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Carolina RBA Jan. 21 Update



hotline: Carolina Rare Bird Alert
date: January 21, 2000
number: 704-332-2473
To report: 704-332-2473 or 704-532-6336 or PiephoffT@aol.com
coverage: North and South Carolina
compiler: Taylor Piephoff, Carolina Bird Club

Hello, this is a Jan 21 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:

BLACK-CHINNED HUMMINGBIRD
PACIFIC-SLOPE FLYCATCHER
RED CROSSBILLS
GOLDEN EAGLE
MURRELET sp.
pelagic birding opportunities

A female BLACK-CHINNED HUMMINGBIRD is coming to a feeder in Hampstead, NC. 
This is the first of this species to be banded in NC and only the 3rd state 
record. Contact  John and Paulette Biles at <jppt441@bellsouth.net> for 
details and directions to this bird.

The PACIFIC- SLOPE FLYCATCHER discovered 1-15 at Jordan Lake in NC is still 
being seen as of January 20. To see this bird, take Big Woods Rd. from US 64 
and go north 4.9 miles to a road on the right  labelled "Public Fishing 
Area". Look around this intersection for the flycatcher. It is often seen 
perched on a wire cable along the edge of the woods.

After looking for the flycatcher, many birders have enjoyed the RED 
CROSSBILLS in the area. Birds are being seen along Big Woods Rd. 1.6 miles 
north of US 64 at a gate with a "State Park" sign on it. Another reliable 
spot for RED CROSSBILLS closeby is on the east side of the lake. From US 64 
take Road 1008 (Wilsonville ) south to Pea Ridge Rd. Turn Right. After a mile 
or so pass Lower Thrift Rd. on the left. Go .4 mile further to a gated road 
leading into open pine woods. Walk down this road to look for the birds.

An imm. GOLDEN EAGLE was seen at Alligator River NWR in NC on 1-16. The 
ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK present in the same location continues to be seen. Take 
Milltail Rd. south of US 64 and search the fields and skies for these birds.

A MURRELET is still being seen near Great Falls, SC along the Catawba River. 
Best viewing is from the Fishing Creek Dam boat launch area run by Duke Power 
on Hwy. 21 A scope is essential to view this bird as it is often very 
distant. Be prepared to spend a couple of hours searching.

Brian Patteson has space available on some offshore birding trips he has 
scheduled for February. On 2-5 he will go out of Wanchese, NC and on 2-19 he 
will go out of Hatteras. Recent weather may have resulted in an influx of 
alcids and  fulmars into these waters. Kittiwakes, red phalaropes, and even 
great skuas are seen regularly on these winter trips. For more information 
and to reserve your spot contact Brian Patteson at 252-986-1363 or 
patteson@interpath.com.

Thanks this week to Will Cook, Paulette Biles, John and Paula Wright, Mark 
Alford, and Barbara Gearhart for their calls and reports.

Taylor Piephoff
Charlotte, NC
PiephoffT@aol.com