Compiled and Edited by bob Zaremba
(First published in The Oriole, Vol. 69, Nos. 1/2, Pp 27-41)

This season had some amazing highlights in the state of Georgia. Kennesaw Mountain was host to two incredible records this fall when Pierre Howard discovered a Black-throated Gray Warbler and Giff Beaton found a very rare Bell’s Vireo for only the second record in the state for both of these species. The fall migration period was also highlighted by many late reports of lingering birds due primarily to the mild weather that we enjoyed well in to November. Another exciting birding location near Atlanta was discovered as David Heyden provided us with daily reports from the Robinson Nature Preserve. David found some great birds there like Mourning Warbler, Western Kingbird and Clay-colored Sparrow. Hopefully birders will continue to enjoy this wonderful location for years to come. Speaking of birding paradises, Brandon Noel’s coverage of Little Saint Simons Island has kept all of us envious of his full time position as the naturalist on this Georgia coastal gem. His reports dominated most of the shorebird, gull and tern reports for the state. If you ever have the chance to visit the island and enjoy the diverse habitats and bird life jump at it! Russ Wigh’s pelagic endeavors have also helped us better understand the status of birds off the Georgia shore, as was highlighted by another amazing record this fall of two Brown Noddies seen offshore on a pelagic trip out to the gulf stream in August. This was truly a wonderful fall for birding in Georgia. Enjoy the detailed sightings that follow!

   

GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE – This species showed up in pretty good numbers this season. The earliest arriving birds were four seen by Doris Cohrs at the AWMA on 24 October. Judy Gaines reported a single bird with a flock on Snow Geese on her property in Bartow County from 16 November through 19 November. Dan Guynn found two birds in Irwin County on 23 November that remained until 25 November. Several reports from the coast later in the month by Mike Chapman included eight birds on 22 November from the AWMA and finally, two birds were found at Tybee Island on 29 November by Steve Barlow.

SNOW GOOSE – We are continuing to see growing numbers of reports for this species each year. The first report received was on 12 November when Chris Loudermilk located a single bird at SCSP. The next day, 13 November, Rusty Trump had a group of 26 birds in Suwanee. On 19 November, Judy Gaines reported a group of 12 birds in a small pond on her property in Bartow County. The birds remained at least until 19 November, but were moving around the many small farm ponds in that area and sometimes difficult to find. Finally, Doris Cohrs reported a single bird from the observation tower at the AWMA on 16 November. Apparently, the week of the 12 November was a good week for migrating Snow Geese.

ROSS’S GOOSE – A single bird at Lake Juliette was reported by Eric Beohm on 13 November. Later in the month, Karen Theodorou found another bird at Collins’ Park on 24 November, which was later seen by Earl Horn.

TUNDRA SWAN – The only report for this period was a bird found by Paul Champlin at the Merry Brothers Brickyards in Augusta on 30 November.

WOOD DUCK – Jim Flynn had a high count of 36 birds in Dawson Forest WMA on 30 September.

GADWALL – Steve Barlow recorded a very early date when he located two birds at Harris Neck NWR on 24 August. The ACOGB states that the extreme dates for arriving wintering birds to be 12 October on the coast. There was another August record for Glynn County, 18-20 August 1989 (Oriole 55:25) listed as accidental. It would be worth documenting this sighting for the Oriole as well. More in line with their normal status, Eric Beohm reported 28 birds at Lake Juliette on 20 November.

AMERICAN WIGEON – Marion Dobbs has been monitoring the waterfowl at Garden Lakes in Rome the past few years and noted the arrival of this species with 12 birds on 14 October. The numbers of birds gradually built to a high count of 95 on 30 November. This location has been a very reliable spot for this species over the years.

AMERICAN BLACK DUCK – Karen Theodorou reported finding six ducks at Chicopee Woods Nature Preserve on 17 November. Michael Boehm at Lake Horton and Bob Zaremba at Lake Acworth found single birds, both on 9 November.

MOTTLED DUCK – With the return of good habitat on the east side of the AWMA, this species is getting easier to find once again, and Bob Zaremba found four birds on 12 October. From other locations on the coast, Gene Keferl found 12 birds on Rhetts Island and 18 birds of Egg Island Bar on 1 September. Finally, Brandon Noel reported seeing this species on Little Saint Simon Island on 16 September.

BLUE-WINGED TEAL – The earliest reported birds were from ELHUIE where Carol Lambert found a group of 11 birds on 17 August. Later in the month, Jerry Amerson found this species at the Macon Brickyards and Bob Zaremba found four birds on 25 August and 30 birds on 30 August in Bartow County. Terry Johnson recorded the highest count on 20 September of 62 birds in Monroe County.

NORTHERN SHOVELER – The first report was from Patrick Brisse who located four birds at ELHUIE on 17 August. The high count grew to 80 birds at ELHUIE on 16 November, reported by Carol Lambert.

NORTHERN PINTAIL – There were few reports of this species during the period, so a single bird at ELHUIE reported by Jeff Sewell and Carol Lambert on 20 September was very good. Bob Zaremba also reported finding this species at the AWMA with six birds on 10 October and eight birds on 12 October.

GREEN-WINGED TEAL – The earliest arriving birds were once again at ELHUIE, where Carol Lambert reported four birds on 20 September. The highest reported total was from Gene Keferl and Mark Freeman who reported over 200 birds at the AWMA on 2 November.
CANVASBACK – The only report of this species was from Michael Beohm who had two birds at Lake Horton on 9 November.

REDHEAD – Walt Chambers reported 15 birds at West Point Dam on 15 November. A week earlier, on 8 November, Eric Beohm reported seeing 19 birds at the J.W. Smith Reservoir in Clayton County.

RING-NECKED DUCK – The highest count for this species was an incredible 1500+ birds reported by Paul Champlin from Phinizy Swamp on 9 November.

LESSER SCAUP – Sterling Blanchard had a nice count of 150 birds on 14 November from the lake at Plant Wansley.

SURF SCOTER – This species usually shows up in small numbers, scattered around the state in small lakes and on the coast. The earliest report was from Bear Creek Reservoir where Mike Freeman found two birds on 28 October. The next day, Malcolm Hodges located a single bird at ELHUIE in Clayton County. Chris Loudermilk found two birds at SCSP on 9 November. Followed the next week by Michael Beohm who found two birds on Lake Horton on 14 November. Finally, Steve Barlow found four birds of Jekyll Island on 30 November.

WHITE-WINGED SCOTER – This species is usually more difficult to find than Surf Scoter, so three off shore at the south end of Jekyll Island was a very good find for Gene Keferl on 23 November.

BLACK SCOTER – The usual wintering flocks off Jekyll Island began arriving in November. Lydia Thompson reported seeing 100+ birds off the south end of Jekyll on 7 November.

BUFFLEHEAD – The first report of this species was from Carol Lambert with six birds at ELHUIE on 8 November.

HOODED MERGANSER – Patrick Brisse reported a high count of more than 300 birds at ELHUIE on 16 November.

RED-BREASTED MERGANSER – The highest count was from Walt Chambers who reported seeing 35 birds at West Point Dam on 14 November.

RUDDY DUCK – The first arriving bird was one that Carol Lambert reported from ELHUIE on 6 October. Patrick Brisse had a high count of 29 birds in the same location on 16 November.

PLAIN CHACHALACA – This species continues to thrive at Sapelo Island. Earl Horn reported seeing three birds on 11 October in the usual place on the island near the garbage dump.

PACIFIC LOON – Michael Beohm reported seeing this species at Lake Horton on 9 November, if submitted and accepted this would be a very good record for Georgia.

COMMON LOON – The first report of this species came from Walter F. George Dam where Walt Chambers found three birds on 28 October. Any sightings away from the coast or large lakes in Georgia are good, so David Heyden’s report of 44 birds flying over Robinson Nature Preserve on 8 November was excellent. The high count for the period came later in the month when Walt Chambers had 73 at West Point Dam on 14 November.

PIED-BILLED GREBE – Lois Stacey had a very good count of 18 at Merry Brothers Brickyards in Augusta on 30 November.

HORNED GREBE – Steve Barlow had a good day finding this species on 9 November when he located a single bird at ELHUIE, 18 at Buford Dam and nine on Lake Allatoona.

EARED GREBE – This period proved to be good for this species which can be difficult to find some years, with several observers finding birds around the state. The first report was from Terry Johnson who found ten birds in Monroe County on 20 September. Eric Boehm had a peak count of 12 at Lake Juliette on 20 November, and a bird at ELHUIE was present through the end of November according to Carol Lambert.

CORY'S SHEARWATER – Several pelagic trips out of Savannah produced seven birds on 23 August and two birds on 29 August (Bob Zaremba, Chuck Saleeby, Russ Wigh). Russ Wigh also reported seeing five birds on 18 October on a trip out to Gray’s Reef.

GREATER SHEARWATER – Russ Wigh reported a single bird near Gray’s Reef on 22 August.

AUDUBON’S SHEARWATER – The previously mentioned pelagic trips also resulted in one bird on the 23 August trip and another single bird on the 29 August trip. (Bob Zaremba, Chuck Saleeby, Russ Wigh).

WILSON'S STORM-PETREL – A very good count of 13 birds on the pelagic trip on 23 August, followed by a count of three birds on the trip out on 29 August. (Bob Zaremba, Chuck Saleeby, Russ Wigh).

NORTHERN GANNET – The first report was from Marjorie Clark on a single bird on 29 November off the Coast of Jekyll Island.

AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN – Normally this species is found off St. Mary’s in Camden County, so any report away from this site is significant. This period, the reports were widespread, stretching from the west side of the state to the east side and from the coast to the piedmont. The earliest report was from Little Saint Simon Island where Brandon Noel reported seeing five birds on 24 August. He also reported having a group of 14 birds on 4 October on the island. Another coastal report was a bird seen on Sapelo Island on 11 October by Jerry Amerson and Earl Horn. Deb Barrio also reported seeing a flock of 17 birds further up the coast, flying over Fort Pulaski near Tybee Island on 23 October. Away from the coast, Anne Waters had a good report of this species on 30 October at Phinizy Swamp Nature Park in Augusta. On the other side of the state, Walt Chambers watched a single bird land in the south unit of the Bradley Unit of ENWR on 27 November. Perhaps the most interesting sighting during this period was from Marion Dobbs and Stephen Stewart who found six birds on Garden Lakes in Rome on 13 November.

AMERICAN BITTERN – The first report of this species was a bird found in the southern part of the state where Brad Bergstrom had a single bird in Grand Bay NWR on 6 September. Single birds were also found in various locations around the state. Walt Chambers reported finding one bird at the Bradley Unit of ENWR on 10 October. Jerry Bruner located a single bird at South Peachtree Creel Nature Preserve on 25 September. From the coast, Bob Zaremba found single birds on 12 October and 28 November at the AWMA.

LEAST BITTERN – The only reports this period were from AWMA where Nathan Klaus had a single bird on 15 August and Bob Zaremba had one bird on 24 August.

GREAT EGRET – Carol Lambert had a good count of 34 birds at ELHUIE on 3 August, and one bird lingered later than normal at the same location through 30 November. A count of 15 birds at a roost site in Bartow County on August 5 was a good count away from the coast by Bob Zaremba.

LITTLE BLUE HERON – Carol Lambert reported a high count of 29 birds from ELHUIE on 3 August.

REDDISH EGRET – This species is not known to breed in the state, however, reports are becoming more frequent and the number of individuals seems to be on the increase up and down the Georgia coast. Brandon Noel has had a lot of luck finding this species on Little Saint Simon Island with ten on 20 August, 15 on 9 October and 1 on 15 November. Elsewhere on the coast, Gene Keferl found seven birds on Egg Island Bar in the mouth of the Altamaha River on 1 September. Jerry Amerson reported finding a single bird on Sapelo Island on 11 October. The latest report was of a single bird from Gould’s Inlet on 29 November by Jeff Sewell and Carol Lambert.

CATTLE EGRET – A bird found by Walt Chambers at West Point Dam on 3 November was late for the area.

WHITE IBIS – This species is not usually found in large numbers away from the coast, so a high count of 276 birds in Evans County on 12 August by Dan Kennedy was excellent.

GLOSSY IBIS – Mike and Kathy Chapman made a great count of 35 birds at the AWMA near Darien on 22 November.

ROSEATE SPOONBILL – This is another species that is easily located on the coast, but reports away from the coast are usually scarce. The best reports once again came from Brandon Noel at Little Saint Simon Island, where he reported finding eight birds on 3 August, 14 birds on 20 August, three birds on 9 October and three birds on the late date of 15 November. Also on the coast, Robert Smith had five birds on Cumberland Island on 10 August. Several reports away from the coast were received. Furthest from the coast, Carol Lambert had an excellent report of a single bird at ELHUIE on 15 and 16 August. Earl Horn and Jim Flynn found a single bird in Calhoun County on 15 November that was both late and a great find away from the coast.

TURKEY VULTURE – Several good reports of large kettles of migrating vultures were received during this period. Eran Tomer reported seeing over 120 on 29 October and over 100 on 10 November in midtown Atlanta. Vicki DeLoach has a nice group of 200 over Sweat Mountain in Cobb County on 10 November as well. The highest count came from Emily Jo Williams who observed a mixed group of between 400 and 500 Black and Turkey Vultures west of Rock Eagle on 24 November.

SWALLOW-TAILED KITE – This species congregates in the fall over fields in South Georgia and many birders take the opportunity to observe this beautiful species. Several reports included 60 birds in Glennville found by Pete Moore on 10 August and another 60 birds along the Savannah River on 14 August by EJ Williams. Bill and Karla O’Grady found a single bird on 2 August north of Sanderville.

MISSISSIPPI KITE - Several excellent counts were reported in August from around the state. Bill and Karla O’Grady found 53 birds north of Sanderville on 2 August. Earl Horn had a good count of 52 birds in Taylor County on 17 August and Michael Beohm reported 51 birds in Upson County on 8 August.

BALD EAGLE – This period we had several reports away from the coast. Stacy Zarpentine had a single bird on 23 August at the Chattahoochee Nature Center. There were two reports in September; one bird near Mountain City on 7 September seen by Georgann Schmaltz and Jim Buckley and the second report was from Donna Jackson of a bird at Lake Horton. Finally, David Heyden reported seeing a bird on 17 October at the Robinson Nature Preserve in Cobb County.

MERLIN – The first report was of two birds at the AWMA on 10 October by Bob Zaremba. Things picked up in November from all around the state starting with one bird reported from ELHUIE on 8 November by Carol Lambert, followed the next day by a report of a single bird at KMT on 9 November. Walt Chambers saw a single bird at Oxbow meadows on 13 November and then reported seeing two birds the next day in Harris County on 14 November.

PEREGRINE FALCON – There were several birds reported from around the state this period. The earliest report away from any know nesting locations was a bird reported by Michael Bell at Ichauway Plantation on 18 September. Earl Horn reported seeing a bird in Marietta on 25 September, and another bird was report from Cobb County at KMT on 1 October. David Heyden also reported a bird from Robinson Nature Preserve in Cobb County on 23 October. In a more usual location, Patrick Leary found a juvenile female on the south end of Cumberland Island on 15 November.

BLACK RAIL – The only report for this elusive resident was a bird heard at AWMA on 26 October by Gene Keferl.

PURPLE GALLINULE – Bob Zaremba reported finding two birds at the AWMA on 24 August.

SANDHILL CRANE – This species moves through our state in good numbers beginning in late October and in to November. This year was no exception as crane watchers reported their movement daily on the GABO-L. The earliest reports were both on 29 October, but from far apart places in the state. David Heyden reported seeing 47 birds flying over Robinson Nature Preserve, while Hal Massie reported a nice flock of 85 birds in Crawford County that same day. The peak passages came later in November when Larry Ross reported seeing over 500 birds over Houston County on 14 November. Vickie and Harry DeLoach had the high count when they had over 1600 birds flying over Sweat Mountain in Cobb County on 29 November!

AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVER – Somewhat away from the normally reported locations, Dot Freeman and Betty Belanger found two birds in Clarkesville on 30 August and they were still present on 1 September. Ty Ivey also located this species away from the normal areas when he found two birds in Macon on 6 September. Returning to a more expected locale, Jeff Sewell has a single bird on 7 September at the Bartow County sod farms, and later that month at the same site, Steve Barlow reported a single bird on 13 September.

WILSON’S PLOVER – I received two good reports from the coast this period, Brandon Noel had over 50 birds on Little Saint Simon Island on 20 August. Later in the period, Patrick Leary had a nice count of 24 on Cumberland Island on 15 November.

PIPING PLOVER – As usual, the best location for this species has been on Little Saint Simon Island. Brandon Noel has done an incredible job tracking the bird life on the island and has provided a wealth of information to us all from this island paradise. Brandon had excellent totals this fall with counts of 50 birds on 3 August 69 birds on 20 August and a high count of 74 birds on 12 September.

AMERICAN OYSTERCATCHER – Very nice counts were tallied at Little Saint Simon Island where Brandon Noel had 100 birds on 20 August and 300 birds on 12 September. Later in the fall, Patrick Leary reported a nice count of 28 birds on Cumberland Island on 15 November.

BLACK-NECKED STILT – A very god report away from the coast, Mary Ann Teal and Stacy Zarpentine found a bird at ELHUIE on 13 August. The birds remained through at least 24 August.

AMERICAN AVOCET – Reports away from the coast are scarce, so six birds in Bartow on 2 August was an excellent find. The two birds found on 20 August at Oxbow Meadows near Columbus by Walt Chambers was a very good report, as were the two birds that showed up on 27 September at ELHUIE by Carol Lambert that remained through 10 October.

SOLITARY SANDPIPER – Two reports of lingering birds were received this period. Earl Horn had a bird in Glasscock County on 19 October and Walt Chambers had a very late bird on 16 November in Columbus.

WILLET – Inland reports of this species are always unusual so two reports from ELHUIE this period were very interesting. Carol Lambert had two birds on 3 August and Mark Beebe had two birds on 5 November.

UPLAND SANDPIPER – The best location for this species was the sod farm in Marshallville. Walt Chambers found 24 birds on 15 August, Bob Zaremba had 20 birds on 22 August and Walt again reported nine birds on 28 August. Away from this location, David Heyden found a bird at Robinson Nature Center on 25 August for a very unusual report.

LONG-BILLED CURLEW – Little Saint Simon Island proved to be the only reliable location for this species. Brandon Noel had a single bird on 3 August, to birds on 20 August and three birds on 10 September, which remained on the island through the end of the period.

MARBLED GODWIT – The best count was from, you guessed it, Little Saint Simon Island. Brandon Noel had 20 birds on 20 August.

SANDERLING – This species is rarely reported away from the coast; so one bird at West Point Dam on 16 September reported by Walt Chambers was an excellent report.

LEAST SANDPIPER – Several good counts were received during the period. Patrick Brisse reported 82 birds at ELHUIE on 24 August. Terry Johnson has 34 birds in Monroe County on 20 September.

WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER – Dot Bambach reported finding two birds on Blackbeard Island NWR on 25 September while doing shorebird surveys with Matt Ryan.

BAIRD’S SANDPIPER – This species is a rare transient statewide in the fall, so several reports from Bartow County, Floyd, Bibb and Monroe Counties were very good. The first report was of two birds at the Bartow County sod farm on 30 August by Earl Horn and Bob Zaremba. Jeff Sewell and Dan Vickers relocated one bird at the same site on 1 September and Steve Barlow had two birds at the same site on 7 September. Terry Johnson found one bird in Monroe County on 20 September and Jeff and Dan found another bird in Floyd County on 1 September. The high count came on 6 September when Ty Ivey found five birds in Macon.

PECTORAL SANDPIPER – Bob Zaremba reported a high count of 85 birds from the Bartow County sod farm on 31 August.

PURPLE SANDPIPER – Two reports were received on 29 November, one bird on Tybee Island reported by Bob Zaremba and two birds were seen by Gene Keferl at Sea Island.

DUNLIN – This species is seldom seen away from the coast. Marion Dobbs had two birds in Bartow County on 23 November. Carol Lambert found two birds at ELHUIE that remained through 30 November. Steve Barlow had a high count of six birds on 9 November.

STILT SANDPIPER – There were many reports scattered around the state. The first report came from Carol Lambert of three birds at ELHUIE from 2 August through 19 August. Walt Chambers found a single bird in Columbus on 20 August. From Macon, Ty Ivey was able to find six birds on 1 September and five birds on 6 September. The highest counts came from the coast where Bob Zaremba found 18 birds at AWMA on 10 October and Gene Keferl found 50 birds on 14 October.

BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER – There were a few reports around the state, the earliest was two birds found at ELHUIE on 17 August by Earl Horn and Jim Flynn that remained until 19 August (Carol Lambert). Jerry Amerson found this species in Emanuel County on 24 August. Several reports were received from Bartow County sod farms, Bob and Deb Zaremba found two birds on 30 August and Jeff Sewell and Dan Vickers reported a high count of nine birds on 1 September.

SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER – We received several reports of birds seen away from the coast. Steve Barlow had a single bird in Bartow County at the sod farm on 17 August. Three birds visited the ponds at ELHUIE between 31 August and 9 September (Carol Lambert) and Walt Chambers reported that he and Bill Birkhead had a single bird at Oxbow Meadows near Columbus on 24 August.

LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER – The only report of this species was a single bird flying over ELHUIE and calling on 3 September reported by Bob Zaremba.

WILSON’S PHALAROPE – The only report was a single bird seen in Bartow County at the sod farm by Bob and Deb Zaremba on 30 August.

RED-NECKED PHALAROPE – This species is rarely found inland, so pelagic trips are sometime the only way to see this species in Georgia. Two trips in August had success finding good numbers off the coast. The 23 August trip found 18 birds and 23 birds were seen on the 29 August trip. (Bob Zaremba, Chuck Saleeby, Russ Wigh)

POMARINE JAEGER – The only report was a bird seen on the 29 August pelagic trip. (Chuck Saleeby, Russ Wigh)

FRANKLIN’S GULL – Most records of this species are from the Chattahoochee River dams, so it was not surprising that the only record for this fall came from Walt Chambers who found a single bird at West Point Dam on 3 November. True to form, this bird did not stay around very long and could not be relocated.

LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL – This species is being seen with increasing frequency on the coast. Two birds were seen on Tybee Island on 23 August and a single bird was present there on 29 November (Bob Zaremba).

GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL – Brandon Noel had a high count of five birds on Little Saint Simon Island on 25 August.

GULL-BILLED TERN – This species is accidental in winter on the coast, so a bird seen on Cumberland Island on 15 November by Patrick Leary was either a late departing bird or possibly wintering on the island.

CASPIAN TERN – Any report away from the coast is good, so a single bird at SCSP on 6 September seen by Chris Loudermilk is worth noting.

COMMON TERN – Walt Chambers reported seeing over 100 birds at the West Point Dam on 16 September, and 25 birds were seen offshore on a pelagic trip out of Savannah on 23 August (Russ Wigh, Bob Zaremba).

FORSTER’S TERN – There were several birds seen away from the coast. Patrick Brisse had two birds at Lake Spivey on 24 August and Carol Lambert had a single bird at ELHUIE on 29 August.

LEAST TERN – The best count was 300 birds on Little Saint Simon Island on 20 August by Brandon Noel.

BRIDLED TERN – An offshore species, the best way to see this species is aboard a pelagic trip out of Savannah. There were two trips scheduled in August. The high count was 79 birds on the 23 August trip and the 29 August trip produced 8 birds. (Russ Wigh, Chuck Saleeby, Bob Zaremba)

SOOTY TERN – On the same two pelagic trips out of Savannah, observers found four birds on 23 August and 13 birds on 29 August. (Russ Wigh, Chuck Saleeby, Bob Zaremba)

BLACK TERN – This species is a fairly common fall migrant offshore and on the coast. The two pelagic trips turned up a good count of 40 birds on 23 August and 126 birds on 29 August. The highest count from the coast was between 700 and 1000 birds on Little Saint Simon Island on 20 August by Brandon Noel. Away from the coast, two birds at ELHUIE reported by Carol Lambert on 21 August and later in the fall, 14 birds on 4 September. Karen Theodorou had a good count of six birds at Lake Lanier on 30 August. The latest report was from Russ Wigh who had a single bird at Gray’s Reef on 18 October.

BROWN NODDY - An excellent discovery offshore on 29 August was two birds seen and photographed on the pelagic trip out of Savannah. This species is rarely encountered anywhere in Georgia and this was only the third report of the species offshore. Interestingly, the other two reports were also in August, on 30 August 1992 and on 22 August 1993. Several reports of this species inland have been associated with severe weather events, either severe storms or hurricanes. (Russ Wigh, Chuck Saleeby)

BLACK SKIMMER – Brad Winn reported finding 465 young birds at the mouth of the Altamaha River on 17 August.

COMMON GROUND-DOVE – This species appears to be declining in many areas of the state below the Fall Line, so reports from around the state are interesting and show some possible expansion. Terry Johnson found four birds in Monroe County on 20 September. Michael Beohm has been noticing an increase in Upson County and reported seeing three birds on 4 November. The furthest out of range, Tim Keyes found two birds at Charlie Elliott WMA on 3 November.

BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO – A rare migrant in the fall, a bird at Robinson Nature Preserve found by David Heyden on 12 September was a good find. Later in the month, a bird was found at KMT on 11 September, and another was found on 30 September and relocated the next day (Giff Beaton, Pierre Howard).

YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO – This species is usually a solitary bird, so a high count of 27 birds seen by Nathan Klaus on 23 September at KMT was incredible. Jeff Sewell had a late migrating bird at Robinson Nature Preserve in Cobb County on 1 November.

BARN OWL – Two birds at the AWMA pre-dawn on 28 November was a good find by Bob Zaremba.

SHORT-EARED OWL – The first returning birds to the owl fields in Cobb, Sumter County, were two birds reported by Clive Rainey on 23 November.

COMMON NIGHTHAWK – The highest count for the period was 160 seen in Marietta on 1 September (Bruce Dralle). Terry Moore reported seeing a late bird in Roswell on 10 October.

RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD – Karen Theodorou reported seeing a late bird at her feeder through 17 November in her Lawrenceville yard.

OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER – This species is seen sporadically during migration, usually atop the tallest snag in an area. The reports this season were widespread. The earliest report was a bird found by Walt Chambers at Oxbow Meadows near Columbus on 21 August. The next week, Bruce Dralle reported a bird in Marietta on 29 August, followed the next day by a bird seen by Earl Horn at Suwanee Creek in Gwinnett County on 30 August. Carol Lambert reported seeing a single bird at SPCNP on 7 September. The final report was on 14 September when David Heyden reported a single bird at the Robinson Nature Preserve in Cobb County.

EASTERN WOOD-PEWEE – David Heyden had a late bird at Robinson Nature Preserve on 6 November.

YELLOW-BELLIED FLYCATCHER – There were several good reports of this species from around the state, all in September. The earliest report was from KMT where a single bird was seen on 8 September. JM reported finding a bird at SPCNP on 13 September. Once again from Cobb County, a bird was seen in a Marietta backyard on 16 September (Bob and Deb Zaremba). The latest report was a bird seen near Macon at the Ocmulgee National Monument by Jerry Amerson on 28 September.

LEAST FLYCATCHER – Walt Chambers found a bird calling in his Columbus yard on 10 August. Two birds were found at KMT on 12 September (Giff Beaton).

VERMILION FLYCATCHER – A bird found in Sumter County by Phil Hardy and Clive Rainey on 1 November was in the exact same location as a bird found in previous year. Perhaps it is possible that this may in deed be the same bird returning to this area.

GREAT CRESTED FLYCATCHER – Two reports of lingering birds were received, the first was a bird seen by Marion Dobbs in Ben Hill County on 12 November and the second being a bird seen by Jim Flynn and Earl Horn in Candler County on 23 November. There is no doubt that the mild weather in November contributed to these late dates.

WESTERN KINGBIRD – There were two reports of this western visitor during the period. Bill Lotz found a bird at Robinson Nature Preserve on 28 October that many observers were able to relocate. Brandon Noel located a bird on Little Saint Simon Island on 11 October.

SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER – A great report from the coast, Shelia Willis reported a bird on 24 November in the St. Mary’s area of Camden County.

BELL’S VIREO – Giff Beaton was lucky to be in the right place at the right time when he found this species at KMT on 5 October. The birds was seen well and described in a rare bird report submitted to the records committee and subsequently accepted for only the second accepted state record for this species. This is an excellent report of a species probably overlooked during migration since it rarely vocalizes. The only other accepted record was of a bird found by Walt Chambers in Columbus in April of 2000.

YELLOW-THROATED VIREO – Jim Flynn and Earl Horn had a very good count of 17 birds on 20 September in Meriweather and Coweta Counties.

PHILIDELPHIA VIREO – This is another species that once was thought to be very rare in migration, but as more birders understand their habitat preferences, more individual birds are being found. There were a total of twenty reports between 17 September and 17 October, mostly single birds.

RED-EYED VIREO – The high count was a total of 25 birds at KMT on 14 September (Giff Beaton).

COMMON RAVEN – The only report this fall was one of four birds at Brasstown Bald seen by Anssi Vahatalo on 2 November.

NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW – A report of a late departing bird was submitted by Anssi Vahatalo who had a single bird on 16 November at the State Botanical Gardens in Athens.

BARN SWALLOW – The latest reports of this species were a bird seen at Merry Brothers Brickyard in Augusta on 15 November (Bob and Deb Zaremba) and a bird seen at the AWMA on 16 November by Gene Keferl.

RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH – This irruptive species did not make much of a movement in to the state this fall. The only report this was of a single bird seen at KMT on 31 October.

WINTER WREN – The first report this fall was two birds seen at Cochran Shoals of the Chattahoochee River on 25 October (Bob Zaremba).

SEDGE WREN – The earliest report was from Jenny Michaels who found two birds at the SPCNP on 30 September. Steve Barlow and Stan Chapman both reported this species from CRNRA on 1 November and 8 November. The high count came from J.L. Lester WMA where Chris Loudermilk found five birds on 2 November.

MARSH WREN – Chris Loudermilk found a single bird at J.L. Lester WMA on 1 November and relocated it the next day as well.

RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET – The earliest report was from KMT of a single bird on 23 September by Debbie Zaremba.

BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER – The high count was 14 birds at KMT on 14 September (Giff Beaton).

VEERY – The high count was 15 birds on a nocturnal count at KMT on 20 September.

GRAY-CHEEKED THRUSH – Two nocturnal counts produced high counts of 18 birds at KMT on 20 September (Deb Zaremba) and 35 birds in Warren County on 5 October (Jim Flynn).

SWAINSON'S THRUSH – The same two nocturnal counts produced the high count for this species this fall. The highest count was 493 birds at KMT on 20 September (Deb Zaremba) and 325 birds in Warren County on 5 October (Jim Flynn). Diurnal birding produced high counts on 32 at KMT on 8 October, 19 at KMT on 26 September (Giff Beaton). Finally, Chris Loudermilk had an excellent count of 14 birds at SCSP on 18 September.

WOOD THRUSH – The highest count was from the nocturnal thrush count at KMT on 20 September, where Deb Zaremba had 25 birds.

AMERICAN PIPIT – Marion Dobbs reported an excellent count of over 300 birds at the Turfgrass Atlanta in Floyd County on 18 November.

CEDAR WAXWING – This species began showing up at KMT on 1 September. The numbers increased over the month and Jenny Michaels reported 50 birds in Paulding County on 8 November. Eran Tomer reported seeing 100’s in November in Northeast Atlanta.

GOLDEN-WINGED WARBLER – The fist report this period was from Terry Johnson in Monroe where he found three birds on 20 September. There were several counts of four birds, one from KMT on 23 September (Giff Beaton) and another from Dawson Forest on 26 September (Jim Flynn). The high count for the period was from Suwanee Creek where Earl Horn found five birds on 27 September.

TENNESSEE WARBLER – Even though this species is much more common in fall than in spring, a high count of 57 on 6 October at KMT is excellent (Giff Beaton). The earliest report was a count of 11 birds seen at KMT on 30 August. The latest reports were from BUENWR on 17 November where Walt Chambers found a late bird and from Marietta where Bob and Deb Zaremba had a late leaving bird on 18 November.

ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER – The first reports at KMT occurred on 22 October, with multiple days with three birds observed (Giff Beaton).

NASHVILLE WARBLER – We had multiple reports of single birds of this seldom seen migrant from KMT on 15 and 24 September and on 14 October (Giff Beaton). Bob and Deb Zaremba had a bird visiting their yard on 19 October. The latest reports came from the east side of Atlanta where Lisa Hart had a bird at SPCNP on 16 November and Earl Horn had a bird in his Gwinnett County yard on 21 and 22 November.

CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER – The highest count during migration was 29 birds seen at KMT on 25 September. The latest report was from Terrell County where Jim Flynn and Earl Horn found a bird on 2 November.

MAGNOLIA WARBLER – The highest count for this period was 25 birds seen at KMT on 25 September. There were numerous late reports this fall, likely due to the mild weather. Michael Beohm reported a bird in Upson County on 4 November. Mark Davis found a bird at the Cochran Shoals unit of the CRNRA on 6 November and Walt Chambers had two birds at the Bradley Unit of ENWR on 7 November.

CAPE MAY WARBLER – Bob and Deb Zaremba had a late bird in their Marietta yard on 10 November.

BLACK-THROATED GRAY WARBLER – The most exciting report for this period was Pierre Howard’s locating this species at KMT on 8 September. The bird stayed around the same area for multiple observers to see until 10 September. Several observers photographed the bird. The only other accepted report for this species was a bird seen on Jekyll Island 18 October 1975, making this the second report for the state!

BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER – The highest count for this period was 41 birds seen at KMT on 26 September (Giff Beaton). Two reports of late birds both seen on 7 November were from KMT (Giff Beaton), and from the Bradley Unit of ENWR by Walt Chambers.

PRAIRIE WARBLER – Jim Flynn and Earl Horn had a late bird in Candler County on 23 November.

BAY-BREASTED WARBLER – The highest count was 12 birds on 5 October at KMT (Giff Beaton).

CERULEAN WARBLER – the many observers at KMT track the species fairly closely. Giff Beaton reported that this season’s total of 204 birds was the highest total count since 1997. The highest single day counts were on 3 August and 4 September when 13 birds were found.

BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER – A high count of 17 birds on 4 August at KMT was very good (Giff Beaton).

AMERICAN REDSTART – The highest count for this species was not from KMT! Jenny Michaels had an excellent count of 25 birds at SPCNP on 6 September.

SWAINSON'S WARBLER – Walt Chambers had a nice count of four birds near Columbus on 6 August.

MOURNING WARBLER – This rarely reported migrant was reported twice this fall. The first was a bird seen by Jeff Sewell and Carol Lambert at the Suwanee Creek location on 27 September. The second report was from Robinson Nature Preserve where David Heyden found a bird on 30 September.

HOODED WARBLER – The high count came on 7 August when 17 birds were found at KMT (Giff Beaton).

WILSON’S WARBLER – This species is seldom seen in the state during migration, so this seasons multiple reports were very interesting. Most reports were from September, the first being a bird reported on 6 September seen by Jenny Michaels at SPCNP, possible the same bird was seen again on 13 September in the same location (Jerry Brunner and Jenny Michaels). Bob and Deb Zaremba reported a bird seen in their Marietta yard; the bird remained from 8 September though 11 September. Russ Wigh also reported this species from the coast on 10 September, where he found a bird on Skidaway Island. Also away from Atlanta, was a bird found at the Ocmulgee National Monument in Macon on 27 September by Steve Barlow. There were two reports of late birds; one bird was seen at KMT on 8 October (Bob Zaremba). The most exciting report was a bird found by Karen Theodorou in her Gwinnett County yard. The bird was first seen on 27 October and remained through the end of November, perhaps deciding to winter in her yard.

CANADA WARBLER – The highest count received this period was five birds on 7 August at KMT (Giff Beaton). Paul Champlin reported a late bird at Merry Brothers Brickyard near Augusta on 22 November.

YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT – Also from Merry Brothers Brickyard, Paul Champlin reported a late lingering bird on 30 November.

SUMMER TANAGER – The highest counts received this period were 12 birds seen by Terry Johnson in Monroe, and 13 birds seen at KMT on 23 September (Giff Beaton).

SCARLET TANAGER – Giff Beaton reported and excellent count of 37 birds seen at KMT on 15 September. Walt Chambers had a good count of 13 birds near Columbus on 4 October.

CLAY-COLORED SPARROW – There were several reports of this hard to find species. The highest count came from the AWMA on 12 October where Bob Zaremba and Pierre Howard found three birds while leading a Coastal Birding Festival field trip. This site is proving to be the most reliable location to find this species in the state. Other reports from the coast where received, Brandon Noel found a single bird on Little Saint Simon Island on 11 October and Gene Keferl found a bird at Andrews Island on 25 October. Reports away from the coast are much more rare, so a bird found at Robinson Nature Preserve by David Heyden on 19 October and a bird found in Upson County by Michael Beohm on 15 October were excellent reports.

LARK SPARROW – A report of a bird seen on Tybee Island on 15 September by Anssi Vahatalo was the only report for this species this fall.

SAVANNAH SPARROW – Tim Keyes saw a fairly early bird at Charlie Elliott WMA on 13 September.

GRASSHOPPER SPARROW – Two reports of late birds were received, one bird seen at AWMA on 10 October (Bob Zaremba) and a single bird at Robinson Nature Preserve on 8 November (David Heyden).

HENSLOW’S SPARROW – The highest count was from the coast, where Earl Horn and Bob Zaremba found eight birds at Paulk’s Pasture on 28 November. A good report was also received from Russ Wigh who found one bird on Skidaway Island on 29 October.

LE CONTE’S SPARROW – The only report this fall was a bird located at Phinizy Swamp Nature Park in Augusta. The bird was found on 31 October and seen sporadically through 30 November (James Keener).

NELSON’S SHARP-TAILED SPARROW – The best reports were away from the coast where Paul Champlin reported seeing two birds at Phinizy Swamp on 9 November and Chris Loudermilk found a bird reported to be of the interior race at J.L. Lester WMA on 18 October.

SALTMARSH SHARP-TAILED SPARROW – Earl Horn and Bob Zaremba reported find four birds at the usual location on Andrew’s Island Causeway on 28 November.

SEASIDE SPARROW – Earl Horn and Bob Zaremba reported a good count of ten birds from the Andrew’s Island Causeway on 28 November.

LINCOLN’S SPARROW – This species is always difficult to find in the state, so nine reports of the species were unusual, and a testament to the fine work being done by the multiple field observers in the state. Leading the pack, Marion Dobbs found a bird on 22 October at J.L. Lester WMA that remained until 26 October. David Heyden had several reports from Robinson Nature Preserve in Cobb County, the earliest on 13 October and the latest on 19 November. Jim Flynn found a bird on 21 October at Dawson Forest and later in the fall, he and Earl Horn located a bird in Wheeler County on 8 November. Paul Champlin found a bird on 9 November at Merry Brothers Brickyard near Augusta.

SWAMP SPARROW – Perhaps setting a new early date in the Piedmont, an AAS field trip reported finding this species at the Newman Wetland Center of the ELHUILAF on a trip there on 20 September. Hopefully this report will be written up and submitted to the Oriole in the near future.

ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK – The highest count for the period was 23 birds seen at KMT on 26 September. There were numerous reports of late leaving birds in the Atlanta area. Bill Lotz reported a bird in his Atlanta yard on 27 and 28 November, and Parrie Pinyan had a bird still in her Canton yard on 29 November as well.

BLUE GROSBEAK – Several late birds were reported this period, Paul Champlin had a bird at Phinizy Swamp on 9 November. Earl Horn and Jim Flynn found a late bird in Candler County on 23 November. An interesting sighting of a female apparently carrying food on 1 September at Morgan Falls near Atlanta was received from Eran Tomer.

INDIGO BUNTING – Paul Sykes had an outstanding high count of 410 birds seen at the AWMA on 12 October. Several new late dates may have been set this fall. David Heyden had a bird still present in the Piedmont at the Robinson Nature Preserve on 6 November; the previous late date was 3 November. Lydia Thompson also had a late bird at Jekyll Island on 21 November, passing the previous late date of 7 November.

DICKCISSEL – This species was reported from multiple locations around the state this fall. Several reports from Bartow County were received; two birds on 25 August and on 7 September (Deb Zaremba and Karen Theodorou) were good finds. David Heyden reported a bird flying over the Robinson Nature Preserve on 25 August and again on 16 and 19 September. Michael Beohm had a high count of four birds at the Thomaston Airport on 6 October.

BOBOLINK – The highest count this fall came from Monroe, where Terry Johnson has 113 birds on 20 September. Jenny Michaels saw a fairly late bird in the Piedmont on 4 October at ELHUIE.

WESTERN MEADOWLARK – Paul Sykes and Cam Kepler reported finding this species in northern Greene County on 15 November. The report was submitted to the GOS Records Committee but subsequently not accepted. Several observers attempted to relocate the species later that same week but were unable to find the bird.

BREWER'S BLACKBIRD – David Heyden found a male and female at the Robinson Nature Preserve on 13 October and the birds remained until 15 October.

BALTIMORE ORIOLE – The highest count of this species was 12 at KMT on 5 September. David Heyden had two late birds in the Dekalb area on 23 November.

PURPLE FINCH – This species has been seldom seen in the past few winters, so two females on 8 November reported by Vicki DeLoach from her Marietta yard on 8 November may be a sign of a good winter irruption. Later in the month, Jenny Michaels found three birds in Tucker on 28 November, and Anssi Vahatalo located a female at the State Botanical Gardens in Athens on 30 November.

RED CROSSBILL – The only report received was a female found by Johnny Parks in Ringold on 31 October.

PINE SISKIN – Bruce Dralle in Marietta saw a bird on 28 November in his Marietta yard.

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