2014 Annual Report

TEXAS BIRD RECORDS COMMITTEE REPORT FOR 2014

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 73 records during 2014: 60 records of 33 species were accepted and 13 records of 12 species were not accepted, an acceptance rate of 82.19% for this report. In addition, there was 1 record which was withdrawn by the submitter (Northern Pygmy-Owl, 2013-10). A total of 140 observers submitted documentation (to the TBRC or to other entities) that was reviewed by the committee during 2014.

No new first state records were accepted in 2014. The official Texas State List remains at 639 species in good standing.

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 55th 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 2014. 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 2014 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, Petra Hockey, Mark Lockwood, Jim Paton, Martin Reid, and Byron Stone. During 2014, Martin Reid’s second-term expired and Petra Hockey was elected to fill that vacancy. The Academician and Secretary were also re-elected.

Contributors - Mark Alvarez, Tony Amos, Scott Atkinson, Mike Austin (MAu), Ruben Ayala, Mark Bartosik, Bob Becker, Dan Allen Belcher (DAB), Collin Blood, Jeff Bouton, Erik Breden, Kelly Bryan, Frank Bumgardner, Antonio Cantu, Eric Carpenter, Cameron Carver (CCa), Nancy Christensen, Sheridan Coffey (ShC), Lisa Cole, Scarlet Colley (ScC), Steve Collins (StC), Greg Cook, Ricky Cosby, Cameron Cox (CCo), Chuck Coxe (ChC), Rich Damron, Tripp Davenport (TDa), Michael David (MDa), Mark Dennis (MDe), Drew Dickert, Tom Dugan (TDu), Mike Dupree, Gil Eckrich, Mark Elliott (MEl), Mark Esparza (MEs), Ted Eubanks, Paul Fagala, Tim Fennell (TFe), Tad Finnell (TFi), Joe Fischer, Mark Flippo, Graham Floyd, Harry Forbes, Susan Foster, Tony Frank (TFr), Brush Freeman, David Freers, Terry Fuller (TFu), Doug Ghrist (DGh), Kevin Gin, CJ Goin (CJG), Dave Grise (DGr), Mary Gustafson, Andrew Haffenden (AHa), Jim Hailey (JHa), David Hanson, Allen Hardee (AlH), Neil Hayward, Sue Heath, Anthony Hewetson (AHe), Terry Hibbitts, Emma Hickerson (EHi), Ron Hillstrom, Jim Hinson (JHi), Ben Hortsmann, Lee Hoy, Erik Huebner (EHu), Dan Jones, Joel Jorgensen, John Kaye (JKa), Joseph Kennedy (JKe), Peter Keyel, David Kidwell, John Kiseda (JKi), Rick Knight (RKn), Rick Kostecke (RKo), Greg Lasley, Larry Layne, Tony Leukering, Michael Lindsey (MLi), Mark Lockwood (MLo), Scotty Lofland (ScL), Sandy Lowry (SaL), Mary Anne Marjamaa (MAM), David McDonald (DMc), Todd McGrath, Craig McIntyre (CMc), Jon McIntyre, Mary Mehaffey, Colette Micallef (CMi), David Montemayor (DMo), Arman Moreno, Martha Norman, Kyle O'Haver, Carolyn Ohl, Sue Orwig, Dory Owen, Jay Packer (JaP), Jim Paton (JiP), Jeff Patterson (JeP), Seth Patterson (SPa), Jim Peterson (JPe), Sam Petrie (SPe), Barrett Pierce, Randy Pinkston, Martin Reid (MRe), Holly Reinhard, David Richman (DRi), Mike Rickard (MRi), Don Roberson (DRo), Patricia Rosel, Chris Runk, Kelly Sampeck, David Sarkozi (DSa ), Mark Scheuerman, Suzanne Schroeder, Bill Scott (BSc), Willie Sekula, Paul Sellin (PSe), Dennis Shepler (DSh), David Sibley (DSi), Don Simons (DSi), Jana Singletary (JSi), Letha Slagle, John Sproul (JSp), Jim Stevenson (JSt), Byron Stone (BSt), Nancy Stotz, Paul Sunby (PSu), Romey Swanson, Jannan Swearengin (JSw), John Tharp, David Trudeau, John Vanderpoel, Ron Weeks, Shirley Wilkerson, Dale Wolck, Bonnie Wunderlich, Teri Zambon, Phil Ziegler.

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 Dan Gibson, Martha Jordan, Steve Mlodinow, Peter Pyle and David Sibley for providing the TBRC with expert opinion concerning records reviewed during 2014. 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) (32). One se. of Amarillo, Randall, on 8 December 2013 (BP; 2014-12).

Trumpeter Swan (Cygnus buccinator) (11). Two at Bristol, Ellis, from 14 - 20 February 2014 (JSw, GC; 2014-11; TPRF 3185). One at Lubbock, Lubbock, from 6 - 14 March 2014 (CCa, StC, MLo, JaP; 2014-14; TPRF 3187).

Masked Duck (Nomonyx dominicus) (95). One at Sabal Palm Sanctuary, Cameron, from 29 April - 6 May 2013 (SPa, KO; 2013-43; TPRF 3155).

Red-necked Grebe (Podiceps grisegena) (28). One at Balmorhea Lake, Reeves, from 10 December 2013 - 1 January 2014 (ShC, GL, MLo, SH, TFi; 2013-78; TPRF 3172). One at White Rock Lake, Dallas, from 24 December 2013 - 23 January 2014 (JPe, KS, CR; 2013-81; TPRF 3174). One at Stillhouse Hollow Reservoir, Bell, from 6 - 10 March 2014 (JeP, RP, GE, SaL; 2014-16; TPRF 3188).

Sooty Shearwater (Puffinus griseus) (18). One bird 1 mile offshore from the Port Aransas jetty, Nueces, on 6 September 2013 (JV,TDu; 2013-53; TPRF 3156). One at Matagorda Jetty Park, Matagorda, on 8 March 2014 (TM; 2014-15).

Brown Booby (Sula leucogaster) (39). One 12 miles south of Mansfield Cut, South Padre Island, Cameron, on 12 October 2013 (CB; 2014-10; TPRF 3184). One at South Padre Island jetty, Cameron, on 8 November 2013 (DSi; 2013-77).

Short-tailed Hawk (Buteo brachyurus) (43). One in the Chisos Mountains, Big Bend NP, Brewster, from 29 April - 14 May 2014 (MF, SPe, RKn, BSc; 2014-25; TPRF 3195).

(Eurasian) Whimbrel (Numenius phaeopus phaeopus/variegatus/alboaxillaris) (1). One at Crystal Beach, Galveston, from 29 April - 19 May 2013 (CCo, EC, MLi, DH, SW, DMc, KG; 2013-37; TPRF 3154). Thought by most to be N.p. phaeopus; first documented record in Texas for this subspecies group.

Ruff (Calidris pugnax) (35). One at Anahuac NWR, Chambers, from 19 April - 4 May 2014 (CCo, DSa, PF, DK, JSi, ShC, DRo, JT; 2014-22; TPRF 3193).

Red Phalarope (Phalaropus fulicarius) (44). One at Lake Wichita, Wichita, on 1 September 2013 (GC; 2013-57; TPRF 3158). One at McNary Reservoir, Hudspeth, on 6 October 2013 (JiP; 2013-58; TPRF 3159).

Black-legged Kittiwake (Rissa tridactyla) (98). One at S. Padre Island/Boca Chica Jetty, Cameron, from 11 December 2012 - 15 February 2013 (DJ, MRe, ChC; 2013-15; TPRF 3149). One at Mustang Island SP and Port Aransas, Nueces, from 31 December 2012 - 10 March 2013 (NS, DT, PSu, TZ, JaP, BSt; 2013-02; TPRF 3147). One at Balmorhea Lake, Reeves, from 17 November - 1 December 2013 (MLo, BSt, GF; 2013-73; TPRF 3168). One at Ascarate Park, El Paso, El Paso, on 27 November 2013 (GC, JiP; 2013-75; TPRF 3170). One at Jonathan Rogers Wastewater Treatment Plant, El Paso, on 3 December 2013 (CJG, DRi; 2013-76; TPRF 3171). One at Balmorhea Lake, Reeves, on 7 December 2013 (GF, DSh; 2014-13; TPRF 3186). One at Port Aransas, Nueces, from 29 December 2013 - 26 February 2014 (TDa, JM, TA; 2014-07; TPRF 3181). One at Souh Padre Island, Cameron, from 31 January - 13 February 2014 (DJ, ScC; 2014-05; TPRF 3179). One at Lake Palestine, Smith, on 9 February 2014 (GC, DGh; 2014-09; TPRF 3183).

Iceland Gull (Larus glaucoides) (6). One at San Luis Pass, Galveston, from 16 - 18 April 2014 (JSt, RW, EC, CMi; 2014-20; TPRF 3191).

Slaty-backed Gull (Larus schistisagus) (7). One at Lake Casa Blanca, Webb, from 6 February - 13 March 2014 (SF, HR, MAu, DJ, EHu, RP, BSt, MDe, MS, LH, MDa; 2014-08; TPRF 3182).

Great Black-backed Gull (Larus marinus) (53). One at Surfside/Quintana, Brazoria, from 25 November - 24 December 2012 (JSt, TE, HF, MB; 2013-18; TPRF 3150). One at Texas City Dike, Galveston & San Luis Pass, Quintana, Brazoria, from 5 December 2012 - 28 March 2013 (JKe, TDa, AlH, TZ, TFr, MB; 2012-75; TPRF 3145). One at East Beach & Texas City Dike, Galveston, from 6 - 26 January 2014 (JF, DMc; 2014-04; TPRF 3178). One at Bolivar Flats, Galveston & Quintana, Brazoria, from 6 - 25 March 2014 (JJ, JF; 2014-17; TPRF 3189).

Black Noddy (Anous minutus) (4). One offshore at East or West Flower Garden Banks, Galveston, on 12, 13, 14 or 15 May 2003 (DSi, EHi; 2012-79; TPRF 3146).

Elegant Tern (Sterna elegans) (5). One near Bolivar Flats, Galveston, on 14 September 2013 (MB; 2013-59; TPRF 3160). One at Ascarate Park, El Paso, El Paso, on 8 May 2014 (JiP; 2014-30; TPRF 3198).

Costa's Hummingbird (Calypte costae) (38). One at Terlingua, Brewster, from 22 November - 4 December 2013 (BW, CO, KB, BSt; 2013-74; TPRF 3169).

Amazon Kingfisher (Chloroceryle amazona) (2). One near Los Ebanos Preserve, Cameron, from 9 November - 5 December 2013 (JB, MEs, AM, TL, NC, MM, DF; 2013-68; TPRF 3166).

Tufted Flycatcher (Mitrephanes phaeocercus) (4). One at Padre Island National Seashore Headquarters, Kleberg, on 22 April 2014 (PZ; 2014-24; TPRF 3194).

Greater Pewee (Contopus pertinax) (25). One at Bear Creek Park, Harris, from 25 December 2013 - 8 April 2014 (JHi, DD, DW, LS, MD, DSh, SO; 2014-03; TPRF 3177).

Buff-breasted Flycatcher (Empidonax fulvifrons) (28). One at Wolf Den Canyon, Davis Mts Preserve, Jeff Davis, on 26 May 2013 (MG; 2013-49).

Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher (Myiodynastes luteiventris) (24). One at Paradise Pond, Port Aransas, Nueces, on 29 September 2013 (ShC, PSe; 2013-56; TPRF 3157). One at Packery Channel, Nueces, from 1 - 3 May 2014 (DGr, WS, CMc, JM, BH; 2014-26; TPRF 3196).

Gray Kingbird (Tyrannus dominicensis) (12). One on w. Galveston Island, Galveston, on 8 April 2014 (JSt; 2014-27; TPRF 3197).

Fork-tailed Flycatcher (Tyrannus savanna) (25). One near Boca Chica Unit, Las Palomas WMA, Cameron, from 3 - 5 November 2013 (MRi, EB; 2013-65; TPRF 3163).

Rose-throated Becard (Pachyramphus aglaiae) (51). One at Sabal Palm Sanctuary, Cameron, on 12 November 2013 (MAM; 2013-71). One at Sabal Palm Sanctuary, Cameron, from 26 January - 25 February 2014 (TDa, DMo, MEs, BB, JM, TFe, StC, SS, LL; 2014-06; TPRF 3180).

Pinyon Jay (Gymnorhinus cyanocephalus) (2). One at El Paso, El Paso, on 15 August 2013 (JiP; 2013-52).

(Russet-backed) Swainson's Thrush (Catharus u. ustulatus/oedicus) (2). One at Paradise Pond, Port Aransas, Nueces, on 13 April 2013 (MRe, RH; 2013-28; TPRF 3152).

Rufous-backed Robin (Turdus rufopalliatus) (20). One at Old Hidalgo Pumphouse, Hidalgo, on 13 October 2013 (DO; 2013-62; TPRF 3162). One at Palo Duro Canyon State Park, Randall, on 21 October 2013 (RC; 2013-67; TPRF 3165). One 5 miles west of Camp Wood, Edwards, on 8 April 2014 (TH; 2014-21; TPRF 3192).

Varied Thrush (Ixoreus naevius) (44). One at El Paso, El Paso, from February 2014 - 19 April 2014 (JKi, DAB, JiP; 2014-19; TPRF 3190).

Golden-crowned Warbler (Basileuterus culicivorus) (22). One at Frontera Audubon Thicket, Hidalgo, from 12 October - 6 November 2013 (PR, HR, AHa; 2013-60; TPRF 3161).

Flame-colored Tanager (Piranga bidentata) (11). One at Boot Springs, Big Bend NP, Brewster, from 6 May - 1 July 2013 (MF, BSt, EC, MLo, RP, NH, ScL; 2013-35; TPRF 3153).

Crimson-collared Grosbeak (Rhodothraupis celaeno) (35). One at Sabal Palm Sanctuary, Cameron, from 12 February - 19 May 2013 (SPa, RA, FB; 2013-19; TPRF 3151). One at Santa Ana NWR, Hidalgo, on 19 January 2014 (TFu; 2014-02; TPRF 3176).

Evening Grosbeak (Coccothraustes vespertinus) (10). One at Dog Canyon, Guadalupe Mountains NP, Culberson, from 10 January - 14 March 2013 (WS, MRe, MLo, CCa; 2013-05; TPRF 3148). One at Pine Springs, Guad Mountains NP, Culberson, on 26 October 2013 (RS; 2013-80; TPRF 3173). One at Clapp Park, Lubbock, Lubbock, from 3 November 2013 - 1 March 2014 (AHe, StC, PK, RD, CCa, DJ; 2013-66; TPRF 3164). One at Fritch, Hutchinson, on 11 November 2013 (MEl; 2013-72; TPRF 3167). One at Morton, Cochran, on 29 December 2013 (RKo; 2013-82; TPRF 3175).

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.

Trumpeter Swan (Cygnus buccinator). Two at Georgetown, Williamson, from 16 December 2011 - 21 January 2012 (2013-22).

Masked Duck (Nomonyx dominicus). One at Donna Reservoir, Hidalgo, on 12 January 2013 (2013-12).

Red-necked Grebe (Podiceps grisegena). One at Hubbard Creek Reservoir, Stephens, on 12 January 2014 (2014-01).

Northern Goshawk (Accipiter gentilis). One at Lewisville Lake Environmental Learning Area, Denton, on 27 December 2012 (2013-25).

Roadside Hawk (Buteo magnirostris). One at Bentsen SP, Hidalgo, on 29 October 2013 (2013-63).

Mew Gull (Larus canus). One at Texas City Dike, Galveston, on 1 March 2013 (2013-39).

Vaux's Swift (Chaetura vauxi). One at Austin, Travis, on 15 October 2013 (2013-61).

(Russet-backed) Swainson's Thrush (Catharus u. ustulatus/oedicus). One at El Paso, El Paso, on 16 June 2013 (2013-45).

Crescent-chested Warbler (Oreothlypis superciliosa). One in the Chisos Mountains, Big Bend NP, Brewster, on 24 September 2013 (2013-54).

(Slate-colored) Fox Sparrow (Passerella iliaca). One at Rio Bosque Wetlands Park, El Paso, El Paso, on 29 April 2013 (2013-44).

Black-vented Oriole (Icterus wagleri). One at Pine Canyon, Big Bend NP, Brewster, on 10 August 2013 (2013-55).

Evening Grosbeak (Coccothraustes vespertinus). Up to two at Devil's River near Dry Devil's River mouth, Val Verde, from 1 - 2 March 2013 (2013-23). One at the El Paso zoo, El Paso, on 6 November 2013 (2013-70).

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.