Lubbock received 4.65 inches of rain during October, far above the the
average October total of 1.70 inches, bringing us up to 13.64 inches
for the year, still far behind the year-to-date average of 17.30
inches. The heaviest of the rains were in the latter half of the
period and had little impact on migratory songbirds but the filling of
local playas and other wetlands could well have a positive impact on
wetlands species through the entire region throughout the CBC season.
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 fashionand
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.
WOOD DUCK: 1 at the Allmon Woodlot (Floyd) on 10/7/18 (AH), 3 at the
South Plains Wetlands (Floyd) on 10/7/18 (AH), 4 below Lake Six
(Lubbock) on 10/14/18 (DH, LM), 6 at Clapp Park (Lubbock) on 10/21/18
(PKi), 15 at Leroy Elmore Park (Lubbock) on 10/22/18 (GK), and 10 at
Lake Six (Lubbock) on 10/26/18 (JCo) - A SLOW START, BUT RAMPING UP
NICELY TOWARDS THE END OF THE PERIOD.
BLUE-WINGED TEAL: Thirteen reports of 1-8 birds, three reports of
11-16 birds, four reports of 28-50 birds, and one report of 140 birds
in the region (Crosby, Floyd, Garza, Lubbock) during the period (JB,
JCo, DH, AH, KH, LM, JM, BSc) - VERY GOOD NUMBERS FOR THIS LATE IN THE
MIGRATORY SEASON.
CINNAMON TEAL: Eight reports of 1-6 birds and one report of 100 birds
in the region (Floyd, Garza, Lubbock) during the period (JB, JCo, DH,
AH, JM, DS, SS) - VERY GOOD NUMBERS FOR THIS LATE IN THE MIGRATORY
SEASON.
CANVASBACK: Nine reports of 1-7 birds and one report of 15 birds in
the region (Floyd, Garza, Lubbock) during the period (JB, JCo, JCr,
DH, AH, PKi, JM, BSh, DS, SS) - GOOD NUMBERS FOR THIS EARLY IN THE
WINTER SEASON.
REDHEAD: Six reports of 3-8 birds, six reports of 12-22 birds, one
report of 40 birds, one report of 65 birds, and one report of 76 birds
in the region (Floyd, Garza, Lubbock) during the period (JB, JCr, AH,
JM, BSh) - VERY GOOD NUMBERS FOR THIS EARLY IN THE WINTER SEASON.
RING-NECKED DUCK: 3 at the Floydada WTP (Floyd) on 10/6/18 (AH), 5
near Lone Star (Floyd) on 10/6/18 (AH), 8 at the CR 211 x FM 97 Playa
(Floyd) on 10/7/18 (AH), 12 at the FM 602 x Hwy 70 Playa (Floyd) on
10/7/18 (AH), and 8 at the Chicago x 106th Playa (Lubbock) on 10/13/18
(JM) - A GOOD START; NUMBERS RAMPED UP TO NORMAL DURING THE LATTER
HALF OF THE PERIOD.
LESSER SCAUP: 4 north of Dougherty (Floyd) on 10/7/18 (AH), 4 at the
South Plains Wetlands (Floyd) on 10/7/18 (AH), and 3 at the Chicago x
106th Playa (Lubbock) on 10/13/18 (JM) - GOOD REPORTS FOR SO EARLY IN
THE PERIOD.
BUFFLEHEAD: 2 north of Dougherty (Floyd) on 10/7/18 (AH) the first
report of the season - NIFTY EARLY SEASON REPORT; NUMBERS RAMPED UP
SLOWLY THEREAFTER.
HOODED MERGANSER: 2 at the FM 602 x Hwy 70 Playa (Floyd) on 10/7/18
(AH) the first report of the season - GOOD EARLY REPORT; NUMBERS
RAMPED UP SLOWLY THEREAFTER.
RING-NECKED PHEASANT: 1 below Lake Six (Lubbock) on 10/14/18 (DH, LM)
the only report of the month - VERY LOW.
HORNED GREBE: 1 at the Quaker x CR 7340 Playa (Lubbock) from 10/18/18
(JM) through 10/20/18 (JCo, JCr, DHa, DH, DS, SS) - A FAIRLY EARLY
REPORT OF AN INCREASINGLY RARE WINTER VISITOR.
EARED GREBE: 1 at the Buenos Playa (Garza) on 10/12/18 (JB), 1-4 at
the Quaker x CR 7340 Playa (Lubbock) from 10/18/18 (JM) through
10/20/18 (JCo, JCr, DH, LM, BSh, DS, SS), and 2 at McAlister Park
(Lubbock) on 10/20/18 (JCr, JM) - A VERY GOOD NUMBER OF REPORTS FOR
THIS EARLY IN THE SEASON.
WESTERN GREBE: 1 at Lake Six (Lubbock) from 10/17/18 (JCl) through
10/27/18 (JB, JCo, JCr, DH, GK, PKe, ML, LM, BSc, BSh) and 1 at the
Chicago x 106th Playa (Lubbock) on 10/20/18 (BSc) - FAIRLY EARLY
REPORTS FOR THIS RARE WINTER VISITOR.
INCA DOVE: Up to 11 in a Lubbock yard (Lubbock) daily through the
period (LM), 1 in a Lubbock yard (Lubbock) on 10/11/18 (CR, FR), 11 in
the Tech Terrace Neighborhood (Lubbock) on 10/11/18 (WW), and 1 in a
Lubbock yard (Lubbock) on 10/17/18 (CR, FR) - VERY GOOD NUMBERS BY
RECENT STANDARDS; IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE IF NUMBERS INCREASE
DURING WHAT LOOKS TO BE A MILD WINTER.
COMMON NIGHTHAWK: 1 at the Allmon Church Playa (Floyd) on 10/6/18
(AH), 1 at the South Plains Wetlands (Floyd) on 10/7/18 (AH), and 1 in
a Lubbock yard (Lubbock) on 10/12/18 (DH) the only reports received -
LOW NUMBERS; GENERALLY MORE PERSISTENT THROUGH OCTOBER.
COMMON POORWILL: 1 at MacKenzie Park (Lubbock) on 10/12/18 (RL) and 1
at Clapp Park (Lubbock) on 10/20/18 (DH, ML, DS, SS) - LOW.
CHIMNEY SWIFT: 1 at Lake Six (Lubbock) on 10/20/18 (LM) the latest
report received - LOW NUMBERS AND AN EARLY DEPARTURE.
BLACK-CHINNED HUMMINGBIRD: Sixteen reports of up to 3 birds at feeders
in (Floyd, Lubbock) during the first half of the period (AH, SK), 1
female in a Lubbock yard (Lubbock) on 10/18/18 (SK), 1 in a Lubbock
yard (Lubbock) on 10/20/18 (LM), and 1 female in a Lubbock yard
(Lubbock) on 10/23/18 (SK) - FORMERLY CONSIDERED ACCIDENTAL THIS LATE
IN THE PERIOD; NOW KNOWN TO PERSIST AS LATE AS DOES MILD WEATHER.
RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD: 1 in a Lubbock yard (Lubbock) through
10/20/18 (LM) - A VERY UNUSUAL RECORD; THIS SPECIES RARELY PERSISTS
BEYOND THE EARLY FALL MIGRATORY PERIOD.
RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD: 1 at Clapp Park (Lubbock) on 10/6/18 (JCo), 2 in a
Lubbock yard (Lubbock)on 10/13/18 (LM), and 1 in a Lubbock yard
(Lubbock) on 10/15/18 (LM) - ABOUT AVERAGE FOR THE MONTH.
VIRGINIA RAIL: 1 at the CR 121 x FM 37 Playa (Floyd) on 10/6/18 (AH)
and 1 at the South Plains Wetlands (Floyd) on 10/6/18 (AH) the only
reports - A TAD LOW.
SORA: 4 at the South Plains Wetlands (Floyd) on 10/6/18 (AH), 1 at
Eagle's Hall Park (Floyd) on 10/7/18 (AH), 3 at the South Plains
Wetlands (Floyd) on 10/7/18 (AH), and 1 at Lake Six (Lubbock) on
10/20/18 (LM) - ABOUT AVERAGE WITH PEAKS FOLLOWING PERIODS OF HEAVY
RAINS.
COMMON GALLINULE: 1 at Lake Six (Lubbock) on 10/21/18 (DH) and 1 in
Post (Garza) on 10/31/18 (JB) the only reports - A TAD LOW.
SANDHILL CRANE: 158 over the Allmon Woodlot (Floyd) on 10/6/18 (AH)
the first large group of the season - RIGHT ON TIME WITH NUMBERS
RAMPING UP STEADILY THROUGHOUT THE PERIOD.
BLACK-NECKED STILT: 2 at the CR 116 x FM 378 Playa (Floyd) on 10/6/18
(AH), 2 south of South Plains (Floyd) on 10/6/18 (AH), 1 in Lubbock
(Lubbock) on 10/12/18 (DH), and 2 at the Chicago x 106th Playa
(Lubbock) on 10/13/18 (JM) - FORMERLY ACCIDENTAL IN OCTOBER; NOW AN
ANNUAL LINGERER AT LEAST THIS LATE INTO THE SEASON.
AMERICAN AVOCET: Seven reports of 1-18 birds in the region (Crosby,
Floyd, Lubbock) during the period (JCr, AH, LM) - FAIRLY GOOD NUMBERS
FOR THIS LATE IN THE SEASON.
LONG-BILLED CURLEW: 1 north of John Farris (Floyd) on 10/7/18 (AH,
photographs) the only report - INCREDIBLY LOW NUMBERS.
LEAST SANDPIPER: 3 at the CR 116 x FM 378 Playa (Floyd) on 10/6/18
(AH), 2 at the FM 378 x FM 2286 Playa (Floyd) on 10/6/18 (AH), and 2
at the Buenos Playa (Garza) on 10/12/18 (JB) the only reports - LOW.
LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER: 14 at the CR 116 x FM 378 Playa (Floyd) on
10/6/18 (AH) and 4 at the CR 211 x FM 97 Playa (Floyd) on 10/7/18 (AH)
the only reports received - LOW.
WILSON'S SNIPE: Nine reports of 1-2 birds in the region (Floyd,
Lubbock) during the period (JC, AH, BSc) - ABOUT AVERAGE.
SOLITARY SANDPIPER: 1 at the South Plains Wetlands (Floyd) on 10/6/18
(AH, photographs) - A SOMEWHAT LATE REPORT.
LESSER YELLOWLEGS: 1 at the FM 378 x FM 2286 Playa (Floyd) on 10/6/18
(AH), 3 at the CR 231 x FM 97 Playa (Floyd) on 10/7/18 (AH), and 2 at
the Chicago x 106th Playa (Lubbock) on 10/13/18 (JM) the only reports
- NOT BAD FOR THIS LATE IN THE SEASON.
GREATER YELLOWLEGS: Seventeen reports of 1-8 birds, one report of 16
birds, and one report of 18 birds in the region (Crosby, Floyd, Garza,
Lubbock) during the period (JB, DH, AH, KH, LM) - GOOD NUMBER OF
REPORTS AND GOOD NUMBERS; IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE WHAT WINTER
NUMBERS ARE LIKE.
RED-NECKED PHALAROPE: 6 at the CR 105 x FM 211 Playa (Garza) on
10/11/18 (JB) and 6 at the Buenos Playa (Garza) on 10/12/18 (JB) - A
RARE FALL MIGRANT; OFTEN SEEN IN SMALL GROUPS.
RING-BILLED GULL: 2 at Ransom Lake (Lubbock) on 10/13/18 (JB) the
first report of the fall - RUNNING A LITTLE LATE THIS YEAR BUT RAMPED
UP QUICKLY DURING THE REMAINDER OF THE PERIOD.
HERRING GULL: 1 at Ransom Lake (Lubbock) on 10/13/18 (JB), 1-2 at Lake
Six (Lubbock) from 10/17/18 (JCl) through 10/21/18 (JCo, DH, ML, LM,
BSh) and one at McAlister Park (Lubbock) on 10/20/18 (JCr) and
10/21/18 (JM) - VERY GOOD NUMBERS FOR THIS EARLY IN THE SEASON; IT MAY
BE SHAPING UP TO BE A GOOD GULL YEAR IN THE REGION.
DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT: GOOD NUMBERS AND SCATTER - FORMERLY
CONSIDERED RARE DURING AUTUMN; NOW A PERMANENT RESIDENT.
AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN: 2 at Lake Six (Lubbock) from 10/17/18 (JCl)
through 10/20/18 (JCr, ML, LM, BSh) - LOW BY RECENT YEARS' STANDARDS
AS THE SPECIES HAS BECOME A FAIRLY REGULAR FALL MIGRANT.
AMERICAN BITTERN: 1 at the CR 231 x FM 97 Playa (Floyd) on 10/7/18
(AH), 1 at the Himmel Farm (Crosby) on 10/21/18 (KH), and 1 at Clapp
Park (Lubbock) on 10/30/18 (JC) - A GOOD NUMBER OF REPORTS AND GOOD
SCATTER FOR THIS PROBABLY UNDER-REPORTED MIGRANT.
GREAT EGRET: Seven reports of 1-11 birds in the region (Floyd,
Lubbock) during the period (JCo, DH, AH, GJ, PJ, CR, FR) - GOOD
NUMBERS MANAGED TO PERSIST THROUGH THE RECHARGING OF REGIONAL PLAYAS;
COULD BE A GOOD WINTER FOR THE SPECIES.
SNOWY EGRET: Twelve reports of 1-14 birds in the region (Lubbock)
during the period (JB, JC, JCo, JCr, DH, AH, PKe, PKi) - GOOD NUMBERS
MANAGED TO PERSIST THROUGH THE RECHARGING OF REGIONAL PLAYAS; COULD BE
A GOOD WINTER FOR THE SPECIES.
CATTLE EGRET: 2 in Lockney (Floyd) on 10/6/18 (AH), 26 at the Boothe
Playa (Floyd) on 10/7/18 (AH), and 1 at the FM 602 x Hwy 70 Playa
(Floyd) on 10/7/18 (AH) - A RATHER ABRUPT DEPARTURE FROM THE REGION
THIS FALL.
WHITE-FACED IBIS: 2 near Lone Star (Floyd) on 10/6/18 (AH), 2 near
Providence (Floyd) on 10/6/18 (AH), and 2 at the CR 211 x FM 97 Playa
(Floyd) on 10/7/18 (AH) the last reports of the season - AN EARLY
DEPARTURE, BY RECENT YEARS' STANDARDS, FROM THE REGION.
TURKEY VULTURE: 150 at a roost in south Lubbock (Lubbock) on 10/13/18
(JM) - TYPICAL OF OUR FALL MIGRATORY BUILDUP. 1 at Lake Six (Lubbock)
on 10/20/18 (LM) and 1 at Clapp Park (Lubbock) on 10/21/18 (PKi) - OUR
LATEST REPORTS FOR THE SEASON.
OSPREY: Twenty-four reports of 1-3 birds in the region (Floyd, Garza,
Kent, Lubbock) during the period (JB, JCo, JCr, DH, AH, GJ, PJ, SK,
GK, PKe, PKi, ML, RL, LM, BSc, BSh) - GOOD NUMBERS AND GOOD SCATTER;
THE RAINS HIT AT JUST THE RIGHT TIME FOR THIS MIGRANT.
BALD EAGLE: 1 near Silver Falls (Crosby) on 10/31/18 (JCl) and 1 near
Wilson (Lynn) on 10/31/18 (JB) - ABOUT AVERAGE BY RECENT YEARS'
STANDARDS.
RED-SHOULDERED HAWK: 1 at Clapp Park (Lubbock) on 10/6/18 (JCo), 2 at
the Lubbock Cemetery (Lubbock) on 10/13/18 (DH), 1 immature bird at
Clapp Park (Lubbock) on 10/21/18 (PKi), 1 immature bird at MacKenzie
Park (Lubbock) on 10/25/18 (LZ), and 2 in the Tech Terrace
Neighborhood (Lubbock) on 10/26/18 (JC) - VERY GOOD NUMBERS; THE
SPECIES SEEMS ON THE CUSP OF BECOMING A REGULAR WINTER RESIDENT.
BROAD-WINGED HAWK: 1 at the Allmon Woodlot (Floyd) on 10/6/18 (AH),
and 1 at Clapp Park (Lubbock) on 10/6/18 (JCo), 1 north of John Farris
(Floyd) on 10/7/18 (AH), and 1 below Lake Six (Lubbock) on 10/14/18
(DH, LM) - ABOUT AVERAGE FOR OCTOBER AFTER A VERY POOR SEPTEMBER.
SWAINSON'S HAWK: 38 at Lake Six (Lubbock) on 10/6/18 (LZ) and 24 below
Lake Six (Lubbock) on 10/14/18 (DH, LM) - GOODISH FALL ASSEMBLIES. 1
at Lake Alan Henry (Garza) on 10/17/18 (SK) and 1 at Lake Six
(Lubbock) on 10/20/18 (ML) - THE LATEST FALL REPORTS. THIS SEEMED TO
BE A FAIRLY FAST FALL PASSAGE OF THE SPECIES FROM THE REGION.
GOLDEN EAGLE: 1 immature bird north of John Farris (Floyd)on 10/7/18
(AH) - RIGHT ON TIME FOR A FALL ARRIVAL; POSSIBLY PART OF A FAMILY
UNIT DOCUMENTED JUST TO THE NORTH.
FLAMMULATED OWL: 1 brought into the South Plains Wildlife
Rehabilitation Centery from Plainview (Hale) on 10/9/19 (GB,
photographs) - ACCIDENTAL TO THE REGION; ONE OF A HANDFUL OF RECORDS
FROM THE REGION.
LONG-EARED OWL: 1 at Lake Six (Lubbock) on 10/19/18 (ML, photographs)
- A NICE EARLY REPORT OF A SPARSE WINTER RESIDENT.
BELTED KINGFISHER: Nine reports of single birds from various upland
sites in (Floyd) on 10/6/18 and 10/7/18 (AH) - THIS NICELY CAPTURES
THE ODD DYNAMIC OF FALL ARRIVAL OF THE SPECIES IN THE REGION; THEY CAN
POP UP AT ANY SITE FAVORED BY RECENT RAINS AS THEY MOVE TOWARDS
WINTERING SITES.
YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER: 1 female at the Allmon Church Playa (Floyd)
on 10/7/18 (AH), 1 at Ransom Lake (Lubbock) on 10/13/18 (DH), and 1
female at MacKenzie Park (Lubbock) on 10/17/18 (LZ) - GOOD NUMBERS FOR
THIS EARLY IN THE SEASON.
RED-NAPED SAPSUCKER: 1 male at the South Plains Wetlands (Floyd) on
10/7/18 (AH) and 1 in a Lubbock yard (Lubbock) on 10/28/18 (JC) -
ABOUT AVERAGE.
MERLIN: Five reports of single birds in the region (Floyd, Lubbock)
during the period (DH, AH, RL, LM) - ABOUT AVERAGE.
PEREGRINE FALCON: 1 south of Floydada (Floyd) on 10/6/18 (AH) and 1 at
the CR 211 x FM 87 Playa (Floyd) on 10/7/18 (AH) the only reports - A
TAD LOW.
PRAIRIE FALCON: Four reports of single birds in the region (Floyd,
Lubbock) during the period (DH, AH, LM) - A TAD LOW.
EASTERN PHOEBE: Fifteen reports of 1-3 birds in the region (Crosby,
Floyd, Lubbock, Lynn) during the period (JB, DH, AH, KH, PKi, ML, LM,
DS, SS) - GOOD NUMBERS AND SCATTER.
SAY'S PHOEBE: 1 in eastern Hale (Hale) on 10/4/18 (LZ) and 1 at the CR
121 x FM 37 Playa (Floyd) on 10/6/18 (AH) - A TAD LOW.
CASSIN'S KINGBIRD: 2 at the South Plains Wetlands (Floyd) on 10/6/18
(AH) and 1 below Lake Six (Lubbock) on 10/14/18 (DH, LM) - ABOUT
AVERAGE; ANY LATE FALL KINGBIRD IN THE REGION SHOULD BE CHECKED OUT
CAREFULLY.
SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER: 8 at Lake Alan Henry (Garza) on 10/17/18
(SK), 13 at Lake Alan Henry (Garza) on 10/17/18 (SK), 10 at Lake Alan
Henry (Garza) on 10/17/18 (SK), 14 at Lake Six (Lubbock) on 10/18/18
(BSh), 8 at Lake Six (Lubbock) on 10/19/18 (ML), and 2 at Lake Six
(Lubbock) on 10/20/18 (LM) - FORMERLY VERY RARE DURING THE LATTER HALF
OF THE MONTH; NUMBERS LIKE THESE ARE NOW TYPICAL.
COMMON RAVEN: Nine reports of 1-4 birds in the region (Cochran, Floyd,
Garza) during the period (DH, AH, SK) - GOOD NUMBERS AND SCATTER FOR
FALL.
TREE SWALLOW: 2 near Lone Star (Floyd) on 10/6/18 (AH), 15 at the
Buenos Playa (Garza) on 10/12/18 (JB), 4 at McAlister Park (Lubbock)
on 10/15/18 (JCr), 3 at Lake Six (Lubbock) on 10/20/18 (LM), and 1 at
the Buenos Playa (Garza) on 10/24/18 (JB) - ABOUT AVERAGE FOR THIS
LATE IN THE SEASON.
CLIFF SWALLOW: 4 birds persisted at a known nesting colone at the
White River x FM 37 crossing (Floyd) through 10/6/18 (AH) - FORMERLY
ACCIDENTAL THIS LATE IN THE SEASON; NOW KNOWN AS A RARE BUT REGULAR
LINGERER IN THE REGION INTO EARLY OCTOBER.
BARN SWALLOW: 2 at Lake Six (Lubbock) on 10/21/18 (DH), 10 at Lake Six
(Lubbock) on 10/23/18 (JB), 40 at the Buenos Playa (Garza) on 10/24/18
(JB), and 3 at the Himmel Farm (Crosby) on 10/25/18 (KH) - ABOUT
AVERAGE; OCCASIONALLY KNOWN TO LINGER INTO EARLY NOVEMBER.
VERDIN: 1 at Plains Baptist Assembly (Floyd) on 10/6/18 (AH) and 1 at
Ransom Lake (Lubbock) on 10/13/18 (DH) - ABOUT AVERAGE FOR THIS
INCREASINGLY DIFFICULT TO FIND SPECIES IN THE REGION.
RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH: 1 in a Lubbock yard (Lubbock) on 10/18/18 (PKi)
and 1 at Lake Six (Lubbock) on 10/27/18 (PKe) the only reports thus
far - ABOUT AVERAGE.
ROCK WREN: 1 at Ransom Lake (Lubbock)on 10/13/18 (DH) the only report
- LOW BUT LITTLE EFFORT REPORTED FROM SITES ALONG THE CAPROCK.
CANYON WREN: 2 at Plains Baptist Assembly (Floyd) on 10/6/18 (AH) and
2 at Ransom Lake (Lubbock) on 10/13/18 (DH) the only reports - LOW BUT
LITTLE EFFORT REPORTED FROM FAVORED SITES.
HOUSE WREN: Nine reports of 1-10 birds in the region (Floyd, Lubbock)
during the period (DH, AH, LM) - AVERAGE NUMBERS BUT LOW NUMBER OF
REPORTS.
MARSH WREN: 2 at the CR 121 x FM 37 Playa (Floyd) on 10/6/18 and
10/7/18 (AH) - PART OF A SLOW START FOR THIS SPECIES THIS SEASON;
NUMBERS RAMPED UP DURING THE LATTER HALF OF THE PERIOD.
CAROLINA WREN: 1 at Eagle's Hall Park (Floyd) on 10/6/18 (AH), 1 below
Lake Six (Lubbock) on 10/14/18 (DH, LM), and 1 at Lake Six (Lubbock)
on 10/20/18 (ML) - THE ONLY ATOP THE CAPROCK REPORTS RECEIVED.
BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER: Nine reports of 1-4 birds in the region (Floyd,
Lubbock) during the period (JC, DH, AH, LM, BSc, DS, SS) - LOW NUMBERS
AND POOR SCATTER FOR WHAT IS GENERALLY THE BEST MONTH OF FALL FOR THE
SPECIES.
EASTERN BLUEBIRD: 1 at the Floydada Cemetery (Floyd) on 10/6/18 (AH),
2 at Plains Baptist Assembly (Floyd) on 10/6/18 (AH), and 1 north of
John Farris (Floyd) on 10/7/18 (AH) - ABOUT AVERAGE FOR THIS EARLY IN
THE SEASON; THE PBA BIRDS MOST LIKELY BREEDERS.
TOWNSEND'S SOLITAIRE: 1 at the White River x FM 378 crossing (Floyd)
on 10/6/18 (AH, photographs) - A TAD EARLY.
HERMIT THRUSH: Seventeen reports of 1-3 biirds and one reoprt of 14
birds in the region (Floyd, Lubbock) during the period (DH, AH, LM,
WW) - GOOD NUMBERS; POOR SCATTER.
GRAY CATBIRD: 1 at the White River x FM 37 crossing (Floyd) on 10/6/18
(AH) and 1 at the South Plains Wetlands (Floyd) on 10/7/18 (AH) the
only reports received - A TAD LOW.
BROWN THRASHER: 1 at Eagle's Hall Park (Floyd) on 10/6/18 (AH) and 6
at Ransom Lake (Lubbock) on 10/13/18 (DH) - ABOUT AVERAGE; IT WILL BE
INTERESTING TO SEE IF WET CONDITIONS PROVOKE A MOVEMENT ATOP THE
ESCARPMENT THIS WINTEr.
SAGE THRASHER: 1 in the Gray Mule area (Floyd) on 10/7/18 (AH) the
only report - LOW.
CEDAR WAXWING: 2 near Fairmont (Floyd) on 10/7/18 (AH) and 3 in a
Lubbock yard (Lubbock) on 10/12/18 (DH) the only reports received -
LOW.
PINE SISKIN: 2 at Clap Park (Lubbock) on 10/20/18 (SH, DS, SS) and 6
at Lake Six (Lubbock) on 10/21/18 (DH) - RUNNING A BIT LATE AND A TAD
LOW THUS FAR THIS YEAR.
LESSER GOLDFINCH: 2 at Ransom Lake (Lubbock) on 10/13/18 (DH) - THE
LATEST REPORT FROM THE SEASON - YET.
AMERICAN GOLDFINCH: 2 at the Allmon Woodlot (Floyd) on 10/6/18 (AH), 2
below Lake Six (Lubbock) on 10/13/18 (DH), 2 at the Lubbock Cemetery
(Lubbock) on 10/13/18 (DH), and 7 at Ransom Lake (Lubbock) on 10/13/18
(DH) - THE ONLY REPORTS FROM THE FIRST HALF OF THE MONTH; NUMBERS
RAMPED UP THEREAFTER.
SPRAGUE'S PIPIT: 2 near Wilson (Lynn) on 10/12/18 (JB) the only report
- LOW? HIGH? WHO KNOWS; THE STATUS OF THIS SPECIES REMAINS VERY
UNCLEAR IN THE REGION.
SPOTTED TOWHEE: 1 at the Allmon Woodlot (Floyd) on 10/6/18 (AH), 1 at
Eagle's Hall Park (Floyd) on 10/6/18 (AH), and 1 at Ransom Lake
(Lubbock) on 10/13/18 (DH) the only reports received from the first
half of the period - RUNNING A TAD LATE AND LOW NUMBERS EVEN BY THE
END OF THE PERIOD.
GREEN-TAILED TOWHEE: 1 at the Allmon Church Playa (Floyd) on 10/6/18
(AH) the only report for the month - VERY LOW.
CHIPPING SPARROW: Seventeen reports of 1-10 birds and four reports of
12-18 birds in the region (Crosby, Floyd, Garza, Lubbock, Lynn) during
the period (JB, DH, AH, KH, ML, LM, BSc, DS, SS) - A BIT OF A PICKUP
FROM SEPTEMBER BUT STILL A VERY POOR SEASON FOR THE SPECIES MOVING
THROUGH THE REGION.
CLAY-COLORED SPARROW: Nine reports of 1-10 birds and four reports of
11-22 birds in the region (Crosby, Floyd, Lubbock) during the period
(DH, AH, KH, DS, SS, LZ) - A BIT OF A PICKUP FROM SEPTEMBER BUT STILL
A VERY POOR SEASON FOR THE SPECIES MOVING THROUGH THE REGION.
FIELD SPARROW: 2 at the White River x FM 37 crossing (Floyd) on
10/6/18 (AH), 2 near Fairmont (Floyd) on 10/7/18 (AH), 1 at Lake Six
(Lubbock) on 10/20/18 (LM), and 1 at the Himmel Farm (Crosby) on
10/25/18 (KH) the only reports received - LATE AND LOW THUS FAR THIS
YEAR.
SONG SPARROW: 1 at the South Plains Wetlands (Floyd) on 10/6/18 (AH) -
THE FIRST OF THE REGULAR
DARK-EYED JUNCO: 1 in a Lubbock yard (Lubbock) on 10/13/18 (LM) - THE
FIRST OF THE SEASON; FILLED IN SLOWLY THEREAFTER.
YELLO-HEADED BLACKBIRD: 6 at Cedar Hill Playa (Floyd) on 10/7/18 (AH),
2 at the South Plains Wetlands (Floyd) on 10/7/18 (AH), 1 at the
Buenos Playa (Garza) on 10/12/18 (JB), 25-27 below Lake Six (Lubbock)
on 10/14/18 (DH, LM), and 2 at Lake Six (Lubbock) on 10/20/18 (LM) -
ABOUT AVERAGE FOR THIS RARE TO ABUNDANT FALL MIGRANT.
BRONZED COWBIRD: 1 at the Himmel Farm (Crosby) on 10/25/18 (KH) - THE
ONLY REPORT OF THE MONTH AND RATHER LATE IN THE SEASON THOUTH REPORTS
FROM RECENT YEARS HAVE SUGGESTED WINTERING ATTEMPTS.
ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER: Twenty-three reports of 1-6 birds, one report
of 16 birds, and one report of 18 birds in the region (Floyd, Hale,
Lubbock) during the period (JB, JCo, DH, AH, PKe, PKi, LM, DS, SS, LZ)
- GOOD NUMBERS AND GOOD SCATTER FOR THIS LATE IN THE SEASON;
SUGGESTIVE, ONE HOPES, OF A GOOD WINTER FOR THE SPECIES.
NASHVILLE WARBLER: 1 at the White River x FM 37 crossing (Floyd) on
10/6/18 (AH), 1 at Clapp Park (Lubbock) on 10/6/18 (JCo), 9 below Lake
Six (Lubbock) on 10/14/18 (DH, LM), 1 in a Lubbock yard (Lubbock) on
10/20/18 (LM), and 1 at Lake Six (Lubbock) on 10/21/18 (DH) - GOOD
NUMBERS AND SCATTER FOR THIS LATE IN THE SEASON; A NOVEMBER RECORD OR
TWO MIGHT NOT BE STARTLING.
COMMON YELLOWTHROAT: 2 at the CR 121 x FM 37 Playa (Floyd) on 10/6/18
(AH), 1 at the CR 121 x FM 37 Playa (Floyd) on 10/7/18 (AH), 1 at the
South Plains Wetlands (Floyd) on 10/7/18 (AH), 1 male at MacKenzie
Park (Lubbock) on 10/17/18 (LZ), and 1 in Post (Garza) on 10/31/18
(JB) - ABOUT AVERAGE.
MACGILLIVRAY'S WARBLER: 1 at the Allmon Woodlot (Floyd) on 10/6/18
(AH) and 1 at the White River x FM 37 crossing (Floyd) on 10/6/18 (AH)
the only reports received for the month - LOW!
TOWNSEND'S WARBLER: 1 at Clapp Park (Lubbock) on 10/20/18 (DH, DS, SS,
photographs) - A RATHER LATE REPORT FOR THE SPECIES BUT NOT
UNPRECEDENTED.
WIILSON'S WARBLER: Seventeen reports of 1-8 birds in the region
(Floyd, Hale, Lubbock) all during the first half of the period (JB,
JCo, AH, LZ) - FORMERLY RARE THIS LATE IN THE SEASON; THIS IS NOW A
FAIRLY TYPICAL SHOWING.
BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK: 1 male in a Lubbock yard (Lubbock) on 10/16/18
(GJ, PJ) - A FAIRLY LATE SIGHTING.
BLUE GROSBEAK: 1 at the Allmon Woodlot (Floyd) on 10/6/18 (AH), 2 at
the White River x FM 378 crossing (Floyd) on 10/6/18 (AH), 1 at the FM
602 x Hwy 70 Playa (Floyd) on 10/7/18 (AH), and 1-2 below Lake Six
(Lubbock) on 10/14/18 (DH, LM) - FORMERLY VERY UNUSUAL THIS LATE IN
THE SEASON; NOW EXPECTED INTO AT LEAST THE FIRST WEEK OF OCTOBER.
LAZULI BUNTING: 1 immature bird at the South Plains Wetlands (Floyd)
on 10/7/18 (AH, photographs) - RUNNING A TAD LATE; FOLLOWING A VERY
STRONG RAIN EVENT.
DICKCISSEL: 2 at the Allmon Woodlot (Floyd) on 10/6/18 (AH), 1 at the
South Plains Wetlands (Floyd) on 10/6/18 (AH), and 2 at the South
Plains Wetlands (Floyd) on 10/7/18 (AH, photographs) - FORMERLY
CONSIDERED UNUSUAL THIS LATE IN THE YEAR; WE NOW EXPECT A FEW
SIGHTINGS DURING THE FIRST WEEK OF OCTOBER.
OBSERVERS: GB=Gail Barnes, JB=Justin Bosler, JC=Jeremy Clark,
JCl=Julie Clements, JCo=Joe Cochrn, JCr=Jim Crites, DH=Drew Harvey,
DHa+Danny Hancock, AH=Anthony Hewetson, KH=Kelly Himmel, GJ=George
Jury, PJ=Pat Jury, SK=Steve Kasper, GK=Glenda Kelly, PKe= Peter Keyel,
PKi=Phillip Kite, ML=Mark Lee, RL=Rob Lee, LM=Liam MacGuire,
JM=Jennifer Miller, CR=Clarice Robertson, FR=Floyd Robertson,
BSc=Bobby Schat, BSh=Brad Shine, DS=Doug Smith, SS=Sue Smith,
WW=William Wenthe, LZ=Lena Zappia.
Anthony Hewetson; Lubbock
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