2010 Annual Report

TEXAS BIRD RECORDS COMMITTEE REPORT FOR 2010

MARK W. LOCKWOOD

402 E. Harriet Ave., Alpine, Texas 798301

The Texas Bird Records Committee (hereafter "TBRC" or "committee"), of the Texas Ornithological Society, requests and reviews documentation on any record of a TBRC Review List species (see TBRC web page at http://texasbirds.org/tbrc/ or Lockwood 2008). Annual reports of the committee’s activities have appeared in the Bulletin of the Texas Ornithological Society since 1984. For more information about the Texas Ornithological Society or the TBRC, please visit www.texasbirds.org. The committee reached a final decision on 87 records during 2010: 66 records of 39 species were accepted and 21 records of 18 species were not accepted, an acceptance rate of 75.9% for this report. There were 122 observers who submitted documentation (to the TBRC or to other entities) that was reviewed by the committee during 2010.

In 2010, the TBRC accepted the first state records of Bare-throated Tiger-Heron and Amazon Kingfisher. The A.O.U. Committee on Classification and Nomenclature “split” Whip-poor-will into Eastern Whip-poor-will and Mexican Whip-poor-will (Banks et al. 2010), both of which occur in the state. A species was removed from the state list, Wilson’s Storm-Petrel, following a review of the material available to the Committee for the previously accepted lone state record. These actions bring the official Texas State List to 636 species in good standing. This total does not include the four species listed on the Presumptive Species List.

In addition to the review of previously undocumented species, any committee member may request that a record of any species be reviewed. The committee requests written descriptions as well as photographs, video, and audio recordings if available. Information concerning a Review List species may be submitted to the committee secretary, Mark Lockwood, 402 E. Harriet Ave., Alpine, Texas 79830 (email:mark.lockwood@tpwd.state.tx.us). Guidelines for preparing rare bird documentation can be found in Dittmann and Lasley (1992) or athttp://www.greglasley.net/document.html.

The records in this report are arranged taxonomically following the AOU Check-list of North American Birds (AOU 1998) through the 51st supplement (Banks et al. 2010). A number in parentheses after the species name represents the total number of accepted records in Texas for that species at the end of 2010. Species added to the Review List because of population declines in recent years do not have the total number of accepted records denoted as there are many documented records that are not subject to review (i.e. Brown Jay, Tamaulipas Crow, and Evening Grosbeak). All observers who submitted written documentation or photographs of accepted records are acknowledged by initials. If known, the initials of those who discovered a particular bird are in boldface but only if the discoverers submitted supporting documentation. The TBRC file number of each accepted record will follow the observers' initials. If photographs or video recordings are on file with the TBRC, the Texas Photo Record File (TPRF) (Texas A&M University) number is also given. If an audio recording of the bird is on file with the TBRC, the Texas Bird Sounds Library (TBSL) (Sam Houston State University) number is also given. Specimen records are denoted with an asterisk (*) followed by the institution where the specimen is housed and the catalog number. The information in each account is usually based on the information provided in the original submitted documentation; however, in some cases this information has been supplemented with a full range of dates the bird was present if that information was made available to the TBRC later. All locations in italics are counties.

TBRC Membership -- Members of the TBRC during 2010 who participated in decisions listed in this report were: Randy Pinkston, Chair, Keith Arnold, Academician, Mark Lockwood, Secretary, Eric Carpenter, Tim Fennell, Mary Gustafson, Jim Paton, Martin Reid, Willie Sekula, Byron Stone, and Ron Weeks. During 2010, Carpenter’s and Sekula’s second terms ended and therefore Byron Stone and Jim Paton were elected as voting members. The Secretary and Academician were re-elected.

Contributors -- AdW - Adam Wood, AWo - Alan Wormington, BCa - Blain Carnes, BD - Bob Doe, BeF - Bert Frenz, BFr - Brush Freeman, BiC - Bill Case, BMc - Brad McKinney, BN - Bruce Neville, BPi - Barrett Pierce, BPo - Bob Powell, BRa - Bob Rasa, BRi - Barbara Ribble, BSa - Billy Sandifer, BSt - Betty Stone, BSu - Brady Surber, BT - Barbara Tompkins, BZv - Bryan Zvolanek, CBe - Christine Bessent, CBu - Chet Burrier, CH - Chris Harrison, ChB - Chris Benesh, CoM - Connie McIntyre, CR - Chris Runk, CuM - Curtis McCamy, CW - Christian Walker, D&BS - Dawn & Bob Scranton, DD - David Dauphin, DH - Dean Hitchcock, DJ - Dan Jones, DM - Derek Muschalek, DS - David Sarkozi, DV - Debbie Valdez, E&MH - Elizabeth & Mike Hughes, EB - Erik Breden, EC - Eric Carpenter, ES - Eric Schmidt, EW - Edge Wade, GL - Greg Lasley, GO - Grady O'Sheilds, GS- Georgina Schwartz, GT - Guy Timm, HF - Harry Forbes, HH - Huck Hutchens, IK - Irme Karafiath, JaM - Jake McCumber, JBi - Jerry Bird, JBo - Jeff Bouton, JD - Jan Dauphin, JG - John Groves, JKa - Joanne Kamo, JKi - John Kiseda, JL - Jeff Lewis, JOd - Jerry Oldenettel, JoM - Jon McIntyre,JPa - Jim Paton, JRa - Janet Rathjen, JRy - Jeffery Ryder, JSp - John Sproul, JW - Jim Walker, KB - Kelly Bryan, KF - Ken Francis, KH - Kirk Healy,KM - Kendall McDonald, KT - Kerry Taylor, LB - Lamont Brown, LeH - Leslie Howard, LHo - Lee Hoy, LM - Lalise Mason, LN - Larry Norris, LoZ - Louise Zematis, LPa - Lee Pasquali, LPr - Linda Price, LS - Laura Sare, LT - Larry Therrien, LW - Lisa Wrinkle, LZ - Lee Ziegler, MC - Mel Cooksey,MF - Mark Flippo, MG - Mary Gustafson, MH - Mike Hannisian, MK - Malik Kevons, ML - Mark Lockwood, MM - Matthew Mattiessen, MR - Martin Reid, MS - Michael Schwitters, MT - Morgan Tingley, MW - Matt White, PB - Peter Barnes, PF - Paul Fagala, PH - Petra Hockey, PS - Paul Sunby,PW - Pam Wilson, PZ - Phil Zeigler, RHi - Ron Hillstrom, RHo - Rich Hoyer, RK - Rich Kostecke, RM - Rob Meade, RN - Rick Nirschl, RO - Robert Ohmart, RPi - Randy Pinkston, RSn - Rick Snider, RSt - Rex Stanford, SA - Stacy Armstrong, SCo - Scarlet Colley, SD - Stan DeOrsey, SG – Steve Glover, SF - Sue Foster, SJ - Suzanne Johnson, TB - Trey Barron, TD - Ted Drozdowski, TeF - Terry Ferguson, TFe - Tim Fennell, TWi - Tom Wimberely, TWo - Terry Woodward, WH - William Hill, WS - Willie Sekula, and WSh - Winnie Schrum.

Acknowledgments -- The TBRC is very grateful to the many contributors listed above, without whom this report would not be possible. The committee would also like to thank Steve Cardiff, Donna Dittmann, Matt Heindel, and Michael Patten for providing the TBRC with expert opinion concerning records reviewed during 2010. The author thanks Randy Pinkston, Martin Reid, and Ron Weeks for reviewing previous drafts of this report.

Additional Abbreviations -- AOU = American Ornithologists' Union; NP = National Park; NWR = National Wildlife Refuge; SHS = State Historic Site; SNA = State Natural Area; SP = State Park; TBSL = Texas Bird Sounds Library (Sam Houston State University); TCWC = Texas Cooperative Wildlife Collection (Texas A&M University); WMA = Wildlife Management Area.

ACCEPTED RECORDS

Trumpeter Swan (Cygnus buccinator) (8). Two adults near Whiteface, Cochran, from 15 February-12 March 2010 (KM; 2010-23; TPRF 2803).

Eurasian Wigeon (Anas penelope) (53). An adult male at El Paso, El Paso, from 3 October 2009-16 February 2010 (JSp, JG; 2010-03; TPRF 2790). An adult male at Midlothian, Ellis, from 16-21 December 2009 (TD, SG, BT; 2009-107; TPRF 2787). An adult male at Thalia, Foard, from 16-20 February 2010 (BSu, HF; 2010-20; TPRF 2800). An adult male at El Dorado, Schleicher, on 27 March 2010 (SJ; 2010-27; TPRF 2807).

Masked Duck (Nomonyx dominicus) (86). Three from near Riviera, Kleberg, on 19 December 2007 (ES; 2010-45; TPRF 2819). A male at Santa Ana NWR, Hidalgo, on 30 August 2009 (EC; 2009-87; TPRF 2774). A male and female at Santa Ana NWR, Hidalgo, from 30 October-15 November 2009 (LT, JoM, LB; 2009-91; TPRF 2777). A male on the King Ranch, Kenedy, on 21 April 2010 (DD; 2010-34).

Great Shearwater (Puffinus gravis) (17). One off South Padre Island, Cameron, on 17 July 2010 (MG, CBu, BMc, TF, RPi, LB; 2010-48; TPRF 2821). One off Port Aransas, Nueces, on 31 July 2010 (PS; 2010-50; TPRF 2822).

Sooty Shearwater (Puffinus griseus) (16). One approximately 1 mile off the mouth of the San Bernard River, Brazoria, on 27 July 2010 (TWo; 2010-54; TPRF 2825).

Leach's Storm-Petrel (Oceanodroma leucorhoa) (29). One off South Padre Island, Cameron, on 17 July 2010 (RPi; 2010-57; TPRF 2826).

Red-billed Tropicbird (Phaethon aethereus) (12). One approximately 13 miles east of Port Aransas, Nueces, on 22 June 2010 (JoM, CoM; 2010-43).

Bare-throated Tiger-Heron (Tigrisoma mexicanum) (1). One at Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park, Hidalgo, from 21 December 2009-20 January 2010 (RN, RSn, PS, JoM, RSt, BP, RPi, LB, JRa; 2009-106; TPRF 2786). This represents the first record for Texas and the United States.

Northern Goshawk (Accipiter gentilis) (24). An adult near Ingram, Kerr, on 3 December 2009 (E&MH; 2009-98; TPRF 2782). An immature bird at Lake Meredith, Moore, on 11 January 2010 (TB; 2010-05; TPRF 2792). An adult at Austin, Travis, on 26 February 2010 (JaM; 2010-29).

Roadside Hawk (Buteo magnirostris) (9). An adult at Weslaco, Hidalgo, from 24 January-6 February 2010 (JL, DD, JD, MS, MG; 2010-10; TPRF 2795). An immature bird at Falcon State Park, Zapata/Starr, from 5 February-11 March 2010 (RSt, WS, RO, MG, GO, AWo, CR; 2010-16; TPRF 2796).

Short-tailed Hawk (Buteo brachyurus) (37). A dark morph individual at Estero Llano Grande SP, Hidalgo, on 12 October 2009 (MG; 2009-94). A dark morph individual at Chihuahua Woods Preserve, Hidalgo, on 7 August 2010 (MG; 2010-51; TPRF 2823).

Northern Jacana (Jacana spinosa) (35). An adult at the Calliham unit of Choke Canyon State Park, McMullen, from 2 November 2009-16 April 2010 (JoM, LPa, WS, GS, CBu, RK, RPi, BCa, LB, KF, RSt, BN, LS, MK, JaM; 2009-90; TPRF 2776). A near adult plumaged bird at Santa Ana NWR, Hidalgo, from 4-7 April 2010 (HH, CH; 2010-26; TPRF 2806).

Purple Sandpiper (Calidris maritima) (21). One at Port Isabel, Cameron, from 25 February-10 June 2010 (SCo, RPi, WS, AWo, LZi; 2010-22; TPRF 2802).

Ruff (Philomachus pugnax) (33). One at Anahuac NWR, Chambers, on 11 April 2010 (DM, RHi; 2010-38; TPRF 2814). One near Pattison, Waller, from 14-25 April 2010 (MG, AdW; 2010-37; TPRF 2813).

Red Phalarope (Phalaropus fulicarius) (36). One at Austin, Travis, from 17-22 October 2009 (CW, GL, TFe, RPi, EC, JW, TWi; 2009-86; TPRF 2773). An alternate plumage female at Padre Island National Seashore, Kenedy, on 4 June 2010 (PZ; 2010-44; TPRF 2818).

Black-legged Kittiwake (Rissa tridactyla) (82). A first-winter bird at Port Aransas, Nueces, on 3 April 2010 (MR; 2010-62; TPRF 2828).

Black-headed Gull (Chroicocephalus ridibundus) (27). An adult at Cooper Lake, Hopkins, on 7 November 2009 (MW; 2009-93; TPRF 2781).

Little Gull (Hydrocoloeus minutus) (59). An adult at White Rock Lake, Dallas, from 8 December 2009-5 March 2010 (CR, LHo; 2009-102; TPRF 2785).

Mew Gull (Larus canus) (35). A first-winter individual at McNary Reservoir, Hudspeth, on 1 November 2009 (JPa; 2009-89; TPRF 2775).

(Vega) Herring Gull (Larus argentatus vegae) (2). An adult at Houston, Harris, on 29 March 2006 (MR; 2010-53; TPRF 2824).

Great Black-backed Gull (Larus marinus) (45). A first-year bird at Boca Chica, Cameron, from 29 December 2009-6 March 2010 (JOd, BN, BMc, DV; 2010-04; TPRF 2791).

White-collared Swift (Streptoprocne zonaris) (5). An adult at Port O’Connor, Calhoun, on 9 September 2010 (PH; 2010-56).

Green Violetear (Colibri thalassinus) (68). One near Bowie, Montague, from 30 June-7 July 2010 (BSt, KH; 2010-46; TPRF 2820).

White-eared Hummingbird (Hylocharis leucotis) (32). Up to seven at the Davis Mountains Resort, Jeff Davis, from 12 May-17 September 2010 (ML, RPi, KB; 2010-42; TPRF 2817).

Costa's Hummingbird (Calypte costae) (31). An immature male at Terlingua, Brewster, from 6-13 October 2009 (MF; 2009-105). A female at the Christmas Mountains, Brewster, from 29 October 2009-16 February 2010 (KB; 2009-99; TPRF 2783).

Amazon Kingfisher (Chloroceryle amazona) (1). A female at Laredo, Webb, from 24 January-3 February 2010 (RE, AWo, MH, AdW, TeF, SF, JoM, BP, RPi, BN, JRa, BR; 2010-09; TPRF 2794). This represents the first record for Texas and the United States.

Buff-breasted Flycatcher (Empidonax fulvifrons) (25). One at Wolf Den Canyon, Davis Mountains Preserve, Jeff Davis, from 16 April-29 May 2010 (ML; 2010-30; TPRF 2809). One at Tobe Canyon, Davis Mountains Preserve, Jeff Davis, on 11 September 2010 (RK; 2010-58; TPRF 2827).

Dusky-capped Flycatcher (Myiarchus tuberculifer) (51). Up to eight at No-Name Canyon, Davis Mountains Preserve, Jeff Davis, from 7 May-29 July 2010 (ML; 2010-35; TPRF 2811). Up to six in Tobe Canyon, Davis Mountains Preserve, Jeff Davis, from 8 May-31 July 2010 (ML, RPi; 2010-36; TPRF 2812). A pair near Pewee Spring, Davis Mountains Preserve, Jeff Davis, on 15 May 2010 (ML; 2010-39; TPRF 2815). One along the Limpia Chute Trail, Davis Mountains Preserve, Jeff Davis, on 15 May 2009 (ML; 2010-40; TPRF 2816). One in Fort Davis, Jeff Davis, on 16 May 2010 (KB; 2010-41). Dusky-capped Flycatcher was removed from the list of Review Species at the TBRC meeting in August 2010.

Fork-tailed Flycatcher (Tyrannus savana) (21). One at High Island, Galveston, from 24-25 April 2010 (PF, PB, JRy, AdW, IK, LPr; 2010-32; TPRF 2810).

Rose-throated Becard (Pachyramphus aglaiae) (45). A female or immature male at Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley SP, Hidalgo, on 30 October 2009 (LT; 2009-92; TPRF 2778). An immature male at Estero Llano Grande SP, Hidalgo, from 14 November 2009-1 May 2010 (LoZ, EB, JBo, PW; 2009-96; TPRF 2780). An immature male at Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley SP, Hidalgo, from 15 November 2009-19 February 2010 (RHo, MC, RPi, JoM, DS, BN, BSa, DH, EB, AWo; 2009-95; TPRF 2779). An adult male at Mission, i, on 13 February 2010 (DD; 2010-17). A male at Salineno, i, on 3 April 2010 (ChB; 2010-31).

Brown Jay (Cyanocorax morio). Up to three at San Ygnacio, Zapata, from 22 January-17 April 2010 (MH, RM, MG, RPi, SA, KT, AWo; 2010-08; TPRF 2793). Two at Salineno, Starr, on 10 Jun 2010 (HH; 2010-49).

Tamaulipas Crow (Corvus imparatus). Up to two at Brownsville, Cameron, from 26 March-5 May 2010 (SD, BiC, MG, BZv, LZ; 2010-25; TPRF 2805).

Northern Wheatear (Oenanthe oenanthe) (2). One near Olmos, Bee, from 30 December 2009-29 March 2010 (MC, CH, RPi, JoM, AdW, BPi, BN, LB, LS, MM, JKa, AWo, BRi; 2010-02; TPRF 2789).

Varied Thrush (Ixoreus naevius) (38). A female at Independence Creek Preserve, Terrell, on 21 March 2010 (LW; 2010-24; TPRF 2804).

Aztec Thrush (Ridgwayia pinicola) (6). A male at Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley SP, Hidalgo, from 16-17 February 2010 (D&BS, RN, MG; 2010-18; TPRF 2798).

Crimson-collared Grosbeak (Rhodothraupis celaeno) (21). A female at Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley SP, Hidalgo, from 7-12 December 2009 (RSn; 2009-109; TPRF 2788). A male at McAllen, Hidalgo, from 3-19 February 2010 (LeH, RSt, MT, BPo, DJ, BiC; 2010-14; TPRF 2797).

Blue Bunting (Cyanocompsa parellina) (35). A male and female at Laguna Atascosa NWR, Cameron, from 12 February-14 March 2010 (MT, LHo, WSh; 2010-19; TPRF 2799).

Black-vented Oriole (Icterus wagleri) (6). An adult at South Padre Island, Cameron, from 10-11 April 2010 (GT, SCo, BMc, MG; 2010-28; TPRF 2808).

Evening Grosbeak (Coccothraustes vespertinus). A male at Boot Spring, Big Bend NP, Brewster, on 12 December 2009 (ML; 2009-100; TPRF 2784). A female near San Saba, San Saba, from 25 February-8 March 2010 (CBe; 2010-21; TPRF 2801).

NOT ACCEPTED

A number of factors may contribute to a record being denied acceptance. It is quite uncommon for a record to not be accepted because the bird was obviously misidentified. More commonly, a record is not accepted because the material submitted was incomplete, insufficient, superficial, or just too vague to properly document the reported occurrence while eliminating all other similar species. Also, written documentation or descriptions prepared entirely from memory weeks, months, or years after a sighting are seldom voted on favorably. It is important that the simple act of not accepting a particular record should by no means indicate that the TBRC or any of its members feel the record did not occur as reported. The non-acceptance of any record simply reflects the opinion of the TBRC that the documentation, as submitted, did not meet the rigorous standards appropriate for adding data to the formal historical record. The TBRC makes every effort to be as fair and objective as possible regarding each record. If the committee is unsure about any particular record, it prefers to err on the conservative side and not accept a good record rather than validate a bad one. All records, whether accepted or not, remain on file and can be re-submitted to the committee if additional substantive material is presented.

Yellow-billed Loon (Gavia adamsii). One at Canyon Lake, Comal, from 19-20 January 2010 (2010-07).

Wilson's Storm-Petrel (Oceanites oceanicus). Three off Port Aransas, Nueces, on 8 August 1979 (2010-52). The record was previously accepted under documentation included in TPRF 567. This is one of many records that were accepted prior to the current review practices of the TBRC. A current member of the Committee examined the photos and suggested a review of the record was warranted considering the current knowledge of storm-petrel status in the Gulf of Mexico.

Brown Booby (Sula leucogaster). Up to 16 at Boca Chica, Cameron, from 15-16 January 2010 (2010-06).

Northern Goshawk (Accipiter gentilis). One at Port O’Connor, Calhoun, from 28 December 2009-8 January 2010 (2010-15).

Roadside Hawk (Buteo magnirostris). One at Laredo, Webb, from 29-30 January 2010 (2010-13).

Black Noddy (Anous minutus). One at High Island, Galveston, on 25 April 2010 (2010-61).

Ruddy Ground-Dove (Columbina talpacoti). One near Sandia, Jim Wells, on 10 December 2009 (2009-101). One at Estero Llano Grande SP,Hidalgo, on 17 January 2010 (2010-11).

Northern Saw-whet Owl (Aegolius acadicus). One near Tehaha, Shelby, on 2 January 2010 (2010-12)

Mangrove Cuckoo (Coccyzus minor). One at Port O’Connor, Calhoun, on 5 July 2009 (2009-61).

Vaux’s Swift (Chaetura vauxi). One at El Paso, El Paso, on 16 April 2009 (2009-33). Two at Port O’Connor, Calhoun, on 24 September 2009 (2009-85). One at El Paso, El Paso, on 10 October 2009 (2009-88).

Costa's Hummingbird (Calypte costae). One in El Paso, El Paso, from 6-21 October 2010 (2010-59).

Buff-breasted Flycatcher (Empidonax fulvifrons). One at the Madera Canyon Nature Trail, Davis Mountains Preserve, Jeff Davis, on 29 August 2009 (2009-75).

Rose-throated Becard (Pachyramphus aglaiae). One at Santa Ana NWR, Hidalgo, on 15 November 2009 (2009-103).

Yellow-green Vireo (Vireo flavoviridis). One at Resaca de la Palma SP, Cameron, on 15 November 2009 (2009-104).

Gray-crowned Yellowthroat (Geothlypis poliocephala). One at Laguna Atascosa NWR, Cameron, on 30 December 2009 (2009-109).

Bananaquit (Coereba flaveola). One near Waller, Waller, on 16 July 2010 (2010-47).

Crimson-collared Grosbeak (Rhodothraupis celaeno). One at Texas City, Galveston, on 23 April 2010 (2010-33).

Blue Bunting (Cyanocompsa parellina). One at Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley SP., Hidalgo, on 28 October 2009 (2009-97).

LITERATURE CITED

AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGISTS’ UNION. 1998. Check-list of North American birds, 7th ed.

American Ornithologists’ Union, Washington, D. C.

CHESSER, R. T., BANKS, R. C., F. K. BAKER, C. CICERO, J. L. DUNN, A. W. KRATTER, I. J. LOVETTE, P. C. RASMUSSEN, J. V. REMSEN, Jr., J. D. RISING, D. F. STOTZ and K. WINKLER. 2010. Fifty-first supplement to the American Ornithologists' Union Check-list of North American Birds. Auk 127:726-744.

DITTMANN, D. L., and G. W. LASLEY. 1992. How to document rare birds. Birding

24:145-159.

LOCKWOOD, M. W. 2008. Texas Bird Records Committee report for 2007. Bull. of the Tex. Ornith. Soc. 41:37-45.