Townsend'sWarblers this season,all but one from Jorgensen,Mice Kenitz,Jon Kozak,Thomas E. Arterburn,Sandy Berger, Bill Carrell,Joseph A. itsPanhandle, the last in Grant2 Sep(MB). Only Labedz,Kathy Larson, Don Maas,Babs Padelford Grzybowski,Stephen Grzybowski, Berlin Heck, Pat oneTownsend's was reported from Kansas, that in (BPa), Loren Padelford,Don Paseka,lan Paseka, Heck,George Kamp, Marty Kamp, Jo Loyd, Terry Scott9 Sep(TS, SSh), with one 6 Sepin Cimarron, KevinPoague, Larry Randolph, lames A. Sedgwick, Mitchell,Pam Moser,Dan Reinking,Justin & OK (JAG),and 2 there20 Sep(MK, GK,C&SR). W. RossNilcock, David Stage (DSt), Barb Tebble, DonnaRoach, C.&S. Ruby, Jerry Sifter, P. Velte, G. Amongearly arrivals were an Orange-crownedMark Urwiller, ScottWessel, Peter Wickham, Rick White,David Wiggins (DWg). Warblerat Oliver 15 Aug (SJD)and a Canada Wright.OKLAHOMA: David Arbour, James W. Warbler 11 Aug in Douglas,KS (MM, GP). Lingeringwas a NorthernParula 14 Oct in McCurtain,OK (DA, DR, BH). FewBrewer's Sparrows are notedduring fall; thisyear's lot included singles in Cimarron,OK 21 Aug(JWA, JL, JS) and Morton, KS 2 Sep(NS, TC et Texas al.).Quite tardy was a VesperSparrow in Knox,NE 28 Nov-3Dec (MB). Morefrequently observed in recentyears are Nelson'sSharp-tailed Sparrows. About8 werereported from e. Nebraska,all from 30 Sep-14Oct (fideWRS), with two reportsof 3 birdsfrom Kansas13-14 Oct (fideLM). Nine ßAmarillo Sharp-tailedswere flushed at RedSlough 10 Oct =BuffaloLakeI•W.H. (DA). =Muleshoe N.W.R. An ad.male Rose-breasted Grosbeak in Finney, Lubbo•_ (-'-'• F_•i•shitaI•agermanN. W.'•7• KS23-25 Nov (ES), was geographically andtempo- • J •' Dallas ] rallyout of place.Perhaps making a patternof Guadalupe- ' ßAbilene sortswere 4 late-ishLazuli Buntings in ScottsBluff, MtnsN.R r••.•_nd•-•,•V NE 22 Sep(AK), No?ton, KS 22 Sep(NS, MRa), Cimarron,OK 24 Sep (JAG, JWA, DWg), and Tulsa '-*'*-Y'•/%. •anAngelo•'• 29 Sep (BC, TM). Also tardy was an Indigo -...... Buntingin Dixon,NE 30 Oct (JJ),the 2nd latest everfor the state.A LesserGoldfinch in Morton,KS 2 Sep(NS et al.) wasa littlen. of most.The only CommonRedpoll noted was in NebraskaCity 23 Bi Bend •' •%øo. • o• •s•anu Nov (LF,CF). ' &• • R•nsas N.• R.

Cited observers (area editors boldfaced): KANSAS:Bob Antonio, Dave Bryan, Bill & Nancy • Kingsvill•orpusChri• FalconDam • _ • Laguna Beard,Ken Brunson,Ted Cable,Nick & Kathy BentsenS• • •as•sa N.• R. Sa•a Ana N.•R. Clausen,Mark & ElaineCorder, Barbara Duncan, Bransville MaryDeuser, Tom Flowers, Bob Fisher, Dan Gish, ChetGresham, Matt Gearheart,Leon Hicks, Tyler Hicks,Nancy Highgate, Pete Janzen, Dan Kluza, KerrieKirkpatrick, Linda Loomis, Jean Leonatti Mark W. Lockwood (JLe),Dan Larson, Nick McHugh,Roger McNeill, 67•0 Lancret Hill Drive hisfall was characterized byabove-average rainfall in the eastern half of the state while Lloyd Moore, Jim Nickel, Marie Osterbuhr, Austin,Texas 78745 SebastianPatti, Brandon Percival, Galen Pittman, ([email protected]) the droughtremained unabated in the west. RalphPike, Alexis Powell, Bob Price (BPr), Mark Pacificfronts repeatedly crossed the state,pro- Robbins,Mike Rader(MRa), LeonardRich (LRi), GregLasley ducingheavy rainfall when they interacted with moisture from the Gulf. At Houston's GregSchrott, David Seibel, Scott Seltman, Diane 305 LoganberryCourt Seltman (DSe), Tom Shane,Sara Shane (SSh), Austin,Texas 78745 Bush IntercontinentalAirport, the rainfall total for the fall alone was over 63 cm. This Emaline Scott,Lauren Sill, Art Smalwell,Kamas (õ[email protected]) OrnithologicalSociety (KOS), Max Thompson, was more than 25 cm aboveaverage. As a DonVannoy, Edge Wade, Dave Williams, Wichita Willie Sekula result,temperatures in the eastwere moderate, AudubonSociety (WAS), Gene Young. NEBRAS- 7063 CountyRoad 228 while in the west they were above normal. KA: LaurdBadura, Elliott BedowN, Mark Brogie, FallsCity, Texas 78113 Hardesthit by the droughtwas El Paso,where JamesJ. Dinsmore,Stephen J. Dinsmore,Jeff ([email protected]) the annualrainfall barely exceeded 10 cm,less Drahota,Carol Falk, LaurenceFalk, JoeFontaine, thanhalf the average. RuthGreen, Betty Grennon, Carolyn Hall, Robin Brush Freeman In general,most observers described the fall Harding,Craig Hensley (CHe), Glen Hoge, Wanda 120 North Redbud Trail migrationas lackluster. In manyareas of the Hoge,Helen K. Hughson,Bill F. Huser,Todd ElDin,Texas 78621 state,the lack of summerrains left poor food Jensen,Jan Johnson,Gerry Jorgensen,Jori G. ([email protected]) crops and while many wintering species arrivedon time, they seemedto disappearby

70 NORTH AMERICAH B1RDS Southern Great Plains Texas

fall'send. Passageof Pacificfronts early in the ly strongthis fall in the e. half of the state. seasonresulted in somerecord-early dates for Unprecedentedfor the EdwardsPlateau was a a few speciesthat werestopped on their way count of 6 Tricolored Herons at L. Buchanan, southward. Irruptive specieswere hard to Burner3 Aug (TFe). This speciesis an almost comeby throughoutthe state,and therewas regularfall visitorto the Trans-Pecos,and this no repeatof lastantumn's invasion ofmontane yearsingles were at BalmorheaL. 12-25Aug speciesin the west. (MAd, RR) and Rio GrandeVillage 10 Sep-I Oct (LK et al.). ReddishEgret was document- Abbreviations: T.B.R.C. (TexasBird Records ed from the Edwards Plateau for the first time Committee);U.T.C. (Upper TexasCoast). The thisfall, with singlesat Kerrville23 Aug (EB, followingare shortened names for the respec- ph.) and Canyon L., Comal 6 Sep (BN). tive local,county, state, or nationalparks and ReddishEgrets continue to be found in the wildliferefuges, etc.: Alazan Bayou, Anahuac, Trans-Pecoswith surprisingfrequency; this BalconesCanyonlands, Big Bend, Big Bend season'sindividuals include continuing birds Ranch, Brazoria, Buffalo Lake, Matagorda at BalmorheaL., El Paso,and ImperialRes., Island,Packery Channel, Palo Duro Canyon, Pecos,and another was at Fort Stockton,Pecos Quintana, Sabine Woods, Santa Ana, Sea Rim, 17Aug (MAd). Yellow-crownedNight-Herons Trinity River. were reportedfrom scatteredlocations in the Trans-Pecos,with oneat Rio GrandeVillage 2 LOONS THROUGH SPOONBILL Aug (RE),2 at Fort Hancock2 Sep(BZ), and 2 A PacificLoon was at GreenfieldCity L., Hunt, at BalmorheaL. 23 Sep (MAd). An imm. providinga first countyrecord (MWh, KWh). RoseateSpoonbill at McNary Res.31 Aug-5 Up to 3 LeastGrebes were on the KatyPrairie, Oct was an extraordinaryrecord for the El Waller2 Sep,providing a rare recordfor the Paso area. U.T.C.(BH). Aechmophorusgrebes continue to increasein numbers,particularly in the w. WATERFOWLTHROUGH RAPTORS Trans-Pecos.Clark's Grebes nested in unprece- SixFulvous Whistling-Ducks at Bastrop on 12 dentednumbers at McNaryRes., Hudspeth, Aug (BFr) wasa largenumber for the Austin with up to eight pairs with young 29 Oct area. Extremelyearly were 8 CanadaGeese in Thisfemale Acom Woodpecker in McAIlen,Texas amongup to 70 otherindividuals (BZ, JPa,JZ). Angelina27 Aug(GG); the possibility of these 6-10 November2001 providedan unexpected Paton countedup to 142 on reservoirsin El being fetal cannot be ruled out. A female firstrecord for the Lower Rio Grande Valley. The Pasoand Hudspeth 11 Nov,including up to 20 Gadwall with young was discoveredat closestpopulations of this montane species are juv. Clark's. Lubbockon 12Aug (AF), providing a veryrare in the SierraPichacos in northeasternMexico, Sixty+Cory's Shearwaters off PortAransas, breeding record for the South Plains. A about160 km away.Photograph by Steve Aransas21 Oct wasan unusuallylarge number Harlequin Duck was spottedflying with a Bentsen. (SWe).American White Pelicansare regular groupof LesserScaup at L. Worth 23 Nov (• migrantsthrough the w. half of the state,but ph., MR); if acceptedit wouldbe the 3rd for Wells(BCr) was farther n. thanexpected, but a counts of 60 at Midland and over 300 at Texas. Surf Scoters are almost annual in the roostof over150 near McAllen, Hidalgo was Buffalo L., Randall in Oct were remarkable. Trans-Pecosbetween late Oct and earlyNov; truly spectacular(LM). Two very early Bald Brown Pelicans have been found in the Trans- this fall found up to 3 at TornilloRes. 26-29 Eagleswere found in Bailey25 Aug (RSm).A Pecoswith increasingfrequency in the fall. Oct (JZ,MS, BZ) andone at McNaryRes. 4-14 Harris'sHawk at Canyon,Randall 5-6 Oct This season,singles were at Tornillo Res.,El Nov.Long-tailed Ducks are annual but always (KW et al.) provideda rare Panhandlerecord. Paso16 Aug,Balmorhea L., Reeves4 Sep,and noteworthyin Texas;singles were at S. Padre1 Equally unexpectedwere singleHarris's at McNaryRes., El Paso8 Sep.Wandering Brown Nov (WC) and Aransas 30 Nov (RWe). Smith Pt. 17 Sepand 7 Nov. Fartherw. than Pelicanswere also present at L. Worth, Tarrant Hooded Mergansersappeared in Texason normal were Red-shouldered Hawks at and L. Tawakoni, Rains 5 Nov-2 Dec. recordearly dates, including singles at Greenbelt Midland24 Aug (RMS) and Lubbock 1-19 Sep MagnificentFrigatebirds lingered until 15Nov L., Donley8 Aug(BiM, JHu)and Balmorhea L. (RK et al.). A record total of 103,603 Broad- at Galveston,providing only the 3rd Nov (RK) and Buffalo L. (EK), both 25 Aug. wingedHawks was recorded on the SmithPt. recordfor the Region(RWe). Providinga first summer/early fall record for the Hawk Watch, while on the other end of the Bitternsare rarelyreported from the w. haft Nacogdochesarea were 2 hens10-25 Aug (DWo stateone was at BigBend on 19Aug (MF) and of the state, but this fall an American Bittern et al.).An injuredCommon Merganser lingered 3 in El Paso 19-27 Sep (JPa,JZ, MS, BZ). wasat BalmorheaL. 25 Aug(RK) andsingle throughthe summer and fall at TornilloRes. Broad-wingedHawks were seen in above-aver- Leastswere at Ralls,Crosby 2 Sep (RK), Big A count of 74 Swallow-tailed Kites was agenumbers on the High Plains,with a high Bend22 Sep(MF), Lubbock21 Oct (AF) and recordedat the SmithPt. Hawk Watchduring countof 4 at Lubbock29 Sep(AF). Falling into BalmorheaL. 12Oct (DHe). A gatheringof 37 the fall, well abovethe expectednumber. A an establishedpattern of fall occurrencese. of GreatEgrets in Crosby2 Sepwas an amazing White-tailed Kite discoveredat Acton, Dickens the breedingrange, a Zone-tailedHawk wasat countfor the HighPlains (JCr et al). TheLittle 2 Sep(RK et al.) provideda firstrecord for the MitchellL. 30 Oct (luteGSc). Extremely rare in BlueHeron first reportedin Julfrom El Paso South Plains; another rare w. record was of one El Paso,Rough-legged Hawks were seen27 remaineduntil 22 Aug (BZ, JSp).Tricolored at Midland 1 Aug (FR). A fall roost of 25 Nov (BZ) and 29-30 Nov (JZ, MS). An ad. Heronpost-breeding dispersal was particular- White-tailedKites near Orange Grove,lira Golden Eagle was an unexpectedfind at

VOLUME 5 6 (2002), NUMBER 1 71 BrazonaN.W.R. 6 Oct (DJa).Sandirer report- Gull, was photographedat South PadreI., Mts. 7 Sep(GL et at.), and anotherwas flushed ed a highcount of 27 PeregrineFalcons along Cameron29 Sep(SCo); however, the bird was in DeadBear Canyon, G.M.N.P. 9 Oct (JM1) A a 96-km stretch of North Padre Island 10 Oct. too distantfor positiveidentification. Sabine's lingering LesserNighthawk was seen near PrairieFalcons are rare on the coastalprairies; Gullsare rare but regularfall migrants through Dryden, Terrell 22 Nov (CMe, JeR). This thtsseason one was at the KatyPrairie, Waller the state,and this year saw a higher-than-aver- speciesis a rarewinter resident to the s in the 18 Oct-30 Nov (JHi, BDe) and another in agenumber of sightings:up to 3, includingone w. SouthTexas Brush Country. Kenedyduring early Nov (OC). ad.,were at McNaryRes. 2-8 Sep(BZ et al.); andsingles were seen at L. Palestine,Smith 4-8 SWIFTS THROUGHWOODPECKERS PHEASANTSTHROUGH TERNS Sep(RG), L. Tawakoni7 Sep(MWh), Lubbock Chaeturaswifts that were thought to beVaux's An unusualfind wasa Ring-neckedPheasant 8 Sep(AF), Fort Bliss on 10Sep (*U.T.E.P.), L. were reportedfrom Smith Pt. 4 Oct and L at GuadalupeMts. on 20 Oct (JWo).A Yellow Worth 28 Sep-4Oct (MR et al.), and near Worth 8 Oct. This speciesremains undocu- Raftin Lubbockon 21 Oct (AF) provideda AransasPass, Aransas, an ad. 22 Oct (ML). mentedin the stateand obtainingsuch docu- very rare record for the South Plains. Rarefor the Trans-Pecoswas a CaspianTern mentationwill be a dauntingtask. There were Unexpectedwas a PurpleGallinule at Midland at McNary Res. 23 Aug (BZ, JZ, MS). Two two documented records of Green-breasted on 6 Oct (D&JM), while another individual ElegantTerns were at EastBeach, Galveston 4- Mango this season.An imm or femalewas in lingeredat SanBernard, Brazoria until 30 Nov 18 (DSi,?, ph.,m. oh.),providing only the 3rd Pharr,Hidalgo 20 Jul-mid-Aug(G&PH, ph ), (RWe) Eastof the normal migrationcorridor record for the state. Common Terns were and a male nearing ad. plumage was at were 7 Whooping Cranesat Katy Prairie 24 found in far above-normal numbers in the w. McAllen4-18 Oct (•, ph.,m. oh.).Two Broad- Oct (JMu). Trans-Pecos,where a total of 9 was recorded 13 billedHummingbirds were in E1Paso: a male A SnowyPlover at L. Sam Rayburn,San Sep-22Oct (m. oh.). An ArcticTern was care- 20 Oct-30 Nov+ (JIG,•JZ, MS) and a female28 Augustine28 Aug (DWo) providedonly the fully studiedat L. Worth 18 Oct (• ph., MR). Oct-30 Nov+ (•BZ et al.). Other Broad-b•lleds 2nd area record.A SemipalmatedPlover at There are currentlyonly three documented were found in McAllen from 3-18 Oct (• m BuffaloL. 10 Nov providedthe latest.date for recordsfor the state.A verylarge concentra- oh.) and Houston3-30 Nov+ (•MMa, JH1et the Panhandleby 17 days(EK). With increas- tion of 183 Black Terns was at Fort Hancock, al.). A Violet-crownedHummingbird graced ing attention to the plight of Mountain Hudspeth10 Aug (BZ), and smallergroups Zimmer'syard 6-30 Nov+ (? ph., BZ et al ) Plovers,all sightingsare noteworthy. The first werefound in otherlocations in Hudspethand providing the 6th record for the state A of the fall wasreported from the Grangerarea, E1Paso on the sameday (JZ, MS). remarkably late ad. male Magnificent Wdhamson13 Oct, wherethe high countof Hummingbirdwas seen during a snowstorm 116 individuals was made 4 Nov (TFe). A DOVES THROUGH NIGHTHAWKS in the Davis Mts. 28 Nov (M&ME). Anna's Black-neckedStilt with youngat CooperL. 16 EurasianCollared-Dove populations along the Hummingbirdsare rarelyreported from the Aug(MWh), wherethey likely nested, provid- upperand centralcoasts continue to grow,as High Plains,but 4 werefound this season one ed an unusualn.-cen. Texas record. Although indicated by a count of 80+ from Port in Baileyin mid-Aug,one in Lubbock19 Aug this speciesis a commonmigrant through the O'Connor,Calhoun 7 Oct (BFr). Thisspecies (AF), anotherthere from 1-3 & 15 Nov (RE), state,a groupof 200+ UplandSandpipers on wasrecorded for the first time in Armstrong and 2 in Amarillo 24 Oct-30 Nov+ (RSc,BP1 et the ground near Granger,Williamson 12 Aug and Wheeler in the Panhandle. A White- al., ph.). The Costa'sHummingbird first was surprising(TFe). Another unexpected wingedDove was at RyanL., Angelina19 Aug foundon 10Jun near Fort Davis, Jeff Daws lin- concentrationwas 1000 Long-billedCurlews (DWo,et al.), providingonly the 2nd county gereduntil 1 Sep(? ph.V&NR et al.).Calliope near Tulia, Swisher4 Oct (JRe). Any fall record. A subad. Yellow-headed Parrot in Hummingbirdsfound e. of the normalmigra- HudsonJanGodwit in Texasis noteworthy; one Brownsville,Cameron 21-22 Sep (JAr) could tion routewere in Cleburne,Johnson late Aug- initially discoveredduring the summer at conceivablyhave been a vagrant from the earlySep, Bastrop 15 Sep(BFr), High Island, BrazonaN.W.R. lingered until 4 Aug (RWe). nativepopulation found 240 km to the s. in Galveston24 Sep(BDi), PortO'Connor 7 Oct Sanderlingswere reported in higher-than-nor- Tamaulipas,Mexico. Observers should be very (BFr),and Beaumont, lefferson 5 Nov (JWhet mal numbersin the Trans-Pecosand High carefulto distinguishyoung Yellow-headeds at.). AnotherCalliope lingered in Amarillo Plains,with a highcount of 5 at ImperialRes. fromthe similaryoung Yellow-crowned Parrot until 22 Nov (RSc). 19 Oct (EC). An early Common Snipewas (Amazonaochrocephala), an exotic species The Merrittsfound 2 wanderingwoodpeck- foundat Aransas17 Aug (RWe). recordedin Brownsvillein Apr 2001 (CDB et ers in Midland, one from the e. and one from PomarineJaegers are regular in fall andwin- al.). the w.--a Red-headed4 Sepand an Acorn20 ter in the Gulf but are rarelyfound alongthe A Black-billed Cuckoo in Lubbock on 25 Sep.Bentsen and Moore werestunned by the shore,one was at Port Aransas13 Oct (MC, Aug (AF) was farther w. than expected.A sightof anAcorn Woodpecker in McAllen6-10 WS) Inland ParasiticJaegers were found at FlammulatedOwl wasdiscovered on an oil rig Nov.Williamson's Sapsuckers were found in BalmorheaL. 6 Sep(BPi) andL. Tawakoni4- off Brazoria25 Oct (WB, ph.) providingthe two lowland locations in the w. Trans-Pecos 5 Nov (MWh). More spectacularwas a Long- 4th U.T.C.record. More expectedwas one in one at E1Paso 20 Sepand anotherin Pinto tailedJaeger at L. Benbrook,Tarrant 31 Oct-5 Lubbock11 Oct (CMi)--in recentyears it has Canyon,Presidio 2 Oct (RBe). Nov (?, ph., MR et al.). LaughingGulls have become clear that this is within the normal become almost annual in the Trans-Pecos,and migrationpath of this species.An Eastern FLYCATCHERSTHROUGH NUTCRACKER thisfall ajuv.was at McNary23 Aug-8Sep (JZ, Screech-Owlwas discovered perched in Paton's An Empidonaxidentified as a Yellow-bellied Mc, BZ) and wasjoined by anotherin first- yard 26 Oct (ph.), a first E1 Pasorecord. Flycatcherwas at BearCreek Park, Harris 29 winter plumage31 Aug-1 Oct (BZ). An ad. SpottedOwls are very rare andlocal residents Nov (JHi, JRa). An AcadianFlycatcher at Little Gull was at L. Worth on 18-19 Nov (• in theDavis and GuadaluPe Mts. This fall, one McNaryRes., Hudspeth 1 Oct (BZ) provideda JMc,CA). A dark-mantledgull, possibly a Kelp waspresent in a knownroost site in the Davis first county and a very rare w. Trans-Pecos

72 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS Texas

record Gray and "Western"Flycatchers were reportedfrom the Panhandlethis fall, on the Station,Brazos 30 Sep (ERa). CarolinaWrens foundmuch farther e. thanis normallyexpect- earlydate of 29 Oct in Donley(KS). White- continuedalong TernerosCr. in Big Bend ed Grayswere at PossumKingdom L, Young5 eyedVireos wandered w. to PaloDuro Canyon RanchS.P., Presidio through the fall. Golden- Aug (KN, ph.) andon PadreI., Nueces29 Aug 14 Sep(KS) and Midland 23 Oct (D&IM). A crownedKinglets appeared in greater-than- (MCo, ph.). The "Westerns"were at Weslaco, Bell'sVireo 2 Sep(ERa, DVo) provideda first normalnumbers in lateOct andearly Nov but Hzdalgo 14-16 Sep (JAr, BMc) and West county record for Burlesonand a rare fall seemedto almostdisappear by lateNov A very GalvestonI. 22-24 Nov (DP, DPe).An ad. Buff- record for the Central Brazos Valley. A late Gray-cheekedThrush was at PortAransas breastedFlycatcher in the DavisMrs. Preserve Plumbeous Vireo was studied at Rose Hill 7 Nov (MCo); anotherat Sundown,Hockley 6 was observedfeeding what appearedto be a Cemeteryin CorpusChristi 25 Nov (ROB).A Oct (AF) was equallyunexpected. A Vaned fledglingGray Flycatcher 19 & 26 Aug (KBret Cassin'sVireo in Bailey16 Sep (AF) provideda Thrush was well studied at Balmorhea S P 24- al ) The Buff-breastedwas last seen 9 Sep(GL, firstcounty record and oneof the few for the 27 Oct (]', ph.,TJo, MAd). A GrayCatbird was BFr,PHo, ph.). A BlackPhoebe was unexpected SouthPlains. Early Blue-headedVireos were at Fort Bliss6-9 Oct (JPa,BZ), providingan in Badey29 Aug (RSm).A Say'sPhoebe wan- reportedfrom GrangerL., Williamson29 Aug unusual El Paso record. The Blue dered to the Pineywoodsnear Hallsville, (BFr) and Galveston10 Sep (AMu). Another Mockingbirdreappeared at Weslacoafter an Hartzson28-30 Sep and 2-10 Nov (lPi, DR, early vireo was a Warblingnear Yorktown, apparentlengthy absence (tJBu). Despitethe EdR,GLu). A Say'sPhoebe was present at this Dewitt,on 26 Aug (DMu). PhiladelphiaVireos rarity of this species,details of its occurrence location the previous winter. Vermilion made rare appearancesin the w. half of the are rarely submitted,perhaps because some Flycatchersalso made an appearancein East statethis fall, with singlesat McClellan,Gray 2 observersassume the bird to be an escapee Texas,with one at Alazan BayouW.M.A., Oct (KS) and at E1Paso 8 Oct (JPa,BZ). Red- Anotherearly arrival was an AmericanPlplt Nacogdoches26Aug (IF) andanother at L. Sam eyedVireos also headed w. thisfall, with indi- nearBastrop in 24 Aug(BFr). For the 3rd con- Rayburn,San Augustine24 Oct (DWo, IF). viduals at Midland 7 Aug (RMS, FR), in secutivefall season,Sprague's Pipits were Another Vermilion at Muleshoeon 11 Aug Hudspeth3 Sep (RR), and Fort Bliss24 Sep located in Hudspethnear Fort Hancock 16 (AF) wasmore within the normalwanderings (BZ).A well-describedYellow-green Vireo was Oct-30 Nov+ (BZ et al.). of this species. In E1 Paso,this speciesis reportedfrom Duva122Sep (JHai). The first Blue-wingedWarblers were noted remarkablyscarce, but this fall there were three A very good find was a Steller'sJay at at High I. and SabineWoods 2 Aug (DVe) A differentsightings 9 Aug-1Oct. An Ash-throat- Amarillo,Potter 16 Nov (JPr).Blue Jays contin- Golden-wingedWarbler in Lubbock29 Sep ed Flycatcherin ChappellHill, Washington3 ued to be found in Edinburg,Hidalgo, where (AF) providedone of the few South Plains Nov (DVo) provideda firstcounty record. the specieshas {akenup residencein recent reports.Lawrence's Warblers are rarely report- Great Kiskadees wandered n. of their normal years.More unusual was a smallinflux into far edin the fall,but this year 2 wereat High I 24 range,with individualsreported at Stillhouse w. Texas,where 2 were in El Paso22 Sep-30 Sep (WBu). A TennesseeWarbler in Lubbock HollowRes., Bell 7-10 Aug (GCr), Chappell Hill Nov+ (JK et al.) and one at anotherE1 Paso 29 Sep(AF) wasboth far w. and late.Lucy's on 18-29 Aug (RSt et al.), and Castroville, location 17 Oct (BZ). The only montane Warblersare rarelyfound away from breeding Medinamid-Oct-30 Nov+ (fideGSc). A pairof invaders this fall were small numbers Western areas, even in the Trans-Pecos.This fall, one Tropical Kingbirds successfullynested at Scrub-Jaysinto E1Paso at scatteredlocales, the was in E1 Paso18 & 25 Aug (RR, JPa),and Midland 10 Aug-15Sep (RMS ph., audiotape, first spotted14 Sep at Fort Bliss(BZ). Small anotherwas near McNary, Hudspeth 8 Sep(JZ, FR) Thisis the firstsuccessful nesting in Texas numbersof Pinyon Jayswere found in the MS). NorthernParulas made a strongappear- awayfrom the LowerRio GrandeValley or the DavisMts. 26 Aug-24Oct (m. ob.). The only ance in E1 Paso well w. of their normal haunts Big Bendregion. Reid found two unexpected otherreport was a smallgroup at Guadalupe this fall: singleson 8 & 9 Oct and 20-30 Nov speciesof kingbirdsat L. Worth this season:a Mts. N.P. 9 Oct (RD). A Clark's Nutcracker (BZ, JPa),representing three individualsThe Couch'sKingbird 2 Sep(? ph.) providedthe wasreported from Wild RosePass, Jeff Davis 6 TropicalParulas at DavisMts. S.P.from the first record for n.-cen. Texasand 2 Cassin's3 Sep (]'BPi), details to be reviewedby the summerremained until 4 Sep.Chestnut-sided Sep A Thick-billed Kingbird was pho- T.B.R.C. and MagnoliaWarblers were noted in the w tographednear Buffalo L. 19 Aug (]', ph., BP, Trans-Pecosthis fall, with singleChestnut-sld- RSc) This Panhandlerecord would have been SWALLOWS THROUGH WARBLERS eds in E1 Paso 17 & 23 Oct (BZ et al.) and a totally unexpectedif not for the previous A largePurple Martin roostestimated to have Magnoliaat Big Bend Ranch3 Oct (RBe) recordfrom Palo Duro Canyon on 30Oct 1998. 150,000individuals was in Tyler,Smith 24 Aug Black-throated Blue Warblers in the w. half of WanderingEastern Kingbirds made their way (JaS).Residents complained about the noise thestate are always noteworthy. This fall, there to the Trans-Pecosthis fall, with singlesat Fort and mess, and local officials used noise can- weresingles in Lubbock8 Sep(AF), Fort Bhss Bliss27-28 Aug (RR, BZ), DugoutWells, Big nonsto dispersethe roost.Far w. of the normal 1 Oct (BZ, JZ,MS), BigBend 8 Oct (PK) and Bend3 Sep(JHa), and Rio GrandeVillage 9 Sep migration range, a Purple Martin near 20 Oct at Tornillo, Hudspeth (JPa, MS) (LK et al). Somevery large concentrations of McNary,Hudspeth 22 Sep(JPa) provided a 3rd Followinga summerreport from Boot Springs, migratingEastern Kingbirds were noted in the country record. Migrating Purple Martins a Golden-cheekedWarbler was reported from e third of the state.'The most noteworthy notedin Burlesonon 6 Oct werelate. A group Big Bend'sSouth Rim Trail 3 Aug (DJo) A countswere at Nacogdoches,where a roost of 7 Violet-greenSwallows was at Lubbockon Townsend'sWarbler in Midland 27 Aug (FR) flight of 1020was counted 29 Aug (DWo, JF) 7 Sep (AF) constitutedan unusuallylarge made an interestingrecord. An imm. female and 300+ were at a different roost 30 Aug number for the High Plains.Cave Swallows Hermit Warblerat Quintana31 Aug (RWeet (DWo) A GrayKingbird was seen briefly at providedfirst county records for Tarrantat L. al.) providedthe U.T.C.with a first fall record Quintana,Brazoria 10 Oct (]' RWe);if accepted, Worth 28 Aug (MR) and Washingtonnear With only two previous records, a thiswould represent the 4th staterecord. ChappellHill 31 Aug-11Oct (DVo). BlackburnianWarbler at Fort Bliss,E1 Paso17 Surprisingly,only one Northern Shrike was A very earlyBrown Creeper was at College Oct (BZ) was a nice find. Grace'sWarblers are

VOLUME 56 (2002), NUMBER 1 73 veryrarely seen during migration, but thissea- Buntingwandered e. to SmithPt. 7 Oct (WBu Derek Muschalek(DMu), Ken Nanney,Bob son3 werefound in Hudspethand El Paso11- et al.).A VariedBunting at McNaryRes. 16 Aug Norris, Jim Paton,Dick Peake(DP), Dwight 25 Aug (BZ, JPa,R_R). Unexpected was a Pine (BZ) providedHudspeth with its 2nd record. Peake (DPe), Barrett Pierce(BPi), JasonPrke Warblerin Lubbock23 Sep(AF). Another sur- An amazingconcentration of 2000 Dickcissels (JPi), Randy Pinkston,Joann Pruitt (JPr), prise for E1 Paso observerswas a Prairie was near Granger L. 1 Sep (TFe). Two JoAnn Raine, RossRassmussen, Ellen Ratoosh Warblerat Fort Bliss23 & 26 Aug (JZ, MS), a Bobolinkswere impressive fall findsin El Paso: (ERa), Eddie Ray (EdR), Joel Reese(IRe), firstcounty record. Another westward-wander- an ad.was at FortBliss 12 Sep (BZ, ph.), and an Martin Reid, Jennifer Reidy (leR), David ing PrairieWarbler was at Lubbock12 Aug inun. was at the samelocation 27 Sep (BZ et Ringer, Van & Nancy Robinson,Forrest (E&TM).Palm Warblers in E1Paso 23 Sep(lSp) al.). Anotherinteresting Bobolink record was Rowland,Billy Sandifer,Tom Schall (TSc), andMcNary 4-5 Oct (BZ et al.) providedrare providedby 2 in Bexar25 Sep(fide GSc). Single Georgina Schwartz (GSc), Marcy Scott, fall records.Blackpoll Warblers are very rare in RustyBlackbirds were well w. in Amarillo 18 RosemaryScott (RSc), lim & PhoebeLou Sealy, Texasduring the fall. This season2 were Oct (EK) and E1Paso17 Nov (JZ,MC). Early Willie Sekula (Central Texas:7060 Co. Rd 228, reported, in Lubbock 10 Sep (RK) and Brewer'sBlackbirds were found near Hallsville, FallsCity, TX 78113-2627.email: wsekula@the- Quintana 1 Oct (CBr). Harrison30 Sep(GLu) and South Padre I. 7 Oct cia.net), Ken Seyffert (Northwest: 226 S An AmericanRedstart lingered until 17 Nov (JAr). A Bronzed Cowbird wandered n. to Lipscomb,Amarillo, TX 79109),David Slbley in Austin(B&SB). Prothonotary Warblers were Lubbockon 5-12 Aug (AF, RK). Two Purple (DSi), Richard Sims (RSi), Alex Smith, Ronn found farther w. than usual,with singlesat Finchesat KurthL., Angelina30 Oct (GG) were Smith (RSm), John Sproul (JSp), Jace McNary16 & 31Aug (BZ, ph.). Therewas also early.This species has been very scarce in Texas Stansbury(JaS), Jim Stevenson(JSt), Randall a Prothonotaryin Lubbock3 Sep (AF). A in recentyears. Four Red Crossbills appeared at Stockton(RSt), Rose Marie Stortz(RMS), Don singingSwainson's Warbler at RichlandCreek LakeTawakoni, Van Zandt 7 Sep(MWh). One Verser(DVe), Darrell Vollert (DVo), Kenny WMA., Freestone9 Sep (PB, RG) wasabout a Red Crossbillwas at Fort Bliss18 Oct (BZ, JZ, Walker,Ron Weeks (RWe) (UTC: 110 Indian month later than the previouslate record. MS)--a markedcontrast to lastfall, when the Warrior,Lake Jackson, TX 77566.email lgara- Paton discovered a Louisiana Waterthrush at specieswas widespread. A singleimm. Evening [email protected]),Steve Welborn Fort Blisson 15-16 Sep, providingthe first Grosbeakwas found at L. Worth 21 Nov (MR). (SWe), Kristin White (KWh), Matt White record for El Pasosince 1994. A Kentucky (MWh) (N.C. Texas:882 Hwy 50, Campell,TX Warblerin Amarillo,Randall 30 Sep(RSc) was CitedObservers (subregional editors in bold- 75422. email: [email protected]), Jan a race find. A Connecticut Warbler was well face): Mark Adams (MAd) (Trans-Pecos: Wobbenhorst (JWo), David Wolf (DWo), describedfrom Lubbock 6-7 Oct ($AF); if HC75, Box 1337-B, Ft. Davis, TX 79734-5016. acceptedby theT.B.R.C. it wood representthe email: [email protected]),John Arvin 8th recordfor the state.A MourningWarbler (JAr), Peter Barnes,Robert Behrstock(RBe), JimmyZabriskie,andBarry Zimmer. A alsomade an appearancein Lubbockon 20 Oct Chris D. Benesh,Robert Bensen(ROB), Steve (AF) A CanadaWarbler at SabineWoods, Bentsen,Billie & SueBernard, Wade Boyd, Erik Jefferson2 Aug (DVe) was extraordinarily early. Breden,Charles Brower (CBr), Kelly Bryan Two Canada Warblers were found in the Trans- (KBr), John Buckman(JBu), Winnie Burkett Pecosat Fort Bliss24 Sep (BZ) and in the (WBu), OscarCarmona, Eric Carpenter,Will SierraVieja, Presidio5 Sep (BFr,PHo et al.). Carter,Scarlett Colley, Mel Cooksey(MCo) RareRed-faced Warblers were at Big Bend3 (South Texas:15825 SocorroLoop, Corpus Aug (•' DJo)and CanyonLake, Cornal 15 Sep, Christi, TX 78418. email: [email protected]),Bob far lessexpected (tBN, RSi).A migrantPainted Creglow(BCr), Grant Critchfield(GCr), Jim Redstartwas at Fort Bliss16 Sep (JPa),but Crites (JCr), Rich Damron, Bonnie Deming Birders' Exchan totallyunexpected was one at PackeryChannel, (BDe),Bob Diebold(BDi), Marc & Maryann Nueces2 Oct (TSc,MCo, ph.). Amazingwas a Eastman,Jesse Fagan, Tim Fennell(TFe), Mark concentration of 20-25 Yellow-breasted Chats Flippo,Anthony Floyd, Brush Freeman (BFr), aroundGranger L. 29 Aug (BFr). Bert Frenz (EastTexas: 221 RainbowDr., PMB 12190,Livingston, TX 77399-2021),Georgette TANAGERSTHROUGH FINCHES Guernsey,Ron Gutberlet,Jim Harley(JHai), A femaleScarlet Tanager in E1Paso 8-9 Oct lamesHand (JHa),David Hedges (DHe), Gene (JPaet al.,ph.) provideda firstcounty record. & PaulineHill, Sue& Wally Hill, Jim Hinson One of the greatfinds of the seasonwas a male (JHi), PetraHockey (PHo), BobHonig, Janelle Flame-coloredTanager in the DavisMts. 1-5 Hutchinson (JHu), Denis James(DJa), Tom Oct (•- ph.,M&ME et al.), a 3rd staterecord. A Johnson(TJo), Daniel Jones(DJo), LauraKarr, veryearly Chipping Sparrow was at Galveston P. IGep,John IGseda (JIG), Karl Kosciuch,Rich 27 Aug (JSt). A Henslow'sSparrow was in Kostecke,Ed Kutac,Greg Lasley(GL), Mark Grimes8 Nov (KK, DMa), providinga 2nd Lockwood,Guy Luneau(GLu), Damion Marx countyrecord. Longspurs in generalwere in (DMa), Mike Mathews(MMa), Ellen& Toby short supplyacross the statethis season.A McBride, Jimmy McHaney (JMc), Bill Rose-breastedGrosbeak at High I. 2 Aug(DVe) McKinney (BiM), Brad McKinney (BMc), was very early.Black-headed Grosbeaks are Chris Merkord (CMe), Don & JoannMerritt, almostannual on the coastin the fall;this year, JeffMiller (JMi), CarolMitchell (CMi), Laura one was at Quintana 16 Oct (RWe). A Lazuli Moore, Jeff Mundy, Alan Murphy (AMu),

74 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS