Tennessee & Kentucky: Winter 2024–2025

Waterfowl

Snow and polar temperatures further north led to good numbers of waterfowl. More than 200,000 Snow Geese at Ballard WMA, Ballard Co, KY 21–22 Jan (Wes McFaddin fide Ronan O’Carra) was the highest reported, and it was estimated that the whole of Ballard Co likely harbored 500,000 or more (Wes McFaddin fide Ronan O’Carra). A report of 59,500 Greater White-fronted Geese in the same location 23 Jan (Kylie Bosch fide Ronan O’Carra) established a new state high count. Three-hundred and twelve Cackling Geese at Duck River 3 Jan (Ruben Stoll) was the highest in the region.

Two records of Mute Swans in TN were believed to be migrants from established populations: groups of four birds, including juveniles, were reported in Sullivan Co 15 Jan (Sherrie Quillen, Bambi Fincher) and also in Hawkins Co 14 Feb (ph. Shane Falin). A juvenile Trumpeter Swan was at Kell Branch Pond, Sequatchie Co, TN 16–18 Jan (Simone Madsen, ph. Roi Shannon, m.ob.), and there were three reports of Trumpeters in KY: one at Sauerheber 31 Jan (David Stone), one at Lake Linville, Rockcastle Co 4–6 Feb (Carole Sole, ph. Jeffrey Sole, m.ob.), and three at Stone Place Stables, Jefferson Co 16–17 Feb (ph. Brainard Palmer-Ball, Jr., m.ob.). As many as 357 Tundra Swans at Sloughs WMA, Henderson Co 27 Jan (Weston Mason fide Brainard Palmer-Ball, Jr.) set a new high for the region. The species was otherwise reported in mostly single digits  from nearly twenty locales across both states—a very strong showing!

Dabbling and diving ducks were similarly present in large numbers. Notable records included 10,600 Northern Pintail at TN NWR–Busseltown Unit 30 Jan (Alan Troyer), 4,000 Canvasbacks at Britton Ford, Henry Co, TN 31 Jan (Melissa Turrentine), and a count of 700 Greater Scaup at Pace Point, Henry Co, TN 15 Dec (Ruben Stoll). The latter two records each represent the second highest counts ever for the state for those species. More than 5,000 Lesser Scaup were reported on Lake Barkley at Land Between the Lakes, Trigg Co, KY 22 Feb (Ruben Stoll, Alan Troyer, m.ob.), with a further 2,500 being reported from the north end of the same lake on the same day (Ruben Stoll, Alan Troyer, m.ob.). A vagrant Eurasian Wigeon was captured on a trail camera at Duck River 12 Jan (ph. Clayton Ferrell), the first at the location in four years.

There were three reports of Surf Scoters in KY and five in TN: Seven at Cook Recreation Area on J. Percy Priest Lake, Davidson Co, TN 17 Dec (ph. Daniel Redwine) was a notably high count; as many as three were found on the Ohio River at Louisville, Jefferson Co, KY 1 Dec (Jamie Baker, m.ob.); remaining reports were widespread of individual birds. White-winged and Black Scoters were each reported from nine locales across both states, mostly as individual birds, however eight Black Scoters at Long Hunter SP, Davidson Co, TN 6 Jan (ph. Bubba Singleton) was notable and set a county record. Long-tailed Ducks were similarly present in greater than average numbers with reports from ten locales. Four at Fagan Branch Lake, Marion Co, KY 21 Dec (ph. Jeff Sole) was the most; three reported on Chickamauga Lake in Hamilton Co, TN 23 Dec (ph. Susan Hubley) stayed the season, last seen 24 Feb (Tim Lenz). Eight-hundred Common Goldeneyes from Paris Landing, Henry Co, TN 19 Jan (Alan Troyer) was one of the highest estimates within the last few years.

Grebes through Cranes

Red-necked Grebes are very rare winter visitors, yet there were five reports from TN and one from KY. A single bird was at Lexington Reservoirs #2 & #3, Fayette Co, KY 3 Dec–13 Jan (ph. Ronan O’Carra, m.ob.). In TN, single birds were found at Pace Point, Henry Co 15 Dec (Ruben Stoll), at Bryant Grove Recreation Area, Davidson Co 24 Dec (ph. Daniel Redwine, Jeffrey Walck, Patrick Higgins), at Edgar Evins SP, Dekalb Co 24 Dec (ph. Holly Taylor, Mark Taylor), at Woods Reservoir, Franklin Co 21–22 Feb (ph. Tim Lenz, Luke Thompson, Duane Yarbrough), and around Admiral Farragut Park, Knox Co 23–26 Dec (ph. Jeremy Dotson, m.ob.). Lone Eared Grebes were found sporadically on J. Percy Priest Lake in both Davidson and Rutherford Cos 19 Dec–18 Jan (Graham Gerdeman, ph. Patrick Higgins, m.ob.); one was also at Woods Reservoir, Franklin Co, TN 16 Feb (ph. Tim Lenz, Nicole Koeltzow, Kent Dubois).

White-winged Doves likely over-wintered in two locations: Lexington, Fayette Co, KY 17–23 Jan (ph. Ronan O’Carra, m.ob), and Memphis, Shelby Co, TN 14 and 16 Feb (ph. David Hamilton).

Kentucky had no winter hummingbird reports this season. There were several south of the border in TN, however. A Ruby-throated Hummingbird banded in Williamson Co 5 Dec (Cyndi Routledge) was very late. An adult male Black-chinned Hummingbird reported at a home in Blount Co 7–24 Dec (ph. Lesa Cameron Boatin, m.ob.) had apparently been present since around 1 Dec; another adult male was first observed in Knox Co 29 Nov (Kristen Smith fide Graham Gerdeman). It was identified and banded 3 Dec (Mark Armstrong) and persisted until last seen 19 Jan (Kristen Smith) to the delight of many state birders. A hatch-year female Calliope Hummingbird coming to a feeder in Hamilton Co throughout the season 4 Dec–18 Feb (ph. Julius Basham, m.ob.) was the first TN record since 2013. There were five reports from TN of Rufous Hummingbird, typically the default “winter hummer” in the region: a hatch-year male continuing from Nov in Johnson Co was last seen 6 Jan (Peter Jones, m.ob.), a hatch-year female was banded in Blount Co 7 Dec (Cyndi Routledge), a hatch-year male was banded in Smith Co 11 Dec (Cyndi Routledge), a second-year female was banded in Weakley Co 4 Jan (Cyndi Routledge), and a female in Bedford Co 10 Jan was identified to species, but not caught and banded (Cyndi Routledge fide Graham Gerdeman).

Accidental to the region in winter, single Common Gallinules were found at John Sevier Lake, Hawkins Co, TN 6 Dec–5 Jan (ph. Susan Hubley) and at Standifer Gap Marsh, Hamilton Co, TN 13 and 18 Jan (Tim Lenz, Peter Robinson, m.ob.). Sandhill Cranes were present in good numbers—a count of more than 22,000 at roosts near Barren River Lake, Barren Co, KY 21 Jan (Wayne Tamminga fide Brainard Palmer-Ball, Jr.) was the highest. Two Whooping Cranes were present throughout the season at Hiwassee Wildlife Refuge, Meigs Co, TN (m.ob.), and four adults gave a random flyover to a lucky birder in Fentress Co 31 Dec (ph. Allen Barlow).

Shorebirds through Gulls

An American Golden-Plover in Obion Co, TN 5 Dec (ph. Mark Greene) was unusually late. Three Dunlin at Barren River Lake WMA, Allen Co, KY 26 Dec (Ruben Stoll) were even more so. A count of 145 Wilson’s Snipe at Duck River 21 Dec (Luke Thompson, Patrick Higgins) was notably high. The standout shorebird of the season, however, was a Purple Sandpiper found at Nashville, TN’s “Snow Bunting Peninsula” on Old Hickory Lake, Davidson Co by a visiting birder 13 Jan (ph. Geoffrey North). It established TN’s fifth record, but the first since 1976, and the first to be photo-documented. The bird was reported nearly daily until it was last seen 6 Feb (ph. Tara Davis, James Davis). Well over 100 birders ventured out to see this rarity during its almost month-long residency.

With early (late Nov) and persistent frigid temperatures and snowfall to the north, as well as an historic blizzard affecting the gulf coast in January, TN and KY birders were on high alert this season for vagrant gull species. There was one first-cycle Black-legged Kittiwake at Cannelton Dam, Hancock Co, KY 3–4 Dec (Clay Bliznick, m.ob.). Bonaparte’s Gulls were present in good numbers and a count of 6,500 at Douglas Dam, Sevier Co, TN 2 Jan (Keith Watson) was the second highest count ever in the state. A single Little Gull was reported, a second-cycle individual at Nickajack Lake, Marion Co, TN 18 Jan–23 Feb (ph. Tim Lenz, m.ob.). A single Laughing Gull turned up below Cannelton Dam on the Ohio River, Hancock, Co, KY 18 Dec (Jake Souder). Rare in winter, Franklin’s Gulls were reported twice in KY and once in TN: one below Cannelton Dam, Hancock Co, KY 1–4 Dec (ph. Robert Rold, m.ob.), one on the Ohio River in Louisville, Jefferson Co, KY 12 Dec (ph. Jackie Elmore, m.ob.), and one at Chester Frost Park, Hamilton Co, TN 19 Jan (ph. Tim Lenz, Nolan Keyes). A report of 41,000 Ring-billed Gulls, 500 Herring Gulls, and 75 Lesser Black-backed Gulls on Kentucky Lake from Henry Co, TN 24 Jan (Alan Troyer) was extraordinary. A California Gull at the Benton Co Landfill, Benton Co, TN 24 Jan (ph. Alan Troyer), 14 Feb (ph. Daniel Redwine), and 22–23 Feb (ph. Daniel Redwine, Chris Sloan, Graham Gerdeman) established the state’s 14th record.

Up to three Iceland Gulls were reported in the vicinity of Kentucky Dam/Culvert City Landfill, Livingston and Marshall Cos, KY from 15 Jan–22 Feb+ (Scott Record, m.ob.); three was also the most reported from Benton Co Landfill, TN 7 Jan (ph. Victor Stoll, Ruben Stoll, Nolan Walker); a first-cycle individual of the L. g. kumlieni subspecies was found at “Snow Bunting Peninsula,” Old Hickory Lake, Davidson Co, TN 26 Jan (ph. Tim Loyd), the only confirmed account of that subspecies; there were also individual first-cycle birds at the Rutherford Co Landfill, TN 7 Jan (ph. Graham Gerdeman, Daniel Redwine, m.ob.), and at the Piney River boat ramp, Rhea Co, TN 28 Jan (ph. Austin Young).

Kentucky’s first recorded Glaucous-winged Gull was found at Calvert City Landfill, Marshall Co 29 Jan (ph. Jamie Baker, Brainard Palmer-Ball, Jr.). It was determined by photos to be the same individual found by Greg Jackson in early January in Alabama. There were three reports of Glaucous Gulls in KY: a first-cycle bird at the Calvert City Landfill, Marshall Co 21 Jan (David Stone), another at Kentucky Dam, Livingston and Marshall Cos 24 Jan (Robert Rold), and an adult at the Calvert City Landfill, Marshall Co 29 Jan (Teresa Graham, ph. Jamie Baker, Brainard Palmer-Ball, Jr.). Up to two Great Black-backed Gulls were reported around Kentucky Dam, Livingston and Marshall Cos, KY 26 Jan–22 Feb (ph. Hap Chambers, m.ob.) and a single at Pickwick Dam, Hardin Co, TN remained 30 Dec–3 Feb (ph. Alan Troyer, Ruben Stoll, m.ob.).

Loons through Raptors

Only one Red-throated Loon was reported from KY this season, on the Ohio River at Louisville, Jefferson Co 23 Jan–1 Feb (ph. David Bailey, m.ob.). There were multiple reports in TN, and in relatively high numbers: five in Grainger Co 21 Feb (ph. Dallas Herrell, Jason Cole), one on Ft. Loudon Lake, Knox Co 23–26 Dec (Tom Howe, ph. Evan Kidd, m.ob.), three was the most at Chickamauga Lake, Hamilton Co 27 and 30 Jan–3 Feb (Patrick Higgins, m.ob.), one at Raccoon Mountain Reservoir, Marion Co 21–22 Dec (Bruce Dralle, m.ob.), three at Woods Reservoir, Franklin Co 21–23 Feb (ph. Luke Thompson, Tim Lenz, m.ob.), two at J. Percy Priest Lake, Davidson Co 6 Dec (Graham Gerdeman, Daniel Redwine), one at Old Hickory Lake, Davidson and Sumner Cos 21 (Robert Deegan) and 27 Jan (ph. Tim Loyd), and two at Pickwick Lake, Hardin Co 30 Dec–1 Jan (ph. Ruben Stoll, Chris Agee, m.ob.). Pacific Loons were reported in three TN locales: one at Pickwick Lake, Hardin Co 30 Dec–1 Jan (Alan Troyer, Ruben Stoll, m.ob.), one at J. Percy Priest Lake, Davidson Co 17 Jan (ph. Daniel Redwine), and one at Chickamauga Lake, Hamilton Co 8 Dec–20 Feb (ph. Tim Lenz, Brian Bullard, m.ob.).

A single Anhinga at Duck River 21 Dec (Adam Beachy) constitutes the fourth winter record in TN and the third in a row in which one has apparently toughed it out there. Lone Neotropic Cormorants were found similarly braving the cold at Reelfoot Lake, Lake Co, TN 14 Dec (Ruben Stoll, Victor Stoll), and at Duck River 21 Dec (Patrick Higgins, Luke Thompson, m.ob.). Rare winter residents in the region, two American Bitterns were at Ensley 15 Dec (ph. Jim Varner, m.ob.) where at least one bird was documented periodically until 6 Feb (Cliff VanNostrand); one was also at Standifer Gap Marsh, Hamilton Co throughout the season 21 Dec–24 Feb (ph. Tim Russell, m.ob.).

Golden Eagles had a strong showing in the region this season with reports from nine counties in KY and six in TN (m.ob.). Always rare visitors, individual Rough-legged Hawks were found in Todd Co, KY 4–14 Jan (Ruben Stoll, ph. Victor Stoll, m.ob.), Clay Co, TN 8 Jan (ph. Terry Campbell), Bourbon and Clark Cos, KY 22 (David J. Svetich) and 25 Jan (Scott Marsh), and Boone Co, KY 24 Jan (Joe Caminiti, Kathy Caminiti). A Snowy Owl was reported at the Louisville Airport, Jefferson Co, KY 28 Jan (ph. Michael Autin) and 7–8 Feb (Michael Autin, ph. Michael Callen, m.ob.); there were three secondhand photographic reports of Snowy Owl for Bullitt, Larue, and Powell Cos, KY without specific dates or locations (fide Ronan O’Carra). Twelve Long-eared Owls at a roost in Lake Co, TN 15 Dec (ph. Patrick Higgins, Chris Agee) set a record high for the state. Short-eared Owls were found in above average numbers and locations as well. Twenty near John C. Williams WMA, Nelson Co, KY 20 Jan (ph. Lee Payne) was the most reported. Lastly for owls, despite a reportedly slow fall banding season in KY, Northern Saw-whet Owls were reported in several TN locales: one in Henry Co 15 Dec (Victor Stoll), Humphreys Co 21 Dec (Victor Stoll) and 1 Feb (Tim Lenz, Ruben Stoll, m.ob.), one to two regularly in Perry Co from 9 Dec (Ruben Stoll) to 23 Feb (Chuck Estes), one in Davidson Co 8 Jan (au. Joe McLaughlin, m.ob.), Wilson Co 25 Jan and 1–2 Feb (Daniel Redwine, Jeffrey Walck, Isaac Brown), and Hamilton Co 26 Jan (Patrick Higgins). The Henry and Perry Co locations have been consistent winter territories the past couple of years.

Flycatchers through Finches

For the second winter running, a Say’s Phoebe over-wintered, this time in Shelby Co, TN 14 Dec–25 Feb (ph. Cliff VanNostrand, Deon VanNostrand, m.ob.). Far rarer, an adult male Vermillion Flycatcher appeared briefly at Robin-Halle Nature Preserve in Shelby Co, TN 18 Dec (ph. Cliff VanNostrand). A Tropical/Couch’s Kingbird was photographed in Lake Co, TN by a non-birder 2 Dec (ph. Kerry Speer). Vagrancy patterns suggest that a Tropical Kingbird is more likely, and the photographed bird appeared to have the long, heavy bill of that species, but it was not heard vocalizing, and could not be identified to species with certainty. Either species would be a first for the region. Tennessee’s third Cassin’s Kingbird continued from fall in Hamilton Co until last reported 7 Jan (ph. Andrew Theus).

A Barn Swallow in Davidson Co, TN 30 Dec (Daniel Redwine) was an exceptional winter record. A Blue-gray Gnatcatcher the same day in Hardin Co, TN (ph. Alan Troyer) fits a growing pattern of a few of that species holding on well into the winter.

Sedge Wrens are only rarely reported in winter. There were two—one in Fulton Co, KY 26 Jan (ph. Alan Troyer, Ruben Stoll) and one in Davidson Co, TN 30 Dec (ph. Ariel Dunham, m.ob.). Kentucky’s eighth Varied Thrush occurred in Lexington, Fayette Co 16–24 Jan (ph. Steve Alford, m.ob.). A rare Sprague’s Pipit was reported again this season, this time as a single flyover in Gibson Co, TN 29 Jan (Mark Greene).

One Evening Grosbeak in Perry Co 8 Dec–18 Jan (ph. au. Alan Troyer, m.ob.) gave state birders false hopes for a busy irruption year; TN also had one in Polk Co 14 Dec (Jamin Beachy, Joanna Beachy) and three in Knox Co 27 Dec (au. K. Dean Edwards). There were no reports from KY. Purple Finches were abundant and widespread, but for at least the third straight winter, Pine Siskins were extremely scarce–the three highest counts in TN were only four individuals each! Eleven in Fayette Co, KY 2 Feb (Josh Stapleton) was the highest report of siskins in the region.

Longspurs through Dickcissel

A Chestnut-collared Longspur associated with a large flock of Lapland Longspurs at Fowler Road Irrigation Pond in Lincoln Co, TN 26 Jan–22 Feb (ph. Avery Fish, m.ob.) established only the fifth state record and the first to be chaseable. Amazingly, the same flock also contained two Smith’s Longspurs, reported 26 Jan–24 Feb (ph. Alan Troyer, Patrick Higgins, m.ob.), establishing the easternmost record of the species in the state. American Tree Sparrows are regular winter residents in KY, yet scarce to genuinely rare south of the border. This winter saw many reports in TN for the first time in several years: three were at the Reelfoot NWR Visitor Center, Obion Co 14 Dec (Austin Young, ph. Patrick Higgins, m.ob.). Single birds were found at Eagle Lake Refuge, Shelby Co 28 Dec (Cliff VanNostrand), in two locales in Henry Co 24 Jan (ph. Alan Troyer, Wade Baker, Robert Wheat), in Cannon Co 11 Jan (Don Burgess), Clay Co 20 Jan (Jamin Beachy), Bradley Co 13 Jan (David Chaffin), and Stewart Co 22 Jan (Daniel Moss fide Graham Gerdeman).

A lone Bobolink at Duck River 23 Dec (ph. Alan Troyer) is only the second winter record in the state. Western Meadowlarks were found in four KY locations and three in TN. Twenty-eight reported at Savannah Bottoms, Hardin Co, TN 20 Feb (ph. au. Alan Troyer) was a surprisingly high number to be so far east, and among the most ever found in either state. Increasingly found in winter, there were three reports of Baltimore Orioles from KY and six from TN. A count of 167 Brewer’s Blackbirds at Lake Isom NWR, Lake Co 14 Dec (Alan Troyer) was notably high and the most in several years.

Perhaps due to the unusually cold winter further south along the gulf coast, the region had quite a few extra-seasonal wood warblers: a Northern Waterthrush at Seven Islands State Birding Park, Knox Co, TN 28 Dec (ph. Jacob Wessels); one Black-and-White Warbler in Rutherford Co, TN 20 and 24 Dec (ph. Jo VerMulm, Issac Brown, Susan Hubley); a Tennessee Warbler in McCracken Co, KY 3 Jan (ph. Bob Haugh); single Common Yellowthroats in Fulton Co, KY 14 Dec (ph. Daniel Redwine) and Todd Co, KY 4 Jan (Alan Troyer); a Cape May Warbler coming to a feeder in Hamilton Co, TN 9 Dec (ph. John Odom), and a Yellow-throated Warbler in Hamilton Co, TN 24 Dec (ph. Rachel Lee).

A Summer Tanager at a private home in Hamilton Co, TN 11 Dec (ph. Alex McNeal) was also a rare winter record. Rarer still, reports of Western Tanager came from both states; one in east Monroe Co, KY 1 Dec (Joanne Beachy, ph. Jamin Beachy) had first been seen the previous day; another at the home of a local birder in Wilson Co, TN persisted 3–21 Jan (ph. Robin Nation, m.ob.) and was seen by many. Both states now have around 20 records between them, mostly in TN. Lingering Rose-breasted Grosbeaks were reported at feeders in Cumberland Co, TN 11 Dec–17 Feb (ph. R. Hodge), and Marion Co, TN 21 Dec (Barbara Johnson, Sharon Klein); one in Boyle Co, KY 28 Feb (Carole Sole) may have been a very early spring migrant. Yet another rare winter visitor, a Dickcissel was found at a feeder in the snow in Sullivan Co, TN 5 Jan (ph. Anne Cowan, Bennett Cowan); another overwintering in Todd Co, KY was reported 30 Dec–4 Jan and 18 Feb (John Beachy, ph. Alan Troyer).

Report edited by Andrew Keaveney, 30 Jun 2026.