2012 Annual Report

TEXAS BIRD RECORDS COMMITTEE REPORT FOR 2012

ERIC CARPENTER

4710 Canyonwood Drive, Austin, Texas 78735

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/). 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 84 records during 2012: 74 records of 39 species were accepted and 10 records of 9 species were not accepted, an acceptance rate of 88.10% for this report. In addition, there was 1 record which was withdrawn by the submitter (Connecticut Warbler, 2012-40). A total of 119 observers submitted documentation (to the TBRC or to other entities) that was reviewed by the committee during 2012.

The TBRC accepted two first state records in 2012. The additions of Double-toothed Kite and Nutting’s Flycatcher bring the official Texas State List to 638 species in good standing. This total does not include the four species 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, Eric Carpenter, 4710 Canyonwood Drive, Austin, Texas 78735 (email: ecarpe@gmail.com). Guidelines for preparing rare bird documentation can be found in Dittmann and Lasley (1992) or at http://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 53th supplement (Chesser et al. 2012). A number in parentheses after the species name represents the total number of accepted records in Texas for that species at the end of 2012. Species added to the Review List because of population declines or dwindling occurrence in recent years do not have the total number of accepted records denoted as there are many documented records that were not subjected to review (e.g. Brown Jay, Pinyon Jay, Tamaulipas Crow, and Evening Grosbeak). All observers who submitted written documentation or photographs/recordings 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 discoverer(s) 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. All locations in italics are counties. Please note that the county designations of offshore records are used only as a reference to the nearest point of land.

TBRC Membership -- Members of the TBRC during 2012 who participated in decisions listed in this report were: Randy Pinkston, Chair; Keith Arnold, Academician; Eric Carpenter, Secretary; Greg Cook, Tim Fennell, Mary Gustafson, Mark Lockwood, Jim Paton, Martin Reid, Byron Stone, and Ron Weeks. During 2012, Carpenter resigned his voting membership (but retained his Secretary position) and Ron Weeks’ second term expired. Greg Cook and Mark Lockwood were elected to fill the two open positions. Both Mary Gustafson and Tim Fennell were re-elected as voting members after their first term expired. The Academician and Secretary were also re-elected.

Contributors - Pam Allen, Reid Allen, Charley Amos, Kenny Anderson, Roger Bacon, Betsy Baker (BBa), Ellen Baker (EBa), Andy Balinsky, Lynn Barber (LBa), Bob Becker (BBe), Erik Breden (EBr), Benji Brooks (BBr), David Brotherton, Luanne Brotherton (LBr), Kelly Bryan, Maggie Burnett, Jennifer Burtka, Eric Carpenter, Jeff Cheney, Angela Christian, Fred Collins, Steve Collins, Greg Cook, Mel Cooksey, D.D. Currie (DDC), Evan Dalton, Tripp Davenport, Forrest Davis, Cheryl Delashmit (CDe), Nan Dietert, Chris Doolen (CDo), Gil Eckrich, Mark Esparza, Tim Fennell (TiF), Tad Finnell (TaF), Thomas Finnie (ThF), Dean Fisher, Mark Flippo, Nathan Forbes, Laurie Foss, Phyllis Frank, Tony Frank (ToF), Brush Freeman, Joe Grzybowski, Mary Gustafson, Dave Hanson, Mitch Heindel, Petra Hockey, Greg Homel, Ronald Hood, Barbara House, Jim Howard (JiH), John Hoyt (JoH), Huck Hutchens, Tom Johnson, Dan Jones, Jim Jones, John Karges (JKa), Joe Kennedy (JKe), Jan Kraemer (JKr), Larry Kraemer, Kevin Kriegel, Hemant Kulkarni, Linda LeRoy, Cin-Ty Lee (CTL), Michael Lindsey (MLi), Mark Lockwood (MLo), Chuck Lorenz, Stephan Lorenz, Jake McCumber (JMc), Nathan McGowan (NMG), Connie McIntyre (CoM), Craig McIntyre (CrM), Jon McIntyre (JoM), James McKay (JaM), Darlene Moore (DMo), Bernie Morris, Pauline Morris, Linda Moss, Derek Muschalek (DMu), John O'Brien, Carolyn Ohl-Johnson (COJ), Sandy Olinger, Jay Packer, Greg Page, Seth Patterson, Brandon Percival (BPe), Barrett Pierce (BPi), Randy Pinkston, Martin Reid (MRe), Mike Rickard (MRi), John Rosford, Chris Runk, Kelly Sampeck, Billy Sandifer (BSa), Mark Scheuerman (MSc), Mark Shieldcastle (MSh), Colin Shields, Denise Shields, Sarah Shong (SSh), Bill Small (BSm), Sue Small (SSm), Mari Smith (MSm), Rex Stanford, Les Stewart, Byron Stone (ByS), Mary Beth Stowe (MBS), Bruce Strange (BSt), Bill Supulski (BiS), Brady Surber (BSu), Bill Tarbox (BTa), Samantha Tessneer, Barbara Tompkins (BTo), Ron Weeks, Stuart Willmott, James Witten, David Wolf, Adam Wood, Matt York.

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 John Arvin, Chris Benesh, Bill Clark, Jesse Fagan, Tony Gallucci, Steve Howell, Jerry Ligouri, John Rowlett, and Brian Wheeler for providing the TBRC with expert opinion concerning records reviewed during 2012. The author thanks Mark Lockwood, Randy Pinkston and Martin Reid for reviewing previous drafts of this report.

Additional Abbreviations -- AOU = American Ornithologists' Union; NP = National Park; NS = National Seashore; 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

Brant (Branta bernicla) (29). One at Canyon, Randall, from 1 February - 31 March 2012 (ST, BBr, BPi; 2012-14; TPRF 3011).

Masked Duck (Nomonyx dominicus) (94). One nw. of Zionville, Washington, from 16 August - 3 September 2011 (NMG, JMc, AB,HK; 2011-79; TPRF 2975). One at Santa Ana NWR, Hidalgo, on 23 November 2011 (LM; 2011-92; TPRF 2989). One sw. of Port Lavaca, Calhoun, on 16 January 2012 (KK; 2012-08; TPRF 3007). One at Sabal Palm Sanctuary, Cameron, from 5 June - 2 July 2012 (SP, ME, HH; 2012-44; TPRF 3030).

Red-necked Grebe (Podiceps grisegena) (24). One at Lake O'The Pines, Marion, on 27 December 2011 (TiF; 2011-105; TPRF 2999).

Manx Shearwater (Puffinus puffinus) (8). One off the pier/jetties, Matagorda Bay Nature Park, Matagorda, on 19 December 2011 (PH; 2011-102).

Brown Booby (Sula leucogaster) (32). One at Lake Sam Rayburn, San Augustine, on 7 July 2012 (RB; 2012-51; TPRF 3033).

Double-toothed Kite (Harpagus bidentatus) (1). One at High Island, Galveston, on 4 May 2011 (DH; 2011-67; TPRF 2970). This unexpected sighting represents the first record for Texas.

Short-tailed Hawk (Buteo brachyurus) (40). One at Rio Grande Village, Big Bend NP, Brewster, on 7 May 2011 (JW; 2011-54; TPRF 2977). One at Utopia Park,Uvalde, on 14 April 2012 (MH; 2012-47).

Surfbird (Aphriza virgata) (11). One at Packery Channel jetties, Nueces, from 22 March - 1 April 2012 (JiH, CDo, JoM, RS, RP, MC, ByS; 2012-30; TPRF 3022).

Purple Sandpiper (Calidris maritima) (25). One at East Beach, Galveston, from 3 - 5 December 2011 (BTa, EBa; 2011-98; TPRF 2993). One ne. of Surfside, Brazoria, on 4 January 2012 (JB; 2012-02; TPRF 3002). One at Port Mansfield, Willacy, from 23 January - 5 February 2012 (CDe, ME, DB, LBr; 2012-09; TPRF 3008). One at Packery Channel jetties, Nueces, on 28 March 2012 (MC, DMu; 2012-31; TPRF 3023).

Ruff (Philomachus pugnax) (34). One at El Franco Lee Park, Houston, Harris, from 31 October - 16 December 2011 (JO, RP, ToF, PF, AW, SL, MRe; 2011-87; TPRF 2985).

Red Phalarope (Phalaropus fulicarius) (39). One at Packery Channel jetties area, Nueces, on 1 April 2012 (GH, MG; 2012-32; TPRF 3024).

Black-legged Kittiwake (Rissa tridactyla) (89). One at South Padre Island, Cameron, from 9 - 24 January 2012 (BiS, RS, ME, DB; 2012-05; TPRF 3005).

Little Gull (Hydrocoloeus minutus) (74). One at San Jacinto Battleground SHS, Harris, from 19 - 23 November 2011 (CTL, SL, MLi, ToF, PF; 2011-89; TPRF 2986). One at Lake Ray Hubbard, Dallas, on 12 December 2011 (CR; 2012-07). One at Lake Arlington, Tarrant, from 23 December 2011 - 14 January 2012 (GC, DDC, BTo; 2012-23; TPRF 3017). One at Lake O'The Pines, Marion, from 7 - 15 January 2012 (DB, LBr; 2012-03; TPRF 3003). One at Port Aransas jetty area, Nueces, from 13 - 15 February 2012 (JoM, CoM; 2012-15; TPRF 3012). Up to four at White Rock Lake, Dallas, from 13 February - 19 March 2012 (CR, RP, BBa; 2012-19; TPRF 3034). Up to two at Port Aransas jetty area, Nueces, from 18 February - 9 March 2012 (CrM, LK, JKr; 2012-18; TPRF 3015). One at Village Creek Drying Beds, Tarrant, from 28 February 2012 - 1 March 2012 (BTo; 2012-48; TPRF 3031). One at Lynchberg Ferry, Harris, on 14 April 2012 (GP; 2012-34; TPRF 3026). Little Gull was removed from the TBRC Review List at the TBRC annual meeting on 22 September 2012.

Mew Gull (Larus canus) (36). One at Mae Simmons Park, Lubbock, Lubbock, on 22 November 2011 (SC; 2011-94; TPRF 2991).

Great Black-backed Gull (Larus marinus) (49). One at Follett's Island, Brazoria, on 21 January 2012 (RW, TaF; 2012-27; TPRF 3019).

Brown Noddy (Anous stolidus) (20). One at mile 38, Padre Island NS, Kleberg, on 18 June 2008 (BSa; 2012-50; TPRF 3032). Two offshore, 26 miles e. of Port Aransas,Nueces, from 17 June - 23 July 2011 (JoM, NF; 2011-71; TPRF 2978).

Arctic Tern (Sterna paradisaea) (9). One at Rollover Pass, Galveston, on 26 May 2011 (DF; 2011-59).

Snowy Owl (Bubo scandiacus) (7). One at Lake Ray Hubbard, Rockwall, from 11 - 19 February 2012 (BSt, BSm, SSm, RP, BTo, JP; 2012-16; TPRF 3013). One at Dallas, Dallas, on 26 February 2012 (AC; 2012-25; TPRF 3018).

Green Violetear (Colibri thalassinus) (73). One at sw. Austin, Travis, on 12 May 2012 (MB, KA; 2012-42).

Violet-crowned Hummingbird (Amazilia violiceps) (19). One at Christmas Mts., Brewster, from 1 - 6 December 2011 (COJ, MRe; 2011-96; TPRF 2992).

White-eared Hummingbird (Hylocharis leucotis) (33). One at Davis Mts. Resort, near Fort Davis, Jeff Davis, from 10 - 15 August 2011 (BH; 2011-77; TPRF 2979).

Buff-breasted Flycatcher (Empidonax fulvifrons) (26). Two at Madera Canyon, Davis Mts. Preserve, Jeff Davis, from 6 May - 7 August 2011 (MLo, CR; 2011-52; TPRF 2976).

(Lawrence’s) Dusky-capped Flycatcher (Myiarchus tuberculifer lawrencei) (14). One at Sabal Palm Sanctuary, Cameron, from 18 December 2011 - 6 March 2012 (DJ, BiS, MBS; 2011-103; TPRF 2997). One at Estero Llano Grande SP, Hidalgo, from 23 - 24 February 2012 (RS, TJ; 2012-28; TPRF 3020).

Nutting's Flycatcher (Myiarchus nuttingi) (1). One at Santa Elena Canyon area, Big Bend NP, Brewster, from 31 December 2011 - 11 January 2012 (BPe, KB, MY, EC, MRe, MLo; 2012-01; TPRF 2971). This sighting represents the first record for Texas.

Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher (Myiodynastes luteiventris) (20). One at Sabine Woods, Jefferson, on 15 September 2011 (LBa; 2011-82; TPRF 2981).

Sulphur-bellied/Streaked Flycatcher (Myiodynastes luteiventris/Myiodynastes maculates) (1). One at Paradise Pond, Port Aransas, Nueces, on 12 October 2011 (ND; 2011-85).

Rose-throated Becard (Pachyramphus aglaiae) (47). One at Santa Ana NWR, Hidalgo, from 16 - 21 September 2011 (MRi; 2011-81; TPRF 2980). One at Salineno,Starr, on 7 January & 5 February 2012 (RA, PA, MG, FC; 2012-04; TPRF 3004).

Black-whiskered Vireo (Vireo altiloquus) (36). One at Paradise Pond, Port Aransas, Nueces, on 16 May 2011 (JoM; 2011-63). One at Sabine Woods, Jefferson, from 17 - 24 April 2012 (KS, ThF, RP, EC, MLo, BPi, JKe; 2012-35; TPRF 3027). One at Quintana Neotropic Bird Sanctuary, Brazoria, on 11 May 2012 (MSc; 2012-39; TPRF 3029). One at Matagorda Island, Calhoun, on 14 May 2012 (PH; 2012-43).

Brown Jay (Psilorhinus morio) (5). Up to two at Salineno/Chapeno, Starr, from 3 December 2011 - 15 April 2012 (TD, MBS, BiS, RS, DMo, GE, JoM, FD, JoH, MRe; 2011-99; TPRF 2994).

Varied Thrush (Ixoreus naevius) (41). One at Buffalo Lake NWR, Randall, on 5 November 2011 (BPi; 2011-86; TPRF 2984).

Connecticut Warbler (Oporornis agilis) (11). One at Terlingua, Brewster, on 8 May 2011 (MF; 2011-50).

Golden-crowned Warbler (Basileuterus culicivorus) (21). One at the National Butterfly Center, Hidalgo, from 20 November - 22 December 2011 (BiS, MG, JoM, MRe, CL; 2011-91; TPRF 2988). One at Frontera Audubon Thicket, Hidalgo, from 17 December 2011 - 4 March 2012 (ME, DMo; 2011-106; TPRF 3000).

Slate-throated Redstart (Myioborus miniatus) (10). One at Boot Canyon, Big Bend NP, Brewster, on 16 April 2011 (CA; 2011-42).

Flame-colored Tanager (Piranga bidentata) (10). One at Davis Mts. Preserve, Jeff Davis, on 30 July 2011 (JKa; 2011-80).

Crimson-collared Grosbeak (Rhodothraupis celaeno) (33). Two at Frontera Audubon Thicket, Hidalgo, from 21 - 22 November 2011 (DJ; 2011-93; TPRF 2990). One at Estero Llano Grande SP, Hidalgo, on 25 November 2011 (GP; 2012-17; TPRF 3014). One at Pharr, Hidalgo, from 7 December 2011 - 14 April 2012 (MSh, JoM, DMo, MG; 2011-100; TPRF 2995). One at Sabal Palm Sanctuary, Cameron, from 15 December 2011 - 16 January 2012 (DJ; 2011-104; TPRF 2998). One at Slaughter Park, Laredo, Webb, on 16 December 2011 (ED; 2011-101; TPRF 2996). One at Frontera Audubon Thicket, Hidalgo, from 17 December 2011 - 22 April 2012 (JC, BBe, JaM; 2012-29; TPRF 3021). One at the National Butterfly Center, Hidalgo, from 18 - 23 December 2011 (ME; 2011-107; TPRF 3001). One at Valley Nature Center, Weslaco,Hidalgo, on 1 May 2012 (BF, MBS; 2012-38; TPRF 3028).

Blue Bunting (Cyanocompsa parellina) (45). One at Sheepshead Lot, South Padre Island, Cameron, on 14 October 2011 (LL; 2011-84; TPRF 2983). One at Casa Santa Ana, Hidalgo, from 17 - 22 November 2011 (EBr, DJ; 2011-90; TPRF 2987). One near Bentsen SP, Hidalgo, from 4 - 5 January 2012 (MG; 2012-13).

Black-vented Oriole (Icterus wagleri) (9). One at & near Bentsen SP, Hidalgo, from 13 October 2011 - 10 January 2012 (SSh, JR, LF, MG, DMo, MBS; 2011-83; TPRF 2982).

White-winged Crossbill (Loxia leucoptera) (9). One nw. of Tarpley, Bandera, from 4 - 5 November 2011 (RH; 2012-10; TPRF 3009).

Common Redpoll (Acanthis flammea) (13). One at Southlake, Tarrant, from 7 - 10 January 2012 (SW; 2012-06; TPRF 3006). One nw. of Nacogdoches, Nacogdoches, from 27 January - 21 February 2012 (DW, LS; 2012-20; TPRF 3016). One at Colleyville, Tarrant, from 29 January - 1 February 2012 (BTo, DMo, JJ; 2012-11; TPRF 3010). One at Lake Bridgeport, Wise, from 10 - 19 February 2012 (MSm; 2012-33; TPRF 3025).

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 due to a bird being 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.

Buller's Shearwater (Puffinus bulleri). One offshore, 145 miles east of Port Isabel, Cameron, on 1 December 2011 (2011-97).

Northern Goshawk (Accipiter gentilis). One at Palo Duro Canyon S.P., Randall, on 18 November 2011 (2011-95).

Little Gull (Hydrocoloeus minutus). One at Lake Iowa Park, Wichita, on 26 February 2012 (2012-24).

Great Black-backed Gull (Larus marinus). One at Boca Chica, Cameron, on 27 January 2012 (2012-12). One at Anahuac NWR, Chambers, on 24 February 2012 (2012-26).

Greater Pewee (Contopus pertinax). One at Boot Canyon, Big Bend NP, Brewster, on 15 August 2011 (2011-78).

Social Flycatcher (Myiozetetes similis). One at Brownsville, Cameron, in February 1887 (2010-85).

Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus). Up to two at Mount Vernon, Franklin, from 17 - 20 February 2012 (2012-22).

Connecticut Warbler (Oporornis agilis). One at Muenster, Cooke, on 25 April 2012 (2012-37).

Golden-crowned Warbler (Basileuterus culicivorus). One at Packery Channel, Nueces, on 1 April 2011 (2011-65).

LITERATURE CITED

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

American Ornithologists’ Union, Washington, D. C.

CHESSER, R. TERRY, R. C. BANKS, F. K. BARKER, C. CICERO, J. L. DUNN, A. W. KRATTER, I. J. LOVETTE, P. C. RASMUSSEN, J. V. REMSEN, Jr., J. D. RISING, D. F. STOLTZ, AND K. WINKLER, 2012. Fifty-third supplement to the American Ornithologists' Union Check-list of North American Birds. Auk 129:573-588.

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

24:145-159.