View Full Version : Tennessee A.T. birds
I'll stick with precedent set when I put Georgia A.T. birds in Trail Concerns, Issues & History rather than Wildlife since this thread is another in a series about bird conservation which is becoming increasingly urgent.
Birds hikers might be expected to see and are less likely to see and why as well as conservation issues related to them will be the topic of this thread. Expect to learn some things about birds you didn't know, to see bird lists and to learn specific information about resident, migrant and breeding birds. There will also be questions hikers can help us answer.
http://tnwatchablewildlife.org/birds.cfm (http://tnwatchablewildlife.org/birds.cfm)
Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Tennessees-Watchable-Wildlife/189817486433?v=wall&ref=nf)
Expect more posts and links in the coming days.
All of Tennessee's A.T. has been designated an important bird area (IBA) under the umbrella IBA known as Southern Blue Ridge IBA.
A link and species list will be provided.
http://www.nps.gov/grsm/naturescience/birds.htm (http://www.nps.gov/grsm/naturescience/birds.htm)
http://www.tnbirds.org/birdfinding/CNF_checklist.htm (http://www.tnbirds.org/birdfinding/CNF_checklist.htm)
Some readers may have seen my links to Don Hyatt's pages. The Highlands of Roan are not only of botanical interest, they also provide exceptional bird habitat and birding opportunities.
Today I would like to pay tribute to the foresight of those who recognized the need to protect them for posterity and made it happen. Toward that end, I suggest exploring Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy's website especially SAHC's History (http://www.appalachian.org/about/history.html).
Later, when I call attention to particular birds hikers may observe, I will have more information to post about specific locations to seek them.
http://www.bigbaldbanding.org/index.html (http://www.bigbaldbanding.org/index.html)
Most of the information I've found on Tennessee A.T. birds relates to higher elevations. I'm seeking information on the lower, wetter locations and the birds attracted to them.
Can anyone assist by helping to list some of the better lower-elevation birding locations and which species might be observed?
The spruce-fir forest of the highest ridges is similar to the boreal forest of Canada, and is the southernmost breeding range of the Black-capped Chickadee, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Northern Saw-whet Owl, Blackburnian and Canada warblers, Veery, and Winter Wren.
There are a number of birds dear to those who post here which seem out of place in Tennessee until one becomes aware of the role elevation plays in determining vegetation. Not only does climbing mountains provide us with physical conditioning and recreation, it allows us the opportunity to visit the kinds of places requiring days and hundreds of miles of travel to experience otherwise.
http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Black-capped_Chickadee/lifehistory (http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Black-capped_Chickadee/lifehistory)
The Yankee in me thinks spring should begin when a Black-capped Chickadee says so. I wonder how many A.T. hikers walking with spring have actually heard it proclaimed and when and where they were at the time? It would seem through hikers chasing fall should have a better chance.
Referring to Birding.com (http://www.birding.com/topbirds/6943bccd.asp) would lead one to believe Black-capped and Carolina Chickadees and their hybrid offspring are easily distinguished by ear in the field, but, when Googling information about chickadees in GSMNP, I found a study published in The Auk (Tanner, 1952 (http://elibrary.unm.edu/sora/Auk/v069n04/p0407-p0424a.pdf)) which mentioned one observation in particular I found to be especially interesting and I will need to quote at a later time.
Where Black-capped and Carolina ranges meet in Pennsylvania and elsewhere it's now thought by some experts chickadee species can only be separated from one another reliably by a blood test. I'd like to know whether hybridization occurs among Tennessee chickadees and how long these species can be expected to remain distinct?
Click on Ned Smith Center (http://www.nedsmithcenter.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=15&Itemid=19) to read what recent research has revealed about this species.
Based upon information provided by Tennessee's Watchable Wildlife, the best places to see a Northern Saw-whet Owl may be Roan High Knob and near Clingman's Dome. They are most likely to call on clear, moonlit nights with little or no wind in April and May.
Anyone hear a Saw-whet at one of the locations mentioned or elsewhere?
Visit Tennessee's Watchable Wildlife (http://www.tnwatchablewildlife.org/details.cfm?displayhabitat=grassland&sort=aounumber&typename=GRASSLAND%20AND%20SHRUB&uid=09041620142975523&commonname=Northern%20Mockingbird) to learn about Tennessee's state bird.
Scott posted Tennessee's Watchable Wildlife's new bird of the week (http://www.tnwatchablewildlife.org/details.cfm?displayhabitat=forest&sort=aounumber&typename=FOREST&uid=09042715173720115&commonname=Black-throated%20Green%20Warbler) today. Click on the thumbnails for some fine photos!
Visit Tennessee's Watchable Wildlife (http://www.tnwatchablewildlife.org/details.cfm?displayhabitat=grassland&sort=aounumber&typename=GRASSLAND%20AND%20SHRUB&uid=09041620142975523&commonname=Northern%20Mockingbird) to learn about Tennessee's state bird.
Facebook Fan photo and question (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Tennessees-Watchable-Wildlife/189817486433?v=wall&ref=nf#!/photo.php?pid=300420&o=all&op=1&view=all&subj=189817486433&aid=-1&id=100000149713089)
Watchable Wildlife's bird of the week is Louisiana Waterthrush (http://www.tnwatchablewildlife.org/details.cfm?displayhabitat=&sort=taxgroup_Warblers&typename=TENNESSEE'S&uid=09041315030846908&commonname=Louisiana%20Waterthrush). The best way I know to be advised of the new bird is to become a Facebook fan. Not all birds selected will be A.T. birds.
More information will be made available by Tennessee Watchable Wildlife about Tennessee Warbler (http://www.tnwatchablewildlife.org/details.cfm?displayhabitat=forest&sort=aounumber&typename=FOREST&uid=09052508392888912&commonname=Tennessee Warbler), a bird which may or may not belong on a top-10 list of Tennessee A.T. birds. Until then, refer to Cornell's All About Birds (http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Tennessee_Warbler/id) to learn why it is so named and its distribution.
The Watchable Wildlife (Bluebird) license plate helps fund the Watchable Wildlife Endowment Fund. Since the Bluebird plate was first established in 1994, more than 200,000 Tennesseans have purchased one, making it one of the most popular specialty license plates in the state.
For more information about specialty license plates, visit www.tennessee.gov/revenue/vehicle/licenseplates/specialty.htm (http://www.tennessee.gov/revenue/vehicle/licenseplates/specialty.htm).
I don't know if Tennessee offers the best chance of encountering a Cerulean Warbler (http://tnwatchablewildlife.org/details.cfm?displayhabitat=forest&sort=aounumber&typename=FOREST&uid=09041419495871094&commonname=Cerulean Warbler) or not, but several weeks ago I learned of reseach being conducted there and have since wanted to provide links. I have also learned of ProAves' Cerulean Warbler Reserve in Columbia and wanted to call attention to it too.
As soon as I have time to devote to it, I will endeavor to post links to more detailed information and additional images. Until then, I recommend reading Watachable Wildlife's page linked above.
Watchable Wildlife's Bird of the Week is Wood Thrush (http://tnwatchablewildlife.org/details.cfm?displayhabitat=forest&sort=aounumber&typename=FOREST&uid=09041708311210840&commonname=Wood Thrush).
Roan Mountain 6/17 (Facebook Wall image (http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=5033656&id=189817486433))
Cabin Fever
06-21-2010, 07:32
I have been fortunate enough to see a Bald Eagle near the AT in Tennessee. There a couple that have been transplanted and roost on South Holston Lake which is a few miles from the Trail.
http://www.tnwatchablewildlife.org/birdingtips.cfm (http://www.tnwatchablewildlife.org/birdingtips.cfm)
http://www.tnwatchablewildlife.org/files/eagle_facts.pdf (http://www.tnwatchablewildlife.org/files/eagle_facts.pdf)
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=5292348&id=189817486433 (http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=5292348&id=189817486433)
Click on the link for a Watchable Wildlife Facebook wall photo.
Tennessee Watchable Wildlife (http://www.facebook.com/tnwatchablewildlife) bird of the week is Red-breasted Nuthatch. Typically an uncommon and irruptive wintering bird across most the state, they have been turning up in much greater numbers than usual in the last couple weeks.
Tennessee Watchable Wildlife | Red-breasted Nuthatch (http://www.tnwatchablewildlife.org/details.cfm?displayhabitat&sort=aounumber&typename=TENNESSEE%27S&uid=09041709171216082&commonname=Red-breasted+Nuthatch)
Yesterday, I noticed Scott added relevant information to the wall I hadn't noticed earlier.
There's no shortage of facts about Tennessee A.T. birds that might be added to what's already been gathered here. Like everyone else, I only have so much time.
With help from others who share an interest in this subject and have benefited from what's been posted, we could do more. If you come across something you think may be of interest to others, please take a few minutes of your time to post it.
Tennessee Watchable Wildlife (TWW) would like to call to our attention a few facts about Yellow-rumped Warbler now arriving on its overwintering habitat where it will spend the next several months.
Yellow-rumped is one of the most common warblers in North America and the only warbler to regularly winter in Tennessee. It generally arrives in late September and departs by mid-May, hence it would be a good bird for through hikers travelling in either direction to learn.
Tennessee Watchable Wildlife | Yellow-rumped Warbler (http://www.tnwatchablewildlife.org/details.cfm?displayhabitat&sort=aounumber&typename=TENNESSEE%27S&uid=09041609093696462&commonname=Yellow-rumped+Warbler)
For a quick, field id tutorial and comparison with similiar species, click on All About Birds (http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Yellow-rumped_Warbler/id) and scroll down to Field Marks.
Watchable Wildlife bird of the week is White-throated Sparrow.
Tennessee Watchable Wildlife | White-throated Sparrow (http://www.tnwatchablewildlife.org/details.cfm?displayhabitat=forest&sort=aounumber&typename=FOREST&uid=09041221051095004&commonname=White-throated Sparrow)
http://www.netstate.com/states/symb/birds/tn_mockingbird.htm (http://www.netstate.com/states/symb/birds/tn_mockingbird.htm)
I stumbled upon the link above which provides additional details today.
Some of the birds of highest conservation concern today are dependent upon ephemeral, early-successional habitats. Expect to see more about these kinds of habitats, why they and the birds they support are less common than they once were and what is being done to increase and improve these wildlife habitats and the species they support.
Watchable Wildlife bird of the week is New Hampshire's state bird, Purple Finch.
Tennessee Watchable Wildlife | Purple Finch (http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tnwatchablewildlife.org%2 Fdetails.cfm%3Fdisplayhabitat%26sort%3Daounumber%2 6typename%3DTENNESSEE%2527S%26uid%3D09041310200341 089%26commonname%3DPurple%2BFinch&h=19be7)
A bird of high conservation concern dependent upon early successional habitats, Golden-winged Warbler must not only contend with a loss of breeding habitat but also hybridization. It's best hope lies in active management of suitable grassland habitats where Blue-winged Warbler does not occur.
According to Tennessee Watchable Wildlife, one of these places is Tennessee's higher mountains. Ebird records indicate sightings on Roan Mountain where efforts are under way to retain and improve grassland bird habitat.
Click on the link, the image in the upper righthand corner and next until you have viewed the entire gallery.
Tennessee Watchable Wildlife | Golden-winged Warbler (http://www.tnwatchablewildlife.org/details.cfm?displayhabitat=grassland&sort=aounumber&typename=GRASSLAND AND SHRUB&uid=09041619331163947&commonname=Golden-winged Warbler)
Watchable Wildlife bird of the week is Barred Owl (http://www.tnwatchablewildlife.org/details.cfm?displayhabitat&sort=aounumber&typename=TENNESSEE%27S&uid=09040210534452622&commonname=Barred+Owl). (http://www.tnwatchablewildlife.org/display.cfm?habitat=&sort=aounumber&typename=TENNESSEE'S)
http://www.bigbaldbanding.org/index.html (http://www.bigbaldbanding.org/index.html)
My wife is a volunteer with this group... She was up on Big Bald 2-3 days a week all summer catching, recording, banding, etc.
Is she allowed to post?
She doesn't have an account here but I'm sure she wouldn't mind. I'll ask her...
Did you forget, did she decline or is someone fibbing?