This fall will be remembered by many for the exceptional number of rare sparrow reports.  Of course, this may be at least partly attributable to the fact that many birders, armed with high-quality optics, are now prepared to stomp across wet and weedy fields in search of LBJs (little brown jobs).  My own personal sparrow highlight for the period was, along with a number of other birders, observing both a Henslow’s and a Lincoln’s perched on a limb, no more than a foot apart, at the edge of a field in Haralson County.  Not knowing which bird to look at was a terrible dilemma!  As if that was not enough, we got to see a Le Conte’s perched out in the open just a few minutes later.  A sighting of any one of these three sparrows would usually make for a successful days birding in the Piedmont.  The fields at the Bradley Unit of the Eufaula NWR have in recent years become known as one of the most reliable sites in the state for Le Conte’s Sparrow.  With this in mind, Giff Beaton conscripted a small army of fifteen birders to march across these fields.  The count at the end of the day was an amazing 51.  Other sparrow highlights included Clay-colored Sparrows from four different parts of the state, and a Lark Sparrow banded near Darien by Doris Cohrs.

Overall, I think it is fair to say that it was an average fall for warbler migration as some reported better than normal numbers, while others felt numbers were down slightly.  Giff Beaton, Bob Zaremba and others are doing an excellent job in compiling migration numbers at Kennesaw Mt., which will allow us to examine long-term trends in the coming years.  Thanks also to Georgann Schmaltz for providing a complete tally of the birds seen during spring and fall migration walks at Fernbank Forest.

This fall saw massive movements of both Snow Goose and Sandhill Crane through Georgia.  On 14 Nov. several observers reported sizable flocks of Snow Geese moving south.  This species is currently undergoing a population explosion, which is not all good news due to the increasing pressure on their breeding grounds on high Arctic tundra.  Even more exceptional was the movement of Sandhill Cranes reported at the end of November.  Chuck Saleeby, by himself, estimated an astounding 7200 flying over Cobb Co. on the one day.  It would be interesting to know the total population of the migratory race that winters in the Southeast.

The season also produced more than its fair share of rarities, with multiple sightings of Red-necked Grebe, Red-necked Phalarope, Olive-sided Flycatcher, Yellow-headed Blackbird, and Shiny Cowbird. Vermilion Flycatcher, Scissor-tailed Flycatcher and Golden Eagle were also reported, the latter being noteworthy as it was away from the old hack-site at the Crockford-Pigeon Mt. WMA.  However, the most intriguing reports to me during the entire period were that of Alder Flycatcher and Cassin’s Vireo.  There are only three definite records of Alder Flycatcher listed in the ACOGB, though undoubtedly this hard to identify species is a regular transient through the state.  Cassin’s Vireo was of course, until recently, lumped together with Blue-headed Vireo and Plumbeous Vireo as one species, Solitary Vireo.  There are no previous records of  Cassin’s Vireo for Georgia, though there are a small number of records, including specimens, for other eastern states.  An excellent article on the field identification and distribution of the Solitary Vireo complex, published in the December 1996 issue of Birding, bears reading again.

Finally, I would like to thank a number of people who have assisted me in my first year as editor of From The Field.  Thanks to Mim Eisenberg, who has the unenviable task of proofreading my original reports.  Jeff Sewell, my predecessor, gave me much helpful advice and was of great assistance with the first couple of reports.  Terry Moore continues to compile monthly reports for the Atlanta Audubon Society and forward them to me in a timely manner.  Also, thanks to the many individuals who take the time to send reports of their notable sightings.  Any additional comments or suggestions as to how to make this report better are always welcome.

Abbreviations used include:
ACOGB - Annotated Checklist of Georgia Birds, 1986, Haney, J.C. et al., GOS Occ. Publ. No. 10.
AWMA - Altamaha Waterfowl Management Area in McIntosh Co.
CRNRA - Cochran Shoals Unit of the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area in Cobb Co.
ELHLAF - E.L. Huie Land Application Facility in Clayton Co.
ENWR - the Bradley Unit of Eufaula National Wildlife Refuge in Stewart Co.
Kennesaw Mt. - Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park in Cobb Co.
MBBP - Merry Bros. Brickyard Ponds in Augusta; m.ob. - many observers
SCSP - Sweetwater Creek State Park in Douglas Co.
SGRBA - South Georgia Rare Bird Alert
v.ob. - various observers
WMA - Wildlife Management Area

Note:  Species that appear in a bold-faced font represents those that were considered "review" species by the GOS Checklist and Records Committee during the year of the sighting.  This list changes from year to year.  The current review list may be view at the following link:

http://www.gos.org/checklists/reportables.html

Changes and updated information from the original published compilation are noted in a red font.

RED-THROATED LOON - One was seen at Plant Wansley in Carroll Co. on 28 Nov. for a rare inland sighting (Bob Zaremba).

COMMON LOON - Eighteen was the count at Buford Dam on Lake Lanier on both 5 Nov. (Earl Horn) and 8 Nov. (Rusty Trump).

HORNED GREBE - Twenty were seen at Plant Wansley in Carroll/Heard Cos. on 30 Oct. (Michael Bell, Aubrey Scott), and forty were counted at the same location on 6 Nov. (Giff Beaton et al.).  Jim Flynn and Earl Horn had good counts of 50 at Lake Hartwell and 24 at Russell Lake on 31 Oct.  Twenty were also counted at Buford Dam on Lake Lanier on 19 Nov. (Jim Flynn).

RED-NECKED GREBE - This very rare species was reported from two inland locations during the period.  One was spotted at Lake Hartwell on 31 Oct. (Jim Flynn, Earl Horn), and was seen there again the next day (Bob Zaremba, Deb Zaremba), and two were seen at Plant Wansley in Carroll Co. on 28 Nov. (Bob Zaremba).

EARED GREBE - Four were seen at Buford Dam on Lake Lanier on 5 Nov. (Earl Horn), and three were still at that location on 22 Nov. (Jim Flynn).  Another reliable spot for this species is Plant Scherer in Monroe Co., and four were recorded there during an Atlanta Audubon Society field trip on 20 Nov.  Two were also found at Plant Wansley in Carroll Co. on 28 Nov. (Bob Zaremba).

AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN - Several were seen along the Jekyll Island Causeway on 2 Oct. (SGRBA), two were reported from Little St. Simons Island during a GOS field trip on 3 Oct. (Mike Chapman et al.), 10 were seen in the Darien area on 23 Oct. (Doris Cohrs), and one was reported from Melon Bluff in Liberty Co. on 1 Nov. (fide Mary Elfner).

BROWN PELICAN - An estimated 750 were seen at St. Catherines Island on 17 Aug. (Paul Sykes).

ANHINGA - This species’ numbers have been increasing in middle Georgia in recent years.  Eric Beohm found a nest in the Rum Creek WMA in Jones Co. on 20 Aug., and Ty Ivey reported six nests with young in Bibb Co. on 28 Aug.  Anne Waters reports that this species is also increasing in numbers in the Augusta area, with the high count at the MBBP being 21 on 29 Nov.  Other interesting reports were one seen at Oxbow Meadows Enviromental Learning Center in the Columbus area on 15 Sept., two at the same location on 19 Oct. (Walt Chambers), and one seen in northern Greene Co. on 9 Oct. (Paul Sykes).

AMERICAN BITTERN - One at the CRNRA on 13 Oct. was an excellent find (Jack Carusos).  Other reports included one during most of October in the Phinizy Swamp in Richmond Co. (Michelle Berry, Anne Waters), two to three at the AWMA on 10 Oct. (Larry Ross et al.), one at Onslow Island on 23 Oct. (Diana Churchill et al.), one at Richmond Hill WMA on 21 Nov. (Diana Churchill), and one along the Andrews Island Causeway on both 27 Nov. (Eric Beohm) and 28 Nov. (Carol Lambert, Jeff Sewell).

LEAST BITTERN - One was seen at the AWMA on 26 Oct. (Doris Cohrs).

GREAT EGRET - Good numbers were reported at the MBBP in November, with counts of 46 on 20 Nov. and 56 on 27 Nov. (Anne Waters).

SNOWY EGRET - The four birds that showed up during the summer at the ELHLAF remained through at least 5 Sept. (m.ob.).  Four were also seen at the Arrowhead Wildlife Education Center in Floyd Co. on 3 Aug. (Stephen Stewart) and the high count at the MBBP was five on 5 Sept. (Anne Waters).

LITTLE BLUE HERON - The best counts from the Piedmont were eight at Snake Creek Park in Heard Co. on 14 Aug. (Michael Bell), and 11 at the Warm Springs Fish Hatchery in Meriwether Co. on 21 Aug. (Jim Flynn).

REDDISH EGRET - This species was reported from several locations along the coast, with the high count being three at Little St. Simons Island on 3 Oct. (Mike Chapman et al.).  Two were seen on Cumberland Island on both 5 Aug. (Brad Winn) and 30 Sept. (Giff Beaton, Bob Zaremba).  All other reports were of single birds at Andrews Island Causeway on 2 Aug. (Eric Beohm, Jessica Beohm), at Little Tybee Island on 31 Aug. (Deb Barriero et al.), at Jekyll Island on 4-6 Sept. (Mary Elfner), again at Jekyll Island on 2 Oct. (SGRBA), and at Gould’s Inlet from  3 through 16 Oct. (Brad Bergstrom, Lydia Thompson).

CATTLE EGRET - Eric Beohm had a good count of 205 in Upson Co. on 15 Aug.  Unusual for the time of year were three seen in Seminole Co. on 26 Nov. (Becky Beaton, Giff Beaton, Oscar Dewberry).

BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON - Four were seen at the Eufaula NWR on 24 Oct. (Walt Chambers).

YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON - Single immatures were seen at Thomas Bros. sod farm in Floyd Co. on 1 Aug. (Michael Bell), and at the Eufaula NWR on 8 Sept. (Walt Chambers).

WHITE IBIS - An immature remained at Buchanan Lake in Haralson Co. from 24 Aug. through 10 Sept. (Michael Bell), and two immatures were seen at Snake Creek Park in Heard Co. on both 14 Aug. and 21 Sept. (Michael Bell).  Georgann Schmalz had an excellent count of 30 immatures in Gordon Co. on 4 Sept.

ROSEATE SPOONBILL - Good numbers were reported from the usual roost site off of US 17, south of the Jekyll Island Causeway, where Darrell Lee had an impressive 34 on 29 Aug.  Twenty were still there on 25 Sept. (Mike Chapman).

WOOD STORK - There were a number of inland sightings, with as many as nine at the Rum Creek WMA during most of August (m.ob.), five in the Macon area on 20 Aug. (Jerry Amerson, Arlene Clark, Ken Clark, Ty Ivey), 14 at Dyar’s Pasture in Greene Co. on 25 Aug. (Juana Anderson), an excellent count of 60 at ENWR on 8 Sept. (Walt Chambers), and eight in Baker Co. on 25 Oct. (Giff Beaton, Jim Flynn).

GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE - One was seen among a flock of Canada Geese at Lake Hartwell on 14 Nov. (Davis Bullock).

Snow Goose (blue form) - Cooper Creek Park, Columbus, GA - 6 Nov 1999

SNOW GOOSE - A white phase bird seen at Buchanan Lake in Haralson Co. on 10 Sept. was very early (Michael Bell).  One might expect this species to become more common in Georgia in late fall and winter as its population continues to explode, though I do not think anyone could have foreseen the kind of invasion that occurred on 14 Nov.  On that one day 250 were seen near Woodstock (Helen Ogren), Giff Beaton saw 32 fly over his home in Cobb Co., 60+ were seen in Oglethorpe Co. (Eugenia Thompson), and 120 were reported flying over the Rome area (fide Stephen Stewart).  There were a number of other reports from around the state during November, mostly of single birds, though 22 were seen at ENWR on 25 Nov. (Eric Beohm, Jessica Beohm).

ROSS’S GOOSE - The bird that summered in Madison Co. remained there through the fall (m.ob.).

GADWALL - Good counts were 50 at a small pond in Coweta Co. on 14 Nov. (Michael Bell), and 28 at the ELHLAF on 27 Nov. (Paul Raney).

AMERICAN BLACK DUCK - Reports included three at Blanton Creek WMA in Harris Co.on 6 Nov. (Giff Beaton), three at West Point Dam in Troup Co. on 9 Nov. (Michael Bell), three in Heard Co. on 16 Nov. (Michael Bell), six at Plant Scherer in Monroe Co. on 20 Nov. (Brock Hutchins et al.), two at the MBBP on 20 Nov. (Anne Waters), and a nice count of 10 at Eufaula NWR on 25 Nov. (Eric Beohm).

MOTTLED DUCK - Fifteen was a good count at the AWMA on 1 Aug. (Eric Beohm, Jessica Beohm).

BLUE-WINGED TEAL - The high counts for the period were 90+ at Buchanan Lake in Haralson Co. on 10 Sept. (Michael Bell) and 125 at the Rum Creek WMA on 2 Oct. (Jerry Payne).

NORTHERN SHOVELER - Paul Raney had a decent count of 36 at the ELHLAF on 27 Nov.

NORTHERN PINTAIL - A bird that was reported at the ELHLAF during the summer remained through most of August (m.ob.), and on 16 Oct. three were seen there (Aubrey Scott et al.).  Other reports included one at Lake Acworth in Cobb Co. on 11 Oct. (Giff Beaton), one in Floyd Co. on 15 Nov. (Marion Dobbs), three at Plant Scherer in Monroe Co. on both 13 Nov. (Giff Beaton, Jim Flynn, Malcolm Hodges) and 20 Nov. (Brock Hutchins et al.), and one at SCSP on 28 Nov. (Pierre Howard).

GREEN-WINGED TEAL - Early reports included two at Buchanan Lake in Haralson Co. on 10 Sept. (Michael Bell), and 18 at the ELHLAF on 19 Sept. (Jeff Sewell et al.).

CANVASBACK - Two were a nice find at Garden Lakes in the Rome area on 24 Oct. (Marion Dobbs).

REDHEAD - Eight were seen at Buford Dam on Lake Lanier on 8 Nov. (Rusty Trump), 12 were at West Point Lake on 25 Nov. (Eric Beohm), one was seen in Heard Co. on 16 Nov. (Michael Bell), and two were at the MBBP on 27 Nov. (Anne Waters).

SURF SCOTER - Three immatures were spotted at West Point Dam on 9 Nov. for a rare inland sighting (Michael Bell).

WHITE-WINGED SCOTER - Four were seen at Jekyll Island on both 5 Nov. (Lydia Thompson) and 8 Nov. (Gene Keferl).

OLDSQUAW - One was reported at Walter F. George Dam on 8 Nov. (Michael Beohm).  Singles were seen at Plant Scherer in Monroe Co. on 13 Nov. (Giff Beaton, Jim Flynn, Malcolm Hodges), and again at that location during an Atlanta Audubon Society field trip on 20 Nov.  Another bird seen on the same field trip was originally identified as another Oldsquaw by a number of experts, but on closer inspection it turned out to be a decoy (You know who you are!).

COMMON GOLDENEYE - Singles were reported from West Point Lake on 25 Nov. (Eric Beohm), and at Plant Wansley in Heard Co. on 30 Nov. (Giff Beaton et al.).

RED-BREASTED MERGANSER - Jim Flynn had a good count of 87 at Buford Dam on Lake Lanier on 28 Nov.

SWALLOW-TAILED KITE - Two reports were received of sightings away from the more reliable sites for this species.  One was seen at the Etowah Indian Mounds in Bartow Co. on 6 Aug. (Peggy Moore et al.), and one was seen in Brooks Co. on 12 Aug. (Brad Bergstrom).

MISSISSIPPI KITE - There were two reports of this species in the Atlanta area.  Two were seen along the Chattahoochee River during August by Jack Carusos, and one was seen in Clayton Co. on 3 Sept. (Eric Beohm, Richard Beohm).  Other unusual sightings included two in Morgan Co. on 18 Aug. (Billy Dunbar), and one at Rum Creek WMA on 26 Aug. (Eric Beohm).

BALD EAGLE - This species continues to be well reported from around the state, with the high count being four at the AWMA on 16 Oct. (Eric Beohm), and also four at Ossabaw Island on 30 Oct. (Mary Elfner).

BROAD-WINGED HAWK - The high count was 33 over Lawrenceville on 1 Oct. (Joel Hitt).

GOLDEN EAGLE - Jeff Sewell didn’t have to travel far to see the sub-adult that flew over his yard in Tucker in DeKalb Co. on 30 Oct.

AMERICAN KESTREL - Four were seen at Thomas Brothers sod farm on 21 Aug. (Kevin Danchisen, Bob Zaremba, Deb Zaremba).  This may well have been a family group indicating a rare nesting of this species in the area.

MERLIN - Two reports came from the western edge of the state.  One was seen in the Rome area on 31 Oct. (Marion Dobbs), and one was seen at the Eufaula NWR on 7 Nov. (Walt Chambers).

PEREGRINE FALCON - The first one reported from the coast was a single bird seen along the St. Simons Island Causeway on 3 Sept. (Lydia Thompson).  High counts were 17 at the AWMA on 9 Oct. (Larry Ross et al.), and ten at Jekyll Island on 10 Oct. (Lydia Thompson).  Inland reports were all of single birds, with sightings in the Rome area on 7 Oct. (Stephen Stewart), at Kennesaw Mt. on 12 Oct. (Susanna Rinard), in Carroll Co. on 18 Oct. (Michael Bell), in the Columbus area on 21 Oct. (Walt Chambers), and in Stewart Co. on 24 Oct. (Michael Bell).

BLACK RAIL - Paul Sykes reported that none were found at the Greene Co. marsh where he usually finds small numbers through at least September.  This may have been due to extremely dry conditions, he notes.

KING RAIL - The Greene Co. marsh produced one on 18 Sept., two on 31 Oct., and one on 14 Nov. (Paul Sykes).

VIRGINIA RAIL - A single bird was an unusual find in Haralson Co. on 26 and 29 Oct. (Michael Bell et al.).  At least three were reported from Floyd College in Floyd Co. during October and November (Marion Dobbs), and the high count for the Greene Co. marsh was 10 on 14 Nov. (Paul Sykes).

SORA - The high count for the Greene Co. marsh was 28 on 24 Oct. (Paul Sykes).

PURPLE GALLINULE - Eight was a good count at Harris Neck NWR on 11 Sept. (Darrell Lee).

SANDHILL CRANE - Two birds, presumably of the nonmigratory Florida race, were noted at Grand Bay WMA near Valdosta on 15 Aug. (Brad Bergstrom).  The first southbound birds reported were a flock of 17 over Liberty Co. on 29 Oct. (Larry Carlile).  Many flocks were reported throughout November, with an extraordinary push towards the end of the month.  Five separate flocks were observed in Houston Co. on 29 Nov. (Larry Ross), and Chuck Saleeby counted an amazing 7200 over east Cobb Co. on 30 Nov!  For good measure, Vicki and Harry DeLoach estimated 1500 over Sweat Mt. in northeast Cobb Co. on the same day.

AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVER - Two were reported at Sod Atlanta in Bartow Co. on 11 Sept. (Earl Horn), and also the next day (Chris Loudermilk, Rick Waldrop).  Giff Beaton had two at a sod farm in Coweta Co. on 18 Sept.

SEMIPALMATED PLOVER - Inland sightings included two at Buchanan Lake in Haralson Co. on 24 Aug., three at Rum Creek WMA on 4 Sept. (Eric Beohm), and three at the ELHLAF on 5 Sept. (Sherry Anderson et al.).

PIPING PLOVER - Twenty was a good count on Cumberland Island, especially considering the early date of 5 Aug. (Brad Winn).  Eight were also noted on Cumberland Island on 30 Sept. (Giff Beaton, Bob Zaremba), and at least 20 were reported from Little St. Simons Island on 3 Oct. (Mike Chapman et al.).

AMERICAN OYSTERCATCHER - Brad Winn had excellent counts, with 184 on Wolf Island on 3 Aug., and 264 at Little St. Simons Island on 14 Oct.

AMERICAN AVOCET - The high count was 63 along the Andrews Island Causeway on 27 Nov. (Eric Beohm).

UPLAND SANDPIPER - Singles were seen at Thomas Bros. sod farm in Floyd Co. on 21 Aug. (Kevin Danchisen, Nelson Dobbs, Bob Zaremba, Deb Zaremba) and 11 Sept. (Earl Horn).  Another single was seen at Sod Atlanta in Bartow Co. on 11 Sept. (Earl Horn) and 12 Sept. (Chris Loudermilk), and two were reported from the Super Sod farm in Peach Co. on 11 Sept. (Dot Freeman).

LONG-BILLED CURLEW - Singles were reported from Little St. Simons Island on 3 Oct. (Mike Chapman et al.), and from both Egg Island Bar and St. Simons Island on 14 Oct. (Brad Winn).

MARBLED GODWIT - The high count was 74 from Little St. Simons Island on 3 Oct. (Mike Chapman et al.).

RUDDY TURNSTONE - Very rare inland sightings were made, with one at Buchanan Lake in Haralson Co. on 10 Sept. (Michael Bell), and one at the ELHLAF on 12 Sept. (Gail Casteel et al.).

SANDERLING - Continuing a trend of inland sightings during fall in recent years, three were seen at Thomas Bros. sod farm in Floyd Co. on 12 Sept. (Rick Waldrop), and one was seen at Plant Scherer in Monroe Co. on both 13 Nov. (Giff Beaton, Jim Flynn, Malcolm Hodges) and 20 Nov. (Brock Hutchins et al.).

WESTERN SANDPIPER - Eight was a good count at the Rum Creek WMA on 4 Sept. (Eric Beohm).  A very late bird was seen at Buchanan Lake in Haralson Co. on 3 Nov. (Michael Bell).  The late date for the interior in the ACOGB is 31 Oct.

LEAST SANDPIPER - Good numbers were reported from the ELHLAF throughout the period with the high count being 31 counted on an Atlanta Audubon Society field trip on 29 Aug.  On the same day Marion Dobbs reported about 40 at Thomas Bros. sod farm in Floyd Co.  Anne Waters had a count of 40 at the MBBP on 6 Nov., and Jim Flynn et al. had a good count of 50 at Plant Scherer in Monroe Co. on 13 Nov.

WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER - There was a surprisingly high number of reports for fall.  One was seen at Thomas Bros. sod farm in Floyd Co. on 21 Aug. (Kevin Danchisen, Nelson Dobbs, Bob Zaremba, Deb Zaremba), one was at the ELHLAF on 2 Sept. (Carol Lambert, Jeff Sewell), one again at Thomas Bros. on 11 Sept. (Earl Horn), one was at the Rum Creek WMA on 16 Sept. (Eric Beohm), one was at the Griffin Reservoir in Spalding Co. on 16 Sept. (Eric Beohm), and two were seen at Onslow Island on 1 Oct. (Giff Beaton, Earl Horn, Bob Zaremba) and again on 23 Oct. (Bob Zaremba, Deb Zaremba).

BAIRD’S SANDPIPER - This species was also well reported, with two at the ELHLAF on 1 Sept. (Walt Chambers), one at Buchanan Lake in Haralson Co. on 10 Sept. (Michael Bell), one at the Rum Creek WMA on 11 Sept. (Eric Beohm),  two at Onslow Island on 16 Oct. (Eric Beohm, Richard Beohm), and one again at Onslow Island on 23 Oct. (Bob Zaremba, Deb Zaremba).

PECTORAL SANDPIPER - Marion Dobbs had a good count of 75 at Thomas Bros. sod farm in Floyd Co. on 29 Aug.

PURPLE SANDPIPER - Two were reported from the usual Tybee Island site on 26 Nov. (Earl Horn).

DUNLIN - One was reported at the ELHLAF during most of October, and three were seen there from 7 through 14 Nov. (m.ob.).  Walt Chambers reported one at Oxbow Meadows Enviromental Learning Center near Columbus from 21 through 28 Oct.

STILT SANDPIPER - The ELHLAF hosted this species for most of September, with a high count of nine on 18 Sept. (Eric Beohm, Jessica Beohm, Richard Beohm), with the last one being seen there on 17 Oct. (Carol Lambert, Jeff Sewell).  The high count for Onslow Island was 50 on 16 Oct. (Eric Beohm, Richard Beohm).

BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER - Good numbers were reported from various sod farms, with peaks of 10 at Thomas Bros. in Floyd Co. on 29 Aug. (Marion Dobbs), eight at Super Sod in Peach Co. on 11 Sept. (Eric Beohm), and six at Sod Atlanta on 19 Sept. (Price Webb).

SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER - At the ELHLAF one was seen on 12 Aug. (Eric Beohm) and 14 Aug. (Jeff Sewell), and two were there on 26 Sept. (Joe Greenberg et al.).

LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER - The only report of more than one bird was the five seen along the Andrews Island Causeway on 27 Nov. (Eric Beohm).

WILSON’S PHALAROPE - One was reported from the ELHLAF on 5 Aug. by Paul Raney.  One was seen at Onslow Island on 16 Oct. (Eric Beohm, Richard Beohm).

RED-NECKED PHALAROPE - One was first seen at the ELHLAF on 5 Aug. by Eric Beohm and remained until 7 Aug. (Patrick Brisse, Jeff Sewell).  Another single was found at Jekyll Island on 23 Sept. (Doris Cohrs, Lydia Thompson), and was last seen on 29 Sept. (Giff Beaton, Bob Zaremba).

JAEGER - A jaeger, unidentified as to species, was a very rare sighting at West Point Lake on 31 Oct. (Lorna West).

LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL - This winter visitor may now be expected to show up by early August, as evidenced by the four seen at Jekyll Island on both 1 Aug. (Eric Beohm, Jessica Beohm) and 14 Aug. (Bill Blakeslee).  The high count for the period was the 11 seen at Gould’s Inlet on 3 Oct. (SGRBA).

GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL - The high count for the period was five at Gould’s Inlet on 3 Oct. (SGRBA).

CASPIAN TERN - Two very impressive counts were made with 124 on Wolf Island on 3 Aug. (Brad Winn), and about 200 at Gould’s Inlet on 3 Oct. (SGRBA).  Walt Chambers spotted one inland at Eufaula NWR on 24 Oct.

SANDWICH TERN - High counts were 50+ at Blackbeard Island on 19 Aug. (Steve Holzman), and 109 at Wassaw Island on 21 Aug. (Steve Calver).  Late birds included two at Jekyll Island on 27 Nov. (Jeff Sewell) and two at Gould’s Inlet on 28 Nov. (Carol Lambert, Jeff Sewell).

COMMON TERN - No large numbers were reported from the coast, but the two seen at River Bend Park in Chattahoochee Co. on 19 Sept. were a good find (Jim Flynn, Earl Horn).

FORSTER’S TERN - Inland sightings included one in Pike Co. on 25 Nov. (Michael Beohm), and four at Plant Wansley in Heard Co. on 30 Nov. (Giff Beaton et al.).

BLACK TERN - Steve Holzman reported “hundreds” at Blackbeard Island on 19 Aug.  The only inland reports received were of one at the Lake Oliver dam on 21 Aug. (Jim Flynn), and one at Buchanan Lake in Haralson Co. on 10 Sept. (Michael Bell).

EURASIAN COLLARED-DOVE - This species continues to thrive in Thomaston in Upson Co., as evidenced by the 77 counted there on 10 Oct. (Eric Beohm, Jessica Beohm).

Common Ground-Dove - Heard Co., GA - 7 Aug 1999

COMMON GROUND-DOVE - One seen in Heard Co. on 7 Aug. was unusual that far north (Jim Flynn).

SHORT-EARED OWL - At the usual location near Cobb in Sumter Co. five were seen on 20 Nov. (Giff Beaton et al.).

COMMON NIGHTHAWK - Harry Hooper noted 400 to 500 over the Albany area on 8 Sept.  A late bird was still at the Atlanta Airport area in Fulton Co. on 11 Nov. (Aubrey Scott).

RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD - Early reports included one on St. Catherines Island on 9 Sept. (Terry Johnson).  At least three were banded in the state during the month of November (fide Jeff Sewell).

YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER - One seen in Tucker in DeKalb Co. on 19 Sept. was quite early (Jeff Sewell).

OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER - This rare transient was well reported, with sightings from three locations, all in DeKalb Co.  One was seen in the Tucker area on 1 and 2 Sept. (Patrick Brisse, Jeff Sewell), one was at the South Peachtree Creek Nature Preserve on 12 Sept. (Jerry Brunner, Chris Loudermilk), and one was in Fernbank Forest on 25 Sept. (Georgann Schmaltz).

YELLOW-BELLIED FLYCATCHER - It was another excellent fall for this species, with reports from several locations.  All sightings were of single birds and came from SCSP on 4 Sept. (Chris Loudermilk) and 16 Sept. (Michael Bell), Jones Co. on 12 Sept. (Jerry Amerson, Marie Amerson), the Reynolds Nature Preserve in Clayton Co. on 17 and 19 Sept. (Eric Beohm), Roosevelt State Park on 18 Sept. (Jim Flynn), Taliaferro Co. on 23 Sept. (Giff Beaton), the CRNRA on 5 Oct. (Eric Beohm), and Clinch Co. on 10 Oct. (Giff Beaton, Pierre Howard, Bob Zaremba).

ALDER FLYCATCHER - There are few definite records of this difficult to identify flycatcher, but a bird seen at Kennesaw Mt. on 28 Aug. (Giff Beaton et al.) and seen and heard calling the next day (Jeff Sewell et al.) was determined to be this species.

WILLOW FLYCATCHER - One was seen at the Newman Wetlands Center in Clayton Co. on the very late date of 17 Oct. (Aubrey Scott).  The late date listed in the ACOGB is 2 Oct.

LEAST FLYCATCHER - One was seen at Kennesaw Mt. on 2 Sept. (Giff Beaton et al.), and one was reported at the Reynolds Nature Preserve on 19 Sept. (Eric Beohm).

EASTERN PHOEBE - Early arrivals for the coast were singles at Paulk’s Pasture WMA in Glynn Co. on 19 Sept. (Mike Chapman, Gene Keferl), and at Jekyll Island on 20 Sept. (Gene Keferl) and 24 Sept. (Lydia Thompson).

VERMILION FLYCATCHER - An adult female seen at Jekyll Island on 2 Oct. was one of the highlights of the GOS fall meeting. (fide Brad Bergstrom).

GRAY KINGBIRD - Eric and Jessica Beohm had an outstanding count of eight on Jekyll Island on 2 Aug.  For good measure they also had two along the Jekyll Island Causeway and one in Brunswick on the same day.

SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER - A flyover was spotted in Roswell on 3 Sept. (Peggy Moore).

CASSIN’S VIREO - An individual, in the company of two Blue-headed Vireos, was carefully studied in northern Greene Co. on 24 Oct. by Paul Sykes.  Details have been sent to the Georgia Checklist and Records Committee of this potential first state record.

WARBLING VIREO - This rare transient was found at two of the more reliable sites for this species.  One was seen at Kennesaw Mt. on 7 and 8 Sept. (Bob Zaremba et al.) and again on 22 Sept. (Giff Beaton et al.), and one was reported at the CRNRA on both 21 Sept. (Earl Horn) and 23 Sept. (Eric Beohm).

PHILADELPHIA VIREO - This species was well reported across the state from mid-September to mid-October, with the CRNRA being the hot-spot.  Several multiple sightings were made there, including a high count of six on 22 Sept. (Eric Beohm).

HORNED LARK - Dot Freeman had a good count of 25 at Super Sod in Peach Co. on 11 Sept.  One seen at Berry College in Floyd Co. on 9 Nov. was said to be unusual for that location (Marion Dobbs).

NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW - A large count of 400 was seen in the Macon area on 19 Sept. (Jim Flynn, Earl Horn).  John Swiderski had a late bird in the Valdosta area on 1 Nov., beating the late date in the ACOGB by one day.

Red-breasted Nuthatch - Burrell's Ford, Rabun Co., GA - 11 Oct 1999

RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH - It was a good fall for this irruptive species.  The first report was of a single bird seen in northwest Rabun Co. on 6 Sept. (Joel Hitt).  By the end of the month, two were reported from Kennesaw Mt. on 22 Sept. (Giff Beaton, Pierre Howard), and one was seen in Habersham Co. on 26 Sept. (Jim Flynn). During October and November there were several reports of small numbers from around the state, including three at Kennesaw Mt. on 16 Oct. (Chuck Saleeby et al.) and three at Carters Lake on 27 Nov. (Bob Zaremba).  The highest count, however, was the seven seen along Burrell’s Ford Rd. in Rabun Co., where there is a small resident population, on 11 Oct. (Jim Flynn).

House Wren - Habersham Co., GA - 26 Sep 1999

HOUSE WREN - An exceptionally high count of 30 was made at Onslow Island on 16 Oct. (Eric Beohm, Richard Beohm).

SEDGE WREN - Several good counts were made during the period, including five in Greene Co. on 26 Sept. (Paul Sykes),12 at the CRNRA on both 1 and 5 Oct. (Eric Beohm), four at a marsh in Austell in Cobb Co. on 11 Oct. (Giff Beaton, Chris Loudermilk, Bob Zaremba), eight at the marsh at Kennesaw Mt. on 12 Oct. (Giff Beaton, Bob Zaremba), and an outstanding 33 at the ENWR on 21 Nov. (Giff Beaton et al.).

MARSH WREN - Good counts were the eight seen at the CRNRA on 23 Sept. (Eric Beohm), and 13 seen in Greene Co. on 26 Sept. (Paul Sykes).

Golden-crowned Kinglet - Dawson Forest WMA - 21 Nov 1999

GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLET - Several birders reported seeing good numbers of this species across the state during November.  Noteworthy was the count of 35 in Seminole Co. on 26 Nov. (Becky Beaton, Giff Beaton, Oscar Dewberry).

THRUSHES - Thrush numbers from Kennesaw Mt. were felt to be very low, though this may have been partially due to the absence of some of the most dedicated thrush observers, according to Giff Beaton.

VEERY - Only two sightings were reported all fall from Kennesaw Mt.  Fernbank forest fared little better, with a total of five for the season (fide Georgann Schmaltz).  Jim Flynn did manage to see four, however, along the Pine Mt. Trail in Meriwether Co. on 18 Sept.

GRAY-CHEEKED THRUSH - Numbers of this species were also down at Kennesaw Mt., with a total of nine for the period.  Surprisingly, none at all were reported during the fall migration walks at Fernbank Forest (fide Georgann Schmaltz).

SWAINSON’S THRUSH - This was the only thrush species reported with near-normal numbers for daytime at Kennesaw Mt., the total for the period being 104.  Eighty was a good total on a pre-dawn count at Crooked River State Park on 30 Sept. (Giff Beaton, Bob Zaremba).  Other noteworthy tallies were 14 along the Pine Mt. Trail on 18 Sept. (Jim Flynn), and 15 at Fernbank Forest on 25 Sept. (fide Georgann Schmaltz).

WOOD THRUSH - Jim Flynn had 36 of this species along Pine Mt. Trail on 18 Sept.  Decent counts at Fernbank Forest were 21 on 25 Sept. and 16 on 2 Oct. (fide Georgann Schmaltz).  Fifteen were tallied on a pre-dawn count at Crooked River State Park on 30 Sept. (Giff Beaton, Bob Zaremba).  The total fall count for Kennesaw Mt. was 37, which is the lowest total in five years of record keeping there.

AMERICAN PIPIT - Eugenia Thompson had a good count of 100+ in Oglethorpe Co. on 7 Nov.

GOLDEN-WINGED WARBLER - A rare sighting was made, with one at Jekyll Island on 29 Aug. (Darrell Lee).  Six was the high count at Kennesaw Mt. on 11 Sept. (Bob Zaremba et al.), and three was a good count at Big Lazer Creek WMA in Talbot Co. on 18 Sept. (Jim Flynn).

“BREWSTER’S WARBLER” - This Blue-winged x Golden-winged Warbler hybrid was seen at the State Botanical Gardens in Clarke Co. on 8 Sept. (Marion Dobbs).

NASHVILLE WARBLER - This species was quite well reported, with a total of seven being seen at Kennesaw Mt. between 1 and 22 Sept.  All other sightings were of single birds in the Macon area on 4 Sept. (Ty Ivey), at the CRNRA on both 4 Sept. (fide Earl Horn) and 18 Sept. (Joel Hitt et al.), in Habersham Co. on 26 Sept. (Jim Flynn), again at the CRNRA on 1 Oct. (Eric Beohm), in the Savannah area on 13 Oct. (Dianne Churchill), and a late bird was seen at the CRNRA on 29 Oct. (Russ Wigh).

MAGNOLIA WARBLER - One seen in the Rome area on 31 Oct. was quite late (Marion Dobbs).

BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER - One seen in the Darien area on 21 Aug. was fairly early (Harriet Langford).

YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER - Three seen in Seminole Co. on 26 Nov. were unusual for the area. (Becky Beaton, Giff Beaton, Oscar Dewberry).

PRAIRIE WARBLER - Late birds were one seen in the Rome area on 27 Oct. (Marion Dobbs) and one seen at the CRNRA on 28 Oct. (Earl Horn, Rusty Trump).  The one spotted in the Brunswick area on 28 Nov. was possibly a wintering bird (Mike Chapman).

PALM WARBLER - At least 100 was a good count at the ELHLAF on 3 Oct. (Malcolm Hodges).

CERULEAN WARBLER - During migration 112 were recorded at Kennesaw Mt., where the average reported for the last five falls is 166.  The high count was 11 on 27 Aug. (Chris Loudermilk, Bob Zaremba, Deb Zaremba).

BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER - Single birds seen in Mitchell Co. on 25 Nov. (Becky Beaton, Giff Beaton) and in Seminole Co. on 26 Nov. (Becky Beaton, Giff Beaton, Oscar Dewberry) may have been late migrants or rare wintering birds.

OVENBIRD - Single birds seen in Grady Co. on 12 Nov. (Grace Howell fide Gail Menk) and in Worth Co. on 28 Nov. (Becky Beaton, Giff Beaton) may also have been rare wintering birds.

LOUISIANA WATERTHRUSH - One banded in the Darien area on 12 Sept. by Doris Cohrs was somewhat late.

MOURNING WARBLER - An unusually high number of reports of this rare migrant were received this fall.  One was seen at the South Peachtree Creek Nature Preserve in DeKalb Co. on 13 Sept. (Eric Beohm, Michael Beohm), and one was reported at the CRNRA on both 23 Sept. (Eric Beohm) and 25 Sept. (Jack Carusos et al.).

WILSON’S WARBLER - It was one of the best falls ever for this species, with reports of one at Kennesaw Mt. on 28 Aug. (Giff Beaton), one at Reynolds Nature Preserve in Clayton Co. on 3 Sept. (Eric Beohm), one again at Kennesaw Mt. on 15 Sept. (Mike Bernard, Susanna Rinard), one at the CRNRA on 20 Sept. (Earl Horn), one near Macon on 25 Sept. (Ty Ivey, Paul Johnson), an incredible three in Meriwether Co. on 26 Sept. (Michael Beohm), and one was seen on the very late date of 28 Nov. (Jerry Amerson).  There are only a handful of winter records for this species in Georgia.

CANADA WARBLER - A rare sighting for the coastal plain was a migrant seen in the Valdosta on 29 Aug. (Barbara Passmore).

YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT - One seen at the Kennesaw Mt. Marsh on 24 Oct. was quite late for the Piedmont (Giff Beaton).

SUMMER TANAGER - Also fairly late was one of this species in the Valdosta area on 24 Oct. (Brad Bergstrom).

WESTERN TANAGER - Presumably the same bird that wintered in Bellville in Evans Co. last year was reported there again between 25 Oct. and 6 Nov. (Maria-Jose Blocker).

SPARROWS - What an outstanding fall it was for sparrows, particularly in the Piedmont, where several species that are rarely reported at all were found on a number of occasions.

CLAY-COLORED SPARROW - There were four reports from across the state.  Doris Cohrs banded one in the Darien area on 11 Oct.  One was seen at the CRNRA on both 13 and 14 Oct. (Kevin Danchisen, Bruce Dralle), one was found in the Augusta area on 6 Nov. (Anne Waters et al.), and one was seen in Decatur Co. on 26 Nov. (Giff Beaton).

VESPER SPARROW - Good finds for the Atlanta area were five at the CRNRA on 28 Oct. (Earl Horn, Rusty Trump), seven at the same location on 30 Oct. (Earl Horn, Jeff Sewell), and six in Paulding Co. on 11 Nov. (Giff Beaton, Susanna Rinard).

LARK SPARROW - A hatch-year female was banded near Darien on 6 Sept. (Doris Cohrs).

HENSLOW’S SPARROW - Almost too many reports to list!  At a marsh in the Austell area in Cobb Co. two were found on 11 Oct. (Giff Beaton, Chris Loudermilk, Bob Zaremba) and one was seen on 16 Oct. (Michael Bell, Aubrey Scott).  Giff Beaton et al. found one at the Kennesaw Mt. marsh on 24 Oct., and on the same day one was seen at Onslow Island (Bob Zaremba, Deb Zaremba).  The species was also reported at the CRNRA, with one on 23 and 26 Oct. (Jack Carusos) and two on 28 Oct. (Earl Horn, Rusty Trump).  A single bird was found in Haralson Co. on 30 Oct. (Michael Bell et al.).  At Paulk’s Pasture in Glynn Co., a reliable wintering site for this species, four were found on 28 Nov. (Eric Beohm).

LE CONTE’S SPARROW - Singles were seen at Onslow Island on 24 Oct. (Bob Zaremba, Deb Zaremba), the CRNRA on 26 Oct. (Jack Carusos, Peggy Marino) and 28 Oct. (Earl Horn, Rusty Trump), and in Haralson Co. on 30 Oct. (Michael Bell et al.).  This species was found wintering at Eufaula NWR in good numbers last year, and a systematic search of the fields there on 21 Nov. by an army of fifteen birders, under the command of Giff Beaton, produced an astounding count of 51.

LINCOLN’S SPARROW - There was also an exceptional number of reports of this usually elusive sparrow.  Single birds were seen in Greene Co. from 18 Sept. through 31 Oct. (Paul Sykes), in Harris Co. on 27 Sept. (Walt Chambers), at Floyd College on 15 Oct. (Marion Dobbs), in Haralson Co. from 23 through 30 Oct. (Michael Bell et al.), in west Cobb Co. on 26 Oct. (Bob Zaremba) and 30 Oct. (Earl Horn, Jeff Sewell), in Paulding Co. on 28 and 29 Oct. (Earl Horn) and 11 Nov. (Giff Beaton, Susanna Rinard), at the CRNRA on 30 Oct. (Earl Horn, Jeff Sewell), in Dawson Forest on 5 Nov. (Earl Horn), at the ELHLAF on 7 Nov. (Jeff Sewell et al.), in Jackson Co. on 12 Nov. (Earl Horn, Rusty Trump), and in Bacon Co. on 27 Nov. (Earl Horn).

WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW - The first one reported was a single bird in the Savannah area on 13 Oct. (Diane Churchill).  There were many reports from across the state during the remainder of the period, with a high count of four in Greene Co. on 31 Oct. (Paul Sykes).

Dark-eyed Junco - Dawson Forest WMA - 21 Nov 1999

DARK-EYED JUNCO - One seen at Fernbank Forest in DeKalb Co. on 2 Oct. was early (Georgann Schmaltz).

ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK - Eric Beohm had a good count of 35 at the CRNRA on 23 Sept.  Other good counts, all from Fernbank Forest, were 30 on 25 Sept., 26 on 2 Oct. and 31 on 9 Oct. (Georgann Schmaltz).

DICKCISSEL - Three were seen at Sod Atlanta in Bartow Co. on 28 Aug. (Bob Zaremba, Deb Zaremba), and singles were seen on Jekyll Island on 12 Sept. (Gene Keferl) and at Onslow Island on 1 Oct. (Giff Beaton, Earl Horn, Bob Zaremba).

YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD - Three were seen on Jekyll Island on 11 Sept. by Darrell Lee, and he also saw one bird there the following day.  Also good finds were one in Sumter Co. on 21 Nov. (Terry Johnson) and one in Seminole Co. on 25 Nov. (Eric Beohm, Jessica Beohm).

RUSTY BLACKBIRD - Giff Beaton had a decent count of 21 in Seminole Co. on 26 Nov.

BREWER’S BLACKBIRD - Giff Beaton also had 25 of this species on the same day in Seminole Co., and five were seen in Greene Co. on 14 Nov. (Paul Sykes).

SHINY COWBIRD - This species was reported twice during the period at the AWMA, with one being seen on 1 Aug. (Eric Beohm, Jessica Beohm) and two on 13 Nov. (Billy Dunbar, Brenda Dunbar).  Two were also present on St. Simons Island from 26 Aug. through 1 Sept. (Lydia Thompson).

ORCHARD ORIOLE - A female was seen in the Phinizy Swamp in Richmond Co. on the very late date of 16 Oct. (Anne Waters).  The late date in the ACOGB is 17 Sept., with two accidental winter sightings listed.

PURPLE FINCH -  One seen in the Augusta area on 25 Sept. was very early.  The next report of one was a bird seen in Floyd Co. on 1 Nov. (Marion Dobbs).  There were several reports of small numbers seen across north Georgia during the month of November.

RED CROSSBILL - Three were reported from along Burrell’s Ford Rd. at the Georgia/South Carolina State line on 14 Sept. (Dennis Forsyth fide Jim Flynn).  During October as many as 50 were seen a few miles away at the Walhalla Fish Hatchery in South Carolina (v.ob.).

PINE SISKIN - Many reports were received of this winter irruptive beginning with 10 in the Trenton area on 6 Nov. (Peggy Moore, Terry Moore).

AMERICAN GOLDFINCH - A bird seen in Brunswick on 22 Aug. was very early for the coast (Mike Chapman).

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