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Carolina RBA July 10 Update



hotline: Carolina Rare Bird Alert
date: July 10, 2003
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 for the Carolina Bird Club

Hello, this is a July 10 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:

CURLEW SANDPIPER
SWALLOW-TAILED KITES (NC)
MISSISSIPPI KITES (NC)
SOOTY TERNS (NC)
BROWN PELICAN (piedmont SC)

An adult CURLEW SANDPIPER was seen July 5 at the flats on the north side of 
Oregon Inlet. 2 PIPING PLOVERS were also present.A four-wheel drive vehicle is 
needed to drive out to this area. The Outer Banks is one of the best spots to 
look for this species on the east coast, especially from July through 
mid-August. Most of the time birds are seen at the Salt Flats , North Pond, New Field 
and South Pond at Pea Island NWR.

A reliable location for SWALLOW-TAILED KITES in NC has been the bridge where 
NC 11 crosses the Cape Fear River west of Wilmington, NC. Some patience may be 
required for the birds to appear at this location. An even more reliable area 
has been the stretch of river a couple of miles south of the bridge, but a 
boat is required. MISSISSIPPI KITES have been seen with the SWALLOW-TAILED KITES.

Two SOOTY TERNS  were seen 6-22 from the east end of Harker's Island (Shell 
Point) as they flew over the bird-nesting island (Sandbag Island) visible from 
the point. Attempted nesting is possible so birders at that location should 
check out the nesting birds carefully. This species has attempted to nest in NC 
in the past at tern colonies at Cape Point and Hatteras Spit.

A BROWN PELICAN was seen June 28 and 29 just south of the Buster Boyd Bridge 
(NC 49) over Lake Wylie in York County, SC. Despite some searches by local 
birders this bird has not been relocated but still could be on the Catawba River 
or associated lakes north or south of Lake Wylie. There is a previous record 
of BROWN PELICAN at Lake Wylie from June 6, 1971.

Thanks this week to John Fussell, Marek Smith, and Hayes Williams for their 
calls and reports. Some of this information was gleaned from carolinabirds.

Taylor Piephoff
Charlotte, NC
PiephoffT@aol.com