 May (PC et al.); 4 were reported from as many locations in Kentucky.
 Two Brewster's Warblers – one 2 May (TH) and one 8 May (DH, AT, m.ob.) – were reported in Carter, TN, where this hybrid occurs regularly among the breeding Golden-winged Warblers. A new breeding area for Golden-wingeds (and Brewster's) was discovered in Whitley, KY during early May (LP, et al.). Black-throated Blue Warblers are relatively rare outside of their breeding territories in the e. Tennessee mountains, so two reports each from Nashville – 22 Apr in Shelby Park (PC) and 26 May at Radnor (FF) – and Chattanooga – 26 Apr (DJ) and 2 May (MW, KC, CS) – were noteworthy. The Radnor report established a new late date for the Nashville area.
 The wintering m. Spotted Towhee in McCracken, KY lingered to 17 Apr (SR). Up to 15-20 Bachman's Sparrows were found on territory at Ft. Campbell, Trigg, KY & Stewart/Montgomery, TN during the period (DMo); one was also reported in White, TN 1–15 May (SJS, DDo, m.ob.). Four Lark Sparrows in Weakley and 2 in Henry 31 May (DM, MT) suggest that this species has become a local breeder in w. Tennessee. The species continues to be locally distributed in Rutherford and Wilson in mid. Tennessee, as was evidenced by one in Rutherford 8 May (JDe, TW, JM). A Henslow's Sparrow at Standifer Gap Marsh, Hamilton, TN 24 Apr (KC) and one in Washington, TN (†DH, m.ob.) were rare transients. At least 6 singing in Coffee 26 May represent the only known Tennessee breeding population outside of two military bases (DDa, TW). Eight LeConte's Sparrows at the Big Sandy Unit of Tennessee N.W.R., Henry, TN 19 Mar (JRW, MT, MG) was a noteworthy concentration. Extraordinary was the report of three Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrows (a species that should theoretically appear as a spring transient in the Region in mid-May) at the Big Sandy Unit of Tennessee N.W.R., Henry, TN on the unprecedented early date of 19 Mar (JRW, MT, MG). A Lincoln's Sparrow at Mammoth Cave N.P., Edmonson, KY 26 Mar (MMn) either overwintered or was an extremely early migrant. A seemingly healthy White-throated Sparrow lingered at Louisville to the end of May (BW). The wintering Harris's Sparrow in Ballard, KY lingered to 5 May (RH).
 An Indigo Bunting in Millington, Shelby, TN 18 Mar (VH) either overwintered or was very early.
 There was a noticeable movement of Purple Finches and Pine Siskins through the Region in Mar and early Apr. Purple Finches were reported from five counties in Tennessee, with a high of 13 in Shelby 2 Apr (GP) while up to 25 were present in Grayson, KY into late Mar (JP). Perhaps in part due to infections of conjunctivitis, a few birds lingered at a feeding station in se. Jefferson, KY to the end of May (E&JH). Small numbers of Pine Siskins were reported from seven counties in Tennessee and two in Kentucky, the latest of which was one heard over Whitley, KY 8 May (BP, JDu).

Cited Contributors (subregional editors in boldface): David Brown, Jack Brown, Carolyn Bullock, Laura Burford, Tina Carter, Phillip Casteel (middle Tennessee), Kevin Calhoon (se. Tennessee), Janice Chadwell, Hap Chambers, Wallace Coffey (e. Tennessee), Amy Covert, Charlie Crawford, W. Glen Criswell, Rack Cross, Don Davidson (DDa), Roseanna Denton, Jay Desgrosellier (JDe), Douglas Downs (DDo), Lester Doyle, Jon Dunn (JDu), Tom Durbin, Melissa Easley, Amber Edwards, K. Dean Edwards, Diane Elmore, Jackie Elmore, Frank Fekel, Clayton Ferrell, Judy Fuson, Leslie Gibbens, Dana Girard, Mark Greene, Bill Grigsby, William G. Haley, Lana Hays, Susan S. Hollyday, Renee Hooks, Susan Hoyle, Don Holt, Tom Howe, Eddie & Jennifer Huber, Jerry Ingles, Daniel Jacobson, Linda Kelly, Rick Knight (e. Tennessee), Betty Leggett, Ken Leggett, Charlie Logsdon, Jason Mann, Don Manning, Scott Marsh, Knox Martin, Larry McDaniel (LMcD), Lee McNeely (LMcN), Tom McNeil, Daniel McNulty (DMt), Mark Monroe (MMn), Nancy Moore, Mike Morton (MMr), Daniel Moss (DMo), Carl Mowery (CMo), Charlie Muise (CMu), Ken Oeser, Mike O'Malley, Brainard Palmer-Ball, Jr., Laura Patton, Gaynell Perry, Rick Phillips, W. Robert Peeples (w. Tennessee), Joyce Porter, Kerry Prather, Dick Preston, Nicole Ranalli, Scott Record, Frank Renfrow, Virginia Reynolds, David Roemer, Michael Sledjeski (MSl), Stephen J. Stedman, Chris Sloan, Robert Staib, Barbara Stedman, Bryan Stevens, Matt Stickel (MSt), Dani Thompson (DTh), Mike Todd, David Traitor (DTr), Allen Trently, Sara Viernum (SVi), Shawchyi Vorisek (SVo), Winston Walden, Melinda Welton, Jimmy Wilkerson, Carol Williams, Jeff R. Wilson, Terry Witt, Barbara Woerner, Ben Yandell, Linda Zempel, Mary Zimmerman.

Uncited Contributors: Many thanks go to the numerous additional individuals who contributed information that was used in this report. Regretfully, due to space limitations, we cannot acknowledge each individual contributor.