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Selected Bird Reports, September 2005

Blue-winged and Green-winged Teal and Northern Shoveler first arrived in August, but became more numerous and widespread during September (m.o.). A Redhead at Calaveras Lake on the 27th (HR) was the first reported for the season. A Zone-tailed Hawk reported from the Botanical Gardens on the 17th was a good way to start off their hawkwatch (GL). Three Harris’s Hawks on the 3rd (MC) and a Peregrine Falcon on the 5th (HR) were nice finds at Mitchell Lake. Returning American Kestrels were first reported on the 19th (JH) and quickly became widespread throughout the area (m.o.).

Shorebird migration peaks in early September and tends to wind down over the month. A Snowy Plover at Mitchell Lake on the 3rd and 4th (MC, GS), a Buff-breasted Sandpiper there on the 4th (GS), and a Long-billed Curlew at Evans Lake on the 27th continued what has amounted to a very good shorebird season. Two Pauraque and 2 Whip-poor-wills reported in Guadalupe County on the 17th (SS) are very good birds for the area, although the Pauraque have been present at the site for several years now.

Two Olive-sided Flycatchers at the Botanical Garden on the 17th (GL) were the only ones reported for the month. Couch’s Kingbirds appear to be primarily winter visitors in our area. True to form, they were reported throughout the month from many locations (m.o.). Least and Yellow-bellied Flycatchers were also widely reported, particularly in the first 2 weeks of September (m.o.). Eastern Wood-Pewees were reported at Avenue A on the 11th (MC) and John James Park on the 19th (BW). A Say’s Phoebe reported at Mitchell Lake on the 3rd (RE), if correct, is extremely early. A Yellow-throated Vireo in Guadalupe County on the 1st (SS) and a Red-eyed Vireo on Lackland AFB on the 3rd (SG) were the only ones reported. Cactus Wrens are becoming rare in the county, but they sometimes show up in unusual places, as one did at the head of the polders at Mitchell Lake on the 24th (BD). A Swainson’s Thrush in Guadalupe County on the 1st (SS) was a couple of weeks early.

September is a peak month for warbler migration and this September was fairly typical. Seventeen species of migrating warblers were reported from the area including noteworthy species such as Mourning (5th, SS), Yellow Breasted Chat (5th, SS), Canada (13th, BR), Northern Waterthrush (16th, SS), Kentucky (18th, MC), Yellow-rumped (Audubon’s, very early) (20th, BD), Ovenbird (21st, (SS), Magnolia (25th, BW), and Bay-breasted (28th, GL). September is generally too early for wintering sparrows but a Chipping Sparrow was observed on the 1st (BD) and Lincoln’s Sparrows on the 29th (AG). Astonishingly, a Smith’s Longspur was photographed near Utopia on the 6th (MH). Bullocks, Orchard and Baltimore Orioles were widely reported throughout the month, particularly during the first 3 weeks (m.o.).

Observers: Andy Garcia (AG); Bob Doe (BD); Bob Rasa (BR); Brad Wier (BW); Greg Lisciandro (GL); Georgina Schwartz (GW); Helen Rejzek (HR); Jerry Hernandez (JH); Mike Creese (MC); Mitch Heindel (MH); Rowe Elliott (RE); Scott Gruwell (SG); Susan Schaezler (SS); multiple observers (m.o.)
Bird Records Committee

The San Antonio Audubon Bird Records committee has reviewed and accepted the following records: Black-throated Gray Warbler, Comal County, October 6, 2005; and Red Phalarope, Mitchell Lake, Bexar County, October 10-12, 2005.

Reports are compiled by Georgina Schwartz and written up by Bob Doe. All reports go to the Bird Records Committee, even if they don’t appear here. Thanks for your submissions! Send your reports to <birdreports@saaudubon.org> or Bob Doe, 748 Copper Rim, Spring Branch, TX 78070. Report your birds using the online form at <www.saaudubon.org/birdreportform.html>, call them to the club’s tape at 308-6788, or paper forms can be had at any SAAS meeting or by mail from the club address.

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