Compiled and Edited by Bob Zaremba
(First published in The Oriole, Vol. xx, Nos. xx, Pp xx-xx)

Reports submitted from this fall’s migration were notably scarcer than many of the past seasons, probably due to the absence of any weather disturbances in the area to bring down the birds in any great number. Many of the typical migrant trap locations reported lower than average numbers for most neotropical migrants. With the obvious exception of the passage of Hurricane Katrina, the state experienced drier than normal conditions and clear weather for most of the season. There were several exceptional reports, mostly from the western lakes following the passage of the hurricane, and from the coast. Several observers made trips offshore this season, which enhanced our knowledge of the distribution of several pelagic species. Over all, it was a lackluster season for the state.
   

GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE - The only sighting for the period was a single bird seen by Lois Stacey at MBBP on 19 November.

SNOW GOOSE - A single bird found by Russ Wigh on 30 October on Skidaway Island, Chatham Co., was unusual for that location. Chris Loudermilk observed five birds at SCSP on 25 November.

GADWALL - Carol Lambert had a good count of 150 birds at ELHLAF on 30 November.

AMERICAN BLACK DUCK - Paul Sykes saw more than 100 birds at AWMA on 9 October for an incredibly high count for that location. Four birds observed at Lake Acworth on 10 October were early for the area (Chuck Saleeby).

MOTTLED DUCK - Nick Van Lanen reported finding 10 birds on LSSI on 7 November.

NORTHERN SHOVELER - The earliest report was four birds at ELHLAF on 2 September (Carol Lambert).

CANVASBACK - Thirty birds seen at Walter F. George Dam on 25 November was a good count for that location (Eric and Michael Beohm, Paul Sanders). Four birds were seen at Lake Acworth on 29 November (Chuck Saleeby, Sandy Pangle), and six at ELHLAF on 30 November (Carol Lambert).

RING-NECKED DUCK - Carol Lambert had a high count of 260 birds at ELHLAF on 10 November. Terry Johnson had a very good count of 331 birds at Rum Creek WMA on 22 November.

SURF SCOTER - Michael and Eric Beohm had a good count of 11 birds on Tybee Island on 20 November.

WHITE-WINGED SCOTER - Walt Chambers saw an immature female bird at WPD on 22 November.

BLACK SCOTER - Michael and Eric Beohm reported more than 500 birds in a flock off Tybee Island on 20 November.

COMMON GOLDENEYE - Sandy Pangle found a male bird on Lake Kathy in Whitfield Co. on 24 November.

HOODED MERGANSER - Carol Lambert reported a high count of 250 birds at ELHLAF on 28 November.

RUFFED GROUSE - Earl Horn reported two birds seen at Swallow Creek WMA on 2 November.

RED-THROATED LOON - Michael and Eric Beohm reported finding 11 birds off Tybee Island on 20 November.

COMMON LOON - Walt Chambers observed more than 70 birds at WPD on 5 November. Tom Striker reported finding more than 35 birds on Lake Blue Ridge on 22 November, which was unusual for that region.

PIED-BILLED GREBE - Terry Johnson had a high count of 37 birds at Rum Creek WMA on 22 November.

EARED GREBE - Eight birds seen at Rum Creek WMA on 17 September by Terry Johnson were a good early count. Terry had an excellent count of 28 birds on 15 November at the same location. This location has become the most reliable place to find this species in the state.

BLACK-CAPPED PETREL - Nathan Diaz reported three birds seen on a pelagic trip into Georgia waters on 20 August, and a very good count of 20 birds on a 17 September trip.

CORY'S SHEARWATER - Nine birds were seen on a pelagic trip on 6 August (Russ Wigh). Nathan Diaz reported two birds on the 20 August pelagic trip, and 14 birds on the 17 September trip offshore.

AUDUBON’S SHEARWATER - The pelagic trip on 6 August found 13 birds offshore (Russ Wigh). Nathan Diaz reported finding 9 birds on a 17 September pelagic trip.

WILSON'S STORM-PETREL - Two birds were seen on the 6 August boat trip (Russ Wigh). Nathan Diaz reported finding five birds on the 20 August boat trip, and three birds on the 17 September trip.

NORTHERN GANNET - Michael and Eric Beohm reported seeing more than 100 birds off Tybee Island on 20 November.

AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN - There were many reports during the season, primarily from Andrew’s Island and western lakes. Steve Barlow found six birds on JI and five birds at Andrew’s Island on 7 August. Steve also reported a flock of 21 birds seen at the Andrew’s Island causeway on 15 October. A flock of 70 birds seen at WPD on 23 October was unusual for that location (Eric and Michael Beohm). Michael Beohm observed another flock of 76 birds at WPD on 17 November. Michael and Eric also observed a flock of more than 50 birds at Andrew’s Island on 20 November. Finally, five birds were observed on 25 November at Lake Walter F. George (Eric and Michael Beohm, Paul Sanders).

BROWN PELICAN - A single bird seen at Lake Walter F. George on 25 November was a very good find by Paul Sanders, and Michael and Eric Beohm.

ANHINGA - Diane Reed saw a high count of more than 50 birds along I-95 at exit 26 on 13 August.

MAGNIFICENT FRIGATEBIRD - Michael Beohm found one bird at Lake Walter F. George on 30 August. Eric Beohm found one bird at Lake Seminole on 31 August. A bird seen by Nick Van Lanen on LSSI on 2 November was late for the area.

GREAT EGRET - Carol Lambert reported a high count of more than 50 birds on 12 August at ELHLAF. James Brooks noted a late bird in Henry Co. on 21 November.

LITTLE BLUE HERON - Carol Lambert recorded a high count of 51 birds at ELHLAF on 25 August.

WHITE IBIS - Paul and Joan Sykes had a good high count of 450 birds at AWMA on 9 October.

ROSEATE SPOONBILL - Alan Ashley had a rare inland sighting of a single bird in Albany on 17 and 18 August. The highest count was 32 at JI on 27 August (Jeff Sewell, Dan Vickers, Bill Lotz). Three birds were seen on Andrew’s Island on 25 November (Eric and Michael Beohm).

WOOD STORK - Ruth Mead and Lois Stacey had a good count of 17 birds at Phinizy Swamp on 3 October.

TURKEY VULTURE - Lois Stacey had a nice flight of 288 birds in Augusta on 19 October.

SWALLOW-TAILED KITE - There were several reports away from the usual locations. Paul Sykes and Bill Blakeslee observed a bird north of Sandersville in Washington Co. on 5 August. Carole Ludwig found a bird in Watkinsville on 10 August. Mark Freeman found a bird in Greene Co. on 27 August. Paul Sykes passed on a report from Alex Curtis of a bird seen soaring over a marsh in northern Greene Co. on 27 August, possibly a first record for that county. One bird was seen in Fayette Co. on 31 August (Beth Parker).

MISSISSIPPI KITE - Paul Sykes and Bill Blakeslee counted 38 birds north of Sandersville in Washington Co. on 5 August. Paul and Joan Sykes observed two birds east of Watkinsville in Oconee Co. on 7 August, and he suspects possible breeding in that area. Tim Keyes found 11 birds near Forsyth on 17 August, for a good report away from the usual locations.

BALD EAGLE - One bird seen at the Fulton Co. Airport on 22 November was unusual for that area (David Heeden).

MERLIN - Paul Sykes observed a single bird in northern Greene Co. on 10 October, a very noteworthy sighting away from the coast.

PEREGRINE FALCON - A field trip to Sapelo Island resulted in a very high count of 39 birds migrating over the island on 7 October (fide Marion Dobbs).

BLACK RAIL - The only report was a single bird calling in a northern Greene Co. marsh on 3 September (Paul Sykes).

CLAPPER RAIL - Marion Dobbs found one bird in the Rome area in a strip-mall parking lot on 19 October. We hardly ever find this species away from the coast, so this is an amazing find in an extremely unusual location.

VIRGINIA RAIL - Paul Sykes had some excellent counts in a northern Greene Co. marsh. He reported finding one bird on 10 October, two birds on 15 October, five birds on 22 October, two birds on 29 October, 10 birds on 13 November, and five birds on 20 November.

SORA - Paul and Joan Sykes made a very good count of 86 birds at AWMA on 9 October.

COMMON MOORHEN - Paul and Joan Sykes had a very high count of 82 birds observed at AWMA on 9 October.

LIMPKIN - Charles Erwin found one bird at the Chickasawhatchee WMA near Albany on 30 August, for a very good sighting from that location.

SANDHILL CRANE - The highest count was 2,000 over Fort McPherson on 30 November (Howard Ory).

AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVER - The two birds found on Cumberland Island by Patrick Leary on 11 September were unusual for that location. Steve Barlow found one bird in Bartow Co. on 18 September.

SEMIPALMATED PLOVER - Marion Dobbs saw 20 birds in Sumter Co. on 5 August.

PIPING PLOVER - The earliest report was of two birds seen on the beach on JI on 13 August by Michael Bender.

AMERICAN OYSTERCATCHER - Eric and Michael Beohm had a good count of 42 birds on Tybee Island on 20 November.

BLACK-NECKED STILT - One bird was seen in Bartow Co. on 30 August by Chris Loudermilk. Another good sighting was the one bird seen in Columbus on 31 August by Walt Chambers, and again on 5 September at Oxbow Meadows by Walt. Chris Loudermilk found another bird at J. L. Lester WMA on 8 September.

AMERICAN AVOCET - Michael Beohm reported finding seven birds at Walter F. George Dam on 30 August.

WILLET - There were a few reports away from the coast this period. Carol Lambert found one bird at ELHLAF on 11 August, and Jim Flynn and Earl Horn found another bird in Worth Co. on 28 August.

UPLAND SANDPIPER - The high count was 28 birds seen in Macon Co. on 13 August by Walt Chambers. Jim Throckmorton found one bird in the Roswell area on 17 August.

WHIMBREL - Jeff Sewell and Michael Beohm had a high count of 21 birds at Bloody Marsh on St. Simons Island on 7 August.

MARBLED GODWIT - Tommy Patterson reported finding a single bird in a pasture in Laurens Co. on 21 September for a very rare inland record.

RED KNOT - The earliest report of returning birds was on 7 August, when Steve Barlow reported finding five birds in Bloody Marsh on St Simons Island.

SANDERLING - One bird seen in Bartow Co. on 13 August was a good find (Jeff Sewell, Bill Lotz).

WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER - Gene Wilkinson found one bird in Tattnall Co. on 20 September.

BAIRD’S SANDPIPER - There were several good reports concerning this species. Two birds were found in Macon Co. on 26 August (Jeff Sewell, Dan Vickers, Bill Lotz). Single birds were found in Worth Co. on 28 August (Jim Flynn, Earl Horn), and in Baker Co. on 31 August (Eric and Michael Beohm).

PURPLE SANDPIPER - Eric and Michael Beohm observed five birds on Tybee Island on 20 November.

DUNLIN - Nine birds seen at ELHLAF by Carol Lambert on 17 August were good for that area.

STILT SANDPIPER - Two birds were found in Bartow Co. on 13 August (Jeff Sewell, Bill Lotz), and Steve Barlow reported one bird, also in Bartow County, on 14 August. Pierre Howard relocated the latter bird on 26 August.

BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER - One bird was found in Bartow Co. on 19 August by Walt Chambers, and was seen again by Ken Blankenship on 20 August. Marion Dobbs had a high count of 16 birds in Floyd Co. on 30 August. Steve Wagner and Russ Wigh observed a single bird in Statesboro on 1 September, and Jim Flynn and Earl Horn had a good count of four birds observed in Peach Co. on 17 September.

LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER - A single bird was found at the AWMA on 25 August (Bob Zaremba).

WILSON’S SNIPE - The earliest returning birds were observed in Bulloch Co. on 6 August (Patrick Brisse, Hugh Garrett).

PARASITIC JAEGER - Earl Horn, Dan Vickers, and Jeff Sewell saw two birds on JI on 26 November.

LONG-TAILED JAEGER - A bird found by Jim Flynn and Earl Horn at Lake Hartwell on 4 September remained in the area until 12 September. This was an excellent inland record, and only the third accepted record of the species in the state (CRC record 2005-16).

FRANKLIN’S GULL - Eric and Michael Beohm discovered a first winter bird on Tybee Island on 20 November, which was relocated by Steve Wagner and Tim Miller on 26 November.

BLACK-HEADED GULL - Steve and Will Calver found an adult bird on Tybee Island on 13 August, which remained there until 16 October. This sighting has not been submitted to the CRC, but the bird was very well documented via photographs. This is the third record for the state.

LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL - Steve Barlow had a high count of 11 birds on Tybee Island on 6 August. Still on Tybee, Eric and Michael Beohm had a good count of 11 birds on 20 November.

SANDWICH TERN - Pierre Howard had a high count of 85 birds on Tybee Island on 5 August. Three birds observed on Lake Seminole by Eric Beohm on 31 August were a very good find.

LEAST TERN - Pierre Howard had a high count of 175 birds on Tybee Island on 5 August.

BRIDLED TERN - Two birds were seen on the 6 August pelagic trip (Russ Wigh). Nathan Diaz saw five birds on the 20 August boat trip, and nine birds were seen on his 17 September trip. Eric Beohm found one bird at Lake Seminole on 31 August, shortly after Hurricane Katrina’s passage.

SOOTY TERN - Nathan Diaz had one bird on his 20 August pelagic trip, and five birds were seen on the pelagic trip on 17 September. Shortly after the passage of Hurricane Katrina, Eric and Michael Beohm saw four birds at WPD on 29 August, Michael Beohm saw two birds at Walter F. George on 30 August, and Eric Beohm found one bird at Lake Seminole on 31 August. One bird, evidently storm driven, was observed on Lake Hartwell by Jim Flynn and Earl Horn on 4 September.

BLACK TERN - One or two birds were seen at ELHLAF between 15 August (David Chartier) and 19 August (Carol Lambert), and three were seen there on 1 September. Eric and Michael Beohm had a high count of 70 birds observed at WPD on 29 August. Another good count of 50 birds was made at Walter F. George Dam on 30 August (Michael Beohm), and 150 birds were observed at Lake Seminole on 31 August (Eric Beohm). Earl Horn and Jim Flynn had a good count of 22 birds observed on Lake Hartwell on 4 September.

EURASIAN COLLARED-DOVE - This species is continuing its range expansion across the state. Paul Sykes noted a high count of 26 birds near Oconee Co. High School on 11 September. He also reported two birds seen at Hartwell on the same day, three birds seen on 10 October in northern Greene Co. away from their usual suburban haunts, and another high count of 34 birds in Oconee Co. on 15 November.

WHITE-WINGED DOVE - Marjorie Clark observed a single bird in her JI yard on 24 October.

BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO - This species is rarely reported in the state. There were two reports from KMT, one on 11 September, and one on 18 September (Bob Zaremba). Marion Dobbs observed a bird at Chickamauga NMP on 30 September.

BARN OWL - A bird seen on Sapelo Island on 7 October was unusual for that location (fide Marion Dobbs).

CHIMNEY SWIFT - Paul Sykes observed a migratory flock of more than 300 birds foraging in the early evening over fields in Watkinsville, Oconee Co., on 11 September.

BLACK-CHINNED HUMMINGBIRD - A bird was banded in Bibb Co. on 8 November (fide Jerry Amerson).

BROAD-TAILED HUMMINGBIRD - An immature bird was banded in Big Canoe on November 20 at the home of Theresa Harts, and remained there until the end of the month (CRC record 2005-17).

RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD - There were many reports of individual birds, but one bird at a feeder in Lilburn on 30 September was the earliest returning bird (Rick and Sandy Krause). Other reports included a bird in Valdosta on 25 October (Margaret Harper), and a bird in Decatur on 18 November (Pat White).

OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER - One bird was seen at CRNRA on 29 August (Al Mercer), and again on 31 August (Dan Vickers and Bill Lotz). Steve Wagner found a bird at Fort Pulaski on 18 September, for an unusual report from that location.

YELLOW-BELLIED FLYCATCHER - Reports of this scarce migrant have been increasing over the years. A single bird at KMT on 6 September (Giff Beaton) and another in Spaulding Co. on 7 September (Eric Beohm) were the earliest reports. Later in the month, a bird was observed in Marietta on 18 September (Bob Zaremba). Also in Cobb Co., Pierre Howard observed a bird at CRNRA on 29 September. The latest reports were one bird at ELHLAF on 1 October (Carol Lambert), and a single bird in Columbus on 2 October (Walt Chambers).

LEAST FLYCATCHER - One bird seen at Chickamauga NMP by Kevin Calhoun on 12 September was a good find. Unusual for the coast, one bird was seen on Skidaway Island by Russ Wigh on 28 September.

VERMILION FLYCATCHER - A female bird was found at the ENWR by Bill Lotz on 20 November, and remained through the end of the month.

WESTERN KINGBIRD - The only report for the period was a single bird seen on JI by Lydia Thompson on 18 August.

GRAY KINGBIRD - Gene Keferl found three birds near Savannah on 11 August, two of which remained through 11 October (Steve Wagner). Russ Wigh saw one bird on Cockspur Island at Fort Pulaski on 30 August. Two birds observed on Andrew’s Island by Gene Wilkinson on 13 September were unusual for that location.

LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE - Chris Loudermilk had an unusual sighting of a bird at SCSP in Douglas Co. on 12 November. This species has been missing from that part of the state for the past 15 years, as the migratory sub-species has apparently declined.

WARBLING VIREO - One bird seen at KMT on 22 September (Sterling Blanchard) and again on 24 September (Giff Beaton) were the only reports for this season.

PHILADELPHIA VIREO - Eran Tomer reported three birds from CRNRA on 30 September for the highest count of the season. Two birds were observed at KMT on 1 October (Giff Beaton), three birds were observed at CRNRA on 3 October (Pierre Howard), and one bird was seen again at KMT on 14 October (Deb Zaremba). Three birds were also seen in Columbus on 2 October (Walt Chambers), and Theresa Hartz saw one bird in Big Canoe on that day.

COMMON RAVEN - Stan Chapman reported finding one bird at Blood Mountain on 2 October.

PURPLE MARTIN - Jerry and Marie Amerson discovered a huge roost of more than 100,000 birds at the Macon Mall parking lot on 6 August.

NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW - Jim Flynn and Earl Horn had a high count of 500 birds in Macon Co. on 28 August, and Terry Johnson saw a late departing bird at Rum Creek on 19 November.

BANK SWALLOW - A high count of more than 50 birds was made in Burke Co. on 20 August (Patrick Brisse, Bob and Deb Zaremba). Pierre Howard had a good count of more than 25 birds in Bartow Co. on 26 August.

CAVE SWALLOW - Michael Beohm had a very early bird near Forsyth on 25 August, and Bob Zaremba saw three birds (CRC record 2005-18) on Tybee Island on 24 November.

BROWN CREEPER - The earliest reports were from the Georgia Tech campus on 21 October (Steve Barlow) and at KMT on 23 October (Giff Beaton).

SEDGE WREN - Chris Loudermilk had a very good count of nine birds at SCSP on 12 November. Paul Sykes had very high counts of 10 birds on 13 and 20 November in northern Greene Co.

GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLET - The earliest report was a bird seen in Forsyth Co. on 14 October (Grant McCrearey).

RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET - Deb Zaremba had an early high count of 31 birds at KMT on 14 October.

GRAY-CHEEKED THRUSH - Five birds were observed at KMT on 29 September (Deb Zaremba).

SWAINSON'S THRUSH - The peak count was 30 birds from KMT on 28 September (fide Giff Beaton). Paul Sykes observed a migrating bird in Clarke Co. on 22 October, and Doris Cohrs observed a late migrating bird in Darien on 2 November.

WOOD THRUSH - The highest count was 15 birds at KMT on 14 October (Deb Zaremba).

BLUE-WINGED WARBLER - Mark Davis had the earliest sighting of a migrating bird at KMT on 9 August.

GOLDEN-WINGED WARBLER - The earliest report was a single bird at KMT on 3 September (fide Giff Beaton).

TENNESSEE WARBLER - The highest count was 60 birds at KMT on 30 September (Giff Beaton). Two birds were migrating late in the season in Dade Co. on 5 November (Earl Horn, Jim Flynn).

NASHVILLE WARBLER - There were several reports scattered throughout the state this period. The earliest report was two birds seen at KMT on 10 September (Giff Beaton). Single birds were seen in Athens on 3 October (Mark Freeman) and on Skidaway Island on 17 October (Russ Wigh), and Deb Zaremba reported a single bird in her Marietta backyard from 19 through 22 October. Finally, three birds were observed at KMT on 23 October (fide Giff Beaton).

CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER - Deb Zaremba had a high count early in the migration season of 13 birds at KMT on 31 August. The peak count during migration was also from KMT with 21 birds observed on 9 September (fide Giff Beaton).

MAGNOLIA WARBLER - Jim Flynn and Earl Horn observed a late migrating bird in Meriwether Co. on 20 November.

CAPE MAY WARBLER - The only report was that of a single bird seen at the State Botanical Garden in Athens on 2 October (Michael Bender).

BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER - There were two reports of lingering birds. One bird was observed at Clyde Sheppard Nature Preserve on 28 October (Darlene Moore), and another bird was observed near Augusta on 29 October (Lois Stacey).

YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER - The earliest report was a single bird observed by Michael Beohm at Pine Mountain Trail in Meriwether Co. on 4 October. Giff Beaton saw a rare Audubon’s type at KMT on 16 October.

BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER - The peak count during migration was a total of 37 birds observed at KMT on 14 October (fide Giff Beaton).

BAY-BREASTED WARBLER - The earliest reported bird was one seen at KMT on 1 September (fide Deb Zaremba).

BLACKPOLL WARBLER - There were multiple reports of this rare fall migrant. The first was a single bird seen at Chickamauga NMP in Catoosa Co. by Marion Dobbs on 30 September, and Michael Beohm found a single bird at Pine Mountain Trail in Meriwether Co. on 4 October.

CERULEAN WARBLER - Bob Zaremba had an interesting sighting of a male bird feeding two juveniles at KMT on 26 August.

AMERICAN REDSTART - Pierre Howard reported a high count of 30 birds at CRNRA on 3 October.

OVENBIRD - A late migrating bird, which was found in Darien by Doris Cohrs on 31 October, was still present on 2 November.

MOURNING WARBLER - Amazingly, while observing the MacGillivray’s Warbler at KMT, Giff Beaton discovered a female Mourning Warbler in the same area on 4 September. Also from KMT, another bird was observed on 13 September (fide Giff Beaton).

MACGILLIVRAY’S WARBLER - A single bird was found and documented at KMT by Giff Beaton on 4 September. This is only the third documented record for the state! Luckily, the bird remained in the same area for most of the day, allowing many observers to relocate it (CRC record 2005-15).

WILSON’S WARBLER - The earliest report was a single female bird seen at KMT on 29 August (Bob Zaremba). There were numerous reports between 4 September and 11 September, highlighted by two birds seen in Gwinnett Co. The first Gwinnett Co. bird was a female found at Suwanee Creek Park on 4 September, and the second bird was an adult male found in a backyard (Karen Theodorou). Russ Wigh found a late migrating bird on Skidaway Island on 28 October, and a male bird was seen at Reed Creek Park near Martinez on 25 November, probably a late migrant, or possibly a wintering bird (Gene Zielinski).

SUMMER TANAGER - KMT was the site of the highest tally reported during migration, with a peak count of 15 birds observed on 17 September (fide Deb Zaremba).

SCARLET TANAGER - The highest count reported during migration was 32 at KMT on 21 September (fide Deb Zaremba).

CLAY-COLORED SPARROW - The earliest report was from Darien, where Doris Cohrs found a single bird on 22 September. Earl Horn found another bird at AWMA on 7 October, probably the most reliable site in the state for this elusive species. Pierre Howard and Earl Horn found a single bird at Andrew’s Island causeway, also on 7 October.

LARK SPARROW - It was a very good season for this species, which is seldom seen in the state, as eight different birds observed. The earliest reports were single birds seen at ELHLAF (Carol Lambert, Jeff Sewell) and in Spaulding Co. (Michael and Eric Beohm), both on 20 August. Liz Garret found a single bird in Clarke Co. on 23 August, and Russ Wigh found a bird at Skidaway Island on 27 August. Michael Beohm located another single bird in Talbot Co. on 8 September. On that same day, Lydia Thompson found a bird near the soccer complex on JI. Another coastal bird was located at Fort Pulaski by Steve Wagner on 16 October, and the latest report was of a single bird found near Macon on 12 November (Ty Ivey and Paul Johnson).

HENSLOW’S SPARROW - The earliest report was of a single bird at CRNRA on 29 through 31 October (Al Mercer, Tim Rose, Bill Groce). A high count of nine birds was found at Paulk’s Pasture in Glynn Co. on 25 November (fide Earl Horn).

LE CONTE’S SPARROW - ENWR has become the most reliable location to see this species during this period, as two birds were present at that location on 30 October (fide Dan Vickers). Also on 30 October, two birds were found at CRNRA in separate areas, and were relocated on 31 October (Jerry Brunner, Tim Rose, Bill Groce). Later in the season, several birds were observed at ENWR on 20 November (fide Bill Lotz).

NELSON’S SHARP-TAILED SPARROW - Russ Wigh and Steve Wagner reported finding a single bird at Fort Pulaski on 13 November, for the earliest report of the season.

SALTMARSH SHARP-TAILED SPARROW - Steve Barlow reported the first bird of the season from Fort Pulaski on 16 October.

FOX SPARROW - The first report for the season was a single bird found at Oxbow Meadows near Columbus on 12 November (Walt Chambers).

SONG SPARROW - Paul Sykes reported a very high count of 310 birds in a small area in northern Greene Co. on 29 October.

LINCOLN’S SPARROW - The earliest report was a single bird observed at CRNRA on 22 October by Steve Barlow. David Hedeen found a single bird at the Robinson Nature Preserve on 26 October, and Jeff Sewell and Dan Vickers found two birds at CRNRA on 19 November.

WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW - The earliest report was a single bird seen at ENWR by Bill Lotz and Dan Vickers on 29 October.

ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK - The peak counts during the migration period both occurred on 30 September. Theresa Hartz reported 16 birds at Big Canoe, and Giff Beaton reported 20 birds at KMT.

INDIGO BUNTING - Paul and Joan Sykes had a very good count of 310 birds at AWMA on 9 October.

PAINTED BUNTING - A late bird was found on Cumberland Island, from 13 through 16 November, by Ann Mahoney.

DICKCISSEL - The only report this period was a single bird from Spaulding Co. on 7 September (Eric Beohm).

BOBOLINK - Lydia Thompson reported a nice count of 10 birds still on JI at the soccer complex on 8 September.

YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD - This species probably occurs annually in the state, but is hardly ever found. Thom Smith and Karen Arms found one adult male bird on Wilmington Island on 16 October for a good coastal sighting. The two birds observed at Lover’s Lane in Augusta by Lois Stacey on 29 October were an excellent find.

RUSTY BLACKBIRD - The earliest reports of this species both came on 19 November. Joshua Spence observed seven birds on Fite Bend Road near Resaca in the northern part of the state, and Jeff Sewell and Dan Vickers found two birds at Cochran Shoals in Cobb Co. By 26 November, six birds had made it as far south as Valdosta, where Brad Bergstrom observed them at Grand Bay WMA.

BALTIMORE ORIOLE - The highest count reported during migration was a total of 10 birds at KMT on 1 September (fide Deb Zaremba).

PURPLE FINCH - The earliest report was of a single female bird seen on a Cobb Co. feeder by Vicki and Harry DeLoach on 30 October. Jim Flynn and Earl Horn reported finding five birds in Cloudland Canyon State Park on 5 November, for the highest count of the period.

PINE SISKIN - There were scattered reports during the period. The earliest sighting was of a single bird in Lilburn by Rick and Sandy Krause on 31 October, and the highest count was three birds observed in Dawson Forest on 30 November (Sterling Blanchard and Mark Davis).

Return to "From The Field" Menu