The Chat
Buchanan County Bird Club Newsletter
Editors Roger and Lynda Mayhorn

The Buchanan County Bird Club meets the
2nd Monday of each month at the
Buchanan County Public Library at 6:30 PM

Volume 2     Issue 10     October 2003
September 8 Club Meeting:
President Roger Mayhorn welcomed, soon to be new member, Marie Miller, then discussed upcoming events, including Beaver Knob birding and the Mendota Hawk Watch.  Then Ed Talbott treated club members to more of his excellent video. This time it concerned his and Michelle’s pelagic trip to the Outer Banks of North Carolina, and their trip to Wrightsville Beach.  It was interesting and informative.
Sedge Wren Found on Smith Branch:
On September 23 Ed Caudill and Roger Mayhorn birded a reclaimed strip site on Smith Branch of Slate Creek. While there Ed noticed a small wren-like bird at the edge of a mowed field. The bird popped up from the weeds, and Roger was able to take several photos like the one at left. The bird was a Sedge Wren, a species that has been seen within the county only once before. The first sighting was by David Raines on September 26, 2002 also during fall migration. This bird is a very small wren, only slightly larger than a Winter Wren. This bird was a lifebird for both observers.

A few moments after seeing this bird Ed noticed a large Black Bear coming out of the Autumn Olive bushes some distance away. The bear was headed in the direction of the two birders. It didn’t seem to have yet detected them. Roger took more photos, including this one on the right. The bear ambled toward them, then changed direction and disappeared over the hill at the edge of the field. After about 20 minutes Ed and Roger cautiously approached the area, where the bear was last seen. Upon looking over the hill, the bear could be seen walking along a roadway, going away from the two birders.

Pine Mountain Hawk Watch:
On the week-end of September 12 David Raines and Ed Talbott joined members of the Eastern KY Bird Club on Pine Mountain near Whitesburg, KY to watch for migrating hawks. 211 Broadwings, (one pictured left) were observed. Also seen were 2 Bald Eagles, 2 Red-tailed Hawks, 1 Osprey, 1 Northern Harrier, 1 Sharp-shinned Hawk, 2 American Kestrels, 2 unidentified falcons and 11 species of warblers.For more info and great photos go to Ed Talbott’s web site at http://www.grundynet.net/talbott/birding/hikes/Fall03/PineMt.htm
Interesting Events:
Among the Blackburnian Warblers, Cape Mays, and Magnolias and the many Tennessee Warblers found at the Mayhorns’ on September 14 Roger Mayhorn watched a Tennessee Warbler gathering nesting material, as if it were building a nest. It gathered until it could carry no more then flew into some Goldenrod plants. There were so many Tennessees moving around that Roger lost it in the flock. He never saw it again. A rather strange event for September.
Todd Perkins heard a Cerulean Warbler singing at the end of the Grundy High football field above the scoreboard on September 16.
On September 17 Roger Mayhorn found two Blue-winged Teal and a Pied-billed Grebe on Ronald Compton’s farm pond on Compton Mountain.
David Raines saw a Merlin flying overhead at his home in the Breaks community on September 17. It was late in the evening, and the small falcon appeared to be looking for a roosting place for the night.
Beaver Knob Birding:
The Buchanan County Bird Club birded Beaver Knob near Elkhorn City, KY on the evening of September 18, hoping to find some unusual birds driven inland by hurricane Isabel. Nothing unusual was found, but a Northern Harrier Hawk, a Grasshopper Sparrow, Woodcock, a Palm Warbler, and an Eastern Screech Owl were found. The resident horses came up for a handout, and spent some time licking on members’ vehicles. As the evening wore on thick clouds began to form in the west.One of the highlights of the evening was the strikingly beautiful sunset brought about from the clouds moving in due to the hurricane. To see some of Ed Talbott’s great videography of the evening go to http://www.grundynet.net/talbott/birding/hikes/Fall03/Beaver1.htm
Todd Perkins got a new lifebird on September 20 when he picked out a Bay-breasted Warbler from a mixed flock of Tennessees and Blackburnians, that passed near his house on Deskins.
House Wren Attempting to Nest:
Roger Mayhorn saw another bird carrying nesting material on September 19. This was a House Wren, and it was carrying twigs into a small bird house in the Mayhorns’ yard (left). This was only the second sighting of a House Wren at the Mayhorns in all the years they have lived there since 1972. The bird soon abandoned the building project, but it (or another of the same species) showed up twice more, days later. Each time it visited the bird house to check things out, though it did not carry any more nesting material. House Wrens are known to build “dummy” nests that they never use.
Todd Perkins got another lifebird while birding on Boyd’s Ridge on September 21. Scouting for deer Todd found a large flock of migrating birds. One of the species seen was a Palm Warbler, a species Todd had not seen before. He also found Swainson’s Thrushes in the flock.
Second Warbler Watch Day:
A good time seemed to be had by all, when 21 birders, some from as far away as Orange County VA , and Kingsport, TN converged on the Mayhorn home on Compton Mountain, September 13. Birders were not disappointed because 55 species were recorded for the day with 13 of the 55 being warblers. The warbler species counted were 2 Black-and-Whites , 3 Blackburnians, 1 Black-throated Green , 1 Blue-winged , 5 Cape Mays, 5 Chestnut-sideds, 9 Hoodeds , 4 Magnolias, 2 Ovenbirds, 58 Tennessee Warblers, 1 Yellow-rumped, 2 Yellow-throated, and 4 Worm-eating Warblers. Other birds included 10 Scarlet Tanagers, 1 Baltimore Oriole, 1 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, 2 Blue-headed Vireos, 2 Broad-winged Hawks, 84 Cedar Waxwings, 1 Eastern Phoebe, 8 Red-eyed Vireos, a Swainson’s Thrush and 2 Rose-breasted Grosbeaks that appeared in the cherry tree after most visitors had departed. A few observers got lifebirds, while others got great looks at species previously observed. Lunch was served, then some members took a bird walk around Roger’s birding trail. It proved to be a great birding day.
Wood Ducks Nest on Guesses Fork:
Club member, Shirley Justus of Guesses Fork, found a family of Wood Ducks on her small farm pond during the summer. It is believed that the adults nested somewhere nearby, probably in a hollow tree. Wood Ducks nest in tree cavities or in large nesting boxes. Before the young can fly they drop from the nest to the ground, then follow the adults to water. Sometimes the drop can be from trees as high as 50 or 60 feet. Most of the time the young remain unhurt.
Dead Dicksissel Found in Grundy:
On September 24 Ed Talbott III found a dead Dicksissel near the post office on Walnut street in Grundy. The bird had probably flown into a building or a car. The Dicksissel is a finch like bird that grows to 6 or 7 inches long with a thick beak for crushing seeds and grain. It is a bird of prairies and grasslands. The male looks almost like a small Meadowlark. After breeding season these birds gather in flocks and forage on the ground. Apparently the bird Ed found was migrating through the area. This species has been recorded in the county, only by David Raines back in the 1980’s. We all should be on the lookout for these birds. Good find Ed! Now find us a live one!
Brumley Mountain and Mendota Hawk Watches:
“What big eyes you have!” could have been the question asked of Bob Riggs on September 21, when Bob and Buchanan County Bird Club members participated in the hawk watch on Brumley Mountain. Bob was aided in the watch by Roger & Lynda Mayhorn, Ed & Barbara Caudill, Dave Worley and Janice Martin. By day’s end 79 Broadwing Hawks had been counted, as well as 6 Red-tails, 4 Cooper’s Hawks, 1 Sharp-shinned, 1 American Kestrel and several resident Turkey Vultures.

Meanwhile, Ed & Michelle Talbott were helping Bristol Bird Club members watch for hawks at the Mendota fire tower on Clinch Mountain, a few miles to the southwest. The hawks made a good showing there with Broadwings numbering over 300. To see more about the Mendota Hawk Watch and some of the Talbotts’ backyard birds go to: http://www.grundynet.net/talbott/birding/hikes/Fall03/Mendota.htm

Here are some more photos taken at the Brumley Hawk Watch site.

    

    

    

Second Day at Mendota:
On September 24 Ed Caudill and Roger Mayhorn helped Ron Harrington of the Bristol Bird Club watch for hawks at Mendota. 663 Broadwings were counted, one Bald Eagle, one Golden Eagle, one Pregrine Falcon, 2 Sharp-shinned Hawks and one American Kestrel.

Yard Visitor:
An Eastern Wood Pewee, like the one pictured here, (photographed by Ed Talbott) has been hanging around the yard of club members, Johnnie and Betty Ratliff at Little Prater. This flycatcher is seen often sitting on the fence. These birds like to sit on a perch, then fly out and snatch insects from the air. Many of these birds are migrating through the area just now. The Wood Pewee can be distinguished from the Eastern Phoebe, to which it is similar in appearance, by the fact that it doesn’t flick its tail, whereas the Phoebe is constantly flicking. 

More Migrants:
Pass Through the AreaOn September 27 David Raines had an Ovenbird visit the feeder in his yard in the Breaks community. Ovenbirds don’t normally come to feeders. He had an Ovenbird at his feeder at this same time last year. One wonders if it could be the same bird.On October 1 David saw the first White-crowned Sparrow of the season. The birds pass through the county during migration, but don’t remain here during winter. White-throated Sparrows and other interesting sparrow species can’t be far behind. Remember, October is the month for migrating sparrows, so be on the lookout in weedy or grassy fields.
More Migrants (continued):
A Bobolink in nonbreeding plumage was also seen by David Raines in a field near his house. These birds are not known to nest here in the county, but David sees them from time to time near his home during migration.
Thrushes on the Move:
Several species of thrushes are migrating through the county at the moment. On September 29 Roger Mayhorn saw and heard Wood Thrushes, Swainson’s Thrushes, two Veerys and even a Gray-cheeked Thrush. Robins and Bluebirds, which are also thrushes, have also been numerous lately.
Black-throated Blue Warbler:
Todd Perkins found a migrating Black-throated Blue Warbler on Boyd’s Ridge on September 29. Black-throated Blue Warblers are not known to nest within the county except possibly at upper elevations like Big A mountain.
Oriole Nest at Library:
During the last week of September Ed Talbott III found an oriole nest in a tree near the Buchanan County Public Library. It probably belonged to a pair of Orchard Orioles that Ed had seen and heard in the area back in June. An oriole nest differs from most other passerine (songbird) nests because the birds hang the nest from a branch and enter it through a hole in the side. Johnnie Ratliff has had them nesting in his yard at Little Prater in years past, and believes one nested not far away this year.
Osprey and Wood Ducks:
Ed and Michelle Talbott have recently been seeing a small flock of Wood Ducks on the Levisa River near their house at Weller Yard. They also saw an Osprey with a fish in the same area.
Birding Guesses Fork:
Ed & Michelle Talbott and Roger Mayhorn birded Michelle’s parents’ farm on Guesses Fork of Hurley on September 28. They were hoping to find some early migrating sparrows, but no new sparrows turned up. However, they did get to see an aerial fight between two hawks, an accipiter and a Red-tailed. The fight lasted for a minute or more with the two raptors nearly colliding in mid air. Along with the birding the trio noted and photographed the many species of butterflies flying about. For more about this outing go to Ed’s web site at http://www.grundynet.net/talbott/birding/hikes/Fall03/Guesses1.htm
Hurricane Isabel Rewrites Record Books:
The birding record books will have to be changed due to the unusual sea birds blown inland during Hurricane Isabel. Pelagic birds normally only seen at sea were seen over inland lakes. Some of the species observed were Black-capped Petrel, Band-rumped Storm Petrel, Bridled Tern, Pomarine Jaeger, Leach’s Storm Petrel, Cory’s Shearwater and White-tailed Tropicbird.
Laughing Gulls at South Holston:
Ring-billed Gulls have become rather common at South Holston lake in the last several years, but recently Laughing Gulls showed up there. They were seen at Musick’s campground, which is a great place to find unusual waterbirds. Horned and Eared Grebes also make regular appearances there.
Bibbee Nature Club Waterfowl Count:
On November 8 the Bibbee Nature Club of Bluefield will host a waterfowl count. All are invited. Participants will meet at Bellpoint Park, Hinton, WV located below the dam proper at the picnic shelter at 10:30 a.m. Several BCBC members are planning to attend.
 
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