Lubbock received 0.58 inches of rain during the month, well below the
average May total of 2.31 inches, bringing us up to 5.67 inches for the
year, pretty much at the average year-to-date total of 5.66 inches. Things
started to heat up during the month and there was a feeling of drought
about the region by the end of the month, concentrating water-loving birds
nicely at the remaining playas and lakes. Shorebird migration was
surprisingly early this year - with the bulk of our migrants through the
region by the end of April - May was slow. Songbird migration was, as has
been the pattern for several springs in a row, better for migrants than for
birders with few stalling frontal systems bringing birds into view.
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 April:*
BROAD-WINGED HAWK: 1 in southeast Lubbock (Lubbock) on 4/14/17 (PKi) - ONE
OF ONLY TWO REPORTS FROM APRIL - LOW.
*And on to May:*
BLACK-BELLIED WHISTLING DUCK: 5 at the Plainview Duck Pond (Hale) on 5/2/17
(NP, KS) dwindled to 2 at the Plainview Duck Pond (Hale) on 5/21/17 (PKe) -
FORMERLY ACCIDENTAL TO THE REGION; THEN ANNUAL BUT RARE; NOW ANNUAL AND
INCREASINGLY COMMON.
CACKLING GOOSE: 3 at Leroy Elmore Park (Lubbock) on 5/2/17 (JB), 4 at Maxey
Park (Lubbock) on 5/7/17 (KW, KB, DG, KHe), and 13 at the Plainview Duck
Pond (Hale) on 5/21/17 (PKe) - ABOUT AVERAGE FOR OUR 'SUMMERING' POPULATION.
CANADA GOOSE: 3 in Slaton (Lubbock) on 5/3/17 (DH, AH) and 1 at Maxey Park
(Lubbock) on 5/7/17 (KW, KB, DG, KHe) the only reports - LOW NUMBERS;
GENERALLY QUITE A FEW MORE PERSISTING IN AND THROUGH SUMMER.
WOOD DUCK: 1 at the CR 20 x CR Y Playa (Lynn) on 5/30/17 (JB) the only
report - VERY LOW.
GADWALL: 3 at the Himmel Farm (Crosby) on 5/1/17 (KH), 5 at Tahoka Lake
(Lynn) on 5/7/17 (KW, KB, DG, KHe), 2 southeast of Mt. Blanco (Crosby) on
5/13/17 (AH), 2 at the FM 2956 Playa (Lynn) on 5/14/17 (AH), and 12 at the
CR 20 x CR Y Playa (Lynn) on 5/30/17 (JB) - GOOD NUMBERS AND SCATTER FOR
LATE SPRING.
AMERICAN WIGEON: 6 at the Himmel Farm (Crosby) on 5/1/17 (KH), 2 at the FM
2956 Playa (Lynn) on 5/14/17 (AH), and 2 at the CR 20 x CR Y Playa (Lynn)
on 5/30/17 (JB) - GOOD NUMBERS FOR THIS LATE IN THE SEASON.
BLUE-WINGED TEAL: Fifteen reports of 1-10 birds, one report of 16 birds,
and one report of 170 birds in the region (Bailey, Crosby, Hale, Lynn,
Motley) during the period (JB, KB, GC, TE, CF, SG, DG, DA, KHe, AH, AvH,
KH, PKi, SP, NP, PR, KS, TT) - INCREDIBLE NUMBERS AND EXCELLENT SCATTER -
THE BEST MAY OF THE DECADE FOR THIS SPECIES.
CINNAMON TEAL: 4 at the Himmel Farm (Crosby) on 5/1/17 (KH), 1 at Muleshoe
NWR (Bailey) on 5/5/17 (TE), and 2 at Tahoka Lake (Lynn) on 5/7/17 (KW, KB,
DG, KHe) the only reports - LOW NUMBERS, PARTICULARLY CONSIDERING THE
ABUNDANCE OF OUR OTHER SUMMERING TEAL.
NORTHERN SHOVELER: Eleven reports of 1-10 birds and one report of 50 birds
in the region (Bailey, Crosby, Floyd, Hale, Lynn) during the period (JB,
KB, GC, TE, CR, SG, DG, KHe, AH, NP, KS) - GOOD NUMBERS AND SCATTER FOR
THIS LATE IN THE PERIOD.
NORTHERN PINTAIL: 1 at the Himmel Farm (Crosby) on 5/1/17 (KH) and 5 at the
CR 20 x CR Y Playa (Lynn) on 5/30/17 (JB) - A TAD ON THE LOW SIDE.
GREEN-WINGED TEAL: 30 at the Himmel Farm (Crosby) on 5/1/17 (K), 2 at
Tahoka Lake (Lynn) on 5/7/17 (KW, KB, DG, KHe), 2 at the FM 2956 Playa
(Lynn) on 5/20/17 (JB), and 6 at the CR 20 x CR Y Playa (Lynn) on 5/30/17
(JB) the only reports - ABOUT AVERAGE FOR THIS LATE IN THE SEASON.
CANVASBACK: 2 near Floydada (Floyd) on 5/13/17 (GC, CF, SG) and 4 at the FM
1054 x FM 1313 Playa (Lynn) on 5/20/17 (AH) the only reports - ABOUT
AVERAGE FOR THIS RARE BREEDER.
REDHEAD: 2 at Tahoka Lake (Lynn) on 5/7/17 (KW, KB, DG, KHe), 2 southeast
of Mt. Blanco (Crosby) on 5/13/17 (AH), 1 near Floydada (Floyd) on 5/13/17
(GC, CF, SG), 2 South of Crosbyton (Crosby) on 5/27/17 (AH), and 4 at
Redhead Playa (Lynn) on 5/27/17 (DH, AH) - ABOUT AVERAGE FOR THIS RARE
BREEDER.
LESSER SCAUP: 1 at Tahoka Lake (Lynn) on 5/7/17 (KW, KB, DG, KHe) - BEST
DUCK OF THE MONTH; A FAIRLY LATE REPORT.
RUDDY DUCK: 4 at Skeen Playa (Lynn) on 5/14/17 (AH) and 8 at the CR 20 x CR
Y Playa (Lynn) on 5/30/17 (JB) the only reports - LOW NUMBERS.
SCALED QUAIL: Ten reports of 1-10 birds in the region (Bailey, Crosby,
Garza, Lynn) during the period (JB, KB, TE, DG, DH, KHe, AH, KW) - A NICE
BOUNCE UP FROM APRIL NUMBERS, REFLECTING BETTER COVERAGE OF APPROPRIATE
HABITAT.
RING-NECKED PHEASANT: 1 at the Ralls WTP (Crosby) on 5/13/17 (AH) and
5/21/17 (AH) the only reports - LOW.
EARED GREBE: 1 at Tahoka Lake (Lynn) on 5/7/17 (KW, KB, DG, KHe), 3 at the
CR 28 x FM 1054 Playa (Lynn) on 5/14/17 (AH), 1 at Skeen Playa (Lynn) on
5/14/17 (AH), 4 at Redhead Playa (Lynn) on 5/27/17 (DH, AH), 2 at the CR 20
x CR Y Playa (Lynn) on 5/30/17 (JB), and 4 at the CR Y x FM 3332 Playa
(Lynn) on 5/31/17 (DG, DH, AH) - GOOD NUMBERS AND SCATTER; COULD BE SOME
BREEDING IN THE REGION THIS YEAR.
INCA DOVE: 2 at the Camp Rio Blanco crossing (Crosby) on 5/13/7 (AH) the
only report - HOLDING ON - IN SOME OF THE NIFTIEST PLACES.
YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO: 2 at the FM 193 x FM 651 crossing (Crosby) on 5/13/17
(AH) the first report of the season and the only report in the first half
of the month - ARRIVING A TAD LATE THIS YEAR; LOW NUMBERS THUS FAR.
COMMON POORWILL: 1 at White River Lake (Crosby) on 5/7/17 (KW, KB, DG, KHe)
and one along CR EE (Lynn) on 5/31/17 (DH) the only reports of the month -
LOW.
VIRGINIA RAIL: 2 at the Ralls WTP (Crosby) on 5/13/17 (AH), 1 at the CR EE
Wetlands (Lynn) on 5/20/17 (JB, AH), and one at the CR EE Wetlands (Lynn)
on 5/31/17 (AH) - SOME OF THESE REPORTS RUNNING RATHER LATE IN THE SEASON,
SITES SHOULD BE MONITORED IN JUNE TO DOCUMENT POSSIBLE BREEDING.
SORA: 1 at the Ralls WTP (Crosby) on 5/13/17 (AH) the only report - A TAD
LOW.
SANDHILL CRANE: 1 at Tahoka Lake (Lynn) on 5/7/17 (KW, KB, DG, KHe) -
THOUGH NOT UNPRECEDENTED, THIS IS A LATE SIGHTING FOR THE REGION.
BLACK-NECKED STILT: Fourteen reports of 1-10 birds and four report of 11-20
birds in the region (Crosby, Floyd, Garza, Hale, Lynn) during the period
(JB, KB, GC, CF, SG, DH, KHe, AH, KH, PKe, NP, KS, KW) - GOOD NUMBERS AND
SCATTER.
AMERICAN AVOCET: Five reports of 1-10 birds, four reports of 11-25 birds,
and four reports of 26-58 birds in the region (Crosby, Floyd, Lynn) during
the period (JB, KB, GC, CF, SG, KHe, AH, KH, KW) - AVERAGE NUMBER AND
SCATTER FOR THIS UNCOMMON TO COMMON BREEDING SPECIES.
SNOWY PLOVER: 4 at Tahoka Lake (Lynn) on 5/7/17 (KW, KB, DG, KHe) and 6 at
Tahoka Lake (Lynn) on 5/20/17 (AH) - A TAD LOW BUT POOR COVERAGE OF BEST
SITES.
SEMIPALMATED PLOVER: 1 at Tahoka Lake (Lynn) on 5/7/17 (KW, KB, DG, KHe) -
ABOUT AVERAGE FOR THIS RARE MIGRANT.
UPLAND SANDPIPER: 1 at the Himmel Farm (Crosby) on 5/1/17 (KH) the only
report - LOW.
STILT SANDPIPER: 4 southeast of Mt. Blanco (Crosby) on 5/13/17 (AH) and
60-100 at the FM 2956 Playa (Lynn) on 5/20/17 (JB, AH) the only reports - A
TAD LOW; MIGRATION WAS EARLY AND FAST FOR THIS SPECIES.
BAIRD'S SANDPIPER: 1 at Tahoka Lake (Lynn) on 5/7/17 (KW, KB, DG, KHe) and
2 near Floydada (Floyd) on 5/13/17 (GC, CF, SG) the only reports - VERY
LOW; MIGRATION WAS EARLY AND FAST FOR THIS SPECIES AS WELL.
LEAST SANDPIPER: 1 at the Himmel Farm (Crosby) on 5/1/17 (KH) the only
report - SURPRISINGLY LOW; ANOTHER PEEP THAT FINISHED EARLY AND FINISHED
FAST.
WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER: 10 near Tahoka (Lynn) on 5/7/17 (KW, KB, DG, KHe),
3 southeast of Mt. Blanco (Crosby) on 5/13/17 (AH), 15 near Floydada
(Floyd) on 5/13/17 (GC, CF, SG), and 1 at the FM 2956 Playa (Lynn) on
5/20/17 (JB) - GOOD NUMBERS BUT MOVEMENT OF THIS SPECIES WAS OVER A TAD
EARLY THIS YEAR.
SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER: 2 at Muleshoe NWR (Bailey) on 5/5/17 (TE) the only
report - SURPRISINGLY LOW; ANOTHER PEEP THAT WAS EARLY AND QUICK TO PASS
THROUGH THE REGION.
WESTERN SANDPIPER: 2 at Muleshoe NWR (Bailey) on 5/5/17 (TE) and 10 near
Tahoka (Lynn) on 5/7/17 (KW, KB, DG, KHe) - LOW; EARLY AND QUICK.
LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER: Two reports of 1-10 birds and four reports of 11-18
birds in the region (Bailey, Crosby, Lynn) during the period (JB, TE, AH,
KH) the only reports - LOW.
SPOTTED SANDPIPER: 3 at the Plainview Duck Pond (Hale) on 5/2/17 (NP, KS),
2 at Tahoka Lake Pasture (Lynn) on 5/7/17 (KW, KB, DG, KHe), 2 near
Floydada (Floyd) on 5/13/17 (GC, CF, SG), and 1 at the Matador WTP (Motley)
on 5/13/17 (GC, CF, SG) the only reports - A TAD LOW.
SOLITARY SANDPIPER: 1 at the Himmel Farm (Crosby) on 5/1/17 (KH) and 1 at
the Ralls WTP (Crosby) on 5/13/17 (AH) the only reports - LOW; ANOTHER
EARLY FINISHER.
GREATER YELLOWLEGS: Five reports of 1-3 birds in the region (Bailey,
Crosby, Lynn) during the period (KB, TE, DG, AH, KH, KW) the only reports -
VERY LOW.
WILLET: 2 at the Himmel Farm (Crosby) on 5/1/17 (KH) - ABOUT AVERAGE FOR
THIS RARE MIGRANT.
LESSER YELLOWLEGS: 1 at White River Lake (Crosby) on 5/7/17 (KW, KB, DG,
KHe) and 1 near Floydada (Floyd) on 5/13/17 (GC, CF, SG) the only reports -
VERY LOW.
WILSON'S PHALAROPE: Three reports of 1-10 birds, seven reports of 11-50
birds, and one report of 75 birds in the region (Bailey, Crosby, Floyd,
Lynn) during the period (JB, KB, GC, TE, CF, SG, DG, KHe, AH, KH, KW) - A
TAD LOW.
FRANKLIN'S GULL: 15 in Slaton (Lubbock) on 5/3/17 (DH, AH) the only report
- GOOD NUMBERS FOR A SINGLE REPORT; FEWER THAN NORMAL REPORTS.
RING-BILLED GULL: 2 near Tahoka (Lynn) on 5/7/17 (KW, KB, DG, KHe) the only
report - ABOUT AVERAGE FOR THIS LATE IN THE SEASON.
BLACK TERN: 1 near Tahoka (Lynn) on 5/7/17 (KW, KB, DG, KHe), 2 southeast
of Mt. Blanco (Crosby) on 5/13/17 (AH), 2 at the FM 1054 x FM 1313 Playa
(Lynn) on 5/14/17 (AH), 2 at the Ralls WTP (Crosby) on 5/21/17 (AH), and 1
at Redhead Playa (Lynn) on 5/27/17 (DH, AH) - ABOUT AVERAGE.
FORSTER'S TERN: 1 at Stone Lake (Lubbock) on 5/3/17 (DH, AH) and 1 at White
River Lake (Crosby) on 5/7/17 (KW, KB, DG, KHe) the only reports - A TAD
LOW.
NEOTROPIC CORMORANT: 1 at Leroy Elmore Park or nearby Stone Lake (Lubbock)
throughout the period (JB, AH, JO) - A CONTINUING, IF INTERMITTENT, VISITOR
TO THE SITE.
AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN: 54 at Muleshoe NWR (Bailey) on 5/16/17 (TE) - A
VERY GOOD NUMBER FOR A SINGLE SIGHTING IN OUR REGION.
GREAT EGRET: Eight reports of 1-2 birds in the region (Crosby, Lubbock,
Lynn) during the period (JB, DH, AH, GJ, PJ) - ABOUT AVERAGE FOR THIS EARLY
IN THE SEASON.
SNOWY EGRET: Eight reports of 1-9 birds in the region (Crosby, Lubbock,
Lynn) during the period (JB, KB, DG, DH, KHe, AH, AvH, GJ, PJ, PKi, SP, PR,
TT, KW) - A TAD LOW.
CATTLE EGRET: Five reports of 1-10 birds and five reports of 11-50 birds in
the region (Crosby, Floyd, Lubbock, Lynn, Motley) during the period
(JB,GC,CF, SG, AH, KH) - ABOUT AVERAGE.
YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT HERON: 1 at the Ralls WTP (Crosby) on 5/21/17 (AH) and
2 at Clapp Park (Lubbock) on 5/27/17 (SP, AvH, PKi, PR, TT) the only
reports away from Lubbock's Canyon Lakes - LOW.
WHITE-FACED IBIS: Four reports of 1-10 birds and five reports of 11-50
birds in the region (Crosby, Hale, Lubbock, Lynn) during the period (JB,
KB, DG, DH, KHe, AH, KH, NP, KS, KW) - ABOUT AVERAGE FOR THE START OF THE
BREEDING SEASON.
MISSISSIPPI KITE: 3 in the Tech Terrace Neighborhood (Lubbock) on 5/3/17
(WW) and 2 at the White River x Highway 207 crossing (Floyd) on 5/7/17
(PKe) - THE FIRST OF THE SEASON; RUNNING A TAD LATE THIS YEAR.
COOPER'S HAWK: 1 near Post (Garza) on 5/3/17 (DH, AH) - RUNNING A TAD LATE,
ESPECIALLY FOR SO FAR SOUTH IN THE REGION.
HARRIS'S HAWK: 1-2 at the CR EE Wetlands (Lynn) through the period (JB, DG,
DH, AH, photographs) - FORMERLY ACCIDENTAL TO THE REGION; NOW KNOWN AS A
RARE AND PATCHILY DISTRIBUTED BREEDER.
RED-SHOULDERED HAWK: 1 at the Matador WTP (Motley) on 5/13/17 (GC, CF, SG)
the only report - A TAD LOW.
BROAD-WINGED HAWK: 1 at the Camp Rio Blanco crossing (Crosby) on 5/21/17
(AH) the only report of the month - LOW.
RED-HEADED WOODPECKER: 1 at the White River x Highway 207 crossing (Floyd)
on 5/7/17 (PKe) and 2 at the Camp Rio Blanco crossing (Crosby) from 5/13/17
to the end of the period (AH, photographs) - ABOUT AVERAGE FOR THIS RARE
BREEDER, FOUND ONLY IN OUR EASTERN COUNTIES.
RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER: 1 at the Plainview Apartments Playa (Hale) on
5/21/17 (PKe) and 5/22/17 (NP) - VERY RARE THIS FAR WEST INTO OUR REGION.
PEREGRINE FALCON: 1 at Muleshoe NWR (Bailey) on 5/5/17 (TE) the only report
- RUNNING A TAD LATE; HAS BRED AT THIS SITE.
MONK PARAKEET: 1 at Wayland Baptist University (Hale) on 5/21/17 (PKe) -
THIS UN-PARTNERED BIRD HAS NOW BUILT TWO SUBSTANTIAL NESTS.
OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER: 1 at the FM 193 x FM 651 crossing (Crosby) on
5/13/17 (AH) the only report of the entire season - ABSURDLY LOW.
WESTERN WOOD PEWEE: 1 at the FM 2956 Playa (Lynn) on 5/14/17 (AH), 1 at
Muleshoe NWR (Bailey) on 5/16/17 (TE), 1 at the CR 25 x FM 1054 woodlot
(Lynn) on 5/19/17 (DH, AH), 1 at Tahoka Lake Pasture (Lynn) on 5/20/17
(AH), and 1 at the Ralls WTP (Crosby) on 5/21/17 (AH) the only reports -
VERY LOW.
EASTERN WOOD PEWEE: 1 singing bird at the Ralls WTP (Crosby) on 5/13/17
(AH) - ESSENTIALLY ACCIDENTAL TO THE REGION; REPORTS ONLY ACCEPTED IF THE
BIRD WAS HEARD.
WILLOW FLYCATCHER: 1 at the CR 25 x FM 1054 woodlot (Lynn) on 5/14/17 (AH)
and 2 at Silver Falls Rest Area (Crosby) on 5/21/17 (AH) the only reports -
ABSURDLY LOW.
LEAST FLYCATCHER: 1 at the FM 193 x FM 651 crossing (Crosby) on 5/13/17
(AH) the only report - ABSURDLY LOW.
DUSKY FLYCATCHER: 1 at Muleshoe NWR (Bailey) on 5/16/17 (TE) - FORMERLY
CONSIDERED ACCIDENTAL TO THE REGION; NOW KNOWN AS A RARE BUT ANNUAL MIGRANT.
EASTERN PHOEBE: Five reports of 1-3 birds in the region (Crosby) during the
period (DB, DG, KHe, AH, KW) - A BIT LOW, ESPECIALLY GIVEN GOOD COVERAGE OF
PREFERRED HABITAT.
GREAT CRESTED FLYCATCHER: 1-2 birds at Camp Rio Blanco crossing (Crosby)
from 5/13/17 onward (AH) - ABOUT AVERAGE FOR THIS RARE BREEDER, RESTRICTED
TO WOODED AREAS IN OUR EASTERN COUNTIES.
EASTERN KINGBIRD: 1 southeast of Mt. Blanco (Crosby) on 5/13/17 (AH) the
only report - ABOUT AVERAGE FOR THIS RARE SPRING OVERSPILL AND EVEN RARER
BREEDER.
BELL'S VIREO: 1 at the Ralls WTP (Crosby) on 5/13/17 (AH), 1 at the CR EE
Wetlands (Lynn) on 5/14/17 (AH), 1 at the CR EE Wetlands (Lynn) on 5/20/17
(AH), 1 in Post (Garza) on 5/27/17 (AH), and 1 at the CR EE Wetlands (Lynn)
on 5/31/17 - FORMERLY ACCIDENTAL TO THE REGION; SLOWLY BUT SURELY MOVING
INTO THE REGION AS THE BREEDER.
WARBLING VIREO: 1 at the Camp Rio Blanco crossing (Crosby) on 5/13/17 (AH)
the only report - A TAD LOW.
RED-EYED VIREO: 1 singing bird at the Camp Rio Blanco crossing (Crosby) on
5/21/17 (AH) - A VERY RARE MIGRANT THROUGH OUR REGION.
COMMON RAVEN: Nine reports of 1-4 birds in the region (Crosby, Garza, Lynn)
during the period (JB, DH, AH, KH) - FORMERLY VERY RARE IN THE REGION; NOW
A REGULAR PRESENCE IN ALL OF THE COUNTIES WITH CAPROCK ESCARPMENT HABITAT.
PURPLE MARTIN: Seven reports of 2-10 birds in the region (Crosby, Garza,
Hale, Motley) during the period (KB, GC, CF, SG, DG, AH, KHe, PKe, NP) -
ABOUT AVERAGE; BIRDS AT KNOWN COLONIES IN DICKENS, LUBBOCK, AND LYNN COUNTY
WERE UNREPORTED.
TREE SWALLOW: 2 southeast of Mt. Blanco (Crosby) on 5/13/17 (AH) were -
RUNNING A TAD LATE.
NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW: Five reports of 3-6 birds in the region
(Bailey, Crosby, Garza) during the period (TE, AH) the only reports -
PASSAGE BIRDS MOVED THROUGH EARLY; THESE BIRDS WERE ALL REPORTED FROM
BREEDING SITES.
BANK SWALLOW: 3 at Muleshoe NWR (Bailey) on 5/5/17 (TE) the only report
from the month - A TAD LOW.
CAVE SWALLOW: Ten reports of 2-8 birds in the region (Crosby, Garza, Lynn)
during the period (AH) - ABOUT AVERAGE FOR THIS RECENTLY ESTABLISHED
BREEDER IN THE REGION.
VERDIN: 1 northeast of Post (Garza) on 5/27/17 (AH) and 2 south of
Grassland (Lynn) on 5/31/17 (JB) the only reports - FORMERLY MUCH MORE
COMMON IN THE REGION; NOW QUITE SCARCE.
RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH: 1 in a Lubbock yard (Lubbock) on 5/14/17 (DH) was -
RUNNING MORE THAN A BIT LATE.
ROCK WREN: 2 at the FM 193 x FM 651 crossing (Crosby) through the month
(AH) the only reports - A TAD LOW.
CANYON WREN: 1-2 at the FM 193 x FM 651 crossing (Crosby) through the month
(AH) and 2 at Silver Falls Rest Area (Crosby) through the month (AH) the
only reports - A TAD LOW.
HOUSE WREN: 1 at the Ralls WTP (Crosby) on 5/13/17 (AH) and 1 at Muleshoe
NWR (Bailey) on 5/16/17 (TE) the only reports - A VERY POOR FINISH TO AN
UNUSUALLY POOR SEASON FOR THIS SPECIES AS A MIGRANT THROUGH THE REGION.
BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER: 3 at White River Lake (Crosby) on 5/7/17 (KW, KB,
DG, KHe) the only report - VERY LOW; THERE WAS NO MIGRATORY PEAK TO BE
DETECTED THIS SPRING.
EASTERN BLUEBIRD: 4 at the Highway 207 crossing of the White River (Floyd)
on 5/7/17 (PKe) the only report - LOW.
SWAINSON'S THRUSH: 1 at the Camp Rio Blanco crossing (Crosby) on 5/13/17
(AH), 1 at Crosbyton City Park (Crosby) on 5/13/17 (AH), and 2 at Clapp
Park (Lubbock) on 5/27/17 (SP, AvH, PKi, PR, TT) the only reports - A TAD
LOW.
HERMIT THRUSH: 1 at the FM 193 x FM 651 crossing (Crosby) on 5/13/17 (AH)
the only report - VERY LOW; A WEIRD PERFORMANCE FROM THE THRUSHES THIS YEAR
WITH SWAINSON'S OUTSHOWING HERMIT THRUSH THROUGHOUT.
WOOD THRUSH: 1 in a Lubbock yard (Lubbock) on 5/20/17 (JM, photographs) -
THE SONGBIRD OF THE MONTH - ACCIDENTAL TO THE REGION; THE 19th RECORD FOR
THE LEAS REGION!
GRAY CATBIRD: 1 at the Camp Rio Blanco crossing (Crosby) on 5/21/17 (AH)
the only report - VERY LOW; ONLY TWO REPORTS FOR THE WHOLE SEASON!
BROWN THRASHER: 2 at Muleshoe NWR (Bailey) on 5/16/17 (TE) - THE ONLY
REPORT FROM ATOP THE CAPROCK ESCARPMENT.
CEDAR WAXWING: 8 at the Camp Rio Blanco crossing (Crosby) on 5/13/17 (AH),
16 at the Ralls WTP (Crosby) on 5/13/17 (AH), 2 at Muleshoe NWR (Bailey) on
5/16/17 (TE), and 11 at the Ralls WTP (Crosby) on 5/13/17 (AH) - ABOUT
AVERAGE FOR THE TAIL END OF THE SPRING PASSAGE.
AMERICAN PIPIT: 3 at Muleshoe NWR (Bailey) on 5/5/17 (TE) were - RUNNING A
BIT LATE.
LESSER GOLDFINCH: 1 at the CR 28 x FM 1054 Playa (Lynn) on 5/20/17 (AH) and
1 southeast of Mt. Blanco (Crosby) on 5/21/17 (AH) - LOW THUS FAR THIS
BREEDING SEASON.
AMERICAN GOLDFINCH: 10 at White River Lake (Crosby) on 5/7/17 (KW,KB, DG,
KHe) and 1 at the CR EE Wetlands (Lynn) on 5/20/17 (JB, AH) the only
reports - ABOUT AVERAGE FOR THE MONTH OF FINAL DEPARTURES.
NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH: 1 at Silver Falls Rest Area (Crosby) on 5/13/17 (AH)
and 1 at Camp Rio Blanco crossing (Crosby) on 5/21/17 (AH) the only reports
for the entire season - VERY LOW
BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER: 1 at White River Lake (Crosby) on 5/7/17 (KW, KB,
DG, KHe), 1 at the Camp Rio Blanco crossing (Crosby) on 5/13/17 (AH), and 1
at Tahoka Lake Pasture (Lynn) on 5/20/17 (AH) the only reports - ABOUT
AVERAGE.
ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER: 1 at the Himmel Farm (Crosby) on 5/1/17 (KH) and 1
at Clapp Park (Lubbock) on 5/27/17 (SP, AvH, PKi, PR, TT) - A TAD LOW, WITH
THE LATTER REPORT A BIT LATE FOR THE SPECIES TO PERSIST IN THE REGION.
NASHVILLE WARBLER: Seven reports of single birds in the region (Crosby,
Lubbock, Lynn) during the period (KD, DH, AH, AvH, SP, PR, TT) - A TAD LOW.
MACGILLIVRAY'S WARBLER: 1 in Crosbyton (Crosby) on 5/13/17 (AH) and 2 at
Muleshoe NWR (Bailey) on 5/16/17 (TE) the only reports - VERY LOW.
COMMON YELLOWTHROAT: 1 male at the Ralls WTP (Crosby) on 5/13/17 (AH), 2 at
the FM 2956 Playa (Lynn) on 5/20/17 (JB), 1 at Silver Falls Rest Area
(Crosby) on 5/21/17 (AH), 3 at the CR Y x FM 3332 Playa (Lynn) on 5/31/17
(DG, DH, AH), and 4 at the CR EE Wetlands (Lynn) on 5/31/17 (DG, DH, AH) -
GOOD NUMBERS, GOOD SCATTER, AND ALL AT KNOWN OR POTENTIAL BREEDING SITES.
AMERICAN REDSTART: 1 at the CR 25 x FM 1054 woodlot (Lynn) on 5/14/17 (AH)
and 1 at the Camp Rio Blanco crossing (Crosby) on 5/21/17 (AH) the only
reports - LOW.
YELLOW WARBLER: Nine reports of 1-5 birds in the region (Crosby, Lubbock,
Lynn) during the period (KB, DG, DH, KHe, AH, AvH, PKi, SP, PR, TT, KW) the
only reports - RATHER LOW NUMBERS FOLLOWING EVEN LOWER NUMBERS IN APRIL.
YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER: 1 at Muleshoe NWR (Bailey) on 5/16/17 (TE) and 1 at
Clapp Park (Lubbock) on 5/27/17 (SP, AvH, PKi, PR, TT) the only reports
past mid-month - A TAD LOW.
WILSON's WARBLER: 1 at the CR 25 x FM 1054 woodlot (Lynn)on 5/20/17 (AH), 1
at the Ralls WTP (Crosby) on 5/21/17 (AH), and 1 at Clapp Park (Lubbock) on
5/27/17 (SP, AvH, PKi, PR, TT) - ABSURDLY LOW NUMBERS FOR THIS, TYPICALLY
OUR MOST COMMON SPRING WARBLER.
YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT: 6 at White River Lake (Crosby) on 5/7/17 (KW, KB, DG,
KHe) and 1 at the Camp Rio Blanco crossing (Crosby) on 5/13/17 (AH) the
only report - A TAD LOW; IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE WHAT THE SUMMER
SURVEY AT WHITE RIVER LAKE TURNS UP.
CHIPPING SPARROW: Eight reports of 1-2 birds in the region (Bailey, Crosby,
Floyd, Lynn) during the period (KB, TE, DG, KHe, AH, KH, PKe, KW) - VERY
LOW NUMBERS FOLLOWING A FAIRLY SOLID APRIL MOVEMENT; AN EARLY MOVEMENT?
CLAY-COLORED SPARROW: Five reports of 1-9 birds in the region (Bailey,
Crosby, Lynn) during the period (KB, TE, DG, KHe, AH, KH, KW) - LOW NUMBERS
FOLLOWING AN AVERAGE MOVEMENT IN APRIL.
BREWER'S SPARROW: 1 at Muleshoe NWR (Bailey) on 5/5/17 (TE) - THE ONLY
REPORT FOR THE ENTIRE SEASON; EXTRAORDINARILY LOW BY RECENT YEARS'
STANDARDS.
FIELD SPARROW: 6 at White River Lake (Crosby) on 5/7/17 (KW, KB, DG, KHe)
the only report - ABOUT AVERAGE FOR THIS, OUR ONLY, BREEDING SITE.
VESPER SPARROW: 11 at the Himmel Farm (Crosby) on 5/1/17 (KH) were -
RUNNING A TAD LATE.
BLACK-THROATED SPARROW: 1 near Post (Garza) on 5/31/17 (JB) - ABOUT AVERAGE
FOR A SPECIES RESTRICTED TO OUR SOUTH CENTRAL COUNTIES.
LARK BUNTING: 38 at Muleshoe NWR (Bailey) on 5/5/17 (TE) - A LARGE NUMBER
FOR A SINGLE SIGHTING THIS LATE IN THE SEASON.
SAVANNAH SPARROW: 3 at the Himmel Farm (Crosby) on 5/1/17 (KH) were -
RUNNING A TAD LATE.
SONG SPARROW: 1 at the Himmel Farm (Crosby) on 5/1/17 (KH) and 1 at Tahoka
Lake Pasture (Lynn) on 5/7/17 (KW, KB, DG, KHe) - NOT BAD FOR THIS LATE IN
THE SEASON.
LINCOLN'S SPARROW: 1 in a Lubbock yard (Lubbock) on 5/30/17 (GJ, PJ) - THE
ONLY REPORT FROM THE LATTER HALF OF THE PERIOD WHICH IS CONSIDERED A BIT
LATE.
WESTERN TANAGER: 1 female at the Ralls WTP (Crosby) on 5/13/17 (AH) and 1
at the FM 2956 Playa (Lynn) on 5/20/17 (JB) the only reports - A TAD LOW.
ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK: 1 at Muleshoe NWR (Bailey) on 5/16/17 (TE) - THE
ONLY REPORT FOR THE ENTIRE SEASON; LOW.
BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK - NONE REPORTED DURING THE ENTIRE SEASON - VERY LOW.
INDIGO BUNTING: 4 at White River Lake (Crosby) on 5/7/17 (KW, KB, DG, KHe),
1 male at the Camp Rio Blanco crossing (Crosby) on 5/13/17 (AH), and 1 at
Muleshoe NWR (Bailey) on 5/16/17 (TE) - ABOUT AVERAGE FOR THIS UNCOMMON
MIGRANT AND RARE BREEDER.
YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD: Four reports of 1-4 birds, one report of 16 birds,
and one report of 30 birds in the region (Crosby, Lynn) during the period
(JB, KB, DG, KHe, AH, KH, KW) - ABOUT AVERAGE FOR THIS RARE TO UNCOMMON
MIGRANT.
BRONZED COWBIRD: 2 male northeast of Post (Garza) on 5/27/17 (AH) the only
report - VERY LOW BY RECENT YEARS' STANDARDS.
ORCHARD ORIOLE: 2 males in a Lubbock yard (Lubbock) on 5/3/17 (AH) and 1 at
the Highway 207 crossing of White River (Floyd) on 5/7/17 (PKe) - THE ONLY
REPORTS FROM THE FIRST HALF OF THE PERIOD; A TAD LATE TO ARRIVE THIS YEAR.
OBSERVERS: JB=Justin Bosler, KB=Kathryn Brautigam, GC=Greg Cook, KD=Ken
Dixon, TE=Theodore Emery, CF=Caleb Frome, SG=Steven Glover, DG=Daniel
Greene, DH=Drew Harvey, KHe=Kristen Heath, AH=Anthony Hewetson, AvH=Aveline
Hewetson, KH=Kelly Himmel, GJ=George Jury, PJ=Pat Jury, PKe=Peter Keyel,
PKi=Phillip Kite, JM=Jennifer Miller, JO=Jean Olson, SP=Skyler Parks,
NP=Niler Pyeatt, PR=Paula Richardson, KS=Kevin Sweeney, TT=Tess Trost,
WW=William Wenthe.
Anthony 'Fat Tony' Hewetson; Lubbock
