Lubbock picked up 3.54 inches of rain during the month, well above the
average May total of 2.31 inches, and is now at 5.15 inches for the year
... just a tad short of the average year-to-date total of 5.57 inches.
This bit of recovery in terms of moisture did not bring much in the way of
migrant songbirds and highlights for the spring continued in the form of
lingering waterfowl and wandering shorebirds.
I am unable to create a usable summary of eBird data of sightings in the
region during the period covered - IN THE AMOUNT OF TIME I HAVE AVAILABLE.
Comments at the end of each species summary have been adjusted, to the best
of my abilities, to reflect this reduction in reports.
As always, the county follows the site in ( ) and birds are mentioned by
virtue of rarity, atypical abundance, or atypical scarcity.
A FEW LATE-FILED REPORTS FROM APRIL
WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER: 5 near Dougherty (Floyd) on 4/29/16 (JB) - BOOSTED
THE MONTHLY TOTAL A BIT.
PECTORAL SANDPIPER: 1 near Dougherty (Floyd) on 4/29/16 (JB) - BOOSTED THE
MONTHLY TOTAL A BIT.
COMMON RAVEN: 1 near Dougherty (Floyd) on 4/29/16 (JB) - BOOSTED THE
MONTHLY TOTAL A BIT.
THE MAY REPORT
BLACK-BELLIED WHISTLING DUCK: 2 at the Plainview Apartments Playa (Hale)
from 5/12/16 through 5/14/16 (NP) and 1 at MacKenzie Park (Lubbock) on
5/18/16 (JB, LM) - THIS SPECIES, ACCIDENTAL TO THE REGION UNTIL THE LAST
DECADE, IS NOW VERGING ON ANNUAL.
SNOW GOOSE: 1 near Dougherty (Floyd) on 5/24/16 (JB) - ACCIDENTAL THIS LATE
IN THE SEASON>
CACKLING GOOSE: Eight reports of 1-7 birds at city parks in the region
(Hockley, Lubbock) during the period (JB, AH, LM) - ABOUT AVERAGE FOR THE
SUMMERING POPULATION; GENERALLY WOUNDED BIRDS AND THEIR COMPANIONS FROM
WHAT HAS BEEN OBSERVED IN THE PAST.
CANADA GOOSE: Ten reports of 1-14 birds at city parks in the region (Hale,
Hockley, Lubbock) during the period (JB, AH, NP) - ABOUT AVERAGE FOR THE
SUMMERING POPULATION; GENERALLY WOUNDED BIRDS AND THEIR COMPANIONS THOUGH
HEALTHY PAIRS DO BREED AT SOME OF THE LARGER BODIES OF WATER.
WOOD DUCK: 1 female at Lobo Lake (Hockley) on 5/1/16 (AH) the only report -
LOW.
GADWALL, AMERICAN WIGEON, MALLARD, NORTHERN SHOVELER, GREEN-WINGED TEAL,
RUDDY DUCK - Better than average numbers of lingering dabblers - with the
exception of Northern Pintail - and Ruddy Ducks - GOOD NUMBERS AND SCATTER.
BLUE-WINGED TEAL: Twenty-seven reports of 1-10 birds, six reports of 11-25
birds, and three reports of 25-36 birds in the region (Bailey, Floyd,
Garza, Hale, Hockley, Lamb, Lubbock, Lynn) during the period (JB, MDL, DHw,
AH, JJ, AL, LM, JM, NP, DS) - A CONTINUATION OF A REMARKABLE SPRING FOR THE
SPECIES IN THE REGION; IF THE WATERS HOLD OUT, THIS MAY END UP BEING A
GREAT YEAR FOR ONE OF OUR FEW, REGULARLY BREEDING WATERFOWL.
CINNAMON TEAL: Eleven reports of 1-10 birds and one report of 12 birds in
the region (Bailey, Floyd, Hale, Hockley, Lubbock, Lynn) during the period
(JB, MDL, DHw, AH, JJ, AL, JM, NP) - A CONTINUATION OF A REMARKABLE SPRING
FOR THE SPECIES IN THE REGION; IF THE WATERS HOLD OUT, THIS MAY END UP
BEING A GREAT SUMMER FOR THIS RARE REGIONAL BREEDER.
CANVASBACK: No reports received - SURPRISING, GIVEN THE PERSISTENCE OF MOST
OTHER SPECIES OF WATERFOWL IN THE REGION THIS SPRING.
REDHEAD: 6 at Bison Road Playa (Hockley) on 5/4/16 (JJ, JM), 2 at Skeen
Playa (Lynn) on 5/14/16 (MDL), 2 near Dougherty (Floyd)on 5/26/16 (JB), and
2 near South Plains (Floyd) on 5/26/16 (JB) the only reports - ABOUT
AVERAGE; A FEW SOMETIMES LINGER TO BREED IN THE REGION.
RING-NECKED DUCK: 1 at the Smyer Playa (Hockley) on 5/21/16 (AH,
photographs) - RUNNING A BIT LATE; THE SPECIES USUALLY VANISHES DURING THE
LAST WEEK OF APRIL.
SCALED QUAIL: Seven reports of 1-10 birds and one report of 16 birds in the
region (Bailey, Hockley, Lubbock) during the period (NB, JB, DHw, AH) -
GOOD NUMBERS AND SCATTER FOR A SPECIES THAT CAME CLOSE TO VANISHING FROM
THE REGION DURING THE RECENT DROUGHT.
RING-NECKED PHEASANT: Fifteen reports of 1-2 birds in the region (Hale,
Hockley, Lamb, Lubbock) during the period (AH, LM, NP) - GOOD NUMBERS AND
SCATTER; SHOULD BE AN EXCELLENT BREEDING SEASON FOR THE SPECIES IN THE
REGION.
EARED GREBE: 2 at Skeen Playa (Lynn) on 5/5/16 (AH), 5 at Skeen Playa
(Lynn) on 5/9/16 (AH), 2 at the FM 789 Wetlands (Hale) on 5/14/16 (NP), and
1 at Smyer Playa (Hockley) on 5/21/16 (AH) - ABOUT AVERAGE; A RECOVERY FROM
LOW WINTER/EARLY SPRING NUMBERS.
AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN: 1 at various Lubbock parks (Lubbock) from 5/21/16
through 5/23/16 (CR, FR, SW, WW, AH) - ABOUT AVERAGE FOR THIS RARE VISITOR.
GREAT EGRET: Seven reports of 1-7 birds at various Lubbock playas (Lubbock)
during the period (JB, JC, DH, AH, LM, CR, FR, SW, WW) - A TAD LOW YET THIS
SEASON.
SNOWY EGRET: Sixteen reports of 1-5 birds in the region (Hale, Lubbock,
Lynn) during the period (JB, MDL, AH, LM, JM, NP,CR, FR, DS, SW, WW) -
CLOSING IN ON AVERAGE; THIS SPECIES APPEARS TO BE RECOVERING MORE QUICKLY
THAN SOME FROM THE RECENT DROUGHT.
CATTLE EGRET: Ten reports of 1-8 birds in the region (Floyd, Hale, Lubbock,
Lynn) during the period (JB, MDL, AH, LM, NP, DS) - SURPRISINGLY LOW; THE
LATE ARRIVAL OF RAINS THIS SPRING MAY BE RESPONSIBLE.
GREEN HERON: 1 at Clapp Park (Lubbock) on 5/3/16 (DS), 1 at the FM 789
Wetlands (Hale) on 5/14/16 (NP), and 4 at Ransom Lake (Lubbock) on 5/14/16
(JB) the only reports received from the first half of the period - LATE TO
ARRIVE THIS YEAR AND STILL IN LOW NUMBERS.
YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT HERON: 2 adults and 1 immature at Lubbock Lake
Landmark (Lubbock) on 5/28/16 (AH, photographs) the only report received -
LATE TO ARRIVE AND LOW IN NUMBERS THIS YEAR.
GLOSSY IBIS: 1 reported from a playa near Dougherty (Floyd) on 5/26/16 (JB)
- ACCIDENTAL; IF ACCEPTED THIS WILL BE THE FOURTH RECORD FOR THE REGION.
WHITE-FACED IBIS: Thirteen reports of 1-10 birds and one report of 13 birds
in the region (Cochran, Floyd, Hale, Hockley, Lamb, Lubbock, Lynn) during
the period (JB, MDL, AH, JJ, PKe, JM, NP) - THIS SPECIES IS STILL AT LOW
NUMBERS, COMPARED TO SIMILARLY WET YEARS - AGAIN, THE TIMING OF THE RAINS
THIS SPRING MAY BE THE BEST EXPLANATION.
OSPREY: 1 at Buffalo Springs Lake (Lubbock) on 5/1/16 (DS) - VERY LATE; ONE
OF A HANDFUL OF MAY REPORTS FROM THE REGION.
COOPER'S HAWK: 1 near Pep (Hockley) on 5/1/16 (AH) and 1 below Lake Six
(Lubbock) on 5/21/16 (LM) - RATHER LATE, PARTICULARLY THE LATTER REPORT.
BROAD-WINGED HAWK: 1 at Clapp Park (Lubbock) on 5/10/16 (JB) and 1 below
Lake Six (Lubbock) on 5/21/16 (LM) - NOT A PARTICULARLY GOOD SPRING FOR
THIS SPECIES; MIGRATION WAS MORE SOLID TO THE EAST THIS YEAR.
BLACK-NECKED STILT: Nineteen reports of 1-10 birds, four reports of 11-25
birds, and one report of 31 birds in the region (Cohcarn, Hale, Hockley,
Lamb, Lubbock, Lynn) during the period (JB, MDL, AH, JJ, PKe, AL, JM, NP,
DS) - CONTINUED GOOD NUMBERS WITH QUITE A FEW BIRDS LOOKING TO STAY ON AS
BREEDERS THIS SEASON.
AMERICAN AVOCET: Fifteen reports of 1-10 birds, four reports of 11-25
birds, one report of 81 birds, and one report of 84 birds in the region
(Cochran, Floyd, Hale, Hockley, Lamb, Lubbock, Lynn) during the period (JB,
MDL, AH, JJ, PKe, AL, JM, NP) - CONTINUING GOOD NUMBERS WITH QUITE A FEW
BIRDS LOOKING TO STAY ON AS BREEDERS THIS SEASON.
SNOWY PLOVER: 3 at Tahoka Lake (Lynn) on 5/7/16 (MDL), 5 at Skeen Playa
(Lynn) on 5/5/16 (AH), 2 at Skeen Playa (Lynn) on 5/14/16 (MDL), and 2 at
Bison Road Playa (Hockley) on 5/21/16 (AH) - ABOUT AVERAGE AND ALL THREE
SITES COULD, IF WATER COOPERATES, SUPPORT BREEDING.
SPOTTED SANDPIPER: Fifteen reports of 1-7 birds in the region (Hale,
Hockley, Lubbock, Lynn) during the period (JB, MDL, AH, JJ, AL, LM, JM, NP)
- GOOD NUMBER OF REPORTS AND VERY GOOD NUMBERS.
SOLITARY SANDPIPER: 1 at Reese Center Playa (Lubbock) on 5/1/16 (AH), 1 at
Clapp Park (Lubbock) on 5/5/16 (JM), 1 in south Lubbock (Lubbock) on 5/7/16
(AL), 1 at Tahoka Lake (Lynn) on 5/7/16 (MDL), and 1 near Hale Center
(Hale) on 5/14/16 (NP) - GOOD NUMBER OR REPORTS; GOOD NUMBERS.
GREATER YELLOWLEGS: 1 along Alamo Road (Hockley) on 5/1/16 (AH), 1 at Skeen
Playa (Lynn) on 5/9/16 (AH), 3 at the Hale Center WTP (Hale) on 5/14/16
(NP), and 1 north of Levelland (Hockley) on 5/21/16 (AH) - LOW NUMBER OF
REPORTS AND VERY LOW NUMBERS; ONE OF THE FEW SHOREBIRDS THAT DID NOT
IMPRESS THIS SEASON.
WILLET: 1 at Bison Road Playa (Hockley) on 5/1/16 (AH, photographs) and 1
at Skeen Playa (Lynn) on 5/9/16 (AH) - FORMERLY ACCIDENTAL, THEN CASUAL,
NOW DETECTED ANNUALLY IN THE REGION; PARTICULARLY AS A SPRING MIGRANT.
LESSER YELLOWLEGS: 2 at Bison Road Playa (Hockley) on 5/1/16 (AH), 1 at
Bison Road Playa (Hockley) on 5/4/16 (JJ, JM), 1 below Lake Six (Lubbock)
on 5/7/16 (LM), and 1 at Skeen Playa (Lynn) on 5/14/16 (MDL) - LOW NUMBER
OF REPORTS AND VERY LOW NUMBERS; ANOTHER SHOREBIRD THAT DID NOT IMPRESS
THIS SEASON.
UPLAND SANDPIPER: 2 near Pep (Hockley) on 5/1/16 (AH) and 1 at Clapp Park
(Lubbock) on 5/10/16 (JB) the only reports - A TAD LOW; MOST MOVEMENT, THIS
YEAR, APPEARED TO BE FURTHER TO THE EAST AND WEST.
STILT SANDPIPER: 2 at Bison Road Playa (Hockley) on 5/1/16 (AH), 7 at Bison
Road Playa (Hockley) on 5/4/16 (JJ, JM), and 6 in south Lubbock (Lubbock)
on 5/7/16 (AL) - LOW NUMBER OF REPORTS AND SURPRISINGLY LOW NUMBERS - APRIL
WAS SIMILARLY POOR FOR THIS SPECIES.
BAIRD'S SANDPIPER: 12 at Bison Road Playa (Hockley) on 5/1/16 (AH), 6 at
Bison Road Playa (Hockley) on 5/4/16 (JJ, JM), and 4 at Skeen Playa (Lynn)
on 5/9/16 (AH) - AFTER A BETTER THAN AVERAGE APRIL, NUMBERS TAPERED OFF
QUICKLY; LOW NUMBERS FOR A MAY.
LEAST SANDPIPER: Five reports of 1-5 birds in the region (Hale, Hockley,
Lynn) during the period (MDL, AH, JJ, JM, NP) - NUMBER OF REPORTS AND
OVERALL NUMBERS LOW FOR THE MONTH AFTER A ROUGHLY AVERAGE APRIL.
WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER: 1 at Bison Road Playa (Hockley) on 5/1/16 (AH), 2
at Skeen Playa (Lynn) on 5/9/16 (AH), and 8 at Skeen Playa (Lynn) on
5/14/16 (MDL) - ABOUT AVERAGE FOR THIS RARE TO UNCOMMON SPRING MIGRANT.
SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER: 4 at Bison Road Playa (Hockley) on 5/1/16 (AH), 1
at Tahoka Lake (Lynn) on 5/7/16 (MDL), 4 at Skeen Playa (Lynn) on 5/9/16
(AH), and 3 at Skeen Playa (Lynn) on 5/14/16 (MDL) the only reports - LOW
NUMBER OF REPORTS AND OVERALL NUMBERS - AFTER A BETTER THAN AVERAGE APRIL.
WESTERN SANDPIPER: 2 at Bison Road Playa (Hockley) on 5/1/16 (AH) and1 at
Tahoka Lake (Lynn) on 5/7/16 (MDL) the only reports - LOW NUMBER OF REPORTS
AND OVERALL NUMBERS - AFTER AN AVERAGE APRIL.
LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER: 22 at Bison Road Playa (Hockley) on 5/1/16 (AH), 19
at Bison Road Playa (Hockley) on 5/4/16 (JJ, JM), 14 at Skeen Playa (Lynn)
on 5/5/16 (AH), 1 at the FM 789 Wetlands (Hale) on 5/14/16 (NP), and 2 at
the Hale Center WTP (Hale) on 5/14/16 (NP) the only reports - LOW NUMBER OF
REPORTS AND LOW NUMBERS - AFTER A VERY GOOD APRIL.
WILSON'S PHALAROPE: Eight reports of 1-10 birds, one report of 17 birds,
and one report of 28 birds in the region (Cochran, Floyd, Hale, Hockley,
Lubbock, Lynn) during the period (JB, MDL, AH, JJ, PKe, JM, NP) - LOW
NUMBER OF REPORTS AND LOW NUMBERS - AFTER AN AVERAGE APRIL.
FRANKLIN'S GULL: 2 at Bison Road Playa (Hockley) on 5/1/16 (AH), 2 over Pep
(Hockley) on 5/14/16 (AH), and 2 over Lubbock (Lubbock) on 5/21/16 (AH) the
only reports - ABOUT AVERAGE - AFTER A BETTER THAN AVERAGE APRIL.
RING-BILLED GULL: 2 at Bison Road Playa (Hockley) on 5/4/16 (JJ, JM) and 1
at McAlister Park (Lubbock) on 5/19/16 (JB) - GOOD REPORTS FOR THIS LATE IN
THE SEASON; ESPECIALLY GIVEN THE SPECIES' ALMOST COMPLETE DEPARTURE FROM
THE REGION BY EARLY MARCH.
LEAST TERN: 1 at Tahoka Lake (Lynn) on 5/7/16 (MDL), 1 at Ransom Lake
(Lubbock) on 5/14/16 (JB), and 1 at Maxey Park (Lubbock) on 5/17/16 (JB) -
FORMERLY CASUAL, AT BEST, TO THE REGION - NOW VIEWED AS AN ANNUAL MIGRANT.
FORSTER'S TERN: 1 at Ransom Lake (Lubbock) on 5/14/16 (JB) and 1 at Maxey
Park (Lubbock) on 5/22/16 (AH) the only reports - VERY LOW THIS SPRING.
INCA DOVE: 1 at Buffalo Springs Lake (Lubbock) on 5/1/16 (DS), 2 in a
Lubbock yard (Lubbock) on 5/1/16 (CR, FR), and 2 along Yucca Lane (Lubbock)
on 5/14/16 (JB) the only reports - STILL HANGING ON.
YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO: 1 at Lubbock Lake Landmark (Lubbock) on 5/28/16 (AH)
the only report received - EITHER VERY LATE AND VERY LOW THIS YEAR OR
REMARKABLY UNDER-REPORTED.
COMMON NIGHTHAWK: 3 at Muleshoe NWR (Bailey) on 5/7/16 (NB) were the first
reported in May - WITH ONLY TWO REPORTS BY THE END OF THE FIRST WEEK OF
MAY, THIS SPECIES WAS DEFINITELY RUNNING A BIT LATE.
COMMON POORWILL: 1 on the TTU HSC Campus (Lubbock) on 5/11/16 (AH) the only
report - LOW.
MONK PARAKEET: 1 at Wayland Baptist University (Hale) on 5/14/16 (NP) - THE
LONELIEST PARAKEET IN THE REGION; STILL HANGING OUT.
OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER: Seven reports of single birds in the region
(Bailey, Hockley, Lamb, Lubbock) during the period (JB, DHw, AH, LM, DS) -
LATE TO ARRIVE THIS YEAR AND LOW IN NUMBER.
WESTERN WOOD PEWEE: Nine reports of 1-3 birds in the region (Bailey, Hale,
Hockley, Lubbock) during the period (JB, DHw, AH, NP) - LATE TO ARRIVE THIS
YEAR AND LOW IN NUMBER.
WILLOW FLYCATCHER: Seven reports of 1-2 birds in the region (Bailey, Hale,
Hockley, Lamb) during the period (DHw, AH, NP) - LATE TO ARRIVE THIS YEAR
AND LOW IN NUMBER.
LEAST FLYCATCHER: 1 southeast of Levelland (Hockley) on 5/2/16 (AH) and 1
at the Reese Center Playa (Lubbock) on 5/14/16 (AH) the only reports - LATE
TO ARRIVE THIS YEAR AND INCREDIBLY LOW IN NUMBER.
CORDILLERAN FLYCATCHER: 1 at Muleshoe NWR (Bailey) on 5/2/16 (JB) and 1 at
Thunderbird Playa (Hale) on 5/11/16 (NP) the only reports - LATE AND LOW.
DUSKY, HAMMOND'S, and GRAY FLYCATCHERS: No reports at all: THOUGH NONE ARE
COMMON DURING SPRING MIGRATION, ALL THREES SPECIES ARE EXPECTED.
SAY'S PHOEBE: 2 in Pep (Hockley) throughout the period were feeding 4
fledglings by period's end (AH), 2 just southeast of Pep (Hockley)
throughout the period were feeding 3 fledglings by period's end (AH), 2
near Petit (Hockley) throughout the period were feeding 4 fledglings by
period's end (AH), 2 near Earth (Lamb) throughout the period were feeding 4
fledglings by period's end (AH), 1 at Muleshoe NWR (Bailey) on 5/2/16 (JB),
1 near Halfway (Hale) on 5/14/16 (NP), and 1 at Thunderbird Playa (Hale) on
5/14/16 (NP) - A PHENOMENAL SPRING FOR THE SPECIES, PARTICULARLY IN TERMS
OF BREEDING AS THE SPECIES IS NOT FOUND IN THE REGION EVERY SUMMER.
CASSIN'S KINGBIRD: 1 in Lubbock (Lubbock) on 5/13/16 (AH) the only report -
A POOR SHOWING IN THE REGION THIS SPRING.
BELL'S VIREO: 1 at Muleshoe NWR (Bailey) from 5/2/16 (JB) through 5/21/16
(DHw) the only report - A TAD LOW BUT SOUTHEASTERN PORTIONS OF THE REGION
WERE POORLY COVERED.
BLACK-CAPPED VIREO: 1 male at the Plainview Apartments Playa (Hale) on
5/11/16 (NP) was - THE BIRD OF THE MONTH; ACCIDENTAL TO THE REGION - THE
THIRD RECORD, ALL IN THE LAST FIVE YEARS OR SO.
WARBLING VIREO: 1 at Muleshoe NWR (Bailey) on 5/21/16 (DHw) and 1 at
Lubbock Lake Landmark (Lubbock) on 5/28/16 (AH) the only reports - LATE AND
LOW.
PLUMBEOUS, BLUE-HEADED, and CASSIN'S VIREOS: No reports from May: AS WITH
SOME OF THE EMPIDS MENTIONED EARLIER, NONE OF THESE ARE COMMON BUT ALL ARE
EXPECTED DURING MAY.
PURPLE MARTIN: 14 in Lubbock (Lubbock) on 5/1/16 (GJ, PJ), 1 over Tahoka
(Lynn) on 5/9/16 (AH), 3 at Plainview Apartments Playa (Hale) on 5/11/16
(NP), 9 in Plainview (Hale) on 5/14/16 (NP), and 8 at Ransom Lake (Lubbock)
on 5/14/16 (JB) - AN AVERAGE NUMBER OF REPORTS; GOOD NUMBERS.
TREE SWALLOW: 5 near Anton (Hockley) on 5/1/16 (AH), 2 at the Smyer Sewage
Ponds (Hockley) on 5/1/16 (AH), 2 at the Reese Center Playa (Lubbock) on
5/1/16 (AH), and 1 at McAlister Park (Lubbock) on 5/19/16 (JB) the only
reports for the month - LOW.
NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW: Seven reports of 1-4 birds in the region
(Floyd, Hockley, Lubbock) during the period (JB, AH, LM) - VERY LOW.
BANK SWALLLOW: Five reports of 1-4 birds in the region (Floyd, Lubbock,
Lynn) during the first half of the period (JB, MDL, AH) the only reports -
VERY LOW.
CAVE SWALLOW: 2 near Floydada (Floyd) on 5/6/16 (JB), 8 near O'Donnell
(Lynn) on 5/9/16 (AH), 2 near Tahoka (Lynn) on 5/9/16 (AH), and 6 near
Wilson (Lynn) on 5/14/16 (NP) the only reports - VERY LOW.
VERDIN: 3 at Ransom Lake (Lubbock) on 5/22/16 (AL) the only report - THIS
SPECIES IS BECOMING VERY DIFFICULT TO FIND IN THE REGION.
CANYON WREN: 2 at Ransom Lake (Lubbock) throughout the period (JB, AL) - A
RARE BREEDER IN THE REGION; THIS IS A FAVORED SITE.
HOUSE WREN: Six reports of 1-8 birds in the region (Bailey, Floyd, Hockley,
Lubbock) during the period (JB, AH, LM) - A LOW NUMBER OF REPORTS BUT
AVERAGE NUMBERS.
CAROLINA WREN: 1 in a Lubbock yard (Lubbock) on 5/2/16 (JCl) - WAS THE ONLY
ATOP THE CAPROCK ESCARPMENT REPORT.
BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER: 1 near Floydada (Floyd) on 5/6/16 (JB), 1 at
Thunderbird Playa (Hale) on 5/11/16 (NP), and 1 at Thunderbird Playa (Hale)
on 5/14/16 (NP) the only reports - VERY LOW; GENERALLY SHOWS A MUCH BETTER
SPRING SPIKE.
RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET: 2 along Highway 597 (Hockley) on 5/1/16 (AH) and 2 at
Muleshoe NWR (Bailey) on 5/2/16 (JB) - PRETTY LATE IN THE SEASON FOR THIS
SPECIES; MAY REPORTS ARE ALWAYS NOTEWORTHY.
EASTERN BLUEBIRD: 2 males persisted at Muleshoe NWR (Bailey) through 5/7/16
(NB, JB, JCo) - FAIRLY LATE FOR BIRDS TO PERSIST IN THE WINTER VISITOR
PORTION OF OUR REGION; THE SPECIES BREEDS IN OUR SOUTHEASTERN COUNTIES.
SWAINSON'S THRUSH: 1 in Levelland (Hockley) on 5/1/16 (AH), 1 in a Lubbock
yard (Lubbock)on 5/11/16 and 5/12/16 (KD), and 1 at Lubbock Lake Landmark
(Lubbock) on 5/28/16 (AH) - THE GOOD NUMBER OF APRIL REPORTS TURNED INTO A
DISAPPOINTINGLY LOW NUMBER OF MAY REPORTS.
HERMIT THRUSH: Seven reports of 1-4 birds in the region (Bailey, Hale,
Hockley, Lubbock) during the period (JB, JC, AH, NP) - THE AVERAGE NUMBERS
SEEN IN APRIL TURNED INTO DISAPPOINTINGLY LOW NUMBERS IN MAY.
BROWN THRASHER: 2 at Muleshoe NWR (Bailey) on 5/2/16 (JB) and 1 in a
Lubbock yard (Lubbock) on 5/27/16 (KD) were the - ONLY ATOP THE CAPROCK
ESCARPMENT REPORTS.
CEDAR WAXWING: Four reports of 1-10 birds and four reports of 12-27 birds
in the region (Hale, Lubbock) during the period (JB, JC, LM, NP) - A
CONTINUATION OF THE APRIL PATTERN - AFTER A VERY POOR WINTER, GOOD NUMBERS
AND SCATTER DURING THE SPRING MOVEMENT.
OVENBIRD: 1 at Muleshoe NWR (Bailey) on 5/2/16 (JB) - AN ANNUAL, ALBEIT
RARE, MIGRANT - ALWAYS A TREAT!
NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH: 2 at Clapp Park (Lubbock) on 5/2/16 (JB) the only
report - VERY LOW; TYPICAL OF MIGRANT SONGBIRDS THIS SEASON.
NASHVILLE WARBLER: 1 at Levelland City Park (Hockley) on 5/1/16 (AH), 1 at
Thunderbird Playa (Hale) on 5/11/16 (NP), and 1 in a Lubbock yard (Lubbock)
on 5/13/16 (AH) the only reports - VERY LOW.
VIRGINIA'S WARBLER: 1 at Clapp Park (Lubbock) on 5/10/16 (JB) and 1 in a
Lubbock yard (Lubbock)on 5/18/16 (JCl) - PRETTY GOOD, ACTUALLY, AS THIS
SPECIES IS GENERALLY REPORTED BUT ONCE A SEASON.
MACGILLIVRAY'S WARBLER: Six reports of single birds and one report of 3
birds in the region (Bailey, Hale, Hockley, Lubbock) during the period (JB,
AH, LM, NP) - LOW.
COMMON YELLOWTHROAT: Seven reports of 1-2 birds in the region (Hale,
Lubbock, Lynn) during the period (JB, MDL, AH, LM, NP) - LOW.
YELLOW WARBLER: Six reports of 1-2 birds and one report of 10 birds in the
region (Floyd, Hale, Lubbock) during the period (JB, LM, NP) -
EXTRAORDINARILY LOW NUMBER OF REPORTS AND OVERALL NUMBERS.
YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER: 5 at Muleshoe NWR (Bailey) on 5/2/16 (JB), 7 below
Lake Six (Lubbock) on 5/7/16 (LM), and 2 at Clapp Park (Lubbock) on 5/10/16
(JB) the only reports received - VERY LOW.
WILSON'S WARBLER: Nine reports of 1-7 birds in the region (Bailey, Hale,
Hockley, Lubbock) during the period (JB, AH, NP) - EXTRAORDINARILY LOW
NUMBER OF REPORTS AND OF NUMBERS.
YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT: 1 at Muleshoe NWR (Bailey) on 5/2/16 (JB), 1 near
Floydada (Floyd) on 5/6/16 (JB), 1 below Lake Six (Lubbock) on 5/7/16 (LM),
1 at Clapp Park (Lubbock) on 5/10/16 (JB), and 1 at Muleshoe NWR (Bailey)
on 5/21/16 (DHw) - THE BEST PERFORMING MIGRANT 'WARBLER' OF THE SEASON -
WHO WOULD HAVE GUESSED.
GREEN-TAILED TOWHEE: 2 at the Smyer Cemetery (Hockley) on 5/1/16 (AH) and 5
at Muleshoe NWR (Bailey) on 5/2/16 (JB) - ABOUT AVERAGE - AFTER A BETTER
THAN AVERAGE APRIL.
CHIPPING SPARROW: Nineteen reports of 1-10 birds, four reports of 11-25
birds, and one report of 70 birds in the region (Bailey, Hale, Hockley,
Lubbock) during the period (JB, KD, DHw, AH, JJ, LM, JM, NP) - ABOUT
AVERAGE FOR THIS UNCOMMON TO ABUNDANT MIGRANT AND A YEAR WHERE, SO FAR,
CHIPPING SPARROWS OUTNUMBER CLAY-COLORED SPARROWS.
CLAY-COLORED SPARROW: Twenty reports of 1-10 birds and one report of 30
birds in the region (Bailey, Floyd, Hale, Hockley, Lubbock) during the
period (JB, AH, JJ, JM, NP) - A BIT LOW FOR THIS UNCOMMON TO COMMON MIGRANT
AND A YEAR WHERE CLAY-COLORED SPARROW WAS OUTNUMBERED BY CHIPPING SPARROW.
BREWER'S SPARROW: 2 near Witharral (Hockley) on 5/1/16 (AH), 4 at Muleshoe
NWR (Bailey) on 5/2/16 (JB), and 1 southeast of Levelland (Hockley) on
5/14/16 (AH) - ABOUT AVERAGE FOR THIS RARE, PROBABLY OVERLOOKED, MIGRANT
THROUGH THE REGION.
FIELD SPARROW: 1 at Muleshoe NWR (Bailey) on 5/2/16 (JB) - FAIRLY LATE IN
THE YEAR FOR THIS WINTER VISITOR.
VESPWER SPARROW: 1 near South Plains (Floyd) on 5/26/16 (JB) and 1 near
Earth (Lamb) on 5/28/16 (AH) - RARE, LATE MAY REPORTS FOR THE SPECIES WHICH
GENERALLY LEAVES THE REGION BY THE END OF THE FIRST WEEK OF MAY.
SONG SPARROW: 1 in a Lubbock yard (Lubbock)on 5/7/16 (KD) - ANOTHER, VERY
LATE REPORT FOR THE REGION.
LINCOLN'S SPARROW: Eight reports of 1-2 birds in the region (Bailey,
Hockley, Lubbock) during the first three weeks of the period (JB, DHw, AH)
- PRETTY GOOD NUMBERS FOR THIS LATE IN THE SEASON.
WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW: Seven reports of 2-15 birds in the region (Bailey,
Hale, Hockley, Lubbock) during the first half of the period (JB, KD, JJ,
LM, JM, NP) - ABOUT AVERAGE FOR THIS UNCOMMON MAY LINGERER.
SUMMER TANAGER: 1 female at Muleshoe NWR (Bailey) on 5/2/16 (JB) and 1
female in a Lubbock yard (Lubbock) on 5/28/16 (KD) the only reports - A TAD
LOW.
SCARLET TANAGER: 1 male at Muleshoe NWR (Bailey) on 5/2/16 (JB) - A
CONTINUATION OF THE 20th RECORD FOR THE REGION - ACCIDENTAL.
WESTERN TANAGER: 2 at Clapp Park (Lubbock) on 5/10/16 (JB) the only report
for the month - LOW.
ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK: 1 in a Lubbock yard (Lubbock) on 5/1/16 (JC) and 1
female at Ransom Lake (Lubbock) on 5/14/16 (JB) - ABOUT AVERAGE FOR THIS
RARE MIGRANT.
BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK - No reports in May - LOW; GENERALLY OUTNUMBERS
ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK DURING THE LATTER HALF OF MIGRATION.
LAZULI BUNTING: 1 male near Floydada (Floyd) on 5/6/16 (JB), 2 males at the
Plainview Apartments Playa (Hale) on 5/11/16 (NP), and 1 male at Reese
Center Playa (Lubbock) on 5/14/16 (AH) - ABOUT AVERAGE FOR THIS RARE SPRING
MIGRANT.
INDIGO BUNTING: 1 female at Muleshoe NWR (Bailey) on 5/2/16 (JB), 2 near
Floydada (Floyd) on 5/6/16 (JB), 1 at Clapp Park (Lubbock) on 5/10/16 (JB),
2 east of Hale Center (Hale) on 5/14/16 (NP), and 2 near Plainview (Hale)
on 5/14/16 (NP) - GOOD NUMBERS AND SCATTER.
PAINTED BUNTING: 2 females and 1 male near Floydada (Floyd) on 5/6/16 (JB)
the first report - A BIT LATE TO ARRIVE AND FILLING IN VERY SLOWLY, EVEN BY
THE END OF THE PERIOD.
DICKCISSEL: Fourteen reports of 1-10 birds in the region (Floyd, Hockley,
Lamb, Lubbock) during the period (JB, AH, LM) - LOW NUMBER OF REPORTS AND
LOW NUMBERS DESPITE GOOD COVERAGE OF HABITAT.
YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD: Five reports of 1-10 birds, three reports of 11-50
birds, and one report of 92 birds in the region (Bailey, Cochran, Hale,
Hockley, Lamb, Lubbock, Lynn) during the period (JB, MDL, AH, PKe, NP) -
ABOUT AVERAGE.
BRONZED COWBIRD: 1 at Muleshoe NWR (Bailey) on 5/2/16 (JB), 1 female and 1
male in Pep (Hockley) on 5/14/16 (AH), 3 at Ransom Lake (Lubbock) on
5/14/16 (JB), 1 male at Reese Center Playa (Lubbock) on 5/14/16 (AH), 2 at
MacKenzie Park (Lubbock) on 5/18/16 (JB), 1 male near Sundown (Hockley) on
5/21/16 (AH), 3 near Plainview (Hale) on 5/28/16 (NP), 1 male in Earth
(Hockley) on 5/28/16 (AH), 1 male in Levelland (Hockley) on 5/29/16 (AH), 2
male near Levelland (Hockley) on 5/29/16 (AH), 2 males near Pep (Hockley)
on 5/29/16 (AH), and 2 males near Petit (Hockley) on 5/29/16 (AH) - PRETTY
GOOD NUMBERS AND SCATTER, WITH INCREASINGLY LARGE NUMBERS PUSHING INTO OUR
NORTHWESTERNMOST COUNTIES.
PINE SISKIN: 4 at Levelland City Park (Hockley) on 5/1/16 (AH), 13 in Pep
(Hockley) on 5/1/16 (AH), 3 in southwest Levelland (Hockley) on 5/1/16
(AH), 2 in a Lubbock yard (Lubbock) on 5/1/16 (JC), 4 in a Lubbock yard
(Lubbock) on 5/1/16 (AH), 2 in Pep (Hockley) on 5/14/16 (AH), and 6 at
Ransom Lake (Lubbock) on 5/14/16 (JB) - GOOD NUMBERS AND SCATTER FOR THIS
LATE IN THE SEASON.
LESSER GOLDFINCH: 2 at Ransom Lake (Lubbock) on 5/14/16 (JB) and 1 near Pep
(Hockley) on 5/29/16 (AH) the first of the season - A BIT LATE TO ARRIVE
AND STILL A BIT LOW AT THE END OF THE PERIOD.
AMERICAN GOLDFINCH: 3 in a Lubbock yard (Lubbock) on 5/1/16 (JC), 1 below
Lake Six (Lubbock)on 5/7/16 (LM), 4 at Clapp Park (Lubbock) on 5/10/16
(JB), 2 at the Plainview Apartments Playa (Hale) on 5/11/16 (NP), 14 at the
Plainview Apartments Playa (Hale) on 5/14/16 (NP) and 20 at Ransom Lake
(Lubbock) on 5/14/16 (JB) - GOOD NUMBERS AND SCATTER FOR THIS LATE IN THE
SEASON.
OBSERVERS: NB=Noreen Baker, JB=Justin Bosler, AC=Anita Cooper, JCl=Jeremy
Clark, JCo=James Courser, JC=Jim Crites, MDL=Manuel De Leon, KD=Ken Dixon,
DH=Danny Hancock, DHw=Dave Hawksworth, AH=Anthony Hewetson, JJ=Jan Jannett,
GJ=George Jury, PJ=Pat Jury, PKe=Peter Keyel, AL=Alan Livingston, LM=Liam
MacGuire, JM=Jennifer Miller, NP=Niler Pyeatt, CR=Clarice Robertson,
FR=Floyd Robertson, DS=David Shelburne, SW=Sophie Wenthe, WW=William Wenthe.
Anthony 'Fat Tony' Hewetson, Lubbock
