Rarities

The photos below are of locally unusual birds seen during my travels. Where appropriate, I have tried to mention the significance of each record.

Red-throated Loon, 4 February 2004, Bay Springs Lake, Tishomingo Co., MS. A casual migrant and winter visitor.

An adult Trumpeter Swan, 12 January 2003, Oktibbeha Co., MS. An accidental but increasing visitor, not probably more common than Tundra Swan.

A Black-bellied Whistling-Duck brood, 18 October 2003, Yazoo NWR, Washington Co., MS. First confirmed nesting record for Mississippi.

Greater Scaup, 24 January 2004, Ross Barnett Reservoir, Madison Co., MS. Very local away from the coast.

Adult Red-billed Tropicbird, 13 August 1994, Gulf Stream off Cape Hatteras, NC. A rare but regular visitor to offshore Gulf Stream waters.

Adult Masked Booby, 18 September 1993, Gulf Stream off Cape Hatteras, NC. A rare but regular visitor to offshore Gulf Stream waters.

Bar-tailed Godwit (European subspecies lapponica), 8 May 1992, Portsmouth Island, Carteret Co., NC.

Albino Sanderling, 20 October 1993, near Avon, Dare Co., NC. Albinism is quite rare in shorebirds.

Adult Black-headed Gull, 6 January 2002, Grenada L., Grenada Co., MS. About the 5th record for Mississippi.

Adult "Nelson's" Gull (a hybrid Herring X Glaucous Gull), 10 February 1995, Cape Hatteras, Dare Co., NC.

Adult "Cayenne" Tern, a southern race of Sandwich Tern, 23 September 1994, Cape Hatteras, Dare Co., NC. This subspecies of Sandwich Tern has been recorded a only a few times in North Carolina.

Inca Dove, 10 April 2004, Arcola, Washington Co., MS. This represented the second record for Mississippi of this expanding species.

Adult Burrowing Owl, 22 February 2004, near Hollandale, Washington Co., MS.

A cooperative Cave Swallow (photo 1, photo 2), 28 February 2004, Seaman Road sewage lagoons, Jackson Co., MS. First confirmed record for Mississippi.

Juvenile Grasshopper Sparrow, 27 June 2002, Clay Co., MS. First documented nesting record for Mississippi.