CD© No. 1 o>n The Chat Vol. 73 WINTER 2009 The Quarterly Bulletin of the Carolina Bird Club, Inc. The Ornithological Society of the Carolinas THE CHAT ISSN No. 0009-1987 Vol. 73 WINTER 2009 No. 1 Editor General Field Notes Editors Kent Fiala, 1714 Borland Road Hillsborough, NC 27278 chat@carolinabirdclub.org North Carolina Christina Harvey South Carolina William Post Briefs for the Files Josh Southern Associate Editor Ginger Travis THE CHAT is published quarterly by the Carolina Bird Club, Inc., 353 Montabello, Bloomingdale, IL 60108-1037. Subscription price $20 per year. Periodicals postage paid at Bloomingdale, IL and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to THE CHAT, Carolina Bird Club, Inc., 6325 Falls of the Neuse Road, STE 9 PMB 150, Raleigh NC 27615. Copyright © 2009 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. Reports 2008 Annual Report of the North Carolina Bird Records Committee Harry E. LeGrand, Jr., Chair 1 General Field Notes Observation of Swallow-tailed Kite ( Elanoides forficatus ) Post-fledging Parental Care in Hampton County, South Carolina Maria A. Whitehead and David Jones 5 Sabine’s Gull ( Xema sabini ) on Lake Hickory Dwayne Martin 6 Fifty Years Ago in The Chat March 1959 7 \Briefs for the Files Fall 2008 10 \ln Memoriam In Memoriam: Robin M. Carter, 1945-2008 Dennis M. Forsythe 33 Cover: Black-and-white Warbler, 24 Nov 2008, Bald Head Island, NC. Photo by Charles Ty singer. 2008 Annual Report of the North Carolina Bird Records Committee Harry E. LeGrand, Jr.1, Chair, Keith E. Camburn, Samuel Cooper, Richard J. Davis, Eric V. Dean, Wayne K. Forsythe, Jeffrey S. Pippen, Michael H. Tove, Russell L. Tyndall lN.C. Natural Heritage Program, 1601 MSC, Raleigh, NC 27699-1601 This report enumerates the decisions of the Carolina Bird Club’s North Carolina Bird Records Committee during 2008. The Committee expanded from seven members to nine members during the year, with the addition of Jeffrey Pippen and Michael Tove. 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 NC Museum of Natural Sciences. Pacific Loon ( Gavia pacifica) (08-17). One was seen at Lake Townsend near Greensboro, Guilford County, in late 2008. The bird was first found on 18 November 2008, by Henry Link, Scott DePue, and George Wheaton, and it remained on the lake for over a month. The Committee accepted photos taken by Link, Melissa Whitmire, and Harry Sell. The species is already on the Official List, as there are numerous coastal records. However, this is just the second inland record (away from tidal water), the other being from Lake Tahoma in McDowell County. Swinhoe’s Storm-Petrel ( Oceanodroma monorhis) (08-07). One was photographed in the Gulf Stream off Hatteras Inlet on 2 June 2008. The Committee accepted a photo taken by Steve Howell. This is the second record for the state. As the first was also documented by photos, the species is already on the Official List. These are the only two known records for United States waters. Snowy Plover ( Charadrius alexandrinus) (08-09). One was seen on 17 September 2008 at the Ocracoke Inlet spit in Hyde County by Sidney Maddock. The Committee accepted Maddock’s photos. This is the fourth state record, and as several previous records have been documented by photos, the Snowy Plover is already on the Official List. Snowy Plover (08-10). Another individual, presumably different from the above bird, was seen at Bear Island in Hammocks Beach State Park on 22 September 2008, by Emily Rice and Alexandra Houston. The Committee accepted a photo taken by Houston. This is the fifth state record. There is the 1 2 2008 Annual Report of the North Carolina Bird Records Committee chance that this was the same individual as seen five days earlier much farther northward along the coast. However, because different observers were involved, in different counties, the Committee regarded these as two separate records. Common Murre ( Uria aalge) (08-06). One adult, essentially in breeding plumage, was found injured on the beach at Emerald Isle, Carteret County, on 2 April 2008. It died in a wildlife shelter soon thereafter (specimen to the NC Museum of Natural Sciences). The Committee accepted photos taken by John Fussell. This is the second accepted record for the state. As the first record was of a photographed bird, the species is already on the Official List. This record is remarkable in its late date (April) and is the first spring record for the state. Broad-billed Hummingbird ( Cynanthus latirostris) (08-15). A male spent several months in 2008 at feeders in the yard of Patti Holland in New Bern, Craven County. Its identity was confirmed on 9 November 2008 by Susan Campbell, who trapped the bird; it had been banded near Charleston, SC, the previous winter. The Committee accepted photos taken by John Ennis, Derb Carter, and Harry Sell. The species is already on the Official List, as this is the third state record, all documented by photos. Interestingly, one of the previous two records is also from the New Bern area. Kirtland’s Warbler (Dendroica kirtlandii) (08-13). One was seen by eight observers at “Hospital Fields” in Transylvania County, on 1 October 2008. The thorough written description, provided by Norma and Bill Siebenheller, was accepted by the Committee. The species is already on the Official List. This is the fourth accepted record for the state, with three from the mountains and one from the piedmont. None of the records is documented by photos or specimen. (Several additional reports in the literature were not accepted by the Committee in earlier years.) MacGillivray’s Warbler ( Oporornis tolmiei) (08-01). One was observed on 29 December 2007, by Ricky Davis, and on 1 January 2008 by a number of birders, at Mattamuskeet National Wildlife Refuge, Hyde County. The Committee accepted Davis’s written details and photos taken by Jeff Lewis. This is the second state record, both being from Hyde County. The species is already on the Official List as the first record was a specimen found dead near New Holland. Dark-eyed (Oregon) Junco (. Junco hyemalis oreganus) (08-02). One male was seen and photographed by Luke Appling at a feeder in his yard at Beech Mountain, Watauga County, on 16 December 2007. Though there are about ten previous state reports of this subspecies listed in the Avendex database, this is the first report that has been reviewed by the Committee. Scott’s Oriole (Icterus parisorum) (08-04). A sub-adult male was seen at the feeders of Becky Duggan near Conover in Catawba County, from 29 January into February 2008. The Committee accepted the written report from Dwayne Martin and photographs taken by Will Cook, Jeff Pippen, and Harry Sell. This is the first report for the state, and acceptance of photos places the species directly onto the Official List. The Chat, Vol. 73, No. 1, Winter 2009 3 Unaccepted Sighting The bird is judged to be a species other than that reported, or the bird is insufficiently documented to identification of the species reported. Common Black-Hawk ( Buteogallus anthracinus ) (08-05). One adult was reported from the eastern piedmont in April 2008. Though it was seen at leisure by a single observer who has observed the species in Central America, and was described in moderate detail, all but one Committee member did not consider the report to be convincing, even at the genus level. The Committee felt that a single-observer sight report of a species that is essentially unknown in the eastern United States north of southern Florida was too unlikely for it to be placed onto the state’s bird list. There are no state records for this species. Ferruginous Hawk ( Buteo regalis) (08-03). One was reported from a central piedmont county in February 2008. The Committee did not accept the single photo, as the image, of a hawk sitting on the ground, was not definitive enough to separate the species from a Red-tailed Hawk ( Buteo jamaicensis). The written description also did not completely rule out a Red- tailed Hawk, which can be quite variable in plumage and is common in the area. There are no accepted state records for the Ferruginous Hawk. Wandering Tattler ( Tringa incana ) (08-16). Three were reported from a beach along the central coast in September 2008. Though fairly thorough details were provided by the sole observer, the birds were not photographed. The Committee was unanimous in not accepting the report, believing that Red Knot ( Calidris canutus ) was the likely species in question. In addition, the very similar Gray-tailed Tattler ( Tringa brevipes), as with the Wandering essentially unknown in eastern North America, was not ruled out. There are no accepted records of Wandering Tattler for the state. Fork-tailed Flycatcher (Tyr annus savana ) (08-12). One was reported from a central piedmont county in August 2008. As the report was made by a relatively inexperienced observer, birding alone, and with no photographs for documentation, the Committee did not accept the written description. However, the species is already on the Official List, with two records (from coastal areas), one of which was documented by photos. Bewick’s Wren ( Thryomanes bewickii) (08-14). A report of two adults, from a foothills site in September 2008, was not accepted. This species formerly bred in the state’s mountain region until about 1970, but observations in the state have essentially been non-existent since perhaps 1980, as the eastern edge of the breeding range of the species has shrunk to the western parts of Tennessee at the present time. The Committee felt that the failure to see or report several key field marks, the unlikely habitat (a steep and forested hillside), and the fact that a male was reported as singing the song pattern of a “western Bewick’s Wren” seemed to suggest that Carolina Wrens ( Thryothorus ludovicianus) were involved. Even if the latter species was not involved, more conclusive documentation for a basically “extirpated” species in Atlantic coastal states was needed. 4 2008 Annual Report of the North Carolina Bird Records Committee Unaccepted Origin The reported identification is judged to be accurate, but the origin of the bird is uncertain (and thus might not be of natural origin). White-cheeked Pintail {Anas bahamensis) (08-08). One was well photographed in the lower Cape Fear River across from the Fort Fisher ferry landing, on 9 July 2008, by Michael Polito. Though the Committee accepted the photos as being of this species, the members were unanimous in giving a vote of “questionable origin”. The species occurs in South America and northward into the West Indies; however, it is kept in captivity, and thus the Committee was uncomfortable in placing the species on the Official List. Monk Parakeet {Myiopsitta monachus) (08-1 1). One was seen, at a nest, in Farmington, Davie County, on 6 August 2008, by Phil Dickinson and Ron Morris. The Committee accepted the identification of the species from photos supplied by Dickinson; however, the Committee did not consider the bird to have been from an established breeding population. The American Birding Association (2008) has placed this non-native species on its checklist as “countable”, at least where breeding populations have been established. Some state committees have already given the species a place on their state lists as “countable”. There are a dozen or more records of the species from North Carolina, some involving birds nesting, though likely not for a length of time to establish “countable” populations. However, the Committee has not reviewed these older records, and thus this species is not yet on the North Carolina Official or Provisional lists. The Committee will be working, hopefully with the South Carolina Bird Records Committee, to establish more specific rules and guidelines for acceptance of exotic (non- native) species to the appropriate state lists. Discussion The review of reports by the North Carolina Bird Records Committee for 2008 resulted in adding one species, Scott’s Oriole, to the state’s Official List. The current Official List is now 453 species, and the Provisional List is 14 species, for a total of 467 species on the state’s Accepted List. Acknowledgments In addition to the many people named above who provided written material and photographs for the Committee to review, we thank Kent Fiala (webmaster of the Carolina Bird Club) for placing a number of the photographs on the club’s website for Committee review and sending electronic submission of Rare Bird Report forms to the Committee chair. Literature Cited American Birding Association. 2008. ABA Checklist Update. Retrieved 14 Feb 2009 from http://www.aba.org/checklist/abachecklist.pdf. General Field Notes General Field Notes briefly report such items as rare sightings, unusual behaviors, significant nesting records, or summaries of such items. 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. Observation of Swallow-tailed Kite ( Elanoides forficatus ) Post-fledging Parental Care in Hampton County, South Carolina Maria A. Whitehead 1 and David Jones 2 1 The Nature Conservancy, PO Box 20246, Charleston, SC 29413 2 702 Old House Road, Ridgeland, SC 29936 On 6 August 2008, David Jones observed adult Swallow-tailed Kites {Elanoides forficatus) feeding an immature (Fig. 1) at his farm in Hampton County, SC (32° 47' 19.973" N, 80° 59' 16.931" W). The young kite was fed six times while beg calling. Jones believes that he observed feeding by two different adults. In South Carolina, most young have fledged the nests by mid- to late- June. Assuming this immature bird fledged within the normal breeding cycle for Swallow-tailed Kites, it may have been between 6 to 8 weeks old. It is still not clear when young Swallow-tailed Kites become fully independent and parental care ceases (Meyer and Collopy 1990, Meyer 1993). In southwest Florida, young kites leave the nest area at 2 to 12 weeks post-fledging. Upon leaving natal territories in Florida, immature kites have been observed with adults and occasionally being fed by adults, but usually foraged on their own. There are few if any examples of parental care in South Carolina during the pre-migratory/migratory period after the kites have left natal breeding territories (John Cely pers comm). Literature Cited Meyer, K. D. and M. W. Collopy. 1990. Status, distribution, and habitat requirements of the American Swallow-tailed Kite {Elanoides forficatus forficatus ) in Florida. Final report, Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Comm., Tallahassee, FL. Meyer, K. D. 1993. Communal roosts of the American Swallow-tailed Kite in Florida: habitat associations, critical sites, and a technique for monitoring population status. Final report, Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Comm., Tallahassee, FL. 5 6 Sabine ’s Gull (Xema sabini) on Lake Hickory Figure 1. Swallow-tailed Kite adult feeding young 6 Aug 2008. Photo by David Jones Sabine’s Gull ( Xema sabini) on Lake Hickory Dwayne Martin 1557 16th Ave NE, Hickory, NC, 28601 On September 30, 2003 at 18:30, while scanning parts of lower Lake Hickory from Dusty Ridge Access area in Alexander County, North Carolina, I found a gull on the lake. This seemed unusual at first because gulls are not normally there that early in the year. The gull was approximately 300 yards out sitting on the open water nearer to the Catawba County side of the lake. I set up my scope (Leica 77) on the gull. The first thing I noticed was the brown color around the neck that extended to the back and wings of the gull. It appeared to be a small gull. I had an idea of what the gull was, but I wanted to get a few more markings. Soon a boat passed near the gull and it took flight. It flew very much like a tern — bouncy in flight. As the gull flew it came somewhat closer and then banked, showing its back and tail. The tail was forked and the back had the “V” pattern of a Sabine’s Gull (Xema sabini). The bird was a juvenile because of the brown coloration. The brown coloration started at the point of the mid-wing and extended down to the tail and back up to the mid-wing on the other side and covered the whole back. The Sabine’s Gull flew around for a few more minutes and then landed back on the water near the original spot at which it was found. The Chat, Vol. 73, No. 1, Winter 2009 7 I called Lori Martin to come help confirm the sighting. It stayed in the same general spot until she arrived. She also agreed as to the identification of the gull. Word of the gull was put on the Carolinabirds e-mail list. Over the next seven days over 60 birders saw the gull. The gull was photographed from a boat by Dwayne Martin and Wayne Forsythe on October 7, 2003, the last day the gull was seen. Figure 1. Sabine’s Gull, 7 October 2003, Lake Hickory. Photo by Wayne Forsythe. Fifty Years Ago in The Chat — March 1959 The March 1959 issue of The Chat was the first under the editorship of Charles H. Blake, of Hillsborough, NC, replacing Kay Sisson of Columbia, SC. B. R. Chamberlain reviewed the 1958 Christmas Bird Count in the Carolinas, noting that except for the count of about a half million roosting blackbirds and starlings at Greensboro, the total count of individuals was little better than two-thirds of the previous year’s count. The species total was 169; the 1957 count had had 183 species. The difference was attributed to poor birding weather and slightly decreased participation. Eastern Phoebes showed a marked decline from the previous year, from 175 to 47. Eastern Bluebirds declined from 1450 to 961; over one-third of the 1958 bluebirds were on the Greensboro count. The Charlotte, NC count summary noted that “Cover and food content of open water areas greatly reduced by continuing development.” In General Field Notes, a report on wildfowl wintering at Mattamuskeet listed Canada Goose as by far the most abundant species, while Tundra Swan (then called Whistling Swan) was one of the least abundant. A sight record of Lark Bunting near Fayetteville, NC, on 7 July 1958 was reported. — Kent Fiala, editor 8 Photographs Bobolink, 3 Oct 2008, Fort Caswell, NC. Photo by John Ennis. The Chat, Vol. 73, No. 1, Winter 2009 9 Sedge Wren, 3 Jan 2009, Bear Island Wildlife Management Area, SC. Photo by Steve Kilpatrick. BRIEFS FOR THE FILES Josh Southern 4100-A Reavis Rd Raleigh, NC 27606 joshsouthem79@gmail.com (All dates Fall 2008, 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 3 1 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 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. 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. Black-bellied Whistling-Duck: Becoming less rare in the Carolinas due to northward wandering of the Florida population, this species was present throughout the period at the Savannah Spoil Site, Jasper Co, SC, with a high count of 23 made 8 Aug (Steve Calver). Snow Goose: The earliest report of this coastal winter visitor was a flock seen during the “Big Sit” at Pea Island NWR, NC, 12 Oct (Jeff Lewis). 10 The Chat, Vol. 73, No. 1, Winter 2009 11 Locally unusual were dark-morph individuals at Alligator River NWR, NC, 8 Nov (Brian Bockhahn) and at the goose ponds in Garysburg, NC, 15 Nov (Frank Enders). Also locally unusual was a white-morph individual in Beaufort, NC, 23 Nov through the end of the period (Jim & Holly Powell). Rare in the mountains, five (four dark-morph and one white-morph) were at the Water Treatment Plant (WTP) in Henderson Co, NC, 30 Nov (Wayne Forsythe). Ross’s Goose: The only definite report was of four at the Pungo Unit of Pocosin Lakes NWR, NC, 23 Nov (Ricky Davis). Snow/Ross’s Goose: A goose on South Pond, Pea Island NWR, NC, 20 Sep (Kent Fiala) was either a Snow or a Ross’s, and early for either species. Brant: Unusual away from the Hatteras/Ocracoke Inlet area, one was on South Pond, Pea Island NWR, NC, 26 Oct (Ricky Davis); two were on South Pond during the Wings over Water Festival in early November {fide Davis); and two were near Pelican Island, W of Oregon Inlet, NC, 8 Nov (Brian Bockhahn). Cackling Goose: The only report this fall was of four to six at Lake Mattamuskeet, NC, 1 1 Nov (Christian Newton). Tundra Swan: Locally abundant in the coastal plain during winter, the farthest inland sighting was one at Jordan Lake, NC, 19 Nov (Nick Anich). Eurasian Wigeon: A rare stray from Europe, a few are usually seen each winter. The earliest report was of one on North Pond, Pea Island NWR, NC, 22 Oct (Jeff Lewis). Up to three were seen on South Pond, Pea Island NWR, NC, during the Wings over Water Festival, 8 Nov (fide Jeff Lewis). One was a good find, on Lilliput Pond, New Bern, NC, 25 Nov through the end of the period (A1 Gamache). Mottled Duck: More common in the southern part of our region, this species was present throughout the period at the Savannah Spoil Site, Jasper Co, SC, with a high count of 692 tallied 8 Aug (Steve Calver). In North Carolina, two returned to Lake Medcalf (presumably the same birds seen previously but absent for several months) in Sunset Beach, 20 Sep (Mary McDavit, John Ennis). Lesser Scaup: One was early at Bear Island WMA, SC, 16 Aug (Jason Giovannone). Common Eider: A female found during a survey of the New River Inlet, North Topsail Beach, NC, 5 Aug (Greg Massey, Dawn York) was decidedly out-of-season. White-winged Scoter: Inland sightings of this ocean duck included a female on Lake Hickory, NC, 19 Nov (Dwayne Martin, Monroe Panned) and four on Jordan Lake, NC, 29 Nov (Derb Carter). Black Scoter: A flock of 16, seen during a survey of the New River Inlet, North Topsail Beach, NC, was quite early on 5 Aug (Greg Massey). Long-tailed Duck: Uncommon outside the Pamlico Sound, one was found near the Oregon Inlet Fishing Center, during the Wings over Water Festival, 9 Nov (Ricky Davis). The only inland report was of a female at Jordan Lake, NC, 19 Nov (Nick Anich) and 26 Nov (Josh Southern). 12 Briefs for the Files — Fall 2008 Common Goldeneye: Females of this uncommon duck in the Carolinas were seen over the ocean at Wrightsville Beach, NC, 12 Nov (Dean Edwards) and visiting a pond in Meggett, SC, 21-26 Nov (Cherrie Sneed). Common Merganser: The only report this fall was of a female at Eaton’s Ferry, Lake Gaston, NC, 22 Nov (Ricky Davis). Red-breasted Merganser: 15 on Lake Julian, NC, 29 Nov (Wayne Forsythe) was a good count for a location so far from the coast. Ruddy Duck: Early reports included one in Mt Pleasant, SC, 3 Aug (Charles Boyce) and one at Salem Lake, Winston-Salem, NC, 16 Sep (John Haire). Red-throated Loon: The only inland sightings of this species, which is typically found on the ocean, were one on Falls Lake, NC, 16 Nov (Ricky Davis) and one on Roanoke Rapids Lake, NC, 22 Nov (Davis). Pacific Loon: One discovered at Lake Townsend, NC, 18 Nov (Henry Link, Scott DePue, George Wheaton) was seen by many through the end of the period. Pacific Loon, 23 Nov 2008, Lake Townsend, Greensboro, NC. Photo by Henry Link. Red-necked Grebe: The only report this fall was of a juvenile at the pier on Folly Island, SC, 1 Nov (Chris Snook). Eared Grebe: Three were found at the Savannah Spoil Site, Jasper Co, SC, 12 Sep, with a high count of seven there by 26 Nov (Steve Calver). Two returned to the WTP in Goldsboro, NC, 13 Sep (Eric Dean, Gene Howe) and were observed through the end of the period. Two, one in breeding plumage, were photographed on Salem Lake, Winston-Salem, NC, 17 Sep (John Haire). One was seen at Pine Island Audubon Sanctuary, NC, 7 Nov (Brian Bockhahn). The Chat, Vol. 73, No. 1, Winter 2009 13 Herald (Trinidade) Petrel: Two were seen on pelagic trips from Hatteras, NC, a dark-morph on 25 Aug and a “darker light-morph” on 21 Sep (Brian Patteson, Inc). Red-billed Tropicbird: One was seen this fall, a juvenile, 18 miles SE of Hatteras inlet, NC, 7 Oct (Brian Patteson). Masked Booby: One was seen this fall, on a pelagic trip from Hatteras, NC, 23 Aug (Brian Patteson, Inc). Brown Booby: One was found on the beach in Surfside, SC, and taken to a rehabilitator, after the passage of Hurricane Hanna, 6 Sep {fide Chris Hill). American White Pelican: More than 40 were seen at Bear Island WMA, SC, 6 Sep, (Carroll Richard, Diane Rand). Pea Island NWR, NC, had its earliest report, one on 26 Sep (David Smith), and 18 were there by 8 Nov (Ricky Davis). A flock was present throughout the period at the Savannah Spoil Site, Jasper Co, SC; a high count of 301 was made 30 Sep (Steve Calver). Six birds were at Lake Mattamuskeet, NC, by 17 Oct (John Connors). Great Cormorant: A species typically exclusive to the winter coast, one was both early and inland, where it was well-photographed, at Lake Mattamuskeet, NC, 2 Sep (Jeff Lewis). Other inland sightings included individuals at High Rock Dam, Stanly Co, NC, 21 Oct {fide Nick Anich) and at Falls Lake, NC, 26 Nov (Brian Bockhahn). Anhinga: The westernmost sighting was made at Lake Brandt, Greensboro, NC, 3 Aug (Henry Link, George Wheaton). The species was present throughout the period at the Savannah Spoil Site, Jasper Co, SC; a high count of 205 was made 8 Aug (Steve Calver). Magnificent Frigatebird: An adult female was seen over Beaufort, NC, after the passage of Hurricane Hanna, 6 Sep (Annie Gorgone,yz*fe John Fussell). American Bittern: Uncommon away from the coast, two were found in the mountains this fall — one at Jackson Park, Hendersonville, NC, 31 Oct through the end of the period (Ron Selvey, et al) and one at Beaver Lake, Asheville, NC, 2 Nov (Vin Stanton). Least Bittern: The last reports of summering birds were two at the Savannah Spoil Site, Jasper Co, SC, 27 Aug (Steve Calver) and one at the wetlands near the WTP in Goldsboro, NC, 13 Sep (Eric Dean). “Great White” Heron: Presumably the same bird reported in July returned to Charles D. Owen Park, Asheville, NC, 7 Aug (Janie Owens). Great Cormorant 2 Sep 2008, Lake Mattamuskeet NC. Photo by Jeff Lewis 14 Briefs for the Files — Fall 2008 Another, possibly the same bird, was observed repeatedly in Avery Co, NC, from the beginning of the period through at least 7 Oct (Curtis Smalling). Tricolored Heron: Rare away from the coast, one was found far inland, at the Coddle Creek Reservoir, Cabarrus Co, NC, 14 Aug (Alan Kneidel). Reddish Egret: Post-breeding dispersal, during late summer/early fall, brings the best numbers of this species to the Carolinas. Many were reported this period, as usual, all of the dark-morph. One was at Bear Island WMA, SC, 5-16 Aug (Jason Giovannone). One was seen between Pivers Island and Carrot Island, Beaufort, NC, 13 Aug (Scott McGregor) and 15 Aug (John Fussell). One was near the jetty at Huntington Beach SP, SC, 10 Aug (Stephen Thomas) and two were there 28 Aug (Paul Serridge). Four were seen on Shackleford Banks, NC, 1 Sep (Wade Fuller). A high count of six was made at the Savannah Spoil Site, Jasper Co, SC, 5 Sep, with one continuing until 17 Oct (Steve Calver). An immature was at the W end of Oak Island, NC, 7-28 Sep (John Ennis). Four (one adult and three juveniles) were seen on Bear Island, Hammocks Beach SP, NC, 27 Sep (Derb Carter, Zach Thompson) and 28 Sep (Will Cook). Two were found on Cape Island, Charleston, SC, 4 Oct (David Abbott). Late sightings included one at the N end of Portsmouth Island, 1 1 Nov (Mike Johnson), and a juvenile at Hilton Head, SC, 28 Nov (David Lovett). Cattle Egret: An impressive count of 500 was made in a private field N of Maxton, Robeson Co, NC, 18 Sep (Harry LeGrand). Black-crowned Night-Heron: The species was present throughout the period at the Savannah Spoil Site, Jasper Co, SC; a high count of 136 was made 26 Nov (Steve Calver). Yellow-crowned Night-Heron: A rare transient through the mountains, an adult was found at Jackson Park, Hendersonville, NC, 18 Sep (Ron Selvey, Wayne Forsythe, John Lindfors). Late individuals included one in Morehead City, NC, 20 Nov (John Fussell) and a juvenile near the North River, Carteret Co, NC, 30 Nov (Fussell). White Ibis: The westernmost sightings were a juvenile on Huff Island, Madison Co, NC, 7 Aug (Jeff Beane, et al.); a juvenile, a first park record, at Riverbend Park, Conover, NC, 10-24 Aug (Dwayne Martin); and a juvenile in Monroe, NC, 28 Aug (Anne Olsen). Glossy Ibis: A good inland count of 36+ was made near the Vernon James Research Center in Roper, NC, 6 Aug (Don Rote). One was well away from the coast, at Lake Townsend, Greensboro, NC, 8 Aug (Henry Link). Plegadis Ibis: A juvenile of the genus Plegadis was well-photographed at the Oregon Inlet Fishing Center, Dare Co, NC during the Wings over Water Festival, 7-9 Nov (Ricky Davis, Kent Fiala, Jeff Lewis, et al). Due to its ambiguous plumage and soft colors, it’s not certain if the ibis was a Glossy or a White-faced. Roseate Spoonbill: This species was seen throughout the period at the Savannah Spoil Site, Jasper Co, SC, with a high count of 78 made 8 Aug (Steve Calver). The only other report was of three in Beaufort, SC 22 Aug (Buddy Campbell). The Chat, Vol. 73, No. 1, Winter 2009 15 Wood Stork: A good inland count of 62 was made at Lake Greenwood, Laurens Co, SC, 31 Aug (Jacquelyn Burns). An adult was found at the inland site of Falls Lake, NC, 1 Sep (Bruce Young). Sixteen juveniles were seen in a private field N of Maxton, Robeson Co, NC, 18 Sep (Harry LeGrand). A good count of 123 birds was tallied at Huntington Beach SP, SC, 28 Sep (Bob Maxwell), with two or three remaining 23 Nov (Stephen Thomas). The species was present throughout the period at the Savannah Spoil Site, Jasper Co, SC; a high count of 415 was made on 17 Oct (Steve Calver). Swallow-tailed Kite: Three were found over a private field near Hoffman, NC, 9 Aug (Brady Beck, Scott Hartley). Two were observed over a field along NC-73 in S Lincoln Co, NC, 9-12 Aug (Betty O’Leary, et al). A high count of 50 was tallied over the fields in Allendale Co, SC, 10 Aug (Sparkle Clark). One was seen near Seagrove, NC, 19 Sep (Jeremy Reiskind, fide John Haire). Swallow-tailed Kite, 10 Aug 2008, Allendale, SC. Photo by Jerry Bright. Bald Eagle: Locally unusual was an adult in the urban area of downtown Raleigh, NC, 30 Oct (John Connors). Northern Harrier: The earliest report of this winter resident was of one near the Vernon James Research Center, Roper, NC, 21 Aug (Dave Lenat). Northern Goshawk: Two were seen this fall — a juvenile flying just N of Old Oxford Hwy, Durham Co, NC 15 Oct (Mike Tove) and an adult visiting a yard in Beaufort, NC, 28 Nov (Rich & Susan Boyd). Broad-winged Hawk: A high count of 6260 was tallied at the Caesars Head, SC, Hawk Watch, 21 Sep (Jeff Catlin). Swainson’s Hawk: An immature dark-phase was well-seen, flying over a residential area, in Wilmington, NC, 25 Oct (Sam & Denise Cooper). Rough-legged Hawk: Light-morph individuals were seen at North River Farms, Carteret Co, NC, 26 Oct (John Fussell, et al) and at Alligator River NWR, NC, during the Wings over Water Festival, 8 Nov (fide Jeff Lewis). Golden Eagle: There was a higher-than-usual number of Golden Eagle sightings in the Carolinas this past fall, with seven birds reported. The first report was from the Caesars Head, SC, Hawk Watch, 20 Sep (Jeff Catlin). 16 Briefs for the Files — Fall 2008 Two individuals were seen at different sites 19 Oct — an adult at Botany Bay WMA, SC (Michael Bernard) and a sub-adult in Sneads Ferry, NC (Gil Grant). One was seen flying over James Island, SC, 28 Oct (Dennis Forsythe). Three individuals were found at different sites 23 Nov — a juvenile soaring with Bald Eagles at Lake Landing, Lake Mattamuskeet, NC (Ricky Davis), an adult flying over a farm in Watauga Co, NC (Merrill Lynch), and an adult flying over a farm in Piney Creek, NC (James Coman). Though the last two sites are only 60 miles apart, these were probably different birds as the observations took place only 80 minutes apart. Peregrine Falcon: Urban Peregrines included one returning to the Hilton in downtown Charlotte, NC, for the third winter in a row, 13 Oct (Ron & Anne Clark) and one returning to the Wachovia building in downtown Winston-Salem, NC, present two winters ago but not last winter, 21 Nov (John Haire). Yellow Rail: A very hard-to-see species, one was seen in the rice fields near the Vernon James Research Center, Roper, NC, 1 1 Oct (Don Rote). Sora: One was quite early, near the Vernon James Research Center, Roper, NC, 3 Aug, posing the possibility that breeding occurred in the area. Purple Gallinule: A high count of 20, including chicks, was tallied during a local Audubon society field trip to the Savannah NWR, Jasper Co, SC, 16 Aug (Sandy Beasley, et al). In North Carolina, where this species has become quite rare, an adult was seen on private land near Columbia, Tyrrell Co, 17 Aug (Jennifer Morse, fide Jeff Pippen). Sandhill Crane: Reports of birds in flight included six headed S over Hilton Head, SC, 23 Sep (Royce Hough); one over Wilmington, NC, 15 Oct (Sam Cooper); and six headed N over Buxton, NC, 18 Nov (Marcia Lyons, fide Jeff Lewis). American Golden-Plover, 1 Sep 2008, Hooper Lane. Photo by Wayne Forsythe. American Golden-Plover: An uncommon but regular fall migrant through the Carolinas, most are found in grassy areas, such as sod farms and dry mudflats. One was seen at North Topsail Beach, NC, during a survey of The Chat, Vol. 73, No. 1, Winter 2009 17 the New River Inlet, 5 Aug (Greg Massey). Three were at the Cedar Island, NC, Ferry Terminal, 29 Aug (John Voigt, Sally Carter). Six were at Lake Mattamuskeet, NC, 31 Aug (Ricky Davis). Five were found at Hooper Lane, Henderson Co, NC, 1 Sep (Wayne Forsythe). One was at North River Farms, Carteret Co, NC, 7 Sep (John Fussell, et al). Several were seen at the Turbeville, SC, sod farm 7 Sep (Steve Tracey). Three were at Nimmer’s Sod Farm, Ridgeland, SC, 21 Sep (Royce Hough). A late individual was found during the Wings over Water Festival, near Cape Point, Buxton, NC, 8 Nov (Taylor Piephoff). Snowy Plover: A very rare visitor to the Carolinas, three were seen this period. In South Carolina, one was photographed at Beachwalker Park on Kiawah Island, 24 Aug (Cathy Miller). In North Carolina, one, probably the same bird seen here in the summer, was reported from the S end of Ocracoke Island, NC, 17 Sep (Sidney Maddock). Another, probably the same bird reported here 21 July, was seen on Bear Island, Hammocks Beach SP, NC, 22 Sep (Alexandra Houston, Emily Rice) through at least 28 Sep (Will Cook). The two NC sightings constitute the fourth and fifth documented state records, assuming these sightings are of the same two birds reported from their respective sites earlier in the year. American Avocet: A high count of 1120 was tallied at the Savannah Spoil Site, Jasper Co, SC, 12 Nov (Steve Calver). A good inland count of 65 was made at Lake Mattamuskeet, NC, 22 Nov (Jeff Lewis). Lesser Yellowlegs: A high count of 850 was made at Lake Mattamuskeet, NC, 7 Sep (Ricky Davis). Upland Sandpiper: An uncommon but regular fall migrant, most are found in grassy areas, such as sod farms and airports. Four were at the Super Sod Farm in Orangeburg, SC, 2 Aug (Dennis Forsythe) and three still there 17 Aug (Cherrie Sneed). One was found at the Turbeville, SC, Sod Farm, 4 Aug (Forsythe) and again 6 Sep (Jason Giovannone). Two to three were seen at the Vernon James Research Center, Roper, NC, 6 Aug (Don Rote) and five were there 1 Sep (Rote). A high count of eight was made at North River Farms, Carteret Co, NC, 17 Aug (John Fussell, et al). One was found at the Savannah Spoil Site, Jasper Co, SC, 22- 27 Aug (Steve Calver). One was seen at the airport in Manteo, NC, 23 Aug (Derb Carter, Ricky Davis, Harry LeGrand). Two were reported 27 Aug — one at Hooper Lane, Henderson Co, NC, 27 Aug (Stanley Wulkowicz) and another at River’s Edge Park, Wilkesboro, NC (Jack Ogbum). ■ i it* ■ »» ' Mi * ,'iig krmm Afef Upland Sandpiper 1 1 Aug 2008, Orangeburg SC. Photo by Stephen Thomas 18 Briefs for the Files — Fall 2008 Whimbrel: Unusual was one inland, at Lake Mattamuskeet, NC, 2 Sep (Jeff Lewis). Long-billed Curlew: Always noteworthy in the Carolinas, three were seen on Cape Island, Charleston, SC, 4 Oct (David Abbott) and one was found on the Topsail Sound, NC, 22 Sep (Zach Thompson). Hudsonian Godwit: One was observed at Lake Mattamuskeet, NC, 31 Aug through 28 Sep (Ricky Davis, Dave Lenat). One, at the Carolina Sod Farm, Wilmington, NC, 6 Sep, was a first for the area (Greg Massey). One, seemingly injured, was found in New Field, Pea Island NWR, NC, 1 Nov (Jeff Lewis). During the Wings over Water Festival, up to three individuals were seen — one, presumably the same bird, at Pea Island NWR, NC, 6-9 Nov (Ricky Davis, Lewis, et al); one on the lawn of the Oregon Inlet Fishing Center, NC, 7-9 Nov (Davis, Steve Schultz); and one at the Cape Hatteras campground, Buxton, NC, 8 Nov (Taylor Piephoff). Hudsonian Godwit, 1 Nov 2008, Pea Island NWR. Photo by Jeff Lewis. Marbled Godwit: Uncommon away from the coast, six were found at Lake Mattamuskeet, NC, 31 Aug (Ricky Davis) with four remaining 22 Nov (Davis). An impressive high count of 115 was made at North Pond, Pea Island NWR, NC, 16 Oct (Jacob Socolar). Red Knot: Rare away from the coast, four were found at Lake Mattamuskeet, NC, 7 Sep (Ricky Davis). Sanderling: The westernmost reports were of one at Hooper Lane, Henderson Co, NC, 26 Aug (Wayne Forsythe, et al); two at Jordan Lake, NC, after the passage of Hurricane Hanna, 7 Sep (Nathan Swick); and one in a parking lot in Forest City, NC, 17 Sep (fide Len Kopka). The Chat, Vol. 73, No. 1, Winter 2009 19 White-rumped Sandpiper: An uncommon and sometimes hard-to- identify peep, a high count of 22 was made at Lake Mattamuskeet, NC, 31 Aug (Ricky Davis). Baird’s Sandpiper: This rare migrant was found at five different sites this fall. Three were seen at Falls Lake, NC, 26 Aug (Dave Lenat) and two were there 28 Aug (Derb Carter, fide Ricky Davis). One was found on Hooper Lane, Henderson Co, NC, 28 Aug (Wayne Forsythe, Ron Selvey). One was seen at Lake Mattamuskeet, NC, 31 Aug (Davis). One was found at the Turbeville, SC, sod farm, 1 Sep (Jason Giovannone) with two there 19 Sep (Dennis Forsythe). One was found at the Carolina Sod Farm, Wilmington, NC, 6 Sep (Greg Massey), providing the first record for the area. Pectoral Sandpiper: 50+, an impressive number for the mountains, were counted at Hooper Lane, Henderson Co, NC, 28 Aug (Wayne Forsythe, Ron Selvey). A high count of 750 was made at Lake Mattamuskeet, NC, 7 Sep (Ricky Davis). Purple Sandpiper: One was quite early, on the jetty at Huntington Beach SP, SC, 2 Oct (David & Susan Disher). A juvenile was photographed near the boat ramp at Ft Fisher, NC, 28 Oct (John Ennis). One was seen on a drain pipe near Pelican Island, W of Oregon Inlet, NC, 7 Nov (Brian Bockhahn). One was on the end of the groin at Oregon Inlet, NC, 8 Nov (Jeff Lewis). A juvenile was on the groin at Folly Island, SC, 9 Nov (Chris Snook). Two were on the jetty at Ft Macon, NC, 19 Nov (John Buff-breasted Sandpiper: An uncommon fall migrant through the Carolinas, most are found in grassy areas such as sod farms and dry mudflats. Three were seen at the American Sod Farm, Creswell, NC, 23 Aug (Derb Carter, Ricky Davis, Harry LeGrand). Three were found on Hooper Lane, Henderson Co, NC, 28 Aug (Wayne Forsythe). Several were at the sod farm in Turbeville, SC, 31 Aug (David Purple Sandpiper, 2 Oct 2008, Huntington Beach SP, SC. Photo by David Disher. 20 Briefs for the Files — Fall 2008 Dobson) and 7 Sep (Steve Tracey). One was seen at the Savannah Spoil Site, Jasper Co, SC, 5 Sep (Steve Calver). One was at the Cedar Island, NC, Ferry Terminal, 7 Sep (John Fussell, et al). One was photographed at River’s Edge Park, Wilkesboro, NC, 10-12 Sep (Jack Ogbum). A high count of seven was made at Nimmer’s Sod Farm, Ridgeland, SC, 21 Sep (Royce Hough). One was also at the Super Sod Farm, Orangeburg, SC, 26 Sep (Hough). Ruff: There were two sightings of this rare Eurasian stray this fall, both at the Savannah Spoil Site, Jasper Co, SC, 1 Aug and 27 Aug (Steve Calver). Ruff, 1 Aug 2008, Savannah Spoil Site, SC. Photo by Steve Calver. Wilson’s Phalarope: A rare but regular fall migrant, a high count of 23 made at the Savannah Spoil Site, Jasper Co, SC, 15 Aug, with two continuing until 30 Sep (Steve Calver). One was found at Hooper Lane, Henderson Co, NC, 26 Aug (Wayne Forsythe, et al). One was seen at Lake Mattamuskeet, NC, 1 Sep (Ricky Davis) and five were there 9 Sep (Dave Lenat). One was found at the sod farm in Turbeville, SC, 7 Sep (Steve Tracey). Red-necked Phalarope: There were multiple sightings of this species after the passage of Hurricane Hanna, 6 Sep — four in the Bogue Sound off Morehead City, NC (John Fussell); eight to ten at Fort Moultrie, Charleston, SC (Shawn Hayes); 41 at Lake Waccamaw, NC (Greg Massey, et al); and a high count of 51 at Buckhom Reservoir, Wilson Co, NC (Ricky Davis). Non-hurricane-related sightings included five at the Savannah Spoil Site, Jasper Co, SC, 27 Aug, with one continuing until 19 Sep (Steve Calver); one The Chat, Vol. 73, No. 1, Winter 2009 21 at Charles D Owen Park, Asheville, NC, 14 Sep (Tom Tribble); one, well- photographed, at the Archie Elledge WTP, Winston-Salem, NC, 27-28 Aug (John Haire, et al); and one at the Salt Pond at Cape Point, Buxton, NC, 25 Sep (David Smith). Red Phalarope: There were two Hurricane Hanna- related sightings on 6 Sep — one at Lake Waccamaw, NC (Greg Massey, et al) and two at Buckhom Reservoir, Wilson Co, NC (Ricky Davis). Sabine’s Gull: A first-year bird was well-photographed at Lake Norman, Mecklenburg Co and Lincoln Co, NC, 12 Sep (David & Marcia Wright, Jeff Lemons). The bird was observed for about an hour and not seen again. Remarkably, this sighting provides the third record for Mecklenburg County. Black-headed Gull: Only one was reported this fall, a first-winter bird at the WTP in Goldsboro, NC, 1-3 Nov (Eric Dean, Gene Howe). Franklin’s Gull: There were two reports of this Great Plains gull in the Carolinas this fall. A first-winter bird was at Buckhom Reservoir, Wilson Co, NC, 14 Oct (Ricky Davis) and a flock of seven (!) first-year birds were photographed on Lake Junaluska, NC, 9 Nov (Stan & Connie Wulkowicz). Sooty Tern: A high count of 187 was tallied on a pelagic trip from Hatteras, NC, 23 Aug (Brian Patteson, Inc). All non-pelagic reports occurred shortly after the passage of Hurricane Hanna, 6 Sep, unless otherwise noted. Exhausted/injured birds were found in Sneads Ferry, NC (Gilbert Grant); Beaufort, NC (Barbie Byrd); and Calabash, NC (fide John Ennis). Active birds included 12 over the Bogue Sound off Morehead City, NC (John Fussell); three at Buckhom Reservoir, Wilson Co, NC (Ricky Davis); and three at Jordan Lake, NC (Mike Schultz) continuing to 7 Sep (Nick Anich). Bridled Tern: One was found on East Beach, Bald Head Island, NC, 27 Aug (Maureen Dewire). Reports following the passage of Hurricane Hanna, 6 Sep, included three over the Bogue Sound off Morehead City, NC (John Fussell); three at Lake Waccamaw, NC (Greg Massey); and two at Jordan Lake, NC (Mike Schultz) continuing to 7 Sep (Nick Anich). Black Tern: A regular fall migrant through the Carolinas, more common on the coast, a high count of 477 was tallied at the Savannah Spoil Site, Jasper Co, SC, 27 Aug (Steve Calver). Sabine’s Gull, 12 Sep 2008, L.ake Norman, NC. Photo by David B. Wright. Red-necked Phalarope, 27 Aug 2008, Winston- Salem, NC. Photo by John Haire. 22 Briefs for the Files — Fall 2008 Common Tern: Best counts for inland lakes were 50 at Salem Lake, Winston-Salem, NC, 16 Sep (John Haire) and 58+ at the S end of Lake Norman, NC, 17 Sep (David & Marcia Wright, Taylor Piephoff). Black Skimmer: A hurricane -blown bird was found standing in US- 1 17, Goldsboro, NC, 6 Sep (Gene Howe, Eric Dean). Pomarine Jaeger: A good count of four or five was tallied on a pelagic trip from Hatteras, NC, 21 Sep (Brian Patteson, Inc). Parasitic Jaeger: First reported 25 Jul, the individual on Bear Island, Hammocks Beach SP, NC, continued to at least 28 Sep (Will Cook). One was seen flying over the ocean from Rodanthe, NC, 6 Nov (Jeff Pippen). Three to six were seen from Cape Point, Buxton, NC, 8 Nov (Taylor Piephoff). One was seen over the ocean from Wrightsville Beach, NC, 9 Nov (Dean Edwards). Long-tailed Jaeger: Off Hatteras, NC, individual juveniles were seen 23 Aug and 26 Aug, and two juveniles were seen on a pelagic trip 21 Sep (Brian Patteson, Inc). White-winged Dove: There were two reports of this species this fall, both from the coast of North Carolina. One was photographed at a feeder in North Topsail Beach, NC, 1-2 Aug (Robert & Connie Shertz). The other was seen around the parking area of the Aquarium at Ft Fisher, NC, 29 Oct (Derb Carter) and 1 Nov (Ricky Davis). Monk Parakeet: One was discovered building a nest on a power pole in Farmington, Davie Co, NC, 6 Aug (Phil Dickinson, Ron Morris). This bird is not on the official NC bird list and its origin, as with all parakeets, is questionable. Yellow-billed Cuckoo: At least 17, a high concentration for this species, were counted on a farm in Piney Creek, NC, 10 Aug (James Coman). Black-billed Cuckoo: A high count of at least five was made on a farm in Piney Creek, NC, 10 Aug (James Coman). A juvenile was found at Lake Waccamaw NWR, SC, 24 Sep (Jack Peachey). Barn Owl: One was found during the Wings over Water Festival’s “Owl Prowl” at Alligator River NWR, NC, 5 Nov (Brian Bockhahn). Also, one was found dead on the roadside near Bethel, NC, 15 Oct (Alan Meijer). Common Nighthawk: One, seen flying and calling over western Greensboro, NC, was quite late, 17 Oct (Henry Link). Chimney Swift: One was somewhat late in Charlotte, NC, 20 Oct (Thomas Sanders). Broad-billed Hummingbird: An adult male, the same banded bird that wintered in the Charleston area last year, spent the entire period in a yard in New Bern, NC (Susan Campbell, John Ennis, et al). This bird provides the third documented state record. Ruby-throated Hummingbird: Notably, a bird banded in Riverbend Park, Conover, NC, 30 Sep, was recaptured twelve days later in Rockport, TX, 12 Oct {fide Dwayne Martin). The Chat, Vol. 73, No. 1, Winter 2009 23 Black-chinned Hummingbird: A female visited a yard in Conway, SC, 19-20 Sep (Gary Phillips). Another female was banded at a feeder in New Bern, NC, 23 Nov, and continued into December (Susan Campbell, et al). Rufous Hummingbird: A rare winter visitor to the Carolinas, several were reported at feeders this fall. A male (presumably the same bird as last winter) returned early to a yard in north Raleigh, NC, 16 Aug {fide Susan Campbell). An adult male (presumably the same bird as in the last four winters) returned early to a yard in Morehead City, NC, 15 Aug (Carol Reigl Q,fide John Fussell). A juvenile male visited a yard in Conway, SC, 6 Nov through the end of the period (Gary Phillips). One returned to a yard in Pinehurst, NC, 8 Nov {fide Susan Campbell). A female visited a feeder in Clemson, SC, 13-19 Nov (Katie Fenlon). Dwayne Martin banded a juvenile female at a feeder in northeast Hickory, NC, 19 Nov. One was also seen at a feeder in Charlotte, NC, 20 Nov (Rob Bierregaard). Olive-sided Flycatcher: One stuck around for a few days at Lake Katherine, Reynolda Gardens, Winston-Salem, NC, 25-28 Aug (Kim Brand, John Haire, Phil Dickinson). One was seen along the Greenway in Lenoir, NC, 3 Sep (Dwayne Martin, Alisha Hayes). One was found at Doughton Park, Alleghany Co, NC, 21 Sep (Ricky Davis). One was seen at Riverbend Park, Conover, NC, 27 Sep (Martin, Lori Owenby) and 28 Sep (Ron & Garnet Underwood). Wood-Pewee, sp.: A late migrant was found on the north dike of North Pond, Pea Island NWR, NC, during the Wings over Water Festival, 9 Nov (John Fussell, et al). The bird did not vocalize, nor respond to recordings, thus could not be certainly identified as Eastern or Western. Yellow-bellied Flycatcher: This uncommon transient was found at Fletcher Park, NC, 7 Sep (Vin Stanton); seen multiple times at Jackson Park, Hendersonville, NC, 8 Sep through 1 Oct (John Lindfors, Ron Selvey, Vin Stanton) with a high count of three on 18 Sep (Wayne Forsythe); heard in a residential yard in Wilmington, NC, 16 Sep (Greg Massey); and found at Bethabara Park, Winston-Salem, NC 18 Sep (Ferenc Domoki). Willow Flycatcher. Rare coastal sightings included an Empidonax, heard calling, that was probably a Willow, in Manteo, NC, 16 Oct (Jeff Lewis) and a late migrant, seen and heard calling, at Carolina Beach State Park, 28 Oct (John Ennis). Ash-throated Flycatcher, 1 1 Nov 2008, Lake Mattamuskeet, NC. Photo by Christian Newton. 24 Briefs for the Files — Fall 2008 Ash-throated Flycatcher: One, well-photographed but not relocated, at Lake Mattamuskeet, NC, 1 1 Nov (Christian Newton) provided the only fall sighting. Western Kingbird: This species is an uncommon but regular fall transient along the coast of the Carolinas. This fall’s sightings included one at Futch Game Land, Tyrrell Co, NC, 19 Oct (Derb Carter) and two, photographed, at the Osprey Nest Campground, Fairfield, NC, 7 Nov (Bob Crowley, fide Nick Anich). Bell’s Vireo: One was well-photographed, but not relocated, at Ft Fisher, NC, 1 Oct (Jim Parnell). If accepted, this sighting will provide the third documented state record. Interestingly, the first documented record came from nearby Carolina Beach SP in October 2006 from the same observer! Philadelphia Vireo: One was early at The Historic Orchard at Altapass, near Spruce Pine, NC, 23 Aug (Valerie Crabill). One was seen at Battle Park, Rocky Mount, NC, 18 Sep (Ricky Davis). A high count of six was tallied at Jackson Park, Hendersonville, NC, 30 Sep (Wayne Forsythe, Ron Selvey). On the same date, individuals were found in Corolla, NC (Jeff Lewis) and Table Rock SP, SC (Steve Tracey). Several were seen on Daniels Island, Charleston, SC, 3 Oct (Shawn Hayes). One was seen in Weaverville, NC, 10 Oct (Gail Lankford). One was somewhat late at Carolina Beach SP, NC, 26 Oct (John Ennis). Common Raven: Reports outside the mountains included two (mated pair?) in Mocksville, NC, 13 Sep (Harry LeGrand, et al); a local high count of eight at the Pilot Mountain, NC, hawk watch, 17 Sep (Phil Dickinson); one soaring near the rock quarry in Hickory, NC, 19 Sep (Dwayne Martin); one seen from Sandling Beach during the “Big Sit” at Falls Lake, NC, 12 Oct (Brian Bockhahn); and one heard calling in Winston-Salem, NC, 20 Nov (Dickinson). Bank Swallow: An impressive count of about 200 was made at Lake Marion, Clarendon Co, SC, 2 Aug (John Cely). Cave Swallow: This species continued its recent tradition of late fall influx into the coastal Carolinas. The first report was of one over James Island, SC, 27 Oct (Dennis Forsythe). One was seen over the S end of Figure Eight Island, NC, 29 Oct, and three were seen the following day, 30 Oct (Derb Carter). A high count of twelve was tallied at the catfish ponds in Creswell, NC, 5 Nov (Ricky Davis). A total of five were seen during the Wings over Water Festival — two at the Cape Hatteras campground, Buxton, NC 6 Nov (Brian Bockhahn); one over the Salt Pond, Cape Point, NC, 8 Nov (Taylor Piephoff); and two at Pea Island NWR, NC, 8 Nov (Ricky Davis). Two were seen over Wrightsville Beach, NC, 9 Nov (Dean Edwards). Three were spotted over the beach at Pine Knoll Shores, NC, 1 1 Nov (John Fussell, Jo Anne Powell). Six were discovered roosting in a wooden structure, where at least one succumbed to the cold temperature, at Fort Macon, Atlantic Beach, NC, 19 Nov (Fussell, Randy Newman). One was found at the Savannah Spoil Site, Jasper Co, SC, 26 Nov (Steve Calver, et al). The Chat, Vol. 73, No. 1, Winter 2009 25 Bam Swallow, 22 Nov 2008, Mattamuskeet. Photo by Jeff Lewis. Lake Barn Swallow: Late migrants included one over the S end of Figure Eight Island, NC, 29 Oct (Derb Carter); ten+ at Folly Beach, SC, 31 Oct (Chris Snook); and four inside a flock of Tree Swallows at Lake Mattamuskeet, NC, 22 Nov (Jeff Lewis). Red-breasted Nuthatch: This species irrupted into the Carolinas last winter, but doesn’t appear to have done so this year, as only a handful of sightings were reported by the end of the period. Early sightings included one at Myrtle Beach SP, SC, 29 Sep (Jack Peachey) and one at Hamilton Lakes Park, Greensboro, NC, 1 1 Oct (Henry Link). Sedge Wren: Sightings away from the coast included one photographed at Tanglewood Park, Winston-Salem, NC, 9 Oct (John Haire); one near the French Broad River, Henderson Co, NC, 12 Oct (Wayne Forsythe, Marilyn Westphal); and one at Jackson Park, Hendersonville, NC, 30 Oct (Ron Selvey). Blue-gray Gnatcatcher: A pair, either very late migrants or over- wintering birds, were found at Ebenezer Point, Jordan Lake, NC, 23 Nov (Josh & Sterling Southern). Bicknell’s Thrush: One was caught in a mist-net and banded at Weymouth Woods, Southern Pines, NC, 3 Oct (Susan Campbell). There are only three documented state records for this species. Wood Thrush: Somewhat late were several at Weymouth Woods, Southern Pines, NC, 8 Oct (Susan Campbell) and one in a yard on James Island, SC, 14 Oct (Dennis Forsythe). Gray Catbird: An amazing one- hour count of over 1500 migrating catbirds was made on Daniel Island, Charleston, SC, 3 Oct (Shawn Hayes). Sprague’s Pipit: A very rare stray from the Great Plains, one was well-photographed at the Savannah Spoil Site, Jasper Co, SC, 29 Oct (Steve Calver, Elbe Covington). Sprague’s Pipit, 29 Oct 2008, Jasper Co., Cedar Waxwing. Early SC. Photo by Steve Calver. sightings included five on Roanoke 26 Briefs for the Files — Fall 2008 Island, NC, 20 Aug (Jeff Lewis) and two at Boiling Springs Lakes, Brunswick Co, NC, 30 Aug (Jeff Pippen, Taylor Piephoff). Though these birds were likely early wanderers, the observers pondered the possibility of breeding in the area, though no evidence was found. Blue-winged Warbler: Reports of migrants in the lower piedmont and coastal plain, where this species is less common, included one, somewhat early, in Columbia, SC, 10 Aug (Steve Tracey); one in Beaufort, NC, 17 Aug (Rich & Susan Boyd); a juvenile female, caught, banded, and released in York, SC, 17 Aug (Bill Hilton); an adult in Schenck Forest, Raleigh, NC, 22 Sep (Josh Southern); one along the Little River, Durham Co, NC, 30 Sep (Tom Krakauer); and one in Southern Shores, NC, 30 Sep (Jeff Lewis). Golden-winged Warbler: Locally unusual sightings included a male at Mt Mitchell, NC, 18 Aug (Simon Thompson); one at Bethabara Park, Winston-Salem, NC, 6 Sep (Ferenc Domoki); and one at Jackson Park, Hendersonville, NC, 17 Sep and 24 Sep (John Lindfors). “Brewster’s” Warbler: Three sightings were made of this hybrid warbler — a male, early, in Currituck, NC, 7 Aug (Linda Ward); a first- generation adult female at a birdbath in Aynor, SC, 4 Sep (Stephen Thomas); and one at Bethabara Park, Winston-Salem, NC, 6 Sep (Ron Morris). Orange-crowned Warbler: Though this species is known to winter in the coastal plain and lower piedmont, it is not usually seen at the higher elevations during the colder months. One, presumably a late migrant, was found at Beaver Lake, Asheville, NC Nashville Warbler: An uncommon migrant through the Carolinas, this species was well reported this fall. One was spotted during the Falls Lake, NC Fall Bird Count, 23 Sep (Deck Stapleton). A juvenile male was banded at Hilton Pond, York, SC, 27 Sep (Bill Hilton). One was found near the Aquarium at Ft Fisher, NC, 3 Oct (Rich Boyd). One was seen in Weaverville, NC, 10 Oct (Gail Lankford). Many were seen at Jackson Park, Hendersonville, NC, with a high count of five on 8 Oct (Greg Massey, Harry Sell), and one remaining 2 Nov (John Lindfors). Several individuals were seen 19 Oct — one in Emerald Isle, NC (Sally Carter, John Voigt); one in Manteo, NC (Jeff Lewis); and one on North Folly Island, SC (Chris Snook). One was somewhat late at North River Game Lands, Carteret Co, NC, 9 Nov (Brian Bockhahn). The Chat, Vol. 73, No. 1, Winter 2009 27 Yellow Warbler: An impressive one-day count of 212 was made at the Savannah Spoil Site, Jasper Co, SC, 8 Aug (Steve Calver). One was found on the causeway at Lake Mattamuskeet, NC, where this species is known to winter, 22 Nov (Jeff Lewis). Cape May Warbler: An adult male was very late, where it was photographed at a birdbath, in Browns Summit, NC, 22 Nov (Julien McCarthy). Kirtland’s Warbler: Found about once a decade or so in the Carolinas, one was carefully observed for 10-15 minutes at the Hospital Fields in Transylvania Co, NC, 1 Oct (Norma & Bill Siebenheller, et al). This sighting is the fourth documented state record. Prairie Warbler: Late reports from sites where this species is known to winter included two on the causeway at Lake Mattamuskeet, NC, 22 Nov (Jeff Lewis) and two or more at North River Farms, Carteret Co, NC, by the end of the period (John Fussell). Bay-breasted Warbler: Sightings outside the mountains included one at Durant Nature Park, Raleigh, NC, 29 Sep (Matthew Daw); one along the Little River, Durham Co, NC, 30 Sep (Tom Krakauer); and a fall-plumaged adult male at Lake Hagler, Fort Mill, SC, 1 1 Oct (Stephen Thomas). Cerulean Warbler: Locally unusual sightings included one at Jackson Park, Hendersonville, NC, 9 Aug (Simon Thompson); one at Waccamaw NWR, SC, 18 Aug (Jack Peachey); and a first-fall bird at Bethabara Park, Winston-Salem, NC, 23 Aug (Ferenc Domoki). Connecticut Warbler: Two reports of this rare and hard-to-see species were made this fall. One was found during the Falls Lake, NC, Fall Bird Count, 23 Sep (Brian Bockhahn). The other, a first-year bird, was found at Hamilton Lakes Park, Greensboro, NC, 10 Oct (Henry Link). Neither bird was relocated. Mourning Warbler: This rare species made a good showing at Jackson Park, Hendersonville, NC, where five sightings were made between 9 Aug and 21 Sep {fide Wayne Forsythe). This site’s first sighting was of a female, somewhat early, 9 Aug (Simon Thompson) and its one-day high count was two, made 17 Sep (Ron Selvey, Simon Harvey). The only sightings of this species away from Jackson Park were an immature in a yard in Watauga Co, NC, 17 Aug (Merrill Lynch) and an adult male at Bethabara Park, Winston- Salem, NC, 23 Aug (Ferenc Don: Wilson’s Warbler: Sight- ings of this uncommon migrant were one, early, at Jackson Park, Hendersonville, NC, 31 Aug (Simon Thompson); a juvenile at Bethabara Park, Winston- Salem, NC, 23 Aug (Ferenc Domoki); one in Cayce, SC, 22 Sep (Jason Giovannone); one in Duke Gardens, Durham, NC, 24 Wilson’s Warbler, 19 Oct 2008, Jacksonville, NC. Photo by Gunter Richter. 28 Briefs for the Files — Fall 2008 Sep (Bill Majoros); one photographed in Jacksonville, NC, 19 Oct (Gunter Richter); a first-fall female at Civitan Park, Winston-Salem, NC, 20 Oct (John Haire); a male at Beaver Lake, Asheville, NC, on the late date of 1 Nov (Thompson); and an adult male, possibly wintering, at Sylvan Heights Waterfowl Park, Scotland Neck, NC, 8-15 Nov (Christian Newton). Canada Warbler: Though this species breeds in the higher parts of the mountains, it is uncommon at lower elevations. One was photographed in Fort Mill, SC, 28 Sep (Stephen Thomas). A first-fall bird was found at Bethabara Park, Winston-Salem, NC, 23 Aug (Ferenc Domoki). Western Tanager: This rare stray from the West was reported twice this fall. A non-breeding plumaged adult male was found on a Carolina Bird Club Field Trip to Carolina Beach SP, NC, 3 Oct (Bruce Smithson, et al), but not relocated on subsequent field trips. Also, one visited a feeder in Conway, Clay-colored Sparrow: Sightings of this uncommon winter visitor included one, somewhat early, in the scrub next to the groin at Oregon Inlet, NC, 26 Sep (David Smith); one photographed during the CBC fall meeting field trip to Bald Head Island, NC, 3 Oct (Ellen Sutliff); two in the fields W of Lake Phelps, NC, 19 Oct (Derb Carter) and three there 9 Nov (Ricky Davis); one at a feeder in Myrtle Beach, SC, 25 Oct (KC Foggin); one at North River Farms, Carteret Co, NC, 26 Oct (John Fussell, et al); and one, a first for the area, in a field along Leggett Rd, E of Rocky Mount, NC, 29 Nov (Davis). Vesper Sparrow: Reports away from the usual high-elevation breeding sites were two at the Recreation Park in Black Mountain, NC, 8 Oct (Stu Gibeau); five on Daniel Island, SC, 22 Oct (Shawn Hayes); one at North River Farms, Carteret Co, NC, 26 Oct (John Fussell, et al); one near the old Coast Guard Station at Oregon Inlet, NC, 8 Nov (Jeff Lewis); and a high count of at least six at Sutton Lake, NC, 24 Nov (John Ennis). Lark Sparrow: There were multiple reports of this uncommon western stray in the Carolinas this fall. Early individuals were found at Savannah NWR, SC, 14 Aug (Buddy Campbell, Dean Bradley); North River Farms, Carteret Co, NC, 17 Aug (John Fussell, et al); and N of Southport, NC, 30 Aug (Harry LeGrand). A first- winter bird was seen at the Glenburnie Quarry, New Bern, NC, 20 Sep (Bob Holmes, Al Gamache, et al). One was found during a local Audubon field trip to Brick Pond Park, North Augusta, SC, 27 Sep (Lois Stacey, et al). Three were seen on Daniel Island, The Chat, Vol. 73, No. 1, Winter 2009 29 Charleston, SC, 3 Oct, and five there 22 Oct (Shawn Hayes). Two were seen at Civitan Park, Winston-Salem, NC, 18 Oct (Rob Rogers). One was photographed on the lawn next to the Visitor’s Center at Pea Island NWR, NC, 22 Oct (Jeff Lewis) and seen again 26 Oct (Ricky Davis). Lark Sparrow, 22 Oct 2008, Pea Island NWR. Photo by Jeff Lewis. Henslow’s Sparrow: Rarely seen away from the VOA sites, a juvenile was found at Lake Mattamuskeet, NC, 1 1 Nov (Christian Newton). Lincoln’s Sparrow: There were a higher-than-usual number of reports of this secretive visitor this fall. One was out-of-season, along the Nature Trail at Jackson Park, Hendersonville, NC, 31 Aug (Simon Thompson) and another (same bird?) was there 16-17 Sep (Wayne Forsythe). Two were found in northern Watauga Co, NC, 20 Sep (Ricky Davis, Merrill Lynch). Another was in a yard in Watauga Co, NC, 24 Sep (Lynch). Rare on the coast, one was seen during the “Big Sit” at Pea Island NWR, NC, 12 Oct (Jeff Lewis). One visited a backyard in Greensboro, NC, 14-16 Oct, (Scott DePu e,fide Henry Link). One was found at McAlpine Park, near Charlotte, NC, 19 Oct (Davis). Several were seen at Daniel Island, SC, 22 Oct (Shawn Hayes). One was found at Savannah NWR, SC, 1 Nov (Brenda Brannen, Sandy Beasley). One was seen near Lake Phelps, NC, 1 1 Nov (Christian Newton). A good count of three was made at the Pungo Unit of Pocosin Lakes NWR, NC, 23 Nov (Davis). 30 Briefs for the Files — Fall 2008 Lincoln’s Sparrow, 15 Oct 2008, Greensboro, NC. Photo by John Haire. White-throated Sparrow: One was very early, at The Historic Orchard at Altapass, near Spruce Pine, NC, 30 Aug (Simon Thompson). White-crowned Sparrow: Reports of this uncommon winter visitor included one seen during the “Big Sit” at Pea Island NWR, NC, 12 Oct (Jeff Lewis); two in Henderson Co, NC, 12 Oct (Marilyn Westphal); one, a first park record, at Lake Conestee Nature Park, SC, 15 Oct (Paul Serridge); one on North Folly Island, SC, 19 Oct (Chris Snook); two on Daniel Island, SC, 22 Oct (Shawn Hayes); several at North River Farms, Carteret Co, NC, 26 Oct (John Fussell, et al); an impressive count of ten at the Savannah Spoil Site, Jasper Co, SC, 29 Oct (Steve Calver); a juvenile at Merchant’s Shell Pond, New Bern, NC, 1 Nov (Al Gamache); two juveniles at Patriot’s Point, SC, 7 Nov (Dennis Forsythe); and one juvenile at Horseshoe Farm Park, Raleigh, NC, 1 8 Nov (Clyde Smith). Snow Bunting: One was seen, surprisingly perched in a tree, along Long Curve Rd, Alligator River NWR, NC, during the Wings over Water Festival, 6-8 Nov (Derb Carter, Taylor Piephoff, et al). Two more were found during the festival, on Pelican Island, W of Oregon Inlet, NC, 8 Nov (Brian Bockhahn). In South Carolina, one was found on the causeway at Huntington Beach SP, 12 Nov (Joan Carr). Blue Grosbeak: Late individuals were found in Manteo, NC, 25 Oct (Jeff Lewis) and at the old Coast Guard Station on Folly Island, SC, 1 Nov (Chris Snook). mm Snow Bunting, 7 Nov 2008, Alligator River NWR. Photo by Derb Carter The Chat, Vol. 73, No. 1, Winter 2009 31 Painted Bunting: Lingering into winter and visiting feeders were a pair in Beaufort, NC, 20 Nov through the end of the period (Rich & Susan Boyd); five in Straits, NC, 22 Nov (John Fussell); a female, returning for a third winter, in Beaufort, SC, 27 Nov (Buddy Campbell); and two in Wilmington, NC, 29-30 Nov (Bruce Jones). Dickcissel: Uncommon for the mountains, one was seen in Henderson Co, NC, 12-13 Oct (Marilyn Westphal, Ron Selvey). One was found on Bald Head Island, NC, 18 Oct (Mike Turner). Somewhat late was one in Manteo, NC, 6 Nov (Jeff Lewis) and another at Alligator River NWR, 9 Nov (Lewis). Bobolink: Noteworthy sightings included a huge flock of about 900 at Alligator River NWR, NC, 30 Aug (Jeff Lewis); ten+ at Hooper Lane, Henderson Co, NC, 10 Sep (Wayne Forsythe); a flock of about 20 at Cape Point, NC, 25 Sep (David Smith); and another flock of about 20 in Henderson Co, NC, 12-14 Oct (Wayne Forsythe, Ron Selvey, Marilyn Westphal). Yellow-headed Blackbird: Only one was reported this period, a female, at Cape Point, Buxton, NC, 25 Sep (David Smith). Rusty Blackbird: A high count of 100-150 of this declining species was made at Lake Conestee Nature Park, SC, 28 Nov (Cindy & Louis Womble, fide Paul Serridge). Brewer’s Blackbird: One found at the Visitor’s Center at Pea Island NWR, NC, during the Wings over Water Festival, 7 Nov (John Fussell, et al) was photographed in nearby New Field, 8 Nov (Steve Shultz). Brewer’s Blackbird, 7 Nov 2008, Pea Island NWR. Photo by Steve Shultz. 32 Briefs for the Files — Fall 2008 Boat-tailed Grackle: Though common along the coast, this species is rare inland. A female was found at the inland site of the Vernon James Research Center, Roper, NC, 7 Aug (Don Rote). Orchard Oriole: An extraordinarily late juvenile was photographed on the causeway at Lake Mattamuskeet, 22 Nov (Jeff Lewis). Purple Finch: Reports of this irruptive winter species began at the start of November, with three in a yard in Bear Creek, Chatham Co, NC, 1 Nov (Parker Backstrom). Red Crossbill: A flock of ten birds was seen at the NC Welcome Center along 1-40, Haywood Co, NC, 23 Aug (Mike Todd). Pine Siskin: It appears to be an irruption year for this species, as multiple reports were made by the end of the period. The first report away from the mountains was of one, seen during the “Big Sit” at Pea Island NWR, NC, 12 Oct (Jeff Lewis). Also, a high count of approximately 150 was made at Pee Dee NWR, NC, 23 Nov (Ron Clark). Pine Siskin, 17 Dec 2008, Oregon Inlet, NC. Photo by Jeff Lewis In Memoriam: Robin M. Carter, 1945-2008 Dennis M. Forsythe Department of Biology, The Citadel, 171 Moultrie St., Charleston, SC 29409 Robin Carter, spring 2008 On November 1, 2008, Robin Carter died peacefully in his home in Columbia, SC after a battle with kidney cancer. His death leaves a major emptiness in the birding community of the Carolinas because of his vast knowledge of birds and bird-finding, and his enthusiasm for sharing this knowledge with others. I think nothing demonstrates Robin’s personality more than a short review he did of Bill Evans’s sound cassette of nocturnal thrush calls (Chat 54(2):3 1—32). In this review, Robin shows his enthusiasm for new information about birds, especially bird vocalizations. This interest in bird vocalizations led to his later passion for sound recording. The review also shows his interest in sharing this information with others, an interest that he also showed by leading field trips. And the review shows his sense of humor and congeniality, traits which made him such an ideal field companion. 33 34 In Memoriam: Robin M. Carter, 1945-2008 Robin was bom November 15, 1945 in Miami Beach, FL. He spent his childhood in Virginia and later in Ohio, where he graduated from Euclid High School in 1963. He graduated from Harvard College in 1967 and received a master’s degree in anthropology in 1969 from Duke University and a doctorate in anthropology in 1974, also from Duke University. He served in the United States Army during the Vietnam era. Carter’s wife, Caroline Eastman, is credited with encouraging Robin to start birding by suggesting they go on an Audubon field trip in Massachusetts. She said “he found the woodcocks enchanting”. This field trip started his lifelong passion for birds. Robin first became acquainted with the Carolina Bird Club while he was at Duke University. He became more active when he and Caroline moved to Columbia, SC in 1985, attending meetings, leading field trips, being chair of the SC Bird Records Committee, vice-president and finally president of the Carolina Bird Club (1989-1991). Robin loved birding big days and held the record for several states, including Florida and South Carolina; he also won the out-of-state trophy in the first Great Texas Birding Classic. Robin had the intellectual ability to visualize and plan these routes in detail, a trait I attributed to his facility with languages and that he spent most of his working career as a computer systems analyst and programmer. I think that Robin was happiest when he was scouting for a big day. And he was especially pleased when his scouting paid off, such as the occasion when at 2 AM on a calm morning in late April on a hilltop in Chester Co. we actually heard the staked-out Bam Owl call and the Spring Peeper-like flight calls of Swainson’s Thrushes flying overhead as a bonus. Robin also loved Christmas Bird Counts, and he initiated or compiled several including the Columbia, Congaree National Park, and, most recently, the Pinewood counts. Robin loved county birding and was, I believe, the first person to see 100 species in each of South Carolina’s 46 counties. At the time of his death he was also working on seeing 150 species in each county (see http://www.countybirds-sc.com/). Actually, Robin just loved being out looking at birds, and I think one of his favorite expressions was something like “if you want to see birds you have to get out and look for them”. All of the above experiences gave Robin a unique perspective on birds in South Carolina, which he used to write the annual Spring and Fall Migration Day Count Summaries for The Chat (1993-1999). From 2001 through 2008 he wrote the South Carolina Region Christmas Bird Count summaries for American Birds. Robin’s birding experiences in South Carolina led to his publishing Finding Birds in South Carolina , an exquisite birding guide to birding areas in all 46 counties. Although it is long out-of-print, Caroline Eastman hopes to reprint it with minor changes as a book-on-demand. Robin was working on a new bird-finding guide to be published as a book-on- demand. He envisioned the book to take two years and the final product to have about 250 sites and to run to about 500 pages. Robin did some of these site descriptions in 2005-2007 and they are published on the Carolina Bird The Chat, Vol. 73, No. 1, Winter 2009 35 Club website (see http://www.carolinabirdclub.org/sites/SC/). His untimely death robbed us of what would have been an exceptional bird-finding guide. Robin was a passionate sound recordist who could often be found in the early morning recording bird songs in a quiet natural area. His bird recordings from the Congaree National Park and the Aiken Gopher Tortoise Heritage Preserve are beautiful and of professional quality. Robin had a special relationship with the Congaree National Park, leading walks there and doing research. One of the products of this relationship was an annotated checklist of the birds of Congaree National Park, which Robin published in The Chat 69(1): 1-28, 2005. Besides the Carolina Bird Club, Robin was a member and officer in the Columbia Audubon Society and the Friends of the Congaree National Park. He was a founder of the Santee Birding and Nature Festival. He led field trips to all parts of South Carolina including the Warblers before Work sponsored by the Columbia Audubon Society and the Dawn Chorus walks at the Congaree National Park. And he was always willing to cheerfully share his knowledge with others, visiting birders and locals alike. Robin Carter’s life exemplified the Wisdom of Buddha: “Thousands of candles can be lighted from a single candle...” which was read at his memorial service December 28, 2008 at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Columbia, SC. Robin Carter is survived by his wife of 40 years, Caroline Merriam Eastman of Columbia, SC; his sisters, Patty Senter of Beaufort, NC and Janice Evans of Donnelsville, OH; and his brother John of Oneonta, NY. Selected Ornithological Publications of Robin M. Carter Books: Carter, Robin M. 1993. Finding Birds in South Carolina. Univ. South Carolina Press, Columbia. Articles: Carter, R. 1999. Birding Interstate-95 through central South Carolina. Birding 3 1(4):346-357. Carter, R. M. 2005. An annotated checklist of the birds of Congaree National Park. Chat 69(1): 1-28. Carter, R., L. Glover and T. Kalbach. 1990. Warbling Vireo at Santee NWR, South Carolina. Chat 54(2):41. Carter, R. M. and C. M. Eastman. 1998. Sharp-tailed Sandpiper observed in Orangeburg County, South Carolina. The first sight record for South Carolina. Chat 62(1):38— 40. Carter, R. and C. M. Eastman. 1998. White-winged Crossbill observed in Richland County, South Carolina: First record for South Carolina. Chat 62(3): 1 57—1 58. 36 In Memoriam: Robin M. Carter, 1945-2008 Book Reviews: Carter, R. 1990. Review of Nocturnal flight calls of migrating thrushes by Bill Evans. Sound cassette. Chat 54(2):31-32. Carter, R. M. 2003. Review of Annotated checklist of Georgia birds by Giff Beaton, Paul W. Sykes Jr. and John W. Parrish, Jr., Occ. Pub. No. 14, Ga. Omith. Soc. Chat 67(3): 123-124. Summary Articles: Carter, Robin M. 1993. 1992 North American Migration Day Count in South Carolina. Chat 57(l):l-6. Carter, R. M. 1994. 1993 North American Migration Day Count in North Carolina. Chat 58(2):38— 44. Carter, R. M. 1994. 1993 North American Migration Day Count in South Carolina. Chat 58(2):44-52. Carter, R. M. 1995. 1994 North American Migration Day Count in North Carolina. Chat 59(2):47-56. Carter, R. M. 1995. 1994 North American Migration Day Count in South Carolina. Chat 59(2):56-67. Carter, R. M. 1996. 1995 North American Migration Count in South Carolina. Chat 60(2):44-58. Carter, R. M. 1996. Fall 1995 North American Migration Count in South Carolina. Chat 60(4): 129-136. Carter, R. M. 1998. 1997 Spring North American Migration Count in South Carolina. Chat 62(2):75-99. Carter, R. M. 1999. Fall 1997 North American Migration Count in South Carolina. Chat 63(1): 1-15. Carter, R. M. 1999. Spring 1998 North American Migration Count in South Carolina. Chat 63(3): 123-1 38. Carter, R. M. 1999. Fall 1998 North American Migration Count in South Carolina. Chat 63(4): 167-1 78. Carter, R. 2001. South Carolina regional summary in The 101st Christmas Bird Count, 2000-2001. American Birds 55:621-622. Carter, R. 2002. South Carolina regional summary in The 102nd Christmas Bird Count, 2001-2002. American Birds 56:55-56. Carter, R. 2003. South Carolina regional summary in The 103rd Christmas Bird Count 2002-2003, American Birds 57:67-68. Carter, R. 2004. South Carolina regional summary in The 104th Christmas Bird Count 2003-2004, American Birds 58:69-70. Carter, R. 2005. South Carolina regional summary in The 105th Christmas Bird Count 2004-2005, American Birds 59:66-67. Carter, R. 2006. South Carolina regional summary in The 106th Christmas Bird Count 2005-2006, American Birds 60:67-68. Carter, R. 2007. South Carolina regional summary in The 107th Christmas Bird Count 2006-2007, American Birds 61:65-66. Carter, R. 2008. South Carolina regional summary in The 108th Christmas Bird Count 2007-2008, American Birds 62:65-66. CAROLINA BIRD CLUB The Carolina Bird Club, Inc. is a non-profit educational and ornithological organization founded in 1937. Membership is open to all persons interested in the conservation, natural history, and study of wildlife with particular emphasis on birds. Dues, contributions, and bequests to the Club may be deductible from state and federal income and estate taxes. Dues are payable on an annual basis. Checks should be made payable to Carolina Bird Club, Inc. Checks or correspondence regarding membership or change of address should be sent to the Headquarters Secretary at the address below. Dues include $4 for a subscription to the CBC Newsletter and $5 for a subscription to The Chat. Associate members do not receive a separate subscription. DUES 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 Associate Life Membership (in same household as life member) $100.00 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. Items for publication should be sent to the appropriate Editor. Send requests for back numbers of either publication to the Headquarters Secretary. ELECTED OFFICERS President: NC Vice-Presidents: SC Vice-President: Secretary: Treasurer: NC Members-at-Large: SC Members-at-Large: Steve Patterson, Lancaster, SC David McCloy, Pinehurst, NC Taylor Piephoff, Charlotte, NC Marion Clark, Lexington, SC Prunella Williams, Hope Mills, NC Carol Bowman, Pinehurst, NC Lena Gallitano, NC Ed Toone, Wilmington, NC Lucy Quintilliano, Charlotte, NC Dwayne Martin, Hickory, NC Linda Kolb, Seneca, SC Vacant position president@carolinabirdclub.org david.mccloy@ncmail.net PiephoffT@aol.com mclark66@sc.rr.com Prunella.Williams@att.net cbowman6@nc.rr.com lena_gallitano@ncsu.edu ed.toone@gmail.com lucyq@carolina.rr.com redxbill@gmail.com rapahana4@hotmail.com EX-OFFICIO EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBERS Chat Editor: Kent Fiala, Hillsborough, NC chat@carolinabirdclub.org Newsletter Editor: Steve Shultz, Apex, NC newsletter@carolinabirdclub.org Web site Editor: Kent Fiala, Hillsborough, NC webeditor@carolinabirdclub.org Immediate Past President: Stephen Harris, Bloomingdale, IL srharris@mindspring.com HEADQUARTERS SECRETARY Dana Harris, 6325 Falls of the Neuse Road, STE 9 PMB 150, Raleigh NC 27615 hq@carolinabirdclub.org Web Site: www.carolinabirdclub.org Rare Bird Alert: (704) 332-BIRD e z cod’) h* ~ 3>I03^0 — mroxMro * E= I Hi M- r- H ft) GO X * = ZCn-4m * = Cl s OOO * I H3PZX # = O 30 ft) H GO # = zn\]>o * F m zo * =_ OH^m ox — noiaor H =_ ■Mhh x = i>ro m = ro rzj D o U)J> o 30 I> h> M O GO m Q m ro h o o> _ CO Q N> c cn 2 "n 3. &) 0 ” “5 OI3^P cox [dm ro sf i HOJfOI Z-nIOU/JO OO I 0“s. Hh»3ZCi) O SO 3D h O 2\ODO m zo o PI I-* * $ £ * * * 3 030 Onr M I_ X = 3> CD PS = ror 3D o QC/J 3> o 30 3> H" i-l o CO m o m ro -si o CD w o rO r" cjn § a. <0 0 CD v< O “+i CD C 1 7J 0) r+ IT 0 0 *-► 3- 0 cq' □r z 0 c (/) S' o -h CD Z o N3 0 33 o At o o O ^1 CD Ul CL 5' 0 ZT CD 0) H m ro o 0) is 00 - ^ cn o o ■ 0) l-K g 03 TJ £■ o CD Q. 2 -s sr! § o' 0 = 0. = o' o' W (Q Q) 3&" o =■ — C /> J r r+ CQ DJ 7s °> CD 2.2* "OH S 00 c/j m a. a The Quarterly Bulletin of the Carolina Bird Club, Inc. The Ornithological Society of the Carolinas THE CHAT ISSN No. 0009-1987 Vol. 73 SUMMER 2009 No. 3 Editor General Field Notes Editors Kent Fiala, 1714 Borland Road Hillsborough, NC 27278 chat@carolinabirdclub.org North Carolina Christina Harvey South Carolina William Post Briefs for the Files Josh Southern Associate Editor Ginger Travis THE CHAT is published quarterly by the Carolina Bird Club, Inc., 353 Montabello, Bloomingdale, IL 60108-1037. Subscription price $20 per year. Periodicals postage paid at Bloomingdale, IL and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to THE CHAT, Carolina Bird Club, Inc., 1809 Lakepark Drive, Raleigh NC 27612. Copyright © 2009 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. Reports 2009 Spring Migration Counts in North Carolina Marilyn Westphal 77 2008 Annual Report of the South Carolina Bird Records Committee Donna Slyce, Chair 105 General Field Notes Breeding Evidence for the Magnolia Warbler ( Dendroica magnolia) in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina: Reports of Fledglings and Eggs Marcus B. Simpson, Jr 107 Fifty Years Ago in The Chat September 1959 110 \Briefs for the Files Spring 2009 1 1 1 Photographs Great Crested Flycatcher Steve Kilpatrick 132 Great Egret, 29 April 2009, Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge. Photo by Jeff Lewis. 2009 Spring Migration Counts in North Carolina Marilyn Westphal 230 Park Lane, Hendersonville, NC 28791, mjwestph@unca.edu Eighteen North Carolina Count areas submitted data for the 2009 spring migration count: five from the mountains, twelve from the piedmont/upper coastal plain, and one from the coast. The Black Mountains count returned after a one-year hiatus as a result of the year-long closure of a section of the Blue Ridge Parkway, and Iredell County and Hanging Rock State Park returned to the count after several years’ absence. The count period extended from 25 April through 23 May with the earliest counts occurring in the piedmont and the latest counts in the higher-elevation areas of the mountains. A total of 400 participants counted 84,469 individuals and 223 species in 1231.90 party-hours, with a total of 70.49 birds per party-hour. Party-hours are determined by adding the total number of birds counted and dividing that number by the total time in the field of all groups or “parties” of participants in the count. “Parties” usually consist of one to five participants. This year there were more North Carolina count areas submitting data than any other year in this decade. Total number of birds per party-hour was slightly lower than average for the decade, and the total number of birds was above average for the decade, but average for the past five years. The addition of the Onslow County count from 2004 to present has greatly increased the total species counted from the first half of the decade relative to the second half because there had been no counts from the coast in the first half of the decade. Because of the extremely diverse habitat in the state, it is important that all areas are covered for the data to be truly representative of North Carolina. There is still a need for additional balance from the coast and some other areas of the state. Of the species counted, 22% were found in only one count area, but only 8% of the species counted were reported from all count areas. The most common and widespread species on the count were Common Grackle (4653), Northern Cardinal (3662), and American Robin (2900), although there were no Northern Cardinals on the Black Mountains count and no Common Grackles on the Hanging Rock count and the two higher-elevation counts from the mountains (Balsam and Black Mountains). Of the 22% found only in one count area, six were from mountain counts, thirteen were from the piedmont or coastal plain counts, and thirty-one were from the coastal count. Species exclusive to one count are listed in the count details section. Some of the more unusual exclusives included a Lawrence’s Warbler (the backcrossed Golden- winged x Blue- winged Warbler hybrid) found on the Chapel Hill count, a pair of Red-throated Loons and a Glossy Ibis on the Kerr Lake count, and a Nashville Warbler on the Falls Lake count. The Pine Siskin winter irruption continued into early spring, with Pine Siskins found on twelve of the eighteen counts. 77 78 2009 Spring Migration Counts in North Carolina There has been much discussion lately regarding the expansion of the Fish Crow into the piedmont. In 2009 Fish Crows were found on all spring counts except Hanging Rock SP and the mountain counts. This has generally been the case for the last decade. Comparing four piedmont counts that have consistently been conducted since the 1960s, Raleigh, Chapel Hill, Winston- Salem, and Greensboro, only the Raleigh count has consistently found Fish Crows over that period. Fish Crows were first found on the Raleigh count in 1964 and have been found there almost every year since. In fact, numbers were often greater in the 1990s than in the current decade. They appeared on the Chapel Hill count sporadically and in low numbers in the 1980s, but have regularly been found there since then with numbers generally increasing in the current decade. Fish Crows began appearing on the Greensboro count in the late 1980s and numbers there have also increased in the current decade. The Winston-Salem count shows Fish Crows first appearing in the 1990s, and they have appeared consistently in the current decade. Based on the spring count data, it does appear that the species is gradually expanding its range farther inland. 3500 3000 2500 « 2000 3 T3 E 1 1500 1000 500 0 Figure 1. Total Common Grackles in the Raleigh, Chapel Hill, Greensboro, and Winston-Salem spring counts during randomly selected years with available data from 1967 through 2009. * £ o> 8 r « CO ~ o> o> o> s fO CO O) ^ CO (fl O) t“ COCOOOffiO)AO>6 O)0)0)9)0)0)0)u rrrrrrrNN \Q tD h; 22 o o o o O © o O o o o © o ■ c3 CS oo : ^ i CN »n CN VO CN ON oo ON m m On CN CN CN — oo VI On »n CN rj- ON CN CN ON OO NO CN «n CN OO VO TT CN CN o m o S ro CN ro f B CN NO CN N- vO a £ ON o g tv - VO m CN NO CN CN £ _ : — i — m cn — in 2 ^ £ >n ■uw 3 H Q -o -o 0) n m O CM CM CM CM m SO o O m O m O m CM CM o o o O m CM >— i CM © o o o © >n p O O o -- o' d o' d d O d d d o' d o' d d d d d d ON o o o 00 CM o o o Os o o o Os 00 o cn o ''t o o o r- o o o p o o o o o CM Os o — 1 o d d d d d d o' d d d o' d d d d d d d o* CM o o o c- o o o >n o o o o in C" o o o O o © p o o p p o o o o o o o p p o o O d o’ o' d d o' d o' d o' d d d d d o’ d d d rf CM _ r-1 o CM oo CM Os CM — < CM _ oo m CM r-s m m m o t r-'- o C- *— i x> — ■ CM r— • *— i >n CM , , 00 ^l- oo O r-> CM CM OO Zr: Os m 1—1 os o so CM SO OO o p? 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SC CO I-I < bO z -a 4> 1 2 o £ a> o ^ ^ ^ « ~ .t2 c/3 O C/5 ^ c Cooper’s Hawk 1 3 2 63444 22 41 36 0.01 0.03 0.02 Ac cipher sp. 1 2 3 0.00 0.00 0.00 Red-shouldered Hawk 1 1 9 5 17 16 19 28 13 14 7 7 15 10 162 0.01 0.17 0.15 96 2009 Spring Migration Counts in North Carolina coast ro OV o CM o m- CO O o OV M- CM _ M" _ O OO VO OO O OV CM VO m o o o o o o o V C 1 CM O O co CO o 1 — 1 Ov o o CO CM p CM »n o' o © © o' o* o' o' CM © © o' © © o' © © © o o CO o’ o' pied s r- § © § § § s §88 s r— ' 8 O'. o © o o 53 o 8 8 8 8 8 o o o o © o' o' o o O o o o O © o © o’ © © © © o o o o o o o mtns t"- o o o O __ o o o o r- o OO m o "o' _ o o o O o Ov o — o p p o p o p o © p o © o o O o o o o o o O p o o o' o’ © o © © o o © o’ o' o' o © o o' © © o’ © o o o o o o total VO *n _ o CM ov CM ON o ov CM ill m CM ov «n CO CO •n r— * o Ov c-~ r- 8 VO *3- r- r- in CM CM VO CO CM m CO ’~~l 1 CM M- CM Onsl CM VO . Ov CM o Ov VO CM o CM CO n v> cs 474 35 — 210 vO *•— * © CO *n "S- © 370 9 O- © CO © 00 CO n © n Tf - (N 222 S 20 CN © ChHi CM 3“ (S . 247 8 Gbro £ o 001 1 *n © 235 1 — — 3- Fors 00 *C .S 5 e* rc £ H £ c o H a g t/S 'S. c «s £ S 4) CO O J U U E £ 4> s H t-M £ E g o> £ ^ E 3 B U ^ v H -5 M 3 -3 4 o o £ — O 3 b Pd &o CQ E CQ O rX 0) CO c E .2 * ^ a 4) O O T3 Q £ SP 15 CQ 3 Jb cq o — 4) £ - I £ ^ o £ TB X s I CQ £ 98 2009 Spring Migration Counts in North Carolina coast o tN to NO NO o r" NO © NO to to NO NO — 1 to o o © tN © O' o- © o i— 1 © NO o o to O" o — < o o > — i tN O' tN o o © © © tN to © o © d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d © © © © © pied © © o s *—> 00 © NO —i s 1—4 t" © 04 o s 2 •o to tN o o © § § O' n oo £4 © © d d d d o o o o d d d o d © © ©. o © © © mtns , , o tN o- t-» to o to tO — o- o __ o- o- ON «o o- © © © o- tN © o o O NO — - ' o o to O tN o o © © © o- © © © d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d © © © © © © © total o s — > r- NO to oo NO NO rr o oo 04 1—1 8 oo 1— 1 Wake to to ON oo tN o o o- oo NO NO oo to NO 00 r- t" tN 1 o- to Durh *— ' 3 tN ON O 04 601 r- 1 — 1 r— < tN 24 O' to $ © Jord >o o> NO O ON O o to r- t-" o oo NO to to tN [ tN NO tN to to to to to tN © to OO ChHi no r- to 5” in 00 ro t* s 00 1-4 to oo 89 © NO © 27 «— < r“> SoPi © to tN r- 1—4 NO o oo to NO o- r- NO NO m M Tf O' O' 1—4 1—4 to T-4 04 y to to T— 4 •Nt Fors £ ON tN NO O’ to to NO o- tN o tN NO tN Ired ON r^- to tN NO NO . o- to o- oo o- NO o o- 1 to BIMt s 8 a, on 1 1 § * l * S 3 O JC V V ^ 2 ^3 £ > « ^ g frJ: JJ X 3 u & x ia 00 to .S c 1 s I *8 03 ■o !•§ ^ 8 s o u fc £ 1 f 1-81 % 8 =8 £ 1*8 8 E e P o The Chat, Vol. 73, No. 3, Summer 2009 99 coast 0.37 0.05 O O © o o o p © o Z.F0 0.76 1.71 0.15 0.00 OO o o © © © 3.02 0.02 0.24 © © © 0.27 2.21 © n © 000 990 000 0.02 0.35 0.00 pied 0.30 0.09 ^r o © o o o o © © 1.75 00 2.33 0.32 0.01 r- o © © © 680 0.18 0.44 © © © 0.35 0.76 1.22 000 1.82 0.00 0.19 0.40 0.00 mtns r- o o 0.02 1.40 — o o o © o 1.25 0.75 1.95 0.00 0.14 000 000 0.26 0.64 oo © © © © 0.02 00 © 0.73 © © 980 0.53 32 65 36 CO VT) - g -O .a D ^ eS •rt P * 1 C/3 2 (D cx ]> « oo !> >■< 1 > 1 2 03 ^ s > c s* S3 >> «« £ >> r v .3 DCS 03 0 o- 1 “ - I 1 E o u M \p S 1 13 *' 5 ~ £ £ £ Poo 111 i* te £ C3 — e« CQ U OQ •p *8 J- (U U g 5 a, £ O- .tS 1 -g 03 H | I Z *S on aj a s-c -O P 4> C DS ? "O < >> c £ ^ £ u _ co © o -J £&> T3 •8 o C/3 O p* 2 > O U | >0 *3 2 o O Z a e S a w 1 -g I = % '? 1 J U PQ "Lawrence’s" Warbler 1 1 0.00 0.00 0.00 Nashville Warbler 1 1 0.00 0.00 0.00 Northern Parula 18 19 14 11 2 1 38 42 31 143 99 134 31 57 36 27 21 724 0.24 0.71 0.32 Yellow Warbler 1 1 5 18 1 2 cw 1 3 7 19 8 4 61 0.09 0.04 0.06 Chestnut-sided Warbler 32 348 4 42 59 1 2 3 3 1 2 2 1 500 1.80 0.02 0.00 The Chat, Vol. 73, No. 3, Summer 2009 101 coast pied mtns total Onsl RaRo Ken- Falls Wake Durh Jord ChHi SoPi Gbro Fors Ired BIMt Bunc Hend Bals Trans o co o o O o O Os o o o o CO o a oo CO so o o o O o o O p CM so oo o o p p o o CM o o CM p o © o d © © © © d d d d d d d d d d d d d d . — 1 00 r- Tf Os so fN o CS o os oo o o CM r- © o n oo o o CO oo CO o o o o — 1 CM o o O p o’ © o o’ © © d d d d d d d d d d d d d o o Wmm, o _ o _ a — < o CM O o © © o — o d d d d d d d d d d d d d d r_) c- oo a j so 01 4) ■e c S E o a. "S 'H c5 £ •8 a § O u, III 42 §-J2^o_2^.2o.5 213 S Uff3 >■* CQ PQ^(XCuPlh c3 42 „ j3 23 fc « fc ■£ 3 5 S3 3 « ■> o 43 -fi 3 u ^ ^ 3 x> «j Y S3 £ £ ^ « a § o g 42 g CQ U o •£ cd £ ti 42 ti 1/5 j~ ”P ^ Pi "2 c £ cs 5 1 S3 v do O. Kentucky Warbler 4 1 6 6 3 2 1 2 2 27 0.01 0.02 0.03 Common Yellowthroat 22 60 32 9 4 7 39 70 46 103 110 148 22 39 56 20 33 820 0.47 0.74 0.50 Hooded Warbler 41 29 8 90 1 2 1 2 34 52 52 32 3 35 33 5 6 426 0.63 0.28 0.09 102 2009 Spring Migration Counts in North Carolina coast o o VO r- o VO o o o o oo o o o © o o o 'St © © Os O' © O' o o 04 SO o 04 o o o o o o o o o o o CO o OS © VO OO 04 © Os o' © © © © © © © © o' © © d d d d d d d © © © © © — pied o o o o st cs oo © OS © OS o o 00 O' q © o v© CO 8 8 © o 8 ? CO 04 •st «n 8 St CO § s v© OO © © © IP o f? © o' © © © d © d d o o o d cb © © © © © © mtns o n 04 o V© 04 VO 04 o o 00 st OS st in © m st o oo o oo © CO 04 o o O o VO O o o vq q o m CO CO © Os © co 00 o' o' © 04 o’ o' © © © © d — 1 d d d 04 d d d — © © © © © © total co V© __ st 1 o , _ Sf m CO Sf St CO — i 04 -H v© 04 OO oo VO a st r- st O' VO O' VO m r— 1 VO OS VO VO CO in CO O' 04 04 00 © 04 O' m O' «n CO VO *— 1 co 1—1 *— 1 — ' —1 CO ||p : Onsl r- St r- m o O' Os oo OO Os St 04 04 CO m y—t 04 1—1 RaRo in VO i> 04 «n 04 00 st oo o- m 04 Os © oo oo © CO VO 04 © r— < O' m CO *— t CO CO 04 1—1 m Ken- 04 s}- , st CO oo in V© 04 04 Os Os 04 04 04 co st 04 V© in St C4 © CO Falls m 93 84 VO VO 04 28 70 204 04 © CO Wake oo 04 04 5 >n 04 oo Os CO """, v© 04 04 Os CO CO ’ — V© 1 CO 04 Durh 00 o St o CO 04 —4 00 i—i OS 04 CO St V© co CO Os CO CO 04 O' st 1— H VO 04 O' O' CO Jord co CO oo o CO st OO CO oo O' 04 m OO © VO 04 «n o 04 m "3- St CO St 04 OO o oo 04 r— 1 04 co O oo m - Hang r* CO 04 00 Ired VO st O' • VO 04 04 04 ^t CO «n © >n oo co 04 1 04 04 >n 04 04 st BIMt 70 76 CO OS 236 *n O' 04 Bunc oo VO 04 VO oo 04 o St 04 O' O' Os co OO 04 oo -st o m Os O' 00 OO st © OO 04 04 T~~l Hend r— i OS 99 04 37 VO «n 80 m co 'St oo »n CO % OS CO St Bals r- CO st CO o V© 04 O' CO O' On CO vO 'St St st CO co Trans VO 8 r- oo m 00 CO - CO 24 CO 00 oo 00 29 CO V© m r— « £ £ X cS £ | O fc C3 X 1 X £ o o3 33 M X Species Wilson’s Warbler Canada Warbler U 1 to 03 Eastern Towhee Bachman’s Spano1 Chipping Spanow Field Spanow Lark Spanow Savannah Spanow E 33 £X & •s c n 2 o Ammodramus sp. Song Spanow Swamp Spanow CU C/3 -a a> « 2 X ! H Oh O 0 S3 OJ O %- 0 1 Hi Dark-eyed Junco spanow sp. Summer Tanager Scarlet Tanager Northern Cardinal o O to a n 749 t-- ON 96 54 n NO 27 £ m a 120 « O T) S C 2 S3 S ^ to 5 « ed o o B U ffl x> £ o U •8 *3 •o 5 O _ o « .a il 2 £ OQ O js ja O o S c 2 =3 O E c O 3 2 g 1 a. Vi o '3 1 ^ 2 e > g. a p o O E E JU 1) o ^ -c O) a> t/5 •o 8 13 '5b § i 3*8 § DC OQ OQ 2 DC >n Q) Q] -0 log. d; § O 0 = 0- =3 5' o' CQ O 3 & 5 a® J =■ — J r h> (Q 1 0) « 2. o. CL 67 1 Vol. 73 The Chat FALL 2009 No. 4 I CD® The Quarterly bulletin of the Carolina Bird Club, Inc. The Ornithological Society of the Carolinas THE CHAT ISSN No. 0009-1987 Vol. 73 FALL 2009 No. 4 Editor General Field Notes Editors Kent Fiala, 1714 Borland Road Hillsborough, NC 27278 chat@carolinabirdclub.org North Carolina Christina Harvey South Carolina William Post Briefs for the Files Josh Southern Associate Editor Ginger Travis THE CHAT is published quarterly by the Carolina Bird Club, Inc., 353 Montabello, Bloomingdale, IL 60108-1037. Subscription price $20 per year. Periodicals postage paid at Bloomingdale, IL and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to THE CHAT, Carolina Bird Club, Inc., 1809 Lakepark Drive, Raleigh NC 27612. Copyright © 2009 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 Age- and Sex-Biased Distribution of Northern Harriers (Circus cyaneus ) in the North Carolina Coastal Plain David S. Lee 133 Distribution of King and Clapper Rails in Managed Impoundments and Tidal Marshes of South Carolina Sean P. McGregor, Sara H. Schweitzer, William E. Mills, and Ernie P. Wiggers 139 Fifty Years Ago in The Chat December 1959 138 General Field Notes A Tufted Duck (Aythya fuligula ) in Forsyth County: First Record for North Carolina Marbry Hopkins, John Haire, David Disher and Susan Disher 149 \Briefs for the Files Summer 2009 154 \in Memoriam In Memoriam: Philip Crutchfield Hal Broadfoot 166 Index Index to Volume 73 168 Cover: Clapper Rail, 21 May 2009, Huntington Beach State Park, SC. Photo by Jerry Kerschner. Age- and Sex-Biased Distribution of Northern Harriers ( Circus cyaneus) in the North Carolina Coastal Plain David S. Lee The Tortoise Reserve, P.O. Box 7082, White Lake, NC 28337 Surprisingly little has been published concerning Northern Harriers (i Circus cyaneus) in the Carolinas. For the most part these raptors breed north of the Carolinas, and here and elsewhere in the southeast they are primarily seasonal transients and winter visitors. Potter et al. (2006) regard Northern Harriers (hereafter “harriers”) as winter residents throughout the Carolinas, uncommon over most inland counties and common over coastal marshes and agricultural fields. There are several reports of breeding in the Carolinas, but these are sporadic isolated events. Pearson et al. ( 1 942) documented nesting in 1936 on Hatteras Island, and Smithwick (1952) reported a nest in 1891 in Bertie County. Additionally, pairs noted in June at Cedar and Ocracoke Islands are presumed to have been nesting (F. Parnell, pers. comm.). Lee and Irvin (1988) reported on an additional nesting and summarized the known breeding status of harriers in North Carolina. In South Carolina there is a single reported 1914 nest from Caper’s Island (Post and Gauthreaux 1989). In this note I discuss a previously unreported ecological and geographical segregation by age and sex of wintering adult harriers. Migration Migration is protracted in both the spring and fall. It extends from February to May in the spring and from mid- August through late November (MacWhirter and Bildstein 1996) in the fall. Lee and Lee (1978) studied fall hawk migration over North Carolina’s Outer Banks between 1975 and 1977. Accipiters (87%) and falcons (10%) made up the bulk of September and October’s diurnal raptor migrants. Of the over 4000 migrant hawks tallied, only 1 .96% were harriers. While most individuals were obviously transients, foraging as they moved southward, based on behavior some had apparently taken up winter residence by early fall. Of the individuals where plumage was noted (n=132) only 10.6% of the Outer Banks’ migrants were adult males [see discussion on plumage below] (Lee unpublished). There is also a single North Carolina report of a fall harrier migrating at sea (Lee and Homer 1989). Laurie, et al. (1981) studied autumn hawk migrations at Ft. Johnson, Charleston, South Carolina. Of 1764 raptors they recorded between early September and early November 1980, harriers made up 8.9% of their total, but they did not provide breakdowns in age or sex based on plumage. 133 134 Age- and Sex-Biased Distribution of Northern Harriers Winter Distribution in North Carolina Because of the extended periods of both spring and fall migration, information presented here on winter distribution is limited to observations made during the months of December and January, although the same general patterns discussed here are also apparent during the migratory seasons. Distinguishing adult males from females and juveniles is easy because of the adult male’s distinctive grayish upper and white ventral surfaces and dark wing-tips. While birds in juvenal plumages can be distinguished from adult females by their cinnamon under-parts and lack of streaking on their flanks, and while juvenile males can be told from females of any age by their smaller size, these criteria were not used in this study. Many individuals were seen at distances, in bad light, without optical aid, and from moving vehicles. All observations were of birds in flight. Thus, while a number of birds were identified as juveniles, the observations for the most part were tallied as either adult male or as female/juvenile birds. Because of my earlier experiences on the Outer Banks where I saw mostly adult female or juvenile harriers in both migration and winter, I became surprised that adult males were much more common at inland sites in North Carolina than along the coast. This finding was based on over 100 personal random encounters of wintering harriers in eastern inland North Carolina in December and January between 1990 and 2005. In the winters of 2006-2007 and 2007-2008 I kept more complete records and encountered 49 harriers (where plumage was noted) in the inland southeastern portion of the state. These were mostly birds seen while driving to various local destinations and not on dedicated census routes. Because of the patchy nature of the habitat in relation to the roads traveled, no attempt was made to determine bird densities. The sightings were made in Bladen, Cumberland, Hoke, Johnston, Roberson, and Sampson Counties. Of the 49 sightings, 45 (91.9%) were adult males. Of the four brown-plumaged birds, one was in juvenal plumage (22 Dec. 2007, Bladen Co.). The other three were not seen well enough to determine if they were adult females or juveniles. During the same time period, random road surveys on the Outer Banks, Cedar Island, and Topsail Island (Carteret, Dare, Hyde, and Onslow Counties) yielded 37 sightings of individuals of which 34 were adult females or juveniles of unknown sex (91.9%). I was unable to determine what percentage of the non-adult males were juvenile birds. Because some of the same roads were driven frequently both within a single winter and on subsequent winters, there is the likelihood that a number of these sightings were of the same individuals. However, there is no documentation that individual birds have site fidelity to their winter ranges in subsequent years (MacWhirter and Bildstein 1996). Wintering males in California were shown to be occupying significantly larger hunting ranges than females (ibid.), and it is not clear how individual harriers are using the patchy agricultural landscape in the inland North Carolina sites. The Chat, Vol. 73, No. 4, Fall 2009 135 While the food preferences of wintering harriers have not been studied in North Carolina per se, the proportions of passerine birds in the diets of harriers wintering in the south is known to be higher than it is in those wintering to our north (MacWhirter and Bildsten 1996). The primary coastal foraging areas for wintering harriers are salt marshes and inter-dune areas of barrier islands. In these habitats the likely mammalian prey species are least shrews ( Cryptotis parva), meadow voles (Microtus pennsylvanicus), house mice ( Mus mus cuius), eastern cottontails ( Sylvilagus floridanus ), and rice rats ( Oryzomys palustris ). At inland sites most winter foraging is over fields cleared of the previous season’s crops, short grass pastures, and abandoned fields in early serai stages. Small mammals associated with open agricultural lands and early successional fields in the coastal plain include southeastern shrews ( Sorex longirostris ), harvest mice (. Reithrodontomys humulus ), white- footed mice ( Peromyscus leucopus), cotton rats ( Sigmodon hispidus), and house mice (Lee and Clark 1982). Of course, if all the harriers were randomly distributed during the wintering and migratory periods there would not be a 50/50 ratio of gray/brown individuals. If all nests were successful and all young-of-the- year birds survived, the ratio of gray- (adult males) to brown-plumaged (adult females and young of the year) individuals would be about 1:5. However, this is not the case. While harriers produce an average of 4.4 eggs per nest, the number of young fledged averages 1.8 birds per nest and first- year mortality is 59%. Adult annual mortality is 30% (Bildstein 1988, MacWhirter and Bildstein 1996). In that winter surveys would represent only half a year subsequent to nesting, I adjusted the annual mortality to 29.5% for first-year birds and 15% for adults to estimate that adult male-plumaged birds should represent about 21.32% of the total wintering population. A Chi-square test on the coastal birds just rejects (P=.0497) the null hypothesis that the gray bird/brown bird ratio matches the predicted overall population ratio, while the inland ratio is very different from the expected (P < 0.0001). Discussion The local differential wintering habits of male and female harriers appear to be driven by a combination of morphological and behavioral differences as they relate to broad-scale landscape ecology and to responses of the local available prey base to variations in available wintering habitat of inland vs. coastal sites. Adult males are 8-11% smaller (wing chord measurement) and weigh 29-35% less than adult females (Bildstein 1988). This size dimorphism would seemingly influence the type and size of prey items. It is known, for example, that males take more birds than females. There are additional ecological and behavioral differences in the ways the two sexes use the landscape and its resources. Males prefer habitats that are more open than those occupied by females, apparently because of prey preferences, and have smaller home ranges. Additionally, females exclude males from their preferred winter hunting habitats (Bildstein 1987, Temeles 1987). Distinct 136 Age- and Sex-Biased Distribution of Northern Harriers feeding, foraging, and habitat preferences (Temeles 1986), in turn, are likely, in combination, to drive the differences responsible for wintering females to select natural coastal communities and males to use more inland agricultural sites. Based on the small percentage of adult males observed in migration along the state’s Outer Banks (Lee unpublished) these same factors appear also to influence the fall migratory routes of harriers. These conclusions raise the obvious question as to the distribution of wintering male harriers in North Carolina prior to Colonial agriculture. Skinner (1928) notes the use of very open shrub and oak barrens in North Carolina’s sandhills. An accompanying photograph of this habitat shows these “barrens” to be open, apparently cut over, longleaf pine wiregrass communities. Prior to the time of European contact, natural open habitats suitable for inland foraging harriers would have been limited primarily to fire-maintained longleaf pine savannas. A more detailed survey of harriers in coastal habitats during December and January is needed to determine what percentage of the wintering harriers are juvenile birds. While it is clear that the inland wintering population almost exclusively comprises adult males, the coastal population could be mostly juveniles, adult females or some combination of both. There is a general pattern in some migrant raptors and other birds for adult females, males and/or juveniles to migrate at different times or to different destinations. In Ospreys ( Pandion haliaetus) there are male-female differences in timing of migration, distance traveled, and wintering sites, and pairs did not migrate or winter together (Martell et al. 2001). In Florida juvenile Broad- winged Hawks ( Buteo platypterus) winter further south than adults, but this is not true for other portions of the species’ wintering range (Tabb 1973). Stotz and Goodrich (1989) showed a bimodal fall migration in American Kestrels (Falco sparverius), with the median date of females preceding males by 1 1 days. Therefore it is not surprising to learn that harriers have sex/age -biased migratory behaviors and distributions. In that some harriers breed in their first year (5-23%; Hamerstrom et al. 1985, MacWhirter and Bildstein 1996), adults and juveniles wintering at different distances from nesting locations may not be as strong a tendency as in birds having a longer period of adolescence. Requesting participants and organizers of Christmas Bird Counts to record the sexes and ages (based on plumage) of wintering harriers would quickly provide a better understanding of regional distributional age and sex biases of these birds. Despite the limits of my methodology in this survey, there is a clear, previously unreported, sexual bias in the winter distribution of adult male harriers when coastal (8.1% adult male) and inland (<90% adult male) communities are compared. There is a less than 10% overlap between adult males and females/juveniles at inland sites, and a similar bias between females/juveniles and adult males in coastal habitats. Based on information I collected in the mid-1970s it appears that a similar bias also exists in the distribution of coastal fall migrants (10.6% adult males). It is interesting that these distributional biases have not been suggested for other regions in this hawk’s wintering range. A casual census of wintering harriers in The Chat, Vol. 73, No. 4, Fall 2009 137 southeastern Arizona indicates less than 30% of birds I observed (N=42+; 2006-2008, pers. obs.) are in adult male plumage, a percentage approximate to what one would expect if adult males, females, and the surviving previous season’s young were evenly represented. Literature Cited Bildstein, K. L. 1987. Behavioral ecology of Red-tailed Hawks (Buteo jamaicensis ), Rough-legged Hawks ( Buteo lagopus). Northern Harriers (' Circus cyaneus ), and American Kestrels ( Falco sparverius) in south central Ohio. Ohio Biological Survey, Biological Notes 18. Bildstein, K. L. 1988. Northern Harrier, Circus cyaneus. Pp. 251-303 in Handbook of North American Birds (R. S. Palmer, ed.). Vol. 4. Yale University Press, New Hanover, CT. Hamerstrom F., F. N. Hamerstrom, and C. J. Burke. 1985. Effect of voles on mating systems in a central Wisconsin population of Harriers. Wilson Bulletin 97:332-346. Laurie, P., J. W. McCord, and N. C. Jenkins. 1981. Autumn hawk migrations at Fort Johnson, Charleston, S.C. Chat 45:85-90. Lee, B. B and D. S. Lee. 1978. Observations of autumn hawk migrations along North Carolina’s Outer Banks. ASB Bulletin 25:53-54. (abstract) Lee, D. S. and M. K. Clark. 1982. A distributional survey of North Carolina mammals. Occasional Papers of the North Carolina Biological Survey 1982-10. Lee, D. S. and K. O. Homer. 1989. Movements of land-based birds off the Carolina coast. Brimleyana 5: 111-121. Lee, D. S. and E. W. Irvin. 1988. Breeding status of the Northern Harrier in North Carolina. Chat 52:7-9. MacWhirter, R. B. and K. L. Bildstein. 1996. Northern Harrier ( Circus cyaneus). In The Birds of North America, No. 210 (A. Poole and F. Gill, eds.). The Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia, P.A. and The American Ornithologists’ Union, Washington, D.C. Martrell, M. C., C. J. Henny, P. E. Nye, and M. J. Solensky. 2001. Fall migration routes, timing, and wintering sites of North American Ospreys as determined by satellite telemetry. Condor 103:715-724. Pearson, T. G., C. S. Brimley, and H. H. Brimley. 1942. Birds of North Carolina. North Carolina Department of Agriculture, Raleigh. Post, W. and S. A. Gauthreaux, Jr. 1989. Status and distribution of South Carolina birds. Contributions from The Charleston Museum XVIII. Potter, E. F., J. F. Parnell, R. P. Teulings, and R. Davis. 2006. Birds of the Carolinas, second edition. University of North Carolina Press, Chapel Hill. Skinner, M. P. 1928. A Guide to the Winter Birds of the North Carolina Sandhills. Science Press Printing Company, Lancaster Pa. Smithwick, J. W. P. 1952. Birds of Bertie County sixty years ago. Chat 16:93-96. 138 Age- and Sex-Biased Distribution of Northern Harriers Stotz, N. G., and L. J. Goodrich. 1989. Sexual differences in timing of American Kestrel migrations at Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, PA. Raptor Research 23:167-171. Tabb, E. 1973. A study of wintering Broad- winged Hawks in southeastern Florida 1968-1973. Eastern Bird-Banding Association News supp. 36:11-29. Temeles, E. J. 1986. Reversed size sexual dimorphism effect on resource defense and foraging behaviors of non-breeding Northern Harriers. Auk 103:70-78. Temeles, E. J. 1987. The relative importance of prey availability and intruder pressure in feeding territory size regulation by harriers, Circus cyaneus. Oecologia 74:286-297. Fifty Years Ago in The Chat — December 1959 The lead article, “The Amateur and the Study of Bird Behavior” by Andrew J. Meyerriecks discussed things that are unknown about bird behavior and ways in which amateurs could contribute to knowledge about those behaviors. This article could probably be republished essentially unchanged today. In General Field Notes, Ernest Cutts reported on species nesting in the Drum Island, SC, heron colony. Total adult population was estimated at 10,000 birds. E. Burnham Chamberlain reported that Ruddy Ducks with young had been seen at Bear Island, SC, and at the Romain Wildlife Refuge, SC, in the summer of 1959. Wendell P. Smith reported seeing a Black Rail feigning injury (taken to be evidence of breeding) in Surry County, NC, on 6 July 1959. The editor noted that in its 23 years, The Chat had published only two NC records and one SC record of Black Rail. John H. Grey belatedly reported June 1951 observations by Robert Paxton of Black-necked Stilts at Bodie Island, NC. The editor noted that while this was a rare observation in 1951, stilts had since become more numerous. Grey also reported a 1941 observation by Ray J. Beasely of 10-15 Common Ground-Doves on Knott’s Island, NC. George Smith detailed an observation of Sprague’s Pipit near Chapel Hill, NC, an observation that was later designated an “unaccepted sighting” by the NC Bird Records Committee. A total of 150 Wood Storks were noted at Savannah Refuge on 10 June, “the largest concentration ever noted” there. — Kent Fiala Distribution of King and Clapper Rails in Managed Impoundments and Tidal Marshes of South Carolina Sean P. McGregor1, Sara H. Schweitzer2, 4, William E. Mills3, and Ernie P. Wiggers3 1 Mississippi Museum of Natural Science, 2148 Riverside Dr., Jackson, Mississippi 39202 2 D. B. Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, Athens Georgia 30602 USA 3 Nemours Wildlife Foundation, 161 Nemours Plantation Rd, Yemassee, South Carolina 29945 USA 4 Corresponding author: schweitz@warnell.uga.edu Introduction King (Rallus elegans ) and Clapper (R. longirostris ) Rails are marsh- dwelling birds present in South Carolina’s fresh to saline coastal habitats. King Rails in the South Atlantic Coastal Zone (SACZ) are considered the only non-migratory King Rails in the U.S. (Meanley 1992). Thirteen states, comprising most of the migratory range of the King Rail, list the King Rail as threatened or endangered (Cooper 2006). Eight subspecies of the Clapper Rail occur within marshes of the Atlantic (Cumbee 2003) and Gulf Coasts, as well as California’s coastal marshes (Zembel et al. 1989, Eddleman and Conway 1994). One subspecies of Clapper Rail occurs in Arizona’s freshwater marsh. All subspecies, except the Northern Clapper Rail ( R . 1. crepitans ), are non-migratory (Eddleman and Conway 1994). King Rails are associated with freshwater and brackish marshes, while Clapper Rails use brackish and saline marshes (Meanley 1992; Eddleman and Conway 1998). Because of their exclusive use of marshes and selection of invertebrate prey, rails are good indicators of marsh health (Gaines et al. 2003). Regrettably, the marsh habitat upon which rails rely has been lost or degraded by direct and indirect factors. Only 12% of the area of the United States remains in wetlands (Zedler and Kercher 2005). The estimated wetland loss between 1986 and 1997 averaged 23,674 ha annually; 5848 ha of this annual loss were estuarine, emergent wetlands (Dahl 2000). Rail populations appear to be suffering as a consequence of wetland loss and degradation (Eddleman et al. 1988; Eddleman and Conway 1998). In South Carolina, approximately 28,522 ha of coastal wetlands are managed as impoundments (Gordon et al. 1989). These impoundments were created during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries for rice and indigo production (Epstein and Joyner 1988). Wooden water control structures called ricefield trunks were used to manage the hydrology of coastal impoundments by controlling flooding and drying cycles, and water movement within impoundments (Morgan et al. 1975). South Carolina’s rice 139 140 King and Clapper Rails production decreased significantly during the late 1800s after the Civil War and loss of slave labor, increased competition from Louisiana and Texas rice production, and a series of damaging hurricanes (Morgan et al. 1975). Subsequently, many rice plantations were managed by new owners for wintering waterfowl to enhance hunting and other recreational activities (Epstein and Joyner 1988). These managed wetlands of the SACZ may provide important habitat for King and Clapper Rails; however, the primary focus of management is to provide habitat for migrating and wintering waterfowl (Epstein and Joyner 1988). We do not know to what extent rails use these marshes because few studies (Rundle and Fredrickson 1981; Epstein and Joyner 1988; Tori et al. 2002) have examined the effects of waterfowl management strategies on rail use of these wetlands (Dodd et al. 1999). With the loss of natural wetlands, however, managed marshes may provide additional habitat for rails and other marsh-dwelling species. Few habitat selection and movement studies have been conducted on King Rails, and many such studies on Clapper Rails focused on the endangered subspecies (Conway 1990; Hinojosa et al. 2002) in the western United States. We examined habitat selection and movement, and estimated home range sizes, of King and Clapper Rails relative to managed impoundments and tidal marshes using radio-telemetry during the breeding season. We suspected habitat selection and movements of King and Clapper Rails would be restricted to tidal marshes. Furthermore, we expected that King Rails would use fresh to brackish marshes and Clapper Rails would use brackish to saline marshes. This work addressed gaps in data concerning rail ecology and biology in the SACZ and assessed the feasibility of trapping and radio-marking rails in the South Atlantic coastal marsh. Study Area We conducted our study within two managed properties, the Ernest F. Hollings Ashepoo-Combahee-Edisto (ACE) Basin National Wildlife Refuge (Refuge) and Nemours Plantation (Nemours) in Beaufort County, South Carolina. The 4781 -ha Refuge includes 1598 ha of tidal marsh and 1214 ha of managed wetland impoundments. It is divided into the Edisto River Unit and Combahee River Unit. We selected the 1847-ha Combahee River Unit because of its proximity to Nemours and because both it and Nemours are within the Combahee River watershed. Nemours is south of the Refuge and includes 3881 ha of diverse habitats, including 607 ha of remnant ricefields, now managed for waterfowl, and 1 15 ha of tidal saline and brackish marshes. Marshes were dominated by Spartina cynosuroides , S. alterniflora, and Juncus roemerianus. The Combahee River flows through the Refuge and Nemours to St. Helena Sound where all three rivers of the ACE Basin meet and converge with the Atlantic Ocean. We trapped rails in three managed impoundments at the Refuge, and three tidal marshes each at the Refuge and Nemours. We selected trap sites The Chat, Vol. 73, No. 4, Fall 2009 141 that were large enough for the trap line, and in marshes where we heard or saw rails. Methods Trapping procedure. We used a cloverleaf trap design with drift fences and a catch box (Kearns et al. 1998). We set three trap lines consisting of two cloverleaf traps with a 20-m drift fence between them from March through May 2006, in all tidal marshes at the Refuge and Nemours, and in all three managed impoundments at the Refuge. We did not trap in managed impoundments on Nemours because the water depth was too great. Traps were set in the morning and checked twice per day for five days or until we caught two rails at a trap site. We placed a wildlife caller and speakers at each trap line to increase capture probabilities (Kearns et al. 1998). This system broadcasted a 1-min recorded call of the King Rail followed by a 1- min recorded call of the Clapper Rail every 3 min for 6 hrs each day. Radio attachment and tracking. We marked each captured rail with a radio-transmitter (Model R1-2C, Holohil Systems Ltd., Ontario, Canada; <4% body weight), attached with a leg-loop harness (Rappole and Tipton 1991; Powell et al. 1998). We released each radio-marked rail at its trap site, then began recording radio-locations, 1 day post release. We tracked and located rails three times per day — morning (9:00-1 1:00 hrs), midday (13:00- 15:00 hrs), and evening (18:00-20:00 hrs) periods. Each tracking period was 4 hrs apart and included a low tide and high tide. We tracked each rail 4 days per week (every other day), except when severe thunderstorms occurred. Each location was recorded with a GPS unit, then mapped using GIS. Home range and movement analysis. To assess home range size and location for each rail, we estimated fixed kernel and minimum convex polygon (MCP) home ranges from >30 radio-locations. Kernel home range associates kernel elements with each point within set locations to minimize the probability of overestimating home range size (Seamen and Powell 1996). The MCP home range size was used to compare our estimates with previous home range studies on rails that estimated MCP home ranges. Distances a rail moved as well as average daily movement between each location identified for each rail were obtained from March-July 2006. We used intervals to eliminate bias due to different sample sizes (number of locations) among rails (Conway 1990). We used 14-day intervals for each rail, then calculated average movement (m) within each interval. These 14- day intervals consisted of days during which locations were recorded three times. Results We captured and radio-marked five King and six Clapper Rails. Locations were obtained for 10 rails, but we obtained >30 locations for only one King and two Clapper Rails; thus, data from these rails were used in home range and movement analyses. Overall, location data from 73% of radio-marked rails were lost due to predation, loss of transmitter, or significant movement out of study area (emigration). 142 King and Clapper Rails Radio contact with two King Rails was lost before location data could be collected. Of the five King Rails captured on the Refuge, four moved from the refuge to a complex of managed impoundments on private property where we were unable to work. The remaining King Rail, captured in tidal marsh, moved to managed impoundments on the Refuge. All locations (n = 67) were in four drawn-down impoundments, and were obtained from 26 April-27 July 2006. Most locations ( n = 55) were in one managed impoundment (95 % kernel home range = 10 ha; Fig. 1). The 95% kernel home range size for this rail was 31.3 ha, and its MCP was 90.5 ha. The distance traveled in one day by the King Rail ranged from 26.3 m to 238 m. Figure 1. Aerial photograph (1999) of a 95% (31.3 ha) and 50% kernel home range size (10 ha) of a King Rail’s locations (n = 55) within two managed impoundments of the Ernest F. Hollings ACE Basin National Wildlife Refuge’s managed impoundment complex, Beaufort County, S.C. The King Rail was radio-tracked from May-July 2006. The Chat, Vol. 73, No. 4, Fall 2009 143 One Clapper Rail was killed by a mink ( Mustela vison ), deduced from teeth marks on the radio-transmitter. Two Clapper Rails each slipped out of their radio-harness and radio contact was lost for one Clapper Rail before data could be collected. For our analyses, we used data from one Clapper Rail before contact was lost and data from another Clapper Rail before it died. All six Clapper Rails were using tidal marshes before contact was lost or they died. Kernel home range sizes for the two Clapper Rails were 3.6 ha (n = 34 locations) and 0.7 ha {n = 38 locations), respectively. The MCP home ranges for the two Clapper Rails were 7.3 ha and 0.4 ha, respectively. Locations of the two Clapper Rails were within narrow tidal marshes on the Combahee River (Figs. 2 and 3). Figure 2. Aerial photograph (1999) of Clapper Rail locations (n = 34) located within tidal marsh along the Combahee River and adjacent to managed impoundments during April-June 2006, Nemours Plantation, Beaufort County, S.C. No locations were located across the Combahee River or within Nemours Plantation’s managed impoundments. King and Clapper Rails 144 Figure 3. Aerial photograph (1999) of Clapper Rail locations (n = 37) within a tidal marsh along the Combahee River and adjacent to managed impoundments on Nemours Plantation, Beaufort County, S.C. Locations were taken April-June 2006. This Clapper Rail’s locations were north of those in Figure 2. Average daily movement for each Clapper Rail was measured over three 14-day intervals (Fig. 5). Maximum distances traveled in one day by the two Clapper Rails were 394.9 m (n = 34) and 162.2 m (n = 37), respectively. The mean minimum distances by the two Clapper Rails were 9.9 m (n = 34) and 1 1 .0 m (n = 37), respectively. Discussion Marshes in our study area have been manipulated by people since the late 1600s; hence, what remains is a complex of managed impoundments and remnant tidal marshes. We replicated trapping methods used elsewhere (Kearns et al. 1998) in managed and tidal marshes, yet captured only 14 rails after many hours of effort. Rather than infer that rails are rare in our study area, we concluded the trapping method was not effective because our study sites included much unconsolidated soil difficult to walk through and tidal ranges that reduced availability of trap sites. Information obtained from radio-marked rails demonstrated the instability of the marsh system. Data were lost to predation of at least one The Chat, Vol. 73, No. 4, Fall 2009 145 rail, to emigration, and to harness failure. Yet, predation events and emigration would be unknown if telemetry had not been used. April May June June July 14-day Intervals Figure 4. Daily average movements of a King Rail from April-July 2006 at Ernest F. Hollings ACE Basin National Wildlife Refuge, Beaufort County, S.C. Daily averages were estimated in each 14-day interval. Error bars represent 95% confidence limits of daily averages for each 14-day interval. 140 CO -a 120 100 - c 80 (D E O E 60 -I 40 to 20 April-May May 14-day Intervals June Figure 5. Daily average movements of two Clapper Rails from April- June 2006 at Nemours Plantation, Beaufort County, S.C. Daily averages were taken for each 14- day interval for Clapper Rails. Error bars represent 95% confidence limits of daily averages for each 14-day interval. We obtained sufficient radio-locations (n > 30) to estimate home range sizes and movement behavior of only one King Rail and two Clapper Rails because 73% of radio-marked rails were lost. The large percentage of rails lost during this study may not be unusual in the SACZ, as 72% of Clapper Rails in a Georgia study were lost due to predation or loss of transmitters (Cumbee 2003). 146 King and Clapper Rails The radio-marked King Rail was caught in tidal marsh, but all subsequent locations were in managed impoundments on the Combahee Fields Unit of the Refuge. These brackish (4 to 5 ppt salinity; McGregor 2007) marshes were characterized by tall emergent vegetation interspersed with mudflats; they contained water in canals and ditches, but none on the marsh bed. Contrary to our expectations, this King Rail selected brackish, managed impoundments. Along the Gulf Coast, King Rails use inland fresh to brackish wetlands during the breeding season (Meanley 1992). Managed impoundments in the SACZ may provide flood-free nesting habitat, especially during spring high tides, if water is drawn down in early spring (March) and kept shallow or below bed level through mid-summer (July). The average daily movement of the King Rail ranged from 65 to 140 m, and it used one impoundment for most of the breeding season. Because the MCP home range size of the King Rail on the Refuge was large and no nests were located in the managed impoundments, this individual may have been a male and/or a juvenile (Zembel et al. 1989). Clapper Rails were captured only on Nemours, and the two from which radio-locations were obtained were found only in tidal marsh. Likely, impoundments were not used because they were flooded through the breeding season and did not provide mudflats for foraging or tall vegetation needed for nest sites (Lewis and Garrison 1983; Gaines et al. 2003). Tidal marshes were brackish to saline (~17 ppt salinity); hence, our hypothesis that Clapper Rails would use marshes with greater salinity was supported. One of the two MCP home ranges of Clapper Rails in this study (7.3 ha) was larger than the average MCP home range reported in other studies (0.4 to 1.8 ha; Eddleman and Conway 1998; Cumbee 2003). Possibly, the larger home range resulted from the rail losing its nest during severe weather, then re-nesting at a second location (Cumbee 2003). Clapper Rail daily movements were within narrow, tidal marsh bordering the Combahee River. None of the rails crossed the river (Figs. 2, 3). Average daily movement (66.8 m, SE = 13 m; n = 2 rails) was less than that reported in studies of Clapper Rails occupying different habitat types in western North America (263 m; Zembal et al. 1989; Conway 1990). Our preliminary data suggest both that fresh to brackish, managed impoundments and tidal marshes in the ACE Basin provide habitat for King Rails, and that Clapper Rails use only brackish to saline tidal marshes. Thus, this initial study suggests King and Clapper Rails partition habitat by the interacting factors of location and salinity range. However, the ranges of both rails may overlap in lower-salinity, brackish marshes (Graves 2001). Longer studies with larger sample sizes will provide greater understanding of rail species distribution, habitat use, movement behavior, and causes of mortality. Acknowledgments We thank G. Kearns and G. M. Haramis for information on trap design and radio attachment method, and A. Campbell and D. Barrineau for data The Chat, Vol. 73, No. 4, Fall 2009 147 collection and radio-tracking of rails. We also would like to thank L. Hartis and J. Griess from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for helping select study areas on the Refuge and being cooperators in the study. We also thank Nemours Wildlife Foundation and Ernest F. Hollings ACE Basin National Wildlife Refuge for providing use of their facilities, marshes, and equipment. This project was funded through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, and the Nemours Wildlife Foundation. Literature Cited Conway, C. J. 1990. Seasonal changes in movements and habitat use by species of rails. M.S. thesis, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY. Cooper, T. R. (Ed.). 2006. King Rail conservation action plan workshop summary: 14-15 November 2006, Memphis, TN. Unpublished report. Cumbee, J. C. 2003. Quantifying trophic transfer of mercury and aroclor 1286 to Clapper Rails (Rallus longirostris) in a contaminated ecosystem using spatially explicit sampling methods. M.S. thesis, University of Georgia, Athens, GA. Dahl, T. E. 2000. Status and trends of wetlands in the conterminous United States 1986-1997. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Washington, D.C. Dodd, M. G., T. M. Murphy, D. C. Hahn, and R. L. Joyner. 1999. Managing brackish coastal wetlands for increased biological diversity and abundance. Technical Report to South Carolina Division of Natural Resources, Columbia, SC. Eddleman, W. R., and C. J. Conway. 1994. Clapper Rail. Pages 168-179 in Migratory Shore and Upland Game Bird Management in North America (T. C. Tacha and C. E. Braun, Eds.). The International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, Lawrence, KS. Eddleman, W. R., and C. J. Conway. 1998. Clapper Rail. Pages 1-32 in The Birds of North America, no. 340 (A. Poole and F. Gill, Eds.). Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia, and American Ornithologists’ Union, Washington, D.C. Eddleman, W.R., F. L. Knopf, B. Meanley, F. A. Reid, and R. Zembal. 1988. Conservation of North American Rallids. Wilson Bulletin 100:458-475. Epstein, M. B., and R. L. Joyner. 1988. Waterbird use of brackish wetlands managed for waterfowl. Proceedings of the Annual Conference of the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies 57:222-227. Gaines, K. F., J. C. Cumbee, and W. L. Stevens. 2003. Nest characteristics of the Clapper Rail in coastal Georgia. Journal of Field Ornithology 74:152-156. Gordon, D. H., B. T. Gray, R. D. Perry, M. B. Prevost, T. H. Strange, and R. K. Williams. 1989. South Atlantic Coastal Wetlands. Pages 57-92 in L. M. Smith, R. L. Pederson, and R. M. Kaminski, editors. Habitat management for migrating and wintering waterfowl in North America. Texas Tech University Press, Lubbock. 148 King and Clapper Rails Graves, C. A. 2001. Avian use of tidal marshes across a salinity gradient at Savannah National Wildlife Refuge, Georgia-South Carolina. M.S. thesis, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN. Hinojosa-Huerta, O., S. DeStefano, and W. W. Shaw. 2002. Evaluation of call-response surveys for monitoring breeding Yuma Clapper Rails (. Rallus longirostris yumanensis). Journal of Field Ornithology 73:151- 155. Kearns, G. D., N. B. Kwartin, and G. M. Haramis. 1998. Digital playback and improved trap design enhances capture of migrant Soras and Virginia Rails. Journal of Field Ornithology 69:466-473. Lewis, J. C., and R. L. Garrison. 1983. Habitat suitability index models: Clapper Rail. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Biological Report 82(1 0— 51), Washington, D.C. McGregor, S. P. 2007. Distribution and frequency of occurrence of King and Clapper Rails in managed impoundments and tidal marshes. M.S. thesis, University of Georgia, Athens, GA. Meanley, B. 1992. King Rail. Pages 1-13 in The Birds of North America, no. 3 (A. Poole, P. Stettenhen, and F. Gill, Eds.). Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia, and American Ornithologists’ Union, Washington D.C. Morgan, P. H., A. S. Johnson, W. P. Baldwin, and J. L. Landers. 1975. Characteristics and management for wildlife in a South Carolina estuary. Proceedings of the annual conference of the Southeastern Association of Game and Fish Commissioners 29:526-539. Powell, L. A., D. G. Krementz, J. D. Lang, and M. J. Conroy. 1998. Effects of radio transmitters on migrating Wood Thrushes. Journal of Field Ornithology 69:306-315. Rappole, J. H., and A. R. Tipton. 1991. New harness design for attachment of radio transmitters to small passerines. Journal of Field Ornithology 62:335-337. Rundle, W. D., and L. H. Fredrickson. 1981. Managing seasonally flooded impoundments for migrant rails and shorebirds. Wildlife Society Bulletin 9:80-86. Seaman, D. E., and Powell R. A. 1996. An evaluation of the accuracy of kernel density estimators for home range analysis. Ecology 77:2075- 2085. Tori, G. M., S. Mcleod, K. Mcknight, T. Moorman, and F. A. Reid. 2002. Wetland conservation and Ducks Unlimited: real world approaches to multispecies management. Waterbirds 25:11 5-12 1 . Zedler, J. B., and S. Kercher. 2005. Wetland resources: Status, trends, ecosystem service, and restorability. Annual Review of Environmental Resources 30:39^17. Zembal, R., B. W. Massey, and J. M. Fancher. 1989. Movement and activity patterns of the Light-footed Clapper Rail. Journal of Wildlife Management 53:3 9-42 . General Field Notes General Field Notes briefly report such items as rare sightings , unusual behaviors, significant nesting records, or summaries of such items. 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 A Tufted Duck (Ay thy a fuliguld) in Forsyth County: First Record for North Carolina Marbry Hopkins1, John Haire2, David Disher3 and Susan Disher3 1 313 Susanna Drive, Kernersville, NC 27284 ; mbhl952@yahoo.com 2 3335 York Road, Winston-Salem 27106; johnhaire@starpower.net 3 4145 Chatham Hill Drive, Winston-Salem, NC 27104; dkdisher@bellsouth.net The Archie Elledge Wastewater Treatment Plant is one of Winston- Salem’s best birdwatching sites. In spring and fall, two settling ponds at the plant have historically provided excellent habitat for migrating shorebirds. Recent changes in wastewater processing have produced cleaner and deeper water in the ponds, resulting in their greater utilization by waterfowl. Cold weather in the Northeast during January 2009 brought a greater number and variety of waterfowl than usual for the site. On 30 January 2009, the presence of a White-winged Scoter ( Melanitta fused). Common Goldeneye (Bucephala clangula). Greater Scaup ( Aythya marila ), and Lesser Scaup (A. affinis ) enticed Hopkins to scrutinize all of the waterfowl. He noted a male diving duck with white flanks and a black back surfacing near three female scaup. When compared to nearby Ring-necked Ducks (A. collaris), its head was a different shape and a small tuft of feathers protruded from the back of the head. The bird fit the description and illustration of a Tufted Duck ( A.fuligula ) in the Sibley guide (2000). Because Tufted Duck is not an expected bird for Forsyth County, Hopkins contacted David and Susan Disher, asking them to bring a camera with telephoto lens and additional bird reference books. John Haire happened to come by to examine the duck flock, and he agreed that the bird could be a Tufted Duck. Haire and Hopkins took digiscope photographs while David Disher took photographs with his telephoto setup. After examining photographs, comparing them with Tufted Duck photographs on European websites, and studying the literature, all agreed that the bird was a Tufted Duck. 149 150 Tufted Duck: First Record for North Carolina Haire posted a note on the Carolinabirds listserve that evening so that other North Carolina birders could look for the bird the next day. The duck stayed at the same location for two weeks and was last seen on 14 February 2009. Security personnel at the treatment plant documented the visits of over 700 birders who came to see the duck. Observations The Tufted Duck at Archie Elledge Wastewater Plant had a black head and a solid black back without vermiculations. The flanks were solid white without gray. The head shape was generally round with a steep forehead, but without a posterior peak like that of nearby Ring-necked Ducks. There was a small tuft of feathers on the back of the head (Fig. 1), and the head occasionally reflected a greenish or purplish iridescent sheen. The eyes were bright yellow. The bill was bluish-gray with a prominent black tip and a pale area of white adjacent to the black tip. The bill had no white at the base or along the edge. The wings had dark coverts and an extensive white stripe across the secondaries and primaries (Fig. 2). The legs, visible when the bird preened, were dark in color, and no metal bands were seen on the legs. The bird did not show aberrant feather wear that would indicate the duck was a captive bird. Compared to nearby waterfowl, the Tufted Duck was slightly smaller than the Ring-necked Ducks and about the same size as the female Lesser Scaup. Figure 1. Tufted Duck found at Archie Elledge Wastewater Treatment Plant, Winston-Salem on January 30, 2009. Note the white flank, solid black back, and small tuft on the head. Photo by Marbry Hopkins. This bird behaved in the same manner as the other waterfowl in the pond, feeding regularly with several female scaup and the Ring-necked Ducks. Most of the birds would feed on the far side of the pond from the common The Chat, Vol. 73, No. 4, Fall 2009 151 Figure 3. Tufted Duck before departure, with tuft more prominent. Photo by John Haire. viewing area, but if approached from the far side, the mixed flock would drift to the center of the water. Close approach was not possible despite multiple attempts over the two weeks. Figure 2. Tufted Duck stretching its wings showing white secondaries and primaries. Photo by David Disher. The authors considered the possibility of Tufted Duck hybrids, which are well described in Mullamey et al. (2000). We ruled out hybrids with Greater and Lesser Scaup because of the lack of vermiculations on the back. We also ruled out hybrids with Ring-necked Duck because they maintain gray flanks and a peaked head, which we did not see on this bird. Tufted Duck and Common Pochard (A. ferina ) hybrids are seen in Europe, but those birds have a dark eye and darker flanks than the Winston-Salem duck. 152 Tufted Duck: First Record for North Carolina The weather during the first several days of viewing was sunny but cold, with bright light making observation ideal. Many observers took good quality photographs (Fig. 3) documenting the key field marks and posted them online for others to review. Provenance Provenance of waterfowl is always in question because of numerous waterfowl collections in the eastern states. Hopkins contacted a local aviculturist who wished to remain anonymous. His private collection of waterfowl is located on the western edge of Forsyth County about seven miles from the wastewater plant. He raised Tufted Ducks approximately 10 years ago but has not kept that species since then. He did not know of others in the area who raise Tufted Ducks. Christian Newton of the Sylvan Heights Waterfowl Park in Scotland Neck, NC, indicated (e-mail to Carolinabirds listserve) that Tufted Ducks were kept at the facility but that none were missing. He also stated (e-mail to John Haire) that the facility had not sold Tufted Ducks to collectors on the East Coast in the previous year. Tufted Ducks are native to Eurasia, breeding from Iceland to the Kamchatka Peninsula. Tufted Ducks from central and northwest Europe are mostly sedentary, but the northern Eurasian population winters in the Mediterranean Basin, sub-Saharan and North Africa, the Middle East, Central India, and Southeast Asia (del Hoyo et al. 1992). Tufted Duck is a Code-3 species of the American Birding Association, indicating that individuals occur in very low numbers but annually in the ABA Checklist Area (ABA 2008). Tufted Ducks are most commonly reported in winter in Alaska and the West Coast of North America (del Hoyo et al. 1992). All northeast and mid- Atlantic states north of North Carolina have accepted records of Tufted Duck. Virginia, the southernmost state on the Atlantic coast with a record of Tufted Duck, has three accepted records: two from the piedmont and one from the coast (Rottenbom and Brinkley 2007). Other reports of Tufted Duck along the Atlantic coast were documented during the winter of 2008-2009. Over the 13-15 February 2009 weekend, the Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) sponsored by the National Audubon Society and ComelTs Laboratory of Ornithology reported five Tufted Ducks at St. John’s, Newfoundland; two at Saint John, New Brunswick; and one at Cambridge, MD, that was present for many weeks. The Rare Bird Alerts of Westport, ME, and Providence, RI, also each reported a single bird in early 2009. Lee (2000) commented on extralimital waterfowl and the problem of provenance. He recommended a conservative approach to the acceptance of new records but favored an open mind in decisions. He did not specifically discuss Tufted Duck, but the presence of the Winston-Salem bird in the winter season, its behavior when approached, the lack of cage wear on The Chat, Vol 73, No. 4, Fall 2009 153 feathers, and the occurrence of many other records of the species in early 2009 are consistent with a wild origin. The Avendex database (Redshank Software 2008) lists no records of Tufted Duck in North Carolina. If accepted by the NC Bird Records Committee, both in terms of identification and provenance, this sighting will be the first for the state, and acceptance of photos will place the species directly onto the Official List. Acknowledgments We would like to thank the staff of the Archie Elledge Wastewater Treatment Plant for providing access to birders from North Carolina and surrounding states so they could view the Tufted Duck. Special thanks go to the two security guards whose workload increased tremendously. We also would like to thank Harry LeGrand for encouraging us to write this General Field Note and for editing this Note. Literature cited Checklist Committee of the American Birding Association. 2008. ABA Checklist: Birds of Continental United States and Canada, 7th Ed. http://www.aba.org/checklist/abachecklist.pdf del Hoyo, A. Elliott, and J. Sargatal. 1992. Handbook of the Birds of the World. Volume I. Ostrich to Ducks. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona, Spain. Lee, D. S. 2000. Photographs of Black-bellied and White-faced Whistling- Ducks from North Carolina, with comments on other extralimital waterfowl. Chat 64:93-99. Mullamey, K., L. Svensson, D. Zetterstrom, and P. J. Grant. 2000. The Complete Guide to the Birds of Europe. Princeton University Press, Princeton, New Jersey. Redshank Software. 2008. Avendex, Version 1.7.8. Rottenbom, S. C. and E. S. Brinkley. 2007. Virginia’s Birdlife: An Annotated Checklist, 4th Ed. Virginia Society of Ornithology. Sibley, D. A. 2000. National Audubon Society The Sibley Guide to Birds. Alfred A. Knopf, New York. BRIEFS FOR THE FILES Josh Southern 4100-A Reavis Rd Raleigh, NC 27606 joshsouthem79@gmail.com (All dates Summer 2009, 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. 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) 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. Correction: The report of 21 Swainson’s Warblers and 19 Kentucky Warblers along a 13 mile stretch of the Roanoke River between Palmyra and Hamilton, NC, 2-4 May, was made by Merrill Lynch, not Frank Enders as reported in the Summer 2009 issue of The Chat. I apologize for the error. Black-bellied Whistling-Duck: Eight were found during a Mecklenburg Audubon field trip to Donnelly WMA, Colleton Co, SC, 1 3 June (Ron Clark 154 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 The Chat, Vol. 73, No. 4, Fall 2009 155 et al.). A high count of 22 was made at the Savannah Spoil Site, Jasper Co, SC, 20 June, where the species was present the entire period (Steve Calver). Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks, 14 June 2009, Donnelly Wildlife Management Area, SC. Photo by Cathy Miller American Black Duck: South of the species’ typical summer range was a pair seen feeding in the pools on Goat Island, Mt Pleasant, SC, 24 June (David Abbott). Blue-winged Teal: An individual seen flying in the company of Mallards in the wetlands near the Water Treatment Plant (WTP) in Goldsboro, NC, 1 1 July (Eric Dean) was somewhat unusual for the middle of summer. Green-winged Teal: An individual lingered at the Savannah Spoil Site, Jasper Co, through June, and two were seen there 2 July (Steve Calver). Ring-necked Duck: Late to depart was an individual on Lake Crabtree, Wake Co, NC, 1 June (Ali Iyoob) and a female on Bass Lake in Blowing Rock, NC, 6 June (Jeff Lewis). Greater Scaup: An individual found at the Savannah Spoil Site, Jasper Co, SC, 20 June (Steve Calver) was quite an unusual find for the summer season. Surf Scoter: Lingering into summer were two males on Crab Bank, Charleston Co, SC, 20-21 June, where one was photographed, with one male continuing through 23 June (Elizabeth Anderegg, Diane Girardeau, fide Dennis Forsythe). Red-breasted Merganser: Reports of lingering birds included two near the jetty at Huntington Beach SP, SC, 1 June (Gabe Leidy); seven around spoil islands inside Oregon Inlet, NC, 14 June, with three remaining 27 June (Jeff Lewis); and an individual at the Savannah Spoil Site, Jasper Co, SC, 20 June (Steve Calver). 156 Briefs for the Files — Summer 2009 Ruddy Duck: As in past years, this species summered at the Savannah Spoil Site, Jasper Co, SC, with a high count of 84 made on 6 June. Evidence of nesting was also obtained again this year when a pair with young was seen on 27 June (Steve Calver). Red-throated Loon: The period’s only report was of an individual in non-breeding plumage seen flying down the shoreline at Huntington Beach SP, SC, 1 June (Gabe Leidy). Common Loon: This year’s reports of lingering/summering Common Loons included a juvenile that was rescued by a wildlife rehabilitator and released later that day at Salem Lake, Winston-Salem, NC, 10 June (Jean Chamberlain, fide Phil Dickinson); an adult in breeding plumage near the dam at Falls Lake, Wake Co, NC, 30 June through the end of the period (Matt Daw); a non-breeding-plumaged individual at Glenbumie Quarry in New Bern, NC, 3 July (A1 Gamache); and a seemingly healthy non-breeding plumaged individual on Lookout Shoals Lake, Catawba Co/Iredell Co, NC, 18 July (Lori Owenby). Pied-billed Grebe: Locally unusual in mid-summer was an adult found at Cowan’s Ford WR, NC, 28 June (David Wright). As in previous years, this species bred in the wetlands near the WTP in Goldsboro, NC, this summer (Eric Dean). Horned Grebe: Lingering into summer was a breeding-plumaged individual seen at Pivers Island, Beaufort, NC, through at least 4 June (John Fussell, Ross McGregor). Herald (Trinidade) Petrel: This rare pelagic species was seen only once this summer — a dark-phase bird found on a pelagic trip out of Hatteras, NC, 7 June (Brian Patteson et al.). Fea’s Petrel: This rare pelagic species was seen twice this period, on pelagic trips out of Hatteras, NC, 7 and 18 June (Brian Patteson et al.). Bermuda Petrel: This very rare pelagic species was seen and photographed during a pelagic trip out of Hatteras, NC, 27 June (Brian Patteson et al.). Manx Shearwater: A rare from-shore sighting was made from the E end of Shackleford Banks, NC, of an individual flying between Shackleford and Core Banks, 2 July (Frank Enders). Swinhoe’s Storm-Petrel: One was briefly seen and photographed when it visited a chum slick during a pelagic trip out of Hatteras, NC, 6 June (Brian Patteson, et al.), providing the state with its third documented record of this very rare vagrant. Tropicbirds: Both White-tailed and Red-billed Tropicbirds were seen on a pelagic trip out of Hatteras, NC, 3 June (Brian Patteson et al.). Atypically, no other report of either species was made throughout the rest of the summer season. Brown Booby: A first-summer individual was observed flying E, just E of Hatteras Inlet, NC, during a half-day fishing trip 1 1 June (Brian Patteson), providing the state with its first report of this rare tropical vagrant in three years. The Chat, Vol. 73, No. 4, Fall 2009 157 Northern Gannet: A juvenile photographed flying over the ocean from Topsail Island, NC, 4 July (Ali Iyoob) was a good find for the mid- summer. American Bittern: One found near the lodge impoundments at Donnelly WMA, SC, 20 July (Jack Eckstine) was an unexpected find for the summer season. Least Bittern: Like last year, this species was seen in the wetlands near the WTP in Goldsboro, NC, throughout the summer, with a high count of five made 1 1 July (Eric Dean). Great Egret: Post-breeding dispersal resulted in multiple sightings of this species in the western part of our region. The westernmost report was of six in a dry field in the Sandy Mush Valley near Leicester, NC, 25 July (James Atkinson). Little Blue Heron: Post-breeding dispersal resulted in inland sightings of this coastal breeder at the Orangeburg, SC, fish hatchery, where four were seen 17 July (Jeff Lemons); and at the Archie Elledge WTP in Winston- Salem, NC, where a juvenile was seen 25 July through the end of the period (Dennis & Lynn Burnette, et al.). Reddish Egret: The summer’s reports included a juvenile on South Litchfield Beach, SC, 3 June (Paul Serridge); a juvenile at Huntington Beach SP, SC, 4 June and 3 July (Jack Peachey) and an adult there 1-29 July (Jerry Kerschner); an adult at the S end of Topsail Island, NC, 24 June (Gilbert Grant); one on Shackleford Banks, NC, 1 July (Frank Enders); six at the Savannah Spoil Site, Jasper Co, SC, 10-17 July (Steve Calver); and a juvenile near Lea/Hutaff Island, Pender Co, NC, 31 July (Grant). Black-crowned Night- Heron: Unusual for the mountain locality was an individual seen on a roadside in Hot Springs, NC, 25 July (Ali Iyoob). Yellow-crowned Night-Heron: At Miller Park in Winston-Salem, NC, breeding numbers were down this year, possibly due to the death of two pine trees used for nesting in past years. Only two nests were found this year, containing a total of four chicks, 15 June (Phil Dickinson). Reddish Egret, 29 July 2009, Huntington Beach State Park. Photo by Jerry Kerschner. 158 Briefs for the Files — Summer 2009 Glossy Ibis: 85 seen at Lake Mattamuskeet, NC, 25 July (Ricky Davis), provided an excellent count for that inland location. Roseate Spoonbill: This species made a historic northerly movement during post-breeding dispersal this year, with sightings made at locations more northerly and in higher concentrations than usual. North Carolina’s sightings included two in a swamp along the Cape Fear River in NE Duplin Co, 13-17 June (Eric Dean, Mary Bridges); two in a private impoundment near Trenton, Jones Co, 15 July (Clancy Ballenger); at least one at Sunset Beach from 16 June (Dwayne Martin) through the end of the period, with a high count of four on 5 July (Randy Climpson, Robert Ostrowski) and 12 July (Ricky Davis); and several at Pea Island NWR, 26 June (Neal Moore, Lee Yoder, Jeff Lewis, m. obs.) through the end of the period, with a high count of nine (!) reported by a USFW volunteer 5 July {fide Lewis). In South Carolina, where this species is more expected but still uncommon, sightings included four on Goat Island, Mt Pleasant, 24 June (David Abbott), and seven there 21 July (Mike Turner et al.); up to two at Huntington Beach SP, 6 July (Ritch Lilly, Jack Peachey, m. obs.) through the end of the period; and many at the Savannah Spoil Site, Jasper Co, throughout the period, with a high count of 205 made on 2 July (Steve Calver). Roseate Spoonbill, 18 July 2009, Huntington Beach SP, SC. Photo by Jerry Kerschner. Wood Stork: Farther north and/or inland than usual were three, an adult and two juveniles, in a swamp along the Cape Fear River in NE Duplin Co, NC, 14 June (Eric Dean); nine along the Cape Fear River near Riegelwood, NC, 21 June (Kent Fiala); a juvenile, probably the same bird reported from The Chat, Vol. 73, No. 4, Fall 2009 159 Cowan’s Ford WR in late May, at a golf course in central Charlotte, NC, 17 June (David & Marcia Wright, Tom Sanders, et al.); an individual in New Field, Pea Island, NC, 21 June (Neal Moore, fide Jeff Lewis); and an individual on Topsail Island, NC, 4 July (Ali Iyoob). Swallow-tailed Kite: Unusually far north was an individual seen near the lighthouse pond on Bodie Island, NC, 1 June (Brian Van Druten, fide Jeff Lewis). The peak count of the annual congregation over fields near Allendale, SC, was 100 on 25 July (John Cely et al.). Mississippi Kite: An emaciated and dehydrated adult was found in Bessemer City, NC, and taken to the Carolina Raptor Center for rehabilitation, 3 July (fide Ron Clark). This location is west of the species’ typical range. Northern Harrier: A handful of these birds tend to linger along the coast each summer. This year’s coastal reports included a male on Bodie Island, NC, near Oregon Inlet, 14 June (Jeff Lewis) and 29 June (Linda & Skip Ward); and two juveniles at North River Farms, Carteret Co, NC, 5 and 19 July (John Fussell). Most interesting, though, was the piedmont report of a female seen multiple times in the wetland near the river at Tanglewood Park in Clemmons, NC, in early-to-mid June (Phil Dickinson). Broad-winged Hawk: A pair appeared to have bred in SE Croatan NF, near Mill Creek, NC, again this year, as an adult pair was regularly seen throughout the summer and a juvenile was seen in the same area in August (Jack Fennell, fide John Fussell). Black Rail: Participants of a Mecklenburg Audubon field trip were treated to a brief look at this hard-to-see species at Bear Island WMA, SC, 13 June (Ron Clark et al.). King Rail: Locally unusual was one heard calling in the wetlands near the WTP in Goldsboro, NC, 18 July (Eric Dean). Common Moorhen: The wetlands near the WTP in Goldsboro, NC, hosted breeding moorhens this year, with three to four adults with two broods of chicks seen 1 1 July (Eric Dean). American Coot: Reports of lingering individuals included “at least one” at the Davis Impoundment in Carteret Co, NC (John Fussell, Jack Fennell, et al.); and one on Lake Conestee in Greenville, SC, 3 July (Steve Cox). Reports of breeding included a pair in the wetlands near the WTP in Goldsboro, NC, this summer (Eric Dean); and a pair, possibly breeding, at Donnelly WMA, Colleton Co, SC, 13 June (Ron Clark et al.). Sandhill Crane: Quite unusual was the summer sighting of a solitary Sandhill Crane, foraging in a recently-mowed roadside near Columbia, NC, 2 June (Tye Anderson). Following a string of rumored sightings of an adult pair in N Union Co, NC, in the past ten months, an adult bird was found injured in nearby Rock Hill, SC, and was taken to a wildlife rehabilitator, 26 June (Jennifer Gordon, fide David Wright). A few days later, another adult was found in a partially-mowed pasture in nearby S Mecklenburg Co, NC, 1 July (David & Marcia Wright). 160 Briefs for the Files — Summer 2009 Black-bellied Plover: 217 were counted at Lake Mattamuskeet, NC, 25 July (Ricky Davis), providing a good count for a site away from the coast. American Golden-Plover: One photographed on the E end of Kiawah Island, SC, 4 July (Tom Giduz) was either a very late spring migrant or a very early fall migrant. Wilson’s Plover: Present throughout the period at the Savannah Spoil Site, Jasper Co, SC, a high count of this species was made on 27 June, when 47 were seen (Steve Calver). Black-necked Stilt: Some of the more notable counts of this elegant shorebird included 60, including two broods, at the Hob Caw Impoundments in Georgetown, SC, 24 June (David Abbott); 1 1 at Lake Mattamuskeet, NC, 25 July (Ricky Davis); and a high count of 555 at the Savannah Spoil Site, Jasper Co, SC, 10 July, where many nested during the season (Steve Calver). Lesser Yellowlegs: An impressive count of 930 was made at Lake Mattamuskeet, NC, 25 July (Ricky Davis). Upland Sandpiper: Some of the first fall migrants to pass through our region were two at the Orangeburg, SC, sod farm, 17 July (Jeff Lemons, David Weathers); one at Lake Mattamuskeet, NC, 25 July (Ricky Davis); two at North River Farms, Carteret Co, NC, 26 July (John Fussell, Jack Fennell); and one at the Evergreen Sod Farm in Turbeville, SC, 31 July (Shawn Smolen-Morton). Long-billed Curlew: The summer’s only sighting of our largest shorebird was of two on the E end of Shackleford Banks, NC, 1 July (Frank Enders). Hudson tan Godwit: An early fall migrant was found at Lake Mattamuskeet, NC, 25 July (Ricky Davis). Marbled Godwit: Two of the more notable summer counts of this species were seven on the E end of Shackleford Banks, NC, 30 June (Frank Enders) and four at Lake Mattamuskeet, NC, 25 July (Ricky Davis). Peeps: Low water levels and exposed mudflats at Lake Mattamuskeet, NC, 25 July, attracted fantastic numbers of early migratory sandpipers. The genus Calidris was well represented with 810 Semipalmated Sandpipers, 143 Western Sandpipers, 1290 Least Sandpipers, and 59 Pectoral Sandpipers (Ricky Davis). Stilt Sandpiper: Reports of early fall migrants included a high count of 254 at the Savannah Spoil Site, Jasper Co, SC, 24 July (Steve Calver); 108 at Lake Mattamuskeet, NC, 25 July (Ricky Davis); and seven at the Evergreen Sod Farm in Turbeville, SC, 26 July (Shawn Smolen-Morton). Dowitchers: Early southbound migrants were found at Lake Mattamuskeet, NC, 25 July, where 168 Short-billed and four Long-billed were counted (Ricky Davis). American Woodcock: Hard-to-fmd in summer, this ground-dwelling bird was flushed at Congaree NP, SC, 28 June (John Grego); at West Branch Nature Preserve in Davidson, NC, 8 July (Taylor Piephoff, Don Seriff); and at Cowans Ford WR, N Mecklenburg Co, NC, 15 July (Christa Rogers, fide Piephoff). The Chat, Vol. 73, No. 4, Fall 2009 161 Wilson’s Phalarope: The Savannah Spoil Site in Jasper Co, SC, provides the summer’s only report of this migratory shorebird, with three on 10 July, a high count of six on 20 July, and five remaining on 24 July (Steve Calver). Ring-billed Gull: Out-of-season individuals were seen at Falls Lake, Wake Co, NC, 13 June (Ali Iyoob); and over Lake Norman, Lincoln Co, NC, 22 July (David Wright). Lesser Black-backed Gull: Rare in the middle of summer, an adult was photographed on the E end of Sunset Beach, NC, 9 July (Robert Ostrowski). Sooty Tern: A rare from-shore sighting was made over the S end of Topsail Island, NC, when an adult, in flight, was seen 31 July (Gilbert Grant). Caspian Tern: Unusual for the time of year was the high number, 11, counted at Davis Impoundment in Carteret Co, NC, 21 June (John Fussell, Jack Fennell). Common Tern: One was found unusually far inland, at a sandpit in Wayne Co, NC, 18 July (Eric Dean). Black Skimmer: Farther from the coast than usual was the sighting of a Black Skimmer over the Neuse River Estuary, near Havelock, NC, 13 June (John Fussell). Parasitic Jaeger: An individual, in flight, was seen over the Pamlico Sound just E of Ocracoke Village, NC, 7 June (Susse Wright). White-winged Dove: One visited the same feeder in North Topsail Beach, NC, where one visited last summer, for a few days in late June (Connie Shertz). Common Ground-Dove: Reports of this declining species included one on the W side of the point at South Litchfield Beach, SC, 11 June (Paul Serridge); two, in flight, at Botany Bay WMA, SC, 12 June (Ron Clark et al.); one on Daniel Island, SC, 4 July (Shawn Hayes); and a high count of eight at the Savannah Spoil Site, Jasper Co, SC, 20 June (Steve Calver). Black-hooded Parakeet: “Of questionable origin” was a pair seen multiple times in downtown Morehead City, NC, in late July into August (John Fussell). Black-billed Cuckoo: East of its typical breeding range was a territorial pair found along Silvertown Rd in SW Halifax Co, NC, 21 June (Ricky Davis). One was relocated at the same location 9 July (Frank Enders et al.). Chuck-will’s-widow: Two were heard calling at an unusually high elevation in the Brushy Mountains, Alexander Co, NC, 3 July (Harry LeGrand, Jeff Pippen). Alder Flycatcher: An individual discovered singing on territory at the Roaring Creek Valley in the Roan Highlands of Avery Co, NC, 11 June (Merrill Lynch) may represent a new nesting site for this species. Willow Flycatcher: Reports made east of this species’ typical breeding range included one heard calling in S Durham, NC, 3-9 June (Johnny Wilson); three singing males, and a presumed female, in the wetlands along Ballenger Rd near PTI Airport in Greensboro, NC, 16 June (Henry & 162 Briefs for the Files — Summer 2009 Elizabeth Link); three singing males at Civitan Park in Winston-Salem, NC, throughout the period (John Haire); and one heard calling along a creek in a large pasture off NC-48 in SW Halifax Co, NC, 21 June (Ricky Davis). HH |nnH| Iff Ml ™ rjB ■■■h mmm lIMMBk ill I Ml rN| 111 I ■ ■ ■ * aa mm . ; :: wmmt: 1 1® WSKSKSm ■■■Hi ■I ■I IP J . ■ I m J§§ -■ ' : ■Hi iBBiBi i / >4 §gg|g |:;||||||;: ' ' 1^— V-:: xO:-.: ' K -l^v: :| ^ #0* II. 111 ..|. BliBMBilBB IIMIS iimnn Black-billed Cuckoo, 21 June 2009, Halifax Co, NC. Photo by Ricky Davis. Least Flycatcher: An individual was seen and heard singing at Durant Nature Park in N Raleigh, NC, 1 July (Ali Iyoob), east of the species’ typical breeding range. Great Crested Flycatcher: Noteworthy for the site’s high elevation (4500 ft) was a pair that nested in Bluff Mountain Preserve, near West Jefferson, NC, 14 May-22 July (Merrill Lynch). Scissor-tailed Flycatcher: Though there were no reports of breeding by this species in the Carolinas this summer, one transitory male was seen and photographed at the Gaston Country Club in Gastonia, NC, 31 May-21 June (Steve Tracy, m. obs.). Warbling Vireo: Two active nests were found east of the species’ typical breeding range at Civitan Park in Winston-Salem, NC, 9 June (Phil Dickinson). Black-whiskered Vireo: An astounding find for a location away from the coast, an individual was heard and then seen along Billfinger Rd in E Croatan NF, SE Craven Co, NC, 13 June (John Fussell). Attempts to relocate the bird later that day were unsuccessful. Common Raven: Outside of the mountains, some of the higher counts included six over St. Stephens Park in NE Hickory, NC, 1 1 June (Dwayne The Chat, Vol. 73, No. 4, Fall 2009 163 Martin); three over the Eno Trace Subdivision in N Durham, NC, 15 July (David Ross); and three at a quarry in S Charlotte, NC, 24 July (David & Marcia Wright) where, according to quarry personnel, up to five were seen during the spring. Horned Lark: Nesting was confirmed on Big Yellow Mountain, Avery Co, NC, when two adults and nestlings were photographed 1 1 June (Curtis Smalling, Nora Schubert, David Ray, Jay Leutze). Three adult males and four adult females were found in a rocky cattle pasture on Bearwallow Mountain in NE Henderson Co, NC, 3 July (Christine Kelly). Four were seen at North River Farms, Carteret Co, NC, 21 June (John Fussell, Jack Fennell) though no evidence of nesting was found at the site this year. Tree Swallow: Two seen at Lake Landing, Hyde Co, NC, 1 1 July (Jeff Lewis) may indicate attempted breeding in that area. Cliff Swallow: Strangely, this species did not begin building nests on the side of the Hampton Inn in Havelock, NC, a traditional nesting site, until the late date of 24 June, probably due to lack of mud (John Fussell). Though 98 nests were counted by 7 July, all but two nests were abandoned by the end of July (Fussell). Golden-crowned Kinglet: Locally unusual was a pair, apparently breeding, repeatedly seen in an old-growth stand of Carolina Hemlock at Bluff Mountain Preserve, at about 4500 ft, near West Jefferson, NC, throughout the period (Merrill Lynch). Hermit Thrush: Localized breeders at our higher elevations, Hermit Thrushes were heard singing in Huckleberry Field along the Cherohala Skyway in Graham Co, NC, 14-17 June (David Trently, Mike Nelson); and on Roan Mountain, NC, where three to four were found in early June (Rick Knight). Sprague’s Pipit: A very lost and exhausted Sprague’s Pipit landed on a boat about 40 miles off Corolla, NC, where it was photographed, 2 June (Lauren Morgens, fide Matt Sarver). There are only a handful of records of this species in the state, with this sighting providing the first offshore record. Cedar Waxwing: Reports of summer lingerers in the eastern half of our region included five at the dam on Falls Lake, Wake Co, NC, 7 June (Ali Iyoob); two N of Hillsborough, NC, 7 June (Jeff Pippen); and a pair near Ringwood, Halifax Co, NC, 19 July (Merrill Lynch). No evidence of nesting was found at these sites, though. Chestnut-sided Warbler: A first-winter male found at Evergreen Nature Preserve in Mecklenburg Co, NC, 29 July (Tom Sanders) must have been an extremely early fall migrant. Magnolia Warbler: Up to four were seen on Roan Mountain, NC, throughout June (Rick Knight). Cerulean Warbler: Locally unusual was an immature seen in a yard in Watauga Co, NC, 1 1 July (Merrill Lynch). American Redstart: Presumably an early migrant and not a local breeder, an individual was found on Pea Island, NC, 27 June (Jeff Lewis, Audrey Whitlock). 164 Briefs for the Files — Summer 2009 Waterthrush sp. : Presumed early migrants were found in the Elizabethan Gardens in Manteo, NC, 14 July (Jeff Lewis); and in the Holly Shelter Game Land, Pender Co, NC, 14 July (Bruce Smithson, Amy Williamson). Vesper Sparrow: One or two males were observed singing on Roan Mountain, NC, in early June (Rick Knight). Lark Sparrow: Breeding apparently took place at Carolina Sandhills NWR in McBee, SC, as individuals were located 18 June (Dwayne Martin) and 22 June (Paul Serridge, et al.) and a juvenile was photographed there, 4 July (Doug and Pam DeNeve). Juvenile Lark Sparrow, 4 July 2009, Carolina Sandhills NWR, SC. Photo by Doug DeNeve. Savannah Sparrow: Suggestive of attempted breeding in the area was an individual observed singing from a fencepost in a pasture along Butler Farm Rd in Henderson Co, NC, 23-28 June (Marilyn Westphal). At least four singing males were seen and heard during a Breeding Bird Survey (BBS), at a previously unknown nesting site near Sparta, NC, 27 June (Merrill Lynch). Grasshopper Sparrow: Somewhat unusual for the coastal plain in summer were three singing males at the Evergreen Sod Farm in Turbeville, SC, 26-3 1 July (Shawn Smolen-Morton). Song Sparrow: At the eastern edge of the species’ typical breeding range was a pair that nested near the intersection of 1-95 and NC-158 in Roanoke Rapids, NC, throughout the period (Ricky Davis). Also found in the eastern part of the state were territorial males singing in NW Rocky Mount, NC, and in NE Wilson, NC, throughout the period, though nesting was not confirmed (Davis). Painted Bunting: As in recent years, an individual was found singing in the North River community of Carteret Co, NC, 14 June, several miles inland of the species’ typical northern range limit (John Fussell). The Chat, Vol 73, No. 4, Fall 2009 165 Dickcissel: Four singing males continued in the fields near Cherry Hospital, Goldsboro, NC, throughout the summer (Eric Dean). Up to four males and one female were seen in the Clear Springs subdivision of Simpsonville, SC, 21 June- 15 July (Simon Harvey, Paul Serridge, Steve Cox, et al.). An amazing count of 17 was made at North River Farms, Carteret Co, NC, 7 and 11 June, with juveniles seen later in the summer (John Fussell). Bobolink: First observed in May, three territorial males continued in a large pasture in Henderson Co, NC, through mid- June, with one still singing into late June (Marilyn Westphal). Shiny Cowbird: A male was discovered inside a mixed flock of blackbirds on the lawn of the Fishing Center at Oregon Inlet, NC, 13 June (Ned Brinkley), but was never relocated. Baltimore Oriole: East of the species’ typical breeding range was a pair found nesting at Lake Cunningham, Greer, SC, in early June (Chip Gilbert). This species was also seen at Civitan Park, Winston-Salem, NC, in mid- June, suggestive of attempted breeding, though no evidence was found (Phil Dickinson). Red Crossbill: Some of the better counts of this species included “as many as ten” on Grandfather Mountain, 6 June (Jeff Lewis); three pairs along the Blue Ridge Parkway near Mt. Mitchell, NC, 25 July (Marilyn Westphal); and four along the Appalachian Trail near Hot Springs, NC, 25 July (Ali Iyoob). Dickcissel, 25 June 2009, Simpsonville, SC. Photo by Louis Womble. In Memoriam: Philip Crutchfield1 Hal Broadfoot 2601 Westchester Dr., Fayetteville, NC 28303; halwb@aol.com People are always giving me things having to do with birds, some more useful than others. And sometimes, what looks at first to be trash, turns out to be treasure. Once, a friend gave me an old field guide that had belonged to her grandmother. Other than the provenance, the book was nothing special; I already had several similar copies. But secreted inside the pages was a forty- year-old, yellowed copy of Doris Hauser’s newspaper column. I had never seen it before, and it became an impetus for this column, with the same name, in Mrs. Hauser’s honor. Another time I got a box of old bird magazines. There were no tangible objects tucked away inside, just a lot of old information. I read them anyway. They proved to be a treasure map. I had never seen one of the magazines, a journal of unusual sightings called Audubon Field Notes. (It has changed names several times; now it’s called North American Birds.) Its content came from birders from around North America, who submitted notable birds by snail mail to regional editors for possible inclusion in the magazine. Six months later when the magazine came out, the birding community would get to read what you and everyone else had seen two seasons before. Of course, my copies were much older. I was learning what people had found years before. Each sighting recorded the bird, a general location, and the date. At the end of the record, the editors put the initials of the person who had submitted it. Every issue had at least one report of an incredible find in or near Fayetteville, and always by PJC. Philip J. Crutchfield. Who was Mr. Crutchfield? And how did he find such great birds? Later, I subscribed to the magazine and discovered that PJC was not just a name from the past. Each quarterly issue had his reports. He saw birds that I had hardly heard of at the time, and he was seeing them in Cumberland County. Anhinga. Wood stork. Western Kingbird. I looked up his telephone number and almost called him, but I did not. One late fall afternoon, I was standing beside Forest Lake (Clark’s Pond, really) trying to identify some distant ducks. A man walked up, binoculars in hand, and started to do the same. We talked a little, but all the while he looked for birds. Up. Down. He put his binoculars on everything remotely avian. At some point I saw it. I do not recall if it was a monogrammed shirt or eyeglass case or whether he had just painted the initials on his binoculars, 1 Reprinted with permission- from the column “About Birds” in The Fayetteville Observer, 8 September 2009. Philip Crutchfield was a long-time member of the Carolina Bird Club and regular contributor to The Chat, both in Briefs for the Files and as author of field notes, and he served as secretary and as a member-at-large on the executive committee of the club. 166 The Chat, Vol. 73, No. 4, Fall 2009 167 but there it was, “PJC.” It was a Livingstone/Stanley moment for me, and I said something ineloquent, like, “You’re Philip J. Crutchfield.” He agreed that he was, and our friendship began. Appreciation Phil introduced me to places in Cumberland County that I had never known. Even familiar spots revealed themselves anew through his eyes. He was an ecologist, and I began to think a bit like one too, albeit without the formal scientific education. I began to understand why we saw certain types of living things in certain places. I started to appreciate the cycles of nature and the timing of migration. I heard — I wished I could say I learned — the names of hundreds of grasses, wildflowers, vines, shrubs, and trees. I saw firsthand the negative impact of poorly planned and poorly executed development. I saw environmental degradation and the beauty that remains. But, most of all, we found birds. We birded River Road and Becker’s Sand & Gravel. We tromped around millponds, swamps, fields, and streams. We birded from his car and on foot in parks and on roadsides. Phil birded every day, at least a little. On weekends or evenings after work, I went with him when I could. I wish I had gone more often. I do not know how many species on my life list that Phil helped me find. Certainly, he was with me when I saw most of the more than 200 different species I have identified in Cumberland County. The observational skills he taught me and the disciplined approach he modeled are responsible for the rest. If I have passed on anything worthwhile in this column [About Birds] over the last 10 years, it probably had its genesis in something Phil passed on to me. Philip James Crutchfield died last month. I treasure my memories of my friend and teacher. Index to Volume 73 (2009) A Abbott, David, 14, 18, 155, 158, 160 ACE Basin, 50, 53, 57, 70, 73, 139-48 Aiken, SC, 66 Alamance County, NC, 74 Alexander County, NC, 6, 161 Alleghany County, NC, 23, 66 Allen, Carolyn, 86 Allendale County, SC, 51, 112 Allendale, SC, 15, 159 Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge, 11, 15, 22,30,31,53,59, 66, 67, 68, 69, 74 Altman, Joe, 65 Amyx, Herb, 91 Amyx, Pat, 91 Anderegg, Elizabeth, 155 Anderson County, SC, 123 Anderson, Jamie, 84 Anderson, Tye, 159 Anhinga, 13, 58, 1 16 Anich, Nick, 11, 13,21,24, 56, 62, 64, 112, 121 Anilorac Farm, 117, 125, 130 Anson County, NC, 69 Archie Elledge Wastewater Treatment Plant, 21, 54, 55.68, 112, 113, 149- 53, 157 Arcos, Todd, 51, 52, 54 Armistead, George, 1 15 Ashe County, NC, 126 Asheville, NC, 13,21,26, 28,52, 54,58,59, 119, 131 Atkinson, James, 157 Atlantic Beach, NC, 24, 56, 61.69, 114, 115 Avery County, NC, 14, 161, 163 Avocet, American, 17, 61 Avon, NC, 118 B Backstrom, Holly, 1 1 8 Backstrom, Parker, 32, 118, 125 168 Bailey, Patsy, 88 Baker, Anne, 74, 75 Bakers Mountain Park, 76 Bald Head Island, 21, 28, 31, 116 Ballenger, Clancy, 158 Balsam Mountain, NC, 118, 123, 127, 131 Balsam Mountains, 79, 123, 127 Barden, Larry, 69 Barg, Marvin, 79 Barg, Michele, 79 Barnes, Jared, 90 Barnhart, Kurt, 131 Baron, Sam, 87 Baron, Scott, 65, 71 Bartt, Kathy, 79 Bauer, Dorothy, 79 Bauman, Laura, 92 Beaman, Barbara, 88 Beane, Jeff, 14 Bear Island Wildlife Management Area, 1,11, 13, 14, 17, 22, 62, 66, 116, 118, 159 Bearden, Joe, 87, 90 Bearden, Karen, 87, 90 Beasley, Sandy, 16, 29, 50 Beaton, Giff, See Slyce, Donna, et al. Beaty, Bill, 86 Beaufort County, NC, 58, 116 Beaufort, NC, 11, 13, 14, 15, 21,26,31,60, 66, 74, 119, 131, 156 Beaufort, SC, 14,31,74, 123, 129 Beaver Lake, 13,26,28, 54, 58, 59, 131 Beck, Brady, 15, 86 Bergey, Kay, 85 Bernard, Michael, 1 6 Berry, Karen, 91 Bessemer City, NC, 159 Bethabara Park, 23, 26, 27, 28 Bierregaard, Rob, 23 Bird Shoal, 60 Bimley, Debbie, 84 Bishop, Elizabeth, 88 Bishop, Todd, 56, 88 Bittern American, 13, 95, 116, 157 Least, 13,95, 117, 157 Black Mountain, NC, 28, 129 Black Mountains, NC, 83 Blackbird Brewer’s, 31, 75 Red-winged, 102 Rusty, 31, 75 Yellow-headed, 31, 75, 130 Black-Hawk Common, 3 Bladen County, NC, 1 34 Blake, Rich, 118 Blee, Dick, 52, 79 Blevins, Harrol, 59 Blowing Rock, NC, 112, 155 Blue Ridge Parkway, 113, 165 Bluebird, Eastern, 100 Boatwright, Mike, 60 Bobolink, 31, 102, 130, 165 Bobwhite, Northern, 94 Bockhahn, Brian, 11, 12, 13, 19, 22, 24, 26, 27,30, 53,54, 57,61,62, 63, 64, 76, 87, 89,91, 120, 127, 129 Bodie Island, 61,66, 159 Bogardus, Chris, 79 Bohan, Pat, 79 Bonestell, John, 118, 119 Booby Brown, 13, 156 Masked, 13 Bost, Pat, 90 Botany Bay Wildlife Management Area, 16, 161 Bowman, Carol, 55, 86 Bowman, Diane, 86 Boyce, Charles, 12 Boyd, Rich, 15, 26, 52, 59, 63, 66, 92 Boyd, Rich & Susan, 26, 31, 74 Boyd, Susan, 15, 73, 92 Boynton, Allen, 59 Bradley, Bob, 67 Bradley, Dean, 28 Brand, Kim, 23, 85, 126 Brannen, Brenda, 29 The Chat, Vol 73, No. 4, Fall 2009 169 Brant, 11,52, 112 Brevard, NC,51,52, 69, 117, 131 Brewster, Jerome, 90 Briddon, Dave, 74 Bridge, David, 66, 73 Bridges, Mary Hu, 158 Brier Creek Reservoir, 54 Brinkley, Ned, 122, 165 Broadfoot, Hal, In Memoriam: Phillip Crutchfield, 166-67 Brooks, Barb, 54 Brown, David, 92 Brown, Gordon, 113, 121 Brown, Louise, 86 Brown, Richard, 7 1 Brunswick County, NC, 26, 114 Brushy Mountains, 161 Bryan, Allen, 51,52, 53,57, 60,61,62, 69, 70,71 Buckhom Reservoir, 20, 2 1 Budnitz, Norm, 51, 56, 63, 69, 76, 88, 117, 121, 127 Bufflehead, 112 Buncombe County, NC, 74, 81, 107, 112, 113, 118, 122, 130, 131 Bunting Indigo, 102 Painted, 31, 74, 102, 129, 164 Snow, 30, 74, 129 Burke, Diana, 67 Burnette, Dennis, 52, 86, 157 Burnette, Lynn, 86, 157 Bums, Jacquelyn, 15 Bums, Patricia, 121 Butner Game Lands, 1 16 Buxton, NC, 16, 17, 18,21, 22, 24,31,58, 62, 63, 64,71,74, 115, 121 Byrd, Barbie, 21 Byrd, Chuck, 56 C Cabarrus County, NC, 14, 117, 124, 125 Caesars Head, 1 5 Caldwell, Katherine, 82 Caldwell, Kevin, 118, 127, 128 Calver, Steve, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17, 20,21,24, 25,27, 30,51,56, 57, 58,61,69,71,73, 112, 114, 118, 120, 121, 122, 127, 129, 130, 155, 156, 157, 158, 160, 161 Cambum, Keith. See LeGrand, Harry, et al. Cameron, Jamie, 71 Campbell, Buddy, 14, 28, 31,59, 74, 123, 129 Campbell, Lyle, 59, 69, 75 Campbell, Susan, 2, 22, 23, 25, 56, 67, 68, 69, 72, 75, 86, 126, 128 Canfield, Chris, 87, 88 Canvasback, 54, 112 Cape Fear River, 4, 1 18, 158 Cape Hatteras, 18, 24, 70, 71 Cape Lookout National Seashore, 57, 62, 65, 114, 115, 122 Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge, 61 Cardinal, Northern, 102 Carmichael, Halbert, 90 Carolina Beach State Park, 23, 24, 28 Carolina Sandhills National Wildlife Refuge, 164 Carrot Island, 14 Carter, Derb, 2, 11, 14, 17, 19, 22, 24, 25,28, 30, 52,55,58,61,62, 64, 67, 87, 112, 117, 130 Carter, Robin, 33-36 Carter, Sally, 17, 26 Carteret County, NC, 2, 14, 15, 17, 26, 27,28, 30, 58, 59, 60, 66,71,73, 119, 123, 130, 134, 159, 160, 161, 163, 164, 165 Casey, Nancy, 79, 82, 83, 118 Castleman, Tommie, 84, 85 Catawba County, NC, 2, 6, 76, 156 Catawba River, 61 Catbird, Gray, 25, 100 Catlett, Shawna, 87 Catlin, Jeff, 15 Cayce, SC, 27 Cedar Island, 17, 20, 54, 112, 115, 119, 134 Cely, John, 24, 159 Chamberlain, Jean, 156 Chambers, Dan, 56, 117 Chapel Hill, NC, 65,71,87, 118, 120, 123, 124, 126, 129, 130 Charleston County, SC, 60, 155 Charleston, SC, 2, 14, 18, 20, 22, 24, 25, 29, 59, 66, 72 Charlotte, NC, 16, 22, 23, 29, 67, 68, 69,71, 127, 159, 163 Chase, Bob, 69 Chat, Yellow-breasted, 71, 102 Chatham County, NC, 32, 118, 124, 130 Chatterton, Helen, 69, 70 Chickadee Black-capped, 99 Carolina, 99 Chuck-will’s-widow, 66, 98, 161 Civitan Park, 28, 29, 124, 162, 165 Clapp, Courtney, 87 Clarendon Co, SC, 24 Clark, Marion, 128 Clark, Ron, 32, 53, 62, 64, 69, 76, 127, 128, 154, 159, 161 Clark, Ron & Anne, 16 Clark, Sparkle, 15 Clayton, NC, 1 19 Clemmons, NC, 159 Clemson, SC, 23, 56, 73 Cleveland, NC, 60 Climpson, Randy, 120, 158 Coddle Creek Reservoir, 14 Coffman, Barbara, 56, 88 Coin, Patrick, 88 Cole, Sue, 86 Collared-Dove, Eurasian, 66, 97, 122 Colleton County, SC, 111, 116, 118, 120, 154, 159 Columbia, NC, 159 Columbia, SC, 26, 67, 70, 74, 118, 119 Columbus County, NC, 124 Coman, James, 16, 22, 66 Compton, Steve, 112, 119 Congaree National Park, 68, 74, 118, 128, 160 Connestee Falls, NC, 131 Connors, John, 13, 15, 68, 90,91, 113, 125, 129, 131 Conover, NC, 14,22,23,61, 76 Conway, SC, 23, 28, 55, 62, 63, 64, 72 170 Index to Volume 73 (2009) Conway, Walton, 123 Cook, Will, 2, 14, 17,22,71, 87, 88, 89, 118, 125 Cooke, Anson D., 87, 88 Cooke, Anson R., 87, 88 Cooley, Jonathan, 52 Cooper, David, 90 Cooper, Sam, 16, 54, 60, 65, 70, 73, 75, See LeGrand, Harry, et al. Cooper, Sam & Denise, 1 5 Coot, American, 60, 96, 159 Core, Andrew, 51,66 Corey, Ed, 65, 69, 73, 90. 91 Cormorant Double-crested, 95 Great, 13, 58, 95 Corolla, NC, 24, 65, 163 Coston, Howard, 84 Covington, Ellie, 25 Covington, Joseph, 120 Cowan’s Ford, 117, 118, 119, 124, 156, 159, 160 Cowbird Brown-headed, 103 Shiny, 165 Cox, John, 61 Cox, Steve, 159, 165 Crabill, Valerie, 24, 131 Crane Sandhill, 16, 60, 119, 159 Whooping, 106 Craven County, NC, 2, 162 Creeper, Brown, 99 Creswell, NC, 19, 24, 66, 69 Crisp, Phil, 85 Crossbill, Red, 32, 76, 103, 130, 165 Crow American, 99 Fish, 99, 125 Crutchfield, Phillip, 166-67 Cubie, Doreen, 67 Cuckoo Black-billed, 22, 97, 123, 161 Yellow-billed, 22, 97 Cumberland County, NC, 134 Curlew, Long-billed, 18, 61, 160 Currey, Hal, 66 Currituck County, NC, 129 Currituck, NC, 26 Curtin, David, 87 D D’Onofrio, Adam, 91 Dairyland Rd, 125 Daniel Island, SC, 119, 127 Dare County, NC, 14, 134 Davidson County, NC, 53, 116 Davidson, NC, 160 Davie County, NC, 4, 22 Davis, Amin, 9 1 Davis, Diana, 63 Davis, Ricky, 2, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21,22, 23,24, 28, 29, 52, 54, 55, 56, 58, 59, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70,71,72, 73, 74, 75, 87, 88, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 117, 118, 120, 121, 124, 125, 129, 158, 160, 161, 162, 164, See LeGrand, Harry, et al. Daw, Matthew, 27, 91, 112, 113, 116, 119, 125, 127, 156 Dean, Eric, 12, 13,21,22, 55,56, 69,71, 114, 119, 123, 130, 155, 156, 157, 158, 159, 161, 165, See LeGrand, Harry, et al. Deldo, Michael, 92 DeNeve, Doug, 164 DeNeve, Pam, 164 Denny Dobbin, 87 DePue, Scott, 1,12, 29, 86, 121 Deveaux Bank, 66 Devil’s Courthouse, 123 Dewire, Maureen, 21 Dickcissel, 31,74, 130, 165 Dickerson, Cynthia, 84 Dickinson, Phil, 4, 22, 23, 24, 53, 55, 66, 68, 84, 85, 113, 119, 128, 156, 157, 159, 162, 165 Dillon County, SC, 126, 128 Disher, David, 19, 85, See Hopkins, Marbry, et al. Disher, David & Susan, 19 Disher, Susan, 85, See Hopkins, Marbry, et al. Dobbins, Bill, 67, 68, 72 Dobson, David, 20 Dodge, Greg, 1 19 Doerr, Phil, 128 Dole. Dick, 86 Dole, John, 90 Dole, Lois, 86 Domoki, Ferenc, 23, 26, 27, 28 Donaldson, Cynthia, 85 Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, 59, 111, 119, 120, 154, 157, 159 Doughton Park, 23 Dove Mourning, 97 White-winged, 22, 66, 123, 161 Dovekie, 65 Dow, Bob, 86 Dow, Marie, 86 Dowitcher Long-billed, 121, 160 Short-billed, 97, 120, 160 Driscoll, Tom, 87, 89, 113, 118 Drost, Jack, 79, 81 Duck American Black, 94, 155 Long-tailed, 11, 55 Mottled, 11,53, 112 Ring-necked, 54, 94, 112, 149, 150, 151, 155 Ruddy, 12, 94, 113, 156 Tufted, 54, 149-53 Wood, 94 Duck, NC, 73 DuMond, David, 92 Dunlin, 61, 97, 120 Duplin County, NC, 158 Durant Nature Park, 27, 131, 162 Durham County, NC, 26, 117,125 Durham, NC, 15,27, 53,59, 62, 64, 69, 89, 116, 119, 161, 163 Durovich, Colyer, 87, 88, 89 Durr, Judi, 86 E Eagle Bald, 15, 16, 59, 95, 118 Golden, 15,59, 119 Eastman, Caroline, 34, 74 Ebenezer Point, 25, 55, 56 Eckstine, Jack, 157 Edgecombe County, NC, 121 The Chat, Vol. 73, No. 4, Fall 2009 171 Edwards, Dean, 12, 22, 24, 54,55, 56,58,61,72, 74 Efland, NC, 51, 59, 119 Egret Cattle, 14, 58,95, 117 Great, 95, 117, 157 Reddish, 14,58, 117, 157 Snowy, 95, 117 Eider, Common, 1 1 , 54 Elizabeth City, NC, 59, 70, 71 Elizabethan Gardens, 70, 71, 128, 164 Emerald Isle, NC, 2, 26, 113 Emmott, Robert, 8 1 Enders, Elisa, 65, 71 Enders, Frank, 1 1, 54, 76, 128, 156, 157, 160, 161 Engelhard, NC, 59 English, Bill, 84 Ennis, John, 2, 11, 14, 19, 21,22, 23,24,28, 55, 60, 61, 66, 73, 129 Etowah, NC, 51, 52 F Fagan, Jesse, 115 Fairview, NC, 118 Falcon, Peregrine, 16, 96, 118, 119 Falls Lake, 12, 13, 15, 19, 24, 26, 27, 53, 54, 55, 56,61,62, 64, 76,91, 113, 116, 117, 125, 126, 127, 156, 161, 163 Feeney, Chris, 118 Fenlon, Katie, 23 Fennell, Jack, 57, 59, 62, 68, 73, 112, 119, 159, 160, 161, 163 Fiala, Kent, 11, 14, 55,71, 129, 130, 158 Figure Eight Island, 24, 25 Finch House, 103 Purple, 32, 75, 103 Fines, Dawn, 86 Fines, Jeff, 86 Finlayson, Kate, 87 Flagg, Tom, 79 Flaherty, Donna, 92 Fleming, Bryce, 91 Fleming, Lori, 91 Fletcher Park, 23, 125 Fleullan, James, 5 1 Flicker, Northern, 98 Flycatcher Acadian, 98 Alder, 98, 123, 161 Ash-throated, 24, 67 Fork-tailed, 3 Great Crested, 98, 162 Least, 67, 98, 162 Olive-sided, 23, 123 Scissor-tailed, 162 Willow, 23,98, 124, 161 Yellow-bellied, 23 Flynn, Jim, 113 Foggin, KC, 28 Folly Beach, SC, 25, 55, 56 Folly Island, SC, 12, 19, 26, 30 Folmer, Jaap, 90 Fontana, NC, 128 Forsyth County, NC, 75, 85, 119, 129, 149-53 Forsythe, Dennis, 16, 17, 19, 24, 25, 30, 55, 59, 66, 67, 70, 72, 73, 75, 122, 155 Forsythe, Dennis M., In Memoriam: Robin M. Carter, 1945-2008, 33- 36 Forsythe, Wayne, 11, 12, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 23,24, 25.27, 29,31,51,52, 54, 58, 59, 60, 69, 74, 76, 112, 117, 118, 119, 120, 122, 123, 124, 126, 129, See LeGrand, Harry, et al. Fort Fisher State Park, 4, 55, 60 Fort Macon State Park, 24, 61, 114, 115 Fort Moultrie National Monument, 20 Foster, Joe, 9 1 Franklin, Peggy, 82 Frazier, Duncan, 68 French Broad River, 25, 59, 117, 119, 126 Frigatebird, Magnificent, 13, 116 Fuller, Wade, 14, 52, 63 Fulmar, Northern, 57 Fussell, John, 2, 13, 14, 15, 17, 19, 20,21,23,24, 27.28, 30,31,51,56, 57,58, 59, 60,61,62, 63, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71,72, 73, 74, 92, 112, 113, 114, 115, 118, 119, 121, 123, 126, 128, 130, 156, 159, 160, 161, 162, 163, 164, 165 Futch Game Land, 24 G Gainey, David, 90 Gallinule, Purple, 16, 119 Gallitano, Lena, 67 Gamache, Al, 11,28, 30,53, 58, 66, 67, 69, 70, 74, 75, 92, 112, 116, 123, 156 Gambel, Matt, 92 Gannet, Northern, 94, 157 Garber, Chad, 72, 92 Garden City, SC, 66 Garrett, Buddy, 92, 126 Garver, Beth, 123 Gastonia, NC, 69, 162 Georgetown County, SC, 61, 67, 113, 120, 130 Georgetown, SC, 60, 61, 69, 160 Gerwin, John, 69 Gibeau, Stu, 28, 129 Gidley, Gardner, 85 Gidley, Margaret, 85 Giduz, Tom, 160 Gifford, Bill, 85 Gilbert, Chip, 165 Giovannone, Jason, 11, 14, 17, 19, 27,56, 60, 67 Girardeau, Diane, 155 Girolami, Marty, 88 Given, Aaron, 55, 60, 64, 69, 120 Glass, Paul, 91 Glover, Lex, 50, 53, 57, 58, 61, 62, 67, 70, 72, See Slyce, Donna, et al. Gnatcatcher, Blue-gray, 25, 69, 100 Godwit Hudsonian, 18, 160 Marbled, 18,61, 160 Goedsche, Charlotte, 82, 128 Goforth, Lois, 84 Goforth, Thad, 84 Goldeneye, Common, 12, 55, 113, 149 Golden-Plover, American, 16, 160 Goldfinch American, 103 European, 106 172 Index to Volume 73 (2009) Lesser, 131 Goldsboro, NC, 12, 13,21, 22,55, 114, 119, 123, 130, 155, 156, 157, 159, 165 Goose Cackling, 11,52 Canada, 94 Greater White-fronted, 51, 112 Ross’s, 11, 52 Snow, 10, 51, 112 Goose Creek State Park, 58 Gordon, Jennifer, 159 Goshawk, Northern, 15, 59 Grackle Boat-tailed, 32, 103 Common, 78, 103 Graham County, NC, 126, 163 Grandfather Mountain, 109, 165 Grant, Gilbert S., 16, 21, 92, 115, 157, 161 Graves, Maurice, 87 Graves, Steven, 87 Grebe Eared, 12,56, 114 Homed, 56, 94, 156 Pied-billed, 94, 156 Red-necked, 12, 56, 113 Greene, Jack, 84 Greene, Jay, 84 Greensboro, NC, 1, 13, 14, 22, 25, 27, 29, 54, 86, 121, 126, 128, 161 Greenville, NC, 70, 74 Greenville, SC, 60, 75, 113, 116, 118, 119, 127, 159 Greer, SC, 165 Grego, John, 70, 74, 118, 119, 128, 160 Grimmenga, Jeanne, 79 Grosbeak Blue, 30, 74, 102, 129 Rose-breasted, 102 Ground-Dove, Common, 66, 161 Grouse, Ruffed, 94 Grow, Bill, 83 Gruber, Julia, 89 Grundmeyer, Connie, 84 Gmndmeyer, Jay, 84 Guilford County, NC, 1,117 Guillemot, Black, 106 Gull Black-headed, 21, 62 Bonaparte’s, 97 California, 63 Common, 63 Franklin’s, 21 Glaucous, 64, 121 Great Black-backed, 64, 97 Herring, 63, 97 Iceland, 63 Laughing, 62, 97, 121 Lesser Black-backed, 64, 121, 161 Little, 62 Mew, 63 Ring-billed, 63, 97, 161 Sabine’s, 6-7, 21 Thayer’s, 63 Gustafson, Dave, 1 1 3 H Haaland, Perry, 87, 88 Haire, John, 12, 15, 16,21, 22, 23, 25, 28, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 59, 60, 64, 72, 75,85, 112, 113, 123, 124, 125, 127, 128, 129, 162, See Hopkins, Marbry, et al. Halifax County, NC, 161, 162, 163 Halifax, NC, 76 Hall, Jeff, 72 Hailing, Sven, 56, 85 Hammocks Beach State Park, 1, 14, 17,22 Hammond, Bill, 85 Hammond, Susan, 85 Hampton County, SC, 5-6, 70, 72, 128, 131 Hardy, Diane, 90, 113 Harrelson, Jamie, 82 Harrier, Northern, 15, 95, 118, 133-38, 159 Harriman, Walter, 60, 119 Harris Lake, 54, 60, 113 Harrison, Andy, 55 Hart, Paul, 92 Hartley, Scott, 15, 86, 92 Harvey, Simon, 27, 1 65 Hatteras Inlet, 1, 156 Hatteras, NC, 11, 13,21,22, 57, 62, 64, 65, 67, 68, 70,71, 114, 115, 116, 122, 156 Havelock, NC, 128, 161, 163 Hawk Broad- winged, 15, 59, 96, 118, 159 Cooper’s, 95 Ferruginous, 3 Red-shouldered, 95 Red-tailed, 96 Red-tailed, “Krider’s”, 59, 119 Rough-legged, 15, 59, 119 Sharp-shinned, 95, 118 Swainson’s, 15, 59 Hayes, Alisha, 23 Hayes, Richard, 112, 119 Hayes, Shawn, 20, 24, 25, 28, 29, 30, 56, 62, 66, 119, 124, 126, 127, 128, 161 Haywood County, NC, 117, 118, 126 Haywood, Waltin, 88 Helms, Chris, 118, 124 Henderson County, NC, 1 1 , 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 30, 31,51,54, 59, 60, 69, 74, 76,81, 112, 117, 119, 120, 125, 126, 129, 163, 164, 165 Hendersonville, NC, 13, 14, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 29, 126, 128, 129 Hendrickson, Herb, 86 Herman, Russell, 88 Heron “Great White”, 1 3 Great Blue, 95 Green, 58, 95 Little Blue, 157 Tricolored, 14, 95 Hickory, NC, 23, 24, 67, 162 Hicks, Anne, 90 Hicks, Katie, 82 Hill, Chris, 13,55,58, 63, 64, 66, 67, 70,71,73, 74, 115, 117, See Slyce, Donna, et al. Hill, Doug, 86 Hillsborough, NC, 54, 163 Hilton Head Island, 56, 58, 60,61,69, 70,71 Hilton Head, SC, 14, 16, 58, 117, 118, 120 Hilton, Bill Jr., 26 Hines, J. B„ 116 Hinkle, Paul, 116 Hintz. Carl, 88 Hintz, Loren, 87, 88 The Chat, Vol 73, No. 4, Fall 2009 173 Hobucken Marshes IB A, 57 Hoffman, NC, 15 Hoke County, NC, 134 Holden Beach, NC, 66 Holifield, Lee, 84 Holly Shelter Game Land, 72, 74, 128, 164 Holmes, Becky, 91 Holmes, Bob, 28, 52, 63, 73 Hooper Lane, 17, 18, 19, 20, 31,69, 119 Hopkins, Hop, 54 Hopkins, Marbry, et al., A Tufted Duck ( Aythya fuligula) in Forsyth County: First Record for North Carolina, 149-53 Horry County, SC, 66, 115, 117 Hough, Royce, 16, 17, 20, 50,51,56 Houston, Alexandra, 1,17 Howard, Tom, 86, 92 Howe, Gene, 12,21,22,71 Howell Woods, 128, 131 Howell, Steve, 1 Howes, Bo, 87, 88 Howes, Robert, 89 Hudgins, Derek, 85 Hummingbird Allen’s, 67 Black-chinned, 23, 67 Broad-billed, 2, 22, 66 Calliope, 67 Ruby-throated, 22, 66, 98, 123 Rufous, 23, 67, 123 Huntersville, NC, 68 Huntington Beach State Park, 14, 15, 19, 30, 58, 61, 117, 155, 156, 157, 158 Hurricane Hanna, 13, 18, 20, 21 Hyde County, NC, 1, 2, 134, 163 I Ibis Glossy, 14, 58, 95, 117, 158 Plegadis, 14 White, 14, 95 Iredell County, NC, 84, 156 Irmo, SC, 127 Irvin, Wayne, 59 Iyoob, Ali, 54, 56, 112, 113, 121, 123, 126, 127, 129, 131, 155, 157, 159, 161, 162, 163, 165 J Jackson Park, 13, 14, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 29, 126, 128, 129 Jacksonville, NC, 27, 28, 126 Jaeger Long-tailed, 22, 122 Parasitic, 22, 65, 122, 161 Pomarine, 22, 65, 122 James City, NC, 67 James Island, SC, 16, 24, 25, 123 Jasper County, SC, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 20,21,24, 25,27,30, 61,73, 112, 114, 118, 120, 121, 122, 127, 129, 130, 155, 156, 157, 158, 160, 161 Jay, Blue, 99 Jenkins, Aaron, 89 Jensen, Kitty, 85 Johns, Mark, 90 Johnson, Jerry, 1 1 6 Johnson, Mike, 14 Johnston County, NC, 1 1 6, 128, 131, 134 Johnston, Alan, 87 Jones County, NC, 158 Jones, Bruce, 31, 72, 74 Jones, Charlie, 86 Jones, David, See Whitehead, Maria A. and Jones, Linda, 86 Jones, Melinda, 72, 74 Jones, Susan, 85 Jordan Lake, 11, 18,21,25, 54, 55, 56, 58, 63, 64, 69,71,76, 88, 113, 118, 121, 127 Jorgensen, Carole, 58, 60 Joyce, Tom, 51, 52, 59, 69, 117, 131 Judd, Mike, 79 Junco Dark-eyed, 102 Dark-eyed (Oregon), 2 K Kaplan, Dan, 56, 59, 116 Kegley, Joe, 126 Kelly, Chris, 83, 118, 119, 126, 163 Kemersville, NC, 131 Kerr Lake, 54, 91 Kerschner, Jerry, 5 1 Kestrel, American, 96 Kiawah Island, SC, 17, 55, 60, 64, 69, 120, 160 Kill Devil Hills, NC, 62, 65 Killdeer, 96 Kilpatrick, David, 126 Kilpatrick, Steve, 73 Kinder, Will, 90 King, Betty, 87, 88 Kingbird Eastern, 98, 124 Gray, 124 Tropical/Couch’s, 67 Western, 24, 67 Kingfisher, Belted, 98 Kinglet Golden-crowned, 100, 163 Ruby-crowned, 100, 126 Kite Mississippi, 95, 118, 159 Snail, 105, 118 Swallow-tailed, 5-6, 15, 118, 159 Kittiwake, Black-legged, 62 Kitty Hawk, NC, 52, 58, 62, 65, 67, 70, 74 Klingenberg, Jerry, 91 Klock, Ruth, 79 Kneidel, Alan, 14, 68, 87, 123, 125, 129 Kneidel, Alex, 130 Kneidel, Ken, 67, 68, 71, 130 Knight, Rick, 123, 163, 164 Knot, Red, 18, 120 Kolb, Linda, 75 Konkel, Sasha, 87 Konrad, Chip, 88 Kopka, Len, 1 8 Korenek, Martin, 92 Kosiewski, Mark, 87 Krakauer, Tom, 26, 27, 63, 89, 125, 127 Krough, Karen, 90 Kucharik, Laurie, 87 Kuebler, Gale, 59 174 Index to Volume 73 (2009) L Lake Brandt, 13, 121 Lake Conestee, 30, 31, 59, 75, 118, 119, 127, 159 Lake Crabtree, 53, 54, 56, 62, 67, 68, 112, 113, 117, 120, 121, 126, 155 Lake Gaston, 12 Lake Hickory, 6-7, 1 1, 55 Lake Julian, 12, 52, 61, 1 12, 113, 118, 122 Lake Junaluska, 21, 55 Lake Landing, NC, 16, 70, 163 Lake Marion, 24 Lake Mattamuskeet, 11, 13, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 24, 25,27, 29, 32,51,52, 53,57,58, 59, 60,61, 62, 63, 69, 70,71, 116, 120, 121, 158, 160 Lake Medcalf, 11,53 Lake Norman, 21, 22, 59, 66, 68, 74, 161 Lake Osceola, 54 Lake Phelps, 28, 29, 72, 73, 74 Lake Pinehurst, 55 Lake Tahoma, 1 Lake Townsend, 1, 12, 14, 54, 55, 56, 58 Lake Waccamaw, 20, 21, 22, 118, 124 Lake Wheeler, 56, 64, 113, 122 Landrum, SC, 67 Landsford Canal State Park, 126, 127 Lanham, Bill, 113 Lanham, Drew, 56, 73 Lankford, Gail, 24, 26, 79, 82, 83, 127 Lankford, Herman, 79, 82, 83, 127 Lark, Homed, 69, 99, 163 Lathrop, Liz, 6 1 Latta Park, 127 Latta Plantation Nature Preserve, 119 Laurie, Pete, 50, 53, 57, 70, 73 Lawrence, Craig, 86 Lee County, NC, 125 Lee, David S., Age- and Sex-Biased Distribution of Northern Harriers ( Circus cyaneus) in the North Carolina Coastal Plain, 133-38 Lee, David S., Mass Die-offs of Greater Shearwaters in the Western North Atlantic: Effects of Weather Patterns on Mortality of a Trans- equatorial Migrant, 37- 47 LeGrand, Harry, 14, 15, 17, 19, 24, 28, 52, 54,55, 58, 62, 64, 121, 124, 129, 161 LeGrand, Harry, et al., 2008 Annual Report of the North Carolina Bird Records Committee, 1-4 Leicester, NC, 157 Leidy, Gabe, 155, 156 Lellinger, Jenny, 79 Lemons, Jeff, 21, 66, 68, 124, 125, 157, 160 Lenat, David, 15, 18, 19, 20, 113 Leppingwell, Richard, 8 1 LeQuire, Doug, 51, 53, 56, 68, 75 Leutze, Jay, 1 63 Levine, Alex, 82 Lewis, Jane, 86 Lewis, Jeff, 2, 10, 11, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30,31,32,52,53,54, 58, 59, 62, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70,71,73, 118, 122, 123, 124, 126, 127, 128, 129, 130, 155, 158, 159, 163, 164, 165 Lilly, Ritch, 54, 55, 62, 158 Lincoln County, NC, 15, 21, 161 Lindfors, John, 14, 23, 26 Link, Elizabeth, 86, 128, 162 Link, Henry, 1, 12, 13, 14, 22, 25, 27, 29, 54, 55, 56, 58, 86, 126, 128, 161 Litchfield Beach, SC, 157, 161 Little Pee Dee State Park, 126, 128 Little River, SC, 26, 27, 115 Little, John, 90 Lloyd, Nan, 56, 60, 70, 71 Lobdell, Fred, 91 Logue, Terry, 88 Long Beach, NC, 114, 115, 121 Longspur, Lapland, 74 Lookout Shoals Lake, 156 Loon Common, 94, 113, 156 Pacific, 1, 12,56, 113 Red-throated, 12, 56, 94, 156 Lorenzin, Tomm, 117, 124, 126, 127 Losche, Linda, 130 Lovett, Dave, 14, 58, 60, 69, 117, 120 Ludwig, Maijorie, 86 Luginbuhl, Gerry, 90 Luginbuhl, Jim, 90 Lundstrom, Ken, 58, 69 Lutfy, Bobby, 92 Lynch, Merrill, 16, 27, 29, 113, 119, 123, 128, 161, 162, 163, 164 Lyons, Marcia, 16, 124 M Maddock, Sidney, 1, 17, 124 Madison County, NC, 14, 74 Mahan, Tyler, 118 Maher, Jennifer, 88 Mallard, 94 Maness, Terri, 85, 123, 125, 127, 129 Manning, Phillip, 88 Manteo, NC, 17, 23, 26, 30, 31, 123, 128, 164 Marlin, Larry, 84 Martin, Purple, 99 Martin County, NC, 1 13 Martin, Dwayne, 2, 11, 14, 22, 23,24,55,61,67, 68, 74, 76, 158, 163, 164 Martin, Dwayne, Sabine’s Gull (Xema sabini ) on Lake Hickory, 6-7 Martin, Jo Ann, 59, 68 Mason Farm, 123, 124, 129 Massey, Greg, 11, 17, 18, 19, 20,21,23, 26, 124 Mattamuskeet National Wildlife Refuge, 2 Matthews, NC, 113, 116 Mattocks, Clarence, 86 Max Medley, 1 13 Max Patch, 74, 126 Maxwell, Bob, 15,55, 113, 123, 130 Maxwell, Judy, 123, 130 The Chat, Vol. 73, No. 4, Fall 2009 175 McCarthy, Julien, 27 McClelland, Marty, 88 McClellanville, SC, 51, 57, 66, 70,71,75 McCloy, David, 86 McCloy, Michael, 86, 116, 127. 129 McCord, Billy, 68, 123 McCrimmon, Thomas, 86 McCrowell, Grace, 91 McCurdy, Mike, 8 1 McDavit, Mary, 1 1, 53 McDermott, Carolyn, 86 McDermott. Brian, 1 17 McDowell County, NC, 1 McGrane, Guy, 74 McGregor, Ross, 57, 61, 62, 66, 114, 115, 119, 122, 131, 156 McGregor, Scott, 14 McGregor, Sean P. et al., Distribution of King and Clapper Rails in Managed Impoundments and Tidal Marshes of South Carolina, 139-48 McKay, Tom, 85 McLean, David, 67 McShane, Mark, 1 13 Meade, Melinda, 88 Meadowlark, Eastern, 103 Mecklenburg County, NC, 21,68, 117, 118, 119, 124, 128, 159, 160, 163 Meggett, SC, 12, 56, 60, 70, 113. 129 Meijer, Alan, 22, 111 Merganser Common, 12, 56 Hooded, 94, 113 Red-breasted, 12, 56, 94, 113, 155 Merlin, 59, 119 Metcalf, Kevin, 1 19 Mid Pines Road, 123, 129 Middle Creek Bottomlands, 116 Miles, Lew, 87 Mill Creek, NC, 159 Miller, Catherine, 17 Millis Road Savanna, 73 Mills River, NC, 60 Mills, Kyle, 56, 88 Mills, Mickey, 56, 88 Mills, Rick, 79 Mills, William E., See McGregor, Sean P. et al. Mockingbird, Northern, 100 Mockridge, Eleanor, 79 Moleski, Ruth, 88 Mollenhauer, Jeff, 66, 72 Monck’s Comer, SC, 122 Monroe, NC, 14 Moore County, NC, 1 26 Moore, Bill, 79 Moore, Linda, 85 Moore, Neal, 56, 115, 158, 159 Moore, Pat, 57, 58, 67, 68, 70,71, 115 Mooresville, NC, 52, 126 Moorhen, Common, 96, 1 19, 159 Moran, Robin, 88 Morehead City, NC, 14, 20, 21,23,51,56,58, 59, 60,61,66, 67, 68, 69, 70,71,73, 74, 112, 123, 161 Morgens, Lauren, 163 Morris, Gregg, 86 Morris, Ron, 4, 22, 26, 53, 84, 85, 126 Moseley, Lynn, 86 Moss, Lindsey, 92 Mount Mitchell, 123, 131, 165 Moyock, NC, 112 Mt Pleasant, SC, 12, 67, 68, 72, 124, 158 Mueller, Helmut, 58, 59, 61 Mulholland, Jim, 59, 90 Murdick, Jean, 86 Murdock, David, 87 Murdock, Nora, 81, 82, 83 Murphy, Brian, 89, 117 Murre, Common, 2 Murrell's Inlet, 51, 52, 122 Myrtle Beach, SC, 25, 28, 51,55, 74, 75, 112, 115, 130 N Nags Head, NC, 62, 65, 73, 118 Nash County, NC, 52 Neal, Barbara, 81 Neal, James, 81 Nelson, Mike, 163 Nemours Wildlife Foundation, 139—48 New Bern, NC, 2, 11,22, 23, 28, 30, 53, 58, 66, 67, 69, 70, 73,75, 156 New Hanover County, NC, 60 New River Inlet, 11,17 Newcomb, Kira, 92 Newell, Patti, 75 Newland, NC, 65 Newman, Randy, 24, 115 Newsome, Ann, 56, 85 Newton, Bill, 1 1 6 Newton, Christian, 11, 23, 24, 28, 29, 54,61,62, 72, 73, 74 Nighthawk, Common, 22, 98 Night-Heron Black-crowned, 14, 95, 117, 157 Yellow-crowned, 14, 95, 157 Nimmer’s Sod Farm, 17, 20 North Pond, 11, 18,23,52, 53 North River Farms, 14, 15, 17, 26, 27,28, 30, 59, 66,71,73, 119, 130, 159, 160, 163, 164, 165 Northampton County, NC, 112, 120 Novick, Kim, 89 Nuthatch Brown-headed, 99 Red-breasted, 25, 69, 99 White-breasted, 99 O O’Connell, Jeff, 74, 75, 1 13 O’Donnell, Jim, 92 O’Donnell, Laura, 92 O’Leary, Betty, 15 Oak Island, NC, 112, 115, 122 Ocean Isle, NC, 113, 114, 115, 122 Ocracoke, NC, 1, 11, 17,58, 64, 65, 66, 124, 161 O'Donnell, Jim, 67, 69 Odress, Matthew, 52 Ogbum, Blair, 56, 127 Ogbum, Jack, 1 7, 20 O'Grady, Kathleen, 112 Okatie, SC, 69, 70 Oldham, Lane, 86 Olsen, Anne, 14 Olthoff, Bob, 79, 123 Onslow County, NC, 92, 127, 134 Orange County, NC, 117, 125, 126 176 Index to Volume 73 (2009) Orangeburg, SC, 17, 20, 157, 160 Oregon Inlet, 11, 14, 18, 19, 28,30, 54,56,58,61, 112, 155, 159, 165 Oriole Baltimore, 75, 103, 165 Bullock’s, 75 Orchard, 32, 103 Scott’s, 2 Osprey, 59, 95 Ostrowski, Robert, 158, 161 Ottemess, Naomi, 82 Outer Banks, 62, 74, 118, 134 Ovenbird, 71, 101, 128 Owenby, Lori, 23, 156 Owens, Candace, 87 Owens, Janie, 13, 82 Owl Bam, 22, 66 Barred, 97 Great Homed, 97 Long-eared, 66 Northern Saw-whet, 66, 97, 123 Short-eared, 66 Oystercatcher, American, 96 P Palmer, Jill, 69 Pamlico County, NC, 57, 58, 116 Pamlico Sound, 1 1, 55, 58, 64, 115, 161 Panee, Cameron, 89 Panned, Monroe, 1 1 Pantelidis, Veronica, 70, 74 Parakeet Black-hooded, 161 Monk, 4, 22 Pardue, Esther, 82 Pardue, Len, 79, 82, 127 Parnell, Jim, 24 Pamla, Northern, 70, 100 Patriot’s Point, 30, 67, 68, 72 Patterson, Martha, 79 Patteson, Brian, 13, 21, 22, 54, 57, 58, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 74, 114, 115, 122, 156 Pawleys Island, SC, 58, 66, 70,71,73, 74 Payne, Rick, 88 Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge, 10, 11, 13, 18, 23,24, 29,30,31,32, 51,52, 53,56, 57,58, 62, 64,71,73, 74, 121, 158, 159, 163 Peachey, Jack, 22, 25, 27, 113, 122, 157, 158 Pederson, Caroline, 87 Pederson, Harry, 87 Pee Dee National Wildlife Refuge, 32, 53, 56, 69, 116, 127, 129 Pelican American White, 13, 57, 116 Brown, 94 Pender County, NC, 72, 74, 115, 157, 164 Pendergraft, Brian, 127 Pendleton, Hunter, 87 Perera, Carlos, 87 Peteijohn, Bmce, 53, 61, 67 Petrel Bermuda, 114, 156 Black-capped, 57, 114 Fea’s, 114, 156 Herald (Trinidade), 13, 114, 156 Pettigrew State Park, 56, 65, 68,73,75 Phail, Laura, 85 Phalarope Red, 21, 62, 121 Red-necked, 20, 21, 121 Wilson’s, 20, 121, 161 Phillips, Gary, 23, 28 Phoebe, Eastern, 98 Piephoff, Taylor, 17, 18, 22, 24, 26, 30, 59, 68, 74, 113, 114, 115, 116, 117, 118, 122, 124, 125, 127, 160, See Slyce, Donna, et al. Pigeon, Rock, 97 Pilot Mountain, 24 Pine Island Audubon Sanctuary, 12 Pine Knoll Shores, NC, 24, 114, 115 Piney Creek, NC, 1 6, 22 Pintail Northern, 53 White-cheeked, 4 Pipit American, 100 Sprague’s, 25, 163 Pippen, Jeff, 2, 16, 22, 26, 55,62, 64, 89, 161, 163 Pippen, Jeffrey S., See LeGrand, Harry, et al. Pitt County, NC, 74 Pivers Island, 14, 156 Plantersville, SC, 58 Plover Black-bellied, 96, 160 Mountain, 105 Piping, 61, 96 Semipalmated, 60, 96, 120 Snowy, 1, 17, 60, 120 Wilson’s, 60, 96, 160 Pluskowski, Nina, 89 Pocosin Lakes NWR, 1 1, 29, 51,52,53,66 Poe, Deirdre, 86 Polito, Michael, 4 Pollard, Mike, 90 Pope, Jesse, 58, 61, 66, 121 Porch, Frank, 76 Portsmouth Island, 14, 58, 70 Post, Will, See Slyce, Donna, et al. Powell Jim & Holly, 1 1 Powell, Carolyn, 79, 131 Powell, Janice, 84 Powell, JoAnne, 24 Powers, Paul, 85 Pratt, Doug, 56 Prestby, Tom, 60, 61, 70, 72 Pyrrhuloxia, 106 R Rail Black, 159 Clapper, 96, 119, 139^18 King, 139—48, 159 Yellow, 16 Raleigh, NC, 15, 23, 26, 27, 30, 54,59, 67, 68, 113, 118, 119, 123, 125, 129, 131, 162 Rand, Diane, 13 Raven, Common, 24, 68, 99, 125, 162 Raven Rock State Park, 92 Ray, David, 163 Ray, Kacy, 92 Razorbill, 65 Redhead, 54, 112 Redman, Joan, 87 Redstart, American, 71, 101, 163 Reid, Catherine, 79 The Chat, Vol 73, No. 4, Fall 2009 177 Reigle, Carol, 23, 67, 1 12, 123 Reiskind, Jeremy, 15, 84, 85 Remaley, Shirley, 51, 58, 70, 71, 112 Reynolda Gardens, 23, 127, 128, 129 Reynolds, Kitti, 82, 83, 123 Reynolds, Lee, 83, 123 Rice, Emily, 1, 17 Richard B Russell Dam, 113 Richard, Carroll, 13,51,71, 112, 128, 129, 131 Richter, Gunter, 27, 28 Ridgeland, SC, 5, 17, 20 Ridgeway, SC, 123 Riegelwood, NC, 118, 158 Ringer, Ben, 58 Ritt, Steve, 82 Riverbend Park, 14, 22, 23, 61,76 Roan Mountain, 1 19, 123, 163, 164 Roanoke Island, 26, 70, 71, 126, 127, 130 Roanoke Rapids Lake, 12, 54, 62, 112, 113, 120 Roanoke Rapids, NC, 53, 164 Robbinsville, NC, 131 Roberson County, NC, 134 Robertson, Deborah, 91 Robeson County, NC, 14, 15 Robin, American, 100 Robinson, Pat, 81 Rock Hill, SC, 159 Rocky Mount, NC, 24, 28, 72, 74, 129, 164 Rodanthe, NC, 22, 118 Rogers, Christa, 1 60 Rogers, Keith, 118 Rogers, Rob, 29 Roper, NC, 14, 15, 16, 17, 32, 69, 75 Rosche, Dorothy, 51, 52, 53, 54,55,56,61,62, 63, 64, 69, 75, 112, 120, 129 Rosche, Richard, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 61, 63, 64, 69, 75, 112, 120, 129 Ross, David, 163 Rote, Don, 14, 16, 17, 32 Roth, Barbara, 87, 88 Rothfels, Carl, 87 Roushdy, Juanita, 65, 70, 71, 72, 74 Rowan County, NC, 1 16 Ruff, 20, 61, 120 Runcie, Dan, 87 Rutkin, Shelley, 85 S Salem Lake, 12, 22, 54, 55, 56, 60, 113, 156 Saluda Shoals, 113, 127 Sampson County, NC, 134 Sanderling, 18, 96 Sanders, Felicia, 67 Sanders, Tammy, 53, 69 Sanders, Thomas, 22 Sanders, Tom, 69, 159, 163 Sandpiper Baird’s, 19 Buff-breasted, 19 Least, 96, 160 Pectoral, 19, 97, 120, 160 Purple, 19, 61 Semipalmated, 96, 160 Solitary, 96, 120 Spotted, 61, 96 Stilt, 61, 120, 160 Upland, 17, 160 Western, 160 White-rumped, 19, 61, 120 Santee Coastal Reserve, 67, 120 Santee Cooper Wildlife Management Area, 129 Santee National Wildlife Refuge, 55, 60, 70, 72, 73,75 Sapsucker, Yellow-bellied, 98, 123 Sario, Amy, 92 Sarver, Matt, 163 Sato, Harriet, 87 Savannah National Wildlife Refuge, 16, 28, 29, 50, 51,71,72, 129 Savannah Spoil Site, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17, 20, 21,24, 25, 27,30,51, 56, 57,58,61,69,71, 73, 112, 114, 118, 120, 121, 122, 127, 129, 130, 155, 156, 157, 158, 160, 161 Scaup Greater, 54, 112, 149, 155 Lesser, 11,94, 112, 149, 150, 151 Scavetto, John, 56, 75, 124 Scharf, Paul, 91, 129 Schenck Forest, 123 Schepker, Gene, 52, 55, 85 Scholz, Eric, 58, 64 Schubert, Nora, 163 Schulte, Shiloh, 58 Schultz, Mike, 121 Schultz, Lois, 87, 88, 89, 121 Schultz, Mike, 21, 87, 88, 89 Schweitzer , Sara H., See McGregor, Sean P. et al. Scoter Black, 1 1 Surf, 55, 112, 155 White-winged, 11, 55, 112, 149 Scotland Neck, NC, 28, 63, 64 Screech-Owl, Eastern, 97 Seagrove, NC, 15 Sell, Harry, 1,2, 26, 74, 122, 124 Selvey, Ron, 13, 14, 19,23, 24,25,27,31,52, 54, 59, 112, 119, 123, 124, 126, 128, 129 Semanchuk, Steve, 74, 82 Seriff, Don, 160 Serridge, Paul, 14, 30, 31, 58, 60, 75, 118, 119, 127, 157, 161, 164, 165 Seyden, Terry, 54 Shackleford Banks, 14, 58, 61, 156, 157, 160 Shadwick, Doug, 71, 87 Shaffer, Steve, 58, 70, 1 12 Sharpton, Ray, 79 Shaw, Andy, 79, 82 Shaw, Roger, 53 Shearwater Audubon’s, 57, 115 Greater, 37-47, 57, 105, 114 Manx, 57, 114, 156 Sooty, 57, 114 Shelby, NC, 59, 68 Shertz, Connie, 161 Shertz, Robert & Connie, 22 Shields, Mark, 92 Shining Rock Wilderness, 123 Shoffner, Harry, 74, 91 Shoffner, Sandra, 91 Shrike, Loggerhead, 68, 98 Shuford, David, 85 Shultz, Steve, 31, 56, 64, 67, 90, 122, 123 178 Index to Volume 73 (2009) Siebenheller, Bill, 2, 27, 79 Siebenheller, Norma, 2, 27, 79 Sills, Wallace, 86 Silver Bluff Audubon Center and Sanctuary, 73 Simpson, Marcus, 83 Simpson, Marcus B., Jr., 107-10 Simpsonville, SC, 1 65 Siskin, Pine, 32, 76, 103, 131 Skiles, Liz, 82 Skimmer, Black, 22, 65, 97, 161 Skrabec, Lou, 86, 121, 128 Skua Great, 65 South Polar, 122 Slyce, Donna, 123 Slyce, Donna, 2008 Annual Report of the South Carolina Bird Records Committee, 105-6 Smalling, Curtis, 14, 126, 163 Smart, Jeri, 91 Smart, Sharon, 112, 115 Smith, Cameron, 92 Smith, Clyde, 30, 56, 91, 131 Smith, David, 13,21,28,31, 87 Smith, Glenda, 126 Smith, Jon, 126 Smith, Judy, 87 Smith, Linda, 60 Smith, Michelle, 58, 64 Smithson, Bruce, 28, 60, 92, 124, 127, 128, 164 Smolen-Morton, Shawn, 160, 164 Smyrna, NC, 118 Sneads Ferry, NC, 16, 21 Sneed, Cherrie, 12, 17, 56, 60, 70, 113, 129 Sneed, Dan, 60, 129 Snipe, Wilson’s, 97, 121 Snook, Chris, 12, 19, 25, 26, 30, 55, 62, 66 Snowden, NC, 5 1 Snyder, Dave, 59, 119 Socolar, Jacob, 18, 58, 60, 61,66, 113, 125 Sora, 16, 119 Sorenson, Clyde, 59, 1 19, 128 South Pond, 1 1 Southern Pines, NC, 25, 56, 68, 72, 75, 86, 128 Southern Shores, NC, 26 Southern, Josh, 25 Southern, Joshua, 1 1, 26, 56, 59, 66, 69, 88,91, 113, 123 Southern, Sterling, 25, 56, 88,91 Southport, NC, 28, 65, 70, 71,72,74, 124, 129 Sparrow Bachman’s, 72, 102 Chipping, 102 Clay-colored, 28, 72, 129 Field, 102 Grasshopper, 73, 102, 129, 164 Henslow’s, 29, 73 House, 103 Lark, 28, 73, 102, 129, 164 Le Conte’s, 73 Lincoln’s, 29, 74, 129 Savannah, 102, 164 Song, 102, 164 Swamp, 102, 129 Vesper, 28, 72, 129, 164 White-crowned, 30, 74, 102, 129 White-throated, 30, 102 Sparta, NC, 59, 164 Spartanburg, SC, 59, 69, 75 Spence, Lauren, 86 Spoonbill, Roseate, 14, 58, 118, 158 Stacey, Lois, 28, 113 Stallings, NC, 75 Stanley, Jennifer, 82 Stanly County, NC, 13, 130 Stanton, Vin, 13,23,54,61, 112 Stapleton, Deck, 26, 89, 91 Starling, European, 100 Stecoah Gap, 126, 131 Steed, Aaron, 54, 82 Stewart, Pat, 53 Stilt, Black-necked, 61, 120, 160 Stone Mountain, 74 Stork, Wood, 15,58, 118, 158 Storm-Petrel Band-mmped, 115 European, 115 Leach’s, 115 Swinhoe’s, 1, 156 Wilson’s, 115 Strine, Lowell, 86 Strine, Susan, 86 Strong, Brian, 88, 91 Sugg, Bill, 85 Sujjavanich, Darin, 113 Sunset Beach, NC, 1 1, 53, 56, 120, 158, 161 Sutliff, Ellen, 28 Sutton, John, 76 Swallow Bank, 24, 99 Bam, 25, 69, 99 Cave, 24, 69, 106 Cliff, 99, 125, 163 Northern Rough-winged, 69, 99 Tree, 25, 69, 99, 125, 163 Swan Mute, 52, 94 Tmmpeter, 52 Tundra, 11,53 Swan Quarter, NC, 58 Swan Quarter-Ocracoke Ferry, 64 Swannanoa, NC, 130 Swansboro, NC, 60 Swick, Nathan, 18, 67, 124, 129 Swift, Chimney, 22, 98, 123 Sykes, Paul, 51,52, 57,58, 71,73 T Table Rock State Park, 24 Talbert, Emily, 86 Tanager Scarlet, 102 Summer, 71, 102, 129 Western, 28, 72, 106 Tanglewood Park, 25, 75, 119, 159 Tattler Wandering, 3 Tatum, Edith, 89 Teague, Judy, 87, 88, 89 Teal Blue-winged, 94, 155 Green-winged, 155 Tenbrink, Craig, 92 Tem Arctic, 122 Black, 21, 122 Bridled, 21, 122 Caspian, 97, 122, 161 Common, 22, 97, 161 The Chat, Vol. 73, No. 4, Fall 2009 179 Forster’s, 97 Least, 97 Roseate, 122 Royal, 97 Sandwich, 97 Sooty, 21, 122, 161 Terra Ceia, 1 1 1 Theye, Shelley, 69, 87 Thielen, John, 86 Thomas, Bill, 79 Thomas, Erik, 68, 90, 92 Thomas, Shirl, 79 Thomas, Stephen, 14, 15, 26, 27, 28, 76, 1 17 Thompson, Chuck, 84, 85 Thompson, Cindy, 84, 85 Thompson, Simon, 26, 27, 29, 30, 59, 67, 81, 82, 125, 126, 131 Thompson, Zach, 14, 18 Thrasher, Brown, 100 Threatte, Charlie, 79 Threatte, Linda, 79 Thrush Bicknell’s, 25 Gray-cheeked, 100 Hermit, 100, 163 Swainson’s, 100 Wood, 25, 100 Thumer, Noel, 79 Timmons, Pam, 87, 88 Titmouse, Tufted, 99 Topsail Beach, NC, 11, 16, 22, 161 Topsail Island, 134, 157, 159, 161 Tove, Michael H., See LeGrand, Harry, et al. Tove, Mike, 15, 69 Towhee Eastern, 102 Spotted, 72 Townville, SC, 74, 75, 130 Tracey, Steve, 17, 20, 24, 26 Tracy, Steve, 53, 69, 162 Transylvania County, NC, 2, 27, 59, 79 Travis, Ginger, 87, 88 Trently, David, 1 63 Trenton, NC, 63 Tribble, Tom, 21, 79, 82, 83, 118, 119 Trice, Tina, 91 Trigle, Kelly, 92 Tropicbird Red-billed, 13, 115, 156 White-tailed, 156 Trott, Tim, 92 Tryon, NC, 67 Tuffin, Amalie, 87, 89 Turbeville, SC, 17, 19, 20, 160, 164 Turkey, Wild, 94, 113 Turner, Mike, 31, 74, 116, 158 Turner, Phil, 74, 75, 115, 130 Turner, Sharon, 74, 75, 115, 130 Turnstone, Ruddy, 96, 120 Tuttle, Gray, 85 Twin Lakes, 56 Tyler, Emily, 86 Tyndall, Russell, See LeGrand, Harry, et al. Tyrrell County, NC, 16, 24 U Umstead State Park, 68 Underwood, Garnet, 84 Underwood, Ron, 84 Underwood, Ron & Garnet, 23 Union County, NC, 159 Updike, Connie, 79 Upshaw, Andy, 88, 127, 130 V Van Druten, Brian, 159 Van Epps, Rob, 117 Vankevich, Peter, 58, 66, 70 VanNess, David, 88 VanNess, Millicent, 88 Veery, 100 Venartelli, Abby, 90 Vernon James Research Center, 14, 15, 16, 17, 32, 69, 75 Vimmerstedt, Margaret, 88 Vireo Bell’s, 24 Black- whiskered, 162 Blue-headed, 68, 99, 124 Philadelphia, 24, 99, 125 Red-eyed, 99 Warbling, 99, 124, 162 White-eyed, 68, 99 Yellow-throated, 99 Voelker, Patricia, 113, 119, 127 Voigt, John, 17,26, 73, 113 Vulkovich, Mark, 73 Vulture Black, 95 Turkey, 95 W Waccamaw National Wildlife Refuge, 27 Wagner, Steve, See Slyce, Donna, et al. Wake County, NC, 54, 62, 67, 68, 90, 116, 117, 127, 129, 155, 156, 161, 163 Walecka, Jerrold, 87 Walecka, Joan, 87 Walhalla Fish Hatchery, 128 Walk, Rosalyn, 86 Walker, Judy, 55 Wallace, NC, 60, 119 Waller, Mary, 90 Walters-Fromson, Ann, 86 Wanchese, NC, 122 Warbler “Brewster’s”, 26, 126 “Lawrence’s”, 100, 126 Bay-breasted, 27, 101, 127 Black-and-white, 70, 101 Blackburnian, 101, 127 Blackpoll, 101 Black-throated Blue, 70, 101, 106 Black-throated Green, 70, 101, 127 Blue-winged, 26, 100, 126 Canada, 28, 102, 129 Cape May, 27, 70, 101, 127 Cerulean, 27, 101, 127, 163 Chestnut-sided, 100, 127, 163 Connecticut, 27, 128 Golden-winged, 26 Hooded, 101 Kentucky, 101, 128, 154 Kirtland’s, 2, 27 MacGillivray’s, 2 Magnolia, 101, 107-10, 127, 163 Mourning, 27, 128 Nashville, 26, 69, 100, 126 Orange-crowned, 26, 69, 126 Palm, 101 Pine, 101 Prairie, 27, 70, 101 Prothonotary, 101 Swainson’s, 101, 128 180 Index to Volume 73 (2009) Swainson's, 154 Tennessee, 126 Wilson’s, 27,71, 102, 128 Worm-eating, 101, 128 Yellow, 27, 70, 100 Yellow-rumped, 101 Yellow-throated, 70, 101 Ward, Connie, 59 Ward, Linda, 26, 56, 59, 74, 76, 159 Ward, Skip, 159 Wardwell, Ben, 82 Warren County, NC, 129 Warren, Phillip, 54, 60, 76, 88, 113, 127 Watauga County, NC, 2, 16, 27, 29, 113, 119, 123, 129, 163 Waterthrush Louisiana, 101, 128 Northern, 71, 101 sp., 164 Waxwing, Cedar, 25, 100, 126, 163 Wayne County, NC, 56, 69, 161 Weathers, David, 160 Weaverville, NC, 24, 26 Webb Wildlife Center, 128 Webb, Andy, 67, 69, 92, 127 Weber, Lou, 79, 82 Weinstein, John, 123 West Jefferson, NC, 162, 163 Westphal, Marilyn, 25, 30, 31,51,79,81,82, 83, 113, 117, 118, 119, 120, 123, 124, 126, 127, 128, 129, 130, 131, 164, 165 Westphal, Marilyn, 2009 Spring Migration Counts in North Carolina, 77- 104 Weymouth Woods Sandhills Nature Preserve, 25, 128 Wheaton, George, 1, 12, 13, 86, 128 Whimbrel, 18,61,96, 120 Whip-poor-will, 98, 123 Whispering Pines, NC, 69 Whistling-Duck, Black- bellied, 10, 50, 111, 154 Whitehead, Maria A., and David Jones, Observation of Swallow- tailed Kite Post-fledging Parental Care in Hampton County, South Carolina, 5-6 Whitlock, Audrey, 65, 163 Whitmire, Melissa, 1 , 86, 126 Wigeon American, 112 Eurasian, 11, 53 Wiggers, Ernie P., See McGregor, Sean P. et al. Wilbur, Olive, 85 Wilkins, Ken, 52, 63 Willet, 96 Williams, Amber, 92 Williamson, Amy, 67, 70, 71,75, 92, 93, 124, 127, 129 Williamson, Carol, 87, 88, 126 Willis, Cassie, 86 Wilmington, NC, 15, 16, 18, 19, 23,31,65, 66, 70, 71,72, 73,74, 75, 112, 116, 129, 130 Wilson County, NC, 20, 21 Wilson, Johnny, 161 Wilson, NC, 164 Wilson, Rouse, 88, 127 Wilson, Sue, 91 Wilson, Troy, 83 Winston-Salem, NC, 12, 16, 21,22, 23,24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 52, 54, 55, 56, 68, 112, 113, 123, 124, 125, 127, 128, 129, 149-53, 156, 157, 162, 165 Winyah Bay, 50, 53, 57, 58, 61,67, 70 Womble, Cindy & Louis, 31 Woodcock, American, 97, 121, 160 Woodpecker Downy, 98 Hairy, 98 Pileated, 98 Red-bellied, 98 Red-cockaded, 98 Red-headed, 98 Wood-Pewee, Eastern, 98, 123 sp, 23 Woodruff, Sam, 79 Wouk, Kari, 90 Wren Bewick’s, 3 Carolina, 100 House, 100, 126 Sedge, 25, 100, 126 Winter, 100 Wright, David, 119, 124, 127, 156, 159, 161, 163 Wright, David & Marcia, 21, 22 Wright, Marcia, 124, 159, 163 Wright, Susse, 161 Wrightsville Beach, NC, 12, 22, 24, 54,56,58,61 Wulkowicz, Connie, 55, 79 Wulkowicz, Stan, 55, 59, 79 Wulkowicz, Stan & Connie, .21 Wulkowicz, Stanley, 17 Y Yates Mill Pond, 113 Yawkey Wildlife Center, 61, 67 Yellowlegs Greater, 96 Lesser, 17, 96, 120, 160 Yellowthroat, Common, 101 Yoder, Lee, 158 York, Dawn, 1 1 York, SC, 26, 69 Young, Bruce, 15, 65 Young, Ruth, 82 Z Ziegler, Camille, 79 Zippier, Calvin, 66 Zivicki, Kelly, 92 CAROLINA BIRD CLUB www.carolinabirdclub.org The Carolina Bird Club is a non-profit organization which represents and supports the birding community in the Carolinas through its official website, publications, meetings, workshops, trips, and partnerships, whose mission is • To promote the observation, enjoyment, and study of birds. • To provide opportunities for birders to become acquainted, and to share information and experience. • To maintain well-documented records of birds in the Carolinas. • To support the protection and conservation of birds and their habitats and foster an appreciation and respect of natural resources. • To promote educational opportunities in bird and nature study. • To support research on birds of the Carolinas and their habitats. Membership is open to all persons interested in the conservation, natural history, and study of wildlife with particular emphasis on birds. Dues, contributions, and bequests to the Club may be deductible from state and federal income and estate taxes. Make checks payable to Carolina Bird Club, Inc. Send checks or correspondence regarding membership or change of address to the Headquarters Secretary. Dues include $4 for a subscription to the CBC Newsletter and $5 for a subscription to The Chat. Associate members do not receive a separate subscription to publications. ANNUAL DUES 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 Associate Life Membership (in same household as life member) $100.00 ELECTED OFFICERS President Taylor Piephoff, Charlotte, NC PiephoffT@aol.com NC Vice-Presidents David McCloy, Pinehurst, NC david.mccloy@ncmail.net Dwayne Martin, Hickory, NC redxbill@gmail.com SC Vice-President Paul Serridge, Greenville, SC paulserridge@gmail.com Secretary Prunella Williams, Hope Mills, NC Prunella.Williams@att.net Treasurer Carol Bowman, Pinehurst, NC cbowman6@nc.rr.com NC Members-at-Large Lena Gallitano, NC lena_gallitano@ncsu.edu Skip Morgan, Manteo, NC tlmorgan@inteliport.com Lucy Quintilliano, Charlotte, NC lucyq@carolina.rr.com Ron Clark, Kings Mountain, NC waxwing@bellsouth.net SC Members-at-Large Linda Kolb, Seneca, SC rapahana4@hotmail.com Marion Clark, Lexington, SC mclark66@sc.rr.com EX-OFFICIO EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBERS Chat Editor Kent Fiala, Hillsborough, NC chat@carolinabirdclub.org Newsletter Editor Steve Shultz, Apex, NC newsletter@carolinabirdclub.org Web site Editor Kent Fiala, Hillsborough, NC webeditor@carolinabirdclub.org Immediate Past President Steve Patterson, Lancaster, SC SCBirder@aol.com HEADQUARTERS SECRETARY Dana Harris CBC, 1809 Lakepark Drive, Raleigh NC 27612 hq@carolinabirdclub.org s CO z to _ i —A > to 0 X =c CO S H 4^ ro CD =t OO I to ro i p O z cn 00 to XI Q 0 £ 0 0 0 Q H 10 O z 0 Z O to > _p Z m _* z s. O O XI > r- C/1 4^ H 00 TS X m D SsJ to > > O O XJ O — *■ m V J CO to ro ^4 tn SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION LIBRARIES o N> O N3 Q, o c JT 3 O CD o 0) r-S* g DO -0 log. 2; 2 O O^a =* 5 0 CD 2, 2 ® ~oD g 00 s». a> Q. 3 Q. £8 The Chat Voi.74 WINTER 2010 The Quarterly Bulletin of the Carolina Bird Club, Inc. The Ornithological Society of the Carolinas THE CHAT ISSN No. 0009-1987 Vol. 74 WINTER 2010 No. 1 Editor General Field Notes Editors Kent Fiala, 1714 Borland Road Hillsborough, NC 27278 chat@carolinabirdclub.org North Carolina Christina Harvey South Carolina William Post Briefs for the Files Josh Southern Associate Editor Ginger Travis THE CHAT is published quarterly by the Carolina Bird Club, Inc., 353 Montabello, Bloomingdale, IL 60108-1037. Subscription price $20 per year. Periodicals postage paid at Bloomingdale, IL and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to THE CHAT, Carolina Bird Club, Inc., 1809 Lakepark Drive, Raleigh NC 27612. Copyright © 2010 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. Reports 2009 Annual Report of the North Carolina Bird Records Committee Harry E. LeGrand, Jr., Chair 1 2009 Fall Bird Counts in South Carolina Lois Stacey 6 Fifty Years Ago in The Chat March-June 1960 10, 15 General Field Notes The Second Record of Lesser Goldfinch ( Spinus psaltria ) for North Carolina Ross McGregor 11 Nesting of Anhinga ( Anhinga anhinga ) in Scotland County, North Carolina Mark Gretch 13 Briefs for the Files Fall 2009 16 Reddish Egret, 4 Oct 2009, Huntington Beach State Park, South Carolina. Photograph by Cathy Miller. THSON/^n. ( HAY to 2010 } 2009 Annual Report of the North^Aiffl^a^Sffa Records Committee Harry E. LeGrand, Jr.1, Chair, Keith E. Camburn, Samuel Cooper, Richard J. Davis, Eric V. Dean, Wayne K. Forsythe, Jeffrey S. Pippen, Michael H. Tove, Russell L. Tyndall 'N.C. Natural Heritage Program, 1601 MSC, Raleigh, 1 VC 27699-1601 This report enumerates the decisions of the Carolina Bird Club’s North Carolina Bird Records Committee during 2009. There were no changes to the membership of the committee during the year. 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 NC Museum of Natural Sciences. Tufted Duck (Aythya fuligula ) (09-05). A male, apparently a first-winter bird, was seen at a sewage treatment pond in Winston-Salem, Forsyth County, from 30 January to 14 February 2009, by several hundred observers (Hopkins et al. 2009). The Committee accepted written details by Marbry Hopkins and photos taken by Hopkins, David Disher, and John Haire. The Committee not only accepted the bird’s specific identity but also considered it to have been a wild bird, in part because of its close association with several other diving duck species, the fact that several other reports of the species had been made farther northward in the same winter, and the lack of any evidence of local escapes from waterfowl breeders. This is the first state record, and acceptance of photos and its provenance places the species directly onto the Official List. Swinhoe’s Storm-Petrel ( Oceanodroma monorhis ) (09-16). One was seen approximately 36 miles off Cape Hatteras, Dare County on 6 June 2009 by a boatload of observers, including Brian Patteson and Steve Howell. The Committee accepted written details provided by Kevin Metcalf; however, the single photo of the bird was not accepted because the Committee felt that other dark-rumped species of storm-petrels could not be ruled out, even though no other such species are known to occur in the North Atlantic. This is the third North Carolina and United States record, all from this same general area. As the previous two records contained photos that were accepted by the Committee, the species is already on the Official List. 1 2 2009 Annual Report of the North Carolina Bird Records Committee Red-billed Tropicbird ( Phaethon aethereus ) (09-14). An adult was seen in flight over a tidal pond at Cape Hatteras Point, Dare County, on 1 0 March 2009 by Pat and Neal Moore and Brian Patteson. The Committee accepted a photo taken by Patteson. Though there are several dozen offshore records, this appears to be the first state record of a bird seen from shore, and the appearance of one actually over land is quite exceptional. Roseate Spoonbill ( Platalea ajaja) (09-15). An immature was seen in the Catawba River, along the Catawba/ Alexander County line on 1 1 August 2009 by Monroe Panned. The Committee accepted a photo taken on 12 August by Dwayne Martin. Though there are numerous state records, this appears to be just the second for the piedmont, and the farthest inland record for the state. Snail Kite {Rostrhamus sociabilis) (09-08). An adult male was found dead in the Crusoe Island community in Columbus County on 10 April 2009 by a local citizen, and identified as this species by Keith Rogers. The bird bore leg bands; it had been banded in Florida in 1997. The Committee accepted photos of the specimen taken by John Hammond, and the bird is now a specimen at the NC Museum of Natural Sciences. This is a first state record and appears to be the northernmost record for the species; acceptance of the photos places the species onto the Official List. Mew (Common) Gull ( Larus canus canus) (09-02). An adult was seen by Wade Fuller, Rich Boyd, Bob Holmes, and Ken Wilkins at Cape Hatteras Point on 24 January 2009. It was found later in the day by several other birders, and Brian Patteson was able to photograph the bird. The Committee accepted Patteson’s photos and the written description by Fuller. This represents the fourth accepted record for this European subspecies (all from this exact location) and the fifth overall for the species. Thus, the species is already on the Official List. Bell’s Vireo (Vireo bellii) (09-01). One was photographed at Fort Fisher, New Hanover County, on 1 October 2008 by James Parnell. This is the fourth accepted state record, the third for the coast in fall; these three records have all been documented by photos. Thus, the species is already on the Official List. Sprague’s Pipit (Anthus spragueii) (09-09). A most unusual record was one seen and photographed on a ship about 40 miles off the coast of Currituck County, on the surprisingly late date of 2 June 2009. The Committee accepted photos of the bird taken by Lauren Morgens. The species is already on the Official List; this is the third accepted state record but only the second with photos. The other two records are from the fall season, one from the coast and the other from the mountains. A few additional reports have not been accepted. Nashville Warbler ( Vermivora ruficapilla) (09-11). One was seen on 6 December 2008 at Charlotte, Mecklenburg County by Larry Barden and others. Though there are numerous records of the species for the state, including at least nine winter reports for coastal/tidewater areas and one The Chat, Vol. 74, No. 1, Winter 2010 3 from the eastern edge of the piedmont, based on the Avendex database, this is apparently the first in winter from the western half of the state. Northern Waterthrush ( Seiurus noveboracensis ) (09-04). One seen by Richard Brown and Kent Fiala, and photographed by Fiala, was found in a wooded area at Mattamuskeet National Wildlife Refuge, Hyde County on 1 February 2009. The Committee accepted the photograph; this is the first documented winter record for the state, though there are six other winter reports for the state listed in the Avendex database. Most or all of these others may well be correctly identified but have not been reviewed by a records committee. Lesser Goldfinch ( Spinus psaltria ) (09-07). One adult male of the dark- backed form was seen at Ross McGregor’s feeders in Beaufort, Carteret County, from 2 to 4 March 2009. The Committee accepted both his written description and his photos. Acceptance of the photos elevates the species from the Provisional List to the Official List; this is the second state record, with the first being a sight record from the piedmont province. Unresolved Further action by the Committee is needed. Sharp-tailed Sandpiper ( Calidris acuminata ) (09-12). An immature was reported at a sod farm in Craven County on 31 August 2009. This was a single-observer report, with no photographic documentation; however, there was enough of a written description that six of the nine Committee members accepted the report. However, as at least 75% of votes (at least seven) must be Accept as Valid to accept a record on a first vote, the voting verdict is “Send for Outside Review”. There are no previous records of the species for the state, though both Virginia (at least four records — Rottenborn and Brinkley 2007) and South Carolina (one sight record — Carter and Eastman 1998) have the species on their state lists. Unaccepted Sighting The bird is judged to be a species other than that reported, or the bird is insufficiently documented to identification of the species reported. Mottled Duck ( Anas fulvigula) (09-10). A pair was reported from a city park in the northeastern piedmont in December 2008. Though the description was adequate, and the birds were compared with nearby Mallards ( Anas platyrhynchos ) and American Black Ducks (A. rubripes), the Committee felt that the report was inadequately documented. There is a need for photos or exceedingly thorough details for such a difficult species to identify and for a location outside the expected range. The species is already on the Official List, with two accepted photographic records for the southern half of the coast. Northern Gannet ( Morus bassanus) (09-03). An adult reported in flight in the central piedmont, over a field, in January 2008 was not accepted. The 4 2009 Annual Report of the North Carolina Bird Records Committee odd habitat, observer’s inexperience with the species, and extreme rarity of the species away from salt water suggest that the bird was something else. Red-tailed (Harlan’s) Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis harlani ) (09-13). A specimen at the NC Museum of Natural Sciences (NCSM 4504), collected in the winter of 1974-75 at Morrow Mountain State Park, Stanly County, had been labeled as a “Krider’s” Red-tailed Hawk {Buteo jamaicensis krideri). This is no longer considered to be a valid subspecies by the American Ornithologists’ Union; rather, it is considered a pale color morph of several subspecies. In 2009, a noted hawk expert identified the specimen as a “juvenile light-morph Harlan’s Hawk”, but without reasons for such a conclusion. However, because three photos (taken by Will Cook) of the specimen were available to the Committee for review, it was decided that a review could be done. Only three of nine members voted Accept as Valid. The general feeling of the majority of the Committee members was that the bird appears to be too pale overall even for a light-morph Harlan’s. Because there were more than 50% non-accept votes, the identification as the Harlan’s subspecies is not accepted. According to regulations, because “Inadequately Documented” received more non-accept votes than “Unaccepted Sighting” votes, the report can be sent back for more details and a second vote. Unaccepted Origin The reported identification is judged to be accurate, but the origin of the bird is uncertain (and thus might not be of natural origin). Trumpeter Swan (Cygnus buccinator) (09-06). An apparent family group of four birds — three adults and one immature — was seen at a small pond in southern Nash County on 21-22 February 2009 by Ricky Davis, Jeff Pippen, Clyde Sorenson, Harry LeGrand, and several other observers. The birds had been present for at least two weeks prior to this date, according to Matthew Ordess. Though the photos taken by Davis were accepted to this species, the fact that the birds were extremely tame led the Committee to a voting verdict of Questionable Origin. The species is already on the Official List, based on acceptance of photos and provenance of four birds banded at Pungo refuge in February 2004. Discussion The review of reports by the North Carolina Bird Records Committee for 2009 resulted in adding three species to the state’s Official List. Tufted Duck and Snail Kite are added directly to the Official List, whereas Lesser Goldfinch is elevated from the Provisional List (which decreases by one species). The current Official List is now 456 species, and the Provisional List is 13 species, for a total of 469 species on the state’s Accepted List. Further Committee action is expected on the reports of Sharp-tailed Sandpiper and Red-tailed (Harlan’s) Hawk. The Chat, Vol. 74, No. 1, Winter 2010 5 Acknowledgments In addition to the many people named above who provided written material and photographs for the Committee to review, we thank Kent Fiala — webmaster of the Carolina Bird Club — for placing a number of the photographs on the club’s website for Committee review and sending electronic submission of Rare Bird Report forms to the Committee chair. Literature Cited Carter, R. M., and C. M. Eastman. 1998. Sharp-tailed Sandpiper observed in Orangeburg County, South Carolina. The first sight record for South Carolina. Chat 62:38-40. Hopkins, M., J. Haire, D. Disher, and S. Disher. 2009. A Tufted Duck (. Aythya fuligula) in Forsyth County: first record for North Carolina. Chat 73:149-153. Rottenborn, S. C., and E. S. Brinkley. 2007. Virginia’s birdlife: an annotated checklist. Fourth edition. Virginia Society of Ornithology, Virginia Avifauna No. 7. 2009 Fall Bird Counts in South Carolina Lois Stacey 418 Deepwood PL, North Augijsta, SC, 29841 croakie@comcast.net Fall migration counts were held in five counties in 2009. All counts reported cloud cover most of the day, and a few had light rain on and off. Still, 146 species and 13,699 individuals were recorded overall for the count. A flock of 68 Brewer’s Blackbirds was seen in Spartanburg County. All of the hawk species were seen, along with Bald Eagle, Osprey and American Kestrel. 20 Northern Bobwhite were seen and were included on the lists of three counties. There was a total of 23 species of warblers reported as well. An astounding 496 Ruby-throated Hummingbirds were counted, with 411 in Greenville County alone! Only two Pied-billed Grebes were counted and only one gull, a Ring- billed Gull. Only eight species of shorebirds were reported this year. County Summaries: Aiken County: 114 species, 5714 individuals Coordinator: Anne Waters 1621 Apple Valley Drive Augusta, GA 30906 Participants: Matt Bost, Jesse Carlton, Dan Connelly, Brandon Cromer, Lee Dane, Larry Eldridge, Gary Gray, Paul Koehler, George Reeves, Chris Shaw, Lois Stacey, Mark Vukovich, Alice Walker, Doug Walker, Anne Waters, Eugene Zielinski, Calvin Zippier. Spartanburg County: 81 species, 2544 individuals Coordinator: Lyle Campbell 126 Greengate Lane Spartanburg, SC 29307 Participants: Carole Anderson, Tim Brown, Dan Bryant, Lyle Campbell, Sarah Campbell, Vince Conners, Roy Fowler, Pat Fowler, Alan Gray, Nancy Gergen, Frank Hull, Phyllis Hull, Herb Kay, Doug Rayner, Mac Shealy, Gerald Thurmond, Lewanna Ulmer, M. B. Ulmer, Kay Whilden Cherokee County: 44 species, 318 individuals Coordinator: Lyle Campbell 126 Greengate Lane Spartanburg, SC 29307 Participants: Claude Cobb, Carolyn Hanes, Karla Lavender, Maxi Nix, Tina Pearsall, Rebecca Poole The Cherokee County count yielded low numbers, as six counters in two field parties and five yard and feeder- watchers managed 44 species and 3 1 8 6 The Chat, Vol. 74, No. 1, Winter 2010 7 individuals. Schedule conflicts prevented us from surveying the Cowpens National Battlefield, a standard locality good for a fair diversity of birds. The Bald Eagle seen on the Broad River was the best bird. (Lyle Campbell) Lexington County: 60 species, 1269 individuals Coordinator Molly Bonnell 202 Cannon Trail Rd. Lexington, SC Participants: Andrea Cecelski, Barbara Darden, Margaret Bergin, Greg Fitzpatrick, Molly Bonnell Greenville County: 93 species, 3854 individuals Coordinator: J. B. Hines 5258 Chesnee Highway Chesnee, SC 29323 Participants: Paul Serridge, Barbara Serridge, Jane Kramer, Donnie Coody, Shelby Birch, Jerry Johnson, David Kirk, Judy Webb, Charles Webb, Hilda Reese, A1 Reese, Jonathan Swink, Chip Gilbert, Sarah Gilbert Table 1. Fall 2009 bird counts in South Carolina Aiken Spart Cherok Lexing Greenv Total Canada Goose 34 51 100 59 222 466 Wood Duck 11 1 0 13 44 69 Mallard 9 46 0 1 152 208 Blue-winged Teal 0 0 0 0 3 3 Northern Bobwhite 8 0 11 0 1 20 Wild Turkey 13 0 17 0 24 54 Pied-billed Grebe 1 0 0 0 1 2 Double-crested Cormorant 1 0 0 6 0 7 Anhinga 8 1 0 0 0 9 Great Blue Heron 6 10 2 3 12 33 Great Egret 34 3 0 3 3 43 Snowy Egret 8 0 0 0 0 8 Little Blue Heron 24 0 0 0 0 24 Cattle Egret 168 0 5 0 0 173 Green Heron 0 2 0 0 3 5 White Ibis 10 0 0 0 0 10 Wood Stork 32 0 0 0 0 32 Black Vulture 108 38 6 7 2 161 Turkey Vulture 56 67 4 11 39 177 Osprey 0 0 1 1 1 3 Bald Eagle (ad) 0 0 1 2 1 4 Bald Eagle (imm) 0 1 0 1 0 2 Northern Harrier 0 0 1 3 0 4 Sharp-shinned Hawk 0 2 0 0 1 3 Cooper’s Hawk 0 0 0 1 2 3 Accipiter, sp. 0 0 0 0 5 5 Red-shouldered Hawk 10 9 1 4 16 40 Broad-winged Hawk 0 1 0 0 2 3 Red-tailed Hawk 12 11 2 4 6 35 American Kestrel 5 0 1 1 3 10 Common Moorhen 8 0 0 0 0 8 American Coot 0 0 0 0 1 1 8 2009 Fall Bird Counts in South Carolina Killdeer Spotted Sandpiper Solitary Sandpiper Lesser Yellowlegs Western Sandpiper Least Sandpiper Pectoral Sandpiper Wilson’s Snipe Ring-billed Gull Rock Pigeon Eurasian Collared-Dove Mourning Dove Yellow-billed Cuckoo Eastern Screech-Owl Great Homed Owl Barred Owl Common Nighthawk Chimney Swift Ruby-throated Hummingbird Belted Kingfisher Red-headed Woodpecker Red-bellied Woodpecker Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Downy Woodpecker Hairy Woodpecker Red-cockaded Woodpecker Northern Flicker Pileated Woodpecker Eastern Wood-Pewee Acadian Flycatcher Least Flycatcher Eastern Phoebe Great Crested Flycatcher Eastern Kingbird Loggerhead Shrike White-eyed Vireo Yellow-throated Vireo Red-eyed Vireo Blue Jay American Crow Fish Crow Tree Swallow Northern Rough-winged Swallow Bank Swallow Cliff Swallow Bam Swallow Carolina Chickadee Tufted Titmouse White-breasted Nuthatch Brown-headed Nuthatch Carolina Wren House Wren Golden-crowned Kinglet Ruby-crowned Kinglet Blue-gray Gnatcatcher Eastern Bluebird Veery Spart Cherok Lexing Greenv Total 4 2 5 12 95 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 7 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 63 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 2 2 0 0 1 0 1 279 13 122 25 493 2 0 3 0 14 0 27 150 458 889 0 ' 0 0 0 5 0 1 0 3 8 1 0 0 2 7 3 0 0 0 18 1 0 0 1 8 490 6 11 409 1002 62 7 4 411 496 13 1 2 8 27 11 0 5 3 32 26 2 36 38 166 1 0 0 0 1 15 0 2 17 62 3 0 0 2 7 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 6 4 17 3 1 4 10 51 3 0 6 3 38 0 0 3 0 16 0 0 1 0 1 27 1 2 42 80 1 1 0 0 2 0 0 0 2 4 0 0 0 0 1 4 0 12 8 79 0 0 3 0 6 0 0 3 0 18 135 1 65 152 466 154 9 64 211 678 0 0 0 20 83 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 633 2 6 0 0 18 0 0 0 0 2 0 ' 0 0 0 62 46 0 44 49 280 57 5 28 41 251 12 6 0 17 57 6 0 13 8 57 41 4 46 53 292 3 0 0 1 5 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 2 3 0 0 5 31 73 6 25 239 395 0 0 2 3 5 Aiken 72 1 7 3 1 63 2 0 0 54 9 254 5 4 4 15 6 86 12 3 13 64 0 28 2 1 6 33 26 13 0 8 0 2 1 55 3 15 113 240 63 1 633 10 2 62 141 120 22 30 148 1 0 2 23 52 0 The Chat, Vol. 74, No. 1, Winter 2010 9 Gray-cheeked Thrush Swainson’s Thrush Hermit Thrush Wood Thrush American Robin Gray Catbird Northern Mockingbird Brown Thrasher European Starling Cedar Waxwing Blue-winged Warbler Tennessee Warbler Nashville Warbler Northern Parula Chestnut-sided Warbler Magnolia Warbler Black-throated Blue Warbler Yellow-rumped Warbler Black-throated Green Warbler Blackburnian Warbler Yellow-throated Warbler Pine Warbler Prairie Warbler Palm Warbler Black-and-white Warbler American Redstart Prothonotary Warbler Ovenbird Northern Waterthrush Louisiana Waterthrush Common Yellowthroat Hooded Warbler Yellow-breasted Chat Eastern Towhee Chipping Sparrow Field Sparrow Song Sparrow White-throated Sparrow Sparrow, sp. Summer Tanager Scarlet Tanager Northern Cardinal Rose-breasted Grosbeak Blue Grosbeak Indigo Bunting Painted Bunting Red-winged Blackbird Eastern Meadowlark Brewer’s Blackbird Common Grackle Brown-headed Cowbird Orchard Oriole Baltimore Oriole Purple Finch House Finch American Goldfinch House Sparrow Spart Cherok Lexing Greenv Total 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 3 3 0 0 0 0 3 2 0 0 0 8 100 4 24 86 215 9 0 1 22 36 58 8 104 82 338 18 0 10 28 85 209 12 12 166 685 8 0 0 83 91 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 1 2 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 1 3 46 0 0 0 4 20 2 0 0 6 15 1 0 0 0 1 6 0 0 0 7 0 0 0 2 2 0 0 0 1 2 2 0 0 0 7 11 1 19 3 123 0 0 0 0 2 2 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 2 6 6 0 4 1 33 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 1 1 6 0 0 2 16 0 0 1 1 4 2 0 0 2 6 16 0 0 13 52 0 2 11 43 62 1 0 0 10 11 9 2 0 12 23 6 0 0 1 7 4 0 0 0 4 8 0 0 0 32 3 0 0 1 9 110 17 0 85 415 1 0 0 4 5 0 0 0 5 35 3 0 0 24 71 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 64 1 0 0 15 16 68 0 0 0 68 66 10 5 47 149 1 4 250 12 1799 0 0 0 2 5 0 0 1 2 4 2 0 0 0 2 29 2 22 51 120 40 2 6 224 274 9 2 9 0 34 Aiken 0 0 3 6 l 4 86 29 286 0 3 1 0 42 16 7 0 1 0 1 5 89 2 1 4 22 1 1 2 0 8 2 2 23 6 0 0 0 24 5 203 0 30 44 1 64 0 0 21 1532 3 1 0 16 2 14 10 2009 Fall Bird Counts in South Carolina Aiken Spart Cherok Lexing Greenv Total Total species 114 81 44 60 93 146 Total individuals 5714 2544 318 1269 3854 13,699 Observers 17 11 3 5 15 36 Parties 10 9 2 4 25 Hours foot 31.5 17 0.5 5 23.15 77.15 Hours car 24.75 14.5 2 10 14.5 65.75 Miles foot 13.25 15.5 0.5 6 7 42.25 Miles car 238 207 53 101 249 848 Hours feeder watch 4.5 25.5 11 41 # Feeder watchers 2 12 6 20 # Feeder stations 5 8 5 18 Hours nocturnal 2 1 1 0.75 4.75 Miles nocturnal 14 4 1 0.5 19.5 # Parties nocturnal 2 1 1 1 5 # Observers nocturnal 2 2 1 2 7 Start time 0500 Finish time 1830 Fifty Years Ago in The Chat — March-June 1960 Publication of Volume 24 of The Chat was irregular, for reasons that were not recorded. Although four issues were published as usual, numbers 1 and 2 were published in a combined issue labeled “March-June”, then separate numbers 3- A and 3-B were published, and then finally number 4. In the 1959 Christmas Count, 177 species were seen in the two states. A blackbird roost of 800,000 in Greensboro helped boost the individual count to a record high of 1.4 million. The compiler of the Charlotte count, B. R. Chamberlain, noted “Suitable birding areas rapidly disappearing”. In an article “I Saw the World’s Rarest Bird!”, Jack P. Hailman described visiting the breeding colony of Bermuda Petrels with David Wingate, just nine years after the re-discovery of the species, previously thought extinct. Fulvous Tree Ducks (now Fulvous Whistling-Ducks) were reported at Savannah River NWR (belatedly; a 1956 record) and at Orton Wildlife Refuge near Wilmington NC. The SC record was the second for the state. A Laughing Gull banded as a nestling at Oregon Inlet in 1959 was recovered in January 1960 in Cuba. Probably due to Hurricane Gracie, 21 American Golden-Plovers and a Red Phalarope were seen in North Wilkesboro, NC, in October 1959. It was thought to be the first record of American Golden- Plover in the western part of the state since 1886. A murre, tentatively identified as Thick-billed, was reported from Swan Quarter NWR. There were only three previous records for the state, none more recent than 1937. Greg Massey reported a Homed Lark at Wilmington, NC, apparently the first record for the area. A Black-billed Magpie was seen by several ( continued on page 15) General Field Notes General Field Notes briefly report such items as rare sightings, unusual behaviors, ' significant nesting records, or summaries of such items. 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. The Second Record of Lesser Goldfinch ( Spinus psaltria ) for North Carolina Ross McGregor 1 04 Fairview Drive, Beaufort, NC 28516 12 Whiteness Cottages, Collieston, Ellon, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, UK ross. mcgregor@gmail. com During late winter 2008-2009, an increasing number of American Goldfinches ( Spinus tristis) had been visiting feeders in my back yard in Beaufort, NC. There had also been an increasing number of Pine Siskins (Spinus pinus) with the American Goldfinches, peaking at 10 to 12 birds on the weekend of 28 February- 1 March 2009. On the morning of Monday, 2 March, I was about to leave for work when I had a last look at the American Goldfinch flock to see if there were still some Pine Siskins with them. On looking at the thistle seed feeder, I immediately saw a slightly smaller goldfinch with a black head and back and sulfur yellow under parts. I identified it straight away as a male Lesser Goldfinch (S. psaltria). While the bird remained for the next three days, its arrival at the feeders was unpredictable and often very brief. Fortunately, many birders did manage to see and photograph the bird, thanks to the utility of the carolinabirds listserve. The bird that was present from 2-4 March was of the black-backed form and appeared to be an adult male, which is even more distinctive and easier to identify than the green-backed forms. The black-backed forms are normally found in the eastern interior portion of their US range, while the green-backed forms are normally found along the West Coast. It appears that the variation across the forms is clinal, and the differences may not support subspecific distinctions (Willoughby 2007). The bird at my feeders in Beaufort was a classically black-backed form with glossy black head, rear of the ear coverts, back, rump and upper tail coverts. The under parts from the chin to the undertail coverts were bright sulfur yellow, becoming very slightly paler under the tail (Fig. 1). The wings 11 12 Second Record of Lesser Goldfinch (Spinus psaltria^) for North Carolina were mostly glossy black with obvious white tips to the tertials and greater coverts (Fig. 2) . In flight, the white bases to inner primary and outer secondary remiges were obvious as a small white patch. The tail feathers were also glossy black with white patches on the outer edges at the base. On several occasions the tail shape could be seen clearly enough with a telescope to determine that the bird was an adult, based on the illustrations in Pyle (1997). Interestingly, the bill differed slightly from the illustration in Sibley (2000), having a whitish-gray lower mandible, rather than an all-dark bill. The legs were grayish-pink. Figure 1. Lesser Goldfinch (right) with American Goldfinch (left), 14 March 2009, Beaufort, NC. Photo by Harry Sell. Figure 2. Lesser Goldfinch, 14 March 2009, Beaufort, NC. Photo by Harry Sell. There has been one previous, unconfirmed record of Lesser Goldfinch in the Carolinas: a single bird of the green-backed form reported from Winston- Salem, NC, on 27 September 1985 (Snavely 1986). Therefore, this record represents the first record of the black-backed form for the Carolinas and the first confirmed record of the species. The NC Bird Records Committee The Chat, Vol. 74, No. 1, Winter 2010 13 (LeGrand et al. 2010) has accepted photographs and a description of this Beaufort individual, and acceptance of photographs elevates the species from the Provisional List to the Official List. Literature cited LeGrand, H. E., Jr., K. E. Camburn, S. Cooper, R. J. Davis, E. V. Dean, W. K. Forsythe, J. S. Pippen, M. H. Tove, and R. L. Tyndall. 2010. 2009 annual report of the North Carolina Bird Records Committee. Chat 74: 1 — 5. Pyle, P. 1997. Identification Guide to North American Birds — Part 1. Slate Creek Press, Bolinas, California. Sibley, D. A. 2000. The Sibley Guide to Birds. Alfred A. Knopf, Inc., New York. Snavely, R. R. 1986. First record of Lesser Goldfinch for the Carolinas. Chat 50: 59-60. Willoughby, E. J. 2007. Geographic variation in color, measurements, and molt of the Lesser Goldfinch in North America does not support subspecific designation. Condor 109: 419^-36. Nesting of Anhingas ( Anhinga anhinga) in Scotland County, North Carolina Mark Gretch 300 Lanoca Avenue, Apt. 24, Laurinburg, NC 28352 Breeding bird surveys from 1985 to 1991 show the summer distribution of the Anhinga (Anhinga anhinga) just reaching into coastal South Carolina (Price 1995), although Pearson (1917) reported that the species’ distribution included North Carolina. Pearson et al. (1942) reported historical breeding records for Anhingas in North Carolina. The first report was in 1898 at Orton Lake in Brunswick County at the very southeastern edge of the state. It wasn’t until 1931, 33 years later, that nesting was again reported at the same location. In 1932, a half dozen nesting pairs were reported within a Double-crested Cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus ) colony at Great Lake in Craven County. In 1935, Anhinga nesting was reported in Beaufort and Bladen counties. More recently, Potter et al. (2006) wrote that Anhingas breed locally throughout the North Carolina coastal plain, inland approximately to the 1-95 corridor near Weldon and southeast of Fayetteville. By 2006, the Anhinga’s breeding range had expanded into coastal North Carolina as far north as Halifax County (Enders 2006), and Merrill Lynch reported an attempted nesting from inland Chatham County (Lynch 2006). Davis (2007) reported that nesting activity continues to occur further inland away from the usual coastal plain area. 14 Nesting of Anhingas (Anhinga anhinga) in Scotland County, NC This report will describe the successful nesting of Anhingas at Cypress Pond on land occupied by St. Andrews Presbyterian College in Laurinburg, Scotland County, North Carolina. While it is not an unexpected expansion of its breeding range, I believe this is the first documented nesting of Anhingas from Scotland County and the sandhills region of North Carolina. Cypress Pond is the smallest of three connected ponds. At one end of the pond there is a bridge that is a favorite fishing site and at the opposite end there is a cypress ( Taxodium sp.) swamp growing in rather shallow water with a dense cover of water lily (. Nymphaea sp.) and spatterdock (Nuphar lutea). In the taller trees, there is a small colony of five Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias ) nests. My first observation of Anhingas nesting at this site occurred on 10 May 2009. The nest was almost complete. The male Anhinga would fly out into the cypress canopy, break off a twig, and transfer it to the female who would place it in the nest. Initially, two pairs of Anhingas were building nests at this site. The successful nest was built in the top branches of one of the smaller cypress trees about 12 to 15 feet above the water. The second nest was built between a branch and the trunk of a cypress tree 20 or more feet above the water. This nest appeared to be unstable and in a poor location; it eventually failed. As the Anhingas were constructing the nest, they were also courting and copulating. Part of the courtship ritual included a very graceful dance of their necks as they stare into each other’s eyes. The adult’s eyes have green spectacles around them during the breeding season. Even after the nest was completed, the male would continue to pull a twig off of the cypress and juggle it in his beak until he dropped it. The first egg probably was laid around 16 May, and the first chick hatched 13 June, or 28 days later. Both the male and female took turns incubating. This nest held only two young. As the eggs hatched, the adults would settle higher in the nest. In a few more days, the heads of the young were just above the edge of the nest with their bills wide open and constantly begging for food. The young have off- white bodies and downy light brown necks. By the beginning of July, the young were beginning to develop dark wing feathers. By the second week of July, their tail feathers had grown in, and they were beginning to pay more attention to each other. On 1 6 July, there was a very violent storm with much rain and high winds and that was the last I saw of the nestlings for a while. Did the young survive the storm, or did they perish? Others have reported that at the end of three weeks, if threatened, Anhingas are able to drop down into the water and swim away (Kearns 2009). Every few days I would return to this site to look for them. Both of the adults stayed close to their nesting site, and so I was hoping that that indicated that the young were nearby as well. Then on 16 August, one month after they had abandoned their nest, the young Anhingas reappeared, fully feathered and looking like adults. Both had plumage similar to an adult female; however, one had a light brown neck and breast while the other had a darker brown neck and breast. At this point, The Chat, Vol. 74, No. 1, Winter 2010 15 the young were more than two months old. The adult birds were still nearby, but I saw no evidence that they were still feeding the young. Literature Cited Davis, R. 2007. Briefs for the Files. Chat 71:131 138. Enders, F. 2006. Anhinga colony near Enfield and 1-95, very viewable http://www.virtualbirder.com/bmail/carolinabirds/200605/25/index.html Kearns, L. 2009. Anhinga anhinga. Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology. Accessed January 26, 2010 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Anhin ga_anhinga.html Lynch, J. M. 2006. White Oak Creek heronry/anhinga site: Update and wrapup http://www.virtualbirder.com/bmail/carolinabirds/200607/29/index.html Pearson, T. G. 1917. Birds of America. Garden City Books, Garden City, NY. Pearson, T. G., C. S. Brimley, and H. H. Brimley 1942. Birds of North Carolina. North Carolina Department of Agriculture, Bynum Printing Co., Raleigh, NC. Potter, E. F., J. F. Parnell, and R. P. Teulings 2006. Birds of the Carolinas. The University of North Carolina Press, Chapel Hill, NC. Price, J., S. Droege, and A. Price 1995. The Summer Atlas of North American Birds. Academic Press Inc., San Diego, CA. Fifty Years Ago in The Chat, continued from page 10 observers in Chapel Hill, NC, on 23 March 1960. It was conjectured that it had been “driven in this direction by the great blizzards that swept eastward across Texas earlier this month”. It was the first record for the state, except for an earlier bird that had been determined to be an escaped captive. Four Bullock’s Orioles, an adult male, a female, and two immature males, were seen by “scores” of observers during the winter of 1959-1960 in Morehead City, NC. This was thought to be the first record for the state. A flock of Red Crossbills seen in Greensboro on 16 Jan 1960 was thought to be the first observation of the species in the state since 1953. There were several reports of Common Redpolls in NC, including four near Bodie Island lighthouse. SC’s first specimen of Common Redpoll “was obtained when a single bird was crushed by a truck operating on Bull’s Island”. The only previous record for SC was a sight record in 1901. An “Oregon” Junco was collected in Zebulon, NC. The complete membership directory of the Carolina Bird Club was published in this issue. It showed a total of 1210 members, a substantially larger number than today’s membership. — Kent Fiala BRIEFS FOR THE FILES Josh Southern 4100-A Reavis Rd Raleigh, NC 27606 joshsouthem79@gmail.com (All dates Fall 2009, 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 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) 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-identijy 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. Black-bellied Whistling-Duck: Birds that are part of the wild, breeding population in Florida often wander into southern South Carolina. In Jasper County, seven were seen at the Savannah Spoil Site, 3 1 Aug (Steve Calver) and 30+ were counted in a water-lily-covered pond off SC- 17, 2 Oct (Dennis Forsythe). 16 The Chat, Vol. 74, No. 1, Winter 2010 17 Snow Goose: Exceptionally early was an individual seen with a flock of Canada Geese around Eagle Springs, NC, 28 Aug (Michael McCloy) and 10 Sept (Jeff Beane, Todd Pusser). Somewhat early were three found at Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge (NWR), NC, 3 Oct (Bob Holmes, Rich Boyd, Wade Fuller). Ross’s Goose: Typically, a few of these small, rare geese are found in our region each winter, usually amidst flocks of more common geese. This November, one was photographed with a flock of Canada Geese in Surfside, SC, 3-4 Nov (Phil Turner, Jerry Kerschner, et al.) and two were found amidst a flock of Snow Geese at the Pungo Unit of Pocosin Lakes NWR, NC, 29 Nov (Ricky Davis). Brant: This species is becoming more regular at Oregon Inlet, NC, where up to ten were seen from 2 1 Nov (Alan Kneidel) through the end of the period (multiple observers). Cackling Goose: This small, former subspecies of Canada Goose was reported only once this period — an individual amongst a flock of Snow Geese at the Pungo Unit of Pocosin Lakes NWR, NC, 29 Nov (Ricky Davis). Mute Swan: Thought by the observers to be of wild origin were the (up to) three birds at the Savannah Spoil Site, Jasper Co, SC, 7 Aug- 13 Oct (Steve Calver, Ellie Covington). Eurasian Wigeon: A drake photographed at Pea Island NWR, NC, 19 Sept (Jeff Lewis) was not only early, but also still in basic plumage, a molt not expected in our region. Two drakes were seen at Mattamuskeet NWR, NC, 25 Oct (Ricky Davis), with at least one continuing through 22 Nov (Alan Kneidel). An individual found on Kerr Lake, NC, 3 Nov, provided the first record of the species for that reservoir (Adam D’Onofrio, fide Brian Bockhahn). A drake found on the Bodie Island, NC, Lighthouse Pond during the Wings over Water Festival (WOW) in early Nov, continued into winter (Kent Fiala, multiple observers). A drake, presumably the same bird seen there last winter, returned to Lilliput Pond in New Bern, NC, for the second winter in a row, 19 Nov (Al Gamache). Common Eider: Possibly an indicator of a potential influx of this rare winter visitor into our region was the season’s first sighting, that of an ADULT male, seen flying S over the ocean from Pea Island, NC, 6 Nov (Ricky Davis). Other sightings included two juveniles off S Bald Head Island, NC, 6 Nov (Maureen Dewire); five off Nags Head, NC, 14 Nov (Alan Kneidel); up to two females at Oregon Inlet, NC, 14 Nov into winter (Kneidel); two near the jetty at Huntington Beach SP, SC, 26 Nov (Ritch Lilly); and one at Shallotte Inlet, Brunswick Co, NC, 28 Nov (Taylor Piephoff). White-winged Scoter: Three seen from Sandling Beach on Falls Lake, NC, during the “Big Sit”, 12 Oct (Brian Bockhahn, et al.) provided the only inland report. Black Scoter: A lone female was found at the inland location of Lake Brandt in Greensboro, NC, 17 Nov (Henry Link, George Wheaton). 18 Briefs for the Files — Fall 2009 Common Eider, 28 Nov 2009, Shallotte Inlet in Brunswick County, North Carolina. Photo by Taylor Piephoff. Long-tailed Duck: Inland, a female was seen from Ebenezer Point on Jordan Lake, NC, 29 Nov (Robert Meehan, Steve Shultz, Scott Winton). Interestingly, a female was seen from the same location around the same time last year. Red-breasted Merganser: Four were seen 1 Aug at Huntington Beach SP, SC, where, apparently, they had been present throughout the summer (Stephen Thomas). The 30 seen on Lake Julian in Skyland, NC, 18 Nov (Wayne Forsythe) provided a good count for that mountain location. Common Loon: Apparently summering were individuals on Falls Lake, NC, throughout the period, originally discovered 30 June (Matt Daw, Randy Emmitt, Ali Iyoob) and on the S end of Lake Norman, NC, 15 Aug, where, according to a local resident, the bird had been present for 3-4 weeks (Jeff Lemons). The 152 seen on Lake Julian in Skyland, NC, 15 Oct (Wayne Forsythe), provided an unusually high count for the mountain region. Eared Grebe: An individual returned to the Savannah Spoil Site, Jasper Co, SC, 18 Sept, and four were present 29 Sept into winter (Steve Calver). One returned to the Water Treatment Plant (WTP) in Goldsboro, NC, 19 Sept The Chat, Vol. 74, No. 1, Winter 2010 19 (Eric Dean). One was seen on Falls Lake, NC, from the US-50 boat launch, 2 Oct (Brian Bockhahn). Cory’s Shearwater: A fantastic count of 400+ was had on a pelagic trip out of Hatteras, NC, 21 Aug (Brian Patteson, et al.). White-faced Storm-Petrel: One was briefly seen during a pelagic trip out of Hatteras, NC, 17 Aug (Brian Patteson). White-tailed Tropicbird: An adult with a full tail streamer was seen at close range during a fishing charter out of Hatteras, NC, 6 Sept (Brian Patteson). American White Pelican: This species, which seems to be increasing in our region, apparently summered at Mattamuskeet NWR, NC, where up to eight were seen throughout the period (Ricky Davis, Alan Kneidel). Arriving at the Savannah Spoil Site, Jasper Co, SC, in mid-July, numbers of this species grew to 174 by 12 Nov (Steve Calver). Eight to ten had arrived at Pea Island NWR, NC, by 23 Oct (Jeff Lewis), with the number growing to 30 by 25 Nov (Linda Ward). A flock of 20 was seen circling over Morehead City, NC, 26 Oct (Ron White, fide John Fussell). 40 were seen on Langley Pond in Langley, SC, 6-11 Nov (Gary Dexter, Lois Stacey, Dennis Forsythe, et al.). Nineteen were found on a small island just off Atlantic, NC, 27 Nov (Sean Williams). Anhinga: Unusually far inland were the two seen at Cowan’s Ford Wildlife Refuge, Mecklenburg Co, NC, 19-21 Sept (John Scavetto, John Buckman). Somewhat late were individuals at Lake Mattamuskeet NWR, NC, 4 Nov (Brian Bockhahn) and on a pond at St Andrews Presbyterian College in Laurinburg, NC, 15 Nov (Mark Gretch). Magnificent Frigatebird: A juvenile was observed soaring 100-150 yards off Edisto Beach, SC, 9 Oct (Jason Giovannone), providing the season’s only report of this tropical wanderer. American Bittern: Notable for their inland location were individuals at Jackson Park in Hendersonville, NC, 25 and 27 Sept (John Lindfors); in a wetland in Harnett Co, NC, 21 Oct (Alan Kneidel); and at Lake Conestee Nature Park in Columbia, SC, 14-19 Nov (Shelby Birch, Jeff Catlin, fide Paul Serridge). Great Egret: Notable high counts of this common species included 731 at the Savannah Spoil Site, Jasper Co, SC, 18 Sept (Steve Calver) and 250 at the N end of Falls Lake, NC, 2 Oct (Brian Bockhahn). Little Blue Heron: Some of the farther inland sightings included three in the Yanceyville Marsh in N Greensboro, NC, 1 Aug (Dennis Burnette); 20 juveniles on the New Hope Creek mudflats of Jordan Lake, NC, 22 Aug (Tom Driscoll, et al.); and one juvenile along the Catawba River at Riverbend Park in Conover, NC, 3 1 Aug (Dwayne Martin). Tricolored Heron: Ten found on the New Hope Creek mudflats of Jordan Lake, NC, 22 Aug (Tom Driscoll, et al.) provided a great count for a location so far inland. Reddish Egret: Post-breeding wanderers included two at Huntington Beach SP, SC, 1 Aug (Stephen Thomas), with one remaining 7 Nov (Ritch Lilly) 20 Briefs for the Files — Fall 2009 (see cover photo); a juvenile at Pea Island NWR, NC, 2-17 Aug (Jeff Lewis, David Abbott); a juvenile on the N end of Portsmouth Island, NC, 18 Aug (Abbott); two juveniles in the E inlet of Sunset Beach, NC, 30 Aug (Ricky Davis); a juvenile at the S end of Litchfield Beach, SC, 31 Aug (Paul Serridge); seven at the Savannah Spoil Site, Jasper Co, SC, 9 Sept (Steve Calver); two on the E end of Shackleford Banks, NC, 20 Sept (John Fussell, et al.); and at least one at the Rachel Carson Preserve, just S of Beaufort, NC, throughout the period (Clyde Adkins, Paula Gillikin, et al .,fide Fussell). White Ibis: In the mountains, where this species is rare, juveniles were seen at Highlands Falls Country Club in Macon Co, NC, 2-4 Aug (Brock & Patty Hutchins) and in the Jonathan Creek area of Haywood Co, NC, 5-7 Aug (Joanne Strop, Ann Putnam, fide Paul Super). The relative dates and locations of these two sightings suggest that both sightings involved the same bird. Also locally unusual were two juveniles photographed at Pee Dee NWR, NC, 29 Aug (Michael McCloy, Cassie Willis). Glossy Ibis: An individual was found on Falls Lake, NC, 18 Aug (Dave Lenat), providing the farthest inland report. Roseate Spoonbill: Continuing from post-breeding dispersal in late summer, unprecedented numbers of this species were found in our region. Present throughout the period at the Savannah Spoil Site, Jasper Co, SC, and Huntington Beach SP, SC, high counts reached 372 on 9 Sept (Steve Calver) and 11 on 10 Sept (Jerry Kerschner), respectively. Up to four were present around Twin Lakes in Sunset Beach, NC, in September (Greg Massey, Mary McDavit, et al.). Three at Pea Island NWR, NC, 16 Sept (Jay Ross, fide Jeff Lewis), with two continuing until 20 Oct (Linda Ward), provided the most northern report for the Carolinas. Farthest inland was an individual at Riverbend Park in Conover, NC, 11-12 Aug (Monroe Panned, Dwayne Martin), providing the state’s second record of this species outside the coastal plain. Roseate Spoonbills, 14 Oct 2009, Huntington Beach SP, SC. Photo by Jerry Kerschner. The Chat, Vol. 74, No. 1, Winter 2010 21 Wood Stork: Sightings of post-breeding wanderers included a first-year bird photographed at a pond in S Person Co, NC, 12 Aug (David Cox, fide Harry LeGrand); a kettle of about 40 birds over US-74 near Lumber River SP in Robeson Co, NC, 22 Aug (Ed Corey, David Cooper); 26, including adults and juveniles, in Boykin, SC, 28 Aug (Lex Glover); 36, including adults and juveniles, at Congaree NP, SC, 9 Sept (Lex Glover, Curtis Walker); and two juveniles at Pee Dee NWR, NC, 10 Sept (fide Susan Campbell), a first for the refuge. High counts at traditional sites were 105 around Twin Lakes in Sunset Beach, NC, 26 Aug (Mary McDavit); about 200 at Huntington Beach SP, SC, 26-30 Aug (Phil Turner, Paul Serridge, et al.); and 414 at the Savannah Spoil Site, Jasper Co, SC, 9 Sept (Steve Calver). Northern Harrier: The summering individual continued on Bodie Island, NC, 2 Aug (Jeff Lewis). Early to arrive were the individuals seen at the Savannah Spoil Site, Jasper Co, SC, 7 Aug (Steve Calver) and at the N end of Falls Lake, NC, 23 Aug (Matt Daw). Broad-winged Hawk: Locally unusual were the two seen at the Savannah Spoil Site, Jasper Co, SC, 21 Aug (Steve Calver). “Krider’s” Red-tailed Hawk: This pale morph was photographed at the Savannah Spoil Site, Jasper Co, SC, 23 Nov (Steve Calver). Merlin: There was a definite migratory movement of this species through the NC mountains in late September, with sightings of two at Carver’s Gap on Roan Mountain, NC, 23 Sept (Rick Knight); one at Hooper Lane, Henderson Co, NC, 23 Sept (Wayne Forsythe, Bob Olthoff); a juvenile along the Blue Ridge Parkway (BRP) in Haywood Co, NC, 24 Sept (Chris Kelly); one in Weaverville, NC, 29 Sept (Steve Semanchuk); and one at the Ridge Junction Overlook along the BRP, 3 Oct (Ricky Davis). Seven at Cape Lookout, NC, 20 Sept (John Fussell, et al.) provided a good one-day count. Black Rail: One was seen at very close range in the impoundments on Bear Island, Charleston Co, SC, 3 1 Oct (Michael Bernard). King Rail: Locally unusual was one found at Lake Phelps, NC, 24 Nov (Brian Bockhahn, Ali Iyoob, et al.). Sora: Six found in flooded fields along Hooper Lane in Henderson Co, NC, 21 Sept (Wayne Forsythe), provided a good count for the mountain region. Purple Gallinule: Good counts were had at the Savannah NWR, SC, with 16 adults and “as many” chicks, 7 Aug (Cherrie Sneed) and 40, including adults, juveniles, and chicks, 1 Sept (Brenda Brannen, Sandy Beasley). Common Moorhen: Locally unusual was one found at Lake Crabtree, Wake Co, NC, 16 Aug (Ali Iyoob). Sandhill Crane: One photographed in a cornfield about 15 miles N of Rockingham, NC, 23 Sept (Mitch Binnarr) and four seen flying E-SE over SE Asheville, NC, 29 Nov (Chris Kelly) were the only cranes mentioned this fall. Black-bellied Plover: Inland reports of this species included one on the mudflats at the upper end of Falls Lake, NC, 18 Aug (Ali Iyoob, Matt Daw) through 1 Sept (Dave Lenat); one on the mudflats in the New Hope area of Jordan Lake, NC, 8-21 Sept (Alan Kneidel, Doug Shadwick, Mark 22 Briefs for the Files — Fall 2009 Kosiewski); five in the fields along Hooper Lane in Henderson Co, NC, 31 Aug (Wayne Forsythe, Ron Selvey); one, quite late, at the same location, 1 1 Nov (Wayne Forsythe); and one, also quite late, at the Super-Sod farm in Orangeburg, SC, 12 Nov (Jeff Lemons). The 875 seen at Mattamuskeet NWR, NC, 25 Oct (Ricky Davis) provided an excellent count for that somewhat inland location. American Golden-Plover: Some of the better counts of this fall migrant included nine at the sod farm in Creswell, NC, 6 Sept (Ricky Davis); two at the sod farm in Turbeville, SC, 6 Sept (Lex Glover); 59 (!) in heavily flooded fields along Hooper Lane in Henderson Co, NC, 21 Sept (Wayne Forsythe); five on the New Hope Creek mudflats at Jordan Lake, NC, 17 Oct (Steve Shultz); and ten at Mattamuskeet NWR, NC, 25 Oct (Davis). Also found were individuals at the upper end of Falls Lake, NC, 1 Sept (Dave Lenat); at a sod farm in New Bern, NC, 4 Sept (A1 Gamache); at the NPS campground in Buxton, NC, 8 Sept (Brian Patteson); at Pea Island NWR, NC, 30 Sept (Jeff Lewis); and at the Savannah Spoil Site, Jasper Co, SC, 30 Oct (Steve Calver, Ellie Covington). Three found on a sandbar just W of Pivers Island, near Beaufort, NC, 7 Aug (Ross McGregor) were somewhat early, while two found on Pelican Island, just W of Oregon Inlet, NC, 7 Nov (Brian Bockhahn, Lewis, et al.) were somewhat late. Snowy Plover: An individual in non-breeding plumage was discovered at the S point of Ocracoke Island, NC, 15 Sept (Sidney Maddock, fide Jeff Lewis). Interestingly, Maddock found a Snowy Plover at the same location on 17 Sept 2009! Semipalmated Plover: Notable inland reports were of three along Jeffress Rd in Hendersonville, NC, 31 Aug (Wayne Forsythe, Ron Selvey); 50+ at the upper end of Falls Lake, NC, 1 Sept (Dave Lenat); and 13 at Jordan Lake, NC, 1 9 Sept (fide Will Cook). Piping Plover: Some of the higher counts of this threatened species were 117 at the N end of Portsmouth Island, NC, 18 Aug (David Abbott); 13 on Bear Island at Hammocks Beach SP, NC, 3 Sept (Al Gamache); 14 on Kiawah Island, SC, 25 Oct (Carl Miller); and 16, including six color-banded birds from the endangered Great Lakes population, on the S end of Topsail Island and N end of Lea/Hutaff Island, Pender Co, NC, 8 Nov (Gilbert Grant). Black-necked Stilt: Seven at Mattamuskeet NWR, NC, 8 and 16 Aug (Ricky Davis) were unusual for that inland location. The 173 seen at the W end of the Georgetown Impoundments in Georgetown Co, SC, 23 Aug (David Abbott) were a good count. American Avocet: Inland sightings of this species are rare, and thus of interest were the reports of one at the upper end Falls Lake, NC, 13 Aug (Dave Lenat) through 29 Aug (Ricky Davis); one along the Catawba River at Riverbend Park in Conover, NC, 22 Aug (Monroe Panned, fide Dwayne Martin); and four, photographed, at Archie Elledge WTP in Winston-Salem, NC, 8 Sept (Phil Dickinson). Coastal region high counts included 123 at The Chat, Vol. 74, No. 1, Winter 2010 23 Mattamuskeet NWR, NC, 25 Oct (Ricky Davis) and 1014 at the Savannah Spoil Site, Jasper Co, SC, 30 Oct (Steve Calver, Ellie Covington). American Avocets, 8 Sept 2009, Archie Elledge WTP, Winston-Salem, NC. Photo by Phil Dickinson. Spotted Sandpiper: One found near the dam on Falls Lake, NC, 3-4 Nov (Matt Daw, Ali Iyoob) was somewhat late for that inland location. Willet: The farthest inland Willet sighting made this fall was of one in the Seaforth area of Jordan Lake, NC, 13 Aug (Ginger Travis). Upland Sandpiper: The best counts of this migrant “grasspiper” were six at the Super-Sod farm in Orangeburg, SC, 17 Aug (Jeff Lemons); eight at the same location 23 Aug (Michael McCloy, et al.); 13 at the American Turf Co. sod farm in Creswell, NC, 27-29 Aug (John Register, Jeff Lewis); and four at the sod farm in Turbeville, SC, 29 Aug (Lex Glover, David Dobson). Individuals were also found at North River Farms in Carteret Co, NC, 2 and 23 Aug (John Fussell, et al.) and in a field in Townville, SC, 14 Aug (Jeff O’Connell, Anne Baker). Whimbrel: The only inland reports of this species came from Mattamuskeet NWR, NC, where one was seen 8 Aug (Ricky Davis) and 30 Aug (John Haire) and two were seen 25 Oct (Davis). Along the coast, some of the better concentrations were 12 on Shackleford Banks, NC, 7 Aug (Ross McGregor); 28+ on the mudflats along Folly Rd in Charleston, SC, 9 Aug (Chris Snook); and 16 feeding in rain puddles at the airport in Beaufort, NC, 8 Sept (Rich & Susan Boyd). Long-billed Curlew: One found amongst a flock of Marbled Godwits on the N end of Portsmouth Island, NC, 18 Aug (David Abbott) provided the period’s only report. 24 Briefs for the Files — Fall 2009 Hudsonian Godwit: An individual was seen at Mattamuskeet NWR, NC, 1 Aug (Jeff Lewis) through 20 Sept (Ricky Davis), and two were at the same location 25 Oct (Davis). Fifteen (!) were seen “feeding in a deep rain pool across from the Hatteras Island KOA” campground in Rodanthe, NC, 8 Sept (Brian Patteson), providing the highest count of this species in several years. Interestingly, none were reported from Pea Island NWR, NC, this fall. Marbled Godwit: The only inland sightings of this species were made at Mattamuskeet NWR, NC, where three were seen 8 Aug and 20 Sept (Ricky Davis), and 2 1 were present by 25 Oct (Davis). Ruddy Turnstone: Inland sightings were made of a breeding-plumaged male at the upper end of Falls Lake, NC, 12 Aug (Brian Bockhahn) through 22 Aug (Ali Iyoob); an individual on the upper end flats of Roanoke Rapids Lake, NC, 17 Oct (Ricky Davis); and three at Mattamuskeet NWR, NC, 25 Oct (Davis). Red Knot: This sandpiper is very rarely found away from the immediate coast, and thus of interest were sightings of one at a sod farm in New Bern, NC, 13 Aug (Bob Holmes); “three to four” at Mattamuskeet NWR, NC, 30 Aug (Audrey Whitlock, John Haire); eight at the same location, 20 Sept (Ricky Davis); and 15 there on 25 Oct (Davis). Sanderling: Inland sightings included two at the upper end of Falls Lake, NC, 25 Aug (Dave Lenat) through 13 Sept (Gordon Brown, Steve Dinsmore); one at the Super-Sod farm in Orangeburg, SC, 30 Aug (Paul Serridge); one along Hooper Lane in Henderson Co, NC, 31 Aug (Wayne Forsythe); and nine on the New Hope Creek mudflats at Jordan Lake, NC, 12 Sept (Bruce Young, et al.). White-rumped Sandpiper: Some of the better counts of this uncommon peep were nine at the upper end of Falls Lake, NC, 25 Aug (Dave Lenat); two in the fields along Hooper Lane in Henderson Co, NC, 31 Aug (John Lindfors); two at Jordan Lake, NC, 18 Sept (Lenat); and 17 at Mattamuskeet NWR, NC, 25 Oct (Ricky Davis). Baird’s Sandpiper: In the Carolinas, this rare migrant sandpiper is almost exclusively found only during fall migration. This year’s reports were of three, “well-seen... at rest and in flight”, at Pea Island NWR, NC, 17 Aug (David Abbott); up to four at the Super-Sod farm in Orangeburg, SC, 30 Aug (Paul Serridge, John Buckman, et al.); one at the Tar River Reservoir, Nash Co, NC, 5 Sept (Ricky Davis); one at Falls Lake, NC, 13 Sept (Gordon Brown, Steve Dinsmore); two at Mattamuskeet NWR, NC, 20 Sept (Ricky The Chat, Vol. 74, No. 1, Winter 2010 25 Davis); and three along Hooper Lane in Henderson Co, NC, 1 Sept (Wayne Forsythe). Sharp-tailed Sandpiper: A report of a Sharp-tailed Sandpiper at a sod farm in Craven Co, NC, 31 Aug (Bob Holmes), has been submitted to the NC Bird Records Committee. If accepted, this sighting will provide the first documented sighting of this species for North Carolina. Dunlin: Inland reports included three in the fields off Hooper Lane in Henderson Co, NC, 14-15 Oct (Wayne Forsythe, Ron Selvey) with one remaining 1 1 Nov; six on the New Hope Creek mudflats at Jordan Lake, NC, 14 Oct (Jacob Socolar); and 19 on the mudflats at Lake Townsend, NC, 28 Oct (Henry & Elizabeth Link). An extraordinary count of 3800 was made at Mattamuskeet, NC, 25 Oct (Ricky Davis). Curlew Sandpiper: An adult female was found on the beach on the E side of Portsmouth Island, NC, 1 8 Aug (David Abbott) providing the first report of this rare Eurasian stray in over two years. Stilt Sandpiper: Impressive numbers were had at Mattamuskeet NWR, NC, where 420 were seen 8 Aug and 340 were seen 25 Oct (Ricky Davis); on the New Hope Creek mudflats of Jordan Lake, NC, where 75+ were seen 13 Sept (Steve Shultz); and at the Savannah Spoil Site, Jasper Co, SC, where 200 were counted 23 Nov (Steve Calver). Buff-breasted Sandpiper: The best counts of this grass/mud-piper were 14 at the American Turf Co. sod farm in Creswell, NC, 12 Sept (Allen Bryan); two at the sod farm in Turbeville, SC, 29 Aug (Lex Glover, David Dobson); five along Hooper Lane in Henderson Co, NC, 31 Aug (Wayne Forsythe, Ron Selvey); three at the upper end of Falls Lake, NC, 6 Sept (Mark Kosiewski); and four on the New Hope Creek mudflats of Jordan Lake, NC, 12-14 Sept (Bruce Young, Mark Kosiewski, et al.). Individuals were also found at Mattamuskeet NWR, NC, 8 and 16 Aug (Ricky Davis) and again 27 Aug (Ali Iyoob, Dave Lenat); at a sod farm in New Bern, NC, 31 Aug-1 Sept (Bob Holmes, Al Gamache); on S Topsail Beach, NC, 9 Sept (Angela Mangiameli); at the Super-Sod farm in Orangeburg, SC, 13 Sept (Paul Serridge); near Ashley High School in Wilmington, NC, 24 Sept (John Ennis); and in Sunset Beach, NC, 2 Oct (Ennis). Ruff: This rare Eurasian stray was reported twice in the Carolinas this fall. A sub-adult was photographed at Mattamuskeet NWR, NC, 27 Aug (Ali Iyoob, Dave Lenat) and remained for only a day, as it was last seen 28 Aug (Al Gamache). One in non-breeding plumage was found on the Morgan Creek Baird’s Sandpiper, 1 Sept 2009, Henderson Co, NC. Photo by Wayne Forsythe. 26 Briefs for the Files — Fall 2009 mudflats of Jordan Lake, NC, during the Chatham Co Fall Bird Count (FBC), 19 Sept (Doug Shadwick, Scott Winton ,fide Will Cook), but was not subsequently relocated. Wilson’s Phalarope: This rare but regular fall migrant was found at Mattamuskeet NWR, NC, 8 Aug and 20 Sept (Ricky Davis); on the New Hope Creek mudflats of Jordan Lake, NC, during the Chatham Co FBC, 19 Sept (Doug Shadwick, fide Will Cook); and at the Savannah Spoil Site, Jasper Co, SC, where two were seen 7 Aug, an amazing count of 12 (!) was made 31 Aug, and one was seen 30 Oct (Steve Calver). Red-necked Phalarope: Rarely found inland, a Red-necked Phalarope was photographed at the Archie Elledge WTP in Winston-Salem, NC, 24 Aug (John Haire, Carol Cunningham). Black-headed Gull: Three of these rare Eurasian vagrants were found in the Carolinas this fall — one in Sanderling, NC, 29 Oct (Ben Watkins, fide Jeff Lewis); one photographed at the Savannah Spoil Site, Jasper Co, SC, 12 Nov (Steve Calver, Ellie Covington); and an adult near the causeway at Mattamuskeet NWR, NC, 29 Nov (Ricky Davis). Laughing Gull: Locally unusual was a flock of five birds on Falls Lake, NC, 12 Oct (Brian Bockhahn); at the same location 29 Oct (Ricky Davis); and on Lake Crabtree in Morrisville, NC, 18 Nov (Steve Shultz). One could assume that the same five birds accounted for all three sightings. Buff-breasted Sandpiper, 2 Oct 2009, Sunset Beach, NC. Photo by John Ennis. The Chat, Vol. 74, No. 1, Winter 2010 27 Franklin’s Gull: An adult found at Mattamuskeet NWR, NC, at the S end of the causeway, 25 Oct (Ricky Davis) was the fall’s only report of this gull from the Great Plains. Herring Gull: Four were “forced down in bad weather” to the WTP in Henderson Co, NC, 18 Nov (Wayne Forsythe, Vin Stanton), providing a rare mountain report of this species. Red-necked Phalarope, 24 Aug 2009, Archie Elledge WTP, Winston-Salem, NC. Photo by John Haire. Gull-billed Tern: A large congregation of 102 birds, including a disturbingly low ratio of juveniles, only four, was noted at Davis Impoundment in. Carteret Co, NC, 9 Aug (John Fussell, et al.). Caspian Tern: Some of the more notable counts of this species included 145 at the W end of the Georgetown Impoundments in Georgetown Co, SC, 23 Aug (David Abbott); 212 at the Savannah Spoil Site in Jasper Co, SC, 18 Sept (Steve Calver); and 275 at Mattamuskeet NWR, NC, 25 Oct (Ricky Davis). Black Tern: Noteworthy were the inland counts of 12 at Lake Julian in Skyland, NC, 19 Aug (Simon Thompson, Tom Joyce); 44 near the dam on Falls Lake, NC, 23 Aug (Matt Daw); and 15 at the N end of Jordan Lake, NC, 8 Sept (Alan Kneidel). Coastal high counts included 510 flying S over the surf in Kitty Hawk, NC, 19 Aug (David Abbott) and 70+ over the ocean off Fort Macon in Atlantic Beach, NC, 22 Aug (Dave Lenat). 28 Briefs for the Files — Fall 2009 Roseate Tern: Two adults were “well-studied” as they flew S over the surf in Kitty Hawk, NC, 16 Aug (David Abbott), providing the fall’s only report. Common Tern: One was seen perched on a buoy on Lake Julian in Skyland, NC, 15 Oct (Wayne Forsythe, Ron Selvey), providing a rare mountain report of this species. Black Skimmer: One seen at Mattamuskeet NWR, NC, 8 Aug (Ricky Davis) was the farthest inland skimmer reported this fall. Parasitic Jaeger: Two were reported this fall — a juvenile off Wrightsville Beach, NC, 30 Oct (Dean Edwards) and an adult flying S off Pea Island, NC, 5 Nov (Ricky Davis). White-winged Dove: This stray from the southwestern US was seen perched on a telephone wire near the British Cemetery in Ocracoke, NC, 18 Aug (David Abbott) and visiting a feeder in Goldsboro, NC, 9-13 Nov (Mark Simpson, Eric Dean). Black-billed Cuckoo: Individuals were found at Crabtree Meadows, NC, off the BRP, 8 Aug (Taylor Piephoff); in a yard in Watauga Co, NC, 9 Aug (Merrill Lynch); at Bethabara Park in Winston-Salem, NC, 2 Sept (Phil Dickinson); along the BRP at Hefner Gap, NC, 8 Sept (William Haddad, et al.); at Jackson Park in Hendersonville, NC, 14-19 Sept (Wayne Forsythe, Jon Smith); in a yard in Weaverville, NC, 23-25 Sept (Steve Semanchuk); at 17 Acre Woods in Durham, NC, 1 Oct (Robert Meehan); along the BRP at the Ridge Junction Overlook, NC, 3 Oct (Ricky Davis); and at Riverbend Park in Conover, NC, 3 Oct (John Buckman, Ron Clark, et al.). Short-eared Owl: One was well observed hunting over a field at dusk on Hooper Bald in Graham Co, NC, 1 Nov (Tom Howe, fide Dean Edwards). Sightings of this species in the NC mountains are quite rare. Chuck-will’s-widow: One photographed while roosting in a tree at Jackson Park in Hendersonville, NC, 1 Sept (Wayne Forsythe, Ron Selvey) was unusual for the mountain location. Chimney Swift: Two were seen in Rocky Mount, NC, on the very late date of 15 Nov (Ricky Davis). Black-chinned Hummingbird: A juvenile male visited a feeder on James Island, SC, 31 Oct through the end of the period, where it was also banded (John Weinstein). Calliope Hummingbird: An adult male visited a feeder in Seven Lakes, NC, 17-21 Nov (Dick & Lois Dole, fide Susan Campbell) and was photographed. Rufous Hummingbird: The fall’s reports were of a male in Carolina Shores, NC, 2 Aug, returning for the sixth season in a row (Jo O’Keefe, /L/e Susan Campbell); a female at a feeder in North Wilkesboro, NC, 31 Aug (Ary Bottoms); one at a feeder in Myrtle Beach, SC, 6 Sept (Phil Turner); a female near the dam on Falls Lake, NC, 8 Sept (Matt Daw, Ali Iyoob); and a first-year male in Southern Pines, NC, 16 Nov (Wayne & Fran Irvin). Olive-sided Flycatcher: This rare migrant was seen hawking insects from an exposed perch along the BRP, just N of Crabtree Meadows, NC, 8 Aug The Chat, Vol. 74, No. 1, Winter 2010 29 (Jon Smith); heard in a yard in Zebulon, NC, 10 Aug (Harry Wilson); and seen in a yard in Black Mountain, NC, 17 Sept (Stu Gibeau). Yellow-bellied Flycatcher: Reports of this rare transient Empidonax included one captured in a mist-net and banded at Weymouth Woods in Southern Pines, NC, 9 Sept, providing a second record of this species for the park (Susan Campbell, Michael McCloy); two seen at Jackson Park in Hendersonville, NC, 12 Sept (Wayne Forsythe, Ron Selvey, Peggy Franklin); one well-studied along the Bethabara Greenway in Winston- Salem, NC, 14 Sept (John Haire); one seen and heard calling at Riverbend Park in Conover, NC, 21 Sept (Dwayne Martin), providing the first park record; one seen and heard at Ribbonwalk Nature Preserve in Mecklenburg Co, NC, 21 Sept (Tom Sanders); and one seen and heard calling at Hickory Top Waterfowl Management Area in Clarendon Co, SC, 26 Sept (Lex Glover, David Dobson). Alder Flycatcher: One was captured in a mist-net, banded, and identified in-hand, at the Light House Creek Heritage Preserve in Charleston Co, SC, in mid-Sept (Chris Snook). If accepted by the Bird Records Committee, this will provide the state with its first and long overdue record of this species. Ash-throated Flycatcher: One was found at North River Farms in Carteret Co, NC, 1 Nov (Jack Fennell, John Fussell). Western Kingbird: A few of these birds are found along the coast each fall. This year, one was seen near the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse in Buxton, NC, where it was photographed 30 Sept {fide Nathan Swick); one at the Savannah Spoil Site, Jasper Co, SC, where it was photographed 13 Oct (Steve Calver, Ellie Covington); and one at Fort Raleigh in Manteo, NC, during a WOW field trip, 6-7 Nov (Jeff Lewis), also photographed. Loggerhead Shrike: Locally unusual was an individual seen along a busy roadway in Brevard, NC, 15 Sept (Tom Joyce). Philadelphia Vireo: In the Carolinas, this uncommon migrant is much more often found in fall than in spring. This year, individuals were found in Buxton Woods, Buxton, NC, 12 Sept (Ricky Davis); near the dam on Falls Lake, NC, 21-29 Sept and 8 Oct (Matt Daw, Ali Iyoob); at the Big Bald banding station in Yancey Co, NC, 25 Sept (Chris Kelly); at Jackson Park in Hendersonville, NC, 27 Sept (John Lindfors); at Bethabara Park in Winston- Salem, NC, 30 Sept (Ron Morris); at Latta Park in Charlotte, NC, 1 Oct (Tom Sanders, et al.); at Owen Park in Swannanoa, NC, 3 Oct (Ricky Western Kingbird, 6 Nov 2009, Fort Raleigh, NC. Photo by Jeff Lewis. 30 Briefs for the Files — Fall 2009 Davis); along the BRP, N of Craggy Gardens, NC, 4 Oct (Ricky Davis); and at Jackson Park, 10 Oct (Ernie Hollingsworth). Fish Crow: Continuing their expansion into the western parts of our region, three Fish Crows were seen and heard calling near the airport in Asheville, NC, 13 Sept (Wayne Forsythe). Common Raven: Sightings of ravens away from the mountains included one just N of Greensboro, NC, 20 Sept (Dennis Burnette); one at Penny’s Bend Preserve, NE of Durham, NC, 25 Sept (Harry LeGrand); two in Winston-Salem, NC, 30 Sept (Ron Morris); two just N of Sanford, NC, 6 Oct (Parker Backstrom); one in downtown Raleigh, NC, 20 Oct (John Connors); and one near the dam on Falls Lake, NC, 19-20 Nov (Ali Iyoob, Matt Daw). Horned Lark: A peak count of 100 was made at North River Farms in Carteret Co, NC, 16 Aug (John Fussell, et ah), but, as typical, only a handful remained in Sept. Northern Rough-winged Swallow: Two were seen over East Lake in Sunset Beach, NC, on the very late date of 28 Nov (Taylor Piephoff). Cave Swallow: Reports of this rare vagrant, which is most often found in late fall, seemed to be down this year. Thirteen, the season’s high count, were seen foraging over the small pond next to the ferry terminal in Cedar Island, NC, 27 Nov (Sean Williams). At least one was seen over East Lake in Sunset Beach, NC, 28 Nov (Taylor Piephoff). An individual was found amongst a Tree Swallow flock over a catfish farm in Roper, NC, 29 Nov (Ricky Davis). Barn Swallow: Late to depart our region were four over the lighthouse pond on Bodie Island, NC, 14 Nov (Alan Kneidel); one over a catfish farm in Roper, NC, 29 Nov (Ricky Davis); and several over the pond next to the ferry terminal at Cedar Island, NC, 29 Nov (Harry Sell). Blue-gray Gnatcatcher: One was seen at Lake Conestee Nature Park in Greenville, SC, 16 Nov through the end of the period (Shelby Birch, Donnie Coody ,fide Paul Serridge). Gnatcatchers don’t often over- winter at a site so far from the coast. Golden-winged Warbler: Migrants found away from the mountains included a female, seen briefly, at Reynolda Gardens in Winston-Salem, NC, 1 Sept (Phil Dickinson); an adult male near the dam on Falls Lake, NC, 21- 25 Sept (Matt Daw, Ali Iyoob); one in the Bates Fork tract of Congaree NP, SC, 4 Oct (Gary Sowell, John Grego); and one in the primitive camping area of Huntington Beach SP, SC, 6 Oct (Ritch Lilly). Nashville Warbler: Migrants found away from the mountains included one at Sandling Beach on Falls Lake, NC, 16 Sept (Brian Bockhahn); one at Pea Island NWR, NC, 13 Sept, and two there 29 Sept (Jeff Lewis, et al.); one at Duke Forest in Durham, NC, 26 Sept (Nathan Swick); one at North River Farms in Carteret Co, NC, 30 Sept and 1 1 Oct (John Fussell, et al.); one at Fort Macon in Atlantic Beach, NC, 1 Oct (Fussell); and one near the dam on Falls Lake, NC, 7 Oct (Ali Iyoob). Five seen at Jackson Park in The Chat, Vol. 74, No. 1, Winter 2010 31 Hendersonville, NC, 30 Sept (Wayne Forsythe, Ron Selvey) provided a great one-day count of this species for our region. Northern Parula: Noteworthy for sheer volume was the half-day count of about 200 made around Mattamuskeet, NC, 20 Sept (Ricky Davis). Cerulean Warbler: Rarely found outside the mountains, a first-fall Cerulean was seen at Reynolda Gardens in Winston-Salem, NC, 25 Aug (John Haire). Northern Waterthrush: One found on the W side of Lake Phelps, NC, 24 Nov (Brian Bockhahn) was either a late migrant or possibly an over- wintering bird. Connecticut Warbler: Only one was reported this fall — an individual well- seen at Buxton Woods, Buxton, NC, 6 Oct (Henry & Elizabeth Link). Mourning Warbler: A female was found at Reynolda Gardens in Winston- Salem, NC, 27 Aug (Phil Dickinson). As is often the case with this species, subsequent attempts to locate this bird were unsuccessful. Wilson’s Warbler: Noteworthy sightings included a male near the dam on Falls Lake, NC, 5 Sept (Ali Iyoob); one in the Roanoke Gardens in Manteo, NC, 29 Sept (Jeff Lewis); a female near the dam on Falls Lake, NC, 7-12 Oct (Matt Daw, Ali Iyoob); and one at Huntington Beach SP, SC, 17 Oct (Ron Clark, et al.). Yellow-breasted Chat: Individuals found near the dam on Falls Lake, NC, 3 Nov (Matt Daw) and along Leggett Rd, just E of Rocky Mount, NC, 15 Nov (Ricky Davis) were somewhat late. Clay-colored Sparrow: A small number of these transients from the Great Plains visit our region each fall and winter. This fall, individuals were found at the NPS campground in Frisco, NC, 4 Oct (Brian Patteson); in Hatteras, NC, 6 and 8 Oct (Patteson); at the Savannah Spoil Site, Jasper Co, SC, 17 Oct (Steve Calver); in a private field in New Bern, NC, 17 Oct (Al Gamache); and one at Fort Fisher, NC, where it was photographed, 3 Nov (Amy Williamson). Vesper Sparrow: Six found at Dinkins Bottoms in E Yadkin Co, NC, 9 Nov (John Haire) provided a good count of this declining species. Two were seen at Sutton Lake in Wilmington, NC, where this species has now been seen for four winters in a row, 17 Nov (John Ennis). Lark Sparrow: Individuals were found at the NPS campground in Buxton, NC, 9 Sept (Jeff Lewis); at North River Farms in Carteret Co, NC, 30 Sept (John Fussell); and in Williamston, NC, 28 Nov (Ed Corey) Savannah Sparrow: Unusual for the mountain location was one found along the BRP at the Ridge Junction Overlook, NC, 3 Oct (Ricky Davis). Le Conte’s Sparrow: One found at the Beaverdam Lake spillway on Falls Lake, NC, 31 Oct (Brian Bockhahn) was a great find, especially for a site outside the coastal plain. Lincoln’s Sparrow: Sightings of this sparrow, which is rare in our region, were of one at Carver’s Gap on Roan Mountain, NC, 23 Sept (Rick Knight); three in the Camp Creek marshy area in Burke Co, NC, 4 Oct (Ricky Davis); one along the BRP near Moses Cone Park, NC, 4 Oct (Davis); one at North 32 Briefs for the Files — Fall 2009 River Farms in Carteret Co, NC, 25 Oct (John Fussell, et al.); one along Gaston Dam Rd in Halifax Co, NC, 17 Oct (Davis); and one on the W side of Lake Phelps, NC, 25 Nov (Brian Bockhahn, Matt Daw, et al.). Lapland Longspur: Ricky Davis found the only longspurs this fall— one at the N end of Pea Island, NC, 7 Nov; and two amidst a large flock of Horned Larks in a field along Shields Rd in NE Halifax Co, NC, 15 Nov. Summer Tanager: An individual found at Fort Raleigh in Manteo, NC, during a WOW field trip, 7-8 Nov (Jeff Lewis, et al.) was quite late. Rose-breasted Grosbeak: Somewhat late were individuals seen at feeders in Manteo, NC, 2-5 Nov (Jeff Lewis); in Beaufort, SC, 8 Nov (Buddy Campbell); and in Winston-Salem, NC, 23 Nov (Jeremy Reiskind, fide Phil Dickinson). A great count of 86 Rose-breasted Grosbeaks was made at Carver’s Gap on Roan Mountain, NC, 23 Sept (Rick Knight). Indigo Bunting: An individual found at the N end of Pea Island, NC, 5 Nov (Ricky Davis) was somewhat late. Painted Bunting: Lingering “green birds” were found in a yard in Southern Shores, NC, 1 Nov {fide Jeff Lewis) and at Alligator River NWR, NC, 4 Nov (Derb Carter, Ricky Davis). Both these sites are north of the species’ typical range. Dickcissel: At least ten birds continued from the summer at North River Farms in Carteret Co, NC, through August (John Fussell, et al.). Bobolink: A huge flock of 3000 Bobolinks was seen at North River Farms in Carteret Co, NC, 6 Sept (Ross McGregor, et al.). Yellow-headed Blackbird: An adult male photographed at a feeder in Morehead City, NC, 8 Sept (Jeff Mayo, fide John Fussell) was the state’s only fall report. Brewer’s Blackbird: A flock of an unspecified number was found at the same location where this species was found last winter, in a cow pasture in Townville, SC, 25 Nov (Linda Kolb). Purple Finch: Somewhat early were females/juveniles in Vultare, NC, 17 Oct (Ricky Davis); in Black Mountain, NC, 21 Oct (Stu Gibeau); in New Bern, NC, 21 Oct (Inge Parker); and in Winston-Salem, NC, 22 Oct (Phil Dickinson). Red Crossbill: This species apparently bred on Bald Ridge Knob, near Mt Mitchell SP, NC, where pairs were observed throughout the period and a high count of 25-30, including adults and fledglings, was made 30 Aug (Marilyn Westphal, et al.). CAROLINA BIRD CLUB www.carolinabirdclub.org The Carolina Bird Club is a non-profit organization which represents and supports the birding community in the Carolinas through its official website, publications, meetings, workshops, trips, and partnerships, whose mission is • To promote the observation, enjoyment, and study of birds. • To provide opportunities for birders to become acquainted, and to share information and experience. • To maintain well-documented records of birds in the Carolinas. • To support the protection and conservation of birds and their habitats and foster an appreciation and respect of natural resources. • To promote educational opportunities in bird and nature study. • To support research on birds of the Carolinas and their habitats. Membership is open to all persons interested in the conservation, natural history, and study of wildlife with particular emphasis on birds. Dues, contributions, and bequests to the Club may be deductible from state and federal income and estate taxes. Make checks payable to Carolina Bird Club, Inc. Send checks or correspondence regarding membership or change of address to the Headquarters Secretary. Dues include $6 for a subscription to the CBC Newsletter and $7 for a subscription to The Chat. Associate members do not receive a separate subscription to publications. ANNUAL DUES Individual or non-profit $25.00 Associate (in same household as individual member) $5.00 Student $15.00 Sustaining and businesses $30.00 Patron $50.00 Life Membership (payable in four consecutive $100 installments) $400.00 Associate Life Membership (in same household as life member) $100.00 ELECTED OFFICERS President Taylor Piephoff, Charlotte, NC PiephoffT@aol.com NC Vice-Presidents David McCloy, Pinehurst, NC david.mccloy@ncmail.net Dwayne Martin, Hickory, NC redxbill@gmail.com SC Vice-President Paul Serridge, Greenville, SC paulserridge@gmail.com Secretary Prunella Williams, Hope Mills, NC Prunella.Williams@att.net Treasurer Carol Bowman, Pinehurst, NC cbowman6@nc.rr.com NC Members-at-Large Lena Gallitano, NC lena_gallitano@ncsu.edu Skip Morgan, Manteo, NC tlmorgan@inteliport.com Lucy Quintilliano, Charlotte, NC lucyq@carolina.rr.com Ron Clark, Kings Mountain, NC waxwing@bellsouth.net SC Members-at-Large Linda Kolb, Seneca, SC rapahana4@hotmail.com Marion Clark, Lexington, SC mclark66@sc.rr.com EX-OFFICIO EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBERS Chat Editor Kent Fiala, Hillsborough, NC chat@carolinabirdclub.org Newsletter Editor Steve Shultz, Apex, NC newsletter@carolinabirdclub.org Web site Editor Kent Fiala, Hillsborough, NC webeditor@carolinabirdclub.org Immediate Past President Steve Patterson, Lancaster, SC SCBirder@aol.com HEADQUARTERS SECRETARY Dana Harris CBC, 1809 Lakepark Drive, Raleigh NC 27612 hq@carolinabirdclub.org a> g CD -0 g- o O Q. 2 -i S § o' o 3 CL 3 5' o Si. CQ Q) 3 &* 2. J ? =■ — c/> -3 r- i-* (Q &> " 2 =! .E ^ (o E ”D _ CO O) (0 O E C “O ’c O .2 O 2 >r O "O 0 ^ T3 CL CO (0 CO w LU 0 H tH a o X B -X RJ5 Vol. 74 The Chat SUMMER 2010 No. The Quarterly Bulletin of the Carolina Bird Club, Inc. The Ornithological Society of the Carolinas THE CHAT ISSN No. 0009-1987 Vol. 74 SUMMER 2010 No. 3 Editor General Field Notes Editors Kent Fiala, 1714 Borland Road Hillsborough, NC 27278 chat@carolinabirdclub.org North Carolina Christina Harvey South Carolina William Post Briefs for the Files Josh Southern Associate Editor Ginger Travis THE CHAT is published quarterly by the Carolina Bird Club, Inc., 353 Montabello, Bloomingdale, IL 60108-1037. Subscription price $20 per year. Periodicals postage paid at Bloomingdale, IL and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to THE CHAT, Carolina Bird Club, Inc., 1809 Lakepark Drive, Raleigh NC 27612. Copyright © 2010 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. Reports 2010 Spring Bird Counts in South Carolina Lois Stacey 69 General Field Notes First Record of Allen’s Hummingbird ( Selasphorus sasin) for North Carolina Harry E. LeGrand, Jr. and Susan M. Campbell 78 First Record of Scott’s Oriole (Icterus parisorum) for North Carolina Dwayne Martin .. 80 \Briefs for the Files Spring 2010 82 Cover: Yellow-crowned Night-Heron, 3 April 2010, Greensboro, NC. Photo by Lou Skrabec. 2010 Spring Bird Counts in South Carolina Lois Stacey 418 Deepwood PL, North Augusta, SC, 29841 croakie@comcast. net Seven counties held spring migration counts this year, and those seven groups totaled 207 species. Among the most unusual birds found were two Brown Creepers — one in Aiken County and one in Spartanburg — and an American Golden-Plover in Charleston. Several late ducks were seen including American Wigeon, Northern Shoveler, Redhead and Ruddy Duck. Northern Bobwhite were found on five of the counts, and five Swallow- tailed Kites were recorded over three counts. Overall there were 25 species of warblers on the count including seven Swainson’s Warblers. Compiler’s Comments Aiken County: 121 species, 4111 individuals Coordinator: Anne Waters 1621 Apple Valley Drive Augusta, GA 30906 Participants: Dorie Brenneman, Ron Brenneman, Lee Dane, Carol Eldridge, Larry Eldridge, Drew Grainger, Judy Gregory, Gene Howard, Christine Huzella, Paul Koehler, Debbie LaBerge, Matt Malin, George Reeves, Lois Stacey, Mark Vukovich, Alice Walker, Douglas Walker, Anne Waters, Gene Zielinski, Calvin Zippier Spartanburg County: 127 species, 5162 individuals Coordinator: Lyle Campbell 126 Greengate Lane Spartanburg, SC 29307 Participants: Doug Allen, Carole Anderson, Laura Bannon, Tim Brown, Dan Bryant, Lewanna Caldwell, Lyle Campbell, Sarah Campbell, Alan Chalmers, Dan Codispoti, Vince Conners, Onoosh Gahagan, Alan Gray, Rebecca Gray, Simon Harvey, J. B. Hines, Frank Hull, Phyllis Hull, Herb Kay, Mary Kuster, Angela Miller, Jim Miller, Margaret Miller, Moss Miller, Nancy Odum, Glenn Peterson, Eva Pratt, Doug Rayner, Gemeli Sang, Bob Scott, Mack Shealy, Kathleen Soza, Joan Tangwar, Kristin Taylor, Gerald Thurmond, M. B. Ulmer, Kay Whilden, Dan Wootton, Nancy Wootton Forty birders found 127 species of birds in Spartanburg County. Best bird was a Swainson’s Warbler. Ten Northern Bobwhite were tallied. A lake survey of swallows nesting under bridges found 330 Cliff Swallows and 294 Bam Swallows. Three Great Egrets provided the first spring record of that species for the county. Ospreys were nesting on Lake Blalock near the dam. 69 70 2010 Spring Bird Counts in South Carolina Cherokee County: 80 species, 1042 individuals Coordinator: Lyle Campbell 126 Greengate Lane Spartanburg, SC 29307 Participants: Felicia Burnett, Claude Cobb, Jr., J. B. Hines, Maxi Nix, Rebecca Poole Five birders contributed to the Cherokee count this spring, documenting a very respectable 78 species. Charleston County: 148 species, 8289 individuals Coordinator: Andy Harrison 35 Cross Creek Drive, Apt P-7 Charleston, SC 29412 Participants: David Abbott, Thomas Ackerson, Clint A. Ball, Carl Broadwell, Robert Drew, Sarah Ernst, Judy Fairchild, Reggie Fairchild, Cindy Floyd, Dennis M. Forsythe, Aaron Given, Andy Harrison, Teri Lynn Herbert, Donald P. Jones, Lois M. Jones, Rob Lane, Pete Laurie, Patrick Markham, Mary Catherine Martin, David C. Mclean Jr., Keith L. McCullough, Carl R. Miller, Catherine G. Miller, Paul M. Nolan, Perry E. Nugent, Felicia J. Sanders, Chris Snook, Bill Sullivan, Mary Kay Sullivan, Karen E. N. Thompson, Joel F. Thompson, Jennifer M. Tyrrell, Craig Watson, John E. Weinstein, Lori Sheridan Wilson The 2010 Charleston Spring Bird Count was held on 2 May 2010. There were 35 participants divided into 10 parties, who tallied 72.75 hours in the field. The day began overcast and warm (with slight fog on the water), but the skies cleared quickly and the morning hours became mostly sunny and breezy. Some clouds returned in the afternoon, and the windy conditions continued. We observed 148 total species and 8289 individuals (for a bird/party hour average of 1 13.9). Highlights of this year’s count included the following: The Dewees Island party (leader Cathy Miller; David Abbott, Carl Broadwell, Robert Drew, Judy Fairchild, Reggie Fairchild, Cindy Floyd, Aaron Given, Pete Laurie, Carl Miller, Chris Snook, Bill Sullivan, Mary Kay Sullivan, Lori Sheridan Wilson) once again recorded the highest species total and most individuals, with 80 and 2201, respectively. (The Bulls Island party came in a close second with 78 species.) They were the only group to report Wood Stork (2), Common Ground-Dove (7), Yellow Warbler (1), and Scarlet Tanager (1). On Bulls Island, leader Felicia Sanders and Mary Catherine Martin observed Glossy Ibis (2), Blue-winged Teal (7), American Wigeon (1), Redhead (1), Black Tern (3), and Gray Kingbird (1). They watched the Gray Kingbird for about 15 minutes and provided excellent details. The Capers Island party (leader Clint Ball; Tom Ackerson, Rob Lane) reported Sharp-shinned Hawk (1), American Golden-Plover (1), Red Knot (30), and Sedge Wren (1). They observed the American Golden-Plover from very close range among several Black-bellied Plovers and provided excellent details on this bird (also for the Sedge Wren, which they heard but did not see). The Ton Swamp group (leader Perry Nugent; Keith McCullough, The Chat, Vol. 74, No. 3, Summer 2010 71 Karen Thompson, Joel Thompson) observed Ruby-throated Hummingbird (8), Red-cockaded Woodpecker (4), Northern Flicker (1), and Worm-eating Warbler (1). In the Sewee Preserve section of Porcher’s Bluff, leader Craig Watson (also with Andy Harrison on a return visit late in the day) recorded Western Sandpiper (1), Veery (1), Yellow-rumped Warbler (2), Black-and- white Warbler (1), and White-throated Sparrow (1). Dennis Forsythe observed King Rail (3) in the Airport area, and the Guerin’s Bridge Road party (leader Don Jones; Teri Lynn Herbert, Lois Jones, Patrick Markham) reported Mallard (2), Swallow-tailed Kite (1), and Eastern Wood-Pewee (1). Leader Andy Harrison and David Mclean observed Rock Pigeon (8) and Black-throated Blue Warbler (1) in Cainhoy. There were two parties birding in the Sewee Road area, one led by Paul Nolan (also Sarah Ernst and John Weinstein) and the other by Jen Tyrell, and their combined lists included the only Cooper’s Hawk (1) reported on the count. As in 2009, there were two parties (Perry Nugent and his group in I’on Swamp and Dennis Forsythe in the Airport area) who spent time owling before dawn. Thanks to their efforts we recorded eight Eastern Screech-Owls (one also seen on Dewees Island), one Great Horned Owl (one also observed on Dewees Island), five Barred Owls, and 16 Chuck-will’s-widows (one also reported on Dewees Island). Our shorebird and seabird totals were up this year in general compared to 2009. Once again we observed good numbers of Painted Buntings (eight reporting parties with a total of 84 individuals). Interestingly, four parties reported Bobolinks (94 total), many of which were seen in trees. Among our many misses were the following species: Yellow-crowned Night-Heron, Piping Plover, Caspian Tern, Eurasian Collared-Dove, White-breasted Nuthatch, House Wren, Wood Thrush (although a count week bird was heard in the Porcher’s Bluff area), Yellow-throated Vireo, Kentucky Warbler, Ovenbird, Swainson’s Warbler, Eastern Meadowlark and Field Sparrow. Greenville County: 106 species, 3571 individuals Coordinator: J. B. Hines 5258 Chesnee Highway Chesnee, SC 29323 Participants: Jerry Johnson, Steve Compton, Chris Clark, Noah Clark, David Kirk, Jane Kramer, Hilda Reese, Kent Bedenbaugh, Denise Dupon, Jeff Click, Jeff Catlin, Simon Harvey, Chip Gilbert, Sarah Gilbert, J. B. Hines, Louis Womble, Cindy Womble, Rob Hunnings, Dennis Trapp, Paul Serridge, Barbara Serridge Lexington County: 89 species, 1505 individuals Coordinator Molly Bonnell 202 Cannon Trail Rd. Lexington, SC Participants: Andrea Ceselski, Barbara Darden, Patricia Voelker, Roger Smith, Judy Hurley, Steve Dennis, Jerry Griggs, Greg Fitzpatrick 72 2010 Spring Bird Counts in South Carolina Jasper County: 130 species, 7818 individuals Coordinator: Steve Wagner 313 E. 54th St. Savannah, GA 31405 Participants: Dot Bambach, Sandy Beasley, Steve Culver, Elbe Covington, Matt Ryan, Steve Wagner, 14 Ogeechee Audubon field trip participants Table 1. Spring 2010 bird counts in South Carolina Black-bellied Whistling-Duck Canada Goose Wood Duck American Wigeon Mallard Mottled Duck Blue-winged Teal Northern Shoveler Redhead Ruddy Duck Northern Bobwhite Wild Turkey Pied-billed Grebe Brown Pelican Double-crested Cormorant Anhinga American Bittern Least Bittern Great Blue Heron Great Egret Snowy Egret Little Blue Heron Tricolored Heron Cattle Egret Green Heron Black-crowned Night-Heron Yellow-crowned Night-Heron White Ibis Glossy Ibis Roseate Spoonbill Wood Stork Black Vulture Turkey Vulture Osprey Swallow-tailed Kite Mississippi Kite Bald Eagle Northern Harrier Sharp-shinned Hawk Cooper’s Hawk Red-shouldered Hawk Broad-winged Hawk Red-tailed Hawk American Kestrel Aike Spar Cher Char 0 0 0 0 45 249 26 22 56 21 2 22 0 0 0 1 22 128 1 2 0 0 0 53 6 4 0 7 ; 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 8 11 2 2 9 1 8 4 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 169 4 17 0 63 6 0 0 19 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 6 13 22 3 85 9 3 0 89 0 0 0 110 7 0 0 20 0 0 0 19 61 0 0 40 5 1 1 31 0 0 0 11 f 2 0 0 0 6 0 0 46 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 122 16 9 47 36 25 15 104 4 4 5 27 2 0 0 1 37 0 0 7 3 0 0 4 0 1 1 0 0 0 4 0 1 1 2 : 0 1 13 7 2 19 0 0 1 0 11 13 4 11 0 0 0 0 Gree Lexi Jasp Total 0 0 3 3 85 27 | 0 454 29 16 9 155 0 0 0 1 65 16 40 274 0 0 226 279 2 0 18 37 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 44 45 0 2 0 25 6 8 0 36 5 0 0 8 0 0 1 170 6 2 12 104 0 0 47 72 0 0 0 1 0 0 4 10 12 4 2 141 1 0 30 132 0 0 65 175 0 0 12 39 0 0 58 77 0 0 5 106 3 1 17 59 0 0 1 12 0 0 0 2 0 0 73 125 0 0 64 66 0 0 12 12 0 0 0 2 3 20 25 242 14 31 20 245 3 1 4 48 0 0 2 5 0 2 6 52 0 4 1 12 0 0 1 2 0 0 0 5 2 3 1 10 6 3 1 51 4 0 0 5 4 3 1 34 1 2 0 3 The Chat, Vol. 74, No. 3, Summer 2010 73 Aike Clapper Rail 0 King Rail 1 Purple Gallinule 0 Common Moorhen 0 American Coot 0 Black-bellied Plover 0 American Golden-Plover 0 Wilson’s Plover 0 Semipalmated Plover 0 Killdeer 1 0 American Oystercatcher 0 Black-necked Stilt 0 American Avocet 0 Spotted Sandpiper 5 Solitary Sandpiper 4 Greater Yellowlegs 0 Willet 0 Lesser Yellowlegs 9 Whimbrel 0 Ruddy Turnstone 0 Red Knot 0 Sanderling 0 Semipalmated Sandpiper 6 Western Sandpiper 0 Least Sandpiper 7 peep, sp. 0 Pectoral Sandpiper 1 Dunlin 0 Stilt Sandpiper 0 Short-billed Dowitcher 0 Dowitcher, sp. 0 American Woodcock 0 Laughing Gull 0 Ring-billed Gull 0 Herring Gull 0 Least Tem 0 Gull-billed Tem 0 Black Tem 0 Common Tem 0 Forster’s Tem 0 Royal Tem 0 Sandwich Tem 0 Black Skimmer 0 Rock Pigeon 12 Eurasian Collared-Dove 5 Mourning Dove 231 Common Ground-Dove 0 Yellow-billed Cuckoo 33 Bam Owl 0 Eastern Screech-Owl 2 Great Homed Owl 3 Barred Owl 1 1 Common Nighthawk 4 Chuck- will’ s-widow 33 Eastern Whip-poor-will 7 Chimney Swift 67 Ruby-throated Hummingbird 9 Cher Char Gree Lexi Jasp Total 0 23 0 0 2 25 0 3 0 0 2 6 0 0 0 0 10 10 0 31 0 0 77 108 0 8 0 0 36 44 0 158 0 0 31 189 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 14 0 0 25 39 0 730 0 0 273 1003 14 18 5 5 26 99 0 36 0 0 0 36 0 32 0 0 202 234 0 0 0 0 209 209 2 24 1 1 4 50 3 2 0 0 8 24 2 32 0 0 17 53 0 44 0 0 26 70 0 25 S 0 0 183 219 0 202 0 0 0 202 0 9 0 0 0 9 0 30 0 0 0 30 0 133 0 0 0 133 0 30 0 0 474 510 0 1 0 0 0 1 1 18 0 0 174 200 0 0 0 0 520 520 0 0 0 0 5 6 0 279 0 0 470 749 0 0 0 0 216 216 0 111 0 0 143 254 0 25 0 0 42 67 0 0 4 0 0 4 0 368 0 0 277 645 0 3 0 0 50 59 0 11 0 0 0 11 0 27 0 0 307 334 0 55 0 0 84 139 0 3 0 0 0 3 0 16 0 0 0 16 0 33 I 0 0 3 36 0 506 0 0 90 596 0 53 | 0 0 0 53 0 450 0 0 197 647 13 8 38 21 2 153 0 0 2 1 0 29 41 69 92 50 48 726 0 7 0 0 2 9 2 32 | 0 7 4 87 0 0 0 0 2 2 0 9 0 0 0 15 0 2 1 0 0 6 0 5 1 5 1 2 31 3 4 0 0 3 25 3 17 4 3 6 81 4 0 3 0 0 20 29 14 46 13 12 317 1 8 7 4 3 47 Spar 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 21 0 0 0 13 7 2 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 59 21 195 0 9 0 4 0 7 11 15 6 136 15 74 2010 Spring Bird Counts in South Carolina Belted Kingfisher Aike 3 Red-headed Woodpecker 28 Red-bellied Woodpecker 51 Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 0 Downy Woodpecker 16 Hairy Woodpecker 4 Red-cockaded Woodpecker 0 Northern Flicker 4 Pileated Woodpecker 27 Eastern Wood-Pewee 36 Acadian Flycatcher 35 Eastern Phoebe 8 Great Crested Flycatcher 81 Eastern Kingbird 44 Gray Kingbird 0 Loggerhead Shrike 2 White-eyed Vireo 82 Yellow-throated Vireo 10 Blue-headed Vireo 1 Red-eyed Vireo 66 Blue Jay 83 American Crow 91 Fish Crow 15 Common Raven 0 Homed Lark 0 Purple Martin 11 Tree Swallow 3 Northern Rough-winged Swallow 9 Bank Swallow 0 Cliff Swallow 10 Bam Swallow 160 Carolina Chickadee 43 Tufted Titmouse 100 Red-breasted Nuthatch 0 White-breasted Nuthatch 1 Brown-headed Nuthatch 15 Brown Creeper 1 Carolina Wren 112 House Wren 0 Sedge Wren 0 Marsh Wren 0 Ruby-crowned Kinglet 0 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 67 Eastern Bluebird 58 Veery 0 Swainson’s Thrush 0 Hermit Thrush 0 Wood Thrush 8 American Robin 23 Gray Catbird 7 Northern Mockingbird 79 Brown Thrasher 22 European Starling 36 Cedar Waxwing 260 Blue-winged Warbler 1 Golden-winged Warbler 0 Cher Char Gree Lexi Jasp Total 2 7 7 0 0 27 0 7 3 5' 10 61 11 39 53 17 I 13 250 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 12 12 11 6 73 0 0 3 0 0 9 0 4 0 0 0 4 1 1 9 5 1 30 4 18 28 2 6 92 1 1 0 9 6 55 0 3 0 4 2 51 7 0 33 1 0 86 8 219 3 29 29 387 8 49 2 15 12 164 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 2 1 3 0 11 5 46 32 8 11 192 2 0 5 0 4 26 0 0 44 0 0 48 13 64 16 12 14 238 37 46 147 55 15 517 72 57 76 45 17 548 0 46 10 7 8 99 0 0 4 0 0 4 1 0 0 0 0 2 14 39 58 3 3 282 0 43 31 0 170 251 5 9 20 26 1 96 6 0 0 0 0 8 80 0 0 0 0 420 28 202 79 9 107 879 12 37 66 41 9 268 13 65 87 33 17 392 0 0 0 0 0 1 3 0 11 0 2 20 0 32 11 13 2 88 0 0 0 0 0 2 3 128 79 92 37 516 0 0 2 2 0 14 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 3 0 0 1 4 0 0 11 0 0 14 9 14 94 22 18 283 29 44 57 36 8 403 0 1 0 0 0 3 1 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 1 0 0 1 1 0 5 5 1 31 57 0 68 36 0 509 3 8 3 7 34 71 34 52 60 61 36 495 7 28 27 26 16 200 40 15 119 16 12 392 37 2 83 70 64 552 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 1 Spar 8 8 66 1 16 2 0 9 7 2 7 37 18 34 0 3 8 5 3 53 134 190 13 0 1 154 4 26 2 330 294 60 77 1 3 15 1 65 10 0 0 3 59 171 2 1 0 11 325 9 173 74 154 36 0 0 The Chat, Vol. 74, No. 3, Summer 2010 75 Aike Northern Parula 1 1 1 Yellow Warbler 1 Cape May Warbler 0 Black-throated Blue Warbler 1 Yellow-rumped Warbler 0 Black-throated Green Warbler 0 Yellow-throated Warbler 33 Pine Warbler 103 Prairie Warbler 1 1 Palm Warbler 0 Blackpoll Warbler 2 Black-and-white Warbler 1 American Redstart 6 Prothonotary Warbler 28 Worm-eating Warbler 0 Swainson’s Warbler 4 Ovenbird 1 Northern Waterthrush 0 Louisiana Waterthrush 9 Kentucky Warbler 4 Common Yellowthroat 15 Hooded Warbler 1 1 Yellow-breasted Chat 45 Eastern Towhee 50 Bachman’s Sparrow 2 Chipping Sparrow 9 Field Sparrow 4 Savannah Sparrow 0 Grasshopper Sparrow 0 Song Sparrow 0 Swamp Sparrow 0 White-throated Sparrow 0 Dark-eyed Junco 0 Summer Tanager 85 Scarlet Tanager 2 Northern Cardinal 404 Rose-breasted Grosbeak 0 Blue Grosbeak 24 Indigo Bunting 123 Painted Bunting 8 Bobolink 6 Red- winged Blackbird 99 Eastern Meadowlark 63 Common Grackle 1 00 Boat-tailed Grackle 0 Brown-headed Cowbird 31 Orchard Oriole 1 1 Baltimore Oriole 0 Purple Finch 0 House Finch 24 American Goldfinch 1 1 House Sparrow 8 Species 121 Total individuals 4111 Cher Char Gree Lexi Jasp Total 0 116 21 13 22 295 0 1 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 3 8 0 14 0 2 48 0 3 60 0 0 80 0 0 80 0 20 1 6 14 81 6 57 28 24 18 253 1 26 5 0 2 47 0 0 4 0 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 1 46 1 0 49 0 0 0 5 0 14 1 35 0 5 11 82 1 1 34 1 0 37 0 0 1 1 0 7 1 0 48 3 0 59 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 30 0 0 41 0 0 1 0 2 10 7 45 94 11 40 251 0 35 12 3 2 67 7 2 0 8 7 87 19 73 : 67 27 21 300 0 11 0 0 3 16 9 0 26 4 0 101 5 0 23 0 0 52 0 2 27 0 16 57 3 0 1 0 0 18 0 0 25 0 0 48 0 0 4 0 1 5 0 1 84 0 0 94 0 0 4 0 0 4 0 27 0 18 15 174 0 1 10 0 1 18 29 357 140 166 43 1343 0 0 0 0 0 4 9 18 0 15 8 79 17 27 1 44 26 320 0 84 0 1 18 111 0 94 0 2 514 731 38 760 368 14 942 2312 32 0 14 0 0 160 64 54 145 45 58 765 0 224 0 0 209 433 14 53 44 29 39 257 0 30 0 0 18 67 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 13 11 16 18 25 0 152 7 0 154 21 0 271 10 0 12 26 0 81 80 148 105 89 130 207 1042 8289 3542 1505 7818 31,498 Spar 12 2 1 1 7 0 7 17 2 0 1 0 3 2 0 1 6 0 2 3 39 4 18 43 0 53 20 12 14 23 0 9 0 29 4 204 4 5 82 0 115 91 51 299 0 47 8 2 13 58 78 25 127 5162 76 2010 Spring Bird Counts in South Carolina Aike Regular Count Hours foot 37.75 Hours car 27.5 Hours boat Hours canoe/kayak 2 Hours bike Hours other 1 Miles foot 21 Miles car 217.5 Miles boat Miles canoe/kayak 2 Miles bike Miles other 5 # Regular parties 12 # Regular observers 20 #Species 117 #Individuals 3935 Feeder Watch Hours Feeder Watch 4 #Feeder Watchers 3 #Feeder Stations 8 #Species 15 #Individuals 3 1 Stationary Hours Stationary 4.25 #Parties Stationary 3 #Observers Stationary 5 #Species 25 #Individuals 74 Nocturnal Hours Nocturnal 9 Miles Nocturnal 38.5 #parties nocturnal 5 #observers nocturnal 6 #Species 14 #Individuals 71 Time Start 415 Time Stop 2000 Temperature Pre-Dawn 70 Dawn 70 AM 74 Noon 81 PM 88 Sunset 76 Night 75 Cher Char Gree Lexi Jasp 7.5 93.3 5 11.25 5.5 15.6 5 19.75 0.5 1.5 5.5 35.6 8 5.5 109 365 96 116.5 0.3 5 2 10 9 7 4 4 35 30 9 20 78 148 102 90 132 1030 8289 3632 1505 7818 3 3 2 11 32 1 5 5 9 1 4 2 5 3 4 10 13 800 630 605 2200 2000 2029 75 57 53 69 59 70 75 66 60 83 79 70 84 83 79 75 89 68 75.9 70 60 64.9 Spar 37 26 2.5 3 30 480 6 10 21 29 125 4642 21 20 14 39 480 6 44 4 5 5 40 700 2300 68 67 69 71 71 73 70 The Chat, Vol. 74, No. 3, Summer 2010 77 Aike Spar Cher Char Gree Lexi Jasp Wind WSW Pre-Dawn W 10 calm SW 9 8.1 SW WSW SW WSW Dawn 10 calm 11 6.9 8 SW WSW W AM 10 calm 7 3.5 13 W W Noon W 10 calm W 11 12.7 10 W PM W 10 W 4 W 9 9.2 W 12 NNE Sunset W 10 calm N 6 9.2 Night NW 5 calm N 9 N 4.6 % Clouds Pre-Dawn 100 100 20 0 3 Dawn 50 100 20 0 75 AM . 20 100 20 0 Noon 20 100 20 10 3 40 PM 20 100 20 10 40 Sunset 20 100 20 10 3 Night 0 Precipitation Pre-Dawn 0 0 0 0 0 0 Dawn 0 0 0 0 0 0 AM 0 0 0 0 0 0 Noon 0 0 0 0 0 0 light PM 0 rain 0 0 0 0 Sunset 0 0 0 0 0 0 Night 0 0 0 0 0 0 Total General Field Notes General Field Notes briefly report such items as rare sightings, unusual behaviors, significant nesting records, or summaries of such items. 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 Allen’s Hummingbird ( Selasphorus sasin) for North Carolina Harry E. LeGrand, Jr.1 and Susan M. Campbell2 WC Natural Heritage Program, 1601 MSC, Raleigh, NC 27699-1601 2NC Museum of Natural Sciences, 1626 MSC, Raleigh, NC 27699-1626 An unidentified hummingbird showed up in the yard of Mickey and Elayne Kodroff in Manteo, Dare County, NC, on 19 January 2003. Several wintering Archilochus hummingbirds, later identified as Ruby-throated Hummingbirds {A. colubris), were already present at the Kodroffs’ hummingbird feeders. It was not until 1 1 March that a licensed hummingbird bander (author Susan Campbell) was able to visit the Kodroffs to capture, band, and identify the bird. Campbell’s initial identification of Allen’s Hummingbird ( Selasphorus sasin) was confirmed by Bob Sargent, a hummingbird bander from Alabama, through photographs of the hand-held bird. (Fig. 1) Allen’s Hummingbird, 1 1 March 2003, Manteo, NC. Photo by Susan Campbell. A 78 The Chat, Vol. 74, No. 3, Spring 2010 79 Once word of the presence of an Allen’s Hummingbird was announced to the general public by email on 17 March, several dozen birders were able to observe the bird, which was last seen by the Kodroffs on 29 March 2003. A few photographs of the bird coming to a feeder were also taken. The Allen’s Hummingbird was an immature male, in heavy molt when banded. When first seen in January, it had a pale rufous wash along the flanks, and the back was a dark green. One red feather was present on the left side of the gorget, which was otherwise whitish with numerous tiny dark spots. By 1 1 March, however, some new bright green feathers were appearing on the back, mixed with the older dark green feathers. On the very similar Rufous Hummingbird ( S . rufus ), new feathers on the back of an immature male should be reddish-brown instead of green. Also, the bird showed uniformly rounded tips on the newly emerged innermost two pairs of tail feathers (rectrices 5 and 6); a Rufous Hummingbird would have a clear notch on the inner web of the second pair of tail feathers (rectrix 5). In its breeding season, the Allen’s Hummingbird is restricted to the Pacific coast from southern Oregon to southern California. It is migratory over most of its range, with the more northerly breeding population (S. s. sasin) withdrawing to central Mexico for the winter (American Ornithologists’ Union 1998). As with nearly all migratory hummingbirds, strays occur well away from the normal range. At the time of the North Carolina record, there had already been one record for the Virginia mountains in the winter of 1997-98 (Rottenbom and Brinkley 2007) and at least seven records from Georgia (Georgia Ornithological Society 2003). The first record for Allen’s Hummingbird in South Carolina came from Lexington in January 2007 (Slyce et al. 2008). This report of Allen’s Hummingbird in Dare County was accepted by the NC Bird Records Committee (LeGrand et al. 2004). Because the photographs of the hand-held bird were considered to document this species, the species was added directly to the state’s Official List. Literature Cited American Ornithologists’ Union. 1998. Check-list of North American Birds, 7th ed. American Ornithologists’ Union, Washington, DC. Georgia Ornithological Society. 2003. Annotated checklist of Georgia birds. Occas. Publ. No. 14. Georgia Ornithological Society. LeGrand, H. E., Jr., K. E. Camburn, S. Cooper, R. J. Davis, E. V. Dean, W. K. Forsythe, and R. L. Tyndall. 2004. 2003 annual report of the North Carolina Bird Records Committee. Chat 68:1-5. Rottenbom, S. C. and E. S. Brinkley. 2007. Virginia’s birdlife: an annotated checklist, 4th ed. Virginia Avifauna No. 7. Virginia Society of Ornithology. Slyce, D., G. Beaton, Jr., N. Dias, L. Glover, C. Hill, T. Kalbach, T. Piephoff, W. Post, and S. Wagner. 2008. 2007 annual report of the South Carolina Bird Records Committee. Chat 72:69-70. First Record of Scott’s Oriole ( Icterus parisorum) for North Carolina Dwayne Martin Hickory, NC On 29 Jan 2008, I received a call from Becky Duggan saying she had a yellow oriole coming to a feeder in her back yard in Conover, Catawba County, NC. I went to her house to watch for the oriole, and within 30 minutes, it showed up. I could tell right away that it was not a Baltimore Oriole ( Icterus galbula). Using the Sibley Guide to Birds (Sibley 2000), I was able to identify it as an immature male Scott’s Oriole {Icterus parisorum) . The individual had a black bib that extended about half way down the breast. It was bright yellow underneath, all the way from the bottom of the black bib to the undertail coverts. Its head was black, but the black ended at the neck. This characteristic identified it as an immature male because females lack black on the head. The rest of the back was grey with black specks. There was some yellow on the wings but not as much as would be on an adult male. The wings also had two white wing bars (Fig. 1). Scott's Oriole, 29 Jan 2008, Conover, NC. Photo by Dwayne Martin. I called Lori Owenby who came to the Duggans’ house, saw the oriole, and agreed with my identification. I took several photos of the bird and sent them to Susan Campbell, Taylor Piephoff, and Ricky Davis to make sure our identification was correct. They all agreed that it was a Scott’s Oriole. With the Duggans’ permission, I sent out a message on the Carolinabirds listserve about the bird. Over the next ten days, about two hundred people from five 80 The Chat , Vol. 74, No. 3, Summer 2010 81 states came to the Duggan home to see the Scott’s Oriole. It was last seen in a tree behind the Duggan home on 10 Feb 2008. Scott’s Oriole is a fairly common breeding bird of arid mountain slopes from central Texas, west to California, and north to Nevada and Utah. A neotropical migrant, Scott’s Oriole generally vacates northern breeding areas and winters in Mexico south to Oaxaca, though overwintering birds are frequently found in California. (Dunne 2006). Scott’s Oriole has been previously recorded in the eastern United States during winter. Records exist for Kentucky (Palmer-Ball 2007), New York (Wilson et al. 2009), Pennsylvania (Johnson 2007), and Georgia (Boehm and Boehm 2002), so it may not be surprising that the species was observed in North Carolina. The species is not known to have occurred in states neighboring North Carolina, with the exception of Georgia. This sighting was accepted to the Official List by the North Carolina Bird Records Committee as the first record of Scott’s Oriole in the state (LeGrand et al. 2009) . Acknowledgments The author would like to thank Steven Shultz for providing the range information for Scott’s Oriole. Literature Cited Birds in Forested Landscapes. Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Species reference for Scott’s Oriole (Icterus parisorum), accessed 23 June 2010. http://www.birds.comell.edu/bfl/speciesaccts/scoori.html Beohm, R. T. and M. F. Beohm. 2002. First record of Scott’s Oriole from Georgia. Oriole 67: 49-50. Dunne, P. 2006. Pete Dunne’s Essential Field Guide Companion. Houghton Mifflin, New York. Johnson, T. 2007. First record of Scott’s Oriole for Pennsylvania. Pennsylv- ania Birds 21:26. http://www.pabirds.org/PABIRDS/BackIssues/PBV2 IN 1 .pdf LeGrand, H. E., Jr., K. E. Camburn, S. Cooper, R. J. Davis, E. V. Dean, W. K. Forsythe, J. S. Pippen, M. H. Tove, and R. L. Tyndall. 2009. 2008 annual report of the North Carolina Bird Records Committee. Chat 73:2. Palmer-Ball, B., Jr. 2007. Field note: Scott’s Oriole in Franklin County. Kentucky Warbler 83: No. 2, May 2007. Sibley, D. A. 2000. National Audubon Society: The Sibley Guide to Birds. Alfred A. Knopf, New York. Wilson, A., J. Skelly, J. S. Bolsinger, T. W. Burke, W. D’Anna, A. Guthrie, S. S. Mitra, and D. Sherony. 2009. Report of the New York State Avian Records Committee for 2007. Kingbird 59:325-326. http://www.nybirds.org/NYSARC/Reports/NYSARC2007.pdf BRIEFS FOR THE FILES Josh Southern 4100-A Reavis Rd Raleigh, NC 27606 joshsouthern79@gmail.com (All dates Spring 2010, 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. 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) 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. Corrigenda: The Mottled Duck reported from Boiling Springs, NC, 23 Jan (Greg Massey, Harry Sell) was actually seen in Boiling Spring Lakes, Brunswick County, NC, The Short-eared Owl reported from Snow’s Marsh along the Cape Fear River in New Hanover Co, NC, 2 Jan, was, in actuality, the same bird seen on the Southport-Bald Head-Oak Islands CBC, 3 Jan. Winter December 1 -February 28 Spring March I -May 31 Summer June 1-July 31 Fall August 1 -November 30 due March 20 due June 20 due August 20 due December 20 82 The Chat, Vol. 74, No. 3, Summer 2010 83 Black-bellied Whistling-Duck: Thought to be of wild origin were 12 at Donnelley Wildlife Management Area (WMA), Colleton Co, SC, 14 May (David Abbott). Of more suspect origin was a flock of 1 5 on a pond at the Beau Rivage Golf Resort, just N of Carolina Beach, NC, 28-29 May (fide Derb Carter). Ross’s Goose: The individual seen with a flock of Canada Geese in the vicinity of Surfside Beach, SC, during the fall and winter, was seen again 1 1 and 29 Mar (Jerry Kerschner) and apparently remained in the area into summer {fide Gary Phillips, Ritch Lilly). A summering Ross’s Goose in the Carolinas is an unprecedented event! Ross’s Goose, 1 1 Mar 2010, Surfside Beach, SC. Photo by Jerry Kerschner. Gadwall: Two in the Point Lake area off Albemarle Rd in Charlotte, NC, 28 Apr (Tom Sanders, Ron Clark) were somewhat late for that piedmont locality. Mottled Duck: Four were seen “moving back and forth between the ponds near the aquarium and some dredge spoil areas” at Ft Fisher, NC, 6 May (Greg Massey). This sighting provides about the sixth record for the state. This species’ range is expanding northward, and it probably won’t be long before they are found on the central coast. “Common Teal” : A male was seen in the entrance impoundment at Mattamuskeet National Wildlife Refuge (NWR), NC, 3 Mar (Ricky Davis). Davis speculates that this Eurasian form of Green-winged Teal is “most likely an annual wintering bird at this lake.” Ring-necked Duck: A drake lingered on Salem Lake in Winston-Salem, NC, 6-10 May (John Haire). Lesser Scaup: One seen at the Water Treatment Plant (WTP) off NC-191, Henderson Co, NC, 16 May (Wayne Forsythe, Simon Thompson) was quite late. 84 Briefs for the Files — Spring 2010 Common Eider: Two birds lingered throughout the period in NC — a juvenile (juv.) male at Oregon Inlet, NC (Jeff Lewis, Audrey Whitlock, John Haire, multiple observers (m. obs.)); and a female in the harbor of Beaufort, NC (John Fussell, Paula Gillikin). At the latter location, a juv. male was also seen, 18 Apr (Ron White, fide Fussell). Common Eider, 5 May 2010, Pea Island NWR. Photo by Jeff Lewis. Harlequin Duck: An adult male was photographed with a juv. male Common Eider off the Outer Banks Fishing Pier in Nags Head, NC, 1 1 Apr (Jeff Beane, Todd Pusser, et al.). Surf Scoter: A female seen near the coquina rock outcrop at Ft Fisher, NC, 22 May (Ricky Davis) was somewhat late to depart our region. A few scoters tend to linger into late spring/early summer every year. Bufflehead: A female lingered at the McAlpine WTP in Pineville, NC, until at least 28 Apr (Tom Sanders, Ron Clark). Common Goldeneye: A female was photographed on the S end of Figure Eight Island, NC, 10 Mar {fide Angela Mangiameli). Hooded Merganser: Suggestive of breeding in the area were sightings of females at Jackson Park in Hendersonville, NC, 12 May (Wayne Forsythe); and at Cowan’s Ford WR, Mecklenburg Co, NC, 29 May (Jeff Lemons). More definitive evidence of breeding, i.e. sightings of females with chicks, was found on the Black River near Andrews, SC, 16 Apr (Stephen Berkowitz); on a small pond in Greensboro, NC, in May (Rob Rachlin); and on a pond in Jones Co, NC, where two broods were seen in May (Clancy Ballenger). Common Merganser: Two seen off the Outer Banks Fishing Pier in Nags Head, NC, 11 Apr (Jeff Beane, Todd Pusser, et al.) were the only ones reported this spring. The Chat, Vol. 74, No. 3, Summer 2010 85 Red-breasted Merganser: Fifty on Lake Hickory and Lookout Shoals Lake, part of the Catawba River, near Hickory, NC, 28 Mar (Monroe Panned) provided a good count for a location so far inland. Common Loon: An adult in breeding plumage on Beaver Lake in Asheville, NC, 22-28 May (Rob Biller, James Atkinson, m. obs.) was probably just passing through. An adult in breeding plumage around the dam at Falls Lake, NC, 7 May (Matt Daw, Ali Iyoob) may be the same bird that summered at this location last year. A bird in molt was seen in the lower lake at Durant Nature Park in N Raleigh, NC, 10 May (John Connors). Red-necked Grebe: Two were seen from the ferry to Bald Head Island, NC, 2 Apr (Kyle Kittelberger). Western Grebe: An individual was reported from the old lighthouse site in Buxton, NC, 9 Mar (fide Jeff Lewis), though never relocated. Fea’s Petrel: Only one was seen during the course of 19 nearly-consecutive pelagic trips out of Hatteras, NC, in late May and early June — a “very obliging” individual on 2 June (Brian Patteson, et al.). Cory’s Shearwater: Eight were seen resting on the ocean about 200 yards off the hook of Cape Lookout, NC, 29 May (Wade Fuller). This species is rarely seen from land. Sooty Shearwater: Numbers of this species were down in comparison to last spring’s pelagic trips out of Hatteras, NC, with an average of only four seen per trip, compared to last spring’s average of 26 per trip (Brian Patteson, et al.). European Storm-Petrel: One was seen “very well” during a pelagic trip out of Hatteras, NC, 31 May (Brian Patteson, et al.). This is the sixth year in a row that this species has been seen on a late May pelagic trip out of Hatteras. White-tailed Tropicbird: Two were seen during the course of 19 nearly- consecutive pelagic trips out of Hatteras, NC, in late May and early June — individuals on 31 May and 2 June (Brian Patteson, et al.). Red-billed Tropicbird: One was seen this spring — an individual on a pelagic trip out of Hatteras, NC, 1 June (Brian Patteson, et al.). American White Pelican: Sightings of this species continue to increase in our region. Farthest inland were six, amongst cormorants, on High Rock Lake, near Salisbury, NC, 3 Mar (Jeff Lemons). Coastal high counts included 128 at North Inlet, Georgetown Co, SC, 1 Mar (Chris Hill); 50 at Donnelley WMA, Colleton Co, SC, 6 Apr (Cherrie Sneed); and 35-40 seen on a dredge island just inside South Carolina, from Tybee Island, GA, 31 May (Jeff Sewell, fide Mark McShane). Up to 12 at a quarry pond in New Bern, NC, 6-25 Mar (Bob Holmes) were locally unusual. Anhinga: Some of the farther inland sightings included three circling over McLaurin’s Millpond in McColl, SC, 5 Apr (Mark Gretch); two at Falls Lake, NC, 13 Apr (Brian Bockhahn); and one at Morris Creek in S Franklin Co, NC, 14 Apr (Ricky Davis). Magnificent Frigatebird: A juvenile was seen in flight over Lookout Bight at Cape Lookout, NC, 30 May (Ken Wilkins, Wade Fuller). 86 Briefs for the Files — Spring 2010 American Bittern: Inland sightings included individuals at Lake Conestee Nature Park in Greenville, SC, 29 Mar-1 1 Apr (Deanna Doggett, Paul Serridge, et al.); at Civitan Park in Winston-Salem, NC, 18 Apr (Jeremy Reiskind, fide Phil Dickinson); in the marsh on Plainfield Road in Greensboro, NC, 28 Apr (Henry Link); and, for the third year in a row, in the Butner Gamelands during the Durham Spring Bird Count (SBC), 25 Apr, (Norm Budnitz). “Great White” Heron: One was seen with three Great Blue Herons along Mill Rd in Johnston Co, NC, 24 Apr (Eric Dean, Gene Howe). One could wonder how often this Great Egret look-alike is overlooked in our region. Little Blue Heron: One, a first for the park, was seen at Lake Conestee Nature Park in Greenville, SC, 6 May (Chip Gilbert, fide Paul Serridge). Reddish Egret: One seen on the flats behind the E end of Shackleford Banks, NC, 9-10 Mar (Jacob Socolar) was probably one of the two birds seen at nearby Cape Lookout in February. Cattle Egret: Eighteen at a pond E of Scotland Neck, NC, 24 Apr (Ricky Davis) were locally unusual. A high count of 158 was made at Lock and Dam No. 1 along the Cape Fear River, SE comer of Bladen Co, NC, 14 May (Greg Massey). Black-crowned Night-Heron: Locally unusual was an adult in Jackson Park, Hendersonville, NC, 30 Apr (Wayne Forsythe, Ron Selvey). Yellow-crowned Night-Heron: Three were seen at Hamilton Lakes in Greensboro, NC, 3 Apr (Lou Skrabec, Henry Link; see cover photo). This is the third year of nesting at this location. Single individuals were seen in Mecklenburg Co, NC, 18 Apr (Phil Fowler) and 24-28 Apr (Jeff Lemons, Ron Clark, Tom Sanders). One returned to Miller Park in Winston-Salem, NC, 19 Mar (Phil Dickinson). Five were found in a heronry off Garrett Rd in S Durham, NC, 1 May (Chuck Byrd ,fide Will Cook). Roseate Spoonbill: The first individual returned to the Savannah Spoil Site, Jasper Co, SC, 29 Apr, with a high count of 288 made 6 May (Steve Calver). A first-year individual was seen in a small pond on Ladys Island in Beaufort, SC, 18 May (Buddy Campbell). Swallow-tailed Kite: This species sometimes overshoots its breeding ground and ends up along the NC coast during spring migration. At least two, and possibly as many as five, were reported by multiple observers near Kill Devil Hills, NC, 15-25 Mar (Russ Lay, Jeff Lewis, et al.). Individuals were seen in flight over a yard in Wilmington, NC, 27 Mar (Amy Williamson); and over Frisco, NC, 22 Apr (Brian Patteson). One seen in flight from the I- 95 bridge over the Cape Fear River in Fayetteville, NC, 24 April (Bob Holmes) may indicate a possible nest site in that area. Mississippi Kite: One seen in flight over New Bern, NC, 3 Mar (Bob Holmes) was somewhat early. In the western part of our region, individuals were seen in flight over Clyde, NC, 15 May (Paul Super) and near Providence Springs Elementary School in Charlotte, NC, 4 May (Tom Sanders, Ron Clark, Taylor Piephoff, Rob Van Epps). The Chat, Vol. 74, No. 3, Summer 2010 87 Northern Harrier: One seen during a Carolina Bird Club (CBC) field trip to New River State Park (SP), Ashe Co, NC, 2 May (Phil Dickinson, et al.) was somewhat late. Broad-winged Hawk: One or two returned to Mill Creek area of Carteret Co, NC, where this species has “apparently been nesting for several years now”, in May (Jack Fennell, fide John Fussell). A “dark-morph” variant was seen perched on a telephone pole, and in flight, along NC-226 in Spruce Pine, NC, 17 May (Eric & Michelle Scholz). This rare western morph has not previously been documented in our region. Golden Eagle: One was seen at Santee Coastal Reserve, SC, 1 Mar (Joan & Les Carr). Merlin: One seen during a CBC field trip to Reynolda Park in Winston- Salem, NC, 1 May (Tom & Tammy Sanders, et al.) was a good find for such an inland site. Peregrine Falcon: Two nest sites were newly discovered in the NC mountains this spring. Pairs were first seen on territory at Victory Wall in Haywood Co, NC, 5 Apr, and at Pickens Nose in Macon Co, NC, 12 Apr (Chris Kelly). Both nesting attempts were reportedly successful. King Rail: As many as six were heard in the White Oak Creek arm of Jordan Lake, NC, during the SBC, 2 May (Ginger Travis, Marty McClelland, fide Norm Budnitz). Virginia Rail: One was heard and seen briefly in the marsh at Tanglewood Park, near Winston-Salem, NC, 1 and 4 Mar (John Haire, Royce Hough). Considering the early date of the sighting, one could speculate that this bird had spent all winter in the area. Purple Gallinule: A good count of “at least 25” was made at Savannah NWR, SC, 13 May (Keith McCullough). Sandhill Crane: One was seen in the area of White House Rd and Beckham Swamp Rd in Richland Co, SC, 3-3 1 May (John Grego, Sparkle Clark, et al.). An adult was seen near Swansboro, NC, 3-8 Apr (Richard Phelps, Louis Shackleton). American Golden-Plover: Somewhat early were two at Hooper Lane in Henderson Co, NC, 1 1 Mar, and a high count of seven at the same location 14 Mar (Wayne Forsythe, Ron Selvey). Two sightings were made at the Savannah Spoil Site, Jasper Co, SC, 14 and 21 Apr (Steve Calver, Ellie Covington). Snowy Plover: One was seen on Bear Island, Hammocks Beach SP, NC, during the Onslow County SBC, 24 Apr (John Fussell, Barbara Gould). Could this bird be the same individual that visited the island in July-Sept 2008? American Oystercatcher: Five nest sites, including one harboring eggs, were noted on gravel rooftops in Morehead City and Atlantic Beach, NC, this spring (John Fussell). Black-necked Stilt: Rare away from the coast, wayward migrants were found at two inland sites in NC this spring. Four were found at Archie Elledge WTP in Winston-Salem, NC, 28 May, with one bird lingering until 3 88 Briefs for the Files — Spring 2010 June (Doug Hochmuth, John Haire). This sighting provides the third state record of this species outside of the coastal plain. One seen in flight over the S end of Falls Lake, Wake Co, NC, 28 May (Ali Iyoob) was a first for the lake. Some of the better coastal counts included 36 at Santee Coastal Reserve, Charleston Co, SC, 20 Mar (Ritch Lilly); about 60 at Bear Island WMA, SC, 21 Mar and later (David Abbott, m. obs.); and 226 at the Savannah Spoil Site, Jasper Co, SC, 26 May (Steve Calver). The latter report was the spring’s high count for our region, though it was low in comparison to past spring counts at that site. Solitary Sandpiper: 35+ in the French Broad River Valley of Henderson Co, NC, 27 Apr (Wayne Forsythe, Bob Olthoff) was an unusually high number for a mountain locality. Marbled Godwit: Notable counts included 41 on the flats behind the E end of Shackleford Banks, NC, 10 Mar (Jacob Socolar); and 30+ at Pea Island NWR, NC, 5-6 Mar (Greg Massey, Harry Sell, Ricky Davis, et al.). Pectoral Sandpiper: One found at Bear Island WMA, Colleton Co, SC, 6 Mar (Elisa Enders) was somewhat early. One seen at Wallace Farms in Charlotte, NC 9 Apr (Jeff Lemons) was a good find for an inland site in spring. Ruff: Two females (Reeves) were seen in South Carolina this spring — one at Bear Island WMA, Colleton Co, SC, 20 Mar and 6 Apr (Cherrie Sneed, m. obs.); and one at the Savannah Spoil Site, Jasper Co, SC, 21 and 29 Apr (Steve Calver, Ellie Covington). Short-billed Dowitcher: One in the French Broad River Valley of Henderson Co, NC, 2 Apr (Wayne Forsythe) was unusual for the mountain locality. Wilson’s Phalarope: This migrant, which is harder to find in spring than in fall, was seen twice in our region this spring. One was photographed in the French Broad River Valley of Henderson Co, NC, 26 Apr (Wayne Forsythe) and the other was seen at the Savannah Spoil Site, Jasper Co, SC, 29 Apr (Steve Calver). Red-necked Phalarope: Five, three females and two males, in breeding plumage, were seen at the Archie Elledge WTP in Winston-Salem, NC, 18- 19 May (Carol Cunningham, Phil Dickinson, Ron Underwood). One was seen at the Savannah Spoil Site, Jasper Co, SC, 26 May (Steve Calver). A The Chat, Vol. 74, No. 3, Summer 2010 89 total of 189 were seen during the course of 19 nearly-consecutive pelagic trips out of Hatteras, NC, in late May and early June (Brian Patteson). Bonaparte’s Gull: Nine in a field with Ring-billed Gulls, just E of Rocky Mount, NC, 29 Mar (Ricky Davis) were very unusual. Typically this species is only found along the coast and, inland, over large lakes. Black-headed Gull: The individual seen sporadically throughout the winter along the causeway over Lake Mattamuskeet, NC, was seen again, 6 Mar (Peggy Eubank). Lesser Black-backed Gull: A count of 41, amidst a flock of 42 gulls, on the beach of Southern Shores, NC, in early April (Jeff Lewis) indicates how common this species is becoming along the Outer Banks. Glaucous Gull: One was reported from Oregon Inlet, NC, 1 Mar (Peggy Eubank). A juvenile in flight over the salt marshes/mudflats near New Topsail Inlet, Pender Co, NC, 20 May (Gilbert Grant) was quite late. Sooty Tern: One was seen on a sandbar in the Stono Inlet, between Folly Beach and Kiawah Island, SC, 16 May (Steve Compton). Bridled Tern: Nine were seen during the course of 19 pelagic trips out of Hatteras, NC, in late May and early June (Brian Patteson, et al.). Caspian Tern: Migrants seen over inland lakes included two over Blewett Falls Lake, Anson Co, NC, 18 Apr (Mark Gretch); three over Falls Lake, near Creedmoor, NC, 27 Apr (Josh Southern); and eight over Salem Lake in Winston-Salem, NC, 1 1 May (John Haire). Black Tern: Thirteen were counted at the Savannah Spoil Site, Jasper Co, SC, 26 May (Steve Calver). In our region, this species is much more likely to be seen during fall migration than during spring. Pomarine Jaeger, 22 May 2010, off Hatteras, NC. Photo by Nathan Swick. 90 Briefs for the Files — Spring 2010 Arctic Tern: One was seen and photographed on the jetty at Fort Macon SP, Atlantic Beach, NC, 27-28 May (A1 Gamache, Randy Newman, John Fussell, Harry Sell, et al.) providing a rare “from land” sighting for our region. The one-day high count out of Hatteras, NC, was 17-20 on 28 May (Brian Patteson, et al.). South Polar Skua: Only one was seen during the course of 19 nearly- consecutive pelagic trips out of Hatteras, NC, in late May and early June (Brian Patteson, et al.) — quite a poor showing compared to last year’s count of 47. Jaegers: Numbers on spring pelagic trips out of Hatteras, NC, were quite low compared to the past few years, with 13 Pomarines (last year: 63), 7 Parasitics (last year: 18), and 13 Long-taileds (last year: 33), in late May and early June (Brian Patteson, et al.). Razorbill: A dead juvenile was found at the S end of Topsail Beach, Pender Co, NC, 6 Apr (Gilbert Grant). Atlantic Puffin: Two juvenile, or non-breeding plumaged, birds were photographed from shore, near the rock jetty at Cape Lookout, NC, 9 Mar (Keith Rittmaster, fide John Fussell). Though this species is sometimes found on winter pelagic trips off Cape Hatteras, these puffins were found at a more southern location than usual, and were also the first to be photographed from shore. Atlantic Puffins, 9 Mar 2010, Cape Lookout, NC. Photo by Keith Rittmaster. White-winged Dove: One at a feeder in Morehead City, NC, 29-30 May (Duffy Wad Q,fide John Fussell) was the only one reported this spring. Exotic Psittacids: Though almost certainly escaped captives, a few parrots were seen in our region this spring — a Black-hooded Parakeet continued to roost in a utility pole in Morehead City, NC, throughout the period (John Fussell); a yellow parakeet was seen at Lake Conestee Nature Park in Greenville, SC, 18 May (Paul Serridge); and a Peach-faced Lovebird visited a feeder in New Bern, NC, 3 1 May and later (Bob Holmes). The Chat, Vol. 74, No. 3, Summer 2010 91 Black-billed Cuckoo: Two migrants were found passing through Winston- Salem, NC — one at Tanglewood Park, 8 May (Bill Gifford, fide John Haire); and another at Reynolda Gardens, 12 May (Jim Martin, fide Haire). One was seen at Catfish Lake in the Croatan National Forest (NF), 20 May, and two were seen together near Catfish Lake, 22 May (John Fussell). Finding this species in the Croatan NF in late May is “an apparently somewhat regular phenomenon” and Fussell wonders if it may breed there. Barn Owl: One seen near the E/NE comer of the hiking trail at Santee Coastal Reserve, Charleston Co, SC, 20 Mar (Ritch Lilly) and one photographed the same day at Santee Delta WMA, SC (Cathy Miller) were the only Bam Owls mentioned this spring. Bam Owl, 20 Mar 2010, Santee Delta WMA, SC. Photo by Cathy Miller. Barred Owl: One at Jackson Park in Hendersonville, NC, 14 May (Wayne Forsythe) was the observer’s first in 24 years of birding in the park. Northern Saw-whet Owl: Along the Blue Ridge Parkway (BRP) near Devil’s Courthouse, NC, two were heard 10 Apr (Marilyn Westphal, Mark Simpson); up to four were heard in late April (Westphal, Simpson); and “two to three” were heard 18 May (Wayne Forsythe, Ron Selvey). Eastern Whip-poor-will: One heard in Aiken, SC, 27 Mar (Matt Malin) was the first one reported this spring. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker: One at Alligator River NWR, NC, 30 Apr (Jeff Lewis) was quite late. Yellow-bellied Flycatcher: This species was reported from the S end of Falls Lake, Raleigh, NC, 20 May (Kyle Kittelberger) and 29 May (Ali Iyoob). Alder Flycatcher: A record 36 birds were counted on the Balsam Mountains SBC, 15 May {fide Marilyn Westphal). These birds were found in the 92 Briefs for the Files — Spring 2010 Shining Rock Wilderness and Black Balsam area, Pisgah NF, Haywood Co, NC. Willow Flycatcher: 2 Willow Flycatchers were found at Concord Mills Wetland, 29 May (Jeff Lemons). One was heard calling in the wetland on Ballinger Rd near the Leonard Center, east of the airport in Greensboro, NC, 14 May (Henry Link). Least Flycatcher: One was seen and heard at Evergreen Nature Preserve in Charlotte, NC, 1 1 May (Tom Sanders). Scissor-tailed Flycatcher: Two were reported this spring, though neither bird was seen more than once. One was seen flycatching in a cattle pasture along Cane Creek Rd, SW Union Co, “about half a mile north of the SC line” 7 Apr (Bruce Sorrie, fide Harry LeGrand). The other one was seen perched on a wire along NC-1 1, about a mile N of US-64, in E Edgecombe Co, 28 May (Paula Wright, fide Ricky Davis). Warbling Vireo: One was seen and heard in a cottonwood tree along Lookout Shoals Lake, Catawba Co, NC, 4-15 May, and two more were found at different locations along the lake, 16 May (Monroe Panned , Dwayne Martin). One was seen at Anilorac Farm, a documented nesting site just NW of Chapel Hill, NC, 22 May (Derb Carter). Common Raven nest, 1 Apr 2010, Charlotte, NC. Nestlings are visible in the nest; an adult is flying from the nest and casting a shadow. Photo by Jeff Lemons. Common Raven: Nesting was confirmed at the Vulcan Rock Quarry in Charlotte, NC, when a pair of adults was photographed tending to nestlings, 31 Mar (David Wright, Marcia Wright, Tom Sanders, Jeff Lemons, Ron Clark). This sighting provides the first documented record of ravens nesting The Chat, Vol. 74, No. 3, Summer 2010 93 in Mecklenburg County, which, interestingly, had its first confirmed raven sighting only two years ago. Horned Lark: Nesting was suspected at North River Farms, Carteret Co, NC, with a pair frequenting the same area throughout the spring, and two juveniles seen there 23 May (John Fussell, Jack Fennell, John Voigt). One seen along Flooper Lane, Henderson Co, NC, 14 Mar (Wayne Forsythe, Ron Selvey) was locally unusual. Tree Swallow: An amazing one-day count of 100,000 birds was made at the Savannah Spoil Site, Jasper Co, SC, 1 Apr (Steve Calver). Cliff Swallow: Reports of nesting colonies included 300+ at the old Springs Riverland Distribution Center in Lancaster, SC, 15 Apr (Jeff Lemons); 166 nests on the face of the power plant on Blewett Falls Lake, Anson Co, NC, 25 Apr (Mark Gretch); and 40+ nests at the US-70 bridge over Slocum Creek in Havelock, NC, in May (John Fussell). Brown-headed Nuthatch: Not very common at higher elevations, one was observed at Sandy Mush Game Land, Buncombe Co, NC, 5 and 23 May (Chris Kelly). Marsh Wren: One at Tanglewood Park in Winston-Salem, NC, 1-8 Mar was locally unusual (John Haire). Marsh Wren, 1 Mar 2010, Winston-Salem, NC. Photo by John Haire. Blue-winged Warbler: A good count of three was had at the Sandy Mush Game Land, Buncombe Co, NC, 30 May (Doug Johnston, et al .,fide Chris Kelly). Three were seen on the Falls Lake, NC, SBC, 27 Apr {fide Brian Bockhahn) and were a first for that count. “Brewster’s Warbler” : One was photographed, along with a Golden- winged Warbler, in Cove Creek, NC, 8 May (Jeff Lemons). 94 Briefs for the Files — Spring 2010 “Brewster’s” Warbler, 8 May 2010, Cove Creek, NC. Photo by Jeff Lemons Nashville Warbler: One photographed at Edisto Beach SP, SC, 8 Mar (Rob Biller) must have been a wintering bird, as it was too early to have been a returning spring migrant. Rare along the coast during spring migration, one Nashville Warbler was seen in the Elizabethan Gardens on Roanoke Island, NC, 19-23 Apr (Jeff Lewis). Chestnut-sided Warbler: Another warbler that is rare along the coast in spring, two Chestnut-sided Warblers were seen at Donnelley WMA, Colleton Co, SC, 14 May (David Abbott). “Audubon’s Warbler” : A male in breeding plumage was well-observed as it foraged in the treetops with a flock of “Myrtle” Yellow-rumped Warblers in the Trappers Runs subdivision of Cary, NC, 24 Apr (Kevin Markham). Blackpoll Warbler: One found at Lake Norman SP, NC, 4 Apr (Tomm Lorenzin) was quite early for a species with a reputation for being one of the last spring migrants. Cerulean Warbler: Away from the mountains, sightings included a singing male on private property in southern Granville Co, NC, 24 Apr (Deck Stapleton) and an individual at Hamilton Lakes Park in Greensboro, NC, 29 Apr (Henry Link). American Redstart: One seen on the High Windy Trail in Black Mountain, NC, 3 Apr (Stu Gibeau) was somewhat early. Swainson’s Warbler: One at Lake Conestee Nature Park in Greenville, SC, 6 May (Jane Kramer, fide Paul Serridge) was a first for the park. Louisiana Waterthrush: One at Mason Farm in Chapel Hill, NC, 23 Mar (Thierry Besancon) was a somewhat early spring arrival. Kentucky Warbler: One seen along the Blue Wall Passage of the Palmetto Trail, near Tryon, SC, during the Greenville Co SBC, 17 Apr {fide Steve Compton) was the first one reported this spring. The Chat, Vol. 74, No. 3, Summer 2010 95 Connecticut Warbler: One, singing, was well-seen on private property just S of Old Fort, NC, 1 1 May (Tom Pericak, Bonnie Simmons). Two (!) were seen and heard at Jackson Park in Hendersonville, NC, 13 May (Ron Selvey, fide Wayne Forsythe). Wilson’s Warbler: One, a first for the park, was seen at Lake Conestee Nature Park in Greenville, SC, 4-5 May (Chip Gilbert, Simon Harvey, fide Paul Serridge). Canada Warbler: One seen in a yard in Manteo, NC, 1 9 May was locally very unusual (Jeff Lewis). Yellow-breasted Chat: The bird that wintered in a yard in Morehead City, NC, remained until at least 9 Apr (John Fussell). Vesper Sparrow: One photographed at the dam on Falls Lake, Raleigh, NC, 1 Apr (Matt Daw, Ali Iyoob) was a good find. Another was seen along the Muddy Creek Greenway in Winston-Salem, NC, 1 Apr (Phil Dickinson, John Haire, Carol Cunningham). Lark Sparrow: Two seen in a yard just S of Myrtle Beach, SC, 3-4 Apr (Ritch Lilly) were the only ones reported this spring. Savannah Sparrow: One seen on Hooper Bald, Graham Co, NC, at 5380 ft, 10 May (Chris Kelly) may indicate attempted breeding at that site. Grasshopper Sparrow: An individual was seen at the Savannah Spoil Site, Jasper Co, SC, 1 and 21 Apr (Steve Calver). Harris’s Sparrow: One was photographed at a feeder in Kill Devil Hills, NC, 22 Apr (Jeff Lewis) where it had reportedly been visiting for several days. Later attempts to relocate the bird were unsuccessful. Harris’s Sparrow, 22 Apr 2010, Kill Devil Hills, NC. Photo by Jeff Lewis. White-crowned Sparrow: Up to six visited a feeder in Lenoir, NC, throughout the winter, until last seen 5 May (Walt Kent). 96 Briefs for the Files — Spring 2010 Western Tanager: An individual visited a feeder in Morehead City, NC, where it was photographed and seen by many, 6-3 1 Mar (Andy Haines, John Fussell, m. obs.). Dickcissel: Individuals were seen at Sunset Beach, NC, 3 Apr (Tom Sanders, et al.); at Santee Coastal Reserve, Charleston Co, SC, 24 Apr (Michael Bernard); in Eutaw Springs, SC, 30 Apr (Stephen Thomas); on Roanoke Island, NC, 19 May (Jeff Lewis); and Townville, SC, 21 May (Steve Kilpatrick). A high count of 12, 11 singing males and one female, was made at North River Farms, Carteret Co, NC, 23 May (John Fussell, Jack Fennell, John Voigt). Dickcissel, 21 May 2010, Townville, SC. Photo by Steve Kilpatrick. Bobolink: Some of the larger flocks reported were 50 at Wallace Farms in Charlotte, NC, 25 Apr (Jeff Lemons); 40 at Savannah NWR, SC, 13 May (Keith McCullough); and 50+ on Hooper Lane, Henderson Co, NC, 16 May (Wayne Forsythe, Jon Smith). Yellow-headed Blackbird: A first- winter male was photographed and seen by many when it visited a feeder in Castle Hayne, New Hanover Co, NC, 28 Feb-23 March (Jennifer Lee, Mark Jones, Bruce Smithson, Greg Massey, m. obs.). Rusty Blackbird: Ten found in a swampy area off NC-54, during the Chapel Hill NC SBC, 1 May (Chuck Byrd ,fide Will Cook) were somewhat late. Purple Finch: This species put on a poor showing in our region this past winter. Three females/juveniles were seen at a feeder in a yard near Mill Creek, NC, 13 Mar (Jack Fennell). A female was seen at a feeder at Lake Conestee Nature Park in Greenville, SC, 9-1 1 Apr (Paul Serridge). An adult male at Reynolda Gardens in Winston-Salem , NC, 27-28 Apr (John Haire) was late. CAROLINA BIRD CLUB www.carolinabirdclub.org The Carolina Bird Club is a non-profit organization which represents and supports the birding community in the Carolinas through its official website, publications, meetings, workshops, trips, and partnerships, whose mission is • To promote the observation, enjoyment, and study of birds. • To provide opportunities for birders to become acquainted, and to share information and experience. • To maintain well-documented records of birds in the Carolinas. • To support the protection and conservation of birds and their habitats and foster an appreciation and respect of natural resources. • To promote educational opportunities in bird and nature study. • To support research on birds of the Carolinas and their habitats. Membership is open to all persons interested in the conservation, natural history, and study of wildlife with particular emphasis on birds. Dues, contributions, and bequests to the Club may be deductible from state and federal income and estate taxes. Make checks payable to Carolina Bird Club, Inc. Send checks or correspondence regarding membership or change of address to the Headquarters Secretary. Dues include $6 for a subscription to the CBC Newsletter and $7 for a subscription to The Chat. Associate members do not receive a separate subscription to publications. ANNUAL DUES Individual or non-profit $25.00 Associate (in same household as individual member) $5.00 Student $15.00 Sustaining and businesses $30.00 Patron $50.00 Life Membership (payable in four consecutive $100 installments) $400.00 Associate Life Membership (in same household as life member) $100.00 ELECTED OFFICERS President Taylor Piephoff, Charlotte, NC PiephoffT@aol.com NC Vice-Presidents David McCloy, Pinehurst, NC david.mccloy@ncmail.net Dwayne Martin, Hickory, NC redxbill@gmail.com SC Vice-President Paul Serridge, Greenville, SC paulserridge@gmail.com Secretary Lucy Quintilliano, Charlotte, NC lucyq@carolina.rr.com Treasurer Carol Bowman, Pinehurst, NC cbowman6@nc.rr.com NC Members-at-Large John Ennis, Leland, NC johnxennis@bellsouth.net Skip Morgan, Manteo, NC tlmorgan@inteliport.com Katherine Higgins, Mouth of Wilson, VA kathwrens@gmail.com Ron Clark, Kings Mountain, NC waxwing@bellsouth.net SC Members-at-Large Don Faulkner, Easley, SC donrfaulkner@aol.com Marion Clark, Lexington, SC mclark66@sc.rr.com EX-OFFICIO EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBERS Chat Editor Kent Fiala, Hillsborough, NC chat@carolinabirdclub.org Newsletter Editor Steve Shultz, Apex, NC newsletter@carolinabirdclub.org Web site Editor Kent Fiala, Hillsborough, NC webeditor@carolinabirdclub.org Immediate Past President Steve Patterson, Lancaster, SC SCBirder@aol.com HEADQUARTERS SECRETARY Dana Harris CBC, 1809 Lakepark Drive, Raleigh NC 27612 hq@carolinabirdclub.org "U ■orat/) (0 CO y CL O ^ t— qz g© o oio _ CO . O) 3>=* = £ £ =5 T: re £ j£ -o CO O) co c c E -2 S3 OQ co o TJ .2 o Q. CO 1L 01552 6015 m e BjJ vl H o Of o XR4> Vol. 74 The Chat FALL 2010 THE CHAT ISSN No. 0009-1987 Vol. 74 FALL 2010 No. 4 Editor General Field Notes Editors Kent Fiala, 1714 Borland Road Hillsborough, NC 27278 chat@carolinabirdclub.org North Carolina Christina Harvey South Carolina William Post Briefs for the Files Josh Southern Associate Editor Ginger Travis THE CHAT is published quarterly by the Carolina Bird Club, Inc., 353 Montabello, Bloomingdale, IL 60108-1037. Subscription price $20 per year. Periodicals postage paid at Bloomingdale, IL and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to THE CHAT, Carolina Bird Club, Inc., 1809 Lakepark Drive, Raleigh NC 27612. Copyright © 2010 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 Occurrence of the White-winged Dove ( Zenaida asiatica) in South Carolina and Neighboring Regions, and its Relation to the Florida Population William Post 97 General Field Notes First Record of California Gull ( Larus californicus) for South Carolina Christopher E. Hill 102 Nesting Scissor-tailed Flycatchers ( Tyrannus forficatus ) in Greenville County, SC Paul Serridge 104 \Briefs for the Files Summer 2010 107 Fifty Years Ago in The Chat December 1 960 117 Index Index to Volume 74 118 Cover: Bobolink, 18 Sept 2010, Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge. Photo by Jeff Lewis. Occurrence of the White-winged Dove ( Zenaida asiaiica ) in South Carolina and Neighboring Regions, and its Relation to the Florida Population William Post Charleston Museum, 360 Meeting Street, Charleston, S.C. 29301 In South Carolina, the White-winged Dove {Zenaida asiatica) is a rare transient on the immediate coast (40 reports), and a very rare transient in the interior (four reports from the coastal plain outside the tidal zone, and one within the Blue Ridge province). This dove was unknown in the state before 1965. The purpose of this note is to review the occurrence of the White- winged Dove in South Carolina and nearby regions, and to discuss how its pattern of occurrence may be related to growth of the Florida population. This dove was first recorded in South Carolina on 6 December 1965 when W. D. Bootle shot a male while hunting on James Island, Charleston County (Chamberlain 1966). G. B. Saunders identified the specimen as Z. a. asiatica , the subspecies breeding as far east as southern Texas. The next White-winged Dove was also shot during a hunt, on Wadmalaw Island, 1 January 1968 (specimen photographed, carcass not preserved). There was not another verified report until 1990, but through 2009, 45 state reports have accumulated (Fig. 1), including six specimens and seven photographs (Table 1). From 1989 to 2009, this dove was recorded every year but three (1997, 2001 and 2007). 18 i 1965- 1970- 1975- 198a 1984- 199a 1995- 200a 2005- 69 74 79 84 89 94 99 04 09 Year Figure 1. Number of reports of White-winged Doves in SC, 1965-2009, by 5-year intervals. 97 98 White-winged Dove (Zenaida asiatica^) in South Carolina Table 1. Verifiable records of White-winged Dove in SC. South Carolina Bird Records Committee: SCBRC. Location Date Document- ation Observer Reference Comments James Island Wadmalaw Island Charleston Sullivan’s island S. Aiken Co Johns Island Harbor Island Sullivan’s Island Sullivan’s Island Sullivan’s Island Huntington Beach Garden City Beach James Island James Island 6 Dec 1965 “December” 1968 1 1-13 Nov 1990 15 Nov 1993 15 Apr 1994 30 Dec 1995 28 Jun-10 Jul 1996 18 Nov 2000 1 Dec 2000 30 Nov 2002 27 Jul 2005 30 Dec 2008 6 Apr 2009 29 Nov 2009 Specimen Photograph Photograph Specimen Photograph Specimen Photograph Specimen Specimen Specimen Photograph Photograph Photograph Photograph W. D. Bootle Farley Smith, Jr. S. Compton W. Post K. A. Buhlmann et at. W. Gibbs J. Halleron W. Post W. Post W. Post P. Turner D. Forsythe B. McCord N. Dias Burton 1969; Chat 30:52, Burton 1969 Chat 55:93- 101 this paper Buhlmann et al. 1995; SCBRC 04- 94-1 this paper Chat 66:153; SCBRC 04- 96.2 this paper this paper this paper this paper this paper Chat 73: 105— 106 NAB 64:61 Male; 1st state record; during dove hunt male; during dove hunt male; at feeder at feeder; first inland record female, during dove hunt at feeder, remained 13 days at feeder, with collared- doves male; at feeder female; at feeder with collared- doves at feeder The Chat, Vol. 74, No. 4, Fall 2010 99 Most (40 of 45) of the South Carolina reports are from the immediate coast, and 63% of the coastal reports were in November-February. White- winged Dove has been found on the coast in every month except August (Fig. 2). In contrast, most interior sightings (four of seven) were in April. The dove was first recorded in the interior on 15 April 1994, when one was photographed in southern Aiken County within the Savannah River Site (Buhlmann et al. 1995). The earliest fall appearance in the interior was at Columbia, on 16 September 2006 (C. Eastman. Chat 71:22, 2007). In addition to this sighting, it was seen in Columbia on 20 December 1998. A sighting from Columbia on 6 June 1989 was not verified; it was reported to involve six birds, an unusually high count, and possibly entailed Eurasian Collared-Doves (Streptopelia decaocto ). 14 12 j □ Inland ■ Coast 10 1 8 l Month Figure 2. Seasonal and regional distribution of White-winged Doves in South Carolina. Coast refers to outer coastal plain (tidal zone). Since the late 1990s, this species has often been seen at bird feeders (>20 reports). By 1995, White-winged Doves were seen associating with Eurasian Collared-Doves. One stayed with a flock of collared-doves “several months” in fall 1996 at Bennett’s Point, Colleton County (G. Beaton and B. Wood). A male collected 30 November 2002 on Sullivan’s Island was at a feeder with a flock of 35 collared-doves (Table 1). Most (25 of 31) doves have been reported lingering two days or less. Others have remained at one site for extended periods (14-60 days). Two is the largest number confirmed at one site (31 Dec 2005, Charleston; 23 November 2000, Edisto Island). The ll.lnl b 100 White-winged Dove (Zenaida asiatica) in South Carolina White-winged Dove has been seen most often at feeding stations on James Island (nine reports) and on Sullivan’s Island (four). Based on 50 reports, the occurrence pattern in North Carolina mirrors that of South Carolina: 80% of NC doves were seen on the immediate coast, and 40% of sightings have been in November-December. North Carolina, unlike SC, has reports from the piedmont (five), but none from the mountains. A pair producing two young in June-July 1998 in Beaufort, NC, was thought to have been locally released, as one bird was banded (presumably a non-government band; F. A. Enders in Davis 1998. Chat 63:40). Chandler and Lewis (2001) listed 25 reports from Georgia through 2001, all but three occurring since 1972. As in the Carolinas, a high proportion of sightings (13 of 22) have been from the immediate coast. Unlike SC, a relatively large number of Georgia reports ( 1 0 of 22) were from the interior coastal plain, primarily in the spring (eight of 14 spring reports). None was reported from the piedmont or mountains. It has not been determined whether birds seen in Georgia originated from Florida, or from the SW North American population, but Chandler and Lewis (2001) suggest that birds seen in the spring and early summer are from western North America, while birds occurring in the winter originate in Florida, Until the 1960s, White-winged Doves were a rare, regular transient in Florida, believed to have originated in the western Gulf coast (Robertson and Woolfenden 1992). G. B. Saunders (in litt., Charleston Museum) believed that during the 1960’s, birds breeding in southern Texas regularly wandered along the Gulf coast as far east as Florida, and some turned northward rather than southward along the west coast of Florida. This hypothesis may apply to the two collected in South Carolina in 1965 and 1968, and perhaps to the two Georgia specimens, collected in 1959 and 1962 (Chandler and Lewis 2001). In the 1960s and 1970s, the White-winged Dove population in Florida grew rapidly, primarily as a result of introductions (Robertson and Woolfenden 1992, Stevenson and Anderson 1994). In 1959, ten pairs were released near Homestead, Dade Co. The species began breeding there (Fisk 1968), and eight years later the population was estimated to contain 200 birds (Stevenson and Anderson 1994). In the late 1970s, the Florida Game and Freshwater Fish Commission began capturing birds from southern Florida, introducing them to central Florida, as far north as Alachua Co (L. E. Williams in Robertson and Woolfenden 1992). In April- July 2002, twenty-two were counted at four locations in Columbia County, Florida, on the border of southeastern Georgia (Florida Field Naturalist 31:14, 2003). Such large numbers near Georgia suggest that the doves recorded there and in the Carolinas since the 1980s originated in Florida. In addition, as these doves have appeared in northern Florida in spring and summer, it is more likely that those sighted in the Carolinas and Georgia during that period are from also Florida, rather than southwestern North America, as suggested by Chandler and Lewis (2001). The Chat, Vol. 74, No. 4, Fall 2010 101 In summary, South Carolina now has 48 reports of White-winged Doves (41 from the coast; seven from the interior). This includes six verifiable by specimens, and eight verified by photographs. On the outer coastal plain, the species occurs mainly in late fall-winter (November to February; 26 of 40 reports). Inland birds have tended to occur in April (three of six reports). It is likely that the increase in reports from the Carolinas and Georgia since the 1990s is associated with the rapid growth of the Florida population, and in the future the species should be recorded with greater frequency in the Southeast. Literature Cited Beaton, G., P. W. Sykes, Jr., and J. W. Parrish, Jr. 2003. Annotated checklist of Georgia birds. Occasional Publication of the Georgia Ornithological Society 14. Buhlmann, K. A., J. W. Gibbons, and I. L. Brisbin, Jr. 1995. Observations of a White-winged Dove ( Zenaida asiatica) on the upper coastal plain of South Carolina. Chat 59:95. Burton, E. M. 1970. Supplement to South Carolina birdlife. Contributions from the Charleston Museum XI. University of South Carolina Press, Columbia. Chamberlain, E. B. 1966. White- winged Dove in South Carolina. Chat 30:52. Chandler, C. R., and E. Lewis 2001. Status of the White-winged Dove in Georgia. Oriole 66:9-15. Fisk, E. J. 1968. White-winged Doves breeding in Florida. Florida Field Naturalist 41 : 126. Robertson, W. B., Jr., and G. E. Woolfenden. 1992. Florida bird species: an annotated list. Florida Ornithological Society. Special Publication No. 6. Schwertner, T. W., H. A. Mathewson, J. A. Roberson, M. Small, and G. L. Waggerman. 2002. White-winged Dove {Zenaida asiatica). In The Birds of North America, No. 710 (A. Poole and F. Gill, eds.). The Birds of North America, Inc., Philadelphia, PA. Stevenson, H. M., and B. H. Anderson. 1994. The Birdlife of Florida. University Presses of Florida, Gainesville. General Field Notes General Field Notes briefly report such items as rare sightings, unusual behaviors, significant nesting records, or summaries of such items. 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 California Gull ( Larus californicus) for South Carolina Christopher E. Hill Biology Department, Coastal Carolina University, PO Box 261954, Conway, SC 29528, chill@coastal.edu On 5 January 2010 I visited the Horry County landfill, off Route 90, east of Conway, South Carolina. While looking through a group of Ring-billed ( Larus delawarensis), Laughing ( L . atricilla), and Herring ( L . argentatus) Gulls, I noticed a gull, larger than the Ring-billed Gulls around it, but smaller than a Herring Gull. I also noted a red and black spot on its long bill, its gray-green legs, and dark eyes. The wings were relatively long, pointed, and with a “tail-dragging” aspect. Its mantle was darker than those of nearby Ring-bills. These characteristics led me to conclude that I was looking at a California Gull (Larus californicus ). Other diagnostic characteristics were: 1) tertial and scapular crescents more conspicuous than those of nearby Ring-bills; 2) a reddish orbital ring; 3) head mottling similar in extent, but browner and softer than the crisp gray markings of nearby Ring-bills. I observed the bird through 8x binoculars and a 20x spotting scope from a distance of 10-15 m. I obtained photographs with a Canon G10 digital camera (Fig. 1). On a subsequent visit, Lex Glover and I noted and photographed the conspicuously large subapical white spots on its black primaries, features indicating it was an adult. The variability of large gulls is almost limitless, and the possibility of hybridization cannot be discounted; however, this individual displayed a wide range of traits, enumerated above, which are consistent with its identification as a California Gull. The landfill, near the northeastern corner of SC, may attract as many as 20,000 gulls, including rarer birds such as Iceland (Larus glaucoides ) and Glaucous (L. hyperboreus) Gulls. The landfill is a logical place for a California Gull to appear. The present report was reviewed by the SC Bird Records Committee (report # 01-10-01) and accepted as valid (D. Slyce, pers. comm.). With the verification of this record, 14 species of gulls have been documented for 102 The Chat, Vol. 74, No. 4, Fall 2010 103 South Carolina. Another California Gull for the state was reported from the Jasper County landfill in January 2004. Three separate reports of the occurrence were submitted to the South Carolina Bird Records Committee (Reports 01-04-01a-c; Slyce et al. 2005); no decision regarding these submissions has been made. Georgia has two accepted records of the California Gull, a sight record made in February 2006, and a photograph obtained in January 2007 (G. Beaton, Jr., pers. comm.). North Carolina’s first California Gull was documented in 1993 (Dinsmore et al. 1995); since then, one or two individuals have been seen on the coast each winter. Other rare species such as Thayer’s ( L . thayeri ) and Slaty-backed Gulls ( L. schistisagus ) have been recorded in North Carolina and may occur in South Carolina in the future. Figure 1. California Gull with Ring-billed and Laughing Gulls 5 January 2010, Conway, SC. Photo by Chris Hill. Literature Cited Dinsmore, S. J., J. O. Fussell, and J. Nance. 1995. First record of California Gull for North Carolina. Chat 59:67-68. Slyce, D. J., G. Beaton, Jr., L. Glover, T. Kalbach, T. Piephoff, W. Post, and S. Wagner. 2005. 2004 Annual report of the South Carolina Bird Records Committee. Chat 69:35-37. Nesting Scissor-tailed Flycatchers ( Tyrannus forficatus) in Greenville County, SC Paul Serridge 4 Audrey Lane, Greenville, SC 29615 The Scissor-tailed Flycatcher ( Tyrannus forficatus ) was originally classified as an accidental visitor in South Carolina (Sprunt and Chamberlain 1949, Burton 1970), with about ten reports through 1979. Since 1980 there have been at least 40 reports (McNair and Post 1993, Redshank Software 2005), most of which occurred during May-July. By 2004, three nesting attempts had been documented. The first of these occurred in July 1982, in Youngs Community in upper Laurens County. One young fledged (Mancke 1982). A pair nested in the same area in 1983 (LeGrand 1984), but the outcome was not reported (McNair and Post 1993). A family group of five was reported by Robin Carter et al. in Edgefield County, west of Saluda, in July 2004. This flock consisted of several young that probably had fledged nearby (Davis 2004), although the specific locality was not determined. The present report documents the third and fourth successful nestings in South Carolina, and the first instance of a pair’s raising two broods in one breeding season in South Carolina. On 5 June 2010, while visiting the Kellet farm on Gunter Road, near Piedmont (Greenville County), South Carolina, Lorraine Brown saw two Scissor-tailed Flycatchers. On 14 June she informed members of the Greenville County Bird Club of her find, and many were able to observe the birds over the next few weeks. Mr. Kellet, the farm’s owner, called the birds “Split-tailed Fence-sitters”, and said that they had been visiting his farm for the past few years. He also said that he had observed as many as ten, although details of this observation are not available. Gunter Road is a typical rural road of the South Carolina piedmont. There is a cattle farm on its east side, with pasture, scattered trees, a barn and outbuildings, and a small pond. The west side is bordered by a tree farm. The area is similar to the habitats of Scissor-tailed Flycatchers in the western part of their range (Regosin 1998). On 16 June, Chip and Sara Gilbert observed three young Scissor-tailed Flycatchers at the Gunter Road site. Although the young had already fledged, what was assumed to be their nest was located about 30 feet above ground on a horizontal metal support strut of a utility pole. Adults were seen feeding the young through 20 June. Many visiting birders were able to approach the flycatchers closely without disturbing them. The birds’ habit of perching on the utility lines along the road made observation and photography easy. The young were reported in the Gunter Road area on several occasions through 5 July. A report of a juvenile on 1 5 July was not confirmed. 104 The Chat, Vol. 74, No. 4, Fall 2010 105 A second breeding attempt was initially reported by Simon Harvey, who saw Scissor-tails, presumably the same pair, mating on 16 June. Chip Gilbert saw further mating on 20 June. Don Faulkner photographed the female nest- building on 18 June, and Chip and Sara Gilbert reported similar activities on 19 June. This nest was on a separate strut a few feet from the first nest. It appeared to be constructed of grass, plant stems, and twigs, and some possibly synthetic fiber. Donnie Coody and others saw the female sitting on the nest on 20 June. Chip and Sara Gilbert observed the female delivering food and then brooding the young on 10 July. These same behaviors were noted by Paul Serridge on 12 July. The presence of nestlings was confirmed by Jeff Catlin and Pam Torlina on 14 July, when they observed the head of a single chick. On 17 July, Paul Serridge and others saw two chicks. Todd Arcos, Jeff Catlin, Don Faulkner, and Jane Kramer saw three nestlings on 20 July. On the morning of 24 July, Dennis Trapp observed the young fledge: one flew across the road to the tree farm; the other two stayed on the utility pole near the nest and were fed repeatedly by the adults. On 25 July, Paul and Barbara Serridge observed the young in a small tree in the tree farm. They were calling regularly, and the female was seen feeding them, while the male perched on a utility line. The Scissor-tail pair regularly and vigorously chased any birds that approached the nest. The male successfully repulsed Cooper’s Hawks ( Accipiter cooperii) and Red-tailed Hawks ( Buteo jamaicensis), well before they were near the nest. There were no further sightings of Scissor-tailed Flycatchers in the Gunter Road area until 28 August, when Rob Hunnings photographed three flycatchers perched on the utility lines. After that date, the birds were not seen again, and all traces of the nests had disappeared. Double-brooding is rarely seen in Scissor-tailed Flycatchers. For example, in a two-year study of 111 breeding pairs in Oklahoma, only three cases of double-brooding were found. In two of these instances, the first brood fledged prematurely due to human disturbance (Regosin 1998). In summary, this report provides details of two successful nestings by a pair of Scissor-tailed Flycatchers during June-July 2010 in the upper piedmont of South Carolina. These nestings constitute the fourth and fifth breeding records for the state, and the second and third instances in which young were confirmed fledging at a specific locality. The findings have additional significance because they document a case of double-brooding, which is rare in this species. Literature Cited Burton, E. M. 1970. Supplement to South Carolina Birdlife. University of South Carolina Press, Columbia. Davis, R. 2004. Briefs for the files. Chat 68:167-173. LeGrand, Harry E., Jr. 1984. Briefs for the files. Chat 48:18-26. Mancke, R. 1982. First nesting of the Scissor-tailed Flycatcher in South Carolina. Chat 46: 113-1 14. 106 Nesting Scissor-tailed Flycatchers in Greenville County, SC McNair, D. B., and W. Post. 1993. Supplement to status and distribution of South Carolina birds. Charleston Museum Ornithological Contribution No. 8. Redshank Software. 2005. Avendex. Version 1.7.6. www.redshanksoftware.com. Regosin, J. V. 1998. Scissor-tailed Flycatcher (Tyr annus forficatus). In The Birds of North America, no. 342. Sprunt, A., Jr., and E. B. Chamberlain. 1949. South Carolina Birdlife. Contributions from the Charleston Museum XI. BRIEFS FOR THE FILES Josh Southern 4100-A Reavis Rd Raleigh, NC 27606 joshsouthem79@gmail.com (All dates Summer 2010, 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 20 th 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. Black-bellied Whistling-Duck: Eight, seemingly paired, were seen at Donnelley Wildlife Management Area (WMA), SC, 18 June (Laura Dornan), with at least four continuing through the end of the period (Ron Clark). Ross’s Goose: The seemingly healthy individual seen in E Horry Co, SC, during the spring was relocated with a flock of Canada Geese in the 107 108 Briefs for the Files — Summer 2010 Waterbridge subdivision of Myrtle Beach, 3 July (Ritch Lilly), providing the first summer report of this species in South Carolina. Tundra Swan: Two swans, both probably injured, were seen in NC this summer — one on North Pond, Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge (NWR), seen throughout the period (Ricky Davis, multiple observers (m.obs.)); and the other in the Lake Landing area of Mattamuskeet NWR, seen 3 July (Davis, Bill Deans). Ring-necked Duck: A drake that remained at Salem Lake in Winston- Salem, NC, throughout the summer (John Haire) was probably the same bird seen on the Spring Bird Count (SBC). Common Eider: Several first-year males remained in our region this summer — one near the groin at Oregon Inlet, NC, throughout the period (Jeff Lewis, Audrey Whitlock, m. obs.); one at the Rachel Carson Reserve in Beaufort, NC, 7 June (John Fussell, Paula Gillikin); one photographed on the jetty at the Little River Inlet, just S of the NC/SC state line, 9 June (fide KC Foggin); and two around Cape Point, Buxton, NC, in the latter half of July (Ricky Davis, Pat & Neal Moore). Hooded Merganser: Providing evidence of breeding in our region were sightings of an adult and juvenile in a wetland in Burke Co, NC, 2 June (Walt Kent); and a female and about 7-8 nearly grown juveniles on a small beaver pond near Draughn, Edgecombe Co, NC, 9 June (Harry LeGrand). Red-breasted Merganser: One seen around Oregon Inlet, NC, in July {fide Jeff Lewis) was the only lingering bird mentioned this summer. Northern Bobwhite: Locally unusual were two in the French Broad River Valley of Henderson Co, NC, 12 July (Wayne Forsythe); and one on Round Bald, Roan Mountain, NC, 24 June (Rick Knight). Herald (Trinidade) Petrel: A dark-morph individual seen on a pelagic trip out of Hatteras, NC, 24 July (Brian Patteson, et al.) provided the year’s first report of this rare pelagic species. Fea’s Petrel: One was well-seen on a pelagic trip out of Hatteras, NC, 1 June (Brian Patteson, et al.) Great Shearwater: “At least 350, most of which were within 20 miles of shore” were counted on a pelagic trip out of Hatteras, NC, 10 July (Brian Patteson, et al.). Rare “from-shore” sightings were made from the fishing pier in Folly Beach, SC, 12 June (Chris Snook); and from Wild Dunes, Isle of Palms, SC, 7 July (David Abbott). Manx Shearwater: Four seen on a pelagic trip out of Hatteras, NC, 10 July (Brian Patteson, et al.) provided a good mid-summer count. Audubon’s Shearwater: Rarely seen from shore, two were seen from Wild Dunes, Isle of Palms, SC, 7 July (David Abbott). Wilson’s Storm-Petrel: Also rarely seen from shore, two were seen about 100 yards off the beach of Pea Island NWR, NC, 31 July (Ricky Davis). White-tailed Tropicbird: An adult was well-seen on a pelagic trip out of Hatteras, NC, 31 July (Brian Patteson, et al.). Wood Stork: A good count of 130+ was made at Huntington Beach State Park (SP), 12 July (Ritch Lilly). The Chat, Vol. 74, No. 4, Fall 2010 109 Magnificent Frigatebird, 26 July 2010, Ocean Isle, NC. Photo by David Rintoul. Magnificent Frigatebird: A juvenile was well-photographed over Ocean Isle, NC, 26 July (David Rintoul). Double-crested Cormorant: Locally unusual during mid-summer were 15, mostly juveniles, near the upper end of Falls Lake in Durham Co, NC, 2 July (Brian Bockhahn); and one on Lake Julian, Skyland, NC, 17 July (Wayne Forsythe, Ron Selvey). Anhinga: Unusually far inland were four adults, including one on a nest, on a small beaver pond near Draughn, Edgecombe Co, NC, 9 June (Harry LeGrand); one on a nest along Swift Creek in the Seven Bridges Rd area of N Edgecombe Co, NC, 16 June (Ricky Davis); three seen circling high overhead at the upper end of Falls Lake in Durham Co, NC, 2 July (Brian Bockhahn); and one on a small pond in Bladen Co, NC, 7 July (Stacy Smaltz). American White Pelican: Wandering through our region were ten in the New Hope Creek arm of Jordan Lake, NC, 7-9 June (Ginger Travis, Will Cook, Mark Kosiewski); and eight over the Intracoastal Waterway in Hampstead, NC, 19 June {fide Sharon Smart). Brown Pelican: A juvenile was seen and photographed at Lake Wateree Dam, Kershaw Co, SC, 30 June through 9 July (Mike Williams, Lex Glover, Dan Tufford). Another juvenile was photographed on High Rock Lake in Rowan Co, NC, 1 1 July (Mike Erb, Karen Pridmore). Could both sightings be of the same wandering juvenile? Least Bittern: One was seen in the wetlands near the Water Treatment Plant (WTP) in Goldsboro, NC, 24 July (Eric Dean, Gene Howe). This species was also noted at this site during the previous two summers. Great Egret: Nine in the French Broad River Valley of Henderson Co, NC, 1 1 July (Wayne Forsythe) was an unusually high count for that area. Snowy Egret: Farthest inland were two at Riverbend Park in Conover, NC, 26-27 June (Monroe Panned, Alisha Hayes, Dwayne Martin) and one at Tanner’s Creek Pond in Mecklenburg Co, NC, 19-21 July (Kevin Metcalf). Little Blue Heron: Post-breeding wanderings into the piedmont included a juvenile on a small pond in NW Mecklenburg Co, NC, 4-5 July (Kevin 110 Briefs for the Files — Summer 2010 Metcalf); six, five adults and one juvenile, at Riverbend Park in Conover, NC, 9 July (Monroe Panned); a juvenile at the Walnut Wood Golf Course in SE Guilford Co, NC, 29 July (Dennis Burnette); and seven at Pee Dee NWR, NC, Anson Co, NC, 30 July (Will Stuart). Reddish Egret: Individuals were found along the shore of Bogue Sound at the NC Aquarium in Pine Knoll Shores, NC, 29 June (Keith Camburn, fide John Fussell); and on the E end of the Rachel Carson Reserve in Beaufort, NC, 7 July (G. R. Dun). White Ibis: Wandering juveniles were seen as far west as Highlands, NC, 4 July (Laura Blackburn, fide Edwin Poole); and in Muddy Fork, in the Broad River Basin, Cleveland Co, NC, 29 June (Tracy Morman). Glossy Ibis: Three were seen flying SW over Beaufort Inlet in “obvious ‘fall’ migration” on the early date of 7 June (John Fussed). Fussed has observed this phenomenon of very early southward migration several times before and wonders if these birds are the ones that failed at nesting. Roseate Spoonbill: The first post-breeding disperser arrived at Huntington Beach SP, SC, 17 July (Parkin Hunter, Jack Peachey) and two were there by 20 July (Ritch Lilly). Swallow-tailed Kite: In North Carolina, where this species is not yet a documented breeder, sightings involved one in flight near Lake Gaston, NE of Warrenton, NC, 1.1 June {fide Lena Gallitano); one in flight, carrying a snake, over Richfield, Stanly Co, NC, 18 June {fide Dennis Burnette); and four foraging over fields along NC-210, just N of NC-53, E Bladen Co, NC, 20 July (Heather Renninger, Melissa Miller, Harry LeGrand). Mississippi Kite: Breeding in the area was suspected when adults were seen with juveniles on a farm near Trenton, NC, 1 1 July (Clancy Ballenger); in urban Goldsboro, NC, 15 July (Mary Bridges); at the Wilson Country Club in Wilson, NC, 20 July (John Wright); and in Wilmington, NC, throughout the summer (Sam Cooper). In South Carolina, 133+ flying above the treeline to the N of Caw Caw County Park, Ravenel, SC, 30 July (Ron Clark) provided an impressive count. Northern Harrier: A male was seen in flight over the marshes on Roanoke Island, NC, 19 June (Jeff Lewis). This site is close to the Bodie Island marshes, a site where this species has been seen in summers past. Broad-winged Hawk: This species apparently bred in the Mid Creek area of Carteret Co, NC, again this summer, as a pair of adults was seen in May and a juvenile was seen in July (Jack Fennell, fide John Fussed). Purple Gallinule: An adult looked very “out-of-place” walking atop shrubbery next to an oceanfront cottage in Duck, NC, 10-13 June (Jeff Lewis). One in the wetlands next to the WTP in Goldsboro, NC, 12 June (Eric Dean, Gene Howe) was a great find. In South Carolina, where this species is easier to find, nine, four adults and five chicks, were counted at Donnelley WMA, SC, 18 July (Jeff Lemons). The Chat, Vol. 74, No. 4, Fall 2010 111 Purple Gallinule, 10 June 2010, Duck, NC. Photo by Jeff Lewis Snowy Plover: One was seen on Bear Island, Hammocks Beach SP, NC, 8— 1 1 June (Sarah Bouknight, Ali Iyoob, Becky Desjardins). Could this bird be the same one that visited this site in the summer and fall of 2009? Wilson’s Plover: A good count of 17, including two juveniles, was made at Huntington Beach SP, SC, 15 June (Paul Serridge). Piping Plover: One seen on the N end of Portsmouth Island, NC, 13 July (National Park Service Staff, fide Peter Doherty) had been banded in the Bahamas in February and fledged four chicks near Watch Hill, RI in April/May. Black-necked Stilt: Of the four found at the Archie Elledge WTP in Winston-Salem, NC, 28 May, one remained until 3 June (John Haire). Six were counted at Bear Island WMA, SC, 17 July (Jeff Lemons). Spotted Sandpiper: Ten seen at Cedar Island, NC, 1 1 July (John Fussell, Jack Fennell) provided a good count for the summer season. Sanderling: One seen at the Archie Elledge WTP in Winston-Salem, NC, 25-28 July (John Haire) was unusually far inland. Western Sandpiper: One at the Super Sod farm in Henderson Co, NC, 20 July (Wayne Forsythe) was locally unusual. Ring-billed Gull: One at the McAlpine WTP in Pineville, NC, 6 July (Tom Sanders, Ron Clark) was unusual for the mountains in mid-summer. Sooty Tern: One was seen in the company of Black Terns off Cape Fear point, Bald Head Island, NC, 29 July (John Ennis, Lou Schiavo, Bob McGinness). An excellent count of 81-82 was made on a pelagic trip out of Hatteras, NC, 31 July (Brian Patteson, et al.). Least Tern: Of the several colonies that nest on flat-topped buildings around Morehead City, NC, the high count, 100, from the Rite-Aid building in Atlantic Beach, 29 June (John Fussell) was somewhat low compared to past years. 112 Briefs for the Files — Summer 2010 Sandwich Tern: One seen 30 miles off the coast during a pelagic trip out of Hatteras, NC, 10 July (Brian Patteson, et al.) was unusually far from land. South Polar Skua: One was seen during a fishing charter out of Hatteras, NC, in mid-June (Brian Patteson) and one or two were seen on a pelagic trip out of Hatteras, NC, 10 July (Patteson, et al.). Pomarine Jaeger: One, harassing Royal Terns over the ocean, was seen from shore at Wild Dunes, Isle of Palms, SC, 7 July (David Abbott). Mourning Dove: Scarce at higher elevations, one or two were seen at Carver’s Gap, Roan Mt, NC, throughout the season (Rick Knight). Black-billed Cuckoo: In the NC mountains, the only part of our region where this species reliably breeds, sightings included one along the Blue Ridge Parkway (BRP) at Balsam Gap, NC, 12 June (Wayne Forsythe, Ron Selvey); one at the Nature Conservancy’s Bluff Mountain Preserve in West Jefferson, NC, 23 June (Merrill Lynch); one heard calling in the Snowbird Mountains of Graham Co, NC, 26-27 June (Cherrie Sneed); one heard in a yard in Buncombe Co, NC, 9-10 July (Gail Lankford); and one along the BRP at the Craggy Gardens picnic area, NC, 4 and 30 July (Chris Kelly). Chuck-will’s-widow: West of this species’ typical range was a male heard calling in Webster, Jackson Co, NC, from late May through late June (Katherine Matthews, Jeremy Hyman, et al.). Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, 8 June 2010, near Blowing Rock, NC. Photo by Jeff Lewis Yellow-bellied Sapsucker: Two active nest cavities (adults feeding young) were photographed in the old maple trees around Bass Lake in Blowing Rock, NC, 8 June (Jeff Lewis). One bird was also seen and heard on Pond Mountain, 4750 ft, Ashe Co, NC, 3-4 June (Chris Kelly), though no nest was found. Alder Flycatcher: 7+ were seen throughout the season on Roan Mountain, NC (Rick Knight). The Chat, Vol. 74, No. 4, Fall 2010 113 Willow Flycatcher: At about the eastern limit of the species’ breeding range, an individual was heard calling in the wetland on Ballinger Rd in Greensboro, NC, mid-May into June (Henry Link). Vermilion Flycatcher: A breeding-plumaged male was well-seen as it actively fed from a perch in the scrub at the E end of Ocean Isle, NC, 20 July (Chris Decker). Later attempts to relocate the bird were unsuccessful. If accepted by the NCBRC, this sighting will provide the fifth record of this species in NC. Western Kingbird: Though a few are found in our region each fall, one seen on a power line above the expansive fields along Newlands Rd, SW of Columbia, NC, 25 June (John Fussell) was extremely unusual for the mid- summer season. This bird is only the third ever reported during the summer season in the Carolinas. Scissor-tailed Flycatcher: Many birders traveled to Piedmont, SC, this summer, to see a nesting pair of STFLs. The mated pair was first observed a few days prior to being reported 14 June (Lorraine Brown). In the following days, many birders observed the pair, and on 16 June, the adults were seen feeding three juvenile birds (Chip & Sara Gilbert). By 20 June, the female was observed sitting on a second(!) nest (Donnie Coody, et al.), and on 20 July three juveniles were photographed in the nest (Todd Arcos, Jeff Catlin, Don Faulkner, Jane Kramer). Loggerhead Shrike: Some BBS routes reported encouraging numbers of this species, with four at three locations along a route in Lenoir Co, NC, 1 June (Rich & Susan Boyd); and four, a record number for a route near Hamilton, Martin Co, NC, 3 June (Merrill Lynch). Horned Lark: Observers running BBS routes reported four at three locations in Lenoir Co, NC, 1 June (Rich & Susan Boyd); and one singing NW of Mocksville, NC, 6 June (John Haire). Possibly breeding in the area were three at Bear Wallow Mountain, Henderson Co, NC, 24 July (Chris Kelly, Wayne Forsythe). The peak late-summer count at North River Farms, Carteret Co, NC, 25 birds on 25 July (John Fussell, Jack Fennell) was somewhat low compared to past years. Tree Swallow: At about the eastern limit of the species’ breeding range, a pair of adults successfully nested in the wetland at Bethabara Park in Winston-Salem, NC, where adults were observed feeding young in a bluebird box, 1 1 June (Phil Dickinson, Terri Maness). Cliff Swallow: As was the case last year, several birds built new nests rather late in the season, on the walls of the Hampton Inn in Havelock, NC, in late June into July (John Fussell). Barn Swallow: One seen 30 miles off the coast during a pelagic trip out of Hatteras, NC, 24 July (Brian Patteson, Kevin Metcalf, et al.) was unusual. Golden-crowned Kinglet: Defying explanation was an individual present in the Elizabethan Gardens in Manteo, NC, 10-21 June (Jeff Lewis). There are no previous summer reports of this species from the coast. 114 Briefs for the Files — Summer 2010 Swainson’s Thrush: Not yet documented as a breeder in the Carolinas, three were found on point counts along the Appalachian Trail in Avery Co, NC, in June (fide Kevin Caldwell). American Robin: On the Outer Banks, during the breeding season, numbers of this species tend to fluctuate from year to year. Jeff Lewis reports that “This past summer, we had the most Tve ever seen here during that period.” Brown Thrasher: Uncommon at higher elevations, one or two were seen at Carver’s Gap, Roan Mtn, NC, throughout the season (Rick Knight). Cedar Waxwing: Outside of the mountains, reports included a pair found on a BBS route between Hyco Lake and Hillsborough, NC, in early June (Jeff Pippen, Toni Rexrode); a “rather territorial” individual along Catfish Lake Rd, near Catfish Lake in the Croatan NF, NC, 27 June (John Fussell, Jack Fennell); and two near Ringwood, Halifax Co, NC, throughout the summer (Merrill Lynch). Northern Parula: An impressive count of 69 was made at Congaree NP, SC, 13 June (John & Rhonda Grego). Three males were heard singing in a spruce-fir-N hardwood forest along the Flat Creek Trail in Great Smoky Mountains NP, NC, at 5200 ft, an altitude higher than typical for this species, 26 June (Chris Kelly). Magnolia Warbler: Two to four singing males were seen on Roan Mountain, NC, 8 June through 6 July (Rick Knight). Though this species probably breeds somewhere in this area each year, minimal evidence of breeding has ever been obtained for this species in North Carolina. Yellow-rumped Warbler: Another warbler species for which a NC breeding record is long overdue, an adult Yellow-rumped was observed feeding a fledged juvenile at the Tricorner Knob Shelter during a point count along the Appalachian Trail in Avery Co, NC, in early June (Tom Howe). If accepted by the NCBRC, this sighting will provide the first breeding record of this species in NC. A pair was also seen on Roan High Bluff, Roan Mountain, NC, 8 June through 6 July, though no evidence of nesting was found (Rick Knight). Cerulean Warbler: Six, including a family group of four, were seen along the BRP between Craggy Gardens and Mt Mitchell, NC, 4 July (Simon Thompson), providing an encouraging mid-summer count. American Redstart: An uncommon breeder along the coast, an adult male redstart was observed singing in the Croatan NF, near Cahoogue Creek, about four miles NE of Havelock, NC, 6 and 8 June (John Fussell). Swainson’s Warbler: One heard singing on a BBS route in Jones Co, NC, 4 June (Wade Fuller, Rich Boyd) was a first for that route. An individual was heard singing in a rhododendron thicket, and then seen at close range, along the Jacob’s Fork River at South Mountains SP, SE Burke Co, NC, 19 June (Dwayne Martin). A pair, one of which was singing, was found in the parking lot for the South Mills River trailhead, along Turkey Pen Rd on the border of Transylvania/Henderson Co, NC, 5 July (Marilyn Westphal, Mark Simpson). Westphal noted these birds were “much farther into the interior of the French Broad River watershed than either of us have ever [seen before].” The Chat, Vol. 74, No. 4, Fall 2010 115 Louisiana Waterthrush: One, most likely an early fall migrant, seen in the Elizabethan Gardens in Manteo, NC, 26 July (Jeff Lewis) was locally unusual. Bachman’s Sparrow: A good count of eight was made at Carolina Sandhills NWR, Jefferson, SC, 19 June (Ron Clark, Jeff Lemons, Will Stuart). Vesper Sparrow: 10+ were seen in the fields and fallow Christmas tree plots on Pond Mountain, 4750 ft, Ashe Co, NC, 3-4 June (Chris Kelly). One or two were seen on Round Bald, Roan Mountain, NC, throughout the season (Rick Knight). Lark Sparrow: For the second year in a row, this species successfully bred at Carolina Sandhills NWR, Jefferson, SC, where two adults and two fledglings were seen 19 June (Ron Clark, Jeff Lemons, Will Stuart). Savannah Sparrow: Two singing males were noted on a BBS route in W Alleghany Co, NC, 20 June (Merrill Lynch) at the same location where four were heard last year. White-throated Sparrow: One seen eating sunflower seed hearts under a feeder in Gastonia, NC, 9 June (Steve Tracy) was quite late. Scarlet Tanager: Of note was an orange color variant adult male that bred on private property just S of Mars Hill, Madison Co, NC, photographed 3 June (Jim Petranka). Rose-breasted Grosbeak: Two juveniles were seen, and an adult was heard singing, on Standingstone Mountain, 3100 ft, N Greenville Co, SC, 24 June (Marion Clark). If accepted by the SC BRC, this sighting will provide the first confirmed nesting of this species in the state. Blue Grosbeak: A rare breeder in the higher elevations, two singing males were seen on a BBS route in W Alleghany Co, NC, at 2700 ft, 20 June (Merrill Lynch). Dickcissel: Dickcissels were seen again this summer at two of the more regular sites for this species in NC — in the fields near Cherry Hospital in Goldsboro, NC, where three, two males and one female, were seen 20 June (Eric Dean, Ricky Davis); and at North River Farms in Carteret Co, NC, where ten singing birds were seen 4 July (John Fussell, et al.). Bobolink: This species apparently bred in a grassy area near Boone, NC, where at least five, including males and females, were seen in June (Curtis Smalling, Isaac Kerns). Baltimore Oriole: A pair appeared to be nesting in the wetland on Ballinger Rd in Greensboro, NC, in early June (Henry Link). Red Crossbill: Several, including calling males and a female carrying nesting material, were seen along the Flat Creek Trail (5200 ft) in Great Smoky Mountains NP, 26 June (Chris Kelly). Two males were seen on the NC side of Clingmans Dome, Great Smoky Mountains NP, 7 July (Phil Rusch). Pine Siskin: A good mid-summer count of 30+ was made at the Cataloochie Ski Resort in Haywood Co, NC, 5 July (Wayne Forsythe, Ron Selvey). Seen throughout the summer on Roan Mountain, NC, this species yielded a high count of 16 on 8 June (Rick Knight). 116 Briefs for the Files — Summer 2010 American Goldfinch: A few birds were present, and probably breeding, in the Croatan NF, near Havelock, NC, throughout the summer (John Fussell). Fussell notes that this location is “perhaps the easternmost point in our area where the species is reliably present every summer.” Fifty Years Ago in The Chat — December 1960 General Field Notes in the December 1960 issue of The Chat contained several significant reports. Gadwall and Ruddy Ducks had been found breeding at Bull’s Island, SC, “far removed from from the normal nesting range”. On 26 Aug 1960 a Parasitic Jaeger was found dead at the base of a TV tower near Raleigh, NC. In the summer of 1960, a small nesting colony of Least Terns was found on a small island off Snelgrove’s Landing in Lake Murray, SC. At the same location, Spotted Sandpipers were found nesting; it was the first confirmed nesting record for the state. At the CBC Spring Meeting at High Hampton, NC, a pair of Brown Creepers was observed building a nest in the oak shingle siding of an unoccupied house. This was thought to be the “first nesting record for North Carolina in 25 years or more”. A sight record of Northern Wheatear on the golf course at Charleston (SC) Country Club placed the species on the SC Hypothetical List. In Aiken, SC, John B. Hatcher reported a Kirtland’s Warbler on 5 Oct 1960 and Common Redpolls in March 1960. A Lark Sparrow was found in Edisto Beach, SC in Oct 1960. B. R. Chamberlain reported a careful analysis of observations of a Gull- billed Tern foraging at a pond near his house on Wadmalaw Island, SC. The tern would catch a large dragonfly or grasshopper and then leave. Based on flight direction and time to reappearance of 34-53 minutes he inferred that it was feeding young at a nest on Deveaux Bank, 6.7 miles away. — Kent Fiala, editor 117 Index to Volume 74 (2010) A Abbott, David, 20, 22-25, 27, 28, 56, 59, 62, 70, 83, 88, 94, 108, 112 ACE Basin, 50, 54, 55, 63, 65, 67 Ackerson, Thomas, 70 Adkins, Clyde, 20 Aechmophorus, 53 Aiken, SC, 60, 91 Aiken County, SC, 6, 69, 99 Alamance County, NC, 56 Alexander County, NC, 2 Alleghany County, NC, 56, 115 Allen Doug, 69 Wendy B. See Hill, Christopher, et al. Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge, 32, 49, 56, 60-63,65, 66,91 Allred, Sandra, 35 Anderson, Carole, 69 Angier, NC, 62 Anhinga, 7, 13-15, 19, 54, 72, 85, 109 Anilorac Farm, 92 Anson County, NC, 89, 93, 110 Apex, NC, 136 Arapahoe, NC, 38 Archie Elledge Water Treatment Plant, 22, 26, 49, 87, 88, 111 Arcos, Todd, 105, 113 Armistead, Harry, 61 Ashe County, NC, 87, 1 12, 115 Asheville, NC,21,30, 85 Atkinson, James, 85 Atlantic Beach, NC, 27, 30, 51,53, 60, 63, 87, 90, 111 Aurora, NC, 54, 55 Avery County, NC, 1 14 Avocet, American, 22, 57, 73 B Backstrom, Parker, 30 118 Bakelaar, Ryan, 35 Baker, Anne, 23 Bald Head, 54, 57, 58, 60, 64, 65, 66 Bald Head Island, 17, 55, 85, 111 Ball, Clint A., 70 Ballenger, Clancy, 84, 110 Balsam Mountains, 91 Bambach, Dot, 72 Bannon, Laura, 69 Barden, Larry, 2 Barmore, Dick, 39, 55, 57 Barmore, Richard E. (Dick). See Legrand, Harry E., Jr., and — Baron, Scott, 53 Beane, Jeff, 17, 52, 84 Bear Island Wildlife Management Area, 21, 22, 50, 53-56, 87, 88, 111 Bearden, Joe and Karen, 57, 58 Beasley, Sandy, 21, 72 Beaton, Giff, See Slyce, Donna, et al. Beaufort NC, 11-13,20, 22, 23, 55, 57, 84, 100, 108, 110 SC, 32, 86 Beaufort County, SC, 34 Beaver Lake, 85 Berkowitz, Stephen, 84 Bernard, Michael, 21, 96 Besancon, Thierry, 94 Biller, Rob, 85, 94 Birch, Shelby, 19,30 Bittern American, 19, 72, 86 Least, 55,72, 109 Black Mountain, NC, 29, 32, 94 Blackbird Brewer’s, 9, 32, 67 Red- winged, 9, 75 Rusty, 67, 96 Yellow-headed, 32, 67, 96 Bladen County, NC, 86, 109, 110 Blankenship, Ken, 34 Blowing Rock, NC, 112 Blue Ridge Parkway, 21,91, 112 Bluebird, Eastern, 8, 74 Bobolink, 32, 75,96, 115 Bobwhite, Northern, 7, 69, 72, 108 Bockhahn, Brian, 17, 19, 21, 22, 24, 26, 30-32, 50, 52, 53, 55, 57, 59, 60, 63,65,66, 85,93, 109 Bodie Island, 17, 21, 30, 56, 61, 110 Boiling Spring Lakes, NC, 82 Boiling Springs, NC, 51, 82 Bonnell, Molly, 71 Bottoms, Ary, 28 Bouknight, Sarah, 1 1 1 Bowman, Carol, 136 Boyd, Rich & Susan, 2, 23, 52,55-57, 113, 114 Boykin, SC, 21 Brand, Kim, 56 Brannen, Brenda, 2 1 Brant, 17, 49 Brenneman Dorie, 69 Ron, 69 Brevard, NC, 29 Bridges, Mary, 67, 110 Broadwell, Carl, 70 Brown Gordon, 24 Lorraine, 113 Richard, 3, 56 Tim, 69 Brunjes, John, 59 Brunswick County, NC, 17, 82 Bryan, Allen, 25, 50, 52, 54, 55,58,61,62, 63, 64, 66 Bryant, Dan, 69 Buckman, John, 19, 24, 28 Budnitz, Norm, 63, 86, 87 Bufflehead, 84 Bull Island, 70 Buncombe County, NC, 93, 112 Bunting Indigo, 9, 32, 66, 75 The Chat, Vol. 74, No. 4, Fall 2010 119 Painted, 9,32, 66,71,75 Snow, 66 Burke County, NC, 31, 108, 114 Burnett, Felicia, 70 Burnette, Dennis, 19, 30, 66, 110 Butner Gamelands, 86 Buxton, NC, 22, 29, 31, 51, 58, 59,61,64, 85, 108 C Cabarrus County, NC, 67 Caldwell Kevin, 114 Lewanna, 69 Calver, Steve, 16-23, 25-27, 29,31,53, 54,57,58, 61,64, 86-89, 93, 95 Cambum, Keith, 1 10, See LeGrand, Harry, et al. Campbell Buddy, 32, 51, 86 Lyle, 6, 7, 64, 69, 70 Sarah, 69 Susan, 21, 28, 29, 46, 53, 56, 63, See Legrand, Harry E., Jr. and — Cape, Chuck, 33 Cape Fear River, 60, 63, 86 Cape Hatteras, 1, 2, 29, 49, 54, 55, 59-62, 64, 65, 90 Cape Lookout National Seashore, 21,55, 57, 85, 86, 90 Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge, 58 Cardinal, Northern, 9, 75 Carolina Beach, NC, 83 Carolina Sandhills National Wildlife Refuge, 1 15 Carr, Joan & Les, 87 Carter, Derb, 32, 38, 49, 50, 53, 59, 60, 83, 92 Carteret County, NC, 3, 23, 27, 29-32, 55-57, 60, 67, 87, 93,96, 110, 113, 115 Carvers Gap, 21, 31, 32, 112, 114 Cary, NC, 94 Castle Hayne, NC, 96 Catawba County, NC, 2, 80, 92 Catawba River, 2, 19, 22, 85 Catbird, Gray, 9, 74 Catlin, Jeff, 19,34,71, 105, 113 Caw Caw County Park, 1 10 Cedar Island, 30, 54,56, 111 Cedar Island Ferry Terminal, 57 Ceselski, Andrea, 7 1 Chalmers, Alan, 69 Chalybeate Springs, NC, 62 Chapel Hill, NC, 63, 92, 94, 96 Charleston, SC, 23, 49, 60, 67, 69, 99 Charleston County, SC, 2 1 , 29, 48, 70, 88,91,96, 97 Charlotte, NC, 2, 29, 56, 62, 63, 83, 86, 88, 92, 96, 136 Chat, Yellow-breasted, 9, 31,64, 75,95 Chatham County, NC, 26 Cherokee County, SC, 6 Chickadee, Carolina, 8, 74 Chuck-wi IPs- widow, 28, 71, 73, 112 Civitan Park, 86 Clarendon County, SC, 29, 36 Clark Anne, 56 Edith, 63 Marion, 63, 115, 136 Ron, 28,31,49, 52, 55, 56, 63, 83, 84, 86, 92,107,110,111, 115, 136 Sparkle, 87 Clemson, SC, 55, 62 Cleveland County, NC, 110 Clewis, Greg, 35 Click, Jeff, 71 Cobb, Claude, 70 Codispoti, Dan, 69 Collared-Dove, Eurasian, 8, 71,73,99 Colleton County, SC, 83, 85, 88, 94, 99 Columbia, NC, 113 SC, 19,58, 62, 63 Columbus County, NC, 2, 35,36 Compton, Steve, 51, 71, 89, 94 Congaree National Park, 21, 30, 65, 114 Connors, John, 30, 85 Conover, NC, 19, 20, 22,28, 29,53, 80, 109, 110 Conway, SC, 40, 58, 59 Coody, Donnie, 30, 105, 113 Cook, Will, 4, 22, 26, 86, 96, 109 Cooper David, 21 Sam, 49,51,53, 54, 55, 59, 67, 1 1 0, See LeGrand, Harry, et al. Coot, American, 7, 73 Corey, Ed, 21, 31, 49 Cormorant Double-crested, 7, 72, 109 Great, 54 Corrigenda, 82 Covington, Ellie, 17, 22, 23, 26, 29, 72, 87, 88 Cowan's Ford, 19, 84 Cowbird, Brown-headed, 9, 75 Craggy Gardens, 30, 1 12, 114 Crane, Sandhill, 21, 57, 87 Craven County, NC, 3, 25, 46 Creeper, Brown, 69, 74 Creswell, NC, 22, 23, 25, 53 Crisp, Phil, 56 Croatan National Forest, 64, 91, 114, 116 Crossbill, Red, 32, 115 Crow American, 8, 74 Fish, 8, 30, 74 Cubie, Doreen, 61 Cuckoo Black-billed, 28, 91, 112 Yellow-billed, 8, 73 Cumberland County, NC, 63 Cunningham, Carol, 26, 88, 95 Curlew, Long-billed, 23, 58 Currey, Hal, 58 Currituck County, NC, 2 D Dane, Lee, 69 Darden, Barbara, 7 1 Dare County, NC, 1, 2, 78 Davidson, NC, 51, 66, 67 Davis, Ricky, 4, 17, 19, 20, 21,22, 23,24, 25, 26, 27,28, 29,30,31,32, 120 Index to Volume 74 — 2010 49, 50,51,53, 54,55, 56,57,58,59, 60,61, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 83, 84, 85, 86, 88, 89, 92, 108, 109, 11 5, .See LeGrand, Harry, et al. Daw, Matthew, 18, 21, 23, 27-32, 49, 50, 63, 85, 95 Dean, Eric, 19, 28, 62, 86, 109, 110, 115, See LeGrand, Harry, et al. Deans, Bill, 108 Debidue Beach, 40 Decker, Chris, 113 DeLozier, Angie & Bill, 62 Dennis, Steve, 71 Desjardins, Becky, 62, 1 1 1 Devil’s Courthouse, 91 Dewire, Maureen, 1 7 Dexter, Gary, 19 Dickcissel, 32, 96, 115 Dickinson, Phil, 22, 28, 30- 32, 49, 56, 86-88, 95, 113 Dinsmore, Steve, 24 Disher, David, 1 Dobson, David, 23, 25, 29 Doggett, Deanna, 86 Dole, Dick & Lois, 28 Dombrofski, Ed, 50 Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, 83, 85,94, 107, 110 D'Onofrio, Adam, 1 7 Doman, Laura, 1 07 Dove Mourning, 8, 73, 112 White-winged, 28, 34, 60, 90, 97-101,97 Dovekie, 60 Dowitcher, Short-billed, 73, 88 Drew, Robert, 70 Driscoll Barbara, 63 Tom, 19, 56, 63 Duck Harlequin, 52, 84 Long-tailed, 18, 52 Mottled, 3, 51,72, 82, 83 Ring-necked, 83, 108 Ruddy, 69, 72 Tufted, 1 Wood, 7, 72 Duke Lorest, 30 Dun, G. R„ 110 Dunlin, 25, 73 Durant Nature Park, 85 Durham, NC, 28, 30, 56, 86 Durham County, NC, 109 E Eagle Bald, 7, 72 Golden, 56, 87 Eastman, Caroline, 62 Ebenezer Point, 1 8 Edgecombe County, NC, 50, 64-66, 92, 108, 109 Edisto Beach, SC, 19, 51, 94 Edisto Island, SC, 56, 59, 62, 99 Edwards, Dean, 28 Egret Cattle, 7, 55, 72, 86 Great, 7, 19, 69, 72, 86, 109 Reddish, 19,55, 86, 110 Snowy, 7, 72, 109 Eider Common, 17, 51, 84, 108 King, 51 Eldridge, Carol & Larry, 69 Elizabethan Gardens, 63, 94, 113, 115 Emmitt, Randy, 1 8 Enders, Elisa, 88 Ennis, John, 25,31,51,55, 62, 1 1 1 Erb, Mike, 109 Ernst, Sarah, 70, 71 Eubank, Peggy, 89 Eutaw Springs, SC, 96 Evans, Jim & Martha, 61 F Fairchild, Judy & Reggie, 70 Falcon, Peregrine, 56, 87 Falls Lake, 17-31,53,57, 59, 85, 88,91,93, 95, 109 Faulkner, Don, 59, 105, 113, 136 Fayetteville, NC, 86 Fennell, Jack, 29, 49, 56, 57, 87, 93, 96, 110, 111, 113, 114 Fiala, Kent, 3, 17, 136 Figure Eight Island, 84 Finch House, 9, 75 Purple, 9, 32, 75, 96 Finnegan, John, 64 Flicker, Northern, 8, 71, 74 Florence, SC, 66 Floyd, Cindy, 70 Flycatcher Acadian, 8, 74 Alder, 29,91, 112 Ash-throated, 29, 61 Great Crested, 8, 74 Least, 8, 92 Olive-sided, 28 Scissor-tailed, 92, 104-6, 113 Vermilion, 113 Willow, 92, 113 Yellow-bellied, 29, 91 Folly Beach, SC, 51,52, 89, 108 Forsyth County, NC, 1 Forsythe Dennis, 16, 19, 49, 57, 59, 60, 62, 65, 66, 67, 70,71 Wayne, 18,21,22, 24, 25, 27-31,49,51, 53,56,58,61,62, 83,84, 86-88,91, 93,95, 96, 108, 109, 111-113, 115, See LeGrand, Harry, et al. Fort Fisher State Park, 2,31, 49, 50,51,53,58, 60, 61,63, 83, 84 Fort Macon State Park, 27, 30,51,63,90 Fowler, Phil, 86 Franklin, Peggy, 29 Franklin County, NC, 85 French Broad River, 88, 108, 109, 114 Frigatebird, Magnificent, 19, 85, 109 Frisco, NC, 31, 58, 86 Fuller, Wade, 2, 56, 85, 114 Fulmar, Northern, 54 Fussell, John, 19-21,23,27, 29-32,38, 49-51,54- 57, 60, 62, 64, 65, 67, 84, 87, 90,91,93, 95, 96, 108, 110, 111, 113- 116 G Gadwall, 83 Gahagan, Onoosh, 69 Gallinule, Purple, 21, 73, 87, 110 Gallitano, Lena, 67, 110 The Chat, Vol. 74, No. 4, Fall 2010 121 Gamache, Al, 17, 22, 25,31, 50, 54, 55,61,67, 90 Gannet, Northern, 3, 54 Garden City, SC, 5 1 Gastonia, NC, 65, 115 Georgetown, SC, 22, 54 Georgetown County, SC, 22, 27, 40, 85 Gerwin, John, 66 Gibeau, Stu, 29, 32, 94 Gifford, Bill, 49, 56, 91 Gilbert Chip, 71,86, 95, 105, 113 Sara, 113 Sarah, 71 Gillikin, Paula, 20, 57, 84, 108 Giovannone, Jason, 19, 61, 62 Given, Aaron, 57, 64, 70 Glover, Lex, 21, 22, 23,25, 29, 50,51,54, 55, 57, 59-61,63, 102, 109 Glover, Lex. See Slyce, Donna, et al. Gnatcatcher, Blue-gray, 8, 30, 62, 74 Godwit Hudsonian, 24 Marbled, 24, 88 Goedsche, Charlotte, 56 Goldeneye, Common, 53, 84 Golden-Plover, American, 22, 69, 70, 73, 87 Goldfinch American, 9, 1 1, 75, 116 Lesser, 3, 1 1-13 Goldsboro, NC, 18, 28, 62, 67, 109, 110, 115 Goose Cackling, 17, 49 Canada, 7, 72 Greater White-fronted, 49 Ross’s, 17,49, 83, 107 Snow, 1 7, 49 Goshawk, Northern, 56 Gould Barbara, 87 Matthew, 63 Grackle Boat-tailed, 75 Common, 9, 75 Graham County, NC, 28, 95, 112 Grainger, Drew, 69 Grant, Gilbert S., 22, 57, 89, 90 Granville County, NC, 94 Gray, Alan & Rebecca, 69 Great Smoky Mountains National Park, 114, 115 Grebe Clark’s, 54 Eared, 18, 53 Homed, 53 Pied-billed, 7, 72 Red-necked, 53, 85 Western, 53, 85 Greensboro, NC, 17, 19, 30, 53, 59, 64, 84, 86, 92, 94, 113, 115 Greenville NC, 66 SC, 30, 67, 86, 90, 94, 95, 96, 136 Greenville County, SC, 7, 71,94, 104-6, 115 Grego John, 30, 63,65, 87, 114 Rhonda, 1 14 Gregory, Judy, 69 Gretch Mark, 19, 85, 89, 93 Mark, Nesting of Anhingas ( Anhinga anhinga) in Scotland County, North Carolina, 13-15 Griggs, Jerry, 71 Grosbeak Blue, 9, 75, 115 Rose-breasted, 9, 32, 75, 115 Ground-Dove, Common, 60, 70, 73 Gudger, Charles & Lorene, 62 Guilford County, NC, 1 10 Guillemot, Black, 34 Gull Black-headed, 26, 58, 89 Bonaparte’s, 89 California, 58, 102-3 Franklin’s, 27 Glaucous, 59, 89 Great Black-backed, 59 Herring, 27, 73 Iceland, 59 Laughing, 26, 58, 73 Lesser Black-backed, 59, 89 Little, 58 Mew (Common), 2 Ring-billed, 8, 58, 73, 111 Thayer’s, 59 H Haddad, William, 28 Haines, Andy, 96 Haire, John, 1,23,24, 26, 29,31,49,50, 53,56, 83, 84, 87-89,91,93, 95,96, 108, 111, 113 Halifax County, NC, 32, 114 Hammocks Beach State Park, 22, 87, 1 1 1 Hammond, John, 2, 35, 36, 37 Hampstead, NC, 109 Harnett County, NC, 19 Harrier, Northern, 7, 21, 72, 87, 110 Harrison, Andy, 52, 70, 71 Harvey, Simon, 62, 69, 71 Hatteras, NC, 19,31,54, 58-60, 85, 89, 90, 108, 111-113 Hatteras Inlet, 54 Havelock, NC, 93, 113, 114, 116 Hawk Broad-winged, 7, 21, 56, 72, 87, 110 Cooper’s, 7,71,72 Red-shouldered, 7, 72 Red-tailed, 7, 72 Harlan’s, 4 Krider’s, 21, 56 Rough-legged, 56 Sharp-shinned, 7, 70, 72 Hayes, Alisha, 109 Haywood County, NC, 20, 21,87, 92, 115 Helms, James C., and Harry E. LeGrand, Jr., First Record of Snail Kite ( Rostrhamus sociabilis ) for North Carolina, 35- 37 Henderson County, NC, 2 1 , 22, 24, 25, 27, 49, 53, 56, 83, 87, 88, 93, 96, 108, 109, 111, 113, 114 Hendersonville, NC, 19, 22, 28, 29,31,84, 86,91,95 Herbert, Teri Lynn, 70, 71 Heron “Great White”, 86 Great Blue, 7, 72, 86 122 Index to Volume 74 — 2010 Green, 7, 55, 72 Little Blue, 7, 19, 72, 86, 110 Tricolored, 19, 72 Hickory, NC, 85, 136 Hiddenite, NC, 62 Highlands, NC, 110 Hill, Chris, 54, 58, 59, 60, 65, 67, 85, See Slyce, Donna, et al. Christopher E., First Record of California Gull ( Larus californicus ) for South Carolina, 102 — 3 Christopher E., Tom Marshall, and Wendy Allen, First Specimen of Arctic Tern {Sterna paradisaea) for South Carolina, 40^13 Hillsborough, NC, 114, 136 Hilton, Bill Jr., 33, 61, Hilton, Bill Jr., Broad-billed Hummingbird, Cynanthus latirostris: First South Carolina Banding and Photographic Record, 44-47 Hilton Head Island, 55, 59 Hines, J. B., 7, 69, 70,71, See Slyce, Donna, et al. Hochmuth, Doug, 88 Holland, Patti, 46 Hollingsworth, Ernie, 30 Holmes, Bob, 2, 25, 38, 50, 53, 85, 86, 90 Hooper Lane, 21, 22, 24, 25, 56, 87, 93, 96 Hopkins, Marbry, 1 Horn, Earl W„ 33 Horry County, SC, 58, 59, 102, 107 Hough, Royce, 53, 87 Howard, Gene, 69 Howe Gene, 86, 109, 110 Tom, 1 14 Howell, Steve, 1, 58 Howes, Bo, 56 Hueholt, Daniel, 54, 55, 63, 65 Hull, Frank & Phyllis, 69 Hummingbird Allen’s, 78-79 Black-chinned, 28, 61 Broad-billed, 33, 44-47 Buff-bellied, 38-39 Calliope, 28 Ruby-throated, 8, 71, 73, 78 Rufous, 28, 61 Hunter, Parkin, 1 1 0 Huntersville, NC, 66 Huntington Beach State Park, 17-21,30,31,34, 61, 62, 108, 110, 111 Hutchins, Brock & Patty, 20 Huzella, Christine, 69 Hyde County, NC, 3 Hyman, Jeremy, 1 12 I Ibis Glossy, 20, 55, 70, 72, 110 White, 7, 20, 72, 110 I’on Swamp, 70, 71 Iredell County, NC, 64 Irvin, Fran & Wayne, 28 Isle of Palms, SC, 108, 112 Iyoob, Ali, 18,21,23-25, 28-31,50,53,57, 63, 65,67, 85, 88,91,95, 111 J Jackson County, NC, 1 12 Jackson Park, 19, 28, 29, 30, 84, 86,91,95 Jaeger Long-tailed, 33, 34, 90 Parasitic, 28, 59, 90 Pomarine, 59, 90, 112 James Island, SC, 28 Jasper County, SC, 16-23, 25-27, 29,31,34,53- 55,57,58,61,64, 72, 86-89, 93, 95, 103 Jay, Blue, 8, 74 Johnston, Doug, 66, 93 Johnston County, NC, 86 Jones Bruce, 60 Don, 71 Donald P., 70 Lois, 7 1 Lois M., 70 Mark, 96 Melinda, 54, 57, 60, 64, 65,66 Jones County, NC, 84, 1 14 Jordan Lake, 18, 19,21-27, 51,53,56, 59, 63, 87, 109 Joyce, Tom, 27, 29 Junco, Dark-eyed, 75 K Kaplan, Dan, 56 Kay, Herb, 69 Kelly, Chris, 21, 29, 87,93, 95, 112-115 Kent, Walt, 95, 108 Kerns, Isaac, 1 1 5 Kerr Lake, 17, 53, 57, 59 Kerschner, Jerry, 17, 20, 83 Kershaw County, SC, 109 Kestrel, American, 7, 72 Kiawah Island, SC, 22, 57, 89 Kill Devil Hills, NC, 53, 86, 95 Killdeer, 8, 73 Kilpatrick, Steve, 96 Kingbird Eastern, 8, 74 Gray, 70, 74 Western, 29, 61, 113 Kingfisher, Belted, 8, 74 Kinglet Golden-crowned, 8, 113 Ruby-crowned, 8, 74 Kite Mississippi, 72, 86, 110 Snail, 2, 35-37 Swallow-tailed, 69, 71, 72, 86, 110 White-tailed, 34 Kittelberger, Kyle, 59, 85, 91 Kittiwake, Black-legged, 58 Kitty Hawk, NC, 27, 28, 49, 53, 58, 59, 63, 66 Kneidel, Alan, 17, 19,21, 27, 30 Knight, Rick, 21, 31, 32, 108, 112, 114, 115 Knot, Red, 24, 70, 73 Kodroff, Elayne, 78 Koehler, Paul, 69 Kolb, Linda, 32 Kosiewski, Mark, 22, 25, 109 Kramer, Jane, 71, 94, 105, 113 Kuster, Mary, 69 The Chat, Vol. 74, No. 4, Fall 2010 123 L LaBerge, Debbie, 69 Lake Brandt, 17, 53 Lake Conestee, 19, 30, 67, 86, 90, 94-96 Lake Crabtree, 2 1 , 26 Lake Gaston, 59, 110 Lake Hartwell, 33 Lake Hickory, 85 Lake Julian, 18, 27, 28, 49, 51,58, 109 Lake Landing, NC, 49, 50, 108 Lake Mattamuskeet, 50, 61, 62, 63, 89 Lake Medcalf, 51, 53 Lake Norman, 18, 53, 55, 94 Lake Phelps, 21, 31, 32, 53, 60, 63, 65 Lake Russell, 34 Lake Tillery, NC, 52 Lake Townsend, 25, 53, 59 Lake Waccamaw, 35 Lake Wateree, 1 09 Lancaster, SC, 93 Lane, Rob, 51, 70 Langley, SC, 19 Lanham, Drew, 62 Lankford, Gail, 112 Lark, Homed, 30, 74, 93, 113 Latta Park, 29, 63 Laurens County, SC, 104 Laurie, Pete, 70 Laurinburg, NC, 13-15, 19 Lay, Russ, 86 Lee, Jennifer, 96 LeGrand, Harry, 4, 21, 30, 49,51,53,56, 60, 92, 108, 109, 110 Harry, and Susan Campbell, First Record of Allen’s Hummingbird (Selasphoms sasin ) for North Carolina, 78-79 Harry, et al., 2009 Annual Report of the North Carolina Bird Records Committee, 1-5 LeGrand, Harry E., Jr. See Helms, James C. and — LeGrand, Harry E., Jr., and Richard E. (Dick) Barmore, First Record of Buff-bellied Hummingbird ( Amazilia yucatanensis ) for North Carolina, 38-39 Leicester, NC, 66 Lemons, Jeff, 18, 22, 23,66, 84-86, 88, 92, 93, 96, 110, 111, 115 Lenat, David, 20,21,22, 24, 25,27 Lenoir County, NC, 1 13 LeQuire, Doug, 49, 53 Lewis Bob, 50, 62 Jeff, 17, 19, 20-24, 26, 29-32, 49-52, 54, 55, 60, 62-65, 67, 84-86, 89,91,94- 96, 108, 110, 112- 115 Lexington, SC, 63, 136 Lexington County, SC, 71 Lilly, Ritch, 17, 19, 30, 49, 52, 60, 83,88,91,95, 108, 110 Lindfors, John, 19, 24, 29 Link Elizabeth, 25,31,53 Henry, 17, 25,31,53, 59, 86, 92, 94, 113, 115 Litchfield Beach, SC, 20 Little River, SC, 108 Logue, Terry, 63 Longspur, Lapland, 32, 65, 66 Lookout Shoals Lake, 85, 92 Loon Common, 18, 85 Pacific, 34, 53 Lorenzin, Tomm, 94 Lovebird, Peach-faced, 90 Lovett, Dave, 51 Lumber River State Park, 2 1 Lynch, Merrill, 28, 112, 113, 114, 115 M Macon County, NC, 20, 87 Maddock, Sidney, 22 Madison County, NC, 1 1 5 Malin, Matt, 55, 69,91 Mallard, 7,71,72 Maness, Terri, 113 Mangiameli, Angela, 84 Manteo, NC, 29,31,32, 63, 78, 95, 113, 115, 136 Markham Kevin, 53, 64, 65, 94 Patrick, 70, 71 Marshallm Tom. See Hill, Christopher, et al. Marshallberg, NC, 67 Martin Dwayne, 2, 19, 20, 22, 29, 53,92, 109, 114, 136 Dwayne, First Record of Scott’s Oriole {Icterus parisorum) for North Carolina, 80-81 Jim, 91 Mary-Catherine, 70 Martin, Purple, 74 Martin County, NC, 113 Mason Farm, 94 Massey, Greg, 20, 51, 61, 62, 82, 83, 86, 88, 96 Mattamuskeet National Wildlife Refuge, 3, 17, 19, 22-28,31,49, 50, 52, 54-58, 63, 64, 67, 83, 108 Matthews, Katherine, 112 Mayo, SC, 34 McAlpine Water Treatment Plant, 1 1 1 McClelland, Marty, 87 McClellanville, SC, 48-50, 54, 57-62, 64, 65, 67 McCloy David, 136 Michael, 17, 20,23,29 McColl, SC, 85 McCullough, Keith, 70, 87, 96 McDavit, Mary, 20, 21, 51, 53,61 McGinness, Bob, 1 1 1 McGregor, Ross, 3, 22, 23, 32 Ross, The Second Record of Lesser Goldfinch {Spinus psaltria ) for North Carolina, 11-13 McLean, David C., Jr., 70 McLean, Bryan, 49 David, 63, 65 Mead, Ruth, 55 Meadowlark, Eastern, 9,71, 75 Mebane, NC, 62 124 Index to Volume 74 — 2010 Mecklenburg County, NC, 2, 19, 29, 53, 65, 66, 84, 86, 93, 109, 110 Meehan, Robert, 18, 28 Merganser Common, 53, 84 Hooded, 84, 108 Red-breasted, 18, 53, 85, 108 Merlin, 21, 56, 87 Metcalf, Kevin, 1, 53, 65, 66, 109, 110, 113 Mill Creek, NC, 96 Miller Angela, 69 Carl, 22, 70 Catherine, 70 Cathy, 91 Jim, 69 Margaret, 69 Melissa, 1 10 Moss, 69 Mills Kyle, 56 Mickey, 56 Mills River, NC, 1 14 Mockingbird, Northern, 9, 74 Moore Neal, 2, 108 Pat, 2, 49, 55,59, 60,61, 62, 64, 65, 108 Moore, SC, 6 1 Moorhen, Common, 7, 2 1 , 56, 73 Morehead City, NC, 19, 32, 50,51,54-56, 64, 87, 90, 95, 96, 1 1 1 Morgan, Skip, 136 Morgens, Lauren, 2 Morman, Tracy, 110 Morris, Ron, 29, 30, 56 Mount Jefferson, 56 Mount Mitchell, 32, 114 Murre, Thick-billed, 60 Murrell’s Inlet, SC, 40,51, 52, 60 Myrtle Beach, SC, 28, 49, 95, 108 N Nags Head, NC, 17, 52,58, 60, 84 Nareff, Gretchen, 34 Nash County, NC, 4, 24 New Bern, NC, 17, 22, 25, 31,32, 46, 50, 52-54, 67, 85, 86, 90 New Hanover County, NC, 2, 60, 96 New River State Park, 87 Newman, Randy, 51, 63, 90 Nighthawk, Common, 8, 73 Night-Heron Black-crowned, 55, 72, 86 Yellow-crowned, 71, 72, 86 Nix, Maxi, 70 Nolan, Paul M„ 70, 71 North Harlowe, NC, 61, 62 North Pond, 59, 108 North River Farms, 23, 29- 32,55,56, 93,96, 113, 115 North Wilkesboro, NC, 66 Nugent, Perry, 70, 71 Nuthatch Brown-headed, 8, 74, 93 Red-breasted, 74 White-breasted, 8, 71, 74 O O’Connell, Jeff, 23 O’Donnell, Suzanna, 65 Oak Island, NC, 54, 57, 58, 60, 64-66 Ocean Isle, NC, 52, 58, 62, 109, 113 Ocracoke, NC, 22, 28, 54, 55 Odum, Nancy, 69 O'Grady, Kathleen, 50, 53, 54, 55, 56 Okatie, SC, 34 Old Fort, NC, 95 Olthoff, Bob, 21, 88 Onslow County, NC, 87 Orangeburg, SC, 22, 23, 24, 25 Oregon Inlet, 17, 22, 49, 50, 51,52, 54, 84, 89, 108 Oriole Baltimore, 9, 67, 75, 115 Bullock’s, 67 Orchard, 9, 75 Osprey, 7, 55, 72 Outer Banks, 61, 89, 114 Ovenbird, 9, 64,71,75 Owl Bam, 73,91 Barred, 8,71,73,91 Great Homed, 8, 71, 73 Northern Saw- whet, 6 1 , 91 Short-eared, 28, 60, 82 Oystercatcher, American, 73, 87 P Pamlico County, NC, 38, 39, 55 Pamlico Sound, 52 Panned, Monroe, 2, 20, 22, 53.64, 85,92, 109, 110 Pantego, NC, 57 Pantelidis, Veronica, 66 Parakeet, Black-hooded, 90 Parker, Inge, 32 Parnell, Jim, 2 Parula, Northern, 9, 31, 63, 75, 114 Patterson, Steve, 40, 136 Patteson, Brian, 1,2, 19, 22, 24,31,54,58-60, 85, 86, 89, 90, 108, 111-113 Pawleys Island, SC, 34, 59, 60, 65, 67 Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge, 17, 19, 20, 22, 24, 28, 30, 32, 50, 53- 55, 59, 60, 63, 64, 66, 84, 88, 108 Peachey, Jack, 34, 40, 51, 110 Peachland, NC, 66 Pee Dee National Wildlife Refuge, 20,21,49, 50, 55.65, 110 Pelican American White, 19, 54, 85, 109 Brown, 72, 109 Pender County, NC, 22, 89, 90 Pericak, Tom, 95 Person County, NC, 2 1 Peterjohn, Bruce, 48 Peterson Glenn, 69 Ken, 58 Petranka, Jim, 1 1 5 Petrel Fea’s, 85, 108 Herald (Trinidade), 108 Pettigrew State Park, 49, 53, 60 Phalarope Red, 58 The Chat, Vol. 74, No. 4, Fall 2010 125 Red-necked, 26, 88 Wilson’s, 26, 58, 88 Phelps, Richard, 87 Phillips, Gary, 51, 83 Phoebe, Eastern, 8, 74 Piedmont, SC, 1 13 Piephoff, Taylor, 17,28,30, 33, 53, 55, 58, 62, 67, 86, 136 Pigeon, Rock, 8, 71, 73 Pinckney NWR, 64 Pine Knoll Shores, NC, 63, 110 Pineville, NC, 1 1 1 Pinewood, SC, 55 Pipit, Sprague’s, 2 Pippen Jeff, 4, 54, 59, 1 14 Jeffrey S. See LeGrand, Harry, et al. Pivers Island, 22 Plover Black-bellied, 21,70, 73 Piping, 22, 57, 71, 111 Semipalmated, 22, 73 Snowy, 22, 57, 87, 1 1 1 Wilson’s, 57, 73, 111 Pocosin Lakes NWR, 17, 49, 56 Poole, Rebecca, 70 Porcher’s Bluff, 71 Portsmouth Island, 20, 22, 23, 25, 57, 111 Post Will, 34 William, Occurrence of the White-winged Dove ( Zenaida asiatica) in South Carolina and Neighboring Regions, and its Relation to the Florida Population, 97-101 Post, Will. See Slyce, Donna, et al. Poston, Joe, 58 Powell, JoAnne, 55, 57 Pratt, Eva, 69 Pridmore, Karen, 109 Proctor Annabeth, 46 Donald, 44 Puffin, Atlantic, 60, 90 Pusser, Todd, 17, 84 R Rachlin, Rob, 84 Rail Black, 21, 56 Clapper, 73 King, 21,71,73, 87 Virginia, 87 Raleigh, NC, 29, 30, 64, 65, 67, 85,91,95, 136, 137 Rand, Diane, 34 Raven, Common, 30, 74, 92 Ravenel, SC, 110 Rayner, Doug, 69 Razorbill, 60, 90 Redhead, 51,69, 70, 72 Redstart, American, 9, 75, 94, 1 14 Reese, Hilda, 71 Reeves, George, 69 Register, John, 23 Reiskind, Jeremy, 32, 56, 86 Renninger, Heather, 110 Restivo, Scott, 56 Rexrode, Toni, 114 Reynolda Gardens, 30, 31, 87,91,96 Richard, Carroll, 50, 53-56 Richland County, SC, 87 Ridge Junction Overlook, 21,28,31 Rintoul, David, 109 Rittmaster, Keith, 90 Riverbend Park, 1 9, 20, 22, 28, 29,53, 109, 110 Roan Mountain, 21, 31, 32, 108, 112, 114, 115 Roanoke Island, 63, 64, 94, 96, 110 Roanoke Rapids, NC, 24 Roanoke Rapids Lake, 24 Robeson County, NC, 21 Robin, American, 9, 74, 114 Rockville, SC, 33, 44 Rocky Mount, NC, 28, 3 1 , 66, 89 Rodanthe, NC, 24 Rogers, Keith, 2, 35 Roper, NC, 30 Rosche, Dick, 48 Roushdy, Juanita, 55 Rowan County, NC, 109 Ruff, 25, 34, 88 Rusch, Phil, 115 Ryan, Matt, 72 S Salem Lake, 53, 83, 89, 108 Salisbury, NC, 85 Sanderling, 24, 73, 1 1 1 Sanderling, NC, 26 Sanders Felicia, 70 Tammy, 52, 87 Tom, 29, 52, 56, 63, 66, 83, 84, 86, 87, 92, 96, 111 Sandhills NWR, 64 Sandpiper Baird’s, 24 Buff-breasted, 25 Curlew, 25 Least, 8, 73 Pectoral, 8, 73, 88 Purple, 58 Semipalmated, 73 Sharp-tailed, 3, 25 Solitary, 8, 73, 88 Spotted, 8, 23, 57, 73, 111 Stilt, 25, 58, 73 Upland, 23 Western, 8, 71, 73, 111 White-rumped, 24 Sang, Gemeli, 69 Santee Coastal Reserve, 48, 87, 88,91,96 Santee Delta Wildlife Management Area, 91 Santee National Wildlife Refuge, 49, 57, 59, 60, 62, 65-67 Sapsucker, Yellow-bellied, 8, 74,91, 112 Savannah National Wildlife Refuge, 21, 55, 56, 87, 96 Savannah Spoil Site, 16-23, 25-27, 29,31,53, 54, 57,58,61,64, 65, 86- 89, 93, 95, 99 Scaup, Lesser, 83 Scavetto, John, 19 Schiavo, Lou, 1 1 1 Scholz, Eric & Michelle, 87 Scoter Black, 17, 52 Surf, 52, 84 White- winged, 17 Scotland County, NC, 13-15 Scotland Neck, NC, 86 Scott Bob, 69 Ken, 57, 60, 63 Scott’s Oriole, 80-81 126 Index to Volume 74 — 2010 Screech-Owl, Eastern, 8, 71, 73 Selasphorus, 61, 78-79 Sell, Harry, 30,51,62, 82, 88, 90 Selvey, Ron, 22, 25, 28, 29, 31,49,53, 86, 87,91, 93,95, 109, 112, 115 Semanchuk, Steve, 21, 28 Serridge Barbara, 71, 105 Paul, 19, 20,21,24,25, 30,61,67,71,86, 90, 94, 95,96, 105, 111, 136 Paul, Nesting Scissor- tailed Flycatchers ( Tyrannus forficatus) in Greenville County, SC, 104-6 Shackleford Banks, 20, 23, 86, 88 Shackleton, Louis, 87 Shadwick, Doug, 21, 26 Shallotte Inlet, 17 Shealy, Mac, 69 Shearwater Audubon’s, 108 Cory’s, 19, 85 Great, 54, 108 Manx, 54, 108 Sooty, 54, 85 Shoffner, Harry, 56 Shoveler, Northern, 69, 72 Shrike, Loggerhead, 8, 29, 61,74, 113 Shultz, Steve, 18, 22, 25,26, 56, 59, 136 Simmons, Bonnie, 95 Simpson, Marcus, 28, 91, 114 Siskin, Pine, 11, 115 Skimmer, Black, 28, 73 Skrabec, Lou, 64, 86 Skua Great, 59 South Polar, 90, 112 Skyland, NC, 18, 27, 28, 49, 51,58, 109 Slyce, Donna, 2009 Annual Report of the South Carolina Bird Records Committee, 33-34 Smalling, Curtis, 115 Smaltz, Stacy, 109 Smith Jon, 28, 29, 96 Roger, 71 Smithson, Bruce, 58, 61, 96 Smolen-Morton, Shawn, 61, 62, 66 Smyrna, NC, 54 Sneed, Cherrie, 21, 49, 52, 85, 88, 112 Snipe, Wilson’s, 8 Snook, Chris, 23, 29, 49, 52, 70, 108 Socolar, Jacob, 25, 86, 88 Sora, 21 Sorenson, Clyde, 4 Sorrie, Bruce, 92 South Mountains State Park, 114 Southern, Joshua, 89 Southern Pines, NC, 28, 29, 53 Southern Shores, NC, 32, 89 Southport, NC, 54, 57, 58, 59, 60, 64, 65, 66 Sowell, Gary, 30 Soza, Kathleen, 69 Sparks, Jared, 6 1 Sparrow American Tree, 64 Bachman’s, 64, 75, 115 Chipping, 9, 75 Clay-colored, 31, 64 Field, 9,71,75 Grasshopper, 75, 95 Harris’s, 95 Henslow’s, 65 House, 9, 75 Lark, 31,65,95, 115 Le Conte’s, 31, 65 Lincoln’s, 31, 65 Savannah, 31, 75, 95, 115 Song, 9, 75 Swamp, 75 Vesper, 31,65,95, 115 White-crowned, 66, 95 White-throated, 9, 71, 75, 115 Spartanburg County, SC, 6, 34, 69 Spoonbill, Roseate, 2, 20, 72, 86, 110 Stacey, Lois, 19, 55, 69 Lois, 2009 Fall Bird Counts in South Carolina, 6-10 Lois, 2010 Spring Bird Counts in South Carolina, 69-77 Stanly Co, NC, 4, 110 Stanton, Yin, 27 Stapleton, Deck, 94 Starling, European, 9, 74 Stilt, Black-necked, 22, 57, 73, 87, 111 Stork, Wood, 7, 21, 55, 70, 72, 108 Storm-Petrel European, 85 Swinhoe’s, 1 White-faced, 19 Wilson’s, 108 Stuart, Will, 110, 115 Sullivan Bill, 70 Mary Kay, 70 Sullivans Island, SC, 58, 99 Sunset Beach, NC, 20, 21, 30,51,53,61,62, 96 Super, Paul, 20, 86 Surfside, SC, 17 Surfside Beach, SC, 83 Swallow Bank, 8, 74 Bam, 8, 30, 62, 69, 74, 113 Cave, 30, 62 Cliff, 8, 69, 74, 93, 113 Northern Rough-winged, 8, 30, 62, 74 Tree, 8, 74, 93, 113 Swan Mute, 17, 50 Trumpeter, 4 Tundra, 50, 108 Swannanoa, NC, 29 Swansboro, NC, 87 Swick, Nathan, 29, 30 Swift, Chimney, 8, 28, 73 Sykes, Paul, 50, 60, 63, 66 T Tanager Scarlet, 9, 70, 75, 115 Summer, 9, 32, 66, 75 Western, 66, 96 Tanglewood Park, 87, 91, 93 Tangwar, Joan, 69 Taylor, Kristin, 69 Teal “Common”, 83 Blue-winged, 7, 70, 72 Green-winged, 83 Tem Arctic, 40^13, 90 Black, 27, 70, 73, 89, 111 Bridled, 89 The Chat, Vol. 74, No. 4, Fall 2010 127 Caspian, 27,71,89 Common, 28, 59, 73 Forster’s, 58, 73 Gull-billed, 27, 73 Least, 73, 111 Roseate, 28 Royal, 73, 112 Sandwich, 59, 73, 112 Sooty, 89, 1 1 1 Thomas, Stephen, 18, 19, 53, 96 Thompson, Joel F., 70 Karen E. N., 70 Simon, 27, 83, 114 Thrasher, Brown, 9, 74, 114 Thrush Gray-cheeked, 9 Hermit, 9, 74 Swainson’s, 9, 74, 114 Varied, 62 Wood, 9,71,74 Thurmond, Gerald, 69 Titmouse, Tufted, 8, 74 Topsail Beach, NC, 90 Topsail Island, 22, 57 Torlina, Pam, 105 Tove, Michael H. See LeGrand, Harry, et al. Mike, 56 Towhee, Eastern, 9, 75 Townville, SC, 23, 32, 62, 96 Tracy, Steve, 65, 115 Transylvania County, NC, 114 Travis, Ginger, 23, 87, 109 Trenton, NC, 1 10 Tropicbird Red-billed, 2, 85 White-tailed, 19, 85, 108 Tryon, NC, 94 Tufford, Dan, 109 Turbeville, SC, 22, 23, 25 Turkey, Wild, 7, 72 Turner, Phil, 17,21,28 Turnstone, Ruddy, 24, 73 Twin Lakes, 20, 21 Tyndall, Russell. See LeGrand, Harry, et al. Tyrrell, Jennifer M., 70 U Ulmer, M. B., 69 Underwood Garnet, 62 Ron, 62, 88 V Van Epps, Rob, 86 Vankevich, Peter, 57 Veery, 8,71,74 Vireo Bell’s, 2, 62 Blue-headed, 74 Philadelphia, 29 Red-eyed, 8, 74 Warbling, 92 White-eyed, 8, 61, 74 Yellow-throated, 8, 71, 74 Voelker, Patricia, 71 Voigt, John, 49, 58, 93, 96 Vukovich, Mark, 65, 69 Vulture, Black, 7, 55, 72 Turkey, 7, 72 W Waccamaw River, 35 Wadmalaw Island, 33, 44 Wagner, Steve, 72 Wagner, Steve. See Slyce, Donna, et al. Wake County, NC, 21, 59, 88 Walker Alice, 69 Curtis, 21 Douglas, 69 Walter, Ginger, 66, 67 Wanchese, NC, 56 Warbler “Audubon’s”, 94 “Brewster’s”, 93 Black-and-white, 9, 63, 71.75 Blackburnian, 9 Blackpoll, 75, 94 Black-throated Blue, 9, 71, 75 Black-throated Green, 9, 63.75 Blue-winged, 9, 74, 93 Canada, 95 Cape May, 75 Cerulean, 31, 94, 114 Chestnut-sided, 9, 94 Connecticut, 3 1 , 95 Golden-winged, 30, 74, 93 Hooded, 9, 75 Kentucky, 71, 75, 94 Magnolia, 9, 1 14 Mourning, 3 1 Nashville, 2, 9, 30, 63, 94 Orange-crowned, 62 Palm, 9, 75 Pine, 9, 75 Prairie, 9, 63, 75 Prothonotary, 9, 75 Swainson’s, 69, 71, 75, 94, 114 Tennessee, 9 Wilson’s, 31, 64, 95 Worm-eating, 71, 75 Yellow, 63, 70, 75 Yellow-rumped, 9, 71, 75,94, 114 Yellow-throated, 9, 63, 75 Ward, Linda, 19, 20 Warren, Phillip, 53, 56 Warrenton, NC, 110 Watauga County, NC, 28 Waters, Anne, 6, 55, 69 Waterthrush Louisiana, 9, 75, 94, 115 Northern, 3, 9, 31, 64, 75 Watson, Craig, 70, 71 Waxwing, Cedar, 9, 74, 114 Weaverville, NC, 21, 28 Wedge, Steve, 62 Weinstein John, 28,71 John E., 70 Westphal, Marilyn, 32, 91, 114 Weymouth Woods Sandhills Nature Preserve, 29 Wheaton, George, 17, 53 Whilden, Kay, 69 Whimbrel, 23, 57, 73 Whip-poor-will, Eastern, 61, 73,91 Whispering Pines, NC, 56, 63 Whistling-Duck Black-bellied, 16, 72, 83, 107 Fulvous, 48 White, Elizabeth, 38, 57 Whitlock, Audrey, 24, 5 1 , 84, 108 Wigeon American, 69, 70, 72 Eurasian, 17, 50 Wilkins, Ken, 2, 85 Willet, 23, 73 Williams Audrey, 55 Mike, 109 128 Index to Volume 74 — 2010 Sean, 19,30 Williamson, Amy, 31, 55, 66, 86 Williamston, NC, 3 1 Willis, Cassie, 20 Wilmington, NC, 25, 31, 49, 53-55, 59, 60, 65-67, 86, 110 Wilson Harry, 29 J. D„ 55 James, 63 Lori Sheridan, 70 Wilson, NC, 110 Winston-Salem, NC, 1, 12, 22, 26, 28-32, 49, 53, 56, 83, 86-89,91,93, 95, 96, 108, 111, 113 Winton, Scott, 18, 26, 58 Winyah Bay, 50,51,54, 55, 57, 59, 60,61,63 Womble, Cindy, 71 Woodcock, American, 73 Woodpecker Downy, 8, 74 Hairy, 8, 74 Pileated, 8, 74 Red-bellied, 8, 74 Red-cockaded, 8, 71, 74 Red-headed, 8, 74 Wood-Pewee, Eastern, 8, 71, 74 Wootton, Dan & Nancy, 69 Wren Carolina, 8, 74 House, 8,71,74 Marsh, 74, 93 Sedge, 70, 74 Wright David, 53, 92 John, 56, 1 10 Marcia, 92 Paula, 92 Wrightsville Beach, NC, 28, 51,53,58,59, 60, 62 Y Yadkin County, NC, 31 Yancey County, NC, 29 Yellowlegs Greater, 73 Lesser, 8, 73 Yellowthroat, Common, 9, 64, 75 Young, Bruce, 24, 25 Z Zebulon, NC, 29 Zielinski, Gene, 69 Zippier, Calvin, 60, 69 CAROLINA BIRD CLUB www.carolinabirdclub.org The Carolina Bird Club is a non-profit organization which represents and supports the birding community in the Carolinas through its official website, publications, meetings, workshops, trips, and partnerships, whose mission is • To promote the observation, enjoyment, and study of birds. • To provide opportunities for birders to become acquainted, and to share information and experience. • To maintain well-documented records of birds in the Carolinas. • To support the protection and conservation of birds and their habitats and foster an appreciation and respect of natural resources. • To promote educational opportunities in bird and nature study. • To support research on birds of the Carolinas and their habitats. Membership is open to all persons interested in the conservation, natural history, and study of wildlife with particular emphasis on birds. Dues, contributions, and bequests to the Club may be deductible from state and federal income and estate taxes. Make checks payable to Carolina Bird Club, Inc. Send checks or correspondence regarding membership or change of address to the Headquarters Secretary. Dues include $6 for a subscription to the CBC Newsletter and $7 for a subscription to The Chat. Associate members do not receive a separate subscription to publications. ANNUAL DUES Individual or non-profit $25.00 Associate (in same household as individual member) $5.00 Student. $15.00 Sustaining and businesses $30.00 Patron $50.00 Life Membership (payable in four consecutive $100 installments) $400.00 Associate Life Membership (in same household as life member) $100.00 ELECTED OFFICERS President Taylor Piephoff, Charlotte, NC PiephoffT@aol.com NC Vice-Presidents David McCloy, Pinehurst, NC david.mccloy@ncmail.net Dwayne Martin, Hickory, NC redxbill@gmail.com SC Vice-President Paul Serridge, Greenville, SC paulserridge@gmail.com Secretary Lucy Quintilliano, Charlotte, NC lucyq@carolina.rr.com Treasurer Carol Bowman, Pinehurst, NC cbowman6@nc.rr.com NC Members-at-Large Skip Morgan, Manteo, NC tlmorgan@inteliport.com Katherine Higgins, Mouth of Wilson, VA kathwrens@gmail.com Ron Clark, Kings Mountain, NC waxwing@bellsouth.net SC Members-at-Large Don Faulkner, Easley, SC donrfaulkner@aol.com Marion Clark, Lexington, SC mclark66@sc.rr.com EX-OFFICIO EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBERS Chat Editor Kent Fiala, Hillsborough, NC chat@carolinabirdclub.org Newsletter Editor Steve Shultz, Apex, NC newsletter@carolinabirdclub.org Web site Editor Kent Fiala, Hillsborough, NC webeditor@carolinabirdclub.org Immediate Past President Steve Patterson, Lancaster, SC SCBirder@aol.com HEADQUARTERS SECRETARY Dana Harris CBC, 1809 Lakepark Drive, Raleigh NC 27612 hq@carolinabirdclub.org ■O c “U TO c5 oo a. o Q) © U)