Bryan Stevens

Tennessee

Reporter at Bristol Herald Courier

Writer at McDowell News

Managing Editor at The Erwin Record

Columnist on Birds and Birding at Freelance

Articles

Rocky Fork workshop to cover fly fishing basics

3 days ago | erwinrecord.net | Bryan Stevens

Fly fishing has definitely hooked plenty of Americans. Hollywood blockbusters like “A River Runs Through It” starring Brad Pitt have even popularized this angling pastime. And now Lamar Alexander Rocky Fork State Park in Flag Pond is focusing its latest workshop, “Fly Fishing Mountain Streams,” on this popular activity.
Ruby-throated hummingbirds stage spring return

1 week ago | erwinrecord.net | Bryan Stevens

In an article posted on March 27, Journey North, an organization and website that tracks migrating hummingbirds, announced that so far this spring, bird-watchers in 12 states had reported ruby-throated hummingbirds, but it’s still early in the season. “So far, we have one sighting each in Kentucky and Tennessee and two in Arkansas, but we’re expecting more in the coming weeks,” noted the blog post by Journey North.
Ruby-throated hummingbirds stage spring return

1 week ago | timesnews.net | Bryan Stevens

In an article posted on March 27, Journey North, an organization and website that tracks migrating hummingbirds, announced that so far this spring, bird-watchers in 12 states had reported ruby-throated hummingbirds, but it’s still early in the season. “So far, we have one sighting each in Kentucky and Tennessee and two in Arkansas, but we’re expecting more in the coming weeks,” noted the blog post by Journey North.
Bryan Bielanski to perform April 19 in Roan Mountain

2 weeks ago | erwinrecord.net | Bryan Stevens

Upbeat acoustic rock singer-songwriter Bryan Bielanski is on tour promoting his latest album, "Bryan's Super Happy Fun Time 4,” at shows from Laramie, Wyoming, to Roan Mountain, Tennessee. In fact, he will be perform April 19 at Roan Mountain’s The Appalachian Station on Highway 19E. The show is for ages 18 and up and starts at 7:30 p.m.He recently spoke with The Erwin Record about his music and his upcoming show in Roan Mountain.
Thrasher’s return bids March adieu while welcoming April

2 weeks ago | erwinrecord.net | Bryan Stevens

I heard the paired notes of a signing male brown thrasher on Saturday, March 29, confirming the return of this large songbird. The thrasher was signing from a dead blue spruce tree surrounded by a thicket of forsythia in full golden bloom. I’ve usually celebrated the return of brown thrashers in the final days of March. This year’s brown thrasher was slightly tardy. For instance, this species returned on March 24 in 2021 and 2023.
Thrasher’s return bids March adieu while welcoming April

2 weeks ago | timesnews.net | Bryan Stevens

I heard the paired notes of a singing male brown thrasher on Saturday, March 29, confirming the return of this large songbird. The thrasher was singing from a dead blue spruce tree surrounded by a thicket of forsythia in full golden bloom. I’ve usually celebrated the return of brown thrashers in the final days of March. This year’s brown thrasher was slightly tardy. For instance, this species returned on March 24 in 2021 and 2023.
Jim Ayers, longtime philanthropist for Unicoi County projects, dies

3 weeks ago | erwinrecord.net | Bryan Stevens

James W. “Jim” Ayers, one of Tennessee’s most influential business leaders and philanthropists and a generous donor to myriad Unicoi County projects, has died. Ayers, the former executive chair and CEO of FirstBank, died April 1 in Nashville after battling a variety of health issues in recent years. His death was announced in a press release issued by the Ayers Foundation Trust.
Here are a few birds to look for this spring

3 weeks ago | erwinrecord.net | Bryan Stevens

Has it been a slow spring? I have felt that it’s been one step forward, two steps back. But April has finally arrived. Although we’re now two days into the month, I’m still waiting on some of my first arrivals among our fine feathered friends. That’s not an unusual situation. I think the birds like to drag out their springtime arrivals. They know that being tardy is sure to aggravate me as I’m not known for patience.
Seasonal snipe searches can be productive

1 month ago | erwinrecord.net | Bryan Stevens

Have you ever gone on a wild goose chase? Perhaps you have memories of being taken on a snipe hunt? If so, I don’t need to tell you that our feathered friends have inspired a lot of unusual sayings and activities. The snipe hunt is widely regarded as a rite of passage. I’m not sure if these “hunts” are still organized on moonless nights to pull a playful prank on unsuspecting or naive adolescents.
Phoebe’s return promises more migrants on their way back

1 month ago | erwinrecord.net | Bryan Stevens

An Eastern phoebe has returned to the woodlands around my home. I’m not sure when the resident phoebes departed last fall. They were still prominent in their daily activities in late October and early November. I think they probably slipped off, unnoticed, around Thanksgiving. Some winters, a few Eastern phoebes linger throughout the cold months, often near an open source of water that’s unlikely to freeze.