The Bristol Bird Club – J Wallace Coffey Chapter TOS / VSO

The Bristol Bird Club was founded in Bristol, Tennessee, Bristol, Virginia (USA) in March 1950 to promote the enjoyment, scientific study and conservation of wild birds.

We generally meet on the 3rd Tuesday of each month. We have both in-person meetings and a Zoom Video option. Our meeting place is in the Ascent Room of The Summit at 1227 Volunteer Parkway in Bristol, TN. The Zoom invitations are emailed to members or guests who request a link.

Our members are from a large area in Virginia and Tennessee. Everyone is welcome to join.

Regular activities include monthly field trips, an annual picnic, banquet and Christmas Party. Additionally, we sponsor three Christmas Bird Counts annually (Bristol, TN/VA; Glade Spring, VA; and Shady Valley/Mountain City, TN). We also sponsor an email listserv called Bristol-Birds that you may join to receive info on recent sightings. To join free listserv, visit https://www.freelists.org/list/bristol-birds and enter your email address next to “User Options: Your email address:”. To finish the process, make sure the action is set to Subscribe and click Go.

If you have questions or would like to participate in one of the aforementioned Christmas Bird Counts, send us an email at: BristolBirdClub2022@gmail.com

The Bristol Bird Club is part of the Tennessee Ornithological Society and an affiliate member of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. The club is a nonprofit organization under the auspices of the Tennessee Ornithological Society. The purpose of the Bristol Bird Club is to foster and support scientific study, enjoyment, and conservation of wild birds, including educational activities and to promote fellowship among the membership. The chapter name of the Bristol Bird Club is the J Wallace Coffey Chapter.  J Wallace Coffey was a vital member of the club for most of his life.  He dedicated his life to the conservation and record keeping of wild birds in the East Tennessee and Southwest Virginia and was the heartbeat of the club for many decades. What is important to our chapter is building our membership in order to continue a leadership role for all things nature.  We encourage young birders so that our club will continue to be healthy and active for future generations of birders.  We want our club to be active in conservation efforts and a strong membership makes that effort even more reachable. Our club strives to be active and to partner with other local clubs in all types of activities.  We have a special interest for programs in our local parks such as Jacob’s Nature Park in Johnson City, TN, and Steele Creek Park in Bristol, TN.

The next Bristol Bird Club meeting will be held on Tuesday, February 18, at the usual 7:00 p.m. time at the Summit Building in Bristol.  The program for this meeting will be presented by Adrianna Nelson. The Summit Building address is 1227 Volunteer Pkwy, Bristol, TN 37620.

The period for 2025 membership dues for the Bristol Bird Club is from late fall through the end of February. Dues owed to the TOS are sent by March 31 of each year (TOS membership is $18 per year for single memberships and $22 for family memberships).  Ten dollars per year goes to our local (BBC) chapter.  The membership fees are for one year, January 1 through December 31.

BBC membership rates including TOS membership:

• Family $32
• Individual: $28
• Sustaining: $40
• Associate: $10
• Student (K-12): $15
• Individual Life: $450 (TOS only)

Please make checks payable to the Bristol Bird Club and send to the BBC Treasurer. You can pay at meetings January – February, but no later than March 15.

Anne Cowan
108 Stonecroft Circle
Bristol, TN 37620

Please include your name, mailing address, phone, and email and make checks payable to the Bristol Bird Club and send your fees to the BBC Treasurer.  You may pay at meetings or mail them to the address given above.

Debi Campbell, Club President

If you have membership questions, email us at: BristolBirdClub2022@gmail.com 

Jan 5, 2025 – Dickcissel (very rare in winter)
Ben and Anne Cowan’s Feeder
Bristol, TN

Jan 13 – Pintail, Canvasback, Redheads
Don Carrier – Osceola Island, South Holston River, Weir Dam
Bristol, TN

Jan 14 – Red-headed Woodpecker
Ryan Rice
Washington County, TN

Jan 19 – Red-breasted Mergansers, Redhead, Ruddy Duck, Buffleheads
Belinda Bridwell – Warrior’s Path State Park
Colonial Heights, TN

Rare State Sighting

Jan 14 – Purple Sandpiper (first time this species has been seen in Tennessee in 50 years)
Geoff North – Snow Bunting Point (Old Hickory Lake)
Nashville, TN

Kera Brewster was the very deserving recipient of the birder of the year award. Kera and her husband George opened the Wild Birds Unlimited store in Johnson City. It has been a successful endeavor and has served the birding community greatly. Debi Campbell gave an amazing and emotional presentation that was a moment to be remembered.

The most improved birder award went to the equally deserving recipient Mel Kelley. Mel talked about leading the efforts of habitat restoration at a number of important birding locations in the area, most notably Jacob’s Nature Park in Johnson City, TN.

February 1, 2025

Six people turned out for the BBC field trip to local birding hot spots on Saturday, Feb 1. We started at the weir dam on South Holston River and the top of South Holston Dam, where we had American Wigeons, Buffleheads, Ruddy Duck, Ring-billed Gulls (245 flying over). At Musick’s Campground we found 6 Pied-billed Grebes and 3 Common Loons.

At the well fields in Saltville there were Gadwalls, American Wigeons, Green-winged Teals, Ring-necked Duck, Greater Scaup, Bufflehead, Hooded Mergansers, American Coots, Common Raven, Purple Finches and Swamp Sparrows.

There was off and on cold drizzle during the morning but all in all it was a very good day of birding with delightful company.

Larry McDaniel

November 23, 2024

The Bristol Bird Club had a birding outing on Saturday, November 23, 2024. Larry McDaniel and I (Rob Biller) were joined by Jesse and Sarah Honeycutt, Nicholas Dingus, Linda Maulton, Jennifer Quinn, and Tom Blevins and we had a most excellent day. This was billed as a waterfowl trip but we also had some other good sightings.

We started at the Weir Dam/South Holston Dam complex. The usual contingent of wintering Buffleheads and American Wigeons were on the river just above the weir. There were three Great Blue Herons scattered in different places along the Holston River. Other birds found along the river include Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (2), Brown Creeper (calling), Common Raven (2), Yellow-rumped Warbler (6), and other more common birds listed below. At the top of the South Holston Dam there were a large number of Common Loons (45) that had apparently dropped in as the cold front that brought a little snow moved through on Thursday night into Friday. There was also a raft of ducks so far out that we could not identify them but marveled as we watched an adult Bald Eagle dive and make multiple attempts to capture one! Also over the lake were a large group of Ring-billed Gulls (41).

Our next stop was the shallow waters of South Holston Lake at Musick’s Campground. On the way into Musick’s Campground there was an American Kestrel on an electrical wire. There was also an adult Bald Eagle sitting in the tree where the known eagle nest looks to be used again in their coming nesting cycle. On the lake from the campground shore we found another group of Common Loons (8), Ring-billed Gulls (9), Bonaparte’s Gulls (9), American Coots (25). Pied-billed Grebes (2), and a Red-tailed Hawk.

Our last stop was the Well Field Ponds in Saltville, Virginia. This was a bit of a drive but it was well worth it. The waterfowl did not disappoint as we had great looks at Northern Shovelers (2), American Wigeons (13), Mallards (2), Ring-necked Ducks (6), Lesser Scaups (43), Hooded Mergansers (16), and Ruddy Ducks (3). As we were walking back to where we parked, we spotted Bob Riggs and met birding partner Elaine. While we were catching up with Bob, Elaine interrupted us by telling us to look up. While we were looking at the Red-tailed Hawk she had found, we then noticed two Peregrine Falcons rising up above the Red-tail and a Turkey Vulture that had drifted in. We watched in awe as one Peregrine Falcon dove on the Red-tail and the other dove on the Turkey Vulture. At one point we were able to track both Peregrine Falcons at the same time with Larry’s scope. Other good birds we had in Saltville were Great Egret (1), Ruby-crowned Kinglet (1), Hermit Thrushes (6), Yellow-rumped Warblers (2), and other common birds listed below. Our grand finale for the day was getting a Virginia Rail to respond to its call in the marshy area of one of the wellfield ponds.

It was really nice to see Bob Riggs, and meet Elaine, as it had been too long. Bob used to be a member of the Bristol Bird Club and is an outstanding birder. It was really a good day.

Complete Lists for Weir Dam / South Holston Dam and Saltville Well Fields Ponds:

Weir / South Holston Dam, Sullivan County
Nov 23, 2024
18 species

American Wigeon  17, Mallard  8, Bufflehead  63, Ring-billed Gull  41, Common Loon  45, Great Blue Heron  3, Bald Eagle  1, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker  2, Pileated Woodpecker  1, Blue Jay  2, American Crow  1, Common Raven  2, White-breasted Nuthatch  1, Brown Creeper  1, Carolina Wren  1, Eastern Bluebird  2, Song Sparrow  1, Yellow-rumped Warbler  6

Saltville Well Fields, Smyth, Virginia, US
Nov 23, 2024
40 species

Canada Goose  300, Northern Shoveler  2, American Wigeon  13, Mallard  2, Ring-necked Duck  6, Lesser Scaup  43, Hooded Merganser  16, Ruddy Duck  3, Mourning Dove  2, Virginia Rail  1, American Coot  6, Pied-billed Grebe  2, Great Egret  1, Great Blue Heron  1, Black Vulture  30, Turkey Vulture  2, Red-tailed Hawk  1, Belted Kingfisher  1, Red-bellied Woodpecker  1, Downy Woodpecker  1, Peregrine Falcon  2, Blue Jay  3, American Crow  6, Carolina Chickadee  3, Tufted Titmouse  4, Ruby-crowned Kinglet  1, White-breasted Nuthatch  1, Carolina Wren  3, European Starling  4, Northern Mockingbird  2, Eastern Bluebird 7, Hermit Thrush  6, American Robin  1, House Finch  30, American Goldfinch  3, White-throated Sparrow  6, Song Sparrow  3, Eastern Meadowlark  2, Yellow-rumped Warbler  3, Northern Cardinal  2

October 26, 2024

Seven birders gathered at Orchard Bog in Shady Valley (Johnson County) in anticipation of a great day. We were not disappointed.

We tallied a total of 40 species – 8 species of Sparrows, 3 species of Warblers and other common, migratory, and winter returning birds. Highlights include – Lincoln’s Sparrow, multiple singing Fox Sparrows, singing Savannah Sparrows, Orange-crowned Warbler, Palm Warblers, many Yellow-rumped Warblers, Northern Harrier, Red-Shouldered Hawk, Virginia Rail, Winter Wrens, Hermit Thrushes, and Ruby-crowned Kinglets.

After lunch, Larry McDaniel and myself found a Peregrine Falcon zooming past the 4-way “cross-roads” intersection heading towards Cross Mountain.

It was a wonderfully fun day and many thanks to everyone that showed up and contributed to a very memorable day:

Roy Knispel, Larry McDaniel, Judy Moose, Cathy Spencer, Jennifer Quinn, Lynn Eastin, Rob Biller

Complete list follows:

Wild Turkey  1, Virginia Rail  1, Wilson’s Snipe  1, Great Blue Heron  1, Turkey Vulture  3, Northern Harrier  1, Red-shouldered Hawk  1, Red-bellied Woodpecker  1, Downy Woodpecker  2, Pileated Woodpecker  1, Northern Flicker  3, Peregrine Falcon 1,  American Kestrel  1, Eastern Phoebe  2, Blue Jay  15, American Crow  21, Common Raven  2, Carolina Chickadee  6, Ruby-crowned Kinglet  2, White-breasted Nuthatch  1, Winter Wren  3, Carolina Wren  4, European Starling  4, Northern Mockingbird  2, Eastern Bluebird  17, Hermit Thrush  3, Cedar Waxwing  20, American Goldfinch  15, Field Sparrow  5, Fox Sparrow  4, White-throated Sparrow  5, Savannah Sparrow  3, Song Sparrow  8, Lincoln’s Sparrow  1,  Swamp Sparrow  4, Eastern Towhee  1, Red-winged Blackbird  65, Orange-crowned Warbler  1, Palm Warbler  6, Yellow-rumped Warbler  15, Northern Cardinal  4

Richard Phillip Lewis: November 13, 1951 – May 8, 2024

It is with great sadness that the Northeast TN birding community received news from Rack Cross that Master Bird Bander Richard Phillip Lewis of Bristol, TN passed away on May 8, 2024, following a brain cancer diagnosis several months ago. He was 72 years old. He was a long-time member of the Bristol Bird Club and the Tennessee Ornithological Society. He earned his master’s degree and worked as a software engineer before retiring. He also taught biology as an adjunct professor at Virginia Highlands Community College. Richard was a Master Bird Bander for the United States Geological Survey and the State of Tennessee. He was the Eastern Mountain Editor for the TOS Migrant Journal for several decades and compiler for the Bristol, TN Christmas Bird Count since its beginning until last year. He operated a MAPS Banding station on his property collecting data for several national studies and academic programs. He (along with Rack Cross) participated in 27 Bird Banding events at Bristol, TN’s Steele Creek Park’s Annual Wildlife Weekend much to the delight of birding enthusiasts. He was a patient and readily available mentor and friend to Rack Cross and many others. Richard will truly be missed by all who knew and loved him.

This was originally published on Bristol Birds Network on July 10, 2015

The hot days of summer bring promise for fall migration.  Thousands of shorebirds are starting to drift southward from the Arctic.  Our longings for the earliest arrivals are just days away when the Spotted Sandpiper has arrived by the second week of July with the Solitary Sandpiper maybe a week or so close behind.  Least Sandpipers usher in August and other species arrive faster and faster until most of the flights have flown south with colder winds by November.

While we await the rush of adrenalin, maybe we can tap our foot and assist some new birders with an orientation to the pond environs.  This is the sign that a new birder and many hunters and sportsmen first discover as they drive up to the pond on the private dirt lane leading from Paddle Creek Rd. in eastern Sullivan County, TN. It’s a large sign with the pond behind it and very visible to visitor.  It is just beyond the sawmill at the right of the lane.

The club has spent several years working with the farm owners  to further develop and manage shorebird/wader habitat and observer opportunity at this special pond.

We have funded a daily wildlife management habitat fee for each day the water levels were managed to hold low enough drawdown levels to establish adequate habitat.  Members have learned how to work with the family to make this an excellent birding site and habitat attraction for water birds of all kinds but especially shorebirds and waders.

As many may recall, on 22 Aug 2010, BBC members and the farm owners entered into a study/management project for the purpose of determining feasibility to create the maximum shorebird/wader habitat on a seasonal basis in order to attract these species as well as to provide access to view and record what might visit the pond.

The study was an in-depth project until early December 2010 to carefully recorded both the actual drawdown capability as well as habitat (mudflat) exposure.   Not only were records kept but a measurable pond level was correlated with actual

habitat, dates and species attracted. The management methods and results were photographed to create a useful tool for future guidance and planning.

As a control, during the fall season of 2011, the pond was allowed to proceed as in the previous years without intentional management to get a baseline of usage by shorebirds/waders.

With managed drawdown and habitat manipulation, birders enjoyed a very productive shorebird monitoring and birding season in 2010.  The unmanaged fall season of 2011 was not remarkable.  Of course, actual migration numbers, weather,

fronts and prevailing winds as well as season actually determine the species available to visit the pond.  Drawdown and exposed mudflat habitat have not been the sole factors for the past five years.

Now that we know more precisely how to manage the water level and subsequent shorebird habitat, we are able to implement management with the farm for the coming fall season — now thru November.

Crumley Farms Inc. leases hunting rights to several individuals who use other areas of their 684-acre holdings.  However, a few days of waterfowl hunting occur in late fall and that explains the duck blind you see along the shore.

BBC opened a discussion with the owners about the possibility that birders would pay to have the pond habitat managed for shorebirds/waders during the fall period.  The owners were most receptive.

The discussion centered around a rate schedule that would follow a measured drawdown to expose habitat as we needed with a daily management rate during the season for each increment of water level and exposed habitat.  They would be paid based on results, not by a set fee or payment followed by an attempt to manage.  The results would be to achieve pond levels and habitat exposed.

Since the pond is very shallow and especially in the upper end, a few inches of water level drawdown exposes much habitat.

Because it is essentially a pump/storage operation where water is diverted from Paddle Creek thru an underground pipe system to the pond to fill it as needed and an electric pump is controlled from a switchbox along the road leading in, water level can be lowered by pumping the water to very private and restricted ponds atop the hill on a seperately-owned track of land.  Birders are never allowed to go up to the private ponds on the hill behind the top gate.

All of this provides significant control to manage the habitat both spring and fall.  This management method was tried, tested and successful results observed. The pond draws a very diverse population of stopover birds and in numbers enough to make monitoring very interesting.

This takes BBC to the forefront as a bird club managing prime habitat to benefit wildlife and attract special species of interest.  Among the shorebirds found have been species such as the list below and often in good numbers:

Black-bellied Plover, Semipalmated Plover, Killdeer, Spotted Sandpiper, Solitary Sandpiper, Greater Yellowlegs, Lesser Yellowlegs, Stilt Sandpiper, Sanderling, Dunlin, Least Sandpiper,  White-rumped Sandpiper, Buff-breasted Sandpiper, Pectoral Sandpiper, Semipalmated Sandpiper, Western Sandpiper, Short-billed/Long-billed Dowitcher and Wilson Snipe, And Red-necked Phalarope.

The fall season brings large flocks of Blue-winged Teals in late August and, more rarely, very interesting species of waders such as Glossy Ibis below and White Ibis ( image up and to the right).

In total, more than 400 reports of birding field trips have been made at the pond and more than 125 species listed at the site.

The pond is presently at full pool and will draw down as the heat of summer, maybe   less rainfall and the dryer months of summer allow.

Among the birders known to most frequently visit the site are Roy Knispel, Ron Carrico, Reece Jamerson, Rob Biller, Tom McNeil, Cathy McNeil, Rick Knight and myself.

On 17 Jan 1999,  Coffey and Knight discovered the sprawling pond  below an aircraft they were in which was passing very low over the river area to survey for wintering  Bald Eagles in the region. They were impressed with its size.  It was a few years until

Coffey connected the Crumley family and the ponds as a regular birding site and asked permission to bird there.

Betty Crumley, one of four daughters in the family which lives in the brick house along   the driveway leading back to the pond, worked with Coffey.  She told him about ducks coming there and invited him to visit the pond. That was in the late 1990s.  Three daughters are grown and live elsewhere.  One lives on the farm and helps farm the land.  One is a teacher in South Carolina, another owns an aircraft maintenance and airplane sales business at Elizabethton and another is a flight nurse aboard Mountain States’  Wings Air Rescue medical helicopters.

One of the earliest reports of birding at the site was 5 Mar 2003 when Ed Talbott, Roger   Mayhorn and Coffey birded there.  Two days later, Coffey and Dave Worley reported birds from the location.

In October 2006, we began to call the site Paddle Creek Pond. It seemed to have more clear identification due to the name of the road and creek along the road.

Paddle Creek Pond is at about 1480 feet elevation.  It has a shoreline of approximately 1700 feet with the pond being 850 feet long and 250 feet wide.  The best habitat is at the upper and most narrow end where mudflats are exposed.

Look forward to the wind birds and their fall passage.

Wallace Coffey
Bristol Bird Club
Bristol, TN