Lubbock received 2.37 inches of rain during March, way above the
expected total for the month of 1.10 inches, leapfrogging Lubbock to
wetter than average with 3.25 inches of rain; well above the expected
year-to-date total of 2.50 inches. Conditions continued mild and
entire suites of birds, such as waterfowl, pulled out of the region –
apparently – quite a bit earlier than usual.
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.
Some late-to-come-in (embarrassing, considering the source) FEBRUARY reports:
SNOW GOOSE: 1 at Maxey Park (Lubbock) on 2/11/20 (AH) boosted the
month’s reports a little – still very low, though.
WOOD DUCK: 2 at Maxey Park (Lubbock) on 2/11/20 (AH) increased the
reports for February a very little.
GREATER YELLOWLEGS: 1 at Maxey Park (Lubbock) on 2/4/20 (AH) was nice.
GREAT EGRET: 1 at Maxey Park (Lubbock) on 2/4/20 (AH) added one to the
smaller than usual pile.
PEREGRINE FALCON: 1 at TTU HSC (Lubbock) on 2/4/20 and 2/25/20 (AH).
ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER: 1 at TTU HSC (Lubbock) on 2/25/20 (AH).
And on to MARCH!
GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE: No reports at all received.
SNOW GOOSE: 44 in Tahoka (Lynn) on 3/14/20 (MDL) and 1 at Whisperwood
Pond (Lubbock) on 3/15/20 (AH) the only reports received – GEESE
PULLED A FAIRLY THOROUGH PULLOUT VERY EARLY THIS YEAR.
ROSS’S GOOSE: No reports at all received.
WOOD DUCK: 2 at Whisperwood Pond (Lubbock) on 3/15/20 (AH), 4 at Leroy
Elmore Park (Lubbock) on 3/30/20 (AH), and 8 at Whisperwood Pond
(Lubbock) on 3/30/20 (AH) the only reports received – LOW.
BLUE-WINGED TEAL: Thirteen reports of 1-9 birds and three reports of
12-19 birds in the region (Crosby, Hale, Lubbock) during the period
(JoC, JCr, AH, JM, NP, BSc, WW, LZ) – BETTER THAN AVERAGE NUMBER OF
REPORTS AND NUMBERS FOR THIS EARLY IN THE SEASON; PART OF THE MILD
PATTERN.
CINNAMON TEAL: Ten reports of 1-3 birds in the region (Crosby,
Lubbock, Motley) during the period (JoC, JCr, BF, AH, PKi, BSc, WW,
LZ) – BETTER THAN AVERAGE NUMBER OF REPORTS, AVERAGE NUMBERS FOR THIS
EARLY IN THE SEASON.
REDHEAD: 2 at Tahoka Lake Pasture (Lynn) on 3/26/20 (MDL) the only
report – VERY LOW; PART OF THE PATTERN OF EARLY WATERFOWL DEPARTURES.
RING-NECKED PHEASANT: 2 at the Hale Center WTP (Hale) on 3/29/20 (NP)
the only report received – A TAD LOW.
EARED GREBE: Ten reports of 1-9 birds at a couple of different sites
in (Lubbock) during the period (CC, JoC, JrC, JCr, DH, AH, GK, JM,
BSh) – SEEMS HIGH BUT MOST BIRDS AT ONE SITE SO ABOUT AVERAGE.
WESTERN GREBE: 1 at Buffalo Springs Lake (Lubbock) from 3/22/20 (GK,
JoC, LZ) to 3/31/20 (CC, JoC, JCr, GK, JM) – A TAD ON THE LATE SIDE
BUT NOT UNPRECEDENTED.
INCA DOVE: 1-2 in a Lubbock yard (Lubbock) through most of the month
(CR, FR) and 1 near Miller Park (Lubbock) on 3/30/20 (AH) the only
reports – STILL BARELY HANGING ON; ONE SUSPECTS THERE ARE MORE PRESENT
IN THE REGION – IT WOULD BE INTERESTING TO DO A CONCERTED SEARCH FOR
THE SPECIES ONE OF THESE DAYS.
COMMON POORWILL: 1 at Buffalo Springs Lake (Lubbock) on 3/27/20 (JM,
BSh) and 1 at Clapp Park (Lubbock) on 3/30/20 (AH) – RELATIVELY EARLY
REPORTS; POSSIBLY DUE TO MILD CONDITIONS THROUGH WINTER AND INTO
SPRING.
WHITE-THROATED SWIFT: 1 at Buffalo Springs Lake (Lubbock) on 3/29/20
(DH) – A RARE WINTER VISITOR TO THE REGION; GENERALLY FOUND IN CANYON
COUNTRY IN THE PANHANDLE PROPER.
BLACK-CHINNED HUMMINGBIRD: 1 in a Lubbock yard (Lubbock) on 3/27/20
(JJ) was the FIRST REPORTED FOR THE SEASON. Also 1 in Clapp Park
(Lubbock) on 3/30/20 (JoC, AH) and on 3/31/20 (JoC, BSh) and 1 in a
Lubbock yard (Lubbock) on 3/31/20 (AH) – RUNNING A BIT LATE THIS YEAR;
CONTRARY TO EXPECTATIONS GIVEN THE MODERATE CONDITIONS.
VIRGINIA RAIL: 2 at the CR 422 Playa (Motley) on 3/9/20 (BF) and 1 at
Clapp Park (Lubbock) on 3/30/20 (AH) the only reports – A TAD LOW.
SORA: 1 at the CR 422 Playa (Motley) on 3/9/20 (BF) the only report – VERY LOW.
COMMON MOORHEN: 1 at Clapp Park (Lubbock) on 3/30/20 (AH) – AN ODD
REPORT, AWAY FROM THE POPULATION ALONG THE CANYON LAKES OF LUBBOCK.
BLACK-NECKED STILT: 2 in south Lubbock (Lubbock) from 3/12/20 (JM,
photographs) the only report from the first half of the month. From
that point on, eleven reports of 1-8 birds in the region (Crosby,
Hale, Lubbock) during the period (JoC, JCr, AH, JK, JM, NP, BSc, LZ) –
FORMERLY FAIRLY RARE IN MARCH; WE NOW EXPECT GOOD NUMBERS BY THE END
OF THE MONTH.
AMERICAN AVOCET: 1 at Guy Park (Lubbock) on 3/23/20 (JoC) the first
report of the migratory season. From that point on, seven reports of
1-3 birds, one report of 18 birds, and one report of 19 birds reported
in the region (Hale, Lubbock) during the period (JoC, JCr, MDL, AH,
NP, CR, FR, BSc, WW) – FORMERLY EXPECTED, IN SMALL NUMBERS, IN VERY
LATE MARCH; WE NOW EXPECT GOOD NUMBERS BY THE END OF THE PERIOD.
LONG-BILLED CURLEW: 3 at Muleshoe NWR (Bailey) on 3/23/20 (SM), 1 at
McAlister Park (Lubbock) on 3/28/20 (JM), and 3 at the Hale Center WTP
(Hale) on 3/29/20 (NP) – GOOD NUMBER OF REPORTS FOR MARCH.
STILT SANDPIPER: 1 at the 1-27 x FM 54 Playa (Hale) on 3/29/20 (NP) –
AN EARLY FIRST REPORT FOR THE SEASON.
BAIRD’S SANDPIPER: 10 at Tahoka Lake Pasture (Lynn) on 3/28/20 (MDL) –
AN EARLY FIRST REPORT FOR THE SEASON.
LEAST SANDPIPER: 8 at Tahoka Lake Pasture (Lynn) on 3/28/20 (MDL) and
4 at the Hale Center WTP (Hale) on 3/29/20 (NP) – ABOUT AVERAGE;
DURING THIS MONTH IT IS DIFFICULT TO DETERMINE, FOR THIS HARDY
SPECIES, IF THESE ARE WINTER LINGERERS OR EARLY MIGRANTS.
SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER: 18 at Tahoka Lake Pasture (Lynn) on 3/28/20
(NP) – AN EARLY FIRST REPORT FOR THE SEASON.
WESTERN SANDPIPER: 25 at Tahoka Lake Pasture (Lynn) on 3/28/20 (NP) –
AN EARLY FIRST REPORT FOR THE SEASON.
LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER: 4 at Guy Park (Lubbock) on 3/23/20 (JoC) and 3
at Maxey Park (Lubbock) on 3/30/20 (AH) – EARLY SPRING REPORTS OR
WINTER LINGERERS.
WILSON’S SNIPE: Eight reports of 1-6 birds in the region (Hale,
Lubbock) during the period (JCr, AH, PKi, NP) – ABOUT AVERAGE.
SPOTTED SANDPIPER: 1 at McAlister Park (Lubbock) on 3/30/20 (JCr, AH)
and 1 at Lake Six (Lubbock) on 3/31/20 (AH) the only reports – LOW.
SOLITARY SANDPIPER:1 below Lake Six (Lubbock) on 3/31/20 (AH) – RIGHT
ON TIME FOR FIRST ARRIVAL THESE DAYS; EARLY BY HISTORICAL STANDARDS.
GREATER YELLOWLEGS: Eleven reports of 1-5 birds and one report of 13
birds in the region (Crosby, Hale, Lubbock, Lynn) during the period
(MDL, AH, PKi, JK, JM, NP, BSh, LZ) – ABOUT AVERAGE; GIVEN LAST MONTHS
TALLIES WE, QUITE REASONABLY, EXPECTED MORE.
LESSER YELLOWLEGS: No reports at all – LOW BY RECENT YEARS’ STANDARDS.
WILSON’S PHALAROPE: 1 at Tahoka Lake Pasture (Lynn) on 3/28/20 (MDL) –
AN EARLY FIRST REPORT FOR THE SEASON.
FRANKLIN’S GULL: 1 at Buffalo Springs Lake (Lubbock) on 3/27/20 (BSh)
the first of the season – FAIRLY EARLY.
RING-BILLED GULL: 5 at Muleshoe NWR (Bailey) on 3/23/20 (SM), 13 at
Tahoka Lake Pasture (Lynn) on 3/28/20 (MDL), 2 at Leftwich Park
(Lubbock) on 3/30/20 (AH), and 1 at McAlister Park (Lubbock) on
3/39/20 (JCr, AH) the only reports received – GENERALLY NOT NOTEWORTHY
IN MARCH BUT THE SPECIES APPEARED TO PULL OUT QUITE EARLY THIS YEAR.
HERRING GULL: 1 at McAlister Park (Lubbock) on 3/31/20 (BSc) the only
report – GIVEN THE NEAR ABSENCE OF OUR MORE COMMON GULLS, A SURPRISING
REPORT.
NEOTROPIC CORMORANT: 1 at Leroy Elmore Park (Lubbock) on 3/30/20 (AH)
and 1 at Mae Simmons Park (Lubbock) on 3/31/20 (AH) the only reports –
A TAD LOW BY RECENT YEARS’ STANDARDS; AMAZING GIVEN THE SPECIES WAS
ACCIDENTAL A LITTLE OVER TEN YEARS AGO!
GREAT EGRET: 1 at Lake Six (Lubbock) throughout the period (AH, PKi),
1 at Maxey Park (Lubbock) throughout the period (AH), 1-2 at Leroy
Elmore Park (Lubbock) throughout the period (AH), and 1 at MacKenzie
Park (Lubbock) on 3/19/20 (PKi) – ABOUT AVERAGE; WILL PROBABLY RAMP UP
WITH SPRING.
SNOWY EGRET: 1-2 at Maxey Park (Lubbock) throughout the period (AH), 1
at Dupree Park (Lubbock) from 3/21/20 onward (CR, FR, AH), 2 at
Buffalo Springs Lake (Lubbock) on 3/23/20 (DH), 5 at Leroy Elmore Park
(Lubbock) on 3/30/20 (AH), 1 at Miller Park (Lubbock) on 3/30/20 (AH),
1 at Lake Six (Lubbock) on 3/31/20 (AH), and 1 at Mae Simmons Park
(Lubbock) on 3/31/20 (AH) – ABOUT AVERAGE.
GREEN HERON: 1 at Whisperwood Pond (Lubbock) on 3/30/20 (AH) and 1 at
Aztlan Park (Lubbock) on 3/31/20 (AH) – THE FIRST REPORTS OF THE
SEASON.
WHITE-FACED IBIS: 1 at MacKenzie Park (Lubbock) on 3/31/20 (AH) the
only report – A TAD LOW BY RECENT YEARS’ STANDARDS.
TURKEY VULTURE: 1 over Lubbock (Lubbock) on 3/9/20 (DH), 5 over
Lubbock (Lubbock) on 3/11/20 (AH), and 1 at Yellowhouse Canyon
(Lubbock) on 3/11/20 (JL) the only reports for the first half of the
month – ACTUALLY A TAD LATE AND A TAD LOW.
OSPREY: Eight reports of single birds at four sites in (Lubbock)
during the period (CC, JoC, DH, AH, GK, PKe, JM, BSh) – ABOUT AVERAGE
FOR THIS RARE MIGRANT.
SWAINSON’S HAWK: 2 at Buffalo Springs Lake (Lubbock) on 3/23/20 (DH),
2 near Smyer (Hockley) on 3/28/20 (GJo), 1 at the 103rd Street x
Chicago Avenue Playa (Lubbock) on 3/29/20 (BSc), and 1 at Buffalo
Springs Lake (Lubbock) on 3/29/20 (CC, JoC) – ABOUT AVERAGE; FORMERLY
CASUAL IN MARCH, NOW EXPECTED BY THE END OF THE MONTH.
ZONE-TAILED HAWK: 1 over Lubbock (Lubbock) on 3/24/20 (CB,
photographs) – ONE OF THE TWO BEST BIRDs OF THE MONTH – THE SECOND
REPORT, EVER, FOR THE REGION!
YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER: 1 at Clapp Park (Lubbock) on 3/30/20 (AH)
the only report – LOW.
GOLDEN-FRONTED WOODPECKER: 1 visible at the golf course from MacKenzie
Park (Lubbock) on 3/31/20 (AH) – A RARE REPORT FROM ATOP THE CAPROCK
ESCARPMENT.
PEREGRINE FALCON: 1 at TTU HSC (Lubbock) on 3/6/20 (AH), 1 at Tahoka
Lake Pasture (Lynn) on 3/26/20 (MDL), 1 at Clapp Park (Lubbock) on
3/27/20 (JoC), and 1 at McAlister Park (Lubbock) on 3/30/20 (AH) –
ABOUT AVERAGE FOR THIS RARE WINTER VISITOR.
MONK PARAKEET: 1 at Wayland Baptist University (Hale) on 3/12/20 (CA,
MA) – A CONTINUING BIRD; STILL MAINTAINING A NEST FOR A HOPED-FOR
MATE.
ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHER: 1 at McAlister Park (Lubbock) on 3/16/20 (JM,
JK) the first of the season – RIGHT ON TIME BUT VERY SLOW TO FILL IN
SO FAR THIS SEASON.
WESTERN KINGBIRD: 1 in Tahoka (Lynn) on from 3/23/20 to 3/27/20 (MDL)
and 1 at the 103rd Street x Chicago Avenue Playa (Lubbock) on 3/29/20
(BSc) the only reports – ON TIME BUT FILLING IN SLOWLY.
SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER: 1 in Tahoka (Lynn) on 3/30/20 (MDL) and 1
at Erskine Marsh (Lubbock) on 3/31/20 (AH) the only reports – ON TIME
BUT A TAD LOW.
BLACK PHOEBE: 1 at Aztlan Park (Lubbock) from 3/16/20 (GK,
photographs) to 3/31/20 (AH, photographs), 1 at Buffalo Springs Lake
(Lubbock) on 3/27/20 (BSh, photographs), and 1 at Clapp Park (Lubbock)
from 3/27/20 (JoC, JCr, BSc, photographs) to 3/31/20 (JB, JM, BSh,
photographs) – FORMERLY ACCIDENTAL TO THE REGION, THIS NUMBER OF
SIGHTINGS IN A SINGLE MONTH IS VERY INTERESTING AND, CONSIDERING THE
AZTLAN PARK BIRD WAS SEEN CARRYING NESTING MATERIAL, DOWNRIGHT
INTRIGUING.
EASTERN PHOEBE: Six reports of 1-2 birds in the region (Floyd,
Lubbock) during the period (JCr, DH, AH, BSc, BSh) – ABOUT AVERAGE; A
NICE RECOVERY FROM A VERY POOR WINTER IN THE REGION.
SAY’S PHOEBE: Sixe reports of 1-2 birds in the region (Hockley,
Lubbock) during the period (JCr, DH, AH, GJo, GK, PKe, BSc, BSh) – A
BIT BETTER THAN AVERAGE FOR THE MONTH; ANOTHER NICE RECOVER FROM A
VERY POOR WINTER IN THE REGION.
COMMON RAVEN: 3 at Monk’s Crossing (Floyd) on 3/22/20 (DH) the only
report – A TAD LOW.
BANK SWALLOW: 1 at Buffalo Springs Lake (Lubbock) on 3/23/20 (JCr) –
AN EARLY DATE FOR THIS SPECIES TO BE IN THE REGION.
TREE SWALLOW: 3 at Buffalo Springs Lake (Lubbock) on 3/23/20 (DH), 2
at Clapp Park (Lubbock) on 3/26/20 (JoC), 7 at Buffalo Springs Lake
(Lubbock) on 3/27/20 (BSh), 2 at Clapp Park (Lubbock) on 3/31/20
(JoC), and 2 at Lake Six (Lubbock) on 3/31/20 (AH) – QUITE A FEW
SOMEWHAT EARLY REPORTS FOR THE REGION.
NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW: 1 at Buffalo Springs Lake (Lubbock) on
3/22/20 and 3/23/20 (DH), 1 at Buffalo Springs Lake (Lubbock) on
3/27/20 (BSh) and on 3/29/20 (CC, JoC), 2 at Andrews Park (Lubbock) on
3/30/20 (AH), 1 at Lakeridge Lake (Lubbock) on 3/30/20 (AH), 4 at
McAlister Park (Lubbock) on 3/30/20 (AH), and 1 at Buffalo Springs
Lake (Lubbock) on 3/31/20 (JrC) – NOT GENERALLY EXPECTED THIS EARLY IN
THE YEAR WITH THIS KIND OF CONSISTENCY.
PURPLE MARTIN: Nine reports of 1-5 birds at various sites in (Lubbock)
during the period (JoC, DH, AH, GJ, PJ, PKe) – ABOUT AVERAGE; IT WILL
BE INTERESTING, GIVEN THE MILD AND RATHER WET CONDITIONS, WHEN WE
START GETTING REPORTS FROM LOCAL MARTIN HOSTS.
BARN SWALLOW: 1 at Lake Six (Lubbock) on 3/19/20 (PKi) was the first
report. From that point on, twenty-two reports of 1-10 birds and four
reports of 14-17 birds in the region (Hale, Lubbock, Lynn) during the
period (JB, CC, JoC, JCr, MDL, DH, AH, PKe, PKi, JM, NP, BSc, BSh) – A
TAD LATE, BY RECENT YEARS’ STANDARDS, BUT ABOUT AVERAGE BY THE END OF
THE PERIOD IN TERMS OF NUMBERS.
CLIFF SWALLOW: 27 at Buffalo Springs Lake (Lubbock) on 3/29/20 (DH)
and 1 at Andrews Park (Lubbock) on 3/30/20 (AH) – A TAD EARLY.
BUSHTIT: 2 at the Lubbock Cemetery (Lubbock) throughout the period
(DH, JM, BSh, photographs) and 4 at Monk’s Crossing (Floyd) on 3/22/20
(DH) – FORMERLY FAIRLY EASY TO FIND THROUGHOUT THE EASTERN HALF OF THE
REGION; NOW QUITE SCARCE.
ROCK WREN: Eight reports of 1-3 birds in the region (Floyd, Lubbock,
Lynn) during the period (CC, JoC, JCr, MDL, DH, AH, PKe, JM, BSh) –
ABOUT AVERAGE AT SITES WHERE IT IS A PERMANENT RESIDENT; MIGRATORY
BIRDS SEEMED A TAD EARLY.
CANYON WREN: Five sightings of 1-2 birds in the region (Crosby, Floyd,
Lubbock) during the period (DH, JM, SP, BSh, LZ) – ABOUT AVERAGE FOR
THIS SCARCE RESIDENT.
WINTER WREN: 1 at Buffalo Springs Lake (Lubbock) on 3/23/20 (DH) and 1
below Lake Six (Lubbock) on 3/31/20 (AH) the only reports – ABOUT
AVERAGE FOR THIS SCARCE WINTER VISITOR.
CAROLINA WREN: 1 at Lake Six (Lubbock) on 3/31/20 (AH) – THE ONLY
REPORT FROM ATOP THE CAPROCK ESCARPMENT.
BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER: 2 at Buffalo Springs Lake (Lubbock) on 3/23/20
(DH), 1 at Clapp Park (Lubbock) on 3/26/20 (JoC), and 1 at Buffalo
Springs Lake (Lubbock) on 3/29/20 (DH) – ABOUT AVERAGE; WE USUALLY GET
A SPIKE IN APRIL.
EASTERN BLUEBIRD: 2 at Monk’s Crossing (Floyd) on 3/22/20 (DH) and 1
at MacKenzie Park (Lubbock)on 3/31/20 (AH) – ABOUT AVERAGE FOR THIS
LATE IN THE SEASON.
HERMIT THRUSH: Seven reports of single birds at various sites in
(Lubbock) throughout the period (HB, JoC, JrC, JCr, DH, AH, BsC) –
ABOUT AVERAGE; MOSTLY WINTERING BIRDS.
CEDAR WAXWING: 8 at Whisperwood Pond (Lubbock) on 3/15/20 (AH), 4 at
Buffalo Springs Lake (Lubbock) on 3/23/20 (DH), 2 at Buffalo Springs
Lake (Lubbock) on 3/27/20 (BSh), and 1 at Clapp Park (Lubbock) on
3/31/20 (JM) the only reports – A TAD LOW.
PINE SISKIN: 25 at Monk’s Crossing (Floyd) on 3/22/20 (DH), 26 at
Buffalo Springs Lake (Lubbock) on 3/23/20 (DH), and 2 at Clapp Park
(Lubbock) on 3/30/20 (AH) the only reports – LOW NUMBER OF REPORTS IF
DECENT NUMBERS.
LESSER GOLDFINCH: 2 at Buffalo Springs Lake (Lubbock) on 3/23/20 (DH)
– FORMERLY ACCIDENTAL IN WINTER AND THIS EARLY IN SPRING; NOW
EXPECTED.
CASSIN’S SPARROW: 1 at Buffalo Springs Lake (Lubbock) on 3/23/20 (DH)
the first of the season – A TAD LATE AND SLOW TO FILL IN DURING THE
REMAINDER OF THE PERIOD.
LARK SPARROW: 2 at Monk’s Crossing (Floyd) on 3/22/20 (DH) and 2 below
Lake Six (Lubbock) on 3/31/20 (AH) the first reports of the season –
ABOUT AVERAGE FOR THIS EARLY IN THE SEASON.
CHIPPING SPARROW: 2 at Buffalo Springs Lake (Lubbock) on 3/29/20 (DH,
PKe), 4-11 at Clapp Park (Lubbock) on 3/30/20 (JoC, AH), 2-7 at Clapp
Park (Lubbock) on 3/31/20 (JoC, BSh), and 4 at the Lubbock Cemetery
(Lubbock) on 3/31/20 (AH) – LOW NUMBER OF REPORTS AND LOW NUMBERS.
CLAY-COLORED SPARROW: 1 at Clapp Park (Lubbock) on 3/26/20 (JoC), 1 at
Tahoka Lake Pasture (Lynn) on 3/26/20 (MDL), 1 at Buffalo Springs Lake
(Lubbock) on 3/29/20 (DH), and 1 at Clapp Park (Lubbock) on 3/30/20
(AH) – RIGHT ON TIME (USUALLY RUNS A LITTLE LATER THAN CHIPPING
SPARROW) AND EXPECTED NUMBERS FOR THIS EARLY IN THE SEASON.
BREWER’S SPARROW: 1 in Lubbock (Lubbock) on 3/27/20 (DH) – A BIT ON
THE EARLY SIDE.
BLACK-CHINNED SPARROW: 1 at Buffalo Springs Lake (Lubbock) on 3/27/20
(JM, BSh, photographs) and on 3/29/20 (DH, PKe, photographs) – THE
SECOND OF TWO BIRDS OF THE MONTH; THE SECOND REPORT, EVER, FOR THE
ENTIRE REGION.
FOX SPARROW: 1 at Clapp Park (Lubbock) on 3/30/20 (AH) and 1 at Buddy
Holly Park (Lubbock) on 3/31/20 (AH) – FORMERLY REGULAR INTO APRIL;
THESE MIGHT REPRESENT LATE REPORTS THIS YEAR.
WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW: Fifteen reports of 1-8 birds in the region
(Lubbock, Lynn) during the period (MDL, DH, AH, GJ, PJ, PKi) –
GENERALLY NOT NOTEWORTHY BUT, AFTER A VERY POOR WINTER IN THE REGION,
WE SAW A SURGE IN SIGHTINGS, PARTICULARLY IN YARDS, SUGGESTING AN
EARLY NORTHWARD MIGRATORY MOVEMENT THROUGH THE REGION.
EASTERN TOWHEE: 1 at Buffalo Springs Lake (Lubbock) on 3/29/20 (DH,
photographs) – RATHER LATE FOR THIS RARE WINTER VISITOR TO BE IN THE
REGION.
YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD: 1 female and 3 males at the CR 422 Playa
(Motley) on 3/9/20 (BF) and 6 at Tahoka Lake Pasture (Lynn) on 3/26/20
(MDL) – ABOUT AVERAGE; WE EXPECT A SPIKE LATER IN THE SPRING.
BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER: 1 at Clapp Park (Lubbock) on 3/31/20 (JoC,
JM, BSh) – A RATHER EARLY REPORT FOR THIS SPECIES AS A MIGRANT; IT
SHOULD BE NOTED THAT THERE ARE WINTER RECORDS FOR THE SPECIES IN THE
REGION.
ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER: Eight reports of 1-2 birds at various sites in
(Lubbock) during the period (JoC, RG, CH, AH, GJ, PJ, JM, BSh) – A BIG
SURGE OVER LAST MONTH’S REPORTS SO MOSTLY EARLY MIGRANTS.
COMMON YELLOWTHROAT: 1 at Buffalo Springs Lake (Lubbock) on 3/23/20
(JCr), 1-2 at Clapp Park (Lubbock) from 4/27/20 (JCr) through 3/31/20
(JoC, JCr, AH), 1 below Lake Six (Lubbock) on 3/31/20 (AH), and 1 at
Erskine Marsh (Lubbock) on 3/31/20 (AH) – GIVEN THE POOR NUMBERS
REPORTED DURING WINTER PROPER, THIS MAY REPRESENT A SOMEWHAT EARLY
MOVEMENT INTO THE REGION.
YELLOW WARBLER: 1 at Guy Park (Lubbock) on 3/20/20 (JoC, photographs)
and on 3/23/20 (JoC, photographs) – FAIRLY EARLY FOR THIS SPECIES TO
BE IN THE REGION.
WILSON’S WARBLER: 1 male at Guy Park (Lubbock) on 3/31/20 (JM, BSh) –
VERY EARLY FOR THIS SPECIES TO BE IN THE REGION.
OBSERVERS: CA=Connie Andrus, MA=Marlin Andrus, CB=Clint Boal, JB=Joel
Buford, HB=Holly Bundock, CC=Cathy Cochran, JoC=Joe Cochran,
JrC=Jordan Cochran, JCr=Jim Crites, MDL=Manuel De Leon, BF=Bob
Friedrichs, RG=Rebecca Gilman, CH=Charles Harmon, DH=Drew Harvey,
AH=Anthony Hewetson, JJ=Jan Jannett, GJo=Greg Joiner, GJ=George Jury,
PJ=Pat Jury, GK=Glenda Kelly, PKe=Peter Keyel, PKi=Phillip Kite,
JK=Jim Kringle, JL=James Leatherwood, JM=Jennifer Miller, SM=Stephen
Mosier, SP=Skyler Parks, NP=Niler Pyeatt, CR=Clarice Robertson,
FR=Floyd Robertson, BSc=Bobby Schat, BSh=Brad Shine, TT=Tess Trost,
WW=William Wenthe, LZ=Lena Zappia.
Anthony Hewetson; Lubbock