Compiled and Edited by Bob Zaremba
(First published in The Oriole, Vol. 68, Nos. 3/4, Pp 29-38)

This was possibly the wettest spring migration season the state has seen in the past ten years. The weather systems that blanketed the Southeast probably affected the observers more than the birds, as many species were noted in higher than average numbers around the state. Rainfall amounts were between 1 to 3 inches higher than normal in many areas, and average temperatures were about normal. A nice trend that is continuing has been the increase in the number of reports being submitted from areas outside of the Atlanta area. We had excellent coverage in the southwest and northwest corners of the state, as well as increased reporting from the coast and middle Georgia. This will help us get a better picture of migration across the state, as compared to the well birded areas like Kennesaw Mountain and Clayton County. Now on to the birds!

Two of the more interesting sightings for the season were the two different reports of Black-bellied Whistling Ducks in the state, perhaps indicating a dispersal of the breeding populations to our south. Also of note were the reports of Black-billed Cuckoo in the mountains (Murray, Union and Towns Co.) where the species possibly may nest. The newly published Annotated Checklist of Georgia Birds lists this species as historically breeding in the upper Piedmont and Mountains but with very few recent records. Many observers noted the early arrival of several species this spring, most notably Barn Swallow. There were new early dates set in the Coastal Plain, Mountains and Coast, three out of four of the physiographic regions in Georgia. The pattern of early arrival dates didn’t really hold for the majority of the other neo-tropic migrants. Once they began arriving, neo-tropical migrants were seen in good numbers, with several species being recorded in record high counts (See Red-eyed Vireo, Black-throated Blue Warbler, Black-throated Green, Blackpoll and Cerulean Warblers in the report below). The majority of the reports were from Kennesaw Mountain but many birders made the trip up to Ivy Log Gap Road in north Georgia to report on the breeding population of some of the warbler species. We had excellent counts of Cerulean, Ovenbird, Black-throated Green and Worm-eating Warbler from the mountains during the breeding season. Another good trend has been an increase in the number of sod farms being visited around the state. The number and variety of shorebirds being reported have increased. I received several reports from different areas of the state that included Baird’s (very rare spring report) and White-rumped Sandpipers, American Golden Plover, Upland Sandpiper and Willet. Lastly, several pelagic trips during this season helped to increase our understanding of birdlife offshore. See below for more detail on these and other sightings.
   

COMMON LOON - The high count for this species was 30 at West Point Lake on 8 April (Walt Chambers). A late bird was reported from a pelagic trip out of Tybee on 30 May (Russ Wigh, m.ob.). A late bird in the Piedmont was a bird reported from Lake Arrowhead through 9 May (Stephen Stewart).

HORNED GREBE - The high count was 75 at Shuck Pen Eddy Boat Ramp, Elbert Co. on 17 March (Jim Flynn, Earl Horn). Also notable was a count of 50 at Richard B. Russell Dam, Elbert Co. They were reported in “every imaginable plumage” on 17 March (Jim Flynn, Earl Horn), and 10 at SCSP on 20 March (Chris Loudermilk).

CORY'S SHEARWATER - Five birds were recorded on a 30 May pelagic trip out from the Savannah area (Russ Wigh et al.).

WILSON'S STORM-PETREL - A total of 12 were found on the 30 May pelagic trip (Russ Wigh et al.).

NORTHERN GANNET - Two birds were very late on the 30 May pelagic trip (Russ Wigh et al.).

AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN - One bird was an unusual find at the WPD on 28 March (Emily Jo Williams). Probably the same bird was seen there on 11 April (Jim Flynn) and 12 April (John Gatchet). Two birds were also seen at WPD on 23 March (Chris Loudermilk). Three birds were seen at Carters Lake on 14 April by Rick Waldrop. More usual were 15 birds seen in the St. Marys area on 3 April (Sheila Willis).

BROWN PELICAN - One bird was a good find at Lake Oconee in Greene County on 27 April (Mark Freeman). Brad Winn reported more than 2,000 nesting pairs as part of the DNR survey results for the coast, and 2,500 were seen resting on a sandbar near the north end of Blackbeard Island on 14 May (Paul Sikes and John Seginak).

DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT - A flock of 250 was seen at Bear Creek Reservoir in Jackson County on 24 April (Mark Freeman) for an excellent inland high count.

AMERICAN BITTERN – Single birds were reported from Gwinnett Co. on 26 April (Earl Horn), Floyd Co. on 26 April (Chuck Saleeby), ENWR on 2 April and 27 April, and two on 9 April (Walt Chambers), and at Phinizy Swamp on 26 and 27 April (Jeff Sewell et al.). One bird was found at SPCNP on 8 March, then a second bird was found on 16 March, with one bird remaining until 25 April (Jerry Brunner). A late bird was seen 14 May at AWMA by Paul Sykes.

LEAST BITTERN – Single birds were seen at ENWR on 27 April (Walt Chambers) and Lake Seminole, Decatur Co. on May 26 (Michael Bell).

GREAT BLUE HERON - Three active nests were found at the CRNRA on 7 March (Mark Davis), and 31 nests were found in Heard Co. near Franklin on 25 March (Malcolm Hodges, Carolina Lane).

GREAT EGRET - One bird was early on the Berry College WMA in the Rome area on 8 March (Ginny Wood) and 10 was a good inland count in Murray Co. on 6 May (Joshua Spence).

LITTLE BLUE HERON - A count of 11 on 8 March at the Bradley Unit of ENWR was a good early count (Walt Chambers).

TRICOLORED HERON – This species is not widely reported away from the coast, so somewhat rare and early was a bird found in Bartow Co. on 30 March (Bruce Dralle, et al.), and another bird seen at the ENWR on 2 and 9 April by Walt Chambers was a good find for that location.

CATTLE EGRET –A single bird was somewhat early at Skidaway Island on 18 March (Russ Wigh), and another bird was already as far north as Murray Co. on 21 April (Joshua Spence).
BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON – A single bird was reported on 9 April at the Bradley Unit of ENWR (Walt Chambers).

YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON - The first report from the Atlanta area came on 25 March at the CRNRA (Mark Davis). Nesting reports from Telfair and Wheeler counties include five adults occupying four nests on 15 April at Gum Swamp Creek, and one adult on a nest on 26 April at Kinchafoonee Creek in Webster Co. (Dan Guynn, Jr.)

GLOSSY IBIS - Three birds reported on 11 March from Little St Simons Island were unusual for the coastal islands (Brandon Noel). More expected were the five birds reported from AWMA near Brunswick on 15 March (Gene Keferl)

ROSEATE SPOONBILL - Lydia Thompson reported a single bird at Jekyll Island as early as 29 March, and up to four birds frequented the Jekyll Island Amphitheater area during April and May. Eight were seen along the Jekyll Island Causeway on 27 May (Gene Keferl).

WOOD STORK - A report of five birds at Magnolia Springs, Jenkins Co. on 1 April is nearing the northern limit for breeding birds (Russ Wigh).

BLACK-BELLIED WHISTLING-DUCK - A couple of very interesting reports were received. A flock of more than 20 birds was found on the Abraham Baldwin Ag. College campus near Tifton on 23 May (William Moore), and five were found at Andrews Island in the Brunswick area on 31 May (Bob Zaremba et al.).

GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE - A late bird was seen in Stewart Co. on 27 April (Walt Chambers, Bill Birkhead).

SNOW GOOSE - One blue form was seen at Vogel State Park on 8 March (Karen and John McFarland). One bird was seen in Floyd Co. on the Berry College campus through 27 April (Marion Dobbs, Chuck Saleeby).

ROSS'S GOOSE - One bird was seen in Floyd Co. on 4 March (Joshua Spence) and was last reported on 25 April (Marion Dobbs). Another bird was reported from Hart Co. on 17 March (Jim Flynn, Earl Horn).

GADWALL - The last reports for this species was from ELHLAF on 12 April (Bill Lotz) and 10 were still present on 8 April at West Point Dam (Walt Chambers).

AMERICAN WIGEON – The latest report was from Unicoi State Park where four birds were present on 5 April (Eugene Kelley)

MOTTLED DUCK – The only report was a single bird from AWMA on 18 April (Tim Keyes).

BLUE-WINGED TEAL – The last report was from Carol Lambert of four birds at ELHLAF on 6 May.

NORTHERN SHOVELER – The latest reports came from West Point Dam where 10 birds were still present on 8 April (Walt Chambers), and one bird was still present at ELHLAF on 12 April (Bill Lotz).

NORTHERN PINTAIL – A single bird at the Arrowhead Environmental Center in Floyd Co. on 18 April was late (Earl Barton).

GREEN-WINGED TEAL – The latest report was a single bird seen at ELHLAF on 5 April (Gordon McWilliams).

COMMON GOLDENEYE - Three birds at Plant Wansley on 15 March were a good find by Chris Loudermilk.

SURF SCOTER - John Gatchet had a good count of eight at Carters Lake on 13 April.

RUDDY DUCK - An adult male was still at the ELHLAF on 17 May (Jerry Brunner).

OSPREY - At least one bird was at its nest at the ELHLAF on 16 March (Jeff Sewell, Carol Lambert).

SWALLOW-TAILED KITE - The first report came from Camden Co. on 4 March (fide Emily Jo Williams). After that there were many scattered reports, with the best count being seven at Billy's Lake in the Okefenokee on 9 May (fide Sheila Willis).

MISSISSIPPI KITE - The earliest report came on 27 March from the Laurens County area (Giff Beaton and Tommy Patterson). Rare for the Atlanta area were single birds seen in Spalding Co. on 20 April (Eric Beohm) and at the CRNRA on 11 May (Mark Davis et al.).

AMERICAN KESTREL - Jim Ozier reported that a number of these birds were using power poles for nesting along a powerline right of way across Mid-Georgia. Estimates of as many as 200 nesting pairs seem almost unbelievable (fide Terry Moore).

MERLIN - Somewhat rare for the Atlanta area were single birds in Gwinnett Co. on 13 March (Earl Horn) and Bartow Co. on 30 March (Traci Brown, Bruce Dralle, Tom Egan). Two birds were also seen 9 March in Greene County by Paul Sykes.

PEREGRINE FALCON - The downtown Atlanta pair laid four eggs this spring, but none of them hatched (fide Jim Ozier).

RUFFED GROUSE - There were several reports from the mountain area, with the earliest “drumming” reported on 17 March by Tim Keyes.

KING RAIL – Walt Chambers had a good count of six birds from the Bradley Unit of ENWR on 8 March.

PURPLE GALLINULE - Walt Chambers had a rather early bird at the ENWR on 2 April.

SANDHILL CRANE - There were still a lot of birds moving through Georgia during March with a total of about 6,000 birds reported. The peak was evidently 8 March, with the latest report of 40 birds coming from the unusual location of Hiawassee on 21 March (Sandra Green).

BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER - A breeding plumaged bird was seen in Bartow Co. on 18 May (Bruce Dralle).

AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVER - A few birds were seen in Bartow Co. starting on the early date of 12 March when Bruce Dralle found a single bird. Later sightings, all from Bartow Co., included four on 29 March, seven on 30 March and four on 31 March (Bruce Dralle et al.).

BLACK-NECKED STILT - Two birds on Little St. Simons Island on 7 March would be a record early date for the state (Brandon Noel, Ethel Green). A high count of eight birds were seen at Andrews Island on 31 May (Bob Zaremba, et al.)

SOLITARY SANDPIPER – A nice count of 17 on 14 May at AWMA by Paul Sykes.

SPOTTED SANDPIPER – A count of 51 was made around a drained impoundment on Butler Island, AWMA by Paul Sykes on 14 May.

WILLET – Joshua Spence had a nice count of 14 inland on 6 May in Murray County.

WHIMBREL - Good counts were made at St. Simons Island with 789 on 28 April (Lydia Thompson) and 391 on 3 May (Lydia Thompson, Sheila Willis).

LONG-BILLED CURLEW - Single birds were seen at Sapelo Island on 11 March (Doris Cohrs) and along the Jekyll Island Causeway on 19 April (Bob Braxton).

MARBLED GODWIT - Gene Keferl saw 15 birds along the Jekyll Island Causeway on 14 April.

UPLAND SANDPIPER - A single bird was seen at Moody AFB on 16 April (Todd Sullivan). Eight were seen at the East Georgia Sod Farm on 18 April (Tim Keyes et al.). Single birds were seen in Floyd Co. on 26 April (Chuck Saleeby) and at Piedmont NWR on 17 May (Brock Hutchins, Terry Johnson). Another bird was seen in Bartow Co. on 4 May (Bruce Dralle, Traci Brown).

LEAST SANDPIPER - Seven birds seen in Bartow Co. on 2 March and nine on 4 March were probably overwintering birds (Traci Brown, Bruce Dralle).

WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER - Two birds in Bartow Co. on 27 April (Bob and Deb Zaremba). Three were seen at the AWMA on 1 May (Jim Flynn, Giff Beaton, Earl Horn) and one was in Murray Co. on 9 May (Joshua Spence, Max Medley). In Bartow Co. two were seen on 3 May and one was seen on 4 May (Bruce Dralle, Traci Brown). The high count of four birds were seen on 31 May at Andrews Island by Bob Zaremba et al. and by Chris Loudermilk on 9 May at a sod farm in Carroll County.

BAIRD'S SANDPIPER - One bird was found in Bartow Co. on 27 April by Bruce Dralle and Traci Brown.

PECTORAL SANDPIPER - Good numbers were reported from Bartow Co., with an early eight on 1 March, 189 on 22 March, and 325 on 23 March (Bruce Dralle, Traci Brown).

PURPLE SANDPIPER - Two birds were seen at Tybee Island on 3 March (Pat Sully et al.).

DUNLIN - A bird seen in Bartow Co. on 2 and 4 March was most likely an over-wintering bird (Bruce Dralle, Traci Brown).

STILT SANDPIPER - Three were seen at the AWMA on 1 May (Jim Flynn, Giff Beaton, Earl Horn), and one was in Murray Co. on 9 May (Joshua Spence).

SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER - One bird was found in Bartow Co. on 11 May (Bruce Dralle, Traci Brown).

COMMON SNIPE - Joshua Spence had a good count of 100 in Floyd Co. on 4 March.

RED-NECKED PHALAROPE - At least four were seen offshore on 4 May by Anssi Vahatalo.

LAUGHING GULL - Rather unusual for an inland location were two birds at the WPD on 11 April (Jim Flynn).

BONAPARTE'S GULL - Seven was a nice count along the CRNRA on 7 April (Mark Davis).

RING-BILLED GULL - Bruce Dralle and Traci Brown had an impressive count of 3,000 at Red Top Mountain State Park on 2 March.

HERRING GULL - Quite rare for this time of year was a bird in Bartow Co. on 18 May (Bruce Dralle).

CASPIAN TERN - Eleven birds were seen at Carters Lake on 15 April by Max Medley (fide Joshua Spence).

FORSTER'S TERN - Rare for the Atlanta area were three birds at the ELHLAF on 6 May (Carol Lambert) and a single bird in Bartow Co. on 18 May (Bruce Dralle).

SOOTY TERN - A total of six birds were found on the 30 May pelagic trip (Russ Wigh et al.).

BLACK TERN - The only report was of one bird at the Phinizy Swamp on 23 May (Ruth Meade).

BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO - Giff Beaton reported this rare species from Murray Co. on 25 May. Nathan Klaus found single birds near Suches on 24 May and on the Ivy Log Gap Road on 29 May.

BARN OWL - Single birds were reported from Gordon Co. on 17 March (John Gatchet), from Murray Co. on 17 March (Joshua Spence), from the Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center on 28 March and from Oconee Co. on 17 May (Mark Freeman, Carole Ludwig).

WHIP-POOR-WILL - An early bird was reported from Monroe Co. on 11 March (Nathan Klaus).

RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD - The earliest report was of two males in Brooks Co. on 6 March (Debbie Grimes).

RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD - A bird that first appeared at a Cumming feeder on 11 Jan. was last seen on 11 April (Theresa Hartz).

OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER - Single birds were seen at KMT on 4 May (Bob Zaremba et al.) and at the SPCNP on 26 May (Art and Lisa Hurt).

EASTERN WOOD-PEWEE - A very early bird was seen at the ELHLAF Wetlands Center on 22 March (Jeff Sewell, Carol Lambert).

WILLOW FLYCATCHER - Several observers reported three birds in the Blairsville area during the month of May. Ty Ivey reported the species from the Macon area on 17 May, and another bird was in Forsyth Co. on 27 May (Andy Kinsey).

LEAST FLYCATCHER - One bird was back in the Suches area on 2 May (Betty Belanger).

EASTERN KINGBIRD - An early bird was seen at the Birdsong Nature Center in Grady Co. on 22 March (Michael Bell).

SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER - For the fourth year in a row, a pair of birds were nesting on a power pole near McDonough. This year they were first reported on 2 May (Jim Flynn, Giff Beaton, Earl Horn). Another bird was seen in Brooks Co. on 25 May (Jerry and Marie Amerson).

YELLOW-THROATED VIREO - The first report came from Elbert Co. on 17 March (Jim Flynn, Earl Horn).

WARBLING VIREO - Single birds were seen in the Rome area on 27 April (Marion Dobbs) and in Murray Co. on 28 April (Joshua Spence).

RED-EYED VIREO - The first bird was seen in Chattahoochee Co. on 21 March by Walt Chambers. KMT had some very impressive counts, with 39 on 28 April, 56 on 8 May and 77 on 7 May (Bob and Deb Zaremba, Giff Beaton et al.).

COMMON RAVEN - Two birds were seen along the Ivy Log Gap Road on 15 and 16 May (Tom Striker, Ginny Wood et al.), and two other birds were seen at Woody Gap on 24 May (Nathan Klaus).

TREE SWALLOW - The first birds back in the Atlanta area were four at the ELHLAF on 1 March. They were already investigating possible nest sites in the Hiawassee area on 7 March (Sandra Green).

CLIFF SWALLOW - Many reports were received of this increasing species. The first report came on 20 March from Carters Lake (Joshua Spence). Highest counts were 25-30 nests in the Milledgeville area on 23 April (Chris Skelton), 50 birds at Clark Hill Reservoir on 13 April (Jim Flynn, Earl Horn), 60+ birds at Carters Lake on 16 April (Joshua Spence) and 60 birds at High Falls State Park on 7 May (Michael Beohm)

BARN SWALLOW – Walt Chambers had an early report of three birds at the ENWR on 1 March, setting a new early date for Georgia and a new regional date by one day. In Murray Co., 5 Mar 2003, set a new regional date by 10 days! (Joshua Spence). On Skidaway, 7 March 2003, set a new regional date by eight days (R Wigh), and in the Piedmont, 9 March 2003, only missed setting an early date by three days (J Flynn).

RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH - Only a few reports were received. One bird was at KMT on 26 March (Giff Beaton, Deb Zaremba) and again on 22 April (Bob Zaremba et al.), and another bird was in Rabun Co. on 4 May (Carol Vanderschaaf, Gordon McWilliams).

WINTER WREN - Three birds were found at Brasstown Bald on 17 May (Bob and Deb Zaremba, Earl Horn). This is about the only location in Georgia where nesting is possible.

SEDGE WREN - One bird was found at the SPCNP on 7 May (Art and Lisa Hurt) and two were found in Murray Co. on 9 May (Joshua Spence, Max Medley).

MARSH WREN - Joshua Spence found one bird at Carters Lake on 7 May.

VEERY - Bob and Deb Zaremba and Earl Horn reported 15 birds at Brasstown Bald on 17 May.

SWAINSON'S THRUSH - A pre-dawn count at KMT on 3 May yielded 106 birds on 3 May (Bob and Deb Zaremba).

BLUE-WINGED WARBLER – Lower than average numbers were reported this spring, with a high count of three birds reported on 26 April at KMT (Giff Beaton).

GOLDEN-WINGED WARBLER – A bird at KMT on 14 April was somewhat early for the Piedmont (Giff Beaton).

BREWSTER'S WARBLER - Nathan Klaus reported a male on territory in Fannin Co. on 24 May.

TENNESSEE WARBLER – A high count of eight on 27 April at KMT (Giff Beaton).

NASHVILLE WARBLER - A lot more were reported this year than usual. Reports at KMT started on 14 April and more or less continued until 4 May. An amazing peak count of six was made on 27 April (Bob Zaremba, Giff Beaton et al.). Elsewhere, two birds were reported from Spalding Co. on 4 May (Eric Beohm).

NORTHERN PARULA - An early bird was in the Columbus area on 8 March (Walt Chambers), and six were at the McIntosh Reserve on 28 March (Chris Loudermilk).

YELLOW WARBLER - A wintering bird on Skidaway Island, first seen in mid-Feb. was still there at least through 1 March (Russ Wigh).

CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER - The peak count of 12 was at KMT on 7 May (Giff Beaton et al.).

MAGNOLIA WARBLER – Lower numbers were reported this spring. The high count was six on 6 May at KMT (Giff Beaton).

CAPE MAY WARBLER – The earliest reports were on 18 April at KMT (Giff Beaton).

BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER - This species was in better numbers than usual. An early bird was there on 1 April, and peak counts were 11 on 29 April, 10 on 30 April, and 13 on 1 May (Bob and Deb Zaremba, Giff Beaton et al.).

YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER - One bird was rather late at the Big Creek Greenway on 21 May (Leslie Curran).

BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER - Eight birds were already in the Floyd/Walker Co. area on 21 March (Earl Barton). KMT had several counts in the 20's, but the peak count was 36 on 27 April (Bob and Deb Zaremba, Giff Beaton et al.). Elsewhere, Jackie Heyda et al. had 30 along the Ivy Log Gap Road on 24 May.

BLACKBURNIAN WARBLER - The peak count was 14 at KMT on 4 May (Bob Zaremba et al.).

YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER - Two birds were already back at the Pine Log WMA on 22 March (Bruce Dralle, Traci Brown).

PRAIRIE WARBLER - A bird at the ELHLAF on 16 March would be a record early date for the Piedmont (Jeff Sewell, Carol Lambert).

PALM WARBLER – A high count of 31 on 22 April was a nice count at KMT (Giff Beaton).

BAY-BREASTED WARBLER – Low numbers reported from KMT, with a high count of five on 3 May and 7 May (Giff Beaton).

BLACKPOLL WARBLER - The peak count was 42 at KMT on 7 May (Giff Beaton et al.).

CERULEAN WARBLER - The peak count of 23 came from KMT on 27 April (Bob and Deb Zaremba, Giff Beaton et al.). Elsewhere, six were found along the Ivy Log Gap Road on 17 May (Bob and Deb Zaremba, Earl Horn).

BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER - An early bird was in the Columbus area on 8 March (Walt Chambers). Jackie Heyda et al. had 19 along the Ivy Log Gap Road on 24 May.

AMERICAN REDSTART – A high count of 11 along Ivy Log Gap Road on 17 May (Bob and Deb Zaremba).

WORM-EATING WARBLER - Marion Dobbs had a rather early bird at Berry College on 3 April. .Jackie Heyda et al. had an impressive count of 35 birds along the Ivy Log Gap Road on 24 May.

SWAINSON'S WARBLER – Bob Zaremba found one bird at Mud Creek in Cobb Co. on 28 April, which was very unusual for the Atlanta area. On 1 May, three birds were found, two singing on territory, and at least two were present through the end of May at this location in Cobb Co. Walt Chambers had a good count of 13 in Chattahoochee Co. on 12 April.

OVENBIRD – Either a very early or a wintering bird was reported from Lake Park on 14 March (Brad Bergstrom). A total of 26 were recorded along Ivy Log Gap Road on 24 May by Jackie Heyda et al.

NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH - A fairly early bird was reported from Greene Co. on 22 March (Billy Dunbar).

LOUISIANA WATERTHRUSH - The earliest reports came from Chris Loudermilk on a bird seen at Plant Wansley on 15 March and another the next day in Chattahoochee Co. on 16 March (Walt Chambers).

CONNECTICUT WARBLER - Single birds were found at the SPCNP on 7 May (Art and Lisa Hurt) and 24 May (Jerry Brunner et al.) and at KMT on 9 May (Deb Zaremba et al.) and 16 May (Giff Beaton et al.).

HOODED WARBLER - The high count at KMT was 24 on both 23 and 27 April (Bob and Deb Zaremba, Giff Beaton et al.). Eleven on 26 May in Decatur County was an excellent count that late in the season (Michael Bell).

CANADA WARBLER - A high count of 15 at Brasstown Bald on 17 May was excellent (Bob and Deb Zaremba, Kevin Danchisen)

SUMMER TANAGER - The high counts at KMT were 18 on 29 April, with 14 to 15 birds seen on a number of other days in early May (Bob and Deb Zaremba, Giff Beaton et al.).

SCARLET TANAGER - The high count from KMT was 31 on both 22 and 26 April (Bob and Deb Zaremba, Giff Beaton et al.).

FIELD SPARROW - Rare for the nesting season in Lowndes Co. was a bird found on 31 May by Brad Bergstrom.

VESPER SPARROW - This species is difficult to find in the Atlanta area so, 13 seen in Bartow Co. on 9 March were noteworthy (Bruce Dralle), and six were found at a sod farm in Carroll County on 16 March (Chris Loudermilk).

LARK SPARROW - One bird was found in the Kennesaw area on 7 April and was last reported on 11 April (Richard Cole fide Karen Theodorou).

SAVANNAH SPARROW - Two birds seen on 14 May at AWMA were late (Paul Sykes).

WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW - Jim Flynn and Earl Horn found ten in Calhoun Co. on 6 April.

WHITE-THROATED SPARROW – Three birds were late near Watkinsville, Oconee County on 14 May (Paul Sykes).

DARK-EYED JUNCO - Two birds were still in the Marietta area on 3 May (Bob Zaremba).

ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK - The high count at KMT was 29 on 26 April (Bob and Deb Zaremba, Giff Beaton et al.).

INDIGO BUNTING - The high count at KMT was 19 on 29 April (Bob and Deb Zaremba, Giff Beaton et al.).

PAINTED BUNTING - The earliest report was a bird at Skidaway Island on 21 March (Carol McClelland fide Russ Wigh). Six birds were seen at the Phinizy Swamp on 26 April and four on 27 April (Jeff Sewell, Carol Lambert et al.). A single bird was found in the Bainbridge area on 13 April (Michael Bell).

DICKCISSEL - A wintering bird first reported by Karen Theodorou in February was last seen by Karen on 1 March. A bird previously reported from Baker Co. was seen there again on 7 and 11 March (Michael Bell). Eric Beohm found one bird in Spalding Co. on 30 April and another bird was found in Murray Co. on 28 April (Joshua Spence). Single birds were seen in Bartow Co. on 3, 10 and 24 May (Bruce Dralle, Traci Brown) and at SCSP on 27 April (Chris Loudermilk). Two birds were seen at Cobb Cheek Road on 25 May (Dan & Pam Guynn).

BOBOLINK – Movement through the state apparently peaked on 4 May when Paul Champlin had a good count of 500+ at the Phinizy Swamp and Eric Beohm had 400+ in Spalding Co.

RUSTY BLACKBIRD - This species highest count was from Jim Flynn who had a total of 50 in Oconee Co. on 9 March.

BREWER'S BLACKBIRD – The best report was from Michael Bell, who had a flock of 250 in Baker Co. on 11 April. Bruce Dralle and Traci Brown had a flock of 20 in Bartow Co. on 22 March.

PURPLE FINCH – This has been a very low year for this irruptive species, so a bird frequenting the feeders at the Wetlands Center of the ELHLAF and last reported on 12 April (Carol Lambert) was one of the few reports this spring.

PINE SISKIN – A single bird remained at the ELHLAF Wetlands feeder until at least 26 April (Carol Lambert).

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