Compiled and Edited by Michael Bell
(First published in The Oriole, Vol. 68, Nos. 1/2, Pp 19-31)

There were plenty of rare birds reported during the period, but the most sensational sighting by far was that of a Scott’s Oriole at the home of Richard and Rose Beohm in Upson Co. during early November. The bird was photographed coming to feed on orange slices, but unfortunately by the time word got out to most of the birding community the bird had departed. According to Eric Beohm, there are only a couple of previous records of this species in eastern North America, both from along the Mississippi River. Needless to say, this is a first record for Georgia.

Once again, those who took to the seas on a couple of pelagic trips organized by Russ Wigh were well rewarded. Participants on both tours enjoyed good looks at Masked Booby, and on one of the trips a very rare Brown Booby was also seen. Both species are currently listed in the Provisional Species List in the Annotated Checklist of Georgia Birds, with three accepted sight records for Masked Booby and one record for Brown Booby. Photographs should result in both species being added the Regular Species List.

I would again like to thank Mim Eisenberg, who continues to proofread these reports in a very timely manner.
 

RED-THROATED LOON - One was found in Columbia Co. on 3 Nov (Jim Flynn, Earl Horn).

HORNED GREBE - Six was a good count for SCSP on 23 Nov (Chris Loudermilk).

EARED GREBE - Ten were found at Plant Scherer in Monroe Co. on 27 Nov (Terry Johnson).

PTERODROMA SP. - One, most likely a Black-capped Petrel, was seen on a pelagic trip out of Savannah on 24 Aug (Russ Wigh et al.).

CORY’S SHEARWATER - Totals on two pelagic trips out of Savannah were 49 on 24 Aug (Russ Wigh et al.) and 26 on 7 Sep (Russ Wigh et al.).

AUDUBON’S SHEARWATER - The same two pelagic trips tallied four on 24 Aug (Russ Wigh et al.) and five on 7 Sep (Russ Wigh et al.).

MASKED BOOBY - One was seen and photographed on the pelagic trip out of Savannah on 24 Aug (Russ Wigh et al.), and two were seen and also photographed on the pelagic trip on 7 Sep (Russ Wigh et al.). All of these birds were found at Navy Tower R8. These are the first records of this species in the state since November 1993.

BROWN BOOBY - Good photographs of a bird found also at Navy Tower R8 on the pelagic trip on 24 Aug (Russ Wigh et al.) should result in this species being added to the Regular Species List by the GOS records committee. Only one accepted record is listed in the ACOGB.

AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN - Eight were found at Harris Neck NWR on 1 Sep (Bill Lotz, Dan Vickers).

BROWN PELICAN - One was again found at Walter F. George Dam on 7 Nov (Walt Chambers).

ANHINGA - A count of 70 came from the AWMA on 4 Aug (Nathan Klaus).

MAGNIFICENT FRIGATEBIRD - A female was a great find at Lake Allatoona on 29 and 30 Oct (Georgann Schmalz et al.).

AMERICAN BITTERN - Two seen at the Phinizy Swamp in Richmond Co. on 28 Aug were early (Giff Beaton, Giff Beaton Sr., Tom Egan). Singles were reported from Sapelo Island on 10 Sep (Doris Cohrs), ENWR on 8 Oct (Michael Beohm), Jekyll Island on 2 Nov (Gene Keferl), Buchanan Lake in Haralson Co. on 17 Nov (Marion Dobbs), J.L. Lester WMA in Polk Co. on 24 Nov (Chris Loudermilk) and AWMA on 25 Nov (Michael Beohm). Three was an excellent count at the CRNRA on 17 Oct (Tim Keyes).

LEAST BITTERN - Eight was a good count at the AWMA on 4 Aug (Nathan Klaus).

“GREAT WHITE HERON” - Rare sightings of the white-morph of the Great Blue Heron were of a single continuing in the Duluth area through 3 Aug (Rick Rader) and another single at Gould’s Inlet on 8 Oct (Brad Bergstrom et al.).

TRICOLORED HERON - Singles were found inland in Tattnall Co. on 8 Sep (Jim Flynn, Earl Horn) and at the Phinizy Swamp in Richmond Co. on 14 and 15 Sep (Paul Champlin).

REDDISH EGRET - Two were seen on Blackbeard Island from 18 Aug (Lydia Thompson) through 5 Oct (Giff Beaton et al.), three were at Little Tybee Island on 8 Sep (Deb Barriero), two were on Little St. Simons Island on 5 Oct (Giff Beaton et al), one was at Gould’s Inlet on 21 Sep (Traci Brown, Bruce Dralle), and two were found on Jekyll Island on 15 Oct (Mary Ann Teal).

CATTLE EGERT - Twenty-two were a good count for Carroll Co. on 17 Aug (Chris Loudermilk), and five were found at the ELHLAF on 18 Aug (Carol Lambert, Bill Lotz, Jeff Sewell, Dan Vickers). Good counts included 500 in Washington Co. on 6 Sep (Jim Flynn, Earl Horn) and 300 in Webster Co. on 22 Sep (Jim Flynn, Earl Horn). Late were one in Laurens Co. on 20 Nov (Marie Amerson) and three in Miller Co. on 30 Nov (John Gatchet).

YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON - Reports from the Atlanta area included one at the Big Creek Greenway in Gwinnett Co. on 6 Aug (Leslie Curran), one in Bartow Co. on 11 Aug (Traci Brown, Bruce Dralle, Earl Horn), and three at CRNRA on 16 Aug (Tim Rose).

ROSEATE SPOONBILL - There were an amazing number of inland reports this period. One was seen along the Altamaha River during early August (Jack Sandow), one was in Thomas Co. from 14 to 17 Aug (Bobby Crawford, Leon Neel), two were in Burke Co. on 28 Aug (Giff Beaton, Giff Beaton Sr., Tom Egan,) with one still there on 6 Sep (Jim Flynn, Earl Horn), one was in the Tifton area on 29 Aug (Janet Dowlen), one was at the Phinizy Swamp from 29 Aug (Paul Champlin) to 2 Sep (Calvin Zippler), and an astounding six birds that were seen in Sumter Co. on 20 Oct (Jim Flynn, Phil Hardy, Earl Horn, Bob Norris) had apparently been there for about two months. The high count from the coast was 50 in the Brunswick area on 14 Sep (Lydia Thompson). Six birds seen on Little St. Simons Island on 6 Oct were also noteworthy (Giff Beaton et al.). Two were still at Andrews Island Causeway through 29 Nov (John Gatchet).

WOOD STORK - Inland counts included 22 at Ocmulgee National Monument in Macon on 17 Aug (Bob Sargent), 68 in Burke Co. on 28 Aug (Giff Beaton, Giff Beaton Sr., Tom Egan) and six at the ELHLAF on 2 Oct (Carol Lambert, Philip Northman).

SNOW GOOSE - The first reports were of one in Morgan Co. on 9 and 10 Nov (Paul Sykes) and four in Harris Co. on 13 Nov (Walt Chambers).

AMERICAN WIGEON - A count of 84 was made at Garden Lakes in the Rome area on 30 Nov (Marion Dobbs).

MOTTLED DUCK - Three were reported from the Phinizy Swamp in Richmond Co. on 24 Nov (Paul Champlin).

BLUE-WINGED TEAL - Two were already at the ELHLAF on 10 Aug (Carol Lambert, Jeff Sewell et al.).

NORTHERN SHOVELER - A count of 110 was made at the Phinizy Swamp in Richmond Co. on 24 Nov (Paul Champlin).

NORTHERN PINTAIL - Ten seen in the Blairsville area on 27 Aug were very early (Betty Belanger).

GREEN-WINGED TEAL - A count of 120 came from the Phinizy Swamp in Richmond Co. on 24 Nov (Paul Champlin).

CANVASBACK - Also extremely early was one of this species in Wilkinson Co. on 8 Sep (Jim Flynn, Earl Horn). Three were observed at SCSP on 23 Nov (Chris Loudermilk).

REDHEAD - Ten were seen at West Point Dam in Troup Co. on 29 Oct (Walt Chambers).

GREATER SCAUP - Two were reported from Phinizy Swamp in Richmond Co. on 16 Nov (Paul Champlin).

SURF SCOTER - Inland reports included one at the Phinizy Swamp from 25 to 27 Oct (Ann Waters, Morgan Whaley, Calvin Zippler et al.), two at Buford Dam on Lake Lanier on 27 Oct Earl Horn), two at West Point Dam in Troup Co. on 3 Nov (Malcolm Hodges et al.), one at SCSP on 3 Nov (Chris Loudermilk), four at Piedmont NWR on 13 Nov (Walter Carswell et al.), four again at SCSP on 13 Nov (Chris Loudermilk), one at Florence Marina State Park on 17 Nov (Jim Flynn) and one at Plant Scherer in Monroe Co. on 27 Nov (Terry Johnson). The best count from the coast was 14 off Jekyll Island on 20 Nov (Giff Beaton, Jim Flynn, Earl Horn).

WHITE-WINGED SCOTER - One was reported off Jekyll Island beginning 1 Nov (Lydia Thompson et al.).

BLACK SCOTER - Three were a rare inland sighting at Clarks Hill Reservoir in Columbia Co. on 14 Oct (Paul Champlin). The highest count from the coast was about 2000 off Jekyll Island on both 2 and 10 Nov (Gene Keferl).

RUDDY DUCK - A male continued at Rock Eagle State Park in Putnam Co. through 5 Aug (Billy Dunbar).

SWALLOW-TAILED KITE - Eleven was a good count for Lamar Co. on 2 Aug (Michael Beohm), 10 were still in the Jesup area on 3 Aug (Nathan Klaus), and 25 were counted in Wayne Co. also on 3 Aug (Jerry Amerson, Marie Amerson et al.). One was a rare sighting in the Rome area on 5 Aug (Paul Blakeburn).

MISSISSIPPI KITE - Good counts included 13 in Lamar Co. on 2 Aug (Michael Beohm), eight in Upson Co. on 4 Aug (Michael Beohm) and 13 in Taylor Co. on 17 Aug (Jim Flynn, Earl Horn).

BALD EAGLE - One was a nice find at Lake Horton in Fayette Co. on 15 Sep (Dan Demko, Mary Provost). Good counts were 10 at the Clark Hill Reservoir on 27 Sep (Paul Champlin) and 11 in the Lake Seminole area on 30 Nov (John Gatchet).

SWAINSON’S HAWK - A report of one was received from Spalding Co. on 4 Oct (Eric Beohm).

GOLDEN EAGLE - A first-year bird, unable to fly, was picked up in Jones Co. and taken to a rehabilitator on 26 Nov (fide E.J. Williams).

MERLIN - This species was well reported from across the state, with at least 11 birds seen inland during the period (v.ob.).

PEREGRINE FALCON - There were fewer reports of this falcon for the period. In all, about six birds were reported from inland sites (v.ob.).

BLACK RAIL - Two were reported from the reliable marsh for this species in Greene Co. on 4 Aug (Paul Sykes).

VIRGINIA RAIL - The best count from Greene Co. was seven on 30 Nov (Paul Sykes).

SORA - One was seen at the ELHLAF on 23 Sep and two were at that location on 2 Oct (Carol Lambert). One was also seen in Greene Co. on 2 Nov (Paul Sykes).

PURPLE GALLINULE - A late bird was seen at Harris Neck NWR on 5 Oct (Bob Sargent, Paul Sykes et al.).

SANDHILL CRANE - By the end of the month, several large flocks were noted, including 1260 in Lamar Co. on 28 Nov (Jim Ozier) and 739 in Spalding Co. on the same day (Michael Beohm).

BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER - Inland reports were of singles at a sod farm in the Marshallville area on 8 Aug (Julie Ballenger, Walt Chambers), in Floyd Co. on 15 Aug (Marion Dobbs) and at Legacy Sod in Bartow Co. on 17 Aug (Bruce Dralle).

AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVER - The best counts were six at East Georgia Turf near Statesboro on both 13 Sep (Gene Keferl) and 14 Sep (Russ Wigh) and seven at Legacy Sod in Bartow Co. on 15 Sep (Bruce Dralle). Singles were also reported at the Phinizy Swamp in Richmond Co. on 2 Sep (Paul Champlin), from Washington Co. on 6 Sep (Jim Flynn, Earl Horn) and from the ELHLAF on 26 Sep (Carol Lambert).

SEMIPALMATED PLOVER - Twenty was a good count from Burke Co. on 28 Aug (Giff Beaton, Giff Beaton Sr., Tom Egan).

AMERICAN OYSTERCATCHER - A nice count of 55 was made on Little St. Simons Island on 5 Oct (Jeff Sewell et al.).

WILLET - Singles were found inland at Clarks Hill Reservoir in Columbia Co. on 24 Aug (Paul Champlin) and in Burke Co. on 6 Sep (Jim Flynn, Earl Horn).

UPLAND SANDPIPER - The best counts were eight at East Georgia Turf in Bulloch Co. on both 10 Aug (Brad Winn) and 11 Aug (Russ Wigh) and an impressive 42 at a sod farm in the Marshallville area on 20 Aug (Walt Chambers). Elsewhere singles were seen in Peach Co. on 8 Aug (Julie Ballenger, Walt Chambers), in Floyd Co. on 15 Aug (Marion Dobbs), in Bartow Co. on 30 Aug (Bob Zaremba) and 31 Aug (Traci Brown, Bruce Dralle), and in Washington Co. on 6 Sep (Jim Flynn, Earl Horn).

LONG-BILLED CURLEW - Two were found on Little St. Simons Island on 5 and 6 Oct (Giff Beaton, Jeff Sewell et al.), and one was seen along Jekyll Island Causeway on 29 Nov (John Gatchet).

MARBLED GODWIT - A very high count of 121 was made on Little St. Simons Island on 6 Oct (Giff Beaton et al.).

RED KNOT - A count of 173 was made on Little St. Simons Island on 6 Oct (Giff Beaton et al.).

SANDERLING - This species was well reported inland, with one at ENWR on 4 Aug (Walt Chambers), one at J.L. Lester WMA in Polk Co. on 11 Aug (Marion Dobbs), three in Bartow Co. on 14 Aug (John Gatchet), two at the ELHLAF on 16 Aug (Carol Lambert), one in Burke Co. on 28 Aug (Giff Beaton, Giff Beaton Sr., Tom Egan), one at the Phinizy Swamp in Richmand Co. on 14 Sep (Paul Champlin), and one at West Point Dam in Troup Co. on 5 Nov (Walt Chambers).

WESTERN SANDPIPER - Six were seen at J.L. Lester WMA in Floyd Co. on 4 Aug (Marion Dobbs, Chris Loudermilk).

LEAST SANDPIPER - A good inland count of 65 was made in Baker Co. on 23 Oct (Giff Beaton, Tom Egan).

WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER - The high count was 15 at the Phinizy Swamp in Richmond Co. on15 Sep (Paul Champlin et al.).

BAIRD’S SANDPIPER - Reports included one at Sod Atlanta in Bartow Co. on 11 Aug (Traci Brown, Bruce Dralle, Earl Horn), one at Clarks Hill Reservoir on 24 Aug (Paul Champlin), one in Burke Co. on 28 Aug (Giff Beaton, Giff Beaton Sr., Tom Egan), one at Legacy Sod in Bartow Co. on 2 Sep (John Gatchet) and 3 Sep (Jim Flynn), and two in Washington Co. on 6 Sep (Jim Flynn, Earl Horn).

PECTORAL SANDPIPER - Good counts from Bartow Co. sod farms were 186 at Sod Atlanta on 17 Aug and 142 at Legacy Sod the following day (Bruce Dralle).
DUNLIN - The high count from the ELHLAF was nine on 26 Oct (Malcolm Hodges, Carol Lambert, Jeff Sewell).

STILT SANDPIPER - The best inland counts were seven from Bartow Co. on 30 Aug (Bob Zaremba), three in Burke Co. on 6 Sep (Jim Flynn, Earl Horn) and seven at the ELHLAF on 13 Oct (Jim Flynn, Earl Horn). Four were also found on Little St. Simons Island on 6 Oct (Giff Beaton et al.).

BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER - The best counts were 16 in Bartow Co. on 14 Sep (Bruce Dralle), seven in the Marshallville area on 13 Sep (Mark Freeman) and six at East Georgia Turf in Bulloch Co. on 14 Sep (Russ Wigh).

SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER - Two were found at ENWR on 4 Aug (Walt Chambers), two to three were reported from Bartow Co. from 30 Aug (Traci Brown, Bruce Dralle) through 4 Sep (John Gatchet), three were at Clarks Hill Reservoir in Columbia Co. on 2 Sep (Paul Champlin), one was at Phinizy Swamp in Richmond Co. on 2 Sep (Paul Champlin), and one was seen in Sumter Co. on 20 Oct (Jim Flynn, Phil Hardy, Earl Horn, Bob Norris).

LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER - One was seen in Washington Co. on 28 Aug (Giff Beaton, Giff Beaton Sr., Tom Egan), one was found at Clarks Hill Reservoir in Columbia Co. on 2 Sep (Paul Champlin), two were found at the ELHLAF on 13 Oct (Jim Flynn, Earl Horn) and 14 Oct (Carol Lambert), and four was a good count from Baker Co. on 23 Oct (Giff Beaton, Tom Egan).

WILSON’S PHALAROPE - Good finds were singles in Burke Co. on 6 Sep (Jim Flynn, Earl Horn), in the Marshallville area also on 6 Sep (Bill Blakeslee, Jeff Sewell), and at SCSP on 17 Sep (Chris Loudermilk).

RED PHALAROPE - A very rare find was one in Bartow Co. from 1 to 4 Sep (Marie Amerson, Marion Dobbs, Bob Zaremba et al.).

POMARINE JAEGER - Two were observed off Jekyll Island on 21 Nov (Giff Beaton), and one was seen again off Jekyll Island on 29 Nov (John Gatchet).

PARASITIC JAEGER - One was seen off Tybee Island on 20 Nov (Giff Beaton, Jim Flynn, Earl Horn), two were observed off Jekyll Island on 21 Nov (Giff Beaton), and one was seen also at Jekyll Island on 29 Nov (John Gatchet).

LAUGHING GULL - Two were seen at Walter F. George Lake on 4 Aug (Walt Chambers), two were at West Point Dam in Troup Co. on 7 Aug (Walt Chambers), and two single birds were seen at SCSP on 15 Sep (Jim Flynn, Earl Horn, Chris Loudermilk) and 17 Sep (Chris Loudermilk). On the coast, 8000 were counted at Jekyll Island on 6 Oct (Joan Sykes, Paul Sykes).

FRANKLIN’S GULL - A first-year bird was found at Clarks Hill Reservoir on 14 Oct (Paul Champlin). Another bird was seen at West Point Dam in Troup Co. on 15 Nov (Lorna West).

BONAPARTE’S GULL - Ten was a good count from the ELHLAF on 18 Nov (Carol Lambert).

LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL - One was a rare inland find at Clarks Hill Reservoir in Columbia Co. on 14 Oct (Paul Champlin). Thirteen was a good count at St. Simons Island on 25 Oct (Gene Keferl).

CASPIAN TERN - Inland sightings included two to three in the Lake Seminole area on 4 Aug (Michael Bell, Sean Kelley) and 6 Aug (Michael Beohm), one at SCSP on 16 Aug (Chris Loudermilk), one at the Phinizy Swamp in Richmond Co. on 29 Aug (Paul Champlin), two again at SCSP on 31 Aug (Chris Loudermilk), two at the Merry Bros. Ponds in Richmond Co. on 2 Sep (Paul Champlin), one at Carter’s Lake in Murray Co. on 29 Sep (Jim Flynn, Earl Horn), one at the ELHLAF on 11 Oct (Carol Lambert), one at Clarks Hill Reservoir in Columbia Co. on 14 Oct (Paul Champlin) and one in Wilkes Co. on 3 Nov (Jim Flynn, Earl Horn). A good count of 68 was made on St. Simons Island on 25 Oct (Gene Keferl).

COMMON TERN - Fifty were reported from Blackbeard Island on 8 Aug (Russ Wigh). Inland sightings were of eight near Walter F. George Dam on 4 Aug (Walt Chambers), one at West Point Dam in Troup Co. on 7 Aug (Walt Chambers), three at SCSP on 15 Sep (Chris Loudermilk), and one at Lake Acworth on 30 Aug (Giff Beaton, Tom Egan, Pierre Howard).

LEAST TERN - A good count of 170 was made at Blackbeard Island on 18 Aug (Lydia Thompson).

BRIDLED TERN - On two pelagic trips out of Savannah nine were seen on 24 Aug (Russ Wigh et al.) and two were seen on 7 Sep (Russ Wigh et al.).

SOOTY TERN - The two pelagic trips had totals of 27 on 24 Aug (Russ Wigh et al.) and 10 on 7 Sep (Russ Wigh et al.).

BLACK TERN - Inland reports included five at the ELHLAF on 16 Aug (Carol Lambert), 14 at SCSP on the same day (Chris Loudermilk), five in the Marshallville area also on 16 Aug (Walt Chambers), 22 in Bartow Co. on 17 Aug (Bruce Dralle) and eight at Clarks Hill Reservoir on 24 Aug (Paul Champlin). The best count was 225 on Blackbeard Island on 18 Aug (Lydia Thompson).

WIHITE-WINGED DOVE - One was a good find along St. Simons Island Causeway on 20 Nov (Giff Beaton, Jim Flynn, Earl Horn).

COMMON GROUND-DOVE - Two seen at the Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center on 31 Oct were a little north of this species’ usual range (Tim Keyes).

LONG-EARED OWL - Apparently two injured birds were picked during November. One was tangled in a fence in Fayette Co. (Jim Ozier), and the other was found along the Flint River at the Spalding/Pike Co. line (fide Carol Lambert).

COMMON NIGHTHAWK - The best count was 65+ in the Buckhead area on 27 Aug (Bill Lotz)

SELASPHORUS SP - As is now expected, there were several reports of hummingbirds of this genus from across the state during the period.

OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER - One was seen in Cobb Co. on 18 Sep (Bruce Dralle), and two were found at the Suwanee Creek Greenway in Gwinnett Co. on both 27 and 28 Sep (Earl Horn, Bill Lotz).

YELLOW-BELLIED FLYCATCHER - There was a total of seventeen birds reported from across the state during the month of September (v.ob.). Hopefully all of these birds were identified correctly!

ALDER FLYCATCHER - A bird seen well on Blackbeard Island on 5 Oct was felt to be this species (Giff Beaton et al.).

VERMILION FLYCATCHER - A male was a good find in Miller Co. from 23 Oct (Giff Beaton, Tom Egan) through at least 17 Nov (Jim Flynn). This was a 22nd record for the state and the second earliest.

WESTERN KINGBIRD - Singles were seen on Jekyll Island on 5 Oct (Lydia Thompson) and at Harris Neck NWR on 23 and 24 Nov (Pat Metz).

SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER - One was a nice find at Birdsong Nature Center in Grady Co. on 19 Oct (Michael Bell, Peter Jones et al.).

BLUE-HEADED VIREO - Eighteen was a good count at Kennesaw Mt. on 27 Oct (Giff Beaton).

WARBLING VIREO - This species is a good find anywhere in the state, but two seen on Jekyll Island on 6 Oct provided a very rare report for the coast (Carol Lambert).

PHILADELPHIA VIREO - This species was well reported during September and October, including a high count of three at Kennesaw Mt. on 3 Oct (Bob Zaremba et al.).

HORNED LARK - The best counts were 24 in Bartow Co. on 17 Aug (Bruce Dralle) and 25 in Washington Co. on 28 Aug (Giff Beaton, Giff Beaton Sr., Tom Egan).

NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW - Five seen at the ELHLAF on 26 Oct were somewhat late (Carol Lambert). Also late were singles in Greene Co. on 2 Nov (Paul Sykes) and at Jekyll Island on 25 Nov (Michael Beohm).

BANK SWALLOW - A good count of 27 came from Super Sod in Peach Co. on 23 Aug (Tim Keyes, Jeff Sewell).

BROWN CREEPER - Five was a good count at Kennesaw Mt. on 1 Nov (Tom Egan et al.).

SEDGE WREN - The best reports were three at CRNRA on 17 Oct (Tim Keyes), three at J.L. Lester WMA in Polk Co. on 20 Oct (Chris Loudermilk), eight at Birdsong Nature Center in Grady Co. on 26 Oct (Michael Bell), three in Greene Co. on 2 Nov (Paul Sykes), three in Lincoln Co. on 3 Nov (Jim Flynn, Earl Horn) and three at Phinizy Swamp in Richmond Co. on 16 Nov (Paul Champlin).

MARSH WREN - Two were seen at CRNRA on 30 Sep (Bob Zaremba), and singles were seen again at CRNRA on 16 Oct (Ellen Miller) and at SPCNP on both 6 Oct (Jeff Madsen) and 10 Oct (Leslie Curran). Two were found at Oxbow Meadows in the Columbus area on 2 Nov (Walt Chambers).

GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLET - One seen at Chicopee Woods in Hall Co. on 23 Sep was early (Karen Theodorou).

RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET - Also early was one of this species seen at Kennesaw Mt. on 9 Sep (Tom Egan et al.).

BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER - Late singles were seen at Kennesaw Mt. on 31 Oct (Tom Egan et al.) and in the Tucker area on 28 Nov (Jenny Michaels).

VEERY- Forty were tallied at Kennesaw Mt. on a pre-dawn count at Kennesaw Mt. on 29 Sep (Bob Zaremba, Deb Zaremba).

GRAY-CHEEKED THRUSH - The same pre-dawn count at Kennesaw Mt. totaled 20 of this species (Bob Zaremba, Deb Zaremba). The best daytime counts were four in the Columbus area on 28 Sep (Walt Chambers) and also four at Kennesaw Mt. on 2 Oct (Bob Zaremba et al.).

SWAINSON’S THRUSH - The pre-dawn count at Kennesaw Mt. on 29 Sep produced 146. A good count of 30+ was made at Big Creek Greenway in the Alpharetta area on 19 Sep (Leslie Curran, Theresa Hartz).

BLUE-WINGED WARBLER - Four was a good count for the Columbus area on 16 Sep (Walt Chambers).

“BREWSTER’S WARBLER” - Singles of this Blue-winged x Golden-winged Warbler hybrid form were seen at Kennesaw Mt. on 19 Sep (Tom Egan et al.), Big Creek Greenway in the Alpharetta area also on 19 Sep (Leslie Curran, Theresa Hartz) and at Buford Dam on 1 Oct (Jim Flynn).

“LAWRENCE’S WARBLER” - This much rarer hybrid form was reported from the Buckhead area on 16 Sep (Melissa Heath).

TENNESSEE WARBLER - The high count from Kennesaw Mt. was 43 on 23 Sep (Deb Zaremba et al.). Thirty-five was a good count from Lamar Co. on 13 Oct (Jim Flynn, Earl Horn).

ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER - Three was a good count at Dawson Forest on 18 Oct (Jim Flynn).

NASHVILLE WARBLER - Only three singles were reported from Kennesaw Mt. for the period (fide Tom Egan). Singles were also seen on Tybee Island on 22 Sep (Doris Cohrs), in Dawson Forest on 23 Sep (Jim Flynn) at SCSP on 7 Oct (Chris Loudermilk), and in Floyd Co. on 8 Oct (Marion Dobbs).

YELLOW WARBLER - A count of 18 was made at AWMA on 4 Aug (Nathan Klaus).

MAGNOLIA WARBLER - A very high count of 41 was made at Suwanee Creek Greenway in Gwinnett Co. on 14 Sep (Earl Horn et al.).

BAY-BREASTED WARBLER - Twenty-four was a good count at Kennesaw Mt. on 27 Oct (Giff Beaton et al.).

BLACKPOLL WARBLER - Singles were found in Floyd Co. on 1 Oct (Marion Dobbs) and at Phinizy Swamp in Richmond Co. on 14 Oct (Paul Champlin). Four were also recorded at Kennesaw Mt. during the month of October (fide Tom Egan).

CERULEAN WARBLER - It was a good year for this species at Kennesaw Mt. with a total of 135 birds reported for the fall (fide Tom Egan). The five-year average is 113.

BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER - It was also a good season for this species at Kennesaw Mt., with a total of 336 birds reported, considerably higher than the five year average of 191 (fide Tom Egan). A good count of 12 was made at Suwanee Creek Greenway in Gwinnett Co. on 14 Sep (Earl Horn et al.).

AMERICAN REDSTART - High counts were 25 at Suwanee Creek Greenway in Gwinnett Co. on 21 Sep (Earl Horn) and 23 at Kennesaw Mt. on 29 Sep (fide Tom Egan).

WORM-EATING WARBLER - A bird seen at SCSP on 13 Oct was somewhat late (Chris Loudermilk).

SWAINSON’S WARBLER - Four were found in the Columbus area on 25 Aug, 2 Sep and 5 Sep (Walt Chambers).

OVENBIRD - One was still at the ELHLAF Wetlands Center on 26 Oct (Carol Lambert).

NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH - One seen at Skidaway Island on 18 Oct was late (Russ Wigh).

CONNECTICUT WARBLER - Singles were found Reynold’s Preserve on 24 Sep (Paul Raney) and at Arrowhead Wildlife Education Center in Floyd Co. on 7 Oct (Nelson Dobbs).

MOURNING WARBLER - Two were an exceptional find at Kennesaw Mt. on 23 Sep (Sterling Blanchard, Pierre Howard, Deb Zaremba).

WILSON’S WARBLER - There were a total of 10 birds reported, including a rare coastal report of one at Skidaway Island on 15 Sep (Russ Wigh) and two at Suwanee Creek Greenway in Gwinnett Co. on 20 Sep (Jim Flynn, Earl Horn, Rusty Trump).

CANADA WARBLER - The high count was three at both Indian Springs State Park on 9 Sep (Michael Beohm) and Suwanee Creek Greenway in Gwinnett Co. on 14 Sep (Earl Horn et al.).

SUMMER TANAGER - A late bird was seen in Gwinnett Co. on 20 Nov (Karen Theodorou).

CLAY-COLORED SPARROW - One was reported from the AWMA on 5 Oct (Bob Zaremba, Deb Zaremba).

LARK SPARROW - Singles were found in Gordon Co. on 2 Sep (John Gatchet) and 7 Sep (Johnny Parks) and in Oglethorpe Co. on 7 Oct (Jim Flynn).

HENSLOW’S SPARROW - One was a good find at CRNRA on 17 Oct (Tim Keyes). Two to three were seen on Skidaway Island on 31 Oct (Russ Wigh) and eight were counted at Birdsong Nature Center in Grady Co. on 23 Nov (Michael Bell).

LE CONTE’S SPARROW - Singles were seen in Oglethorpe Co. on 3 Nov (Jim Flynn, Earl Horn) and at Paulk’s Pasture WMA in Glynn Co. on 29 Nov (John Gatchet). Six was the high count at Phinizy Swamp in Richmond Co. on 16 Nov (Paul Champlin).

NELSON’S SHARP-TAILED SPARROW - One was seen at Phinizy Swamp in Richmond Co. on 16 and 24 Nov (Paul Champlin).

SONG SPARROW - A count of 410 was made in an area of less than 60 acres in Greene Co. on 30 Nov (Paul Sykes).

LINCOLN’S SPARROW - Two were a good find in Douglas Co. on 19 Oct (Chris Loudermilk). Singles were seen in Floyd Co. on 10 Oct (Marion Dobbs), at Kennesaw Mt. on 16 Oct (Tom Egan et al.), in Dawson Forest on 18 Oct (Jim Flynn), in Greene Co. on 19 Oct (Paul Sykes), in Gwinnett Co. on 25 Oct (Earl Horn), at Kennesaw Mt. on 29 Oct (Tom Egan et al.), in Greene Co. on 2 Nov (Paul Sykes) and at Oxbow Meadows in the Columbus area on 13 Nov (Walt Chambers).

ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK - A male in Laurens Co. on 8 Aug was very early (Michael Beohm). A late bird was seen in Forsyth Co. on 10 Nov (Jim Flynn).

INDOGO BUNTING - A good count of 40+ came from SPCNP on 6 Oct (Jeff Madsen).

PAINTED BUNTING - A female was seen in Thomas Co. on 31 Oct (Leon Neel), and a late bird was seen at Jekyll Island on 25 Nov (Michael Beohm).

DICKCISSEL - Small numbers were reported from Bartow Co. during August and September (v.ob.), and two were seen at Oxbow Meadows on 28 Sep (Walt Chambers). One was seen at the Phinizy Swamp in Richmond Co. on the late date of 24 Nov (Bob Zaremba, Deb Zaremba, Pierre Howard).

BOBOLINK - A count of 52 was made in Bartow Co. on 15 Sep (Bruce Dralle).

YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD - An immature was seen at the Phinizy Swamp in Richmond Co. on 15 Sep (James Keener et al.).

BREWER’S BLACKBIRD - Three hundred was an excellent count from Bartow Co. on 16 Nov (Traci Brown, Bruce Dralle).

SCOTT’S ORIOLE - A truly amazing find was one at the home of Richard Beohm in Upson Co. from 3 through 8 Nov (Eric Beohm, Michael Beohm, Richard Beohm). This bird was well photographed and has been accepted as a first record for Georgia by the GOS Record Committee.

AMERICAN GOLDFINCH - Early for the coast was a male in the Darien area on 7 Sep (Doris Cohrs).

Return to "From The Field" Menu