The 1984 Breeding Bird Foray At the Breaks of the Big Sandy

By Richard H. Peake

[ As it appeared in Volume 57, The Raven, 1986 ]

The seventeenth breeding bird foray, sponsored by the Research Committee of the Virginia Society of Ornithology, centered on the Breaks Interstate Park and surrounding areas of Buchanan and Dickenson Counties of Virginia as well as some portions of Pike County, Kentucky. Ken Markley, Park naturalist, extended kind help with local arrangements. Directed by Richard Peake, the foray officially began 12 June and ran through 17 June. However, groups were in the field on 11 June and 18 June, and these records are included in the foray results.

Very little field work has been done in this part of Virginia, and this foray account will represent the first substantial published material on the breeding birds of Dickenson and Buchanan Counties. The major emphasis of the field work was upon the Park itself, a strikingly beautiful area which first came to the attention of the public in the short stories of John Fox, Jr. In ornithological groups, the areas has best been known as one of the last places that the Peregrine Falcon nested in Virginia before the recent reintroduction of the species.

The Breaks lie at the northern end of what is known as the Cumberland over-thrust block, which extends southwestward into Tennessee. It is 125 miles long and 25 wide (McGrain, 1975). It is bounded on the southwest by the Jacksboro fault in Tennesse, on the southeast by the Hunter Valley fault in Virginia, on the northwest by the Pine Mountain fault in Kentucky, and on the northeast by the Russell Fork fault. The mountain ridge that resulted from movement of this large mass westward six miles pushed Devonian and Mississippian rocks up to form Pine Mountain, a long ridge which is crested with hard Pennsylvanian sandstone of the Lee formation.

Although Pine Mountian attains elevations over 3000 feet in Letcher and Wise Counties, the area around the Breaks rises no higher than 2800 feet at Cumberland Knob and 2600 feet around Skeggs Gap. The highest elevations with the study area are around Big A Mountain which reaches 3706 feet. The Breaks Park is bisected by the Russell Fork of the Big Sandy River. It follows the fault at the eastern end of the Cumberland overthrust block and then cuts across Pine Mountain and down to Elkhorn City, Kentucky (820 feet). Russell Fork has created a steep, narrow gorge through Pine Mountain, creating the spectacular scenery that is the main feature of Breaks Interstate Park.

Much of the area studied has been subjected to extensive surface mining, but the Park inself still provides much habitat that reflects what Buchanan and Dickenson Counties were like in their pristine state. It is hoped that this will not be destroyed by development, but the Kentucky park system, which co-manages the Breaks, tends to place undue emphasis on development; consequently much of the best habitat in the Park may be lost or compromised in the future.

As complete a survey of the area as possible was made during the foray period, with several groups working an area on successive days. Less time was spent working Buchanan County than Dickenson. Special attention was given to finding evidence of breeding, and the efforts of the forayers were graced with excellent weather. The days were clear with lows in the fifties and highs in the eighties.

In interpreting the results, one should keep in mind the “common song effect,” a term I am using to suggest that common birds whose songs are well known ten to be listed more often than uncommon birds whose songs are less well known to the observers. This is not to say that birds such as the Ovenbird and Hooded Warbler are not common. They are. However, their abundance relative to – say, the Swainson’s Warbler – may be exaggerated. To reduce this possibility in the case of the Swainson’s Warbler, an effort was made to familiarize all forayers with the Swainson’s Warbler song.

In addition to the sightings presented in the annotated list, there were additional reports that were not thought sufficiently documented for inclusion. These are noted as “hypothetical” for future reference; they are Golden Eagle, Peregrine Falcon, Red-headed Woodpecker, Olive-sided Flycatcher, Cliff Swallow, Western Tanager, and Evening Grosbeak. The foray list, therefore, totaled 108 species plus seven on the hypothetical list. This may seem somewhat low to those who have participated in forays at Mount Rogers and Tazewell, but it important to keep in mind that the elevations in the Breaks area, except for Big A Mountain, are much lower than those just to the east, yet it is very interesting to find some species generally associated with higher elevations at very low elevations here.

It is interesting also to note some species that are not found. Although Bewick’s Wren used to breed in the area, none was found. American Kestrel, American Woodcock, Loggerhead Shrike, Warbling Vireo, Savannah Sparrow, Grasshopper Sparrow, and Northern Oriole also went unrecorded.

Participation in this foray was excellent. The following 44 observers took part: Mary Arginteanu, Betsy Baker, Reba Baker, Robert Barbee, Laura Burrows, Charles Byrd, Jennifer Dalmas, John Dalmas, Thelma Dalmas, Antoine Decker, John Dillard, Gisela Grimm, Virginia Hank, Allen Hale, Jeremy Hale, Charles and Melva Hansrote, Helen Irving, Barry Kinzie, YuLee Larner, Ken Markley, Clair Mellinger, Norwood Middleton, Dorothy and Mike Mitchell, Gene Moore, Myriam Moore, Isabel Obenschain, Robert Parcelles, Richard Peake, Mike Purdy, David Raines, Larry Robinson, E. E. Scott, Fred Scott, Philip Shelton, Zelda Silverman, Charles Stevens, Aaron Trent, Harry Turner, Robert Watson, Nathan Wright, John Wright, and Marie Zalesky.

For the purpose of this presentation, a list means a list of birds for any given day in the same area by the same party. In the following annotated checklist, observers have been noted by name when parties of two or less made the observation. When observations were made by groups larger than three, often the last name of one observer has been used followed by “et al.”

Green-backed Heron. Reported by only two parties on 13 June, this species was found by Kinzie and Purdy in the Cow Fork area of Buchanan County, and by Teuber et al. in Dickenson County. From other field work, I would suspect that the species is more common that these records suggest.

Wood Duck. Reported by several groups from Laurel Lake in the Breaks: the Mitchells recorded two adults and four young on 13 June, while Arginteanu and Robinson reported one adult and seven immatures. That same day Larner et al. discovered one bird at Willowbrook Country Club near the Park. On 16 June the Hansrotes found a bird in the Park and Scott and Dillard reported three females, one with five downy young. On 17 June, Peake found an adult with eight young. Beyond the Park, Scott and Dillard found three adults and seven small young near Clintwood on 14 June.

Mallard. Mallard. Two reports: the Michells saw a pair in the Park in 13 June, and Kinzie reported one bird along Rt. 80 in Dickenson County on 15 June.

Black Vulture. One report – Barbee, Peake, and Stevens saw a bird soaring over Skeggs Knob at the Kentucky-Virginia line 16 June.

Turkey Vulture. Recorded by 27 groups from 12 to 17 June (17 of one or two birds): the Hansrotes found a high of nine in the Park 15 June and Middleton and Teuber found a kettle of 17 on 16 June in Buchanan County. Except near the Park and Flannagan Dam, vultures were not reported from Dickenson County. Considering the scarcity of vultures in Dickenson County as a whole and nearby Wise County, the numbers recorded on the foray are rather high and possibly reflect the opening of the habitat as a result of surface mining.

Northern Harrier. Middleton, Teuber, and Turner reported one bird from Upper Twin in Dickenson County. This is probably the first Dickenson County summer record of this species, which is rare at all seasons in southwestern Virginia counties. Increasing numbers of records of harriers in recent years are probably the result of opening habitat from surface mining.

Sharp-shinned Hawk. Three reports: on 13 June Peake found one bird on the Mullins Farm in the Park calling as if near a nest. Scott and Dillard found a bird in the Park on 14 June and Peake made a separate observation on the Prospector’s Trail the same day.

Cooper’s Hawk. One report by Middleton and Teuber, who found a bird in the gorge of the Breaks on 15 June.

Red-shouldered Hawk. Twelve reports scattered from 12 to 17 June, all from Dickenson County, suggest that this species has been reduced in Buchanan County by heavy surface mining. Decker et al. found a pair near the Flannagan Reservior at Upper Twin on 14 June.

Red-tailed Hawk. Six scattered reports of single birds between 12 and 17 June. Stevens and Barbee saw a bird carrying food in Buchanan County on 17 June.

Broad-winged Hawk. Sixteen groups reported this species. All reports except two were of single birds. No groups reported more than two birds on any day.

Ruffed Grouse. The majority of the 12 reports were from Dickenson County, but Barbee and Stevens found a young bird out of the next in Buchanan County on 14 June. Markley and Raines reported three young from Garden Hole in the Park 11 June, and Mary Arginteanu and Larry Robinson discovered a high of nine birds, seven of them immature, below Skeggs Gap. Elsewhere they listed two young in the Crane’s Nest area on 16 June.

Northern Bobwhite. Fourteen reports of Northern Bobwhite were submitted, but only three from Buchanan County. Hank and Irving saw a pair on 13 June on Middle Fork. On 16 June the Dalmases listed a high of seven in Dickenson County. Foray records probably underestimate the population, for Peake listed eight singing males on a breeding bird survey in Dickenson County on 27 June.

Wild Turkey. Since Wild Turkeys are known to be in the Park, it was disappointing that none were reported from there. There were only four reports, only one of which was from Buchanan County, a pair found on Big A. Mountain by Markley and Peake on 12 June.

Virginia Rail. On 11 June, Middleton, Peake, Teuber, and Turner heard a bird in a marsh on Cow Fork. The bird responded to Virginia Rail tapes for about 15 minutes, but gave the observers not more than a fleeting glimpse as it moved through the marsh grasses. In a cattail marsh a little further up Cow For, a rail thought to be of this species responded to clicking rocks on 15 June for Dillard, Peake, Raines, and Scott.

Killdeer. Scarse – the Hales found two Killdeer at the high school in Clintwood, and the Dalmases listed eight on Rt. 649 in the Caney Ridge area, including two adults and three young.

Rock Dove. Eight reports included a high of 21 birds listed 15 June by the Dalmases in Elkhorn City, Kentucky. Elsewhere there was a report of 15 birds near the Flannagan Reservior on 14 June, although some doubt was expressed about whether these birds were truly feral. Wright listed 10 in Dickenson County on 16 June.

Mourning Dove. Thirty-two reports from widely-spread areas included a flock of 12 birds found at the maintenance shed in the Breaks Park by Peake on 15 June. The Hansrotes recorded a high of 10 in Buchanan County on 14 June.

Black-billed Cuckoo. Three reports, one from the Park (Larner et al., 13 June) Two reports cam from Buchanan County, one by Barbee and Stevens 17 June, and the other by Markley and Peake from Big A Mountain (below 2500 feet) 12 June.

Yellow-billed Cuckoo. Thirty-six field cards listed this species in a large number of areas, with a total of eight recorded on 13 June and 15 June in the Cow Fork area of Buchanan County. A high of three calling birds was heard in the Park.

Eastern Screech-Owl. Twelve reports from 11 June through 18 June, two from the Breaks, primarily of calling birds. No group reported more than two birds, but since the calling of this species diminishes during the early summer, these reports from widely scattered areas suggest a fairly sizable population.

Great Horned Owl. Three reports, one of a bird heard calling in the park early in the morning in the southeastern corner of the Elkhorn City quadrangle by Peake on 13 June. Parcelles and Zalesky reported one on 14 June from Rt. 750 in the Upper Twin area. The only other record of a bird from Buchanan County was one found in the Cow Fork area on 14 June (Peake, Teuber, et al.). Forayers did not make a special effort to find owls; the population of these species is probably larger than these records suggest.

Whip-poor-will. There were seven reports 11 June through 16 June, two of which listed three birds. Since no group worked specifically to find this species, these records probably underestimate the population. Barbee, Peake, and Stevens flushed a bird off a nest containing two eggs at an elevation of about 2200 feet on Pine Mountain on 16 June.

Chimney Swift. Thirty-one groups reported this species from throughout the study area. Dillard and Scott listed a high of 7 in Buchanan County on 15 June.

Ruby-throated Hummingbird. The twenty-nine reports of this species came primarily from Dickenson County, but this may be a result of more work on foot in this county. The Hansrotes found the foray high of 3 birds in Buchanan County on 14 June. The Mitchells recorded a pair in the Park on 13 June, and Markley, Peake and Raines located a pair at Potter’s Flat in the Kentucky portion of the Park on 18 June.

Belted Kingfisher. The eleven reports of this species came primarily from Dickenson County, although the Hanrotes found a high of 4 in Buchanan County on 15 June. A local naturalist, Fred Clevinger, reported finding a nest near the Breaks.

Red-bellied Woodpecker. Twenty parties listed this species, eight of the reports coming from the Park. Larner et al. had a high of 5 on 14 June in the Upper Twin area near Flannagan.

Downy Woodpecker. Thirty reports fairly evenly distributed over the study area suggest this species is fairly common. Kinzie and Purdy reported a pair on Cow Fork and Larner et al. observed a pair engaged in courtship behavior in the Park on 13 June.

Hairy Woodpecker. The large majority of the sixteen reports, all except one of single birds, came from the Park. In the Park, Peake found a bird engaged in next maintenance on 13 June; Barbee, Peake, and Stevens noted a young bird begging food from an adult on 15 June on Pine Mountain; and the Moores observed a young bird being fed on 16 June.

Northern Flicker. Forty-six field cards listed this species, which appeared to be more or less evenly distributed throughout the region where suitable habitat occurred. Dillard and Scott listed a high of six on 15 June in Buchanan County. Ken Markley saw a flicker at a cavity nest in the Park on 13 June, and the Hansrotes and Mitchells saw a bird in Buchanan County carrying food (14 June).

Pileated Woodpecker. This species was listed on 42 field cards, but only five reports came from Buchanan County, suggesting a lack of appropriate habitat there, even though the foray high of five was found in the Cow Fork area by Kinzie and Purdy on 13 June. Markley, Peake, and Raines heard a bird drumming at Potter’s Flat on 18 June.

Eastern Wood-Pewee. Fifty-four parties reported pewees, with a high of 10 singing males on Big A Mt. (12 June, Markley and Peake).

Acadian Flycatcher. Represented on 63 field cards, the Acadian Flycatcher was evenly distributed and common in suitable habitat throughout the study area. The Hansrotes and Mitchells listed 27 in Buchanan County 15 June, and Dillard and Scott heard 28 singing males in Dickenson County 13 June.

Willow Flycatcher. Seven parties found this species, a high of three being listed in Buchanan County on 16 June (Middleton and Teuber). Other reports were from Middle Fork and Cow Fork in Buchanan County and Caney Ridge in Dickeson County.

Least Flycatcher. Reports of this species were limited to the Park and nearby Middle Fork. On 13 June (Mitchells) and 14 June (Hansrotes and Mitchells) on Laurel Branch Trail. Dillard, Scott, and Peake heard two singing males on Middle Fork 15 June and Dillard and Scott heard another at a different spot on 16 June. Peake found one bird at the original location on 17 June.

Eastern Phoebe. Evenly distributed over the area where suitable habitat exists, the phoebe was reported by 57 parties from 13 through 18 June. Dillard and Scott had a high of 28 singing males in Dickenson County on 13 June, and the Hansrotes and Mitchells listed 27 birds in Buchanan County on 15 June. There were three nesting records all from Buchanan County. Hank and Irving found a nest and an adult carrying food on Middle Fork 13 June; the same day Kinzie and Purdy observed courtship and found a nest on Cow Fork; on 14 June Barbee and Stevens discovered a nest with four eggs at Tug Fork.

Great Crested Flycatcher. Forty-seven reports were distributed evenly throughout the study area, with a high of eight in the Park (12 June, Parcelles and Zalesky) and eight singing males on Big A Mountain (12 June, Markley and Peake). A pair was found by the Mitchells in the Park on 13 June and on 14 June by Larner et al. in the Upper Twin area. Grimm, Hank, Irving, and Silverman saw a bird gathering nesting material on Middle Fork (14 June).

Eastern Kingbird. Of the 11 parties that listed this species, only one reported more than two birds. Wright listed a high of eight birds in Dickenson County (16 June). At Crane’s Nest a bird was observed carrying a fecal sac (15 June, Teuber et al.).

Purple Martin. Three reports, one from Cow Fork (13 June, Kinzie and Purdy) and two from Dickenson County: the Dalmases noted four on Rt. 620 on 15 June and observed food being carried to a nest box.

Northern Rough-winged Swallow. Forty-seven reports from throughout the area indicate that this is a common breeding bird. On 15 June, Dillard, Peake, and Scott saw 80 birds (presumably adults and young of the year) perched on wires on Middle Fork. Teuber et al. saw a bird carrying food to a nest at Flannaagan Dam on 13 June. Nearby, Decker et al. counted 60 and found a nest at Upper Twin on 14 June. Larner et al. discovered a bird on the nest near Grundy 15 June, and Peake observed a pair engaged in courtship on Wolfpen Branch, just outside the Park in Kentucky, on 18 June.

Barn Swallow. This species appeared on 30 lists, the high count being the 82 found by the Dalmases on Caney Ridge, where they also observed young being fed. On 13 June, Kinzie and Purdy observed courtship and found three nests on Rt. 609 in the Cow Fork area, where Byrd and Watson found an additional nest on 16 June.

Blue Jay. Sixty-two reports from all sections of the study area from 11 to 18 June testify that this is a common breeding bird. The high count of 20 was made by Middleton and Teuber in Buchanan County on 16 June. Larner et al. found a fledgling in the Park on 13 June.

American Crow. The high count from 74 reports was 25, made in the Upper Twin area (Larner et al., 14 June). Peake heard a fledgling calling on Middle Fork (14 June), and Middleton and Teuber found adults with young two miles east of Rt. 643 in Buchanan County.

Common Raven. Nine reports provided evidence that the Raven is continuing to expand southwestward into what was probably its historical range (no early Kentucky records were accepted by Mengel). The high count of three on Big A Mountain (Markley and Peake, 12 June). On 13 June three groups recorded this species in the Park, where Laura Burrows heard two call.

Carolina Chickadee. Sixty-three reports suggest that this species is fairly common, although less common in Dickenson County than Buchanan – a high count of 12 was made 13 June by Kinzie and Purdy at Cow Fork. Larner et al. observed courtship and the feeding of young in the Park in the southeastern corner of the Elkhorn City quadrangle on 13 June. On 14 June the Mitchells and Hansrotes noted a pair in Buchanan County while Decker et al. discovered a fledgling in Dickenson County at Upper Twin. Peake found a family group of four birds in the Park on 15 June and Barbee, Peake, and Stevens encountered another on Pine Mountain (16 June). On 16 June Arginteanu and Robinson saw a bird entering a nest hole on Rt. 670 near Crane’s Nest and another near Counts, where Peake heard a bird giving a three-note song (evidence of possible hybridization with the Black-capped Chickadee) 17 June. He heard another on 18 June at Wolfpen Branch, Kentucky.

Tufted Titmouse. Seventy-two field cards listed titmice, the Hanrotes noting a high of 28 in Buchanan County on 15 June. They found two adults with two young in the Park on 13 June, and the Hales discovered a family group on 15 June. Barbee, Peake, and Stevens observed a pair engaged in courtship on Pine Mountain (16 June).

Red-breasted Nuthatch. Barry Kinzie offered a detailed description of a single bird of this species that he found on 15 June in a stand of conifers on Rt. 80 in Dickenson County. Peake was unable to find the bird again on 17 June, suggesting that it was a wanderer.

White-breasted Nuthatch. Although no party reported more than five, 29 parties reported this species. The Mitchells found a family group in the park on 12 June.

Carolina Wren. This species was listed on 65 field cards. High counts of 31 (Dickenson, 13 June) and 39 (Buchanan, 16 June) by Dillard and Scott suggest that this species is common. Courtship and the feeding of young was noted by Kinzie and Purdy in the Cow Fork area on 13 June.

House Wren. There were only three reports. On 14 June the Hansrotes found one in Buchanan, and Arginteanu and Robinson located two in Dickenson. At Leemaster, on 15 June, the Hansrotes found two.

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher. Forty-six foray parties found gnatcatchers. Wright et al. made the high count of 12 in Dickenson county on 16 June.

Eastern Bluebird. This high count (19) of 36 reports was made on Caney Ridge in Dickenson on 16 June by the Dalmases, who also observed birds feeding young in the nest. The same day the Moores found three young at the Buchanan airport. The Hansrotes found four young in Buchanan on 15 June. On 14 June, Obenschain et al. found a bird on the nest at Upper Twin; Hale observed birds feeding young at Bartlick (Rt. 611); and Hank et al. observed food being taken to a nest at Willowbrook County Club, where they and Larner et al. had noted a pair carrying food on 13 June. Markly and Raines saw young being fed at Lower Twin on 13 June.

Veery. Markly and Peake found two Veeries on Big A Mountain on 12 June. There were no other reports.

Wood Thrush. Sixty-nine parties listed this species. The high counts being made in Dickenson (56) by Wright et al. on 16 June and in Buchanan (55) by the Hansrotes on 15 June. Larner et al. heard 27 singing males at Upper Twin on 14 June. The Dalmases observed a bird carrying food in the Park (14 June).

American Robin. Of the 65 parties that recorded this species, the Dalmases made a high count of 71 on Caney Ridge on 16 June which included a fledgling. Two fledged young were reported from Middle Fork by Hank and Irving (13 June). The same day Larner et al. found a fledgling at Willowbrook and a pair in the Park. Dillard and Scott observed the feeding of young near Haysi. On 14 June Hansrote and Mitchell noted a bird carrying food.

Gray Catbird. A fairly common summer resident, this species appear on 50 field lists, the records evenly distributed through the study area. Middleton and Teuber recorded a high of 16 in Buchanan on 16 June.

Northern Mockingbird. This species was very uncommon, appearing on only seven field lists. Markley and Peake saw a bob-tailed fledgling in Buchanan on 12 June (Rt. 602); the other reports were from Dickenson, where Parcellas and Zalesky noted a high of six on 14 June.

Brown Thrasher. There were 40 reports of thrashers from throughout the area. Teuber et al. encountered an adult with young in Dickenson County on 13 June, and on 14 June, Peake observed a bob-tailed fledgling near Haysi. Larner et al. watched nest building in the Upper Twin area (14 June).

Cedar Waxwing. Thirty-five parties listed waxwings, the Dalmases making the high count of 21 at Caney Ridge on 13 June. Laura Burrows found a pair in the campground of the Park on 13 June, and the Hansrotes and Mitchells noted a pair in Buchanan on 14 June.

European Starling. Of 28 reports, the Dalmases had a high of 36 near Council on 15 June. They also watched a young bird being fed. Larner et al. encountered a fledgling at Willowbrook on 13 June. The Hansrotes and Mitchells found another on 14 June and observed a young bird being fed on 15 June elsewhere in Buchanan. At Crane’s Nest, Arginteanu and Robinson saw nest building underway on 16 June, and on that date the Dalmases observed a bird going to a nest on Caney Ridge.

White-eyed Vireo. Despite 45 lists reporting this species, no confirmed breeding evidence was found. Several groups found as many as 11 birds, Scott et al. finding 11 singing males in Buchanan County on 15 June.

Solitary Vireo. The 30 records of this species included several confirmed breeding records. The high count of nine was made by Barbee, Stevens, and Peake on Pine Mountain (16 June). Peake observed two adults feeding young in a nest just below 1000 feet beyond the Mullins Farm in the Park (13 June); the same day Kinzie and Purdy found two adults feeding fledged young in Middle Fork (elevation 1450 feet).

Yellow-throated Vireo. Of the 62 reports, a large number (28) were from the Park. This species was definitely more common in Dickenson than in Buchanan County. Despite the large number of records, no confirmations of breeding were submitted.

Red-eyed Vireo. The 82 reports of this species from throughout the area indicate that this is a very common breeding species. Dillard and Scott had a high of 115 singing males in Buchanan County on 13 June. On 12 June Markley and Peake found a Red-eyed Vireo nest on Big A Mountain containing two vireo eggs plus one cowbird egg. Shelton and Mellinger found a bird on the nest at Big A, and Larner et al. found an adult feeding young on Rt. 611 in the Upper Twin area on 13 June. The Dalmases saw a bird carrying food in the Park and Barbee, Stevens, and Kinzie located three young in a nest at Tug Fork in Buchanan on 14 June.

Blue-winged Warbler. There were 12 reports, the majority from Buchanan. Dillard, Peake, Raines, and Scott made the high count of 13 singing males in Buchanan on 15 June. David Raines (personal communication) states that this species has been moving into the areas since about 1982. It is evidently moving up the drainage of the Big Sandy and is moving up the Pound River to Dickenson and Wise Counties, where is has not previously been recorded during the breeding season. This has serious negative implications for the southwest Virginia population of the Golden-winged Warbler, since, where the two occur and hybridize, the Blue-wing genes tend to submerge the Golden-wing. Teuber et al. suspected breeding at Upper Twin on 13 June, and Peake found a pair engaged in courtship behavior in Cow Fork on 14 June.

Golden-winged Warbler. Eight reports, the majority from Dickenson County, suggest this species is already feeling the effects of competition with the Blue-wing. On 13 June, Dillard and Scott found a singing male at 1650 feet in Dickenson.

Brewster’s Warbler. Further evidence for the breeding of both Blue-wing and Golden-wing was obtained by Middleton and Teuber on 14 June on Buchanan Rt. 642 when they discovered a Brewster’s-type hybrid. Dillard and Scott found the bird again on 17 June still singing a two-note Blue-wing song.

Northern Parula. The 61 reports of this species, 27 from the Park, suggest that it is a common breeding bird where suitable habitat occurs. Wright made the high count of 23 in Dickenson on 16 June. Larner et al. saw a bird carrying food on Rt. 609 in Buchanan on 15 June.

Yellow Warbler. Of 48 reports from throughout the area, the high count of 17 was made by Middleton and Teuber on 16 June in Buchanan. Though as many as 12 singing males were listed (Scott et al., 15 June), no confirmation of breeding was obtained.

Chestnut-sided Warbler. The only reports of this species came from Big A Mountain where Markley and Peake found three on 12 June and Shelton and Mellinger found one on 13 June.

Magnolia Warbler. Parcelles and Zalesky gave a description of a bird fitting this species that they saw at State Line Overlook on 11 June. They heard the bird singing below the overlook the next day. Markly and Peake heard the bird singing there 15 June. Although this species occurs regularly during the breeding season on Mt. Rogers and Whitetop, this record is certainly unusual.

Black-throated Blue Warbler. The 16 reports of this species, many from elevations below 2000 feet, appear somewhat surprising, but this species was probably found commonly at lower elevations before the cutting of the original forest. On 12 June, Markley and Peake reported a high of 21 from Big A Mountain, and Dillard and Scott listed nine singing males at 2500 feet and higher in Dickenson County on 14 June. On 12 June, Peake found six birds at elevations from 1600 to 1800 feet between Clinchco and Haysi. There were four reports from the Park, where elevations range below 1800 feet, and Scott et al. found a bird at 1600 feet in Cow Fork on 15 June.

Black-throated Green Warbler. Twenty-six of the 40 reports came from the Park, and the species becomes less common as one moves eastward from Pine Mountain. Foray records support Mengel’s suggestion that the distribution of this bird in the southern Appalachians with cool cove forests, which have been heavily subjected to surface mining in Buchanan and Dickenson. High counts of 15 (Hales, 15 June) and 16 (Peake, 13 June) were made in the Park. Dillard and Scott had two singing males below 1250 feet in Dickenson on 13 June, and Markley, Peake, and Raines had three below 900 feet at Potter’s Flat in the Park on 18 June.

Yellow-throated Warbler. The Park supplied 24 of the 45 reports of this species which was commonly found in the pines that lined the upper edge of gorge escarpment. Dillard and Scott made the high count of nine singing males in Dickenson on 13 June.

Pine Warbler. Those unfamiliar with birding in the Cumberlands may find the lack of the Pine Warbler strange, but the species is completely absent from much of southwest Virginia. Therefore the fact that there were only three reports of single birds on 13 June is not surprising. Peake heard a singing bird in the Park; Hank and Irving reported one from Middle Fork; and Shelton and Mellinger recorded a bird probably of this species on Big A Mountain.

Prairie Warbler. There were 20 reports of this species, the high count being made at Lower Twin by Markley and Raines on 13 June. Arginteanu and Robinson obtained the foray altitude of 2600 feet for this species at Skeggs Gap. Middelton, Teuber, and Turner confirmed breeding for this species on Rt. 615 near Upper Twin.

Cerulean Warbler. Uncommon – all but four of the 26 reports of this species were from Dickenson County, but Markley and Peake heard five singing male on Big A Mountain on 12 June, and Scott et al. heard four elsewhere on 15 June. The majority of the other reports were of single birds.

Black-and-white Warbler. The 64 reports from throughout the study area suggest that this is a common breeding bird with high counts of 17 from Buchanan (Middleton and Teuber, 16 June) and 16 from Pine Mountain (Stevens et al.). Dillard and Scott had 14 singing males in Dickenson and Larner et al. a pair in the Park on 13 June. Also in the Park, Laura Burrows saw a bird carrying food on 14 June and Markley observed an adult feeding young on 16 June. Raines et al. saw a young bird begging for food in Cow Fork on 15 June.

American Redstart. The high count (11) of 34 reports was made on Big A Mountain 12 June (Markley and Peake), and Dillard and Scott listed 10 singing males in Dickenson on 13 June. The Dalmases observed a bird carrying food on Caney Ridge (16 June).

Prothonotary Warbler. Arginteanu and Robinson reported seeing a female of this species on the Garden Creek Trail in the Park. This was probably a wandering bird, although the species is known to have a sparse population in the Holston River drainage in not-to-distant Smyth County.

Worm-eating Warbler. This species was included in 45 reports, 25 from the Park where a high of 11 birds was listed by two groups. Scott et al. noted five singing males in Buchanan Co. on 17 June, but the species appeared more abundant in Dickenson County. Mellinger Shelton found a bob-tailed young bird in the Park on 15 June.

Swainson’s Warbler. Since Mengel has noted the abundance of this species along the Kentucky-Virginia border when he did his field work, a special effort was made to determine its current status. Of the 38 reports, 25 were from the Park with a high of five singing males on 13 June (Peake). Elsewhere Teuber et al. found four at Upper Twin on 13 June and noted probable breeding. Parcelles and Zalesky listed six there on 14 June. Though the singing males at Garden Hole and along the rim of the gorge in the Park were heard by many groups on successive days, further evidence of breeding was not obtained. It is obvious that this species is still fairly common in the study area wherever the preferred habitat (steep, humid slopes with hemlock and rhododendron between 1000 and 3000 feet) exists.

Ovenbird. This species was represented on an amazing 82 field cards. The high count of 68 was made by Barbee, Peake, and Stevens on Pine Mountain (16 June), who also found a fledgling and a nest with four eggs. Markley and Peake observed a pair displaying on Big A Mountain (June 12), where Mellinger and Shelton discovered a bird on 13 June carrying a fecal sac as well as an adult at a nest with four young. Peake noted two pairs displaying at Garden Hole on 13 June. The Hansrotes discovered a fledgling in Buchanan. In the Park, Dillard and Scott found a fledgling on 14 June, and Scott and Wright observed young being fed the next day.

Louisiana Waterthrush. Fifteen of the 30 reports of this species came from the Park, where Arginteanu and Robinson listed a high of four on 16 June. An immature was found in the Park by the Hales on 12 June.

Kentucky Warbler. Fairly well distributed over the study area, the 55 reports for this species indicate a greater population density in the Cow Fork area of Buchanan than elsewhere. Kinzie and Purdy recorded 19 singing males there on 13 June; Dillard et al. 19 singing males in the same general area on 15 June; and Wright et al. listed 17 birds in the area on 17 June. Dillard and Scott found a bird as high as 2600 feet in Dickenson on 14 June.

Common Yellowthroat. There were 46 reports of this species, the high count being 17 by Scott et al. on 15 June. Markley and Peake found just one below 2500 feet on Big A Mountain (12 June). On 17 June, Dillard, Peake, and Scott observed a male feeding two young on Middle Fork.

Hooded Warbler. Rivaling the Ovenbird, this species appeared on 81 lists, 39 on which were from the Park, although this species was found widely throughout the study area. The high count of 30 was made on Big A Mountain on 12 June (Markley and Peake). On 13 June in the Park, the Mitchells found a pair and a bird carrying food, and Peake found a fledgling with head still fuzzy on the Mullins Farm. Also in the Park (15 June) Peake observed a pair copulating.

Yellow-breasted Chat. Apparently fairly common where suitable habitat is present, the chat appeared on 50 lists, the high count being 18 singing males on 15 June in the Cow Fork area (Scott et al.)

Summer Tanager. Surprisingly common in view of its scarcity just to the east at Tazewell, this species appeared on 39 lists. The Hansrotes had a high count of six in Buchanan on 15 June. On 13 June Larner et al. noted a pair in the Park; Teuber et al. located another pair at Upper Twin; and Kinzie and Purdy found a third at Cow Fork. On 14 June, Decker et al. found another pair in the Upper Twin area, and the Dalmases reported downy young in a next at the Park.

Scarlet Tanager. Fairly evenly distributed through the study area, this species was present on 71 field lists. Larner et al. made the high count (15 singing males) at Upper Twin on 14 June. On 13 June, Kinzie and Purdy found a pair at Cow Fork, and Hank and Irving watched at adult carrying food at Middle Fork, where they found a fledgling the next day.

Northern Cardinal. Sixty-eight lists distributed evenly through the study area noted this species. Middleton and Teuber made the high count of 28 in Buchanan on 16 June. Larner et al. found pairs in the Park and nearby at Willowbrook. Dillard and Scott discovered a young bird being fed in Dickenson on 14 June. A bird on the nest was located by Larner et al. in Dickenson.

Rose-breasted Grosbeak. There were seven reports with a high of four on Big A Mountain (Markley and Peake, 12 June). Mellinger and Shelton listed two on Big A Mountain (13 June), and Stevens et al. reported three on Pine Mountain. It was noted at much lower elevations also; the Mitchells found one in the Park (13 June); the Moores listed one on Rt. 80 (15 June); Wright noted two at a low elevation on Rt. 607 (16 June); and Markley, Peake, and Raines heard three at Potter’s Flat (18 June).

Blue Grosbeak. All but one of the 11 reports were from Buchanan County. Hank and Irving found a female at Middle Fork (13 June); Teuber et al. located a bird there the next day; and Dillard, Peake, and Scott heard a singing male on 15 June and listed a bird there 17 June. On 16 June, Middleton, and Teuber found an immature male. The Dalmases noted two birds in the Park on 14 June.

Indigo Bunting. The high count among 66 lists was one of 97 made by the Hansrotes in Buchanan on 15 June. Larner et al. heard 43 singing males in the Upper Twin area. Markley and Raines found a pair in Middle Fork on 11 June, and Kinzie and Purdy noted another in Cow Fork on 13 June. Middleton and Teuber discovered adults with young in Buchanan on 17 June.

Rufous-sided Towhee. Evenly distributed through the study area, the 66 reports of towhees indicate a fairly common breeder. Teuber et al. made a high count of 23 in the Upper Twin area on 13 June. The same day Mellinger and Shelton found a pair on Big A Mountain.

Chipping Sparrow. There was evidence of breeding in the 54 reports submitted. The high count of 41 was made on 16 June at Caney Ridge, where the Dalmases also witnessed young being fed. Larner et al. observed courtship at Willowbrook on 13 June, and the Dalmases watched nest building in the Park the next day. The Hales noted courtship at Middle Fork on 16 June.

Field Sparrow. The 31 evenly distributed reports of this species suggest that population is limited by scarcity of suitable haditat. Scott et al. made a high count of 14 in Buchanan on 15 June, but no confirmation of breeding was obtained.

Song Sparrow. Evidence confirming breeding was supplied by the 61 reports of the species. On 16 June, two groups made high counts of 52 in Dickenson, Wright et al. and the Dalmases, who also found a bird building a nest on Caney Ridge. Kinzie and Purdy observed courtship and young being fed in Cow Fork. On 14 June, the Hansrotes and Mitchells noted a bird carrying food in Buchanan. The same day Mellinger and Shelton observed the feeding of young in the Park.

Dark-eyed Junco. The only report was from Big A Mountain, where Markley and Peake found three birds on 12 June.

Red-winged Blackbird. The 22 reports were scattered throughout the study area. The Dalmases made a high count of 27 on 16 June at Caney Ridge, where they also observed a young bird being fed. Kinzie and Purdy noted a pair at Cow Fork (13 June).

Eastern Meadowlark. There were 24 reports of this species, the high count of 26 at Caney Ridge being made by the Dalmases, who also noted adults with young. This species has probably increased as a result of the extensive surface mining in the area.

Common Grackle. Sixteen parties submitted lists with this species, which was uncommon. The high count (18) was made at Caney Ridge by the Dalmases, who also noted a bird carrying food, but almost all of the reports were on one or two birds.

Brown-headed Cowbird. This species appeared on 47 lists. Kinzie and Purdy made a high count of 12 in Cow Fork, where they also found a pair (13 June). The same day Larner et al. found a pair at Willowbrook. On 12 June, Markley and Peake found a Red-eyed Vireo nest (see above) containing a cowbird egg on Big A Mountain.

Orchard Oriole. Orioles appeared quite scarce in the study area. There were only nine reports of this species and none of Northern Oriole. A high count of four was made in Cow Fork by Kinzie and Purdy, who found a pair. At Crane’s Nest (Rt. 637) on 15 June, Hand et al. observed a male carrying food.

House Finch. There were five reports of single birds, suggesting that this species has not become established in this area, although they are well established in nearby Tazewell and Wise. Markley and Peake found one at the foot of Big A Moutain on 12 June, and Markley and Raines located another on Middle Fork the next day. The Dalmases noted one near Council (15 June). Near Haysi, Parcelles and Zalesky listed a bird on 14 June, and Wright found another in Dickenson (16 June).

American Goldfinch. The 51 reports of goldfinches indicate they were still largely in flocks. Markley and Raines had a high count of 20 at Middle Fork on 11 June, and counts of 17 to 19 were common during the foray week. Kinzie and Purdy discovered a pair in Cow Fork (13 June).

House Sparrow. Ample evidence of breeding was found in the 35 reports of this species. A high count of 55 was made in Buchanan County on 16 June by Middleton and Teuber, who also noted young being fed. On 13 June, Larner et al. saw a fledgling at Willowbrood, and Teuber et al. found two nests at Upper Twin. At Caney Ridge on 16 June the Dalmases noted a nest being built. The same day Byrd and Watson saw a bird carrying food to a nest at the Buchanan airport.

Literature Cited:

Mengel, Robert M.

1965. The Birds of Kentucky.

American Ornithologists’ Union

Lawrence, Kansas.

McGrain, Preston.

1975. Scenic Geology of Pine Mountain in Kentucky.

Kentucky Geological Survey, Lexington, Kentucky.