Despite the hot and dry conditions this summer, birders still managed to get out into the field and make several exciting discoveries.  The best find, by far, was the Curlew Sandpiper that visited Little Tybee Island during early July.  The bird was originally detected by Deb Barriero, and Deb, along with Captain Rene Heidt, was able to arrange for a large number of birders to make the trip over to the island to see what will be Georgia’s first well documented Curlew Sandpiper.  This species is listed in the hypothetical list of the ACOGB, with single records for 1961 and 1975.  Both previous records lacked sufficient details to place the species in the provisional list.

Abbreviations used include:
ASWMA - Altamaha State Waterfowl Management Area in McIntosh Co.
AWEC - Arrowhead Wildlife Education Center in Floyd Co.
AWMA - Altamaha Waterfowl Management Area in McIntosh Co.
ELHLAF - E.L. Huie Land Application Facility in Clayton Co.
m.ob. - many 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.

COMMON LOON - Two winter plumaged birds were seen at Walter F. George Dam in Clay Co. on 22 July (Michael Bell).

AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN - A small flock was reported from the usual wintering area on the St. Marys River during late June (Scott Summershoe).

BROWN PELICAN - One was seen at Walter F. George Dam on 22 July (Michael Bell).  This species is considered very rare inland, though it has been recorded at this site in the past.

AMERICAN BITTERN - A very rare report for summer was one seen at Grand Bay WMA on 12 June (fide Brad Bergstrom).

LEAST BITTERN - One was found at the sewage ponds at the Phinizy Swamp in Richmond Co. on 17 June (Anne Waters), one was noted at Reed Bingham State Park in Colquitt Co. on 22 June (Gail Menk), one to two were seen at the AWEC on 22 June (Stephen Stewart) and 2 July (Chris Loudermilk), and two were found in northern Greene Co. on 4 July (Paul Sykes).

GREAT EGRET - The high count for the ELHLAF was 41 on 31 July (Rusty Trump).

LITTLE BLUE HERON - Reports from the Piedmont included 11 at J.L. Lester WMA in Polk Co. on 8 July (Giff Beaton) and five, including one adult, at Buchanan Lake in Haralson Co. on 25 July (Michael Bell).

REDDISH EGRET - The high count was three seen on Little Tybee Island on 9 July (Jeff Sewell et al.).  Singles were reported from Cumberland Island on 29 and 30 June (Jenny Bjork, Scott Somershoe), St. Catherines Island on 8 July (Paul Sykes), Sapelo Island on 18 July (Doris Cohrs), and Crooked River State Park in Camden Co. on 21 July (Eric Beohm).

BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON - Four were seen at a small pond in Seminole Co. on 22 July (Michael Bell).

YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON - One was reported from along the Chattahooche River in Atlanta during the period from 10 to 12 June (Eran Tomer). Four were found at the AWEC on 22 June (Stephen Stewart), one was seen at the State Botanical Gardens in Athens on 28 to 29 June (Carole Anderson), and three were reported from Eagle’s Landing marsh in Henry Co. on 9 July (fide Joel Hitt).

White Ibis - Magnolia Springs SP - 23 Jul 2000

WHITE IBIS - There were many inland reports received of this species, the most interesting sightings being of a flock of 25-30 in the Gainesville area on 12 June (Peter Gordon), 80 in the Phinizy Swamp in Richmond Co. on 17 June (Anne Waters), five in Union Co. on 25 June (Dennie McClure, Pam McClure), and 60 in Seminole Co. on 22 July (Michael Bell).

ROSEATE SPOONBILL - Sightings away from the usual roost area near Brunswick included one at Skidaway Island on 23 June (fide Beth Roth), two at Tolomato Pond near Darien on 7 July (Doris Cohrs), and singles at Little St. Simons Island on 22 July (Eric Kellon) and at Harris Neck WMA also on 22 July (Diana Churchill).

WOOD STORK - Good numbers were found in the northern half of the state during the period, including ten at Reeves Creek Wetlands Area near Atlanta on 4 July (Paul Raney), four at Eagle’s Landing marsh in Henry Co. on 4 July (Paul Raney), 13 again at Eagle’s Landing marsh on 9 July (fide Joel Hitt), 18 at Dyar’s Pasture in Greene Co. on 19 July (Eugenia Thompson), and one in the Calhoun area on 30 July (fide Nita Wynn).  Other good counts included 130+ at Skidaway Island on 17 June (Beth Roth) and 40 in Seminole Co. on 19 June (Rick West).

SNOW GOOSE - One was a very unusual find at Walter F. George Lake on 4 June (Jeff Sewell).  This record ties the late date given in the ACOGB.

RING-NECKED DUCK - A male summered at the ELHLAF (Carol Lambert, Jeff Sewell, Rusty Trump).  A female was also noted at the sewage ponds at Phinizy Swamp in Richmond Co. on 17 June (Anne Waters).

HOODED MERGANSER - Eran Tomer found a female and three young at the Johnson’s Ferry Unit of the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area in Atlanta during early June.

OSPREY - One bird was seen carrying sticks on three separate occasions along the Chattahoochee River in Atlanta from 10 to 12 June (Eran Tomer).  Outstanding counts made from Sealy Point at Lake Seminole in Seminole Co. were 45 on 19 June and 31 on 17 July (Michael Bell).  At least 17 active nests were also noted at this site on 19 June.

SWALLOW-TAILED KITE - Sightings from the coastal plain included five along the Oconee River in Wheeler Co. on 7 June (Dan Guynn), one in Grady Co. on 28 June (David Harder, Gail Menk), three at Le Conte-Woodmanston Plantation near Riceboro on 2 July (Gail Whalen), six near Hinesville also on 2 July (Gail Whalen), and four in Effingham Co. during early July (Nathen Klaus).  More unusual was one seen in DeKalb Co. on 22 July (Marianna Wilson).  A large congregation of kites, containing 30-40 of this species, was found in Tattnall Co. on 30 July (Dirk Stevenson, Beth Willis).  During a helicopter flight wildlife biologists found a total of 84 birds at five roosts in and around Big Hammock WMA on 31 July (fide E.J. Williams).

MISSISSIPPI KITE - Eleven were noted in the Hinesville area on 2 July (Gail Whalen).  One was a good find in the Athens area on 29 July (Becky Beaton, Giff Beaton).  The kite congregation discovered in Tattnall Co. on 30 July included 10-15 of this species (Dirk Stevenson, Beth Willis).

SHARP-SHINNED HAWK - One was an unusual find in Houston Co. on 6 June (Dan Guynn).

BROAD-WINGED HAWK - Perhaps this species is more common in south Georgia during summer than I had believed.  One was seen in Dodge Co. on 1 June (Dan Guynn), two were seen in Randolph Co. on 4 June (Carol Lambert, Jeff Sewell), one was heard in Macon Co. on 5 June (Dan Guynn), two were found in Montgomery Co. on 7 June (Dan Guynn), and singles were noted in Decatur Co. on 9 June (Michael Bell), in Clay Co. on 10 June (Walt Chambers), in Houston Co. on 23 June (Dan Guynn), and at another location in Decatur Co. on 25 June (Michael Bell).

AMERICAN KESTREL - Single birds were seen in Randolph Co. on 4 June (Carol Lambert, Jeff Sewell) and near Morgan Falls Dam in Atlanta on 10 June (Eran Tomer).  Two adults and three young were found near the Lindbergh MARTA station in Atlanta on 20 June (Eran Tomer).  Four or five, including at least two young, were reported from Floyd Co. on 29 June (Stephen Stewart).

PEREGRINE FALCON - An immature seen in Douglas Co. on 14 June may have fledged from the pair in Downtown Atlanta (Giff Beaton).

BLACK RAIL - Two territorial birds were noted in northern Greene Co. on 4 July (Paul Sykes).

KING RAIL - Two adults and two small chicks were a nice find in the Phinizy Swamp in Richmond Co. on 17 June (Anne Waters).

SANDHILL CRANE - Highly unusual were the reports of a flyover in Decatur on 24 July (fide Jerry Brunner) and two in Douglas Co. also on 24 July (Dennie McClure, Pam McClure).

PIPING PLOVER - One found on St. Catherines Island on 8 July (Paul Sykes) was early, as were the four seen at Little Tybee Island on 9 July (Giff Beaton).

BLACK-NECKED STILT - An outstanding count of 300+ was made at Onslow Island on 28 July (Deb Barriero, Mary Elfner).

WHIMBREL - Early sightings were two at Little Tybee Island on 9 July (fide Joel Hitt) and 11 along the Jekyll Island Causeway on 29 July (Lydia Thompson).

LONG-BILLED CURLEW - One was seen on Little Tybee Island from 8 July (Deb Barriero) through 16 July (Deb Barriero, Rene Heidt, Chris Loudermilk, Aubrey Scott), and two were reported from Little St. Simons Island on 22 July (Eric Kellon).

MARBLED GODWIT - A few were reported from Little St. Simons Island on 22 July (Eric Kellon).

PECTORAL SANDPIPER - The first ones reported were three at the ELHLAF on 16 July (Jeff Sewell).  The high count for the period was 40 in the Cartersville area on 29 July (Bruce Dralle).

CURLEW SANDPIPER - One was found on Little Tybee Island on 5 July by Deb Barriero, though it was not positively identified by the same observer until 8 July.  The bird was subsequently seen by many observers through 10 July, with good photographs being taken by Jim Flynn and Earl Horn on 9 July.  Although two previous records are mentioned in the ACOGB, this is the first documented record of this species in the state.

STILT SANDPIPER - Excellent counts from Onslow Island were 80 on 28 July (Deb Barriero, Mary Elfner) and 185 on 29 July (Bob Zaremba).  Four found in the Cartersville area also on 29 July were a good find (Bruce Dralle).

WILSON’S PHALAROPE - One was seen at Onslow Island on 29 July (Bob Zaremba).

LAUGHING GULL - Two were found well inland at Lake Walter F. George on 11 June (Michael Bell, Chris Loudermilk, Aubrey Scott).

LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL - Two were seen at Jekyll Island on 15 July (Lydia Thompson).

GULL-BILLED TERN - Good counts were 44 in the Darien area on 21 July (Eric Beohm) and 30 at Onslow Island on 28 July (Deb Barriero, Mary Elfner).

CASPIAN TERN - One was seen at Lake Walter F. George on 11 June (Michael Bell, Chris Loudermilk, Aubrey Scott).

COMMON TERN - About 200 were seen at Little Tybee Island on 9 July (Jeff Sewell et al.).

LEAST TERN - Excellent counts from Jekyll Island were 100 on 1 July (Diana Churchill, Lydia Thompson) and 350 on 22 July (Gene Keferl).

BLACK TERN - One seen at Tybee Island on 17 June (Deb Barriero) was probably an early fall migrant.  The high count from the coast was about 100 at Little Tybee Island on 9 July (Jeff Sewell et al.).  The only inland reports were of one in Fannin Co. on 28 July (Nedra Sekera), and three at the ELHLAF on 31 July (Rusty Trump).

WILLOW FLYCATCHER - Three were found on territory in northern Greene Co. on 4 July (Paul Sykes).

LEAST FLYCATCHER - Most unusual was the one seen and heard on Ossabaw Island on 4 June (Mary Elfner).  At least one was reported in the Suches area on 7 June (Russ Wigh) and 24 June (David Chafin), and one was observed at Sky Valley Golf Course in Rabun Co. during June (Brock Hutchins).

GRAY KINGBIRD - Two were a good find on Tybee Island on 15 July (Bob Zaremba).  The high count from Jekyll Island was six on 21 July (Lydia Thompson).

SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER - The pair discovered building a nest during the spring near McDonough in Henry Co. raised three young (m.ob.).  Another pair, possibly nesting, were reported in Covington on 25 July (fide Pierre Howard).  Singles were also reported from Emanuel Co. on 4 June (Jerry Amerson), Piedmont NWR on 6 June (fide Nathan Klaus), and Pickens Co. on 10 June (Jeff Petit).  It will be interesting to see if this species becomes a regular breeder and summer visitor to Georgia in the coming years.

TREE SWALLOW - Four birds were seen at the ELHLAF, where this species continues to nest, on 10 June (Carol Lambert, Jeff Sewell).  A nest was found at Folly Lake in Thomson in McDuffie Co. on 9 June (Richard Lux), and another pair were confirmed nesting at AWEC during June (Gordon Sikes).

Bank Swallow - Magnolia Springs SP - 23 Jul 2000

BANK SWALLOW - One was noted in Jenkins Co. on 23 July (Jim Flynn), and two birds were seen at the ELHLAF on 30 July (Dot Freeman).

RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH - Malcolm Hodges found evidence of breeding when he observed an adult gathering food along Jacks River trail in the Cohutta Wilderness Area during the month of June.

WINTER WREN - Two singing birds were found at Brasstown Bald on 1 June (Walt Chambers).

VEERY - Three were observed at Brasstown Bald on 1 June (Walt Chambers).

CEDAR WAXWING - Two birds were an interesting find in northern Forsyth Co. on 30 June (Jim Flynn).

CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER - Presumably, the three birds seen in northern Pickens Co. on 16 July were early migrants (John Kiser).

BLACKBURNIAN WARBLER - Another early migrant in northern Pickens Co. was the single seen also on 16 July (John Kiser).

BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER - One was already in the Darien area on 21 July (Doris Cohrs).

American Redstart - Screven Co. - 23 Jul 2000

AMERICAN REDSTART - Two early arrivals were noted in the Darien area on 22 July (Doris Cohrs).

SWAINSON’S WARBLER - During the month of June Dan Guynn found singing birds in Bleckley, Dodge, Emanuel, Houston, Jefferson, Peach and Twiggs Counties.

Ovenbird - Screven Co. - 23 Jul 2000

OVENBIRD - A pair were observed building a nest near Musella in Bibb Co. during June (fide Paul Johnson).

NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH - An exceptionally late bird was reported in Athens on 5 June (Billy Dunbar).  Early fall migrants were recorded at a banding station at Fort Stewart, where Larry Carlile banded one on 7 July and two on 12 July.

LARK SPARROW - One was a nice find in the parking lot of a truck stop near Tallapoosa in Haralson Co. on 25 July (Michael Bell).

GRASSHOPPER SPARROW - About 20 were found at the J.L. Lester WMA in Polk Co. on 8 July (Giff Beaton).

DICKCISSEL - Two were seen near Pine Log WMA in Bartow Co. on 17 June (Chris Loudermilk).

BOBOLINK - A male seen in the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area in Atlanta on 12 June was late (Eran Tomer).

BOAT-TAILED GRACKLE - Five, including three young, were seen in Lowndes Co. on 15 July (Krista Avera).

SHINY COWBIRD - A female was found on Blackbeard Island on 7 July (Paul Sykes), and another female was seen at the AWMA on 21 July (Eric Beohm).

RED CROSSBILL - Two were a good find in the Cohutta Mountains on 25 June (Giff Beaton, Earl Horn).

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