No
So The Chat
Vol. 78 WINTER 2014
The Quarterly Bulletin of the Carolina Bird Club, Inc.
The Ornithological Society of the Carolinas
THE CHAT
ISSN No. 0009-1987
Vol. 78
WINTER 2014
No. 1
Editor
General Field Notes Editors
Don Seriff, 7324 Linda Lake Drive
Charlotte, NC 28215
chat@carolinabirdclub.org
North Carolina
Christina Harvey
South Carolina
William Post
Briefs for the Files
Josh Southern
THE CHAT is published quarterly by the Carolina Bird Club, Inc., 1809 Lakepark Drive, Raleigh NC
27612. Individual subscription price $25 per year. Periodicals postage paid at Pinehurst, NC 28374 and
additional mailing offices.
POSTMASTER: Send address changes to THE CHAT, Carolina Bird Club, Inc., 9 Quincy Place,
Pinehurst, NC 28374.
Copyright © 2014 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
2013 Annual Report of the South Carolina Bird Records Committee Chris Hill,
Chair 1
2013 Annual Report of the North Carolina Bird Records Committee Michael Tove,
Chair 8
General Field Notes
Third Record of Northern Lapwing ( Vanellus vanellus) in North Carolina Martin
Wall 14
\Briefs for the Files
Fall 2013 Josh Southern 17
Fifty Years Ago in The Chat
March 1964 40
Cover: Hermit Thrush and winterberry bush ( Ilex verticillata)
Original water color by Leigh Anne Carter. LACarter.com
2013 Annual Report of the
South Carolina Bird Records Committee
Chris Hill1, Chair, Giff Beaton, Jeff Click, Aaron Given, Lex
Glover, Keith McCullough, Irvin Pitts, William Post, Steve
Wagner
1 Biology Department, Coastal Carolina University, P.O. Box 261954,
Conway, South Carolina 29526-chill@coastal.edu
In 2013, the South Carolina Bird Records Committee (SCBRC) took
action on 26 new reports of which 21 were accepted, 3 not accepted and 2
recommended for outside review. We also voted a second time on 3 reports
for which the original votes had been inconclusive and we had obtained
comment by outside experts. Of those three reports, 1 was accepted by the
committee and 2 not accepted. Additionally, the committee received 5 other
reports that were not circulated, 2 because they were withdrawn by the
submitter before a vote, and 3 because the reports involved non-review
species.
The 2013 submissions added two species to South Carolina’s Main
Species List, MacGillivray’s Warbler and Anna’s Hummingbird, bringing the
state’s list to 429 species. The most recent version of the list is available online
at http://carolinabirdclub.org/brc.
In 2013, the committee membership expanded to 9 members, with Keith
McCullough (Charleston), Aaron Given (Kiawah Island) and Jeff Click
(Easley) joining the Committee, J. B. Hines III rotating off the committee, and
Chris Hill becoming chair. The following report details actions taken by the
SC Bird Records Committee in 2013.
Accepted reports
Greater White-fronted Goose (Anser albifrons) (12-12-17). This report,
submitted by Matthew Campbell, involved a bird at the campus of Charleston
Southern University in Charleston that remained from 18 January to 11
December 2012. Greater White-fronted Geese are not a review species in
South Carolina overall, but since known patterns of occurrence are strictly as
a winter visitor (Post and Gauthreaux 1989) the committee reviewed this
record as a first documented summer record. Though with waterfowl it is
difficult to prove wild origin beyond a doubt, the report fits a pattern of
oversummering geese in the southeast and was accepted as a wild bird by the
committee.
2
2013 Annual Report of the South Carolina Bird Records Committee
Aechmophorus sp . (01-11-05). This report of two grebes seen from Hilton
Head Island on 12 February 201 lwas submitted by Dr. Beverly Schneider as
pertaining to Western Grebes. An inconclusive vote when circulated two years
ago occasioned a revote on this record after the committee received comments
from two outside reviewers. The report was accepted unanimously at the level
of Aechmophorus sp ., but only one member voted in favor of acceptance to
species, so the record is accepted at the level of genus only. This report
constitutes the fifth Aechmophorus grebe record for South Carolina. Two
previous records, a specimen from McClellanville 22 June 1936 (Post and
Gauthreaux 1989) and a bird observed from late August to late October 1999
in Bennettsville and accepted by the committee (Glover et al. 2002), pertain
to Western Grebes, and two additional sight reports (14 April 1957 Horry Co;
23 Nov 1966 Charleston Harbor) (Post and Gauthreaux 1989) were not
described well enough to distinguish them from Clark’s, and should be
assigned to Aechmophorus sp..
Brown Booby ( Sula leucogaster) (09-08-30). This report, with
photographs by Lauren Nybeck, was submitted by Chris Hill. The report
concerned a banded bird, picked up alive on Surfside Beach on 6 September
2008, the day after Tropical Storm Hannah hit, taken to a veterinarian and
rehabber, and later released. The report included information (from the band
and communication with the bander) about the bird’s origin. The bird had been
banded as a chick on 2 March 2003 at French Cap, St. Thomas, USVI. This
record is the third documented occurrence in the state. The previous records
are of a specimen from 4 January 1968 in Charleston (Post and Gauthreaux
1989) and a bird at Huntington Beach State Park and North Island,
Georgetown County, 8-25 June 2012 (Pitts et al. 2013).
Dovekie {Alle alle) (03-03-20). Found alive 3 1 March 2013, Horry County
by T. Brun.
Dovekie (02-10-21). Found alive on a road in Surfside Beach, Horry
County, 6 February 2010.
Dovekie (00-13-22). Found dead at Hobcaw Barony, Georgetown County,
on a dirt road or causeway by J. Beissinger. Date uncertain, but in January,
February or March 2013.
Dovekie (04-13-23). Found alive, 8 April 2013, brought to a veterinarian’s
office in Surfside Beach, Horry County.
All four reports of Dovekies were submitted by Chris Hill and
accompanied by photographs. The three birds found alive all died soon after
they were picked up. Those three are now specimens in the collection at
Coastal Carolina University (the fourth was decomposed and was discarded).
Post and Gauthreaux (1989) cite 14 Dovekie reports up to 1950, and the
committee had previously accepted three other reports between 2005 and 201 1
The Chat, Vol. 78, No. 1, Winter 2014
3
(Slyce et al. 2006, 2008; Slyce et al. 2011). The Dovekie found on 8 April
establishes the late date for the species in South Carolina.
Sabine’s Gull (Xema sabini) (09-13-07). The committee accepted a
written report and photograph submitted by Rebecca Byrd of two individuals
at Lake Hartwell on 15 September 2013, viewed from the Georgia side. This
report constitutes the third record for South Carolina, all in the same mid-
September window, the others being an individual photographed 7 September
1985 off Georgetown County (Post and Gauthreaux 1989), and an individual
seen 13 September 1992 at the Charleston jetties (McNair and Post 1993).
Snowy Owl (Bubo scandiacus) (12-13-34). Chris Feeney submitted this
written report and accompanying photographs from of a bird at Cape Romain
National Wildlife Refuge (NWR), Charleston Co., on 15 December 2013, with
Chris Snook also submitting a description of the same bird. There are at least
15 valid records of Snowy Owl for South Carolina, but only 5 since 1956,
most recently one in January 2012 in Kershaw Co. that died soon after being
photographed alive (Pitts et al. 2013).
Northern Saw-whet Owl (Aegolius acadicus) (12-07-25). This written
description by Chris Hill, including some detail on vocalizations, of a bird
encountered on the Winyah Bay Christmas Bird Count on 20 December 2007,
was accepted by the committee. Post and Gauthreaux (1989) consider
Northern Saw-whet Owl a rare winter visitor throughout the state.
In 2012, the South Carolina Bird Records Committee (SCBRC) took
action on 17 records of which 14 were accepted, two rejected and one
recommended for outside review. The decisions on two other reports initially
reviewed in 2011 are also still pending outside review. Additionally, the
committee received four other reports that were not circulated because of their
non-review status. South Carolina’s Main Species List continues to stand at
427 species. The most recent version is available online at
http :// carolinabirdclub . org/brc .
Anna’s Hummingbird (Calypte anna) (12-10-33). A report from bander
Doreen Cubie of a bird at Hanahan in Berkeley County, in 2010 was very well
documented with description and photographs. This is the first accepted record
for the state, and diagnostic photographs place it on the definitive list.
Buff-bellied Hummingbird (Amazilia yucatanensis) (12-12-20). Lori
Owenby submitted an excellent report accompanied by in-hand photographs
from when Dwayne Martin banded the bird on 19 December 2012. This bird
was photographed and seen by many observers at McClellanville during its
stay in the winter of 2012-2013. This constitutes the second Buff-bellied
Hummingbird record for the state, with the previous being one banded by Bill
Hilton in December 2001 (Slyce et al. 2004).
4
2013 Annual Report of the South Carolina Bird Records Committee
Alder Flycatcher (Empidonax alnorum) (08-13-06). Irvin Pitts submitted
detailed notes and a photograph of a bird seen and heard on 26 August 20 1 3
at Carolina Sandhills NWR , in Chesterfield County, by Pitts and Dennis
Forsythe. Accepted on the basis of the description, particularly of the
vocalizations of the bird, which sang.
Alder Flycatcher (09-13-31). This report from Aaron Given is of a bird
banded at Kiawah Island, Charleston County, on September 25, 2013, and it
was accepted based on excellent description, extensive measurements and
comparison with criteria published in Pyle (1997).
Although a photograph accompanied one of these reports, Alder
Flycatcher remains on the Provisional I list, meaning that written reports have
been accepted but there is not yet documentary evidence (photo, specimen,
sound recording) sufficient to move it to the Definitive List. The photograph
submitted with the first record above was consistent with Alder, but not
definitive without the accompanying description of the vocalizations. There is
one previous documented record of Alder Flycatcher in the state, of a bird in
hand by bander Chris Snook on 16 September 2009 at Folly Island, Charleston
County, (Pitts et al. 2012).
Ash-throated Flycatcher ( Myiarchus cinerascens ) (11-13-32). Aaron
Given submitted a report including definitive photos, of a bird banded on
Kiawah Island on 4 November 2013. This constitutes the fifth record for
South Carolina.
Bell’s Vireo ( Vireo bellii) (09-13-32). A report by Aaron Given, with
photographs, of a bird banded on Kiawah Island on 9 September 2013.
Bell’s Vireo (2014-012). Another report by Aaron Given, with
photographs, of a bird banded on Kiawah Island on 6 September 2012.
The Kiawah Island fall banding project has captured one Bell’s Vireo in
each of the past three years, on dates from 6 to 17 September (Pitts et al. 2012).
In addition to those records, there is a specimen in the Charleston Museum (14
October 1985, Mt. Pleasant (Post and Gauthreaux 1989), and a sight report
from the Caw Caw Interpretive Center in Charleston County in April 2000
accepted by the committee (Slyce et al. 2004). One additional report published
in American Birds without details (LeGrand 1989) has not been evaluated by
the committee.
Cave Swallow ( Petrochelidon pyrrhonota ) (2014-001). This submission
by Chris Snook consisted of notes (including a photocopy of field notes)
describing a Cave Swallow seen on the McClellanville Christmas Bird Count
on 15 December 2013. The SCBRC has accepted three previous reports,
including a specimen salvaged October 1994. Although Cave Swallows have
The Chat, Vol. 78, No. 1, Winter 2014
5
been reported extensively from South Carolina in the last decade, submission
of documentation is still encouraged, especially from areas away from the
coast.
Swainson’s Thrush ( Catharus ustulatus) (12-12-35). Reviewed as an out
of season record, this submission by Irvin Pitts included excellent photos of a
bird observed 5-11 December in Lexington, Lexington County. Any non-
Hermit brown-backed thrush in December is noteworthy, and so many Hermit
Thrushes get misidentified in winter as other thrushes that the true winter
status of Swainson’s Thrush, Veery, and Wood Thrush is difficult to discern,
which makes this record valuable. This record is the latest documented
Swainson’s Thrush in South Carolina.
MacGillivray’s Warbler ( Geothlypis tolmiei) (10-13-27). Aaron Given
submitted a written report and four photos of a bird banded on Kiawah Island
on 18 October 2013. This is the first record of the species in South Carolina
and the diagnostic photos place this bird on the definitive list.
Northern Parula ( Setophaga americana ) (01-13-01). This report
consisted of an excellent written description by Simon Harvey of a late
lingering bird watched at Lake Conestee Nature Park, Greenville County, on
5 January 2013. Post and Gauthreaux (1989) say that in the Piedmont and
mountains Northern Parula is accidental in winter and list one record, from 1 5
December 1984 in Martin, Allendale County.
American Tree Sparrow (Spizella arborea) (05-13-04). This well-
written report by Aaron Given included convincing details of a bird seen on
Dewees Island, Charleston County on 5 May 2013. Post and Gauthreaux
(1989) mention an “extremely late” record of this rare winter visitor, a bird
photographed 26 April 1985 when it landed on a boat 20 km east of Edisto
Island. The current report establishes a new late date and the second report
outside of the winter months.
Non-accepted reports
White-faced Ibis (Plegadis chihi) (04-12-08). This report received an
inconclusive vote in 2012. It was recirculated with comments from reviewers
familiar with problems in identifying Plegadis ibis. A re-vote elicited another
split vote with the preponderance of members concluding that although the
blurry photograph was suggestive of White-faced Ibis, the evidence did not
meet the standard needed to establish a first state record.
Northern Goshawk (Accipiter gentilis) (02-13-02). This written
description of a bird seen in flight at Savannah NWR, in Jasper County in
6 2013 Annual Report of the South Carolina Bird Records Committee
January 2013, was judged by the committee not to conclusively establish the
identity of the bird.
Burrowing Owl (Athene cunicularia) (07-10-08). This report of two birds
in Charleston County, with a blurry photo, also received an inconclusive vote
in 2010. After recirculation with comments from two outside experts, the
record was not accepted, with most committee members concluding the
photograph represented young Eastern Screech-Owls.
Black-chinned Hummingbird (Archiolochus alexandri) (04-13-03).
Sight report from the ACE Basin NWR Combahee Unit on 28 April 2013.
This description relied heavily on the appearance of a black throat, and did not
provide details that would eliminate a Ruby-throated Hummingbird viewed
from an angle where the reflective gorget feathers appeared black.
Common Redpoll (Acanthis flammed) (11-13-29). This written report
from a backyard bird bath in Rock Hill, York County 29 November 2013, did
not provide enough detail to conclusively eliminate House Finch.
Unresolved reports
Certain split votes, according to committee bylaws, require the soliciting
of input from outside reviewers, followed by a re-vote by the committee. The
following reports are awaiting outside review.
Northern Goshawk (Accipiter gentilis) (10-13-19). Written report of a
bird seen at Lighthouse Inlet Heritage Preserve on 26 October 2013 on Folly
Island, Charleston County.
Varied Thrush (Ixoreus naevius ) (02-10-10). Written report of a sighting
15 February 2010 in Columbia, SC.
Acknowledgements
The committee thanks all the observers who submitted reports. Your
actions increase our understanding of bird occurrence in the state. We thank
J.B. Hines III for four years of service on the Bird Records Committee. We
thank Bill Pranty, Dennis Paulson, Bill Hubick, Sherman Suter, Joshua
Uffman, William Rowe, Mark Robbins Chris Wood and Tony Leukering for
supplying comments on unresolved reports from previous years.
The Chat, Vol. 78, No. 1, Winter 2014
7
Literature Cited
Glover, L., D. S. Bailey, G. Beaton, Jr., T. Kahlbach, T. Piephoff, and W.
Post. 2002. 2000-2001 Report of the South Carolina Bird Records
Committee. Chat 66:1 15-1 18.
LeGrand, H., Jr. 1989. The Winter Season. American Birds 43:302.
McNair, D. B. and W. Post. 1993. Supplement to Status and Distribution of
South Carolina Birds. Charleston Museum Ornithological Contribution
No. 8:1-48.
Pitts, I., G. Beaton, L. Glover, C. Hill, J. B. Hines, III, W. Post, and S.
Wagner. 2012. 201 1 Annual Report of the South Carolina Bird Records
Committee. Chat 76:7-10.
Pitts, I., G. Beaton, L. Glover, C. Hill, J. B. Hines, III, W. Post, and S.
Wagner. 2013. 2012 Annual Report of the South Carolina Bird Records
Committee. Chat 77:1-5.
Post, W. and S.A. Gauthreaux, Jr. 1989. Status and distribution of South
Carolina birds. The Charleston Museum, Charleston, SC.
Pyle, P. 1997. Identification Guide to North American Birds. Part I.
Columbidae to Paloceidae. Slate Creek Press, Bolinas, CA.
Slyce, D., G. Beaton, L. Glover, C. Hill, J. B. Hines, III, W. Post, and S.
Wagner. 2011. 2010 Annual Report of the South Carolina Bird Records
Committee. Chat 75:147-148.
Slyce, D., G. Beaton, Jr., N. Dias, L. Glover, C. Hill, T. Kalbach, T.
Piephoff, W. Post, and S. Wagner. 2006. 2005 Annual Report of the
South Carolina Bird Records Committee. Chat 70:37-39.
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.
Slyce, D., P. L. Worthington, R. Carter, J. Cely, R. Clark, S. Compton, D.
Forsythe, S. Gauthreaux, Jr., L. Glover, and P. Laurie. 2004. Report of
the South Carolina Bird Records Committee 2003. Chat 58:88-92.
Received 10 March 2014
2013 Annual Report of the
North Carolina Bird Records Committee
Michael H. Tove1, Chair, Keith E. Camburn, Richard J.
Davis, Z. Taylor Piephoff, H. Douglas Pratt, Harry E.
LeGrand, Jr., Jeffrey S. Pippen, Steven P. Shultz, Nathan A.
Swick
1 303 Dunhagen Place, Cary, NC 27511 - mtove@deltaforce.net
The roster of North Carolina Records Committee members changed in
2013 with Douglas Pratt and Steven Shultz replacing Eric Dean and Wayne
Forsythe, and with the addition of Taylor Piephoff and Nathan Swick. We
thank Eric and Wayne for their service to the committee.
Accepted as Valid. The following reports were judged to be acceptable.
Black-bellied Whistling-Duck (Dendrocygna autumnalis) (13-06, 13-
07). A single bird was found by Gilbert S. Grant on 26 May 2013 in
Wilmington, New Hanover County and photographed by Grant and Jamie
Adams. In addition, a flock of 12 individuals found by Wayne K. Forsythe on
12 June 2013 in the Mills River area of Henderson County was seen and
photographed by Forsythe and other observers. Both records were
unanimously accepted. The Mills River birds constitute the westernmost
occurrence of this species from the state and the first from the mountain
region. The species is already on the Definitive List, with multiple records
from three coastal counties (LeGrand et al. 2014).
Trumpeter Swan ( Cygnus buccinator ) (13-18). A single immature bird
was seen and photographed by Luis J. Suau on Jordan Lake, Chatham County
on 19 December 2013. Based on the photographs, the NCBRC accepted the
report. Eight members voted AV (Accept as Valid) and one voted QO
(Questionable Origin). While the species is already on the Definitive List, this
sighting constitutes the first Piedmont record and the westernmost known
occurrence of the two accepted records for the species from the state.
Zino’s Petrel (. Pterodroma madeira ) (12-02.2). A bird photographed by
Brian Patteson on 16 September 1995 offHatteras, Dare County and published
by Howell (2012) as a Zino’s Petrel was reviewed by the NCBRC (Tove et al.
2013) and not accepted. In its decision, the NCBRC cited concerns about the
reliability of field marks used to reach that identification, including an
unaddressed contradiction of the bird’s wing proportion with descriptions in
the published literature plus insufficient general knowledge of field
8
The Chat, Vol. 78, No. 1, Winter 2014
9
identification of the Fea’s Petrel {P.feae)! Zino’s Petrel complex to adequately
rule out Fea’s Petrel. Subsequently, new significant information was provided
to the NCBRC (Shirihai et al., 2010, Flood and Fisher, 2013). In addition, the
NCBRC, in cooperation with the American Birding Association Checklist
Committee (ABA CLC), solicited and received written reviews by Hadoram
Shirihai and Killian Mullamey who kindly provided an additional series of
personal photographs. Based on the weight of this new evidence, the NCBRC
reconsidered this report and unanimously voted to accept. With this vote and
based on Patteson’s photos published in Howell (2012) and Flood and Fisher
(2013), Zino’s Petrel is added to the Definitive List. Finally, the NCBRC
wants to extend thanks to Bill Pranty, chair of the ABA CLC for his assistance
in providing us with this body of evidence.
White-faced Ibis ( Plegadis chihi) (13-03). A group of up to 5 birds
identified as this species were reported from 25 February through 8 April 2013
from Lake Mattamuskeet, Hyde County. The NCBRC was able to review
formal written documentations of single birds by Ryan Bakelaar and Scott
Winton, as well as informal communications from Susan Campbell who
reported that up to 5 individuals were present. The NCBRC unanimously
accepted the collective reports. This species is already on the Definitive List
based on two previous records from the state (LeGrand et al. 2014).
Roseate Spoonbill ( Platalea ajaja) (13-15). The NCBRC reviewed a
second-hand report from 1 4 September 2009 seen by David Jackson at Lake
Townsend, Greensboro, Guilford County. The report was accepted by eight
members and not accepted by one. The dissenting member expressed concern
that regardless of how obvious the species may be, second hand descriptions
are “hear-say” evidence and should not be deemed reliable evidence. This
species is already on the Definitive List. Though most records are from the
coast, there are multiple inland records west to the western Piedmont
(LeGrand et al. 2014).
Harlan’s Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis harlani) (13-17). The
NCBRC reviewed photographs of a NC Museum of Natural Sciences
specimen of an adult male of this western race of Red-tailed Hawk, taken in
Charlotte, Mecklenburg County on 13 January 2003. Seven members accepted
the identification, one voted Inadequately Documented (ID) and one
abstained. This record is accepted. Harlan’s Red-tailed Hawk is currently on
the Provisional List based on a single previous sight record. With acceptance
of the specimen, this subspecies is elevated to the Definitive List. Normally
the NCBRC does not review reports of recognized subspecies. However, in
this case, there are prominent raptor biologists who believe Harlan’s is a
distinct species. Regardless of that future determination, it clearly is a distinct
form. Therefore, this vote seemed to be warranted.
2013 Annual Report of the North Carolina Bird Records Committee
10
Northern Lapwing ( Vanellus vowellus) (13-02). A single individual was
first reported by Martin Wall on 24 February 2013 West of Roxboro, Person
County and subsequently was seen by scores of observers through 8 March
2013. The NCBRC reviewed four written reports from Martin Wall, Kent
Fiala, Harry LeGrand, and Michael Tove plus photographs by Wall, Kent
Fiala, Ali Iyoob and Tom Justice. Based on this body of evidence, the NCBRC
unanimously accepted the bird. There are two previous records from the state,
one from the coast documented by photographs and a specimen from the
Piedmont (LeGrand et al. 2014). This is the first that was observed over
multiple days by numerous observers.
Snowy Plover ( Charadrius nivosus) (13-01, 13-11). Two reports of this
species from Onslow County were received and unanimously accepted. The
first was a bird observed and photographed at Hammocks Beach State Park
near Swansboro on 18 February 2013 by Ed Corey. The second was
photographed by Gilbert S. Grant on 3 September 2013 at North Topsail
Beach. Although the NCBRC voted on these two reports separately, with only
12 miles separating the two locations, there is a distinct possibility that both
sightings refer to the same individual. While this species is already on the state
Definitive List based on 8-9 previous records, all from the coast (LeGrand et
al. 2014), the Hammocks Beach record constitutes the first winter record from
the state. If both records do refer to the same individual, it suggests the
possibility that this species might, on occasion, occur as a year-round visitor.
Long-tailed Jaeger ( Stercorarius longicaudus ) (13-13). An adult was
photographed at Lake Norman, Mecklenburg County on 1 1 September 2013
by Chris Talkington. Based on the photographs, this report was unanimously
accepted. While this species is a regular, if not uncommon migrant to NC’s
offshore waters, there is only a single previous inland record, a 1960 specimen
from Wake County (LeGrand et al. 2014). This is by far the westernmost
record of the species from the state.
Wagtail sp. {Motacilla sp.) (13-19). A bird seen on 15 September 2013 by
John Fussell, Jack Fennell, Chandra Biggerstaff, and Stan Rule at the Cedar
Island Ferry Terminal, Carteret County was identified to genus only. While
suspected of being a White Wagtail (M alba), the observers were unable to
get adequate views of the species to satisfactorily eliminate other species of
the group. The NCBRC unanimously accepted the written report by Fussell.
There are two previous records of wagtail from NC, both White Wagtails
including one from the same location as the present bird (LeGrand et al. 2014).
As White Wagtail is currently on the Definitive List, a record of Motacilla sp.
results in no change to the status of that genus from the state.
The Chat, Vol. 78, No. 1, Winter 2014
11
Lazuli Bunting ( Passerina amoena) (13-04). A male of indeterminate age
was photographed at a feeder by Maryann Mayer at Jamestown, Guilford
County on 2 April 2013. Based on a single photograph and to a lesser degree,
a written description, this report was unanimously accepted. This species is
already on the Definitive List based on a single previous well documented
record from the coast. This constitutes the first record from the Piedmont
(LeGrand et al. 2014).
Not Accepted. The following reports were judged to be unacceptable by a
majority of NCBRC Members.
Muscovy Duck ( Cairina moschata) (13-08). The NCBRC considered the
possibility of adding Muscovy Duck to the Not Established (NE) List. That
this species occurs in the state as an exotic is not disputed but the question of
whether it constitutes a feral, self-sustaining (albeit highly domesticated)
population was considered. The NE List is a new list category whose purpose
is to recognize certain non-native or captive-reared repatriated species whose
populations may be in the process of becoming established but are currently
insufficiently established to be considered on either the Provisional or
Definitive Lists. By a vote of four in favor (NE) and five against (QO -
Questionable Origin), the NCBRC deferred adding this species to the NE List.
Two dissenting members cited concerns that because of insufficient
documentation of free-flying birds and/or breeding without direct human
intervention, adding the species to the NE List at this time is premature.
Burrowing Owl {Athene cunicularia) (13-05). The NCBRC reviewed
photographs of a specimen of an individual picked up in a parking lot in
Charlotte, Mecklenburg County on 25 October 2005. The bird had been
banded as a chick in Alberta, Canada during the previous summer. The
specimen was noted to have suffered a skull fracture and died (presumably) of
cerebral hematoma, suggesting that it collided with a vehicle. Ultimately, the
NCBRC concluded that the bird more than likely was hit by a car or truck
somewhere out of state, got lodged in that vehicle’s superstructure and thusly
transported into the state. Accordingly, the record is considered QO
(Questionable Origin). There are two previous accepted records from the state
and the species is already on the Definitive List.
White-collared Swift {Streptoprocne zonaris) (13-20). A bird seen by an
observer, without the aid of binoculars, was reported as this South American
species. Two members voted to Accept as Valid (AV), and seven voted to not
accept (4 ID - Inadequately Documented, 3 US - Unaccepted Sighting).
Accordingly, this report is not accepted.
12
2013 Annual Report of the North Carolina Bird Records Committee
The NCBRC also reviewed reports of four other species that were
unanimously non-accepted. It is the policy of the NCBRC to not publish any
details, including the reported name, of any species which received no
acceptance reports. The NCBRC feels that exercise serves no useful purpose
while putting the name of the species in print in The Chat , where it might be
indexed. Finally, the NCBRC received reports of six species which are too
common to warrant BRC review plus one report of “Do not know.” While the
NCBRC welcomes rare bird reports from anyone of any skill level, we ask
that observers first check to ensure their sighting is actually rare and not
submit a report of something for which they cannot identify.
Delisted. The following species are removed from their current placement
on lists of Birds from North Carolina.
Violet-green Swallow ( Tachycineta thalassina) (11-17). A bird seen in
Chapel Hill, Orange County on 1 October 20 1 1 that was previously accepted
(Tove et al. 2012), was reconsidered. In light of the discovery that the
photograph offered as evidence may have been of a bird from other than North
Carolina, the original observer requested that the NCBRC rescind the record.
The NCBRC unanimously agreed and the species was removed from the NC
List. With this action, the species is now regarded to have not occurred in
North Carolina.
Pine Grosbeak (Pinicola enucleator) (13-10). This species is currently on
the Definitive List by virtue of nine previously published reports (LeGrand et
al. 2014). However, because none of those reports contained photographic
documentation or compelling descriptions, the NCBRC unanimously voted to
remove the species from the Definitive List. Seven members felt that the
species was adequately documented to be retained on the Provisional List
while two members felt the possibility of misidentification and inadequate
documentation warranted delisting altogether. Accordingly, Pine Grosbeak is
removed from the Definitive List and added to the Provisional List.
Summary
With this round of voting, Zino’s Petrel is added to the Definitive List,
Harlan’s Red-tailed Hawk is elevated from the Provisional List to Definitive
List, Pine Grosbeak is moved from the Definitive List to the Provisional List,
and Violet-green Swallow is delisted altogether. The total number of species
from North Carolina remains at 474 on the Accepted List, of which 460 are
considered Definitive (a net loss of one species, not including subspecies), one
is considered Not Established, and 13 are Provisional (a net increase of one
for that category).
The Chat, Vol. 78, No. 1, Winter 2014
13
Literature Cited
Flood, B. and A. Fisher, 2013. Multimedia Identification Guide to North
Atlantic Seabirds: Pterodroma
Petrels. Pelagic Birds & Birding Multimedia Identification Guides,
Publisher.
Howell, S.N.G., 2012. Petrels, Albatrosses and Storm-Petrels of North
America: A Photographic Guide.
Princeton University Press.
LeGrand, H., J. Haire, A. Iyoob, and T. Howard. 2014. Birds of North
Carolina: their Distribution and
Abundance . http : //www . carolinabirdc lub . org/ncbirds/accounts .php .
Shirihai, H., V. Bretagnolle, and F. Zino, 2010. Identification of Fea’s,
Desertas and Zino’s Petrels at sea.
Birding World 23(6):239-275.
Tove, M.H., K. Cambum, R. Davis, E. Dean, W. Forsythe, H. LeGrand and
J. Pippen, 2012. 201 1 Annual
Report of the North Carolina Bird Records Committee. The Chat
76(1): 1-6.
Tove, M.H., K. Cambum, R. Davis, E. Dean, W. Forsythe, H. LeGrand and
J. Pippen, 2013. 2012 Annual
Report of the North Carolina Bird Records Committee. The Chat
77(1):6-10.
Corrigendum to the 2012 Annual Report: The 2012 report of the NCBRC
referenced a Monk Parakeet reported in Davie County in Farmington, NC on
August 6, 2008. The photograph of this bird was taken by Phil Dickinson, not
by Ron Morris as was originally stated. The two did observe the bird together.
Received 17 February 2014
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.
Third Record of Northern Lapwing
(Vanellus vanellus) in North Carolina
Martin Wall
643 Washington Street, Eden, NC 27288 - mwbirdmail@gmail.com
After birding sections of the Caswell Game Land the morning of 24
February 2013, I thought I’d drive along NC Highway 57 through Person
County, NC, and look for a Greater White-fronted Goose (Anser albifrons)
reported in the area the day before. After not seeing any flocks of geese in the
fields along the highway, I turned around and headed north to Concord Church
Road towards home. Just after I turned west onto Concord Church Road, I
noticed about 100 Canada Geese (. Branta canadensis) near a small pond on
the north side of the road. I found a place to turn around, went back and parked
on the south shoulder of the road, rolled my window down and started picking
through the geese. After a couple of minutes, I got out of my car for better
views.
At approximately 11:10 a.m., while scanning with my 10x50 binoculars, I
saw something green move in the com stubble field closest to me. When I first
saw the bird, it was approximately 50 meters north of my position. I hadn’t
immediately seen it because it was foraging in a furrow. It was much larger
than the nearby Killdeer ( Charadrius vociferus) and darker in color. When it
moved, I could see the green on its back (Fig.l), and I was able to identify it
as a Northern Lapwing ( Vanellus vanellus). I never got a good look at the crest
due to my angle of view, strong sunlight, and the com stubble in the
background. In flight the bird was amazing ~ broad, dark green upper wing
surfaces with a little white at the front of the unusually rounded wingtips (Fig.
2).
14
The Chat, Vol. 78, No. 1, Winter 2014
15
Figure 1. Northern Lapwing (back), 24 February 2013, Person County, NC.
Photo by Kent Fiala.
Figure 2. Northern Lapwing (underwing), 24 February 2013, in Person County, NC.
Photo by Kent Fiala.
16
Third Record of Northern Lapwing in North Carolina
I had seen many photographs of the Northern Lapwings reported along the
East Coast this winter so I was confident in the identification. At that point I
got my camera rig out of the car to get some photographic proof of the
sighting. I made the mistake of crossing the road to the north side to get
closer. After a few photos, the Lapwing flew to the bottom of the field
approximately 200 meters away. I watched it for another 1 5 minutes and
took some distant photos. At approximately 1 1 :30, a noisy group of Killdeer
flew over the Lapwing, heading north. The Lapwing took flight and followed
them out of my sight. I immediately made the one-hour drive home and
reported the bird on the carolinabirds listserve and on eBird. Fortunately, the
bird was relocated and seen by many others, daily until 9 March.
According to eBird data and reports from various rare bird alerts, there
were an unusual number of Northern Lapwing records in the eastern US
during 2013, ranging from Maine as far south as Georgia. This Eurasian
shorebird was first recorded in the North Carolina Piedmont province at Siler
City in Chatham County, where collected on 12 November 1926 (Pearson et
al., 1942). The second state record was one photographed near the coast at
Mackay Island National Wildlife Refuge in Currituck County on 23
December 2004 (Davis 2005; LeGrand et al., 2005). This is the third record
for the state.
Literature Cited
Davis, R. 2005. Briefs for the Files. Chat 69:79.
eBird report for Northern Lapwing Vanellus vanellus , 2013, US.
http://ebird.org
LeGrand, H.E. Jr., K. E. Cambum, S. Cooper, R. J. Davis, E. V. Dean, W. K.
Forsythe, R. L. Tyndall. 2005. Annual Report of the North Carolina Bird
Records Committee. Chat 70:9.
Pearson, T. G., C. S. Brimley, and H. H. Brimley. 1942. Birds of North
Carolina.
BRIEFS FOR THE FILES
Josh Southern
203 Hyannis Drive
Holly Springs, NC 27540
joshsouthem79@gmail.com
(All dates Fall 2013, 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 may be submitted in any format, but I prefer that you use email,
list multiple sightings in taxonomic order (rather than by date or location),
and type your report directly into the body of the email. If your sightings are
in a file, please copy-and-paste the text into the body of the email, rather than
sending an attachment.
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.
Reports published herein may include sightings that require review by the
state’s bird records committee. Such reports are not considered accepted
records until, and unless, they are so ruled by the committee.
Greater White-fronted Goose: One was found along the causeway at
Mattamuskeet National Wildlife Refuge (NWR), Hyde County (Co), NC, 30
Oct (Mike & Peggy Eubank, Albert Kuhnigk, Audrey Whitlock). A flock of
41 geese in flight over Sandy Mush Game Land, Buncombe Co, NC, 1 Nov
(Doug Johnston) was a record count for North Carolina.
17
18
Briefs for the Files - Fall 2013
Snow Goose: Sightings outside of the species’ typical range were one with a
flock of Canada Geese in the Village Green Subdivision in Charleston Co, SC,
2 Nov {fide Clint Ball); 100 at Santee Coastal Wildlife Management Area
(WMA), border of Charleston Co and Georgetown Co, SC, 14 Nov (Diana
Doyle); four along Lee Buck Road (Rd) in Brunswick Co, NC, 16 Nov (Greg
Massey); a dark-morph individual with Canada Geese at W. Kerr Scott
Reservoir in Wilkes Co, NC, 22 Nov (Guy McGrane); and one photographed
on Coddle Creek Reservoir, Cabarrus Co, NC, 28 Nov (Chris Talkington).
Ross’s Goose: Individuals were found on North Pond, Pea Island NWR, Dare
Co, NC, 16 Oct (Albert Kuhnigk, Audrey Whitlock); at Savannah NWR,
Jasper Co, SC, where photographed, 21 Nov (Philip Hodgkins); and on Lake
Junaluska, Haywood Co, NC, where photographed, 23 Nov (Stan & Connie
Wulkowicz, multiple observers [m. obs.]).
Ross’s Goose, 23 Nov 2013, Haywood Co, NC. Photo by Connie Wulkowicz.
Brant: A flock of six Brant were seen in flight over South Pond, Pea Island
NWR, Dare Co, NC, coming from the ocean and headed towards the Pamlico
Sound, 23 Oct (Ricky Davis). Five were seen in flight with Snow Geese over
the same location 30 Nov (Steve Shultz, m. obs.).
Tundra Swan: One on Lake Crabtree, Wake Co, NC, 3 Nov (Mike Turner)
and ten near the dam on Falls Lake in Wake Co, NC, 13 Nov (Cathy Sue
Harvey) were unusual for sites outside the coastal plain.
Eurasian Wigeon: Individual drakes were found at New Field, Pea Island
NWR, Dare Co, NC, 16 Oct (Albert Kuhnigk, Audrey Whitlock); at the same
The Chat, Vo l 78, No. 1, Winter 2014
19
location during the Wings over Water Festival (W.O.W.), 27 Oct (m. obs.); on
the Bodie Island Lighthouse Pond, Dare Co, NC, 9 Nov (Jeff Lewis); and at
Mattamuskeet NWR, Hyde Co, NC, 17 Nov (Lewis, et ah).
Mottled Duck: One was photographed on a small pond adjacent to the
aquarium at Fort (Ft) Fisher, New Hanover Co, NC, 12 Oct (Sam Cooper) and
again on 17 Oct (Bruce Smithson).
Canvasback: Sightings from the western half of our region included nine on
Lake Hickory, Alexander Co, NC, 24 Nov (Dwayne Martin); two on Lake
Junaluska, Haywood Co, NC, 24 Nov (Connie & Stan Wulkowicz, et al.); four
on Salem Lake, Forsyth Co, NC, 28 Nov (Ron Morris, et al.); six on Coddle
Creek Reservoir, Cabarrus Co, NC, 28 Nov (Chris Talkington); and one
female on Lake Crabtree, Wake Co, NC, 30 Nov (Harry LeGrand).
Redhead: Counts from the western half of our region included five on Lake
Junaluska, Haywood Co, NC, 20 Nov (Michael Lester); four on Lake Hickory,
Alexander Co, NC, 24 Nov (Dwayne Martin); four on Lake Townsend,
Guilford Co, NC, 25 Nov (Henry Link); and 40 at Coddle Creek Reservoir,
Cabarrus Co, NC, 28 Nov (Chris Talkington).
Common Eider: A hen seen on the ocean at the south end of Oregon Inlet,
Dare Co, NC, 3 Aug (Jeff Lewis) may have been the same eider seen in that
area last May.
Surf Scoter: One seen in Beaufort, Carteret Co, NC, 17 Sep (Nate Bacheler)
was early. Inland, individual hens were found on the catfish pond along US-
64 in Creswell, Washington Co, NC, 23 Oct (Jeff Pippen) and on Falls Lake
in Durham Co, NC, 3 Nov (Pippen).
White-winged Scoter: An adult hen on Lake Crabtree, Wake Co, NC, 29 Nov
(Mike Turner) and 30 Nov (Harry LeGrand) was the first of many sightings
on inland lakes for the coming winter season.
Black Scoter: Three scoters, two drakes and one hen, at Cape Romain NWR,
Charleston Co, SC, 12 Sep (John Cox, et al.) were early. Three hens on Lake
Crabtree, Wake Co, NC, 10 Nov (Harry LeGrand) were a good find for that
inland site.
Long-tailed Duck: Sightings on inland lakes included two hens on Lake
Higgins, Guilford Co, NC, 13 Nov (Nate Swick); one photographed near the
dam on Lake Norman, border of Lincoln Co and Mecklenburg Co, NC, 24
Nov (Kevin Metcalf, Chris Talkington); and six photographed on Coddle
Creek Reservoir, Cabarrus Co, NC, 28 Nov (Jeff Lemons, Talkington). Seven
at Murrells Inlet, Georgetown Co, SC, 24 Nov (Jamie Adams) and two in
flight at the same location, 30 Nov (Steve Compton, et al.) were good finds.
20
Briefs for the Files - Fall 2013
Common Goldeneye: Two hens were found on Lake Townsend, Guilford Co,
NC, 25 Nov (Henry Link).
Common Merganser: Two female/immature-types on the Catawba River
below Lake James in Burke Co, NC, 25 Sep (Jamie Cameron, Dwayne Martin)
were early.
Red-breasted Merganser: Inland sightings included seven on Lake
Junaluska, Haywood Co, NC, 20 Nov (Michael Lester); three or four near the
dam on Lake Norman, border of Lincoln Co and Mecklenburg Co, NC, 24
Nov (Kevin Metcalf, Chris Talkington); eight on Salem Lake, Forsyth Co,
NC, 25 Nov (Marbry Hopkins); and five on Lake Crabtree, Wake Co, NC, 30
Nov (Harry LeGrand).
Red-throated Loon: Three, two immature birds and one adult, were
photographed together on the Reeds Creek arm of Lake Norman in Iredell Co,
NC, 16 Nov (Jeff Lemons, Chris Talkington). An adult was seen on Coddle
Creek Reservoir, Cabarrus Co, NC, 30 Nov (Chris & Cheryl Talkington).
Common Loon: Two seen off of S Nags Head, Dare Co, NC, 8 Sep (Ricky
Davis) were likely the same birds seen in that area during the summer.
Red-necked Grebe: One was photographed on Lake Norman, on the border
of Iredell Co and Mecklenburg Co, NC, 16 Nov (Jeff Lemons, Chris
Talkington).
Eared Grebe: One was photographed amongst Homed Grebes on Coddle
Creek Reservoir, Cabarrus Co, NC, 28 Nov (Chris Talkington).
Aechmophorus Grebe: One, more likely a Western than a Clark’s, was seen
on the ocean off of Jeanette’s Pier in Nags Head, Dare Co, NC, 30 Nov (Steve
Shultz, et al.).
Herald (Trindade) Petrel: On pelagic trips out of Hatteras, Dare Co, NC,
three were seen 1 2 Aug, one was seen 1 3 Aug, two were seen 1 7 Aug, and one
was seen 25 Aug (Brian Patteson, et al.). Five seen from a NOAA research
vessel off of Dare Co, NC, 18 Aug (Tom Johnson) was a fantastic one-day
count.
Sooty Shearwater: Singles were observed on pelagic trips out of Hatteras,
Dare Co, NC, 18 Aug and 24 Sep (Brian Patteson, et al.).
Manx Shearwater: Three seen on a pelagic trip out of Hatteras, Dare Co, NC,
1 8 Aug (Brian Patteson, et al.) provided a good count for the fall season.
The Chat, Vol. 78, No. 1, Winter 2014
21
White-tailed Tropicbird: Individuals were seen on a pelagic trip out of
Hatteras, Dare Co, NC, 17 Aug (Brian Patteson, et al.) and from a NOAA
research vessel off of Dare Co, NC, 13 Aug, 18 Aug, and 19 Aug (Tom
Johnson).
Red-billed Tropicbird: One was seen from a NOAA research vessel off of
Dare Co, NC, 12 Aug (Tom Johnson).
Wood Stork: Wandering immature individuals were seen over Howell Woods
in Johnston Co, NC, 24 Aug (John Finnegan, Stephanie Horton) and in the
company of Great Egrets where Seven Bridges Rd crosses Swift Creek in
Edgecombe Co, NC, 25 Aug (Ricky Davis).
Masked Booby: One was seen from a NOAA research vessel off of Dare Co,
NC, 9 Sep (Tom Johnson).
Brown Booby: First-year birds were seen from a NOAA research vessel off
of Dare Co, NC, 14 Aug (Tom Johnson); in flight over the ocean from Ft
Fisher, New Hanover Co, NC, where photographed, 15 Aug (Greg Massey,
Harry Sell); at Bloody Point, Daufuskie Island, Beaufort Co, SC, where
photographed, 20 Aug (Michael Loftus); and from a research vessel about 40
miles SE of Cape Lookout, Carteret Co, NC, where photographed, 14 Sep
(Keith Rittmaster). Is it possible that the same individual, flying down our
region’s coast, was responsible for all three sightings in August?
Northern Gannet: An adult seen in flight over the ocean off Edisto Beach,
Colleton Co, SC, 4 Aug (Sid England, Giff Beaton) was very unusual for the
season.
Anhinga: One seen on a small pond between Moyock and Currituck,
Currituck Co, NC, 22 Oct (Skip Morgan) was unusual for a site so far north.
American White Pelican: Coastal high counts included 49 at Mattamuskeet
NWR, Hyde Co, NC, 31 Aug (Susan Campbell); 80 on Marsh Island in Bulls
Bay, Charleston Co, SC, 7 Sep (John Cox); 43 on Pawleys Island, Georgetown
Co, SC, 21 Sep (Jerry Walls); 95 on Bulls Island, Cape Romain NWR,
Charleston Co, SC, 26 Sep (David McLean); 40 at Huntington Beach State
Park (SP), Georgetown Co, SC, 23 Oct (Phil Turner); and 83 at Pea Island
NWR, Dare Co, NC, 2 Nov (Audrey Whitlock). 43 on Lake Hickory, border
of Alexander Co and Catawba Co, NC, 27 Oct (Dwayne Martin, Lori Owenby)
was a fantastic count for the Piedmont. One at Lake Conestee Nature Park,
Greenville Co, SC, 21-24 Nov (Steven Anschel, Paul Serridge) was a first for
that park.
22
Briefs for the Files - Fall 2013
Brown Pelican: An immature seen near the dam on Lake Wateree, Kershaw
Co, SC, 13 Aug (Steve Patterson) may have been the same bird seen on that
lake July 4th.
American Bittern: Away from the coast, individuals were seen at Lake
Conestee Nature Park, Greenville Co, SC, 1-21 Nov (Paul Serridge, m. obs.)
and at Prairie Ridge Ecostation, Wake Co, NC, 16 Nov (Ryan Justice) into
winter (m. obs.).
“Great White” Heron: One was seen and photographed along North Buffalo
Creek in Guilford Co, NC, 8-15 Aug (Dennis Burnette, m. obs.). The bird was
found in the same area in late September (Amy Hansen) and remained through
at least 9 Oct (Henry Link).
Great Egret: Individuals in the wetlands at Tanglewood Park, Forsyth Co,
NC, 16 Nov (Maulik Trivedi) and 1 7 Nov (Ron Morris); and in the Beaverdam
arm of Falls Lake, border of Granville Co and Wake Co, NC, 28 Nov (Harry
LeGrand) were late for sites in the Piedmont.
Snowy Egret: Inland, individuals were found at the Super Sod farm in
Orangeburg Co, SC, 7 Aug (Brad Dalton) and in the Ellerbe Creek area of
Falls Lake, Durham Co, NC, 20 Sep (Nick Flanders).
Tricolored Heron: Wandering immature individuals were found at multiple
inland sites in August — at Cane Creek Park Lake, Union Co, NC, 6-21 Aug
(George Andrews); at the Super Sod farm in Orangeburg Co, SC, 7 Aug (Brad
Dalton); at the water treatment plant (WTP) in Camden, Kershaw Co, SC, 15
Aug (Steve Patterson); in the west bay of Lake Conestee Nature Park,
Greenville Co, SC, 15-19 Aug (Paul Serridge); and at the Greensboro Bog
Garden, Guilford Co, NC, 14 Aug (Ron Morris) through 31 Aug (Phil
Dickinson).
Reddish Egret: Counts from SC included five at Hunting Island SP, Beaufort
Co, 9 Aug (Buddy Campbell, Ryan Justice); four in Bulls Bay, Cape Romain
NWR, Charleston Co, SC, 12 Sep (John Cox, et al.); and three on Bulls Island,
Cape Romain NWR, 26 Sep (David McLean, et al). In NC, sightings were of
an adult near the east end of Shackleford Banks, Carteret Co, 2 Aug (Dick
Barmore, Chandra Biggerstaff, Elizabeth White); an immature bird near New
River Inlet, Onslow Co, 7 Aug (Gilbert Grant) through 1 Oct (Mary Bridges);
two immature birds on North Pond, Pea Island NWR, Dare Co, continuing
from the summer period, 10 Aug (Jeff Lewis); and one immature bird
remaining on North Pond until 8 Sep (Ricky Davis, Audrey Whitlock).
Cattle Egret: One in a horse pasture in Caswell Co, NC, 28 Oct (Edith Tatum)
was late for a location so far inland.
The Chat, Vol. 78, No. 1, Winter 2014
23
Black-crowned Night-Heron: Four in the Ellerbe Creek area of Falls Lake,
Durham Co, NC, 20 Sep (Nick Flanders) was a good count for a site in the
Piedmont.
Glossy Ibis: Three at the Super Sod farm in Orangeburg Co, SC, 7 Aug (Brad
Dalton) were a good find for that inland site.
Roseate Spoonbill: Counts from the SC coast included ten at Huntington
Beach SP, Georgetown Co, 27-28 Aug (Phil Lanoue, Sharon & Phil Turner);
148 at the Savannah Spoil Site (restricted access), Jasper Co, SC, 26 Sep
(Steve Calver); 16 at Jack’s Creek on Bulls Island, Cape Romain NWR,
Charleston Co, SC, 26 Sep (David McLean); 17 on Shammy Creek Pond in
Beaufort Co, SC, 12 Oct (Buddy Campbell); and eight in Palm Key, Beaufort
Co, SC, 31 Oct (Elizabeth Way). In NC, an immature spoonbill was
photographed on Bald Head Island, Brunswick Co, 2 Sep {fide Susan
Campbell).
Swallow-tailed Kite: Two seen over a field along Hill Creek Rd in Scotland
Co, NC, 21 Aug (Rex Badgett) were locally unusual.
Northern Harrier: Individuals along Hooper Lane, Henderson Co, NC, 10
Aug (Ron Selvey, Wayne Forsythe) and at the American Turf farm,
Washington Co, NC, 13 Aug (Audrey Whitlock, et al.) through 18 Aug (Ryan
Bakelaar) were early.
Broad-winged Hawk: 11,043 hawks were counted during a hawk watch at
Caesar’s Head SP, Greenville Co, SC, 22 Sep (Marion Clark, et al.), a record
one-day count for that 25 year-old event.
Rough-legged Hawk: One was photographed at Mackay Island NWR,
Currituck Co, NC, 19 Nov (Colleen Tillett).
Golden Eagle: One was seen during a hawk watch at Caesar’s Head SP,
Greenville Co, SC, 22 Sep (Marion Clark, et al.).
Virginia Rail: Inland, individuals were seen at Tanglewood County Park,
Forsyth Co, NC, 12 Nov (David & Susan Disher) through 22 Nov (Ron
Morris) and in South Bay, Lake Conestee Nature Park, Greenville Co, SC, 4
Nov (Brad Dalton), a first for that park.
Sandhill Crane: A flock of seven Sandhill Cranes was found between
Mattamuskeet NWR and Englehard in Hyde Co, NC, 28 Nov {fide Lee
Adams).
Black-necked Stilt: 234 at the Savannah Spoil Site (restricted access), Jasper
Co, SC, 15 Aug (Steve Calver) was our region’s high count. One remained at
24
Briefs for the Files - Fall 2013
North Pond, Pea Island NWR, Dare Co, NC, until the late date of 1 1 Oct (Tina
Nauman).
American Avocet: Individuals at Clark Hill Lake in McCormick Co, SC, 1
Sep (John Patten Moss) and at Lake Junaluska, Haywood Co, NC, 7 Oct (Bob
Olthoff, Connie & Stan Wulkowicz) were great finds for sites so far from the
coast.
Black-bellied Plover: Inland sightings included one at the southern end of
Lake Brandt, Guilford Co, NC, 8 Aug (Henry Link); three at the Modem Turf
farm in Sumter Co, SC, 17 Aug (Steve Patterson); 23 at the American Turf
farm in Washington Co, NC, 1 8 Aug (Ryan Bakelaar); and two at the Super
Sod farm along Hooper Lane in Henderson Co, NC, 31 Aug (David Gardner).
American Golden-Plover: High counts from sod farms included 32 at
American Turf along US-64 just west of Creswell, Washington Co, NC, 3 Sep
(Peggy Eubank, Audrey Whitlock); 14 at Super Sod along Hooper Lane in
Henderson Co, NC, 7 Sep (Jeff Click, et al.); 13 at Super Sod’s Bookhardt
farm in Orangeburg Co, SC, 8 Sep (John Cox, Andy Harrison); and 16 at Super
Sod’s Old Elloree farm in Orangeburg Co, SC, 17 Sep (Chris Feeney) One
molting adult at Mason Inlet, Wrightsville Beach, New Hanover Co, NC, 6
Aug (Sam Cooper) was an unusual find for a beach location.
Snowy Plover: One photographed on North Topsail Beach, Onslow Co, NC,
the morning of 3 Sep (Gilbert Grant) and spotted later that afternoon (Bmce
Smithson) was a one-day wonder.
Wilson’s Plover: 1 1 1 on Bird Shoal (Rachel Carson Reserve), Carteret Co,
NC, 23 Aug (John Fussell) was an impressive count. One observed at Beaufort
Inlet, Carteret Co, NC, 29 Nov (Fussell) was likely wintering in that area.
Semipalmated Plover: Counts from inland sod farms included 15 at Super
Sod along Hooper Lane, Henderson Co, NC, 7 Aug (Wayne Forsythe); 15 at
American Turf in Washington Co, NC, 17 Aug (Steve Shultz); four at Modem
Turf in Sumter Co, SC, 17 Aug (Steve Patterson); and 20+ at Super Sod in
Orangeburg Co, SC, 21 Aug (Chris Feeney).
Piping Plover: Two of the better counts were 23 at Rich Inlet, border of New
Hanover Co and Pender Co, NC, 24 Aug (Derb Carter) and 12 at Bird Shoal
(Rachel Carson Reserve), Carteret Co, NC, 12 Oct and 4 Nov (John Fussell,
et al.). One found at the southern end of Lake Brandt, Guilford Co, NC, the
morning of 8 Aug (Henry Link) and observed again later that day (m. obs.)
was a great find for that inland site.
Spotted Sandpiper: Two seen in Morehead City, Carteret Co, NC, 25 Nov
(John Fussell) were likely wintering in that area.
The Chat, Vol. 78, No. 1, Winter 2014
25
Solitary Sandpiper: One photographed along a creek near where NC-42
crosses over the Cape Fear River in Lee Co, NC, 3 Nov (Paul Hubert) was
late.
Willet: Two along NC-191 in the Mills River area of Henderson Co, NC, 18
Aug (Wayne Forsythe) were notable for the mountain region.
Upland Sandpiper: This species was found at the American Turf farm along
US-64 in Washington Co, NC, throughout much of August (m. obs.), with a
high count of five made 16 Aug (Natalia Ocampo-Penuela, Nate Swick, Steve
Tucker, Scott Winton). At other sod farms, one was seen intermittently at
Super Sod in Orangeburg Co, SC, 3 Aug (Pam Ford, et al.) through 19 Sep
(Cherrie Sneed); one was found at Oakland Turf, along NC-87 in Brunswick
Co, NC, 4 Aug (John Ennis); five were found at Bucksport Sod in Horry Co,
SC, 16 Aug (Steve Thomas); and three were seen at Super Sod in Orangeburg
Co, SC, 18 Aug (John Grego). 12 at the Wilmington International Airport,
New Hanover Co, NC, 23 Aug (Sam Cooper) was the season’s high count.
Long-billed Curlew: Individuals were found at the Ft Fisher Spit, New
Hanover Co, NC, 16 Aug (Greg Massey) and on Bulls Island, Cape Romain
NWR, Charleston Co, SC, 12 Sep (Scott Davis, David McLean). Up to five
were seen around Key Inlet at Cape Romain NWR, during a field trip led by
Coastal Expeditions, 27 Oct (Pam Ford, Kathy Hare, David McLean, et al.).
Hudsonian Godwit:
Individuals were
found at the
Savannah Spoil Site
(restricted access),
Jasper Co, SC, 15
Aug (Steve Calver);
at the east end of
Mattamuskeet
NWR, Hyde Co,NC,
where also heard
vocalizing, 23 Sep
(Scott Winton); at
South Pond, Pea
Island NWR, Dare
Co, NC, 26 Sep
(Audrey Whitlock); and again on South Pond, where photographed, during
W.O.W., 23 Oct (Ricky Davis, m. obs.) through 29 Oct (Jeff Lemons).
Marbled Godwit: Notable counts were 100+ on Marsh Island in Bulls Bay,
Cape Romain NWR, Charleston Co, SC, 7 Sep (John Cox); 600 at Cape
Romain NWR, Charleston Co, SC, 16 Oct (John Fitzpatrick); 100 on Browns
Hudsonian Godwit, 23 Oct 2013, Dare Co, NC.
Photo by Ricky Davis.
26
Briefs for the Files - Fall 2013
Island (The Straits), Carteret Co, NC, 9 Nov (John Fussell, Nick Flanders,
Mark Kosiewski); and 230 at South Pond, Pea Island NWR, Dare Co, NC, 28
Nov (Nathan Gatto).
Sanderling: One seen on the mudflats in the Ellerbe Creek area of Falls Lake,
Durham Co, NC, 20 Sep (Nick Flanders) was notable for that inland site.
Dunlin: Inland sightings included one at Clemson’s Simpson Experiment
Station, Anderson Co, SC, 1-8 Nov (Linda Montgomery); two at Cowan’s
Ford Wildlife Refuge, Mecklenburg Co, NC, 2 Nov (Kevin Metcalf); four on
the mudflats where Ellerbe Creek empties into Falls Lake, Durham Co, NC, 3
Nov (Jeff Pippen); two at Ebenezer Point on Jordan Lake, Chatham Co, NC,
16 Nov (Bob Rybczynski, et ah); and one where Morgan Creek empties into
Jordan Lake, 22 Nov (Ginger Travis).
Baird’s Sandpiper: Sightings included one at the Super Sod farm in
Orangeburg Co, SC, 7 Aug (Brad Dalton) and 17 Aug (Kevin DeBoer); two
at the American Turf farm along US-64 in Washington Co, NC, 8 Sep (Ricky
Davis); and one remaining at American Turf 22 Sep (Steve Ritt).
White-rumped Sandpiper: Sightings included one on North Pond, Pea Island
NWR, Dare Co, NC, 15 Aug (Elisa Enders, Nick Flanders); one at the
American Turf farm in Washington Co, NC, 24 Aug (Thierry Besan^on); one
at the Super Sod farm in Orangeburg Co, SC, 4 Sep (Kent Bedenbaugh, Lewis
Burke); two on South Pond, Pea Island NWR, 23 Sep (Steve Ritt); three at the
same location, 26 Sep (Audrey Whitlock); two at the east end of Mattamuskeet
NWR, Hyde Co, NC, 21 Oct (Scott Winton); and one on South Pond, Pea
Island NWR, on the late date of 29 Nov (Nate Swick, et al.).
Buff-breasted Sandpiper: Counts from sod farms included two at Super Sod
in Orangeburg Co, SC, 13 Aug (Chris Feeney) and 18 Aug (David McLean);
eight at American Turf in Washington Co, NC, 13 Aug (Peggy Eubank, Jeff
Shenot, Audrey Whitlock); two at Modem Turf in Sumter Co, SC, 17 Aug
(Steve Patterson); and three at Super Sod along Hooper Lane in Henderson
Co, NC, 7 Sep (Jeff Click, et al). Along the coast, individuals were found at
Rich Inlet, border of New Hanover Co and Pender Co, NC, 24 Aug (Derb
Carter); at Mason Inlet, New Hanover Co, NC, 5 Sep (Sam Cooper); and on
North Pond, Pea Island NWR, Dare Co, NC, 5 Sep (Audrey Whitlock) and 12
Sep (Steve Ritt).
Pectoral Sandpiper: Some impressive counts were 225 at the Super Sod farm
along Hooper Lane in Henderson Co, NC, 1 Aug (Wayne Forsythe, Ron
Selvey); nearly 600 at Super Sod in Orangeburg Co, SC, 15 Aug (Peter
Stangel); and up to 300 at Modem Turf in Sumter Co, SC, 17 Aug (Steve
Patterson). One on the mudflats where Ellerbe Creek empties into Falls Lake,
Durham Co, NC, 3 Nov (Jeff Pippen) was a little late.
The Chat, Vol. 78, No. 1, Winter 2014
27
Short-billed Dowitcher: Eight at the Super Sod farm along Hooper Lane in
Henderson Co, NC, 20 Aug (Wayne Forsythe) were notable for the mountain
region.
Wilson’s Phalarope: 16 at the Savannah Spoil Site (restricted access), Jasper
Co, SC, 15 Aug (Steve Calver) was a fantastic count. One was seen on North
Pond, Pea Island NWR, Dare Co, NC, 6 Sep (Peggy Eubank, Pat Moore,
Audrey Whitlock, et al.).
Red-necked Phalarope: Individuals were one-day wonders at the
Hemingway WTP in Williamsburg Co, SC, where photographed, 17 Aug (Jay
Chandler) and on South Pond, Pea Island NWR, Dare Co, NC, 7 Sep (Audrey
Whitlock).
Pomarine Jaeger: The second-year
jaeger discovered on Lake Norman,
Mecklenburg Co, NC, 28 July
(Sarah Clark, Nathan Gatto, Jeff
Lemons, Chris Talkington)
remained until at least 4 Aug (Karyl
& Samir Gabriel).
Parasitic Jaeger: From-shore
sightings included one at New River
Inlet, Onslow Co, NC, 4 Sep
(Gilbert Grant); one off of Pea
Island NWR, Dare Co, NC, 23 Oct
(Ricky Davis); two off of Atlantic
Beach, Carteret Co, NC, 23 Nov
(John Fussell); and one at New
Topsail Inlet, Pender Co, NC, 28
Nov (Guy McGrane).
Long-tailed Jaeger: An adult was
photographed on the Davidson
Creek arm of Lake Norman,
Mecklenburg Co, NC, 24 Aug
(Chris Talkington, David & Marcia
Wright). Amazingly, this bird was
the second jaeger species on that
lake in a one-month span!
Sabine’s Gull: One was seen from
a NOAA research vessel off of Dare
Co, NC, 9 Sep (Tom Johnson).
Two, and adult and a juvenile, were
Pomarine Jaeger, 02 Aug 2013,
Mecklenburg Co, NC.
Photo by Chris Talkington.
Long-tailed Jaeger, 24 Aug 2013,
Mecklenburg Co, NC.
Photo by Chris Talkington.
Briefs for the Files - Fall 2013
28
found on Lake Hartwell, border of Anderson Co, SC and Hart Co, GA, 1 5 Sep
(Jim Flynn, Mark McShane). Though the birds were initially seen from the
Georgia side of the lake, at least one was seen on the SC side of the lake, 16
Sep (Caroline Eastman, Irvin Pitts).
Laughing Gull: 80 amongst two large flocks of Ring-billed Gulls near
Tarboro, Edgecombe Co, NC, 29 Nov (Ricky Davis) was a good total for the
late season.
Lesser Black-backed Gull: 330+ at the north end of Ocracoke Island, Hyde
Co, NC, 12 Oct (Gilbert Grant) was a notable count. 75 amongst a mixed gull
flock at Fort Macon SP, Carteret Co, NC, 27 Nov, after the passage of strong
storms the previous day, was an excellent count for a site away from the Outer
Banks.
Roseate Tern: Individuals were seen at Bird Shoal (Rachel Carson Reserve),
Carteret Co, NC, 23 Aug (John Fussell), at the same spot where three Roseate
Terns were seen in late May; and at Rich Inlet, border of New Hanover Co
and Pender Co, NC, 24 Aug (Derb Carter).
Sandwich Tern: Lingering late into the season were two on Browns Island
(The Straits) in Carteret Co, NC, 9 Nov (John Fussell, Nick Flanders, Mark
Kosiewski) and one at Cape Point, Dare Co, NC, 28 Nov (Kyle Kittelberger).
Black Skimmer: 1500+ photographed at Mason Inlet, New Hanover Co, NC,
16 Nov (Sam Cooper) may have been the largest congregation observed in the
state since the 1970s.
Common Ground-Dove: One was seen in the prairie restoration area of
McDowell Nature Preserve in southern Mecklenburg Co, NC, 24 Oct (Marcia
Howden) and photographed 25 Oct (Kevin Metcalf, m. obs.). Interestingly,
this county’s only other record of this species was from this same spot,
October 16th 2002.
Black-billed Cuckoo: Sightings included one heard calling in Reynolda
Gardens, Forsyth Co, NC, 25 Sep (Nathan Gatto); one seen at Saluda Shoals
Park, Lexington Co, SC, 27 Sep (Roger Smith) and 29 Sep (Keith
McCullough); one photographed in Hillsborough, Orange Co, NC, 10 Oct
(Carol Tuskey); and one photographed along Brickhouse Rd in the Butner -
Falls of the Neuse Gamelands, Durham Co, NC, 20 Oct (Elisa Enders, Nick
Flanders).
Snowy Owl: Snowy Owls began showing up in the NC coastal plain during
the last week of November — a precursor to the irruption to follow. The first
was found at Cape Point, Buxton, Dare Co, 26 Nov (Marcia Lyons) where it
was seen by many birders into December. An individual seen and
The Chat, Vol. 78, No. 1, Winter 2014
29
photographed on private farmland four miles north of Englehard, Hyde Co,
28-30 Nov (Jamie McGlaughon) may have been the same bird photographed
at nearby Mattamuskeet NWR, Hyde Co, 30 Nov (Louise Fredericksen, Joan
Jordan).
Short-eared Owl: One flushed along Hooper Lane, Henderson Co, NC, 3 Nov
(Paul Super) was a good find for the mountain region.
Northern Saw-whet Owl: One found roosting in the Triangle Land
Conservancy’s Johnston Mill Preserve, Orange Co, NC, the afternoon of 9
Nov (Laurie Degemes, Julia Storm) was seen later that afternoon (Marty
McClelland), but not thereafter.
Common Nighthawk: One lingered in Charlotte, Mecklenburg Co, NC, until
the late date of 6 Nov (Tom & Tammy Sanders).
Ruby-throated Hummingbird: Immature males remained at feeders into
December in north Raleigh, Wake Co, NC, and in Apex, Chatham Co, NC
( fide Susan Campbell).
Rufous Hummingbird: An adult male visiting a feeder near Sparta,
Alleghany Co, NC, 22 Aug through 12 Sep (Jim Keighton), and banded 29
Aug (Dwayne Martin), was somewhat early. Dwayne Martin banded nine
other Rufous Hummingbirds, most of which were hatch-year birds, in the
western half of NC in late October into November. Individuals visited feeders
in Wake Co, NC, an immature male, 26 Oct into winter (Patty Tice); in Black
Mountain, Buncombe Co, NC, an adult male, 3-4 Nov (Stu Gibeau); and in
Forsyth Co, NC, an adult female, 25 Nov into winter (Phil Dickinson).
Allen’s Hummingbird: An individual began visiting a feeder in Oriental,
Pamlico Co, NC, 30 Sep (Liz Lathrop) where it remained into winter. This
bird’s species was positively determined when banded 11 Jan (Susan
Campbell).
Selasphorus Hummingbird: Adult females, possibly Allen’s but more likely
Rufous, visited feeders in Durham Co, NC, 1 0 Nov (Cody Porter); in Socastee,
Horry Co, SC, 12 Nov (K.C. Foggin) and in Forsyth Co, NC, 19 Nov into
winter (Phil Dickinson, Ann Williams).
Peregrine Falcon: One returned to downtown Charlotte, Mecklenburg Co,
NC, for an eighth straight winter, in October (Ron Clark). One over a cattle
pasture just south of the regional airport in Lee Co, NC, 1 7 Nov (Eddie Owens,
Mike Tove) was a first for that county.
Olive-sided Flycatcher: Individual migrants were found at Historic
Bethabara Park, Forsyth Co, NC, 14 Aug (David & Susan Disher, Marbry
30
Briefs for the Files - Fall 2013
Hopkins); along Lee Buck Rd in Brunswick Co, NC, 4 Sep (Greg Massey); at
Reynolda Gardens, Forsyth Co, NC, 4 Sep (Carol Cunningham); at Salem
Lake, Forsyth Co, NC, 5 Sep (Andrew Thornton); at Poinsett Bridge Heritage
Preserve, Greenville Co, SC, 8 Sep (Kevin DeBoer); at Waterrock Knob, mile
45 1 along the Blue Ridge Parkway (BRP), border of Haywood Co and Jackson
Co, NC, 14 Sep (Brock Hutchins); and at Sandy Creek Park, Durham Co, NC,
29 Sep (Randy Neighbarger) through 1 Oct (Nate Swick).
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher: Individuals were noted along Lee Buck Rd in
Brunswick Co, NC, 5 Sep (Greg Massey); at Jackson Park, Henderson Co,
NC, 5 Sep (Jon Smith), 22 Sep (Wayne Forsythe, Simon Harvey), and 28 Sep
(Dan Garber); at Howell Woods in Johnston Co, NC, 21 Sep (Steve Ritt, et
al.); and at Greenfield Lake, New Hanover Co, NC, 25 Sep (Jamie Adams).
Alder Flycatcher: South Carolina, a state previously with only one accepted
report of Alder Flycatcher, had two reports this fall — one seen and heard
vocalizing at Carolina Sandhills NWR, Chesterfield Co, SC, 26 Aug (Dennis
Forsythe, Irvin Pitts) through 28 Aug (Caroline Eastman) and one captured
and measured at a banding station on Kiawah Island, Charleston Co, SC, 25
Sep (Aaron Given, et al.).
Ash-throated Flycatcher:
One photographed at the
banding station on Kiawah
Island, Charleston Co, SC, 4
Nov (Aaron Given, et al.)
was only the second ever
photographed in SC. Found
annually in the NC coastal
plain for many years now, an
Ash-throated Flycatcher in
the wetland restoration area
at North River Farms,
Carteret Co, NC, 17 Nov
(Jack Fennell, John Fussell,
et al.) was not as surprising.
Myiarchus Flycatcher: A
flycatcher of the genus
Myiarchus seen at Lake
Conestee in Greenville Co,
SC, 30 Oct (Jane Kramer)
was either a late Great-
crested or the first Ash-
throated seen in western SC.
Ash-throated Flycatcher, 04 Nov 2013,
Kiawah Island, Charleston Co, SC.
Photo by Aaron Given.
The Chat, Vol 78, No. 1, Winter 2014
31
Western Kingbird: Individuals were found at Federal Point, Ft Fisher, New
Hanover Co, NC, where photographed, 4 Sep (John Ennis); in the prairie
restoration area of McDowell Nature Preserve, Mecklenburg Co, NC, 17 Sep
(Kevin Metcalf); and off of Montford Rd in Georgetown Co, SC, 29 Nov and
1 Dec (Dale Gawlik).
Eastern Kingbird: One in Duck, Dare Co, NC, 12 Oct (Jeff Lewis) was a
little late.
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher:
Individuals were found
along Pilgrim Church Rd in
Lexington Co, SC, 27 Aug
(Irvin Pitts); and at the Ft
Fisher Ferry Terminal,
New Hanover Co, NC, a
juvenile bird seen and
photographed by many, 22
Oct (Shun Endo) through
27 Oct (Lucas Bobay, et
al.).
Bell’s Vireo: One was
captured at the banding
station on Kiawah Island,
Charleston Co, SC, 9 Sep
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher, 23 Oct 2013,
Fort Fisher, New Hanover Co, NC.
Photo by Harry Sell.
Bell’s Vireo, 09 Sep 2013, Kiawah Island, Charleston Co, SC.
Photo by Aaron Given.
32
Briefs for the Files - Fall 2013
(Aaron Given, et al.). Amazingly, this is the third year in a row they’ve
captured a Bell’s Vireo there! This bird provided the sixth record for the state.
Warbling Vireo: Individual migrants were found at Jackson Park, Henderson
Co, NC, 26 Sep (Michael Lester, Simon Thompson, et al.); and along the
boardwalk in Duck, Dare Co, NC, 13 Oct (Jeff Lewis) and 14 Oct (Audrey
Whitlock).
Philadelphia Vireo: This species was well-reported in late September.
Though most sightings were of individuals, counts of multiple birds included
two at Nags Head Woods, Dare Co, NC, 19 Sep (Peggy Eubank); two at
Carver’s Gap, Mitchell Co, NC, 23 Sep (Rick Knight); two at Jackson Park,
Henderson Co, NC, 26 Sep (Michael Lester, Simon Thompson, et al.); and
three at Ridge Junction along the BRP in Yancey Co, NC, 26 Sep (Vin
Stanton). One along the boardwalk in Duck, Dare Co, NC, 23 Oct (Ricky
Davis) was somewhat late.
Barn Swallow: One seen along Milltail Rd at Alligator River NWR, Dare Co,
NC, 27 Oct (Jeff Lewis) was somewhat late.
Red-breasted Nuthatch: This species didn’t irrupt into our region like last
winter. The handful of reports from outside the mountains included one heard
calling at Rocky Face Mountain Recreational Area, Alexander Co, NC, 22 Sep
(Dwayne Martin); one along the entrance road to the Bodie Island Lighthouse,
Dare Co, NC, 24 Oct (Ricky Davis); four at the same location, 5 Nov (Audrey
Whitlock); and one in a yard in Aynor, Horry Co, SC, 20 Nov into winter
(Steve Thomas).
Sedge Wren: Individuals at Jackson Park, Henderson Co, NC, 26 Sep (Wayne
Forsythe, Ron Selvey) and at Lake Crabtree, Wake Co, NC, 2 Nov (Mike
Turner) were locally unusual.
Marsh Wren: Individuals at Dinkins Bottom, Yadkin Co, NC, 31 Oct (Phil
Dickinson); at Pee Dee NWR, Anson Co, NC, 2 Nov (Michael Fulbright,
Eddie Owens, Jennifer Schrand); and in the Lake Hills wetland in Forsyth Co,
NC, 21 Nov through early December (Dickinson, et al.) were locally unusual.
Ruby-crowned Kinglet: One at Carver’s Gap, Mitchell Co, NC, 10 Sep (Rick
Knight) was early.
Bicknell’s Thrush: Nocturnal flight calls were heard in the pre-dawn hours at
Falls Lake, Wake Co, NC, during the Fall Bird Count, 17 Sep (Brian
Bockhahn) and at Hanging Rock SP, Stokes Co, NC, 24 Sep (Bockhahn).
Some birders question whether or not nocturnal flight calls can accurately
identify the species.
The Chat, Vol. 78, No. 1, Winter 2014
33
Motacilla species: Pending review by the NCBRC was a report of a wagtail
species, most likely a White Wagtail, along the barrier strand just SE of the
Cedar Island Ferry Terminal, Carteret Co, NC, 15 Sep (John Fussell, Jack
Fennell, John Voigt, m. obs.). The bird was not photographed because it
quickly flushed upon approach. The bird did vocalize, however, and its
vocalizations matched that of a White Wagtail.
Cedar Waxwing: A recently- fledged juvenile along the Tar River in eastern
Rocky Mount, Edgecombe Co, NC, 25 Aug (Ricky Davis) was indicative of
breeding in that area. Pairs in the Elizabethan Gardens, Dare Co, NC, 21 Aug
(Jeff Lewis) and along Dudley Rd in the Croatan National Forest, Carteret Co,
NC, 21 Aug (John Fussell) probably summered in those areas.
Lapland Longspur:
Individuals were
found near Lake
Phelps, Washington
Co, NC, 21 Oct
(Brian Bockhahn); at
the Ft Fisher Spit,
New Hanover Co,
NC, where
photographed, 28
Nov (Bruce
Smithson); and at
Murrells Inlet,
Georgetown Co, SC,
30 Nov (Steve
Compton).
Snow Bunting: Three were seen at Cape Point, Dare Co, NC, 29 Nov (John
Ennis, Martin Wall), 30 Nov (Jeff Lewis), and into December (m. obs.). One
at Ft Sumter, Charleston Co, SC, 27 Nov (Ted Wolff) was a good find for a
site so far south.
Louisiana Waterthrush: Late were individuals seen in the Bolin Forest
subdivision in Orange Co, NC, where photographed, 17 Sep (Chloe Gude) and
at Caw Caw Interpretive Center, Charleston Co, SC, 2-3 Oct {fide David
McLean).
Golden-winged Warbler: Individual migrants at Reynolda Gardens, Forsyth
Co, NC, 14 Sep (John Haire, et al.); at West Branch Nature Preserve,
Mecklenburg Co, NC, 15 Sep (Jeff Lemons); and at Harris Lake, Wake Co,
NC, 18 Sep (Lucas Bobay) were good finds for sites outside the mountains.
One was seen multiple times at Jackson Park, Henderson Co, NC, 22 Sep
(Simon Harvey) through 6 Oct (Wayne Forsythe, Ron Selvey).
Lapland Longspur, 28 Nov 2013, New Hanover Co, NC..
Photo by Bruce Smithson.
Briefs for the Files - Fall 2013
34
Tennessee Warbler: Sightings from the coast, where less common, included
one at Patriot’s Point, Charleston Co, SC, 9 Oct (Keith McCullough); one
photographed in Southport, Brunswick Co, NC, 20 Oct (John Ennis); and one
along the boardwalk in Duck, Dare Co, NC, 20-28 Oct (Jeff Lewis).
Orange-crowned Warbler: Two seen together in a field edge along Leggett
Rd in Edgecombe Co, NC, 1 7 Nov (Ricky Davis) were thought to be migrating
through the area. Davis notes the birds were much yellower than the wintering
birds he typically sees in NC, leading him to speculate these birds were from
the western population.
Nashville Warbler: There were numerous sightings of this species this fall.
Most notable were the two Nashville Warblers reliably seen along the
boardwalk in Duck, Dare Co, NC, 13 Oct (Jeff Lewis) through the late date of
20 Nov (Skip Morgan, Linda Ward), with a high count of three seen there 20
Oct (Lewis). Also late was an individual that visited a birdbath in Charleston
Co, SC, 20 Nov (Keith McCullough).
Connecticut Warbler: At least two were found this fall — one at Pilot
Mountain SP, Surry Co, NC, 21 Sep (Mike Tove, Eddie Owens) and the other
at the old quarry (permission required) in New Bern, Craven Co, NC, 24 Sep
(Chandra Biggerstaff), a first for that county.
MacGillivray’s Warbler: A first-year female was captured at the banding
station on Kiawah Island, Charleston Co, SC, where measured and
photographed, 18 Oct (Aaron Given, et al.), providing the state with its first
record of this western species!
MacGillivray’s Warbler, 18 Oct 2013, Kiawah Island, Charleston Co, SC.
Photo by Aaron Given.
The Chat, Vol. 78, No. 1, Winter 2014
35
Mourning Warbler: Sightings included a first-year female in a yard in
Asheville, Buncombe Co, NC, 15 Aug {fide Ryan Justice); one on Ocracoke
Island, Hyde Co, NC, 1 1 Sep (Haven Wiley); a first-year bird at Greenfield
Lake, New Hanover Co, NC, 23 Sep (Jamie Adams, Greg Massey); one in a
yard in Asheville, Buncombe Co, NC, 25 Sep (Simon Thompson); and one at
Leicester Patch, Buncombe Co, NC, 30 Sep (Doug Johnston).
American Redstart: An interesting fallout event occurred when thousands of
songbirds, most of which appeared to be American Redstarts, landed on a 225-
foot research vessel 40 miles southeast of Cape Lookout, Carteret Co, NC,
ahead of a storm on the night of 13 Sep (Keith Rittmaster^de John Fussell).
Cape May Warbler: Two at Ebenezer Point, Jordan Lake, Chatham Co, NC,
9 Nov (Bob Rybczynski) were a little late.
Cerulean Warbler: Individual migrants were found at Jackson Park,
Henderson Co, NC, an adult male, 3 1 Aug (David Gardner) and at Hamilton
Lakes Park, Guilford Co, NC, 23 Sep (Henry Link, Lou Skrabec).
Yellow Warbler: An adult female photographed at Union Point Park in New
Bern, Craven Co, NC, 28 Nov (Bryan Barmore) may have been attempting to
overwinter.
Chestnut-sided Warbler: One in Duck, Dare Co, NC, 29 Sep (Jeff Lewis)
was a good find for a site along the coast.
Blackpoll Warbler: One along the boardwalk in Duck, Dare Co, NC, 20 Nov
(Skip Morgan, Linda Ward) was late.
Black-throated Blue Warbler: Somewhat late were a male at a feeder in
Orange Co, NC, 30 Oct (Norm Budnitz) and a female along the boardwalk in
Duck, Dare Co, NC, 3 Nov (Jeff Lewis, Brian Pendergraft).
Yellow-rumped Warbler: A juvenile seen at Carver’s Gap, Mitchell Co, NC,
24 Aug (Rick Knight) was suggestive of breeding in that area. One at Holly
Point on Falls Lake, Wake Co, NC, during the Fall Bird Count, 17 Sep (fide
Brian Bockhahn) was somewhat early.
Canada Warbler: An immature male captured at the banding station on
Kiawah Island, Charleston Co, SC, 16 Sep (Aaron Given, et al.) was great for
a site along the coast.
Wilson’s Warbler: Individual migrants were found at Reynolda Gardens,
Forsyth Co, NC, a male, 7 Sep (Nathan Gatto); along the entrance road to the
Bodie Island Lighthouse, Dare Co, NC, a male, 8 Sep (Ricky Davis); at
Reynolda Gardens, a female, 10 Sep (Phil Crisp, Phil Dickinson, John Haire);
Briefs for the Files - Fall 2013
36
at Ribbonwalk Nature Preserve, Mecklenburg Co, NC, 12 Sep (Ron Clark); in
Southern Shores, Dare Co, NC, 15 Sep (Jeff Lewis); at Saluda Shoals Park,
Lexington Co, SC, 9 Oct (Lewis Burke, Irvin Pitts); and on Seabrook Island,
Charleston Co, SC, 1 1 Oct (David Gardner).
Yellow-breasted Chat: One at Cowan’s Ford Wildlife Refuge, Mecklenburg
Co, NC, 2 Nov (Kevin Metcalf) was late.
Clay-colored Sparrow: Sightings, increasing in recent years, included one at
the Ft Fisher Ferry Terminal, New Hanover, Co, NC, 28 Sep (Sam Cooper);
one at North River Farms, Carteret Co, NC, 29 Sep (John Fussell, et al.); two
at the Ft Fisher Ferry Terminal, 12-19 Oct (Cooper); one in the Mills River
Valley, Henderson Co, NC, 14-16 Oct (Steve Ritt); one near the base of
Jeanette’s Pier, Dare Co, NC, during W.O.W., 22 Oct (Brian Bockhahn, et
al.); one at Warren Wilson College, Buncombe Co, NC, 2-3 Nov (Kelly
Hughes); and one near Atlantic, Carteret Co, NC, 14 Nov (Fussell).
Vesper Sparrow: Counts of multiple birds included three at Dinkins Bottom,
Yadkin Co, NC, 3 1 Oct (Phil Dickinson); two photographed along Ben Wilson
Rd in Orange Co, NC, 1 Nov (Mark Anthony); two along Mid Pines Rd in
Wake Co, NC, 2 Nov (Ryan Justice); three along Prater Gin Rd in Anderson
Co, SC, 3 Nov (Simon Harvey); three at Sutton Lake, New Hanover Co, NC,
3-4 Nov (John Ennis); three at Warren Wilson College, Buncombe Co, NC, 4
Nov (Steve Ritt); and two along Scuffletown Rd in Greenville Co, SC, 10 Nov
(Harvey).
Lark Sparrow: Sightings, quite numerous this fall, included one at Mills
River Park, Henderson Co, NC, 4 Aug (Jeff Click, Rich Leppingwell); two
photographed at the same location 5 Aug (Wayne Forsythe); one in southwest
Chatham Co, NC, 20 Aug (Parker Backstrom); one at Lighthouse Inlet
Heritage Preserve, Charleston Co, SC, 20 Sep (Keith McCullough); one at the
Ft Fisher Ferry Terminal, New Hanover Co, NC, 29 Sep (Jamie Adams, Greg
Massey, Natalia Ocampo-Penuela, Harry Sell, Scott Winton); one on Roanoke
Island, Dare Co, NC, 2 Oct (Jeff Lewis); one along a roadside near Red Hill,
Edgecombe Co, NC, 6 Oct (Ricky Davis); an adult photographed along
Shepherd Rd in Brunswick Co, NC, 16 Oct (John Ennis); two, an adult and a
first-winter bird, photographed at the same location, 23 Oct (Ennis); and one
near Atlantic, Carteret Co, NC, 24 Oct (John Fussell).
Henslow’s Sparrow: Individual migrants were found at three sites in western
NC this fall — in a grassy powerline cut at Jackson Park, Henderson Co, 6 Oct
(Wayne Forsythe, Ron Selvey); between the bam and the river at Warren
Wilson College, Buncombe Co, where photographed, 30 Oct (Steve Ritt); and
in a yard in Greensboro, Guilford Co, where photographed, 8 Nov (Melissa
Whitmire).
The Chat, Vol. 78, No. 1, Winter 2014
37
Lincoln’s Sparrow: Sightings included one at Hefner Gap, Mitchell Co, NC,
22 Sep (Audrey Whitlock); one at Ridge Junction, Yancey Co, NC, 26 Sep
(Jeff Lewis); one at Lake Lure, Rutherford Co, NC, 6 Oct (Steve Ritt, Simon
Thompson); one at Price Park, Guilford Co, NC, 8-9 Oct (Henry Link); one in
Reynolda Gardens, Forsyth Co, NC, 9 Oct (Phil Dickinson, Nathan Gatto,
Royce Hough); one in the Mills River Valley, Henderson Co, NC, 14-29 Oct
(Ritt); one at Alligator River NWR, Dare Co, NC, during W.O.W., 27 Oct
(Lewis, et al.); three at Warren Wilson College, Buncombe Co, NC, 30 Oct
through 2 Nov (Ritt); and one along Mayo River Rd in Rockingham Co, NC,
31 Oct (Marty Wall);
Rose-breasted Grosbeak: 160+ at Carver’s Gap, Mitchell Co, NC, 23 Sep
(Rick Knight) was an impressive concentration of migrants.
Dickcissel: Individual migrants were found at North River Farms, Carteret Co,
NC, 29 Sep (John Fussell, et al.); at the Ft Fisher Ferry Terminal, New
Hanover Co, NC, 29 Sep (Jamie Adams, Greg Massey, Natalia Ocampo-
Penuela, Harry Sell, Scott Winton); in the dunes next to the Old Coast Guard
Station at Oregon Inlet, Dare Co, NC, 12 Oct (Jeff Lewis, Audrey Whitlock);
in the Mills River Valley, Henderson Co, NC, 14 Oct (Steve Ritt); and at
Huntington Beach SP, Georgetown Co, SC, 15 Oct (Frank Lawkins).
Yellow-headed Blackbird: First-winter males were photographed at a feeder
in Wilmington, New Hanover Co, NC, 23 Aug (Bruce Smithson) and at the Ft
Fisher Ferry Terminal, New Hanover Co, 28 Sep (Sam Cooper).
Yellow-headed Blackbird, 28 Sep 2013, New Hanover Co, NC.
Photo by Sam Cooper.
38
Briefs for the Files - Fall 2013
Purple Finch: Individuals, either female or immature birds, were seen at a
feeder in Forsyth Co, NC, 14 Nov (Phil Dickinson) and in a field edge along
Gay Rd in Edgecombe Co, NC, 17 Nov (Ricky Davis).
Red Crossbill: Up to five were seen around Carver’s Gap, Mitchell Co, NC,
24 Aug through 29 Sep (Rick Knight). Two were reliably seen at Mount (Mt)
Mitchell SP, Yancey Co, NC, 25 Aug (Issac Kerns) through late September
(Audrey Whitlock). A flock of up to 25 crossbills, including juveniles, was
seen in spruce trees along the Commissary Trail at Mt Mitchell SP, 27 Sep
(Bill Haddad) and 29 Sep (Mark Simpson, Marilyn Westphal).
Pine Siskin: Up to four were seen around Carver’s Gap, Mitchell Co, NC, 24
Aug through 29 Sep (Rick Knight).
Corrigenda : In the Briefs for the Files for Fall 201 1 (Chat 76:32-33) a Violet-
green Swallow was reported in Chapel Hill, NC, and in Briefs for the Files for
Summer 2012 (Chat 77:19) a Magnificent Frigatebird was reported as seen
over Southpoint Mall in Durham, Co., NC and then later at Jordan Lake. It has
been determined that the photos presented as evidence for the Violet-green
Swallow report and for the second report of the Magnificent Frigatebird at
Jordan Lake were actually taken in other states, not in North Carolina. These
reports are withdrawn (although the initial sighting of the frigatebird over
Southpoint Mall stands).
Snowy Owl, 26 Nov 2013, Cape Hatteras, Dare Co, NC. Photos by Jeff Lewis.
The Chat, Vol. 78, No. 1, Winter 2014
39
Snowy Owl, 26 Nov 2013, Cape Hatteras, Dare Co, NC. Photos by Jeff Lewis.
Fifty Years Ago in The Chat — March 1964
In this issue, Dr. John Grey, a prominent founding member of the Carolina
Bird Club in 1937 and the first editor of The Chat , published a very important
summary regarding the status of the “official” list of North Carolina birds. He
noted that both South Carolina and Virginia maintained “official” state lists
and that South Carolina required a specimen of a bird for it to be placed on the
“accepted” state list. However, Virginia included all birds with specimens
taken as well as “certain species... admitted on the basis of sight records”.
North Carolina’s list at this time was primarily a list of birds whose records
had been personally vetted and approved by C.S. Brimley for the 1942 edition
of Birds of North Carolina , with some additions added during the 1959
revision of the book, a revision that Grey characterized as “not all one had
hoped for”.
Grey advocated that the Carolina Bird Club should take on the
responsibility for the creation of a formal records committee “of at least three
persons who would be charged with the responsibility of passing upon the
acceptability of all North Carolina records of birds”. He recommended the
development of specific criteria to be followed for admitting new bird species
to the list. He also recommend that all records added since the publication of
the 1942 edition of the Birds of North Carolina be reevaluated using these
newly established criteria. This article provided the initial impetus for the
development of what today are the North Carolina and South Carolina Bird
Records committees.
Several interesting bird records were also included in this issue. Paul Sykes
provided a detailed report on the second record of Lark Bunting in North
Carolina. This bird was sighted on Bodie Island on September 2, 1963. The
observers carefully watched it feeding on grass seed for 5 minutes. The bird
would periodically jump up and bend a stalk down to feed on the seed. A very
detailed description of its markings was provided. A group from the
Greensboro Junior Museum reported a flock of 1 8 White-winged Crossbills
sighted at the headwaters of Lake Brandt on the Greensboro Christmas Count,
December 28, 1963. The flock was comprised of mostly males with some
females and a few immature birds present as well. Plumage details were
provided but attempts later made to secure a specimen were unsuccessful.
Also, a single Red Phalarope was observed and photographed by James Shuler
on September 15, 1963 on a small pond in Charleston County providing a rare
land record for South Carolina.
Don Seriff editor
40
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, or use this web address:
http://www.carolinabirdclub.org/about.html. Dues include $6 for a subscription to the CBC
Newsletter and $7 for a subscription to The Chat.
ANNUAL DUES
Individual or non-profit $25.00
Family or business $30.00
Patron $50.00
Student $15.00
Life Membership (payable in four consecutive $125 installments) $500.00
Associate Life Membership (in same household as life member) $100.00
ELECTED OFFICERS
President Katherine Higgins, Wilmington, NC kathwrens@gmail.com
NC Vice-Presidents Ron Clark, Kings Mountain, NC waxwing@bellsouth.net
Scott Winton, Durham, NC scott.winton@gmail.com
SC Vice-President Jeff Click, Easley, SC jeffreyclick@yahoo.com
Secretary Phil Fowler, Concord, NC janmfowler@gmail.com
Treasurer Samir Gabriel, Huntersville, NC Samir.Gabirel@itg-global.com
NC Members-at-Large Christine Stoughton-Root, Merritt, NC cssjar@aol.com
John Voigt, Emerald Isle, NC jvoigt@coastalnet.com
Jesse Pope, Linville, NC highcountrybirder@yahoo.com
Karyl Gabriel, Huntersville, NC kmcclusky@yahoo.com
SC Members-at-Large Don Faulkner, Easley, SC donrfaulkner@aol.com
Irvin Pitts, Lexington, SC pittsjam@windstream.net
EX-OFFICIO EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Chat Editor Don Seriff, Charlotte, 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 Marion Clark, Lexington, SC mclark66@sc.rr.com
Carol Bowman
HEADQUARTERS SECRETARY
9 Quincy Place Pinehurst, NC 28374 hq@carolinabirdclub.org
*c
? cU
(D « o
0- Tt ”
§s*
■2
o
0.
j/>
CO
o
.2
u
CD
a.
CO
CO
c
o
'-N
■D
CO
w CO
LU tH
a o
o
Q£
<1
Of
CQ <1
H H
jwq;
o
o
00 04
M O