Chat databases

Briefs for the Files

Southern, Josh. 2018. Briefs for the files. Chat 82:107–115 (All dates Summer 2018, unless otherwise noted)
Burrowing Owl: Pending review by the SC BRC is the report with photographs of an apparent Burrowing Owl on Harbor Island, Beaufort Co, SC, 30 Jul through 5 Aug (Tammy Hester, m. obs.).

Southern, Josh. 2016. Briefs for the files. Chat 80:72–96 (All dates Winter 2015–2016, unless otherwise noted)
Burrowing Owl: One seen on a jetty at Masonboro Inlet, New Hanover Co, NC, 27 Feb (Jamie Adams) was most likely the same individual seen at that site last November. It was seen by many birders through 11 Mar (Chandra Biggerstaff).

Southern, Josh. 2016. Briefs for the files. Chat 80:26–51 (All dates Fall 2015, unless otherwise noted)
Burrowing Owl: One seen and photographed around a jetty at the north end of Masonboro Inlet, New Hanover Co, NC, 4 Nov (fide Derb Carter) through 6 Nov (m. obs.) provided NC with its third definitive record of this species.

Davis, Ricky. 2006. Briefs for the files. Chat 70:19–36 (All dates Fall 2005, unless otherwise noted)
BURROWING OWL: One was found dead in Charlotte, NC 25 Oct (Betty O'Leary, fide Judy Walker). This is not long after one was seen for several days in Asheville, NC during the late spring. One wonders if this was the same bird, and just how are these owls getting up into the Carolinas - naturally or assisted by man?

Davis, Ricky. 2005. Briefs for the files. Chat 69:108–122 (All dates Spring 2005, unless otherwise noted)
BURROWING OWL: One was discovered at a mall parking lot in Asheville, NC during May. The bird was photographed 28 May but was apparently present for about two weeks prior to then (Wilton Lewis). The appearance of this bird in the mountains, truly unexpected, possibly could be attributed to its hanging around landscaping materials that were trucked in. North Carolina has two previous reports of this species, both being from the coast: one at Salvo on the Outer Banks 1966-67 and one at Brant Is., Carteret County 1972.

LeGrand, Harry E. Jr.. 1977. Briefs for the files. Chat 41:14–16 (All dates 1976)
BURROWING OWL: One was a very rare visitor at Huntington Beach State Park, S.C., on the surprising date of 24 June, Frederick Probst.

Teulings, Robert P.. 1976. Briefs for the files. Chat 40:71–73 (Winter Season, 1975-1976)
BURROWING OWL: One was observed closely on 30 December on the grounds of the USDA Vegetable Research Laboratory near Charleston by Perry Nugent, the third sight record for South Carolina.

Bird Records Committee reports

Given, Aaron, et al.. 2019. 2018 Annual Report of the South Carolina Bird Records Committee. Chat 83:80–86
Burrowing Owl (Athene cunicularia): Accepted. 2018-033. Tammy Hester submitted a written report of a Burrowing Owl at Harbor Island (Beaufort Co.) on 30 July 2018. The bird was seen and photographed over the next 6 days.

Hill, Chris. 2017. 2016 Report of the South Carolina Bird Records Committee. Chat 81:29–32
Burrowing Owl (Athene cunicularia): Accepted as valid. (2016-007). Aaron Given reported a Burrowing Owl that wintered at Kiawah Island, Charleston County (seen from 25 January to 5 March 2016). Some committee members attempted to determine whether the individual was of the Florida population or the subspecies from the western U.S. but as a whole the committee reached no firm conclusion on that.

Piephoff, Taylor. 2016. 2015 Report of the North Carolina Bird Records Committee. Chat 80:13–17
Burrowing Owl (Athene cunicularia): Accepted as valid. (15-23). Jamie Adams submitted written details and photographs of a bird on Masonboro Island (New Hanover) from 6 November 2015. After review from the NCBRC the report was unanimously accepted. The species is already on the Definitive List by virtue of a specimen collected from the Salvo Campground (Dare) 14 February 1967; this 2015 record is the third accepted for the state (LeGrand et al. 2015).

Hill, Chris, Chair. 2014. 2013 Annual Report of the South Carolina Bird Records Committee. Chat 78:1–7
Burrowing Owl (Athene cunicularia): Non-accepted report. (07-10-08). This report of two birds in Charleston County, with a blurry photo, also received an inconclusive vote in 2010. After recirculation with comments from two outside experts, the record was not accepted, with most committee members concluding the photograph represented young Eastern Screech-Owls.

Tove, Michael, Chair. 2014. 2013 Annual Report of the North Carolina Bird Records Committee. Chat 78:8–13
Burrowing Owl (Athene cunicularia): Not accepted. (13–05). The NCBRC reviewed photographs of a specimen of an individual picked up in a parking lot in Charlotte, Mecklenburg County on 25 October 2005. The bird had been banded as a chick in Alberta, Canada during the previous summer. The specimen was noted to have suffered a skull fracture and died (presumably) of cerebral hematoma, suggesting that it collided with a vehicle. Ultimately, the NCBRC concluded that the bird more than likely was hit by a car or truck somewhere out of state, got lodged in that vehicle's superstructure and thusly transported into the state. Accordingly, the record is considered QO (Questionable Origin). There are two previous accepted records from the state and the species is already on the Definitive List.

Pitts, Irvin, Chair. 2013. 2012 Annual Report of the South Carolina Bird Records Committee. Chat 77:1–5
Burrowing Owl (Athene cunicularia): Unresolved Report. (07-10-08). This report and photograph of a bird found near the coast was initially submitted in 2011, but is still waiting outside review.

Pitts, Irvin, Chair. 2012. 2011 Annual Report of the South Carolina Bird Records Committee. Chat 76:7–10
Burrowing Owl (Athene cunicularia): Unresolved Report. (07-10-08). A report and photograph of a bird found at the coast was submitted to outside review, as required by committee rules. The status of this species is already classified as Definitive on the state's main list.

LeGrand, Harry E., Jr., Chair. 2006. 2005 Annual Report of the North Carolina Bird Records Committee. Chat 70:8–13
Burrowing Owl (Athene cunicularia): Unaccepted origin. One was photographed by Wilton Lewis at the edge of a parking lot at a mall in downtown Asheville on 28 May 2005. The Committee unanimously accepted the photo as being of a Burrowing Owl. However, the Committee believed that an owl in downtown Asheville, along the edge of a busy shopping center parking lot, in late May, and apparently somewhat tame, likely did not arrive at that spot on its own. The species is already on the Official List, with two coastal records, one being a specimen.