Birders also managed to help add to our knowledge of changes in the breeding ranges of various species. Some, such as Cliff Swallow and Eastern Phoebe, seem to be on a steady march south, whereas the Florida subspecies of Boat-tailed Grackle may be spreading further inland. The documented nesting attempt of Cedar Waxwing in Sumter County illustrates that summer can be a rewarding time to be out in the field.

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.
ELHLAF - E.L. Huie Land Application Facility in Clayton Co.
ENWR - the Bradley Unit of the Eufaula National Wildlife Refuge in Stewart Co.
Kennesaw Mt. - Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park in Cobb Co.
NWR - National Wildlife Refuge
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.

PIED-BILLED GREBE - A pair nested successfully at the Phinizy Swamp in Richmond Co. this summer. Two young were seen on 4 July (Anne Waters).

BLACK-CAPPED PETREL - One was seen on a pelagic trip about 50 miles out of Savannah on 11 June (Eric Beohm).

CORY’S SHEARWATER - A count of 51 was made on a pelagic trip out of Tybee Island on 24 June (Russ Wigh et al.).

GREATER SHEARWATER - The two aforementioned pelagic trips produced counts of two on 11 June (Eric Beohm) and 19 on 24 June (Russ Wigh et al.).

WILSON’S STORM PETREL - Six were seen on each of the pelagic trips on 11 June (Eric Beohm) and 24 June (Russ Wigh et al.).

LEACH’S STORM PETREL - One was seen on the pelagic trip out of Savannah on 11 June (Eric Beohm).

WHITE-TAILED TROPICBIRD - An adult bird was a great find approximately 118 km due east of St. Catherines Island on the pelagic trip on 24 June (Russ Wigh et al.). Everyone on the trip enjoyed good views of the bird, and excellent photographs were taken.

AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN - A count of 16 was made at Walter F. George Dam on 7 July (Walt Chambers), and the same observer saw one at the same location on 13 July.

BROWN PELICAN - One was found at Walter F. George Dam on both 24 June and 20 July (Walt Chambers).

ANHINGA - A count of 51 was made at AWMA on 25 June (Jim Flynn). One seen in Spalding Co. on 29 July was quite far north (Eric Beohm).

“GREAT WHITE HERON” - The all-white morph of the Great Blue Heron was found in the Duluth area in Gwinnett Co. from 24 July through the end of the period (Rick Rader).

SNOWY EGRET - Seven were counted at the ELHLAF on 26 July (Carol Lambert).

REDDISH EGRET - Singles were seen at Gould’s Inlet on 22 June (Bill Lotz, Jeff Sewell) and at Sapelo Island on 25 June (Doris Cohrs), and three were found on Ossabaw Island on 23 July (Brad Winn).

CATTLE EGRET - This species was again well reported from north Georgia, with counts of 27 near Stockbridge in Henry Co. on 9 June (Peggy Moore, Terry Moore), 10 in Floyd Co. on 12 June (Stephen Stewart), 26 at the ELHLAF on 26 July (Carol Lambert) and nine at Dyar Pasture WMA in Greene Co. on 31 July (Jim Wilson).

BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON - An immature was a good find in Greene Co. on 4 July (Paul Sykes).

WHITE IBIS - Counts from north Georgia included 11 in Bartow Co. on 14 June (Bruce Dralle), two at Eagle’s Landing Nature Preserve in Henry Co. on 29 June (Jim Flynn, Earl Horn) and one at the ELHLAF on 26 July (Carol Lambert).

GLOSSY IBIS - One was found inland at the Phinizy Swamp in Richmond Co. on both 10 July (James Keener) and 27 July (Paul Champlin).

ROSEATE SPOONBILL - The best count from just south of Brunswick in Glynn Co. was 38 on 19 June (Lydia Thompson). One was seen inland along the Altamaha River in Long Co. from mid-June through the end of July (Jack Sandow).

BLUE-WINGED TEAL - A pair was at ENWR on 19 June (Walt Chambers), and ten were found at the same location on 13 July (Walt Chambers).

RING-NECKED DUCK - One was found at ENWR on 15 June (Walt Chambers).

LESSER SCAUP - One was reported from Columbia Co. from 13 to 15 June (Gene Howard, Calvin Zippler).

HOODED MERGANSER - A female was found at AWMA on 25 June (Jim Flynn, Earl Horn).

RUDDY DUCK - Single males were noted at the Phinizy Swamp in Richmond Co. on 8 June (Anne Waters, Calvin Zippler) and at Rock Eagle Park in Putnam Co. on 26 July (Billy Dunbar).

SWALLOW-TAILED KITE - Twenty-nine nests were found in Georgia this year (fide E.J.Williams). High counts included 19 in Long Co. on 20 July (Larry Carlile), 13 in Tattnall Co. on 20 July (Dan Kennedy) and an impressive 80 in Wayne Co. on 22 July (E.J. Williams). Also noteworthy were one in Jasper Co. on 17 July (Tim Keyes), two in the Macon area on 23 July (Ty Ivey) and two near Winder in Barrow Co. on 30 July (Ann McLaughlin).

MISSISSIPPI KITE - Nine were found in Early Co. on14 July (Jim Flynn, Earl Horn). The large kite congregation in Wayne Co. contained 12 of this species on 22 July (E.J. Williams).

NORTHERN HARRIER - A male was still in Oconee Co. on 11 June (E.J. Williams).

AMERICAN KESTREL - One was seen in Gordon Co. on 8 June (John Gatchett), two were noted in Bartow Co. on 13 June (Bill Lotz), a pair was seen at Oxbow Meadows in the Columbus area on 25 June (Walt Chambers), and one was observed in Miller Co. on 14 July (Jim Flynn, Earl Horn).

BLACK RAIL - One was heard calling at a marsh in Greene Co. on 4 July (Paul Sykes). Apparently numbers have decreased significantly at this location, the only known inland site for this species.

SORA - Very early were two at the AWMA on 19 July (Traci Brown, Bruce Dralle) and one in Bartow Co. on 26 July (Bob Zaremba, Deb Zaremba).

PURPLE GALLINULE - A pair with young were noted in Lee Co. on 9 June (Clive Rainey), and five adults and two young were found at a reliable site for this species in Clay Co. on 24 June (Walt Chambers).

AMERICAN COOT - One was found at the AWMA on 12 June (Eric Beohm), two were seen at Cooper Creek Park in the Columbus area on 25 June (Walt Chambers), and one was present at the ELHLAF during July (Carol Lambert).

SANDHILL CRANE - Two were present in Thomas Co. for about a week during early June (fide Leon Neel).

WILSON’S PLOVER - A count of 32 was made on Ossabaw Island on 23 July (Brad Winn).

SEMIPALMATED PLOVER - A count of 40 on Jekyll Island on 22 June was good for summer (Mike Chapman, Darrell Lee).

PIPING PLOVER - Six were already at St. Catherines Island on 22 July (Paul Sykes).

LESSER YELLOWLEGS - One seen at the ELHLAF on 29 June was early (Jeff Sewell).

WILLET - This species was well reported inland this summer. Six were seen in Bartow Co. on 13 July (Bob Zaremba), two were found at another location in Bartow Co. the following day (Bob Zaremba, Deb Zaremba), one was at Walter F. George Dam on 14 July (Jim Flynn, Earl Horn), and two were seen again at Walter F. George Dam on 20 July (Walt Chambers).

SPOTTED SANDPIPER - One seen in Greene Co. on 4 July could have been early or late (Paul Sykes).

LONG-BILLED CURLEW - One was found on Ossabaw Island on 23 July for a rare summer record (Brad Winn).

MARBLED GODWIT - Two were also unusual for summer at St. Catherines Island on 22 July (Paul Sykes).

LEAST SANDPIPER - One seen at the ELHLAF on 8 June was late (Jeff Sewell et al.).

WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER - Notable counts were 30 at the AWMA on 2 June (Eric Beohm), six in Bartow Co. on 7 June (Bruce Dralle) and eight at ENWR on 8 June (Walt Chambers).

PECTORAL SANDPIPER - The high count was 70 in Bartow Co. on 28 July (Bruce Dralle, Bob Zaremba, Deb Zaremba).

PURPLE SANDPIPER - A very late bird was photographed on 1 June at Tybee Island (Andrew Chapman).

STILT SANDPIPER - One seen at the AWMA on 2 June was late (Eric Beohm). Southbound were singles in Bartow Co. on 14 July (Bob Zaremba, Deb Zaremba) and at the Phinizy Swamp in Richmond Co. on 27 July (Paul Champlin).

LAUGHING GULL - Good numbers were seen inland along the Chattahoochee River, including eight at Florence Marina State Park on 8 June (Walt Chambers), ten at West Point Dam on 15 June (Walt Chambers) and three at Walter F. George Dam on 14 July (Jim Flynn, Earl Horn).

HERRING GULL - Unusual for summer was one seen at Walter F. George Dam on both 13 July (Walt Chambers) and 14 July (Jim Flynn, Earl Horn).

LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL - Two were seen at Tybee Island on both 24 June (Jim Flynn et al.) and 14 July (Rick Fridell).

GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL - Similar to the previous species, this gull appears to be coming more regular in summer. One was seen on Sapelo Island on both 16 and 23 July (Doris Cohrs).

CASPIAN TERN - One was seen at ENWR on 8 June (Walt Chambers).

COMMON TERN - Interesting inland reports were of four to six at ENWR on 29 June (Walt Chambers) and counts of 11 and eight at Walter F. George Dam on 29 June and 20 July, respectively (Walt Chambers). Twenty were reported from Tybee Island on 14 July (Krista Fridell, Rick Fridell).

LEAST TERN - A good count of 200 was made on Jekyll Island on 26 July (Lydia Thompson).

BRIDLED TERN - Three were reported on a pelagic trip out of Savannah on 11 June (Eric Beohm).

SOOTY TERN - Pelagic trips turned up one on 11 June (Eric Beohm) and two on 24 June (Russ Wigh et al.).

BLACK TERN - The best counts were 56 at Harris Neck NWR on 23 June (Bill Lotz, Jeff Sewell) and 30 at the AWMA on 25 June (Jim Flynn, Earl Horn).

WHITE-WINGED DOVE - One was present in Coffee Co. from 15 through 25 June (Annette Bittaker).

BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO - One was reported from Brasstown Bald on 16 June (Eric Beohm).

WILLOW FLYCATCHER - Singles were found in Fannin Co. on 8 June (Jim Flynn, Earl Horn) and at Brasstown Bald on 16 June (Eric Beohm). Very unusual was the report of one or two birds in the Macon area beginning 8 June through at least 23 July (Ty Ivey et al.).

EASTERN PHOEBE - This species is becoming a more regular breeder in the coastal plain, as evidenced by a pair in Randolph Co. and another pair found in Quitman Co. on 13 June (Giff Beaton). Also quite far south was one seen at Walter F. George Dam on 14 July (Jim Flynn, Earl Horn).

GRAY KINGBIRD - Two pair were reported from two different locations on Jekyll Island on 9 July (Russ Wigh) and 12 July (Lydia Thompson). One was seen on St. Simons Island on 20 July (Traci Brown, Bruce Dralle).

SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER - Singles were reported in Oconee Co. on 22 July (Carole Ludwig) and in the Lawrenceville area in Gwinnett Co. on 27 July (Diane Lahaise).

WARBLING VIREO - One reported from Trackrock Campground near Brasstown Bald was very interesting (Eric Beohm). This species is a common breeder not far to the north of Georgia, and has also been recorded breeding in Alabama.

TREE SWALLOW - One seen at the AWMA on 25 June was probably early (Jim Flynn, Earl Horn). Two seen at Eagle’s Landing Nature Preserve in Henry Co. on 29 June may also have been early, or could have been local breeders (Jim Flynn, Earl Horn). A pair was found nesting at Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center in Jasper Co. during July (Tim Keyes).

NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW - Good counts included 546 in Miller Co. on 14 July (Jim Flynn, Earl Horn) and 575 in Peach Co. on 27 July (Jim Flynn, Earl Horn).

BANK SWALLOW - One at the ELHLAF on 13 July was quite early (Patrick Brisse, Jeff Sewell).

CLIFF SWALLOW - This species continues to expand its breeding range southwards. Several were found nesting along the Pataula Creek arm of Walter F. George Lake in Clay Co. on 13 June (Giff Beaton).

RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH - One was found at Trackrock Campground near Brasstown Bald on 18 June (Jim Flynn), and four to five were reported from along Burrell’s Ford Rd. in Rabun Co. on 3 July (Rick Fridell).

HOUSE WREN - This is another species that is expanding its breeding range in Georgia, though one found at Mayhaw WMA in Miller Co. on 14 July was quite a surprise (Jim Flynn, Earl Horn).

CEDAR WAXWING - Even more surprising was a failed nesting attempt by this species in Sumter Co. during June (Phil Hardy).

GOLDEN-WINGED WARBLER - Two seen at Kennesaw Mt. on 29 July were quite early (Tom Egan).

BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER - One seen at Tybee Island on 5 June was late (Diana Churchill).

BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER - An early bird was reported in the Athens area on 5 July (Templeton Hill).

CERULEAN WARBLER - The high count for the period was seven at Kennesaw Mt. on 31 July (Tom Egan et al.).

BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER - A nice count of 15 was made at Kennesaw Mt. on 31 July (Tom Egan et al.).

AMERICAN REDSTART - Two pair were good finds along Pataula Creek in Randolph Co. and Quitman Co. on 13 June (Giff Beaton). The ACOGB does list this species as breeding south to Early Co., but I am unaware of any reports during the breeding season in recent years from southwest Georgia.

SAVANNAH SPARROW - One seen at the AWMA on 12 June was very late (Eric Beohm).

GRASSHOPPER SPARROW - A count of 15 was made in Bartow Co. on 28 July (Bob Zaremba, Deb Zaremba).

PAINTED BUNTING - Five was a good count in Laurens Co. on 18 June (Michael Beohm). Other singles were found in the Americus area in Sumter Co. on 17 June (Bob Norris), at ENWR on 24 June (Walt Chambers) and in Emanuel Co. on 26 June (Michael Beohm).

DICKCISSEL - The best count from Bartow Co. was five on 28 July (Bob Zaremba, Deb Zaremba).

BOAT-TAILED GRACKLE - Six, including two fledglings, of the Gulf Coast brown-eyed subspecies were found in Tift Co. on 29 June (Jim Flynn, Earl Horn).

ORCHARD ORIOLE - A good count of 30 was made on Jekyll Island on 28 June, indicating early movement of this species (Lydia Thompson).

PINE SISKIN - Two were found near Brasstown Bald on 16 June (Eric Beohm).

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