Seasonal Sightings for Central Prairie and
East Texas Seasonal Sightings for Central Prairie and
East TexasThe 66 Texas counties included in this report are: Anderson, Angelina, Austin, Bastrop, Bell, Bowie, Brazos, Brown, Burleson, Caldwell, Camp, Cass, Cherokee, Coleman, Comanche, Coryell, DeWitt, Falls, Fayette, Franklin, Freestone, Gonzales, Gregg, Grimes, Guadalupe, Hamilton, Hardin, Harrison, Henderson, Houston, Jasper, Karnes, Lampasas, Lavaca, Lee, Leon, Liberty, Limestone, Madison, Marion, McLennan, Milam, Mills, Montgomery, Morris, Nacogdoches, Newton, Panola, Polk, Red River, Robertson, Rusk, Sabine, San Augustine, San Jacinto, Shelby, Smith, Titus, Trinity, Tyler, Upshur, Walker, Waller, Washington, Williamson, and Wilson.
Reduced from over 3000 reports of 308 species from 1 August to 30 November.
Darrell Vollert, Washington and Brazos Counties, mid August, "This summer is the third hottest summer that I have experienced in my lifetime in Texas. Only the summers of 1980 and 1998 were hotter. The temperatures are back over 100 degrees for the past four days. College Station had the dubious honor of having the hottest temperature in Texas on Friday-106 degrees. Tying the all time high temperature for that date for College Station. [August 18]."
Brush Freeman, Bastrop County, 31 August, "In the 25 years or so since I first made a visit to Shipp lake (which crosses Hwy 71 just northeast of Smithville) I have never seen the lake go dry. However drought has taken its toll and the lake is reduced to 3 small pools of very shallow water. Thousands of dead and dying fish are concentrated in the pools and there may be water only for a couple of more days in some. The lake as mentioned earlier is divided by highway and a rather active railroad to the north. There is a shallow pool south of 71, one between 71 and the railroad and on well off to the north of the railroad. In the small pond north of the railroad there were amassed so tightly so many Wood Storks and other waders that it was impossible for me to count them. Easily there were HUNDREDS of Wood Storks all seemingly in a feeding frenzy in this small remaining pool well off the highway. All the while 70-80 circled overhead. I suspect that most had spent the night there, as they were present upon my arrival at 7:10. Many were departing in small groups as I left."
Carolyn Haluska, McLennan County, 6 September, "It has been over 100 degrees for days and rarely any rain. Everything is drying up. The hummers are still migrating through, but I think the big groups of them have already gone through."
Ellen Ratoosh, Brazos County, mid September, "Our weather has definitely turned for the better. We had an inch of rain last week, and although it's still reaching the 90's most days, it's not humid and some mornings have been decidedly coolish."
Darrell Vollert, Washington County, 16 September, following strong and prolonged east winds, "On this day I had my best birding experience ever during a fall migration. I birded Polk's Lake from 8:00 AM - 1:30 PM. … I found 12 species of warblers - the highest number ever for one day during a fall migration."
Darrell Vollert, Washington County, late September, "I believe the weather we have been experiencing the past two months has had a major bearing on this migration. From about mid August to early September we had a southwest breeze that brought dry, hot air that pushed many migrants into our area that otherwise would have migrated through the Hill Country and farther west. There seemed to be more migrants seen along the coast too, from what I read on Texbirds. A disturbance in the gulf two weeks ago brought rain into southeast Texas and grounded many migrants in our area and along the coast. And later in that same week on the weekend we had a strong cool front pass through that brought in many migrants. That was the weekend when I saw an incredible variety of migrants at Polk's Lake and in the Chappell Hill area."
David Wolf, Nacogdoches County, October, "Cold fronts that brought pushes of migrants came through on Sept 16, Sept 25, Oct 7-8, Oct 18. In most years the last days of October bring our final sightings of non-wintering birds for the year, but the mild weather this fall induced a few migrants to linger into November, even as our winter residents began arriving in force."
Ellen Ratoosh, Brazos County, on 8 October, "Our promised cold front came in on Friday [6 October], and it was/is a good strong one. Today the high was only around 50, with a steady north wind. We've had about 1.5 inches of rain, all of it needed."
Ellen Ratoosh, Brazos County, on 9 October, "Well, today was as interesting as yesterday. From what I've heard, this is an unusually strong cold front for this time of year, and the birds reflect it. I've been here 7 years now, and I haven't ever seen this much change this fast. Today was still overcast, with a high of about 50 and north winds. Most of the huge flock of Indigo Buntings that were in the floodplain yesterday were gone today 9 October. ... Indigo Bunting - maybe 30-40 today, far fewer than yesterday."
Chuck Hamilton, Brazos County, on 9 October, "We had a fine cold front come through Friday 6 October with about 1" of rain falling over Saturday and Sunday. The high on the weekend was 55 degrees, the low about 48. It was always cloudy with persistent north winds. It felt great! The fallout in Raintree subdivision seemed exceptional to me. I noticed several new migrating or wintering birds in my small yard on 8-9 October."
E. G. White-Swift, McLennan County, on 11 October, "The last few days have been one of the best birding periods in the Waco area in recent memory. A broad cold front that dropped local temperatures by 30 degrees last Wednesday was accompanied by strong northerly winds. Just to the south of Waco bands of cold rain formed a barrier for migrants resulting in an incredible fallout of birds in Central Texas. I've received a barrage of daily reports of unusual birds from observers willing to brave a few hours of cold winds. ... Other birds found during the migrant fallout this past weekend in much greater numbers than wintering or migrating populations normally observed in the area were: Belted Kingfishers, Loggerhead Shrikes, Eastern Phoebes, Orange-crowned Warblers, Nashville Warblers, Wilson's Warblers, Common Yellowthroat, Indigo Buntings, Dickcissels, Clay-colored Sparrows, Savannah Sparrows and thousands and thousands of Monarch Butterflies."
Peter Barnes, Smith County, October, "The drought provided mudflats at the edges of Lake Tyler East and Lake Tyler, resulting in the best variety of shorebirds in several years in Smith Co. A total of 19 species were tallied this fall, including 16 in October."
Tim Fennell, Williamson County, end of fall quarter, "Dry was the operative word until the wild weather of October hit us. Granger Lake went from the lowest level I have ever seen in late September to the highest level I have ever seen in early November."
Randy Pinkston, Bell County, end of fall quarter, "Shorebirding in Bell County was of unprecedented quality and quantity in my seven years here, undoubtedly the result of low lake levels creating expansive mudflats. ... August through mid-September was incredibly hot and dry. Record heat of 105-106 degrees was reported around 17 August and over Labor Day weekend. These conditions dried up everything but the large reservoirs and created expansive mudflats on area lakes with superb shorebirding opportunities. Relief came with the first cool snap 24-25 September. Our passerine migration occurred pretty much on schedule with the bulk of activity between late August and mid-September. We really didn't experience much of the lingering Empidonax, warblers, etc., reported from the coast and elsewhere. October was generally much cooler and wetter with another cool front 7-8 October bringing temperatures to low 40s. November was cooler and wetter still. Early November was especially wet and cumulative effect of regular rain showers throughout October and early November brought lake levels back to normal by 12 November. Shorebirds disappeared. A cold front 13-15 November brought temperatures to high 20s."
Peter Barnes, Smith County, November, "Summer visitors and passerine migrants lingered unusually late, perhaps because the lack of severe weather did not force birds to move south earlier this fall."
Eared Grebe: (2) 29 August (Eddie Ray), Texas Eastman in Longview, Harrison County [early migrant].
Anhinga: (20) 2 September (Georgette Guernsey, Louis Debetaz, Nancy Bird, Charles Kent), Ryan Lake, south of Lufkin, Angelina County; (21) 16 September (Louis Debetaz, Jack Windsor), Ryan and Allen lakes between Diboll and Lufkin, Angelina County [uncommon]; (29) 7 October (Truman Powell), US Hwy 175 below the dam on Lake Palestine, Smith County [large kettle in migration corresponds to cold front].
American Bitterns, typically rare, were reported more often than usual:
East Texas sightings:
American Bittern: (1) 15 October (Peter Barnes), Richland Creek WMA, Freestone County.
American Bittern: (1) 29 October (Shirley Wilkerson, Dan Wilkerson), Ladies's #2 tee,
Bryan Municipal Golf Course, Bryan, Brazos County.
American Bittern: (1) 26 November (Truman Powell), Richland Creek WMA, Freestone County.
Central Prairie sightings:
American Bittern: (1) 7 October (Bill Elsik), Cypress Island, Burleson County.
American Bittern: (2) 23 November (Randy Pinkston), Union Grove Wildlife Area, Stillhouse
Hollow Lake, Bell County.
American Bittern: (1) 29 November and 3 December (Tim Fennell), Meadow Lake, Round Rock,
Williamson County.
Great Blue Heron: (34) 2 September (Georgette Guernsey, Louis Debetaz, Nancy Bird, Charles Kent), Ryan Lake, south of Lufkin, Angelina County [large count].
Great Egret: (51) 2 September (Georgette Guernsey, Louis Debetaz, Nancy Bird, Charles Kent), Ryan Lake, south of Lufkin, Angelina County [large count].
Little Blue Heron: (1) 11 November (TOS Field Trip lead by David Weaver), Lake Murvaul, Panola County [late departure].
Tricolored Heron: (1) 6 August (Eddie Ray), Texas Eastman in Longview, Harrison County [rare].
Tricolored Heron: (34) 31 August (Brush Freeman), Shipp lake which crosses Hwy 71 just northeast of Smithville, Bastrop County [very large concentration].
Single Reddish Egrets, usually restricted to coastal areas, appeared far inland at
Rusk, Bastrop and Coleman.
Reddish Egret: (1 immature) 31 August (Brush Freeman); 9-10 September (Tim Fennell, Travis
Audubon Society field trip); 17 September (Brush Freeman, Mark Lockwood), Shipp Lake which
crosses Hwy 71 just northeast of Smithville, Bastrop County [rare inland].
Reddish Egret: (1) 15 September (David Weaver), Martin Creek Lake, Rusk County [rare].
Reddish Egret: (1) 12 November (Eric Carpenter), O.H. Ivie reservoir, Elm Creek WMA,
Coleman County [very rare inland].
Cattle Egret: (1065) 19 August (Randy Pinkston), Sore Finger Wildlife Area, Granger Lake, Williamson County [large concentration].
Cattle Egret: (4) 26 November (Darrell Vollert), Hughes Lake near Chappell Hill, Washington County [late departure].
Green Heron: (2) 28 November (Shirley Wilkerson, Dan Wilkerson), Country Club Lake, Brazos County [late departure].
Black-crowned Night-Herons made an unusually good showing in East Texas this fall.
Black-crowned Night-Heron: (2) 16 September (Louis Debetaz, Jack Windsor), Ryan Lakes
between Diboll and Lufkin, Angelina County; (1 adult) 16 September (David Wolf, Jesse
Fagan, et al.), TX 103 at Attoyac, Nacogdoches County [scarce fall migrant]; (2 adults, 1
immature) 10 November (TOS Field Trip lead by David Weaver during TOS Longview Fall
Meeting), Lake Murvaul, Panola County [rare in November]; (1) 19 November (Nancy Bird),
Lufkin Country Club Lake, Angelina County; (1 immature) 19 November (Mike Dillon), Lake
Wright Patman, Bowie County; (1 immature) 26 November (David Hurt, Matt White),
Greenville, Hunt County [occasional in November].
Black-crowned Night-Heron: (1+) 31 August (Brush Freeman), Shipp lake which crosses Hwy 71 just northeast of Smithville, Bastrop County [occasional].
Black-crowned Night-Heron: (3 adults) 3 September (Randy Pinkston), Temple, Bell County [rare].
Black-crowned Night-Heron: (8) 7 October (Ellen Ratoosh), Emerald Forest subdivision, College Station, Brazos County [large number of rare migrant].
Black-crowned Night-Heron: (1) 2 December (Sheridan Coffey and Fort Worth Audubon Society field trip), Alcoa Lake, Milam County [regionally rare in December, but more often found at this location].
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron: (1+) 31 August (Brush Freeman), Shipp lake which crosses Hwy 71 just northeast of Smithville, Bastrop County; (1) 3 September (Tim Fennell), Meadow Lake, Round Rock, Bell County [uncommon in this time period].
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron: (1 immature) 9 October (Tim Fennell), Meadow Lake, Williamson County [late departure].
White Ibis, rare in fall up until 1999, is now becoming increasingly common:
White Ibis: (8 adults, 23 immatures) 9 August (Gary Fritcher), Burleson County [early
migrant].
White Ibis: (2 adults) 12 August (Darrell Vollert), Polk's residence near Chappell Hill,
Washington County [early migrant].
White Ibis: (1 hatch-year) 17 August to 20 September (Randy Pinkston), Salado Creek, Mill
Creek community of Salado, Bell County [rare in summer; not listed in fall on Bell County
checklist; Randy states, "A solitary hatch-year White Ibis was feeding in the
shallows of Salado Creek late this afternoon in the Mill Creek community of Salado. While
not altogether unexpected as a post-breeding visitor in August, White Ibis have been few
and far between in my six years in Bell County."].
White Ibis: (1 immature) 19 August (Randy Pinkston); (2 immature) 3 September (Tim
Fennell, Karl Koscuich), Willis Creek Park, Granger Lake, Williamson County.
White Ibis: (2 adults) 26 August (Marilyn Werner, Billie Bernard, Pat Taylor), New Year's
Creek and FR2447 near Chappell Hill, Washington County.
White Ibis: (5+) 9 September (Tim Fennell, Travis Audubon Society field trip), Shipp Lake,
a few miles east of Smithville on Hwy 71, Bastrop County.
White Ibis: (1) 21 September (Darrell Vollert), SH105, 2 miles west of Brazos River,
Brazos County.
White Ibis: (1 adult, 1 immature) 14 October (Toni-Ann Mistretta), Texas A&M
Univeristy Wastewater Treatment Plant, Brazos County; (4) 14 October (David Phalen), from
canoe on Gibbons Creek Reservoir, Grimes County.
White Ibis: (1 adult) 4 November (Jeffrey Hanson), small stock pond Hwy. 290, 10-12 miles
west of Brenham, Washington County [late departure].
White Ibis: (13) 11 November (TOS Field Trip lead by Dorothy and Robert Metzler), Caddo
Lake, Harrison County; (1 immature) 25 November (Bert Frenz), Lake Livingston near
Onalaska, Polk County [late departures].
Roseate Spoonbill: (3) 6 and 13 August (Tim Fennell); (6) 19 August (Randy Pinkston), (3) 3 September (Tim Fennell, Karl Kosciuch), Willis Creek Park, Granger Lake, Williamson County [Randy reports, "Rare, but expected once every 3-5 years on area waterways."].
An unusually large number of sightings of Wood Storks were reported this year,
beginning in early summer and continuing into fall:
Wood Stork: (16) 8 August (David Phalen), Hwy 21, 2 miles before Brazos River bridge,
Burleson County.
Wood Stork: (18 adults, 2 immatures) 9 August (Gary Fritcher), Burleson County.
Wood Stork: (3) 24 August (Dan Wilkerson), Dilly Shaw Tap Road, Bryan, Brazos County.
Wood Stork: (50+) 24 August (Matt Wagner), Navasota River and OSR, Brazos County,
Wood Stork: (3) 31 August (Dan Wilkerson), Yegua Creek, Burleson County.
Wood Stork: (300+) 31 August (Brush Freeman), Shipp lake which crosses Hwy 71 just
northeast of Smithville, Bastrop County [very large concentration; Brush writes, "In
the small pond north of the railroad there were amassed so tightly so many Wood Storks and
other waders that it was impossible for me to count them. Easily there were HUNDREDS of
Wood Storks all seemingly in a feeding frenzy in this small remaining pool well off the
highway. All the while 70-80 circled overhead. I suspect that most had spent the night
there, as they were present upon my arrival at 7:10. Many were departing in small groups
as I left."].
Wood Stork: (3) 1 September (Dan Wilkerson), Calvert, Robertson County.
Wood Stork: (3) 5 September (Darrell Vollert), FR2447, Chappell Hill, Washington County.
Wood Stork: (12) 9 September (Tim Fennell), Bastrop County.
Wood Stork: (11) 10 September (NETFO hotline), Richland Creek WMA, Freestone County.
Wood Stork: (1) 13 September (Dan Wilkerson), Cooks Point, Burleson County.
Wood Stork: (10) 14 September (Mimi Hoppe Wolf), Central Heights, Nacogdoches County.
Wood Stork: (1) 16 September (David Wolf, Jesse Fagan, et al.), Etoile Park, Nacogdoches
County.
Wood Stork: (1) 15 September (Dan Wilkerson), Hwy 21 East and FM 2776, Brazos County.
[Shirley comments, "Yes, Dan has seen more wood storks this year. He saw 3 in the
fall of '98 and none in '99. So this was a lot for Texas sightings."].
Wood Stork: (3) 16 September (Louis Debetaz, Jack Windsor), Ryan Lake, between Diboll and
Lufkin, Angelina County.
Wood Stork: (1) 22 September (Mimi Hoppe Wolf), Central Heights, Nacogdoches County.
Wood Stork: (2) 22 September (Debbie and Kent Moore), ranch near Snook, Burleson County.
Wood Stork: (2) 23 September (Mary Wicksten), Gibbons Creek, Grimes County.
Wood Stork: (2) 25 September (Peter Barnes), Lake Tyler East mudflats on Hwy 64, Smith
County.
Wood Stork: (31) 30 September (Eddie Ray), Harrison County.
Wood Stork: (flock) 10 October (Bill Elsik), Cypress Island, Burleson County.
Wood Stork: (90) 6 November (Ellen Ratoosh), kettle flying south very high over Emerald
Forest subdivision, College Station, Brazos County [latest sighting on record; previous
late date was 1 November 1969].
More Greater White-fronted Geese passed over than usual. The migration period
was from 7 October to 12 November, with a peak on 4-5 November. Many lingered into winter.
Greater White-fronted Goose: (898 in 5 flocks) 4 November (Bert Frenz), Lake Somerville,
Lee/Washington Counties [large count].
Greater White-fronted Goose: (up to 200+) 7 October to 4 November (Tim Fennell), sightings
on six different dates around Granger Lake, Williamson County [Tim comments in his
quarterly report, "Greater White-fronted Geese and Sandhill Cranes were more abundant
than usual."].
Ross's Goose: (2) 10 November (Jesse Fagan, Claudia de la Cruz), Nacogdoches, Nacogdoches County [very rare in East Texas; migrating south in a flock of Snow Geese].
Wood Duck: (78) 2 September (Georgette Guernsey, Louis Debetaz, Nancy Bird, Charles Kent), Ryan Lake, south of Lufkin, Angelina County [large count].
Mallard: (1) 19 August (Randy Pinkston), Sore Finger Wildlife Area, Granger Lake, Williamson County; (2) 30 August (Keith Arnold), Country Club Lake, Bryan, Brazos County [early arrival for "wild" mallards].
Blue-winged Teal: (2-3 female) 19 and 25 August (Darrell Vollert), Polk's Lake near Chappell Hill, Washington County; (37) 19 August (Randy Pinkston), Sore Finger Wildlife Area, Granger Lake, Williamson County; (5) 26 August (Matt Wagner), Wood Lake, College Station, Brazos County; (35) 27 August (Randy Pinkston), Stillhouse Hollow Lake, Bell County; (1) 29 August (John MacFarlane), Lake Fort Parker, Fort Parker State Park, Limestone County [occasional in August].
Northern Shoveler: (1 male) 8-30 August (Keith Arnold), Country Club Lake, Bryan, Brazos County [early arrival].
Northern Shoveler: (1) 19 August (Randy Pinkston), Sore Finger Wildlife Area, Granger Lake, Williamson County [early arrival].
Northern Shoveler: (65) 2 September (Chris Merkord), Gibbon's Creek Reservoir, Grimes County [early arrival].
Green-winged Teal: (13) 27 August (Randy Pinkston), Union Grove WMA, Stillhouse Hollow Lake, Bell County [a bit early].
Green-winged Teal: (2) 9 September (Tim Fennell, Travis Audubon Society field trip), Ship Lake, a few miles east of Smithville on HWY 71, Bastrop County [a bit early].
Canvasback: (2) 18 August (Nancy Bird, Jack Windsor), Ryan Lake between Lufkin and Diboll, Angelina County [early arrival].
Redhead: (26) 9 October (Tim Fennell), Granger Lake area, Williamson County [early arrival].
Ring-necked Duck: (4) 25 September (Tim Fennell), Meadow Lake, Round Rock, Williamson County [early arrival].
Long-tailed Duck: (2) 13 November (Guy Luneau), Texas Eastman at Longview, Harrison County; (1) 29 November (Matt White), Lake Tawakoni, Hunt/Rains Counties [rare winter visitant].
Osprey: (2) 13 August (Randy Pinkston), Union Grove WMA, Stillhouse Hollow Reservoir, Bell County [early arrival].
Swallow-tailed Kite: (5) 2 August (Barbara Tilton); (7) 5 August (Travis Lewing); (6-7) 11 August (Margret and Bob Simmons); (1) 15 August (Barbara Tilton), US90 between Dayton and Liberty, Liberty County [locally common in late July and early August; rare elsewhere].
Swallow-tailed Kite: (1) 30 August (Don Scott); (1) 2 September (John MacFarlane), across from the Mexia airport on Texas 14 and then 3 days later about 1 or 2 miles further north at intersection of Texas 14 and FM 2705, between Mexia and Grosbeak, Limestone County [rare inland; only the second record for the county; unusual for species to linger for 3 days inland].
Swallow-tailed Kite: (2) 1 September (Mark Gray), Hwy 21 near Bastrop, Bastrop County [rare migrant inland].
Swallow-tailed Kite: (2) 2 September (Mark Gray), Hwy 21 near Mustang Ridge, close to Caldwell/Travis County line [rare migrant inland].
White-tailed Kite: (1) 14 or 15 August (Glen Shroeter), Antique Rose Emporium, Independence, Washington County [rare].
White-tailed Kite: (1) 30 September (Eddie Ray), Sabine Mining Company area south of Hallsville, Harrison County [first county record; very rare in East Texas, especially in fall; Eddie describes the habitat as a clearcut area with "Some type of white clover, grasses, weeds, pine seedlings in places and a minimal amount of returning brush cover the area - from sparse grass to fairly dense pine/weed areas. The only growth here has been planted by man or nature since the mining was completed. There is a scarcity of perches but a few wooden survey stakes, pipes and t-posts for markers suffice. There were many breeding Dickcissels there last spring and Blue Grosbeak too." According to Cliff Shackelford, "Most folks don't realize that there are breeding records of this species in the Pineywoods. The ones that I am familiar with were in large, recent clearcuts with a grassy component and available perch sites (like snags or residual trees). A site where one might find breeding Dickcissels, Blue Grosbeaks, etc. Such a clearcut that is roughly 1-3 years post-cutting, before the woody regeneration really kicks in].
White-tailed Kite: (1) 1 and 7 October (Darrell Pogue, Peter Barnes), Richland Creek WMA, Freestone County [rare].
Mississippi Kite: (30+ adult and immature) 16 August (Gary Fritcher), Burleson County; (33) 23 August (TAS Bird Records Committee), Old Sayers Rd. near Elgin, Bastrop County; (33) 28 August (Darrell Vollert, Floi Ewing), Chappell Hill, Washington County [migrant; large counts].
Bald Eagles, once rare, are now showing up regularly at most large lakes and along
major rivers in fall and winter:
Bald Eagle: (1 adult) 18 August (Nancy Bird, Jack Windsor); 25 August (Georgette
Guernsey), Ryan Lake, Angelina County.
Bald Eagle: (2 adults) 30 August and 16 September (David Wolf, Robert Truss, Jesse Fagan),
TX147 bridge over Sam Rayburn Reservoir, Angelina/San Augustine Counties.
Bald Eagle: (1 immature) 31 August (Brush Freeman), Shipp lake which crosses Hwy 71 just
northeast of Smithville, Bastrop County.
Bald Eagle: (1) 20 September (Jason Pike), Martin Creek Lake, Rusk County.
Bald Eagle: (3 juveniles) 20 September (David Wolf, Robert Truss), Townsend Park, San
Augustine County.
Bald Eagle: (1 adult, 1 immature) 7 October (Darrell Vollert & Rio Brazos Audubon
Society Field Trip), along Butler Bayou near the Brazos River along FM60, Burleson County.
Bald Eagle: (2 immatures) 8 October (Jill McAfee), Lake Tyler concession area, Smith
County.
Bald Eagle: (2 adults, 3 immatures) 8 October (Jesse Fagan, Ruth Heino, Charles Dean
Fisher), Nacogdoches County.
Bald Eagle: (1 adult) 14 October (David Phalen); 25 October (Bert Frenz), Gibbons Creek
Reservoir, Grimes County.
Bald Eagle: (1 immature) 16-18 October (Clyde Brothers), Overlook Park, Lake Somerville,
Washington County.
Bald Eagle: (1 adult) 18 October (David Wolf, Jesse Fagan), north shoreline of the 147
bridge over Sam Rayburn Reservoir, San Augustine County.
Bald Eagle: (1 adult) 4 November (Bert Frenz), Welch Park, Lake Somerville, Burleson
County.
Bald Eagle: (2 adults) 7 November (David Wolf), south Nacogdoches County.
Bald Eagle: (1) 11 November (TOS Field Trip lead by Peter Barnes), Lake Tyler, Smith
County.
Bald Eagle: (1) 11 November (TOS Field Trip lead by David Weaver), Lake Murvaul, Panola
County.
Bald Eagle: (1) 11 November (TOS Field Trip lead by Ray Berry and David Brotherton), Lake
O' the Pines, Marion County.
Bald Eagle: (1) 11 November (TOS Field Trip lead by Mike Dillon), Martin Creek Lake, Rusk
County.
Bald Eagle: (1) 15 November (Frank Bumgardner, John Muldrow), Speegleville II Park, Lake
Waco, McLennan County.
Bald Eagle: (1-4) several days around 21 November (Taylor Moore), Moore farm, south Brazos
County.
Bald Eagle: (1 adult) 23 November (Kelly Cotten), Lake Conroe, Montgomery County.
Bald Eagle: (1 adult) 25 November (Janice McClintock), Yegua Creek Park, Lake Somerville,
Washington County.
There seem to be many more Northern Harriers this fall than in past few years:
Northern Harrier: (2) 16 September (Eddie Ray), Harrison County [early arrival].
Northern Harrier: (1) 23 September (Darrell Vollert), Polk's Lake near Chappell Hill,
Washington County [somewhat early].
Northern Harrier: (1) 7 October (Chris Merkord), CR229, Burleson County.
Northern Harrier: (1) 7 October (Chris Merkord, Tim Fennell), Granger area.
Northern Harrier: (1-2) 7 October (Darrell Vollert & Rio Brazos Audubon Society Field
Trip), Buffalo Ranch, Burleson County.
Northern Harrier: (large numbers) 8 October (fide E. G. White-Swift, Waco RBA), McLennan
County.
Northern Harrier: (1) 4 November (Bert Frenz), Welch Park, Lake Somerville, Burleson
County.
Northern Harrier: (1) 4 November (Bert Frenz), Nails Creek Unit of Lake Somerville State
Park, Lee County.
Northern Harrier: (1) 5 November (Darrell Vollert), Chappell Hill, Washington County.
Northern Harrier: (3) 11 and 19 November (Peter Barnes), Camp Tyler and near Whitehouse,
Smith County [rare in this county].
Peter Barnes, "Unusual numbers of NORTHERN HARRIERS have been seen in Smith County
with 4 sightings of at least 3 different birds from November 11-19 at Camp Tyler and
nearby Whitehouse."
Northern Harrier: (4 males, 3 females) 16 November (Jeffrey Hanson), CR110 in east Round
Rock, Bell County [large number of wintering males which usually continue further south
than do females].
Northern Harrier: (2) 16 November (Darrell Vollert), FR2447, Chappell Hill, Washington
County.
Northern Harrier: (4) 17 November (Jason Pike), Harrison County.
Northern Harrier: (3 males, 9 females) 19 November (Tim Fennell) CR110, Granger area,
Williamson County.
Northern Harrier: ("too many to count") 26 November (Truman Powell), north of
Trinidad, Henderson County [common hawk, seemed to be in low number in recent years, but
is in good numbers this season].
Northern Harrier: (5) 28 November (Peter Barnes), Richland Creek WMA, Freestone County.
Northern Harrier: (2 males), 21 November (Chris Merkord), Welch Park, Lake Somerville,
Burleson County.
Peter Barnes, "Northern Harriers were more common than in the past 2-3 years,
probably because of more rainfall and higher rodent populations. This was particularly
noticeable in the western counties [of East Texas], where over 60 were tallied in Delta
and Hunt Cos. on November 29 (Peter Barnes, David Hurt, Matt White), and over 20 birds
were seen on a native prairie near Celeste, Hunt Co. on November 25 (Kristin White, Matt
White).
Northern Harrier: (10 females, 2 males), 2 December (Tim Fennell), Granger area,
Williamson County.
Cooper's Hawks are on the increase:
Cooper's Hawk: (1 immature) 13 August (Tim Fennell), Sore Finger WMA, Granger Lake,
Williamson County [early arrival].
Cooper's Hawk: (1 immature) 19 September to 10 October; (1 adult) 9-16 October (Ellen
Ratoosh), Emerald Forest subdivision, College Station, Brazos County.
Cooper's Hawk: (1 immature) 25 September (Scott Brandes); (1) 5 October (Chris Merkord),
Texas A&M University campus, College Station, Brazos County.
Cooper's Hawk: (1) 7 October (Cathy Liles), College Station, Brazos County.
Cooper's Hawk: (2) 7 October (Chris Merkord and Tim Fennell), Granger area, Williamson
County.
Cooper's Hawk: (1 Cooper's, 5 accipiters) 9 October (Chuck Hamilton), Raintree
subdivision, College Station, Brazos County.
Cooper's Hawk: (1 immature) 10 October (Barry Boyd), Texas A&M University golf course,
College Station, Brazos County.
Cooper's Hawk: (1 female) 9-11 October (David Phalen), Veterinary School, Texas A&M
University, College Station, Brazos County.
Cooper's Hawk: (1) 14 October (Chris Merkord), Welch Park, Lake Somerville, Burleson
County.
Cooper's Hawk: (1 immature) 27 October (Bert Frenz), near Woodcreek subdivision, College
Station, Brazos County.
Cooper's Hawk: (1)11 November (Scott Brandes and Rio Brazos Audubon Society field trip),
Lick Creek Park, College Station, Brazos County.
Randy Pinkston in his fall report for Bell County, "Cooper's Hawk- Present in above
average numbers Sept-Nov."
Harris's Hawk: (1) 15 October (Peter Barnes), Richland Creek WMA, Freestone County [unusually far north of its normal territory; very rare wanderer; first county record].
Broad-winged Hawk: (1 immature) 14 August (Randy Pinkston), Salado, Bell County [early arrival or locally-reared?; Smith Point Hawk Watch reported 102 Broad-wings for Aug 12, 13 and 15].
Broad-winged Hawk: (100+) 31 August (Brush Freeman), Shipp lake which crosses Hwy 71 just northeast of Smithville, Bastrop County [uncommon in August, becoming common in September migration].
Broad-winged Hawk: (several flocks of up to 500 in a flock) 21 October (Miguel Mora), College Station, Brazos County [large count for inland migration].
Swainson Hawk migration:
Based on his studies of the radar and satellite imagery of weather on 7 October, Chuck
Sexton predicted a major Swainson's Hawk migration. He stated, "Due to the widespread
(mostly light) rains across not only South Texas but also much of the Hill Country for the
past two days, I think the main push of Swainson's Hawks was stilled blocked as of
yesterday afternoon. Moreover, the satellite imagery shows a swath of relatively mild
weather (without rain) across the upper half of Texas from the Midland/Odessa area across
through Abilene to Dallas/Ft.Worth and thence n.e. Texas. Especially to the west, this is
where the Swainson's Hawks are likely lurking. The latest radar image from 5:15 a.m. this
morning (40 minutes ago as I write this) still shows widespread light to moderate rain
across the entire Texas Hill Country, stopping short of the Abilene area. If/when this
rain lets up today or tomorrow and clearing begins from the north, then the dam will burst
and the annual early October Swainson's Hawk migration will push south."
Swainson's Hawk: (1 light morph adult) 7 August (Karl Kosciuch), Bypass 6 and
University Dr., College Station, Brazos County [early migrant]
Swainson's Hawk: (50-70) 5 October (Don & Pam Moes); (2000-2500) 6 October (John
Muldrow); (350) 8 October (E. G. White-Swift); (1250) 8 October (Bobby Valentine),
McLennan and Coryell Counties [large numbers].
Swainson's Hawk: (1600, including 2 dark morph and 1 intermediate) 7 October (Chris
Merkord, Tim Fennell), Granger area, Williamson County [large count].
Swainson's Hawk: (450) 9 October (Peter Barnes), Richland Creek WMA, Freestone County.
Swainson's Hawk: (246) 9 October (Tim Fennell), Granger area, Williamson County.
fide E. G. White-Swift, Waco RBA, on 12 October, "The last few days have been one of
the best birding periods in the Waco area in recent memory. A broad cold front that
dropped local temperatures by 30 degrees last Wednesday was accompanied by strong
northerly winds. Just to the south of Waco bands of cold rain formed a barrier for
migrants resulting in an incredible fallout of birds in Central Texas. I've received a
barrage of daily reports of unusual birds from observers willing to brave a few hours of
cold winds. This was also the weekend for Swainson's Hawks in Central Texas."
Red-tailed Hawk (dark morph of Western race): (1) 24 September (Susan and Don Schaezler), their property .5 mile from Comal County and 2 miles from Bexar County near New Braunfels, Guadalupe County [this race usually doesn't show up this far east].
Red-tailed Hawk (Krider's): (1) 18 October (Darrell Vollert), Chappell Hill, Washington County [uncommon].
Harlan's (Red-tailed) Hawk: (1) 24 October (Truman Powell), Bullard, Smith/Cherokee Counties [return of Harlan's for past several years].
Harlan's (Red-tailed) Hawk: (1, plus many other very dark Red-tailed Hawks) 26 November (Truman Powell), north of Trinidad, Henderson County [rare form].
Harlan's (Red-tailed) Hawk: (1) 22 November (Daniel Peak), near CR 359 and 971, Granger area, Williamson County [occasional].
Ferruginous Hawk: (1) 21 November (Truman Powell), intersection of Hwy 80 and Hwy 155, Upshur County [rare in Northeast Texas].
Rough-legged Hawk: (1) 26 November (Truman Powell), north of Trinidad, Henderson County [occasional].
Crested Caracara: (1) 7 and 15 October (Peter Barnes), Richland Creek WMA, Freestone County [north of normal range].
Crested Caracara: (1) 11 November (Jim Anding), Hwy 21 and Navasota River, Brazos County [somewhat north of normal range].
Crested Caracara: (1) 2 December (Sheridan Coffey and Fort Worth Audubon Society field trip), Alcoa Lake, Milam County [occasional].
American Kestrels were more numerous this fall than usual:
American Kestrel: (1 female) 2-3 August (Betty Vermeire), Wellborn and F&B Roads,
College Station, Brazos County [early arrival].
American Kestrel: (1) 13 August (Gary Fritcher), Lee County [early arrival].
American Kestrel: (high numbers) 7-8 October (fide E. G. White-Swift), McLennan County [E.
G. writes, "American Kestrels were everywhere this weekend in much higher numbers
than normal winter populations."].
American Kestrel: (50+) 9 October (Tim Fennell), Granger area, Williamson County [high
count].
Merlin: (1) 16 September (Jesse Fagan, David Wolf, Pineywoods Audubon field trip), Attoyac channel off Townsend Park, San Augustine County [earliest fall record of rare migrant].
Merlin: (1) 5 November (Randy Pinkston) Union Grove area on south shore of Stillhouse Hollow Lake, Bell County [rare migrant].
Merlin: (1 female or immature) 2 December (Tim Fennell), Granger area, Williamson County [rare in winter].
Peregrine Falcon sightings are on the increase:
Peregrine Falcon: (1) 15 September (Eddie Ray, Guy Luneau), Texas Eastman in Longview,
Harrison County.
Peregrine Falcon: (1) 17 September (Chris Merkord), Mary Lane just south of OSR, Brazos
County.
Peregrine Falcon: (1 juvenile) 20 September (David Wolf, Robert Truss), TX 147 bridge over
Sam Rayburn Reservoir, connecting San Augustine and Angelina Counties.
Peregrine Falcon: (1) 1 October (Tim Fennell), Granger area, Williamson County.
Peregrine Falcon: (1) 7 October (Frank Bumgardner, John Muldrow), Lake Waco, McLennan
County.
Peregrine Falcon: (1) 16 October (Darrell Vollert), Chappell Hill subdivision, Chappell
Hill, Washington County.
Peregrine Falcon: (1) 22 October (Randy Pinkston), Union Grove Wildlife Area, Stillhouse
Hollow Lake, Bell County.
Peregrine Falcon: (1 adult unsuccessfully pursuing a Franklin's Gull) 4 November (Tim
Fennell), on CR360 near Granger Lake, Williamson County.
Peregrine Falcon: (1 adult) 1 December (Chris Merkord, Jennifer Reidy), Texas A&M
University campus, College Station, Brazos County.
Wild Turkeys were extirpated from the Brazos Valley in the early
1880s. They were reintroduced in 1940s and were reported in the wild in northern Brazos
County in the late 40s and early 50s. Their numbers declined until the last record on 5
Dec 1976. Subsequent releases have resulted in several sightings in Lee County in the 80s
and 90s, but few others. One was heard in Grimes County in 1993 and a hen was observed in
Brazos County in 1998 and two were seen in Washington County that same year. In 1999,
Darrell Vollert found Wild Turkeys twice along the Brazos River in Washington County, our
only records for that year. This fall, David Phalen saw one cross Yegua Creek between
Caldwell and Hwy 21, Burleson County. Taylor Moore commented that he has seen Wild Turkeys
where Moore Farms borders the Brazos River in south Brazos County. The first time was in
the spring of 1997, followed by 3 or 4 times periodically since then, the last being the
spring of 2000. On 9 December, Jeffrey Musser heard one off Leonard Road near the Brazos
River, Brazos County.
Wild Turkey: (1) sometime in October (David Phalen), Yegua Creek between Caldwell and Hwy
21, Burleson County [extirpated, then reintroduced; still rare].
Ring-necked Pheasant: (1 female) 29 August (Terry Thomas), Rock Prairie Road near Carter Lake [probable escapee; Terry also saw the bird earlier in the year. Mike Carlow heard one about 1 mile from this location on April 29 and his wife Marea saw a male pheasant on May 7].
Black Rail: (1) 12 October (Barry Boyd), pond at the 11th green on Texas A&M University golf course, College Station, Brazos [extremely rare inland, first county record, first area record. Black Rail is not listed on any of the following inland area checklists: Central Brazos Valley, McLennan County, Bell County, Austin (60-mi. radius), Attwater Prairie Chicken NWR, Colorado County, Texas South Plains and 5 other checklists further west. According to Pulich, there are a few old records (1950s-70s) in the Panhandle, but none in other parts of North Central Texas. The 3rd Edition of the Checklist of the Birds of Texas describes Black Rail as, "Rare migrant in eastern third of state; noted in fall from Bailey Co. (Muleshoe NWR); no records for the forested region of eastern Texas. Rare to locally uncommon resident on the upper and central coasts ..."].
Virginia Rail or possibly Sora: (1) 11 October (Ellen Ratoosh, Chuck Hamilton), Emerald Forest subdivision, College Station, Brazos County [Virginia Rail is rare; Sora is uncommon].
Virginia Rail: (1) 4 November (Barbara Cavin), Longview, Gregg County [rare].
Sora: (1) 23 September (Peter Barnes), one dead in parking lot near mudflats of east Lake Tyler, Smith County; (1) 25 October (Peter Barnes, Eric Barnes), Old Sabine Bottom WMA, Smith County [rare in county].
Purple Gallinule: (2 adults, 3 chicks as large as the adults), 26 August (Truman Powell), Gus Engling WMA, Anderson County [rare].
Purple Gallinule: (2 adults and 1 juvenile) 26 August (Nancy Bird, Louis Debetaz, Charles Kent, Jack Windsor, Jesse Fagan, Claudia De La Cruz), Kurth Lake area, Angelina County [rare; a first county record occurred in a different Kurth Lake location on 30 June].
American Coot (albinistic): (1) 5 November (Randy Pinkston), Stillhouse Hollow Lake, Bell County [very rare; described as "mostly white except for dark slate around the base of bill, dark flight feathers, and small patches of slate scattered in the body plumage. Its bill was the right shape but flesh or pink-colored instead of white."]
Sandhill Crane: (11) 17 September (Brush Freeman), Utley, Bastrop County [early arrival].
Crane species: (2) 21 September (John O'Neil), Hwy 105, 1 mile east of Sour Lake, Hardin County [very rare in East Texas and very early arrival date].
Sandhill Crane: (500+) 7 October (Bill Elsik), Cypress Island, Burleson County [somewhat early arrival].
Sandhill Crane: (136) 9 October (Tim Fennell), Granger area, Williamson County [somewhat early arrival].
Sandhill Crane: (2 adults, 1 immature) 5 November (Randy Pinkston) Union Grove area on south shore of Stillhouse Hollow Lake, Bell County [occasional].
Sandhill Crane: (1) 10 November (Jerri Kerr and others on the TOS Field Trip lead by Eddie Ray at TOS Longview Fall Meeting), Texas Eastman at Longview, Gregg County [rare in East Texas Pineywoods].
Black-bellied Plover: ("well represented") 19 August to 10 September (Randy Pinkston), Union Grove Wildlife Area, Stillhouse Hollow Lake, Bell County [occasional on Bell County checklist, a few times during a season].
Black-bellied Plover: (2 juveniles) 22 November (Daniel Peak), CR252 and Alligator Rd., Williamson County [very late; some other late sightings in the database are: 10 Nov 91, 30 Oct 99, 28 Oct 71, 27 Oct 90, 24 Oct 99, 22 Oct 00. 21 Oct 89, 20 Oct 72].
American Golden Plover: (1) 9 October (Tim Fennell), corn stubble field on north side of Granger Lake, Williamson County [rare fall migrant].
Snowy Plover: (2) 31 August (Brush Freeman), Shipp lake which crosses Hwy 71 just northeast of Smithville, Bastrop County [rare].
Snowy Plover: (3) 2 September; (1) 5 November (Randy Pinkston), Union Grove Wildlife Area, Stillhouse Hollow Lake, Bell County [not listed as a fall migrant on the 1998 Bell County checklist; Randy states, "Few records for Bell County"].
Snowy Plover: (1) 5 November (Randy Pinkston) Union Grove area on south shore of Stillhouse Hollow Lake, Bell County [rare migrant; not listed in fall on 1998 Bell County checklist].
Semipalmated Plover: (1) 21 and 23 September; (1-3) 14-24 October (Peter Barnes), Lake Tyler East, Smith County [rare migrant].
Piping Plover: (1 juvenile) 30 August (David Wolf, Robert Truss), TX 147 bridge over Sam Rayburn Reservoir, San Augustine County [very rare migrant and first record in many years; marked with a red flag or band].
Piping Plover: (1) 11 September (Guy Luneau), Texas Eastman in Longview, Harrison County; (1) 23 and 28 September (Matt White), Cooper Lake, Delta County [very rare migrant].
Mountain Plovers are rare in the Central Prairie, but fairly common in the stubble
fields of the Blackland Prairies of the Granger area in Williamson County. This falls
sightings include:
Mountain Plover: (6) 4 October (Brush Freeman), CR 157 [first fall observation; earliest
previous arrival date was 10 October].
Mountain Plover: (1-5) 9 October (Tim Fennell), south of farmhouse in plowed field of
sorghum and/or corn stubble on the east side of CR 345.
Mountain Plover: (4) 9 October (Tim Fennell), in flight over fields north of Granger Lake.
Mountain Plover: (7+) 20 October and (18) 22 October (Tim Fennell, Mark Adams), in the
"megafield "of sorghum and/or corn stubble bounded by Alligator Road on the
north, CR 352 on the east and CR 353 on the south.
Mountain Plover: (8) 27 October (Tim Fennell), on west side of CR346.
Mountain Plover: (2) 27 October (Tim Fennell), on east side of CR345.
Mountain Plover: (2) 29 October (Tim Fennell), Alligator Road "megafield"
northeast of Granger.
Mountain Plover: (4-5) 28 October (Debbie Finch, Ron Haaseth), "megafield"
northeast of Granger.
Mountain Plover: (6-7) 28 October (Debbie Finch, Ron Haaseth), at CR360 curve.
Mountain Plover: (11) 4 November (Tim Fennell), east side of CR345, 1.3 miles S of
CR345/CR347 intersection.
Mountain Plover: (61) 4 November (Tim Fennell), north side of FM 971, .5 mile west of
FM971/ CR358 intersection.
Mountain Plover: (22) 19 November (Tim Fennell), east side of CR345, 1.1-1.7 south of
CR345/CR346 intersection.
Mountain Plover: (20) 22 November (Chris Harrison), along CR 345, 1.2 miles south of the
CR 346 junction; (small group) on CR 347, just behind a small shallow pool that has formed
on the west side of the road just south of 346.
Mountain Plover: (8) 2 December (Tim Fennell), on north side of CR 124, .4 mile west of
HWY 95. "This is the first time I have seen them on the west side of HWY 95 in a
couple of years. CR 124 is labeled CR 338 on most maps."
Black-necked Stilt: (20+) 9 September (Tim Fennell, Travis Audubon Society field trip), Ship Lake, a few miles east of Smithville on Hwy 71, Bastrop County [rare inland].
American Avocet: (10) 8 August (Hazel Bluhm), Lakeside Park at Lake O' the Pines, Marion County [uncommon migrant, a bit early].
American Avocet: (21) 7 October (Cheryle Beck, Jane Purtle), Lake Tyler concession area, Smith County; (1) 7 and 14 October (Peter Barnes), Lake Tyler east, Smith County; (1) 20 October and 11 November (Eddie Ray), Texas Eastman in Longview, Gregg County [Peter Barnes reports, "This species is more common in the western portions of north-east Texas, as they are recorded on approximately 75% of field trips to Cooper Lake and Lake Tawakoni in the fall, with a high count of 30 birds at Lake Tawakoni on Oct 16 (Matt White). ... The drought provided mudflats at the edges of Lake Tyler East and Lake Tyler, resulting in the best variety of shorebirds in several years in Smith Co. A total of 19 species were tallied this fall, including 16 in October."].
Solitary Sandpiper: (1) 23 November (Brush Freeman), ranch near Utley, Bastrop County [late migrant].
Willet: (1) 2 September (Randy Pinkston), Union Grove Wildlife Area, Stillhouse Hollow Lake, Bell County [not listed as a fall migrant on the 1998 Bell County checklist].
Willet: (1) 16 September (David Wolf), TX 147 bridge over Sam Rayburn Reservoir, San Augustine County [rare migrant].
Willet: (1) 23-30 September (Peter Barnes); 1 October (Ron Gutberlet, Carol Gutberlet), Lake Tyler concession area, Smith County [rare inland].
Spotted Sandpiper: (1) 8 August (Darrell Vollert), Chappell Hill Subdivision, Washington County [few August records in Central Brazos Valley].
Upland Sandpipers were included in an unusually large number of reports (35)
from 2 August to 11 October in Angelina, Washington, Williamson, Bell, Burleson, Brazos,
Milam and Karnes Counties. Here are the highest counts and latest sightings:
Upland Sandpiper: (64) 6 August (Tim Fennell), Granger Lake Area, Williamson County.
Upland Sandpiper: (133+) 27 August (Brush Freeman, Tim Fennell), Granger Lake area,
Williamson County [unusually large number; Tim comments, "probably 1000's in the
fields around the lake as this count was not the result of any concentrated
effort."].
Upland Sandpiper: (large numbers) 28 August (Brush Freeman), Alum Creek and Buescher State
Park area, Bastrop County.
Upland Sandpiper: (170+) 31 August (Brush Freeman), Shipp lake which crosses Hwy 71 just
northeast of Smithville, Bastrop County.
Upland Sandpiper: (100+) 3 September (Tim Fennell, Karl Koscuich), Granger area,
Williamson County [Tim's comment, "100+ in the fields around lake, most likely 1000+
from how easily seen and all the calls heard"].
Upland Sandpiper: (1) 16 September (Louis Debetaz, Jack Windsor), Ryan and Allen lakes
between Diboll and Lufkin, Angelina County.
Upland Sandpiper: (2) 6 October (Willie Sekula), Falls City, Karnes County [late migrant].
Upland Sandpiper: (2) 11 October (Tim Fennell), FM1466 east of Coupland, Williamson County
[late migrant].
Long-billed Curlew: (1) 8 August (David Phalen), Hwy 21 just east of Caldwell, Burleson County [rare and irregular wanderer through Burleson and surrounding counties; third county record; last sighting was in 1987].
Marbled Godwit: (1) 2 September (Randy Pinkston), Union Grove Wildlife Area, Stillhouse Hollow Lake, Bell County [probable first county record; Randy states, "the first county record in at least ten years."].
Ruddy Turnstone: (1) 2 September (Randy Pinkston), Union Grove Wildlife Area, Stillhouse Hollow Lake, Bell County [second county record].
Ruddy Turnstone: (1) 22 September (David Wolf, Jesse Fagan), TX 147 bridge over Sam Rayburn Reservoir, San Augustine County [rare migrant].
Red Knot: (1) 8 September (David Wolf, Robert Truss), sandy island off Townsend Park in Angelina National Forest off Sam Rayburn Reservoir, San Augustine County [very rare migrant; first record since 1980; three previous records are all in September also].
Sanderling: (2) 30 August (David Wolf, Robert Truss); (17) 22 September and (1) 18 October (David Wolf, Jesse Fagan), TX 147 bridge over Sam Rayburn Reservoir, Angelina County [occasional migrant; more sightings than normal perhaps because Lake Rayburn was very low with sandy shoreline exposed].
Sanderling: (1) 13 September (Mike Dillon), Lake Wright Patman, Bowie County [uncommon fall migrant at this lake].
Sanderling: (4) 26 September (Tim Fennell), Willis Creek Park at Granger Lake, Williamson County [rare migrant].
Sanderling: (1) 10 November (TOS Field Trip lead by Ray Berry during TOS Longview Fall Meeting), Lake O' the Pines, Marion County [late migrant].
Semipalmated Sandpiper: (1) 6 August (Tim Fennell); (3) 19 August (Randy Pinkston), Sore Finger Wildlife Area, Granger Lake, Williamson County [rare fall migrant].
Semipalmated Sandpiper: (1) 13 August (Tim Fennell); (1) 19 August (Randy Pinkston), Willis Creek Park, Granger Lake, Williamson County [rare fall migrant].
Semipalmated Sandpiper: (2) 27 August and (1) 4 September (Randy Pinkston), Union Grove WMA, Stillhouse Hollow Lake, Bell County [not on the Bell County checklist for fall].
Western Sandpiper: (30) 27 August and (9) 2 September and (1) 5 November (Randy Pinkston), Union Grove WMA, Stillhouse Hollow Lake, Bell County [seen/reported only a few times each season in Bell County].
Baird's Sandpiper: (20+) 27 August (Randy Pinkston), Union Grove WMA, Stillhouse Hollow Lake, Bell County [seen only a few times each season in Bell County; in his quarterly report, Randy writes, "Above average numbers this year with a peak of 20+ at UGWA Aug 27. ... Shorebirding in Bell County was of unprecedented quality and quantity in my seven years here, undoubtedly the result of low lake levels creating expansive mudflats."].
Pectoral Sandpiper: (20) 6 August (Tim Fennell), Granger Lake, Williamson County [early migrant].
Pectoral Sandpiper: (5) 7 August (Gary Fritcher), Burleson County [early migrant].
Pectoral Sandpiper: (1) 13 August and (2) 27 August (Randy Pinkston), Union Grove WMA, Stillhouse Hollow Lake, Bell County [seen only a few times each season in Bell County].
Dunlin: (1) 26 September (Brush Freeman), Willis Creek Park at Granger Lake, Williamson County [rare inland].
Dunlin: (1) 18 October (David Wolf, Jesse Fagan), Texas 103 bridge over Sam Rayburn Reservoir, Attoyac Bayou, Nacogdoches County [rare].
Dunlin: (1) 22 October (David Wolf, Mimi Hoppe Wolf, Jesse Fagan); (3) 29 October (David Wolf, Mimi Hoppe Wolf, Jesse Fagan, Brian Gibbons), Texas 147 bridge over Sam Rayburn Reservoir, San Augustine County [rare].
Dunlin: (3) 27 October; (3) 5 November (Randy Pinkston) Union Grove Wildlife Area on south shore of Stillhouse Hollow Lake, Bell County [rare migrant; very few county records].
Stilt Sandpiper: (1) 20 September (Jason Pike), Martin Creek Lake, Panola/Rusk Counties [not listed on the Martin Creek State Park checklist, but uncommon in Northeast Texas].
Stilt Sandpiper: (1) 4 November (Tim Fennell), Granger area, Williamson County [late and fairly rare migrant]
Peter Barnes in NETFO News writes, "Shorebird migration was most notable for unusual numbers of Buff-breasted Sandpipers."
Buff-breasted Sandpiper: (80-100+) 9-11 August (Eddie Ray, Guy Luneau), Sabine Mining, south of Hallsville, Harrison County [large number; uncommon migrant].
Buff-breasted Sandpiper: (34) 27 August and (37) 2 September and (49) 10 September (Randy Pinkston), Union Grove Wildlife Area, Stillhouse Hollow Lake, Bell County [occasional on Bell County checklist, a few times during a season].
Buff-breasted Sandpiper: (~180) 31 August (Brush Freeman), Bastrop County [occasional or uncommon migrant; large count].
Buff-breasted Sandpiper: (15-45) 8-12 September (Eddie Ray), south of Hallsville, Harrison County.
Buff-breasted Sandpiper: (1) 9 September; (2) 14 September; (3) 16 September; (3-4) 25 September; (1) 30 September (Peter Barnes, Ron Gutberlet), Lake Tyler East mudflats, Smith County.
Buff-breasted Sandpiper: (1) 16 September (Louis Debetaz, Jack Windsor), Ryan and Allen lakes between Diboll and Lufkin, Angelina County.
Buff-breasted Sandpiper: (1) 29 October (Tim Fennell), Alligator Road "megafield" northeast of Granger, Williamson County [late migrant].
Short-billed Dowitcher: (1) 9 August (Eddie Ray, Guy Luneau), Texas Eastman in Longview, Harrison County [rare].
Dowitcher sp., probably Long-billed: (1) 8 August (Peter Barnes), Lake Tyler concession area, Smith County [rare migrant, particularly in August].
Long-billed Dowitcher: (2 adults) 2-3 September (Randy Pinkston), Union Grove Wildlife Area, Stillhouse Hollow Lake, Bell County [first reported as short-billed which would have been a first county record, later revised to more long-billed which is rare on the Bell County checklist].
Long-billed Dowitcher: (1) 10 September; (80) 27 October (Randy Pinkston), Union Grove Wildlife Area, Stillhouse Hollow Lake, Bell County [rare on Bell County checklist].
Common Snipe: (1) 10 September (Randy Pinkston), Union Grove Wildlife Area, Stillhouse Hollow Lake, Bell County [early arrival].
American Woodcock: (1) 17 November (Brush Freeman), Bastrop State Park, Bastrop County [occasional].
American Woodcock: (1 male performing courtship flights) 30 November (Guy Luneau, Mike Lovell), Panola County [early date for flights].
Wilson's Phalarope: (1 juvenile) 6 August (Tim Fennell), Sore Finger Wildlife Area, Granger Lake, Williamson County [occasional].
Wilson's Phalarope: (15) 27 August and (3) 2 September (Randy Pinkston), Union Grove WMA, Stillhouse Hollow Lake, Bell County [seen only a few times each season in Bell County].
Wilson's Phalarope: (1) 3 September (Tim Fennell, Karl Kosciuch), Willis Creek Park, Granger Lake, Williamson County [occasional].
Wilson's Phalarope: (1) 9 September (Tim Fennell, Travis Audubon Society field trip), Ship Lake, a few miles east of Smithville on Hwy 71, Bastrop County [occasional].
Laughing Gull: (1) 22 September (Guy Luneau, Eddie Ray), Texas Eastman in Longview, Harrison County [rare].
Franklin's Gull: (1) 20 September (David Wolf, Robert Truss), Townsend Park on Sam Rayburn Reservoir, San Augustine County [early migrant].
Franklin's Gull: (23) 26 September (Brush Freeman), Granger Lake area, Williamson County [somewhat early migrant].
A massive movement of Franklin's Gulls through Texas occurred on 4-5 November:
Franklin's Gull: (3500+) 4 November (Bert Frenz), various locations around Lake
Somerville, Burleson/Washington/Lee Counties; (70) 4 November (Ellen Ratoosh), Emerald
Forest subdivision, College Station, Brazos County; (1800) 4 November (David Phalen),
flying over Texas A&M University campus, Brazos County; (1000+) 4 November (Tim
Fennell), Granger area, Williamson County [mass migration all on same day].
Petra Hockey, commenting on the Calhoun County migration on 5 November, "As other birders across the state have noticed, in the last 48 hours a major movement of Franklin's Gulls has taken place. Starting before sunrise, Franklin's Gulls were moving low over Matagorda Bay in flocks from 50 to 1,500 birds. They continued all day long and without making any special effort to count either flocks or individuals we were able to come up with at least 7000+ which probably just scratched the surface."
Sabine's Gull: (1 juvenile) 5 October (John Muldrow), Airport Beach Park, Lake Waco, McLennan County [very rare inland; third county record].
Sabine's Gull: (1 immature) 12 October (Brush Freeman), Lake Fayette near Fayetteville, Fayette County [very rare inland].
Sabine's Gull: (2) 4 November (Matt White), Lake Tawakoni, Hunt County [rare].
Black-headed Gull: (1) 18 and 26 November (Matt White, Peter Barnes), Cooper Lake, Delta County [returning for the sixth winter at Cooper Lake].
Caspian Tern: (2) 17 September (Peter Barnes), Lake Tyler concession area, Smith County; (1) 3 and 5 November (Guy Luneau, Eddie Ray), Texas Eastman in Longview, Gregg County [uncommon].
Caspian Tern: (1) 26 September (Brush Freeman), Alcoa Lake, Milam County [rare in Central Brazos Valley].
Least Tern: (2) 30 August (fide David Wolf), TX 147 bridge over Sam Rayburn Reservoir connecting San Augustine and Angelina Counties [occasional migrant].
Black Tern: (1) 25-27 November (Frank Bumgardner, John Muldrow), Tradinghouse Creek Lake, McLennan County [late migrant].
Eurasian Collared-Dove: (2) 27 August (Randy Pinkston), Union Grove WMA, Stillhouse Hollow Lake, Bell County [not listed on the Bell County checklist].
Eurasian Collared-Dove: (1) 8 September (Jesse Fagan, Claudia de la Cruz), Nacogdoches, Nacogdoches County; (2) 11 September; (1) 24 September (Louis Debetaz), different spots in Lufkin, Angelina County; (4) 17 November (Nancy Bird), Lufkin Mall, Angelina County; (16) 20 November (Mimi Hoppe Wolf), Central Heights, Nacogdoches County, [recent invader; these and other sightings by Nancy Bird and Jesse Fagan in other areas show the spread of this species in Nacogdoches and Angelina Counties].
White-winged Dove: (1) 7 October (Peter Barnes), Richland Creek WMA, Freestone County [first county record].
Inca Dove: (2) 16 September (Louis Debetaz, Jack Windsor), Ryan and Allen lakes between Diboll and Lufkin, Angelina County; (1) 11 November, Cherokee Lake, Rusk County [uncommon].
Common Ground-Dove: (1) 15 October (Chuck Hamilton), Raintree subdivision, College Station, Brazos County [rare in Brazos County].
Greater Roadrunner: (1) 24 and 31 August (Dorothy Metzler), Caddo Lake, Harrison County [rare in East Texas].
Greater Roadrunner: (1) 26 November (Truman Powell), north of Trinidad, Henderson County [occasional].
Burrowing Owl: (2) 15 November (Tim Fennell); (2) 16 November (Tim Fennell, Jeffrey Hanson); (1) 19 November (Tim Fennell); (2) 21 November; (2-3) 26 November (Tim Fennell, Sheila Hargis, the Rochet's); (2) 27 November (Tim Fennell); (2) 28 November (Tim Fennell, Mike Creese); (3, all hover hunting at once) 30 November (Tim Fennell); (1-2) continuing into winter (Tim Fennell), CR110 in east Round Rock, Williamson County [rare; probably same owls that wintered there last year].
Burrowing Owl: (1) 14 November (fide Central Texas Audubon Society meeting), hit window at Pier 1 Imports, Waco, McLennan County; (1) similar timeframe, at Speegleville Park, Waco, McLennan County [rare].
Burrowing Owl: (1) 19 November (Tim Fennell, Scott Brandes, Toby Hibbitts); 21 November (Bob Doe); (1) 2 December and thereafter (Tim Fennell), concrete slabs on the north side of FM971, about 0.8 mile w of CR358, Williamson County [rare; probably same individual that wintered there last year; nicknamed "Rebar" by Tim Fennell and photographed by him].
Short-eared Owl: (1) 14 October (Chris Merkord); Welch Park, Lake Somerville, Burleson County [rare and early].
Short-eared Owl: (2-3) 12 and 19 November (Eddie Ray, Guy Luneau, David Weaver), Sabine Mining, Harrison County [rare].
Short-eared Owl: (1) 16 November (Tim Fennell); 21 November (Tim Fennell, Mike Creese); 13 December and thereafter (Tim Fennell), CR110 in east Round Rock, Williamson County [occasional in fall, uncommon in winter; known to winter at this spot in past years].
Short-eared Owl: (1) 25 November (Kristin White, Matt White), Celeste, Hunt County [rare].
The previous late date for Common Nighthawk was 18 October in the
Brazos Valley. The previous late date for Waco (McLennan County) was 24 October. Similar
late dates hold for North Central Texas. This season we have had 10 reports from 24
October to 6 November that meet or exceed the prior record.
Common Nighthawk: (1) 30 August (David Brotherton, Sarah Brotherton), Morris County [rare
summer and fall in East Texas]
Common Nighthawk: (1) 24 October (Mike Manson), College Hills subdivision, College
Station, Brazos County.
Common Nighthawk: (4) 26 October (Ellen Ratoosh), Emerald Forest subdivision, College
Station, Brazos County.
Common Nighthawk: (1) 26 October (Randy Pinkston), Salado, Bell County.
Common Nighthawk: (12) 27 October (Grant Critchfield), Temple High School football
stadium, Temple, Bell County.
Common Nighthawk: (1) 28 October (Ellen Ratoosh), Emerald Forest subdivision, College
Station, Brazos County.
Common Nighthawk: (1-2 heard) 30 October (Mike Manson, Lily Bartoszek), Post Oak Mall,
College Station, Brazos County.
Common Nighthawk: (1) 4 November (Darrell Vollert), Brookshire Brothers parking lot in
Navasota, Grimes County.
Common Nighthawk: (5+) 4 November (Mary Dabney Wilson), near Villa Maria and Texas Ave,
Bryan, Brazos County.
Common Nighthawk: (6+) 4 November (David Phalen), Hensel Park, College Station, Brazos
County.
Common Nighthawk: (1) 5 November (Mary Bhuthimethee, Heather Mathewson, Karl Kosciuch)
Texas A&M University campus, College Station, Brazos County.
Common Nighthawk: (1) 5 November (Ellen Ratoosh), Emerald Forest subdivision, College
Station, Brazos County.
Common Nighthawk: (1) 6 November (Chris Merkord), over Academic Building on Texas A&M
University campus, College Station, Brazos County.
Common Nighthawk: (2) 6 November (Louis DeBetaz), AzaleaTrail, Lufkin, Angelina County.
Common Poorwill: (1) 28 November to 2 December (fide Tim Fennell), inside Walmart on I-35, Georgetown, Williamson County [out of season]. "Continuing the recent thread on I-35 sightings of Common Poorwills, I was at a Wildlife Rescue holiday party in Austin yesterday when one of the rehabbers pulled out at a Common Poorwill. It had been turned into him on Saturday 12/2 from the Walmart on I-35 in Georgetown. Apparently, it had been present IN the store (taking advantage of the low prices no doubt!) for the 4-5 days previous to its capture. The rehabber said it seemed to be doing fine and would be released this week. I was able to get several pictures with my digital camera of various views of the bird (ones I've certainly never seen in the wild!)"
Caprimulgus species, probably Chuck-will's Widow: (2) 3 September (Tim Fennell, Karl Koscuich) San Gabriel River at CR347 near Granger, Williamson County [common breeder, but rarely reported in fall].
Chimney Swift: (1574) 16 October (Chuck Sexton), roost behind the Jones & Carter Realty office in Jonestown on CR1431, Williamson County [high count].
Chimney Swift: (50) 27 October (Grant Critchfield), Temple, Bell County [late migrant].
Chimney Swift: (3) 28 October (Mike Manson), College Station, Brazos County [late migrant].
Chimney Swift: (1) 2 November (Georgette Guernsey), Crown Colony, Nacogdoches County; (1) 5 November (Ron Gutberlet), University of Texas at Tyler, Smith County [late departure].
Chimney Swift: (8) 6 November (Scott Brandes), Brison Park, College Station, Brazos County [late departure; only three prior later Brazos Valley records 1 Nov 98, 1 Nov 65 and in Mexia 8 Nov 94].
Cypseloides swift, perhaps Chestnut-collared Swift: (1) 12 November 2000 (identified and reported by P. D. Hulce, also observed by John Bregar, Stuart Marcus, Glenn Ray, Mike and Melissa Worthington), Trinity River National Wildlife Refuge, Liberty County [no prior U.S. records; no photograph or specimen, but well documented].
Buff-bellied Hummingbird: (2) 1 August (Marcia Effinger), Chappell Hill, Washington County [still rare in area, but one to two have been present at this backyard feeder for three years in a row].
Buff-bellied Hummingbird: (1) 20-27 August (Darrell Vollert), his feeder's, Chappell Hill, Washington County [rare; new location].
Buff-bellied Hummingbird: (1) 29 August (Marcia Effinger, Darrell Vollert, Martha and Habib Rahman), Effinger's yard, Chappell Hill, Washington County [rare].
Buff-bellied Hummingbird: (1) 9 September (Marcia Effinger), Chappell Hill, Washington County [last sighting for the season].
Ruby-throated and Black-chinned Hummingbirds: (100) 15 August (Carolyn Haluska), her yard in Waco, McLennan County [Carolyn notes, "August 15 was our record day when about 100 were fighting for the feeders. I have 30 feeders up and change the solution every other day. Mostly seeing females and immatures of Ruby-throated and Black-chinned Hummingbirds."]
Ruby-throated Hummingbird: (1 in torpor) 14 September (Marcia Effinger), Chappell Hill, Washington County [unusual behavior reported by Marcia, "Thursday I came home in a driving rain and saw a male Ruby-throated Hummingbird in 'torpor' (?) . I couldn't believe it. I was worried and wanted to go out in the rain and lightning to 'save' it but I know nature knows best. It was sitting on the feeder in the rain and wind with its head and bill up. It sat frozen in a trance for at least 20 - 30 minutes. Just as the rain slowed down several birds came back to the feeder in the shower. They were fighting and winging around the "frozen" bird. He finally stretched his wings and the next time I looked he was gone. I have video of him in the trance with other birds feeding around him. It was an interesting sight. I have heard of torpor but have never seen it in real life- just on TV."]
Ruby-throated Hummingbird: (1 immature with bill deformity) 21-24 October; (1 immature with ratty plumage) 31 October to 4 November (Ellen Ratoosh), Emerald Forest subdivision, College Station, Brazos County [late migrants].
Ruby-throated Hummingbird: (1 female), 27 October to 3 November (Gail Cole), Brenham, Washington County [late migrant].
Ruby-throated Hummingbird: (1 female) 30 October; (2 hummingbirds) ~12-13 November (Fred and Mary Brandt), Chappell Hill subdivision, Washington County [late migrant].
Ruby-throated Hummingbird: (1 male) 17 November (Jerry Wicker), south Nacogdoches County [late migrant].
Calliope Hummingbird: (1 immature male) 6-16 October (Chuck Ely), his backyard in Nacogdoches, Nacogdoches County [new county record and new record for Pineywoods; banded].
Calliope Hummingbird: (1 female) 25 October (Matt White), his backyard in Commerce, Hunt County [new county record; photographed].
Rufous Hummingbirds are becoming increasingly common in the fall and winter in the
Central Prairie:
Rufous Hummingbird: (2) 20 July to at least 11 October (Barnard's), Gatesville, Coryell
County [consistent winter visitor at these feeders].
Rufous Hummingbird: (1) 10 August (Brush Freeman), Utley, Bastrop County [early arrival or
migrant].
Rufous Hummingbird: (1 adult male) 13 August through end of season; (1 immature male)
21-24 September (Gail Cole), Walnut Hill Street, Brenham, Washington County [early
arrival; rare in 10-county area but locally consistent winter visitor].
Rufous Hummingbird: (1 immature male) 28 August (Georgette Guernsey), Crown Colony,
Lufkin, Angelina County [rare visitant].
Selasphorus sp., probably Rufous Hummingbird: (1 female or immature) 8-27 October (Joan
Dziezyc), Wellborn area, College Station, Brazos County [rare].
Rufous Hummingbird: (1) 23 September to at least 11 October (fide E. G. White-Swift),
Waco, McLennan County [E.G. states, "Once a rare migrant visitor, this species is now
becoming a rare but regular winter visitor in the county."].
Selasphorus (probably Rufous) hummingbird: (1) 10 October and 12 October (Georgette
Guernsey), Crown Colony, Lufkin, Angelina County [rare visitant].
Selasphorus sp., probably Rufous Hummingbird: (1 female or immature) 18 October (Ellen
Ratoosh), Emerald Forest subdivision, College Station, Brazos County [rare].
Rufous Hummingbird: (1 immature male) 20 October to 22 November (Ginger Stuessy), College
Station, Brazos County [rare].
Rufous Hummingbird: (1 male) 13 November through end of season (Darlene Henderson), her
feeder in north Bryan, Brazos County [rare].
Selasphorus sp., probably Rufous Hummingbird: (1 female) 15 November through end of season
(Leigh Sanders), northeast of Bastrop, Bastrop County [rare].
Rufous Hummingbird: (1 first winter male) 3-16 December (Ellen Ratoosh), Emerald Forest
subdivision, College Station, Brazos County.
Red-headed Woodpecker: (1 immature) 18-24 September (Shirley Wilkerson), Kurten, Brazos County [increasingly uncommon in the Brazos Valley; only report this year so far].
Ladder-backed Woodpecker (?): (1 male, 1 female), 9 November (John Hoogerheide), Caddo WMA, Marion County [this sighting is doubted, not so much by the details provided but by the extreme unlikelihood that it could occur in East Texas, far a field from its central and southern Texas habitat; some reviewers have speculated that it might have been Red-cockaded Woodpeckers].
Hairy Woodpecker: (1) 28 August (Brush Freeman); (1) 11 September (Chris Merkord), Alum Creek and Buescher State Park area; (1) 23 November (Brush Freeman), McKinney Roughs, Bastrop County [status?].
Hairy Woodpecker: (1) 14 October and (2, by call) 7 December (Chris Merkord), waste water treatment plant on White Rock Rd, Brazos County [rare].
Red-cockaded Woodpecker: (1) 24 November (Deloris Duncan Sellin), off McNiel Road (south and west of Hwy 49 between Lassater and Avinger), in northwest Marion County [rare; no recent records in this area].
Red-cockaded Woodpecker: (2 family groups observed feeding, 1 group heard) 25 November (Jeffrey Hanson), Jones State Forest, Montgomery County [rare in region, but locally common at this location].
Olive-sided Flycatcher: (1) 28 August (Brush Freeman), Alum Creek and Buescher State Park area, Bastrop County [occasional fall migrant].
Olive-sided Flycatcher: (1) 2 September (Georgette Guernsey, Louis Debetaz, Nancy Bird, Charles Kent), Ryan Lake, south of Lufkin, Angelina County [rare migrant].
Olive-sided Flycatcher: (2) 12 and 15 September (Peter Barnes), UT Health Center at Tyler, Smith County [rare migrant].
Eastern Wood-Pewee: (adults feeding 2 recently fledged juveniles) 23 August (Guy Luneau, Scott Luneau), Rusk County [rarely documented breeder in Northeast Texas].
Eastern Wood-Pewee: (1) 5 November (Derek Muscalek, Willie Sekula), Adanal Ranch Bed & Breakfast, Karnes County [late departure].
Eastern Wood-Pewee: (1) 25 November (Cliff Shackelford), Village Creek State Park near Lumberton, Hardin County; (1) 26 November (Cliff Shackelford), Sabine Woods, Jefferson County [very late; although fairly common in fall, they are extremely rare in winter in Southeast Texas].
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher: (2) 28 August (Brush Freeman), Alum Creek and Buescher State Park area, Bastrop County [rarely identified to species, but probably uncommon].
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher: (1) 2 September (Randy Pinkston), Union Grove Wildlife Area, Stillhouse Hollow Lake, Bell County [rarely identified, but probably uncommon migrant].
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher: (1) 13 September (Randy Pinkston), Lion's Park, Temple, Bell County [species not listed in fall season on Bell County checklist].
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher: (1) 11 October (Darrell Vollert), Chappell Hill, Washington County [late].
Acadian Flycatcher: (1) 2 September; (2) 16 September (Darrell Vollert), Polk's Lake near Chappell Hill, Washington County [rarely identified in fall].
Acadian Flycatcher: (1) 19 September (Darrell Vollert), Brazos River at US290 bridge, Washington County [rarely identified in fall].
Alder Flycatcher: (1) 19 August (Darrell Vollert), Polk's Lake near Chappell Hill, Washington County [rarely identified].
Alder Flycatcher: (5+) 22 August (Darrell Vollert), Brazos River at US290, Washington County [rarely identified].
Alder Flycatcher: (2) 28 August (Brush Freeman), Alum Creek and Buescher State Park area, Bastrop County [rarely identified to species, but probably uncommon].
Willow/Alder Flycatcher: (1) 2 September (Randy Pinkston), Union Grove Wildlife Area, Stillhouse Hollow Lake, Bell County [rarely identified, but probably uncommon migrant].
Willow/Alder Flycatcher: (1) 10 September (NETFO hotline), Richland Creek WMA, Freestone County [rarely identified].
Alder Flycatcher: (1) 10 September (Darrell Vollert), Polk's Lake near Chappell Hill, Washington County [rarely identified].
Alder Flycatcher: (1-2) 14 September (Darrell Vollert), Chappell Hill, Washington County [rarely identified].
Willow Flycatcher: (1-2) 27 August (Tim Fennell, Brush Freeman), Granger area, Williamson County [rarely identified].
Willow Flycatcher: (2+) 2 September (Darrell Vollert), Polk's Lake near Chappell Hill, Washington County [rarely identified].
Willow Flycatcher: (1) 9 September (Darrell Vollert and RBAS Field Trip), New Year's Creek at FR2447, Washington County [rarely identified].
Empidonax flycatcher, perhaps Traill's species: (1) 9 November (Bill Lindemann, Charles & Pat Howell, Jane Crone), Martin Creek State Park, Tatum, Panola County [very late migrant for Pineywoods].
Least Flycatcher: (1) 14 October (Chris Merkord, Toni-Ann Mistretta), Texas A&M University Wastewater Treatment Plant near Easterwood Airport, College Station, Brazos County [late migrant].
Empidonax, probably Least Flycatcher: (1) 17 October (Darrell Vollert), Brenham; (1) 23 October (Darrell Vollert), Chappell Hill, Washington County [late migrants].
Gray Flycatcher: (1) 2-3 September (Carolyn Haluska), her yard, Waco, McLennan County [not on county checklist and not expected in Central Texas, but details support the identification].
Gray Flycatcher: (1) 11 October (Derek Muscalek), 9 miles southeast of Gillett, Karnes County [very rare].
Say's Phoebe: (1 adult) 22 October through end of season (Eddie Ray, Guy Luneau, Scott Luneau, David Weaver, Jason Pike and others), Pleasant Hill Cemetery near Hallsville, Harrison County [one of only about 8 records for East Texas]..
Say's Phoebe: (1) 4 November (Matt White), Delta County [one of only about 8 records for East Texas].
Say's Phoebe: (1) 30 October (Brush Freeman), Utley, Bastrop County [occasional].
Say's Phoebe: (1) 19 November to end of season (Tim Fennell, Scott Brandes, Toby Hibbits), Granger Lake dam, Williamson County [occasional].
Say's Phoebe: (1) 22 November and before (Brush Freeman), CR969 just west of turn to Upper Elgin River Rd, Bastrop County [rare].
Vermilion Flycatcher: (1 immature) 16 September (Derek Muschalek), 11 miles northwest of Yorktown, DeWitt County [occasional in September in Central Texas Coast area].
Vermilion Flycatcher: (1) 23 September (Noreen Baker, Ernest Jasek), northwest corner of Lavaca County [occasional in September in Central Texas Coast, rarer in Central Prairie; this sighting is on the border of these regions].
Vermilion Flycatcher: (1 immature male) 23 November (Richard Kastan), Tejas Camp on very western edge of Lake Georgetown, Williamson County [rare].
Vermilion Flycatcher: (1) 19 November (Brush Freeman), near Shipp Lake, Bastrop County [rare].
Vermilion Flycatcher: (1 male, 1 female) 28 November (Peter Barnes), Richland Creek WMA, Freestone County [probable first county record; rare in Brazos Valley].
Western Kingbird: (1) 27 August (Brush Freeman, Tim Fennell), near Willis Creek, Williamson County [late departure].
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher: (700) 10 October (Brush Freeman), near Elgin, Bastrop County [unusually large number].
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher: (2) 23 November (Brush Freeman), east of horse corral, McKinney Roughs, Bastrop County [late departure].
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher: (1) 23 November (Ruth Heino), Hwy 79, just east of Round Rock, Williamson County [late departure].
Loggerhead Shrike: (adults feeding juveniles) 8-9 August (Guy Luneau, Eddie Ray), Texas Eastman in Longview, Harrison County [rarely documented breeder in Northeast Texas].
White-eyed Vireo: (adult feeding a juvenile) 2 September (Guy Luneau), Rusk County [a common breeder of East Texas, but less often observed carrying for juveniles].
White-eyed Vireo: (1) 10 November (TOS field trip lead by Dorothy Metzler and Robert Metzler), Longhorn/Caddo Lake NWR, Harrison County [late].
White-eyed Vireo: (1) 25 November (Charles Mills, Mike Dillon), Lake Wright Patman, (1) 25 November (Cliff Shackelford), Village Creek State Park, Hardin County [rare in winter].
Fall Yellow-throated Vireos are rare in the Brazos Valley, with only
eight prior records for the season. This year four more were added to the record book:
Yellow-throated Vireo: (1) 14 August (Ellen Ratoosh), College Station, Brazos County.
Yellow-throated Vireo: (1) 19 August (Darrell Vollert), Polk's Lake near Chappell Hill,
Washington County.
Yellow-throated Vireo: (1) 6 October (Darrell Vollert), Harrison St. in Brenham,
Washington County.
Yellow-throated Vireo: (1) 15 October (David Phalen), East Brookside, Bryan, Brazos
County.
Plumbeous Vireo: (1) 14-16 September
(Brush Freeman), Weberville County Park, Bastrop/Travis County line [very rare].
Greg Lasley's comments on 18 September, "Cassin's Vireos are indeed uncommon to rare
migrants in this state, primarily if far west Texas. .... On the other hand, it has been
my experience that the 'other' western member of the old Solitary Vireo complex, the
Plumbeous Vireo, wanders east a little more regularly. Plumbeous Vireos breed in the Davis
and Guadalupe Mountains of Texas (which probably explains their migratory presence in
central Texas occasionally) and can show up a little more far-flung than Cassin's."
Plumbeous or Cassin's Vireo: (1) 25 October (Jesse Fagan); 27 October (Jesse Fagan, David Wolf), near Saint's Rest Church in south Nacogdoches County [could not confirm a solid identification to species, but either one would be a first record for the area].
Blue-headed Vireo: (10-12) 23 November (Brush Freeman), McKinney Roughs, Bastrop County [large count, responding to owl tape].
Warbling Vireo: (1) 2 September (Guy Luneau), Rusk County [rare fall migrant].
Warbling Vireo: (1) 2 and 16 September (Darrell Vollert), Polk's Lake near Chappell Hill, Washington County [few reports in fall migration].
Warbling Vireo: (1) 3 September (Tim Fennell, Karl Kosciuch), Granger area, Williamson County [few reports in fall migration].
Warbling Vireo: (1) 15-16 September (Peter Barnes), UT Health Center at Tyler, Smith County [rare fall migrant].
Philadelphia Vireo: (1) 11 October (Frank Bumgardner, John Muldrow), Lake Waco, McLennan County [first fall record for county].
Red-eyed Vireo: (1-2) various dates between 5 August and 8 October (Darrell Vollert), Polk's Lake near Chappell Hill and also Brenham, Washington County [rare in fall].
Red-eyed Vireo: (1) 12 August (Terry Baldwin), Huntsville State Park, Walker County [rare in fall].
Red-eyed Vireo: (1) 13 October (Darrell Vollert), Harrison Street, Brenham, Washington County [late departure].
Fish Crow: (1) 10 September (Guy Luneau), Lake O' the Pines, Harrison County [not listed on the 1999 checklist for Lake O' the Pines; expanding territory].
Purple Martin: (20+) 20 October (Fred & Judy Donaldson), Old Settler's Park, Round Rock, Williamson County [late departure].
Tree Swallow: (30) 9 August (Ellen Ratoosh), Emerald Forest floodplain, College Station, Brazos County [earliest arrival on record for 10-county area; previous early date was 23 August 1997 at Lake Somerville].
Violet-green Swallow: (1) 6 September (John Muldrow); (1) 11-12 October (Frank Bumgardner, John Muldrow), Waco Metropolitan Area Regional Sewerage System ponds, Waco, McLennan County [first and second county records; a species of the Trans-Pecos area].
Bank Swallow: (1) 13 August (Tim Fennell), Granger Lake area, Williamson County [early migrant].
Bank Swallow: (4) 26 August (Darrell Vollert, et al.), Red Gully and FR2447 near Chappell Hill, Washington County [rare fall migrants].
Bank Swallow: (lots) 27 August to 14 September (Randy Pinkston), Union Grove WMA, Stillhouse Hollow Lake, Bell County [usually seen only a few times each season in Bell County; Randy writes, "Migrating individuals observed regularly Aug 27-Sept 14. More conspicuous than usual."].
Cliff Swallow: (50) 21 November (Chris Merkord), Welch Park, Lake Somerville, Burleson County [late departure].
Cave Swallow: (4+ immatures) 13-27 August (Randy Pinkston), Salado, Bell County.
Cave Swallow: (1 juvenile) 20 August (Frank Bumgardner and John Muldrow), Waco sewer ponds, Waco, McLennan County [first photodocumented county record; photographed by Frank Bumgardner].
Cave Swallow: (5) 27 August (Randy Pinkston), Union Grove WMA, Stillhouse Hollow Lake, Bell County [rare in summer, not listed in fall on the 1998 Bell County checklist].
Cave Swallow: (4) 25 September (Nancy Bird), Ellen Trout Lake, Angelina County [first report for entire Pineywoods region of Texas].
Cave Swallow: (9) 7 October (Frank Bumgardner, John Muldrow), Lake Waco, Waco, McLennan County [rare and late].
Incredible numbers of Barn Swallows migrated through the area on 7 October:
Barn Swallow: (100,000) 7 October (Frank Bumgardner, John Muldrow), Flat Rock Park to
Airport Beach Park, Lake Waco, Waco, McLennan County [very large number. E. G.
White-Swift, Waco RBA, "Saturday, October 7, was swallow day in the Waco area. John
and Frank estimated that there were as many as 100,000 BARN SWALLOWS on the north side of
Lake Waco from Flat Rock Park to Airport Beach Park. There are no extra zeros in this
number, and it may even be a low estimate. The swallows were observed on the ground, on
the grass, on bushes, sitting on every available limb and flying over the lake. As many as
a thousand Barn Swallows were found at the sewer ponds this weekend as well, many just
resting on the drying beds, as well as swallows by the hundreds and thousands everywhere
one looked in the McLennan County. As dramatic as this fallout of swallows was for
observers, this was a catastrophic weekend for Barn Swallows in the Central Flyway. Our
local Texas Parks & Wildlife specialist reports that she has received reports of
widespread problems for Barn Swallows with this massive cold front. They were in migration
and she has heard that they have been dying from Nebraska on down the Central Flyway.
Earlier last week the fall out was been from San Marcos and south. The birds were seeking
shelter on building frames and under porch roofs. There is not much food for them during
migration after the sustained drought in Texas and cold, wet weather is taking its toll as
well."].
Barn Swallow: (14,000) 7 October (Chris Merkord, Tim Fennell), Granger Lake, Williamson
County [large count. Chris's comment, "Thousands of Barn Swallows were feeding on the
lake and its shores. 14,000 - conservative estimate, could have been twice that if we had
access to the entire lakeshore." Tim's comment, "With the cold front, 10,000+
were seen struggling over Granger Lake and resting on the extensive mudflats present along
the lake shore on this date. This number could easily be off by a factor of 10 as they
formed continuous clouds over the lake. It was an amazing and tragic sight to see."].
Barn Swallow: (200+) 8 October (Tim Fennell), Granger Lake, Williamson County [Tim's
comment, "200+ feeding over the lake. The gate attendant at Willis Creek Park said
she had seen what sounded like an Accipiter (from her description) walking around on the
ground snatching up exhausted Barn Swallows after this weekend's massive
grounding!"].
Red-breasted Nuthatch: (1) 26 August (Brush Freeman), Bastrop County [early arrival].
White-breasted Nuthatch: (1) 3 September (Tim Fennell, Karl Koscuich), WMA on north side of San Gabriel River, off CR347, Williamson County [rare in fall].
White-breasted Nuthatch: (1) 22 October (Mark Adams, Tim Fennell), CR337 near Granger, Williamson County [late departure/migrant].
White-breasted Nuthatch: (1) 4 November (Tim Fennell), CR337 in Granger area, Williamson County [rare].
Bewick's Wren: (1) 10 October (Mimi Hoppe Wolf); (2) 18 October (David Wolf, Mimi Hoppe Wolf), Central Heights, Nacogdoches County [scarce winter resident].
Bewick's Wren, bewickii subspecies: (1) 4 November (Bert Frenz), Harge Rd. near McCain Creek Park on south side of Lake Somerville, Washington County [further west than this subspecies usually occurs].
House Wren: (numerous reports of 3-40) 8 October (m.ob.), Brazos, Washington and Williamson Counties [large fallout on that date].
Sedge Wren: (1) 26 September (Brush Freeman), Granger Lake area, Williamson County [early arrival of occasional winter resident].
Sedge Wren: (2) 7-8 October (Charles Dean Fisher, Jesse Fagan), upper Lake Sam Rayburn, San Augustine County [somewhat early arrival].
Sedge Wren: (1) 5 November (Ellen Ratoosh), Emerald Forest subdivision, College Station, Brazos County [occasional, but rarely reported in town].
Sedge Wren: (1) 16 November (Frank Bumgardner, John Muldrow), Waco sewage ponds, McLennan County [occasional].
Sedge Wren: (1) 21 November (Chris Merkord), Welch Park, Lake Somerville, Burleson County [occasional].
Sedge Wren: (2) 23 November; (several) 26 November (Randy Pinkston), Union Grove Wildlife Area, Stillhouse Hollow Lake, Bell County [absent in fall; occasional in winter on Bell County checklist].
Marsh Wren: 26-27 August (Paul van Dyke), Bryan, Brazos County [extremely early; normally not expected until end of September].
Marsh Wren: (1) 5 October (Nancy Bird, Georgette Guernsey), Ryan Lake, Angelina County; (1) 6 October (Jesse Fagan), Nacogdoches ponds, Nacogdoches County; (25+) 8 October (Jesse Fagan, Charles Dean Fisher); (3) 13 October (Nancy Bird), Ellen Trout Park; (5) 14 October (Jesse Fagan, Claudia de la Cruz); (6) 18 October (David Wolf, Jesse Fagan); (10+) 21 October (Louis Debetaz, Jesse Fagan, David Wolf, et al.); (3) 22 October (David Wolf, Mimi Hoppe Wolf, Jesse Fagan); Etoile and the Texas 147 bridge and upper Rayburn Lake, San Augustine County [unusually large number of sightings for October in East Texas, probably due to the abundant habitat around receding lakes; 25+ on 8 October is the highest count ever for the area].
Marsh Wren: (1) 23 November (Randy Pinkston), Union Grove Wildlife Area, Stillhouse Hollow Lake, Bell County [not listed in fall or winter for Bell County].
Golden-crowned Kinglets were very prominent this fall, although their numbers
dropped off significantly by the end of fall:
David Wolf, in late fall report, "An influx of Golden-crowned Kinglets was detected
October 7-12 (m.obs). This species is in especially good numbers already."
Frank Bumgardner, McLennan County, "Golden-crowned Kinglets in large numbers in the
Waco area starting 21 October."
Bert Frenz, Brazos County, "Golden-crowned Kinglets were common starting the last
week of October, but tapered off by early December."
Randy Pinkston, Bell County, "Golden-crowned Kinglet- Very common this year. Earliest
Nov 11."
At the TOS Longview Fall Meeting, Golden-crowned Kinglets were common on almost all of the
field trips on 10-11 November.
Ellen Ratoosh, Brazos County, "Golden-crowned Kinglet - my first of the season were
on 11/23, and they became more common thereafter."
Numbers of Blue-gray Gnatcatcher formed an interesting pattern this fall. From 1-10 August they were fairly common in small numbers (1-6); by 12 August they started increasing and were common in small flocks to about 26 August. Starting about 2 September and until 18 September, gnatcatchers were amazingly abundant, with counts from dozens to as high as 80.
Darrell Vollert at Polk's Lake, Washington County, on 2 Sep, "In spite of the very hot temperatures we are experiencing, birding has been very good. Friday and Saturday were particularly good days. Strong winds from the southwest each morning has brought in very dry air. Humidity has been in the low to mid 20's. ... Blue-gray Gnatcatchers were all over the place on Saturday morning."
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher: (80) 2 September (Chris Merkord), Gibbon's Creek Reservoir, Grimes County [unusually large number].
Judy Winn in Bryan, Brazos Co., on 4 Sep, "Blue-gray gnatcatchers are
everywhere."
Shirley Wilkerson in Kurten, Brazos Co., on 6 Sep, "I have seen numerous Blue-Gray
Gnatcatchers"
Chris Merkord at Bastrop-Beuscher State Park, Bastrop Co., on 11 Sep, "by far the most common migrant"
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher: (50) 16 September (Truman Powell), Richland Creek WMA, Freestone County [unusually large number]. Truman wrote, "the most astounding sightings were approximately 50 Blue Gray Gnatcatchers, and over 30 Wilson's Warblers. … I never thought that Wilson's or Blue-gray would EVER become "trash" birds! Everywhere we looked there were more and more."
Rob Fergus, in Austin, "In looking at postings from around the state, it looks like we have an inordinate amount of yellow warblers and blue-gray gnatcatchers at Hornsby Bend--120+ gnatcatchers this morning, and 250+ yellow warblers last Thursday, with over 100 probably remaining (my incomplete counts over the last few days turned up 75-80). The warblers are common in the riparian woods along the Colorado River, but are abundant in small hackberries and retamas near the ponds. Gnatcatchers were more abundant in the woods, but today many were also found in the small trees near the ponds. Yellow warblers are by far the most common warblers around here during September--but hundreds?"
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher: (120+) 16 September (David Wolf, Jesse Fagan, et al.), (110+) 20 September (David Wolf, Robert Truss), Sam Rayburn Reservoir connecting San Augustine and Angelina Counties [large fallout; David Wolf remarked, "THE dominant passerine migrant in September. ... A few were still drifting through as late as Oct 22 (David Wolf, Mimi Hoppe Wolf, Jesse Fagan), but they were in low numbers [in October] compared to September."].
Cathy Liles in College Station, Brazos Co., on 18 Sep, "more gnatcatchers and for a longer period of time than in recent memory."
During the period from 25 Sep to 11 Oct, gnatcatchers were fairly common and counts were reduced to 3-10 per report. Thereafter, the species was uncommon with only single birds sighted. Late fall sightings were 4 Nov. by Tim Fennell in the Granger area, Williamson Co. and
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher: (1) 11 November (TOS Field Trip lead by David Weaver), Lake Murvaul, Panola County [late departure].
Eastern Bluebird: (2 fledglings) 16 August (Guy Luneau, Joan Luneau, Scott Luneau), Rusk County [unusually late date for fledging].
Mountain Bluebird: (1 female) 12 November (Brenda Muncrief), Huntsville, Walker County [far east of normal wintering area, probable first county record].
Mountain Bluebird: (5) 21 November (Bob Doe), Friendship Park, Granger Lake, Williamson County [very rare].
Mountain Bluebird: (1 male, 1 female) 26 November (Boyd Bauer); (2 males, 2 females) 30 November (Boyd Bauer, Jimmy Jackson), private ranch about five miles north of Beeville, Bee County [probable first county record].
Townsend's Solitaire: (1) 6 October (Marianne & Jim Voss), private residence on Lake Belton, Bell County [first county record; good details].
Townsend's Solitaire: (1) 23 November (Brush Freeman), 1/4-mile from horse corrals at Windmill Ranch, McKinney Roughs, Bastrop County [very rare; perhaps 4-5 other records for the county].
Wood Thrush: (2) 24 September (David Wolf, Jesse Fagan), Alazan Bayou WMA, Nacogdoches County [uncommon].
Gray Catbird: (1) 1 August (Louis Debetaz), Azalea Trail, Lufkin, Angelina County; (1) 21 August (Nancy Bird), near Huntington, Angelina County [uncommon breeder, but common migrant].
Gray Catbird: (1) 10 November (TOS field trip lead by Dorothy and Robert Metzler), Longhorn/Caddo Lake NWR, Harrison County; (1) 11 November (TOS field trip lead by Mike Dillon), Martin Creek Lake [late migrants].
Gray Catbird: (1) 23 November (Brush Freeman), McKinney Roughs, Bastrop County [late migrant].
Brown Thrasher: (1) 17 August (Ellen Ratoosh), Emerald Forest subdivision; (1) 17 August (Mary Dabney Wilson), College Hills subdivision, College Station, Brazos County [early arrivals].
Brown Thrasher: (2) 18 August (Louis Debetaz), Azalea Trail, Lufkin, Angelina County [uncommon breeder].
American Pipit: (1) 7 October (Darrell Vollert & Rio Brazos Audubon Society Field Trip), Buffalo Ranch [early arrival].
Sprague's Pipits were reported much more often than usual, perhaps because of
increased birding skills:
Sprague's Pipit: (2) 7 October (Darrell Vollert & Rio Brazos Audubon Society Field
Trip), Buffalo Ranch, Burleson County.
Sprague's Pipit: (1) 10 October (Randy Pinkston), Temple Lions Park, Bell County.
Sprague's Pipit: (1) 22 October (Mark Adams, Tim Fennell), CR124, Granger area, Williamson
County.
Sprague's Pipit: (1) 24 October (Derek Muschalek), his yard, 11 miles northwest of
Yorktown, DeWitt County.
Sprague's Pipit: (33-35) 26 October (Brush Freeman), Utley, Bastrop County [large count].
Sprague's Pipit: (1) 28 October (Darrell Vollert), Polk's Lake near Chappell Hill,
Washington County.
Sprague's Pipit: (4-5) 2 November (Darrell Vollert), Chappell Hill subdivision, Washington
County.
Sprague's Pipit: (1) 4 November (Tim Fennell), CR124 in Granger area, Williamson County.
Sprague's Pipit: (5+) 12 November (Tim Fennell, Rick Pearson), CR352/CR3530/Alligator
Road, near Granger, Williamson County.
Sprague's Pipit: (2) 16 November (Jeffrey Hanson), CR110 in east Round Rock, Bell County.
Sprague's Pipit: (several) 21 November (Bob Doe), at the stock pond on Alligator Rd just
west of the CR 352 intersection, Williamson County,
Sprague's Pipit: (9) 23 November (Brush Freeman), Utley, Bastrop County.
Cedar Waxwing: (100+) 6 November (Randy Pinkston), Temple, Bell County [early arrival].
Cedar Waxwing: (9) 7 November (Mimi Hoppe Wolf), Central Heights, Nacogdoches County [early arrival].
This fall's warbler migration easily rivaled a typical spring migration, with an amazing 29 warbler species reported in good numbers in the Central Prairie and the East Texas Pineywoods. The Central Prairie had 23 species while the East Texas Pineywoods had 24 warbler species. David Wolf noted that in his area alone, 21 warbler species were present during August and September.
Darrell Vollert, Washington County, 16 September, "On this day I had my best birding experience ever during a fall migration. I birded Polk's Lake from 8:00AM- 1:30PM. Most of the birds were around the south end of the property along the creek. I found 12 species of warblers - the highest number ever for one day during a fall migration. I saw 15+ Nashville Warblers, a male and female Northern Parula, an immature male American Redstart, an early Orange-crowned Warbler, an immature and adult male Mourning Warbler, a Chat, an immature Yellow-rumped Warbler, a Black-throated Green Warbler, 3-4 Yellow Warblers, a female and 4 male Black-and-White Warbler, a Northern Waterthrush, 4 male and one female Wilson's Warbler, heard 20+ other warblers passing over, a Warbling Vireo, a Red-eyed Vireo, an immature male Summer Tanager, a Barred Owl, Eastern Wood-Pewee, 5 empids (2 were Acadian), a Great-crested Flycatcher, 3 male and one female Baltimore Oriole, heard a Pileated Woodpecker, 2 Indigo Buntings, and many Blue-gray Gnatcatchers. Many of the warblers, the Warbling Vireo, White-eyed Vireos, the Summer Tanager, Eastern Wood-Pewee, the empids, and the Great-crested Flycatcher were eating berries from the Rough-leaf Dogwood trees along the west side of the creek. I clearly saw the bright yellow rump patch on the Yellow-rumped Warbler. The Yellow-rumped was on the ground foraging quite a bit. I saw the dull black line through the eye of the Orange-crowned Warbler. Also the Orange-crowned was much greener than a fall Tennessee Warbler would be. A Pied-billed Grebe was seen on the open water."
Darrell Vollert, Washington County, 14 October, "I wish you were back in Texas this past week to witness the awesome birding here. This fall migration is the best that I have experienced in my short birding career. ... At Polk's Lake from 8:30 AM -11:50 AM I found 20 Indigo Buntings, 25+ N. Rough-winged Swallows, 8-10 Barn Swallows, a Sharp-shinned Hawk, 2 American Kestrels, heard the piercing call of a Broad-winged Hawk on the south end of the lake, found 3 male and 3 female C. Yellowthroats, 4 Nashville Warblers, found a Yellow-breasted Chat in the shrubs along the dam at the north end of the lake, saw a Northern Parula, one male and two female Wilson's Warblers, saw a single American White Pelican flying high towards the northeast, and a male and female Eastern Bluebird and two Eastern Meadowlarks are back at the lake."
Darrell Vollert, Washington County, 17 October, "Over an inch of rain overnight grounded several warblers and other migrants at Margie Young's residence on Harrison Street in Brenham. I saw: 2 American Kestrels (unusual for this neighborhood), one Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, 4-5 Ruby-throated Hummingbirds still around, 2 Ruby-crowned Kinglets, one White-eyed Vireo, an adult male Black-throated Green Warbler, Orange-crowned Warbler, Nashville Warbler, an adult male American Redstart, 2 Northern Parulas, male and female Black-and-White Warbler, Empidonax flycatcher (probably Least), Indigo Buntings, and heard a Chipping Sparrow calling. Near the intersection of Chappell Hill Street and Tom Green Street in Brenham I found a immature male Summer Tanager eating berries in a Chinese Tallow tree and 2 Common Nighthawks were flying high towards the north around 5:10 PM. At first I heard the "chick-a-tuck" call of the Summer Tanager. A weak cold front was about to come in with rain as I was watching the tanager and nighthawks. This has been a great fall for Summer Tanagers in Washington County."
Blue-winged Warbler: (1) 3 September (Nancy Bird), her birdbath in Huntington, Angelina County; (1) 6 September (Guy Luneau, Joan Luneau, Scott Luneau), Rusk County, [rare fall migrant].
Blue-winged Warbler: (1) 23 September (Keith Arnold), Country Club Lake, Bryan, Brazos County [rare fall migrant; first fall record in 10-county RBA area since 1986].
Blue-winged Warbler: (1) 31 October (Dorothy Metzler), Longhorn/Caddo Lake NWR, Harrison County [rare migrant in East Texas and very late].
Tennessee Warbler: (2) 2 September (Georgette Guernsey, Louis Debetaz, Nancy Bird, Charles Kent), Ryan Lake, south of Lufkin, Angelina County [early arrival, uncommon migrant].
Tennessee Warbler: (1) 5 October (Guy Luneau), Texas Eastman, Longview, Gregg County [rare fall migrant].
Tennessee Warbler: (1) 4 November (Peter Barnes), Camp Tyler, Smith County [latest fall record in the NETFO database].
Orange-crowned Warblers arrived earlier than usual, starting 16 September, and
daily reports from 6 October to 14 October, a period when this warbler is usually rare.
Orange-crowned Warbler: (1) 16 September (Darrell Vollert), Polk's Lake near Chappell
Hill, Washington County [early arrival; only two earlier records (both in 1972) for the
10-county area].
Orange-crowned Warbler: (1) 20 September (Mike Manson), Texas A&M University campus,
College Station, Brazos County [early arrival].
17 other reports from 6 October to 14 October.
Orange-crowned Warbler: (30) 14 October (Chris Merkord), TAMU Waste Water Treatment Plant
pond out White Rock lake, just east of the Easterwood Airport, College Station, Brazos
County [Chris notes, "including 1 definite 1st fall female V. c. orestera - whitish
incomplete eye-ring and very gray head/throat with prominent streaking extending well down
the chest."].
Nashville Warbler: (15) 16 September (David Wolf, Jesse Fagan, et al.), upper Lake Rayburn, San Augustine County [large count, early in season].
Nashville Warbler migrated in large numbers, in advance of the 6 October cold
front and continuing through the end of the month:
On 6 October, Darrell Vollert, "[Nashville] Warblers and Dickcissels were heard
overhead at my residence in advance of the strongest cold front of this fall."
Frank Bumgarder, McLennan County, "Nashville Warblers, large numbers between 9-27
October."
Fairly large counts (7-30) for period from 6 October to 14 October and one report of 70 on
9 October on Texas A&M University campus (Chris Merkord). Still present in lower
numbers (1-10) during the period 15 October to 5 November.
Northern Parula are present in small numbers in the Brazos Valley during the breeding
season and, typically, a fall migrant is seen once every few years. This fall there were
many more reports than prior years:
Northern Parula: (1-2) seen regularly from 12 August to 14 October (Darrell Vollert),
Polk's residence near Chappell Hill, Washington County.
Northern Parula: (1 first fall female) 8 October (Chris Merkord), Texas A&M University
campus, College Station, Brazos County.
Northern Parula: (1 adult) 10 October (Toby Hibbitts), Texas A&M University campus,
College Station, Brazos County.
Northern Parula: (1) 13 October; (2) 17 October (Darrell Vollert), Harrison Street,
Brenham, Washington County [late].
Northern Parula: (1) 21 October (Frank Bumgardner, John Muldrow), Lake Waco, McLennan
County.
Northern Parula: (1) 25 October (Bert Frenz), Carlos Lake near Gibbons Creek Reservoir,
Grimes County.
Northern Parula: (1) 25 October (Nancy Bird, Georgette Guernsey, David Wolf), Marion Ferry, Nacogdoches County; (1) 27 October (Jesse Fagan, David Wolf), Angelina bottoms, Nacogdoches County [late departures].
Yellow Warbler: (1+) 5 August (Hazel Bluhm), Lakeside Park at Lake O' the Pines, Marion County [early migrant].
Yellow Warbler: (1) 12 August (Louis Debetaz, Nancy Bird), Ryan Lake, Angelina County [early migrant].
Yellow Warbler: (1 female) 12 August (Darrell Vollert), Polk's Lake near Chappell Hill, Washington County [early migrant].
Yellow Warbler: (2) 13 August (Tim Fennell), Willis Creek Park, Granger Lake, Williamson County [early migrant].
Yellow Warbler: (21) 16 September; (18) 22 September (David Wolf, Jesse Fagan, et al.), upper Lake Rayburn, San Augustine County [large count].
Yellow Warbler: (2) 8 October (Jesse Fagan, Charles Dean Fisher), upper Rayburn, Nacogdoches County [very late for East Texas].
Yellow Warbler (amnicola subspecies): (1) 14 October (Chris Merkord), Welch Park, Lake Somerville, Burleson County [late].
Magnolia Warbler: (1) 28 August (Brush Freeman), Alum Creek near Buescher State Park, Bastrop County [rare fall migrant].
Magnolia Warbler: (2) 6 October (Jesse Fagan), Nacogdoches sewage ponds, Nacogodoches County [uncommon migrant].
Magnolia Warbler: (1 adult) 15 October (Toby Hibbitts), Nagle Street, Bryan, Brazos County [rare fall migrant].
Magnolia Warbler: (1) 25 October (Nancy Bird, Georgette Guernsey, David Wolf), Marion Ferry, Nacogdoches County [late departure].
Yellow-rumped Warbler: (1 immature) 16 September (Darrell Vollert), Polk's Lake near Chappell Hill, Washington County [early arrival].
Yellow-rumped Warbler: (2) 7 October (Jesse Fagan, Ruth Heino, Charles Dean Fisher), Nacogdoches County, [a bit early].
Thirty-three reports of Black-throated Green Warblers from 29 August to 10
November were much more than usual. Early and late migrants include:.
Black-throated Green Warbler: (1) approximately 29 August (Shirley Wilkerson), Kurten,
Brazos County [typical early date].
Black-throated Green Warbler: (1) 29 October (Brian Gibbons, Jesse Fagan, David Wolf, Mimi
Hoppe Wolf), Texas 147 bridge, Angelina / San Augustine Counties [late migrants].
Black-throated Green Warbler: (1 heard) 2 November (Darrell Vollert), Chappell Hill
subdivision, Washington County [late migrant].
Black-throated Green Warbler: (2) 4 November (Peter Barnes), Camp Tyler, Smith County
[late migrant].
Black-throated Green Warbler: (1 immature) 4 November (Bert Frenz), Yegua Creek Park, Lake
Somerville, Washington County [late migrant].
Black-throated Green Warbler: (1 on CR 337, 1 on CR104) 4 November (Tim Fennell), Granger
area, Williamson County [late migrant].
Black-throated Green Warbler: (1 adult male, 1 female or first fall male) 5 November (Mike
Manson), College Hills subdivision, College Station, Brazos County [late migrant].
Black-throated Green Warbler: (1 female) 5 November (Randy Pinkston), Union Grove Wildlife
Area, Stillhouse Hollow Lake, Bell County [late migrant].
Black-throated Green Warbler: (1 male) 5 November (Darrell Vollert), Chappell Hill,
Washington County [late migrant].
Black-throated Green Warbler: (1) 10 November (TOS Field Trip lead by David Weaver during
TOS Longview Fall Meeting), Lake Murvaul, Panola County [late migrants].
Blackburnian Warbler: (1) 26 September (Brush Freeman), Granger Lake area, Williamson County [rare fall migrant].
Yellow-throated Warbler: (1) 24 September (David Wolf, Jesse Fagan), Alazan Bayou WMA, Nacogdoches County [uncommon].
Pine Warbler: (3) 28 August (Brush Freeman), Alum Creek and Buescher State Park area, Bastrop County [probably year-round resident].
Pine Warbler: (1) 20 October (Darrell Vollert), Brenham, Washington County [migrant or early arrival of winter resident].
Pine Warbler: (2 immature) 25 October (Bert Frenz), Gibbons Creek Reservoir, Grimes County [early arrival of winter resident].
Pine Warbler: (1 male, 1 female) 28 October (Darrell Vollert), Polk's Lake near Chappell Hill, Washington County [early arrival].
Prairie Warber: (1) 5 September (David Wolf); (1) 8 September (David Wolf, Jesse Fagan), different birds in the brush and at the base of the TX 147 bridge over Sam Rayburn Reservoir, San Augustine County [late departure; David writes, "Sept 5 and Sept 8 provided our latest records ever; this species is a locally fairly common breeding bird in our region, but is rarely-detected as a migrant."].
"Yellow" Palm Warbler (hypochrysea subspecies): (1) 28 September (Matt White), Cooper Lake, Delta County [fide Peter Barnes in NETFO News, "The few reports of Palm Warbler in north-east Texas have been of the nominate palmarum subspecies, so the discovery of a hypochrysea subspecies "Yellow" Palm Warbler at Cooper Lake on Sept 28 (MW) was very interesting. This race is distinctive with entirely yellow underparts, whereas yellow is largely confined to the undertail coverts in the nominate subspecies."].
Palm Warbler: (1) 22 October (David Wolf, Mimi Hoppe Wolf, Jesse Fagan), along the Sam Rayburn Reservoir shoreline just north of the 147 bridge, San Augustine County [rare fall migrant; third fall record].
Palm Warbler: (1) 23 October (Eddie Ray), Sabine Mining Company, Harrison County [rare migrant].
Palm Warbler: (1) 27 October (Eddie Ray, Guy Luneau), Texas Eastman in Longview, Gregg County [rare migrant].
Cerulean Warbler: (1 adult male) 4 September (Ron Winn), Bryan, Brazos County [only the second record in fall for the 10-county Central Brazos Valley].
Black-and-white Warbler: (1 male) 5 August (Darrell Vollert), Polk's Lake near Chappell Hill, Washington County [occasional].
Four other August reports, starting 17 August, eight September reports, seven October reports ending 17 October.
Black-and-white Warbler: (1 male, 1 female) 17 October (Darrell Vollert), Brenham, Washington County [rare at this late date].
For an occasional fall migrant, there were many more reports of American Redstart
than usual:
American Redstart: (1 first fall male) 9 August (Darrell Vollert), Chappell Hills,
Washington County [very early date].
American Redstart: (1) 16 September (Derek Muschalek), 11 miles northwest of Yorktown,
DeWitt County.
American Redstart: (1 male) 8 October (Barry Boyd), Texas A&M University campus,
College Station, Brazos County.
American Redstart: (1 adult male) 8 October (Darrell Vollert), Polk's Lake near Chappell
Hill, Washington County.
American Redstart: (1 adult male) 17 October (Darrell Vollert), Brenham, Washington
County.
American Redstart: (1 adult male) 20 October (Darrell Vollert), at Margie Young's
residence, Walnut Street, Brenham, Washington County [late migrant].
American Redstart: (1) 29 October (Brian Gibbons, Jesse Fagan, David Wolf, Mimi Hoppe
Wolf), Texas 147 bridge, Angelina / San Augustine Counties [late departure].
American Redstart: (1 female) 4 November (Georgette Guernsey), Crown Colony, Lufkin,
Angelina County [late migrant; latest record in this area].
Prothonotary Warbler: (1) 19 August (Jesse Fagan, Claudia de la Curz), Nacogdoches Waste Water Treatment Facility, Nacogdoches County [uncommon].
Prothonotary Warbler: (1) 27 August (Tim Fennell, Brush Freeman), CR347 fishing access on San Gabriel River near Granger, Williamson County [rare in fall].
Prothonotary Warbler: (2 juveniles) 13 September (David Wolf, Mimi Hoppe Wolf), different spots in Nacogodoches County [late departure; this species usually leaves very early].
Swainson's Warbler: (1) 29 September and 1 October (Jesse Fagan), Nacogdoches sewage ponds, Nacogdoches County [very late fall sighting; latest fall record by about a month].
Ovenbird: (1) 20 September (Guy Luneau), Rusk County [rare fall migrant; species not listed in fall on Martin Creek State Park checklist, the only checklist for Rusk County; only a few occurrences on the NETFO checklist].
Ovenbird: (1) 25 September to 9 October (Brush Freeman), eating seed, Utley, Bastrop County [rare fall migrant].
Ovenbird: (1) 26 September (Brush Freeman), Granger Lake area, Williamson County [rare fall migrant].
Ovenbird: (1) 4-5 October (Chris Merkord), at Century Tree on Texas A&M University campus, College Station, Brazos County [rare fall migrant].
Northern Waterthrush: (1) 27 August (Brush Freeman, Tim Fennell), Granger Lake area, Williamson County [occasional fall migrant].
Northern Waterthrush: (1) 28 August (Brush Freeman), Alum Creek and Buescher State Park area, Bastrop County [occasional fall migrant].
Northern Waterthrush: (1) 2 September (Georgette Guernsey, Louis Debetaz, Nancy Bird, Charles Kent), Ryan Lake, south of Lufkin, Angelina County [uncommon].
Northern Waterthrush: (1) 3 September (Mike Dillon), Martin Creek Lake, Panola/Rusk Counties [uncommon migrant in Northeast Texas, but not listed on the Martin Creek State Park checklist].
Northern Waterthrush: (1) 3 September (Tim Fennell, Karl Kosciuch), Granger Lake area, Williamson County [occasional fall migrant].
Northern Waterthrush: (1) 9-10 and 16 September (Darrell Vollert, Betty Vermeire) Polk's Lake near Chappell Hill, Washington County [rare fall migrant; first county record].
Louisiana Waterthrush: (2) 12 August (Louis Debetaz, Nancy Bird); (1) 2 September (Georgette Guernsey, Louis Debetaz, Nancy Bird, Charles Kent), Ryan Lake, south of Lufkin, Angelina County [rare and irregular].
Louisiana Waterthrush: (1 or 2) 19 August (Darrell Vollert), Polk's Lake near Chappell Hill, Washington County [rare, especially in fall].
Louisiana Waterthrush: (1) 26 August (Darrell Vollert, Marilyn Werner), New Year's Creek and FR2447 near Chappell Hill, Washington County [rare fall migrant].
Kentucky Warbler: (1) 2 September (Georgette Guernsey, Louis Debetaz, Nancy Bird, Charles Kent), Ryan Lake, south of Lufkin, Angelina County [uncommon fall migrant].
Kentucky Warbler: (1) 23 September (Dorothy Metzler), Longview, Gregg County [uncommon migrant].
There were many more Mourning Warbler reports this fall than usual:
Mourning Warbler: (2) 2 September; (1 immature) 9 September; (1 adult male, 1 immature) 10
September; (1 adult male, 1 immature) 16 September (Darrell Vollert), Polk's Lake near
Chappell Hill, Washington County.
Mourning Warbler: (2 adults, 3 immature) 3 September (Tim Fennell, Karl Kosciuch) Granger
Lake area, Williamson County.
Mourning Warbler: (1) 13 September (Randy Pinkston), Lion's Park, Temple, Bell County
[species not listed in fall season on Bell County checklist].
Mourning Warbler: (1 male) 16 September (Derek Muschalek), 11 miles northwest of Yorktown,
DeWitt County.
Mourning Warbler: (2 immature, salvaged window kills) 21 September (Chris Merkord, Keith
Arnold), Texas A&M University campus, College Station, Brazos County.
Mourning Warbler: (2) 24 September (Peter Barnes); (1) 1 October (Peter Barnes, Darrell
Pogue), Richland Creek WMA, Freestone County.
Mourning Warbler: (1 immature) 6 October (Chris Merkord), Century Tree on Texas A&M
University campus, College Station, Brazos County [late migrant].
Mourning Warbler: (1) 6 October (Jesse Fagan), Nacogdoches sewage ponds, Nacogdoches
County [late migrant].
Mourning Warbler: (1 immature) 11 October (fide E. G. White-Swift, Waco RBA), Waco,
McLennan County [occasional fall migrant; apparently the second injured Mourning Warbler
turned in to a local rehabilitor this season].
Mourning Warbler: (1 immature or female window kill) 10 or 11 October; (1 adult window
kill) 12 October (fide Keith Arnold), Texas A&M University campus, College Station,
Brazos County [late migrant, only later dates are 14 Oct 82, 19 Oct 69 and 3 Nov 79].
The Central Prairie and East Texas experienced a very strong fall season for Common
Yellowthroats, peaking 7-14 October with a cold front. Here is a profile of Common
Yellowthroat reports and number counted this fall:
7 Sep (1)
8 Sep (1)
20 Sep (1)
24 Sep (20+)
5 Oct (1)
7 Oct (2), (4), (3)
8 Oct (20+), (15), (1), (9), (1)
9 Oct (10), (1), (15), (40), (7), (5)
10 Oct (4)
11 Oct (3), (4)
12 Oct (10), (9), ("many")
13 Oct (1)
14 Oct (5), ("everywhere"), (6), (1), (30+)
15 Oct (3)
18 Oct (1)
20 Oct (1)
26 Oct (1)
5 Nov (6)
11 Nov (1)
26 Nov (2)
2 Dec (1)
Common Yellowthroat: (1 immature) 7-8 September (Ellen Ratoosh), College Station, Brazos County [early fall migrant].
Common Yellowthroat: (2 males) 26 November (Darrell Vollert), Hughes Lake near Chappell Hill, Washington County; (1) 2 December (Tim Fennell), Granger area, Williamson County [late migrant].
Hooded Warbler: (2 fledglings) 6 August (Guy Luneau), Rusk County [rarely documented breeder in Northeast Texas].
Hooded Warbler: (1) 28 August (Brush Freeman), Alum Creek and Buescher State Park area, Bastrop County [rare fall migrant].
Hooded Warbler: (1 immature female) 17 September (Ellen Ratoosh), Emerald Forest subdivision, College Station, Brazos County [rare fall migrant; only the fourth fall record for the 10-county surrounding area and the first since 1980].
Hooded Warbler: (1) 1 October (Jesse Fagan), Nacogdoches ponds, Nacogdoches County [last fall report for Pineywoods area].
Hooded Warbler: (1 first fall female, 1 adult male) 9 October (Chris Merkord); (1 adult male, 1 adult female) 9 October (Karl Kosciuch, Scott Brandes), Texas A&M University campus, College Station, Brazos County [very rare migrant in fall; only the second area record for October, the previous one being 15 October 1980 in College Station].
Hooded Warbler: (1 male), 10 October (Dawn Sherry, fide Chris Merkord), College Station, Brazos County [rare fall migrant].
Hooded Warbler: (1 first fall female) 11 October (Darrell Vollert), Chappell Hill, Washington County [rare fall migrant].
Wilson's Warblers were reported from 28 August to 23 November, with large numbers on 16
September and multiple reports on 8-10 October. Here is a profile:
28 Aug (1)
6 Sep (1)
7 Sep (1)
9 Sep (1)
10 Sep (1), (3)
14 Sep (2)
15 Sep (1), (1)
16 Sep (5), (1), (1), (30)
20 Sep (1)
21 Sep (1), (1)
23 Sep (7)
24 Sep (1)
27 Sep (3), (1)
30 Sep (1), (3)
1 Oct (1), (1)
2 Oct (1)
7 Oct (1)
8 Oct (1), ("numerous"), (1), (3)
9 Oct (1), (3)
10 Oct (3), (1)
11 Oct (1)
12 Oct (1)
14 Oct (1)
18 Oct (1)
4 Nov (1)
23 Nov (1)
Wilson's Warbler: (1 immature) 7 September (Derek Muschalek), his yard in DeWitt County [common migrant, but this one was rescued from a spider web].
Wilson's Warbler: (30+) 16 September (Truman Powell), Richland Creek WMA, Freestone County [unusually large number].
Wilson's Warbler: (1) 4 November (Tim Fennell), Willis Creek Park, Granger Lake, Williamson County [late migrant].
Wilson's Warbler: (1) 23 November (Brush Freeman), McKinney Roughs, Bastrop County [late migrant].
Canada Warbler: (1) 28 August (Brush Freeman), Alum Creek and Buescher State Park area, Bastrop County [rare fall migrant].
Canada Warbler: (1) 9 September (Guy Luneau, Joan Luneau, Scott Luneau), Rusk County [rare migrant].
Yellow-breasted Chat: 14 reports from 27 August to 14 October.
The Central Prairie experienced an unusually large number of late departing Summer
Tanagers:
Darrell Vollert, "This has been a great fall for Summer Tanagers in Washington
County."
Summer Tanager: (1) 13 September (Randy Pinkston), Lion's Park, Temple, Bell County
[species not listed in fall season on Bell County checklist].
Summer Tanager: (1 immature male) 16 September (Darrell Vollert), Polk's Lake near
Chappell Hill, Washington County.
Summer Tanager: (1) 21 September (Darrell Vollert), FM2621 in Sandy Hill, Washington
County.
Summer Tanager: (1 female) 23 September (Darrell Vollert), Polk's Lake near Chappell Hill,
Washington County.
Summer Tanager: (1) 1 October (Tim Fennell), Granger area, Williamson County.
Summer Tanager: (1 male) 7 October (Mike Manson), College Hills subdivision, College
Station, Brazos County.
Summer Tanager: (1 immature male) 8 October (Darrell Vollert), Polk's Lake near Chappell
Hill, Washington County.
Summer Tanager: (2 females) 9 October (Chris Merkord), Texas A&M University campus,
College Station, Brazos County.
Summer Tanager: (1 male) 11 October (Mimi Hoppe Wolf), Central Heights, Nacogdoches
County.
Summer Tanager: (1) 15 October (Toni-Ann Mistretta), Bryan, Brazos County.
Summer Tanager: (1) mid-October (Darlene Henderson), north Bryan, Brazos County.
Summer Tanager: (1 immature male) 17 October (Darrell Vollert), Brenham, Washington
County.
Summer Tanager: (1) 27 October (Georgette Guernsey, Nancy Bird), Ryan Lake area, Angelina
County [late departure].
Summer Tanager: (1) 17 November (Brush Freeman), Bastrop State Park, Bastrop County [very
late departure].
An amazing total of 25 sparrow species were identified in East Texas this fall season. An additional 4 sparrow species were found in Central Texas, for a total of 29 species.
Green-tailed Towhee: (1) 25 October (Derek Muschalek), 9 miles southeast of Gillett, Karnes County [early arrival].
Spotted Towhee: (1) fall (Truman Powell), south and east of Kerens (Navarro County) [uncommon, east of normal range].
Spotted Towhee: (1 female) 29 November and 6 December (Ellen Ratoosh), Emerald Forest subdivision, College Station, Brazos County [occasional this far east].
Eastern Towhee: (1) 26 August (Louis Debetaz), Kurth Lake area, Angelina County [earliest county record by two months].
Eastern Towhee: (1) 14 October (Nancy Bird, Louis Debetaz, et al.), Kurth Lake, Angelina County [early arrival].
Eastern Towhee: (1 male) 19 October (David Wolf), Central Heights, Nacogdoches County [early arrival].
Eastern Towhee: (6 heard) 28 October (Chris Merkord), Lick Creek Park, College Station, Brazos County [early arrival].
Cassin's Sparrow: (1) 21 October (David Wolf), in open brush near the Texas 147 bridge at Lake Sam Rayburn, San Augustine County [first county record; first fall record for Pineywoods region; two prior spring records for Nacogdoches County].
Bachman's Sparrow: (1) 22 September (David Wolf, Jesse Fagan), TX 147 bridge over Sam Rayburn Reservoir connecting San Augustine and Angelina Counties [rare migrant or wandering bird as they do not breed in this vicinity].
Bachman's Sparrow: (1) 10 November (Russell Nelson, Larry & Nancy LaBrant), Caddo Lake field trip during TOS meeting [present year round, but rarely seen in winter when it is not singing].
Chipping Sparrow: (1 immature) 29 September (Darrell Vollert), Mustang Road, Brenham, Washington County [very early arrival; earliest record for 10-county RBA area].
Chipping Sparrow: (1 immature) 8 October (David Phalen), Texas A&M University campus, College Station, Brazos County [early arrival].
Chipping Sparrow: (2) 8 October (Darrell Vollert), Polk's Lake near Chappell Hill, Washington County [early arrival].
Chipping Sparrow: (1 in breeding plumage, 3 immatures or winter plumaged) 8 October; (5 immatures) 9 October; (1 immature) 10-11 October (Ellen Ratoosh), Emerald Forest subdivision, College Station, Brazos County [early arrival; came in with cold front].
This fall East Texas and the Central Prairie experienced an exceptional migration of Clay-colored Sparrows, a species rarely reported otherwise:
David Wolf reported, "This fall has totally re-written the book on this species in fall in our region, and we had more sightings than the previous 30 falls combined! While I don't doubt that there was some kind of abnormal 'invasion' that shifted this species a bit further east, I also think we had so many because we have exceptionally extensive weedy habitat this fall (including vast areas of Rayburn Lake that have dried-up) and we covered it much more frequently than we normally would."
Clay-colored Sparrow: (16) 16 September (Derek Muschalek), 11 miles northwest of
Yorktown, DeWitt County [very early arrival].
Clay-colored Sparrow: (1) 22 September (David Wolf, Jesse Fagan), along the Texas 147
bridge at Sam Rayburn Reservoir, San Augustine County.
Clay-colored Sparrow: (1) 24 September (David Wolf, Jesse Fagan), Alazan Bayou WMA, Sam
Rayburn Reservoir, Nacogdoches County.
Clay-colored Sparrow: (7) 25 September (David Wolf), Alazan Bayou WMA, Sam Rayburn
Reservoir, San Augustine County [after cold front].
Clay-colored Sparrow: (20 in 2-3 small flocks) 30 September (John Arvin), Granger area,
Williamson County.
Clay-colored Sparrow: (8) 1 October (Tim Fennell), Granger area, Williamson County.
Clay-colored Sparrow: (1 immature) 7 October (Chris Merkord), CR229, Burleson County.
Clay-colored Sparrow: (20) 7 October (Tim Fennell, Chris Merkord), Granger area,
Williamson County.
Clay-colored Sparrow: (25) 7 October (Peter Barnes), Richland Creek WMA, Freestone County.
In his north-east Texas October report, Peter Barnes writes, "Above-average numbers
of Clay-colored Sparrows were reported, particularly in the western counties, where they
were too numerous to list. In addition, 25 were at Richland Creek WMA on Oct 7 (PB), 1 was
at Lake Tyler East on Oct 11 (JF), and 2 were at Cooper Lake in Hopkins Co. on Oct
14."
Clay-colored Sparrow: (3+, 20, 8, 10, 10+, 6, 3, 4, 11, 8, 10, 4, 2, 4, 2, 2) 8-23
October (Ellen Ratoosh), Emerald Forest subdivision, College Station, Brazos County.
Clay-colored Sparrow: (2) 8 October (Charles Dean Fisher); Townsend Park along the eastern
shoreline of Sam Rayburn Reservoir, San Augustine County.
Clay-colored Sparrow: (20+), 8 October (Jeffrey Hanson), Lake Georgetown area, Williamson
County.
Clay-colored Sparrow: (17) 9 October (Tim Fennell), Granger area, Williamson County.
Clay-colored Sparrow: (many) 9 October (Karen Arquette, James Loesch), Waco sewage ponds,
Waco, McLennan County.
Clay-colored Sparrow: (1) 9 October; (2) 15 October (Chuck Hamilton), Raintree
subdivision, College Station, Brazos County.
Clay-colored Sparrow: (1) 10 October (Mimi Hoppe Wolf), Central Heights, Nacogdoches
County.
Clay-colored Sparrow: (20+) 7-11 October (Randy Pinkston), Temple Lions Park, Bell County
[Randy comments, "My dates were only Oct 7-11 or so but the numbers were the
impressive thing. Totals of 20+ per day are more than I usually find around here."]
In his fall report for Bell County, Randy Pinkston writes, "Clay-colored Sparrows
peaked in October as expected but more numerous than usual this year. ... There was a
large early influx of native sparrows, primarily Clay-colored, Savannah, and Lincoln's,
following a cool snap October 7-8."
Clay-colored Sparrow: (1) 11 October (Jesse Fagan), east Lake Tyler, just off Hwy 64,
Smith County.
Clay-colored Sparrow: ("good numbers") 11 October (Frank Bumgardner, John
Muldrow), McLennan County.
Clay-colored Sparrow: (10+) 11 October (Tim Fennell), Granger area, Williamson County.
Clay-colored Sparrow: (16) 11 October (Derek Muscalek), 9 miles southeast of Gillett,
Karnes County.
E. G. White-Swift, Waco RBA, McLennan County, on 11 October, "The last few days have been one of the best birding periods in the Waco area in recent memory. A broad cold front that dropped local temperatures by 30 degrees last Wednesday was accompanied by strong northerly winds. Just to the south of Waco bands of cold rain formed a barrier for migrants resulting in an incredible fallout of birds in Central Texas. I've received a barrage of daily reports of unusual birds from observers willing to brave a few hours of cold winds. ... Other birds found during the migrant fallout this past weekend in much greater numbers than wintering or migrating populations normally observed in the area were: … Clay-colored Sparrows, …"
Clay-colored Sparrow: (3) 15 October (Peter Barnes), Richland Creek WMA, Freestone
County [rare].
Clay-colored Sparrow: (2) 18 October (David Wolf & Jesse Fagan); west end of the 147
bridge over Sam Rayburn Reservoir. Angelina County [first county record].
Clay-colored Sparrow: (1) 20 October (David Wolf); near Nacogdoches airport, Nacogdoches
County. Clay-colored Sparrow: (3) 22 October (Tim Fennell, Mark Adams), Granger area,
Williamson County.
The phenomenal Clay-colored Sparrow migration was mirrored elsewhere in Texas:
Hornsby Bend, Austin, 14 Sep (3)
Kingsland, 15 Sep (2)
Yorktown, DeWitt Co., 16 Sep (16)
Lake 6 Draws, Lubbock, 16 Sep (2)
Mitchell Lake, San Antonio, 16 Sep (4)
Packery Channel, Corpus Christi, 16 Sep (3)
Dan Brown's Ranch, Christoval, 16 Sep (2 banded)
Ft. Bliss, El Paso, 16-17 Sep (gobs)
Fennessey Ranch, 17 Sep (3)
20 mi. offshore Port O'Conner, ca. 18 Sep (1+ )
Burnet, 19 Sep (2)
Hagerman NWR, 19 Sep (6)
Buffalo Springs Lake, Lubbock, 19 Sep (2)
Lake Six, Lubbock, 23 Sep (11)
Dallas County, 23 Sep (FOS, following cold front)
Tarrant County, 23-24 Sep (unusually high number for fall, following cold front)
sw Austin, 24 Sep (several)
20 mi. offshore Port O'Connor, 25 Sep (1+), with front (strong N winds 30-35 mph)
Cameron County, 25 Sep (4, after cold front)
Cameron County, 26 Sep (6)
20 mi. offshore Port O'Connor, 26 Sep (1)
Smith Oaks, High Is, 26 Sep (1, associated with cold front)
Granger area, 30 Sep (20 in 2-3 small flocks)
Rancho Viejo, 30 Sep (2)
Indian Beach, Galveston Is, 1 Oct (6)
Corpus Christi area, ca. 1 Oct (1+)
Clapp Park, Lubbock, 3 Oct (18)
Hornsby Bend, Travis Co., 6 Oct (550+)
Golliday, Lubbock, 7 Oct (1+, following cold front)
Lubbock Cemetery, 7 Oct (1)
River Legacy Park, Arlington, Tarrant Co., 7 Oct (1+)
White Rock Lake in Dallas, 7 Oct (several)
Granger area, Williamson Co., 7 Oct (20)
Mitchell lake, San Antonio, 7 Oct (The first sparrows of the season at Mitchell )
Richland Creek WMA, Freestone Co., 7 Oct (25+
Sam Rayburn Res., San Augustine Co., 8 Oct (2)
White Rock Lake in Dallas, 8 Oct (19 two different flocks)
Lake Georgetown area, Williamson Co., 8 Oct (20+)
Corpus Christi, 8 Oct (4)
Galveston Is., 8 Oct (1)
Muleshoe NWR, 9 Oct (1)
Midland, 9 Oct (1)
Corpus Christi, 9 Oct (a big influx of Clay-colored Sparrows (12)
Hornsby Bend, Austin, 9 Oct (300+ )
Richard Moya County Park, se Austin, 9 Oct (a flock of about 30)
Galveston Is., 9 Oct (large numbers)
Granger area, Williamson Co., 9 Oct (17)
Lake Tawakoni, Rains Co., 10 Oct (12-15)
Kerrville-Schreiner State Park 10 Oct (50-60)
Southside Wastewater Treatment Plant in Dallas County, 10 Oct (little fallout)
Bandera County, 10 Oct (20)
Granger area, Williamson Co., 11 Oct (10+)
Hornsby Bend, Austin, 11 Oct (common)
Hunt, Kerr Co., 12 Oct (2)
Kerrville area, 13 Oct (several)
SH-27, Kerr Co., 13 Oct (9)
Cibolo Wilderness Trail, Boerne, 13 Oct (70)
Cibolo Wilderness Trail, Boerne, 14 Oct (25)
Lake Six, Lubbock, 14 Oct (12)
Hornsby Bend, Austin, 14 Oct (250 for all areas on bird survey)
Hornsby Bend, Austin, 14 Oct (655 for all areas on bird survey, conflicting reports)
Kerrville, 14 Oct (2+)
Fort Clark Springs in Brackettville, Kinney County, 14 Oct (2+ )
Uvalde Fish Hatchery, 14 Oct (2+ )
AK Ranch, Bailey County, 14-15 Oct (4)
Richland Creek WMA, Freestone Co., 15 Oct (3)
Lubbock, 15 Oct (2+)
Galveston, 18 Oct (2, following frontal system)
Port O'Connor, Seadrift area, 18 Oct (whole flocks)
Mitchell Lake, San Antonio, 20 Oct (8)
Old Fish Hatchery at White Rock Lake in Dallas 20 Oct (4)
Fort Worth Nature Center, 21 Oct (1+)
Corpus Christi area, 22 Oct (2)
Granger area, 22 Oct (3)
Others thereafter, but mostly in western Texas
Brewer's Sparrow: (1) 9-13 October (Ellen Ratoosh, Chuck Hamilton) 13 October (confirmed by Mike Manson, Karl Kosciuch and others), Emerald Forest subdivision, College Station, Brazos County [first county record; nearest other record is McLennan County, about 90 miles west].
Although common in West Texas, Brewer's Sparrow populations diminish in the Edward's Plateau and are only recorded a handful of times on the Austin bird checklist that extends 60 miles west of the city. It is also considered a vagrant on the McLennan County checklist. Of two dozen eastern Texas checklists consulted, the only other area listing any sightings is the Southeast Texas list that covers ten counties from Brazoria to Newton Co. That list mentions a 1980 sighting. The sighting in Brazos County is 90 miles southeast of McLennan County and about the same distance northeast of Austin. This is the first record for Brazos County and the first for the 10-county Heart-of-Texas RBA area.
Brewer's Sparrow: (1) 21 October (David Wolf made initial id and submitted full details, Charles Dean Fisher confirmed the id, Jesse Fagan submitted details, Mimi Hoppe Wolf provided painting and sketches, Nancy Bird, Claudia Fagan, Jack Windsor, Louis Debetaz, Georgette Guernsey, Charles Kent), grassy point at Texas 147 bridge on Lake Sam Rayburn, San Augustine County [first record for the entire Pineywoods region; one of a very few records for eastern half of Texas; sighting documented in impeccable detail including a beautiful painting].
In his report, Jesse Fagan remarked, "Several members of the Pineywoods Audubon Society were out birding this weekend that included a group field trip on the 21st of October. … The birding was excellent, but not without a bit of an effort being made. The best bird of the weekend was definitely the 1 Brewer's Sparrow that was found along the Sam Rayburn Reservoir shoreline just north of the 147 bridge in San Augustine County. This bird was observed by 9 members of the group and excellent and definitive looks were had by all (including scope looks). Several write-ups and drawing/sketches have been made of this bird … Of note, this bird had been severely injured on its left eye, which was missing completely. Possibly a reason for its vagrancy."
Coastal Bend sighting:
Brewer's Sparrow: (1) 25 November (Mel Cooksey, Willie Sekula), Polly Wog Ponds, Corpus
Christi, Nueces County.
Vesper Sparrow: (2) 26 September (Brush Freeman), Granger Lake area, Williamson County [early arrival].
Lark Bunting: (1) 12 November (Tim Fennell, Rick Pearson), Alligator Road, Granger area, Williamson County [occasional to rare].
Lark Bunting: (3) 26 November (Randy Pinkston), south of Temple, Bell County [rare?].
Lark Bunting: (1) 3 December (Tim Fennell), CR353, Granger area, Williamson County [occasional to rare].
Lark Sparrow: (12) 30 October (Mimi Hoppe Wolf), Central Heights, Nacogdoches County [scarce in late fall and winter; seemed to be migrant flock].
Savannah Sparrow: (2) 30 September (John Arvin), Granger area, Williamson County [early arrival].
Grasshopper Sparrows were reported more often this fall than usual:
Grasshopper Sparrow: (1 juvenile molting into first fall plumage) 30 September (John
Arvin), Granger area, Williamson County.
Grasshopper Sparrow: (1) 8 October (Peter Barnes), Camp Tyler, Smith County.
Grasshopper Sparrow: (1 window-killed specimen) 9 October (Chris Merkord), Texas A&M
University campus, College Station, Brazos County.
Grasshopper Sparrow: (1) 18 and 27 October (Nancy Bird, Georgette Guernsey), Ryan Lake,
Angelina County.
Grasshopper Sparrow: (1) 18 October (David Wolf, Jesse Fagan), at the Texas 147 bridge at
Sam Rayburn Reservoir, San Augustine County.
Grasshopper Sparrow: (1) 21 October (Peggy Harding), Longhorn/Caddo Lake NWR, Harrison
County.
Grasshopper Sparrow: (1) 4 November (Mimi Hoppe Wolf), Central Heights, Nacogdoches
County.
Grasshopper Sparrow: (1) 11 November (James Ingold), Caddo Lake, Harrison County.
Grasshopper Sparrow (A. s. pratensis): (1 adult) 16 November (Jeffrey Hanson), CR110 in
east Round Rock, Bell County.
Randy Pinkston in his fall report for Bell County, "Grasshopper Sparrow: like
Clay-colored, this species was more conspicuous and numerous than it is most years,
particularly in the latter half of November."
Grasshopper Sparrow: (several) 21 November (Bob Doe), Friendship Park, Granger Lake,
Williamson County.
Henslow's Sparrow: (1) 29 October (Brian Gibbons, Jesse Fagan, David Wolf, Mimi Hoppe Wolf), Texas 147 bridge over Lake Sam Rayburn, San Augustine County [early by several weeks].
Henslow's Sparrow: (2) 11 November (TOS field trip lead by Eddie Ray), Texas Eastman, Harrison County; (2) 11 November (James Ingold, TOS field trip), Marion County; (5 banded) 25 November (many observers), Marion County [rare].
Henslow's Sparrow: (1) 19 November (Charles Dean Fisher, Jesse Fagan, Claudia de la Cruz), Nacogdoches Airport, Nacogdoches County [rare].
Le Conte's Sparrow: (1) 7 October (David Phalen), behind the vet school at Texas A&M University, College Station, Brazos County [early arrival].
Le Conte's Sparrow: (1) 8 October (Jesse Fagan, Charles Dean Fisher); (6+) 18 October (David Wolf, Jesse Fagan), grassy point at Texas 147 bridge on Lake Sam Rayburn, San Augustine County [early date for this species; by 18 October they were present here in some numbers].
Le Conte's Sparrow: (2-3) 19 November (Darrell Vollert) Polk's Lake near Chappell Hill, Washington County [first county record, although uncommon in surrounding counties].
Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow: (1) 18 October (David Wolf, Jesse Fagan); (1) 22 October (David Wolf, Mimi Hoppe Wolf, Jesse Fagan); (2) 29 October (Brian Gibbons, Jesse Fagan, David Wolf, Mimi Hoppe Wolf), on grassy point on north shoreline of the Texas 147 bridge over Sam Rayburn Reservoir, San Augustine County [very few inland records; photographed by Jesse Fagan].
David Wolf noted, "This species is a very rare spring and fall migrant through our region (perhaps regular in small number but overlooked); there are multiple specimens from Rayburn and Nacogdoches Co., and these sightings fall right in the middle of their time span in the fall; we were specifically looking for this species and other secretive grassland sparrows, as the habitat is so extensive and good this year."
Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow: (1) 10 October (Matt White), Lake Tawakoni, Rains County [rare migrant; first record for lake; first record for county].
Matt White reported, "On the afternoon of October 10 I donned my rubber boots and headed out into the dense vegetation of a large smartweed marsh that was calf deep (probably snake infested) in water. For 30 minutes I slowly made my way through the tangled roots (which almost tripped me several times) and saw nary a bird except for a couple of fleeting looks at Sedge Wrens, and a couple of Common Yellowthroats. There were four of five Soras calling but I was seeing nothing, not even a Swamp Sparrow. I finally found a Clay-colored Sparrow (what an odd bird in this habitat--but not surprising as there were 12-15 birds nearby in the brush) Just as I began to make plans to come back a bit later in the year and try again a calling Sora about 20 feet from my feet drew my attention and I began slowly working my way in that directions, but the vegetation was neck high and I was beginning to feel the water get deeper and deeper and begin going into my boots. That is a bad feeling. At that moment, a Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow hopped up about 4-5 yards away and perched conspicuously showing me the ochre upper breast and head. The wide gray crown stripe was obvious. I sat motionless for several minutes as it slowly moved around. It dove in and a few minutes later popped up, showing me its dark back with light streaks. Amazingly, this provides the first Lake Tawakoni record and the first Rains County record as well. I also had a dark winged scoter (Black or Surf). I went home all wet and soaked to the thighs in cold water, but happy. Only birding could let you get so miserable and enjoy it so much..."
Peter Barnes commented in his October report, "A total of at least 4 Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrows on Oct 9, 14 and 20 (Matt White, Martin Reid, Bob Stone), representing the first records for Lake Tawakoni and Rains Co. This is likely to be an overlooked bird that is more common than we believe, as it skulks in dense vegetation that is partially under water."
Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow: (2) 5 November (Guy Luneau); (1) 11 November (TOS Field Trip lead by Guy Luneau for TOS Longview Fall Meeting), Texas Eastman at Longview, Gregg County [very rare inland record].
Song Sparrow: (1) 7 October (Chris Merkord, Tim Fennell), Granger area, Williamson County; (1) 9 October (Ellen Ratoosh), Emerald Forest subdivision, College Station, Brazos County; (1) 9 October (Shirley Wilkerson), Kurten, Brazos County; (1) 12 October (Cathy Liles), Brison orchard, Burleson County [early arrivals].
Lincoln's Sparrow: (1) 30 September (John Arvin), Granger area, Williamson County [early arrival].
Swamp Sparrow: (5+) 7 October (Jesse Fagan, Ruth Heino, Charles Dean Fisher), Nacogdoches County [somewhat early arrival].
Swamp Sparrow: (1) 9 October (Chuck Hamilton), Raintree subdivision, College Station, Brazos County [early arrival].
White-throated Sparrow: (1) 21 August (Jack Windsor), Lufkin, Angelina County [very early arrival].
Harris's Sparrow: (1) 26 November (Truman Powell), Richland Creek WMA, Freestone County [uncommon].
White-crowned Sparrow: (1 immature) 11 October (Ellen Ratoosh), Emerald Forest subdivision, College Station, Brazos County [early arrival].
White-crowned Sparrow: (1 banded) 11 November (James Ingold), Caddo Lake, Harrison County; (1) 11 November (TOS field trip lead by Eddie Ray), Texas Eastman property, Harrison County [uncommon].
Dark-eyed Juncos were much more common this season, beginning with the first report on 11 November in College Station.
Gray-headed (Dark-eyed) Junco: (1) 15 October (David Brotherton), Daingerfield, Morris County [rare subspecies for East Texas].
Dark-eyed Junco: (1) 5 November (Georgette Guernsey), Lufkin, Angelina County; (2) 7 November (Mimi Hoppe Wolf), Central Heights, Nacogdoches County [early arrival].
Fide David Wolf, "A well-marked 'pink-sided' junco in south Nacogdoches County in mid-November (Sharon Wilkerson) was almost certainly of a non 'Slate-colored' race, all of which are rare in our region."
Lapland and McCown's Longspurs: (no.?) 26 November (Truman Powell), north of Trinidad, Henderson County; also northeast and southeast of Kerens, Navarro County [early edge of arrival].
McCown's Longspur: (350+) 12 November (Tim Fennell, Rick Pearson), CR359/CR360/Friendship Lane, near Granger, Williamson County [rare, but regular in this area].
McCown's Longspur: (50+) 19 November (Tim Fennell), CR345, near Granger, Williamson County [rare, but regular in this area].
McCown's Longspur: (100+) 19 November (Scott Brandes, Toby Hibbitts), CR360, Granger area, Williamson County [rare, but regular in this area].
McCown's Longspur: (15) 22 November (Daniel Peak), CR359 and 971, Granger area, Williamson County [rare, but regular in this area].
McCown's Longspur: (11-12) 23 November (Brush Freeman), ranch near Utley, Bastrop County [rare].
Lapland Longspur: (3) 19 November (Tim Fennell), Granger Dam, Williamson County [rare].
Chestnut-collared Longspur: (12) 12 November (Tim Fennell, Rick Pearson), CR359/CR360/Friendship Lane, near Granger, Williamson County [rare, but regular in this area].
Chestnut-collared Longspur: (15+) 19 November (Tim Fennell), CR110, near Granger, Williamson County [rare, but regular in this area].
Chestnut-collared Longspur: (30) 21 November (Bob Doe), Alligator Road just west of CR352, near Granger, Williamson County [rare, but regular in this area].
Pyrrhuloxia: (3) 28 September; (2) 6 October (Ann Polk), her house near Chappell Hill, Washington County [rare; east of normal range].
Pyrrhuloxia: (1 male) 4 November (Tim Fennell), Willis Creek Park, Granger Lake, Williamson County [east of normal range].
Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, usually rare in fall migration, were reported frequently.
There are only eight prior fall records for this species in the Brazos Valley and this
fall brought in seven new reports:
Rose-breasted or Black-headed Grosbeak: (1-2 female or possibly immature male)
approximately 1-17 September (Shirley Wilkerson), Kurten, Brazos County [either species is
very rare in fall migration].
Rose-breasted Grosbeak: (1 first year male, 1 female) 9 October (Chuck Hamilton), Raintree
subdivision, College Station, Brazos County.
Rose-breasted Grosbeak: (1 immature) 9 October (Tim Fennell), Rice's Crossing, Granger
area, Williamson County.
Rose-breasted Grosbeak: (1 first fall male) 11 October (Darrell Vollert), Chappell Hill,
Washington County.
Rose-breasted Grosbeak: (1 first fall male) 13 October (Darrell Vollert), at Margie
Young's residence on Harrison Street, Brenham, Washington County.
Rose-breasted Grosbeak: (1 male, 1 female) 15 October (Chuck Hamilton), separate locations
in Raintree subdivision, College Station, Brazos County.
Rose-breasted Grosbeak: (1 male) 14-15 October (Terry Junek), yard feeder between Wellborn
and Millican, Brazos County.
Rose-breasted Grosbeak: (1 female) 2-6 December (Mary Dabney Wilson), at her birdbath,
College Hills subdivision, College Station, Brazos County [rare in December].
Black-headed Grosbeak: (1 adult male) 2 September (Nancy Bird), her birdbath, Huntington, Angelina County [first county record; David Wolf in his quarterly report commented, "the adult male visited birdbath in Huntington during the extreme heat; one of our very few confirmed records of easily identified adult males; much earlier than previous fall records for the region (they typically appear in late November - through the winter)."].
Black-headed Grosbeak: (1 first fall male) 14-17 September (Darrell Vollert), Chappell Hill, Washington County [very rare].
Black-headed Grosbeak: (1 first fall male) 16-17 September (Susan Bame), Zionsville community, northwest of Brenham, Washington County [very rare].
Blue Grosbeak: (1 fledgling) ca. 2 August (David Phalen), Nature's Haven (wildlife rehabilitation facility), bird retrieved in the Bryan-College Station area, Brazos County [although suspected since 1987 of being a rare breeder in Brazos, Burleson and Washington Counties, there has been very little evidence of breeding heretofore].
Blue Grosbeaks are occasional fall migrants. This season's reports and numbers were
far more numerous than typical:
Blue Grosbeak: (1) 13 August (Tim Fennell); (2) 7 October (Tim Fennell, Chris Merkord),
Granger area, Williamson County.
Blue Grosbeak: (1 adult male) 26 August; (8+ male, 8+ female and immature) 5 September;
(5+ male, 5+ female) 9 September; (1 female) 13 September (Darrell Vollert), FR2447 near
Chappell Hill, Washington County.
Blue Grosbeak: (2) 10 September (Darrell Vollert), Polk's Lake near Chappell Hill,
Washington County.
Blue Grosbeak: (1) 28 September (Darrell Vollert), Chappell Hill subdivision, Washington
County.
Blue Grosbeak: (1) 2 October (Darrell Vollert), his yard, Chappell Hill, Washington
County.
Blue Grosbeak: (1) 7 October (Darrell Vollert, Rio Brazos Audubon Society field trip),
Butler Bayou near Brazos River along FM60, Burleson County.
Blue Grosbeak: (1) 9 October (Ellen Ratoosh), Emerald Forest subdivision, College Station,
Brazos County.
Blue Grosbeak: (3 immature or female) 11 October (Randy Pinkston), Lions Park, Temple,
Bell County [late].
Blue Grosbeak: (1 female) 12 October (Cathy Liles), Brison orchard, Burleson County
[late].
Blue Grosbeak: (1 male, 1 female) 14 October (Toni-Ann Mistretta), Texas A&M
University Wastewater Treatment Plant near Easterwood Airport, College Station, Brazos
County [late migrants].
Blue Grosbeak: (1) 21 October (Frank Bumgardner, John Muldrow), Lake Waco, McLennan County
[late].
Blue Grosbeak: (1) 5 November (Mimi Hoppe Wolf), Central Heights, Nacogdoches County
[late migrant].
BUNTINGS
Lazuli Bunting: (a few females) 11 October (Beverly Nichols), her yard, Atlanta, Cass County [very rare in East Texas, Beverly writes, "We had over 60 female Indigo Buntings with a few female Lazulis mixed in with them. Since we had a few Lazuli's visit us last spring we are sure these were Lazuli's."].
An unprecedented number of Indigo Buntings were reported this season, especially
with the cold front from 7-12 October.
David Wolf, "this species [Indigo Bunting] staged a spectacular migration this fall,
concentrating in huge numbers (for inland) in several areas with extensive weedy growth.
… spectacular movement this October, especially with the cold front of Oct. 7-8"
Here is a profile of Central Prairie and East Texas sightings:
4 Aug (7)
26 Aug (2)
28 Aug (3)
3 Sep (1)
5 Sep (2)
14 Sep (1)
16 Sep (2), (6)
21 Sep (2)
23 Sep (2)
24 Sep (3), (110+)
25 Sep (several)
26 Sep (7)
27 Sep (7)
28 Sep (6+)
29 Sep (1)
30 Sep (15)
2 Oct (8)
5 Oct (8)
6 Oct (several)
7 Oct (80), (32), (2000+)
8 Oct (100-200), (15), (20), (60), (1)
9 Oct (30-40), (lots), (lots), (2), (5), (20), (35)
10 Oct (2), (12), (2), (150+)
11 Oct (10), (12), (17), (60)
12 Oct (hundreds)
13 Oct (5), (3)
14 Oct (1), (20), (300)
15 Oct (39), (1), (1), (10)
18 Oct (9), (4), (130+)
25 Oct (1)
26 Oct (3)
28 Oct (2)
30 Oct (1)
3 Nov (1)
4 Nov (1), (1)
5 Nov (1)
Here are some specifics on the early October cold front:
Ellen Ratoosh, Brazos County, on 8 October, "Our promised cold front came in on
Friday [6 October], and it was/is a good strong one. Today the high was only around 50,
with a steady north wind. We've had about 1.5 inches of rain, all of it needed. ... Indigo
Bunting - this is what drew me out of my nice warm dry house into the wet cold windy
floodplain on 10/8. I could see them flitting around, but couldn't begin to guess how many
there were until I was out there. Each time the very helpful Cooper's flew by, they all
flushed out of the grass and I had a chance to estimate (I did see it take one, btw).
There were at least 100 and probably closer to 200, more than I've ever seen in the
previous rest of my life. I had no idea they migrated in such large flocks. Really
cool."
David Wolf, Nacogdoches County, "this species staged a spectacular migration this fall, concentrating in huge numbers (for inland) in several areas with extensive weedy growth. … spectacular movement this October, especially with the cold front of Oct. 7-8"
Jesse Fagan, Ruth Heino (10/7), and Dr. Dean Fisher (10/7-10/8). "Well, it turned out to be a good weekend for fall migrants and new arrivals of fall/winter residents here in the East Texas region (Nacogdoches County and surrounding areas). I was out all weekend ( 8:00 am - 5:00 pm) with several members of the Pineywoods Audubon Society including Ruth Heino (10/7) and Dr. Dean Fisher (10/7-10/8). The front that moved through worked wonders in this region and several first fall sightings were found including good migrants and few surprises. Areas birded were southeast of Nacogdoches and included Etoile Park, Townsends Park, Ralph McAllister Park, 103 and 147 bridge (east and west shorelines of Sam Rayburn Reservoir). ... 2000+ Indigo Buntings (filling the bushes and trees!!)"
Indigo Bunting: (80) 7 October (Chris Merkord), CR229, Burleson County.
Indigo Bunting: (32) 7 October (Darrell Vollert), Washington County.
Indigo Bunting: (6) 7 October (Chris Merkord, Tim Fennell), Granger area, Williamson
County.
Indigo Bunting: (2000+) 7 October (Charles Dean Fisher, Jesse Fagan,
Ruth Heino), Texas 147 bridge on Lake Sam Rayburn, San Augustine County [spectacular fall
out during major cold front].
Indigo Bunting: (60+) 8 October (Darrell Vollert), Chappell Hill area, Washington County.
Indigo Bunting: (100-200) 8 October (Ellen Ratoosh), Emerald Forest subdivision, College
Station, Brazos County.
Indigo Bunting: (30-40) 9 October (Ellen Ratoosh), Emerald Forest subdivision, College
Station, Brazos County.
Indigo Bunting: (35) 9 October (Chuck Hamilton), Raintree subdivision, College Station,
Brazos County.
Indigo Bunting: (150+) 10 October (Mimi Hoppe Wolf), Central Heights, Nacogdoches County
Indigo Bunting: (hundreds) 12 October (Cathy Liles), Burleson County.
Indigo Bunting: (60) 11 October (Beverly Nichols), Atlanta, Cass County.
Indigo Bunting: (300) 14 October (Jesse Fagan, Claudia de la Cruz), TX 147, Sam Rayburn
Reservoir, San Augustine County.
Indigo Bunting: (130+) 18 October (David Wolf, Jesse Fagan), TX 147, Sam Rayburn
Reservoir, San Augustine County.
Indigo Bunting: (1) 3 November (DB), Morris County; (1) 4 November (Peter Barnes), Camp
Tyler, Smith County.
Indigo Bunting: (1) 4 November (Shirley Wilkerson), Kurten, Brazos County [late
departure].
Indigo Bunting: (2) 4 November (Jesse Fagan, Claudia de la Cruz), Nacogdoches ponds,
Nacogdoches County.
Indigo Bunting: (1) 5 November (Jesse Fagan, Claudia de la Cruz), Texas 147 bridge, San
Augustine County.
Indigo Bunting: (1) 5 November (Guy Luneau), Texas Eastman in Longview, Gregg County
[latest fall records in the NETFO database].
Indigo Bunting: (1 female) 7 November (Andrew & April Conkey), casualty of 2nd-story
glass walkway at the Engineering-Physics complex of Texas A&M University, College
Station, Brazos County [late departure].
Many more fall sightings of Painted Bunting were reported than usual, a species
that usually disappears at the end of the summer breeding season:
Painted Bunting: (1 adult male) 4 August (Darrell Vollert), Brazos River bottoms on FR2447
near Chappell Hill, Washington County.
Painted Bunting: (2 female or juvenile, 1 adult male ) 1 August; (7 female & juvenile,
1 adult male) 6 August; (5 female & juvenile) 8 August; (1 female, 2 juveniles) 16
August (Fred and Mary Brandt), Chappell Hill Subdivision, Washington County.
Painted Bunting: (1 female or immature), 13 August (Tim Fennell), Granger area, Williamson
County.
Painting Bunting: (4 immature) at least through 18 August (Shirley Wilkerson), backyard
feeder near Kurten, Brazos County.
Painted Bunting: (1 female, 1 juvenile) 19 August; (4 female and immature) 2 September
(Darrell Vollert), Polk's Lake near Chappell Hill, Washington County.
Painted Bunting: (1 female) 26 August (Darrell Vollert), FR2447 near Chappell Hill,
Washington County.
Painted Bunting: (6 female or immature), 3 September (Tim Fennell, Kark Koscuich), Granger
area, Williamson County.
Painted Bunting: (1 female) 3 September (Carolyn Haluska), her yard in Waco, McLennan
County.
Painted Bunting: (7) 4 September; (4-5) 5 September (Shirley Wilkerson), Kurten, Brazos
County.
Painted Bunting: (1 female) 5 September (Darrell Vollert), Brazos River at US290,
Washington County.
Painted Bunting: (1 male) 4, 6 and 8 September; (1 female) 12 and 23 September (Fred and
Mary Brandt), Chappell Hill Subdivision, Washington County.
Painted Bunting: (1+) 24 September (Mimi Hoppe Wolf) Central Heights, Nacogdoches,
Nacogdoches County.
Painted Bunting: (1+) 24 September, Alazan Bayou, San Augustine County [late migrant].
Painted Bunting: (1 adult male) 1 October (Ann Polk); 30 September (Darrell Vollert),
Polk's Lake near Chappell Hill, Washington County [late for Painted Bunting, but
especially late for an adult male].
Dickcissels experienced a strong fall showing. Here is a profile of Central
Prairie sightings:
4 Aug (30)
12 Aug (15), (10)
13 Aug (1)
19 Aug (30)
26 Aug (7)
28 Aug (7)
1 Sep (3)
2 Sep (10+), (25)
5 Sep (several), (some)
9 Sep (4)
14 Sep (some)
21 Sep (some)
26 Sep (2)
28 Sep (1)
6 Oct (several), (12)
7 Oct (1), (12)
8 Oct (1)
9 Oct (1)
11 Oct (1)
12 Oct (some)
15 Oct (1)
Dickcissel: (3) 5 November (Jesse Fagan, Ruth Heino), Nacogdoches ponds, Nacogdoches County [very late].
Western Meadowlark: (heard) 20 October (Tim Fennell, Mark Adams), in the "megafield "of sorghum and/or corn stubble bounded by Alligator Road on the north, CR 352 on the east and CR 353 on the south. northeast of Granger, Williamson County [first of season].
Yellow-headed Blackbird: (2) 15 September (Charles Bryant), prison horse pasture at FM 2821 and Rosenwall Rd, Huntsville, Walker County; (1) 21 September (Peter Barnes), Lake Tyler East, Smith County [rare migrants].
Yellow-headed Blackbird: (1) 25 September (Tim Fennell), Meadow Lake, Round Rock, Williamson County [rare fall migrant].
Yellow-headed Blackbird: (1) 9 October (Tim Fennell), Alligator Road, Bell County [rare fall migrant].
Yellow-headed Blackbird: (1 immature or female) 6 November (Ellen Ratoosh), Emerald Forest subdivision, College Station, Brazos County [rare and late migrant; only other November record is 2 November 1972, although there is one still later record on 4 December 1973].
Rusty Blackbird: (1) 15 September (Charles Bryant), prison horse pasture at FM 2821 and Rosenwall Rd, Huntsville, Walker County [rare].
Rusty Blackbird: (1) 23 November (Randy Pinkston), Union Grove Wildlife Area, Stillhouse Hollow Lake, Bell County [rare in fall; occasional in winter on Bell County checklist].
Rusty Blackbird: (50) 30 November (Peter Barnes), Lake Tyler, Smith County; (200) 30 November (Guy Luneau, Mike Lovell), Panola County [occasional].
A rare summer breeder and an infrequent fall migrant, Orchard Orioles were in
unusually good numbers this season. Here is a profile of Central Prairie sightings,
with details on the latest reports:
1 Aug (1)
4 Aug (4)
6 Aug (2)
8 Aug (1)
10 Aug (1)
12 Aug (4)
19 Aug (1)
26 Aug (4)
29 Aug (1)
2 Sep (1)
4 Sep (1)
9 Sep (3)
26 Sep (2)
7 Oct (1)
11 Oct (1)
Orchard Oriole: (2) 2 September (Darrell Vollert), Polk's Lake near Chappell Hill,
Washington County.
Orchard Oriole: (1) 4 September (Carolyn Haluska), her yard in Waco, McLennan County.
Orchard Oriole: (3 female or immature) 9 September (Darrell Vollert), FR2447 near Chappell
Hill, Washington County.
Orchard Oriole: (2) 26 September (Ann Polk), Polk's Lake near Chappell Hill, Washington
County.
Orchard Oriole: (1 female) 7 October (Chris Merkord), Century Tree on Texas A&M
University campus, College Station, Brazos County [late migrant].
Orchard Oriole: (1 female) 11 October (Cathy Liles), College Station, Brazos County [late
migrant].
18 reports of Baltimore Oriole from 1-27 September.
Purple Finch: (1) 11-12 November (Brenda Muncrief), Huntsville, Walker County [once a fairly common winter resident, but now rare except in deep East Texas].
Purple Finch: (flock of 40 or so) 26 November (Truman Powell), north of Trinidad, Henderson County [rare in recent years; early arrival].
Purple Finch: (7) 28 November (Peter Barnes), Richland Creek WMA, Freestone County [probable first county record; although once a fairly common winter resident, it is now rare in the region].
A Cassin's Finch was mentioned at the Central Texas Audubon Society meeting, McLennan County, on 14 November, but I have no details.
House Finch: (up to 70) 5ff October (Chris Merkord, Mike Manson), Texas A&M University campus, College Station, Brazos County [unusually large number for this area].
Pine Siskin: (13-14) 30 October (Brush Freeman), Utley, Bastrop County [early arrival].
American Goldfinch: (1 male) 6 September (Derek Muschalek), his yard 11 miles northwest of Yorktown, DeWitt County [early arrival].
Mark Adams, Keith Arnold, Karen Arquette, John Arvin, Noreen Baker, Terry Baldwin, Susan Bame, Eric Barnes, Peter Barnes, Lily Bartoszek, Boyd Bauer, Cheryle Beck, Billie Bernard, Ray Berry, Mary Bhuthimethee, Nancy Bird, Hazel Bluhm, Barry Boyd, Scott Brandes, Fred and Mary Brandt, Clyde Brothers, David Brotherton, Sarah Brotherton, Charles Bryant, Frank Bumgardner, Eric Carpenter, Barbara Cavin, Gail Cole, Andrew & April Conkey, Mike Creese, Grant Critchfield, Jane Crone, Claudia de la Cruz, Sheridan Coffey, Mel Cooksey, Kelly Cotten, Louis Debetaz, Mike Dillon, Bob Doe, Fred & Judy Donaldson, Paul van Dyke, Marcia Effinger, Bill Elsik, Chuck Ely, Floi Ewing, Jesse Fagan, Tim Fennell, Rob Fergus, Debbie Finch, Charles Dean Fisher, Brush Freeman, Bert Frenz, Gary Fritcher, Brian Gibbons, Mark Gray, Georgette Guernsey, Carol Gutberlet, Ron Gutberlet, Ron Haaseth, Carolyn Haluska, Chuck Hamilton, Jeffrey Hanson, Peggy Harding, Sheila Hargis, Ruth Heino, Darlene Henderson, Toby Hibbitts, Petra Hockey, John Hoogerheide, Charles & Pat Howell, David Hurt, James Ingold, Jimmy Jackson, Ernest Jasek, Terry Junek, Richard Kastan, Charles Kent, Jerri Kerr, Karl Koscuich, Larry & Nancy LaBrant, Cathy Liles, Bill Lindemann, James Loesch, Mike Lovell, Guy Luneau, Joan Luneau, Scott Luneau, John MacFarlane, Jill McAfee, Janice McClintock, Mike Manson , Chris Merkord, Dorothy Metzler, Robert Metzler, Charles Mills, Toni-Ann Mistretta, Don & Pam Moes, Miguel Mora, Debbie and Kent Moore, Taylor Moore, John Muldrow, Brenda Muncrief, Derek Muschalek, Jeffrey Musser, Russell Nelson, Beverly Nichols, John O'Neil, Daniel Peak, Rick Pearson, David Phalen, Jason Pike, Randy Pinkston, Darrell Pogue, Ann Polk, Truman Powell, Jane Purtle, Martha and Habib Rahman, Ellen Ratoosh, Eddie Ray, Jennifer Reidy, Susan and Don Schaezler, Don Scott, Willie Sekula, Deloris Duncan Sellin, Chuck Sexton, Cliff Shackelford, Dawn Sherry, Glen Shroeter, Margret and Bob Simmons, Ginger Stuessy, Pat Taylor, Terry Thomas, Barbara Tilton, Robert Truss, Bobby Valentine, Betty Vermeire, Darrell Vollert, Marianne & Jim Voss, Matt Wagner, David Weaver, Marilyn Werner, Kristin White, Matt White, E. G. White-Swift, Jerry Wicker, Mary Wicksten, Dan Wilkerson, Sharon Wilkerson, Shirley Wilkerson, Mary Dabney Wilson, Jack Windsor, Judy Winn, Ron Winn, David Wolf, Mimi Hoppe Wolf
For additions, corrections and new sightings, contact bert@bafrenz.com