Lubbock received 5.84 inches of rain during July, well above the average
montly total of total of 2.13 inches, bringing us up to 13.14 inches for
the year, now well above the average year-to-date total of 10.78 inches.
Though conditions continued hot, water was well distributed across the
region and a lot of the highlights came in the form of somewhat early
waterfowl, somewhat early shorebirds, and a nice crop of (mostly locally
produced) waders. Songbirds were a tad slow but that should change as we
move through August and into September as conditions are quite lush;
favorable for fall stopovers.
Regional summaries of eBird data can not 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
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. Water
Treatment Ponds have come to feature so prominently in these reports that
they will, henceforth, be referred to as WTP.
A Late Report from June:
PURPLE MARTIN: the colony at the Jury's (Lubbock) peaked at nine pairs in
June - with some lost to the extreme heatwave - but most had left by the
mid-July (GJ, PJ).
And, now, onto July:
BLACK-BELLIED WHISTLING DUCK: 2 north of Crosbyton (Crosby) on 7/16/17 (AH,
photographs) - FORMERLY ACCIDENTAL TO THE REGION; NOW SPOTTED - CLOSE TO
ANNUALLY - IN OUR BETTER BIRDED COUNTIES.
CACKLING GOOSE: 2 at Crosbyton City Park (Crosby) throughout the period
(AH) and 12 at Maxey Park (Lubbock) throughout the period (DG) - ABOUT
AVERAGE FOR OUR SUMMERING POPULATION.
CANADA GOOSE: 1 at Crosbyton City Park (Crosby) throughout the period (AH),
1 at O'Donnell Playa (Lynn) throughout the period (AH), 1 at Maxey Park
(Lubbock) throughout the period (DG), 20-24 at McAlister Park (Lubbock)
7/28/17 through 7/29/17 (PKe) - ALL BUT THE LATTER REPORT TYPICAL OF LOCAL
SUMMERING POPULATION; THE LATTER REPORT MIGHT WELL BE EARLY ARRIVALS.
WOOD DUCK: 1 female at Plainview Apartments Playa (Hale) on 7/9/17 (PKe), 1
at the FM 1054 x FM 1313 Playa (Lynn) on 7/19/17 (JB), and 1 male east of
Cone (Crosby) on 7/30/17 (AH) - ANY OF THESE SPOTS COULD SUPPORT SUMMERING
BIRDS BUT ALL MAY HAVE BEEN MIGRANTS.
BLUE-WINGED TEAL: Nine reports of 1-6 birds in the region (Crosby, Lubbock,
Lynn) during the period (JB, AH, PKe) - FAIRLY LOW GIVEN THE NUMBER OF
BIRDS PRESENT EARLIER IN THE BREEDING SEASON - IT IS POSSIBLE THAT MANY
BREEDERS HAVE ALREADY MOVED SOUTH.
CINNAMON TEAL: Six reports of 2-4 birds in the region (Crosby, Lynn) during
the period (JB, AH) the only reports - LOW NUMBERS.
NORTHERN SHOVELER: 1 at Skeen Playa (Lynn) on 7/1/17 (AH), 2 at Ralls WTP
(Crosby) on 7/16/17 (AH), and 2 at the FM 1054 x FM 1313 Playa (Lynn) on
7/22/17 (AH) - LOW; GENERALLY A BIT MORE COMMON AS A SPOTTY BREEDER IN THE
REGION.
GADWALL: 2 north of Crosbyton (Crosby) on 7/2/17 (AH), 2 north of Crosbyton
(Crosby) on 7/16/17 (AH), 4 at the FM 1054 x FM 1313 Playa (Lynn) on
7/19/17 (JB), 2 at Skeen Playa (Lynn) on 7/22/17 (AH), and 2 east of Cone
(Crosby) on 7/30/17 (AH) - FOR MOST, IF NOT ALL, OF THESE A TOSS UP BETWEEN
LOCAL BREEDERS AND EARLY ARRIVALS.
AMERICAN WIGEON: 3 at the FM 1054 x FM 1313 Playa (Lynn) on 7/19/17 (JB) -
ALMOST CERTAINLY MIGRANTS: IF SO, QUITE EARLY.
NORTHERN PINTAIL: 2 southeast of Mt. Blanco (Crosby) on 7/2/17 (AH), 4 at
the CR Y x CR 20 Playa (Lynn) on 7/24/17 (JB), and 2 south of Crosbyton
(Crosby) on 7/30/17 (AH) - FOR MOST, IF NOT ALL, OF THESE A TOSS UP BETWEEN
LOCAL BREEDERS AND EARLY ARRIVALS.
GREEN-WINGED TEAL: 1 at the CR 28 x FM 1054 Playa (Lynn) on 7/8/17 (AH), 2
north of Crosbyton (Crosby) on 7/16/17 (AH), 2 south of Crosbyton (Crosby)
on 7/16/17 (AH), 1 southwest of Crosbyton (Crosby) on 7/16/17 (AH), 5 at
the FM 1054 x FM 1313 Playa (Lynn) on 7/19/17 (JB), 2 at Skeen Playa (Lynn)
on 7/22/17 (AH), and 6 east of Cone (Crosby) on 7/30/17 (AH) - VERY GOOD
NUMBERS; PROBABLY A MIX OF LOCAL BREEDERS AND EARLY ARRIVALS.
CANVASBACK: 4 at the FM 1054 x FM 1313 Playa (Lynn) on 7/1/17 (AH), 1 north
of Lorenzo (Crosby) on 7/2/17 (AH), and 2 at the FM 1054 x FM 1313 Playa
(Lynn) on 7/22/17 (AH) - GOOD NUMBERS AND PROBABLY, GIVEN ABSENCE DURING
JUNE AT THESE SITES, EARLY ARRIVALS.
REDHEAD: 25-28 at the FM 1054 x FM 1313 Playa (Lynn) throughout the period
(JB, AH, PKe) - TYPICAL NUMBERS FOR A GOOD BREEDING SITE IN OUR REGION.
COMMON MERGANSER: 1 female at Higginbotham Park (Lubbock) from 7/21/17 (WT,
photographs) through 7/30/17 (JB, DH, AH, MK photographs) - ACCIDENTAL TO
THE REGION DURING SUMMER. THIS BIRD WAS FLIGHTED BUT WAS CONSORTING WITH
'PARK' DUCKS SO 'THEORIES' ABOUND.
RUDDY DUCK: 6 at the CR Y x FM 3332 Playa (Lynn) throughout the period, 2
at Skeen Playa (Lynn) throughout the period (AH), 44 at the FM 1054 x FM
1313 Playa (Lynn) on 7/19/17 (JB) dropped to 14 by 7/22/14 (AH) then rose
to 25 by 7/23/17 (PKe), 12 at the CR Y x CR 20 Playa (Lynn) on 7/24/17
(JB), and 1 east of Cone (Crosby) on 7/30/17 (AH) - GOOD NUMBERS BUT, GIVEN
SITE HISTORIES, MOSTLY A PRODUCT OF LOCAL BREEDING.
SCALED QUAIL: Seven reports of 1-3 birds, all from (Lynn) during the period
(JB, AH) - GOOD NUMBERS, POOR SCATTER.
RING-NECKED PHEASANT: 1 north of Crosbyton (Crosby) on 7/16/17 (AH), 2 at
Ralls WTP (Crosby) on 7/16/17 (AH), and 1 near Roundup (Hockley) 7/31/17
(DH, AH) - ABOUT AVERAGE GIVEN LITTLE EFFORT IN OUR BEST COUNTIES.
EARED GREBE: 1-2 at the CR Y x CR 20 Playa (Lynn) throughout the period
(AH), 2-4 at the CR 28 x FM 1054 Playa (Lynn) throughout the period (AH,
photographs), up to 215 at the FM 1054 x FM 1313 Playa (Lynn) throughout
the period (JB, AH, PKe), 11 at the CR Y x CR 20 Playa (Lynn) on 7/24/17
(JB), and 2 near Roundup (Hockley) on 7/31/17 (DH, AH) - GREAT NUMBERS AND
GOOD SCATTER; THE BEST BREEDING SEASON FOR THE SPECIES IN THE REGION IN
WELL OVER A DECADE.
RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD: 2 south of Lorenzo (Crosby) on 7/22/17 and 7/23/17
(ML), 1 male in a Lubbock yard (Lubbock) on 7/22/17 (AH, photographs), and
1 male north of Crosbyton (Crosby) on 7/30/17 (AH) - ABOUT AVERAGE FOR JULY
ARRIVALS.
SORA: 1 north of Crosbyton (Crosby) on 7/16/17 (AH), 1 at the FM 1054 x FM
1313 Playa (Lynn) on 7/19/17 (JB), and 2 at the FM 1054 x FM 1313 Playa
(Lynn) on 7/23/17 (PKe) - ACCIDENTAL TO THE REGION IN JULY ... THOUGH THE
SPECIES IS A DOCUMENTED BREEDER IN THE REGION.
COMMON GALLINULE: 2 at the Ralls WTP (Crosby) on 7/2/17 became a family of
5 birds at the site from 7/16/17 onward (AH, photographs); also 2 at the FM
1054 x FM 1313 Playa (Lynn) on 7/19/17 (JB) - ANY SIGHTING OF THIS SPECIES
AWAY FROM THE CANYON LAKES OF LUBBOCK IS NOTEWORTHY ... AS WE ARE EXPECTING
THE BREEDING POPULATION TO EXPAND.
SANDHILL CRANE: 1 at the CR Y x CR 20 Playa (Lynn) on 7/24/17 (JB,
photographs) - WHILE NOT UNPRECEDENTED AS EITHER A SUMMERING SPECIES OR AS
AN EARLY ARRIVAL, THIS WAS A REMARKABLE SIGHTING.
BLACK-NECKED STILT: Sixteen reports of 1-10 birds, five reports of 16-45
birds, and four reports of 66 to 72 birds in the region (Crosby, Hockley,
Lubbock, Lynn) during the period (JB, DH, AH, PKe) - GREAT NUMBERS AND
SCATTER; BASED ON FLOCK COMPOSITION, A VERY GOOD BREEDING SEASON FOR THIS
SPECIES IN THE REGION ... ALONG WITH SOME EARLY MIGRANTS.
AMERICAN AVOCET: Twenty-two reports of 1-10 birds, seven reports of 14-40
birds, one report of 103 birds, and one report of 380 birds in the region
(Crosby, Hockley, Lubbock, Lynn) during the period (JB, DH, AH, PKe) -
GREAT NUMBERS AND SCATTER; BASED ON FLOCK COMPOSITION, A VERY GOOD BREEDING
SEASON FOR THIS SPECIES IN THE REGION ... ALONG WITH SOME EARLY MIGRANTS.
SNOWY PLOVER: Up to 12 at Skeen Playa (Lynn) throughout the period (AH), up
to 14 at Tahoka Lake (Lynn) throughout the period (DH, AH), 3 near Wilson
(Lynn) on 7/8/17 (AH), 14 at the FM 1054 x FM 1313 Playa (Lynn) on 7/19/17
(JB), 2 at Frog Lake (Lynn) on 7/22/17 (AH), and 2 at the CR 183 x FM 40
Playa (Crosby) on 7/30/17 (AH, photographs) - BASED ON HABITAT AND FLOCK
ASSEMBLAGE A MIX OF LOCAL BREEDERS AND EARLY MIGRANTS.
UPLAND SANDPIPER: Ten reports of 1-9 birds in the region (Crosby, Hockley,
Lynn) during the period (DH, AH) - FORMERLY CONSIDERED CASUAL TO VERY RARE
IN THE REGION; NOW KNOWN AS AN UNCOMMON MIGRANT - OFTEN DETECTED,
NOCTURNALLY, BY VOCALIZATIONS.
LONG-BILLED CURLEW: 4 at Tahoka Lake (Lynn) on 7/16/17 (AH) the only report
thus far - GIVEN ABUNDANCE OF MOST OTHER SHOREBIRDS, SURPRISINGLY LOW.
STILT SANDPIPER: 2 north of Ralls (Crosby) on 7/16/17 (AH) - SEEMED EARLY -
five reports of 4-8 birds in the region (Crosby, Hockley, Lynn) from
7/21/17 onward (JB, DH, AH) - GOOD NUMBERS FOR THIS EARLY IN THE SEASON.
BAIRD'S SANDPIPER: Nine reports of 1-10 birds, three reports of 12-22
birds, one report of 34 birds, and one report of 40 birds in the region
(Crosby, Lynn) during the period (JB, DH, AH, ML) - GOOD NUMBERS FOR THIS
EARLY IN THE SEASON.
LEAST SANDPIPER: Eleven reports of 2-8 birds, one report of 16 birds, one
report of 20 birds, and one report of 60 birds in the region (Crosby,
Hockley, Lynn) during the period (JB, DH, AH) - GOOD NUMBERS FOR THIS EARLY
IN THE SEASON.
PECTORAL SANDPIPER: 2 north of Crosbyton (Crosby) on 7/16/17 (AH), 2 at
Skeen Playa (Lynn) on 7/22/17 (AH), 2 at the CR 173 x FM 40 Playa (Crosby)
on 7/30/17 (AH), 2 north of Crosbyton (Crosby) on 7/30/17 (AH), and 1 near
Roundup (Hockley) on 7/31/17 (DH, AH) - VERY GOOD NUMBERS FOR THIS EARLY IN
THE SEASON; GENERALLY MORE OF A LATE-SEASON MIGRANT.
SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER: Seven reports of 1-8 birds in the region (Crosby,
Lynn) during the period (AH) - GOOD NUMBERS FOR JULY.
WESTERN SANDPIPER: Nine reports of 3-8 birds and one report of 23 birds in
the region (Crosby, Hockley, Lynn) during the period (JB, DH, AH) - GOOD
NUMBERS FOR THIS EARLY IN THE SEASON.
LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER: 2 north of Ralls (Crosby) on 7/16/17 (AH), 11 south
of Crosbyton (Crosby) on 7/16/17 (AH), 7 at the CR 183 x FM 40 Playa
(Crosby) on 7/30/17 (AH), 1 north of Ralls (Crosby) on 7/30/17 (AH), and 8
near Roundup (Hockley) on 7/31/17 (DH, AH) the only reports - ABOUT
AVERAGE; MAYBE A LITTLE LOW, EVEN, GIVEN THE RELATIVE ABUNDANCE OF OTHER
SHOREBIRDS.
SPOTTED SANDPIPER: 1 south of Cone (Crosby) on 7/16/17 (AH), 1 at the FM
1054 x FM 1313 Playa (Lynn) on 7/19/17 (JB), 1 at Skeen Playa (Lynn) on
7/22/17 (AH), 2 at the CR Y x CR 20 Playa (Lynn) on 7/24/17 (JB), 1 at
Higginbotham Park (Lubbock) on 7/26/17 (DH), 1 at McAlister Park (Lubbock)
on 7/29/17 (PKe), and 1 near Roundup (Hockley) on 7/31/17 (DH, AH) - GOOD
NUMBERS AND SCATTER FOR THIS EARLY IN THE SEASON.
SOLITARY SANDPIPER: 1 north of Ralls (Crosby) on 7/16/17 (AH), 2 at the FM
1054 x FM 1313 Playa (Lynn) on 7/19/17 (JB), 1 at the CR Y x CR 20 Playa
(Lynn) on 7/24/17 (JB), and 1 at Ralls WTP (Crosby) on 7/30/17 (AH) - GOOD
NUMBERS FOR THIS EARLY IN THE SEASON.
LESSER YELLOWLEGS: Ten reports of 1-5 birds and one report of 18 birds in
the region (Crosby, Hockley, Lynn) during the period (JB, DH, AH) - GOOD
NUMBERS AND SCATTER FOR THIS EARLY IN THE SEASON
WILLET: 1 well north of Crosbyton (Crosby) on 7/2/17 (AH, photographs) -
FAIRLY EARLY FOR THIS SPECIES TO BE PASSING THROUGH THE REGION!
GREATER YELLOWLEGS: Eighteen reports of 1-7 birds in the region (Crosby,
Hockley, Lynn) during the period (JB, DH, AH) - A CONTINUATION OF GOOD
NUMBERS AND SCATTER FOR THIS FALL MIGRATION.
WILSON'S PHALAROPE: Up to 120 at Taoka Lake (Lynn) throughout the period
(DH, AH), 8 north of Ralls (Crosby) on 7/16/17 (AH), 2 at the CR 28 x FM
1054 Playa (Lynn) on 7/22/17 (AH), 1 at Skeen Playa (Lynn) on 7/22/17 (AH),
1 at the CR 183 x FM 40 Playa (Crosby) on 7/30/17 (AH), 8 north of
Crosbyton (Crosby) on 7/30/17 (AH), and 22 near Roundup (Hockley) on
7/31/17 (DH, AH) - GOOD NUMBERS AND SCATTER.
CASPIAN TERN: 1 adult at the FM 1054 x FM 1313 Playa (Lynn) on 7/19/17 (JB)
- ACCIDENTAL TO THE REGION - THE 7th RECORD FOR THE REGION, THE FIRST JULY
RECORD FOR THE REGION, AND THE FIRST RECORD FOR THE COUNTY!
BLACK TERN: Seven reports of 1-8 birds in the region (Crosby, Hockley,
Lubbock, Lynn) during the period (JB, DH, AH, PKe, ML) - GOOD NUMBERS AND
SCATTER FOR THIS REGULAR BUT RARE FALL MIGRANT.
NEOTROPIC CORMORANT: 1 adult bird and 1 immature bird spent time at Leroy
Elmore and Maxey Parks (Lubbock) during the course of the month (DG, AH) -
FORMERLY CONSIDERED ACCIDENTAL TO THE REGION; HAS BECOME A LOW-DENSITY
VISITOR AND AN ULTRALOW-DENSITY BREEDER.
DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT: Eight reports of 1-6 birds in the region
(Lubbock, Lynn) during the period (DG, AH, PKe, JM) - FORMERLY ACCIDENTAL
TO THE REGION; NOW A YEAR ROUND RESIDENT AND REGULAR BREEDER.
AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN: 1 at McAllister Park (Lubbock) from 7/28/17 to
7/29/17 (PKe, JM) - A RARE VISITOR TO THE REGION WITH SUMMER REPORTS MOST
UNUSUAL.
GREAT EGRET: Fourteen reports of 1-3 birds in the region (Crosby, Lubbock,
Lynn) during the period (DG, AH, AvH, PKe, PKi, JM, SP, PR, TT) - ABOUT
AVERAGE; THE SPECIES IS SHOWING CONSIDERABLE RECOVERY FROM THE DROUGHT
YEARS.
SNOWY EGRET: Seventeen reports of 1-6 birds in ther region (Crosby,
Lubbock, Lynn) during the period (JB, AH, AvH, PKe, PKi, JM, SP, PR, TT) -
ABOUT AVERAGE; THE SPECIES IS SHOWING CONSIDERABLE RECOVERY FROM THE
DROUGHT YEARS.
CATTLE EGRET: Fifteen reports of 1-10 birds, seven reports of 11-50 birds,
one report of 62 birds, one report of 75 birds, one report of 108 birds,
and one report of 168 birds in the region (Crosby, Floyd, Hale, Hockley,
Lubbock, Lynn) during the period ( JB, DH, AH, PKe) - ABOUT AVERAGE; THE
SPECIES IS SHOWING CONSIDERABLE RECOVERY FROM THE DROUGHT YEARS.
GREEN HERON: 1 north of Crosbyton (Crosby) on 7/16/17 (AH), 1 at Ralls WTP
(Crosby) on 7/16/17 (AH), and 1 at Clapp Park (Lubbock) on 7/29/17 (SP,
AvH, PKi, PR, TT) the only reports - VERY LOW NUMBERS; THIS PARTICULAR
WADER SEEMS TO BE DECLINING IN THE REGION.
YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT HERON: 2 adults and 2 immatures at Ralls WTP (Crosby)
throughout the period (AH, photographs), 1 at Clapp Park (Lubbock) on
7/29/17 (SP, AvH, PKi, PR, TT), and 3 at the CR 159 x FM 40 Playa (Crosby)
on 7/30/17 (AH) the only reports - A TAD LOW.
WHITE IBIS: 12 near Brownfield (Terry) on 7/3/17 (DG) - ACCIDENTAL TO THE
REGION: THE FIRST RECORD FOR THE REGION AND THE FIRST RECORD OF MULTIPLE
INDIVIDUALS - THE SIGHTING OF THE MONTH!
WHITE-FACED IBIS: Seventeen reports of 1-8 birds, six reports of 12-23
birds, one report of 63 birds, and one report of 90 birds in the region
(Crosby, Lynn) during the period (JB, AH) - GOOD NUMBERS AND SCATTER.
WHITE-TAILED KITE: 1 adult east of Ropesville (Lubbock) throughout the
period (AH) - FORMERLY CONSIDERED ACCIDENTAL TO THE REGION, NOW KNOWN AS A
RARE VISITOR - AND BREEDER - IN THE REGION.
HARRIS'S HAWK: 1 adult at the CR EE Wetlands (Lynn) throughout the period
(AH) - A CONTINUING RECORD OF A RARE VISITOR AND BREEDER, WITH RECORDS
DOTTED THROUGHOUT THE REGION.
RED-HEADED WOODPECKER: 2 adults with 3 fledlgings at Camp Rio Blanca
crossing (Crosby) throughout the period (AH, photographs), 2 adults at the
FM 193 x FM 651 crossing (Crosby) throughout the period (AH, photographs),
and 2 adults at White River Lake (Crosby) throughout the period (AH,
photographs) - GOOD NUMBERS FOR THIS VERY RARE BREEDER, STILL RESTRICTED TO
OUR EASTERN COUNTIES.
DOWNY WOODPECKER: 1 at Silver Falls Rest Area (Crosby) on 7/2/17 (AH) - A
VERY RARE BREEDER IN THE REGION; THIS SITE IS CLOSE TO PREVIOUS BREEDING
SITES SO THIS IS MOST LIKELY A POST-BREEDING WANDERER AS OPPOSED TO AN
EARLY WINTER ARRIVAL.
NORTHERN FLICKER: 2 adults with 2 fledglings at the New Moore Wetlands
(Lynn) - THOUGH THE SPECIES IS KNOWN AS A BREEDER IN THE REGION THIS SITE
IS TO THE SOUTH AND WEST OF REGULAR BREEDING SITES.
PEREGRINE FALCON: 1 at the CR Y x CR 20 Playa (Lynn) on 7/24/17 (JB) - A
VERY EARLY REPORT FOR THE REGION.
WESTERN WOOD PEWEE: 1 south of Lorenzo (Crosby) on 7/27/17 and 7/28/17 (ML)
- FORMERLY ACCIDENTAL THIS EARLY IN THE SEASON; WE NOW EXPECT A LATE JULY
RECORD OR SO.
LEAST FLYCATCHER: 2 south of Lorenzo (Crosby) on 7/23/17 (ML), 1 in
Grassland (Lynn) on 7/24/17 (JB), 2 south of Lorenzo (Crosby) from 7/26/17
through 729/17 (ML), and 1 at the FM 193 x FM 651 crossing (Crosby) on
7/30/17 (AH) - FORMERLY ACCIDENTAL THIS EARLY IN THE SEASON; WE NOW EXPECT
A LATE JULY RECORD OR SO.
EASTERN PHOEBE: 2 at the Silver Falls Rest Area (Crosby) on 7/2/17 (AH), 2
at the FM 193 x FM 651 crossing (Crosby) on 7/16/17 (AH), and 1 at White
River Lake (Crosby) on 7/30/17 (AH) - A TAD LOW BUT LITTLE EFFORT REPORTED
FROM APPROPRIATE HABITAT ELSEWHERE IN THE REGION.
GREAT CRESTED FLYCATCHER: 2 at the Camp Rio Blanca crossing (Croby) on
7/16/17 (AH) - MOST PROBABLY A BREEDING PAIR AS THE SPECIES IS A
LOW-DENSITY BREEDER IN WELL-WOODED SITES IN OUR EASTERN COUNTIES.
BELL'S VIREO: 1 near Wilson (Lynn) throughout the period (AH), at least one
family group at the CR EE Wetlands (Lynn) throughout the period (JB, AH,
PKe), 1 at Camp Rio Blanca crossing (Crosby) on 7/16/17 (AH), and 1 at
Tahoka Lake Pasture (Lynn) on 7/16/17 (AH) - ABOUT AVERAGE FOR THIS
RECENTLY ESTABLISHED BREEDER IN THE REGION: SEEK AND YE SHALL FIND THIS
CRITTER THESE DAYS.
WARBLING VIREO: 1 in Yellowhouse Canyon (Lubbock) on 7/13/17 (KD) - WHILE
THE SPECIES IS SUSPECTED OF BREEDING IN THE REGION IT HAS NOT YET BEEN
DOCUMENTED AND THIS MIGHT WELL BE AN EARLY MIGRANT.
WOODHOUSE'S SCRUB JAY: 1 south of Cap Rock (Crosby) on 7/16/17 (AH) the
only report - STATUS UNCERTAIN IN THE REGION; VERY FEW CONTEMPORARY REPORTS.
AMERICAN CROW: 3 at the Tahoka Cemetery Complex (Lynn) on 7/22/17 (AH) -
THIS SPECIES IS VERY RARE AS A SUMMER VISITOR (OR BREEDER) TO THE REGION
BUT DOES BETTER IN WETTER YEARS WHEN FARMERS FOCUS ON CORN AND SORGHUM -
THIS IS JUST SUCH A YEAR.
COMMON RAVEN: Eight reports of 1-3 birds in the region (Crosby, Lynn)
during the period (AH) - HISTORICALLY COMMON BELOW THE CAPROCK ESCARPMENT -
ALMOST ABSENT FROM THE REGION UNTIL RECENTLY - CURRENTLY IN THE PROCESS OF
RE-ESTABLISHING ITSELF AS A PERMANENT RESIDENT IN THE REGION.
PURPLE MARTIN: 2 in Cone (Crosby) on 7/16/17 (AH), 2 north of Crosbyton
(Crosby) on 7/16/17 (AH), 1 adult in New Moore (Lynn) on 7/22/17 (AH), 2
remaining at a Luboock breeding site (Lubbock) until 7/25/17 (GJ, PJ), and
2 at Higginbotham Park (Lubbock) on 7/26/17 (DH) - THE SPECIES USED TO
PERSIST, IN GOOD NUMBERS, IN THE REGION INTO AUGUST: IT NOW SEEMS TO BAIL
FROM THE REGION BY LATE JULY.
NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW: Up to 14 at the FM 193 x FM 651 crossing
(Crosby) throughout the period (AH), 3 at Tahoka Lake Pasture (Lynn) on
7/8/17 (AH), 2 at the New Moore Wetlands (Lynn) on 7/22/17 (AH), 4 at
Tahoka Lake Pasture (Lynn) on 7/22/17 (AH), 2 at Ralls WTP (Crosby) on
7/30/17 (AH), and 5 at White River Lake (Crosby) on 7/30/17 (AH) - A MIX OF
LOCAL BREEDERS (AT CANYON SITES) AND EARLY MIGRANTS (AT WETLANDS).
CAVE SWALLOW: Fourteen reports of 1-8 birds in the region (Crosby, Floyd,
Hockley, Lynn) during the period (AH, PKe) - NOTEWORTHILY LOW NUMBERS DUE,
MOST LIKELY, TO THE ALMOST COMPLETE LOSS OF ONE BREEDING CYCLE DUE TO HEAVY
RAINS THAT FLOODED SMALL CULVERTS THROUGHOUT THE REGION. I FOUND MANY DEAD
YOUNG THROUGHOUT CROSBY AND LYNN COUNTIES AFTER THESE RAINS.
VERDIN: 2 at Tahoka Lake Pasture (Lynn) on 7/8/17 (AH), 4 at the CR EE
Wetlands (Lynn) on 7/25/17 (JB), and 1 at the FM 193 x FM 651 crossing
(Crosby) on 7/30/17 (AH) - STATUS UNCERTAIN IN THE REGION WITH RECORDS VERY
SLOWLY INCREASING AFTER AN ALMOST COMPLETE ABSENCE DURING THE WORST OF THE
DROUGHT YEARS.
ROCK WREN: 2 adults and 2-3 young at the FM 193 x FM 651 crossing (Crosby)
throughout the period (AH, photographs) and 2 adults at Tahoka Lake Quarry
(Lynn) on 7/16/17 (DH, AH) - ABOUT AVERAGE FOR THIS RARE BREEDING SPECIES.
CANYON WREN: 2 adults and up to 2 young at the FM 193 x FM 651 crossing
(Crosby) throughout the period (AH, photographs) and 2 adults and up to 3
young at the Silver Falls Rest Area (Crosby) throughout the period (AH) -
ABOUT AVERAGE FOR THIS RARE BREEDING SPECIES.
BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER: 2 at Camp Rio Blanca crossing (Crosby) on 7/2/17
(AH), 1 at the White River x Highway 207 crossing (Floyd) on 7/9/17 (PKe),
1 at Camp Rio Blanca crossing (Crosby) on 7/16/17 (AH), and 2 at White
River Lake (Crosby) on 7/30/17 (AH) - ABOUT AVERAGE FOR THE REGION'S SMALL
BREEDING POPULATION.
EASTERN BLUEBIRD: 2 at the Camp Rio Blanca crossing (Crosby) on 7/16/17
(AH) - A VERY RARE BREEDER, GENERALLY RESTRICTED TO SITES BELOW THE CAPROCK
ESCARPMENT.
LESSER GOLDFINCH: 1 at Frog Lake (Lynn) on 7/22/17 (AH) and 1 at the CR EE
Wetlands (Lynn) on 7/25/17 (JB) - VERY HARD TO FIND IN THE REGION THIS YEAR
- NOTEWORTHILY LOW NUMBERS.
CHIPPING SPARROW: 1 in Grassland (Lynn) on 7/24/17 (JB) - VERY RARE IN THE
REGION DURING JULY; ONE OF OUR EARLIEST 'FALL' RECORDS.
FIELD SPARROW: 2 at White River Lake (Crosby) on 7/30/17 (AH) - MOST LIKELY
PART OF THE ONLY KNOWN BREEDING POPULATION IN THE REGION.
BLACK-THROATED SPARROW: 1 immature bird at the CR EE Wetlands (Lynn) on
7/25/17 (JB) - KNOWN TO BREED IN THE CANYON COUNTRY JUST SOUTHEAST OF THIS
SITE; THIS BIRD MOST LIKELY A POST-BREEDING WANDERER.
YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT: 2 adult males and a pair with 3 fledglings at Tahoka
Lake Pasture (Lynn) on 7/8/17 (AH), 1 at Camp Rio Blanca crossing (Crosby)
on 7/16/17 (AH), 7 at Tahoka Lake Pasture (Lynn) on 7/16/17 (DH, AH), 2 at
New Moore Wetlands (Lynn) on 7/22/17 (AH), 1 near Wilson (Lynn) on 7/22/17
(AH), 5 at Tahoka Lake Pasture (Lynn) on 7/22/17 (AH), 2 at the CR EE
Wetlands (Lynn) on 7/25/17 (JB), and 7 at White River Lake (Crosby) on
7/30/17 (AH) - FORMERLY CONSIDERED ACCIDENTAL TO THE REGION; NOW KNOWN AS A
BREEDER AT WELL-WOODED OR WELL-SHRUBBERIED RIPARIAN SITES THROUGHOUT THE
REGION.
YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD: Fourteen reports of 1-10 birds, one report of 16
birds, one report of 25 birds, and one report of 300 birds in the region
(Crosby, Lynn) with numbers steadily increasing throughout the period (JB,
AH) - THIS REPRESENTS, BY HISTORICAL STANDARDS, A VERY EARLY AND FAIRLY
HEAVY MOVEMENT INTO THE REGION.
BRONZED COWBIRD: 1 male near Wilson (Lynn) on 7/1/17 (AH), 1 male south of
Crosbyton (Crosby) on 7/16/17 (AH), 1 male at Tahoka Lake Pasture (Lynn) on
7/16/17 (DH, AH), 1 male in Lakeview (Lynn) on 7/22/17 (AH), and 1 female/4
males at White River Lake (Crosby) on 7/30/17 (AH) the only reports - A TAD
LOW BUT THE SPECIES IS NO LONGER FLAGGED BY eBIRD AND I PROBABLY MISSED
QUITE A FEW REPORTS.
COMMON YELLOWTHROAT: 2 adults and up to 3 fledglings at Ralls WTP (Crosby)
throughout the period (AH), up to 2 family groups at the CR EE Wetlands
(Lynn) throughout the period (JB, AH), up to 3 males at the CR Y x FM 3332
Playa (Lynn) throughout the period (AH, photographs), at least one family
group at the FM 1054 and FM 1313 Playa (Lynn) throughout the period (JB,
PKe), up to 5 females, 14 males, and 4 fledglings at the New Moore Wetlands
(Lynn) during the period (DH, AH), up to 4 adults and 6 fledglings at
Tahoka Lake Pasture (Lynn) throughout the period (DH, AH), and 1 near
Roundup (Hockley) on 7/31/17 (DH, AH) - THOUGH THE SPECIES IS A KNOWN, THIS
HAS BEEN A REMARKABLE SEASON FOR THE REGION IN TERMS OF BOTH NUMBERS AND
SCATTER.
BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK: 1 male south of Lorenzo (Crosby) on 7/15/17 (ML) -
AN INEXPLICABLY EARLY RECORD; THE FIRST JULY RECORD FOR THE REGION!
INDIGO BUNTING: 1 male at the Silver Falls Rest Area (Crosby) on 7/2/17
(AH), 1 adult at the CR EE Wetlands (Lynn) on 7/23/17 (PKe), 1 female and 3
males at White River Lake (Crosby) on 7/30/17 (AH), and 1 male in a Lubbock
yard (Lubbock) on 7/31/17 (AH) - THE FIRST THREE REPORTS OF BIRDS AT
WELL-KNOWN BREEDING SITES; THE LAST REPORT MOST LIKELY A VERY EARLY MIGRANT.
SUMMER TANAGER: 1 female at Tahoka Lake Pasture (Lynn) on 7/8/17 (AH,
photographs) and 1 male at White River Lake (Crosby) on 7/30/17 (AH) - THE
FIRST REPORT ODDLY OUT OF RANGE BUT COULD HAVE BEEN AN EARLY POST-BREEDING
WANDERER; THE SECOND REPORT AT OUR ONLY KNOWN BREEDING SITE FOR THE REGION.
OBSERVERS:JB=Justin Bosler, KD=Ken Dixon, DG=Daniel Greene, DH=Drew
Harvey, AH=Anthony Hewetson, AvH=Aveline Hewetson, GJ=George Jury, PJ=Pat
Jury, PKe=Peter Keyel, PKi=Phillip Kite, MK=Mark Kulstad, ML=Mark Lockwood,
JM=Jennifer Miller, SP=Skyler Parks, PR=Paula Richardson, TT=Tess Trost,
WT=Will Thompson.
Anthony 'Fat Tony' Hewetson; Lubbock
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