TENNESSEE & KENTUCKY 
Both species oiPkgadis ibis are rare in the Tennessee & Kentucky region, al- 
though White-faced is the more unusual. This White-faced was present in Fulton 
County, Kentucky 25-26 (here 25) April 2009 and established a third state record. 
Photograph by Don Hanks. 
Bald Eagles are known for their massive stick nests, but this 
condominium (here 23 March 2009) constructed in one sea- 
son in western Henderson County, Kentucky, has to be a 
record-breaker. Photograph by Charlie Crawford. 
Hatchery/Cave Run L., Rowan, KY (EM) and 
a flock of 20 at Old Hickory L., Davidson, TN 
(ph. CS et al.). Two to 4 Upland Sandpipers 
were reported at and near Chaney L., Wairen, 
KY 18 & 21 Apr (DR/DR, DB). In Tennessee, 
3 were at Shelby Farms, Shelby 3 Apr (GKi), 4 
were in Haywood 16 Apr (ph. JRW), and 2 
were at Ensley 23 Apr OkW), with 6 there 2 
May ORW). There was only one report of 
Ruddy Turnstone: one at Chaney L., Wamn, 
KY 10 May (DR). A Sanderling at Kentucky 
Dam Village S.P., Marshall 8 May (BY, MY) 
was the only report. The wintering Spotted 
Sandpiper in Kingsport, Sullivan, TN was last 
seen 29 Mar (RiK). A Baird’s Sandpiper, al- 
ways rare in spring, was at Ensley 12 Apr 
QRW). A flock of 20 Greater Yellowlegs at the 
Phillipy Pits, Lake. TN 14 Mar (NM) was 
noteworthy for so early. A 
Hudsonion Godwit was at En- 
sley 17 May (ph. JRW, VR, 
CBu). A Western Sandpiper at 
Open Pond, Fulton, KY 27 Apr 
(BPa, EHu) was the only re- 
port. Long-billed Dowitchers 
passed through in large num- 
ber 27-28 Apr: a tally of at least 
145 in three flocks in the Low- 
er Hickman Bottoms, w. Fulton 
11 Apr (BPa, EHu) represented 
a new Kentucky high count, 
and 97 in Lake, TN 28 Apr 
(ph. MCT) was also a remark- 
able number. There were only 
two Kentucky reports of Wil- 
son’s Phalarope, both at Long 
Point: 2 there 22 Apr (DR, DB) and one there 
27 Apr (BPa, EHu). In Tennessee, a female 
was at Ensley 23 Apr, and 2 were there 3 May 
(both JRW). 
Laughing Gulls were found at four locales: 
an ad. at the Falls of the Ohio 13-15 Mar (DSr 
et al.), with 2 ads. there 1 May (EHu); 2 ads. 
at Kentucky Dam 1 (DR, BPa) & 2 May (BY, 
MY); one at Reelfoot L., Lake, TN 18 May 
QRW); and a first-cycle bird at L. Carnico, 
Nicholas, KY 28 May (BPa, MMo, G&WK). 
Likely the same first-cycle gull, apparently a 
Thayer’s Gull x Iceland Gull hybrid, that was 
seen below Kentucky Dam in late Jan was still 
present there 21 Mar (ph. BPa). Two Lesser 
Black-backed Gulls were still in the vicinity of 
Kentucky Dam 22 Apr (DR, DB), and an ad. 
or third-cycle bird lingered there through 1 
May (DR, BPa). A first-cycle Glaucous Gull 
continuing in the vicinity of Kentucky Dam 
from the winter season lingered there through 
22 Apr (DR, DB). A hrst-cycle Great Black- 
backed Gull continuing from winter lingered 
in the vicinity of Kentucky Dam through 1 1 
May (DR, HC). A Forster’s Tern at Robco L., 
Shelby, TN 1 Mar ORW) was early. Black 
Terns were scarce, with only two reports of 2 
birds in the vicinity of Kentucky Dam 8 (BPa, 
EHu, MMo) & 17 May (BL). 
DOVES THROUGH GROSBEAKS 
A White-winged Dove was in Hawkins, TN 
18 Apr (DE fide RiK), and 2 were at Presi- 
dent’s L, Shelby, TN 22 May QRW). Two 
Common Nighthawks in Hamilton, TN 16 
Mar (DSn) were exceptionally early. In con- 
trast to spring 2008, it was an excellent, early 
season for Yellow-billed Cuckoos in Ken- 
tucky; one at Louisville 22 Apr QBe, PB, CBe) 
was the earliest to be reported, with a few re- 
ports by the last weekend of Apr and wide- 
spread reports of good numbers by the first 
week of May. It was an excellent season for 
Black-billed Cuckoos: singles were detected 
at 15 Kentucky and eight Tennessee locales 
24 Apr-25 May. Ruby-throated Humming- 
birds at New Concord, Calloway 25 Mar 
(tBG) and at Paducah, McCracken 25 Mar 
(TJN) represented new early arrival dates for 
Kentucky. A Northern Saw-whet Owl was at 
Ft. Campbell, Montgomery, TN 2 Mar (DMo). 
Single Olive-sided Flycatchers was report- 
ed from four Kentucky and five Tennessee lo- 
cales 1-19 May, and 2 were at Radnor L. 6 May 
(DK). Yellow-bellied Flycatchers were report- 
ed in average numbers. Transient Alder Fly- 
catchers were reported in above-average 
numbers, with reports of one to 3 from five 
Kentucky and six Tennessee locales 4-20 May. 
A Western Kingbird was found in w. Boone, 
KY 9 May (LMcN, ph. JCm, KCm, GP); in 
Shelby, TN, the population is growing annu- 
ally, with as many as 24 individuals and six 
nests counted 2 May+ (m.ob.). Unfortunately, 
no Scissor-tailed Flycatchers were seen in the 
vicinity of two recent nesting territories in 
Livingston and Lyon, KY this spring, and there 
were only two reports of vagrants: one in w. 
Fulton 26 Apr QR) and one in e. Shelby 20 
May (CM, fide HB). In Tennessee, where the 
species is an annual local breeder, singles 
were reported in Blount 8-9 May (KB, TH), 
Lauderdale 22 Apr (SS), and Washington 24 
Swainson's Hawks are rare vagrants to the Tennessee & 
Kentucky region. This subadult was photographed 25 April 
2009 at the Ensley Pits, Shelby County, Tennessee. Photo- 
graph by Jeff R. Wilson. 
May (RoK, RiK, ph. LMcD), the latter repre- 
senting a first county record. Three were in 
Hardin, TN 15 May (AT), and 2 ads. with 3 
young were at President’s L, Shelby, TN 23 
May QRW). A female Western Kingbird x 
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher hybrid was seen 
442 
NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS 
