Christmas Bird Count TENNESSEE ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY
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TENNESSEE ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY
http://birdmemphis.org
February 2021
Christmas Bird Count
Thirty observers recorded 95 bird species during the December 20,
2020 Memphis CBC. This was year 121 of the Audubon CBC. After
the previous day's steady rain, conditions were wet, with a dense
morning fog advisory. The sun never broke through, but
temperatures were mild ranging from 43 to 47°F, and winds were
light. Multiple birding parties covered different areas of Memphis
including Presidents Island, Ensley Bottoms/TO Fuller, northwest,
Great Horned Owl Overton Park/Midtown, Raleigh, and Shelby Farms. Over 50 party
hours on foot,16 by car, and 1.5 nocturnal owling hours were
reported.
Sora (2) was recorded for the first time on the Memphis CBC.
Several bird species were recorded in high numbers for the count.
These were Canada Goose (1032), Bufflehead (47), Mourning
Dove (1413). Marsh Wren (3), Eastern Bluebird (134), Gray
Catbird (2), and Pine Siskin (73). Previous highs and (count #) for
these species were respectively 1014 (118), 35 (120), 1173 (99), 1
(112), 103 (48), 2 (120), and 52 (64). Other notable sightings were
Ross's Goose (2), Great Egret (5), Short-eared Owl (2), Fish Crow
Barred Owl
(10), Red-breasted Nuthatch (6), Brown Creeper (6), Sedge Wren
(2), LeConte's Sparrow (1), American Tree Sparrow (1), Lincoln's
Sparrow (1), Brewer's Blackbird (17), and Purple Finch (20). In
recent years we have missed Hairy Woodpeckers so it was good
to have one reported on Presidents Island and to have 5 Red-
headed Woodpeckers. The number of Cedar Waxwings (558) was
not a record but was higher than usual.
Thanks to all who participated in this ninety-second Memphis CBC.
-Margaret Jefferson
Short-eared Owl
Photos by: Cliff VanNostrand
Wapanocca CBC - December 27th. 22 Participants, 100 species (new high). Highlights were Barn
Owl (10), Short-eared Owl (3), Say's Phoebe (1), Common Yellowthroat (1), Orange-crowned Warbler
(1), and new for the count Blue-headed Vireo (1), Marsh Wren (3) and LeConte's Sparrow (9).
North Mississippi field trip - January 9th. 7 Participants. 60 species. Highlights: Sandhill Crane (5)
and close up with nearly 1,500 American White Pelicans.
-Dick Preston
Snow Goose Northern Harrier
Photos by: Vaibhav Garde
American Kestrel Loggerhead Shrike
Bald Eagle Red-tailed Hawk
Pine Warbler
Pine Warblers are one of the few warblers that frequent
feeders. As with other members of their genus, these
warblers are clothed in white, gray, and vibrant
golden hues.
Scientific name: Setophaga pinus
Range: Unlike most of its relatives, the Pine
Warbler breeds
in the
northeastern US
and winters in the
southeast. A few other
warblers also winter in the US,
such as the Orange-Crowned and Yellow-Rumped Warbler.
Habitat: As their name implies, Pine Warblers are almost always
found near pine trees. They prefer to breed and winter in forests with
mature pine trees and an open understory, but any woods with pine
trees will do.
Diet/feeding: Pine Warblers, like its relatives, have a diet of mostly insects such as beetles, ants,
spiders, flies, and insect eggs. However, they are the only species of warbler that regularly eats
seeds. During the winter, when insects are scarce, Pine Warblers will eat pine seeds. At a feeder,
they may consume a great variety of food, including suet, millet, sunflower seeds, and peanuts. Pine
Warblers may also eat fruit and berries.
Behavior: Pine Warblers forage in the canopy and middle story of pine stands, probing bark and twigs
for insects. They move at a slower rate than other warblers, and they form mixed flocks with other
small songbirds. Males can be aggressive, chasing other birds and occasionally fighting in the air.
Breeding pairs nest in spring, with the male vigorously defending his territory. They return to their
wintering grounds in October or November. During the breeding season, the female selects a nest site,
usually a well concealed spot near the end of pine branch. Then, she builds a cup nest using grass,
pine needles, bark, fur, and feathers. The male may then help his mate build the nest. The
female then lays a clutch of 3-5 eggs, and after hatching, her young fledge in a little over a week.
When, where, and how to see: Pine Warblers have yellow heads and breasts, gray underparts,
and two prominent white bars on their wings. The intensity and extent of the yellow area varies
with the individual’s gender and age: males and adults boast a brighter shade of yellow than females
and juveniles. The Pine Warbler’s relations with other Setophaga warblers can be told by faint gray
streaks on their head and breast. They also have an eye-ring that is a brighter shade of yellow than the
rest of the face, giving them a “spectacled” look.
Pine warblers can be easily confused with yellow
throated vireos, but as with most vireos, the latter
has a heavier bill, a shorter tail, and a bulkier
overall shape. The warbler’s song consists of a
long, musical trill like a junco or Chipping
Sparrow’s song. They may give this song on their
wintering grounds in late winter or early spring.
Conservation: The population of Pine Warblers
has been increasing steadily since the sixties.
Although much pine forest habitat has been lost to
logging and forest fires, new pine trees in deciduous forests make up for this deficiency.
Fun facts:
• Pine Warblers perform a broken wing display when predators approach their nests. This is a
defense tactic used by the parents to pull a predator’s attention away from their nest. During a broken
wing display, a parent acts as though it is hurt, dragging its wing on the ground, and spreading its tail
feathers. Other birds such as the Killdeer also perform such a display.
Bibliography:
• Most info in this article and range map from the Pine Warbler page on Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s All About Birds guide and Cornell Lab’s Birds of the World
• https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Pine_Warbler/overview
• https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/pinwar/cur/introduction
Other sources:
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQ0STmdsq2U
• Range map from All About Birds Pine Warbler page
• all photos taken by Lynn Hui
Editor’s Note: Special thanks to MTOS member Lynn Hui for contributing this article.
Andie and I have continued to stay pretty limited in our travels, and Nonconnah Greenbelt Park is still an interesting place to bird as the seasons change. As the winter residents have arrived, a few more species have been spotted there, up to 126 now, with the number of photographed species over 100. See below for a map showing different areas, habitats and photographs taken, and hope that it may be useful when you visit.
1. A paved path starts from the parking lot, near 2 small ponds and continues over the bridge and
provides great views of most winter residents and great spots for migrating warblers, vireos, etc.
1. Ruby-crowned Kinglet; 2. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker; 3. Prairie Warbler; 4. Wood Duck (female).
2. The wooded area and natural path along Nonconnah Creek hosts numerous species (e.g. Wood-
peckers, Chickadees, Titmice, Sparrows, Brown Creepers).
3. The bramble-filled field has ATV paths that cut through and allow views of sparrows in winter as
well as numerous migrants and summer residents (e.g. Field and Song Sparrows, Yellow-
breasted Chat, Prairie Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Indigo Bunting).
4. There are wetlands on the back end of the paved path that host Great Blue Heron, Wood Duck,
and Swamp Sparrow. There are also nesting Eastern Phoebe, and Cliff and Barn Swallows
under the overpass. There is also an active beaver lodge there.
Happy Birding and hope to see you there!!
-Thomas Blevins
Nonconnah Greenbelt Park Hotspot Wolf River Environmental Restoration Greenway Trail System
https://ebird.org/hotspot/L6257240 https://ebird.org/hotspot/L811644
Editor’s Note:
Special thanks to Thomas Blevins for contributing this article and idea. If you would like to submit an article about
your favorite hotspot or patch, please send it to mtosnewsletter@gmail.com.
For our next issue, we
would like to feature
some photos of
sparrows.
Please send your
submissions to
mtosnewsletter@gmail.com.
Preventing Bird Disease
About two weeks ago, I was enjoying a peaceful morning of birding and photography when a spied
a groggy looking, orangish House Finch perched on my fence. Its feathers were puffed up, and its
eyes were opening and closing sleepily as though it had just pulled an all-nighter. In fact, it seemed
to have a hard time keeping its eyes open at all. At the time, I had suspected that something
besides sleepiness was affecting the finch. Then, a week later, I noticed more alarming signs at the
feeders. I found the same orange House Finch sitting on a fence, showing the same signs of
fatigue... but this time I felt that the House Finch was ill. I had
read of a House Finch eye disease that caused its host’s
eyes to swell up. After doing some research, I was sure that
the finch was infected with the disease. On the same day, I
spotted another finch with a more serious case of the same
disease. Its eyes were completely swollen, and it seemed to
be at least partially blind. As it munched on sunflower seeds,
I approached it steadily until I was so close that my camera
could not focus clearly anymore. By this time, all the other
birds had flown away, but the finch did not seem to see me at
all.
My parents and I decided to take down the feeders and thoroughly clean and wash them. We
emptied the birdfeed into a tray which we left out in the open,
hoping this would be a safer alternative to the crowded tube
feeders. Since then, I have also counted two other finches in my
yard that seem to have caught a different disease: avian pox. An
outbreak of disease such as the one my yard is experiencing can
be easily prevented by routine feeder cleaning, which I have sorely
neglected in my bird feeding experience.
Common Feeder Diseases:
• Avian Conjunctivitis (House Finch eye disease): A bacterium
infects the tissue around a bird’s eye, causing it to swell and
hinder the bird’s vision. This disease was discovered in 1994.
The bacteria itself is a mutation from a species that affected poultry. Factors such as the house
finch’s rapid expansion and the growing popularity of bird feeding has contributed to the spread
of this disease. House Finches, Goldfinches, and a variety of other songbirds may contract this
disease from contaminated feeder ports and other surfaces. Small, narrow feeder ports against
which birds may rub their head are especially at risk of becoming contaminated. Diseased birds
may be captured and taken to a wildlife rehabilitator, where they will receive medication to cure
the disease. Humans cannot contract avian conjunctivitis.
• Symptoms of conjunctivitis: swollen, crusty, and runny eyes, lethargy, puffed body feathers.
Diseased birds seem as though they are sleepy, struggling to keep their eyes open. In severe
cases, birds have difficulty flying, often fluttering around and landing on the ground because
they cannot see a place to perch. Partially blind birds will not notice you if you approach them.
• Avian pox: This virus affects a wide variety of birds, including turkeys, albatrosses,
waterfowl, poultry, and songbirds. Most birds will
survive this virus. The virus spreads mainly through
insect bites, but particles from infected bird lesions
will contaminate bird feeders and bird baths.
Infected birds may be captured and taken to a
wildlife rehabilitator, but as with all viruses, there is
no cure for avian pox. People cannot get avian pox.
• Symptoms of avian pox: lesions on the head,
feet, or any other body part with bare skin. In most cases, the lesions affect birds by blocking
their vision and hindering their survival abilities.
• Salmonella: This disease is caused by a species of bacteria that affects a bird’s digestive
system. Many different bird species, from chickens to songbirds, may contract this disease. It is
the most common illness that is spread at feeders.
Salmonella is spread through the ingestion of food
contaminated by a sick bird’s droppings. People can
contract salmonella.
• Symptoms of salmonella: diarrhea, tiredness, puffed
feathers.
What to do if infected birds visit a feeder:
• Immediately clean feeders or birdbaths with a
household bleach solution (1 part bleach, 9 parts water)
• When cleaning, use disposable gloves.
• Remove any seed that has been accumulating under
feeders.
• Do not hang feeders for one to two weeks.
• Before bringing sick birds to wildlife rehab centers, always contact the center first and ask if
they can accept a sick bird. Illness can spread rapidly in centers that do not have the means to
quarantine sick birds.
• Never put antibiotics or any other medication in birdbaths or feeders.
How to Prevent an Outbreak:
• Space feeders apart so that birds are not crowding each other
• Clean feeders and birdbaths at least once or twice a month
• Dispose of wasted birdfeed
Sources:
• https://www.birdwatching-bliss.com/bird-diseases.html
• https://www.allaboutbirds.org/news/house-finch-eye-disease-outbreak-then-understanding/
• https://www.northeastwildlife.org/disease/avian-pox
• https://cwhl.vet.cornell.edu/disease/salmonella
• https://www.startribune.com/bird-feeders-should-be-cleaned-regularly/210113381/
• All photos by Lynn Hui
Friday-Monday, February 12-15 Great Backyard Count https://www.audubon.org/conservation/about-great-backyard-bird- count Saturday, February 20 Shelby Farms Park/Agricenter International Field Trip Leader: Cathy Justis cajustis@gmail.com / 901-324-3685 or 901-219-7323 Meet at 7:30 am at the Amphitheater parking lot on North Pine Lake Drive. https://goo.gl/maps/s3YkaKEbPf2EKsja8 Sunday, March 21 Shelby Farms Park/Agricenter International
Articles of Interest • Why these US birding hotspots are on my bucket list https://bangordailynews.com/2021/01/20/act-out/these-us-birding-hotspots-are-on- my-bucket-list-heres-why/ • 2021 Checklist-a-day Challenge https://ebird.org/news/2021-checklist-a-day-challenge • Pileated Woodpecker, the ABA’s 2021 Bird of the Year https://www.aba.org/2021-bird-of-the-year-pileated-woodpecker-dryocopus-pileatus/ • Audubon for Kids https://www.audubon.org/get-outside/activities/audubon-for-kids • 31 Quick Facts about Snowy Owls https://birdfeederhub.com/facts-about-snowy-owls/
TOS Membership Information Chapter Meeting
Benefits include monthly programs, field Chapter Meetings are cancelled until further notice.
trips, quarterly journals, and state and
chapter newsletters.
Categories and dues are:
Individual $36
Family $40 Upcoming Field Trip Information
Sustaining $55
College Student $23 February 12-15: Great Backyard Bird Count
Other Student $5 February 20: Shelby Farms Park / Agricenter
Lifetime $450 one time +$18 yearly
March 21: Shelby Farms Park / Agricenter
Dues payable by check, made out to
MTOS
Please send dues to: Barbara Pyles
8488 East Askersund Cove
Cordova, TN 38018
(901) 570-1009
E-mail brbpyles@gmail.com
Thank you to all who contributed to this month ’s
newsletter.
Newsletter Delivery Options
To reduce printing and mailing costs, a
digital version, which is usually expanded
with photos and occasional articles, is
provided. Notify Margaret Jefferson,
mjefferson100@hotmail.com. If you have
no internet access, a printed version can
be mailed. For our next issue, we would like to feature
Chapter Newsletter Submissions some photos of sparrows.
Email submissions to Cliff VanNostrand
mtosnewsletter@gmail.com
Please send your submissions to
Deadline for submissions to the Newsletter
is the 22nd of the month. mtosnewsletter@gmail.com.
Field Cards
Please mail or e-mail your field cards and
notable sightings to Dick Preston.
dickpreston48@gmail.com
Tennessee Warbler Deadlines
* February 28 for the April Newsletter
* June 30 for the August Newsletter
* October 31 for the December Newsletter
Forward contributions to:
Theresa Graham, Editor
P.O. Box 366 Oakland, TN 38060
(901) 465-4263
Email: 2graham@bellsouth.netNorthern Shoveler
Canada Goose
Blue-winged Teal Snow Goose
Gadwall Lesser ScaupBlack-bellied Whistling-Duck Canada Goose Snow Geese & Ross’s Goose
Northern Pintail Northern Pintail
Mallard
David & Betty Blaylock and I birded for a short time on the morning of January 5th at
Shelby Farms. A fairly successful morning with 35 species on our normal route with 4
or 5 more added at Beaver Lake. There were a few surprises such as a Hairy
Woodpecker, 3 Brown Creepers, a single Northern Pintail co-existing with a pair of
Mallards, and a couple of Fox Sparrows.
-Chad BrownRuddy Duck Lesser Scaup
Ruddy Duck
Bufflehead Hooded MerganserCommon Meganser
Maine
Black-bellied Whistling-Duck
South Texas
Blue-winged Teal
Shelby Forest
Hooded Meganser
Shelby ForestRing-billed Gull Northern Flicker Northern Mockingbird Ring-billed Gull Eastern Bluebird
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