2013 Annual Report

TEXAS BIRD RECORDS COMMITTEE REPORT FOR 2013

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 68 records during 2013: 56 records of 37 species were accepted and 12 records of 11 species were not accepted, an acceptance rate of 82.35% for this report. In addition, there was 1 record which was withdrawn by the submitter (Northern Pygmy-Owl, 2013-10). A total of 128 observers submitted documentation (to the TBRC or to other entities) that was reviewed by the committee during 2013.

The TBRC accepted one first state record in 2013. The addition of Black-tailed Godwit brought the official Texas State List to 639 species in good standing. This total does not include the five species on the Presumptive Species List, which now includes Razorbill which was first documented in 2013.

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 2013. 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 2013 who participated in decisions listed in this report were: Randy Pinkston, Chair; Keith Arnold, Academician; Eric Carpenter, (non-voting) Secretary; Greg Cook, Tim Fennell, Mary Gustafson, Mark Lockwood, Jim Paton, Martin Reid, and Byron Stone. During 2013, both Jim Paton and Byron Stone were re-elected as voting members after their first term expired. The Chair, Academician and Secretary were also re-elected.

Contributors - Chris Acree (ChA), Connie Andrus (CoA), Marlin Andrus, Ben Archer, John Arvin, Dan Belcher, Tom Benson (TBe), Susan Bergeson, Erik Breden, Tim Brush (TBr), Kelly Bryan, Frank Bumgardner, Bryan Calk, Eric Carpenter, Cameron Carver, Steve Collins, Greg Cook, Mike Creese, Cory DeStein (CDe), Bonnie Deming (BDe), Drew Dickert (DDi), Mike Dillon, Vladimir Dinets, Bob Doe (BDo), Cookie Dwyer (CDw), Don Dwyer (DDw), Marc Eastman (McE), Maryann Eastman (MyE), John Ebner, Gil Eckrich, Lorna Engleman, Mark Esparza (MEs), Tim Fennell (TiF), Terry Ferguson (TFe), Thomas Finnie (TFi), Mark Flippo, Harry Forbes, Laurie Foss, Phyllis Frank, Tony Frank (TFr), Brush Freeman (BrF), Bob Friedrichs (BoF), Ruth Friedrichs, Terry Fuller (TFu), John Groves, Mary Gustafson, Shelia Hargis, OT Hargrave (OTH), Glenda Harrison, Petra Hockey, Jim Howard, Erik Huebner, Huck Hutchens, Don Jeane (DJe), Dan Jones (DJo), Jim Jones, Joseph Kennedy, Paula Kennedy, Ronnie Kramer, Sandra Kroeger, Greg Lambeth, Tim Lenz, Michael Lindsey (MLi), Brad Lirette, Mark Lockwood (MLo), Dean Logan, Stephan Lorenz, Ann Mallard (AnM), Aaron Marshall (AaM), Karen Marshall, Steve Mayes, John McClung (JMc), Jon McIntyre (JMi), Wayne Meyer, Darlene Moore, Arman Moreno (ArM), Bruce Neville, Terry Nickel, Carolyn Ohl-Johnson (COJ), Sue Orwig, Jay Packer (JaP), Greg Page, Dan Pancamo, John Park (JoP), Lee Pasquali (LPa), William Pattison, Levi Perez (LPe), Barrett Pierce, Randy Pinkston, Janet Rathjen (JRa), Martin Reid (MaR), Helen Rejzek, Jim Rejzek (JRe), Michael Retter (MiR), Clayton Rickett (CRi), Kerry Ross, Chris Runk (CRu), Isaac Sanchez, David Saunders (DSa), Lynne Schaffer, Mark Scheuerman, Willie Sekula, Paul Sellin (PSe), Ted Seto, Philip Shoffner (PSh), Don Simons (DSi), Birgit Stanford (BiS), Rex Stanford, Harlen Stewart, Byron Stone (ByS), Joe Stuckey, Paul Sunby (PSu), Bill Supulski (BSu), Brady Surber (BrS), Barbara Tompkins, Heidi Trudell, Gilbert Wade, Ron Weeks (RWe), Steve Welborn (SWe), Ed Wetzel, John Whittle, Richard Wilde (RWi), Dan Wilkerson, Shirley Wilkerson (SWi), Adam Wood, Adam Woodis (AWs), John Yochum, Matt York, Barry Zimmer.

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, Charles Collins, Fred Collins, Jack Eitniear, Jesse Fagan, Matt Heindel, Steve Howell, Alvaro Jaramillo, Michael Patten, Peter Pyle, Michael Retter, Dave Stejskal, Robert Straub, Michiaki Ujihara, and Osao Ujihara for providing the TBRC with expert opinion concerning records reviewed during 2013. The author thanks Mark Lockwood and Randy Pinkston 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) (31). Up to two at Southeast Park, Amarillo, Randall, from 24 December 2012 - 17 February 2013 (BP; 2012-78; TPRF 3099). One at Lubbock, Lubbock, from 16 - 17 February 2013 (CRi, SC, SB; 2013-21; TPRF 3100).

Barrow's Goldeneye (Bucephala islandica) (10). One at Possum Kingdom Lake, Palo Pinto, from 17 - 24 February 2013 (RWi, DJo, BT, JJ, GW, ChA; 2013-20; TPRF 3101).

Red-necked Grebe (Podiceps grisegena) (25). One at White Rock Lake, Dallas, on 4 December 2012 (CRu, DM; 2012-74; TPRF 3102).

Great Shearwater (Puffinus gravis) (19). One at Padre Island NS - mile marker 1, Kleberg, on 10 August 2012 (JH; 2012-54; TPRF 3104). One at Wright Patman Lake, Cass, on 31 August 2012 (JS, MD; 2012-60; TPRF 3103).

Leach's Storm-Petrel (Oceanodroma leucorhoa) (30). One offshore, 24 miles e. of Port Aransas, Nueces, on 18 July 2011 (JMi; 2011-73; TPRF 3105).

Brown Booby (Sula leucogaster) (37). One at Canyon Lake Dam, Comal, from 25 August - 3 September 2012 (ByS, RP, LPa, FB; 2012-55; TPRF 3107). One at Lynchberg Ferry, Harris, from 29 - 30 August 2012 (SL, TFr, PF, JRa; 2012-56; TPRF 3108). One at Lynchberg Ferry, Harris, on 29 September 2012 (SL; 2012-64). Five at Corpus Christi Bay, near Indian Point Park, Nueces, on 19 March 2013 (GL; 2013-27; TPRF 3106). One at San Luis Pass, Galveston, on 31 May 2013 (OTH; 2013-41; TPRF 3109).

Short-tailed Hawk (Buteo brachyurus) (42). One at Santa Ana NWR, Hidalgo, on 3 September 2012 (TBr, LPe; 2012-57; TPRF 3110). One at North American Butterfly Association park & Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park, Hidalgo, from 3 - 9 August 2013 (MaR, BSu, JE, MG; 2013-50; TPRF 3111).

Northern Jacana (Jacana spinosa) (36). One at Pintail Lake, Santa Ana NWR, Hidalgo, on 3 November 2012 (AaM, KM, JMc; 2012-68; TPRF 3112).

Black-tailed Godwit (Limosa limosa) (1). One at Brazoria NWR, Brazoria, from 4 June - 13 August 2012 (RWe, WS, EC, RP, RS, ByS, CRu, MLi, BL; 2012-45; TPRF 2972). This was the first record for the state of Texas.

Purple Sandpiper (Calidris maritima) (26). One at Baytown, Harris, on 24 November 2012 (DDi; 2013-03).

Red Phalarope (Phalaropus fulicarius) (42). One at Hagerman NWR, Grayson, from 27 - 30 October 2012 (EW, GC, BT; 2012-67; TPRF 3114). One at Balmorhea Lake, Reeves, on 31 October 2012 (HT, MY; 2012-69; TPRF 3115). One at Balmorhea Lake, Reeves, on 7 May 2013 (MD; 2013-33; TPRF 3113).

Long-tailed Jaeger (Stercorarius longicaudus) (23). One at the Texas City Dike, Galveston, on 1 December 2012 (DP; 2012-80; TPRF 3116).

Heermann's Gull (Larus heermanni) (3). One at Tornillo Reservoir, El Paso, on 24 September 2012 (BZ; 2012-61; TPRF 2973).

Mew Gull (Larus canus) (37). One at Delta Lake, Hidalgo, on 27 October 2012 (MG, DJo; 2012-70; TPRF 3117).

Slaty-backed Gull (Larus schistisagus) (6). One at Port Aransas, Nueces, on 23 February 2012 (JMi, PH; 2012-21; TPRF 3118).

Razorbill (Alca torda). One offshore, just n. of Flower Gardens National Marine Sanctuary, Galveston, on 16 March 2013 (VD; 2013-26). Razorbill is not yet fully documented on the state list but the written documentation for this record served to add this species to the Presumptive List.

Ruddy Ground-Dove (Columbina talpacoti) (22). One at Crescent Bend Nature Park, Bexar, from 5 - 18 October 2012 (BDo, TN, MC, HR, JRe, EH, SL, AW, AnM, LE, GE, HF; 2012-62; TPRF 3119).

White-collared Swift (Streptoprocne zonaris) (6). One on Galveston Island, Galveston, on 3 July 2012 (DSa, WP; 2012-49).

Green Violetear (Colibri thalassinus) (75). One at San Benito, Cameron, from 12 - 15 May 2013 (TFu; 2013-32; TPRF 3120). One at Wimberley, Hays, from 23 - 26 May 2013 (LS, BA; 2013-40; TPRF 3121).

Costa's Hummingbird (Calypte costae) (37). One at Christmas Mountains, Brewster, from 1 - 5 January 2003 (COJ; 2013-11; TPRF 3122). One at Christmas Mountains, Brewster, from 7 - 17 November 2012 (COJ, KB; 2012-73; TPRF 3126). One at El Paso, El Paso, from 24 December 2012 - 3 February 2013 (BZ, DB; 2012-77; TPRF 3123). One at Kerrville, Kerr, from 29 December 2012 - 26 January 2013 (DDw, CDw; 2013-09; TPRF 3125). One at Study Butte, Brewster, from 14 - 20 January 2013 (KB, PSu, COJ; 2013-07; TPRF 3124).

White-eared Hummingbird (Hylocharis leucotis) (34). One at Tobe Canyon, Davis Mountains Preserve, Jeff Davis, from 27 - 28 June 2013 (MY, HT; 2013-47; TPRF 3127).

Greater Pewee (Contopus pertinax) (24). One at Bear Creek Park, Harris, from 5 October 2012 - 23 March 2013 (GP, PSe, SO, SL, AW, JK, RP; 2012-63; TPRF 3128).

Buff-breasted Flycatcher (Empidonax fulvifrons) (27). One at Davis Mountains Preserve, Jeff Davis, from 26 April - 15 July 2012 (MLo, RP, CRu; 2012-46; TPRF 3129).

Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher (Myiodynastes luteiventris) (22). One at Quintana, Brazoria, on 18 May 2013 (SK, TFr, PF, HF; 2013-38; TPRF 3131). One at Christmas Mountains, Brewster, on 15 June 2013 (COJ, MLo; 2013-42; TPRF 3130).

Gray Kingbird (Tyrannus dominicensis) (11). One at Palacios, Matagorda, from 2 - 3 July 2013 (BoF, RF, BrF, JRa, PSe, EC, HF; 2013-48; TPRF 3132).

Fork-tailed Flycatcher (Tyrannus savana) (24). One near McKinney Falls SP, Travis, from 15 - 26 December 2012 (SH, LF, RP, TiF, ArM, RK; 2012-76; TPRF 3133).

Rose-throated Becard (Pachyramphus aglaiae) (49). One at Salineno, Starr, on 16 May 2009 (BC; 2013-46; TPRF 3135). One at Estero Llano Grande SP, Hidalgo, from 9 November 2011 - 10 January 2013 (MiR, MS, BSu, JA, JMi, MEs, PK, JY, HH, CDe, TBe, DW, SWi; 2011-88; TPRF 3134).

Pinyon Jay (Gymnorhinus cyanocephalus) (1). Seven at Terlingua, Brewster, on 17 October 2012 (MF; 2012-65).

American Dipper (Cinclus mexicanus) (8). One on the Guadalupe River, just w. of Hunt, Kerr, on 16 February 2010 (TS; 2013-34; TPRF 3136).

Varied Thrush (Ixoreus naevius) (43). One at the Christmas Mountains, Brewster, from 20 October 2012 - 19 March 2013 (COJ, RP; 2012-66; TPRF 3138). One at Kress, Swisher, from 3 - 24 February 2013 (CC, CoA, MA; 2013-16; TPRF 3137).

Connecticut Warbler (Oporornis agilis) (12). One at High Island, Galveston, on 7 September 2012 (KR; 2012-58).

Rufous-capped Warbler (Basileuterus rufifrons) (28). Up to two at Chalk Bluff Park, Uvalde, from 22 April - 27 May 2012 (TL, HF; 2012-82; TPRF 3139).

“Slate-colored” Fox Sparrow (Passerella iliaca schistacea). One at El Paso, El Paso, from 20 - 27 September 2012 (BZ; 2012-59; TPRF 2974). This represents the first fully documented Texas record of this subspecies group.

Golden-crowned Sparrow (Zonotrichia atricapilla) (37). One at Franklin Mountains SP, El Paso, from 29 April - 9 May 2013 (BDe, BZ, JG; 2013-31; TPRF 3140). One at the Convention Center, South Padre Island, Cameron, from 17 - 21 May 2013 (BiS, RS, EB, JY, HF, MG; 2013-36; TPRF 3141).

Pine Grosbeak (Pinicola enucleator) (6). One in upper Dog Canyon, GMNP, Culberson, on 30 December 2012 (EH; 2013-01).

Common Redpoll (Acanthis flammea) (14). One at Trophy Club, Denton, from 10 February - 13 March 2013 (PSh, JaP; 2013-17; TPRF 3142).

Evening Grosbeak (Coccothraustes vespertinus) (5). Up to four at the Davis Mountains Resort, Jeff Davis, from 27 - 31 October 2012 (McE, MyE; 2013-04; TPRF 3144). One at San Augustine, San Augustine, from 9 - 17 February 2013 (GH; 2013-24; TPRF 3143).

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.

Masked Duck (Nomonyx dominicus). Two at Santa Ana NWR, Hidalgo, on 22 December 2012 (2013-08).

American Flamingo (Phoenicopterus ruber). Four at Santa Ana NWR, Hidalgo, on 13 January 2013 (2013-13).

Sooty Shearwater (Puffinus griseus). One at Hospital Rocks, 35 nautical miles offshore, Nueces, on 23 July 2012 (2013-06).

Northern Goshawk (Accipiter gentilis). One se. of Lockett, Wilbarger, on 21 November 2012 (2012-71).

Ruff (Calidris pugnax). One at Oso Bay, Nueces, on 5 April 2012 (2012-41).

Long-toed Stint (Calidris subminuta). One at Hagerman NWR, Grayson, on 5 August 2012 (2012-52).

Western Gull (Larus occidentalis). One at Fort Hancock Reservoir, Hudspeth, from 15 - 16 November 2012 (2012-72).

Brown Noddy (Anous stolidus). One at Lake Tanglewood, Randall, on 4 August 2012 (2012-53). One offshore, 7 miles se. of Port Aransas, Nueces, on 10 August 2013 (2013-51).

Vaux’s Swift (Chaetura vauxi). One at Mitchell Lake, Bexar, on 9 August 2009 (2011-06).

Tropical Mockingbird (Mimus gilvus). One at Sabine Woods, Jefferson, from 18 April - 28 July 2012 (2012-36). The identification was not in question but the committee felt that there the bird’s natural occurrence in Texas was questionable.

Golden-crowned Warbler (Basileuterus culicivorus). One at Zapata Library, Zapata, on 31 January 2013 (2013-14).

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, , C. CICERO, J. L. DUNN, A. W. KRATTER, I. J. LOVETTE, A. G. NAVARRO-SIGUENZA, P. C. RASMUSSEN, J. V. REMSEN, Jr., J. D. RISING, D. F. STOLTZ, AND K. WINKLER, 2014. Fifty-fifth supplement to the American Ornithologists' Union Check-list of North American Birds. Auk 131:CSi-CSxv.

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

24:145-159.