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The Chat

Mo\. 60

WINTER 1996

No. 1

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Quarterly Bulletin of Carolina Bird Club, Inc.
The Ornithological Society of the Carolinas

THE CHAT

(USPS 101-020)

VOL60 WINTER 1996 NO. 1

Published by the Carolina Bird Club, Inc.

Editor H. T. Hendrickson, Dept, of Biology, UNCG, Greensboro, NC 27412

General Field Notes Lynn Moseley, North Carolina Editor

Dennis M. Forsythe, South Carolina Editor
Briefs for the Files Ricky Davis, P.O. Box 277, Zebulon, NC 27597

Spring Count Editor Peggy V. Ferebee, Natural Science Center,

4301 Lawndale Dr., Greensboro, NC 27455
Editor Emeritus Eloise Pottter

THE CHAT (USPS 101-020) is published quarterly for $12.00 by the Carolina Bird Club, Inc., with
headquarters at the North Carolina State Museum of Natural Sciences, 102 N. Salisbury Street, Raleigh,
NC 27603. Second-class postage paid at Raleigh, NC.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Carolina Bird Club, THE CHAT, P. O. Box 29555, Raleigh, NC
27626-0555.

PAGE CHARGES: Authors who have funds available for page charges are requested to remit same at the
rate of $40.00 per page. CBC Headquarters will provide statements required for your business records.

CONTENTS

Spring Bird Count — 1995. Peggy V. Ferebee, ed 1

Summary of Twenty-nine Years of Breeding Bird Survey Results. Harry E. LeGrand, Jr. . . 16
General Field Notes

An Unprecedented Wave of Brown Boobies ( Sula leucogaster ) in North Carolina

Todd Hass and Brian Patteson 24

First Record of Marbled Murrelet in North Carolina. Ricky Davis & Derb Carter .... 27

SPRING BIRD COUNT — 1995

PEGGY V. FEREBEE

We had 16 areas represented in this year’s count, up from last year’s 14. New
counts this year included Avery County, and Gaston County, North Carolina. Charlotte
is included this year, after missing last year We did not receive information from
Chapel Hill this year. The addition of these new areas improves the diversity of
habitats covered. Margery Plymire of Linville Falls is to be especially commended for
doing the Avery County count by herself! Perhaps some CBCers in that area could
volunteer to help her next year. It’s a great excuse to spend the day in the beautiful
North Carolina mountains. We need more counts from the mountains and the coast in
North Carolina, and from anywhere in South Carolina. I was late in getting materials
out to several people who volunteered to work new areas but you’re on my list for next
year!

Even though we had more count areas than last year, observers actually spent less
time in the field — 955.75 hours total compared to 1152 hours in 1994. This needs to
be taken into account when comparing this years count with previous counts. The
inclusion or omission of particular count areas must also be considered. Observers
reported 72,367 individuals of 233 species in 1995, compared to 74,936 individuals of
239 species for 1994.

Double-crested Cormorants continue to be comfortable inland, sometimes in very
large flocks (500 in Durham). Canada Geese continue to increase and we are receiving
more and more complaints from people in Greensboro who consider them pests. Bald
Eagles are staying steady in the state and Greensboro reported another successful
hatching for their birds. Mute Swans showed up on three counts. Birds like this are
always a problem, since there are a lot of non-native waterfowl that escape from
hobbyists The notable thing about the birds in Raleigh and Southern Pines are that
they are breeding and it will be interesting to see what happens with this feral
population.

When I was learning to tell the Accipiter hawks apart, everyone assured me Sharp-
shinned Hawks were much more common than Cooper’s. John Fussell noted in his
1992 summation of the counts of the previous ten years that Cooper’s were being
reported almost as often as Sharpies. This year twice as many Cooper’s were reported,
so hopefully the numbers of this species really are up. Broad-winged Hawks seem to be
declining. The bobwhite population seems to be moving back up slightly. Wild
Turkeys seem to be stable, but snipe continue to decline, along with Woodcock.

Phoebes continue to decline. Acadian Flycatchers also declined At first glance it
seemed that Great Crested Flycatchers made a dramatic leap, but that was only because
Charleston reported 639. Hummingbirds are still down. After a low of 25 last year.
Ruby-crowned Kinglets were up to their 1992 level, which is why you have to be
careful looking at the data from only two years! Some birds that we take for granted
showed declines: Flickers, Blue Jays, Carolina Chickadees, Tufted Titmouse, and
Carolina Wrens. It is easy to overlook these more common species in our quest for the
“hot” birds. But we need accurate figures on them as well. There are indications that

Winter 1996

1

these birds we think have adapted so well to the disaipted urban habitat haven't adapted
as well as we think.

All the Vireos show a decline, even the Red-eyed. Observers reported 3 1 species of
warblers and although some species such as Parulas and Redstarts are steady, as a group
the numbers of individuals decreased. Among the blackbirds, Orchard Orioles showed a
slight increase as did Red-winged Blackbirds. Eastern Meadowlarks continue to decline,
along with their open habitat. Surprisingly, Common Grackles and Brown-headed
Cowbirds also showed a decline. I hope this is a true decline and not the result of folks
getting tired of counting them. Goldfinches are still down as are House Sparrows.

COMPILER’S COMMENTS

ACNC - Avery County, NC. Intersection US 221 and Old Jonas Ridge Rd.,
Pinola, NC. May 23, 610 - 1838. Temp 42°-76°, precipitation none. WindS-SW,
Beaufort 1-2 ,except on Grandfather Mountain, force 3. Sky partly cloudy, mostly
overcast on Grandfather Mountain 1030-1230.

Participants: Compiler - Margery Plymire, Box 306, Linville Falls, NC.
28647; Margery Plymire.

Compiler’s Comments: This is a new area that includes the Blue Ridge
Parkway, Grandfather Mountain, Linville, Crossnore, Newland area and Linville Falls
area north of intersection US 221 and NC 184.

My count was a bit late. The Kestral was a bonus. I don't recall finding the species
in Avery County when I lived here before. It certainly is not common here. An
unidentified chickadee was over 5000' on Grandfather Mountain. I thought it sounded
like a black-capped, but its hard to call out of context.

The Pine Siskins have been at the nature museum on Grandfather Mountain each
time I have stopped there since March 7 ( minimum 2) and the birds were singing April
15. There was also a streaked j unco independant, feeding on sunflower seeds, also at the
nature museum.

The Swainson’s Warbler was seen at 3350'. I heard it for sometime before seeing
it, sitting on a hemlock limb. This is a species with which I am well aquainted.

Ed. Note: Its a big area to cover alone. Perhaps there are other birders in the area
who could offer to help Ms. Plymire next year. She is also interested in a Christmas
Count in this area.

GVNC - Greenville, NC. 35°35”N 77 14'W, jet. of CR 1762 and SR 33. May
7, 0700 - 1500. Temp. 50°-70°F, precipitation none. Wind 10 mph, sky condition
partly cloudy, partly sunny.

Participants - Co-compilers: John Wright, 1953 A Quail Ridge Rd.,
Greenville, NC 27858 and Dr. Veronica Pantelidis, 106 Lakeview Dr., Greenville, NC,
27858; Mary Atkeson, Bill Davis, Lou Davis, Kim Green, Ken Harrell, David
Kaminski, Jill Kaminski, Veronica Pantelids, John Wright, Paula Wright.

RVNC - Raven Rock State Park, intersection of NC 210 and SR 1434; 2.75
miles north of Lillington. April 29, 0530 - 1700. Temp. 48 -82 F, no precipitation.
Wind s-sw, 0-15 mph, sky clear.

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The Chat Vol. 60

Participants: Compiler: Paul C. Hart, Raven Rock State Park, Rt. 3, Box
1005, Lillington, NC 27546; David Brown, Hal Broadfoot, Jr., Paul Hart, Bobby
Lufty, Kaye Parker, Larry Rose, Mary Stevens.

Compiler’s Comments: The total of 93 species was the lowest total for this
count since 1990 (94 species). An average of 1 12 species have been seen over the past
four years. The low species count is probably attributable to the fact that only 36 hours
were spent in the field, with only seven observers participating. An average of 53 field
hours have been recorded over the past several years.

David Brown and Kaye Parker observed the Glossy Ibises flying over a pond at an
abandoned sand and gravel operation west of Lillington. Good details were provided.
This sighting represents the first records of this species on the spring count.

RANC - Raleigh, NC. 35°46’N 78 40N, near Norfolk and Southern Railroad and
Lake Wheeler Rd. crossing. April 29, 0515-1700. Temp 55 -75 F, no precipitation.
Wind calm to 10 mph, sky clear.

Participants: Compiler- John Conners, 1227 Mordecia Dr., Raleigh, NC.
27604; Susan Barrell, Jerome Brewster, Martha Brewster, Hal Carmichael, John
Conners, Will Cook, Diane Cutler, Kent Fiala, John Finnegan, Christina Harvey,
Stephanie Horton, Mark Johns, Will Kimler, Ken Knapp, Gail Lankford, Herman
Lankford, Mary Leuba, Jim Mulholland, Joanna Perkinson, Will Roland, Paulette Van
de Zande.

DUNC - Durham, NC. 36°09'N 78’40’W, as described Christmas ‘93, center 1
mile east and 1 mile north, jet. Eno River and US 501. April 23, 0545 to 2130. Temp.
60°-48°F, periods of light rain, wind NE at 0-5 mph., sky condition overcast.

Participants: Compiler- Michael Schultz, 5504 Woodberry Rd., Durham, N.C.
27707; Peter Burke, C.J. Nelson, Will Cook, Anson Cooke, Leto Copeley, Greg
Dodge, Kent Fiala, Maurice Graves, Tom Krakauer, Lori Marlowe, Lauren Parmelee,
Jeffery Pippen, Lois Schultz, Michael Schults, Douglas Shadwick, Julia Shields,
Jonathan Steere, Edith Tatum.

CANC - Charlotte, NC. Center intersection Woodlawn Rd. and South Blvd. May
5, 0615 to 1800. Temp. 70-85 F, no precipitation or wind. Sky conditions clear.

Participants: Compiler - Kevin B. Hennings, 900 W. Franklin St., Monroe,
NC, 28112; Eddie Andrews, Bob Bieregard, Jim Clark, Marianne Clark, Bill Cobey,
Flo Cobey, Bill Dustin, Dave Freeh, Ethel Freeh, Lee Gillamn, Kevin Hennings,
Robert Jones, Carol Jorgensen, Dave Lovett, Eleanor O'Neill, Taylor Piephoff,
Lisbeth Stockman, Rob Van Epps, Judy Walker, Harriet Whitsett, David Wright,
Marcia Wright.

Compiler’s comments: The Snow Goose is an individual that had been
hanging around with a flock of resident Canada Geese for several weeks. One of the
Cooper's Hawks was at an active nest. Yellow-crowned Night Heron was also on a
nest.

Winter 1996

3

WSNC - Winston Salem, NC. 36°05'N 80° 18'W, as described Christmas '93,
center Silas Creek and Business 1-40. May 6, 0400 to 2000. Temp. 62 - 82 F, no
precipitation, light wind from the southwest, sky condition partly cloudy to clear.

Participants: Compiler- David Disher, 4145 Chatham Hill Dr., Winston-
Salem, NC 27104. Kay Bergey, Tammy Bohannon, Reggie Burt, Zack Bynum, Jim
Carlyle, Peggy Cochrane, Linda Davis, Carolyn Della Mea, Michael Dell Mea, Doug
Deneve, David Disher, Susan Disher, Cynthia Donaldson, Charlie Frost, Dave Gano,
Bill Hammond, John Hammond, Susan Hammond, David Heauner, Bert Hollifield,
Royce Hough, Michael Hough, Lois Jones, Barbara Kendrick, Peggy Kinlaw, Judy
Lawrence, Jim Martin, Sue Moore, Tom Mowbray, Ed Mulvey, Margaret Mulvey,
Ann Newsome, Paul Powers, Lloyd Ramsey, C. Sommer, Jackie Shelton, Ramona
Snavely, Paul Spain, Jim Spencer, Bill Sugg, Gray Tuttle, Harrison Tuttle, Jay
Wilhelmi, Bob Witherington.

Compiler’s comments: I attribute the lower than usual number of species and
birds to the very warm months of March and April in the area. The migration seems to
have hit its peak about one month earlier. The low number of Grasshopper Sparrows is
indicative of shrinking habitats in the south part of the circle. The Bobolinks continue
to be found in the same farmer's fields year after year. If he sells or plows his field the
Bobolinks will disappear from our count. This year we found a new nesting colony of
Cliff Swallows on a bridge over the Yadkin River at the extreme SW comer of our
circle. The swallows had moved in and 1 1 nests could be seen from the Forsyth County
side. We had a large number of Solitary Sandpipers and Spotteds this year from all the
wet areas in the circle. We had low numbers of warblers and fewer species than usual.

JLNC - Jordan Lake, NC. New Hope River and SR 1700, Chatham C. Co. (now
under water). May 7, 0430 - 2100. Temp 50 -75 F, no precipitation, wind light. Sky
partly cloudy in the morning then clearing.

Participants: Co-compilers- Will Cook, 418 Sharon Rd., Chapel Hill, NC,
27514 and Barbara Roth, Carolina Meadows, Villa 347, Chapel Hill, NC; Ben Aitken,
Dennis Alwon, Barbara Beaman, Barbara Brooks, Norman Budnitz, Peter Burke, Patrick
Coin, Anson Cooke, Emily DeVoto, Julie Drohan, Claudia Egelhoff, Chris Eley, Bert
Fisher, Jim Fry, Bryan Goldson, Jim Graves, Maurice Graves, Perry Haaland, Bob
Hale, Steve Hall, Walton Haywood, Carol Hay, Chuck Helmick, Russell Herman,
Loren Hintz, Fran Hommersand, Dorothy Irvin, Steve Kahler, Jim Keighton, John
Kent, Betty King, Chip Konrad, Edward Kuezler, Henry Link, Terry Logue, Phillip
Manning, Melinda Meade, Lynn Milich, Joni Mitchell, Lori Moilanen, Judy Murry,
Monica Nees, Randy Neighbarder, C.J. Nelson, Rick Payne, Kevin Powell, Barabara
Roth, Harriet Sato, Peg Schultz, Douglas Shadwick, Julia Shields, Carol Siebert, Ed
Suffem, Neil Taylor, Pam Timmons, Andy Upshaw, Margaret Vimmerstedt, Martha
Wayne.

Compiler’s comments: Jordan Lake had an above average count both in
number of species and number of birds. With an outstanding 61 participants and good
luck, we set or tied record highs for 21 species: Wood Duck, Mallard, Common
Merganser (tie), Red-breasted Merganser, Turkey Vulture, Osprey (tie), American
Kestral, Rock Dove, Black-billed Cuckoo (tie). Hairy Woodpecker, Great Crested
Flycatcher, Eastern Kingbird, Tufted Titmouse, White-breasted Nuthatch, Carolina

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The Chat Vol. 60

Wren, Eastern Bluebird, Brown Thrasher, Black-throated Blue Warbler, Pine Warbler
and House Finch. The only species showing a serious decline is House Sparrow, with
about half the number of the previous low. It’s getting to be a rare bird around Jordan
Lake.

There were no new birds to the count, but quite a few goodies turned up. A male
Common Merganser was found near the western shore of Jordan Lake by Doug
Shadwick’s and Henry Link’s parties, the third time in the last five spring counts. I bet
it is the same individual from the 1991 and 1993 counts. Two American Coots were
found at Harris Lake by Will Cook’s party, the first count record since 1985. They
were still present two weeks later. Although they breed in Raleigh, American Kestrals
have only been seen on three previous Jordan Lake spring counts, so it was a real
surprise when three separate parties spotted one each! Jim Keighton’s party found a
Sanderling and a Forster’s Tern at Ebenzer Church, only the third and fouth records,
respectively, in 19 counts. Terry Logue heard a Black-billed Cuckoo in two different
locations, for a fourth count record. Terry also saw a Tennessee Warbler, which is rare
in spring and only the fifth count record. Unfortunately, all that time spent finding
warblers and cuckoos meant that he got to the the Bachman’s Sparrow spot late (near 1
am), just in time to hear one singing. The next weekend a Chapel Hill Bird Club field
trip found a singing male and heard at least two others, though the total population is
probably several times greater. That trip also found a Loggerhead Shrike in the
Bachman’s field, three days too late for the count period.

All in all, it was a great count, with many record highs and a good number of
rarities, as well as an unprecented number of counters, parties, and party hours of
birding.

GRNC - Greensboro, NC. At the intersection of Pisgah Church and Highway
220N. May 6, 0600 - 1930. Temp 49° to 76 F, precipitation none. Wind 8 mph from
nw in the AM and 5 mph in the PM, light clouds during the day.

Participants - Compiler - Donald Allen, 2611 David Caldwell Dr., Greensboro,
NC 27408; Carolyn Allen, Donald Allen, Jean Berry, Dennis Burnette, Charles
Campbell, Nancy Carlson, Sue Cole, Phil Crisp, Scott DePue, John Egan, Nancy
Everhart, Rose Freedman, Delores Foutch, Wally Foutch, Larry Gasper, Stan Gilliam,
Linda Gonzalez, John Groves, Nancy Hannah, Sally Howell, David Humphries,
Elizabeth Link, Henry Link, Jean McCoy, Clarence Mattock, Jim Mattocks, Roger
McNeill, Ron Morris, Lynn Moseley, Megan O’Conner, Elizabeth Ogburn, Deb
Pierce, Carol Ricketts, Danny Royster, Evelyn Schoonover, John Schoonover, Wally
Sills, Barbara Smith, Mike Smith, Laurie Sorrell, Will Sorrell, Jr., Henry Strickland,
Westlyn Strickland, Tom Street, Ernest S warts, Emily Talbert, Jeff Taylor, Emily
Tyler.

Compiler’s Comments - A good count as far as the number of species. I have
looked at what I have back to 1973 and this is the best since then. It helps to have a
large number of parties in the field. Weather was good and you can’t ask for much
more.

The Common Loon was reported by H. Link for the count period. Pied-billed
Grebes were reported by three parties- Schoonover, Sorrell, and Egan. D. Allen reported
the 3 Yellow-crowned Night Herons for the count period. They are nesting in Peabody

Winter 1996

5

Park on the UNCG campus. The Blue-winged Teal were reported by Jean McCoy’s
party. S. Gilliam picked up the Eagles this time. Semipalmated Plovers were reported
by three parties: Gilliam, McCoy and Link. Semipalmated Sandpipers were reported by
S. Gilliam. J. Egan turned in the Pectoral Sandpiper. H. Link found the Black-billed
Cuckoo, Acadian Flycatcher, Yellow- throated Vireo, Bay-breasted Warbler and Cerulean
Warbler in the Count peroid. He also reported the Tree Swallow and the Cliff Swallow.
The Yellow-bellied Sapsucker was found by J. Schoonover's party. J. Mattocks found
the Acadian Flycatcher Four parties reported Ruby-crowned Kinglets. The Mute Swan
was seen and reported by both S. Gilliam and H. Link. He has been hanging out at the
upper end of Lake Brandt at Horsepen Creek where I found it a few days after Count.

ICNC - Iredell County, NC. 35°54’N 8218’W. April 30, 0630 to 1600 . Temp
60°- 76°F, trace of precipitation in the morning, winds 8-10 mph in AM and NW 9
mph in PM Sky cloudy in the morning and mostly sunny in the afternoon.

Participants: Compiler - Sam Cathey, 130 Park Street, Statesville, NC 28677;
Debbie Birnley, Sam Cathey, Bill English, Lois Goforth, Steve Hendrick, Flippin
Jones, Larry Marlin, Joel McConnell, Sue McConnell, Dick Mize, Casey Rhinehart,
Elaine Rines, John Robertson, Garnet Underwood, Ron Underwood.

SPNC - Southern Pines, NC. Center 1 miles NE of Skyline.May 7, 0500 to
1700. Temp. 53°-75°F, no precipitation, wind calm to 8 mph W. Sky condition Fair.

Participants: Compiler- J.H. Carter, III; Jackie Britchen, J.H. Carter, III,
Crawford Caton, Hazel Caton, Bob Cobey, Faust D'Ambrosi, Dick Dole, Lois Dole,
Louise Ellison, Beth Evans, Bryce Fleming, Esther Fleming, Charlotte Gantz, Scott
Hartley, Dean Holzgraf, Tom Howard, Marion Jones, Susan Ladd, A1 McDonald,
Trevor McDonald, Winnifred Monroe, Mary Stephenson, Elizabeth Watson, John
Watson, Alice Wood, Dom Wood.

LCNC - Lenoir, Caldwell County. Mount Herman Community. May 13, 0600 -
2100. Temp, unrecorded, no precipitation, wind 0-4 mph. Sky sunny in AM, heavy
clouds in PM.

Participants: Compiler- Sonny Hines, PO box 795, Lenoir, NC. 28645; Dot
Hendrick, Richard Hendrick, Andy Hines, Sonny Hines, Bob Holland, Adam Martin,
Dom D'Ostillo, Chuck Powell, Marge Powell, David Porter, Rodney Stalheim, Susan
Stalheim, Carolyn Wagoner, Jim Wagoner, Rankin Whittington.

Compiler’s Comments: Willow Flycatcher was identified by song by Dot
Hendrick, Dom D'Ostilio and Adam Martin at a range of about 20 yards. Clearly
observed at that range by group of nine birders. Osprey was seen over Lake Hickory by
Andy Hines and Sonny Hines in vicinity of Hwy 321 Bridge. Bird was flying east in
direction of Lookout Shoals. Adam Martin reported 6 Osprey at Lookout Shoals in late
April. Female Red-Breasted Merganser seen on Lake Hickory at NC boat launch area
near Gunpowder Creek. Group of six birders viwed the merganser at range of 40 yards.

GCNC - Gaston County, NC. 35 14'N 81 12’W, Crowders Mountain State
Park, Park Office. MAy 6, 0700 - 12:00. Temp. 49 - 76 F, precipitation none. Wind
light, sky clear.

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The Chat Vol. 60

Participants: Compiler: Duane J. Flynn, 209 Wrentree Lane, Gastonia, NC.;
Laqmar Ashe, Sherry Chisenhall, Duane Crane, Duane Flynn, Anthony Goff,
Benjamin Goff, Scott Hudson, Hope Paasch.

CHSC - Near the Channel 2 and 5 TV tower just off Seewee Rd, no change from
last year. April 30 ( no times given). Temp. 68c F-80 F, no preciptiation. Wind light
to 25 mph S to SE, mostly SE. Sky condtion partly cloudy to clear.

Participants -Compiler: Edwin L. Blitch, 16 Wyecreek Ave., Charleston, SC
29412-2525:

Edwin Blitch, J.R. Burgis, Billie Chinn, Bob Chinn, E.C. Clyde, Steve
Compton, Edward Conradi, Hal Curry, Dennis Foysythe, Donna Forsythe, Donald
Frey, Judith Frey, Julian Harrison, Bobbin Huff, Gil Huff, Jeremy James, Ann Jones,
Scott Manning, David McLean, David McLean, Jr., Herbert McMurphy, Perry Nugent,
Carl Simms, Jean Simms, Don Watts.

Compiler’s Comment: The group that saw the Roseate Spoonbill (Caspers
Island group, Jeremy James, Hal Curry, and Herbert McMurphy) had good looks at the
bird (binocular range) in the Atlantic Ocean off Caspers and Bull Island — probably
about 2-2.5 miles off shaore. The same group had a single bird last spring.

CGSC - Congaree Swamp (Richland and Calhoun Co.), SC. 300 meters west of
the confluence of Bates Mill Creek and Congaree River. May 6, 0700 - 2200. Temp
55°- 92° F, precipitation none. Wind south, 0-5 mph. Sky clear AM, partly cloudy
PM.

Participants - Compiler: Robin Carter, 4165 E. Buchanan Dr,. Columbia, SC
29206; Phyllis Beasley, Molly Bonnell, Robin Carter, Steve Dennis, Bruce
Drinkwater, Caroline Eastman, Dennis Forsythe, Donna Forsythe, Larry Gardeila, Tom
Hankins, Nancy Lyman, Steve Paris, Bruce Smart, Roger Smith, Gary Sowell, Jack
Stewart, Lula Stewart, Tammy Sutherland, Glenda Swearingen.

Compiler’s Comments: The Congaree Swamp Spring Count was held for the
third year. We had our best year yet, mostly because of better coverage. In 1995 we had
41.5 party-hours of coverage, versus 24.5 party-hours in 1994 and 21.0 party-hours in
1993. As a result we found a record 113 species, as opposed to 101 species in both
1993 and 1994.

Over the three years we have found a combined list of 127 species, including
eleven new species in 1995: Little Blue Heron, Osprey, Common Nighthawk, Cliff
Swallow, Veery, Solitary Vireo, Magnolia Warbler, Black-throated Green Warbler,
Blackpoll Warbler, Canada Warbler, and Swamp Sparrow.

No true rarities were found in 1995. Species with very low counts were 11
Northern Bobwhites and only 37 Purple Martins - amazing, since part of the circle
included the town of St, Matthews, which calls itself the Purple Martin Capital of
South Carolina. On the bright side were several high counts, which emphize the fact
that the Congaree Swamp harbors very high numbers of birds at all seasons: 34
Yellow-billed Cuckoo, 31 Ruby-throated Hummingbirds, 209 woodpeckers of seven
species, 50 Acadian Flycatchers, 1 12 Great Crested Flycatchers, 141 Northern Parulas,

Winter 1996

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Winter 1996

15

230 Black-throated Blue Warblers, 68 Prothonotary Warblers, and 79 Summer
Tanagers!

SPSC - Spartanburg, SC. 34°54’n 81°57’w, intersection of County Roads SC
539 and SC 590. May 20, 0600 - 2000. Temp 51° - 78°F, precipitation, none. Wind 2-
10 mph, a little gusty in early morning, sky mostly clear.

Participants: Compiler - Lyle Campbell, 126 Greengate Lane, Spartanburg, SC
29307; Robbie Allen, Tom Allen, Lyle Campbell, Sarah Campbell, Marion Clark,
John Green, J.B. Hines, Gill Hooper, Flip Jones, Mickey Marotte, Gibbs Patton,
Marian Murph, Mac Shealey.

Compiler’s Comments: Our late date (May 20) and smaller number of
counters undoubtedly affected our count. Some common species proved impossible to
find. Notable finds included two active Blue-gray Gnatcatcher nests, a pair of nesting
Killdeer and a Black Duck with six ducklings. Unusual species included a Double-
crested Cormorant, Little Blue Heron, a late Kestrel and a Bam Owl.

Summary of Twenty-nine Years of Breeding Bird Survey Results

Harry E. LeGrand, Jr.

ABSTRACT

A 29-year summary of Breeding Bird Survey data is analyzed for species that nest
in the Carolinas. The continental trends indicate that nearly all grassland-nesting
species are declining significantly throughout their ranges. Most old field species are
also declining. However, trends are mixed for most forest-dwelling species, both for
those species that winter in the tropics and those that winter in North America. Many
of the permanent resident forest species seem to be increasing, as are many other partial
migrants that winter north of the tropics. Some of the Neotropical wintering species
are showing declines since 1980, and not earlier, perhaps a consequence of large-scale
forest clearing in the tropics since that date.

INTRODUCTION

The North American Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) has been in operation since
1966. It provides trends in populations for breeding birds across North America, both
on a year-to-year basis and over a span of years. The BBS also provides distributional
data, such that breeding-season maps can be plotted; densities of populations
(birds/route) can also be portrayed on these maps. However, the main value of the BBS
is its trend data, which can be calculated over one or more decades. This paper
summarizes continental trend data from 1966-1994 for species that nest in North

16

The Chat Vol. 60

Carolina and South Carolina. Speculations about reasons for increases and decreases in
the trends are also provided.

METHODS

The BBS relies on roadside counts (routes) of birds. The starting point and
direction of a BBS route is chosen at random by the BBS office. The office then hand-
draws a 24.5-mile route onto secondary roads (avoiding interstate highways, U.S.
highways, and state highways), in order to minimize traffic noise, which interferes with
an observer's ability to detect birds. Each survey begins 30 minutes before sunrise. The
survey consists of 50 stops along this route, 0.5-mile apart. The birder conducts a 3-
minute count from outside his car and tallies all birds seen or heard within a 0.25-mile
radius onto a count form. Each survey route generally lasts about 4 hours and is run
once each year. The observer chooses the date he or she wishes to conduct the survey;
most routes in the Carolinas are run between late May and mid-June.

RESULTS

Table 1 is a listing of selected species — those "landbirds" that breed in the
Carolinas — from the entire list of breeding species on the continent. The table shows
the yearly change (increase or decrease) in populations and the level of significance of
the change, if any. Because the BBS is a roadside survey of bird populations, waterbirds
are infrequently tallied on BBS routes; thus, I have not included such species in the
table. Trends in waterbirds are best done with specific surveys, such as counts of
colonial waterbird nesting colonies.

Several species of widespread breeding landbirds are missing from the BBS trend
data. When the survey started in the 1960's, the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker had not been
split into three separate species; however, since that time, it has been split into the
Yellow-bellied, Red-breasted, and Red-naped sapsuckers. The data from the early years
of the survey combined all three forms, and the BBS office has not separated the
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker ( sensu strictu) data for the 1966-1994 period. Likewise, the
Willow and Alder flycatchers are missing from the trend analysis because they were
considered as one species — Traill's Flycatcher — for much of the first half of the
survey period.

DISCUSSION

A number of trends are apparent from these results. These trends are discussed
below, generally by nesting habitats.

Grassland Species. The most obvious population trend is the severe declines in
bird populations of grassland species, not only those in the Carolinas (see Table 1), but
also of species nesting in the prairie/plains regions of central and western North
America. The Loggerhead Shrike, Eastern Meadowlark, Horned Lark, Grasshopper
Sparrow, Henslow's Sparrow, Bobolink, and Dickcissel are all declining at the 0.01
degree confidence level. Savannah and Vesper sparrows are also declining across their
ranges. Conversion of native grasslands in the central and western regions of the
continent to cropland has been a major factor in this decline. In the East, the decline in
dairy farming is almost certainly one cause of the avian declines. Many former pastures

Winter 1996

17

and other grassy fields are now being developed for housing or industry. Some farms
are simply abandoned, and the vegetation is too overgrown for grassland species.

Old-Field Species. Another group of species showing alarming declines are those
that breed in shrub and sapling habitats. Old fields, clearcuts, and abandoned pastures
are typical habitats for these species. With the exception of the Blue Grosbeak, nearly
all species inhabiting old fields in North America are showing statistical declines.
These include Northern Bob white, Brown Thrasher, Golden- winged Warbler, Prairie
Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Rufous-sided Towhee, Field Sparrow, and others.
Unlike the grassland species, which are also declining in the Carolinas, many of these
old field species seem to be faring well in the Carolinas, especially as considerable land
exists in early succession pine plantations and young clearcuts. These habitats have
almost certainly increased in acreage during the past two decades in the Carolinas,
especially in the coastal plain province. However, over the continent as a whole, old
field habitat appears to be declining. As with grassland species, the decline in farming
in the eastern half of the continent seems to be the main culprit; old fields are now
grown up in woodlands, or have been used for housing and other development.

Forest Species. This is a large group of many diverse species. Within this group,
species can be subdivided according to Neotropical migrants versus non-Neotropical
migrants (i.e., those that winter primarily in the United States and Canada), forest-
interior species versus forest-edge species, suburban forest species versus non-suburban
species, coniferous-canopy species versus hardwood-canopy species, and so forth.

1. Neotropical migrants. There are numerous qualitative or subjective reports that
suggest a large-scale decline in Neotropical migrant birds. The Partners in Flight multi-
agency conservation project was formed to slow or to halt this supposed decline in
migrant bird species. However, a review of the continental trends on Table 1 indicates
that there is not an "across-the-board" decline among most of these species, at least
over the 1966-1994 period. Some of these species do show highly significant
declines — Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Chuck- will’s- widow, Olive-sided Flycatcher, Eastern
Wood-Pewee, Wood Thrush, Veery, and Cerulean Warbler. However, these are the only
forest-dwelling species of Neotropical migrants that nest in the Carolinas that show a
decline at the 0.01 Degree of Confidence level.

Most of the other forest-nesting species that winter in the Neotropics show few or
no significant declines, over the 28-year period. Interestingly, a few species that are not
showing an obvious 28-year decline do show a significant decline since 1980. For
example, the Rose-breasted Grosbeak is declining at the 0.01 level in the 1980-1994
period, as is the Canada Warbler. Some of those declining significantly over the 1966-
94 period listed above showed no declines from 1966-1979 but showed significant
declines since 1980 (i.e.. Wood Thrush and Veery). These declines since 1980 might be
attributable to the large-scale clearing of forests that has been taking place in the
tropics in the last 15 years.

Some Neotropical migrant species that nest in forests show increases. These
include Yellow-throated Vireo, Red-eyed Vireo, and Ovenbird. Are these species capable
of utilizing disturbed habitats in winter, such as cut-over forests or thickets? Do they
winter primarily in regions not undergoing rapid declines in forest land? Reasons for
these increases are not obvious; detailed analyses of their wintering ranges, their
habitats, and other information about their wintering behavior are needed.

18

The Chat Vol. 60

2. Non-Neotropical Migrants. As a general rule, forest-dwelling species that winter
in the United States and Canada are not showing significant declines. These species can
be divided into two groups — permanent residents, and short-distance migrants.
Permanent residents, such as most woodpeckers, tend to be stable or increasing; those
that are increasing significantly include Red-bellied Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker,
Pileated Woodpecker, Black-capped Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, and White-breasted
Nuthatch. Many of these have taken advantage of mild winters since the mid-1970's and
feeding stations during the winter months. Their apparent increases can be attributed
probably to increased winter survivability. A number of short-distance migrants of
forested habitats, such as the Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Solitary Vireo, and Pine Warbler
are also increasing. Mild winters are clearly responsible for these increases.

Within this group of non-Neotropical migrants, a few species are showing
declines. Carolina Chickadee, Northern Flicker, and Red-headed Woodpecker are
significantly declining. These are all cavity nesters, and perhaps their decline can be
attributed to increases in other cavity-nesting species, such as Tufted Titmouse, Red-
bellied Woodpecker, Pileated Woodpecker, and Black-capped Chickadee, which compete
for nesting cavities or suitable dead trees and stubs for nest placement.

Urban and Suburban Species. The most unexpected results of the 29-year trend data
are the noticeable "apparent" declines in urban and suburban birds. Despite an ever-
increasing human population on the continent, with larger towns and cities and more
suburban yards, populations of many of the bird species of these habitats show a
significant decline, according to BBS data. Northern Mockingbird, European Starling,
Song Sparrow, Common Grackle, Brown-headed Cowbird, and House Sparrow all
show highly significant declines at the 0.01 level! I question whether these species are
truly declining in North America. If so, is cat predation, or automobile collisions, a
contributing factor? Of course, not all such urban/suburban species are declining. Rock
Doves are remaining steady, as are Mourning Doves, Barn Swallows, and Chipping
Sparrows. American Robins are significantly increasing, as are American Crows,
Common Ravens, and House Wrens.

Other Trends. In addition to grouping species by habitat type, one should also look
at species groups at the taxonomic level. In this regard, there is a striking array of
declines in nearly all sparrows and blackbirds in North America. Many of these declines
can be explained in terms of habitat loss on the breeding grounds, as most sparrows
nest in grasslands, shrublands, deserts, and other open country that is being converted
rapidly to cropland or development. Even so, some of these species nest in close
proximity to man, such as the Song Sparrow, the Common Grackle, and the Brown-
headed Cowbird. Such declines are difficult to comprehend.

Trends for Neotropical migrants as a whole, no matter the breeding habitat, are
mixed. Flycatchers, thrushes, vireos, and warblers comprise most of the Neotropical
migrants, and there is no obvious trend for them as a whole, at least over the 1966-94
period. However, there is some indication of a downward trend for many of these from
1980-94, and I suspect that there will be a downward trend for more species in these
groups in the forseeable future. The continued high rate of deforestation in the tropics,
coupled with the loss of habitat, especially through fragmentation by roads and utility
corridors, should mean that, eventually, most of the species in these Neotropical
migrant groups will decline in numbers.

Winter 1996

19

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

I thank Bruce Peterjohn, the U.S. Coordinator for the Breeding Bird Survey, for
providing the BBS data used in this paper. I especially thank the several thousand
volunteers who run the BBS routes across the continent; without their service, the BBS
program and the data that are generated would not be possible.

N.C. Natural Heritage Program, Division of Parks and Recreation, P.O. Box 27687,
Raleigh, NC 27611

Table 1. Continental breeding population trends of landbird species that nest in tine
Carolinas, 1966-1994, using Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) results; data courtesy of the
National Biological Service, Patuxent, Maryland. Trend = average percent annual
change. P = statistical significance of the trend. (* = 0.05<P<0.1; ** = 0.01<P<0.05;
*** _ p<o.01). Absence of asterisks implies either a zero trend or inability to detecta
trend at existing levels of measurement precision. N = sample size; number of BBS
routes used in the analysis.

Species

Trend

£

N

Black Vulture

2.1

**

411

Turkey Vulture

0.9

*

1476

Osprey

6.2

***

277

American Swallow-tailed Kite

5.9

**

24

Mississippi Kite

0.2

121

Bald Eagle

9.1

***

93

Northern Harrier

-0.7

796

Sharp-shinned Hawk

1.4

166

Cooper's Hawk

5.5

**

282

Red- shouldered Hawk

1.6

*

627

Broad-winged Hawk

1.6

*

587

Red-tailed Hawk

3.2

2206

American Kestrel

0.3

1944

Ruffed Grouse

-2.9

**

401

Wild Turkey

5.9

393

Northern Bobwhite

-2.4

***

1298

Rock Dove

0.4

2020

Mourning Dove

-0.2

2920

Common Ground-Dove

-2.7

**

167

Black-billed Cuckoo

-1.1

*

1036

Yellow-billed Cuckoo

-1.3

***

1516

Bam Owl

3.9

*

24

Eastern Screech-Owl

-7.2

95

Great Homed Owl

1.3

930

Barred Owl

4.6

**

469

Common Nighthawk

-0.9

*

1263

Chuck- will' s- widow

-1.4

***

479

20

The Chat Vo!. 60

Species

Trend

P

N

Whip-poor-will

-1.0

419

Chimney Swift

-TO

***

1776

Ruby-throated Hummingbird

1.1

*

1124

Belted Kingfisher

-1.9

***

1610

Red-headed Woodpecker

-1.9

***

1064

Red-bellied Woodpecker

0.6

***

1235

Downy Woodpecker

0.0

2058

Hairy Woodpecker

1.2

***

1661

Red-cockaded Woodpecker

-1.5

22

N. (Yellow- shafted) Flicker

-2.9

***

2047

Pileated Woodpecker

2.0

***

1317

Olive-sided Flycatcher

-3.6

***

606

Eastern Wood-Pewee

-1.7

***

1699

Acadian Flycatcher

0.5

730

Least Flycatcher

-0.8

**

1025

Eastern Phoebe

0.9

***

1552

Great Crested Flycatcher

-0.2

1804

Eastern Kingbird

-0.4

**

2237

Homed Lark

-0.9

***

1646

Purple Martin

0.1

1406

Tree Swallow

0.6

1533

N. Rough-winged Swallow

-0.3

1754

Bank Swallow

-1.1

944

Cliff Swallow

1.3

**

1511

Bam Swallow

-0.1

2796

Blue Jay

-1.6

***

2041

American Crow

0.7

***

2623

Fish Crow

1.3

*

419

Common Raven

3.4

***

1173

Black-capped Chickadee

1.5

***

1372

Carolina Chickadee

-0.8

***

876

Tufted Titmouse

0.8

***

1287

Red-breasted Nuthatch

3.2

***

799

White-breasted Nuthatch

2.1

***

1438

Brown-headed Nuthatch

-1.7

*

265

Brown Creeper

-0.4

387

Carolina Wren

0.9

***

1082

Bewick's Wren

-0.3

493

House Wren

1.6

***

1846

Winter Wren

1.9

594

Marsh Wren

3.6

**

289

Golden-crowned Kinglet

-0.8

443

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher

1.2

**

1098

Eastern Bluebird

2.3

***

1526

Winter 1996

21

Species

Trend

P

N

Veery

-1.4

***

871

Hermit Thrush

1.5

**

841

Wood Thrush

-1.8

1467

American Robin

0.8

***

2757

Gray Catbird

-0.4

**

1836

Northern Mockingbird

-1.0

***

1623

Brown Thrasher

-1.3

***

1902

Cedar Wax wing

1.8

***

1486

Loggerhead Shrike

-3.6

***

1218

European Starling

-1.1

***

2817

White-eyed Vireo

0.0

865

Solitary Vireo

3.1

***

805

Yellow- throated Vireo

1.1

***

981

Warbling Vireo

1.1

***

1592

Red-eyed Vireo

1.0

***

1973

Blue- winged Warbler

0.4

365

Golden- winged Warbler

-2.7

***

227

Northern Parula

0.5

812

Yellow Warbler

0.6

***

2029

Chestnut-sided Warbler

-0.7

720

Magnolia Warbler

1.9

***

442

Black-throated Blue Warbler

0.4

336

Black- throated Green Warbler

-0.1

546

Blackburnian Warbler

0.9

426

Yellow-throated Warbler

0.8

363

Pine Warbler

1.6

***

708

Prairie Warbler

-2.7

***

676

Cerulean Warbler

-4.3

***

202

Black-and-white Warbler

0.5

940

American Redstart

-0.5

1073

Prothonotary Warbler

-1.7

**

369

Worm-eating Warbler

1.0

275

Swainson's Warbler

1.7

79

Ovenbird

0.6

***

1167

Louisiana Waterthrush

0.4

430

Kentucky Warbler

-1.0

*

582

Common Yellowthroat

-0.4

***

2375

Hooded Warbler

0.4

485

Canada Warbler

-1.9

*

413

Yellow-breasted Chat

-0.5

*

1102

Summer Tanager

-0.2

709

Scarlet Tanager

0.0

1113

Northern Cardinal

-0.1

1649

Rose-breasted Grosbeak

-0.5

1045

22

The Chat Vol. 60

Species

Trend

P

N

Blue Grosbeak

1.4

***

949

Indigo Bunting

-0.6

***

1691

Painted Bunting

-3.3

***

249

Dickcissel

-1.6

***

724

Rufous-sided Towhee

-1.7

***

1892

Bachman's Sparrow

-2.6

149

Chipping Sparrow

-0.2

2293

Field Sparrow

-3.4

***

1498

Vesper Sparrow

-0.6

**

1328

Lark Sparrow

-3.4

***

816

Savannah Sparrow

-0.6

**

1318

Grasshopper Sparrow

-3.6

***

1298

Henslow's Sparrow

-8.3

***

144

Song Sparrow

-0.7

***

2091

Dark-eyed (Slate-col.) Junco

-1.4

***

448

Bobolink

-1.6

***

1050

Red- winged Blackbird

-1.1

***

2918

Eastern Meadowlark

-2.6

***

1755

Common Grackle

-1.5

***

2280

Brown-headed Cowbird

-0.9

***

2933

Orchard Oriole

-1.9

***

1170

Northern (Baltimore) Oriole

-0.2

1526

House Finch

1.7

*

1407

Red Crossbill

0.8

275

Pine Siskin

-0.4

612

American Goldfinch

-1.0

***

2116

House Sparrow

-1.9

***

2612

CBC Rare Bird Alert
(704) 332-BIRD

Winter 1996

23

General Field Notes

LYNN MOSELEY

North Carolina Editor
Department of Biology
Guilford College
Greensboro, NC 27410

DENNIS M. FORSYTHE

South Carolina Editor
Department of Biology
The Citadel
Charleston, SC 29409

NOTICE

Publication of any unusual sightings of birds in the Field Notes or Briefs for the Files
does not imply that these reports have been accepted into the official Checklist of
Birds records for either North or South Carolina. Decisions regarding the official
Checklists are made by the respective State Records Committees and will be reported
upon periodically in THE CHAT.

An Unprecedented Wave of Brown Boobies (Sula leucogaster)
in North Carolina

TODD HASS
Department of Biology
University of North Carolina
Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3280

During the summer of 1994 one or both of the authors observed single Brown
Boobies on 9 and 24 July, 15 and 21 August, and 9 and 17 September. In chronological
order, the observations occurred 40 miles ESE of Oregon Inlet, and 6, 30, 11, 30, and
28 miles SE of Cape Hatteras. A minimum of one subadult and two juveniles was
seen.

Sightings of birds in subadult plumage occurred in locations 25 to 50 miles apart,
in both deep Gulf Stream and shallow Continental Shelf waters. Given the
conspicuousness of offshore boobies, the potential relocation of a particular individual
(of an unusual age class) does not seem unlikely. However, based on the plumage
differences described below, at least one subadult and two juveniles were individually
identified.

With the exception of bill color, we noted the following identical field marks either
during the encounter or after examination of photographs or video images of each
subadult (videotape in North Carolina State Museum Photo Collection #433). The
head, upperwings, and tail appeared uniformly brown, although the shade varied with
the lighting conditions. The dark brown of the head and neck extended to the upper
breast and terminated along a sharp line. This line was continuous with the posterior

BRIAN PATTESON
P. O. Box 1135
Amherst, VA 24521

24

The Chat Vol. 60

margin of the thin, dark leading edge of the underwings. The breast and belly appeared
white, although photos revealed a few indistinct dusky areas. The region from the lower
belly through the undertail coverts was light, but not as light as the breast. These areas
were separated by a vague line that was continuous with the anterior margin of the
wide, dark trailing edge of the wings. The wing linings were white with an indistinct
dusky bar along the median underwing coverts. No plumages of any other sulid
combine a similar underwing pattern with a dark dorsal surface and a well-defined
demarkation between the neck and upper breast. The tail was brown and deeply wedge-
shaped. The legs and feet were seen on two occasions and appeared pale yellow. When
compared to Cory’s Shearwaters ( Calonectris diomedea ) seen nearby, the Brown Booby
appeared 25% longer in both wing and body. In both July encounters the bill (and facial
area around the eyes) was blue-gray along its entire length. The subadults(s) seen on 15
August and 17 September possessed a pale yellow base to the bill. Since fairly rapid
transitions in adult bill color occur during the breeding season (Nelson 1978), the
differences in bill color between sub-adults seen early and late in the summer could be
consistent with changes in a single individual.

The first juvenile Brown Booby was discovered as it perched on the Diamond
Shoals Tower. The bill was light blue-gray, and the upperparts were brown. The breast
and belly were brown and exhibited a slight contrast with the dark brown neck. The off-
white color of the underwing coverts extended to the carpal joint, while the rest of the
underwing appeared dark. The tail was dark and neatly wedge-shaped. The combination
of all-dark underparts and light underwing coverts is inconsistent with similar plumages
of immature Northern Gannets ( Morus bassanus) and Red-footed Boobies ( Sida sula).
The second juvenile Brown Booby showed similar plumage, but exhibited a ragged,
worn tail.

At some point during each of the first four encounters, the booby made one or
more plunges into the water and then lingered at the surface, catching small fish on at
least two occasions. During two encounters a fresh bait-fish was tossed behind the boat
and the booby immediately plunged into the water after it. Such behavior is not
unusual. Stallcup (1990) reported that individuals can frequently be “chummed” to
boats, and some have even been hand-fed from launches off western Mexico.

Coincident with the booby invasion was a string of tropicbird sightings. Between 9
July and 25 September, twelve offshore trips recorded a total of nine White-tailed
Tropicbirds ( Phaethon lepturus ) and two Red-billed Tropicbirds ( Phaethon aethereus). In
addition, during this period several observers described a distant booby seen from the
Hatteras-Ocracoke ferry to be similar to subadults seen on offshore trips (Maurice
Barnhill pers. comm.).

Brown Boobies are principally resident near their breeding areas and do not perform
regular migrations. Some individuals (principally immatures) exhibit long distance
dispersals within tropical and subtropical seas (Cramp and Simmons 1977). Although
the origin of Brown Boobies occurring off the Atlantic coast of Florida and states to the
north is unknown. Masked Boobies in this region presumably originate from the
Greater Antilles (Lee and Haney 1984). Colonies in the Caribbean support 17,000 pairs
of Brown Boobies, making them the most widespread sulid in that region (van Halewyn
and Norton 1984). The two known colonies in the Bahamas are within 900 miles of
Hatteras, and support 1,150 pairs (van Halewyn and Norton 1984). hi contrast. Masked
Boobies have been extirpated from the Bahamas, and are generally rare in the Caribbean

Winter 1996

25

(Palmer 1962). We agree with Lee and Haney (1984) that the rare but regular appearance
of Masked Boobies at our latitudes may reflect the local rarity of the species rather than
aberrations in dispersal. Given the greater relative abundance of Brown Boobies in the
Bahamas and Greater Antilles, and the species’ capacity for dispersal, the lack of prior
onshore and offshore records in North Carolina is surprising.

These are the first records of Brown Booby in North Carolina to be conclusively
documented with photographs or videotape. Lee and Haney (1984) described three
unverified reports of this species in North Carolina: an apparent adult 15 miles off Cape
Hatteras on 10 May 1979; an immature on a dune at Ocracoke, 25 April 1983; and an
adult near the beach at South Nags Head, 30 December 1981. Photos of a sulid present
on 9 July 1993 near Morehead City were recently submitted to the North Carolina Bird
Records Committee and inconclusively support Brown Booby as the specific identity
(fide Harry LeGrand).

LITERATURE CITED

Clapp, R. B., R. C. Banks, D. Morgan- Jacobs, and W. A. Hoffman. 1982. Marine
Birds of the Southeastern United States and Gulf of Mexico. Part 1. Gaviiformes
through Pelecaniformes. U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Office of Biological
Services, Washington, D. C. FWS/OBS-82101.

Cramp, S. And K. E. L. Simmons (eds.) 1980. The Birds of the Western Palearctic.
Vol. 1.

Duncan, C. D., and R. W. Havard. 1980. Pelagic birds of the Northern Gulf of Mexico.
A preliminary summary of distribution and abundance with comments on field
identification. American Birds 34:122-132.

Lee, D. S. And J. C. Haney. 1984. The genus Sula in the Carolinas: An overview of
the phenology and distribution of gannets and boobies in the South Atlantic Bight.
Chat 48:29-45.

Nelson, J. B. 1978. The Sulidae: Gannets and Boobies. Oxford University Press,
Oxford, England.

Palmer. R. S. Handbook of North American Birds. Vol. 1. Loons through Flamingos.
Yale University Press, New Haven.

Stallcup, R. 1990. Ocean Birds of the Nearshore Pacific. Point Reyes Bird Observatory,
Stinson Beach, Cal.

Van Halewyn, R. And R. L. Norton. 1984. The Status and Conservation of Seabirds in
the Caribbean. ICBP Technical Publication No. 2, pp. 169-222.

26

The Chat Vol. 60

First Record of Garbled Murrelet in North Carolina

RICKY DAVIS
P. O. Box 277
Zebulon, NC 27597

DERB CARTER
2108 Dunhill Drive
Raleigh, NC 27608

Around noon on 9 December 1994, I was birding at the Ebenezer Church State
Recreation Area on the east side of Jordan Reservoir in Chatham County, NC when I
was surprised to find a Marbled Murrelet (. Brachyrhamphus marmoratus) in winter
plumage. The bird was observed at a distance of 50 to several hundred meters in the
open waters of the lake for the rest of the afternoon. The weather was overcast with
light rain and drizzle, mostly later in the day. The wind was calm which made
observations at the more extreme distances possible with a smooth water surface. I
used lOx binoculars and a 20-60x spotting scope. Also observing the bird later in the
day were Derb and Ann Carter, Judy Walker, and Marek Smith.

The following field marks were observed mostly during the early period when the
bird was closest to me. The size was slightly smaller than nearby Horned Grebes
( Podiceps auritus). Its dark bill was held up at a slight angle most of the time. The
head, nape, back of neck, and upper body was a dark gray. The dark gray was mottled
with lighter patches of gray/white along the lower back, flanks, rump, and base of the
tail. The dark tail was also held up at an angle most of the time. The underparts from
the throat to the undertail coverts were white. There was a horizontal white stripe
plainly visible above the folded wings. The face was dark with the color extending
from the gape straight back to the hindneck. The dark on the neck extended in a broad
stripe all the way down to a point in front of the wings. There was no obvious eye
ring but at the closest distance a faint ghost image of bold eye crescents was visible.
The wings were all dark on the upper surface and dusky underneath. The white scapular
marks appeared as crescents on the back when the bird stretched its wings. The bird’s
general shape consisted of a flat head, short to medium length neck, stubby body, and
an upturned bill and tail. This appearance was quite distinctive at even the farthest
distance.

The identification was made by ruling out other possible species. The small size
eliminated loons and large alcids such as Razorbill (. Alca torda). Guillemots ( Cepphus
sp.), and Murres ( Uria sp.). The presence of the scapular marks ailed out all other
small alcids except Kittlitz’s Muaelet ( Brachyramphus brevirostris). That species was
eliminated by the dark on the side of the face being below the eye (above in Kittlitz’s)
and the bill being relatively long and pointed (short and stubby in Kittlitz’s). During
the initial observation, subspecific identity was not considered, but later that evening
after consultation with others it became apparent that the Muaelet belonged to the
Siberian race (perdix) and not the nominate North American form from the West Coast.
The combination of dark lores at the gape and broad dark nape and hindneck are
characteristic of perdix. In the nominate form, the lores are usually light and the dark
along the hindneck and nape is much reduced giving the effect of a white collar. One
mark of perdix not obvious was bold white eye crescents. The nominate form lacks
these crescents and the Jordan Lake bird did apparently have very faint ones. Further
checking revealed that all previous records of Marbled Murrelet in the interior and

Winter 1996

27

eastern portions of North America have turned out to be the perdix form and not the
nominate West Coast form!

The bird was observed by over 30 people the following day, although viewing
conditions were not nearly as good due to wind and rain. The bird was observed diving
repeatedly and once surfaced with a small fish. It also flew short distances low over the
lake surface and on occasion emerged from under the water in full flight! The Murrelet
was seen briefly in flight on the 11th and could not be relocated thereafter. It is of
interest that a Marbled Murrelet was found on 19 November 1994 on the coast at
Huntington Beach State Park, South Carolina. This individual was photographed and
in all respects was identical in plumage to the Jordan Lake bird — could it have been the
same individual?

The first record in eastern North America was of a specimen from Quebec, Canada
in 1979 (David & Gosselin 1980). The first bird identified as perdix was a specimen
from Mono Lake, California in 1981 (Jehl & Jehl 1981). Since then there have been
almost 20 other records, but this is the first report for North Carolina. Being the first
report but lacking photographic or specimen evidence. Marbled Murrelet ( perdix )
should be placed on the state’s Provisional List.

LITERATURE CITED

David, N. And M. Gosselin. 1980. Regional reports, Quebec Region. American Birds
34(2): 142-143; illustr. p. 137.

Jehl, Daniel R. and Joseph R. Jehl, Jr. 1981. A North American record of the Asiatic
Marbled Murrelet. American Birds 35(6):9 1 1—912.

28

The Chat Vol. 60

MEMBERSHIP

Carolina Bird Club, Inc., is a non-profit educational and scientific association founded in March
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contributions, and bequests to the club are deductible from state and federal income and extate taxes.
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OFFICERS

President Teddy Shuler, 275 Lake Cheohee Rd., Tamassee, SC 29686

Vice Presidents:

Dennis Burnette, 4209 Bramlet Place, Greensboro, NC, 27407
Irvin Pitts, 1156 Old Orangeburg Road, Lexington, SC, 29073
Harry E. LeGrand, Jr., 331 Yadkin Drive, Raleigh, NC, 27609

Secretary Russ Tyndall, 400 Kilmanock Ct., Wake Forest, NC, 27587

Treasurer Bert Fisher 5510 Hideaway Drive, Chapel Hill, NC, 27516

Members-at-large:

Region I - Western North Carolina

Judy Walker, Charlotte, and Jennifer Wren, Brevard
Region II - Eastern North Carolina

Paula Wright, Greenville, and Buddy Garrett, Jacksonville
Region III - South Carolina

Donna Forsythe, Charleston and Bob Maxwell, Greenville
Headquarters Secretary

Tullie Johnson

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The Chat

SPRING 1996

No. 2

CB©

Quarterly Bulletin of Carolina Bird Club, Inc.
The Ornithological Society of the Carolinas

THE CHAT

(USPS 101-020)

VOL60 SPRING 1996 NO. 2

Published by the Carolina Bird Club, Inc.

Editor H. T. Hendrickson, Dept, of Biology, UNCG, Greensboro, NC 27412

General Field Notes Lynn Moseley, North Carolina Editor

Dennis M. Forsythe, South Carolina Editor
Briefs for the Files Ricky Davis, P.O. Box 277, Zebulon, NC 27597

Spring Count Editor Peggy V. Ferebee, Natural Science Center,

4301 Lawndale Dr., Greensboro, NC 27455
Editor Emeritus Eloise Pottter

THE CHAT (USPS 101-020) is published quarterly for $12.00 by the Carolina Bird Club, Inc., with
headquarters at the North Carolina State Museum of Natural Sciences, 102 N. Salisbury Street, Raleigh,
NC 27603. Second-class postage paid at Raleigh, NC.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Carolina Bird Club, THE CHAT, P. O. Box 29555, Raleigh, NC
27626-0555.

PAGE CHARGES: Authors who have funds available for page charges are requested to remit same at the
rate of $40.00 per page. CBC Headquarters will provide statements required for your business records.

CONTENTS

Avian Species Composition and Movement Rates in two Coastal Habitats

near Charleston, South Carolina. Lynette A. Savereno , Anthony J. Savereno,

Ruth Boetticher & Susan M. Haig 29

1995. North American Spring Migration Count in South Carolina. Robin M. Carter 44

General Field Notes

Varied Thrush photographed at Edisto Beach, Colleton Co., South Carolina —

A First State Redord. Frank & Carol Bremer & Dennis M. Forsythe 59

Bnnd-tailed Pigeon Observed in Georgetown, South Carolina. Bill Pulliam 60

Eurasian Collared-Dove on the Outer Banks of North Carolina.

Harry E. LeGrand, Jr. & Edward S. Brinkley 62

First Occurrence of Blue-throated Hummingbird (Lampomis clemenciae) in South

Carolina. Peter L. Worthington 64

Briefs for the Files 66

CB©

AVIAN SPECIES COMPOSITION AND MOVEMENT RATES IN TWO
COASTAL HABITATS NEAR CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA

LYNETTE A. SAVERENO1, ANTHONY J. SAVERENO1,

RUTH BOETTCHER2 & SUSAN M. HAIG3

ABSTRACT

Avian activity in two South Carolina coastal habitats was monitored on a
weekly basis over a three year period in Charleston County, South Carolina.
The Isle of Palms study site was saltmarsh habitat while the Breach Inlet area
was a front-beach site adjacent to Isle of Palms. Individual species or
ecological groups of species (e.g., gulls, shorebirds) were recorded as they
crossed transect lines. Over 100 species were observed, including 6 species of
concern: Wilson's Plover ( Charadrius wilsonia ), Least Tern ( Sterna
antillarum). Glossy Ibis ( Plegadis falcinellus ), Wood Stork ( Mycteria
americana ), Peregrine Falcon ( Falco peregrinus ), and Bald Eagle ( Haliaeetus
leucocephalus). Most ecological groups exhibited significant daily/weekly
temporal and site variation in occurrence and movement rates. This study
illustrates the tremendous avian species richness at coastal sites, yet
demonstrates the variability of site use over the annual cycle. Future plans to
conserve biodiversity will need to consider these factors.

INTRODUCTION

Some of the largest remaining tracts of pristine wetlands on the Atlantic
coast are located in South Carolina (Hopkins-Murphy 1989, Bildstein et al.
1991, Marsh and Wilkinson 1991). Consequently, the state enjoys a rich
diversity of avian species (Bildstein et al. 1991, Marsh and Wilkinson 1991).
However, increasing human land-use pressures and subsequent habitat loss
make it necessary to document species composition among various coastal
habitats and travel corridors (Morrison and Harrington 1979, Beatley 1991),
particularly those which have high commercial value (e.g., ocean front
beaches and marshes that contain deep waterway systems). Because some
wetland corridors may serve as local and/or migratory travel routes for
threatened or endangered species (Post and Gauthreaux 1989), measuring use
of these areas will increase our awareness of their ecological importance and
may provide additional incentive for their protection.

Our study compared species composition and movement rates between two
heterogeneous coastal wetland travel corridors: an inland saltmarsh and an
ocean-facing beach. We also examined intra- and interspecific temporal
variation in species composition and movement rate at both sites over a three
year period.

STUDY AREA AND METHODS

Study Area and Sampling Regime

The study was conducted from 15 September 1991 to 30 May 1994 in

Spring 1996

( APR 2 5 1996

V^eRARlES^.

Charleston County, South Carolina (Figure 1). We observed birds crossing
3,927 m of a 115-kV electrical transmission line extending from Mt. Pleasant
to Isle of Palms (hereafter referred to as the Isle of Palms transect). Area
beneath the powerline consisted of 70% (2,751 m) cordgrass(5/?am>20 spp.)
and Juncus roemerianus saltmarsh, 24% (928 m) tidal creeks and navigable
waterways, 4% (160 m) upland habitat, and 2% (88 m) dredged spoil.

Figure 1. Breach Inlet (observation post B) and Isle of Palms (observation posts
1-4) transects, Charleston County, South Carolina.

We also monitored avian activity on the front beach of Isle of Palms near

30

The Chat Vol.60

Breach Inlet (hereafter referred to as Breach Inlet transect; Figure 1). Birds
crossing an imaginary line that extended from a specified point on the beach
(approximately 100 m east of Breach Inlet above the mean high tide mark) to
a shipping channel buoy approximately 1,500 m offshore were recorded. This
site encompassed sandy beach, and intertidal and subtidal marine zones. Once
a week, observations were conducted concurrently at both sites. All non-
passerine species that flew, walked, or swam across the transects were
recorded from first light (10 lux) until three hours after sunrise and from three
hours before sunset until dark (10 lux). Observations were made with 10 x and
20 x binoculars and 20 x spotting scopes. Because the entire Isle of Palms
transect could not be monitored by a single observer from one vantage point,
four observation posts were established along its length to insure complete
coverage (Figure 1). The Breach Inlet transect required only one post and one
observer (Figure 1). All posts were monitored simultaneously during the
morning and evening sampling periods. Observers were rotated systematically
among sites, posts, and time periods to reduce observer bias.

Bird movements were recorded in 15-minute blocks unless weather or light
conditions terminated observations early. We used a combination of focal
group and sequence sampling (Altmann 1974) to collect the following
information on each flock (one or more birds) that entered the transects:
species or ecological group (e.g., tem, gull, shorebird), number of individuals,
age (adult or juvenile), and direction of flight (north or south). Multi-species
flocks were recorded as subflocks according to species (or group). Birds that
could not be identified to species or group were categorized as "unknown".

Statistical Analysis

Because we lacked sufficient data to permit analysis of some individual
species, we placed all species into categories of ecological groups (Appendix
1). General linear models for unbalanced ANOVA's were used to examine
habitat (site) and temporal effects on movement rate for all birds combined
(including "unknown" birds) and among individual ecological groups. Because
of insufficient data, movement rates of grebes, swans, rails, owls, and
goatsuckers were not analyzed further. Independent terms included main
effects of site, month, and time of day (morning and evening sampling periods)
as well as interaction effects between site and month, site and time of day,
and month and time of day. Preliminary analyses indicated no significant
annual variation in hourly movement rate, therefore year was not included in
the model. The dependent variable, mean movement rate (birds per hour), was
calculated by summing the number of birds that crossed within a time block,
dividing the total by the number of minutes within the time block (not all time
blocks encompassed 15 minutes), and multiplying the quotient by 60. A
separate ANOVA was conducted for each ecological group analyzed. All
model terms were considered significant if probability levels were less than
0.05. Analyses were performed using Statistical Analysis System (SAS
Institute, Inc. 1990).

Spring 1996

31

RESULTS

Species Richness and Composition

During 644 hours (121 days) of observation, we recorded 94,496 birds in
46,169 flocks at Isle of Palms and 277,394 birds in 41,238 flocks at Breach
Inlet. We observed 102 species (67 at Isle of Palms transect and 56 at Breach
Inlet transect), which were later placed in 24 ecological groups along with
birds previously identified to group during field observations (Appendix 1).
Less than 9% of the birds were classified as "unknown" at both sites (Isle of
Palms transect: n = 2,849; Breach Inlet transect: n = 23,984).

More species were consistently observed during each month at Isle of Palms
(Figure 2). At Isle of Palms species richness peaked in April (n=53 species)
and November (n=57). At Breach Inlet diversity peaked in March (n=37) and
September (n=37). Lowest diversity occurred in August at both Isle of Palms
(n=35) and Breach Inlet (n=22). The greatest difference in richness between
sites occurred in November (n=29), and the smallest in May (n=6).

Breach Inlet
Isle of Palme

30001 ALL SPECIES COMBINED
2500j

Figure 2. Seasonal species richness and monthly mean movement rates
(birds/hr ± SE) at Isle of Palms and Breach Inlet transects. Charleston County,
SC, September 1991 - May 1994.

Study areas were used by six species of concern (Appendix 1). We observed
state threatened Wilson's Plovers and Least Terns at both sites. State
threatened Glossy Ibises, state and federally endangered Wood Storks and
Peregrine Falcons, and state endangered and federally threatened Bald Eagles
traveled exclusively through Isle of Palms transect.

Movement Rate

Hourly movement rates for all birds (Figure 2) were significantly different
between sites and among months, but not for time of day (morning or evening
sampling periods; Table 1). Movement rates also varied significantly by site x
month and by month x time of day.

When examined individually, most ecological groups, even those with

32

The Chat Vol.60

monthly means below 5 birds/hr (Figure 3), exhibited significant site and
temporal variation (Table 1). Movement rates for all groups except loons,
geese, shorebirds, and gulls differed significantly between sites. Herons, storks,
ibises, vultures, raptors, doves, kingfishers, and woodpeckers traveled almost
exclusively through the Isle of Palms transect, whereas pelicans, gannets,
ducks, and terns traveled more often, or exclusively through the beach transect.

Movement rates of all ecological groups varied significantly among months
(Table 1). Cormorants, doves, ducks, gulls, herons, ibises, pelicans, terns,
shorebirds, and raptors were present year-round. In January, ducks exhibited the
most dramatic increase in movement rates of all groups (Figure 3b). This was
preceded by a small, but substantial increase in November. Other ecological
groups that exhibited maximum peaks only in fall and/or winter included
gannets, cormorants, vultures, raptors, kingfishers, and woodpeckers.
Movement rates of loons, geese, and shorebirds were highest in spring,
whereas movements of pelicans and doves peaked in summer. The following
ecological groups exhibited more than one peak in movement rate: ibises
(March and August); herons (spring and late summer); storks (July and
September); gulls (late summer and fall); and terns (fall and spring - mid-
summer).

Interaction between site and month was significant for all groups except
geese and shorebirds, which exhibited similar seasonal peaks at both sites
(Table 1 and Figure 3). Obvious seasonal shifts between transects, defined by
an increase in movement rate at one site and a corresponding decrease at the
other site, occurred only among gulls.

DISCUSSION

Species Richness

Conservation of biodiversity is, by definition, conservation of life (Beatley
1991). Coastal systems, which include upland areas adjacent to shorelines,
marshes, estuaries, beaches, and inshore marine zones, harbor a tremendous
diversity of life-forms throughout the world (Beatley 1991, Bildstein et al.
1991). In temperate environments, coastal wetland complexes support a greater
diversity of organisms than most inland habitats (Beatley 1991). Dependence
on these complexes by migrant organisms shows that coastal complexes are
not separate biological systems, but rather vital links within a network of
systems that, as a whole, supports the world’s biota.

The Santee Delta-Cape Romain coastal unit, located just north of our study
area, received national recognition for its rich biodiversity when it was
included in the Carolinian-South Atlantic Biome Reserve, a part of the U.S.
Man and the Biosphere program (Hopkins-Murphy 1989). Recent efforts have
been made to document the importance of this complex to nonbreeding
shorebirds (Marsh and Wilkinson 1991; Boettcher et al. 1995; Weber and Haig
1996). We measured avian species richness on a broader scale in two
heterogeneous habitats that are currently receiving minimal protection. Our
study demonstrates that species richness was high in both transects throughout
the annual cycle (Figure 2; Appendix 1).

Spring 1996

33

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r-

00

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r—I

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rP B

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wo

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8 S'

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45-

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4f

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cn

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^t

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cn

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cn

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45-

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*

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45-

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45-

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od

*

*

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45-

45-

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45-

4f

4f

45-

45-

45-

45-

NO

CN

oo

NO

r—I

o

r-

O^i

OO

o

CN

ON

On

ON

i—i

i — i

00

i/5

CN

O

ON

NO

nt

NO

CN

OO

On

O OO

ON

p

oo

nr

CO

d

r- o

NO

cn

P

OO

p

CN

d d

r-I

oo

oo

r-I

00

CN

NO

r-H

oo

00

o

On

CN

OO

CN

cn

cn

00

CN

NO

nf

cn

0£j

S

oo

On

On

s

OO

oo

s

CN

s

OO

NO

00

cn

O

NO

r-

cn

o

CN

O

CO

o

o

o

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O

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1

o

d

o

o o

d

d

d

d

d

d

d

o d

d

o o

o

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T3

<*>

Ecological

Group

All combine

Loons

Pelicans

Gannets

Cormorants

Herons

Storks

Ibises

Geese

Ducks

Shorebirds

Gulls

Terns

Vultures

Raptors

Doves

Kingfishers

Woodpeckei

34

The Chat Vol.60

Heterogeneity among macrohabitats increases species richness within a
wetland complex (Craig and Beal 1992). Therefore, microhabitat heterogeneity
within a macrohabitat should have a similar effect. The Isle of Palms transect
offered a mosaic of terrestrial and aquatic microhabitats which included
mudflats (during low tide), spoil sites characterized by dense shrub, Spartina
spp. and Juncus roemerianus saltmarsh, tidal creeks, occasional ancient
remnants of sand dunes now characterized by palmetto ( Sabal palmetto)lp\m
( Pinus spp.)/oak ( Quercus spp.) communities, and adjacent upland habitat.
Breach Inlet transect, on the other hand, offered only sand dunes, ocean beach,
and intertidal and subtidal ocean. These differences in habitat diversity may
explain why total and monthly species richness at Isle of Palms was greater
than at Breach Inlet.

Peaks in monthly species richness are likely attributable to peaks in spring
and fall migration. By the same token, the decline in avian richness at both
sites from May through August may be because migratory movements are at a
minimum during this period, which limits the number of species to local
breeders and nonbreeding summer residents. Spring species richness was
greatest at both sites in March and April, corresponding with shorebird
movements (Figure 3a). However, peaks in species richness during fall were
not as closely synchronized between sites. Breach Inlet species richness
peaked in September and declined in October and November, correlating with
peak shorebird movements (Figure 3a). Species richness at Isle of Palms
increased in September and October and peaked in November. This period
corresponded with peak raptor movements (Figure 3b) and migration (Laurie et
al. 1981).

Movement Rate

Movement rate peaks for seasonal ecological groups largely corresponded
with migratory activity and/or winter residency. This was most evident in the
18-fold increase in ducks at the beach transect in January. For resident
ecological groups, with the exception of ibises, peaks in movement rates may
be largely attributed to breeding activity and the formation of post-breeding
aggregations (Figure 3). Two peaks in White Ibis movement rate may have
corresponded with adult pre-nesting/incubation weight-gain and post-breeding
recruitment of young into the population (Bildstein 1993). The decline in
movement rates during the breeding season may be explained by the low-salt
dietary tolerance of ibis nestlings. Adult ibis regularly leave the area and travel
inland to procure freshwater invertebrates for nestlings (Bildstein 1993).

Although most ecological groups occurred predominantly in one transect
rather than the other, we did observe seasonal shifts between transects among
gulls and terns (Figure 3). Peaks in gull movement rate at one site were
usually accompanied by declines of comparable magnitude at the other,
except during fall migration when movements increased at both sites. This
phenomenon may be indicative of either an intraspecific seasonal change in
habitat use or an interseasonal shift in gull species with differing habitat needs.
The peak in gull movements during the summer months at the marsh transect
was largely attributable to Laughing Gulls. The winter peak can be explained

Spring 1996

35

by the large numbers of Ring-billed Gulls that occurred along the beach
transect.

Month Month

Month Month

Fig. 3a. Monthly mean movement rates (bird/hr. ± SE) at Isle of Palms and
Breach Inlet transects among ecological groups that exhibited significant site
and/or temporal variation in movement rates.

36

The Chat Vol.60

Fig. 3b. Monthly mean movement rates (bird/hr. ± SE) at Isle of Palms and
Breach Inlet transects among ecological groups that exhibited significant site
and/or temporal variation in movement rates.

Spring 1996

37

Fig. 3c. Monthly mean movement rates (bird/hr. ± SE) at Isle of Palms and
Breach Inlet transects among ecological groups that exhibited significant site
and/or temporal variation in movement rates.

38

The Chat Vol.60

At Isle of Palms, tern activity peaked during the summer. Least Terns bred
locally at two rooftop colonies, each located within 1 km of the Isle of Palms
transect (T. Murphy and M. Dodd, South Carolina Dept, of Natural Resources,
pers. comm.). Feeding activity of nesting adult Least Terns may account for
the increase in tern movement rates during this period. At Breach Inlet tern
activity peaked in February - March and again in October. Peaks may be
explained, in part, by the fact that Forster's and Caspian Terns are common
winter visitors (Post and Gauthreaux 1989) and were frequently observed
during our study (Appendix 1). Furthermore, large flocks of Black Skimmers
were often observed loafing and foraging near the beach observation post
during fall and winter, and thus contributed substantially to tern movement
rates during these periods.

CONCLUSIONS

Conservation and management efforts have focused primarily on threats to
biodiversity in terrestrial environments such as rain forests of Amazonia or old-
growth forests of the U.S. northwest. Less attention has been paid to loss of
biodiversity in coastal environments (Beatley 1991). Avifauna rank high in the
food chain as primary and/or secondary consumers in most coastal wetland
systems. As a result, fluctuations in abundance, distribution, and richness of
birds over time serve as important indicators of how environmental changes
(natural and human-induced) impact a coastal system. For this reason alone,
wildlife conservation and management agencies should be encouraged to keep
abreast of changes in avian population dynamics. Our study demonstrated that
the coastal wetland complex of central South Carolina supports a high richness
of avian species throughout the annual cycle and therefore warrants the close
attention of wildlife managers and researchers alike. This study can be used as
a benchmark for an ongoing monitoring program of avian richness, distribution,
and abundance in this area. Data can be used in the preparation of
environmental impact statements, to evaluate permits for wetland alteration,
and for management and protection of wetlands. Census efforts will also allow
researchers and managers to accurately follow future local trends in avian
populations. Such information can also be used in conjunction with similar
data from other geographic regions to monitor world-wide population trends.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Research was funded by the South Carolina Electric and Gas Company. U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service provided a vehicle and other support and National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration lab on James Island furnished office
space. We thank B. Findley for her skillful and efficient handling of the
project's administrative matters. We also thank C. P. Marsh for encouraging us
to examine questions addressed in this paper. W. C. Bridges, Jr. graciously
rendered his advice on statistical analyses. We are indebted to P. H. Dunn, R.
M. Rundell, D. C. Shelton, and K. P. Whiddon for their valuable and cheerful
assistance with fieldwork. Finally, sincere thanks goes to A. S. Long, C. S.
Way, Jr., A. B. Carter, and the R. J. Glave family for allowing us access to

Spring 1996

39

their property for observations.

LITERATURE CITED

Altmann, J. 1974. Observational study of behavior: sampling methods.
Behaviour 49:227-265.

Beatley, T. 1991. Protecting biodiversity in coastal environments: introduction
and overview. Coastal Management 19: 1-19.

Bildstein, K.L. 1993. White Ibis: Wetland Wanderer. Smithsonian Institution
Press, Washington, D.C., 242 pp.

Bildstein, K.L., G.T. Bancroft, P.J. Dugan, D.H. Gordon, R.M. Erwin, E. Nol,
L.X. Payne, and S.E. Senner. 1991. Approaches to the conservation of
coastal wetlands in the western hemisphere. Wilson Bulletin 103:218-254.

Boettcher, R., S.M. Haig, and W.C. Bridges, Jr. 1995. Habitat-related factors
affecting the distribution of nonbreeding American avocets in coastal
South Carolina. Condor 97: 68-81.

Craig, R.J. and K.G. Beal. 1992. The influence of habitat variables on marsh
bird communities of the Connecticut River estuary. Wilson Bulletin 104:
295-311.

Hopkins-Murphy, S. 1989. The Santee Delta-Cape Romain Unit of the
Carolinian-South Atlantic Biosphere Reserve, pp. 79-91. In W.P. Gregg,
Jr., L. Drugman, and J.D. Wood, Jr. (eds.). Proceedings of the symposium
on biosphere reserves, fourth World Wilderness Congress. U.S. Dept, of the
Interior, National Park Service, Atlanta, GA. Laurie, P., J.W. McCord, and
N.C. Jenkins. 1981. Autumn hawk migrations at Fort Johnson, Charleston,
South Carolina. Chat 46: 85-90.

Marsh, C.P. and P.M. Wilkinson. 1991. The significance of the central coast of
South Carolina as critical shorebird habitat. Chat 56: 69-92.

Morrison, R.I.G. and B.A. Harrington. 1979. Critical shorebird resources in
James Bay and eastern North America. Transactions of the 44th North
American Wildlife and Natural Resources Conference, Wildlife
Management Institute, Washington, D.C., pp. 498-507.

Post, W. and S.A. Gauthreaux, Jr. 1989. Status and distribution of South
Carolina birds. Contributions from Charleston Museum XVIII, Charleston,
SC.

SAS Institute Inc. 1988. SAS Procedures Guide, Release 6.03 Edition. SAS
Institute Inc., Cary, N.C. 441 pp.

Weber, L.M., and S.M. Haig. 1996. Shorebird use of South Carolina
impoundments and natural areas. Journal of Wildlife Management 60: 73-
82.

South Carolina Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Clemson University,
Clemson SC 29634. Present address 1 : 854 Fairlawn Circle, Mt. Pleasant, SC
29464-7702; 2: North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, P.O. Box 178,
Marshallburg, NC 28553; 3: Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center,
National Biological Service, Oregon State University, 3200 SW Jefferson Way,
Corvallis, OR 97331 Please send correspondence to S. Haig at Oregon address.

40

The Chat Vol.60

Appendix 1. Species composition and abundances at Isle of Palms and Breach
Inlet transects. Charleston County, South Carolina, September 1991 - May

1994.

Isle of Palms

Breach Inlet

Species

Scientific Name

bid

Sp.

Ind

LOONS

134a

1

126

2

Common Loon

Gavia immer

128

72

Red- throated Loon

G. stellata

0

1

GREBES

3

1

2

1

Homed Grebe

Podiceps auritus

0

2

Pied-billed Grebe

Podilymbus podiceps

3

0

PELICANS

3288

1

15671

1

Brown Pelican

Pelecanus occidentals

3288

15671

GANNETS

0

0

1851

1

Northern Gannet

Morns bassanus

0

1851

CORMORANTS

7836

1

18102

2

D-c. Cormorant

Phalacrocorax auritus

4951

4450

Great Cormorant

P. carbo

0

2

HERONS

14866

9

165

6

B-c. Night Heron

Nycticorax nycticorax

367

0

Y-c. Night Heron

Nyctanassa violacea

176

2

Gr.-backed Heron

Butorides striatus

1183

6

Tricolored Heron

Egretta tricolor

2999

26

Little Blue Heron

E caerulea

1118

17

Snowy Egret

E thula

2031

0

Cattle Egret

Bubulcus ibis

28

0

Great Egret

Casmerodius albus

2500

7

Great Blue Heron

Ardea herodias

745

14

STORKS

420

1

0

0

Wood Stork FE- SE

Mycteria americana

420

0

IBISES

4060

2

1

1

Glossy IbisST

Plegadis falcinellus

223

0

White Ibis

Eudocimus albus

3562

1

SWANS

1

1

0

0

Black Swan

Cygnus at rat us

1

0

GEESE

31

2

16

0

Canada Goose

Branta canadensis

21

0

Snow Goose

Chen caerulescens

2

0

DUCKS

3224

12

137128

14

Mallard

Anas platyrhynchos

27

2

Green-winged Teal

A crecca

21

0

American Wigeon

A americana

0

25

Northern Pintail

A acuta

1

1

Blue-winged Teal

A discors

2

0

Ruddy Duck

Oxyura jamaicensis

0

2

Wood Duck

Aix sponsa

47

0

Canvasback

Aythya valisineria

0

410

Redhead

A americana

7

0

Ring-necked Duck

A collaris

0

1

Lesser Scaup

A affinis

8

12

Black Scoter

Melanitta nigra

0

1343

Spring 1996

41

Surf Scoter

M. perspicillata

Oldsquaw

Clangula hyemalis

Com. Goldeneye

Bucephala clangula

Bufflehead

B. albeola

Com. Merganser

Mergus merganser

Red-br. Merganser

M. serrator

Hooded Merganser

Lophodytes cucullatus

RAILS

Clapper Rail

Rallus longirostris

SHOREBIRDS

Am Oystercatcher

Haematopus palliatus

Black-necked Stilt

Himantopus mexicanus

Wilson's PloverST

Charadrius wilsonia

Semipal. Plover

C. semipalmatus

Killdeer

C. vociferus

Black-bel. Plover

Pluvial is squat arola

Lr. Golden Plover

P. dominica

Marbled Godwit

Limosa fedoa

Whimbrel

Numenius phaeopus

Long-b. Curlew

N. americanus

Willet

Catoptrophorus semipalmatu s

Gr. Yellowlegs

Tringa melanoleuca

Lr. Yellowlegs

T. flavipes

Spotted Sandpiper

Act it is macularia

Sh.-b. Do witcher

Limnodromus griseus

L-b. Do witcher

L scolopaceus

Ruddy Turnstone

Arenaria interpres

Red Knot

Calidris canutus

Dunlin

C. alpina

Sanderling

C. alba

Semi. Sandpiper

C. pusilla

Western Sandpiper

C. mauri

Least Sandpiper

C. minutilla

Wh-r. Sandpiper

C. fuscicollis

GULLS

Laughing Gull

Larus atricilla

Bonaparte's Gull

L Philadelphia

Ring-billed Gull

L delawarensis

Herring Gull

L argentatus

Glaucous Gull

L hyperboreus

Gr. Bl.-back Gull

L marinus

TERNS

Common Tern

Sterna hirundo

Forster's Tern

S. forsteri

Gull-billed Tern

S. nilotica

Least TernST

S. antillarum

Sandwich Tem

S. sandvicensis

Royal Tem

S. maxima

Caspian Tem

S. caspia

Black Tern

Chlidonias niger

Black Skimmer

Rynchops niger

VULTURES

0

120

0

2

1

0

ex

6

10

13

182

259

702

2

8

1

0

4

0

22067

17

18985

46

37

81

6

1

166

78

168

28

5

106

156

0

10

2

1

1585

74

0

4

1428

665

187

0

71

4

44

25

78

0

25

0

0

254

40

4312

35

954

0

5055

0

56

0

353

61

130

0

23

26287

6

26455

13402

5472

64

433

1503

5321

193

989

1

0

3

26

4990

9

34807

2

154

704

6098

150

51

1382

1836

24

158

784

5724

78

459

73

29

747

15370

174

2

0

0

21

5

9

0

42

The Chat Vol.60

Black Vulture

Coragyps atratus

1

0

Turkey Vulture

Cat hart es. aura

172

0

RAPTORS

1481

9

38

2

Bald EagleET- SE

Haliaeetus leucocephalus

29

0

Northern Harrier

Circus cyaneus

472

1

Sh-shin. Hawk

Accipiter striatus

11

0

Cooper's Hawk

A cooperii

7

0

Red-tailed Hawk

Buteo jamaicensis

232

0

Osprey

Pandion haliaetus

284

34

American Kestrel

Falco sparverius

77

0

Merlin

F. columbarius

6

0

Peregrine F.EE’SE

F. peregrinus

20

0

DOVES

1867

2

16

2

Rock Dove

Columba livia

171

11

Mourning Dove

Zenaida macroura

1680

5

OWLS

18

1

0

0

Great Homed Owl

Bubo virginianus

15

0

GOATSUCKERS

11

1

2

1

Com. Nighthawk

Chordeiles minor

9

2

KINGFISHERS

641

1

2

1

Belted Kingfisher

Ceryle alcyon

641

2

WOODPECKERS

113

2

0

0

R.-b. Woodpecker

Melanerpes carolinus

2

0

Northern Flicker

Colaptes auratus

91

0

TOTAL

91520

82

253367

69

* Includes birds identified to species as well as those only identified to
ecological group.

ST threatened species - state listed
FE endangered species - federally listed
SE endangered species - state listed

Spring 1996

43

1995 North American Spring Migration Count in South Carolina

ROBIN M. CARTER

The 1995 Spring North American Migration Day Count in South Carolina
was held on the second Saturday in May (13 May 1995). Counts were held in
sixteen counties around the state, up from thirteen county counts in 1994.
Counties holding counts in 1995 (by geographic region, with county seat)
were:

Coastal and Outer Coastal Plain:

Horry (Conway)

Georgetown (Georgetown)

Charleston (Charleston)

Colleton (Walterboro)

Jasper (Ridgeland)

Inner Coastal Plain:

Marion (Marion)

Florence (Florence)

Hampton (Hampton)

Piedmont and Inner Coastal Plain (i.e. Fall Line area):

Lexington

(Lexington)

Richland

(Columbia)

Piedmont:

Spartanburg

(Spartanburg)

Cherokee

(Gaffney)

York

(York)

Chester

(Chester)

Fairfield

(Winnsboro)

Mountains and Piedmont:

Oconee

(Walhalla)

In total, for the 1995 North American Migration Count in South Carolina,
some 106 observers (112 observers in 1994) in 54 parties (46 parties in 1994)
found 56,204 individual birds of 204 species (28,103 birds, of 204 species, in
1994). Regular party-hours included 214.05 hours on foot, 97.4 hours by car, 1.5
hours by boat, and 1.5 hours by canoe, covering 172.5 miles on foot, 1620
miles by car, 1.25 miles by boat, and 2 miles by canoe.

Rarities and high counts:

Charleston had 9 Black-billed Cuckoos, which is a good count anywhere
in the Carolinas. This species seems to be more common as a migrant along
the coast than inland, unusual for a land bird in South Carolina. Charleston's
13 Whip-poor-wills would have been unheard of twenty years ago, illustrating
the rapid expansion of this species into the Coastal Plain in recent years.

Cherokee County often has large numbers of Cedar Wax wings on the

44

The Chat Vol.60

Migration Day count (150 this year), since this species is attracted to the large
number of fruiting mulberry trees at the Cowpens battlefield. Two Bachman's
Sparrows were located this year, a local rarity, or at least not often found. This
species is found in large regenerating clearcuts, and probably occurs in every
county of South Carolina.

Chester County reported 2000 Cliff Swallows, probably a low estimate,
since this species is now breeding under highway bridges along 1-77 and US
21, as well as under bridges over the Catawba / Wateree River and its
impoundments.

The two Eurasian Collared- Doves reported from Colleton County were at
a newly-discovered colony at Bennett's Point. Currently there are two known
colonies of this species in the state -- here at Bennett's Point and in Myrtle
Beach. The Colleton County House Wren was a bit late. The count of 30
Seaside Sparrows indicates just how common this species is as a breeding bird
in the brackish marshes of Bear Island Wildlife Management Area.

Two Pectoral Sandpipers found in Florence County were very late, as was
the Purple Sandpiper still present at the Huntington Beach State Park jetty in
Georgetown County. In Hampton County observers carefully counted 3654
White Ibis, a remarkable total for this species which seems to be in decline
elsewhere in South Carolina. Also in Hampton County were four Common
Ground-Doves, an interesting inland site for this declining species.

Jasper County, as usual, had good coverage, resulting in counts such as
444 Great Egrets. The Savannah spoil area is an outstanding concentration
point for migrant shorebirds, as may be seen in the following high counts
(mostly, if not entirely, due to birds counted at the spoil site): 2116 Black-
necked Stilts, 43 American Avocets, 4863 Lesser Yellowlegs, 763 Western
Sandpipers, 4309 Least Sandpipers, 5000 unidentified peep, 252 Short-billed
Dowitchers, 52 Long-billed Dowitchers, and 366 unidentified dowitchers.
Observers in Jasper County also found a number of late-lingering winter
species, including 2 Eastern Phoebes, a Hermit Thrush, and an American Pipit.

In Lexington County a single party of two turned up a remarkable total of
12 Yellow-billed Cuckoos in less than three hours in the field, indicating a
good migratory push by this species. In Marion County a single observer
counted 54 Yellow- throated Warblers, thanks to a three hour boat trip.

The Mute Swan observed in Oconee County is probably part of a growing
feral population in the Upstate of South Carolina. This species has not yet
been accepted by the South Carolina Bird Records Committee. Two
Dickcissels in Oconee County were a good find; this species is rare and local
in spring in the South Carolina Piedmont.

Probably the most remarkable bird reported for this count day was the
Clay-colored Thrush heard and seen by careful observers in York County.
Details have been submitted to the South Carolina Bird Records Committee.
If accepted, this would be the first record of this species north of Texas.

Charleston County, SC. (Coastal and Outer Coastal Plain)

5:00 AM to 9 PM. Temp 70 deg. to 90 deg. F. Wind W, 15 mph. AM clear;

PM clear. Regular observers: 20 in field in 9 parties. Total regular party-hours

Spring 1996

45

61.5; total regular party-miles 214; 42.5 hours and 21 miles on foot; 19 hours
and 193 miles by car. Owling observers: 5 in 3 parties. Owling party-hours 3.5;
owling party- miles 1. Feeder watchers: 3 at 3 feeding stations. Feeder watcher
hours 2.25. Totals: 67.25 party-hours; 194 party-miles, 20 participants.

Common Loon 2, Pied-billed Grebe 2, Brown Pelican 130, Double-
crested Cormorant 96, Anhinga 48, Least Bittern 7, Great Blue Heron 24,
Great Egret 298, Snowy Egret 217, Little Blue Heron 173, Tricolored Heron 68,
Cattle Egret 55, Green Heron 43, Black-crowned Night-Heron 8, Yellow-
crowned Night- Heron 5, White Ibis 7, Wood Stork 16, Canada Goose 19,
Wood Duck 85, Mottled Duck 2, Mallard 51, Red-breasted Merganser 2, Black
Vulture 38, Turkey Vulture 61, Osprey 24, American Swallow-tailed Kite 4,
Mississippi Kite 12, Bald Eagle 2, Sharp-shinned Hawk 1, Red- shouldered
Hawk 9, Broad-winged Hawk 3, Red-tailed Hawk 8, American Kestrel 3,
Northern Bob white 14, Clapper Rail 8, Purple Gallinule 1, Common Moorhen
31, American Coot 27, Black-bellied Plover 35, Wilson's Plover 2,
Semipalmated Plover 247, Killdeer 15, American Oystercatcher 10, Black-
necked Stilt 3, Greater Yellowlegs 24, Lesser Yellowlegs 7, Solitary Sandpiper
4, Willet 32, Spotted Sandpiper 15, Whimbrel 53, Marbled Godwit 1, Ruddy
Turnstone 24, Red Knot 20, Sanderling 37, Semipalmated Sandpiper 44,
Western Sandpiper 53, Least Sandpiper 20, White-rumped Sandpiper 6, peep
sp. 36, Dunlin 115, Short-billed Dowitcher 57, Long-billed Dowitcher 4,
dowitcher sp. 3, American Woodcock 3, Laughing Gull 299, Ring-billed Gull
15, Herring Gull 1, Gull-billed Tern 5, Caspian Tern 5, Royal Tern 31,
Common Tern 2, Forster's Tern 13, Least Tern 41, Black Skimmer 14, Rock
Dove 120, Mourning Dove 307, Common Ground-Dove 10, Black-billed
Cuckoo 9, Yellow-billed Cuckoo 43, Eastern Screech-Owl 12, Great Homed
Owl 6, Barred Owl 9, Common Nighthawk 3, Chuck-will's-widow 32, Whip-
poor-will 13, Chimney Swift 279, Ruby-throated Hummingbird 13, Red-headed
Woodpecker 54, Red-bellied Woodpecker 185, Downy Woodpecker 21, Hairy
Woodpecker 4, Red-cockaded Woodpecker 14, Northern (Yellow-shafted)
Flicker 3, Pileated Woodpecker 21, Eastern Wood- Pe wee 29, Acadian
Flycatcher 24, Great Crested Flycatcher 275, Eastern Kingbird 21, Purple
Martin 1203, Tree Swallow 69, Northern Rough- winged Swallow7, Bank
Swallow 6, Bam Swallow 154, Blue Jay 73, American Crow 157, Fish Crow
20, Carolina Chickadee 73, Tufted Titmouse 40, White-breasted Nuthatch 10,
Brown-headed Nuthatch 23, Carolina Wren 112, Marsh Wren 12, Blue-gray
Gnatcatcher 38, Eastern Bluebird 44, Swainson's Thrush 1, Wood Thrush 8,
American Robin 12, Gray Catbird 5, Northern Mockingbird 187, Brown
Thrasher 53, Loggerhead Shrike 10, European Starling 376, White-eyed Vireo
103, Yellow-throated Vireo 16, Red-eyed Vireo 26, Northern Parula 65, Yellow
Warbler 2, Cape May Warbler 1, Black- throated Green Warbler 1, Yellow-
throated Warbler 17, Pine Warbler 78, Prairie Warbler 46, Black-and-white
Warbler 1, American Redstart 2, Prothonotary Warbler 42, Swainson's Warbler
1, Ovenbird 2, Kentucky Warbler 1, Common Yellowthroat 56, Hooded
Warbler 9, Yellow-breasted Chat 43, Summer Tanager 62, Scarlet Tanager 1,
Northern Cardinal 253, Blue Grosbeak 24, Indigo Bunting 35, Painted Bunting
36, Rufous-sided Towhee 183, Bachman's Sparrow 8, Chipping Sparrow 1,

46

The Chat Vol.60

White-throated Sparrow 10, Bobolink 1, Red-winged Blackbird 391, Eastern
Meadowlark 11, Boat-tailed Grackle 1155, Common Grackle 825, Brown-
headed Cowbird 86, Orchard Oriole 23, Baltimore Oriole 3, House Finch 20,
American Goldfinch 1, House Sparrow 44.

Total: 160 species; 11210 individuals.

Coordinator: Perry Nugent, 2260 Dallerton Circle, Charleston, SC 29414.
Participants: Connie Beaton, Gifford Beaton, Carl Broadwell, Bob Chin, Joan
Cole, Ed Conradi, Sandra Conradi, Randy Grover, Fernanda Hastie, Tom
Herbert, Joan Hylander, Anne Knight, Perry Nugent, Ernest Prupis, Ann
Shahid, Ben Smith, Charles Walters, Ben Ward, Carol Ward, George
Wrangham.

Cherokee County, SC. (Piedmont)

8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Temp 75 deg. to 79 deg. F. Wind E, 2 to 4 mph. AM
partly cloudy; PM partly cloudy. Regular observers: 2 in field in 2 parties.
Total regular party-hours 7.25; total regular party-miles 61; 3.75 hours and 6
miles on foot; 3.5 hours and 55 miles by car. Totals: 7.25 party-hours; 61 party-
miles, 2 participants.

Great Blue Heron 1, Canada Goose 6, Turkey Vulture 4, Red-tailed Hawk

1, Northern Bobwhite 11, Killdeer 23, Rock Dove 10, Mourning Dove 48,
Yellow-billed Cuckoo 2, Chimney Swift 63, Belted Kingfisher 1, Red-bellied
Woodpecker 3, Eastern Wood-Pewee 1, Eastern Kingbird 13, Purple Martin 21,
Bam Swallow 11, Blue Jay 33, American Crow 19, Carolina Chickadee 7,
Tufted Titmouse 7, Carolina Wren 1, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 9, Eastern
Bluebird 22, American Robin 49, Gray Catbird 2, Northern Mockingbird 48,
Brown Thrasher 12, Cedar Wax wing 150, Loggerhead Shrike 2, European
Starling 42, Red-eyed Vireo 1, Magnolia Warbler 1, Yellow-throated Warbler

2, Prairie Warbler 1, American Redstart 3, Common Yellowthroat 3, Yellow-
breasted Chat 10, Northern Cardinal 53, Blue Grosbeak 1, Indigo Bunting 26,
Rufous-sided Towhee 7, Bachman's Sparrow 2, Chipping Sparrow 7, Red-
winged Blackbird 15, Eastern Meadowlark 21, Common Grackle 29, Brown-
headed Cowbird 7, House Finch 22, American Goldfinch 1, House Sparrow 3.

Total: 50 species; 837 individuals.

Coordinator: Lyle Campbell, 126 Greengate Lane, Spartanburg, SC 29307.
Participants: J.B. Hines, Alan Rose.

Chester County, SC. (Piedmont)

Temp 58 deg. to 79 deg. F. Wind NE, 0 to 10 mph. AM clear; PM mostly
cloudy. Regular observers: 6 in field in 3 parties. Total regular party-hours
25.25; total regular party-miles 248; 10.25 hours and 13 miles on foot; 15 hours
and 235 miles by car. Owling observers: 2 in 1 party. Owling party-hours 2;
owling party-miles 2. Totals: 27.25 party-hours; 250 party-miles, 6 participants.

Double-crested Cormorant 8, Green Heron 4, Canada Goose 20, Wood
Duck 23, Mallard 6, Osprey 1, Bald Eagle 1, Red-tailed Hawk 5, Wild Turkey
1, Northern Bobwhite 4, Killdeer 1, Spotted Sandpiper 4, Rock Dove 6,
Mourning Dove 22, Yellow-billed Cuckoo 10, Bam Owl 1, Great Homed Owl

Spring 1996

47

I, Barred Owl 2, Common Nighthawk 3, Chuck-will's-widow 4, Whip-poor-will
5, Chimney Swift 18, Belted Kingfisher 4, Red-bellied Woodpecker 7, Downy
Woodpecker 2, Hairy Woodpecker 1, Northern (Yellow-shafted) Flicker 2,
Pileated Woodpecker 3, Eastern Wood-Pewee 4, Acadian Flycatcher 1,
Eastern Phoebe 9, Great Crested Flycatcher 10, Eastern Kingbird 20, Purple
Martin 42, Northern Rough-winged Swallow 9, Cliff Swallow 2000, Barn
Swallow 110, Blue Jay 11, American Crow 67, Fish Crow 2, Carolina
Chickadee 7, Tufted Titmouse 7, Brown-headed Nuthatch 4, Carolina Wren
16, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 14, Eastern Bluebird 18, American Robin 228, Gray
Catbird 6, Northern Mockingbird 62, Brown Thrasher 13, European Starling
220, White-eyed Vireo 5, Red-eyed Vireo 11, Northern Parula 5, Yellow-
throated Warbler 1, Pine Warbler 3, Prairie Warbler 7, American Redstart 5,
Prothonotary Warbler 2, Louisiana Waterthrush 4, Kentucky Warbler 1,
Common Yellowthroat 3, Hooded Warbler 1, Yellow-breasted Chat 7, Summer
Tanager 5, Scarlet Tanager 1, Northern Cardinal 30, Blue Grosbeak 7, Indigo
Bunting 18, Rufous-sided Towhee 20, Chipping Sparrow 7, Field Sparrow 7,
Grasshopper Sparrow 9, Red-winged Blackbird 18, Eastern Meadowlark 31,
Common Grackle 318, Brown-headed Cowbird 3, Orchard Oriole 3, House
Finch 4, American Goldfinch 9, House Sparrow 5.

Total: 83 species; 3628 individuals.

Coordinator: Albert Conway, 1672 Deer Run Road, Catawba, SC 29704.
Participants: Joe Anderson, Albert Conway, Gail B. Ice, Gail C. Ice, Faye
Metzl, Jewel Reavis.

Colleton County, SC. (Coastal and Outer Coastal Plain)

5:30 AM to 6:00 PM. Temp 68 deg. to 90 deg. F. Wind calm. AM clear; PM
partly cloudy. Regular observers: 2 in field in 1 party. Total regular party-hours

II. 5; total regular party-miles 206; 1.5 hours and 5 miles on foot; 10 hours and
201 miles by car. Owling observers: 2 in 1 party. Owling party-hours 1; owling
party-miles 10. Totals: 12.5 party-hours; 216 party-miles, 2 participants.

Pied-billed Grebe 5, Brown Pelican 40, Double-crested Cormorant 40,
Anhinga 6, Least Bittern 10, Great Blue Heron 17, Great Egret 25, Snowy
Egret 26, Tricolored Heron 6, Cattle Egret 12, Green Heron 5, Yellow-crowned
Night-Heron 3, White Ibis 26, Glossy Ibis 1, Wood Stork 1, Canada Goose 2,
Wood Duck 25, Mottled Duck 25, Mallard 5, Blue- winged Teal 6, Hooded
Merganser 1, Black Vulture 3, Turkey Vulture 30, Osprey 3, Mississippi Kite
5, Bald Eagle 4, Red-tailed Hawk 3, Wild Turkey 2, Northern Bobwhite 2,
King Rail 5, Virginia Rail 1, Common Moorhen 31, American Coot 7,
Semipalmated Plover 3, Killdeer 10, Black-necked Stilt 14, Greater
Yellowlegs 13, Lesser Yellowlegs 10, Solitary Sandpiper 4, Willet 5,
Whimbrel 1, Ruddy Turnstone 5, Sanderling 2, Semipalmated Sandpiper 10,
Least Sandpiper 8, Dunlin 35, Laughing Gull 25, Ring-billed Gull 6, Caspian
Tem 1, Royal Tem 5, Forster's Tern 13, Least Tem 8, Black Skimmer 2, Rock
Dove 3, Eurasian Collared-Dove 2, Mourning Dove 17, Yellow-billed Cuckoo
12, Eastern Screech-Owl 1, Great Homed Owl 1, Barred Owl 3, Common
Nighthawk 1, Chuck-will's-widow 21, Whip-poor-will 1, Chimney Swift 13,
Red-headed Woodpecker 1, Red-bellied Woodpecker 10, Downy Woodpecker

48

The Chat Vol.60

2, Northern (Yellow-shafted) Flicker 8, Pileated Woodpecker 3, Eastern
Wood-Pewee 22, Acadian Flycatcher 12, Great Crested Flycatcher 14, Eastern
Kingbird 11, Purple Martin 13, Tree Swallow 70, Northern Rough-winged
Swallow 1, Bam Swallow 17, Blue Jay 37, American Crow 17, Fish Crow 9,
Carolina Chickadee 15, Tufted Titmouse 9, White-breasted Nuthatch 2,
Brown-headed Nuthatch 1, Carolina Wren 17, House Wren 1, Marsh Wren 11,
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 35, Eastern Bluebird 14, Wood Thrush 2, Northern
Mockingbird 50, Brown Thrasher 8, Loggerhead Shrike 7, European Starling
15, White-eyed Vireo 32, Yellow-throated Vireo 12, Red-eyed Vireo 9,
Northern Parula 35, Yellow Warbler 1, Yellow-throated Warbler 8, Pine
Warbler 10, Prairie Warbler 3, Blackpoll Warbler 1, Prothonotary Warbler 3,
Kentucky Warbler 1, Common Yellowthroat 36, Hooded Warbler 2, Yellow-
breasted Chat 7, Summer Tanager 9, Northern Cardinal 15, Blue Grosbeak 8,
Indigo Bunting 18, Painted Bunting 31, Rufous-sided Towhee 11, Bachman's
Sparrow 1, Seaside Sparrow 30, Red- winged Blackbird 70, Boat-tailed Grackle
60, Common Grackle 4, Orchard Oriole 10, House Sparrow 1.

Total: 121 species; 1500 individuals.

Coordinator: Tim Kalbach, 1003 Hyatt Ave., Columbia, SC 29203.
Participants: Tim Kalbach, Steven Swaby.

Fairfield County, SC. (Piedmont)

6:30 AM to 8:30 PM. Temp 65 deg. to 85 deg. F. Wind calm. AM partly
cloudy; PM partly cloudy. Regular observers: 7 in field in 1 party. Total regular
party-hours 14; total regular party-miles 163; 3 hours and 2 miles on foot; 11
hours and 161 miles by car. Owling observers: 1 in 1 party. Owling party-hours
0.5; owling party-miles 16. Totals: 14.5 party-hours; 179 party-miles, 7
participants.

Double-crested Cormorant 12, Great Blue Heron 1, Great Egret 4, Cattle
Egret 11, Canada Goose 4, Mallard 7, Black Vulture 14, Turkey Vulture 10,
Red-shouldered Hawk 6, Red-tailed Hawk 2, Wild Turkey 2, Northern
Bobwhite 2, Killdeer 1, Rock Dove 17, Mourning Dove 7, Yellow-billed
Cuckoo 10, Eastern Screech-Owl 1, Barred Owl 3, Chuck-will's-widow 8,
Whip-poor-will 8, Chimney Swift 60, Ruby-throated Hummingbird 3, Belted
Kingfisher 2, Red-headed Woodpecker 2, Red-bellied Woodpecker 16, Downy
Woodpecker 7, Hairy Woodpecker 2, Northern (Yellow-shafted) Flicker 1,
Pileated Woodpecker 4, Eastern Wood-Pewee 7, Acadian Flycatcher 10,
Eastern Phoebe 20, Great Crested Flycatcher 18, Eastern Kingbird 11, Purple
Martin 13, Northern Rough- winged Swallow 2, Bank Swallow 1, Cliff Swallow
110, Bam Swallow 52, Blue Jay 19, American Crow 34, Fish Crow 8, Carolina
Chickadee 17, Tufted Titmouse 32, Brown- headed Nuthatch 8, Carolina Wren
45, House Wren 1, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 24, Eastern Bluebird 8, Wood
Thrush 6, American Robin 15, Gray Catbird 2, Northern Mockingbird 42,
Brown Thrasher 8, Cedar Waxwing 10, European Starling 15, White-eyed
Vireo 15, Solitary Vireo 1, Yellow-throated Vireo 4, Red-eyed Vireo 55, Blue-
winged Warbler 1, Northern Parula 21, Yellow-throated Warbler 5, Pine
Warbler 28, Prairie Warbler 22, Black-and-white Warbler 5, American
Redstart 3, Prothonotary Warbler 9, Ovenbird 1, Northern Waterthrush 2,

Spring 1996

49

Louisiana Waterthrush 2, Kentucky Warbler 4, Common Yellowthroat 15,
Hooded Warbler 2, Yellow-breasted Chat 33, Summer Tanager 30, Scarlet
Tanager 4, Northern Cardinal 61, Rose-breasted Grosbeak 1, Blue Grosbeak
13, Indigo Bunting 31, Rufous-sided Towhee 17, Bachman's Sparrow 1,
Chipping Sparrow 17, Field Sparrow 18, Grasshopper Sparrow 4, Red- winged
Blackbird 14, Eastern Meadowlark 20, Common Grackle 36, Brown-headed
Cowbird 11, Orchard Oriole 9, House Finch 8, American Goldfinch 1, House
Sparrow 8.

Total: 94 species; 1297 individuals.

Coordinator: Robin Carter, 4165 East Buchanan Drive, Columbia, SC.
Participants: Donna Bailey, Tom Bettendorf, Robin Carter, Kim Gundler,
Michael Mills, Lisa Sisk, Janet Spearman.

Florence County, SC. (Inner Coastal Plain)

12:01 AM to 9:05 PM. Temp 60 deg. to 80 deg. F. Wind N to S, 2 to 5 mph.
AM partly cloudy; PM light rain. Regular observers: 11 in field in 4 parties.
Total regular party-hours 38.5; total regular party-miles 285; 14 hours and 5
miles on foot; 24.5 hours and 280 miles by car. Owling observers: 4 in 2 parties.
Owling party-hours 16; owling party-miles 1.75. Totals: 54.5 party-hours; 286.75
party-miles, 11 participants.

Pied-billed Grebe 1, Double-crested Cormorant 4, Anhinga 2, Great Blue
Heron 7, Cattle Egret 5, Green Heron 14, Yellow-crowned Night-Heron 1,
Canada Goose 40, Wood Duck 30, Mallard 3, Black Vulture 7, Turkey Vulture
12, Osprey 2, Mississippi Kite 18, Cooper's Hawk 1, Red- shouldered Hawk 13,
Broad-winged Hawk 1, Red-tailed Hawk 4, American Kestrel 1, Wild Turkey
11, Northern Bobwhite 20, American Coot 1, Killdeer 19, Spotted Sandpiper 6,
Pectoral Sandpiper 2, Rock Dove 14, Mourning Dove 140, Yellow-billed
Cuckoo 18, Barred Owl 5, Chuck-will's-widow 20, Whip-poor-will 8, Chimney
Swift 66, Ruby-throated Hummingbird 10, Belted Kingfisher 3, Red-headed
Woodpecker 12, Red-bellied Woodpecker 15, Downy Woodpecker 16, Hairy
Woodpecker 2, Northern (Yellow-shafted) Flicker 7, Pileated Woodpecker 10,
Eastern Wood-Pewee 9, Acadian Flycatcher 9, Eastern Phoebe 3, Great
Crested Flycatcher 54, Eastern Kingbird 50, Homed Lark 1, Purple Martin 65,
Northern Rough-winged Swallow 3, Barn Swallow 64, Blue Jay 37, American
Crow 31, Fish Crow 32, crow sp. 18, Carolina Chickadee 35, Tufted Titmouse
35, White-breasted Nuthatch 10, Brown-headed Nuthatch 14, Carolina Wren
50, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 69, Eastern Bluebird 68, Wood Thrush 22,
American Robin 57, Gray Catbird 7, Northern Mockingbird 84, Brown Thrasher
24, Cedar Wax wing 58, Loggerhead Shrike 17, European Starling 67, White-
eyed Vireo 15, Yellow-throated Vireo 1, Red-eyed Vireo6, Northern Parula 33,
Yellow Warbler 1, Chestnut- sided Warbler 1, Magnolia Warbler 1, Yellow-
throated Warbler 10, Pine Warbler 15, Prairie Warbler 6, Blackpoll Warbler 1,
Black-and-white Warbler 1, American Redstart 2, Prothonotary Warbler 40,
Swainson's Warbler 2, Ovenbird 3, Louisiana Waterthrush 1, Common
Yellowthroat 11, Hooded Warbler 1, Yellow-breasted Chat 26, Summer
Tanager 19, Scarlet Tanager 1, Northern Cardinal 62, Rose-breasted Grosbeak
1, Blue Grosbeak 38, Indigo Bunting 45, Rufous-sided Towhee 25, Chipping

50

The Chat Vol.60

Sparrow 18, Field Sparrow 6, White-throated Sparrow 1, Bobolink 10, Red-
winged Blackbird 38, Eastern Meadowlark 13, Common Grackle 220, Brown-
headed Cowbird 43, Orchard Oriole 32, House Finch 15, American Goldfinch
6, House Sparrow 6.

Total: 106 species; 2340 individuals.

Coordinator: Steve A. Patterson, Jr., 6323 East Liberty Chapel Road,
Florence, SC 29506.

Participants: Hope Camper, Jeffrey Camper, Calvin Clyde, Nathaniel Dreeser,
Carey Evans, Travis Knowles, David McLean, Jill J. Patterson, Steve
Patterson, Lisa Pike, Pat Richardson.

Georgetown County, SC. (Coastal and Outer Coastal Plain)

8:00 AM to 2:20 PM. Wind SE, 5 to 10 mph. Partly cloudy. Regular observers:
11 in field in 2 parties. Total regular party-hours 12.5; total regular party-miles
31; 7.25 hours and 4 miles on foot; 1.25 hours and 21 miles by car; 4 hours and
4 miles by boat. Totals: 12.5 party-hours, 31 party-miles; 11 participants.

Brown Pelican 6, Double-crested Cormorant 10, Anhinga 65, Least
Bittern 6, Great Blue Heron 21, Great Egret 4, Snowy Egret 3, Little Blue
Heron 31, Tricolored Heron 2, Cattle Egret 45, Green Heron 3, White Ibis 8,
Glossy Ibis 5, Wood Duck 5, Mottled Duck 2, Blue-winged Teal 2, Lesser
Scaup 3, Black Vulture 7, Turkey Vulture 15, Osprey 2, American Swallow-
tailed Kite 1, Bald Eagle 1, Northern Bobwhite 1, Clapper Rail 2, Sora 1,
Common Moorhen 7, American Coot 50, Black-bellied Plover 16, Wilson's
Plover 4, Semipalmated Plover 43, Killdeer 8, Black-necked Stilt 4, Greater
Yellowlegs 2, Lesser Yellowlegs 4, Willet 12, Spotted Sandpiper 6, Whimbrel

3, Ruddy Turnstone 28, Sanderling 48, Semipalmated Sandpiper 28, Western
Sandpiper 4, Least Sandpiper 1, Purple Sandpiper 1, Dunlin 23, Short-billed
Dowitcher 6, dowitcher sp. 10, Laughing Gull 7, Ring-billed Gull 3, Royal Tem

4, Least Tem 8, Mourning Dove 33, Yellow-billed Cuckoo 4, Chimney Swift 2,
Red- headed Woodpecker 7, Red-bellied Woodpecker 13, Downy Woodpecker
3, Pileated Woodpecker 3, Eastern Wood-Pewee 5, Great Crested Flycatcher

5, Eastern Kingbird 10, Purple Martin 20, Tree Swallow 50, Bam Swallow 42,
Blue Jay 2, American Crow 30, Fish Crow 2, crow sp. 2, Carolina Chickadee
10, Tufted Titmouse 13, White-breasted Nuthatch 3, Carolina Wren 6, Blue-
gray Gnatcatcher 20, Eastern Bluebird 12, Gray Catbird 1, Northern
Mockingbird 6, Brown Thrasher 4, Loggerhead Shrike 1, European Starling 29,
White-eyed Vireo 7, Red-eyed Vireo 2, Northern Parula 15, Yellow Warbler 1,
Yellow-throated Warbler 4, Pine Warbler 9, Prothonotary Warbler 7, Common
Yellowthroat 3, Hooded Warbler 1, Yellow-breasted Chat 3, Summer Tanager
3, Northern Cardinal 19, Blue Grosbeak 4, Indigo Bunting 12, Painted Bunting
2, Rufous-sided Towhee 11, Swamp Sparrow 2, White-throated Sparrow 1,
Red-winged Blackbird 47, Boat-tailed Grackle 16, Common Grackle 31,
Brown-headed Cowbird 10, Orchard Oriole 2, House Sparrow 5.

Total: 100 species; 1136 individuals.

Coordinator: Jack Peachy, 103 Walnut Circle, Conway, SC 29526.
Participants: Steve Berkowitz, Pauline Bock, Richard Bock, Jim Lee, Andrew
Meyer, Hanna Meyer, Jack Peachy, Paul Rogers, Bernie Schwannekamp,

Spring 1996

51

Tonya Spires, Gaye Williams.

Hampton County, SC. (Inner Coastal Plain)

6:20 AM to 8:10 PM. Temp 65 deg. to 91 deg. F. Wind calm. AM partly
cloudy; PM partly cloudy. Regular observers: 2 in field in 1 party. Total regular
party-hours 13.83; total regular party-miles 111; 8.33 hours and 4 miles on foot;
5.5 hours and 107 miles by car. Totals: 13.83 party-hours; 111 party-miles, 2
participants.

Anhinga 9, Great Blue Heron 20, Great Egret 21, Snowy Egret 1, Little
Blue Heron 80, Tricolored Heron 1, Cattle Egret 61, Green Heron 5, Yellow-
crowned Night-Heron 4, White Ibis 3654, Wood Stork 10, Canada Goose 7,
Black Vulture 17, Turkey Vulture 16, Osprey 1, American Swallow-tailed Kite

3, Mississippi Kite 21, Bald Eagle 3, Red-shouldered Hawk 1, Red-tailed
Hawk 2, Northern Bob white 2, Purple Gallinule 2, Common Moorhen 1,
Spotted Sandpiper 1, Rock Dove 1, Mourning Dove 39, Common Ground-Dove

4, Yellow-billed Cuckoo 1, Great Homed Owl 2, Chimney Swift 33, Ruby-
throated Hummingbird 2, Red-headed Woodpecker 9, Red-bellied Woodpecker
10, Downy Woodpecker 2, Pileated Woodpecker 1, Eastern Wood-Pewee 4,
Great Crested Flycatcher 11, Eastern Kingbird 11, Purple Martin 10, Tree
Swallow 2, Northern Rough- winged Swallow 4, Bam Swallow 12, Blue Jay 16,
American Crow 7, Fish Crow 10, crow sp. 20, Carolina Chickadee 2, Tufted
Titmouse 7, White-breasted Nuthatch 5, Brown-headed Nuthatch 37, Carolina
Wren 3, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 6, Eastern Bluebird 36, American Robin 1,
Gray Catbird 4, Northern Mockingbird 35, Brown Thrasher 8, Loggerhead
Shrike 8, European Starling 7, White-eyed Vireo 3, Red-eyed Vireo 1, Yellow-
throated Warbler 1, Pine Warbler 4, American Redstart 1, Prothonotary
Warbler 6, Common Yellowthroat 3, Summer Tanager 1, Northern Cardinal 16,
Blue Grosbeak 4, Indigo Bunting 1, Painted Bunting 2, Rufous-sided Towhee
6, Chipping Sparrow 3, Red- winged Blackbird 21, Eastern Meadowlark 1,
Common Grackle 53, Brown-headed Cowbird 8, Orchard Oriole 14, House
Sparrow 5.

Total: 78 species; 4467 individuals.

Coordinator: Carroll Richard, P.O. Box 893, Hampton, SC 29924.

Participants: Carroll Richard, Bob Richard.

Horry County, SC. (Coastal and Outer Coastal Plain)

Regular observers: 4 in field in 1 party. Total regular party-hours 4; total
regular party-miles 56; 2 hours and 1 mile on foot; 2 hours and 55 miles by car.
Owling observers: 1 in 1 party. Owling party-hours 1; owling party-miles 1.

4:30 AM to 8:45 PM. Temp 57 deg. to 78 deg. F. Wind E, 0 to 7 mph. AM
clear; PM clear. Regular observers: 20 in field in 6 parties. Total regular party-
hours 51; total regular party-miles 266.5; 39.5 hours and 36.5 miles on foot; 11.5
hours and 230 miles by car. Owling observers: 1 1 in 2 parties. Owling party-
hours 3.5; owling party-miles 1.5. Feeder watchers: 6 at 5 feeding stations.
Feeder watcher hours 1.75. Totals: 67.75 party-hours; 268 party-miles, 20
participants.

Pied-billed Grebe 1, Anhinga 2, Great Blue Heron 2, Great Egret 1, Cattle

52

The Chat Vol.60

Egret 30, Green Heron 1, White Ibis 6, Wood Duck 3, Black Vulture 4, Turkey
Vulture 9, Osprey 3, Red-tailed Hawk 1, American Kestrel 1, Wild Turkey 5,
Northern Bobwhite 1, Spotted Sandpiper 2, Rock Dove 12, Mourning Dove 40,
Yellow-billed Cuckoo 3, Great Homed Owl 1, Barred Owl 1, Common
Nighthawk 1, Chuck- will's-widow 3, Whip-poor-will 1, Chimney Swift 15,
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 7, Belted Kingfisher 2, Red- headed Woodpecker
1, Red-bellied Woodpecker 3, Downy Woodpecker 1, Northern (Yellow-
shafted) Woodpecker 3, Pileated Woodpecker 2, Eastern Wood-Pewee 5,
Great Crested Flycatcher 3, Eastern Kingbird 18, Purple Martin 60, Tree
Swallow 45, Bam Swallow 120, Blue Jay 4, American Crow 25, Carolina
Chickadee 13, Tufted Titmouse 6, Brown-headed Nuthatch 5, Carolina Wren
7, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 30, Eastern Bluebird 20, Gray Catbird 1, Northern
Mockingbird 20, Brown Thrasher 10, Loggerhead Shrike 1, European Starling
35, White-eyed Vireo 5, Red-eyed Vireo 3, Northern Parula 20, Yellow-
throated Warbler 3, Pine Warbler 4, Prothonotary Warbler 9, Swainson's
Warbler 2, Common Yellowthroat 2, Hooded Warbler 1, Summer Tanager 4,
Northern Cardinal 30, Blue Grosbeak 5, Indigo Bunting 12, Rufous-sided
Towhee 7, Red-winged Blackbird 30, Common Grackle 65, Brown-headed
Cowbird 40, Orchard Oriole 3, House Sparrow 25.

Total: 70 species; 866 individuals.

Coordinator: Tonya Spires, P.O. Box 2167, Conway, SC 29526.

Participants: Jim Lee, Andrew Meyer, Hanna Meyer, Tonya Spires.

Jasper County, SC. (Coastal and Outer Coastal Plain)

6:15 AM to 8:00 PM. Temp 70 deg. to 85 deg. F. Wind W, 0 to 5 mph. AM
partly cloudy; PM light rain. Regular observers: 12 in field in 7 parties. Total
regular party-hours 41.5; total regular party-miles 83.5; 29 hours and 11 miles
on foot; 10.5 hours and 71.5 miles by car; 2 hours and 2 miles by boat. Totals:
41.5 party-hours; 83.5 party-miles, 12 participants.

Pied-billed Grebe 1, Double-crested Cormorant 69, Anhinga 197, Least
Bittern 16, Great Blue Heron 30, Great Egret 444, Snowy Egret 60, Little Blue
Heron 24, Tricolored Heron 28, Cattle Egret 45, Green Heron 66, Black-
crowned Night-Heron 5, Yellow-crowned Night- Heron 11, White Ibis 38,
Glossy Ibis 26, Wood Duck 75, American Black Duck 11, Mottled Duck 31,
Mallard 2, Blue- winged Teal 7, Ring-necked Duck 1, Lesser Scaup 2, Red-
breasted Merganser 2, Black Vulture 12, Turkey Vulture 24, Osprey 12,
American Swallow-tailed Kite 5, Mississippi Kite 15, Bald Eagle 2, Red-tailed
Hawk 6, Buteo sp. 2, Peregrine Falcon 1, Northern Bobwhite 14, Clapper Rail
4, King Rail 2, Purple Gallinule 4, Common Moorhen 171, American Coot 5,
Black-bellied Plover 1, Semipalmated Plover 121, Killdeer 22, Black-necked
Stilt 2116, American Avocet 43, Greater Yellowlegs 161, Lesser Yellowlegs
4863, Solitary Sandpiper 2, Willet 27, Spotted Sandpiper 85, Ruddy Turnstone
1, Red Knot 1, Sanderling 2, Western Sandpiper 763, Least Sandpiper 4309,
peep sp. 5000, Dunlin 95, Short-billed Dowitcher 252, Long-billed Dowitcher
52, dowitcher sp. 366, Laughing Gull 5, Bonaparte's Gull 3, Ring-billed Gull 7,
Herring Gull 7, Gull-billed Tern 2, Caspian Tern 2, Royal Tem 7, Forster's

Spring 1996

53

Tern 3, Least Tern 43, Rock Dove 60, Mourning Dove 70, Yellow-billed
Cuckoo 15, Great Homed Owl 2, Barred Owl 2, Common Nighthawk 17,
Chimney Swift 2, Red-headed Woodpecker 1, Red-bellied Woodpecker 20,
Downy Woodpecker 2, Northern (Yellow-shafted) Flicker 2, Pileated
Woodpecker 5, Eastern Wood-Pewee 3, Acadian Flycatcher 3, Eastern Phoebe
2, Great Crested Flycatcher 26, Eastern Kingbird 38, Purple Martin 6, Tree
Swallow 74, Bank Swallow 6, Bam Swallow 21, Blue Jay 29, American Crow
24, Fish Crow 18, Carolina Chickadee 5, Tufted Titmouse 18, White-breasted
Nuthatch 2, Brown-headed Nuthatch 1, Carolina Wren 41, Marsh Wren 16,
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 12, Eastern Bluebird 4, Hermit Thrush 1, Wood Thrush
1, American Robin 3, Gray Catbird 2, Northern Mockingbird 28, Brown
Thrasher 23, American Pipit 1, Loggerhead Shrike 1, European Starling 10,
White-eyed Vireo 16, Solitary Vireo 1, Red-eyed Vireo24, Northern Parula 36,
Yellow Warbler 1, Yellow-rumped (Myrtle) Warbler 2, Yellow-throated
Warbler 2, Pine Warbler 6, Blackpoll Warbler 4, Black-and-white Warbler 2,
American Redstart 14, Prothonotary Warbler 6, Ovenbird 2, Northern
Waterthrush 1, Common Yellowthroat 55, Hooded Warbler 3, Summer Tanager
18, Northern Cardinal 67, Blue Grosbeak 6, Indigo Bunting 1, Painted Bunting
26, Rufous-sided Towhee 9, Bachman's Sparrow 1, Bobolink 635, Red- winged
Blackbird 1930, Eastern Meadowlark 15, Boat-tailed Grackle 224, Common
Grackle 67, Brown-headed Cowbird 5, blackbird sp. 22, Orchard Oriole 8,
House Sparrow 2.

Total: 138 species; 23663 individuals.

Coordinator: Patricia E. Metz, 7 Beneta Court, Savannah, GA 31406.
Participants: Matthew Bryant, Steve Calver, Vic Carpenter, Graham Dugas,
Don Kepler, Barry Lowe, Phyl Lowe, John Metz, Patricia Metz, Tom Nicolls,
Ray Porter, Tom Smith.

Lexington County, SC. (Piedmont and Inner Coastal Plain)

6:15 AM to 8:00 PM. Temp 60 deg. to 85 deg. F. Wind calm. AM clear; PM
clear. Regular observers: 2 in field in 1 party. Total regular party-hours 2.75;
total regular party-miles 1; 2.75 hours and 1 mile on foot. Totals: 2.75 party-
hours; 1 party-mile, 2 participants.

Canada Goose 6, Red-tailed Hawk 1, Mourning Dove 8, Yellow-billed
Cuckoo 12, Chimney Swift 10, Red-bellied Woodpecker 9, Downy
Woodpecker 1, Eastern Wood-Pewee 2, Great Crested Flycatcher 4, Eastern
Kingbird 3, Northern Rough- winged Swallow 2, Blue Jay 6, American Crow
10, Carolina Chickadee 8, Tufted Titmouse 5, Carolina Wren 5, Blue-gray
Gnatcatcher 6, Eastern Bluebird 1, Wood Thrush 3, American Robin 2, Gray
Catbird 1, Northern Mockingbird 1, Red-eyed Vireo 1, Pine Warbler 1, Prairie
Warbler 1, Blackpoll Warbler 1, Common Yellowthroat 2, Hooded Warbler 1,
Yellow-breasted Chat 2, Summer Tanager 3, Northern Cardinal 8, Indigo
Bunting 4, Rufous-sided Towhee 4, Field Sparrow 1, Common Grackle 1,
Brown-headed Cowbird 1, Baltimore Oriole 1, House Finch 3, American
Goldfinch 2.

Total: 39 species; 143 individuals.

Coordinator: Robin Carter, 4165 East Buchanan Drive, Columbia, SC.

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The Chat Vol.60

Participants: Jerry Griggs, Malia Griggs.

Marion County, SC. (Inner Coastal Plain)

6:30 AM to 7:30 PM. Temp 60 deg. to 90 deg. F. Wind S, 0 to 5 mph. AM
cloudy; PM partly cloudy. Regular observers: 1 in field in 1 party. Total regular
party-hours 11; total regular party-miles 29; 6 hours and 5 miles on foot; 2
hours and 20 miles by car; 3 hours and 4 miles by boat. Totals: 1 1 party-hours;
29 party-miles, 1 participant.

Great Egret 3, Little Blue Heron 9, Cattle Egret 19, Wood Duck 2, Turkey
Vulture 17, Mississippi Kite 1, Red-tailed Hawk 1, Northern Bobwhite 2,
Spotted Sandpiper 7, Rock Dove 2, Mourning Dove 17, Chimney Swift 22,
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 2, Red-bellied Woodpecker 23, Downy
Woodpecker 25, Hairy Woodpecker 1, Pileated Woodpecker 8, Eastern Wood-
Pewee 12, Acadian Flycatcher 7, Great Crested Flycatcher 34, Purple Martin
12, Bam Swallow 10, American Crow 2, Fish Crow 20, Carolina Chickadee
40, Tufted Titmouse 52, White-breasted Nuthatch 4, Brown-headed Nuthatch
2, Carolina Wren 23, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 90, Eastern Bluebird 6, Wood
Thrush 2, Northern Mockingbird 17, Brown Thrasher 2, Loggerhead Shrike 12,
European Starling 18, White-eyed Vireo 12, Yellow-throated Vireo, Red-eyed
Vireo 14, Northern Parula 48, Yellow-throated Warbler 54, Pine Warbler 16,
Prothonotary Warbler 70, Common Yellowthroat 2, Summer Tanager 22,
Northern Cardinal 36, Blue Grosbeak 12, Indigo Bunting 12, Rufous-sided
Towhee 2, Common Grackle 50, Brown- headed Cowbird 41, Orchard Oriole 4.
Total: 52 species; 922 individuals.

Coordinator: Bob Wood, 117 Michael Road, Blythewood, SC 29016.
Participant: Bob Wood.

Oconee County, SC. (Mountains and Piedmont)

6:30 AM to 8:00 PM. Temp 50 deg. to 68 deg. F. Wind SW, 0 to 5 mph. AM
clear; PM light rain. Regular observers: 10 in field in 3 parties. Total regular
party-hours 29; total regular party-miles 236; 16 hours and 7 miles on foot; 13
hours and 229 miles by car. Totals: 29 party-hours; 236 party-miles, 10
participants.

Great Blue Heron 3, Cattle Egret 1, Mute Swan 1, Canada Goose 31,
Wood Duck 3, Mallard 5, Black Vulture 5, Turkey Vulture 13, Red- shouldered
Hawk 3, Broad- winged Hawk 2, Red-tailed Hawk 1, Wild Turkey 1, Northern
Bobwhite 3, Killdeer 2, Rock Dove 2, Mourning Dove 56, Yellow-billed
Cuckoo 8, Eastern Screech-Owl 1, Chuck-will's-widow 1, Whip-poor-will 3,
Chimney Swift 86, Ruby-throated Hummingbird 8, Belted Kingfisher 10, Red-
headed Woodpecker 1, Red-bellied Woodpecker 11, Downy Woodpecker 7,
Hairy Woodpecker 4, Northern (Yellow-shafted) Flicker 8, Pileated
Woodpecker 15, Eastern Wood-Pewee 7, Acadian Flycatcher 7, Eastern
Phoebe 22, Great Crested Flycatcher 16, Eastern Kingbird 11, Purple Martin
18, Northern Rough-winged Swallow 32, Cliff Swallow 6, Bam Swallow 84,
Blue Jay 21, American Crow 40, Fish crow 14, crow sp. 8, Carolina Chickadee
27, Tufted Titmouse 25, Red-breasted Nuthatch 2, White-breasted Nuthatch 6,
Brown-headed Nuthatch 8, Carolina Wren 19, Golden-crowned Kinglet 6,

Spring 1996

55

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 27, Eastern Bluebird 43, Hermit Thrush 1, Wood Thrush
6, American Robin 60, Gray Catbird 7, Northern Mockingbird 9, Brown
Thrasher 18, Cedar Waxwing 51, Loggerhead Shrike 1, European Starling 35,
White-eyed Vireo 8, Solitary Vireo 4, Yellow-throated Vireo 6, Red-eyed
Vireo 47, Northern Parula 29, Yellow Warbler 8, Magnolia Warbler 1, Cape
May Warbler 1, Black- throated Blue Warbler 15, Black-throated Green
Warbler 26, Yellow-throated Warbler 9, Pine Warbler 18, Prairie Warbler 11,
Blackpoll warbler 1, Black-and-white Warbler 9, American Redstart 9,
Prothonotary Warbler 2, Worm-eating Warbler 5, Ovenbird 8, Louisiana
Waterthrush 2, Kentucky Warbler 3, Common Yellowthroat 10, Hooded
Warbler 17, Yellow-breasted Chat 19, Summer Tanager 6, Scarlet Tanager 3,
Northern Cardinal 31, Rose-breasted Grosbeak 1, Blue Grosbeak 8, Indigo
Bunting 76, Dickcissel 2, Rufous-sided Towhee 13, Chipping Sparrow 12,
Field Sparrow 2, Grasshopper Sparrow 8, Song Sparrow 1, Bobolink 50, Red-
winged Blackbird 27, Eastern Meadowlark 32, Common Grackle 37, Brown-
headed Cowbird 15, Orchard Oriole 5, Baltimore Oriole 2, House Finch 15,
American Goldfinch 24, House Sparrow 4.

Total: 105 species; 1574 individuals.

Coordinator: Teddy Shuler, 275 Lake Cheohee Road, Tamassee, SC 29686.
Participants: Jim Anthony, Wilma Anthony, Lou Gaines, JoAnn Knox, Larry
LeCroy, Nancy Lyman, Ned Shuler, Teddy Shuler, Gary Sowell, Steve
Wagner.

Richland County, SC. (Piedmont and Inner Coastal Plain)

6:00 AM to 8:00 PM. Temp 65 deg. to 85 deg. F. Wind calm. AM partly
cloudy; PM partly cloudy. Regular observers: 7 in field in 6 parties. Total
regular party-hours 28.25; total regular party-miles 77; 21 hours and 18 miles on
foot; 7.5 hours and 59 miles by car. Owling observers: 1 in 1 party. Owling
party-hours 0.5; owling party-miles 7. Totals: 28.75 party-hours; 84 party-miles,
7 participants.

Double-crested Cormorant 2, Anhinga 2, Great Blue Heron 6, Cattle Egret
1, Green Heron 4, Canada Goose 12, Wood Duck 7, Mallard 22, Black Vulture

18, Turkey Vulture 5, Osprey 1, Mississippi Kite 4, Red-shouldered Hawk 1,
Red-tailed Hawk 2, Wild Turkey 4, Northern Bobwhite 2, Killdeer 7, Rock
Dove 175, Mourning Dove 97, Yellow-billed Cuckoo 9, Eastern Screech-Owl
1, Barred Owl 6, Chuck-will's-widow 8, Whip-poor-will 1, Chimney Swift 73,
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 2, Red-headed Woodpecker 16, Red-bellied
Woodpecker 34, Downy Woodpecker 14, Northern (Yellow-shafted) Flicker 3,
Pileated Woodpecker 9, Eastern Wood-Pewee 22, Acadian Flycatcher 17,
Eastern Phoebe 1, Great Crested Flycatcher 23, Eastern Kingbird 11, Horned
Lark 7, Purple Martin 32, Northern Rough-winged Swallow 7, Bam Swallow 6,
Blue Jay 43, American Crow 28, Fish Crow 6, crow sp. 14, Carolina
Chickadee 61, Tufted Titmouse 78, White-breasted Nuthatch 9, Brown-headed
Nuthatch 17, Carolina Wren 34, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 37, Eastern Bluebird

19, Swainson's Thrush 3, Wood Thrush 6, American Robin 59, Gray Catbird 5,
Northern Mockingbird 38, Brown Thrasher 14, Loggerhead Shrike 6, European
Starling 70, White-eyed Vireo 41, Yellow-throated Vireo 10, Red-eyed Vireo

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The Chat Vol.60

16, Northern Parula 56, Black- throated Blue Warbler 1, Yellow-throated
Warbler 12, Pine Warbler 48, Prairie Warbler 6, Blackpoll Warbler 2,
American Redstart 13, Prothonotary Warbler 23, Swainson's Warbler 5,
Ovenbird 6, Louisiana Waterthrush 1, Kentucky Warbler 4, Common
Yellowthroat 10, Hooded Warbler 18, Yellow-breasted Chat 8, Summer
Tanager 15, Northern Cardinal 112, Blue Grosbeak 3, Indigo Bunting 25,
Rufous-sided Towhee 35, Chipping Sparrow 4, Red-winged Blackbird 8,
Eastern Meadowlark 9, Common Grackle 142, Brown-headed Cowbird 12,
Orchard Oriole 2, House Finch 62, American Goldfinch 1, House Sparrow 17.
Total: 90 species; 1948 individuals.

Coordinator: Robin Carter, 4165 East Buchanan Drive, Columbia, SC.
Participants: Robin Carter, Steve Dennis, Caroline Eastman, Glenn
Englehardt, Lex Glover, George McCoy, Tammy Sutherland.

Spartanburg County, SC. (Piedmont)

8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Temp 75 deg. to 79 deg. F. Wind E, 2 to 4 mph. AM
partly cloudy; PM partly cloudy. Regular observers: 5 in field in 5 parties.
Total regular party-hours 13.5; total regular party-miles 30; 11.75 hours and 9
miles on foot; 1.75 hours and 21 miles by car. Totals: 13.5 party-hours; 30
party-miles, 5 participants.

Great Blue Heron 3, Wood Duck 2, American Black Duck 2, Black
Vulture 4, Red-tailed Hawk 1, Wild Turkey 2, Northern Bobwhite 7, Mourning
Dove 31, Yellow-billed Cuckoo 2, Bam Owl 1, Barred Owl 1, Chimney Swift
32, Ruby-throated Hummingbird 1, Belted Kingfisher 1, Red-headed
Woodpecker 2, Red-bellied Woodpecker 8, Downy Woodpecker 7, Northern
(Yellow-shafted) Flicker 5, Pileated Woodpecker 4, Eastern Wood-Pewee 3,
Acadian Flycatcher 1, Eastern Phoebe 6, Eastern Kingbird 4, Homed Lark 1,
Bam Swallow 2, Blue Jay 22, American Crow 18, Carolina Chickadee 20,
Tufted Titmouse 15, White-breasted Nuthatch 1, Brown-headed Nuthatch 2,
Carolina Wren 15, Eastern Bluebird 9, American Robin 50, Gray Catbird 5,
Northern Mockingbird 18, Brown Thrasher 20, Cedar Waxwing 77, Red-eyed
Vireo 6, Northern Parula 1, Yellow-throated Warbler 2, Pine Warbler 3, Prairie
Warbler 2, American Redstart 1, Louisiana Waterthrush 2, Common
Yellowthroat 1, Hooded Warbler 3, Canada Warbler 1, Yellow-breasted Chat
4, Summer Tanager 5, Northern Cardinal 40, Indigo Bunting 16, Rufous-sided
Towhee 18, Field Sparrow 7, Song Sparrow 2, Red-winged Blackbird 15,
Eastern Meadowlark 4, Common Grackle 33, Brown-headed Cowbird 3, House
Finch 12, American Goldfinch 18, House Sparrow 4.

Total: 62 species; 608 individuals.

Coordinator: Lyle Campbell, 126 Greengate Lane, Spartanburg, SC 29307.
Participants: Robbie Allen, Joel James, Micky Marotte, Marian Murph, Alas
Rose.

York County, SC. (Piedmont)

Temp 65 deg. to 81 deg. F. Wind calm. AM clear; PM clear. Feeder watchers:
1 at 1 feeding station. Feeder watcher hours 10. Totals: 10 party-hours; 0 party-
miles, 1 participant.

Spring 1996

57

Red- shouldered Hawk 2, Killdeer 1, Mourning Dove 15, Yellow-billed
Cuckoo 2, Barred Owl 2, Whip-poor-will 3, Chimney Swift 6, Red-bellied
Woodpecker 2, Downy Woodpecker 1, Pileated Woodpecker 1, Eastern
Phoebe 2, Great Crested Flycatcher 2, Bam Swallow 5, Blue Jay 3, American
Crow 12, Carolina Chickadee 4, Tufted Titmouse 2, Carolina Wren 2, Wood
Thrush 1, Clay-colored Thrush 1, American Robin 4, Gray Catbird 2, Northern
Mockingbird 2, Brown Thrasher 7, Red-eyed Vireo 1, Pine Warbler 1,
Common Yellowthroat 2, Summer Tanager 1, Northern Cardinal 5, Blue
Grosbeak 1, Chipping Sparrow 10, Field Sparrow 1, Red-winged Blackbird 2,
Brown-headed Cowbird 1, Orchard Oriole 1, House Finch 25, American
Goldfinch 5.

Total: 38 species; 145 individuals.

Coordinator: Albert Conway, 1672 Deer Run Road, Catawba, SC 29704.
Participant: June Conway.

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The Chat Vol.60

General Field Notes

LYNN MOSELEY

North Carolina Editor
Department of Biology
Guilford College
Greensboro, NC 27410

DENNIS M. FORSYTHE

South Carolina Editor
Department of Biology
The Citadel
Charleston, SC 29409

NOTICE

Publication of any unusual sightings of birds in the Field Notes or Briefs for the Files
does not imply that these reports have been accepted into the official Checklist of
Birds records for either North or South Carolina. Decisions regarding the official
Checklists are made by the respective State Records Committees and will be sported
upon periodically in THE CHAT.

Varied Thrush photographed at Edisto Beach, Colleton Co., South
Carolina — A First State Record.

FRANK AND CAROL BREMER DENNIS M. FORSYTHE

622 Magnolia Court Department of Biology

Edisto Island, SC 29438 The Citadel

In the morning and again at dusk of 6 October 1993, Frank and Carol Bremer
observed an adult male Varied Thrush (Ixoreus naevius ) in their yard at 622
Magnolia Court, Edisto Beach, Colleton Co., South Carolina. They again saw the
bird in the afternoon of 10 October, at which time Frank Bremer was able to take
a recognizable photo. Subsequent attempts by the Bremers and Forsythe to
relocate the thrush were unsuccessful. The bird was observed in the Bremer’s yard
which is located in a subdivision adjacent to a golf course. The vegetation is
maritime forest of Live Oak ( Quercus Virginians), Cabbage Palmetto ( Sabal
palmetto ), and Bull Bay {Magnolia grandiflora) situated on sand dunes.

This is the first documented record of Varied Thrush for South Carolina
(Worthington 1995). The details about a second bird seen on the 1993 Spartenburg
SC Christmas Bird Count have recently been submitted to the SC Bird Records
Committee, and is now under review (Worthington 1995). The Varied Thrush is a
casual winter straggler from northwestern North America with many recent winter
records usually at feeders from maritime Canada to the southeastern United States

171 Moultrie St.
Charleston, SC 29409

Spring 1996

59

(American Ornithologists’ Union 1983, Peterson 1980).

LITERATURE CITED

American Ornithologists’ Union. 1983. Check-list of North American Birds. 6th ed.,
Allen Press, Lawrence, KS.

Peterson, R. T. A field guide to the birds. Houghton Mifflin Co., Boston, MA. 4th
ed.

Worthington, P. L., Chair. 1995. Report of the South Carolina Bird Records
Committee 1994. Chat 59(3):89-92.

Band-tailed Pigeon Observed in Georgetown, South Carolina

BILL PULLIAM
217 2nd Street
Fort Collins, CO 80524

On 16 August 1991, I observed a Band-tailed Pigeon ( Columba fasciata) in
the Maryville section of Georgetown, Georgetown Co., South Carolina. The
sighting took place in an overgrown dredge disposal site just N of Martin Street
adjacent to the Place-by-the-Bay apartment complex. This area is covered with
dense grasses and brush (mostly 2-4 m tall) with clusters of Loblolly Pines ( Pinus
taeda ), mulberry ( Morus sp.) China berry ( Melia azedarach), and other trees
typical of waste places. There is a dirt road that crosses the area, which I
frequently use for bird watching.

At approximately 0730 hr EDT, while I was walking through a China berry
grove near the entrance to the area, I spotted a large bird perched among some
dead branches about 15 m above and in front of me. There was a thin overcast, so
I was looking through 10x40 binoculars at the bird in moderately good light
against a light gray sky. I immediately recognized it as a Band-tailed Pigeon, a
species I became familiar with while living in California from 1979-1982. The
size, shape and general impression of this bird was of a pigeon slightly larger than
a Rock Dove ( Columba livia). I could easily see the narrow white crescent on the
bird’s nape, its square tail with a dark base and broad light gray band at the end,
and its gray rump. After much less than one minute, the bird became disturbed by
my presence and flew off northwards through the China berry grove towards an
overgrown drainage canal. I continued exploring the area hoping for another look
at this bird.

At 0800 hr, I found the bird again, perched in virtually the same spot it had
used earlier. By this time, the sun had come out and was behind me over my left
shoulder. The bird was perched in direct sunlight. As I was partially screened by
intervening vegetation, I was able to approach to within 10 m of the pigeon and
view it leisurely in excellent light for several minutes. I took note of as many
details of the bird’s appearance as I could, then wrote them down immediately

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The Chat Vol.60

without consulting any field guide or other reference that might have affected my
impression. In addition to the white nape and tail pattern noted earlier, I could
clearly see the scaly pattern on the bird’s nape (light feathers with dark edges)
below the white crescent, its yellow feet, yellow bill with black tip, and dark eye.
Overall its plumage was steely gray, with a mousy-brown tint on the head, throat,
and upper breast. The bird’s rump was distinctly paler than its back, wings, and
tail base, was similar in color to the broad terminal tail band. This “terminal tail
band” in fact occupied at least the outermost two- thirds of the length of the tail;
the tail might better be described as light gray with a dark basal band. The bird’s
tail appeared somewhat longer and broader than is typical of a Rock Dove. I did
not see any iridescence or purplish tints on any part of the bird. After studying the
bird and making notes, I continued out of the area. As I left, the pigeon flew off in
the same general direction in which it had flown earlier.

I returned home and attempted unsuccessfully to contact other local observers
to whom I could show the bird. I returned to the area with photographic equipment,
and at about 0930 hr I briefly saw the pigeon as it flushed from the opposite end of
the same China berry grove, but I was unable to take any photographs, so I
returned home.

At 1700 hr, Bobbie McCutcheon and I returned and quickly relocated the bird
in the same China berry grove. It seemed very nervous about our presence, and
immediately flew to the far end of the grove. We were able to relocate the pigeon
perched in the open, and observed it from a distance of approximately 25 m for
1-2 minutes, and I was able to succeed in photographing the bird. The photographs
have been reviewed by the SC Bird Records Committee and are archived as
record file “8-91-1” Department of Biological Sciences, Clemson University. In
hazy sunlight with the sun to our left, we were able to note the general size and
shape of a rather large but rather sleek and somewhat long-tailed pigeon. We
could see its overall gray plumage with white nape crescent, slight gray rump and
tail band, and dark gray tail base.

Over the next two days, I returned to the area numerous times with other
observers. I continued visiting the area frequently over the next several weeks. I
also looked for the bird throughout the surrounding neighborhoods without success.

I believe this is the first documented record of Band-tailed Pigeon for South
Carolina, although there is a previously undocumented 1980 sight report from near
Sumter, SC (Post and Gauthreaux 1989, Potter in Evans 1980). Band-tailed
Pigeons show a widespread pattern of vagrancy to eastern North America, but
there has always been a question as to whether these records may pertain largely
or entirely to individuals escaped from captivity (A. O. U. 1983). I feel strongly
that this was a truly wild bird, based on the circumstances of its occurrence,
behavior, and appearance. Although the sighting took place within a residential
section of Georgetown, the bird seemed to prefer a shrubby, undeveloped area (the
sort of area which frequently turned up migrants and vagrants). It occurred at the
time of year when post-breeding wanderers or early fall migrants would be
expected, and it apparently remained only briefly in the area. The bird appeared
nervous and wary and remained in the treetops, which seems typical behavior for
a wild Band-tailed Pigeon, Finally, the bird had no leg bands.

Spring 1996

61

Acknowledgments: I thank W. Allen, D. Forsythe, R. Carter, S. Gauthreaux,
and P. Worthington for their helpful advice with this manuscript.

LITERATURE CITED

American Ornithologists’ Union. 1983. Check-list of North American Birds. 6th ed.
Allen Press, Lawrence, KS.

Post, W. And S. A. Gauthreaux, Jr. 1989. Status and distribution of South Carolina
birds. Contr. Charleston Museum 18, Charleston, SC.

Potter, E. F. In Evans, M. 1980. First North Carolina record of a Band-tailed
Pigeon. Chat 44(4): 106-107.

Eurasian Collared-Dove on the Outer Banks of North Carolina

HARRY E. LeGRAND, JR.
N.C. Natural Heritage Program
P. O. Box 27687
Raleigh, NC 27611

EDWARD S. BRINKLEY
108 Cocke Hall
University of Virginia
Charlottesville, VA 22903

On 31 July 1994 the senior author was riding with Derb Carter and Merrill
Lynch along NC 12 just south of Salvo, NC, when he observed a somewhat
stocky- looking dove perched on a telephone wire. Carter turned his vehicle around,
and the observers were able to view the dove closely, within 75 feet, for about 10
minutes.

The dove was a medium buff color on the head and entire underparts, with the
belly the same color as the rest of the underparts. The back and mantle were
slightly darker buff. The folded primaries were dark brown and contrasted with the
rest of the plumage. In flight, the primaries contrasted with the buff of the rest of
the plumage.

The bird had a distinct black collar that covered the back half of the neck.
Otherwise, the head was immaculate buff. The eye was dark red-brown, and the
bill was black. The feet were red-purple.

The tail was moderately long but was square to slightly rounded. The tail
shape helped to give the bird a slightly huskier appearance than that of a
Mourning Dove ( Zenaida macroura), though none of the latter were present for
comparison. From below, the outer tail feathers (one or two) were white on the
lower one-third to one-half, but the others in the center were brown to the tip.

The bird remained on the telephone wire for about a minute or two, and it then
flew to shrubs along a canal just north of the Salvo Campground. Carter obtained
photos of the bird when it perched in the open in the shrubs. The bird then flew
toward the town of Salvo, and the observers were unable to relocate it.

Based on the overall pinkish-buff color of the bird, it was identified
immediately as a Eurasian Collared-Dove ( Streptopelia decaocta ). The very
similar-looking Ringed Turtle-Dove ( S . risoria ) was eliminated because this latter

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The Chat Vol.60

species is a very pale buffy color that appears almost whitish on the head and
underparts.

A second observation of a Eurasian Collared-Dove was made by B. J. Rose
and the junior author at the Falcon Motel in Buxton, NC, about 18 miles south of
Salvo. They observed it on 5 August 1994 at a feeder at the motel, and Rose
obtained several photographs. The dove was bulkier than Mourning Doves feeding
with it, though it was not longer in body size. Its tail was proportionally shorter
than that of the Mourning Doves. The dorsal ground color of the Collared-Dove
was a warm sandy brown (with the rump noticeably grayer), and the head and
body feathers were a paler tan, with a gray-rose cast in certain light. A dark collar
on the back of the neck stood out at all times. The bill was dark, and the legs and
feet were reddish-pink. The folded wings showed some gray in the secondary
coverts and the distinctly darker brown primaries. The bird showed no signs of molt
and no signs of cage wear.

This Buxton bird was also observed in flight by the junior author. The dove
showed a very pale whitish underwing with some darkening on the borders of the
primaries. The upperwing showed dark primaries, a grayish carpal area,
secondaries, and secondary coverts, and a brownish inner wing. The rump and
undertail coverts were gray; the bases of the rectrices were darker brown; and the
ends (from 20-50%) of all but the central two rectrices were white. The central
rectrices were uniformly brown.

There is no certainty that these two observations concerned the same
individual. However, because of the closeness of the dates and locations, the N. C.
Bird Records Committee considered that these observations may well have been
of the same bird and voted on the two as a single record. Late in 1994, the
Committee accepted both the written descriptions and the photographs of the bird;
the Committee also considered the bird to have been wild, with no votes for
Unaccepted Origin (N. C. Bird Records Committee, 1995, Chat 59:87). Thus,
these two observations are considered as a single record, and the voting by the
Committee places the Eurasian Collared-Dove on the Official List for North
Carolina.

This species has spread rapidly in the southeastern United States from the
Bahamas, where it was introduced from Europe. These doves moved to Florida in
the early 1980s and have spread to Georgia in recent years. Thus, its occurrence in
North Carolina was anticipated in the mid- or late 1990s.

Spring 1996

63

First Occurrence of Blue-throated Hummingbird
(Lampornis clemenciae ) in South Carolina

PETER L. WORTHINGTON
716 N. Almond Drive
Simpsonville, SC 29681-3452

On 6 August 1993, 1 received a call that a large, unusual hummingbird was
being seen in a Laurens County yard since 31 July. After obtaining permission
from the property owner, Mrs. Paula Aiken, I arranged to meet Lex Glover at the
site early Saturday morning. Jerry Pasquarella, a Carolina Bird Club member
from Greer, also joined the search.

We arrived at the site at 0730 hrs. There were several hummingbird feeders
in the front yard, as well as a feeder and flower bed in the neighbor’s back yard,
with at least 8 Ruby-throated Hummingbirds ( Archilochus colubris ) in attendance.
The “odd” hummingbird was being seen mostly in the back yard, around a good
size swimming pool, bordered by several blooming red Hibiscus ( Hibiscus sp.)
and tropical vines, also with reddish blossoms. The bird’s reported behavior
pattern was to fly down a grove of sourwood ( Oxydendrum arboreum ), oaks
( Quercus sp.) and Black Gum ( Nyssa aquatica ) to the pool-side blooms, then to
the kitchen window (with a red- aproned figure in it); then over the house’s roof to
the front yard, and back to the canopy. The hummingbird was reported as
avoiding the feeders.

We positioned ourselves so that all feeders and the pool could be seen; and
over a period of 5 hours, a large hummingbird flew out twice following the
described course. All three of us got glimpses, too brief to call, except that it was
larger than a Tufted Titmouse {Pams bicolor ) or House Finch {Carpodacus
mexicanus ) with a long full tail and noticeably slow wing-beat. The wings could
actually be seen, although still too fast to count. The bird called several times, a
sharp seek or peek , very different from a Ruby-throated Hummingbird.

I returned to the site alone on 9 August at 0750 hrs. At 0830 hrs., the bird flew
down from the Sourwoods and hovered for several seconds, facing me, over the
pool about 3 meters away. It appeared to be at least 50% larger than a Ruby-
throated Hummingbird. The bird called 2-3 times while hovering, and flew to
some blossoms. It had a medium-blue throat, with a few gray feathers scattered in
the bib. It had a gray chest fading towards the belly, a long, fully rounded black
tail, with large dirty white comer spots. The back and crown were a dark metallic
green fading to a grayish-green on the cheeks; both surfaces of the wings were
basically dark gray, with perhaps a brownish tinge. The bill was rather long, 1.5
times the length of the head, rather thin for the size of the bird, and slightly
decurved. The face had a clear white ocular stripe, though the mustacial stripe
shown in field guides (Farrand 1983, National Geographic Soc. 1987) was not
noted. The bird flew up into the canopy where I observed it flitting about, possibly
gnatcatching, for several minutes. The bird was seen by the owner, Mrs. Aiken
one more time on either 11 or 12 August and then it disappeared.

The observed field marks matched closely those of the adult male Blue-

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throated Hummingbird ( Lampomis clemenciae ) a Mexican species that reaches
its northern limits in southern Arizona, southern New Mexico and the Big Bend
area of Texas (A. O. U. 1983). The Blue- throat is not known for vagrancy, though
a few reports are available from California, Colorado, Utah, and eastern Texas
(DeSante and Pyle 1986). This is the first report of a Blue-throated Hummingbird
for South Carolina (Post and Gauthreaux 1989). The report was submitted to the
South Carolina Bird Records Committee. The report was accepted after its review
and this species was placed on the South Carolina Provisional I list (Worthington
et al. 1993).

LITERATURE CITED

American Ornithologists’ Union. 1983. Check-list of North American Birds. 6th
ed. Allen Press, Lawrence, KS.

DeSante, D. and P. Pyle. 1986. Distributional checklist of North American Birds.

Vol. 1. United States and Canada. Artemisia Press, Lee Vining, CA.

Farrand, J. Jr. (ed.). 1983. The Audubon Society Master Guide to Birding. Vol. 2.
A. A. Knopf, Pub., New York, NY

National Geographic Society. 1987. Field guide the birds of North America. 2nd
ed. National Geographic Soc., Washington, DC
Post, W. and S. A. Gauthreaux, Jr. 1989. Status and distribution of South Carolina
birds. Contr. Charleston Museum 18, Charleston, SC.

Worthington, P. et al. 1993. Report of the South Carolina Bird Records
Committee. Chat 58:88-92.

CBC Rare Bird Alert
(704) 332-BIRD

Spring 1996

65

BRIEFS FOR THE FILES

RICKY DAVIS

(All Dates Spring - Summer 1995)

RED-THROATED LOON: Two in the surf at Kill Devil Hills, NC June 13 (Sam
Cooper) were very late and rare summer lingerers.

COMMON LOON: This species was found as an inland spring migrant in normal
numbers. The farthest west were two at Lake Wanteska, Transylvania
County, NC April 1 1-12 by Dick Thorsell, fide Norma Siebenheller. The most
interesting summer report was of one in alternate plumage at Murrell's Inlet,
SC July 18 (Jack Peachey, Bob Maxwell, Lex Glover).

PACIFIC LOON: The only spring report was of one at Figure Eight L, NC March
19 (Derb Carter). In the unusual and unexpected department was the basic
plumaged Pacific found sick near shore at Pine I. Sanctuary, Currituck
Banks, NC on the weird date of July 28 (Will Cook, Norm Budnitz). The bird
was not found later though, so a potential specimen was not obtained.

EARED GREBE: The only spring report was of one at Bear I., SC March 1 1 by
Robin Carter and Caroline Eastman.

HORNED GREBE: One in breeding plumage was found at Sneads Ferry, NC on
the very late date of June 16 (Nell Moore).

BLACK-CAPPED PETREL: This species was found on most trips off of North
Carolina this spring and summer as usual. The best one-day total was 150 off
Hatteras May 20 (Brian Patteson, et al.). Not so usual were the two found 40
miles south of Beaufort Inlet March 17 (John Fussell) in only 110 feet of
water!

HERALD PETREL: This species is now regular and expected in North Carolina
waters every year. Reports this year included individuals off Oregon Inlet
May 29 (Mike Tove, et al.) and June 3 (Armas Hill, et al.); and off Hatteras
July 23 (Brian Patteson, et al.). Also the two light phase birds reported off
Hatteras in October 1994 (Chat 59:101) should be considered as possibles,
not definites! The observers have pointed out that the viewing conditions and
distance were not very favorable for sure identification.

SHEARWATERS: The land based seabird watch from Cape Hatteras point
produced good numbers of shearwaters this spring. Peak counts on May 28
were 250+ Cory's, 10 Greaters, 284 Sooties, and up to six Manxs (Mike
Tove, et al. and Ned Brinkley, et al.)! Also from land was an early Sooty at
Cape Lookout April 27 (Paul Spitzer, fide John Fussell). The only offshore
Manx was one out of Hatteras May 27 (Brian Patteson, et al.). Observers
should be aware that both Manx and Audubon's can be seen from C. Hatteras
point in late spring and close scrutiny is needed to identify the two. Also
from land were the rarer sightings of a Greater in Winyah Bay, SC July 1
(Wendy and Dennis Allen, fide Jack Peachey) and an Audubon's in the surf
at Long Beach, NC July 30 (Ricky Davis).

WILSON'S STORM-PETREL: The peak count this spring from Cape Hatteras

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point was 350+ May 28 (Mike Tove, et al. and Ned Brinkley, et al.). A rare
report involved one in Winy ah Bay, SC July 1 (Ginger Ogbume-Mathews
and Rick Mathews, fide Jack Peachey).

LEACH'S STORM-PETREL: The peak offshore totals this spring were 25 off
Oregon Inlet (Mike Tove, et al.) and 40 off Hatteras (Brian Patteson, et al.),
both on May 29. From shore at C. Hatteras point, one was seen May 28
(Brinkley, et al.), and two were there May 29 (Ricky Davis, et al.).

BAND-RUMPED STORM-PETREL: The best one-day totals were off Hatteras
with 24 on May 27 and 25 on July 22 (Brian Patteson, et al.). Numbers were
about average on all other spring and summer trips.

WHITE-TAILED TROPICBIRD: Starting with the late spring pelagic trips,
Tropicbirds were found with unusual regularity in North Carolina waters! At
least 16 White-taileds were seen on trips spanning May 28-July 30 (Brian
Patteson, et al. and Armas Hill, et al.). Peak one-day counts of four(!) were
had on July 16 and 30 off Hatteras (B. Patteson). Does this mean the species
is doing well compared to past years?

RED-BILLED TROPICBIRD: This Tropicbird also caused much excitement with
more reports than usual. One adult was off Oregon Inlet May 29 (Mike Tove,
et al.), a sub-adult was off Hatteras on the same day (Brian Patteson, et al.),
an adult was found off Hatteras July 9 (B. Patteson, et al.), and an immature
was also off Hatteras July 29 (B. Patteson, et al.). This species is definitely
increasing in our waters over the last several years.

MASKED BOOBY: The only reports this summer were one adult off Oregon Inlet
July 24 and one sub-adult off Hatteras July 30 (Brian Patteson, et al.).

BROWN BOOBY: After the flurry of sightings last year, it was hoped that there
would be a repeat this summer. Not the case, since only the near-adult that
flew by Cape Hatteras point May 29 (Ricky Davis, et al.) was the only one
reported this year.

AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN: In North Carolina individuals were found near
Frisco March 7 (Brian Van Druten), Cape Hatteras July 5 (sev. ob.), and
Wain wright I., Core Sound during June and July (Trip Dennis).

ANHINGA: Some North Carolina Coastal Plain reports included two pairs
probably nesting along the Roanoke River near Windsor, Bertie County May
9 (Merrill Lynch) for a new breeding locality far upstream; one at Holly
Shelter along the Northeast Cape Fear River, Pender County May 4 (Harry
LeGrand, Bruce Sorrie); and one at Merchants Millpond, Gates County June
2-22 (Floyd Williams, fide Scott Hartley).

MAGNIFICENT FRIGATEBIRD: This year saw an explosion in Frigatebird
reports! In North Carolina one was photographed while perched on a piling in
Back Sound, Carteret County June 2 (Trip Dennis, Phil Spivey); one was
rare offshore out of Oregon Inlet June 4 (Armas Hill, et al.); two different
birds were at Figure Eight Island June 13 (Ann Carter) and June 24 (Derb
Carter); and two were seen at Ocracoke July 11 (Barbara McCaffrey, fide
Todd Hass). In South Carolina one was at Huntington Beach State Park in
early June (Heathy Walker). What in the world was causing this many
Frigatebirds to wander north this season?

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67

AMERICAN BITTERN: Rare inland spring records included one at Mason Farm,
Chapel Hill, NC April 15 (Haven Wiley); one at Santee N.W.R., SC April 9
(Robin Carter, Caroline Eastman); and one in the mountains at Price Park,
Blowing Rock, NC in May (Haven Wiley, Todd Hass, Jeremy Hyman, et
ah).

LEAST BITTERN: One was heard calling from an impoundment with poor
habitat in Holly Shelter, Pender County, NC on May 26 (Harry LeGrand) for
an unusual report.

GREAT'WHITE" HERON: The North Pond, Pea Island N.W.R., NC bird was still
present throughout the spring and summer. This individual, which appeared
last summer, seems quite content to remain here for as long as possible.

YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON: The Winston-Salem, NC breeding
population this year consisted of three pairs, with all nestings successfully
fledging young in May (Ramona Snavely, et al.). Also three were at the NC
54 impoundment near Chapel Hill, NC June 3 (Doug Shadwick), but no
nesting was confirmed.

GREAT EGRET: This species was reported wandering in good numbers this
summer, especially to the west. The best counts received were 22 near the
Pacolet River, Polk County, NC June 25 (Simon Thompson) and 18 near the
Yadkin River, west of Winston-Salem, NC June 30 (Royce Hough, fide R.
Snavely).

SNOWY EGRET: A rare spring report inland was of one near RDU airport. Wake
County, NC April 21 (Sam Cooper).

REDDISH EGRET: This species continues to increase in the Carolinas, with
numerous reports every year. The highlights included an early adult at
Portsmouth, NC May 16 (Brian Warson, fide Steve Dinsmore); a rare white
phase individual on Shackleford Banks, Carteret County, NC July 4 (Trip
Dennis); and high counts of three at Huntington Beach State Park, SC July
2-17 (sev. ob.) and Portsmouth, NC in July (Trip Dennis).

CATTLE EGRET: In North Carolina Cattle Egrets turned up to the west with
singles in Transylvania County April 24 and June 25 (Bill and Norma
Siebenheller) and Henderson County May 28 (Simon Thompson); and two at
Slick Rock, Transylvania County July 7 (Nancy Iha, fide N. Siebenheller).

WHITE IBIS: Rare summer wanderers in the western part of the Carolinas, one
immature was a surprise near Traphill, Wilkes County, NC June 24 & 25
(Jeff Beane).

GLOSSY IBIS: One was inland at Santee N.W.R., SC April 24 for a rare spring
report (Robin Carter, Caroline Eastman).

ROSEATE SPOONBILL: Reports of this species in the Carolinas are always
noteworthy. A total of three was at the southern end of Hilton Head Island,
SC July 16 - August 3 (Graham Dugas, et al.) for one of the best counts in
recent years.

WOOD STORK: A locally unusual and quite early Stork was found near Lake
Marion, SC April 1 by Robin Carter. Also the Sunset Beach, NC summering
population was on time in arriving and 30+ were found July 31 (Ricky
Davis).

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MUTE SWAN: An individual of this species showed up at North Pond, Pea
Island N.W.R., NC in mid-June and remained throughout the summer (m.
ob.). Where did this bird come from?

GREEN-WINGED TEAL: A female was at Santee N.W.R., SC May 29 for a late
spring report (Robin Carter, Caroline Eastman).

CINNAMON TEAL: The male near Sneads Ferry, NC, present from the winter,
was last reported March 19 (Harry LeGrand, et al.).

BLACK DUCK: Locally unusual breeding records included nestings near Sneads
Ferry, NC for the second year in a row (Nell Moore) and at the Bethel, NC
Sewage Lagoons in May and June (Ricky Davis).

REDHEAD: A good spring total for a western locality was the 16 at Deerlake,
Brevard, NC March 4-5 (fide Norma Siebenheller).

SCOTERS: Late scoters involved three Blacks at the Cedar Island, NC ferry
terminal May 30 (Buck and Linda Cooper) and a male Surf near Southport,
NC June 10 (Doris Kingdon, Walker Golder, et al.).

COMMON MERGANSER: Good spring reports were a female at Landsford State
Park, Lancaster County, SC March 19 (Robin Carter, Caroline Eastman); a
female at Lake Wanteska, Transylvania County, NC March 27 (Dick
Thorsell, fide N. Siebenheller) providing a first county record; and a male at
Jordan Lake, NC on a spring count May 7 (Doug Shadwick, Henry Link, et
al.).

RED-BREASTED MERGANSER: In North Carolina late birds included six on
the Jordan Lake Spring Count May 7 (fide Will Cook) and three at Lake
Townsend near Greensboro May 13 (Herb Hendrickson, Peggy Ferebee).

RUDDY DUCK: Summering birds were again found at several North Carolina
spots. These areas included the Goldsboro Sewage Lagoons (Ricky Davis),
Lake Pinehurst (Dick Burk), and near Sneads Ferry (Nell Moore). No
evidence of nesting was obtained this summer, although this species often
nests in August and September.

OSPREY: Some of the more unusual breeding season reports included a nest in
Guilford County, NC built on a power line tower which was located over a
mile away from a lake (Herb Hendrickson). Also two individuals were way
out west at Franklin, NC July 1-4 (Harry LeGrand). Were these birds nesting
nearby or just early migrants?

AMERICAN S WALLOW -TAILED KITE: Spring migrant overshoots in North
Carolina were well-reported this spring. Two were at Buxton April 19
(Marcia Lyons) and May 14 (Keith Andre) while singles were at Pea Island
April 22 (Dave Kaminski), Ft. Fisher April 29 (Chris Eley), Pea Island May
7 (P. Bronskill), Grandy, Currituck County May 19 (Ned Brinkley, Randall
Moore, Mary Gustafson), Newport, Carteret County May 29 (Jack Fennell,
fide John Fussell), and Ocracoke May 30 (Leto Copeley). In South Carolina
the best report was of 14 along the North Santee River, Georgetown County
April 22 (Robin Carter, Caroline Eastman).

MISSISSIPPI KITE: Reports of this species continue to increase. Spring reports
included three at Bodie Island, NC May 21 (Ned Brinkley, Mike O'Brien,
Randall Moore); one in mainland Dare County, NC May 8 (Adam Kelly,

Spring 1996

69

fide John Fussell); one at Raven Rock State Park, NC May 13 (Harry
LeGrand, Jeff Pippen); and three in Roanoke Rapids, NC May 20 (Merrill
Lynch). Summer reports of interest were a pair nesting at Silver Bluff
Sanctuary, Jackson, SC May 7 (Anne Waters); a pair near Exum, Brunswick
County, NC June 16 with no nesting evidence noted (Rick Murray); two
immatures near Tryon, NC July 6- August (Simon Thompson, m. ob.)
providing a first county record with possible breeding nearby; and one over
the Cape Fear River, Columbus-Brunswick county line July 27 (Sam
Cooper) being locally rare. The highlight of the summer had to have been
North Carolina's first documented nesting of the species at Laurinburg (Mary
Jane Wells, Hal Broadfoot, sev. ob.). Photos were obtained of the nest and
the young in the act of fledging!

NORTHERN HARRIER: Locally rare and late was one at Bear Trail Ridge,
Great Balsam Mountains, NC May 6 (Haven Wiley, et al.). Also one was
late near York, SC May 16 (Robin Carter, Steve Patterson). More nesting
evidence was observed in North Carolina where a newly fledged bird was
found at Oregon Inlet in July (Wendy Donoghue-Stratten). An individual at
Hatteras July 23 (Russ and Patricia Tyndall) was most likely a locally
breeding bird also.

SHARP-SHINNED HAWK: A pair apparently nested for the second year in a row
near Southern Pines, NC (Harry LeGrand, Mac Goodwin, Tom Howard,
Bryce Fleming) where they were seen in June and July. Single birds were
found at Wake Forest, NC July 3 (Russ and Patricia Tyndall) and in
Buncombe County, NC July 5-6 (Len Pardue) but no breeding evidence was
noted.

COOPER'S HAWK: The Cooper's Hawk is found more often in summer than the
preceding species. This year there was an amazing five different documented
nests in the Forsyth County, NC area (Lloyd Ramsey, Ramona Snavely, m
ob.). All five nests fledged young successfully! Other reports of note were a
pair courting along the Lynches River, Florence County, SC April 22 (Robin
Carter, Caroline Eastman); an adult with young near Glen Cannon,
Transylvania County, NC July 7 (Bill and Norma Siebenheller); two different
birds in Cherokee County, SC June 13 (Lex Glover); one near York, SC June
14 (Lex Glover); one at Smithfield, NC June 17 (Scott Hartley); and one
near Charleston, SC July 3 (Simon Thompson).

BROAD-WINGED HAWK: The migrating flock of 13 Broad- wingeds over Bodie
Island, NC May 21 (Ned Brinkley, Mike O'Brien, Randall Moore) provided a
rare Outer Banks report. Also of note was the Broad-winged which spent the
summer at Cedar Island, NC (Trip Dennis). This species is extremely local
and rare in the coastal plain in summer.

ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK: The Rough-legged seen near Jefferson, Ashe County,
NC March 11-12 (Paul Bailey, fide James Coman) was probably the same
bird seen to the east at Piney Creek, Alleghany County, NC March 19
(James Coman). Whether one or two birds were involved, this is still a very
rare record for the mountains.

GOLDEN EAGLE: The only sightings of this eagle were in the mountains of

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North Carolina in Transylvania County. One adult was at Lake Wanteska
June 12 (Dick Thorsell, fide N. Siebenheller), an immature was near Calvert
July 3 (Ules Bryson, fide N. Siebenheller), and an adult was at Glen Cannon
July 9 (Bill and Norma Siebenheller).

AMERICAN KESTREL: It is important to keep track of breeding season reports
of this species in the Carolinas. One pair nested near Southern Pines, NC in
May (Harry LeGrand, Bryce Fleming) but the attempt apparently failed. A
pair nested at Roanoke Rapids Lake, NC for the second year in a row (Frank
Enders); a pair fledged two young in downtown Carrboro, NC in June (Merrill
Lynch); and a family group of three were seen at the Cherry Hospital,
Goldsboro, NC (Eric Dean). Single birds at Durham, NC June 3 (Esther
Pardue) and Conway, SC June 26 (Jack Peachey) could have been part of
locally nesting pairs.

MERLIN: Late spring birds included singles at Huntington Beach State Park, SC
May 9 (Jack Peachey); and in the Tryon, Polk County, NC area May 6 and
1 1 (Simon Thompson) for a rare inland spring record.

PEREGRINE FALCON: Rare North Carolina piedmont records included an
individual near Cary March 10 (Mike Tove) and another at Jordan Lake
April 30 (Ricky Davis) and May 6 (Chris Eley). Coastal Peregrines were one
at James Island, Charleston County, SC May 1 (Robin Carter, Caroline
Eastman) and one at Pea Island, NC on the absurdly late date of May 26
(Mike Tove, et al.). North Carolina mountain breeding sites continue to do
well with Whiteside, Looking Glass Rock, and Panthertail Mountain being
occupied by two to four birds (Betty Me II wain).

YELLOW RAIL: The only spring reports involved birds heard at Santee Coastal
Reserve, SC April 4 and 22 (Jack Peachey) and Santee N.W.R., SC April 9
(Robin Carter, Caroline Eastman).

CLAPPER RAIL: One was found along a fresh water pond in the Green Swamp,
Brunswick County, NC April 29 by Jeff Pippen and Roger McNeill. The bird
seemed tired and must have been a grounded migrant.

PURPLE GALLINULE: One was found in Macrary pond, Wilmington, NC April
17 (Trip Dennis, sev. ob.), an unusual spot for this species.

AMERICAN COOT: One in Horry County, SC May 27 (Rick Murray) was late
but two spending the summer near Sneads Ferry, NC (Nell Moore) were
quite unusual.

WILSON'S PLOVER: Good numbers arrived early in Carteret County, NC with
50 at Bird Shoal, Beaufort Inlet March 25 and 50 at Bogue Inlet March 27
(John Fussell). Also one at the salt flats of Pea Island N.W.R., NC May 21
(Ned Brinkley, Mike O'Brien, Randall Moore) was definitely out of place in
an unusual habitat and location.

SEMI-PALMATED PLOVER: The only inland spring migrant reported was one at
Ecusta, Transylvania County, NC May 9 (Bill and Norma Siebenheller), a
first county record.

PIPING PLOVER: John Fussell observed one at Bird Shoal, Beaufort Inlet, NC
March 25 that had been color-banded as an adult in North Dakota in 1986.
This bird has returned to Bird Shoal every year since 1988 and must be

Spring 1996

71

pushing 10 years of age!

AMERICAN OYSTERCATCHER: Two adults were found on the shore of Lake
Blalock, Spartanburg County, SC March 15 (Jack Turner, fide Lyle
Campbell). This species is extremely rare away from salt water and
amazingly this was the state's second inland record; the first being two in
Barnwell County in November 1972!

BLACK-NECKED STILT: Five were locally rare in a field near Lake
Mattamuskeet, NC June 10 (Kelly Davis).

LESSER YELLOWLEGS: Two were in Transylvania County, NC February 9-11
(m. ob., fide Norma Siebenheller) for a very rare late winter-early spring
report.

SOLITARY SANDPIPER: Two at Bear Island, SC March 13 (Robin Carter,
Caroline Eastman) were quite early as spring migrants.

WELLET: This species is a rare migrant inland, especially in spring. Thus of note
was one at Hagan Stone Park near Greensboro, NC April 26 (Henry Link,
fide Herb Hendrickson).

UPLAND SANDPIPER: One at the Cape Hatteras campground April 19 (Pat
Moore, Betty Rahn, Sammy Walters) provided a rare spring coastal report.
Numbers of fall migrants seemed to be down this summer with the best count
being 10 at the Orangeburg Sod Farm, SC July 8 (Lex Glover, Mike Turner).

MARBLED GODWIT: The report of 20 at Shackleford Banks, Carteret County,
NC on June 20 (Trip Dennis) was impressive for the number of birds seen at
that time of the summer.

RUDDY TURNSTONE: The only inland report was of one at Falls Lake, NC
May 9 (Ricky Davis).

SANDERLING: One on the Jordan Lake, NC spring count May 7 (Jim Keighton,
et al., fide Will Cook) was also the only one reported inland.

WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER: Inland White-rumpeds included two at a Catfish
pond near Greenville, NC May 13 (Frank Enders) and four at Santee N.W.R.,
SC early to mid-May (Dennis Forsythe, Robin Carter, Caroline Eastman).

BAIRD'S SANDPIPER: A very rare summer report involved an adult at North
Pond, Pea Island N.W.R., NC July 21 (Todd Hass). Almost all individuals of
this species seen in the Carolinas are young birds in August through
September.

CURLEW SANDPIPER: As usual, the North Carolina Outer Banks was the best
place to find this species. This summer the only report involved from one to
two birds at North Pond, Pea Island N.W.R. July 31 to early August (m. ob.).

RUFF: A rare spring report was of the Reeve at the salt flats of Pea Island
N.W.R., NC May 20 (Bob Holmes, Wade Fuller, Ken and Graham Wilkins).

SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER: This species is a rare inland spring migrant,
thus of note was the amazing flock of 30 found along the Lattimore Road,
Cleveland County, NC May 14 (Jo Ann Martin). This is probably a record
inland spring total, especially that far west in the Carolinas.

AMERICAN WOODCOCK: Two breeding season records were obtained this
year. Two broods flushed at Mason Farm, Chapel Hill, NC April 27 (Haven
Wiley) provided a first nesting record for the Farm. A nest with four eggs was

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found at the Webb Wildlife Center, Hampton County, SC March 7 (Lex
Glover, Amy Armstrong) for a very rare coastal plain breeding record.

WILSON'S PHALAROPE: The only summer report was of two at the salt flats.
Pea Island N.W.R., NC July 22 by Russ and Patricia Tyndall.

RED-NECKED PHALAROPE: Rare onshore reports in North Carolina included
one at Pea Island N.W.R. May 20 and 21 (Wade Fuller, Bob Holmes, Ken
Wilkins, Dwight Cooley) and another there July 23 (Haven Wiley).

RED PHALAROPE: The only reports offshore were of 50 south of Beaufort Inlet,
NC March 17 (John Fussell) and six off Charleston, SC April 15 (Robin
Carter, Caroline Eastman).

POMARINE JAEGER: The peak spring count from Cape Hatteras point was 13
on May 28 (Mike Tove, et al. and Ned Brinkley, et al.).

PARASITIC JAEGER: This species was also recorded from Cape Hatteras point
May 28 (M. Tove, et al. and N. Brinkley, et al.) with a good total of eight
being counted.

LONG-TAILED JAEGER: Onshore reports at Cape Hatteras point included two
May 28 (M. Tove, et al. and N. Brinkley, et al.), four May 29 (Ricky Davis,
et al.), and one on June 1 (David Osborn, et al.). A Long-tailed found 65
miles off Murrell's Inlet, SC on June 4 (Jack Peachey, Tonya Spires, Paul
Rodgers) provided a very rare report; about only the third record for the state!

SOUTH POLAR SKUA: This species was seen from Cape Hatteras point several
times this spring. Two were there May 29 (R. Davis, et al.), one was seen on
June 1 (David Osborn, et al.), and two were there again on June 6 (Trip
Dennis). Offshore reports included two May 27 and one May 29 off Oregon
Inlet (Mike Tove, et al.); and two May 27, one May 28, and one July 30, all
off Hatteras (B. Patteson, et al.).

LAUGHING GULL: The only inland spring report received was of one adult at
Lake Townsend, near Greensboro, NC May 13 (Herb Hendrickson, Peggy
Ferebee).

LITTLE GULL: Early spring sightings were four to six different birds in the Cape
Hatteras area March 4 (Will Cook, Julia Shields, Chris Eley) and three there
March 12 (Bob Lewis, Ned Brinkley, Joe Swertinski). Also the bird found in
the Murrell's Inlet, SC area in winter was last seen March 4 by Robin Carter
and Caroline Eastman.

CALIFORNIA GULL: This species was still being seen in the Cape Hatteras
area in March with singles there March 5 and 7 (Will Cook, Julia Shields,
Chris Eley, Brian Van Druten).

THAYER'S GULL: At Cape Hatteras an adult was seen March 4 (Will Cook,
Julia Shields, Chris Eley) and March 7 (Brian Van Druten) while an
immature was found March 14 (Bob Lewis).

ICELAND GULL: An adult and immature were in the myriad of gulls at Cape
Hatteras March 12 (Bob Lewis, Ned Brinkley, Joe Swertinski).

LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL: This species was in excellent (up to 40!)
numbers in the Cape Hatteras area this winter and early spring. A highlight
was the discovery of an individual of the intermedius race at Frisco March
14 (Bob Lewis). This very dark-backed form is rare on this side of the

Spring 1996

73

Atlantic with only a couple of previous North American records.

GLAUCOUS GULL: One at Cape Hatteras March 4 (Will Cook, Julia Shields,
Chris Eley) was probably present from the winter season. Much rarer was the
one found in the lower Cape Fear River March 17 by Trip Dennis.

CASPIAN TERN: The peak one-day total for an inland area this spring was 22 at
Jordan Lake, NC April 15 (Len Pardue, Mike Schultz, et al.).

ROYAL TERN: One was found at Falls Lake, NC on June 23 by Ricky Davis
and Giff Beaton. This species is extremely rare away from salt water and
inland records are usually due to storm transport. What was this individual
doing at Falls Lake when there was not any storm activity during that time?

"CAYENNE" TERN: For the second year in a row, an individual of this form
(species?) was found in North Carolina. One was photographed off Oregon
Inlet on July 31 while perched on a radio tower (Brian Patteson, et al.).

ROSEATE TERN: This species made a good showing at Cape Hatteras this
spring. There were from two to five different birds at the point May 21-30 (m.
ob.).

ARCTIC TERN: The peak total this spring was 11 off of Oregon Inlet, NC May
29 (Mike Tove, et al.).

COMMON TERN: Three were at Falls Lake, NC July 19 (Jonathan Steere, fide
Will Cook) for the only inland report this summer.

FORSTER'S TERN: Singles were at Jordan Lake, NC May 7 (Jim Keighton, et
al., fide Will Cook) and June 23 (Ricky Davis, Giff Beaton).

LEAST TERN: Inland records of this tern are rare, thus of interest were one at
the Bethel, NC sewage lagoons June 25 (Ricky Davis) and six east of
Ay den, NC July 30 (Russ and Patricia Tyndall).

BRIDLED TERN: Two off of Hatteras, NC May 20 (Brian Patteson, et al.) were
considered to be early. The peak one-day total on a pelagic trip this summer
was 14 off of Hatteras July 22 (B. Patteson, et al.).

SOOTY TERN: This species is now regular in late spring and summer at Cape
Hatteras, NC. This year one was first seen May 1 1 (Brian Patteson) and up
to four birds were there in late May. One to two did hang around all summer
with one attending a nest, although no eggs or young were reported. Another
Sooty was attending a nest on Cedar Hammock Island, Back Sound, Carteret
County, NC May 25 (Trip Dennis).

BLACK SKIMMER: One was found dead on the Lake Mattamuskeet, NC
causeway in early July (fide Kelly Davis) for a locally unusual report.

RAZORBILL: A Razorbill was found at Cape Lookout, NC on the very late date
of April 17 (Paul Spitzer, fide John Fussell). Also a large alcid sp. was seen
15 miles southeast of Charleston, SC April 15 (Robin Carter, Caroline
Eastman) for another late record.

EURASIAN COLLARED-DOVE: A new South Carolina location (other than the
Myrtle Beach spot) for this species was found when two were at Bennett's
Point, Colleton County April 23 (Robin Carter, Caroline Eastman) and May
13 (Tim Kalbach). In North Carolina, one was at a Wilmington feeder for a
week in mid-May (Greg Massey, Sam Cooper).

COMMON GROUND-DOVE: One at Darlington, Halifax County, NC March 20

74

The Chat Vol.60

(fide Frank Enders) provided an extremely rare inland record for that state.
Also one seen on Figure Eight Island, NC June 24 (Derb Carter) gives hope
to the idea that there may still be some breeding in North Carolina.

BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO: Black-billeds had a much better than average spring
migration in the Carolinas this year. There were reports from the mountains
to the coast. Some of the more interesting records were up to three at
Jackson Park, Hendersonville, NC May 6-11 (Simon Thompson, Wayne
Forsythe) and one seen and heard at Santee N.W.R., SC on the early date of
April 24 (Robin Carter, Caroline Eastman).

SHORT-EARED OWL: Spring reports included one at the Beaufort County, NC
VOA site March 4 (Lex Glover, Nell and Jimi Moore) and one at Santee
N.W.R., SC April 9 (Robin Carter, Caroline Eastman).

LONG-EARED OWL: The birds found at the Beaufort County, NC VOA site in
late February were last seen March 5 (Wade Fuller, Larry Crawford).

SAW-WHET OWL: Good reports included five heard calling along the Blue
Ridge Parkway near Mt. Mitchell June 10 (Russ and Patricia Tyndall) and
the sighting of a juvenal bird north of Devil's Courthouse July 29 by Eric
Dean.

ALDER FLYCATCHER: A new breeding season locality was found July 14
along Roaring Creek in northern Avery County, NC (Harry LeGrand). Four
birds were singing in this spot which is only a couple of miles from the Roan
Mountain population.

WILLOW FLYCATCHER: A rare spring coastal report was of one seen and
heard calling at Pea Island N.W.R., NC May 21 (Ned Brinkley, Mike
O'Brien, Randall Moore).

GRAY KINGBIRD: The only one found this spring was at Battery Island near
Southport, NC June 10 (Doris Kingdon, Walker Golder, et al.).

EASTERN KINGBIRD: An individual of this species was quite early when seen
in Transylvania County, NC March 31 by Jennifer Wren.

HORNED LARK: A very rare local report involved one in Transylvania County,
NC April 30 (Jennifer Wren, Betty Mcllwain). Also eight singing in an area
near Royal, Beaufort County, NC during May (Sam Cooper) was a good
number that far east.

TREE SWALLOW: This species has been increasing as a breeder in North
Carolina for several years now. The sixteen pairs breeding in bluebird boxes
in the Piney Creek, Alleghany County area this summer (James Coman)
might be a record count for one area.

BANK SWALLOW: One at the Cedar Island, NC ferry terminal May 26 -29
(John Fussell) was hanging around the old ship with all the holes. Who
knows, a pair was seen here several years ago! Also the presence of up to ten
Banks in the Mills River, Henderson County, NC area during June and July
(Simon Thompson, sev. ob.) led to speculation about local breeding.

CAVE SWALLOW: One adult was reported from Bodie Island Lighthouse Pond
on North Carolina's Outer Banks May 19 (Ned Brinkley, Randall Moore).
Sightings of this species seem to be increasing, this one following the
individual near Sneads Ferry, NC in March!

Spring 1996

75

COMMON RAVEN: Outside the normal range were two nests in Forsyth County,
NC which successfully fledged young (Ramona Snavely, et al.). Other
interesting Raven reports in North Carolina included one at Saluda and three
at Chimney Rock Park on May 12 (Simon Thompson) and a good count of
nine at Piney Creek, Alleghany County Aug. 4 (James Coman).

RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH: This species was found at Burrell's Ford,
Oconee County, SC June 18 (Dennis and Donna Forsythe) where a pair was
seen. There is still no definitive nesting evidence for this bird in the state.

GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLET: More potential breeding evidence for South
Carolina was obtained when a pair was seen feeding young at Walhalla
Hatchery, Oconee County June 17 (fide Dennis Forsythe). Also a singing
male was observed at Burrell's Ford, Oconee County July 18 (Dennis and
Donna Forsythe). A nest of this species still has not been found in the state!

MARSH WREN: Locally rare spring transients were individuals at Brevard, NC
May 3 and Jackson Park, Hendersonville, NC May 7 (Simon Thompson).

BEWICK'S WREN: Exciting were two records of this very rare wren in the
Carolinas this spring. One was near Clarkton, Bladen County, NC April 2 and
again on May 14 (Tom and Amy Padgett, fide Harry LeGrand) when it was
banded!. Another Bewick's spent time in a brushpile in northern Greenville
County, SC (Robin Carter, Caroline Eastman). The bird was found May 14
and was seen again there later in the summer! These two occurrences give
one hope that this species could possibly return in the east.

SWAINSON'S THRUSH: Three at North Pond, Pea Island N.W.R., NC May 15
(Mike and Lois Schultz) was a good spring count for that coastal locality.

HERMIT THRUSH: The Mount Mitchell, NC area hosted good numbers of this
thrush during the summer. Two were singing June 11 (Russ and Patricia
Tyndall) and an amazing seven were heard June 30 (Simon Thompson).

WOOD THRUSH: One at Ft. Jackson, Richland County, SC was early March 21
(Lex Glover).

GRAY CATBIRD: The count of 20+ at Jackson Park, Hendersonville, NC May 7
(Simon Thompson) was impressive for spring migration.

LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE: A rare mountain occurrence was provided by one
Loggerhead at Sussex, Ashe County, NC July 15 (Harry LeGrand, Tom
Howard). Local nesting was possible since it was too early for a fall migrant.

SOLITARY VIREO: One was locally rare as a migrant at Pea Island N.W.R., NC
May 16 (Mike and Lois Schultz).

YELLOW-THROATED VIREO: A locally rare spring migrant was at Pea Island
N.W.R., NC May 16 (Mike and Lois Schultz). Early spring transients
included individuals in Colleton County, SC March 12 (Robin Carter,
Caroline Eastman) and at Ft. Jackson, Richland County, SC March 16 (Lex
Glover).

BLACK-WHISKERED VIREO: North Carolina's fourth (and second in two
years!) was found one day only in Beaufort, Carteret County May 6 (Trip
Dennis). Is a pattern starting to develop for this species as a spring overshoot
migrant in North Carolina?

WARBLING VIREO: A singing Warbling was found in Congaree Swamp

76

The Chat Vol.60

National Monument, SC on the very early date of April 23 (Dan and Ila
Svingen). The extralimital population at Santee N.W.R., SC continued with
the presence of one to two singing birds there May 29 (Robin Carter,
Caroline Eastman). A locally very rare spring migrant was found at Pea
Island N.W.R., NC May 20 (Bob Holmes, Wade Fuller, Ken Wilkins).

PHILADELPHIA VIREO: One was a rare find in Greenville County, SC May 14
(Robin Carter, Caroline Eastman). Another one turned up at Pea Island
N.W.R., NC May 15 (Mike and Lois Schultz) for an extremely rare spring
record.

BLUE-WINGED WARBLER: An extremely early (migrant?) Blue-winged was
banded and photographed at Oriental, NC March 5 by the Foys. This is the
second year in a row that a Blue-winged has been at this site in late winter-
early spring!

TENNESSEE WARBLER: One was found at Pea Island N.W.R., NC May 15
(Mike and Lois Schultz), providing a very rare spring coastal report.

CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER: A male on territory was found at Caesar's Head
State Park, SC June 16 (Sid Gauthreaux, Carroll Belser, Bob and Barbara
Maxwell), the site of the only modern (1988-1989) nesting record for the
species in South Carolina.

MAGNOLIA WARBLER: A very late migrant was seen at Lansford Canal State
Park, Chester County, SC May 29 (Robin Carter, Caroline Eastman).

BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER: A female giving a distraction display
was noted on Sassafras Mt., Pickens County, SC June 17 (Dennis and Donna
Forsythe). This is of interest since nesting activity was last noted at this site
in the 30's. Caesar's Head State Park is the only recent breeding site known
in the state. One was a late migrant at Pea Island N.W.R., NC May 15 (Mike
and Lois Schultz).

BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER: Eighteen singing birds along a 1.5
mile stretch of road in mainland Dare County, NC were heard May 22 by
John Fussell. This population seems to be in good shape, while the Green
Swamp population in Columbus and Brunswick counties seems to be
declining somewhat.

PRAIRIE WARBLER: Another impressive count was the 109 Prairies on a Dare
County, NC BBS route May 24 (Merrill Lynch).

CERULEAN WARBLER: A lingering Cerulean was seen at Caesar's Head State
Park, SC May 20 (Robin Carter, Caroline Eastman, Lex Glover, Bob
Maxwell) and again on June 3 (Carter and Eastman). Nesting is possible
here as birds have been here in the breeding season in years past; although
no nest has been found yet. Also of note was the window-killed female found
at Winston-Salem, NC June 27 (H. Hopkins, fide Ramona Snavely). This
must have been a very early fall migrant as there are no known nesting sites
close by.

BLACK AND WHITE WARBLER: This species continues to breed locally in the
Coastal Plain of North Carolina with four in Dare County May 24 (Merrill
Lynch); a pair in southern Onslow County May 27 (Nell Moore); a male in
southern Duplin County June 3 (Nell Moore); and two birds in Brunswick

Spring 1996

77

County June 5 (Ricky Davis).

PROTHONOTARY WARBLER: Fussell counted 81 singing birds along 3.4 miles
of road in Dare County, NC June 2. This area seems to be very important for
breeding warblers and needs continued monitoring.

WORM-EATING WARBLER: The 23 tallied on a Dare County, NC BBS route
May 24 (Merrill Lynch) was quite impressive. Early was one in Dare County
April 6 (John Fussell).

OVENBIRD: This species also seems to be doing well in mainland Dare County,
NC with five singing birds June 19 (John Fussell) being a good count for the
outer Coastal Plain.

CONNECTICUT WARBLER: This rare migrant was found three times during the
spring migration. A male was at Jackson Park, Hendersonville, NC May 1 1
(Wayne Forsythe, fide Simon Thompson); a female was there May 13; and
one was found in Doughton Park, Alleghany County, NC May 13 (fide James
Coman).

MOURNING WARBLER: The only report came from Jackson Park,
Hendersonville, NC where on May 14 a male was seen by Simon Thompson.

WILSON'S WARBLER: A locally rare spring migrant was found at Pea Island
N.W.R., NC May 15 and 16 (Mike and Lois Schultz).

WESTERN TANAGER: One was at a feeder in Greenville, NC from January to
March 25 (fide Russ Tyndall).

BLUE GROSBEAK: One at Buxton, NC March 29 (Cape Hatteras Bird Club)
was either an early migrant or a locally wintering individual.

PAINTED BUNTING: Locally rare was an immature male inland at Richlands,
Onslow County, NC April 25-27 (Nell Moore).

DICKCISSEL: Spring reports included a pair near Waco, NC May 23 (Pat
Wilkison); a female at a feeder in North Charleston, SC April 26 (Carl
Broadwell, Robin Carter, Caroline Eastman); and three (one male, two
females) at the VOA-B site near Greenville, NC May 20 - June 8 (John and
Paula Wright). One of these birds was still present July 21, but no nest or
young were found during the summer.

BACHMAN'S SPARROW: A locally rare record was provided by a pair near
Thickety Creek Lake, Cherokee County, SC May 13 (Alan Rose, fide Lyle
Campbell).

LARK SPARROW: Up to four birds (including two singing and carrying food)
were found in Aiken County, SC June 8 and 9 (Lex Glover, Robin Carter,
Caroline Eastman, sev. ob.). This is the first good breeding evidence for Lark
Sparrow in the state.

CLAY-COLORED SPARROW: One was near Lone Star, Calhoun County, SC
March 25 (Caroline Eastman, Glover Englehardt); most likely a locally
wintering individual.

SAVANNAH SPARROW: In North Carolina territorial birds were found east of
West Jefferson, Ashe County May 21 (Harry LeGrand, Jeff Pippen) and near
Blowing Rock, Watauga County May 7 (Harry LeGrand). The Blowing Rock
bird might represent Watauga county's first breeding record.

HENSLOW'S SPARROW: The Henslow's populations at two VOA sites near

78

The Chat Vol.60

Greenville, NC were even larger than last year. John and Paula Wright
tallied 109 singing birds at VOA-A on May 27 and 91 singing birds at VOA-B
May 28. The importance of these sites to the species cannot be understated;
these populations must be the largest of any in the east. In the weird
department was the Henslow's found in a road in mainland Dare County, NC
May 15 (John Fussell). An obvious case of a grounded migrant with nowhere
suitable to go!

SHARP-TAILED SPARROW: Four (2 singing, 2 flushed) at the salt flats of Pea
Island N.W.R., NC May 21 and 30 (Ned Brinkley) were quite unexpected.
With one seen carrying a fecal sac, it seems certain that breeding occurred
here. This is the first good report of nesting evidence in the state.

LeCONTE'S SPARROW: From one to two were in a broomsedge field at Santee
N.W.R., SC March 5 (Robin Carter, Caroline Eastman) until early April
when Tim Kalbach heard them singing! Has the song been heard in the
Carolinas before?

DARK-EYED JUNCO: One was found in Ton Swamp, Francis Marion National
Forest, SC on the absurdly late date of June 10 (Sid Gauthreaux, Carroll
Belser).

BOBOLINK: Three pairs attempted to nest at a spot near Calvert, Transylvania
County, NC again this year, the second year in a row (m. ob., fide Norma
Siebenheller). Unfortunately, success this year was cut short due to mowing!
Also one to two males were seen at another site nearby on into July but no
breeding was noted (fide N. Siebenheller). In Ashe County, near Glendale
Springs, two males were seen June 4 (Will Cook) for another potential
breeding site.

SHINY COWBIRD: Reports included a male near Lone Star, Calhoun County,
SC March 25 (Robin Carter, Caroline Eastman); a male at the Cedar Island,
NC ferry terminal May 26 (John Fussell); and a pair was seen at Mt.
Pleasant, SC July 4 (Simon Thompson) with the male displaying in front of
the female. Is breeding of this species possible in the Carolinas?

NORTHERN "BALTIMORE" ORIOLE: This species had a better than average
spring migration in the Carolinas this year. Really late was a male singing at
Buxton, NC June 3 (Leto Copeley).

RED CROSSBILL: Excellent numbers of this species were found near Devil's
Courthouse, NC where 45 were seen June 9 by Russ and Patricia Tyndall.

Spring 1996

79

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OFFICERS

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Vice Presidents:

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Region I - Western North Carolina

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Headquarters Secretary

Tullie Johnson

SMITHSONIAN LIBRARIES
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Vol. 60

The Chat

SUMMER 1996

No. 3

CB®

Quarterly Bulletin of Carolina Bird Club, Inc.
The Ornithological Society of the Carolinas

THE CHAT

(USPS 101-020)

VOL60 SUMMER 1996 NO. 3

Published by the Carolina Bird Club, Inc.

Editor H. T. Hendrickson, Dept, of Biology, UNCG, Greensboro, NC 27412

General Field Notes Lynn Moseley, North Carolina Editor

Dennis M. Forsythe, South Carolina Editor
Briefs for the Files Ricky Davis, P.O. Box 277, Zebulon, NC 27597

Spring Count Editor Peggy V. Ferebee, Natural Science Center,

4301 Lawndale Dr., Greensboro, NC 27455
Editor Emeritus Eloise Pottter

THE CHAT (USPS 101-020) is published quarterly for $12.00 by the Carolina Bird Club, Inc., with
headquarters at the North Carolina State Museum of Natural Sciences, 102 N. Salisbury Street, Raleigh,
NC 27603. Second-class postage paid at Raleigh, NC.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Carolina Bird Club, THE CHAT, P. O. Box 29555, Raleigh, NC
27626-0555.

PAGE CHARGES: Authors who have funds available for page charges are requested to remit same at the
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CONTENTS

Orientation of Song Perches in a Piedmont Population of Northern Mockingbirds

(Mimus p. polyglottos). Michael J. Justice 81

1995. North American Spring Migration Count in North Carolina. Dennis E. Burnette . 88

General Field Notes

First Confirmed Nesting of Mississippi Kite in North Carolina.

Hal W. Broadfoot 105

Snowy Plover Observed at North Island, Georgetown County, South Carolina.

Bill Pulliam, Mark Spinks, Wendy Allen & Betsy Haskins 109

Briefs for the Files 114

cm

Orientation of Song Perches in a Piedmont Population
of Northern Mockingbirds ( Mimus p. polyg lottos )

MICHAEL J. JUSTK?E

INTRODUCTIO

eories

Free-living diurnal animals are often illuminated b]
of animal coloration have taken this into account. A prominent example is the
theory behind countershading color patterns (Thayer 1918). Briefly, if an animal is
uniformly colored and illuminated more strongly from one direction (as from the
sun), a brightness contrast is formed between the illuminated area and the shadowed
area. This brightness contrast makes the animal more visually detectable both
because it gives the animal a more round appearance (a photograph in Cott [1957]
gives an excellent demonstration of this) and because lateral inhibition in vertebrate
retinal cells perceptually enhances such light-dark contrasts. Countershading,
generally defined as reduced reflectivity on illuminated surfaces and enhanced
reflectivity on shadowed surfaces, allows an animal to effectively cancel out the
brightness contrast formed by its own shadows. As such, the animal appears more
uniform in brightness, which reduces conspicuousness. Countershaded color
patterns are so prevalent that any animal that exhibits them is typically assumed to
do so to in order to decrease its conspicuousness to potential predators or
competitors.

The orientation of a bird with regard to the sun is critical to the effectiveness of
countershading color patterns. The darker areas must face the sun and the lighter
areas must be shadowed. For a typical upright-perching passerine at midday, when
the sun is overhead, a darker dorsum and lighter ventrum would effectively
countershade. However, except for the hours around midday, the sun is nearer the
horizon and thus not illuminating from directly above. When the sun is near the
horizon, a perched bird with light underparts and dark upperparts facing away from
the sun would be countershaded in the classic sense because the darker dorsum is
illuminated and shadows are cast on the lighter ventrum. Facing the sun, however,
would increase its conspicuousness because its lighter ventrum is illuminated most
strongly while its darker dorsum is further darkened by shadowing.

Northern Mockingbirds ( Mimus polyglottos ) have gray upperparts and white
underparts. By orienting toward the sun, mockingbirds increase the intensity of the
illumination on their highly reflective underparts and cast a strong shadow on their
more- absorptive upperparts. To humans, the brightness of the breast feathers is
very noticeable and the bird takes on a very plump appearance when it is facing the
sun. In addition, the dorso ventral contrast is enhanced, which may make the bird
more noticeable from the side. In contrast, by orienting away from the sun, the
dark upperparts are illuminated and a shadow is cast on the light underparts, which
decreases the dorsoventral brightness contrast and also presumably decreases the
detectability of the bird. To humans, the bird looks almost uniformly light gray in

Summer 1996

81

such lighting and somewhat flatter in profile; against a background of vegetation
the bird is typically more difficult for humans to locate when facing away from the
sun (personal observation).

During the breeding season (mid-March through mid- July), male mockingbirds
generally begin singing at or before dawn and sing through approximately 1200hr,
and again from about 1600hr through dusk (personal observation; Derrickson &
Breitwisch 1992). Note that very little singing is performed when the sun is
overhead. Rather, virtually all singing is done when the sun is nearer the horizon.
Unmated males sing far more than mated males (Merritt 1985), while females do
not sing during the breeding season.

The bulk of the data collected thus far indicates that male mockingbird song
functions primarily in mate attraction (reviewed in Derrickson and Breitwisch
1992). Although occasionally observed singing from the ground, most song
perches are out in the open and rather high, typically above 5m and often above
10m (personal observation; Derrickson and Breitwisch 1992). Many perform flight
displays, in which they spiral straight up approximately 1 - 3m and spiral down to
the same or a nearby perch. This display exposes their white wing patches, which
may be involved in male-female communication (Justice and Justice 1995).
Presumably these behaviors make the male more detectable to potential females.
Males' detectability to females may be further enhanced through combining their
countershading color pattern with a particular orientation. If mockingbirds orient so
as to maximize their visual detectability while singing, then one would
hypothesize a trend toward facing the sun while singing.

Alternatively, mockingbirds may decrease their conspicuousness while singing
in order to avoid predators which may have detected the song. This hypothesis
makes the opposite prediction of the one above, namely that male mockingbirds
should face away from the sun when they sing. They may sing from exposed
perches for other reasons, such as acoustic benefits, while trying to remain as
visually inconspicuous as possible and performing flight displays only when no
predators have been detected.

A third hypothesis is that perch orientation is dictated more by physiological
thermoregulation than by communicative signalling (Butcher & Rohwer 1989).
Darker surface areas tend to absorb electromagnetic radiation (EMR) from the sun
while lighter areas are more reflective. Thus, mockingbirds may face the sun at
warmer temperatures in order to reflect EMR with their white underparts, and face
away from the sun at cooler temperatures in order to absorb heat from incident
EMR.

There may be, of course, numerous additional factors which affect a
mockingbird's orientation during song, most notably the location of detected
potential mates, and thus variability in orientation is expected. The purpose of the
present study was to determine whether mockingbird orientation during song
exhibits either 1) a tendency to face toward the sun, as predicted by the
"conspicuousness hypothesis," 2) a tendency to face away from the sun, as

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predicted by the "crypsis hypothesis," or 3) a tendency to face the sun at warmer
temperatures and to face away from the sun at cooler temperatures, as predicted by
the "thermoregulation hypothesis."

METHODS

Subjects. The mockingbirds used in this study were from a population of
approximately 60-70 wild mockingbirds residing on the 72-hectare suburban
residential campus of The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (36°N
79°W). The study population is male-biased. Accordingly, about 15% of the males
in this population were unmated during the study, which was performed during the
breeding season of 1995. Each male in the population was sampled 1-3 times.

Measuring Orientation with Regard to the Sun. To measure the direction the
mockingbird was facing with regard to the sun, a 180° protractor was photocopied
twice onto a sheet of paper in mirror images (forming a circle from the two 180°
arcs) and a rotatable arrow was attached to the center of the circle. Upon observing a
singing mockingbird, the protractor was held horizontally and 0° was pointed at the
sun. The arrow was then rotated until it was parallel to an imaginary line which
would be perpendicular to a line tangent to the center of the bird’s breast (Figure 1).
The angle, in degrees, was then read from the protractor and recorded. Thus, a bird
directly facing the sun would score 0°, a bird facing directly away from the sun
would score 180°, while all other positions would score somewhere in between.
The temperature was also recorded. Mating status, where known, was determined
through field notes from routine monitoring of the population.

Criteria for data collection. Three criteria for data collection were established so
that the hypotheses could be tested properly. First, the sunlight had to be strongly
directional. With extensive cloud cover the resulting diffused light would fail to
illuminate the bird strongly from any one direction, and thus would not providing
the directional light needed to take advantage of countershading coloration. Thus,
no data were collected 1) when the extent of the cloud cover prevented objects from
casting well-defined shadows, 2) before the sun had fully risen, and 3) after the sun
began to set. Second, the sun needed to be near the horizon. When the sun is
directly above, the bird would have to adopt a very unnatural posture in order to
face its ventrum toward the sun. Thus, no data were collected between llOOhrand
1600hr. Third, the bird had to be perched out in the open. On several occasions
mockingbirds were heard singing from within trees and shrubs. However, the focus
of the study was how mockingbirds orient themselves when they are out in the
open and in directional sunlight, and thus no data were collected if any part of the
bird was in the shadow of another object.

Sampling Procedure. Initially, the sampling procedure was simply to use any
male that was heard singing during the course of routine monitoring of the
population. Fifty-five data points were collected in this way. However, the lack of
a definite sampling procedure in this initial phase may have produced biases in the
data collection of which the observer was unaware. Therefore, 2 1 more data points

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83

were collected using a more definitive sampling procedure. Specifically, on five
occasions the observer walked a specified route which intersected all mockingbird
territories on campus. Every time a male mockingbird sang continuously for at
least thirty seconds while the observer was in the territory, the bird was located and
the angle of orientation assumed by the bird was recorded. The data collected in this
way yielded the same results as the data collected without the sampling procedure,
and thus all data points are combined for the results presented below.

Figure 1 . Schematic of a passerine and the imaginary line which was used to
measure orientation with respect to the sun.

Statistical Analyses. To test the conspicuousness and crypsis hypotheses, the
exact angles recorded in the field were grouped into 12 classes (0-14°, 15-29°, and
so on). All classes of orientations should be observed with equal frequency under
the null hypothesis. Males known to be mated were analyzed separately from those
known to be unmated, in order to determine if mating status affects orientation. A
G statistic for goodness-of-fit to the null distribution was calculated. The G
statistic was corrected to better approximate a %2 distribution using Williams'
correction, as suggested by Sokal and Rohlf (1981). In all cases, data points from
adjacent classes were pooled where necessary (according to the guidelines provided
in Sokal and Rohlf 1981), resulting in varying degrees of freedom for the different
tests performed. Where pooling of classes for proper use of the G statistic lowered
the degrees of freedom to eight or less, an X2 statistic was also calculated because it

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required less pooling of classes. In all cases the two statistics yielded very similar
results.

To test the thermoregulation hypothesis, angle of orientation was correlated
with temperature using a Pearson's r coefficient of correlation.

RESULTS

Both mated and unmated males tended to orient towards the sun while singing
(Figures 2 and 3). For n = 37 males known to be mated, G = 18.30, df = 4, 0.001
< p < 0.005; x2 = 22.12, df = 9, 0.005 < p < 0.01. For n = 27 males known to be
unmated, G = 19.82, df = 2, p < 0.001; y} = 27.33, df = 7, p < 0.001. A total of n
= 76 observations results from combining known mated males, known unmated
males, and males whose mating status was unknown; these are graphed in Figure 4
(G = 47.42, df = 9, p < 0.001).

irilO

■ElJ]

Angle of Orientation

Angle of Orientation

Figure 2. Histogram of orientations observed Figure 3. Histogram of orientations
in mated males. observed in unmated males.

Temperature was recorded for 55 data points and ranged from 45 °F to 80°F.
Angle of orientation was not related to temperature (r = 0.131, p = 0.339).

DISCUSSION

The data indicate that mockingbirds singing from exposed perches during the
breeding season tend to face the sun when the sun is shining low in the sky, and
that the angle of orientation with regard to the sun is not affected by temperature.
This supports the conspicuousness hypothesis and weakens both the crypsis
hypothesis and the thermoregulation hypothesis.

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Figure 4. Histogram of orientations observed with known mated males, known
unmated males, and males of unknown mating status combined.

Although mockingbirds singing from open perches are very noticeable, facing
the sun enhances their conspicuousness further. In such an orientation on an open
perch, they are conspicuous from below (against the uniform brightness of the
sky), from the front (due to illuminating the white breast feathers), and from the
sides (due to the increased dorsoventral contrast). Any other orientation would
decrease conspicuousness. Thus, by facing the sun, mockingbirds remain as
conspicuous as possible even during breaks in singing and when not performing
jump displays. Given the male-biased sex ratio in the population, even a slight
increase in conspicuousness may dramatically increase fitness if it results in the
acquisition of a female.

If perch orientation influences the effectiveness of countershading, this presents
a semantic problem: the term "countershading" is intended to indicate a color
pattern which promotes camouflage by "countering" the effects of shading.
However, the dark dorsum- light ventrum pattern can be used to either increase or
decrease conspicuousness depending on the orientation of the bird and the position
of the sun. Indeed, the present data show that singing mockingbirds orient
themselves so that their color pattern enhances their conspicuousness. A color
pattern is literally countershading only when the animal's posture and orientation
illuminate darker surfaces and shadow lighter surfaces. Thus, although many
animals have a countershaded color pattern, it cannot be assumed this pattern
always functions only to camouflage.

To correct this, the terms countershading and countershaded should refer to
behaviors, not color patterns. Specifically, for animals which 1) are in an
environment typically illuminated by the sun, 2) have a brightness border on their
body surface, and 3) are shaped and behave so as to cast a shadow on themselves,
behavioral countershading could describe the behavior of orienting so the darker

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areas are illuminated and the lighter areas are shadowed, making the animal less
detectable. Behavioral contrasting , on the other hand, could describe the behavior of
orienting so that the lighter areas are illuminated and the darker areas are shadowed,
making the animal more conspicuous. There will be variability across animals in
the extent to which their behavior can enhance or counteract countershading
coloration. For example, while the mockingbirds in the present study could simply
rotate in space, quadrupeds may be less able to adopt those postures that behavioral
contrasting would demand.

The relative incidence of behavioral contrasting and behavioral countershading
should depend largely on the level of predation pressure. Adult mockingbirds have
relatively few predators in general, and their noisy aggressiveness may make them
less desirable to predators relative to other similar-sized passerines (Derrickson and
Breitwisch 1992). Further, at the study site hawks and owls are uncommon to rare
during the breeding season (H. Hendrickson, personal communication, 1995).
Thus, two predictions can be made. First, a broadly comparative approach may
show that the incidence of behavioral countershading may be positively related to
predation pressure across species. Second, the incidence of behavioral contrasting
versus behavioral countershading within a species may also vary with predation
pressure. Mockingbirds may tend to behaviorally countershade in areas where
potential predators are more numerous, such as open countryside and forest edges,
in contrast with the behavioral contrasting found presently on a busy urban
campus. As predation pressure increases geographically or even chronologically (if
higher predator density and/or likelihood of attack varies with season or time of
day), the incidence of countershading should increase relative to contrasting.

Acknowledgments: Teresa C. Justice provided many helpful suggestions and
comments which greatly improved the project and the manuscript. Cheryl A.
Logan was also very helpful in designing the study. I am grateful to Shane Merrill
and Nancy Carlson for assistance in the field, and to Donald Justice for technical
support.

LITERATURE CITED

Butcher, G. S., & Rohwer, S. 1989. The evolution of conspicuous and distinctive
coloration for communication in birds. Current Ornithology 6: 51-108.

Cott, H.B. 1957. Adaptive Coloration in Animals. Methuen, London.

Derrickson, K. C., and Breitwisch, R. 1992. Northern Mockingbird. In The Birds
of North America. No. 7. Edited by A. Poole, P. Stettenheim, and F. Gill.
The American Ornithologists' Union, Washington, D.C..

Justice, M. J. & Justice, T. C. 1995. Variation, sexual dimorphism, and function
of the size of Northern Mockingbirds' white wing patches. Submitted.

Merritt, P.G. 1985. Song function and the evolution of song repertoires in the
Northern Mockingbird, Mimus polyglottos. Ph.D. thesis, University of
Miami at Coral Gables, Florida.

Summer 1996

87

Sokal, R.R. and Rohlf, F.J. 1981. Biometry, 2nd Edition. W. H. Freeman and
Company, New York.

Thayer, G. H. 1918. Concealing Coloration in the Animal Kingdom. Macmillan,
New York.

Department of Psychology , University of North Carolina at Greensboro,
Greensboro, NC 27412-5001. Current Address: Department of Psychology,
Dominican College, Orangeburg, NY 10962

1995 Spring North American Migration Count in North Carolina

DENNIS E. BURNETTE

The 1995 North American Migration Count (NAMC) was held on 13 May and
included reports from North Carolina for the the second year. No reports were
received for two counties that were listed in 1994 (Craven and Jones), while reports
for five counties (Ashe, Avery, Moore, Onslow, and Wilkes) were received for the
first time. This resulted in a net increase of 3 counties for a total of 15 North
Carolina counties reporting.

The spring NAMC is conducted annually throughout North America north of
Mexico on the second Saturday in May. It was begun in 1992 by Jim Stasz, a
birder in Maryland who is attempting to determine the pattern of migration in
North America. Unlike traditional Christmas and spring counts, the NAMC
obtains an annual “snapshot” of the continent by organizing volunteers in each
state (and province) to count birds in an entire county on a single day.

The annual date of the NAMC can be one to two weeks after many migrants
have passed through some parts of North Carolina. However, the purpose of the
count is not to determine how many migrants are in a state at the peak of
migration but rather to identify the density and distribution of bird species
throughout the whole continent at a given point in time. Therefore, some species
will be gone from some southern states and will not have arrived yet in other states
and provinces further north.

The number of reports in 1994 and 1995 is far short of the potential for
migration counts in the 100 North Carolina counties. Currently, most geographic
regions are poorly represented, with only the mountains receiving fair coverage.
Clearly, data regarding the density and distribution of bird species during spring
migration in North Carolina and the continent will benefit from the inclusion of
more counties in each region in the future.

The following is the list of counties (and county seats) for which reports were
received for the 1995 North American Migration Count in North Carolina:

Alleghany (Sparta), Ashe (Jefferson), Avery (Newland), Buncombe (Asheville),
Brunswick (Southport), Cherokee (Murphy), Cleveland (Shelby), Guilford

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(Greensboro), Henderson (Hendersonville), Moore (Carthage), Onslow
(Jacksonville), Pitt (Greenville), Polk (Columbus), Transylvania (Brevard), Wilkes
(Wilkesboro).

SUMMARY DATA

A total of 173 participants from 15 counties reported 32,630 individual birds of
400 species for the 1995 NAMC in North Carolina.

Parties/Observers: Regular parties included 143 observers in 69 parties; Night
(Owling) parties included 17 observers in 1 1 parties; Stationary parties included 30
people in 22 parties; and 32 Feeder Watchers observed 46 feeding stations.

Hours: Party hours for all categories totaled 536: 14. Regular party hours totaled
440:44 and included 199:15 by foot, 218: 14 by car, 2:00 by boat, 13:00 by ATV,
and 8:15 by golf cart; Night (Owling) hours totaled 12:00; Stationary hours
totaled 22:45; and Feeder Watching hours totaled 60:45.

Miles: Party miles for all categories totaled 2496.9. Regular party miles totaled
2417.4 and included 140.8 by foot, 2256.6 by car, 1.0 by boat, 14.0 by ATV, and
5.0 by golf cart; Night (Owling) miles totaled 79.5.

Rarities and High counts

An Avery County observer reported 2 late Pine Siskins at a feeder on Grand-
father Mountain and a Swainson’s Warbler singing above 3300 feet, apparently on
territory, where it was heard from late April through late May (recordings made).

From Brunswick County, several interesting species were reported: an early
Anhinga was spotted; an American Black Duck was seen for the third year (believed
to be hybridizing with permanent-resident Mallards); 7 Black Scoters from Ocean
Isle Beach and 74 off Sunset Beach made an impressive total of 81; 23 Red-breasted
Mergansers from three sites were interesting; a lingering American Coot at a
swampy part of the Calabash River; a Piping Plover on Sunset Beach; and a
Long-billed Curlew flying over Bird Island. An Iceland Gull was reported for the
second year in a row, this one from Ocean Isle Beach, the one last year on Sunset
Beach.

Guilford County observers reported an unusually late Red-breasted Merganser on
Lake Townsend; 2 nesting adult Bald Eagles with one immature in the nest seen at
Lake Higgins during count week but not on count day; a late Laughing gull on
Lake Townsend; and a singing Warbling Vireo for the second report year in the
same residential yard near Greensboro, apparently the same lonely male that
unsuccessfully has been seeking a mate in this location for three springs.

Moore County was the site of 3 Mute Swans, adding to the increasing number
of sightings of this feral species in North Carolina; also of interest was a
thoroughly described immature Surf Scoter seen well at the end of Woodlake Blvd.
near West End.

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Onslow County reported several “good” species: a late Great Cormorant on
North Topsail Beach; a good count of late ducks i.e. Blue-winged Teal, Lesser
Scaup, and Ruddy Duck, and including probable nesting American Black Ducks;
White-rumped and Stilt Sandpipers on North Topsail Beach, Least Terns nesting at
North Topsail Inlet, and a Worm-eating Warbler at a nest in Hoffman Forest.

An observer in Pitt County noted a Wilson’s Warbler foraging and singing
intermittently in River Park, North Greenville.

Polk County reported one of only two Black-billed Cuckoos in the state.

Transylvania County provided an unusual mountain record of American Black
Ducks, a species also recorded in two coastal counts this spring. Is it possible that
some or all of these “black” ducks are Mottled Ducks from the introduced
populations in South Carolina? A Black-billed Cuckoo was one of about six
reported in the county during the spring, possibly indicating an “invasion”;
Peregrine Falcons were seen at a known Cold Mountain aerie; and Yellow-bellied
Sapsuckers, a male and a female, were seen and heard calling on Avery Creek Rd. at
about 4000 ft just below the Cradle of Forestry site (a breeding pair?).

County Records

The NAMC uses the following definitions for the four reporting categories:
Regular (R) - Observers move from one place to another within a relatively large
part of a county during the period from dawn to dusk; Night (N) i.e. “Owling” -
Observers tally all species seen or heard from midnight until dawn and from dusk to
midnight; Stationary (S) - Observers spend a significant amount of time from dawn
until dusk at one observation point and count birds that move past; and Feeder
Watching (F) - Observers spend a minimum of one hour at one location counting
birds that are attracted to a feeding station or stations, making an attempt to count
the birds only once. All data for individuals of each species reported below refer to
Regular observations unless otherwise specified as Night (Owling), Stationary or
Feeder Watching data.

Alleghany County, NC. 0500 to 2100. Weather: temperature 50°-70°;
wind 0 AM, light easterly PM; clouds 40-60% AM, 40% PM; no precipitation.
Regular: 6 observers in 3 parties; regular hours foot 16; regular hours car 5; regular
hours ATV 9; regular miles foot 16; regular miles car 60; regular miles ATV 12.
Night (Owling): 1 observer in 1 party; night hours 1; night miles 0. No Stationary
parties. No Feeder Watchers. County summary: 31 party hours; 88 party miles, 6
participants.

Great Blue Heron 2, Canada Goose 2, Wood Duck 4, Mallard 4, Blue-winged
Teal 3, Hooded Merganser 1, Black Vulture 28, Turkey Vulture 47, Osprey 1,
Sharp-shinned Hawk 3, Cooper's Hawk 1, Red-shouldered Hawk 1, Broad-winged
Hawk 4, Red-tailed Hawk 4, American Kestrel 7, Ruffed Grouse 6, Wild Turkey
29, Northern Bob- white 4, Killdeer 18, Spotted Sandpiper 2, Common Snipe 1,
Rock Dove 7, Mourning Dove 44, Yellow-billed Cuckoo 2, Eastern Screech-Owl

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2, Great Horned Owl 2, Whip-poor-will 2, Chimney Swift 25, Ruby-throated
Hummingbird 21, Belted Kingfisher 9, Red-bellied Woodpecker 11, Downy
Woodpecker 10, Hairy Woodpecker 2, Northern Flicker 3, Pileated Woodpecker 11,
Eastern Wood Pewee 14, Acadian Flycatcher 2, Empidonax sp. 2, Eastern Phoebe
13, Great-crested Flycatcher 4, Eastern Kingbird 19, Purple Martin 13, Tree
Swallow 52, Northern Rough-winged Swallow 3, Bam Swallow 54, Blue Jay 22,
American Crow 251, Common Raven 18, Carolina Chickadee 19, Tufted Titmouse
12, White-breasted Nuthatch 9, Carolina Wren 7, House Wren 7, Ruby-crowned
Kinglet 2, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 18, Eastern Bluebird 59, Swainson Thrush 1,
Wood Thrush 15, American Robin 40, Gray Catbird 25, Northern Mockingbird 6,
Brown Thrasher 15, Cedar Waxwing 14, European Starling 103, White-eyed Vireo
2, Solitary Vireo 8, Yellow-throated Vireo 2, Warbling Vireo 2, Red-eyed Vireo
45, Golden-winged Warbler 2, Northern Parula 12, Yellow Warbler 14, Magnolia
Warbler 1, Cape May Warbler 2, Black-throated Blue Warbler 4, Yellow-rumped
Warbler 20, Blackburnian Warbler 1, Yellow-throated Warbler 1, Pine Warbler 1,
Blackpoll Warbler 5, Black & White Warbler 3, American Redstart 4,
Worm-eating Warbler 2, Ovenbird 23, Louisiana Waterthrush 1, Connecticut
Warbler 1, Common Yellowthroat 5, Hooded Warbler 5, Scarlet Tanager 4,
Northern Cardinal 25, Blue Grosbeak 1, Indigo Bunting 60, Rufous-sided Towhee
20, Chipping Sparrow 33, Field Sparrow 16, Grasshopper Sparrow 14, Song
Sparrow 77, White-throated Sparrow 3, White-crowned Sparrow 1, Red-winged
Blackbird 46, Eastern Meadowlark 20, Rusty Blackbird 8, Common Grackle 42,
Brown-headed Cowbird 29, Orchard Oriole 1, House Finch 32, American Goldfinch
87, House Sparrow 10.

Total: 109 species, 1841 individuals.

County Compiler: James H. Coman III, Rt. 1, Box 182, Piney Creek, NC 28663.
Participants: Bruce Coman, James Coman III, J. H. Coman, Jr., Katherine

Higgins, Rob Van Epps.

Ashe County, NC. 0630 to 1500. Weather: temperature 45°-60°; wind
calm AM, calm PM; clouds 100% AM, 100% PM; precipitation PM rain after
1500. Regular: 4 observers in 2 parties; regular hours foot 7; regular hours car 1;
regular miles foot 7; regular miles car 10. No Night (Owling) parties. Stationary: 1
stationary observer in 1 party; stationary hours 1. Feeder Watching: 1 observer
watching 1 station; feeder watching hours not reported. County summary: 9 party
hours; 17 party miles, 5 participants.

Canada Goose 2, Wood Duck 1, Turkey Vulture 15, Red- shouldered Hawk 2,
Red-tailed Hawk 1, Wild Turkey 1, Northern Bob- white 6, Mourning Dove 26 (21
regular, 5 feeder). Chimney Swift 29, Ruby-throated Hummingbird 8 (6 regular, 2
feeder. Belted Kingfisher 1, Red- bellied Woodpecker 2, Downy Woodpecker 2,
Pileated Woodpecker 1, Eastern Wood Pewee 4, Eastern Kingbird 1 (1 feeder).
Northern Rough- winged Swallow 2, Barn Swallow 13, Blue Jay 5 (4 regular, 1
feeder), American Crow 25, Carolina Chickadee 8, Tufted Titmouse 2,

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White-breasted Nuthatch 2 (1 regular, 1 feeder). Brown-headed Nuthatch 2, Carolina
Wren 4, House Wren 3, Eastern Bluebird 14 (13 regular, 1 feeder), Wood Thrush 6,
American Robin 61, Gray Catbird 3, Northern Mockingbird 3, Brown Thrasher 1,
European Starling 6, Yellow-throated Vireo 1, Ovenbird 3, Scarlet Tanager 3,
Northern Cardinal 5 (4 regular, 1 feeder), Indigo Bunting 9 (6 regular, 3 feeder),
Rufous-sided Towhee 5, Chipping Sparrow 12 (7 regular, 5 feeder). Song Sparrow
15, White-crowned Sparrow 4, Dark-eyed Junco 2, Red-winged Blackbird 7,
Brown-headed Cowbird 4 (4 feeder). House Finch 23 (19 regular, 4 feeder),
American Goldfinch 46 (44 regular, 2 feeder), House Sparrow 9.

Total: 47 species, 385 individuals (355 regular, 30 feeder).

County Compiler: James Coman III, Rt. 1, Box 182, Piney Creek, NC 28663.
Participants: Arlene Bowen, Paul Bailey, Peggy Bailey, Glenn Bailey, Janet
Kelly.

Avery County, NC. 0615 to 1500. Weather: temperature 42°-63 ; wind
0-3 westerly AM, gusty PM; clouds 100% AM, 100% PM; precipitation heavy
thunderstorms beginning 1500. Regular: 1 observer in 1 party; regular hours foot
3:45; regular hours car 5; regular miles foot 2.5; regular miles car 35. No Night
(Owling) parties. No Stationary parties. No Feeder Watchers. County summary:
8:45 party hours; 37.5 party miles, 1 participant.

Killdeer 1, Mourning Dove 3, Ruby-throated Hummingbird 1, Hairy
Woodpecker 5, Pileated Woodpecker 3, Eastern Wood Pewee 1, Acadian Flycatcher
1, Eastern Phoebe 4, Bam Swallow 2, Blue Jay 23, American Crow 9, Common
Raven 7, Carolina Chickadee 12, Tufted Titmouse 11, Red-breasted Nuthatch 7,
White-breasted Nuthatch 2, Brown Creeper 2, Carolina Wren 4, House Wren 2,
Winter Wren 1, Golden-crowned Kinglet 1, Veery 8, Wood Thrush 12, American
Robin 26, Gray Catbird 13, Solitary Vireo 8, Red-eyed Vireo 24, Northern Parula

3, Chestnut-sided Warbler 14, Black-throated Blue Warbler 21, Swainson's Warbler
1, Ovenbird 20, Common Yellowthroat 2, Hooded Warbler 8, Canada Warbler 4,
Scarlet Tanager 4, Northern Cardinal 10, Rose-breasted Grosbeak 4, Indigo Bunting

4, Rufous-sided Towhee 33, Field Sparrow 1, Song Sparrow 12, Dark-eyed Junco
31, Common Grackle 10, Brown-headed Cowbird 5, House Finch 5, Pine Siskin 2,
American Goldfinch 5, House Sparrow 2.

Total: 49 species, 394 individuals.

County Compiler: Margery R. Plymire, Box 306, Linville Falls, NC 28647.
Participants: Margery Plymire

Brunswick County, NC. 0545 to 2130. Weather: temperature 70 -80°;
wind 3 northerly AM, 5 northerly PM; clouds 30-50% AM, 30-40% PM; No
precipitation. Regular: 19 observers in 13 parties; regular hours foot 29; regular
hours car 19:45; regular hours boat 2; regular hours golf cart 8:15; regular hours
ATV 4; regular miles foot 12; regular miles car 218; regular miles boat 1; regular
miles golf cart 5; regular miles ATV 2. Night (Owling): 3 observers in 2 parties;

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night hours 2; night miles 24. Stationary: 7 observers in 5 parties; stationary
hours 6: 15. Feeder Watching: 5 observers watching 16 feeding stations; 5:45 feeder
watching hours. County summary: 76:55 party hours; 262 party miles, 14
participants.

Brown Pelican 86, Double-crested Cormorant 239 (148 stationary, 91 regular),
Anhinga 1, Great Blue Heron 13, Great Egret 150 (95 stationary, 55 regular).
Snowy Egret 37 (1 stationary, 36 regular), Little Blue Heron 3, Tricolor Heron 7,
Cattle Egret 1, Green Heron 39 (7 stationary, 32 regular). Black-crowned Night
Heron 10, Yellow-crowned Night Heron 13 (12 stationary, 1 regular). Night Heron
sp. 17 (stationary), White Ibis 438 (145 stationary, 293 regular), Canada Goose 44
(23 stationary, 21 regular). Wood Duck 51, American Black Duck 1, Mallard 9 (4
stationary, 5 regular). Blue-winged Teal 2, Black Scoter 82, Red-breasted Merganser
23, Black Vulture 3, Turkey Vulture 17 (1 stationary, 16 regular). Osprey 34 (1
stationary, 33 regular). Red- shouldered Hawk 3, Red-tailed Hawk 3, American
Kestrel 2, Northern Bob-white 14, Clapper Rail 8, King Rail 1, Common
Moorhen 11, American Coot 1, Black-bellied Plover 48, Wilson's Plover 192,
Semi-paimated Plover 154, Piping Plover 1, Killdeer 10, American Oystercatcher
31, Greater Yellowlegs 4, Lesser Yellowlegs 2, Willet 109, Spotted Sandpiper 21,
Whimbrel 20, Long-billed Curlew 1, Ruddy tumstone 15, Red Knot 1994,
Sanderling 170, Semi-palmated Sandpiper 26, Western Sandpiper 3, Least
Sandpiper 2, Dunlin 165, Peep sp. 26, Short-billed Dowitcher 190, Dowitcher sp.
59, Laughing Gull 169, Bonaparte's Gull 1, Ring-billed Gull 60, Herring Gull 13,
Iceland Gull 1, Great Black-backed Gull 3, Gull sp. 16, Caspian Tem 5, Royal
Tern 62, Sandwich Tem 17, Common Tem 1, Forster's Tern 59, Sterna sp. 11,
Least Tem 59, Black Skimmer 69, Rock Dove 32, Mourning Dove 138 (9 feeder,
129 regular). Yellow-billed Cuckoo 10, Common Nighthawk 6, Chuck-Will's
Widow 17 (owling). Whip-poor-will 1 (owling), Chimney Swift 47 (3 stationary,
44 regular). Ruby-throated Hummingbird 4 (1 feeder, 3 regular). Belted Kingfisher
4, Red-headed Woodpecker 43 (1 feeder, 42 regular), Red-bellied Woodpecker 28 (8
feeder, 20 regular). Downy Woodpecker 7 (5 feeder, 2 regular), Red-cockaded
Woodpecker 2, Northern Flicker 17, Pileated Woodpecker 6 (1 stationary, 5
regular), Eastern Wood Pewee 6, Acadian Flycatcher 9, Great-crested Flycatcher 66,
Eastern Kingbird 30, Purple Martin 86 (5 stationary, 81 regular). Tree Swallow 15,
Northern Rough-winged Swallow 21, Bam Swallow 80 (5 stationary, 75 regular).
Blue Jay 81(13 feeder, 68 regular), American Crow 47, Fish Crow 40, Crow sp.
23, Carolina Chickadee 21 (9 feeder, 21 regular), Tufted Titmouse 63 (1 1 feeder, 52
regular). Brown-headed Nuthatch 16 (1 feeder, 15 regular), Carolina Wren 71 (5
feeder, 66 regular). House Wren 4, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 19, Eastern Bluebird 51
(6 stationary, 1 feeder, 44 regular), Wood Thrush 1 1, American Robin 17 (3 feeder,
14 regular). Gray Catbird 1, Northern Mockingbird 129, Brown Thrasher 42 (3
feeder, 39 regular). Loggerhead Shrike 19 (4 stationary, 15 regular), European
Starling 52, White-eyed Vireo 14, Yellow-throated Vireo 4, Red-eyed Vireo 8,
Northern Parula 12, Yellow-throated Warbler 13, Pine Warbler 42, Prairie Warbler

Summer 1996

93

35, Prothonotary Warbler 19, Worm-eating Warbler 12, Swainson's Warbler 7,
Ovenbird 6, Common Yellowthroat 18, Hooded Warbler 8, Yellow-breasted Chat
10, Summer Tanager 19, Scarlet Tanager 2, Northern Cardinal 110 (7 feeder, 103
regular), Rose-breasted Grosbeak 1, Blue Grosbeak 11, Indigo Bunting 10, Painted
Bunting 4, Rufous- sided Towhee 19, Bachman's Sparrow 1, Seaside Sparrow 1,
Red-winged Blackbird 88, Eastern Meadowlark 4, Boat-tailed Grackle 172 (4 feeder,
168 regular). Common Grackle 69 (1 stationary, 12 feeder, 56 regular),
Brown-headed Cowbird 63 (1 stationary, 4 feeder, 58 regular). Blackbird sp. 10,
Orchard Oriole 29, American Goldfinch 2, House Sparrow 28.

Total: 136 species, 7394 individuals (6799 regular, 18 night, 480 stationary,
97 feeder).

County Compiler: Diane Hahn, 269 Sea Trail Dr., Sunset Beach, NC 28468
Participants: Sue Baer, Judy Brown, Richard Brown, Carolyn Bush, Norman Bush,
Hansi Cherry, Diane Hahn, David Harper, Marge Harper, Dottie Isgrig, Mary
McDavit, Rick Murray, Lynn Petch, Marcia Warring.

Buncombe County, NC. 0615 to 2015. Weather: temperature 48 °-65°;
wind 0-5 northerly AM, 5-6 northerly PM; clouds 90-100% AM, 100% PM; no
precipitation. Regular: 4 observers in 1 party; regular hours foot 1; regular hours
car 13; regular miles foot 1; regular miles car 80. No Night (Owling) parties. No
Stationary parties. No Feeder Watchers. County summary: 14 party hours; 81 party
miles, 4 participants.

Green Heron 1, Canada Goose 1, Wood Duck 2, Turkey Vulture 2,
Broad- winged Hawk 2, Northern Bob-white 1, Killdeer 2, Spotted Sandpiper 1,
Rock Dove 3, Mourning Dove 20, Common Nighthawk 1, Chimney Swift 75,
Ruby- throated Hummingbird 1, Belted Kingfisher 1, Red-bellied Woodpecker 5,
Downy Woodpecker 1, Hairy Woodpecker 1, Pileated Woodpecker 3, Eastern Wood
Pewee 6, Willow Flycatcher 1, Eastern Phoebe 1, Great-crested Flycatcher 1,
Eastern Kingbird 1, Northern Rough- winged Swallow 5, Bam Swallow 18, Blue
Jay 10, American Crow 12, Carolina Chickadee 10, Tufted Titmouse 12,
Red-breasted Nuthatch 1, White-breasted Nuthatch 1, Brown-headed Nuthatch 12,
Carolina Wren 6, House Wren 2, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 1, Eastern Bluebird 8,
Wood Thrush 13, American Robin 20, Gray Catbird 6, Northern Mockingbird 5,
Brown Thrasher 5, Cedar Waxwing 35, European Starling 20, Solitary Vireo 5,
Yellow- throated Vireo 3, Red-eyed Vireo 26, Yellow Warbler 15, Chestnut-sided
Warbler 10, Magnolia Warbler 1, Black- throated Blue Warbler 3, Yellow-rumped
Warbler 1, Blackburnian Warbler 1, Yellow- throated Warbler 1, Palm Warbler 1,
Blackpoll Warbler 11, Cerulean Warbler 15, Black & White Warbler 9, American
Redstart 13, Ovenbird 10, Northern Waterthrush 1, Kentucky Warbler 2, Common
Yellowthroat 3, Hooded Warbler 8, Wilson's Warbler 2, Canada Warbler 5,
Yellow-breasted Chat 1, Scarlet Tanager 6, Northern Cardinal 8, Rose-breasted
Grosbeak 8, Indigo Bunting 15, Rufous-sided Towhee 7, Chipping Sparrow 6,
Field Sparrow 3, Song Sparrow 20, Dark-eyed Junco 5, Red-winged Blackbird 15,

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The Chat Vol. 60

Eastern Meadowlark 1, Common Grackle 3, Brown-headed Cowbird 5, Northern
Oriole 3, House Finch 3, American Goldfinch 16
Total: 82 species, 606 individuals.

County Compiler: Ruth E. Young, P.O. Box 836, Fairview, NC 28730.
Participants: Peggy Lasher, Theresa McKittrick, Jan Murphy, Ruth Young.

Cherokee County, NC. 0630 to 1830. Weather: temperature 46 °-70°;
wind light southwesterly AM, light westerly PM; clouds 95% AM, 99-100%
PM; Precipitation: none AM, light after dusk. Regular: 2 observers in 1 party;
regular hours foot 6:30; regular hours car 3; regular miles foot 3.5; regular miles
car 60.7. No Night (Owling) parties. No Stationary parties. No Feeder Watchers.
County summary: 9:30 party hours; 64.2 party miles, 2 participants.

Green Heron 3, Canada Goose 10, Turkey Vulture 1, Northern Bob-white 4,
Spotted Sandpiper 1, Rock Dove 2, Mourning Dove 19, Yellow-billed Cuckoo 16,
Chuck-Will's Widow 1, Chimney Swift 54, Ruby-throated Hummingbird 12,
Belted Kingfisher 1, Red-bellied Woodpecker 3, Downy Woodpecker 4, Hairy
Woodpecker 3, Northern Flicker 4, Pileated Woodpecker 7, Eastern Wood Pewee 9,
Eastern Phoebe 19, Great-crested Flycatcher 10, Purple Martin 15, Northern
Rough-winged Swallow 11, Barn Swallow 12, Blue Jay 13, American Crow 39,
Carolina Chickadee 18, Tufted Titmouse 22, White-breasted Nuthatch 5, Carolina
Wren 24, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 4, Eastern Bluebird 1 1, Wood Thrush 9, American
Robin 30, Gray Catbird 3, Northern Mockingbird 5, Brown Thrasher 6, European
Starling 41, Red-eyed Vireo 19, Northern Parula 4, Yellow Warbler 1, Magnolia
Warbler 1, Yellow-rumped Warbler 1, Black-throated Green Warbler 1, Pine
Warbler 2, Blackpoll Warbler 1, Black & White Warbler 2, Ovenbird 2, Kentucky
Warbler 3, Common Yellowthroat 3, Hooded Warbler 7, Yellow-breasted Chat 10,
Scarlet Tanager 2, Northern Cardinal 12, Rose-breasted Grosbeak 1, Blue Grosbeak
1, Indigo Bunting 42, Rufous-sided Towhee 29, Chipping Sparrow 4, Field
Sparrow 8, Song Sparrow 43, Red-winged Blackbird 57, Eastern Meadowlark 16,
Common Grackle 3, Brown-headed Cowbird 3, Orchard Oriole 2, House Finch 8,
American Goldfinch 19, House Sparrow 2.

Total: 53 species, 760 individuals.

County Compilers: Bill Bolte and Jan Bolte, Rt. 2, Box 175 A, Murphy, NC
28906.

Participants: Bill Bolte, Jan Bolte.

Cleveland County, NC. 0810 to 1454. Weather: temperature 58°-78°;
wind, clouds not reported;precipitation: none AM, light at dusk. Regular: 4 ob-
servers in 1 party; regular hours foot 0:30; regular hours car 6:14; regular miles
foot 0.3; regular miles car 41.5. No Night (Owling) parties. No Stationary parties.
No Feeder Watchers. County summary: 6:44 party hours; 41.8 party miles, 4
participants.

Summer 1996

95

Double-crested Cormorant 1, Canada Goose 3, Mallard 4, Black Vulture 4,
Turkey Vulture 5, Red-tailed Hawk 5, Buteo sp. 1, American Kestrel 1, Northern
Bob- white 2, Killdeer 6, Lesser Yellowlegs 1, Solitary Sandpiper 1, Spotted
Sandpiper 2, Peep sp. 2, Rock Dove 6, Mourning Dove 42, Common Bam Owl 2,
Chimney Swift 23, Red-headed Woodpecker 1, Red-bellied Woodpecker 5, Hairy
Woodpecker 1, Northern Flicker 4, Pileated Woodpecker 1, Eastern Wood Pewee 4,
Eastern Phoebe 3, Great-crested Flycatcher 4, Eastern Kingbird 12, Homed Lark 4,
Purple Martin 21, Northern Rough- winged Swallow 1, Bam Swallow 13, Blue Jay
19, American Crow 15, Carolina Chickadee 2, Tufted Titmouse 7, Carolina Wren
6, House Wren 1, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 2, Eastern Bluebird 16, Wood Thrush 1,
American Robin 63, Gray Catbird 2, Northern Mockingbird 4 1 , Brown Thrasher

12, European Starling 66, White-eyed Vireo 1, Yellow- throated Vireo 1, Red-eyed
Vireo 4, Pine Warbler 3, Common Yellowthroat 3, Yellow-breasted Chat 3,
Summer Tanager 6, Northern Cardinal 15, Blue Grosbeak 5, Indigo Bunting 18,
Rufous-sided Towhee 6, Chipping Sparrow 2, Field Sparrow 9, Savannah Sparrow
1, Grasshopper Sparrow 5, Song Sparrow 2, Red-winged Blackbird 16, Eastern
Meadowlark 16, Common Grackle 69, Brown-headed Cowbird 1, Orchard Oriole 3,
House Finch 10, American Goldfinch 3, House Sparrow 14

Total: 67 species, 654 individuals.

County Compiler: Jo Ann Martin, P.O. Box 242, Ellenboro, NC 28040
Participants: Jacquie Brunnick, Carolyn LeGrand, Jo Ann Martin, Dot McMurray.

Guilford County, NC. 0330 to 1900. Weather: temperature 65°-80 ; wind
not reported; clouds 90% AM, 80% diminishing to 50% PM; precipitation: none.
Regular: 24 observers in 1 1 parties; regular hours foot 43; regular hours car 47: 15;
regular miles foot 31.5; regular miles car 543. Night (Owling): 1 observer in 1
party; night hours 2:30, night miles 37. No Stationary parties. No Feeder
Watchers. County summary: 92:45 party hours; 611.5 party miles, 24 participants.

Common Loon 1, Pied-billed Grebe 1, Double-crested Cormorant 19, Great
Blue Heron 15, Great Egret 1, Green Heron 11, Canada Goose 282, Wood Duck

13, Mallard 181, Red-breasted Merganser 3, Black Vulture 4, Turkey Vulture 22,
Osprey 4, Cooper's Hawk 1, Red- shouldered Hawk 4, Broad- winged Hawk 3,
Red-tailed Hawk 25, American Kestrel 1, Wild Turkey 1, Northern Bob- white 13,
Semi-palmated Plover 1, Killdeer 42, Greater Yellowlegs 1, Lesser Yellowlegs 1,
Solitary Sandpiper 1 1, Spotted Sandpiper 22, Least Sandpiper 8, Laughing Gull 1,
Ring-billed Gull 8, Rock Dove 102, Mourning Dove 355, Yellow-billed Cuckoo
17, Barred Owl 2, Common Nighthawk 3, Whip-poor-will 4, Chimney Swift 149,
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 7, Belted Kingfisher 14, Red-headed Woodpecker 8,
Red-bellied Woodpecker 74, Downy Woodpecker 26, Hairy Woodpecker 8,
Northern Flicker 25, Pileated Woodpecker 6, Eastern Wood Pewee 49, Acadian
Flycatcher 8, Eastern Phoebe 27, Great-crested Flycatcher 28, Eastern Kingbird 66,
Homed Lark 3, Purple Martin 354, Northern Rough-winged Swallow 57, Bank
Swallow 2, Bam Swallow 138, Blue Jay 156, American Crow 150, Carolina

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The Chat Vol. 60

Chickadee 153, Tufted Titmouse 135, White-breasted Nuthatch 9, Brown-headed
Nuthatch 24, Carolina Wren 145, House Wren 8, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 55,
Eastern Bluebird 215, Veery 1, Swainson Thrush 12, Wood Thrush 82, American
Robin 652, Gray Catbird 38, Northern Mockingbird 259, Brown Thrasher 54,
Cedar Wax wing 24, Loggerhead Shrike 1, European Starling 327, White-eyed
Vireo 4, Solitary Vireo 1, Yellow-throated Vireo 1, Warbling Vireo 1, Red-eyed
Vireo 121, Blue-winged Warbler 1, Northern Parula 9, Yellow Warbler 9,
Chestnut-sided Warbler 6, Magnolia Warbler 8, Cape May Warbler 2,
Black-throated Blue Warbler 12, Yellow-rumped Warbler 14, Black-throated Green
Warbler 5, Blackburnian Warbler 1, Pine Warbler 37, Prairie Warbler 9,
Bay-breasted Warbler 1, Blackpoll Warbler 25, Black & White Warbler 6,
American Redstart 42, Prothonotary Warbler 1, Worm-eating Warbler 2, Ovenbird
15, Northern Waterthmsh 3, Louisiana Waterthrush 7, Kentucky Warbler 1,
Common Yellowthroat 57, Hooded Warbler 1, Canada Warbler 1, Yellow-breasted
Chat 11, Summer Tanager 10, Scarlet Tanager 29, Northern Cardinal 314,
Rose-breasted Grosbeak 5, Blue Grosbeak 21, Indigo Bunting 167, Rufous-sided
Towhee 70, Chipping Sparrow 81, Field Sparrow 62, Savannah Sparrow 1,
Grasshopper Sparrow 14, Song Sparrow 69, Red-winged Blackbird 104, Eastern
Meadowlark 112, Common Grackle 468, Brown-headed Cowbird 43, Orchard
Oriole 13, Northern Oriole 7, House Finch 148, American Goldfinch 92, House
Sparrow 95.

Total: 127 species, 7071 individuals.

County Compiler: Dennis E. Burnette, 4209 Bramlet Place, Greensboro, NC
27407.

Participants: Don Allen, Dennis Burnette, Lynn Burnette, Charlie Campbell, Sue
Cole, Phil Crisp, Nina Dameron, John Egan, Sharon Egan, Peggy Ferebee, Wally
Foutch, Larry Gasper, Jennifer Hart, Herb Hendrickson, Elizabeth Link, Henry
Link, Clarence Mattocks, James Mattocks, Jean McCoy, Tom Shepherd, Laurie
Sorrell, Tom Street, Henry Strickland, Weslyn Strickland, Emily Tyler.

Henderson County, NC. 0800 to 1100. Weather: temperature 50°-63°;
wind 0 AM, 2 mph PM; clouds 50% AM, 100% PM; precipitation: none.
Regular: 22 observers in 3 parties; regular hours foot 8; regular hours car 0; regular
miles foot 8; regular miles car 0. No Night (Owling) parties. No Stationary
parties. No Feeder Watchers. County summary: 8 party hours; 8 party miles, 22
participants.

Great Blue Heron 1, Green Heron 1, Wood Duck 3, Mallard 14, Turkey Vulture
1, Killdeer 1, Mourning Dove 9, Yellow-billed Cuckoo 2, Chimney Swift 15,
Belted Kingfisher 1, Red-bellied Woodpecker 6, Downy Woodpecker 6, Northern
Flicker 5, Pileated Woodpecker 2, Eastern Wood Pewee 6, Acadian Flycatcher 1,
Willow Flycatcher 5, Great-crested Flycatcher 2, Bam Swallow 1, Blue Jay 31,
American Crow 11, Carolina Chickadee 10, Tufted Titmouse 9, White-breasted
Nuthatch 2, Carolina Wren 12, House Wren 1, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 2, Veery 1,

Summer 1996

97

Swainson Thrush 1, Wood Thrush 14, American Robin 33, Gray Catbird 9,
Northern Mockingbird 2, Brown Thrasher 11, Cedar Waxwing 2, European Starling
29, White-eyed Vireo 3, Red-eyed Vireo 12, Northern Parula 1, Yellow Warbler 2,
Chestnut-sided Warbler 3, Magnolia Warbler 1, Blackpoll Warbler 19, Black &
White Warbler 1, American Redstart 26, Northern Waterthrush 9, Kentucky
Warbler 1, Common Yellowthroat 16, Canada Warbler 2, Yellow-breasted Chat 1,
Scarlet Tanager 2, Northern Cardinal 29, Indigo Bunting 12, Rufous-sided Towhee
14, Song Sparrow 14, Red-winged Blackbird 11, Common Crackle 34,
Brown-headed Cowbird 2, Northern Oriole 2, American Goldfinch 15.

Total: 60 species, 494 individuals.

County Compiler: Simon R. B. Thompson, 11 Thermal View Drive, Tryon, NC
28782.

Participants: Larry Farer, Wayne Forsythe, Aaron Fritschner, Sam Fritschner,
Barbara Johnson, Cara McMillan, Claire McMillan, Eddie Morrison, Jack
Morrison, Francis Ogasawara, Garland Rice, Robin Rice, Ann Rumage, Margaret
Rusk, John Smith, Simon Thompson, Anne Ulinski, John Ulinski, Cindy Way,
Frank Wenner, Phillip Williams, Valerie Williams.

Moore County, NC. 0500 to 1700. Weather: temperature 53°-80°; wind 0
AM, 5-14 nnw-w PM; clouds none AM, 20% noon, 100% PM; precipitation
none AM, rain PM. Regular: 12 observers in 9 parties; regular hours foot 26;
regular hours car 33; regular miles foot 19; regular miles car 294. Night (Owling):
7 observers in 4 parties; night hours 4; night miles 4. Stationary: 10 observers in
7 parties; stationary hours 7. Feeder Watching: 20 observers watching 17 feeding
stations; feeder watching hours 33. County summary: 100 party hours; 317 party
miles, 3 1 participants.

Double-crested Cormorant 1, Great Blue Heron 3, Green Heron 3, Mute Swan 3,
Canada Goose 17, Wood Duck 6, Mallard 123 (30 stationary, 93 regular),
Blue- winged Teal 1, Surf Scoter 1, Turkey Vulture 1, Bald Eagle imm. 1, Cooper's
Hawk 1, Broad- winged Hawk 1, Red-tailed Hawk 7, Northern Bob- white 26,
Killdeer 17, Spotted Sandpiper 17, Least Sandpiper 1, Ring-billed Gull 1, Rock
Dove 20 (2 feeder, 18 regular), Mourning Dove 200 (35 feeder, 165 regular).
Yellow-billed Cuckoo 11, Eastern Screech-Owl 1 (night). Great Homed Owl 1
(night), Barred Owl 2 (night), Chuck-Will's Widow 16 (night). Whip-poor-will 4
(night). Chimney Swift 64 (19 stationary, 45 regular). Ruby-throated
Hummingbird 14 (8 feeder, 6 regular). Belted Kingfisher 2, Red-headed Woodpecker
2 (stationary). Red-bellied Woodpecker 59 (12 feeder, 47 regular). Downy
Woodpecker 8, Hairy Woodpecker 2, Red-cockaded Woodpecker 3, Northern Ricker
22 (2 stationary, 20 regular), Pileated Woodpecker 8, Eastern Wood Pewee 32,
Acadian Flycatcher 5, Eastern Phoebe 20, Great-crested Flycatcher 56 (4 stationary,
52 regular). Eastern Kingbird 82, Purple Martin 70 (1 stationary, 69 regular).
Northern Rough-winged Swallow 11, Bam Swallow 45, Blue Jay 62 (24 feeder, 38
regular), American Crow 107 (9 stationary, 98 regular). Fish Crow 52 (1

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The Chat Vol. 60

stationary, 51 regular). Crow sp. 1, Carolina Chickadee 39 (15 feeder, 24 regular).
Tufted Titmouse 46 (13 feeder, 33 regular). White-breasted Nuthatch 24 (11 feeder,
13 regular). Brown-headed Nuthatch 20 (6 feeder, 14 regular), Carolina Wren 76 (8
feeder, 68 regular). House Wren 1, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 53, Eastern Bluebird 88
(2 feeder, 86 regular), Veery 1, Wood Thrush 33 (3 stationary, 30 regular),
American Robin 109 (21 stationary, 88 regular), Gray Catbird 21 (8 stationary, 13
regular). Northern Mockingbird 101 (4 stationary, 97 regular). Brown Thrasher 39
(14 stationary, 25 regular), Loggerhead Shrike 10, European Starling 87,
White-eyed Vireo 25, Yellow-throated Vireo 4, Red-eyed Vireo 26, Northern Parula
4, Yellow-rumped Warbler 1, Yellow-throated Warbler 9, Pine Warbler 21 (2
stationary, 19 regular). Prairie Warbler 23, Black & White Warbler 1 1, American
Redstart 6, Prothonotary Warbler 7, Ovenbird 23, Common Yellowthroat 13,
Hooded Warbler 3, Canada Warbler 1, Yellow-breasted Chat 4, Summer Tanager
20, Scarlet Tanager 5, Northern Cardinal 106 (24 feeder, 82 regular). Blue Grosbeak
20, Indigo Bunting 16 (3 stationary, 13 regular). Rufous-sided Towhee 61 (11
feeder, 50 regular). Chipping Sparrow 55, Field Sparrow 21 (2 stationary, 19
regular). Red- winged Blackbird 51 (4 stationary, 47 regular). Eastern Meadowlark
39, Common Grackle 120 (6 stationary, 1 14 regular). Brown-headed Cowbird 24 (9
stationary, 15 regular), Blackbird sp. 9 (stationary). Orchard Oriole 11, House
Finch 61 (28 feeder, 33 regular), American Goldfinch 59 (38 feeder, 21 regular).
House Sparrow 13 (1 feeder, 12 regular).

Total: 60 species, 2833 individuals (2418 regular, 24 night, 151 stationary,
240 feeder).

County Compiler: Libba Watson, 104 Rob Roy Road, Southern Pines, NC 28387.
Participants: Linda Alderman, Earl Anderson, Eleanor Anderson, Crawford Caton,
Hazel Caton, Charlotte Clauson, Bob Corey, Faust D’ambrosi, Dick Dole, Lois
Dole, Bryce Fleming, Esther Fleming, Charlotte Gantz, Barbara Gent, John Gent,
Mac Goodwin, Charlotte Hall, Lyman Hall, Pat Hoffman, Dean Holzgraf, Betty
Johnson, Bob Johnson, Marion Jones, Elizabeth Ann Kelley, Brandon McDonald,
Winifred Monroe, John Watson, Libba Watson, Alice Wood, Don Wood, Ted
York.

Onslow County, NC. 0500 to 2000. Weather: temperature 65 °-86°; wind
calm to 5 se AM, 8-10 se PM; fog AM, clear PM; precipitation none. Regular: 6
observers in 4 parties; regular hours foot 12:30; regular hours car 12; regular miles
foot 18.5; regular miles car 287.4. Night (Owling): 3 observers in 3 parties; night
hours 1:30; night miles 4.5. No Stationary parties. Feeder Watching: 4 observers
watching 6 feeding stations; feeder watching hours 12. County summary: 26 party
hours; 310.4 party miles, 7 participants.

Common Loon 2, Pied-billed Grebe 2, Brown Pelican 82, Great Cormorant 1 ,
Double-crested Cormorant 19, Great Blue Heron 4, Great Egret 36, Snowy Egret 3,
Little Blue Heron 2, Cattle Egret 1, Green Heron 4, Canada Goose 9, Wood Duck
18, American Black Duck 15, Mallard 16, Blue- winged Teal 1, Lesser Scaup 3,

Summer 1996

99

Ruddy Duck 6, Black Vulture 2, Turkey Vulture 21, Osprey 12, Sharp-shinned
Hawk 1, Red-shouldered Hawk 5, Broad-winged Hawk 1, Red-tailed Hawk 4,
Northern Bob-white 23, Clapper Rail 2, Sora 1, Common Moorhen 29, American
Coot 1, Semi-palmated Plover 7, Killdeer 24, Greater Yellowlegs 14, Lesser
Yellowlegs 6, Solitary Sandpiper 4, Willet 15, Spotted Sandpiper 8, Sanderling
27, Semi-palmated Sandpiper 14, Western Sandpiper 12, Least Sandpiper 42,
White-rumped Sandpiper 2, Peep sp. 32, Stilt Sandpiper 1, Laughing Gull 189,
Bonaparte's Gull 4, Ring-billed Gull 29, Herring Gull 9, Royal Tern 11, Common
Tern 3, Forster's Tern 8, Least Tern 12, Black Skimmer 2, Rock Dove 16,
Mourning Dove 10 feeder, 146 regular), Yellow-billed Cuckoo 22, Eastern
Screech-Owl 2 (night). Barred Owl 7 (night). Common Nighthawk 2, Chuck- Will's
Widow 7 (night). Whip-poor-will 6 (night). Chimney Swift 76, Ruby-throated
Hummingbird 5, Belted Kingfisher 2, Red-headed Woodpecker 10, Red-bellied
Woodpecker 11, Downy Woodpecker 8, Hairy Woodpecker 1, Red-cockaded
Woodpecker 7, Northern Flicker 4, Pileated Woodpecker 3, Eastern Wood Pewee
14, Acadian Flycatcher 24, Empidonax sp. 1, Great-crested Flycatcher 38, Eastern
Kingbird 23, Homed Lark 2, Purple Martin 108, Tree Swallow 4, Northern
Rough-winged Swallow 11, Bank Swallow 2, Bam Swallow 189, Blue Jay 44 (6
feeder, 38 regular), American Crow 61, Fish Crow 13, Carolina Chickadee 23 (2
feeder, 21 regular). Tufted Titmouse 18 (8 feeder, 10 regular). White-breasted
Nuthatch 4, Brown-headed Nuthatch 18 (4 feeder, 14 regular), Carolina Wren 29 (2
feeder, 27 regular). Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 31, Eastern Bluebird 70 (2 feeder, 68
regular). Wood Thrush 13, American Robin 6 (1 feeder, 5 regular), Gray Catbird 6,
Northern Mockingbird 68 (2 feeder, 66 regular). Brown Thrasher 12 (4 feeder, 8
regular). Cedar Waxwing 6, European Starling 72 (10 feeder, 62 regular).
White-eyed Vireo 31, Solitary Vireo 1, Yellow-throated Vireo 4, Red-eyed Vireo
26, Northern Parula 30, Yellow-rumped Warbler 1, Yellow-throated Warbler 16,
Pine Warbler 17, Prairie Warbler 24, Black & White Warbler 6, Prothonotary
Warbler 12, Worm-eating Warbler 4, Swainson's Warbler 3, Ovenbird 4, Louisiana
Waterthrush 1, Common Yellowthroat 25, Hooded Warbler 9, Yellow-breasted
Chat 16, Summer Tanager 24, Northern Cardinal 89 (13 feeder, 76 regular),
Rose-breasted Grosbeak 2, Blue Grosbeak 22, Indigo Bunting 42 (4 feeder, 38
regular), Painted Bunting 9, Rufous-sided Towhee 20, Bachman's Sparrow 2,
Chipping Sparrow 3, Field Sparrow 3, Grasshopper Sparrow 2, Sharptailed
Sparrow 1, Seaside Sparrow 8, Bobolink 81, Red- winged Blackbird 42, Eastern
Meadowlark 29, Boat-tailed Grackle 46, Common Grackle 69 (17 feeder, 52
regular). Brown-headed Cowbird 70 (22 feeder, 48 regular). Northern Oriole 19,
House Finch 2, American Goldfinch 5 (1 feeder, 4 regular). House Sparrow 27 (1
feeder, 26 regular).

Total: 66 species, 2903 individuals (2766 regular, 22 night, 115 feeder).

County Compiler: Nell Moore, 378 Francktown Rd., Richlands, NC 28574.
Participants: Buddy Garrett, Hazel Green, John Hammond, Jimi Moore, Nell
Moore, Jim O’Donnell, Sr., Shirl Rounds.

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The Chat Vol. 60

Pitt County, NC. 0700 to 1700. Weather: temperature 65 °-82 ; wind calm
AM, 5 nw noon, calm PM; clouds clear AM, 30% PM; precipitation none.
Regular: 7 observers in 4 parties; regular hours foot 14; regular hours car 8; regular
miles foot 8.5; regular miles car 162. No Night (Owling) parties. No Stationary
parties. No Feeder Watching. County summary: 22 party hours; 170.5 party miles,
7 participants.

Double-crested Cormorant 20, Great Blue Heron 12, Great Egret 2, Green Heron

2, Canada Goose 24, Wood Duck 7, Mallard 13, Ring-necked Duck 1, Red-breasted
Merganser 1, Black Vulture 1, Turkey Vulture 9, Osprey 2, Bald Eagle 2,
Red- shouldered Hawk 4, Red-tailed Hawk 4, American Kestrel 1, Northern
Bob- white 5, Killdeer 17, Spotted Sandpiper 15, Western Sandpiper 1, Least
Sandpiper 10, White-rumped Sandpiper 3, Laughing Gull 1, Bonaparte's Gull 7,
Ring-billed Gull 10, Rock Dove 2, Mourning Dove 58, Yellow-billed Cuckoo 13,
Eastern Screech-Owl 1, Great Homed Owl 1, Barred Owl 4, Common Nighthawk
1, Chuck- Will's Widow 1, Whip-poor-will 1, Chimney Swift 30, Ruby-throated
Hummingbird 3, Belted Kingfisher 3, Red-headed Woodpecker 3, Red-bellied
Woodpecker 22, Downy Woodpecker 7, Hairy Woodpecker 1, Northern Flicker 4,
Pileated Woodpecker 7, Eastern Wood Pewee 13, Acadian Flycatcher 10, Eastern
Phoebe 1, Great-crested Flycatcher 11, Eastern Kingbird 3, Homed Lark 1, Purple
Martin 7, Northern Rough- winged Swallow 27, Bam Swallow 31, Blue Jay 5,
American Crow 11, Fish Crow 28, Carolina Chickadee 11, Tufted Titmouse 9,
Red-breasted Nuthatch 7, Brown-headed Nuthatch 1, Carolina Wren 25, Blue-gray
Gnatcatcher 31, Eastern Bluebird 30, Swainson Thrush 3, Wood Thrush 7,
American Robin 20, Gray Catbird 12, Northern Mockingbird 33, Brown Thrasher
8, Loggerhead Shrike 6, European Starling 90, White-eyed Vireo 11,
Yellow-throated Vireo 3, Red-eyed Vireo 12, Northern Parula 25, Yellow Warbler

3, Yellow-rumped Warbler 2, Yellow-throated Warbler 5, Pine Warbler 5, Prairie
Warbler 3, Blackpoll Warbler 2, Black & White Warbler 1, American Redstart 3,
Prothonotary Warbler 30, Worm-eating Warbler 1, Swainson's Warbler 1, Ovenbird
18, Louisiana Waterthrush 6, Kentucky Warbler 3, Common Yellowthroat 12,
Hooded Warbler 3, Wilson's Warbler 1, Yellow-breasted Chat 8, Summer Tanager
13, Scarlet Tanager 1, Northern Cardinal 26, Blue Grosbeak 20, Indigo Bunting 33,
Rufous-sided Towhee 14, Chipping Sparrow 14, Field Sparrow 10, Grasshopper
Sparrow 2, Bobolink 3, Red-winged Blackbird 9, Eastern Meadowlark 12,
Common Grackle 135, Brown-headed Cowbird 16, Orchard Oriole 15, House Finch
5, American Goldfinch 13, House Sparrow 11.

Total: 109 species, 1287 individuals.

County Compiler: Veronica Pantelidis, 106 Lakeview Dr., Greenville, NC 27858.
Participants: Larry Auld, Karen Baldwin, Frank Enders, Ernest Marshall, Veronica
Pantelidis, Patricia Tyndall, Russ Tyndall.

Polk County, NC. 0853 to 2112. Weather: temperature 52 -65°; wind
calm AM, 5 mph PM; clouds 0-30% AM, 100% PM; precipitation none AM,

Summer 1996

101

light rain at dusk. Regular: 5 observers in 3 parties; regular hours foot 1; regular
hours car 11; regular miles foot 1; regular miles car 122. Night (Owling ): 2
observers in 1 party; night hours 1; night miles 10. No Stationary parties. No
Feeder Watchers. County summary: 13 party hours; 133 party miles, 5

participants.

Canada Goose 13, Turkey Vulture 6, Broad- winged Hawk 1, Red-tailed Hawk 1,
Northern Bob- white 4, Killdeer 5, Spotted Sandpiper 1, Mourning Dove 34,
Black-billed Cuckoo 1, Yellow-billed Cuckoo 3, Chuck-Will's Widow 1,
Whip-poor-will 5, Chimney Swift 38, Ruby-throated. Hummingbird 2, Red-bellied
Woodpecker 2, Downy Woodpecker 4, Hairy Woodpecker 3, Pileated Woodpecker

5, Eastern Wood Pewee 9, Acadian Flycatcher 2, Eastern Phoebe 14, Eastern
Kingbird 4, Purple Martin 7, Northern Rough-winged Swallow 6, Bam Swallow
35, Blue Jay 7, American Crow 25, Carolina Chickadee 14, Tufted Titmouse 14,
Carolina Wren 20, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 15, Eastern Bluebird 37, Wood Thrush

10, American Robin 28, Gray Catbird 10, Northern Mockingbird 14, Brown
Thrasher 8, Cedar Wax wing 36, Loggerhead Shrike 1, European Starling 20,
Solitary Vireo 6, Yellow-throated Vireo 5, Red-eyed Vireo 37, Vireo sp. 2,
Northern Parula 1, Yellow Warbler 2, Chestnut-sided Warbler 2, Magnolia Warbler
2, Cape May Warbler 1, Black-throated Blue Warbler 2, Black-throated Green
Warbler 7, Blackburnian Warbler 1, Yellow-throated Warbler 2, Pine Warbler 11,
Prairie Warbler 3, Blackpoll Warbler 3, Cerulean Warbler 2, Black & White
Warbler 7, American Redstart 12, Ovenbird 3, Louisiana Waterthrush 8, Kentucky
Warbler 6, Common Yellowthroat 13, Hooded Warbler 12, Yellow-breasted Chat

6, Summer Tanager 1, Scarlet Tanager 11, Northern Cardinal 30, Rose-breasted
Grosbeak 3, Blue Grosbeak 6, Indigo Bunting 55, Rufous-sided Towhee 20,
Chipping Sparrow 6, Field Sparrow 4, Grasshopper Sparrow 5, Song Sparrow 10,
Bobolink 11, Red- winged Blackbird 14, Eastern Meadowlark 18, Common Grackle
54, Brown-headed Cowbird 7, Orchard Oriole 4, Northern Oriole 4, House Finch

1 1, American Goldfinch 11, House Sparrow 1.

Total: 85 species, 907 individuals (901 regular, 6 night).

County Compiler: Simon R. B. Thompson, 11 Thermal View Dr., Tryon, NC
28782.

Participants: Larry Farer, Wayne Forsythe, Martha Frederick, Pam Thompson,
Simon Thompson.

Transylvania County, NC. 0700 to 1700. Weather: temperature not
reported; wind calm; cloudy PM; no precipitation. Regular: 26 observers in 13
parties; regular hours foot 31; regular hours car 54; regular miles foot 12; regular
miles car 343. No Night (Owling) parties. Stationary: 11 observers in 8 parties,
stationary hours 35:30. No Feeder Watchers. County summary: 120:30 party
hours; 355 party miles, 36 participants.

Great Blue Heron 2, Green Heron 2, Canada Goose 29, Wood Duck 29,
American Black Duck 2, Mallard 37, Black Vulture 4, Turkey Vulture 28,

102

The Chat Vol. 60

Broad-winged Hawk 2, Red-tailed Hawk 3, American Kestrel 2, Peregrine Falcon 2,
Ruffed Grouse 4, Northern Bob- white 15, Killdeer 11 (1 Stationary, 10

regular). Spotted Sandpiper 1, Rock Dove 3, Mourning Dove 144 (15 Stationary,
129 regular), Black-billed Cuckoo 1, Yellow-billed Cuckoo 11, Eastern
Screech-Owl 1, Whip-poor-will 1 (night). Chimney Swift 87 (8 Stationary, 79
regular). Ruby-throated Hummingbird 21 (8 Stationary, 13 regular). Belted
Kingfisher 11 regular). Red-bellied Woodpecker 20 (1 Stationary, 19 regular),
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 2, Downy Woodpecker 26 (14 Stationary, 12 regular).
Hairy Woodpecker 6 (4 Stationary, 2 regular). Northern Flicker 23 (2 Stationary,
21 regular), Pileated Woodpecker 38 (6 Stationary, 32 regular), Eastern Wood
Pewee 11(1 Stationary, 10 regular), Acadian Flycatcher 25, Alder Flycatcher 1,
Willow Flycatcher 12, Least Flycatcher 2, Eastern Phoebe 83 (5 Stationary, 78
regular). Great-crested Flycatcher 18, Eastern Kingbird 6,Tree Swallow 2, Northern
Rough-winged Swallow 52, Bam Swallow 154 (2 Stationary, 152 regular), Blue
Jay 115 (17 Stationary, 98 regular), American Crow 292 (22 Stationary, 270
regular). Common Raven 1, Carolina Chickadee 155 (12 Stationary, 143 regular).
Tufted Titmouse 109 (16 Stationary, 93 regular). Red-breasted Nuthatch 2,
White-breasted Nuthatch 19 (6 Stationary, 13 regular). Brown Creeper 2, Carolina
Wren 111 (4 Stationary, 107 regular). House Wren 18 (1 Stationary, 17 regular).
Winter Wren 3, Golden-crowned Kinglet 7, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 14 (1 Stationary,
13 regular). Eastern Bluebird 17 (7 Stationary, 70 regular), Veery 4, Wood Thrush
59 (1 Stationary, 58 regular), American Robin 320 (8 Stationary, 312 regular).
Gray Catbird 83 (2 Stationary, 81 regular). Northern Mockingbird 19 (1 Stationary,
18 regular). Brown Thrasher 69 (6 Stationary, 63 regular), Cedar Waxwing 35,
European Starling 212 (11 Stationary, 201 regular). White-eyed Vireo 12 (1
Stationary, 1 1 regular). Solitary Vireo 38, Yellow-throated Vireo 2, Red-eyed Vireo
119, Tennessee Warbler 3, Northern Parula 103 (1 Stationary, 102 regular), Yellow
Warbler 27, Chestnut- sided Warbler 90, Magnolia Warbler 4, Cape May Warbler 2,
Black-throated Blue Warbler 44, Yellow-rumped Warbler 10, Black-throated Green
Warbler 29, Blackburnian Warbler 16, Yellow-throated Warbler 10 (1 Stationary, 9
regular). Pine Warbler 5, Prairie Warbler 2, Palm Warbler 1, Bay-breasted Warbler
1, Blackpoll Warbler 10 (1 Stationary, 9 regular). Black & White Warbler 30 (2
Stationary, 28 regular), American Redstart 14 (1 Stationary, 13 regular).
Worm-eating Warbler 6 (1 Stationary, 5 regular), Swainson's Warbler l,Ovenbird
68, Northern Waterthrush 1, Louisiana Waterthrush 6 (1 Stationary, 5 regular),
Kentucky Warbler 3, Common Yellowthroat 35 (1 Stationary, 34 regular). Hooded
Warbler 80, Canada Warbler 13, Yellow-breasted Chat 1, Summer Tanager 3,
Scarlet Tanager 46 (1 Stationary, 45 regular). Northern Cardinal 166 (10
Stationary, 156 regular), Rose-breasted Grosbeak 6 (1 Stationary, 5 regular). Blue
Grosbeak 1, Indigo Bunting 123, Rufous-sided Towhee 254 (13 Stationary, 241
regular). Chipping Sparrow 41 (4 Stationary, 37 regular). Field Sparrow 8, Song
Sparrow 305 (9 Stationary, 296 regular). White-crowned Sparrow 3, Dark-eyed
Junco 51, Bobolink 1, Red-winged Blackbird 103 (1 Stationary, 102 regular).

Summer 1996

103

Eastern Meadowlark 16, Rusty Blackbird 2, Common Grackle 135 (6 Stationary,
129 regular). Brown-headed Cowbird 31, Northern Oriole 2, House Finch 63 (16
Stationary, 47 regular), American Goldfinch 165 (21 Stationary, 144 regular).
House Sparrow 13 (2 Stationary, 11 regular).

Total: 118 species, 4984 individuals (4707 regular, 1 night, 276 stationary).
County Compiler: Norma Siebenheller, 187 Glen Cannon Dr., Pisgah Forest, NC
28768.

Participants: Elaine Badger, Dick Blee, Pat Bohan, Jack Bronson, Midge Bronson,
Peggy Franklin, Elizabeth Galloway, Jeanne Grimmenga, Ed Hathaway, Dorothy
Hollis, Bill Hough, Jean Hough, Jack Hudson, Betty Jones, Morgan Jones, Ruth
Klock, Mary Ellen Lindley, Betty Mcllwain, Carolyn Mills, Rick Mills, Susan
Mitchell, Ellen Nadler, Erika Parmi, Cliff Petitt, Florence Rogers, Mary Sauerteig,
Harry Sherwood, Mary Sherwood, Bill Siebenheller, Norma Siebenheller, Connie
Updike, George Updike, Dick Walker, Mary Walker, Laurie Wauchope, Genevieve
Youcis.

Wilkes County, NC. 0700 to 2000. Weather: temperature 50 -60°; wind
calm; clouds 70-100% AM, 100% PM; precipitation 0 AM, rain PM. No Regular
parties. No Night (Owling) parties. Stationary: 1 observer in 1 party; stationary
hours 3. Feeder Watching: 2 feeder watchers observing 6 feeding stations; feeder
watching hours 10. County summary: 13 party hours; 0 party miles, 2
participants.

Mourning Dove 20 (feeder). Chimney Swift 20 (feeder). Ruby-throated
Hummingbird 4 (feeder). Red-bellied Woodpecker 2 (feeder). Downy Woodpecker 4
(2 stationary, 2 feeder), Hairy Woodpecker 1 (stationary), Pileated Woodpecker 2
(stationary). Blue Jay 4, American Crow 16 (stationary). Tufted Titmouse 5
(feeder), White-breasted Nuthatch 2 (feeder), Carolina Wren 1 (feeder). House Wren
1 (stationary), American Robin 1 (stationary). Gray Catbird 1 (stationary). Pine
Warbler 3 (stationary). Northern Cardinal 16 (feeder). Indigo Bunting 1 (feeder).
Rufous-sided Towhee 3 (stationary). Chipping Sparrow 10 (feeder).

Total: 20 species, 117 individuals (30 stationary, 87 feeder).

County Compiler: James H. Coman III, Rt. 1, Box 182, Piney Creek, NC 28663.
Participants: Edith Anderson, Ruth McRary.

REFERENCE

NAMC Newsletter #2, January, 1994

104

The Chat Vol. 60

General Field Notes

LYNN MOSELEY

North Carolina Editor
Department of Biology
Guilford College
Greensboro, NC 27410

DENNIS M. FORSYTHE

South Carolina Editor
Department of Biology
The Citadel
Charleston, SC 29409

NOTICE

Publication of any unusual sightings of birds in ihe Field Notes or Briefs for the Files
does not imply that these repats have been accepted into the official Checklist cf
Birds records fa either Nath a South Carolina. Decisions regarding the official
Checklists are made by the respective State Records Committees and will be repated
upon periodically in THE CHAT.

First Confirmed Nesting of Mississippi Kite in North Carolina

HAL W. BROADFOOT, Jr.

41 1 McPherson Avenue
Fayetteville, NC 28303

On 23 July 1995 I observed an active Mississippi Kite (Ictinia
mississippiensis) nest in Laurinburg, North Carolina. An adult
Mississippi Kite was seen several times feeding a preflight individual in
the nest. While this species is a rare to locally common (along the
Roanoke River) spring and summer resident in eastern North Carolina
(Potter it al. 1980), this first discovery of an occupied nest confirms nesting
of the species in the state.

I learned of the birds on 26 June 1995 in a telephone call from Mary
Jane Wells of Laurinburg. Mrs. Wells lives at the site and called to tell
me she had seen several unusual birds during the previous summer (1994).
She thought that they were some type of kite and wondered if they could
have nested. Through subsequent telephone calls, I learned that the kites
had returned and their activity was centered around a hardwood grove in
Laurinburg.

On the afternoon of 23 July 1995, I observed two Mississippi Kites
soaring at 35 to 100+m over the site. Mrs. Wells and Steven and Hampton

Summer 1996

105

Moore (age 5) of Fayetteville also observed them. The kites were light
gray with a few white and brown feathers on their backs. Their bodies
were slender, their heads light-colored, their bills small and hooked.
Their mottled wings were long, narrow, tapered toward the tips, and at
times cocked back at the wrists. They seldom flapped. Their tails were
long and banded and widened slightly from the base to the tip.
Depending on how much the birds flared their tails, the tip varied from
almost straight to notched or slightly concave. I identified these birds as
Mississippi Kites, and later determined that birds with these
characteristics were year-old sub-adults (Clark 1987).

Within fifteen minutes, I observed a Mississippi Kite in full adult
plumage circle the site. This bird was the same shape as the earlier
birds, but its plumage was a crisp pattern of grays, black, and white. The
head was light gray, the back, breast, belly and underwings were medium
gray. The leading edges of the wings were darker gray and the trailing
edges were white. The outer half of the wings and the entire tail were
black. We heard the two-syllable call that Mrs. Wells had described in
an earlier telephone conversation. I watched (through lOx binoculars at
approximately 50 m) as this bird caught a large insect in its talons and
ate it in mid-flight.

Several things led me to the nest. The birds' activity seemed to center
around one tree and I noted a cycle of behavior in the adult kite(s). A
pattern of circling, calling and lighting was repeated twice in fifteen
minutes. On the third repetition of this pattern, I was able to watch a
calling adult kite, holding something in its talons at the end of an
outstretched leg, circle into the trees and land on the nest. The adult kite
perched on the side of the nest and leaned into the nest with its tail
hanging down. I observed the barred wing tips of the preflight nestling
briefly flap into view over the top and sides of the nest. The others
observed this behavior when the pattern was repeated again before we
had to leave. Our observations occurred from 1330 to 1445 h on 23 July 1995.

The nest was located in a multi-branched fork of a living Sweetgum
(Liquidambar styraciflua) approximately 23 m above the ground and
within 2 m of the top of the tree. It was well shaded and partially
obscured by the fully leafed crown. The nest was made up of sticks and
twigs interlocked in a flat-topped mass approximately 50 cm wide by 25
cm deep.

The nest tree, with a diameter at breast height of 0.89 m, stood
approximately a meter north of a row of Southern Red Oaks ( Quercus
falcata) lining W. Church Street (US 74-Bus.) which runs east/west
within the city limits of Laurinburg. The oaks and the Sweetgum were of
similar size. The upper branches of the trees intermingle. Other
hardwoods including Pecan ( Carya illinoensis), White Oak (Quercus

106

The Chat Vol. 60

alba), Willow Oak (Quercus phellos), Magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora) ,
and Flowering Dogwood ( Cornus florida) are nearby, as are Loblolly pines
(Pinus taeda). The nest tree was located at the corner of W. Church Street
and Presbyterian Avenue on the property of First Presbyterian Church in
a residential neighborhood across the street from a park. The site was a
mix of open oak grove, well groomed lawns, woody thickets, dirt and
paved parking lots, and playing fields.

On the evening of 23 July 1995, 1 called Taylor Piephoff to report the
finding to the Carolina Bird Club Hot Line and confirm that this was
indeed the first discovery of nesting Mississippi Kites in North Carolina.
Consequently, Ricky Davis of the North Carolina Bird Records Com-
mittee suggested that the record was very important and complete
written and photographic documentation was needed.

Piephoff and others observed the nest occupied by a preflight
immature Mississippi Kite on 26 July 1995. They also saw up to six other
kites of various ages. On 27 July 1995, I returned to photograph the nest
and the kites. Wildlife biologists John Ann Shearer and Todd Earnhardt
and photographer Chip East accompanied me. Shearer has had
experience with raptors; she has hacked Bald Eagles, Ospreys and
Peregrine Falcons.

The preflight immature was easily observed through lOx binoculars,
a 40x scope, and telephoto lenses of 300 mm, 400 mm, and 560 mm focal
lengths. The bird's downy head peered over the edge of the nest much of
the time. The bird also climbed out of the nest and shuffled among the
surrounding limbs several times. Both in and out of the nest, the bird
stretched and flapped its wings, which were a mottled pattern of browns
and grays. The bird's cream-colored breast, heavily streaked with
reddish brown, was readily observed. This plumage is typical of im-
mature Mississippi Kites (Clark 1987). We watched an adult bring food
several times. We also observed an adult bring a long forked stick to the
nest and weave it in. Photographs were taken that morning to document
some of the behavior.

Observations continued the next mourning on 28 July 1995 from 0915 to
1045 h. I returned with Fayetteville Observer photographer Cindy
Burnham and reporter Eleanor Lee Yates. I was able to observe a
Mississippi Kite for approximately 15 minutes as it perched and preened
itself on a dead limb about 20 m up in one of the oaks. Through the scope I
could see faint bars on the dark tail. This bird's body and wing plumage
was marked with a few light and dark feathers that seemed out of place.
These characteristics are field marks of a sub-adult (Clark 1987).

We spent about an hour watching the nest on 28 July 1995. The bird
had not yet fledged and was even more active than on the previous day. 1 1
continued to hop in and out of the nest while flapping its wings. The

Summer 1996

107

immature seemed to be fed by the adult(s) less frequently than on previous
days. The length of the feeding contacts we observed between the
immature and the adult(s) was also reduced.

On 30 July 1995, I returned with Frank Moorman of Fayetteville to
continue observation of the kites. We spent several hours in the late
afternoon observing the nest. We also attempted to determine the age of
all of the other kites in the area. Moorman made two interesting
observations. First, he observed at close range (20 m with lOx binoculars)
an immature kite (an individual fledged this year) in addition to the
immature kite still in the nest. Second, he observed this second immature
briefly join the preflight immature in the nest. Adults and sub-adults
were also seen. Photographs were taken.

We noted three things early in our observation of the nest. First, many
of the free-flying kites were calling regularly to the kite in the nest.
Second, compared to previous days, the preflight kite was hardly being
fed. Third, the preflight kite was out of the nest and gradually edging
farther away from it toward the top of the tree.

At approximately 1800 h cn 30 July 1995, 1 watched the immature bird
fledge. Its first flight took the bird across the street into one of the oaks.
It was joined and fed shortly thereafter by an adult kite.

Acknowledgements. I thank all of the people mentioned above for
their time, expertise, and help in making the field observations.
Additional thanks to Ricky Davis, Taylor Piephoff, and Jean Moore for
their review of this note and Chip East and Lee Green for their help.

Literature Cited

Clark, W. S. And B. K. Wheeler. 1987. Hawks of North America. Houghton

Mifflin Company, Boston.

Potter, E. F., J. F. Parnell, and R. P. Teulings. 1980. Birds of the Carolinas.

University of North Carolina Press, Chapel Hill.

108

The Chat Vol. 60

Snowy Plover Observed at North Island, Georgetown County,
South Carolina

BILL PULLIAM MARK SPINKS

217 2nd St. Rt. 2 Box 189

Ft. Collins, CO 80524 Georgetown, SC 29440

BETSY HASKINS
153 Garden St.

P.O. Box 1630 LaParte, IN 46350

A Snowy Plover (Charadrius alexandrius) was observed at the
northern end of North Island, Georgetown County, South Carolina, on
three occasions between 9 January and 26 February 1992. In all instances
the bird was seen near the time of high tide in the company of six Piping
Plovers (C. melodus).

The bird was first discovered by Mark Spinks at approximately noon
on 9 January, under cloudy skies with calm winds. While engaging in a
routine survey of the small flock of wintering Piping Plovers at North
Island, he noted that one plover in the flock had dark legs rather than
the typical orange-pink leg color shown by Pipings. On closer
examination, he found that this bird also had a dark ear patch and a bill
that was detectably longer than that of the adjacent Piping Plovers.
Otherwise its coloration and behavior were similar to that of the
Pipings. Spinks studied the bird through a 15x-60x spotting scope from as
close as 30 m. He concluded that this bird was a snowy Plover, and on his
return from North Island, he contacted several other experienced observ-
ers to notify them of its presence. However, due to the inaccessibility of
the location, no attempts were made to relocate the bird for the next six
weeks.

The North Island plover flock was next observed on 19 February by
Wendy Allen and Betsy Haskin, at 1130 hrs under partly cloudy skies,
while they were conducting a routine monthly survey as part of the South
Carolina Shorebird Project (coordinated by C. Marsh, Coastal Carolina
University). They noted a bird in the flock that was generally similar to
a basic-plumage Piping Plover but with gray legs and a dark patch
behind the eye that contrasted markedly with its white forehead. They
observed the bird for approximately 10 min. with binoculars and a 45x
spotting scope from as close as 20 m. They were sure the bird was different
from the Piping Plovers, and later that day confidently identified it as a
Snowy Plover.

WENDY ALLEN
USC Baruch Marine Lab
P.O. Box 1630
Georgetown, SC 29442

Summer 1996

109

The final sighting of the bird took place on 26 February, by Wendy
Allen and Bill Pulliam. They located the plover at approximately 1500
hrs., roosting with the same flock of six Piping Plovers with which i t
had been seen on the two previous occasions. They studied it leisurely for
30 minutes in good light under partly cloudy skies with a 1-15 knot wind.
They were able to examine the bird through a 45x spotting scope from as
close as 15 m, and through binoculars from as close as 5 m. They had
excellent opportunities to compare it directly to both basic-plumage (four
birds) and alternate-plumage (two birds) Piping Plovers within the same
field of view, and Allen was able to obtain numerous photographs (Figs.
1-3).

Fig. 1. Snowy Plover (third from left) with Piping Plovers and
Sanderling, North Island, Georgetown Co., South Carolina. Photo by
Wendy Allen.

The following description is based primarily on Pulliam's notes
taken in the field while viewing the bird, and a sketch he made immedi-
ately on return from the island before consulting any field guides. All of
the characters noted, except for the flight patterns, are visible in Figs
1-3. Overall the bird was clearly a small Charadrius plover that was
generally similar to a basic-plumage Piping Plover. However, there were

110

The Chat Vol. 60

Fig. 2. A Snowy Plover (on right) with Piping Plover on low flat beach.
North Island, Georgetown Co., South Carolina. Photo by Wendy Allen.

Fig. 3. Snowy Plover on low flat beach. Photo by Wendy Allen.

Summer 1996

111

numerous differences in details of the plumage and structure between the
bird and all of the nearby Piping Plovers. The bird's shape was distinctly
different from the Pipings, it was smaller overall, and appeared
somewhat shorter-legged. This difference was great enough so that the
bird could easily be singled out by size, even to the unaided eye from a
distance of 15 m. Its legs were dark neutral gray, with no detectable pink,
orange, or yellow tint. The leg color could be seen well, as it could be
distinguished that it was dark gray, not black, and the orange-pink
colors of the Piping Plover's legs were easily visible. The bird's bill was
longer and thinner than those of the Pipings, and was all black. The total
length of the bill was approximately equal to the distance between the
base of the bill and the eye, whereas in the Piping Plovers the bill was
considerably shorter than this distance. The thin, straight bill was
distinctly different from the short, thick bills of the Piping or
Semipalmated (C. semipalmatus) Plovers, and along with the short legs
gave an impression of a more elongate, sleek outline than that of the
Pipings.

The bird's mantle (including back, upper wing coverts, and all
portions of flight feathers visible at rest) and crown were gray, of a
similar shade to but slightly darker than those of most (but not all) of
the six Piping Plovers available for comparison. The back and rump
showed a very slight scaly pattern, possibly attributable to feather
wear, but this did not differ qualitatively from the basic-plumage
Pipings. The rump and upper tail coverts were of a similar color as the
back, and showed no contrast to it in flight. The bird had a partial breast
band similar to but noticeably shorter, darker, and more cleanly defined
than those of the Pipings. It also had a well-defined ear patch, much
darker than any shown by the Pipings. The bird showed a dark stripe on
the upper forehead separating the gray crown from the white lower
forehead, a feature that was also shown by the alternate-plumaged (but
not the basic-plumaged) Pipings. The combination of dark forehead
stripe, ear patch, and the clean-cut dark partial breast band gve the bird
a distinctive "black-and-white" appearance when viewed from the front
that was quite different from the Piping Plovers.

A final, and unsuccessful, effort to locate this bird was made on 28
February, by Spinks, Pulliam, Lex Glover, and Perry Nugent. This visit
was made near low tide, rather than at high tide as on the three
previous occasions. Though they spent over an hour on the island and
easily found the flock of six Piping Plovers, the Snowy Plover was never
seen. This may indicate either that the bird was no longer in the area, or
that it associated with the Piping Plovers only at high tide. No further
sightings or attempt to relocate the bird were reported.

112

The Chat Vol. 60

Most of the characters listed above are fairly subtle quantitative
differences between this bird and typical Piping Plovers, rather than
neat qualitative distinctions. Any single one of these differences, or even
a combination of a few of them, would certainly not be sufficient to rule
out the possibility of the bird being an aberrant Piping Plover. However,
the combination of all of these characters yields a bird that indeed is
qualitatively different from a Piping Plover, and is entirely consistent
with a Snowy Plover. Every feature of the bird that could be observed in
the field (with the exception of vocalizations, which unfortunately were
not heard) agrees with its being a Snowy Plover; many are inconsistent
with its being a Piping Plover. Indeed, there does not appear to be any
plumage of any other species throughout the world, that is concordant
with the North Island bird in pattern, size, and shape. Thus these
observers have no doubt that the bird seen and phtographed at North
Island is a Snowy Plover, representing the first documented record for
South Carolina and the region (LeGrand 1992) and one of the very few
records for the entire Atlantic coast north of Florida (Robertson and
Woolfenden 1992). Interestingly the South Carolina Snowy Plover record
fit into a pattern of scattered Snowies showing up in unusual spots during
spring 1992. They produced such records as the first for Michigan, third
for Tennessee, fifth for Wisconsin, and notable records for Idaho and Iowa
(Kaufmann 1992). This pattern of vagrancies continued on in the South
Atlantic Region during Spring 1993 with the first documented Georgia
record on Sapelo Island 17 April (Davis 1993).

LITERATURE CITED

Davis, R. 1993. South Atlantic Coast Region. Amer. Birds 47(3):403-405.
Kaufman, K. 1992. The changing seasons. Spring 1992. Amer. Birds
46(3):384-385.

LeGrand, H. E. Jr. 1992. South Atlantic Coast Region, Winter 1992-92.
Amer. Birds 46(3):403-405.

Robertson, W. B. Jr. and G. E. Woolfenden. 1992. Florida Bird Species. An
annotated list. Florida Ornith. Soc. #6, Gainesville, FL 260 pp.

CBC Rare Bird Alert
(704) 332-BIRD

Summer 1996

113

BRIEFS FOR THE FILES

RICKY DAVIS
(All Dates Fall 1995)

RED-THROATED LOON: Inland reports included singles at Falls Lake near
Raleigh, NC Nov. 12 (Ricky Davis) and Nov. 25 (Harry LeGrand); and at Lake
Norman near Charlotte, NC late Nov. into December (David Wright).

PIED-BILLED GREBE: One found near Glen Ayre, Mitchell Co., NC Sept. 18
was at a relatively high elevation (3200’) for the species (Rick Knight).

HORNED GREBE: There was an impressive movement of this species in the
Raleigh area in late November when on the 25th, 100+ were on Falls Lake
(Harry LeGrand) and 1 10 were counted at Jordan Lake (Will Cook)!

EARED GREBE: The Sumter, SC birds returned by Sept. 1 1 (Lex Glover, Evelyn
Dabbs, Chris Eley) and the Goldsboro, NC birds returned by Aug. 5 (Eric
Dean). The peak at Goldsboro was eight on Sept. 26 and up to five remained
through the period (Dean). Also of interest was one at the Savannah Spoil Site,
Jasper Co., SC on Nov. 8 (Steve Calver).

RED-NECKED GREBE: The only fall report was of the single bird found on Lake
Norman Nov. 13 (David Wright).

NORTHERN FULMAR: One was found sick in the surf (and later died) on N.
Core Banks, NC on the amazing date of Aug. 1 1 (Gerald Weaver, fide Trip
Dennis)!

BLACK-CAPPED PETREL: This species was present offshore in good numbers
this season with the peak count being 192 off Hatteras, NC Aug. 6 (Brian
Patteson, et al.).

HERALD PETREL: This species was found twice this season with one dark phase
bird Aug. 12 (Armas Hill, et al.) and two (one dark, one intermediate) Sept. 3
(Brian Patteson, et al.); both reports off Oregon Inlet, NC.

CAPE VERDE PETREL: North Carolina's first fall record came when one was
photographed off Hatteras Sept. 16 (Brian Patteson, et al.).

CORY'S SHEARWATER: The peak count offshore was the 3000+ out of Oregon
Inlet Aug. 12 (Armas Hill, et al.). An excellent onshore total for the fall was
the 500 seen flying north past Cape Hatteras Aug. 26 (Russ and Patricia
Tyndall).

AUDUBON'S SHEARWATER: This species was also found in excellent numbers
offshore with the peak being 1175 off Hatteras Aug. 5 (Brian Patteson, et al.).
Onshore reports involved one on the beach at Harbor Island, SC in August after
passage of Hurricane Erin (Judy and George Halleron, fide Frances Nelson) and
a good count of 12 flying north past Cape Hatteras Aug. 26 (Russ and Patricia
Tyndall).

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WHITE-FACED STORM-PETREL: The only report was of one seen in late
August northeast of Oregon Inlet on a fishing boat (Allen Foreman, fide Brian
Patteson).

WHITE-TAILED TROPICBIRD: The good number of sightings from the summer
continued into the fall with reports including: three off Oregon Inlet Aug. 5
(Armas Hill, et al.), three the same day off Hatteras (Brian Patteson, et al.), and
singles off Hatteras Aug. 13 and 26 (Patteson).

RED-BILLED TROPICBIRD: The much rarer Red-billed was found twice!

Immatures were found off Hatteras Aug. 27 and out of Oregon Inlet Sept. 2
(Brian Patteson, et al.).

MASKED BOOBY: The only offshore report was of one subadult off of Hatteras
Aug. 5 (Brian Patteson, et al.). Much more unexpected was the immature seen
flying close in just past the breakers at Long Beach, NC Aug. 1 (Ricky Davis).

NORTHERN GANNET: An excellent one-day total was the 10,000+ migrating
south near Oregon Inlet Nov. 18 (Haven Wiley).

AM. WHITE PELICAN: A flock of 20 was observed flying north at Huntington
Beach State Park, SC Oct. 28 (Bob and Barbara Maxwell). Also interesting was
the single bird found on Gem Lake, Aiken, SC for one day in late November
(Chuck Braun, fide Anne Waters). This bird was photographed and provided
only the sixth inland record for the state.

ANHINGA: There were a handfull of the usual interior coastal plain reports this
fall, but one was truly out of range when seen during a hawkwatch at Kerr
Scott Reservoir, NC Nov. 19 (Adam Martin)! The distance west and the late
date are quite amazing for our area.

GREAT "WHITE" HERON: The North Pond, Pea Island NWR bird was present
throughout most of the period but was not being seen by December. Has this
bird moved on or passed on?

LITTLE BLUE HERON: Little Blues wandered inland a little farther than usual
with the best report being up to five immatures in Polk Co., NC Aug. 7
(Jennifer Wren, Tom Joyce). Another good total was the six at the Landrum,
SC Sod Farm Aug. 2 (Simon Thompson). Farther east but still a good local
count was the seven at Fayetteville, NC Aug. 13 (Hal Broadfoot, Jr.).

TRICOLORED HERON: Inland wanderers included two at Fayetteville, NC Aug.
13 (Hal Broadfoot, Jr.) and one at Goldsboro, NC Aug. 22 (Eric Dean, Gene
Howe).

BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON: Two were at Jordan Lake Aug. 10 (Doug
Shadwick) and one was still nearby Aug. 19 (Jeff Pippen).

SNOWY EGRET: This species was widely reported inland this fall with the most
interesting records being a very respectable 15 at Goldsboro, NC Sept. 24 (Eric
Dean), one at Lake Brandt near Greensboro, NC Sept. 14 (Herb Hendrickson),
and three in Mecklenburg Co., NC Oct. 2 (David Wright).

REDDISH EGRET: It may sound like a broken record, but this species continues
to increase in the Carolinas each summer and fall. Multiple reports of Reddish

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Egrets were from the usual areas such as Core Banks, Ft. Fisher, and Sunset
Beach in North Carolina and Huntington Beach State Park in South Carolina.
Interesting were the couple of birds which remained late until the end of the
period at Huntington Beach (Herb Hendrickson, Jack Peachey, Robin Carter,
Caroline Eastman).

CATTLE EGRET: Slightly late was one at Goldsboro, NC Nov. 14 (Eric Dean)
and a good local fall count was the 70 near Fayetteville, NC Aug. 13 (Hal
Broadfoot, Jr.).

GLOSSY IBIS: This species is much less common as an inland wanderer than
White Ibis, thus of interest were three near Fayetteville, NC Aug. 13 (Hal
Broadfoot, Jr.) and two way to the west were observed from a hawkwatch at
Kerr Scott Reservoir, NC this fall (Adam Martin).

ROSEATE SPOONBILL: The Spoonbill is a rare bird in the Carolinas, thus a
report from Huntington Beach State Park, SC caused considerable excitement.
One was present from mid-Oct. to early Nov. (m. ob.) and was noteworthy due
to the lateness and length of stay.

WOOD STORK: This species was at its usual northernmost summering area at
Sunset Beach, NC until at least late October. The peak count there was 50 on
Sept. 2 (Eric Dean). Much less expected was the individual seen overhead near
Rosman, NC Oct. 24 (Angel Gonzalez, fide Betty Mcllwain) for a locally very
rare report.

MUTE SWAN: The bird present at North Pond, Pea Island NWR, NC from the
summer remained there throughout the period (m. ob.). Another one came into
Huntington Beach State Park, SC in late November (with some Tundra
Swans!) and remained for some time (Herb Hendrickson, Jack Peachey, Robin
Carter, Caroline Eastman). It is highly probable that some of the recent records
of this species in the Carolinas involve wandering birds from the growing mid-
Atlantic states population.

SNOW GOOSE: Inland reports this fall included three at Connestee Falls, NC
Nov. 4 (fide Norma Siebenheller); three near Asheville, NC Nov. 25-29 (Bob
Merrick); two near Townville, SC Nov. 14 (Bob Maxwell, Pete Worthington);
and one near Orangeburg, SC Nov. 12 (Robin Carter, Caroline Eastman).

ROSS' GOOSE: The only report was of one in flight with Snows at Lake

Mattamuskeet, NC Nov. 19 (Jeremy Hyman, Haven Wiley).

BRANT: Rare in the Charleston, SC area, an individual was at the Pitt St.
Causeway Nov. 3-5 (Gifford Beaton, sev. ob.).

EURASIAN WIGEON: The only reports involved one to two at the usual North
Pond, Pea Island NWR area during October and November (Brian Patteson,
Ricky Davis, C. H. Gambill).

REDHEAD: Reports of this species included two to four in Transylvania Co., NC
Nov. 24 and 29 (fide Norma Siebenheller); three at Lake Townsend, NC Nov.
16 (Herb Hendrickson, et al.); 12 on Belews Lake, NC Nov. 23 (Lloyd

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Ramsey, Jim Martin, fide Ramona Snavely); 13 at Falls Lake, NC Nov. 12
(Ricky Davis); and 12 on Jordan Lake, NC Nov. 23 (Chris Eley).

COMMON EIDER: A female-plumaged bird was seen from the ferry in Pamlico
Sound near Swan Quarter Nov. 26 (Eric Dean); an unusual location away from
the immediate coast for this species.

SURF SCOTER: Inland reports in North Carolina involved six at Jordan Lake
Nov. 5 (Ricky Davis); seven at Goldsboro Nov. 5 (Eric Dean); one at Jordan
Lake Nov. 23 (Chris Eley); and three at Falls Lake Nov. 25 (Harry LeGrand).

WHITE- WINGED SCOTER: This species is much less common as an inland
migrant in the Carolinas than the Surf Scoter. Thus of interest were one at
Jordan Lake Nov. 5 (Ricky Davis) and two there Nov. 26 (Mike Schultz, Norm
Budnitz).

RED-BREASTED MERGANSER: A good count of 19 was at Jordan Lake, NC
Nov. 23 (Chris Eley).

COMMON MERGANSER: This species was reported from Jordan Lake several
times this fall. An eclipse male was there Oct. 13 (Ricky Davis) and three
females were found Nov. 25 (Will Cook). Also a female was observed on Lake
Phelps, NC Nov. 27 (Ricky Davis).

RUDDY DUCK: This duck was noted in above average numbers locally at Lake
Mattamuskeet, NC when 9000+ were there in late October (Kelly Davis).

BLACK VULTURE: Very good counts were had this fall at several western
hawkwatches. At Caesar's Head, SC 157 were counted (Bob Merrick) and at
Kerr Scott Reservoir, NC 224 were tallied (Adam Martin).

OSPREY: A good local count of 19 was had at Huntington Beach State Park, SC
Sept. 10 (Pete Worthington) and one was quite late at Lake Mattamuskeet, NC
Nov. 22 (Kelly Davis).

SWALLOW-TAILED KITE: The only report was of one near Morehead City, NC
Aug. 27 (Tom Jones, Lynn Barker, fide John Fussell), a rare fall record.

MISSISSIPPI KITE: This species made news this fall with more reports than
usual. One was in Duplin Co., NC Sept. 18 (Jeff Pippen, Dave Powell); one
was in Duke Forest, Durham Co., NC Sept. 19 (Jeff Pippen, Will Cook); one
was a very rare fall migrant at Pea Island NWR, NC Oct. 2 (Ricky Davis); an
individual was near Durham, NC Oct. 5 (Will Cook); an adult was seen from
Mahogany Rock Overlook, Blue Ridge Parkway, NC Oct. 7 (Will Cook, Terry
Morris); a subadult was late in McCormick Co., SC Oct. 21 (Pete
Worthington); and another was late in Durham, NC Oct. 23 (Jeff Pippen).

SHARP-SHINNED HAWK: An exceptional count of 750+ was seen at Pea Island
NWR, NC Oct. 2 (Ricky Davis) during five hours of observation time.

BROAD- WINGED HAWK: Three were locally rare fall migrants on the Outer
Banks when Davis saw them Oct. 2 during a heavy hawk migration. Peak
counts from western hawkwatches included 2523 at Kerr Scott Reservoir, NC
Sept. 19 (Dominick D'Ostilio) and 1550 at Asheville, NC Sept. 29 (Bill

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Sanderson, Bob Wilson, et al.). Also one was quite late at Kerr Scott Res.
Nov. 5 (Adam Martin).

GOLDEN EAGLE: Reports of this rare species included an early immature at
Duke Forest, Orange Co., NC Sept. 28 (Will Cook); one adult from the Kerr
Scott Reservoir, NC hawkwatch Oct. 8 (Adam Martin); one over Glen Cannon,
Transylvania Co., NC Oct. 23 (Betty Mcllwain, Liz Ellwood); a subadult from
the Mahogany Rock Overlook, Blue Ridge Parkway, NC Nov. 12 (Harry
LeGrand, Derb Carter); and a very early adult at Caesar's Head State Park, SC
Aug. 13 (Bob Merrick). This last individual was most certainly from the
Appalachian population.

AMERICAN KESTREL: Good counts from the North Carolina Outer Banks
included 158 at Ocracoke Sept. 20 (Rich Guthrie) and 90 at Pea Island NWR
Oct. 2 (Ricky Davis). A belated report from the summer involved at least two
pairs in clearcuts on the Savannah River Site, SC in June and July (fide John
Dunning), though no breeding evidence was noted.

MERLIN: Good counts of this falcon included three in Orange Co., NC Sept. 23
(Steve Stiffler, fide Will Cook); seven at Pea Island NWR, NC Oct. 2 (Ricky
Davis); and a seasonal total of nine from Caesar's Head State Park, SC (Bob
Merrick).

PEREGRINE FALCON: Good news with this species included successful nestings
at the three sites in the mountains of North Carolina and a good fall total of 15
from Caesar's Head State Park, SC (Bob Merrick). Elsewhere inland and at the
coast, numbers seemed about average.

YELLOW RAIL: One was flushed from a small broomsedge area in the Duke
Forest, NC area on the very early date of Sept. 1 (Will Cook, Jeff Pippen) for
an interesting record. Other reports involved one near Charlotte, NC Oct. 3
(Taylor Piephoff) and another at Lake Mattamuskeet, NC Oct. 1 1 (Kelly Davis)
seen in a shallow roadside ditch!

CLAPPER RAIL: One was found injured in a parking lot in Goldsboro, NC Oct.
4 (fide Eric Dean) for a rare inland report.

VIRGINIA RAIL: Breeding evidence of Virginia Rail is rarely seen in North
Carolina; thus an adult with one black downy chick at North Pond, Pea Island
NWR on Aug. 20 (Ricky Davis) was noteworthy.

AMERICAN COOT: One at Sunset Beach, NC Aug. 18 was probably a

summering individual (Steve Dinsmore).

AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVER: There were many reports of Golden- Plovers in
the Carolinas this fall. Birds were found at many coastal sites (Outer Banks of
North Carolina, Huntington Beach State Park and the Savannah Spoil Site in
South Carolina). The more interesting records included up to seven inland at the
Orangeburg, SC Sod Farm Sept. 24 (John Cox)(several were here from late
August to early October); and a rarely seen (in the Carolinas) alternate
plumaged bird was at Cape Hatteras Sept. 13 (Marcia Lyons).

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WILSON'S PLOVER: A very good count of 100 was had at Bird Shoal, Beaufort
Inlet, NC Aug. 12 (John Fussell, at al.).

PIPING PLOVER: The peak count reported this fall was the 63 at Portsmouth,
NC Aug. 1 (Trip Dennis). One was at the Orangeburg, SC Sod Farm Sept. 24
(John Cox), providing an extremely rare inland record.

KILLDEER: Amazing was the three downy young found abandoned at Goose
Creek, Berkeley Co., SC on the absurdly late date of Nov. 13 (Eddie Howard,
Jr., fide Will Post). The young died a day later and no adult was ever seen. This
nesting record is four months past the previously known egg-nest date for the
state!

BLACK-NECKED STILT: One was locally unusual at Ft. Macon, NC Sept. 4
(Randy Newman, fide John Fussell). Also one was quite late at North Pond,
Pea Island NWR Oct. 8 (Skip Hancock, Ricky Davis, et al.). Also a good
count of 46 was had at nearby South Pond, Pea Island Aug. 15 (Steve
Dinsmore).

AMERICAN AVOCET: A peak count for the Carolinas this season, 275 were at
the Savannah Spoil Site, SC Sept. 23 (Steve Calver). Locally interesting
reports included one near Sneads Ferry, NC Nov. 4 (Nell Moore) and from one
to two at Huntington Beach State Park, SC from mid-Sept. to mid-Oct. (Jack
Peachey, Tonya Spires, Robin Carter, Caroline Eastman). And finally, a
belated spring report involved an amazing 15 in a flock for one day in April
inland at Lake Auman, Pinehurst, NC (Dick and Lois Dole, fide Dick Burk).
This is a record inland total for the Carolinas and is only about the fourth
South Carolina inland report.

UPLAND SANDPIPER: The fall migration of this species seemed about normal
with reports coming from the usual areas. The best counts again came from the
Orangeburg, SC Sod Farm with the peak total being 70 there Aug. 27 (Lex
Glover, Tom Hankins).

LONG-BILLED CURLEW: Reports this fall came from the usual locations: one
at Ft. Fisher, NC Aug. 19 (Gene Howe) and Oct. 14 (Chris Eley), three at
Cape Romain NWR, SC Sept. 27 (John Cox), and two on Shackleford Banks,
Cape Lookout, NC Oct. 29 (Trip Dennis).

HUDSONIAN GODWIT: As usual, from one to five were at North Pond, Pea
Island NWR, NC during the period early Aug. to early Oct. (m. ob.). Two were
at Cape Hatteras, NC Sept. 10 (Pat Moore, Russ and Patricia Tyndall, et al.).
Also from one to two were at the Savannah Spoil Site, SC early Sept, to early
Oct. (Lex Glover, Chris Eley, Tom Smith, Steve Calver, Georgia
Ornithological Society members).

MARBLED GODWIT: An unusual report involved one out of habitat near Sneads
Ferry, NC Sept. 2 that was located in a field, not a tidal area (Nell Moore, Ann
Foster)!

RED KNOT: A very rare inland record was of one near Fayetteville, NC Sept, lb-
17 (Hal Broadfoot, Jr.).

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SANDERLING: The best inland total was nine at Falls Lake, NC Sept. 26 (Ricky
Davis).

WESTERN SANDPIPER: Inland reports included one at Jordan Lake, NC Aug.
21 (Rob Gluck, fide Will Cook) and three at Lake Crabtree, Wake Co., NC
Aug. 28 (Doug Shad wick).

WHITE- RUMPED SANDPIPER: One was at Georgetown, SC Aug. 27-Sept. 3
(Robin Carter, Caroline Eastman), one was at the Orangeburg, SC Sod Farm
Aug. 20, 30 and Sept. 3, 17 (Robin Carter, Caroline Eastman, Larry and Carol
Eldridge), two were at Lake Crabtree, NC Aug. 28 (Doug Shadwick), and two
were at Goldsboro, NC Sept. 24 and (1) Oct. 22 (Eric Dean).

BAIRD'S SANDPIPER: Reports came only from North Carolina this fall with
single birds at the Cedar Island Ferry Terminal Aug. 1 (Trip Dennis, Sue
Brady); North Pond, Pea Island NWR Aug. 6 (Harry LeGrand, Derb Carter, et
al.); Goldsboro Sept. 20 (Eric Dean); and Jordan Lake Sept. 26-27 (Ricky
Davis, Chris Eley).

PECTORAL SANDPIPER: The peak total at the Orangeburg, SC Sod Farm was
300 on Aug. 27 (Lex Glover, Tom Hankins).

CURLEW SANDPIPER: The only spot with this species was North Pond, Pea
Island NWR, NC as usual. From one to three were there off and on from early
Aug. to early Oct. (m. ob.).

STILT SANDPIPER: The Savannah Spoil Site, SC hosted a large number of Stilt
Sandpipers this fall. The peak count was 360 Oct. 19 (Steve Calver).

BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER: This species staged a good fall migration in the
Carolinas this year. Inland reports included one at Falls Lake, NC Sept. 26
(Ricky Davis) and several at the Orangeburg, SC Sod Farm from late Aug. to
mid. Sept. (m. ob.). The peak there was eight Sept. 10 (Lex Glover, Chris
Eley). The best coastal reports included several at Huntington Beach State Park,
SC Aug. 30 (Jack Peachey, Paul Rogers); three at Myrtle Beach, SC Sept. 3
(Nell Moore, Ann Foster); and up to five at the Savannah Spoil Site, SC Sept.
6 (Steve Calver).

RUFF: This hard to find species was reported twice: a moulting male was at North
Pond, Pea Island NWR, NC Aug. 15 (Steve Dinsmore) and a female was at the
Savannah Spoil Site, SC Nov. 5-12 (Steve Calver). The South Carolina bird
was not only very rare for the state but also provided a late date.

LONG-BELLED DOWITCHER: Rare inland were five at the Orangeburg, SC Sod
Farm Sept. 24 (John Cox). Locally unusual was one at Huntington Beach State
Park, SC Aug. 30 (Jack Peachey) and Sept. 7 (Pete Worthington).

COMMON SNIPE: A very good total early in the season was the 30 counted at
the Orangeburg, SC Sod Farm Aug. 27 (Lex Glover, Tom Hankins).

WILSON'S PHALAROPE: The only inland report was of one at the Orangeburg,
SC Sod Farm Aug. 27 (Lex Glover, Tom Hankins). Some of the better coastal
reports included up to three at North Pond, Pea Island NWR, NC Aug. 6 (Harry

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LeGrand, Derb Carter, et al.) and a peak of nine at the Savannah Spoil Site, SC
Sept. 2 (Larry and Carol Eldridge).

RED-NECKED PHALAROPE: Always noteworthy on land, one was at

Goldsboro, NC Oct. 2 (Eric Dean); and an amazing five were at the Savannah
Spoil Site, SC Sept. 2 (Larry and Carol Eldridge). Also one was still present
there Sept. 19 (Steve Calver).

RED PHALAROPE: This species is much rarer on land than the preceding one.
Thus of interest was one at Cane Creek Reservoir, Orange Co., NC Sept. 23
(Steve Stiffler, fide Will Cook) and another near Sneads Ferry, NC Nov. 13
(Nell Moore, Jim O'Donnell).

LONG-TAILED JAEGER: Offshore sightings included singles off Oregon Inlet,
NC Aug. 12 (Armas Hill, et al.) and Sept. 2 (Brian Patteson, et al.). Much
more unexpected and bizarre was the adult at Stumpy Point, Dare Co., NC
Aug. 31 to Sept. 2 (John Fussell). This bird was observed flying over marsh,
pocosin, and highway for three days. What's interesting is that there was no
unusual weather event to account for this jaeger being on the mainland side of
Pamlico Sound when it should have been out over the ocean!

LAUGHING GULL: Inland records involved one at Jordan Lake, NC Aug. 29
(Ricky Davis), three at Lake Norman, NC Sept. 4 (David Wright), and one at
Goldsboro, NC Oct. 5 (Eric Dean).

LITTLE GULL: Belatedly, only the third or fourth record for South Carolina was
provided by a well described immature at the Savannah Spoil Site April 18
(Steve Calver).

COMMON BLACK-HEADED GULL: The only report was of one at Cape

Hatteras, NC Nov. 26 (Russ and Patricia Tyndall).

CALIFORNIA GULL: An adult was found at Oregon Inlet, NC Nov. 25 (John and
Paula Wright), a new location for this rare species in the state.

LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL: Lessers continue to increase in our area, but
noteworthy was the presence of at least nine already at Cape Hatteras, NC Oct.
8 (Bob Lewis). Also two found at Sunset Beach, NC Sept. 26 (David and
Susan Disher) had very dark mantles and could possibly have been of the rare
intermedius form.

SABINE'S GULL: North Carolina's second inland record of this species involved
an immature on Lake Norman Sept. 4-5 (David Wright, Taylor Piephoff). No
reports were received of this species from the offshore region this fall.

COMMON TERN: Counts of inland migrants were normally small this fall with
the farthest west report being one at Lake Osceola, Hendersonville, NC Aug. 7
(Jennifer Wren, Tom Joyce, Jarvis Hudson). Also one exceedingly late at Lake
Norman, NC Nov. 13 (David Wright) was closely observed to rule out
Forster's.

FORSTER'S TERN: This species staged a better than average inland fall

migration. The best total was 29 at Jordan Lake, NC Sept. 26 (Ricky Davis).

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The farthest west was one at Salem Lake, Winston-Salem, NC Sept. 17
(Ramona Snavely, Reggie Burt).

LEAST TERN: Very late for the Carolinas, one was seen at Kill Devil Hills, NC
Nov. 1 1 (Haven Wiley); flying north!

BRIDLED TERN: The peak offshore total this fall was 13 off Hatteras, NC Aug.
27 (Brian Patteson, et al.).

SOOTY TERN: Onshore reports (all associated with tropical storm systems)
included singles at Harbor Island, SC early Aug. (Judy and George Halleron,
fide Frances Nelson); Sunset Beach, NC Aug. 5 (Nancy and Richard Carter, fide
Harry LeGrand); Breach Inlet, Charleston Co., SC Aug. 26 (Robin Carter,
Caroline Eastman); and the Savannah Spoil Site, SC Aug. 29 (fide Anne
Waters). The best offshore totals were 20 on Aug. 5 and 21 on Aug. 27, both
off Hatteras, NC (Brian Patteson, et al.).

BLACK TERN: The best count this fall was 250 at Bear Island WMA, SC Aug.
26 (Robin Carter, Caroline Eastman). Numbers of inland migrants were a little
lower than usual with the best total being 20 at Goldsboro, NC Aug. 21 (Eric
Dean).

EURASIAN COLLARED-DOVE: North Carolina's first established population
was discovered at North Topsail Island Sept. 10 (Hal Broadfoot, Jr., Nell
Moore, sev. ob.). Up to eleven birds have been in the general vicinity all fall
and after checking with local people, it was learned that two showed up in the
fall of 1994 and successful nesting occurred this past summer! The species also
continues to increase in South Carolina with new locations including Moore's
Landing, Charleston Co. The population at Bennett's Point, Colleton Co. had
up to 16 birds this fall (Gifford Beaton).

WHITE-WINGED DOVE: One was at Kiawah Island, SC Oct. 26 (David

Chamberlain) and another was reported from Bennett's Point, SC this fall (fide
Gifford Beaton).

COMMON GROUND-DOVE: This species is very rare in North Carolina now,
thus of interest was one seen at North Topsail Island Sept. 15 (Ricky Davis).
In South Carolina the species is also hard to find, but remains regular at such
spots as Huntington Beach State Park, Orangeburg, and the Savannah River
Site. Less expected were two different individuals in Sumter Co., SC Sept. 26
(Lex Glover, Evelyn Dabbs).

BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO: Few reports of Black-billeds were received this fall.
Individuals were heard at Piney Creek, Alleghany Co., NC Aug. 20 (James H.
Coman HI) and Mahogany Rock Overlook, Blue Ridge Parkway, NC Sept. 23
(Will Cook).

SHORT-EARED OWL: These owls returned to their usual wintering spots in the
Carolinas during November (sev. ob.). The best count was the six at
Huntington Beach State Park, SC Nov. 22 (Jack Peachey, Bob Maxwell, Paul
Rogers). Of interest was one there extremely early on the date of Sept. 5 (Perry
Nugent, et al, fide Jack Peachey).

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SAW-WHET OWL: This species staged a record fall migration into the Carolinas.
Evidence of this came from Enders near Halifax, NC who netted 100 different
Saw- whets from early Nov. to early Dec.! On Nov. 4 he had his peak one-day
total of 15. Elsewhere one was picked up (briefly!) at Cape Hatteras Nov. 18
(Kim Mosher and Kevin McCabe, fide Diane and Keith Andre) only to have it
fly away! Also one was heard in Clarendon Co., SC Nov. 26 (Robin Carter,
Caroline Eastman), which showed that some birds got that far south.

COMMON NIGHTHAWK: One was very late in Fayetteville, NC Nov. 7 (Hal
Broadfoot, Jr.).

HUMMINGBIRDS: Archilochus hummers once again were found in good

numbers into late fall. In North Carolina, areas hosting multiple birds were
New Bern, Morehead City, Figure Eight Island, and up to nine were in the
Buxton-Frisco area (sev. ob., Derb Carter, Diane and Keith Andre). Selasphorus
hummers were in Transylvania Co., NC (fide Norma Siebenheller); Tryon, NC
(Simon Thompson); and Mayesville, SC (Lex Glover, Evelyn Dabbs, Steve
and Jill Patterson). Rufous Hummingbird males were at Unaka, Cherokee Co.,
NC Aug. 9-10 (fide Dot Freeman) and Allendale, SC Aug. 28 (fide Carroll
Rickard).

GREEN VIOLET-EAR: North Carolina's second record involved a male banded by
Sargent at a feeder in Burnsville in early Sept, (fide Harry LeGrand). The first
one was also from the mountains when a male was at Asheville in October of
1987.

OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER: This rare but regular migrant was noted several
times in North Carolina this fall. Single birds were found near Jordan Lake
Aug. 18 (Len Pardue, Chris Eley, Ken Lundstrom, sev. ob.), Greensboro Aug.
28 (Herb Hendrickson), Cape Hatteras Sept. 10 (Russ and Patricia Tyndall, Pat
Moore, et al.), and Lake Crabtree, Wake Co. Oct. 1 (Kent Fiala, fide Will
Cook).

YELLOW-BELLIED FLYCATCHER: Good sightings included singles at New
River State Park, Ashe Co., NC Sept. 22 (Will Cook), near Greensboro, NC
Sept. 13 (Roger McNeill, Henry Link), and North Pond, Pea Island NWR, NC
Sept. 3 (Jeff Pippen).

WILLOW FLYCATCHER: One was seen and heard at Moore's Landing,

Charleston Co., SC Sept. 23 (Robin Carter, Caroline Eastman).

LEAST FLYCATCHER: An excellent fall count of three was had at Jackson Park,
Henderson Co., NC Sept. 3 (Simon Thompson).

VERMILION FLYCATCHER: Amazingly two females were found near

Townville, SC Oct. 9 (Pete Worthington, Bob Maxwell) for only the second
inland state record. Unfortunately the birds could not be relocated the next day.

WESTERN KINGBIRD: Very rare inland, two were found near the upper end of
Lake Thurmond, McCormick Co., SC Oct. 7 (Robin Carter, Caroline
Eastman). In North Carolina, the only report was of 2 to 3 in the Avon-Buxton
area of the Outer Banks Nov. 18 (Derb Carter).

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GRAY KINGBIRD: Reports of this rare kingbird involved one at Huntington
Beach State Park, SC Sept. 1 (Fred Lochner); one at Ocracoke, NC Oct. 7 (Bob
Lewis, Allen Bryan, John Fussell, John and Paula Wright); and another at
Patriot's Point, SC Oct. 8 (Robin Carter, Caroline Eastman).

TREE SWALLOW: Huge numbers had built up in the Huntington Beach State
Park, SC area when an estimated 50,000 were seen Sept. 26 (Jack Peachey).

BANK SWALLOW: Another good total for swallows was the 500 Banks at the
Orangeburg, SC Sod Farm Aug. 25 (Robin Carter, Caroline Eastman).

RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH: This species entered the Carolinas in locally
good numbers this fall. Of interest was the two seen at Asheville, NC Sept. 30
(Gail Whitehurst) providing an early arrival date.

SEDGE WREN: One in Transylvania Co., NC Oct. 7-10 (Siebenhellers) provided
a second county record. Also good numbers (6-8) for an inland area were found
at Santee NWR, SC Nov. 10 (Lex Glover, Steve and Jill Patterson).

RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET: A very early record was provided by one near Falls
Lake, NC Aug. 19 (Bert Fisher).

BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER: In North Carolina late Gnatcatchers included one
at Jackson Park, Henderson Co. Nov. 5 (Gerald Echols, Wayne Forsythe); one
at Rocky Mount Nov. 18 (Ricky Davis); and four at Goldsboro Nov. 22 (Jeff
Pippen, Will Cook).

NORTHERN WHEATEAR: North Carolina's fourth (second in two years!) was
found at Ocracoke Oct. 6-7 (Ed Shott, Bob Holmes, Bob Lewis, Allen Bryan,
John Fussell, John and Paula Wright). This individual was not relocated after
these two days, quite unlike last year's Cape Hatteras bird which remained for a
month!

EASTERN BLUEBIRD: Rare Outer Banks records included single birds at

Ocracoke Oct. 7 (Bob Lewis, Allen Bryan, John Fussell, John and Paula
Wright) and Bodie Island Nov. 6 (John Fussell).

GRAY-CHEEKED THRUSH: There were a few reports of this thrush this fall.
The best count was three in Greenville Co., SC Sept. 25 (Pete Worthington,
Bob Maxwell) and the most interesting was the very late record provided by one
near Townville, SC Nov. 17 (Bob and Barbara Maxwell). Several of these
seemed to be of the BicknelTs form — observers will need to get closer looks
at Gray-cheekeds from now on.

SWAINSON'S THRUSH: One of the best totals involved the 25+ seen at Jackson
Park, Henderson Co., NC Oct. 1 (Wayne Forsythe, Simon Thompson).

WOOD THRUSH: Another very late thrush was the Wood seen and heard singing
near Carlisle, Union Co., SC Nov. 4 (Lex Glover, Mike Turner)!

GRAY CATBIRD: Two late interior records included singles at Jackson Park,
Henderson Co., NC Nov. 16 (Gerald Echols, Wayne Forsythe) and Mason
Farm, Chapel Hill, NC Nov. 25 (Rob Gluck, Pat and Pete Hobson, fide Will
Cook).

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The Chat Vol. 60

LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE: One at Piney Creek, Alleghany Co., NC Oct. 1
(James H. Coman III) was rare and followed the summer sighting of a Shrike
for the area.

WHITE-EYED VIREO: One was probably wintering in an area where heard

singing near Stumpy Point, Dare Co., NC late Nov.-Dee. (John Fussell).

YELLOW-THROATED VIREO: One was slightly late at Lugoff, SC Oct. 16
(Lex Glover).

WARBLING VIREO: A very rare fall migration report involved one at Yawkey
WMA, SC Sept. 9 (Sid Gauthreaux, John Cely, Pete Worthington, Lex
Glover, et al.).

PHILADELPHIA VIREO: Reports of this much- sought- after species were too
numerous to mention in detail. Hopefully this shows an increase in their
numbers, not just an increase in observer effort! Of interest was the very early
one at Lake Crabtree, Wake Co., NC Aug. 25 (Doug Shadwick); the count of
six in Ashe Co., NC Sept. 23 (Harry LeGrand, Derb Carter); the good total of
15 from Sept. 27 to Oct. 15 at Jackson Park, Henderson Co., NC (Wayne
Forsythe, Simon Thompson); and one at Lugoff, SC Oct. 15 (Lex Glover).

GOLDEN-WINGED WARBLER: This species was reported in better than average
numbers this fall. The Jackson Park, Henderson Co., NC area hosted up to 20
from Sept. 13 to Oct. 3 (Wayne Forsythe, Simon Thompson) for an
impressive total.

"LAWRENCE'S" WARBLER: This rarest of the Blue-winged X Golden-winged
Warbler crosses was found at Patriot's Point, Mt. Pleasant, SC Sept. 21 (David
Chamberlain).

TENNESSEE WARBLER: The latest report received was of one at Lee State Park,
SC Oct. 27 (Lex Glover, Mike Turner, Steve Patterson).

ORANGE- CROWNED WARBLER: Not only early but locally unusual was one
found in Duke Forest, Durham Co., NC Sept. 15 (Jeff Pippen). Also one was
found at Mason Farm, Chapel Hill, NC on the more expected date of Nov. 4
(Will Cook, et al.).

NASHVILLE WARBLER: Reports of this warbler were about average including
singles at Lattimore, NC Sept. 2 (Pat Wilkison, JoAnn Martin); Jackson Park,
Henderson Co., NC Sept. 11 (Wayne Forsythe, Simon Thompson); Roan
Mountain, NC Sept. 18 (Rick Knight); Saluda Hills, Lexington Co., SC Sept.
19 (Lex Glover); Mt. Jefferson, Ashe Co., NC Sept. 22 (Will Cook); Ashe
Co., NC Sept. 23 (Harry LeGrand, Derb Carter); Durham, NC Sept. 24 (Chris
Eley); and Greenville, SC Sept. 25 and Oct. 9 (Pete Worthington).

NORTHERN PARULA: One was quite late at Durham, NC Nov. 28 (Len

Pardue).

YELLOW WARBLER: One at Lake Mattamuskeet NWR, NC was late on Nov.
27 (Ricky Davis), though this area has hosted lingering Yellows before.

YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER: One was locally unusual in the Piney
Creek, Alleghany Co., NC area on Aug. 20 (James H. Coman III).

Summer 1996

125

KIRTLAND'S WARBLER: An immature female was found near Mahogany Rock
Overlook, Blue Ridge Parkway, NC Sept. 23-24 (Will Cook, m. ob.) during
the Carolina Bird Club's fall meeting at Elkin, NC. Two things were amazing
about this find: one, the amazing number of people who were able to relocate
the bird over two days; and two, the fact that Cook had also found a Kirtland's
earlier in the spring at another Parkway site-all in one year!

PRAIRIE WARBLER: One was found at a high elevation on Roan Mountain, NC
(5500') Sept. 18 (Rick Knight).

BAY-BREASTED WARBLER: An excellent count of 20+ were found at Jackson
Park, Henderson Co., NC Sept. 21 (Wayne Forsythe).

CERULEAN WARBLER: Reports of this uncommon species included a good
total of three in Lexington Co., SC Sept. 2-10 (Robin Carter, Caroline
Eastman); up to three in the Tryon, NC area in late August (Simon
Thompson); and one at Cliffs of the Neuse State Park, NC Aug. 22 (Scott
Hartley).

AMERICAN REDSTART: One was late in Lugoff, SC Nov. 6 (Lex Glover).

WORM-EATING WARBLER: A good total of 10 was had at Jackson Park,
Henderson Co., NC Aug. 30 (Wayne Forsythe).

CONNECTICUT WARBLER: Reports of this rare but regular migrant came from
North Carolina; including single birds at Greensboro Sept. 19 (Henry Link, fide
Roger McNeill), Jackson Park, Henderson Co. Sept. 27 (Wayne Forsythe,
Simon Thompson), Pea Island NWR Oct. 2 (Ricky Davis), Buxton woods Oct.
7 (Eric Dean), Mapleview, Orange Co. Oct. 7 (Peter Burke, et al., fide Will
Cook), and Mahogany Rock Overlook, Blue Ridge Parkway Oct. 8 (Will
Cook).

MOURNING WARBLER: Much rarer than the Connecticut in our area, the
Mourning was found several times in South Carolina. One was netted in the
coastal region Sept. 27 (Will Post); one was in Anderson Co. Oct. 9 (Bob
Maxwell); and an amazing two were found in Greenville Co. Oct. 12 (Pete
Worthington).

WILSON'S WARBLER: This species was reported more than usual with the best
records being two in Duke Forest, Durham Co., NC Sept. 8 (Will Cook, Jeff
Pippen), one at Townville, SC Oct. 7 (Lex Glover, Tom Hankins), one at
Folly Beach, SC Oct. 13 (Dennis Forsythe), and a late individual at Lake
Mattamuskeet NWR, NC Nov. 10 (Russ and Patricia Tyndall).

YELLOW- BREASTED CHAT: One was late at Mason Farm, Chapel Hill, NC
Nov. 25 (Rick Payne, fide Will Cook).

WESTERN TANAGER: One was found in Columbia, SC in early October (Tom
Hankins), and remained at least a week (Robin Carter, Caroline Eastman). Also
the Wilmington, NC bird returned for its fourth straight winter (Kitty Kosh)!

DICKCISSEL: Reports included a male still at the summering location at VOA-B
site, Beaufort Co., NC Aug. 11 (John and Paula Wright); one at Edisto Beach,
SC Aug. 13 (Sid Gauthreaux, Carroll Belser, Bill Thompson); one at Pea

126

The Chat Vol. 60

Island NWR, NC Oct. 2 (Ricky Davis); and one was netted at James Island, SC
Nov. 14 (Will Post).

BACHMAN'S SPARROW: A belated report involved three wintering in Holly
Shelter, Pender Co., NC Feb. 7 (Harry LeGrand).

CLAY-COLORED SPARROW: This sparrow staged a good migration in our
area. The most interesting reports included one netted early at Patriot's Point,
SC Sept. 14 (Will Post), another early one at North Topsail Island, NC Sept.
15 (Ricky Davis), two in Greenville, SC Oct. 12 (Robin Carter, Caroline
Eastman), one at Breach Inlet, Charleston Co., SC Nov. 4 (Robin Carter,
Caroline Eastman), and one near Burner, NC Nov. 12 (Jeff Pippen).

LARK SPARROW: This is an uncommon but regular fall migrant in the

Carolinas. Birds were found in North Carolina at Mashoes, Dare Co. Sept. 3
(Harry LeGrand, Jeff Pippen), Oregon Inlet Sept. 23 (John Bennett), Pea Island
Sept. 30 (Trip Dennis), and at Ocracoke Oct. 7-8 (Bob Lewis, Allen Bryan,
John Fussell, John and Paula Wright, Russ and Patricia Tyndall).

GRASSHOPPER SPARROW: Up to nine were banded in coastal South Carolina
from Nov. 10- Dec. 16 (Will Post), a good fall total for the area.

HENSLOW'S SPARROW: This rare migrant was banded at James Island, SC
Dec. 5 (Will Post) and one was seen at Bucksport, Horry Co., SC Oct. 17
(Robin Carter, Caroline Eastman). Also a belated winter report involved three
at Holly Shelter, Pender Co., NC Feb. 7 (Harry LeGrand).

LeCONTE'S SPARROW: Good reports of this elusive sparrow included one in
Greenville Co., SC Oct. 9-11 (Pete Worthington), an amazing five at Santee
NWR, SC Nov. 12 (Lex Glover, Mike Turner), and two near Sneads Ferry, NC
Nov. 18 (Jeff Pippen, Will Cook, Chris Eley, John Bennett).

SHARP-TAILED SPARROW: Very rare inland, one was found in Greenville Co.,
SC Oct. 9-11 (Pete Worthington) for a noteworthy report. The inland Nelson’s
Sharp-tailed form was not mentioned, but is probably most likely.

FOX SPARROW: A possible record early arrival date for this species was provided
by one found at Huntington Beach State Park, SC Oct. 16 (Robin Carter,
Caroline Eastman).

LINCOLN'S SPARROW: This sparrow was not found in the usual numbers this
fall. Only ahandfull were reported including one at Jackson Park, Henderson
Co., NC Oct. 10 (Wayne Forsythe) and another in Jasper Co., SC Oct. 29
(Robin Carter, Caroline EastmanO.

SWAMP SPARROW: One was early at Salem Lake, Forsyth Co., NC Sept. 12
(Ramona Snavely, Reggie Burt, Joyce Mauck).

LAPLAND LONGSPUR: The only one reported was in the fields west of Lake
Phelps, NC Nov. 27 (Ricky Davis).

SNOW BUNTING: This species was found at the normal sites with singles at Pea
Island NWR, NC Nov. 20 (Ricky Davis), Cape Hatteras, NC Nov. 25 (E.
Rowan, S. Stell), and Huntington Beach State Park, SC Nov. 23-25 (Don
Seriff, Herb Hendrickson, Lex Glover).

Summer 1996

127

YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD: A female was at Georgetown, SC Aug. 27
(Caroline Eastman) and a winter male was found on the north shore of Lake
Mattamuskeet, NC Nov. 27 (Ricky Davis).

BREWER'S BLACKBIRD: This hard-to-find species was found at Pisgah Forest,
NC when two were there Nov. 22 (Bill and Norma Siebenheller).

PURPLE FINCH: This species returned to the Carolinas this fall; last year they
were practically non-existent! Reports were widespread but still spotty. The
earliest Purple was one at Carver's Gap, Roan Mountain Oct. 25 (Rick
Knight).

EVENING GROSBEAK: This winter finch was also seen this fall, after a long
absence. In North Carolina the best reports included 30+ at Mahogany Rock
Overlook, Blue Ridge Parkway, Nov. 5 (Derb Carter, Jeff Pippen); 40 at Duke
Forest, Durham Co. Nov. 27 (Jeff Pippen); and 60 near Halifax Nov. 18 (Frank
Enders). Most of these birds have been hanging out in the woods and ignoring
the feeders. This should change as winter sets in.

128

The Chat Vol. 60

MEMBERSHIP

Carolina Bird Club, Inc., is a non-profit educational and scientific association founded in March
1937 and open to anyone interested in the study and conservation of wildlife, particularly birds. Dues,
contributions, and bequests to the club are deductible from state and federal income and extate taxes.
Checks should be made payable to Carolina Bird Club, Inc., and sent to CBC Headquarters, P. O. Box
29555, Raleigh, NC. 27626-0555

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PUBLICATIONS

All CBC members not in arrears for dues receive The Chat, a quarterly journal devoted to bird
study and conservation, and the CBC Newsletter, which carries information about meetings, field
trips, and club projects. Articles intended for publication in The Chat may be sent to the Editor or the
the appropriate department editor listed in a recent issue of the bulletin. Items for the Newsletter
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regarding memberships, changes of address, or requests for back numbers of either publication should
be sent to CBC Headquarters, P.O. Box 29555, Raleigh, NC 27626-0555.

OFFICERS

President Teddy Shuler, 275 Lake Cheohee Rd., Tamassee, SC 29686

Vice Presidents:

Dennis Burnette, 4209 Bramlet Place, Greensboro, NC, 27407
Irvin Pitts, 1156 Old Orangeburg Road, Lexington, SC, 29073
Harry E. LeGrand, Jr., 331 Yadkin Drive, Raleigh, NC, 27609

Secretary Russ Tyndall, 400 Kilmanock Ct„ Wake Forest, NC, 27587

Treasurer Bert Fisher 5510 Hideaway Drive, Chapel Hill, NC, 27516

Members-at-large:

Region I - Western North Carolina

Judy Walker, Charlotte, and Jennifer Wren, Brevard
Region II - Eastern North Carolina

Paula Wright, Greenville, and Buddy Garrett, Jacksonville
Region III - South Carolina

Donna Forsythe, Charleston and Bob Maxwell, Greenville
Headquarters Secretary

Tullie Johnson

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.60

The Chat

FALL 1996

No. 4

OB©

Quarterly Bulletin of Carolina Bird Club, Inc.
The Ornithological Society of the Carolinas

THE CHAT

(USPS 101-020)

VOL60 FALL 1996 NO. 4

Published by the Carolina Bird Club, Inc.

Editor H. T. Hendrickson, Dept, of Biology, UNCG, Greensboro, NC 27412

General Field Notes Lynn Moseley, North Carolina Editor

Dennis M. Forsythe, South Carolina Editor
Briefs for the Files Ricky Davis, P.O. Box 277, Zebulon, NC 27597

Spring Count Editor Peggy V. Ferebee, Natural Science Center,

4301 Lawndale Dr., Greensboro, NC 27455
Editor Emeritus Eloise Pottter

THE CHAT (USPS 101-020) is published quarterly for $12.00 by the Carolina Bird Club, Inc., with
headquarters at the North Carolina State Museum of Natural Sciences, 102 N. Salisbury Street, Raleigh,
NC 27603. Periodical postage paid at Raleigh, NC.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Carolina Bird Club, THE CHAT, P. O. Box 29555, Raleigh, NC
27626-0555.

PAGE CHARGES: Authors who have funds available for page charges are requested to remit same at the
rate of $40.00 per page. CBC Fleadquarters will provide statements required for your business records.

CONTENTS

Fall 1995 North American Migration Count in South Carolina. Robin M. Carter 129

Report of the North Carolina Bird Records Committee 136

Report of the South Carolina Bird Records Committee 141

General Field Notes

Antillean Nighthawk in North Carolina. Harry E. LeGrand, Rr 145

Two Records of Green Violet-Ear for North Carolina. Harry E. LeGrand, Jr,

Jerry Young & Bob Sargent 147

First North Carolina Record of Western Gull. Robert H. Lewis 149

First North Carolina Record of Yellow-legged Gull. Robert H. Lewis 153

Briefs for the Files 157

Index to Volume 60 169

CB®

Fall 1995 North American Migration Count in South Carolina

ROBIN M. CARTER

The first spring North American Migration Count was held on the
second Saturday of May, 1992. Participation in this annual spring count
has grown so much that, by the summer of 1995 word came out from the
count instigator and continent-wide organizer, Jim Stasz of Maryland, that
we would add a similar count to cover the fall migration, to be held on the
third Saturday in September, starting in 1995. Word of this date came
rather late, however, and the effort to organize a fall count did not begin in
South Carolina until early September, just a few days before the designated
date. Birders around the state rose to the occasion, despite the very short
lead time, and organized counts from the foothills of the Blue Ridge to the
coast. In Charleston County Perry Nugent was able to put together a
coordinated effort, while counts in other areas were token counts, usually
with just one party. We are sure that a much better coverage will be
possible in 1996.

The 1995 Fall North American Migration Day Count in South
Carolina was held on the third Saturday in September (16 September
1995). Counts were held in nine counties around the state. Counties
holding counts in 1995 (by geographic region, with county seat) were:

Coastal and Outer Coastal Plain:

Horry (Conway)

Georgetown (Georgetown)

Charleston (Charleston)

Inner Coastal Plain:

Clarendon
Hampton

Piedmont and Inner Coastal
Lexington
Richland
Piedmont:

Chester (Chester)

Mountains and Piedmont:

Greenville (Greenville)

In total, for the 1995 Fall North American Migration Count in South
Carolina, some 51 observers in 17 parties found 15,384 individual birds of
163 species. Regular party-hours included 62.5 hours on foot and 31.5
hours by car, covering 44.5 miles on foot and 522 miles by car.

Rarities and high counts:

(Manning)

(Hampton)

Plain (i.e. Fall Line area):
(Lexington)
(Columbia)

Fail 1996

129

Observers in Charleston County did well finding Empidonax
flycatchers. One Yellow-bellied Flycatcher was well described; two Willow
Flycatchers are more expected, but still are good finds anywhere in the
state. Charleston County folks reported awesome numbers of several
species of common migrants: 502 Northern Rough-winged Swallows, 851
Bam Swallows, 508 Red-eyed Vireos, 505 Palm Warblers, 155 American
Redstarts, and 152 Common Yellowthroats. These numbers indicate a
substantial migration of these species along the coast in mid- September.

Clarendon County observers found 40 Summer Tanagers in just 4
party-hours, indicating a good push by that species.

In Georgetown County Jack Peachy and Tonya Spires spent the
afternoon birding Huntington Beach State Park. Good finds there were a
Reddish Egret (present most of the summer), 8 American Golden-Plovers,
and 2 American Avocets.

In Horry County observers found 13 Pectoral Sandpipers and 45
Common Snipe at the Bucksport sod farms.

Charleston County, SC. (Coastal and Outer Coastal Plain)

5:45 AM to 7:45 PM. Temp 65 deg. to 85 deg. F. AM partly
cloudy; PM rain. Regular observers: 33 in field in 7 parties. Total regular
party-hours 47.5; total regular party-miles 262; 30.5 hours and 24 miles
on foot; 17 hours and 238 miles by car. Owling observers: 1 in 1 party.
Owling party-hours 1; owling party-miles 2. Feeder watchers: 3 at 3
feeding stations. Feeder watcher hours 6. Totals: 55.5 party-hours; 263
party-miles, 33 participants.

Pied-billed Grebe 37, Brown Pelican 220, Double-crested Cormorant
70, Anhinga 21, Least Bittern 7, Great Blue Heron 38, Great Egret 236,
Snowy Egret 95, Little Blue Heron 57, Tricolored Heron 41, Cattle Egret
39, Green Heron 16, Black-crowned Night-Heron 14, Yellow-crowned
Night-Heron 6, White Ibis 136, Glossy Ibis 1, Wood Stork 15, Canada
Goose 15, Wood Duck 37, Mottled Duck 6, Mallard 10, Blue- winged Teal
138, Black Vulture 16, Turkey Vulture 62, Osprey 16, Bald Eagle 7,
Northern Harrier 1, Sharp-shinned Hawk 1, Red- shouldered Hawk 4,
Red-tailed Hawk 5, American Kestrel 26, Merlin 6, Wild Turkey 2,
Clapper Rail 26, Common Moorhen 120, Black-bellied Plover 11,
Semipalmated Plover 6, Killdeer 7, Lesser Yellowlegs 1, Solitary
Sandpiper 1, Willet 27, Spotted Sandpiper 1, Marbled Godwit 84, Ruddy
Turnstone 4, Sanderling 56, peep sp. 25, Dunlin 6, Common Snipe 6,
Laughing Gull 125, Ring-billed Gull 101, Herring Gull 24, Great
Black-backed Gull 2, Caspian Tern 9, Royal Tern 817, Sandwich Tern 42,
Common Tern 30, Forster's Tem 21, Least Tern 56, Black Skimmer 41,
Rock Dove 113, Mourning Dove 214, Common Ground-Dove 1,
Yellow-billed Cuckoo 3, Eastern Screech-Owl 2, Great Homed Owl 1,

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The Chat Vol. 60

Barred Owl 4, Common Nighthawk 3, Chimney Swift 803, Ruby-throated
Hummingbird 8, Belted Kingfisher 19, Red-headed Woodpecker 60,
Red-bellied Woodpecker 59, Downy Woodpecker 32, Hairy Woodpecker 2,
Red-cockaded Woodpecker 1, Northern (Yellow-shafted) Flicker 6, Pileated
Woodpecker 14, Eastern Wood-Pewee 8, Yellow-bellied Flycatcher 1,
Acadian Flycatcher 2, Willow Flycatcher 2, Empidonax sp. 1, Eastern
Phoebe 1, Great Crested Flycatcher 1, Eastern Kingbird 44, Purple Martin
25, Tree Swallow 1003, Northern Rough-winged Swallow 502, Bank
Swallow 17, Bam Swallow 851, Blue Jay 88, American Crow 60, Fish
Crow 50, crow sp. 42, Carolina Chickadee 71, Tufted Titmouse 42,
White-breasted Nuthatch 2, Brown-headed Nuthatch 65, Carolina Wren 52,
House Wren 2, Marsh Wren 3, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 12, Eastern Bluebird
78, Veery 8, Gray-cheeked Thrush 1, American Robin 8, Gray Catbird 1,
Northern Mockingbird 95, Brown Thrasher 27, Loggerhead Shrike 17,
European Starling 278, White-eyed Vireo 11, Red-eyed Vireo 508,
Blue-winged Warbler 2, Northern Parula 5, Yellow Warbler 13, Magnolia
Warbler 1, Cape May Warbler 5, Pine Warbler 57, Prairie Warbler 10,
Palm Warbler 505, Black-and-white Warbler 3, American Redstart 155,
Northern Waterthrush 2, Common Yellowthroat 152, Summer Tanager 9,
Northern Cardinal 180, Indigo Bunting 8, Painted Bunting 11,
Rufous-sided Towhee 20, Bobolink 99, Red-winged Blackbird 145,
Boat-tailed Grackle 300, Common Grackle 607, Brown-headed Cowbird 20,
Orchard Oriole 1, Northern (Baltimore) Oriole 7, House Finch 23, House
Sparrow 11.

Total: 137 species; 10,725 individuals.

Coordinator: Perry Nugent, 2260 Dallerton Circle, Charleston, SC
29414.

Participants: Van Atkins, Edward Conradi, Sandra Conradi, George
Crumly, Dennis Forsythe, Donna Forsythe, Bonnie Hartnet, Fernanda
Hastie, Anne Knight, Bill Nevel, Perry Nugent, Betsy Rastigeh, Ben
Smith, Charles Walters, Ben Ward, Carol Ward, plus fifteen unnamed
participants on a Charleston County Parks and Recreation field trip.

Chester County, SC. (Piedmont)

6:35 AM to 2:35 PM. Temp 65 deg. to 84 deg. F. Wind NE, 0 to 10
mph. AM mostly cloudy; PM rain. Regular observers: 4 in field in 2
parties. Total regular party-hours 8; total regular party-miles 79; 5 hours
and 6 miles on foot; 3 hours and 73 miles by car. Totals: 8 party-hours; 79
party-miles, 4 participants.

Double-crested Cormorant 18, Great Blue Heron 24, Great Egret 52,
Little Blue Heron 1, Canada Goose 53, Mallard 3, Lesser Scaup 1, Black
Vulture 14, Turkey Vulture 2, Bald Eagle 2, Red- shouldered Hawk 2,
Red-tailed Hawk 3, American Kestrel 8, Wild Turkey 17, Northern

Fall 1996

131

Bobwhite 12, Killdeer3, Rock Dove 28, Mourning Dove 22, Barn Owl 1,
Chimney Swift 3, Belted Kingfisher 2, Red-headed Woodpecker 1,
Red-bellied Woodpecker 2, Downy Woodpecker 1, Pileated Woodpecker 2,
Eastern Wood- Pe wee 1, Eastern Phoebe 2, Blue Jay 15, American Crow
37, Carolina Chickadee 1, Tufted Titmouse 3, Carolina Wren 3, American
Robin 6, Gray Catbird 1, Northern Mockingbird 17, Brown Thrasher 1,
Loggerhead Shrike 1, European Starling 18, White-eyed Vireo 1, Red-eyed
Vireo 1, Common Yellowthroat 1, Northern Cardinal 11, Blue Grosbeak
1, Rufous-sided Towhee 3, Chipping Sparrow 23, Field Sparrow 11,
Eastern Meadowlark 9, Common Grackle 1000, House Finch 11,
American Goldfinch 4, House Sparrow 3.

Total: 52 species; 1469 individuals.

Coordinator: Albert Conway, 1672 Deer Run Road, Catawba, SC
29704.

Participants: Albert Conway, Gail B. Ice, Gail C. Ice, Don Oneppo.

Clarendon County, SC. (Inner Coastal Plain)

10:30 AM to 2:30 PM. Temp 82 deg. F. Wind calm. AM cloudy;
PM cloudy. Regular observers: 3 in field in 1 party. Total regular
party-hours 4; total regular party-miles 22; 2 hours and 2 miles on foot; 2
hours and 20 miles by car. Totals: 4 party-hours; 22 party-miles, 3
participants.

Double-crested Cormorant 6, Anhinga 1, Great Blue Heron 5, Great
Egret 7, Snowy Egret 2, Little Blue Heron 7, Tricolored Heron 2, Cattle
Egret 3, Green Heron 1, Turkey Vulture 10, Osprey 3, Red- shouldered
Hawk 1, Red-tailed Hawk 3, American Kestrel 1, Killdeer 3, Ring-billed
Gull 2, Rock Dove 6, Mourning Dove 12, Yellow-billed Cuckoo 1,
Chimney Swift 8, Ruby-throated Hummingbird 4, Belted Kingfisher 5,
Red-headed Woodpecker 3, Red-bellied Woodpecker 1, Downy Woodpecker
8, Hairy Woodpecker 1, Northern (Yellow-shafted) Flicker 5, Pileated
Woodpecker 3, Eastern Wood-Pewee 3, Acadian Flycatcher 1, Empidonax
sp. 1, Great Crested Flycatcher 1, Bam Swallow 25, Blue Jay 6, crow sp.
15, Carolina Chickadee 20, Tufted Titmouse 15, White-breasted Nuthatch
4, Brown-headed Nuthatch 4, Carolina Wren 7, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 8,
Eastern Bluebird 6, Veery 2, American Robin 40, Northern Mockingbird 9,
Brown Thrasher 5, Loggerhead Shrike 2, European Starling 6, White-eyed
Vireo 4, Blue- winged Warbler 1, Northern Parula 16, Yellow-throated
Warbler 7, Pine Warbler 18, Black-and-white Warbler 3, American Redstart
8, Northern Waterthrush 1, Kentucky Warbler 1, Common Yellowthroat 2,
Summer Tanager 40, Scarlet Tanager 1, Northern Cardinal 15, Indigo
Bunting 2, Rufous-sided Towhee 10, Red-winged Blackbird 50, Common
Grackle 15, Northern (Baltimore) Oriole 1, House Sparrow 20.

Total: 66 species; 509 individuals.

132

The Chat Vol. 60

Coordinator: Roger Clark, 9869 Heckscher Drive, Jacksonville, FL
32226

Participants: Roger Clark, Kathleen O’Grady, Bruce Smart.

Georgetown County, SC. (Coastal and Outer Coastal Plain)

13:30 PM to 6:00 PM. Wind E, 5 mph. PM cloudy. Regular
observers: 2 in field in 1 party. Total regular party -hours 5.5; total regular
party-miles 8.5; 5 hours and 3.5 miles on foot; 0.5 hours and 5 miles by
car. Totals: 5.5 party-hours, 8.5 party-miles; 2 participants.

Pied-billed Grebe 40, Brown Pelican 10, Double-crested Cormorant 4,
Great Egret 4, Snowy Egret 7, Little Blue Heron 1, Reddish Egret 1, Green
Heron 1, Blue-winged Teal 15, Osprey 9, Bald Eagle 1, Merlin 1,
Common Moorhen 12, Black-bellied Plover 50, American Golden-Plover
8, Semipalmated Plover 100, Piping Plover 3, Killdeer 3, American
Oystercatcher 2, American Avocet 2, Willet 5, Spotted Sandpiper 1,
Marbled Godwit 2, Ruddy Turnstone 6, Red Knot 1, Sanderling 40,
Western Sandpiper 3, Least Sandpiper 3, peep sp. 30, Short-billed
Dowitcher 125, Laughing Gull 6, Ring-billed Gull 10, Herring Gull 2,
Caspian Tern 15, Royal Tern 18, Sandwich Tern 4, Common Tern 25,
Forster's Tern 3, Black Skimmer 6, Mourning Dove 16, Common
Ground-Dove 2, Yellow-billed Cuckoo 1, Red-headed Woodpecker 1,
Red-bellied Woodpecker 2, Northern (Yellow-shafted) Flicker 2, Tree
Swallow 400, Bam Swallow 4, Blue Jay 3, American Crow 7, Fish Crow
2, crow sp. 9, Carolina Chickadee 3, Tufted Titmouse 1, Carolina Wren 3,
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 1, Northern Mockingbird 16, Loggerhead Shrike 2,
European Starling 30, Yellow Warbler 1, Pine Warbler 3, American
Redstart 1, Common Yellowthroat 1, Summer Tanager 1, Northern
Cardinal 6, Boat-tailed Grackle 3.

Total: 63 species; 1100 individuals.

Coordinator: Jack Peachy, 103 Walnut Circle, Conway, SC 29526.

Participants: Jack Peachy, Tonya Spires.

Greenville County, SC. (Mountains and Piedmont)

Temp 67 deg. to 68 deg. F. Wind NW, 0 to 5 mph. AM foggy and
overcast. Regular observers: 1 in field in 1 party. Total regular party-hours
2; total regular party-miles 0; 2 hours and 0 miles on foot. Totals: 2
party-hours; 0 party-miles, 1 participant.

Cooper's Hawk 1, Mourning Dove 2, Ruby-throated Hummingbird 4,
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1, Great Crested Flycatcher 1, Blue Jay 6,
American Crow 2, Carolina Chickadee 6, Tufted Titmouse 5, Carolina
Wren 2, American Robin 2, Northern Mockingbird 2, Tennessee Warbler
2, Chestnut-sided Warbler 4, Yellow-rumped (Myrtle) Warbler 1,
Worm-eating Warbler 1, Northern Cardinal 6, Song Sparrow 2,.

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Total: 18 species; 50 individuals.

Coordinator: Peter Worthington, 716 North Almond Drive,
Simpsonville, SC 29681.

Participant: Peter Worthington.

Hampton County, SC. (Inner Coastal Plain)

7:30 AM to 1:30 PM. Temp 72 deg. to 85 deg. F. Wind calm. AM
overcast and foggy; PM partly cloudy. Regular observers: 1 in field in 1
party. Total regular party-hours 6; total regular party- miles 77; 2.5 hours
and 3 miles on foot; 3.5 hours and 74 miles by car. Totals: 6 party-hours;
77 party-miles, 1 participant.

Anhinga 1, Great Blue Heron 1, Great Egret 36, Snowy Egret 5, Little
Blue Heron 1, Tricolored Heron 1, Cattle Egret 14, Wood Stork 3, Turkey
Vulture 29, Osprey 1, Bald Eagle 6, Sharp- shinned Hawk 1, Red-tailed
Hawk 2, Common Moorhen 2, Mourning Dove 19, Chimney Swift 9,
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 1, Belted Kingfisher 1, Red-bellied
Woodpecker 1, Eastern Wood-Pewee 2, Barn Swallow 2, Blue Jay 3,
American Crow 3, Fish Crow 1, crow sp. 36, Carolina Chickadee 2,
Tufted Titmouse 1, White-breasted Nuthatch 2, Brown-headed Nuthatch 12,
Carolina Wren 1, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 1, Eastern Bluebird 8, Northern
Mockingbird 12, Loggerhead Shrike 4, European Starling 15, Northern
Parula 1, Pine Warbler 12, Palm Warbler 1, Summer Tanager 2, Northern
Cardinal 15.

Total: 39 species; 270 individuals.

Coordinator: Carroll Richard, P.O. Box 893, Hampton, SC 29924.

Participant: Carroll Richard.

Horry County, SC. (Coastal and Outer Coastal Plain)

Regular observers: 4 in field in 1 party. Total regular party-hours 4;
total regular party-miles 56; 2 hours and 1 mile on foot; 2 hours and 55
miles by car. Owling observers: 1 in 1 party. Owling party-hours 1;
owling party-miles 1. Totals: 5 party-hours; 57 party-miles, 4 participants.

Anhinga 1, Great Blue Heron 1, Little Blue Heron 8, Cattle Egret 37,
Green Heron 1, Canada Goose 2, Mallard 1, Black Vulture 1, Turkey
Vulture 1, Osprey 4, Northern Harrier 1, Cooper's Hawk 1, Red-tailed
Hawk 1, Wild Turkey 3, Killdeer 10, Western Sandpiper 3, peep sp. 3,
Pectoral Sandpiper 13, Common Snipe 45, Rock Dove 5, Mourning Dove
48, Whip-poor-will 1, Ruby-throated Hummingbird 5, Belted Kingfisher 3,
Red-bellied Woodpecker 2, Downy Woodpecker 1, Empidonax sp. 1,
Eastern Phoebe 1, Eastern Kingbird 2, Tree Swallow 3, Barn Swallow 25,
Blue Jay 8, American Crow 4, Carolina Chickadee 9, Tufted Titmouse 7,
Brown-headed Nuthatch 2, Carolina Wren 2, Eastern Bluebird 2, Gray
Catbird 1, Northern Mockingbird 5, Loggerhead Shrike 1, European

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Starling 25, Red-eyed Vireo 3, Northern Parula 2, Yellow Warbler 2, Pine
Warbler 2, Prairie Warbler 5, American Redstart 18, Northern Waterthrush
2, Common Yellowthroat 10, Hooded Warbler 2, Summer Tanager 1,
Northern Cardinal 7, Painted Bunting 1, Rufous-sided Towhee 1,
Red- winged Blackbird 24, Eastern Meadowlark 1, Common Grackle 2,
American Goldfinch 2, House Sparrow 6.

Total: 59 species; 391 individuals.

Coordinator: Tonya Spires, P.O. Box 2167, Conway, SC 29526.

Participants: Jack Peachy, Carol Shipley, Frank Spires, Tonya Spires.

Lexington County, SC. (Piedmont and Inner Coastal Plain)

1:00 PM to 3:00 PM. Temp 85 deg. F. Wind E, 5 mph. PM cloudy.
Regular observers: 1 in field in 1 party. Total regular party-hours 2; total
regular party-miles 1; 2 hours and 1 mile on foot. Totals: 2 party-hours; 1
party-mile, 1 participant.

Red-tailed Hawk 1, Mourning Dove 5, Yellow-billed Cuckoo 2,
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 1, Red-bellied Woodpecker 7, Downy
Woodpecker 5, Hairy Woodpecker 1, Eastern Wood-Pewee 4, Empidonax
sp. 1, Blue Jay 9, American Crow 1, Fish Crow 1, Carolina Chickadee 8,
Tufted Titmouse 7, Brown-headed Nuthatch 2, Carolina Wren 8, Blue-gray
Gnatcatcher 2, Eastern Bluebird 3, Northern Mockingbird 4, Red-eyed
Vireo 4, Northern Parula 4, Chestnut-sided Warbler 4, Magnolia Warbler
1, Pine Warbler 4, Black-and-white Warbler 2, American Redstart 11,
Summer Tanager 1, Northern Cardinal 19, Rose-breasted Grosbeak 1,
Common Grackle 1, House Finch 4.

Total: 31 species; 128 individuals.

Coordinator: Robin Carter, 4165 East Buchanan Drive, Columbia,
SC.

Participant: Robin Carter.

Richland County, SC. (Piedmont and Inner Coastal Plain)

6:30 AM to 7:00 PM. Temp 70 deg. to 85 deg. F. Wind E, 0 to 5
mph. AM cloudy; PM partly cloudy. Regular observers: 1 in field in 1
party. Total regular party-hours 8.5; total regular party-miles 70.5; 4.5
hours and 3.5 miles on foot; 4 hours and 67 miles by car. Owling
observers: 2 in 2 parties. Owling party-hours 1; owling party- miles 0.
Feeder watchers: 1 at 1 feeding stations. Feeder watcher hours 0.5. Totals:
10 party-hours; 70.5 party-miles, 3 participants.

Great Blue Heron 1, Great Egret 2, Canada Goose 7, Wood Duck 1,
Mallard 28, Black Vulture 1, Turkey Vulture 2, American Kestrel 2,
Killdeer 3, Rock Dove 72, Mourning Dove 34, Yellow -billed Cuckoo 1,
Eastern Screech-Owl 1, Common Nighthawk 10, Chimney Swift 71,
Belted Kingfisher 1, Red-headed Woodpecker 1, Red-bellied Woodpecker

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14, Downy Woodpecker 6, Hairy Woodpecker 2, Northern (Yellow-shafted)
Flicker 8, Pileated Woodpecker 3, Eastern Wood-Pewee 5, Great Crested
Flycatcher 2, Homed Lark 2, Tree Swallow 8, Northern Rough-winged
Swallow 1, Blue Jay 27, American Crow 54, Fish Crow 2, Carolina
Chickadee 16, Tufted Titmouse 18, White-breasted Nuthatch 1,
Brown-headed Nuthatch 13, Carolina Wren 42, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 4,
Eastern Bluebird 18, Swainson's Thrush 10, Wood Thrush 1, American
Robin 9, Gray Catbird 7, Northern Mockingbird 27, Brown Thrasher 7,
Loggerhead Shrike 1, European Starling 37, White-eyed Vireo 9,
Yellow-throated Vireo 2, Red-eyed Vireo 2, Northern Parula 3,
Chestnut-sided Warbler 1, Magnolia Warbler 2, Pine Warbler 18, American
Redstart 5, Common Yellowthroat 4, Hooded Warbler 3, Summer Tanager
4, Northern Cardinal 49, Rufous-sided Towhee 15, Common Grackle 7,
Brown-headed Cowbird 1, House Finch 26, American Goldfinch 1, House
Sparrow 7.

Total: 63 species; 742 individuals.

Coordinator: Robin Carter, 4165 East Buchanan Drive, Columbia,
SC.

Participants: Robin Carter, Caroline Eastman, Jerry Griggs.

Report of the North Carolina Bird Records Committee

1995

This report enumerates the decisions of the Carolina Bird Club’s North
Carolina Bird Records Committee during 1995.

Accepted as Valid. The reported identification is judged to be accurate
and the bird is judged to be of wild origin. Photographs, tape recordings,
and written descriptions of all accepted records have been deposited in the
N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences.

Pacific Loon ( Gavia pacifica ). One in winter plumage was
photographed by Steve Dinsmore at Wrightsville Beach on 14 February
1995. This is the third accepted record of the species for North Carolina.
The species is already on the Official List.

Pacific Loon. One in winter plumage was observed on the
unseasonable date of 28 July 1995 on Currituck Sound along the Dare -
Currituck County line, by Will Cook and Norm Budnitz. The Committee
accepted descriptions provided by both observers, for the fourth accepted
record of Pacific Loon for North Carolina (plus an accepted record to
Pacific/Arctic Loon).

Band-rumped Storm-Petrel ( Oceanodroma castro). An individual
was found dead, and subsequently photographed, by Simon Thompson far

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inland in the Pacolet River valley near Tryon, in Polk County, on 21
August 1994. The Committee accepted both the written documentation and
the photos. This is the first accepted inland record for the state. This
pelagic species has been observed in North Carolina waters on many
occasions and is already on the Official List.

Red-billed Tropicbird {Phaethon ae the re us). A sub-adult was seen
on a pelagic trip off Cape Hatteras on 13 August 1994. The Committee
accepted both written descriptions provided by Greg Lasley and Edward
(Ned) Brinkley, as well as photos provided by Steve Dinsmore and Lasley.
There are about five previous state records, but none in perhaps the
previous 10 years. The species is already on the Official List.

Red -billed Tropicbird -- second ballot. An immature was seen and
photographed in the Gulf Stream off Hatteras on 24 July 1994 by P.A.
Buckley, Ned Brinkley, Brian Patteson, and many other birders. As
mentioned above, there was a gap of perhaps 10 years between sightings of
this species in North Carolina waters.

Brown Booby ( Sula leucogaster). An adult or sub-adult was
photographed off Cape Hatteras on 15 August 1994. The Committee
accepted photos taken by Don Henise. This is the third accepted state
record. The species is already on the Official List, based on a bird
photographed in July 1994.

Brown Booby. An adult or sub-adult was seen flying directly over
Cape Hatteras Point on 29 May 1995. Ricky Davis, and George and Henry
Armistead, provided descriptions to the Committee. This is the fourth
accepted state record.

Cinnamon Teal ( Anas cyanoptera). A male in breeding plumage
was photographed by Steve Dinsmore on 14 February 1995, and perhaps
the same individual was photographed by Derb Carter on 19 March 1995,
at a sewage treatment area near Sneads Ferry in Onslow County. There
were no Unaccepted Origin votes. There are at least four or five previous
state records, but this is probably the first photographic documentation.
The species is already on the Official List.

Mississippi Kite ( Ictinia mississippiensis). An active nest,
attended by adults, was discovered in downtown Laurinburg during summer
1995. Hal Broadfoot provided a written description, and Chip East and Hal
Broadfoot provided photos of the nest, adults, and fledgling. This is the
first documented nesting of Mississippi Kite in the state.

Snowy Plover ( Charadrius alexandrinus). One was seen at New
Drum Inlet in Carteret County from 30 April to 3 May 1994. It was
originally found by Sue Philhower, and the Committee accepted the
description provided by Steve Dinsmore, who observed the bird on 3 May.
This is the first accepted report for the state; because no photographs were
obtained, the species is placed on the Provisional List.

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California Gull (Larus califomicus). The Committee accepted the
descriptions of two adults, and one third-winter individual, at Cape Hatteras
Point on 28 December 1994. Ned Brinkley provided details on the gulls.
These three birds represent a single accepted record. There are three
previously accepted records for the state, and the species is already on the
Official List.

Sandwich (Cayenne) Tern (, Sterna saruh’icensis eurygnatha). One
was photographed by Steve Dinsmore at Cape Hatteras Point on 23
September 1994. The Committee had no descriptions of the bird to vote
on, but the Committee accepted the photographs, which were accompanied
by a review of the photos by Claudia Wilds, a recognized expert on tern
identification. This is the first accepted record for this subspecies for the
state. The Committee is aware of two or three previous reports for the state
and will vote on them pending suitable descriptive material or photographs.

White-winged Tern ( Chlidonias leucopterus) . An adult, in advanced
molt, was seen by several birders at the Bodie Island Lighthouse Pond on
13 August 1994. The Committee accepted descriptions provided by
Michael Mathieson and Roger McNeill. The Committee had failed to
accept two previous reports of this species; thus, this is the first accepted
state record. Because no photographs were obtained, the species is placed on
the Provisional List.

Marbled Murrelet ( Brachyramphus mormoratus perdix). Ricky
Davis observed a Marbled Murrelet at Jordan Lake, Chatham County, on 9
December 1994. Dozens of birders also saw it on the following day, and it
was briefly seen again on 1 1 December. The Committee reviewed
descriptions provided by Davis, and by Susan Barrell Grove, and accepted
the record both to the full species and to the Siberian (B. m. perdix)
subspecies. No identifiable photos were taken. Thus, this first state record
is placed on the Provisional List.

Atlantic Puffin (Fratercula arctica). One in basic plumage was
observed on a pelagic trip off Currituck Banks on 18 February 1995
(LeGrand and Dias 1995). Harry LeGrand, Derb Carter, John Wright, Steve
Dinsmore, and at least eight other persons saw the puffin. No photos were
obtained. This is the second sight record for the state, and the species
remains on the Provisional List.

Antillean Nighthawk ( Chordeiles gmdlachii). One individual was
seen and heard calling on many evenings from 6 August to at least 14
August 1994 in the vicinity of the campground at Cape Hatteras Point.
The Committee accepted written descriptions from Craig Roberts and Greg
Lasley. The Committee also accepted a tape recording of the call made by
Michael O'Brien on 13 August. This is the first accepted record for the
state. Acceptance of the tape recording, as this is tangible documentation,
places the species directly onto the Official List.

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Green Violet-ear ( Colibri thalassinus). One was seen at a feeder in
Burnsville in early September 1995, and Bob and Martha Sargent banded
and photographed it on 5 September. The Committee accepted the many
photos provided by the Sargents. This is the second accepted record of this
hummingbird for North Carolina. The species is already on the Official
List, based on a bird photographed at Asheville in 1987.

Northern (Red-shafted) Flicker ( Colaptes auratus cafer). One
male was seen by Ned Brinkley at Pea Island on 9 October 1994. This is
apparently not the first report of the subspecies for the state, but it is the
first that has been reviewed, and accepted, by the Committee. The
Committee will search the literature for other reports of "Red-shafted”
Flicker and will vote on such reports, pending suitable descriptive material.
The Committee has a policy of reviewing well-marked subspecies,
especially as some such subspecies may well be split by the American
Ornithologists' Union into full species.

Ash-throated Flycatcher ( Myiarchus cinerascens). A juvenile was
observed at the old Coast Guard Station at the northern end of Pea Island on
24 September 1994 by Bob Holmes, and subsequently seen on that date by
Steve Dinsmore, Roger McNeill, Brian Patteson, and others. The
Committee accepted a written description by Dinsmore and photographs
taken by Dinsmore and McNeill. This is the second accepted record for the
state. Acceptance of the photographs elevates the species from the
Provisional List to the Official List.

Cave Swallow (Hirundo fulva). One was observed by John and
Paula Wright, and Nell and Jimi Moore, at a sewage treatment area near
Sneads Ferry in Onslow County on 5 February 1995. The Committee
accepted the description submitted by John Wright, and photographs taken
by Nell Moore, to the full species. The Committee considered whether the
details and the photos were sufficient enough for identification of the bird
to the Southwestern subspecies ( H . f. fulva)\ however, the Committee did
not accept subspecific identification. Acceptance of the full species elevates
Cave Swallow from the Provisional List to the Official List, as this is the
third accepted sight record. Acceptance of the photos to the full species is
not necessary to move Cave Swallow to the Official List, but the photos
provide the first tangible documentation.

Cave Swallow. One was seen by Ned Brinkley at the Bodie Island
Lighthouse Pond on 19 May 1995. This is, surprisingly, the fourth
accepted record for the state. The other three records are for the winter
season.

Northern Wheatear ( Oenanthe oenanthe). One individual, either a
female in basic plumage or an immature, was seen on many dates during
October 1994 at the Cape Hatteras Point campground. The Committee
accepted a written description provided by Ned Brinkley, and photographs

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taken by Robert Anderson, Ned Brinkley, and Roger McNeill. This is the
third accepted record for the state. The species is already on the Official
List, based on a photograph of a Wheatear taken at Avon in 1987.

Northern Shrike ( Lanius excubitor). An immature was seen by
Wayne Irvin and Ken Knapp along the north dike of North Pond at Pea
Island on 29 December 1994. This is the fourth record for North Carolina,
but the first in approximately 25 years. The species is already on the
Official List.

Black-whiskered Vireo ( Vireo altiloquus). One was observed in
Beaufort on 6 May 1995 by Trip Dennis. This is the fourth accepted record
for the state; the species is already on the Official List.

Black-throated Gray Warbler ( Dendroica nigrescens). Trip
Dennis found a female at the Oakdale Cemetery in Wilmington on 31
January 1995, and it was seen by other birders in early February. The
Committee accepted descriptions provided by Harry LeGrand and Dennis.
This is the third accepted sight record for the state, and thus the species is
elevated from the Provisional List to the Official List. A photograph or
specimen would be helpful to further document the species.

Kirtland's Warbler {Dendroica kirtlandii). A female was seen by
Charles (Will) Cook, Chris Eley, and three other birders along the Blue
Ridge Parkway near Haywood Gap (Milepost 426.2) on 20 May 1995. The
Committee accepted descriptions provided by Cook and Eley. This is the
second accepted sight record for the state, keeping the species on the
Provisional List.

Kirtland’s Warbler. A bird believed to be an immature was found
along the Blue Ridge Parkway in Wilkes County near Milepost 235 on 24
September by Will Cook. The bird was observed by five members of the
N.C. Bird Records Committee, plus many other observers, on the
following day. This is the third accepted sight record for the state of
Kirtland’s Warbler, and the species is hereby elevated from the Provisional
List to the Official List. No tangible documentation, such as a photograph
or specimen, is available for the state.

Unresolved. Further consideration by the Committee is needed.

Yellow-legged Gull {Larus cachinnans). Voting on a report of an
adult, along with photographs, from the coast during late winter 1995 was
tabled by the Committee because of the lack of experience of Committee
members with the full species, its various subspecies, and hybrids of other
species of gulls. There were a number of reports of “Yellow-legged Gulls”
from the coast during early 1995, but only the above record was considered
for voting in 1995. A more thorough literature review by Committee
members, and perhaps outside review of the reports by European birders,
are warranted before any decisions can be made on this species’ status on

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the North Carolina bird list. At the present time, there are no accepted
records of this European species, recently split from the Herring Gull, for
North Carolina.

Blue-winged Warbler ( Vermivora pinus). Photos of a banded
individual taken in early March near the coast were considered by the
Committee to be clearly that of a Blue- winged Warbler, as reported by the
photographers. However, two Committee members are concerned that the
date may not have been recorded correctly, because the species is
extraordinarily rare in the United States in early winter, and perhaps
unprecedented in late winter. Because the report received between 25 and
50% of Non-accept votes, the report will go to outside review.

North Carolina Bird Records Committee members:

Harry E. LeGrand Jr., Chairman

Derb S. Carter

Samuel Cooper

Richard J. Davis

John O. Fussell III

Simon R. B. Thompson

Michael H. Tove

LITERATURE CITED

LeGrand, H.E., Jr., and N.W. Dias. 1995. Two records of Atlantic Puffin
for North Carolina. Chat 59:93-94.

Report of the South Carolina Bird Records Committee

1995

The Records Committee completed action on 27 reports in 1995 and
presently has an additional 7 under review, plus one being re-balloted after
undergoing outside review. Of the 27, six were rejected, and 21 accepted.
The accepted reports led to the addition to the SC state list of three new
species, and one subspecies. The list now stands at 401 species + one
genus, of which 17 species are on the provisional list. Of the species added,
one (Marbled Murrelet) was added to the Definitive list, and two (Common
Murre and Townsend’s Solitaire) to the Provisional. The subspecies
(Audubon’s Warbler) is provisional.

At its annual meeting on February 10, 1996, the SCBRC voted to
change the definition of species on the SC “Definitive” list to include only

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those species (or genera, if applicable) for which there is a specimen,
identifiable photograph (or video tape), or a vocalization recording, either in
its archives, or in a permanent scientific collection. This action caused the
transfer of eight species back to the Provisional List.

One of our members. Bill Hilton, has moved out of state. Steve
Compton has resigned due to outside commitments, and one member has
been inactive for some time. By decision of the Committee, the
Committee was reconstituted as a seven- member committee (one to be
selected) as allowed by the CBC by-laws.

A review of the 1995 activities follows:

Accepted sightings: 22 (some of these are multiples of the same bird).

Pacific Loon ( Gavia pacified). An adult in basic plumage was seen
by Pete Worthington and Bob Maxwell at the Huntington Beach State Park
(HBSP) jetties on January 29, 1995 for a second state record.

Swainson’s Hawk (Buteo swainsoni ). One bird was observed in the
ACE basin area from December 7, 1994 to January 1, 1995 by Sharon
Brown and others. Unfortunately no photographs were obtained so this
species remains on the Provisional List.

Common Murre ( Uria aalge). Dennis Forsythe and others spied a
basic-plumaged bird between the HBSP jetties on January 17, 1995, for a
new state record. Added to the Provisional List.

Marbled Murrelet ( Brachyramphus marmoratus). One bird was
photographed on November 19, 1994, at the HBSP jetties by Faye Metzel
and seen by others. The photos show the eye crescents of the Siberian
subspecies (as have all other East Coast records that have reported on this
feature). Added to the SC Definitive List.

Rufous Hummingbird ( Selasphorus rufus). 1) An adult male was
banded by Bill Hilton in York County on August 6, 1994, an extremely
early date. 2) A subadult male was in Worthington’s yard in Simpsonville
on November 3 and 4, showing considerable rufous on the back. This same
bird (or another) overwintered at another feeder less than two miles away,
and was in full adult plumage by the time it left in March of 1995.

Vermilion Flycatcher (Pyrocephalus rubinus). An adult female
and an immature (female?) were seen in the Townville area on October 6,
1995 by Bob Maxwell and Pete Worthington. The species is casual in the
state, but two together is unprecedented.

Western Kingbird ( Tyrannus vertcalis). One was seen at the HBSP
north parking lot on October 13, 1994 by Bob Maxwell.

Scissor-tailed Flycatcher ( Tyrannus forficatus). One was seen on
May 15, 1994 in Spartanburg County by Betty Pope of Inman

Red-breasted Nuthatch {Sitta canadensis). A single bird at Marion
Murph’s feeder on June 3, 1994 at Whitestone, Spartanburg County, gave

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South Carolina a rare summer record.

Bewick’s Wren ( Thryomanes bewickii). One was seen on May 15,
1995 by R. Carter and C. Eastman, and on June 22, 1995 by R. and B.
Maxwell in a cutover off SC 1 1 in NE Greenville County. It was a singing
male and gave the upstate an apparent first summer record since the 1970s.
The bird was still in the area in July.

Townsend’s Solitaire (Myadestes townsendi). Kim Gundler saw
this species on December 3, 1994 near the top of Table Rock Mountain in
Pickens County. Added to the Provisional List.

Varied Thrush ( Ixoreus naevius ). One bird seen on the Spartanburg
Christmas Count was accepted although the report lacked some critical
details. This is the second state report, having been placed on the Definitive
List in 1993.

Philadelphia Vireo ( Vireo philadelphicus). A singing male seen
by C. Eastman and R. Carter off SC 1 1 in NE Greenville County on May
14, 1995 may be a first state record for a singing bird.

Magnolia Warbler ( Dendroica magnolia). A new late date for the
species was seen at Landsfors Canal SP on May 29, 1995 by Carter and
Eastman.

Audubon’s Warbler {Dendroica coronata auduboni). Eastman and
Carter located one on December 31, 1994 in Clarendon County, in dingy
winter plumage. This is believed to be the first documented record in SC
for this subspecies.

Painted Bunting {Passerina ciris ). Tearse Alen of Moore,
Spartanburg County, had a brilliant male at her feeder on May 13, 1994,
for a rare Upper Piedmont record.

Harris’s Sparrow {Zonotrichia querula). A winter adult was first
found by Carter and Eastman on January 5, 1995 at the N end of the old
301 bridge over Lake Marion, where is stayed for several weeks. The
species has been on the SC list for a number of years, but only shows up
once in several years.

Shiny Cowbird {Molothrus bonariensis ). One found on March 25,
1995 at Lone Star, Calhoun County by Carter and Eastman is the farthest
inland report of the species.

Rejected Sightings: 6.

Yellow-billed Loon {Gavia adamsii). This bird, found and
photograhed on a fresh water impoundment in Georgetown County on
December 1, 1994 was submitted for outside review to Dan Gibson and
others in Alaska, after much discussion by the Committee. Their
conclusion was that the bird was a first-year Common Loon, in transitional
plumage. The outside review was accepted.

Masked Booby ( Sula dactylatra). A bird seen December 3, 1994 500

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143

m offshore from HBSP was quite possibly this species, but distance
precluded clinching the identification and ruling out an immature Northern
Gannet.

Ringed Turtle-dove ( Streptopelia “risoria”). The bird seen in
Spartanburg County in September 1994 was most likely an escaped cage
bird of this uncertain lineage, no longer considered a true wild species by
the AOU. The description was such that it would not allow evaluating the
report versus the Eurasian Collared-dove, now established along the coast.

Black-chinned Hummingbird ( Archilochus alexandrii). The
specimen was an immature bird, already in very poor condition when
examined by an out-of-state bander, and then destroyed. While the
dimensions obtained tend to indicate this species, they do not completely
rule out Ruby-throated Hummingbird. The bird, one of two at a Mount
Pleasant feeder in January 1994, was found dead after a cold night.

Gray-cheeked Thrush & Wood Thrush ( Catharus minimus &
Hylocichla mustelina). A pair of December 1994 reports from Cowpens
National Battlefield are not detailed enough to rule out either Hermit or
Swainson’s Thrush.

We thank all the submitters for their time and effort in preparing the
reports. We also wish to remind those who submitted particularly unusual
records (first state, etc) that the actions of the SCBRC, and this report, do
not meet the criteria of “publication”, i.e. full documentation in a journal
to establish a permanent record. To do this, the original submitter, or a
collaborator, should submit a note for publication in The Chat through
Dennis Forsythe, SC Field Notes Editor.

Respectfully submitted, Peter L. Worthington, Chairman
Robin Carter
John Cely
Dennis Forsythe
Sidney Gauthreaux
Lex Glover

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General Field Notes

LYNN MOSELEY

North Carolina Editor
Department of Biology
Guilford College
Greensboro, NC 27410

DENNIS M. FORSYTHE

South Carolina Editor
Department of Biology
The Citadel
Charleston, SC 29409

NOTICE

Publication of any unusual sightings of birds in the Field Notes or Briefs for
the Files does not imply that these reports have been accepted into the
official Checklist of Birds records for either North or South Carolina.
Decisions regarding the official Checklists are made by the respective State
Records Committees and will be reported upon periodically in THE CHAT.

Antillean Nighthawk in North Carolina

HARRY E. LeGRAND JR.

N.C. Natural Heritage Program
P.O.Box 27687
Raleigh, NC 27611

During the first half of August 1994, an Antillean Nighthawk
( Chordeiles gundlachii) was present in the vicinity of the
campground at Cape Hatteras Point, N.C. On 6 August, several
people, including Craig Roberts, were birding at the point and
were returning to their cars at dusk when they heard a nighthawk
with a multiple note call, in addition to hearing two Common
Nighthawks (C. minor). Roberts identified it as an Antillean,
based on his experience with the species from the Florida Keys.
The bird was seen and heard on the next evening by Ned Brinkley
and other birders. I saw and heard the bird on 10 August, along
with Jeff Pippen and Will Cook. Greg Lasley heard and saw the
bird on 13 and 14 August. Dozens of birders also saw and heard the
nighthawk during the 6 to 14 August period.

The habitat of the area consists of dunes vegetated in grasses.

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145

with a scattering of shrubs. Most of the observations were made
from a man-made berm, which afforded a good overview of the
surrounding dunes. The nighthawks fed by cruising at varying
heights over the dunes and shrub thickets, ranging from eye-level
to heights over 50 feet. From time to time, the Antillean chased
the Commons, and at other times the reverse occurred.

The descriptions of the Antillean Nighthawk varied
somewhat among the field notes reported by Roberts, Brinkley,
Lasley, and myself, primarily because the bird was seen only in
partial light near dusk, and because it was seen only in flight. In
general, the Antillean was slightly smaller than the Commons. It
showed a white wing patch on the outer portion of the wing in the
same position as that present on the Common Nighthawk. Other
plumage descriptions do not seem warranted in this paper, as the
viewing conditions were poor and as the species is apparently not
separable from the Common solely on plumage.

Fortunately for observers, the Antillean called frequently.
Roberts heard both three-note and four-note calls, the latter
sounding like "kiddy-kiddie". Lasley described the call he heard
as "kitty dik". Brinkley described the calls are variously "pitty-
pi-tik", "pik-pit-tik", and "pitty-pi-ti-tik". My description of
the calls was "peer-pit-pit-pit", with an emphasis on the first
syllable, and with two or three similar "pit" notes following the
"peer". I detected no "k" sound beginning the syllables, nor did I
hear any two-note "pitty" sound. The bird called for about 10 to 15
minutes each evening, around dusk. Its call was conspicuously
distinct from the "pee-ur" call given by the Commons, as it was a
choppy or stuttering call of three or four notes, and not the
downward slurred call of the Common.

Roberts, Brinkley, Lasley, and I provided written descriptions
of the bird to the N.C. Bird Records Committee. Michael O'Brien
also provided a tape recording of the call of the bird. The
Committee accepted the record, and the tape recording provides
tangible documentation, which places the species on the Official
List (Chat 60:138-139).

This is the first record of Antillean Nighthawk, apparently,
from north of Florida. The species nests on the Florida Keys, but it
winters south of the United States. Thus, its occurrence at Cape
Hatteras was quite unexpected.

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Two Records of Green Violet-Ear for North Carolina

HARRY E. LeGRAND JR.

N.C. Natural Heritage Program
P.O.Box 27687
Raleigh, NC 27611

BOB SARGENT
7570 Mac Hicks Rd.

Trussville, AL 35173

In the fall of 1987 and 1995, observers in western North
Carolina documented the occurrence of individual Green Violet-
ears ( Colibri thalassinus) at feeders. On 21 October 1987 an
unusual hummingbird visited the feeders of Barbara Whitaker in
Asheville, NC. She checked her Field Guide to the Birds of
North America (National Geographic Society 1983), and
identified the bird as a Green Violet-ear. She wanted
confirmation of the hummingbird from veteran birders, so she
contacted Jerry Young, who lives near Asheville. He examined the
hummingbird closely and photographed it at close range. He also
identified it as a Green Violet-ear, which is a tropical species
ranging from Mexico to northern South America.

Prior to this report, the Green Violet-ear had been observed in
the United States only in Texas and Arkansas. Thus, when news of
the Green Violet-ear spread later that day, birders from all over
the country came to the Whitaker home over the next several
days to observe and photograph the bird. The senior author
observed the bird on 24 October, and it was last reported on 25
October. According to Young, approximately 150 visitors saw the
hummingbird, based on the names signed in a logbook provided by
Whitaker.

The hummingbird appeared to be about an inch longer than a
Ruby-throated Hummingbird ( Archilochus colubris). However, no
Ruby-throats were present for size comparison; thus, the overall
size impression is simply speculative. The Green Violet-ear was a
metallic green color over most of its body, with gray-brown wings
that when folded extended to the tip of the tail. The undertail
coverts were buffy and showed some green metallic flecking on the
tips. A prominent violet to indigo blue patch on the breast began
immediately below the gorget and faded into the green of the
sides. The violet-indigo ear patch extended from the malar area
into the auricular area and continued as a thin band around the

JERRY YOUNG
P.O. Box 836
Fairview, NC 28730

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147

nape. The chin lacked violet-indigo color. The bill was black and
slightly downcurved and was a little longer than the width of the
head. The greenish tail had a dark blue or blackish-blue
subterminal band. Because the sexes are similar, we did not
determine if the bird was a male or female.

Remarkably, another Green Violet-ear was observed at a
feeder in the mountains of North Carolina in the fall of 1995. Bob
and Martha Sargent were able to capture, band, and release an
adult bird, probably a male, at Burnsville, Yancey County, on 5
September. Measurements of the bird were: wing — 65.31 mm, tail
— 41.20 mm, exposed culmen — 20.40 mm, and weight — 5.58
grams. The bird showed no fat deposits, but it otherwise seemed
robust and healthy. It showed signs of wear on the wing and tail,
but no evidence of molt was noted; no parasites were detected.

The bird had been at the feeder of de Jarnette Wood for a day
or two before it was banded. Rather than providing a written
description to the N.C. Bird Records Committee, Bob Sargent
submitted to the Committee a series of over 25 color prints of the
bird, held in the hand immediately after banding. The photos
show a medium-length, somewhat evenly decurved black bill.
The crown, back, chin, throat, and lower belly were a dark,
iridescent green. The sides of the head, extending from the bill to
well beyond the cheeks, were a deep indigo or violet-blue. This
same violet-blue color was present as a broad patch on the mid-
breast. The wings were a dark brown color. A wide blackish bar
covered the lower portion of the tail feathers, creating a
conspicuous tail band. The outer tail feathers were turquoise blue,
with the central feathers a plain green, somewhat matching the
green of the back. In poor light, the dark green and the violet-blue
colors merged, so that the hummingbird seemed almost black in
overall appearance.

The Field Guide to the Birds of North America (National
Geographic Society 1983) might give the birder the idea that any
hummingbird with a mostly green body and deep indigo or violet
cheeks and breast is a Green Violet-ear. However, the Sparkling
Violet-ear (C. coruscans), limited completely to South America, is
quite similar to the Green Violet-ear. The Sparkling Violet-ear is
over an inch longer than the Green Violet-ear and would probably
be at least 1.5 inches longer, in total length, than a Ruby-throated
Hummingbird. Hilty and Brown (1986, p. 260) give bill
measurements of Green Violet-ear at 20 mm and Sparkling Violet-
ear at 25 mm. Like the Green Violet-ear, the Sparkling Violet-ear
also has violet-indigo patches on the cheeks and the mid-breast

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and belly; however, the latter species has the violet-indigo color
of the face extending under the chin. The Green Violet-ear has a
green chin/gorget region. Unlike the Green Violet-ear, which has
been recorded on a number of occasions north of Mexico, mainly in
Texas, the Sparkling Violet-ear apparently does not wander
extensively. There are no records of the latter species from the
United States. In addition, the senior author has seen numerous
Sparkling Violet-ears in Ecuador since the Asheville sighting,
and believes that the Sparkling Violet-ear is considerably larger
than the bird that showed up at the Asheville feeder.

The N.C. Bird Records Committee accepted the 1987 Green
Violet-ear record to the Official List in 1990 (N.C. Bird Records
Committee 1990), and it also accepted the 1995 record also (Chat,
60:139). The Committee considered whether the birds might have
been escaped individuals, but as there are other reports of the
species from north of Mexico, the Committee believed that both
hummingbirds were legitimate vagrants to Asheville and to
Burnsville. Color prints of both Green Violet-ears are in the
photograph collection at the N.C. State Museum of Natural
Sciences for permanent documentation.

LITERATURE CITED

Hilty, S.L., and W.L. Brown. 1986. A Guide to the Birds of
Colombia. Princeton University Press, Princeton, New Jersey.
National Geographic Society. 1983. Field Guide to the Birds of
North America. National Geographic Society, Washington,
D.C.

N.C. Bird Records Committee. 1990. Report of the North Carolina
Bird Records Committee. Chat 54:53-58.

First North Carolina Record of Western Gufi

ROBERT H. LEWIS
176 Hunter Avenue
Tarry town, NY 10591

Beginning on the Christmas Bird Count of December 30, 1994 and
continuing into January and February of 1995, many observers in the Cape
Hatteras Point area (Buxton, Dare County, NC) reported seeing strange
adult gulls resembling Herring Gull, but with oddly dark gray mantles that

Fall 1996

149

did not fit Herring Gull ( Larus argentatus), Lesser Black-backed Gull ( Larus
fuscus), or Great Black-backed Gull (L. marinus). At least one of those
birds proved to be a Yellow-legged Gull (L. cachinnans) (Lewis 1996), and
some others were probably hybrids of Lesser Black-backed and Herring
Gull (see Post and Lewis, 1995 for a discussion of this hybrid form). Grant
(1986) is the classic reference for European and North American gulls.

Figure 1: The spread wings on the bird display the classic Western Guh
field marks: one white mirror on primary 10, outer three primaries
otherwise black on both webs (except for white tips), dark primaries and
secondaries on the under wing.

One of these birds in particular was encountered many times by several
observers starting in early February. Of all the puzzling gulls, it had the
darkest mantle, darker than the classic Lesser Black-backed Gull of the race
graellsii, therefore similar in shade to most of the Lessers that are seen at
Hatteras. However, in contrast to Lesser Black-backed and Herring Gull,
this bird’s mantle was a purer gray, with no bluish cast. It was about the
size of a medium to large Herring Gull, had deep pink legs, sometimes
looking grayish-pink, and a very white head with little or no of the gray
streaking or smudging that always appears on the heads of Herring and
Lesser Black-backed Gulls in the winter. (However, many Herring Gulls
attain white heads by early February.) The bill at first glance was
unremarkable: all yellow with a red gonys spot. However, direct
comparison with Herring Gulls showed the bill to be high at the base.

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narrowing distally, swelling at the gonys, then terminating bluntly.
Nonetheless, unless one looked carefully at it, the bill did not seem
especially noteworthy.

Figure 2: Note mantle color, dark iris, and bill shape. Both photos by
Robert H. Lewis

The iris looked dark from a distance. Closer examination showed it to
be brownish or amber, with the black pupil clearly contrasting. The wings
were relatively short and broad. The underwing showed dark primaries and
secondaries. Above, the outer three primaries were almost entirely black,
then the next three had a tapering amount of black. There was only one
small white mirror, on the outermost primary. Both inner and outer webs
of the outer three primaries were black. Primary 6 (fifth one from the end)
showed a small white “tongue” near the tip. When standing with folded
wings, the bird showed average sized white primary tips, with about three
tips visible beyond the end of the tail. In addition, the white secondaries
were visible below the gray wing coverts, producing a “skirted” effect.
None of the species commonly occurring on the East Coast routinely show
this. All of these features are visible on Figures 1 and 2, taken on March
14 and 15, 1995. March 15 was foggy.

The combination of features noted above eliminates all forms of
Herring Gull (including the Siberian heuglini, taimyrensis, and vegae ),
Lesser Black-backed Gull, Slaty-backed Gull (L. schistisagus ), Yellow-
legged Gull, Yellow-footed Gull (L. livens ), and Kelp Gull (L.

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151

dominicanus). Every feature noted above, however, is fully consistent with
Western Gull (L. occidentalism and the bird has no field mark inconsistent
with Western Gull. But before adopting that identification, we must
consider the possibility of a hybrid. Lesser Black-backed X Herring is
eliminated by lack of head streaking, mantle color, overall size and shape,
iris color, leg color (would be pale yellow or flesh), and primary pattern
(would have more mirrors on more primaries). In recent years, several Kelp
X Herring hybrids have been observed in Louisiana. However, those birds
have very different wing patterns than the bird in question here (Donna
Dittmann, pers. comm.). A Slaty-backed X Glaucous-winged (L.
glaucescens ) hybrid would have a much paler mantle, head streaking, and
different primary pattern. This leaves Great Black-backed X Herring as the
only conceivable alternative to Western Gull.

The identification of Great Black-backed X Herring hybrids was
discussed by Roger Foxall (1979). Compared to the Hatteras bird, that
form has a different mantle color (paler and more bluish), much paler legs
(whitish or pale flesh), a yellow iris, usually more head streaking, and
more white on the primaries (more and larger white mirrors). Great Black-
backed X Herring hybrid is therefore eliminated.

Several experienced West Coast observers concur with the Western
Gull identification. Yet few of the people who saw the Hatteras bird
thought it was a Western Gull (the first one who did was Derb Carter). The
explanation for that is four-fold. First, so many odd gulls were at Hatteras
that winter that confusion and talk of hybrids was inevitable. Secondly,
common wisdom for years has been that Western Gull does not stray more
than twenty miles or so from the Pacific Ocean. Thirdly, most of the
people who saw the bird were understandably not very familiar with
Western Gull. Fourthly, the bird does not show the “jizz” that most people
associate with Western Gull, especially the massive bill (see for example
photo 463 of Harrison 1987) and the prominent large eye. But like all large
gulls. Western shows great variation in “jizz” among different individuals
and between sexes. Females of all large gulls are smaller than males in all
features. I visited San Diego in January of 1996 and stopped at many
beaches between Los Angeles and San Diego. In closely observing a
hundred Western gulls, I saw and photographed several with the same bill
proportions and eye size as the Hatteras bird. All show the bill structure of
the Hatteras bird: the bill is high at the base, narrows distally, flares at the
gonys (becoming higher than the base), then ends at a blunt tip. The eye is
not especially large. Among published photographs, the one on page 157
in the National Audubon Society Pocket Guide (1994) is of a bird virtually
identical to the Hatteras individual.

This is the first substantiated report of Western Gull from the East
Coast of North America.

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Copies of the original photos will be submitted to the North Carolina
State Museum at Raleigh.

Acknowledgements: I thank Dennis Paulson and Steve Heinl for their
expert opinions.

LITERATURE CITED

Foxall, R. 1979. Presumed hybrids of the Herring Gull and the Great
Black-backed Gull. American Birds 33: 838.

Grant, P. J. 1986. Gulls: A Guide to Identification. 2nd ed. Calton,
England: T & A Poyser.

Harrison, P. 1987. A Field Guide to Seabirds of the World. New York:
Steven Greene Press.

Lewis, R. 1996. First North Carolina Record of Yellow- legged Gull. Chat
60:153-156.

Perkins, S. 1994. National Audubon Society Pocket Guide. Familiar Birds
of Sea and Shore. New York: Alfred A. Knopf.

Post, P. and R. Lewis. 1995. The Lesser Black-backed Gull in the
Americas. Birding 27: 282-291.

First North Carolina Record of Yellow-legged Gull

ROBERT H. LEWIS
176 Hunter Avenue
Tarry town, NY 10591

Beginning on the Christmas Bird Count of December 30, 1994 and
continuing into January and February of 1995, many observers in the Cape
Hatteras Point area (Buxton, Dare County, NC) reported seeing adult gulls
with gray mantles darker than Herring Gull ( Larus argentatus) but paler than
Lesser Black-backed Gull ( Larus fuscus ), and with yellow or yellowish legs.
Several of these birds were thought to be Yellow-legged Gulls ( Larus
cachinnans ), but definitive evidence proved difficult to obtain.

Yellow-legged Gull is a recently recognized species that breeds around
the Mediterranean Sea and east into Turkey and the Caucuses. The
populations that comprise the species were formerly considered to be races
of Herring Gull under the names L. a. michahellis, atlantis, and cachinnans.
Good references for this complex situation are the well known book by
Grant (1986) and the article by D. Gruber in the German magazine Limicola
(1995). There are several North American records of the species, the best
known being the bird that frequented Georgetown reservoir in Washington
D.C. for several winters in the early 1990’s (Wilds and Czaplak 1994).

Fall 1996

153

Here is an identification summary. When in adult basic plumage
(winter), these birds resemble Herring Gull but have yellow legs, brighter
yellow bills, very clean white heads (indeed, the German name for the
species is “White-headed Gull”), and mantles usually slightly darker gray
than Herring, with less of a bluish cast. However, some populations, in
particular the so-called “Cantabrican” form of north-western Spain, have
mantles the same shade as our North American Herring Gulls (L. argentatus
smithsonianus). The Dutch biochemist and avian genetic researcher Peter de
Knijff reports (pers. comm.) that as one travels along the shores of the
Mediterranean encountering breeding colonies of Yellow-legged Gull, one
finds noticeable and random variations in mantle color. An important field
mark shared by all populations is the more extensive black in the primaries
(compared to Herring Gull). In flight, the outer wing shows an almost
Kittiwake-like “dipped in ink” black triangle. The wings also look longer
than those of Herring Gull.

Figure 1: Note the pattern of black on the primaries of the spread wing,
especially the extent of black on the outer web of primaries 5 and 6, and the
black dot on primary 4.

On March 13, 1995 I encountered an apparent Yellow-legged Gull at
Cape Hatteras, a mile or so west of Cape Point, standing on the south
beach in a flock of fifty or so Herring, Great Black- backed (L marinus) and
Ring-billed Gulls (L. delawarensis). I pointed the bird out to Joe Swertinski
and his two companions in another vehicle.

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The Chat Vol. 60

Figure 2: In flight, note the long wings and the Kittiwake-like black
triangle formed by the black areas on the outer primaries. Both photos by
Robert H. Lewis.

The bird was the size of a small Herring Gull. It had medium bright
uniform yellow legs, noticeably long wings, and a mantle the same shade of
gray as the Herring Gulls around it. We were able to approach to within
about fifty feet of the bird and I secured many photographs of it (figures 1
and 2). Through my 50 power Questar telescope, I was able to see that the
bird’s orbital ring was red, a fact verified by one of the other observers. This
too is a field mark for separating Yellow-legged Gull from Herring Gull,
and it is visible under high magnification on one of the original photos.
Figure one shows the bird’s fanned wing. Note the extensive black on P6
and P5, and the small black dot on P4. The amount of black exceeds that of
Lesser Black-backed Gull. Figure 2 shows the flying bird with the classic
Kittiwake-like black triangle and the long wings.

These and other photographs were reviewed by four European experts
who were unanimous in firmly declaring the bird to be a Yellow-legged
Gull. Some felt it was the Cantabrican form, others cautioned against
subspecific identification from photos.

I encountered the bird in the same area the following day, but not
thereafter. This bird was apparently not one of those reported by others
earlier in the winter.

As Lesser Black-backed Gulls continue to increase in North America,

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155

birders need to be aware of the possibility of hybrids between that species
and Herring Gull (Post and Lewis, 1995). Indeed, some of the other birds
mentioned above seen in January and February may have been such a
hybrid. The bird discussed here had mantle color and wing pattern that
conclusively eliminate the hybrid possibility.

Copies of the original photos will be submitted to the North Carolina
State Museum at Raleigh.

Acknowledgements: I thank Peter de Knijff, Norman van Swelm,
Philippe Dubois, and Pierre Y6sou for their expert opinions.

LITERATURE CITED

Grant, P. J. 1986. Gulls: A Guide to Identification. 2nd ed. Calton,

England: T & A Poyser.

Gruber, D. 1995. Die Kennzeichen und das Vorkommen der

Weisskopfmowe Larus cachinnans in Europa. Limicola 9: 121-165.
Post, P. and R. Lewis. 1995. The Lesser Black-backed Gull in the
Americas. Birding 27: 282-291.

Wilds, C. and D. Czaplak. 1994. Yellow-legged Gulls ( Larus cachinnans) in
North America. Wilson Bulletin 106: 344-356.

CBC Rare Bird Alert
(704) 332-BIRD

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BRIEFS FOR THE FILES

RICKY DAVIS
(All dates winter 1995 - 1996)

RED-THROATED LOON: Inland reports in North Carolina this winter
included one at L. Norman through December (David Wright) and
another at Roanoke Rapids Lake Feb. 1 1 (Ricky Davis).

PACIFIC LOON: This species is becoming regular in the Carolinas, being
reported yearly. This winter singles were at Figure Eight Island, NC
Dec. 22 (Derb Carter), Cape Hatteras, NC Jan. 26 (Taylor Piephoff, et
al.), and Litchfield Beach, SC Feb. 17 (Bob Maxwell, et al.).

COMMON LOON: Wintering numbers seemed to be up inland with the
best counts being 26 at Roanoke Rapids Lake, NC Jan. 22 (Ricky
Davis) and 15 at L. Hartwell, SC Feb. 19 (Giff Beaton, et al.)

RED-NECKED GREBE: In North Carolina this species was found in good
numbers. Singles were at Morehead City Dec. 17 (Harry LeGrand), L.
Pinehurst Dec. 19 and 30 (Dick Burk), Figure Eight Island Dec. 27 and
30 (Derb Carter, Ricky Davis), Swan Quarter Jan. 26 (Russ and
Patricia Tyndall, et al.), and near Nags Head Feb. 10 (Harry LeGrand,
Derb Carter). From one to eight were in the Cape Hatteras area during
late Jan. (m. ob.) and a respectable two to three were on Roanoke
Rapids Lake Jan. 22 to Feb. 1 1 (Ricky Davis).

EARED GREBE: Two on L. Norman, NC during Dec. (David Wright) were
good finds which provided a first county record. Individuals were also
found at Wilmington, NC Dec. 30 (Derb Carter), Rodanthe and Cape
Hatteras, NC Jan. 28 (Russ and Patricia Tyndall, Jeff Pippen), and
Huntington Beach State Park, SC Dec. 9 (Lex Glover, Bert Fisher).

WESTERN GREBE: About the third record in two years, one was found in
the surf off of Cape Hatteras, NC Jan. 26 (Taylor Piephoff, et al.) and
was subsequently seen by several observers thereafter.

AM. WHITE PELICAN: The only North Carolina report was of one in the
Bodie-Pea Islands area Dec. 28 (Will Cook, Ricky Davis). In South
Carolina one was at the Yawkey W.M.A., Georgetown County Dec. 2
(Lex Glover, Mike Turner); one was at Litchfield Beach Jan. 5 (Bob and
Barbara Maxwell); and two were seen flying south past Hunting Island
State Park, Feb. 13 (Irvin Pitts, Stan Hutto).

GREAT CORMORANT: Very rare inland, two were found at Roanoke
Rapids Lake, NC Feb. 1 1 (Ricky Davis).

ANHENGA: One to two were locally unusual and late near New Bern, NC
throughout Dec. (Bob Holmes).

LEAST BITTERN: Very rare in winter, one was an unexpected lingerer at

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157

Cape Hatteras, NC Dec. 12 to Jan. 9 (fide Marcia Lyons).

REDDISH EGRET: One was still present at Huntington Beach State Park,
SC until at least Dec. 8 (Jack Peachey).

CATTLE EGRET: Normally only small numbers linger into the winter in
the Carolinas, thus of interest was the flock of 27 seen near L. Phelps,
NC Dec. 2 (Harry LeGrand, Derb Carter, Jeff Pippen, Roger McNeill).
One was still present there as late as Jan. 26 (LeGrand).

GREEN HERON: North Carolina had more than the usual reports this
winter with singles being found at L. Norman Dec. 17 (David Wright),
Morehead City Dec. 17 (fide John Fussell), Durham in mid-Dec. (fide
Mike Schultz), Wilmington Dec. 30 (fide Sam Cooper), and Baldhead
Island Dec. 31 (Jeff Pippen).

WHITE IBIS: A locally very rare and late individual was found in Pisgah
Forest, Transylvania County, NC Dec. 6 (John and Becky Huggins).

TUNDRA SWAN: This species continues to do well in North Carolina. A
record flock of 60,000 was counted at Pungo N.W.R. in January (fide
Kelly Davis) and numbers seemed to be about average at other
wintering sites at the same time! Good inland counts included five at L.
Orange, Orange County Dec. 1 (Celeste McKnight, Jeff Pippen) and 1 1
on the Raleigh CBC Dec. 16 (fide Will Cook).

MUTE SWAN: The individuals at Pea Island N.W.R., NC and Huntington
Beach State Park, SC present from the fall were seen into December
(m. ob.).

GR. WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE: This winter was one of the best for this
species in the Carolinas. Singles were found at Pungo N.W.R. , NC
Dec. 28 and Wilmington, NC Dec. 30 (Derb Carter); near Greensboro,
NC Dec. 17-24 (Chris Carter, Herb Hendrickson, Henry and Elizabeth
Link); and L. Julian, Buncombe County, NC late Dec. - early Jan.
(Wayne Forsythe, Simon Thompson, Norma Siebenheller). Also an
amazing flock of six was at Santee N.W.R., SC for most of the winter
(Lex Glover, Mike Turner, Jack Peachey, sev. ob.).

SNOW GOOSE: The Greater Snow flock at Pea Island N.W.R., NC
continued to be in reduced numbers, but the inland Lesser Snows were
present in impressive numbers. The Pungo N.W.R. flock totaled a
record 30,000 in Jan. (fide Kelly Davis) and the Mattamuskeet and
Currituck flocks were about average in number (Ricky Davis). Inland
reports were above average in numbers with the farthest west being four
to five in Transylvania County, NC Dec. 2 at Cedar Mountain and Feb.
14 at Calvert (fide Norma Siebenheller).

ROSS' GOOSE: Pungo N.W.R., NC has become the best place in the
Carolinas to look for this species. For the third year in a row, one was
present in the Snow Goose flock Dec. 28 and Jan. 5 (Derb Carter,
Ricky Davis).

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BRANT: A locally rare sighting was of nine Brant flying past Wrightsville
Beach, NC Jan. 5 (Jeff Pippen).

"EURASIAN" GREEN- WINGED TEAL: For the second year in a row, a
male was present near Sneads Ferry, NC Jan. 25 to late March (Nell
Moore, Jim ODonnell).

AM. BLACK DUCK: A locally rare occurrence was 13 Blacks on the New
River CBC Dec. 23 (James Coman).

CINNAMON TEAL: From one to two were seen off and on during the
winter at the Savannah Spoil Site, SC (Steve Calver, John and Pat
Metz, sev. ob.), a rare occurrence.

EURASIAN WIGEON: This species was down this winter with the only
reports being a male near L. Wheeler, Wake County, NC Dec. 31
(Chris Eley) and a female at Bear Island W.M.A., SC Dec. 31 (Caroline
Eastman).

REDHEAD: Redheads provided some locally good counts with up to five in
Transylvania County, NC in December (fide Norma Siebenheller); 15
at Florence, SC Jan. 13 (Lex Glover, Mike Turner, Steve Patterson);
40 at Falls Lake, NC Feb. 19 (Ricky Davis); 20 in Wilmington, NC
Feb. 1 1 (Jeff Pippen); and 600 on the Morehead City, NC CBC Dec.
17 (fide John Fussell).

GREATER SCAUP: Locally good totals for Greater Scaup included 19 in
Richland County, SC Feb. 10 (Robin Carter, David Holloway); up to
38 on Lake Crabtree, Wake County, NC Feb. 18 to 25 (Chris Eley,
Jeff Pippen, Harry LeGrand); and 20 on Roanoke Rapids Lake, NC
Feb. 1 1 (Ricky Davis).

COMMON EIDER: Reports of this species were about average and included
a female at Morehead City, NC Dec. 17 (Ricky Davis), two on the
Wilmington, NC CBC Dec. 30 (Derb Carter, Ricky Davis), and up to
two females at Huntington Beach State Park, SC Jan. 20 & 21 (Jack
Peachey, Tonya Spires, David Donmoyer, Robin Carter, Caroline
Eastman, Lex Glover, et al.).

KING EIDER: The always noteworthy King Eider was reported from one
locality this winter. From one to two females were at the Huntington
Beach State Park, SC jetty Jan. 15 to at least Jan. 21 (Tonya Spires, et
al.; Jack Peachey, et al.; Robin Carter, Caroline Eastman, Lex Glover,
Mike Turner). What was interesting about this occurrence was that
direct comparison with female Common Eiders in the same area was
possible.

HARLEQUIN DUCK: The only report received was of a male at Hatteras,
NC Dec. 27 (Brian van Druten, fide Marcia Lyons).

OLDSQUAW: Inland records of Oldsquaw are always noteworthy. This
winter some excellent counts included three in Columbia, SC Dec. 16
& 18 (Lex Glover, Mike Turner), four on Par Pond, Savannah River

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Site, SC Feb. 22 - 24 (Owen Kinny, fide Anne Waters), and an
amazing seven on Lake Norman, NC Dec. 17 (David Wright).

WHITE- WINGED SCOTER: There were more inland reports than usual
this winter. One was at Falls Lake, NC Dec. 3 (Ricky Davis), up to
three were on Jordan Lake, NC in January and February (Doug
Shad wick, Jeff Pippen, Harry LeGrand), and two to three were at the
Savannah River Site, SC Jan. - Feb. (Anne Waters).

COMMON GOLDENEYE: This species was found throughout the
Carolinas this winter. Some of the better reports involved up to three
birds in Transylvania County, NC Dec.-Jan. (fide Norma Siebenheller),
one at Par Pond, Savannah River Site, SC Dec. 19 (Bobby Kennimer,
fide Anne Waters), 11 at Jordan Lake, NC Jan. 29 (Chris Eley), and 18
at Falls Lake, NC Feb. 19 (Ricky Davis).

BUFFLEHEAD: Some locally exceptional counts of Bufflehead included
226 at Jordan Lake, NC Dec. 5 (Will Cook) and 228 at the Savannah
River Site, SC Dec. 19 (fide Anne Waters).

COMMON MERGANSER: This species was widely reported in North
Carolina this winter. Some of the more interesting sightings included
seven on the Morehead City CBC Dec. 17 (Larry Crawford); 6-8 at Kerr
Scott Res. Dam Jan. 15 (Adam Martin); and the huge, hard-to-see flock
(250+ !) was once again found in the middle of Lake Phelps (Harry
LeGrand, Jeff Pippen, sev. ob.).

RED-BREASTED MERGANSER: Amazingly, there were fewer reports of
inland Red-breasteds than Commons this year. The best count was of
16 on Roanoke Rapids Lake, NC Feb. 1 1 (Ricky Davis).

OSPREY: From one to three were late at Lake Marion, SC Dec. 3 (Anne
Waters) and Dec. 17 (Pete Worthington). Also one was present in the
Cape Hatteras, NC area from Dec. 10 to at least Jan. 14 (sev. ob.) for a
locally rare winter report.

GOSHAWK: Two reports this winter: an immature was in the yard of
Adam and Phyllis Martin in Conover, NC Dec. 5 and an adult was seen
near Halifax, NC Feb. 7 (Franz Enders, fide Frank Enders).

BROAD- WINGED HAWK: Winter reports of Broad- wingeds are extremely
rare, thus of note were singles near Conover, NC Jan. 29 & 31 (Phyllis
and Adam Martin) and an absurdly early migratory flock of four near
Sandhills N.W.R., NC Jan. 20 (Adam Martin, Marian Steams). Could
these have been wintering birds?

SWAINSON'S HAWK: Absolutely amazing was the immature Swainson's
seen overhead in Duke Forest, Durham County, NC Dec. 4 (Will
Cook, Jeff Pippen). This is only about the fourth report for North
Carolina and the farthest inland sighting yet.

ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK: The always noteworthy Rough-legged was
found west of Greensboro, NC Dec. 26 (Eric Dean), near Halifax, NC

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Jan. 16 (Frank Enders), and at Pea Island, NC in early December
(Charles Gambill).

GOLDEN EAGLE: The rare Golden Eagle was reported twice: an adult was
on the Lake Lure, NC CBC Dec. 3 1 (Bob Merrick, Reece Mitchell) and
another adult was seen at Pungo N.W.R., NC Jan. 26 (Bob Holmes).

MERLIN: Inland reports included one at the Orangeburg Sod Farm, SC
Dec. 10 (Lex Glover, Bert Fisher), one in Durham, NC the last two
weeks of December (Mike and Lois Schultz, Chuck Byrd), one on the
Tryon, NC CBC Dec. 30 (Simon Thompson), and one in Haywood
County, NC Feb. 19 (Bob Merrick).

YELLOW RAIL: The only report received was of one seen at the mouth of
the Trent River, New Bern, NC Dec. 6 (Wade Fuller, Bob Holmes) and
probably the same bird was heard there on the New Bern, NC CBC
Dec. 18 (Wade Fuller, Rich Boyd).

BLACK RAIL: A very rare and late individual was seen at Clemson, SC
Dec. 16 (fide Pete Worthington) for an amazing inland winter report!

WILSON'S PLOVER: The only spot in the Carolinas where Wilson's
Plovers often attempt to winter is Bird Shoal, Beaufort, NC. This year
three were there Dec. 17 and one was still present until at least Feb. 18
(John Fussell).

PIPING PLOVER: Huntington Beach State Park, SC hosted impressive
numbers for the winter season. Simon Thompson had 18 there Jan. 6
and Jack Peachey counted 21 on Feb. 18.

AMERICAN AVOCET: A locally rare report involved 10 at Bear Island
W.M.A., SC Dec. 17 (Robin Carter, Caroline Eastman).

STILT SANDPIPER: This species normally winters to the south of the
Carolinas, thus of interest was the presence of a rather large flock
which spent the winter at the Savannah Spoil Site, SC. There were 33
counted Dec. 1 and at least 29 were still present as late as Feb. 19
(Steve Calver). An earlier report of 20 there Dec. 29, 1993 (Jon Dunn,
Steve Utterback) suggests that this could be a regular wintering spot for
the species.

PARASITIC JAEGER: The only onshore report was of one at Breach Inlet,
SC Dec. 2 (Robin Carter, Caroline Eastman).

GREAT SKUA: The always exciting Great Skua was found off of Hatteras
Inlet, NC during a C.B.C. pelagic trip Jan. 28 (Brian Patteson, et al.).

LAUGHING GULL: Inland reports of note included one at Jordan Lake, NC
Dec. 3 (Ricky Davis) and an impressive 100+ near Lake Phelps, NC
Dec. 2 (Harry LeGrand, Jeff Pippen, Roger McNeill, Derb Carter).

LITTLE GULL: The only Little Gull reports came from the Cape Hatteras
area where from one to five were seen from shore late January (sev. ob.)
and seven were counted on the Jan. 28 pelagic trip out of Hatteras Inlet
(Brian Patteson, et al.).

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161

BLACK-HEADED GULL: An adult was found at Morehead City, NC Dec.
21 (John Fussell) and two (1 adult, 1 Ist-winter) were seen at Cape
Hatteras Jan. 26 - 27 (Pete Worthington, Jeff Pippen, Lex Glover, Bert
Fisher, Les Todd, Leto Copeley, Russ & Patricia Tyndall).

BONAPARTE'S GULL: This species was found in large numbers on Jordan
Lake, NC this winter. Over 500 were counted Dec. 5 and over 300 were
still present as late at Feb. 25 (Will Cook, Harry LeGrand, Jeff Pippen,
Ricky Davis). Bonaparte's were found throughout the Carolinas at
inland lakes with the farthest west being at least four in Transylvania
County, NC Dec. 1 1 (Dick Blee, Norma Siebenheller, Tom Joyce,
Betty Mcllwain).

MEW GULL: A lst-winter bird of the European "Common" form was seen
on the Cape Hatteras CBC Dec. 27 (Ned Brinkley, Brian Patteson) for
only about the fourth or fifth report for North Carolina.

CALIFORNIA GULL: California Gulls have become regular at Cape
Hatteras the last few years. This winter at least two adults were present.
Two were seen Dec. 20 (Bob Lewis) and one was observed off and one
until mid-February (m. ob.).

THAYER'S GULL: A very rare inland report involved one at the Raleigh,
NC landfill Dec. 16 (Derb Carter). Less rare but still noteworthy were a
lst-winter at Wanchese, NC Dec. 28 (Ricky Davis) and a 2nd-winter at
Cape Hatteras Feb. 1 1 (Harry LeGrand, Derb Carter).

ICELAND GULL: Cape Hatteras hosted from 3 to 4 immatures this winter
(m. ob.) and a lst-winter bird was seen at Wanchese, NC Dec. 28
(Ricky Davis) and Jan. 27 (Harry LeGrand).

LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL: Coastal reports (especially NC Outer
Banks) have become commonplace for this species, but inland
sightings are still noteworthy. This winter two different Lessers (1 ad.,
1 imm.) were at the Wayne County, NC landfill Jan. 6 and Feb. 24
(Eric Dean) and one was at the Raleigh, NC landfill Dec. 16 (Derb
Carter). An adult was at Falls Lake Dec. 3 and single lst-winter birds
were found at Falls in February and at Roanoke Rapids Lake Feb. 11
(Ricky Davis).

GLAUCOUS GULL: Apart from the usual two to three at Cape Hatteras
this winter (m. ob.), singles were at Ocracoke, NC Jan. 17 (Marcia
Lyons) and Figure Eight Island, NC Dec. 22 (Derb Carter).

GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL: Good inland reports included an
impressive six at the Wayne County, NC landfill Jan. 6 (Eric Dean);
four different birds at Falls Lake during the winter (Ricky Davis); one
at Jordan Lake Dec. 5 (Will Cook); and three immatures on Roanoke
Rapids Lake Feb. 1 1 (Ricky Davis).

BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKE: A good count of 90 was had on the
C.B.C. pelagic out of Hatteras Inlet Jan. 28 (Brian Patteson, et al.).

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From shore at Cape Hatteras, immatures were seen Dec. 31 (Jeremy
Wrenn, fide Marcia Lyons) and Jan. 29 (John Fussell). Two adults and
one immature were seen there Jan. 27 (Lex Glover, et al.) for a good
one-day on-shore total.

DOVEKIE: Always exciting in the Carolinas, 11 were seen out of Hatteras
Inlet on the Jan. 28 pelagic (Brian Patteson, et al.) and three were seen
flying by Cape Hatteras Jan. 14 (John and Paula Wright, Ken Harrell).
Much more amazing was the discovery of one sitting in the highway at
Hatteras village Feb. 10 (Marcia Lyons) which was caught and released
in apparently good condition!

RAZORBILL: One was found dead during the Wilmington, NC CBC Dec.
30 (Sam Cooper) for the southernmost record. During January and
February, the Outer Banks hosted good numbers with the best totals
being 308 off Hatteras Inlet Jan. 28 (Patteson, et al.) and 40 - 50 from
shore off Cape Hatteras Jan. 30 (Marcia Lyons).

EURASIAN COLLARED-DOVE: North Carolina's only known population
at North Topsail Beach had at least eight birds throughout the winter
(Nell Moore). The South Carolina populations at Myrtle Beach and
Bennett's Landing, Ace Basin remained stable also (sev. ob.).

WHITE- WINGED DOVE: The only record involved the bird present since
the fall at Bennett's Landing, Ace Basin, SC. This bird hung out with
the Collared-Doves there and remained throughout the winter (sev. ob.)
until at least Feb. 17 (Bob Wood, et al.) for a rare winter occurrence!

COMMON GROUND-DOVE: Rare inland sightings involved two at the
Wayne County, NC landfill Dec. 16 (Eric Dean) and two in Trenton,
Edgefield County, SC Jan. 6 (Lex Glover).

BARN OWL: A rare mountain sighting was of one on the Mt. Jefferson,
NC CBC Dec. 16 (Ezra and Nathan Gardiner, fide James Coman).

LONG-EARED OWL: The VOA site in Beaufort County, NC once again
hosted up to three individuals of this hard-to-find species. They were
first found Jan. 25 (Taylor Piephoff, et al.) and were seen off and on
until at least Feb. 19 (Frank Enders). Much rarer was one heard near
Bennett's Point, Colleton County, SC Dec. 2 (Robin Carter, Caroline
Eastman).

SHORT-EARED OWL: This species was found at the usual spots in small
numbers. One exception was the 26 counted near Lake Phelps, NC
Dec. 28 (Derb Carter).

SAW-WHET OWL: After the record fall flight into the Carolinas, good
numbers were still being observed in North Carolina. Enders netted 1 1
in December and 13 in February near Halifax. Also six to seven were
found along the Mashoes Road, Dare County Jan. 30 - Feb. 9 (Jeff
Lewis, John Fussell).

WHIP-POOR-WILL: A rare winter report was provided by one near

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163

Morehead City, NC Dec. 14 & 17 (John Fussell).

HUMMINGBIRDS: Reports of wintering hummers in the Carolinas
continue to increase. Archilochus types were found in many scattered
sites with 8-9 in Carteret County, NC alone being impressive.
Identified Ruby-throateds included one at Lake Landing, Mattamuskeet
NWR Dec. 29 (Will Cook) and a full adult male in Morehead City
(Derb Carter). Selasphorus types were also found throughout, with
several far to the west in Transylvania County (fide Norma
Siebenheller) and Try on (Simon Thompson). There were at least 12
Selasphorus in South Carolina alone with at least four identified
Rufous Hummingbirds (Pete Worthington). Adult male Rufous
hummers included one at Pawley's Island, SC all winter (Wendy Allen,
Jack Peachey, Lex Glover, Bert Fisher), one all winter at Marion, NC
(Jane Greenlee, fide Eloise Potter), and one at Swan Quarter, NC mid.-
Dec. to early Feb. (Kelly Davis).

EASTERN WOOD-PEWEE: A rare and very late Pewee was found in
Transylvania County, NC Dec. 16 (Jack Hudson, fide Norma
Siebenheller). The bird did vocalize so the observer was positive about
it being an Eastern and not the probably more likely Western!

HORNED LARK: Good winter reports included an impressive 250+ along
Hooper Lane in Mills River, Henderson County, NC Jan. 21 (Wayne
Forsythe, Larry Farer, Simon Thompson), 150+ near Rocky Mount,
NC Jan. 22 (Ricky Davis), and 20 at Cape Hatteras, NC Jan. 9 (Pat
Moore, et al.) where the species is quite rare and unexpected.

WOOD THRUSH: Very rare was one on the Wilmington, NC CBC Dec.
30 (Kitty Kosh). Winter reports of thrushes need thorough details and
thankfully this individual was seen well at close range and in
comparison with a nearby Hermit Thrush!

GRAY CATBIRD: Inland winter reports of Catbirds are always noteworthy.
Individuals on the New River, NC CBC Dec. 23 and the Stone
Mountain, NC CBC Dec. 30 (fide James Coman) were quite far to the
west. Also one was on the Lake Norman, NC CBC Dec. 17 (fide
Taylor Piephoff) and one was at Mason Farm near Chapel Hill, NC
Feb. 11 (Magnus Persmark).

SPRAGUE'S PIPIT: An amazing report involved two pipits found walking
on the jetty at Huntington Beach State Park, SC Feb. 29 (Phil &
Sharon Turner). The weather was bad and the birds allowed close
approach thereby giving the observers good views to rule out the more
common species.

LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE: Always hard-to-find in the mountains, single
shrikes were found on the New River, NC and Stone Mountain, NC
Christmas Counts in late December, and near Scottville, Ashe County,
NC Jan. 3 (fide James Coman). Also the total of 14 found on the

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The Chat Vol. 60

Litchfield, SC CBC Dec. 29 (fide Jack Peachey) was encouraging.

WHITE-EYED VIREO: Winter reports included two in Carteret County,
NC Dec. 15 (John Fussell), an amazing eight on the Savannah River
Site, SC CBC Dec. 19 (fide Anne Waters), one all winter near Stumpy
Point, Dare County, NC (John Fussell), and one singing at Huntington
Beach State Park, SC Feb. 27 (Jack Peachey).

ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER: One on the Lake Norman, NC CBC
Dec. 17 (fide Taylor Piephoff) was quite rare that far away from the
coast.

NORTHERN PARULA: Very rare and late was one on the Raleigh, NC
CBC Dec. 16 (fide Will Cook), which provided only the second record
for that count.

CAPE MAY WARBLER: Late or wintering Cape Mays are almost annual
somewhere in the Carolinas. This season one was found at Lake
Busbee, SC Dec. 4 (Jack Peachey).

BLACK-THR. BLUE WARBLER: Late lingering individuals of this
species are not unheard of in our area, but the one found far to the west
at Glen Cannon, Transylvania County, NC this season was most
extraordinary! A male visited a suet feeder from late November to early
January (fide Norma Siebenheller) for a most unusual occurrence.

YELLOW-RUMPED "AUDUBON'S" WARBLER: The western form of
this species was found this winter at Magnolia Gardens, Charleston,
SC Dec. 24 (Caroline Eastman).

YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER: Locally rare and late was the Yellow-
throated found at Greenville, NC Dec. 18 (Russ and Patricia Tyndall).

OVENBIRD: Extremely unusual was the Ovenbird which visited a feeder in
the yard of Louis and Shirley Kraus in Glen Cannon, Transylvania
County, NC from late November to Jan. 8 (fide Betty Mcllwain and
Norma Siebenheller). What was going on in Glen Cannon with the
warblers (Black-thr. Blue and Ovenbird) this winter? At the coast, where
Ovenbirds are rare but regular, singles were found in Manteo, NC Jan.
1 (Jeff Lewis, fide John Fussell) and Buxton Woods, Cape Hatteras
Feb. 18 (Doug Shadwick, et al.).

WILSON'S WARBLER: Always noteworthy during winter this far north, a
male Wilson's spent time at a feeder in Swan Quarter, NC Jan. 10 -
Feb. 10 (Kelly Davis).

YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT: Very rare was the Chat wintering inland at
Mason Farm, Chapel Hill, NC Dec. 21 to at least Feb. 4 (fide Will
Cook, John Bennett). Less unusual were one on the Morehead City,
NC CBC Dec. 17 and one at Wanchese, NC Jan. 13 (fide John
Fussell).

SCARLET TANAGER: In the amazing department was the adult male
Scarlet Tanager seen at Raleigh, NC on the early date of Feb. 26 (Joe

Fall 1996

165

Harris, fide Will Cook). It is hard to say if this individual, which was
singingO), was an absurdly early migrant or had overwintered.

WESTERN TANAGER: The Wilmington, NC bird was present once again
this winter, the fourth winter in a row (Kitty Kosh). Another one, a
female, was at Morehead City, NC Jan. 21 to the end of the period
(John Fussell).

ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK: A female-plumaged bird was seen in
Conover, NC Feb. 25 (Adam and Phyllis Martin) for a very rare winter
report. The observers did rule out the more likely (in winter) Black-
headed.

INDIGO BUNTING: Late birds included one at Lansford Canal State Park,
Chester County, SC Dec. 15 (Lex Glover, Mike Turner) and another on
the Cape Hatteras, NC CBC Dec. 27 (fide Pat Moore). Possibly an
early arriving bird was a singing male in York County, SC Feb. 28
(Gail B. Ice, fide Albert Conway).

PAINTED BUNTING: This species continues to attempt to winter in small
numbers at two localities. Several were in the Cape Hatteras area Dec.
27 (fide Harry LeGrand) and an impressive 15 different individuals were
found in Carteret County, NC (fide John Fussell).

BACHMAN'S SPARROW: Wintering birds included six at Donnelly
WMA, ACE Basin, SC Dec. 7 (Pete Worthington) and two in the
Green Swamp, Brunswick County, NC Jan. 26 (Merrill Lynch).

AMERICAN TREE SPARROW: North Carolina had more reports than
normal of this rare sparrow. Singles were found near Jordan Lake Dec.
9-10 (Will Cook, Derb Carter), at a Raleigh feeder Jan. 12 (Susan
Campbell), and at a Reidsville feeder in February (Roger McNeill, sev.
ob.). Much more impressive was the discovery of a flock of six near
the Yadkin River, Forsyth County Jan. 28 - late Feb. (Royce Hough,
sev. ob.).

CHIPPING SPARROW: Locally rare for the mountains in winter, 11 were
near Pisgah Forest, Transylvania County, NC Dec. 16-31 (John and
Becky Huggins, et al.).

CLAY-COLORED SPARROW: This species seems to be a rare but regular
wintering bird in the Carolinas. This year one was in a field near
Pactolus, Pitt County, NC Jan. 6-25 (John and Paula Wright, sev.
ob.); and an amazing four were in the fields near Lake Phelps, NC Dec.
2 (Harry LeGrand, Roger NcNeill, Derb Carter, Jeff Pippen), one of the
more regular locations over the past several years.

SAVANNAH "IPSWICH" SPARROW: A most interesting report involved
an apparent "Ipswich" on the shore of Lake Jordan, NC Dec. 5 (Will
Cook). If this was not just a very pale Savannah, would it represent the
first occurrence away from the coastal dunes it normally frequents?

GRASSHOPPER SPARROW: One was very rare and late far inland at

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Lattimore on the Shelby, NC CBC Dec. 28 (Simon Thompson). Also
a good count of four was had in the Green Swamp, NC Jan. 26 (Merrill
Lynch).

HENSLOW'S SPARROW: The only winter report received was of one in
the Green Swamp, NC Jan. 26 (Merrill Lynch).

LECONTE'S SPARROW: One was at Pactolus, Pitt County, NC from
Dec. 17 until at least Feb. 12 (John and Paula Wright, Ken Harrell,
Brad Carlson, Russ and Patricia Tyndall, Derb Carter). Another was
seen near Lake Phelps, NC Dec. 2 (Derb Carter, Jeff Pippen, Roger
McNeill, Harry LeGrand).

LINCOLN'S SPARROW: Reports of this species were considerably down
this winter. The best sighting was of one to the west at Lake Norman,
NC Dec. 17 (fide Taylor Piephoff).

SWAMP SPARROW: An impressive count was the 830 tallied in one area
(Eagle Island) on the Wilmington, NC CBC Dec. 30 (Ricky Davis).

DARK-EYED JUNCO: This winter there was a slight invasion of the
western "Pink-sided" form of Dark-eyed Junco in the Carolinas. One
was east of Sparta, NC Jan. 11 (fide James Coman, III), two were in
Chapel Hill, NC Feb. 3-4 (Magnus Persmark), and one was near
Hemingway, Georgetown County, SC Feb. 25 (Tonya Spires, David
Donmoyer).

LAPLAND LONGSPUR: Reports were down somewhat this winter, but of
interest were the two along Hooper Lane, Mills River, Henderson
County, NC Jan. 21 (Wayne Forsythe, Larry Farer, Simon Thompson)
in with a huge Homed Lark flock. The peak at the Orangeburg Sod
Farm, SC was the 3-8 there Dec. 2-3 (Robin Carter, Caroline Eastman,
Anne Waters).

SNOW BUNTING: A single Snow Bunting was found in the big Homed
Lark flock along Hooper Lane, Mills River, NC Jan. 21 (Wayne
Forsyth, Larry Farer, Simon Thompson) for a locally rare report.

RUSTY BLACKBIRD: Good counts of this species inland included 16 at
Jackson Park, Hendersonville, NC Dec. 21 (Wayne Forsythe), 72 in
Chesterfield County, SC Dec. 21 (Lex Glover), and 15 1(!) on the
Chapel Hill, NC CBC Dec. 24 (fide Will Cook).

BREWER'S BLACKBIRD: Impressive counts of this locally wintering
species included 200+ on the Aiken, SC CBC Dec. 23 (fide Anne
Waters); 20 in Carteret County, NC Feb. 5 (John Fussell, Rich Boyd,
Wade Fuller); 20+ near Lake Mattamuskeet, NC Dec. 3 (Eric Dean);
and five at Lake Norman, NC Dec. 17 (fide Taylor Piephoff). Also up
to three were in Laurens County, SC Feb. 16-21 (Pete Worthington,
Lex Glover, Bert Fisher) and two were seen in Richland County, SC
Dec. 19 (Caroline Eastman).

BALTIMORE ORIOLE: This species is a locally regular wintering bird in

Fall 1996

167

1

i

the Carolinas. Some of the more interesting reports this year included
three in Matthews, NC all winter (Bill and Pat Brokaw); one at
Raleigh, NC Dec. 16 and another in Chapel Hill, NC Dec. 24 (fide
Will Cook); and an impressive 35+ in one area of Sumter, SC all
winter (fide Lex Glover).

RED CROSSBILL: The only report received was of one heard in flight at
Caesar's Head State Park, SC Dec. 3 (Robin Carter, Caroline Eastman).

COMMON REDPOLL: The only Redpoll report involved a male at a feeder
in Durham, NC for one day only (Feb. 3) (Edith Tatum). With this
being one of the better finch years, one would expect more Redpoll
reports than this.

PINE SISKIN: Siskins were very local this winter. The best total received
was the 76 on the Jordan Lake, NC CBC Dec. 31 (fide Will Cook).
Also one on the Litchfield - Pawley's Island, SC CBC Dec. 29 (Steve
Patterson) was the first on the count since 1983!

EVENING GROSBEAK: This winter saw a return to the Carolinas by this
species. They were found locally throughout our area with the best
totals being 215 on the Jordan Lake, NC CBC Dec. 31 (fide Will
Cook), 100+ on Roan Mountain, NC Feb. 25 (Rick Knight), and
several hundred all winter in the Roanoke Rapids Lake, NC area (Ricky
Davis).

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Index to Volume 60

A

ACE Basin, SC, 163, 166
Aiken Co., SC, 78,115
Aiken, SC, 167

Alleghany Co., NC, 70, 75, 76, 78, 122, 125
Allen, W„ 105
Allendale, SC, 123
Anderson Co., SC, 126
Anhinga, 67, 115, 157
Ashe Co., NC, 70, 76, 78, 79, 123, 125, 125,
164

Asheville, NC, 116, 117, 124
Avery Co., NC, 75
Avocet, American, 119, 161
Avon-Buxton, NC, 123

B

Back Sound, NC, 67
Baldhead Island, NC, 158
Battery Island, NC, 75

Bear Island WMA, SC, 66, 72, 122, 159, 161

Bear Trail Ridge, NC, 70

Beaufort Co., NC, 75, 126, 163

Beaufort Inlet, NC, 66, 71, 73, 1 19

Beaufort, NC, 76, 161

Belews Lake, NC, 116

Bennett’s Landing, SC, 163

Bennett’s Point, SC, 74, 122, 163

Berkeley Co., SC, 119

Bertie Co., NC, 67

Bethel, NC, 69, 74

Bird Shoal, NC, 71, 119, 161

Bittern, American, 68

Bittern, Least, 68, 158

Blackbird, Brewer’s, 128, 167

Blackbird, Rusty, 167

Blackbird, Yellow-headed, 128

Bladen Co., NC, 76

Blowing Rock, NC, 68, 78

Bluebird, Eastern, 124

Bobolink, 79

Bodie Island Lighthouse, NC, 75
Bodie Island, NC, 69, 70, 124
Bodie-Pea Is., NC, 157
Boettcher, R., 29
Bogue Inlet, NC, 71
Booby, Brown, 24, 67, 137

Booby, Masked, 67, 115, 144
Brant, 116, 159
Breach Inlet, SC, 127, 161
Breeding Bird Survey, 16
Bremer, F. & C., 59
Brevard, NC, 69, 76
Brinkley, E. S., 62
Broadfoot, H. W., 105
Brunswick Co., NC, 70,71,77, 166
Bucksport, SC, 127
Bufflehead, 160
Buncombe Co., NC, 70, 158
Bunting, Indigo, 166
Bunting, Painted, 78, 143, 166
Bunting Snow, 127, 167
Burnsville, NC, 123
Burrell’s Ford, SC, 76
Butner, NC, 127
Buxton, NC, 69, 78, 79
Buxton Woods, NC, 126, 165
Buxton Woods, NC, 126, 165
Buxton Woods, NC, 126, 165
Buxton Woods, NC, 126, 165
Buxton-Frisco, NC, 123

C

Caesar’s Head SP, SC, 77 , 117, 118, 168
Calhoun Co., SC, 78, 79
Calvert, NC, 71, 79
Cane Creek Reservoir, NC, 121
Cape Fear River, NC, 74
Cape Hatteras, NC, 66, 67, 72, 73, 74, 114,
115, 118, 119, 121, 122, 123, 157, 158,
160, 162, 164, 166
Cape Lookout, NC, 74, 119
Cape Romain NWR, SC, 119
Careteret Co., NC, 74
Carlisle, SC, 124
Carrboro, NC, 71
Carter, D., 27
Carter, R., 44

Carteret Co., NC, 67, 68, 69, 71, 72, 76, 164,
165, 166, 167
Carver’s Gap, NC, 128
Cary, NC, 71

Catbird, Gray, 76, 124, 164
Cedar Hammock Island, NC, 74

Cedar Island, NC, 69, 70, 75, 79, 120
Cedar Mountain, NC, 158
Chapel Hill, NC, 68, 72, 124, 125, 126, 164,
167, 168

Charleston Co., SC, 71, 122, 123, 127

Charleston, SC, 29, 70, 73, 74, 116, 165

Charlotte, NC, 114, 118

Chat, Yellow-breasted, 126, 165

Cherokee Co., NC, 123

Cherokee Co., SC, 70, 78

Chester Co., SC, 166

Chesterfield Co., SC, 167

Clarendon Co., SC, 123

Clarkton, NC, 76

Clemson, SC, 161

Cleveland Co., NC, 72

Cliffs of the Neuse SP, NC, 126

Coastal habitats, 29

Collared-dove, Eurasian, 62, 74, 122, 163

Colleton Co., SC, 74, 76, 122, 163

Columbia, SC, 126, 160

Columbus-Brunswick Co., NC, 70

Congaree Swamp, SC, 76

Connestee Falls, NC, 116

Conover, NC, 160, 166

Conway, SC, 71

Coot, American, 71, 118

Core Banks, NC, 116

Core Sound, NC, 67

Cormorant, Great, 157

Countershading, 81

Cowbird, Shiny, 79, 143

Crossbill, Red, 79, 168

Cuckoo, Black-billed, 75, 122

Curlew, Long-billed, 119

Currituck Co., NC, 66, 69

Currituck Sound, NC, 158

D

Dare Co., NC, 69, 77, 78, 79, 121, 127, 163,
165

Darlington, NC, 74
Daughton Park, NC, 78
Davis, R.,27
Deerlake, NC, 69
Devel’s Courthouse, NC, 75, 79
Dickcissel, 78, 126
Donnelly WMA, SC, 166
Dove, White-winged, 122, 163

Dovekie, 163

Dowitcher, Long-billied, 120
Dowitcher, Short-billed, 72
Duck, Am. Black, 69, 159
Duck, Harlequin, 159
Duck Ruddy, 69, 117

Duke Forest, NC, 117, 118, 125, 126, 128,
160

Duplin Co., NC, 77,117

Durham Co., NC, 71, 117, 125, 126, 128, 160

Durham, NC, 117, 125, 158, 161, 168

E

Eagle, Golden, 70, 118, 161
Eagle Island, NC, 167
Ecusta, NC, 71
Edgefield Co., NC, 163
Edisto Beach, SC, 59, 126
Egret, Cattle, 1 58
Egret, Great, 68
Egret, Reddish, 68, 115, 158
Egret, Snowy, 68, 115
Eider, Common, 117
Eider, King, 159

F

Falcon, Peregrine, 71, 118
Falls Lake, NC, 72, 74, 114, 117, 120, 124,
159, 160, 162

Fayetteville, NC, 115, 115, 119, 123
Ferebee, P., 1

Figure Eight Island, NC„ 66 67, 75, 123, 157,
162

Finch, Purple, 128
Florence Co., SC, 70
Florence, SC, 159
Flycatcher, Alder, 75
Flycatcher, Ash-throated, 139
Flycatcher, Least, 123
Flycatcher, Olive-sided, 123
Flycatcher, Scissor- tailed, 142
Flycatcher, Vermilion, 123, 142
Flycatcher, Willow, 75, 123
Flycatcher, Yellow-bellied, 123
Folly Beach, SC, 126
Forsyth Co., NC, 70, 76,127,166
Forsythe, D., 59
Fort Fisher, NC, 116, 119
Fort Macon, NC, 119

Francis Marion NF, SC, 79
Franklin, NC, 69
Frigatebird, Magnificent, 67
Frisco, NC, 67, 73
Ft, Jackson, SC, 76
Fulmar, Northern, 114

G

Gallinule, Purple, 71
Gannet, Northern, 115
Gates Co., NC, 67
Gem Lake, SC, 115

Georgetown Co., SC, 69, 109, 157, 167
Georgetown, SC, 60, 120, 128
Glen Cannon, NC, 70, 71, 118, 165
Glendale Springs, NC, 79
Gnatcatcher, Blue-gray, 124
Godwit, Hudsonian, 119
Godwit, Marbled, 72, 119
Golden-Plover, American, 118
Goldeneye, Common, 160
Goldsboro, NC, 69, 71, 114, 115, 116, 117,
118, 120, 121, 122, 124
Goose Creek, SC, 119
Goose, Gr. White-fronted, 158
Goose, Ross’, 116, 158
Goose, Snow, 116, 158
Goshawk, Northern, 160
Grandy, NC, 69

Great Balsam Mountains, NC, 70
Grebe, Eared, 66, 114, 157
Grebe, Horned, 66, 114
Grebe, Pied-billed, 114
Grebe, Red-necked, 114, 157
Grebe, Western, 157
Green Swamp, NC, 71,77, 166, 167
Greensboro, NC, 69, 72, 73, 115, 123, 126,
158, 161

Greenville Co., SC, 76, 77, 124, 126, 127
Greenville, NC, 72, 78, 79, 165
Greenville, SC, 125, 127
Grosbeak, Blue, 78
Grosbeak, Evening, 128, 168
Grosbeak, Rose-breasted, 166
Ground-Dove, Common, 74, 122, 163
Guilford Co., NC, 69
Gull, Bonaparte’s, 162
Gull, California, 73, 121, 138, 162
Gull, Common Black-headed, 121, 162

Gull, Glaucous, 74, 162

Gull, Great Black-backed, 162

Gull, Iceland, 73, 162

Gull, Laughing, 73, 121, 161

Gull, Lesser Black-backed, 73, 121, 162

Gull, Little, 73, 121, 161

Gull, Mew, 162

Gull, Thayer’s, 73, 162

Gull, Western, 149

Gull, Yellow-legged, 140, 153

H

Hagan-Stone Park, NC, 72
Haig, S. M., 29
Halifax Co., NC, 74
Halifax, NC, 123, 128, 161, 163
Hampton Co., SC 73
Harbor Island, SC, 114, 122
Harrier, Norhtern, 70
Haskins, B., 109
Hass, T., 24

Hatteras Inlet, NC, 161, 163
Hatteras, NC„ 70 159, 163
Hawk, Broad-winged,, 70 117, 160
Hawk, Cooper’s, 70
Hawk, Rough-legged, 70, 160
Hawk, Sharp-shinned, 70, 117
Hawk, Swainson’s, 142, 160
Haywood Co., NC, 161
Hemingway, SC, 167

Henderson Co., NC, 68, 75, 123, 124, 125,
126, 127, 164, 167

Hendersonville, NC, 75, 76, 78, 121, 167

Heron, Great “White”, 68 , 115

Heron, Green, 158

Heron, Little Blue, 115

Heron, Tricolored, 115

Hilton Head Island, SC, 68

Holly Shelter, NC, 67, 68, 127

Horry Co., SC, 71

Hummingbird, Black-chinned, 144
Hummingbird, Blue-throated, 64
Hummingbird, Rufous, 142
Hummingbirds, 123, 164
Huntington Beach SP, SC, 67, 68, 71, 115,
116, 117, 119, 120, 122, 124, 127, 157,
158, 159 161, 164, 165

I-J-K

Ibis, Glossy, 68, 116
bis, White, 68, 158
I’on Swamp, SC, 79

Jackson Park, NC, 75, 76, 78, 123, 124, 125,
126, 127, 167
Jackson, SC, 70
Jaeger, Long-tailed, 73, 121
Jaeger, Parasitic, 73 161
Jaeger, Pomarine, 73
James Island, SC, 71, 127
Jasper Co., SC, 114, 127
Jefferson, NC, 70, 125

Jordan Lake, NC, 72, 74, 115, 117, 120, 121,
123, 160, 161, 162, 168
Junco, Dark-eyed, 79, 167
Justice, M. J., 81

Kerr Scott Reservoir, NC, 115, 116, 117, 118,
160

Kestrel, American, 71, 118
Kiawah Island, SC, 122
Kill Devil Hills, NC, 66,122
Killdeer, 119
Kingbird, Eastern, 75
Kingbird, Gray, 75, 124
Kingbird, Western, 123, 142
Kinglet, Golden-crowned, 76
Kinglet, Ruby-crowned, 124
Kite, Am. Swallow-tailed, 69, 117
Kite, Mississippi, 69, 105, 117, 137
Kittiwake, Black-legged, 162
Knot, Red, 119

L

Lake Auman, NC, 119
Lake Blalock, SC, 72
Lake Brandt, NC, 115
Lake Busbee, SC, 165
Lake Crabtree, NC, 120, 123, 125, 159
Lake Hartwell, SC, 157
Lake Jordan, NC, 69,71, 166
Lake Julian, NC, 158
Lake Lure, NC, 161
Lake Marion, SC, 68, 160
Lake Mattamuskeet, NC, 72, 74, 116, 117,
118, 125, 126, 128, 158, 167
Lake Norman, NC, 114, 121, 157, 158, 164,
165, 167

Lake Orange, NC, 158

Lake Phelps, NC, 117, 127, 158, 160, 161,
163, 166, 167

Lake Pinehurst, NC, 69, 73, 116
Lake Townsend, NC, 69, 73, 116
Lake Turmond, SC, 123
Lake Wanteska, NC, 66, 69, 71
Lake Wheeler, NC, 159
Lancaster Co., SC, 69
Landrum, SC, 115
Lansford Canal SP, SC, 69, 77, 166
Lark, Horned, 75, 164
Lattimore, NC, 125, 167
Laurens Co., SC, 167
Laurinburg, NC, 70
Lee State Park, SC, 125
LeGrand, H. £., Jr., 16,62 145, 147
Lewis, R. H„ 149, 153
Lexington Co., SC, 125, 126
Litchfield Beach, SC, 157, 165, 168
Lone Star, SC, 78, 79
Long Beach, NC, 115
Longspur, Lapland, 127, 167
Looking Glass Rock, NC, 71
Loon, Common, 66, 157
Loon, Pacific, 66, 136, 142, 157
Loon, Red-throated, 66, 114, 157
Loon, Yellow-billed, 143
Lugoff, SC, 125, 126
Lynches River, SC, 70

M

Macrary Pond, NC, 71
Mahoes, NC, 127

Mahogany Rock Overlook, NC, 117, 118, 122,
126, 128
Manteo, NC, 165
Mapleview, NC, 126
Marion, SC, 164

Mason Farm, NC, 68, 72, 124, 125, 126, 164

Mattamuskeet NWR, NC, 164

Matthews, NC, 168

Mayesville, SC, 123

McCormick Co., SC, 117, 123

Mecklenburg Co., NC, 115

Merchants Millpond SP, NC, 67

Merganser, Common, 69, 117, 160

Merganser, Red-breasted, 69, 117, 160

Merlin, 71, 118, 161

Mills River, NC, 75, 164, 167

Mitchell Co., NC, 114
Mockingbird, Norhtern, 81
Moore’s Landing, SC, 122, 123
Morehead City, NC, 117, 123, 157, 158, 159,
160, 162, 164, 165, 166
Mount Mitchell, NC, 75, 76
Movement rates, 29
Mt. Jefferson, NC, 163
Mt. Pleasant, SC, 79,125
Murre, Common, 142
Murrelet, Marbled, 27, 138, 142
Murrell’s Inlet, SC, 66, 73
Myrtle Beach, SC, 120, 163

N

N. Core Banks, NC, 114
Nags Head, NC, 157
New Bern, NC, 123, 157, 161
New River, NC, 164, 159
New River SP, NC, 123
Newport, NC, 69

Night-Heron, Yellow-crowned, 68
Night-Heron, Black-crowned, 115
Nighthawk, Antillean, 138, 145
Nighthawk, Common, 123
North American Migration Count (NC, Fall),

88

North American Migration Count (SC-Spring),
44

North American Migration Count (SC-Fall),
129

North Charleston, SC, 78
North Santee River, SC, 69
North Topsail Island, NC, 122, 127, 163
Nuthatch, Red-breasted, 76, 124, 142

O

Oconee Co., SC, 76

Ocracoke, NC, 67, 69, 118, 124, 127, 162

Oldsquaw, 159

Onslow Co., NC, 77, 78

Orange Co., NC, 118, 121, 126, 158

Orangeburg, SC, 116, 122

Orangeburg Sod Farm, SC, 72, 118, 119,

120, 124, 161, 167

Oregon Inlet, NC, 66, 67, 70, 73, 74, 114, 115,

121, 127
Oriental, NC, 77

Oriole, Baltimore, 79, 168

Osprey, 69, 117, 160
Outer Banks, NC, 62
Ovenbird, 78, 165
Owl, Barn, 163
Owl, Long-eared, 75, 163
Owl, Saw-whet, 75, 123 163
Owl, Short-eared, 75, 122, 163
Oystercatcher, American, 72

P

Pacolet River, Nc, 68
Pactolus, NC, 166, 167
Pamlico Sound, NC, 117
Panthertail Mountain, NC, 71
Par Pond, SC, 160
Parula, Northern, 125, 165
Patriot’s Point, SC, 124, 125, 127
Patteson, B., 24
Pawley’s Island, SC, 164
Pea Island NWR, NC, 68, 69, 71, 72, 73, 75,
76, 77, 78, 79,115,116,117,118,119,
120, 123, 126, 127, 158
Pelican, Am. White, 67, 1 15, 157
Pender Co., NC, 67, 68, 127
Petrel, Black-capped, 66, 114
Petrel, Cape Verde, 114
Petrel, Herald, 66, 114
Phalarope, Red, 73, 121
Phalarope, Red-necked, 73, 121
Phalarope, Wilson’s, 73, 120
Pickens Co., SC, 77
Pigeon, Band-tailed, 60
Pine Island Sanctuary, NC, 66
Pinehurst, NC, 119

Piney Creek, NC, 70, 75, 76,122,125

Pipit, Sprague’s, 164

Pisgah Forest, NC, 128, 158, 166

Pitt Co., NC, 166, 167

Plover, Piping, 71, 119, 161

Plover, Semipalmated, 71

Plover, Snowy, 109

Plover, Wilson’s, 71, 119, 161

Polk Co., NC, 68, 71, 115

Portsmouth, NC, 68

Price Park, NC, 68

Puffin, Atlantic, 138

Pulliam, B., 60, 109

Pungo NWR, NC, 158, 161

R

Rail, Black, 161

Rail Clapper, 71, 118

Rail, Virginia, 118

Rail, Yellow, 71, 118, 161

Raleigh, NC, 114, 158, 162, 165, 166, 168

Raven, Common, 76

Raven Rock SP, NC, 70

Razorbill, 74, 163

Records Committee, NC (report of), 136
Records Committee, SC (report of), 141
Redhead, 69, 116, 159
Redpoll, Common, 168
Redstart, American, 126
Reidsville, NC, 166
Richland Co., SC, 76, 159, 167
Richlands, NC, 78

Roan Mountain, NC, 125, 126, 128, 168
Roanoke Rapids Lake, NC, 71, 157, 159, 160,
162, 168

Roanoke Rapids, NC, 70
Rocky Mount, NC, 124, 164
Rosman, NC, 116
Royal, NC, 75
Ruff, 72, 120

S

Salem Lake, NC, 122, 127
Saluda Hills, SC, 125
Saluda, NC, 76
Sanderling, 72, 120
Sandpiper, Baird’s, 72, 120
Sandpiper, Buff-breasted, 120
Sandpiper, Curlew, 72, 120
Sandpiper, Pectoral, 120
Sandpiper, Solitary, 72
Sandpiper, Stilt, 120, 161
Sandpiper, Upland, 72, 119
Sandpiper, Western, 120
Sandpiper, White-rumped, 72, 120
Sanhills NWR, NC, 160
Santee Coastal Reserve, SC, 71
Santee NWR, SC, 68, 69, 71, 72, 75, 77, 79,
124, 127, 158
Sargent, B., 147
Sassafras Mountain, SC, 77
Savannah River Site, SC, 118, 160, 165
Savannah Spoil Site, SC, 114, 119, 120, 121,
122, 127, 159, 161

Savereno, A. J., 29

Savereno, L. A., 29

Scaup, Greater, 159

Scoter, Surf, 1 17

Scoter, White-winged, 117, 160

Scoters, 69

Scottville, NC, 164

Shackleford Banks, NC, 68, 72, 119

Shearwater, Audubon’s, 114

Shearwater, Cory’s, 114

Shearwaters, 66

Shelby, NC, 167

Shrike, Loggerhead, 76, 125, 164

Shrike, Northern, 140

Silver Bluff Sanctuary, SC, 70

Siskin, Pine, 168

Skimmer, Black, 74

Skua, Great, 161

Skua, South Polar, 73

Slick Rock, NC, 68

Smithfield, NC, 70

Sneeds Ferry, NC, 69, 71, 75, 119, 121, 127,
159

Snipe, Common, 120
Solitaire, Townsend’s, 143
Song Perches, Orientation, 81
Southern Pines, NC, 70, 71
Southport, NC, 69, 75
Sparrow, American Tree, 166
Sparrow, Bachman’s, 78, 127, 166
Sparrow, Chipping, 166
Sparrow, Clay-colored, 78, 127, 166
Sparrow, Fox, 127
Sparrow, Grasshopper, 127, 167
Sparrow, Harris’s, 143
Sparrow, Henslow’s, 78, 127, 167
Sparrow, Lark, 78, 127
Sparrow, LeConte’s, 79, 127, 167
Sparrow, Lincoln’s, 127, 167
Sparrow, Savannah, 78
Sparrow, Savannah “Ipswitch””, 166
Sparrow, Sharp-tailed, 79, 127
Sparrow, Swamp, 127, 167
Sparta, NC, 167
Spartanburg Co., SC, 72
Spinks, M., 109
Spoonbiill, Roseate, 68, 116
Spring Bird Count, 1
Stilt, Black-necked, 72, 119

Stone Mountain, NC, 164

Stork, Wood, 68, 116

Storm-Petrel, Band-rumped, 67, 136

Storm-Petrel, Leach’s, 67

Storm-Petrel, Wilson's, 66

Strom-Petrel, White-faced, 115

Stumpy Point, NC, 121, 125, 165

Sumter Co., SC, 122

Sumter, SC, 114, 168

Sunset Beach, NC, 68, 116, 118, 121, 122

Sussex, NC, 76

Swallow, Bank, 75, 124

Swallow, Cave, 75, 139

Swallow, Tree, 75, 124

Swan, Mute, 69, 116, 158

Swan Quarter, NC, 117, 157, 164, 165

Swan, Tundra, 158

T

Tanager, Scarlet, 165

Tanager, Western, 78, 126, 166

Teal, Cinnamon, 69, 137, 159

Teal, Green-winged, 69

Teal, “Eurasian” Green-winged, 159

Tern, Arctic, 74

Tern, Black, 122

Tern, Bridled, 74, 122

Tern Caspian, 74

Tern, Common, 74, 121

Tern, Forster’s, 74, 121

Tern, Least, 74, 122

Tern, Roseate, 74

Tern Royal, 74

Tern, Sandwich (Cayenne), 74, 138
Tern, Sooty, 74, 122
Tern, White-winged, 138
Thickety Creek Lake, SC, 78
Thrush, Gray-cheeked, 124, 144
Thrush, Hermit, 76
Thrush, Swainson’s, 76, 124
Thrush, Varied, 59, 143
Thrush, Wood, 76, 124, 144, 164
Townville, SC, 116, 123, 124, 126
Transylvania Co., NC , 66, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72,
75, 79, 116, 118, 123, 124, 158, 159, 162,
164, 165, 166
Traphill, NC, 68
Trenton, NC, 163

Tropicbird, Red-billed, 67 115, 137

Tropicbird, White-tailed, 67, 115
Tryon, NC, 70, 71, 123, 126, 161
Turnstone, Ruddy, 72
Turtle-dove, Ringed, 144

u-v

Unaka, NC, 123
Union Co., SC, 124
Violet-ear, Green, 123, 139, 147
Vireo, Black-whiskered, 76, 140
Vireo, Philadelphia, 77, 125, 143
Vireo, Solitary, 76
Vireo, Warbling, 76, 125
Vireo, White-eyed, 125, 165
Vireo, Yellow-throated, 76, 125
VGA site, NC, 75, 78
Vulture, Black, 117

W

Waco, NC, 78
Wainwright Island, NC, 67
Wake Co., NC, 68, 123, 125, 159
Wake Forest, NC, 70
Walhalla Hatchery, SC, 76
Wanchese, NC, 162, 165
Warbler, Audubon’s, 143, 165
Warbler, Bay-breasted, 126
Warbler, Black-throated Blue, 77, 165
Warbler, Black-throated Gray, 140
Warbler, Black-throated Green, 77
Warbler, Black-and-white, 77
Warbler, Blue-winged, 77, 141
Warbler, Cape May, 165
Warbler, Cerulean, 77, 126
Warbler, Chestnut-sided, 77
Warbler, Connecticut, 78, 126
Warbler, Golden-winged, 125
Warbler, Kirtland’s, 126, 140
Warbler, “Lawrence’s”, 126
Warbler, Magnolia, 77, 143
Warbler, Mourning, 78, 126
Warbler, Nashville, 125
Warbler, Orange-crowned, 125, 165
Warbler, Prairie, 77, 126
Warbler, Prothonotary, 78
Warbler, Tennessee, 77, 125
Warbler, Wilson’s, 78 , 126, 165
Warbler, Worm-eating, 78, 126
Warbler, Yellow, 125

Warbler, Yellow-throated, 125, 165
Watauga Co., NC, 78
Wayne Co., NC, 162, 163
Webb Wildlife Center, SC, 73
West Jefferson, NC, 78
Wheatear, Northern, 124, 139
Whip-poor-will, 164
Whiteside Mountain, NC, 71
Wigeon, Eurasian, 116, 159
Wilkes Co., NC, 68
Willet, 72

Wilmington, NC, 71, 74, 126, 157, 158, 159,
163, 164, 166, 167
Windsor, NC, 67
Winston-Salem, NC, 68, 77, 122
Winyah Bay, SC, 67
Wood-Pewee, Eastern, 164
Woodcock, American, 72
Worthington, P. L., 64
Wren, Bewick’s, 76, 143
Wren, Marsh, 76
Wren, Sedge, 124
Wrightsville Beach, NC, 159

X-Y-Z

Yadkin River, NC, 68, 166
YawkeyWMA, SC, 125, 157
Yellowlegs, Lesser, 72
York, SC, 70
Young, J., 147

MEMBERSHIP

Carolina Bird Club, Inc., is a non-profit educational and scientific association founded in March
1937 and open to anyone interested in the study and conservation of wildlife, particularly birds. Dues,
contributions, and bequests to the club are deductible from state and federal income and estate taxes.
Checks should be made payable to Carolina Bird Club, Inc., and sent to CBC Headquarters, P. O. Box
29555, Raleigh, NC. 27626-0555

DUES

(Payable on a calendar-year basis)

Individual $ 15.00

Family $ 20.00

Student $ 10.00

Contributing $ 35.00

Patron $ 50.00

Life Membership (Payable in five consecutive $50.00 installments) $ 250.00

Library/Institutions $ 15.00

Affiliated Club $ 20.00

PUBLICATIONS

All CBC members not in arrears for dues receive The Chat, a quarterly journal devoted to bird
study and conservation, and the CBC Newsletter, which carries information about meetings, field
trips, and club projects. Articles intended for publication in The Chat may be sent to the Editor or the
the appropriate department editor listed in a recent issue of the bulletin. Items for the Newsletter
should be sent to its Editor, Clyde Smith, 2615 Wells Avenue, Raleigh, NC 27608. Correspondence
regarding memberships, changes of address, or requests for back numbers of either publication should
be sent to CBC Headquarters, P.O. Box 29555, Raleigh, NC 27626-0555.

OFFICERS

President Teddy Shuler, 433 Sheraton, Beech Island, SC 29841-5514

Vice Presidents:

Dennis Burnette, 4209 Bramlet Place, Greensboro, NC, 27407
Irvin Pitts, 1156 Old Orangeburg Road, Lexington, SC, 29073
Gail Lankford, 3208 Plantation Rd., Raliegh, NC 27609

Secretary Russ Tyndall, 400 Kilmanock Ct., Wake Forest, NC, 27587

Treasurer Bert Fisher 5510 Hideaway Drive, Chapel Hill, NC, 27516

Members-at-large:

Region I - Western North Carolina

Judy Walker, Charlotte, and John Huggins, Pisgah Forest
Region II - Eastern North Carolina

Paula Wright, Greenville, and Buddy Garrett, Jacksonville
Region III - South Carolina

Van Atkins, Charleston and Bob Maxwell, Greenville
Headquarters Secretary

Tullie Johnson

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