FALL 2001:
August - November
Originally Compiled and Edited by Michael
Bell
(First published in The Oriole,
Vol. 67, Nos. 1/2, Pp. 12-22)
| SEASONAL SUMMARY |
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Georgia’s first Broad-billed Hummingbird spent much of the month of November frequenting a feeder in Macon, unbeknownst to most of the birding community. Not until the bird, a beautiful adult male, was banded the following month did word get out about this exciting visitor. A few Snowy Owls were reported from across the Southeast this fall, and one was found in Walker Co. toward the end of the period, providing a fourth state record. Unfortunately it died at a rehabilitation center a few days later. Another fourth state record, if accepted, would be that of a Sabine’s Gull seen close to shore near the end of a pelagic trip. Either a Tropical or Couch’s Kingbird was reported from the Phinizy Swamp in Richmond Co. during September. One of the observers, who has some experience with this difficult to distinguish pair, was inclined to believe the bird was a Couch’s, but it was not heard vocalizing. Neither species has been recorded in the state previously. Other outstanding rarities reported included Ruff, Fulvous Whistling-Duck, Limpkin, Alder Flycatcher, Black-legged Kittiwake, Warbling Vireo, Golden Eagle, Black-billed Cuckoo, Connecticut Warbler, and Shiny Cowbird.
Abbreviations used include: |
| SPECIES ACCOUNTS |
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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.
HORNED GREBE - The best count of this species also came from West Point Dam, with 100 on 6 Nov (Walt Chambers). EARED GREBE - One was present at the Phinizy Swamp in Richmond Co. from 20 Sep through at least 13 Oct (Paul Champlin). Another single was seen at Rum Creek WMA on 13 Nov (Terry Johnson). CORY’S SHEARWATER - Four were observed on a pelagic trip out of Savannah on 2 Sep (Giff Beaton et al.). WILSON’S STORM-PETREL - One was observed on the same pelagic trip on 2 Sep (Giff Beaton et al.). AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN - One was seen at Harris Neck NWR on 5 Aug (Michael Beohm), 12 were at the St. Marys River on 12 Oct (Traci Brown, Bruce Dralle), one remained at Reynoldsville Park in Seminole Co. from 10 Nov (Eric Beohm, Richard Beohm) through 12 Nov (Michael Bell), two were found along Andrews Island Causeway on 13 Nov (Gene Keferl), 18 were at Andrews Island on 23 Nov (Tom Egan, Earl Horn, Bob Zaremba), and 38 were counted at Sterling Creek Wastewater Treatment Center in Richmond Hill on 24 Nov (Diana Churchill). AMERICAN BITTERN - The first report from the Phinizy Swamp in Richmond Co. was of two birds on 22 Sep (Earl Horn). One to two were reported from the same location through the end of the period (v.ob.). Singles were seen at Harris Neck NWR 21 Oct (Tom Egan, Bob Zaremba, Deb Zaremba), and at MBBP on 25 Nov (Paul Champlin). LEAST BITTERN - One was found at the Phinizy Swamp in Richmond Co. on 20 Oct (Anne Waters). GREAT BLUE HERON - Four were seen flying in a southerly direction about 80 km offshore on the pelagic trip out of Savannah on 2 Sep (Giff Beaton et al.). GREAT EGRET - Good numbers were reported from the Phinizy Swamp in Richmond Co., with over 100 being counted on 1 Sep (Anne Waters). Several lingered into late fall in north Georgia, including two at Arrowhead Wildlife Education Center in Floyd Co. on 23 Oct (Stephen Stewart), and singles at Lullwater Estate on 19 Oct (Eran Tomer), at Lake Shamrock in Clayton Co. on 2 Nov (Carol Lambert), and in Gordon Co. on 30 Nov (John Gatchet). TRICOLORED HERON - Inland reports included two in Tift Co. on 26 Aug (Giff Beaton), one in Dodge Co. on 31 Aug (Giff Beaton, Earl Horn, Bob Zaremba), one at the Phinizy Swamp in Richmond Co. on 22 Sep (Earl Horn) and 29 Sep (Anne Waters), and four at Reynoldsville Park in Seminole Co on 10 Nov (Eric Beohm, Richard Beohm). REDDISH EGRET - There were several reports from along the coast, with the best count being three at Sapelo Island on 18 Sep (Doris Cohrs). CATTLE EGRET - Ten were a good find in Bartow Co. on 19 Aug (Chris Loudermilk). One seen at MBBP on 25 Nov was late (Paul Champlin).
BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON - A good count of 46 was made at Harris Neck NWR on 7 Oct (Jim Flynn et al.). WHITE IBIS - One was reported at Tribble Mill Park in Gwinnett Co. on 11 Aug (Russell Judd) and 12 Aug (Jim Flynn, Earl Horn).
GLOSSY IBIS - Six were counted at Jekyll Island on 3 Sep (Bruce Dralle et al.), and one was observed at the Phinizy Swamp on 20 Sep (Paul Champlin). ROSEATE SPOONBILL - The high count was 60 at Andrews Island on 28 Sep (Eric Beohm, Richard Beohm). One was also noted at Skidaway Island on 10 and 11 Nov (Beth Roth, Russ Wigh). WOOD STORK - Eight were unusual for northern Greene Co. on 16 Sep (Paul Sykes) TURKEY VULTURE - Good counts of migrating birds over the Atlanta area were 140 on 30 Oct (Eran Tomer), and 88 on 3 Nov (Jerry Brunner, Georgann Schmalz). BLACK-BELLIED WHISTLING-DUCK - One was found at Andrews Island on 15 Sep (Brad Winn). FULVOUS WHISTLING-DUCK - About 50 were a great find at Harris Neck NWR on 6 Oct (v.ob.). These birds were seen during a field trip organized as part of the GOS annual meeting. SNOW GOOSE - There was a major influx toward the end of October, with some notable counts of 250+ over DeKalb Co. on 25 Oct (Jerry Brunner), 45 in Oconee Co. on 25 Oct (Paul Sykes), about 150 over Forsyth Co. on 26 Oct (Jim Flynn), 40 in Pike Co. on 27 Oct (Mark Beebe), and about 100 in Baker Co. on 31 Oct (Robert Lane). GADWALL - A good count of 102 was made at Sweetwater Creek State Park in Douglas Co. on 6 Oct (Carol Lambert, Jeff Sewell). AMERICAN WIGEON - A male that was found at Lullwater Estates in Atlanta during the summer was last reported on 4 Aug (Wendy West). Sixty were counted at Garden Lakes in the Rome area on 27 Oct (Marion Dobbs). NORTHERN PINTAIL - Singles were observed at MBBP on 3 Nov (Anne Waters) and at Garden Lakes in Rome beginning on 16 Nov (Marion Dobbs). GREEN-WINGED TEAL - Ten seen at the ELHLAF on 12 Sep were the first ones reported for the season (Giff Beaton). CANVASBACK - Six were observed at West Point Dam on 6 Nov (Walt Chambers), and one was at Garden Lakes in the Rome area also on 6 Nov (Marion Dobbs). REDHEAD - Sixty were reported from West Point Lake on 21 Nov (Walt Chambers, Lorna West). GREATER SCAUP - One was seen at the Phinizy Swamp on 17 Nov (Anne Waters) and 25 Nov (Paul Champlin). SURF SCOTER - One to two were seen at West Point Dam beginning on 6 Nov (Walt Chambers et al.), and a single was found at Sweetwater Creek State Park in Douglas Co. on 24 Nov (Chris Loudermilk). The best count from Jekyll Island was four on 24 Nov (Tom Egan, Earl Horn, Bob Zaremba). WHITE-WINGED SCOTER - Three were reported from Jekyll Island on both 9 Nov (Jim Flynn, Earl Horn) and 24 Nov (Tom Egan, Earl Horn, Bob Zaremba). An immature was a good inland find at the Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center from 13 to 27 Nov (Tim Keyes). BLACK SCOTER - One was a rare inland find at West Point Dam in Troup Co. from 6 Nov (Walt Chambers) through 17 Nov (Malcolm Hodges). The best count from the coast was 260+ at Jekyll Island on 9 Nov (Jim Flynn, Earl Horn). RED-BREASTED MERGANSER - Two hundred was a good count at West Point Dam on 21 Nov (Walt Chambers, Lorna West). SWALLOW-TAILED KITE - The best count was 38 in Tattnall on 2 Aug (E.J. Willians). One seen in Stephens Co. on 21 Aug was a good find (Dan Ross). MISSISSIPPI KITE - The high count for this species, also from Tattnall Co., was 20 on 11 Aug (Tom Schneider). Seven was a good count for Monroe Co. on 16 Aug (Nathan Klaus). Rare for the Atlanta area were singles at Stone Mountain on 25 Aug (Mike Hoekstra) and at the Buford Fish Hatchery on 23 Sep (Bill Elrick). BROAD-WINGED HAWK - Good numbers were reported over the Atlanta area on 16 Sep, with counts of 100+ over Dunwoody (Tom Striker), 79 at Stone Mountain (Mike Hoekstra), and 63 at the Big Creek Greenway (Georgann Schmalz). GOLDEN EAGLE - An immature bird was reported from Harris Neck WMA on 17 Nov (Ellen Moore, Sheila Willis). MERLIN - Singles were reported from Union Co. on 12 Sep (Betty Belanger), Brasstown Bald on 20 Sep (Dot Freeman), Phinizy Swamp on both 21 Sep (Paul Champlin) and 22 Sep (Earl Horn), Kennesaw Mt. on both 25 Sep (Tom Egan et al.) and 8 Oct (Deb Zaremba), Oxbow Meadows on 13 Oct (Walt Chambers), Greene Co. on 14 Oct (Paul Sykes), J.L. Lester WMA in Polk Co. on both 24 Oct (Marion Dobbs) and 3 Nov (Chris Loudermilk, Aubrey Scott), Peach Co. on 3 Nov (Dan Guynn, Pam Guynn), and Twiggs Co. on 18 Nov (Walt Chambers). PEREGRINE FALCON - Singles were seen at the Legacy Sod farm in Bartow Co. on 19 Aug (Tom Egan, Jim Flynn), in Pickens Co. on 23 Sep (Marion Dobbs), at Kennesaw Mt. on 24 Sep (Tom Egan et al.) and 7 Oct (Giff Beaton et al.), at Oxbow Meadows on 29 Sep (Walt Chambers), in Peach Co. on 30 Sep (Earl Horn), and at the ELHLAF on both 13 and 27 Oct (Carol Lambert et al.). BLACK RAIL - One was reported from along the Andrews Island Causeway from 13 Oct (Traci Brown, Bruce Dralle) through 3 Nov (Bill Blakeslee, Aubrey Scott, Jeff Sewell). KING RAIL - Three were reported from the Phinizy Swamp on 10 Nov (Michael Bell, Aubrey Scott). VIRGINIA RAIL - Eight were found at the Phinizy Swamp on 10 Nov (Michael Bell, Aubrey Scott). SORA - At least 35 were counted at the Phinizy Swamp on 10 Nov (Michael Bell, Aubrey Scott). PURPLE GALLINULE - An immature bird was an interesting find at Fairchilds Park in Seminole Co. on 18 Nov (Michael Bell, Jim Flynn, Earl Horn). LIMPKIN - One was reported at Gamecock Lake along the Altamaha River in McIntosh Co. on 8 Oct (fide Malcolm Hodges), and two were found there from 28 Oct (Malcolm Hodges) through 3 Nov (Bill Blakeslee, Bruce Dralle, Aubrey Scott, Jeff Sewell). SANDHILL CRANE - Many reports were received during November, with some of the best counts being 1000+ over Macon and Houston Cos. on 6 Nov (Larry Ross), 1000 over Cobb Co. on 21 Nov (Vicki Williams), and 600+ over Marietta on 25 Nov (Jim Pappas, Melissa Pappas). BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER - Rare inland reports were of five at Legacy Sod in Bartow Co. on 1 Sep (Walt Chambers, Will Esters), one at the same location the following day (Marion Dobbs), one at Turfgrass America in Floyd Co. on 2 Sep (Marion Dobbs), and one at the ELHLAF on 11 Sep (Carol Lambert). AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVER - One to three birds were reported at Legacy Sod in Bartow Co. from 25 Aug (Bob Zaremba, Deb Zaremba) through 6 Oct (Bruce Dralle). One to two were seen at Turf Grass Sod in Macon Co. from 2 Sep (Tom Egan) through 6 Sep (Ted Reissing), one was found in Washington Co. on 3 Sep (Giff Beaton), one was noted at the ELHLAF on 29 Sep (Carol Lambert), and two were at Super Sod in Peach Co. from 14 Oct (Jim Flynn, Earl Horn) through 21 Oct (Pat Sully). PIPING PLOVER - One was a very rare inland find at Rum Creek WMA on 16 Aug (Terry Johnson et al.). A good count of 27 was made at Little Tybee Island on 26 Aug (Deb Barriero). BLACK-NECKED STILT - Two late birds were still at Andrews Island on 28 Sep (Eric Beohm, Richard Beohm). AMERICAN AVOCET - Good numbers were reported from Andrews Island, including a high count of 200 on 23 Sep (Giff Beaton, Jim Flynn, Malcolm Hodges, Shawn Reed). WILLET - One was at Legacy Sod in Bartow Co. from 12 through 13 Aug (John Gatchett et al.). UPLAND SANDPIPER - Three to four were reported from a sod farm in Macon Co. on 14 Aug (Giff Beaton, Walt Chambers, Jim Flynn), and one was seen at Legacy Sod in Bartow Co. on both 30 Aug (Bob Zaremba) and 31 Aug (Traci Brown, Bruce Dralle). MARBLED GODWIT - The best sighting out of several notable reports from Legacy Sod in Bartow Co. this fall, was of one of this species on 4 Aug (Bruce Dralle, Bob Zaremba, Deb Zaremba). Only two previous inland records, from 1976 and 1978, are listed in the ACOGB. The best count from the coast was 18 at Jekyll Island on 30 Nov (Lydia Thompson). RED KNOT - The high count was 350 at Jekyll Island on 23 Nov (Jeff Sewell). SANDERLING - An estimated 6,000 were present at St. Catherines Bar in Liberty Co. on 8 Aug (Paul Sykes). One was a good find at the ELHLAF on 12 Sep (Giff Beaton, Carol Lambert). WESTERN SANDPIPER - Ten were counted along Taft Road in Bartow Co. on 15 Sep (Traci Brown, Bruce Dralle). WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER - Four were noted at Andrews Island on 28 Sep (Eric Beohm, Richard Beohm). BAIRD’S SANDPIPER - Two were found at the Legacy Sod Farm in Bartow Co. on 26 Aug (Bruce Dralle), where the high count was four on 1 Sep (Walt Chambers, Will Esters). Also in Bartow Co., one was seen at a mudhole along Tram Rd. on 17 Sep (Giff Beaton). A single was reported at ELHLAF on both 14 Oct (Patrick Brisse) and 15 Oct (Carol Lambert).
PECTORAL SANDPIPER - The best counts were 150 at Legacy Sod in Bartow Co. on 19 Aug (Jim Flynn, Earl Horn), and 160 at a sod farm in Washington Co. on 3 Sep (Giff Beaton). One seen at the Phinizy Swamp on 11 Nov was fairly late (Bruce Dralle et al.). PURPLE SANDPIPER - The best count from Tybee Island was four on 10 Nov (Walt Chambers). Singles were also reported from Gould’s Inlet from 22 Nov (Traci Brown, Bruce Dralle) through 24 Nov (Gene Keferl, Lydia Thompson), and at Cumberland Island on 23 Nov (Paul Champlin). STILT SANDPIPER - Several reports were received, with the best counts being six in Bartow Co. on 4 Aug (Bruce Dralle), and 13 at Andrews Island on 28 Sep (Eric Beohm, Richard Beohm). BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER - The first report was of one at Turfgrass America in Floyd Co. on 12 Aug (Marion Dobbs). There were many reports of small numbers through the end of September, including seven at Super Sod in Macon Co. on 14 Aug (Giff Beaton, Jim Flynn), one in Schley Co. on 14 Aug (Giff Beaton, Jim Flynn), eight at Turfgrass America in Floyd Co. on 2 Sep (Marion Dobbs), four at Andrews Island on 3 Sep (Bruce Dralle et al.), one in Washinton Co. on 3 Sep (Giff Beaton), four at Super Sod in Peach Co. on 6 Sep (Ted Reissing), and three at Legacy Sod in Bartow Co. on both 17 Sep (Giff Beaton) and 23 Sep (Traci Brown, Bruce Dralle). RUFF - A juvenile male seen at a sod farm in Macon Co. on 1 Sep was well described (Chuck Saleeby, Jeff Sewell). This is the first report of this species in Georgia in many years. SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER - Inland reports included one at Turfgrass America in Floyd Co. on 17 Aug (Marion Dobbs, Nelson Dobbs), one at Legacy Sod in Bartow Co. from 19 Aug (Traci Brown, Bruce Dralle, Tom Egan, Jim Flynn) through 26 Aug (Traci Brown, Bruce Dralle, Karen Theodorou, Deb Zaremba), and three in Washington Co. on 3 Sep (Giff Beaton). LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER - Singles were reported from Legacy Sod in Bartow Co. from 11 Aug (John Gatchet) through 13 Aug (Marion Dobbs), Stewart Co. on 14 Oct (Walt Chambers), and Reynoldsville Park in Seminole Co. from 10 Nov (Eric Beohm, Richard Beohm) through 12 Nov (Michael Bell). Sixteen were found along Tolomato causeway in McIntosh Co. on 24 Nov (Tom Egan, Earl Horn). COMMON SNIPE - One seen at Legacy Sod in Bartow Co. on 11 Aug was early (Bruce Dralle). WILSON’S PHALAROPE - Four was an excellent inland count from Macon Co. on 14 Aug (Walt Chambers). Singles were seen at Legacy Sod on both 16 Aug (Earl Horn) and 17 Aug (John Gatchett), and one was seen at the Taft Road mudhole in Bartow Co. on 9 Sep (Bruce Dralle). At Andrews Island one was found on 17 Aug (Gene Keferl), and as many as four were reported during most of September (Giff Beaton et al.). POMARINE JAEGER - Singles were seen on the pelagic trip out of Savannah on 2 Sep (Giff Beaton et al.), off of Cumberland Island on 22 Nov (Paul Champlin et al.), and off of Jekyll Island on 24 Nov (Tom Egan, Earl Horn). PARASITIC JAEGER - One was identified on the pelagic trip on 2 Sep (Giff Beaton et al.). Reports from Jekyll Island were of one on 24 Nov (Tom Egan, Earl Horn) and two on 30 Nov (Lydia Thompson).
RING-BILLED GULL - An adult seen in Schley Co. on 14 Aug was very unusual for the time of year (Giff Beaton, Jim Flynn). LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL - The high count was six at Gould’s Inlet on 1 Oct (Lydia Thompson). GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL - Four were seen at Sapelo Island on 22 Aug (Doris Cohrs). SABINE’S GULL - A bird in breeding plumage was spotted in Wassaw Sound near the end of the pelagic trip on 2 Sep (Jeff Sewell et al.). Unfortunately, the bird was not seen by most of the participants. There are only three previous records of this species in Georgia, the most recent being in 1984. BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKE - Walt Chambers once again found this species at West Point Dam in Troup Co., where he saw a first winter bird on 29 Nov. GULL-BILLED TERN - The best count was 11 at Andrews Island on 17 Aug (Gene Keferl). CASPIAN TERN - Inland reports were of six in the Athens area on 7 Aug (Mark Freeman), and one at MBBP on 20 Sep (Paul Champlin). Good counts from the coast included 59 at Tybee Island on 15 Sep (Diana Churchill), and 200+ at Cumberland Island on 12 Oct (Traci Brown, Bruce Dralle). BRIDLED TERN - Ten were recorded on the pelagic trip out of Savannah on 2 Sep (Giff Beaton et al.). SOOTY TERN - Six were noted on the same pelagic trip on 2 Sep (Giff Beaton et al.). BLACK TERN - The only inland reports came from the ELHLAF, with five on 27 Aug (Carol Lambert) and one on 3 Sep (Brad Bergstrom). A good count of 332 was made on the pelagic trip on 2 Sep (Giff Beaton et al.).
BLACK SKIMMER - A count of 290 was made at Tybee Island on 7 Oct (Paul Sykes). COMMON GROUND-DOVE - One was an unusual find in the Griffin area during September (Eric Beohm). BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO - One was a very rare find at Callaway Gardens on 18 Sep (Bill Birkhead, Walt Chambers). SNOWY OWL - A bird in poor health was found near Lafayette in Walker Co. on 24 Nov. It was captured and taken to a rehabilitator on 28 Nov, but unfortunately died the following day (fide Giff Beaton). This is a fourth record of this species in the state.
COMMON NIGHTHAWK - Counts from around the Atlanta area included 80-100 over Chamblee on 28 Aug (Steve Ehly), 50 over northeast Atlanta on 30 Aug (Eran Tomer), 200+ over Emory University on 31 Aug (Eran Tomer), 100-200 over Snellville on 5 Sep (John Champion), and 50 over northeast Atlanta on 18 Sep (Eran Tomer). Other reports were of 150 in Bartow Co. on 28 Aug (Traci Brown, Bruce Dralle), 150 in Floyd Co. on 31 Aug (Marion Dobbs), and 100 in Lumpkin Co. on 15 Sep (Kathleen Krzustek). BROAD-BILLED HUMMINGBIRD - A bird started coming to a feeder in Macon on 5 Nov (fide Jerry Amerson) to provide Georgia’s first record of this species. The bird was banded the following month, and more details will be published in the winter report. CALLIOPE HUMMINGBIRD - Two birds that were banded last year returned to feeders. A male was back in Augusta beginning 10 Oct (fide Anne Waters), and a female returned to a yard in Lilburn around 20 Nov (fide Rusty Trump). Both birds remained through the end of the period (v.ob.). RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD - By the end of August there were no fewer than six reports from around the state (fide Terry Moore). Several more reports were received, including a banded female that returned to the same yard in Alpharetta for the fourth consecutive year (fide Rusty Trump), and three that were banded in Dacula on 20 Nov (Karen Theodorou). At least four hummingbirds were present at a yard in Early Co. during November, with three of the birds being banded and identified as immature Rufous (Terry Johnson). OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER - Singles were seen at Crockford/Pigeon Mt. WMA on 19 Aug (Jim Flynn, Earl Horn), and at Kennesaw Mt. on 11 Sep (Giff Beaton, Pierre Howard).
YELLOW-BELLIED FLYCATCHER - There were no fewer than 15 birds reported from around the state between 31 Aug and 5 Oct (v.ob.). ALDER FLYCATCHER - A bird was reportedly identified by voice at the Ocmulgee National Monument in Bibb Co. on 20 Sep (Eric Beohm). WILLOW FLYCATCHER - Singles were reported from Legacy Sod in Bartow Co. on 13 Aug (Giff Beaton, Tom Egan, Jim Fynn), and Chattahoochee Park in Decatur Co. on 14 Oct (Michael Bell). LEAST FLYCATCHER - Singles were found at Legacy Sod in Bartow Co. on 17 Sep (Giff Beaton), in Forsyth Co. on 18 Sep (Jim Flynn), and at the CRNRA on 24 Sep (Eric Beohm). Two birds were seen and heard along the Augusta levee area on 25 Sep (Anne Waters). TROPICAL/COUCH’S KINGBIRD - A bird of this type was seen at the Phinizy Swamp in Richmond Co. on 21 Sep (Paul Champlin, Charles Kitt). Unfortunately the bird was not heard vocalizing. EASTERN KINGBIRD - At least 300 were counted migrating south from Jekyll Island on 3 Sep (Bruce Dralle et al.). GRAY KINGBIRD - Four were seen on Jekyll Island on 5 Aug (Carol McClelland). SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER - The last report from the breeding site near McDonough in Henry Co. was of an adult feeding a young bird on 8 Aug (Jim Ozier). An adult was seen at the Cartersville Airport in Bartow Co. on 15 Sep (Tracy Brown, Bruce Dralle). WARBLING VIREO - Singles were found at Kennesaw Mt. on both 26 Sep (Walt Chambers) and 27 Sep (Tom Egan), and one was observed in Greene Co. on 23 Sep (Paul Sykes). PHILADELPHIA VIREO - Good numbers were reported from around the state, including a total of 34 for the season at Kennesaw Mt. A late bird was seen at Jekyll Island on 28 Oct (Brad Bergstrom). COMMON RAVEN - Several reports were received from the mountains, with the best count being four along Burrell’s Ford Rd. in Rabun Co. on 10 Nov (Earl Horn, Bob Zaremba, Deb Zaremba). HORNED LARK - The best counts were 24 in Macon Co. on 19 Aug (Brad Bergstrom), 15-20 in the Unadilla area on 20 Aug (Nathan Klaus, Larry Ross), and 35 in Washington Co. on 3 Sep (Giff Beaton). TREE SWALLOW - A huge flock, containing an estimated 500,000 birds, was observed on Sapelo Island on 29 Oct (Malcolm Hodges, Todd Schneider, Paul Sykes). RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH - A few birds, mostly singles, were reported from several locations across north Georgia (v.ob.). One was also reported from the Brunswick area beginning in mid-October (Mike Chapman). A very high count of 18 came from Burrell’s Ford Rd. in Rabun Co. on 10 Nov (Earl Horn, Bob Zaremba, Deb Zaremba). SEDGE WREN - A few birds were reported from the Atlanta area, including four at the CRNRA on 7 Oct (Bruce Dralle et al.). The high count from the Phinizy Swamp in Richmond Co. was six on 13 Oct (Paul Champlin). MARSH WREN - Good numbers were reported from the Phinizy Swamp, including a high count of 40 on 10 Nov (Michael Bell, Aubrey Scott). RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET - An early bird was seen at Kennesaw Mt. on 24 Aug (Deb Zaremba et al.). VEERY - Pre-dawn counts at Kennesaw Mt. produced 65 on 22 Sep (Bob Zaremba, Deb Zaremba) and 78 on 23 Sep (Giff Beaton, Richard Crook). GRAY-CHEEKED THRUSH - Nineteen were heard on 22 Sep (Bob Zaremba, Deb Zaremba) and 27 were tallied on 23 Sep (Giff Beaton, Richard Crook) during pre-dawn counts at Kennesaw Mt. SWAINSON’S THRUSH - Good counts of 712 on 22 Sep (Bob Zaremba, Deb Zaremba) and 326 on 23 Sep (Giff Beaton, Richard Crook) were made on the pre-dawn counts at Kennesaw Mt. Twenty was a good daytime count at Fernbank Forest on 29 Sep (Georgann Schmalz et al.). A very late bird was seen along the Augusta levee on 27 Nov (Clarence Belger, Anne Waters). WOOD THRUSH - Totals for this species on the pre-dawn counts at Kennesaw Mt. were 44 on 22 Sep (Bob Zaremba, Deb Zaremba) and 64 on 23 Sep (Giff Beaton, Richard Crook). AMERICAN ROBIN - A pair was found feeding a fledgling in Bainbridge in Decatur Co. on 4 Aug (Michael Bell). GOLDEN-WINGED WARBLER - The high count was three from Kennesaw Mt. on both 14 Sep (Giff Beaton et al.) and 23 Sep (Tom Egan et al.), and Forsyth Co. on 18 Sep (Jim Flynn). BREWSTER’S WARBLER - Blue-winged x Golden-winged Warbler hybrids of this form were seen at Kennesaw Mt. on 30 Aug (Bob Zaremba), and in the Columbus area on 3 Oct (Walt Chambers). LAWRENCE’S WARBLER - This rarer Blue-winged x Golden-winged Warbler hybrid form was found at the CRNRA on 23 Sep (Brad Bergstrom, Margaret Harper). TENNESSEE WARBLER - Seventy was an excellent count at Kennesaw Mt. on 17 Oct (Tom Egan et al.).
BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER - The best count for the period was 25 at Fort Mountain State Park on 9 Sep (Malcolm Hodges et al.). PRAIRIE WARBLER - One seen at West Point Dam in Troup Co. on 17 Nov was late (Malcolm Hodges). AMERICAN REDSTART - High counts included 37 at Kennesaw Mt. on 14 Sep (fide Tom Egan), and 27 at Oxbow Meadows on 29 Sep (Walt Chambers). NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH - One seen in Jackson Co. on 19 Oct was late (Earl Horn). LOUISIANA WATERTHRUSH - A late bird was seen in the Macon area on 20 Sep (Eric Beohm). CONNECTICUT WARBLER - One was an excellent find at Berry College in Floyd Co. on 22 Sep (Marion Dobbs). WILSON’S WARBLER - Singles were seen at Kennesaw Mt. on both 4 and 5 Sep (Tom Egan), at South Peachtree Creek Nature Preserve in DeKalb Co. on 13 Sep (Jerry Brunner), at Chicopee Woods in Hall Co. on 18 Sep (Karen Theodorou), and at the Big Creek Greenway in the Alpharetta area on 19 Sep (Lisa Hurt, Georgann Schmalz), and one was banded at the Buford Trout Hatchery on 28 Sep (Bill Elrick). CANADA WARBLER - Five was the high count at Kennesaw Mt. on 11 Aug (Bob Zaremba, Deb Zaremba). This species is rare along the coast, so one at the Savannah-Ogeechee Canal on 23 Sep was noteworthy (Giff Beaton). CLAY-COLORED SPARROW - Singles were seen at the Altamaha Waterfowl Management Area in McIntosh Co. on 20 Sep (Giff Beaton, Richard Crook), at Andrews Island on 22 Sep (Walt Chambers), at the Big Creek Greenway in Alpharetta on both 30 Sep (Traci Brown, Bruce Dralle) and 2 Oct (Leslie Curran, Georgann Schmalz, Pat Sully), in Elbert Co. on 27 Oct (Earl Horn), and in the Macon area on 2 Nov (Eric Beohm).
LARK SPARROW - Singles were found in Peach Co. on both 26 Sep (Marion Dobbs) and 27 Sep (Bob Zaremba), at Tybee Island on 4 Oct (Dot Bambach, Diana Churchill), and at Harris Neck NWR on 7 Oct. (Jim Flynn, Earl Horn et al.).
HENSLOW’S SPARROW - The first birds reported were singles at the Phinizy Swamp in the Augusta area on 6 Oct (Paul Champlin) and at Birdsong Nature Center in Grady Co. on the same day (Michael Bell, Marion Dobbs). The best count from Paulk’s Pasture in Glynn Co. was 15 on 23 Nov (Traci Brown, Bruce Dralle, Gene Keferl, Jeff Sewell). Three were seen at Birdsong Nature Center on 24 Nov (Michael Bell), and two were found at the MBBP on 25 Nov (Paul Champlin). LE CONTE’S SPARROW - Singles were reported from the Phinizy Swamp on 28 Oct (Paul Champlin), Paulk’s Pasture on both 29 Oct and 11 Nov (Walt Chambers), J.L. Lester WMA in Polk Co. on 4 Nov (Chris Loudermilk), and at the Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center on 13 and 15 Nov (Tim Keyes). NELSON’S SHARP-TAILED SPARROW - One to two were present at the Phinizy Swamp in Richmond Co. from 7 Oct through 11 Nov (Paul Champlin et al.). LINCOLN’S SPARROW - This species was once again well reported, with a total of 12 birds from across the state. All sightings were of singles except two seen in Floyd Co. on 30 Oct (Marion Dobbs). WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW - The best counts were 10 at J.L. Lester WMA in Polk Co. on 28 Oct (Jim Flynn, Earl Horn), 15 in Greene Co. on 4 Nov (Paul Sykes), 20 in White Co. on 15 Nov (Betty Belanger, Dot Freeman), and 22 at the MBBP on 25 Nov (Paul Champlin). ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK - One was seen at Sweetwater Creek State Park in Douglas Co. on the early date on 25 Aug (Aubrey Scott). An excellent count of 44 was made at Fernbank Forest in DeKalb Co. on 29 Sep (Georgann Schmalz et al.).
BOBOLINK - The best count was 180 in Greene Co. on 16 Sep (Paul Sykes). YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD - One was spotted at Lake Seminole State Park in Seminole Co. on 18 Nov (Earl Horn). BREWER’S BLACKBIRD - Three were at the MBBP on 25 Nov (Paul Champlin). SHINY COWBIRD - One was seen at a feeder on St. Simons Island on 24 Nov (fide Earl Horn). PURPLE FINCH - One seen at the CRNRA on 30 Sep was very early (Chuck Saleeby et al.). Several reports were received from north Georgia during November, including a high count of 18 at Pine Log WMA in Bartow Co. on 16 Nov (Tom Egan et al.). One was also reported from McIntosh Co. on 9 Nov (Jim Flynn, Earl Horn). RED CROSSBILL - Eight were reported from the Pine Log WMA in Bartow Co. on 16 Nov (Tom Egan et al.). PINE SISKIN - The first report of the season was of one at the Phinizy Swamp in Richmond Co. on 28 Oct (Paul Champlin). By the end of November there were small numbers reported from several locations in north Georgia, and one was seen as far south as Birdsong Nature Center in Grady Co. on 24 Nov (Michael Bell). |
Created 19 Apr 2003
