Smoky Mountains Tremont Bird Banding
Great Smoky Mountains Tremont Announces 2010 Bird Banding Program
Scientists estimate nearly 230 different species of birds in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Thirty-four species are considered endangered, threatened or of conservation concern have been observed in the park. With its unusual birds and incredible diversity of habitats, it is no surprise that Great Smoky Mountains National Park is considered one of the most important places for birds in the eastern United States.
Keeping up with all these species within the 520,000 acres of the national park is a daunting task, and for the past ten years, Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont (Tremont) has been assisting the park in monitoring these birds through bird banding.
“Tremont has been banding birds since 2000, so we have a great deal of data concerning the bird populations in this valley. We already had a pretty good idea of what birds we can expect to find here in the summer, but it’s hard to say much about them or their populations by simply hearing or seeing them. Capturing, banding, and releasing the birds gives us a wealth of information - how long birds live, what proportion survive from year to year, their productivity, patterns of movement across the landscape, condition, and more,” said Josh Davis, Tremont’s citizen science coordinator.
“We’ve banded birds that were only a few weeks old and preparing to head to South America for the winter,” Davis continued. “The next year we’ve captured them in the exact same net, after flying thousands of miles back and forth. Information like this helps gives us a more complete picture of what these birds’ lives are like. We also partner with Park ecologists and other researchers to assist with data collection for other projects - searching for parasites, assessing mercury levels, or testing for avian flu, for example.”
At the beginning of each banding session, volunteers help erect nets starting at 6:00 am. During the ensuing six hours, the nets are checked every 40 minutes, birds are carefully removed and a metal bracelet (which is marked with nine-digit number) is attached to their legs. Detailed notes are taken including age, gender, and breeding condition. After the birds are inspected they are released.
The bands have a unique number on them, which is registered with the Bird Banding Laboratory in Maryland. If that bird is ever captured again, or if it is found dead, it is hoped that the finder will report the bird’s status and band number to the laboratory, so that they, in turn, can notify the originator of the band.
“Everyone is encouraged to report banded birds to the Bird Banding Laboratory, by phone or on the Internet. It’s important data that will be lost otherwise,” said Davis.
Bird banding is one of a number of citizen science projects carried on at Tremont each year. Tremont uses citizen science-the involvement of non-scientists in scientific research-as another tool to connect people with nature. Through this program, students as well as other volunteers have the chance to contribute to the scientific research conducted within Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
2010 Bird Banding Dates
Thursday, June 3rd
Wednesday, June 16th
Thursday, June 17th
Wednesday, June 23rd
Tuesday, June 29th
Thursday, July 8th
Friday, July 30th
Wednesday, August 4th
Bird banding sessions typically last 5-6 hours beginning with set-up at 6:00 am. Participants do not have to attend the entire session. Dress should be weather-appropriate. Participants should bring plenty of water and rain gear in case of sudden showers. There can be bugs, poison ivy or occasional stream to cross, so participants should be prepared for all those situations.
Those interested in attending any of the sessions should contact Josh Davis at or 865-448-6709. If a banded bird is found, the information can be reported at 1-800-327-BAND, or at www.reportband.gov
Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with the mission of providing in-depth experiences through residential educational programs designed to nurture appreciation of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, celebrate diversity, and foster stewardship. Tremont welcomes all ages to step away from their daily routine to learn, reflect and grow while living in the heart of Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont
9275 Tremont Road, Townsend, TN 37882 · (865) 448-6709 · www.gsmit.org
Gatlinburg Web Cam - Gatlinburg Space Needle
The Gatlinburg Web Cam is back in operation!
Several emails flooded in moments after the Gatlinburg cam went offline. A localized power outage caused Gatlinburg computer equipment to fail and thus web cam connections to the outside world were down. Working with the IT staff, all systems have been restored.
What a great time to view downtown Gatlinburg and the Tennessee Smoky Mountains from atop the 407 foot Gatlinburg Space Needle, and all from your computer! Visibility is great and it looks as though temperatures will stay mild for the rest of the week.
Be sure to use the “camera” icon to the left bottom of the viewing box to take photos. You can take photos whether it is you or someone else operating the Gatlinburg web cam at the time. The photos you take are yours to save to your computer, email to others or post to your Blog-Facebook site.
Tennessee Smoky Mountain Updates
Welcome to our Tennessee Smoky Mountain updates!
There has been lots of action happening in the Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, and Sevierville Smoky Mountains area, however mostly with election politics.
I-40 Open To The Smoky Mountains
Close to the Tennessee and North Caolina border was a very large rock slide that closed I-40 and forced thousands of Smoky Mountain visitors to make detours adding as much as and hour to their trip. Well with diligent work by all companies involved and after months of being closed, I-40 is safely once again re-opened!
Gatlinburg Tennessee Disc Golf Tournament
Mills Park Gatlinburg will hold a Disc Golf Tournament as a fundraiser for the First Baptist Church of Gatlinburg for their Youth Ministry Mission trip to Birmingham, AL. The event, rain or shine, will be held on May 2nd from 12:30 to 3:30pm. Lunch will be served 12:30 - 2:00pm. There will be 3 flights children, intermediate, and advanced. Great Prize Packages will be awarded. Entry fees are: Children 10-under $5, Intermediate - $10, and Advanced - $15. Entry fees include the lunch. For more information call Bryson Fortner at 865-680-7729, Chris Bowling 865-712-3737, or the church office 865-436-4685.
Bloomin Barbeque Bluegrass Festival Sevierville TN!
On May 14-15, Sevierville will hold the Bloomin Barbeque Bluegrass Festival next to the Sevier County Courthouse. Listening to great music and enjoying the fantastic food smells is FREE! Tasting of the delicious vittels will cost you a little. May 14th don’t miss locally recorded music artist Jimbo Whaley 6:30pm andBlue Highway at 8pm. There will be several other performers throughout both days, local crafts, barbeque supplies, and floral arrangements. So come out and have a great foot stomping time in the scenic Tennessee Smoky Mountains!
Smoky Mountain Carriage Rides !!!
Sevierville has opened the doors to Heritage Carriage Rides, a beautiful horse drawn carriage service offering spur-of-the-moment rides and longer rides for planned occasions. Their operations are currently in the Moe’s Southwest Grill parking lot, just past Walmart.
Hopefully one of the cities will wake up and embrace the opportunity presented in having such a fine attraction by providing a more permanent home in the Smokies!
The seasonally decorated carriage rides normally last 12 minutes and Heritage charges $5 per person, children 5 and under are free. For more information call (770) 402-1720.
Tennessee Smoky Mountains News Update
Tennessee Smoky mountains is hoping as we approach the Easter weekend. The season is starting early and from the buzz about town, it appears this year will be a big one.
Pigeon Forge - Waldens Landing is working hard on their new movie theater. Several of the vacant stores have been demolished and debris removed, now is the fast paced construction of the new movie theater! Originally they planned to have the theater operational by May 1st, now the schedule is for late August. The new movie theater will use digital and 3D technology to add to the viewers enjoyment. Locals are watching intently to see if the added movie theater will impact Reel Theaters, Highway 66, and possibly reduce ticket prices. Ticket prices are not bad when compared to other areas, however they are extreme when compared to the average earnings of most locals. In addition, Five Guys Burgers and Fries are moving along fine and should have the doors open very soon.
Louise Mandrell fans, don’t miss your opportunity to see Louise Mandrell at Country Tonite Theater on April 1st at 7pm. She is participating in the Cherish The Child benefit for the Smoky Mountain Children’s Home. VIP tickets for 200 guests, $50 each, are available and include a back stage meet with Louise Mandrell after the event. For tickets and information, call (865) 453-2193.
Elwood Smooch is back! Billy Baker, a.k.a Elwood Smooch, will be performing his “Elwood Smooch Choo Choo Boogie Variety Show” at Memories Theater at 1pm Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays beginning April 20th. If you have never seen Billy Baker perform, you have got to see and hear his performance. This man is a top notch!
Soul Of Shaolin, a new live theatre performance portraying an orphan boy, a mother’s love, and an unforgettable journey of self-discovery.
Dollywood is working hard to get attendance up this year. This is Dollywood’s 25th Anniversary. Dolly did an early show for visitors and will return to the park around her May 7th Dollywood Parade. Guests visiting the park will be randomly selected for giveaway prises on a daily basis.
Kerbela Shriners Rod & Kustom Nationals Car Show in Pigeon Forge will be held April 22nd - 25th. Admission is $10 for adults and FREE for 15 and under.
Sevierville- Remember the old “Home Accent” building, just behind and to the left of the Knife Works? Well this later became I.R. Cheap and now it appears to have a new calling. This will be the Two Rivers Antiques and Collectibles Mall. Unlike the Flea Market, there is a 10% commission added to each purchase and 2% if you more if you use your credit card. Will have to visit and report back later.
Kodak - Mr. Miyagi’s comes to Sevier County Tennessee. About a mile off I-40 exit 407, you will come upon Food City, on your left. This is home to a new Japanese Cuisine restaurant called “Mr. Miyagi’s”. Entries are the usual and a pub, called Bonsai, will be added featuring fresh made sushi.
Tennessee Smoky Mountains - Pigeon Forge News
Spring is upon the Tennessee Smoky Mountains andPigeon Forge. 2010 looks to be an exciting calendar year with visitation numbers already off to a great start.
Pigeon Forge holds their city commissioners meeting today to discuss andapprove some of this year’s planned activities. We start with Dollywood celebrating their 25th Anniversary and the 25th annual Dolly Parton Homecoming Parade, scheduled for 6pm May 7th. The Dolly Partonparade runs from River Road to Wears Valley Road. For those unable to attend, be sure and watch the Dolly Parton parade, along the Pigeon Forge Parkway, from our Pigeon Forge webcam!
Pigeon Forge may be host, once again, to the Midnight Road Race. This Knoxville Track Club event was popular in the past and looks to dawn those magical shoes again as Midnight rolls into Saturday morning July 31st.
The 28th Annual Shades of the Past Rod Run should be here September 8th-12th. Car enthusiasts, automobiles usually start arriving the week before the event dates and many stay for days after. Groups, save a bundle by renting a Pigeon Forge cabin. The prices are predominently cheaper than a hotel, offer more space an amenities, and that’s before adding on the expense of eating out every meal.
April 22nd-25th will be busy with the Kerbela Shriners and Grand Rod and Kustom Nationals.
Several new stores and attractions will be here this year. Just to name a few changes:
- Smith Family Theater is now a Dinner Theater show with additional seating in their new balcony
- Gold Wing Road Riders annual event and parade to take place at the Grand Majestic Theater April 22-24
- Waldens Landing will have at least 5 movie theaters operational by May
- Waldens Landing is adding a Five Guys Restaurant, to open very soon
- Scream N Shout Kids Theater opened in Waldens Landing
- Annual F-100 Supernationals will have their show May 13-15 and the All Chevy Supernationals from June 11-13
- Titanic opens April 8th
- Wonderworks now hosts a magic show, in addition to Hoot n Hollar they will feature the highly awarded Terry Evanswood
- Country Tonite has stepped up with show changes that are sure to please, while Tennessee Shindig brought in a Las Vegas director andhopes to steal the show with all that glitters Las Vegas style
- This is not a complete list of all 2010 changes to Pigeon Forge attractions and stores.
Pigeon Forge and the Tennessee Smoky Mountains sure have a lot to offer visitors, we hope you and your families get to come and enjoy the excitement of 2010 Pigeon Forge!
Smoky Mountains Music With Jimbo Whaley
Smoky Mountains Weather Getting Warmer
Folks the Tennessee Smoky Mountains weather is starting to warm up and it appears trees are starting their new leaves. It’s a great time for families to visit the Great Smoky Mountains area and get in some wonderful family memories! Family memebers who are photography buffs, sunrises and sunsets this time of year in the Smokies are fantastic. The warmer weather, not hot, presents clear skies for grasping wonderful colors. Nature’s pets are starting to stur, presenting a great opportunity to catch animals in their natural habitat.
So make plans to bring your family, large group, or photography club to the wonderful and treasured Tennessee Smoky Mountains. This is also a great time to save on small to large log cabin rentals. In most cases the whole group can stay cheaper than costs associated with getting hotel rooms and eating out every meal.
Tennessee Smoky Mountains News
Folks, before the weekend hits we would like to share several tidbits from the Tennessee Smoky Mountains area.
Gatlinburg is going to have their 2nd Annual Holly & Shamrock Parade. Previous parade had a large turn out, can’t help but be fun and interesting with over 400 Santas, Mrs. Clauses, elves, reindeer parading along side and on several various state floats. Parade will be 4pm this Saturday.
Pigeon Forge Belle Island may sale after all! Seems a Gatlinburg group is interested in the Belle Island development, but has not committed just yet. Not sure where the future of Belle Island is to go, but be assured it will, when it does it will impact Pigeon Forge in a grand way.
Sevierville “The Diner”, Highway 66 next to Lowes, will be host to Live DJ and Classic Car cruisin. The cruisin will start from Smokies Stadium, near I-40 exit 407, and follow down Highway 66 to The Diner. Participation is open to all vehicles! Bring non-perishable food items to participate. There will also be trucks at The Diner for taking donations. Donations will go to 2 local area services providing donated food to less than fortunate area families.
Tennessee Smoky Mountains Area News
The Tennessee Smoky Mountains seems to have slept most of last week. There were several guests visiting the area, however all was quite.
Efforts to clear the Gatlinburg - Pigeon Forge Spur rock slide are nearing completion. The company hired is set to receive an incentive bonus if the job is completed by March 12th. Have a feeling the deadline will be met.
Several libraries are kicking up interest as they host numerous book signings by local authors as well as authors formerly from Sevier County. The Cival War and Sevier County’s part in the war is the hot topic for most of the newly released books. Others do step back in time with stories of early settlers and photos from private family collections.
Amongst the still staggering unemployment levels state wide, it appears there is a lot of shuffling amongst the mountain leaves. Many land owners are making a mad dash to get their properties approved for commercial zoning. Not that many new businesses are going in just yet, but it gives current land owners the ability to get commercial land values that are near what residential prices were 2 years ago.
Things are a sturring, so stay tuned and in the next few days we should have a few updates to add.
Pigeon Forge Employees Given Bahamas Cruise - Employee Appreciation
Despite down turned revenues in 2009, David Fee and Jim Hedrick owners of Fee/Hedrick Family Entertainment Group, are providing their employees of 3 years or more a Bahamas Cruise.
Fee and Hedrick were performers on cruise ships prior to their setting up shop in the Tennessee Smoky Mountains. They now own The Comedy Barn, The Miracle Theater, The Black Bear Jamboree, and Magic Beyond Belief.
Of the over 400 employees staffing the Fee/Hedrick Family Entertainment Group businesses, approximately more than 200 will qualify to bring them and their family members on the Bahamas cruise.
The year 2009 was a difficult year for tourist areas throughout the country. Businesses throughout Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, Sevierville and Sevier County struggled, many unable to award bonuses to their hard working staff. Understandably, many businesses can’t afford such lavish a gift as the Feed/Hedrick group. None the less, it is important area businesses and city officials recognise the diligent efforts made by dedicated employees.
In this day and time Social Media is king. It can wreak havoc on a businesses when the slightest failure in customer service surfaces. Employees do work for their check, many in Sevier County live week to week. But when an employee does more than what is asked, comes up with an idea that boosts business, or tames a unruly guest, they deserve positive recognition.
A compliment or other form of internal recognition goes a long way in keeping the custodians of your business reputatation afloat. Example, when is the last time you called a meeting to praise outstanding efforts made by an employee, arranged a show or dinner that may not have cost you the actual monetary value, or publicly praised an employees for their above board services in a public forum of their peers. The magic some of these gestures performs is priceless. Employee appreciation does go a long way in any economy.
