f9 % a The Chat Vol. 67 WINTER 2003 No. 1 The Quarterly Bulletin of the Carolina Bird Club, Inc. The Ornithological Society of the Caroiinas THE CHAT Vol. 67 WINTER 2003 No. 1 Published by the Carolina Bird Club, Inc Editor General Field Notes Editors North Carolina South Carolina Briefs for the Files Associate Editor Editor Emeritus THE CHAT is published quarterly for $20.00 by the North Carolina State Museum of Natural Sciences, Second-class postage paid at Raleigh, NC. Kent Fiala, 1714 Borland Rd Hillsborough, NC 27278 fiala@ipass.net Will Cook Dennis M. Forsythe Ricky Davis Ginger Travis Eloise Potter Carolina Bird Club, Inc., with headquarters at the 11 West Jones Street, Raleigh, NC 27601-1029. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Carolina Bird Club, THE CHAT, 11 West Jones Street, Raleigh, NC 27601-1029. USPS 101-020. ISSN No. 0009-1987. Copyright © 2003 by Carolina Bird Club, Inc. Except for purposes of review, material contained herein may not be reproduced without written permission of the Carolina Bird Club, Inc. Articles 2002 Report of the North Carolina Bird Records Committee. Harry E. LeGrand, Jr., Chair .1 Additional Notes on Bachman’s Warbler. David Chamberlain 5 General Field Notes Hermit Thrush Nesting in North Carolina. Rebecca B. Browning 1 1 Masked Booby off Winyah Bay, South Carolina. Clay Sutton and Dennis Allen 14 Briefs for the Files, Fall 2002 16 Cover ( Black-throated Green Warbler) by Dominick D’Ostilio, Hickory, NC 2002 Report of the North Carolina Bird Records Committee Harry E. LeGrand, Jr., Chairman Keith E. Cambum Susan Campbell Samuel Cooper Richard J. Davis Eric V. Dean Wayne K. Forsythe This report enumerates the decisions of the Carolina Bird Club's North Carolina Bird Records Committee during 2002. During the past year, Keith Cambum and Wayne Forsythe were added to the Committee, replacing Roger McNeill and Simon Thompson. Committee voting information is referenced in parentheses (i.e., year report received, reference number). Accepted as valid The reported identification is judged to be accurate, and the bird is judged to be of wild origin. Photographs and/or written descriptions of all accepted records have been deposited in the N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences. White-faced Ibis ( Plegadis chihi) (02-05). One was observed by unknown persons in early July 2002 in a ditch at South Nags Head, Dare County. Jeff Lewis made the report public, and it was subsequently seen by many observers for at least a week. The Committee accepted photos taken by Will Cook and a description from Harry LeGrand. This is the first accepted record for the state, and the species is placed directly on the Official List. There was a previous mention of this species, a breeding-plumaged adult at Pea Island in mid-May 1973, in American Birds (31:979). However, no other details were ever seen by this or a previous Committee, and that report was thus considered as an Unaccepted Sighting by this Committee in 1990 (N.C. Bird Records Committee 1990). If a description of this 1973 report surfaces, the Committee will review the new information. Black-tailed Gull (Lams crassirostris ) (02-03). A winter adult was seen by Paul Sykes at Pea Island, Dare County, on 28 December 2001. There were no other observers, nor was a photo taken. This report was considered as inadequately documented by the Committee on a first vote and was sent for outside review. The record was then accepted on the second vote. This is the first record of the species for the state, and acceptance of the description places the species on the Provisional List. There are a handful of recent records of this Asian/Pacific species from the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel in nearby Virginia. Though there has been concern about the origin of these Atlantic coast birds, the American Birding Association (2002) has accepted the species onto its list of birds in the ABA area. There were no “questionable origin” votes from the Committee. Snowy Owl (Nyctea scandiaca ) (02-04). One was first found by Bruce Smithson at Fort Fisher, New Hanover/Brunswick County on 24 November 2001. It was seen and photographed by numerous observers over the next 2 2002 Report of the North Carolina Bird Records Committee week. The Committee reviewed, and accepted, photographs taken by Will Cook. There are at least ten previous records of the species for the state, nearly all from the coast, and thus the species is already on the Official List. However, this is the first record that has been well documented by photos and multiple observers. Calliope Hummingbird ( Stellula calliope ) (02-06). An immature male was seen at a feeder of Charles and Ann Williams in Winston-Salem in December 2001, and was seen by a large number of birders through the winter. It was banded by Susan Campbell, and the Committee accepted photos taken by Campbell of the bird in the hand. This is surprisingly the fourth accepted record for this Western hummingbird, and the species is already on the Official List. Pacific-slope/Cordilleran Flycatcher ( Empidonax dijficilis /Empidonax occidentalis ) (02-02). An individual was discovered by Harry LeGrand and Jeff Pippen near Jordan Lake, Chatham County, on 15 January 2000. The bird, identified as a Pacific-slope Flycatcher based on calls heard, was seen by many observers for the next week. The Committee reviewed a description written by LeGrand and Pippen, photos taken by Derb Carter, and sonagrams (and voice recordings) of calls taped by Will Cook. The Committee did not accept the species to Pacific-slope Flycatcher, because of the extreme difficulties in separating calls from the very similar Cordilleran Flycatcher, not surprising as the former Western Flycatcher ( E . difficilis ) was recently split into these two species. Several Committee members felt that they couldn’t be absolutely sure of the identification. However, the Committee did accept Pacific-slope/Cordilleran Flycatcher (i.e., the Western Flycatcher complex). This is the first record of the complex for the state, and acceptance of the photos and sonagrams (along with the description) to the Western Flycatcher complex places the species pair onto the Official List. Because the bird in question was identified as a Pacific-slope Flycatcher, that species is listed first on the Official List. Ash-throated Flycatcher ( Myiarchus cinerascens) (02-08). One was found by Joshua Rose at Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge, Dare County, on 16 December 2001 and was subsequently seen by many birders through the winter. The Committee accepted the description provided by Rose and photographs taken by Will Cook. This species is already on the Official List, and this is the fifth accepted record. However, this is a first report for the winter season. Tropical Kingbird ( Tyrannus melancholicus ) (02-07). One was observed by numerous birders at Pea Island in November 2001. The Committee accepted a written description, including call notes, submitted by Ricky Davis, and several photos taken by Will Cook. Prior to this vote, the Tropical/Couch’s ( T \ couchii ) Kingbird complex was on the Official List, based on acceptance of a description and photos (with no voice recording) of a bird identified as a Tropical (based on calls heard) near Lake Mattamuskeet in December 1985. On this current vote, the Committee determined that the photos convincingly ruled out Couch’s Kingbird. Acceptance of the 2001 The Chat , Vol. 67, No. 1, Winter 2003 3 record changes the Official List from Tropical/Couch’s Kingbird simply to Tropical Kingbird. Bicknelfs Thrush ( Catharus bicknellii ) (02-09). One was captured in a mist-netting operation at Weymouth Woods Sandhills Nature Preserve, Moore County, on 27 September 2001 by Susan Campbell and Chris Helms. The bird was not photographed, but Campbell provided a written description, including measurements and weight of the bird, that was accepted by the Committee. This becomes the first accepted record of Bicknelfs Thrush, a recent split from Gray-cheeked Thrush (C. minimus), for the state, and thus the species is placed on the Provisional List. Lee (1995) reported that a North Carolina specimen of Bicknelfs Thrush exists at the National Museum of Natural History in Washington. The Committee earlier indicated that a confirmation letter from the Museum would be needed to confirm the species’ presence in the state and place the species on the Official List. Such a letter has yet to be requested by the Committee. There are a handful of reports from the state of Bicknelfs Thrush, not surprising in that the species nests in New England and the Canadian Maritime provinces, and winters in the West Indies and thus undoubtedly migrates regularly (in small numbers?) through North Carolina. As identification of the two species is extremely difficult, the Committee should review any and all such reports. However, the Committee has not yet seen descriptions of such reports to review. White Wagtail ( Motacilla alba alba ) (02-10). An apparent immature was found by Jill Froning and Karen Bearden at Falls Lake in Wake County on 22 October 2002. The Committee reviewed the description by Ricky Davis and additional comments from Will Cook, and reviewed Will Cook’s photographs. The Committee not only accepted the bird as to the full species but accepted it to the Western Europe subspecies alba. This was done in case of any future split of the species, and also to establish that the bird was from a European subspecies rather than from an eastern Asian subspecies (which also nests in Alaska). Thus, the White Wagtail is placed directly onto the Official List, and this is the first record for North Carolina. This Committee earlier (N.C. Bird Records Committee 1990) accepted Black-backed Wagtail (M. lugens) to the Official List (based on photos but no written description). That bird was mentioned in print as being of the Black-backed race of White Wagtail in Chat (46:121), but since that report was made, the Black-backed Wagtail was split off from White Wagtail as a valid species. Thus, both the White Wagtail and the Black-backed Wagtail are on the Official List of North Carolina birds. Green-tailed Towhee ( Pipilo chlorurus ) (02-01). One was initially found by Greg Massey near Southport, Brunswick County, in early January 2002 and was seen by dozens of other birders into the spring. The Committee accepted photos by Harry Sell and text written by John Buckman and Harry LeGrand. This is the first accepted record for the state, and acceptance of photos places the species directly onto the Official List. Details from a sight report mentioned in Am. Birds (30:53) at Bodie Island on 28 November 1975 were apparently never submitted to the magazine’s 4 2002 Report of the North Carolina Bird Records Committee regional editor nor to a Bird Records Committee. That report was thus considered as an Unaccepted Sighting by this Committee in 1990 (N.C. Bird Records Committee 1990). If a description of this 1975 report surfaces, the Committee will review the new material. Discussion There were no votes of reports that yielded verdicts of Unaccepted Sighting or Unaccepted Origin for the 2002 voting period. As mentioned above, the Black-tailed Gull report was sent for outside review and was accepted as valid on the second vote. The review of reports by the North Carolina Bird Records Committee for 2002 resulted in adding four species to the North Carolina Official List. White-faced Ibis, Pacific-slope/Cordilleran Flycatcher, White Wagtail, and Green-tailed Towhee have been directly added to the Official List. Tropical/Couch’s Kingbird now becomes Tropical Kingbird on the Official List. The current Official List now stands (as of the end of 2002) at 439 species. Black-tailed Gull and Bicknell’s Thrush have been added to the Provisional List, which now stands at 14 species. This gives a total Accepted List of 453 species. The Bicknelfs Thrush was formerly considered as Unresolved. No species were elevated from the Provisional List to the Official List. Acknowledgments In addition to the many people named above who provided written material and photographs for the Committee to review, we thank Russ Tyndall for placing a few of the photographs on the Carolina Bird Club’s website for Committee review. The Committee also wishes to thank other birders for posting photographs of rare species listed above to either the Carolinabirds mailing list or to their own personal websites. Many of these photos were likely seen and reviewed by Committee members prior to and during the voting process, though they were not strictly used in the voting. These people include Van Atkins (Green-tailed Towhee), Wayne Irvin (White-faced Ibis), Brian Murphy (Snowy Owl), Steve Shultz (White-faced Ibis, Green-tailed Towhee), Donald Stokes (Tropical Kingbird), and Mike Tove (Pacific-slope/Cordilleran Flycatcher). Literature Cited American Birding Association. 2002. ABA Checklist: Birds of the Continental United States and Canada, Sixth Edition. American Birding Association. Lee, D. S. 1995. Status and seasonal distribution of Bicknell’s and Gray- cheeked Thrushes in North Carolina. Chat 59:1-8. North Carolina Bird Records Committee. 1990. Report of the North Carolina Bird Records Committee - 1990. Chat 54:53-58. Additional Notes on Bachman’s Warbler David Chamberlain 307 Palm St. Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464 In the spring of 2000 and 2001 sightings of Bachman’s Warbler (' Vermivora bachmanii ) were reported from the Congaree Swamp National Monument in Richland County, South Carolina. In response to these reports a search for the bird was made in the spring of 2002 under the aegis of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Watson and Koches 2003). The fact that these reported sightings were some hundred miles west of the known range of this species cast immediate doubt on the likely success of any search. In fact no observations were made; yet the question of the habitat requirements of this species remains at the center of the debate about the status of North America’s rarest songbird. In the mid-1970’s renewed attention was given Bachman’s Warbler with the primary focus on habitat determination for this critically endangered species. Since no authenticated sightings have been made since the early 1960’s (Sprunt and Chamberlain 1970; Forsythe 1991), most work centered on the publications of Arthur T. Wayne. The discovery of additional source material now allows the revision of recent ideas concerning the habitat requirements of this species and provides new insight into the credibility of its chief researcher. The habitat of Bachman’s Warbler has long been regarded as heavily forested bottomland swamp (Chapman 1907; Wayne 1910; Sprunt and Chamberlain 1949; Griscom and Sprunt 1957; Chamberlain 1974). This concept was challenged by the hypothesis that Bachman’s Warbler actually displayed a preference for early successional stages of vegetation (Hamel 1976; Urbston, Mudge and Lewis 1976; Marshall, Zeedyk and Evenden 1976; Hooper and Hamel 1977). Much of this new hypothesis as well as the more traditional view is based on the interpretation of the work of Arthur T. Wayne, who rediscovered the bird in South Carolina in 1901. Wayne’s familiarity with this species is reflected both in his published works and in field notes which include descriptions of general and breeding habitat. His frequent references to primeval swamps, heavy hardwood timber, and deep cypress swamps have been labeled unclear and generally misleading (Urbston, Mudge, and Lewis 1976; Hamel and Hooper 1977). Since Wayne made no quantitative statements in his publications on Bachman’s Warbler habitat, a reappraisal of this elusive species and its habitat based on Wayne’s correspondence with contemporary ornithologists over a 26 year span, as well as other period source material, now seems appropriate. The picture of Bachman’s habitat is commonly drawn from numerous Wayne references to an area north of Charleston and 14 miles northeast of Porcher’s Bluff on Fairlawn Plantation. Wayne’s comments on the habitat in the area of his concentration contain mention of a very swampy situation that 5 6 Additional Notes on Bachman ’s Warbler was both heavily wooded and endowed with a thick understory (Wayne 1905, 1910). This has caused confusion when coupled with Wayne’s admission that the area had originally been a rice field. The historical accuracy of this statement has been borne out however, and a better picture of the forest in this area has now come to light. The last rice crop grown on Fairlawn Plantation was recorded in 1859 when 24,000 lbs. were harvested (U.S. Census 1860). Surprisingly, a crop of this size would require a cultivated area of only 6.4 to 15.4 acres (Gray 1958). Assuming that production could have continued undocumented until 1865 due to the Civil War, trees in the abandoned rice fields at the time of Wayne’s initial discovery would have been between 36 and 41 years old. The soil in the abandoned rice fields is primarily Santee clay loam, a very poorly drained hydric soil with an average depth of 0 to 1 .5 feet to the water table (Miller 1971). This soil type is suited for the growth of wetland hardwood trees including bald cypress ( Taxodium distichum), loblolly pine ( Pinus taeda ), sweet-gum ( Liquidambar styraciflua ), water tupelo ( Nyssa aquatica), water oak ( Quercus nigra), swamp tupelo ( Nyssa biflora ) and spruce pine ( Pinus glabra ) (Ellerbe 1974). With a growing season in excess of 280 days, species such as sweet-gum, water oak and loblolly pine, under such fertile conditions can be expected to display rapid growth in excess of 70 feet in height (Miller 1971; U.S. Department of Agriculture 1965). It is not difficult under these conditions to understand how Arthur Wayne wrote of “a dense forest, which in places precluded the sunlight at noon” (Wayne 1906). Those who accompanied Wayne on his searches also support such statements. In 1908 Francis Weston wrote of finding the bird “feeding on the flowers of sweet gums in high trees in swamp” (Weston 1908). Alexander Sprunt, Jr. wrote that nearby Penney Dam, a rice reserve adjacent to the area where the warbler was found, also on Fairlawn Plantation, was in large trees in 1922. As late as 1928-1929, Mrs. Essie Gregorie, another companion of Wayne and 37 years old at the time, remembered the “old rice fields in large trees in dark swamp” (Sprunt 1922; Gregorie 1979). It is clear that while Wayne and his proteges were not working in virgin timber, they were finding this rare species in an advanced, vigorous forest. The question of habitat is further clarified by Wayne’s statement that “...I never expect to see another specimen as the great swamp in which I found it breeding has been deforested by a lumbering company.” (Basset 1941). Although this statement was made in 1930, Wayne also wrote as early as 1917 that “All the pine timber in I’ on Swamp and the entire region adjacent to it, 9000 acres, has been completely cut out!!” (Wayne 1917). Supporting these observations is an agreement to lumber Fairlawn Plantation made in 1902. Under the terms of this agreement “All timber of every kind... ten inches in stump diameter and up wards... (will be cut)... for a period of thirty years... (Charleston County Register of Mesne Conveyance 1902). The inescapable conclusion drawn from this evidence is that Bachman’s Warbler is highly sensitive to forest reduction. The Chat, Vol 67, No. 1, Winter 2003 7 Other types of habitat disturbance have also been recorded, although apparently with little effect. In the spring of 1918, Wayne found the swamp without water and later consumed by fire. Both of these events had no observable adverse impact on the bird. Similarly Wayne’s personal activity, which included daily investigation and occasional collecting, suggests the bird’s scarce, local distribution was itself an important factor (Wayne 1911). There is no question that Bachman’s Warbler has always been a rare species in South Carolina. As early as 1906 Wayne called it “excessively rare” and by 1912 he wrote, “I have known since the spring of 1910 that the birds are getting very rare” (Wayne 1906, 1912). Relentless in his pursuit, Wayne was afield daily during the breeding season and his frustration surfaced when he wrote that he had been “living at the place, but I doubt if I will ever find another nest as the area is unlimited and everywhere is suitable ...” (Wayne 1906). Wayne addressed the question of abundance on several occasions, but he believed the population was limited to only a few birds, perhaps only four or five pairs (Wayne 1911). The unexplained cyclical disappearance of Bachman’s Warbler was also noted by Wayne in 1912, when he wrote that the birds had “forsaken the swamp where I first found them in 1904, and I never expect to take another, as I covered the swamp critically with Dr. Bishop and went into new places where I had never explored before” (Wayne 1912). This mystery led to the conclusion that “Bachman’s Warbler is an ancient species and is fast dying out” (Wayne 1912). Compounding the problems of scarcity and habitat were those of location and identification. Wayne made numerous notes of the speed and energy of the bird, writing, “These birds are very hard to detect ...in fact I cannot recall a bird that moves as rapidly as Bachman’s Warbler does in the breeding season” (Wayne 1905a, 1905b). Even the birds Wayne did locate proved on occasion to be still more mysterious. One was singing the song of a Prothonotary Warbler (Protonotaria citrea) when he collected it, and others were in confusing plumages (Wayne 1907). Several individuals of both sexes were brighter than the Prothonotary Warbler (Wayne 1892a, 1892b). The females showed tremendous variability ranging from very pale specimens, compared by Wayne to the female Lucy’s Warbler ( Vermivora luciae ), to individuals as bright as the adult male (Wayne 1892a, 1893, 1905b). Still other females were collected in partial male plumage with spotted or black throats (Wayne 1893). As if these variations were not sufficiently confusing, Wayne also collected “two females which are precisely like the adult male” (Wayne 1892a). When considering the complexities surrounding Bachman’s Warbler, both in Wayne’s time and today, there are still those who will question Wayne’s motives and his accuracy in recording what he saw. To those who knew him, this was unthinkable, particularly since Wayne went to great lengths to insist on accuracy and honesty among his contemporaries. Characteristically he wrote to a fellow ornithologist, “you never told a truer 8 Additional Notes on Bachman's Warbler sentence in your life when you say: ‘No one can lie about Nature and get away with it.’ This is fine and I shall remember it forever for it is the truth... I could not go to bed and sleep if I knew I had told a falsehood.” (Wayne 1917). As for Wayne’s conservation ethic, Alexander Sprunt wrote, “Often have I seen him stand and survey the stump of what had been a gigantic pine and say sorrowfully, “There is the work of God Almighty for a hundred years undone by two (men) with a cross-cut saw in twenty minutes.” (Sprunt 1931). In summary, it appears that the traditional view of Bachman’s Warbler habitat is essentially correct and this species is indeed highly sensitive to forest reduction. Additionally, it is clear that the bird has always been rare and extremely local in distribution. Given the difficulties in detection and identification, reasonable hope remains that Bachman’s Warbler may not be extinct. Additionally, while no quantitative data on this species were collected around the turn of the century, Arthur Wayne and his contemporaries did report what they found with typical Victorian thoroughness, making them preeminent ornithologists of their day. Acknowledgments I thank the Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University, for permission to publish from the Wayne-Brewster collection and Ms. Ann Blum for kind assistance with this material; A1 Sanders and the Charleston Museum for assistance with the Brewster- Wayne collection; the Georgia Historical Society for permission to publish from the Wayne-Rossignol collection; and Judge Herman Coolidge and Dr. Leslie Davenport for assistance with the Tompkins collection. Literature Cited Bassett, Anna S., 1941. A Late Specimen of Bachman’s Warbler from Georgia. Oriole 6:38. Chamberlain, E. B., 1974. Rare and Endangered Birds of the Southern National Forests, U.S. Dept, of Agriculture, Forest Service, Atlanta, Ga. Chapman, F. M., 1907. The Warblers of North America. D. Appleton and Company, New York. Charleston County Register of Mesne Conveyance, 1902. Agreement to Lumber Fairlawn Plantation, March 3, 1902. Ellerbe, C. M., 1974. South Carolina Soils and Their Interpretations for Selected Uses, S.C. Land Resources Conservation Commission, Columbia, S.C. Forsythe, D. M., 1991. South Carolina Bachman’s Warbler Survey, Final Grant Report, Cooperative Agreement between U.S. Dept, of Interior, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the South Carolina Wildlife and Marine Resources Department. Charleston, S.C. Gray, L. C., 1958. History of Agriculture in the Southern United States to 1860. Peter Smith, Gloucester, Mass. The Chat, Vol 67, No. 1, Winter 2003 9 Gregorie, Mrs. Ferdinand (Essie), 1979. Personal interview on February 9, 1979 on field trips with A. T. Wayne. Oakland Plantation, Mt. Pleasant, S.C. Bom in 1891, Mrs. Gregorie died in 1986. Griscom, L. and A. Sprunt, Jr., 1957. The Warblers of America. Devin- Adair Company, New York. Hamel, P. B., 1976. Final Narrative Report “Searches for Bachman’s Warblers in I’On Swamp, South Carolina”. Unpublished report to U.S. Forest Service Southeastern Forest Experiment Station, Clemson, S.C. Hooper, R. G. and P. B. Hamel, 1977. Nesting Habitat of Bachman’s Warbler - A Review. Wilson Bulletin 89:373-379. Marshall, D. B., W. D. Zeedyk and F. G. Evenden, 1976. Report of the Bachman’s Warbler Panel. Unpublished report to the National Wildlife Federation. Miller, E. N. Jr., 1971. Soil Survey of Charleston County, South Carolina. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service, Washington, D.C. Shuler, J., 1977. Bachman’s Warbler Habitat. Chat 41:19-23. Sprunt, A. Jr., 1922. Discovery of the Breeding of the White Ibis in South Carolina. Oologist 39:142-144. Sprunt, A. Jr., 1931. In Memoriam: Arthur Trezevant Wayne, 1863-1930. Auk 48:1-16. Sprunt, A. Jr., and E. B. Chamberlain, 1949. South Carolina Bird Life. University of S.C. Press, Columbia. Sprunt, A. Jr., and E. B. Chamberlain, 1970. South Carolina Bird Life. Revised Edition. University of S.C. Press, Columbia. Urbston, D. F., D. N. Mudge and L. E. Lewis, 1976. Historical Aspects and Ecosystem Changes of Bachman’s Warbler Habitat in South Carolina. Unpublished internal report U.S. Forest Service. Columbia, S.C. U. S. Census, 1860. Agricultural Schedule for Charleston District, Christ Church Parish. Microfilm S.C. Department of Archives and History, Columbia, S.C. U. S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, 1965. Silvics of Forest Trees of the United States. U.S. Department of Agriculture Handbook. Watson, C. and J. Koches, 2003. A Survey for Bachman’s Warbler ( Vermivora bachmanii) in the Congaree Swamp National Monument, South Carolina April/March 2002. U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Charleston. Wayne, A. T., 1910. Birds of South Carolina. Contributions of the Charleston Museum, I, Charleston. Wayne, A. T., 1892a. Letter of May 16 to William Brewster. William Brewster Collection, Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Mass. Wayne, A. T., 1892b. Letter of September 16 to William Brewster. William Brewster Collection, Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Mass. 10 Additional Notes on Bachman ’ s Warbler Wayne, A. T., 1893. Letter of March 23 to William Brewster. William Brewster Collection, Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Mass. Wayne, A. T., 1905a. Letter of May 14 to William Brewster. William Brewster Collection, Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Mass. Wayne, A. T., 1905b. Letter of May 22 to William Brewster. William Brewster Collection, Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Mass. Wayne, A. T., 1906a. Letter of April 27 to William Brewster. William Brewster Collection, Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard Universisty, Cambridge, Mass. Wayne, A. T., 1906b. Letter of May 10 to William Brewster. William Brewster Collection, Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Mass. Wayne, A. T., 1907. Letter of March 31 to William Brewster. William Brewster Collection, Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Mass. Wayne, A. T., 1911. Letter of March 28 to William Brewster. William Brewster Collection, Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Mass. Wayne, A. T., 1912. Letter of June 4 to William Brewster. William Brewster Collection, Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Mass. Wayne, A. T., 1918. Letter of April 3 to William Brewster. William Brewster Collection, Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Mass. Wayne, A. T., 1917a. Letter of February 1 to Gilbert Rossignol. Ivan Tompkins Papers, Georgia Historical Society, Savannah, Ga. Wayne, A. T., 1917b. Letter of January 13 to Gilbert Rossingnol. Ivan Tompkins Papers, Georgia Historical Society, Savannah, Ga, Weston, F. M. Jr., 1908. Unpublished Biological Survey Record in the files of the Charleston Museum. General Field Notes Will Cook North Carolina Editor P. O. Box 3066 Durham, NC 27715 cwcook@duke.edu Dennis M. Forsythe South Carolina Editor Department of Biology The Citadel Charleston, SC 29409 Dennis.Forsythe@citadel.edu (843) 953-7264 Fax: (803) 953-7084 Hermit Thrush Nesting in North Carolina Rebecca B. Browning North Carolina State Museum of Natural Sciences 1 1 W. Jones Street Raleigh NC 27601 rbrowning26 @ mindspring.com The Hermit Thrush ( Catharus guttatus ) is a widespread breeder in northern forests in Canada and the United States. In the eastern U.S. this species is found breeding from northeastern Minnesota east through New England and New York and south to extreme northeastern New Jersey and northern Pennsylvania, with isolated populations in Ohio and West Virginia. South of Pennsylvania, the bird breeds only above 1,200 m in the Appalachians. Virginia has been regarded as the southern limit of the known breeding range, though birds are sporadically heard throughout the Tennessee side of the Great Smoky Mountains and on the higher peaks of North Carolina. Only recently have Hermit Thrushes been discovered in North Carolina during the breeding season, and there has been speculation that these birds breed in North Carolina (Jones and Donovan 1996). The first report of a singing male Hermit Thrush in North Carolina came from Roan Mountain, Mitchell County, 7 June 1979 (Potter and LeGrand 1980). It was not until 1983 that a second North Carolina observation was made: a singing male at Mount Mitchell in June (Chat 48:24). Singing was heard again in June 1984 at Mount Mitchell (Chat 50:26), and in May 1984 at Grandfather Mountain (Lee et al. 1985). Since this time, nesting season observations have been made from a number of peaks above 1460 m (4800 ft) including: Unaka Mountain, Mitchell County, 8 July 1992 (Chat 57: 84), and Polls Gap area, Haywood County 12 June 2000 (Don Henderson, pers. comm; North Carolina State Museum records). Birds continue to be found at Mount Mitchell, including seven birds heard singing 30 June 1995 (Chat 60:76); 11 12 Hermit Thrush Nesting in North Carolina and at Roan Mountain five birds were heard in the summer of 1997 (Chat 62:45). Other records include: one bird heard below Beech Gap, Buncombe County (4 July 1992), one collected at Roan Mountain (NCSM 15219), and one heard at a low elevation in Gorges State Park, Transylvania County in June of 2000 (Browning, NCSM record). Seven birds were heard in the Brush Fence Ridge area in late June 2001 (Gerwin and Browning, NCSM record). Also, a juvenile, suspected to be from the local population, was banded in September 1997 at Carvers Gap on Roan Mountain (Chat 62:137). Despite these multiple observations over a period of more than two decades, breeding has never been documented. On 21 June 2001 I was conducting bird surveys on the Mountains-to-the- Sea Trail from the Big Laurel Gap Overlook towards Glassmine Falls overlook. This section of the trail skirts the edge of the Asheville Watershed in Buncombe County. On two prior visits to this spot, 18 and 19 June 2001, John Gerwin and I had heard and seen and recorded several Hermit Thrushes in this area. As I walked over Walker Knob (elevation 1658 m), I saw a Hermit Thrush singing from about 35 m off the trail. I spotted the singing male about 15 m above the ground at the edge of a tree fall gap. As I approached within 15 m, the bird stopped singing. Scanning with binoculars I located a second Hermit Thrush near the ground at the edge of the gap. The second bird had food in its bill and was making various distress calls as it watched me. I ducked behind a tree and saw this bird drop to the ground. As I moved to the location where I had seen it disappear, I flushed three Hermit Thrush fledglings as well as the adult. Two of the young birds landed in a small sapling fir and the third in a downed dead spruce. They were speckled all over, with bicolored bills and stubby tails. I looked for the nest, since the birds had flushed from within 2 meters of me, but could not locate it. The ground cover here was mostly dense hay-scented fern ( Dennstaedtia punctilobula) and ground pine clubmoss ( Lycopodium obscurum). The gap was approximately 15 x 30 m, and the dominant vegetation in the gap was young red spruce (Picea rubens) and Fraser fir (Abies fraseri) trees from seedling size to 2-4 m high, though these larger trees were closer to the edge. The forest around the gap was spruce-birch forest and was fairly tall, with spruce reaching 25 m. The elevation was 1658 m, and the ground gently sloped towards the northwest. Usually Hermit Thrushes nest on or near the ground, and many times their nests are in a small depression below the ground vegetation. They are more often associated with disturbed areas within a forest rather than with larger road cuts or edge situations of that size. The Hermit Thrush is typically associated with mixed coniferous/deciduous forests (Dilger 1956) Hermit Thrushes are known to move into disturbed forests (Jones and Donovan 1996). The high elevation spruce-fir forests of North Carolina have been highly altered by storms, the balsam woolly adelgid (Adelges piceae), logging, and acid deposition. In the mid 1980s and early 1990s, biologists surveyed birds along Big Butt Trail (Brush Fence Ridge) several times and detected no Hermit Thrushes (Alan Smith, John Gerwin, pers comm.). Since The Chat, Vol. 67, No. 1, Winter 2003 13 that time, serious wind damage has occurred along the ridge, knocking down at least 6 large spruce trees, thus creating numerous gaps. At least three territorial thrushes were found using these gaps in 2001. It appears that this species has expanded its range into the North Carolina mountains fairly recently, perhaps as a result of recent forest disturbance. High-elevation forest disruptions occurred previously when the area was logged in the late 1800s and early 1900s (Haney et al. 2001). However, no records for Hermit Thrush exist from this time, and as a result the range expansion hypothesis is conjecture. The lack of records from the early part of the century may be due to early biologists’ failure to recognize the rarity of breeding Hermit Thrushes, or to the loss of records; or it may truly reflect the lack of species from this time. Further observations, along with even crude descriptions of surrounding vegetation, could help elucidate any pattern. Acknowledgments I gratefully thank John Gerwin and Dave Lee for their support and multiple edits. Literature Cited Dilger, W. C. 1956. Adaptive Modifications and Ecological Isolating Mechanisms in the Thrush Genera Catharus and Hylocichla. Wilson Bulletin 68: 170-199. Haney, J. C., D. S. Lee, and M. Wilbert, 2001. A Half-Century Comparison of Breeding Birds in the Southern Appalachians. Condor 103: 268-277. Jones, P. W. and T. M. Donovan. 1996. Hermit Thrush ( Catharus guttatus ). In The Birds of North America, No. 261 (A. Poole and F. Gill, eds.). The Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia, PA, and the American Ornithologists’ Union, Washington, D.C. Lee, D. S., D. Audet, and B. Tarr. 1985. Summer Bird Fauna of North Carolina’s Grandfather Mountain. Chat 49: 1-14. Potter, E. F. and H. E. LeGrand Jr. 1980. Bird Finding on Roan Mountain, Mitchell Co., N.C. Chat 44: 32-36. Masked Booby off Winyah Bay, South Carolina Clay Sutton Dennis Allen 129 Bucks Avenue Baruch Marine Field Laboratory Cape May Court House, NJ 08210 University of South Carolina P.O. Box 1630 Georgetown, SC 29442 On 4 July 2002, at approximately 1 1:30 AM, we sighted an adult Masked Booby ( Sula dactylatra) 18 miles (29 kilometers) off the mouth of Winyah Bay, Georgetown County, South Carolina. While we were fishing on Allen’s private boat, Seriola , at the Greenville Artificial Reef, located in 85 feet (26 meters) water, 18 statute miles southeast of the Winyah Bay jetties, the booby flew by the boat approximately 60 yards (55 meters) away. The sighting was brief but close, and made in full sunlight and calm seas. Winds were southwest at about 5 knots; skies were clear. The water temperature was in the high 70's F (ca. 25 + C). The Masked Booby, a full adult showing some molt in the wings, was moving to the southwest, into the wind, using leisurely flapping flight low over the water. Also seen in the immediate vicinity were about a dozen Cory’s Shearwaters and six or eight Wilson’s Storm-petrels. The Masked Booby appeared to be nearly as large as a Northern Gannet. It was pure white on the head, body, and upper wings. The flight feathers (primaries and secondaries) were black. The tail appeared dark. The amount (width) of black in the wings was extensive, indicating dark greater coverts as well. While some third-year Northern Gannets will show dark secondaries contrasting with a mostly white upper wing, the dark coloration is restricted to the flight feathers, and is not on the coverts. Also this gannet plumage usually shows considerable darker mottling in the white areas, and a darkish collar. The Masked Booby we observed was “clean.” Except for one or two shorter flight feathers (molt), the bird was “spotless.” The bill appeared pale, and there was no yellowish or golden color on the head or neck as is generally seen in Northern Gannets in summer. We believe we can eliminate the white morph of Red-footed Booby by the judged large size of the bird (Red-footed is the smallest of the boobies), and by the pale bill and lack of a yellowish wash on the head. While most of the observation was of the upper surface of the bird (which was low over the water), we believe the red feet and dark carpal patches of Red-footed Booby would have initially been visible if present. Sutton has experience with Masked Booby from the Dry Tortugas (and one off North Carolina) and with Red-footed and Nazca Boobies from the Galapagos Islands. Allen has seen Masked Booby at the Tortugas on numerous occasions. We have both seen many thousands of Northern Gannets. We both concur with the identification made simultaneously yet 14 The Chat, Vol 67, No. 1, Winter 2003 15 independently. Always remembered by Sutton will be Allen’s initial surprised, alerting comment, “That’s not a gannet.” Our Masked Booby sighting is one of an increasing number of reports from the Atlantic waters of South Carolina as more observers venture offshore. While Sprunt {South Carolina Bird Life , 1970) lists only one sighting. Post and Gauthreaux ( Status and Distribution of South Carolina Birds, 1989) list two additional records, including one from 14 July 1983. Since then. The Chat has detailed two additional South Carolina records of Masked Booby. Accordingly, the Masked Booby should probably be considered to be a rare yet regular visitor to South Carolina offshore waters in summer. What makes our sighting somewhat unusual is that even at 18 miles offshore, our bird was particularly close to land for Masked Booby, a bird more often associated with deeper Gulf Stream waters. Of interest, and perhaps related, was the observation of several species of warm-water fishes that day (in the same area), including sailfish, dolphin and mola mola, all species that are also usually associated with deeper, warmer, pelagic waters. We had a great day’s fishing, but our excellent view of the Masked Booby made it a great birding day too. BRIEFS FOR THE FILES s Ricky Davis 608 Smallwood Drive Rocky Mount, NC 27804 RJDNC@aol.com (All dates Fall 2002) Briefs for the Files is a seasonal collection of uncommon-to-rare or unusual North and South Carolina bird sightings and events which do not necessarily require a more detailed Field Note or article. Reports of your sightings are due the 20th of the month after the end of the previous season. Winter = December 1 - February 28, due March 20 Spring = March 1 - May 31, due June 20 Summer = June 1 - July 31, due August 20 Fall = August 1 - November 30, due December 20 Reports can be submitted in any format, but I prefer that you type them and list the sightings according to the birds in checklist order (not according to dates or locations). If you submit your report to me through e-mail, please type your report directly into the message or copy it from a word processing program directly into the message. You may also attach your file to the e- mail, but if you do, please let me know the program used and also send a second version saved as a text (.txt) fde. Suitable reports for the Briefs include any sightings you feel are unusual, rare, noteworthy, or just plain interesting to you in any way! It is my responsibility to decide which reports merit inclusion in the Briefs. Please be sure to include details of any rare or hard-to-identify birds. 1 rely in part on sightings reported in Carolinabirds. Please don't, however, rely on me to pick up your sightings from Carolinabirds. Instead, please also send your sightings directly to me as described above. If I feel that your sighting warrants a Field Note, I will contact either you or the appropriate state Field Notes editor. You may, of course, submit your Field Note directly to the editor without going through me. PACIFIC LOON: Once again the Figure Eight Is., NC, area hosted this species. Two were found among the large Common Loon flock Nov. 16 (Derb Carter). According to Carter, the best time to view these now-annual birds is when the loon flock comes close to shore following schools of fish. COMMON LOON: Impressive for early in the season was a flock of 29 Commons at Falls Lake, NC, Oct. 24 (Kent Fiala). Also a basic-plumaged 16 The Chat, Vol. 67, No. 1, Winter 2003 17 individual sitting on the beach at Pea Is. N.W.R., NC, Aug. 23 (Jeff Pippen) was apparently an injured or sick summer lingerer. HORNED GREBE: One was somewhat early in the ocean off South Pond, Pea Is. N.W.R., NC, Oct. 17 (Ricky Davis). HERALD PETREL: This fall’s Herald Petrel reports involved one off Hatteras, NC, Aug. 10, one off Oregon Inlet, NC, Aug. 17, and two off Hatteras Sept. 16 (Brian Patteson et al.). FEA’S PETREL: One off Hatteras, NC, Aug. 24 was a good find for the fall season (Patteson et al.). LEACH’S STORM-PETREL: One off Hatteras, NC, Aug. 10 was the only one reported from the several pelagic trips this fall (Patteson et al.). BAND-RUMPED STORM-PETREL: Eighteen was a good count for August during the pelagic trip out of Hatteras on the eleventh (Patteson et al.). WHITE-TAILED TROPICBIRD: Two off Hatteras, NC, Aug. 10 were the last ones reported from North Carolina waters this season (Patteson et al.). AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN: The large flock of Am. White Pelicans present in the ACE Basin area of south coastal South Carolina continued, with the best count being 300 over the Cumbahee R. at US 17 Aug. 3 (Carroll Richard and Kathleen O’ Grady). Other impressive flocks found included up to 200 at C. Romain N.W.R., SC, in early Oct. {fide Taylor Piephoff), 121 at the Savannah Spoil Site, Jasper County, SC, Nov. 17 (Steve Calver), and 50 near Isle of Palms, SC, Sept. 17 (fide Piephoff). In North Carolina, where considerably rarer, up to 14 were present at Pea Is. N.W.R. during late Nov. (Jeff Lewis, sev. obs.). Rare inland reports included two over Clarks Hill Res., Parksville, SC, Sept. 15 (Paul Champlin et al.) and at least three at L. Mattamuskeet, NC, Nov. 17 (Eric and Celia Dean). BROWN PELICAN: Always noteworthy away from the coast, an immature Brown was a surprise at Buckhom Res., Wilson County, NC, Nov. 5 (Ricky Davis). GREAT CORMORANT: An adult was well-described near Rimini, L. Marion, SC, Nov. 13 (Mike Turner). Inland reports of this species are extremely unusual, especially for South Carolina. MAGNIFICENT FRIGATEBIRD: Frigatebirds were found twice this fall, both from unusual locations. Very rarely found offshore, one was off Hatteras, NC, Oct. 10 (Spurgeon Stowe, fide Ned Brinkley). Also, inland sightings are usually storm-related, thus of note was one over L. Moultrie, SC, in the Bird Is. area, Aug. 31 (fide Tim Keyes). AMERICAN BITTERN: Noteworthy inland sightings included one very early at Black Mountain, NC, Aug. 8 (Stu Gibeau), one at Hooper Lane, NC, Sept. 20 (Ron Selvey), one at the McDowell Prairie Restoration area near Charlotte, NC, Oct. 26 (Jeff Pippen), and one at Buckhom Res., NC, Nov. 7 (Ricky Davis). 18 Briefs for the Files LEAST BITTERN: Very rare inland, single Leasts were at Jackson Park, Hendersonville, NC, Sept. 20 (Ron Selvey) and Riverbend Park, Catawba County, NC, Oct. 4 (Dwayne Martin). GREAT BLUE HERON: Unusual was one picked up alive (later released) near the maintenance area at Mt. Mitchell, NC, Oct. 9, at an elevation of 6,300’ {fide Don Patterson). SNOWY EGRET: Some of the better inland Snowy counts were the four at Jordan L., NC, Aug. 25 (Ginger Travis) and the four along the Saluda R., Saluda County, SC, Sept. 8 (Mike Turner). LITTLE BLUE HERON: Twelve at Jordan L., NC, Aug. 3 (Will Cook et al.) was a good count for an inland area. One was also an excellent find far to the west at Hendersonville, NC, Aug. 1-17 (Wayne Forsythe). REDDISH EGRET: This fall’s Reddish Egret reports included a peak of four at the Savannah Spoil Site, Jasper County, SC, Sept. 24 (Steve Calver), one at Kiawah Is., SC, Aug. 18 (Jim Edwards and Jane Chew), one at Litchfield Beach, SC, Oct. 19 (Donna Bailey), a peak of two at Huntington Beach St. Pk., SC, Oct. 22 (Jack Peachey et al.), two at Sunset Beach, NC, Sept. 9 (Mary McDavit), and one lingering at the Ft. Fisher, NC spit as late as Nov. 8 (Ritch Lilly). GLOSSY IBIS: One was locally rare at L. Mattamuskeet, NC, Nov. 24 (Jeff Lewis); but one was quite rare farther inland at Jordan L., NC, Aug. 3 (Will Cook et al.). ROSEATE SPOONBILL: Spoonbills were found several times this fall. Very rare and unusual inland was one at the Silver Bluff Audubon Sanctuary, Jackson, SC, Aug. 9-26 (Paul Koehler, Anne Waters). One was a surprise at Bulls Is., Cape Romain N.W.R., SC, in early October (fide Taylor Piephoff). And at the Savannah Spoil Site, SC, spoonbills were present from Aug. 1 1 until at least Nov. 8, with an amazing count of eight there Sept. 6-24 (Steve Calver). This is probably a record count for one site in the Carolinas. WOOD STORK: Excellent inland reports involved 90+ along the Saluda R., Saluda County, SC, Sept. 8 (Mike Turner) and up to 37 in the Long Cane Creek area of Clarks Hill Res., McCormick County, SC, Sept. 15 (Paul Champlin et al.). Also, the Sunset Beach, NC area flock totaled at least 100 birds by early September (Diane Hahn). SACRED IBIS: A large long-legged wader fitting the description of a Sacred Ibis was wandering around central North Carolina this fall. First the bird was seen at L. Townsend, Guilford County, Aug. 16-19 (Dennis Burnette, Ian Dunn, Herb Hendrickson, sev. obs.). Later it was found at L. Orange, Orange County in early September (fide Will Cook) and then at L. Don T. Howell, Cabarrus County from late September to Oct. 13 (Taylor Piephoff). One wonders where this bird escaped from and just how far it had wandered. GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE: An adult showed up at the Henderson County, NC W.T.P. Nov. 12 for a potential first occurrence for the county (Wayne Forsythe and Ron Selvey). The Chat , Vol 67, No. 1, Winter 2003 19 SNOW GOOSE: A flock of 22 Snows at Hooper Lane, Henderson County, NC, Nov. 12 (fide Wayne Forsythe) was a good find for that western locality. ROSS’S GOOSE: This rare goose was reported twice, with singles at Pea Is. N.W.R., NC, Oct. 27 (Keith Watson) and at Mayesville, Sumter County, SC, Nov. 28-30 (Lex Glover and Josh Arrants). BRANT: Two were somewhat early in the Pea Is. N.W.R., NC area Oct. 18 during the Wings Over Water Festival (sev. obs.). WOOD DUCK: A male Wood Duck was found dead at an elevation of 6,000’ at Mt. Mitchell, NC, Oct. 9 (Don Patterson), a most unusual and unexpected occurrence for that locality. BLUE- WINGED TEAL: This species is normally found in decent size flocks during migration, but the flock totaling 223 at the Henderson County, NC W.T.P. Sept. 22 (Wayne Forsythe) was exceptional, especially for that mountain locality. COMMON EIDER: The only report of this species this fall involved one at C. Hatteras, NC, in mid-Oct. (Brian Patteson) and most likely the same individual at Hatteras Inlet Oct. 19 (Susan Campbell, Taylor Piephoff et al.). SURF SCOTER: Always noteworthy inland, two females were near Rimini, L. Marion, SC, Nov. 3 (Mike Turner), one was near the Columbia, SC W.T.P. Nov. 18 (Turner), and two were on L. Osceola, Hendersonville, NC, Nov. 18 (Ron Selvey, Wayne Forsythe). Also somewhat unusual for the location was a flock of up to nine on South Pond, Pea Is. N.W.R., NC, Oct. 18-20 (m. obs. -Wings Over Water). WHITE-WINGED SCOTER: Unusual somewhat inland was one at L. Mattamuskeet, NC, Nov. 3, as noted by Rich and Susan Boyd. Also, one was with the Surf Scoters on South Pond, Pea Is. N.W.R., NC, during late October (sev. obs.). BLACK SCOTER: This fall’s inland reports included three near the Clarks Hill Res. dam, SC, Oct. 14 (Paul Champlin), one near Oxford Dam, L. Hickory, NC, Nov. 8 (Dwayne Martin), and one at a pond near the Columbia, SC W.T.P. Nov. 18 (Mike Turner). RED-BREASTED MERGANSER: One was unusual on the Catawba R., Morganton, NC, Sept. 30 (Dwayne Martin). This individual had been present there for several months since the summer, apparently a non-breeding lingerer. OSPREY: Noteworthy late inland Ospreys included singles at Buckhom Res., Wilson County, NC, Nov. 7 (Ricky Davis), at L. Julian, Buncombe County, NC, Nov. 22-25 (Ron Selvey and Wayne Forsythe), and at Greenview Pond, Wake County, NC, in late Nov. (John Argentati). SWALLOW-TAILED KITE: One was a good find south of Monroe, Union County, NC, Aug. 24 (Matt Williams). And the group of seven near Pendleton, SC, Aug. 6 (fide Sid Gauthreaux, Jr.) was an excellent count for that area. 20 Briefs for the Files BALD EAGLE: A group of six seen migrating past Ocean Isle Beach, NC, Sept. 29 (Taylor Piephoff) was very unusual for that southern coastal locality. NORTHERN GOSHAWK: This species is the rarest of the regularly occurring hawks in the Carolinas. Thus of note was the migrant adult seen in flight at Southern Pines, NC, Oct. 23 (Scott Hartley). BROAD- WINGED HAWK: The best one-day total reported this fall was the 10,918 going past Pores Knob, Brushy Mts., NC, Sept. 29 (Bill Revis). And one at Cedar Is. N.W.R., NC, Aug. 21 (Rich & Susan Boyd) was most likely an early migrant. ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK: This species is annual during the fall and winter at Alligator R. N.W.R., NC, and the earliest date one was seen this season was on Nov. 8 (Jeff Lewis). GOLDEN EAGLE: Goldens are always worth mentioning, especially coastal birds. An adult was in the Huntington Beach St. Pk., SC area Oct. 1- 21 (Jack Peachey, Ritch Lilly, sev. obs.), an immature was near Southport, NC, Nov. 19 (Tom Vaught, Harry Sell), and most likely the same bird was near Shallotte, NC, Nov. 29 (Derb Carter). MERLIN: Some of the more interesting inland reports were the three in the Clarks Hill Res., SC area Oct. 14 (Paul Champlin); one at Jackson Park, Hendersonville, NC, Oct. 11 (Ron Selvey, Wayne Forsythe); singles at Falls L., NC, Sept. 8 (Bert Fisher and Les Todd), Sept. 14 (Mike Skakuj), Oct. 22 (Will Cook et al.); and in eastern Franklin County, NC, Nov. 10-15 (Ricky Davis). PEREGRINE FALCON: Reports of multiple birds inland are not too common. Thus of note were two at the Orangeburg, SC Sod Farm Oct. 27 (Anne Waters) and three different birds at Falls L., NC, Sept. 28 & Oct. 6 (Ricky Davis). YELLOW RAIL: Always exciting when seen, from 4-6 were flushed during field harvesting in November in the L. Mattamuskeet, NC area (fide Kelly Davis). VIRGINIA RAIL: One was a surprise on a suburban street in Winston- Salem, NC, Sept. 24 (Royce Hough). One wonders how many of these birds are lost out of habitat during migration. PURPLE GALLINULE: Since reports of this species continue to decline, the presence of up to five at Brookgreen Gardens, Georgetown County, SC, during August (Jack Peachey, sev. obs.) was noteworthy. SANDHILL CRANE: This fall’s Sandhill Cranes included one near Una, Lee County, SC, Nov. 30 and three near Mayesville, Sumter County, SC, Nov. 28-30 (Lex Glover and Josh Arrants). BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER: Inland Black-bellieds were at Jordan L., NC, from Aug. 3 (Mike Skakuj, Steve Shultz et al., Will Cook et al .) until at least Aug. 18 when a peak of five was had (Ricky Davis). At Falls L., NC, they were present from Aug. 1 1 until at least Oct. 6 with a peak of five on the 11th (Ricky Davis, sev. obs.). Elsewhere one was found at Long Cane Creek, McCormick County, SC, Aug. 27 (Steve Wagner). The Chat, Vol. 67, No. 1, Winter 2003 21 AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVER: This species was widely reported from the Carolinas again this fall. The best counts included 23 at the Orangeburg, SC Sod Farm Sept. 10 (Royce Hough), nine at Falls L., NC, Sept. 22 (Mike Skakuj), three near Elizabethton, Bladen County, NC, Aug. 1 (fide Taylor Piephoff), and three at Hooper Lane, Henderson County, NC, Sept. 16 (Wayne Forsythe, Marilyn Westphal). The latest inland one was in western Edgecombe County, NC, Oct. 13 (Ricky Davis). Also, one at the Ft. Fisher, NC spit Sept. 25 (Bruce Smithson) was locally uncommon for that beach location. SEMIPALMATED PLOVER: The best inland counts this fall were the 66 at Jordan L., NC, Aug. 17 (Mike Skakuj et al .) and the 75 at Falls L., NC, Aug. 23 (Ricky Davis). PIPING PLOVER: One of the rarest shorebirds inland, a Piping Plover was a good find at Falls L., NC, Aug. 18-25 (Bert Fisher and Les Todd, sev. obs.). BLACK-NECKED STILT: One at L. Mattamuskeet, NC, Nov. 3 (Rich & Susan Boyd) was not only locally unusual but also was extremely late. This species normally leaves coastal North Carolina during September. AMERICAN AVOCET: One was a good find inland at Jordan L., NC, Aug. 17-18 (Steve Shultz, Mike Skakuj et al.). Avocets have only recently been present in the L. Mattamuskeet, NC, area and this fall their numbers increased to at least 50 by Nov. 20 (Kelly Davis). Also locally unusual were the six at the Ft. Fisher, NC spit Sept. 25 (Bruce Smithson). GREATER YELLOWLEGS: One was unusual seen flying over Carver’s Gap, Roan Mt., NC, Sept. 29 (Rick Knight). LESSER YELLOWLEGS: Numbers of this species were about average this fall at the usual inland sites. The peak count reported, though, was the 212 at Falls L., NC, Sept. 28 (Ricky Davis). WILLET: Inland Willets are always noteworthy in the Carolinas, and this fall the number of reports was up. At Jordan L., NC, singles were found Aug. 3 and Aug. 17-18 (Mike Skakuj, Steve Shultz et al.) and Aug. 24-25 (m. obs.). At Falls L., NC, two were found Aug. 11 (Ricky Davis), and singles were found Aug. 12, 18-20 (Skakuj, Bert Fisher, Lqs Todd, sev. obs.). At Buckhom Res., Wilson County, NC, a good count of four was had Aug. 23 (Davis). UPLAND SANDPIPER: The number of reports was about average this fall, when compared to the past several. The best totals reported were the 25 at the Orangeburg, SC Sod Farm Aug. 1 1 (Judy Walker et al.), the five near Bishopville, SC, Aug. 17 (Mike Turner), the five at the Bucksport, SC Sod Farm Aug. 29 (Jack Peachey), and the three at Onslow Beach, NC, Aug. 7 (Paul Sykes). LONG-BILLED CURLEW: The Bird Shoal-Shackleford Banks area near Beaufort, NC, hosted up to two individuals this fall. Two were seen separately Sept. 8 (John Fussell et al., Derb Carter) and two were seen together on the east end of Shackleford Nov. 10 (fide Fussell). Elsewhere 22 Briefs for the Files one was locally rare at Shallotte Inlet, Brunswick County, NC, Sept. 9, as noted by Greg Massey. HUDSONIAN GOD WIT: Four was the peak total reported from the usual North Pond, Pea Is. N.W.R., NC area Aug. 10 (Jim Ward). Much rarer was the almost unbelievable flock of 35 found inland at the Orangeburg, SC Sod Farm Aug. 31 (David Chamberlain et al.). This is most likely a record count for this species in the Carolinas! MARBLED GODWIT: Amazingly there were several rare inland reports this fall. One was at Jordan L., NC, Aug. 21-22 (Bruce Young, Mike Skakuj), one was with the Hudsonian God wits at the Orangeburg, SC Sod Farm Aug. 31 (David Chamberlain et al.), and one was at the L. Mattamuskeet, NC causeway Nov. 19 & 30 (Kelly Davis). RUDDY TURNSTONE: Inland reports were somewhat down this fall with only singles found at Jordan L., NC, Aug. 3 and Aug. 17-18 (Mike Skakuj, Steve Shultz et al.), and Aug. 25 (Ginger Travis). One was at Falls L., NC, Aug. 1 1 (Ricky Davis). RED KNOT: One of the rarest inland shorebirds, a Knot was a good find at Jordan L., NC, Aug. 18, as noted by Doug Shadwick. SANDERLING: Some of the better inland reports this season involved seven at Falls L., NC, Aug. 23 (Ricky Davis), five there Sept. 11 (Jeff Pippen), five there Sept. 22 (Les Todd, Mike Skakuj), and one at Hooper Lane, NC, Sept. 14 (Wayne Forsythe). The latest inland report received was of one at Jordan L., NC, Nov. 10 (Josh Rose and Norm Budnitz). SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER: The highest count reported inland was the 150 at Jordan L., NC, Aug. 3 (Will Cook et al.). WESTERN SANDPIPER: This species is normally found inland less frequently than the preceding. This fall reports were up, with birds present at the Triangle area lakes most of August and September. The best totals included very impressive counts of 75 at Falls L. Sept. 8 (Bert Fisher and Les Todd) and 61 at Jordan L. Aug. 28 (Mike Skakuj). Westerns were located at other sites as well, with two at Buckhom Res., Wilson County, NC, Aug. 20 (Ricky Davis), three at L. Hickory, Caldwell County, NC, Aug. 31 (Dwayne Martin), and seven at the Winston-Salem, NC W.T.P. Aug. 25 (Ramona Snavely et al.). LEAST SANDPIPER: Another excellent inland total for a sandpiper was the 227 Leasts at Falls L. Sept. 8 (Mike Skakuj). WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER: White-rumpeds normally migrate inland in small numbers. This fall’s best count was an impressive 37 at Falls L., NC, Sept. 2-8 (Mike Skakuj, Bert Fisher, Les Todd). Other reports were of seven at Falls Aug. 11-23 (Ricky Davis), five at Jordan L., NC, Aug. 18 (Davis), and two at the Bucksport, SC Sod Farm Sept. 2 (Jack Peachey). BAIRD’S SANDPIPER: The number of reports of this normally rare migrant were up again this fall, continuing a recent trend started in the 90’ s. Reports of multiple birds were up, too, with the best counts being three at Falls. L., Aug. 25 (Bert Fisher, Leto Copeley, Les Todd), three at the Bucksport, SC Sod Farm Sept. 2 (Jack Peachey), two at Falls L. Sept. 22 The Chat, Vol. 67, No. 1, Winter 2003 23 (Mike Skakuj), two at L. Don T. Howell, Cabarrus County, NC, Sept. 15 (Taylor Piephoff), and two at South Pond, Pea Is., NC, Oct. 19 (Eric Dean, Lex Glover, Kent Fiala). Other Baird’s included singles at Jordan L., NC, Aug. 8 & 17 (Skakuj, Steve Shultz et al.), at Fall’s L. Sept. 2 & 8 (Skakuj, Fisher, Todd), at Buckhom Res., Wilson County, NC, Aug. 20 (Ricky Davis), at the Orangeburg, SC Sod Farm Sept. 15 (Tim Kalbach et al.), one at the Savannah Spoil Site, Jasper County, SC, Aug. 28 (Steve Calver and Bill Edwards), and one at Hooper Lane, NC, Nov. 10 (Les Sauscier, Simon Thompson, Wayne Forsythe). The last bird represented one of the latest-ever fall birds for the Carolinas. PECTORAL SANDPIPER: This is one of the more common inland migrants during the fall, but some impressive counts were had, including 278 at Falls L., NC, Aug. 16 (Mike Skakuj), 200 at the Orangeburg, SC Sod Farm Sept. 15 (Tim Kalbach), and 162 at Jordan L., NC, Aug. 17 (Skakuj et al.). Several late reports received involved singles at Buckhom Res., Wilson County, NC, Nov. 5 (Ricky Davis) and at Falls L., NC, Nov. 23 (Josh Rose). DUNLIN: This species is considered to be a regular inland migrant during the fall in the Carolinas. This fall in the mountains, an unbelievable flock of over 200 was located at Hooper Lane, Henderson County, NC, Oct. 30 (Wayne Forsythe). Counts like this are extremely unusual, especially that far to the west. Other good counts reported included 12 at the Columbia, SC W.T.P. Oct. 30 (Mike Turner), nine at Falls L., NC, Sept. 29 (Mike Skakuj), six at the Kerr Scott Res. Dam, NC, Nov. 3 (Dwayne Martin), and four at the Winston-Salem, NC W.T.P. Oct. 12 (Ramona Snavely et al.). Other sightings of note were two at Townville, SC, Oct. 23 (Jim Edwards), two at Brevard, NC, Oct. 31 (Betty Mcllwain et al.), and one at Roanoke Rapids L., NC, Nov. 24 (Ricky Davis). STILT SANDPIPER: Numbers were up for this species this fall, especially inland. The highest counts included 80 at Jordan L., NC, Aug. 18 (Ricky Davis), 51 at Falls L., NC, Oct. 6 (Davis), 24 at Falls L. Aug. 16 (Mike Skakuj), and 16 at Jordan L., NC, Aug. 3 (Will Cook et al.). Other Stilt Sandpipers reported were two at Buckhom Res., Wilson County, NC, Aug. 20 (Davis), one at Long Cane Creek, McCormick County, SC, Aug. 31 (Mike Turner), and two at Hooper Lane, Henderson County, NC, Sept. 21 (Marilyn Westphal and Bob Olthoff). BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER: There were at least 14 reports of this always-noteworthy species. The best counts were 26 at the Orangeburg, SC Sod Farm Sept. 21 (Robin Carter et al.) and 17 at the Savannah Spoil Site, Jasper County, SC, Sept. 14 (Steve Calver). Other good sightings involved eight at Hooper Lane, NC, Sept. 12 (Wayne Forsythe and Bob Olthoff), five at Oakland Plantation Sod, Bladen County, NC, Aug. 1 (fide Taylor Piephoff), four at a sod farm near Newton Grove, NC, Sept. 14 (Eric Dean and Gene Howe), and three at the Bucksport, SC Sod Farm Aug. 28 (Ritch Lilly). Other locally good reports included singles at Falls L., NC, Sept. 8 (Mike Skakuj), Ft. Macon, NC, Sept. 13-17 (Randy Newman, John Fussell, 24 Briefs for the Files Rich & Susan Boyd), and the Winslow Sod Farm, Scotland Neck, NC, Sept. 16 (Sharon Funderburk and Veronica Pantelidis). RUFF : A female (Reeve) was an excellent find in the Ellerbe Creek area of Falls L., NC, Sept. 2-3 (Les Todd, John Dole). This, the only report received for the species this fall, made this inland sighting all the more interesting. Also, this bird was found not far from the area where a Ruff was seen at Falls L. in Aug. 1985! SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER: The best counts for this species inland included 26 at Falls L., NC, Aug. 23 (Ricky Davis), 14 at Jordan L., NC, (Davis et al. ), and seven at Long Cane Creek, McCormick County, SC, Aug. 31 (Mike Turner). LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER: The only inland report received was of one at Jordan L., NC, Aug. 22 (Mike Skakuj). WILSON’S PHALAROPE: This fall’s reports included a flock of 5-8 birds at Jordan L., NC, Aug. 19-28 (Doug Shadwick, Mike Skakuj, m. obs.). This was easily one of the better inland counts for this species in many years. Elsewhere one was at Falls L., NC, Aug. 21 (Skakuj, Will Cook), three were at Pea Is. N.W.R., NC, Aug. 25 (Jeff Pippen), and the usual flock at the Savannah Spoil Site, SC, peaked at 17 on Aug. 15 (Steve Calver). RED-NECKED PHALAROPE: The only onshore report received was of one at the Savannah Spoil Site, SC, Sept. 14, as noted by Steve Calver. SOUTH POLAR SKUA: One off Manteo, NC, Aug. 31 (Brian Patteson et al.) was the only one found during the pelagic trips run this fall. LONG-TAILED JAEGER: Always noteworthy, one was off Hatteras, NC, Aug. 10 (Brian Patteson et al.). LAUGHING GULL: The number of inland reports of this species was up this fall. Three were at Jordan L., NC, Aug. 18 (Ricky Davis), and two were there Oct. 26 (Judy Murray et al.). One was at Falls L., NC, Oct. 24 (Kent Fiala). Two were late at Roanoke Rapids L., NC, Nov. 24 (Davis). In South Carolina, one was at the Clarks Hill Res. Dam Sept. 15 (Paul Champlin) and one was at L. Murray on the Irmo side Nov. 1 (Mike Turner). FRANKLIN’S GULL: There were two reports of this very rare gull this fall. One was at the Savannah Spoil Site, SC, Oct. 13-23 (Steve Calver) and one was at the Clarks Hill Res. Dam, SC, Oct. 14 (Paul Champlin). BLACK-HEADED GULL: One was at the L. Mattamuskeet, NC causeway Nov. 27-30 (Tom Krakauer, Keith Cambum, Kelly Davis, sev. obs.). Not only is this a rare “inland” report, it is probably the same individual that appeared here the previous winter. BONAPARTE’S GULL: A flock of 35 Bonaparte’s at L. Julian, Buncombe County, NC, Nov. 23 (Wayne Forsythe and Marilyn Westphal) provided a good count for that mountain locality. Also, one was somewhat early for an inland location at Falls L., NC, Oct. 24, as noted by Kent Fiala. CALIFORNIA GULL: An adult found in the Lockwood Folly Inlet area at Holden Beach, NC, Aug. 4 (Greg Massey) was a complete surprise. This species has become annual in the C. Hatteras area, but it is extremely rare elsewhere. Also, the early August date suggests that this individual was The Chat, Vol. 67, No. 1, Winter 2003 25 probably a summering bird that never returned to its normal breeding area in the west. LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL: This species continues to be found in the Carolinas early in the fall. Three were at C. Hatteras, NC, Aug. 31 (John & Paula Wright), and seven were there by Sept. 15 (Ned Brinkley). Two were at Shallotte Inlet, Brunswick County, NC during Sept. (Greg Massey), a first-year bird was at Atlantic Beach, NC, Sept. 4 (John Fussell), and a third-year bird was at Atlantic Beach Sept. 21 (fide Taylor Piephoff). Away from the usual Outer Banks areas, a good count of six was at the Cedar Is., NC ferry terminal Nov. 10 (Russ & Patricia Tyndall). And in South Carolina, a very rare inland report was of an adult at the Clarks Hill Res. Dam Oct. 14 (Paul Champlin). CASPIAN TERN: The best inland counts of this regular migrant included 10 at L. Crabtree, Wake County, NC, Oct. 6 (Steve Shultz et al.), seven at Falls L., NC, Sept. 17 (Mike Skakuj), and five at Jordan L., NC, Aug. 25 (Ricky Davis et al.). Other sightings of note were one at L. Hickory, NC, Aug. 12 (Dwayne Martin) and one at Clarks Hill Res. Dam, SC, Oct. 14 (Paul Champlin). SANDWICH TERN: This species is normally gone from the Outer Banks by late November; thus of note was a good count of eight at C. Hatteras Nov. 28 (Keith Cambum). FORSTER’S TERN: There were more inland reports than usual this fall. The best counts were 18 at Clarks Hill Res. Dam, SC, Sept. 15 (Paul Champlin), 16 there Oct. 14 (Champlin), and six at L. Julian, NC, Aug. 3 (Wayne Forsythe and Bob Olthoff). BRIDLED TERN: The highest one-day count offshore this fall was the 23 off Hatteras, NC, Aug. 24 (Brian Patteson et al.). In South Carolina, three were good finds off Murrell’s Inlet Sept. 7 (Jack Peachey). SOOTY TERN: Five were good finds off Murrell’s Inlet, SC, Sept. 7, as noted by Jack Peachey. In North Carolina, the best one-day total was the 84 off Hatteras Aug. 25 (Brian Patteson et al.). BLACK TERN: Reports of this species were about average when compared to the past several years. The best inland counts included 18 at Falls L., NC, Sept. 2 (Mike Skakuj), 17 at Clarks Hill Res., SC, Aug. 24 (Paul Champlin), and 12 at Lookout Shoals L., NC, Aug. 15 (Dwayne Martin). Other sightings of note were the five at L. Hickory, NC, Aug. 15 (Martin), five at Brattonsville, NC, Aug. 15 (Dave Lovett et al.), and a good count of 100+ in the Atlantic Beach, NC area Aug. 21 (John Fussell). COMMON GROUND-DOVE: There were several inland reports away from the coastal plain this fall. One was shot by a hunter near Hodges, Greenwood County, SC, Sept. 2 (fide Donna Bailey) and one was a one-day wonder at the McDowell Park Prairie Restoration area south of Charlotte, NC, Oct. 16 (Don Seriff, Taylor Piephoff, Keith Cambum). This species has wandered from its usual coastal plain areas before, but these two piedmont reports are exceptional. 26 Briefs for the Files BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO: This fall’s sightings included one at Jackson Park, Hendersonville, NC, Sept. 30-Oct. 1 (Ron Selvey, Wayne Forsythe), Jackson Park, Oct. 10 (John Lindfors), near Brevard, NC, Oct. 17 (Betty Mcllwain), near Avon, NC, Aug. 16 (Brian Patteson), and on Roanoke Is., NC, Sept. 12 (Jeff Lewis). COMMON NIGHTHAWK: There were several encouraging counts of this species reported. At Brevard, NC, Sept. 2, a count of 350 was good (fide Will Cook), but the 1000+ near Asheville, NC, Sept. 3 (Chris Wilson) was exceptional. Also one was reported from Charlotte, NC, Nov. 3 (Eric Harrold). With it being so late in the season, one wonders if the potentially likely Lesser Nighthawk was ruled out at the time? CALLIOPE HUMMINGBIRD: This species is apparently increasing as a winter visitor in the Carolinas. This fall several were found in North Carolina. An immature male was present near Castalia Oct. 15-Nov. 20 (Sharon Funderburk), and an adult male was near Hillsborough Nov. 7 on into winter (Ginger Travis). The latter bird was photographed and represented the first adult male found for the state ! RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD: Once again reports of this hummingbird were too numerous to mention. Some adult males, always exciting, were found at Piney Creek, Alleghany County, NC, Aug. 5-6 (James Coman), Hendersonville, NC, mid. -Sept, to early Oct. (Wayne Forsythe, sev. obs.), York, SC, in late Sept. (Bill Hilton, Jr.), Hampstead, NC, during Aug. (Betty Scott), and Myrtle Beach, SC, Aug. 25 (Gary Phillips). RED-HEADED WOODPECKER: One was locally unusual at Carver’s Gap, Roan Mt., NC, Sept. 29-30, as noted by Rick Knight. RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER: Very unusual were the six seen flying through Carver’s Gap, Roan Mt., NC, Sept. 29 (Rick Knight). This species is not common at all in the surrounding lowlands. NORTHERN “RED-SHAFTED” FLICKER: An individual of this form was seen moving past Congaree Bluffs Preserve, SC, Oct. 13 (Robin Carter et al.). This western form is extremely rare in the east, and all birds found should be scrutinized to determine if they are pure “Red-shafted” or hybrids with “Yellow-shafted”. OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER: Always noteworthy, this fall’s Olive- sideds included three at Jackson Park, NC during Aug. and Sept. (Wayne Forsythe, sev. obs.), one at Mills River, Henderson County, NC, Aug. 3 (Forsythe, Bob Olthoff, Marilyn Westphal), one at Carver’s Gap, Roan Mt., NC, Sept. 5 (Rick Knight), and one along Gum Swamp Rd., Aiken County, SC, Oct. 19 (Anne Waters et al.). YELLOW-BELLIED FLYCATCHER: Each successive fall period seems to provide an increasing number of reports of this flycatcher. Sightings included a calling individual at Jackson Park, Hendersonville, NC, Aug. 3 1 (Wayne Forsythe et al.), one at Glenn Hilton Park, Hickory, NC, Sept. 5 (Dwayne Martin), one in Aiken, SC, Sept. 7 (Paul & Tracy Champlin), one in Georgetown County, SC, Sept. 10 (Gary Phillips), one at Carver’s Gap, Roan Mt., NC, Sept. 6 (Rick Knight), two in the Charlotte, NC area Sept. 6-8 The Chat, Vol. 67, No. 1, Winter 2003 27 (John Buckman), one at Sunset Beach, NC, Sept. 21 (Mary McDavit), and one in Duke Forest, NC, Sept. 24 (Jeff Pippen). ALDER FLYCATCHER: This hard-to-identify species was found twice, with single birds at Hooper Lane, Henderson County, NC, Aug. 3 (Bob Olthoff, Marilyn Westphal) and at Glenn Hilton Park, Hickory, NC, Sept. 5 (Dwayne Martin). In both cases the birds were heard calling. WILLOW FLYCATCHER: One was unusual at Falls L., NC, Sept. 14 (Mike Skakuj). Of particular interest was that this individual was heard giving its song, not just the normal migratory call notes. LEAST FLYCATCHER: The reports received this fall included a calling Least at Glenn Hilton Park, Hickory, NC, Sept. 5 (Dwayne Martin), one at Ridgeway, Fairfield County, SC, Sept. 14 (Robin Carter et al .), one at Jordan L., NC, Sept. 21 (Will Cook), and one on James Is., SC, Sept. 28 (Dennis Forsythe). WESTERN KINGBIRD: One was at Ft. Fisher, NC, Oct. 27 (Bruce Smithson) and Nov. 6-8 (Ritch Lilly, Steve Shultz, sev. obs.), for the only reports received. GRAY KINGBIRD: One was very rare and unusual for the Carolinas at Southport, NC, Nov. 2 (Gene Howe, Greg Massey, Sam Cooper). This was a juvenile bird that caused some confusion as to its identity since this plumage is almost never seen in our area and is not depicted very often in field guides. SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER: The Monroe, NC area summering birds (one adult and one immature) were last seen about 1.5 miles from the nest tower Aug. 24 (Matt Williams). WHITE-EYED VIREO: Very late for western North Carolina was the White-eyed found near Brevard Nov. 22-23 (Betty Mcllwain). WARBLING VIREO: Very rare for the coast in the fall, one was a good find on Roanoke Is., NC, Sept. 25, as noted by Jeff Lewis. PHILADELPHIA VIREO: Once again, reports of this species were too numerous to mention all of them. Some of the better counts involved three in Henderson County, NC, Sept. 21 (fide Marilyn Westphal), three on Roanoke Is., NC, Sept. 29 (Jeff Lewis), two on Bald Head Is., NC, Sept. 29 (Derb Carter), and two in Nash County, NC, Sept. 18 (Ricky Davis). The latest report was of one on Roanoke Is., NC, Oct. 10 (Lewis). HORNED LARK: This species continues to increase in Carteret County, NC, an area considered to be at the eastern edge of its normal range. One was unusual at the Cedar Is. Ferry Terminal Nov. 3 (John Fussell et al.), and a good count of 25 was near Otway Nov. 24 (Jack Fennell). NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW: One was quite late for an inland location at Riverbend Park, Catawba County, NC, Nov. 3 (Dwayne Martin). CAVE SWALLOW: Cave Swallows staged an unprecedented migration to the east coast this fall. After reports north of the Carolinas in early November, several were found in the Carolinas by late month. On Nov. 28, 15 were at Sunset Beach, NC, and four were at Ocean Isle Beach, NC, (Taylor Piephoff et al., Derb Carter.). The next day, six were at Sunset 28 Briefs for the Files Beach (Ricky Davis, Harry LeGrand, Jeff Pippen, Carter), 1 1 were at Ocean Isle (John Dole), and one was at Caw Caw Park, Ravenel, SC, (Perry Nugent). On the 30th, four were at Sunset Beach (Eric Dean), two were at Caswell Beach, NC (Pippen); and an amazing 31 were counted in the Ocean Isle-Seaside area (Will Cook). Concerning the subspecific identity of these birds, all observers were in agreement that all birds seen well enough were of the southwestern race. BARN SWALLOW: Noteworthy late Bams included one in eastern Franklin County, NC, Nov. 8 (Ricky Davis) and two at L. Marion, Calhoun County, SC, Nov. 14 (Mike Turner). SEDGE WREN: One was a surprise inland on the early date of Aug. 3 at Hooper Lane, Henderson County, NC, (Bob Olthoff, Marilyn Westphal). Was this a very early migrant or just a lingering non-breeder? GRAY-CHEEKED THRUSH: The best count of this uncommon migrant was the eight on Roanoke Is., NC, Oct. 10, as noted by Jeff Lewis. SWAINSON’S THRUSH: A good diurnal count of this migrant was the 30+ at Jackson Park, Hendersonville, NC, Sept. 28 (Wayne Forsythe and Keith Cambum). Also, 130 were banded at Carver’s Gap, Roan Mt., NC, from Sept. 5-Oct. 8 (Rick Knight). WOOD THRUSH: An excellent diurnal count of 50 was had at Jackson Park, NC, Oct. 1 (Ron Selvey). This was one of the best one-day totals reported for this species in many years. BROWN THRASHER: A locally unusual high count of eight banded thrashers was had at Carver’s Gap, Roan Mt., NC, during the period Sept. 2- Oct. 8 (Rick Knight). GOLDEN-WINGED WARBLER: Noteworthy away from the mountains were singles at Ft. Motte, Calhoun County, SC, Sept. 13 (Mike Turner), at Cashua Ferry Landing, Darlington County, SC, Oct. 3 (Turner), and at James Is., SC, Oct. 21 (Dennis Forsythe). The last bird was considered to be rather late for the fall season. “BREWSTER’S” WARBLER: The more common of the two hybrids between Blue-winged and Golden-winged Warblers was reported twice. One was at the Orangeburg, SC Sod Farm Sept. 29 (Bob Wood) and one was at Jackson Park, Hendersonville, NC, Sept. 21 (Wayne Forsythe and Ron Selvey). TENNESSEE WARBLER: This warbler normally migrates through the mountains in good numbers each fall, but the observance of 1,000’s moving along Clingman’s Dome Road in the Great Smoky Mountains Nat. Park Sept. 7 must have been impressive (Keith Camburn). One was considered quite early at Ridge Junction Overlook, Blue Ridge Parkway, NC, Aug. 11, as noted by Dwayne Martin. Elsewhere at the coast, where considerably harder to find, singles were at Roanoke Is., NC, Oct. 3 and Pea Is. N.W.R., NC, Oct. 19 (Jeff Lewis), and at the Savannah Spoil Site, Jasper County, SC, Oct. 5 & 9 (Steve Calver). The Chat, Vol. 67, No. 1, Winter 2003 29 ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER: One at the Rat R. Impoundment, Durham County, NC, Nov. 24 (Jeff Pippen), was a good find away from the coastal plain where the species winters. NASHVILLE WARBLER: The number of reports of this uncommon warbler were about average, with the best counts being two at Pea Is. N.W.R., NC, Oct. 17 (Brian Patteson, Jeff Lewis, Ricky Davis) and two being banded at Carver’s Gap, Roan Mt., NC, Sept. 9 (Rick Knight). Others included singles at Charlotte, NC, Sept. 7 (Larry Barden), at Beaver L., Asheville, NC, Sept. 18 (Tim Lewis), at the Orangeburg, SC Sod Farm Sept. 27 (Anne Waters and Calvin Zippier), and one slightly late at Pea Is. Nov. 7 (Lewis). CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER: One was an early migrant at Jackson Park, Hendersonville, NC, Aug. 4, as noted by Wayne Forsythe and Simon Thompson. The best one-day count was an impressive 50 at Jackson Park on Sept. 1 1 (Wayne Forsythe, Ron Selvey). Good coastal migrants, where much less common than in inland areas, included singles at Roanoke Is., NC, Sept. 16-18, 26 (Ned Brinkley, Jeff Lewis) and Pea Is. N.W.R., NC, Sept. 11 (Lewis). MAGNOLIA WARBLER: Another good one-day count at Jackson Park, NC, was the 30+ Magnolias found Sept. 21 by Wayne Forsythe and Ron Selvey. CAPE MAY WARBLER: One was slightly late for an inland location near Castalia, NC, Nov. 2 (Brad & Pat Carlson). BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER: One was somewhat late at Jordan L., NC, Oct. 26 (Josh Rose), but one at Brevard, NC, Nov. 14 (Betty Mcllwain) was exceptionally late. YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER: One on Roanoke Is., NC, Oct. 18 (Jeff Lewis) was considered to be locally rare. Also locally unusual was one near the beach at Ft. Macon, NC, Sept. 28 (Russ & Patricia Tyndall). BAY-BREASTED WARBLER: The best count received was of five at Jackson Park, NC, Oct. 12, as noted by Wayne Forsythe and Ron Selvey. One was also somewhat late at Jordan L., NC, Oct. 27 (Ricky Davis). BLACKPOLL WARBLER: A good count for the southern coastal area was the three at the Savannah Spoil Site, Jasper County, SC, Oct. 23 (Steve Calver). Several slightly late individuals were found including one at Buckhom Res., Wilson County, NC, Nov. 1 (Ricky Davis) and one at Pea Is. N.W.R., NC, Nov. 2 (Jeff Lewis and Joan Kutulas). CERULEAN WARBLER: Reports of this threatened species are always worth mentioning. Good finds included one near Landrum, SC, Aug. 11 (Tim Kalbach) and one along Gum Swamp Road, Aiken County, SC, Oct. 19 (Anne Waters et al.), the latter bird being rather late for our area. PROTHONOTARY WARBLER: One in the Bent Creek Rec. Area, Buncombe County, NC, Sept. 15 (Russ & Patricia Tyndall) was a locally unusual find from the mountain area. WORM-EATING WARBLER: This species is normally found during migration in small numbers; thus of note was the amazing count of 12 seen 30 Briefs for the Files at Jackson Park, NC, Aug. 4 (Wayne Forsythe and Simon Thompson). Elsewhere, one at Roanoke Is., NC, Sept. 18 (Jeff Lewis) was unusual for that coastal locality. NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH: This is one of the more numerous migrants in the Carolinas during the fall, but the one-day count of 60 at the Savannah Spoil Site, SC, Aug. 28 (Steve Calver et al .) was truly astounding! CONNECTICUT WARBLER: This fall’s reports of this always- noteworthy migrant included one near Ridgeway, Fairfield County, SC, Sept. 14 (Robin Carter et al.), one at Roanoke Is., NC, Sept. 24 (Jeff Lewis), one at Bald Head Is., NC, Sept. 29 (Derb Carter), and one near Rocky Mount, NC, Oct. 13 (Ricky Davis). MOURNING WARBLER: There were four reports received of this rare fall migrant. Singles were at Charlotte, NC, Sept. 6 (Taylor Piephoff), on Roanoke Is., NC, Sept. 18 (Jeff Lewis), near L. Don T. Howell, Cabarrus County, NC, (Alan Kneidel), and in Southern Pines, NC, Oct. 3-4 (Wayne Irvin). COMMON YELLOWTHROAT: This is one of the commonest warblers in our area; thus many go overlooked by the casual observer. Of note then was the count of 329 at the Savannah Spoil Site, SC, Oct. 5 (Steve Calver). The birds must have been literally covering the grasses that day! WILSON’S WARBLER: Noteworthy reports of this uncommon migrant away from the mountains included one at Roanoke Is., NC, Sept. 12 and Oct. 17-18 (Jeff Lewis), one at L. Crabtree, Wake County, NC, Oct. 6 (John Dole), one at Charlotte, NC, Sept. 6 (John Buckman), and one at the Savannah Spoil Site, SC, Oct. 9 & 13 (Steve Calver). CANADA WARBLER: One was locally rare at Roanoke Is., NC, Sept. 18, as noted by Jeff Lewis. YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT: Two were rather late at Bodie Is., NC, Nov. 27 (Keith Cambum). One of these was found dead along the highway while the other was found alive along the Bodie Is. pond boardwalk! SUMMER TANAGER: Observers noted this species to be more common in the Jackson Park, NC, area this fall. Where normally one to two are found in a season, several were found daily during September (Wayne Forsythe and Ron Selvey). SCARLET TANAGER: An excellent one-day count of 30 was had at Jackson Park, NC, Sept. 28 (Ron Selvey). WESTERN TANAGER: An immature female was a surprise at the northern end of Pea Is., NC, Oct. 19 (Ricky Davis). Although this species is annual in the Carolinas during the winter, reports from the migration seasons are very rare. CLAY-COLORED SPARROW: Sightings this fall included one near Jordan L., NC, Sept. 21 (fide Will Cook), one at Roanoke Is., NC, Sept. 24- 25 (Jeff Lewis), one at the Santee Coastal Res., Charleston County, SC, Oct. 12 (David Chamberlain and Murray Thompson), two at Pea Is. N.W.R., NC, Oct. 13 (Lewis and Marlene Schumm), one at Ft. Macon, NC, Nov. 1 (John The Chat, Vol. 67, No. 1, Winter 2003 31 Fussell), one at Ft. Fisher, NC, Nov. 2 (Sam Cooper), and one at Morehead City, NC, Nov. 28 (Fussell). LARK SPARROW: The only Lark Sparrows reported this fall were singles at Roanoke Is., NC, Sept. 24-25 and Oct. 8 (Jeff Lewis). GRASSHOPPER SPARROW: Noteworthy fall reports included one near Brevard, NC, Oct. 21 (Betty Mcllwain), one at the McDowell Prairie Restoration, Charlotte, NC, Oct. 26 (Jeff Pippen), one at Broad River W.M.A., Fairfield County, SC, Oct. 27 (Tim Kalbach), two at Huntington Beach St. Pk., SC, Oct. 31 (Simon Thompson et al. ), one at the Savannah Spoil Site, Jasper County, SC, Nov. 8 (Steve Calver), and one at the Savannah River Site, SC, Nov. 15 (Paul Champlin). HENSLOW’S SPARROW: This secretive species was found several times this fall. The best count came from the Savannah River Site, SC, where 16 were found Nov. 23 (Paul Champlin). Also two near Brevard, NC, Oct. 4-5 (Betty Mcllwain et al.) and one at Townville, SC, Nov. 17 (Linda Sharp et al.) were good finds. NELSON’S SHARP-TAILED SPARROW: One found at the Savannah River Site, SC, Nov. 15 (Paul Champlin) provided a rare inland report for the Carolinas. SONG SPARROW: A juvenile Song Sparrow was found in Lancaster County, SC, Aug. 15 (Mike Turner). Was this bird from a local breeding effort? LINCOLN’S SPARROW: This species was reported rather frequently once again. The best one-day count was the three at Alligator R. N.W.R., NC, Nov. 12 (Jeff Lewis). Other sightings of note included one early at Glenn Hilton Park, Hickory, NC, Sept. 7 (Dwayne Martin et al.), one early at Clingman’s Dome Road, Great Smoky Mts. Nat. Park, NC, Sept. 7 (Keith Cambum), one at Jackson Park, NC, Oct. 10 (Wayne Forsythe), one banded at York, SC, Nov. 1 (Bill Hilton, Jr.), one at McDowell Prairie Restoration, Charlotte, NC, Oct. 26 (Jeff Pippen), one at Broad River W.M.A., Fairfield County, SC, Oct. 27 (Tim Kalbach), one at Hooper Lane, Henderson County, NC, Nov. 10 (Simon Thompson et al.), one at Buckhom Res., Wilson County, NC, Nov. 14 (Ricky Davis), and one at the Savannah Spoil Site, SC, Nov. 8 (Steve Calver). LAPLAND LONGSPUR: Reports were few this fall, with one at Huntington Beach St. Pk., SC, Oct. 31 (Simon Thompson et al.) and 12 at Hooper Lane, Henderson County, NC, Nov. 10 (Thompson and Wayne Forsythe). SNOW BUNTING: One found near Avon, NC, Oct. 18 (Eric Dean et al.) was quite early for this species in the Carolinas. The only other report received was of one in flight at South Pond, Pea Is. N.W.R., NC, Nov. 3 (Ricky Davis). NORTHERN CARDINAL: One was very unusual at Carver’s Gap, Roan Mt., NC, Oct. 3 (Rick Knight). This was the first one the observer had ever found at that elevation in that area. 32 Briefs for the Files ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK: A female at a feeder near Chapel Hill, NC, Nov. 16 (Kent Fiala) provided a rare late fall report. INDIGO BUNTING: One at Buckhom Res., Wilson County, NC, Nov. 14 (Ricky Davis) was rather late, especially for an inland location. PAINTED BUNTING: One was locally unusual on Roanoke Is., NC, Oct. 25, as noted by Jeff Lewis. DICKCISSEL: Some of the better reports of Dickcissel this fall involved an impressive count of eight on Pea Is., NC, Sept. 17 (Ned Brinkley), two on Roanoke Is., NC, Sept. 13 (Jeff Lewis), two at Ft. Fisher, NC, Oct. 8 (Sam Cooper), two near Brevard, NC, Oct. 21-22 (Betty Mcllwain et al.), one at Falls L., NC, Oct. 6 (Ricky Davis), one in a yard at Chapel Hill, NC, Nov. 28 on into the winter (Jan Hansen), and one frequenting a feeder at Nags Head, NC, from early Nov. on into the winter (Skip & Linda Morgan). BOBOLINK: This is a common migrant in the Carolinas, but the flock of over a thousand near Kinston, NC, Sept. 6 (Clyde Sorenson) must have been an impressive sight. YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD: This species is an annual visitor to the Carolinas. This fall, an adult male was coming to a feeder near Richlands, Onslow County, NC, during the last half of September (Jim O’Donnell). SHINY COWBIRD: Only one was reported this season, that being a well- studied female at the Cedar Is., NC, Ferry Terminal Oct. 7, as noted by Rich and Susan Boyd. EVENING GROSBEAK: The only report received was of a flock of six at Whispering Pines, Moore County, NC, Nov. 8 (Susan Campbell). This species has been present in extremely low numbers for many winters now. CAROLINA BIRD CLUB MEMBERSHIP The Carolina Bird Club, Inc. is a non-profit educational and scientific association founded in 1937. Membership is open to those interested in the study and conservation of wildlife, particularly birds. Dues, contributions, and bequests to the Club may be deductible from state and federal income and estate taxes. Checks should be made payable to Carolina Bird Club, Inc. and sent to CBC Headquarters, 1 1 West Jones Street, Raleigh, NC 27601-1029. DUES (Payable on a calendar-year basis) Individual $20.00 Associate (in same household as individual member) $5.00 Student $15.00 Sustaining (open to businesses) $25.00 Patron $50.00+ Life Membership (payable in four consecutive $100 installments) $400.00 PUBLICATIONS CBC members 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 appropriate editor listed in the inside front cover. Items for the Newsletter should be sent to its Editor, Karen Bearden, 1809 Lakepark Drive, Raleigh, NC 27612. Send correspondence regarding memberships, changes of address, or requests for back numbers of either publication to CBC Headquarters, 1 1 West Jones Street, Raleigh, NC 27601-1029. OFFICERS President: Bob Wood, 2421 Owl Circle, West Columbia, SC 29169 NC Vice Presidents: Dick Blee, 2 Tinequa Dr., Brevard, NC 28712 Ricky Davis, 608 Smallwood Drive, Rocky Mount, NC 27804 SC Vice President: Marcia Watkins, 56 Hillmark Dr, Columbia, SC 29210 Secretary: Gail Lankford, 3208 Plantation Rd., Raleigh, NC 27609 Treasurer: Stephen Harris, 5009 Crown Point Lane, Wilmington, NC 28409 NC Members-at-large: Susan M. Campbell, 144 Pine Ridge Drive, Whispering Pines, NC 28327 Charlotte Goedsche, 371 Ox Creek Rd., Weaverville NC 28787-9765 Dwayne Martin, PO Box 491 , Taylorsville, NC 28681 Judy Murray, 406 Holly Lane, Chapel Hill, NC 27517 SC Members-at-large: John Cely, 4724 Cedar Springs Road, Columbia, SC 29206 Steve Patterson, 128 Queens Ct., Pickens, SC 29671 Immediate Past President: Van Atkins, 2040 Church Creek Dr., Charleston, SC 29414 Headquarters Secretary: Tullie Johnson, 1 1 West Jones St., Raleigh, NC 27601 Rare Bird Alert: (704) 332-BIRD Web Site: www.carolinabirdclub.org S G X X o rn x td ^ O I® (/> O —i C- 3 3 =? 0 O _ W O = COCO 0 D c S) 3. 0 2, < DO C 3 O 0 0 0 — r- (/) g?8 0 2. 2 2 3 0 go a 0 ~ c cr 0 O 0 S-~5 L-M r*-J -L. z ■••••.! cn oi m !» CD O i O -i ^ X z o ro X W O z ---. n i> cn x 53! rn o 0 ro 0 CD 4i r--5 j\J r-0- rri t *1 r X: O CO Xs X i>i t !— i rn i ■;;;;.! : • : CO H4, M 25 j 33 $ S» o' (D Q. <5' o' =r m Z* 10 cn •si <“► o a> j CO a> « to TJ co n> The Chat Vol. 67 SPRING 2003 No. C8© The Quarterly Bulletin of the Carolina Bird Club, Inc. The Ornithological Society of the Carolinas THE CHAT Vol. 67 SPRING 2003 No. 2 Published by the Carolina Bird Club, Inc Editor General Field Notes Editors North Carolina South Carolina Briefs for the Files Associate Editor Editor Emeritus Kent Fiala, 1714 Borland Rd Hillsborough, NC 27278 fiala@ipass.net Will Cook Dennis M. Forsythe Ricky Davis Ginger Travis Eloise Potter THE CHAT is published quarterly for $20.00 by the Carolina Bird Club, Inc., with headquarters at the North Carolina State Museum of Natural Sciences, 11 West Jones Street, Raleigh, NC 27601-1029. Second-class postage paid at Raleigh, NC. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Carolina Bird Club, THE CHAT, 11 West Jones Street, Raleigh, NC 27601-1029. USPS 101-020. ISSN No. 0009-1987. Copyright © 2003 by Carolina Bird Club, Inc. Except for purposes of review, material contained herein may not be reproduced without written permission of the Carolina Bird Club, Inc. \Articles 2002 Report of the South Carolina Bird Records Committee. Donna Slyce, Chair 33 Spring 2002 North American Migration Count in South Carolina. Donna Slyce 35 General Field Notes Recent Limpkin Records from South Carolina. John Cely, Giff Beaton, Jerry Bright, Andy Day, and Perry Nugent 56 Partial Albino American Goldfinch on Johns Island, South Carolina. Pete Laurie 59 Briefs for the Files, Winter 2003 60 Cover (Indigo Bunting) by Dominick D ’Ostilio, Hickory, NC 2002 Report of the South Carolina Bird Records Committee Donna Slyce,1 Gifford Beaton, Jr., Lex Glover, Tim Kalbach, Taylor Piephoff, Will Post, Steve Wagner 1 Chair In 2002, the South Carolina Bird Records Committee completed action on 7 records. Of these, 3 were accepted and 4 were not accepted. One of the accepted records added a new species to the State List in the Provisional I category. A detailed report of a Red-necked Stint accompanied by sketches added this species to the State List. In August 2002 (Chat 66:119-124), the committee published a revised State List of species documented in South Carolina. The current State List stands at 447 species, including 16 Provisional II species and 13 Hypothetical species. The most recent revision of the list follows this annual report. The annual meeting required by the by-laws of Carolina Bird Club, of which the Bird Records Committee is a standing committee, was held on 29 September 2002 at Litchfield Beach, SC. The two items on the agenda were the definitions for two categories of the State List. The definitions for inclusion on the “Definitive List” and for inclusion on the “Hypothetical List” were discussed and voted on. By a unanimous vote, the committee voted to retain the definition of “definitive” as “species documented in the state by a properly vouchered specimen, unretouched recognizable photographs or video, or a recognizable sound recording of a species”, as set forth by the committee in 1996. By a majority vote, the definition of “hypothetical” is “species which are undocumented to the committee but reported in North American Birds or The Chat." These definitions become the criteria by which species will be added to the State List in the future. Committee membership did not change in 2002. Committee activity is reviewed below. Accepted reports: Brant (12-99-17) - A concise but thorough report by Charles Flint of a Brant present at Lake Keowee in late December of 1999 was accepted by the committee. Red-necked Stint (08-00-12) - A bird present in August of 2000 at the Savannah Spoils Site was observed by Steve Calver who documented it in a write-up accompanied by sketches. The report was accepted by the committee. This is a first state record for the species and it places the species on the State List in the Provisional I category, a category for species judged to be of entirely wild origin for which there are accepted reports but no specimens, photographs, or recordings have been archived by the committee. 33 34 2002 Report of the South Carolina Bird Records Committee Dickcissel (12-99-13) - An immature bird of this species was present at a feeder in the yard of Phil and Sharon Turner in December of 1999. The committee accepted a report accompanied by sketches of this bird from Sharon Turner. Non-accepted reports: Long-tailed Jaeger (06-00-03) - A report of a very brief observation of a pair of birds seen offshore from Murrell’s Inlet was not accepted by the committee. The brevity of the observation left the report lacking in diagnostic details including any assessment of plumage or color phase. Philadelphia Vireo (01-00-01) - A report of a bird seen near the Wildlife Drive in the Cuddo Unit of Santee NWR in early January of 2000 was not accepted due to a divergence in the submitted description from standard descriptions of the species and a lack of precedent for winter records of the species in North America. Reports sent for outside review: Ruff (04-00-02) - A lack of convincing detail in the written description and in the elimination of similar species in this report of a bird seen in April of 2000 at Santee Coastal Reserve led to an indecisive vote from the committee, and the report will be sent to outside review. It will then be resubmitted to the committee for reconsideration. Pomarine Jaeger (11-99-16) - Because the report did not rule out a similar species convincingly, this otherwise concise and clear report occasioned a split decision from the committee. The report will be sent for outside review and then resubmitted to the committee for reconsideration. Spring 2002 North American Migration Count in South Carolina Donna Slyce 321 Hope Ferry Road , Lexington, SC 29072 The Spring 2002 North American Migration Count (NAMC) was held on 1 1 May 2002. The reporters for this NAMC tallied 31,951 individuals of 197 species. One hundred forty five participants comprising 94 parties surveyed 18 counties of South Carolina. For the second year in a row, the weather for the Spring NAMC was rainy in some counties. Many reporters in the Piedmont and the Midlands encountered heavy rains throughout the day, including pre-dawn thunderstorms in some areas. Comparing the Spring 2001 and the Spring 2002 counts shows that the 2002 count had two more counties reporting but 20 fewer participants and 29 fewer parties. For the 2002 count, 23 species of warblers were found in the state compared to 25 species found in the spring of 2001. The 2002 count did not find Chestnut- sided Warbler, Cape May Warbler, Bay-breasted Warbler, or Wilson’s Warbler, all of which were found on the 2001 count. However, Palm Warbler and Northern Waterthrush were found in 2002. These two species were last reported on a Spring count in 2000. Also interesting are comparisons of the number of individuals of warbler species that are widespread in South Carolina. The Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) data give a trend estimate for the period 1992-2002 for the state of South Carolina, and are taken from the national Breeding Bird Surveys conducted and coordinated by the United States Geological Service. % Change BBS 1992- from 2000 2002 Trend 2000 2001 2002 to 2002 Estimate Northern Parula 230 309 254 + 10.43 -5.60 Yellow-throated Warbler 129 132 102 -20.93 -2.81 Pine Warbler 292 326 329 + 12.67 +2.15 Prairie Warbler 49 65 47 -4.25 +0.78 Common Yellowthroat 219 180 238 +8.68 -2.74 As stated in past years, because the collection of data for NAMC lacks scientific rigor and has no established protocols, the conclusions to be drawn from these numbers are limited. Nonetheless, it is interesting to note that NAMC data agree with BBS trends for two species, Yellow-throated Warbler and Pine Warbler, and have only an insignificant difference due to a 35 36 Spring 2002 North American Migration Count in South Carolina small sample size for a third species, Prairie Warbler. The two species for which NAMC data do not correlate with BBS data show wide swings in numbers from year to year. With a longer time frame for the NAMC sample, it will be interesting to see if those two species eventually bear out the trends of the BBS data. Among the species for which an increase in numbers and an expansion of distribution is almost certain is Eurasian Collared-Dove. Twenty individuals from six counties were reported this spring, in contrast to 19 individuals from four counties reported for the last spring count. The six counties reporting Eurasian Collared-Dove were: Aiken, Beaufort, Charleston, Colleton, Georgetown, and Lexington. While the increase in numbers is modest, the additional two counties reporting the species (Aiken and Beaufort) illustrate the continuing range expansion of the species. Because Common Ground-Dove has been declining in numbers recently, it is something of a surprise to find the species among those with an increase in reported numbers this spring. Four counties, tallying nine individuals, reported Common Ground-Dove, up from one county and three individuals last spring. Beaufort, Charleston, Georgetown, and Hampton reported Common Ground-Dove this spring, while only Dorchester reported the species in spring of 2001. Among the widespread species reported from every county were Blue Jay, American Crow, Carolina Chickadee, Northern Mockingbird, and Northern Cardinal. Northern Cardinal was the most numerous of the widespread species, followed by Northern Mockingbird as the second most numerous species. Among the highlights of the Spring 2002 NAMC are three Snow Geese found in Oconee County; a White-rumped Sandpiper found in Georgetown County; five Pine Siskins found in Lexington County; and a Baltimore Oriole found in Spartanburg County. Thirty-one species were “exclusives”, found only in one county. The exclusives are distributed as follows: Aiken 2 Charleston 12 Cherokee 2 Colleton 2 Georgetown 1 Greenville 1 Lexington 1 Oconee 5 Richland 1 Spartanburg 3 Union 1 The Chat, Vol. 67, No. 2, Spring 2003 37 County Summaries Aiken County (AIKE): 1 14 species, 2872 individuals. Coordinator: Anne Waters 1621 Apple Valley Drive Augusta, GA 30906 706-793-2788 Participants: Dori Brenneman, Ron Brenneman, Lee Dane, Larry Eldridge, Judy Gregory, Christine Huzella, Ally Riddle, Alice Walker, Doug Walker, Vernon Waters, Calvin Zippier Aiken County reported the highest number of one of South Carolina’s “specialty” birds — Bachman’s Sparrow — as well as good numbers of other species also associated with “Longleaf Pine savannah” habitat — Pine Warbler and Brown-headed Nuthatch. Aiken was the only county reporting Blue-winged Warbler and Swamp Sparrow and was also one of two counties reporting Hooded Merganser, a possible winter holdover or maybe even a breeding bird. Beaufort County (BEAU): 87 species, 1094 individuals. Coordinator: Dennis M. Forsythe 748 Swanson Avenue James Island, SC 29412 843-795-3996 Participants: Pat Keller, Tara Mettles, Judy Rigg, Bob Taylor Beaufort County reported good numbers of a variety of shorebirds including Black-bellied Plover, Whimbrel, Semipalmated Sandpiper, and both Caspian and Forster’s Tern. Beaufort was also one of only four counties reporting Common Ground-Dove. Calhoun County (CALH): 82 species, 603 individuals. Coordinator: Tim Kalbach 104 Catawba Circle Columbia, SC 29201 803-254-5187 Participants: Nancy Lyman, Gary Sowell Calhoun County reported several migrants, including Bobolink, Blackpoll Warbler, and Scarlet Tanager. Among the breeding species and possible breeding species, Calhoun County reported good numbers of Osprey and high numbers of American Redstart. Charleston County (CHAR): 152 species, 11,524 individuals. Coordinator: Perry Nugent 2260 Dallerton Circle Charleston, SC 29414 843-556-3841 Participants: Craig Watson, Andy Harrison, Danny Carlson, Van Atkins, Jim Brownlee, Giff Beaton, Ben Smith, Sue Ann Russell, Allen Russell, Charles Walters, Lanney Ayers, Edward Conradi, Linda Zinnikas, Marcia Hider, Peg 38 Spring 2002 North American Migration Count in South Carolina Clark, Tori Langen, Mariland Kord, Joan Hylander, Ann Kent, Martha Stevenot, Joe Stevenot, Mrs. M. A. Aldenderfer, Paul Aldenderfer Charleston was one of only two counties reporting Least Bittern, Mottled Duck, Blue-winged Teal, Wilson’s Plover, Red Knot, Western Sandpiper, Gull-billed Tern, Black Skimmer, and Red-cockaded Woodpecker. Species exclusive to Charleston County were Glossy Ibis, American Black Duck, Swallow-tailed Kite, Northern Harrier, King Rail, American Oystercatcher, Marbled Godwit, Common Tern, Black-billed Cuckoo, Barn Owl, Willow Flycatcher, and Ruby-crowned Kinglet. Charleston also reported the highest numbers of many species of waders, including both species of Night-Heron and White Ibis. Cherokee County (CHER): 78 species, 933 individuals. Coordinator: Lyle Campbell 126 Greengate Lane Spartanburg, SC 29307 864-585-1228 Participants: Travis Childers, Claude Cobb, Ken Garrett, J. B. Hines, Karla Lavender, Scott Lavender, Maxi Nix, Dee Gee Parker, Tina Pearsall, Alan Rose, Ed Wilde Cherokee County reported two nice-to-find migrant warbler species. Northern Waterthrush and Blackpoll Warbler. Cherokee County was also one of two places reporting more Blue Grosbeaks than Indigo Buntings and was the only county reporting Olive-sided Flycatcher and Veery. Colleton County (COLL): 103 species, 2498 individuals. Coordinator: Sharon Brown P. O. Box 327 Adams Run, SC 29426 843-889-8299 Participants: Liz Smylie The two species exclusive to Colleton County were Caspian Tern and Marsh Wren. Also found were excellent numbers of Whimbrel and Least Sandpipers. Dorchester County (DORC): 80 species, 829 individuals. Coordinator: Dennis Forsythe 748 Swanson Avenue James Island, SC 29412 843-798-3996 Participants: Donna Forsythe, Ann Shahid, Jean Wattley, Mike Dawson, Jack Gerstner Dorchester County reported several bona fide migrant warbler species including Yellow Warbler, Black- throated Blue Warbler, and a lingering Yellow-rumped Warbler, as well as excellent numbers of the more expected Northern Parula and Prothonotary Warbler. The Chat, Vol. 67, No. 2, Spring 2003 39 Fairfield County (FAIR): 77 species, 535 individuals. Coordinator: Donna Slyce 321 Hope Ferry Road Lexington, SC 29072 803-951-7122 Participants: Leah Campbell, Cary Taylor, Susan Taylor Working under the disadvantage of heavy rain throughout the day, Fairfield County was one of only two counties reporting Blue-headed Vireos. Fairfield also reported the state high number for Prairie Warblers. Georgetown County (GEOR): 97 species, 1532 individuals. Coordinator: Jack Peachey 103 Walnut Circle Conway, SC 29520 843-347-5810 Participants: Dave Gustafson, Charles Heacock, Carl Rogers White-rumped Sandpiper was an excellent find in Georgetown County and exclusive for the state. Georgetown County also reported good numbers of Semipalmated Plovers and Semipalmated Sandpipers. Greenville County (GREE): 86 species, 1 100 individuals. Coordinator: Peter L. Worthington 716 North Almond Drive Simpsonville, SC 29681 864-967-4183 Participants: Len Kopka, Pres Davies, Don Pierce, Linda Sharp Common Raven was exclusive to Greenville County. It is not an easy species to find in South Carolina and not always reported on statewide tallies. Greenville County was also one of two of the “mountain” counties reporting Black-throated Green Warbler, a local breeder in that part of the state. Hampton County (HAMP): 76 species, 1055 individuals. Coordinator: Carroll Richard P.O. Box 893 Hampton, SC 29924 803-943-4661 Participants: Kathleen O’ Grady, J.C. Raymond Hampton County reported far and away the highest total of Bald Eagles in the state, with an astounding 30 individuals. This tally bests even Hampton County’s tally of 20 Bald Eagles last spring. Lexington County (LEXI): 75 species, 1225 individuals. Coordinator: Molly Bonnell 202 Cannon Trail Road Lexington, SC 29072 803-359-6280 Participants: Andrea Ceselski, Jerry Griggs 40 Spring 2002 North American Migration Count in South Carolina Also working under a handicap of heavy early morning and mid-day rain, Lexington County reported one exclusive: five lingering Pine Siskins. Lexington County also reported a nice warbler species, a migrant through the Midlands, Black-throated Blue Warbler. Oconee County (OCON): 97 species, 1866 individuals. Coordinator: Steve Wagner 316 East Creswell Avenue Greenwood, SC 29646 864-223-0416 Participants: Don Cox, Steve Cox, Vicki Cox, Jenny Harris, Phyllis LeMay, Chris Welch Oconee County reported a new extreme late date for Snow Goose. The birds, well described in supporting documentation, were more than two weeks beyond the previous statewide late date of 26 April as published in Post and Gauthreaux’s Status and Distribution and not revised in Post and McNair’s Supplement. Oconee County also reported two other exclusives associated with water and marsh, Red-breasted Merganser and Virginia Rail. Given that Oconee is considered one of the “mountain” counties, the other two exclusives for the county — Magnolia Warbler and Cooper’s Hawk — could almost be expected; certainly more expected than a rail species. Richland County (RICH): 73 species, 735 individuals. Coordinator: Robin Carter 4165 E. Buchanan Drive Columbia, SC 29206 803-788-8820 Participants: Steve Dennis, Caroline Eastman, Alice Steinke. A lingering Savannah Sparrow was exclusive to Richland County. Richland County also reported two nice-to-find migrant species, Northern Waterthrush and Black-throated Blue Warbler, and a nice-to-find year-round resident, Eastern Screech-Owl. Spartanburg County (SPAR): 91 species, 2694 individuals. Coordinator: Lyle Campbell 126 Greengate Lane Spartanburg, SC 29307 864-585-1228 Participants: Laura Bannon, John Barry, Anna Bennett, Daniel Bennett, Susan Bennett, Anna Brown, Tim Brown, Pat Burton, Sarah Campbell, Dan Codispoti, Matthew Coleman, Teressa Coleman, Tom Moore Craig, Linda Deahl, Glenn Englehardt, Roy Fowler, Pat Fowler, Ron Gahagan, Onoosh Gahagan, Teresa Glen, John Green, Catherine Griffith, Lauren Griffith, Bennett Grizzard, Conway Henderson, Jessie Ivy, Marvin Jackson, Connie Jenne, Ron Jenne, Herb Kay, Micky Marotte, Mary Ann Myers, Angela Miller, Mike Miller, Jim Miller, Margaret Miller, Bill Moody, Nancy Owens, Ken Pearson, Lisa Pearson, Bob Powell, Sandra Powell, Ginny The Chat, Vol. 67, No. 2, Spring 2003 41 Scott, Walton Scott, Mac Shealy, Laurel Sulliven, James West, Dan Wooten, Nancy Wooten Spartanburg’s three exclusive species were Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, White-throated Sparrow, and Baltimore Oriole. While the Baltimore Oriole was most likely a migrant, the other two species were apparently lingering overwintering birds. Spartanburg also reported an “unusual for the inland location” Snowy Egret. Sumter County (SUMT): 50 species, 703 individuals. Coordinator: Lloyd Moon 6150 Brookland Road Sumter, SC 29154 803-494-3234 Participants: Lloyd Moon Working as a one-man count and hampered by rain, Sumter County nonetheless reported an excellent find: two Least terns, apparently individuals from a breeding colony at Shaw AFB. Union County (UNIO): 19 species, 78 individuals. Coordinator: Baxter Cody 408 West Main Street Union, SC 29379 864-427-6826 Participants: Baxter Cody Another one-man count, this count was essentially a feeder watch. Among the nice yard birds found in Union County were Song Sparrows, Gray Catbird, and Sharp-shinned Hawk, an exclusive for Union County. York County (YORK): 28 species, 75 individuals. Coordinator: David Collopy 505 North Confederate York, SC 29730 803-327-8342 Participants: David Collopy In another one-man count, the reporter for York County trying to work on foot was forced to surrender in the face of early morning torrents of rain. Despite the rain-shortened count, York reported some nice to find birds, including Grasshopper Sparrow and Barred Owl. North American Migration Count in South Carolina 11 May 2002 42 Spring 2002 North American Migration Count in South Carolina # Counties Reporting TOTAL YORK UN 10 SUMT SPAR RICH OCON LEXI HAMP GREE GEOR FAIR DORC COLL CHER CHAR CALH BEAU AIKE -Q P c i h ? TD ^ q: jo c i 1 _ h. cq Q °S c o c o c p c CD X 4-» a> X 1— CD X CO ai S CU =3 £ CT> i_ cn LU CU =J TD CU CD CD LU > CD i_ o c to 4-> (O 4-» ro § CU o !o c (0 cu s> £ O c ±J u 'l_ < (J e? CO 1- c u J. c tu 2 > -1 5 (J CD c o C= c > c O > o LU It J_ w Ul v_/ (I to £ J2 .51 a; O o U e)IDZ>-Z5 13 $ CD The Chat, Vol. 67, No. 2, Spring 2003 43 # Counties Reporting TOTAL YORK UN 10 SUMT SPAR RICH OCON LEXI HAMP GREE GEOR FAIR DORC COLL CHER CHAR CALH BEAU AIKE lO r-t IS) o M (N M M i-t co cr> co cm cm cm ro ro cr> 1 — i t — t ro m t-i i-H cn h to t h t-) ^ m LO fM 00 O CO M" M" ? in to rs CSl (Si ro ro co o- in in oo cm m co co T-t co 5 fM CT> *•*< fM 00 O m t-h i-i CO fM ID N t-I fM m ro lO i — 1 cu 0) CU o % O U5 ro 5 ro o <= c ro in U u ro co u _ o» ro 'fi cu c h- ^ cn -a "8 fc S ^ 5 | £ S & 1 osSiSS § -g & & § ^CQZZooxoiZOinZ ■I -2 'S = E -a £3 jy 5 'ro a) ~ -a s- a; ro £ c C id Q. v X cl cn — — in a5 ^ in 2 t i5 | — ra o <- ro OJ a. o in x 8 Accipiter, sp Red-shouldered Hawk 44 Spring 2002 North American Migration Count in South Carolina 0) x Ol C -O i M I ■a JS iz ro (u co I ot. 3 JZ c CD JC § !_ ■x -Q o >. CD O CQ ”5 CD u z 8 V_ C CC — c* c c O \~ s_ CD .C i_ CD CL 'fD CC CD ‘c o £ s 1— XJ t: CL 03 03 E OJ ■— o CD c o E 5 u > u < 2 "8 S IS E c/) c a g 8* c O -!=±- a3 OJ j/3 g > -d E J2 > cD _2 := E qq oo cl ^ < a» -a SZ CD u IS 8 E c to U > J5 O QQ Lesser Yellowlegs Yellowlegs, sp Solitary Sandpiper Willet The Chat, Vol. 67, No. 2, Spring 2003 45 # Counties Reporting TOTAL YORK UNIO SUMT SPAR RICH OCON LEXI HAMP GREE GEOR FAIR DORC COLL CHER CHAR CALH BEAU CO ro ■H co fM tr ^r CM r-l Ctt CM *r ro H in to ^r fSJ t-4 ro 00 ro ro r\i 1— 1 00 U3 in • o ro in to to cn cn ^ i-Hl in H tH o cn T— 1 00 cn in ro ro ro T— t rH ro ro tH r-H in H 00 t-H cn ro h to fsi tO csi o CM in co ro to co o in m co ■r-t ro cn in fM oo rsj fNJ V0 ro in ro * sv -a ^ T3 T3 13 9- ‘cl T3 Q- 5. 9 -Ea5Ui £ ^ ai ~ 00 iz ro .9- E clo ^.9-1/) ro cu o. cl aj l! m q. ^ T3 ■& & 1 ® oi 2 i- co c £ cu Q. = =j Ifl 3 u = 0)0)010) o -c x: C = E! E! 'F 5 OJ .9-0- 0) ^ > cn oi C t C qi (C j— C O) U o O ^ ^ 3 r- ro D fO > (D > ra (D 0) o _c o o ro .9 cn cn cn > _i :> cn clo. Q co Q Q _j oc AIKE Herring Gull Gull-billed Tern Caspian Tern 46 Spring 2002 North American Migration Count in South Carolina # Counties Reporting ’VI- 7—4 m uy CM VO 7-1 vo rs 7— t M* T*-i in r4 ro M- rs vo o» OO rs 7— t TOTAL VO m- rM i— 1 H is ov 7—1 ro 184 o rM 1118 crv r-H 100 i-H m- rM i—l 00 7—1 rs H M- 00 crv rH 1157 YORK rM UNIO vO in SUMT rsi rsi a . 7-t . vo SPAR is i-H 1.42 7— 1 l—l T—t CM rM M- vO VO RICH o rM o CO M* 7— t rM vo o i-H rM OCON is IS is rs crv in LEXI cr> T—t crv crv ro T—t rH rM ro HAMP VO CO M* rM rM M- cm ro GREE |S rM vo rs i H ■ 7—1 r-i t— 1 ro o ro GEOR 1 — i i—l CM rM i-H CT> i-H 00 LO CTt FAIR VO rM T-t ro 7 1 M* DORC rM rM CO vo rM 00 COLL ro T—t »-* T—t T~t LO M* rH M" T-i T—t CHER rM LO rM rM 7— 1 rM rM rM CHAR VO CM rM T-» o CO LO rM rM CO 7-t 215 rM w ro ro T-t 00 vo VO in in 7— t 567 CALH LO Ov rM ro 00 rH BEAU VO VO ..vo LD 7— t rM tH 7— I T-t j!; , vo 00 AIKE 7—1 rM rM i—l rsi in rM rM rM M- i — 1 ro 7—1 ro o rs E E £ P CD C != | Td S u ° fO O CD U O £ Q .15 T3 g § o O Q (j ov O 5 u 3 u T3 su > 58 c o II _0J = u - - 1 ^ -o ■ o A E a? i ! % c m § o T3 QU C s_ o X — O o J5 (D 3 ra CD ^ iu<—> ZuQm>UcOLiJO(J cq U T3 -*£ CD fU Jl CD J- fD £ o ■g '5 = I > CJV 3 x d £ O 'Z Q. £ .9- £ The Chat , Vol. 67, No. 2, Spring 2003 47 # Counties Reporting TOTAL YORK UNIO SUMT SPAR RICH OCON LEXI HAMP GREE GEOR FAIR DORC COLL CHER CHAR CALH BEAU AIKE 48 Spring 2002 North American Migration Count in South Carolina # Counties Reporting TOTAL YORK UNIO SUMT SPAR RICH OCON LEXI HAMP GREE GEOR PAIR DORC COLL CHER CHAR CALH BEAU vo r rH CM in 00 CO CM in rH . in in a CM CO OO 00 B tH rH rH tH rH tH tH tH tH tH tH rH tH tH rsi CO cn Cv H CO in in cn CM VO in cn in CO CO tH in CO o CO r rH in. 00 ^r 00 CM CO rH o- VO ti- CM CM CM VO 00 rH vj- CO rH tH VO in CM CM CO co CM Mf CO O- Ps 04 M" CO Cs o rH vo tH cn CM o Cv M- fNJ in cn tH Cv t — 1 cn CM VO rH o in VO tH i — 1 rH co rH VO CM 00 in o o O in in CM O i th CM tH rH CM rH rH CO LO CO CO in 00 in CM oo 00 co CO rH CM 00 o cm 1 — 3 vo t-H O tH CO rH vO CM CM rH CM H cn 1 — i 00 cn vo ■vr cn tH VO 00 CO VD in •tH CM CM CM CO Cn LO vo VJ- CM 00 vo CT> CO i\ 00 O VO CM rH T i rH vj- CO vo CO rH rH CO CM H cn t — 1 av CM CM CM tH o fM CO in rH CM CM CO H CM CO o 00 0~ M- CO in CM cn ■0- CO CO 1 — 1 CO 'T rH in CO CO CM in CO M- in cn VO CO CM in cn o T~t tH 1 — 1 tH tH tH tH rH co CM 00 LO fM M" M" in CO M- H t— i T— 1 T— 1 CM 1 — 1 tH in O" CO vr CM cn cn Cv o tH rH CM vr T— 1 CM 1 — 1 H cm 00 Cv CM rH 'O' t — i LO o- 1 — 1 cn 00 CO M" VO o cn in CM Cv tH CM tH VO rH tH CTi o tH in in CM o CM \T in cn CM co VO CO 00 M" CM t — 1 o Cv vo in in tH tH T 1 rH rH tH tH 00 00 H- 1 1 1 1 in CM CM T— 1 tH VO CM tH tH T I CM tH tH o CO CM CO o rH CM CM in in tH T— f CM tH CO tH tH in ro 00 VO Cv O'! 00 in cn vr vr in t— 1 co cn OO CM H i— 1 o r\ i— 1 co t — i VO vj- 00 H -Q c /) ?-o aJ u 4J CTi U) Cn fa o o OJ -a .!= aj *> la "S 2 C £ C 5 2p? £ § fo cn r— fO t O 5 -Q I E i -I ^ ol ^ >CQ^m i—i ON rH 1—1 M- M" fM H 1—1 i—i LO LO o LO ro O LO T-* 1—4. i~4 l—t M- CM ro ON fM i—l ov i—l o M* 00 M- rH rsl rvl CO CO ro fM CO ro i — 4 i— i CD m* T-l CO ro fM fM CM H rM i-4 T-l m- mm LO fM fM rM OM m- CO w o fM rsl ON i — i fNJ LO i — 1 i — i CM CO t-4 CO co O rM t—i fM (M fv i— t eg O LO fM fO i— i N o fM ON LO ro ro Mr rH 1-4 ON fM co LO ro t-4 ro LO fM fM fO M“ 1-4 CO i—4 1—1 i—4 i—l OM ro M- ro M" rH ro LO M- tH M- CO M" ro CO rv M* rv. 1-1 fM ro T o 00 1—4 ro 1—4 i—l i—t ro 00 CO o LO T— 1 M- O t— H o ro fM co i— 1 i—l fM M- CO fM O i— i rr ON 1-4 co CO LD LO ro fM t—4 ro ro ro m- cO ro i—l T-l um fM LO rv i — < T-t 1—4 i-4 1-4 00 O- ON fM T— 1 o- fM M- rv 00 i — i i — i m* 00 NT o ON O o M" CM fM ro t-H 00 fNJ fNJ 1—1 M" r-v VO ON O ON o T-l M- fM LO ro [\ ro rv T— 1 LO 1—1 ro i — i ■S T3 fU j= t & 5 -C 2^ CD 2 C C CU (U £ £ | a <3 =J £ o cu X Z c r- 3 S E _Q £ ,-s 1 ? o .£ .i c $ & ° e £oo- O' ^ CO UD LLI > > < ID Z I 1_ C ■fi CU O CU C ij r-Qf raratDil- u (J z 50 Spring 2002 North American Migration Count in South Carolina # Counties Reporting TOTAL YORK UNIO SUMT m fNi fM mtnoorMntoofN in m- in rvi in O'! fM Ln fM CnNM-rO M- M- fM N ID m 00 t-H O fM M" i— l fM fM fM rH i-H m i-H tH rH rH SPAR cd rsi ro th i—i RICH •h min m uo rM OCON ro cr> vd rsj cn i— i i— i -»-h t-i m h i—l rH LEXI tH -i-H 1 — I fM fM HAMP m- m in GREE m-r-imM-oom tH fM m m m GEOR ^|“ i—i CD t— i i—i i — ! FAIR 4 14 13 6 3 1 1 DORC ->-• i-h oo M- mm fM COLL 11 62 7 CHER m ---i fM i-H CHAR 43 100 11 4 1 37 1 5 CALH M- m th t — i ch oo th fM BEAU rH O rH AIKE r^mrM^H mmcr> h in r\i i — i Black-throated Blue Warbler Yellow-rumped Warbler Black-throated Green Warbler Yellow-throated Warbler Pine Warbler Prairie Warbler Palm Warbler Blackpoll Warbler Black-and-white Warbler American Redstart Prothonotary Warbler Worm-eating Warbler Swainson's Warbler Oven bird Northern j Waterthrush Louisiana Waterthrush The Chat, Vol. 67, No. 2, Spring 2003 51 52 Spring 2002 North American Migration Count in South Carolina # Counties Reporting m rH 00 in in rH oo CN rH in ID rH cn N* rH v*4 fN CD rH TOTAL 35l| 201 1747 112) N- 1479 554 321 CD tH N- 00 T-i in t-H 458 YORK rv fN UNIO ID Ln i—i T— 1 SUMT rH o CO in N- rH cn i—i rH rH SPAR n- rsi fN N- fN m fN 105 i— i CO CN t-H ro t-H in rv RICH (N W tH O LO m CO N“ 2 OCON 00 N- LO o fN in fN i—l Fs cD rH LEX! 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G “i ^ _2L Z o ro ^ « o z x n i> o 1 z to m h* h* n x oi r r— : 4^a H- : jg ro i> to o r x 0 01 r~«- w 1 ■xj X f-~i m to - H O l?s 0 _ 3. ft 9? c- 3 =■ 3 JQ) 0 O c ^ O = o)(Q 2. 3 o S' 0 0) 0—0 j- co ^ Ti O O 5? 2. S> 0 2 2. IQ 5' 70s! 255 o 0 a fO ^ 0) Q 2 " E S2.& ^ 5‘ — 003 N) W P CO c CD "0 CD o ro o CD O 0) ro 2! 5 33 S “ 5' CD Q. (Q Z* o? N) (/> ■xl ^ O) 05 SCQ 3 (dW C^-6 Br<2D Vol. 67 The Chat SUMMER 2003 The Quarterly Bulletin of the Carolina Bird Club, Inc. The Ornithological Society of the Carolinas THE CHAT Vol. 67 SUMMER 2003 No. 3 Published by the Carolina Bird Club, Inc Editor General Field Notes Editors North Carolina South Carolina Briefs for the Files Associate Editor Editor Emeritus Kent Fiala, 1714 Borland Rd Hillsborough, NC 27278 fiala@ipass.net Will Cook Dennis M. Forsythe Ricky Davis Ginger Travis Eloise Potter THE CHAT is published quarterly for $20.00 by the Carolina Bird Club, Inc., with headquarters at the North Carolina State Museum of Natural Sciences, 11 West Jones Street, Raleigh, NC 27601-1029. Second-class postage paid at Raleigh, NC. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Carolina Bird Club, THE CHAT, 11 West Jones Street, Raleigh, NC 27601-1029. USPS 101-020. ISSN No. 0009-1987. Copyright © 2003 by Carolina Bird Club, Inc. Except for purposes of review, material contained herein may not be reproduced without written permission of the Carolina Bird Club, Inc. Articles Fall 2002 North American Migration Count in South Carolina. Donna Slyce 77 General Field Notes First Record of the Western Flycatcher Complex in North Carolina. Harry E. LeGrand, Jr. and Jeffrey S. Pippen 96 Verification that the Chuck-will’s-widow Occurs in Winter in South Carolina. William Post, Nathan Dias, and D. Archibald McCallum 100 Red-breasted Nuthatch and Golden-crowned Kinglet: The First Nests for South Carolina and Other Chattooga Records. Frank Renfrow 102 Male-Female Interactions by Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers on Wintering Grounds. Eloise F. Potter 107 Briefs for the Files Spring 2003 1 10 Reviews Annotated Checklist of Georgia Birds 123 1 3 2004 Fall 2002 North American Migration Count in South Carolina Donna Slyce 321 Hope Ferry Road, Lexington, SC 29072 The Fall 2002 North American Migration Count was held on 21 September 2002, and 76 parties of 127 individual observers afield in 13 counties across the state counted 31,997 individual birds of 190 species. The temperatures for the day were relatively seasonal for South Carolina, mild in most of the state and a little warmer on the Coastal Plain. Three Upstate counties, Cherokee, Greenville and Spartanburg, reported rain and significant cloud cover on count day. Most counties reported no significant wind, with only four counties reporting winds serious enough to possibly affect birding. In years past, tables with partial data on warblers were presented. This year, in order to give a more complete picture, Table 1 illustrates four years’ data on warblers. No clear trends are evident. A possible trend is the consistency in the numbers of individuals reported for some species, particularly Tennessee, Blackburnian and Worm-eating Warblers. Other species illustrate wide swings in numbers of individuals reported from year to year. For one species, Yellow-rumped Warbler, the swings in number can possibly be explained by the timing of the count. The fall count is always held on the third Saturday of September, but this means that the date of the count moves through a range of dates from 15 September through 21 September. In 1999 the count was conducted on 18 September, in 2000 on 16 September, in 2001 on 15 September, and in 2002 on 21 September. The number of Yellow-rumped Warblers is higher in the years the count was held at a later date in the month. Some species are conspicuous by their absence, including Bay-breasted, Connecticut and Cerulean Warblers. Among the widespread species reported from every county were Mourning Dove, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, Blue Jay, American Crow, Tufted Titmouse, Carolina Wren, Eastern Bluebird, Northern Mockingbird, Pine Warbler, and Northern Cardinal. As in fall of 2001, Mourning Dove was the most numerous of the widespread species, with 1208 individuals reported. In 2002, a year that saw an expansion of the epidemic of West Nile Virus among birds, particularly corvids, American Crow increased in reported numbers to take over as the second most numerous species. In 2002, 955 American Crows were reported, up from 897 in 2001, 691 in 2000, and 607 in 1999. Northern Cardinal, the second most numerous species in 2001, was the third most numerous species in 2002, with 895 individuals. Interestingly, Blue Jay also increased in numbers in 2002: 824 individuals were reported, up from 332 in 2001, 393 in 2000, and 488 in 1999. 77 78 Fall 2002 North American Migration Count in South Carolina Table 1. Warbler Counts for Four Years 1999 2000 2001 2002 Blue- winged Warbler 5 4 1 3 Golden- winged Warbler 3 3 0 4 Tennessee Warbler 7 7 7 8 Orange-crowned Warbler 1 2 0 0 Nashville Warbler 0 5 2 2 Northern Parula 56 73 81 66 Yellow Warbler 9 14 3 10 Chestnut-sided Warbler 16 38 34 17 Magnolia Warbler 24 31 27 39 Cape May Warbler 0 1 1 3 Black-throated Blue Warbler 6 8 6 8 Yellow-rumped Warbler 15 2 5 12 Black-throated Green Warbler 6 3 12 1 Blackburnian Warbler 4 3 4 7 Yellow-throated Warbler 11 11 6 9 Pine Warbler 273 250 190 346 Prairie Warbler 7 24 20 8 Palm Warbler 104 38 20 23 Bay-breasted Warbler 0 0 0 0 Blackpoll Warbler 0 0 2 4 Cerulean Warbler 0 0 0 0 Black-and-white Warbler 43 30 37 31 American Redstart 117 165 153 84 Prothonotary Warbler 3 1 2 0 Worm-eating Warbler 2 2 1 1 Swainson's Warbler 0 0 2 0 Ovenbird 1 3 5 4 Northern Waterthrush 23 14 7 6 Louisiana Waterthrush 6 1 1 0 Kentucky Warbler 0 0 0 1 Connecticut Warbler 0 0 0 0 Common Yellowthroat 82 262 102 92 Hooded Warbler 10 7 12 14 Wilson’s Warbler 0 0 0 2 Canada Warbler 0 2 0 0 Yellow-breasted Chat 4 3 1 5 TOTALS 838 1007 744 810 Among the highlights of the Fall 2002 North American Migration Count are the more than 3000 Chimney Swifts reported in Cherokee County, Bank The Chat, Vol. 67, No. 3, Summer 2003 79 Swallow in Aiken County, King Rail and Swamp Sparrow in Charleston County, Black-billed Cuckoo and Warbling Vireo in Greenville County, American Bittern in Orangeburg County, Least Flycatcher in Lexington County, early Ruby-crowned Kinglet in Spartanburg County, and late Mississippi Kite in Sumter County. Fifty species were “exclusives”, found only in one county (Table 2). Table 2. Number of County Exclusives Aiken 3 Calhoun 1 Charleston 19 Cherokee 1 Chester 1 Colleton 2 Greenville 9 Hampton 1 Lexington 1 Orangeburg 3 Spartanburg 8 Sumter 1 County Summaries Aiken County (AIKE): 101 species, 6037 individuals. Coordinator: Anne Waters 1621 Apple Valley Drive Augusta, GA 30906 706-793-2788 Participants: John Connelly, John Demko, Nancy Demko, Carol Eldridge, Larry Eldridge, Gary Gray, Judy Gregory, Christine Huzella, James Keener, Paul Koehler, Betsy Ristroph, Alice Walker, Doug Walker, Vernon Waters, Calvin Zippier Aiken’s exclusives were a diverse mix of genera and habitat types, from Tringa to Catharus, from marsh to deep woods. Those species exclusive to Aiken were Solitary Sandpiper, Bank Swallow, and Hermit Thrush. Beaufort County (BEAU): 28 species, 214 individuals. Coordinator: Bryan Fluech 26B Tidal Bluff Road Hilton Head Island, SC 29926 843-342-7157 Participants: Bryan Fluech A one-person, partial-day count, Beaufort County reported good numbers of waders and even a migrant warbler or two, including both American Redstart and Palm Warbler. 80 Fall 2002 North American Migration Count in South Carolina Calhoun County (CALH): 54 species, 606 individuals. Coordinator: Robin Carter 4165 East Buchanan Drive Columbia, SC 29206 803-788-8820 Participants: Andy Dapkins, Steve Dennis, Ida Frueh, Paul Frueh, Steve Tracey Receiving more thorough coverage than it ever has, Calhoun County reported a nice exclusive, Bobolink. Calhoun County also reported four of the possible six brown-backed thrushes. Almost all of the thrushes were detected by nocturnal listening, including a late Wood Thrush. Charleston County (CHAR): 125 species, 8018 individuals. Coordinator: Perry Nugent 2260 Dallerton Circle Charleston, SC 29414 843-556-3841 Participants: Mrs. M. A. Aldenderfer, Sue Ann Russell, Allen Russell, Jim Brownlee, Sue Brownlee, Ronnie Riddle, Ann Kent, Betty Zimmerman, Martha Stevenot, Joe Stevenot, Craig Watson, Steve Lohr, Bill Tuomey, Edward Conradi, Sandra Conradi, Sara Saksewski Among Charleston’s amazing 19 exclusives were the previously mentioned King Rail and Swamp Sparrow, as well as Clapper Rail, Black Skimmer, American White Pelican, Least Tern, Marbled Godwit, Glossy Ibis, Red-cockaded Woodpecker, and Mottled Duck. Cherokee County (CHER): 69 species, 3888 individuals. Coordinator: Lyle Campbell 126 Greengate Lane Spartanburg, SC 29307 864-585-1228 Participants: Claude Cobb, Ken Garrett, J. B. Hines, Karla Lavender, Scott Lavender, John Martin, Maxi Nix, Tina Pearsall, Alan Rose, Ed Wilde, Les Young Cherokee was the only county reporting an early Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, as well as the previously mentioned large number of Chimney Swifts. Among other interesting species reported by Cherokee County were Blackpoll Warbler and Magnolia Warbler. Chester County (CHES): 40 species, 617 individuals. Coordinator: Gail B. Ice 2356 Arabian York, SC 29445 803-684-3242 Participants: Gail B. Ice, Gail C. Ice Chester had a nice exclusive in Northern Harrier. Also interesting to find as far inland as Chester County was Spotted Sandpiper. A somewhat early Pied-billed Grebe was also reported by Chester County. The Chat, Vol. 67, No. 3, Summer 2003 81 Colleton County (COLL): 79 species, 1518 individuals. Coordinator: Sharon Brown PO Box 327 Adams Run, SC 29426 843-889-8299 Participants: Sharon Brown Despite the difficulty of conducting a one -person count on a quiet day, Colleton County still reported two exclusives, Gull-billed Tern and Short- billed Dowitcher. Colleton County also reported some nice migrating warblers, American Redstart and Black-throated Blue Warbler, and four frustratingly silent empids. Greenville County (GREE): 94 species, 4400 individuals. Coordinator: Peter L. Worthington 716 North Almond Drive Simpsonville, SC 29681 864-967-4183 Participants: Elaine Brown, Preston Davies, Harry Davis, Elizabeth Galloway, Charles Jones, Linda Jones, Len Kopka, Jane Kramer, Eric McFalls, James McRucken, Cole Perry, Hilda Rees, Linda Sharp, Norm Sharp, Paul Shewmaker, Donna Slyce Among Greenville County’s nine exclusives were species generally present year-round in the mountains, Blue-headed Vireo and Dark-eyed Junco. Also exclusive to Greenville County were Black-billed Cuckoo, Willow Flycatcher, Warbling Vireo, Cedar Waxwing, and Blackburnian Warbler. Hampton County (HAMP): 62 species, 514 individuals. Coordinator: Carroll Richard PO Box 893 Hampton, SC 29924 803-943-4661 Participants: Jerry Raymond Hampton County’s exclusive was an excellent bird for count day, a Kentucky Warbler. In the same brush pile as the Kentucky Warbler was also a really nice-to-fmd Wilson’s Warbler. And the finishing touch on a nice day of warblers in the Lowcountry was a Tennessee Warbler. All were seen at Webb WMA. Lexington County (LEXI): 63 species, 1249 individuals. Coordinator: Molly Bonnell 202 Cannon Trail Road Lexington, SC 29072 803-359-6280 Participants: Andrea Ceselski Lexington County reported an excellent Empidonax to find at any time in the state, a Least Flycatcher. 82 Fall 2002 North American Migration Count in South Carolina Orangeburg County (ORAN): 37 species, 274 individuals. Coordinator: Robin Carter 4165 East Buchanan Drive Columbia, SC 29206 803-788-8820 Participants: Andy Dapkins, Steve Dennis, Ida Frueh, Paul Frueh, Steve Tracey Despite the limited duration and scope of coverage of two hours surveying the Orangeburg sod farm area, Orangeburg County still reported three nice exclusives: American Bittern, Upland Sandpiper, and Buff- breasted Sandpiper. Spartanburg County (SPAR): 95 species, 4001 individuals. Coordinator: Lyle Campbell 126 Greengate Lane Spartanburg, SC 29307 864-585-1228 Participants: Laura Bannon, David Barry, Drew Barry, John Barry, Susan Barry, Anna Bennett, Susan Bennett, Tim Brown, La wanna Campnell, Sarah Campbell, Elaine Cheek, Dan Codispoti, Linda Deahl, Richard Deahl, Charles Earl, Glenn Englehardt, Tim Foster, Robin Gilman, John Green, Dennis Funk, Conway Henderson, Connie Jenne, Ron Jenne, Joel Jones, Herb Kay, Tammy King, Edwin Marotte, Mary Ann Myers, Angela Miller, Mike Miller, Jim Miller, Margaret Miller, Moss Miller, Sam Miller, Bill Moody, Virl Momier, Jack Mulvaney, Nancy Owens, Bob Powell, Sandra Powell, Ginny Scott, Walton Scott, Genevieve Sullivan, Laurel Sullivan, Gerald Thurmond, John Turner, M. B. Ulmer Spartanburg County reported an excellent number of exclusives. Several of Spartanburg’s exclusives were somewhat early including Green- winged Teal, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Yellow-ramped Warbler, and White -throated Sparrow. Also exclusive to Spartanburg County were Worm-eating Warbler, Nashville Warbler, and lingering Purple Martin. Sumter County (SUMT): 95 species, 4001 individuals. Coordinator: Lloyd Moon 6150 Brookland Drive Sumter, SC 29154 803-494-3234 Participants: Ward N. Moon Sumter County reported a very nice exclusive, a somewhat late Mississippi Kite. Sumter County also reported a nice-to-fmd migrant, Northern Waterthrash, and a nice-to-find at the inland location species, White Ibis. Table 3 North American Migration Count in South Carolina 21 September 2002 The Chat, Vol. 67, No. 3, Summer 2003 83 # Counties Reporting TOTAL SUMT SPAR GREE COLL CHES CHER CHAR CALH BEAU AiKE IT) T- CM h- in OJNtDlOtOCIlOCN O CO LO o CM ^ O CD CM CDcoiooco-»-coir>r^h'-c'Oh- T— CM S (D CD t— Tj-T— r— to 1"- CO T)- CM r^ t CO T- N CO T- CM h- h- lO CD t- r- O) CM CNJ CM t- LO O CO CO CD CO 00 Tt CO ^ CO CO CM CO W if) T- (O O) s CO T— O) CO CO CM ^ S CO CO ^ T- CM LO CM CM S to CM 00 £ 2 I ® co CD © CD CD X X 5 J; Ol (D — CJ) lu 3 co lu r. 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Vol. 67, No. 3, Summer 2003 87 # Counties Reporting TOTAL SUMT SPAR ORAN LEXI HAMP GREE COLL CHES CHER CHAR CALH BEAU AIKE CO CM O O) O 00 CO T — CO 00 T— 03 T 03 CM t- T- CM CD co CO "" T— T — T— "" 00 O' CO O' o Is- CO CM CD Is- 00 h- in CD t— t- in CM CD T- h- o Is- o- 00 s T — O' CM in Is- O' co CM CM T — T — o- co f- CM h- Is- §1 0 O Is- 03 m o- 00 CD 03 CM 00 in CM ▼“ O' 03 r — O' CM T — T CM 1^ lllllllllllllllllil m T- CO mmmrnm illlli ffllfll 03 CD CO o- CM T— : CM CO 03 T— in CM co T~ CO in CM CM CM CM - CM t- 00 O' CD CM Is- oo oo in CM O' O' CM T — CM CM o- CM O' CM CM 00 CM o- CO T — T — T — CM ID CD CM - - CO oo CM CO m CM CO oo CM o CO m oo O "» — O CO Is- o- Is- O' 03 Is- Is- CD CD Is- T— T — CO T — CO Is- CM CM in co O' CO CM Is- O' CM CM co Is- CD CO CM O' CO Is- Is- Is- m O' CO CM CD CM CM jz = 2 i JO CD C *— co 55 0-^0 8. ® £ f .i i* <: 6 5 CD O 03 CL ■o o o CD ■g 0 U v ® o Q- 03 ^ CL O -D 0 O a 1 .£• O CD Q X 03 js; o 03 CL T3 O o <: 1- CD CD 0 ^ > i- O £ 0 0 -C Q. 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CO r* cO CO CD N CO Is- CM CO T- o O CM CO CO CO CD CD O" O- CM CO CD t- LO CO h- LO o- co co co LO CO N CO CO t— CD CO t— O T- h- CO O CM IS-' 05 O t— O’ -r- CM CM CO LO LO ^ CM t CO CO CO; CO O CO CD X — X — X — -C ^ CO > It ■£ CD 8. s S’ s o CD 5 o £ "O 0 > o 0 o 0 1— 5 o CD O i_ sz "O CD ■O CD 0 > 05 c > T3 0 > >> 6 c TO _o o CD . _l R- ~o $ _C 0 “5 6 0 0 o CD ■0 ■o 0 0 sz $ E 0 > o CO CD £ 0 on O 00 E < 0 ii_ 2 o o X ■I I 1 1 _0 if) Cl a) 3 2 0- i- o § co T3 0 CD SZ ¥ S o o ^ CD ID 'sT CM 'Si- CD CO O O CD C\l CD T- CO CM CD ID CD CD ID v- CO CD M" CM CD CM CD CD CM CM O rt O r- CO CM -r- ID 0 TO CD Q C c c 0 CD | ^ 2 0 _c V § g £ O CD u S B 0 X} C m O 3 >, CD 2 c T5 0 to 0 0 O CO u CD X ^ Cd CD LU ■D _ D 0 -E o sl| 0 Id E .9 0 0 0 CO o l- ^ o w *- ^ E $2|o5°E£6E50^ >(Dwi$> 0 TO o 5 | "0 C 00 CD o c TO 0 -C I oc 0 0 JZ CD TO Q_ TO o TO > O O CO 0 JO I— 03 0 £ € S CD CD ^ O 1 ~s o _TO _ OQ CD JO jz TO TO 0 (/> O ■e .o 0 i_ -C 0 0 JO i— TO 0 Z > TO GO T3 0 TO £ CD .c -e 0 TO 0 J0 1— TO o "0 0 JO 1_ JO s_ TO > TJ f— DC c _C TO TO £ c <: > >- c TO £ O Q. TO i TO O 0 i t_ JO i_ 0 JaC O 0 c ■§ E TO O CD o TO 0 E E o c 0 > JZ •c o 0 c 0 c. E 0 TO O O CL CD CO < O 2: O X AiKE The Chat , Vol. 67, No. 3 . Summer 2003 91 # Counties Reporting TOTAL SUMT SPAR ORAN LEXI HAMP GREE COLL CHES CHER CHAR CALH BEAU AIKE NtOT-Nincosio contONcoT-oo^- CM CO CM CD CM o (D co in oo in T- V- CO CO CD CD LO CM t- CM CM CD CM CO CM Tf CM CD t- CO CO CM t- CD t- ^ CM O CD t- 00 CD CD t- CM t- CM CD CO CD t}- CO (D r- CD ID CM CM Tj" 00 i_ 0 CD 0 0 © -C TO Q. H TO £ CO (/) - Cl) s E -^ = ■2 E cd 0 -T7 cd c: iu-p-ct ^0TO=5OCD-C.^^-O$^CDO •> > ^WWLUOlOWWSOZ c 0 TO CO TO CL CO CL CO © 0 CL £ CL TO O £ Q. u. a & q. m I .= OT -£ OT £■ V CL CO _ £ CD ^ 13 S “ ® i ■o © c >. l_ 0 0 A V TO 0 jQ 0 O O co £ Painted Bunting 2 16 2 20 Bobolink 1 1 Red-winged Blackbird 202 30 323 34 105 6 6 2 708 Eastern Meadowlark 2 9 8 35 54 92 Fall 2002 North American Migration Count in South Carolina # Counties Reporting TOTAL SUMT SPAR ORAN LEXI HAMP GREE COLL CHES CHER CHAR CALH BEAU AfKE SCOST-CVICNOtOO) r-. T— T— m CM O h- o o Is- Is- CD 00 OJ in CM CM T— T — CD 05 CM Is- CD CM CO 00 T — CN T— 05 T — oo CO T — T — CM CO co in o T- CM T— CM CD s 18 96 124i 40 95 4001 45 30 23.75 :|i; 37 274 CD o o CD CD TT“ co 05 *T“ in CM T — CD T — CD CM T — Is- m CM CM CN in CM CD T — m T— m o T— o in o Is- CN CO oo 05 T— Is- CM 05 o T— 00 05 CM m- CD T— CO T“ 05 00 CO Is*. CM in T— in O Is- CM T — ”, — CD Is- CD CN O M*> CN 05 00 h*. 05 • ' ' *■** . CO CO '' IT** ■ ... CO T— T- 00 CM 05 r— C30 CM T— in CM co o 00 Is- o 35.5 CO s 909 CD co 00 CM T — CM T — T— CM O o in ■■y~ y~ n Is- CO CD in in o CM CD ^ o co T— Is* in CM T~ § CO CM CD $ -C O o o © o c l*= TD o TD $ o 6 TD 05 © "O CD © JZ Q. © ■o 6 © 1— -C o c Ll x: o c Ll O CD c cd CD Cl C/D © © § © © o o TO i 03 i c $ X5 o o E © Q. 1_ © © D o © © © D © -o o > © ~ > © © 22 © n w u Z3 O 2 CD Id D o E O CL ^ n © O 00 OQ n 00 CL X < X if) £ O D_ X Hourscar 15 0 3 12.5 5.75 9 31.38 4.25 9 2 17.3 2 111.18 Hours boat 0 0 0 0.5 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 2.5 Hours canoe/kayak 00000000000000 The Chat , Vol. 67, No. 3, Summer 2003 93 # Counties Reporting TOTAL SUMT SPAR ORAN LEXI HAMP GREE COLL CHES CHER CHAR CALH BEAU AIKE in in d ^ o o o o o in in o d oo 03 00 o in in CD cm CM ■ 1 T— oo 00 T — 03 T_ m O o o o o 00 o CO 05 o o o o in CM o CO CD CD o CD o o o o o , in o o o o o T — 05 T — o in o o o o o 'r_ CO M m CO o o o o in CM CM CM CD T — o o o o o M" + o o o o o O CM in Is- o o o o in h- 03 in oo 05 00 o o in 00 d CD CO CM CM 49 o o o o o o o o in o o 7— N- o o o o m r- Is- CM c\i t— cni in o oo CO t- in in oo tn cm co o CD CD -C \a o CO C/5 I— l_ 13 13 O O X X CO >% ro o o CO CD O O c CD 05 03 3 o -Q O 1q o CO CO CO 10 CO CO 05 _03 05 05 03 _05 CO CO ft" LI- (D CD tfl D T5 cr CD CD n CD CD o IL 11. X % )= c CO O o "co fo CO W £ w -€ 3 ro O Q_ X CO c o 3 to £ CD £ 0) CO -Q O Hours Owling 0.75 0 2.5 1.5 0.25 1.5 0 1.25 0 0 0 1.5 0 9.25 Miles Owling 7 0 26 1 1 - 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 37 94 Fall 2002 North American Migration Count in South Carolina # Counties Reporting TOTAL SUMT SPAR ORAN LEXI HAMP GREE COLL CHES CHER CHAR CALH BEAU AIKE o o © o © ^r o o oo N CO CO CO o o o o CO CM CM t- O CM CM CM © © N S N N S (D (O o o © o ^ co o o 00 o © © o o r- o- co co s co co co o o o o o o o © o X}* o C b ■8 O © © CO 00 CO o o o o o o CO o © o T— CO n: di O V- CM O r-- fv. [s. 00 O © h- : CD N CO CO o o o o o o 1 © CM CM CM ' o o o o co o t- o © 00 © CO CO o © o o CO CM CM ^ O CM CM CM © © . h- n* r*- h- © © CM N- 00 O © O © i- — oo oo oo i — O O CM CM CM CM S § oo cm "sr h- © r'- h- oo o © © oo h- 00 © o © CO © co ©©^©©©•^r © © h- oo oo h- © *- © © T— O © © _c t o CO a5 t OJ a: 5 LU . z * § S2 O < Z d w z General Field Notes Will Cook North Carolina Editor PO Box 3066 Durham, NC 27715 cwcook@duke.edu Dennis M. Forsythe South Carolina Editor Department of Biology The Citadel Charleston, SC 29409 Dennis.Forsythe@citadel.edu (843) 953-7264 Fax: (803) 953-7084 General Field Notes briefly report such items as rare sightings, unusual behaviors, or significant nesting records; or summaries of such items. Submit manuscripts to the appropriate state editor. First, second, or third sightings of species in either state must be submitted to the appropriate Bird Records Committee prior to publication in The Chat. First Record of the Western Flycatcher Complex in North Carolina Harry E. LeGrand, Jr.1 and Jeffrey S. Pippen2 1 N.C. Natural Heritage Program, 1601 MSC, Raleigh, NC 27699-1601 2 Nicholas School of the Environment and Earth Sciences, Duke University, Box 90328, Durham, NC 27708 On Saturday, 15 January 2000, at approximately 10:45 AM we discovered an Empidonax flycatcher sitting on a cable-fence a couple of feet off the ground along a gravel access road to Jordan Lake in Chatham County, NC. We immediately noticed the yellowish underparts and characteristically shaped eye-ring indicating that this bird belonged to the Pacific-slope ( E . difficilis) / Cordilleran (E. occidentalis) group formerly lumped as “Western Flycatcher”. We observed the bird from 30 to 50 feet away in excellent lighting (the sun was to our backs) for nearly 30 minutes as it sat on the cable, hopped down to the grass after insects, flew back to the cable or to a low branch, and worked its way along this sunny roadside edge. The weather was clear with temperatures in the upper 30s and an occasional slight breeze about two days after a strong cold front. We made several phone calls to birders in the general area, telling them about this first state sighting of “Western Flycatcher”. More important, we 96 The Chat, Vol. 67, No. 3, Summer 2003 97 wanted them to bring cameras, taped songs of Empidonax flycatchers, and tape recorders to document the record, as we had neither a camera nor blank tape with us. We hoped that photographs or voice recordings could be useful in determining which of the two species was involved, as the bird did not call during our initial observation. After it consumed a rather large insect, the bird disappeared back into the brush for 20 or 30 minutes before reappearing in the same location and acting with the same behavior for another 30 minutes or so. By this time, Will Cook and Derb Carter drove up, and Carter took several photographs of the bird. After the authors had left, Ricky Davis also arrived. Cook succeeded in recording a vocalization of the bird as it responded to the Pacific-slope Flycatcher song (from the National Geographic Society [1985] tapes) by vigorously calling. It did not respond to the Cordilleran Flycatcher vocalizations on the tape. Thus, Carter, Cook, and Davis at least tentatively identified the bird as a Pacific-slope Flycatcher. Pippen returned a few days later, heard the bird call, and agreed that the vocalization indicated the bird to be a Pacific-slope Flycatcher. Figure 1. Paciflc-slope/Cordilleran Flycatcher. Photo by Derb Carter. The bird was a small flycatcher, noticeably smaller than an Eastern Phoebe ( Sayornis phoebe), which was nearby for comparison, and larger than a nearby Ruby-crowned Kinglet ( Regulus calendula). Its head was slightly crested. The bill was fairly broad, blackish above and orangish- flesh below. The mouth interior was orange. It had a pale yellow eye -ring, wider and nearly pointed in back (behind the eye) and very thin above the eye. The eye-ring was widened in front of the eye but was not pointed and not quite as wide as behind the eye. The upperparts were olive, slightly more yellowish/richer around the nape and head. The underparts were pale yellow with a greenish tint and a brighter yellow in the center of the belly. The upper flanks were slightly dingier than the rest of the underparts. The undertail coverts were pale yellowish. 98 First Record of the Western Flycatcher Complex in North Carolina The wings were a dark sooty color. Two buffy/pale yellow wingbars were present, with the upper wingbar being slightly thinner and duller than the lower. The wings were short, with the tip barely reaching the base of the tail and with a short primary projection. The tail was of medium length, appearing long due to the short primary projection of the wing. Observers did not note any tail wagging or flicking of the tail or wings. The habitat included the margin of a medium-growth mixed pine- hardwood stand with tangles of Japanese honeysuckle ( Lonicera japonica). The bird spent most of its time along the edge of the woods, but it also fed in sunlit openings just inside the woods. Most of its foraging was at or within 3 feet of ground level. This flycatcher was seen by dozens of birders over the next week. Carter and several other birders photographed it (Figure 1). It was apparently last reported on 21 January. A very strong storm dumped as much as 20 inches of snow on the region immediately thereafter. Despite much searching, birders could not relocate the flycatcher after the snowfall, and the bird likely succumbed to the storm. Species in the genus Empidonax are notoriously difficult to identify, and most species probably should not be identified by sight alone. The Pacific- slope Flycatcher and Cordilleran Flycatcher are particularly difficult to separate from each other visually, but the “Western Flycatcher” complex can normally be distinguished from all other Empidonax species by the tear-drop shape of the eye-ring, which is pointed behind the eye. Only the Yellow- bellied Flycatcher (E. flaviventris) shares with the “Western” the fairly rich yellow underparts, but its yellowish eye-ring is usually circular and thus rounded behind the eye. This species also has a rounder head that typically lacks a peak or slight crest that the “Western” shows. Yellow-bellied also has a smaller, shorter bill and has a sharper wing pattern than does “Western” (Joseph Morlan pers. comm.). The Acadian Flycatcher ( E . virescens ) may show a slight teardrop eye-ring effect and a yellowish throat in the fall, but it is not generally as yellow on the underparts as “Western”, nor does it have the extremely high-pitched call-notes that the “Western” does. The Cordilleran and Pacific-slope Flycatchers differ slightly in their calls, and more so in their songs. But even so, these differences are somewhat slight, such that a number of Western ornithologists question the decision of the American Ornithologists' Union to consider these as distinct species. The songs might be distinctive; however, the North Carolina bird gave call notes rather than a song. Louis Bevier (in prep.) indicates that the typical Position Note call: "differs sharply between species [Pacific-slope and Cordilleran] over most of range. Pacific-slope typically gives a single slurred note that briefly rises then falls (occasionally flat or slightly rising) before ending with strongly emphasized component that rises steeply in pitch: su-weep!, peweat! Or pseeyeap!; this call appears as a sinusoidal or ladle-shaped The Chat, Vol. 67, No. 3, Summer 2003 99 note on a spectrogram (see Johnson 1980). Some Pacific- slopes may lack beginning component and emphasize only steeply rising portion, this being typical of birds breeding on the Channel Is. off s. California. "In contrast, Cordilleran gives a distinctly 2 syllable male Position Note with second note higher, wi-SEET! Or pit- SEET! .... Rare individuals from interior Northwest may give Position Notes of both species (so-called bilingual individuals). Because male Position Note of some Cordillerans from this region may overlap Pacific-slope, identification by call of migrants and vagrants outside known breeding range is problematic (Pacific-slope call may be given by either species, whereas 2 -parted call only given by Cordilleran)." Bevier (in prep.) also states that: "Identification of vagrant Western Flycatchers to species problematic in some cases without specimen evidence. Vocalizations may help, but it should be noted that calls (e.g., male Position Note and alarm seet!) may not be diagnostic . . . Pacific-slope Flycatcher accidental in s. Louisiana (specimen . . . ) and e. Pennsylvania (Lancaster Co., 2 records, possibly involving the same bird . . . ). Pennsylvania records identified by call note, so perhaps only probable to Pacific-slope. Cordilleran Flycatcher accidental in s. Louisiana (specimen . . . ) and se. New York (banded . . . ). Reports of Western flycatchers not identified to species in the East include: Brigantine NWR, NJ, 16 Nov 1981 ..., 14-15 Nov 1992 Warren County, IA . . . , Eastern Shore of Virginia NWR, VA, 12-29 Nov 1993 ... " The reason that we believe the North Carolina flycatcher is a Pacific- slope is that its call appears to match precisely the typical Position Note call on the National Geographic Society (1985) tape. Moreover, the bird responded vocally to the Pacific-slope calls on this tape but did not respond to the Cordilleran Flycatcher vocalizations on the tape, when played back to the bird by Will Cook and others on 15 January. This is the first record of the Western Flycatcher complex from North Carolina. In November 2002, the North Carolina Bird Records Committee accepted the Western Flycatcher complex to the Official State List (LeGrand et al. 2003). However, the Committee failed to accept the record to Pacific- slope Flycatcher, citing concerns that it would be nearly impossible to convincingly prove that the bird was a Pacific-slope and not a Cordilleran from the evidence on hand. Thus, on the NC Bird List this record must be listed as Pacific-slope/Cordilleran Flycatcher (or Western Flycatcher complex), rather than Pacific-slope Flycatcher. 100 First Record of the Western Flycatcher Complex in North Carolina We wish to thank Ned Brinkley, Louis Bevier, Tony Leukering, and Joseph Morlan for reviewing the original description and for providing valuable insights into the problems of identification of the Western Flycatcher complex. We also thank Will Cook, who has made photographs and sonograms of this North Carolina flycatcher currently available online at http://www.duke.edu/~cwcook/psfl.html. Literature Cited Bevier, L. In prep. Pacific-slope Flycatcher/Cordilleran Flycatcher. In The Birds of North America (A. Poole and F. Gill, Eds.). The Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia, and The American Ornithologists' Union, Washington, DC. Johnson, N. K. 1980. Character variation and evolution of sibling species in the Empidonax difficilis-flavescens complex (Aves: Tyrannidae). Univ. Calif. Publ.Zool. 112:1-151. LeGrand, Harry E. Jr. et al. 2003. 2002 Report of the North Carolina Bird Records Committee. Chat National Geographic Society and the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology. 1985. Guide to bird songs (CD). Verification that the Chuck-will’s-widow Occurs in Winter in South Carolina William Post,1 Nathan Dias,2 and D. Archibald McCallum3 1 Charleston Museum, 360 Meeting Street, Charleston, SC 29403 2 1642 McClain Street, Charleston, SC 29407 3 PO Box 51063, Eugene, OR 97405 The Chuck- will’ s-widow ( Caprimulgus carolinensis) has been classified as a summer resident in South Carolina, with an early arrival date of 11 March (Post and Gauthreaux 1989). This note transmits two reports verifying that the species occurs in coastal South Carolina during the winter. On 26 January 1996, McCallum made a videotape of a Chuck- will’s- widow that was in his yard on Sullivan’s Island, Charleston County. The bird was perched on the top of a fencepost, in full view. McCallum was able to watch the bird for only a brief period, until it left its perch after Northern Mockingbirds (. Mimus polyglottos) began mobbing it. The site is a garden area sheltered by a mature stand of live oaks ( Quercus virginiana). McCallum digitized the videotape, and a print is deposited in the Charleston Museum (ChM 2003.27.016). On 29 January 2003, Dias found a dead Chuck- will’ s-widow at the U.S. Coast Guard station site on North Folly Island (Charleston Co.). The bird had just died, and the body was still warm and flexible. It had been sitting in a sparse grassy area several meters from coastal scrub dominated by live oaks, wax-myrtle ( Myrica cerifera) and yaupon {Ilex vomitoria ). The The Chat, Vol. 67, No. 3, Summer 2003 101 specimen (study skin with left wing extended; ChM 2003.27.010) was a juvenile male; left testis: 4.5 x 3.5 mm; right: 3.7 x 4.0 mm). It had little subcutaneous fat, and weighed 98.8 g, slightly below the average for males (Straight and Cooper 2000). Other measurements were: wing length (chord from wrist to longest primary): 212 mm; wingspan: 61.5 cm; tail: 137 mm; total length: 30.1 cm. The Chuck- will’s- widow has expanded its breeding range northward since the 1960s, most significantly during the 1970s and 1980s (Straight and Cooper 2000). Thus, it may be expected that more individuals will start wintering north of their historic winter range, which on the Atlantic coast had extended only to southern Florida (Stevenson and Anderson 1994, Straight and Cooper 2000). Indeed, the first winter report for North Carolina was obtained on 31 December 1982, when H. E. LeGrand, Jr. and D. Cristol saw two individuals at Buxton, on Cape Hatteras (LeGrand 1983). Six additional North Carolina reports, all from the coastal counties, have been published since 1982. One of these is of a specimen obtained by Gilbert Grant on 22 February 1992, at North Topsail Beach, Pender County (LeGrand 1992). This is the latest winter report for both states. The specimen is now in the collection of Coastal Carolina Community College, Jacksonville, NC. As yet, Georgia has no material verification of wintering Chuck- will’s- widows, although three winter sight reports exist for Charlton and Lowndes Counties, both on the Florida border (Beaton et al. 2003; G. Beaton pers. comm.). Acknowledgments We thank Donna and Dennis Forsythe for their assistance in salvaging and identifying the specimen. Giff Beaton kindly provided pertinent information in advance of the publication of the Georgia checklist. Literature Cited Beaton, G., Sykes P. W. Jr., and J. W. Parrish Jr. 2003. Annotated Checklist of Georgia Birds, Fifth Edition. Occasional Publication No. 14, Georgia Ornithological Society. LeGrand, H. E. Jr. 1983. Southern Atlantic coast region. American Birds 37: 291-293. LeGrand, H. E. Jr. 1992. Southern Atlantic coast region. American Birds 46: 408-112. Post, W., and S. A. Gauthreaux Jr. 1989. Status and Distribution of South Carolina Birds. Contributions from the Charleston Museum, 18. Stevenson, H. M., and B. H. Anderson. 1994. The Birdlife of Florida. University Presses of Florida, Gainesville, FL. Straight, C. A., and R. J. Cooper. 2000. Chuck- will’ s-widow ( Caprimulgus carolinensis). In The Birds of North America, No. 499 (A. Poole and F. Gill, eds.). The Birds of North America, Inc., Philadelphia, PA. Red-breasted Nuthatch and Golden-crowned Kinglet: The First Nests for South Carolina and Other Chattooga Records Frank Renfrow 611 South O’Fallon Avenue, Bellevue, KY 41073 FrankRenfrow@aol.com Introduction The Chattooga Recreation Area (referred to as CRA for purposes of this article), located adjacent to the Walhalla National Fish Hatchery (780 m) within Sumter National Forest, Oconee Co., South Carolina, has long been noted as a unique natural area within the state. The picnic area in particular, situated along the East Fork of the Chattooga River, contains an old-growth stand of White Pine ( Pinus strobus) and Canada Hemlock ( Tsuga canadensis ) with state records for both species as well as an impressive understory of Mountain Laurel ( Kalmia latifolia) and Great Laurel ( Rhododendron maximum) (Gaddy 2000). Nesting birds at CRA not found outside of the northwestern comer of the state include Black-throated Blue Warbler {Dendroica caerulescens) and Dark-eyed Junco (. Junco hyemalis). Breeding evidence of two other species of northern affinities, Red-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta canadensis) and Golden-crowned Kinglet (Regulus satrapa) has previously been documented at this location (Post and Gauthreaux 1989, Oberle and Forsythe 1995). However, nest records of these two species have not been documented prior to this study. The summer occurrence of two other northern species on the South Carolina side of the Chattooga River, Brown Creeper ( Certhia americana) and Winter Wren ( Troglodytes troglodytes) has not been previously recorded. Only a few summer records of the Blackburnian Warbler ( Dendroica fusca) have been noted for the state. Extensive field observations were made by the author in the Chattooga River area of Georgia and South Carolina during the breeding seasons of 2000, 2002 and 2003 in order to verify breeding of bird species of northern affinities. Results include first nest records for Red-breasted Nuthatch and Golden-crowned Kinglet for South Carolina as well as first summer records for Brown Creeper and a 24 May 2002 record for Winter Wren. Two first state nest records On 28 April 2003, a pair of Red-breasted Nuthatches was observed as they foraged and called within the picnic area at CRA. The female was then seen going to a dead snag in a live Sweet Birch ( Betula lenta). The female went directly to a 2.5 cm round hole (15 m height), and began dabbing at the lip of the hole with her bill, apparently applying conifer resin. The male was calling from a nearby twig while she continued smearing the sap. For the next hour and a half the pair was observed as they came to the hole at 102 The Chat, Vo I. 67, No. 3, Summer 2003 103 intervals of every 15-30 minutes. The gleaming sap at the hole entrance was very apparent, with a circle of droplets reflecting brightly in the late afternoon sun. This species is known to habitually smear conifer resin around the nest entrance, presumably as a strategy to deter predators (Kilham 1972, Harrison 1975, Harrap and Quinn 1995). While scanning the treetops in the vicinity of the Red-breasted Nuthatch nest, I located a green, cup-shaped nest in an old growth Canada Hemlock about 18 m height and only about 10 m from the nuthatch nest location. A Golden-crowned Kinglet nest was suspected, as the nest was a compact structure composed primarily of mosses and hemlock-needled twigs. The nest was anchored to twigs below a horizontal branch as described in Harrison (1975). A Golden-crowned Kinglet was seen and heard nearby, but it was not actually observed entering or leaving the nest on this trip. On 29 April the female Red-breasted Nuthatch was observed tapping vigorously at the hole lip. She did this in intervals of 2-3 minutes, while alternately gleaning insects from the smaller branches of the birch. After some time elapsed the male was seen coming to the hole every 10-20 minutes, apparently to feed the female. However it was not until about 40 minutes later that the female was observed exiting the hole, confirming that she had definitely been sitting inside. The female flew back into the nest hole a few minutes later, and then turned to peer out from the hole entrance for a minute before disappearing inside. After a thunderstorm passed through in the late afternoon, the female was observed going into the nest hole, while the male perched on an adjacent twig. Upon a return trip to CRA on 2 June 2003, I observed a pair of Golden- crowned Kinglets going back and forth to the nest in the hemlock that had been located on 28 April. They were busily feeding the young with at least one nestling partially visible as it took food from the adults. The kinglets were noted removing fecal sacs about every 15-20 minutes. Each visit to the nest by the kinglets was preceded by high thin calls rapidly ascending in pitch. A bird would then appear at the rim of the nest with the other member of the pair usually following a few minutes after. Otherwise these birds were quite secretive, and were seldom observed near the nest between visits. In one instance the adult was observed feeding the nestling and quickly swooping to catch the fecal sac as it was evacuated. This was accomplished in one smooth and precisely executed maneuver. These details were noted while I observed the nest with a 20 x 60mm spotting scope from a distance of about 24 m. No activity was noted at the Red-breasted Nuthatch nest until evening, when the male Red-breasted Nuthatch began vocalizing nearby and then perched at the nest hole and began daubing more sap around the hole. A quick check along South Carolina Route 107 north of the hatchery entrance revealed an additional male Red-breasted Nuthatch calling north of the Sloane Picnic Area at a pull-off just before the North Carolina state line. On 4 June a pair of Red-breasted Nuthatches was observed feeding two recently fledged young on the South Carolina side of BurrelTs Ford. Also on this date 104 Nuthatch and Kinglet First Nests for South Carolina a survey of Red-breasted Nuthatches along Burrell’s Ford Road from Burrell’s Ford up to the King Creek bridge-culvert (3 km distance) yielded a count of three additional individuals in three widely spaced locations. Considerable fieldwork was also conducted to determine the breeding status of the Red-breasted Nuthatch along the Chattooga during trips to the area in 2000 and 2002. On 12 June 2000, a male Red-breasted Nuthatch was observed possibly collecting sap from a broken branch base of a White Pine on the South Carolina side of Burrell’s Ford. Between 12 and 15 June 2000 a total of 1 1 Red-breasted Nuthatches were counted on the South Carolina side of the Chattooga from Burrell’s Ford to Earl’s Ford. In 2002 the first documented Georgia nesting of this species was confirmed at the Nicholson Tract of the Chattooga Wild and Scenic River Area. Also in 2002, breeding was suspected in the Russell Farmstead area on the South Carolina side of the river. Red-breasted Nuthatches were also found a considerable distance from the Chattooga with one at Mountain Rest 22 May 2002 and a pair at Oconee State Park 1 May 2002 (Renfrow 2002). Suspected breeders On 28 April 2003 two Brown Creepers and two Blackburnian Warblers were found at CRA, while one Winter Wren was observed near the Burrell’s Ford Campground parking area and another Brown Creeper was observed near King Creek Falls. On 2 June 2003 at least four Brown Creepers in total were noted in the CRA area. During the midday period, considerable Brown Creeper activity was noted with two singing males vigorously chasing each other, rapidly darting from tree to tree. However, a concerted search of trees with loose bark failed to disclose any evidence of a creeper nest such as nesting material sticking out from under the bark, as might be expected where a nest is present (Harrison 1975, Gomey 2000). On 4 June 2003, one Blackburnian Warbler was observed singing repeatedly from a large White Pine at Burrell’s Ford on the South Carolina side. Also at Burrell’s Ford on this date, two Brown Creepers were observed singing repeatedly. These species were also noted during previous trips to the area in 2000 and 2002. On 13 June 2000 two Brown Creepers were heard singing near Burrell’s Ford on the South Carolina side, and two Blackburnian Warblers were seen and heard along the entrance road to the fish hatchery on 1 May 2002. On 20 May 2002, two singing Brown Creepers were seen along the entrance road to the fish hatchery. One creeper seemed to disappear beneath some loose bark on a dead deciduous tree, but no definitive nest was located. A Winter Wren was heard singing near a pile of fallen trees in a ravine at the Russell Farmstead on 24 May 2002, with a Brown Creeper heard nearby (Renfrow 2002). Discussion Breeding of the Red-breasted Nuthatch has previously been suspected in the Chattooga River area of Oconee County, with one CRA observation The Chat, Vol. 67, No. 3, Summer 2003 105 dating back to 10 June 1910 (Sprunt and Chamberlain 1949). On 26 May 1986, two Red-breasted Nuthatches were seen inspecting cavities at CRA (Post and Gauthreaux 1989). Field observations indicate that the breeding population of the Red-breasted Nuthatch is well distributed along the South Carolina side of the Chattooga and East Fork of the Chattooga Rivers from the North Carolina line south to Earl’s Ford. Additionally, the Red-breasted Nuthatch has been listed as rare in summer in areas of Virginia ( Pinus virginiana) and Pitch (P. rigida) Pine in Greenville County by Carter (1993). This constitutes the first Golden-crowned Kinglet nest record for South Carolina although breeding was confirmed at CRA on 1 8 June 1 995 with an observation of adults feeding fledglings (Oberle and Forsythe 1995). The Golden-crowned Kinglet has also been found in summer in Greenville County (Carter 1993). The populations of both Red-breasted Nuthatch and Golden-crowned Kinglet in northeastern Georgia and northwestern South Carolina form an extension of the breeding range from the higher elevation spruce-fir forests (above 1680 m) to the White Pine-hemlock forests of the southern Blue Ridge. Both species are documented breeders in White Pine-hemlock and old-growth hemlock forests in western North Carolina and eastern Tennessee (Oberle and Haney 1997, Nicholson 1997). Both species also nest in the transitional zone of spruce-hemlock forest, ranging between 1370 and 1680 m in the Blue Ridge (Catlin 1984, Simpson 1992, Renfrow unpubl. notes). A Red-breasted Nuthatch nest located in North Carolina at the Mt. Pisgah picnic area (1500 m) on 26 June 2003 was similarly situated to the CRA nest at 8 m height in a dead section of a live Sweet Birch. This was within a dense area of spruce-hemlock forest with an understory of Mountain Laurel, Catawba Rhododendron {Rhododendron catawbiense) and Great Laurel. Breeding Golden-crowned Kinglets were also present at this location (Renfrow unpubl. notes). There have been no previous documented records of Brown Creeper or Winter Wren for the summer period in South Carolina although they have both been known to occur rarely in summer in Rabun County, Georgia (Oberle and Haney 1997, Renfrow 2002). Post and Gauthreaux (1989) list late spring records of 2 May 1965 for the Brown Creeper and 4 May 1976 for the Winter Wren. Summer Blackburnian Warbler records within the state include three collected at Pickens County between 18 and 24 June 1889 and one collected at CRA on 24 June 1940 (Wayne 1910, Sprunt and Chamberlain 1949). There is also a casual observation of possible breeding of the Blackburnian Warbler at Greenville County listed in the South Carolina Breeding Bird Atlas (www.dnr.state.sc.us/wilcEbbatlas/bba.html). Although no definitive breeding evidence of the Brown Creeper was noted during the course of these observations, the numerous sightings well into the summer period indicate probable breeding status in South Carolina. The sporadic presence of Winter Wren and Blackburnian Warbler certainly indicates that additional fieldwork is needed to determine whether breeding might occur within the state. 106 Nuthatch and Kinglet First Nests for South Carolina Literature Cited Carter, R. M. 1993. Finding birds in South Carolina. University of South Carolina Press, Columbia, South Carolina. Catlin, D. T. 1984. A naturalist’s Blue Ridge Parkway. The University of Tennessee Press, Knoxville, Tennessee. Gaddy, L. L. 2000. A naturalist’s guide to the Southern Blue Ridge Front. University of South Carolina Press, Columbia, South Carolina. Gomey, D. 2000. Brown Creeper in Indiana. Indiana Audubon Quarterly 78: 3-15. Harrap, S. and D. Quinn. 1995. Chickadees, Tits, Nuthatches & Tree- creepers. Princeton University Press, Princeton, New Jersey. Harrison, H. H. 1975. A field guide to birds’ nests found east of the Mississippi River. Houghton Mifflin Co., Boston, Massachusetts. Kilham, L. 1972. Death of Red-breasted Nuthatch from pitch around nest hole. Auk 89: 451^152. Nicholson, C. P. 1997. Atlas of the Breeding Birds of Tennessee. The University of Tennessee Press, Knoxville, Tennessee. Oberle, M. W. and D. M. Forsythe. 1995. Possible breeding by Red-breasted Nuthatch and Golden-crowned Kinglet in Georgia and South Carolina. Oriole 60:52-55. Oberle, M. W. and J. C. Haney. 1997. Possible breeding range extensions of northern forest birds in Northeast Georgia. Oriole 62: 34^44. Post, W. and S. A. Gauthreaux. 1989. Status and distribution of South Carolina birds. The Charleston Museum, Charleston, South Carolina. Renfrow, F. 2002. Georgia’s first nesting records for the Red-breasted Nuthatch. Oriole 67 (in press). Simpson, M. B. 1992. Birds of the Blue Ridge Mountains. University of North Carolina Press, Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Sprunt, A. and E. B. Chamberlain. 1949. South Carolina bird life. University of South Carolina Press, Columbia, South Carolina. Wayne, A. T. 1910. Birds of South Carolina. Dagett Printing Company. Charleston, South Carolina. Male-Female Interactions by Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers on Wintering Grounds Eloise F. Potter 9433 Baker Road, Zebulon, NC On 23 March 2002, in my wooded yard near Zebulon, Wake County, NC, I watched two Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers ( Sphyrapicus varius), a male and a female, engage in behavior I had never before witnessed. The male was perched on the trunk of a small hickory ( Carya sp.) having bark riddled with sapsucker wells. The female flew to the tree and perched a short distance above the male. Both birds faced the top of the tree. He followed her to the top, she flew to the base of the tree, and he followed her to the top again. The two repeated the ascents several more times, with much head- bobbing by the male and loud vocalization throughout, mostly by the male. Then the two flew away together, for a distance of more than 100 m, judging by the persistent calling. Both returned to the tree, still calling, and the male followed the female up the trunk once again; but this time he attempted to mount her. Both birds took to the air and, facing each other, hovered briefly. Suddenly the calling ceased. The female flew away, and the male returned to “his” tree. The activity drew an audience of Carolina Chickadees ( Poecile carolinensis) and Tufted Titmice ( Baeolophus bicolor ), which, like the human observer, were completely ignored by the sapsuckers. The Yellow-bellied Sapsucker breeds mostly in parts of Canada, the north-central United States, and New England, southward in the Appalachian Mountains to western North Carolina (see range map in Sibley 2000), where it is “a rare to uncommon, local, and erratic summer resident mainly above 3,500 feet in disturbed or open oak and northern hardwood forests from late April through September” (Simpson 1992). The species winters mostly from Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, the Ohio Valley, and New Jersey southward on the Atlantic Coast to Florida and westward on the Gulf Coast to Texas and throughout Middle America (except much of northwestern Mexico and portions of Panama) and eastward to the Bahamas and the Antilles (American Ornithologists’ Union 1983). Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers generally arrive in central North Carolina during the first two weeks of October, though an adult male was seen in Zebulon on the early date of 22 September 1965 (Potter, unpublished notes). They generally depart during late April, the latest known observation date being 29 April at Raleigh (Pearson et al. 1942). All available accounts of sapsucker behavior on the wintering grounds in the Southeast generally agree on their solitary habits. Sprunt and Chamberlain (1970) state that each bird “appears to have an extensive feeding territory, and it is unusual to encounter more than a single specimen in a large tract of woodland.” 107 108 Male-Female Interactions by Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers Other than feeding habits, little is known about Yellow-bellied Sapsucker behavior on the wintering grounds. However, one sapsucker banded at Chapel Hill, NC, was recaptured there in a subsequent season (Kennard 1975). I operated a banding station in my yard from May 1967 through November 1972. During that period I banded six Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers, all hatching year (HY) birds except one adult male netted in October 1971 and found dead in January 1972. Prior to the events of 23 March 2002, I recorded two sapsuckers present in my yard simultaneously only three times, all recent arrivals in October. Two males, one adult and one HY bird, were present on 12 October 1966. Two HY birds were netted simultaneously on 12 October 1969. A male was banded and the other escaped. The latter apparently was the HY female banded the following day. On 4 October 1970 two sapsuckers were present, but their age and sex were not recorded. There certainly is no indication that adults and offspring share a winter feeding territory, and none that siblings or mated pairs do so. However, there is a possibility that individuals with neighboring winter feeding territories might encounter one another occasionally and engage in some precursory courtship activity. Accounts of courtship behavior in the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Bent 1939, Kilham 1962) agree that the males are first to arrive on the breeding grounds and the females arrive several days later. Courtship and copulation take place in the vicinity of the chosen nest tree. A new cavity is generally excavated by the pair, but reuse of a cavity sometimes occurs. Because some males exhibit site fidelity (Kilham 1962), it is possible that the females also return to the site of a previous nesting. Winsor Marrett Tyler wrote (in Bent 1939) that in spring “the sapsucker is light-hearted and jaunty compared to the sober, quiet bird that visited us the autumn before. The breeding season is near at hand, and if two birds meet they often engage in a sort of game, a precursory courtship, wherein one bird flies at the other in a playful attack; the other eludes the rush of the oncoming bird by a sudden, last-minute retreat winding around the branch on which it rests, or sliding off into the air. In these pursuits in and out among the branches we are impressed by the agility and grace of the birds and by the easy way they direct their course through the air. They seem to swing from branch to branch with little effort, slowly opening and closing their wings to guide them on their way. As we watch them we are reminded of trapeze artists in the circus.” The behavior I witnessed can hardly be deemed graceful, though the attempted copulation does suggest precursory courtship. However, the activity as a whole seemed more like a lovers’ quarrel than pair bonding. In retrospect, the male’s attempt to mount the female may have been an aggressive movement in defense of his feeding site. If so, he was successful. Literature Cited American Ornithologists’ Union. 1983. Check-list of North American Birds. Sixth Edition. American Ornithologists’ Union, Washington, DC. The Chat, Vol. 67, No. 3, Summer 2003 109 Bent, A. C. 1939. Life Histories of North American Woodpeckers. U.S. National Museum Bulletin No. 172. Reprinted by Dover Publications, Inc., New York, 1964. Kennard, J. H. 1975. Longevity records of North American birds. Bird- Banding 46(10): 5 5-73. Kilham, Lawrence. 1962. Breeding behavior of Yellow-bellied Sapsucker. Auk 79:31-43. Pearson, T. G., C. S. Brimley, and H. H. Brimley. 1942. Birds of North Carolina. (Revised by D. L. Wray and H. T. Davis, 1959) N.C. Department of Agriculture, Museum Division, Raleigh, NC Sibley, D. A. 2000. The Sibley Guide to Birds. Alfred A. Knopf, New York. Simpson, M. B. Jr. 1992. Birds of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The University of North Carolina Press, Chapel Hill. Sprunt, A. Jr., and E. B. Chamberlain. 1970. South Carolina Bird Life. Revised Edition, with Supplement by E. M. Burton. University of South Carolina Press, Columbia. CBC Rare Bird Alert (704) 332-BIRD Web Site: www.carolinabirdclub.org BRIEFS FOR THE FILES Ricky Davis 608 Smallwood Drive Rocky Mount, NC 27804 RJDNC@aol.com (All dates Spring 2003) Briefs for the Files is a seasonal collection of uncommon-to-rare or unusual North and South Carolina bird sightings and events which do not necessarily require a more detailed Field Note or article. Reports of your sightings are due the 20th of the month after the end of the previous season. Winter = December 1-February 28, due March 20 Spring = March 1-May 31, due June 20 Summer = June 1-July 31, due August 20 Fall = August 1-November 30, due December 20 Reports can be submitted in any format, but 1 prefer that you type them and list the sightings according to the birds in checklist order (not according to dates or locations). If you submit your report to me through e-mail, please type your report directly into the message or copy it from a word processing program directly into the message. You may also attach your fde to the e- mail, but if you do, please let me know the program used and also send a second version saved as a text (txt) file. Suitable reports for the Briefs include any sightings you feel are unusual, rare, noteworthy, or just plain interesting to you in any way! It is my responsibility to decide which reports merit inclusion in the Briefs. Please be sure to include details of any rare or hard-to-identify birds. I rely in part on sightings reported in Carolinabirds. Please don’t, however, rely on me to pick up your sightings from Carolinabirds. Instead, please also send your sightings directly to me as described above. If I feel that your sighting warrants a Field Note, I will contact either you or the appropriate state Field Notes editor. You may, of course, submit your Field Note directly to the editor without going through me. RED-THROATED LOON: There were several Red-throateds found inland this spring. One seen at Roanoke Rapids Lake, NC March 23 was most likely the same bird found there during the winter (Ricky Davis). One was a very good find in upstate South Carolina at L. Keowee, Pickens County, April 26 (Steve Patterson et al.). And two (one almost in alternate plumage!) 110 The Chat, Vol. 67, No. 3, Summer 2003 111 found on a small lake in s. Durham County, NC May 13 (Jim Sutton) provided a very rare inland report of more than one individual. PACIFIC LOON: The birds present at Figure Eight Is., NC, since the late fall, were last seen March 30, as noted by Derb Carter and Merrill Lynch. COMMON LOON: Common Loons were reported widely inland this spring. The best count was the 144 at L. Julian, Buncombe County, NC April 1 1 (Wayne Forsythe), most likely providing a record tally for the mountains. HORNED GREBE: One, in alternate plumage, was quite late at the Savannah Spoil Site, Jasper County, SC May 19, as noted by Steve Calver. RED-NECKED GREBE: This species, which started arriving in the Carolinas during a late-winter movement, continued on into spring. Most birds were along the coast, but inland reports included two on L. Hickory, NC March 7 (Dwayne Martin), one at Kerr Lake, Vance County, NC March 9 (Russ & Patricia Tyndall), one at Falls Lake, NC March 9 (Ricky Davis), and one at Jordan Lake, NC March 9-10 (Derb Carter, Davis; sev. obs.). Coastal sightings involved one at Oregon Inlet, NC March 1-24 (Rick Knight, Bob Perkins, Brad & Pat Carlson, Jeff Lewis, sev. obs.), one at C. Hatteras, NC March 15 (m. obs.), one on the pond at the north end of Ocracoke Is., NC March 20-21 (John Fussell), and one at Fort Macon, NC March 9 (Rich & Susan Boyd). In South Carolina, one was a good find at Port Royal, Beaufort County, March 9 (Robin Carter & Caroline Eastman). EARED GREBE: This spring’s lingering Eareds involved one at Wrightsville Beach, NC March 23 (Sam Cooper), one at Figure Eight Is., NC March 30 (Derb Carter), one at the Goldsboro, NC Wastewater Treatment Plant April 5 (Eric Dean, Gene Howe), and two at the Savannah Spoil Site, SC April 18 (Steve Calver). HERALD PETREL: Once again this species was found off North Carolina during the spring, with two off Manteo May 23 (Brian Patteson et al.), one off Manteo May 24 (Mike Tove et al.), and two off Manteo May 31 (Patteson et al.). FEA’S PETREL: Fea’s Petrels had one of their best seasons off North Carolina. Reports, all out of Manteo, included one May 24 and 26 (Mike Tove et al.), two May 27 (Patteson et al.), and one May 30 (Patteson et al.). BERMUDA PETREL: This spring’s sighting of this now-annual species was of a juvenile off Manteo, NC May 24 (Mike Tove et al.). BLACK-CAPPED PETREL: Two off Murrell’s Inlet, SC April 21 were good finds for that state (Jack Peachey). MANX SHEARWATER: Manx Shearwaters are regular transients off the North Carolina coast in late spring. This year’s sightings included two off Hatteras May 24 and 25 (Patteson et al.). STORM-PETRELS: Storm-petrel numbers were about average this spring with the peak counts off Manteo, NC being 19 Leach’s May 23 and 19 Band-rumpeds May 27 (Patteson et al.). WHITE-TAILED TROPICBIRD: Two were found this spring: one was very rare, early and unexpected in the Bight at C. Lookout, NC March 23 112 Briefs for the Files, Spring 2003 (Rich & Susan Boyd et al.) and one was off Hatteras, NC May 24 (Patteson et al.). RED-BILLED TROPICBIRD: This spring proved to be a banner year for this rare (about a dozen previous reports) species. During the series of pelagic trips off the North Carolina Outer Banks, one was found off Manteo May 24 (Mike Tove et ah), one was off Hatteras May 25 (Patteson et al.), and two were off Manteo May 27 (Patteson et al.). BROWN BOOBY: An immature, found on the beach at Ocracoke Is., NC May 11 and brought to a local wildlife shelter (Elizabeth Hanrahan), continued a recent trend of sick birds being found in that state. Much more amazing, though, was the sighting of a group of four (one adult, three immatures) flying together over the breakers at Pea Is. NWR, NC May 15 (Helmut & Nancy Mueller). This latter report easily provided a new record count for this species in the Carolinas. NORTHERN GANNET: Gannets normally continue to migrate northward off our coasts during late May and early summer. Of note this spring was the heavy movement off North Carolina May 23 when 595 were counted off Manteo (Patteson et al.) and 800+ were counted from the beach between Avon and Oregon Inlet (Paul Sykes). AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN: Quite rare inland were three over L. Murray, SC April 12 (Mike Turner), ten over L. Hickory, NC May 14 (Dwayne Martin et al.), and one at L. Junaluska, NC May 17-24 (Paul Supre, Bob Olthoff, sev. obs.). Also of note were 23 at the Santee Coastal Res., Charleston County, SC April 12 (Ritch Lilly, Chris Hill et al.). MAGNIFICENT FRIGATEBIRD: A very early adult female was seen heading north at Myrtle Beach, SC March 15 (Ritch Lilly). There are only a handful of March reports for this species in the Carolinas. AMERICAN BITTERN: Good finds inland this spring included two in Henderson County, NC April 6 (Marilyn Westphal, Bob Olthoff), one in Happy Valley, NC April 22 (Dwayne Martin), one near Clemson, SC April 26 (Giff Beaton et al.), and one at Frog Pond, west of Wagram, Scotland County, NC April 26-27 (Jeff Beane et al.). The latter bird, reported as a “young bird,” was interesting since breeding evidence in the Carolinas is rarely noted. SNOWY EGRET: Good inland reports this spring involved one at the New Hope Impoundment, Chapel Hill, NC April 19 (Will Cook, Randy Emmitt) and one at the Highway 50 Ramp, Falls Lake, NC May 18 (Brian Bockhahn). CATTLE EGRET: This species was found inland sparingly with only a couple of sightings. One was at Sandling Beach, Falls Lake, NC April 14 (Brian Bockhahn) and one was along Banner Road, Henderson County, NC May 10 (Charlotte Goedsche et al.). BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON: There were several reports from the Raleigh-Durham, NC area this spring. Three were found on the Butner Game Lands, Durham County, April 27 (Norm Budnitz et al.), two were at The Chat, Vol. 67, No. 3, Summer 2003 113 Falls Lake May 7 (Brian Bockhahn), and one was at Jordan Lake May 17 (Jeff Pippen). GLOSSY IBIS: One of the better counts for the Carolinas was the 250+ at the Santee Coastal Res., SC April 12, as noted by Ritch Lilly. Also of interest were the 12 in a flooded field along US 64 in Tyrrell County, NC March 23 (Steve Shultz et al.). ROSEATE SPOONBILL: One was a very good find at Huntington Beach State Park, SC April 22-23 (Steve Roff, Ritch Lilly). Spring sightings are rarer than those in summer. WOOD STORK: Rare inland sightings for North Carolina included one west of Smithfield May 9 (Clyde Sorenson, Brian Pendergraft) and one in southern Columbus County near the Waccamaw River May 10 (Harry LeGrand). Also the Sunset Beach, NC area, which hosts this species every summer and fall, had some during the spring. One was seen there May 3 1 (Russ & Patricia Tyndall). BLACK VULTURE: Two near Robbinsville, NC May 1 (Simon Thompson) provided a locally rare report for that western mountain area. BLACK-BELLIED WHISTLING-DUCK: One was photographed at the Savannah Spoil Site, SC May 10-11 by Steve Calver. This species was reported from several eastern states this year; and the South Carolina bird most likely was from the Florida population, which currently seems to be expanding. FULVOUS WHISTLING-DUCK: Eight were good finds at Huntington Beach State Park, SC April 30-May 3 (Phil & Sharon Turner, Ritch Lilly, et al.), providing a rare spring sighting. GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE: Two were excellent finds at the Topsail Island WTP, Onslow County, NC March 1 (Clancy Ballenger, David Allen). EURASIAN WIGEON: A male was found in a flooded field along US 64 in Tyrrell County, NC March 1-2 (Kent Fiala et al., Jeff Lewis), providing a rare spring report. “COMMON” GREEN- WINGED TEAL: A male was observed at the salt pond at Cape Hatteras, NC March 15 (Brad Carlson et al.). This was the first report in several years of this Eurasian form of the Green- winged Teal. RING-NECKED DUCK: Late lingering Ring-necks included one at the Savannah Spoil Site, SC May 25 (Steve Calver) and 20 at Roanoke Rapids Lake, NC May 25 (Ricky Davis). GREATER SCAUP: One was very late at the Savannah Spoil Site, SC May 25, as noted by Steve Calver. The best count received this spring was of 60 at L. Gaston, NC March 23 (Ricky Davis). LESSER SCAUP: An excellent inland total for the spring was the 1400 on L. Murray, SC March 8, as noted by Mike Turner. WHITE- WINGED SCOTER: Somewhat late was one flying by Pine Knoll Shores, NC April 15 (John Fussell et al.). LONG-TAILED DUCK: This species is always reported infrequently during the spring. Thus, of note this year were one still at L. Robinwood, 114 Briefs for the Files , Spring 2003 Gaston County, NC March 3 (Steve Tracy), two at Huntington Beach State Park, SC March 14 (Mike Turner et al.), one at the Savannah Spoil Site, SC April 2 (Steve Calver), and one at Murrell’s Inlet, SC April 28 (Ritch Lilly). The latter bird, probably one of the birds in that area earlier in the spring, was quite late for our area. BUFFLEHEAD: Two at Roanoke Rapids Lake, NC May 25 were rather late for the Carolinas (Ricky Davis). COMMON MERGANSER: Rare spring sightings included three at Roanoke Rapids Lake, NC March 23 (Ricky Davis) and one at Eastwood Lake, Chapel Hill, NC May 4 (fide Will Cook). RED-BREASTED MERGANSER: There were several good counts of this merganser during its migration in the Carolinas. The best totals were the 25 at Beaver Lake, Asheville, NC March 20 (Tim Lewis) and 78 at Roanoke Rapids Lake, NC March 23 (Ricky Davis). OSPREY: One in Asheville, NC May 25 was considered to be a late migrant since there are no nearby nesting sites (Simon Thompson). SWALLOW-TAILED KITE: Swallow-tailed Kites were reported more than usual in North Carolina this spring. Some early reports included one over North Pond, Pea Is. NWR March 22 (Keith Cambum, Heathy Walker) and at Wilmington March 23 (Sam Cooper). Other sightings involved one over the White Oak River, near Swansboro April 1 (Nate Bacheler), one at Roanoke Island April 3 (Jeff Lewis), and one in east-central Brunswick County May 13 (Lynn & Richard Petch , fide Mary McDavit). Quite rare farther inland were two at Howell Woods, Johnston County May 3 (Josh Rose, Judy Murray et al.). And finally, during May and into the summer, up to four were present along the Cape Fear River in the area where NC 1 1 crosses it near the Bladen/Columbus County line (fide Sam Cooper). One wonders if the possibility of breeding might exist in that area? NORTHERN HARRIER: One near Tillery, Halifax County, NC May 12 was considered to be somewhat late (Harry LeGrand, Merrill Lynch). SWAINSON’S HAWK: An immature Swainson’s, at Alligator River NWR, NC March 23-28 (Mike Tove; m. obs.), was an exciting find, especially since it stayed around long enough for quite a few people to see. GOLDEN EAGLE: Always noteworthy, Golden Eagle reports included a second-year bird at Congaree Bluffs, SC March 9 (Mike Turner) and a group of three (two adults and one immature) over Bakers Mt. Park, Catawba County, NC May 10 (Dwayne Martin et al.). The latter is quite interesting since it involved an apparent family group. MERLIN: Some good inland Merlin sightings involved singles at Darlington, Halifax County, NC April 21 (Frank Enders) and at Green Level, Chatham County, NC April 24 (Merrill Lynch). PEREGRINE FALCON: North Carolina had several inland reports away from the usual areas this spring. Singles were seen at Bakers Mt. Park, Catawba County March 10 (John Sutton, Dwayne Martin), at Burlington April 26 (Will Cook), near Greenville May 10 (Cook), and at Winston- Salem May 3 (Ann Newsome et al .,fide Ramona Snavely). The Chat, Vol. 67, No. 3, Summer 2003 115 CHUKAR: Most unexpected, and totally out of place, was the Chukar photographed at Doughton Park on the Blue Ridge Parkway, NC April 30- May 1 (Gary Balkwill, Jim Culbertson). Obviously an escape from some hunting club or game breeder, it is practically never seen in the Carolinas in the wild. BLACK RAIL: One was flushed in the Happy Valley, NC area April 22 (Dwayne Martin), providing one of the very few inland sightings of this species in the Carolinas for many years now. VIRGINIA RAIL: Good finds for the mountains were one at the Tulula Wetlands, Robbinsville, NC March 2 (Owen & Pat McConnell), two in the French Broad R. valley, Henderson County, NC April 3 (Wayne Forsythe, Marilyn Westphal), and one at Jackson Park, Hendersonville, NC April 3 (Ron Selvey). COMMON MOORHEN: One was totally out of habitat when found in the ocean out past the breakers at Sullivan’s Is., SC April 27 (Nathan Dias et ah)- AMERICAN COOT: One was considered locally rare at L. Oolenoy, Table Rock St. Pk., SC March 20, as noted by Scott Stegenga. LIMPKIN: One was found dead (specimen to the Charleston Museum) along US 17 at Green Pond, Colleton County, SC May 11 (David Chamberlain). This was the first specimen for that state since the one from 1904! SANDHILL CRANE: Several were found in the mountains of North Carolina this spring. Four were at Hooper Lane, Henderson County March 14 (Wayne Forsythe) and two were there April 13 (Forsythe, Ron Selvey). Elsewhere, one was between Brevard and Pisgah Forest, in Transylvania County May 10, as noted by Betty Mcllwain and Ludwig Kempe. WHOOPING CRANE: Of extreme interest was the report of a Whooping Crane seen briefly in Wilkes County, NC in mid-April {fide Harry LeGrand). Obviously one of the experimental Wisconsin to Florida birds, its radio signal was lost in the county, therefore its fate is unknown. BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER: The most interesting inland reports included 30+ at the Bucksport, SC Sod Farm March 15 (Gary Phillips), one at L. Crabtree, Wake County, NC April 27 (Clyde Sorenson), and excellent totals for the mountains at Hooper Lane, Henderson County, NC May 5-22 with a peak of 1 1 on May 7 (Danny Swicegood, Wayne Forsythe, Marilyn Westphal). AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVER: This spring’s sightings involved one at Hooper Lane, NC March 22-23 (Marilyn Westphal), one at Townville, Anderson County, SC March 26 (Jim Edwards), four at Hooper Lane April 6 (Ron Selvey), and one at South Pond, Pea Is. NWR, NC May 3 (Jeff Pippen et al.). The latter bird was especially a good find since the species is much rarer on the coast during spring migration. SEMIPALMATED PLOVER: The best totals reported from inland areas were the 15 at the Bucksport, SC Sod Farm March 15 (Gary Phillips) and the six found at Hooper Lane, NC May 1 1 (Wayne Forsythe, Ron Selvey). 116 Briefs for the Files, Spring 2003 AMERICAN AVOCET: Locally unusual sightings involved one seen flying with oystercatchers over the ocean at Ft. Macon, NC March 12 (Josh Rose) and again March 23 (Clyde Sorenson), and two at Cedar Is. NWR, NC May 9 (Rich & Susan Boyd). WILLET: Only one inland report was received this spring, that being of a single Willet at Roanoke Rapids Lake, NC May 25, as noted by Ricky Davis. UPLAND SANDPIPER: Very few Uplands were found in the Carolinas this spring. The only ones reported involved five at the Cherry Hospital fields, Wayne County, NC April 19 (Eric Dean, Gene Howe) and one at Hooper Lane, NC May 8 (Marilyn Westphal, Danny Swicegood). The latter bird was noteworthy in that it was somewhat late; this species normally migrates through the Carolinas in late March through April. LONG-BILLED CURLEW: One at Pawleys Island, SC May 1 (Jack Peachey) provided the only report received this spring. HUDSONIAN GOD WIT: Very rare spring reports included one at Pea Is., NWR, NC May 15 (Helmut & Nancy Mueller) and one at the Savannah Spoil Site, SC May 19-20 (Paul Sykes, Steve Calver). RUDDY TURNSTONE: The mountains of North Carolina had some interesting turnstone sightings this spring. At L. Osceola, Hendersonville, six were observed May 20-27 (Ron Selvey, Wayne Forsythe, sev. obs.). Of particular interest is that after further checking, it was learned that up to 20 (a record count for the mountains) were present there the week before (fide Forsythe)! Also a flock of nine was at Hooper Lane, NC May 22 (Danny Swicegood). It is not known if these were more tumstones or if they were part of the original L. Osceola flock. SANDERLING: One at Sandling Beach, Falls Lake, NC May 16 (Brian Bockhahn) provided the only inland report this spring. WESTERN SANDPIPER: One was a good find for the mountains in spring in the French Broad R. valley, Henderson County, NC May 20 (Wayne Forsythe) WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER: The only inland White-rumpeds found this spring involved one at Clemson, SC April 26-27 (Ricky Davis et al.) and five at Hooper Lane, NC May 8 (Wayne Forsythe, Marilyn Westphal). PECTORAL SANDPIPER: Several early Pectoral reports included one at the Columbia, SC WTP March 5 (Mike Turner), 15 near Hooper Lane, NC March 5 (Wayne Forsythe, Stu Gibeau), and 12 at the Bucksport, SC Sod Farm March 8 (Gary Phillips). The best count was the 100 near Hooper Lane March 22 (Marilyn Westphal). DUNLIN: Noteworthy inland Dunlin sightings involved one at Pisgah Forest, Transylvania County, NC May 11 (Betty Mcllwain), up to six at Hooper Lane, NC April 7-8 (Wayne Forsythe, Ron Selvey), and one there May 8-10 (Marilyn Westphal, Forsythe). STILT SANDPIPER: Very noteworthy inland in spring was one in the French Broad R. valley, Henderson County, NC May 20 (Wayne Forsythe). The Chat, Vol. 67, No. 3, Summer 2003 117 SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER: One at Hooper Lane, NC May 8 was the only inland do witcher reported this spring (Marilyn Westphal, Danny Swicegood). AMERICAN WOODCOCK: One found near Havelock, NC May 13 (John Fussell) was late for that locality and suggested the possibility of nesting nearby. WILSON’S PHALAROPE: Noteworthy spring reports included one at Pea Is. NWR, NC May 22 (Jeff Lewis) and one at the Savannah Spoil Site, SC April 2 and 18, May 10 (Steve Calver). RED-NECKED PHALAROPE: Always a good find onshore, Red-necked Phalaropes were at Pea Is. NWR, NC May 19 (Ned Brinkley); and several were at the Savannah Spoil Site, SC May 1 8-25 (Steve Calver, Paul Sykes) with a peak of seven there May 19 (Sykes). RED PHALAROPE: In North Carolina, two provided a very rare inland report with one at Roanoke Rapids Lake and another at the L. Gaston Dam area April 19, as noted by Ricky Davis. Most likely these birds were grounded by the very cool, wet weather of the time. Also very rare for the Carolinas was the altemate-plumaged Red Phalarope found at Pea Is. NWR May 19 (Ned Brinkley, Brian Patteson). This plumage is almost never seen in our area, especially onshore. SOUTH POLAR SKUA: Only one was found offshore this spring, that being off Manteo, NC May 23 (Brian Patteson et al.). POMARINE JAEGER: The peak offshore count this spring was the 30+ off Hatteras, NC April 18 (Brian Patteson). The nine off Murrell’s Inlet, SC April 21 (Jack Peachey) was also an excellent total for that state. Also of note was one seen from shore at Pine Knoll Shores, NC April 15 (John Fussell et al.). PARASITIC JAEGER: Noteworthy onshore sightings included one at Huntington Beach St. Pk., SC March 14 (Mike Turner et al.) and one at C. Hatteras, NC May 26 (Harry LeGrand, Derb Carter). LONG-TAILED JAEGER: One flew over the point at C. Hatteras, NC May 26 (Harry LeGrand, Derb Carter) for a rare onshore sighting. More expected but still noteworthy were singles off Hatteras May 25 and Manteo May 30 (Brian Patteson et al.). LAUGHING GULL: This spring’s inland reports involved three at L. Crabtree, Wake County, NC April 19 (Joe & Karen Bearden), one at L. Gaston, NC April 19 (Ricky Davis), and one at L. Hickory, NC May 18 (Dwayne Martin). LITTLE GULL: The first half of March is normally a good time to search for this hoped-for gull. This season several were in the Atlantic Beach, NC area with a good count of four there March 13 (John Fussell, Stuart Pimm) and one there March 15 (Fussell, Jim & Laura O’Donnell). BLACK-HEADED GULL: One was locally unusual and somewhat late at C. Lookout, NC April 13 (John Fussell et al.) and April 21 (Wade Fuller, Rich & Susan Boyd). 118 Briefs for the Files, Spring 2003 CASPIAN TERN: Caspian Terns are regular inland spring migrants in the Carolinas. Sightings included two at Jordan Lake, NC May 4 (Ginger Travis), three at Falls Lake, NC May 16 (Brian Bockhahn), six at L. Crabtree, Wake County, NC April 19 (Joe & Karen Bearden), three at L. Crabtree April 27 (Clyde Sorenson), and two at Roanoke Rapids Lake, NC May 25 (Ricky Davis) being somewhat late. The peak count reported was the 58 spread between Roanoke Rapids Lake and L. Gaston, NC April 19 (Davis). ROSEATE TERN: Sightings of this rare tern in the Carolinas are always worth mentioning. This spring was one of the better ones in recent memory, with several being found offshore. One was off Hatteras, NC May 24 and 25 (Brian Patteson et al.) and two were off Manteo, NC May 25 (Mike Tove et al.). COMMON TERN: Noteworthy inland reports included one at Jordan Lake, NC April 19 (Will Cook, Randy Emmitt), three at Roanoke Rapids Lake, NC April 19 (Ricky Davis), one at Jordan L. May 4 (Doug Shadwick), and one at Roanoke Rapids L. May 25 (Davis). ARCTIC TERN: After several years of just a few being reported, Arctic Terns were present in good numbers offshore. The peak one-day count was the 12 off Hatteras, NC May 24 (Brian Patteson et al.). Other counts involved seven off Hatteras May 25 (Patteson et al.), two off Manteo, NC May 26 and 27 (Mike Tove et al.), and two off Manteo May 30 (Patteson et al). FORSTER’S TERN: This species is a regular migrant inland in the Carolinas. Good reports from the mountains included seven at L. Julian, NC April 18 (Simon Thompson) and five there May 11 (Ron Selvey, Wayne Forsythe). Elsewhere, the best total was the 51 between Roanoke Rapids Lake and L. Gaston, NC April 19, as noted by Ricky Davis. LEAST TERN: One was rather early at Figure Eight Is., NC March 15 (Jeff Lewis). Rooftop nesting by this species has been observed at several sites before. This spring a rather large colony was found on the roof of a grocery store at Emerald Isle, NC. By May 11 there were at least 320 birds (160 nests?), which remained on into summer (Alan Johnston, Shantanu Phukan). BRIDLED TERN: Numbers were up this spring offshore with the peak count being 83 off Manteo, NC May 24 (Mike Tove et al.). SOOTY TERN: This species was also present in good numbers with the best counts being 56 off Hatteras, NC May 24 (Brian Patteson et al.), 34 off Hatteras May 25 (Patteson et al.), and 18 off Manteo, NC May 26 (Mike Tove et al.). DOVEKIE: The winter influx of alcids continued into the spring. The very rare Dovekie was reported multiple times with sightings involving a fly-by at Ft. Macon, NC March 9 (John Fussell, Bob Holmes, Jack Fennell), one in the surf at Ft. Macon March 13 (Kyle Van Houton, Josh Rose, sev. obs.), one in the surf north of the point at C. Hatteras, NC March 15 (Harry LeGrand, Derb Carter, Ricky Davis, Wayne Irvin, Brad Carlson), and fly-bys at The Chat, Vol. 67, No. 3, Summer 2003 119 Wrightsville Beach, NC March 29 (Sam Cooper) and April 3 (Karen & Joe Bearden). THICK-BILLED MURRE: The rare Thick-billed Murre was also present in North Carolina waters with one residing close to shore in the Ft. Macon area March 11-16 (Stuart Pimm et al., m. obs.) and one at Wrightsville Beach March 29 (Sam Cooper) and April 5 (Mike & Lois Schultz). RAZORBILL: During an alcid invasion year, Razorbills are expected to be the predominant species found. This season was no different with too many reports to mention them all. The peak totals reported were the 100+ in the Pea Is. NWR, NC area March 26 (Jeff Lewis), the 70 in the Atlantic Beach- Ft. Macon, NC area March 9 (John Fussell et al.), the 36 at Figure Eight Is., NC March 29-30 (Derb Carter, Merrill Lynch), the 25 at C. Lookout, NC March 5 {fide Fussell), the 1 1 at Wrightsville Beach, NC March 29 (Sam Cooper), and 12 at Huntington Beach St. Pk., SC April 12 {fide Taylor Piephoff). The latest ones reported included three at Wrightsville Beach, NC April 14 (Dan Kaplan), and one at Atlantic Beach, NC April 21 (fide Fussell) which was in a weakened condition and was taken to a local wildlife shelter. BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO: The number of reports of this elusive species was about average. Up to three were found at the Alleghany Access, New River St. Pk., NC May 3 (Harrol Blevins et al.), one was found along the Verona Loop, Onslow County, NC May 10 (Andy Webb), one was found dead on the road at Pea Is. NWR, NC May 10 (Jeff Beane et al.), two were in the Croatan Nat. Forest in mid-May (John Fussell), and one was along the Blue Ridge Parkway, Transylvania County, NC May 28 (Rich & Susan Boyd). SHORT-EARED OWL: One was locally unusual in Jacksonville, NC April 1 8 (Buddy Garrett), providing a good spring report. CHIMNEY SWIFT: An estimate of 4,000 going to a chimney at the Vienna School, Winston-Salem, NC May 14 (Linda Davis, fide Ramona Snavely) was quite amazing since large roosts of this species are usually seen more in the fall than in spring. BLACK-CHINNED HUMMINGBIRD: Three reports of this rare western hummingbird were received this spring. The adult male present at a Sunset Beach, NC feeder during the late winter was last seen March 4 (Mary McDavit). An immature male was photographed at a feeder in Morehead City, NC during a two-week stay in March (Bill Hettler, fide John Fussell). An adult male was seen at a feeder in Manteo, NC March 27-28 (Jeff Lewis). RED-HEADED WOODPECKER: One was locally unusual as a spring migrant at Rodanthe, NC May 7, as noted by Sam Cooper. YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER: One was a good find in northwestern Buncombe County, NC at an elevation of 4,000 ft May 23 (Len Pardue). This sighting indicates probable breeding in the area; all nesting locations of this localized breeder are worth noting. WILLOW FLYCATCHER: Rare spring migrants in the eastern section included one at Francis Beidler Forest, Dorchester County, SC April 26 120 Briefs for the Files, Spring 2003 (Ritch Lilly) and one at Caw Caw Park, Ravenel, SC April 26 (Perry Nugent et al.). LEAST FLYCATCHER: One was a good find at Chapel Hill, NC May 12 (Will Cook) since this flycatcher is rarely found in the east during spring. VERMILION FLYCATCHER: A female was photographed at the Savannah Spoil Site, Jasper County, SC April 2 (Steve Calver), providing one of the very few spring records for the Carolinas. GRAY KINGBIRD: There were several sightings of this kingbird this spring. One was at Pawleys Island, SC April 30-May 6 (Ritch Lilly, Mary McDavit, sev. obs.), one was a fly-by at C. Lookout, NC May 26 (John Fussell et al.), and one was at Wrightsville Beach, NC May 31 (Patrick Coin). SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER: One bird returned to the Monroe, NC site, where breeding occurred for several years, May 7 (Anne Olsen). The other bird of the pair was not observed. WARBLING VIREO: This species was reported widely in the Carolinas again this spring. One of the Anilorac Farm, Orange County, NC breeding birds had returned by April 24 (Shelley Theye), one was at Cowans Ford Wildlife Refuge, L. Norman, NC April 24 (Tomm Lorenzin), one was at Reynolda Gardens, Winston-Salem, NC April 27 (Royce Hough), and one was at Stecoah Gap, Graham County, NC April 27 (Jon Smith). Others included one at Table Rock St. Pk., SC May 2 (Scott Stegenga), one along Mid Pines Road, Raleigh, NC May 10 (John Connors), one at Fletcher Park, Henderson County, NC May 14 (Marilyn Westphal, Wayne Forsythe), and one back at the traditional spring site at Ventosa Plantation, Scotland Neck, NC May 26 (Ricky Davis). NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW: Six was a good number for early in the season at the Columbia, SC WTP March 7 (Mike Turner). BARN SWALLOW: Also an excellent early number was the 20 Bams at the Columbia, SC WTP March 7 (Mike Turner). In North Carolina, one at Jordan Lake March 9 (Ricky Davis) was somewhat early. HERMIT THRUSH: One at the Elizabethan Gardens, Roanoke Is., NC May 6 (Jeff Lewis) was rather late, especially for that coastal locality. WOOD THRUSH: One heard singing in Orange County, NC March 9 (Mike Swaim) was amazingly early, probably providing a record early- arrival date for the Carolinas. Was this a bird that never left the Southeast for the winter? CEDAR WAXWING: Good numbers of this species that were present along North Carolina’s Outer Banks during the winter were still present as late as March 9 (Bob Perkins) when 2,400 were counted along Highway 12 near Salvo. BLUE-WINGED WARBLER: A male in Ton Swamp, SC April 1 1 (Bob & Barbara Maxwell) was quite early and provided a possible record early spring date for the species in that state. The Chat, Vol. 67, No. 3, Summer 2003 121 MAGNOLIA WARBLER: A male singing at Beacon Heights on the Blue Ridge Parkway, Avery County, NC May 25-28 (Chris Wilson) was probably a late migrant, with no apparent breeding behavior being noted. CAPE MAY WARBLER: One at a feeder in Conway, SC March 1 was likely to have been a rare wintering bird (Gary Phillips). BLACKBURNIAN WARBLER: One was a good find in the Bodie Island Lighthouse, NC woods May 14 (Jeff Lewis), providing a rare coastal sighting. Even more unusual was the Blackburnian that landed on a boat off of Hatteras, NC May 25 (Brian Patteson et al.). This individual was obviously exhausted as it was brought back to land and then released! KIRTLAND’S WARBLER: One was a surprise, found singing near Zebulon, NC May 18 (Eloise Potter). The bird did not show itself to the observer, but was heard clearly at close range. Of interest is the fact that one was seen and heard in the same location April 23, 1999! CERULEAN WARBLER: Very rare in spring along the coast, one was a good find at Myrtle Beach St. Pk., SC May 4, as noted by Robin Carter and Dennis Forsythe. PROTHONOTARY WARBLER: Very early arrivals included one at Bull Is., SC March 21 (Harry Davis) and five in the Beidler Forest, Harleyville, SC March 23 (Judy Walker et al.). A good find for the mountains was one at Jackson Park, Hendersonville, NC April 12 (Ron Selvey, Wayne Forsythe, Bob Olthoff, Marilyn Westphal). Also two at C. Lookout, NC April 13 (John Fussell et al.) were unusual migrants, as this species does not breed there. WORM-EATING WARBLER: One was rather early at Alligator River NWR, NC April 4, as noted by Jeff Lewis. OVENBIRD: The Ovenbird that wintered in the Southern Shores area of the North Carolina Outer Banks, was last observed March 13 (Joan Kutulas, Jeff Lewis). Also unusual was the one that landed on a boat 50 miles off Murrell’s Inlet, SC May 16 (Jack Peachey). This bird was not only out of place, but also was very late as a migrant. LOUISIANA WATERTHRUSH: One at the Elizabethan Gardens, Roanoke Is., NC May 6 (Jeff Lewis) provided a very rare local sighting for the Outer Banks. CONNECTICUT WARBLER: This spring’s reports of this rare migrant included one at the Savannah River Site, SC May 13 (Tracey Champlin,yzde Paul Champlin), one at Jackson Park, Hendersonville, NC May 10 (Harvey Neal, Ron Selvey; Wayne Forsythe), and another there May 20 (Forsythe; John Lindfors). WESTERN TANAGER: This species continued its winter season presence in the Carolinas with the female in a yard in Morehead City, NC being last seen March 10 (John Fussell). Elsewhere males were at a feeder in Lexington, SC in early April {fide Robin Carter) and in a yard in Wentworth, Rockingham County, NC April 18 & 21 (Ken Yount). CLAY-COLORED SPARROW: Rare spring sightings involved two east of Rocky Mount, NC March 2 (Ricky Davis) and one at Fletcher, Henderson 122 Briefs for the Files, Spring 2003 County, NC April 27 (Jon Smith). The latter bird provided a very rare mountain report. VESPER SPARROW: Eight were on territory at Old Field Bald, Ashe County, NC May 15 (Merrill Lynch), a very good number for this declining species. LARK SPARROW: The two that wintered at the Cherry Hospital, Wayne County, NC field were last seen March 8 (Eric Dean). SAVANNAH SPARROW: Reports of Savannahs, very local breeders in the North Carolina mountains, are always noteworthy. One was in the Glade Valley area of Alleghany County May 1, as noted by Harry LeGrand. Toward the other end of the state, one was a late lingerer at Scotland Neck, NC May 26 (Ricky Davis). HENSLOW’S SPARROW: Very rare and unusual in the mountains were single birds near Cashiers, NC April 5 (Nathan Dias, Burt Moore) and along Butler Farm Rd., Henderson County, NC April 24 into early May (Marilyn Westphal, sev. obs.). NELSON’S SHARP-TAILED SPARROW: The Nelson s found near Hooper Lane, Henderson County, NC during the winter season was last seen March 15 (Marilyn Westphal). LINCOLN’S SPARROW: The only reports received this spring involved one in extreme Edgecombe County, NC March 2 (Ricky Davis) and one in a yard in Winston-Salem, NC May 2 (David Disher et al.). The latter bird was considered to be a rare spring migrant for that area. WHITE-THROATED SPARROW: One banded at York, SC May 27 was very late (Bill Hilton, Jr.). LAPLAND LONGSPUR: The Hooper Lane, NC area continued to host this species with 4-5 there March 1 (Russ & Patricia Tyndall) and ten there March 7 (Wayne Forsythe). Elsewhere one east of St. Matthews, Calhoun County, SC March 8 (Robin Carter) was a good find for that Coastal Plain locality. BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK: The immature male present at a feeder in Elizabeth City, NC from the winter season was last observed April 22 (Dave Remaley) LAZULI BUNTING: South Carolina’s second documented Lazuli Bunting was an immature male present at a feeder in Walterboro March 30 to early April (Mary Douglas, Dennis Forsythe, sev. obs.). DICKCISSEL: The only report received was of three at the Cherry Hospital fields, Wayne County, NC May 17 on into summer (Eric Dean). SHINY COWBIRD: Once again the only Shiny Cowbirds found were at the Savannah Spoil Site, SC May 19 when a male and two females were present (Paul Sykes). RED CROSSBILL: Always noteworthy, Red Crossbill reports included three at Balsam Campground, Heintooga Road, Great Smoky Mountains, NC May 25, as noted by Marilyn Westphal and Bob Olthoff. Reviews Annotated Checklist of Georgia Birds by Giff Beaton, Paul W. Sykes, Jr., and John W. Parrish, Jr. Occasional Publication No. 14, Georgia Ornithological Society, 2003 spiral bound, 156 pp, references, index. For an order form visit the GOS web site: www.gos.org The Fifth Edition of Annotated Checklist of Georgia Birds is a great example of what an annotated checklist for a state should be. It gives a short account of each bird species on the Georgia state list as of 3 1 December 2001, plus a few species added in 2002. The main body of the work covers 407 species on the Regular Species List, followed by a Provisional Species List of 8 species having fewer than 4 accepted sight records and a Hypothetical Species List of another 31 species for which no currently accepted sight records exist. Other useful features of the book include a county outline map of Georgia (essential, since only a handful of enthusiasts knows the location of all Georgia counties), an outline map of the Georgia coast and adjacent offshore waters, and a map showing major rivers, large wetlands and reservoirs of Georgia, as well as a map of frequently mentioned localities. The seasons of occurrence of bird species are not shown by a set of bar graphs, but such information is readily available in the text of the various species’ accounts. Typically there are three to five species accounts per page, summarizing the status and distribution of the species in Georgia. Here is an example of a species account (page 68): Chuck-will’ s-widow Caprimulgus carolinensis * Common summer resident breeding throughout state up to elevations of 520 meters, 5 Mar (1910,1 983)— 29 Sep (1949); uncommon in Mountain region and Lookout Plateau. Extreme dates 3 Apr-6 Sep in Piedmont, 21 Mar-29 Sep in Coastal Plain, and 5 Mar-25 Sep on Coast. High counts: 34 at KBSB ( Camden ) on 4 May 1995 (P. Sykes pers. comm.) and also on 24 May 2001 in Hall (E. Horn pers. comm..). Accidental in winter in extreme south Charlton 28 Feb 1945 (Hebard 1945) and 5-19 Jan 1987 in Valdosta (B. Bergstrom, pers. comm.). An additional record is listed from Leigh Hill ( Charlton ) in Feb 1939 (Hebard 1941). This species winters as far north as the GA/FL state line and these last three records are probably of wintering birds. An additional record of a calling bird in Baldwin 9 Nov 1993 (Johnson 1998) probably represents a very late migrant. Sp: USNM 220656. I have been using an annotated checklist of Georgia birds from GOS since the 1970’s to keep details of where I first find a bird species in Georgia. The 1969 version, Pocket Check-list, Georgia Birds , which I have used so long is, indeed, a pocket sized book (4 inches by 6 inches), but with much less information than the latest version, which measures 7 inches by 10.5 inches. Here is the species account for Chuck- will’ s-widow from the 1969 edition: 123 124 Book Review CHUCK- WILL’ S- WIDOW Common summer resident in all parts of state except mountains, breeding. I will not be able to tuck the new checklist book into my pocket, but I will put it in the car whenever I go birding in Georgia. The spiral binding should hold up well in the field. Congratulations to GOS and all involved in producing this excellent tool for understanding the status and distribution of Georgia birds -Robin Carter, Columbia, SC CAROLINA BIRD CLUB MEMBERSHIP The Carolina Bird Club, Inc. is a non-profit educational and scientific association founded in 1937. Membership is open to those interested in the study and conservation of wildlife, particularly birds. Dues, contributions, and bequests to the Club may be deductible from state and federal income and estate taxes. Checks should be made payable to Carolina Bird Club, Inc. and sent to CBC Headquarters, 11 West Jones Street, Raleigh, NC 27601- 1029. DUES (Payable on a calendar-year basis) Individual $20.00 Associate (in same household as individual member) $5.00 Student $15.00 Sustaining (open to businesses) ..$25.00 Patron $50.00+ Life Membership (payable in four consecutive $100 installments) $400.00 PUBLICATIONS CBC members 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 appropriate editor listed in the inside front cover. Items for the Newsletter should be sent to its Editor, Karen Bearden, 1809 Lakepark Drive, Raleigh, NC 27612. Send correspondence regarding memberships, changes of address, or requests for back numbers of either publication to CBC Headquarters, 11 West Jones Street, Raleigh, NC 27601-1029. OFFICERS President: Bob Wood, 2214 Round Top Lane, Camden, SC 29020 NC Vice-Presidents: Dick Blee, 2 Tinequa Drive, Brevard, NC 28712 Ricky Davis, 608 Smallwood Drive, Rocky Mount, NC 27804 SC Vice-President: John Cely, 4724 Cedar Springs Road, Columbia, SC 29206 Secretary: Gail Lankford, 3208 Plantation Road, Raleigh, NC 27609 Treasurer: Stephen Harris, 5009 Crown Point Lane, Wilmington, NC 28409 NC Members-at-Large: Susan M. Campbell, 144 Pine Ridge Drive, Whispering Pines, NC 28327 Charlotte Goedsche, 371 Ox Creek Road, Weaverville, NC 28787-9765 Dwayne Martin, PO Box 491, Taylorsville, NC 28681 Judy Murray, 406 Holly Lane, Chapel Hill, NC 27517 SC Members-at-Large: Steve Patterson, 128 Queens Court, Pickens, SC 29671 Marcia Watkins, 56 Hillmark Drive, Columbia, SC 29210 Immediate Past President: Van Atkins, 2040 Church Creek Drive, Charleston, SC 29414 Headquarters Secretary: Tullie Johnson, 1 1 West Jones Street, Raleigh, NC 27601 Rare Bird Alert: (704) 332-BIRD Web Site: www.carolinabirdclub.org *% s: 2> CO X CD O x § 2 CD 5~*f — f •=-=• 9 M 2: \ _ to 5 m ^ 37 is «-U *~i n o> e * — t t' J 2> o r o CO 04 ! 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E -Q § 3 I 2 co ■ O o 0 21 _C TO ’ CD -E I Bobolink 307 1 308 Red-winged Blackbird 45 15 13 776 10 12 33 23 30 301 16 2 12 119 1407 Eastern Meadowlark 11 1 32 36 19 2 295117 Common Grackle 183 17 368 120 27 40 160 20 3 30 21 79 287 1355 Boat-tailed Grackle 15 121 72 157 365 140 Spring 2003 North American Migration Count in South Carolina # Counties Reporting Species TOTAL Individuals SUMT SPAR RICH LEX! JASP HAMP GREE GEOR CHES CHER CHAR CALH BEAU AIKE CO C\J ■?— -i— t— o o CM in CM CM CM r- oo CM s U) ■'3- to LO CO ^ UD CD 88 CM t- CM CM to CM 00 r-. S- T— ' CM r- CM t— r* CM 8 st ib r*» LO T~ CD Y- K CT> CO CD CM 'i— CM CM O LO ^ CO LO o 0 0 0 00 to CO 00 O 1- t— S- CO LO cb 66 y-L T- O 1- t}* if) CM CM CM lO r~ O CM LO ^ CM CO -5- 88 §8 LO co CO 8 CM 0 0 z rf O CO CD T*; o co 66 co O CM 00 T— CO O 'sf CO CM 00 h- o o CO CM co O 0 0 0 CO LO 1- CO CM CO CD CO CO CM "M- •tj- lb CD O 1- "Cf- ^ CD ^ CO CM LO LO O CO CM o O 0 0 0 o s- CM *1 T— T" CO CD T- CO i — CO T: LO CO XT LO O LO T- s- CO O 0 0 0 CD CO T“ T— CM LO CO 1- T — T — i — S- CO cb o 1- O CM O ^ to CO N O CM o o CO CM LO to O 0 0 0 00 1 y— 00 LO CO CO ib CO T— to o T— O CM T_ CD CM O CO LO o o O O LO LO O 0 0 0 CO o T — CM CO CO O CM o o I— T N- cb LO CO CM lb CD cb CM O T- ^ t- 93 CD CO 88 CM CM CD co o o to o CO O 00 o rL* k O T- CO CM O) LO o o -'t CD o 0 0 0 N- lO CO CM o o CM CO N- O T- ^ 00 lO CD -M- LO CO o o OS 00 LO o 0 0 o w Y — 1^ CO CD O CO o 66 66 O T- CM to CO CO o o co o s- LO y- o o CO LO O CM CM CM CO CD r>- o o 66 66 O i- co 00 ^ CO r- O CO CM CD co CM CM CM i- o 0 0 0 T~ CO o CM LO co £ O T- 1 • « » CO CM CD o o ^ i- CM ^r o 0 0 0 1- to CO CD CO o T — LO 66 66 O 1- CO O o co co r- 8 8£ CO CD CD LO o 2 0 0 CO 00 f— T— 'M- CM CM o CM CM Y- OO i — CO CM 66 d O CM • T— ■S § ° 1 1 ° C (0 C Q ® § £ .£ ol 2 B co zi o 03 O CO CL I 5 o 1— CO S_ CL CO CO 0 CD 1 s E o < x o > CD ~ CL^ co S CE CL < o 1 — I — CO CO LU UJ II I- h- CO O 2 W -C 5 CO O 0- CO CO 'o ^ % „ ra c S JS 2 co o co ~ £ £ O -Q O _Q O CO CO CO CO CO CO ^ 3 =3 3 ^ ^ O O O O O O X X X X X X Is CO CO 0) _cd 1 1 The Chat, Vol 67, No 4, Fall 2003 141 # Counties Reporting Species TOTAL Individuals SUMT SPAR RICH LEXI JASP HAMP GREE GEOR CHES CHER CHAR CALH BEAU AIKE CO CO O -T* r- COO) COCOCO U) CO CO O) T- T- ^ 0^0- 00 (rj^jT-1- T- O T- O O O O OJ CO S o o o o o o o 00 CM O O in 00 CM OOO NOCON O O O O T- O O O O OOO ooo cn cm oooo ooo ooo oooo oooo ooo ooo oooo oooo ooo co id id t- o cm co CO oooo ooo ooo oooo oooo ooo ooo oooo OOOO CD CM CM OOO U) r o' COOO-r- OO'M-CO OOO ID i— CM CM CO T™ OOOO OOO OOO OOOO oooo ooo ooo oooo Or-OO LO ID Tf OOO CM CD CM CO cd ■T- ID CD CO O CM ID CO N N 00 O) O) CO CO O CO O) CO T- tD N CO N 00 CO CO N M O O) CD CO CO N N N 00 O) CO *•0*0 o> CM t- -i— CD O <0 N CO O) O) O ID * 1- CO N- CM 1 1 CM O CD CD CT> O 00 O) M CD r* ID N CO N 00 CO 00 N CO ID 00 O) r- O) D- I"- 1^ 00 CD CO ID LO O r- CD CD CD O K ID CD O 00 CD D- D- 00 00 CD CO .X. CO >Y cd 'o « c ® O (0 — D OD S 2 Si! o ■S| 8? LL , CO ~ § ■+= £= ~ CO £ .9. £ (D CO c5 CD ^ CD W « ^ -o (A ■— CD CD 2 t M CD LL O CL O * X 44: 0)> ®o)i o = c £ CD 5 ° * °o: | <§ ■£ S II §.-§ X ^ * =H= 0» CD < Q X 2 LU ^ O X < ^ O ^ LU 1 Q < Z £L X 3 < X LU X LU SUNSET NIGHT 142 Spring 2003 North American Migration Count in South Carolina # Counties Reporting Species TOTAL Individuals SUMT CM CM C\J CM CM o o o o o o o t- t- CM CO CM CM o o o o o o o SPAR r r CM CM t» r« O o o o o o o o RICH O O 1- CM CM CO O O O O O LO 00 00 i — CM CM CM o o o o o o o LEX! CM t t I I * I • I t t I I JASP O ^ ^ LO CM CM O O O O O O O HAMP O O T- f- T- o « OOlflWlOO o o o o o o o GREE o o o o o o o GEOR CHES CM . . O . o • . O O O LO N- O o o o o o o o o o o o o o o CHER CM CM CM CO CO CM CM O O O O O O O O CHAR o o o o o o 1- 'M- 1- O o o o o o o o CALH » i * * i t t BEAU o o o o o o o o AIKE CM CM r-T- O O O O O LO O t— T- CM T- T- O O O O O O O „ LU ? CO < tu CO Qz z: < Q _ LU :> O O ZS LU ^ O ZS oc < ^ O ^ Z) ^2 cr<^0^=><2 •; DC < ^ O J O.Q'•••' — - - M n % V X j n V/ V V X XX,,/ (\ 1, ?v o J Vv- 0 > { yv„ A A K . , i / Xv X - / '--Columbia -< ■: / *. { iX x / X \ V A LUerntuie note; Possible biimftng "X A Literature note: Confirmed breeding C Casual obs: Poesible breeding 6 Casual obs: Probable breeding • Casual cbs: Couflrnied breeding □ Survey block: Possible breeding ID Survey block Probable breeding m Survey block: Confirmed breeding \ \ / \ f >c \ ~~Xk / / xi \ V /r y-^c v V Vv> Figure 1 Breeding distribution of House Wrens in South Carolina, based on the South Carolina Breeding Bird Atlas, 1988-1995. House Wrens have been traditionally considered as “northern birds”, although they have probably been expanding their breeding range southward in the United States since the first forests were cleared for agriculture and residences by European settlers (Johnson 1998). The first documented breeding record for South Carolina was in a yard in Spartanburg in 1950 (Sprunt and Chamberlain 1949). Since then House Wrens have expanded their breeding range throughout South Carolina’s Upper Piedmont (Post and Gauthreaux 1989). Surveys during the South Carolina Breeding Bird Atlas (1988-1995) showed probable House Wren breeding records as far south as Winnsboro and Edgefield (Fig. 1). An outlying record from Sumter County in 1991 was apparently an unmated bird building “dummy” nests in bluebird boxes (Lex Glover pers. comm.). Columbia is located in the center of the state on the Fall Line separating the Piedmont from the Coastal Plain. Forest Acres is a mature subdivision first developed after World War II and features a prominent overstory of 20- 30 m tall loblolly pines ( Pinus taeda) with scattered oaks ( Quercus sp.), sweetgum ( Liquidambar styraciflua ), maples ( Acer sp.) and other hardwoods. Lots are large, at least one-half acre, with well-developed hedgerows and shrubbery. Johnson (1998) notes that during times of expansion and at the edges of their breeding range, House Wrens are closely associated with areas of human habitation. Birders in the Columbia area and the rest of central South Carolina should be on the alert for the possibility of The Chat, Vol 67, NoA, Fall 2003 145 more nesting activity by House Wrens. Caution should be used when interpreting nesting status, as the males are noted for building dummy nests that never get used (Kennedy and White 1992). I wish to thank Lex Glover for reviewing this note. Literature Cited Johnson, L. S. 1998. House Wren ( Troglodytes aedon ). In The Birds of North America, No. 380 (A. Poole and F. Gill, eds.). The Birds of North America, Inc., Philadelphia, PA. Kennedy, E. D., and D. W. White. 1992. Nest building in House Wrens. Journal of Field Ornithology 63: 35-42. Post, W., and S. A. Gauthreaux, Jr. 1989. Status and distribution of South Carolina birds. Contributions from the Charleston Museum, No. 18. Sprunt, A., Jr., and E. B. Chamberlain. 1949. South Carolina bird life, with a 1970 supplement by E. M. Burton. University of South Carolina Press, Columbia. Boat-tailed Grackle Uses a Marsh Wren Nest as a Platform: An Example of Limited Nest Site Availability in Salt Marshes William Post, John A. Herbert and Megan Barkes Charleston Museum, 360 Meeting Street, Charleston, SC 29403 On 15 July 2003, Herbert and Barkes found a Boat-tailed Grackle ( Quiscalus major ) nest that had been built on top of a Marsh Wren ( Cistothorus palustris) nest, located in smooth cordgrass ( Spartina alterniflora ) growing on the edge of a tidal creek joining the Stono River, Johns Island, Charleston County, South Carolina. Neither the grackle nest nor the wren nest was in use, although the grackle nest contained one egg, which upon examination appeared to have been abandoned for at least two weeks. The grackle nest was 1.2 m above the mud and within 1 m of the creek edge. The height of the cordgrass to which the nests were attached, and that of the surrounding grass, was 2 m. The grackle nest was an open cup, outside diameter, 1 8 cm; height, 1 1 cm, both within the reported range for the species (Post et al. 1996). Although the grackle nest was attached to six stems of cordgrass, the top of the wren nest (10 x 18 cm) formed the main support for its nest (Fig. 1; specimen no. ChM 2003.). The wren nest had a well-defined entrance hole and was lined, which would indicate that it had been occupied by a female (Kroodsma and Vemer 1997), but it had no traces of egg shells or other materials indicating that it had actually held eggs. The grackle nest did not appear to have fledged young, as the nest was not fouled, as would have been the case if it had produced fledglings (Post et al. 1996). 146 Boat-tailed Grackle Uses a Marsh Wren Nest as a Platform Figure 1. Boat-tailed Grackle nest built on Marsh Wren nest in Spartina alterniflora , Johns Island, South Carolina, 15 July 2003. Digital photograph by Peter S. Coleman. The grackle nest was about 300 m from the closest grackle nesting colony, which was in several southern red cedars (. Juniperus silicicola ) on a spoil island. Isolated nests are uncommon in the Boat-tailed Grackle. This case may represent the nesting of a first-year female or that of a female that had failed in its first nesting attempt (Post 1998). Although several publications state that Boat-tailed Grackles nest in salt marshes, we have been unable to locate any specific documentation of their nesting in smooth cordgrass, which is the predominant vegetation of regularly-flooded salt marshes on the Atlantic coast. Our survey is based on data from 1200 oology slips and nest cards filed at the Charleston Museum. Boat-tailed Grackles that nest in non-tidal marshes occasionally use old nests as platforms for new ones (Post et al. 1996). Sprunt (1958) reported that Boat-tailed Grackles nested in “Bullrushes (, Spartina alterniflora )”. The vernacular name he used for S. alterniflora may mean that he was referring to Scirpus spp. (bullrush), which grow in low- salinity (irregularly-flooded) marshes at higher elevations. Among passerines found on the Atlantic coast, it appears that only Marsh Wrens regularly nest in regularly-flooded (low) salt marshes. This niche is available to wrens because of their ability to weave their nests into supporting vegetation, and The Chat, Vol 67, No A, Fall 2003 147 thus at heights above spring tides (Kale 1965.) Although Marsh Wren nests are not well concealed, their contents are well hidden within a domed structure. Red-winged Blackbirds ( Agelaius phoeniceus) occasionally nest in regularly-flooded salt marshes (Post 1988) but like Marsh Wrens must select nest sites that are high enough to avoid flooding. Unlike wrens, however, blackbirds must place their open nests low enough so that they are well concealed by surrounding vegetation. These conflicting requirements greatly reduce nest site availability for Red-winged Blackbirds in the same way that they would for Boat-tailed Grackles. Our findings indicate that given suitable substrates, female Boat-tailed Grackles are able to colonize low salt marshes. In such habitats, suitable nest sites are usually lacking, however, which would preclude aggregations of nesting females. As nest success in this species is related to coloniality (Post 1994, 1998), isolated nests such as the one described here may rarely succeed. Literature Cited Kale, H. W. II. 1965. Ecology and bioenergetics of the Long-billed Marsh Wren Telmatodytes palustris griseus (Brewster) in Georgia salt marshes. Publications of the Nuttall Ornithological Club, No. 5. Kroodsma, D. E. and J. Vemer. 1997. Marsh Wren In The Birds of North America, No. 308 (A. Poole and F. Gill, eds.), The Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia, PA, and the American Ornithologists’ Union, Washington, DC. Post, W. 1988. Reproductive success in New World marsh-nesting passerines. Acta XIX Congressus Intemationalis Omithologici: 2645- 2656. Ottawa, Canada. Post, W. 1994. Are female Boat-tailed Grackle colonies neutral assemblages? Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology 35:401-407. Post, W. 1995. Reproduction of female Boat-tailed Grackles: Comparisons between South Carolina and Florida. Journal of Field Ornithology 66:221-230. Post, W. 1998. Advantages of coloniality in female Boat-tailed Grackles. Wilson Bulletin 1 10: 489-496. Post, W., J. P. Poston, and G. T. Bancroft. 1996. Boat-tailed Grackle ( Quiscalus major). In The Birds of North America, No. 207 (A. Poole and F. Gill, eds.), The Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia, PA, and the American Ornithologists’ Union, Washington, D.C. Sprunt, A., Jr. 1958. Cassidix mexicanus torreyi (Harper). Eastern Boat- tailed Grackle. Pp 365-374 in Life Histories of North American Blackbirds, Orioles, Tanagers, and Allies (A. C. Bent, ed.). U.S. National Museum Bulletin 211. BRIEFS FOR THE FILES Ricky Davis 608 Smallwood Drive Rocky Mount, NC 27804 RJDNC@aol.com (All dates Summer 2003, unless otherwise noted) Briefs for the Files is a seasonal collection of uncommon-to-rare or unusual North and South Carolina bird sightings and events which do not necessarily require a more detailed Field Note or article. Reports of your sightings are due the 20th of the month after the end of the previous season. Winter December 1-February 28 Spring March 1-May 31 Summer June 1-July 31 Fall August 1-November 30 due March 20 due June 20 due August 20 due December 20 Reports can be submitted in any format, but 1 prefer that you type them and list the sightings according to the birds in checklist order ( not according to dates or locations ). If you submit your report to me through e-mail, please type your report directly into the message or copy it from a word processing program directly into the message. You may also attach your file to the e- mail, but if you do, please let me know the program used and also send a second version saved as a text (.txt) file. Suitable reports for the Briefs include any sightings you feel are unusual, rare, noteworthy, or just plain interesting to you in any way! It is my responsibility to decide which reports merit inclusion in the Briefs. Please be sure to include details of any rare or hard-to-identify birds. I rely in part on sightings reported in Carolinabirds. Please don't, however, rely on me to pick up your sightings from Carolinabirds. Instead, please also send your sightings directly to me as described above. If I feel that your sighting warrants a Field Note, I will contact either you or the appropriate state Field Notes editor. You may, of course, submit your Field Note directly to the editor without going through me. PACIFIC LOON: Very rare and unexpected in summer was a Pacific at Pea Is. NWR, NC July 3 (Mike Skakuj), and later in the S. Nags Head, NC area July 15-19 (Jeff Lewis, Skip Morgan; Brad Carlson). COMMON LOON: This species lingered in North Carolina in much higher than normal numbers this summer. Inland were one in alternate plumage near Wilson June 7 (Clyde Sorenson) and one on Jordan Lake June 27 (Ginger Travis, Lena Gallitano). One was in Bogue Inlet June 30 (Sam Cooper), but it was along the Outer Banks that numbers were greatest. Two 148 The Chat, Vol 67, No.4, Fall 2003 149 were found in the surf at Nags Head June 20 (Patrick Brisse) and June 29 (Jeff Lewis). Singles were at Pea Is. NWR July 1 and Oregon Inlet July 6 (Mike Skakuj). On July 20, an amazing count of 18 different individuals was had from Whalebone at Nags Head south to Pea Is. NWR (Ricky Davis). It was felt that this many loons remaining in our waters was partly due to the fact that cool Labrador Current water remained in place along the immediate coast much longer than normal this year. HERALD PETREL: Only one was found on offshore pelagic trips this summer, that being a dark individual off Hatteras, NC June 7 (Brian Patteson et al.). FEA’S PETREL: One was a good find only 25 miles southeast of Hatteras, NC June 14 (Brian Patteson), a rare report so close to shore. GREATER SHEARWATER: One was seen just past the breakers at S. Nags Head, NC June 20, as noted by Patrick Brisse. AUDUBON’S SHEARWATER: There were several onshore reports of this species this summer. In North Carolina, three were found dead on the beach at Atlantic Beach July 24 (John Fussell), one was at Shackleford Banks, Carteret County July 20 (Scott Baron, Elisa Enders), and one was in the surf at S. Nags Head July 20 (Ricky Davis). In South Carolina, one was just past the surf at Ocean Drive Beach July 26 (Jeff Beane et al.). WHITE-TAILED TROPICBIRD: Only one was reported this summer, that being off Manteo, NC July 26 (Brian Patteson et al.). RED-BILLED TROPICBIRD: Reports of this tropicbird off North Carolina continued from the spring with an immature off Hatteras June 7 (Brian Patteson et al.) and others off Hatteras June 14 and 30 (Patteson). Coupled with the spring birds, the birds this summer made this year the best ever for this normally very rare species. MASKED BOOBY : A sub-adult Masked was a complete surprise onshore when found at Beacon Is., Ocracoke Inlet, NC July 18 (John Weske et al.). The bird was seen to fly away toward Ocracoke that day. Elsewhere, where more expected, one was a good find off Manteo, NC July 26 (Brian Patteson et al.). NORTHERN GANNET: Another species present this summer in higher than normal numbers was the Northern Gannet. In South Carolina, one was at Pawleys Island June 25 (fide Will Cook) and probably the same bird was seen at Litchfield Beach June 26 (Ann Shahid & Cherrie Sneed). In North Carolina, two adults were at S. Nags Head June 19 (Patrick Brisse) and three immatures were there June 20 (Brisse). Also an immature was at Bogue Inlet June 30 (Sam Cooper), three immatures were at S. Nags Head July 20 (Ricky Davis), and an immature was at Cape Lookout July 27 (Wade Fuller). AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN: The flock present throughout the summer at the Savannah Spoil Site, Jasper County, SC, peaked at 101 on July 27, as noted by Steve Calver. BROWN PELICAN: Inland reports of Brown Pelican are always noteworthy. This summer three were found in the western portions of North Carolina. One was at L. Junaluska in early June (fide Wayne Forsythe), one 150 Briefs for the Files was at L. Wylie June 28-July 1 (fide Taylor Piephoff), and one was on High Point Lake, Jamestown, NC June 15-16 (Tom Shepherd). MAGNIFICENT FRIGATEBIRD: This summer’s sightings of frigate- birds involved singles at C. Hatteras, NC June 29 (fide Russ Tyndall) and at S. Nags Head, NC July 1 1 (W. Hull Jide Ricky Davis). AMERICAN BITTERN: Uncommon summer reports included singles at Palmetto Peartree Preserve, Tyrrell County, NC June 12 (Jeff Lewis) and near Rimini, Clarendon County, SC June 26 (Lloyd Moon). LEAST BITTERN: Always noteworthy in the Piedmont, one was observed in flight at the marsh on Big Woods Rd. near Jordan Lake, Chatham County, NC June 15 (Ricky Davis). SNOWY EGRET: A huge feeding flock of 5200 Snowies was found at an impoundment on Wimbee Creek, Colleton County, SC July 31 (Will Post). This represents an unprecedented number for the Carolinas. LITTLE BLUE HERON: Uncommon this far inland, one was at Fletcher Park, Henderson County, NC July 16 (John Lindfors) and two were near the French Broad River, Henderson July 22-23 (Marilyn Westphal, Wayne Forsythe). TRICOLORED HERON: This species is a common inland wanderer to at least the central portions of the Carolinas, but mountain sightings are extremely rare. This summer two were near the French Broad River, Henderson County, NC July 22-August 3 (Wayne Forsythe). There were only a couple of previous reports for the western part of the state. REDDISH EGRET: Reddish Egrets were found at the usual locations with up to three being at the east end of Shackleford Banks, Carteret County, NC July 20 (Scott Baron & Elisa Enders), two at Huntington Beach St. Pk., SC July 21 (Stephen Thomas), and one at Ft. Fisher, NC June 29 (Ricky Davis). CATTLE EGRET: Eight Cattle Egrets were unexpected near Margarettsville, Northampton County, NC June 14 (Todd Day et al.). YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON: Two were unusual at a pond near Trenton, NC June 2, as noted by Clancy Ballenger. Elsewhere, the nesting colony in the Winston-Salem, NC area was very successful this year with over a dozen young fledging (Ramona Snavely). ROSEATE SPOONBILL: One was found at L. Medcalf, Sunset Beach, NC July 30 (Diane Hahn) providing a very noteworthy report for North Carolina. In South Carolina, a flock was present at the Savannah Spoil Site, Jasper County from June 27 until the end of the summer. The peak count was eight on July 6, as noted by Steve Calver. WOOD STORK: Wood Storks were present at the usual Sunset Beach, NC area for much of the summer. Ten was a good count for early in the season on June 8 (Ricky Davis), and the peak count there was 50 on July 31 (Mary McDavit). Elsewhere in North Carolina, where reports are much more unusual, one was along NC 41 two miles east of the Bladen-Robeson County line June 14 (Buddy Garrett), one was over Howell Woods, Johnston County June 24 (Susan Campbell et al.), and four were over the Cape Fear River at the Bladen-Columbus County line June 29 (Davis). The Chat, Vol. 67, No A, Fall 2003 151 BLACK-BELLIED WHISTLING-DUCK: This species was reported from many areas in the eastern US this summer, probably consisting of dispersing birds from the Florida population. Sightings in the Carolinas included two near Sneads Ferry, NC June 10 (Susan Cohen, fide John Fussell), a “flock” at Savannah NWR, SC June 13 (Diana Churchill), 1-2 at Donnelley WMA, SC July 28 (Nathan Dias et al.) and July 29 (Mary McDavit), up to 9 at the Savannah Spoil Site, SC June 27 (Steve Calver), and 15 at a pond in S. Tibwin, Charleston County, SC June 5 (Ritch Lilly). MUTE SWAN: A group of five Mute Swans at Pea Is. NWR, NC June 20 (Patrick Brisse) was unusual, and disturbing in that there could be wandering Mutes at this time of year. AMERICAN WIGEON: One was late at the Savannah Spoil Site, SC June 1 (Steve Calver). BLUE- WINGED TEAL: A noteworthy nesting record came from the Savannah Spoil Site, SC this summer with two different broods of Blue- winged Teal, a species found breeding in the state only a handful of times. A female with eight young was seen June 13 and a female with two young was found June 27 (Steve Calver). GREATER SCAUP: One was very unusual in lingering at the Savannah Spoil Site, SC until June 27, as noted by Steve Calver. LESSER SCAUP: Lingering Lessers included a group of five in Georgetown County, SC June 7 (Gary Phillips) and two on L. Marion, SC June 26 (Lloyd Moon). SURF SCOTER: A Surf Scoter spending the summer in the Ft. Macon, NC area (Randy Newman) was considered very unusual since most of the lingering scoters along our coast are Blacks. HOODED MERGANSER: Summer reports of Hooded Merganser, although annual, are nevertheless noteworthy. This year three young were found at a pond near Trenton, NC June 2 (Clancy Ballenger) in an area where breeding has occurred in the past. Also, an adult bird was at Magnolia Plantation, SC June 15 (Perry Nugent et al.). RED-BREASTED MERGANSER: This summer’s sightings included females at Oregon Inlet, NC July 4-5 (Mike Skakuj) and the Shallotte River, NC July 30 (Bob Perkins). SWALLOW-TAILED KITE: The Swallow-tailed Kites present along the Cape Fear River, NC since May continued throughout the summer and caused much speculation about breeding in that area. The birds were mostly in the area centered along the Bladen-Columbus County line at the river. Up to four were present throughout June (sev. obs.), six were seen and several photographed July 5 (Harry Sell), and 10 were counted over a nearby field July 19 (Sam Moore, Mark Simpson). Actual breeding evidence was not obtained but there were several apparently young birds present in the flock during July. Elsewhere rare wandering individuals were found at Rodanthe, NC June 27 {fide Sam Cooper) and near Chapel Hill, NC July 8 (fide Cynthia Fox). The peak count from one of the usual locations was the 34 south of Allendale, SC July 26 (Robin Carter & Caroline Eastman). 152 Briefs for the Files MISSISSIPPI KITE: In North Carolina, this species was again found breeding at several of the usual sites such as 2-3 nests at Roanoke Rapids, NC (Frank Enders) and several in Goldsboro, NC (Eric Dean). A new location for probable breeding was along the Tar River in Rocky Mount where birds were present all summer with one juvenile being attended by two adults at a nearby roosting site for most of July (Ricky Davis). SHARP-SHINNED HAWK: This very uncommon summer bird in the Carolinas was reported three times, all from the mountains. One was found west of Richland Balsam, NC, and one was seen carrying food north of Craggy Gardens, NC, both in mid-June (Helmut Mueller). Also, one was at Hendersonville, NC June 13, as noted by Simon Thompson. COOPER’S HAWK: This species is more widespread during the summer than the preceding species. Nevertheless, noteworthy breeding reports included a pair at Darlington, Halifax County, NC June 13 (Frank Enders), a nest with four young (highly publicized by the media!) on the NCSU campus in Raleigh, NC (Will Rowland, Lena Gallitano, m. obs.), a pair on the Duke campus, Durham, NC June 24 (Will Cook), a nest in Greenville, SC during June (Steve Smith, fide Robin Carter), and an impressive four known nesting pairs, each with 3-4 young, in the Winston-Salem, NC area (Ramona Snavely et al.). GOLDEN EAGLE: Two immature Goldens were seen at Bakers Mt. Park, Catawba County, NC June 22 (Dwayne Martin). This highly unusual summer report is from the same area where an adult and one immature were found during the spring! AMERICAN KESTREL: Locally unusual was the kestrel found at Snake Mt., Watauga County, NC June 4 (Chris Wilson, Merrill Lynch). AMERICAN COOT: This species is a very rare nester in the Carolinas, although summering birds are found most years. Thus of note were the two nesting records from the Savannah Spoil Site, SC this summer (Steve Calver). An adult with 10 young was seen July 6 and an adult on a nest was observed July 27. WILSON’S PLOVER: There were several excellent counts of this species reported this summer. A total of 59 Wilson’s were on Deveaux Bank, SC July 31 (Will Post), and 60 were at the east end of Shackleford Banks, NC July 27 (John Fussell et al.). BLACK-NECKED STILT: The peak count at the Savannah Spoil Site, SC this summer was the impressive total of 813 on June 27 (Steve Calver). UPLAND SANDPIPER: The only Uppies found this summer involved singles at the Orangeburg, SC sod farm July 27 (Steve Compton) and at Hooper Lane, NC July 29 (Wayne Forsythe). LONG-BILLED CURLEW: Sightings this season included one at Oregon Inlet, NC June 11 (Marcia Lyons), one at the Ocracoke, NC flats (John Weske, Jim O’Donnell), and 1-2 at the east end of Shackleford Banks, NC July 20 (Scott Baron, Elisa Enders) and July 27 (John Fussell et al.). DUNLIN: Two at the Savannah Spoil Site, SC June 13 were considered to be rather late spring birds for that southern area (Steve Calver). The Chat , Voi 67, No A, Fall 2003 153 CURLEW SANDPIPER: One adult was at Oregon Inlet, NC July 5-6 (Hayes & Joyce Williams, Mike Skakuj) for the only report this summer. SHORT-BILLED DO WITCHER: The only inland fall migrant reported was in Henderson County, NC July 26 (Wayne Forsythe). LONG-BILLED DO WITCHER: One photographed at the Savannah Spoil Site, SC June 13 was not only very late but also provided a probable first summer record for that locality (Steve Calver). WILSON’S PHALAROPE: One at Pea Is. NWR, NC July 1 (Mike Skakuj) and six there July 12 (Jeff Lewis) were the only ones reported from North Carolina this summer. RED-NECKED PHALAROPE: Up to three were rare onshore, and late, at the Savannah Spoil Site, SC June 3-4, as noted by Steve Calver. POMARINE JAEGER: One was seen from shore at Caswell Beach, NC June 7, a rare event for that state’s southern coastal area (Ricky Davis). LAUGHING GULL: This summer’s inland-wandering Laughings involved singles at Falls Lake, NC June 9 (Brian Bockhahn) and L. Norman, NC July 2 (Taylor Piephoff). BONAPARTE’S GULL: One in basic plumage was observed at Bogue Inlet, NC June 30 (Sam Cooper), a most unusual summer occurrence. CASPIAN TERN: Unusual inland summer sightings included two in the mountains at L. Junaluska, NC June 18 (Bob Olthoff) and four in a plowed field near L. Phelps, NC June 21 (Harry LeGrand, Jr., Jeff Pippen). “CAYENNE” SANDWICH TERN: One was photographed at Ft. Fisher, NC April 5 (Pru Williams and Cindy Grimes). Susan Campbell saw the photos and confirmed the identification. This represents about the seventh report of this Caribbean subspecies for North Carolina. ROSEATE TERN: Two adults were good finds at Pea Is. NWR, NC July 5 (Mike Skakuj). There have been few reports of this species the last several years. SOOTY TERN: The peak count from North Carolina waters was 69 off Hatteras July 19 (Brian Patteson et al.), a good total for the summer season. Much more interesting was the presence of two near Harkers Is., NC June 22 (John Fussell et al.). The birds were hanging around an island as if possibly nesting, an event which has happened before in that area. BLACK TERN: One was a good find at Falls Lake, NC June 15 (Ricky Davis). Was this a late spring bird, or an early fall bird? A flock of 40 at Pea Is. NWR, NC July 12 obviously consisted of returning birds (Jeff Lewis). WHITE- WINGED DOVE: White-winged Doves have been found in the Carolinas on a regular basis the last couple of years. This summer one was at a feeder in Buxton, NC June 1 (Kelley Van Druten), one was heard near Roxboro L., Person County, NC June 8 (Jeff Pippen), and one was at Bear Is. WMA, Colleton County, SC July 19 (Robin Carter). BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO: One at Trenton, NC June 2 (Clancy Ballenger) was either a late spring migrant or one of the few that have been known to spend the summer in some Coastal Plain pocosin habitats. 154 Briefs for the Files CHIMNEY SWIFT: Two at Chimney Rock Park, NC June 29 (Simon Thompson) were observed flying in behind a waterfall. This was surprising since this behavior is not normally seen in Chimney Swifts. RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD: An adult male at a feeder near Hillsborough, NC June 6-8 (Ginger Travis) provided only the second record of a Rufous in North Carolina in June. The first was the one that wintered and then summered at a Raleigh, NC feeder last year. ALDER FLYCATCHER: One heard at Bodie Is., NC June 4 (Eloise Potter, Nell Barkley) provided a late, locally unusual occurrence for that coastal locality. WILLOW FLYCATCHER: An extremely unusual and out-of-range breeding record involved a Willow with two young in a nest at Caw Caw Park, Ravenel, Charleston County, SC this summer. Several birds were present from the spring and the nest was located in early June (Perry Nugent et al.). Apparently the nest failed but at least one individual was present until July. Also of interest is the fact that Willows have been found at this site several times in summer since the late 1990s. GRAY KINGBIRD: Only one was found this summer, that being at Edisto Beach St. Pk., SC July 27 (Paul Champlin). LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE: Nests of this species are rarely reported; thus of note was one with young along Raynor Mill Rd., Wayne County, NC June 3 (Clyde Sorenson). Also of interest were the two adults and four recently fledged juveniles at the Ft. Fisher, NC monument overlook June 7 (Ricky Davis). One near North River, Carteret County, NC July 13 (John Fussell, Jack Fennell) was apparently on the move and was not seen on later visits. This was the first shrike seen in that county by Fussell in about 20 years! WHITE-EYED VIREO: One found singing on Bluff Mt., Ashe County, NC June 15 was at a rather high elevation (3200 ft) for the species (Merrill Lynch). WARBLING VIREO: One was still at the Dairy land Rd. area of Orange County, NC July 28, as noted by Haven Wiley. TREE SWALLOW: A pair that fledged four young at Huntersville, Mecklenburg County, NC July 1 provided a probable first breeding record for the county (Mary McDaniel, Dave LaBounty). WINTER WREN: One on territory at Three Top Mt., Ashe County, NC June 18 was at a low elevation (3800 ft) for the breeding season (Merrill Lynch, Chris Wilson). HERMIT THRUSH: Summer reports of this mountain breeder are always noteworthy. Singles were found in the Black Mountains at Blankstock Knob June 21 and at a gap between Mt. Mitchell and Mt. Craig July 4 (Marcus Simpson). GRAY CATBIRD: One that had just fledged at the Savannah Spoil Site, SC July 19 provided the first documented proof of nesting in extreme southern coastal South Carolina (Will Post, Paul Sykes). CEDAR WAX WING: This species once again remained in the eastern portions of North Carolina during the summer. A rare nesting record was The Chat , Vol 67, NoA, Fall 2003 155 provided by a pair at a nest at Wyse Fork, Jones County June 6 (Wade Fuller, Rich Boyd). Other reports involved no nesting evidence but included three in Green Level, Chatham County July 16 (Merrill Lynch), four on the Dare County mainland June 21 (Jeff Lewis), and two on Roanoke Is. for much of the summer (Lewis). MAGNOLIA WARBLER: There are very few Magnolia Warblers in the North Carolina mountains each summer. Thus of note were singing males at Potato Knob, Black Mts., NC June 25 (Marcus Simpson) and at Roan Mt., NC June 2-July 14 (Rick Knight). BLACKBURNIAN WARBLER: A singing male and a female were observed at Laurel Ridge, Mitchell County, NC June 2 (Chris Wilson) at an elevation of 3080 ft in a chestnut oak-dominant forest. This is a rather low elevation and the absence of hemlock made this sighting unusual. SWAINSON’S WARBLER: One was a surprise in pocosin habitat at L. Phelps, NC June 21, as noted by Harry LeGrand, Jr. and Jeff Pippen. NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH: One was a late spring migrant in northern Edgecombe County, NC June 2 (Ricky Davis). LOUISIANA WATERTHRUSH: One was considered to be an early fall migrant at Jackson Park, Hendersonville, NC June 22 (Simon Thompson) as the species is not known to nest there. WHITE-THROATED SPARROW: Very late were a singing individual on Roanoke Is., NC June 5 (Jeff Lewis) and one near Greensboro, NC June 17- 25 (Emily Tyler). WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW: An adult was photographed in a yard at Myrtle Beach, SC June 1 (Phil & Sharon Turner), providing the first June report for the species in that state. DICKCISSEL: A pair, first noted in the spring, was observed carrying nesting material at the Cherry Hospital area, Wayne County, NC June 1 (Ricky Davis). No further breeding evidence was obtained, however. Elsewhere singing males were noted at a usual Gaston County, NC site June 6 (Simon Thompson) and along Dairyland Rd., Orange County, NC July 28 (Haven Wiley). SHINY COWBIRD: South Carolina had the only reports of this species this summer. A male was at a feeder in Mt. Pleasant July 8 (David Chamberlain) and a flock of seven (one male, six females) was at the Savannah Spoil Site July 18-19 (Paul Sykes, Will Post). This last location has hosted flocks before, suggesting that it is an important area in the control of the spread of this invading species. ORCHARD ORIOLE: A pair nested successfully at Table Rock St. Pk., SC during June (Scott Stegenga). This was the first nesting record for the park. RED CROSSBILL: Reports of this species are always noteworthy. This summer’s sightings included two at Balsam Gap, Black Mts., NC June 21 and two along NC 128 near Mt. Mitchell June 25 (Marcus Simpson), at least five at Roan Mt., NC June 25 through July (Rick Knight), and three at Cataloochee Ranch, Haywood County, NC July 4 (Wayne Forsythe). Reviews Hawk Watch: A Video Guide to Eastern Raptors Richard K. Walton and Greg Dodge Brownbag Productions VHS version copyright 1998 DVD version (remastered and revised) copyright 2003 “Bird!” All eyes turn in the direction of the yell. You pick up a mid-sized brown bird at a range of about 75 yards, flying quickly away from your group. Just about the time you decide it is a hawk of some type, it disappears into a group of trees. “Cooper's Hawk,” announces the trip leader. How did she do that? As she reviews the points of identification that led her to Cooper's Hawk, you secretly wish that someone had gotten it on film so you could see it again. Wouldn't it be great to have a video resource to aid in the identification of raptors in flight? Hawk Watch: A Video Guide to Eastern Raptors by Richard Walton and Greg Dodge fills this bill nicely. It is the only video guide to eastern raptors currently available, and so is an invaluable resource for anyone wishing to learn to identify the eastern birds of prey in flight. It covers a total of 19 species: the 16 expected eastern raptors, Black and Turkey Vulture, plus the western Swainson’s Hawk, which is seen occasionally during the fall migration. Species occurring in the eastern US but not included in the guide are Snail Kite, Short-tailed Hawk, Gyrfalcon, and Crested Caracara. The format for the guide is simple: 2 to 3 minutes of video of each species in various situations with a voice-over narration discussing identification strategies. In some cases, both juvenile and adult plumages are illustrated. The narration is clear and accurate. The use of stop-action and slow-motion ensures that the field marks can be clearly seen. Just as in the field, some of the birds appear at considerable distance, while others nearly fill the frame. The quality of the images is quite good. Species are grouped taxonomically in eight categories (vultures, buteos, falcons, etc.), but do not appear in checklist order. Each of these eight groupings is quickly accessible from the main menu, although the search button on most DVD remote controls will work as well. Also included is an “Author's Note” (3 1/2 pages of text on hawk watching) and a section titled “Resources”, which includes a bibliography containing all the most important reference books on hawk identification, a list of organizations devoted to raptors, a photo of a juvenile Red-tailed Hawk with body regions and field marks labeled, and a two-page glossary. Finally, there is a “Quiz” containing 18 numbered photos with an answer key. Despite the title, many of the video sequences are not typical “hawk watch” views (i.e., distant specks high overhead). There are numerous eye- level shots and hunting sequences, including a Northern Harrier gliding over a marsh and a Swallow-tailed Kite snatching a nestling mockingbird. The 156 The Chat, Voi 67, No A, Fall 2003 157 result is that all birders will benefit from this video, not just those few who frequent the hawk watch sites during the fall migration. While I find no major flaws in the content of the guide, there are some weak areas. The film sequences of Merlin and Golden Eagle are disappointing. Most of the Merlin shots are of birds flying low to the ground, and with all the clutter (trees, fences, etc.) it is very hard to see the bird. The Golden Eagle sequence is shot almost entirely through an overstory of tree limbs, and the auto-focus camera zeroing in on the limbs frequently leaves the bird out of focus. Also, there is no film of an adult Golden Eagle. The quiz is a “slide show” of 18 still photos (instead of the 23 video clips in the VHS version of the quiz). Many of the photos are of perched birds instead of birds in flight. (So break out the Peterson’s!) Inexplicably, Crested Caracara appears in the quiz, despite its omission from the rest of the guide. If you already own and use Hawk Watch in VHS format, I would recommend upgrading to the DVD version. There is new film footage of seven species, each providing sharper, closer images than in the original version. The new shots of American Kestrel, Northern Harrier, Bald Eagle, and Osprey are especially good. Being able to quickly access each of the groups via the menu is a real time saver, although I was disappointed that the species aren’t listed separately, necessitating fast-forwarding through the groups if you are looking for one species in particular. All of the footage appears sharper and brighter, and represents a significant improvement over the VHS version, which in many cases appears murky and colorless. The introduction to the disc, as well as the introductions to each section, now feature close-up video clips of perched birds. These replace the rather amateurish paste-up still images in the VHS version and represent a big improvement in the overall aesthetics of the guide. The buteos are more sensibly arranged, with the rarely seen Rough-legged Hawk appearing at the end of the group rather than between the Broad-winged and Red-tailed as was the case in the VHS edition. The one serious step backward is the “slide show” quiz described above, which is definitely inferior to the video clip quiz in the original VHS version. Regardless of these minor flaws, Hawk Watch: A Video Guide to Eastern Raptors is a must-have for any birder who wants to learn to accurately identify diurnal birds of prey in flight. -Bill Sanderson, Asheville, NC Shorebirds: A Guide to Shorebirds of Eastern North America Richard K. Walton and Greg Dodge Brownbag Productions DVD version (remastered and revised) copyright 2003 The updated version of Shorebirds: A Guide to Shorebirds of Eastern North America shows 38 shorebird species in different plumages and habitats. The video footage would be a great addition to any birdwatcher’s 158 Reviews library. The video in most cases is clear and details are easily seen. A great feature is that we can stop the DVD at any moment to go back and study birds in still pictures. However in more than a few occasions pictures are of too low quality to let us see most of the identification features. Birds are shown mostly feeding with very few pictures of flying individuals. The order in which particular species appear in the video is rather strange; we can see a Dunlin between an American Golden Plover and a Red Knot, and a Ruddy Turnstone is between a Red Knot and a Sanderling. Nevertheless we can see beautiful shots of Pectoral Sandpiper and American Avocet. The DVD consists of 5 Titles (or if you like chapters). Title 1 is video footage of 38 shorebird species. Title 2 is a general description of distribution, habitats and behavior of the group. Title 3 presents a short but good and clear explanation of plumage change in shorebirds and its consequences for identification. At the end of the Title the authors show a picture of a Pectoral Sandpiper with pointers to the most important plumage areas of the bird. Unfortunately scapulars are referred to here as “shoulders” and the mantle as the actually invisible “back”. More detailed explanations would be very useful for better understanding shorebird identification. Title 4 is a quiz where in 1 3 photographs some 1 8 species of shorebird should be identified, including 2 species not covered by video footage (Jacana and Curlew Sandpiper). Title 5 shows references, however among very good books listed here, there is one more excellent source of shorebird photographs that is missing: Waders of the World by Rosair and Cottridge (Hamlyn). The video narration consists of description or explanation of species’ identification features. Unfortunately in most cases it concentrates mostly on bill shape (or color) and leg color (or length). Information concerning plumage colors and details is very scarce and rather general; detailed identification features are almost completely omitted, suggesting that shorebird identification is mostly about bill and leg length and colors which is absolutely not a truth! Just in a few cases we hear more detailed comments about coloration or different plumages. There is also almost no information concerning upper- or under-wing patterns or tail patterns where these features are essential for identification (Hudsonian God wit, Black-bellied Plover, Red Knot, Spotted Sandpiper to name a few). For almost all species there are also very long sequences of video pictures lacking any comments, where explanatory words would be very useful. In addition, in a few cases the authors compare and discuss identification of species (such as Semipalmated or Pectoral Sandpiper) showing fall and spring plumages which are very, very unlikely to be seen at the same time! Nevertheless there are rather clear and straightforward comments with good video footage concerning Short- and Long-billed Dowitchers. However even here, the authors pay too much attention to the upper-tail pattern (a typical field guide mistake), which is a very overlapping feature and thus not of much use in the field. The Chat , Voi 67, No A, Fall 2003 159 Unfortunately there are two identification mistakes that should be mentioned; an adult fall White-rumped Sandpiper and an almost molted winter adult Hudsonian Godwit are both described as juvenile birds. In my opinion the updated version of Shorebirds could be much more useful for birdwatchers who would like to learn more about identification of that group of birds. However with very short and rather weak comments (mostly only about bill and legs) the video is not very useful for beginning “shorebird watchers”. In my opinion to identify most of the shorebirds we need to consider features like size and proportions, plumage and molt details, behavior and vocalization. We are not able to make a positive ID of the bird if we can not name its plumage/age features. On the other hand we can stop the DVD and study good quality pictures for hours, comparing them to comments, illustrations and photographs from numerous books. I am not able to call the DVD a primary tool for learning shorebird identification. I would rather suggest using it for additional motion pictures when studying good shorebird field guides like Birds of Europe by Mullamey et al. or Shorebirds: An Identification Guide by Hayman et al. In this time of excellent digital cameras and numerous good sources (books, papers and internet), I expect much more detailed comments and more good quality pictures from a DVD about American shorebirds. -Michal Skakuj, Durham NC Index to Volume 67 A Abbott, David, 61, 63, 65, 66, 67, 68 ACE Basin, 17,61,62, 73 Aiken County, SC, 26, 29, 36, 37, 56, 79, 127 Aiken, SC, 26, 66 Albera, James, 62 Albino, 59 Aldenderfer, Mrs. M. A., 38, 80, 128 Aldenderfer, Paul, 38, 128 Alleghany County, NC, 26, 70, 122 Allen, David, 113 Allen, Dennis. See Sutton, Clay and — Allendale, SC, 151 Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge, 2, 20, 31,65,70, 72, 114, 121 Anderson County, SC, 1 15 Anderson, Bob, 63, 66, 73 Anhinga, 42, 62, 83, 132 Anilorac Farm, 1 20 Argentati, John, 19 Armistead, George, 68 Armistead, Harry, 67 Arrants, Josh, 19, 20 Ashe County, NC, 122, 154 Ashe, Lamar, 64 Asheville, NC, 26, 29, 1 14 Atkins, Van, 37 Atlantic Beach, NC, 25, 62, 66, 70, 117, 119, 149 Avery County, NC, 121 Avocet, American, 21, 66, 116, 130, 134 Avon, NC, 26,31,61,68, 71, 112 Ayers, Lanney, 37 B Bacheler, Nate, 1 14 Bailey, Donna Slyce, 18, 25 Baird, Robin, 68 Bakers Mountain Park, 114, 152 Bald Head Island, 27, 30, 68, 69 Balk will, Gary, 1 15 Ballenger, Clancy, 113, 150, 151, 153 Balsam, NC, 65,71,72, 74 Bannon, Laura, 40, 82 Barden, Larry, 29 Barkes, Megan. See Post, Will, et al. Barkley, Nell, 154 Baron, Scott, 61, 68, 149, 150, 152 Barry, David, 82 Barry, Drew, 82 Barry, John, 40, 82 Barry, Susan, 82 Beane, Jeff, 62, 65, 112, 119, 149 Bear Island Wildlife Management Area, 61, 153 Bearden, Joe, 117, 118, 119 Bearden, Karen, 3, 64, 117, 118, 119 Beaton, Gifford, 37. See Cely, et al. Beaton, Gifford Jr., 1 12. See Slyce, Donna, et al. Beatty, Karen, 61 Beaufort County, NC, 62 Beaufort County, SC, 37, 79, 111,127 Beaufort, NC, 21, 66, 72 Beaver Lake, 29, 114 Beech Gap, 12 Bennett, Anna, 40, 82 Bennett, Daniel, 40 Bennett, Susan, 40, 82 Bent Creek Recreation Area, 29 Bethania, NC, 69 Bird Shoal, 21, 66 Bishopville, SC, 21 Bittern American, 17, 79, 82, 83, 112, 129, 132, 150 Least, 18, 38,42, 62, 132, 150 Black Mountain, NC, 17 Black Mountains, 154, 155 Blackbird Brewer's, 52, 74 Red- winged, 52, 91, 126, 139 Yellow-headed, 32, 74 Bladen County, NC, 21, 23, 114, 150, 151 Blevins, Harrol, 65, 1 19 Blue Ridge Parkway, 74, 115,119,121 Bluebird, Eastern, 49, 77, 89, 126, 137 Bobolink; 32, 37, 52, 80, 91, 139 Bobwhite, Northern, 44, 84, 133 Bockhahn, Brian, 64, 65, 67, 71, 112, 113, 116, 118, 153 Bodie Island, 3,30, 121, 154 Bogue Inlet, 148, 149, 153 Bonnell, Molly, 39,81, 130 Booby Brown, 112 Masked, 14-15, 149 Boyd, Rich, 19, 20, 21, 24, 32, 61, 62, 64, 65, 67, 68, 70, 74, 111, 112, 116, 117, 119, 155 Boyd, Susan, 19, 20, 21, 24, 32, 61, 62, 64, 65, 67, 68, 70, 74, 111, 112, 116, 117, 119 Brant, 19, 33, 63 Brattonsville, NC, 25 Braun, Chuck, 127 Brenneman, Dori, 37 Brenneman, Ron, 37 Brevard, NC, 23, 26, 27, 29, 31,32, 64, 65, 69, 115 Bright, Jerry. See Cely, et al. Brinkley, Ned, 17, 25, 29, 32, 67, 117 Brisse, Patrick, 149, 151 Broad River Wildlife Management Area, 31 Brookgreen Gardens, 20 Brooks, Marshall, 65 Brown, Anna, 40 Brown, Elaine, 81 Brown, Gordon, 63 Brown, Sharon, 38, 62, 81 Brown, Tim, 40, 82, 131 Browning, Rebecca B., Hermit Thrush Nesting in North Carolina, 11-13 Brownlee, Jim, 37, 80 Brownlee, Sue, 80 Brunjes, John, 71 160 The Chat, Vol 67, No A, Fall 2003 161 Brunswick County, NC, 1, 3, 22, 25, 70, 1 14 Brush Fence Ridge, 12 Brushy Mountains, 20 Bryan, Allen, 62, 74 Buckhom Reservoir, 17, 19, 21,22, 23, 29,31,32 Buckman, John, 3, 27, 30 Bucksport, SC, 21, 22, 23, 115, 116 Budnitz, Norm, 22, 62, 67, 75, 112 Bufflehead, 114 Bull Island, 18, 63, 70, 121 Buncombe County, NC, 12, 19, 24, 29,61,63, 64, 65, 111, 119 Bunting Indigo, 32, 38, 52,74,91, 139 Lazuli, 122 Painted, 32, 52, 74, 91, 139 Snow, 31, 74 Burlington, NC, 1 14 Burnette, Dennis, 18 Burton, Pat, 40 Butner Game Lands, 1 12 Buxton, NC, 73, 153 Byer, Pam, 127 c Cabarrus County, NC, 18, 23, 30, 64 Caldwell County, NC, 22 Calhoun County, SC, 28, 37, 79, 80, 122, 127, 128 Calver, Steve, 17, 18, 23, 24, 28, 29, 30,31,33,61,68, 69, 72, 73,74, 111, 113, 114, 116, 117, 120, 130, 149, 150, 151, 152, 153 Camberlain, Marian, 128 Cambum, Keith, 24, 25, 28, 30,31,70, 114. See LeGrand, Harry E. Jr., et al. Cameron, Jamie, 67, 70 Campbell, Leah, 39 Campbell, Lyle, 38, 40, 80, 82, 128, 131 Campbell, Sarah, 40, 82, 131 Campbell, Susan, 19, 32, 69, 73, 150, 153. See LeGrand, Harry E. Jr., et al. Campnell, Lawanna, 82 Canfield, Chris, 69 Canvasback, 63 Cape Fear River, 1 14, 150, 151 Cape Hatteras, 19, 24, 25, 61,62, 63, 64, 67, 69,71, 72, 73, 111, 113, 117, 118, 150 Cape Lookout National Seashore, 68, 111, 117, 119, 120, 121, 149 Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge, 17, 18 Cardinal, Northern, 31, 36, 51,77,91, 126, 139 Carlson, Brad, 29, 62, 64, 67, 68, 70, 111, 113, 118, 148 Carlson, Danny, 37 Carlson, Pat, 29, 62, 70, 1 1 1 Carolina Beach, NC, 70 Carter, Derb, 2, 16, 20, 21, 27, 30,61,63, 64, 67, 68, 70, 72, 74, 97, 111, 117, 118, 119 Carter, Robin, 23, 26, 27, 30, 40, 65, 70, 72, 74, 80, 82, 111, 121, 122, 130, 151, 152, 153 Carter, Robin, review of Annotated Checklist of Georgia Birds, 123-24 Carteret County, NC, 27, 61, 65, 72, 149, 150, 154 Carvers Gap, 12,21,26, 28, 29,31 Cashiers, NC, 122 Cashua Ferry Landing, 28 Castalia, NC, 26, 29 Caswell Beach, 153 Catawba County, NC, 18, 27, 114, 152 Catawba River, 19 Catbird, Gray, 41, 49, 71, 89, 137, 154 Cathey, Sam, 65 Catlin, Jeff, 63 Caw Caw County Park, 28, 57, 70, 120, 154 Caw Caw Plantation, 7 1 Cayce, SC, 69 Cedar Island Ferry Terminal, 25, 27, 32 Cedar Island National Wildlife Refuge, 20 Cely, John, et al.. Recent Limpkin Records from South Carolina, 56-58 Cely, John, House Wrens Nesting in Columbia, South Carolina, 143-45 Ceselski, Andrea, 39, 81, 130 Chalmers, Alan, 131 Chamberlain, David, 22, 30, 115, 155 Chamberlain, David, Additional Notes on Bachman's Warbler, 5-10 Champlin, Paul, 17, 18, 19, 20, 24, 25, 26,31, 121, 154 Champlin, Tracey, 26, 121 Chapel Hill, NC, 32, 71, 72, 74, 112, 114, 120, 151 Chapman, Andrew, 130 Chapman, Marcus, 130 Chapman, Tom, 130 Charleston County, SC, 30, 36, 37,38, 56, 57, 59,61, 70, 79, 80, 100, 112, 125, 127, 128, 145, 151, 154 Charleston, SC, 5, 57, 62, 65, 66, 69, 73, 154 Charlotte, NC, 17, 25, 26, 29, 30,31,69,71 Chat, Yellow-breasted, 30, 51,73, 78,91, 126, 139 Chatham County, NC, 2, 96, 114, 150, 155 Chatterton, Helen, 62, 66, 71,73 Chattooga Recreation Area, 102-9 Cheek, Elaine, 82 Cherokee County, SC, 36, 38, 79, 80, 125, 128 Chester County, SC, 79, 80, 127, 129 Chew, Jane, 18 Chickadee, Carolina, 36, 48, 88, 126, 137 Childers, Travis, 38 Chimney Rock Park, 154 Chinn, Bob, 62, 66, 73 Chuck-will's-widow, 46, 69, 100-101, 128, 130, 135 Chukar, 115 Churchill, Diana, 130, 151 Clarendon County, SC, 150 Clark, Jim, 64 Clark, Marianne, 64 162 Index to Volume 67 (2003) Clark, Nancy, 65 Clarke, Peg, 38, 128 Clarks Hill Reservoir, 17, 18, 19, 20, 24, 25 Clemson, SC, 74, 112, 116 Clingman's Dome, 28, 3 1 Cobb, Claude, 38, 80, 129 Codispoti, Dan, 40, 82, 131 Cody, Baxter, 41 Cohen, Susan, 151 Coin, Patrick, 120 Coleman, Matthew, 40 Coleman, Teressa, 40 Collared-Dove, Eurasian, 46, 86, 135 Colleton County, SC, 36, 38, 79,81, 115, 150, 153 Collopy, David, 41 Columbia, SC, 19, 23, 63, 64, 65, 116, 120, 143 Columbus County, NC, 113, 114, 150, 151 Coman, James, 26, 70 Congaree Bluffs Preserve, 26, 1 14 Congaree Swamp National Monument, 5, 74 Connelly, John, 79 Connors, John, 62, 71, 120 Conradi, Edward, 37, 80, 128 Conradi, Sandra, 80 Conway, SC, 121 Conway, Walt, 74 Cook, Will, 1, 2, 3, 18, 20, 22, 23, 24, 26, 27, 28, 30, 61,63,66, 67, 68,71,97, 99, 112, 114, 118, 120, 149, 152 Cooper, Sam, 27, 31, 32, 69, 70, 111, 114, 119, 148, 149, 151, 153. See LeGrand, Harry E. Jr., et al. Coot, American, 44, 85, 115, 134, 152 Copeley, Leto, 22 Coquina Beach, 73 Cormorant Double-crested, 42, 62, 83, 132 Great, 17 Covington, Wayne, 71 Cowans Ford Wildlife Refuge, 120 Cowbird Brown-headed, 52, 92, 140 Shiny, 32, 122, 155 Cox, Don, 40, 73 Cox, Steve, 40, 73 Cox, Vicki, 40 Craggy Gardens, 152 Craig, Tom Moore, 40, 131 Crane, Duane, 64 Crane Sandhill, 20, 65, 115 Whooping, 115 Creeper, Brown, 102, 104, 105 Croatan National Forest, 1 19 Crossbill, Red, 122, 155 Crow American, 36, 48, 77, 88, 126, 136 Fish, 48, 88, 136 Cuckoo Black-billed, 26, 38, 46, 79,81,86, 119, 135, 153 Yellow-billed, 46, 86, 126, 135 Culbertson, Jim, 115 Cumbahee River, 17 Curlew, Long-billed, 21, 66, 116, 152 D Dabbs, Evelyn, 73, 131 Dairyland Rd, 63, 154, 155 Dane, Lee, 37 Dapkins, Andy, 80, 82 Darden, Barbara, 130 Dare County, NC, 1,2, 155 Darlington County, SC, 28 Davies, Preston, 39, 81 Davis, Harry, 81, 121 Davis, Kelly, 20, 21, 22, 24, 65, 67, 68, 69 Davis, Linda, 69, 119 Davis, Ricky, 17, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 27, 28, 29, 30,31,32, 60, 62, 63, 64, 66, 67, 69, 70,71,72, 73, 74, 97, 110, 111, 113, 114, 116, 117, 118, 120, 121, 122, 149, 150, 152, 153, 154, 155. See LeGrand, Harry E. Jr., et al. Dawson, Mike, 38 Day, Andy. See Cely, et al. Day, Todd, 150 Deahl, Linda, 40, 82 Deahl, Richard, 82 Dean, Celia, 17 Dean, Eric, 17, 23, 28, 31, 61,66, 67, 68, 73, 111, 116, 122, 152. See LeGrand, Harry E. Jr., et al. DeBiase, Adrienne, 64, 72, 73, 127 Demko, John, 79 Demko, Nancy, 79 Dennis, Steve, 40, 80, 82, 130 Deveaux Bank, SC, 152 Dias, Nathan, 63, 65, 69, 70, 71,74, 115, 122, 151. See Post, William, et al. Dickcissel, 32, 34, 74, 122, 127, 128, 139, 155 Dietz, Clem, 128 Disher, David, 122 Dole, John, 24, 28, 30 Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, 151 Dorchester County, SC, 38, 65, 119 Douglas, Mary, 122 Dove Mourning, 46, 77, 86, 126, 135 Rock, 46 White- winged, 153 Dovekie, 67, 118 Do witcher Long-billed, 24, 153 Short-billed, 24, 45, 81, 86, 117, 135, 153 Duck American Black, 38, 43 Harlequin, 63 Long-tailed, 64, 1 13 Mottled, 38, 43, 80, 84, 133 Ring-necked, 63, 113 Ruddy, 133 Wood, 19,43, 84, 133 Duke Forest, 27 Dunlin, 23,45,86, 116, 127, 134, 152 Dunn, Ian, 1 8 Durham County, NC, 29, 111, 112 Durham, NC, 67, 111, 112, 152 The Chat, Vol. 67, No A, Fall 2003 163 E Eagle Bald, 20, 39,43, 84, 133 Golden, 20, 65, 114, 152 Earl, Charles, 82 Eastman, Caroline, 40, 70, 111, 130, 151 Edgecombe County, NC, 21, 122, 155 Edisto Beach State Park, 154 Edisto Island, SC, 69 Edwards, Bill, 23 Edwards, Jim, 18, 23, 73, 115 Egret Cattle, 42, 62, 83, 112, 132, 150 Great, 42, 62, 83, 132 Reddish, 18, 150 Snowy, 18, 41, 42, 83, 112, 132, 150 Eider Common, 19, 63 King, 63 Eldridge, Carol, 79, 127 Eldridge, Larry, 37, 79, 127 Elizabeth City, NC, 74, 122 Elizabethan Gardens, 120, 121 Elizabethton, NC, 21 Ellerbe Creek, 24 Ellis, Bob, 128 Emerald Isle, NC, 67, 118 Emmitt, Randy, 112, 118 Enders, Elisa, 149, 150, 152 Enders, Frank, 114, 152 Englehardt, Glenn, 40, 82, 131 F Fairfield County, SC, 27, 30, 31,39 Fairlawn Plantation, 5, 6 Falcon, Peregrine, 20, 65, 114 Falls Lake, 3, 16, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 27, 32, 64, 65, 67,71, 111, 112, 113, 116, 118, 153 Fennell, Jack, 27, 118, 154 Fiala, Kent, 16, 23, 24, 32, 113 Figure Eight Island, 16, 61, 111, 118, 119 Finch House, 52, 92, 140 Purple, 52, 92, 140 Finlayson, Kate, 69 Fisher, Bert, 20, 21, 22 Flat River Impoundment, 29 Flicker Northern, 47, 87, 136 Northern "Red-shafted", 26 Flint, Charles, 33 Fluech, Bryan, 79, 128 Flycatcher Acadian, 47, 87,98, 136 Alder, 27, 154 Ash-throated, 2 Cordilleran, 96-100 Great Crested, 47, 87, 126, 136 Least, 27, 79,81,87, 120, 127, 129, 136 Olive-sided, 26, 38, 47 Pacific-slope, 96-100 Pacific-slope/Cordilleran, 2,4 Scissor- tailed, 27, 120 Vermilion, 120 Western, 96-100 Willow, 27, 38, 47,81, 87, 119, 154 Yellow-bellied, 26, 98, 136 Fogo, Laura, 63, 73, 74 Folly Beach, SC, 69 Folly Island, SC, 100 Forsyth County, NC, 69 Forsythe, Dennis, 27, 28, 37, 38, 66, 72, 121, 122 Forsythe, Donna, 38, 69 Forsythe, Wayne, 18, 19, 20, 21,22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 31, 63, 64, 65, 67, 68, 69, 70, 73, 74, 111, 115, 116, 118, 120, 121, 122, 149, 150, 152, 153, 155. See LeGrand, Harry E. Jr., et al. Fort Caswell, 66 Fort Fisher State Park, 1,18, 21,27,31,32, 62, 63, 64, 66, 67, 70,71, 150, 153, 154 Fort Macon State Park, 23, 29, 30, 68, 70, 111, 116, 118, 119, 151 Fort Motte, 28 Fort Moultrie National Monument, 67, 71 Foster, Tim, 82, 131 Fowler, Pat, 40, 131 Fowler, Roy, 40, 131 Fox, Cynthia, 151 Francis Beidler Forest, 1 19, 121 Franklin County, NC, 20, 28 French Broad River, 150 Frigatebird, Magnificent, 17, 112,150 Frisco, NC, 71 Froning, Jill, 3 Frueh, Ida, 80, 82 Frueh, Paul, 80, 82 Fuller, Wade, 117, 149, 155 Funderburk, Sharon, 24, 26, 68, 73 Funk, Dennis, 82 Fussell, John, 21, 23, 25, 27, 31,61,62,64, 66, 68, 69, 70, 72, 73, 74, 111, 113, 117, 118, 119, 120, 121, 149, 151, 152, 153, 154 G Gahagan, Onoosh, 40, 131 Gahagan, Ron, 40 Galizio, Mark, 72 Gallinule, Purple, 20, 130, 133 Gallitano, Lena, 148, 152 Galloway, Elizabeth, 81 Gannet, Northern, 112, 127, 129, 132, 149 Garden City, SC, 70 Garrett, Buddy, 119, 150 Garrett, Ken, 38, 80, 129 Gaston County, NC, 114, 155 Gastonia, NC, 64 Gauthreaux, Sid Jr, 19 Georgetown County, SC, 14, 20, 26, 36, 39, 127, 129, 151 Gerstner, Jack, 38 Gerwin, John, 12 Gibeau, Stu, 17, 69, 116 Gilman, Robin, 82, 131 Glen, Teresa, 40 Glenn Hilton Park, 26, 27, 31 Glick, Bruce, 72 Glover, Lex, 19, 20, 23, 64, 65, 70, 72, 73, 74. See Slyce, Donna, et al. 164 Index to Volume 67 (2003) Gnatcatcher, Blue-gray, 49, 89, 137 God wit Hudsonian, 22, 116 Marbled, 22, 38, 45, 66, 80, 85 Goedsche, Charlotte, 112 Goldeneye, Common, 64 Golden-Plover, American, 21, 115 Goldfinch, American, 52, 59, 92, 140 Goldsboro, NC, 152 Goose Canada, 43, 84, 133 Greater White-fronted, 18, 62, 113 Ross's, 19, 63 Snow, 19, 36, 40, 43 Gorges State Park, 12 Goshawk, Northern, 20 Grackle Boat-tailed, 52, 92, 139, 145-47 Common, 52, 92, 139 Graham County, NC, 120 Grandfather Mountain, 11 Gray, Gary, 79 Grebe Eared, 61, 111 Homed, 17, 111 Pied-billed, 42, 80, 83, 127, 132 Red-necked, 61, 111 Western, 61 Green, John, 40, 82 Greensboro, NC, 69, 155 Green view Pond, 19 Greenville Artificial Reef, 14 Greenville County, SC, 36, 39, 65, 73,79,81, 105, 127, 129 Greenville, NC, 62, 64, 114 Greenville, SC, 152 Greenwood County, SC, 25 Grego, John, 130 Gregory, Judy, 37, 79, 127 Griffith, Catherine, 40 Griffith, Lauren, 40 Griggs, Jerry, 39, 69 Grimes, Cindy, 153 Grizzard, Bennett, 40 Grosbeak Black-headed, 74, 122 Blue, 38,51,91, 139 Evening, 32, 75 Rose-breasted, 32, 51, 91, 131, 139 Ground-Dove, Common, 25, 37, 46, 129, 135 Grouse, Ruffed, 65 Guilford County, NC, 18 Guillemot, Black, 68 Gull Black-headed, 24, 67, 117 Black-tailed, 1, 4 Bonaparte's, 24, 130, 135, 153 California, 24, 67 Franklin's, 24 Glaucous, 67 Great Black-backed, 67 Herring, 45, 67, 86, 128, 135 Laughing, 24, 45, 66, 86, 117, 135, 153 Lesser Black-backed, 25, 67 Little, 67, 117 Ring-billed, 45, 86, 129, 135 Thayer's, 67 Gustafson, Dave, 39 H Hahn, Diane, 18, 150 Hales, Shirley, 73 Halifax County, NC, 114, 152 Hampstead, NC, 26 Hampton County, SC, 39, 79,81, 125, 127, 130 Hanrahan, Elizabeth, 112 Hansen, Jan, 32 Happy Valley, 112, 115 Harkers Island, 153 Harley ville, SC, 74, 121 Harrier, Northern, 38, 43, 80, 84, 1 14 Harris Lake, 61 Harris, Jenny, 40 Harrison, Andy, 37 Harrold, Eric, 26 Hart, Paul, 70 Hartley, Scott, 20 Hatteras Inlet, 19 Hatteras, NC, 17, 24, 25,61, 66, 67, 68,71, 111, 112, 117, 118, 121, 149, 153 Havelock, NC, 117 Hawk Broad-winged, 20, 44, 84, 133 Cooper's, 40, 43, 84, 131, 133, 152 Red-shouldered, 43, 84, 133 Red-tailed, 44, 84, 133 Rough-legged, 20, 65 Sharp-shinned, 41, 43, 84, 133, 152 Swainson's, 114 Haywood County, NC, 1 1 , 65, 67, 155 Heacock, Charles, 39 Helms, Chris, 3 Hendershot, Don, 65 Henderson County, NC, 18, 19,21,23, 26, 27, 28,31, 68, 70, 73, 74, 112, 115, 116, 120, 122, 150, 153 Henderson, Conway, 40, 82 Hendersonville, NC, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 29, 115, 116, 121, 152, 155 Hendrickson, Herb, 1 8 Herbert, John A. See Post, Will, et al. Heron Great Blue, 18, 42, 83, 132 Green, 42, 62, 83, 132 Little Blue, 18, 42, 83, 132, 150 Tricolored, 42, 83, 132, 150 Hettler, Bill, 119 Hickory, NC, 26, 27, 31 Hider, Marcia, 37 Hiestand, Ed, 67 High Point Lake, 150 Hill, Chris, 112 Hillsborough, NC, 26, 69 Hilton Head Island, 61, 62, 66, 72 Hilton, Bill Jr., 26,31, 122 Hines, J. B., 38, 80, 129 Hodges, SC, 25 Holden Beach, NC, 24 Holmes, Bob, 64, 67, 70, 118 Hooper Lane, 17, 19, 21, 22, 23, 27, 28,31,63, 65,68, 70, 73, 74, 115, 116, 117, 122, 152 Hopkins, Hop, 65 Horry County, SC, 57 Hough, Royce, 20, 21, 120 The Chat, Vol 67, No A, Fall 2003 165 Howe, Gene, 23,27, 111, 116 Howell Woods, 114, 150 Hull, W., 150 Hummingbird Black-chinned, 69, 119 Calliope, 2, 26, 69 Ruby-throated, 47, 69, 87, 136 Rufous, 26, 69, 154 Huntington Beach State Park, 18, 20,31,64, 68, 70, 113, 114, 117, 119, 150 Huzella, Christine, 37, 79, 127 Hyde County, NC, 62, 65 Hy lander, Joan, 38, 128 / I'on Swamp, 6, 120 Ibis Glossy, 18, 38, 42, 62, 80, 83, 113, 132 Sacred, 18 White, 38, 42, 82, 83, 131, 132 White-faced, 1, 4 Ice, Gail B., 80, 129 Ice, Gail C., 80 Iredell County, NC, 65 Irmo, SC, 69 Irvin, Wayne, 30, 61, 63, 67, 70,73, 118 Isle of Palms, SC, 17, 61, 66, 67 Ivy, Jessie, 40, 131 J Jackson Park, 18, 20, 26, 28, 29, 30,31, 115, 121, 155 Jackson, Marvin, 40 Jackson, SC, 18 Jacksonville, NC, 63, 67, 119 Jaeger 66 Long-tailed, 24, 34, 117 Parasitic, 117 Pomarine, 34, 117, 153 James Island, SC, 27, 28, 69 Jamestown, NC, 150 Jasper County, SC, 17, 18, 23,28, 29,31,57,61,68, 111, 120, 127, 130, 149, 150 Jay, Blue, 36, 48, 77, 88, 126, 136 Jenne, Connie, 40, 82 Jenne, Ron, 40, 82 Jennings, Jack, 131 Johns Island, 59, 145 Johnston County, NC, 1 14, 150 Johnston, Alan, 118 Jones County, NC, 155 Jones, Charles, 81 Jones, Joel, 82, 131 Jones, Linda, 81, 129 Jordan Lake, 2, 18,20,21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 27, 29, 30, 62, 64, 67, 75,96, 111, 113, 118, 120, 148, 150 Joyce, Tom, 61, 65 Junco, Dark-eyed, 51, 81, 91, 102, 139 K Kalbach, Tim, 23, 29, 31, 37, 64, 68, 70. See Slyce, Donna, et al. Kaplan, Dan, 1 19 Kay, Herb, 40, 82, 131 Keener, James, 79, 127 Keller, Pat, 37 Kelly, Valda, 130 Kempe, Ludwig, 115 Kent, Ann, 38, 80 Kerr Lake, 111 Kerr Scott Reservoir, 23 Kestrel, American, 84, 131, 133, 152 Kiawah Island, SC, 18 Kill Devil Hills, NC, 68 Killdeer, 44, 85, 134 King, Tammy, 82 Kingbird Couch's, 2 Eastern, 48, 87, 126, 130, 136 Gray, 27, 120, 154 Tropical, 2, 3, 4 Western, 27, 69 Kingfisher, Belted, 47, 87, 136 Kinglet Golden-crowned, 102-9, 102, 103, 105 Ruby-crowned, 38, 49, 79, 82, 89, 97, 127, 128, 137 Kinston, NC, 32, 62 Kite Mississippi, 43, 79, 82, 84, 133, 152 Swallow-tailed, 19, 38, 43, 114, 127, 130, 133, 151 Kittiwake, Black-legged, 67 Kitty Hawk, NC, 72 Kneidel, Alan, 30 Knight, Rick, 21, 26, 28, 29, 31, 111, 155 Knot, Red, 22, 38, 45, 128, 134 Koehler, Paul, 18, 79, 128 Kopka, Len, 39, 81, 129 Kord, Mariland, 38 Krakauer, Tom, 24 Kramer, Jane, 81, 129 Kutulas, Joan, 29, 67, 72, 121 L LaBounty, Dave, 154 Lake Crabtree, 25, 30, 63, 64, 115, 117, 118 Lake Don T. Howell, 18, 23, 30,64 Lake Gaston, 113, 117, 118 Lake Hartwell, 69 Lake Hickory, 19, 22, 25, 111, 112, 117 Lake Julian, 19,24,25,61, 63, 64, 111, 118 Lake Junaluska, NC, 65, 67, 112, 149, 153 Lake Keowee, 33, 110 Lake Landing, NC, 62, 65 Lake Marion, 17, 19, 28, 65, 67, 151 Lake Mattamuskeet, 2, 17, 18, 19, 20,21,22, 24,61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70,71,72, 73,74 Lake Medcalf, 150 Lake Moultrie, 17 Lake Murray, 24, 112, 113 Lake Norman, 61, 64, 71, 72, 120, 153 Lake Orange, 1 8 Lake Osceola, 19, 116 Lake Phelps, 64, 153, 155 Lake Townsend, 1 8 166 Index to Volume 67 (2003) Lake Wateree, 62, 64, 72 Lake Wylie, 150 Lancaster County, SC, 31 Landrum, SC, 29 Langen, Tori, 38 Lanham, Drew, 74 Lark, Homed, 27, 70, 88, 137 Lathrop, Liz, 62 Laurie, Pete, 59, 61, 62, 73 Lavender, Karla, 38, 80, 129 Lavender, Scott, 38, 80 Lee County, SC, 20 LeGrand, Harry, 28, 62, 63, 64, 67, 72, 113, 114, 115, 117, 118, 122, 153, 155 LeGrand, Harry E. Jr, and Jeffrey S. Pippen, First Record of the Western Flycatcher Complex in North Carolina, 96-100 LeGrand, Harry E. Jr., et al., 2002 Report of the North Carolina Bird Records Committee, 1-4 LeMay, Phyllis, 40 Lewis, Jane, 74 Lewis, Jeff, 1, 17, 18, 20, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30,31,32,61, 63, 65, 67, 68, 70,71,72, 73, 74, 111, 113, 114, 117, 118, 119, 120, 121, 148, 149, 150, 153, 155 Lewis, Tim, 29, 61, 114 Lexington County, SC, 36, 39, 40, 79,81, 130 Lexington, SC, 121 Lilly, Ritch, 18, 20, 23, 27, 70, 74, 112, 113, 114, 120, 151 Limpkin, 56-58, 115 Lindfors, John, 26, 121, 150 Litchfield Beach, SC, 18, 33, 149 Lloyd, Nan, 61, 62, 66, 72 Lockwood Folly Inlet, 24 Lohr, Steve, 80 Long Beach, NC, 70 Long Cane Creek, 18, 20, 23, 24 Long Cane, SC, 73, 74 Long, Megan, 131 Longspur, Lapland, 3 1 , 74, 122 Lookout Shoals Lake, 25 Loon Common, 16, 111, 148 Pacific, 16,61, 111, 148 Red-throated, 60, 110 Lorenzin, Tomm, 64, 71, 120 Lovett, Dave, 25 Lowe, Gayle, 129 Lundstrom, Ken, 61 Lyman, Nancy, 37 Lynch, Merrill, 111, 114, 119, 122, 152, 154, 155 Lyons, Marcia, 152 M Mackay Island National Wildlife Refuge, 61 Magnolia Gardens, 57 Magnolia Plantation, 71, 151 Mallard, 43, 84, 133 Mallard, Kathleen, 131 Manteo, NC, 24, 111, 112, 117, 118, 119, 149 Marotte, Edwin, 82 Marotte, Micky, 40, 131 Martin, Dwayne, 18, 19, 22, 23,25, 26, 27, 28,31, 111, 112, 114, 115, 117, 152 Martin, John, 80 Martin, Purple, 48, 82, 88, 137 Massey, Greg, 3, 22, 24, 25, 27, 74 Max Patch, 65 Maxwell, Barbara, 120 Maxwell, Bob, 70, 120 Mayes ville, SC, 19, 20 Mays, Jonathan, 65 Mays, Wendy, 65 McCallum, D. Archibald. See Post, William, et al. McClellan ville, SC, 62, 66, 68 McConnell, Owen, 115 McConnell, Pat, 115 McCormick County, SC, 18, 20, 23, 24 McDaniel, Mary, 154 McDavit, Mary, 18, 27, 61, 69, 114, 119, 120, 150, 151 McDougald, Katrina, 65 McDowell Park Prairie Restoration area, 17, 25, 31 McFalls, Eric, 81, 129 Mcllwain, Betty, 23, 26, 27, 29,31,32, 115, 116 McNeill, Roger, 1 McRucken, James, 8 1 Meadowlark, Eastern, 52, 91, 139 Mecklenburg County, NC, 154 Merganser, Common, 64, 114 Hooded, 37, 43, 127, 133, 151 Red-breasted, 19, 40, 43, 64, 114, 127, 129, 133, 151 Merlin, 20, 65, 84, 1 14 Mettles, Tara, 37 Metz, Pat, 130 Miller, Angela, 40, 82, 131 Miller, Jim, 40, 82, 131 Miller, Margaret, 40, 82, 131 Miller, Mike, 40, 82 Miller, Moss, 82, 131 Miller, Sam, 82, 131 Mills River, NC, 26 Milner, Ward, 130 Mitchell County, NC, 1 1 , 155 Mockingbird, Northern, 36, 49, 77, 89, 100, 138 Momier, Virl, 82, 131 Monroe, NC, 19, 27, 120 Montanez, Darien, 130 Moody, Bill, 40, 82 Moon, Lloyd, 41, 63, 64, 70, 82, 131, 150, 151 Moon, WardN., 82, 131 Moore County, NC, 3, 32, 65 Moore, Burton, 71, 122 Moore, Nell, 63, 65, 70 Moore, Pat, 62, 64, 67 Moore, Sam, 151 Moorhen, Common, 44, 85, 115, 134 Morehead City, NC, 31,71, 72, 73, 74, 119, 121 Morgan, Linda, 32, 74 Morgan, Skip, 32, 74, 148 Morgan ton, NC, 19 Mount Craig, 154 Mount Mitchell, 11, 18, 19, 69, 154, 155 Mountains-to-the-Sea Trail, 12 Mt. Pleasant, SC, 63, 65, 155 The Chat, Vol. 67, No A, Fall 2003 167 Mueller, Helmut, 112, 116, 152 Mueller, Nancy, 112, 116 Mulholland, Paige, 128 Mulvaney, Jack, 82 Mulvaney, Pat, 131 Murray, Judy, 24, 114 Murre, Thick-billed, 119 Murrelet, Long-billed, 68 Murrell’s Inlet, SC, 25, 34, 111, 114, 117, 121 Myers, Mary Ann, 40, 82 Myrtle Beach State Park, 64, 121 Myrtle Beach, SC, 26, 69, 74, 112, 155 N Nags Head, NC, 1, 32, 61, 67, 74, 148, 149, 150 Nash County, NC, 27 Neal, Harvey, 121 New Bern, NC,61,64, 65 New Hanover County, NC, 1,69 New River State Park, 119 Newman, Randy, 23, 151 Newsome, Ann, 114 Newton Grove, NC, 23 Nighthawk, Common, 26, 46, 87, 128, 135 Night-Heron, 38 Black-crowned, 42, 83, 112, 128, 132 Yellow-crowned, 42, 83, 130, 132, 150 Nix, Maxi, 38, 80 North Pond, 22, 1 14 Northampton County, NC, 150 Nugent, Chris, 128 Nugent, Perry, 28, 37, 61, 66, 68,71,80, 120, 128, 151, 154. See Cely, et al. Nuthatch Brown-headed, 37, 49, 88, 137 Red-breasted, 102-9, 102, 103, 104, 105 White-breasted, 48, 88, 137 o O'Donnell, Jim, 32, 63, 67, 70, 117, 152 O'Donnell, Laura, 63, 67, 70, 117 O'Grady, Kathleen, 17, 39, 70, 130 Oakland Plantation Sod, 23 Ocean Isle Beach, NC, 20, 27 Ocean Isle, NC, 70 Oconee County, SC, 36, 40, 102, 104 Ocracoke Inlet, 149 Ocracoke, NC, 62, 68, 69, 71, 111, 112, 152 Okatie, SC, 62, 66, 71, 73 Olsen, Anne, 120 Olthoff, Bob, 23, 25, 26, 27, 28, 65, 67,71,72,73,74, 112, 121, 122, 153 Onslow Beach, 21, 70 Onslow County, NC, 32, 65, 113,119 Orange County, NC, 18, 63, 120, 154, 155 Orangeburg County, SC, 79, 82 Orangeburg, SC, 20, 21, 22, 23,28, 29, 82, 152 Oregon Inlet, 17, 61, 63, 67, 73, 111, 112, 149, 151, 152, 153 Oriole Baltimore, 36, 41, 52, 74, 92, 131, 140 Orchard, 52, 140, 155 Osprey, 37, 43, 64, 84, 1 14, 133 Otway, NC, 27 Outer Banks, 61, 62, 67, 71, 72, 112, 120, 121, 148 Ovenbird, 50, 72, 78, 90, 121, 126, 138 Owens, Nancy, 40, 82, 131 Owl Bam, 38, 46, 68, 127, 128, 135 Barred, 41, 46, 86, 128, 135 Great Homed, 46, 86, 128, 135 Long-eared, 68 Northern Saw-whet, 69 Short-eared, 68, 119 Snowy, 1 Oystercatcher, American, 38, 44, 66, 85, 128, 134 Palmetto Peartree Preserve, 150 Pamlico County, NC, 62 Pamlico Sound, 61, 64 Pantelidis, Veronica, 24 Pardue, Len, 61, 119 Parker, Dee Gee, 38 Parksville, SC, 17 Parula, Northern, 35, 38, 49, 71,78, 89, 126, 138 Patterson, Don, 18, 19 Patterson, Steve, 63, 1 10 Patteson, Brian, 17, 19, 24, 25, 26, 29,61,66, 68, 111, 117, 118, 121, 149, 153 Pawleys Island, SC, 62, 66, 74, 116, 120, 149 Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge, 1,2, 17, 19, 22, 24, 28, 29, 30,31,61,62, 67, 68,71, 112, 114, 115, 116, 117, 119, 148, 149, 151, 153 Peachey, Jack, 18, 20, 21, 22, 25, 39,61,62,64, 66, 70, 74, 111, 116, 117, 121, 129 Pearsall, Tina, 38, 80, 129 Pearson, Ken, 40, 131 Pearson, Lisa, 40, 131 Pee Dee, NC, 63, 73, 74 Pelican American White, 17, 61, 80, 83, 112, 149 Brown, 17, 42, 83, 132, 149 Pendergraft, Brian, 65, 113 Pendleton, SC, 19 Perkins, Bob, 71, 111, 120, 151 Permuda Island, 65 Perry, Cole, 81 Person County, NC, 153 Petch, Lynn, 1 14 Petch, Richard, 1 14 Petrel Bermuda, 1 1 1 Black-capped, 1 1 1 Fea's, 17, 111, 149 Herald, 17, 111, 149 168 Index to Volume 67 (2003) Pettigrew State Park, 63, 64, 73 Phalarope Red, 66, 117 Red-necked, 24, 1 17, 153 Wilson's, 24, 117, 127, 130, 135, 153 Phillips, Gary, 26, 69, 115, 116, 121, 151 Phoebe, Eastern, 47, 87, 97, 136 Phukan, Shantanu, 61, 63, 70, 118 Pickens County, SC, 69, 105,110 Piephoff, Taylor, 17, 18, 19, 20,21,23, 25,27, 30,61, 64, 65, 68, 69, 70, 72, 74, 119, 150, 153. Slyce, Donna, et al. Pierce, Don, 39 Pigeon, Rock, 86, 135 Pimm, Stuart, 117, 119 Pine Knoll Shores, NC, 113, 117 Piney Creek, NC, 26 Pipit, American, 71, 127, 128, 138 Pippen, Jeff, 2, 17, 22, 24, 27, 28, 29,31,62, 63, 66, 67, 68,71,72, 113, 115, 153, 155 Pippen, Jeffrey S. See LeGrand, Harry E. Jr and Plover Black-bellied, 20, 37, 44, 85, 115, 128, 131, 134 Piping, 21 Semipalmated, 21, 39, 44, 85, 115, 127, 134 Wilson's, 38, 44, 66, 134, 152 Pocosin Lakes NWR, 74 Polls Gap, 1 1 Porcher's Bluff, 5 Pores Knob, 20 Porter, Ray, 130 Post, Will, 150, 152, 154, 155. See Slyce, Donna, et al. Post, William, et al., Boat- tailed Grackle Uses a Marsh Wren Nest as a Platform: An Example of Limited Nest Site Availability in Salt Marshes, 145-47 Post, William, et al.. Verification that the Chuck-will's- widow Occurs in Winter in South Carolina, 100-101 Potter, Eloise, 121, 154 Potter, Eloise F., Male- Female Interactions by Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers on Wintering Grounds, 107-9 Powell, Bob, 40, 82, 131 Powell, JoAnne, 65 Powell, Sandra, 40, 82 Pry, Hugh, 131 Pry, Janet, 131 R Rail Black, 115 Clapper, 44, 80, 85, 133 King, 38, 44, 79, 80, 85, 133 Virginia, 20, 40, 44, 1 15 Yellow, 20, 65 Raleigh, NC, 62, 64, 68, 69, 112, 120, 152, 154 Randolph County, NC, 74 Raven Rock State Park, 70 Raven, Common, 39, 48, 129, 137 Ravenel, SC, 28, 70, 71, 120, 154 Raymond, J.C., 39 Raymond, Jerry, 81, 130 Rayner, Doug, 1 3 1 Razorbill, 68, 119 Redstart, American, 37, 50, 72, 78, 79,81,90, 126, 138 Rees, Al, 129 Rees, Hilda, 81, 129 Reeves, George, 128 Remaley, Dave, 122 Remaley, Shirley, 74 Renfrow, Frank, Red- breasted Nuthatch and Golden-crowned Kinglet: The First Nests for South Carolina and Other Chattooga Records, 102- 9 Revis, Bill, 20 Rexrode, Toni, 72 Reynolda Gardens, 120 Richard, Carroll, 17, 39, 70, 81, 130 Richland Balsam, NC, 152 Richland County, SC, 5, 36, 40, 127, 130, 143 Richlands, NC, 32 Riddle, Ally, 37 Riddle, Ronnie, 80 Ridge Junction Overlook, 28 Ridgeway, SC, 27, 30 Rigg, Judy, 37 Ristroph, Betsy, 79 Riverbend Park, 18, 27 Roan Mountain, 11, 12, 21, 26, 28, 29,31, 155 Roanoke Island, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30,31,32, 114, 120, 121, 155 Roanoke Rapids Lake, 23, 24, 60, 63, 64, 110, 113, 114, 116, 117, 118 Roanoke Rapids, NC, 152 Robbinsville, NC, 113, 115 Robeson County, NC, 150 Robin, American, 49, 89, 137 Robinwood Lake, 64 Rockingham County, NC, 121 Rocky Mount, NC, 30, 65, 121, 152 Rodanthe, NC, 61, 63, 67, 68, 119, 151 Roff, Steve, 1 13 Rogers, Carl, 39 Rogers, Paul, 61 Rose, Airlie, 64 Rose, Alan, 38, 80, 129 Rose, Betty Jean, 129 Rose, Josh, 2, 22, 23, 29, 61, 63, 64, 114, 116, 118 Rottenbom, Steve, 67 Rowland, Will, 152 Ruff, 24, 34 Russell, Allen, 37, 80, 128 Russell, Sue Ann, 37, 80, 128 s Saksewski, Sara, 80 Saluda County, SC, 18 Saluda River, 18 Salvo, NC, 61, 66, 68, 120 Sanderling, 22, 45, 85, 116, 134 The Chat, Vol. 67, No A, Fall 2003 169 Sanderson, Bill, review of Hawk Watch: A Video Guide to Eastern Raptors, 156-57 Sandpiper Baird's, 22 Buff-breasted, 23, 82, 86 Curlew, 153 Least, 22, 38, 45, 85, 134 Pectoral, 23, 45, 66, 86, 116, 134 Purple, 66 Semipalmated, 22, 37, 39, 45, 85, 127, 130, 134 Solitary, 44, 79, 85, 134 Spotted, 45, 66, 80, 85, 129, 134 Stilt, 23, 116, 130, 134 Upland, 21, 82, 85, 116, 152 Western, 22, 38, 45, 85, 116, 134 White-rumped, 22, 36, 39,45, 116, 134 Santee Coastal Reserve, 30, 34,61,65,70, 112, 113 Santee National Wildlife Refuge, 34, 65 Santee National Wildlife Refuge, Cuddo Unit, 34 Santee, SC, 34, 64, 65, 70, 72, 73 Sapsucker, Yellow-bellied, 41,47, 80, 87, 107-9, 119, 136 Sauscier, Les, 23 Savannah National Wildlife Refuge, 57, 62, 70, 72, 151 Savannah Spoil Site, 17, 18, 23, 24, 28, 29, 30,31,33, 61,64, 68, 69, 72, 73,74, 111, 113, 114, 116, 117, 120, 121, 122, 149, 150, 151, 152, 153, 154, 155 Scardaci, Tony, 65 Scaup Greater, 63, 113, 151 Lesser, 113, 151 Schultz, Lois, 1 19 Schultz, Mike, 1 19 Schulze, Richard Jr., 130 Schumm, Marlene, 30 Scoter Black, 19, 64 Surf, 19, 64, 151 White- winged, 19, 64, 113 Scotland County, NC, 112 Scotland Neck, NC, 24, 120, 122 Scott, Betty, 26 Scott, Ginny, 41, 82, 131 Scott, Walton, 41, 82, 131 Screech-Owl, Eastern, 40, 46, 86, 128, 135 Sell, Harry, 3, 20, 151 Selvey, Ron, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 29, 30, 63, 65, 70, 74, 115, 116, 118, 121 Seneca, SC, 72 Seriff, Don, 25 Shackleford Banks, 21, 149, 150, 152 Shadwick, Doug, 22, 24, 63, 64, 65, 118 Shahid, Ann, 38, 149 Shallotte Inlet, 22, 25 Shallotte River, 151 Shallotte, NC, 20 Sharp, Linda, 31, 39, 81 Sharp, Norm, 81 Sharpe, Mac, 129 Shealy, Mac, 41 Shearwater Audubon's, 149 Cory's, 14 Greater, 149 Manx, 61, 111 Sooty, 61 Shelby, NC, 69 Shelley Lake, 64 Shepherd, Tom, 150 Shewmaker, Paul, 8 1 Shoveler, Northern, 130, 133 Shrike, Loggerhead, 48, 70, 88, 136, 154 Shultz, Steve, 20, 21, 22, 23, 25, 27, 64, 65, 113 Siebenheller, Norma, 64, 65, 69 Sill, Allison, 69 Silver Bluff Audubon Sanctuary, 18 Simpson, Marcus, 151, 154, 155 Simpsonville, SC, 69, 72 Siskin, Pine, 36, 40, 52 Skakuj, Michal, review of Shorebirds: A Guide to S ho rebirds of Eastern North America, 157-59 Skakuj, Mike, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 27, 148, 149, 151, 153 Skimmer, Black, 38, 46, 80, 86, 135 Skua Great, 66 South Polar, 24, 117 Slyce, Donna, 62, 64, 72, 81, 129 Slyce, Donna, et al., 2002 Report of the South Carolina Bird Records Committee, 33-34 Slyce, Donna, Fall 2002 North American Migration Count in South Carolina, 77-95 Slyce, Donna, Fall 2003 North American Migration Count in South Carolina, 125-31 Slyce, Donna, Spring 2002 North American Migration Count in South Carolina, 35-55 Smith, Ben, 37 Smith, Jon, 120, 122 Smith, Steve, 152 Smithfield, NC, 113 Smithson, Bruce, 1, 21, 27, 63, 67 Smylie, Liz, 38 Snavely, Ramona, 22, 23, 69, 114, 119, 150, 152 Sneads Ferry, NC, 62, 151 Sneed, Cherrie, 149 Sora, 130, 133 Sorenson, Clyde, 32, 113, 115, 116, 118, 148, 154 South Pond, 17, 19, 23,31, 68, 115 South River, NC, 61 Southern Pines, NC, 20, 30 Southern Shores, NC, 67, 69, 72, 121 Southport, NC, 3, 20, 27, 60, 63, 66, 70, 72, 74 Sowell, Gary, 37, 64, 68, 70 Sparrow Bachman's, 37, 51, 139 Chipping, 51, 91, 139 Clay-colored, 30, 73, 121 Field, 51, 91, 139 Grasshopper, 31, 41, 51, 73,91, 139 Henslow's, 31,73, 122 170 Index to Volume 67 (2003) House, 52, 92, 140 Lark, 31, 73, 122 Le Conte's, 73 Lincoln's, 31, 73, 122 Nelson's Sharp-tailed, 3 1 , 73, 122 Savannah, 40, 51, 122, 139 Savannah "Ipswich", 73 Song, 31,41,51,91, 129, 139 Swamp, 37,51,79, 80, 91, 127, 131, 139 Vesper, 73, 122 White-crowned, 74, 155 White-throated, 41,51, 82,91, 122, 128, 139, 155 Sparta, NC, 65 Spartanburg County, SC, 36, 40, 79, 82, 127, 131 Spoonbill, Roseate, 18, 113, 150 Stacey, Lois, 128 Starling, European, 49, 89, 138 Stateburg, SC, 63, 64 Stecoah Gap, 120 Stegenga, Scott, 71, 115, 120, 155 Steinke, Alice, 40, 130 Stevenot, Joe, 38, 80, 128 Stevenot, Martha, 38, 80, 128 Stilt, Black-necked, 21, 44, 134, 152 Stint, Red-necked, 33 Stone, Steve, 68 Stork, Wood, 18, 42, 83, 113, 130, 132, 150 Storm-Petrel Band-rumped, 17, 111 Leach's, 17, 111 Wilson's, 14 Stowe, Spurgeon, 17 Sullivan, Genevieve, 82 Sullivan, Laurel, 41, 82 Sullivans Island, SC, 61, 66, 68, 100, 115 Summerville, SC, 73 Sumter County, SC, 19, 20, 41,57, 64, 79, 82, 131 Sumter National Forest, SC, 102 Sumter, SC, 73 Sunny Point, 70 Sunset Beach, NC, 18, 27, 64, 69, 70, 113, 119, 150 Supre, Paul, 112 Sutton, Clay, and Dennis Allen, Masked Booby off Winyah Bay, South Carolina, 14-15 Sutton, Jim, 111 Sutton, John, 1 14 Swaim, Mike, 61, 120 Swallow Bank, 48, 79, 88, 137 Bam, 28, 48, 70, 88, 120, 137 Cave, 27, 70 Cliff, 48, 129, 137 Northern Rough-winged, 27, 48, 70, 88, 120, 137 Tree, 48, 88, 137, 154 Swan Quarter-Ocracoke Ferry, 61, 64 Swan Mute, 151 Tundra, 63 Swansboro, NC, 114 Swicegood, Danny, 63, 68, 115, 116, 117 Swift, Chimney, 46, 78, 80, 87, 119, 136, 154 Sykes, Paul, 1,21,62,71, 72, 112, 116, 117, 122, 154, 155 T Table Rock State Park, 71, 115, 120, 155 Tanager Scarlet, 30,37,51,91, 139 Summer, 30,51,91, 139 Western, 30, 73, 121 Tar River, 152 Taylor, Bob, 37 Taylor, Cary, 39 Taylor, Susan, 39 Taylor, Tina, 131 Teal "Common" Green- winged, 113 Blue-winged, 19, 38, 43, 63, 84, 133, 151 Green-winged, 82, 84, 130, 133 Temple, Don, 61 Tem "Cayenne" Sandwich, 153 Arctic, 118 Black, 25, 153 Bridled, 25, 118 Caspian, 25, 37, 38, 45, 86, 118, 135, 153 Common, 38, 46, 118, 128, 135 Forster's, 25, 37, 46, 67, 86, 118, 135 Gull-billed, 38, 45,81, 86, 130, 135 Least, 46, 80, 86, 118, 131, 135 Roseate, 118, 153 Royal, 46, 86, 135 Sandwich, 25, 135 Sooty, 25, 118, 153 Theye, Shelley, 120 Thomas, Stephen, 150 Thompson, Murray, 30 Thompson, Simon, 1, 23, 29, 30.31.73, 74, 113, 114, 118, 152, 154, 155 Thorpe, Dick, 131 Thorpe, Lois, 131 Thrasher, Brown, 28, 49, 89, 126, 138 Thrush Bicknell's, 3, 4 Gray-cheeked, 3, 28, 89, 131, 137 Hermit, 11-13,79, 89, 120, 131, 137, 154 Swainson's, 28, 89, 131, 137 Wood, 28, 49, 80, 89, 120, 137 Thurmond, Gerald, 82, 131 Titmouse, Tufted, 48, 77, 88, 126, 137 Todd, Les, 20, 21, 22, 24 Topsail Beach, NC, 70 Topsail Island, 113 Tove, Mike, 70, 111, 112, 114, 118 Towhee Eastern, 51, 91, 139 Green-tailed, 3, 4 Townville, SC, 23, 31, 63, 65.73, 115 Tracey, Steve, 80, 82, 130 Tracy, Steve, 64, 114 Transylvania County, NC, 12, 115, 116, 119 The Chat, Vol. 67, No A, Fall 2003 171 Travis, Ginger, 18, 22, 26, 69, 118, 148, 154 Trenton, NC, 150, 151, 153 Triangle, 22, 67 Tropicbird Red-billed, 112, 149 White-tailed, 17, 111, 149 Tryon, NC, 73 Tulula Wetlands, 1 15 Tuomey, Bill, 80 Turkey, Wild, 44, 84, 133 Turner, John, 82 Turner, Mike, 17, 18, 19,21, 23, 24, 28,31,63, 64, 65, 67, 112, 113, 114, 116, 117, 120 Turner, Phil, 34, 74, 113, 155 Turner, Sharon, 34, 74, 113, 155 Turnstone, Ruddy, 22, 45, 85, 116, 134 Twin Lakes, 64 Tyler, Emily, 155 Tyndall, Patricia, 25, 29, 61, 68,71,73, 111, 113, 122 Tyndall, Russ, 25, 29, 61, 68,71,73, 111, 113, 122, 150 Tyrrell County, NC, 113, 150 u Ulmer, M. B„ 82 Unaka Mountain, 11 Union County, NC, 19 Union County, SC, 36, 41 Unruh, Lori, 61 Upper Santee Swamp, 57 V Vainright, Howard, 70 Van Druten, Kelley, 153 Van Epps, Rob, 72 Van Houton, Kyle, 118 Vance County, NC, 111 Vankevich, Peter, 62, 68 Vaughan, Charles, 128 Vaught, Tom, 20 Veery, 38,49, 89, 130, 137 Vireo Blue-headed, 39, 48, 81, 88, 136 Philadelphia, 27, 34 Red-eyed, 48, 88, 136 Warbling, 27, 79, 81, 88, 120, 154 White-eyed, 27, 48, 88, 136, 154 Yellow-throated, 48, 88, 136 Vulture Black, 42, 84, 113, 132 Turkey, 43, 84, 132 w Wade, Tommy, 68 Wagner, Steve, 20, 40, 74. See Slyce, Donna, et al. Wagtail Black-backed, 3 White, 3, 4 Wake County, NC, 3, 19, 25, 30,61,63, 64, 107, 115, 117, 118 Wake Forest, NC, 71 Walhalla National Fish Hatchery, 102 Walker Knob, 12 Walker, Alice, 37, 79, 128 Walker, Doug, 37, 79, 128 Walker, Heathy, 70, 114 Walker, Judy, 21, 121 Walterboro, SC, 122 Walters, Charles, 37 Warbler "Brewster's", 28 Bachman's, 5-10 Bay-breasted, 29, 35, 77, 78, 126, 127, 129, 138 Black-and-white, 50, 72, 78, 90, 126, 138 Blackburnian, 77, 78, 81, 90, 102, 104, 105, 121, 155 Blackpoll, 29, 37, 38, 50, 78, 80, 90, 126, 128, 138 Black-throated Blue, 38, 40, 50,71,78,81,90, 102, 126, 138 Black-throated Gray, 7 1 Black-throated Green, 29, 39, 50, 72, 78, 90, 126, 138 Blue-winged, 37, 49, 78, 89, 120 Canada, 30, 78, 126, 139 Cape May, 29, 35,71,78, 90, 121, 126, 129, 138 Cerulean, 29, 77, 78, 121 Chestnut-sided, 29, 35, 78, 90, 126 Connecticut, 30, 77, 78, 121 Golden- winged, 28, 78, 89 Hooded, 51,78,90, 126, 139 Kentucky, 51, 78, 81, 90, 126, 138 Kirtland's, 121 Magnolia, 29, 40, 49, 78, 80, 90, 121, 126, 155 Mourning, 30 Nashville, 29, 71, 78, 82, 89 Orange-crowned, 29, 71, 78 Palm, 35, 50, 78, 79, 90, 126. 131. 138 Pine, 35, 37, 50, 77, 78, 90. 126. 138 Prairie, 35, 36, 39, 50, 72, 78, 90, 126, 138 Prothonotary, 7, 29, 38, 50,78, 121, 126, 138 Swainson's, 50, 78, 126, 138, 155 Tennessee, 28, 77, 78, 81, 89, 126, 129, 138 Wilson’s, 30, 35, 72, 78, 81,91, 126 Worm-eating, 29, 50, 77, 78, 82, 90, 121, 126, 138 Yellow, 38, 49, 78, 90, 126, 138 Yellow-rumped, 38, 50, 77, 78, 82, 90, 126, 138 Yellow-rumped, "Audubon's", 71 Yellow-throated, 29, 35, 50, 72,78, 90, 126, 138 Ward, Jim, 22 Watauga County, NC, 74, 152 Waters, Anne, 18, 20, 26, 29, 37, 79, 127 Waters, Vernon, 37, 79, 128 Waterthrush Louisiana, 50, 78, 121, 126, 138, 155 772 Index to Volume 67 (2003) Northern, 30, 35, 38, 40, 50, 72, 78, 82, 90, 126, 129, 138, 155 Watson, Craig, 37, 65, 80 Watson, Keith, 19 Wattley, Jean, 38 Waxwing, Cedar, 49, 71,81, 89, 120, 138, 154 Wayne County, NC, 66, 73, 116, 122, 154, 155 Wayne, Arthur T., 5-10 Weaverville, NC, 65 Webb, Andy, 63, 66, 119 Welch, Chris, 40 Weske, John, 149, 152 West, George, 61 West, James, 41 Westphal, Marilyn, 21, 23, 24, 26, 27, 28, 61, 73, 112, 115, 116, 117, 120, 121, 122, 150 Weymouth Woods Sandhills Nature Preserve, 3 Whimbrel, 37, 38, 45, 66, 128, 134 Whip-poor-will, 46, 69, 87, 128, 130, 136 Whispering Pines, NC, 32 Whistling-Duck Black-bellied, 113, 127, 130, 132, 151 Fulvous, 113 White, Tim, 128 Whitsett, Harriett, 69 Wigeon American, 151 Eurasian, 63, 113 Wilde, Ed, 38, 80, 129 Wiley, Haven, 63, 154, 155 Wilkes County, NC, 1 15 Wilkins, Ken, 65 Willet, 21, 44, 85, 116, 134 Williams, Ann, 2 Williams, Charles, 2 Williams, Hayes, 153 Williams, Joyce, 153 Williams, Lisa, 63, 64, 73 Williams, Matt, 19, 27 Williams, Pru, 153 Wilmington, NC, 114 Wilson County, NC, 17, 19, 21,22, 23, 29,31,32 Wilson, Chris, 26, 121, 152, 154, 155 Wilson, NC, 148 Wings Over Water, 19 Winslow Sod Farm, 24 Winston-Salem, NC, 2, 20, 22, 23, 114, 119, 120, 122, 150, 152 Winy ah Bay, 14 Wood, Bob, 28 Woodcock, American, 117 Woodpecker Downy, 47, 77, 87, 136 Hairy, 47, 87, 136 Pileated, 47, 87, 136 Red-bellied, 26, 47, 77, 87, 126, 136 Red-cockaded, 38, 47, 80, 87, 136 Red-headed, 26, 47, 87, 119, 136 Wood-Pewee, Eastern, 47, 87, 126, 136 Wooten, Dan, 41 Wooten, Nancy, 41, 131 Worthington, Pete, 39, 65, 69, 70, 72, 73, 81, 129 Wren Carolina, 49, 77, 88, 137, 143 House, 49,71,89, 129, 137, 143-45 Marsh, 38, 49, 89, 137, 145-47 Sedge, 28 Winter, 102, 104, 105, 154 Wright, John, 25, 62, 71, 73 Wright, Paula, 25, 71, 73 Wrightsville Beach, NC, 61, 64, 68, 111, 119, 120 Y Yellowlegs Greater, 21, 44, 85, 134 Lesser, 21, 44, 66, 85, 134 Yellowthroat, Common, 30, 35,51,72, 78, 90, 126, 139 York County, SC, 41 York, SC, 26,31,41, 122 Young, Bruce, 22 Young, Les, 80 Yount, Ken, 121 z Zebulon, NC, 107 Zimmerman, Betty, 80, 128 Zinnikas, Linda, 37 Zippier, Calvin, 29, 37, 66, 79, 128 CAROLINA BIRD CLUB MEMBERSHIP The Carolina Bird Club, Inc. is a non-profit educational and scientific association founded in 1937. Membership is open to those interested in the study and conservation of wildlife, particularly birds. Dues, contributions, and bequests to the Club may be deductible from state and federal income and estate taxes. Checks should be made payable to Carolina Bird Club, Inc. and sent to CBC Headquarters, 11 West Jones Street, Raleigh, NC 27601- 1029. DUES (Payable on a calendar-year basis) Individual $20.00 Associate (in same household as individual member) $5.00 Student ...$15.00 Sustaining (open to businesses) $25.00 Patron $50.00+ Life Membership (payable in four consecutive $100 installments) $400.00 PUBLICATIONS CBC members 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 appropriate editor listed in the inside front cover. Items for the Newsletter should be sent to its Editor, Karen Bearden, 1809 Lakepark Drive, Raleigh, NC 27612. Send correspondence regarding memberships, changes of address, or requests for back numbers of either publication to CBC Headquarters, 1 1 West Jones Street, Raleigh, NC 27601-1029. OFFICERS President: Bob Wood, 2214 Round Top Lane, Camden, SC 29020 NC Vice-Presidents: Dick Blee, 2 Tinequa Drive, Brevard, NC 28712 Ricky Davis, 608 Smallwood Drive, Rocky Mount, NC 27804 SC Vice-President: John Cely, 4724 Cedar Springs Road, Columbia, SC 29206 Secretary: Gail Lankford, 3208 Plantation Road, Raleigh, NC 27609 Treasurer: Stephen Harris, 5009 Crown Point Lane, Wilmington, NC 28409 NC Members-at-Large: Susan M. Campbell, 144 Pine Ridge Drive, Whispering Pines, NC 28327 Charlotte Goedsche, 371 Ox Creek Road, Weaverville NC 28787-9765 Dwayne Martin, PO Box 491, Taylorsville, NC 28681 Judy Murray, 406 Holly Lane, Chapel Hill, NC 27517 SC Members-at-Large: Steve Patterson, 128 Queens Court, Pickens, SC 29671 Marcia Watkins, 56 Hillmark Drive, Columbia, SC 29210 Immediate Past President: Van Atkins, 2040 Church Creek Drive, Charleston, SC 29414 Headquarters Secretary: Tullie Johnson, 1 1 West Jones Street, Raleigh, NC 27601 Rare Bird Alert: (704) 332-BIRD Web Site: www.carolinabirdclub.org <- rrt "Z £0 w X? O X ^ )< < ® 3 X: i_3 r-.< *^r 21 x Of. y 5 1 5 CD o Jy bi — » V“A -.‘.a. •*“•" i c M 2. ~ to b~ rs rn •’t — v, A 2 2 U ft w rrt 33 t_ = 3- ° 5^ 5 ? 03 0 O c w o = CO IQ 2. J o 5' 0 0) "T 0—0 J- CO ^ -n O O M 2. 2 0 ft O (Q < 3 3- o g - -h z ^ 5! ° ® a N) o _ ^ a? o 2 “ 5 ° c a- IS) w P ® fv ^ :i 7^ 1 pifflf! f "iv; » ' , : -kil^yw', A' : . fi ; ; 1S8§§ ! ’ rliWi' j i,, i JEW ■mw m »i# t nwlra