Brainard Palmer-Ball, Jr., and Lee McNeely

Weather conditions during the season were rather average overall, but below normal precipitation occurred early in the period. Relatively normal early spring temperatures yielded to well above normal readings during the last three weeks of May, resulting in a protracted migration after the first week of May. Violent storms across much of the northern half of the state during the last week of May likely disrupted some nesting activities.

The highlight of the season in the rarities department was - pending Kentucky Bird Records Committee acceptance - a first state record for Yellow-billed Loon. Other noteworthy rarities included a Pacific Loon, a California Gull, and continuing Little Gull, Spotted Towhees (2) and Harris's Sparrow. Baird's Sandpiper - typically a rare spring migrant - was reported on four occasions in mid-April. Two Selasphorus hummingbirds became the first ever known to survive a Kentucky winter! Black-necked Stilts and Scissor-tailed Flycatchers continued their recent trends by appearing in multiple locations again this year. And finally, Bachman's Sparrows were again found in good numbers in the Trigg County portion of Fort Campbell Military Reservation.

Abbreviations – County names appear in italics; when used to separate dates, the “/” symbol is used in place of “and”; “ph.” next to an observer’s initials indicates that the observation was documented with photograph(s); “vt.” next to an observer’s initials indicates that the observation was documented on videotape; “*” next to an observer’s initials indicates that written details were submitted with the report; Ano = Ano surface mine, Pulaski; Ballard = Ballard WMA, Ballard; Barkley Dam = Barkley Dam, Lyon/Livingston; Big South Fork = Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area, McCreary; Birmingham Point = Kentucky Lake at Birmingham Point, Marshall/Lyon; Black Mountain = Black Mountain, Harlan; Blood River = Blood River embayment of Kentucky Lake, Calloway; Camp #9 = Peabody Camp #9 Mine, Union; Camp #11 = Peabody Camp #11 Mine, Union; DBNF = Daniel Boone National Forest; Highland Creek = Highland Creek Unit Sloughs WMA, Union; Jonathan Creek = Jonathan Creek embayment of Kentucky Lake, Marshall; Ken Hopewell = Ken Hopewell Unit Peabody WMA, Ohio; Ky Dam = Kentucky Dam, Livingston/Marshall; Ky Dam Village = Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park, Marshall; KDFWR = Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources; Ky Lake = Kentucky Lake, Marshall/Calloway/Livingston/Lyon/ Trigg; Kuttawa = Lake Barkley at Kuttawa, Lyon; Lake Peewee = Lake Peewee, Madisonville, Hopkins; LBL = Land Between the Lakes, Lyon/Trigg; Little Lick = Little Lick Recreation Area, DBNF, Pulaski; Lk Barkley = Lake Barkley, Livingston/Lyon/Trigg; Long Point = Long Point Unit Reelfoot National Wildlife Refuge, Fulton; Lost River = Lost River Cave and Valley, Bowling Green, Warren; Lower Hickman Bottoms = Lower Hickman Bottoms, Fulton; Mammoth Cave = Mammoth Cave National Park, Edmonson (unless otherwise noted); McElroy = McElroy Lake, Warren; Meng's Pond = Meng's Pond, Warren; Minor Clark = Minor Clark Fish Hatchery, Rowan; Newport = Newport, Campbell; Obion = Obion WMA, Fulton (unless otherwise noted); Paradise = Paradise Power Plant impoundments, Muhlenberg; Peabody = Peabody WMA, Ohio/Muhlenberg (unless otherwise noted); Petersburg = Petersburg, Boone; Rock Bridge = Rock Bridge, DBNF, Wolfe; Sauerheber = Sauerheber Unit of Sloughs WMA, Henderson; Sinclair = Sinclair Unit Peabody WMA, Muhlenberg; Surrey Hills Farm = Surrey Hills Farm, ne. Jefferson; Waitsboro = Waitsboro Recreation Area on Lake Cumberland, Pulaski; Walton's Pond = Walton's Pond, s. Warren; West Ky = West Ky WMA, McCracken; WMA = Wildlife Management Area.

Greater White-fronted Goose: latest report was for 1 at Ballard 12 April (SR).

Snow Goose: the most interesting reports included 1 at Owsley Fork Lake, Madison/Jackson, 8-10 March (PH) and 6 Blues in Campbell 8 March (FR); the continued presence of a blue-morph bird at Minor Clark in late May (LH) suggests that the late summer-early fall bird 2003 bird was injured or resident and not an early fall arrival.

Ross's Goose: only report was for 1 at Barkley Dam 21 March (RDn).

Tundra Swan: the flock at Sauerheber (assumed to be all Tundras) numbered 29 on 1 March (MMr) but they left the area ca. 4 March (MMr); 2 were observed in ne Fayette 7 April (SM).

Wood Duck: an early brood of 12 yg. was observed at Pumphouse Pond, Pulaski, 9 April (RDn).

Gadwall: latest reports included 2 pair at Camp #11 on 6 May (BP); 3 males at Lake Peewee 10 May (BP, JDu); and 3 males and a female at Camp #11 on 18 May (BP, MMn).

Blue-winged Teal: peak count was a relatively unimpressive 60 at Jonathan Creek 28 March (HC).

Green-winged Teal: latest reports were for single males at both McElroy and Chaney Lake, Warren, both 9 May (DR).

Redhead: the peak count of migrants was 40 in the Ohio River floodplain, e. Daviess, 5 March (DA); relatively late individuals included 1 at Camp #11 on 21 April (BP) and 1 there 18 May (BP, MMn).

Ring-necked Duck: 1-2 males that were certainly injured lingered at Camp #11 to 30 May (BP, AC).

Greater Scaup: only a few reports as follows: 1 in the Ohio River floodplain, e. Daviess, 5 March (DA); at least 15 at Green River Lake, Taylor, 7 March (RDn, HC); at least 4 at Waitsboro 17 March (RDn).

Lesser Scaup: as is now the norm, 10+ birds (all or most likely injured) were still on Lake Barkley, Lyon, into May (m.ob.); also reported were 1 at Lake Peewee and 1 at Camp #11, both 10 May (BP, JDu).

Surf Scoter: the only reports were for 3 at Green River Lake, Taylor, 7 March (ph.RDn, HC) and 1 on a pond at Hickman, Fulton, 17 April (ph.HC).

Black Scoter: certainly extraordinary was the observation of a male and 2 females on Lake Herrington, Boyle/Garrard, 6 May (KP).

Hooded Merganser: interesting reports included a female at Sloans Crossing Pond, Mammoth Cave, 5 May (BP, MMn); 15 first-year birds at Obion 9 May (BP, JDu); and 2 broods of young at Ballard 25 May (SR).

Ruddy Duck: several showed up during late April and early May at Camp #11 and at least 6 birds were still there 30 May (BP, AC).

Red-throated Loon: there were an impressive number of reports including 1 probable adult on Ky Lake at Birmingham Point 13 March (BY, BP, AC) and 14 March (ME); a first-year bird on Ky Lake above the dam 14 March (BP, et al.) and 15 March (DR); and 2 on Ky Lake – 1 above the dam and 1 at Birmingham Point 24 March (DR).

Pacific Loon: 1 bird was reported on Ky Lake at Birmingham Point 10 March (DR). KBRC review required.

Yellow-billed Loon: a probable first-year bird on Ky Lake at Birmingham Point 13 March (ph. BP, AC, BY) –  30 March (LPe) will represent a first state record if accepted. KBRC review required.

Common Loon: lingering birds included 1 at Goose Lake, Sinclair, 6 May (BP); 1 at Petersburg 8/15 May (LM, et al.); 2 at Kuttawa 9 May (BP, JDu); 1 at Paradise 18 May (MMn, BP); 1 basic-plumaged and 1 alternate-plumaged bird above Ky Dam through 29 May (BP, AC).

Horned Grebe: peak count was 75-100 on Ky Lake, Marshall, 14 March (BP, et al.).

Red-necked Grebe: perhaps the same individual was observed on Ky Lake from the mouth of Little Bear Creek, Marshall, 10 March (vt. DR) to Ky Lake at Sherwood Shores, Marshall, 13 March (BP, AC) to Ky Lake at Birmingham Point 15 March (DR).

American White Pelican: there were many reports during the period; of greatest interest were the following: ca. 20 at Swan Lake, Ballard, 4/9 March (SVi); a new state record count of 2000 at Mitchell Lake, Ballard, 10 March with 1500 still there 11/12 March (SVi); nearly 400 on Linton Bay, Lake Barkley, Trigg, 14-15 March (fide MBe); 75 at Mitchell Lake, Ballard, 16 March (SR); 17 over Long Point 7 March (KL); 96 at Blood River 22 March (HC). reports of 1 at Paradise 11 April (BY) and 9 at McElroy 29 April (LD) were the easternmost for the season.

Double-crested Cormorant: 300+ were observed migrating over Hart 16 April (SK).

American Bittern: scattered reports included 1 at Sinclair 27 March (HC, RDn, ME), 11 April (BY) and 17 April (MSi); 1 at Sauerheber 18 April (DR, KOS); 1 w/ a broken wing at Camp #11 on 21 April (BP); 2 there 29 April (BP, JE); 1 at Long Point 1 May (BP, JE); 1 at Beech Grove Ridge, Pulaski, 5 May (RDn); 2 at Sinclair 7 May (BY); and 1 at Meadow Creek Swamp, Wayne, in early May (EH, fide MH).

Least Bittern: earliest reports included 1 at Long Point 18 April (KL, BLe) and 2 at Sauerheber 18 April (DR, KOS).

Great Blue Heron: a number of  new colonies were reported during the spring season, full results of which will be published in a later issue as part of results of a statewide heronry survey that was conducted during the spring and summer of 2004.

Great Egret: earliest report was for 2 in w. Henderson 2 April (CC); a bird at Clifty Pond, Pulaski, 11 April was somewhat unexpected (RDn); peak count was 65 at Obion 9 May (BP, JDu).

Snowy Egret: earliest report was for 1 on Lake Barkley near Eddyville, Lyon, 10 April (J&PN); the most out-of-place transients included 1 at Paradise 6 May (BP) and 3 at Camp #11 on 10 May (BP, JDu).

Cattle Egret: unusual for Hart were 2 in flight 8 May (SK).

Black-crowned Night-Heron: earliest report was for 4 at Barkley Dam 21 March (RDn); also of interest were 4 at Lake Carnico, Nicholas, where the species is not regularly observed (G&WK).

Yellow-crowned Night-Heron: only reports for the season were for 1 at Highland Creek Unit Sloughs WMA, Union, 5 April (CC); 1 over St. Mathews, Jefferson, a few times in early May (BW); and 2 pairs nesting along Woodbine Drive, Lexington, in mid-May (TS, fide SM).

Osprey: earliest report was for 2 at Ky Dam 15 March (DR); there are now at least 4 nests along the Green River, Muhlenberg/Ohio (SVo, BP, JF).

Mississippi Kite: there were several reports of vagrant birds this spring including 2 over LBL at the head of Cravens Bay, Lyon, 30 April (JE, BP); 1 at Sinclair 6 May (BP) with 1 or 2 there 18 May (BP, MMn); 1 on Fort Knox ca. two miles sw. of Westpoint, Hardin, 7 May (DD) with another or the same bird on Fort Knox on Lower Douglas Lake e. of Radcliff, Hardin, 26 May (KB, fide J&PB).

Bald Eagle: a sub-adult was observed at Paradise 18 May (MMn, BP).

Northern Harrier: a bird at Ano 17 May (RDn) is suggestive of nesting; several territorial birds were observed at Sinclair 18 May (BP, MMn).

Broad-winged Hawk: earliest report was for 1 near Plano, Warren, 24 March (TD).

Rough-legged Hawk: there were a few reports of lingering birds at Sinclair 27 March (HC, RDn, ME); 9 April (BLi); and 11 April (BY).

Merlin: reports of presumed spring migrants included 1 at Bowling Green 11 March (DR); 1 at Shaker Mill, Warren, 18 March (DR); and 1 at Mammoth Cave 26 March (MMn).

Peregrine Falcon: there were a few reports including 1 in e. Jefferson 15 March (KCl); 1 of the local nesting pair on the Louisville waterfront 21 March (RDv, MW); an adult at McElroy 2 May (DR), an adult at McElroy 5 May (BP, MMn); an adult at Obion 9 May (BP, JDu); and at least 1 of a pair frequenting a power plant in s. Indiana was observed on the US 231 bridge, ne. Daviess in late May (DA).

King Rail: 1 was observed at Sauerheber 18 April (DR, KOS) and 3 were heard there 29 April (BP, JE).

Virginia Rail: 4 were reported from Sinclair 27 March (HC, RDn, ME); a new state high count of 8 individuals was observed at Sauerheber 18 April (DR, KOS); also reported were 2 seen/heard at Camp #11 on 29 April (BP, JE) and 1 at Long Point 1 May (BP, JE).

Sora: peak count was 35+ at Camp #11 on 21 April (BP); a bird at Long Point 29 May (BLi) represented a new late departure date for the state.

Common Moorhen: 1 was heard along Terrapin Creek, Graves, 1 May (CM); 1 was observed near Petersburg 8 May (LM, et al.); 1 was at Camp #11 on 18 May (BP, MMn) with at least 2 there 30 May (BP, AC).

American Coot: birds lingered and likely initiated nesting at Camp #11 during May (BP, et al.).

Sandhill Crane: most birds moved through early, but a few lingered into March; a tardy flock of 23 birds was observed over e. Jefferson 19 April (BW); a bird with a broken wing was observed at McElroy 23 May and lingered there into June (DR).

Black-bellied Plover: earliest report was for 1 heard in w. Fulton 1 May (BP, JE); peak count was 15 at McElroy 24 May (DR, NR); also reported were 2 at McElroy 3 May (DR); 2 at McElroy 5 May (BP, MMn); 1 at Camp #9 on 6 May (BP); 1 at Paradise 9 May (MSi); 1 at Camp #9 on 18 May (BP, MMn); and 1 at McElroy 23 May (DR).

American Golden-Plover: there were only a few reports of the species including 3 at Long Point 18 April (KL, BLe); 4 near Ellis Park, Henderson, 21 April (BP); and 2 in the Lower Hickman Bottoms, Fulton, 9 May (BP, JDu).

Semipalmated Plover: earliest reports included 1 in w. Fulton 17 April (HC); 1 at Long Point 18 April (KL, BLe); and 1 at Ballard 18 April (SR); peak count was for 90+ at McElroy 24 May (DR, NR).

Piping Plover: 2 (a pair?) were observed at Camp #9 on 29 April (ph.BP, JE).

Black-necked Stilt: as is becoming the norm, there were a few scattered observations of migrants and/or vagrants as follows: 3 at Sauerheber 15 April (DR) to 20 April (CC); 7 at Obion 1 May (BP, JE); and 1 at Boone Lake, Boone, 2 May (DMc) which represented a first for n.-cen. Kentucky.

Greater Yellowlegs: earliest reports were from w. Henderson 12 March (CC) and from Sauerheber 14 March (BY); peak counts included 128 at Long Point 20 April (KL, NM) and ca 85 in w. Henderson 21 April (BP).

Lesser Yellowlegs: earliest reports were for  w. Henderson 7 March (CC) and 3 at Long Point 14 March (BY); peak counts included 200+ at Long Point 18 April (KL, BLe) and "hundreds" there 7 May (BY).

Willet: earliest report was for 2 at Waitsboro 21 April (RDn); also observed were at least 23 at Ky Dam Village beach 23 April (RDn, et al.); 2 at Ky Dam Village beach 24 April (m.ob.); 1 migrating north while resting on drift on Lake Barkley, Trigg, 27 April (BLi); 10 at Kuttawa 30 April (BP, JE); 1 at Walton's Pond 2 May (DR), and 3 at Ky Dam Village 9 May (BP, JDu).

Spotted Sandpiper: earliest report was for 2 at Blood River 16 April (HC).

Upland Sandpiper: the only report was for 2 in McCracken 25 April (SR).

Ruddy Turnstone: only report for the spring was for 1 at McElroy on the relatively early date of 30 April (DR).

Semipalmated Sandpiper: earliest report was for 5 at Paradise 1 May (RDn); peak counts included 200+ at McElroy 24 May (DR, NR) and 105 at Camp #9 on 18 May (BP, MMn); 12 were still at Camp #9 on 30 May (BP).

Western Sandpiper: the only report for the season was for 1 at Obion 17 April (HC).

White-rumped Sandpiper: earliest report was for 1 at McElroy 3 May (DR); also reported were 1 at Paradise 6 May (BP); 3-4 at Obion 9 May (BP, JDu); 5+ at Camp #9 on 18 May (BP, MMn); and 5 at McElroy 24 May (DR, NR).

Baird's Sandpiper: there was an excellent movement of this rare spring shorebird across the western part of the state during mid-April with the following reports: 1 at Blood River 16 April (HC); 4 at Obion 17 April (HC); 1 at Ballard 22 April (SR); and finally a loose group of 9 at Camp #9 on 21 April (ph. BP) which represents a new spring high count.

Pectoral Sandpiper: peak counts included 500+ at Long Point 11 April (BY); 700+ in w. Fulton 17 April (HC); and 100+ at Obion 9 May (BP, JDu).

Dunlin: earliest report was for 1 at Long Point 11 April (BY); peak counts included 133 at McElroy 16 May (MSi) and 35 near Sauerheber 18 May (RDv); also reported were 4 at Long Point 18 April (KL, BLe); 6 at Long Point 20 April (KL, NM); 1 at Camp #9 on 21 April (BP) and 29 April (BP, JE); 1 at Paradise (BY) and 7 in sw. Warren (DR), both 30 April; 1 at Paradise 1 May (RDn); 1 at McElroy 5 May (BP, MMn); 10 at Camp #9 on 6 May (BP); 6 at Obion 9 May (BP, JDu); 6 at Camp #11 on 10 May (BP, JDu); 20-30 at Camp #9 on 10 May (BP, JDu); 4 at Petersburg 15 May (LM) with 2 still there 16 May (LM); 1 at Camp #9 on 18 May (BP, MMn); and 4 at McElroy and 1 at Walton's Pond 24 May (DR, NR).

Stilt Sandpiper: earliest report was for 1 at Walton's Pond 11 May (DR); peak count was for 12 near Sauerheber 18 May (RDv); also reported were 1 at Obion 9 May (BP, JDu) and  6 at Walton's Pond 14 May (DR).

Short-billed Dowitcher: few reports this spring; all are included: 2 at Long Point 20 April (KL, NM); 3 in Trigg 2 May (BLi); some of 30 dowitchers at McElroy 5 May called Short-billed (BP, MMn); 1 seen/heard at Obion 9 May (BP, JDu); 3 seen/heard at Camp #11 10 May (BP, JDu); ca. 60 total were present at McElroy/Walton's Pond/Meng's Pond 11 May (DR); 5 at McElroy 12 May (DR); 1 at McElroy 14 May (DR); 22 at Petersburg 15 May (LM) with 6 still there 16 May (LM); and 2 at McElroy 18 May (DR).

Long-billed Dowitcher: earliest report was for 1 at Sauerheber 27 March (vt. BY); peak counts included 22 at McElroy 25 April (DR) and 14 at McElroy 3 May (DR); also reported were 5 at Paradise 29 April (BP, JE); 1 (by visual characters) in Trigg 2 May (BLi); 1 in w. Henderson near Sauerheber 2 May (BY); some of 30 birds at McElroy 5 May were identified by sight as Long-billed (BP, MMn); 1 in e. Trigg near Gracey 3 May (BLi); 1 at Camp #11 6 May (BP); at least 3 at Long Point 7 May (BY); and 4 at Walton's Pond 9 May (DR).

Wilson's Snipe: 2 were still at Meng's Pond 5 May (BP, MMn).

American Woodcock: relatively impressive was a count of 24 birds at Ano 2 March (RDn).

Wilson's Phalarope: only reports were for 2 birds at both McElroy Lake and Walton's Pond 5 May (BP, MMn).

Franklin's Gull: the only reports were for an adult at Ky Dam 23 April (DR) and a first-year bird at Ky Dam marina 25 April (m.ob.).

Laughing Gull: the only reports were for 2 at Kentucky Dam Village 24 April (KL); 1 adult at Calvert City 25 April (BP, AC); and 1 adult at the Falls of the Ohio 18 May (MMn, BP).

Little Gull: the first-year bird that was found on Ky Lake above the dam in February lingered to at least 17 March (BP, MMn). KBRC documentation already submitted from winter 2003-2004.

Bonaparte's Gull: 400-500 on Lake Cumberland at Lees Ford dock, Pulaski, 16 March was rather impressive (BP, EC, RDn); only a few were around Ky Lake and Lake Barkley 24-25 April (KOS).

Ring-billed Gull: ca 150 were still at the Ky Dam Village marina 1 May (BP, JE) but only 4 were still there 30 May (BP, AC).

California Gull: an adult at Ky Dam 17 March (MMn, ph.BP, MSi) was observed by many individuals through 29 March (TD). KBRC review required.

Herring Gull: at least 150 and possibly 200, mostly first-year birds, were still in vicinity of Ky Dam 17 March (BP, MMn, MSi); 17 sub-adults were at Ky Dam marina 1 May (BP, JE); 1 second-year was still at Ky Dam Village marina 29 May (BP, AC); 1 first-year bird was at Camp #9 on 30 May (BP, AC).

Thayer's Gull: only reports for the spring season were for a first-year bird below Ky Dam 21 March (RDn, JW); a first-year bird at Ky Dam 24 March (DR); and an "immature" below Ky Dam 29 March (TD).

Lesser Black-backed Gull: all reports are listed: 1 adult below Ky Dam 8 March (HC); 1 adult and 1 first-year bird below Ky Dam 10 March (DR, et al.); 1 first-year bird below Ky Dam 13 March (BP, AC); 1 adult above Ky Dam and 1 first-year bird below Ky Dam 17 March (BP, MMn, MSi); 1 adult below Ky Dam 19 March (MO); 2 at Ky Dam 24 March (DR); 1 at Kuttawa 27 March (BY); and 1 at Ky Dam 23 April (DR, KL, BLe).

Glaucous Gull: 1-2 first-year birds continued from winter season as follows: 1 first-year bird at Birmingham Point 10 March (DR); 1 first-year bird above Ky Dam and on Ky Lake at Sherwood Shores, Marshall, both 13 March (BP, AC); 1 first-year bird above Ky Dam 14 March (BP, et al.); 2 first-year birds, 1 on Ky Lake at the mouth of Little Bear Creek, Marshall, and the other above the dam, 15 March (DR); 1 first-year bird below Barkley Dam 17 March (BP, MMn); 2 first-year birds above and below Ky Dam 17 March (BP, MMn, MSi); 1 first-year bird on Ky Lake at the mouth of Little Bear Creek, Marshall, 24 March (DR); 1 first-year bird above Ky Dam 27 March (BY); and 1 first-year at Birmingham Point (TD).

Caspian Tern: earliest reports were record early birds at Ky Dam 27 March (BY) and Jonathan Creek 28 March (HC); peak count was 44 at Ky Dam Village beach 25 April (m. ob.); 3 were still at Ky Dam 29 May (BP, AC).

Forster's Tern: 52 had returned to Blood River by 28 March (HC); also reported were 25 at Calvert City 25 April (BP, AC) and 32 on Lake Barkley at Green Turtle Bay, Lyon, 1 May (BP, JE).

Least Tern: 4 birds were at Calvert City, Marshall, and 1 bird was above Ky Dam, both 29 May (BP, AC).

Black Tern: incredibly, this species went unreported during the season.

Eurasian Collared-Dove: numerous in Lovelaceville, Ballard, 17 March, and have apparently been there for some time (fide RHo).

Black-billed Cuckoo: the only reports were single birds at Mt. Zion, Pulaski, 27 April (RDn); in LBL, Trigg, 3 May (BLi); near Fisherville, e. Jefferson, 8 May (AL, BW); at E.P. "Tom" Sawyer State Park, Jefferson, 12 May (J&PB, BBC); and at Hancock Biological Station, Calloway, 15 May (VR, MBi).

Yellow-billed Cuckoo: earliest reports included 1 at Cherokee Park, Louisville, 24 April (HS, BW, BBC) and in w. Henderson 25 April (CC).

Common Nighthawk: earliest report was from Bowling Green 26 April (FB).

Chuck-will's-widow: an interesting report of an apparently late migrant was 1 in e. Jefferson 20 May (J&PB); likely a county nesting record was a bird on 2 eggs just ne. of Blue Licks Battlefield State Resort Park, nw. Fleming, 19 May (HH, et al.).

Ruby-throated Hummingbird: earliest reports were for 1 at Science Hill, Pulaski, 11 April (RDn) and 1 in s. Warren 15 April (JE).

Rufous Hummingbird: the adult female that wintered s. of Bowling Green was last seen 7 April (ph.JE, DE). KBRC documentation already submitted from winter 2003-2004.

Selasphorus sp. hummingbird: the probable adult female that wintered in Lexington was last observed 24 March (ph.RS).

Olive-sided Flycatcher: the only report was for 1 near Blue John, Pulaski, 12 May (RDn).

Alder Flycatcher: the only report was for 1 at Ano 19 May (RDn).

Willow Flycatcher: earliest reports were for 1 at Sinclair 7 May (BY) and 1 at Little Lick 8 May (SM, RB).

Least Flycatcher: an impressive count of 17 presumed territorial males were heard and seen at and near the summit of Black Mountain 9 May (BY).

Eastern Kingbird: earliest report was for 1 at Kuttawa Springs, Lyon, 10 April (J&PN).

Scissor-tailed Flycatcher: the Grand Rivers, Livingston, pair was first observed (nest building) 24 April (BP, AC) and the female was incubating 29 May (BP, AC). One to 2 birds were also present below Barkley Dam from 4 May (BLi) into June. Another individual was reported at Murray, Calloway, 21 May (CP, fide HC). KBRC review required for Calloway record; others reviewed from previous years.

White-eyed Vireo: earliest report was for 1 at Sinclair 9 April (BLi).

Bell's Vireo: earliest report was for 1 at Camp #11 on 6 May (BP) with a pair there 10 May (BP, JDu); also reported were birds at Homestead Unit Peabody WMA, Ohio, and Sinclair 7 May (BY).

Blue-headed Vireo: earliest reports included a record-early bird at Yahoo Falls, DBNF, McCreary, 17 March (RDn), 1 at Rock Bridge and 1 at Natural Bridge State Resort Park, Powell, both 20 March (FR); and 1 at Little Lick 24 March (RDn); a relatively impressive count of 8 was tallied at West Ky 26 April (SR); 1 + 2 (a pair?) were observed at Mammoth Cave 5 May (BP, MMn); an extremely late migrant was at Surrey Hills Farm 17 May (BP, J& PB).

Philadelphia Vireo: this species did not seem to be numerous this spring with only a few reports including 1 at Long Point on the extremely early date of 18 April (KL, BLe); 1 at Miles Park as early as 27 April (BW); 1 in sw. Jefferson 8 May (CL); 1 in LBL, Trigg, 12 May (BLi) and 2 at Surrey Hills Farm 17 May (BP, J&PB).

Red-eyed Vireo: earliest report was from Blood River 7 April (ME).

Fish Crow: earliest reports included 1 over Ragland, McCracken, 8 March (SR); several at Long Point 14 March (BY); and birds heard at Kentucky Dam 21 March (HC, et al.); also reported were 1 at Jonathan Creek 9 April (HC); a bird in LBL, Trigg, 15 April (BLi) which was in an area the species has not been previously reported; 2 heard s. of Hardy Slough, Sauerheber, 21 April (BP); and 2 heard at Cypress Creek Swamp, Marshall, 25 April (BP, et al.).

Common Raven: a new nesting site was discovered on Paintsville Lake WMA, Morgan, in mid-April (RHa, fide CL); 2 birds, maybe 4, were observed at Black Mountain 9 May (BY).

Purple Martin: earliest reports included 1 at Bowling Green 2 March (DR); 3 in Marshall 3 March (HC); and 4 in s. Logan 3 March (MBe).

Northern Rough-winged Swallow: earliest reports were for singles in Wayne 20 March (RDn, SBC) and at Kentucky Dam Village 21 March (HC, et al.).

Cliff Swallow: earliest reports included 15-20 birds at Barkley Dam, 17 March (MMn, BP) setting a new early arrival date for the state, and 1 at Kentucky Dam 21 March (RDn, et al.); colonies were reported on the Licking River at Butler, Pendleton, and Claysville, Harrison, both new counties, in mid-May (GM).

Red-breasted Nuthatch: 2 were seen at the Rock Bridge nesting area 20 March (FR); latest reports of lingering birds included 1 at Bee Rock, DBNF, Pulaski, 11 April (RDn, SD, JDe) and 1 at Louisville 17 April (JE).

Bewick's Wren: the only report for the season was from the Scott yard n. of Stamping Ground where a pair nested two years ago; the bird was seen/heard during the last week of April and again 26-27 May (LB).

House Wren: earliest report was from Harrison 4 April (fide SM).

Sedge Wren: 1 at Sinclair 13 March (BY), 27 March (RDn, HC, ME), 11 April (BY) and 17 April (MSi), and 2 there 9 April (BLi) may have been wintering birds; other reports included 1 at Golden Pond, LBL, Trigg, 23 April (BLi); 1 at West Ky 26 April (SR); 1 at Sauerheber 2 May (BY); and 2 at Surrey Hills Farm 11 May (BP, JDu) that lingered into late May (BP).

Marsh Wren: 1 at Winchester 13 March (MBo) may have wintered; 1 at Sinclair 27 March (RDn, HC, ME) and 2 there 9 April (BLi) likely wintered; other reports included 1 at Sinclair 11 April (BY); 1 in w. Henderson 15 April (DR); 3 heard at Camp #11 on 21 April (BP); 1 at Long Point 1 May (JE, BP); and 1 at Sauerheber 2 May (BY).

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher: earliest reports were for singles at Lake Cumberland WMA, Pulaski, (RDn) and 1 at Mammoth Cave, Barren (MMn), both 26 March.

Gray-cheeked Thrush: a relatively impressive peak count of 10-15 were encountered in LBL 12 May (MBi).

American Pipit: peak counts included 150+ at Long Point 14 March (BY) and up to 125 in Ballard 25 April (SR); 20 were still at Willow Pond, Fulton, 20 April (KL, NM) and 1 was still at McElroy 5 May (BP, MMn).

Cedar Waxwing: continuing a trend of recent years, the species was scarce until May and did not become abundant until the second week of the month.

Blue-winged Warbler: earliest reports were for single birds at Louisville 17 April (JE); in Boone 19 April (KCa) and in Hart 19 April (SK).

Golden-winged Warbler: earliest report was for 4 males in LBL, Lyon, 30 April (BP, JE); also reported were 1 at the Pinnacle, Cumberland Gap, Bell, 1 May (MMn); 1 in LBL, Lyon, 2 May (BY); 1 in LBL, Trigg, 3 May (BLi); 1 male in LBL, Lyon, 7 May (BY); and at least 5 males and 2 Brewster's hybrids at a newly discovered breeding site on Jellico Mt, Whitley, in early May (LPa) and 8 May (BP, JDu).

Tennessee Warbler: 100+ were seen/heard in LBL, Lyon, 30 April (BP, JE).

Orange-crowned Warbler: singles were reported as follows: 1 in LBL, Trigg, 17 April (BLi) and 1 in LBL, Lyon, 24 April (BP).

Nashville Warbler: earliest report was for 2 at Louisville 17 April (JE).

Northern Parula: earliest reports included 4 in LBL, Trigg, 30 March (BLi) and from w. Henderson 5 April (CC).

Chestnut-sided Warbler: earliest reports were for single birds in LBL, Lyon, 24 April (AC) and at West Ky 26 April (SR); a probable breeder was observed on Jellico Mt., Whitley, 8 May (BP, JDu); an impressive count of 58 was tallied at Black Mountain 9 May (BY); even more impressive was a count of 39 was tallied along the crest of Pine Mountain, Harlan, 13 May (SS, JK et al.) where this species was not known to breed two decades ago.

Cape May Warbler: the species was considered fairly numerous at several locales during the first week of May (m. ob.).

Black-throated Blue Warbler: 1 was at Gunpowder Creek Nature Park, Boone, May 2 (LM); a relatively impressive count of 20 was tallied at Black Mountain 9 May (BY).

Black-throated Green Warbler: earliest reports included a record-tying bird at Rock Bridge 20 March (FR) and 3 at Little Lick 24 March (RDn); an impressive count of 52 birds was tallied at Little Lick 10 April (RDn).

Yellow-throated Warbler: earliest reports were for 1 at Jonathan Creek 28 March (HC) and 3 in LBL, Trigg, 30 March (BLi).

Pine Warbler: an impressive count of 30 birds was tallied in the Red River Gorge area 19-21 March (FR).

Palm Warbler: relatively late was a bird in LBL, Lyon, 13 May (SR).

Blackpoll Warbler: first reported were 2 in LBL, Lyon, 24 April (BP, AC).

Cerulean Warbler: a relatively impressive count of 15 birds was made near Blue John, DBNF, Pulaski, 12 May (RDn); an even more impressive count of 27 was tallied along the crest of Pine Mountain, Harlan, 13 May (SS, JK et al.).

Black-and-white Warbler: earliest report was for 1 in LBL, Trigg, 30 March (BLi).

American Redstart: earliest report was for 2 at Louisville 20 or 21 April (RDv).

Prothonotary Warbler: earliest report was for 1 at Blood River 7 April (ME).

Worm-eating Warbler: earliest report was for 1 at Louisville 17 April (JE).

Swainson's Warbler: 1 in LBL, Lyon, 24 April was not near a known breeding location (BP, AC); also reported was 1 at Cumberland Gap, Bell, 1 May (MMn).

Northern Waterthrush: earliest report was an exceptionally early individual in w. Henderson 9 April (CC).

Louisiana Waterthrush: earliest reports were for singles near Canton, Trigg (BLi) and in LBL, at Hematite Lake, Trigg (J&PB), both 23 March; and 1 at Mammoth Cave 26 March (MMn).

Connecticut Warbler: as is typical, a small number of birds was reported from scattered localities including 1 at Shaker Mill, Warren, 9 May (DR); 1 at Tom Wallace Lake, sw. Jefferson, 11 May (CL); 1 in LBL, Lyon, 11 May (MBi) that was farther w. than most published records; 1 heard at Gunpowder Creek Nature Park, Boone, 15 May (LM); and 1 at Surrey Hills Farm 17 May (BP, J&PB).

Mourning Warbler: there were only a few reports including 1 at Mammoth Cave, Barren, 5 May (BP, MMn); 1 at Surrey Hills Farm 11 May (BP, JDu); and 1 in LBL, Lyon, 13 May (SR).

Hooded Warbler: earliest report was for 1 at Little Lick 10 April (RDn).

Canada Warbler: earliest report came from Mammoth Cave 4 May (DD); latest report was for 1 seen/heard at Surrey Hills Farm 31 May (BP).

Scarlet Tanager: earliest report was for 1 at Bee Rock, DBNF, Pulaski, 11 April (RDn).

Spotted Towhee: the male that was present in w. McCracken during the winter was last observed 17 April (SR). KBRC documentation already submitted from winter 2003-2004.

Bachman's Sparrow: up to 15-20 birds were accounted for at Fort Campbell, Trigg, this year, including the location of at least one active nest (DMo, et al.).

Chipping Sparrow: overwintering birds blended with early migrants in early March, but 3 in Lexington 6 March (RM) may represent early migrants as they had not been observed previously. An early fledgling was observed in Calloway 26 April (HC).

Lark Sparrow: the species was reported only at Fort Campbell, Trigg, where 1-2 individuals were observed at no less than 4 locations (DMo, et al.).

Savannah Sparrow: a lingering bird was late at McElroy 24 May (DR).

Grasshopper Sparrow: earliest report was for 1 at Sinclair 11 April (BY); a count of 26 birds at Ano 17 May was relatively impressive (RDn).

Henslow's Sparrow: earliest report was for 1 heard singing on Surrey Hills Farm, Jefferson, 27 March (BP); also reported were 1 or 2 at Beech Grove, Pulaski, 8 April (RDn); the species had returned to Sinclair in numbers as of 9 April (BLi); 5-6 were heard at a new location near Lawrenceburg, Anderson, 11 April (CL); a count of 15 birds at Ano 19 May was relatively impressive (RDn, BS); a nest w/ 4 eggs was observed at Sinclair 18 May (MMn, BP).

LeConte's Sparrow: only reports were for single birds at Sinclair 13 March (BY) and 27 March (HC, RDn, ME).

Lincoln's Sparrow: quite an early migrant (or perhaps a wintering individual) was a bird at Mammoth Cave 26 March (MMn).

White-throated Sparrow: quite tardy was a lingering individual at St. Mathews, Jefferson, 22 May through the end of the month (BW).

Harris's Sparrow: the wintering imm. at Lovelaceville, Ballard, lingered to 5 May (RHo). KBRC documentation already submitted from winter 2003-2004.

Rose-breasted Grosbeak: earliest report was for a bird at a feeder in Jessamine 22 April (DWe); 1 along the crest of Pine Mt, Harlan, 13 May, could have been either a migrant or summer resident (SS, JK et al.).

Blue Grosbeak: earliest reports were for single birds in Hart 22 April (MSu) and w. Henderson 25 April (CC).

Dickcissel: earliest report was for 1 at Sinclair 17 April (MSi).

Bobolink: earliest report was for 6 in w. Fulton 17 April (HC); peak count was for ca 120 birds in w. Fulton 1 May (BY); probable territorial males were observed near Danville, Boyle, 4 May (DWa, DP) and outside of Harrodsburg, Mercer, 5 May (DP).

Rusty Blackbird: peak counts included 800-1000 in scattered flocks in w. Henderson (BY) and 200+ at Long Point (BY), both 14 March.

Brewer's Blackbird: the only reports for the season were for 3 at the WKU Farm, s. Warren, 6 March (DR) and 21 near Petros, sw. Warren, 11 April (DR).

Baltimore Oriole: earliest report was for 1 at Frankfort 17 April (BP).

Purple Finch: good numbers of birds lingered through March with 25 at Short Creek, Grayson (JP) and 20 in rural Hart (SK) by the end of the month and 6+ at Berea, Madison, 15 April (PH); a few individuals lingered to record late dates, perhaps at least in part due to the presence of conjunctivitis infections? Two birds were still present near Fisherville, Jefferson, as of the end of May (E&JH) and a female was still at a feeding station in Trigg 29 May (BLi, PL).

Pine Siskin: the only reports of presumed spring migrants were 2 at Mammoth Cave 26 March (MMn) and 1 heard over Jellico Mt., Whitley, 8 May (BP, JDu).

Observers: David Ayer (DA), Jane & Pat Bell (J&PB), Mark Bennett (MBe), Michael Bierly (MBi), Mark Bostrom (MBo), Fred Bowman (FB), Rhonda Bryant (RB), Laura Burford (LB), Ken Burton (KB), Kathy Caminiti (KCa), Hap Chambers (HC), Elizabeth Ciuzio (EC), Kathryn Clay (KCl), Amy Covert (AC), Charlie Crawford (CC), Dean Demarest (DD), Julie Denton (JDe), Roseanna Denton (RDn), Steve Denton (SD), Robert Dever (RDv); Lester Doyle (LD), Jonathan Dunn (JDu), Tom Durbin (TD), Melissa Easley (ME), Diane Elmore (DE), Jackie Elmore (JE), Joy Fitzgerald (JF), Paul Hager (PH), Rusty Hamilton (RHa), Mike Hardin (MH), Ed Hartowicz (EH), Lana Hays (LH), Renee Hooks (RHo), Heather Housman (HH), Eddie & Jennifer Huber (E&JH), Ginny & Wendell Kingsolver (G&WK), James Kiser (JK), Steve Kistler (SK), Celia Lawrence (CLa), Betty Leggett (BLe), Ken Leggett (KL), Aurilla Leslie (AL), Bill Lisowsky (BLi), Paula Lisowsky (PL), Charlie Logsdon (CLo), Scott Marsh (SM), Lee McNeely (LM), Daniel McNulty (DMc), Gillian Miller (GM), Mark Monroe (MMn), Nancy Moore (NM), Robert Morris (RM), Mike Morton (MMr), Daniel Moss (DMo), Carl Mowery (CM), John & Phyllis Niemi (J&PN), Mike O'Malley (MO), Brainard Palmer-Ball, Jr. (BP), Laura Patton (LPa), Larry Peavler (LPe), Don Pelly (DP), Clell Peterson (CP), Kerry Prather (KP), Nicole Ranalli (NR), Scott Record (SR), Frank Renfrow (FR), Vince Robinson (VR), David Roemer (DR), Helga Schutte (HS), Travis Snyder (TS), Robert Staib (RS), Stephen Stedman (SS), Matt Stickel (MSi), Mitchell Sturgeon (MSu), Ben Sutter (BS), Sara Viernum (SVi), Shawchyi Vorisek (SVo), Mary Walter (MW), Danny Watson (DWa), Doris Westerman (DWe), Jeff Wilson (JW), Barbara Woerner (BW), Ben Yandell (BY), Beckham Bird Club (BBC), Kentucky Ornithological Society (KOS), many observers (m. ob.), Somerset Bird Club (SBC).

- 8207 Old Westport Road, Louisville, KY 40222 (brainard.palmer-ball@ky.gov) (Palmer-Ball) and P.O. Box 463, Burlington, KY 41005 (lkmc9@netscape.net) (McNeely).