Lubbock received 1.45 inches of rain during the month, a wee bit above the
average April total of 1.29 inches, bringing us up to 5.08 inches for the
year, still well above the average year-to-date total of 3.26 inches..
Unseasonably mild weather persisted throughout most of the month and wet
and warm conditions, overall, led to a lot of avian highlights of the
water-loving sort.
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.
*Some late reports from March:*
BLUE-WINGED TEAL: 2 at the Morton WTP (Cochran) on 3/31/17 (DH) - PART OF
THE REALLY IMPRESSIVE TEAL WAVE.
BLACK-NECKED STILT: 5 at the Morton WTP (Cochran) on 3/31/17 (DH) - A TAD
EARLY.
PURPLE MARTIN: 2 at the Morton WTP (Cochran) on 3/31/17 (DH) - WELL WEST OF
THE NORMAL RANGE; MOST LIKELY LATE MIGRANTS.
SAGE THRASHER: 1 at the Morton WTP (Cochran) on 3/31/17 (DH) - THE ONLY
MARCH REPORT.
CHESTNUT-COLLARED LONGSPUR: 2 at the Morton WTP (Cochran) on 3/31/17 (DH) -
A VERY POOR WINTER FOR LONGSPURS; ALL SIGHTINGS WERE NOTEWORTHY.
CHIPPING SPARROW: 11 at the Morton WTP (Cochran) on 3/31/17 (DH) - A TAD
EARLY FOR A LARGE GROUP.
COMMON GRACKLE: 16 at the Morton WTP (Cochran) on 3/31/17 (DH) - WELL WEST
OF THE SPECIES NORMAL RANGE IN THE REGION.
*And on to April:*
BLACK-BELLIED WHISTLING DUCK: 4 at the Himmel Farm (Crosby) on 4/23/17 (KH,
photographs) - FORMERLY ACCIDENTAL TO THE REGION; THEN ANNUAL BUT RARE; NOW
ANNUAL AND INCREASINGLY COMMON.
CACKLING GOOSE: Up to 3 at Crosbyton City Park (Crosby) through the period
(DH, AH, AZ), up to 3 at Post City Park (Garza) through the period (JB, BC,
GC, SG), up to 2 at Guy Park (Lubbock) through the period (PKe, AH), and up
to 3 at Leroy Elmore Park (Lubbock) through the period (AH) - AS THE
SPECIES DEPARTED FROM THE REGION RELATIVELY EARLY, THESE BIRDS ARE PROBABLY
PART OF OUR SLOWLY INCREASING SUMMER CONTINGENT.
WOOD DUCK: 1 at the Ralls WTP (Crosby) on 4/1/17 (AH), 2 at the Hale Center
WTP (Hale) on 4/1/17 (NP), 2 at Leroy Elmore Park (Lubbock) on 4/2/17 (AH),
and 2 at Leroy Elmore Park (Lubbock) on 4/22/17 (DH, AH, AZ) - A TAD LOW;
ANOTHER RELATIVELY EARLY DEPARTURE.
BLUE-WINGED TEAL: Twenty-one reports of 1-10 birds, ten reports of 11-25
birds, four reports of 26-50 birds, one report of 68 birds, one report of
110 birds, and one report of 130 birds in the region (Crosby, Floyd, Garza,
Kent, Lubbock, Lynn, Motley) during the period (JB, BC, GC, SG, DH, AH, KH,
AZ) - A REMARKABLE PERFORMANCE - LARGE NUMBERS AND EXCELLENT SCATTER - THE
BEST APRIL OF THE DECADE FOR THIS SPECIES.
CINNAMON TEAL: Sixteen reports of 1-10 birds, six reports of 11-25 birds,
and one report of 30 birds in the region (Crosby, Floyd, Lynn) during the
period (JB, DH, AH, KH, AZ) - A VERY GOOD APRIL, IN TERMS OF NUMBER AND
SCATTER - HUZZAH!
CANVASBACK: 10 at FM 1054 x FM 1313 Playa (Lynn) on 4/2/17 (AH), 1 at Skeen
Playa (Lynn) on 4/8/17 (AH), 1 at the Himmel Farm (Crosby) on 4/11/17 (KH),
1 at Skeen Playa (Lynn) on 4/18/17 (JB), 1 at the Matador WTP (Motley) on
4/22/17 (DH, AH, AZ), 1 at CR 20 x CR X Playa (Lynn) on 4/25/17 (JB), 4 at
CR 20 x CR Y Playa (Lynn) on 4/29/17 (AH), and 2 at FM 1054 x FM 1313 Playa
(Lynn) on 4/29/17 (AH) - UNUSUALLY GOOD NUMBERS AND SPREAD FOR THIS LATE IN
THE SEASON.
REDHEAD: Seven reports of 1-10 birds and one report of 18 birds in the
region (Crosby, Lynn) during the period (JB, AH) - GOOD NUMBERS FOR THIS
LATE IN THE SEASON.
HOODED MERGANSER: 1 at Guy Park (Lubbock) on 4/17/17 (PKe) - AN EXCELLENT
SIGHTING; THE SPECIES RARELY PERSISTS INTO MID-APRIL THESE DAYS.
SCALED QUAIL: 2 at CR 20 x CR X Playa (Lynn) on 4/25/17 (JB) and 5 near
Wilson (Lynn) on 4/29/17 (AH) the only reports - A TAD LOW BUT LITTLE
EFFORT WAS SPENT IN THE BEST AREAS FOR THE SPECIES.
RING-NECKED PHEASANT: 1 at Ralls WTP (Crosby) on 4/1/17 (AH), 4 at Hale
Center WTP (Hale) on 4/1/17 (NP), 3 near Plainview (Hale) on 4/1/17 (NP),
and 4 below Lake Six (Lubbock) no 4/8/17 (PKe) - ABOUT AVERAGE, GIVEN THAT
LITTLE EFFORT WAS REPORTED FROM OUR BETTER COUNTIES.
WILD TURKEY: 3 at Hale Center WTP (Hale) on 4/1/17 (NP) - RARELY SEEN THIS
FAR FROM THE CAPROCK ESCARPMENT; AN EXCELLENT SIGHTING!
EARED GREBE: Nine reports of 1-10 birds and one report of 36 birds in the
region (Crosby, Floyd, Lynn) during the period (JB, DH, AH, AZ) - AN
EXCELLENT APRIL FOR THE SPECIES IN TERMS OF NUMBER AND SCATTER.
WESTERN GREBE: 2 at White River Lake (Crosby) on 4/22/17 (DH, AH, AZ,
photographs) - A RATHER LATE RECORD FOR THE REGION.
INCA DOVE: 1 near Savage (Crosby) on 4/1/17 (AH) the only report -
EXTRAORDINARILY LOW; ARE THERE ANY LEFT IN LUBBOCK?
COMMON NIGHTHAWK: 1 near Afton (Dickens) on 4/22/17 (AH, AZ) and one near
Dougherty (Floyd) on 4/22/17 (AH) the first reports of the season - RIGHT
ON TIME.
COMMON POORWILL: 1 at Silver Falls Rest Area (Crosby) on 4/22/17 (DH, AH,
AZ) the only report - A TAD LOW; NONE REPORTED FROM USUAL SITES IN LUBBOCK.
CHIMNEY SWIFT: 4 at Crosbyton City Park (Crosby) on 4/1/17 (AH) and 4 at
Post City Park (Garza) on 4/28/17 (JB) - THE FIRST REPORT WAS A TAD EARLY
FOR ARRIVAL TO THE REGION; THE SECOND WAS A TAD LATE.
RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD: 1 male in a Lubbock yard (Lubbock) on 4/29/178 (AH) the
only report - LOW; WE USUALLY GET A FEW SPRING REPORTS OF PASSAGE BIRDS.
VIRGINIA RAIL: 3 at CR EE Wetlands (Lynn) on 4/25/17 (JB), 2 at CR EE
Wetlands (Lynn) on 4/29/17 (AH), 1 at Tahoka Lake Pasture (Lynn) on 4/29/17
(AH), and 2 at Tahoka Lake Pasture (Lynn) on 4/30/17 (DH) - GOOD NUMBERS;
NOT MUCH SCATTER.
SORA: 2 at CR Y x FM 3332 Playa (Lynn) on 4/18/17 (JB) and 1 at Tahoka Lake
Pasture (Lynn) on 4/30/17 (DH) - ABOUT AVERAGE.
BLACK-NECKED STILT: Thirteen reports of 1-10 birds, three reports of 11-25
birds, and three reports of 26-50 birds in the region (Crosby, Lynn) during
the period (JB, DH, AH, KH, WW, AZ) - A GOOD START TO WHAT MIGHT BECOME AN
EXCELLENT SEASON.
AMERICAN AVOCET: Eleven reports of 1-10 birds, eight reports of 11-25
birds, six reports of 26-100 birds, and one report of 174 birds in the
region (Crosby, Floyd, Hale, Lynn) during the period (JB, DH, AH, KH, NP,
WW, AZ) - VERY GOOD NUMBERS AND GOOD SCATTER; ONE OF THE BEST SEASONS IN A
LONG TIME.
AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER: 1 north of Cap Rock (Crosby) on 4/1/17 (AH) and 1
at CR 20 x CR X Playa (Lynn) on 4/25/17 (JB) - WITH FIVE REPORTS ALREADY IN
THIS SEASON, THIS IS THE BEST SPRING FOR THE SPECIES IN OUR REGION ON
RECORD.
SNOWY PLOVER: Up to 11 pairs at Tahoka Lake (Lynn) through the period (DH,
AH), 4 south of Tahoka (Lynn) on 4/2/17 (AH), and 2 at Skeen Playa (Lynn)
on 4/18/17 (JB) - ABOUT AVERAGE; INCREASED COVERAGE OF TAHOKA LAKE IS
PAINTING A TRUER PICTURE OF THE SPECIES' PRESENCE IN THE REGION.
SEMIPALMATED PLOVER: 4 at CR 20 x CR X Playa (Lynn) on 4/25/17 (JB) and 2
at CR 20 x CR X Playa (Lynn) on 4/29/17 (AH, photographs) the only reports
- ABOUT AVERAGE.
UPLAND SANDPIPER: 1 at White River Lake (Crosby) 4/22/17 (DH, AH, AZ), 8 at
Jayton WTP (Kent) on 4/23/17 (BC, CG, SG), and 1 at CR 20 x CR X Playa
(Lynn) on 4/25/17 (JB) - ABOUT AVERAGE.
LONG-BILLED CURLEW: 2 near Savage (Crosby) on 4/1/17 (AH), 1 north of Cap
Rock (Crosby) on 4/1/17 (AH), and 26 at White River Lake (Crosby) on
4/22/17 (DH, AH, AZ) the only reports - A TAD LOW BY RECENT YEARS'
STANDARDS.
STILT SANDPIPER: 2 at Little Skeen Playa (Lynn) on 4/2/17 (AH), 7 at
O'Donnell Playa (Lynn) on 4/8/17 (AH), and 7 at Tahoka Lake (Lynn) on
4/15/17 (AH) - A TAD EARLY, SYNCING NICELY WITH OTHER SHOREBIRD REPORTS.
BAIRD'S SANDPIPER: Nine reports of 1-10 birds in the region (Crosby, Lynn)
during the period (DH, AH, AZ) - THE CONTINUATION OF WHAT COULD BE A GREAT
SEASON.
LEAST SANDPIPER: Six reports of 1-10 birds, one report of 13 birds, one
report of 34 birds, and one report of 101 birds in the region (Crosby,
Lynn) during the period (JB, DH, AH, AZ) - THE CONTINUATION OF WHAT COULD
BE A GREAT SEASON.
WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER: 7 at White River Lake (Crosby) on 4/22/17 (DH, AH,
AZ) and 1 at Tahoka Lake (Lynn) on 4/29/17 (AH) - BOTH REPORTS A TAD EARLY;
IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE WHAT MAY BRINGS.
PECTORAL SANDPIPER: 1 at Little Skeen Playa (Lynn) on 4/2/17 (AH), 2 at
O'Donnell Playa (Lynn) on 4/2/17 (AH), and 2 at Tahoka Lake (Lynn) on
4/30/17 (DH) - ALL THREE REPORTS A TAD EARLY; IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE
WHAT MAY BRINGS.
SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER: Five reports of 1-10 birds and one report of 29
birds in the region (Crosby, Lynn) during the period (JB, DH, AH, AZ) - THE
CONTINUATION OF WHAT COULD BE A GREAT SEASON.
WESTERN SANDPIPER: Five reports of 1-10 birds, one report of 25 birds, and
one report of 56 birds in the region (Crosby, Lynn) during the period (JB,
DH, AH, AZ) - THE CONTINUATION OF WHAT COULD BE A GREAT SEASON.
LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER: Six reports of 1-10 birds, two reports of 11-25
birds, and four reports of 26-50 birds in the region (Crosby, Lynn) during
the period (JB, DH, AH, KH, AZ) - THE CONTINUATION OF WHAT COULD BE A GREAT
SEASON.
WILSON'S SNIPE: 11 at Crosbyton City Park (Crosby) on 4/1/17 (AH), 1 south
of Crosbyton (Crosby) on 4/1/17 (AH), 1 at Little Skeen Playa (Lynn) on
4/2/17 (AH), 2 at Tahoka Lake (Lynn) on 4/15/17 (AH), and 1 near Floydada
(Floyd) on 4/22/17 (DH, AH, AZ) - ABOUT AVERAGE FOR THIS LATE IN THE SEASON.
SPOTTED SANDPIPER: Eight reports of 1-3 birds in the region (Crosby, Garza,
Lynn) during the period (JB, DH, AH, AZ) - GOOD NUMBERS AND SCATTER ... SO
FAR.
SOLITARY SANDPIPER: 2 at Tahoka Lake Pasture (Lynn) on 4/29/17 (AH) - A TAD
LOW; THE ONLY UNDER-PERFORMING OF OUR REGULAR SHOREBIRDS.
GREATER YELLOWLEGS: Ten reports of 1-7 birds in the region (Crosby, Lynn)
during the period (JB, DH, AH, AZ) - THIS SEEMS A BIT LOW BUT LARGER THAN
EXPECTED NUMBERS PASSED THROUGH IN MARCH SUGGESTING THAT THIS IS THE TAIL
END OF AN EARLY MOVEMENT.
WILLET: 1 at the Himmel Farm (Crosby) on 4/23/17 (KH), 2 at Tahoka Lake
Pasture (Lynn) on 4/29/17 (AH, photographs), and 3 at Tahoka Lake Pasture
(Lynn) on 4/30/17 (DH, photographs) - ABOUT AVERAGE BY RECENT YEARS'
STANDARDS.
LESSER YELLOWLEGS: Seven reports of 1-10 birds and one report of 14 birds
in the region (Crosby, Lynn) during the period (JB, DH, AH, AZ) - ABOUT
AVERAGE.
WILSON'S PHALAROPE: Eight reports of 1-10 birds and two reports of 14 birds
in the region (Crosby, Kent, Lynn, Motley) during the period (JB, BC, CG,
SG, DH, AH, KH, AZ) - ABOUT AVERAGE FOR THIS EARLY IN THE SEASON.
FRANKLIN'S GULL: 5 at Hale Center WTP (Hale) on 4/1/17 (NP), 6 at Tahoka
Lake (Lynn) on 4/15/17 (AH), 7 over Lubbock (Lubbock) on 4/27/17 (AH), 6
near Woodrow (Lubbock) on 4/29/17 (AH), 21 in Slaton (Lubbock) on 4/29/17
(WW), 3 at CR 28 x FM 1054 Playa (Lynn) on 4/29/17 (AH), and 12 at Tahoka
Lake (Lynn) on 4/29/17 (AH) - EXCELLENT NUMBERS AND SCATTER; ONE OF THE
BEST APRILS IN YEARS FOR THIS SPECIES!
RING-BILLED GULL: 160 at Tahoka Lake (Lynn) on 4/29/17 (AH) had dropped to
9 by 4/30/17 (AH) - THE FIRST REPORT IS A STUNNING NUMBER FOR AN APRIL
REPORT IN OUR REGION; THE SECOND IS STILL PRETTY SURPRISING BY RECENT
YEARS' STANDARDS.
BLACK TERN: 6 at White River Lake (Crosby) on 4/22/17 (DH, AH, AZ) the only
report - A TAD LOW.
FORSTER'S TERN: 11 at White River Lake (Crosby) on 4/22/17 (DH, AH, AZ) the
only report - A TAD LOW.
NEOTROPIC CORMORANT: 1 at Leroy Elmore Park (Lubbock) on 4/1/17 (JC) - A
CONTINUING, IF INTERMITTENT, VISITOR TO THE SITE.
AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN: 5 at Skeen Playa (Lynn) on 4/2/17 (AH, photographs)
the only report - ABOUT AVERAGE FOR THIS RARE VISITOR.
GREAT BLUE HERON - *WHITE MORPH*: 1 at Plainview Apartments Playa (Hale) on
4/1/17 (NP) - THE FIRST RECORD OF THIS MORPH FOR THE REGION.
GREAT EGRET: 1 at Leroy Elmore Park (Lubbock) through the period (DH, AH,
AZ), 1 at Skeen Playa (Lynn) from 4/8/17 (AH) to 4/18/17 (JB), and 2 at
White River Lake (Crosby) on 4/22/17 (DH, AH, AZ) - ABOUT AVERAGE; NUMBERS
WILL PICK UP AS ROOSTS FILL IN.
SNOWY EGRET: 1 at Ransom Lake (Lubbock) on 4/17/17 (DHa), 1 at White River
Lake (Crosby) on 4/22/17 (DH, AH, AZ), 1 at Post City Park (Garza) on
4/23/17 (BC, GC, SG), 2 at CR 20 x CR X Playa (Lynn) on 4/25/17 (JB), and 5
at Post City Park (Garza) on 4/28/17 (JB) - ABOUT AVERAGE; NUMBERS WILL
PICK UP AS ROOSTS FILL IN.
LITTLE BLUE HERON: 1 at Jayton WTP (Kent) on 4/23/17 (BC, GC, SG) the first
report of the year - FORMERLY ACCIDENTAL TO THE REGION; NOW AN ANNUAL,
ALBEIT, RARE VISITOR TO THE REGION.
CATTLE EGRET: Six reports of 1-10 birds, five reports of 11-50 birds, and
one report of 200 birds in the region (Crosby, Garza, Lubbock, Lynn) during
the period (JB, BC, GC, SG, DH, AH, AZ) - EXCELLENT NUMBERS AND SCATTER FOR
THIS EARLY IN THE SEASON.
WHITE-FACED IBIS: Eight reports of 1-10 birds, one report of 12 birds, one
report of 23 birds, and one report of 32 birds in the region (Crosby,
Garza, Lynn) during the period (JB, DH, AH, AZ) - ABOUT AVERAGE; NUMBERS
USUALLY PICK UP DURING MAY.
OSPREY: 1 at Maxey Park (Lubbock) on 4/21/17 (DG), 1 at White River Lake
(Crosby) on 4/22/17 (DH, AH, AZ), and 1 at Ballard Creek Wetlands (Motley)
n 4/22/17 (DH, AH, AZ) - ABOUT AVERAGE FOR THIS RARE SPRING MIGRANT.
SHARP-SHINNED HAWK: 1 at Crosbyton City Park (Crosby) on 4/1/17 (AH) and 1
near Afton (Dickens) on 4/22/17 (DH, AH, AZ) - LOW; AN EARLY DEPARTURE FROM
THE REGION THIS YEAR.
COOPER'S HAWK: 1 at White River Lake (Crosby) on 4/22/17 (DH, AH, AZ) the
only report - VERY LOW; AN EARLY DEPARTURE FROM THE REGION.
HARRIS'S HAWK: 2 at an undisclosed location in Lynn County on 4/25/17 (JB)
- FORMERLY ACCIDENTAL TO THE REGION; NOW AN IRREGULAR BREEDER IN THE REGION.
BROAD-WINGED HAWK: 2 in the Tech Terrace Neighborhood (Lubbock) on 4/22/17
(JCl) the only report - LOW; WE GENERALLY SEE A BETTER SPRING MOVEMENT
THROUGH THE REGION.
SWAINSON'S HAWK: 19 near Canyon Valley (Crosby) on 4/1/17 (AH) the first
kettle reported for the season; common throughout by mid-April - RIGHT ON
TIME AND IN GOOD NUMBERS.
RED-HEADED WOODPECKER: 2 near Afton (Dickens) on 4/22/17 (DH, AH, AZ) -
ABOUT AVERAGE FOR THIS HIGHLY LOCALIZED BREEDING SITE.
DOWNY WOODPECKER: 1 at the Camp Rio Blanca crossing (Crosby) on 4/1/17 (AH)
- THOUGH THE SPECIES IS RARE IN THE AREA, THIS AREA SUPPORTS POTENTIAL
BREEDING HABITAT.
MERLIN: 1 at the Himmel Farm (Crosby) on 4/5/17 (KH), 1 near Afton
(Dickens) on 4/22/17 (DH, AH, AZ), 1 near Roaring Springs (Motley) on
4/22/17 (DH, AH, AZ), and 1 at the CR 20 x CR X Playa (Lynn) on 4/29/17
(AH) - GOOD NUMBERS AND SCATTER FOR THIS LATE IN THE SEASON.
PEREGRINE FALCON: 1 at the FM 193 x FM 651 crossing (Crosby) on 4/1/17
(AH), 1 at the FM 2956 Playa (Lynn) on 4/8/17 (AH), and 1 at White River
Lake (Crosby) on 4/22/17 (DH, AH, AZ) - GOOD NUMBERS AND GOOD SCATTER; ALL
AWAY FROM LUBBOCK AREA HOTSPOTS.
MONK PARAKEET: 1 continued at Wayland Baptist University (Hale) through
4/1/17 (NP).
EASTERN PHOEBE: 2 at Camp Rio Blanca crossing (Crosby) on 4/1/17 (AH) and 2
near Roaring Springs (Motley) on 4/22/17 (DH, AH, AZ) the only reports - A
TAD LOW; PARTICULARLY GIVEN THE WARM AND DAMP CONDITIONS.
SAY'S PHOEBE: Six reports of single birds in the region (Crosby, Lubbock,
Lynn) during the period (JB, AH, GJ) - A BIT BETTER THAN AVERAGE; WE WILL
HAVE TO SEE WHAT THE BREEDING SEASON BRINGS.
GREAT CRESTED FLYCATCHER: 1 near Afton (Dickens) on 4/22/17 (DH, AH, AZ) -
ANOTHER 'EASTERN' SPECIES THAT OCCASIONALLY BREEDS AT THIS PARTICULAR SITE.
CASSIN'S KINGBIRD: 2 at the CR EE Wetlands (Lynn) on 4/28/17 (JB) the only
report so far this season - A TAD LOW.
WESTERN KINGBIRD, SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER: Though a tad late to arrive,
in numbers, this year - AT NORMAL STRENGTH BY MID-MONTH.
BELL'S VIREO: 2 west of Matador (Motley) on 4/22/17 (DH, AH, AZ), 2 at the
CR EE Wetlands (Lynn) on 4/25/17 (JB), and 1 at the CR EE Wetlands (Lynn)
on 4/219/17 (AH) - FORMERLY ACCIDENTAL TO THE REGION; NOW A RAPIDLY
SPREADING BREEDER THROUGHOUT THE REGION.
WOODHOUSE'S SCRUB JAY: 2 south of Cap Rock (Crosby) on 4/1/17 (AH) the only
report - HAD NEARLY DISAPPEARED FROM THE REGION; SEEMS TO BE REBOUNDING IN
JUNIPER-STREWN AREAS.
COMMON RAVEN: Eleven reports of 1-3 birds in the region (Crosby, Dickens,
Lynn, Motley) during the period (JB, DH, AH, KH, AZ) - GOOD NUMBERS AND
SCATTER ... WITH GOOD COVERAGE OF PREFERRED HABITAT ALONG THE CAPROCK
ESCARPMENT.
PURPLE MARTIN: Six reports of 1-5 birds in the region (Crosby, Garza,
Lubbock, Motley) during the period (JB, DH, AH, AZ) as well as up to 8
pairs in a Lubbock yard (Lubbock) by the end of the period (GJ, PJ) - ABOUT
AVERAGE FOR THIS RARE BREEDING SPECIES AT THE EDGE OF ITS RANGE.
TREE SWALLOW: Six reports of 2-4 birds and one report of 60 birds in the
region (Dickens, Hale, Lubbock, Lynn) during the period (DH, AH, PKe, NP,
AZ) - ABOUT AVERAGE FOR A GOOD YEAR; CONSIDERABLE RECOVERY FROM DROUGHT
YEARS.
NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW: Six reports of 1-10 birds, one report of 12
birds, one report of 18 birds, and one report of 80 birds in the region
(Crosy, Lynn, Motley) during the period (DH, AH, AZ) - GOOD NUMBERS AND
SCATTER; PARTICULARLY FOR SPRING MOVEMENT.
BANK SWALLOW: 2 near White River Lake (Crosby) on 4/22/17 (DH, AH, AZ), 8
at the CR 20 x CR Y Playa (Lynn) on 4/29/17 (AH), 7 at the FM 2956 Playa
(Lynn) on 4/29/17 (AH), and 2 at Tahoka Lake Pasture (Lynn) on 4/29/17 (AH)
- GOOD NUMBERS AND SCATTER; PARTICULARLY FOR SPRING MOVEMENT.
CLIFF SWALLOW: Though a bit late to arrive this year ... FULL STRENGTH BY
THE END OF THE PERIOD.
CAVE SWALLOW: 66 near White River Lake (Crosby) on 4/22/17 (DH, AH, AZ), 28
west of Matador (Motley) on 4/22/17 (DH, AH, AZ), and 4 at the CR 20 x CR Y
Playa (Lynn) on 4/29/17 (AH) - RIGHT ON TIME AND STILL PUSHING NORTHWARD.
VERDIN: 1 at the FM 193 x FM 651 crossing (Crosby) on 4/22/17 (DH, AH, AZ)
and 1 at White River Lake (Crosby) on 4/22/17 (DH, AH, AZ) the only reports
- STILL INCREASINGLY DIFFICULT TO FIND IN THE REGION.
ROCK WREN: 1 at the FM 193 x FM 651 crossing (Crosby) on 4/1/17 (AH), 2
south of Cap Rock (Crosby) on 4/1/17 (AH), 1 at the CR EE Wetlands (Lynn)
on 4/8/17 (AH), 2 at the FM 193 x FM 651 crossing (Crosby) on 4/22/17 (DH,
AH, AZ), and 1 at the CR EE Wetlands (Lynn) on 4/29/17 (AH) - ABOUT AVERAGE
FOR THIS RARE MIGRANT AND SPARSE BREEDER IN THE REGION.
CANYON WREN: 1 at the FM 193 x FM 651 crossing (Crosby) on 4/22/17 (DH, AH,
AZ) the only report - A TAD LOW.
HOUSE WREN: 2 in the Afton Area (Dickens) on 4/22/17 (DH, AH, AZ) and 1 in
a Lubbock yard (Lubbock) on 4/22/17 (DHa) the only reports - LOW NUMBERS;
APRIL IS OFTEN PEAK MONTH FOR THE SPECIES IN OUR REGION.
BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER: 2 at White River Lake (Crosby) on 4/22/17 (DH, AH,
AZ) the only report - INCREDIBLY LOW; APRIL IS THE PEAK SPRING MONTH FOR
THE SPECIES IN OUR REGION.
EASTERN BLUEBIRD: 4 east of Crosbyton (Crosby) on 4/1/17 (AH), 1 west of
White River Lake (Crosby) on 4/1/17 (AH), 1 in Afton (Dickens) on 4/22/17
(DH, AH, AZ), and 1 west of Matador (Motley) on 4/22/17 (DH, AH, AZ) -
FAIRLY LATE FOR WINTER VISITORS; SOME OF THESE MAY BE LINGERING TO BREED.
SWAINSON'S THRUSH: 1 east of Tahoka (Lynn) on 4/29/17 (AH) and 1 at Tahoka
Lake Pasture (Lynn) on 4/29/17 (AH) the only reports - THE FIRST OF THE
SPRING MIGRANTS.
HERMIT THRUSH: 1 at Camp Rio Blanca crossing (Crosby) on 4/1/17 (AH) and 1
in the Tech Terrace Neighborhood (Lubbock) on 4/28/17 (WW) - THE LAST OF
THE WINTER LINGERERS.
GRAY CATBIRD: 1 in a Lubbock yard (Lubbock) on 4/30/17 (AH) the only report
so far - A TAD LOW.
CEDAR WAXWING: Three reports of 1-10 birds, three reports of 11-25 birds,
and three reports of 26-50 birds in the region (Crosby, Dickens, Floyd,
Lubbock, Motley) during the period (DH, AZ, AZ) - ABOUT AVERAGE FOR A GOOD
YEAR OF SPRING MOVEMENT; AN IMPROVEMENT OVER RECENT YEARS.
SPRAGUE'S PIPIT: 1 at the CR 28 x FM 1054 Playa (Lynn) on 4/8/17 (AH) -
FORMERLY CONSIDERED ACCIDENTAL TO THE REGION; NOW KNOWN AS AN ANNUAL,
ALBEIT RARE, MIGRANT.
ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER: 1 at Wayland Baptist University (Hale) on 4/1/17
(NP0 and 1 at the CR 20 x CR X Playa (Lynn) on 4/25/17 (JB) the only
reports - VERY LOW.
NASHVILLE WARBLER: 1 at the FM 193 x FM 651 crossing (Crosby) on 4/22/17
(DH, AH, AZ) the only report - LOW.
VIRGINIA'S WARBLER: 1 female at the TTU HSC Campus (Lubbock) on 4/28/17
(AH) - FORMERLY CONSIDERED CASUAL TO THE REGION; NOW KNOWN AS AN ANNUAL
MIGRANT.
COMMON YELLOWTHROAT: Eight reports of 1-6 birds in the region (Crosby,
Lubbock, Lynn) during the period (JB, KD, DH, AH, AZ) - GOOD NUMBERS AND
SCATTER; SOME ARE AT LIKELY BREEDING SITES.
YELLOW WARBLER: 1 at White River Lake (Crosby) on 4/22/17 (DH, AH, AZ), 1
at Tahoka Lake Pasture (Lynn) on 4/29/17 (AH), and 2 at Tahoka Lake Pasture
(Lynn) on 4/30/17 (DH) - ABOUT AVERAGE FOR THIS EARLY IN THE SEASON.
WILSON'S WARBLER: 1 in Afton (Dickens) on 4/22/17 (DH, AH) and 1 in the
Tech Terrace Neighborhood (Lubbock) on 4/28/17 (WW) - ABOUT AVERAGE FOR
THIS EARLY IN THE SEASON.
YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT: 1 at White River Lake (Crosby) on 4/22/17 (DH, AH,
AZ), 1 at the CR 20 x CR X Playa (Lynn) on 4/25/17 (JB), and 1 at Tahoka
Lake Pasture (Lynn) on 4/29/17 (AH) - PRETTY GOOD FOR THIS EARLY IN THE
SEASON.
GREEN-TAILED TOWHEE: 1 at the FM 193 x FM 651 crossing (Crosby) on 4/1/16
(AH), 1 at the same site (Crosby) on 4/22/17 (DH, AH, AZ), and 1 in a
Lubbock yard (Lubbock) on 4/30/17 (MR, photographs) - GOOD NUMBERS FOR THIS
EARLY IN THE SEASON.
CANYON TOWHEE: 4 at Tahoka Lake Pasture (Lynn) on 4/29/17 (AH) - OF
INTEREST AS THIS MAY BE AN OUT-OF-PLACE BREEDING SITE FOR THE SPECIES.
CASSIN' S SPARROW, LARK SPARROW - BOTH WERE IN NORMAL NUMBERS BY THE END OF
THE PERIOD.
CHIPPING SPARROW: Sixteen reports of 1-10 birds, two reports of 11-25
birds; five reports of 26-100 birds, and one report of 120 birds in the
region (Crosby, Hale, Lubbock, Lynn, Motley) during the period (JB, DH, AH,
NP, WW, AZ) - GOOD NUMBERS AND SCATTER BY THE END OF THE PERIOD.
CLAY-COLORED SPARROW: Eight reports of 1-10 birds and three reports of
11-25 birds in the region (Crosby, Lynn, Motley) during the period (JB, DH,
AH, KH, AZ) - ABOUT AVERAGE IN TERMS OF NUMBER AND SCATTER BY THE END OF
THE PERIOD.
LARK BUNTING: 2 at the FM 2956 Playa (Lynn) on 4/15/17 (AH), 1 at Tahoka
Lake Pasture (Lynn) on 4/15/17 (AH), 42 at Tahoka Lake Pasture (Lynn) on
4/29/17 (AH), and 13 at Tahoka Lake Pasture (Lynn) on 4/30/17 (DH) - GOOD
NUMBERS FOR THIS FAR SOUTHEAST THIS LATE IN THE SEASON ... AND TAHOKA LAKE
PASTURE LOOKS GOOD AS A POTENTIAL BREEDING SITE.
GRASSHOPPER SPARROW: 1 east of Cone (Crosby) on 4/1/17 (AH) the only report
- VERY LOW; SHOULD BE MOVING INTO THE REGION, IN BREEDING NUMBERS, BY THE
END OF THE PERIOD.
SWAMP SPARROW: 1 at the CR EE Wetlands (Lynn) on 4/8/17 (AH) the last of
the season - ABOUT AVERAGE.
WHITE-THROATED SPARROW: 1 in Afton (Dickens) on 4/22/17 (DH, AH, AZ) - A
FAIRLY LATE REPORT.
BLUE GROSBEAK: 2 at the CR EE Wetlands (Lynn) on 4/25/17 (JB), 1 at the CR
EE Wetlands (Lynn) on 4/29/17 (AH), 2 at Tahoka Lake Pasture (Lynn) on
4/29/17 (AH), and 1 at Tahoka Lake Pasture (Lynn) on 4/30/17 (DH) the first
of the season - RIGHT ON TIME.
LAZULI BUNTING: 1 male at Tahoka Lake Pasture (Lynn) on 4/29/17 (AH) and
4/30/17 (DH) - FORMERLY CONSIDERED CASUAL TO THE REGION; NOW KNOWN AS AN
ANNUAL MIGRANT.
INDIGO BUNTING: 1 female at White River Lake (Crosby) on 4/22/17 (DH, AH)
and 1 male at Tahoka Lake Pasture (Lynn) on 4/29/17 (AH) the first of the
season - FORMERLY CONSIDERED CASUAL TO THE REGION; NOW KNOWN AS AN ANNUAL
MIGRANT AND RARE BREEDER.
PAINTED BUNTING: 1 male near Crosbyton (Crosby) on 4/22/17 (DH, AH), 1 male
near White River Lake (Crosby) on 4/22/17 (DH, AH), and 1 female at White
River Lake (Crosby) on 4/22/17 (DH, AH) - RUNNING JUST A TAD EARLY.
DICKCISSEL: 5 at the CR 20 x CR X Playa (Lynn) on 4/25/17 (JB) and 4 at the
CR EE Wetlands (Lynn) on 4/28/17 (JB) - RUNNING JUST A TAD EARLY.
YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD: 3 at the Himmel Farm (Crosby) on 4/11/17 (KH), 220
at Skeen Playa (Lynn) on 4/18/17 (JB), 8 males at Ballard Creek Ponds
(Motley) on 4/22/17 (DH, AH, AZ), 10 at CR 20 x CR Y Playa (Lynn) on
4/25/17 (JB), and 40 at CR 20 x CRy Y Playa (Lynn) on 4/29/17 (AH) - PRETTY
GOOD NUMBERS FOR THIS EARLY IN THE SEASON.
BRONZED COWBIRD: 1 male at White River Lake (Crosby) on 4/22/17 (DH, AH,
AZ), 1 female near Afton (Dickens) on 4/22/17 (DH, AH, AZ), and 2 at the CR
20 x CR X Playa (Lynn) on 4/25/17 (JB) - A TAD LOW.
BULLOCK'S ORIOLE: 1 below Lake Six (Lubbock) on 4/8/17 (PKe) and 2 at
Tahoka Lake Pasture (Lynn) on 4/15/17 (AH) the first of the season - ABOUT
AVERAGE; CLOSING IN ON NORMAL NUMBERS BY THE END OF THE PERIOD.
OBSERVERS: JB=Justin Bosler, BC=Blaine Carnes, JCl=Jeremy Clark, JC=Jordon
Cochran, GC=Greg Cook, KD=Ken Dixon, SG=Steve Glover, DG=Daniel Greene,
DHa=Danny Hancock, DH=Drew Harvey, AH=Anthony Hewetson, KH=Kelly Himmel,
GJ=George Jury, PJ=Pat Jury, PKe=Peter Keyel, NP=Niler Pyeatt, MR=Marla
Riddlespurger, WW=William Wenthe, AZ=Angelina Zappia.
Anthony 'Fat Tony' Hewetson; Lubbock
