Lubbock received 1.44 inches of rain during the month, well below the
average September total of 2.57 inches, and is now at 11.22 inches for the
year, falling further behind the average year-to-date total of 15.60
inches. Many of the region's playas remain birdworthy, thanks to the heavy
rains of August and there was plenty of habitat for arriving waterfowl and
lingering shorebirds - though shorebird numbers were low, overall,
suggesting an early passage this fall. There were few weather events
favoring stopovers by migrant songbirds but observers did manage to find a
few notables.
Regional summaries of eBird data can not be acquired in a timely fashion.
Consequently, records submitted to eBird may not appear in this report.
Reports from the region that are submitted to the texbirds or leasbirds
listserve can be reviewed in a timely fashion and should appear.
As always, the county follows the site in ( ) and birds are mentioned by
virtue of rarity, atypical abundance, or atypical scarcity.
CACKLING GOOSE: 3 at Brashears Park (Hockley) on 9/5/16 (AH), 2 at Smyer
Playa (Hockley) on 9/11/16 (AH), 5 at Plainview Duck Pond (Hale) on 9/24/16
(NP) and 9/28/16 (NP) the only reports - A BIT LOW WITH NO REPORTS IN FROM
LUBBOCK PLAYAS.
CANADA GOOSE: 2 at Brashears Park (Hockley) on 9/5/16 (AH), 3 at Smyer
Playa (Hockley) on 9/11/16 (AH), and 9 at Plainview Duck Pond (Hale) on
9/28/16 (NP) the only reports - LOW, POSSIBLY DUE TO THE ABSENCE OF REPORTS
FROM LUBBOCK.
WOOD DUCK: 1 male at McCullough Park (Lubbock) on 9/3/16 (DH) and 1 male at
Smyer Playa (Hockley) on 9/30/16 (AH) the only reports - LOW.
GADWALL: Seven reports of 1-4 birds in the region (Hale, Hockley) during
the period (AH, NP) - A BIT LOW; ESPECIALLY GIVEN THE NUMBERS PRESENT IN
AUGUST.
AMERICAN WIGEON: 2 along FM 2646 (Hockley) on 9/17/16 (AH) and 15 at Tahoka
Lake (JB) - RIGHT ON TIME BUT A BIT LOW IN NUMBER.
BLUE-WINGED TEAL: Ten reports of 1-10 birds, fiver reports of 11-25 birds,
five reports of 26-50 birds, one report of 110 birds, one report of 124
birds, one report of 126 birds, and one report of 1000 birds in the region
(Hale, Hockley, Lynn) during the period (JB, AH, NP) - AFTER WHAT WAS A
VERY GOOD BREEDING YEAR FOR THE SPECIES IN THE REGION WE ARE MOVING INTO
THE BEST MIGRATORY SEASON ARCHIVED FOR THE REGION!
CINNAMON TEAL: Seven reports of 1-10 birds in the region (Hale, Hockley,
Lynn) during the period (JB, AH, NP) - VERY SOLID NUMBERS FOR OUR FALL
MOVEMENT.
NORTHERN SHOVELER: Good numbers throughout the region (Garza, Hale,
Hockley, Lynn) and period (JB, AH, NP) with 6000 at Tahoka Lake (Lynn) on
9/29/16 (JB) truly stunning - WELL ABOVE AVERAGE NUMBERS AND GOOD SPREAD.
NORTHERN PINTAIL: Eight reports of 1-10 birds, one report of 11 birds, and
one report of 16 birds in the region (Hale, Hockley, Lynn) during the
period (JB, AH, NP) - A TAD LOW ACTUALLY; PARTICULARLY GIVEN THE NUMBERS OF
OTHER DABBLERS MOVING THROUGH THE REGION.
GREEN-WINGED TEAL: Twelve reports of 1-10 birds, four reports of 11-25
birds, and one report of 41 birds in the region (Hale, Hockley, Lynn)
during the period (JB, AH, NP) - GOOD NUMBERS AND SCATTER FOR THIS EARLY IN
THE SEASON.
REDHEAD: 1 at Smyer Playa (Hockley) on 9/5/16 (AH) and 2 at Roundup Playa
(Hockley) on 9/17/16 (AH) the only reports - A BIT LOW; WE GENERALLY SEE A
STRONGER MOVEMENT INTO THE REGION BY NOW.
RING-NECKED DUCK: No reports at all - LOW; WE GENERALLY SEE SOME MOVEMENT
INTO THE REGION BY NOW.
RUDDY DUCK: Seven reports of 1-10 birds and one report of 14 birds in the
region (Hale, Hockley) during the period (AH, NP) - A TAD LOW.
SCALED QUAIL: 2 south of Smyer (Hockley) on 9/3/16 (AH), 2 southwest of Pep
(Hockley) on 9/11/16 (AH), 1 south of Levellend (Hockley) on 9/17/16 (AH),
and 1 southeast of Pep (Hockley) on 9/17/16 (AH) - A TAD LOW BUT LITTLE
EFFORT REPORTED FROM OUR WESTERN AND SOUTHERN COUNTIES.
RING-NECKED PHEASANT: 1 at Smyer Playa (Hockley) on 9/5/16 (AH), 2 at Hale
Center WTP (Hale) on 9/11/16 (NP), and 1 west of Anton (Hockley) on 9/17/16
(AH) - A TAD LOW, PARTICULARLY GIVEN SUMMER NUMBERS.
INCA DOVE: 2 in a Lubbbock yard (Lubbock) off and on throughout the period
(CR, FR) the only reports - BARELY HANGING ON?
YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO: Eight reports of 1-2 birds in the region (Hockley,
Lubbock) during the period (AH) - GOOD NUMBERS FOR THIS LATE IN THE SEASON;
RECOVERY FROM THE DROUGHT CONTINUES.
COMMON POORWILL: 1 at the Hale Center WTP (Hale) on 9/11/16 (NP) and 1
south of Roundup (Hockley) on 9/11/16 (AH) the only reports - NOT BAD GIVEN
THE DEARTH OF REPORTS FROM ALONG OR BELOW THE ESCARPMENT.
BLACK-CHINNED HUMMINGBIRD: 1-2 daily in a Lubbock yard (Lubbock) from
9/15/16 onward (AH), 1 immature bird at Sundown School (Hockley) on 9/17/16
(AH), and 1 immature bird at South Plains College (Hockley) on 9/18/16 (AH)
- FORMERLY CONSIDERED CASUAL THIS LATE IN THE SEASON; NOW ANNUAL INTO AT
LEAST EARLY OCTOBER.
RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD: 1 immature male in a Lubbock yard (Lubbock) on
9/21/16 (JC) the only report - ABOUT AVERAGE FOR THIS LATE IN THE SEASON.
BROAD-TAILED HUMMINGBIRD: 1-2 birds in a Lubbock yard (Lubbock), off and
on, from 9/8/16 thorugh 9/20/16 (KD) the only reports - LOW.
RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD: 1 male at Sundown City Park (Hockley) on 9/11/16 (AH),
1 female in a Lubbock yard (Lubbock) on 9/26/16 (AH), and 1 immature male
at South Plains College (Hockley) on 9/30/16 (AH) the only reports - VERY
LOW; GENERALLY MUCH MORE COMMON AS A MIGRANT.
CALLIOPE HUMMINGBIRD: 1 female at South Plains College (Hockley) on 9/3/16
(AH) and 1 immature male in a Lubbock yard (Lubbock) on 9/18/16 (AH) - LOW;
GENERALLY MORE COMMON DURING MIGRATION.
BLACK-NECKED STILT: Nine reports of 1-3 birds in the region (Hockley,
Lubbock, Lynn) during the period (JB, AH, JM) - LOW, GIVEN THE NUMBERS
PRESENT EARLIER DURING MIGRATION.
AMERICAN AVOCET: Nine reports of 1-8 birds in the region (Hockley, Lubbock)
during the period (AH, JM) - LOW, GIVEN THE NUMBERS PRESENT EARLIER DURING
MIGRATION.
AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER: 7 were seen near Grassland (Lynn) on 9/30/16 (JB) -
FORMERLY CONSIDERED ACCIDENTAL TO THE REGION; NOW KNOWN AS A RARE BUT
ANNUAL MIGRANT - SEVEN IS A REMARKABLY HIGH NUMBER FOR THE REGION, THOUGH.
LONG-BILLED CURLEW: 21 at Smyer Playa (Hockley) on 9/5/16 (AH), 14 at Smyer
Playa (Hockley) on 9/11/16 (AH), 3 along FM 2646 (Hockley) on 9/17/16 (AH),
and 43 at Smyer Playa (Hockley) on 9/30/16 (AH) - ABOUT AVERAGE IN TERMS OF
NUMBERS; POOR SCATTER.
DUNLIN: 1 reports near Grassland (Lynn) on 930/16 (JB) - FORMERLY
CONSIDERED ACCIDENTAL TO THE REGION; NOW DETECTED CLOSE TO ANNUALLY,
PARTICULARLY DURING FALL AND INTO WINTER.
STILT SANDPIPER: 2 south of Smyer (Hockley) on 9/11/16 (AH), 5 near Slaton
(Lubbock) on 9/12/16 (JM), 2 at Plainview Apartments Playa (Hale) on
9/17/16 (NP), and 2 along FM 2646 (Hockley) on 9/17/16 (AH) - LOW; MORE
EVIDENCE THAT SHOREBIRDS MOVED THROUGH THE REGION A BIT EARLY THIS YEAR.
BAIRD'S SANDPIPER: 7 near Slaton (Lubbock) on 9/12/16 (JM) the only report
- VERY LOW; MORE EVIDENCE OF EARLY MOVEMENT.
LEAST SANDPIPER: 6 at the Hale Center WTP (Hale) on 9/11/16 (NP), 5 near
Slaton (Lubbock) on 9/12/16 (JM), 6 at the Plainview Duck Pond (Hale) on
9/28/16 (NP), 6 near Tahoka (Lynn) on 9/28/16 (JB), and 12 near Grassland
(Lynn) on 9/30/16 (JB) the only reports - VERY LOW; MORE EVIDENCE OF EARLY
MOVEMENT.
PECTORAL SANDPIPER: 5 near Slaton (Lubbock) on 9/12/16 (JM) and 10 near
Tahoka (Lynn) on 928/16 (JB) the only reports - LOW; THIS SPECIES HAD A
VERY POOR SHOWING IN THE REGION DURING BOTH SPRING AND FALL MIGRATION.
SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER:1 near Slaton (Lubbock) on 9/12/16 (JM) and 2 at the
Plainview Duck Pond (Hale) on 928/16 (NP) the only reports - LOW.
WESTERN SANDPIPER: No reports at all - VERY LOW.
LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER: 4 at the Hale Center WTP (Hale) on 9/11/16 (NP), 2
west of Anton (Hockley) on 9/11/16 (AH), 2 at Thunderbird Playa (Hale) on
9/17/16 (NP), 4 south of Roundup (Hockley) on 9/17/16 (AH), 1 at the
Plainview Duck Pond (Hale) on 9/24/16 (NP), and 3 near Grassland (Lynn) on
9/30/16 (JB) - VERY POOR NUMBERS BUT GOOD SCATTER.
WILSON'S SNIPE: 2 at Levelland City Park (Hockley) on 9/5/16 (AH), 4 west
of Anton (Hockley) on 9/11/16 (AH), 4 near Slaton (Lubbock) on 9/12/16
(JM), 4 along FM 2646 (Hockley) on 9/17/16 (AH), 2 south of Roundup
(Hockley) on 9/17/16 (AH), and 3 south of Roundup (Hockley) on 9/30/16 (AH)
- GOOD NUMBERS FOR SO EARLY IN THE SEASON; MORE EVIDENCE OF EARLY SHOREBIRD
MOVEMENT.
SPOTTED SANDPIPER: Six reports of 1-2 birds in the region (Hockley,
Lubbock) during the period (AH, PKi) the only reports - VERY LOW,
SUGGESTING AN EARLY PASSAGE - HOPEFULLY SOME STICK AROUND FOR THE WINTER.
SOLITARY SANDPIPER: 1 at the West x 13th Woodlot in Levelland (Hockley) on
9/3/16 (AH), 1 at the Plainview Apartments Playa (Hale) on 9/10/16 (NP), 1
west of Ropesville (Hockley) on 9/17/16 (AH), and 2 at the West x 13th
Woodlot (Hockley) on 9/18/16 (AH) - ABOUT AVERAGE.
GREATER YELLOWLEGS: five reports of 1-7 birds and one report of 13 birds in
the region (Hale, Hockley) during the period (AH, NP) - SURPRISINGLY LOW
NUMBERS, ESPECIALLY GIVEN THE AUGUST NUMBERS - MORE EVIDENCE OF EARLY
PASSAGE.
LESSER YELLOWLEGS: 3 at the Hale Center WTP (Hale) on 9/11/16 (NP), 4 near
Slaton (Lubbock) on 9/12/16 (JM), and 5 along FM 2646 (Hockley) on 9/17/16
(AH) - SURPRISINGLY LOW NUMBERS, ESPECIALLY GIVEN THE AUGUST NUMBERS - MORE
EVIDENCE OF EARLY PASSAGE.
WILSON'S PHALAROPE: 1 at the Sundown WTP (Hockley) on 9/3/16 (AH), 7 at
Roundup Playa (Hockley) on 9/10/16 (AH), 17 at the Hale Center WTP (Hale)
on 9/11/16 (NP), 2 at Smyer Playa (Hockley) on 9/11/16 (AH), and 23
southwest of Pep (Hockley) on 9/17/16 (AH) - POOR NUMBERS, SUGGESTING THAT
PASSAGE WAS EARLY.
FRANKLIN'S GULL: 1 at the Plainview Duck Pond (Hale) on 9/24/16 (NP) - THE
SOLE REPORT; LOW.
BLACK TERN: 2 near Slaton (Lubbock) on 9/12/16 (JM) and 1 along FM 2646
(Hockley) on 9/17/16 (AH) the only reports - LOW.
COMMON TERN: 1 at Lake Two (Lubbock) on 9/22/16 (PKi) and 1 at Lake Six
(Lubbock) on 9/27/16 (PKi) - CASUAL TO THE REGION; EVEN IF THIS WAS THE
SAME BIRD, VERY EXCITING RECORDS.
AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN: 95 near Skeen Playa (Lynn) on 9/27/16 (PKe) - AN
OUTSTANDING NUMBER FOR A SINGLE SIGHTING IN OUR REGION!
GREAT EGRET: 7 at Dupree Park (Lubbock) on 9/17/16 (GJ, PJ) the only report
- VERY LOW!
SNOWY EGRET: 1 at Roundup Playa (Hockley) on 9/10/16 (AH), 2 along FM 2646
(Hockley) on 9/17/16 (AH), and 4 at Lake Six (Lubbock) on 9/24/16 (JJ, KB,
AJ) the only reports - VERY LOW!
CATTLE EGRET: Three reports of 3-10 birds, one report of 48 birds, and
three reports of 52 to 75 birds in the region (Hale, Hockley, Lubbock,
Lynn) during the period (JB, AH, NP) - BETTER THAN EXPECTED; PARTICULARLY
GIVEN THE ABSURDLY LOW NUMBERS OF OTHER WADERS.
WHITE-FACED IBIS: Six reports of 1-5 birds and one report of 19 birds in
the region (Hockley, Lubbock) during the period (AH, JM) - LOW; WADERS LEFT
THE AREA EARLIER THAN USUAL.
OSPREY: 1 at Erskine Marsh (Lubbock) on 9/19/16 (PKi), 1 at Lake Six
(Lubbock) on 9/19/16 (PKi), 1 over a Lubbock yard (Lubbock) on 9/21/16
(JC), 1 at Lake Two (Lubbock) on 9/22/16 (PKI), and 1 at the Plainview Duck
Pond (Hale) on 9/28/16 (NP) - ABOUT AVERAGE; NUMBERS PICK UP IN OCTOBER IN
MOST YEARS.
WHITE-TAILED KITE: 1 near Tahoka Lake (Lynn) on 9/28/16 (JB) - FORMERLY
CONSIDERED ACCIDENTAL TO THE REGION; NOW CONSIDERED ANNUAL WITH OCCASIONAL
BREEDING RECORDS IN OUR SOUTHEASTERN COUNTIES.
SHARP-SHINNED HAWK: Six reports of single birds in the region (Hale,
Hockley) during the period (AH, NP) - A TAD LOW; THE SPECIES SEEMS TO BE
MOVING IN A BIT SLOWLY THIS FALL.
COOPER'S HAWK: Eight reports of single birds in the region (Hockley,
Lubbock, Lynn) during the period (JB, KD, AH) - A TAD LOW; WE USUALLY GET
OUR FIRST BIG WAVES IN LATE SEPTEMBER.
BROAD-WINGED HAWK: 1 at the West x 13th Woodlot in Levelland (Hockley) on
9/30/16 - LOW.
BELTED KINGFISHER: 1 at a playa south of Smyer (Hockley) on 9/17/16 (AH) -
NOTEWORTHY ONLY IN THAT THE USE OF PLAYA HABITAT REVEALS THE FLEXIBILITY OF
THIS SPECIES IN MIGRATION.
RED-NAPED SAPSUCKER: 1 in Pep (Hockley) on 9/17/16 (AH) the only report -
ABOUT AVERAGE FOR THIS EARLY IN THE SEASON.
MONK PARAKEET: 1 persisted at Wayland Baptist University (Hale) through the
period (NP) - ONE OF THE WORLD'S LONELIEST 'QUAKERS'.
MERLIN: 1 at the Tahoka Picnic Area (Lynn) on 9/2/16 (JB), 1 south of
Roundup (Hockley) on 9/11/16 (AH), 1 west of Levelland (Hockley) on 9/11/16
(AH), and 1 near Edmonson (Hale) on 9/25/16 (NP) - A TAD EARLY FOR SUCH
GOOD NUMBERS; MIGHT THESE BIRDS BE FOLLOWING THE PASSED THROUGH SHOREBIRDS
AND SOMEWHAT EARLY DABBLERS?
PEREGRINE FALCON: 1 persisted at playa south of Smyer (Hockley) through
9/11/16 (AH) and 1 was at Lake Six (Lubbock) on 9/28/16 (PKi) - MORE EARLY
FALCONS.
PRAIRIE FALCON: 1 west of Levelland (Hockley) on 9/11/16 (AH), 1 at Sundown
City Park (Hockley) on 9/17/16 (AH), and 1 near Tahoka Lake (Lynn) on
9/28/16 (JB) - ABOUT AVERAGE FOR THIS RARE SEPTEMBER ARRIVAL.
OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER: Six reports of single birds in the region (Hale,
Hockley) during the period (AH, NP) - LOW NUMBERS; THE SPECIES USUALLY
PEAKS IN THE REGION DURING EARLY SEPTEMBER.
WESTERN WOOD PEWEE: Thirteen reports of 1-2 birds in the region (Hale,
Hockley, Lubbock, Lynn) during the period (JB, AH, NP) - GOOD SCATTER BUT
LOW NUMBERS; NOT THE BEST FALL FOR CONTOPIDS IN THE REGION.
UNIDENTIFIED EMPID: 2 in a Floydada yard (Floyd) on 9/10/16 (AL), 1 in a
Lubbock yard (Lubbock) on 9/10/16 (KD), and 1 at Thunderbird Playa (Hale)
on 9/17/16 (NP) - REPORTS OF UNIDENTIFIED EMPIDS DROP IN SEPTEMBER AS LOCAL
BIRDERS GET THEIR PRACTICE IN DURING AUGUST.
YELLOW-BELLIED FLYCATCHER: 1 was found in Lubbock and turned in to the
South Plains Wildlife Rehabilitation Center (Lubbock) on 9/26/16 (fide LS,
photographs) - THE BIRD OF THE MONTH AND KUDOS TO THE SPWRC STAFF; THE
FIRST DOCUMENTED RECORD OF THE SPECIES FOR THE ENTIRE REGION!
WILLOW FLYCATCHER: Seven reports of 1-2 birds in the region (Hale, Hockley,
Lubbock) during the period (KD, AH, NP) - ABOUT AVERAGE; THIS SPECIES
USUALLY PEAKS IN THE REGION DURING LATE AUGUST.
LEAST FLYCATCHER: Twenty-one reports of 1-2 birds in the region (Garza,
Hale, Hockley, Lubbock) during the period (JB, AH, NP) - GOOD NUMBERS AND
SCATTER; DEFINITELY A 'LEAST YEAR' IN THE REGION.
DUSKY FLYCATCHER: 1 at the Anton Ponds (Hockley) on 9/3/16 (AH) - ABOUT
AVERAGE FOR THIS RARE, BUT ANNUAL, SPRING AND FALL MIGRANT.
GRAY FLYCATCHER: 1 along CR 2646 (Hockley) on 9/3/16 (AH) the only report -
LOW; GENERALLY THE FOURTH MOST COMMON EMPID DURING FALL MIGRATION WITH
MULTIPLE SIGHTINGS EXPECTED.
CORDILLERAN FLYCATCHER: 1 in a Lubbock yard (Lubbock) on 9/10/16 (KD) the
only report - VERY LOW; GENERALLY THE THIRD MOST COMMON EMPID DURING FALL
MIGRATION
SAY'S PHOEBE: 9 in Pep (Hockley) on 9/3/16 (AH) had declined to 5 on
9/11/16 (AH) and then to 4 on 9/17/16 (AH), 2 at the Sundown WTP (Hockley)
on 9/11/16 (AH), and 1 at the Sundown Cemetery (Hockley) on 9/17/16 (AH) -
AN ODD PATTERN THIS YEAR - WITH A HEALTHY BREEDING POPULATION DISAPPEARING
FROM THE REGION IN EARLY FALL.
EASTERN PHOEBE: 1 at Plainview Apartments Playa (Hale) on 9/17/16 (NP), 1
near Tahoka (Lynn) on 9/28/16 (JB), and 1 at Smyer Playa (Hockley) on
9/30/16 (AH) - GOOD NUMBERS FOR ATOP THE CAPROCK ESCARPMENT.
GREAT-CRESTED FLYCATCHER: 1 in a Lubbock yard (Lubbock) on 9/1/16 (KD) was
joined by a second bird on 9/8/16 (KD) - FORMERLY CONSIDERED CASUAL TO
WESTERN PORTIONS OF THE REGION; NOW KNOWN AS AN ANNUAL POST-BREEDING
WANDERER.
COUCH'S KINGBIRD: 1 at the Highway 380 x CR 105 Woodlot (Garza) on 9/21/16
(JB) and 1 at Tahoka Lake (Lynn) on 9/29/16 (JB) - OUTSTANDING SIGHTINGS;
ACCIDENTAL TO THE REGION AND, PENDING REVIEW, THE THIRD AND FOURTH RECORDS
OF THE SPECIES.
BLUE-HEADED VIREO: 1 south of Levelland (Hockley) on 9/17/16 (AH) and 1 at
the Plainview Apartments Playa (Hale) on 9/24/16 (NP) the only reports -
LOW.
TREE SWALLOW: Six reports of 1-10 birds, one report of 20 birds, and one
report of 100 birds in the region (Hockley, Lubbock, Lynn) during the
period (JB, AH, PKi) - GOOD NUMBERS AND SCATTER.
NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW: 2 south of Roundup (Hockley) on 9/3/16 (AH),
2 at the Sundown WTP (Hockley) no 9/11/16 (AH), 3 at the Foster x Hawk
Roads Playa (Hockley) on 9/17/16 (AH), and 1 at Lake Six (Lubbock) on
9/28/16 (PKi) the only reports - LOW; THE SPECIES APPEARS TO HAVE, LIKE
MOST OTHER SWALLOWS, MOVED THROUGH THE AREA RATHER EARLY.
BANK SWALLOW: 1 south of Smyer (Hockley) on 9/3/16 (AH) and 1 at Lake Six
(Lubbock) on 9/26/16 (PKi) - ANOTHER EARLY PASSAGE SPECIES WITH
SURPRISINGLY GOOD NUMBERS MOVING THROUGH IN AUGUST BUT FEW DURING THE
EXPECTED SEPTEMBER PERIOD.
CAVE SWALLOW: 1 at Smyer Playa (Hockley) on 9/5/16 (AH), 1 at Lake Six
(Lubbock) on 9/28/16 (PKi), 3 near Tahoka (Lynn) on 9/28/16 (JB), and 2
near Center Church (Lynn) on 929/16 (JB) - BUCKING THE SWALLOW TREND, THESE
WERE LATE LINGERERS.
RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH: 1 at Sundown Cemetery (Hockley) on 9/17/16 (AH,
photographs) - FORMERLY CONSIDERED ACCIDENTAL TO THE REGION THIS EARLY; NOW
CASUAL, PARTICULARLY DURING WHAT TURN OUT TO BE 'IRRUPTION' YEARS.
HOUSE WREN: Fourteen reports of single birds in the region (Hale, Hockley,
Lubbock) during the period (AH, NP) - GOOD NUMBERS; PERHAPS A BIT BETTER
THAN AVERAGE FOR FALL MIGRATION.
CAROLINA WREN: 1 at the West x 13th Woodlot in Levelland (Hockley) on
9/18/16 (AH) - ACCIDENTAL THIS FAR WEST IN THE REGION; THIS MAY REPRESENT A
FIRST RECORD FOR HOCKLEY COUNTY!
BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER: Nine reports of 1-2 birds in the region (Hockley,
Lubbock) during the period (AH) - ABOUT AVERAGE FOR THE ANNUAL SEPTEMBER
MIGRATORY PEAK.
RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET: Eight reports of single birds in the region (Hockley,
Lubbock) - all during the latter half of the period (AH, PKi) - IF ANYTHING
A TAD LOW, BY RECENT YEARS' STANDARDS, FOR THE SEPTEMBER ARRIVAL.
SWAINSON'S THRUSH: 1 west of Shallowater (Lubbock) on 9/10/16 (AH), 1 at
Anton Ponds (Hockley) on 9/17/16 (AH), 1 in a Lubbock yard (Lubbock) on
9/22/16 (AH), and 1 at Thunderbird Playa (Hale) on 9/25/16 (NP) - ABOUT
AVERAGE FOR SEPTEMBER; GENERALLY PEAKS IN EARLY OCTOBER.
HERMIT THRUSH: 2 at the Plainview Apartments Playa (Hale) on 9/17/16 (NP)
and 1 at the Plainview Apartments Playa (Hale) on 9/24/16 (NP) the only
reports - ABOUT AVERAGE; GENERALLY PEAKS IN LATE OCTOBER.
GRAY CATBIRD: 1 at the Plainview Apartments Playa (Hale) on 9/24/16 (NP) -
CASUAL THIS EARLY IN THE SEASON; NUMBERS PICK UP IN OCTOBER.
BROWN THRASHER: 1 at Thunderbird Playa (Hale) on 9/25/16 (NP) - THE ONLY
ABOVE THE CAPROCK REPORT FOR THE MONTH.
SPRAGUE'S PIPIT: 1 near Central Church (Lynn) on 9/29/16 (JB) - FORMERLY
CONSIDERED ACCIDENTAL TO THE REGION; NOW AN EXPECTED MIGRANT AND POSSIBLE
WINTER RESIDENT.
CHESTNUT-COLLARED LONGSPUR: 1 near Central Church (Lynn) on 9/29/16 (JB) -
THIS IS AN EXTRAORDINARY SIGHTING; THE FIRST SEPTEMBER RECORD FOR THE
REGION.
LESSER GOLDFINCH: Eight reports of 1-3 birds in the region (Hockley, Lynn)
mostly during the first half of the period (JB, AH) - THE ANNUAL CHANGING
OF THE GOLDFINCH GUARD.
AMERICAN GOLDFINCH: Six reports of 1-4 birds in the region (Hale, Hockley)
mostly during the second half of the period (AH, NP) - THE ANNUAL CHANGING
OF THE GOLDFINCH GUARD.
OVENBIRD: 1 at Levelland City Park (Hockley) on 9/5/16 (AH), 1 at Plainview
Apartments Playa (Hale) on 9/17/16 (NP), and 1 near Edmonson (Hale) on
99/25/16 (NP) - FORMERLY CONSIDERED ACCIDENTAL TO THE REGION; NOW KNOWN TO
BE A RARE BUT ANNUAL MIGRANT.
NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH: Three reports of single birds in (Hockley) during the
period (AH) - LOW; GENERALLY OUTNUMBER OVENBIRDS BY AT LEAST 10:1 DURING
FALL MIGRATION.
BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER: 1 near Petit (Hockley) on 9/17/16 (AH) the only
report - ANOTHER WARBLER SPECIES WHICH APPEARS TO BE PASSING THROUGH THE
REGION A BIT EARLIER.
TENNESSEE WARBLER: 1 in Lubbock yard (Lubbock) on 9/10/16 (KD) the only
report - SURPRISINGLY RARE AS A MIGRANT THROUGH THE REGION, GIVEN THE
NUMBER THAT PASS THROUGH NEW MEXICO AND NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS.
ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER: Eleven reports of 1--3 birds in the region (Hale,
Hockley, Lubbock), mostly during the second half of the period (JC, KD, AH,
NP) - ABOUT AVERAGE NUMBERS AND SCATTER FOR THIS EARLY IN THE SEASON
NASHVILLE WARBLER: Eighteen reports of 1-10 birds in the region (Hale,
Hockley, Lubbock) during the period (KD, AH, AL, NP) - GOOD NUMBERS AND
SCATTER.
MACGILLIVRAY'S WARBLER: 1 in a Lubbock yard (Lubbock) on 9/14/16 and
9/15/16 (KD), 1 at Thundebird Playa (Hale) on 9/17/16 (NP), and 1 male in a
Lubbock yard (Lubbock) on 9/25/16 (AH) the only reports - LOW BUT THIS
SPECIES PEAKS IN OCTOBER IN SOME YEARS.
COMMON YELLOWTHROAT: 1 male at Smyer Playa (Hockley) on 9/5/16 (AH), 1
female in a Lubbock yard (Lubbock) on 9/10/16 (KD), 1 female in a Lubbock
yard (Lubbock) on 9/14/16 (KD), and 1 female at Anton Ponds (Hockley) on
9/17/16 (AH) the only reports - LOW.
AMERICAN REDSTART: 1 south of Roundup (Hockley) on 9/3/16 (AH), 1 female in
a Floydada yard (Floyd) on 9/10/16 (AL), 1 southwest of Pep (Hockley) on
9/11/16 (AH), and 1 male at the Foster x Hawk Roads Playa (Hockley) on
9/17/16 (AH) - ABOUT AVERAGE FOR THIS RARE MIGRANT.
YELLOW WARBLER: Thirteen reports of 1-3 birds in the region (Floyd, Hale,
Hockley, Lubbock) during the period (KD, AH, AL, NP) - AFTER A GOOD START
IN AUGUST, RATHER DISAPPOINTING SEPTEMBER NUMBERS.
PINE WARBLER: 1 in a Lubbock yard (Lubbock) on 9/10/16 (KD) - AN EXCITING
REPORT AS THIS SPECIES IS GENERALLY REGARDED AS A WINTER VISITOR RATHER
THAN A MIGRANT.
TOWNSEND'S WARLBER:1 at Plainview Apartments Playa (Hale) on 9/17/16 (NP)
the only report - LOW; ONLY TWO REPORTS OF THIS GENERALLY MORE COMMON
SPECIES THIS FALL.
YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER: Five reports of 1-4 birds in the region (Hale,
Hockley), all during the latter half of the period (AH, NP) - A RATHER SLOW
START.
WILSON'S WARBLER: Forty-nine reports of 1-10 birds and one report of 26
birds in the region (Garza, Hale, Hockley, Lubbock) during the period (JB,
KD, AH, NP) - BY NO MEANS RECORD BREAKING BUT A VERY GOOD SEPTEMBER FOR
THIS SPECIES IN TERMS OF NUMBER AND SCATTER.
YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT: 1 at Smyer Playa (Hockley) on 9/5/16 (AH), 1 at the
Foster x Hawk Roads Playa (Hockley) on 9/17/16 (AH, photographs), and 1
southwest of Pep (Hockley) on 9/17/16 (AH) - GOOD NUMBERS FOR THIS SPECIES
WHICH CAN BE DIFFICULT TO DETECT DURING MIGRATION.
SPOTTED TOWHEE: 2 near Edmonson (Hale) on 9/25/16 (NP) the first of the
season - FORMERLY ACCIDENTAL TO THE REGION THIS EARLY IN THE SEASON; WE NOW
EXPECT THE FIRST REPORT IN THE LATTER HALF OF SEPTEMBER.
CHIPPING SPARROW: Twenty reports of 1-10 birds and two reports of 12-20
birds in the region (Hale, Hockley, Lubbock, Lynn) during the period (JB,
KD, AH, NP) - A TAD LOW ACTUALLY AND ANOTHER YEAR IN WHICH CHIPPING AND
CLAY-COLORED SPARROWS MOVED THROUGH IN ROUGHLY EQUAL NUMBERS.
CLAY-COLORED SPARROW: Eleven reports of 1-10 birds and four reports of
14-21 birds in the region (Hale, Hockley, Lubbock, Lynn) during the period
(JB, AH, NP) - GOOD NUMBERS, MAKING FOR ANOTHER YEAR IN WHICH THIS SPECIES
MATCHED CHIPPING SPARROW IN MOVEMENT THROUGH THE REGION.
BREWER'S SPARROW: 1 at the Foster x Hawk Roads Playa (Hockley) on 9/17/16
(AH), 1 at Roundup Playa (Hockley) on 9/17/16 (AH), 6 near Edmonson (Hale)
on 9/25/16 (NP), 1 at Thunderbird Playa (Hale) on 9/25/16 (NP), and 1 in a
Lubbock yard (Lubbock) on 9/26/16 (AH) - FORMERLY CONSIDERED RARE, AT BEST,
TO THE REGION; NOW KNOWN AS AN ANNUAL, APPROACHING UNCOMMON, MIGRANT.
FIELD SPARROW: 1 west of Shallowater (Lubbock) on 9/10/16 (AH) the first of
the season - A TAD EARLY.
VESPER SPARROW: 3 southwest of Pep (Hockley) on 9/11/16 (AH) and 1 near
Edmonson (Hale) on 9/25/16 (NP) - MOVING IN SLOWLY THIS FALL; GENERALLY
MUCH EASIER TO FIND IN SEPTEMBER.
BLACK-THROATED SPARROW: 1 first year male at the Foster x Hawk Roads Playa
(Hockley) on 9/17/16 (AH, photographs) - AN ODD COMBINATION OF ACCIDENTAL
TO MOST OF THE REGION (INCLUDING HOCKLEY COUNTY) AND A RARE BREEDER IN OUR
SOUTHEASTERN COUNTIES.
SAVANNAH SPARROW: 2 at Thunderbird Playa (Hale) on 9/25/16 (NP) and 7 along
Ellis Road (Hockley) on 930/16 (NP) - ABOUT AVERAGE FOR THIS EARLY IN THE
SEASON.
SONG SPARROW: 2 in a Lubbock yard (Lubbock) on 9/8/16 (KD) the first of the
season - ABOUT AVERAGE FOR THIS EARLY IN THE SEASON.
LINCOLN'S SPARROW: Eleven reports of 1-3 birds in the region (Hale,
Hockley, Lubbock, Lynn) during the period (JB, AH, NP) - FORMERLY RARE THIS
EARLY IN THE SEASON; NOW EXPECTED TO REACH AT LEAST UNCOMMON STATUS BY THE
END OF THE MONTH.
WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW: 7 at Plainview Apartments Playa (Hale) on 9/17/16
(NP), 4 near Edmonson (Hale) on 9/17/16 (NP), and 8 near Edmonson (Hale) on
9/25/16 (NP) - FORMERLY CASUAL THIS EARLY IN THE SEASON; NOW EXPECTED TO
START FILLING IN DURING THE LAST WEEK OF SEPTEMBER.
WESTERN TANAGER: 1 female at the West x 13th Woodlot in Levelland (Hockley)
on 9/11/16 (AH) and 1 female and 1 immature male at Levelland City Park
(Hockley) on 9/18/16 (AH) - A TAD LOW BY RECENT YEARS' STANDARDS.
BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK: 1 female at Anton Ponds (Hockley) on 9/17/16 (AH)
the only report - LOW.
INDIGO BUNTING: 1 immature male west of Shallowater (Lubbock) on 9/10/16
(AH) and 1 immature male at Anton Ponds (Hockley) on 9/17/16 (AH) the only
reports - LOW.
DICKCISSEL: 3 near Anton (Hockley) on 9/3/16 (AH) and 1 south of Smyer
(Hockley) on 9/3/16 (AH) the last of the season - VERY LOW; AN EARLY
DEPARTURE FROM THE REGION ... TO SAY THE LEAST.
YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD: Three reports of 1-10 birds, three reports of
13-20 birds, and six reports of 28-100 birds in the region (Hale, Lubbock,
Lynn) during the period (JB, AH, NP) - A TAD LOW FOR THE EXPECTED SEPTEMBER
PEAK OF MIGRANTS.
BREWER'S BLACKBIRD: 100 near Tahoka Lake (Lynn) on 9/28/16 (JB) the first
report - LATE AND VERY LOW.
COMMON GRACKLE: 1 at a feedlot/playa west of Anton (Hockley) on 9/11/16
(AH) - NOTEWORTHY DUE TO THE RATHER WESTERLY LOCATION AND FOR BEING A SOLO
BIRD; FALL COMMON GRACKLES ARE USUALLY MOVING IN FLOCKS.
BRONZED COWBIRD: 1 male at Levelland City Park (Hockley) on 9/18/16 (AH)
and 1 male at South Plains College (Hockley) on 9/18/16 (AH) - THIS SPECIES
IS STILL EXPANDING INTO THE REGION AND IS LINGERING LATER EACH YEAR; WE NOW
EXPECT LATE RECORD INTO EARLY OCTOBER.
ORCHARD ORIOLE: 1 in Anton (Hockley) on 9/3/16 (AH), 1 in Pep (Hockley) on
9/3/.16 (AH), 1 at South Plains College (Hockley) on 9/3/16 (AH), 1 female
at Anton Ponds (Hockley) on 9/11/16 (AH), and 1 female west of Anton
(Hockley) on 9/17/16 (AH) - FORMERLY QUITE RARE THIS LATE IN THE SEASON;
BIRDS ARE NOW EXPECTED TO LINGER INTO EARLY SEPTEMBER.
BULLOCK'S ORIOLE: 1 male in Pep (Hockley) on 9/17/16 (AH) and 1 immature
male at Roundup Playa (Hockley) on 9/17/16 (AH) - FORMERLY CASUAL IN THE
LATTER HALF OF SEPTEMBER; NOW ALMOST EXPECTED.
OBSERVERS: JB=Justin Bosler, KB=Kaitie Braddock, JC= Jim Crites, KD-Ken
Dixon, DH=Danny Hancock, AH=Anthony Hewetson, JJ=Jan Jannett, AJ=Alyssa
Jarvis, GJ=George Jury, PJ=Pat Jury, PKe=Peter Keyel, PKi=Phillip Kite,
AL=Alan Livingston, JM=Jennifer Miller, NP=Niler Pyeatt, CR=Clarice
Robertson, FR=Floyd Robertson, LS=Leanna Smith.
Anthony 'Fat Tony' Hewetson, Lubbock
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