Date: 1/14/26 8:23 am From: Erik Thomas (via carolinabirds Mailing List) <carolinabirds...> Subject: Re: NC Tundra Swans
The swans are still around in February. They migrate north in early
March. Lake Mattamuskeet is usually where you can see the most swans,
although many of them fly off during the day to feed in nearby farmers'
fields. Pea Island NWR and Pocosin Lakes NWR are also reliable places to
find them.
There are a couple of places adjacent to Lk. Mattamuskeet where you can
stay. Carawan's Motel is on the south side of the lake, and the Hyde-Out
Motel is located on the north side of the lake. They both cater to hunters
and aren't fancy, but they're clean. There's also a motel a few miles away
in Engelhard and a couple of bed-and-breakfasts in nearby Swan Quarter.
Erik Thomas
Raleigh, NC
On Wed, Jan 14, 2026 at 11:03 AM kathleen rogers <carolinabirds...>
wrote:
> I have never seen the thousands of Tundra Swans at the NC coast in person.
> Only pics. Am hoping to go. But my calendar is only open for two weekends
> in Feb--1st and 3rd weekends. No time in Jan.
>
>
>
> Is that too late to try to go see them before they migrate if I go in Feb?
>
>
>
> I live in Chapel Hill, would like to go to the nearest, scenic area so see
> them to reduce travel time as much as possible. And then, find a good
> place, cheapy, but not gross, to stay overnight, somewhat, 'relatively'
> close to the site I can visit the swans.
>
>
>
> Can you suggest the best 'guaranteed' areas to see the swans and decent
> hotels 'relatively' nearby? I don't expect anuything to be close and
> nearby. Maybe even a campground, if it is not too cold.
>
> Kathleen
>
>
>
I have never seen the thousands of Tundra Swans at the NC coast in person. Only pics. Am hoping to go. But my calendar is only open for two weekends in Feb--1st and 3rd weekends. No time in Jan.
Is that too late to try to go see them before they migrate if I go in Feb?
I live in Chapel Hill, would like to go to the nearest, scenic area so see them to reduce travel time as much as possible. And then, find a good place, cheapy, but not gross, to stay overnight, somewhat, 'relatively' close to the site I can visit the swans.
Can you suggest the best 'guaranteed' areas to see the swans and decent hotels 'relatively' nearby? I don't expect anuything to be close and nearby. Maybe even a campground, if it is not too cold.
Date: 1/12/26 6:41 pm From: Erik Thomas (via carolinabirds Mailing List) <carolinabirds...> Subject: Raven Rock St. Pk. CBC results
The 45th installment of the Raven Rock St. Pk. Christmas Bird Count
took place on December 20, 2025. The name of the count is a little
misleading because the count circle covers most of Harnett County but,
because the park has grown since the count began in 1981, it doesn't
include all of the park.
This year we had nice weather for the count, sunny with fairly mild
temperatures ranging from 33ºF to 56ºF, and only a little breeze.
In spite of the good weather, our numbers were down this year. We had 77
species, our lowest since 2019 (but two more during count week), and 4452
individual birds, our lowest since 1987(!). We had fewer parties in the
field than usual, which may partly account for the low numbers, but we've
had times with this many parties before and did better. Dry conditions may
have played a role. The numbers of individual birds are determined by how
many large flocks are present, and even the Common Grackles, our most
numerous species this time, didn't come close to some of their past totals.
We had one new species for the count, an Ovenbird that Jeff Mielke and
Quentin Read found. Aside from the Ovenbird, one species set a count
record, the Bufflehead, with 30. David Brown helped us find all three
species of local owls (the Great Horned during count week) with some
nocturnal birding.
We missed the Eastern Meadowlark for the first time in the history of the
count. That may reflect the increasing numbers of housing developments in
Harnett County. We also missed the Wild Turkey, which was probably just
the luck of the draw, since there are turkeys around.
We'll be holding our Spring Count in late April or early May. I hope we
can put together more birding parties, so please let me know if you're
interested in participating.
Date: 1/12/26 9:38 am From: Harry LeGrand (via carolinabirds Mailing List) <carolinabirds...> Subject: Re: Raleigh CBC results -- December 20, and comments on counting every bird within the count circle
Thanks, Kevin. Yes, I and probably others clicked on the link yesterday
after your posting and saw #11 that hit the "nail on the head" of the issue
of counting ALL birds within a count circle on count day. You have copied
that text here. Yes -- it is a NO-NO to count such birds/species.
I had forgotten to list one often missed species on the count that HAD been
seen a few times within the previous two weeks and then again a few more
times a week later -- Wild Turkey. The Northern Bobwhite may well be gone
now from the circle, but Turkeys are still found in the woods adjacent to
the large fields along Mid-Pines Road, and if you are lucky, you can see
one to a dozen feeding in the fields close to the forest edge in the first
half of the morning. For such a huge bird, it is very easy to miss the
species on a count, and the Raleigh count for years had missed it, but in
the last few years a few were reported in the Swift Creek floodplain near
Lake Benson.
Harry LeGrand
On Mon, Jan 12, 2026 at 12:14 PM Kevin Kubach <carolinabirds...>
wrote:
> From the same site (number 11):
>
> Checklists in eBird that are from areas within a count circle on the count
> day but not submitted by official CBC participants *cannot* be added to
> Christmas Bird Count results. Because official CBC observers and parties
> on Christmas Bird Counts are coordinated in advance by compilers, and
> because the effort of the parties on CBCs is as critically important as the
> bird data for the analyses of CBC results, independent eBird checklists are
> not compatible with official Christmas Bird Count results.
>
> Kevin Kubach
> Greenville, SC
>
> On Jan 11, 2026, at 9:44 PM, Kevin Kubach <kmkubach...> wrote:
>
> The language below is straight from the Audubon CBC compiler resources
> web site, under item number 10 here:
> https://www.audubon.org/conservation/science/christmas-bird-count/christmas-bird-count-compiler-resources.
> That item discusses remotely-detected birds but the statement seems quite
> relevant to this discussion.
>
> Bird data on Christmas Bird Counts must be tallied by officially involved
> human observers, in designated field parties, who are not only submitting
> their bird data but their effort data as well.
>
> Kevin Kubach
> Greenville, SC
>
> On Jan 11, 2026, at 8:49 PM, <badgerboy...> wrote:
>
> The data generated by surveys seems to be much more valuable when
> standard protocols are followed. We have ebird, NC rare bird alert, and
> many local reporting groups which fill in the gaps of bird occurrence from
> standard protocol surveys. I agree with Harry that such birds should be
> left off the official count numbers.
>
> One further aspect is that the party routes and stops, and concentrations
> of birding time, are highly influenced by previous reporting; i.e., many
> people already know what birds are in the circle and where they are, so
> they go there. I don't know if there's any way around that, but it makes it
> tough to compare a count from pre-ebird times to today's counts with any
> degree of meaning. It also can tend to keep unbirded places still unbirded.
>
> None of this should detract from a great Raleigh count--congrats to all
> the birders involved!
>
> Guy (McGrane, Boone NC)
>
> On 1/11/2026 12:19 PM, Harry LeGrand (via carolinabirds Mailing List)
> wrote:
>
> Folks,
>
>
>
>
>
Date: 1/12/26 9:14 am From: Kevin Kubach (via carolinabirds Mailing List) <carolinabirds...> Subject: Re: Raleigh CBC results -- December 20, and comments on counting every bird within the count circle
From the same site (number 11):
Checklists in eBird that are from areas within a count circle on the count day but not submitted by official CBC participants *cannot* be added to Christmas Bird Count results. Because official CBC observers and parties on Christmas Bird Counts are coordinated in advance by compilers, and because the effort of the parties on CBCs is as critically important as the bird data for the analyses of CBC results, independent eBird checklists are not compatible with official Christmas Bird Count results.
Kevin Kubach
Greenville, SC
> On Jan 11, 2026, at 9:44 PM, Kevin Kubach <kmkubach...> wrote:
>
> The language below is straight from the Audubon CBC compiler resources web site, under item number 10 here: https://www.audubon.org/conservation/science/christmas-bird-count/christmas-bird-count-compiler-resources. That item discusses remotely-detected birds but the statement seems quite relevant to this discussion.
>
> Bird data on Christmas Bird Counts must be tallied by officially involved human observers, in designated field parties, who are not only submitting their bird data but their effort data as well.
>
> Kevin Kubach
> Greenville, SC
>
>>> On Jan 11, 2026, at 8:49 PM, <badgerboy...> wrote:
>>>
>> The data generated by surveys seems to be much more valuable when standard protocols are followed. We have ebird, NC rare bird alert, and many local reporting groups which fill in the gaps of bird occurrence from standard protocol surveys. I agree with Harry that such birds should be left off the official count numbers.
>>
>> One further aspect is that the party routes and stops, and concentrations of birding time, are highly influenced by previous reporting; i.e., many people already know what birds are in the circle and where they are, so they go there. I don't know if there's any way around that, but it makes it tough to compare a count from pre-ebird times to today's counts with any degree of meaning. It also can tend to keep unbirded places still unbirded.
>>
>> None of this should detract from a great Raleigh count--congrats to all the birders involved!
>>
>> Guy (McGrane, Boone NC)
>>
>>> On 1/11/2026 12:19 PM, Harry LeGrand (via carolinabirds Mailing List) wrote:
>>> Folks,
>>>
>>>
>>
Date: 1/11/26 6:45 pm From: Kevin Kubach (via carolinabirds Mailing List) <carolinabirds...> Subject: Re: Raleigh CBC results -- December 20, and comments on counting every bird within the count circle
Bird data on Christmas Bird Counts must be tallied by officially involved human observers, in designated field parties, who are not only submitting their bird data but their effort data as well.
Kevin Kubach
Greenville, SC
> On Jan 11, 2026, at 8:49 PM, <badgerboy...> wrote:
>
> The data generated by surveys seems to be much more valuable when standard protocols are followed. We have ebird, NC rare bird alert, and many local reporting groups which fill in the gaps of bird occurrence from standard protocol surveys. I agree with Harry that such birds should be left off the official count numbers.
>
> One further aspect is that the party routes and stops, and concentrations of birding time, are highly influenced by previous reporting; i.e., many people already know what birds are in the circle and where they are, so they go there. I don't know if there's any way around that, but it makes it tough to compare a count from pre-ebird times to today's counts with any degree of meaning. It also can tend to keep unbirded places still unbirded.
>
> None of this should detract from a great Raleigh count--congrats to all the birders involved!
>
> Guy (McGrane, Boone NC)
>
>> On 1/11/2026 12:19 PM, Harry LeGrand (via carolinabirds Mailing List) wrote:
>> Folks,
>>
>>
>
Date: 1/11/26 5:49 pm From: <badgerboy...> Subject: Re: Raleigh CBC results -- December 20, and comments on counting every bird within the count circle
The data generated by surveys seems to be much more valuable when standard protocols are followed. We have ebird, NC rare bird alert, and many local reporting groups which fill in the gaps of bird occurrence from standard protocol surveys. I agree with Harry that such birds should be left off the official count numbers.
One further aspect is that the party routes and stops, and concentrations of birding time, are highly influenced by previous reporting; i.e., many people already know what birds are in the circle and where they are, so they go there. I don't know if there's any way around that, but it makes it tough to compare a count from pre-ebird times to today's counts with any degree of meaning. It also can tend to keep unbirded places still unbirded.
None of this should detract from a great Raleigh count--congrats to all the birders involved!
Guy (McGrane, Boone NC)
On 1/11/2026 12:19 PM, Harry LeGrand (via carolinabirds Mailing List) wrote: > Folks, > >
Date: 1/11/26 9:20 am From: Harry LeGrand (via carolinabirds Mailing List) <carolinabirds...> Subject: Raleigh CBC results -- December 20, and comments on counting every bird within the count circle
Folks,
I have copied CBC compiler Brian O'Shea's detailed commentary on the count (between the dashed rows), sent just to the Raleigh count participants, but have removed some sentences dealing with praise for counters, etc., to shorten things. But, it is important to present the full totals here. ----------------------------------
We had another great count this year, with 64+ participants in 28 parties. We did great this year, with no fewer than *107 species*! I have to admit, I was nervous going into this year's count, as I had gotten the general impression that there were fewer birds around than usual as we headed into the count period. But we managed to get almost every semi-regular species for the Raleigh CBC, and decent numbers as well. Our individual count was *15,684 birds*, a couple thousand fewer than last year but well within the typical range of variation for this count. And we had some really great birds too. A Western Tanager found by Emma Little on the Walnut Creek greenway was a first for the Raleigh CBC. So was a Nashville Warbler found by Emma Blackford at Prairie Ridge. (Pro tip: If you want to find great birds, go out with someone named Emma). TWO new species for the Raleigh CBC! I can't recall the last time that happened. And we narrowly missed a third - Say's Phoebe - that had been frequenting the Mid-Pines Rd area but sadly did not appear on count day. It did, however, make the Count Week list, along with Sandhill Crane and Blue-headed Vireo.
Other goodies were singles of Northern Harrier and Loggerhead Shrike - both easily missed; a total of 19 Greater Yellowlegs on Lake Benson and Lake Wheeler; a Forster's Tern on Lake Wheeler; Peregrine Falcon and Vesper Sparrow at Mid-Pines; and three Black-and-white Warblers at different locations in the circle.
Below you will find the complete species list and numbers for the 2025 count. Once again, thanks to all of you for participating. Have a great year everyone! And mark your calendars for the 2026 count on Saturday, December 19. All the best, Brian
Raleigh CBC - December 20, 2025 107 species (+3 CW)
Canada Goose 993 Mute Swan 10 Wood Duck 12 Green-winged Teal 140 Gadwall 90 American Black Duck 62 Mallard 683 Northern Pintail 2 Northern Shoveler 33 American Wigeon 7 Redhead 6 Ring-necked Duck 18 Bufflehead 84 Hooded Merganser 347 Red-breasted Merganser 2 Ruddy Duck 147 Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) 377 Mourning Dove 109 American Coot 42 Killdeer 156 American Woodcock 3 Wilson's Snipe 27 Greater Yellowlegs 19 Bonaparte's Gull 11 Ring-billed Gull 758 Herring Gull 3 Gull sp. 2 Forster's Tern 1 Pied-billed Grebe 39 Double-crested Cormorant 1078 Great Egret 2 Great Blue Heron 61 Black Vulture 70 Turkey Vulture 97 Northern Harrier 1 Bald Eagle 29 Sharp-shinned Hawk 2 Cooper's Hawk 10 Red-shouldered Hawk 49 Red-tailed Hawk 26 Great Horned Owl 4 Barred Owl 8 Belted Kingfisher 22 Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 90 Red-headed Woodpecker 7 Red-bellied Woodpecker 208 Downy Woodpecker 152 Hairy Woodpecker 20 Pileated Woodpecker 19 Northern Flicker 77 American Kestrel 3 Peregrine Falcon 1 Eastern Phoebe 59 Loggerhead Shrike 1 Blue Jay 181 American Crow 299 Fish Crow 6 Common Raven 3 Horned Lark 3 Carolina Chickadee 333 Tufted Titmouse 312 Ruby-crowned Kinglet 269 Golden-crowned Kinglet 109 Red-breasted Nuthatch 1 White-breasted Nuthatch 134 Brown-headed Nuthatch 145 Brown Creeper 15 House Wren 1 Winter Wren 27 Carolina Wren 306 European Starling 195 Gray Catbird 7 Brown Thrasher 33 Northern Mockingbird 93 Eastern Bluebird 252 Hermit Thrush 78 American Robin 614 American Pipit 27 Cedar Waxwing 652 House Sparrow 34 House Finch 272 Purple Finch 77 Pine Siskin 1 American Goldfinch 352 Chipping Sparrow 262 Field Sparrow 37 Savannah Sparrow 77 Fox Sparrow 15 Dark-eyed Junco 271 White-throated Sparrow 1422 Vesper Sparrow 3 Song Sparrow 388 Swamp Sparrow 38 Eastern Towhee 127 Baltimore Oriole 18 Eastern Meadowlark 31 Red-winged Blackbird 171 Rusty Blackbird 45 Brown-headed Cowbird 322 Common Grackle 564 Black-and-white Warbler 3 Orange-crowned Warbler 1 Palm Warbler 6 Pine Warbler 64 Nashville Warbler 1 Yellow-rumped Warbler 291 Western Tanager 1 Northern Cardinal 415 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Here are a few of my (Harry's) comments:
1. Misses --very few, obviously: Lesser Scaup, E. Screech-Owl (missed for maybe 10 or more years now), Blue-headed Vireo, Common Yellowthroat (missed for a number of years; used to be regular but in low numbers on the count). On rare occasions there can be a Common Loon or Horned Grebe, but the lakes in the circle are mostly too small for them.
2. I cannot vouch for the Pine Siskin, which has been quite rare in the lowlands this fall and winter; most people have not recorded any during this period. So, whether it was correctly identified, I have no idea.
3. Say's Phoebe -- This would have been a true red-letter bird for the count and would be a first here. This bird was seen routinely from the end of November until mid-December but was last seen 2-3 days before count day.
4. Sandhill Crane -- There were 3 Sandhill Cranes literally seen ON count day, but by someone not on the count (and he didn't even know there was a count going on). These were seen and heard in flight over Mid-Pines Road around 1:00 pm -- sadly, while many of the counters were breaking for lunch and a midday tally indoors at the nearby Yates Mill park visitor center!! This brings up a very sticky and contentious CBC issue -- *whether to count ANY species/bird that was found within the count circle on count day, whether seen by "official" counters or not.* Both Brian and I agree that these cranes should NOT be added to the count, even though there are just one or two previous county records at all, and of course would be a new count species. Brian has rightly added the species to the "count period list", which is the 7-day period of 3 days before and 3-days after the count.
Now, I have asked a handful of other folks whether the cranes should be added to the count list/totals, and MOST said "yes". But, this would be wrong on several accounts, for which Brian and I agree:
a. Though all count circles are the same size, some circles have literally hundreds of birders and probably 100 or more eBird lists submitted EVERY DAY within the roughly 175 square miles. This would include Raleigh, Charlotte, and probably places like Greensboro, Asheville, Winston-Salem, Durham, and Wilmington. If you were to cherry-pick JUST the 3 Sandhill Cranes and add that to the count totals, then to be really correct, you should/would need to add in EVERY bird on EVERY eBird list taken within the Raleigh count circle on December 20! That -- as you should see -- is impractical and essentially impossible.
b. Adding in 3 Sandhill Cranes to the Raleigh count gives Raleigh and other cities a HUGE advantage over counts in remote areas, where the ONLY eBird lists within that 175-mile circle are probably just the ones done by counters. You should see the problem with that.
c. Many people, not to mention the National Audubon Society, compare count data from one year to another, using birds per party-hours, for example. If you were to cherry-pick good birds off EVERY list that was posted within the 175-mile circle, or even add in many eBird list totals from non-counters, you get an unbalanced data set, and the party-hours would become difficult to obtain from those other people and the data would somewhat impaired. Heck, Raleigh already has an advantage over most counts by having 28 parties this year! Most counts have to get by with 3-5 parties and maybe under 10-15 participants.
Date: 1/10/26 5:13 pm From: Ron Clark (via carolinabirds Mailing List) <carolinabirds...> Subject: Re: Tundra Swan/Snow Geese
Yes. Was just there. They are in the usual impoundment, plus other places. A dozen geese in with them. Also 35 - 38 Sandhill cranes. A few hundred geese were flying around fairly high around 5:00 this evening. Cranes flew out around 4:30 but returned about 30 minutes later.
Ron Clark
Mt. Holly NC
Sent from my iPhone
> On Jan 10, 2026, at 7:52 PM, sheryl mcnair <carolinabirds...> wrote:
>
> Plenty of TundraSwans, but we waited until 5:15 pm Friday, and only saw a trickle of Snow Geese. Yes, Pat’s Road was the place, otherwise.
> Warmly,
> Sheryl
>
>> On Jan 10, 2026, at 6:02 PM, Carey Barnes <carolinabirds...> wrote:
>>
>> Hi All,
>>
>> Are the migrants flying into the usual Pat Rd. /Refuge Dr. field this year? If not, can you share new coordinates ?
>>
>> Thx.
>> Carey
>>
>> Sent from my iPhone
>
Plenty of TundraSwans, but we waited until 5:15 pm Friday, and only saw a trickle of Snow Geese. Yes, Pat’s Road was the place, otherwise.
Warmly,
Sheryl
> On Jan 10, 2026, at 6:02 PM, Carey Barnes <carolinabirds...> wrote:
>
> Hi All,
>
> Are the migrants flying into the usual Pat Rd. /Refuge Dr. field this year? If not, can you share new coordinates ?
>
> Thx.
> Carey
>
> Sent from my iPhone
Date: 1/10/26 1:03 pm From: Brian Bockhahn (via carolinabirds Mailing List) <carolinabirds...> Subject: Haw River CBC results (southern Rockingham County NC)
The 6th Haw River Christmas Bird Count was held on Saturday December 31,
2025 with temperatures ranging from 28-47 under mostly clear skies, no
precipitation, light winds.
10 observers in 8 parties tallied 76 species (average 82, high 89, low
76). Most numerous birds were led by 1251 Ring-billed Gull, 434 American
Robin, 232 Canada Goose.
Highlights include several first count birds: 2 Redhead in a pond along
Benaja Road; 1 Osprey at Betsy Jeff Penn 4H center; 1 Pine Siskin at
Faucette Farms. Other goodies include our 2nd Northern Harrier and 2nd
Horned Lark.
Misses due to coverage gaps include Gadwall, American Black Duck,
Green-winged Teal, Double Crested Cormorant, American Woodcock, Bonaparte’s
Gull, Any owl, Red-breasted and Brown-headed Nuthatch, House Wren, Pine
Warbler, Eastern Meadowlark and Rusty Blackbird.
We set a few high counts: 20 Great Blue Heron, 3 Bald Eagle, 15 Belted
Kingfisher, 10 American Kestrel, 11 Purple Finch and 62 American Goldfinch.
A few notable low counts: 56 Blue Jay, 16 White-breasted Nuthatch, 2 Brown
Creeper, 6 Winter Wren, 60 Eastern Bluebird, 434 American Robin, 6 Eastern
Towhee, 4 Common Grackle, 1 Brown-headed Cowbird, 3 Field Sparrow, 1 Fox
Sparrow and 34 Song Sparrow.
Date: 1/10/26 10:31 am From: scompton1251 <scompton1251...> Subject: Dorchester County, SC White- fronted Goose: Hazard Warning
Birders, I found the Greater White- fronted Hoose today where reported by several birders yesterday in Dotchester Cointy. This is a DANGEROUS site as there is a very narrow soft shoulder on both sides of this heavily traveled road..If you plan to go park at the intersection of this road and County Line Road and walk back the approximately 1000 yards to the pond. The pond is on posted land so you have to stay on the shoulder. Bright safety clothing and a scope are highly recommended. The goose was resting in tne water on tne far side of the pond. On a related note I was disappointed to be denied entry to Summers Corner/ Horizons where a Snipe and some other birds of interest were reported recently. Only residents are admitted. If you report a bird in a restricted area please note the lack.of access or any hazards in your report. Steve ComptonDorchester, SC PS: Hope to see many of you at the Nags Head Carolina Bird Club Meeting in two weeks.Sent from my Galaxy
First many thanks to all the birders who contributed their valuable effort on these counts!
Maybe this proves that breaking records isn't too tough in these perennially low-effort counts: Mt. Jefferson, Stone Mountain, and Upper Yadkin Valley.
Weather was a big deal for 2 of these counts: Mt. Jefferson was postponed because of sub-zero wind chills, which cut participation a bit, and Stone Mtn was impacted when a nearby count postponed its date and reset it to match this count, siphoning off one of our teams, which I could have adapted for if only I'd known /before/ the count. Even so, effort was much better this year, while still paltry compared to many other CBC's in more urbanized areas.
Even with those issues, we still broke records for total species for 2 counts, with 64 for Mt. Jeff (old 61) and 68 for Stone Mtn. (old 66) and our total individuals found was close to the top for both. The 3rd count (Upper Yadkin aka Wilkesboro) had no weather issues and broke a record for total individual birds found at almost 6000, and was very close to our high species count with 76(high 80).
Astonishing was 5 new count birds on the 33 year old Stone Mtn count, while the other two counts had one new species each.
Interesting that Northern Harrier was a new count bird on 2 of 3 CBC's, Stone Mtn and Upper Yadkin.
A great find was the first documented winter record in the northern mountains for Lincoln's Sparrow, on the Mt. Jeff count along the New River in Ashe Co.
You won't want to miss our 2025 bird banding results in the latest installment of "This Week at Hilton Pond North" (Lansing NC). Is YOUR favorite bird on the list? We include more than two dozen portraits of birds banded. There's also an always-interesting list of banded birds that returned to our site, plus trail cam photos of action at a deer carcass and an acknowledgment of "Top Tier" supporters. Please visit this end-of-year summary of our work at https://www.hiltonpondnorth.org/twahpn-20251225.html. And Happy New Year!
Dr. BILL HILTON JR.
"Operation RubyThroat: The Hummingbird Project”
℅ Hilton Pond North: Blue Ridge Birds & Nature
2918 Silas Creek Road
Lansing NC 28643
(803)684-5852
The mission of Hilton Pond North is "to conserve plants, animals, habitats, and other natural components of the Blue Ridge Region of the eastern United States through observation, scientific study, and education for students of all ages.
"Never trust a person too lazy to get up for sunrise or too busy to watch the sunset." BHjr.
Date: 1/8/26 10:28 am From: Nate Dias (via carolinabirds Mailing List) <carolinabirds...> Subject: Re: Patriot's Point (Mount Pleasant, SC) "brush pile" Posted No Trespassing
Thanks for sharing the bad news Craig.
I can't help but wonder if groups of birders wandering around or people
unfamiliar with the site caused issues with the golf course that
precipitated the action. I have been birding that spot for 40 years and
until now, golf course staff and management always seemed amenable to
birders being there.
"These days I prefer to hunt with a camera. A good photograph demands more
skill from the hunter, better nerves and more patience than the rifle
shot." -- Bror Blixen
On Thu, Jan 8, 2026 at 9:26 AM Craig Watson <carolinabirds...> wrote:
> HI everyone, the "brush pile" area at Patriot's Point has been posted with
> No Trespassing signs as of yesterday afternoon. The information has gone
> out on Facebook and the GroupMe app, yet not everyone uses those venues, so
> those still receiving carolinabirds listserv emails will find this
> information useful. This area is the brushy area at the end of the driving
> range where most of the rarities have been occurring. The remainder of
> Patriot's Point is still open to birding as far as I know.
>
> --
>
> *"to live will be an awfully big adventure" - Peter Pan*
>
> Craig Watson
> Mount Pleasant, SC
>
The closest Picnic tables to those two locations would be at the Pettigrew SP main office and those will be subject to the same closure time as the park for non-campers which I believe is 7pm.
On the south side of those locations there are picnic tables at the Belhaven Beach on the SE corner of town. This “beach” is a gated park that I believe is daylight hours only so less suitable for afterwards.
It’s not as close as the first two or really close to anything but Wade’s Point has a picnic table. It’s at the end of Old Pamlico Beach Rd and isn’t subject to closure.
Also not exactly close but there are picnic tables at Bonner’s Point in Bath, NC if you are heading SW but I don’t recall the hours of this park either but its later than the Belhaven park.
If you are going NW then The Port o’ Plymouth Museum has picnic tables outside of it but again I don’t know the hours.
Finally heading NE to Creswell there are picnic tables at the Scuppernong River Park that I believe is open at night as well.
I hope this helps even though I don’t have the hours for all of them.
Happy birding,
Trevor Sleight
> On Jan 8, 2026, at 07:57, sheryl mcnair <carolinabirds...> wrote:
> Hi, does anyone know if there are picnic tables near Pungo Lake and/or Pettigrew St Pk? If so, where? And are they accessible after one waits to see the Snow Geese come in at dusk, so presumably after dark?
> Warmly,
> Sheryl
Date: 1/8/26 7:14 am From: Will Cook <cwcook...> Subject: Chapel Hill CBC summary
2025 Chapel Hill (NC) Christmas Bird Count Summary
The Chapel Hill Christmas Bird Count on Sunday, 21 December 2025, was a fantastic count, blessed with mild conditions, low Jordan Lake level (good for the shorebirds), and abundant bird activity. The count tied for our second highest species total in the 96 year history of the count, with 95 species (ten-year average 87.8). The record is 98 in 1983; we also had 95 in 2016. We counted 19505 individual birds, a bit higher than our 10-year average of 15743 and almost twice what we had last year! On a birds per party hour basis, it was a great count, with 142 versus an average of 109, with flocks of Red-winged Blackbird and Common Grackle pulling up the numbers. We missed Common Grackle last year; this year there was a flock of a thousand and one other lone individual.
Incredibly, two species were new to the count this year, both in unexpected places: 2 Sandhill Cranes that flew over Steve Graves at Carolina Meadows in Chapel Hill, and a Forster's Tern that flew over Phil Vignola at Sandy Creek Park in Durham. Both were quick flybys, but Steve was able to snap a cell phone pic. A Nashville Warbler in Nan DeWire's yard, beautifully photographed, would have been a first for the count, but it was last seen on December 16th, just missing the count week. The three Virginia Rails heard by Matt Spangler at the Bush Creek swamp provided our third count record. They are likely there every year, though hard to detect without special effort.
Other goodies we usually miss included 5 American Black Duck (Matt Spangler, Don Pelly, Rick Wright), 16 Green-winged Teal (Jordan Lake, multiple observers), 1 Ring-necked Duck (Deb Fowler covering Durham neighborhood ponds), 2 Lesser Scaup (Fleeta Chauvigne and Mark Montazer, our first since 2007), 1 Rufous Hummingbird (at Carol Woods, banded by Susan Campbell, our 11th count record), 13 Least Sandpipers (Brian Bockhahn and Marc Ribaudo at the Jordan Lake mudflats, our 10th), 37 Wilson's Snipe (Jordan Lake and Sandy Creek, multiple observers), 1 Merlin (Alex Nickley, our 6th), 1 Common Raven (Montazer and Chauvigne, our 9th), 2 Black-and-white Warblers (Howlett family and Roger Shaw), and 4 Common Yellowthroats (Matt Spangler, Steve Backus).
We set an astounding number of record highs: Wood Duck (62, previous high 61 in 2011, average 14), Killdeer (231, 217 in 1998, avg 55), Red-headed Woodpecker (135, 88 in 2019, avg 55), Winter Wren (85, 71 in 2024, avg 48), Hermit Thrush (121, 104 in 2023, avg 70), Gray Catbird (12, 7 in 2020, avg 2.7), Palm Warbler (15, 5 in 1973 and 2024, avg 1.1).
Also in good numbers: 82 Great Blue Herons (average 36), 158 Yellow-shafted Flickers (avg 104), 169 Brown-headed Nuthatches (avg 141), 138 Purple Finches (avg 23, our highest since 1986), 434 American Goldfinches (avg 326), 1814 White-throated Sparrows (avg 1090), 554 Song Sparrows (avg 429), 2612 Red-winged Blackbirds (avg 992, our highest since 1988), 4 Common Yellowthroats (avg 0.8, highest since 1971).
The biggest miss this year was Blue-headed Vireo. There were several remarkably scarce species, the lowest counts in 15 years or more: Black Vulture (129, average 237), Brown Thrasher (18, avg 37), Northern Mockingbird (72, avg 94), House Sparrow (6, avg 34).
Top honors for highest number of species and individual birds this year goes to the team of Fleeta Chauvigne, Mark Montazer, and Matt Spangler, who found a remarkable 65 species and 3614 individual birds in the upper reaches of Jordan Lake. Of course 1000 of those birds were Common Grackles, but subtracting those, they'd still be in first place!
Weather: Temperature 35-58 F, wind NW 0-9 mph, fair to mostly cloudy, water open. Effort: 50 observers in 24 field parties, 137.7 party hours (135 by foot, 2.7 by car) and 112.7 party miles (95.4 by foot, 17.3 by car), 2.6 hours and 2.6 miles owling, 5 people and 27 hours watching feeders.
Thanks to all the counters who helped make this one for the record books!
Date: 1/8/26 7:07 am From: Marc Ribaudo (via carolinabirds Mailing List) <carolinabirds...> Subject: Mattamuskeet CBC
The Mattamuskeet Christmas Bird Count was held on December29, 2025. The day was unseasonably warm,ranging from 61 to 71 degrees. Themorning was clear. Early on there was asteady breeze of just over 10 mph. Windspicked up during the morning as a cold front approached, and by early afternoonwere gusting over 30 mph. There was nofrozen water. We had 19 observers in 12parties. We found 150 species, above our34-year average of 141 and the highest total in 13 years. Total birds counted were 1,141,396, but anestimated 1,000,000 were a single flock of Red-winged Blackbirds flying overthe marshes along the southern shore of Lake Mattamuskeet.
The weeks leading up to the count were relatively dry, sostanding water was absent from agricultural fields. This removed habitat that in the past hadattracted many shorebirds and other waders. Passerine numbers negatively affected by thehigh winds, especially after 10am. On the other hand, numbers of many species of waterfowl were the highest in years. However, they were still well below historicalhighs.
No new birds were found on count day, nor birds flagged asrare by ebird. We missed 8 species thatare regularly found: Canvasback (seen 32out of the previous 43 years), Surf Scoter (41/43), American Bittern (34/43),Fish Crow (43/43, first time ever), American Pipit (41/43), Field Sparrow(35/43), Dark-eyed Junco (36/43), and House Finch (35/43). High counts were set for American WhitePelican (73) and Red-winged Blackbird (1,000,000+). Low counts were set for Red-tailed Hawk (3)and House Sparrow (1). The most unusual sightingswere: Cackling Goose by Norm Budnitz,Noah Rokoske, and Patsy Bailey (seen 8 out of the previous 43 years), SemipalmatedPlover by Ed Corey and Marc Ribaudo (5/43 years), American Avocet by Derb Carter(10/43), Lesser Black-backed Gull by Brian Bockhahn, Kyle Kittelberger, andSteve Bakus (4/43), Eurasian Collared-Dove by Sandy Cash and Karen Garraputa (3out of the previous 43 years), Horned Lark by Ron Martin and Susan Campbell (5/43),Nelson’s Sparrow by Brian Bockhahn and Kyle Kittelberger (7/43), and SeasideSparrow by Brian Bockhahn and Kyle Kittelberger (8/43). Count week birds were America Bittern andNorthern Waterthrush (found the day before the count by Sandy Cash and Karen Garraputa, a first for the count).
Marc RibaudoGarner, NC
Hi, does anyone know if there are picnic tables near Pungo Lake and/or Pettigrew St Pk? If so, where? And are they accessible after one waits to see the Snow Geese come in at dusk, so presumably after dark?
Warmly,
Sheryl
Date: 1/8/26 6:26 am From: Craig Watson (via carolinabirds Mailing List) <carolinabirds...> Subject: Patriot's Point (Mount Pleasant, SC) "brush pile" Posted No Trespassing
HI everyone, the "brush pile" area at Patriot's Point has been posted with No Trespassing signs as of yesterday afternoon. The information has gone out on Facebook and the GroupMe app, yet not everyone uses those venues, so those still receiving carolinabirds listserv emails will find this information useful. This area is the brushy area at the end of the driving range where most of the rarities have been occurring. The remainder of Patriot's Point is still open to birding as far as I know.
--
*"to live will be an awfully big adventure" - Peter Pan*
Date: 1/7/26 1:58 pm From: Brian Bockhahn (via carolinabirds Mailing List) <carolinabirds...> Subject: Pilot Mountain CBC results
The 11th Pilot Mountain Christmas Bird Count was held on Tuesday December 23, 2025 under cloudy then clear skies with mild temperatures 40-67 degrees, no wind and no precip.
Just like last year we had 18 observers in 9 parties and also tallied 77 species tying our record high (average 69, low 57)
Two species were new to the cumulative list. A Northern Saw-whet Owl was heard along the grassy ridge trail, seems like a once a decade bird for the Sauras/Rockingham county area. And during the lunch countdown tally, a Peregrine Falcon soared over the summit and then stooped off in a hurry. Always bring your binoculars to the countdown, thought not when it's at the Asian buffet.
Other goodies include our 3rd Merlin; 3rd Gray Catbird with two parties finding one; 2nd Horned Lark and 4th American Pipit.
Misses include Wild Turkey, Northern Harrier, Coopers Hawk, Rusty Blackbird and Pine Siskin.
We set some new record counts with 4 Great Blue Heron; 8 Bald Eagle including a new nest site; 4 Eastern Screech Owls, yeay for effort; 19 Hairy Woodpecker, 3 Blue-headed Vireo; 10 Common Raven; 155 Tufted Titmouse; 29 Winter Wren; 121 Carolina Wren; 101 Golden-crowned Kinglet; 2 Gray Catbird; 49 American Pipit; 4 White-crowned Sparrows.
Unchanged form last year, 41 species have been seen on all 11 counts, which is a high number considering weather, and it means everyone works hard and knows how to find birds in their area.
With 77 species, we bested mayo river on Dec 22 which had 65 species, just ahead of hanging rock's 61 species, and ended up just one head of Haw River count which had 76
Mark your calendars for
Pilot Mountain spring bird count May 5, 2026 (hanging rock May 6, mayo river and haw river tbd)
Pilot Christmas bird count December 23, 2026
(hanging rock dec 16, mayo river dec 22, haw river Dec 21)
Date: 1/7/26 12:01 pm From: Brian Bockhahn (via carolinabirds Mailing List) <carolinabirds...> Subject: Mayo River CBC results
The 14th annual Mayo River CBC was held on Monday December 22, 2025 under
clear skies, a frigid cold start of 24 degrees and warming to 51 but the
birds sure didn’t think it was a good day to be out. Lots of empty skies
and fields.
8 counters in six parties found 65 species (average of 73, high 78, low 56)
Misses include Wood Duck, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Northern harrier, Rock
Pigeon, Barred Owl, Red-headed Woodpecker, American Kestrel, Gray Catbird,
American Pipit, Pine Warbler, Field Sparrow!, Red-winged Blackbird, Eastern
Meadowlark, Common Grackle and Brown-headed Cowbird.
We set high counts for two species at least, with 2 Bufflehead and 6 Rusty
Blackbird.
Date: 1/7/26 12:00 pm From: Brian Bockhahn (via carolinabirds Mailing List) <carolinabirds...> Subject: Rocky Mount CBC results
The 30th Rocky Mount CBC was held on December 19, 2025 under cloudy then
clear skies, steady wind all day gusting over 20, and temperatures dropping
from 64 to 50 throughout the day. 8 counters in the field in five parties
and 1 feeder counters recorded *89 species (*average 90.6, high 104). With
the wind I’m proud we got what we did.
One species was new for the count, a single Barn Owl was found inside an
old silo! After years of pellets, it was exciting for one to finally be
seen, and photographed!
Birds were not numerous, but the most tallied birds on count day were 800
Brown-headed Cowbird, 608 Ring-billed Gull, 486 Red-winged Blackbird and
476 European Starling.
With the winds we tied some lows, but most exciting was a new high count of
110 Sandhill Cranes. The swift creek flock continues to grow, or at least
this is the first time the entire flock stayed together to be seen in one
spot. This may be one of the highest flock totals for this species in NC,
at least for a regularly overwintering flock.
Misses include Scaup, Bufflehead, Sharp-shinned Hawk, American Coot,
Wilsons Snipe, American Woodcock, Great Horned or Barred Owl, HOUSE WREN!,
Red-breasted Nuthatch and Pine Siskin.
Tentative next count date would be Friday, December 18, 2026.
Date: 1/7/26 11:58 am From: Brian Bockhahn (via carolinabirds Mailing List) <carolinabirds...> Subject: Cumberland County CBC results
The 25th Cumberland County CBC was held on December 18, 2025 under cloudy
skies, light winds and temperatures from 36-63 degrees. 11 counters in
eight parties tallied 88 species (average of 84, high 102).
Most numerous birds were 1696 Red-winged Blackbirds, 747 American Robin and
215 Ring-billed Gulls.
Goodies include our third Short-eared Owl, 3rd Green-winged Teal; 4th
Anhinga, 4th Eurasian Collared Dove, 4th Orange-crowned Warbler.
Misses include Ring-necked Duck, Black Vulture, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Barred
Owl, Blue Headed Vireo which is a big miss, but those cold temperatures did
push many out of the piedmont; Red-breasted Nuthatch, Common Yellowthroat
and White-crowned Sparrow. A Vesper Sparrow was seen during count month.
Some interesting high count numbers include 61 Wild Turkey, 24
Red-shouldered Hawk, 4 Eurasian Collared Doves, 14 Red-headed Woodpecker
and 113 Blue Jays?!
Tentative next year’s count date Thursday December 17, 2026
Date: 1/7/26 8:31 am From: Susan Campbell <susan...> Subject: Winter CBC Meeting
All,
It is not too late to sign up for the Carolina Bird Club's winter meeting weekend on the Outer Banks! Early registration is open through Sunday (the 11th).
This is one of our most popular meeting locations. We expect an array of waterfowl and waterbirds as well as a variety of raptors and, of course, wintering Passerines.
The event will be headquartered at the Comfort Inn in Nag's Head over the weekend of January 23-25. For the weekend schedule of trips, speakers and more, go to http://www.carolinabirdclub.org/.
Note that meeting goers can obtain a reservation at our host hotel for special rates during the weekend.
Do not hesitate to contact me directly if you have questions.
Date: 1/4/26 10:40 am From: Alan Meijer (via carolinabirds Mailing List) <carolinabirds...> Subject: Blue-headed Vireo at Old Waynesboro Park - Wayne Co. NC
Spent a few hours at Old Waynesboro Park in Goldsboro, Wayne County, NC again.
Arrived around 11:00 a.m. to find about six birders having just seen the McGillivray's Warbler. Got sidelined by a bird that seemed to have a gray head but turned out to be a BLUE-HEADED VIREO. A lifer for me but not what I came for! Not 50 ft away was a birder observing the target species. He confirmed through photos that we had just seen a blue-headed vireo. The McGillivrays had just left the spot where he was. After 30 minutes of searching, I observed the MCGILLIVRAY'S WARBLER foraging along the forest floor. I could not get a good photo of it. Also found a number of BLACK AND WHITE WARBLERS.
Other species seen include: Brown Thrasher Winter Wren Carolina Wren Hermit Thrush Golden-crowned Kinglet Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Date: 1/2/26 7:31 pm From: Steve <sshultz...> Subject: Extralimital: Red-flanked Bluetail in Virginia
For anyone with time on their hands this weekend and a hankering for a continental mega, a Red-flanked Bluetail is being seen in Fairfax County/Alexandria, VA.
Possibly the same bird that was in NJ last winter?
Looks like about 160 people eBirded it yesterday, so apparently pretty reliable.
Date: 1/1/26 11:15 am From: Alan Meijer (via carolinabirds Mailing List) <carolinabirds...> Subject: MacGillivray’s Warbler in Goldsboro
I’m at Old Wynesboro Park in Goldsboro, (Wayne Co.) NC, searching for the
MACGILLIVRAY’S WARBLER that’s been seen by many over the last few days,
including today. No luck yet, so if anyone is here that wants to help, let
me know. ;)
Other than some usual suspects, I’ve seen a GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLET and
three HERMIT HRUSH.
A pair of Cardinal-cancelling headphones would be of great help right now.
Date: 12/29/25 5:25 am From: Peter Vankevich (via carolinabirds Mailing List) <carolinabirds...> Subject: Change of date for the Portsmouth Island Christmas Bird Count: Jan. 1
Due to transportation issues, the Portsmouth Island will take place on Jan. 1. If anyone wants to participate, please contact me. We need a count for Captain Donald Austin. The Ocracoke Christmas Bird Count is on for Dec. 31. Regards, /Peter Vankevich <petevankevich...>, cell/text 202 468-2871
Date: 12/29/25 4:58 am From: \<hilton...>\ (via carolinabirds Mailing List) <carolinabirds...> Subject: Hilton Pond North (1-24 Dec 2025) Mountain Snow Bunting
If you live in Alaska or Greenland, it's no big deal to see Snow Buntings, but when one appears in Ashe County NC birders flock to see it. "This Week At Hilton Pond North" we chronicle in words and photos our visit to document this wayward Arctic bird on a grassy bald in Pond Mountain Gamelands, where another rare avian species also appeared. Installment #26 includes trail cam videos (Bobkittens and Purple Finches), a question about Northern Cardinals, and our usual lists of birds banded or recaptured. Check it all out at https://www.hiltonpondnorth.org/twahpn-20251201.html. And Happy Holidays!
Dr. BILL HILTON JR.
"Operation RubyThroat: The Hummingbird Project”
℅ Hilton Pond North: Blue Ridge Birds & Nature
2918 Silas Creek Road
Lansing NC 28643
(803)684-5852
The mission of Hilton Pond North is "to conserve plants, animals, habitats, and other natural components of the Blue Ridge Region of the eastern United States through observation, scientific study, and education for students of all ages.
"Never trust a person too lazy to get up for sunrise or too busy to watch the sunset." BHjr.
Date: 12/28/25 8:58 pm From: Erik Thomas (via carolinabirds Mailing List) <carolinabirds...> Subject: Re: Sandhill Cranes at Pee Dee NWR
I found 36 Sandhill Cranes today at West Lake in Pocosin Lakes NWR, NC.
Erik Thomas
Raleigh, NC
--
Erik Thomas
On Sun, Dec 28, 2025, 7:41 PM Judy Walker <carolinabirds...> wrote:
> During yesterday's count at Pee Dee NWR around noon we found 2 Sandhill
> Cranes feeding along the edge of Arrowhead Lake (
> https://maps.app.goo.gl/LkQnidXTwh4cmeWf7) This area is off limits to
> hunting but open to the public. They were seen again in flight
> midafternoon. The birds have bee n seen off and on since the end of
> November so they are probably moving around the area.
>
> Judy Walker
> Charlotte, NC
>
>
>
Date: 12/28/25 4:42 pm From: Judy Walker (via carolinabirds Mailing List) <carolinabirds...> Subject: Sandhill Cranes at Pee Dee NWR
During yesterday's count at Pee Dee NWR around noon we found 2 Sandhill Cranes feeding along the edge of Arrowhead Lake (https://maps.app.goo.gl/LkQnidXTwh4cmeWf7) This area is off limits to hunting but open to the public. They were seen again in flight midafternoon. The birds have been seen off and on since the end of November so they are probably moving around the area.
No, they didn't enter the Transfer Portal. A couple of our seasoned birders can't do the counts next week. So, we can use some new participants, If you, or others you know that will be on Ocracoke and want to help with the counts, please let me know. Portsmouth: Tuesday, Dec 30 Ocracoke: Wed. Dec 31 Coming from Maine, I'm stuck in Danbury, CT and decided to ride out the storm here rather than run the gauntlet crossing the Mario Cuomo Bridge, taking the Garden State Parkway and NJ Turnpike in a major night snowstorm. I hope to be on Ocracoke by Sunday night. Note: Portsmouth has a $25 boat fee and there is a social tally rally at my house on Dec. 31. <petevankevich...>, cell/text 202 468-2871 or via my Facebook message Best, /Peter Vankevich
Date: 12/26/25 7:30 am From: Michael Welch (via carolinabirds Mailing List) <carolinabirds...> Subject: Re: Hermit Thrush foot-pattering at close range
Folks from the Apalachicola region of the upper Gulf coast will know this behavior as "grunting".
The bird was setting up a vibration through the soil that terrifies earthworms, and sends them racing for the surface thinking a burrowing predator is nearby. Slough fisherman have been using this tool to collect bait for many, many years. Take a look at footage from the Sopchoppy, FL, Worm Gruntin' Festival if you'd like to see how well this simple method works.
Date: 12/26/25 4:51 am From: Brian Bockhahn (via carolinabirds Mailing List) <carolinabirds...> Subject: Re: Hermit Thrush foot-pattering at close range
I believe I observed this behavior during the hanging rock NC bird count last week. the hermit thrush was on wet leafpack in a small creek. The catch was a hellgrammite, dobsonly larvae, quite the large treat.
Date: 12/26/25 3:57 am From: Norman Budnitz (via carolinabirds Mailing List) <carolinabirds...> Subject: Re: Hermit Thrush foot-pattering at close range
Here are two references from the Hermit Thrush account in "Birds of the
World." Seems like Hermits use foot quivering for both agonistic (conflict)
behavior and for foraging.
Foot-Quivering. Interpreted by Dilger (1956a}biblio}bib033}) and also Brown
et al. (2000) as a ritualized ambivalent intention movement of
simultaneous, conflicting drives to attack and to retreat; but also may
serve as foraging technique used to locate insects under leaf litter.
Brackbill (1960) and Kilham (1977) cite observations of foot-quivering
while foraging, with no indication of the birds being disturbed and Skutch
(1960) reported a similar observation of Russet Nightingale-Thrush in the
non-breeding season and outside of its breeding range.
On Thu, Dec 25, 2025 at 8:53 PM Susan Campbell <susan...> wrote:
> Nate and All,
>
> The behavior you witnessed the Hermit Thrush performing is referred to as
> “foot quivering.” I have witnessed an individual doing this in late winter
> at Weymouth Woods on two occasions. It used each foot alternately.
>
> I assumed the bird was attempting to drive insect prey from the litter on
> the trail. It did bend to grab food items, but I could not tell what
> exactly it was eating.
>
> There is at least one reference to this in the species’ BNA account.
>
> Susan Campbell
> Apex, NC
>
> Get Outlook for iOS <https://aka.ms/o0ukef> > ------------------------------
> *From:* <carolinabirds-request...> <carolinabirds-request...>
> on behalf of Nate Dias <carolinabirds...>
> *Sent:* Wednesday, December 24, 2025 6:19:54 PM
> *To:* CarolinaBirds <carolinabirds...>
> *Subject:* Hermit Thrush foot-pattering at close range
>
> This morning I looked out the window at Rancho Dias and saw a Hermit
> Thrush standing on the ground right outside, under a Dogwood tree. Its
> right foot (nearest me) was a blur as it tapped the ground in a flurry of
> motions. Then it stepped forward and its left foot blurred in rapid little
> foot stomps.
>
> It was different than a Piping Plover's foot patter - the thrush seemed
> significantly faster.
>
> It moved off down the path and my mother and I moved to the kitchen to
> watch it out of that window at a range of 4-5 feet.
>
> Later this afternoon I was home in Red Top and my mother called to say she
> had just watched the Hermit Thrush pull a long earthworm out of the ground
> (like a Robin she said). Later she texted to say she had watched the
> thrush drinking and bathing in her birdbath.
>
> The moral of the story is ALWAYS keep your birdbath clean and disinfected
> because you never know what marvelous guest will appear and want to use it.
>
> Nathan Dias - Charleston, SC
>
> --
> https://www.flickr.com/photos/offshorebirder2/ >
> https://www.youtube.com/@NathanDiasNatureVideos >
> "These days I prefer to hunt with a camera. A good photograph demands
> more skill from the hunter, better nerves and more patience than the rifle
> shot." -- Bror Blixen
>
>
Date: 12/25/25 5:53 pm From: Susan Campbell <susan...> Subject: Re: Hermit Thrush foot-pattering at close range
Nate and All,
The behavior you witnessed the Hermit Thrush performing is referred to as foot quivering. I have witnessed an individual doing this in late winter at Weymouth Woods on two occasions. It used each foot alternately.
I assumed the bird was attempting to drive insect prey from the litter on the trail. It did bend to grab food items, but I could not tell what exactly it was eating.
There is at least one reference to this in the species BNA account.
Susan Campbell
Apex, NC
Get Outlook for iOS<https://aka.ms/o0ukef> ________________________________
From: <carolinabirds-request...> <carolinabirds-request...> on behalf of Nate Dias <carolinabirds...>
Sent: Wednesday, December 24, 2025 6:19:54 PM
To: CarolinaBirds <carolinabirds...>
Subject: Hermit Thrush foot-pattering at close range
This morning I looked out the window at Rancho Dias and saw a Hermit Thrush standing on the ground right outside, under a Dogwood tree. Its right foot (nearest me) was a blur as it tapped the ground in a flurry of motions. Then it stepped forward and its left foot blurred in rapid little foot stomps.
It was different than a Piping Plover's foot patter - the thrush seemed significantly faster.
It moved off down the path and my mother and I moved to the kitchen to watch it out of that window at a range of 4-5 feet.
Later this afternoon I was home in Red Top and my mother called to say she had just watched the Hermit Thrush pull a long earthworm out of the ground (like a Robin she said). Later she texted to say she had watched the thrush drinking and bathing in her birdbath.
The moral of the story is ALWAYS keep your birdbath clean and disinfected because you never know what marvelous guest will appear and want to use it.
"These days I prefer to hunt with a camera. A good photograph demands more skill from the hunter, better nerves and more patience than the rifle shot." -- Bror Blixen
Date: 12/24/25 3:20 pm From: Nate Dias (via carolinabirds Mailing List) <carolinabirds...> Subject: Hermit Thrush foot-pattering at close range
This morning I looked out the window at Rancho Dias and saw a Hermit Thrush standing on the ground right outside, under a Dogwood tree. Its right foot (nearest me) was a blur as it tapped the ground in a flurry of motions. Then it stepped forward and its left foot blurred in rapid little foot stomps.
It was different than a Piping Plover's foot patter - the thrush seemed significantly faster.
It moved off down the path and my mother and I moved to the kitchen to watch it out of that window at a range of 4-5 feet.
Later this afternoon I was home in Red Top and my mother called to say she had just watched the Hermit Thrush pull a long earthworm out of the ground (like a Robin she said). Later she texted to say she had watched the thrush drinking and bathing in her birdbath.
The moral of the story is ALWAYS keep your birdbath clean and disinfected because you never know what marvelous guest will appear and want to use it.
"These days I prefer to hunt with a camera. A good photograph demands more skill from the hunter, better nerves and more patience than the rifle shot." -- Bror Blixen
Date: 12/22/25 9:44 am From: Harry LeGrand (via carolinabirds Mailing List) <carolinabirds...> Subject: Re: Burrowing Owl in Asheville, NC, decades ago?
In response also to Jack's commentary -- the fact that there are three
accepted North Carolina records, all coastal (one a specimen and one
photographed, with one being a sight report) means that Burrowing Owl has
long been on the state Official List. And, as a result, a Records
Committee is less likely to re-evaluate other records for such a species,
even though the other two were first reports from the Piedmont and for the
Mountains.
I will contrast this probable lack of need for re-evaluation with a
suggestion made by a North Carolina Bird Records Committee member to the
Chair (Ed Corey) about a month ago that the NC BRC perhaps should
re-evaluate the one North Carolina record of Yellow-headed Caracara, which
is copied here, from the Chat database tab:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Swick, Nathan. 2017. 2016 Report of the North Carolina Bird Records
Committee. Chat 81:1–4
<https://www.carolinabirdclub.org/chat/issues/2017/v81n1nc_brc_2016.pdf> Yellow-headed Caracara: *Not Accepted*. (16-05). One of the more puzzling
reports in recent memory, an unquestionable Yellow-headed Caracara was
admitted to a bird rehabilitation facility in West Jefferson (Ashe)
following a collision with a motorcycle, where many photos were taken by
Jeff Lemons and facility staff. While the species is infrequently kept in
captivity, the committee unanimously questioned the origin of this
individual and voted to not accept this record 0-9(QO) due to the perceived
unlikelihood that a mostly sedentary species from northern South America
with little to no pattern of vagrancy would be a candidate to occur
naturally in North Carolina.
-----------------------------------
If you check Facebook ABA Rare Bird Alert group over the past handful of
months, if not a year or two, there have been a handful of photo records of
this raptor from scattered places in the eastern half of the country. This
South American species has been spreading northward in recent decades, and
now has reached Nicaragua, with some records to Belize, if not Mexico. The
eBird map shows a few records for southern Florida and eastern Texas, and a
fall 2025 record for Wilmington, Delaware. I have no clue how many of
these in the US have been accepted as wild by committees, but the species
is moving northward. So -- with these facts of more recent records north
of its former range, the NC BRC might reconsider the existing record, from
Ashe County.
Harry LeGrand
On Mon, Dec 22, 2025 at 12:21 PM Marilyn Westphal <mjwestph...>
wrote:
> That’s correct. It was found across from the Asheville Mall where they
> were building another shopping area and were putting in landscaping. It
> was believed to have come up from FL on a landscaping truck.
> Marilyn
> Sent from my iPhone
>
> On Dec 22, 2025, at 8:59 AM, Charlotte Goedsche <carolinabirds...>
> wrote:
>
>
> Digging back into time, I vaguely recall that there was a Burrowing Owl in
> east Asheville in the early 2000's, and that it was thought to have been
> transported there by one of the trucks carrying construction materials for
> some big project. But don't take my word on this!
>
> Charlotte Goedsche
> Brainerd, MN (formerly of AVL and Weaverville, NC)
>
> --
> Charlotte L. Goedsche (Pronouns: She - Her - Hers)
>
>
Date: 12/22/25 9:21 am From: Marilyn Westphal <mjwestph...> Subject: Re: Burrowing Owl in Asheville, NC, decades ago?
That’s correct. It was found across from the Asheville Mall where they were building another shopping area and were putting in landscaping. It was believed to have come up from FL on a landscaping truck.
Marilyn
Sent from my iPhone
> On Dec 22, 2025, at 8:59 AM, Charlotte Goedsche <carolinabirds...> wrote:
>
>
> Digging back into time, I vaguely recall that there was a Burrowing Owl in east Asheville in the early 2000's, and that it was thought to have been transported there by one of the trucks carrying construction materials for some big project. But don't take my word on this!
>
> Charlotte Goedsche
> Brainerd, MN (formerly of AVL and Weaverville, NC)
>
> --
> Charlotte L. Goedsche (Pronouns: She - Her - Hers)
Date: 12/22/25 8:03 am From: Tammy H (via carolinabirds Mailing List) <carolinabirds...> Subject: Re: Burrowing Owl at Ft. Sumter NM, Charleston, SC
The Harbor Island SC Burrowing owl was seen for about a week from 7/30/2018
through 8/5/2018. There was a Burrowing Owl seen on Kiawah Island beach
which is in/near Charleston SC also. That owl was seen for a few days at
the end of January 2016.
Neither owl was identified to the subspecies.
Tammy Hester
Beaufort, SC
On Sun, Dec 21, 2025 at 6:51 PM Buddy Campbell <blacksnake6...>
wrote:
> All,
> In late July and early August a Burrowing Owl was found, by Tammy Hester,
> in the dunes on Harbor Island in Beaufort County. I do not remember how
> long it stayed or what the outcome was. Perhaps Tammy can provide some
> insight.
>
>
> Buddy
>
> On Dec 21, 2025, at 4:52 PM, Wayne Hoffman <carolinabirds...> wrote:
>
>
> Interesting.
>
> The nearest population is in Florida, but they are considered sedentary.
> Some of those out west are migratory, hence more likely to wander/stray,
> and have occurred in some eastern states.
>
> According to Pyle (1997) western one are larger and "plumage pale brown
> with buff mottling and spotting..." Florida ones "plumage dark brown with
> whitish spotting and mottling"
> In addition they differ in the amount of feathering on their tarsi:
> extends more than half way down the front of the tarsi on western ones,
> less than half way on Floridians.
>
> It would be really interesting to know which it is.
>
> Wayne Hoffman
> Wilmington
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
> *From: *"Craig Watson" <carolinabirds...>
> *To: *"carolinabirds" <carolinabirds...>
> *Sent: *Saturday, December 20, 2025 8:54:59 PM
> *Subject: *Burrowing Owl at Ft. Sumter NM, Charleston, SC
>
> There is a Burrowing Owl at Ft. Sumter NM, Charleston, SC, accessible only
> by ferry. The owl is roosting in two locations. We didn't know of the
> second roost spot until today. We searched the other roost spot for hours
> the prior day without seeing the bird. Today we walked up and saw it.
>
>
>
> The first coordinate is the location of the tool bin or someone called it
> mining casement room. Coordinates for tool bin/room: (32.7527098,
> -79.8749704). This is where the owl was today. Once off the boat go
> through the main doors, turn left once inside and walk the inside edge of
> Ft. to the pin. There will be a concrete room with tools in it with no
> door, and a gate so you can't go in. The owl was sitting on top of
> the weedeater in there. Look at photos in eBird or the one attached for
> perspective and orientation. The owl in on the top right in photo. We
> briefly looked at it and photographed it, and left.
>
>
>
> The second location of where the owl roosts is on the same level but the
> walkway is closed so go up over the top and turn left then down the stairs
> to the cannon casement area. It has been seen perched on the rail, the
> cannon, and a ledge near the stairs, but I'd look everywhere if it's not in
> the tool room. Coordinates are: 32.752392, -79.874198
>
>
>
> Please do your best to not disturb the owl. I’ve heard reports of birders
> disturbing the birds, but I believe it’s mostly unsuspecting tourists, as
> there have been few birders out there. If the owl starts bobbing, it is
> agitated. It did not do that with us. We kept our distance at the tool bin
> and used zoom lens to grab the photos, that’s why it looks so close.
>
>
> If you take an early ferry there is an extended stay option for $5 that
> you can purchase if you want to catch the following ferry back and stay
> longer, this from Liberty Square. I believe there are only two ferries
> from Liberty Square, 11am and 2pm, so the extended stay is only optional
> for the 11am ferry. I'm not sure of arrangements from the ferry in Mount
> Pleasant from Patriot's Point. The extended stay purchase can only be done
> at the ticket office, but I understand the fare can be purchased online,
> just get the add on at the office.
>
>
> Apparently the owl has been there at least a month.
>
> --
>
> *"to live will be an awfully big adventure" - Peter Pan*
>
> Craig Watson
> Mount Pleasant, SC
>
>
Date: 12/22/25 7:53 am From: Jack Rogers <jack...> Subject: Re: Burrowing Owl in Asheville, NC, decades ago?
All,
I agree with the identification of the Florida subspecies (*A. c.
floridanum*) based on the weak eyebrow and heavily marked breast, however I
must say that the idea that Florida Burrowing Owls primarily relying on
human forms of transportation in order in order to vagrate is quite silly
to me.
While the Florida subspecies is indeed nonmigratory, the western birds are
highly migratory. One study of western birds in the southwestern part of
their range -- where food is likely present in decent quantities year round
and weather conditions are likely usually warm enough to support a decent
wintering population -- found that they exhibited a wide degree of
plasticity in whether they choose to migrate or not migrate each year,
depending on annual effects.
Plenty of "non-migratory" birds vagrate; look at SC's recent records of
things like Gray-headed Swamphen, and of course the massive explosion of
Limpkins across the continent within the last few years. Georgia even has
a record of Florida Scrub-Jay, and both Illinois and Michigan have records
of Red-cockaded Woodpecker from this century (2000 and 2022,
respectively). Regardless of migratory status, birds still have to
disperse after they hatch and mature. Florida Burrowing Owls seem like a
prime example of this dispersal -- limited habitat availability (habitat
which is continuing to be mowed down at an extremely alarming pace, mind
you...), precipitation totals well under average for the fall leading to
stress and higher dispersal (a tactic well-documented in many western
species), a relatively high survival rate of young (Birds of The World has
median fledge size at 3 individuals), and a relatively high survivorship of
adult birds (BoTW has Florida ssp at ~63.5% annual adult survival). Not to
mention that the western subspecies has a pretty wonderful track record of
vagrancy. A quick glance at eBird will show that almost every state in the
lower 48 and most Canadian provinces have records of Burrowing Owls. And
the notion that coastal vagrants are ship assists is even more
preposterous; the coast is always the best place to find rarities and
vagrants. Some of the largest Burrowing Owl colonies in Florida are along
the coast, such as the Ft Meyers area. Ft Moultrie is an absolutely
fantastic spot for a Burrowing Owl to show up -- besides having plenty of
nooks and crannies for a Burrowing Owl to hide in during the day, it has no
predators (no coyotes, no Great Horned Owls, etc) and plenty of food in the
form of small mammals and insects.
It's also worth noting that wintering Burrowing Owls are pretty difficult
to detect if you don't know exactly where to look. For example, I found a
Burrowing Owl in Louisiana that spent at least 2 winters in a row along one
road in SW LA. I searched the area with a fine tooth comb many times
during the day -- checking every tire, pile of rocks, general debris, under
abandoned trailer, etc., several dozen times during that time span, and
nobody was ever able to locate its day roosting spot -- it was only ever
seen at night when it was out foraging. Here
<https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/627484857> is a photo of one I took last
winter in coastal Texas, a bird that returned to that same culvert this
year. If you didn't know exactly which culvert it was in, there was
absolutely no way of finding it. Many North American owls have patterns of
vagrancy that are well documented -- look at Flammulated Owls showing up
along the Gulf Coast (or even in the Gulf of Mexico on fishing boats, oil
platforms, etc), Long-eared Owls doing...whatever total shotgun blast of a
vagrancy pattern they have, Boreal Owls showing up in the midcontinent,
Florida's 4 records of Northern Saw-Whet Owl, Antillean Short-eared Owl
records in Florida AND Georgia, Mottled Owl hanging out in the LRGV for
over 2 years now, etc etc.
Looking at previous records of Burrowing Owl in the Carolinas on the CBC
website, I think the previously denied records of Questionable Origin
(Asheville 2005, Charlotte 2005) absolutely should be re-reviewed. The
fact that the Mecklenburg County record, of a juvenile that was *banded* (!!!),
was denied, is utterly ridiculous, in my opinion. Burrowing Owls often
turn up in relatively urban places -- just off the top of my head, Corpus
Christi recently had one on the university campus, one was found in a
shopping center last year in Baton Rouge, Louisiana just to name a few.
Urban areas are wonderful places for Burrowing Owls to turn up -- lots of
culverts, holes, etc, for them to hide in during the day.
Thanks for reading my annual CarolinaBirds soapbox and hope everyone has a
happy holidays and Christmas Bird Count season,
Jack Rogers
On Mon, Dec 22, 2025 at 9:01 AM Harry LeGrand <carolinabirds...>
wrote:
> Thanks to Kent for reminding folks on the listserve how to see older
> reports in the *Chat database*. Most birders probably don't go to the
> Carolina Bird Club website to click on most or all of the green tabs to see
> the numerous functions that Kent (CBC webmaster) has provided Carolina
> birders over many years. Note that some of the tabs on the last row have
> very important dropdown sub-tabs/links. Important tabs I check often are
> *Sightings* (where all of the eBird write-in rarities are listed), *Photo
> Gallery*, and *Bird Records* (where the full state lists are found). The *Birds
> of North Carolina* link at the top takes you to that website, where you
> can also see the records for the rare species such as Burrowing Owl.
>
> In addition, at this Christmas Bird Count time of year, folks may want to
> click on the blue link for *Christmas Bird Counts in the Carolinas* near
> the top of the home page. All of the counts should be listed there, the
> dates, and all have a map link to the count circle!
>
> Harry LeGrand
>
>
> On Mon, Dec 22, 2025 at 9:29 AM Kent Fiala <carolinabirds...> wrote:
>
>> One way to look up old records like this is to go to the Chat database
>> page on the Carolina Bird Club website, like this:
>> https://www.carolinabirdclub.org/chat/db/3jX8q6 >>
>> Kent Fiala
>>
>> On 12/22/2025 9:15 AM, Steve wrote:
>>
>> Yep. I recall the same.
>>
>> And while the Florida birds may be sedentary from a migration
>> perspective, they certainly can and do get around using human derived
>> transportation. For example, they sometimes ride cruise ships.
>>
>> I suspect that with reports being coastal and in shipping ports, that may
>> be a reasonable explanation.
>>
>> Steve Shultz
>>
>>
>> On Dec 22, 2025, at 8:59 AM, Charlotte Goedsche <carolinabirds...>
>> <carolinabirds...> wrote:
>>
>>
>> Digging back into time, I vaguely recall that there was a Burrowing Owl
>> in east Asheville in the early 2000's, and that it was thought to have been
>> transported there by one of the trucks carrying construction materials for
>> some big project. But don't take my word on this!
>>
>> Charlotte Goedsche
>> Brainerd, MN (formerly of AVL and Weaverville, NC)
>>
>> --
>> Charlotte L. Goedsche (Pronouns: She - Her - Hers)
>>
>>
--
Jack Rogers
M.S. Student
Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute
Texas A&M University - Kingsville
*Kingsville, TX/Mt Pleasant, SC*
Date: 12/22/25 7:01 am From: Harry LeGrand (via carolinabirds Mailing List) <carolinabirds...> Subject: Re: Burrowing Owl in Asheville, NC, decades ago?
Thanks to Kent for reminding folks on the listserve how to see older
reports in the *Chat database*. Most birders probably don't go to the
Carolina Bird Club website to click on most or all of the green tabs to see
the numerous functions that Kent (CBC webmaster) has provided Carolina
birders over many years. Note that some of the tabs on the last row have
very important dropdown sub-tabs/links. Important tabs I check often are
*Sightings* (where all of the eBird write-in rarities are listed), *Photo
Gallery*, and *Bird Records* (where the full state lists are found). The *Birds
of North Carolina* link at the top takes you to that website, where you can
also see the records for the rare species such as Burrowing Owl.
In addition, at this Christmas Bird Count time of year, folks may want to
click on the blue link for *Christmas Bird Counts in the Carolinas* near
the top of the home page. All of the counts should be listed there, the
dates, and all have a map link to the count circle!
Harry LeGrand
On Mon, Dec 22, 2025 at 9:29 AM Kent Fiala <carolinabirds...> wrote:
> One way to look up old records like this is to go to the Chat database
> page on the Carolina Bird Club website, like this:
> https://www.carolinabirdclub.org/chat/db/3jX8q6 >
> Kent Fiala
>
> On 12/22/2025 9:15 AM, Steve wrote:
>
> Yep. I recall the same.
>
> And while the Florida birds may be sedentary from a migration perspective,
> they certainly can and do get around using human derived transportation.
> For example, they sometimes ride cruise ships.
>
> I suspect that with reports being coastal and in shipping ports, that may
> be a reasonable explanation.
>
> Steve Shultz
>
>
> On Dec 22, 2025, at 8:59 AM, Charlotte Goedsche <carolinabirds...>
> <carolinabirds...> wrote:
>
>
> Digging back into time, I vaguely recall that there was a Burrowing Owl in
> east Asheville in the early 2000's, and that it was thought to have been
> transported there by one of the trucks carrying construction materials for
> some big project. But don't take my word on this!
>
> Charlotte Goedsche
> Brainerd, MN (formerly of AVL and Weaverville, NC)
>
> --
> Charlotte L. Goedsche (Pronouns: She - Her - Hers)
>
>
On 12/22/2025 9:15 AM, Steve wrote: > Yep. I recall the same. > > And while the Florida birds may be sedentary from a migration > perspective, they certainly can and do get around using human derived > transportation. For example, they sometimes ride cruise ships. > > I suspect that with reports being coastal and in shipping ports, that > may be a reasonable explanation. > > Steve Shultz > > >> On Dec 22, 2025, at 8:59 AM, Charlotte Goedsche >> <carolinabirds...> wrote: >> >> >> Digging back into time, I vaguely recall that there was a Burrowing >> Owl in east Asheville in the early 2000's, and that it was thought to >> have been transported there by one of the trucks carrying >> construction materials for some big project. But don't take my word >> on this! >> >> Charlotte Goedsche >> Brainerd, MN (formerly of AVL and Weaverville, NC) >> >> -- >> Charlotte L. Goedsche (Pronouns: She - Her - Hers)
Date: 12/22/25 6:15 am From: Steve <sshultz...> Subject: Re: Burrowing Owl in Asheville, NC, decades ago?
Yep. I recall the same.
And while the Florida birds may be sedentary from a migration perspective, they certainly can and do get around using human derived transportation. For example, they sometimes ride cruise ships.
I suspect that with reports being coastal and in shipping ports, that may be a reasonable explanation.
Steve Shultz
> On Dec 22, 2025, at 8:59 AM, Charlotte Goedsche <carolinabirds...> wrote:
>
>
> Digging back into time, I vaguely recall that there was a Burrowing Owl in east Asheville in the early 2000's, and that it was thought to have been transported there by one of the trucks carrying construction materials for some big project. But don't take my word on this!
>
> Charlotte Goedsche
> Brainerd, MN (formerly of AVL and Weaverville, NC)
>
> --
> Charlotte L. Goedsche (Pronouns: She - Her - Hers)
Date: 12/22/25 5:59 am From: Charlotte Goedsche (via carolinabirds Mailing List) <carolinabirds...> Subject: Burrowing Owl in Asheville, NC, decades ago?
Digging back into time, I vaguely recall that there was a Burrowing Owl in east Asheville in the early 2000's, and that it was thought to have been transported there by one of the trucks carrying construction materials for some big project. But don't take my word on this!
Charlotte Goedsche Brainerd, MN (formerly of AVL and Weaverville, NC)
-- Charlotte L. Goedsche (Pronouns: She - Her - Hers)
Date: 12/22/25 3:58 am From: Dennis Forsythe (via carolinabirds Mailing List) <carolinabirds...> Subject: Re: Burrowing Owl at Ft. Sumter NM, Charleston, SC
All
According to the Sibley Field Guide this is the Florida subspecies.
Dennis
On Mon, Dec 22, 2025 at 4:57 AM Matt Lawing <carolinabirds...> wrote:
> Someone can chime in if I’m wrong but I believe the Florida ones dig their
> own burrows so maybe if that behavior is observed.
> Sent from my iPhone
>
> On Dec 21, 2025, at 6:51 PM, Buddy Campbell <carolinabirds...>
> wrote:
>
>
> All,
> In late July and early August a Burrowing Owl was found, by Tammy Hester,
> in the dunes on Harbor Island in Beaufort County. I do not remember how
> long it stayed or what the outcome was. Perhaps Tammy can provide some
> insight.
>
>
> Buddy
>
> On Dec 21, 2025, at 4:52 PM, Wayne Hoffman <carolinabirds...> wrote:
>
>
> Interesting.
>
> The nearest population is in Florida, but they are considered sedentary.
> Some of those out west are migratory, hence more likely to wander/stray,
> and have occurred in some eastern states.
>
> According to Pyle (1997) western one are larger and "plumage pale brown
> with buff mottling and spotting..." Florida ones "plumage dark brown with
> whitish spotting and mottling"
> In addition they differ in the amount of feathering on their tarsi:
> extends more than half way down the front of the tarsi on western ones,
> less than half way on Floridians.
>
> It would be really interesting to know which it is.
>
> Wayne Hoffman
> Wilmington
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
> *From: *"Craig Watson" <carolinabirds...>
> *To: *"carolinabirds" <carolinabirds...>
> *Sent: *Saturday, December 20, 2025 8:54:59 PM
> *Subject: *Burrowing Owl at Ft. Sumter NM, Charleston, SC
>
> There is a Burrowing Owl at Ft. Sumter NM, Charleston, SC, accessible only
> by ferry. The owl is roosting in two locations. We didn't know of the
> second roost spot until today. We searched the other roost spot for hours
> the prior day without seeing the bird. Today we walked up and saw it.
>
>
>
> The first coordinate is the location of the tool bin or someone called it
> mining casement room. Coordinates for tool bin/room: (32.7527098,
> -79.8749704). This is where the owl was today. Once off the boat go
> through the main doors, turn left once inside and walk the inside edge of
> Ft. to the pin. There will be a concrete room with tools in it with no
> door, and a gate so you can't go in. The owl was sitting on top of
> the weedeater in there. Look at photos in eBird or the one attached for
> perspective and orientation. The owl in on the top right in photo. We
> briefly looked at it and photographed it, and left.
>
>
>
> The second location of where the owl roosts is on the same level but the
> walkway is closed so go up over the top and turn left then down the stairs
> to the cannon casement area. It has been seen perched on the rail, the
> cannon, and a ledge near the stairs, but I'd look everywhere if it's not in
> the tool room. Coordinates are: 32.752392, -79.874198
>
>
>
> Please do your best to not disturb the owl. I’ve heard reports of birders
> disturbing the birds, but I believe it’s mostly unsuspecting tourists, as
> there have been few birders out there. If the owl starts bobbing, it is
> agitated. It did not do that with us. We kept our distance at the tool bin
> and used zoom lens to grab the photos, that’s why it looks so close.
>
>
> If you take an early ferry there is an extended stay option for $5 that
> you can purchase if you want to catch the following ferry back and stay
> longer, this from Liberty Square. I believe there are only two ferries
> from Liberty Square, 11am and 2pm, so the extended stay is only optional
> for the 11am ferry. I'm not sure of arrangements from the ferry in Mount
> Pleasant from Patriot's Point. The extended stay purchase can only be done
> at the ticket office, but I understand the fare can be purchased online,
> just get the add on at the office.
>
>
> Apparently the owl has been there at least a month.
>
> --
>
> *"to live will be an awfully big adventure" - Peter Pan*
>
> Craig Watson
> Mount Pleasant, SC
>
>
--
Dennis M. Forsythe PhD
Emeritus Professor of Biology
The Citadel
171 Moultrie St,
Charleston, SC 29409
843.795.3996-home
843.953.7264-fax
843.708.1605-cell
<dennis.forsythe...>
Date: 12/22/25 1:58 am From: Matt Lawing (via carolinabirds Mailing List) <carolinabirds...> Subject: Re: Burrowing Owl at Ft. Sumter NM, Charleston, SC
Someone can chime in if I’m wrong but I believe the Florida ones dig their own burrows so maybe if that behavior is observed.
Sent from my iPhone
> On Dec 21, 2025, at 6:51 PM, Buddy Campbell <carolinabirds...> wrote:
>
>
> All,
> In late July and early August a Burrowing Owl was found, by Tammy Hester, in the dunes on Harbor Island in Beaufort County. I do not remember how long it stayed or what the outcome was. Perhaps Tammy can provide some insight.
>
>
> Buddy
>
>>> On Dec 21, 2025, at 4:52 PM, Wayne Hoffman <carolinabirds...> wrote:
>>>
>>
>> Interesting.
>>
>> The nearest population is in Florida, but they are considered sedentary. Some of those out west are migratory, hence more likely to wander/stray, and have occurred in some eastern states.
>>
>> According to Pyle (1997) western one are larger and "plumage pale brown with buff mottling and spotting..." Florida ones "plumage dark brown with whitish spotting and mottling"
>> In addition they differ in the amount of feathering on their tarsi: extends more than half way down the front of the tarsi on western ones, less than half way on Floridians.
>>
>> It would be really interesting to know which it is.
>>
>> Wayne Hoffman
>> Wilmington
>>
>>
>>
>> From: "Craig Watson" <carolinabirds...>
>> To: "carolinabirds" <carolinabirds...>
>> Sent: Saturday, December 20, 2025 8:54:59 PM
>> Subject: Burrowing Owl at Ft. Sumter NM, Charleston, SC
>>
>> There is a Burrowing Owl at Ft. Sumter NM, Charleston, SC, accessible only by ferry. The owl is roosting in two locations. We didn't know of the second roost spot until today. We searched the other roost spot for hours the prior day without seeing the bird. Today we walked up and saw it.
>>
>> The first coordinate is the location of the tool bin or someone called it mining casement room. Coordinates for tool bin/room: (32.7527098, -79.8749704). This is where the owl was today. Once off the boat go through the main doors, turn left once inside and walk the inside edge of Ft. to the pin. There will be a concrete room with tools in it with no door, and a gate so you can't go in. The owl was sitting on top of the weedeater in there. Look at photos in eBird or the one attached for perspective and orientation. The owl in on the top right in photo. We briefly looked at it and photographed it, and left.
>>
>> The second location of where the owl roosts is on the same level but the walkway is closed so go up over the top and turn left then down the stairs to the cannon casement area. It has been seen perched on the rail, the cannon, and a ledge near the stairs, but I'd look everywhere if it's not in the tool room. Coordinates are: 32.752392, -79.874198
>>
>> Please do your best to not disturb the owl. I’ve heard reports of birders disturbing the birds, but I believe it’s mostly unsuspecting tourists, as there have been few birders out there. If the owl starts bobbing, it is agitated. It did not do that with us. We kept our distance at the tool bin and used zoom lens to grab the photos, that’s why it looks so close.
>>
>> If you take an early ferry there is an extended stay option for $5 that you can purchase if you want to catch the following ferry back and stay longer, this from Liberty Square. I believe there are only two ferries from Liberty Square, 11am and 2pm, so the extended stay is only optional for the 11am ferry. I'm not sure of arrangements from the ferry in Mount Pleasant from Patriot's Point. The extended stay purchase can only be done at the ticket office, but I understand the fare can be purchased online, just get the add on at the office.
>>
>> Apparently the owl has been there at least a month.
>>
>> --
>> "to live will be an awfully big adventure" - Peter Pan
>>
>> Craig Watson
>> Mount Pleasant, SC
>>
All,
In late July and early August a Burrowing Owl was found, by Tammy Hester, in the dunes on Harbor Island in Beaufort County. I do not remember how long it stayed or what the outcome was. Perhaps Tammy can provide some insight.
Buddy
> On Dec 21, 2025, at 4:52 PM, Wayne Hoffman <carolinabirds...> wrote:
>
> Interesting.
>
> The nearest population is in Florida, but they are considered sedentary. Some of those out west are migratory, hence more likely to wander/stray, and have occurred in some eastern states.
>
> According to Pyle (1997) western one are larger and "plumage pale brown with buff mottling and spotting..." Florida ones "plumage dark brown with whitish spotting and mottling"
> In addition they differ in the amount of feathering on their tarsi: extends more than half way down the front of the tarsi on western ones, less than half way on Floridians.
>
> It would be really interesting to know which it is.
>
> Wayne Hoffman
> Wilmington
>
>
>
> From: "Craig Watson" <carolinabirds...>
> To: "carolinabirds" <carolinabirds...>
> Sent: Saturday, December 20, 2025 8:54:59 PM
> Subject: Burrowing Owl at Ft. Sumter NM, Charleston, SC
>
> There is a Burrowing Owl at Ft. Sumter NM, Charleston, SC, accessible only by ferry. The owl is roosting in two locations. We didn't know of the second roost spot until today. We searched the other roost spot for hours the prior day without seeing the bird. Today we walked up and saw it.
>
> The first coordinate is the location of the tool bin or someone called it mining casement room. Coordinates for tool bin/room: (32.7527098, -79.8749704). This is where the owl was today. Once off the boat go through the main doors, turn left once inside and walk the inside edge of Ft. to the pin. There will be a concrete room with tools in it with no door, and a gate so you can't go in. The owl was sitting on top of the weedeater in there. Look at photos in eBird or the one attached for perspective and orientation. The owl in on the top right in photo. We briefly looked at it and photographed it, and left.
>
> The second location of where the owl roosts is on the same level but the walkway is closed so go up over the top and turn left then down the stairs to the cannon casement area. It has been seen perched on the rail, the cannon, and a ledge near the stairs, but I'd look everywhere if it's not in the tool room. Coordinates are: 32.752392, -79.874198
>
> Please do your best to not disturb the owl. I’ve heard reports of birders disturbing the birds, but I believe it’s mostly unsuspecting tourists, as there have been few birders out there. If the owl starts bobbing, it is agitated. It did not do that with us. We kept our distance at the tool bin and used zoom lens to grab the photos, that’s why it looks so close.
>
> If you take an early ferry there is an extended stay option for $5 that you can purchase if you want to catch the following ferry back and stay longer, this from Liberty Square. I believe there are only two ferries from Liberty Square, 11am and 2pm, so the extended stay is only optional for the 11am ferry. I'm not sure of arrangements from the ferry in Mount Pleasant from Patriot's Point. The extended stay purchase can only be done at the ticket office, but I understand the fare can be purchased online, just get the add on at the office.
>
> Apparently the owl has been there at least a month.
>
> --
> "to live will be an awfully big adventure" - Peter Pan
>
> Craig Watson
> Mount Pleasant, SC
Date: 12/21/25 1:52 pm From: Wayne Hoffman (via carolinabirds Mailing List) <carolinabirds...> Subject: Re: Burrowing Owl at Ft. Sumter NM, Charleston, SC
Interesting.
The nearest population is in Florida, but they are considered sedentary. Some of those out west are migratory, hence more likely to wander/stray, and have occurred in some eastern states.
According to Pyle (1997) western one are larger and "plumage pale brown with buff mottling and spotting..." Florida ones "plumage dark brown with whitish spotting and mottling"
In addition they differ in the amount of feathering on their tarsi: extends more than half way down the front of the tarsi on western ones, less than half way on Floridians.
It would be really interesting to know which it is.
Wayne Hoffman
Wilmington
From: "Craig Watson" <carolinabirds...>
To: "carolinabirds" <carolinabirds...>
Sent: Saturday, December 20, 2025 8:54:59 PM
Subject: Burrowing Owl at Ft. Sumter NM, Charleston, SC
There is a Burrowing Owl at Ft. Sumter NM, Charleston, SC, accessible only by ferry. The owl is roosting in two locations. We didn't know of the second roost spot until today. We searched the other roost spot for hours the prior day without seeing the bird. Today we walked up and saw it.
The first coordinate is the location of the tool bin or someone called it mining casement room. Coordinates for tool bin/room: (32.7527098, -79.8749704). This is where the owl was today. Once off the boat go through the main doors, turn left once inside and walk the inside edge of Ft. to the pin. There will be a concrete room with tools in it with no door, and a gate so you can't go in. The owl was sitting on top of the weedeater in there. Look at photos in eBird or the one attached for perspective and orientation. The owl in on the top right in photo. We briefly looked at it and photographed it, and left.
The second location of where the owl roosts is on the same level but the walkway is closed so go up over the top and turn left then down the stairs to the cannon casement area. It has been seen perched on the rail, the cannon, and a ledge near the stairs, but I'd look everywhere if it's not in the tool room. Coordinates are: 32.752392, -79.874198
Please do your best to not disturb the owl. I’ve heard reports of birders disturbing the birds, but I believe it’s mostly unsuspecting tourists, as there have been few birders out there. If the owl starts bobbing, it is agitated. It did not do that with us. We kept our distance at the tool bin and used zoom lens to grab the photos, that’s why it looks so close.
If you take an early ferry there is an extended stay option for $5 that you can purchase if you want to catch the following ferry back and stay longer, this from Liberty Square. I believe there are only two ferries from Liberty Square, 11am and 2pm, so the extended stay is only optional for the 11am ferry. I'm not sure of arrangements from the ferry in Mount Pleasant from Patriot's Point. The extended stay purchase can only be done at the ticket office, but I understand the fare can be purchased online, just get the add on at the office.
Apparently the owl has been there at least a month.
--
"to live will be an awfully big adventure" - Peter Pan
Date: 12/20/25 6:54 pm From: Eastman, Caroline <EASTMAN...> Subject: Re: Burrowing Owl at Ft. Sumter NM, Charleston, SC
At this time there is only one ferry from Mount Pleasant at 12:30 so there is no extended stay option from this location.
Caroline Eastman
________________________________
From: <carolinabirds-request...> <carolinabirds-request...> on behalf of Craig Watson <carolinabirds...>
Sent: Saturday, December 20, 2025 8:54 PM
To: carolinabirds <carolinabirds...>
Subject: Burrowing Owl at Ft. Sumter NM, Charleston, SC
There is a Burrowing Owl at Ft. Sumter NM, Charleston, SC, accessible only by ferry. The owl is roosting in two locations. We didn't know of the second roost spot until today. We searched the other roost spot for hours the prior day without seeing the bird. Today we walked up and saw it.
The first coordinate is the location of the tool bin or someone called it mining casement room. Coordinates for tool bin/room: (32.7527098, -79.8749704). This is where the owl was today. Once off the boat go through the main doors, turn left once inside and walk the inside edge of Ft. to the pin. There will be a concrete room with tools in it with no door, and a gate so you can't go in. The owl was sitting on top of the weedeater in there. Look at photos in eBird or the one attached for perspective and orientation. The owl in on the top right in photo. We briefly looked at it and photographed it, and left.
The second location of where the owl roosts is on the same level but the walkway is closed so go up over the top and turn left then down the stairs to the cannon casement area. It has been seen perched on the rail, the cannon, and a ledge near the stairs, but I'd look everywhere if it's not in the tool room. Coordinates are: 32.752392, -79.874198
Please do your best to not disturb the owl. Ive heard reports of birders disturbing the birds, but I believe its mostly unsuspecting tourists, as there have been few birders out there. If the owl starts bobbing, it is agitated. It did not do that with us. We kept our distance at the tool bin and used zoom lens to grab the photos, thats why it looks so close.
If you take an early ferry there is an extended stay option for $5 that you can purchase if you want to catch the following ferry back and stay longer, this from Liberty Square. I believe there are only two ferries from Liberty Square, 11am and 2pm, so the extended stay is only optional for the 11am ferry. I'm not sure of arrangements from the ferry in Mount Pleasant from Patriot's Point. The extended stay purchase can only be done at the ticket office, but I understand the fare can be purchased online, just get the add on at the office.
Apparently the owl has been there at least a month.
--
"to live will be an awfully big adventure" - Peter Pan
There is a Burrowing Owl at Ft. Sumter NM, Charleston, SC, accessible only
by ferry. The owl is roosting in two locations. We didn't know of the
second roost spot until today. We searched the other roost spot for hours
the prior day without seeing the bird. Today we walked up and saw it.
The first coordinate is the location of the tool bin or someone called it
mining casement room. Coordinates for tool bin/room: (32.7527098,
-79.8749704). This is where the owl was today. Once off the boat go
through the main doors, turn left once inside and walk the inside edge of
Ft. to the pin. There will be a concrete room with tools in it with no
door, and a gate so you can't go in. The owl was sitting on top of
the weedeater in there. Look at photos in eBird or the one attached for
perspective and orientation. The owl in on the top right in photo. We
briefly looked at it and photographed it, and left.
The second location of where the owl roosts is on the same level but the
walkway is closed so go up over the top and turn left then down the stairs
to the cannon casement area. It has been seen perched on the rail, the
cannon, and a ledge near the stairs, but I'd look everywhere if it's not in
the tool room. Coordinates are: 32.752392, -79.874198
Please do your best to not disturb the owl. I’ve heard reports of birders
disturbing the birds, but I believe it’s mostly unsuspecting tourists, as
there have been few birders out there. If the owl starts bobbing, it is
agitated. It did not do that with us. We kept our distance at the tool bin
and used zoom lens to grab the photos, that’s why it looks so close.
If you take an early ferry there is an extended stay option for $5 that you
can purchase if you want to catch the following ferry back and stay longer,
this from Liberty Square. I believe there are only two ferries from Liberty
Square, 11am and 2pm, so the extended stay is only optional for the 11am
ferry. I'm not sure of arrangements from the ferry in Mount Pleasant from
Patriot's Point. The extended stay purchase can only be done at the ticket
office, but I understand the fare can be purchased online, just get the add
on at the office.
Apparently the owl has been there at least a month.
--
*"to live will be an awfully big adventure" - Peter Pan*
Date: 12/17/25 8:33 am From: \Corey, Ed\ (via carolinabirds Mailing List) <carolinabirds...> Subject: Additional coverage needed for Pettigrew CBC - Tuesday, Dec 30th
All,
Due to unforeseen circumstances, we are down two parties for our count near Lake Phelps and Pettigrew SP on the 30th. If you would be interested in joining and covering one of these sections, please email me at <Ed.Corey...>
Date: 12/17/25 8:21 am From: jim.capel (via carolinabirds Mailing List) <carolinabirds...> Subject: Chapel Hill Bird Club walk on Saturday
The Chapel Hill Bird Club will host a bird walk on Saturday, December 20th, at 8 AM at Sandy Creek Park in Durham, NC. For more info, contact Jim Capel at <jim.capel...> (mailto:<jim.capel...>).
Date: 12/15/25 8:53 am From: Wayne Hoffman (via carolinabirds Mailing List) <carolinabirds...> Subject: Re: NC Outer Banks Dec 13-14
Nice report -
Based on my observations from Johnnie Mercer Pier, this might be a "high" year for Common Eiders reaching NC:
Dec. 3: 1 immature male swam under the pier
Dec. 11: Flock of about 35 Black Scotors flying by NE to SW included 3 Common Eiders, 1 Green-winged Teal, 1 Gadwall
Dec. 13: 1 female flew in from NE, lit just off the end of the pier, after 2 minutes flew on to the SW.
Wayne Hoffman
Wilmington
From: "Steve" <sshultz...>
To: "carolinabirds listserve" <carolinabirds...>
Sent: Monday, December 15, 2025 9:44:19 AM
Subject: NC Outer Banks Dec 13-14
Members of the Carolina Bird Club visited the northern Outer Banks and Alligator River NWR this past weekend (December 13-14) on our almost-annual “bonus trip”, enjoying the splendor of North Carolina’s wintertime coastal birdlife. Weather conditions were typical of December, which is say variable. Saturday was almost too nice, with calm ocean (one could have waterskied on it) warm temperatures and essentially no wind. Sunday started partly cloudy and reasonably warm, but a fast-moving arctic front soon brought steady rain, wind, and falling temperatures.
We found the expected birds in expected places, although no truly rare species found their way onto our lists. Notable was the influx of Common Eiders, with one a Jennette’s Pier, an impressive four at the tip of the Oregon Inlet groin, and two more at Bonner Bridge. A number of participants independently enjoyed the “singing” saw-whet owl reported from the area. We watched Clapper Rails swim, Bufflehead buffle, Snow Geese channel snow, and an Orange-crowned Warbler steadfastly refuse to show any suggestion of orange.
Weather conditions were perfect on Saturday (i.e. no wind) to try for maritime sparrows on Pea Island/Hatteras Island, and we enjoyed looks at all three (Seaside, Nelson’s and Saltmarsh) along with Sedge and Marsh Wrens. Low tide meant finding the birds was a touch challenging, but just getting a calm day in December made the trek worthwhile.
Waterfowl numbers at Pea Island NWR were typical for this time of year. That is to say that the variety and numbers of ducks were good, but lower than end of November and early December, likely due to birds dispersing away from the refuge as food stocks are depleted. For example, the thousands of Northern Pintail there early in the season have moved on, and multiple hundreds of wigeon are reduced to scatterings. But diving ducks often use the refuge ponds for loafing, and those departed pintails and baldpates have been replaced with thousands of Redhead and numbers of scap. The Redhead feed in Pamlico Sound and then stream into New Field and South Ponds at PINWR to rest. The sight of so many birds impresses, especially when in flight, as happens if a marauding eagle, Peregrine, or black-backed gull strafes the flocks.
Sunday morning offered just a brief window of birdable weather, but it was mammals that stole the show. Two Red Wolves along Milltail provided “lifer looks” for many, and a quite large bear in the big corn field near the dump put an exclamation point on the “wildlife drive”.
While our bonus trip offerings accommodate small group birding, the Carolina Bird Club plans to hold the winter 2026 meeting in the same area at the end of January. Registration is open now, and details can be found at [ https://www.carolinabirdclub.org/ | The Carolina Bird Club ]
Finally, a public service message on Jennette’s Pier, a popular oceanwatching spot in Nags Head. The pier requires periodic maintenance, and this is usually done in the “off season” for fishing and pier ambulation. In other words, now. The seaward portion, including the “shelter”, is currently closed for reconstruction, so birders cannot access the end. I heard someone mention that over the next weeks/months that the decking will also be replaced, so portions (or all) of the pier may be closed. If you are heading out for the beach with hopes of seawatching from this pier, check in advance for closures.
Stay toasty!
Steve Shultz
Apex NC (where “our” Orange-crowned Warbler also refuses to show any orange, but is quite happy to have a heated hummingbird feeder at its disposal this morning)
Date: 12/15/25 6:45 am From: <sshultz...> Subject: NC Outer Banks Dec 13-14
Members of the Carolina Bird Club visited the northern Outer Banks and Alligator River NWR this past weekend (December 13-14) on our almost-annual "bonus trip", enjoying the splendor of North Carolina's wintertime coastal birdlife. Weather conditions were typical of December, which is say variable. Saturday was almost too nice, with calm ocean (one could have waterskied on it) warm temperatures and essentially no wind. Sunday started partly cloudy and reasonably warm, but a fast-moving arctic front soon brought steady rain, wind, and falling temperatures.
We found the expected birds in expected places, although no truly rare species found their way onto our lists. Notable was the influx of Common Eiders, with one a Jennette's Pier, an impressive four at the tip of the Oregon Inlet groin, and two more at Bonner Bridge. A number of participants independently enjoyed the "singing" saw-whet owl reported from the area. We watched Clapper Rails swim, Bufflehead buffle, Snow Geese channel snow, and an Orange-crowned Warbler steadfastly refuse to show any suggestion of orange.
Weather conditions were perfect on Saturday (i.e. no wind) to try for maritime sparrows on Pea Island/Hatteras Island, and we enjoyed looks at all three (Seaside, Nelson's and Saltmarsh) along with Sedge and Marsh Wrens. Low tide meant finding the birds was a touch challenging, but just getting a calm day in December made the trek worthwhile.
Waterfowl numbers at Pea Island NWR were typical for this time of year. That is to say that the variety and numbers of ducks were good, but lower than end of November and early December, likely due to birds dispersing away from the refuge as food stocks are depleted. For example, the thousands of Northern Pintail there early in the season have moved on, and multiple hundreds of wigeon are reduced to scatterings. But diving ducks often use the refuge ponds for loafing, and those departed pintails and baldpates have been replaced with thousands of Redhead and numbers of scap. The Redhead feed in Pamlico Sound and then stream into New Field and South Ponds at PINWR to rest. The sight of so many birds impresses, especially when in flight, as happens if a marauding eagle, Peregrine, or black-backed gull strafes the flocks.
Sunday morning offered just a brief window of birdable weather, but it was mammals that stole the show. Two Red Wolves along Milltail provided "lifer looks" for many, and a quite large bear in the big corn field near the dump put an exclamation point on the "wildlife drive".
While our bonus trip offerings accommodate small group birding, the Carolina Bird Club plans to hold the winter 2026 meeting in the same area at the end of January. Registration is open now, and details can be found at The Carolina Bird Club <https://www.carolinabirdclub.org/>
Finally, a public service message on Jennette's Pier, a popular oceanwatching spot in Nags Head. The pier requires periodic maintenance, and this is usually done in the "off season" for fishing and pier ambulation. In other words, now. The seaward portion, including the "shelter", is currently closed for reconstruction, so birders cannot access the end. I heard someone mention that over the next weeks/months that the decking will also be replaced, so portions (or all) of the pier may be closed. If you are heading out for the beach with hopes of seawatching from this pier, check in advance for closures.
Stay toasty!
Steve Shultz
Apex NC (where "our" Orange-crowned Warbler also refuses to show any orange, but is quite happy to have a heated hummingbird feeder at its disposal this morning)
Date: 12/15/25 5:58 am From: James Hancock (via carolinabirds Mailing List) <carolinabirds...> Subject: FOS purple finch
I live in extreme NE NC. Today I had my FOS Purple finch. Last year it was on 11/14 and I had so many over the winter that they became the predominant species at the feeders.
They usually show up mid-November.
Strange to have the FOS be so late.
Skip Hancock
Coinjock
