Lubbock received 0.02 inches of rain during April, way below the
expected total for the month of 1.41 inches, with 3.27 inches of rain
for the year, somewhat below the expected year-to-date total of 3.91
inches. This rather violent lurch from wetter than usual – at the end
of March – to dryer than usual – at the end of April – concentrated
waterbirds at our more persistent (artificially maintained) wetlands
and this, along with a solid patch of migrant songbirds towards the
end of the month, made for a heck of a month.
Regional summaries of eBird data cannot be acquired in a timely
fashion. As a result, records submitted to eBird may not appear in
this report. Reports from the region that are submitted to the
texbirds or leasbirds listservs 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. Water
Treatment Ponds have come to feature so prominently in these reports
that they will, henceforth, be referred to as WTP.
SNOW GOOSE: 9 northeast of New Deal (Lubbock) from 4/12/20 through
4/18/20 (JB, JoC, JM, BSc, BSh) the only reports – FORMERLY NORMAL
DURING THE FIRST HALF OF APRIL; THIS NOW REPRESENTS UNUSUALLY GOOD
NUMBERS FOR THIS LATE IN THE YEAR.
ROSS’S GOOSE: 1 at McAlister Park (Lubbock) on 4/27/20 (PKe, JB, JoC,
JCr, JM, photographs) – A MOST UNUSUAL SIGHTING FOR THIS LATE IN THE
SEASON.
WOOD DUCK: 2 below Lake Six (Lubbock) on 4/19/20 (AH), 2 at the Bison
Road Playa (Hockley) on 4/21/20 (JM), and 1 at the Reese Center Playa
(Lubbock) on 4/21/20 (JM) – A TAD LOW; GENERALLY DECLINES ABRUPTLY IN
MAY, NOT APRIL.
BLUE-WINGED TEAL: Thirty-six reports of 1-10 birds, nineteen reports
of 11-25 birds, and four reports of 26-30 birds in the region (Crosby,
Floyd, Garza, Hale, Hockley, Lubbock) during the period (JB, JoC, JrC,
WC, JCr, MDL, RG, CH, DH, AH, GJo, PKe, PKi, JK, AL, JM, AP, JP, NP,
BSc, BSh, TT, SW, WW, LZ) – A REMARKABLY GOOD NUMBER OF SIGHTINGS AND
NUMBERS FOR THE SPECIES.
CINNAMON TEAL: Fourteen reports of 1-5 birds in the region (Crosby,
Hockley, Lubbock) during the period (JB, JoC, RG, CH, AH, GK, PKi, JM,
AP, JP, BSc, BSh) – A REASONABLE NUMBER OF REPORTS BUT, BY RECENT
YEARS’ STANDARDS, LOW NUMBERS.
CANVASBACK: 2 at Mae Simmons Park (Lubbock) on 4/7/20 (AH) the only
report – VERY LOW.
REDHEAD: 1 at Clapp Park (Lubbock) on 4/1/20 (BSh) and on 4/7/20 (JCr)
the only reports – VERY LOW
RING-NECKED PHEASANT: Eight reports of 1-4 birds in the region (Floyd,
Hale, Lubbock) during the period (AH, NP, BSc) – A GOOD NUMBER OF
REPORTS AND GOOD NUMBERS; PROBABLY REFLECTIVE OF MORE OBSERVER EFFORT
IN OUR NORTHERN TIER OF COUNTIES.
WILD TURKEY: 1 on the Wayland Baptist University campus (Hale) on
4/14/20 (NP) – NOT UNUSUAL FOR THE REGION BUT UNUSUAL IN SUCH AN URBAN
SETTING.
EARED GREBE: 4 at Buffalo Springs Lake (Lubbock) on 4/7/20 (GK), 1 at
the Hale Center WTP (Hale) on 4/20/20 (NP), and 1 at McAlister Park
(Lubbock) on 4/26/20 (PKe) the only reports – A TAD LOW.
WESTERN GREBE: 1 at Lake Two (Lubbock) on 4/11/20 (JB, JMa, BSh) and 1
at McAlister Park (Lubbock) on 4/14/20 (JoC, JCr, DH, AH, GJo, PKe,
JK, JM, BSc, BSh) – RUNNING A TAD LATE BY RECENT YEARS’ STANDARDS.
INCA DOVE: 1-3 in a Lubbock yard (Lubbock) through the period (CR,
FR), 1 in another Lubbock yard (Lubbock) on 4/5/20 (GJ), and 1-3 in
yet another Lubbock yard (Lubbock) from 4/7/20 through the end of the
period (NN) – IT WOULD BE INTERESTING TO HAVE AN INCA DOVE TREASURE
HUNT IN THE REGION TO SEE IF THIS REFLECTS A RESURGENCE OR IS JUST A
BLIP.
CHIMNEY SWIFT: 1 at Lake Six (Lubbock) on 4/13/20 (PKi) the first
report received – A BIT LATE AND SLOW TO FILL IN DURING THE REMAINDER
OF THE MONTH.
BROAD-TAILED HUMMINGBIRD: 1 female at Windsor Park (Lubbock) on
4/30/20 (LH) – VERY RARE DURING SPRING MIGRATION.
SORA: 1 at Erskine Marsh (Lubbock) on 4/5/20 (SW, WW) and 1 at Clapp
Park (Lubbock) on 4/19/20 (AH) the only reports – A TAD LOW.
BLACK-NECKED STILT: Thirty reports of 1-10 birds, nineteen reports of
11-25 birds, and seven reports of 26-33 birds in the region (Crosby,
Garza, Hale, Hockley, Lubbock) during the period (JB, JoC, JrC, WC,
JCr, MDL, RG, CH, DH, AH, GJo, GK, PKe, AL, JM, NN, AP, JP, NP, CR,
FR, BSc, BSh, LZ) – GOOD NUMBER OF REPORTS AND NUMBERS; AN ARTIFACT OF
CONCENTRATION AT REMAINING BODIES OF WATER.
AMERICAN AVOCET: Thirty-five reports of 1-10 birds, fifteen reports of
11-20 birds, and four reports of 31-44 birds in the region (Crosby,
Floyd, Hale, Hockley Lubbock) during the period (JB, JoC, JrC, WC,
JCr, MDL, RG, CH, DH, AH, GJo, GK, PKe, JK, AL, JM, NN, NP, CR, FR,
BSc, BSh, LZ) – GOOD NUMBER OF REPORTS AND NUMBERS; AN ARTIFACT OF
CONCENTRATION AT REMAINING BODIES OF WATER.
SEMIPALMATED PLOVER: 1-2 at McAlister Park (Lubbock) from 4/23/20
through 4/29/20 (JB, JoC, JCr, AH, PKe, JM, BSc) the only reports – A
TAD LOW.
SNOWY PLOVER: 1 at Bison Road Playa (Hockley) on 4/11/20 (BSh), 1-2 at
McAlister Park (Lubbock) on 4/14/20 (DH, AH), and 1 at McAlister Park
(Lubbock) from 4/26/20 (PKe) to 4/29/20 (AH) the only reports – A TAD
LOW BUT NO EFFORT REPORTED FROM OUR BETTER SITES.
WHIMBREL: 11 at McAlister Park (Lubbock) on 4/29/20 (WC, JB, JoC, JrC,
JCr, AH, JK, JM, BSh, photographs) – A CANDIDATE FOR SIGHTING OF THE
MONTH – ACCIDENTAL TO THE REGION; PROBABLY AROUND TWENTY RECORDS FOR
THE REGION.
LONG-BILLED CURLEW: 48 at the Bison Road Playa (Hockley) on 4/11/20
(BSh) and 21 at Bison Road Playa (Hockley) on 4/21/20 (JM) the only
reports – LOW NUMBER OF REPORTS BUT GOOD NUMBERS.
MARBLED GODWIT: 11 at McAlister Park (Lubbock) on 4/14/20 (JoC, JCr,
PKe, JK, JM, BSh, photographs) – A VERY HIGH NUMBER FOR A SINGLE
REPORT IN THE REGION.
STILT SANDPIPER: Seven reports of 1-4 birds in the region (Hale,
Lubbock) from 4/17/20 on (JoC, DH, AH, JM, NP, BSh) – A TAD LOW.
BAIRD’S SANDPIPER: Thirteen reports of 2-9 birds and three reports of
12-20 birds in the region (Hale, Hockley, Lubbock) from 4/10/20 on
(JoC, JCr, DH, AH, GJo, PKe, JK, JM, BSh – GOOD NUMBER OF REPORTS AND
NUMBERS.
LEAST SANDPIPER: Twenty-three reports of 1-10 birds and five reports
of 11-20 birds in the region (Hale, Lubbock) during the period (JoC,
JrC, JCr, AH, GK, PKe, JK, JM, NP, BSc, BSh) – GOOD NUMBER OF REPORTS
AND NUMBERS.
SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER: Nine reports of 1-4 birds and one report of 11
birds in the region (Hockley, Lubbock) during the period (JoC, JCr,
DH, AH, GK, JK, JM, BSh) – ABOUT AVERAGE.
WESTERN SANDPIPER: Eleven reports of 1-7 birds in the region (Hockley,
Lubbock) during the period (JoC, JrC, JCr, DH, AH, GJo, PKe, JK, JM,
BSc, BSh) – ABOUT AVERAGE.
SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER: 1 at McAlister Park (Lubbock) on 4/17/20 (JM)
– A VERY RARE (OR UNDER-REPORTED) MIGRANT THROUGH THE REGION.
LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER: Sixteen reports of 2-10 birds, one report of 25
birds, and one report of 43 birds in the region (Crosby, Hockley,
Lubbock) during the period (JB, JoC, JrC, WC, JCr, DH, AH, GJo, GK,
PKe, JM, AP, JP, BSc, BSh) – AVERAGE NUMBER OF REPORTS, NUMBERS A BIT
LOW.
WILSON’S SNIPE: 1 at Clapp Park (Lubbock) on 4/1/20 (BSh) and 1 at
Clapp Park (Lubbock) on 4/19/20 (JM, BSh) the only reports – VERY LOW.
SPOTTED SANDPIPER: Eighteen reports of 1-3 birds in the region (Hale,
Hockley, Lubbock) during the period (JB, JoC, JCr, AH, GK, PKe, JM,
NN, NP, BSc) – GOOD NUMBER OF REPORTS AND NUMBERS.
SOLITARY SANDPIPER: Six reports of 1-2 birds in the region (Crosby,
Hale, Lubbock) during the period (JB, JrC, WC, AH, GK, JM, AP, JP, NP,
BSh) – ABOUT AVERAGE.
LESSER YELLOWLEGS: Seventeen reports of 1-6 birds at various sites in
(Lubbock) during the period (JB, JoC, WC, JCr, DH, AH, PKe, JM, BSh) –
A BIT ON THE LOW SIDE; THE SPECIES SEEMS TO HAVE MOVED THROUGH THE
REGION UNUSUALLY EARLY.
WILLET: 1-2 at McAlister Park (Lubbock) on 4/24/20 (JoC, JB, GJo, PKe,
PKi, JM, SP, BSh) and 4/25/20 (JoC, JrC, WC, JCr, AH, JM, BSc) –
FORMERLY CONSIDERED CASUAL TO THE REGION; NOW EXPECTED, IN SMALL
NUMBERS, ANNUALLY.
GREATER YELLOWLEGS: Six reports of 1-3 birds in the region (Garza,
Lubbock) during the period (JoC, MDL, DH, AH, JM, BSc) – VERY LOW
NUMBER OF REPORTS AND NUMBERS; THE SPECIES MOVED THROUGH THE REGION
MUCH EARLIER THAN USUAL.
WILSON’S PHALAROPE: Fifteen reports of 1-7 birds, four reports of
12-18 birds, three reports of 26-30 birds, one report of 35 birds, one
report of 58 birds, and one report of 85 birds in the region (Crosby,
Garza, Hockley, Lubbock) during the period (JB, JoC, JrC, WC, JCr,
MDL, AH, PKe, JM, AP, JP, BSc, BSh, LZ) – EXCELLENT NUMBER OF REPORTS
BUT LOW NUMBERS – NO REPORTS FROM OUR BEST SITES, THOUGH.
FRANKLIN’S GULL: 1-3 at McAlister Park (Lubbock) on 4/14/20 (DH, AH),
29 at Maxey Park (Lubbock) on 4/19/20 (GK), 1 at Reese Center Playa
(Lubbock) on 4/21/20 (JM), 2 at McAlister Park (Lubbock) on 4/25/20
(JM), and 2 at McAlister Park (Lubbock) on 4/30/20 (JM) – ABOUT
AVERAGE.
RING-BILLED GULL: 13 at Buffalo Springs Lake (Lubbock) on 4/13/20
(GK), 1-3 at McAlister Park (Lubbock) on 4/14/20 (JCr, DH, GJo, JK,
JM, BSh), 1 at White River Lake (Crosby) on 4/24/20 (AP, JP), and 1 at
McAlister Park (Lubbock) on 4/30/20 (JM) – FORMERLY COMMON INTO LATE
APRIL; THESE NOW REPRESENT GOOD NUMBERS FOR THE PERIOD.
HERRING GULL: 1 at McAlister Park (Lubbock) on 4/14/20 (JoC, JCr, PKe,
JK, JM, BSh) – FORMERLY REGULAR BUT RARE WELL INTO APRIL; THIS NOW
REPRESENTS AN UNUSUALLY LATE SIGHTING.
NEOTROPIC CORMORANT: 2 at Leroy Elmore Park (Lubbock) on 4/25/20 (AH)
– THE SPECIES HAS GONE FROM ACCIDENTAL TO NOT-LOOKED-FOR IN LESS THAN
A DECADE!
LEAST BITTERN: 1 at Lake Six (Lubbock) on 4/16/20 (BSh) – A VERY RARE
BUT REGULAR VISITOR TO THE REGION WITH SPORADIC RECORDS OF BREEDING.
GREAT EGRET: Twenty-one reports of 1-7 birds in the region (Lubbock,
Lynn) during the period (JB, JoC, JCr, AH, GK, PKi, JK, JM, NN, CR,
FR, BSh) – A NICE RECOVERY FROM THE SOMEWHAT LOW NUMBERS IN MARCH.
SNOWY EGRET: Twenty-nine reports of 1-5 birds, one report of 11 birds,
and one report of 23 birds in the region (Crosby, Lubbock) during the
period (JoC, JrC, WC, JCr, AH, PKi, JK, JM, NN, CR, FR, BSc, BSh, LZ)
– A NICE RECOVERY FROM THE SOMEWHAT LOW NUMBERS IN MARCH.
CATTLE EGRET: Nine reports of 1-5 birds, two reports of 16-20 birds,
and one report of 70 birds in the region (Garza, Hale, Hockley,
Lubbock) during the period (MDL, AH, GK, PKi, JK, JM, NP, CR, FR) –
THUS FAR THIS SEASON, LOW NUMBER OF REPORTS AND LOW NUMBERS.
YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT HERON: 1-3 birds at Clapp Park (Lubbock) through
the period (JCr, AH, JK, AL, JM, TT) and 1 at Running Water Draw Park
(Hale) on 4/20/20 (NP) the only reports – A TAD LOW.
GLOSSY IBIS: 1 at the Crobyton Playa (Crosby) on 4/30/20 (AP, JP,
photographs) – THE SIGHTING OF THE MONTH – ACCIDENTAL IN THE REGION;
FEWER THAN TEN RECORDS FOR THE REGION.
WHITE-FACED IBIS: Twenty reports of 1-9 birds and thee reports of
11-20 birds in the region (Crosby, Floyd, Garza, Hale, Lubbock) during
the period (JB, JrC, JCr, MDL, AH, GK, JK, AL, JM, AP, JP, NP, CR, FR,
BSc, BSh, LZ) – AVERAGE NUMBER OF REPORTS BUT NUMBERS A BIT LOW.
OSPREY: Nine reports of single birds in the region (Crosby, Garza,
Lubbock) during the period (JoC, AH, JM, NN, AP, JP, LZ) – ABOUT
AVERAGE FOR THIS RARE MIGRANT.
MISSISSIPPI KITE: 1 at Leftwich Park (Lubbock) on 4/25/20 (AH) was the
first report I received- RUNNING A BIT LATE; FILLED IN VERY SLOWLY
THROUGH THE REMAINDER OF THE PERIOD.
COOPER’S HAWK: 1 at Clapp Park (Lubbock) on 4/30/20 (AH) – SEEMED A
BIT LATE; GIVEN THE RECENT PROPENSITY OF THE SPECIES FOR BREEDING IN
THE REGION, LATE REPORTS ARE NOTEWORTHY.
BROAD-WINGED HAWK: A potential breeding pair has been observed in
(Lubbock) throughout the period (SW, WW) and seven reports of 1-2
migrants at various sites in (Lubbock) during the period (JB. JCr, AH,
JK, JM,BSh) – ASIDE FROM THE POTENTIAL BREEDING REPORT (WHICH IS
REMARKABLE) ABOUT AVERAGE FOR THE MONTH.
YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER: 1 in Windsor Park (Lubbock) on 4/17/20 (LH) – LOW.
MERLIN: 1 at McAlister Park (Lubbock) on 4/25/20 (AH) the last report
received – A TAD LATE.
PEREGRINE FALCON: Six reports of single birds from four sites in
(Lubbock) during the period (JoC, JCr, AH, PKe, JM, BSc, BSh) – GOOD
NUMBER OF REPORTS FOR THIS LATE IN THE SEASON.
PRAIRIE FALCON: 1 at Bison Road Playa (Hockley)on 4/21/20 (JM) –
FORMERLY REGULAR INTO LATE APRIL; THIS REPORT NOW SEEMS A BIT LATE.
GREAT CRESTED FLYCATCHER: 1 at White River Lake (Crosby) on 4/25/20
(AP, JP) the only report – A TAD LOW BUT LITTLE EFFORT REPORTED FROM
OUR EASTERN COUNTIES.
WESTERN KINGBIRD: Not generally noteworthy in April but – THE SPECIES
WAS VERY SLOW TO FILL IN DURING THE PERIOD WITH MANY OBSERVERS
REPORTING LATE ARRIVAL DATES TO THEIR YARDS.
EASTERN PHOEBE: 1 at White River Lake (Crosby) on 4/25/20 (AP, JP) and
5 at Silver Falls Rest Area (Crosby) on 4/26/20 (DM) – LOW.
SAY’S PHOEBE: 1 at McAlister Park (Lubbock) on 4/14/20 (JoC) and on
4/30/20 (JM) the only reports – LOW.
BELL’S VIREO: 1 in a Lubbock yard (Lubbock) on 4/21/20 (JCr), 1 near
Matador (Motley) on 4/24/20 (NP), 1 at White River Lake (Crosby) on
4/25/20 (AP, JP), and 1 at Clapp Park (Lubbock) on 4/30/20 (AH) –
ABOUT AVERAGE FOR THIS SPECIES WHICH IS STILL GETTING ESTABLISHED IN
THE REGION.
BLUE-HEADED VIREO: 1 at Aztlan Park (Lubbock) on 4/23/20 (JMa), 1 at
Clapp Park (Lubbock) on 4/24/20 (JCr), and 1 at Clapp Park (Lubbock)
on 4/29/20 (DH) – ABOUT AVERAGE FOR THIS RARE MIGRANT.
PLUMBEOUS VIREO: 1 at Leftwich Park (Lubbock) on 4/25/20 (AH) the only
report – A TAD LOW.
WARBLING VIREO: 1 at Clapp Park (Lubbock) on 4/19/20 (AH) the only report – LOW.
BANK SWALLOW: Nine reports of 1-3 birds at various sites in (Lubbock)
from 4/13/20 onward (JoC, JCr, AH, PKi, JM, BSc, BSh) – ABOUT AVERAGE
FOR THIS UNCOMMON MIGRANT.
TREE SWALLOW: Eight reports of 1-3 birds in the region (Garza, Hale,
Lubbock) during the period (JoC, MDL, AH, PKi, JM, NP) – A TAD ON THE
LOW SIDE.
NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW: Six reports of 1-3 birds in the region
(Lubbock, Lynn) during the period (MDL, AH, JM, BSc) the only reports
– VERY LOW.
PURPLE MARTIN: up to 5 pairs in a Lubbock yard (Lubbock) throughout
the period (GJ, PJ), 6-10 at Windsor Park (Lubbock) throughout the
period (LH), 5 near Post (Garza) on 4/11/20 (MDL), 25 at White River
Lake (Crosby) on 4/25/20 (AP, JP), and 6 at Guy Park (Lubbock) on
4/25/20 (BSc) the only reports – A BIT LOW BUT LITTLE EFFORT REPORTED
FROM THE EASTERN PORTIONS OF THE REGION.
CLIFF SWALLOW: Though the species arrived early (first reports in late
March) – VERY SLOW TO BUILD THROUGHOUT THE PERIOD.
CAVE SWALLOW: 1 near Post (Garza) on 4/11/20 (MDL), 1 at Lake Six
(Lubbock) on 4/19/20 (AH) and 4 at McAlister Park (Lubbock) on 4/25/20
(AH) – LATE TO ARRIVE, BUILDING VERY SLOWLY.
VERDIN: 2 at Lake Six (Lubbock), attending an active nest ball,
throughout the period (AH) – ONE OF THE FEW LOCATIONS WHERE THE
SPECIES CAN STILL BE FOUND ATOP THE CAPROCK ESCARPMENT.
HOUSE WREN: Six reports of single birds in the region (Crosby,
Lubbock) during the period (KD, AH, AP, JP, WW) – LOW, BORDERING ON
VERY LOW.
BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER: Seven reports of 1-5 birds in the region
(Crsoby, Lubbock) from 4/10/20 onward (AH, AP, JP, NP, BSh, LZ) – GOOD
NUMBERS BUT LOW NUMBER OF REPORTS.
RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET: 1 at Clapp Park (Lubbock) on 4/20/20 (BSh) the
last report of the season received – A SOMEWHAT EARLY DEPARTURE FROM
THE REGION.
EASTERN BLUEBIRD: 1 at White River Lake (Crosby) on 4/10/20 (LZ) the
only report received – LOW BUT LITTLE EFFORT REPORTED FROM OUR EASTERN
COUNTIES.
SWAINSON’S THRUSH: 1 at Clapp Park (Lubbock) on 4/19/20 (AH) and 1 at
Lake Six (Lubbock) on 4/19/20 (AH) the only reports – VERY LOW.
HERMIT THRUSH: Twelve reports of 1-3 birds in the region (Lubbock,
Lynn) during the period (MDL, KD, RG, CH, AH, JM, NN, BSc, BSh, WW) –
AVERAGE NUMBER OF REPORTS; NUMBERS/REPORT A BIT LOW.
GRAY CATBIRD: 1 at Clapp Park (Lubbock) on 4/25/20 (AH) the only
report received – VERY LOW.
BROWN THRASHER: 2 in a Lubbock yard (Lubbock) on 4/30/20 (KD) – THE
ONLY REPORT FROM ATOP THE CAPROCK.
SAGE THRASHER: 1 at McAlister Park (Lubbock) on 4/14/20 (DH) and 1
near Reese Center (Lubbock) on 4/17/20 (AH) the only reports – LOW.
CEDAR WAXWING: One report of 2 birds and seven reports of 12-28 birds
in the region (Crosby, Lubbock) during the period (MDL, AH, DM, JM,
BSh, LZ) – ABOUT AVERAGE BY RECENT YEARS’ STANDARDS; WE DO NOT GET THE
NUMBERS WE USED TO.
PINE SISKIN: 2 in a Lubbock yard (Lubbock) on 4/4/20 (PJ), 2 in the
same yard (Lubbock) on 4/5/20 (BJ, GJ), and 5 at the Silver Falls Rest
Area (Crosby) on 4/25/20 (BSc) – IT WAS A POOR WINTER FOR THE SPECIES
IN THE REGION; SPRING WAS NO IMPROVEMENT.
LESSER GOLDFINCH: 1 at Clapp Park (Lubbock) on 4/25/20 (AH) the only
report received – LOW.
GRASSHOPPER SPARROW: 1 in a Lubbock yard (Lubbock) on 4/21/20 (AH,
photographs) – NOT NOTEWORTHY FOR THE REGION BUT VERY UNUSUAL IN AN
URBAN SETTING.
CHIPPING SPARROW: Thirty-eight reports of 1-10 birds, eight reports of
11-25 birds, four reports of 26-50 birds, and one report of 176 birds
in the region (Crosby, Floyd, Hale, Lubbock, Lynn) during the period
(JB, JoC, JCr, MDL, KD, RG, CH, AH, GJo, PKi, AL, JM, AP, JP, NP, BSc,
BSh, LZ) – CHIPPING AND CLAY-COLORED SPARROWS WERE RUNNING A BIT LATE
THIS YEAR BUT EVENTUALLY GOT TO NORMAL NUMBERS FOR A CHIPPING SPARROW
HEAVY MONTH.
CLAY-COLORED SPARROW: Thirteen reports of 1-5 birds, one report of 12
birds, and one report of 58 birds in the region (Crosby, Hale,
Lubbock) during the period (JB, JoC, AH, PKe, DM, JM, AP, JP, NP, BSc,
BSh, SW, WW, LZ) – CHIPPING AND CLAY-COLORED SPARROWS WERE RUNNING A
BIT LATE THIS YEAR BUT EVENTUALLY GOT TO NORMAL NUMBERS FOR A
CLAY-COLORED SPARROW LIGHT MONTH.
BREWER’S SPARROW: 1 northeast of New Deal (Lubbock) on 4/17/20 (JM)
and 3 at McAlister Park (Lubbock) on 4/23/20 (JCr) the only reports –
A BIT LOW.
WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW: After a very poor winter we saw a surge of this
species in late March. This continued during April with forty-five
reports of 1-10 birds and three reports of 11 birds in the region
(Crosby, Hale, Lubbock, Lynn) during the period (JoC, JCr, KD, RG, LH,
CH, DHa, DH, AH, GJ, PJ, GK, AL, JM, NN, NP, CR, FR, BSc, BSh, TT, LZ
) with a peak in the third week of the month – THOUGH THE SPECIES IS
NOT NOTEWORTHY, GENERALLY, DURING THE MONTH THIS PATTERN OF VERY LOW
WINTER NUMBERS WITH A STRONG SPRING SURGE IS RATHER REMARKABLE – THE
FIRST TIME I HAVE SEEN THIS PATTERN SINCE I MOVED HERE IN 1998.
SONG SPARROW: 1 at Silver Falls State Park (Crosby) on 4/17/20 (MDL),
1 at Lake Six (Lubbock) on 4/17/20 (JCr), 1 at Clapp Park (Lubbock)
on 4/19/20 (JM, BSh), 1 at Lake Six (Lubbock) on 4/19/20 (JoC), 1 at
Clapp Park (Lubbock) on 4/21/20 (JoC, BSc), 1 at McAlister Park
(Lubbock) on 4/23/20 (JCr), and 1 at Clapp Park (Lubbock) on 4/26/20
(BSc) the only reports from the latter half of the month – FORMERLY
REGULAR INTO LATE APRIL, WITH A FEW RECORDS FROM EARLY MAY; NOW ANY
LATTER HALF OF APRIL RECORDS ARE NOTEWORTHY.
GREEN-TAILED TOWHEE: 1 at Clapp Park (Lubbock) on 4/19/20 (AH, JM,
BSh), 1 in a Lubbock yard (Lubbock) on 4/22/20 (KD), 1 in a Lubbock
yard (Lubbock) on 4/24/20 (RG, CH), and 1 in a Lubbock yard (Lubbock)
on 4/27/20 (Dha) – ABOUT AVERAGE FOR THIS RARE MIGRANT.
YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT: 5 at White River Lake (Crosby) on 4/25/20 (AP,
JP) the only report received – RIGHT ON TIME FOR THE ARRIVAL OF A
SPECIES THAT BREEDS AT THIS SITE IN SURPRISINGLY LARGE NUMBERS.
YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD: Fifteen reports of 1-8 birds, three reports
of 11-25 birds, three reports of 26-50 birds, one report of 71 birds,
one report of 200 birds, one report of 250 birds, and one report of
400 birds in the region (Crosby, Floyd, Hale, Hockley, Lubbock) during
the period (JoC, JCr, MDL, GJo, GK, JK, JM, AP, JP, NP, CR, FR, BSc,
BSh, TT, LZ) – GOOD NUMBER OF REPORTS AND GOOD, SOMETIMES GREAT,
NUMBERS.
ORCHARD ORIOLE: 1 at Lake Six (Lubbock) on 4/25/20 (GK) and 1 male at
Clapp Park (Lubbock) on 4/30/20 (AH) the first reports of the season –
A TAD LATE AND SLOW TO FILL IN.
BULLOCK’S ORIOLE: 1 near Post (Garza) on 4/11/20 (MDL), 1 male at Lake
Six (Lubbock) on 4/15/20 (SP) the first reports of the season – RIGHT
ON TIME AND FILLED IN FAIRLY QUICKLY.
BRONZED COWBIRD: 8 at Aztlan Park (Lubbock) on 4/14/20 (PKi), 1-2
males and 1-2 females at Clapp Park (Lubbock) from 4/19/20 onward
(JoC, AH, AL, JM, BSh), 1 in a Lubbock yard (Lubbock) on 4/20/20 (WW),
1 in a Lubbock yard (Lubbock) on 4/24/20 (RG, CH) – BETTER NUMBERS
THAN THE PAST FEW YEARS; IT MAY BE A SURGE YEAR FOR THE SPECIES IN THE
REGION.
LOUISIANA WATERTHRUSH: 1 at Clapp Park (Lubbock) on 4/19/20 (AH) the
only report – THOUGH RARE, THIS IS THE EXPECTED SPECIES OF WATERTHRUSH
IN THE REGION THIS EARLY IN THE SEASON.
BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER: 1 at Clapp Park on 4/19/20 (AH) and on
4/20/20 (BSh) the only reports – LOW.
TENNESSEE WARBLER: 1 at Clapp Park (Lubbock) on 4/28/20 (JoC, BSh) and
1 in a Lubbock yard (Lubbock) on 4/30/20 (JCr) the only reports –
ABOUT AVERAGE FOR THIS RARE (OR UNDER-REPORTED) MIGRANT.
ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER: Thirteen reports of 1-3 birds in the region
(Crosby, Lubbock, Lynn) during the period (JoC, JCr, MDL, AH, JM, BSh,
LZ) – ABOUT AVERAGE; A LITTLE BETTER THAN MOST RECENT APRILS.
NASHVILLE WARBLER: 1 at Lake Six (Lubbock) on 4/19/20 (AH), 1-2 at
Clapp Park (Lubbock) from 4/28/20 through 4/30/20 (JB, JrC, WC, DH,
AH, JM, BSh) and 1 at McAlister Park (Lubbock) on 4/29/20 (AH) the
only reports – A BIT LOW.
COMMON YELLOWTHROAT: Five reports of 1-2 birds at various sites in
(Lubbock) during the period (KD, AH, JMa) the only reports received –
LOW.
YELLOW WARBLER: Thirteen reports of 1-2 birds in the region (Crosby,
Hale, Lubbock, Lynn) during the period (MDL, KD, AH, AP, JP, NP) the
only reports – AN AVERAGE NUMBER OF REPORTS BUT LOW NUMBERS.
AUDUBON’S x MYRTLE WARBLER: 1 at Clapp Park on 4/5/20 (JK, JM, TT), on
4/19/20 (JM, BSh), and on 4/28/20 (JB, JRc, WC, JM, BSh) – THIS HYBRID
OF THE TWO SUBSPECIES OF YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER IS BEING REPORTED MORE
REGULARLY IN THE REGION. I SUSPECT THAT THIS IS DUE TO IMPROVING
OBSERVER SKILLS; NOT AN INCREASE IN HYBRIDIZATION.
WILSON’S WARBLER: Fourteen reports of 1-2 birds at various sites in
(Lubbock) during the period (JoC, JCr, KD, AH, JM, BSc, BSh, WW, LZ) –
LOW NUMBER OF REPORTS AND VERY LOW NUMBERS.
SUMMER TANAGER: 1 male at Aztlan Park (Lubbock) on 4/23/20 (JMa) and 1
male at Clapp Park (Lubbock) on 4/30/20 (AH) the only reports – ABOUT
AVERAGE FOR THIS RARE MIGRANT.
ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK: 1 male at Leftwich Park (Lubbock) on 4/25/20
(BSh, JB, AH, SP, KP) the only report received – A TAD LOW.
BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK: 1 male at Reese Center (Lubbock) on 4/20/20
(AH) the only report received – A TAD LOW.
LAZULI BUNTING: 1 male at Clapp Park on 4/28/20 (JoC, JB, JCr) and on
4/29/20 (JoC, JCr, ZS) and 1 female and one male at Clapp Park on
4/29/20 (JM, LZ) and on 4/30/20 (AH) – ABOUT AVERAGE FOR THIS RARE
MIGRANT.
INDIGO BUNTING: 1 near Hale Center (Hale) on 4/20/20 (NP), 1 male at
Reese Center (Lubbock) on 4/20/20 (AH), 1 male at Clapp Park (Lubbock)
on 4/28/20 (JCr, JB, JM, BSh), 1 female and 1 male on 4/29/20 (JoC), 1
female and 2 males at Clapp Park on 4/29/20 (JM, LZ), and 2 females
and 3 males at Clapp Park (Lubbock) on 4/30/20 (AH) – BETTER THAN
AVERAGE NUMBERS; PARTICULARLY IMPRESSIVE CONSIDERING THERE WAS LITTLE
EFFORT IN OUR EASTERN COUNTIES.
PAINTED BUNTING: 1 at White River Lake (Crosby) on 4/25/20 (AP, JP), 1
male in a Lubbock yard (Lubbock) on 4/27/20 (AH), and 2 females at
Clapp Park (Lubbock) on 4/30/20 (AH) – A LITTLE EARLY; THE SPECIES IS
USUALLY PRECEDED BY THE OTHER TWO BUNTING SPECIES.
DICKCISSEL: 2 at McAlister Park (Lubbock) on 4/25/20 (AH) the only
report received – RIGHT ON TIME BUT FILLING OUT MORE SLOWLY THAN
USUAL.
OBSERVERS: CB=Clint Boal, JB=Joel Buford, JoC=Joe Cochran, JrC=Jordan
Cochran, WC=Whitney Cochran, JCr=Jim Crites, MDL=Manuel De Leon,
KD=Ken Dixon, RG=Rebecca Gilman, LH=Lyle Hale, DHa=Danny Hancock,
CH=Charles Harmon, DH=Drew Harvey, AH=Anthony Hewetson, GJo=Greg
Joiner, BJ=Brad Jury, GG=George Jury, PJ=Pat Jury, GK=Glenda Kelly,
PKe=Peter Keyel, PKi=Phillip Kite, JK=Jim Kringle, AL=Alan Livingston,
DM=Derek Malone, JMa=Joseph Manthey, JM=Jennifer Miller, NN=Nancy
Neill, AP=Amy Packer, JP=Jay Packer, SP=Skyler Parks, KP=Kayla
Pratommarath, NP=Niler Pyeatt, CR=Clarice Robertson, FR=Floyd Roberts,
BSc=Bobby Schat, ZS=Zachary Schwab, BSh=Brad Shine, TT=Tess Trost,
SW=Sophie Wenthe, WW=William Wenthe, LZ=Lena Zappia.
Anthony Hewetson; Lubbock
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