Date: 1/12/26 11:49 am From: robert emond <00001a9505a6bf10-dmarc-request...> Subject: [GABO-L] Fwd: [eBird Alert] Georgia Rare Bird Alert 12 Jan 26
Sent from my iPhone
Begin forwarded message:
> From: <ebird-alert...>
> Date: January 12, 2026 at 12:03:43 PM EST
> To: <robert.emond2015...>
> Subject: [eBird Alert] Georgia Rare Bird Alert <daily>
>
> *** Species Summary:
>
> Snow Goose (3 Bartow, 1 Chatham, 4 Oconee, 1 Richmond)
> Ross's Goose (1 Bartow, 4 Oconee)
> Blue-winged Teal (6 Fulton)
> American Black Duck (3 Fannin, 1 Hall)
> Common Merganser (6 Fannin)
> Ruby-throated Hummingbird (1 Chatham, 2 Glynn)
> Wood Stork (1 Ware)
> Short-eared Owl (2 Mitchell)
> Peregrine Falcon (2 Fulton)
> Northern Rough-winged Swallow (1 Richmond)
> Red-breasted Nuthatch (1 DeKalb)
> White-crowned Sparrow (1 Fulton)
> Vesper Sparrow (1 Fulton)
> Hooded Oriole (1 Clarke)
> Baltimore Oriole (1 Barrow, 1 Clarke, 2 DeKalb, 1 Fulton)
> Northern Waterthrush (1 Chatham)
> Tennessee Warbler (1 Clarke)
> Northern Parula (5 Decatur)
> Summer Tanager (2 Lowndes)
>
> ---------------------------------------------
> Thank you for subscribing to the <daily> Georgia Rare Bird Alert. The report below shows observations of rare birds in Georgia. View or unsubscribe to this alert at https://ebird.org/alert/summary?sid=SN35569 > NOTE: all sightings are UNCONFIRMED unless indicated.
>
> eBird encourages safe, responsible birding. Some reports may be from private property. Respect access restrictions and follow the rules wherever you bird. For more information, visit the eBird and Merlin Community Guidelines: https://ebird.org/community-guidelines. Stay connected to the global birding community with eBird Updates: https://mailchi.mp/cornell/ebird-updates-sign-up-page.
Robert Emond
Lowndes
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Date: 1/11/26 9:48 pm From: Mark McShane <00001c91b59d7b85-dmarc-request...> Subject: Re: [GABO-L] Some Georgia Big Year History from eBird
Hi All,
Over 300 in my last post should have been put in as one of the following:
Over 299
300 or more
Good Birding All!
Mark
Mark McShane
Lawrenceville, Gwinnett County, Georgia
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Date: 1/11/26 9:30 pm From: Mark McShane <00001c91b59d7b85-dmarc-request...> Subject: [GABO-L] Some Georgia Big Year History from eBird
Hi All,
I last generated this interesting data for myself in a note file on my phone back on 10/19/2020 (section included). Out of curiosity I just revisited the file and updated the numbers from eBird this evening and thought I would post and share the latest.
I guess since October 2020, and due to auto-by-eBird-species-adjusted changes, pretty much everyone’s numbers before 2020 went down just a little, I lost 2 in 2008 since 2020 due to the changes, but not sure what they were yet. It seems as if since the deleted birds were eBird “countable” at the time they should left in the numbers, but I can certainly see how that would be too much to ask.
There are no prior to 2000 Georgia Big Years over 300 in eBird, but I know that Giff Beaton has one and there may be others. I would encourage everyone to put at least their biggest Georgia year data into eBird whether 300 or better or not.
I believe there is a way just to get a number for a year into eBird without entering all of the checklists at:
Mark McShane
Lawrenceville, Gwinnett County, Georgia
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Date: 1/9/26 6:00 pm From: robert emond <00001a9505a6bf10-dmarc-request...> Subject: [GABO-L] Fwd: [eBird Alert] Georgia Rare Bird Alert 9 Jan 26
Sent from my iPhone
Begin forwarded message:
> From: <ebird-alert...>
> Date: January 9, 2026 at 6:27:16 AM EST
> To: <robert.emond2015...>
> Subject: [eBird Alert] Georgia Rare Bird Alert <daily>
>
> *** Species Summary:
>
> Greater White-fronted Goose (3 Greene)
> Blue-winged Teal (1 Fulton)
> American Black Duck (1 Union)
> Greater Scaup (1 Chatham, 2 Paulding)
> Common Ground Dove (3 Greene, 1 McDuffie)
> Ruby-throated Hummingbird (1 Chatham, 3 Glynn)
> Virginia Rail (2 Twiggs)
> Greater Yellowlegs (1 McDuffie)
> Parasitic Jaeger (1 Camden)
> American Herring Gull (1 Floyd)
> Wood Stork (1 Thomas)
> Anhinga (1 Clarke)
> Red-tailed Hawk (Krider's) (1 Muscogee)
> Short-eared Owl (1 Burke)
> Hairy Woodpecker (1 Liberty)
> Merlin (1 Lowndes)
> Ash-throated Flycatcher (2 Richmond)
> Northern Rough-winged Swallow (2 Fulton)
> Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (2 Clarke)
> White-crowned Sparrow (1 Fulton)
> Vesper Sparrow (1 Fulton)
> Baltimore Oriole (1 Barrow, 2 Clarke, 14 Spalding)
> Northern Waterthrush (1 Chatham)
> Black-and-white Warbler (1 Cherokee, 1 Fulton, 1 Lamar)
> Northern Parula (2 Chatham, 3 Decatur)
>
> ---------------------------------------------
> Thank you for subscribing to the <daily> Georgia Rare Bird Alert. The report below shows observations of rare birds in Georgia. View or unsubscribe to this alert at https://ebird.org/alert/summary?sid=SN35569 > NOTE: all sightings are UNCONFIRMED unless indicated.
>
> eBird encourages safe, responsible birding. Some reports may be from private property. Respect access restrictions and follow the rules wherever you bird. For more information, visit the eBird and Merlin Community Guidelines: https://ebird.org/community-guidelines. Stay connected to the global birding community with eBird Updates: https://mailchi.mp/cornell/ebird-updates-sign-up-page.
Robert Emond
Lowndes
You must be a subscriber to post to GABO-L.
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> On Jan 7, 2026, at 9:46 AM, Ted Antal <0000211cf2e4113a-dmarc-request...> wrote:
>
> GM All
>
> My memory has once again failed me and I am unable to remember the farm
> ponds location in Bartow County. Taft Rd?
>
> Thank you ahead of time.
>
> You must be a subscriber to post to GABO-L.
> Instructions for subscribing (and the guidelines) are found here:
> http://www.gos.org/georgia-birders-online Please read the guidelines before posting.
>
> Send regular postings to <gabo-l...>
>
> To search GABO-L archives or manage your subscription, go to
> https://listserv.uga.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A0=GABO-L >
> To contact a listowner, send message to <GABO-L-request...>
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Date: 1/7/26 7:39 am From: Sargent, Bob <bob.sargent...> Subject: [GABO-L] GOS Scholarships for Two Teens to Attend Hog Island Birding Camp in Maine in 2026
The deadline for applying is just 8 days away! A reminder for teen birders (ages 15-17) and their parents:
Want to attend Maine Audubon's famous Hog Island Birding Camp next June for free?
The GOS will send two lucky teenagers to the renowned Hog Island Camp in Maine to participate in the June 21-26, 2026, session of Coastal Maine Bird Studies for Teens. The society will cover the cost of the registration fee and up to $650 reimbursement for the airline ticket expense. GOS will also pay the $100 transportation cost for the camp staff to pick up the teens at the airport in Portland, ME, bring them to the camp, and bring them back to the airport at the end of the week. (Note: Scholarship recipients arrange their own travel. Food and lodging are included in the registration cost.)
How to apply: Applicants must be at least 15 and no older than 17 during the camp session and must be a Georgia resident. Complete the application form located at www.gos.org/YoungBirderScholarship and follow the submission instructions below. You will need to write an essay (350 word minimum) about your interest in birds and birding, your involvement in the Georgia birding community, what you will do with the knowledge you will gain from this camp, your career goals, and how you will spread your interest in birds to friends. Include at least three letters of recommendation with the application. Scholarship recipients are expected to write an article with pictures describing their experiences at the camp for the GOShawk newsletter. To see issues of this newsletter, visit www.gos.org/GOSHawkarchive
Note: You are not eligible to apply if you have previously received two birding camp scholarships from GOS.
The application deadline is January 15, 2026. The winner will be selected in early February 2026. If you scroll to the bottom of www.gos.org/youngbirderscholarship, you will see the past recipients of birding camp scholarships provided by GOS. Don't you want to see your name added to the list?
Applications (i.e., the form, essay, and letters of recommendation) must be submitted electronically (Subject: Hog Island GOS Scholarship) in PDF format to <bobsargent.ncs...>
Bob Sargent
Macon, GA
Bibb County
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Date: 1/7/26 6:46 am From: Ted Antal <0000211cf2e4113a-dmarc-request...> Subject: [GABO-L] Bartow Cnty
GM All
My memory has once again failed me and I am unable to remember the farm ponds location in Bartow County. Taft Rd?
Thank you ahead of time.
You must be a subscriber to post to GABO-L. Instructions for subscribing (and the guidelines) are found here: http://www.gos.org/georgia-birders-online Please read the guidelines before posting.
Date: 1/7/26 6:06 am From: robert emond <00001a9505a6bf10-dmarc-request...> Subject: [GABO-L] Fwd: [eBird Alert] Georgia Rare Bird Alert 7 Jan 26
Sent from my iPhone
Begin forwarded message:
> From: <ebird-alert...>
> Date: January 7, 2026 at 3:30:57 AM EST
> To: <robert.emond2015...>
> Subject: [eBird Alert] Georgia Rare Bird Alert <daily>
>
> *** Species Summary:
>
> Snow Goose (4 Chatham, 1 Richmond)
> Greater White-fronted Goose (1 Chattahoochee)
> American Black Duck (2 Fayette, 2 Glynn, 2 Union)
> Greater Scaup (1 Paulding)
> Common Goldeneye (1 Floyd, 2 Muscogee)
> Common Merganser (1 Fannin)
> Ruby-throated Hummingbird (3 Chatham, 2 Glynn)
> Limpkin (1 Lowndes)
> Greater Yellowlegs (1 McDuffie)
> Anhinga (1 Clarke)
> American White Pelican (2 Burke)
> American Barn Owl (1 Chatham, 1 McIntosh)
> Short-eared Owl (4 Burke)
> Red-cockaded Woodpecker (1 Thomas)
> Merlin (1 Burke, 1 Fulton)
> Ash-throated Flycatcher (1 Richmond)
> Western Kingbird (2 Chatham)
> Loggerhead Shrike (1 Clarke)
> Common Raven (3 Murray)
> Northern Rough-winged Swallow (1 Richmond)
> Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (1 Oconee)
> Red Crossbill (1 White)
> White-crowned Sparrow (1 DeKalb)
> Vesper Sparrow (1 Fulton)
> Henslow's Sparrow (1 Thomas)
> Baltimore Oriole (2 Barrow)
> Rusty Blackbird (2 Chatham)
> Brewer's Blackbird (1 Fulton)
> Black-and-white Warbler (2 DeKalb)
> Northern Parula (1 Decatur)
> Black-throated Green Warbler (1 Rockdale)
> Summer Tanager (1 Lowndes)
> Painted Bunting (1 Tattnall)
>
> ---------------------------------------------
> Thank you for subscribing to the <daily> Georgia Rare Bird Alert. The report below shows observations of rare birds in Georgia. View or unsubscribe to this alert at https://ebird.org/alert/summary?sid=SN35569 > NOTE: all sightings are UNCONFIRMED unless indicated.
>
> eBird encourages safe, responsible birding. Some reports may be from private property. Respect access restrictions and follow the rules wherever you bird. For more information, visit the eBird and Merlin Community Guidelines: https://ebird.org/community-guidelines. Stay connected to the global birding community with eBird Updates: https://mailchi.mp/cornell/ebird-updates-sign-up-page.
Robert Emond
Lowndes
You must be a subscriber to post to GABO-L.
Instructions for subscribing (and the guidelines) are found here:
http://www.gos.org/georgia-birders-online Please read the guidelines before posting.
Date: 1/5/26 3:14 am From: robert emond <00001a9505a6bf10-dmarc-request...> Subject: [GABO-L] Fwd: [eBird Alert] Georgia Rare Bird Alert 5 Jan 26
Sent from my iPhone
Begin forwarded message:
> From: <ebird-alert...>
> Date: January 5, 2026 at 12:27:31 AM EST
> To: <robert.emond2015...>
> Subject: [eBird Alert] Georgia Rare Bird Alert <daily>
>
> *** Species Summary:
>
> Snow Goose (3 Chatham, 1 Irwin, 3 Murray, 1 Richmond)
> Ross's Goose (1 Early)
> Blue-winged Teal (2 Fulton)
> American Black Duck (2 Fayette, 2 Glynn, 1 Hall)
> Common Goldeneye (1 Muscogee)
> Ruby-throated Hummingbird (2 Glynn)
> Virginia Rail (2 Floyd)
> Forster's Tern (1 Richmond)
> Wood Stork (1 Coffee)
> American Bittern (2 Fayette)
> Bald Eagle (3 DeKalb)
> Broad-winged Hawk (1 Cherokee)
> Black Phoebe (1 Fulton)
> Ash-throated Flycatcher (1 Richmond)
> Great Crested Flycatcher (1 Hancock)
> White-eyed Vireo (1 DeKalb, 1 Floyd, 1 Fulton)
> Northern Rough-winged Swallow (4 Richmond)
> Red-breasted Nuthatch (1 Bartow, 1 Fulton)
> Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (1 DeKalb)
> Sedge Wren (2 DeKalb)
> Gray Catbird (1 Whitfield)
> Red Crossbill (2 Dawson)
> Vesper Sparrow (1 Fulton)
> Henslow's Sparrow (1 Glynn)
> Lincoln's Sparrow (1 Fulton)
> Baltimore Oriole (4 Clarke, 1 DeKalb, 4 Fulton)
> Black-and-white Warbler (9 DeKalb, 2 Fulton)
> Tennessee Warbler (1 Clarke)
> Northern Parula (1 DeKalb, 3 Decatur)
> Summer Tanager (1 Cobb)
>
> ---------------------------------------------
> Thank you for subscribing to the <daily> Georgia Rare Bird Alert. The report below shows observations of rare birds in Georgia. View or unsubscribe to this alert at https://ebird.org/alert/summary?sid=SN35569 > NOTE: all sightings are UNCONFIRMED unless indicated.
>
> eBird encourages safe, responsible birding. Some reports may be from private property. Respect access restrictions and follow the rules wherever you bird. For more information, visit the eBird and Merlin Community Guidelines: https://ebird.org/community-guidelines. Stay connected to the global birding community with eBird Updates: https://mailchi.mp/cornell/ebird-updates-sign-up-page.
Robert Emond
Lowndes
You must be a subscriber to post to GABO-L.
Instructions for subscribing (and the guidelines) are found here:
http://www.gos.org/georgia-birders-online Please read the guidelines before posting.
Date: 1/4/26 11:30 pm From: Mark McShane <00001c91b59d7b85-dmarc-request...> Subject: [GABO-L] Some Big Year Thoughts and Ideas!
Hi John/All,
A BIRDING BIG YEAR (generally finding and listing as many wild bird species as one can in a given area in a given year) can be as large or as small as one would like based on available time, resources, and many other factors, it can be just for one’s yard, a local park (or eBird hotspot), a county, state, country, continent, hemisphere, or for the entire world, though bigger can often be better and more fun, it’s best not to pick one that is too awfully big!
The county big year is a good minimum, starting, or practice size. It can also take a lot of prep and planning to get ready to do any big year, or some even just prep and plan as they go. It’s always best to start on January 1st but people do sometimes start late or even quite late (birds you missed this winter you may be able to see or hear next fall and winter). A big year can also require a lot of work, dedication, and expense of all kinds to complete to one’s satisfaction, and it is never perfectly accomplished by anyone. Breaking an all-time record can be extremely satisfying, but someone will usually come along and later break your new record. However, if you set a record for a specific year then that is yours and cannot be broken later. Personal big year records and milestones are very meaningful as well! Here’s some ideas on how to prep for conducting a birding big year!
- - -
1. RESEARCHING PREVIOUS BIG YEARS to see what is possible, what’s been done before, and what record(s) you might be trying to break is a great way to start. eBird is the best tool for seeing what big years went by previously, and here’s how to check:
In the Explore Regions box enter a desired region (a state or county for example). You can also pick Major Regions (just below and to the right, for the ABA Area for example).
Select the desired region when it pops up
Select Region Navigation
Select Top 100
For Time Period select All Time, the current year, or Other for a previous year (select the previous year)
Then select Ranked by Species or by Complete checklists
Select the green Show Top 100 button
The Top 100 eBirders list will then appear per your selections!
It’s amazing what big years have been accomplished!
- - -
2. Also helpful is to study and learn the REGION ALL-TIME eBIRD LIST for the area in which you are going to do your big year, the county or state for example:
Go to eBird
Click/tap on Explore from the menu icon
In the Explore Regions box enter a desired region (a state or county for example). You can also pick Major Regions (just below and to the right, for the ABA Area for example).
When the desired region pops up, just below the region name, on the left end of the line is a number (for Georgia for example the number is currently 445), this is the number of how many species have been confirmed by eBird to have naturally occurred in that region all-time.
Click or tap on the number to access the all-time species list for the region and sort by the available options.
Learn through your research how rare each species on your region list is, or what rarity code might be applied to each species for your big year target area, such as: Common, Uncommon, Rare, Casual, Accidental, or Cannot be found. Learning rarity will help you determine which birds should be and/or must be chased (if possible) in order not to miss them during your big year.
- - -
3. eBIRD BAR CHARTS are also an extremely useful study and planning tool to help determine when, and how much, the birds on your big year region list might show up:
When starting a big year it’s a good idea to set up your (for North America) eBird ABA Rarities Alert, and also your regional eBird Rare Bird Alert(s) and Needs Alert(s) as desired, and to set them to hourly or daily. Studying Rare Bird Alerts is always very educational both for the present and the future.
Go to eBird, My eBird, Manage, Alerts to subscribe and manage alerts
- - -
5. CHASE NEEDED AND ESPECIALLY RARE BIRDS
Always go, as much as you can, to see all of the unseen by you bird species for the year which show up on the eBird alert emails you receive for the jurisdiction you have chosen to do your big year in! Rare birds especially are the ones that tend to make a big year list bigger, as long as you see all or most of the common and uncommon birds there as well.
- - -
6. RESEARCH (MORE) desired target species overall in field guides, eBird, bird apps, online, and maybe even in Cornell’s BIRDS OF THE WORLD (awesome resource, constantly updating, free samples, and all for the price of buying a great bird book each year) for range maps, life history specifics, when and where they may best show up in your desired big year area, etc, to learn as much about your sought after big year targets as possible:
Please Remember (and from my own experience) Birding and Big Year Birding are not controlled substances but can be quite addicting. Always Bird and Big Year Responsibly.
Be Especially Careful when Driving and when Birding While Driving (BWD)!
- - -
These are some thoughts, ideas, methods, and steps to consider to begin to plan and accomplish a birding big year! A small start can end with a big finish!
Good and Safe Big Year Birding All,
Mark
Mark McShane
Lawrenceville, Gwinnett County, Georgia
You must be a subscriber to post to GABO-L.
Instructions for subscribing (and the guidelines) are found here:
http://www.gos.org/georgia-birders-online Please read the guidelines before posting.
Date: 1/4/26 6:55 pm From: John Call <00001d961ce29ab9-dmarc-request...> Subject: [GABO-L] Georgia Big Year - How Would You Do It?
2025 was my first full year of birding. Besides birding around my area I got to go out west and come to the fall GOS event at Jekyll. It was a great way to get immersed in the community and see some amazing birds.
I am not planning on doing a big year in Georgia any time soon, but this past year got me curious about what the most efficient way to do it would be.
Also, do you know anyone who has attempted one before? How did they do?
Thank you,
John
You must be a subscriber to post to GABO-L. Instructions for subscribing (and the guidelines) are found here: http://www.gos.org/georgia-birders-online Please read the guidelines before posting.
Date: 1/3/26 11:51 am From: robert emond <00001a9505a6bf10-dmarc-request...> Subject: [GABO-L] Fwd: [eBird Alert] Georgia Rare Bird Alert 2 Jan 26
Sent from my iPhone
Begin forwarded message:
> From: <ebird-alert...>
> Date: January 2, 2026 at 9:07:28 PM EST
> To: <robert.emond2015...>
> Subject: [eBird Alert] Georgia Rare Bird Alert <daily>
>
> *** Species Summary:
>
> Snow Goose (1 Chatham, 3 Richmond, 1 Stephens)
> Ross's Goose (2 Gordon, 1 Oconee, 1 Stephens)
> American Black Duck (2 Fayette, 3 Hall)
> Greater Scaup (1 Paulding, 2 Richmond)
> Common Goldeneye (2 Muscogee)
> Common Merganser (1 Fannin)
> Ruby-throated Hummingbird (3 Chatham)
> Rufous Hummingbird (1 Clarke)
> Virginia Rail (1 Murray)
> Sora (1 Murray)
> Limpkin (5 Lowndes)
> Parasitic Jaeger (4 Glynn)
> Wood Stork (1 Berrien, 1 Coffee)
> American Bittern (1 Fayette)
> American Barn Owl (1 Murray)
> Red-cockaded Woodpecker (2 Richmond)
> Merlin (1 Jackson, 2 Walton)
> Ash-throated Flycatcher (2 Richmond)
> Common Raven (1 Murray)
> Northern Rough-winged Swallow (1 Cobb, 2 Richmond)
> Red-breasted Nuthatch (1 Cobb)
> Sedge Wren (1 DeKalb, 2 Richmond)
> Gray Catbird (2 Gordon, 2 Murray)
> Bachman's Sparrow (2 Richmond)
> LeConte's Sparrow (2 Richmond)
> Henslow's Sparrow (2 Richmond)
> Baltimore Oriole (2 Clarke, 3 DeKalb, 1 Fulton)
> Black-and-white Warbler (1 DeKalb)
> Northern Parula (1 Chatham, 1 Decatur)
> Yellow-throated Warbler (2 Richmond)
>
> ---------------------------------------------
> Thank you for subscribing to the <daily> Georgia Rare Bird Alert. The report below shows observations of rare birds in Georgia. View or unsubscribe to this alert at https://ebird.org/alert/summary?sid=SN35569 > NOTE: all sightings are UNCONFIRMED unless indicated.
>
> eBird encourages safe, responsible birding. Some reports may be from private property. Respect access restrictions and follow the rules wherever you bird. For more information, visit the eBird and Merlin Community Guidelines: https://ebird.org/community-guidelines. Stay connected to the global birding community with eBird Updates: https://mailchi.mp/cornell/ebird-updates-sign-up-page.
Robert Emond
Lowndes
You must be a subscriber to post to GABO-L.
Instructions for subscribing (and the guidelines) are found here:
http://www.gos.org/georgia-birders-online Please read the guidelines before posting.
Date: 1/1/26 12:50 am From: Mark McShane <00001c91b59d7b85-dmarc-request...> Subject: [GABO-L] 2025 Georgia Species Overview!
Hi All,
Happy New Year!
Here's a brief overview of the Georgia bird species in eBird for 2025 as of the end of the year.
345 species are in eBird for Georgia for 2025! There is 1 species recently found that is still pending eBird confirmation (noted below). Also, there is 1 interesting eBird confirmed Exotic: Provisional species for Georgia for 2025 as well.
- - -
Major 2025 Georgia Highlights include 21 birds (plus 2 more which should be added soon) from the Georgia Ornithological Society (GOS) Checklist and Records Committee's currently published Regular Review List (located at https://www.gos.org/review-list):
1. Fulvous Whistling-Duck
2. Brant
3. Cinnamon Teal
4. Common Eider
5. Common Merganser
6. GROOVE-BILLED ANI --- 1ST STATE RECORD (found by John Patten Moss on 12/16/2025, eBird Confirmed) --- NOT YET ADDED TO THE GOS REGULAR REVIEW LIST
7. Anna's Hummingbird
8. Snowy Plover
9. RUFF (American Birding Association Code-3: Rare)
10. Arctic Tern
11. Pacific Loon
12. Leach's Storm-Petrel
13. Brown Booby
14. Masked Booby
15. White-faced Ibis
16. Ash-throated Flycatcher
17. Bell's Vireo
18. Cave Swallow
19. Harris's Sparrow
20. Western Meadowlark
21. HOODED ORIOLE --- 2nd Confirmed Georgia eBird Record since 12/12/2024 --- NOT YET ADDED TO THE GOS REGULAR REVIEW LIST
22. Bullock's Oriole
23. Black-throated Gray Warbler --- eBird submitted 12/28/2025, photos included, not yet eBird confirmed
- - -
15 Additional 2025 Georgia Highlights not on the GOS Regular Review List are also notable:
White-winged Dove
Glaucous Gull
Scopoli's Shearwater
Magnificent Frigatebird
Golden Eagle
Short-eared Owl
Say's Phoebe
Vermilion Flycatcher
Western Kingbird
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher
Lapland Longspur
Clay-colored Sparrow
Lark Sparrow
Yellow-headed Blackbird
Western Tanager
Here's hoping the new year will be everyone's best ever!
Good Birding All,
Mark
Mark McShane
Lawrenceville, Gwinnett County, Georgia
You must be a subscriber to post to GABO-L.
Instructions for subscribing (and the guidelines) are found here:
http://www.gos.org/georgia-birders-online Please read the guidelines before posting.
Date: 12/31/25 2:39 pm From: robert emond <00001a9505a6bf10-dmarc-request...> Subject: [GABO-L] Fwd: [eBird Alert] Georgia Rare Bird Alert 31 Dec 25
Sent from my iPhone
Begin forwarded message:
> From: <ebird-alert...>
> Date: December 31, 2025 at 5:31:44 PM EST
> To: <robert.emond2015...>
> Subject: [eBird Alert] Georgia Rare Bird Alert <daily>
>
> *** Species Summary:
>
> Snow Goose (1 Pike)
> Ross's Goose (1 Early, 1 Fannin)
> American Black Duck (1 Hall)
> White-winged Scoter (1 Muscogee)
> Common Goldeneye (2 Floyd)
> Common Merganser (1 Fannin)
> Ruby-throated Hummingbird (1 Chatham, 2 Glynn)
> Rufous Hummingbird (1 Camden)
> Limpkin (1 Lowndes)
> Wood Stork (1 Colquitt, 1 Cook, 1 Lowndes)
> Northern Harrier (1 DeKalb)
> American Barn Owl (2 Richmond)
> Red-cockaded Woodpecker (1 Jasper, 2 Jones)
> Peregrine Falcon (1 Fulton)
> Ash-throated Flycatcher (1 Columbia, 1 Richmond)
> Northern Rough-winged Swallow (2 Richmond)
> Red-breasted Nuthatch (1 DeKalb)
> Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (1 Clarke)
> Orchard Oriole (1 Chatham, 1 Toombs)
> Baltimore Oriole (2 Clarke, 1 Cobb, 1 DeKalb)
> Black-and-white Warbler (2 Cobb, 1 Gwinnett)
> Hooded Warbler (2 Cobb)
> Northern Parula (2 Decatur)
> Summer Tanager (1 Fulton, 1 Lowndes)
>
> ---------------------------------------------
> Thank you for subscribing to the <daily> Georgia Rare Bird Alert. The report below shows observations of rare birds in Georgia. View or unsubscribe to this alert at https://ebird.org/alert/summary?sid=SN35569 > NOTE: all sightings are UNCONFIRMED unless indicated.
>
> eBird encourages safe, responsible birding. Some reports may be from private property. Respect access restrictions and follow the rules wherever you bird. For more information, visit the eBird and Merlin Community Guidelines: https://ebird.org/community-guidelines. Stay connected to the global birding community with eBird Updates: https://mailchi.mp/cornell/ebird-updates-sign-up-page.
Robert Emond
Lowndes
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Date: 12/31/25 5:29 am From: Joshua Spence <000020ffc55f0956-dmarc-request...> Subject: [GABO-L] Carters Lake CBC
The nineteenth annual Carters Lake Christmas Bird Count will be conducted Friday, January 2nd 2026. We could probably use a few more participants if there's anyone interested and available. Below is the link to last year's summary. I appreciate all that have helped with this CBC over the years. This season's "In The Spotlight" recognizes both Charlie Muise and Sandy Pangle who have participated in the count fourteen years.
If you are interested in learning more about the CBC, please feel free to contact me.
Joshua Spence,
Murray County
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Date: 12/29/25 6:35 pm From: robert emond <00001a9505a6bf10-dmarc-request...> Subject: [GABO-L] Fwd: [eBird Alert] Georgia Rare Bird Alert 29 Dec 25
Sent from my iPhone
Begin forwarded message:
> From: <ebird-alert...>
> Date: December 29, 2025 at 2:17:34 PM EST
> To: <robert.emond2015...>
> Subject: [eBird Alert] Georgia Rare Bird Alert <daily>
>
> *** Species Summary:
>
> Snow Goose (1 Troup)
> Ross's Goose (1 Hall)
> Blue-winged Teal (1 Fulton)
> American Black Duck (1 Fayette, 2 Hall)
> Greater Scaup (1 Harris)
> White-winged Scoter (1 Muscogee)
> Common Goldeneye (2 Fannin)
> Rock Pigeon (1 Coweta)
> Ruby-throated Hummingbird (1 Chatham, 4 Glynn)
> American Herring Gull (1 Forsyth, 4 Gwinnett)
> American Bittern (1 Fayette)
> Snowy Egret (1 Ware)
> American White Pelican (1 Clay)
> Eastern Screech-Owl (1 Fulton)
> Red-breasted Nuthatch (1 Cobb, 1 DeKalb, 1 Fulton)
> Harris's Sparrow (1 Glynn)
> Lincoln's Sparrow (3 Fulton)
> Baltimore Oriole (1 Clarke, 2 DeKalb, 1 Oconee)
> Boat-tailed Grackle (1 Charlton)
> Northern Parula (2 Decatur, 1 Lowndes)
> Black-throated Gray Warbler (2 Camden)
>
> ---------------------------------------------
> Thank you for subscribing to the <daily> Georgia Rare Bird Alert. The report below shows observations of rare birds in Georgia. View or unsubscribe to this alert at https://ebird.org/alert/summary?sid=SN35569 > NOTE: all sightings are UNCONFIRMED unless indicated.
>
> eBird encourages safe, responsible birding. Some reports may be from private property. Respect access restrictions and follow the rules wherever you bird. For more information, visit the eBird and Merlin Community Guidelines: https://ebird.org/community-guidelines. Stay connected to the global birding community with eBird Updates: https://mailchi.mp/cornell/ebird-updates-sign-up-page.
Robert Emond
Lowndes
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I thought we had missed them this time around - until a Great horned owl calling (yes - daytime!) got my attention in our lower yard around 3:30pm. When I looked up thru the woods I saw a small group of 7 cranes flying below the heavy cloud cover, silently, heading south. Then several more small groups. I headed up to open sky on our street and saw the last 4 more distant. So just 32 total. I heard nothing until some faint cries off to the south. How many did I miss before the owl called??
btw this happens to be the 4th anniversary of the day when a Yellow-throated Warbler appeared in our Winter yard. I told the story here ... I was shocked and sure it would be gone in moments as I grabbed my camera to document it! It became like a family pet & survived on Bark Butter I fed it twice a day. It stayed with us for ... 98 days.
Happy New Year everyone! Vicki DeLoach / Cherokee Co.
-- "Aren't two sparrows sold for only a penny? But your Father knows when any one of them falls to the ground"
You must be a subscriber to post to GABO-L. Instructions for subscribing (and the guidelines) are found here: http://www.gos.org/georgia-birders-online Please read the guidelines before posting.
Date: 12/27/25 11:08 am From: robert emond <00001a9505a6bf10-dmarc-request...> Subject: [GABO-L] Fwd: [eBird Alert] Georgia Rare Bird Alert 26 Dec 25
Sent from my iPhone
Begin forwarded message:
> From: <ebird-alert...>
> Date: December 26, 2025 at 9:00:12 AM EST
> To: <robert.emond2015...>
> Subject: [eBird Alert] Georgia Rare Bird Alert <daily>
>
> *** Species Summary:
>
> Snow Goose (3 Oconee)
> Common Merganser (1 Fannin)
> Rock Pigeon (1 Fulton)
> Common Ground Dove (2 Greene)
> Ruby-throated Hummingbird (1 Chatham, 2 Glynn)
> Rufous Hummingbird (1 Oglethorpe)
> Sora (2 Greene)
> American Herring Gull (1 Hart)
> Lesser Black-backed Gull (2 Stewart)
> Wood Stork (1 Coffee)
> Northern Shrike (2 Dodge)
> Northern Rough-winged Swallow (2 DeKalb)
> Red-breasted Nuthatch (2 DeKalb, 1 Gordon)
> Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (Eastern) (1 Walton)
> Baltimore Oriole (1 Gwinnett)
> Black-and-white Warbler (1 Fulton)
>
> ---------------------------------------------
> Thank you for subscribing to the <daily> Georgia Rare Bird Alert. The report below shows observations of rare birds in Georgia. View or unsubscribe to this alert at https://ebird.org/alert/summary?sid=SN35569 > NOTE: all sightings are UNCONFIRMED unless indicated.
>
> eBird encourages safe, responsible birding. Some reports may be from private property. Respect access restrictions and follow the rules wherever you bird. For more information, visit the eBird and Merlin Community Guidelines: https://ebird.org/community-guidelines. Stay connected to the global birding community with eBird Updates: https://mailchi.mp/cornell/ebird-updates-sign-up-page.
Robert Emond
Lowndes
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Date: 12/24/25 3:38 am From: robert emond <00001a9505a6bf10-dmarc-request...> Subject: [GABO-L] Fwd: [eBird Alert] Georgia Rare Bird Alert 24 Dec 25
Sent from my iPhone
Begin forwarded message:
> From: <ebird-alert...>
> Date: December 24, 2025 at 6:10:41 AM EST
> To: <robert.emond2015...>
> Subject: [eBird Alert] Georgia Rare Bird Alert <daily>
>
> *** Species Summary:
>
> American Black Duck (1 Hall)
> White-winged Scoter (1 Muscogee, 3 Paulding)
> Short-billed Dowitcher (1 Decatur)
> Greater Yellowlegs (1 McDuffie)
> American Herring Gull (1 Forsyth, 1 Gwinnett)
> Great Egret (2 DeKalb)
> American Barn Owl (American) (2 Miller)
> Northern Rough-winged Swallow (2 Richmond)
> Red-breasted Nuthatch (2 Bartow, 1 Fulton)
> Grasshopper Sparrow (2 Bartow)
> Lincoln's Sparrow (1 Cherokee)
> Baltimore Oriole (2 Fulton)
> Rusty Blackbird (1 Chatham)
> Boat-tailed Grackle (1 Charlton, 1 Richmond)
> Orange-crowned Warbler (1 Bartow)
> Painted Bunting (1 Liberty)
>
> ---------------------------------------------
> Thank you for subscribing to the <daily> Georgia Rare Bird Alert. The report below shows observations of rare birds in Georgia. View or unsubscribe to this alert at https://ebird.org/alert/summary?sid=SN35569 > NOTE: all sightings are UNCONFIRMED unless indicated.
>
> eBird encourages safe, responsible birding. Some reports may be from private property. Respect access restrictions and follow the rules wherever you bird. For more information, visit the eBird and Merlin Community Guidelines: https://ebird.org/community-guidelines. Stay connected to the global birding community with eBird Updates: https://mailchi.mp/cornell/ebird-updates-sign-up-page.
Robert Emond
Lowndes
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Instructions for subscribing (and the guidelines) are found here:
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Date: 12/22/25 3:54 am From: robert emond <00001a9505a6bf10-dmarc-request...> Subject: [GABO-L] Fwd: [eBird Alert] Georgia Rare Bird Alert 22 Dec 25
Sent from my iPhone
Begin forwarded message:
> From: <ebird-alert...>
> Date: December 22, 2025 at 3:30:38 AM EST
> To: <robert.emond2015...>
> Subject: [eBird Alert] Georgia Rare Bird Alert <daily>
>
> *** Species Summary:
>
> Black-bellied Whistling-Duck (1 Stewart)
> Snow Goose (5 Decatur, 2 Floyd, 2 Greene)
> Ross's Goose (5 Decatur, 2 Early)
> Greater White-fronted Goose (2 Greene)
> Blue-winged Teal (4 Fulton)
> Greater Scaup (1 Paulding)
> White-winged Scoter (1 Muscogee, 1 Paulding)
> Common Goldeneye (1 Fannin)
> Common Merganser (4 Fannin, 2 Gwinnett)
> Common Ground Dove (2 Greene)
> White-winged Dove (2 Seminole)
> Yellow-billed Cuckoo (1 Clarke)
> Rufous Hummingbird (1 Oglethorpe)
> Virginia Rail (4 Decatur)
> Limpkin (1 Lowndes)
> Short-billed Dowitcher (2 Decatur)
> Dunlin (2 Lee)
> American Herring Gull (3 Fannin)
> Wood Stork (2 Charlton)
> Snowy Egret (1 Lowndes)
> Bald Eagle (1 DeKalb)
> Short-eared Owl (2 Lee)
> Red-cockaded Woodpecker (1 Decatur)
> White-eyed Vireo (1 Clarke)
> Loggerhead Shrike (1 Clarke)
> Red-breasted Nuthatch (1 DeKalb, 2 Liberty)
> Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (1 Clarke)
> Northern House Wren (1 Fannin)
> Red Crossbill (3 Dawson, 1 Fannin)
> Baltimore Oriole (1 Clarke, 1 DeKalb)
> Northern Parula (3 Decatur)
> Summer Tanager (1 Cobb)
> Rose-breasted Grosbeak (1 Fannin)
> Painted Bunting (1 Liberty)
>
> ---------------------------------------------
> Thank you for subscribing to the <daily> Georgia Rare Bird Alert. The report below shows observations of rare birds in Georgia. View or unsubscribe to this alert at https://ebird.org/alert/summary?sid=SN35569 > NOTE: all sightings are UNCONFIRMED unless indicated.
>
> eBird encourages safe, responsible birding. Some reports may be from private property. Respect access restrictions and follow the rules wherever you bird. For more information, visit the eBird and Merlin Community Guidelines: https://ebird.org/community-guidelines. Stay connected to the global birding community with eBird Updates: https://mailchi.mp/cornell/ebird-updates-sign-up-page.
Robert Emond
Lowndes
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Date: 12/20/25 12:58 am From: robert emond <00001a9505a6bf10-dmarc-request...> Subject: [GABO-L] Fwd: [eBird Alert] Georgia Rare Bird Alert 19 Dec 25
Sent from my iPhone
Begin forwarded message:
> From: <ebird-alert...>
> Date: December 20, 2025 at 12:31:24 AM EST
> To: <robert.emond2015...>
> Subject: [eBird Alert] Georgia Rare Bird Alert <daily>
>
> *** Species Summary:
>
> Greater White-fronted Goose (5 DeKalb)
> Blue-winged Teal (1 Fulton)
> Northern Pintail (1 Fulton)
> Greater Scaup (2 Paulding)
> White-winged Scoter (3 Paulding)
> Common Goldeneye (1 Fannin, 2 Floyd)
> Northern Bobwhite (1 Carroll)
> Eastern Whip-poor-will (2 Camden)
> Rufous Hummingbird (1 Oglethorpe)
> Solitary Sandpiper (1 Fulton)
> Greater Yellowlegs (1 McDuffie)
> Wood Stork (1 Coffee)
> Broad-winged Hawk (2 Fannin)
> Say's Phoebe (2 Mitchell)
> Northern Rough-winged Swallow (2 DeKalb)
> Red Crossbill (1 Rabun)
> White-crowned Sparrow (4 Fulton)
> Bullock's Oriole (1 McIntosh)
> Baltimore Oriole (1 DeKalb, 2 Oconee)
> Northern Parula (2 Decatur)
>
> ---------------------------------------------
> Thank you for subscribing to the <daily> Georgia Rare Bird Alert. The report below shows observations of rare birds in Georgia. View or unsubscribe to this alert at https://ebird.org/alert/summary?sid=SN35569 > NOTE: all sightings are UNCONFIRMED unless indicated.
>
> eBird encourages safe, responsible birding. Some reports may be from private property. Respect access restrictions and follow the rules wherever you bird. For more information, visit the eBird and Merlin Community Guidelines: https://ebird.org/community-guidelines. Stay connected to the global birding community with eBird Updates: https://mailchi.mp/cornell/ebird-updates-sign-up-page.
Robert Emond
Lowndes
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Instructions for subscribing (and the guidelines) are found here:
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Date: 12/15/25 4:02 pm From: robert emond <00001a9505a6bf10-dmarc-request...> Subject: [GABO-L] Fwd: [eBird Alert] Georgia Rare Bird Alert 15 Dec 25
Sent from my iPhone
Begin forwarded message:
> From: <ebird-alert...>
> Date: December 15, 2025 at 6:40:15 PM EST
> To: <robert.emond2015...>
> Subject: [eBird Alert] Georgia Rare Bird Alert <daily>
>
> *** Species Summary:
>
> Ross's Goose (1 Fannin)
> Blue-winged Teal (1 Fulton)
> Canvasback (2 Bartow)
> Greater Scaup (5 Paulding)
> White-winged Scoter (4 Paulding)
> Common Goldeneye (1 Fannin, 1 Newton)
> Ruby-throated Hummingbird (1 Chatham, 1 Lowndes)
> Greater Yellowlegs (1 McDuffie)
> Red-cockaded Woodpecker (7 Jones)
> Sedge Wren (1 Rockdale)
> Vesper Sparrow (1 Fulton)
> Henslow's Sparrow (2 Jones)
> Lincoln's Sparrow (1 Madison, 1 Rockdale)
> Baltimore Oriole (2 Clarke, 1 Fulton, 2 Oconee)
> Tennessee Warbler (1 DeKalb)
> Painted Bunting (1 Richmond)
>
> ---------------------------------------------
> Thank you for subscribing to the <daily> Georgia Rare Bird Alert. The report below shows observations of rare birds in Georgia. View or unsubscribe to this alert at https://ebird.org/alert/summary?sid=SN35569 > NOTE: all sightings are UNCONFIRMED unless indicated.
>
> eBird encourages safe, responsible birding. Some reports may be from private property. Respect access restrictions and follow the rules wherever you bird. For more information, visit the eBird and Merlin Community Guidelines: https://ebird.org/community-guidelines. Stay connected to the global birding community with eBird Updates: https://mailchi.mp/cornell/ebird-updates-sign-up-page.
Robert Emond
Lowndes
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Allison and I stopped by Allatoona Lake - Fields Landing around 4:15 pm this afternoon. There are at least 1,000 Sandhill Cranes out on the mud flat. We love there cooing.
Johnnie Greene Canton, Cherokee County, GA
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Date: 12/14/25 11:05 am From: craig allen <000020d49d2b0c22-dmarc-request...> Subject: Re: [GABO-L] Sandhill Cranes!
Cool.
Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPhone
On Thursday, December 11, 2025, 4:53 PM, Bob Braxton <000020ca6c38675e-dmarc-request...> wrote:
December 11, 2026
It’s Thursday afternoon, 2 pm, cool temperature, bright sunshine, a clear blue sky.
Suddenly I hear a muffled but unmistakable sound. Sandhill Cranes!
I look up and very high above are thirty sandhill cranes circling, their wings and bodies glinting in the sunlight.
After five minutes circling, they form a straight line and head rapidly south. I follow them until they disappear from view.
First sighting of the season. Winter coming.
Bob Braxton
Hapeville
Fulton County
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To contact a listowner, send message to <GABO-L-request...>
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Date: 12/14/25 10:54 am From: becca ensley <000003584bfefd55-dmarc-request...> Subject: [GABO-L] Sandhills on 12/11
I saw groups of Sandhills meeting up over Hamilton Medical Center at Dalton in Whitfield County. Groups of 50-75 each flock. Observed flocks circling while waiting on each other before pushing on south.
This is on the corridor directly south of Hiawassee Refuge at Birchwood.
They were staging not far from Dug Gap Mountain—less than a mile “as the crow flies!”
Two major highways seem to take most of the activity as they push southward….Hwy. 41 and I-75. We do see a good number on the 411 Hwy Corridor passing south through Murray County.
It was such great flying weather the last couple of days. We will probably see and hear a lot of birds today!
Sent from my iPhone
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Date: 12/14/25 5:29 am From: JOHNNIE GREENE <000020cdd1886e95-dmarc-request...> Subject: [GABO-L] Northern Pintails - Allatoona Dam Riverside Park
Allison and I went over to Riverside Park this afternoon around 3:30 pm. We got 2 drakes Northern Pintails in with the mallards.
Johnnie Greene Canton, Cherokee County, GA
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