Hello, this is a January 15 update of the Carolina Rare Bird Alert featuring birding news from North and South Carolina. Highlights on this report include:

BROAD-BILLED HUMMINGBIRD
BLACK GUILLEMOT
VERMILION FLYCATCHER
MOTTLED DUCKS
RED-NECKED GREBE
BLACK-CHINNED HUMMINGBIRD
COMMON EIDER
PURPLE SANDPIPERS
AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN
BLACK-HEADED GULL
EURASIAN WIGEON

An adult male BROAD-BILLED HUMMINGBIRD is being seen in Rockville, SC on Wadlamaw Island southwest of Charleston. The hosts, Annabeth and Donald Proctor welcome visitors who call in advance for directions at 843-559-1362. Please DO NOT leave a message asking them to call you back. Keep trying until you reach them.

A BLACK GUILLEMOT has been present at Huntington Beach State Park in SC but has not been seen for a few days. Visitors to that park and the jetty should still look for the bird, as a reduction in boat traffic due to colder weather may encourage its return.

An immature male VERMILION FLYCATCHER is being seen at Slann's Island, SC; near Edisto Island. From US-17 south of Charleston take Hwy 174 towards Edisto Island. Just south of Hwy 164 turn left onto White Point Rd. Pass through some saltmarsh, some woods, then an open area with some red-roofed tin barns. On the right is a field with a red-roof stable and a large cattle pasture. Pull over to the right and park along the road. Walk down the road 20-30 yards to a metal gate on the right. Look beyond the gate for the flycatcher. Some patience may be needed to wait the bird out.

A pair of MOTTLED DUCKS is being seen in NC at Sunset Beach. Look in the eastern Twin Lake along Hwy 179.

A RED-NECKED GREBE is present in Raleigh, NC at Lake Crabtree. This provides a rare opportunity to study this species inland in the Carolinas. Look in the large bay beyond the kayak launch area.

An immature male BLACK-CHINNED HUMMINGBIRD is coming to a feeder in Manteo, NC. Contact Jeff Lewis for details at jlewis_obx@yahoo.com.

Other interesting birds on the Outer Banks include a COMMON EIDER at the Oregon Inlet Fishing Center, EURASIAN WIGEON at Pea Island NWR (North Pond), AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN at North Pond, PURPLE SANDPIPERS at Oregon Inlet. On the way out to the Outer Banks, look for a BLACK-HEADED GULL at Lake Mattamuskeet along the SR 94 causeway that crosses the lake. Look for the gull in the flocks of Bonaparte's gulls present.

Thanks this week to Bill Hilton, Helen Iwanik, Jeff Lewis, and Randy Climpson for their calls and reports. Some of this information was gleaned from Carolinabirds.

Taylor Piephoff
Charlotte, NC
PiephoffT@aol.com

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