Lubbock received 0.19 inches of rain during April, way below the
expected total for the month of 1.41 inches, bringing the year’s total
to 3.75 inches, slightly below the average to-date total of 3.81
inches. Despite the good rainfall, according to the US Drought
Monitor, 100% of our fifteen county region remains in a state of
drought, with over 60% in a state of severe to exceptional drought and
this continues to concentrate waterbirds at the few remaining
wetlands. With regards to ongoing irruptive events, the strong
showing of both Cedar Waxwings and Pine Siskins continued throughout
the period. Lastly, though plants are recovering from the severe
winter event of February many insects, including bees, butterflies,
and moths, are doing very poorly with record low numbers being
reported by many observers – what impact this will have on birds is
yet to be determined.
Regional summaries of eBird data cannot be acquired in a timely
fashion. As a result, records submitted to eBird may not appear in
this report. Reports from the region that are submitted to the
texbirds or leasbirds listservs can be reviewed in a timely fashion
and should appear.
As always, the county follows the site in ( ) and birds are mentioned
by virtue of rarity, atypical abundance, or atypical scarcity. Water
Treatment Ponds have come to feature so prominently in these reports
that they will, henceforth, be referred to as WTP.
BLACK-BELLIED WHISTLING DUCK: 1 continued to pop at various parks in
(Lubbock) through 4/14/21 (JoC, AH) – FORMERLY ACCIDENTAL TO THE
REGION; NOW AN ANNUAL VISITOR WITH SIGHTING MOVING EVER NORTHWARD INTO
THE PANHANDLE ITSELF.
WOOD DUCK: Five reports of 1-4 birds in the region (Lubbock, Terry)
during the period (AH, PKi, BSh) – LOW NUMBERS; SEEMINGLY AN EARLY
DEPARTURE AFTER A DISASTROUS FEBRUARY AND A STRONG MARCH REBOUND.
BLUE-WINGED x CINNAMON TEAL: 1 at the Pleasant Hill Gin Playa (Crosby)
on 4/16/21 (ML) – A REGULAR, POSSIBLY OVERLOOKED, HYBRID FORM FOR THE
REGION.
MEXICAN DUCK: 1 bird that seemed to be solid for Mexican Dusk was
reported from the Canyon Lake (Lubbock) on 4/15/21 (JBu, JrC, WC, BSh)
with the presence of a hybrid Mallard x Mexican Duck along the lakes
complicating the situation somewhat – STATUS UNCLEAR AT THIS POINT.
MALLARD x MEXICAN DUCK: 1 at Lake Six (Lubbock) on 4/18/21 (PKe) and 1
at Clapp Park (Lubbock) on 4/20/21 (PKe) – STATUS UNCLEAR AT THIS
POINT.
REDHEAD: 2 at the Lubbock Airport Playa (Lubbock) on 4/8/21 (SA) the
only report received – VERY LOW.
GREATER SCAUP: 1 at Lake Two (Lubbock) on 4/16/21 (PKe) – FORMERLY
CONSIDERED CASUAL TO THE REGION; NOW REGARDED AS A RARE ANNUAL
VISITOR.
BUFFLEHEAD: 1 at the Lorenzo Rookery (Crosby) on 4/16/21 (ML), 1 at
the Roaring Springs WTP (Motley) on 4/16/21 (SD), 1 female and 1 male
at Dupree Park (Lubbock) on 4/18/21 (AH, photographs), and 2 females
and 2 males at Whisperwood Pond (Lubbock) on 4/18/21 (AH, photographs)
– SOME CONSIDER THE SPCECIES TO BE VERY UNUSUAL DURING THE LATTER HALF
OF APRIL, MAKING THESE RECORDS NOTEWORTHY.
SCALED QUAIL: 2 near Morton (Cochran) on 4/11/21 (SA, DH) and 2 along
Bole’s Lake Road (Lubbock) on 4/20/21 (BSh) the only reports received
– LOW.
RING-NECKED PHEASANT: 1 at the FM 789 Wetlands (Hale) on 4/17/21 (NP),
1 near Plainview (Hale) on 4/21/21 (NP), and 1 below Lake Six
(Lubbock) on 4/25/21 (AH, PKe) the only reports received – LOW.
LESSER PRAIRIE CHICKEN: 9 near Morton (Cochran) on 4/3/21 (MB, DH,
RS), 11 near Morton (Cochran) on 4/10/21 (JBu, DH, CL, SS, BSh), 10
near Morton (Cochran) on 4/11/21 (SA, DH), and 12 near Morton
(Cochran) on 4/15/21 (WE) – SHOWING THAT THE REGION STILL SUPPORTS AT
LEAST ONE LEK.
EARED GREBE: Eight reports of 1-2 birds in the region (Crosby, Hale,
Lubbock) during the period (SA, JBu, JoC, JrC, WC, JCr, DH, AH, ML,
BSc, BSh) – ABOUT AVERAGE AFTER A DISASTEROUS LATE FEBRUARY AND MARCH.
INCA DOVE: Six reports of 1-2 birds at various sites in Lubbock
(Lubbock) during the period (AH, CR, FR) the only reports received –
BARELY HANGING ON.
COMMON POORWILL: 1 at Dickens Springs (Dickens) on 4/11/21 (AH), 1 at
the TTU HSC Campus (Lubbock) on 4/16/21 (AH), 1 below Lake Six
(Lubbock) on 4/25/21 (AH), and 1 at Clapp Park (Lubbock) on 4/29/21
(JoC, JrC) the only reports – ABOUT AVERAGE.
CHIMNEY SWIFT: 1 at Leroy Elmore Park (Lubbock) on 4/12/21 (JoC), 3 at
Clapp Park (Lubbock)on 4/24/21 (AH), 1 at Clapp Park (Lubbock) on
4/27/21 (PKe), 3 at Guy Park (Lubbock) on 4/28/21 (JoC), and 2 at
Clapp Park (Lubbock) on 4/29/21 (JoC) the only reports received –
RUNNING A LITTLE LATE THIS YEAR AND SLOW TO FILL IN – THIS MIGHT BE
DUE TO THE AFOREMENTIONED LOW NUMBERS OF INSECTS.
BLACK-CHINNED HUMMINGBIRD: 1 male in a Lubbock yard (Lubbock) on
4/3/21 (JCr), 1 male at Clapp Park (Lubbock) on 4/4/21 (AH), 1 in a
Lubbock yard (Lubbock) on 4/4/21 (GJ, PJ) the first reports of the
season – RUNNING JUST A LITTLE BIT LATE AND SLOW TO FILL IN WITH
NUMBERS REMAINING LOW THROUGHOUT THE MONTH.
RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD: 1-2 in a Lubbock yard (Lubbock) on 4/21/21
(NN) – VERY RARE AS A SPRING VISITOR; PHOTOGRAPHS CONFIRMED BY KELLY
BRYAN.
SORA: 1 at Clapp Park (Lubbock) throughout the period (AH, PKe, JN)
and1 at the Wheeler Ranch (Crosby) on 4/24/21 (ML) the only reports
received – LOW BUT A LOT OF THE BETTER SITES HAD LITTLE OR NO WATER
DURING THE MONTH.
BLACK-NECKED STILT: Forty-two reports of 1-10 birds and eleven reports
of 11-25 birds in the region (Crosby, Hale, Lubbock) during the period
(SA, HB, JoC, JrC, JCr, AH, BJ, GK, PKe, PKi, ML, TM, JN, NP, CR, FR,
BSh, MS, WW) – GOOD NUMBER OF REPORTS BUT NUMBERS SOMEWHAT LOW;
POSSIBLY CONSISTENT WITH THE CONCENTRATION OF A LOT OF BIRDS AT
SMALLISH, URBAN SITES.
AMERICAN AVOCET: Fifty reports of 1-10 birds and five reports of 11-20
birds in the region (Crosby, Dickens, Hale, Lubbock) during the period
(SA, JoC, JrC, WC, JCr, AH, AK, GK, PKe, PKi, ML, TM, JM, JN, NP, BSc,
BSh, KT, WW)– GOOD NUMBER OF REPORTS BUT NUMBERS SOMEWHAT LOW;
POSSIBLY CONSISTENT WITH THE CONCENTRATION OF A LOT OF BIRDS AT
SMALLISH, URBAN SITES.
SNOWY PLOVER: 1 at the Lorenzo Playa (Crosby) from 4/9/21 through
4/18/21 (ML, JBu, BSh) and 1 near Petersburg (Hale) on 4/17/21 (NP) –
ABOUT AVERAGE FOR THIS EARLY IN THE SEASON.
AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER: 1 at the Lorenzo Playa (Crosby) on 4/2/21 (ML,
BSh) – A RARE ENOUGH SPRING MIGRANT THAT THIS MIGHT REPRESENT GOOD
NUMBERS.
LONG-BILLED CURLEW: 47 near Morton (Cochran) on 4/3/21 (MB, DH, RS),
47 near Morton (Cochran) on 4/10/21 (JBu, DH, CL, SS, BSh), 42 near
Morton (Cochran) on 4/11/21 (SA, DH), 2 near Morton (Cochran) on
4/15/21 (WE), and 2 near Plainview (Hale) on 4/21/21 (NP) –DECENT
NUMBERS BUT VERY POOR SCATTER.
MARBLED GODWIT: 1 northwest of Ralls (Crosby) on 4/16/21 (ML), 2 at
McAlister Park (Lubbock) on 4/17/21 (JCr, JoC, JrC, WC, PKe, JM, WW),
1 at White River Lake (Crosby) on 4/18/21 (ML), 1 at the Hale Center
WTP (Hale) on 4/18/21 (BSc),and 2 at the Hale Center WTP (Hale) on
4/19/21 (NP) – GOOD NUMBER OF REPORTS AND GOOD SCATTER.
STILT SANDPIPER: 2 near Petersburg (Hale) on 4/17/21 (NP) and 5 at the
Lorenzo Play (Crosby) on 4/18/21 (ML) the only reports – LOW BORDERING
ON VERY LOW.
BAIRD’S SANDPIPER: Thirteen reports of 1-11 birds in the region
(Crsoby, Hale, Lubbock) during the period (JBu, JoC, JrC, WC, AH, ML,
JN, NP, BSh) – AVERAGE NUMBER OF REPORTS AND NUMBERS FOR A DRY YEAR.
LEAST SANDPIPER: Seventeen reports of 1-10 birds and one report of 17
birds in the region (Crosby, Hale, Lubbock) during the period (SA,
JoC, JrC, AH, PKi, ML, NP, BSc, WW) – POOR NUMBER OF REPORTS AND POOR
NUMBERS EVEN FOR A DRY YEAR.
PECTORAL SANDPIPER: 1 at White River Lake (Crosby) on 4/8/21 (ML) and
1 at the Lorenzo Playa (Crosby) on 4/18/21 (ML) – ABOUT AVERAGE FOR
THIS EARLY IN THE SEASON.
SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER: 2-3 at the Lorenzo Playa (Crosby) from 4/14/21
through 4/18/21 (ML) the only reports – VERY LOW NUMBER OF REPORTS AND
NUMBERS EVEN FOR A DRY YEAR.
WESTERN SANDPIPER: Six reports of 1-9 birds in the region (Crosby,
Hale, Lubbock) during the period (AH, ML, NP) – POOR NUMBER OF REPORTS
AND POOR NUMBERS EVEN FOR A DRY YEAR.
SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER: 1 at MacKenzie Park (Lubbock) from 4/8/21
through 4/9/21 (JoC, JrC, WC, BK, JM) – A VERY RARE MIGRANT THROUGH
THE REGION THOUGH THIS RARITY MAY BE, IN PART, DUE TO DIFFICULTY OF
ESTABLISHING A CLEAN IDENTIFICATION.
LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER: Eight reports of 1-9 birds and five reports of
11-25 birds in the region (Crosby, Lubbock) during the period (SA,
JoC, JCr, AH, ML, KM, JN, WW) – AVERAGE NUMBER OF REPORTS AND NUMBERS
FOR A DRY YEAR.
WILSON’S SNIPE: 1 at Lubbock Lake Landmark (Lubbock) on 4/19/21 (SA,
JoC), 1 at Clapp Park (Lubbock) on 4/24/21 (AH), and 2 at the West
Airport Playa (Lubbock) on 4/25/21 (GK) the only reports – LOW
SPOTTED SANDPIPER: Twelve reports of 1-2 birds in the region (Hale,
Lubbock, Yoakum) during the period (SA, JoC, JrC, JCr, AH, GK, NP,
CFRT, WW) – ABOUT AVERAGE; EXPECTED FOR A SPECIES THAT FAVORS
ARTIFICIALLY MAINTAINED URBAN WETLAND SITES.
SOLITARY SANDPIPER: Fourteen reports of 1-2 birds at various sites in
(Lubbock) during the period (SA, JoC, JCr, DHa, AH, PKi) – GOOD NUMBER
OF REPORTS; POOR SCATTER.
GREATER YELLOWLEGS: Eight reports of 1-4 birds in the region (Crosby,
Lubbock) during the period (SA, JoC, AH, ML, BSc, BSh) – LOW NUMBER OF
REPORTS AND VERY LOW NUMBERS.
LESSER YELLOWLEGS: Twelve reports of 1-4 birds in the region (Crosby,
Lubbock) during the period (SA, JoC, JCr, AH, GK, ML, JN, BSh, WW) –
LOW NUMBER OF REPORTS AND LOW NUMBERS.
WILSON’S PHALAROPE: Seven reports of 1-10 birds and seven reports of
11-23 birds in the region (Crosby, Hale, Lubbock) during the period
(SA, JoC, JrC, JCr, AH, GK, PKi, KM, NP, BSc, BSh) – AVERAGE NUMBER OF
REPORTS BUT LOW NUMBERS – EASIER TO FIND BUT LOWER IN NUMBERS AT
SMALLER, URBAN SITES.
FRANKLIN’S GULL: 1 at Maxey Park (Lubbock) on 4/4/21 (AH), 7 at White
River Lake (Crosby) on 4/8/21 (ML), 4 at Lake Six (Lubbock) on 4/14/21
(JM), 4 at Buddy Holly Park (Lubbock) on 4/15/21 (PKi), 1-3 at Lake
Six (Lubbock) on 4/15/21 (SA, HB, JoC, JrC, WC, AH), 4 at White River
Lake (Crosby) on 4/18/21 (ML), 2 at the Hale Center WTP (Hale) on
4/18/21 (BSc), and 1 at Dupree Park (Lubbock) on 4/18/21 (AH) – GOOD
NUMBER OF REPORTS AND GOOD NUMBERS; PART OF A LARGE MOVEMENT THROUGH
THE PANHANDLE PROPER.
RING-BILLED GULL: Four reports of 2-9 birds and four reports of 13-52
birds in the region (Crosby, Lubbock) during the period (AH, ML, JN) –
THE SPECIES CAME CLOSE TO DISAPPEARING FROM THE REGION IN THE
AFTERMATH OF THE FEBRUARY WEATHER EVENT, REBOUNDED SLIGHTLY IN MARCH,
AND PUT ON A FAIRLY GOOD APRIL SHOWING.
LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL: 1 adult bird at Lake Six/Mae Simmons Park
(Lubbock) on 4/14/21 (JrC, JBu, JoC, WC, JM, BSh), on 4/15/21 (SA,
JBu, HB, JoC, JrC, WC, AH, PKe, BSh), and on 4/17/21 (BSc) –
ACCIDENTAL TO THE REGION – ONE OF THE BEST BIRDS OF THE MONTH!
FORSTER’S TERN: Five reports of 1-9 birds in the region (Hale,
Hockley, Lubbock) during the period (JBu, JoC, AH, AK, PKi, NP, BSh) –
ABOUT AVERAGE; DOES WELL AT THE DEEPER BODIES OF WATER THAT PERSIST
THROUGH DROUGHTS.
NEOTROPIC CORMORANT: 1-2 at various parks in (Lubbock) during the
period (SA, JoC, AH, NN) – FORMERLY ACCIDENTAL IN THE REGION; NOW A
LOW-DENSITY PERMANENT RESIDENT.
AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN: 1 at White River Lake (Crosby) on 4/18/21 (ML)
– ABOUT AVERAGE FOR THIS LOW-DENSITY VISITOR FOR ALL SEASONS.
GREAT EGRET: Sixteen reports of 1-5 birds at various parks in
(Lubbock) during the period (SA, JBu, JoC, JrC, WC, AH, PKe, BK, TM,
BSc, BSh) – AVERAGE NUMBER OF REPORTS; NUMBERS REMAINED A BIT LOW EVEN
AT THE END OF THE PERIOD.
SNOWY EGRET: Twenty-six reports of 1-7 birds in the region (Crosby,
Lubbock) during the period (SA, HB, JoC, WC, AH, PKe, PKi, ML, CR, FR)
– GOOD NUMBER OF REPORTS; NUMBERS REMAINED A BIT LOW EVEN AT THE END
OF THE PERIOD.
CATTLE EGRET: Eleven reports of 1-9 birds in the region (Crosby,
Lubbock) during the period (SA, JBu, JoC, JrC, WC, AH, ML, BSh) –
AVERAGE NUMBER OF REPORTS BUT VERY LOW NUMBERS.
YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT HERON: 1 at Clapp Park (Lubbock) throughout the
period (JoC, JrC), 1 at Lake Six (Lubbock) from 4/15/21 onward (AH),
and 1 at Leroy Elmore Park (Lubbock) from 4/18/21 onward (Ah, JoC) –
LOW NUMBER OF REPORTS AND LOW NUMBERS.
WHITE-FACED IBIS: Eighteen reports of 1-6 birds, one report of 23
birds, and one report of 36 birds in the region (Crosby, Hale,
Lubbock) during the period (SA, JrC, WC, DHa, AH, PKi, ML, JN, NP, KT)
– AN AVERAGE NUMBER OF REPORTS FOR THIS EARLY IN THE SEASON BUT
NUMBERS LOW.
OSPREY: Four reports of single birds at sites in (Lubbock) during the
period (SA, AH, PKe, NN) – A TAD ON THE LOW SIDE; APRIL IS USUALLY A
PEAK MONTH FOR THIS MIGRANT.
MISSISSIPPI KITE: 1 at Clapp Park (Lubbock) on 4/25/21 (HB), 3 at
Clapp Park (Lubbock) from 4/26/21 onward (JoC, AH), 3 over a Lubbock
yard (Lubbock) on 4/27/21 (AH), 2 over another Lubbock yard (Lubbock)
on 4/28/21 (GK), 18 over the Tech Terrace Neighborhood (Lubbock) on
4/29/21 (SA, WW), and 3 over a Lubbock yard (Lubbock) on 4/30/21 (AH)
– RIGHT ON TIME BUT FILLING IN VERY SLOWLY.
SHARP-SHINNED HAWK: 1 at Clapp Park (Lubbock) on 4/24/21 (AH) – THE
ONLY REPORT FROM THE LATTER HALF OF THE MONTH, DURING WHICH REPORTS
BECOME NOTEWORTHY.
COOPER’S HAWK: 1 at Aztlan Park (Lubbock) on 4/18/21 (AH) – THE ONLY
REPORT RECEIVED FROM THE LATTER HALF OF THE MONTH, DURING WHICH
REPORTS BECOME NOTEWORTHY.
GOLDEN EAGLE: 1 west of Morton (Cochran) on 4/2/21 (WB, KC) – A VERY
UNUSUAL REPORT FOR SO LATE IN THE SEASON.
HARRIS’S HAWK: 1 near City Farms (Lubbock) on 4/10/21 (SA), 1 at Clapp
Park (Lubbock) from 4/12/21 onward (JoC), and 2 adults over the TTU
HSC Campus (Lubbock) on 4/14/21 (AH) – GOOD NUMBER OF REPORTS FOR THIS
IRREGULAR VISITOR AND OCCASIONAL BREEDER.
RED-SHOULDERED HAWK: 1 at Clapp Park (Lubbock) on 4/24/21 (AH) and 1
near Quincy Park (Lubbock) on 4/28/21 (BSc) the only reports – A TAD
LOW BY RECENT YEARS’ STANDARDS.
BROAD-WINGED HAWK: 1 near Smyer (Hockley) on 4/8/21 (WW), 1 at Camp
Rio Blanco (Crosby) on 4/11/21 (AH), and 1 at Clapp Park (Lubbock) on
4/29/21 (JoC) the only reports received – LOW BY RECENT YEARS’
STANDARDS.
FERRUGINOUS HAWK: 1 a Lake Six (Lubbock) on 4/2/21 (PKi) and 1 along
Bole’s Lake Rod (Lubbock) on 4/20/21 (PKi) the only reports received –
A RATHER EARLY AND THOROUGH WITHDRAWAL FROM THE REGION.
SHORT-EARED OWL: 2 near Morton (Cochran) on 4/15/21 (WE) – A RATHER LATE REPORT.
RED-HEADED WOODPECKER: 1 at Camp Rio Blanco (Crosby) on 4/11/21 (AH)
the only report – A BIT LOW BY RECENT YEARS’ STANDARDS; MAY HAVE A
TOUGH TIME MOVING BACK INTO THE REGION THIS YEAR.
GOLDEN-FRONTED WOODPECKER: 1 at Dupree Park (Lubbock) on 4/18/21 (AH)
– A RARE REPORT FROM ATOP THE CAPROCK ESCARPMENT AWAY FROM THE
RIPARIAN CORRIDORS.
YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER: 1 at White River Lake (Crosby) on 4/8/21
(ML) and 4/18/21 (ML) the only reports received – LOW.
RED-NAPED SAPSUCKER: 1 in a Lubbock yard (Lubbock) on 4/10/21 (KT,
photographs) the only report received – LOW; WE USUALLY SEE A SMALL
PEAK IN SIGHTINGS DURING APRIL.
DOWNY WOODPECKER: 1 at Dickens Springs (Dickens) on 4/11/21 (AH) the
only report received – A BIT LOW.
MERLIN: 1 at Lakeside Park Playa (Hale) on 4/16/21 (NP) – THE ONLY
REPORT FROM THE LATTER HALF OF THE PERIOD WHEN THE SPECIES BECOMES
NOTEWORTHY.
PEREGRINE FALCON: 2 at Clapp Park (Lubbock) on 4/20/21 (JrC) and 1 at
Clapp Park (Lubbock) on 4/29/21 (JoC) – THE ONLY REPORTS FROM THE
LATTER HALF OF THE MONTH WHEN THE SPECIES BECOMES NOTEWORTHY.
WESTERN KINGBIRD: THOUGH THE SPECIES SHOWED UP ON TIME (THE FIRST
REPORT WAS ON 3/25/21), IT WAS SLOW TO FILL IN AND EVEN BY THE END OF
APRIL WAS NOT UP TO NORMAL STRENGTH.
EASTERN KINGBIRD: 1 at the CR 343 x Highway 70 Playa (Dickens) on
4/11/21 (AH) – A RARE BUT REGULAR SPRING MIGRANT.
OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER: 1 below Lake Six (Lubbock) on 4/25/21 (AH) and
1 at Clapp Park (Lubbock) on 4/30/21 (JoC) – RIGHT ON TIME BUT VERY
LOW NUMBERS THUS FAR.
LEAST FLYCATCHER: 1 at Clapp Park (Lubbock) on 4/24/21 (AH) the only
report received – RIGHT ON TIME BUT LOW NUMBERS THUS FAR.
GRAY FLYCATCHER: 1 at the Wheeler Ranch (Crosby) on 4/24/21 (ML) –
FAIRLY FAR EAST IN THE REGION FOR THIS SPECIES.
BLACK PHOEBE: 1 at Lubbock Lake Landmark (Lubbock) on 4/18/21 (AH) the
only report – FORMERLY ACCIDENTAL IN THE REGION; NOW ANNUAL AND
CLOSING IN ON PERMANENT RESIDENT STATUS.
EASTERN PHOEBE: 2 at Camp Rio Blanco (Crosby) on 4/11/21 (AH), 1 at
Silver Falls Rest Area (Crosby) on 4/11/21 (AH), 1 at Dickens Springs
(Dickens) on 4/11/21 (AH), 1 at Plains Baptist Assembly (Floyd) on
4/17/21 (JBu, BSh), and 2 at the Wheeler Ranch (Crosby) on 4/24/21
(ML) – STARTING TO BOUNCE BACK UP TO NORMAL NUMBERS AFTER A VERY POOR
MARCH.
SAY’S PHOEBE: Seven reports of 1-2 birds in the region (Crosby, Hale,
Lubbock) during the period (JrC, WC, JCr, AH, PKi, ML, NP) – ABOUT
AVERAGE, MATCHING THE USUAL PEAK WE SEE IN APRIL.
VERMILION FLYCATCHER: 1 female at Monument Lake (Bailey) on 4/3/21
(MB, DH, RS) - FORMERLY ACCIDENTAL TO THE REGION; NOW CASUAL CLOSING
ON ANNUAL.
WOODHOUSE’S SCRUB JAY: 1 at Dickens Springs (Dickens) on 4/11/21 (AH)
the only report – RELATIVELY LOW GIVEN THE AMOUNT OF EFFORT REPORTED
FROM OUR EASTERN COUNTIES DURING THE PERIOD.
AMERICAN CROW: 1 at the Lorenzo Rookery (Crosby) on 4/16/21 (ML) – A
RARE REPORT AWAY FROM THE LARGE ROOSTS IN LYNN, TERRY, AND LAMB
COUNTIES.
COMMON RAVEN: 2 at Dickens Springs (Dickens) on 4/11/21 (AH) and 2 at
Plains Baptist Assembly (Floyd) on 4/17/21 (JBu, BSh) – A TAD ON THE
LOW SIDE.
BANK SWALLOW: Twelve reports of 1-9 birds in the region (Crosby,
Lubbock) during the period (JBu, JoC, JrC, WC, AH, PKe, PKi, ML, JM,
BSh) – ABOUT AVERAGE FOR THE APRIL PEAK.
TREE SWALLOW: Fifteen reports of 1-4 birds in the region (Crosby,
Lubbock) during the period (JoC, JrC, WC, AH, PKe, PKi, ML) – AVERAGE
NUMBER OF REPORTS BUT POOR NUMBERS.
NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW: Eight reports of 1-7 birds in the
region (Crosby, Lubbock) during the period (JoC, AH, PKi, ML)
including two moving in and out of a cliffside cavity at Silver Falls
Rest Area (Crosby) on 4/11/21 (AH) – LOW NUMBER OF REPORTS AND LOW
NUMBERS.
PURPLE MARTIN: Six reports of 1-10 birds and five reports of 12-32
birds in the region (Crosby, Dickens, Lubbock) during the period (JoC,
JrC, JCr, LH, AH, GJ, PJ, ML) – ABOUT AVERAGE; IT WILL BE INTERESTNG
TO SEE IF THEIR INSECT-GATHERING SKILLS ARE UP TO THE CHALLENGE THIS
YEAR.
CAVE SWALLOW: Six report of 1-4 birds in the region (Dickens, Lubbock)
during the period (JoC, AH, PKe, PKi) – LATE TO ARRIVE AND VERY LOW IN
NUMBER EVEN AT THE END OF THE PERIOD.
RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH: 1 in a Lubbock yard (Lubbock) on 4/7/21 (WW)
and 1 at Crescent Park, Littlefield (Lamb) on 4/18/21 (BB) – RUNNING A
BIT LATE.
ROCK WREN: 1 at Lubbock Lake Landmark (Lubbock) on 4/7/21 (JCr) the
only report received – VERY LOW; WE USUALLY SEE A MIGRATORY PEAK IN
APRIL.
CANYON WREN: 1 at Dickens Springs (Dickens) on 4/11/21 (AH) the only
report received – VERY LOW DESPITE RELATIVELY GOOD COVERAGE OF OUR
EASTERN COUNTIES.
HOUSE WREN: 1 at Swenson Park (Dickens) on 4/11/21 (AH) the only
report received – VERY LOW; ANOTHER SPECIES THAT USUALLY SHOWS A
MIGRATORY SPIKE IN APRIL.
CAROLINA WREN: 1 at Aztlan Park (Lubbock) on 4/18/21 (AH) – THE ONLY
REPORT RECEIVED FROM, MORE OR LESS, ATOP THE CAPROCK ESCAPRMENT.
BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER: Four reports of 1-3 birds at two sites in
(Crosby) during the period (ML) – VERY LOW; YET ANOTHER SPECIES THAT
USUALLY SHOWS A STRONG SPIKE IN APRIL.
RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET: 1 at Bole’s Lake Road (Lubbock) on 4/20/21
(PKi), 1 at the Wheeler Ranch (Crosby) on 4/24/21 (ML), and 1 at Clapp
Park (Lubbock) on 4/27/21 (JoC) the only reports received – VERY LOW
NUMBERS. THE FEBRUARY WEATHER EVENT TANKED THIS SPECIES, REGIONALLY,
AND IT IS SHOWING NO SIGNS OF A REBOUND.
EASTERN BLUEBIRD: 2 at Swenson Park (Dickens) on 4/11/21 (AH) the only
report received – RUNNING A TAD LATE.
TOWNSEND’S SOLITAIRE: 1 at Lake Six (Lubbock) on 4/3/21 (JoC) and 1 at
Clapp Park (Lubbock) persisted all the way to the end of the period
(HB, JoC, JrC, WC, AH, JM, JN, BSh) – RUNNING A TAD LATE, WITH THE
LATTER BIRD EXPECTED TO PROVIDE A VERY RARE MAY RECORD.
HERMIT THRUSH: Six reports of 1-2 birds in the region (Crosby,
Lubbock) during the period (JoC, AH, PKi, ML, BSh) – LOW NUMBERS; FEW
BIRDS MADE IT THROUGH WINTER AND MIGRATION IS EITHER DELAYED OR
NUMERICALLY POOR.
GRAY CATBIRD: 1 in a Lubbock yard (Lubbock) throughout the period
(GK), 1 at Windsor Park (Lubbock) on 4/16/21 (LH), 1 at Buddy Holly
Park (Lubbock) on 4/18/21 (AH), and 1 at Lake Six (Lubbock) on 4/25/21
(AH) – AFTER A GOOD WINTER IN THE REGION, WE ARE SEEING A SMALL SPRING
BUMP.
BROWN THRASHER: 1 below Lake Six (Lubbock) on 4/25/21 (AH) – THE ONLY
REPORT FROM, MORE OR LESS, ATOP THE CAPROCK ESCARPMENT.
SAGE THRASHER: 1 at Monument Lake (Bailey) on 4/3/21 (MB, DH, RS), 2
near Lehman (Cochran) on 4/3/21 (MB, DH, RS), 1 at McAlister Park
(Lubbock) on 4/4/21 (AH), 6 at Lubbock Lake Landmark (Lubbock) on
4/7/21 (JCr), and 1 east of Silver Falls Rest Area (Crosby) on 4/11/21
(AH) – GOOD NUMBER OF REPORTS AND NUMBERS, CONTINUING THE IRRUPTIVE
EVENT EXPERIENCED DURING LATE FEBRUARY AND MARCH.
CEDAR WAXWING: Thirty-one reports of 1-10 birds, eight reports of
11-25 birds, six reports of 26-50 birds, five reports of 51-100 birds,
one report of 116 bird, one report of 300 birds, one report of 315
birds, and one report of 340 birds in the region (Crosby, Dickens
Lamb, Lubbock) during the period (SA, BB, JoC, JrC, WC, KD, AH, PKe,
PKi, ML, TM, JN, BSh, WW) – THE STRONGEST MOVEMENT OF THE SPECIES INTO
THE REGION THAT I CAN RECALL ACTUALLY INTENSIFIED DURING THE MONTH – A
STUNNING TOUR DE FORCE.
EVENING GROSBEAK: 1 at White River Lake (Crosby) on 4/1/21 (ML) and on
4/8/21 (ML, photographs) – FORMERLY CASUAL TO THE REGION IN WINTER;
NOW REGARDED AS ACCIDENTAL FOR THE ENTIRE STATE – ONE OF THE BIRDS OF
THE MONTH.
CASSIN’S FINCH: 1 in a Lubbock yard (Lubbock) on 4/23/21 (LB,
photographs) – RELATIVELY LATE IN THE SEASON FOR THIS CASUAL, AT BEST,
WINTER VISITOR.
PINE SISKIN: Twenty-seven reports of 1-10 birds, twenty-two reports of
11-25 birds, twenty-seven reports of 26-50 birds, and three reports of
55-65 birds in the region (Crosby, Dickens, Floyd, Hale, Lamb,
Lubbock) during the period (SA, BB, JBu, JoC, JCr, KD, LH, AH, GJo,
GJ, PJ, GK, CaL, ML, NN, NP, CR, FR, BSh, WW) – THE IRRUPTIVE EVENT
WHICH HAD LOST A LITTLE STEAM TOWARDS THE END OF MARCH KICKED IT UP A
NOTCH FOR MOST OF APRIL – THE STRONGEST IRRUPTIVE EVENT OF THIS
SPECIES THAT ANY LOCAL BIRDERS CAN RECALL – BY VIRTUE OF SHEER EFFORT,
THESE TINY LITTLE WONDERS ALSO RATE A BIRDS OF THE MONTH AWARD!
LESSER GOLDFINCH: Twenty-five reports of 1-4 birds in the region
(Crosby, Dickens, Lubbock) during the period (AH) – AN EXCELLENT
NUMBER OF REPORTS AND DECENT NUMBERS; IT WOULD HAVE BEEN BETTER BUT A
LOT OF OUR FEEDER OBSERVERS FOCUSED ON REPORTING SISKIN NUMBERS.
AMERICAN GOLDFINCH: Fifteen reports of 1-5 birds in the region
(Crosby, Dickens, Floyd, Lamb, Lubbock) during the period (BB, JBu,
JoC, KD, AH, CaL, BS) – VERY GOOD NUMBER OF REPORTS AND NUMBERS FOR
THIS LATE IN THE SEASON; AN EPIPHENOMENON OF THE SISKIN IRRUPTION?
CHESTNUT-COLLARED LONGSPUR: 1 near Morton (Cochran) on 4/10/21 (JBu,
DH, CL, SS, BSh) the only report – A LATE REPORT ENDING AN
EXTRAORDINARILY POOR WINTER FOR THE SPECIES.
THICK-BILLED LONGSPUR: 1 near Lehman (Cochran) on 4/10/21 (MB, DH, RS)
the only report - A LATE REPORT ENDING AN EXTRAORDINARILY POOR WINTER
FOR THE SPECIES.
CASSIN’S SPARROW: 1 at the Lorenzo Experimental Wetlands (Crosby) on
4/11/21 (AH) and 3 in Plainview (Hale) on 4/17/21 (NP) the first of
the season – LATE TO ARRIVE, SLOW TO FILL IN, AT LOW NUMBERS EVEN BY
THE END OF THE PERIOD.
GRASSHOPPER SPARROW: 1 in Plainview (Hale) on 4/17/21 (NP) the only
report received – LATE TO ARRIVE, SLOW TO FILL IN, AT LOW NUMBERS EVEN
BY THE END OF THE PERIOD.
LARK SPARROW: LIKE A LOT OF THE LOCAL BREEDERS, LATE TO ARRIVE, SLOW
TO FILL IN, AT LOW NUMBERS EVEN BY THE END OF THE PERIOD.
CHIPPING SPARROW: Twenty-eight reports of 1-10 birds, ten of 11-25
birds, and seven reports of 26-50 birds in the region (Bailey, Crosby,
Floyd, Hale, Lamb, Lubbock, Yoakum) during the period (SA, BB, MB,
JBu, JoC, JrC, JCr, KD, DH, AH, PKe, PKi, ML, TM, JM, JN, NP, BSc, RS,
BSh, CFRT) – ABOUT AVERAGE AND, IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE BREWER’S
SPARROW REPORTS/COMPARISON TO THE CLAY-COLORED SPARROW REPORTS,
SUGGEST A WESTERN FLAVOR TO THE EARLY SPRING MIGRATION.
CLAY-COLORED SPARROW: Twenty-three reports of 1-10 bird and one report
of 13 birds in the region (Crosby, Lubbock) during the period (JoC,
JrC, JCr, AH, GJ, PJ, PKe, PKi, ML, JN, BSh, WW) – ABOUT AVERAGE FOR A
WEAK CLAY-COLORED SPARROW/ STRONG CHIPPING SPARROW YEAR – NUMBERS
SOMETIMES PICK UP IN MAY.
BREWER’S SPARROW: 1 near Lehman (Cochran) on 4/3/21 (MB, DH, RS), 3 in
a Lubbock yard (Lubbock) on 4/3/21 (AH), 2 at Clapp Park (Lubbock) on
4/12/21 (JoC), 1 at Clapp Park (Lubbock) on 4/14/21 (JM), 1 at Plains
Baptist Assembly (Floyd) no 4/17/21 (JBu, BSh), 2 near Petersburg
(Hale) on 4/17/21 (NP), 1 at Clapp Park (Lubbock) on 4/18/21 (AH), 2
at Clapp Park (Lubbock) on 4/20/21 (JoC), and 2 at the Wheeler Ranch
(Crosby) on 4/24/21 (ML), 2 at Clapp Park (Lubbock) on 4/24/21 (AH), 8
below Lake Six (Lubbock) on 4/25/21 (AH), 1 below Lake Six (Lubbock)
on 4/25/21 (PKe), 2 at Clapp Park (Lubbock)on 4/29/21 (JoC), 1 at
Clapp Park (Lubbock) on 4/29/21 (AH), and 5 at Guy Park (Lubbock) on
4/29/21 (JCr)- SO CONTINUED THE STRONGEST MOVEMENT OF THIS SPECIES I
HAVE EVER SEEN IN THE REGION; CONSISTENT WITH ITS PUSH WELL INTO
CENTRAL TEXAS DURING THE WINTER.
DARK-EYED JUNCO and WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW: BOTH SPECIES DECLINED
PRECIPITOUSLY IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE FEBRUARY WEATHER EVENT,
REBOUNDED WEAKLY IN MARCH, AND REBOUNDED CONSIDERABLY IN APRIL,
SUGGESTING REPLENISHMENT OF WINTERING BIRDS BY MIGRATORY BIRDS FROM
THE SOUTH.
SONG SPARROW: WITHHDREW FROM THE AREA FAIRLY EARLY. 1 below Lake Six
(Lubbock) on 4/25/21 (AH) MIGHT WELL BE THE LAST REPORT OF THE SEASON.
GREEN-TAILED TOWHEE: 1 -2 at Clapp Park (Lubbock) from 4/24/21 through
4/29/21 (JoC, JrC, AH, PKe) and 1 on the TTU HSC Campus (Lubbock) on
4/30/21 (AH) – RIGHT ON TIME BUT NUMBERS A BIT LOW BY RECENT YEARS’
STANDARDS.
YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT: 1 at Yoakum County Park (Yoakum) on 4/30/21
(CFRT) – A SOMEWHAT EARLY REPORT AND WELL WEST OF MOST RECORDS FROM
THE REGION.
YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD: Five reports of 1-10 birds, four reports of
11-21 birds, three reports of 28-52 birds, three reports of 85-100
birds, three reports of 110-150 birds, and three reports of 300-350
birds in the region (Crosby, Dickens, Hale, Lubbock, Motley) during
the period (SA, JBu, JoC, JrC, WC, SD, AH, ML, TM, JM, NP, BSh) – GOOD
NUMBER OF REPORTS AND VERY GOOD NUMBERS; PART OF AN UNUSUALLY STRONG
MOVEMENT THROUGH THE REGION.
ORCHARD ORIOLE: 1 male on the TTU HSC Campus (Lubbock) on 4/14/21
(AH)and 1 male at Lake Six (Lubbock) on 4/25/21 (AH) the first reports
of the season – ON TIME BUT SLOW TO FILL IN AND STILL IN LOW NUMBERS
EVEN AT THE END OF THE PERIOD.
BULLOCK’S ORIOLE: 1 male at Lake Six (Lubbock) on 4/15/21 (AH), 1 at
Lubbock Lake Landmark (Lubbock) on 4/19/21 (SA), 1 at Clapp Park
(Lubbock) on 4/21/21 (BSh), 1 at the Wheeler Ranch (Crosby) on 4/24/21
(ML), and 1 at Lake Six (Lubbock)on 4/25/21 (AH) the first reports of
the season – ON TIME BUT SLOW TO FILL IN AND STILL IN LOW NUMBERS EVEN
AT THE END OF THE PERIOD.
BRONZED COWBIRD: Twenty-three reports of 1-5 birds in the region
(Crosby, Hale, Lubbock) during the period (SA, JoC, JrC, JCr, AH, AK,
GK, PKe, NN, NP, KT) – THE BEST APRIL IN SEVERAL YEARS AFTER SEVERAL
YEARS OF RELATIVELY LOW NUMBERS – THIS SPECIES’ EXPANSION INTO THE
REGION HAS BEEN WAXED AND WANED; THIS APPEARS TO BE A WAXING YEAR.
BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER: 1 in a Lubbock yard (Lubbock) on 4/26/21 (DH)
– ABOUT AVERAGE FOR THIS EARLY IN THE SEASON.
OVENBIRD: 1 at Clapp Park (Lubbock) on 4/28/21 (BSh) and 4/30/21 (TM)
– FORMERLY CONSIDERED ACCIDENTAL TO THE REGION; NOW CONSIDERED AN
ANNUAL, ALBEIT SPARSE, MIGRANT.
LOUISIANA WATERTHRUSH: 1 at Clapp Park (Lubbock) on 4/12/21 (JrC, HB,
JoC, WC) and on 4/13/21 (HB, JoC, JrC) and 1 below Lake Six (Lubbock)
on 4/15/21 (AH) – ABOUT AVERAGE; THIS SPECIES TENDS TO MOVE THROUGH
THE REGION EARLIER THAN THE NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH.
ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER: Six reports of 1-2 birds in the region
(Dickens, Lamb, Lubbock) during the period (BB, JoC, DH, AH) the only
reports – VERY LOW.
NASHVILLE WARBLER: 1 at Clapp Park (Lubbock) on 4/26/21 (JCr), 1 in a
Lubbock yard (Lubbock) on 4/26/21 (DH), and 1 at Clapp Park (Lubbock)
on 4/27/21 (JrC) the only reports – ABOUT AVERAGE FOR THIS EARLY IN
THE SEASON.
MACGILLIVRAY’S WARBLER: 1 at Aztlan Park (Lubbock) on 4/22/21 (PKi), 1
at Clapp Park (Lubbock) on 4/26/21 (JCr), 1 in a Lubbock yard
(Lubbock) on 4/26/21 (DH), and 1 at Yoakum County Park (Yoakum) on
4/29/21 (JCr, AH) – FAIRLY GOOD NUMBERS FOR THIS EARLY IN THE SEASON.
COMMON YELLOWTHROAT: Four reports of single birds in the region
(Lubbock, Yoakum) during the period (JoC, AH, CFRT) the only reports –
EXTRAORDINARILY LOW.
NORTHERN PARULA: 1 along Bole’s Lake Road (Lubbock) on 4/20/21 (PKi) –
A NICE BIRD FOR THIS EARLY IN APRL.
YELLOW WARBLER: Seven reports of 1-2 birds in the region (Crosby,
Lubbock) from 4/11/21 onward (JoC, DH, AH) – RUNNING A BIT LATE AND
NUMBERS SOMEWHAT LOW.
TOWNSEND’S WARBLER: 1 at Clapp Park (Lubbock) on 4/26/21 (JCr) – ABOUT
AVERAGE FOR THE RARE BUT REGULAR SPRING MIGRANT.
WILSON’S WARBLR: Fifteen reports of 1-5 birds in the region (Lubbock,
Yoakum) from 4/3/21 onward (JoC, JrC, JCr, KD, AH, PKe, PKi, CFRT, WW)
– RIGHT ON TIME BUT NUMBERS A BIT ON THE LOW SIDE, EVEN TOWARDS THE
END OF THE PERIOD.
SUMMER TANAGER: 1 male at Plains Baptist Assembly (Floyd) on 4/17/21
(JBu, BSh), 1 below Lake Six (Lubbock) on 4/25/21 (PKe), 1 on the TTU
Campus (Lubbock) on 4/27/21 (NM), 1 at Clapp Park (Lubbock) on 4/28/21
(BSh) and on 4/29/21 (AH) - GOOD NUMBERS FOR SO EARLY IN THE SEASON.
ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK: 1 in a Plainview yard (Hale) on 4/28/21 (NP)
the only report – ABOUT AVERAGE FOR THIS RARE SPRING VISITOR.
BLACH-HEADED GROSBEAK: 1 male in a Lubbock yard (Lubbock) on 4/30/21
(LB) – RUNNING A BIT LATE AND A BIT LOW.
PYRRHULOXIA: 1 in a Lubbock yard (Lubbock) on 4/17/21 (JoC, JrC) and 1
male below Lake Six (Lubbock) on 4/25/21 (AH) – RUNNING A BIT LATE FOR
ATOP THE CAPROCK ESCARPMENT.
BLUE GROSBEAK: 1 along Olive Street (Lubbock) on 4/30/21 (PKi) the
first and only report so far this season – RUNNING A BIT LATE.
LAZULI BUNTING: 1 male at Hamilton Park (Lubbock) on 4/26/21 (DH) the
first and only report so far this season – RUNNING A BIT LATE.
INDIGO BUNTING: 1 male at Guy Park (Lubbock) on 4/29/21 (AH) and 2 at
Yoakum County Park (Yoakum) on 4/30/21 (CFRT) – RUNNING A BIT LATE.
PAINTED BUNTING: 1 along Olive Street (Lubbock) on 4/30/21 (PKi) – ON
TIME, WE WILL SEE HOW WELL THEY FILL OUT DURING THE FIRST WEEKS OF
MAY.
DICKCISSEL: 1 at McAlister Park (Lubbock) on 4/18/21 (AH) and 1 at
Lake Six (Lubbock) on 4/25/21 (AH) the only reports – RUNNING A BIT
LATE AND LOW.
OBSERVERS: SA=Sheri Anderson, BB=Bradley Banner, MB=Matt Brady,
WB=Will Britton, JBu=Joel Buford, HB=Holly Bundock, LB=Lorena
Burkett,KC=Kirsti Carr, JoC=Joe Cochran, JrC=Jordan Cochran,
WC=Whitney Cochran, JCr=Jim Crites, KD=Ken Dixon, SD=Sanders Drukker
WE=Wyatt Egelhoff, LH=Lyle Hale, DHa=Danny Hancock, DH=Drew Harvey,
AH=Anthony Hewetson, GJo=Greg Joiner, BJ=Brad Jury, GJ=George Jury,
PJ=Pat Jury, AK=Andrew Kasner, BK=Barry Keith, GK=Glenda Kelly,
PKe=Peter Keyel, PKi=Phillip Kite, CaL=Carol Lee, CL=Clayton Leopold,
ML=Mark Lockwood, TM=Todd McGrath, NM-Nancy McIntyre, JM=Jennifer
Miller, KM=Kassie Moore, NN=Nancy Neill, JN=Johny Nelson, NP=Niler
Pyeatt, CR=Clarice Robertson, FR=Floyd Robertson, BC=Bobby Schat,
JS=Jeff Sexton, RS=Ryan Shaw, BSh=Brad Shine, MS=Maura Smith,
KT=Kathy Teague, CFRT=Carlos Fernando Ramirez Torres, WW=William
Wenthe.
Anthony Hewetson; Lubbock