The 100 most recent account entries/updates. |
comName | sciName | species_account | breeding_status | list_type | state_status | fed_status | S_rank | G_rank | coastal_plain | piedmont | mountain | tips | tips_code | update_on |
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Painted Bunting | Passerina ciris | The adult male Painted Bunting is certainly the gaudiest-colored of North American songbirds. Thank... | Breeder | Definitive | SC | | S3B | G5 | Summer resident along the southern coast, and sparingly near the South Carolina border at least inla... | Very rare (but increasing) visitor, scattered over the year; a few reports of males singing on terri... | Casual visitor. The only known records are one at a feeder in Asheville, 9-12 Mar 2004; a female or... | Should be easily found along the southern coast in late Apr, May, and Jun, at places such as Fort Ma... | *** to **** | 2023-10-20 |
Yellow-throated Warbler | Setophaga dominica | The Yellow-throated Warbler is a "Southern" warbler, as it breeds in the eastern United States only ... | Breeder | Definitive | | | S5B | G5 | Summer resident, and sparse winter resident near the southern coast. In summer, common over most of ... | Summer resident, and very rare winter straggler. In summer, fairly common to locally common in the ... | Summer resident. Uncommon along rivers and streams at low elevations, essentially below 2,500 feet;... | The species is easily found in many parks and preserves, and Croatan National Forest, in the southea... | **** | 2023-10-20 |
Pine Warbler | Setophaga pinus | The Pine Warbler is certainly the best-named warbler species, as it is almost always found in pine t... | Breeder | Definitive | | | S5B,S4N | G5 | Permanent resident, with migratory movements. Common to very common breeder across the region, bein... | Permanent resident, with migratory movements. In summer, common to very common in the eastern and so... | Summer resident, and sparse winter resident at lower elevations. In summer, fairly common in the ex... | None needed. | **** | 2023-10-20 |
Magnolia Warbler | Setophaga magnolia | The Magnolia Warbler nests across most of the boreal forest zone of Canada and the northeastern stat... | Breeder | Definitive | SR | | S2B | G5 | Transient. In spring, rare to uncommon in the western portions, rare over central portions, and ver... | Transient. Mainly uncommon in spring, and fairly common in fall, over most of the province. Clearl... | Scarce summer resident (at higher elevations), and transient. In summer, rare to locally uncommon (... | It usually can be found in fall migration in the mountains, in various parks and along the Blue Ridg... | *** | 2023-10-20 |
Swainson's Warbler | Limnothlypis swainsonii | The Swainson's Warbler was once considered one of the rarest of warblers in the country. This perce... | Breeder | Definitive | | | S3S4B | G4 | Summer resident. Breeds over essentially all of the region, as far west as Weldon (Halifax) ... | Summer resident (sparingly), and scarce transient. In summer, uncommon and somewhat local along the... | Summer resident. Breeds along the Blue Ridge Escarpment (see Piedmont notes), mainly at the base, u... | Despite it not being common anywhere, you should be able to hear one to several in Alligator River N... | *** | 2023-10-20 |
Lark Sparrow | Chondestes grammacus | The Lark Sparrow, as with the Vesper Sparrow, is by itself in a monotypic genus; no other sparrow is... | Breeder | Definitive | SR | | S1B | G5 | Sparse summer resident, transient, and winter straggler. In summer, rare and local, only in the San... | Transient. Casual to very rare in spring, and very rare in fall; scattered over the region. Mainly... | Transient. Casual in spring six records), and very rare in late summer/fall (11 records). In sprin... | The breeding sites are generally off-limits to birders on military reservations; thus, the best plac... | * to ** | 2023-10-20 |
Lapland Longspur | Calcarius lapponicus | This is the only one of the four species of longspur that is not of accidental occurrence in the sta... | Nonbreeder | Definitive | | | S1N | G5 | Winter visitor, and possibly winter resident (regular from winter to winter) in a few areas. Rare to... | Winter visitor. Very rare to rare across the region, with no regular wintering sites. Certainly oc... | Winter visitor. Very rare, essentially in lower elevations in wide valleys, though four were seen a... | Though a scarce bird in the state, a diligent birder can at times find the species over a several-da... | * to ** | 2023-10-20 |
Loggerhead Shrike | Lanius ludovicianus | The Loggerhead Shrike was historically rare to absent as a breeding species in the East, but with th... | Breeder | Definitive | SC | | S3B,S3N | G4 | Permanent resident, with migratory movements. Nests east to about Roanoke Rapids, Washington, and W... | Permanent resident, with slightly noticeable migratory movements. Formerly (prior to about 1975) ne... | Transient and winter visitor/resident, and likely former breeder. Now a very rare transient in the ... | Your best bet is to drive secondary roads in Robeson or Scotland counties, where the s... | ** to *** | 2023-10-20 |
Black-whiskered Vireo | Vireo altiloquus | For a species that nests in the West Indies and north to the western and southern coasts of Florida,... | Nonbreeder | Definitive | | | SZ | G5 | Now a very rare overshooting stray along and near the coast, in spring; a remarkable 14+ records so ... | No records. | No records. | If one is birding along the southern coastline in May or early June, especially on islands, it doesn... | * | 2023-10-20 |
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher | Tyrannus forficatus | The beautiful Scissor-tailed Flycatcher nests in the south-central United States, primarily in Texas... | Sporadic Breeder | Definitive | W | | SAB,SZ | G5 | Transient/vagrant, both in late spring/summer and again in fall; accidental breeder. Very rare to r... | Transient/vagrant, and sporadic breeder (only three sites reported). Very rare in migration, with m... | Accidental to casual. One was photographed in Swannanoa (Buncombe) on 10 May 1984 (Chat 48:1... | Your best bet is to drive to a known nesting site. If none are available for an easy "tick", you ar... | * | 2023-10-20 |
Western Kingbird | Tyrannus verticalis | The Western Kingbird history in North Carolina is a sad one. Back in the 1960's and early 1970's, o... | Nonbreeder | Definitive | | | SZ | G5 | Fall transient, regularly lingering into early winter; declining, at least in fall. Along the coast... | Fall stray/transient. Casual to very rare, with only 14 records. Eight of the records fall between ... | Casual. Four records: three in fall (one in Aug and two in Sep). The report of two birds in Ash... | Try driving NC 12 down the Outer Banks in fall, a day or two after a strong cold front. A bird coul... | * | 2023-10-20 |
Merlin | Falco columbarius | The Merlin is a very feisty raptor for its size, and its dashing flight chasing down shorebirds and ... | Probable breeder | Definitive | | | SAB,S3N | G5 | Transient, and winter resident in the eastern part of the region. Uncommon to fairly common fall mi... | Transient, with numerous winter reports. Rare fall and spring migrant, may be locally uncommon in f... | Transient, with some winter reports. Very rare to rare fall and spring migrant; very rare winter vi... | Your best chance to see a Merlin is to visit the coast in Oct, especially after a cold front. Birds... | ** to *** | 2023-10-20 |
Red-cockaded Woodpecker | Dryobates borealis | Few birds in the state, and in the Southeast, have declined as strongly over the past 50 or more yea... | Breeder | Definitive | E | E | S2 | G3 | Permanent resident; nonmigratory. Formerly over nearly the entire province, except absent along bar... | Former permanent resident. The species was present in very small numbers as a permanent resident in ... | No records. | The species is quite local, and because it is very habitat-specific, it can be targeted easily at pl... | *** | 2023-10-20 |
Broad-winged Hawk | Buteo platypterus | The Broad-winged Hawk is famous for its strongly migratory habits, as it completely leaves the Unite... | Breeder | Definitive | | | S4B | G5 | Migrant, and very scarce summer resident; declining. Rare to uncommon spring and fall migrant, over... | Summer resident and migrant, but declining in recent years. Mostly uncommon migrant (spring and fal... | Summer resident and migrant, slightly declining. In summer, uncommon to fairly common, and reasonab... | If you visit a hawk-watch site in the mountains in fall, such as Pilot Mountain, you might be able t... | *** | 2023-10-20 |
Mississippi Kite | Ictinia mississippiensis | Mississippi Kites are a major success story in North Carolina and elsewhere in their breeding range,... | Breeder | Definitive | | | S3B | G5 | Summer resident, breeding; increasing in recent decades. Occurs primarily close to brownwater river... | Increasing stray or overshooting migrant, as well as a post-breeding visitor; breeds at a few local ... | Rare migrant/visitor (increasing) in the southern mountains (about 27 records). Very rare north of <... | Visiting the Lock and Dam #1 area or the NC 11 bridge over the Cape Fear River has been consistently... | *** | 2023-10-20 |
Northern Harrier | Circus hudsonius | The Northern Harrier is our only regularly occurring hawk that is strictly tied to marshes and field... | Breeder | Definitive | SR | | S1B,S4N | G5 | Migrant, winter resident, and sparse breeder; somewhat declining. Rare and poorly known breeder near... | Migrant and winter visitor/resident, declining. Rare to uncommon over the entire province from mid-... | Migrant, and scarce winter visitor, probably declining. Rare spring migrant, mainly in May; very ra... | This species is usually easily found near the coast at extensive marshes or extensive fields, from O... | **** | 2023-10-20 |
Swallow-tailed Kite | Elanoides forficatus | Arguably the most spectacular bird of prey in the world, especially when seen in flight, the Swallow... | Breeder | Definitive | SR | | S1B | G5 | Annual visitor, mainly in spring along and near the coast, and breeder at a few sites in the souther... | Very rare to rare, but increasing, visitor in the warmer months, surprisingly mostly to the western/... | Very rare, but increasing, visitor in the warmer months; about 25 records, with five coming in fall ... | Birders can usually spot one to several birds, along with some Mississippi Kites, either close to th... | ** | 2023-10-20 |
Roseate Spoonbill | Platalea ajaja | Hardly any bird is more easily identified than the Roseate Spoonbill. This tropical breeder nests no... | Nonbreeder | Definitive | | | SZ | G5 | Post-breeding visitor and stray, mostly to the coast; greatly increasing in recent years. Now rare ... | Formerly accidental to casual, but now very rare to rare and increasing, post-breeding visitor, with... | Casual post-breeding visitor, with all records from 2018 (Chat 82:112). Singles were seen on the Fr... | Increasing annually now, and can now be tracked down to see, as some have lingered for a while, espe... | * to ** | 2023-10-20 |
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron | Nyctanassa violacea | Though the Yellow-crowned Night-Heron can be somewhat nocturnal, it frequently forages during the da... | Breeder | Definitive | SR | | S2B | G5 | Summer resident and transient. Generally uncommon along most of the coast, but fairly common at lea... | Transient, post-breeding visitor, and sparse breeder. Rare and local throughout, and no records for... | Transient. Very rare, and only in the lower mountains, mostly from Henderson; nearly all rec... | Areas where they can be seen somewhat regularly are the Twin Lakes ponds on the mainland part of Sun... | ** | 2023-10-20 |
Black-crowned Night-Heron | Nycticorax nycticorax | The Black-crowned Night-Heron is our only truly nocturnal waterbird. Birds roost in thickets, usual... | Breeder | Definitive | W | | S3B,S3N | G5 | Permanent resident coastally, and a transient inland. Along the coast, fairly common to locally com... | Transient and post-breeding visitor; accidental breeder (in 2022-23). Rare and secretive, mostly in... | Transient and post-breeding visitor. Rare, with close to 30 records, at low elevations in the south... | This species is usually found along the coast at any season, but you might need to wait around tidal... | *** | 2023-10-20 |
Least Bittern | Ixobrychus exilis | The Least Bittern is just as shy as its larger cousin, the American Bittern, but because it is much ... | Breeder | Definitive | SC | | S2S3B | G5 | Summer resident and migrant; a handful of winter records. Occurs nearly throughout the Tidewater an... | Transient and scarce summer resident. Rare (and easily overlooked) transient, and rare and local br... | Casual to very rare transient, and perhaps has nested on rare occasions in the Hendersonville area. ... | Most of the better sites are difficult for birders to reach. It is reportedly common as a breeder a... | ** | 2023-10-20 |
Brown Pelican | Pelecanus occidentalis | This species is one of the most familiar of all of the state's birds to the layman, as everyone know... | Breeder | Definitive | SR | | S3B,S4N | G4 | Permanent resident, with migratory movements; breeding. Common to very common, though local, breede... | Very rare visitor. At least 25 reports, mostly at large reservoirs (about one-third of these from F... | Accidental/casual. Four reports (all single birds); Waynesville, 6 Aug 1979; Lake Junaluska (Hay... | None needed; easily found along and near coastal areas. | **** | 2023-10-20 |
Anhinga | Anhinga anhinga | The Anhinga is still another of the Pelicaniform species that has increased noticeably in the state ... | Breeder | Definitive | W | | S3B | G5 | Breeding summer resident, increasing. Nests at least locally, scattered over most of the province, e... | Nonbreeding migrant/visitor; increasing. Casual but likely increasing breeder (or probable breeder) ... | Casual visitor. One was seen from a hawk watch at Mount Pisgah (Buncombe), 21 Sep 2003; one ... | The spillway at Orton Pond is probably the best site in the state. Birds can also be seen at Orton ... | *** | 2023-10-20 |
Magnificent Frigatebird | Fregata magnificens | The Magnificent Frigatebird is a common coastal bird of subtropical and tropical waters around the w... | Nonbreeder | Definitive | | | SZ | G5 | Nonbreeding visitor, almost always in flight over the immediate coast or over estuaries; seldom seen... | Accidental/casual to the eastern edge of the province, with just three records: one seen and later p... | Accidental, and remarkably for the winter season. An adult female was photographed over Ecusta Pond... | North Carolina averages about three reports of this species per year, most often in July or August o... | * | 2023-10-20 |
Wood Stork | Mycteria americana | The Wood Stork is probably the most significant wader in the state, because it is a Federally listed... | Breeder | Definitive | T | T | S1B,S1N | G4 | Summer resident and post-breeding visitor, greatly increasing; rare straggler in winter. Locally co... | Post-breeding visitor, greatly increasing. Formerly very rare to now locally rare, mainly from Jun ... | Post-breeding visitor; very rare to now rare in the southern and central mountains, with about 15 re... | The species can almost always be found around the margins of the two freshwater ponds at Twin Lakes,... | *** to **** | 2023-10-20 |
Cory's Shearwater | Calonectris diomedea | The Cory's Shearwater is the largest of the shearwaters in North Carolina waters and is one of the m... | Nonbreeder | Definitive | | | S4N | G5 | Offshore visitor, mainly to the Gulf Stream. For the combined subspecies: common and easily seen on... | No records. | No records. | This species is a gimme on pelagic trips that reach the Gulf Stream off the Outer Banks from late Ma... | **** | 2023-10-20 |
Wilson's Storm-Petrel | Oceanites oceanicus | Some authorities consider the Wilson's Storm-Petrel to be the world's most abundant seabird. Certai... | Nonbreeder | Definitive | | | S5N | G5 | Offshore visitor to the Gulf Stream, and less so to the cooler water zones. Common to abundant from ... | Accidental to casual visitor, after hurricanes. Four records: 3 at Jordan Lake, 6 Sep 1996 (after H... | No records. | This is seldom missed on pelagic trips from May into Oct. | **** | 2023-10-20 |
Forster's Tern | Sterna forsteri | The Forster's Tern is the only tern that remains relatively common along the coast of North Carolina... | Breeder | Definitive | W | | S3B,S5N | G5 | Permanent resident, with migratory movements; primarily coastal. Fairly common breeder around the p... | Transient. Rare spring migrant and uncommon fall migrant at larger lakes and reservoirs, occasional... | Transient, essentially only in the southern mountains. Rare (to occasionally uncommon) in spring, a... | Forster's are the most commonly seen terns from late Oct through Mar along our coast, and except dur... | **** | 2023-10-20 |
Roseate Tern | Sterna dougallii | The Roseate Tern is one of the more elegant and graceful of the tern species, and because it is a gl... | Accidental Breeder | Definitive | E | E | SHB | G4 | Transient and summer visitor coastally and offshore. In the warmer months, rare along the northern ... | No records. | No records. | The most likely spot to find this species used to be in the tern colony at Cape Hatteras Point, but ... | * | 2023-10-20 |
Caspian Tern | Hydroprogne caspia | The Caspian Tern is the largest tern in the world, and it is also one of the most wide-ranging, as i... | Breeder | Definitive | T | | S1B,S2N | G5 | Permanent resident (and sparse breeder), with migratory movements, along the coast; transient inland... | Transient. Uncommon though regular in both spring and fall at larger lakes/reservoirs, but very rar... | Transient. Rare, in the southern mountains only (Buncombe, Haywood, Henderson, and Transyl... | Caspian Terns can usually be found along most coastal areas in late summer and fall, especially arou... | *** | 2023-10-20 |
Least Tern | Sternula antillarum | The smallest tern in North America, the Least Tern is a familiar yet slowly declining breeding speci... | Breeder | Definitive | SC | | S3B | G4 | Breeding summer resident along the coast; declining until a few years ago, but recently has increase... | Primarily a storm-carried visitor. Very rare at reservoirs, mainly during and after hurricanes; abo... | No records. | This species is not usually missed on coastal birding trips from May through Aug, though it isn't qu... | *** | 2023-10-20 |
Heermann's Gull | Larus heermanni | The thought of a strictly West Coast gull species like Heermann's Gull showing up along the Atlantic... | Nonbreeder | Definitive | | | SA | G4 | Three to roughly six records (see above), all along the coast, though possibly the same adult indivi... | No records. | No records. | | 1/2* | 2023-10-20 |
Laughing Gull | Leucophaeus atricilla | Historically, the Laughing Gull was North Carolina's only breeding gull species; however, in recent ... | Breeder | Definitive | | | S4B | G5 | Breeding summer resident and migrant, and early winter resident. Coastally, very common to abundant... | Transient, at larger reservoirs. Generally rare in spring and in fall migrations, at times locally u... | Transient. Very rare during spring (11 records) and fall (mostly after storms/ hurricanes), essenti... | It takes no effort whatsoever to find the species along the coast from Mar through Nov. | **** | 2023-10-20 |
Wilson's Phalarope | Phalaropus tricolor | The Wilson's Phalarope nests in the western half of the continent, at lakes, ponds, and other wetlan... | Nonbreeder | Definitive | | | SZ | G5 | Transient, mainly along the coast; declining over the past 20 years. Coastally, very rare in spring... | Transient. Casual in spring migration, with only four reports -- 30 Mar, and 1-18 May (no Apr recor... | Transient, mainly known from Henderson, where casual to very rare in each season. Records fro... | The species could formerly be found with some regularity only at the Pea and Bodie island ponds; now... | * to ** | 2023-10-20 |
Willet | Tringa semipalmata | The Willet is one of the few shorebirds that nests in North Carolina, and essentially the only one t... | Breeder | Definitive | | | S4B,S4N | G5 | Permanent resident, with migratory movements, along the coast, breeding in salt and brackish marshes... | Transient. Very rare in spring, and rare in fall; quite erratic, and many records in fall are of st... | Transient, nearly all records at low elevations in the southern mountains. Very rare in spring, with... | Willets are noisy and hard to miss along the coast for most of the year. | **** | 2023-10-20 |
Pacific Golden-Plover | Pluvialis fulva | One of the more remarkable shorebird records for the state was the discovery of a Pacific Golden-Plo... | Nonbreeder | Definitive | | | SA | G5 | Five or six records, presumably of the same individual (see above) seen annually from 2019-23. | No records. | No records. | Nearly all records have come in late summer or early fall from the sand and mud flats around the Sal... | 1/2* | 2023-10-20 |
American Avocet | Recurvirostra americana | Over most of the world, various species of stilts (genus Himantopus) and avocets (genus Re... | Accidental Breeder | Definitive | | | S1N | G5 | Winter resident and migrant, coastally; accidental breeder, along the coast. Fairly common to commo... | Transient. Rare fall migrant, and accidental/casual spring migrant, with most records from larger r... | Transient. Very rare southbound migrant in summer and fall, with nine known records: 1, Cashiers (<... | The only reliable spots are the impoundments at Pea Island NWR and less so at the adjacent Bodie Isl... | *** | 2023-10-20 |
Limpkin | Aramus guarauna | The Limpkin breeds locally over much of the Neotropics, ranging north to Florida, and a few are now ... | Nonbreeder | Definitive | | | SZ | G5 | Casual to very rare (five records), all in the southern Coastal Plain. One seen along the Waccamaw ... | Greatly increasing post-breeding(?) visitor, with now (2023) nine records -- though some are clearly... | One report: One was seen and photographed at Owen Park in Asheville (Buncombe) on 8 Jul 2019... | Your best hope of finding one in NC would be to paddle along a blackwater river in the southern Coas... | * | 2023-10-20 |
Virginia Rail | Rallus limicola | Only a few decades ago, relatively little was understood of the Virginia Rail's habitats and range i... | Breeder | Definitive | W | | S3B,S5N | G5 | Permanent resident near the coast, with migratory movements; mostly a transient farther inland. As a... | Mostly a transient, but scattered summer and winter records, where status at these two seasons is un... | Poorly known transient (about 19 reports), with two known breeding records, and several reports of p... | The descending grunting call is easily heard in migration and winter in tidewater marshes, especiall... | *** | 2023-10-20 |
Common Merganser | Mergus merganser | The Common Merganser is both a breeder and a wintering bird in the state, but with different "popula... | Breeder | Definitive | W | | S1B,S1N | G5 | Winter resident. Rare and local over the northern half of the province, with a flock averaging at l... | Winter visitor, though possibly a winter resident at Roanoke Rapids Lake; casual breeder. Rare in m... | Formerly casual to now (2023) rare but increasing breeder; scarce winter visitor. Generally rare in... | To best see this species, look at Phelps Lake in the winter, with a good scope. The wintering flock... | ** to *** | 2023-10-20 |
Greater Scaup | Aythya marila | Of our regular wintering waterfowl, the range and abundance of the Greater Scaup is more difficult t... | Nonbreeder | Definitive | | | S2N | G5 | Winter visitor/resident. Uncommon along the northern half of the coast and in Tidewater; rare to un... | Transient and winter visitor. Rare over most of the province, occurring almost solely on large lake... | Transient and winter visitor. Rare in the southern mountains, from Buncombe southward. Casua... | This can be a difficult bird to find and identify. Nowhere does it occur in NC in any numbers, and ... | ** to *** | 2023-10-20 |
Plumbeous Vireo | Vireo plumbeus | A few decades ago, the Solitary Vireo was split into three species -- from east to west the Blue-hea... | Nonbreeder | Provisional | | | SA | G5 | One record (see above). | No records. | No records. | | 1/2* | 2023-10-18 |
Ring-necked Duck | Aythya collaris | The Ring-necked Duck is the most common of the diving ducks in winter on the state's inland waters, ... | Nonbreeder | Definitive | | | S5N | G5 | Winter resident. Generally fairly common, to locally common, both coastally and well inland. Unlik... | Winter resident. Fairly common to common, and even locally very common, most numerous in the easter... | Winter visitor/resident. Fairly common transient but only uncommon in winter; mainly at lower eleva... | This duck can be found in large numbers on Raleigh lakes such as Wheeler and Benson It is found on ... | *** to **** | 2023-10-18 |
Blue-winged Teal | Spatula discors | Unlike nearly all other species of waterfowl in the East, the bulk of the population of Blue-winged ... | Former Breeder | Definitive | W | | SHB,S2N | G5 | Common spring and fall migrant in the Tidewater section, including the coast; generally uncommon in ... | Uncommon to often fairly common spring and fall migrant; mid-Mar to mid-May, and late Aug to mid-Oct... | Uncommon spring and fall migrant, mainly at low elevations; early Apr to early May, and late Aug to ... | This species is easily found at coastal impoundments and other freshwater bodies near the coast, in ... | *** to **** | 2023-10-18 |
Mute Swan | Cygnus olor | This familiar Old World species is seen locally across the state at ponds, residential lakes, and ot... | Nonbreeder; Introduced | Definitive | | | SE | G5 | Visitor, essentially only to the northern coast. Rare and now declining, primarily in fall and wint... | Casual to very rare visitor, but nearly impossible to differentiate true migrants from "countable" p... | Accidental or casual visitor; again, nearly impossible to determine a true stray/migrant from feral ... | Your best bet is North Pond at Pea Island, just about the only semi-reliable spot for them. They ca... | * to ** | 2023-10-18 |
American Goshawk | Accipiter atricapillus | For such a large hawk (being the state's largest Accipiter), the Northern Goshawk is remarkab... | Nonbreeder (but Possible Breeder) | Definitive | | | SUB | G5 | Visitor in migration and winter; about 33 reports. Rare, mainly in winter, to the northern coast (in... | Visitor in migration and winter; only about 15 reports. Very rare to the northern half of the provin... | Visitor in migration and winter; at least 20 reports. Very rare (though more numerous here than els... | The species is much too rare to specifically search for, but people at hawk watches in the mountains... | * | 2023-08-25 |
Wilson's Warbler | Cardellina pusilla | The Wilson's Warbler has a very wide breeding range, from Alaska to Newfoundland, and southward in m... | Nonbreeder | Definitive | | | SZ | G5 | Transient, and rare winter straggler. In spring, very rare in the western portions, and casual to v... | Transient, and very rare winter straggler. Rare to very uncommon in both spring and fall, generally... | Transient. Very rare to rare in spring, and rare in fall. Mainly early to mid-May, and early Sep t... | There are no real hotspots for the species, but Jackson Park in Hendersonville may be the best bet, ... | * to ** | 2023-08-10 |
Townsend's Warbler | Setophaga townsendi | This close relative of the Black-throated Green Warbler breeds only from Alaska to the northwestern ... | Nonbreeder | Definitive | | | SA | G5 | Casual visitor, mainly in fall, with seven to eight published reports. Four have been reviewed and a... | No records. | The only record is of a first-year female photographed at the Richland Balsam Overlook, along the <... | | 1/2* | 2023-08-10 |
Cape May Warbler | Setophaga tigrina | The Cape May Warbler has a breeding range similar to that of the Tennessee Warbler, being a classic ... | Nonbreeder | Definitive | | | SZ | G5 | Transient, and winter straggler. In spring, generally rare along the western border, but very rare ... | Transient, and winter straggler. In spring, fairly common in the western third, uncommon in the cen... | Transient. Fairly common in both spring and fall; in spring, mostly at low to middle elevations, bu... | The best bets are perhaps the southwestern Piedmont, such as Polk, in spring, and along the B... | *** | 2023-08-10 |
Prothonotary Warbler | Protonotaria citrea | The Prothonotary Warbler has often been called the "Golden Swamp Warbler", with good reason -- the m... | Breeder | Definitive | | | S5B | G5 | Summer resident. Breeds over the entire province, even sparingly on the Outer Banks. Common to ver... | Summer resident. Fairly common in the eastern and southern portions of the region, especially aroun... | Scarce transient. Rare transient in spring, and very rare in fall. In early summer, a few reports ... | The species is impossible to miss along Coastal Plain rivers in the breeding season. Good areas are... | **** | 2023-08-10 |
Golden-winged Warbler | Vermivora chrysoptera | The Golden-winged Warbler, though it looks completely different from its closest "cousin", the Blue-... | Breeder | Definitive | SC | | S2S3B | G4 | Transient. In spring, casual (i.e., essentially avoids the region); in fall, very rare throughout, ... | Transient. Rare in both spring and fall, slightly more "numerous" in the western half of the region... | Summer resident, and transient; decreasing. In summer, formerly fairly common, at least locally, ov... | There are still a few places/roads where birders have a likely chance to see the species in a given ... | ** to *** | 2023-08-10 |
Bullock's Oriole | Icterus bullockii | The Bullock's Oriole is the western counterpart to the Baltimore Oriole. Originally classified as s... | Nonbreeder | Definitive | | | SZ | G5 | Casual to (formerly) very rare winter visitor; most records prior to 2010. There are about 11 recor... | Casual to very rare winter visitor. There are about 15 records, with 7-8 birds over-wintering. Rec... | No records. | Your first Bullock's Oriole will likely be seen at someone's feeder. | 1/2* | 2023-08-10 |
Bobolink | Dolichonyx oryzivorus | The Bobolink is in a monotypic genus, with no close relatives among the other icterids (blackbirds a... | Breeder | Definitive | SR | | S1B | G5 | Transient. In spring, uncommon to occasionally fairly common in the western portions, but generally... | Transient, and accidental nester. In spring, fairly common over the region. In fall, less common t... | Sparse summer resident, and transient. In summer, very rare and local (though nests persistently at... | If one knows where the specific nesting meadows are in the mountains, it might be readily found. Ot... | ** to *** | 2023-08-10 |
Henslow's Sparrow | Centronyx henslowii | The Henslow's Sparrow has always been one of the rarest sparrows in North America, and being a grass... | Breeder | Definitive | E | | S1B,S1N | G4 | Summer resident, and winter resident, over parts of the region; strongly declining. In summer, stil... | Spring transient and former breeder; strongly declining. Currently, casual to very rare spring migra... | Transient, and possible former breeder; strongly declining. Casual to very rare in spring; mainly A... | The species can still be found at VOA site A, mostly in the eastern half of the site. Birds can be h... | ** to *** | 2023-08-10 |
Vesper Sparrow | Pooecetes gramineus | The Vesper Sparrow, a species in its own genus, has a wide breeding range, from the Western states e... | Breeder | Definitive | SC | | S2B,S2N | G5 | Winter resident and transient; strongly declining. In winter, formerly fairly common in the souther... | Transient, and sparse and local winter resident; strongly declining. In winter, rare to very uncomm... | Summer resident and transient; declining in migration. In summer, uncommon and very local, mainly o... | Breeding birds are usually well away from roads and require some hiking to reach, such as at Pond Mo... | ** to *** | 2023-08-10 |
Cave Swallow | Petrochelidon fulva | Hardly any bird has expanded its breeding range in the United States in recent years as has the Cave... | Nonbreeder | Definitive | | | SZ | G5 | Fall transient, and straggler into early winter, essentially along the coast; greatly increasing in ... | Accidental to casual, with three records: a single bird seen at Troutman (Iredell) on 20 Dec ... | Accidental, if correctly identified. One was photographed and observed by several birders at Ecusta... | The best bet may be to search the catfish ponds near the Tidewater Research Station, and the adjacen... | * | 2023-08-10 |
Bank Swallow | Riparia riparia | The Bank Swallow has a range that not only encompasses most of North America (and wintering south to... | Breeder | Definitive | SR | | S1B | G5 | Transient. In spring, generally uncommon (but as it occurs in flocks, can be sporadic from week to... | Transient, and accidental (at least former) breeder. Nested along the Roaring River near Ronda (... | Transient, and breeder (currently?) at one site. Rare to uncommon in both spring and fall. Nests a... | As the quarry site is likely off-limits to birders, one must stumble onto them in migration. The bes... | ** | 2023-08-10 |
Say's Phoebe | Sayornis saya | The Say's Phoebe breeds over much of the Western United States and Western Canada, but it withdraws ... | Nonbreeder | Definitive | | | SZ | G5 | Very rare fall migrant/stray, occasionally lingering into the winter; 13 records. One was seen near ... | Casual; five or six records. One was seen near Raleigh on 23 Oct 1965 (Chat 30:28), (Chat 54:56). A... | No records. | The bird along Howerton Road in northeastern Guilford has been present for the past two falls... | * | 2023-08-10 |
Western Flycatcher | Empidonax difficilis | There are three state records of this species of western North America. Several dozen years ago, th... | Nonbreeder | Definitive | | | SA | | One record (see above), though not yet reviewed by the NC BRC. | Two records (see above), both accepted by the NC BRC. | No records. | | 1/2* | 2023-08-10 |
Alder Flycatcher | Empidonax alnorum | Prior to 1973, Alder and Willow flycatchers were considered as a single species -- Traill's Flycatch... | Breeder | Definitive | SR | | S2B | G5 | Transient. Status very poorly known, but apparently casual to (at best) very rare. There are only ... | Transient; apparently very rare. Very poorly known, though possible regular in both spring and fall... | Summer resident; breeding, mainly above 3,500 feet elevation. Generally uncommon and local, with th... | Some of the better sites for finding the species are the road to the Shining Rock Wilderness and Bla... | *** | 2023-08-10 |
Crested Caracara | Caracara plancus | The Crested Caracara is essentially a non-migratory "falcon" of dry grasslands, prairies, ranchlands... | Nonbreeder | Definitive | | | SA | G5 | Two accepted records, one record pending review, and two other non-accepted reports (see above). | No records. | No records. | | 1/2* | 2023-08-10 |
Tricolored Heron | Egretta tricolor | The Tricolored Heron is the third of a trio of closely related and easily found coastal waders. Unl... | Breeder | Definitive | SC | | S2B,S3N | G5 | Permanent resident along the coast, being migratory and thus more numerous in spring, late summer, a... | Essentially only a post-breeding visitor, mostly Jul through Sep. Rare in the eastern portion, and ... | Casual to very rare visitor. Five known records: 1, Ashe, 6 May 1962; 2, near the French Bro... | It is seldom missed along the coast from Mar into early winter. As a post-breeding bird inland, a f... | **** | 2023-08-10 |
Red-footed Booby | Sula sula | This Tropical waterbird, found in the warmer portions of both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, had b... | Nonbreeder | Definitive | | | SA | G5 | One record (see above). | One record (see above). | No records. | | 1/2* | 2023-08-10 |
Bermuda Petrel | Pterodroma cahow | The Bermuda Petrel is the rarest of the four Pterodroma petrels found somewhat regularly off ... | Nonbreeder | Definitive | | E | SZ | G1 | Offshore visitor. Very rare, but now seen almost annually, though no records from 2010-2012. Occur... | No records. | No records. | As with all Pterodroma petrels, you need to get far offshore, taking organized pelagic trips ... | * | 2023-08-10 |
Leach's Storm-Petrel | Hydrobates leucorhous | As the Leach's Storm-Petrel is one of the few tubenoses to breed in the northwestern Atlantic, and a... | Nonbreeder | Definitive | | | SZ | G5 | Offshore transient and summer visitor. Generally uncommon (though regular) spring and fall migrant, ... | Accidental to casual non-breeding visitor, during or after hurricanes. Three records: 1, Lake Norma... | No records. | This species is more unpredictable than is the Band-rumped Storm-Petrel. Birders have about a 40-50... | ** | 2023-08-10 |
European Storm-Petrel | Hydrobates pelagicus | Birders looking at range maps of what pelagic species should have been seen in North Carolina waters... | Nonbreeder | Definitive | | | SZ | G3G4 | Offshore visitor. Very rare to rare, and certainly easily overlooked, in the Gulf Stream off Oregon... | No records. | No records. | Thankfully for birders looking for this rarity, nearly all records are concentrated in the last few ... | * to ** | 2023-08-10 |
Pacific Loon | Gavia pacifica | This Arctic breeding species winters essentially along the Pacific coast. For unknown reasons, the ... | Nonbreeder | Definitive | | | S1N | G5 | Winter visitor along the coast, and a winter resident (a handful of birds only) in a local area; man... | Casual. Five records: one at L. Tahoma (McDowell) on 6 May 2007, in alternate plumage (Chat ... | Accidental. A single record: one photographed at Lake Julian (Buncombe) on 5-6 Jan 2012* (Ch... | To look for this species, you must be prepared to carefully scrutinize loons on the ocean, with a sc... | * to ** | 2023-08-10 |
White-tailed Tropicbird | Phaethon lepturus | Typically, one of the most exciting birds to spot on a warm season pelagic trip to the Gulf Stream i... | Nonbreeder | Definitive | | | SZ | G5 | Offshore visitor. Rare though regular in the Gulf Stream (mainly seen off Oregon and Hatteras inlet... | Casual visitor (5 records), essentially only after hurricanes -- single individuals only: Jordan Lak... | No records. | As with so many other species, one must take to the seas to see one, and that means taking pelagic t... | * | 2023-08-10 |
Black Tern | Chlidonias niger | This is one of the few tern species in the state that is just a migrant, without a breeding or winte... | Nonbreeder | Definitive | | | SZ | G4G5 | Transient, though small numbers can be seen coastally during summer. Along the coast -- formerly fa... | Transient. Very rare in spring and uncommon in fall, mainly at lakes/reservoirs; casual to very rar... | Transient. Accidental/casual in spring, with the only records being one along the New River at Pine... | Formerly, swarms of Black Terns could be seen by the dozens hawking insects over the marshes and imp... | *** | 2023-08-10 |
Lesser Black-backed Gull | Larus fuscus | Hardly any other gull species' status in North Carolina has changed as rapidly over the last 20-30 y... | Nonbreeder | Definitive | | | S3N | G5 | Winter visitor/resident, greatly increasing in recent years. Formerly (prior to about 1990), rare a... | Winter visitor/resident. Rare to locally uncommon, but greatly increasing, at large lakes and landf... | Casual. The only records are a first-year bird photographed at the Hooper Lane Sod Farms (Hender... | This species is easy to find in the large gull flocks that congregate at Cape Hatteras Point from la... | *** to **** | 2023-08-10 |
Black-headed Gull | Chroicocephalus ridibundus | As mentioned under the Bonaparte's Gull account, the Black-headed Gull has a new scientific name, af... | Nonbreeder | Definitive | | | SZ | G5 | Winter visitor, essentially only along the coast and in the Tidewater zone. Rare, and perhaps sligh... | Casual to very rare; seven records. One adult seen in a flock of Bonaparte's Gulls at Jordan Lake o... | No records. | Black-headed Gulls are somewhat more likely to be found with Ring-billed Gulls than with other gulls... | * | 2023-08-10 |
Black-legged Kittiwake | Rissa tridactyla | The Black-legged Kittiwake is one of just two (along with the Sabine's) essentially pelagic gulls th... | Nonbreeder | Definitive | | | S1N | G5 | Winter resident offshore; clearly declining. From the late 1990's to about 2005, generally fairly c... | Casual in late fall, with three records: an immature seen and photographed at Beaverdam Reservoir (<... | Accidental: an immature was seen and photographed at Lake Julian (Buncombe) on the remarkably... | If you take a pelagic trip from Cape Hatteras northward during the winter, you now have about a 50% ... | ** | 2023-08-10 |
Red-necked Phalarope | Phalaropus lobatus | The Red-necked Phalarope and the Red Phalarope are the two pelagic shorebirds, and to see both in th... | Nonbreeder | Definitive | | | SZ | G4G5 | Transient, primarily offshore. Generally a fairly common offshore migrant in both spring and fall, ... | Transient. Very rare to rare, in both spring and fall, usually seen only during and after storms, an... | Transient. Casual/very rare in spring; the only records are 1 in Linville (Avery) on 17-18 M... | Take a pelagic trip out of Hatteras or Oregon inlets -- either in the latter part of May, or in the ... | ** | 2023-08-09 |
Western Sandpiper | Calidris mauri | The third of three common "peeps" in the state, the Western Sandpiper is easily confused with the Se... | Nonbreeder | Definitive | | | S4N | G5 | Transient, and winter resident along the coast. Common to abundant on the coast in fall; in winter,... | Transient. Very rare to rare in spring, and uncommon in fall, at least locally (such as at Falls an... | Transient. Very rare in both spring and fall, nearly all records in valleys in the Henderson, Tr... | The species is easily found along the coast from Jul to late fall. | **** | 2023-08-09 |
Baird's Sandpiper | Calidris bairdii | The Baird's Sandpiper is the rarest of the five non-accidental "peep" species in North Carolina, and... | Nonbreeder | Definitive | | | SZ | G5 | Transient. Casual in spring, and rare to locally uncommon in fall, mainly along the coast. Three s... | Transient. Rare in fall, mainly at the larger reservoirs (when mudflats are present). Flights are e... | Transient, though essentially only in low elevation valleys in Henderson, and single records ... | In mid-autumn, the impoundments at Pea and Bodie islands, and the tidal pool at Cape Hatteras point,... | * to ** | 2023-08-09 |
Stilt Sandpiper | Calidris himantopus | Though the Stilt Sandpiper is a species in the genus Calidris, it looks hardly anything like ... | Nonbreeder | Definitive | | | SZ | G5 | Transient, mainly along the coast. Uncommon in spring, and often fairly common to common in fall, a... | Transient. Casual spring migrant, and rare to locally uncommon fall migrant (more numerous when ext... | Transient. Casual in spring, and very rare in fall, with all but two published records so far from ... | In Aug or early Sep, one has a good chance to see them at the impoundments at Pea or Bodie islands; ... | ** to *** | 2023-08-09 |
Piping Plover | Charadrius melodus | The Piping Plover is one of the few Federally listed birds in North Carolina, especially now that th... | Breeder | Definitive | | | S1B,S1N | G3 | Breeding permanent resident, with migratory movements, along the coast. Generally uncommon and decl... | Transient. Very rare in fall; late July to early Oct; no spring records. About 13 records, mostly f... | Casual, with just five records: one at Hooper Lane, Henderson on 4-5 Sep 2012* (Chat 77:6-10)... | The best area to see this species is at Portsmouth Island in late summer and fall, but a boat is nec... | ** to *** | 2023-08-09 |
American Golden-Plover | Pluvialis dominica | Unlike its slightly larger cousin, the Black-bellied Plover, the American Golden-Plover is a good fi... | Nonbreeder | Definitive | | | SZ | G5 | Transient. Very rare in spring, rare but regular in fall, along the entire coast, particularly the O... | Transient. Casual in spring (only about four records), rare but annual in fall, over most of the pr... | Transient, but nearly all records are from Hooper Lane/Mills River area in Henderson, where v... | The species is best located in Sep and Oct, especially after cold fronts. A few birds are present e... | * to ** | 2023-08-09 |
Black-bellied Plover | Pluvialis squatarola | The Black-bellied Plover is one of the more familiar shorebirds of coastal areas, wintering in good ... | Nonbreeder | Definitive | | | S5N | G5 | Transient, and coastal winter resident. Common to very common in migration, and common in winter, a... | Transient. Rare in fall, and very rare to rare in spring, in the eastern part of the province (such... | Transient. Very rare (about 25 records) in the Henderson/Transylvania area of the southern m... | This species is easily found along the coast except during Jun. Inland birds are most often found o... | **** | 2023-08-09 |
Black-necked Stilt | Himantopus mexicanus | The Black-necked Stilt is one of the most unmistakable birds occurring in North Carolina, resembling... | Breeder | Definitive | SR | | S1B | G5 | Summer resident and sparse migrant along the coast and in the Tidewater zone. A very local breeder (... | Casual migrant or stray, mainly in late spring; 10 records. One was seen in Franklin on 5 Ju... | Accidental, with two records. One was seen at Hooper Lane (Henderson) on 25 Sep 2004, presum... | The best -- at least most accessible -- places to see this species are the impoundments at Pea Islan... | *** | 2023-08-09 |
Sandhill Crane | Antigone canadensis | The Sandhill Crane is one of the largest birds, in terms of size (standing about 4 feet tall), and t... | Accidental Breeder | Definitive | | | SZ | G5 | Transient and winter visitor/resident, mainly along the coast and in tidewater areas; increasing. A... | Transient and winter visitor. Very rare (formerly) to rare (now), increasing in recent years. Reco... | Transient, mainly overhead; sparingly in winter. Rare to possibly uncommon migrant in the extreme s... | Cranes are more likely to be seen in the state in Cherokee in late fall or early spring, wher... | ** | 2023-08-09 |
Sora | Porzana carolina | The Sora is the least shy of the six rails in the state and is the one most often seen in freshwater... | Nonbreeder | Definitive | | | S3N | G5 | Winter resident and transient near the coast, but farther inland mainly a transient. Fairly common ... | Transient, with a few winter records. Mostly rare to uncommon (records fairly scarce, but easily un... | Transient, with one winter record; one record suggestive of breeding. Generally rare, to perhaps lo... | During Apr and early May, and again in fall, the Sora can be heard in many fresh to slightly brackis... | *** | 2023-08-09 |
Chuck-will's-widow | Antrostomus carolinensis | This strictly nocturnal species is a characteristic breeding bird of our drier forest edges and open... | Breeder | Definitive | W | | S5B | G5 | Breeding summer resident, and occasional winter visitor; apparently slowly declining. Generally com... | Breeding summer resident. Fairly common but somewhat declining in the extreme eastern and southern ... | Seemingly increasing in recent years. Probable breeding summer resident in very low elevation areas... | Hearing this species is seldom a problem. Simply, drive around a little bit after dusk, or before d... | *** | 2023-08-09 |
Bufflehead | Bucephala albeola | The male Bufflehead is one of our most attractive ducks. Thankfully for birders, the species is a c... | Nonbreeder | Definitive | | | S5N | G5 | Winter resident. Common to locally abundant on Pamlico Sound, and nearby waters such as the embayed... | Winter resident. Uncommon to fairly common, though common in a very few areas. Favors larger reser... | Winter visitor or resident. Generally rare to locally uncommon, mostly in the lower elevations of t... | This species is easy to find on most of the ferry runs near the coast, and it is also found on lakes... | **** | 2023-08-09 |
White-winged Scoter | Melanitta deglandi | By far the least common of the scoters along the mid-Atlantic coast, the White-winged Scoter can be ... | Nonbreeder | Definitive | | | S1N | G5 | Winter visitor. Uncommon and erratic (depending on the severity of the weather) along the immediate... | Transient and winter visitor. Rare (but the most frequent scoter in the province), mainly to larger... | Transient. Very rare to rare in the southern counties, and unknown as yet from north of Buncombe... | This is a tough bird to find in the state, and many birders often require two or three winters to fi... | ** | 2023-08-09 |
King Eider | Somateria spectabilis | Until the 1980's, the King Eider was a casual to very rare winter visitor to the state's coastal are... | Nonbreeder | Definitive | | | SZ | G5 | Scarce winter visitor; declining. Very rare along the entire coast, though somewhat more likely fro... | No records. | No records. | The finding tips for King Eider are identical to that of the Common Eider; look around jetties, or p... | * | 2023-08-09 |
Mottled Duck | Anas fulvigula | This is the only dabbling duck (excluding Wood Duck) that regularly nests as a natural population in... | Nonbreeder | Definitive | | | SZ | G4 | A recent visitor, currently rare but records greatly increasing, to the southern half of the coast. ... | One male was seen by multiple observers and photographed at Riverbend Park (Catawba), 24 Jul ... | No records. | Your best bet is to look at ponds at Twin Lakes in summer, fall, and winter. The large pond by the F... | * | 2023-08-09 |
Eurasian Wigeon | Mareca penelope | This Eurasian breeding species winters regularly in small numbers both along the Pacific and Atlanti... | Nonbreeder | Definitive | | | SZ | G5 | Rare (but annual) winter visitor to the Tidewater and northern coastal areas, though primarily at Bo... | Very rare winter visitor in Wake, with roughly 10 records, but accidental to casual elsewhere... | No records. | To find the species, you must go to where the American Wigeons are found. The species can be found ... | * to ** | 2023-08-09 |
Northern Shoveler | Spatula clypeata | The Northern Shoveler is one of the few species of waterfowl that has clearly increased in the state... | Nonbreeder | Definitive | | | S3N | G5 | Winter resident; increasing. Generally fairly common, but locally common to very common, along the ... | Locally uncommon fall and spring migrant, most frequent in Mar. Rare to locally uncommon in midwint... | Rare spring and fall migrant, and very rare winter visitor, mainly in lower elevations. Late Oct to... | It is easily found at most coastal NWR's, such as Mattamuskeet and Pea Island. You should be able t... | **** | 2023-08-09 |
Greater White-fronted Goose | Anser albifrons | The Greater White-fronted Goose is a rare (but increasing) winter visitor across all portions of the... | Nonbreeder | Definitive | | | SZ | G5 | Winter visitor, though not a winter resident (yet) like Ross's Goose and Cackling Goose. Most frequ... | Winter visitor; very rare to now rare, somewhat increasing in recent years. Approximately 40 record... | Winter visitor, notably increasing in recent years. Now rare in the southern mountains; no records ... | There is a tendency for the species to appear with flocks of Canada Geese, both feeding in plowed fi... | * to ** | 2023-08-09 |
Ross's Goose | Anser rossii | The Ross's Goose is now a regular winter resident, in very small numbers, amid large flocks of Snow ... | Nonbreeder | Definitive | | | S1N | G4 | Winter resident. Rare to locally uncommon but increasing in winter -- regular at a few sites -- in ... | Winter visitor. Formerly casual; now rare but greatly increasing, with about 50 records. Scattered ... | Winter visitor. Rare, but greatly increasing, in the southern counties, with about 41 records. All... | In the past few winters, the species has been seen, generally with Snow Geese, in fields near Pungo ... | ** | 2023-08-09 |
Snow Goose | Anser caerulescens | The Snow Goose is a winter resident, occurring in large numbers in the northern tidewater areas; it ... | Nonbreeder | Definitive | | | S4N | G5 | Winter resident, mainly near the coast. Locally common to abundant in winter, mainly in several lar... | Scarce winter visitor, though sightings increasing in the western portions in recent years. Rare, s... | Scarce, but increasing, winter visitor. Very rare to now rare; all but seven records are from the s... | Though notably declining along the immediate coast, Snow Geese can often be seen in winter at Pea Is... | *** | 2023-08-09 |
Blue Grosbeak | Passerina caerulea | The Blue Grosbeak breeds across the southern half to two-thirds of the United States, and winters in... | Breeder | Definitive | | | S5B | G5 | Summer resident, with a few winter records. Common in summer across most of the province, but can b... | Summer resident, with about 14 winter records. Common over the eastern and central portions, and fa... | Summer resident at low elevations; little migratory movement through the region. In summer, uncommo... | None needed in the Piedmont and Coastal Plain. | **** | 2023-05-19 |
Rose-breasted Grosbeak | Pheucticus ludovicianus | The Rose-breasted Grosbeak is a bird of the cooler hardwood and mixed forests of the eastern parts o... | Breeder | Definitive | | | S3S4B | G5 | Transient. In spring, rare to uncommon along the western margin of the province, but generally rare... | Transient. In spring, uncommon to at times fairly common in the western portion, but uncommon over ... | Summer resident and transient. Fairly common (and common in a few ranges) in summer at middle to hi... | You should be able to find the species in a morning of birding along the Blue Ridge Parkway at eleva... | *** to **** | 2023-05-19 |
Summer Tanager | Piranga rubra | The Summer Tanager is a characteristic bird of the Deep South, nesting north only to southern New Je... | Breeder | Definitive | | | S5B | G5 | Summer resident, and winter straggler. Common in the southern half of the region, from the Croatan ... | Summer resident, with a few winter records. Fairly common to common over most of the region, more n... | Sparse summer resident, with little migratory movement noted. Uncommon in the extreme southwestern ... | None needed in the southern Coastal Plain, such as in the Sandhills Game Land, Weymouth Woods Preser... | **** | 2023-05-19 |
Yellow-rumped Warbler | Setophaga coronata | The Yellow-rumped Warbler, often called the "Butter-butt", is arguably the most abundant warbler on ... | Breeder | Definitive | SR | | S1B,S5N | G5 | Winter resident. Along the coast and in Tidewater near sounds, abundant in winter, particularly on ... | Winter resident, with noticeable migratory movements. In winter, common in the southeastern half, a... | Very sparse (and recent) breeder, widespread transient, and winter resident/visitor. In summer, rar... | None needed near the coast in winter. | **** | 2023-05-19 |
Nashville Warbler | Leiothlypis ruficapilla | The Nashville Warbler, along with the Tennessee Warbler, Orange-crowned Warbler, and several Western... | Nonbreeder | Definitive | | | SZ | G5 | Transient, and scarce straggler into early winter. Very rare in spring (essentially avoiding the re... | Transient, and a very scarce straggler into early winter. In spring, rare in the western and centra... | Transient; one recent record of a potential breeding bird. Rare to occasionally uncommon in spring, ... | Pure migrant species can be hard to pin down in time and place, depending on cold fronts in fall, et... | ** | 2023-05-19 |
Brewer's Blackbird | Euphagus cyanocephalus | The Brewer's Blackbird is an abundant bird of the Western half of the country. It is somewhat migra... | Nonbreeder | Definitive | | | S1N | G5 | Winter resident at one and possibly two sites, otherwise a sparse winter visitor and transient. Kno... | Scarce transient and winter visitor, as the province is generally east of the migration routes; some... | Scarce, though a regular transient. Rare in southern mountain valleys, and casual in the northern h... | Arrangements to access Open Ground Farms have always been tricky, and this is not a good option. Re... | * | 2023-05-19 |
American Tree Sparrow | Spizelloides arborea | Of the several dozen species of sparrows in North America, the American Tree Sparrow is the hardiest... | Nonbreeder | Definitive | | | SZ | G5 | Winter visitor to the northeastern corner of the province. Scarce and declining, with few recent re... | Winter visitor, declining. Very rare along the northern two tiers of counties, and casual farther s... | Winter visitor, declining. Very rare in the northern counties, casual to very rare in the central c... | To look for this species, work weedy fields in the coldest part of the winter, and pour over flocks ... | * | 2023-05-19 |
Grasshopper Sparrow | Ammodramus savannarum | The Grasshopper Sparrow is another sparrow that breeds from the Atlantic to the Pacific, but it nest... | Breeder | Definitive | W | | S3B,S1N | G5 | Summer resident in most of the region, and scarce winter resident; declining. In summer, uncommon ov... | Summer resident, with a few winter stragglers; declining. In summer, rare to uncommon across the re... | Summer resident; declining. Rare to locally uncommon (formerly uncommon but widespread) over the re... | Still can be heard and seen reliably in a few places; the two large Voice of America fields in south... | ** to *** | 2023-05-19 |