Southern Atlantic 
MigalorR.NWR 
Ken Blankenship 
April showers bring May... showers? Such 
was the sentiment among many of the Re- 
gion’s birders, as spring delivered soaking 
rains to the Southeast in April, and even more 
in May. On the bright side, this deluge 
brought an end to a two-year period of severe 
drought; by early June, even the worst-affect- 
ed areas virtually disappeared from the U.S. 
Drought Monitor. A rare heavy snow event 
swept through central Georgia and both Car- 
olinas in early March, areas of southern Geor- 
gia experienced flooding after torrential rains 
in early April, and parts of western North 
Carolina experienced their wettest May on 
record. Persistent easterly and southeasterly 
winds related to a low-pressure system to the 
south of the Region produced an impressive 
pelagic birding season, displacing many mi- 
grating seabirds (see S.A.). Sadly, exceptional- 
ly high water generated by the storm wiped 
out nests of several colonial species on the 
Georgia coast. The season’s prolific wet 
weather was welcomed by birds that rely on 
sustained wetlands for successful breeding, 
such as rails and colonial nesting waders. 
Many small ponds and mud holes were like- 
wise rejuvenated, to the delight of shorebirds 
and birders alike. 
Abbreviations: A.W.M.A. (Altamaha Water- 
fowl Management Area, McIntosh, GA); CCU 
(Coastal Carolina University); H.B.S.P. (Hunt- 
ington Beach S.P., Georgetown, SC); K.M.T. 
(Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield 
Park, Cobb, GA); L.W.EG. (Lake Walter P 
George, Clay, GA); NCMNS (North Carolina 
Museum of Natural Sciences); P.S.N.P. 
(Phinizy Swamp Nature Park, Richmond, GA); 
S.S.S. (Savannah Spoil Site, Jasper, SC). 
WATERFOWL THROUGH 
TROPICBIRDS 
Most reports of Black-bellied Whistling- 
Ducks came predictably from established 
breeding areas such as Donnelly W.M.A., SC 
and A.W.M.A.; the high count of 40+ came 
from the latter location 4 May 
(NF). Away from those sites, 
possible indicators of expan- 
sion included one in Horry, SC 
12 Mar (RL), 50+ flying over a 
farm in Beaufort, NC 19 Apr 
(fide AM), and 17 in Savannah, 
GA 7 May (JJ). Lingering geese 
included single Greater White- 
fronted Geese in Gordon, GA 
11 Apr OSp) and at Cedar I., 
NC 26 Apr QF); single Snow 
Geese in Columbus, GA 14 
Apr+ (WCh) and Newton, GA 
24 May (PB, TM); and a flock 
of 50 Brant at Oregon Inlet, 
NC 4 Mar (NA). The high 
count of Tundra Swans was 
500 still at L. Mattamuskeet, 
NC 8 Mar (WC); though a 
common wintering bird in the 
Region’s n. reaches, 2 juvs. in 
Walker, GA 21-30 Mar (LK, 
m.ob.) caused quite a stir. A 
single Mottled Duck at Eagle 
1., NC 2 May made only the 
4th confirmed state record and 
is a reminder that the species 
may be expanding northward 
into that state (RD). A male 
Canvasback still at Roanoke 
Rapids L., NC 9 May was likely injured (RD), 
while lingering Ring-necked Ducks included 
a male at Vogel S.P., GA 12 May (DF) and a fe- 
male at Bass L., NC 30 May+ (RD). An inland 
count of 430 mixed scaup was notable at 
Carter’s L., GA 15 Mar (NF et al.), while 2 
Lesser Scaup were quite late at Bass L., NC 30 
May+ (RD). A male Surf Scoter remained at 
Oak L, NC 24 May (SS), a male White-winged 
Scoter appeared inland at Columbus, GA 5 
Mar (WCh), and a possibly injured White- 
winged was in Morehead City, NC 28 Apr 
OF). A female Bufflehead was late in Watauga, 
NC 13 May QS, DS), whereas the handful of 
Common Goldeneyes left over from winter 
had all departed by the end of Mar. Rare and 
local breeders in the Southeast, Hooded Mer- 
gansers with young were observed in Floyd, 
GA 18 Apr (DR) and at Jordan L, NC 20 May 
OSo), both known nesting areas. Common 
Merganser reports included a female at Bear 
Creek Res., GA 9 Mar (MM) and 5 at L. Crab- 
tree, NC 30 Mar (AI), while lingering Red- 
breasted Mergansers were in Towns, GA 12 
May (MD), Raleigh, NC 13 May (DL), and 
Catoosa, GA 27 May-1 Jun (DH). 
Only 2 inland Red-throated Loons were re- 
ported: one at Bear Creek Res., GA 27 Mar-3 
Apr QM, v.ob.) and one at L. Varner, GA 30 
Mar (MM). Two Pacific Loons on L. Russell 19 
Charge! Defending their small farm pond against several Canada Geese were 
these two juvenile Tundra Swans, present from 21 through 30 (here 29) March 
2009 in Walker County, Georgia, where this species is rarely observed. Photo- 
graph by Dan Vickers. 
Splitting its fishing time between Georgia and South Carolina was this Pacific 
Loon on Lake Russell from 19 (here 23) April through 24 May 2009; the bird pro- 
vided the first photographic evidence of the species in the latter state. Photo- 
graph by Jeff Catlin. 
One of eight Pea's Petrels seen between 20 May and 7 June 
2009 during a very productive pelagic birding season off 
Hatteras, North Carolina, this bird was photographed 23 
May. Photograph by Monte M. Taylor. 
Apr-24 May QFl, m..ob.) spent time in both 
Georgia and South Carolina waters, providing 
the first photographically documented record 
of the species in the latter state. The high 
count of Common Loons inland was a remark- 
able 821 at L. Lanier, GA 29 Mar OFl). Pied- 
VOLUME 63 (2009) • NUMBER 3 
407 
