Birding in East Tennessee

Don Holt and myself birded Friday evening in western Washington County and Saturday in south Greene County for the Greene County Spring Count.

Friday - April 22

After the big storms came through (and after work) I contacted Don about some end of the day birding.

We first travel to Jackson Bridge Rd (Off Hwy 107 just before Clark's Creek) to Jackson's Bridge where many upon many CLIFF SWALLOWS were flying above the Nolachucky River.

We next travelled to the CCC camp area along Hwy 107. We had the usual amount of common forest birds along with a OVENBIRD which was a FOY bird for Don. BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHERS were plentiful building nests, WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS were still singing and a WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCH was calling back at the camp area. I report the WBNU because they seem to me more elusive while nesting season is in full swing.

We then headed to the Buffalo Mtn area along Dry Creek Rd. We stop at one of the pull offs and find the following:

Northern Parula (FOY for Don)
Black-throated Greene Warbler
Ovenbird
Louisana Waterthrush
Hooded Warbler
Wood Thrush (FOY for Don and Rob)
Broad-winged Hawk
Blue-gray Gnatcatchers

We ended the day going Goatsucker hunting at the Cemetery near Milligan College. We were successful hearing at least 2 CHUCK-WILL'S-WIDOW singing.

Saturday - April 23

This day turned into 'Mission Impossible' after the passing of the cold front, but the morning was very productive in southern Greene County. Besides the already established birds there, the following are the highlights and all FOY birds for me saving the last (my second for the year).

Northern Bobwhite 1
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 1
Grasshopper Sparrow 1
Blue Grosbeak 5 ( I think it the total was 5, Don has the final numbers for our area)
Yellow Warbler

Sunday was taken as a day off to watch it *gasp* snow and catch up on some much needed chores - namely - Laundry!