Hello, this is a May 27 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:

SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHERS
SWALLOW-TAILED KITES
FRANKLIN'S GULL
MOURNING WARBLER
BLACK-BILLED CUCKOOS

A SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER has been seen at Clark Hill Dam near Aiken, SC. From US 221 in South Carolina , turn onto Power Plant Rd. just before crossing into Georgia. The bird has been seen at the generating station on the high wires.

Another SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER in South Carolina has been seen in Greenville County. From US 25 north of Traveler's Rest, SC, turn west onto State Highway 414 towards Marietta. Just past the intersection of SR 414 and Talley Bridge Rd. is an old silo. The field where the bird has been seen is just past the silo on the right.

An adult FRANKLIN'S GULL was seen at Cedar I., NC on 5-23 on the beach.

Out-of -range SWALLOW-TAILED KITES continue to be reported in North Carolina. On 5-21 a kite was in Charlotte, NC. Birds are still being reported from the Outer Banks, especially around Pea Island NWR.

Jackson Park in Hendersonville, NC is a great spot to look for rare spring migrants. On 5-22 an adult male MOURNING WARBLER was present. CONNECTICUT WARBLERS and BLACK-BILLED CUCKOOS have been seen this spring as well.

Birders wishing to find BLACK-BILLED CUCKOOS in NC should try New River Sate Park in Allegheny County. Several birders have been successful in locating birds this spring. The species does breed in the New River State Park.

Thanks this week to Don Seriff, Larry Eldridge, Phil Dickinson for their calls and reports. Some of this information was gleaned from carolinabirds.

Taylor Piephoff
Charlotte, NC
PiephoffT@aol.com

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