In addition to the above, there were an exceptional number of reports of extremely rare birds this period. Hopefully, details of sightings of Fulvous Whistling-Duck, Brant, Limpkin, Hudsonian Godwit, Curlew Sandpiper, Black-legged Kittiwake, Anna's Hummingbird, Broad-tailed Hummingbird, Vermilion Flycatcher, Bicknell's Thrush and Black-headed Grosbeak will be submitted to the GOS Checklist and Records Committee for review. As has been stated numerous times before, inclusion of a sighting in From The Field does not necessarily mean that a report has been accepted.

While there were plenty of rarities in the state this fall, the news on the birding front was not all good. At Kennesaw Mt. thrushes and warblers were reported in very low numbers for the season. Of course, this may be due to a number of factors, such as weather patterns, observer coverage, or a real fluctuation in overall numbers.
During September and October much of Georgia experienced some heavy downpours. While the rain was much appreciated, it only made a slight dent in the rainfall deficit for the last three or four years, and by the end of the period dry conditions had once again set in.

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,  Cobb Co.
ELHLAF - E.L. Huie Land Application Facility in Clayton Co.
ENWR - the Bradley Unit of the Eufaula National Wildlife Refuge, Stewart Co.
Kennesaw Mt. - Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park, Cobb Co.
MBBP - Merry Bros. Brickyard Ponds in Augusta
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.

COMMON LOON - This species was well reported from West Point Dam in Troup Co. during November, with a peak count of 200 on 24 Nov. (Giff Beaton, Earl Horn).

HORNED GREBE - About 50 were reported from West Point Dam on 8 Nov. (Lorna West).

EARED GREBE - Most unusual was a bird in alternate plumage seen at MBBP from 21 Aug. (Clarence Belger, Anne Waters) through 18 Oct. (Anne Waters). Other singles were seen at the ELHLAF on 24 Sept. (Bill Elrick, Jim Flynn) and 25 Sept. (Aubrey Scott), and at DeKalb Reservoir on 8 Oct. (Patrick Brisse).

BLACK-CAPPED PETREL - One was a good find on a pelagic trip out of Savannah on 27 Aug. (Giff Beaton et al.).

CORY'S SHEARWATER - Back-to-back pelagic trips out of Savannah turned up six of this species on 27 Aug. and four on 28 Aug. (Giff Beaton et al.).

AUDUBON'S SHEARWATER - On the same pelagic trips 41 were counted on 27 Aug., and 12 was the tally on 28 Aug. (Giff Beaton et al.).

WILSON'S STORM PETREL - One was seen on the pelagic trip on 28 Aug. (Giff Beaton et al.).

AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN - A flock of 16 was spotted at Butler Island near Darien on 7 Oct. (Doris Cohrs).

BROWN PELICAN - The continued presence of this species at Walter F. George Dam in Clay Co. is interesting, with counts of four on both 9 and 28 Sept. (Jim Watson), and three on 11 Nov. (Bob Zaremba et al.).

DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT - Good counts were 500+ at Walter F. George Dam on 10 Nov. (Michael Bell) and 650 at Lake Oconee also on 10 Nov. (Paul Sykes).

ANHINGA - Interesting reports were of one at Oxbow Meadows Environmental Learning Center in the Columbus area on 8 Sept. (Walt Chambers), and one at Hard Labor Creek State Park in Morgan Co. on 16 Oct. (Hayward Chappel). This species is increasing in the Augusta area, according to Anne Waters, who had a peak count of 25 at MBBP on 28 Oct.

MAGNIFICENT FRIGATEBIRD - One was a nice find at Jekyll Island on 23 Sept. (Gene Keferl).

AMERICAN BITTERN - One was seen at the Phinizy Swamp in Richmond Co. on 7 Oct. (Anne Waters) and 4 Nov. (Earl Horn).

GREAT BLUE HERON - The white morph of this species was reported from along the Chattahoochee River in Atlanta, with at least one, and possibly two, being seen by Robbie Harrison from 17 through 21 Aug., and one being seen by Chris Lambrecht at the CRNRA on 19 Aug. The "Great White Heron" is normally restricted to extreme south Florida, though it has occurred in the Atlanta area before. A good count of 58 was made below Walter F. George Dam in Clay Co. on 10 Nov. (Michael Bell).

GREAT EGRET - Good numbers were reported from the ELHLAF, including a high count of 95 on 4 Sept. (Carol Lambert, Jeff Sewell). Three late birds were seen at Lake Oconee on 10 Nov. (Paul Sykes).

SNOWY EGRET - Good sightings for the Piedmont were two at Sweetwater Creek State Park in Douglas Co. on 4 Aug. (Chris Loudermilk), and one at the ELHLAF on 25 Aug. (Carol Lambert).

TRICOLORED HERON - Singles were found at the ENWR on 12 Aug. (Giff Beaton et al.) and at MBBP on 22 Aug. (Anne Waters). Good inland counts from the Lake Seminole area were four on 10 Sept. (Michael Bell) and three on 25 Nov. (Eric Beohm).

REDDISH EGRET - This species was reported from several locations along the coast, with high counts of six, including one white morph, at Little St. Simons Island on 10 Aug. (Steve Hawk), three at Gould's Inlet on 18 Aug. (Brad Winn) and four at Sapelo Island on 27 Oct. (Tom Maloney).

CATTLE EGRET - At least 300 were seen at a sod farm in Macon Co. on 26 Aug. (Julie Ballenger, Walt Chambers).

GREEN HERON - One was seen at MBBP on the late date of 28 Oct. (Anne Waters).

Yellow-crowned Night-Heron - Andrews I. - 13 Nov 2000

YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON - One was found at Sweetwater Creek State Park in Douglas Co. on 1 Aug. (Chris Loudermilk).

WHITE IBIS - A few birds lingered into fall in the Piedmont. Five were seen at Sweetwater Creek State Park in Douglas Co. on 21 Aug. (Chris Loudermilk), an immature was spotted off and on at the ELHLAF through 10 Sept. (Joe Greenberg et al.), and another immature was seen in Oconee Co. on 8 Oct. (Paul Sykes).

GLOSSY IBIS - An adult was a rare find inland at ENWR on 3 Aug. (Walt Chambers).

ROSEATE SPOONBILL - One was an unusual find at Albany Airport in Dougherty Co. on 19 Aug. (Alan Ashley, Mike Keenan). Good counts from Andrews Island were 39 on 31 Aug. (Charlsie Keferl, Gene Keferl) and 40 on 30 Sept. (Bill Birkhead, Walt Chambers). The high count for the period, however, was 45 at Jekyll Island on 8 Oct. (Gene Keferl, Jeff Sewell).

WOOD STORK - Two immatures were seen at the ELHLAF on 19 Aug. (Jeff Sewell), and possibly the same two birds were spotted at Lake Horton in Fayette Co. the following day (Ted Seckinger). Also further north than usual was one at J.L. Lester WMA in Polk Co. on 24 Oct. (Marion Dobbs). Good inland counts included 22 at Rum Creek WMA on 19 Aug. (Eric Beohm), 45 in Houston Co. on 22 Aug. (Larry Ross), 23 in Laurens Co. on 27 Aug. (Julie Ballenger, Walt Chambers) and 122 at Lake Tobesofkee in the Macon area on 2 Sept. (Eric Beohm, Richard Beohm). Along the coast 275 were counted at Andrews Island on 28 Sept. (Gene Keferl).

BLACK VULTURE - A high count of 231 was made in Forsyth Co. on 10 Sept. (Pat Sully).

TURKEY VULTURE - Good counts of migrating birds were 310 in Forsyth Co. on 10 Sept (Pat Sully), 250 in the Suches area on 29 Oct. (Georgann Schmalz) and 248 over DeKalb Co. on 12 Nov. (Mike Hoekstra).

BLACK-BELLIED WHISTLING-DUCK - One was reported from a small pond on Tybee Island during early August by a number of observers. The origin of this bird appears questionable, however, as it seemed to be quite tame according to most reports.

FULVOUS WHISTLING-DUCK - An outstanding find was the flock of about 50 seen along the Jekyll Island Causeway on 15 Oct. (Gene Keferl, Bob Zaremba et al.).

GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE - At Florence Marina State Park two were seen on 17 Nov. (Bob Zaremba, Deb Zaremba), and five were recorded on 28 Nov. (Walt Chambers).

ROSS'S GOOSE - A bird that was first reported in Madison Co. during February 1999 was still there on 6 Aug. (Rusty Trump). One was seen at the ELHLAF on 30 Nov. (Carol Lambert).

BRANT - One was a great find at Jekyll Island on 17 Nov. (Bill Elrick, Rusty Trump). Fortunately, this bird was photographed, though follow-up searches the next day were unsuccessful.

AMERICAN BLACK DUCK - Five were seen in Forsyth Co. on 20 Nov. (Jim Flynn), and one was reported from West Point Dam in Troup Co. on 24 Nov. (Giff Beaton, Earl Horn).

MOTTLED DUCK - One was seen on Jekyll Island from 26 Aug. (Michael Bell, Jeff Sewell) through 29 Aug. (Giff Beaton et al.).

BLUE-WINGED TEAL - Six seen at the ELHLAF on 12 Aug. were early (Jeff Sewell).

NORTHERN SHOVELER - Early reports included two at the Rum Creek WMA on 19 Aug. (Eric Beohm) and five at the ELHLAF on 10 Sept. (Joe Greenberg et al.). A count of 120 was made at ENWR on 24 Nov. (Giff Beaton, Earl Horn).

NORTHERN PINTAIL - Six seen at Andrews Island on 18 Sept. were early (Brad Winn et al.). One was found in Forsyth Co. on 20 Nov. (Jim Flynn), and three were seen at the MBBP on 28 Nov. (Anne Waters).

GREEN-WINGED TEAL - Early sightings were one at Lake Tobesofkee in the Macon area on 2 Sept. (Eric Beohm) and two in Decatur Co. on 10 Sept. (Michael Bell).

CANVASBACK - The only reports were of three at Lake Walter F. George on 24 Nov. (Giff Beaton, Earl Horn), seven at West Point Dam in Troup Co. on the same day (Giff Beaton, Earl Horn), 10 at Lake Seminole on 25 Nov. (Eric Beohm), and one again at Lake Walter F. George on 28 Nov. (Walt Chambers).

REDHEAD - Good counts were 164 at Lake Walter F. George on 24 Nov. (Giff Beaton, Earl Horn) and 80 at Lake Seminole on 25 Nov. (Eric Beohm). Six at Sweetwater Creek State Park in Douglas Co. on 24 Nov. were also noteworthy (Chris Loudermilk).

RING-NECKED DUCK - A male that summered at the ELHLAF was still there through September (Jeff Sewell). Other birds that summered and remained through fall were one at MBBP and two at the Phinizy Swamp (Anne Waters).

GREATER SCAUP - Reports from West Point Dam in Troup Co. included three on 9 Nov. (Giff Beaton, Tom Egan) and two on 25 Nov. (Eric Beohm). Three were found at the Phinizy Swamp WMA in Richmond Co. on 11 Nov. (Giff Beaton, Jim Flynn).

SURF SCOTER - Inland sightings included one at West Point Dam in Troup Co. from 23 Nov. through 25 Nov. (Giff Beaton, Walt Chambers, Earl Horn), and three at Walter F. George Dam in Clay Co. on 25 Nov. (Eric Beohm).

BLACK SCOTER - One was found at West Point Lake on 11 Nov. (Bob Zaremba et al.), 24 Nov. (Giff Beaton, Earl Horn) and 25 Nov. (Eric Beohm, Walt Chambers). This species is rarely reported inland.

COMMON GOLDENEYE - The first report from West Point Dam in Troup Co., the best area in the state for this species, was on 27 Nov. (Bob Zaremba et al.). One was a good find at Skidaway Island on 25 Nov. (Mark Cluett) and 30 Nov. (Carol McClelland).

HOODED MERGANSER - A good count of 100 to 125 was made at the ELHLAF on 19 Nov. (Jeff Sewell).

RED-BREASTED MERGANSER - Thirty-two was a good count at West Point Dam on 24 Nov. (Giff Beaton, Earl Horn), and 32 was also the total seen at Sweetwater Creek State Park in Douglas Co. on 25 Nov. (Giff Beaton, Bruce Hallett, Chris Loudermilk).

SWALLOW-TAILED KITE - High counts were four in Habersham Co. on 8 Aug. (Scott Somershoe), nine in Banks Co. on 9 Aug. (Anne DeAngelis), and 50 were still at the large kite congregation discovered in late July in Tattnall Co. on 12 Aug. (Earl Horn, Rusty Trump). The three to four seen in the Atlanta area on 5 Sept. were a rare find (Libby Howze).

MISSISSIPPI KITE - As many as 12 were counted in the large kite congregation in Tattnall Co. from 6 Aug. (Jerry Amerson, Marie Amerson) through 12 Aug. (Rusty Trump). Rare finds in north Georgia were one at the State Botanical Gardens in Athens on 6 Aug. (Mark Freeman), one at Sod Atlanta in Bartow Co. also on 6 Aug. (Chris Loudermilk), and one at the ELHLAF on 8 Sept. (Bruce Hallett, Nancy Norman).

BALD EAGLE - Seven was a good one-day count from St. Simons and Jekyll Islands on 8 Oct. (Paul Raney). Eric Beohm also had a good one-day count, with a total of nine seen on 24 Nov., including five at Lake Walter F. George, two at Lake Seminole and two at West Point Dam in Troup Co.

BROAD-WINGED HAWK - High counts from Kennesaw Mt. were 158 on 16 Sept. (Mike Hoekstra), 135 on 26 Sept. (Deb Zaremba et al.) and 100+ on 27 Sept. (Paul Raney). One seen on Jekyll Island on 12 Nov. was late (Mary Elfner).

AMERICAN KESTREL - Larry Ross found what were probably early migrants in Peach Co. on 21 Aug. and in Houston Co. on 22 Aug. Sixteen was a good count at St. Simons Island on 8 Oct. (Paul Raney).

MERLIN - Inland reports included singles in downtown Atlanta on 6 Sept. (Bill Steiner), in Greene Co. on 16 Sept. (Paul Sykes), in the Columbus area on 19 Sept. (Walt Chambers), at Kennesaw Mt. on 26 Sept. (Tom Egan et al.), at the Reynold's Nature Preserve in Clayton Co. on 6 Oct. (Eric Beohm), at the Abbott's Bridge portion of the Chattahootchee River National Recreation Area in Atlanta on 25 Oct. (Earl Horn, Rusty Trump), at Phinizy Swamp in Richmond Co. on 4 Nov. (Earl Horn) and in Rockdale Co. on 11 Nov. (Jim Flynn). The best count from the coast was at least nine at St. Simons Island on 8 Oct. (Paul Raney).

Peregrine Falcon - Jekyll I. - 13 Nov 2000

PEREGRINE FALCON - Inland sightings of this species were of singles in Macon Co. on 12 Sept. (Walt Chambers), at Kennesaw Mt. on 23, 24 and 29 Sept. (Bob Zaremba, Deb Zaremba) and 24 Oct. (Paul Raney), at East Georgia Turf in Bulloch Co. on 8 Oct. (Ray Chandler et al.), and at MBBP on 28 Oct. (Anne Waters). Six were identified during an excellent falcon flight at St. Simons Island on 8 Oct. (Paul Raney).

PLAIN CHACHALACA - Few reports are usually received of the introduced population on Sapelo Island, but 10 to 12 were counted there on 13 Oct. (Tom Egan, Lex Glover, Bob Zaremba, Deb Zaremba).

KING RAIL - Three were reported from the Phinizy Swamp in Richmond Co. on 11 Nov. (Giff Beaton, Jim Flynn), and two were found at Paradise Public Fishing Area in Berrien Co. on 27 Nov. (Giff Beaton, Bruce Hallett).

VIRGINIA RAIL - High counts were four at Floyd College Marsh in Floyd Co. on 27 Sept. (Marion Dobbs), 10 at the Phinizy Swamp on 4 Nov. (Earl Horn), four at the Greene Co. marsh on 10 Nov. (Paul Sykes), and four at Paradise Public Fishing Area in Berrien Co. on 27 Nov. (Giff Beaton, Bruce Hallett).

SORA - One seen at the Rum Creek WMA on 19 Aug. was early (Eric Beohm). One was seen at the ELHLAF on 10 Sept. (Joe Greenberg et al.) and 24 Sept. (Beth Childs, Jim Flynn et al.), and two were found there on 15 Oct. (Carol Lambert, Jeff Sewell). Five to seven were reported from the Greene Co. marsh between 15 Oct. and 10 Nov. (Paul Sykes). From the Phinizy Swamp there were reports of 15 on 28 Oct. (Tom Egan, Lex Glover, Bob Zaremba, Deb Zaremba), 20 on 4 Nov. (Earl Horn) and 40+ on 11 Nov. (Giff Beaton, Jim Flynn). Ten were found at Paradise Public Fishing Area in Berrien Co. on 27 Nov. (Giff Beaton, Bruce Hallett).

LIMPKIN - One seen at the confluence of the Altamaha and Ohoopee Rivers in Tattnall Co. on 4 Aug. was the first one reported in the state in a number of years (Larry Carlile, Ron Owens, Dirk Stevenson, Beth Willis).

SANDHILL CRANE - A flock of 14 was seen in Cartersville on the extremely early date of 16 Sept. (Marion Dobbs). Several large migrating flocks were noted during late November, with a peak on 30 Nov., when 1000+ were seen over the ELHLAF (Carol Lambert) and 2000 were reported in the Marietta area (Vickie DeLoach). Unusual for the locations were 19 in Glynn Co. on 22 Nov. (Mike Chapman) and 18 in Bulloch Co. on the same day (Ray Chandler).

WHOOPING CRANE - One, along with a Sandhill Crane, was seen at a marsh on St. Simons Island 13 Aug. (Elaine Young). This bird is undoubtedly, of course, one that was released in Florida as part of a captive breeding program aimed at establishing a population in that state.

BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER - Rare inland sightings were one at the ELHLAF on 31 Aug. (Carol Lambert), one at Sod Atlanta in Bartow Co. on 2 Sept. (Bruce Dralle) and one at Walter F. George Dam on 17 Sept. (Walt Chambers).

AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVER - This species was well reported in Bartow Co., with one on 19 Aug. (Bruce Dralle), one on 20 Aug. (Tom Egan, Bob Zaremba, Deb Zaremba), four on 2 Sept. (Bruce Dralle), and nine on 9 Sept. (Bruce Dralle). One was seen at Super Sod in Peach Co. on 8 Sept. (Dan Adrien), and one was reported from Cumberland Island on 21 Sept. (Tom Maloney).

PIPING PLOVER - Forty-four was an excellent count on Little St. Simons Island on 18 Oct. (Tyler Gault, Eric Kellon, Brad Winn).

AMERICAN OYSERCATCHER - The flock consisting of 500-600 of this species at Little St. Simons Island on 18 Oct. must have been an impressive sight (Tyler Gault, Eric Kellon, Brad Winn).

AMERICAN AVOCET - Good numbers were reported from Andrews Island during September, with the high count being 350 on 18 Sept. (Brad Winn et al.). A very rare inland sighting was one seen at Oxbow Meadows Environmental Learning Center in the Columbus area on 9 Oct. (Walt Chambers).

UPLAND SANDPIPER - Singles were seen at Thomas Bros. sod farm in Floyd Co. from 15 through 30 Aug. (Marion Dobbs), and at Super Sod in Peach Co. from 25 Aug. (Earl Horn, Rusty Trump) through 16 Sept. (Brad Bergstrom, Margaret Harper). Walt Chambers and Julie Ballenger had the best counts, with 21 at a sod farm in Macon Co. on 26 Aug., and five at East Georgia Turf in Bulloch Co. on the same day. Three were also seen at Sod Atlanta in Bartow Co. on both 2 Sept. (Bruce Dralle) and 4 Sept. (Jim Pappas, Melissa Pappas).

LONG-BILLED CURLEW - Four were spotted on Little Tybee Island on 4 and 5 Aug. (Deb Barriero, Rene Heidt), two were seen on Little St. Simons Island on 10 Aug. (Steve Hawk), and one was seen again on Little St. Simons Island on 21 Oct. (Mike Chapman et al.).

MARBLED GODWIT - Good counts from Little St. Simons Island were 50 on 10 Aug. (Steve Hawk), 119 on 18 Oct. (Tyler Gault, Eric Kellon, Brad Winn) and 117 on 21 Oct. (Mike Chapman et al.).

HUDSONIAN GODWIT - One was a very rare find at Andrews Island on 18 Sept. (Brad Winn et al.). Hopefully this sighting will be well documented, as this species is listed in the Provisional Species List of the ACOGB with only two accepted sight records. A third sight record from 1997 was documented in The Oriole (62:6-7).

RUDDY TURNSTONE - Rare inland sightings were of two at Thomas Bros. sod farm in Floyd Co. on 5 Sept. (Marion Dobbs), three at the same location on 9 Sept. (Johnny Parks), and two at East Georgia Turf in Bulloch Co. on 2 Sept. (Earl Horn).

RED KNOT - High counts from Little St. Simons Island were 1000 on 10 Aug. (Steve Hawk) and 2500 on 18 Oct. (Tyler Gault, Eric Kellon, Brad Winn).

SANDERLING - Good inland sightings from Thomas Bros. sod farm in Floyd Co. were one on 5 Sept. (Marion Dobbs) and five on 9 Sept. (Johnny Parks).

WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER - This species was well reported from late August through mid-September, with some of the peak counts being five at Andrews Island on 29 Aug. (Brad Winn et al.), 20 at the ELHLAF on 8 Sept. (Bruce Hallett, Carol Lambert), 13 at Sod Atlanta in Bartow Co on 9 Sept. (Bruce Dralle), two in Macon Co. on 12 Sept. (Walt Chambers), and four at Oxbow Meadows Environmental Learning Center in the Columbus area on both 13 and 15 Sept. (Walt Chambers).

BAIRD'S SANDPIPER - It was an exceptional fall for this species, with reports of two at ENWR on 12 Aug. (Giff Beaton), two in Twiggs Co. on 26 and 29 Aug. (Giff Beaton et al.), one at Lake Tobesofkee in the Macon area on 2 Sept. (Eric Beohm), three at Thomas Bros. sod farm in Floyd Co. on 9 Sept. (Johnny Parks), at least two at a sod farm in Macon Co. on 12 Sept. (Walt Chambers), and four at Andrews Island on 18 Sept. (Brad Winn et al.).

PECTORAL SANDPIPER - The best count was 100 at the Legacy Sod Farm in Bartow Co. on 2 Sept. (Bruce Dralle).

PURPLE SANDPIPER - The first report from the usual wintering area on Tybee Island was of three on 24 Oct. (Deb Barreiro).

CURLEW SANDPIPER - Amazingly this species was reported for the second time this year when one was found at Andrews Island on 27 Aug. (Mike Chapman). The bird was seen by a number of observers through 2 Sept. (Earl Horn).

STILT SANDPIPER - Six was a good count at ENWR on 3 Aug. (Walt Chambers), one was seen in Twiggs Co. on 26 Aug. (Walt Chambers), eight were counted along the Jekyll Island Causeway on 31 Aug. (Charlsie Keferl, Gene Keferl), two were present at the ELHLAF from 8 Sept. (Bruce Hallett, Carol Lambert) through 10 Sept. (Joe Greenberg et al.), one was found at a Macon Co. sod farm on 12 Sept. (Walt Chambers), one was recorded at Oxbow Meadows Environmental Learning Center on 21 Sept. (Walt Chambers), one was seen at the Albany airport in Dougherty Co. on 29 Oct. (Jim Flynn, Earl Horn) and one was seen at the Phinizy Swamp in Richmond Co. on 11 Nov. (Giff Beaton, Jim Flynn).

BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER - The earliest report was of one at Thomas Bros. sod farm in Floyd Co. on 5 Aug. (Tom Egan, Bob Zaremba, Deb Zaremba). This species was once again well reported from various sod farms from around the state, with some of the best counts being 14 at Super Sod in Peach Co. on 28 Aug. (Giff Beaton), 22 at Legacy Sod in Bartow Co. on 2 Sept. (Bruce Dralle), 29 at Sod Atlanta in Bartow Co. on 2 Sept. (Bruce Dralle), and 35 at Thomas Bros. on 9 Sept. (Johnny Parks). One was still at Sod Atlanta on 1 Oct. (Diane Powell).

SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER - One was seen at the ELHLAF on 3 and 4 Sept. (Carol Lambert, Aubrey Scott, Jeff Sewell), and two were there on 8 Sept. (Bruce Hallett, Carol Lambert).

LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER - Twenty were reported from Andrews Island on 1 Oct. (Eric Beohm, Richard Beohm, Walt Chambers). A rare inland report was received of one at Oxbow Meadows Environmental Learning Center in the Columbus area on 13 Oct. (Walt Chambers).

WILSON'S PHALAROPE - One was seen at Andrews Island on 29 Aug. (Giff Beaton, Brad Winn, Beth Willis), and two were found at the same location on 8 Sept. (Gene Keferl) through 1 Oct. (Eric Beohm, Richard Beohm, Walt Chambers).

RED-NECKED PHALAROPE - The aforementioned pelagic trips out of Savannah recorded 11 on 27 Aug. and six the following day (Giff Beaton et al.).

POMARINE JAEGER - One was seen on the pelagic trip on 27 Aug. (Giff Beaton et al.).

PARASITIC JAEGER - This species was well reported from Jekyll Island, beginning with one on 14 Nov. (Walt Chambers). The best count was four on 18 Nov. (Earl Horn). A single was also reported from Wassaw Island 18 Nov. (Steve Calver, Pete Range).

LONG-TAILED JAEGER - On the pelagic trip on 28 Aug. an immature jaeger that was well photographed by Bruce Hallett was identified as this species. Only one accepted sight record for this species is listed in the ACOGB.

LAUGHING GULL - Two were a seen at West Point Dam on 7 Nov. (Rusty Trump) and 9 Nov. (Giff Beaton et al.). Another inland find was a single bird seen at Sweetwater Creek State Park in Douglas Co. on 25 Nov. (Giff Beaton, Bruce Hallett, Chris Loudermilk).

FRANKLIN'S GULL - A first-winter bird was a good find at Jekyll Island on 7 Oct. (Jeff Sewell). This bird remained in the area through at least 18 Nov. (Earl Horn). Inland, three were seen at West Point Dam in Troup Co. on 9 Nov. (Giff Beaton, Tom Egan, Walt Chambers), and one was seen near Florence Marina State Park on 17 Nov. (Bob Zaremba, Deb Zaremba).

Black-headed Gull - Andrews I. - 13 Nov 2000

BLACK-HEADED GULL - A first-winter bird found at Andrews Island causeway on 11 Nov. provided a first state record (Mike Chapman, Gene Keferl). The bird, which was later seen by many and was well photographed, was last reported on 22 Nov. (Mike Bernard).

LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL - A high count of 44 was made at Wassaw Island on 24 Sept. (Steve Calver).

GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL - At least six were seen at Jekyll Island on 7 Oct. (Jeff Sewell), and eight were counted at Gould's Inlet on 25 Nov. (Carol Lambert, Jeff Sewell).

BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKE - A first-winter bird was a great find at West Point Dam in Troup Co. on 7 Nov. (Walt Chambers). The bird was subsequently seen by many observers through 10 Nov. Another first-winter bird was seen following a shrimp boat at Jekyll Island on 18 Nov. (Earl Horn, Gene Keferl) and was also found the following day (Earl Horn, Rusty Trump).

CASPIAN TERN - Inland reports were of three at MBBP on 10 Sept. (Betsy Ristroph), four at Walter F. George Dam on 17 Sept. (Walt Chambers) and one at West Point Dam on 26 Sept. (Walt Chambers).

ROYAL TERN - A high count of 1773 was made at Wassaw Island on 24 Sept. (Steve Calver).

SANDWICH TERN - A high count of 266 was reported from Wassaw Island on 24 Sept. (Steve Calver).

COMMON TERN - One was seen in Clayton Co. on 9 Sept. (Eric Beohm, Jessica Beohm).

FORSTER'S TERN - One was reported from the ELHLAF on both 31 Aug. (Carol Lambert) and 9 Sept. (Chris Loudermilk, Aubrey Scott), and one was seen at MBBP on 28 Oct. (Judy Gregory).

BRIDLED TERN - Totals from the back to back pelagic trips out of Savannah were 22 on 27 Aug. and 14 on 28 Aug. (Giff Beaton et al.).

SOOTY TERN - The same pelagic trips recorded 84 on 27 Aug. and 18 on 28 Aug. (Giff Beaton et al.).

BLACK TERN - This species was well reported from the ELHLAF with two on 16 Aug. (Carol Lambert), an excellent count of 15 on 31 Aug. (Carol Lambert), two on 3 Sept. (Earl Horn, Aubrey Scott), one on 4 Sept. (Carol Lambert, Jeff Sewell) and one on 9 Sept. (Chris Loudermilk, Aubrey Scott). Other inland reports included two at Walter F. George Dam on 31 Aug. (Walt Chambers) and three in Bartow Co. on 2 Sept. (Bruce Dralle).

EURASIAN COLLARED-DOVE - High counts were 98 in the Brunswick area on 5 Sept. (Paul Raney) and 94 in Houston Co. on 30 Sept. (Earl Horn).

COMMON GROUND-DOVE - Twenty-one was a good count at East Georgia Turf in Bulloch Co. on 7 Oct. (Ray Chandler).

YELLOW- BILLED CUCKOO - Late reports included one in Bibb Co. on 30 Oct. (Ken Clark) and one at Oxbow Meadows in the Columbus area on 2 Nov. (Walt Chambers).

COMMON NIGHTHAWK - Tom Egan had a decent count of 319 over Marietta on 1 Sept.

BLACK-CHINNED HUMMINGBIRD - A male was coming to a feeder in the Savannah area from 5 Oct. through the end of the period (Steve Calver).

ANNA'S HUMMINGBIRD - A third record for Georgia was provided by a bird coming to a feeder at the home of Darlen Huff in Snellville, beginning on 14 Nov. (fide Karen Theodorou).

Broad-tailed Hummingbird - Cherokee Co. - 30 Nov 2000

BROAD-TAILED HUMMINGBIRD - Also a third state record was a hatch-year male banded at the home Mary Mellom in Acworth in Cherokee Co. on 28 Nov. (fide Karen Theodorou).

RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD - Rusty Trump reported that an adult female was banded in Franklin in Heard Co. on 19 Aug., and that an adult male was at his feeder in Buford by late August. Several other Selasphorus hummingbirds were reported coming to feeders throughout the state by the end of the period.

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker - Paulding Co. - 5 Nov 2000

YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER - One seen in Decatur on 17 Sept. was early (Gordon McWilliams).

OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER - Singles were seen at South Peachtree Creek Nature Center in DeKalb Co. on 19 Aug. (Jerry Brunner), the CRNRA from 20 through 25 Aug. (Earl Horn, Chris Loudermilk, Aubrey Scott, Rusty Trump) and again on 24 Sept. (Bruce Dralle, Chris Loudermilk, Aubrey Scott), Fernbank Forest in DeKalb Co. on 25 Aug. (Georgann Schmalz) and Rum Creek WMA on 2 and 17 Sept. (Eric Beohm, Richard Beohm).

YELLOW-BELLIED FLYCATCHER - Singles were reported from Dawson Forest on 14 Sept. (Theresa Hartz), Kennesaw Mt. on 15 Sept. (Giff Beaton et al.) and 16 Sept. (Liz Horsey), and the CRNRA on 19 Sept. (Tom Egan, Earl Horn, Bob Zaremba) and 14 Oct. (Mark Beebe, Joel Hitt).

WILLOW FLYCATCHER - Singles were reported from Ocmulgee National Monument in Bibb Co. on 12 Sept. (Walt Chambers), Decatur Co. on 24 Sept. (Michael Bell) and Seminole Co. on 30 Sept. (Michael Bell).

LEAST FLYCATCHER - Singles were seen at Kennesaw Mt. on 26 Aug. (Giff Beaton et al.), on Wassaw Island on 24 Sept. (Steve Calver) and at the ELHLAF on 15 Oct. (Carol Lambert, Jeff Sewell).

VERMILION FLYCATCHER - A male was found in Chesser Prairie in the Okefenokee NWR on 28 Nov. (fide Sheila Willis). A male was also found in this area two years ago.

WESTERN KINGBIRD - Singles were found in Macon Co. on both 30 Sept. (Walt Chambers) and 1 Oct. (Tom Egan, Earl Horn, Bob Zaremba, Deb Zaremba), on Tybee Island in Chatham Co. on 7 Oct. (Paul Sykes) and in Lee Co. on 27 Oct. (Michael Bell).

EASTERN KINGBIRD - Several sizable flocks were observed migrating over Jekyll Island on 26 Aug., with 425 being the total counted by Chuck Saleeby and Jeff Sewell.

SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER - One was seen on Jekyll Island on 3 Nov. (Marjorie Clark, Gene Keferl, Lydia Thompson).

PHILADELPHIA VIREO - Following an exceptional fall for this species last year numbers were more typical this year, with singles being reported from several locations during September and early October. The high count was three at the CRNRA on 16 Sept. (Earl Horn, Bob Zaremba, Deb Zaremba).

COMMON RAVEN - Two were seen at Brasstown Bald on 25 Aug. (Chris Loudermilk), two were found north of Helen in White Co. on 4 Sept. (Jim Flynn, Earl Horn), and two were seen near Hogpen Gap also in White Co. on 6 Nov. (Dot Freeman).

HORNED LARK - Julie Ballenger and Walt Chambers had a good count of 40-50 at a sod farm in Macon Co. on 26 Aug.

BANK SWALLOW - The best counts were 40+ in Laurens Co. on 27 Aug. (Julie Ballenger, Walt Chambers), 50+ at the Super Sod farm in Peach Co. on 2 Sept. (Eric Beohm, Richard Beohm) and 75+ at Thomas Bros. sod farm in Floyd Co. on 9 Sept. (Johnny Parks).

Cliff Swallows - Lula Park - 5 Aug 2000

CLIFF SWALLOW - About 20 adults, still tending young, were seen at Lula Park in the Gainesville area on 6 Aug. (Jim Flynn).

RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH - One was found at Unicoi State Park in White Co. on 24 Nov. (Dot Freeman).

WINTER WREN - One seen at the CRNRA on 6 Sept. was early (Russ Wigh).

SEDGE WREN - Interesting for the location was one found near the top of Kennesaw Mt. on 25 Sept. (Bob Zaremba). Ten was a good count at Callaway Gardens on 20 Nov. (Bill Birkhead, Walt Chambers).

BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER - One was seen at J.L. Lester WMA in Polk Co. on 5 Nov. (Carol Lambert, Jeff Sewell).

VEERY - Pre-dawn counts at Kennesaw Mt. produced 12 on 16 Sept., 14 on 24 Sept., and 10 on 5 Oct. (Bob Zaremba et al.). The best daytime count at Kennesaw Mt. was five on 9 Sept. (Giff Beaton).

GRAY-CHEEKED THRUSH - Pre-dawn count totals at Kennesaw Mt. were 19 on 16 Sept., 22 on 24 Sept., 61 on 4 Oct., and nine on 5 Oct. (Bob Zaremaba et al.). Five were seen during daytime at Kennesaw Mt. on 16 Sept. (Bob Zaremba, Deb Zaremba), one was seen at the CRNRA on 19 Sept. (Earl Horn), one was found at Pine Log WMA in Bartow Co. on 30 Sept. (Marion Dobbs), one was noted on Sapelo Island on 1 Oct. (Brad Bergstrom), three were reported in the Cumming area on 2 Oct. (Bill Elrick), one was seen at Sweetwater Creek State Park in Douglas Co. on 10 Oct. (Chris Loudermilk), and one was recorded in the Darien area on the late date of 2 Nov. (Doris Cohrs).

BICKNELL'S THRUSH - One was reported to have been banded in Cumming on 31 Sept. (Bill Elrick). Hopefully details will be published in The Oriole.

SWAINSON'S THRUSH - The tallies for the Kennesaw Mt. pre-dawn thrush counts were 109 on 16 Sept., 203 on 24 Sept., 790 on 4 Oct., and 157 on 5 Oct. (Bob Zaremba et al.). A late bird was noted in the Darien area on 2 Nov. (Doris Cohrs).

WOOD THRUSH - The best count made on the pre-dawn counts at Kennesaw Mt. was 84 on 4 Oct. (Bob Zaremba et al.).

GOLDEN-WINGED WARBLER - Four was an excellent count at Chicopee Woods in Hall Co. on 19 Sept. (Karen Theodorou).

"BREWSTER'S" WARBLER - Blue-winged x Golden-winged Warbler hybrids of this form were observed at the CRNRA on 24 Aug. (Earl Horn) and at Reynolds Nature Park in Clayton Co. on 2 Sept. (Michael Beohm).

"LAWRENCE'S" WARBLER - This much rarer form of Blue-winged x Golden-winged Warbler hybrid was found at Kennesaw Mt. on 6 Sept. (Tom Egan et al.).

TENNESSEE WARBLER - One seen at Kennesaw Mt. on 22 Aug. was fairly early (Giff Beaton et al.). Late birds were singles in the Duluth area on 5 Nov. (Karen Theodorou) and at West Point WMA also on 5 Nov. (Jim Flynn, Earl Horn).

ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER - Five was a good count at the Abbot's Bridge portion of the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area on 21 Oct. (Tom Egan, Pierre Howard, Bob Zaremba, Deb Zaremba).

NASHVILLE WARBLER - This species was well reported from mid-September through the end of October. At least 16 birds were seen, with the reports coming from all parts of the state.

MAGNOLIA WARBLER - One seen at the CRNRA on 3 Nov. was late (Georgann Schmalz).

BLACKPOLL WARBLER - This rare fall migrant was reported from Kennesaw Mt. on 25 Aug. (Giff Beaton et al.), Sweetwater Creek State Park in Douglas Co. on 13 Sept. (Chris Loudermilk) and Sumter Co. on 27 Oct. (Michael Bell).

MOURNING WARBLER - There were four reports of this rare warbler this fall. Singles were seen at Wassaw Island on 16 Sept. (Steve Calver), at Kennesaw Mt. on 22 Sept. (Tom Egan, Deb Zaremba), in Macon on 23 Sept. (Arlene Clark, Ken Clark, Ty Ivey), and an immature male was banded at Fernbank Forest on 9 Oct. (Trecia Neal, Georgann Schmalz).

WILSON'S WARBLER - This species was also well reported, with singles in Brooks Co. on 16 Sept. (Kristi Avera), at the CRNRA on 23 Sept. (Tom Egan, Bob Zaremba, Deb Zaremba), in Glynn Co. on 28 Sept. (Gene Keferl), at Kennesaw Mt. on 1 Oct. (Giff Beaton et al.) and 7 Oct. (Bob Zaremba et al.), in the Columbus area on 4 Oct. (Walt Chambers), 9 Oct. (Bill Birkhead, Walt Chambers) and 14 Oct. (Jim Flynn, Earl Horn), in the Macon area on 14 Oct. (Ken Clark et al.), in Thomas Co. on 29 Oct. (Jim Flynn, Earl Horn), in the Darien area on 29 Oct. (Doris Cohrs), in Greene Co. on 30 Oct. (Paul Sykes), in Candler Park in the Atlanta area on 1 and 5 Nov. (Ann Mahoney), and at Buford Fish Hatchery on 28 Nov. (Bill Elrick).

CANADA WARBLER - Four was a good count at Kennesaw Mt. on 9 Sept. (Giff Beaton et al.).

CLAY-COLORED SPARROW - Three was an excellent count at the AWMA on 14 Oct. (Bob Zaremba et al.). One was also a good find at the CRNRA on 19 Oct. (Tom Egan et al.).

VESPER SPARROW - Good counts for the Atlanta area were eight at the Abbot's Bridge Unit of the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area on 28 Oct. (Earl Horn, Jeff Sewell) and four in Forsyth Co. on 20 Nov. (Jim Flynn).

HENSLOW'S SPARROW - There were several reports from the CRNRA, beginning with one on 20 Oct. (Tom Egan, Pierre Howard). Three were found there on 30 Oct. (Russ Wigh), with the last report being of two on 1 Nov. (Dennis Lacoss, Russ Wigh). Other reports were of one in Brooks Co. on 10 Nov. (Debbie Grimes) and 17 Nov. (Brad Bergstrom), and four at Paulk's Pasture WMA in Glynn Co. on both 11 Nov. (Gene Keferl) and 12 Nov. (Diana Churchill et al). Ray Chandler also reported two on 14 Nov., one on 16 Nov. and four on 20 Nov. from three different sites in Bulloch Co.

LE CONTE'S SPARROW - A single was seen at the Abbot's Bridge Unit of the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area on 25 Oct. (Earl Horn, Rusty Trump), and at the CRNRA one was seen on 28 Oct. (Mark Davis, Pierre Howard), 29 Oct. (Larry Gardella) and 1 Nov. (Dennis Lacoss, Russ Wigh). One was seen at Oxbow Meadows in the Columbus area on 2 Nov. (Walt Chambers), three were seen in Brooks Co. on both 10 Nov. (Debbie Grimes) and 27 Nov. (Giff Beaton), two were found in Burke Co. on 11 Nov. (Giff Beaton, Jim Flynn), three were found at Paulk's Pasture WMA in Glynn Co. on 11 Nov. (Gene Keferl et al.), and two were seen at ENWR on 24 Nov. (Giff Beaton, Earl Horn).

SALTMARSH SHARP-TAILED SPARROW - One seen at St. Catherines Island on 17 Sept. was early (Giff Beaton).

LINCOLN'S SPARROW - One seen in the Rome area on 29 Sept. was early (Marion Dobbs). During October there were too many reports to list them all, which may be a first ever. There were reports from five locations within the Atlanta area alone, including three at the CRNRA on 14 Oct. (Mark Beebe, Joel Hitt) and two at the Abbot's Bridge Unit of the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area on 20 Oct. (Rusty Trump). Marion Dobbs had five singles at various locations in Northwest Georgia between 15 and 29 Oct. Singles were also seen at the Phinizy Swamp in Richmond Co. on both 9 Oct. (Anne Waters) and 4 Nov. (Earl Horn), and at Birdsong Nature Center in Grady Co. on 11 Nov. (Michael Bell).

WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW - This species was also well reported, with the best reports being of five in Greene Co. on 22 Oct. (Paul Sykes), four at the J.L. Lester WMA in Polk Co. on 24 Oct. (Marion Dobbs), two to four at the CRNRA on 25 Oct. (Russ Wigh), six at the Abbot's Bridge Unit of the Chattahoochee National Recreation Area on 28 Oct. (Earl Horn, Jeff Sewell), three in Dade Co. on 29 Oct. (Marion Dobbs), and at least 25 in White Co. on 6 Nov. (Jim Flynn).

BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK - One was an excellent find near Cairo in Grady Co. on 26 Nov. (Tom Egan, Earl Horn).

PAINTED BUNTING - Two were still at the Phinizy Swamp in Richmond Co. on 28 Oct. (Tom Egan, Lex Glover, Bob Zaremba, Deb Zaremba).

YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD - Two males were a great find in Seminole Co. on 25 Nov. (Eric Beohm).

RUSTY BLACKBIRD - At least 30 were reported from ENWR on both 24 Nov. (Giff Beaton, Earl Horn) and 28 Nov. (Walt Chambers), and six were seen at Sweetwater Creek State Park in Douglas Co. on 24 Nov. (Chris Loudermilk).

BREWER'S BLACKBIRD - Two were seen at ENWR on 24 Nov. (Giff Beaton, Earl Horn), and on the same day the same observers found two in Clay Co. Twenty were found, again at ENWR, on 28 Nov. (Walt Chambers).

SHINY COWBIRD - This species is becoming more regular along the coast. One to two were seen on St. Simons Island from 9 Aug. (Lydia Thompson) through 13 Aug. (Tom Egan).

PURPLE FINCH - The first one reported was in north Atlanta on 29 Oct. (Bruce Dralle).

PINE SISKIN - The first report was of four at the Newman Wetlands Center in Clayton Co. on 28 Nov. (Carol Lambert).

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