Tennessee & Kentucky: Winter 2023–2024

Waterfowl

Seven Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks, including a downy juvenile, were found in Hornbeak, Obion Co,TN 28 Dec (ph. Mark Greene). Twenty-nine were reported at a pond in the same county 21–25 Feb (ph. Mark Greene, m.ob.). This species continues to expand. Sauerheber had the highest count of Snow Geese, with more than 30,000 on 3 Jan (David Stone). There were higher reports than usual of Ross’s Geese, with 75 at Lower Hatchie NWR in Lauderdale Co, TN on 24 Feb (Alan Troyer) being the highest count. The highest count of Cackling Geese at Duck River was 225 (Ruben Stoll).

A family of five Mute Swans on Old Hickory Lake in Wilson Co, TN 21–25 Jan (ph. Ann Shapiro, m.ob.) following the polar blast was almost certainly wild feral birds from farther north, rather than the usual escaped domestics. The season was notable for multiple Trumpeter Swan observations in KY and one in TN. Six were at Spindletop in Fayette Co, KY 17–18 Jan (Mark Farman, David J. Svetich). In the same county, there was one at Lexington Reservoir 20–23 Jan (ph. Ronan O’Carra, m.ob.) and four at Berea Road Pond 26–28 Jan (ph. Ken Thomas, m.ob.). There were two at Waterworks Road Slough in Henderson Co, KY on 19 Jan (David Stone); one at Owsley Fork Reservoir on 20 Jan (ph. Michael Mecham); and one at Green Grove Road Pond, Cumberland Co, KY on 17 Feb (ph. Roseanna Denton, Lyle Bontrager). In TN, there was a single juvenile bird at Livingston City Lake 30 Jan–17 Feb (ph. Roi Shannon, Debra Shannon, m.ob.). The most Tundra Swans reported was 177 at Horseshoe Road Sloughs in Henderson Co, KY on 20 Feb (ph. David Stone, Charles Crawford). Less common farther south in TN, there were reports of one or two birds from nine counties.

A count of 450 Greater Scaup at Tennessee NWR–Big Sandy Unit 17 Dec (Ruben Stoll, Leslie Penner) was notable. Surf Scoters were scarce. There was one at Kentucky Dam Village, Marshall Co, KY 4–6 Dec (ph. Zach McCLay, m.ob.) and two in the same area 12–15 Dec (Hap Chambers, Brainard Palmer-Ball, Jr.). One was at the Tennessee NWR–Big Sandy Unit 17 Dec (Ruben Stoll, Leslie Penner). Another was at Booker T. Washington State Park, Hamilton Co, TN on 22 Jan (ph. Tim Lenz, m.ob.). White-winged Scoters were more plentiful, with eight being the most at Booker T. Washington State Park, Hamilton Co, TN on 22 Jan (Tim Lenz, m.ob.). Elsewhere in TN, single birds occurred at Halford Lake, Carroll Co 15 Dec, 28 Jan, and 4 Feb (ph. Alan Troyer, Chris Agee, Ruben Stoll); Old Hickory Lake, Sumner Co 31 Dec and 7 Jan (ph. Tim Loyd), and J. Percy Priest Lake, Davidson Co 3–16 Feb (Melissa James, ph. Robert Deegan, m.ob.). In KY, there were four reports. Five were on Kentucky Lake, Marshall Co 2 Dec (Scott Record, m.ob.) and another was there on 27 Dec (Mike Muller). One was on Barren River Lake in Allen and Barren Cos on 26 Dec (Roseanna Denton, m.ob.). Two were on the Ohio River at Smithfield Dam, Livingston Co 21–22 Jan (ph. David Bailey, m.ob.). There were only two Black Scoter reports. One was at Kentucky Dam Village, Marshall Co, KY on 4 Dec (ph. Zach McClay, Wade Baker). One was at Warriors Path State Park, Sullivan Co, TN on 29 Jan (ph. Sherrie Quillen, Bambi Fincher).

A Long-tailed Duck continuing from fall at Lake Windemere, Shelby Co, TN was last reported on 24 Feb (m.ob.). Also in TN, one was reported at Ensley on 30 Jan (ph. Jim Varner). One was at Old Hickory Lake, Sumner Co on 24 Jan (ph. Tim Loyd). Three were on South Holston Lake, Sullivan Co 30 Jan–3 Feb (Richard L. Knight, ph. Sherrie Quillen, m.ob.). One was at Sand Beach Lake, Hardeman Co on 14 Feb (ph. John Webster). Three were also reported on Kentucky Lake at Sledd Creek Boat Ramp, Marshall Co, KY on 7 Dec (ph. Robert Rold). Three were on Barren River Lake at Bailey’s Point, Allen Co, KY on 26 Dec (ph. Roseanna Denton, David Roemer, Aaron Hulsey).

Grebes through Limpkin

A count of 434 Horned Grebes on J. Percy Priest Lake in Davidson Co, TN 30 Jan (Frank Fekel) was exceptional and the highest from the region. Always a rare visitor, only one Red-necked Grebe was found in the region, also at J. Percy Priest Lake, Davidson Co, TN on 22 Feb (ph. Alan Troyer). As many as two Eared Grebes spent the winter in the same general location, with reports from 26 Dec (ph. Frank Fekel, Melissa James) to 29 Feb (ph. Graham Gerdeman). One Eared Grebe was at a regular overwintering site at Wolf Creek Dam, Russell Co, KY with reports 20 Dec, 6 Jan, and 1 Feb (Ethan Wells, Roseanna Denton, Robert Rold).

Occurring with increasing frequency during the warmer seasons in TN, a single White-winged Dove arrived early and was reported at a feeder in Blount Co 30 Jan–29 Feb (ph. Sandy Graves). Possibly a “one that got away” sighting was a well-described Chaetura Swift in Anderson Co, TN on 27 Feb (Charles Nicholson). It was not observed well enough to rule out a vagrant Vaux’s Swift versus a very early returning Chimney Swift. With Vaux’s Swifts regularly wintering in Florida, it is believed to be inevitable that one will eventually be recorded here. There were several “winter hummingbirds” in the region. A second year male Black-chinned Hummingbird at a private feeder in Shelby Co, TN was first noticed around 24 Dec and last seen 15 Jan (ph. Sarita Joshi, Cyndi Routledge, banded). A Rufous/Allen’s hummingbird was briefly present at the same feeder 14 Jan (ph. Sarita Joshi) but could not be identified to species. A young male Rufous Hummingbird was banded in Birchwood, Meigs Co, TN on 14 Dec (Mark Myers fide Graham Gerdeman, banded). That species was also reported from three KY locations. One continued in Daysville, Todd Co until last reported on 7 Dec (Gloria Edwards Oakes fide Brainard Palmer-Ball, Jr.). One in east Fayette Co was last reported on 15 Jan (Lisa Combs). One in Murray, Calloway Co continued to 12 Jan (Nicole Hamm fide Hap Chambers). Lastly for the hummers, the continuing first KY state record Allen’s Hummingbird was last reported in Pulaski Co on 16 Jan (ph. Roseanna Denton).

A count of 17 Virginia Rails at the Walmart Distribution Center Wetland for the Greene Co, TN Christmas Bird Count on 3 Jan (Alan Troyer) established a new high count for the state in winter. The species was otherwise reported in TN from seven counties. There was one report in KY of a single bird near Paradise, Muhlenberg Co on 31 Dec (Brainard Palmer-Ball, Jr.). Soras have been increasingly found in TN in recent winters. They were reported in five counties. One stayed throughout the season at Standifer Gap Marsh in Hamilton Co (m.ob.). One was also at Baylor School in Hamilton Co 22–23 Jan (ph. Austin Young, Luke Thompson, Kent DuBois). Three were reported at Ensley on 17 Dec (Cameron Rutt, Jim Varner, m.ob.). Two were at the UT Plant Sciences Farm in Knox Co on 30 Dec (Morton Massey). Numbers from one to three were reported regularly at Springfield Branch, Blount Co 5 Jan–20 Feb (Tom Howe). One was at Meadowview Golf Course, Sullivan Co 15–26 Feb (Bambi Fincher, Sherrie Quillen, m.ob.). The juvenile Common Gallinule at Gilbert Marsh Drive Marsh, Knox Co, TN continued from fall and throughout the winter. It was last reported 21 Feb (Zachary Arnold). Another juvenile was in Hamilton Co at Standifer Gap Marsh on 27 Jan (ph. Nolan Keyes, m.ob.). There are now around a dozen winter records for the species in TN. Five-thousand American Coots on Chickamauga Lake, Rhea Co, TN on 11 Feb (David Buehler, m.ob.) was the highest count in the region.

Unsurprisingly, Limpkin reports were down once cold weather arrived. Still, they were reported from 13 counties in TN (down from 24) and three in KY (down from 13), continuing the unprecedented irruption northward of this species. Individual records are in eBird. Most notably, a record high count of 24 was found in TN at Duck River on 23 Dec (Ruben Stoll), topping the previous season’s count of 20. This appears to represent the highest inland North American count to date.

Avocets through Gulls

Two American Avocets at Duck River on 14 Dec (Clayton Ferrell fide Graham Gerdeman) is only the fifth winter record for the region. Dunlins were reported from four counties in KY and 10 counties in TN. A count of 46 at Candies Creek WMA, Bradley Co, TN on 8 Jan (David Chaffin) was notable. There were mid-winter Spotted Sandpipers in both states. In KY, there was one at Barren River Lake, Barren Co on 20 Dec (ph. Lyle Bontrager) and one at Uniontown Ferry Boat Ramp, Union Co on 30 Dec (ph. David Stone). In TN, there was one at Craig Cove Island, Knox Co on 22 Dec (Chris Welsh) and one at Pebble Isle Marina in Humphreys Co 22–23 Dec (Alan Troyer, Ruben Stoll). A flock of Lesser Yellowlegs at Choctaw Fields North, Lake Co, TN on 31 Jan (ph. Mark Greene) was a very early return. Twenty-five Greater Yellowlegs at Tiptonville Ferry, Lake Co, TN on 16 Dec (ph. Mark Greene, Cliff VanNostrand, Rob Harbin) and eight at Fish Pond Road, Fulton Co, KY on 18 Dec (ph. Mark Greene) were considered very late fall migrants. The Ancient Murrelet at Chickamauga Dam, Hamilton Co, TN continued until last reported on 3 Dec (m.ob.).

It was quite a good season for the rarer gulls in the region. There were three Black-legged Kittiwakes in Tennessee. The first-cycle birds were at Chickamauga Dam, Hamilton Co on 5 Dec (ph. Alan Troyer, m.ob.) and Concord Park, Knox Co on 7 Dec (ph. Graham Gerdeman, m.ob.). A rarely occurring adult was also found at Chickamauga Dam, Hamilton Co 13–14 Feb (ph. Tim Lenz, Avery Fish). Though one of the expected gull species across the area, a high count of 4600 Bonaparte’s Gulls at Douglas Dam, Sevier Co, TN on 7 Jan (Keith Watson) was exceptional. A single Laughing Gull was reported at Ft. Loudon Lake, Blount Co, TN on 29 Feb (Tom Howe). A Laughing Gull x Ring-billed Gull hybrid first found on the IN side of the Ohio River was reported in Jefferson Co, KY 13–17 Dec (Robert Rold, ph. David Bailey, m.ob.).

There were five reports of lingering Franklin’s Gulls in TN and one in KY. The KY bird was continuing on the Ohio River in Jefferson Co and last reported on 10 Dec (ph. Haley Harris). In TN, one at Eagle Bend Fish Hatchery in Anderson Co on 1 Dec (ph. Robert Hunt) may have been the same bird seen flying south the next day on 2 Dec (Maria Crowe). There were also individuals at the Benton Co Landfill on 2 Dec (ph. Ruben Stoll, Daniel Redwine) and Duck River on 2 Jan (Rick Shipkowski). Two were at the Kentucky Lake–Eagle Creek Embayment in Henry Co on 7 Jan (Rick Shipkowski). Iceland Gulls were reported from two locations in each state. In KY, one to two individuals were around Kentucky Dam at Marshall and Livingston Cos on 21 Jan and 3 Feb (ph. Jamie Baker, David Bailey, Alan Troyer). One was at the Calvert City Landfill, Marshall Co on 20 Jan (David Stone). As many as three were found at the Benton Co Landfill, Benton Co, TN from 12 Jan–9 Feb, with both a thayeri and kumlieni type reported on 18 Jan (Ruben Stoll, Victor Stoll). One was at the Rutherford Co Landfill 19–22 Jan (ph. Graham Gerdeman, m.ob.).

Three Glaucous Gulls at the Benton Co Landfill established a new TN high count (ph. Victor Stoll, Ruben Stoll). One bird was last reported there on 9 Feb (Alan Troyer, Ruben Stoll). Single birds reported nearby at Nathan Bedford Forrest SP on 6 Feb (Ruben Stoll) and Camden WMA on 9 Feb (Alan Troyer) were likely two of the same individuals. As many as two were also at the Rutherford Co, TN landfill 17–24 Jan (ph. Jeffrey Walck, m.ob.). Gulls at that location go to roost on J. Percy Priest Lake in the evening, where the same Glaucous Gulls were likely reported in Davidson Co on 19 Jan (ph. Graham Gerdeman) and 25 Jan (ph. Emily Badri). There was only one report in KY from northern Kentucky Lake in Livingston/Marshall Cos 20 Jan–3 Feb (David Stone, ph. David Bailey, m.ob.). Last, though not least, for the gulls, a single subadult Great Black-backed Gull was a solid rarity on Kentucky Lake in New Johnsonville, Humphreys Co, TN on 6 Feb (ph. Ruben Stoll).

Loons through Falcons

In recent years, J. Percy Priest Lake in Davidson Co, TN has attracted the highest numbers of wintering loons in the region. Decreased numbers elsewhere (notably the Tennessee River and Kentucky Lake) may be due to the influx of invasive Asian Carp, which are too large for Loons to prey on. The Carp aggressively prey on smaller fish. Ten Red-throated Loons at J. Percy Priest Lake on 26 Jan (Avery Fish) tied the state high count and was the highest of reports of otherwise one to eight birds throughout the season (m.ob.). There were additional records of one to four from seven counties in TN and individuals reported from two counties in KY. One was on Kentucky Lake in Marshall Co on 15 Dec (Brainard Palmer-Ball, Jr.). One was at Barren River Lake, Barren Co on 26 and 30 Dec (Roseanna Denton, Jeff Sole). There was one Pacific Loon reported at Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park, Marshall Co, KY 4 and 5 Dec (ph. Wade Baker, m.ob.) and several from TN. Four were at Chester Frost Park, Hamilton Co on 22 Jan (Bruce Dralle). Single birds were at Chickamauga Dam, Hamilton Co 10 Dec–31 Jan (m.ob.);  Johnsonville SP in Humphreys Co on 2 Dec (ph. Ruben Stoll, Daniel Redwine); Kentucky Lake in Henry Co on 17 Dec (Alan Troyer, Victor Stoll); and J. Percy Priest Lake in Davidson Co on 20 Dec (Graham Gerdeman). Reports of both Red-throated and Pacific Loons have increased in the past few years, though it is unclear how much of that increase is due simply to greater numbers of birders. Three-hundred Common Loons at J. Percy Priest Lake on 13 Feb (ph. Graham Gerdeman, Jim Arnett) was the highest reported.

A single Anhinga was reported for the second winter in a row at Duck River on 23 Dec (ph. Ruben Stoll), marking the state’s third winter record. A Neotropic Cormorant was also reported on the same date and location (ph. Ruben Stoll). Another at Chickamauga Dam, Hamilton Co, TN on 4 Feb (ph. Tim Lenz) was a county first. Four Neotropic Cormorants were at Robco Lake, Shelby Co, TN on 18 Feb (ph. PJ Pulliam, m.ob.). A single American Bittern was found at Standifer Gap Marsh, Hamilton Co, TN 25–31 Jan (ph. Wolf Jedamski, Kent Pennington).

Considered extraordinary in the region just a few years ago, winter sightings of Osprey are now expected along the Tennessee River and associated lakes in TN, especially around Knoxville, where one to two were reported throughout the season from several locations (m.ob.). Additional TN reports came from Shelby, Hardin, Davidson, Hamilton, and Sullivan Cos. There were two reports from KY: one flyover in Jefferson Co on 15 Dec (Jamie Baker) and one from Shelbyville, Shelby Co on 4 Feb (Marianne Henze). Casual winter visitors to the region, there were as many as four Rough-legged Hawks in the border area of Logan and Simpson Cos, KY 17 Dec–24 Feb (Debbie Tyson, ph. Steve Tyson, m.ob.). Individuals were also reported in KY from Todd Co 2 Dec–3 Feb (ph. Teresa Graham, m.ob.) and Fulton Co on 22 Dec (ph. Jerry Webb). In TN, there were two at Jolly Landing, Dyer Co on 11 Dec (ph. Mark Greene, Wade Baker), where individuals were reported until 13 Feb (ph. Mark Greene, m.ob.). One was also reported at Black Bayou Refuge, Lake Co on 16 Dec (ph. Daniel Redwine, Avery Fish, Chris Sloan).

Tennessee’s lone Burrowing Owl continued all season long at the restricted New Johnsonville TVA plant (Tammy Ross, Liz Burton Hamrick fide Graham Gerdeman). Likely an annual occurrence, but not often found, a roost of as many as six Long-eared Owls were reported in Shelby Co, TN from 19 Jan–11 Feb (ph. Cameron Rutt, Cliff VanNostrand, m.ob.). Individuals were also reported from Tumbleweed WMA, Lake Co, TN on 1 Dec (Ruben Stoll, Wade Baker, m.ob.) and from Humphreys Co, TN on 23 Dec (Alan Troyer). Seventeen Short-eared Owls at Schohoch, Logan Co, KY on 15 Dec was the most reported (Debbie Tyson, Steve Tyson). Sixteen at Shelby Farms Park 19 Jan (Ruben Stoll, Victor Stoll, Alan Troyer, Cameron Rutt) established a second all-time state high count for Tennessee. Reports of wintering Northern Saw-whet Owls in TN have increased dramatically in the past few years, as birders have become more aware of their various vocalizations. A count of seven in Perry Co on 11 Jan (au. Ruben Stoll) appeared to set a new state high count. Four Merlins at Anderson Road Recreation Area in Davidson Co, TN 13 Jan (ph. Sharon Cardin) was a notable count of a once very rare bird here.

Flycatchers through Thrushes

There were several rare Tyrant Flycatcher records in the region this season. A single Ash-throated Flycatcher at Yanahli WMA, Maury Co, TN on 19 Dec (ph. Eric Bodker, Ruben Stoll) was the 13th state record. A Least Flycatcher at Minor E. Clark Fish Hatchery, Rowan Co, KY on 12 Dec (ph. Nancy Braun, Teresa Noel) was only the third winter record for the state and fourth for the region. A Western Flycatcher at Keystone Trail at Reelfoot Lake, Lake Co, TN 16–19 Dec (ph. Alan Troyer, m.ob.) constitutes a second state record. The first was in Knox Co in Dec 2020–Jan 2021. Lastly, a Say’s Phoebe was reported in Todd Co, KY 5–10 Jan (Keith Yoder, Marvin Beachy, ph. Alan Troyer, m.ob.). It is a review list species.

Single Northern Rough-winged Swallows were reported from two locations in Nashville, Davidson Co, TN throughout the season, comprising very rare overwintering records. One was reported seven times from Radnor Lake 2 Dec–16 Jan (ph. Matthew Bowling, m.ob.). The other was reported eight times from Walter S. David Blvd. Marsh 18 Dec–9 Jan (Frank Fekel, Paul Edelman).

Following the increasing trend of small insectivores managing in winter, Blue-gray Gnatcatchers were reported from one location in KY and five in TN. Northern House Wrens were reported from only five KY counties but were present throughout TN, where they are essentially expected anywhere in winter now. There was one report of four Sedge Wrens in KY at West Kentucky WMA, McCracken Co on 11 Jan (ph. Brainard Palmer-Ball, Jr., m.ob.). Individuals were reported from seven counties in TN, with a count of two at Baylor School, Hamilton Co on 26 Dec (Luke Thompson, Will Johnson). Twelve Marsh Wrens at Ensley on 17 Dec (ph. Cameron Rutt, m.ob.) was a notably high winter count. In TN, there were also five reported at both Duck River and along Painted Rock Road, Humphreys Co on 23 Dec (Alan Troyer). Four were at Walker Branch SNA, Hardin Co on 27 Dec (Allan Trently). Five were at Baylor School, Hamilton Co on 16 Dec (ph. Luke Thompson, Austin Young). Single birds were in Johnson, Blount, Carroll, Lake, and Fayette Cos. None were reported in Kentucky. Reports of a single Wood Thrush at Radnor Lake SP, Davidson Co, TN 1–15 Dec (ph. Matthew Bowling, m.ob.) and another at T.O. Fuller SP, Shelby Co, TN on 17 Dec (au. Cameron Rutt, Jim Varner, m.ob.) were both very rare winter records.

Finches through Blackbirds

A generally light fall for irruptive finches picked up only slightly throughout the region for a winter of fairly scarce observations. One handsome male Evening Grosbeak was photographed at a feeder in Sevier Co, TN on 22 Dec (ph. Helen McNutt), the only record for the year. Purple Finches were widely distributed and fairly common. A count of 50 west of Greenville, Muhlenburg, KY on 15 Feb (Teresa Graham) was the highest. What was exceptional on the finch front was a winter flock of Red Crossbills found west of the Tennessee River in Benton Co, TN on 23 Dec (Daniel Redwine) and last reported 14 Jan (Ruben Stoll). The highest count recorded was 12 on 26 Dec (au. ph. Victor Stoll). Only expected in the mountains of east TN, there were also Red Crossbills reported in KY from two locations. Eight were at Dog Creek Recreation Area, Hart Co on 21 Dec (Carol Sole, Jeff Sole, Steve Kistler). Three were at Kentucky Dam Village, Marshall Co on 21 Jan (ph. au. David Bailey, Brainard Palmer-Ball, Jr.). Pine Siskins were scarce in KY and virtually absent in TN west of the mountains, where a high count of 700 was reported at a private home in Blount Co on 4 Feb (ph. Kathryn Barrow, Tyler Edmondson).

Rarely reported in the eastern half of TN, individual American Tree Sparrows were reported from Forks of the River WMA, Knox Co on 19 Dec (Kat Livar) and from Cumberland Co on 21 Jan (Jade Young). Always rare, lone Harris’s Sparrows were reported at Bells Bend Park, Davidson Co, TN 21 Dec–9 Feb (ph. Graham Gerdeman, Frank Fekel, m.ob.) and Lick Creek Farm, Perry Co, TN 24 Dec–21 Feb (ph. Alan Troyer, m.ob.). There were two rare Spotted Towhees (one in each state). One was in West Kentucky WMA, McCracken Co, KY on 11 Jan (ph. Brainard Palmer-Ball, Jr., Mark Vukovich, Mycah Scoggins). One was at Baylor School, Hamilton Co, TN 23 Dec–30 Jan (ph. Will Johnson, m.ob.), which established a first record for the Southern Ridge and Valley region.

There were three reports of Yellow-headed Blackbirds this season. In KY, there was one reported in Henderson Co on 1 Feb (Dan Collins, David Stone). In TN, one was reported in Alcoa, Blount Co on 17 Jan (ph. Sandy Graves, m.ob.). One was from Duck River on 18 Jan (ph. Ruben Stoll, Victor Stoll, Alan Troyer). For the second winter in a row, Western Meadowlarks were reported at Duck River in middle TN, with at least two on 9, 17, and 23 Feb (Alan Troyer, Avery Fish, Ruben Stoll, Cameron Rutt). The species was otherwise reported from four locations in west TN and two in KY. Wintering Baltimore Orioles were reported from two locations in KY and three in TN. Brewer’s Blackbirds were reported from scattered locations in KY (four) and TN (eight), which was fairly typical for recent years. A count of more than 20 northwest of Morgantown, Ohio Co, KY 31 Dec (Brainard Palmer-Ball, Jr.) was the highest.

Wood-Warblers through Dickcissel

There were numerous unlikely wood-warblers this season. An Ovenbird at Booker T. Washington SP, Hamilton Co, TN on 16 Jan (ph. Tim Russell) was a rare winter find. Northern Waterthrushes were found in two locales. One was at Nickajack Lake, Marion Co, TN 13 and 18 Jan (ph. Tim Lenz). One was at Murfree Spring Wetlands, Rutherford Co, TN 1–20 Dec (ph. Carole Swann, m.ob.). Individual Black-and-White Warblers were reported from Warner Parks in Davidson Co, TN on 16 Dec (Amy Pardo, m.ob.) and Amnicola Marsh, Hamilton Co, TN on 5 Dec and 13 Jan (Kirk Zigler, Leslie Eselgroth). A single Tennessee Warbler continued in Wilmore, Jessamine Co, KY until last reported on 8 Dec (ph. Sydney Penner). Less rare in winter, Common Yellowthroats were practically abundant. There was a report of one at Putney Road, Jefferson Co, KY on 24 Dec (Jessica Jacobs, Brian Wulker), as well as reports from seven counties in TN, including two at South Fork Refuge, Madison Co on 1 Jan (ph. Alan Troyer). An American Redstart was at Wolf Creek Fish Hatchery, Russell Co, KY on 26 Dec (Elizabeth Baldwin). Lone Cape May Warblers were reported at Surrey Hills Farm, Jefferson Co, KY 17–21 Dec (ph. Brainard Palmer-Ball, Jr., Mark Monroe, m.ob.) and in Hamilton Co, TN on 29 Jan (Brian Bullard). One Prairie Warbler at Coral Ridge, Lincoln Co, TN on 11 Dec (ph. Jay Brasher) and another at Seven Islands Bird Park 24–28 Dec (ph. Graham Gerdeman, m.ob.) rounded out the rare winter warblers. Palm Warblers are expected throughout the region, though a count of 24 at East Tennessee Nursery in Polk Co on 19 Dec (Austin Young) was notable.

A lone Summer Tanager at Surrey Hills Farm, Jefferson Co, KY 17–26 Dec (au. Mark Monroe, ph. Brainard Palmer-Ball, Jr.) was a rare winter straggler. There were two Rose-breasted Grosbeaks in TN. An adult male at a feeder in Fentress Co on 5 Dec (ph. Reuben Yoder) was likely a very late fall migrant. A hatch-year male also coming to a feeder in Benton Co from 22 Jan–14 Feb (ph. Sue Bradley) was a rare winter record indeed. A Black-headed Grosbeak at a home in Davidson Co, TN 22 Dec–15 Jan (ph. Melissa James, m.ob.) was rarer still. It was the third record for Nashville and the first in 40 years. There are fewer than 30 TN records, with the most recent occurring only the previous winter. Lone Indigo Buntings were reported from Floracliff Nature Sanctuary, Fayette Co, KY on 16 Dec (Nathan Skinner, Indigo Friedlander); from Duck River on 23 Dec (Victor Stoll); from the area of Old Hickory Dam in Davidson Co, TN on 1 Jan (ph. Mike Smith, Graham Gerdeman, Tim Loyd); and coming to a feeder at the home of the author, also in Davidson Co, TN 12–20 Jan (ph. Graham Gerdeman). Lastly, there were two rare winter reports of Dickcissels in KY. One was at Kentucky Bend, Fulton Co on 24 Dec (Mikey Lutmerding). One was in north Jefferson Co on 11 Feb (Paul Jerome fide Ronan O’Carra).

Report edited by Kelsy Taylor, 4 Mar 2026.