Hello, this is a May 26 update of the Carolina Rare Bird Alert featuring birding news from North and South Carolina sponsored by the Carolina Bird Club. Highlights on this report include:

MOURNING WARBLER
BLACK RAIL
ROSEATE SPOONBILL
WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPERS
BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO
CANADA WARBLER
BLACK-BELLIED WHISTLING-DUCKS

A male MOURNING WARBLER has been present in Greensboro, NC since May 23 at Hamilton Lakes Park. From the small parking area on Madison Ave. take the loop trail counterclockwise down the hill, then turn right to cross a stream. Listen for the bird singing 200-400 yards down the trail.

Good birds at the Santee Coastal Reserve in McClellanville SC on May 21 include a BLACK RAIL, ROSEATE SPOONBILLS, and four WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPERS. the best times to look for birds at the Reserve are on weekdays when gates are open for easier access.

Late migrants are still pushing through the Carolinas. On May 22 a BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO and a CANADA WARBLER were at Cedar Island NWR (NC) refuge headquarters in Carteret County. In Mecklenburg County, (NC) on May 22 BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO, OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER, and MOURNING WARBLER were all seen.

Eleven BLACK-BELLIED WHISTLING DUCKS were on private land in Beaufort County, NC on May 16. The birds have moved on, but reports of this species are increasing in NC; and the species is established as a breeder in South Carolina.

Thanks this to Frank Renfrow, Frank Beard, Nathan Dias, John Fussell, Alan Meijer for their calls and reports.

Taylor Piephoff
Charlotte, NC
PiephoffT@aol.com

Return to RBA index
Return to Carolina Bird Club main page