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Florida Field Naturalist
PUBLISHED BY THE FLORIDA ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY
VoL. 22, No. 1 February 1994 Pages 1-28
l
FLORIDA ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY
Founded 1972
Officers
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Florida 33852.
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Station, P.O. Box 2057, Lake Placid, Florida 33852.
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This publication is printed on neutral pH paper.
Florida Field Naturalist
PUBLISHED BY THE FLORIDA ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY
VoL. 22, No. 1 February 1994 Pages 1-28
Fla. Field Nat. 22(1): 1-7, 1994.
PERCEPTIONS OF GOPHER TORTOISE BURROWS OVER TIME
Henry R. Mushinsky^ and Laura A. Esman^
^Department of Biology and Center for Urban Ecology,
University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida 33620 and
^ Archbold Biological Station, Box 2057 Lake Placid,
Florida 33852
Abstract. — ^We address some of the problems associated with surveying gopher tortoise
burrows to determine the number of tortoises present at a site. We monitored 50 gopher
tortoise burrows for two months at Archboid Biological Station and recorded the number
of times a burrow changed its perceived condition. Burrows first judged to be active were
active on more days than those first judged to be inactive or abandoned. Rainfall on the
day of a survey caused more burrows to be judged inactive. The physical structure of the
microhabitat immediately outside a tortoise burrow reflects the perceived condition of the
burrow.
Unlike many fossorial reptiles, gopher tortoises {Gopherus poly-
phemus) excavate burrows, which reveal their presence at a given loca-
tion. Using tortoise burrows to assess tortoise abundance is problematic,
however. Assessments are based on assumptions regarding the relation-
ship between the physical appearance of a burrow and the presumed
inhabitant of that burrow (Auffenberg and Franz 1982). Two salient fea-
tures of burrows are their widths and their perceived conditions. A posi-
tive correlation of tortoise carapace length with burrow width (Alford
1980, Martin and Layne 1987) facilitates using burrow widths to assess
the frequency of tortoise size classes (Alford 1980).
Counts of burrows that are likely occupied or could be occupied by
individual tortoises often are used to estimate the size of a tortoise pop-
ulation (e.g., Cox et al. 1987). Auffenberg and Franz (1982) suggested
that one could multiply the number of active and inactive burrows in a
population by a '^correction factor,” 0.614, to determine the number of
tortoises in a population. They categorized the condition of a burrow to
be "active” if the soil at the burrow opening recently had been disturbed,
"inactive” if the soil was undisturbed but the burrow appeared to be
maintained, and “old” (abandoned) if the mouth had been washed in or
was covered with debris.
1
2
FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST
Gopher tortoises spend much of their lives underground in burrows.
Auffenberg and Iverson (1979) found that during a 13-month period, one
adult male gopher tortoise left his burrow slightly more than half the
days. Tortoises also are known to use several burrows over relatively
short time periods. Several studies document use of more than one bur-
row by a gopher tortoise (Wilson et al. in press, Diemer 1992), but no
published studies address the frequency of changes in the condition of a
tortoise burrow over time. We collected data to address the following
questions. 1. How frequently do gopher tortoise burrows change condi-
tion? 2. Does the rate of change vary among burrows initially perceived
as active, inactive, or abandoned? 3. Does rainfall on the day before, or
the day of, sampling influence burrow condition? 4. Does the microhabitat
surrounding the burrow mouth vary according to the burrow condition?
Materials and Methods
From 4 June through 3 August 1990, we monitored 50 gopher tortoise burrows on a
small portion of Archbold Biological Station, Highlands County, Florida. We used the first
50 tortoise burrows that we encountered in a scrubby flatwoods portion of the Station. Our
study area was partially confined by railroad tracks on one side and seasonal wetlands
surrounding the remainder of the site. Tortoises, however, could move into or out of our
study site. We used the presence of footprints or plastron abrasions in the opening of a
burrow as an indicator of an active burrow and the lack of these signs in an otherwise
usable (maintained) burrow as an indicator of an inactive burrow. We classified a burrow
abandoned if the opening of the burrow was overgrown with vegetation or collapsed and
in need of some excavation by a tortoise prior to occupancy (Mushinsky and McCoy in
press).
Initially, we classified the condition of each burrow and made a visual estimate of the
amount of bare ground, number of living plants, and the amount of litter covering the
burrow mound immediately outside each burrow (about 1 m^). All burrows were reclassified
every second or third day, or about 25 times each during the two months of the study. We
noted the occurrence of rainfall the day before, and the day of, each visit to the burrows
in the study area. We measured burrow width at a depth of 50 cm (Martin and Layne 1987)
to compare the initial size distribution of burrows of different conditions used in our survey.
We used ABSTAT (Anderson Bell, Inc.) for statistical analyses. Exact probabilities are
given if P > 0.001. We used Mann- Whitney U Tests to evaluate differences in widths of
burrows by condition category, changes of classification over time, and differences in the
microhabitats surrounding burrows of different conditions. Chi-square goodness of fit tests
were used to compare burrow classification frequency data in response to rainfall (Sokal
and Rohlf 1981).
Results
Initially we classified 15 burrows as active, 25 burrows as inactive,
and 10 burrows as abandoned. Burrows were monitored for a total of
1277 burrow observation days, during which we recorded 147 burrow
condition changes. Burrow classifications varied among surveys. Table 1
illustrates several examples of our burrow surveys. We judged between
Mushinsky and EsMAN*Gopher Tortoise Burrows
3
Table 1. Selected examples of surveys of burrow condition (1 = active, 2 = inactive,
3 = abandoned) from a single or two-day survey interval. A = the occurrence of
rainfall on the day of, but prior to, our survey(s); B = rainfall within the previous 24
hours. Percentages are shown in parentheses.
Date(s)
Burrow condition
Rainfall
1
2
3
A
B
12 June
14 (28)
26 (52)
10 (20)
no
yes
14 June
17 (34)
23 (46)
10 (20)
no
no
20-21 June
26 (52)
15 (30)
9(18)
no
yes
29-30 June
15 (30)
26 (52)
9(18)
yes
yes
6-7 July
18 (36)
23 (46)
9(18)
no
yes
9-10 July
18 (36)
23 (46)
9(18)
yes
yes
15 July
18 (36)
23 (46)
9(18)
no
yes
19 July
24 (48)
17 (34)
9(18)
no
yes
26 July
17 (34)
24 (48)
9(18)
no
yes
3 August
16 (32)
25 (50)
9(18)
no
yes
14 and 26 of 50 burrows to be active during our study. Burrows that were
first classified as active changed classification (Table 2) more often than
inactive burrows {Z = 2.59, P = 0.005) or abandoned burrows (Z =
3.85, P < 0.001). Inactive burrows also changed classification more often
than abandoned burrows {Z = 2.28, P = 0.011). One of the 10 burrows
first judged to be abandoned changed categories. Once it became an
active burrow, it alternated between the active and inactive condition.
All (15) burrows first judged to be active and 15 of 25 (60%) inactive
burrows changed categories at least once during our surveys. Nine of 15
active burrows (60%) and 7 of 25 (28%) inactive burrows changed
categories five or more times during our study. Burrows first classified
as active were active on significantly more days than were initially inac-
tive {Z = 3.38, P < 0.001) or initially abandoned {Z = 4.13, P < 0.001)
burrows. Also, burrows first classified as inactive were subsequently
classified as active on more days than burrows first classified as aban-
doned {Z = 2.35, P = 0.009). Hence, the frequency of burrow condition
changes forms a hierarchy such that active burrows change more often
than inactive burrows, which change more often than abandoned bur-
rows.
Because most rainfall occurred in the late afternoon after our surveys,
our sample of burrows on rainy days is relatively small (Table 3).
Nevertheless, when we compared the fi:’equency of burrow categories on
days it rained with those on days it did not rain (prior to our survey),
we found fewer burrows were classified as active on days with rain than
on days without rain (x^ = 10.27, df = 2, P = 0,006). No difference in
burrow condition category frequencies was associated with rainfall on
the day before our sample (x^ = 0.48, df = 2, P = 0.78).
4
FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST
Table 2. Gopher tortoise burrows monitored at Archbold Biological Station. Data pre-
sented are mean values ± 1 SE.
Initial burrow category
Active
Inactive
Abandoned
Number
15
25
10
Burrow width (cm)
24.0 ± 1.3
23.9 ± 1.6
18.0 ± 3.8
Days monitored
54.7 ± 1.1
55.7 ± 0.7
57.6 ± 0.9
Times monitored
25.0 ± 0.9
25.4 ± 0.6
26.9 ± 0.8
Condition changes
6.1 ± 0.7
2.6 ± 0.6
0.4 ± 0.4
No change
0
10
9
Days active
38.8 ± 3.8
14.9 ± 3.9
0.7 ±0.7
Days inactive
16.2 ±3.6
38.5 ±4.3
3.4 ±3.4
Days abandoned
0
2.3 ±2.3
53.5 ±4.1
Abandoned burrows were associated with more litter (Table 4) than
were active burrows (Z = 2.86, P < 0.002) or inactive burrows {Z =
1.99, P < 0.023). Active burrows differed from inactive burrows in
amounts of litter found at the burrow opening (Z = 2.23, P < 0.013).
No difference was found in the percent of ground covered by living plants
near active or inactive burrows (Z = 0.50, P = 0.30). Abandoned bur-
rows were associated with more living plants than inactive burrows (Z
= 2.28, P < 0.011), but not more than active burrows (Z = 1.53, P <
0.063). Abandoned burrows were associated with less bare ground than
active (Z = 2.97, P < 0.002) or inactive (Z = 2.68, P < 0.004) burrows.
Discussion
Gopher tortoise burrow condition shows considerable day-to-day vari-
ability. Burrow condition changes frequently, more so in burrows that
are first judged to be active. During June and July one would expect a
high level of tortoise activity. Gopher tortoises, especially young individ-
uals (Wilson et al. in press), are known to visit and maintain several
nearby burrows; therefore, frequent burrow status changes appear to be
natural rather than induced by our presence or disturbance.
By monitoring changes in burrow condition over a two-month period,
we found that 100% of the burrows first classified as active subsequently
showed signs of tortoise activity. About 60% of tortoise burrows first
judged to be inactive later showed signs of activity during our study;
hence, one must be cautious about the presumed vacancy of inactive
burrows. With one exception, abandoned burrows remained unchanged.
Our perception of the condition of a burrow on our initial survey was
a reasonable representation of what was to follow. Burrows first class-
ified as active also were judged active for 71% of our observation period.
Mushinsky and EsMAN»Gopher Tortoise Burrows
5
Table 3, Percent frequency of burrows judged to be active, inactive, or abandoned and
the occurrence of rain on the day of a survey (rain today) or the day before (rain
yesterday) our sample. N ~ number of burrow observation days in each category.
Rainfall categories
Rain
No rain
Rain
No rain
today
today
yesterday
yesterday
N
127
1150
701
576
Active
22.8
35.5
33.2
35.5
Inactive
60.6
45.1
48.1
44.6
Abandoned
16.5
19.5
18.7
19.8
and initially inactive burrows were judged active for about 27% of the
same period (Table 1). We believe that our findings partly reflect move-
ments of individuals among the burrows we surveyed. Our findings un=
derscore the value of habitat-specific correction factors which reflect ac-
curately the relationship between tortoises and burrows (Burke 1989,
Witz et al. 1992).
Recognizing our stringent definitions of burrow condition categories,
we cannot determine whether rainfall curtails daily tortoise activity and/
or obliterates the signs of tortoise activity we used to judge a burrow to
be an active one. More burrows were judgea to be inactive on days it
rained than on days it did not rain prior to our surveys. We suggest that
researchers recognize that rainfall on the day of sampling will cause a
reduction in the estimated number of active burrows, regardless of the
cause (McCoy and Mushinsky 1992).
The physical structure of the microhabitat immediately outside a tor-
toise burrow reflects the perceived condition of the burrow. Less litter
is found outside an active burrow than outside inactive burrows or aban-
doned burrows. The amount of litter that accumulates near a burrow is
habitat-specific. In a given habitat, however, relatively high amounts of
litter accumulation near the mouth of a burrow may be used to verifv
classification as abandoned.
Table 4. Visual estimates (mean ± 1 SE) of the percent of bare ground, living plants,
and litter found on the spoil mounds surrounding the burrow mouths. Estimates were
made during the initial survey of each burrow.
Burrow status
Active
Inactive
Abandoned
Bare ground
88.0 ± 3.6
80.9 ± 4.4
49.5 ± 10.3
Live plants
9.8 ±3.4
9.8 ±3.3
21.2 ± 7.5
Litter
2.2 ±0.7
9.2 ±2.7
29.3 ± 8.8
6
FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST
Kaczor and Hartnett (1990) monitored plant species richness on
gopher tortoise burrow mounds in a sandhill community in central
Florida and found that old (abandoned) mounds contained a larger
number of species per square meter than did recently abandoned (inac-
tive) burrows. In scrub habitat, we found that abandoned burrows were
associated with more living plants than were inactive burrows; however,
the percent of a burrow mound covered with living vegetation did not
differ between active and inactive burrows nor between active and aban-
doned burrows. As there is no distinct boundary between the inactive
and abandoned burrow condition, the amount of vegetation growing on
the burrow mound may serve as a habitat-specific indicator of this trans-
ition.
Acknowledgments
We thank Earl McCoy for stimulating conversation regarding tortoise burrows, Paige
Martin and Jennifer Walcott for their assistance with the field work, and Dawn Wilson,
Peter Meylan, and Earl McCoy for reading previous versions of this manuscript.
Literature Cited
Alford, R. A. 1980. Population structure of Gopherus polyphemus in northern Florida.
J. Herpetol. 14: 177-182.
Auffenberg, W., and R. Franz. 1982. The status and distribution of the gopher tor-
toise {Gopherus polyphemus). Pages 95-126 in North American Tortoises: Conservation
and Ecology (R. B. Bury, ed.). U. S. Dept. Interior, Wildl. Res. Rep. 12, Washington,
D. C.
Auffenberg, W. and J. B. Iverson. 1979. Demography of terrestrial turtles. Pages
541-569 In Turtles: Perspectives and Research (M. Harless and H. Morlock eds.). John
Wiley and Sons, New York.
Burke, R. 1989. Burrow-to-tortoise conversion factors: comparison of three gopher tor-
toise survey techniques. Herp. Rev. 20: 92-94.
Cox, J., D. Inkley, and R. Kautz. 1987. Ecology and habitat protection needs of
gopher tortoise {Gopherus polyphemus) populations found on lands slated for large-scale
development in Florida. Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission Nongame
Wildlife Program Technical Report No. 4, Tallahassee.
Diemer, j. E. 1992. Home range and movements of the tortoise Gopherus polyphemus in
northern Florida. J. Herpetol. 26: 158-165.
Kaczor, S. A., and D. C. Hartnett. 1990. Gopher tortoise {Gopherus polyphemus)
effects on soils and vegetation in a Florida sandhill community. Amer. Midi. Nat. 123:
100-111.
Martin, P. L., and J. L. Layne. 1987. Relationship of gopher tortoise body size to
burrow size in a southcentral population. Fla. Sci. 50: 264-267.
McCoy E. D. and H. R. Mushinsky. 1992. Studying a species in decline, gopher tor-
toises and the dilemma of the “correction factors.” Herpetologica 48: 402-407.
Mushinsky, H. R., and E. D. McCoy. In press. A comparison of gopher tortoises,
Gopherus polyphemus, on islands and the, mainland in Florida, in Biology of North
American tortoises. North American Fauna (R. B. Bury and D. J. Germano, eds.).
U. S. Fish and Wildlife Serv., Washington, D. C.
Mushinsky and EsMAN^Gopher Tortoise Burrows
7
SoKAL, R. R., AND F. J. Rohlf. 1981. Biometry. W. H. Freeman and Co., San Francisco.
Wilson, D. S., H. R. Mushinsky, and E. D. McCoy. In press. Home range, activity,
and burrow use of juvenile gopher tortoises (Gopherus polyphemus) in a central Florida
population, in Biology of North American tortoises. North American Fauna (R. B.
Bury and D. J. Germane, eds.). U. S. Fish and Wildlife Serv., Washington, D. C.
Witz, B. W., D. S. Wilson, and M. D. Palmer. 1992. Estimating population size and
hatchling mortality of Gopherus polyphemus. Fla. Sci. 55: 14--20.
FLORIDA ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY
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FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST
NOTES
Fla. Field Nat. 22(1): 8-10, 1994.
VERTEBRATES ASSOCIATED WITH GOPHER TORTOISE BURROWS IN
ORANGE COUNTY, FLORIDA
Donald M. Kent and Eddie Snell
UOl Flower Street, P.O. Box 25020, Glendale, California 91221-5020
At least 302 species of invertebrates and 60 species of vertebrates have been reported
to use gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) burrows to some degree (Jackson and
Milstrey 1989). One of every 10 burrows may contain a vertebrate associate (Witz et al.
1991). Burrow associates may feed on fecal matter or on other burrow associates, seek
refuge from the winter, or use the burrows as nesting habitat (Speake 1981, Campbell and
Christman 1982, Woodruff 1982, Eisenberg 1983). The burrow association may be obligate
or non-obligate, and associate use may be frequent, occasional or accidental (Cox et al.
1987). A recent relocation effort to accommodate a highway project in Lake Buena Vista,
Orange County, Florida provided an opportunity for the further study of burrow associates.
A total of 155 active and inactive burrows occurring within an area of approximately 50
acres was exavated with a backhoe excavator between 12 October and 11 November, 1992.
The burrows were located in xeric oak (Quercus geminata with Serenoa repens understory)
and sand pine plantation {Finns clausa with sparse Aristida spp. groundcover) habitat,
with a resulting capture of 61 tortoises and 33 associates (Table 1). A vertebrate associate
was located, on average, in one of every 5.2 burrows.
Consistent with Witz et al. (1991), a Test of Association (Ludwig and Reynolds 1988)
revealed that, collectively, vertebrate associates were not significantly associated with
burrows occupied by tortoises (14 of 33 occurrences, 1 d/ = 0.58, 0.50 > p> 0.25). This
finding reinforces the hypothesis that associates use burrows in response to various factors
and for differing reasons.
Southern cricket frogs (Acris gryllus dorsalis), eastern indigo snakes {Drymarchon
corais couperi), a southeastern five-lined skink {Eumeces inexpectatus), and Florida mice
(Podomys floridanus) only occurred in unoccupied burrows, but the majority of these
occurrences were too infrequent to test for association. However, cricket frogs {n = 7)
were negatively associated with the presence of gopher tortoise (x^, 1 d/ = 4.27, 0.05 > p
> 0.025). This apparently amensalistic relationship was not expected and may in. fact be
an artifact of sample size. Nevertheless, cricket frogs could possibly benefit from the shelter
and food of the burrow, although only two of seven frogs occurred in burrows with insects
or insect parts. If cricket frogs use burrows solely for shelter, it is unclear how the presence
of a gopher tortoise interferes with this use, particularly in light of the positive association
(see below) between gopher tortoises and gopher frogs.
Worm lizards {Rhineura floridana) occurred in both occupied (1) and unoccupied (3)
burrows, and gopher frogs (Rana capito) occurred in more occupied (11) burrows than
unoccupied (4) burrows x^ 1 d/ = 9.52, p < 0.005). The latter finding is consistent with
that of Eisenberg (1983) and suggests that gopher frogs benefit directly from the presence
of gopher tortoises, most likely through feeding on the invertebrates associated with tor-
toise feces and nest material.
In general, gopher frogs and lizards are more likely to occur in active burrows than in
inactive or abandoned burrows (Eisenberg 1983, Witz et al. 1991). Witz et al. (1991) specu-
lated that some characteristic of the active burrows, such as food availability or microcli-
Notes
9
Table 1. Number of vertebrates excavated from 155 gopher tortoise burrows in a Lake
Buena Vista, Orange County, Florida xeric oak and pine plantation habitat.
Class
Species
Number
Amphibia
Southern cricket frog, Acris gryllus dorsalis
7
Peninsula Newt, Notophthalmus viridescens piaropicola
1
Gopher Frog, Rana capita
15
Reptilia
Eastern indigo snake, Drymarchon corais couperi
2
Southeastern five-lined skink, Eumeces inexpectatus
2
Worm lizard, Rhineura floridana
4
Scrub lizard, Sceloporus woodi
1
Mammalia
Florida mouse, Podomysfloridanus
1
Total
33
mate, may be attractive to lizards. Alternatively, active burrows may be more conspicuous
than inactive or abandoned burrows to lizards seeking refuge from predators. Other verteb-
rate associates are equally likely to occur in active, inactive or abandoned burrows (Witz
et al. 1991).
Some burrow associates appear to be somewhat dependent upon active burrows, so the
disappearance of the gopher tortoise, either from disease or in response to anthropogenic
disturbance, may result in the disappearance of the associate. The gopher frog appears to
fit this description. As noted by Witz et al. (1991) and suggested by this study, other
burrow associates appear to be indifferent to burrow status. The worm lizard may be one
such species. Still other associates, for example the cricket frog as this study suggests,
appear to prefer unoccupied burrows. For associates that use unoccupied burrows, aban-
doned gopher tortoise colonies may be important components of the landscape, thereby
requiring consideration during land planning efforts. The relationship between gopher tor-
toises and burrow associates is still poorly understood. This is especially true of the effect
of burrow status on associate use of the burrow. The importance of active and inactive
burrows to associate persistence, as well as the role of abandoned burrows in supporting
associated fauna, warrants further investigation.
Peter Merritt, Dale Jackson and an anonymous reviewer graciously provided comments
which improved this manuscript.
Literature Cited
Campbell, H. W. and S. P. Christman. 1982. The herpetological components of Florida
sandhill and sand pine scrub associations. Pages 163-171 in Herpetological communities
(Scott, N. J., Jr,, ed.). U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Wildlife Research Report 13.
Cox, J., D. Inkle Y and R. Kautz. 1987. Ecology and habitat protection needs of gopher
tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) populations found on lands slated for large-scale devel-
opment in Florida. Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission Nongame Wildlife
Program Technical Report No. 4, Tallahassee.
10
FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST
Eisenberg, J. F. 1983. The gopher tortoise as a keystone species. Pages 1-4 in The
gopher tortoise: A keystone species (Bryant, R. J. and R. Franz, eds.). Proceedings
4th Annual Meeting Gopher Tortoise Council. Florida State Museum, Gainesville.
Jackson , D. R. and E. G. Milstrey. 1989. The fauna of gopher tortoise burrows.
Pages 86-98 in Gopher tortoise relocation symposium proceedings (Diemer, J. E., D.
R. Jackson, J. L. Landers, J. N. Layne and D. A. Wood, eds.). Florida Game and Fresh
Water Fish Commission Nongame Wildlife Program Technical Report No. 5, Tallahas-
see.
Ludwig, J. A. and J. F. Reynolds. 1988. Statistical ecology: A primer on methods and
computing. John Wiley and Sons, New York.
Speake, D. W. 1981. The gopher tortoise burrow community. Pages 44-47 in The future
of gopher tortoise habitats (Lohoefener, R., L. Lohmeier and G. Johnston, eds.). Pro-
ceedings 2nd Annual Meeting Gopher Tortoise Council. Florida State Museum, Gaines-
ville.
Witz, B. W., D. S. Wilson and M. D. Palmer. 1991. Distribution of Gopherus
polyphemus and its vertebrate symbionts in three burrow categories. Am. Mid. Nat.
126: 152-158.
Woodruff, R. E. 1982. Anthropods of gopher burrows. Pages 24-28 in The gopher tor-
toise and its sandhill habitat (Franz, R. and J. Bryant, eds.). Proceedings 3rd Annual
Meeting Gopher Tortoise Council. Florida State Museum, Gainesville.
Notes
11
Fla. Field Nat. 22(1): 11-13, 1994.
PREY SELECTION OF THE COMMON BARN-OWL IN A
NORTHERN FLORIDA WETLAND
Karl E. Miller
Department of Wildlife and Range Sciences
118 Newins-Ziegler Hall
University of Florida
Gainesville, FL 32611
The Common Barn-Owl {Tyto alba) is the most widely-distributed owl species in the
world (Burton 1984). Despite numerous food-habit studies in the literature, few have been
undertaken in Florida (Trost and Hutchison 1963, Horner et al. 1974, and Chicardi et al.
1990).
In 1991, I collected 36 pellets from a Common Barn-Owl nest in Alachua County,
Florida. The nest was located in a nest-box inside a pole barn at Paynes Prairie State
Preserve, a wetland basin of marshes, fields, and pasture. Pellets were collected at 1-2
week intervals between 16 January and 1 April, during which time four eggs were laid and
incubated. Pellets were washed and the contents separated using standard methods (Marti
1987). Mammal skulls and dentaries were identified with a taxonomic key (Glass 1973) and
through comparison with specimens in the Florida Museum of Natural History (FMNH)
collection. Bird skeletal material was identified through comparison with FMNH speci-
mens. Presence in the pellets of the left mandible (mammals) or the maxilla (birds) was
used to quantify a single prey individual.
Biomass of rice rats (Oryzomys palustris) and hispid cotton rats (Sigmodon hispidus)
in the diet was estimated by using museum specimens collected from northern Florida;
log-log regressions of body weight as a fimction of left mandible length in the museum
specimens gave predictive equations used to estimate biomass in the pellet samples (see
Morris 1979, Hamilton 1980). Log-log regression for 18 museum specimens of rice rats
yielded a predictive equation of: log weight = -2.936 + 3.923 * log mandible length =
0.76). Log-log regression for 29 museum specimens of cotton rats yielded a predictive
equation of: log weight = -3.180 + 4.063 * mandible length (r^^O.81). Biomass of uncom-
mon prey species was estimated by calculating “average” weights using data from museum
specimens for mammals and standard references for birds (Dunning 1984).
A total of 53 individual prey items was contained in the pellets, representing a mean of
1.47 prey per pellet. The greatest number of prey individuals found in a single pellet was
five. The 53 individual prey items included four mammal species and two bird species. The
most common prey species was the rice rat, accounting for 62.3% of the total prey (Table 1).
Rice rats also accounted for the majority of the biomass in the study (62.3%, Table 1).
Although cotton rats and southeastern short-tailed shrews {Blarina brevicauda) made up
a comparable percentage of the total prey individuals (16.9% and 13.2%, respectively),
cotton rats were far more important in terms of the biomass provided (28.9% versus 1.8%).
Mean prey size, mammals and birds combined, was estimated at 57.3 g.
The Common Barn-Owl diet at Paynes Prairie was dominated by mammalian prey
(94.3% of all prey items), which is typical of the species throughout most of North America
(Marti 1991). Cotton rats are usually the dominant prey of Common Barn-Owls in the
southern part of the conterminous United States (e.g., Baumgartner and Baumgartner
1944, Trost and Hutchison 1963, Hamilton and Neill 1981). However, most southern studies
have been from upland habitats, where rice rats are uncommon or rare (Hamilton and
Whitaker 1979).
12
FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST
Table 1. Composition of 36 Common Barn-owl pellets from Paynes Prairie State Pre-
serve, Florida, January-April 1991.
Species
Number
of
individuals
Percentage
of
individuals
Percentage
of
biomass
Mammals
Oryzomys palustris
33
62.3
62.3
Sigmodon hispidus
9
16.9
28.9
Blarina brevicauda
7
13.2
1.8
Glaucomys volans
1
1.9
2.0
Birds
Porzana Carolina
2
3.8
4.6
Dendroica coronata
1
1.9
0.4
Totals
53
100.0
100.0
In a Louisiana coastal marsh, Jemison and Chabreck (1962) found that rice rats made
up 97.5% of the prey of Common Barn-Owls. Horner et al. (1974) also found that rice rats
were commonly consumed (27.6% of all prey items) by Common Barn-Owls at Paynes
Prairie, but their results indicated that the round-tailed muskrat {Neofiber alleni) was the
most common prey item. In contrast, no round-tailed muskrats were found in pellets in
this study.
The two bird species taken (Table 1) are either common or abundant winter visitors at
Paynes Prairie. Yellow-rumped warblers {Dendroica coronata) frequently forage in flocks
and are readily available at that time of year. Predation on birds by Common Barn-Owls
may be an opportunistic response to either a seasonally abundant, easily captured food
supply or a decrease in the availability of mammals (e.g., Fritzell and Thome 1984).
These data suggest that Common Barn-Owls feed opportunistically on the rodents and
birds available in this wetland habitat. More site-specific data on the seasonal abundance
of small mammals and birds are needed to elucidate the criteria used by the owls in selecting
prey. Additional studies of Common Barn-Owl prey selection from a variety of habitats in
Florida will afford further insight into the food habits of the species in this region.
I thank J. Gillen of the Florida Park Service for granting access to Paynes Prairie after
hours, and S. Webb for helping with pellet collection. I am grateful for the expertise and
assistance given by L. Wilkins and T. Webber, collections managers of Mammalogy and
Ornithology, respectively, at the Florida Museum of Natural History. R. Chandler is
acknowledged for his identification of the warbler specimen. Earlier drafts of the manu-
script were improved by the comments of B. Millsap, D. Holt, D. Johnston, and an anony-
mous reviewer. This note is Florida Agricultural Station Journal Series No. R-03617.
Literature Cited
Baumgartner, A. M., and F. M. Baumgartner. 1944. Hawks and owls in Oklahoma
1939-1942: food habits and population changes. Wilson Bull. 56: 209-215.
Burton, J. A. (ed.). 1984. Owls of the world. Tanager Books, Dover.
Chicardi, E. j., Z. a. Prusak, W. K. Taylor. 1990. Species contents in pellets of the
Bam Owl from a central Florida wetland. Fla. Field Nat. 18: 69-73.
Notes
13
Dunning, J. B., Jr. 1984. Body weights of 686 species of North American birds. Western
Bird Banding Assoc. Monogr. No. 1, Eldon PubL, Cave Creek.
Fritzell, E. K., and D. H. Thorne. 1984. Birds predominate in the winter diet of a
Bam Owl. Wilson Bull. 96: 32D322.
Glass, B. P. 1973. Key to the skulls of North American mammals. 2nd ed. Oklahoma State
Univ., Stillwater.
Hamilton, K. L. 1980. A technique for estimating barn owl prey biomass. J. Raptor Res.
14: 52-55.
Hamilton, K. L., and R. L. Neill. 1981. Food habits and bioenergetics of a pair of
barn owls and owlets. Amer. Midi. Nat. 106: 1-9.
Hamilton, W. J., Jr., and J. 0. Whitaker. 1979. Mammals of the eastern United
States. 2nd ed. Cornell Univ. Press, Ithaca.
Horner, J., R. Wallace, and D. W. Johnston. 1974. Food of the Barn Owl at Gaines-
ville, Florida. Fla. Field Nat. 2: 28-31.
Jemison, E. S., and R. S. Chabreck. 1962. Winter Barn Owl foods in a Louisiana
coastal marsh. Wilson Bull. 74: 95-96.
Marti, C. D. 1987. Raptor food habits studies. Pages 67-80 in Raptor management tech-
niques manual (B. A. Pendleton, B. A. Millsap, K. W. Kline, and D. M. Bird, eds.).
Nat. Wildl. Fed. Tech. Ser. 10, Washington, D.C.
Marti, C. D. 1991. Barn owl. Pages 1-15 in Birds of North America (A. Poole, P. Stet-
tenheim, and F. Gill, eds.) No. 1. Amer. Ornith. Union, Philadelphia.
Morris, P. 1979. Rats in the diet of the Barn owl (Tyto alba). J. Zool, Lond. 189: 540-545.
Trost, C. H., and j. H. Hutchison. 1963. Food of the Bara Owl in Florida. Quart. J.
Fla. Acad. Sci. 26: 382-384.
14
FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST
Fla. Field Nat. 22(1): 14, 1994.
AN EARLY TROPICAL KINGBIRD REPORT FROM FLORIDA, BASED ON CALLS
Dennis R. Paulson
Slater Museum of Natural History
University of Puget Sound, Tacoma, Washington 984.16
In the most recent list of Florida birds (Robertson and Woolfenden 1992), Tropical
Kingbird (Tyrannus melancholicus) is listed as an “unverified straggler,” based on the
difficulty of distinction between it and the Couch’s Kingbird {T. couchii). Although there
are about 25 reports of this “complex” in Florida since 1942, only three individuals have
been identified by vocalizations, all of them couchii. This prompted me to look at my field
notes of the only “Tropical Kingbird” I ever saw in Florida, and I discovered I had written
a description of its call, which to me clearly indicated it as T. melancholicus.
I observed this bird at the Key West cemetery, Monroe County, 15 April 1957, in an
amazing Tyrannus assemblage of 2 Western Kingbirds {T. verticalis), 2 Gray Kingbirds
(T. dominicensis), 2 Eastern Kingbirds {T. tyrannus) and 13 Scissor-tailed Flycatchers {T.
forficatus). My written description (paraphrased) attempted to distinguish it from nearby
Western Kingbirds: bill noticeably larger than that of Western, approaching that of Gray;
throat whiter, back slightly more olive, and yellow slightly richer and extends farther onto
the breast than in Western; tail brownish, notched. I described the call as pit pit pit pit
pit, the tempo reminiscent of a Gray Kingbird but each note with the tone of an Eastern
Kingbird. This is still how I would describe the call of a Tropical Kingbird, very different
from the single tzheer (Smith 1966) or gweer (Kaufman 1983) call of the Couch’s. I have
encountered both species on many occasions in the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico, where
they are common (although rarely together), and discovered the latter species in Belize
(Wood and Paulson 1988) by its vocalizations. The calls of the two species were so different
that I was never in doubt about the identity of calling birds. Smith (1966), in his study of
kingbird vocalizations, considered the two species very different. The only call of the
Couch’s that included repeated sequences of notes was the chatter vocalization, apparently
given only at the nest, and, in the sonagrams in that paper, that call was clearly distinct
from the typical repeated-note call of the Tropical.
I consider this a good example of the value of detailed field notes. I described the call
to differentiate the bird from the only species— Western and Cassin’s {T. vociferans)
kingbirds — ^with which I thought it might be confused, not suspecting my notes would allow
me years later to resolve a much more difficult identification problem.
Literature Cited
Kaufman, K. 1983. in The Audubon Society master guide to binding (J. F. Farrand, Jr.,
ed.). Alfred A. Knopf, New York,
Robertson, W. B., Jr, and G. E. Woolfenden. 1992. Florida bird species: an
annotated list. Florida Omith. Soc., Spec. Publ. No. 6.
Smith, W. J. 1966. Communication and relationships in the genus Tyrannus. Publ. Nuttall
Omith. Club, No. 6.
Wood, D. S., and D. R. Paulson. 1988. The status of Couch’s Kingbird in Belize. J.
Field Omith. 59: 405-407.
15
REVIEW
Fla. Field Nat. 22(1): 15=16, 1994.
Ecology and Conservation of Neotropical Migrant Landbirds.—John M. Hagan III
and David W. Johnston (editors). 1992. Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington. ISBN
1-56098-140-7 (paper, $17.95). 52 papers by 94 authors; 576 pages.— Birders and biologists
have sounded an alarm that many species of migrants once common in favorite birding
spots and research sites seem to have become rarer, or even disappeared, during the last
decade. Much scientific attention is being paid to the population trends and ecology of
long-distance migrants, and the proceedings of a 1989 symposium represents the most
comprehensive compilation of work on the subject. Although some papers may challenge
the non-technical reader, several contributions to this volume provide excellent overview
discussions of Neotropical migrant bird conservation issues. The text is well-supported by
easily understood graphs, tables, and figures.
The book is divided into four sections: Trends in Populations, The Nonbreeding Season,
The Breeding Season, and Hemispheric Perspectives. Analyses of Breeding Bird Survey
data provide the most comprehensive species-by-species reports of long-term (1966-1988)
trends in population levels. Long-term trends are examined by a host of other methods
including Breeding Bird Censuses, point and transect counts, weather radar, and mist-net
captures along migratory routes. Readers should be warned that if they seek consistent
explanations of trends in migrant populations, they should look elsewhere! Several papers
provide contradictory information on population trends for several species. These differ-
ences may simply reflect natural variation of populations in different regions, but also
might be due to differences in statistical and field methodologies used by different scien-
tists. For example, F. James reports that Northern Parala (Parula americana) populations
in the Southeast have increased in the past two decades, whereas J. Sauer and S. Droege
report that eastern U.S. populations have declined significantly during the last ten years
but have not changed over the last two decades as a whole.
A large proportion of the papers seeks evidence for population regulation either on the
breeding grounds (e.g. via nest predation, cowbird parasitism, insect prey abundance, or
weather) or on the nonbreeding grounds (e.g. via habitat destruction). Although most
conservationists have assumed that habitat loss influences neotropical migrants on the
nonbreeding grounds (through tropical forest deforestation), several authors provide com-
pelling evidence that human-induced habitat changes on North American breeding grounds
are also negatively impacting birds. Numerous authors suggest that several migrant
species use second growth or agricultural lands to an equivalent or greater degree than
primary forests on the wintering ground, further complicating the issue. One limitation of
the book is that few papers discuss factors influencing birds on both breeding and wintering
grounds or address their migration ecology.
An interesting (and saddening) introduction to the biological and political issues of
migrant conservation is given by J. Terborgh. G. Hartshorn offers an excellent summary
of the history of tropical deforestation and the land-use options that exist today in the
Neotropics. T. Martin argues convincingly for future research on the basic life history of
the plethora of poorly-known species, rather than focusing simply on census-based popula-
tion trends. While many of the authors attempt to summarize the population trends or
ecology of Neotropical migrants as a ^oup, they often conclude that only species-specific
studies will advance our understanding of this diverse assemblage. Acknowledging that
time and fimding are short, J. Reed and E. Morton separately introduce intriguing ways
of ranking the conservation priorities of migrant species based on natural history features
such as rarity, habitat and diet specialization, and sociality. And if you read only one paper,
I recommend the final chapter. Written by a group of Latin American scientists, it lists
16
FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST
suggestions on how North Americans can facilitate cooperative research in the tropics, and
makes some very pointed and provocative observations about the political and economic
realities of tropical conservation, which may make some North American biologists and
environmentalists squirm. I recommend this book to all professionals and any natural his-
tory aficionados with an interest in the conservation biology of American songbirds.—-
Christine Champe, Department of Wildlife and Range Sciences, 118 Newins-Ziegler Hall,
University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611.
The Florida Ornithological Society
is Proud to Announce Special Publication No. 6
FLORIDA BIRD SPECIES: AN ANNOTATED LIST
by
William B. Robertson, Jr.
Glen E. Woolfenden
The first complete and authoritative review of Florida’s avifauna since
Arthur Howell’s 1932 Florida Bird Life. Treats over 660 species reported in
the state. More than 140 species of non-native exotics. Essential for everyone
interested in the modem status of Florida’s native and introduced birds.
SOFT COVER HARD COVER
FOS Members $14.95 $19.95
Non-members $17.95 $22.95
All orders add $2.00 shipping and handling per book.
Florida residents add 6% sales tax to the total.
Make checks payable to Florida Ornithological Society.
Mail to:
F.O.S. SPECIAL PUBLICATIONS EDITOR
ARCHBOLD BIOLOGICAL STATION
P.O. BOX 2057
LAKE PLACID, FL 33852
17
RECORDS COMMITTEE REPORT
Fla. Field Nat. 22(1): 17-23, 1994.
Tenth Report of the Florida Ornithological Society Records Committee: 1992. — The
Florida Ornithological Society Records Committee (FOSRC) critically reviews all written
sight reports and specimen and/or photographic records (including audio recordings) sub-
mitted to it to determine the validity of these reports. The Committee’s findings are pub-
lished annually in the Florida Field Naturalist. Details for 13 reports were received in
1992; 12 were accepted, and one was not. Two remained in “still under consideration” status
from 1991, awaiting additional documentation and/or discussion (Cuban Emerald, Chloros-
tilbon ricordii, catalog no. 91-228; Brown-chested Martin, Phaeoproqne tapera, catalog no.
91-248). No new species were added to the official Florida list and the total number of
verified species remained at 461 (see Robertson and Woolfenden 1992).
The Committee members and the expiration date of their terms were as follows: Bruce
H. Anderson (1996), Lyn S. Atherton (1995), Jocelyn L. Baker (Secretary; 1993), Wally
George (1992), and William B. Robertson, Jr. (1994).
Following this account is a list of rare and unusual species that the Committee has
deemed sufficiently rare or difficult to identify to suggest FOSRC evaluation (Appendix
1). Any species on this list should be documented by the observer when reported. All
observers are encouraged to submit these reports to the FOSRC, including those intended
for publication in the Florida Field Naturalist, American Birds, or another publication.
While in the field, the observer should write a detailed description of all body parts,
including bill, legs, and feet, noting sizes, shapes and colors. Although a specimen or
photograph and vocal recording are optimal, a drawing/sketch of the bird and vocal descrip-
tions are beneficial. Behavioral traits and the habitat should be detailed. All observations
should be submitted on the standard report form available fi*om the Secretary. In addition
to uniformity, the report form provides the Committee and the observer with a guideline
to those factors used by the FOSRC for its evaluation. Completed forms, with any other
supporting materials, should be submitted to the Secretary.
An accepted report required the unanimous vote of the five Committee members. When
a report is accepted, it gains status on the official Florida state list (Robertson and Wool-
fenden 1992). A species or race new to the state is given fiill status only when its natural
occurrence is probable, and there is a supporting specimen or photograph (and for some
species, audio recording); otherwise, it is given hypothetical status. When a report is not
accepted, it does not necessarily mean that the species or form was not correctly identified.
Sometimes a sighting is too brief or the written account lacks sufficient details to eliminate
all possibilities. The Committee will reconsider a report if additional information is submit-
ted that the Committee believes could alter a previous decision. All documentation is
deposited in the FOS Archives at the Florida Museum of Natural History, Gainesville.
The FOSRC was established in 1981. Published reports of unusual sightings that have
not been submitted to the Committee (either before or since 1981) have been given varying
degrees of scrutiny by the various editors. Recently, Robertson and Woolfenden (1992) and
Stevenson and Anderson (in press) have evaluated many of the more unusual sightings not
evaluated by the Committee. At this time the FOSRC has not made any commitment to
review reports that have not been submitted to it.
Each species that appears in this report is listed according to the AOU (1983) check-list
and its supplements through 1991. The number of published reports (including verifiable
records) through 1992, for each species or race is given after the species name; these
numbers follow Robertson and Woolfenden (1992) unless otherwise stated. Each account
18
FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST
includes the initials of the contributor(s) for accepted reports only, the FOSRC catalog
number for the report, and abbreviations for any supporting materials. Following the
account of each species is a listing of catalog numbers for other reports that have been
considered previously by the FOSRC.
The following are abbreviations used in this report: AB (American Birds); AFN (Audu-
bon Field Notes); FFN (Florida Field Naturalist); FN (Florida Naturalist); NWR (na-
tional wildlife refuge); P (photo); S (specimen); SP (state park); S&A (Stevenson & Ander-
son in press); TTRS (Tall Timbers Research Station); UMRC (Univ. of Miami Research
Collection); V (video). Also, the contributors noted below are identified in the report by
their initials.
The Committee wishes to express its thanks to Walter Kingsley Taylor for his helpful
suggestions with earlier drafts of this manuscript, and to Tom Webber who maintains and
provides access to the FOS Archives at the Florida Museum of Natural History. Con-
tributors to this report are Brooks H. Atherton, Lyn S. Atherton, Michael J. Austin,
James Bangma, James E. Cavanagh, Wally George, Katie Gersher, Christopher B. Go-
guen, Paul I. Holt, Larry Hopkins, Bruce D. Neville, Edward Slaney, Jeff P. Smith, P.
William Smith, and Noel Warner.
Accepted Reports
Pacific Loon, Gavia pacifica: 17 reports, 3 not accepted (S&A). A lone bird in basic
plumage, observed 30 Nov 1991, from the St. George Island Causeway, was the first
accepted report from Franklin Co. (LSA, BHA, LH; 92-253; P,V). A second observation
of this species, at St. George Island SP, on 24 May 1992, also involved a loon in basic
plumage (BDN; 92-261). These observations may have involved different individuals
since the November bird exhibited a distinctive “chin strap,” a character not noted on
the one described in May. The absence of any white markings at the waterline, including
on the flanks, was used to distinguish these loons from the similarly marked Arctic
Loon, G. arctica, a species as yet unconfirmed from the eastern U.S. The sighting of a
Pacific Loon at Siesta Key (Sarasota Co.), 1-8 Jan 1992, was published indicating that
a description was sent to the FOSRC (FFN 29:82), but no details of this report were
received by the Secretary through the date of this writing (previously accepted, 83-048,
84-060, 87-110, 88-160, 90-215; previously not accepted, 90-225).
Brown Pelican, Pelecanus occidentalis: In March 1991, inland and freshwater breeding
in Florida was confirmed when 3 nests were located in an Australian Pine, Casuarina
equisetifolia, on a spoil pile in Lake Okeechobee (Glades Co.); presumably these nests
fledged a total of only one young in July (not two young as reported in FFN 20:25).
Again, in 1992, nesting was observed near the same location; 7 or 8 of the 14 nests had
fledged young (JPS, CBG; 92-260; P). Prior to the 1980s, inland sightings of this species
were irregular and most often involved lone birds; during that decade sightings through-
out the inland Peninsula increased, as did the coastal population of pelicans. By the late
1980s, the Brown Pelican was a year round resident at Lake Okeechobee (FFN 21:29-33;
P).
Ross’ Goose, Chen rossii: 2 records. An adult was described as it was observed resting
on elevated pavement between two ponds, and occasionally flying with the Snow Geese,
C. caerulescens, with which it associated, at the Tram Road sewage treatment facility,
near Tallahassee (Leon Co.), on 10 Dec 1991 (JC, NW; 92-252; P). This was the same
location where the first confirmed Florida report was made on 22 Dec 1987 (88-133). An
earlier report in Jan 1981, in Taylor Co. (AB 35:293), apparently pertained to a small
Snow Goose or a C. rossii x C. caerulescens hybrid (S&A). The vertical feather pattern
noted at the base of the bill of the 1991 bird indicates that this individual was likely not
a hybrid.
Records Committee Report
19
Common Eider, Somateria mollissima: 14 reports, not all have been evaluated (S&A).
First observed 6 Jul 1992, a first-year male remained near the Eau Gallie Causeway
(Brevard Co.; ES; 92-262; P), until 8 Aug when it was reported dead (AB 47 : 84-85);
the report did not indicate whether the carcass was saved. There were two previous
reports for Brevard Co.: 23 Nov 1972 through Aug 1973 {AB 27:46, 28:42 ), and 29 Dec
1984, published without details (AB 39:571). A fourth report for that county was of two
eiders seen at Port Canaveral, from late Nov 1992 through 3 Jan 1993 (AB 47:84-85,
250); details of these observations were not submitted to the FOSRC (previously ac-
cepted, 82-014).
Sabine's Gull, Xema sabini: 15 reports, not all have been evaluated (S&A). One in
alternate plumage was seen east of the Dry Tortugas (Monroe Co.), on 25 Apr 1992
(PIH; 92-264). There are two other reports from the vicinity of the Dry Tortugas: 8
Aug 1978 (FFN 7:28, P), and 27 Apr 1985 (85-081). Two other 1992 reports were pub-
lished, each without details, and neither was submitted to the FOSRC: 22 Aug, near
Yankeetown (Levy Co.), and 28 Nov through early December, Port Canaveral (Brevard
Co.; AB 47:85; previously accepted, 81-007).
Arctic Tern, Sterna paradisaeai 22 reports; not all have been evaluated. One in alternate
plumage was observed about 24 km northeast of the Dry Tortugas (Monroe Co.), on 27
Apr 1992 (PIH; 92-263). There were 4 previous observations for the Keys: near Upper
Matecumbe Key, on 8 May 1977 (AB 31:990), 9 May 1979 (AB 33:763), and 13 May 1991
(91-229), and the Dry Tortugas, on 5 May 1989 (90-211; P). Most spring sightings occur
within a very brief period from late Apr to early May. There was another 1992 report
of this species, published without details, and not submitted to the FOSRC: Cape
Canaveral ( Brevard Co.), on 21 May 1992 (FFN 20:117).
Key West Quail-Dove, Geotrygon chrysia: about 15 reports since extirpated as a resi-
dent at Key West during the mid-to-late 1800s; not all have been evaluated (S&A). One
found at Hugh Taylor SP (Broward Co.), on 12 April 1992 (WG; 92-258), was last seen
on 17 May 1992 (AB 46:414;P). Two other 1992 reports (both from Palm Beach Co.)
were published without details, and neither was submitted to the FOSRC: Fla. Atlantic
University, in April (FFN 20:117), and Boca Raton, 15-16 May (AB 46:414). There were
two previous reports for Broward Co., and one for Palm Beach Co.: Ft. Lauderdale,
on 17 Feb 1966 (S, UMRC 7467); Hillsboro Beach, on 19 Oct 1964 (FN 38:65); and Lake
Worth, in spring 1966 (FN 39:154; P; previously accepted, 87-114, 90-207, 91-246).
Myiodynastes species: 2 reports; however until a specimen, recognizable photograph, or
vocal recording is obtained, this genus remains in hypothetical status. A bird believed
to be either a Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher, M. luteiventris or a Streaked Flycatcher, M.
maculatus was observed at St. Marks NWR (Wakulla Co.), on 12 Oct 1991; two obser-
vers, each having previous field experience with both species, were unable to agree as
to the bird’s specific identification (NW, BDN; 92-256). Although the descriptions accord
well with a member of this genus, the details are inconclusive for an identification to
species by the Committee. The only previous report was an observation made on the
Upper Arsnicker Keys (Dade Co.), on 26 Oct 1960, of a Myiodynastes species called a
probable Sulphur-bellied (AFN 15:32). This species has been found as close to Florida
as Louisiana, Mississsippi, and Alabama; there is no confirmed sighting of the Streaked
Flycatcher in the U.S.
Cassin’s Kingbird, Tyrannus vociferans: 3 or 4 acceptable reports (S&A).- Two obser-
vers submitted details of presumably the same bird seen near Homestead (Dade Co.),
on 7 and 27 Mar 1992 (PWS, JB; 92-255); this kingbird was last reported on 16 Apr 1992
(AB 46:414), but apparently was never photographed. Another report was published of
a Cassin’s observed near Ft. Walton Beach (Okaloosa Co.), on May 1992 (FFN 20:117).
Although this report was not submitted to the committee, details have been deposited
in the FOS Archives; if correctly identified, could this have been the Homestead bird
returning to the western U.S.? (previously accepted, 85-074, 89-175).
20
FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST
Fork-tailed Flycatcher, Tyrannus savanna: 12 reports, 11 credible (S&A). One
flycatcher described, with a tail “approx. 2” longer than nearby mockingbird,” was
observed at Loxahatchee NWR (Palm Beach Co.), 13-14 Jul 1992; although photos and
a video were purportedly taken, neither was submitted to the committee (KG; 92-259;
the Committee was later notified that the photos did not turn out). A first for Palm
Beach Co., this flycatcher was thoroughly described and all of the field marks necessary
to identify this species were noted; however, the description did not specify whether a
nuchal collar was present. This white collar which separates the black cap from the gray
back is a field mark used to distinguish those migratory South American birds which
more commonly find their way to the U.S., from those that lack this collar and are
largely resident in Mexico and Central America (previously accepted, 83-039, 84-068,
86-191, 90-210).
Stripe-headed Tanager, Spindalis zena: 37 reports ( S&A). A description of a male
tanager, seen in Goulds (Dade Co.), 26 Feb 1992 (MJA; 92-254), undoubted referred to
a bird that was first reported there 3 Jan 1992 (AB 46:256-7, P), and was last observed
at that same location on 3 Mar 1992, (AB 46:415). About 15 reports have come fi*om
Dade Co (previously accepted, 83-043, 83-058, 88-149, 91-221).
Reports Not Accepted
Ruddy Quail-Dove, Geotrygon montana: 8 reports, 5 credible (S&A). A dove, identified
as this species, was observed on Grassy Key (Monroe Co.), on 9 Apr 1992 (92-257). The
Committee did not accept this report due to the incomplete description of the bird, and
the descriptions of the habitat and behavior, neither of which is typical of this species.
All credible reports of this species have come from the Keys; the last was at the Dry
Tortugas, on 15 Dec 1977 (TTRS P-168-9; previously not accepted, 90-213).
Literature Cited
American Ornithologists’ Union. 1983. Check-list of North American birds. 6th ed.
Am. Ornithol. Union, Washington, D.C.
Robertson, W. B., Jr., and G. E. Woolfenden. 1992. Florida bird species: an anno-
tated list. Fla. Ornithol. Soc. Special Publ. No. 6.
Stevenson, H. M., and B. H. Anderson. In press. The birdlife of Florida. Univ. Press
of Florida, Gainesville.
FOS Records Committee report prepared by: Bruce H. Anderson (Secretary), 2917
Scarlet Road, Winter Park, Florida 32792; and Jocelyn L. Baker (former Secretary), 861
North Surf Road, #302, Hollywood, Florida 33019. Other committee members include:
Lyn S. Atherton, 1100 Pinellas Bayway 1-3, Tierra Verde, Florida 33716; Wally George,
520 NE 20th Street, #106, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida 33305; and William B. Robertson, Jr.,
South Florida Research Center, Everglades National Park, Box 279, Homestead, Florida
33030.
Records Committee Report
21
Appendix 1
List of Species to be Reviewed by the
Florida Ornithological Society Records Committee
The following is a list of species that should be documented when seen, and a report
submitted to the FOSRC for review. These species are rare or irregular (e.g., Least Grebe,
Bananaquit), difficult to identify or not easily separated from other more regularly occur-
ring species (e.g., female-plumaged Black-chinned and Ruby-throated hummingbirds; Manx
and Audubon’s shearwaters), or inadequately documented in the past so that the actual
status is poorly understood (e.g., Common Merganser). All of these species appear in the
main list of verified species for Florida in Robertson and Woolfenden (1992). In addition,
documentation should be submitted to the Committee for any species observed in Florida,
believed to have occurred naturally, but not listed in the main list of that publication.
Least Grebe, Tachybaptus dominicus
Western Grebe, Aechmophorus occidentalis
Yellow-nosed Albatross, Diomedea chlororhynchos
Black-capped Petrel, Pterodroma hasitata
Manx Shearwater, Puffinus puffinus
Band-rumped Storm-Petrel, Oceanodroma castro
Red-billed Tropicbird, Phaethon aethereus
Red-footed Booby, Sula sula
Scarlet Ibis, Eudocimus ruber
White-faced Ibis, Plegadis chihi
Ross’ Goose, Chen rossii
White-cheeked Pintail, Anas bahamensis
King Eider, Somateria spectabilis
Common Merganser, Mergus merganser
Masked Duck, Oxyura dominica
Northern Goshawk, Accipiter gentilis
Ferruginous Hawk, Buteo regalis
Whooping Crane, Grus americana
Mountain Plover, Charadrius montanus
Black-tailed Godwit, Limosa limosa
Bar-tailed Godwit, Limosa lapponica
Surfbird, Aphriza virgata
Sharp-tailed Sandpiper, Calidris acuminata
Curlew Sandpiper, Calidris ferruginea
Long-tailed Jaeger, Stercorarius longicaudus
Little Gull, Lams minutus
Common Black-headed Gull, Lams rudibundus
Band-tailed Gull, Larus belcheri
Thayer’s Gull, Lams thayeri
Iceland Gull, Lams glaucoides
Sabine’s Gull, Xema sabini
Razorbill, Alca torda
Marbled Murrelet, Brachyramphus marmoratus
Atlantic Puffin, Fratercula arctica
Scaly-naped Pigeon, Columba squamosa
Band-tailed Pigeon, Columba fasciata
22
FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST
Appendix 1 (continued)
Zen AID A Dove, Zenaida aurita
Key West Quail-Dove, Geotrygon chrysia
Ruddy Quail-Dove, Geotrygon montana
Flammulated Owl, Otus flammeolus
Long-eared Owl, Asia otus
Northern Saw-whet Owl, Aegolius acadicus
Lesser Nighthawk, Chordeiles acutipennis
White-collared Swift, Streptoprocne zonaris
Antillean Palm Swift, Tachomis phoenicobia
Buff-bellied Hummingbird, Amazilia yucatanensis
Bahama Woodstar, Calliphlox evelynae
Black-chinned Hummingbird, Archilochus colubris
Anna’s Hummingbird, Calypte anna
Calliope Hummingbird, Stellula calliope
Rufous Hummingbird, Selasphorus rufus
Golden-fronted Woodpecker, Melanerpes aurifrons
Ivory-billed Woodpecker, Campephilus principalis
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher, Empidonax flaviventris
Alder Flycatcher, Empidonax alnorum
Willow Flycatcher, Empidonax traillii
Black Phoebe, Sayomis nigricans
Say’s Phoebe, Sayomis say a
Ash-throated Flycatcher, Myiarchus cinerascens
La Sacra’s Flycatcher, Myiarchus sagrae
Variegated Flycatcher, Empidonomus varius
Cassin’s Kingbird, Tyrannus vociferans
Loggerhead Kingbird, Tyrannus caudifasciatus
Fork-tailed Flycatcher, Tyrannus savana
Horned Lark, Eremophila alpestris
Cuban Martin, Progne cryptoleuca
Southern Martin, Progne elegans
Bahama Swallow, Tachycineta cyaneoviridis
Rock Wren, Salpinctes ohsoletus
Bewick’s Wren, Thryomanes bewickii
Northern Wheatear, Oenanthe oenanthe
Varied Thrush, Ixoreus naevius
Bahama Mockingbird, Mimus gundlachii
Sage Thrasher, Oreoscoptes montanus
Curve-billed Thrasher, Toxostoma curvirostre
Sprague’s Pipit, Anthus spragueii
Thick-billed Vireo, Vireo crassirostris
Bell’s Vireo, Vireo bellii
Warbling Vireo, Vireo gilvus
Yellow-green Vireo, Vireo flavoviridis
Bachman’s Warbler, Vermivora bachmanii
Townsend’s Warbler, Dendroica townsendi
Golden-cheeked Warbler, Dendroica chrysoparia
Kirtland’s Warbler, Dendroica kirtlandii
Bananaquit, Coereba flaveola
Records Committee Report
23
Appendix 1 (continued)
Lazuli Bunting, Passerina amoena
Green-tailed Towhee, Pipilo chlorurus
Yellow-faced Grassquit, Tiaris olivacea
Black-faced Grassquit, Tiaris bicolor
Black-throated Sparrow, Amphispiza bilineata
Lark Bunting, Calamospiza melanocorys
Golden-crowned Sparrow, Zonotrichia atricapilla
Harris’ Sparrow, Zonotrichia guerula
Lapland Longspur, Calcarius lapponicus
Chestnut-collared Longspur, Calcarius omatus
Tawny-shouldered Blackbird, Agelaius humeralis
Western Meadowlark, Stumella neglecta
Red Crossbill, Loxin curvirostra
FIELD OBSERVATIONS
Fla. Field Nat. 22(1): 23-28, 1994.
Summer Report: June - July 1993. — The observations listed here are based on rare or
unusual species or significant numbers of birds as reported to the Florida Ornithological
Society (FOS) Field Observations Committee (FOC). As these reports are not formally
reviewed prior to publication, they may be considered tentative.
Reports of rare or unusual species or significant numbers of birds are welcomed for
inclusion in fiiture issues of this section. Reports should be listed in the following format:
the species name; the number of individuals seen; the age and sex of the bird(s) if deter-
mined (too often, this information is lacking in species that can be easily aged and/or sexed);
the color morph (not “phase”) if applicable; the location (including county); the date; the
observer(s); and the significance of the report, if not obvious. Observers should send details
of extremely rare species to the FOS Records Committee (FOSRC), c/o Bruce Anderson,
Secretary, 2917 Scarlet Road, Winter Park, Florida 32792. A photocopy of all rarity forms
submitted to the FOSRC also should be forwarded to the State Compiler of this report.
Reporting periods for the FOC report are winter (December-February), spring (March-
May), summer (June-July), and fall ( August-No vember). The deadline for the submission
of reports to regional compilers, whose names and addresses appear at the end of this
report, is two weeks after the close of each period. Observers living in the western Panhan-
dle and southern Florida, areas without regional compilers, may send their reports directly
to the State Compiler within one month after the close of the period. Lengthy reports
should be submitted on computer disk in a WordPerfect or ASCII file using the format
listed above.
Following the examples set by Florida Bird Species: An Annotated List (Robertson
and Woolfenden 1992, FOS Spec. Pub. No. 6) and The Birdlife of Florida (Stevenson and
Anderson in press), observations based solely on sightings are considered “reports,” while
only those supported by verifiable evidence (photographs, video or audio tapes, or speci-
mens) are called “records.”
24
FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST
Abbreviations used in the accounts are: CBC = Christmas Bird Count; CP = county
park; NWR = national wildlife refuge; NS = national seashore; SP = state park; SPR =
state preserve; SR A = state recreation area; and N, S, E, W, etc. for compass directions.
A county designation accompanies the first-time listing of each location; further listings of
the same location lack the county name.
For their assistance with this report, the State Compiler thanks the following: Rich
Paul and Ann Schnapf, the summer editors for American Birds; Bruce Anderson for sup-
plying information from the forthcoming The Birdlife of Florida; and Peter Merritt and
Glen Woolfenden for helpful suggestions. This report includes a few late-arriving spring
sightings.
Summary of the Summer Season
Weather conditions this summer were hot and abnormally dry, but much standing
water remained from the stormy spring season. Rich Paul wrote that the weather was
responsible for colonial wading birds having their most successful season in the Tampa Bay
area in a decade.
The ninth breeding report for Ruddy Duck was established in Hillsborough County in
May. Harry Robinson’s ocean watches from Cape Canaveral National Seashore continue
to indicate that observations of pelagic species from the shore are regular events on days
with strong NE winds. This May and June, Harry observed four shearwater and three
storm-petrel species. Brown and Red-footed boobies, and an Arctic Tern, all from shore!
The genus Catharacta was verified for the state in June, when a South Polar Skua was
found in Brevard County. A Fork-tailed Flycatcher was observed for one day only (as is
typical) in Highlands County, and a male Bahama Mockingbird summered on Key West for
the third consecutive year.
Species Accounts
Common Loon: 1 in the Halifax River in Daytona Beach (Volusia) 2 June (J. Dozier); 2
in St. Marks NWR (Wakulla) 9 July (J. and L. Epler).
Pied-billed Grebe: 80 in Polk phosphate mines 27 June was a high local count (P.
Fellers).
Cory’s Shearwater: 62 at Cape Canaveral NS (Volusia) 16 June, and 2 there 18 June
(H. Robinson).
Greater Shearwater: 20 at Cape Canaveral NS 16 June, and 3 there 18 June (H.
Robinson); over 70 beached birds were recovered from Brevard to Palm Beach in June
(H. Kale, specimens to various collections).
Sooty Shearwater: 1 at Cape Canaveral NS 28 May (H. Robinson).
Audubon’s Shearwater: 1 at Cape Canaveral NS 16 June (H. Robinson).
WILSON’S Storm-Petrel: 1 at Cape Canaveral NS 28 May, and 47 there 18 June (H.
Robinson).
Leach’s Storm-Petrel: 1 at Cape Canaveral NS 16 June, and 10 there 18 June (H.
Robinson).
Band-rumped Storm-Petrel: 1 at Cape Canaveral NS 16 June (H. Robinson).
Brown Booby: 1 adult at Cape Canaveral NS 19 June (H. Robinson).
Red-footed Booby: 1 immature at Cape Canaveral NS 16 June (H. Robinson).
Northern Gannet: numerous birds at Cape Canaveral NS 16 June (H. Robinson).
American White Pelican: 40 in Capri Pass (Collier) 5 June was the first local summer
report of more than 1 bird (T. Below); 13-16 birds at Mayport 25-27 June (B. Richter,
J. Wheat) were the first summer report for Duval.
Field Observations
25
Brown Pelican: the 1993 breeding survey tallied 8866 pairs statewide, about 5% less
than last year (S. Nesbitt).
Magnificent Frigatebird: 1 immature at Matanzas Inlet (St. Johns) 31 May (D. King),
and 2 over Nassau Sound (Nassau) 4 June (E. Colborn) were unusual NE Florida
reports.
Reddish Egret: about 45 pairs nested in the Tampa Bay area (Pinellas and Hillsborough)
this year, fewer than expected (R. Paul).
White Ibis: 8000 nesting pairs in the Tampa Bay area (R. Paul, A. Schnapf); 1700 pairs
on Merritt Island (Brevard) (B. Smith, D. Breininger).
Glossy Ibis: 4 pairs nested in St. Marks NWR 3 July (R. Gidden).
Roseate Spoonbill: a “record” number of 106 pairs nested in Tampa Bay (R. Paul, A.
Schnapf); 14 pairs nested in Merritt Island NWR (B. Smith, D. Breininger); up to 6 at
Dundee (Polk) throughout July (P. Fellers, S. Futch); 1 over Paynes Prairie (Alachua)
16 July (M. Manetz) was locally rare.
Wood Stork: 4400 nesting pairs in 29 colonies were counted statewide (J. Rodgers).
Blue-winged Teal: 8 (1 male and 7 “females”) in Orlando Wilderness Park (Orange)
throughout the season (D. Simpson). It is not known if this represented a rare breeding
report.
Northern Shoveler: 1 in a Polk mine 27 June (P. Fellers) was the latest “spring”
report (fide B. Anderson).
Lesser Scaup: 4 (3 males, 1 female) at Holiday Island sewage treatment plant (Okaloosa)
4 June (D. Ware).
Surf Scoter: 1 off Alligator Point (Franklin) 28 July (G. Fishman, R. Gidden).
Ruddy Duck: 1 female with 7 young in a Hillsborough Bay (Hillsborough) impoundment
4 May (R. Paul, A. Schnapf, M. Lopez); 1 pair at Holiday Island 17 June (D. Ware) was
only the second published Panhandle report; 2 males in ^olk mines 27 June (P. Fellers).
American Swallow-tailed Kite: 9 in one tree W of Palmdale (Glades) 20 June (B.
Pranty).
Black-shouldered Kite: 1 adult in E Highlands 23 June (D. Stotz), an area of frequent
recent reports.
Snail Kite: 202 nests were located in Lake Okeechobee and the Kissimmee River basin,
an increase over last year (J. Rodgers).
Bald Eagle: 667 nesting territories were counted statewide in 1992-1993, continuing the
upward trend of recent years (S. Nesbitt); 1 adult near Niceville (Okaloosa) 16 July (F.
Cull) was locally unusual.
Cooper‘s Hawk: B. Millsap found about a dozen nests in various parts of N Florida, and
reports that most successfully fledged 2-3 birds; 1 male carrying a biid about 4 miles (7
km) S of St. Cloud (Osceola) 17 June (B. Pranty); 1 male on SR 74 (Glades) 4 miles (7
km) E of the Charlotte line 20 June (B. Pranty); 1 pair successfully bred in Lake WaL^s
(Polk) 26 June (D. Struthers).
Short-tailed Hawk: at least 1 dark-morph adult observed on four occasions in Brooker
Creek Preserve (Pinellas) this summer (D. Sumpter, H. Mushinsky).
American Kestrel: 1 juvenile in Fort DeSoto CP (Pinellas) 4 July (A. and R. Smith)
was rare there, but did not fledge locally.
Black Rail: 1 heard at Paynes Prairie 10 July (R. Rowan).
Snowy Plover: 1 pair with 2 young on Sanibel Island (Lee) 13-14 June (D. Stotz, F.
Muraski); 2 pairs bred on Shell Key (Pinellas), the first local breeding report in many
years (P. Blair et al.).
Piping Plover: 1 on Dog Island (Franklin) 11 July (D. Evered, L. Messick) and 16 on
Three Rooker Bar (Pinellas) 20 July (R. Paul, A. Schnapf) were the first fall reports.
Black-necked Stilt: 18 at the Fort Walton sewage treament plant (Okaloosa) 16 July
(D. Ware) and 16 in St. Marks NWR 28 July (J. Cox, K. NeSmith) were good Panhandle
counts.
26
FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST
American Avocet: 8 in Polk mines 27 June (P. Fellers).
Solitary Sandpiper: 1 at the Orlando sewage treatment plant (Orange) 23 July (B.
Payne, P. Van Thiel).
Willet: 400 on Shell Key 15 July (P. Blair); 1 over Lake Lochloosa (Alachua) 27 July (R.
Rowan) was a rarity there.
Spotted Sandpiper: 1 at the Orlando sewage treatment plant 23 July (B. Payne, P. Van
Thiel).
Whimbrel: 1 at Alafia Banks (Hillsborough) 3 July (A. Schnapf).
Long-billed Curlew: 1 at Alafia Banks 3 July (A. Schnapf); 1 at Fort Myers Beach
(Lee) 25 July (N. Pettis).
Marbled Godwit: 40 in Hillsborough Bay 5 July (R. Paul).
Red Knot: 200 on Shell Key 15 July (R. Smith, P. Blair).
White-rumped Sandpiper: 1 on Dog Island 6 June and 18-22 July (D. Evered, L.
Messick),
Pectoral Sandpiper: 1 on Dog Island 18 July (D. Evered, L. Messick).
Wilson’s Phalarope: 7 near Gibsonton (Hillsborough) 21 July were locally rare (R.
Paul); 1 in St. Vincent NWR (Franklin) 22 July (T. Lewis).
South Polar Skua: 1 found on AlA 5 miles (8 km) S of Melbourne (Brevard) 17 June
(D. Wilson, photos and videos by B. Atherton, to FOSRC) is the first record for Florida,
and only the second summer report (fide B. Anderson).
Laughing Gull: 4000 pairs nested on Three Rooker Bar (R. Paul, A. Schnapf); 700 pairs
at Alafia Banks (R. Paul); 150 on Shell Key (P. Blair); 15 nests on St. George Island
causeway (Franklin) 1 June (J. Gore, E. Egensteiner, H. Smith).
Ring-billed Gull: 7 on Marco Island (Collier) 16 July is the first local summer report
(T. Below, W. Burkett).
Great Black-backed Gull: 2 birds summered on Shell Key (P. Blair et al); 1 adult
on Melbourne Beach (Brevard) 3 July (B. Payne, L. Atherton).
Gull-billed Tern: 3 pairs nested on the St, George Island causeway 1 June (J. Gore,
E. Egensteiner, H. Smith).
Royal Tern: 2100 nesting pairs were counted at Passage Key NWR (Manatee) 19 May,
a decrease of about 20% fl"om recent years (R. Paul, A. Schnapf); 139 nests on Lanark
Reef (Franklin) 1 June (J. Gore E. Egensteiner, H. Smith); 65 pairs on Three Rooker
Bar 20 July (R. Paul, A. Schnapf); 2 birds inland at Newnans Lake (Alachua) 9 July
(R. Rowan) were locally rare.
Sandwich Tern: only 2 breeding colonies with a total of 190 pairs were located this year;
both were in Tampa Bay (Hillsborough and Manatee) (R. Paul, A. Schnapf).
Common Tern: 200 (mostly juveniles) on Marco Island “for most of the period” was a
locally high number (T. Below, W. Burkett); 230 (only 3 adults) on Dog Island 18 July
(D. Evered, L. Messick).
Arctic Tern: 1 in first-summer plumage at Cape Canaveral NS 28 May (H. Robinson).
Least Tern: over 100 nests at Fort Matanzas National Monument (St. Johns), only minor
success at other coastal areas in NE Florida (fide P. Powell); 13 pairs fledged 11 young
from an artificial platform in St. Marks NWR (R. Gidden, R. Will).
Black Tern: 1 at Melbourne Beach 3 July (L. Atherton, B. Payne).
Black Skimmer: at 25 sites statewide, 1800 nesting pairs were estimated this year, with
over half the birds in the Tampa Bay area (J. Gore, J. Ho vis, R. Paul et al.); 184 birds
at Polk mines 24 June (P. Fellers).
Eurasian Collared-Dove: 6 near Bell (Gilchrist) 6 June (J. Cox).
Ringed Turtle-Dove: 1 pair released four years ago in the Oldtown area of Fernandina
Beach (Nassau) has increased to 15 birds (E. Colborn).
Chestnut-fronted Macaw: 1 in St. Petersburg throughout the period (R. Smith) is
the first Pinellas report.
Field Observations
27
Blue-crowned Parakeet: 2 seen regularly in St. Petersburg (R. Smith).
Belted Kingfisher: 1 “wintering” on Wentley Key {Monroe) 28 July (W. Hoffman).
Hairy Woodpecker: of 2 nests in Archbold Biological Station (Highlands), one fledged
4 young by 8 May, and the other fledged 1 young 12 June (B. Pranty).
Acadian Flycatcher: 2 in the Seminole State Forest (Lake) 12 June were probably
breeders (L. Malo).
Gray Kingbird: 1 pair with 2 juveniles at Mayport 17 July (J. Wheat) represents the
first local breeding report in several years {fide P. Powell).
Fork-tailed Flycatcher: 1 adult on Buck Island Ranch (Highlands) 16 July (J.
Fitzpatrick, L. Cooperband) was the state’s 13th report (fide B. Anderson).
Tree Swallow: 3 in Seminole State Forest 10 July (m. obs.) represent a rare summer
report.
Northern Rough-winged Swallow: 1 in E Highlands 23 June (D. Stotz).
Barn Swallow: 1 late spring migrant at Archbold Biological Station 8 June (R. Mumme);
1 early fall migrant in E Highlands 11 July (D. Stotz).
Scrub Jay; 3 just N of Guana River SP (St. Johns) 27-28 July were the first local report
in several years (fide P. Powell).
Brown-headed Nuthatch; 2 in Archbold Biological Station 7 July (A. Begazo) estab-
lished the first Station report.
House Wren: 2 in Seminole State Forest 2 June (m. obs.) represented only the second
June report (fide B. Anderson).
Blue-GRAY Gnatcatcher: 1 pair with 2 fledglings in Archbold Biological Station 12
June (R. Mumme) provided a locally rare breeding report; first migrants on Plantation
Key (Monroe) were noted 28 July (W. Hoffinan).
Eastern Bluebird: 330 young fledged fi'om 67 (of 105) nest boxes in Avon Park Air
Force Range (Polk) and Lake Arbuckle State Forest (Polk) (C. and D. Ford et al.).
American Robin: 1 in Longwood (Seminole) 23 June (T. Robinson) represents the latest
“spring” report (fide B. Anderson).
Bahama Mockingbird: the male on Key West summered there, and was photographed
feeding a fledgling Northern Mockingbird 17 June (S. Metz, fide R. Paul).
Cedar Waxwing: up to 50 in S Pinellas 9 June (L. Hopkins, R. Smith) tied the latest
“spring” date in Florida (fide B. Anderson).
Black- whiskered Vireo: only 1 bird was heard all this summer in Tampa Bay (Pinellas
and Hillsborough) and Sarasota Bay (Manatee and Sarasota) (R. Paul, A. Schnapf et
ah). Brood parasitism by cowbirds is believed to be the cause. Rich Paul wrote that a
cowbird control program is “urgently needed.” Only 1 vireo was found in Jack Island
SPR (St. Lucie), an area recently invaded by cowbirds (J. Brooks).
Prairie Warbler: only 4 birds on territory in Fort DeSoto CP all summer (R. Smith,
B. Atherton) - cowbird brood parasitism was again blamed; 1 on Dog Island 17 July (D.
Evered, L. Messick).
Cerulean Warbler: 1 near Tallahassee (Leon) 27 July (T. Morrill).
Black-and-white Warbler: 1 in female plumage in Archbold Biological Station 21 July
(A. Begazo) was the first migrant reported.
Swainson’s Warbler: 1 near Callahan (Nassau) 5 June (B. Richter); 4 singing at
Steinhatchee Springs WMA (Lafayette) 1 June (B. Muschlitz, H. Adams), and 1 there
17 July (R. Rowan, M. Manetz).
Northern Waterthrush: 1 in N St. Johns 18 July (P. Powell).
Louisiana Waterthrush: 1 in Orlando Wilderness Park 13 July (D. Simpson).
Blue Grosbeak: 2 males and 1 female on Scarborough Ranch 18 June (C. and D. Ford),
and 1 pair on the SE shore of Lake Istokpoga 23 June-11 July (D. Stotz) continue to
suggest that the species now breeds regularly in Highlands.
28
FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST
Shiny Cowbird: 2 males (1 adult and 1 immature) in St. Marks NWR 10 July (N. Warner)
were the first summer report for Wakulla (fide B. Anderson).
Brown-headed Cowbird: 2 males in Jack Island SPR 14 June (J. Brooks).
House Finch: several at a feeder in Lake City {Columbia) throughout the season (J.
Krummrich).
Errata: Winter 1992-1993 report (Fla. Field Nat. 21 (3):95, 1993): the Black-necked
Stilts reported from the Lower Keys 10 February were actually located N of Key Largo.
We thank Joe Ondrejko for bringing this to our attention.
Winter 1992-1993 report not previously published: Razorbill: 2 specimens were brought
to a St. Augustine {St. Johns) wildlife rehabilitation center. One bird was later released,
but the other, delivered 9 February 1993, died 2 days later (fide H. Kale, specimen to
University of Central Florida, Orlando).
Contributors: Howard Adams, Bruce Anderson, Brooks Atherton, Lyn Atherton,
Alfredo Begazo, Ted Below, Paul Blair, Dave Breininger, Jane Brooks, W. Burkett, Jim
Cox, Ele Colborn, Leslie Cooperband, Fred Cull, Jack Dozier, E. Egensteiner, John Epler,
Linda Epler, Duncan Evered, Paul Fellers, G. Fishman, John Fitzpatrick, Clarice Ford,
Don Ford, S. Futch, Red Gidden, Jeff Gore, Wayne Hoffman, Larry Hopkins, Julie Hovis,
Herb Kale, David King, Jerry Krummrich, Tony Lewis, Manny Lopez, Lome Malo,
Michael Manetz, Lyla Messick, S. Metz, Brian Millsap, Tom Morrill, Ron Mumme, Fran
Muraski, Henry Mushinsky, Barbara Muschlitz, Katy NeSmith, Steve Nesbitt, Rich Paul,
Becky Payne, Neil Pettis, Peggy Powell, Bill Pranty, Bob Richter, Harry Robinson, Ted
Robinson, Jim Rodgers, Rex Rowan, Ann Schnapf, Dave Simpson, Andrea Smith, Becky
Smith, H. Smith, Ron Smith, Doug Stotz, Dana Struthers, Dave Sumpter, P. Van Thiel,
Noel Warner, Don Ware, Jim Wheat, Robin Will, Debbie Wilson.
Report prepared by Bill Pranty, Compiler (Archbold Biological Station, P. 0. Box
2057, Lake Placid, Florida 33852). Other committee members are Linda Cooper (116
Lameraux Road, Winter Haven, Florida 33884), Jim Cox (Florida Game and Fresh Water
Fish Commission, 620 S. Meridian Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1600), and Peggy
Powell (2965 Forest Circle, Jacksonville, Florida 32257).
Florida Field Naturalist
ISSN 0738-999X
PUBLISHED BY THE FLORIDA ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY
Editor: Peter G. Merritt, P.O. Box 1954, Kobe Sound, Florida 33475-1954.
Associate Editor (for bird distribution): Howard P. Langridge, 1421 West Ocean Avenue,
Lantana, Florida 33462.
Associate Editor (for reviews): Reed Bowman, Archbold Biological Station, P.O. Box
2057, Lake Placid, Florida 33852.
Associate Editor (for technical papers): Richard T. Paul, National Audubon Society,
410 Ware Blvd. , Suite 500, Tampa, Florida 33619.
Editor of Special Publications: Glen E. Woolfenden, Archbold Biological Station,
P.O. Box 2057, Lake Placid, Florida 33852.
Editor of the Ornithological Newsletter: Katy NeSmith, Florida Natural Areas Inven-
tory, 1018 Thomasville Road, Suite 200-C, Tallahassee, Florida 32303.
Archives Committee: Walter K. Taylor (Chair), Department of Biological Sciences,
University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida 32816.
Editorial Advisory Board: Stephen A. Nesbitt, Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish
Commission, Wildlife Research Laboratory, 4005 South Main St., Gainesville, Florida
32601.
Field Observations Committee: Bill Pranty (Compiler), Archbold Biological Station,
P.O. Box 2057, Lake Placid, Florida 33852.
Finance Committee: P. William Smith (Chair), P.O. Box 1341, Homestead, Florida
33090.
Nominating Committee: James Cox (Chair), Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Com-
mission, 620 S. Meridian St., Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1600.
Records Committee: Bruce H. Anderson (Secretary), 2917 Scarlet Road, Winter Park,
Florida 32792.
Research Awards Committee: Reed Bowman (Chair), Archbold Biological Station, P.O.
Box 2057, Lake Placid, Florida 33852.
INFORMATION FOR CONTRIBUTORS
The Florida Field Naturalist is a fully refereed journal emphasizing biological field
studies and observations of vertebrates, especially birds, in and near Florida and the nearby
West Indies. It welcomes submission of manuscripts containing new information from these
areas. Please consult recent issues for style and Vol. 18, No. 1 for detailed information.
Submit manuscripts for consideration to the Editor, Peter G. Merritt. Monograph-length
manuscripts may be submitted for consideration to the Editor of Special Publications, Glen
E. Woolfenden. Send books and other materials for review to Associate Editor, Reed
Bowman. For preliminary assistance regarding submission of manuscripts dealing with bird
distribution and rarities contact Associate Editor, Howard P. Langridge. Reports of rare
birds in Florida should also be submitted to the FOS Records Committee Secretary, Bruce
H. Anderson. For preliminary assistance regarding submission of scientific, technical, or
behavioral contributions contact Associate Editor, Richard T. Paul.
Florida Field Naturalist
PUBLISHED BY THE FLORIDA ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY
VoL. 22, No. 1 February 1994 Pages 1-28
CONTENTS
ARTICLE
Perceptions of Gopher Tortoise Burrows Over Time
Henry R. Mushinsky and Laura A. Esman 1-7
NOTES
Vertebrates Associated with Gopher Tortoise
Burrows in Orange County, Florida
Donald M. Kent and Eddie Snell 8-10
Prey Selection of the Common Barn-Owl in a
Northern Florida Wetland
Karl E. Miller 11-13
An Early Tropical Kingbird Report from Florida,
Based on Calls
Dennis R . Paulson 14
REVIEW
Ecology and Conservation of Neotropical Migrant Landbirds
Christine Champe 15-16
RECORDS COMMITTEE REPORT
Tenth Report of the FOS Records Committee
Bruce H, Anderson and Jocelyn L. Baker 17-23
FIELD OBSERVATIONS
Summer Report: March-May 1993
Bill Pranty
23-28
f^R^Florida Field Naturalist
^)£V) PUBLISHED BY THE FLORIDA ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY
Vol. 22, No. 2
May 1994
Pages 29-68
FLORIDA ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY
Founded 1972
Officers
President: Fred E. Lohrer, Archbold Biological Station, RO. Box 2057, Lake Placid,
Florida 33852.
Vice-President: R. Todd Engstrom, Tall Timbers Research Station, Route 1, Box 678.
Tallahassee, Florida 32312.
Secretary: Reed Bowman, Archbold Biological Station. P.O. Box 2057, Lake Placid,
Florida 33852.
Treasurer: Linda Douglas, 3675 1st Ave., N.W., Naples, Florida 33964.
Editor of the Florida Field Naturalist: Peter G. Merritt, P.O. Box 1954, Kobe
Sound, Florida 33475-1954.
Ex Officio: Immediate Past President: Glen E. Woolfenden, Archbold Biological
Station, P.O. Box 2057, Lake Placid, Florida 33852.
Directors, Terms Expiring in 1995
John Douglas, 3675 1st Ave., N.W., Naples, Florida 33964.
James Cox, Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission, 620 S. Meridian St., Tal-
lahassee, Florida 32399-1600.
Directors, Terms Expiring in 1996
Mary C. Davidson, 2747 Forest Mill Lane, Jacksonville, Florida 32257.
Mary Catherine Wheeler, 11700 S.W 104 Ave., Miami, Florida 33176.
Directors, Terms Expiring in 1997
Karen Bearden, 10299 Widswept Place, Boca Raton, Florida 33498.
Ken Meyer, 101 NE 9th Street, Gainesville, Florida 32601.
Honorary Memberships
Samuel A. Grimes 1979, Helen G. Cruickshank 1980; Oliver L. Austin, Jr. 1982;
Pierce Brodkorb 1982; William B. Robertson, Jr. 1992; Glen E. Woolfenden, 1994.
All persons interested in Florida's natural history, particularly its abundant bird life,
are invited to join the Florida Ornithological Society by writing the Treasurer. Annual
membership dues are $15 for individual members (overseas $20), $20 for a family mem-
bership, $10 for students, and $35 for contributing members.
All members receive the Florida Field Naturalist and the newsletter. Subscription
price for institutions and non-members is $20 per year. Back issues ($3.00 per issue) are
available, prepaid, from the Treasurer. Notice of change of address, claims for undeliv-
ered or defective copies of this journal, and requests for information about advertising
and subscriptions should be sent to the Treasurer.
The Florida Field Naturalist is published quarterly (February, May, August, and
November) by the Florida Ornithological Society, It is printed by E. O. Painter Printing
Co., P.O. Box 877, DeLeon Springs, Florida 32130. The permanent address of the Florida
Ornithological Society is Department of Ornithology, Florida Museum of Natural History,
University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611.
This publication is printed on neutral pH paper.
Florida Field Naturalist
PUBLISHED BY THE FLORIDA ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY
Vol. 22, No. 2 May 1994 Pages 29-68
Fla. Field Nat. 22(2): 29-38, 1994.
SNAIL KITE USE OF A DROUGHT-RELATED HABITAT AND
COMMUNAL ROOST IN WEST PALM BEACH, FLORIDA:
1987-1991
Dakren G. Rumboldi and Mary Beth Mihalik^
Solid Waste Authority of Palm Beach County, 7501 North Jog Road,
West Palm Beach, Florida 33412
^Present Address: Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric
Science, Marine Biology and Fisheries, 4600 Rickenbacker Causeway,
Miami, Florida 33149
^Corresponding author
Abstract. —We monitored Snail Kites (Rostrhamus sociabilis plumbeus) at a com-
munal evening roost in West Palm Beach, Florida from 1987 to 1991. Use of the roost
peaked at 212 kites during a drought in 1989. The five-year mean of monthly roost
counts was 30 + 21 birds. Roost size was generally largest from April through Septem-
ber. Kite numbers usually decreased as water levels dropped in the West Palm Beach
Water Catchment Area, a large wetland system adjacent to the roost. Kites often flew in
a westerly direction when departing the roost and were followed by helicopter 18 km
from the roost on foraging forays. Kites nested at the site in 1991 and successfully
fledged 10 young, possibly signaling reestablishment of this area as a nesting colony.
These observations suggest that this roost and the surrounding wetlands are important
resources to kites in years with normal rainfall as well as being a crucial refuge during
drought years.
The Snail Kite (Rostrhamus sociabilis plumbeus) is an endangered
subspecies of hawk found in Florida and Cuba (Sykes 1985). It feeds al-
most exclusively on freshwater apple snails (Pomacea paludosa)
(Beissinger 1988, 1990). In Florida, kites congregate in communal
roosts each evening during the non-breeding season and tend to be no-
madic, moving in response to changes in water levels and prey abun-
dance (Beissinger and Takekawa 1983, Sykes 1985, Takekawa and
Beissinger 1989). During drought years, kites concentrate in areas that
hold water (Sykes 1979, 1983; Beissinger and Takekawa 1983). These
areas have been termed “drought-related habitats” (Beissinger and
Takekawa 1983, Takekawa and Beissinger 1989).
29
30
FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST
It is known that historically Snail Kites have used the West Palm
Beach area for foraging and breeding grounds. Howell (1932) stated
that kites were “reported” to be breeding abundantly within the Loxa-
hatchee Marsh in 1921 (i.e., the Loxahatchee slough; Sykes 1984).
However, a search of the marsh in the spring of 1923 by Howell and H.
W. Brandt failed to reveal a single kite (Howell 1932). From 1927 to
early 1970 no kite sightings were reported for the area (Sykes 1984).
The annual mean number of kites recorded during United States Fish
and Wildlife Service (USFWS) midwinter surveys from 1967 to 1980
was 1.1 birds for the marsh (Sykes 1983). According to Florida Game
and Fresh Water Fish Commission (FGFWFC) midwinter surveys, the
mean number of kites for the area from 1980 to 1985 was 2.8 birds
(Rodgers et al. 1988). /
Then on 12 June 1985, a drought year, 372 kites were discovered in
what was to be the largest communal roost encountered in Florida
(Takekawa and Beissinger 1989). A single nest, the first documented
for this area since the 1920s, was also discovered in June 1985
(Takekawa and Beissinger 1989). This roost was located adjacent to the
West Palm Beach Water Catchment Area (WCA) on property under con-
sideration for development by the Solid Waste Authority (SWA) of Palm
Beach County. Following extensive modifications to the original site de-
velopment plan and substantial mitigation procedures as required by
the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers, the SWA began construction of a
waste-to-energy facility and landfill on this property in 1987. One per-
mit requirement was that the roost be monitored over a 7 year period
to determine long-term use by kites. In this paper we review a portion
of the data from the monitoring program. In particular, we present data
on the use of this communal SWA roost and surrounding drought-re-
lated habitat by kites from 1987 to 1991.
Study Area and Methods
The Snail Kite roost was located on 24 spoil islands in an abandoned 16-ha shell ex-
cavation pit mined in the early 1960s in Palm Beach County, Florida (Lat. 26° 46'N; Long.
80° 08 'W) (Fig. 1). The spoil islands consisted of overburden material and ranged from 5
to 367 m in length, with an average width of 5 m. Islands were separated by 5-6.5 m with
vegetation touching among close islands. The borrow pit was flooded with fresh water to
a depth of 3 m. Dominant vegetation was Brazilian pepper {Schinus terehinthifolius),
Australian pine (Casurina spp.), and Melaleuca {Melaleuca quinquenervia), all non-na-
tive species.
A wading bird roost and rookery, also at this site, was comprised of the following spe-
cies in order of abundance: White Ibis (Eudocimus albus); Cattle Egret {Buhulcus ibis);
Anhinga {Anhinga anhinga); Little Blue Heron {Egretta caerulea); Tricolor Heron {E. tri-
color); Great Egret (Casmerodius albus); Snowy Egret (E, thula); Black-crowned Night-
Heron {Nycticorax nycticorax); Green-backed Heron {Butorides virescens); and Great
Blue Heron {Ardea herodias).
Local features influencing the roost include: 1) the waste-to-energy plant and landfill,
constructed within 0.8 km of the roost and, 2) the WCA, a 44 km^ remnant of the Loxa-
Rumbold and Mihalik • Snail Kite Roost
31
hatchee Slough, a marsh dominated by sawgrass {Cladium jamaicense) and spikerush
(Eleocharis sp.) with scattered low hammocks. The WCAis managed as a water reservoir
by the City of West Palm Beach.
From October 1986 to December 1991, we made 712 hours of visual observations, rep-
resenting over 1280 man-hours. Observations and counts of Snail Kites entering and
leaving the roost were made from four 5-m high observation blinds just outside the roost.
Once a month, kites were counted by four observers for 60 minutes at dawn and at mid-
day. A minimum of one evening count per month was conducted beginning at least 90
minutes prior to sunset and continuing until full darkness. We recorded arrival or depar-
ture time, flight direction, and roost island used by each kite. To avoid double counts, ob-
servers stayed in radio contact with each other. If sightings were ambiguous, they were
categorized as a single sighting if birds had specific time, flight direction, and roost island
in common. Water level data of the WCA were provided by the City of West Palm Beach
Water Utilities.
From February through August each year, all islands were systematically searched
for Snail Kite nests at least once every six weeks. Weekly observations of breeding activ-
ities also were made during this period.
Between year and monthly differences in the maximum number of kites counted at
the roost were tested statistically by the Kruskal- Wallis test. If multisample null hypoth-
eses were rejected, multiple comparisons were performed to determine which pairs of
samples differed (Conover 1980). The relationship between water levels in the WCA and
maximum number of kites roosting each month was evaluated by a Spearman’s rank cor-
relation using the statistical software package SYSTAT (Wilkinson 1989). The frequency
distribution of flight directions used by kites departing and arriving at the roost was
tested for randomness by a G-test for goodness of fit (Sokal and Rohlf 1981). Data are ex-
pressed as the mean + 1 standard deviation. The significance level for all tests was alpha
= 0.05 unless otherwise noted.
Results
Size of the Roost. Snail Kites^ use of the roost was nearly continu-
ous except for the ten week interval from 17 March to 3 June 1987 (Fig.
2). The largest number of kites to use the roost during the study was
212 birds in May 1989. The 5-year mean of the maximum number of
kites each month was 30 ± 21 (AT-OO). When pooled over the 5 year pe-
riod, roost size differed significantly from month to month (T ~ 23.4, 11
df, P < 0.05). Generally, roost size peaked from April through Septem-
ber (45 ± 64; N=S0) and was smallest from October through March (15
± 7; iV-30).
The size of the roost also differed among years (T = 11.31, 4 df, P <
0.05), and while 1989 had two of the highest ranked months in terms of
roost size, 1991 had a higher rank sum than 1989 or any other year (P
< 0.05). No other differences in rankings were found in pairwise com-
parisons of years (P > 0.05). Kites’ use of the roost was not significantly
correlated with water levels in the WCA (rs= “0.12, 1 df, P > 0.05).
WCA Hydroperiod. Because of pumping into the WCA by the City
of West Palm Beach, water levels shown in Fig. 2 do not truly reflect the
severity of a 3-year drought that began in late 1988. The 5-year mean
of monthly minimum water levels was 5.35 ± 0.29 m above mean sea
level (msl) (iV=60). More important was the number of days the WCA
32
FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST
Figure 1. Area map showing regional features in the vicinity of the SWA Snail
Kite roost in West Palm Beach, Florida. Numbers refer to locations identified
in Table 1.
went dry each year (when water levels fall to about 5.18 above msl). The
WCA went dry for 31 days in 1987, 0 days in 1988, 109 days in 1989, 150
days in 1990 and 0 days in 1991.
Flight Directions. Kites arrived and departed from the roost in a
non-random fashion (G = 1202, 7 df, P < 0.001 and G = 776, 7 df, P <
0.001 respectively). They generally returned from and departed to a
westerly direction (Fig. 3).
Foraging Area. Limited information was gathered over the 5-year
period on the foraging areas that the Snail Kites used when roosting at
the SWA site (Table 1). Most sightings were opportunistic and were not
the result of systematic observations. The mean number of kites
sighted during four surveys of the WCA by airboat and two helicopter
searches was 2.8 ±1.8 birds. The average size of the evening roost on or
near the date of those searches was 21.25 ± 10 birds.
Kites were followed by helicopter on two occasions to Ibis Landing,
a golf course development located 7.0 km northwest of the roost, and an
orange grove located 18.5 km away (see Table 1). It required 42 min for
a kite (joined during flight by a second individual) to fly nonstop 18.5
km from the roost directly to the orange grove. Kites did not appear to
be disturbed by the helicopter.
Rumbold and Mihalik • Snail Kite Roost
33
Table 1, Sightings of Snail Kites foraging in the vicinity of the SWA roost over
the 5-year period from 1987 to 1991.
Map
ID No.
Location
Habitat
Distance
(km) from
roost
No. of
sightings
No. of
kites
1
SWA site
borrow pit, marsh
0.7
28
1-5
2
WCA-main
marsh
<5.6
10
1-13
3
WCA-southofSWA
marsh
1.1
3
1-4
4
WCA-north of
Northlake Blvd.
marsh
6.3
1
1
5
Turnpike canal
roadside canal
1.3
52
1-6
6
Turnpike pond
roadside pool
7.0
19
1-2
7
C"51 canal
major canal
11.1
1
1
8
Steeplechase
development
urban canal,
ponds
4.3
1
1
9
Ibis Landing
development
borrow pit, marsh
7.0
1
1
10
Orange grove
agricultural canal
18.5
1
2
11
L-8 Canal near
Corbett WMA
major canal
26.9
1
1
Breeding Activities. Snail Kites did not nest at the SWA roost site
from 1987 to 1990. No nesting activity was observed in 1987, but in
1988, twig carrying was noted on three occasions although no nests
were produced. In 1989 and 1990, numerous courtship and pre-nesting
behaviors were observed (e.g., carrying snails and twigs to the roost, in-
creased vocalizing aerial displays, and birds remained at the roost dur-
ing the day), but no nests were found. In 1991, eleven kite nests had
eggs (mode = 3 eggs, 2.18 ± 0.98) at the SWA roost, and a false start and
an old nest containing snail shells were found in the nearby WCA.
Seven nests fledged at least one chick each (63.6% success rate). One of
the unsuccessful nests (eggs missing) was rebuilt in the same location
either by the same pair or another breeding pair. A total of 10 fledglings
were produced from the eight nests (1.25 ± 0.46 per nest). Nests were
built in Brazilian Pepper {N=l) with one nest found in a Melaleuca
tree.
Discussion
A small number of Snail Kites used the SWA site throughout the
year and continued to forage in the surrounding wetlands over the 5-
34
FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST
year period from 1987 to 1991. However, during the 1989 drought a
maximum of 212 Snail Kites roosted at the SWA site (Fig. 2). This num-
ber represented almost 50% of all the kites counted during the previous
1989 mid-winter annual state-wide survey by FGFWFC (Rodgers
1990). Snail Kites apparently traveled from other areas to this site dur-
ing the drought. Kites also used this same roost during the previous
drought in 1985 (Takekawa and Beissinger 1989).
Continual use of a roost for an extended length of time is unusual
for Snail Kites. Sykes (1985) found that 89% of Snail Kite roosts were
used for 3 years or less before they were abandoned. It is likely that
5 JFMAMJJASOND JFMAMJJASOND JFMAMJ JASOND JFMAMJ JASOND JFMAMJJASOND
MONTHS
Figure 2* Snail Kite use of SWA roost compared to water levels in the West Palm
Beach Water Catchment Area from 1987-1991. Monthly highs are displayed.
Rumbold and Mihalik • Snail Kite Roost
35
changing habitat conditions, particularly dropping water levels associ-
ated with droughts, lead to roost abandonment and kite dispersal from
a particular area (Beissinger and Takekawa 1983, Sykes 1985). Kites
began to disperse from the SWA roost when water levels were drawn
down to levels that exposed the adjacent WCA marsh floor in 1987,
1989 and 1990 (Fig. 2).
The exact locations of the Snail Kites’ foraging areas when roosting
at this site are not known. The westerly flight pattern of most kites
(Fig. 3) is not surprising in view of the lack of good habitat to the east
near the cities of Riviera Beach and West Palm Beach. The most obvi-
ous area for the kites to forage is the nearby WCA, which is directly
west of the roost. However, several observations suggest that kites do
not rely solely on the available habitat within the WCA. First, low num-
bers of kites were observed during midday surveys of the WCA, even
when large numbers of kites roosted at the nearby roost. Second, large
numbers of kites roosted on this site long after the WCA and adjacent
small wetlands went dry. For example, 47 kites roosted at the SWA site
during a 34-day dry down in 1989 and 20 kites remained for six months
of dry down in 1990. Finally, the large number of kites that were
present in 1985 and 1989 (372 and 212, respectively) probably had to
forage over an area considerably larger than the WCA to find sufficient
food.
Snail Kites have been followed in a westerly direction a distance of
18.5 km from this roost. Kites have also been sighted some 9.3 - 18.5 km
further west at the J. W Corbett Wildlife Management Area and adja-
NW (13.0)
N (12.9)
W (12.9)
SW (22.2)
NE (2.3)
E (1.2)
SE (6.6)
NW (19.6)
N (12.2)
W (22.2)
SW (25.8)
S (13.3)
DUSK
(n=2020)
DAWN
(n=1416)
Figure 3. Flight directions and percent of Snail Kites departing roost at dawn
and arriving at dusk during 1987-1991.
36
FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST
cent property (Laura Richards, pers. comm.). Although we do not know
if these birds came from the SWA roost, these observations suggest that
kites may forage up to 37 km from this roost. Foraging areas include
natural wetlands, borrow pits, storm water retention ponds within ur-
ban developments, and agricultural and roadside canals (Beissinger
and Takekawa 1983, Takekawa and Beissinger 1989). Additional infor-
mation on the foraging sites used by the kites while in this vicinity is
needed. Incremental losses or degradation of the isolated wetlands may
drastically affect the carrying capacity of the area.
Ultimately, apple snail abundance and availability, as well as the
distance from the roost to foraging areas, may be the significant factors
that influence kite use or abandonment of a roost. Even if the WCA was
not the kites’ sole foraging area, its changing water levels undoubtedly
were a source of some of the variability in kite use of the SWA roost.
However, numbers of roosting kites were not correlated with water lev-
els in the WCA. This suggests that by itself water level in the WCA is
not a good predictor of kite use of the SWA site. This is not surprising
because snail abundance depends not only on water levels at a given
moment but also on the recent hydroperiod of the area, including the
frequency and duration of recent dry downs, as well as other factors. Ap-
ple snails are usually abundant only in areas that have been continu-
ously wet for several years (Sykes, 1983).
The number of kites residing at the SWA site was strongly depen-
dent on conditions elsewhere in Florida and seasonality. The large
numbers of kites present at this roost coincided with times of low water
in the Everglades Water Conservation Area-3 A (WCA-3A) (Dade and
Broward Co.) and at Lake Okeechobee in 1985 and 1989 (Takekawa
and Beissinger 1989). Conversely, in 1987 when conditions in WCA-3A
permitted nesting (Bennetts et al. 1989), the kite population did not in-
crease at the SWA roost until mid-to-late summer (Fig. 2). This pattern
of increase in SWA roost size in mid-to-late summer was typical for
most years with normal rainfall, and may be part of a regular pattern
of dispersal from southern Florida to the east coast corridor which fol-
lows the breeding season (Beissinger and Takekawa 1983).
Snail Kites successfully nested at the SWA roost in 1991, possibly
indicating a reestablishment of this area as a nesting site. According to
the FGFWFC 1991 Summer Breeding Snail Kite Survey, the number of
nests located at this site represented 3.4% of the state-wide nesting
population and was the southern most site that kites nested in Florida
(Rodgers 1991). The production of 1.25 young per successful kite nest at
the SWA site is low when compared to the average of 2 young per suc-
cessful nest documented by Synder et al. (1991) on Lake Okeechobee
and in WCA-3A. The cause of the relatively low number of offspring per
Rumbold and Mihalik • Snail Kite Roost
37
nest is unknown. However, it could indicate an inability to feed young
due to low food resources in the area (S. Beissinger, pers. comm.).
In conclusion, the SWA roost is a droughhrelated habitat that is
not only crucial to the kites in low water years, but with its associated
wetlands it is also important in years with normal rainfall. This is ev-
idenced by a resident kite population, even in wet years, and the suc-
cessful nesting that occurred in 1991. The WCA appears to provide very
important habitat for this kite population. Takekawa and Beissinger
(1989) have recommended that the WCA be declared a kite sanctuary.
This recommendation seems logical and necessary for the long term
protection of kites in this portion of their range. The hydroperiod in the
WCA should be managed to assure adequate foraging habitat for kites
during droughts. Coordination between the South Florida Water Man-
agement District and the City of West Palm Beach is necessary to en-
sure that the WCA remains wet during times of drought and provides
adequate foraging opportunities for kites.
Acknowledgments
We wish to thank all those who participated in the monitoring program: Richard Sta-
tom, Ken Berg, Fred Bothe, Donna Deis, Greg Isphording, Amanda Krupa, Rusty Kestle,
Chris Koch, Karen Larson, Daryl Moore, Chris Peretta, Jim Tanner, Albert Vazquez. We
would like to thank in particular Dr. Marc Bruner for his assistance and reviewing the
manuscript. Special thanks to Steve Krupa and Jimmy Kramp for information used in
producing the map of southern Florida, to George Hurley for supplying us with the wa-
ter level data of the WCA, and to Erik Olson for access into the WCA. We are grateful to
Jim Rodgers, Jr. and Tim Regan for comments and assistance in surveying the WCA
over the years. Finally, we would like to thank Paul W. Sykes, Jr., Steven R, Beissinger,
and an anonymous reviewer for their comments.
Literature Cited
Beissinger, S. R. 1990. Alternative foods of a diet specialist, the Snail Kite. Auk
107:327-333.
Beissinger, S. R, 1988. The Snail Kite. Pages 148-165 in Handbook of North American
birds, Vol. 4 (R. S. Palmer, ed.). Yale University Press, New Haven.
Beissinger, S. R., and J. K, Takekawa. 1983. Habitat use by and dispersal of Snail
Bates in Florida during drought conditions. Fla. Field Nat. 11:89-106.
Bennetts, R. E., M. W. Collopy, and S. R. Beissinger. 1989. Nesting ecology of Snail
Kites in Water Conservation Area 3A. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, South Florida
Water Manage. Dist., Florida Coop. Fish and Wild. Research Unit. Report No. 09/
8930005.
Conover, W. J. 1980. Practical nonparametric statistics, 2nd ed. John Wiley and Sons,
New York.
Howell, A. H. 1932. Florida Bird Life. Coward-McCann, Inc., New York.
Rodgers, J. A., Jr., S. T. Schwikert, and A. S. Wenner. 1988. The Status of the Snail
Kite in central and south Florida: 1981-1985. Am. Birds 42:30-35.
38
FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST
Rodgers, J. A., Jr 1990. Annual Snail Kite survey and habitat assessment. Florida
Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission Report No. 7520, Gainesville.
Rodgers, J. A., Jr. 1991. Annual Snail Kite survey and habitat assessment. Florida
Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission Report No. 7520"E1-II~H4, Gainesville.
SOKAL, R. R., AND F. J. Rohlf. 1981. Biometry. W. H. Freeman and Co., New York.
Sykes, R W, Jr. 1979. Status of the Everglades Kite in Florida— 1968-1978. Wilson
Bull. 91:495-511.
Sykes, P. W, Jr. 1983. Recent population trend of the Snail Kite in Florida and its rela-
tionship to water levels. J. Field Ornithol. 54:237-246.
Sykes, P. W, Jr. 1984. The range of the Snail Kite and its history in Florida. Bull. Flor-
ida State Mus. 29:214-264.
Sykes, R W, Jr. 1985. Evening roosts of the Snail Kite in Florida. Wilson Bull. 97:57-70.
Synder, N. F. R., S. R. Beissinger, and R. E. Chandler. 1991. Reproductive and demog-
raphy of the Florida Everglade (Snail) Kite. Condor 91:300-316.
Takekawa, j. E., and S. R. Beissinger 1989. Cyclic drought, dispersal, and the conser-
vation of the Snail Kite in Florida: lessons in critical habitat. Conserv. Biol. 3:302-
311.
Wilkinson, L. 1989. Systat: the system for statistics. Systat, Inc., Evanston.
FLORIDA ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY
SPECIAL PUBLICATIONS
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can Birds Volumes 1-30 1947-1976, by Margaret C. Bowman. 1978. Florida Orni-
thological Society, Special Publication No. 1. Price $4.00.
The Carolina Parakeet in Florida, by Daniel McKinley. 1985. Florida Ornitho-
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Status and Distribution of the Florida Scrub Jay, by Jeffrey A. Cox. 1987. Flor-
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West Indian Bird Records in American Birds and Audubon Field Notes
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39
Fla. Field Nat. 22(2): 39-47, 1994.
NEST SITES OF FLORIDA SANDHILL CRANES IN
SOUTHWESTERN FLORIDA
F. Chris Depkin, Laura A. Brandt^ and Frank J. Mazzotti
University of Florida, Department of Wildlife and Range Science,
118 New ins- Ziegler Hall, Gainesville, Florida 32611
^Corresponding author
Abstract.— We located twenty-eight nest sites of the Florida Sandhill Crane in
southwestern Florida during the 1991 breeding season. Similar to other studies, all sites
were classified as palustrine emergent wetlands. Average wetland area and average
maximum depth were 5.96 ha and 0.61 m, respectively. Vegetation assessments at seven
of the sites yielded 82 plant species. Panicum hemitomon, Sagittaria lancifolia, Ponted-
eria cordata and Eleocharis interstincta were the most common species and also contrib-
uted the most cover. Twenty-four of the 28 nests were found in isolated temporary
wetlands of less than 23 ha, which illustrates the importance of relatively small isolated
wetlands. Because of this, the crane population in southwestern Florida may be vulner-
able to pressure from future development. Conservation efforts should recognize the im-
portance of protecting small isolated wetlands within a matrix of uplands.
The Florida Sandhill Crane {Grus canadensis pratensis) is one of
three nonmigratory subspecies of the Sandhill Crane. It is estimated
that there are 4000-6000 individuals (Williams 1978, Logan and Nes-
bitt 1987) of this subspecies occurring primarily in central Florida
(Walkinshaw 1976, 1982); however, the range extends from Okefeno-
kee Swamp in southern Georgia (Bennett 1989) to the Everglades
(Kushlan 1982).
Crane nesting habitat has been described from Loxahatchee Na-
tional Wildlife Refuge (Thompson 1970) in southeastern Florida, and
from Myakka River State Park and C. M. Webb Wildlife Management
Area (Bishop 1988, Bishop and Collopy 1987) in west central Florida.
Both of these areas differ to some extent from southwestern Florida.
Although the population in Florida is relatively stable (Nesbitt 1992)
some segments or sub-populations may be declining (Layne 1983).
Probable causes for this decline include direct loss of habitat as well as
drainage of wetlands, which has reduced the suitability of nest sites
(Layne 1983). Because the Florida subspecies requires an area with at
least some standing water to initiate nesting (Layne 1981), the re-
maining wetlands in southwestern Florida are of particular concern.
The objective of this study was to determine what was important nest-
ing habitat to cranes in southwestern Florida. Presented here are veg-
etative and topographic descriptions as well as distribution
information on ponds used for nest sites of Florida Sandhill Cranes
found on and around the Immokalee Rise in southwestern Florida.
40
FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST
Study Area
The study area, located in southwestern Florida (26° 52,5'N to 26° 7.5’N and 81°
37.5'W, to 80° 52.5'W), is 6216 km^and is represented by five physiographic regions (Fer-
nald and Patton 1984) (Fig. 1). The most predominant of the five regions is the Immoka-
lee Rise, which includes most of Hendry county and parts of Lee, Glades and Collier
counties. The central portion of the study area is made up of a mosaic of pine flatwoods
and temporary wetlands, the southern third is primarily cypress forest, and the north-
ern third is agricultural areas.
Historically, before 1940 this area was comprised of marsh and wet prairie (41%),
pineland systems (29%), cypress stands (18%), and grassy scrub systems (9%) (Univer-
sity of Florida, Center for Wetlands). By 1989 much of this area had been converted to
open range and cattle pasture (28%) and other agricultural uses (18%) (Mazzotti et al.
1992).
Figure 1. Study area and physiographic regions of southwestern Florida; l=Ca-
loosahatchee Valley, 2=Immokalee Rise, 3=Southwestern Slope, 4=Big Cypress
Spur, 5=Everglades.
Depkin ET AL. • Florida Sandhill Cranes
41
Methods
Two types of surveys were used between January 1991 and June 1991 to locate crane
nests: 1) aerial surveys and 2) road surveys. Peak nesting at Myakka River State Park
for the years 1984, 1985, 1986 were 9 March, 11 March and 12 March, respectively
(Bishop 1988); therefore, survey efforts were centered around these dates. A crane nest
site was defined by the presence of a developed platform or the presence of an adult on
the nest. Not all nests were verified as being active.
Most nest sites were classified using National Wetlands Inventory (NWI) maps (Cow-
ardin et al. 1979). Areas were calculated by digitizing wetland outlines from these maps.
Eleven of these nest sites were visited on the ground. Nest diameter and plant species
composition of nest material were recorded when possible. The remaining sites were not
available to us for field inspection; however, aerial surveys suggest they were similar to
those wetlands that were visited in both size and NWI classification.
Wetland topography was determined for the 11 nest sites using a CLS Super Mite la-
ser leveler. Determination of gradient was accomplished by running two transects per-
pendicular to each other through the center of each wetland starting from the outer edge
of the wetland as defined by vegetation type. This was performed on 10 of the 11 sites for
a total of 21 transects (at one site only one transect was run). Changes in elevation were
recorded every 9.1, 18.3 or 27.4 meters along the transect depending on the size of the
wetland.
Plant species cover abundance ratings were determined for seven of the eleven sites
(selection of these sites was based on access) using a cover-abundance scale (Mueller-
Dombois and Ellenberg 1974) on 29 May, 30 May and 27 June 1991. Vegetation assess-
ments were made from l-m^ plots at intervals of 9.1, 18.3 or 27.4 meters along one
transect through the central portion of the site. Species richness and percent cover-
abundance for each species were determined for each plot using five different vegetation
height classes (submerged, vines, < 1 m, 1 to 2 m, and > 2 m) and 7 different cover
classes: solitary with small cover; few with small cover; numerous but < 5% cover; any
number and 5-25% cover; any number and 25-50% cover; any number and 50-75% cover;
and any number and > 75% cover. Qualitative vegetation assessment for species rich-
ness and relative abundance was conducted at all 11 sites using a meandering survey
method.
Results
Twenty-six nest platforms were located during aerial surveys.
Twenty nests were located in March (14th, 21th, 26th and 27th) and
six in early May (1st - 3rd). One nest was discovered on 8 Feb 1991
during driving surveys. This was the first active nest found. One addi-
tional nest was reported by a land owner. Of the 28 nest sites 24 were
in temporary wetlands, three were in prairie and one was found in the
confines of an agricultural stormwater detention area. Twenty-eight
percent of the nest sites were located in the northern third of the study
area {N 64% in the middle third (AT = 18) and only 7% in the south-
ern third {N - 2). All nests were in standing water. Fifteen of the nests
were considered to be active by either visually confirming the presence
of eggs or egg shell fragments or by the persistent presence of an adult
at the platform.
42
FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST
Twenty-seven of the 28 nest sites were classified using NWI maps
and codes. The 28th site was not classified by NWI and was not avail-
able for ground assessment. All 27 sites were classified as palustrine
emergent wetlands with narrow-leaved persistent vegetation. Eleven
of those sites (41%) were narrow-leaved persistent seasonal or sea-
sonal well-drained, 6 sites (22%) were narrow-leaved persistent sea-
sonal, 7 sites (26%) were a combination of narrow and broad-leaved
persistent semipermanent or seasonally well drained. The remaining 3
sites (11%) were narrow-leaved persistent semipermanent, seasonally
well drained or temporary. All but three of the nests were in isolated
wetlands with well defined boundaries. The three nests not in tempo-
rary wetlands were located in sloughs.
Length, width and area of the temporary wetlands were deter-
mined from NWI maps. Average length was 328 m ± 193 SD (N = 23,
range 84-936 m). Average width was 194 m ± 73 SD (N = 23, range 84-
321 m). Average area was 5.96 ha ± 5.56 SD (N = 22, range 0.25-22.78
ha). Sixteen nest site wetlands were in or on the edge of pasture while
another nine nests were located in temporary wetlands surrounded by
pine fiatwoods adjacent to range or pasture. The remaining three
nests, located in sloughs, also were adjacent to range or pasture.
Four nest platforms were assessed for size and plant species com-
position. Average nest diameter was 99.2 cm ± 11.87 SD {N - 4, range
88-116 cm). Nest platforms were constructed from the nearest avail-
able material, in these cases Panicum hemitomon and Pontederia cor-
data. Size and plant species composition of the nests were consistent
with other studies (Thompson 1970).
Average maximum change in relief within wetlands containing
nest sites was 0.61 m ± 0.16 SD and ranged from 0.36 to 1.00 m (AT =
21). On the average, 26% of the change in relief occurred within the
first 15% of the transect. This zone generally corresponded to an area
of higher plant species diversity. The central deep-water part of these
wetlands often was dominated by a few plant species {Panicum hemit-
omon, Pontederia cordata and Eleocharis sp.) which were common in
many of the nest sites.
Ninety-six l-m^ plots at seven sites were assessed for species rich-
ness and cover- abundance. These surveys yielded 82 plant species. The
total number of species per site ranged from 16 to 33. Although 82
plant species were identified, only 2% (AT = 2) of the species occurred at
all seven sites compared with 58% {N = 48) of the species occurring
only at a single site. The most common species were Panicum hemito-
mon (76 of 96 plots) Pontederia cordata (60 of 96 plots) and Sagittaria
lancifolia (53 of 96 plots). Within the five height classes there were 616
plant occurrences. Of these, 84% {N = 518) were less than 1 m in
height, only 13% {N = 80) exceeded 1 m and no plants were greater
Depkin ET AL. • Florida Sandhill Cranes
43
than 2 m in height. The most common species exceeding 1 m in height
were Panicum hemitomon, Sagittaria lancifolia, Pontederia cordata
and Eleocharis interstincta. The remaining 3% of the occurrences were
either submerged vegetation (2%) or vines (1%),
Fifteen plant species accounted for 62% {N = 386) of the occur-
rences in the seven cover classes and 68% of the total relative cover
(Table 1). The species contributing the most relative percent cover at
the most sites were Panicum hemitomon (25%), Eleocharis spp. (13%),
Sagittaria lancifolia (7%) and Pontederia cordata (6%). Most of the
species that occurred at the sites contributed less than 25% cover at a
given plot.
One hundred and forty-six plant species were encountered at 11
sites in meandering transects. Many of these species also were found
in the cover-abundance survey. The total number of species per site
ranged from 23 to 58. The number of plant species shared among sites
was similar to that observed in the cover-abundance survey. Only 1%
{N = 2) of the species occurred at all 11 sites whereas 38% {N = 56)
were found at only one site.
Twenty-seven of 28 nest sites were located on private land. Owner-
ship status on one site was undetermined.
Discussion
Florida Sandhill Cranes rarely initiate nesting unless there is at
least some standing water. The species has been known to delay breed-
ing during years when water levels were unfavorable (Walkinshaw
1976). The 1991 breeding season was preceded by a two-year drought
(NOAA 1990). Although heavy rainfalls in the beginning of 1991 may
have helped recharge some of the small temporary wetlands, it may
not have been enough to recharge some of the more extensive sloughs.
Therefore parts of these sloughs may not have been available as nest-
ing habitat in 1991 but may be available in wetter years. That 24 of 28
crane nests were found in isolated temporary wetlands and only three
of the remaining four sites were found in sloughs illustrates the impor-
tance of temporary ponds as crane nesting habitat during the 1991
nesting season and probably during years of similar hydrological con-
ditions. It may be that sloughs are more important as nest sites in
years when hydrological conditions are different and the sloughs are
recharged.
The concentration of most of the favorable nesting habitat (tempo-
rary wetlands within a mosaic of uplands) within the central portion of
the study area probably accounts for the unequal distribution of nest-
ing throughout the study area. The majority of the public land (and
hence protected areas) is located in the southern portion of the study
Table 1. Most common species within the seven cover classes at seven Florida Sandhill Crane nest sites. Only those species oc-
curring five or more times in a single cover class are included.
44
FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST
0)
a
m
CT5 CO
CO (N*
oq ^
o
CO CD
io CD CO oa
O
CO
a
e
d
fel ^ K|
o
0
1
CD CD lO
e
a
sg
I
CO lO 00
CD N
tH U
00 eo
(M
CD Cd Oi
Rhynchospora inundata
Sagittaria lancifolia
Setaria geniculata
Depkin ET AL. • Florida Sandhill Cranes
45
area and consists of relatively large tracts of cypress and pine forest.
Few crane nests were found in this area. The scarceness of temporary
wetlands within this region makes it less suitable for crane nesting.
General NWI classification and physical topography of these nest
site wetlands indicate that there is more similarity than dissimilarity
when comparing wetlands with nest sites. Most of the sites were shah
low depressions with a gradual change in surface topography. A
change in plant species composition was observed with an increase in
water depth. Sites also were similar in terms of the major plant species
present. Three or four species (Panicum hemitomon, Sagittaria land-
folia, Pontederia cordata and Eleocharis interstincta) were important
contributors to total cover at each site as well as being present at all or
most sites. It may be that these species act to attract cranes to a par-
ticular wetland. Despite the similarity of the major plant species seen
among the wetlands, these sites were not monotypic. A single site
could display high plant diversity with the majority of the plant spe-
cies occurring only a few times at a site. Not only are the individual
sites diverse but many of the species encountered occurred at only one
site making each site unique. This pattern also was observed for verte-
brates within temporary wetlands sampled in the proximity of crane
nest sites (Mazzotti et al. 1992). The high degree of diversity is proba-
bly a function of the temporal, dynamic nature of southern Florida
wetlands. Because of the temporal, dynamic nature of these wetlands,
a site used by cranes for nesting in one year may not be suitable the
next year. Therefore, it will be important to protect a range of wetlands
that are potentially suitable as crane nest sites. Because of the diver-
sity in flora and fauna among wetlands, protecting a range of wetlands
also will help to ensure the continued existence within the region of a
variety of other wetland-dependent plant and animal species such as
pine woods tree frogs, sirens, rails, and wading birds (Mazzotti et al.
1992; Moler and Franz 1987; Kushlan 1978).
Florida Sandhill Cranes require both upland and wetland habitats
for successful nesting (Nesbitt and Williams 1990). The long-term pro-
ductivity of cranes is dependent not only on the presence of wetlands
with suitable hydroperiods (Layne 1983) but also proximity to suitable
foraging habitat, including uplands (range, pasture and pasture-forest
transition) and wetlands (Nesbitt and Williams 1990).
The findings of this study were consistent with those found at My-
akka River State Park by Bishop (1988). In that study most nest sites
were located in palustrine emergent wetlands where dominant plants
Panicum hemitomon, Pontederia cordata and Sagittaria spp. occurred.
Carex spp., another important species in her study was not an impor-
tant species in this study. In both studies most nest sites were located
46
FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST
next to or in open range or pasture which emphasizes the importance
of the relationship of wetlands and uplands to cranes.
The important difference between Myakka River State Park and
this area in southwestern Florida is that of land ownership. Myakka
River State Park is state-owned and most of the area within its bound-
aries are managed to resemble the “original natural Florida.” Whereas
the area in southwestern Florida is mostly privately owned and more
vulnerable to pressure from future development. The continued con-
version of pine flatwoods and temporary wetlands to agricultural uses
will ultimately reduce the availability of habitat important for crane
survival. We have described here the characteristics of crane nest sites
from one year. It will be necessary to further address the question of
crane nest site selection under different hydrological regimes, their
population and breeding status, and habitat use in order to make
meaningful decisions concerning the conservation of cranes in south-
western Florida.
Acknowledgments
We thank the landowners who not only provided us access to their property, but also
were helpful in identifying areas of crane nesting activity. Special thanks go to K. Mont-
gomery and R Hinchcliff for help with the aerial surveys. M. McMahon provided invalu-
able assistance with the vegetation identification and transects. Thanks also to B. Pace,
D. Rockers, S. Nesbitt and G. Tanner for critical review of this manuscript. This study
was funded by the South Florida Water Management District as part of contract #089-
0186 with University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. University
of Florida Agricultural Experiment Station Journal Series No. R-03785.
Literature Cited
Bennett, A. J. 1989. Population size and distribution of Florida Sandhill Cranes in the
Okefenokee Swamp, Georgia. J. Field Ornithol. 60:60-67.
Bishop, M. A. 1988. Factors affecting productivity and habitat use of Florida Sandhill
Cranes: an evaluation of three areas in central Florida for a nonmigratory population
of whooping cranes. Ph. D. Thesis, Univ. of Florida, Gainesville.
Bishop, M. A., and M. W. Collopy. 1987. Productivity of Florida Sandhill Cranes on
three sites in central Florida. Pages 257-264 in Proc. 1985 Crane Workshop. (J. C.
Lewis and J. W. Ziewitz, eds.) Platte River Whooping Crane Maint. Trust, Grand Is-
land.
COWARDIN, L. M., V. Carter, F. C. Golet, and E. T. LaRoe. 1979. Classification of wet-
lands and deepwater habitats of the United States. United States Fish and Wildlife
Service, FWS/OBS-79/31, Washington, D.C.
Fernald, E. a., and D. j, Patton (editors) 1984. Water Resources Atlas of Florida. Flor-
ida State University. Institute of Science and Public Affairs, Tallahassee.
Kushlan, j. a. 1978. Feeding ecology of wading birds. Pages 249-297 in Wading Birds.
(A. Sprunt, J. C. Ogden, and S. Winckler, eds.) Research Rept. No. 7 of the National
Audubon Society, Tavernier.
Kushlan, J. A. 1982. The Sandhill Crane in the Everglades. Fla. Field Nat. 4:74-76.
Layne, j. N. 1981. Dry ground nest of Florida Sandhill Cranes. Fla. Field Nat. 10:55-56.
Depkin ET AL. • Florida Sandhill Cranes
47
Layne, J. N. 1983. Productivity of Sandhill Cranes in south central Florida. J. Wildl.
Manage. 47:178-185.
Logan, T., and S. Nesbitt. 1987. Status of Sandhill and Whooping Crane studies in
Florida. Pages 213-126 in Proc. 1985 Crane Workshop. (J. C. Lewis and J. W. Ziewitz,
eds.) Platte River Whooping Crane Maint. Trust, Grand Island.
Mazzotti, F. j., L. a. Brandt, L. G. Pearlstine, W. M. Kitchens, F. C. Depkin, T. M.
Obreza, N. Morris, and C. E. Arnold. 1992. Evaluating the short and long-term ef-
fects of citrus development on wildlife in southwest Florida. Final Report contract
C89-0186. South Florida Water Management District, West Palm Beach.
Moler, P. E., and R. Franz. 1987. Wildlife values of small isolated wetlands in the
southeastern coastal plain. Pages 234-238 in Proc. of the third SE Nongame and En-
dangered Wildlife Symp. Georgia Dept, of Natural Resources, Athens.
Mueller-DomBois, D., and H. Ellenberg. 1974. Aims and Methods of Vegetation
Ecology. John Wiley and Sons, Inc., New York.
Nesbitt, S. A. 1992. First reproductive success and individual productivity in Sandhill
Cranes. J. Wildl. Manage. 56:573-577.
Nesbitt, S. A., and K. S. Williams. 1990. Home range and habitat use of Florida Sand-
hill Cranes. J, Wildl. Manage. 54:92-96.
National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration. 1990. Climatological
Data Annual Summary: Florida. Technical Report Vol. 94(13). National Oceano-
graphic and Atmospheric Administration, Ashville.
Thompson, R. L. 1970. Florida Sandhill Crane nesting on the Loxahatchee National
Wildlife Refuge. Auk 87:492-502.
Walkinshaw, L. H. 1976. The Sandhill Crane on and near the Kissimmee Prairie, Flor-
ida. Pages 1-18 in Proc. Int. Crane Workshop (J. C. Lewis, ed.). Oklahoma State Uni-
versity Publ. and Print, Stillwater,
Walkinshaw, L. H. 1982. Nesting of the Florida Sandhill Crane in central Florida.
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Williams, L. E., Jr. 1978. Florida Sandhill Crane. Pages 36-37 in Rare and endangered
biota of Florida. Vol. 2: Birds (H. W. Kale, II, ed.). Univ. Presses Florida, Gainesville.
ERRATA
In the FOS Records Committee Report (1994, Fla. Field Nat. 22(l):17-23), record
No. 92-259, Fork- tailed Flycatcher, the last sentence should read, “This white collar,
which separates the black cap from the gray back, is a field mark used to distinguish
those birds largely resident in Mexico and Central America from those that lack this
collar and are migratory South American birds which more commonly find their way to
the U.S, (previously accepted, 83-039, 84-068, 86-191, 90-210).” In Appendix 1, the sci-
entific name for the Black-chinned Hummingbird should read “Archilochus alexandriT
48
FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST
NOTES
Fla. Field Nat. 22(2): 48-51, 1994.
DISTINGUISHING GENDER OF FLORIDA GRASSHOPPER SPARROWS
USING BODY MEASUREMENTS
Michael F. Delany/ Clinton T. Moore/’^ and Donald R. Progulske, Jr.^
^Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission
4005 S. Main St., Gainesville, Florida 32601
^Auon Park Air Force Range, 56 SS / CEN, Florida 33825
^Present Address: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, Laurel, Maryland 20708
The Florida Grasshopper Sparrow (Ammodramus savannarum floridanus) was fed-
erally classified as endangered in 1986 because of its restricted distribution, loss of hab-
itat, and population decline (Fed. Reg. 1986). The recovery plan for the sparrow (USFWS
1988) provides for a captive breeding program if the population continues to decline.
Identification of sex of individual Florida Grasshopper Sparrows would be important
should that recovery effort become necessary. However, for this sexually monochromatic
species (Smith 1968) the identification of sex is difficult outside the March-June breeding
season in Florida. The sex of monomorphic passerines can be determined by laparotomy
and laparoscopy, but the risk of injury or death by these procedures (op. cit. Richner
1989) may be unacceptably high with endangered birds. We examined wing-length and
weight measurements of Florida Grasshopper Sparrows as a non-invasive method of dis-
tinguishing sex classes.
Wing-length and weight data are from a banding study conducted during March 1989
to June 1992 on the U.S. Air Force, Avon Park Air Force Range, in Highlands and Polk
counties, Florida. The study area and banding methods are described by Delany et al,
(1992). Sex was determined during the breeding season by the presence or absence of a
cloacal protuberance. Age (juvenile, <1 year old; or adult, >1 year old) was determined by
plumage (Smith 1968). Wing chord was measured to the nearest 0.5 mm with a ruler and
end stop according to the North Am. Bird Banding Manual (1977). Weight was obtained
with a 50-g Pesola spring balance calibrated in 0.5-g intervals, and estimated to the near-
est 0.1 g. Measurements were made within 15 minutes following capture and the appli-
cation of one USFWS aluminum band and two plastic bands.
Measurements of both wing chord and body weight were available for 25 adult males
and eight adult females, Bartlett’s test was used to test whether variances of individual
measurements (Steel and Torrie 1980:471) or covariance matrices of measurement pairs
(Morrison 1976) were heterogeneous with respect to sex. Gender means of wing chord
and body weight were compared with a Gtest. A linear discriminant function (Johnson
and Wichern 1982:466) was estimated assuming equal prior assignment probabilities
and misclassification costs. For this small sample, we followed Lachenbruch’s (1975)
jackknifing procedure for unbiased estimation of misclassification rate.
Normal probability plots and bivariate scatterplots of sparrow body measurements
(Fig. 1) indicated no obvious departure from univariate and bivariate normal distribu-
tions. Tests of variance heterogeneity were not rejected for variables individually (P >
0.237) or for the variable pairs (P = 0.702). Thus, (co)variance estimates were pooled over
sexes. Both wing chord and weight were highly distinguished by sex (Table 1, Fig. 1). The
estimated discriminant function incorrectly classified 12% of the males (3 of 25) and
12.5% of the females (1 of 8) (Fig. 1), producing an average misclassification rate of
12.3%.
Notes
49
Measurement of both wing length and body weight appears to be a reliable indicator
of sex for Florida Grasshopper Sparrows. A difference in wing length by sex also was re-
ported for three individuals collected by Mearns (1902) during April 1901. The usefulness
of these criteria, however, depends on their validity outside the breeding season when
other identifying characters and behavior are absent. Grasshopper Sparrows undergo a
postnuptial molt (Sutton 1935, Smith 1968) that may affect measurements of wing chord.
23
21
CD
19
O)
'CD
-g' 17
o
CD
15
13
65 57 59 61 63 65
Wing Chord (mm)
Fig. 1. Body weight (g) relative to wing chord (mm), by sex, with 50%
prediction ellipse for adult Florida Grasshopper Sparrows. The estimated
discriminant function was y = 106.169 - 2.12403 chord + 1.11419 weight. If
sample means represent population means for gender, an individual would be
classified as female for values of y > 0 and as males otherwise. Line represents
weight and wing chord values yielding equal male/female classification
probabilities.
50
FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST
Table 1, Comparison of body measurements of adult Florida Grasshopper
Sparrows by sex, during the breeding season (March- June), 1989-1992, on the
Avon Park Air Force Range, Highlands County, Florida.
Female (V=8)
Male (iV-25)
Variables
X
SE
X
SE
t
P
Wing chord
(mm)
57.88
0.30
60.74
0.25
6.06
<0.001
Weight (g)
18.38
0.39
17.17
0.21
2.83
0.008
Egg formation may cause variation in the weights of females (Clark 1979), Other caveats
concerning measurements of wing chord (Yunick 1986) and weight (Collins and Atwood
1981) and their interpretation relative to sexual dimorphism (Clark 1979, Rising and
Somers 1989) also apply to our data. Measurements from individuals of known sex out-
side the breeding season are needed to evaluate the efficacy of using wing chord and
weight measurements to determine the sex of adult Florida Grasshopper Sparrows.
We thank H. Blackburn, R. Bowman, S. D. Coltman, R Ebersbach, J. W. Fitzpatrick,
C. Ford, D. Ford, G. Goldstein, J. Grier, S. A. Hedges, R. Hooten, T. Logue, K. Olsen, S.
Penfield, J. Rogers, J. A. Rodgers, Jr., H. B. Tordoff, S. Van Hook, V, Wallers, P. B. Walsh,
H. Whitaker, and G. Woolfenden for assistance with banding. J. M. Hamblen and T. L,
Steele assisted with this manuscript. S. A. Nesbitt, J. D. Rising, J. A. Rodgers, Jr., T A.
Webber, and D. A. Wood reviewed previous drafts.
Literature Cited
Clark, G. A., Jr. 1979. Body weights of birds: a review. Condor 81:193-202.
Collins, C. T, and J. L. Atwood. 1981. Weighing with spring balances: biases and er-
rors. N. Am. Bird Bander 6:8-11.
Delany, M. F, D. R. Progulske, Jr., and S. D. Coltman. 1992. Netting and banding
Florida grasshopper sparrows. N. Am. Bird Bander 17:45-47.
Fed. Reg. 1986. Endangered and threatened wildlife and plants; determination of en-
dangered status of the Florida grasshopper sparrow. Federal Register 51(147):27492-
27495.
Johnson, R. A., and D. W. Wichern. 1982. Applied multivariate statistical analysis.
Prentice-Hall, Englewood Cliffs.
Lachenbruch, P. a. 1975. Discriminant analysis. Hafner Press, New York.
Mearns, E. a. 1902. Descriptions of three new birds from the southern United States.
Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus. 24:915-926.
Morrison, D. F. 1976. Multivariate statistical methods. 2nd ed. McGraw-Hill, New
York.
North Am. Bird Banding Manual. 1977. Vol. II, Bird Banding Techniques. U.S. Fish
and Wildl. Serv., Washington, D.C., and Canadian Wildl. Serv., Ottawa.
Richner, H. 1989. Avian laparoscopy as a field technique for sexing birds and an assess-
ment of its effects on wild birds. J. Field Ornithol. 60:137-142.
Rising, J. D., and K. M. Somers. 1989. The measurement of overall body size in birds.
Auk 106:666-674.
Smith, R. L. 1968. Grasshopper Sparrow. Pages 725-745 in Life histories of North Amer-
ican Cardinals, Grosbeaks Buntings, Towhees, Finches, Sparrows, and allies. Part 2
(O. L. Austin, Jr., ed.). U.S. Nat. Mus. Bull. 237(2).
Notes
51
Steel, R. G. D., and J. H. Torrie. 1980. Principles and procedures of statistics. 2nd ed.
McGraw-Hill, New York.
Sutton, G. M. 1935. The juvenile plumage and postjuvenal molt in several species of
Michigan sparrows. Cranbrook Inst., Bull. 3, Bloomfield.
USFWS. 1988. Recovery Plan for Florida Grasshopper Sparrow. U.S. Fish and Wildl.
Serv., Atlanta.
Yunick, R. P. 1986. Carpal compression as a variable in taking wing chord measure-
ments. N. Am. Bird Bander 11:78-83.
Fla. Field Nat. 22(2): 51-52, 1994.
BANDING CONFIRMATION THAT SOME MIDDLE ATLANTIC COAST
BOAT-TAILED CRACKLES VISIT FLORIDA IN THE WINTER
William Post
Charleston Museum
360 Meeting Street
Charleston, SC 29403
The Boat-tailed Grackle (Quiscalus major) is thought to be composed of four breeding
populations, separable on the basis of iris color and body measurements of adults
(Stevenson 1978). The middle Atlantic coast population (Q. m. torreyi), which breeds
from Long Island (Suffolk County), New York, to Duval County, Florida, has straw-col-
ored irides. Adults in the breeding population of the Florida peninsula {Q. m. westoni)
have dark (gray-black) irides, higher taiPwing-length ratios, and longer, narrower bills
than Q. m. torreyi. These two breeding groups once were separated by a coastal gap of
about 75 km, from Jacksonville (Duval County), Florida, to St. Augustine (St. John’s
County), Florida (S. A. Grimes in litt., Tomkins 1963; Stevenson 1978). Data collected
during the Florida breeding bird atlas project indicate that this gap may have been nar-
rowed; by which race, however, is unknown (B. H. Anderson, pers. comm.).
The subspecific validity of Q. m. westoni has been questioned. Although the subspe-
cies was described in 1934 (Sprunt 1934), it was not recognized by the American Orni-
thologists’ Union (1957), perhaps because several conflicting reports have been
published about the origin of light-eyed Boat-tailed Grackles in the Florida peninsula
(Sprunt 1932, 1933). Stevenson (1978) believed that the confusion about the iris color of
grackles breeding in Florida may be partially based on lack of information about the
post-breeding movements of northern, light-eyed grackles. Pennock (1931) and Sprunt
(1932, 1933) reported seeing light-eyed individuals in Florida as far south as Punta
Gorda (Charlotte County), but none of these birds were collected, and Stevenson (1978)
doubted the validity of the sight reports. An individual identified as torreyi was collected
by William Brewster at Mellonville (Seminole County), 16 March 1877 (Museum of Com-
parative Zoology No. 201169; Stevenson and Anderson in press). More recently, pale-eyed
males have been seen around St. Augustine, about 65 km south of the known breeding
range of torreyi (Stevenson 1978). Finally, on 4 March 1972, H. M. Stevenson and G. Car-
leton collected a male Q. m. torreyi at St. Augustine (Tall Timbers Research Station spec-
imen No. 3282; Stevenson 1978).
52
FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST
On 7 November 1987, Barbara A. Neumeyer (Kennel Supervisor, Halifax Humane So-
ciety, Inc.) received a male Boat-tailed Grackle, which had been found exhausted in the
Da5d;ona Beach (Volusia County) area. Information on precise location, habitat or name
of finder is not available. Ms. Neumeyer kept the bird until it was able to fly, and released
it on 9 November. This individual (USFWS band #1303-24684) had been banded as a
nestling on 21 May 1986 in a cattail marsh at Magnolia Gardens, Charleston County,
South Carolina. The recovery point is 413 km SSW of the handing location, and 140 km
S of the nearest known breeding populations of torreyi.
This record confirms that some Boat-tailed Crackles from the middle Atlantic coast
population {Q. m. torreyi) move into the Florida peninsula in the non-breeding season.
Such movements may account for the confusion surrounding early reports of light-eyed
birds breeding in Florida. Boat-tailed Crackles breeding from South Carolina northward
start nesting, on the average, at least one month later than those in south Florida (Ban-
croft 1987, Post 1992). Visitants from north of the state therefore may leave Florida after
the local population has started breeding. Additionally, in some years. Boat-tailed Crack-
les breed in the autumn in Florida (Selander and Nicholson 1962, Kale 1975). This would
further increase overlap between the periods of local breeding and of non-breeding visi-
tation.
I thank the office of Migratory Bird Population studies for forwarding recovery data
and for providing bird bands. I thank Ms. Barbara Neumeyer for caring for the grackle,
and for providing additional information on the circumstances of its capture in Florida.
Thanks also to B. H. Anderson and H. W. Kale II for critical comments on the manuscript.
Literature Cited
American Ornithologist’ Union. 1957. Check-list of North American Birds. American
Ornithologists’ Union, Baltimore.
Bancroft, G. T. 1987. Mating system and nesting phenology of the Boat-tailed Grackle
in central Florida. Fla. Field Nat. 15:1-18.
Kale, H. W., IL 1975. Additional records of autumnal breeding of Boat-tailed Grackles in
Florida. Fla. Field Nat. 3:5-8.
Pennock, C. J. 1931. On the color of the iris and other characteristics of the Boat-tailed
Grackle. Auk 48:607-609.
Post, W. 1992. Dominance and mating success in male Boat-tailed Grackles. Anim. Be-
hav. 44:917-929.
Selander, R. K., and D. J. Nicholson. 1962. Autumnal breeding of Boat-tailed Grack-
les in Florida. Condor 64:81-91.
Sprunt, a., Jr 1932. Further notes on the iris of the Boat-tailed Grackle. Auk 49:227-
228.
Sprunt, A., Jr. 1933. Distribution of yellow and brown-eyed males of the Boat-tailed
Grackles in Florida. Auk 49:357.
Sprunt, A., Jr. 1934. A new grackle from Florida. Charleston Mus. Leaflet No. 6:1-5.
Stevenson, H. M. 1978. The populations of Boat-tailed Grackles in the Southeastern
United States. Proc. Biol. Soc. Wash. 91:27-51.
Stevenson, H. M. 1981. Status of the Boat-tailed Grackle in the Florida panhandle. Fla.
Field Nat. 9:34-37.
Stevenson, H. M. and B. H. Anderson. In press. The Birdlife of Florida. University
Presses of Florida, Gainesville.
Tomkins, I. R. 1963. Sexual difference in the migration of the Boat-tailed Grackle. Chat
27:28-29.
Notes
53
Fla. Field Nat. 22(2): 53-54, 1994.
A SECOND RUDDY DUCK NESTS IN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, FLORIDA
Richard T. Paul,' Ann F. Schnapf,'and Manuel Lopez^
^National Audubon Society, Tampa Bay Sanctuaries
410 Ware Blvd., Suite 500, Tampa, Florida 33619
^Southwest Florida Water Management District
2379 Broad Street, Brooksville, Florida 34609
The Ruddy Duck (Oxyura jamaicensis) is a locally common winter resident of Florida
lakes and coastal waters (Robertson and Woolfenden 1992). A few birds remain in sum-
mer, particularly in the phosphate mine district of Polk and surrounding counties, and
near McKay Bay in Hillsborough County. At least nine Florida breeding records are
known (Woolfenden and Woolfenden 1984, Paul 1987, Fellers 1989, Stevenson 1989,
Robertson and Woolfenden 1992). We here report a tenth breeding occurrence for the
state, and the second for Hillsborough County.
On 4 May 1993, while conducting a bird count at a small artificial pond near the
mouth of the Alafia River, Hillsborough County, we found a female Ruddy Duck and
seven downy young. We first noted the female swimming away from us as we approached
the shoreline. The ducklings followed close behind, bunched tightly. On the basis of size
and plumage, we estimated their age to be about two weeks. We checked them twice be-
fore departing 30 min. later, to ensure that our initial, rather sudden appearance had not
caused any separation of the young from their mother.
No other ruddies were found in the pond, although several other species were present
including Mottled Duck {Anas fulvigula), Northern Shoveler (A. clypeata), Common
Moorhen {Gallinula chloropus), Black-necked Stilt (Himantopus mexicanus), and sev-
eral herons and ibises. However, in an adjacent dredge spoil disposal area (D/A-C) we
found seven ruddies including an adult male with the rich, reddish-brown back and
bright blue bill typical of breeding plumage. On the same date we also found a single
male ruddy in the incinerator settling pond at McKay Bay, 10 km north of the breeding
site; harsh light conditions prevented careful observation of plumage characteristics.
Ruddy Ducks have previously been recorded in summer at this site (Paul J. Fellers, pers.
comm.),
Woolfenden and Woolfenden (1984) suggested several characteristics of artificial im-
poundments that might make them attractive to breeding Ruddy Ducks: scattered cat-
tail {Typha sp.) stands, lack of woody shoreline vegetation, fencing to limit access by
humans and mammalian predators, and eutrophic conditions. In the present case, scat-
tered patches of cattails dotted the pond’s shoreline and also formed marshy islands, pro-
viding potential nesting cover, and no trees or woody shrubs were found along the
shoreline. Although no fence was present, human access is controlled by the property
owner. Abundant tracks indicated the presence of raccoons {Procyon lotor). The 4-ha
pond, constructed to capture and return stormwater runoff to the closed, circulating
“process water” system of a phosphate fertilizer plant, was highly eutrophic (H. M.
Mathot, pers. comm.).
It is likely that the availability of impoundments and constructed wetlands will con-
tinue to increase in west-central Florida, as wetlands restoration projects on phosphate
lands and power plant sites are carried out and other wetlands are created to treat
stormwater runoff and wastewater plant effluent. Additional nesting records of Ruddy
Ducks should be expected.
54
FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST
We thank Paul Fellers for providing us with details of four Polk County breeding
records. Cargill Fertilizer Inc. kindly allowed us access to ponds and impoundments on
their property.
Literature Cited
Fellers, R J. 1989. Birding records of note primarily for interior central Florida by date.
August 1, 1988-July 31, 1989. Lake Region Naturalist 26:18-20.
Paul, R. T. 1987. Florida region. Am. Birds 41:1425-1428.
Robertson, W. B., Jr., and G. E. Woolfenden. 1992. Florida bird species: an annotated
list. Florida Ornithological Society Special Publ. No. 6.
Stevenson, H. M. 1989. An orphaned Ruddy Duck in north Florida. Fla. Field Nat. 17:
82-83.
Woolfenden, G, E., and J. A. Woolfenden. 1984. Ruddy Duck breeds in Tampa, Flor-
ida. Fla. Field Nat. 12:32-33.
Fla. Field Nat. 22(2): 54-55, 1994.
GIANT TOAD EATEN BY RED-SHOULDERED HAWK
Walter E. Meshaka, Jr.
Archbold Biological Station
P.O. Box 2057, Lake Placid, Florida 33852
The giant toad {Bufo marinus) is a successful invader species known to southern
mainland Florida since at least 1955 (Duellman and Schwartz 1958, Wilson and Porras
1983). A virtual absence of natural predators has greatly aided its establishment, and
high population densities of this species have been reported in Florida (Krakauer 1968)
and other target areas (Zug et al. 1975, Zug and Zug 1979). Indeed, Krakauer (1968) sug-
gested that automobiles were the major cause of death of adult giant toads in southern
Florida.
Here, I report a field observation of predation of an adult giant toad by a Red-shoul-
dered Hawk (Butea lineatus) in southern Florida. At 1600 on 19 October 1993 I was walk-
ing near the stadium along the northwestern border of Florida International University,
Miami (Dade Co.), Florida and saw a Red-shouldered Hawk on the grass beside a fig tree
{Ficus sp.). Its attention was directed to the ground near its feet. When I approached, the
hawk flew to the top of the tree. I examined the ground where I had first seen the hawk
but found nothing. Directly above me a giant toad fell from where the hawk was
perched. Apparently the toad was dropped by the hawk as it flew away.
The dead toad measured about 115 mm snout-vent length. A 40-mm hole had been
torn on its underside just above the pelvic girdle, and the toad had been eviscerated. The
toad had not been dead for long; the right foreleg twitched twice during my examination.
No other wounds were apparent and no bufotoxin (which appears milky-white) was seen
on or around the parotid glands.
Notes
55
It appeared that the hawk captured the toad and rolled it onto its back, presumably
to avoid contact with toxins which are freely exuded under stressful conditions. Cassels
(1966) reported a similar hunting technique used by rats when preying on giant toads.
How well Red-shouldered Hawks may be able to exploit this novel and locally abundant
food source is unknown.
Literature Cited
Cassels, A, J. 1966. Disembowelled toads near water. J. North Queensland Nat. Club
34:6.
Duellman, W. E., and a. Schwartz. 1958. Amphibians and reptiles of southern Florida.
Bull. Florida St. Mus. 3:181-324.
Krakauer, T. 1968. The ecology of the neotropical toad, Bufo marinus, in south Florida.
Herpetologica 24:214-221.
Wilson, L. D., and L. PORRAS. 1983. The ecological impact of man on the south Florida
herpetofauna. Special Publ. No. 9. Univ. Kansas Mus. Nat. Hist. Lawrence.
ZUG, G. R., and P. B. Zug. 1979. The marine toad, Bufo marinus: a natural history re-
sume of native populations. Smithsonian Contributions to Zoology No. 284, Washing-
ton, D.C.
Zug, G. R., E. Lindgren, and J. R. Pippet. 1975. Distribution and ecology of the marine
toad, Bufo marinus, in Papua New Guinea. Pacific Science 29:31-50.
REVIEW
Fla. Field Nat. 22(2): 55-56, 1994.
White Ibis— Wetland Wanderer.— Keith L, Bildstein, 1993. Smithsonian Institu-
tion Press. Cloth, 272 pp., 23 black-and-white photos, 44 line drawings, in 12 chapters,
and 3 appendices, $22.50.— The White Ibis {Eudocimus alhus) is one of the most numer-
ous large birds in the southeastern United States. Although this species is locally very
conspicuous in large flocks and colonies, it has received little attention in any form of lit-
erature outside of the scientific journals. White Ibis is a thorough discussion of nearly all
aspects of the ecology of this nomadic species, told in a story-like prose that encompasses
Keith Bildstein’s 13 years of research on this species in South Carolina and Trinidad.
Written in a style that is easy and often entertaining to read, the book appeals to those
unwilling to delve into the journals, yet is also of real value to the professional ecologist
or ornithologist. The text is well referenced, and Bildstein's points are regularly illus-
trated with tables, graphs, and scientific illustrations. The literature Bildstein cites pro-
vides both a complete history of the White Ibis literature, and includes key references for
general ecological principles. The latter is of considerable value to lay readers and begin-
ning ecologists. The numerous pen-and-ink illustrations of ibises by Michelle Davis and
Pamela Cowart-Rickman are of very high quality, and add tremendously to the overall
quality of the book.
The book is presented in twelve chapters. The first is on ibises in historical literature,
and is exceedingly well researched. Even after my own 14 years of studying ibises, I was
shocked to learn that the reverence of ancient Egyptians for the Sacred Ibis {Threskior-
nis aetheopicus) went as far as raising huge numbers in captivity for the apparent pur-
pose of religious sacrifice and mummification, to the tune of several millions of animals.
56
FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST
The following ten chapters focus on modern-day research on White Ibises. Although
Bildstein is careful to highlight work done by others, a majority of the recent ecological
research has been accomplished by Bildstein and his students. Bildstein’s work is a tour
de force of the value of long-term research, and the research spans foraging ecology, re-
productive biology, blood chemistry, developmental biology, nutrient flux in ecosystems,
the ecology of prey organisms, and regional conservation. Bildstein addresses questions
about how flocks are formed, how ibises select food, why juveniles have poorer foraging
success than adults, the costs and benefits of sexual dimorphism, how parents recognize
young, why ibises are dark when young and white when adults, why ibises feed in
groups, and why ibises have curved bills. Undoubtedly the crown jewel of Bildstein’s re-
search was the discovery that juvenile ibises could not tolerate salty prey. This finding
was illustrated in a series of simple but elegant experiments, and turned out to be a key
determinant of the distribution and timing of nesting by ibises. Bildstein and co-workers
found that young ibises were fed salty fiddler crabs only in low-rainfall years when the
adults could not feed inland on freshwater prey, a linkage which has important ramifica-
tions for conservation. As illustrated in the last several chapters, this single physiological
limitation has the power to predict how many ibises will nest in a given year, why they
abandon estuaries that have become salinized, and why hurricanes such as Hugo should
have a severely depressive effect on reproduction in ensuing years.
The final chapter is devoted to conservation. Unlike the usual passionate pleas with
generalized, empty recommendations, Bildstein is able to propose specific region-wide
action with regards to the conservation of this species (retention of both coastal breeding
sites and inland foraging sites). In addition, Bildstein offers a modern, and realistic phi-
losophy towards coastal conservation: “. . . we may fast be approaching a time when we
realize that preserving the functional integrity of coastal ecosystems is in the best inter-
ests of not only the species within those ecosystems but also us as well. Altruistic conser-
vation, as laudatory as it may be, can use all of the human selfishness it can muster.”
The information in this book is accurate, clearly presented, and the conclusions have
been reached in the best of scientific tradition. If this book has a fault, it is in attempting
to serve both the lay and scientific audiences. The professional ornithologist is occasion-
ally confronted with explanations of basic physiology and ecological processes, and may
find the occasional story telling mildly disruptive. For instance, I found Bildstein’s at-
tempt to invent a fable on how ibises came to breed in the North Inlet marsh to be unap-
pealing and out of place. Similarly, the lay reader may find references to the scientific
literature in the middle of sentences disconcerting, and tables and graphs which (even at
their simplest) can be imposing. This is a difficulty inherent in the job of striving for both
audiences, but my overall opinion is that Bildstein has done an excellent job. There is
more than enough substance for the professional reader, and enough background and an-
ecdotes to keep the lay reader reading.
This book is readable and enjoyable. It is readily understood by the educated lay per-
son, and is a valuable addition to the collections of ornithologists of all levels. It is also
an able and eloquent spokesman for the value of long-term ecological research, and a
primer on exactly how careful studies initially focusing on single species can be ex-
panded to demonstrate powerful ecosystem processes. The rationale, philosophy, and
methods for conservation of coastal processes are a strong point of this book, and may be
of equal value for educators and those seeking conservation action. This book is highly
recommended for a wide variety of readers, including non-professionals, ornithologists,
ethologists, conservationists, coastal ecologists, and especially, students. Given such
wide potential readership, the book is a must for both public and institutional librar-
ies.—Peter C. Frederick, Dept. Wildl., 118 Newins-Ziegler Hall, University of Florida,
Gainesville, Florida 32611.
57
FIELD OBSERVATIONS
Fla. Field Nat. 22(2): 57-68, 1994.
Fall Report! August-November 1993. —The observations listed here are based on
rare or unusual species or significant numbers of birds reported to the Florida Ornitho-
logical Society (FOS) Field Observations Committee (FOC). As these reports are not for-
mally reviewed, they may be considered tentative.
Significant reports are welcomed for inclusion in future issues of this section. Reports
should include the following information: the species; the number of individuals; the age
and sex of the bird(s); the color morph if applicable; the location (including county); the
date; the observer(s); and the significance of the report. Reporting periods are winter
(December-February), spring (March-May), summer (June-July), and fall (August-No-
vember). Submit reports to regional compilers within two weeks after the close of each
period, or to the state compiler within one month. Reports may be sent by FAX to the
state compiler at (813) 699-1927.
Following the examples set by Florida Bird Species: An Annotated List (Robertson
and Woolfenden 1992, FOS Spec. Pub. No. 6) and The Birdlife of Florida (Stevenson and
Anderson in press), sight-only observations are considered “reports,” while only those
supported by verifiable evidence (photographs, video or audio tapes, or specimens) are
called “records.”
A county designation accompanies the first- time listing of each site; further listings
of the same site lack the county name. Abbreviations used in this report are: ABS = Arch-
bold Biological Station {Highlands); APAFR-N = Avon Park Air Force Range {Polk);
APAFR-S = Avon Park Air Force Range {Highlands); CP = county park; DI ~ Dog Island
{Franklin); NWR = national wildlife refuge; PPM - Polk phosphate mines; SOSB = S of
South Bay {Palm Beach); SP = state park; SRA = state recreation area; SSTP = Spring-
hill sewage treatment plant {Leon); WMA = wildlife management area; and N, S, E, W,
etc. for compass directions.
For their assistance with this report, the state compiler thanks Noel Warner, the fall
editor for American Birds; Bruce Anderson for information from the forthcoming The
Birdlife of Florida; and Peter Merritt for helpful suggestions. Thanks also to Rich Paul
for his excellent report on the Tampa Bay oil spill.
Summary of the Fall Season
On 10 August, three barges (one carrying phosphate ore, one jet fuel, and one fuel oil)
collided at the mouth of Tampa Bay, causing 330,000 gallons of fuel oil to escape. Initial
winds and tides kept most of the oil off the beaches, allowing about 200,000 gallons to be
recovered, but the remainder washed ashore within the next few days. On 18 and 19 Au-
gust, Rich Paul surveyed the Pinellas Gulf coast from 16 km north of Johns Pass to 39
km south, and determined that about 12% of the nesting Brown Pelicans were “lightly
oiled,” but most birds had fortunately ceased nesting by that time and were not present
at the colonies. Closer to Johns Pass, heavily oiled birds were brought to the Pinellas
Seabird Rehabilitation Center, which treated about 360 birds of 15 species, mostly year-
ling Brown Pelicans. Over 85% of the pelicans were later released. Double-crested Cor-
morants and Great Blue Herons also recovered well, but smaller waders, terns, and
other species suffered high mortality.
Flooded fields in western Palm Beach County hosted huge numbers of waders and
shorebirds this fall, including a spectacular mixed flock of 10,000 Glossy Ibises, 1500
58
FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST
Wood Storks, and 1000 Fulvous Whistling-Ducks east of Belle Glade 17 October! On 15
September, Jocie Baker reported “several thousand” shorebirds of 10 species south of
South Bay, and many other sightings from that area are included in this report.
On 29 August at Fort DeSoto Park, Lyn and Brooks Atherton noted an impressive
warbler flock of 17 species, including 1 Blue-winged, 1 Golden-winged, 4 Cerulean, 1
Blackburnian, 4 Hooded, and 2 Kentucky Warblers.
For the fifth consecutive year, Wayne Hoffman organized a hawk watch at Boot Key,
south of Marathon. Among the 671 individuals of 11 species was the state’s all-time high
count of Peregrine Falcons. Wayne’s data suggest that Boot Key may rival Cape May,
New Jersey as the premier hawk- watching site on the east coast.
Lastly, fall 1993 witnessed an “invasion” of Snow Geese throughout the state, even as
far south as Palm Beach County.
Species Accounts
Pacific Loon: 1 off Alligator Point {Franklin) 28 Nov (L. Hopkins et ah).
Common Loon: 60 in a raft off DI 29 Nov (D. Evered, L. Messick).
Eared Grebe: 1 at Fort Walton {Okaloosa) 25 Oct (D. Ware); 1 in PPM 7 Nov (P. Fellers).
Masked Booby: 11 at Dry Tortugas {Monroe) 28 Oct (T. Palmer).
Northern GanneT: about 1000 (95% immatures) off Playalinda 'Bea.oh (Brevard) 21 Nov
(S. Rowe); 408 off Turtle Mound, Canaveral National Seashore {Volusia) 26 Nov (H.
Robinson et ah); 100s off Hollywood Beach {Broward) 29-30 Nov (J. Baker).
American White Pelican: flocks moved E past DI 27 Sep through Nov, with 500 ob-
served 3 Oct (D. Evered, L. Messick); 2000 in PPM 7 Nov (P. Fellers).
Double-crested Cormorant: a migratory flock of 75 over ABS 29 Oct (R. Crain et al.)
was locally rare.
Magnificent Frigatebird: 369 on Cortez Key {Manatee) and 530 on Tarpon Key {Pinel-
las) 18 Aug, of which about 15% were immatures (R. Paul); singles regular off DI Aug-
Sep (D. Evered, L. Messick); 2 near Panama City {Bay) 30 Oct (E. and L, Keppner);
many more than usual around Marco Island {Collier) (T. Below).
American Bittern: 6-7 flying around Rainey Slough {Glades) at dawn 30 Oct (F. Lohrer,
B. Pranty, FOS group).
Great Blue Heron: 30 pairs nesting on Cortez Key, and 20 pairs on Terra Ceia Key
{Manatee) in mid-Nov (A. Schnapf).
Great White Heron: 1 at Wards Bank {Duval) 8 Aug (J. Wheat); 1 at the Carabelle
River mouth {Franklin) 19 Sep (D. Evered, L. Messick).
Snowy Egret: 325 in PPM 26 Sep (P. Fellers, C. Geanangel).
Reddish Egret: 3 in St. Marks NWR {Wakulla) 2 Aug-10 Oct (R. Gidden, A. Foder et al.);
9 dark morphs at Hagen’s Cove {Taylor) 23 Aug (R. Paul); 3 white morphs on Shell
Key {Pinellas) 11 Sep (P. Biair et al.); 13 dark morphs in one flock on DI 18 Sep (D.
Evered, L. Messick) is the highest-ever count for the Big Bend {fide B. Anderson); 1
near Panama City 17 Oct (T. Menart, E. Fontaine).
Glossy Ibis: 1 on Key West {Monroe) 2 Oct was locally rare (J. Ondrejko); 10,000 16 km
E of Belle Glade {Palm Beach) 17 Oct (W. Biggs, C. Garrett) is the state’s highest-ever
count by far {fide B. Anderson).
White Spoonbill {Platalea leucorodia): 1 in McKay Bay {Hillsborough) 20 Oct through
the period (G. Woolfenden et al.). Although the species has strayed to Greenland
(AOU 1983:779. Check-list of North American Birds), this individual was traced to a
bird that escaped from nearby Busch Gardens {fide D. Canterbury). This is the first
report of the species in Florida (Robertson and Woolfenden 1992).
Roseate Spoonbill: 40+ SOSB 29 Aug (J. Baker, E. Rosenberg); 6 in Dundee {Polk)
through the period (P. Fellers et al.).
Field Observations
59
Wood Stork: 1600-1700 SOSB 29 Aug, and 1000 there 15 Sep (J. Baker, E. Rosenberg);
150 at Lake Munson {Leon) 23 Sep (T. Morrill) and 180 there 27 Sep (G. Menk); 1500
16 km E of Belle Glade 17 Oct (W. Biggs, C. Garrett).
White Stork (Ciconia ciconia): 1 photographed S of Chipley {Washington) 16-17 Aug (P.
Toole) was presumably the same individual observed in APAFR-S 21 Sep (L. Riopelle)
and photographed in Pelican Island NWR {Indian River) 18 Nov-mid Dec (P. Tritaik,
fide P. W. Smith), Presumably an escapee from captivity, but possibly a natural va-
grant from the Old World, this is the first record for Florida (Robertson and Wool-
fenden 1992).
Fulvous Whistling-Duck: 1000 16 km E of Belle Glade 17 Oct (W. Biggs, C. Garrett);
1 at Smyrna Dunes Park {Volusia) 22 Oct (W. Biggs et ah).
Black-bellied Whistling-Duck: 2 in St. Marks NWR 21 Sep (M. Cicciarelli) is first N
Florida report; 8 on Myakka River {Sarasota) 17 Oct (W. Biggs, C. Garrett).
Snow Goose: 32 white morphs flying S over the Myakka River 31 Oct (B. and W. Biggs
et aL); up to 4 (1 white and 3 blue morphs) in PPM 1-6 Nov (B. and L. Cooper, P.
Fellers); 1 blue morph at Venice Beach {Sarasota) 2 Nov (F. and V. Bates); 12 at Fort
Walton 5 Nov (W. Fullilove); 163 (80% blue morphs) SOSB 7 Nov (E. Rosenberg et
aL), and 196 videotaped there 13 Nov (L. and B. Atherton, M. Wilkinson, A. McKel-
vey); 3 blue morphs in Rookery Bay Sanctuary 7 Nov (B. J. Anderson, J. McGinity)
was the third Collier report (T. Below); 12 near Arcadia {DeSoto) 13 Nov (J. Arnold);
3 white morphs at Lake Lochloosa {Alachua) 16 Nov (R. Rowan); 16 in Merritt Island
NWR {Brevard) 21 Nov (C. and P. Small); 1 blue morph (with a white belly) at SSTP
30 Nov (J. Cavanagh); several flocks in St. Marks NWR {fide J. Cox).
Brant: 1 in Honeymoon Island SBA{Pinellas) 29 Nov (S, Hackshaw, S. Goodbred).
Mallard: two reports of wild birds in Hillsborough: a few in McKay Bay Oct-Nov, and 2
pairs in Hillsborough Bay 29 Nov (both R. Paul).
Blue-winged Teal: 30 in ABS 31 Aug (K. Tarvin, M. Garvin); 300 in Orlando Wilder-
ness Park {Orange) 18 Sep, 125 on 1 Oct, but only 80 there 29 Nov (D. Freeman);
1500 in PPM 7 Nov (P Fellers).
Northern Shoveler: 1 female over ABS 17 Aug (G. Woolfenden); 2000 in PPM 7 Nov (P.
Fellers).
Gadwall: 42 in PPM 13-28 Nov (P. and D. Fellers, C. Geanangel).
Eurasian Wigeon: 1 male in Merritt Island NWR 7 Nov (S. Buettner).
American Wigeon: 500 in PPM 28 Nov (P. and D. Fellers, C. Geanangel).
Ring-necked Duck: 3000 in PPM 13 Nov (P. Fellers, C. Geanangel).
Surf Scoter: 2 near Boca Raton {Broward) 30 Oct-8 Nov (B. Hope); 1 in female plumage
off Cedar Key {Levy) 30 Oct-9 Nov (R. Rowan, M. Manetz).
Scoter species: 600, of which about 10% were White-winged Scoters, off Playalinda
Beach 21 Nov (S. Rowe).
Hooded Merganser; 450 in PPM 28 Nov (R and D. Fellers, C. Geanangel).
Turkey Vulture: 150 over Key West 8 and 30 Nov (J. Ondrejko).
Osprey: 26 over Boot Key {Monroe) 9 Oct (W. Hoffman et aL).
American Swallow-tailed Kite: 1 over DI 15 Aug (D. Evered, L. Messick); 1 over Key
West 19 Aug (J. Ondrejko).
White-tailed Kite: 1 juvenile SOSB 3 Sep (B. Hope, W George et aL); 1 on St. George
Island {Franklin) 23 Oct (E. and D. White); 1 W of Homestead {Dade) 21 Nov was the
only report from that location all season (R W. and S. Smith).
Snail Kite: 1 in female plumage on Lake Arbuckle {Polk) 13 Sep (D. Stotz).
Mississippi Kite: l juvenile over Boot Key 2 Oct (W. Hoffman); 1 over S Jacksonville
{Duval) 28 Sep (J. Cocke).
Bald Eagle: l immature in Fort Walton 12 Nov (K. and M. Strangeland), where the spe-
cies was “almost completely absent until a few years ago, now at least 2 active nests”
60
FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST
(B. Duncan in litt.); 1 territorial pair on DI through the period was suspected to nest
(D. Evered, L. Messick, S. Rein); at least 2 new nest sites N of Tallahassee {Leon) (W.
Baker, J. Cox).
Northern Harrier: 1 on DI 8 Sep, and 10 there 25 Oct (D. Evered, L. Messick); 9 over
Boot Key 9 Oct (W. Hoffman et ah).
Sharp-shinned Hawk: 98 over Boot Key 9 Oct (W. Hoffman et aL); 26 over Cape Florida
{Dade) 20 Oct (J. Edscorn, R Fellers).
Cooper’s Hawk: 1 at Brooker Creek {Pinellas) 8 Aug (D. Sumpter); 14 over Boot Key 9
Oct (W. Hoffman et al.); 3 over Cape Florida 20 Oct (J. Edscorn, P. Fellers).
Broad-winged Hawk: 1 immature in Saddle Creek CP {Polk) 18 Sep and an adult there
21 Nov (P. Fellers); 1 over Key West 30 Sep and 17 there 2 Oct (J. Ondrejko); 4 over
Cape Florida 20 Oct (J. Edscorn, P. Fellers); 22 in Spanish River Park, Boca Raton 25
Oct (B. Hope).
Short-tailed Hawk: 1 dark morph at Brooker Creek 3 Aug, where at least 1 bird was
regularly seen since Jun (D. Sumpter); 1 dark morph over ABS 7 Aug (D. Stotz) and
1 Sep (J. Fitzpatrick et al.); 1 dark morph in Lettuce Lake CP {Hillsborough) 22 Sep
(S. Backes); 1 light morph over Lake Placid {Highlands) 2 Oct (J. Fitzpatrick); 4 dark
morphs over Boot Key 9 Oct (W. Hoffman et al.) and 4 there 16 Oct (W. Hoffman, C.
Sewell, L. Richard); 1 dark morph in APAFR-S 12 Oct (D. Stotz); 2 dark morphs on
Key West 14 Nov (J. Ondrejko).
Swainson’S Hawk: several in St. Joseph Peninsula SP {Gulf) 24 Oct (H. Loftin et ah); 1
over Boot Key 16 Oct (W. Hoffman, C. Sewell, L. Richard); 3 in Spanish River Park 25
Oct (B. Hope); 1 dark morph over ABS 22 Nov (J. Fitzpatrick et al.); 1 light morph on
Key West 30 Nov (J. Ondrejko).
Ferruginous Hawk: 1 at Cedar Key 1-2 Oct (D. Henderson, N. Taylor, details to
FOSRC).
Crested Caracara: 2 in SE Martin 4 Nov (V. Merritt) were locally rare.
American Kestrel: 65 over Boot Key 9 Oct (W. Hoffman et al.); 20 over Cape Florida 20
Oct (J. Edscorn, R Fellers).
Merlin: 1 over ABS 17 Aug (J. Fitzpatrick) was the earliest-ever fall report {fide B.
Anderson); a seasonal total of 26 at DI 23 Sep through Oct (D. Evered, L. Messick); 1
at Lake Alfred {Polk) 1 Oct (P. Fellers); 42 over Boot Key 9 Oct (W. Hoffman et al.); 1
in PPM 1-13 Nov (B. Cooper, P. Fellers, C. Geanangel).
Peregrine Falcon: 1 SOSB 15 Sep and 10 Nov (J. Baker, E. Rosenberg) and 3 there 30
Oct (W. Bracey, M, Greenburg); 1 at SSTP 21 Sep (J. Cavanagh) and 25 Sep (G.
Menk); 1 adult near Gainesville {Alachua) 30 Sep-6 Oct (J. Hintermister, B. Muschl-
itz); 1 over the Suwannee River {Dixie) 30 Sep (J. Krummrich); 1 in Orlando Wilder-
ness Park 1 Oct (D. Freeman); 1 in Occidental WMA {Hamilton) 3 Oct (J.
Krummrich); 1 over ABS 4 Oct (G. Woolfenden et al.); 196 over Boot Key 9 Oct (W.
Hoffman et al.) is the state’s highest-ever count {fide B. Anderson); 1 in PPM 6 and 13
Nov (P. Fellers); a seasonal total of 13 over DI 25 Sep-22 Nov (D. Evered, L. Messick).
Yellow Rail: 1 in St. Marks NWR 23 Oct (N. Warner).
Black Rail: 1 in Lower Suwannee NWR {Levy) 29 Nov (J. Krummrich).
Purple Gallinule: 1 immature near Panama City 25 Nov (B. and M. Kittredge, T. Me-
nart) was locally late.
Sandhill Crane: 14 over St. Marks NWR 21 Nov (H. Hooper, D. Harris); 27 W of Craw-
fordville (Wakulla) also 21 Nov (G. Menk); 6 over DI 22 Nov (D. Evered, L. Messick).
American Golden-Plover: 1 in Collier 7 Sep (D. Shock) was locally rare; 1 in PPM 6
Nov (R Fellers); 2 SOSB 13 Nov (L. Atherton et al.).
Snowy Plover: 14 on Shell Key 11 Sep (R Blair et al.).
Field Observations
61
Semipalmated Plover: 1 at SSTP 2 Sep (T. Morrill); up to 3 in Paynes Prairie Basin 10
Sep-8 Oct (R. Rowan, M. Manetz) was only the second Alachua report; 325 on Shell
Key 11 Sep (P. Blair et al.) is the highest-ever fall report {fide B. Anderson).
Piping Plover: 2 on Virginia Key {Dade) 11 Sep (J. Villamil et al.); 60 on DI 23 Sep (D.
Evered, L. Messick); 1 in John Lloyd SRAin Dania {Broward) in late Oct (E. Rosen-
berg); 31 at Big Sabine {Escambia) 17 Nov (G. Fleming, F. Logan).
Killdeer: 150 flew E past DI in one hour 23 Oct (D. Evered, L. Messick).
Black-necked Stilt; up to 102 in St. Marks NWR 2 Aug-20 Sep (J. Reinman et al.); 31
in Sawgrass Lake CP {Pinellas) 6 Aug (R. Smith); 15 at a new breeding site in Pensa-
cola Naval Air Station {Escambia) 12 Aug (M. McMillian); 250 at Zellwood farms {Or-
ange) 14 Aug (L. Hopkins, R. Smith et aL); 1004- SOSB 29 Aug (E. Rosenberg, J.
Baker); 24 in PPM 13-28 Nov (P. Fellers, C. Geanangel).
American Avocet: up to 5 in St. Marks NWR 14 Aug-28 Oct (R. Gidden); 1 on DI 10 Sep
(D. Evered, L. Messick); 1 at SSTP 21 Sep (J. Cavanagh); 1 near Pace {Santa Rosa) 12
Oct, and 2 near there 15-22 Oct (B. Milmore); 586 in Homeland mine {Polk) 7 Nov (C.
Geanangel, P. Timmer).
Willet: 1 at Zellwood 21 Aug (P. Fellers et al.).
Upland Sandpiper: 1 in APAFR-N 17 Aug (D. Stotz); 40 at Zellwood 21 Aug (R Fellers
et al.) and 21 there 22 Aug (J. Hintermister et al.); 2 W of Homestead 29 Aug (P. W.
and S. Smith); 1 in Merritt Island NWR 3-10 Sep (S. Rowe); 1 in APAFR-S 19 Sep (D.
Stotz).
Long-billed Curlew: 4 at Alafia Banks {Hillsborough) 12 Sep (A. Schnapf); 3 on Fort
Myers Beach {Lee) 26 Nov (B. Atherton).
Marbled Godwit: 1 in Paynes Prairie Basin 1-3 Sep (R. Rowan et al.) was the first A/a-
chua report.
Ruddy Turnstone: 1 at SSTP 1 Sep (G. Menk).
Red Knot: 400 in Fort DeSoto CP {Pinellas) 11 Aug (R. Paul); 550 on Shell Key 11 Sep
(P. Blair et al.), and 5000 there 17 Sep (P. Blair) is the second highest-ever count {fide
B. Anderson); 1 SOSB 8 Nov (B. Hope) was very rare inland.
SanderlinG: 1 at SSTP 1 Sep (G. Menk).
Semipalmated Sandpiper: 2 at SSTP 1 Nov (G. Menk) were late.
White-rumped Sandpiper: 3 SOSB 8-13 Nov (B. Hope, H. Langridge).
Baird’s Sandpiper: 1 at Wards Bank 11 Sep (J. Bledsoe, S. Buettner); 1 on DI 12 Oct (D.
Evered, L. Messick).
Pectoral Sandpiper: 1 in St. Marks NWR 14-15 Aug (R. Gidden et al.); 6 on DI 10 Sep
(D. Evered, L. Messick); 1 at SSTP 18 Nov (G. Menk).
Calidris species: 11000 in PPM 13 Nov (P. Fellers, C. Geanangel).
Purple Sandpiper: 2 in Fort Clinch SP {Nassau) 8 Nov (B. Muschlitz) and 23 Nov (J.
Bledsoe); 1 in Smyrna Dunes Park 26 Nov (W. Biggs et al.); 1 in Bahia Honda SP
{Monroe) 25 Nov (D. and E. O’Neill); 1 at Port Canaveral {Brevard) 26 Nov through
the period (W. Biggs et al.).
Dunlin: up to 3 in PPM 1-28 Nov (B. and L. Cooper, P. Fellers); 100 SOSB 13 Nov (B.
Hope, H. Langridge).
Curlew Sandpiper: 1 at Fort Myers Beach 14 Oct (V. McGrath et al,).
Stilt Sandpiper: singles on DI 31 Aug and 17 Sep were new there (D. Evered, L. Mes-
sick); 1 in St. Marks NWR 7 Nov (C. and R. Christen); 600 in PPM 7 Nov (P. Fellers).
Buff-breasted Sandpiper: 4 at Zellwood 24 Aug (B. Muschlitz, J. Hintermister, H. Ad-
ams); 3 W of Homestead 28 Aug (P. W and S. Smith); 1 in Merritt Island NWR 2-3
Sep (S. Rowe); single immatures on DI 18 and 23 Sep (D. Evered, L. Messick),
Ruff: 1 with a broken wing SOSB 7 Aug remained about a month (J. Sigsbee et al.).
62
FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST
Short-billed Dowitcher: 1200 in PPM 13 Nov (P. Fellers, C. Geanangel).
Long-billed Dowitcher: 13 in APAFR-S 2 Oct (D. Stotz); 80 W of Moore Haven
{Glades) 30 Oct (D. Stotz, S. Gill, FOS group); 1000 SOSB 8-14 Nov (B. Hope, H. Lan-
gridge) is the state’s highest-ever count {fide B. Anderson).
Common Snipe: 1 in APAFR-S 19 Aug (D. Stotz) was somewhat early.
American Woodcock: 1 at Tiger Point {Santa Rosa) 18 Aug (B. Bremser) had been
present since mid-Jun {fide B. Duncan).
Wilson’s PhalaropE: 1 in St. Marks NWR 15 Aug (K. NeSmith), 22 Aug (J. LaVia), and
14 Sep (P. Collings, D. Waldman); 1 at SSTP 19 and 24 Aug ( J. Cavanagh); 5 at Zell-
wood 21 Aug (P Fellers et al.) and 2 there 22 Aug (J. Hintermister et ah); 1 photo-
graphed on Marco Island 18 Sep was the first Collier record (T. Below).
POMARINE Jaeger: 879 off Turtle Mound 26 Nov (H. Robinson, W. Biggs, G. Stoccardo,
W. Bracey); 400 off Playalinda Beach, also 26 Nov (J. Hintermister).
Parasitic Jaeger: 1 off DI 30 Oct (D. Evered, L. Messick); 124 off Turtle Mound 26 Nov
(H. Robinson, W Biggs, G. Stoccardo, W. Bracey).
Jaeger species: 300 flying S off Playalinda Beach 21 Nov, and 100 there 23 Nov (S.
Rowe).
Franklin’s Gull: 1 first-year bird on Fort Myers Beach 7 Nov (B. and L. Atherton).
Iceland Gull: 1 at Wards Bank 9 Oct (S. Buettner, details to FOSRC).
Lesser Black-backed Gull: 1 adult at Fort Pickens {Escambia) 7 Oct (G. Fleming et
al.) was probably the same bird observed at Wayside Park, Pensacola {Escambia) 20-
28 Oct (W. Fullilove, J. Knepton); 2 on the Sunshine Skyway causeway {Pinellas) 4-5
Oct, one lingering to 11 Oct (L. Atherton, J. Turner, A. Kretschmar); 8 adults at Wards
Bank 16 Oct (N. Warner, T. West) and 7 Nov (J. Wheat); 1 adult SOSB 10-14 Nov (E.
Rosenberg, J. Baker, H. Langridge); 1 on Shell Island {Bay) 22 Nov (R. West); 1 in
Merritt Island NWR 28 Nov (W. Biggs et ah).
Great Black-backed Gull: 1 adult off DI 30 Oct (D. Evered, L. Messick).
Gull-billed Tern: 1 at Zellwood 21 Aug (P. Fellers et all.); 1 SOSB 29 Aug, and 2 there
10 Nov (E. Rosenberg, J. Baker).
Caspian Tern: 60 SOSB 10 Nov (J. Baker, E. Rosenberg).
Sandwich Tern: 537 on Shell Key 11 Sep (P Blair et al.); 2000-3000 at Alafia Banks 2
Oct (R. Paul) and 24 Oct (A. Schnapf); state’s highest-ever count {fide B. Anderson).
Common Tern: 224 on Shell Key 11 Sep (P Blair et ah); 700 that flew E off DI in one
hour 5 Oct were the peak of a heavy migration in early Oct (D. Evered, L. Messick).
Least Tern: 27 at Lake Jackson {Leon) 1 Aug (G. Menk); 3 on Key West 8 Aug were the
last observed there this year (J. Ondrejko).
Black Tern: 350 on Shell Key 27 Aug (P. Blair); 6 at Lake Jackson 31 Aug-2 Sep (G.
Menk); 1 at Lake Munson 8 Sep (T. Morrill).
Black Skimmer: the high of 528 in PPM 1 Nov was lower than usual (B. and L. Cooper);
60 SOSB 10 Nov (J. Baker, E. Rosenberg).
White-crowned Pigeon: 1 on Hypoluxo Island {Palm Beach) 15 Oct (C. Weber, G.
Hunter et al.), and 2 at Big Cypress Bend {Collier) 20 Nov (J. McGinity) were fall dis-
persers N of their breeding grounds.
Eurasian Collared-Dove: 1 on DI 26 Sep (D. Evered, L. Messick); 60 in Little Sabine
{Escambia) 29 Oct (M. McMillian et al.); 1 at Fort Pickens 29 Oct {fide W. Fullilove);
4 new locations reported by P W. and S. Smith in Oct: 20+ birds 7 miles E of Dunnel-
lon {Marion)', a “small colony” in Carabelle {Franklin); and dozens of birds each in
Moore Haven and Clewiston {Hendry); 300 in a flock S over Port St. John {Brevard)
24 Nov (S. Rowe).
White-winged Dove: 1 near Pensacola 11 Aug (A. Forster); up to 11 in Lake Parker
Park, a new Polk site, 30 Sep (T. Palmer); singles at Cedar Key 14-31 Oct and 20 Nov
Field Observations
63
(D. Henderson); 2 on Key West 14 Oct (J. Ondrejko); singles on DI 21 Oct, 25 Oct, and
8 Nov (D. Evered, L. Messick); 1 in Wakulla 30 Oct-2 Nov (C. and J. Stevenson).
Rose-ringed Parakeet: 1 in Gainesville 19 Nov (B. Muschlitz, M. Manetz).
Blue-crowned Parakeet: increasing in Pinellas, with 15 in St. Petersburg 19 Oct (D.
Goodwin), and 2 in Honeymoon Island SRA 20 Nov (R. Smith).
Black-billed Cuckoo: 2 in Seminole State Forest {Lake) 11 Sep (S. Blitch); 1 in Honey-
moon Island SRA 7 Oct (R. Smith); singles banded on DI 13 and 17 Oct (D. Evered, L.
Messick); 1 in Paynes Prairie 16 Oct (M. Manetz, R. Rowan).
Yellow-billed Cuckoo: 30 on DI 10 Oct, and 50 there 22 Oct (D. Evered, L. Messick).
Groove-billed Ani: 1 on DI 9-10 Oct (D. Evered, L. Messick) was the only report re-
ceived, in contrast to last fall.
Burrowing Owl: 1 in ABS 31 Oct (D. Stotz) was a rare Station report.
Whip-poor-will: 2 in ABS 27 Aug (G. Woolfenden).
Chuck-WILL’S-WIDOW: 1 banded on DI 20 Nov (D. Evered, L. Messick) was late.
Buff-bellied Hummingbird; 1 immature female banded in Destin (Okaloosa) 5-9 Nov
(B. Hardison, B. and M. Sargent, details to FOSRC).
Black-CHINNED Hummingbird: 1 immature male at Cedar Key 28 Oct-2 Nov (D. Hen-
derson).
Archilochus species: 1 immature male, probably a Black-chinned Hummingbird, in
Homestead 29 Oct-7 Nov (P. W. and S. Smith).
Rufous Hummingbird: 1 in Calhoun 5 Nov through the period (S. Arbery).
Allen’s Hummingbird: 1 in female plumage in Pensacola 19-27 Aug (J. and M.
Knepton) was banded 25 Aug (B. and M. Sargent, photos to FOSRC). This will be the
first Florida record if accepted by the FOSRC.
Selasphorus species: 1 immature male in Homestead 29 Sep-11 Oct, and an immature
female there 25 Oct-7 Nov (P. W. and S. Smith); 1 immature male, believed to be a Ru-
fous, photographed in Dade City the last week in Nov (D. Ward) was the first record
of the genus in Pasco (fide B. Pranty).
Red-headed Woodpecker: 1 in Bonaventure (Broward) mid Jul-29 Aug (E. Rosenberg)
was locally rare.
Hairy Woodpecker: 1 in a stand of mostly-dead pines near Payne Creek, E of Fort
Green (Hardee) 8 Sep (R. Paul).
Olive-sided Flycatcher: 1 videotaped in Fort DeSoto CP 11 Sep (L. and B. Atherton et
aL); 1 in St. Joseph Peninsula SP 24 Sep (P. Powell).
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher: 1 banded on Casey Key (Sarasota) 14 Sep (A. Stedman);
1 banded and photographed on DI 19 Sep (D. Evered, L. Messick); 1 in Saddle Creek
CP 2 Oct (C. Geanangel); 1 in Homestead 2 Oct (P. W. and S. Smith); 1 on St. George
Island 24 Oct (C and J. Stevenson).
Acadian Flycatcher: 1 in APAFR-S 3 Sep (D. Stotz) and 1 in ABS 17 Sep (B. Pranty)
were the first Highlands reports (fide F. Lohrer).
Least Flycatcher: 1 in Fort DeSoto CP 12 Sep and 3 Oct (L. Atherton et al.); 2 in Sad-
dle Creek CP 12 Sep (B. and L. Atherton, D. Narins), and 1 there 19 Sep (B. Atherton,
J. Turner, A. Kretschmar) and 25 Sep (P. Fellers); 1 in Lettuce Lake CP 17 Sep (L.
and B. Atherton, D. Narins); 1 in Homestead 29 Sep-6 Oct (P. W. and S. Smith).
Empidonax species: 1 “Traill’s” Flycatcher in Placid Lakes (Highlands) 2 Sep (D. Stotz);
1 in John Lloyd SRA 16 Sep (J. Baker); 11 “Traill’s” Flycatchers banded on DI 23 Sep-
5 Oct were mostly apparently Alder Flycatchers (D, Evered, L. Messick); 1 probable
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher in APAFR-N 11 Oct (D. Stotz).
Eastern Phoebe: ca. 50 on DI 18 Oct (D. Evered, L. Messick).
Vermilion Flycatcher: 1 adult male in Fort Pickens 7 Oct (L. Gould, A. Ziccardi et al.);
1 immature male in St. Marks NWR 8 Oct (S. and D. Jue) was joined by an adult
64
FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST
male 11 Oct and an immature male 26 Nov, all in the same area (N. Warner et al.); 1
adult male at Lake Munson 29 Oct through the period (G. Menk).
Brown-crested Flycatcher: 1 in St. George Island SP 30 Sep (C. and J. Stevenson) is
the earliest fall report {fide B. Anderson).
Myiarchus species: 1 in Flamingo {Monroe) 29 Nov was thought to be a Brown-crested
Flycatcher (S, Walter).
Western Kingbird: 1 on DI 31 Aug, 25 Sep, and 4 Oct (D. Evered, L. Messick); 1 in
Paynes Prairie 20 Oct (R. Rowan); 1 in Merritt Island NWR 23 Oct (S. Backes, D. Tay-
lor); 1 at Parker Island {Highlands) 29 Oct (B. Pranty, D. Goodwin, L. McCullagh) in-
creased to 4 birds by 28 Nov (D. Stotz); 1 in APAFR-S 3 Nov (D. Stotz); 2 W of
Homestead 8 Nov reached a high of 7 birds 20 Nov (P. W. and S. Smith); 1 in Honey-
moon Island SRA 20 Nov (R. Smith, P. Blair, B. and B. Wotton); 1 in St. Marks NWR
26 Nov (J. Brunner, L. Findley).
Eastern Kingbird: 95 on Sheppard Road, Old Venus {Highlands) 23 Aug (D. Stotz); 73
in Merritt Island NWR 3 Sep (S. Rowe); 100s near Lake Rosalie {Polk) the second
week in Sep (D. Struthers).
Gray Kingbird: 1 photographed N of Venus {Highlands) 2 Aug (K. Tarvin, B. Pranty); 1
in APAFR-N 22 Aug (D. Stotz).
SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER: 1 on DI 13 Sep (S. Rein) and 27 Oct (D. Evered, L. Mes-
sick); 1 in Gulf Breeze {Santa Rosa) 13 Oct (B. Duncan); 1 in Fort DeSoto CP 21 Oct
(H. Fagan); 1 in Fernandina Beach {Nassau) 27 Oct (E. Colborn); 1 male at Parker Is-
land 29 Oct through the period (B. Pranty et al.); 2 near Cockroach Bay {Hillsbor-
ough) 13 Nov (S. Backes, D. Taylor); 1 W of Homestead 15 Nov through the period (P.
W. and S. Smith); 1 in Weston {Broward) 24-25 Nov (R. Carlton); 1 in Babson Park
{Polk) 28 Nov (C. Geanangel, P. Timmer).
Horned Lark: 1 in Merritt Island NWR 30 Nov, at the same site as the previous spring
(S. Rowe).
Tree Swallow: 800 flew E by DI in 30 min 18 Oct (D. Evered, L. Messick).
N. Rough-winged Swallow: ca. 20 over ABS 31 Aug-1 Sep (G. Woolfenden et al.); 26 at
SSTP 1 Oct (G. Menk).
Bank Swallow: 2 in APAFR-S 2 Sep (D. Stotz); 6 at SSTP 1 Oct (G. Menk).
Cliff Swallow: 1 in St. Marks NWR 22 Aug (N. Warner); 15 at SSTP 1 Oct (G. Menk);
ca. 750 over Boot Key 9 Oct (P. W. Smith et al.) is the state’s highest-ever count by far
{fide B. Anderson); up to 15 in Pa3mes Prairie 20 Oct (R. Rowan); 2 at Dry Tortugas 28
Oct (T. Palmer).
Barn Swallow: 900 flew E by DI in 30 minutes 18 Oct (D. Evered, L. Messick).
Scrub Jay: 1 in Morningside Nature Center 2 Oct (M. Girard) and 1 in Pa5nies Prairie 5
Oct ( J. Gillen), possibly the same wandering individual, are the first recent Alachua
reports, and are about 32 km from the nearest known jays in the Ocala National For-
est (ABS data).
Fish Crow: 9 on Key West 10 Oct (J. Ondrejko).
Red-breasted Nuthatch: 1 in A. D. Barnes CP {Dade) 13-23 Oct (P. W. and S. Smith et
al.) is the southernmost Florida report.
Winter Wren: 1 in NW Jefferson 13 Oct (N. Warner).
Sedge Wren: 1 on DI 23 Sep (D. Evered, L. Messick).
Veery: 1 banded on Casey Key 7 Nov (A. Stedman).
Gray-cheeked Thrush: 4 banded on Casey Key 14 Sep-18 Oct (A. Stedman); 19 banded
on DI through 26 Oct (D. Evered, L. Messick).
Swainson’S Thrush: 25 in Boyd Hill Nature Park {Pinellas) 16 Oct (R. Smith) is a high
local count; 10 in Saddle Creek CP 17 Oct (C. Geanangel).
Wood Thrush: 1 at Panther Point {Polk) 19 Sep (P. Fellers); 1 in Hugh Birch SRA (Bro-
ward) 4 Oct (W. George); 1 in Boyd Hill Nature Park 16 Oct (R. Smith); 4 banded on
Casey Key 14 Oct-3 Nov (A. Stedman); 4 at Dry Tortugas 28-29 Oct (T. Palmer).
Field Observations
65
Gray Catbird: ca. 6000 on DI 28 Sep (D. Evered, L, Messick) is the state’s highest-ever
count (fide B. Anderson).
Bahama Mockingbird: the male on Key West was last observed 14 Aug ( J. Ondrejko).
Sprague’s Pipit: 1 at SSTP 12 Nov (G. Menk); 1 in St. Marks NWR 13 Nov (D. and S.
Jue); 1 on St, George Island causeway 26 Nov through the period (L. Hopkins, R.
Smith et ah).
Thick-billed VireO: 1 on Boot Key 3-10 Oct (W. Hoffman et ah).
Philadelphia VireO: 1 in Lettuce Lake CP 29 Sep (S. Backes); 1 S of Tallahassee 2 Oct
(T. Morrill); 1 near Panama City 2 Oct (R. and A, Ingram); 1 in Pace 6 Oct (B. Mil-
more); 1 in Fort DeSoto CP 10 Oct (R. Smith); 1 in Fort Pickens 11 Oct (E. Case, W
Fullilove); 1 in Hugh Birch SRA 12 Oct (W. George); 1 in Jacksonville 24 Oct (J.
Cocke); 1 at Cedar Key 30 Oct (D. Henderson).
Blue-winged Warbler: 1 in Lake Parker Park 27 Aug (T. Palmer); 1 in Arlington Park
(Sarasota) 28 Aug (E. Miller); 2 in Fort DeSoto CP 29 Aug (L. and B. Atherton); 1
banded on Casey Key 14 Sep (A. Stedman); 1 in Black Swamp (Leon) 17 Sep (G.
Menk); 7 in John Chestnut CP (Pinellas) 18 Sep (L. and B. Atherton); 1 at the Semi-
nole environmental center 18 Sep (B, Krikorian); 2 in Colohatchee Park, Fort Lau-
derdale (Broward) 19 Sep (B. and T. Center); 1 in Pace 27 Sep (B. Milmore); 2 in
APAFR-N 28 Sep (D. Stotz); 1-2 in Saddle Creek Park through Sep (fide L. Cooper); 1
in Homestead 2 Oct (P. W. and S. Smith).
Golden-winged Warbler: 6 Alachua reports 20 Aug-2 Oct (B. Muschlitz et ah); 1 male
in Fort DeSoto CP 29 Aug (L. and B, Atherton); 1 female on Seminole Ranch (Orange)
11 Sep (B. Krikorian); 1 on DI 18 Sep and 1 Oct (D. Evered, L. Messick); 1 in Spanish
River Park 19 Sep (B. Hope); 1 in Miami (Dade) 24 Sep (fide M. Cooper); 1 male in
APAFR-N 28 Sep (D. Stotz); 1 in Fort Pickens 29 Sep (E. Case); 1 female in Highlands
Hammock SP (Highlands) 3 Oct (D. Stotz); 1 in Hugh Birch SRA 3 Oct (W. George);
1 male in APAFR-N 11 Oct and 17 Oct (D. Stotz); 9 in Pinellas and Hillsborough dur-
ing the season, (fide L. Atherton).
Vermivora hybrid: 1 “Brewster’s Warbler” in Sawgrass Lake CP 25 Sep (S. Backes, D.
Taylor), and singles in Alachua 25 Sep (R. Rowan), 29 Sep (B. Muschlitz, C. Reno),
and 4 Oct (M. Manetz).
Tennessee Warbler: 3 in APAFR-S 28 Sep (D. Stotz); 2 in ABS 29 Sep (J. Fitzpatrick);
1 banded on Casey Key 1 Nov (A. Stedman).
Nashville Warbler: 1 on St. George Island 11 Sep (J. Cavanagh); 2 in Fort DeSoto CP
12 Sep (L. Atherton, M. Wilkinson et ah); 1 in Spanish River Park 18 Sep (B. Hope);
1 at Cedar Key 25 Sep-2 Oct (D, Henderson) was only the second Levy report; 1 in
Pace 27 Sep (B. Milmore).
Yellow Warbler: 6 in Count Philippe Park (Pinellas) 1 Aug (R. Smith); 260 through
the period at Gulf Breeze, and 60 there 23 Aug (B. Duncan), the highest-ever fall
count (fide B. Anderson).
Magnolia Warbler: 1 in Black Swamp 3 Nov (G. Menk); among 4 observed in Ever-
glades National Park 20 Nov was 1 in Mahogany Hammock (Dade) at the same site
as where 1 wintered last year (R W, and S. Smith).
Cape May Warbler: 1 in St. George Island SP 23 Oct (C. and J. Stevenson) and 1 female
banded on DI 23 Oct (D. Evered, L. Messick) were locally rare.
Black-throated Blue Warbler: 1 female banded on DI 11 Nov (D. Evered, L. Mes-
sick).
Townsend’s Warbler: 1 female videotaped in Fort DeSoto CP 11 Sep (L. and B. Ather-
ton et ah, details to FOSRC).
Black-throated Green Warbler: 3 in Mahogany Hammock, a regular wintering site,
20 Nov (P. W. and S. Smith).
Palm Warbler: 1 on DI 8 Sep (D. Evered, L. Messick); 1 in St. Marks NWR 12 Sep (B.
Hardy, F. James); 4 in APAFR-S 13 Sep (D. Stotz).
66
FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST
Bay-breasted Warbler: 1 near Destin {Okaloosa) 19 Sep (D. Ware); 1 in St. Marks
NWR 18 Oct (R W. and S. Smith); 1 in Alturas {Polk) 17 Nov (R Timmer).
Blackpoll Warbler: 1 in Gulf Breeze 19 Sep; third local fall report (B. Duncan).
Cerulean Warbler: 1 in Sawgrass Lake CR 11 Aug (R. Smith); 1 immature in ARAFR-
S 20 Aug (D. Stotz); 4 in Fort DeSoto CR 29 Aug (L. and B. Atherton); 1 male near
Ranther Hammock {Wakulla) 30 Aug (J. Cavanagh); 1 in Jacksonville 4 Sep (J.
Cocke); 2 in Saddle Creek CR 11 Sep (B. and L. Cooper et aL); 1 N of St. Marks NWR
24 Oct (M. Cicciarelli); 29 in Pinellas and Hillsborough, less than last year {fide L.
Atherton).
American Redstart: 1 male in ARAFR-S 7 Aug (D. Stotz); 24 in Saddle Creek CR 16 Oct
is a high local count (R. Fellers et al.); 1 on DI 6 Nov (D. Evered, L. Messick).
Rrothonotary Warbler: 12 in Spanish River Rark 5 Sep (B. Hope); 10 in Saddle Creek
CR 11 Sep (B. and L. Cooper et ah).
Worm-eating Warbler: 1 in Seminole State Forest 21 Aug (D. Freeman); 1 in ARAFR-
N 4 Sep (D. Stotz); 4 in Leon Sinks {Leon) 7 Sep (T. Morrill); 3 in AFAFR~S 13 Sep, and
1 there 21 Sep (D. Stotz); 2 at Seminole environmental center 18 Sep, and singles
there 9 and 16 Oct (B. Krikorian); 1 in Highlands Hammock SR 22 Sep (D. Stotz); 2 in
Hal Scott Rreserve {Orange) 2 Oct (D. Freeman); 3 DI reports, including 1 banded 13
Oct (D. Evered, L. Messick).
Swainson’S Warbler: 1 in Lettuce Lake CR 6 Sep (L. Atherton); 1 banded on DI 6 and
15 Sep (D. Evered, L. Messick); 1 in John Lloyd SRA 16 Sep (J. Baker); 1 in Home-
stead 3 Oct (R W. and S. Smith).
OVENBIRD: 1 on DI 14 Aug (D. Evered, L. Messick); 75 in Spanish River Rark 5 Sep (B.
Hope).
Northern Waterthrush: 1 in ARAFR-S 12 Aug (D. Stotz); 1 at Rarker Island 6 Nov (D.
Stotz).
Louisiana Waterthrush: up to 4 singing in Saddle Creek CR 7 Aug-6 Sep (C. Geanan-
gel, R. Fellers et al.).
Kentucky Warbler: 6 S of Tallahassee 8 Aug (G. Menk); 7 Alachua reports 13 Aug-21
Sep; 2 in Fort DeSoto CR 29 Aug (L. and B. Atherton); 3 in Leon 7 Sep (T. Morrill); 3
in Saddle Creek CR 11 Sep (B. Cooper et al.); 1 in Spanish River Rark 22 Sep (B.
Hope); 2 on Cape Florida 25 Sep {fide M. Cooper); 1 in Miami 5-7 Oct (M. Cooper).
Mourning Warbler: 1 in Spanish River Rark 27 Sep (B. Hope).
Hooded Warbler: among 9 reports were 1 at Dry Tortugas 28 Oct (T. Ralmer) and 2 on
Key West 1 Nov (J. Ondrejko).
Wilson’s Warbler: 1 male in Fort DeSoto CR 11-12 Sep (L. Atherton), and 1 female
there 12 Sep (L. Atherton); 1 banded on Casey Key 13 Sep (A. Stedman); 1 in Jack-
sonville 16 Sep (J. Cocke); 1 in Black Swamp 17 Oct-3 Nov (G. Menk); 1 in Fort Rick-
ens 29 Sep (E. Case); 1 in Gainesville 23 Nov (R. Kiltie).
Canada Warbler: 1 in Arlington Rark 26 Aug (J. Ralmer); 3 in one bush on St. George
Island 4 Sep (J. Cavanagh); singles on DI 8 Sep, 18 Sep, and 30 Sep (D. Evered, L.
Messick); 1 in Spanish River Rark 12 Sep (B. Hope); 1 in Niceville {Okaloosa) 25 Sep
(M. Lambert); 1 in Saddle Creek CR 15 Sep (R Fellers), and 2 there 17 Sep (L. and B.
Atherton, D. Narins); 1 male in San Feiasco Hammock {Alachua) 27 Sep (B. Muschl-
itz, H. Adams); 1 in Hugh Birch SRA 9 Oct (T. Center, W. George).
Yellow-breasted Chat: 1 banded on Casey Key 12 Sep (A. Stedman).
Summer Tanager: 1 migrant in ABS 21 Aug (G. Woolfenden); 2 on DI 27 Oct (D. Evered,
L. Messick).
Blue Grosbeak: many DI reports 4 Sep-16 Nov, including 20 birds on 16 Oct (D. Evered,
L. Messick), the highest-ever fall count {fide B. Anderson).
Indigo Bunting: 1 in AFAFR-N 17 Aug (D. Stotz); 60-70 in Jacksonville 24-26 Oct (J.
Cocke); 5 on Key West 1 Nov (J. Ondrejko); 4 in Black Swamp 3 Nov (G. Menk).
Field Observations
67
Painted Bunting: 1 male at Lake Saddlebags (Highlands) 12 Aug (fide A. Rasmussen);
1 immature male banded on DI 27 Oct (D. Evered, L. Messick).
Dickcissel: 1 in St. Marks NWR 21 Aug (N. Warner), and 5 Oct and 24 Oct (M. Ciccia-
relli); 1 N of St. Marks NWR 24 Sep (J, Cavanagh); 1 on Key West 18 Oct (J, On-
drejko).
Bachman’S Sparrow: 1 juvenile banded on DI 3 Oct (D. Evered, L. Messick).
Clay-colored Sparrow: 1 in Gulf Breeze 2 Oct (B. Duncan, P. Tetlow); 1 in Fort Pick-
ens 7 Oct (C. Kingsbery et aL); 2 on DI 16 Oct (P. W. Smith); 2 W of Homestead 21 Nov
(P. W. and S. Smith); 2 in Babson Park 28 Nov (C. Geanangel, P. Timmer).
Lark Sparrow: 1 at Fort Pickens 25 Sep (P. Powell); 1 at SSTP 3 Oct at the same site as
last year (T. Morrill); 1 in St. Marks NWR 18 Nov (D., J., and R. Ballman).
Fox Sparrow: 1 in Avalon Beach (Santa Rosa) 21 Nov (K. and M. Strangeland) tied the
earliest local fall date (fide B. Duncan).
Lincoln’s Sparrow: 2 W of Homestead 21 Nov (P. W. and S. Smith).
White-throated Sparrow; 1 in E Pasco 24 Nov (S. Backes) was locally rare.
White-crowned Sparrow: 2 on DI 24 Oct, and single birds there 25 and 27 Oct and 7-
9 Nov (D. Evered, L. Messick); 1 at Hickory Mound Impoundment (Taylor) 7 Nov (J.
Cox, K. NeSmith); 1 W of Homestead 21 Nov (R W. and S. Smith); 35 in Babson Park
28 Nov (C. Geanangel, P. Timmer), state’s highest-ever count (fide B. Anderson).
Dark-eyed Junco: 1 immature female on DI 11 Nov (D. Evered, L. Messick); 1 in Lake
Woodruff NWR (Volusia) 28 Nov (W. Biggs).
Bobolink; 600 on SR 64 E of Avon Park (Highlands) 14 Sep (D. Stotz); 1 at Dry Tortugas
28 Oct (T. Palmer).
Eastern Meadowlark: 1 on DI 28 Aug (D. Evered, L. Messick) is the earliest-ever fall
report (fide B. Anderson).
Western Meadowlark: 1 calling on DI 22 Oct was the first report there (D. Evered, L.
Messick).
Yellow-headed Blackbird: 1 in Destin 29 Aug (M. Sheasby); 1 on DI 23 Sep (D.
Evered, L. Messick); 1 in Homestead 29 Sep-1 Oct (E. O’Dell); 1 in St. Marks NWR 16
Oct (R. Kautz, N. Warner); 5 (2 females and 3 immatures) in St. Andrews SP (Bay) 20
Oct (A. Ingram, R. Ingram, T. Rybicki); 1 female in E Highlands 28 Oct (D. Stotz); 1
adult male in Gainesville 4 Nov (R. Rowan), and another there 20-22 Nov (R. Rowan,
M. Manetz).
Rusty Blackbird: about 50 N of Tallahassee 23 Nov ( J. Cavanagh).
Brewer’s Blackbird: 1 banded on Casey Key 28 Sep (A. Stedman) is the earliest-ever
fall report (fide B. Anderson); 2 N of Tallahassee 23 Nov (J. Cavanagh).
Shiny Cowbird: 1 in St. Marks NWR 22 Aug (J. LaVia); 3 in Rookery Bay Sanctuary 12
Nov (J. McGinity), 3rd consecutive year birds have wintered there (fide T. Below).
Bronzed Cowbird: 1 male in Gainesville 18 Nov (R. Rowan); 1 male at Cedar Key 25
Nov (D. Henderson).
Orchard Oriole: 1 in female plumage in APAFR-S 12 Aug (D. Stotz).
Northern Oriole: 2 “Bullock’s” Orioles in Homestead 26 Sep through the period (P, W.
and S. Smith); 1 female “Baltimore” Oriole at Parker Island 6 Nov (D, Stotz).
House Finch: 1 female in Homestead 19-27 Oct (P. W. and S. Smith); 1 over Carabelle
13 Nov (D. Evered, L. Messick); 1 male at Cedar Key 24-25 Nov (D. Henderson); birds
also in Lake City (Columbia) and Gainesville this fall (P. Powell).
American Goldfinch: 1 over ABS 17 Sep (B. Pranty), and 1 male in Gainesville 19-21
Sep (C. Reno, 1. Fromberg); 2nd and 3rd earliest-ever fall reports (fide B, Anderson).
Contributors: Howard Adams, B. J. Anderson, Bruce Anderson, Sybil Arbery, Jim Ar-
nold, Brooks Atherton, Lyn Atherton, Steve Backes, Jocie Baker, Wilson Baker, Dick
Ballman, Jane Ballman, Richard Ballman, Fred Bates, Virginia Bates, Ted Below,
68
FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST
Bettye Biggs, Wes Biggs, Paul Blair, Jeff Bledsoe, Seth Blitch, Woody Bracey, Bill Brem-
ser, J. Brunner, Steve Buettner, Dan Canterbury, R. Carlton, Ed Case, Jim Cavanagh,
Barbara Center, Ted Center, Cynthia Christen, Ron Christen, Maria Cicciarelli, Julie
Cocke, Ele Colborn, Patricia Collings, Buck Cooper, Linda Cooper, Mort Cooper, Jim Cox,
Renee Crain, Bob Duncan, John Edscorn, Duncan Evered, Hugh Fagan, Donna Fellers,
Paul Fellers, Laura Findley, John Fitzpatrick, Gene Fleming, Anita Foder, Eula Fon-
taine, Ann Forster, Dot Freeman, Ike Fromberg, Will Fullilove, Charles Garrett, Mary
Garvin, Chuck Geanangel, Wally George, Red Gidden, Sheri Gill, Jack Gillen, Marguer-
ite Girard, Steve Goodbred, Dave Goodwin, Lyn Gould, Marvin Greenburg, Simon Hack-
shaw, Blake Hardison, Bill Hardy, Dawn Harris, Dale Henderson, John Hintermister,
Wayne Hoffman, Harry Hooper, Brian Hope, Larry Hopkins, Gloria Hunter, Ann Ingram,
Richard Ingram, Fran James, Dean Jue, Sally Jue, Randy Kautz, Herb Kale, Ed Kepp-
ner, Lisa Keppner, Richard Kiltie, Curtis Kingsbery, Bruce Kittredge, Marion Kittredge,
Jim Knepton, Mary Knepton, Arlene Kretschmar, Brian Krikorian, Jerry Krummrich,
Jay LaVia, Margaret Lambert, Howard Langridge, Frank Logan, Horace Loftin, Fred Lo-
hrer, Michael Manetz, Lenore McCullagh, Jim McGinity, Vince McGrath, Annie McKel-
vey, Mike McMillian, Tony Menart, Gail Menk, Victoria Merritt, Lyla Messick, E. Miller,
Bill Milmore, Tom Morrill, Barbara Muschlitz, David Narins, Katy NeSmith, Elizabeth
O’Dell, David O’Neill, Elizabeth O’Neill, Joe Ondrejko, Jeff Palmer, Tom Palmer, Rich
Paul, Peggy Powell, Bill Pranty, Alice Rasmussen, Arnold Rawson, Susan Rein, Joe Re-
inman, Cathy Reno, Laura Richard, Larry Riopelle, Harry Robinson, Ed Rosenberg, Rex
Rowan, Sean Rowe, Ted Rybicki, Bob Sargent, Martha Sargent, Ann Schnapf, Camille
Sewell, David Shock, Jim Sigsbee, Marge Sheasby, Christine Small, Parks Small, P. Wil-
liam Smith, Ron Smith, Susan Smith, Annette Stedman, Carol Stevenson, Jim Steven-
son, Gene Stoccardo, Doug Stotz, Kim Strangeland, Mike Strangeland, Dana Struthers,
Dave Sumpter, Keith Tarvin, Debra Taylor, Nancy Taylor, Phil Tetlow, Pete Timmer, Pre-
ston Toole, Paul Tritaik, Jean Turner, Juan Villamil, Dorothy Waldman, Steve Walter,
Noel Warner, David Ward, Don Ware, Chuck Weber, Rick West, Terry West, Jim Wheat,
Donna White, Eddie White, Margie Wilkinson, Glen Woolfenden, Betty Wotton, Bob Wot-
ton, Ann Ziccardi.
Correction to Winter 1992-1993 report {Fla. Field Nat. 21(3): 95): the 71 Piping Plo-
vers on Shell Island {Wakulla) 2 Jan were observed by Gil Nelson et al., not the observers
listed.
Corrections to Spring 1993 report {Fla. Field Nat. 21(4): 125): the 15 Wood Thrushes
reported 7 March 1993 as the earliest-ever spring report were actually observed 7 April.
Also, the 8 Western Kingbirds in E Pasco 11 April should have reported only 2 birds, ob-
served solely by Steve Backes.
Addition to the Spring 1993 report: Band-rumped Storm-Petrel: 1 found in the Gulf
ca. 32 miles S of Pensacola 31 May later died (Bob Duncan, specimen to ABS).
Additions to the Summer 1993 report: Yellow-rumped Warbler; 1 near Fountain {Bay)
4 Jun (Steve Shimmel); Eurasian Collared-Dove: the first nesting report ior Indian River
was established in Vero Beach in late summer (Bruce Wetmore).
Report prepared by Bill Pranty, state compiler, (Archbold Biological Station, P. O.
Box 2057, Lake Placid, Florida 33852). Other committee members are Linda Cooper
(115 Lameraux Road, Winter Haven, Florida 33884), Jim Cox (Florida Game and Fresh
Water Fish Commission, 620 S. Meridian Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1600), and
Peggy Powell (2965 Forest Circle, Jacksonville, Florida 32257).
Florida Field Naturalist
ISSN 0738-999X
PUBLISHED BY THE FLORIDA ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY
Editor: PETER G. MERRITT, RO. Box 1954, Kobe Sound, Florida 33470-1954.
Associate Editor (for bird distribution): HOWARD P. Langridge, 1421 West Ocean Ave-
nue, Lantana, Florida 33462.
Associate Editor (for reviews): Reed Bowman, Archbold Biological Station, P.O. Box
2057, Lake Placid, Florida 33852.
Associate Editor (for technical papers): RICHARD T. PAUL, National Audubon Society,
410 Ware Blvd., Suite 500, Tampa, Florida 33619.
Editor of Special Publications: Glen E. Woolfenden, Archbold Biological Station,
P.O. Box 2057, Lake Placid, Florida 33852.
Editor of the Ornithological Newsletter: Katy NeSmith, Florida Natural Areas
Inventory, 1018 Thomasville Road, Suite 200-C, Tallahassee, Florida 32303.
Archives Committee: WALTER K. TAYLOR (Chair), Department of Biological Sciences,
University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida 32816.
Editorial Advisory Board: STEPHEN A. NESBITT, Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish
Commission, Wildlife Research Laboratory, 4005 South Main St., Gainesville, Florida
32601.
Field Observations Committee: Bill Pranty (Compiler), Archbold Biological Station,
P.O. Box 2057, Lake Placid, Florida 33852.
Finance Committee: P. WILLIAM SMITH (Chair), P.O. Box 1341, Homestead, Florida
33090.
Nominating Committee: JAMES Cox (Chair), Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish
Commission, 620 S. Meridian St., Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1600.
Records Committee: Bruce H. Anderson (Secretary), 2917 Scarlet Road, Winter
Park, Florida 32792.
Research Awards Committee: Reed Bowman (Chair), Archbold Biological Station,
P.O. Box 2057, Lake Placid, Florida 33852.
INFORMATION FOR CONTRIBUTORS
The Florida Field Naturalist is a fully refereed journal emphasizing biological field
studies and observations of vertebrates, especially birds, in and near Florida and the
nearby West Indies. It welcomes submission of manuscripts containing new information
from these areas. Please consult recent issues for style and Vol. 18, No. 1 for detailed
information. Submit manuscripts for consideration to the Editor, Peter G. Merritt. Mono-
graph-length manuscripts may be submitted for consideration to the Editor of Special
Publications, Glen E. Woolfenden. Send books and other materials for review to Associate
Editor, Reed Bowman. For preliminary assistance regarding submission of manuscripts
dealing with bird distribution and rarities contact Associate Editor, Howard P. Langridge.
Reports of rare birds in Florida should also be submitted to the FOS Records Committee
Secretary, Bruce H. Anderson. For preliminary assistance regarding submission of scien-
tific, technical, or behavioral contributions contact Associate Editor, Richard T. Paul.
Florida Field Naturalist
PUBLISHED BY THE FLORIDA ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY
Vol. 22, No. 2 May 1994 Pages 29-68
CONTENTS
ARTICLES
Snail Kite Use of a Drought-related Habitat and Communal Roost in
West Palm Beach, Florida: 1987-1991
Darren G. Rumbold and Mary Beth Mihalik 29-38
Nest Sites of Florida Sandhill Cranes in Southwestern Florida
F. Chris Depkin, Laura A. Brandt, and Frank J. Mazzotti 39-47
NOTES
Distinguishing Gender of Florida Grasshopper Sparrows
Using Body Measurements
Michael F Delany, Clinton T Moore, and Donald R. Progulske, Jr 48-51
Banding Confirmation that Some Middle Atlantic Coast Boat-tailed
Crackles Visit Florida in the Winter
'William Post 51-52
A Second Ruddy Duck Nests in Hillsborough County, Florida
Richard T Paul, Ann F. Schnapf, and Manuel Lopez 53-54
Giant Toad Eaten by Red-shouldered Hawk
Walter E. Meshaka, Jr. 54-55
REVIEW
White Ibis - Wetland Wanderer, by Keith L. Bildstein
Peter C. Frederick 55-56
FIELD OBSERVATIONS
Fall Report: August - November 1993
Bill Pranty 57-68
ERRATA
47
IL
Florida Field Naturalist
PUBLISHED BY THE FLORIDA ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY
VoL. 22, No. 3 August 1994
Pages 69-96
I
i
FLORIDA ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY
Founded 1972
Officers
President: Fred E. Lohrer, Archbold Biological Station, RO. Box 2057, Lake Placid,
Florida 33852.
Vice-President: R. TODD Engstrom, Tall Timbers Research Station, Route 1, Box 678.
Tallahassee, Florida 32312.
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THIS PUBLICATION IS PRINTED ON NEUTRAL PH PAPER
Florida Field Naturalist
PUBLISHED BY THE FLORIDA ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY
VoL. 22, No. 3 August 1994 Pages 69-96
Fla. Field Nat. 22(3): 69-74, 1994
USE OF FLORIDA ROUND-TAILED MUSKRAT HOUSES BY
AMPHIBIANS AND REPTILES
Lora L. Smith^ and Richard Franz^
^Department of Wildlife and Range Sciences, University of Florida,
Gainesville, Florida 32611
^Florida Museum of Natural History, University of Florida,
Gainesville, Florida 32611.
Abstract.— Black swamp snakes (Seminatrix pygaea) and two-toed amphiumas
{Amphiuma means) are reported for the first time as associates of Florida round-tailed
muskrat {Neo fiber alleni) houses at four pond sites near Lake Delaney, Ocala National
Forest, Putnam County, Florida. At least 12 other species of amphibians and reptiles
have been recorded in the literature as associates of this rodent. These data suggest
that the nest of Neofiber alleni contribute significantly to the species diversity of wet-
land habitats in Florida.
The Florida round-tailed muskrat (Neofiber alleni) is an aquatic
rodent associated with vegetated marshes and ponds in Florida and
southeastern Georgia (Birkenholz 1972). This mammal usually con-
structs houses of tightly-woven grasses and other plant material in
shallow, fluctuating pools with abundant vegetation. Active houses
are dome-shaped, 17-60 cm in diameter, and generally rest upon a
base of decaying vegetation in the pond (Birkenholz 1963). These
structures have been shown to be havens for aquatic and semiaquatic
amphibians and reptiles (Schwartz and Duellman 1952, Porter 1953,
Birkenholz 1963, Lee 1968). This paper notes the occurrence of two
additional species of amphibians and reptiles that use these struc-
tures.
Methods
We sampled 13, 2, 3, and 7 Neofiber alleni houses at four sites near Lake Delaney
in the Ocala National Forest, Putnam County, Florida. The first three ponds were
located on the north and northeast sides of Lake Delaney (Site 1— sec.22, t.l8S, r.25E;
69
70
FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST
Sites 2 and 3— sec. 23, t.lSS, r.25E), and the fourth site was south of the lake (sec. 26,
t.l8S, r.25E). We sampled all available houses at each site.
We considered the 18 houses at Sites 1 to 3 to be abandoned; the seven houses at
Site 4 were active and appeared to be freshly constructed. The abandoned houses were
completely saturated with water, and only the uppermost layers of plant material
floated near or at the water surface. The complete inundation of these structures proba-
bly resulted from heavy rains in late fall and winter that dramatically raised water lev-
els in local ponds. Active houses extended 5 to 8 cm above the water surface and the
living grasses surrounding the platform were bent inward to form a canopy. The founda-
tions of active and abandoned houses rested on or near the pond bottom.
Sites 1, 2, and 4 were seasonal ponds that formed in shallow sinkhole depressions,
whereas Site 3 was on the northern edge of a large wet prairie that probably was con-
nected with Lake Delaney during periods of high water. Sites 1, 2, and 4 also lacked flsh
populations, but Site 3 supported centrarchids, Fundulus chrysotus, and Gambusia hol-
brooki.
Houses at each site were located in water less than 1 m deep. Ponds had extensive
growths of emergent vegetation, particularly maidencane {Panicum hemitomon), bog
button {Eriocaulon sp.), yellow-eyed grass (Xyris sp.), and dog fennel (Eupatorium sp.)
and were edged with narrow fringes of saw palmetto (Serenoa repens) and slash pine
(Pinus elliottii). The sand hills that surround these wetlands are modifled sand pine
(Pinus clausa) scrub in the northern part of the Ocala National Forest.
Amphibians and reptiles were obtained by rolling the entire plant mass of each
house into large dip nets. We separated the associated snakes and salamanders from
the plant matter and placed them in holding containers. We obtained snout-vent length
(SVL), total length (TL) (to the nearest mm), and body mass (to the nearest 0.1 g) for
each snake. Sex was determined by probing each snake's cloaca. We kept swamp snake
data sets separate for four of the houses at Site 1. One swamp snake was retained as a
voucher in the collection of the Florida Museum of Natural History (UF 87751). We
measured TL for three amphiumas, which represented extremes in body sizes in the
salamander sample; these salamanders were preserved as vouchers (UF 87691-3). The
rest of the amphiumas were released following the completion of sampling.
Results
Seminatrix pygaea.— We caught 64 black swamp snakes (25
females, 39 males) at 11 of 13 houses at Site 1. The two houses that
lacked snakes appeared to be older than the others and floated slightly
lower in the water column. No other vertebrates were found in these
structures. All captures occurred between 1430-1530 hrs EST on 28
March 1993. The mean number of snakes per nest (excluding the two
older nests) was 5.8 (range= 2-12, SD= 3.1).
Most of the black swamp snakes were between 21.0 and 23.0 cm
SVL (Table 1). The mean SVL of males was 22.7 cm, compared with a
mean of 22.1 cm in females (Table 1). Females are reported to attain
sexual maturity at 24.0 cm SVL (Dowling 1950, Gibbons and Sem-
litsch 1991), whereas the minimum size for males is not known. How-
ever, if we assume that 24.0 cm SA/L is the minimum size for both
sexes, then we estimate that 83% of the captured snakes are imma-
ture.
Smith and Franz • Muskrat Houses
71
Table 1, Summarized data for Seminatrix pygaea at Site 1 in the Ocala
National Forest in March 1993.
Mean
Range
SD
Males (72=39)
Snout-vent length (cm)
22.7
19.1-25.7
1.51
Total length (cm)
28.^4
23.7-31.8
1.87
Weight (g)
9.6
5.9-13.4
1.82
Females (7i=25)
Snout-vent length
22.1
18.0-27.5
2.31
Total length
25.9
21.5-32.6
2.72
Weight
9.4
6.4-16.9
2.49
The overall male/female ratio was 1.5:1 and was not significantly
different from 1:1 (x^= 1.53, df = 1, P > 0.10). The numbers of males to
females in the four houses with separate data sets were 3:1, 4:0, 8:4,
and 5:2.
Amphiuma means.— Two amphiumas were recovered in each
flooded house at Site 2; one, three, and three were taken from three
houses at Site 3. None were found in the active houses at Site 4.
Houses were sampled in mid-morning on 6 April 1993. Three voucher
specimens (13.5, 15, and 16.9 cm TL) from Site 3 represented the
extremes in body sizes for the sample. All of the amphiumas in the
Neo fiber houses were immature based on their small size.
Discussion
The presence of Seminatrix pygaea and Amphiuma means in
Neofiber houses is not surprising in light of literature reports of both
species commonly burrowing into soft substrates and using aquatic
vegetation as shelter (Ashton and Ashton 1988a, 1988b, Goin 1947,
Mount 1975). The data for swamp snakes can be compared with infor-
mation presented by Dodd (1993) from Breezeway Pond, Putnam
County, Florida. He found that 89.1% of 123 snakes that were caught
in pitfall traps were juveniles and that the sex ratio was not signifi-
cantly different from 1:1 (45 males/49 females). Breezeway Pond
snakes were caught as they moved in and out of this seasonal pond.
The presence of large numbers of immature Seminatrix in this sample
supports Dodd's contention (Dodd 1993) that isolated, ephemeral wet-
lands may serve as important developmental habitats for certain
amphibians and reptiles in Florida.
Hansell (1993) suggested that the presence of nest building and
burrowing species can significantly contribute to species diversity in
72
FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST
habitats and become the focus of important dependent relationships.
The presence of 16 amphibian andreptile associates indicates that
Neofiber houses play important roles in maintaining diversity in wet-
land habitats with variable hydroperiods in Florida and southeast
Georgia (Table 2). Five salamanders and one snake gain protection
from predators by living within the flooded woven structures of these
houses. They also probably extract a portion of their food supply from
the amphibian larvae and invertebrates, particularly aquatic annelids
and insects, which can be abundant on the sides and in the interior of
the submerged houses. At least seven species of frogs and snakes are
known to use above-water parts of the houses as calling, basking, or
feeding sites, and another 12 species have been found under stranded-
houses during periods of low water (Table 2). Species that are shel-
tered by the stranded houses gain temporary protection from
dehydration and from predation as ponds dry and shrink in size.
Table 2. Amphibians and reptiles associated with the houses of the round-
tailed muskrat (Neofiber alleni).
Habitat structure
Reference
Houses (in the flooded structure)
Siren lacertina, greater siren
Lee 1968
Pseudobranchus axanthus, dwarf siren
Lee 1968
Eurycea quadridigitata, dwarf salamander
Lee 1968
Notophthalmus viridescens, peninsula newt
Lee 1968
Amphiuma means, two-toed amphiuma
this study
Seminatrix pygaea, black swamp snake
this study
House roof structures (calling, basking, and feeding sites)
Gastrophryne carolinensis , narrowmouth frog
Lee 1968
Bufo quercicus, oak toad
Lee 1968
Acris gryllus, Florida cricket frog
Lee 1968
Hyla squirella, squirrel treefrog
Lee 1968
Pseudacris nigrita, Florida chorus frog
Lee 1968
Rana utricularia, southern leopard frog
Lee 1968
Various watersnakes
Lee 1968
Under stranded houses
Notophthalmus viridescens, peninsula newt
Schwartz and Duellman
1962, Lee 1968
Newly transformed frogs (9 species)
Lee 1968
Eumeces inexpectatus , southeastern five-lined skink
Porter 1953
Sistrurus miliarius, dusky pigmy rattlesnake
Lee 1968
Smith and Franz • Muskrat Houses
73
Round-tailed muskrat populations have showed declines in Flor-
ida, and the species was listed as a Species of Special Concern by the
Florida Committee on Rare and Endangered Plants and Animals
(Lefebvre and Tilmant 1993) and as a candidate (C2) for federal listing
(Wood 1993). Concerns include the vulnerability of wetland habitats to
fragmentation and destruction by human activities and to drastic fluc-
tuations in water levels during flood and drought periods (Lefebvre
and Tilmant 1993). Loss of Neofiber from wetland systems could
threaten certain aquatic amphibians and reptiles by increasing their
vulnerability to predation and dehydration, particularly during peri-
ods of drought.
Acknowledgments
We wish to thank Sam R. Telford and Ron Lowry (Ocala National Forest staff) for
help in the field and C. Kenneth Dodd Jr., Paul E. Moler, John F. Eisenberg, and Laurie
Wilkins for reviewing the manuscript. These observations were made in conjunction
with studies on the distribution and status of gopher frogs and striped newts funded by
the Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission NonGame Program (NG-90-035)
(to R. Franz) and the Ocala National Forest (to S. R. Telford).
Literature Cited
Ashton, R. E., and P. S. Ashton. 1988a. Handbook of reptiles and amphibians of Flor-
ida. Part one: the snakes. Revised ed. Windward PubL, Inc., Miami.
Ashton, R. E., and P. S. Ashton. 1988b. Handbook of reptiles and amphibians of Flor-
ida. Part two: the amphibians. Windward PubL, Inc., Miami.
Birkenholz, D. E. 1963. A study of the life history and ecology of the round-tailed
muskrat (Neofiber alleni) in northern Florida. EcoL Monogr. 33:255-280.
Birkenholz, D. E. 1972. Neofiber alleni. Mammalian Species. No. 15: 1-4.
Dodd, C. K., Jr 1993. Population structure, body mass, activity, and orientation of an
aquatic snake (Seminatrix pygaea) during a drought. Can. J. Zool. 71:1281-1288.
Dowling, H. G. 1950. Studies of the black swamp snake, Seminatrix pygaea (Cope),
with descriptions of two new subspecies. Misc, Publ. Mus. Zool. Univ. Mich. 76:1-38.
Gibbons, J. W., and R. D. Semlitsch 1991. Guide to the reptiles and amphibians of the
Savannah River Site. Univ. Georgia Press, Athens.
Goin C. j. 1943. The lower vertebrate fauna of the water hyacinth community in north-
ern Florida. Proc. Florida Acad. Sci. 6:143-154.
Hansell, M. H. 1993. The ecological impact of animal nests and burrows. Funct. Ecol.
7:5-12.
Lee, D. S. 1968. Herpetofauna associated with central Florida mammals. Herpetologica
24:83-84.
Lefebvre, L. W. and J. T. Tilmant. 1993. Round-tailed Muskrat, Neofiber alleni. Pages
276-286. in Rare and Endangered Biota of Florida. Volume 1. Mammals. (S. R. Hum-
phrey, ed.). University Press of Florida, Gainesville.
Mount, R. 1975. The reptiles and amphibians of Alabama. Agric. Exp. Station, Auburn
University, Alabama.
Porter, R. P. 1953. A contribution to the life history of the water rat, Neofiber alleni.
M.S. Thesis, Univ. Miami, Coral Gables.
74
FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST
SCHWAETZ, A. AND W. E. DUELLMAN. 1952. The taxonomic status of the newts, Diemicty-
lus viridescens of peninsular Florida. Bull. Chicago Acad. Sci. 9:210-227.
Wood, D. A. 1993. Official Lists of Endangered and Potentially Endangered Fauna and
Flora in Florida. Fla. Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission, Tallahassee.
FLORIDA ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY
SPECIAL PUBLICATIONS
Species Index to Florida Bird Records in Audubon Field Notes and Amer-
ican Birds Volumes 1-30 1947-1976, by Margaret C. Bowman. 1978. Florida
Ornithological Society, Special Publication No. 1. Price $4.00.
The Carolina Parakeet in Florida, by Daniel McKinley. 1985. Florida Ornitho-
logical Society, Special Publication No. 2. Price $6.00.
Status and Distribution of the Florida Scrub Jay, by Jeffrey A. Cox. 1987.
Florida Ornithological Society, Special Publication No. 3. Price $8.00
Florida Bird Records in American Birds and Audubon Field Notes 1947-
1989, by Robert W. Loftin, Glen E. Woolfenden, and Janet A. Woolfenden. 1991.
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West Indian Bird Records in American Birds and Audubon Field Notes
(1947-1990): Species Index by Islands, by Robert W. Loftin. 1992. Florida Orni-
thological Society, Special Publication No. 5. Price $8.00.
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E. Woolfenden. 1992. Florida Ornithological Society, Special Publication No. 6.
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75
NOTES
Fla. Field Nat. 22(3): 75-77, 1994.7575
YELLOW-NOSED ALBATROSS SPECIMEN FROM KEY LARGO
Wayne Hoffman
National Audubon Society, 115 Indian Mound Trail, Tavernier, Florida 33070
On the morning of 27 May 1992 Mark Wheaton noticed a large black-and-white
bird sitting in the median of U.S. Highway 1 opposite his business in Key Largo, Monroe
County, Florida. He called Lisa Sprigins, who captured the bird and transported it to
the Florida Keys Wild Bird Rehabilitation Center, also on Key Largo. Laura Quinn,
director of the rehabilitation center, tentatively identified the bird as an albatross. It
had no obvious injuries, other than superficial abrasions on the feet, but seemed weak
and lethargic. The bird was alert and aware of its surroundings, but rested on its tarsi,
and walked seldom and with difficulty.
I examined and photographed the bird later that day (Fig. 1). It was clearly a mol-
l3miawk, among the smallest albatrosses, with wingspans of 175 to 240 cm. These birds
are largely white, with dark wings, back, and tail. Some have gray heads as well. The
mollymawks largely inhabit the subtropical, temperate, subantarctic, and antarctic
waters of the southern hemisphere. The five to seven species of mollymawks are gener-
ally similar in appearance, but can be distinguished by bill color and pattern, head
plumage, and underwing pattern. Three species of moll3unawks have been documented
in the north Atlantic, and two of these, the Yellow-nosed Albatross (H. chlororynchos)
and the Black-browed Albatross {D. melanophris) occur with some regularity (Bourne
1967, McDaniel 1973). The Key Largo bird had a largely black bill, with some yellow on
the dorsal plate and nail. Only two species of mollymawks, the Yellow-nosed Albatross
and the Grayheaded Albatross (D. chrysostoma) have largely black bills. The immacu-
late head and narrow dark edgings to the white underwings identify the bird as a Yel-
low-nosed Albatross. Juvenile Yellow-nosed Albatrosses have completely black bills, and
adults have black bills with a yellow or orange dorsal plate and nail, together forming a
stripe down the culmen from the forehead to the bill tip. The Key Largo bird's bill was
mostly black with some yellow, primarily on the nail and near the base of the bill, so I
suspect that it is a subadult. The weight (1.95 kg) was within the range of 1.87 - 2.5 kg
(N ~ 3) reported by Palmer (1962), and the bird did not seem emaciated, but it died dur-
ing the night of 28-29 May. The specimen is now at Archbold Biological Station, where it
is preserved as a study skin (GEW 5866). It was a male (testes white, 8X2mm) with a
wingspan of 199.4 cm. It had a moderate coating of subcutaneous fat, and was molting
breast feathers at the time of death.
This is the third report and first specimen of a Yellow-nosed Albatross from Florida.
Johnnie Johnson reported one off the coast of Brevard Co. 13 July 1958 (Stevenson
1958, Cruickshank 1980). The first verified record was of a bird photographed at the St.
Marks Light by G.W. Valpey-Toussignant on 3 July 1983 (Paul 1983)
Yellow-nosed Albatrosses breed on a few south temperate to subantarctic islands
in the southern Atlantic (Tristan da Cunha group, and Gough) and Indian Oceans (St.
Paul, Amsterdam, Prince Edward, Crozets), and range at sea from the Atlantic coast
of South America east through the southern Atlantic and Indian oceans to Australia and
New Zealand (Palmer 1962, AOU 1983, Harrison 1983). Some authors regard the birds
76
FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST
Figure 1. Yellow-nosed Albatross at the Florida Keys Wild Bird Rehabilitation
Center, 27 May 1992.
Notes
77
breeding in the Indian Ocean as a subspecies D. c. bassi, separate from D. c. chlororyn-
chos of the Atlantic, but the described plumage differences appear minor and con-
founded by wear (Murphy 1936), and subadults may not be separable.
Yellow-nosed Albatrosses have been known from the North Atlantic at least from
1885 (Bourne 1967). McDaniel (1973) reviewed albatross records from the western
North Atlantic. He found 13 reports of D. chlororynchos: three specimens plus a feather,
two photographic records, and seven sightings. I searched the Changing Seasons
reports in America?! Birds from 1972 through 1991 for all regions along the Atlantic and
Gulf coasts, and found 12 reports of Yellow-nosed Albatrosses, 10 reports of Black-
browed Albatrosses (including three of two birds), and four reports of unidentified alba-
trosses. Fifteen of the 26 reports were from maritime Canada and New England, six
were from Long Island through Virginia, and only five were from the southeast coast
and Gulf of Mexico. Oddly, 22 of the reports occurred between 1972 and 1981, and only
four since then. This dearth of albatross sightings in the last decade may be related to
the general decline seen in procellariiform bird numbers off New England and maritime
Canada as commercial fisheries there have declined. Alternatively the reduction in
reports could reflect real population declines in these species or a reduced frequency of
trans-equatorial vagrancy. Population declines, apparently resulting from increased
subadult and adult mortality of birds caught in longline fisheries, have been reported
for other southern albatrosses (Prince et al. 1994).
The Florida Keys Wild Bird Rehabilitation Center has been extremely cooperative
in making their unavoidable mortality records and specimens available for scientific
study. Roger Clapp and an anon5mious reviewer made useful comments on an earlier
draft of the manuscript.
Literature cited
American Ornithologists’ Union. 1983. Check-list of North American birds. 6th ed.
Am. Ornithol, Union, Washington, D. C.
Bourne, WR.R 1967. Long distance vagrancy in the petrels. Ibis 109: 141-167.
Cruickshank A.D. 1980. The Birds of Brevard County. Florida Press Inc., Orlando.
Harrison, P. 1983. Seabirds, an identification guide. Houghton Mifflin Co., Boston.
McDaniel, J.W. 1973. Vagrant albatrosses in the western North Atlantic and Gulf of
Mexico. Am. Birds 27:563-565.
Murphy, R. C. 1936. Oceanic birds of South America. American Museum of Natural
History, New York.
Palmer, R. S, 1962. Handbook of North American birds, Vol. 1. Yale Univ. Press, New
Haven.
Paul. R. 1983. The Changing Seasons, the Nesting Season: Florida Region. Am. Birds
37:980.
Prince, P.A., P. Rothery, J.P. Croxall and A. G. Wood. 1994 Population dynamics of
Black-browed and Grey-headed Albatrosses Diomedea melanophris and D. chrysos-
toma at Bird Island, South Georgia. Ibis 136:50-71.
Stevenson, H.M. 1958. The Changing Seasons, Regional Reports: Florida Region. Aud.
Field Notes 12:406.
78
FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST
Fla Field Nat. 22(3):78-80, 1994.
PELLET ANALYSIS OF BURROWING OWLS IN SOUTH CENTRAL FLORIDA
Reuven Yosef^ and Mark Deyrup
MacArthur Agro-ecology Center, Archbold Biological Station, RO Box 2057,
Lake Placid, Florida 33852
^Present Address: International Ornithological Station, P. O. Box 774,
Eilat 88106, Israel
The Florida Burrowing Owl {Athene cunicularia floridana) is crepuscular and diur-
nal in its habits (Fisher 1974), hunts from conspicuous observation porches, and nests
in a burrow in the ground. It is listed as a Species of Special Concern by the Florida
Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission (Millsap et al. 1990), and has been Blue-listed
since 1981 (Tate 1981). Although Evans (1982) reported that the Florida population was
increasing, population trends are mostly unknown (Smith et al. 1990). Bent (1938) was
among the first to mention that land-use changes caused Burrowing Owls to desert
nesting colonies. Persecution by illegal shooting (Nicholson 1954, Butts 1973), agricul-
tural practices (Evans 1982), secondary poisoning (Butts 1973), collision with vehicles
(Smith et al. 1990), and insecticides (James and Fox 1987) are some of the explanations
posed for the decline of Burrowing Owls.
Burrowing Owls use open country habitats and prefer short grass with sandy soil
(Hamel et at. 1982). They exhibit a flexible diet that depends on local prey abundance
(Bent 1938). They are known to eat small mammals and reptiles but feed predominantly
on invertebrates (Bent 1938, Pearson 1936, Fisher 1974, Zarn 1974). Our objective was
to identify prey taken while raising young. We believe that data from semi-natural hab-
itats are of importance because of the extensive land-use changes occurring at present
in Florida.
Two pairs of Burrowing Owls were observed, and data on reproductive success
were collected during 1990 and 1991 at the MacArthur Agro-ecology Research Center of
the Archbold Biological Station, Lake Placid, Highlands County, Florida. The site is a
4170 ha working cattle ranch. Pellets regurgitated at the burrow entrances were col-
lected and analyzed for prey remains.
During 1990 two pairs fledged three young; only one pair bred in 1991, fledging two
young. The overall fledging success for the two years was 1.25 young per pair per sea-
son, or 1.67 young per breeding attempt. One pair of Burrowing Owls disappeared dur-
ing the winter of 1990 and 1991 and the second pair disappeared after the young fledged
in mid-summer 1992. The second pair disappeared within two weeks of a selective
spraying of pesticide on soda apple {Solanum aculeatissimum) plants that grew near the
burrow.
Twenty-three pellets and additional prey remains collected at the burrows sug-
gested that the owls fed exclusively on invertebrates found in the pastures (Table 1).
These are large, slow-crawling, hard-bodied arthropods, predominantly giant water-
bugs, scarab beetles, and longhorn beetles. Some of these insects are diurnal, while oth-
ers are nocturnal or crepuscular. Six of the species belong to genera whose members are
known to have chemical defenses (Blum 1981). There is information on the effectiveness
of defenses of two species: the secretions of Romalea microptera protect them against
most vertebrate predators (Blum 1981), and Acanthocephala femorata were rejected
when offered to Florida Scrub Jays (Aphelocoma coerulescen) at the Archbold Biological
Station (pers. obs.). Some of the prey species belong to families whose members often
have chemical defenses (Hydrophilidae, Belostomatidae, Scarabaeidae), though we
found no references to the particular genera found in this study. Our data indicate that
Notes
79
Table 1. Prey identified from analysis of 23 pellets and other prey remains of
two pairs of Burrowing Owls in peninsular Florida.
Order and family
Genus and species
Number
of items
Hemiptera
Coreidae, leaf-footed bugs
Acanthocephala femorata (*~)
4
Belostomatidae, giant water bugs
Lethocerus griseus (+~#)
7
L. uhleri (+~#)
8
Belostoma lutarium (+#)
2
Orthoptera
Acrididae, short-horned grasshoppers
Romalea microptera (*~)
6
Coleoptera
Scarabaeidae, scarab beetles
Phaeneus vindex (*)
13
P. igneus (*)
2
Dyscinetus morator (-h)
12
Canthon viligans (+)
3
Hydrophilidae, water scavenger beetles
Hydrohiomorpha casta (+#)
5
Hydrophilus tiangularis (+#)
3
D5d;iscidae, predaceous diving beetle
Cybister fimhriolatus (+~#)
6
Carabidae, ground beetles
Chlaenius erythropus i+~#)
1
Cerambycidae, long-horned beetles
Zagymnus clerinus (*)
1
Orthosoma hrunneus (+)
18
Curculionidae, snout beetles
Rhyncophorus cruentatus (*)
4
Selenophorus sp. (*)
1
* Diurnally active
^ Nocturnally active
#Aquatic, flies at night
Genus known to have chemical defenses (Blum 1981)
the Burrowing Owls we observed collected large, slow-crawling, and slow flying arthro-
pods. A high percentage of these arthropods have chemical defenses that are adaptive
compensation for their poor agility. Burrowing Owls and their young seem remarkably
undeterred by these chemicals. Thus, we feel that although our observations and sam-
ple sizes are too small for inferring reproductive strategies and dietary patterns, they
suggest the need for additional studies to examine the connection between a diet with-
out vertebrates and low reproductive success of the Burrowing Owls in agricultural/
semi-natural habitats.
80
FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST
We thank Fred E. Lohrer, Brian A. Millsap, Jack Gardner, and an anonymous
reviewer for improving earlier drafts of this manuscript. This is contribution No. 15 of
the MacArthur Agro-ecology Research Center of the Archbold Biological Station.
Literaure Cited
Bent, A, C. 1938. Life histories of North American birds of prey. Part 2. Smithsonian
Inst., U. S. Natl. Mus. Bull. 170.
Blum, M. S. 1981. Chemical defenses of arthropods. Academic Press, New York.
Butts, K. O. 1973. Life history and habitat requirements of burrowing owls in western
Oklahoma. M.S. Thesis, Okla. State Univ.. Stillwater.
Evans, D. L. 1982. Status reports on twelve raptors. USFWS Spec. Sci. Rep. Wildl. 238.
Fisher, A. K. 1974. The hawks and owls of the United States in their relation to agricul-
ture. USDA Bull. No. 3. Amo Press, New York.
Hamel, P, B., H. E. Legrand, Jr., M. R. Lennartz, and S. A. Gauthreauz, Jr. 1982.
Bird-habitat relationships on southeastern forest lands. USDASE., For. Exp. Stn.
Gen. Tech. Rep. SE-22.
James, P. C., and G. A. Fox. 1987. Effects of some insecticides on productivity of bur-
rowing owls. Blue Jay 45:65-71.
Millsap, G. A., J. A. Gore, D. E. Runde, and S. I. Cerulean. 1990. Setting priorities
for the conservation of fish and wildlife species in Florida. Wildl. Monogr. 111:1-57.
Nicholson, D. L. 1954. The Florida Burrowing Owl, a vanishing species. Fla. Nat. 27:3-
4.
Pearson, G. T. 1936. Birds of America. Garden City Publ. Co., Inc. New York.
Smith. D. G., D. H. Ellis, and B. A. Millsap. 1990. Owls. Pages 89-117 in Proc. South-
east raptor management symposium and workshop. National Wildlife Federation,
Washington, D.C.
Tate, J., Jr 1981. The Blue list for 1981. Am. Birds 35:1-10.
Zarn, M. 1974. Habitat management series for unique or endangered species: Burrow-
ing Owl. USD!., BLM Tech. Note 11.
Notes
81
Fla. Field Nat. 22(3): 81-83, 1994.
BANDED ROYAL TERNS RECOVERED AT SEBASTIAN INLET, FLORIDA
Henry T. Smith/ William J. B. Miller/ Richard E, Roberts/
Cary V. Tamborski/ Walter W. Timmerman/ and John S. Weske^
^Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Florida Park Service,
13798 S. E. Federal Highway, Hobe Sound, Florida 33455
^Box 116, Sandy Spring, Maryland 20860-0116
Along the Atlantic coast of the United States, Royal Terns {Sterna maxima) winter
from North Carolina south through Florida (Clapp et al. 1983). Although the species is
fairly common along both coasts of Florida the entire year, the local population is
greatly increased in winter by terns migrating from breeding colonies farther north
(Van Velzen 1968, Van Velzen 1971, Clapp et al. 1983, Robertson and Woolfenden 1992).
Wintering Royal Terns also are found at some inland, freshwater lakes and rivers in
central and southern Florida (Barbour and Schreiber 1978, Egensteiner et al. in press).
Florida recoveries of banded migrants from Virginia (Van Velzen 1968) and the Caroli-
nas (Van Velzen 1971) have been previously reported. This note reports the data
obtained from 41 Royal Tern bands recovered by park service staff from Sebastian Inlet
State Recreation Area (SISRA) during the years 1979 to 1992.
SISRA consists of 234 ha located about 22.6 km north of Vero Beach, at the junc-
ture of Brevard and Indian River counties. The Sebastian Inlet essentially bisects
SISRA. The area is managed by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection
(FDEP), Florida Park Service.
Approximately three miles of State Road A-l-A pass through SISRA. A two-lane
bridge crosses Sebastian Inlet, and provides considerable data on marine bird use of the
area in the form of road kills resulting from collisions with motor vehicles. At least 84
Royal Terns, 11 Brown Pelicans (Pelecanus occidentalis), two Sandwich Terns {Sterna
sandvicensis), and one Black Skimmer {Rynchops niger) have been killed in this manner
since the initiation of regular road kill surveys in 1989 (FDEP, unpubl. data). Opportu-
nistic collection of dead, banded birds has been sporadically conducted in SISRA since
1979. Royal Tern bands were recovered mostly in winter, at the bridge site and adjacent
Atlantic coast beach of Sebastian Inlet.
Forty-one bands were recovered from terns banded at eight locations (Table 1). The
subset of these data encompassing only the period of more intensive surveys by SISRA
staff (1989-1992) includes recoveries {n=23) from five of these sites: near Lola, 1 band
(4.3%); near Kiptopeke, 2 bands (8.7%); approx. 18 km S of Wanchese, 3 bands (13.0%);
near Beaufort, 8 bands (34.8%); and near Kure Beach, 9 bands (39.1%).
All of the Royal Terns recovered near Sebastian Inlet were banded as immature
(too young to fiy) birds in their northern colonies. Ages of birds recovered during 1979 to
1992 ranged from approximately 5 months to 3 yr 10 months. Ages of birds recovered
during the subset period of 1989 to 1992 ranged from approximately 5 months to 1 yr 6
months, with a preponderance of approximately 0.5 yr {n~ll) and 1.5 yr {n=l) age class
birds. Most recoveries were made during winter. The recoveries from 1989 to 1992 were
most often made in December (7 bands, 30.4%) and January (11 bands, 47.8%).
Similar trends have been noted in previous studies. Van Velzen (1968) analyzed
data from Royal Terns banded in Virginia and reported that recoveries in Florida
occurred from November through June, with about one third of these obtained during
January; all birds were less than one year old. Van Velzen (1971) also analyzed data
from 21 recovered Royal Terns banded in South Carolina and reported that most were
found in the initial fall and winter after they were banded. Most of these birds were
recovered at various locations in Florida, including one at Sebastian Inlet (Van Velzen
82
FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST
Table 1. Locations where Royal Terns were banded.
Approximate
location
Number of
bands recovered
Percent**
14.5 km E of Birdnest, Virginia
2
4.9
Cape Lookout, North Carolina
2
4.9
Hatteras, North Carolina
2
4.9
Lola, North Carolina
3
7.3
Kiptopeke, Virginia
4
9.8
18 km S of Wanchese, North Carolina
5
12.2
Beaufort, North Carolina
11
26.8
Kure Beach, North Carolina
12
29.3
Total
41
100.1
* All locations obtained from individual USFWS recovery certificates.
**A11 percentages are rounded up; therefore, total percentage is slightly greater than 100.
1971). The SISRA staff recoveries at Sebastian Inlet show very similar patterns of sea-
sonal use and age classes as these studies.
Data presented herein suggest that the Sebastian Inlet area may be a much fre-
quented wintering or winter staging area for some Royal Terns migrating southward
from the banding locations we have identified. More specifically, there may be a tempo-
ral abundance at the inlet of first and second year birds from these locations during win-
ter, particularly December and January. Alternately, these recoveries may be more a
general function of high juvenile mortality and less a trend of local age class wintering.
Furthermore, more intensive banding efforts at some breeding grounds during various
years, and increased survey frequency during some months, may have amplified band
recovery patterns. Additional research would be helpful to determine why the area is
frequented by these migrants. Buckley and Buckley (1972:344) reported that Royal Tern
breeding colonies in Virginia and North Carolina were consistently located “at or very
near an inlet between bay and ocean.” Perhaps a similar attraction for inlets may infiu-
ence some Royal Terns in winter at Sebastian Inlet.
We thank the many staff members at SISRA that over the years doggedly collected
bands from Royal Terns. This report is dedicated to their efforts. William McGarvey,
Greg Toppin, and Kim Chase supplied computer assistance. Peter Merritt, James Rodg-
ers, Jeffery Gore, and Ted Below provided review comments which improved the manu-
script. Micou Browne supplied unpublished data. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
promptly provided us with band recovery certificates on 41 separate occasions.
Literature Cited
Buckley, F. G., and P. A. Buckley. 1972. The breeding ecology of Royal Terns Sterna
(Thalasseus) maxima maxima. Ibis 114:344-359.
Barbour, D. B., and R. W. Schreiber. 1978. Royal Tern. Pages 91-92 in Rare and
endangered biota of Florida, vol. II: Birds (H. W. Kale, II, ed.). Univ. Presses Fla.,
Gainesville.
Clapp, R. B., D. Morgan-Jacobs, and R. C. Banks. 1983. Marine birds of the south-
eastern United States and Gulf of Mexico. Part III: Charadriiformes. U. S. Fish
Wildl. Serv., Div. Biol. Serv., FWS/OBS-83/30, Washington.
Notes
83
EGENSTEINER, E. D., H. T. Smith, and J. A. Rodgers, Jr, In press. Royal Tern. In Rare
and endangered biota of Florida, voL IV: Birds (J. A. Rodgers, Jr,, H. W. Kale, II, and
H. T. Smith, eds.). Univ. Press Fla., Gainesville.
Robertson, W. B., Jr., and G. E. WOOLFENDEN. 1992. Florida bird species-an anno-
tated list. Fla. OrnithoL Soc. Spec. Publ. No, 6, Gainesville.
Van Velzen, W. T. 1968. The status and dispersal of Virginia Royal Terns. Raven 39:55-
60.
Van Velzen, W. T. 1971. Recoveries of Royal Terns banded in the Carolinas. Chat
35:64-66.
Fla. Field Nat. 22(3): 83-84, 1994
NORTH PINELLAS CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT, 1985
Glen E. Woolfenden,^ Bill Pranty,^ and R. David Goodwin^
^ Archhold Biological Station, P. O. Box 2057, Lake Placid, Florida 33862
^10775 Village Club Circle #104, St. Petersburg, Florida 33716
The North Pinellas Christmas Bird Count (CBC), which was established in 1976,
has been conducted every year since that time. Unfortunately, the results from the 1985
count were not published because they were not submitted to American Birds. The
North Pinellas CBC maintained high quality for many years. During the first decade,
including 1985, the count total averaged 158 species (range 145 to 169), and fell below
150 only once. The North Pinellas CBC circle includes important wintering areas on
Honeymoon Island for Charadrius plovers, including the Piping Plover, which is listed
as Threatened by both the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and the
Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission (FGFWFC), and the Southeastern
Snowy Plover, which is listed as Threatened by the FGFWFC and as a candidate for list-
ing by the USFWS (Wood 1993. Official lists of endangered and potentially endangered
fauna and flora in Florida, FGFWFC.), and for waterfowl, including the Lesser Scaup,
which may be declining (Paul in Cox 1991, Fla. Field Nat. 19: 91). The 1985 count
included a Bar-tailed Godwit, a species that has been reported only twice before on any
CBC in North America (Honolulu, HI 1968, Cocoa, FL 1971; Burt L. Monroe, Jr. pers.
comm.) and one Purple Finch. Discovered on 17 September 1985, the godwit remained
on Honeymoon Island into January 1986 (Robertson and Woolfenden 1992. Fla. Orni-
thol. Soc. Spec. Pub. No. 6). Larry Hopkins and Scott Isherwood identified the finch,
which is the first report for Pinellas County.
In order to preserve the continuity of this important CBC, the results of the 1985
North Pinellas CBC are presented below. For ease of comparison, we follow the style,
terminology, and abbreviations used in the 1985 CBC issue of American Birds. Unfortu-
nately, we were able to retrieve the names for only some of the participants.
North Pinellas, FL
28°04'N 82°44'W, center jet. SR 584 & US 19 as described 1976; elevation 0 to 62
ft.— Dec 28; 3 a.m. to 6 p.m. A.M.: clear. P.M.: partly cloudy. Temp 48° to 72°F. Wind NW,
84
FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST
5-20 m.p.h. Fresh & salt water open. Forty-six observers in 11 parties. Total party-
hours, 98 (60 on foot, 30 by car, 8 by boat) plus 7 hours owling; total party-miles, 642 (70
on foot, 560 by car, 12 by boat) plus 31 miles owling.
Com. Loon 50; Pied-billed Grebe 64; Horned Grebe 280; Brown Pelican 740; Dou-
ble-crested Cormorant 2450; Anhinga 86; Magnificent Frigatebird 1; Am. Bittern 1;
Least Bittern 7; Great Blue Heron 284; Great Egret 638; Snowy Egret 295; Little Blue
Heron 200; Tricolored Heron 83; Reddish Egret 8; Cattle Egret 235; Green-backed
Heron 42; Black-crowned Night-Heron 13; Yellow-crowned Night-Heron 78; White Ibis
710; Wood Stork 37; Wood Duck 3; Mottled Duck 46; Mallard 6; Blue-winged Teal 2;
Am.Wigeon 17; Redhead 580; Ring-necked Duck 28; Lesser Scaup 16000; Black Scoter
5; Bufflehead 1; Hooded Merganser 8; Red-breasted Merganser 530; Ruddy Duck 1;
Black Vulture 28; Turkey Vulture 580; Osprey 37; Bald Eagle 9 (5a, 4i); N. Harrier 2;
Sharp-shinned Hawk 8; Cooper's Hawk 2; Red-shouldered Hawk 26; Red-tailed Hawk
29; Am. Kestrel 28; Merlin 1; Wild Turkey 19; N. Bobwhite 31; Clapper Rail 16; King
Rail 6; Virginia Rail 1; Sora 5; Com. Moorhen 230; Am, Coot 36; Limpkin 21; Sandhill
Crane 2; Black-bellied Plover 225; Snowy Plover 15; Wilson's Plover 67; Semipalmated
Plover 335; Piping Plover 35; Killdeer 315; Am, Oystercatcher 55; Greater Yellowlegs 47;
Lesser Yellowlegs 28; Willet 1830; Spotted Sandpiper 27; Whimbrel 12; Long-billed Cur-
lew 1; Bar-tailed Godwit 1; Marbled Godwit 23; Ruddy Turnstone 350; Red Knot 740;
Sanderling 120; W. Sandpiper 1100; Least Sandpiper 100; Dunlin 3000; Short-billed
Dowitcher 1340; Com. Snipe 2; Am. Woodcock 4; Laughing Gull 3450; Bonaparte's Gull
10; Ring-billed Gull 1900; Herring Gull 245; Caspian Tern 6; Royal Tern 360; Sandwich
Tern 1; Com. Tern 1; Forster's Tern 235; Black Skimmer 816; Rock Dove 300; Mourning
Dove 1415; Com. Ground-Dove 32; Budgerigar 100; Monk Parakeet 25; Rose-ringed Par-
akeet 3 (not established); Com. Barn-Owl 2; E. Screech-Owl 19; Great Horned Owl 4;
Barred Owl 7; goatsucker sp. 1; Belted Kingfisher 72; Red-bellied Woodpecker 105; Yel-
low-bellied Sapsucker 15; Downy Woodpecker 30; N. (Yel.-sh.) Flicker 62; Pileated
Woodpecker 18; E. Phoebe 11; Great Crested Flycatcher 1; Tree Swallow 230; Blue
Jay 235; Am. Crow 17; Fish Crow 8250; Carolina Chickadee 2; Tufted Titmouse 50;
Brown-headed Nuthatch 1; Carolina Wren 80; House Wren 72; Sedge Wren 20; Marsh
Wren 5; Ruby-crowned Kinglet 60; Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 172; E. Bluebird 19; Hermit
Thrush 3; Am. Robin 3000; Gray Catbird 72; N. Mockingbird 260; Brown Thrasher 20;
Water Pipit 2; Cedar Waxwing 35; Loggerhead Shrike 31; European Starling 3200;
White-eyed Vireo 34; Solitary Vireo 31; Orange-crowned Warbler 3; N. Parula 1; Yellow-
rumped (Myrtle) Warbler 2900; Yellow-throated Warbler 20; Pine Warbler 82; Prairie
Warbler 10; Palm Warbler 215; Black-and-white Warbler 17; Ovenbird 1; Com. Yel-
lowthroat 225; Summer Tanager 4; N. Cardinal 152; Rose-breasted Grosbeak 1;
Indigo Bunting 8; Rufous-sided Towhee 112; Bachman's Sparrow 1; Chipping Sparrow
80; Field Sparrow 1; Vesper Sparrow 4; Savannah Sparrow 45; Grasshopper Sparrow 1;
Sharp-tailed Sparrow 3; Song Sparrow 4; Swamp Sparrow 82; Red- winged Blackbird
2300; E. Meadowlark 35; Boat-tailed Grackle 1200; Com. Grackle 800; Brown-headed
Cowbird 160; Purple Finch 1; Am. Goldfinch 215; House Sparrow 300.
Total: 165 species; 68,548 individuals.
Participants (partial list): Dick and Joan Brigham, Charles Buhrman, Jack
Dozier, Judy Fisher, Dave Goodwin (compiler), Betty and Gil Guillaume, Lise Hanners,
Larry Hopkins, Marie Hughes, Scott Isherwood, Dianna King, L3mne Lewis, Manny
Lopez, Valore Marcinak, Mary Mosley, Steve Patton, Bill Pranty, Lee Snyder, Sharon
Sparkman, Paul Trunk, Barry Williams, Glen Woolfenden.
85
R.E¥IEWS
Fla. Field Nat. 22(3): 85 1994.
West Indian Bird Records in American Birds and Audubon Field Notes
(1947"1990)j Species Index by Islands.— Robert W. Loftin. Florida OrnithoL Soc.
Spec. Pub, No. 5: ix + 90^ 1992. $8.00. — Following on the success of a similar index, this
full-grown offspring logically becomes a companion to Index of Florida bird records in
American Birds and Audubon Field Notes 1947-1989 (Loftin et al. 1994, Florida Orni-
thoL Soc. Spec. Pub. No. 4).
The subject periods are nearly synonymous for each index and struck me for two rea-
sons, particularly for the West Indies region. It essentially covers the expansive, or per-
haps explosive, period of interest in the avifauna of the West Indies since James Bond's
Check-list of the Birds of the West Indies (1956). The last decade of the subject period,
the eighties, bridges an era when Bond's series of Supplement to the check-list of birds of
the West Indies (1956) v/as in its twilight years. The final supplement appeared in 1987.
The American Birds West Indies region report, which originated in 1981 with vol-
ume 34, has grown steadily from records of nearly local interest in the Virgin Islands
and Puerto Rico to a data source of international importance (e. g. Threatened birds of
the Americas, ICBP/IUCN Red data book. N. J. Collar et al. 1992, third ed., part 2.
Smithsonian Press). In some cases the West Indies region seasonal reports and the
Index represent the only published records for a particular island-nation to reach inter-
national recognition. Without the foresight and support of the late Robert Arbib, former
editor of American Birds onA Audubon Field Notes (AB/AFN), the “gestation” and ulti-
mately the Index may not have been recognized as an important tool by Dr. Loftin in
such a timely fashion.
From researchers to PC software “listers” interested in species conservation or devel-
oping comprehensive species lists, the index is essential. This volume contains only the
most specific notations of occurrence, or non-occurrence, and locality. It is hoped that
this Index, given a wide institutional distribution, will facilitate even greater recogni-
tion of West Indian bird species distribution and conservation requirements. Notwith-
standing, my major criticism is that this Index does not employ the same method of
presentation as its predecessor. Species are noted by island as opposed to locations by
species. Thus, the reader does not easily know how many species have been recorded in
AB /AFN since 1947. Yet, in the former Index, the reader can determine, for example,
hov# many West Indian species have been recorded in Florida by county. How many and
what species of exotics have been recorded in the West Indies in AB/AFN since 1947?
My other criticism is minor. I always look for maps, but the lack of maps of the five sub-
regional groups: Bermuda, Bahama Islands, Greater Antilles, Lesser Antilles, and
Southern Islands covering 125 islands and cays (keys) will, no doubt, require additional
searching for otherwise unreconcilable site locations through sources of varying scale.
Maps facilitate understanding the complex biogeographical and distributional ranges of
the region's native avifauna, especially if taxonomic relationships change in the future.
Most readers would find a reliable Florida atlas to pinpoint locations, but the same facil-
ity could be problematic for the Caribbean Basin.
The cover portrait of the endemic Puerto Rican Tody by Tracey Pedersen, whose-
plates will appear in, a forthcoming West Indies guide, is a fine choice. Apart from the
perceived short-comings, this volume will stand equally next to my other West Indies
texts. The value and utility of FOS Spec. Pub. No. 5 will increase as environmental
change and time demand. The late Robert W. Loftin, inspired by Henry M. Stevenson to
develop this index, has himself inspired a legion of amateur and professional ornitholo-
gists alike in Florida, yet his influence will be felt well beyond these boundaries. —Rob-
ert L. Norton, 3408 N. W. 27th Terr., Gainesville, Florida 32605.
86
FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST
Fla. Field Nat. 22(31:86, 1994.
Twilight of the panther; biology, bureaucracy and failure in an endangered
species program. —Ken Alvarez, 1993. Myakka River Publishing, Sarasota, Florida.
501 pages, 3 figures, and 1 appendix.— Florida panther recovery has taken many twists
and turns since a conference was convened on the subject in 1976 (Proc. Fla. Panther
Conf., RC.H. Pritchard, ed. Fla. Audubon Soc. and Fla. Game and Fresh Water Fish
Comm. Orlando, March 17-18). Recovery efforts have grown to include a myriad of agen-
cies, conservation groups, corporations, and individuals interested in this enigmatic ani-
mal. Ken Alvarez, in this retrospective view, takes a facet of human nature and boils it
down to an excrutiating 500-page lashing of nearly everyone associated with Florida
panther recovery. There is little doubt that in any assemblage of groups, the diversity
and abundance of people, organizations, and agendas complicate the process. Twilight of
the panther asserts that nothing but bungling and incompetence are to blame for a per-
ceived lack of progress in panther recovery, and that drastic changes are necessary.
The principal characters are the Florida Department of Natural Resources, Florida
Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission, National Park Service, and U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service. However, others include the Sierra Club, Florida Audubon Society,
National Parks and Conservation Association, National Audubon Society, Environmen-
tal Defense Fund, Defenders of Wildlife, and The Nature Conservancy. Government
agencies receive low marks by promoting “departmental dogma,” employing researchers
with “protective instincts,” “bureaucratic dysfunction,” “institutional malaise,” and
“unprofessionalism.” There is much truth in these observations.
Many of the attacks on agency intransigence are based on the author’s premise that
the panther is a senile, disease-ridden shell of a predator, and that reflex actions are the
only solutions to the problems of a predator that is poorly understood by many of those
trying to save it. Alvarez observed that in 1984 the image of the panther was “of a
small, sparse, aging population with few young entering the ranks.” I assumed that the
book would document the mounting data that have changed management direction and
created a very different image of the panther (good reproduction, low turnover, normal
demographics). Despite the recent publication date of Twilight of the panther, it does not
reflect biological fact based on the last 8 years of research.
Alvarez was correct in observing that the nature of agencies involved in panther
management has resulted in a cumbersome coalition of unlikely cooperators, and that
progress has been slowed because of it. He is also correct in observing that a common
vision of success among all participants in panther management is needed if bureau-
cratic hurdles are to be overcome and success eventually achieved. Alvarez repeatedly
reminds us that agencies involved in panther recovery must put behind the rhetoric of
departmental philosophies and let biology and forthrightness drive interagency
progress. Panther recovery is more than just creating the illusion of cooperation and
success.
Clearly, this book was intended to be a wake-up call for the four agencies most
closely involved in panther recovery. Although the message is there, its strength is
severely weakened by wordiness and technical errors. Significant streamlining, accu-
rate documentation, and elimination of biological errors could have made the book a
more useful contribution to the subspecies’ recovery. Twilight of the panther only partly
fulfills the promise its title makes. The reader will certainly come away with a better
appreciation for the complexities and politics of panther recovery, but the biology of this
controversial endangered species must be obtained from other sources. Nonetheless,
this book should be read by anyone interested in the future of Florida wildlife, and how
not to recover endangered species.— David S. Maehr, 331 27th St. N.W, Naples, Flor-
ida 33964.
87
FIELD OBSERVATIONS
Fla. Field Nat. 22(3):87-96, 1994.
Winter Report; December 1993-February 1994.— The observations listed here
are based on rare or unusual species or significant numbers of birds reported to the
Florida Ornithological Society (FOS) Field Observations Committee (FOC). As these
reports are not formally reviewed, they may be considered tentative.
Significant reports are welcomed for inclusion in future issues of this section.
Reports should include the following information: the species; the number of individu-
als; the age and sex of the bird(s); the color morph if applicable; the location (including
county); the date; the observer(s); and the significance of the report. Reporting periods
are winter (December-February), spring (March-May), summer (June-July), and fall
(August-November). Submit reports to regional compilers within two weeks after the
close of each period, or to the state compiler within one month. Reports may be sent by
FAX to the state compiler at (813) 699-1927.
Following the examples set by Florida Bird Species: An Annotated List (Robertson
and Woolfenden 1992, FOS Spec. Pub. No. 6) and The Birdlife of Florida (Stevenson and
Anderson in press), sight-only observations are considered “reports,” while only those
supported by verifiable evidence (photographs, video or audio tapes, or specimens) are
called “records.”
The Thirty-ninth supplement to the American Ornithologists' Union Check-list of
North American Birds was recently published {Auk 110(3):675-682,1993). This FOC
report includes all changes to the nomenclature as published in the Auk.
Anderson and Baker (1994. Fla. Field Nat. 22:21-23) recently published the list of
birds for which the FOS Records Committee requires documentation. These species are
marked in this report with an asterisk (*) to alert the observers of their need to supply
the FOSRC with details of their sightings.
A county designation accompanies the first-time listing of each site; further listings
of the same site lack the county name. Abbreviations used in this report are: APAFR-N =
Avon Park Air Force Range {Polk); APAFR-S = Avon Park Air Force Range {Highlands);
CBC = Christmas Bird Count; CP = county park; ENP-E = Everglades National Park
{Dade); ENP-W = Everglades National Park {Monroe); FOSRC = FOS Records Commit-
tee; NWR = national wildlife refuge; SP = state park; SRA = state recreation area; WMA
= wildlife management area; and N, S, E, W, etc. for compass directions.
For their assistance with this report, the state compiler thanks Rick West and Noel
Warner, the winter editors iov American Birds / Audubon Field Notes, and Bruce Ander-
son for supplying information from the forthcoming The Birdlife of Florida. Thanks also
to Doug Stotz for identif5ring the mannikin in Palm Beach County.
SUMMAKY OF THE WINTER SEASON
Despite a colder than normal winter, the state did not experience large numbers of
avian irruptive events, although one Wakulla County feeder hosted over two dozen Pur-
ple Finches. In fact. Cedar Waxwings were especially absent, and numbers of American
Robins were down in most areas, suggesting a good berry crop north of Florida. For the
first time in 17 years, no robins were banded at Annette Stedman's banding station in
Sarasota County.
88
FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST
A “species” that was reported frequently this winter was Bullock's Oriole, although
all reports were of females, which may be more difficult to identify from female Balti-
more Orioles, or Baltimore x Bullock's hybrids, than was formerly thought.
Eight species for which there are no verified winter records were reported this sea-
son: Lesser and Common nighthawks, Yellow-bellied Flycatcher, Eastern Kingbird,
Blue-winged, Townsend's, and Black-throated Green warblers, and Scarlet Tanager.
The Townsend's Warbler was videotaped, and the Yellow-bellied Flycatcher was audio-
taped, so these species should be accepted by the FOSRC. Verification may exist for
some of the other species, but it was not provided by the deadline of this report.
Species Accounts
Red-throated Loon: 1 at Alligator Point {Franklin) 31 Dec (J. Dunn, S. Utterback); 1
in the Indian River Lagoon {Indian River) 5 Jan (1. Weigley).
Common Loon: raft of 450h- near Dog Island {Franklin) 19 Dec (D. Evered, L. Messick).
PlED-BILLED Grebe: 527 on the Lakeland CBC {Polk) 18 Dec was that count's highest-
ever total {fide R Fellers); 893 on the Merritt Island CBC {Brevard) 20 Dec {fide D.
Stuckey); 200+ in Myakka River SP {Sarasota) 31 Dec-6 Feb (L. and R. Smith et aL).
Eared Grebe: 1 in Air Products Wildlife Sanctuary {Escambia) 19 Nov-5 Dec (B. Mil-
more); up to 7 in Canaveral National Seashore {Brevard) 6 Dec-5 Feb (W. Biggs et
ah); 6 in Polk phosphate mines 11 Dec (P. Fellers, D. Ford); 1 in Oakland Park {Bro-
ward) 19 Dec (J. Baker, E. Rosenberg et al.); 3-6 in Occidental WMA {Hamilton) 18
Dec through the period (R. Rowan, M. Manetz).
Brown Booby: 1 immature at Sebastian Inlet {Brevard or Indian River) 6 Feb (G.
Beaton).
Northern Gannet: 200 off Palm Beach 1 Dec (W. Bracey); 113 off Dade 18 Dec (J. Sigs-
bee, M. Cooper, R. Kelly).
American White Pelican; 1 at Lake Wauberg 15 Dec, and observed in other parts of
Alachua through Jan, was that county's second report (B. Muschlitz); 779 on the
South Brevard CBC {Brevard and/or Indian River) 2 Jan was the highest local total
in 10 years {fide J. Taylor); 3000 in Polk mines 9 Jan (P. Fellers, J. Novick, C. Nace).
Brown Pelican: 1 on Lake Jon {Polk) 15 Dec (A. Fritzsche); 1 on the Econlockhatchee
CBC {Orange, Seminole, or Volusia) 2 Jan {fide L. Malo); 8 on Lake Arbuckle {Polk)
11-13 Jan (R. Barker et al.).
Least Bittern: 1 at Lake Alice {Alachua) 29 Jan (L. Fitzgerald) was seasonally rare.
Great White Heron: 1 in Oyster Creek, Englewood {Charlotte) 26 Feb through the
period (B. Myers).
*Scarlet Ibis: 1 at Eco Pond, ENP-W 26 Jan (North American Rare Bird Alert fide D.
Canterbury).
Wood Stork: no birds bred in Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary {Collier) this year, despite
favorable water levels (T. Below).
White Spoonbill: the 1 bird reported from the fall was observed on the Tampa CBC at
McKay Bay {Hillsborough) 31 Dec (G. Woolfenden, R. Bowman, B. Pranty, J. Gold-
stein).
Greater Flamingo: 10 at Christian Point, ENP-W 2 Jan (J. Webber, E. Shaughnessy).
Flamingo species: 1 in Merritt Island NWR 20 Dec (H. Hill).
Black-bellied Whistling-Duck: 141 on the Sarasota CBC {Sarasota) 18 Dec {fide J.
Palmer).
Coscoroba Swan: 1 in the St. Johns River S of Jacksonville {Duval) 25 Feb was the
same individual seen several miles away in May 1993. The bird still had a short
length of fishing line trailing from its bill (not previously reported) (P. Powell).
Field Observations
89
Snow Goose: 1 immature white morph in St. Petersburg {Pinellas) 18-19 Dec (P. Blair,
L. Bielsa); 1 adult blue morph in Spring Hill {Hernando) 22 Dec (D. Robinson, A, and
B. Hansen et ah); 1 blue morph on the St. Johns River {Duval) 26 Dec (J. Hinter-
mister); 7 in Sarasota celery fields 3 Jan (J. Palmer); 2 immature white morphs at
the state prison W of Miami {Dade) 28 Jan (R W. and S. Smith).
Northern Pintail: 2920 on the Merritt Island CBC 20 Dec {fide D. Stuckey).
Cinnamon Teal: 1 male in Myakka River SP {Sarasota) 28 Jan (J. Kapitski); 1 male
with ca. 1000 Blue-winged Teal on Lake Okeechobee S of the Harney Pond Canal
{Glades) 11 Feb (L. Riopelle).
Hybrid teal: 1 Blue-winged x Cinnamon teal in Merritt Island NWR throughout the
period {fide L. Cooper).
Eurasian Wigeon: 2 adult males in Merritt Island NWR 13 Feb (1 had been reported
earlier) (L. and B. Atherton, B. Payne).
Canvasback: 225 in Lake Seminole {Jackson) 16 Jan (P. Fellers, P. Timmer, C, Geanan-
gel).
Redhead: three locally rare Orlando {Orange) reports 20-31 Dec: 15 on Lake Adair, 2
males on Lake Estelle, and 1 male on Lake Cherokee (all G. Bretz).
Greater Scaup: 1 male on Lake Sirena {Highlands) 8 Jan (D. Stotz).
Lesser Scaup: 268 on the Econlockhatchee CBC 2 Jan {fide L. Malo).
Eider species: 1 sub-adult male, thought to be a *King Eider, in Perdido Bay {Escam-
bia) 27 Dec (G. Fleming et ah, details to FOSRC).
Oldsquaw: 1 at Wards Bank {Duval) 12 Dec (J. Wheat); 6 off St. Marks NWR {Wakulla)
17 Dec (J, Stevenson) with singles there 29 Dec (M. Hill, S. Hardin) and 20 Feb (N.
Warner).
Black Scoter: 25 off Amelia Island {Nassau) 10 Dec (E. Colborn); 2 males off Green
Key, New Port Richey 29 Dec (B. Pranty, D. Goodwin) was the first Pasco report; 4
males on Lake Placid {Highlands) 27 Dec (W. Hoffman, P. W. Smith) was the first
inland Florida report {fide B. Anderson).
Surf Scoter: 1 off Boynton Beach {Palm Beach) 2 Dec (H. Langridge, G. Hunter) was
rare so far south.
White-winged Scoter: ca. 30 in Ft. Pickens SP {Escambia) 20 Feb (J. Saunders, J.
Ballman).
Common Goldeneye: 1 male in Honeymoon Island SRA 22 Jan was a rarity for Pinel-
las (L. and R. Smith).
Bufflehead: 7 on the Lake Wales CBC {Polk) 2 Jan {fide M. Sehi); 14 in Polk mines 5
Feb (P. Timmer, C. Geanangel).
Hooded Merganser: 250 at the Orlando wastewater treatment plant 16 Dec (W. Free-
man).
Red-breasted Merganser: 2 males on Lake Jackson {Leon) 4 Jan (G. Menk).
Ruddy Duck: 65 on the Lakeland CBC 18 Dec is that count's lowest-ever count, down
from nearly 100,000 birds 20-25 years ago {fide P. Fellers).
White-tailed Kite: 2 in S Brevard 30 Dec-16 Jan (B. and S. Hills); 2 near the Scarbor-
ough Ranch {Highlands), an area of frequent reports recently, 27 Dec (W. Biggs et
al.); 1 along the Sawgrass Expressway {Broward) 28 Dec (P. W. and S. Smith); 2 in
Loxahatchee NWR {Palm Beach) 2 Jan (B. Hope).
Snail Kite: 61 W of West Palm Beach {Palm Beach) 28 Dec (W. Bracey); 1 in female
plumage on Lake June {Highlands) 14 Jan “for a week at least” {fide T. Krips) and 17
Feb (B. and M. Kittredge); 1 on Lake Parker, Lakeland 29 Jan (F. and K. Eastman);
17 in Loxahatchee NWR 8 Feb (F. Broemer).
Bald Eagle: single adults in Air Products Wildlife Sanctuary 9 Dec and 20 Jan (B. Mil-
more) were further evidence of an expanding Panhandle population.
90
FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST
Broad-winged Hawk: 13 over Key West 2 Dec (J. Ondrejko); 1 in Babson Park (Polk) 8
Jan (P. Fellers).
Short-tailed Hawk: 2 dark morphs wintered on Key West (J. Ondrejko); single light
morphs in Hollywood (Broward) 19 Dec and 28 Jan, and single dark morphs there
daily 25-27 Jan and 10 Feb (J. DiPasquale, J. Baker); 5 dark morphs in Dade 2 Jan
(M. Cooper et al.); 1 near Loxahatchee NWR 16 Jan (F. Broemer); 1 in Pa5mes Prairie
27 Feb ( J. Weimer) was only the second Alachua report.
Swainson'S Hawk: 1 over Key West 2 Dec (J. Ondrejko); 1 dark morph in Dade 2 Jan
(M. Cooper); 1 immature light morph on SR 70 E of CR 721 (Highlands) 24 Jan (V.
Morrison); 1 “rather dark” immature over Royal Palm Hammock, ENP-E 26 Jan (P.
W. and S. Smith); 1 adult in NW Dade 7 Feb (P. W. Smith).
Red-tailed Hawk: 1 “Krider's” race in St. Marks NWR 23 Dec (J. Stevenson).
*Ferruginous Hawk: 2 on M. K. Ranch (Gulf) 7-18 Feb (S. Arbery).
Merlin: 1 at Indian Pass (Gulf) 28 Dec (B. and S. Stedman); 1 at Alligator Point 31 Dec
(J, Dunn, S. Utterback) and 12 Feb (J. Cox, K. NeSmith).
Peregrine Falcon: 1 fl3dng W over Dog Island 4 Dec (D. Evered, L. Messick).
King Rail: at least 15 along a one-mile walk at Shark Valley, ENP-E 12 Feb (P. W. and
S. Smith).
Sandhill Crane: 1 flying over Black Hammock Island (Duval) 19 Dec (S. Buettner) was
locally rare; 154 at a dusk roost in Crews Lake CP 22 Dec (P. Young, D. Robinson et
al.) was an extremely high number for W Pasco (fide B. Pranty); ca. 32 in a flock
going N, very high over Archbold Biological Station (Highlands) 10 Feb (B. Pranty)
were presumably northbound migrants.
Black-bellied Plover: 1 in Polk mines 11 Dec (P Fellers, D. Ford).
Semipalmated Plover: 35 in Polk mines 11 Dec (P. Fellers, D. Ford); 400 on Shell Key
(Pinellas) 12 Dec (P. Blair) was a very high count.
Piping Plover: 3 on Virginia Key (Dade) 18 Dec (M. Cooper, E, Einspruch).
Black-necked Stilt: 2 over Rookery Bay Sanctuary (Collier) 17 Dec (T. Below, J. Dou-
glas); 8 wintered in Sawgrass Lake CP (Pinellas) (R. Smith et al.); 2 in Air Products
Wildlife Sanctuary 28 Feb were the first sanctuary report (B. Milmore).
American Avocet: 1 at Snake Bight, ENP-W 5 Jan (J. Goodwin) was locally rare.
Solitary Sandpiper: 1 on the Lakeland CBC 18 Dec in the same location as previous
years (B. and L, Cooper).
Marbled Godwit: 61 at the Carabelle River mouth (Franklin) 31 Jan (D. Evered, L.
Messick) were considered to be the same wintering flock observed E to St. Marks
NWR (many obs.).
Red Knot: 1000 on Shell Key 2 Dec, and 2000 there 12 Dec (R Blair).
SanderlinG: 500-h on Shell Key 12 Dec (P. Blair).
Pectoral Sandpiper: 1 in Loxahatchee NWR 17 Dec, and 1 near there 31 Dec and 4
Jan (F. Broemer).
Purple Sandpiper: up to 5 in Fort Clinch SP (Nassau) throughout the period (fide L.
Cooper); 1 on SR 405 in Merritt Island NWR 21 Jan (S. Rowe, B. Smith).
Dunlin: 7 in Polk mines 4 Dec (P. Fellers).
*Curlew Sandpiper: 1 at Fort Myers Beach (Lee), reported in the fall, remained
through the period (fide D. Canterbury),
Stilt Sandpiper: 2 in Lake Pasadena (Pasco) 22 Dec (D. Robinson, B. Pranty, D. and G.
Woodard) were locally rare; 2 on LT Ranch W of Myakka River SP (Sarasota) 14 Jan
(R. Ferren); 1 in Loxahatchee NWR 7 Feb, and 4 there 14 Feb (F. Broemer).
Long-billed Dowitcher: 13 in Merritt Island NWR 15 Dec through the period (D.
Stuckey); 247 in Polk mines 9 Jan (P. Fellers, J. Novick, C. Nace); 1 in St. Marks
NWR 22 Jan (N. Warner); 15 at the state prison W of Miami 28 Jan (P. W. and S.
Smith); 75 on CR 780 over the Myakka River (Sarasota) 6 Feb (L, and B. Atherton).
Jaeger species: 62 off Palm Beach 1 Dec (H. Langridge, G. Hunter).
Field Observations
91
Lesser Black-backed Gull: 1 in Miami Beach (Dade) 18 Dec (J. Goodwin); 4 in Oak-
land Park 19 Dec (J. Baker et aL); 1 adult and 1 immature N of Marco Island (Col-
lier) 2 Jan (T. Below, J. Fitch); 1 adult in MacDill Air Force Base (Hillsborough) 3
Jan (L. Atherton, M. Wilkinson); 1 on Siesta Beach (Sarasota) 18 Jan (J. Palmer); 1
adult on Dog Island 28 Jan was the first report for the island (D. Evered, L. Messick,
K. NeSmith, J. Cox).
Glaucous Gull: 1 in Fort Clinch SP 23 Dec (S. Buettner, B. Chartier).
Great Black-backed Gull: 1 first-year bird on Cape San Bias (Gulf) 29 Dec (S. Sted-
man); 1 first-year bird on Dog Island 28 Jan was the first report for the island (D.
Evered, L. Messick, K. NeSmith, J. Cox); 1 adult and 1 second-year bird in the Sun-
shine Skyway bridge/Tierra Verde area (Pinellas) throughout the period (L. and B.
Atherton et aL).
Gull-billed Tern: 2 in Myakka River SP (L. and B. Atherton) may have been the same
2 birds that have wintered there in previous years.
Royal Tern: 1 at Newnan's Lake 15 Jan (M. Manetz, R. Rowan) was rare inland.
Common Tern: 1 immature off Dog Island 29 Dec (D. Evered, L. Messick).
Forster's Tern: 950 in Polk mines 9 Jan (P. Fellers, J. Novick, C. Nace).
Black Skimmer: 5 on the Lake Wales CBC 2 Jan (fide M. Sehi); 4 on Lake Jackson
(Highlands) 12 Feb (F. Lohrer); 130 at Belle Glade marina (Palm Beach) 25 Feb (J.
Baker, E. Rosenberg).
DovekiE: 1 in the Indian River off Wabasso (Indian River) 4 Dec (B. Kleckner).
*MARBLED Murrelet: 1 of the Asian race B. m. perdix found dead on the beach in Fort
DeSoto CP 4 Dec (K. Christensen) is now in the collection at the University of Cen-
tral Florida, Orlando, This is the second record for the state.
White-crowned Pigeon: ca. 200 feeding on Paurotis Palm nuts in SW ENP-W 7 Jan (P.
W. and S. Smith).
Eurasian Collared-Dove: 220 on the Lakeland CBC 18 Dec is triple the 1992 count
(fide P. Fellers); 2 ca. 16 km SE of Okeechobee (Okeechobee) 26 Dec (P. W. and S.
Smith); 257 on the Naples CBC 2 Jan is a four-fold increase over the 1992 count (T.
Below); 2 on SR 70, 1.3 km W of the Kissimmee River (Highlands) 13 Jan (F. Lohrer);
1 on Dog Island 3 Dec (D. Evered, L. Messick).
White-winged Dove: 1 on Key West 5 Dec (J. Ondrejko); 1 on Tierra Verde 1 Jan was
considered a western stray (L. Atherton); 1 on the South Brevard CBC 2 Jan (fide J.
Taylor),
Cockatiel: 3 in Archbold Biological Station 26 Jan (J. Goldstein).
Groove-billed Ani: 1 W of Delray Beach 15 Jan through the season (B. Hope et al.)
was the third report for Palm Beach, and may be the same bird found there 18 Nov
1992 (see Fla. Field Nat. 21(2):47).
Great Horned Owl: 1 pair raised 2 young from an old Fish Crow nest in Fort DeSoto
CP (Pinellas) Jan-Feb, the first successful nesting by the species in the park, despite
attempts by the same pair for the past several years. Among the prey items fed to the
chicks were Snowy Egret, Merlin, and Black Skimmer (L. Atherton et al.); from
below a nest adjacent to Archbold Biological Station in Jan-Feb, prey items included
remains of 1 Red-tailed Hawk and 1 Barn Owl (G. Woolfenden et al.),
*Lesser Nighthawk: birds wintered at Eco Pond Dec-mid Feb (many obs.), with 5 there
5 Jan (J, Goodwin). If these were documented, this would be the first winter record
for Florida (Robertson and Woolfenden 1992:91).
Common Nighthawk: 2 over Universal Studios, Orlando 7 Jan (R. Ferren); 1 calling
over Arcadia (DeSoto) 10 Jan (J, Dozier), There is no verifiable winter record in Flor-
ida (Robertson and Woolfenden 1992:91).
Whip-poor-will: 7 on Alligator Point 17 Feb (J. Dozier).
Chuck-WILL'S-WIDOW: 1 at Panther Point (Polk) 18 Dec (C. and D. Ford, P. Fellers); 1
female on Dog Island 15 Feb (D. Evered, L. Messick).
92
FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST
*Vaux'S Swift: 2 Alachua reports: 1 at Newnan's Lake 19 Dec (R. Norton, L. Karlix)
and 2 at Lake Kanapaha 16 Jan (J. Hintermister).
Ruby-throated Hummingbird: 1 on the South Brevard CBC 2 Jan {fide J. Taylor).
*Black-CHINNED Hummingbird: 1 adult male in Dade City {Pasco) 4 Dec through at
least early Jan (D. Ward, photos to FOSRC); 1 immature male in Jacksonville 2 Jan
through the period (R Powell).
*RUFOUS Hummingbird: 3 near Blountstown {Calhoun) 5 Dec through the period (S.
Arbery); 1 in Melrose {Alachua) 24 Dec-4 Jan (P. Renzelman); 1 adult male in S Jack-
sonville 17 Jan through the period (P. Powell),
Hairy Woodpecker: 15 on the Avon Park Air Force Range CBC {Highlands and Polk)
21 Dec {fide D. Stotz) is the highest Florida CBC total ever; 3 in Disney Wilderness
Preserve {Osceola and/or Po/^) during a Feb survey {fide L. Cooper).
*YelL0W-BELLIED Flycatcher: 1 wintered in Delray Beach and was audiotaped 24 Jan
(B. Hope et ah). This will be the Florida's first winter record if accepted by the
FOSRC.
Least Flycatcher: 1 calling NW of San Antonio {Pasco) 22 Dec (W. Biggs) was N of its
typical winter range.
Vermilion Flycatcher: 3 (1 adult male, 1 immature male, and 1 female) in St. Marks
NWR through the period (N, Warner et al.); 1 male at Lake Munson {Leon) through
at least 3 Feb (G. Menk); 1 male at the Orlando wastewater treatment plant 8-17
Dec (S. Wise et al.).
*AsH“THROATED Flycatcher: 1 in Fort Walton {Okaloosa) 9 Dec (B. Duncan, details to
FOSRC); 2 in Honeymoon Island SRA early Jan through the period (B, and L. Ather-
ton et al., videos and photos to FOSRC).
Great Crested Flycatcher: 1 on the Crystal River CBC {Citrus) 28 Dec (B. Wagner);
1 on Jungle Trail {Indian River) 3 Jan (1. Weigley).
Brown-crested Flycatcher: 1 at ENP Research Station {Dade) 12 Feb (S. Komito).
Myiarchus species: 1, thought to be an *Ash-throated Flycatcher, in Imeson Industrial
Park, Jacksonville 19 Dec, where an Ash-throated Flycatcher was seen in Jan 1987
(S. Buettner, details to FOSRC).
Western Kingbird: 13 W of Florida City {Dade) 29 Jan (P W. and S. Smith).
*Eastern Kingbird: 1 on the Merritt Island CBC 21 Dec {fide D. Stuckey); and 1 on the
Lake Wales CBC 2 Jan (B. Geils). This species is unverified in the state in winter
(Robertson and Woolfenden 1992:103, Stevenson and Anderson in press).
Gray Kingbird: 2 W Palm Beach reports: 1 bird 12 Dec (F. Broemer), and 1 at Canal
Point 29 Jan (C. Kilmer et al.).
*Couch'S Kingbird: 1 calling (but not audiotaped) near Loxahatchee NWR {Palm
Beach) 18-28 Dec (A. and P. Weinrich, B. Hope et al., details to FOSRC).
SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER: 1 at Philips Inlet {Bay) 17 Dec (J. Dutrow); 1 on Longboat
Key {Manatee) 1 Jan {fide A. Rawson); 1 on the Lake Wales CBC at the same site as
in previous years {fide M. Sehi); 2 on Key Largo {Monroe) 2 Feb (P. W. and S. Smith);
2 on Cockroach Bay Road, Ruskin {Hillsborough) throughout the period (S. Backes,
L. Atherton et al.); 1 male at Parker Island {Highlands), a fairly regular wintering
site, through 12 Feb (B. Pranty, L. Richman et al.); 7 wintered on Key West (J.
Ondrejko).
*H0RNED Lark: 1 on SR 405 in Merritt Island NWR 20-27 Dec (W. Frost et al.) is proba-
bly the same bird seen there in the fall.
Purple Martin: 4 males in Placid Lakes {Highlands) 24 Jan (D. Stotz) were the earliest
report received.
Cave Swallow: 20+ were present at Cutler Ridge {Dade) 25 Jan (P. W. and S. Smith),
but the roost had not been checked earlier, leading P. W. Smith to write, “When do
they really return?”
Field Observations
93
American Crow: 802 on the Econlockhatchee CBC 2 Jan was a locally very high num-
ber {fide L. Malo); 1 in Crocodile Lakes NWR {Monroe) 2 Feb was an unusual Keys
report (R W. and S. Smith).
Fish Crow: 15000 at a Polk roost 4 Dec was a locally high count (P. Fellers); 7 at Lake
Ingraham, ENP-W 2 Jan (G. Meyer, M. Sturm) were locally unusual.
Brown-headed Nuthatch: 36 in Disney Wilderness Preserve in Feb {fide L, Cooper).
Brown Creeper: 1 in Gainesville 19 Dec (M. King); 2 in Florida Caverns SP {Jackson)
16 Jan (P. Fellers, R Timmer, C. Geanangel).
Winter Wren: 4 in Florida Caverns SP 16 Jan (P. Fellers, P. Timmer, C. Geanangel).
Sedge Wren: 54 on the Aripeka-Bayport CBC {Pasco and Hernando) 22 Dec was a very
high local number {fide B. Pranty),
Golden-crowned Kinglet: 2 in Brevard in Dec (D. Stuckey); 1 in Hal Scott Preserve
{Orange) 15 Jan (L. Malo) was locally rare {fide D. Freeman).
*Bahama Mockingbird: 1 male returned to Key West 20 Feb, for the fourth consecutive
year (J. Ondrejko).
*Bell'S Vireo: 1 at Parker Island 27 Dec (W. Hoffman, P. W. Smith).
Blue-winged Warbler: 1 banded on Casey Key {Sarasota) 16 Dec (A. Stedman); 1 near
Flamingo, ENP-W 24-25 Jan (C. and D. Ford). There is no winter record in the state
(Robertson and Woolfenden 1992:121).
Tennessee Warbler: 1 in APAFR-S 21 Dec (J. Fitzpatrick).
Northern ParulA: 7 singing in Saddle Creek CP {Polk) 7 Feb (P. Fellers); 1 exhausted
male on Dog Island 10 Feb (D. Evered, L. Messick).
Yellow Warbler: 1 female in Paynes Prairie {Alachua) 9 Dec (B. Muschlitz); 1 at Coot
Bay, ENP-W 2 Jan (P. Bithorn, M. Cooper; 1 in Merritt Island NWR 4 Jan (R. Fer-
ren).
Magnolia Warbler: 1 in “Hog Waller” {Highlands) 27 Dec (P. W. Smith, W. Hoffman); 1
in Tamarac {Broward) 14 Jan (J. Baker); 1 in Royal Palm Hammock 26 Jan (P. W.
and S. Smith).
Cape May Warbler: 1 male in Hamilton 18 Dec (F. Sedmera),
Black-throated Blue Warbler: 1 on the Merritt Island CBC 20 Dec {fide D. Stuckey);
1 female in Lake Parker Recreation Area {Polk) 12 Jan (L. Lane).
*T0WNSEND'S Warbler: 1 first-year male in Sawgrass Lake CP 4 Dec through the
period (L. and B. Atherton et ah, videos and photos to FOSRC) was the state's first
winter record.
Black-throated Green Warbler: 1 in Talbot Islands SP {Duval) 26 Dec (N. Warner); 1
on the L7 Ranch {Highlands) 27 Dec (M. McMillian et ah); birds wintered at “several
traditional sites” such as Mahogany Hammock, ENP-E; Royal Palm Hammock; and
Big Cypress National Preserve {Monroe or Collier) (P. W. and S. Smith). Bill Smith
wrote, “This species probably is the most frequent of the 'rare' S. Fla. winterers,
apparently more numerous and widespread than American Redstart.” However,
there is still no verifiable evidence of the species wintering in the state (Robertson
and Woolfenden 1992:125).
Yellow-throated Warbler: 1 feeding on unhulled sunflower seeds at a Wakulla
feeder throughout Jan (J. Epler).
Pine Warbler: 1050 on the Avon Park Air Force Range CBC 21 Dec {fide D. Stotz) is the
highest-ever CBC total in the country.
Prairie Warbler: 2 in Hugenot Park {Duval) 12 Dec (J. Wheat); 1 on St. Joseph Penin-
sula {Gulf) 29 Dec (S. Stedman).
American Redstart: 1 on the South Brevard CBC 2 Jan {fide J. Taylor); 1 in female
plumage on Jungle Trail 5 Jan (I. Weigley).
Prothonotary Warbler: 1 at Coot Bay 2 Jan (P. Bithorn, M. Cooper).
94
FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST
Worm-eating Warbler: 1 at Snake Bight, ENP 5 Jan (J. Goodwin); 1 on Plantation
Key {Monroe) on the Upper Keys CBC, in the same woodlot for the fifth consecutive
winter (R W. and S. Smith); 1 in Royal Palm Hammock 26 Jan (R W. and S. Smith).
Northern Waterthrush: 3 in APAFR-S 21 Dec (J. Fitzpatrick); 1 on the South
Brevard CBC 2 Jan {fide J. Taylor),
Louisiana Waterthrush: 1 in Hillsborough River SP {Hillsborough) in late Jan (R.
Miller) was probably wintering; 1 in Turkey Creek Sanctuary 23 Feb (B. and S.
Hills).
Wilson's Warbler: 1 female in Air Products Wildlife Sanctuary 15 Dec (B. Milmore); 2
males in Oakland Park 19 Dec (J. Baker); 1 in Tallahassee 13 and 18 Jan (N. Warner,
T. West).
Yellow-breasted Chat: 1 on the Econlockhatchee CBC 2 Jan {fide L. Malo); 1 on CR
361 S of Steinhatchee {Dixie) 26 Feb (R. Smith).
*Bananaquit: 1 John Lloyd SRA {Broward) 19 Dec (J. DiPasquale et al.); 1 in Lake
Worth {Palm Beach) 4 Feb (A. and R Weinrich).
Summer TanageR: 1 in Oakland Rark 17 Dec (J. Baker); 1 female on the Cocoa CBC
{Brevard) 18 Dec {fide M. Cherrington); 1 adult male in Sawgrass Lake CR 22 Dec-9
Jan (V. Morrison, L. and B, Atherton); 1 male in Gainesville in early Jan (J. Kauf-
mann).
Scarlet Tanager: 1 male and 1 female on the Lake Wales CBC 2 Jan {fide M. Sehi).
This species is unverified in the state during winter (Robertson and Woolfenden
1992:132, Stevenson and Anderson in press).
Western Tanager: 1 first-year male in Jacksonville 29 Jan through the period (R.
Davis, videos by B. Atherton).
Rose-breasted Grosbeak: 1 in Delray Beach 5 Dec (B. Hope).
Blue Grosbeak: l on the Cocoa CBC 18 Dec {fide M. Cherrington); 1 immature male on
Jungle Trail 12 Feb (I. Weigley); 11 at Belle Glade marina 22 Jan (H. Langridge, G.
Hunter) was the highest count of the flock that wintered there; 1 E of Loxahatchee
NWR 1 Jan (R Rowell, R Lanzillotti); 1 female at Cedar Key {Levy) 26 Feb (R.
Rowan).
Indigo Bunting: 1 on Tierra Verde 2 Jan was the first local winter report (L. Atherton);
2 on the South Brevard CBC 2 Jan {fide J. Taylor); 3 wintered on Key West (J.
Ondrejko).
Painted Bunting: 1 on the Lakeland CBC 18 Dec at the same site for the past three
winters (D. Ford); 1 female on Fort George Island {Duval) 26 Dec (J. Hintermister); 6
females and 1 male at a Lake Placid feeder 30 Jan (J. Fitzpatrick et al.).
Bachman's Sparrow: 20 in Hal Scott Preserve (no date listed) {fide L. Malo); 50 on the
Avon Park CBC 21 Dec {fide D. Stotz) is the highest-ever CBC total in the country
Clay-colored Sparrow: 1 in Apalachicola National Forest {Wakulla) 5 Dec (M, Evans);
6 in Lake Wales 30 Jan was the highest-ever Polk count (R Timmer, C. Geanangel).
Vesper Sparrow: 25 in one field in N Pinellas 19 Feb was a locally high count (R.
Smith. D. Goodwin, B. and B. Wotton).
Lark Sparrow: 1 reported from Leon in the fall remained through the winter (G.
Menk); 1 near Rlacid Lakes airstrip 27 Dec (W Hoffman, B. Smith); 1 on Alligator
Point 4 Feb (J. Dozier).
Grasshopper Sparrow: among numerous reports, 1 banded on Casey Key 14 Dec was
recaptured 25 Dec (A. Stedman); up to 9 in Pa5mes Prairie 19 Dec-9 Feb (J. Hinter-
mister, B. Muschlitz, R. Rowan); 20 in one abandoned lime grove W of Homestead
{Dade) 2 Jan (P, W. and S. Smith).
Henslow'S Sparrow: 1 in St. Marks NWR 17 Dec (J. Cox, K. NeSmith, R. Kautz, F.
Leslie); 1 in Pa5mes Prairie 18 Jan (R. Rowan) and 14 Feb (M. Manetz).
Le Conte's Sparrow: 2 at Imeson Industrial Park 20 Dec-mid Feb (M. Dolan); at least
1 on Cape San Bias 29 Dec (S. Stedman); 1 in St. Marks NWR 8 Jan (N. Warner),
Field Observations
95
Sharp-tailed Sparrow: 48 on the Coot Bay CBC {Dade and/or Monroe) 2 Jan (J. Good-
win et aL).
Fox Sparrow: 1 N of Tallahassee 23 Dec (J. Cavanagh); 1 in St. Marks NWR 21 Jan (M.
Cohen, T. Cohen).
Lincoln's Sparrow: 2 S of St. Leo 22 Dec (B. Pranty, D. Woodard, D. Robinson) were
the first-ever for Pasco {fide B. Pranty); 1 in Paynes Prairie 19 Feb (M. Manetz) and
22 Feb (R. Rowan).
White-throated Sparrow: 2 in Myakka River SP 30 Dec (A. Rawson).
White-crowned Sparrow: 1 in John Lloyd SRA 4 Dec (J. Baker, W. George); 1 imma-
ture on Jungle Trail 5 Jan (1. Weigley); 53 in Lake Wales 30 Jan (P, Timmer, C.
Geanangel) is the highest-ever Florida count {fide B. Anderson).
*Harris' Sparrow: 1 in Eglin Air Force Base {Okaloosa) 20 Dec (S. Chambers).
Dark-eyed JuncO: 1 in Lutz {Hillsborough) 15 Jan through the period (D. Grimes).
*Chestnut-COLLARED Longspur: 7 feeding on sea oats in St. Andrews SP {Bay) 2 Jan
(M. Olson, E. Fontaine).
Yellow-headed Blackbird: 3 in Bartow {Polk) 25 Dec through the period {fide L. Coo-
per); 1 adult male in St. Petersburg 29 Jan (L. and R. Smith).
Rusty Blackbird: 1 adult male in Sawgrass Lake CP 12 Dec (L. Atherton, D. Narins);
up to 65 in a Leon pecan grove through 15 Jan (J. Cavanagh).
Brewer's Blackbird: 1-2 males in a flock of Rusty Blackbirds in Leon through 15 Jan
(J. Cavanagh); 3 in Orlando 10 Dec (G. Bretz); 10 (6 males and 4 females) in Hamil-
ton 18 Dec (R. Rowan); 3 females at Gore's Dairy, Zephyrhills {Pasco) 21 Dec (P.
Blair, R. Smith, B. and B, Wotton); 1 at Hague Dairy {Alachua) 23 Dec (J. Hinter-
mister).
Shiny Cowbird: 20 at Rookery Bay Sanctuary 11 Jan (R. Bliss).
Bronzed Cowbird: 1 at Cedar Key 7 Dec (D. Henderson); 2 on the Lakeland CBC 18
Dec, the same site for the fifth consecutive year (B. and L. Cooper); 1 male in Bartow
23 Feb (B, and L. Cooper).
Orchard Oriole: birds again wintered at Belle Glade marina, with at least 3 birds in
Jan (H. Langridge, G. Hunter et ah).
Northern Oriole: 1 female Bullock's Oriole with 2 Baltimore Orioles S of St. Leo 22
Dec (B. Pranty, D. Robinson, D. and G. Woodard); 1 at Flamingo 2 Jan (G. Meyer et
al.); 3 female Bullock's Orioles with 7 Baltimore Orioles in Tallahassee 26 Jan
through the period (N. Warner, videotape); ca. 25, including at least 1 female Bul-
lock's Oriole, in Jacksonville through the period (R. Davis).
Purple Finch: 1 at the University of Florida, Gainesville 19 Dec (T. Webber); 25 at a
Wakulla feeder 10 Feb (J. Epler).
House Finch: l on the Lake Wales CBC 2 Jan (C. Geanangel) was the first Polk report;
8 in Quincy {Gadsden) 16 Jan (P. Fellers, P. Timmer, C. Geanangel); 6 at feeder in
Jacksonville mid Dec-Feb (R. Davis, videos by B. Atherton) were the first record for
Duval) birds regular in Lake City {Columbia) (J. Krummrich), and occasional in
Gainesville and Cedar Key (all fide P. Powell).
Pine Siskin: 3 in Altamonte Springs {Seminole) 23 Jan (G. Bretz).
Chestnut Mannikin {Lonchura malacca): 1 at Belle Glade marina 22 Jan (H. Lan-
gridge [sketch], G. Hunter) was the first Palm Beach report. The species has also
been reported from Brevard and Dade (Robertson and Woolfenden 1992:191).
Yellow-fronted Canary: l on the St. Petersburg CBC 18 Dec is the third Pinellas
report (L. Atherton, fide B. Anderson).
Contributors: Bruce Anderson, Brooks Atherton, Lyn Atherton, Sybil Arbery,
Stephen Backes, Jocie Baker, Jane Ballman, Gif Beaton, Alfredo Begazo, Ted Below,
Llourdes Bielsa, Wes Biggs, Paul Bithorn, Paul Blair, Richard Bliss, Maggie Bowman,
96
FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST
Reed Bowman, Woody Bracey, Greg Bretz, Fred Broemer, Steve Buettner, Dan Canter-
bury, Jim Cavanagh, Bonnie Chartier, Marianne Cherrington, M. Cohen, T. Cohen, Ele
Colborn, Buck Cooper, Linda Cooper, Mort Cooper, Jim Cox, Ron Davis, Joe DiPasquale,
Mark Dolan, John Douglas, Jack Dozier, David Drake, Jill Drake, Jon Dunn, Jeff
Dutrow, Edith Einspruch, John Epler, Michael Evans, Duncan Evered, Paul Fellers, R.
Ferren, Jon Fitch, Linda Fitzgerald, John Fitzpatrick, Eula Fontaine, Clarice Ford, Don
Ford, Wilson Freeman, Alfred Fritzsche, Warren Frost, Chuck Geanangel, Beth Geils,
Wally George, Jill Goldstein, Dave Goodwin, Jeff Goodwin, Debbie Grimes, A1 Hansen,
Bev Hansen, Scott Hardin, Dale Henderson, Harvey Hill, Michael Hill, Bill Hills, Shir-
ley Hills, John Hintermister, Wayne Hoffman, Brian Hope, Jimmy Horner, Gloria
Hunter, Cappie Johnson, Jim Kapitski, Linda Karlix, Randy Kautz, Robert Kelly, Bud
Kleckner, Cecil Kilmer, Martha King, Bruce Kittredge, Marion Kittredge, Sandy
Komito, Tom Krips, Jerry Krummrich, Larry Lane, Howard Langridge, Pat Lanzillotti,
Fran Leslie, Fred Lohrer, Lome Malo, Michael Manetz, Mike McMillian, Lyla Messick,
Gail Menk, George Meyer, Rich Miller, Vaughn Morrison, Don Morrow, Barbara Muschl-
itz, Barbara Myers, Chuck Nace, David Narins, Katy NeSmith, Robert Norton, Julie
Novick, Mary Ann Olson, Joe Ondrejko, Jeff Palmer, Becky Payne, Peggy Powell, Bill
Pranty, Arnold Rawson, Joe Reinman, Peggy Renzelman, Lisa Richman, Larry Riopelle,
Don Robinson, Ed Rosenberg, Rex Rowan, Jim Saunders, Frank Sedmera, Martha Sehi,
Ellen Shaughnessy, Jim Sigsbee, Andrea Smith, Lori Smith, P. William Smith, Ron
Smith, Susan Smith, Annette Stedman, Barbara Stedman, Stephen Stedman, Jim
Stevenson, Doug Stotz, Doug Stuckey, Mark Sturm, John Taylor, Pete Timmer, Sue
Utterback, Noel Warner, David Ward, Jeff Webber, Tom Webber, Ira Weigley, Ann Wein-
rich, Phil Weinrich, James Weimer, Terry West, Jim Wheat, Margie Wilkinson, Spencer
Wise, Don Woodard, Gretchen Woodard, Glen Woolfenden, Betty Wotton, Bob Wotton,
Paul Young,
Fall 1993 reports not previously published: Least Flycatcher: 1 in Fort DeSoto CP
(Pinellas) 3 Nov (L. and R. Smith); Vermilion Flycatcher: 1 near Blountstown {Calhoun)
about 18 Nov (S. Arbery); Western Kingbird: 1 in Fort DeSoto CP 20 Nov (Nancy
McClelland et ah).
Additionally, three hawk watches by Steve Walter were received too late for inclu-
sion in the fall report. The counts are included here in their entirety: Delray Beach
{Palm Beach) 28 Nov: Black Vulture 3, Turkey Vulture 872, Osprey 8, Sharp-shinned
Hawk 5, Cooper's Hawk 2, Broad-winged Hawk 4, and Red-tailed Hawk 28; 29 Nov (Fla-
mingo, ENP, Monroe): Black Vulture 2, Turkey Vulture 1448, Bald Eagle 1, Sharp-
shinned Hawk 5, Swainson's Hawk 7, and Peregrine Falcon 1; 30 Nov (Flamingo): Black
Vulture 22, Turkey Vulture 584, Bald Eagle 3, Sharp-shinned Hawk 3, Broad-winged
Hawk 13, Short-tailed Hawk 1, Swainson's Hawk 2, Red-tailed Hawk 36, and Peregrine
Falcon 1.
Correction to Summer 1993 report {Florida Field Nat. 22(1 ):24): Canaveral National
Seashore was repeatedly mislabeled “Cape Canaveral National Seashore,” Thanks to
Sean Rowe for pointing this out.
Report prepared by Bill Pranty, state compiler (Archbold Biological Station, P. O.
Box 2057, Lake Placid, Florida 33852). Other committee members are Linda Cooper
(115 Lameraux Road, Winter Haven, Florida 33884), Jim Cox (Florida Game and Fresh
Water Fish Commission, 620 S. Meridian Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1600), and
Peggy Powell (2965 Forest Circle, Jacksonville, Florida 32257).
Florida Field Naturalist
ISSN 0738-999X
PUBLISHED BY THE FLORIDA ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY
Editor: PETER G. MERRITT, P.O. Box 1954, Kobe Sound, Florida 33475-1954.
Associate Editor (for bird distribution): HOWARD P. Langridge, 1421 West Ocean Ave-
nue, Lantana, Florida 33462.
Associate Editor (for reviews): Reed Bowman, Archbold Biological Station, P.O. Box
2057, Lake Placid, Florida 33852.
Associate Editor (for technical papers): RICHARD T. PAUL, National Audubon Society,
410 Ware Blvd., Suite 500, Tampa, Florida 33619.
Editor of Special Publications: Glen E. Woolfenden, Archbold Biological Station,
P.O. Box 2057, Lake Placid, Florida 33852.
Editor of the Ornithological Newsletter: Katy NeSmith, Florida Natural Areas
Inventory, 1018 Thomasville Road, Suite 200-C, Tallahassee, Florida 32303.
Archives Committee: WALTER K. Taylor (Chair), Department of Biological Sciences,
University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida 32816.
Editorial Advisory Board: STEPHEN A. NESBITT, Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish
Commission, Wildlife Research Laboratory, 4005 South Main St., Gainesville, Florida
32601.
Field Observations Committee: Bill Pranty (Compiler), Archbold Biological Station,
P.O. Box 2057, Lake Placid, Florida 33852.
Finance Committee: P. WILLIAM SMITH (Chair), P.O. Box 1341, Homestead, Florida
33090.
Nominating Committee: JAMES Cox (Chair), Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish
Commission, 620 S. Meridian St., Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1600.
Records Committee: Bruce H. Anderson (Secretary), 2917 Scarlet Road, Winter
Park, Florida 32792.
Research Awards Committee: Reed BOWMAN (Chair), Archbold Biological Station,
P.O. Box 2057, Lake Placid, Florida 33852.
INFORMATION FOR CONTRIBUTORS
The Florida Field Naturalist is a fully refereed journal emphasizing biological field
studies and observations of vertebrates, especially birds, in and near Florida and the
nearby West Indies. It welcomes submission of manuscripts containing new information
from these areas. Please consult recent issues for style and Vol. 18, No. 1 for detailed
information. Submit manuscripts for consideration to the Editor, Peter G. Merritt. Mono-
graph-length manuscripts may be submitted for consideration to the Editor of Special
Publications, Glen E. Woolfenden. Send books and other materials for review to Associate
Editor, Reed Bowman. For preliminary assistance regarding submission of manuscripts
dealing with bird distribution and rarities contact Associate Editor, Howard P. Langridge.
Reports of rare birds in Florida should also be submitted to the FOS Records Committee
Secretary, Bruce H. Anderson. For preliminary assistance regarding submission of scien-
tific, technical, or behavioral contributions contact Associate Editor, Richard T. Paul.
Florida Field Naturalist
PUBLISHED BY THE FLORIDA ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY
CONTENTS
ARTICLE
Use of Florida Round-tailed Muskrat Houses by Amphibians and
Reptiles
Lora L. Smith and Richard Franz 69-74
NOTES
Yellow-nosed Albatross Specimen from Key Largo
Wayne Hoffman 75-77
Pellet Analysis of Burrowing Owls in South Central Florida
Reuven Yosef and Mark Deyrup 78-80
Banded Royal Terns Recovered at Sebastian Inlet, Florida
Henry T Smith, William J.B. Miller, Richard E. Roberts,
Cary V. Tamborski, Walter W. Timmerman, and John S. Weske 81-83
North Pinellas Christmas Bird Count, 1985
Glen E. Woolfenden, Bill Pranty, and R. David Goodwin 83-84
REVIEWS
West Indian Bird Records in American Birds and Audubon Field
Notes (1947-1990): Species Index by Islands, by Robert W. Loftin
Robert L. Norton 85
Twilight of the Panther: Biology, Bureaucracy and Failure in an
Endangered Species Program, by Ken Alvarez
David S. Maehr 86
FIELD OBSERVATIONS
Winter Report: December 1993 - February 1994
Bill Pranty 87-96
Florida Field Naturalist
PUBLISHED BY THE FLORIDA ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY
VOL. 22, No. 4
November 1994
Pages 97-128
FLORIDA ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY
Founded 1972
Officers
President: Fred E. Lohrer, Archbold Biological Station, P.O. Box 2057, Lake Placid,
Florida 33862.
Vice-President: R. TODD Engstrom, Tali Timbers Research Station, Route 1, Box 678.
Tallahassee, Florida 32312.
Secretary: Reed Bowman, Archbold Biological Station. P.O. Box 2057, Lake Placid,
Florida 33862.
Treasurer: Linda Douglas, 3675 1st Ave., N.W., Naples, Florida 33964.
Editor of the Florida Field Naturalist: PETER G. MERRITT, P.O. Box 1954, Hobe
Sound, Florida 33475-1954.
Ex Officio: Immediate Past President: Glen E. Woolfenden, Archbold Biological
Station, P.O. Box 2057, Lake Placid, Florida 33862.
Directors, Terms Expiring in 1995
John Douglas, 3675 1st Ave., N.W., Naples, Florida 33964.
James Cox, Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission, 620 S. Meridian St., Tal-
lahassee, Florida 32399-1600.
Directors, Terms Expiring in 1996
Mary C. Davidson, 2747 Forest Mill Lane, Jacksonville, Florida 32257.
Mary Catherine Wheeler, 11700 S.W. 104 Ave., Miami, Florida 33176.
Directors, Terms Expiring in 1997
Karen Bearden, 10299 Widswept Place, Boca Raton, Florida 33498.
Ken Meyer, 101 NE 9th Street, Gainesville, Florida 32601.
Honorary Memberships
Samuel A. Grimes 1979, Helen G. Cruickshank 1980; Oliver L. Austin, Jr. 1982;
Pierce Brodkorb 1982; William B. Robertson, Jr. 1992; Glen E. Woolfenden, 1994.
All persons interested in Florida's natural history, particularly its abundant bird life,
are invited to join the Florida Ornithological Society by writing the Treasurer. Annual
membership dues are $15 for individual members (overseas $20), $20 for a family mem-
bership, $10 for students, and $35 for contributing members.
All members receive the Florida Field Naturalist and the newsletter. Subscription
price for institutions and non-members is $20 per year. Back issues ($3.00 per issue) are
available, prepaid, from the Treasurer. Notice of change of address, claims for undeliv-
ered or defective copies of this journal, and requests for information about advertising
and subscriptions should be sent to the Treasurer.
The Florida Field Naturalist is published quarterly (February, May, August, and
November) by the Florida Ornithological Society. It is printed by E. O. Painter Printing
Co., P.O. Box 877, DeLeon Springs, Florida 32130. The permanent address of the Florida
Ornithological Society is Department of Ornithology, Florida Museum of Natural History,
University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611.
THIS PUBLICATION IS PRINTED ON NEUTRAL PH PAPER
Florida Field Naturalist
PUBLISHED BY THE FLORIDA ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY
VoL. 22, No. 4 November 1994 Pages 97-128
Fla. Field Nat. 22(4): 97-105, 1994.
AVIFAUNA OF FORESTED WETLANDS AD JACENT TO RIVER
SYSTEMS IN CENTRAL FLORIDA
D, L. Leonard, Jr.
Department of Biology, University of Central Florida,
R O. Box 162368, Orlando, Florida 32716
Present Address: Arc/i6o/(i Biological Station, R O. Box 2057,
Lake Rlacid, Florida 33862
Abstract. — Birds were surveyed in forested wetlands bordering blackwater and
spring-fed rivers in Orange and Seminole counties, Florida. Nineteen sites were sam-
pled 24 times from September 1991 to August 1992 using point counts. Sixty-nine spe-
cies were recorded over the 12-month period. The Red-bellied Woodpecker and the
Carolina Wren were the most abundant species. Species abundance and diversity were
lowest during the summer months. The abundance of 11 species was significantly differ-
ent between the two forest types. The differences in species abundance and diversity
between the forest types in this study and among other studies in central Florida for-
ested wetlands underscore the need for fine-scale quantification of bird species across
different geographic regions and habitats in peninsular Florida.
Avian population surveys provide valuable data for comparing
species’ use of different habitat types within the same and between
different regions (Engstrom 1993). They are also one of the first steps
in determining the conservation needs of specific habitat types. Pub-
lished reports of the avifauna using forested wetlands in interior cen-
tral Florida (Lake, Orange, Osceola, Polk and Seminole counties) are
non-existent except for O’Meara’s (1984) work in cypress ponds of
Osceola County. Species using deciduous wet forests have been quanti-
fied in east central Florida (Kale and Webber 1968a, 1968b, 1969a,
1969b, Breininger 1990) and west central Florida (Woolfenden 1967,
1968a, 1968b, Rowher and Woolfenden 1969, Outright 1981), but
these studies may not reflect the species using similar habitats in inte-
rior central Florida because of distributional trends outlined by Emlen
(1978). In addition, if the goal of habitat conservation is to protect the
maximum number of species within a region, information must be
available concerning the species’ use of different habitat types. Beta
diversity measures the change in species across different habitats
97
98
FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST
within a region (Whittaker 1972). Conservation of areas with high
beta diversity will protect more species than protecting different habi-
tats with a high species overlap or with a low beta diversity. Thus,
quantitative counts at a finer geographic and habitat scale are neces-
sary to provide researchers and land managers with information on
the relative significance of various forested wetlands types to the spe-
cies using them.
Three divergent circumstances call for the documentation of the
species using forested wetlands in interior central Florida. First, the
number of species nesting at a given latitude within Florida decreases
along a longitudinal gradient from the interior to the coastal areas of
the state (Emlen 1978). Therefore, studies conducted in coastal areas
would not provide accurate documentation of species using interior
forested wetlands at the same latitude. Second, many types of forested
wetland types exist and most are extremely diverse and productive
(Harris 1989, Ewel 1990), providing important habitat for migratory
and resident bird species (Harris and Mulholland 1983). Finally, for-
ested wetlands are being affected directly by anthropogenic habitat
encroachment and indirectly by anthropogenic hydrological changes
(Brown 1986), despite protective legislation. The objective of this
study was to quantify and compare the avifauna using forests border-
ing blackwater and spring-fed rivers in Orange and Seminole coun-
ties, Florida.
Study Areas and Methods
The 19 sites used in this study were located in forested wetlands bordering tribu-
taries of the St. Johns River: the Big and Little Econlockhatchee rivers, Howell Creek,
Jim Creek, Mill Creek, Rock Springs Run, Soldier Creek, Tosohatchee Creek, and the
Wekiva and Little Wekiva rivers. Mill Creek, Rock Springs Run, and the Wekiva and
Little Wekiva rivers are spring-fed; the remainder being blackwater systems. Based on
plant species lists and hydrological information provided by FNAI and DNR (1990), all
sites were typical of floodplain wetland communities.
The blackwater sites had a less diverse canopy than the spring-fed sites with little
shrubby understory and variable but reduced ground cover. Saw palmetto (Serenoa
repens) was common on the higher areas. Soils were extremely sandy and the sites
flooded extensively during the late spring and summer months. Most of these sites were
located in east Orange County and were specifically defined as floodplain swamps
(FNAI and DNR 1990). Nineteen sampling points were in blackwater forests.
The spring-fed sites had a more diverse tree canopy than the blackwater sites with
a dense understory and variable amounts of ground cover. Soils were infrequently
flooded and sandy, with considerable organic material accumulation. All of the spring-
fed sites were located west of the blackwater sites and were specifically defined as
hydric hammock grading into bottomland forests (FNAI and DNR 1990). Sites border-
ing Soldier Creek were grouped with the spring-fed sites based on their vegetative simi-
larities even though the creek is blackwater in origin. Thirteen sampling points were in
spring-fed forest sites. The term forested wetland will be used throughout the rest of
this text to reference all the study areas unless otherwise noted.
Leonard • Avifauna of Forested Wetlands
99
I used point counts (Blondel et al. 1981) to sample the avian species in the forested
wetlands. Thirty-two sampling points were randomly distributed among the 19 sites.
The average number of sampling points per site was two. Sampling points were spaced
at least 160 meters apart. Points were sampled twice a month from September 1991 to
August 1992. All woodland birds seen or heard within a 15-minute period were
recorded. All counts were made by the author during mornings with favorable weather
conditions and within four hours of sunrise. The order of sampling the points was ran-
domized to reduce any correlations with the time.
Birds were grouped into seasons: winter (Dec, Jan, Feb), spring (Mar, Apr, May),
summer (Jun, Jul, Aug), and fall (Sep, Oct, Nov). The Mann- Whitney C7-test was used to
determine if differences in the average individual species’ counts differed between forest
types. Only species observed at least 30 times were included in the analysis.
Results
Sixty-nine species (6944 individuals) were observed within the 19
sites (Table 1). Both abundance and diversity were minimal during the
summer with 1332 individuals of 29 species observed. The greatest
abundance was recorded during the spring with a total of 2083 individ-
uals. Species richness was highest during the fall with 61 species.
Few of the species were restricted to forested wetlands. Possible
exceptions were the Barred Owl, Acadian Flycatcher, Red-eyed Vireo,
Northern Parula and Prothonotary Warbler. Many upland/pine spe-
cialists or urban dwellers were observed in narrow sites or those
located within a suburban matrix. These species included the Red-
headed Woodpecker, Northern Mockingbird, Brown Thrasher, Euro-
pean Starling, and Rufous-sided Towhee.
Permanent residents, species found in central Florida in all four
seasons, comprised 69% of the individuals recorded (W=4800 observa-
tions). The Red-bellied Woodpecker (iV=682), Carolina Wren (iV=1109),
and Northern Cardinal (W=649) were the most abundant species
(Table 1). The Carolina Wren was the most abundant species in the
spring, summer, and fall, whereas during the winter the Red-bellied
Woodpecker was most abundant. The Red-eyed Vireo (W=150) and the
Northern Parula (iV=168) were the most abundant Neotropical species
breeding in and migrating through the sites. The Ruby-crowned King-
let (iV=89) was the most abundant migratory winter resident.
Of those species showing significant differences (P < 0.05) between
forest types, only the Belted Kingfisher, Great Crested Flycatcher and
the Yellow-throated Warbler were significantly more abundant in the
blackwater forest sites (Table 2). The Red-shouldered Hawk, Red-bel-
lied Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Acadian Fly-
catcher, Carolina Wren, Red-eyed Vireo and Common Crackle were
significantly more abundant in the spring-fed sites. No species
100
FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST
Table 1. Species observed within 19 forested wetlands in Orange and Seminole
counties, Florida, from September 1991 to August 1992.
Number of observations
Common name Scientific name Winter Spring Summer Fall Total
Accipiter sp.
Accipiter sp.
1
.
_
4
5
Red-shouldered Hawk
Buteo lineatus
83
41
52
88
264
Mourning Dove
Zenaida macroura
10
24
11
4
49
Yellow-billed Cuckoo
Coccyzus americanus
-
6
25
9
40
Barred Owl
Strix varia
12
36
18
16
82
Ruby-throated Humrningbird Archilochus coluhris
-
-
6
4
10
Belted Kingfisher
Ceryle alcyon
20
1
.
29
50
Red-headed Woodpecker*
Melanerpes erythrocephalus
-
1
1
2
4
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Melanerpes carolinus
189
159
144
190
682
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Sphyrapicus varius
61
9
22
92
Downy Woodpecker
Picoides pubescens
50
31
48
66
195
Hairy Woodpecker**
Picoides villosus
1
1
-
2
4
Northern Flicker*
Colaptes auratus
17
3
1
12
33
Pileated Woodpecker
Dryocopus pileatus
108
84
83
127
402
Eastern Wood-Pewee**
Contopus virens
-
-
-
2
2
Acadian Flycatcher
Empidonax virescens
-
4
1
40
45
Eastern Phoebe
Sayornis phoebe
52
4
-
29
85
Great Crested Flycatcher
Myiarchus crinitus
-
50
12
4
66
Blue Jay
Cyanocitta cristata
24
18
14
35
91
American Crow
Corvus brachyrhynchos
3
3
2
1
9
Fish Crow
Corvus ossifragus
2
1
-
5
8
Tufted Titmouse
Parus bicolor
126
141
83
99
449
Carolina Wren
Tryothorus ludovicianus
169
341
300
299
1109
House Wren**
Troglodytes aedon
-
-
.
2
2
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Regulus calendula
89
26
-
31
146
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
Polioptila caerulea
84
159
50
123
416
Veery
Catharus fuscescens
-
-
-
18
18
Hermit Thrush
Catharus guttatus
6
8
-
5
19
American Robin
Tardus migratorius
70
4
-
18
92
Gray Catbird
Dumetella carolinensis
7
14
-
33
54
Northern Mockingbird
Mimas polyglottos
2
-
4
7
13
Brown Thrasher
Toxostoma rufum
1
1
1
-
3
Cedar Waxwing
Bombycilla cedrorum
-
8
.
8
European Starling**
Sturnus vulgaris
-
-
-
1
1
White-eyed Vireo
Vireo griseus
16
16
15
46
93
Solitary Vireo
Vireo solitarius
43
15
-
8
66
Yellow-throated Vireo**
Vireo flavifrons
.
2
2
Philadelphia Vireo**
Vireo philadelphicus
-
-
1
1
Red-eyed Vireo
Vireo olivaceus
.
181
109
43
333
Blue-winged Warber**
Vermivora pinus
-
=
-
1
1
Orange-crowned Warbler
Vermivora celata
18
.
-
1
19
Northern Parula
Parula americana
22
297
125
57
501
Magnolia Warbler*
Dendroica magnolia
-
-
1
1
Cape May Warbler
Dendroica tigrina
-
2
-
-
2
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Dendroica caerulescens
-
20
-
8
28
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Dendroica coronata
50
27
.
24
101
Black-throati Green Warbler** Dendroica virens
-
_
-
1
1
Yellow-throated Warbler
Dendroica dominica
9
5
-
18
32
Pine Warbler
Dendroica pinus
24
18
2
11
55
Bay-breasted Warbler*
Dendroica castanea
.
1
1
Blackpoll Warbler
Dendroica striata
-
8
-
-
8
Black-and-white Warbler
Mniotilta varia
16
33
3
25
77
American Redstart
Setophaga ruticilla
-
36
.
30
66
Prothonotary Warbler
Protonotaria citrea
-
1
1
6
8
Worm-eating Warbler
Helmitheros vermivorus
-
5
-
6
11
Ovenbird
Seiurus aurocapillus
8
9
-
90
107
Waterthrush sp.
Seiurus sp.
-
6
2
2
10
Leonard • Avifauna of Forested Wetlands
101
Table 1. (Continued)
Common name
Scientific name
Number of observations
Winter Spring Summer Fall Total
Connecticut Warbler**
Oporornis agilis
_
1
_
_
1
Common Yellowthroat
Geothlypis trichas
-
3
_
3
6
Hooded Warbler*
Wilsonia citrina
-
-
.
1
1
Summer Tanager
Piranga ruhra
-
2
3
5
Northern Cardinal
Cardinalis cardinalis
107
198
175
169
649
Rufous-sided Towhee
Pipilo erythrophthalmus
5
3
-
3
11
Red-winged Blackbird
Agelaius phoeniceus
4
4
-
13
21
Boat-tailed Crackle
Quiscalus major
-
-
.
5
5
Common Crackle
Quiscalus quiscalus
33
17
42
60
152
American Coldfinch
Carduelis tristis
21
-
“
-
21
Total number of observations
1563
2083
1332
1966
6994
Total number of species
38
49
29
61
67
*Species observed only in spring-fed sites.
**Species observed only in blackwater sites.
observed greater than 30 times was limited to the blackwater forests,
and the Northern Flicker was the only species restricted to the spring-
fed forests (Table 1).
Discussion
Seasonal variation in density and species richness of birds associ-
ated with forested wetlands in this study was analogous to the find-
ings of other studies in central peninsular Florida (Kale and Webber
1968a, 1968b, 1969a, 1969b, Woolfenden 1967, 1968a, 1968b, Rowher
and Woolfenden 1969, Cutright 1981, Breininger 1990). Both density
and diversity were greatest during the nonbreeding season. The dep-
auperate breeding fauna of peninsular Florida (Robertson 1955) and
the influx of both wintering and migrating species (Stout and Marion
1993) are most likely responsible for this phenomenon. The higher fall
diversity was partially due to the greater number of species using
migratory routes through central Florida for fall migration when com-
pared to spring (Robertson and Woolfenden 1992). The number of indi-
viduals recorded during the spring was at least partially attributable
to the greater detectability of both migrants and residents as they
began to sing.
The seasonal abundances of the Carolina Wren and Northern Car-
dinal parallel the finding from coastal areas of central Florida (Kale
and Webber 1968a, 1968b, 1969a, 1969b, Woolfenden 1967, 1968a,
1968b, Rowher and Woolfenden 1969, Cutright 1981, Breininger
102
FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST
Table 2. Comparison of the species observed in forests bordering blackwater
and spring-fed rivers in Orange and Seminole counties, Florida, from Septem-
ber 1991 to August 1992. Only those species with greater than 30 observations
were included.
Mann- Whitney
Blackwater forest Spring-fed forest [/-test
A =19 N=13
Species Total Mean SD Total Mean SD Z P
Red-shouldered Hawk
Mourning Dove
Yellow-billed Cuckoo
Barred Owl
Belted Kingfisher
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Pileated Woodpecker
Acadian Flycatcher
Eastern Phoebe
Great Crested Flycatcher
Blue Jay
Tufted Titmouse
Carolina Wren
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Blue-^ay Gnatcatcher
American Robin
Gray Catbird
White-eyed Vireo
Solitary Vireo
Red-eyed Vireo
Northern Parula
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Yellow-throated Warbler
Pine Warbler
Black-and-white Warbler
American Redstart
Ovenbird
Northern Cardinal
Common Grackle
133
7.00
2.26
131
42
2.21
3.57
7
18
0.95
0.85
22
45
2.37
2.09
37
43
2.26
2.75
7
320
16.84
7.68
362
46
2.42
1.64
46
114
6.00
2.67
81
0
0.00
0.00
33
188
9.89
4.97
214
16
0.84
0.90
29
52
2.74
2.54
33
51
2.68
2.26
15
68
3.58
4.50
23
261
13.74
8.33
188
563
29.63
9.83
545
82
4.32
3.56
64
245
12.89
7.25
171
47
2.47
1.78
45
34
1.79
2.18
20
72
3.79
4.30
21
42
2.21
2.27
24
145
7.63
3.70
188
283
14.89
5.60
218
60
3.16
3.15
41
29
1.52
1.87
3
41
2.16
2.95
14
44
2.32
1.45
33
42
2.21
2.32
24
51
2.68
1.67
56
371
19.53
9.17
278
49
2.58
3.79
103
10.08
3.95
-2.59
0.0096
0.54
0.97
-1.25
0.2101
1.69
2.02
-0.64
0.5210
2.85
2.91
-0.13
0.8912
0.54
0.78
-1.89
0.0580
27.85
5.08
-3.63
0.0003
3.54
2.82
-0.89
0.3694
6.23
2.98
-0.25
0.8013
2.54
1.56
-4.74
0.0001
16.46
5.14
-3.05
0.0023
2.23
2.39
-2.04
0.0415
2.54
1.66
-0.06
0.9535
1.15
1.52
-2.13
0.0329
1.77
1.83
-0.94
0.3487
14.46
7.04
-0.33
0.7439
41.92
9.04
-3.52
0.0004
4.92
2.84
-0.52
0.6026
13.15
5.23
-0.42
0.6717
3.46
1.81
-1.55
0.1217
1.54
1.13
-0.39
0.6933
1.62
1.61
-1.38
0.1667
1.85
1.99
-0.26
0.7979
14.46
5.14
-3.39
0.0007
16.77
5.42
-0.92
0.3553
3.15
1.99
-0.72
0.4701
0.23
0.60
-2.43
0.0153
1.08
1.75
-1.17
0.2419
2.54
2.54
-0.04
0.9683
1.85
1.34
-0.06
0.9532
4.31
2.32
-1.84
0.0657
21.38
6.54
-0.57
0.5644
7.92
10.09
-2.01
0.0382
1990). These species as well as many other commonly observed species
(Red-bellied Woodpecker, Tufted Titmouse and Blue-gray Gnat-
catcher) are not restricted to forested wetlands. This ubiquity may
partially explain their abundance (Bock and Ricklefs 1983, Bock
1984). The Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Red-eyed Vireo and Northern
Parula, which were found to be very rare on the east coast (Kale and
Webber 1968a, 1968b, 1969a, 1969b, Breininger 1990) and absent
from the west coast (Rowher and Woolfenden 1969, but see Wool-
fenden 1967, 1968a, 1968b) during the breeding season were abun-
dant and ubiquitous in this study. However, other species reported to
be common breeding species in central Florida forested wetlands (Rob-
Leonard • Avifauna of Forested Wetlands
103
ertson and Woolfenden 1992) were uncommon (Yellow-billed Cuckoo
and Acadian Flycatcher) or absent (Prothonotary Warbler) during the
breeding season.
The greater abundance of the Belted Kingfisher in blackwater for-
est areas can be explained by the open canopy of these sites when com-
pared to the spring-fed forest areas. This provided an increased
number of hunting perches and greater visibility of the stream or
river. The Great Crested Flycatcher was associated with the extensive
uplands that bordered most of the blackwater forests. The Yellow-
throated Warbler was most often observed foraging along the ecotone
between the forested wetlands and the adjacent pine communities. In
addition, the blackwater sites were more narrow than the spring-fed
sites and this feature may have allowed a greater detectability of
those species utilizing the upland-wetland ecotone.
The greater relative abundance of most species within the spring-
fed sites may be explained by the greater structural and species diver-
sity of the vegetation when compared to the blackwater sites (Mac-
Arthur and MacArthur 1961). Geographic effects may also have
contributed to the greater species abundance in the spring-fed sites as
all of the blackwater sites were located east of the former. The Red-
shouldered Hawk’s abundance may be related to the greater contigu-
ous area of the spring-fed forests when compared to the blackwater
forests. All five of the woodpecker species included in the analysis
were found in greater numbers in the spring-fed sites; however, only
three were significantly different. This may have been related to dif-
ferences in basal area of trees and plant species diversity between the
two forest types.
This study confirms the findings of Rowher and Woolfenden (1969)
and Emlen (1978), underscoring the importance to conservation deci-
sions of fine scale quantification of the avifauna occurring in complex
natural landscapes. Species overlap between the two wetland types
was almost complete, and therefore, the beta diversity between the
two wetland forest types was low. However, the differences in species’
abundance may be important and argues for the protection of both
systems. Each system may contribute to the long-run beta diversity of
the region especially in the face of anthropogenic fragmentation.
Acknowledgments
The constructive comments of L Jack Stout, Peter G. Merritt, Dave Breininger,
Leslie K. Backus and an anonymous reviewer were greatly appreciated. I would also
like to thank the Department of Environmental Protection and the many private land
owners who granted me access to their properties. This work was partially fund by a
grant from the Florida Ornithological Society.
104
FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST
Literature Cited
BlondeLj J,5 C. Ferry, and B. Frochot. 1981. Point counts with unlimited distance.
Studies in Avian Biology 6: 414-420,
Breininger, D. R. 1990. Avifauna of hammocks and swamps on John F Kennedy Space
Center. Fla. Field Nat. 18: 21-44.
Brown, M. T. 1986. Cumulative impacts in landscapes dominated by humanity. Pages
33-50 Proceedings of the Conf. Managing Cumulative Effects in Florida Wetlands (E.
D. Estevez, J. Miller, J. Morris, and R. Hamman, eds.). New College Env. Studies
Program. Pub. # 37 Omnipress, Madison.
Outright, N. J. 1981. Bird populations in five major west-central Florida vegetation
types. Fla. Sci. 44: 1-13.
Emlen, j. T. 1978. Density anomalies and regulatory mechanisms in land bird popula-
tions on the Florida peninsula. Am. Nat. 112: 265-286.
Engstrom, R. T. 1993. Avian comro.unities in Florida habitats: analysis and review. Fla.
Game and Fresh Water Fish Comm. Nongame Wild!. Program Final Rep., Tallahas-
see.
Ewel, K. C. 1990, Swamps. Pages 281-322 in Ecosystems of Florida (R.E. Myers and J.
J. Ewel, eds.). University of Central Florida Press, Orlando.
Harris, L. D. 1989. The faunal significance of fragmentation of southeastern bottom-
land forests. Pages 126-134 in The Forested Wetlands of the Southern United States
(D. Hook and R. Lea, eds.). USDA Forest Service, GTR SE-50, Asheville.
Harris, L. D., and R. Mulholland. 1983, Southeastern bottomland ecosystems as
wildlife habitat. Proceedings of the 1983 SAF-SFRC. Annual Spring Symposium,
Gainesville.
Kale, H. W., II, and L, A. Webber. 1968a. Live oak-cabbage palm hammock. Aud. Field
Notes 22:676-680.
Kale, H. W., II, and L. A. Webber. 1968b. Oak-palm-hickory hammock and maple
swamp. Aud. Field Notes 22:680-684.
Kale, H. W,, II, and L. A, Webber. 1969a. Live oak-cabbage palm coastal hammock.
Aud. Field Notes 24:531-533.
Kale, H. W., II, and L. A. Webber, 1969b. Oak-palm-hickory hammock and maple
swamp. Aud. Field Notes 24:533-535.
MacArthur, R. H., and J. MacArthur, 1961. On bird species diversity. Ecology 42:
494-598.
Myers, R. L., and J. J. Ewel. 1990. Ecosystems of Florida. University of Central Flor-
ida, Orlando.
Florida Natural Areas Inventory and Department of Natural Resources. 1990.
Guide to the natural communities of Florida, Florida Natural Areas Inventory, Talla-
hassee,
O’Meara. T. E. 1984. Habitat-island effects on the avian community in cypress ponds.
Proc. of the Annu. Conf. of Southeast. Assoc. Fish and WildL Agencies 38: 97-110.
Robertson, W. B., Jr. 1955. An analysis of breeding-bird populations of tropical Florida
in relation to the vegetation. Ph.D. dissertation. University of Illinois, Chicago.
Robertson, W. B., Jr, and G. E. Woolfenden. 1992. Florida bird species, an anno-
tated list. Florida Ornithological Society Special Publication No. 6, Florida Ornitho-
logical Society, Gainesville.
Rowher, S. A., AND G. E. Woolfenden. 1969. Breeding birds of two Florida woodlands:
comparisons with areas north of Florida. Condor 71: 38-48.
Stout, I. J., and W. R. Marion. 1993. Pine flatwoods and xeric pine forests of the south-
ern (lower) coastal plain. Pages 373-446 in Biodiversity of the southeastern United
States/lowland terrestrial communities (W. H. Martin, S. G. Boyce, and A. C. Echter-
nacht, eds.). John Wiley and Sons, Inc., New York.
Leonard • Avifauna of Forested Wetlands
105
Whittaker, R. H. 1972. Evolution and measurement of species diversity. Taxon 21: 213-
251.
WOOLFENDEN, G. E. 1967. Live oak-cabbage palm hammock. Aud. Field Notes 21: 635-
637.
WOOLFENDEN, G. E. 1968a. Live oak-cabbage palm hammock. Aud. Field Notes 22: 488.
WOOLFENDEN, G. E. 1968b. Live oak-cabbage palm hammock. Aud. Field Notes 22: 684.
The Florida Ornithological Society
is Proud to Announce Special Publication No. 6
FLORIDA BIRD SPECIES: AN ANNOTATED LIST
by
William B. Robertson, Jr.
Glen E. Woolfenden
The first complete and authoritative review of Florida’s avifauna since
Arthur Howell’s 1932 Florida Bird Life. Treats over 660 species reported
in the state. More than 140 species of non-native exotics. Essential for
everyone interested in the modern status of Florida’s native and intro-
duced birds.
FOS Members
Non-Members
SOFT COVER
$14.95
$17.95
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$19.95
$22.95
All orders add $2.00 shipping and handling per book.
Florida residents add 7% sales tax to the total.
Make checks payable to Florida Ornithological Society.
Mail to:
F.O.S. SPECIAL PUBLICATIONS EDITOR
ARCHBOLD BIOLOGICAL STATION
P.O. BOX 2057
LAKE PLACID, FL 33862
106
FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST
NOTES
Fla. Field Nat. 22(4); 106-109, 1994.
CHARACTERISTICS OF OCCUPIED AND ABANDONED FLORIDA
GRASSHOPPER SPARROW TERRITORIES
Michael F. Delany and Stephen B. Linda
Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission
4005 S. Main St., Gainesville, Florida 32601
The Florida Grasshopper Sparrow (Ammodramus savannarum floridanus) is a
nonmigratory subspecies endemic to the prairie region of southcentral Florida (Steven-
son 1978). Because of its restricted distribution, loss of habitat, and population decline,
A. s. floridanus was classified as endangered in 1986 (Fed. Reg. 1986). Much of Florida’s
dry prairie has been converted to improved pasture (Davis 1980) for cattle grazing
which may have caused the extirpation of the sparrow from some of its former range.
We monitored Florida Grasshopper Sparrow populations and measured features of the
vegetation at occupied and abandoned territories to assess the effects of range manage-
ment.
Florida Grasshopper Sparrow populations identified by Delany and Cox (1986)
were visited during the breeding season (March-June) 1989-1992 and searched using
their methods. Florida Grasshopper Sparrows were found at three former sites (3, 7,
and 8; Delany and Cox 1986), and previously unknown sites in Highlands (T33S, R31E,
Sec. 26) (D. R. Progulske, Jr., pers. commun.) and Desoto (T38S, R33E, Sec. 9) counties.
Occupied sites had been burned at 2-3 year intervals. Cattle grazed four occupied sites
at one animal per 8.7-28.3 ha. Surveys of six previously occupied sites (1, 2, 4, 5, 6, and
9; Delany and Cox 1986) failed to reveal Grasshopper Sparrows. All abandoned sites
had been plowed and planted with bahia grass (Paspalum sp.), pangola grass (Digitaria
sp.), and American joint vetch {Aeshynomene americanus) to improve cattle grazing or
were plowed and planted with bahia grass for sod production.
Centers of Florida Grasshopper Sparrow territories were determined according to
the methods of Wiens (1969) and served as starting points for two 25-m, randomly ori-
ented transects. Measurements at abandoned sites were made within the approximate
area of former territories (M. F. Delany, field notes 1981-1984). Measurements were
made at point subsamples (10/territory) at 5 m intervals along each transect. Point sub-
sample measurements included: 1) vertical density — the total number of vegetation con-
tacts with a 7-mm diameter metal rod placed vertically into the vegetation; 2) height —
the highest contact recorded; and 3) percentage cover — the total cover by each of
grasses, forbs, shrubs, litter, and bare ground as determined by counting the number of
cm of each component at a 1-m subsection of transect adjacent to point samples. Meth-
ods and calculations are according to Whitmore (1981) and Delany et al. (1985). One ter-
ritory was sampled at each of five occupied sites and three abandoned sites. Two
territories sampled at a fourth abandoned site were separated by >1 km and located on
different ranches. Therefore, the experimental unit was considered to be the territory.
The vegetational component proportions (i.e., grass, shrub, forb, litter, and bare ground
proportions), and number of contacts or density (DENS) and height of contact (HT) mea-
surements, were averaged for each territory
A multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) was performed to test for differ-
ences in vegetation parameters between occupied and abandoned territories. The vege-
tation component proportions were transformed using generalized logits, with the
transformed value for component i, ti, computed as /j = Inipi/pg^ass^, where pi = the pro-
Notes
107
portion of component i, i = shrub, forb, litter, bare ground, and Pg^ass - grass proportion
(Aitchison 1986). The Box-Cox variance stabilizing transformation for DENS and HT
were log (DENS) and respectively. Thus the response vector in the MANOVA
was comprised of the shrub, forb, litter, and bare ground logits, log(DENS), and HT"^’®.
If the MANOVA was significant, then a ^-test of a difference between occupied and aban-
doned territories was performed for each of the untransformed vegetation parameters
as follows. A folded F-test of the hypothesis that the variances were equal was per-
formed. If the hypothesis of equal variances was not rejected, then the usual ^-test was
performed. If the hypothesis of equal variances was rejected, then an approximate ^-test
using non-pooled variance and Satterthwaite’s approximation for degrees of freedom
was performed. All computations were performed using the SAS System (SAS Institute
Inc., 1989).
Features of the vegetational structure at occupied and abandoned territories were
strikingly different (Fig. 1, Table 1). The MANOVA test rejected the null hypothesis of
Hq. no vegetation difference between occupied and abandoned territories, with Wilks’ X
“ 0.0420, F = 11.4059, numerator degrees of freedom = 6, denominator degrees of free-
dom ~ 3, F - 0.0358. The hypothesis of equal variances was rejected for untransformed
grass, litter, and bare ground percent cover and vegetation height (P < 0.03 for each).
Grasshopper Sparrows require open areas (22-36% bare ground; Whitmore 1981,
Delany et al. 1985) for foraging but enough vegetation for nesting cover (Whitmore
1979). Nests of A. s. floridanus are usually shielded by a shrubby growth of saw pal-
metto (Serenoa repens) (Nicholson 1936), dwarf oak {Quercus minima), dwarf huckle-
berry (Gaylussacia dumosa), or St. John’s wort {Hypericum brachyphyllum) (pers
observ.). Characteristics of used and abandoned habitat provide an index of suitability
for the Florida subspecies. Results are consistent with the hypothesis that Florida
Grasshopper Sparrows cannot adapt to conditions that remove foraging areas and
potential nest sites (Delany et al. 1985).
Patterns of habitat use for other subspecies of Grasshopper Sparrow have been
associated with changes in vegetation structure induced by land management (Smith
1963, Bock and Webb 1984, Frawley and Best 1991). Although responses of grassland
passerines to habitat perturbations are often delayed and unpredictable (Wiens and
Rotenberry 1985), clear patterns of habitat occupancy may be detected if ecological sys-
tems are relatively closed (Wiens et al. 1987). Because Florida Grasshopper Sparrows
are sedentary (Delany, unpubl. banding data), the abandonment of sites was probably a
Table 1. Comparison of structural characteristics of occupied (iV = 5) and aban-
doned {N = 5) Florida Grasshopper Sparrow territories, 4 May - 8 June, 1989-
93.
Habitat variable
Occupied
Abandoned
X
SE
x
SE
Grass cover (%)
36.7
9.0
83.1
1.8*
Shrub cover (%)
19.9
3.3
1.6
1.6*
Forb cover (%)
7.7
2.1
2.0
1.3
Litter cover (%)
10.2
2.3
12.7
0.6
Bare ground (%)
25.6
6.9
0.5
0.2*
Density: contacts/point
4.8
1.1
3.9
0.5
Vegetation height (cm)
21.4
2.2
11.0
0.5*
*Significant difference (^-test, P <0.05)
108
FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST
response to changes in land management. Land use trends indicate continued habitat
loss for the sparrow since its listing (Fed. Reg. 1986).
The objective of the recovery plan for the Florida Grasshopper Sparrow is to main-
tain extant populations and increase distribution and abundance (USFWS 1988). The
largest known populations are on public lands which provide the best opportunity for
OCCUPIED
Figure 1. Habitat occupied (above) (site #7, Delany and Cox 1986) and aban-
doned (below) (site #9) by Florida Grasshopper Sparrows, 1994.
Notes
109
effective management. Most prairie habitat, however, is on private lands and vulnerable
to conversion. The initial alteration of prairie rangeland for more intensive cattle graz-
ing, as described above, is expensive ($205 - $321 per ha, USDA, Soil Conserv. Serv.,
unpubL data), and annual pasture maintenance is usually >$70 per ha. The cooperation
of ranchers is essential to recovery of the subspecies, and some may be amenable to eco-
nomic incentives to maintain prairie habitat while also allowing some grazing.
We are grateful to L. Adams (Adams Ranch), H. P. Bateman (Bright Hour Ranch),
P. Clemons (Clemons Ranch), D. Harrow (Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Comm.),
D. R. Progulske, Jr. (U.S. Air Force), N. L. Rohde and S. Rohde (Rohde Ranch), E. Will-
iams, and R. Claxton (Double Diamond Ranch), and P. T. Wilson (Latt Maxcy Corp.) who
allowed access to their properties, and provided land management information. We
thank J. M. Hamblen and T. L. Steele for assistance with this manuscript. J. R. Brady,
S. Brantly, T. H. Logan, S. A. Nesbitt, T. O’Meara, J. A. Rodgers, Jr., R. C. Whitmore,
and D. A. Wood reviewed previous drafts.
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Presses, Gainesville.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1988. Recovery plan for Florida Grasshopper Spar-
row. U.S. Fish and Wildl. Serv., Atlanta.
Wiens, J. A. 1969. An approach to the study of ecological relationships among grassland
birds. Ornithol. Monogr. 8:1-93.
Wiens, J. A., and J. T. Rotenberry. 1985. Response of breeding passerine birds to
rangeland alteration in a North American shrubsteppe locality. J. Appl. Ecol. 22:655-
688.
Wiens, J. A., J. T. Rotenberry, and B. Van Horne. 1987. Habitat occupancy patterns
of North American shrubsteppe birds: the effects of spatial scale. Oikos 48:132-147.
Whitmore, R. C. 1979. Short-term changes in vegetation structure and its effects on
Grasshopper Sparrows in West Virginia. Auk 96:621-625.
Whitmore, R. C. 1981. Structural characteristics of Grasshopper Sparrow habitat. J.
Wildl. Manage. 45:811-814.
110
FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST
Fla. Field Nat. 22(4): 110-111, 1994.
LONG-EARED OWL OBSERVED IN HIGHLANDS COUNTY, FLORIDA
Keith A. Tarvin
Department of Biology, University of South Florida
Tampa, Florida 33620
A Long-eared Owl (Asio otus) was observed by more than 40 biologists and birders
for most of the daylight hours of 20 March 1994 in xeric oak scrub at the Archbold Bio-
logical Station, Highlands County, Florida (27° F N, 08° 12' W). The owl was identified
as a Long-eared Owl by its overall size (approximately 30-36 cm total length), generally
dark brown plumage, long narrow “ear” tufts rising above the grizzled gray crown from
the medial edges of the cinnamon ochre facial discs, bright yellow irides, dark throat,
belly with long vertical streaks crossed by shorter, narrow, horizontal bars, narrow, hor-
izontal dark brown bars on the underside of the rectrices, and fully feathered cinnamon
buff tarsi and toes. The owl did not vocalize during the 10 hours it was under observa-
tion.
I was attracted to the owl at 1015 EST from 17 m away by a mobbing Blue Jay
(Cyanocitta cristata) and White-eyed Vireo {Vireo griseus). The owl was perched 2.8 m
high on a horizontal limb of a sand live oak {Quercus geminata) within a 6 m tall oak
copse bordering a dry seasonal pond and surrounded by saw palmetto (Serenoa repens),
shrubby vegetation, and widely scattered pines {Pinus elliottii and P. clausa). When
sighted, the owl was perched and engaged in a defensive display {see Johnsgard
1988:64) with wings partly outspread, body feathers fluffed, head and back held hori-
zontally, and bill snapping. The owl seemed to be displa3dng to me, as it was looking
directly at me and not at the jay that had been calling for at least 10 min before I saw
the owl. After a few minutes, the owl ceased the display and faced me with back held
vertically and body feathers relaxed. I observed the owl from 20 m away for several
more minutes before leaving to report the sighting. When several observers returned at
about 1040, the owl compressed its body feathers and positioned its right wing in front
of its body so that much of its breast and belly were concealed and the whitish anterior
margins of both the brachium and manus were exposed.
Various combinations of several observers watched the owl from about 25 m away
until after dusk, at about 2000. While under observation, the owl never left the perch on
which it was originally discovered. In addition to the Blue Jay and the vireo, a Gray
Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis) and at least two Florida Scrub Jays {Aphelocoma c.
coerulescens) responded vocally to the owl’s presence, though only briefly. Although the
copse and surrounding areas were searched diligently for about two hours the next day
beginning at dawn, the owl was never relocated.
Robertson and Woolfenden (1992) consider the Long-eared Owl a casual winter vis-
itor in Florida. Only two Florida specimens are known to exist. One, from Key West,
Monroe County, collected by J. W. Atkins on 3 November 1898, is presently housed in
the Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University (MCZ 248345; Robertson and
Woolfenden 1992). The second, a female, was found sick or injured in the Royal Trails
development near Cassia, Lake County, on 8 December 1992 and brought to the Mada-
lyn Baldwin Center for Birds of Prey where it died on 11 December 1992 (Pranty 1993).
It is presently in the collection of the Archbold Biological Station (GEW 5871). Howell
(1932) lists a specimen “taken at Cape Florida by Wurdemann,” and two collected by
Ferguson at Cape Sable and the Chassahowitzka River. None of the three can be
located, nor does Howell report dates for any. Indeed, Stevenson (1987) questions the
veracity of any specimens collected by Ferguson. The only other credible Florida sight
Notes
111
report (sensu Robertson and Woolfenden 1992) is of an individual seen several times
(but never photographed) in swampy woods northwest of Cocoa, Brevard County, 20-29
December 1966 (Cruickshank 1980). Unfortunately, details of the Brevard County
report were never published. Finally, a vocal response to a tape, presumed to be that of a
Long-eared Owl, was reported on the 1970 Carnestown- Wester Water Gateway Christ-
mas Bird Count. The report was considered “improbable” by the CBC editor (Cruicks-
hank 1971). Thus, the video documentation of the occurrence at the Archbold Biological
Station, made by Brooks Atherton and deposited with the Records Committee of the
Florida Ornithological Society, constitutes the third record for this species from the
state, and the second since the 1992 publication of Robertson and Woolfenden's Florida
Bird Species.
I thank Glen E. Woolfenden, Bruce H. Anderson, Bill Pranty, Peter G. Merritt, and
an anonymous reviewer for comments that improved the manuscript. I especially thank
Bruce Anderson for information regarding the history of the Long-eared Owl in Florida.
Literature Cited
Cruickshank, A. D. 1980. The birds of Brevard County, Florida. Florida Press, Orlando.
Cruickshank, A. D. 1971. The seventy-first Christmas Bird Count. American Birds 25:
121-521
Howell, A. H. 1932. Florida bird life. Coward-McCann, New York.
JOHNSGARD, P. A. 1988. North American owls: biology and natural history. Smithsonian
Institution Press, Washington.
Pranty, B. 1993. Florida Ornithological Society Field Observations Committee winter
report: December 1992 - February 1993. Fla. Field Nat. 21: 92-100.
Robertson, W. B. and G. E. Woolfenden. 1992. Florida bird species: an annotated
list. Florida Ornithological Society Special Publication No. 6, Florida Ornithological
Society, Gainesville.
Stevenson, H. M. 1987. A reconsideration of the Florida bird records of H. L. Ferguson
and J. B. Ellis. Fla. Field Nat. 15: 54-56.
112
FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST
Fla. Field Nat. 22(4): 112-113, 1994.
RED COCKADED WOODPECKERS IN NORTHWESTERN FLORIDA
PRODUCE A SECOND CLUTCH
Jessica M. Schillaci and Ruthe J. Smith
Florida Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit,
Dept, of Wildlife and Range Sciences,
117 Newins-Ziegler Hall, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611
In 1993, one group of the cooperatively breeding Red-cockaded Woodpecker
{Picoides borealis) (RCW) on Eglin Air Force Base (EAFB), Florida, produced a second
clutch of eggs after successfully fledging one male from the first brood. It was thought
that double brooding (and double clutching) did not occur in RCWs (Walters 1990) until
it was detected in three separate populations in North and South Carolina in 1991
(LaBranche et al. 1994). This note documents the first reported observation of double
clutching in RCWs in Florida.
EAFB contains 188185 ha and is located on the Gulf of Mexico approximately 72
km east of Pensacola, Florida. The sandhills ecological association (FNAI and FLDNR
1990) makes up approximately 78% of Eglin (Dept, of Defense 1993) and consists of a
sparse to dense longleaf pine (Pinus palustris) overstory, with turkey oak {Quercus lae-
vis), live oak {Quercus virginiana), and other hardwoods in the midstory. In some areas,
sand pine {Pinus clausa) is codominant in the overstory.
A random sample of 51 RCW active clusters was chosen in January 1992 for the
purpose of monitoring demographic trends. These groups represented approximately
23% of the population on EAFB.
Beginning in April of the 1992 and 1993 breeding seasons nest trees of monitored
groups were climbed and checked for the presence of eggs every five to eight days.
Hatchlings were banded at five to nine days old. Groups were again visited at approxi-
mately 28 days post-hatching to check for fledglings. Date of clutch completion was esti-
mated by counting back from age of chick to hatching date. Clutch completion is then 11
days prior to hatching (Walters et al. 1988). All procedures for capturing and banding
RCWs were similar to those described in Walters et al. (1988).
In the 1993 nesting season, 26 of the monitored groups were observed more inten-
sively as part of a home range and foraging study. Each of the 26 groups was visited two
to four times a month, and the birds were followed for two to six hours per day while
observers recorded foraging behavior and spatial locations. During one of the visits on
17 June 1993, the breeding birds of one group (95C) were observed making regular trips
to and from the nest tree from which they had successfully fledged one male on 3 June
1993.
On 22 June 1993 the tree was climbed and four eggs were observed in the cavity.
Three were of normal size and color and the fourth was one-half to two-thirds the size of
a normal egg, and slightly transparent. When the nest tree was checked again on 30
June 1993 no hatchlings or remnants of egg shells were found. It is unknown whether or
not the eggs hatched. The group consisted of the same adult breeding male and female
as in 1992, plus a one-year-old male helper fledged from the same cluster in 1992, and
the newly fledged male.
LaBranche et al. (1994) reported five incidents of double brooding in the North
Carolina Sandhills, one incident in the South Carolina Sandhills, and one in a coastal
population in North Carolina. All groups but the latter one were successful in producing
at least one fledgling from the second brood.
Notes
113
In the North Carolina Sandhills population, females producing two broods were
from four to seven years old, whereas those producing single broods had a median age of
three years. Double broods were produced by pairs that initiated their first nests early
in the breeding season (four of five first clutches were initiated before 21 April 1991).
Second clutches were initiated between 7 and 23 June, whereas second clutches by
groups whose first nest failed were initiated between 9 May and 19 June.
The age of the breeding female of group 95C on EAFB cannot be determined
because she was banded as a breeding adult in 1992. However, like the groups exhibit-
ing double brooding in the North Carolina Sandhills, group 95C nested early, complet-
ing its first nest on 24 April 1993 and the second between 17 and 22 June. Two other
first clutches on EAFB were completed on 22 April 1993. The median date of first clutch
completion was similar for 1992 and 1993 at 1 May and 3 May, respectively. After 22
June, the twelve earliest nesting groups that successfully produced at least one fledg-
ling were rechecked for evidence of second clutches, however, none were found.
LaBranche et al. (1994) suggest that double brooding in RCWs occurs in years of
extreme nesting effort. Nesting effort is evidenced by the proportion of groups actually
attempting to nest and the probability of renesting after failure. Based on data from
1981 to 1991, nesting effort in 1991 was the second highest in the North Carolina Sand-
hills population (LaBranche et al. 1994). The North Carolina coastal population located
in Croatan National Forest also exhibited the highest nesting effort among the three
years they were studied in 1991.
Although we have only two years of data, the RCW population of EAFB did not
appear to exhibit extreme nesting effort in 1993 when double clutching occurred. Of the
clusters sampled, 88.2% and 80.3% attempted to nest in 1992 and 1993, respectively.
Seven of nine groups whose nests failed on the first attempt renested in 1992, whereas
only three of 11 groups with failed first nests renested in 1993. Of the attempted nests,
88.8% were successful in 1992 and 75.6% in 1993.
Of the cases documented, double clutching has been found in the earliest nesting
groups, generally with older females. LaBranche et al. (1994) propose that double
clutching is a rare event which happens in years of high nesting effort. Although we can-
not conclude that the double clutch on EAFB occurred in a year of low nesting effort, the
accidental detection of it and the fact that we are stud3dng only 23% of the population
suggests that double clutching may be more common than previously thought.
We would like to thank Mike Gatlin and Joyce Mazourek for climbing the nest tree
where the double clutch occurred and Jeff Walters, Melinda LaBranche and Jeff Hard-
esty for reviewing earlier drafts of this manuscript.
Literature Cited
Dept, of Defense. 1993, Eglin AFB Natural Resource Management Plan. Eglin AFB,
Florida.
Florida Natural Areas Inwntory and Florida Dept, of Natural Resources.
1990. Guide to the Natural Communities of Florida. FNAI & DNR, Tallahassee.
LaBranche, M. S., J. R. Walters, and K. S. Laves. 1994. Double Brooding in Red-
cockaded Woodpeckers. Wilson Bull. 106:403-408.
Walters, J. R., P. D. Doerr, and J, H. Carter, III. 1988. The cooperative breeding sys-
tem of the Red-cockaded Woodpecker. Ethology. 78:275-305.
Walters, J. R. 1990. The Red-cockaded Woodpecker: a “primitive” cooperative breeder.
Pages 647-101 in Cooperative breeding in birds: long-term studies of ecology and
behavior (P, B. Stacey and W. D. Koenig, eds.) Cambridge Univ. Press, Cambridge.
114
FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST
Fla. Field Nat. 22(4): 114-117, 1994.
SIGHTING OF A NORTHERN GANNET IN CUBA
George E. Wallace and Donald R. Fillman^
^Long Point Bird Observatory, Box 1 60
Port Rowan, Ontario, Canada NOE IMO
^Ontario Region, Canadian Wildlife Service
Nepean, Ontario, Canada KIA OHS
^Current address: Division of Biological Sciences, 110 Tucker Hall,
University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri 65211
In North America, the Northern Gannet (Morus bassanus) is widely distributed in
winter, ranging from Massachusetts south along the Atlantic coast and into the Gulf of
Mexico (Bent 1922, AOU 1983). Typically, the species is rare in the north, but it occurs
regularly off the southeastern Atlantic coast from Virginia through Florida (Bent 1922,
Clapp et al. 1982, DeSante and Pyle 1986). In eastern portions of the Gulf of Mexico,
including Florida and Alabama, gannets are common (Palmer 1962, Clapp et al. 1982,
DeSante and Pyle 1986). Recent sightings have supported speculation by Clapp et al.
(1982) that the status of gannets in the Florida Keys is comparable to that of the east-
ern Gulf of Mexico (W. Hoffman, pers. comm.), although Christmas Bird Count data sug-
gest that their mid-winter occurrence there may be sporadic (e.g.. Brown 1987-92).
From Mississippi westward through Texas, most sources indicate that gannets are
uncommon (Palmer 1962, Clapp et al. 1982, DeSante and Pyle 1986). Fairly large num-
bers (a total of 303) were discovered by aerial surveys over the continental shelf off the
southwestern coast of Louisiana during February 1980. However, it is not clear whether
this was an occurrence caused by population increases and a concomitant range shift
westward, atypical environmental or human caused events, or whether this region is
part of a previously unknown wintering area (Fritts et al. 1983). Gannets have been
reported as far south as Veracruz, Mexico (Bent 1922, Hellmayer and Conover 1948).
There are only three reports of Northern Gannets in the West Indies, despite the
numbers of wintering gannets in the adjacent waters north of the Gulf Stream and in
the Gulf of Mexico, and all are of first-year birds from the Bahama Islands. One was
reported from Stirrup Cay, Berry Islands 5-6 January 1984 (Norton 1984, Bond 1986).
Two were observed off the east coast of Halls Pond Cay, Exumas 7 May 1988 (Buden and
Sprunt 1993). A gannet banded in Quebec, Canada in September 1968 was recovered on
Grand Bahama in May 1969 (Buden 1991). Although Cuba is included as part of the
Northern Gannet’s winter range by at least three sources (Bent 1922, AOU 1931, Hell-
mayer and Conover 1948), the inclusion is questionable. There are no traceable records
of the species in Cuba (Bond 1956, 1985), and Cuban authorities have not accepted any
records for the Northern Gannet (Garrido and Garcia Montana 1975). Here, we docu-
ment the first sighting of the species in Cuba and the first report of an adult for the
West Indies.
Beginning on the evening of 24 January 1993, a system of two consecutive cold
fronts with strong north and north-westerly winds struck the north coast of Cuba. The
second front on 26-27 January was particularly strong with north-northwest winds of
40-55 kph on 27 January in Havana. This created conditions favorable for the occur-
rence of pelagic species close to shore, and on 27 January Wallace observed one uniden-
tified sulid from the Malecon Boulevard along the Havana waterfront (23° 8' N, 82° 22'
W). There was general calming and clearing on 28 January, but sea conditions were still
rough with swells of approximately 2-3 m. The sky was clear and the winds were from
the north-northwest at approximately 25-35 kph. At 0900, looking to the northeast of
Notes
115
the harbor mouth, Wallace spotted a large black and white sulid flying west approxi-
mately 1 km offshore and alerted Fillman who was able to locate the bird within a few
seconds.
We observed the bird in good light with 10x40 binoculars as it banked lazily three
or four times, and agreed it was a Northern Gannet, based on our extensive experience
with it and related sulids known to occur in the Caribbean region. The following
description is based on field notes made shortly after the sighting. The bird had the
characteristic 'Two-ended” appearance of a gannet with a long bill and long, wedge-
shaped tail with the wings equidistant from the head and tail. It was entirely white on
the back, breast, belly, rump, tail, secondaries, and upper wing coverts. In sharp con-
trast, the wing tips (primaries) were black, characteristic of an adult. We were unable to
see the yellow-orange flush that adults often have on the head and back of neck. How-
ever, we specifically noted that there was no black in the secondaries, thus eliminating
the possibility that the bird was a Red-footed {Sula sula) or a Masked {S. dactylatra)
Booby, both of which are known vagrants to Cuba (Garrido and Garcia Montana 1975)
and breed in the Caribbean region (van Halewyn and Norton 1984). The lack of dark col-
oration on the upperwing coverts, back, and neck eliminated the possibility of it being a
Brown Booby (S. leucogaster), which breeds in Cuba (Garrido and Garcia Montana
1975) and is widespread in the Caribbean region (van Halewyn and Norton 1984), or a
Blue-footed {S. nebouxii) Booby, a species which has never been recorded in the Carib-
bean (AOU 1983). The flight consisted of long, lazy soaring with deep undulations, with-
out flapping. We also observed two other dark sulids which we were unable to identify.
Other species in the vicinity for comparison included Laughing Gull {Larus atricilla),
Herring Gull (L. argentatus), and Royal Tern (Sterna maxima).
This occurrence represents the first report of the Northern Gannet for Cuba and
has been acknowledged as such by Cuban authorities (O. Garrido and A. Kirkconnell,
pers. comm.). Furthermore, it is the first report of an adult in the West Indies. In the
Gulf of Mexico, observations from Pensacola, Florida suggest that juveniles and imma-
tures outnumber adults by as much as 12:1 (Lowery and Newman 1954). Recoveries of
banded birds also indicate that juveniles undertake the longest movements and that
they and immatures predominate as far south as Florida and the Gulf of Mexico (Nelson
1978a, 1978b), However, 75% of all bird observed during aerial surveys off southwestern
Louisiana in February 1980 were adults, but it is not clear if adult gannets were farther
south than usual that year due to unusual weather or other environmental conditions
(Fritts et al. 1983). Recent sightings in Florida also suggest that adults may be more
common than the literature indicates (W. Hoffman, pers. comm.). In any case, most of
the data available suggest that adults account for the minority of all individuals in
waters of Florida and the Gulf of Mexico, making the occurrence of an adult in the West
Indies noteworthy.
Northern Gannets are known to frequent inshore waters and are rarely seen fur-
ther than 300 km offshore in the North Atlantic, where they apparently range east to
the western margin of the Gulf Stream (Baker 1947). The paucity of West Indian
records suggests that gannets may be restricted to the waters north of the Gulf Stream
in the Straits of Florida, which separate Havana from Key West by only 160 km. If the
Gulf Stream forms such a strong barrier to the movements of gannets, they are most
likely to occur in the West Indies, particularly in Cuban and Bahamian waters, after
strong storm systems with north or northwest winds. While these systems are not
uncommon, occurrences of gannets may go undetected in the northern Antilles and
Bahamas due to the small numbers of resident observers and lack of suitable optics for
observing seabirds at long distances. Another interesting circumstance related to this
sighting was the major die-off of gannets along the southeast coast of Florida during the
winter of 1992-93 (W. Hoffman, pers. comm.). Much of the mortality was apparently
caused by starvation, and it is possible that a shortage of prey in waters north of the
116
FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST
Gulf Stream played a role in forcing the gannet south in search of food. We wish to
thank the Ministerio de Ciencia, Tecnologia, y Medio Ambiente de Cuba, the Canadian
Wildlife Service, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, and the Long Point Bird
Observatory for making our work in Cuba possible. We also thank Beth Wallace, Wayne
Hoffman, and three anonymous reviewers for additional information and helpful com-
ments that improved the manuscript. This is a publication of the Long Point Bird
Observatory.
Literature Sited
American Ornithologists’ Union. 1931. Check-list of North American birds, 4th ed.
Port City Press, Baltimore.
American Ornithologists’ Union. 1983. Check-list of North American birds, 6th ed.
Allen Press, Lawrence.
Baker, R. H. 1947. Observations on the birds of the North Atlantic. Auk 64:245-259.
Bent, A. C, 1922. Life histories of North American petrels and pelicans and their allies.
U.S. Nat. Mus. Bull. 121.
Bond, J. 1956. First supplement to the check-list of birds of the West Indies (1956).
Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia, Philadelphia.
Bond, J. 1985. Birds of the West Indies (5th ed.). Houghton Mifflin Co., Boston.
Bond, J. 1986. Twenty-sixth supplement to the check-list of birds of the West Indies
(1956). Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia, Philadelphia.
Brown, M. 1987. Eighty-seventh Christmas bird count: Lower Keys, Florida. Am. Birds
41:858.
Brown, M. 1988. Eighty-eighth Christmas bird count: Lower Keys, Florida. Am. Birds
42:793.
Brown, M. 1989. Eighty-ninth Christmas bird count: Lower Keys, Florida. Am. Birds
43:837-838.
Brown, M. 1990. Ninetieth Christmas bird count: Lower Keys, Florida. Am. Birds
44:728.
Brown, M. 1991. Ninety-first Christmas bird count: Lower Keys, Florida. Am. Birds
45:737.
Brown, M. 1992. Ninety-second Christmas bird count: Lower Keys, Florida. Am. Birds
46:729-730.
Buden, D. W. 1991. Bird band recoveries in the Bahama Islands. Carib. J. Sci. 27:63-70.
Buden, D. W. and a. Sprunt IV. 1993. Additional observations on the birds of the Exu-
mas, Bahama Islands. Wilson Bull. 105:514-518.
Clapp, R. B, R. C. Banks, D. Morgan-Jacobs, and W. A. Hoffman. 1982. Marine birds
of the southeastern United States and Gulf of Mexico, Part 1. Gaviiformes and Pele-
caniformes. U.S. Fish and Wildl. Serv., Div. Biol. Serv., Washington, D.C. FWS/OBS-
82/01.
Desante, D. and P. Pyle. 1986. Distributional checklist of North American birds. Vol.
1. Artemisia Press, Lee Vining.
Fritts, T. H., a. B. Irvine, R. D. Jennings, L. A. Collum, W. Hoffman, and M. A.
McGehee. 1983. Turtles, birds, and mammals in the northern Gulf of Mexico and
nearby Atlantic waters. U.S. Fish and Wildl. Serv., Div. Biol. Serv., Washington, D.C.
FWS/OBS-82/65.
Garrido, O. H. and F. Garcia Montana. 1975. Catalogo de las aves de Cuba. Academia
de Ciencias de Cuba, La Habana.
Hellmayer, C. E. and B. Conover. 1948. Catalogue of birds of the Americas and the
adjacent islands. Field Mus. Nat. Hist. Zool. Ser. 13 (Part 1). No. 2.
Notes
117
Lowery, G. H, Jr. and R. J. Newman, 1954, The birds of the Gulf of Mexico. Pages 519-
540 in The Gulf of Mexico: Its origin, waters, and marine life (P. S. Galtsoff, ed.). U.S.
Fish and Wildl. Serv. Fishery Bull. (89). Vol. 55.
Nelson, J. B. 1978a. The Sulidae. Gannets and Boobies. Oxford Univ. Press, Oxford.
Nelson, J. B. 1978b. The Gannet. Buteo Books, Vermillion.
Norton, R. L. 1984. The Winter Season: West Indies Region. Amer. Birds 38:361 -362.
Palmer, R. S. 1962. Handbook of North American birds. Vol.l. Yale Univ. Press, New
Haven.
Van Halewyn, R. and R. L. Norton. 1984. The status and conservation of seabirds in
the Caribbean. Pages 169-222 in Status and Conservation of the World’s Seabirds (J.
R Croxall, P. G. H. Evans, and R. W Schreiber, eds.). ICBP Tech. Publ. No.2.
118
FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST
FIELD OBSERVATIONS
Fla. Field Nat. 22(4): 118-126, 1994.
Spring Report: March-May 1994.— The observations listed here are based on
rare or unusual species or significant numbers of birds reported to the Florida Ornitho-
logical Society (FOS) Field Observations Committee (FOC). As these reports are not for-
mally reviewed, they may be considered tentative.
Significant reports are welcomed for inclusion in future issues of this section.
Reports should include the following information: the species; the number of individu-
als; the age and sex of the bird(s); the color morph if applicable; the location (including
county); the date; the observer(s); and the significance of the report. Reporting periods
are winter (December-February), spring (March-May), summer (June- July), and fall
(August-November). Submit reports to regional compilers within two weeks after the
close of each period, or to the state compiler within one month. Reports may be sent by
FAX to the state compiler at (813) 699-1927.
Following the examples set by Florida Bird Species: An Annotated List (Robertson
and Woolfenden 1992, FOS Spec. Pub. No. 6) and The Birdlife of Florida (Stevenson and
Anderson 1994, University Press of Florida), sight-only observations are considered
reports, while only those supported by verifiable evidence (photographs, video or audio
tapes, or specimens) are called records.
The Thirty-ninth supplement to the American Ornithologists’ Union Check-list of
North American Birds was recently published (AOU 1993. Auk 110(3):675-682). This
FOC report includes all changes to the nomenclature as published in the Auk.
Anderson and Baker (1994. Fla. Field Nat. 22(l):21-23) recently published the list
of birds for which the FOS Records Committee requires documentation. These species
are marked in this report with an asterisk (*) to alert the observers of their need to sup-
ply the FOSRC with details of their sightings.
A county designation accompanies the first- time listing of each site; further listings
of the same site lack the county name. Abbreviations used in this report are: APAFR-N ~
Avon Park Air Force Range {Polk); APAFR-S = Avon Park Air Force Range (Highlands);
CP = county park; DTNP - Dry Tortugas National Park (Monroe); ENP = Everglades
National Park; FOSRC = FOS Records Committee; NAMC = North American Migration
Count; NWR = national wildlife refuge; SP = state park; SRA ~ state recreation area;
WMA = wildlife management area; and N, S, E, W, etc. for compass directions.
For their assistance with this report, the state compiler thanks Howard Langridge,
the spring editor for National Audubon Society Field Notes, and Bruce Anderson for
supplying information from the forthcoming The Birdlife of Florida.
SUMMAKY OF THE SPRING SEASON
Compared to the 1992 and 1993 spring seasons, 1994 was characterized by rela-
tively mild weather. Spring rains temporarily restored water levels in some areas, but
drought conditions continued in most parts of the state. A cold front that passed through
the state 7 April resulted in fantastic fallouts of birds in Pinellas County and at Dry Tor-
tugas for the next few days. Highest-ever counts of Ruby- throated Hummingbirds and
Hooded Warblers were made at this time. Reports from other parts of the state were
generally of fewer migrants than in other years.
Rarities reported this spring (all but a few verified) included five Caribbean spe-
cies: La Sagra’s Flycatcher (2), Bahama Mockingbird (3), Bananaquit, Stripe-headed
Tanager (2), and Florida’s second Yellow-faced Grassquit. At least 5 individuals of Antil-
lean Short-eared Owls were observed in Monroe County, Other rarities included a
Black-Hawk in North Florida, a Curlew Sandpiper present for at least 7 months in Lee
Field Observations
119
County, Florida’s third Marbled Murrelet (and the first live individual), a Long-eared
Owl roosting in scrub, a Couch’s Kingbird, and a Townsend’s Warbler in St. Petersburg.
A record count of Band-rumped Storm-Petrels came from the Straits of Florida in May.
Lastly, the third annual North American Migration Count (NAMC) was conducted
14 May in 16 counties in the state. The results were compiled by the new state compiler,
Rex Rowan. Some of the more significant observations from the NAMC are contained in
this report.
Species Accounts
Red-throated Loon: 1 found dead on Shell Key (Pinellas) 10 April was rare so far
south (P. Blair, M. Hughes, B. and B. Wotton, specimen to University of Central Flor-
ida, Orlando).
Common Loon: 2 at Marco Island (Collier) 21-25 March (T. Below et aL). Ted wrote, “We
are seeing so few loons anymore that any sighting is almost noteworthy.”
Eared Grebe: 1 in Hamilton until 15 April (J. Krummrich).
*Black-CAPPED Petrel: 1, 9 miles offshore from Riviera Beach (Palm Beach) 24 April
(FOS group, details to FOSRC by D. Goodwin).
Sooty Shearwater: 1 on the bay side of Honeymoon Island SRA (Pinellas) 28 May (D.
Gagne) was very rare so close to the mainland,
Audubon’S Shearwater: 200 S of Key West (Monroe) 19 April (M. O’Brien et aL); 3 in
DTNP 3 May (B. Hallett, H. Langridge et aL); 41 between DTNP and Key West 12
May (H. Robinson et aL) is the state’s highest-ever count (fide B. Anderson).
*Band-RUMPED Storm-Petrel: 8 between DTNP and Key West 12 May (H. Robinson et
aL) was the highest-ever Florida count (fide B. Anderson).
White-tailed Tropicbird: singles in DTNP 26 April (B. Hallett et al.) and 10 May (H.
Robinson et aL); 1 in Palm Beach 15-31 May was visiting an office building covered
with reflective glass (P. Quincy).
Masked Booby: 1 adult observed from shore at Ponte Vedra Beach (St. Johns) 19 March
(R. Atkinson); no sign of “obvious nesting” on Hospital Key, DTNP this year (fide H.
Langridge),
Brown Booby: 24 on buoys in DTNP 9 April (W, Biggs, D. Goodwin, B. Pranty, G. Wool-
fenden et al.).
*Red-FOOTED Booby: 1 that landed on a boat 8 miles S of DTNP in early April was
believed to be the same individual that was present in the park last year (P. Maiuri).
American White Pelican: 3 near Newnan’s Lake 8 April were the third Alac/iaa report
(B. Muschlitz, L. Fitzgerald); 200 on Choctawhatchee Bay (Walton) 10 March (G.
Lucas); 17 over the Ochlockonee River (Leon) 6 April (G. Menk) were locally rare; 53
over Archbold Biological Station (Highlands) 28 April (K. Tarvin); 23 at Rookery Bay
Sanctuary 5 May through the period (T. Fish) were locally rare so late (fide T. Below).
Brown Pelican: 1 immature at Lake Clay (Highlands) 7 May (D. Stotz); 3 on Lake
Istokpoga (Highlands) 14 May (M. McMillian, L. Richman); 1 adult over Winter Park
(Orange) 26 May and 1 June (H. Robinson).
Reddish Egret: 1 white morph in St. Marks NWR (Wakulla) 17 May (N. Warner, J,
Dozier) was far N for the white morph.
White x Scarlet Ibis: 1 pale pink bird, an apparent hybrid, in Lettuce Lake CP (Hills-
borough) 27 April (D. Johnson, A. Summers).
*Scarlet Ibis: 1 bright red adult in Lakes Park (Lee) in May (V. Keerd, photo 4 May to
FOSRC) was reported in Lakes Park since 6 August 1992 (Pranty 1993. Fla. Field
Nat. 21(2):44), and in Lee as early as spring 1991 (Cox 1991. Fla. Field Nat.
19(4): 128). This bird is probably also responsible for the frequent reports in the
Charlotte Harbor area (Charlotte and/or Lee) (fide L. Atherton).
120
FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST
Glossy Ibis: 1 on Dog Island {Franklin) 11-14 May was the first report from the island
(D. Evered, L. Messick).
Woolly-necked Stork {Ciconia episcopus): 1 in Goulds {Dade) 1 May was traced to a
bird that escaped from Miami Metro Zoo after Hurricane Andrew in August 1992 (R
W. and S. Smith, Fla. Field Nat. in press). This is the first report of the species in
Florida (Robertson and Woolfenden 1992).
Wood Stork: birds at Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary {Collier) did not initiate nesting
until mid-March, believed to be the latest start time reported at the sanctuary. The
rookery peaked at 511 nests on 18 April, but fledging success was extremely low due
to a four-inch rise in water levels during the first half of June (T. Below),
Fulvous Whistling-Duck: 150-200 SW of Fellsmere {Indian River) 4 March (I. Weig-
ley); 1 in a Polk phosphate mine 14 May was locally rare (P. Fellers).
Black-bellied Whistling-Duck: 18 in Sanlan Campground, Lakeland 16 April (M.
Schmidt) was the second Polk report.
Mottled Duck x Mallard: 25 hybrids in 4-corners phosphate mine {Hardee, Hillsbor-
ough, Manatee, and/or Po/^) 7 May (C. Geanangel, P. Timmer).
Cinnamon Teal: 1 male at Lake Jackson {Leon) 18-19 March (G. Menk, J. Cavanagh).
Northern Shoveler: 7 in 4-corners Mine 14 May were late (P. Fellers).
Ring-necked Duck: 1 in 4-corners Mine 14 May (P. Fellers).
Common Shelduck {Tadorna tadorna): 1 in a phosphate mine W of Homeland {Polk) 13
March (P. Fellers). This is the first published report of the species in Florida (Robert-
son and Woolfenden 1992).
Surf Scoter: 1 in West Palm Beach 16 April (P. Donahue, W. Bracey); 1 male at Fort
DeSoto CP {Pinellas) 20-31 May (H. Fagan, K. Christensen, B. Browning et al.).
American Swallow-tailed Kite: 50+ over fields near Tram Road Sewage Treatment
Plant {Leon) 22 April, with smaller numbers on following days (G. Menk).
White-tailed Kite: 1 W of Homestead Airport {Dade) 16 May (T. Brooks); 1 in Davie
{Broward) 28 May and 1 June was near last year’s nest site, but there was no indica-
tion of nesting this year ( J. Baker).
Snail Kite: 63 roosting just N of the Miccosukee Restaurant on US 41 {Dade) 27 May
(T Brooks).
Mississippi Kite: 1 in APAFR-S 20 May (M. McMillian); 1 adult over Winter Park 23
May (H. Robinson).
*Black-Hawk species {Buteogallus sp.): 1 in Suwannee {Dixie) 25 April (J. Krummrich,
details to FOSRC).
Short-tailed Hawk: 1 light morph in Avon Park {Highlands) 4 April (D. Stotz); 1 light
morph in APAFR-S 6 April (D, Stotz); 1 dark morph in Lake Placid 28 April (D.
Stotz); 1 light morph on Johnson Ranch {Highlands) 29 April (K. Tarvin); 1 dark
morph in APAFR-N 11 May (M. McMillian, D. Stotz); 1 dark morph at Lake Glenada
{Highlands) 11 May (D. Stotz).
American Kestrel: 1 female apparently of the Cuban race F. s. sparverioides in Key
West 7 April (B. Pranty, G, Woolfenden, W. Biggs et al.). The bird had a very pale
grayish crown, dull brownish-gray back, and a plain whitish breast. This is the first
Florida report since May 1977 {fide B. Anderson).
Merlin: 1 female at Snake Bight, ENP 21 May (T. Brooks).
Peregrine Falcon: 1 in APAFR-S 2 May (D. Stotz).
Ring-necked Pheasant: 1 at the Fort Walton Beach spray field {Okaloosa) 13 April (D.
Ware).
Common Moorhen: 1 first-year bird on the water between DTNP and Key West 11
April (W. Biggs, D. Goodwin, B. Pranty, G. Woolfenden et al.).
Black-bellied Plover: 60 at Alligator Point {Franklin) 14 May (N. Warner, J. Dozier,
C. Watt).
Field Observations
121
American Golden-Plover: 2 in a Polk mine 10 April (C. Geanangel, P. Timmer), and 1
still there 17 April (C. Geanangel, R Fellers) were that county’s second and third
reports.
Semipalmated Plover: 27 in Polk mines 7 May (C. Geanangel, P. Timmer); 100+ at
Snake Bight, ENP {Monroe) 21 May (T. Brooks).
Piping Plover: 110 in Honeymoon Island SRA {Pinellas) 23 March (D. Stotz); 1 in Mer-
ritt Island NWR {Brevard) 2 April (H. Robinson).
Black-necked Stilt: 7 over Placid Lakes {Highlands) 7 March (R. Bowman); 15 adults,
including two pairs with nests, at St. Marks NWR (J. Reinman); several at Spring-
hill Road Sewage Treatment Plant {Leon) through the period, with nesting suspected
(G. Menk).
Upland Sandpiper: singles in St. Marks NWR 13 and 22 March (P. Lorish, E. Killian)
and 17 May (N. Warner, J. Dozier); 4 at the Fort Walton Beach spray field 13 April
(D. Ware); 4 at Zellwood {Orange) 16 April (S. Backes); 1 in Tallahassee {Leon) 7 May
(G. Menk).
Whimbrel: 1 in West Palm Beach {Palm Beach) 25 April (C. Weber) was very rare in the
county {fide H. Langridge).
Hudsonian GodwiT: 1 in St. Marks NWR 7 April (E. and J. Shelton).
Semipalmated Sandpiper: 11,600 in Polk 14 May (NAMC, fide R. Rowan); 3200 in Mer-
ritt Island NWR 19 May, and 550 there 27 May (both H. Robinson).
White-RUMPED Sandpiper: among 5 reports by H. Robinson (from Brevard, Monroe,
and Volusia) were 205+ (“probably at least 300 present”) in Merritt Island NWR 27
May; 16 in Polk mines 14 May (P. Fellers); 2 in St. Marks NWR 17 May (N. Warner, J,
Dozier); 2 at Snake Bight, ENP 31 May (T. Brooks).
Purple Sandpiper: 4 at Fort Clinch pier {Nassau) 2 April (E. Colborn).
*Curlew Sandpiper: 1 at Fort Myers Beach {Lee), first noted 14 October 1993, was last
observed 15 May 1994 (V. Keerd), by which time it had molted into full breeding
plumage (videotape 6 May by B. Atherton, photo 7 May by V. Keerd, to FOSRC),
Stilt Sandpiper: 2 at Springhill Road Sewage TVeatment Plant 18 March (J.
Cavanagh); 4600 in 4-corners Mine 7 May (C. Geanangel, P. Timmer) and 1400 still
there 14 May (P. Fellers) are two very high Florida counts {fide B. Anderson).
Wilson’s Phalarope: 1 in Winter Haven {Polk) 17 March (M. Hartsaw, E. Connolly); 3
singles in 4-corners Mine 13 March, 17 March, and 14 May (P. Fellers, P. Timmer, C.
Geanangel).
Pomarine Jaeger: 1 light morph adult observed from Honeymoon Island SRA 6 March
(D. Gagne).
Parasitic Jaeger: 1 light morph adult over St. Joseph Bay {Gulf) 14 May (J. Schulen-
berg).
Bonaparte’s Gull: 1 immature over Bush Key, DTNP 9 April (D. Goodwin et al.) was
rare there.
Herring Gull: the first-year bird photographed in DTNP 25-29 April 1993 has been
confirmed as one of the European races (D. Sibley, fide H. Langridge).
Lesser Black-backed Gull: 1 third-year bird at the Sunshine Skyway causeway
{Pinellas) was last seen 5 April (L. Atherton).
Glaucous Gull: 1 in Fort Clinch SP {Nassau) 5 May (J. Krummrich, details to
FOSRC).
Great Black-backed Gull: 1 immature at Manalapan {Palm Beach) 15 March (R.
Paul); 1 first-year bird in Honeymoon Island SRA 27 March (D. Gagne); 1 adult
found sick in Fort DeSoto CP 8 April (L. Fox) later died (B. Atherton, specimen to
Archbold Biological Station); 1 immature in St. Marks NWR 23 April and 1 May (A.
Gantzhorn et al.).
122
FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST
Gull-billed Tern: 1 in DTNP 14 May was rare there (R Ryan, P. W. Smith); 3 (in
breeding plumage) in Merritt Island NWR 1 May, and 2 (in winter plumage) there 27
May (both H, Robinson).
Roseate Tern: about 75 birds on marker buoys in DTNP 9 April (W. Biggs, D. Goodwin,
B. Pranty, G. Woolfenden et ah).
Common Tern: 1 immature at Lake June-In- Winter {Highlands) 8 April (D. Stotz).
Arctic Tern: 1 in full breeding plumage at the mouth of the Alafia River {Hillsborough)
23 May (R. Paul, A. Schnapf, J. Platt, J. Stuart).
Bridled Tern: 36 between DTNP and Key West 12 May (H. Robinson).
*Marbled Murrelet: 1 at Cedar Key {Levy) 16-28 March (B. Muschlitz, D. Henderson
et ah, videotape by B. Atherton to FOSRC) is the third record for Florida. The rela-
tively long bill and the presence of white around the eyes confirms this bird as the
Asiatic race B. m. perdix, like the two Florida specimens.
White-crowned Pigeon: 1 in Fort Lauderdale {Broward) 14 May (W George et al.) was
“late for an overshoot” (H. Langridge).
Eurasian Collared-DOVE: 1 in APAFR-S 5 April (D. Leonard, L. Richman); 1 at a new
site in E Tampa {Hillsborough) from early April through the period (R. Paul).
White-winged Dove: 1 in Winter Park 4 May (H. Robinson); 1 in Bay Point {Bay) 28
May (T. Menart).
Tanimbar (Coffin’s) Cockatoo: 1 in A. D. Barnes Park 8 May (P. W. Smith) is the first
Dade report (Robertson and Woolfenden 1992:184).
Gray Parrot: 1 in Homestead {Dade) 14 May flying with Rock Doves (P. W. and S.
Smith).
Yellow-billed Cuckoo: 1 in APAFR-N 28 March (D. Leonard); 20 in Delray Beach
{Palm Beach) 22 May (B. Hope).
Mangrove Cuckoo: 2 in Weedon Island County Preserve {Pinellas) 15 May (R. Smith).
This is the third year birds have been found here in mid-May, but the birds are never
found subsequently {fide R. Smith); 1 at Terra Ceia Bay {Manatee) 19 May was
“expected here” (R. Paul, A. Schnapf, P. Clark); 2 in Honeymoon Island SRA 22 May
(D. Gagne).
Groove-billed Ani: 1 that wintered in Delray Beach was last seen 14 May (B. Hope et al.).
Barn Owl: 1 in Fort DeSoto CP 16 April (H. Robinson) is the first park report {fide L.
Atherton).
*Long-EARED Owl: 1 in Archbold Biological Station 20 March (K. Tarvin et al. 1994.
Fla. Field Nat. 22:110-111, videotape by B. Atherton to FOSRC) was only the third
verifiable record for Florida (Robertson and Woolfenden 1992:90). The bird, which
was not found subsequently, was presumably migrating north from a more southerly
wintering site.
Short-eared Owl: birds of one of the Antillean races were again reported in the Keys
this season: 2 in Key West {Monroe) in April (J. Ondrejko et al.); at least 3 in DTNP
April-May (W. B. Robertson et al.); 1 (race not mentioned) in Fort DeSoto CP 23 April
(B. Browning) was the first park report {fide L. Atherton).
Ruby-throated Hummingbird: 200+ in DTNP 8-9 April (W. Biggs, D. Goodwin, B.
Pranty, G. Woolfenden et al.) is the highest-ever Florida count {fide B. Anderson).
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker: 1 in Orange 14 May (NAMC, fide R. Rowan); 1 in Taylor
15 May (J. Dozier).
Hairy Woodpecker: 2 in Lake Kissimmee SP {Polk) 12 March (A. and R. Smith).
PiLEATED Woodpecker: 1 flying S along US 1, 8 miles S of Florida City {Dade) toward
Key Largo {Monroe) 20 March (P. W. and S. Smith), where the species is rarely
reported.
*Yellow-BELLIED Flycatcher: 1 seen well and heard calling on Garden Key, DTNP 8
April (G. Woolfenden, W. Biggs, D. Goodwin, B. Pranty et al., details to FOSRC); 1
that wintered in Delray Beach was last observed 11 April (B. Hope et al.).
Field Observations
123
Acadian Flycatcher: 1 calling in Highlands Hammock SP 27 April (D. Stotz) was the
first Highlands report in spring.
*La Sacra’s Flycatcher: singles in John U. Lloyd SRA, Dania {Broward) 20-21 April
(J. Baker, E. Rosenberg, J. DiPasquale, details to FOSRC) and Delray Beach, also
20-21 April (B. Hope).
*Couch’S Kingbird: 1 that wintered in Delray Beach was last seen 28 March (B. Blair
et ah, details to FOSRC), Although the bird was identified by its call, recordings were
apparently not made, so the species remains unverified in the state (Robertson and
Woolfenden 1992:164).
Eastern Kingbird: 1 in Placid Lakes 20 March (D. Stotz).
Gray Kingbird: 1 in APAFR-S 27 May (M. McMillian) was rare inland.
SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER: 1 in Honeymoon Island SRA 9 April {fide L. Atherton).
Tree Swallow: 150 in 4-corners Mine 7 May (P. Timmer, C. Geanangel).
Northern Rough-winged Swallow: 3 in Archbold Biological Station 22 March (S.
Schoech) were somewhat early.
Barn Swallow: 200 in DTNP 8 April (W. Biggs, D. Goodwin, B. Pranty, G. Woolfenden
et al.).
Gray Catbird: 1 at Key West 25 May (J. Ondrejko) was late; 2 nests in Tallahassee (G.
Menk, M. Evans).
*Bahama Mockingbird: 1 male that has summered on Key West {Monroe) since 1991
was first seen this year 20 February (J. Ondrejko) and remained through the spring
(many obs.); 1 singing on Hypoluxo Island {Palm Beach) 23-30 April (F. Broemer,
audiotape by C. Potter, videotape by B. Atherton to FOSRC); 1 in John U. Lloyd SRA
27 April (J. Baker, J. DiPasquale et al., details to FOSRC).
Cedar Waxwing: 150 in Haines City {Polk) 10 May (P. Fellers).
European Starling: 1 on Dog Island 11-14 May was locally rare (D. Evered, L. Mes-
sick).
Common Myna: 3 (1 pair and a fledgling) in Iona {Lee) 6 May (L. and B. Atherton, M.
Wilkinson). One adult appeared to be tending a second brood while the other adult
fed the fledgling. These birds, not previously reported, were discovered in 1993 by V.
McGrath {fide L. Atherton).
Red-eyed Vireo: 5 in Saddle Creek CP 20 March (P. Fellers); notable by its virtual
absence in Pinellas during the 7-10 April fallout {fide L. Atherton); “several” singing
males about 5 miles S of Monroe Station {Monroe) 15 May, at the southernmost edge
of the species’ breeding range (P. W. and S. Smith, P. Ryan).
Black-whiskered VireO: “once again, none found in repeated checks of mangrove zone
throughout Tampa Bay-Sarasota Bay region” {Pinellas, Hillsborough, Manatee, and
Sarasota). “Brown-headed Cowbirds, by contrast, were found daily” (R. Paul); 5 sing-
ing males on Panther Key, and “numerous” other males singing on nearby mangrove
islands in Cape Romano-Ten Thousand Islands Aquatic Preserve {Collier), a little-
studied area (no date) (T. Smith, B. J. Anderson); singles banded on Dog Island
{Franklin) 14, 15, and 21 April (D. Evered, L. Messick) - the species is rare but regu-
lar along the eastern Panhandle coast (Robertson and Woolfenden 1992:120).
Blue-winged Warbler: 1 banded on Casey Key {Sarasota) 29 March (A. Stedman); 11 in
Fort DeSoto CP 7 April (M. Wilkinson); 9 in Bonner Park, Largo {Pinellas) 8 April (L.
Atherton); 7 in DTNP 8 April (W. Biggs, D. Goodwin, B. Pranty, G. Woolfenden et al.).
Golden-winged Warbler: 1 in Honeymoon Island SRA 10 April (D. Gagne); 1 on
Estero Island {Lee) 29 April (L. Douglas).
Northern ParulA: 50-60 along a 2.5 mile stretch of Jungle Trail {Indian River) 4
March (I. Weigley); 102, including 8 families with fledglings and 2 nests with young,
in Highlands Hammock SP 27 April (D. Stotz).
124
FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST
Yellow-RUMPED Warbler: 1 “Audubon’s Warbler” (presumably a male) in DTNP 11
April (M. Cudney); 1 “Myrtle Warbler” in Honeymoon Island SRA 7 May (D. Gagne)
was late.
*T0WNSEND’S Warbler: 1 male that wintered in Sawgrass Lake CP (Pinellas) was last
observed 19 March^ by which date it had acquired a nearly complete black throaty
and had begun to sing (L. and B. Atherton, videotape to FOSRC).
Prairie Warbler: considered widespread, but in low density, in the Tampa Bay-Sara-
sota Bay region, with a “hotspot” in E Hillsborough Bay (R. Paul, A. Schnapf); 19
singing males in Honeymoon Island SRA 14 May (D. Gagne). Cowbird brood parasit-
ism, which is presumably responsible for the decline of this and other species in the
Tampa Bay area, is little-noticed on Honeymoon Island,
Palm Warbler: 3 that appeared to be of the subspecies hypochrysea on Garden Key,
DTNP 14 May (R W. and S. Smith, P Ryan).
Bay-breasted Warbler: 1 in Fort DeSoto CP 29-30 April (M. Wilkinson, R. Smith); 1
male on Dog Island 10 May was the island’s first spring report (D. Evered, L. Mes-
sick).
Worm-eating Warbler: 19 banded on Dog Island this spring (D. Evered, L. Messick).
Cerulean Warbler: 1 male in Fort DeSoto CP 7 April (H. Robinson); 2 males on Logger-
head Key 8 April, and 1 there 9 April (D. Goodwin et aL); 7 in Pinellas 7-10 April, includ-
ing 3 singing males in Bonner Park (M. Wilkinson, L. Atherton, D. Gagne et al).
American Redstart: 136 in Duval 14 May (NAMC, fide R. Rowan).
Prothonotary Warbler: “several” singing males about 5 miles S of Monroe Station, at
the southernmost edge of the species’ breeding range (P. W. and S, Smith).
Swainson’S Warbler: 7 on Loggerhead Key, DTNP 8 April (D. Goodwin et aL); 7 in
Pinellas 7-10 April (M. Wilkinson, B. and L. Atherton et aL); 1 near Lake Jackson
(Leon) 13 April (G. Menk); 1 in St. Marks NWR 23 April (A. Gantzhorn, F. Leonard);
3 males singing in Steinhatchee Springs WMA (Lafayette) 17 May (J. Krummrich)
were probably attempting to breed (birds summered there last year); 8 banded on
Dog Island this spring (D. Evered, L. Messick).
Kentucky Warbler: 30+ in DTNP 8 April (W. Biggs, D. Goodwin, B. Pranty, G. Wool-
fenden et al.); 2 on St. George Island (Franklin) 14 May (D. Jue).
Connecticut Warbler: 1 male banded on Dog Island 8 May (D. Evered, L, Messick);
singles banded at Casey Key 13 May and 20 May (A. Stedman); 1 in Duval 14 May
(NAMC, fide R. Rowan); 2 on St. George Island (Franklin) 14 May (D. and S. Jue); 1
near Alachua (Alachua) 28 May (R. Rowan).
Common Yellowthroat: 69 in Honeymoon Island SRA 10 April (D. Gagne).
Hooded Warbler: 200+ on Garden Key, DTNP 8 April (W. Biggs, D. Goodwin, B.
Pranty, G. Woolfenden et ah); 800 in Honeymoon Island SRA 9 April (fide L. Ather-
ton) is the highest-ever Florida count (fide B. Anderson).
Canada Warbler: 1 female in DTNP 10-11 May (H. Robinson et al.).
*Bananaquit: 1 immature in Spanish River Park, Boca Raton (Palm Beach) 20 April-3
May (B. Hope et aL, videotape by B. Atherton, to FOSRC).
Stripe-headed Tanager: 2 in Spanish River Park: 1 female 16-20 April (B. Hope et al.)
and 1 male 18-20 April (M. Ginsberg, B. Hope et aL).
Summer Tanager: 1 male in APAFR-S 25 March (D. Stotz).
Blue Grosbeak: 1 in Morris Bridge CP (Hillsborough) 4 March (S. Backes, D. Taylor) was
the earliest-ever spring report if the bird did not winter locally (fide B, Anderson).
Indigo Bunting: 1 at Parker Island (Highlands) 24 March (C. and D. Ford); 22 in Fort
DeSoto CP 7 April (H. Robinson); 94 in Honeymoon Island SRA 10 April (D. Gagne).
Painted Bunting: 1 male in Fort DeSoto CP 7 April (H, Robinson).
Dickcissel: 12 in DTNP 25 April (K, Karlson); 2 in Fort DeSoto CP 24 April (L. Ather-
ton, R, Smith et ah), and 1 there 6 May (M, Wilkinson).
Field Observations
125
*Yell0W”FACED Grassquit: 1 immature in DTNP 20-25 April (B. Nikula et al., photos
to FOSRC).
Bachman’S Sparrow: 94 in Hal Scott Preserve (a 4000-acre preserve in E Orange) 14
May {fide D. Freeman).
Lark Sparrow: 1 that wintered at Springhill Road Sewage Treatment Plant was seen
through 1 April (G. Menk).
Henslow’S Sparrow: 3 in Kissimmee Prairie Sanctuary (Okeechobee) 6 March (H. Lan-
gridge, G. Hunter, W. Bracey, S. Hedges); 1 in Hal Scott Preserve 12 March (fide D.
Freeman).
Lincoln’s Sparrow: 4 in Honeymoon Island SRA 10 April (D. Gagne) is believed to be
the highest-ever Pinellas count (fide L. Atherton); 1 on St. George Island 18 April (T.
Menart); 1 banded on Dog Island 19 April (D. Evered, L. Messick).
White-crowned Sparrow: 7 on Little Talbot Island (Duval) 1 April (M. Dolan); 7 in
Okaloosa spray fields 9 April (D. Ware); 1 adult at a St. Petersburg (Pinellas) feeder
2-7 May (B. Thomson, V. Morrison); 1 at Alligator Point 14 May (N. Warner, J. Dozier,
C. Watt).
Shiny Cowbird: 1 adult male on Longboat Key (Manatee or Sarasota) 8 May (J.
Ginaven); 1 female on Dog Island 9-14 May (D. Evered, L. Messick); 1 male on St.
George Island 14 May (D. and S. Jue, M. Evans, C. Cauley); 25 on Key West 12 May
(J. Ondrejko).
Orchard Oriole: 35 in Fort DeSoto CP 7 April (H. Robinson); 60+ in Pinellas 7-10 April
(M. Wilkinson, L, Atherton, D, Gagne et ah); 50+ in DTNP 8 April (W. Biggs, D.
Goodwin, B. Pranty, G. Woolfenden et al.).
Northern Oriole: 6 male “Baltimore” Orioles at Parker Island 24 March (C. and D.
Ford); 1 male “Baltimore” Oriole at Alligator Point 14 May (N. Warner, J. Dozier, C.
Watt).
House Finch: 1 pair in Cross City (Dixie) 9 April (B. and B. Wotton, L. Hopkins, R.
Smith).
Contributors: B. J. Anderson, Bruce Anderson, Brooks Atherton, Lyn Atherton, Ric
Atkinson, Steve Backes, Jocie Baker, Ted Below, Wes Biggs, Bob Blair, Paul Blair, Reed
Bowman, Woody Bracey, Fred Broemer, Thomas Brooks, Bob Browning, Connie Cauley,
Jim Cavanagh, Ken Christensen, Peter Clark, Ele Colborn, Ethel Connolly, Mark Cud-
ney, Joe DiPasquale, Mark Dolan, Paul Donahue, Linda Douglas, Jack Dozier, Michael
Evans, Duncan Evered, Hugh Fagan, Paul Fellers, T. Fish, Linda Fitzgerald, John Fitz-
patrick, Eula Fontaine, Clarice Ford, Don Ford, Lee Fox, Dot Freeman, Dave Gagne,
Alan Gantzhorn, Chuck Geanangel, Wally George, John Ginaven, Mark Ginsberg, Dave
Goodwin, Bruce Hallett, Mae Hartsaw, Scott Hedges, Dale Henderson, Brian Hope,
Larry Hopkins, Marie Hughes, Gloria Hunter, Derek Johnson, Dean Jue, Sally Jue,
Kevin Karlson, Vivian Keerd, Elena Killian, Jerry Krummrich, Howard Langridge,
Dave Leonard, Frank Leonard, Peter Lorish, George Lucas, Pete Maiuri, Virginia
McGrath, Mike McMillian, Tony Menart, Gail Menk, Lyla Messick, Vaughn Morrison,
Barbara Muschlitz, Blair Nikula, Michael O’Brien, Joe Ondrejko, Rich Paul, Jan Platt,
Chuck Potter, Bill Pranty, Peter Quincy, Lisa Richman, William B. Robertson, Harry
Robinson, Ed Rosenberg, Rex Rowan, Pete Ryan, Mel Schmidt, Ann Schnapf, Steve
Schoech, Jean Schulenberg, Ellen Shelton, Jim Shelton, David Sibley, Andrea Smith,
Austin Smith, Lori Smith, P. William Smith, Ron Smith, Susan Smith, T. Smith,
Annette Stedman, Doug Stotz, Jim Stuart, Adam Summers, Keith Tarvin, Debbie Tay-
lor, Jim Thompson, Barbara Thomson, Pete Timmer, Noel Warner, Don Ware, Charles
Watt, Chuck Weber, Ira Weigley, Margie Wilkinson, Glen Woolfenden, Betty Wotton,
Bob Wotton.
126
FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST
Fall 1993 reports not published previously: Black-headed Parrot (Pionites melano-
cephala): 1 near Miami International Airport (Dade) 14 November (Wayne Hoffman) is
the first report of the species in Florida (Robertson and Woolfenden 1992); Florida Scrub
Jay: 124 birds in 39 territories in Disney Wilderness Preserve {Osceola and Polk) 15-19
November (B. Pranty). This large population was not known to Jeffrey Cox (1987. Sta-
tus and Distribution of the Florida Scrub Jay. FOS Special Pub. No. 3).
Winter 1993-1994 report not published previously: Red-cockaded Woodpecker: 1
inactive cavity tree on Hollingswood Ranch (Citrus), along the Florida Pov/er Corpora-
tion’s powerline between the Cross-Florida Barge Canal and US 19, 24 January (Bill
Pranty, Jim Thompson). This is a previously unreported location for the species.
Correction to Spring 1993 report (Fla. Field Nat. 21:125): the La Sagra’s Flycatcher
reported from MacArthur SRA 10 April was actually observed on 9 April (fide H. Lan-
gridge).
Correction to Fall 1993 report (Fla. Field Nat. 22:60): the Peregrine Falcon count
from Boot Key 9 October should be 190, not 196.
Report prepared by Bill Pranty, state compiler (Archbold Biological Station, P. O.
Box 2057, Lake Placid, Florida 33862 - new ZIP code). Other committee members are
Linda Cooper (115 Lameraux Road, Winter Haven, Florida 33884), Jim Cox (Florida
Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission, 620 S. Meridian Street, Tallahassee, Florida
32399-1600), and Peggy Powell (2965 Forest Circle, Jacksonville, Florida 32257).
127
EDITORIAL
Acknowledgments^ — It was a little more than four years ago when I spoke with Bud Owre
and he recommended that I accept the editorship of the Florida Field Naturalist. At the time I
did not realize that this would be the last time I would ever speak to him. Nor did I realize the
amount of time that I would spend as editor.
This is my last issue as editor of the Florida Field Naturalist I have enjoyed serving as editor
for the past four years. One of the benefits of being editor has been frequent interaction with
many FOS members and some of the state’s leading naturalists and scientists. I am grateful to
the FOS for giving me this opportunity.
The most rewarding part of being editor has been in assisting others to bring to press a
number of manuscripts that required a great deal of work. I have always thought of writing to
be like working with modeling clay; some manuscripts required shaping or sculpting more
than others. I hope that my efforts will make future publications easier for some authors.
The editorial duties that I enjoyed the least were related to rejecting manuscripts. In work-
ing as an assistant editor with a former mentor, Richard Brewer, I learned a long time ago that
an editor can make two types of errors in considering a manuscript. One can accept an unde-
sirable manuscript or reject a desirable manuscript. Of these possibilities, it is better to err on
the side of rejecting a desirable manuscript. A dedicated and persistent author eventually will
be able to publish a worthy manuscript. Indeed, I have noted that modified version of papers
rejected by the Florida Field Naturalist have appeared in other journals. Similarly, the Florida
Field Naturalist has published several manuscripts that were originally rejected by other jour-
nals. The rigors of the review process helped to bring out the best in all of these papers.
I thank Associate Editors Reed Bowman, Howard P. Langridge, and Richard T. Paul for
their assistance during my time as editor. I am indebted to Victoria L. Merritt for help in
proofreading every issue of the Florida Field Naturalist during the past four years. The jour-
nal has benefited from her critical eye and attention to detail. Finally, I thank the individuals
listed below for serving as referees during the past year. Their efforts have contributed to
improving the quality of the journal. An asterisk indicates the individual reviewed more than
one manuscript.
Bruce H. Anderson
Melinda S. LaBranche
Range D. Bayer
James N. Layne
Theodore H. Below
Julian C. Lee
David R. Breininger
Lynn W. Lefebvre
Roger B. Clapp
Carroll D. Littlefield
James Cox
David S. Maehr
George H. Dalrymple
Douglass H. Morse
Michael F. Delany
Robert L. Norton
R. Todd Engstrom
* Richard T. Paul
PaulJ. Eellers
LisaJ. Petit
Richard Eranz
Timothy W. Regan
Peter C. Erederick
James D. Rising
Wayne R. Hoffman
* Walter W. Timmerman
Larry A. Hopkins
* Brian Toland
George L. Hunt, Jr.
Patrick B. Walsh
Erances C. James
Robert C. Whitmore
M. Philip Kahl
Jay H. Withgott
Herbert W. Kale, II
Glen E. Woolfenden
James A. Kushlan
128
FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST
ANNOUNCEMENT
Change of Editor. — The Florida Ornithological Society is pleased to announce the
appointment of Dr. Walter K. Taylor as the next editor of the Florida Field Naturalist. All new
manuscripts submitted for possible publication should be submitted to the editor=elect: Dr.
Walter K. Taylor, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Central Florida, Orlando,
Florida 32816.
FLORIDA ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY
SPECIAL PUBLICATIONS
Species Index to Florida Bird Records in Audubon Field Notes and
American Birds Volumes 1-30 1947-1976, by Margaret C. Bowman. 1978.
Florida Ornithological Society, Special Publication No. 1. Price $4.00.
The Carolina Parakeet in Florida, by Daniel McKinley. 1985. Florida Orni-
thological Society, Special Publication No. 2. Price $6.00.
Status and Distribution of the Florida Scrub Jay, by Jeffrey A. Cox. 1987.
Florida Ornithological Society, Special Publication No. 3. Price $8.00
Florida Bird Records in American Birds and Audubon Field Notes 1947-
1989, by Robert W. Loftin, Glen E. Woolfenden, and Janet A. Woolfenden. 1991.
Florida Ornithological Society, Special Publication No. 4. Price $8.00.
West Indian Bird Records in American Birds and Audubon Field Notes
(1947-1990)1 Species Index by Islands, by Robert W. Loftin. 1992. Florida
Ornithological Society, Special Publication No. 5. Price $8.00.
Florida Bird Species: An Annotated List, by William B. Robertson, Jr. and
Glen E. Woolfenden. 1992. Florida Ornithological Society, Special Publication No.
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Florida Field Naturalist
ISSN 0738-999X
PUBLISHED BY THE FLORIDA ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY
Editors Peter G. Merritt, P.O. Box 1954, Kobe Sound, Florida 33475-1954.
Associate Editor (for bird distribution): HOWARD P. Langridge, 1421 West Ocean Ave-
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INFORMATION FOR CONTRIBUTORS
The Florida Field Naturalist is a fully refereed journal emphasizing biological field
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Florida Field Naturalist
PUBLISHED BY THE FLORIDA ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY
VoL. 22, No. 4 November 1994 Pages 97-128
CONTENTS
ARTICLE
Avifauna of Forested Wetlands Adjacent to River Systems
in Central Florida
D. L. Leonard, Jr. 97-105
NOTES
Characteristics of Occupied and Abandoned Florida
Grasshopper Sparrow Territories
Michael F Delany and Stephen B. Linda 106-109
Long-eared Owl Observed in Highlands County, Florida
Keith A. Tarvin ....110-111
Red-cockaded Woodpeckers in Northwestern Florida
Produce a Second Clutch
Jessica M. Schillaci and Ruthe J. Smith 112-113
Sighting of a Northern Gannet in Cuba
George E. Wallace and Donald R. Fillman 114-117
FIELD OBSERVATIONS
Spring Report: March - May 1994
Bill Pranty 118-126
EDITORIAL
Acknowledgments 127
ANNOUNCEMENT
Change of Editor
128
(£?L
694'
f'G f-C 'S
’ ^ Florida Field Naturalist
PUBLISHED BY THE FLORIDA ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY
VoL. 23, No. 1 February 1995 Pages 1-24
FLORIDA ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY
Founded 1972
Officers
President: Fred E. Lohrer, Archbold Biological Station, P.O. Box 2057, Lake Placid,
Florida 33852.
Vice-President: R, Todd Engstrom, Tall Timbers Research Station, Route 1, Box 678.
Tallahassee, Florida 32312.
Secretary: Reed Bowman, Archbold Biological Station. P.O. Box 2057, Lake Placid,
Florida 33852.
Treasurer: LINDA DOUGLAS, 3675 1st Ave., N.W., Naples, Florida 33964.
Editor of the Florida Field Naturalist: WALTER K. Taylor, Dept, of Biology, Univer-
sity of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida 32816.
Ex Officio: Immediate Past President: Glen E. Woolfenden, Archbold Biological
Station, P.O. Box 2057, Lake Placid, Florida 33852.
Directors, Terms Expiring in 1995
John Douglas, 3675 1st Ave., N.W., Naples, Florida 33964.
James Cox, Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission, 620 S. Meridian St., Tal-
lahassee, Florida 32399-1600.
Directors, Terms Expiring in 1996
Mary C. Davidson, 2747 Forest Mill Lane, Jacksonville, Florida 32257.
Mary Catherine Wheeler, 11700 S.W 104 Ave., Miami, Florida 33176.
Directors, Terms Expiring in 1997
Karen Bearden, 10299 Widswept Place, Boca Raton, Florida 33498.
Ken Meyer, 101 NE 9th Street, Gainesville, Florida 32601.
Honorary Memberships
Samuel A. Grimes 1979, Helen G. Cruickshank 1980; Oliver L. Austin, Jr. 1982;
Pierce Brodkorb 1982; William B. Robertson, Jr. 1992; Glen E. Woolfenden, 1994.
All persons interested in Florida's natural history, particularly its abundant bird life,
are invited to join the Florida Ornithological Society by writing the Treasurer. Annual
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All members receive the Florida Field Naturalist and the newsletter. Subscription
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The Florida Field Naturalist is published quarterly (February, May, August, and
November) by the Florida Ornithological Society. It is printed by E. O. Painter Printing
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Ornithological Society is Department of Ornithology, Florida Museum of Natural History,
University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611.
THIS PUBLICATION IS PRINTED ON NEUTRAL PH PAPER
Florida Field Naturalist
PUBLISHED BY THE FLORIDA ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY
VoL. 23, No. 1 February 1995 Pages 1-24
Fla. Field Nat. 23(1): 1-9, 1995.
BIRD ABUNDANCE IN FLORIDA CITRUS GROVES
Mary Crowe Mitchell/’^ Louis B. Best/ and David L. Fischer^
^Department of Animal Ecology,
Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa 50011
^Agricultural Division, Miles Incorporated, Stilwell, Kansas 66085
^Present address: 540 Lower River Road, Heron, Montana 59844
Abstract,— We studied bird species composition and bird abundance in 13 Florida
citrus groves. Birds were censused in the interiors and the perimeters of the groves. To-
tal bird abundances in the groves averaged 1,199 birds/census count/100 ha, with a
range of 468-2,450, and 30 bird species were recorded. The most abundant species were
the Northern Cardinal, Mourning Dove, Common Ground-Dove, Brown Thrasher,
Northern Mockingbird, and Rufous-sided Towhee. The Northern Cardinal was recorded
in all groves, and the Brown Thrasher and Common Ground-Dove were recorded in all
but one. Birds observed in the groves included those that nested there, breeding birds
that nested in adjacent edge habitats, and transients that temporarily used the groves
for foraging. Vegetation measurements taken within the groves, the proportions of the
edge habitat types that surrounded each grove, and grove isolation from other citrus
groves were studied to determine if they influenced bird abundance in the citrus groves.
Citrus tree height and the percentages of the grove edge composed of herbaceous and of
deciduous woodland habitats were the three variables correlated most frequently with
bird abundance.
Citrus production is an important agricultural enterprise in Flor-
ida, California, Texas, and Central America. Because nearly 400,000
ha of native vegetation have been converted into citrus production
(U.S. Census Bureau 1990), groves represent a substantial proportion
of the habitat available to birds in some areas. Kale and Webber
(1968), Webber and Kale (1969), and Lohrer (1991) counted birds in
Florida citrus groves, but bird use of citrus groves has not been studied
extensively, nor have the factors influencing use of citrus groves by
breeding birds been evaluated. Winter bird use of citrus groves has
been documented in Belize, Costa Rica, and Jamaica (C.S. Robbins,
pers. comm,). Given the paucity of information on avian communities
associated with citrus groves, our objectives were (1) to determine bird
species composition and bird abundance in Florida citrus groves and
(2) to evaluate the factors that likely influence bird use of groves.
1
2
FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST
Methods
Thirteen citrus groves on Merritt Island in Brevard County, Florida, were used as
study sites. Eight of the groves were part of the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge;
five were privately owned and managed. Study groves were 1.2-18.0 ha and contained ei-
ther orange or grapefruit trees. Birds were counted within fixed-width transects from 10
May through 4 June, 1988. Four counts were conducted during the early morning, and
two during the late afternoon or the early evening. Birds were not counted on days with
strong wind or heavy rain. Counting was done within two types of 25m-wide transects
consisting of adjacent tree rows and the area between them. “Grove-edge” transects were
positioned between the outermost rows and columns of trees along the perimeter of the
grove. The “mid-grove” transects were located within the interiors of the groves and ran
the full length of the groves except where truncated by the grove-edge transects. Small
groves were sampled entirely. Large groves were subsampled because they could not be
completely traversed during the cool, early morning hours when birds were most active.
When subsampling, transects were spaced at regular intervals throughout the grove
(e.g., between every 3rd and 4th tree row) to insure representative sampling. Groves
were generally rectangular in shape. During counts, all birds observed on the ground or
in vegetation within the transect, as well as all those observed flying over the transect in
search of ground-dwelling prey, were recorded. Birds observed flying over the transect in
transit between two locations outside the transect area were not recorded. Species and
behavior were recorded for all observations of birds. An effort was made to minimize
multiple registrations of the same bird.
Numbers of individuals of each bird species observed during counts were totaled sep-
arately for the mid-grove and grove-edge transects in each citrus grove. Abundances
were calculated for the most common bird species and for all species combined and were
expressed as birds observed per census count per 100 ha.
The vegetation within each citrus grove was characterized in terms of grove age, tree
height and canopy diameter, inter-canopy distance (spacing between canopy perimeters),
relative openness below the tree canopy (height above ground of the lowest tree foliage),
and coverage of herbaceous vegetation. Differences in these variables among the groves
resulted from differences in citrus culture practices, which included the spacing pattern
of trees, hedging and pruning, mowing, and spraying. Grove tree heights, canopy diam-
eters, inter-canopy distances, and relative openness below the tree canopy were average
values based on 10 randomly chosen trees per grove. The percent coverage of herbaceous
vegetation was visually estimated once in each grove in June. Because herbaceous vege-
tation coverage was dependent upon when and if the groves were mowed or treated with
herbicides, broad classes were used to categorize these measurements: 0-25, 26-50, SI-
TS, and 76-100%. Guinea grass {Panicum maximum), Bermuda grass {Cynodon dacty-
Ion), common ragweed {Ambrosia artemisiifolia), and common cattail {Typha latifolia)
were the dominant herbaceous vegetation in the groves.
Study citrus groves were surrounded by other groves, residential areas, or undevel-
oped parts of the wildlife refuge. Groves were characterized on the basis of their relative
isolation from other citrus groves. Isolation from other groves was estimated as less than
0.5, 0.5 to 2.0, or greater than 2.0 km.
The vegetation within edge habitats adjacent to each grove was classified into cover
types based upon plant structure and composition. The cover types were herbaceous ca-
nal, wooded canal, Australian pine {Casuarina cunninghamiana), shrubland, deciduous
woodland, roadside, and herbaceous. For each study grove, the lengths of the various
edge habitat types bordering the grove were divided by the total length of edge to deter-
mine the percentages of each edge habitat type. Canals and ponds within the groves
were considered internal edges and were treated as part of the total edge habitat.
Mitchell ET AL. • Bird Abundance
3
Spearman’s rho (Steel and Torrie 1980) was used to test for correlations between bird
abundances (mid-grove and grove-edge combined) and vegetation variables characteriz-
ing the groves, the percent coverage of edge habitat types bordering study groves, and
the degree of isolation of groves. Statistical significance was set at P<0.05.
Results and Discussion
Bird Use of Citrus Groves.— Bird abundances in the combined
mid-grove and grove-edge portions of the 13 groves averaged 1,199 ±
574 (S.D.) birds observed per census count per 100 ha and ranged from
468 to 2,450. The most abundant species (listed in order of decreasing
abundance) were Northern Cardinal, Mourning Dove, Common
Ground-Dove, Brown Thrasher, Northern Mockingbird, and Rufous-
sided Towhee (Table 1). Twelve of the most abundant species in the
groves were among the 20 most commonly reported species in Breeding
Bird Surveys in Florida (Cox 1987). The number of bird species
counted in individual study groves ranged from 6 to 18 and averaged
10. The cardinal was observed in all 13 groves (Table 1), and the
thrasher and ground-dove were observed in all but one grove. A total of
30 bird species was observed in the 13 study groves.
The average density of cardinals was higher than densities re-
ported by others (Kale and Webber 1968, Webber and Kale 1969, Lo-
hrer 1991). Factors that may account for our higher densities are the
inclusion of juveniles in our numbers and the possibility of multiple
registrations of the same individual. In several citrus groves, individu-
als may have been recorded more than once because trees were infre-
quently pruned and grew into tall, dense hedgerows that could allow a
bird to easily slip undetected from one side to the other.
Bird species found in the citrus groves consisted of three groups:
birds that nested there, birds that nested in adjacent edge habitats,
and transients that temporarily occupied the groves. All three groups
used the groves for foraging. The six most abundant species nested in
the groves. The White-eyed Vireo and Carolina Wren were among the
species that were frequently seen in the groves, but nested in the adja-
cent edges, and the American Redstart was one of the most commonly
observed transients in the groves.
The most species and individuals were observed in the citrus
groves during morning counts. Ten species were observed only during
morning counts, most notably the American Redstart and Cattle Egret.
The Carolina Wren, Rufous-sided Towhee, Downy Woodpecker, and
Red-bellied Woodpecker were recorded in both morning and afternoon
counts, but more often in the morning. Wild Turkeys and Black Vul-
tures were the only species observed in afternoon but not in morning
counts. In addition. Mourning Dove and Common Ground-Dove num-
bers were greater in afternoon counts than in morning counts.
represent numbers of birds observed/census count/lOOha.
FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST
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and Brown-headed Cowbird {Molothrus ater).
‘’Confirmed nesting activity in citrus groves.
Mitchell et al. • Bird Abundance
5
Bird abundances in the interiors of the citrus groves were usually
greater and more variable than were those in the grove perimeters (Ta-
ble 1). Although we expected to find the greatest abundance of birds in
the grove perimeters, we sampled less area in the perimeters of the
groves than in the interiors. Differences in sampling effort would influ-
ence the likelihood of detection. The number of bird species observed in
individual groves ranged from 1 to 15 mid-grove and from 3 to 14 in the
perimeter. Twenty-six bird species were observed in the interiors of the
13 study groves, whereas 27 species were recorded in the grove perim-
eters. The most abundant species mid-grove were also usually the most
abundant species in the grove perimeters. Exceptions were the Caro-
lina Wren, which was among the most common species in the perime-
ters, and the American Redstart, which was among the dominants
mid-grove.
Chakacteristics of Citrus Groves.— Of the measured vegeta-
tion parameters, tree height differed the least among the groves; tree
canopy diameter, the most (Table 2). Three groves were immediately
adjacent to other groves, seven were 0.5 to 2.0 km from other groves,
and the remaining three were greater than 2.0 km from other groves.
Table 2. Characteristics (means, S.D., and ranges) of the 13 Florida study groves.
Characteristic
Mean ± SD
Range
Age (years)
51 ±20
25-90
Size (ha)
5.7 ±5.4
1.2-18.0
Tree height (m)
4.1 ±0.5
3.4-5.5
Tree canopy diameter (m)
6.3 ±1.2
4.8-8.8
Inter-canopy distance (m)
2.0 ±0.6
0.9-3.2
Openness below canopy (m)
1.2 ±0.7
0.1-2.4
Coverage of herbaceous vegetation"
3.0 ±0.8
2.0-4.0
"Based on these cover classes: 1 = 0-25%, 2 = 26-50%, 3 = 51-75%, and 4 = 76-100%.
Generally, those groves most isolated from other citrus groves were not
in residential areas, but were surrounded by undeveloped areas of the
wildlife refuge.
Canals commonly bordered the citrus groves on Merritt Island
and, accordingly, the predominate edge types were herbaceous canal
and wooded canal. The Australian pine edge consisted of a canal
planted with closely spaced Australian pines about 18 m tall. Decidu-
ous woodland edge had greater than 75% canopy coverage of both
shrubs and trees, whereas shrubland edge had greater than 75% can-
opy coverage of shrubs but less than 25% canopy coverage of trees.
Roadside edge consisted of herbaceous vegetation and paved roads. In
some instances, citrus groves or residences bordered the opposite side
6
FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST
of the road adjacent to the study grove. The herbaceous edge was dis-
tinguished by dense herbaceous ground cover and by few or no shrubs
and trees.
Relationships between Bird Abundance and Grove Charac-
teristics.— Bird abundances were significantly correlated with grove
age, tree height, inter-canopy distance, the degree of isolation of the
citrus groves, and the percentages of four of the six edge habitat types
(Table 3). Older citrus groves tended to have a greater abundance of
woodpeckers than did younger groves, indicating that the age of citrus
groves is important to woodpeckers. A larger percentage of dead and
dying trees in older groves than in younger groves may help explain
this correlation.
Tree height was positively correlated with the numbers of crows,
vultures. Northern Cardinals, and total number of species present in
the study groves. Thus, it seemed an important determinant of bird
abundance, even though the range of average tree height was small
(3. 4-5. 5 m). Crows were common nest predators in the citrus groves
(Crowe 1992) and may have been responding to the abundance of the
other species. Dow (1969) found that Northern Cardinals select trees
that provide maximum foliage density for nest concealment. Because
the shortest trees in the groves were either young trees or older, dying
trees that provided less foliage than mature trees did, cardinals may
have avoided short trees. Dow also reported that cardinals prefer high
song perches.
The negative correlation between inter-canopy distance and cardi-
nal abundance also may reflect this species’ preference for well-con-
cealed nest sites. We found that cardinals tended to choose nest trees
with closed canopies (Crowe 1992). Erhart and Conner (1986) also re-
ported that adequate nesting cover was important for cardinals.
The abundances of vultures and Brown Thrashers were positively
correlated with the degree of isolation of the study groves from
other citrus groves. This correlation may have reflected an affinity
of Brown Thrashers for the natural vegetation bordering the isolated
study groves. The natural vegetation in the edges was an association
of mixed hardwoods and pines which included cabbage palmetto
{Sahal palmetto), laurel oak {Quercus laurifolia), slash pine (Pinus
elliottii), groundsel tree (Baccharis halimifolia), longleaf pine (P.
palustris), live oak (Q. virginiana), winged sumac {Rhus copallina),
wax myrtle {Myrica cerifera), coastal plain willow {Salix caroliniana),
and elderberry {Sambucus canadensis). Optimal Brown Thrasher hab-
itat has been described as dense thickets and hedgerows or hardwood
draws that have young trees and shrubs with low canopy coverage
(Cade 1986). Because the mixed hardwood/pine association consisted
of a shrub layer of variable canopy coverage and scattered trees, these
Table 3. Significant (P<0.05, dfcll) Spearman rank correlation coefficients comparing bird abundances with citrus grove variables.
Mitchell ET AL. • Bird Abundance
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8
FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST
edges may have provided favorable habitat for Brown Thrashers. Al-
though this is the most likely explanation for the correlation between
Brown Thrasher abundance and the degree of isolation of the groves, it
does not explain why thrashers were not more abundant in the grove-
edge than at mid-grove (Table 2).
The abundances of five species were correlated with the propor-
tions of the various edge habitat types. Northern Mockingbird abun-
dance was positively correlated with the percentage of roadside edge
bordering the groves, but groves with the most roadside edge also were
those in residential areas. Stewart and Robbins (1958) and Woolfenden
and Rohwer (1969) found high densities of mockingbirds in suburban
residential areas, and Woolfenden and Rohwer described the ideal
mockingbird habitat as large lawns with an abundance of shrubs. The
percentage of deciduous woodland edge surrounding groves seemed to
influence negatively the abundance of Northern Mockingbirds, Brown
Thrashers, and Mourning Doves. Because deciduous woodland edges
had closed shrub and tree canopies, the correlation suggests that these
species avoid heavily wooded habitats, Woolfenden and Rohwer (1969)
found that, in addition to residential areas. Northern Mockingbirds
preferred land only moderately wooded. Harris et al. (1963) reported
that Mourning Doves select nest sites adjacent to open habitats that
provide an unobstructed view and flight path. The herbaceous edge ap-
peared to have a negative effect on the abundance of Northern Cardi-
nals and Carolina Wrens. Although these two species are known to
favor woody vegetation, their abundances were not correlated with
edges that had a predominance of trees or shrubs. Given that the her-
baceous canal edge is similar to the herbaceous edge, the positive cor-
relation between the abundance of Carolina Wrens and the herbaceous
canal edge seems to be spurious.
We found that bird abundance in the Merritt Island citrus groves
was correlated with several of the habitat variables that we measured.
Such information may allow us to predict which groves will be most at-
tractive to birds. Determining which habitat variables birds respond to
in citrus groves is important because of the ongoing conversion of land
use into citrus production. Undoubtedly, more birds will be forced to
use citrus groves for foraging and nesting. Ultimately, we need to know
whether citrus groves represent favorable breeding habitat or sinks for
breeding bird populations, especially for species whose numbers are
declining, such as the Common Ground-Dove (Robbins et al. 1986). To
further understand bird selection and use of citrus groves, future re-
search should address the issues of food availability, nest-site selection
and nesting outcome, and the effects of citrus culture practices on sur-
vival and reproduction.
Mitchell ET AL. • Bird Abundance
9
Acknowledgments
We are grateful to Brooks Humphreys of NASA and to Fred Adrian of the U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, for providing access to the
citrus groves on Merritt Island and for logistical support. This study was funded by Miles
Incorporated, Agriculture Division. J. J. Dinsmore and an anonymous reviewer provided
comments on an earlier draft of the manuscript and offered helpful suggestions. This is
Journal Paper No. J-14997 of the Iowa Agriculture and Home Economics Experiment
Station, Ames, Iowa. Project No. 2168.
Literature Cited
Cade, B. S. 1986. Habitat suitability index models: Brown Thrasher. U.S. Fish and Wild.
Serv. Biol. Rep. 82, Washington, D.C.
Cox, J. 1987. The breeding bird survey in Florida: 1969-1983. Florida Field Nat. 15:29-
44.
Crowe, M. C. 1992. Avian abundance and breeding biology of birds in Florida citrus
groves. M.S. Thesis, Iowa State Univ,, Ames.
Dow, D. D. 1969. Habitat utilization by cardinals in central and peripheral breeding pop-
ulations. Can. J. Zool. 47:409-417.
Erhart, R. L, and R. N. Conner. 1986. Habitat selection by the Northern Cardinal in
three eastern Texas forest stands. Southwest. Nat. 31: 191-199.
Harris, S. W., M. A. Morse, and W. H. Longley. 1963. Nesting and production of the
Mourning Dove in Minnesota. Amer. Mid. Nat. 69:150-172.
Jones, M. T., and R. E. Mirarchi. 1990. Habitats used by Common Ground-Doves in
southern Alabama. Wilson Bull. 102: 137- 139.
Kale, H. W., II, and L. A. Webber. 1968. Citrus grove. Audubon Field Notes 22:708-710.
Lohrer, F. E. 1991. 98. Mature citrus orchard. J. Field Ornithol. 62 (Supplement): 87.
Robbins, C. S., D. Bystrak, and P. H. Geissler 1986. The Breeding Bird Survey: Its
first fifteen years; 1965-1979. U.S. Fish and Wildl. Serv., Resour. Publ.157, Washing-
ton, D.C.
Steel, R. G. D., and J. H. Torrie. 1983. Principles and procedures of statistics.
McGraw-Hill, N.Y.
Stewart, R. E., and C. S. Robbins. 1958. Birds of Maryland and the District of Colum-
bia. N. Amer. Fauna No. 62.
U.S. Census Bureau. 1990. Statistical Abstract of the United States: 1990. (110 ed.)
U.S. Dept, of Commerce, Washington, D.C.
Webber, L. A., and H. W. Kale, II. 1969. Citrus grove. Audubon Field Notes 23:744-745.
Woolfenden, G. E. and S. A. Rohwer. 1969. Breeding birds in a Florida suburb. Bull.
Florida State Mus. 13: 1-83.
10
FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST
NOTES
Fla. Field Nat. 23(1): 10-12, 1995.
DETERMINING THE ORIGIN OF NON-NATIVE BIRDS
SEEN IN THE WILD IN FLORIDA
-A CASE STUDY CASE: WOOLLY-NECKED STORK
P. William Smith and Susan A. Smith
South Florida Research Center, Everglades National Park,
40001 State Road 9336, Homestead, Florida 33034
The appearance in the wild of a bird native to a distant land is often dismissed as or-
nithologically insignificant, for its presence is usually assumed to be due to its escape
from captivity. Robertson and Woolfenden (1992) cited 146 species of exotic birds re-
ported in the wild in Florida, few of whose true origins ever were determined. Yet, inves-
tigation of the possible sources and the circumstances surrounding the presumed escape
often disclose facts that, even when the escape is confirmed, may have wider application.
In this paper we show that the current or recent presence of many species of exotic birds
in captivity in Florida and elsewhere often can be established readily. We further show
that unusual circumstances may obscure the trail of evidence that brings proof of captive
origin of any particular exotic species. We also show that accidentally released, flight-
worthy captives may not quickly disperse or not be widely encountered in the wild.
On 1 May 1994 we were driving north on U. S. 1 near Goulds, Dade Co., when a large
unfamiliar bird flew low across the highway in front of us. We could readily place the bird
in the Ciconiidae but did not recognize it as to species. We later concluded from Hancock
et al. (1992) that we must have seen a Woolly-necked Stork {Ciconia episcopus) which
has two subspecies, C. e. episcopus in India and Southeast Asia, and C. e. microscelis
throughout much of sub-Saharan Africa. Because storks are physically adapted to fly
long distances primarily using thermals and have a comparatively limited flapping/glid-
ing flight range as would be required over the ocean (Pennycuick 1972, Elkins 1983), we
supposed that this Woolly-necked Stork escaped from captivity.
Because of other research in progress, we had available to us the relevant portion of
the International Species Inventory System (ISIS) Bird Abstract for 30 June 1993 (Ap-
pendix). We noted that only three participating institutions in the world claimed to hold
captive Wooly-necked Storks as of mid- 1993, one bird at the Gladys Porter Zoo in
Brownsville, Texas, and several at the San Diego Wild Animal Park and the affiliated
San Diego Zoo in California. The San Diego facilities’ population had increased since
June, 1993, due to an ongoing successful breeding program, but none of their birds had
escaped or been sent elsewhere (J. Myers, pers. comm.). The one Woolly-necked Stork in
Texas also was still present (P. Burchfield, pers. comm.). Our conversations did result in
helpful suggestions for locating presently undocumented Woolly-necked Storks in Flor-
ida, and we quickly found the likely solution to the apparent mysterious origin of the
Woolly-necked Stork we saw.
Prior to Hurricane Andrew in August 1992, Miami Metrozoo had two pairs of Asiatic
Woolly-necked Storks in their huge outdoor walk-in display of free-flying birds Wings of
Asia, which held nearly 300 individuals of about 85 species. The aviary itself was de-
stroyed in the hurricane, unintentionally freeing the 95% of those birds that survived the
storm. Most remained nearby, however, and about half were quickly recaptured and re-
located to secure facilities. The four Woolly-necked Storks survived and remained but
proved too wily for recapture. Within a few weeks, one pair has dispersed and was last
seen by zoo personnel several km to the northwest, towards the Everglades. The other
pair remained free-flying at the site, surviving on food placed out for other animals. Be-
Notes
11
cause it no longer controlled them, Miami Metrozoo creased reporting its Woolly-necked
Storks to ISIS in late 1992, even though two birds technically remained nearby. Later
the female of the second pair also disappeared. The male continued to remain mainly on
zoo property, although he was not noted there the day our observation (C. Burch, pers.
comm.). Our sighting, 8 km south of the zoo, seems likely to have been him.
Many large birds in collections are surgically pinioned and permanently incapable of
flight, while many others’ flight feathers are clipped annually. Our investigation indi-
cated that once-captive birds, even those having full flight capability, may not leave their
customary food source quickly, and those that finally do, may not be seen widely in the
wild afterwards. Florida’s wading birds are subject not only to intense interest by birders
and the general public, but also to periodic aerial surveys by biologists. Over a 20-month
period following their release, we would expect more reports than ours of several unfa-
miliar, large, distinctive birds such as Woolly-necked Storks at large. The absence of
other reports suggests that these storks, once leaving a dependable food source, may not
have survived long in their new environment. Such may be the fate of many so-called ‘es-
capees’, although it certainly is not a universal phenomenon. A black-necked Stork
{Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus), of unknown origin but native to Australasia, survived and
was often seen in Shark Slough, Everglades NP, for several years beginning in 1974 (P.
W. Sykes in Edscorn 1975, Toops and Dilley 1986).
While a Woolly-necked Stork is an improbable vagrant to Florida, other species’ ori-
gins may be more difficult to discern. We believe that a thorough investigation will reveal
sufficient evidence to form a conclusive judgment on the probable origin of most non-na-
tive birds reported in the wild.
We thank Carl Burch of Miami Metrozoo; Pat Burchfield of the Gladys Porter Zoo;
Judy Myers of the San Diego Wild Animal Park; Kim Hastings and Mike Kelly of ISIS;
and our colleagues John Ogden and Bill Roberson, for providing information, literature,
or comments on earlier drafts of this note. M. P. Kahl and an anonymous reviewer also
provided helpful suggestions.
Literature Cited
Edscorn, J. B. 1975. Florida region (autumn 1974 report). Am. Birds 29:44-48.
Elkins, N. 1983. Weather and Bird Behavior. T. and A. D. Poyser, Calton, England.
Hancock, J. A., Kushlan, J. A., and M. P. Kahl, 1992. Storks, Ibises, and Spoonbills of
the World. Academic Press, London.
Pennycuick, j. 1972. Soaring behaviour and performance of some East African birds,
observed from a motor-glider. Ibis 114:178-218.
Robertson, W. B., Jr., and G. E. Woolfenden, 1992. Florida bird species; an annotated
list. Florida Orn. Soc. Spec. Publ. no. 6.
Toops, C., and W. E. Dilley, 1986. Birds of South Florida: An Interpretive Guide. River
Road Press, Conway, Arkansas.
12
FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST
Appendix
ISIS and its participants in Florida as of December 1993
ISIS is a non-profit organization located in Apple Valley, Minnesota and run by an in-
ternational Board of Trustees elected by its subscribing institutions. It has over 450
members in more than 50 countries, mainly zoos, significant collections, and breeding fa-
cilities, 28 of which are in Florida (see below). ISIS’ main goal is to encourage captive-
breeding and exchanges between facilities, to reduce collecting pressures on animals in
the wild. The ISIS Abstracts (Mammals, Birds, Reptiles and Amphibians), prepared
twice annually in taxonomic order, list each institution’s holdings and show among other
data the number of males, females, unsexed individuals, and births for each (sub)species
during the prior twelve months. Although these are not public documents, subscribing
institutions often will share their data with serious researchers.
ISIS Code Facility name and location*
Telephone
1. BUSCH TAM
2. CENTERHIL
3. CYPRESS
4. DREHER PA
5. ENGESSERS
6. FLAMINGO
7. GAINSVLLE
8. GULFBREZ
9. JACKSONVL
10. JNGLARYF
11. LAKEBUENA
12. LAKESIDE
13. LOWRY
14. LOXAHATCH
15. METROZOO
16. MIAMI PJ
17. MONK JUNG
18. NOELLSARK
19. ORLANDO
20. PANAMACTY
21. SANFORD
22. SILVER SP
23. STAUGGA
24. TALLAHASE
25. UNIVMIAMI
26. W PALM BE
27. WOODHAVEN
28. YULEE
Busch Gardens, Tampa
Rare Feline Breeding Compound, Center Hill
Florida Cypress Gardens, Winter Haven
Dreher Park Zoo, West Palm Beach
Endangered Species Facility, Trenton
Flamingo Gardens, Ft. Lauderdale
Santa Fe Teaching Zoo, Gainesville
The Animal Park, Gulf Breeze
Jacksonville Zoological Park, Jacksonville
Jungle Larry’s African Safari Land, Naples
(Disney) Discovery Island, Lake Buena Vista
Lakeside Farm & Gardens, Tarpon Springs
Lowry Park Zoological Garden, Tampa
Rare Species Conservatory, Loxahatchee
Miami Metrozoo, Miami
Parrot Jungle, Miami
Monkey Jungle, Miami
Noell’s Ark Chimp Farm, Tarpon Springs
Sea World of Florida, Orlando
Zooworld, Panama City
Central Fla. Zoological Park, Lake Monroe
Silver Springs Attraction, Silver Springs
St. Augustine Alligator Farm, St. Augustine
Tallahassee Mus. Nat. Hist., Tallahassee
U. Miami Anthropology Dept., Coral Gables
Lion Country Safari, West Palm Beach
Lubee Foundation, Gainesville
White Oak Plantation, Yulee
(813)-987-5250
(904)-793-2109
(813)-987-5545
(407)-533-0887
(904)-463-7292
(305)-473-2955
(904)-395-5604
(904)-932-2229
(904)-757-4463
(813)-262-5409
(407)-824-3784
(813)-Unlisted
(813)-935-8552
(407)-790-5864
(305)-251-0401
(305)-666-7834
(305)-235-1611
(813)-937-8683
(407)-351-3600
(904)-230-1423
(407)-323-4450
(904)-236-2121
(904)-824-3337
(904)-575-8685
(305)-284-2380
(407)-793-1084
(904)-485-1250
(904)-235-3340
*Not all facilities listed keep birds in their collections.
Notes
13
Fla. Field Nat. 23(1):13-14, 1995.
AMELANISTIC BOBCAT FROM OUTSIDE FLORIDA
Jay W. Tischendorf^ and Donald F. McAlpine^
^American Ecological Research Institute, —AERIE,
P. O. Box 380, Fort Collins, Colorado 80522
^New Brunswick Museum, Natural Sciences Division,
277 Douglas Avenue, Saint John, New Brunswick E2K 1E5 Canada
As is the case for many felids, reports of melanism in the bobcat (Lynx rufus) are rare
(Robinson 1976, 1978). To date, documented records consist of 10 animals, all from cen-
tral and southern Florida near the southeastern limit of the species’ continental range
(Regan and Maehr 1990).
This note documents an additional melanistic bobcat, taken near the northeastern
geographic limit of the species in the East and catalogued as #4819 in the New Bruns-
wick Museum (NBM). The specimen, a male, was trapped 18 November 1983 near Henry
Lake, Saint John County, New Brunswick (lat. 45° 25", long 65° 37"), and presented in
mounted form to the NBM by the New Brunswick Department of Natural Resources and
Energy (NBDNRE) (Figure 1).
Like the two Florida specimens described by Ulmer (1941), the New Brunswick bob-
cat has numerous white guard hairs, although these are scattered throughout the entire
pelage and not confined to a dorsal strip as reported by Ulmer (1941). The areas of great-
est pigmentation on the New Brunswick cat are the crown and dorsal area. Upon close
examination the facial stripes and typical spot-pattern of the flanks are visible.
Figure 1. A Male Melanistic Bobcat.
14
FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST
Melanism has been documented in many felids with a tropical distribution (Caldwell
1925, Ulmer 1941). Regan and Maehr (1990) accordingly speculate that melanism in
bobcats is exceedingly rare outside subtropical, peninsular southern Florida. The single
New Brunswick record reported here reinforces their contention.
Ulmer (1941) suggested that melanism in Florida bobcats, the darkest form of Lynx
rufus, might be related to the warm, humid climate of that region, while Regan and
Maehr (1990) speculated that melanism in this population is influenced by the “dark,
poorly-drained soils associated with wetlands adjacent to scrub ridges.” Robinson (1976,
1978) discussed the genetic basis for such pelage variations.
Until now, all records of melanistic bobcats were confined to southern Florida. The
New Brunswick specimen discussed here suggests that explanations offered to date may
not adequately explain melanism in Lynx rufus, and there may be other, unrecognized
factors involved.
Reports of melanistic pumas or panthers (Puma concolor), are not uncommon in the
Northeast and bear some comment relative to the melanistic bobcat reported here.
Wright (1972) reviewed the history of puma reports in the Maritime region and found
that 18% of them involved black cats. In New Brunswick the frequency was 25%. He con-
cluded that there were in fact a few melanistic pumas in eastern North America. Analy-
sis of more recent puma sightings (1970-1993) in Maritime Canada indicates 13% of such
reports involve dark animals (Stocek 1994, in press). Claims of such sightings, however,
are typically met with skepticism, despite the documentation of at least one North Amer-
ican case by Barnes (1960), who examined the pelt of a black puma killed in Colorado.
Although some reports of melanistic pumas in New Brunswick can be attributed to
dogs, bears, fishers, or melanistic coyotes (R. Cumberland, NBDNRE, pers. comm, con-
firmed a melanistic coyote as the animal involved in one reported puma sighting), others
seem credible. The single record of a melanistic bobcat reported here, however, combined
with the long history of bobcat trapping in the region, suggests that few reports of mela-
nistic pumas should be attributed to black bobcats.
Special thanks are extended to Beverly Fronk, Williamsport, Pennsylvania, Harold P.
Hitchcock, Middlebury, Vermont, and Richard Greenwell, International Society of Cryp-
tozoology, Tucson, Arizona, who thoughtfully provided information on melanism in pu-
mas and other felids. Rod Cumberland graciously allowed mention of his record of a
melanistic coyote. Reviewers Dave Maehr, Timothy Regan, and Rudy Stocek suggested a
number of improvements to the original manuscript. Their contribution is gratefully ac-
knowledged.
Literature Cited
Barnes, C. 1960. The cougar or mountain lion. The Ralton Co., Salt Lake City.
Caldwell, H. R. 1925. Blue Tiger. Duckworth, London.
Regan, T. W., and D. S. Maehr. 1990. Melanistic bobcats in Florida. Fla. Field Nat.
18:84-87.
Robinson, R. 1976. Homologous genetic variation in the Felidae. Genetica 46:1-31.
Robinson, R. 1978. Homologous coat color variation in Felis. Carnivore 1:68-70.
Stocek, R. F. 1994. The cougar, Felis concolor, in the Maritimes. Can. Field Nat. 108. In
press.
Ulmer, F. A, Jr. 1941. Melanism in the Felidae, with special reference to the genus
Lynx. J. Mammal. 22:285-288.
Wright, B. S. 1972. The eastern panther— a question of survival. Clarke, Irwin and Co.,
Ltd., Toronto.
Notes
15
Fla. Field Nat. 23(1):15-16, 1995.
COYOTE PREYS ON YOUNG FLORIDA SANDHILL CRANE
Stephen A. Nesbitt^ and Lynn C. Badger^
^Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission
Wildlife Research Laboratory
4005 South Main Street
Gainesville, Florida 32601
^Marston Science Library
University of Florida
Gainesville, Florida 32611
Predation has not been identified as a significant mortality factor among healthy,
grown Sandhill Cranes (Grus canadensis) (Bennett and Bennett 1990, Tacha et al, 1992).
But for young cranes, before and just after fledging, predation is probably the most sig-
nificant mortality source. The probability of survival from hatching to fledging (80 days
of age) is 0.649 in Florida Sandhill Cranes (G. c. pratensis) (Nesbitt 1992). Bobcats
{Lynx rufus) are primary predators of cranes in Florida, although elsewhere other mam-
malian and avian predators have had an impact on pre-fledged young and sick or injured
Sandhill and Whooping Cranes (G. americana) (Perkins and Brown 1981, Drewien et al.
1985, Tacha et al. 1992). Coyote (Canis latrans) and Common Raven {Corvus corax) pre-
dation has reduced success in local breeding populations of Greater Sandhill Cranes (G.
c. tabida) in Oregon (Littlefield 1976, 1981). Coyote populations have recently invaded
and are increasing in Florida, particularly in the panhandle and north-central peninsula
(Brady and Campell 1983, Wooding and Hardisky 1990).
Movements and productivity of Florida Sandhill Cranes have been monitored on
Kanapaha Prairie since 1985. Kanapaha Prairie comprises 650 ha of freshwater marsh
and grassland in southern Alachua County, 5 km SW of Gainesville. The 5-6 pairs of
Florida Sandhill Cranes that annually nest on this area were observed at least once 2-6
days a week.
One of the territories, designated the blue-white-blue (BWB) territory, has been mon-
itored since 1985. The resident pair had fledged five young from 1985 to 1992. This pair
hatched both eggs from their 1993 nest on 18 and 19 March. One of the chicks disap-
peared on 16 April.
On 30 April, “guard calls” (Tacha et al. 1992) were heard from the adults at ca. 0750
by LCB; the pair, but not the remaining chick, was in a stand of live oaks (Quercus vir-
qiniana) a few meters from the prairie edge. Almost immediately the two adults flew to
the open prairie south of the oaks. Their chick then appeared, running southwesterly
from the oaks and toward the prairie. A coyote was then seen walking in the direction of
the adult cranes and their chick. Thinking at first the animal might be a neighbor's dog,
LCB began yelling and ran toward the animal hoping to scare it away. The coyote ig-
nored her approach and continued to walk toward the chick at a fast pace. The coyote
jumped the chick from behind and quickly killed it. The adult cranes were 8-10 m from
the chick when it was killed. Once the kill was made, they approached and remained
near the coyote “guard calling” and walking agitatedly around the animal as it ate. The
adults appeared at times to be no more than 3 or 4 m from the coyote. The coyote re-
mained at the site of the kill for about 5 min. and retreated when SAN approached in a
truck. The coyote may have been raising a litter of pups; later that summer SAN saw a
pair of adult coyotes and three pups about 500 m west of the kill site.
16
FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST
This observation is consistent with the hunting technique described for coyotes (Ban-
field 1974:287), but differs somewhat from the method observed for smaller canids prey-
ing on cranes. Bennett (Drieslein and Bennett 1979) watched a red fox {Vulpes fulva)
take a Greater Sandhill Crane chick in Wisconsin. The method of capture used by the fox
relied more on stealth and stalking, with a short (a few meters) run to grab the chick and
carry it off Before the fox caught the chick, the adults attempted to distract it by running
in opposite directions with wings lowered, they continued to give this distraction posture
for 10 min. after the fox had killed the chick (Driesler and Bennett 1974). In the episode
we are describing, the adults had seen the coyote well before the chick was taken but
they never made an effort to distract it. Possibly they did not perceive the coyote as a po-
tential predator. There are several coyote-like dogs in the area that pay no attention to
the cranes. Because the coyote is a recent arrival to north-central Florida, the resident
crane population may need to recognize that coyotes are a threat before they will react to
them appropriately.
Literature Cited
Banfield, a. W. F. 1974. The Mammals of Canada. Univ. of Toronto Press, Toronto.
Bennett, A. J., and L. A. Bennett. 1990. Survival rates and mortality factors of Florida
Sandhill Cranes in Georgia. N. Am. Bird Bander 15:85-88.
Brady, J. R., and H. W. Campell. 1983. Distribution of coyotes in Florida. Fla. Field
Nat. 11:40-41.
Drewien, R. C., S. H. Bouffard, D. D. Call, and R. A. Wonacott. 1985. The Whooping
Crane cross-fostering experiment: the role of animal damage control. Pages 7-13. in
Proceedings 2nd E. Wildl. Damage Control Conf (P.T. Bromley, ed.). North Carolina
State Univ., Raleigh.
Drieslein, R. L., and A. J. Bennett. 1979. Red fox predation on greater sandhill crane
chicks. Wilson Bull. 91:132-133.
Littlefield, C. D. 1976. Productivity of Greater Sandhill Cranes on Malheur National
Wildlife Refuge, Oregon. Pages 86-92. in Proc. 1975. Inter. Crane Workshop (J.C.
Lewis, ed.). Oklahoma State Univ, Stillwater.
Littlefield, C. D. 1981. The Greater Sandhill Crane. Pages 163-166. in Crane Research
Around the World: Proc. 1980. Int. Crane Symp. (J.C. Lewis, and H. Masatomi, eds.).
Int. Crane Found., Baraboo, Wise.
Nesbitt, S. A. 1992. First reproductive success and individual productivity in sandhill
cranes. J. Wildl. Manage. 56:573-577.
Perkins, D. L., and D. E. Brown. 1981. The sandhill crane in Arizona. Arizona Game
and Fish Dept. Spec. Publ. 11:1-47.
Tacha, T. C., Nesbitt, S. A., and P. A. VOHS. 1992. Sandhill Crane. Birds N. Amer. 31:1-
24.
Wooding, J. B., and T. S. Hardisky. 1990. Coyote distribution in Florida. Fla. Field Nat.
18:12-14.
Notes
17
Fia. Field Nat. 23(1):17-18, 1995.
CHEWING LICE, TRICHODECTES PINGUIS EUARCTIDOS,
FROM A BLACK BEAR IN FLORIDA
Gaery W. Foster and Tania A. Cames
Department of Infectious Diseases,
College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida,
Gainesville, Florida 32611
Ectoparasites reported from black bears in Florida have been summarized by For-
rester (1992) and include four ticks, one mite and one screwworm. This note is the first
report of lice infesting black bears in Florida.
Thirty road-kill' or illegally killed bears were collected from 17 counties in Florida
from May 1990 to November 1993. During necropsy the head and foreleg or the skin from
these regions were put in plastic bags and frozen until examined for ectoparasites. Of
these specimens, one 38.5 kg, 1.5-yr male black bear from Volusia County had chewing
lice (Mallophaga). Eight Trichodectes pinguis euarctidos Hopkins 1954 were collected
from the crown of the head between the ears.
Hopkins (1954) described T. pinguis euarctidos from black bears from British Colum-
bia and Ontario, Canada. This louse has been found also on black bears from central On-
tario (Addison et al. 1978), Montana (Jonkel and Cowan 1971, Worley et al. 1976),
Michigan (Rogers 1975), Wisconsin (Manville 1978), and New York (King et al. 1960). In
the southeastern United States, Crum (1977) examined 20 black bears from four states
for the presence of ectoparasites and reported Trichodectes sp. on one of six bears from
North Carolina.
Our record extends the known range of T. pinguis euarctidos to north-central Florida.
Voucher specimens have been deposited in the U.S. National Parasite Collection, Belts-
ville, Maryland 20705 (Accession No. 84014).
We thank Donald J. Forrester for the use of his laboratory facilities and reviewing
early versions of the manuscript. We are grateful to Roger D. Price for identification of
the lice. We also thank M. R. Dunbar and J. B. Wooding of the Florida Game and Fresh
Water Fish Commission for collecting the bear samples. This research was supported in
part by a contract from the Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission and is a
contribution of Federal Aid to Wildlife Restoration, Florida Pittman-Robertson Project
W-41. This note is Florida Agricultural Experimental Stations Journal Series No. R-
03915.
Literature Cited
Addison, E. M., M. J. Pybus, and H. J. Rietveld. 1978. Helminth and arthropod para-
sites of black bear, Ursus americanus, in central Ontario. J. Can Zool. 56:2122-2126.
Crum, J, M. 1977. Some parasites of black bears {Ursus americanus) in the southeastern
United States. M. S. Thesis, Univ. of Georgia, Athens.
Forrester, D. J. 1992. Parasites and diseases of vhld mammals in Florida. University
Press of Florida, Gainesville.
Hopkins, G. H. E. 1954. Notes on some Mallophaga from bears. Entomologist (London)
87:140-146.
Jonkel, C. J., and L M. Cowan. 1971. The black bear in the spruce-fur forest. Wildl.
Monogr. No. 27. The Wildlife Society.
18
FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST
King, J. M., H. C. Black, and O. H. Hewitt. 1960. Pathology, parasitology and hematol-
ogy of the black bear in New York. New York Fish and Game J. 7:79-111.
Manville, a. M. 1978. Ecto-and endoparasites of the black bear in northern Wisconsin.
J. Wildl. Dis. 14:97-101.
Rogers, L. L. 1975. Parasites of black bears of the Lake Superior region. J. Wildl. Dis.
11:189-192.
Worley, D. E., J. C. Fox, J. B. Winters, R. H. Jacobson, and K. R. Greer. 1976. Hel-
minth and arthropod parasites of grizzly and black bears in Montana and adjacent
areas. Pages 455-464. In Bears - Their biology and management (Pelton, M. R., G. E.
Folk, and J.W Lentfer, eds.). Proc. 3rd Int. Conf. on Bear Res. and Manage., lUCN,
Merges, Switzerland.
REVIEW
Fla. Field Nat. 23(1):18, 1995.
A Naturalist In Florida: A Celebration Of Eden — Archie Carr. Edited by Marjo-
rie Harris Carr. 1994. Yale University Press. ISBN 0-300-05589-7. $28.50. This collec-
tion of the writings of the late Archie Carr is as much a celebration of Florida's natural
world as it is a celebration of the talent of one of the state's best known writer-natural-
ists.
Whether he's describing his observations at a pond near his home in Alachua County
or his trips afield exploring some natural mystery, Carr always wrote in a clear, conver-
sational style that animates his essays. He records scenes that people are unlikely to
find today, perhaps giving many readers a melancholy feeling of things lost. He writes of
exploring the Ichetucknee Springs Run alone, years before tubers discovered it, and
scanning the bottom through the lens of a homemade dive mask and finding the tooth of
a mammoth.
Carr wms best known for his work in herpetology and, throughout the book, much is
written about the frogs, turtles, snakes and alligators he knew so well. He describes
their habits in fascinating detail. Snakes were surely his favorites, and though not sen-
timental, he felt their mere existence meant that the natural world must be functioning
as it should.
However, no part of nature escaped Carr's keen observation. The book contains tales
of fish, insects, mammals, birds and plants. One of the most fascinating essays is about
moss. Carr discusses the mysterious decline of Spanish moss (Tillandsia usneoides) in
the live oaks {Quercus virginiana) of the South. But as tale unfolds we learn how live
oaks were used in 19th century shipbuilding and about the widespread moss-gathering
industry that flourished until the early part of the 20th century. From here he rambles
onto the natural history of oak hammocks, the animals that inhabit the leaf litter
beneath the oaks or the ones that nest and hunt in the tree branches. It becomes a fasci-
nating ecology lesson, teaching that everything in the natural world is somehow depen-
dent on something else.
Above all, Archie Carr was a teacher, always willing to share what he knew with
anyone who would listen. Certainly anyone with an abiding interest in the natural his-
tory of Florida will want to listen now. This book would be a useful addition to any per-
sonal or academic library. In addition to his essays, the book contains photographs
depicting Carr, his family, and some of his adventures, whimsical drawings of improba-
ble fish, an index and notes on source material for readers interested in learning more
about topics in the book.— Tom Palmer, 1805 26th St. NW, Winter Haven, Florida
33881.
19
FIELD OBSERVATIONS
Fla. Field Nat. 23(l):19-24, 1995.
Summer Report: June-July 1994.— The observations listed here are based on rare
or unusual species or significant numbers of birds reported to the Florida Ornithological
Society (FOS) Field Observations Committee (FOC). As these reports are not formally re-
viewed, they may be considered tentative.
Significant reports are welcomed for inclusion in future issues of this section. Reports
should include the following information: species; number of individuals; age and sex of
the bird(s); color morph if applicable; location (including county); date; observer(s); and
significance of the report. Reporting periods are winter (December-February), spring
(March-May), summer (June-July), and fall (August-November). Submit reports to re-
gional compilers within two weeks after the close of each period, or to the state compiler
within 1 month. Reports may be sent by FAX to the state compiler at (813) 699-1927.
Following the examples set by Florida Bird Species: An Annotated List (Robertson
and Woolfenden 1992, FOS Spec. Pub. No. 6) and The Birdlife of Florida (Stevenson and
Anderson 1994, University Press of Florida), sight-only observations are considered “re-
ports”, while only those supported by verifiable evidence (photographs, video or audio
tapes, or specimens) are called “records”.
The Thirty-ninth supplement to the American Ornithologists’ Union Check-list of
North American Birds was published recently {Auk 110(3):675-682, 1993) This FOC re-
port includes all changes to the nomenclature as published in the Auk.
Anderson and Baker {Fla. Field Nat. 22:21-23, 1994) recently published the list of
birds for which the FOS Records Committee requires documentation. These species are
marked in this report with an asterisk (*) to alert the observers of their need to supply
the FOSRC with details of their sightings.
A county designation accompanies the first-time listing of each site in this report; fur-
ther listings of the same site lack the county name. Abbreviations used are: APAFR-
N=Avon Park Air Force Range {Polk); APAFR-S=Avon Park Air Force Range {High-
lands); ca.=circa; CP=county park; ENP=Everglades National Park; FOSRC-FOS
Records Committee; NWR=national wildlife refuge; R & W 1992=Robertson and Wool-
fenden 1992; S & A 1994=Stevenson and Anderson 1994; SP=state park; SRA=state rec-
reation area; WMA=wildlife management area; and N, S, E, W for compass directions.
For their assistance with this report, the state compiler thanks Rich Paul and Ann
Schnapf, the summer editors of National Audubon Society Field Notes. Robertson and
Woolfenden (1992) and Stevenson and Anderson (1994) were used to determine the re-
gional and seasonal statuses of many species. Thanks to Herb Kale for forwarding the re-
ports of the hornbills, turaco, and whydah; to Rich Paul and Ann Schnapf for forwarding
Joe Ondrejko’s Bahama Mockingbird report; and to Robbie Wooster for supplying infor-
mation from the Florida birding report hotline.
Summary of the Summer Season
Aided by 3 tropical storms, June and July 1994 will be remembered as a wet season,
especially in the Panhandle. Severe flooding occurred around Car5wille and in other ar-
eas along the Choctawhatchee River. Elsewhere in the state, the rise in water levels tem-
porarily aided recovery of drought-stricken areas. Other than Ted Below’s report on
Wood Stork breeding failures at Corkscrew Swamp (see the Spring 1994 report), there
were no reports about the weather effects on bird nesting success.
20
FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST
Joe Ondrejko reported the first North American breeding report of Bahama Mocking-
bird this season in Key West. However, Joe's observations indicate that breeding may
have occurred in previous years. There were 2 June and July reports of Western Tana-
gers (different birds) in Santa Rosa County, the state's first summer reports. Two more
exotics were added to the state’s avifauna this season, although 1 of the birds has been
observed for 2 years. Otherwise, there were few surprises this summer.
Species Accounts
Common Loon: 1 in winter plumage on a Gainesville {Alachua) retention pond 11-18
June (R. Norton); 1 in winter plumage at Cedar Key {Levy) 24 July (D. Henderson).
PIED-BILLED Grebe: 1 partial albino chick on the Key West golf course {Monroe) 20-22
June (J. Ellis, photo supplied by A. Ford, to Tall Timbers collection).
Audubon’s Shearwater: 1 ca. 8 km (5 mi) off Tarpon Springs {Pinellas) 31 July (D.
Gagne).
Brown Booby: 1 immature on Passage Key {Manatee) 13 July (A. Schnapf, B. Lam-
oureux, B. Wargo).
American White Pelican: 9 in Rookery Bay Sanctuary {Collier) 10 June (J. McGinity);
16 in a Polk phosphate mine 16 July (P. Fellers).
Brown Pelican: 10,000 breeding pairs statewide, the highest total since 1989 (S. Nes-
bitt fide R. Paul, A. Schnapf); ca. 80 nests with young at Lanark Reef {Franklin) 13
July (J. Gore, G. Sprandel); 2 Highlands reports: 1 on Lake Istokpoga 4 June (M. Mc-
Millian) and 3 over Highway Park 5 June (K. Tarvin, M. Garvin).
Double-crested Cormorant: 4 nests in Rookery Bay Sanctuary were the first nests
there since the 1930s (T. Below); 1900 birds in Polk mines 16 July (P. Fellers).
Magnificent Frigatebird: 1 at Pensacola Beach {Escambia) 3 July following Tropical
Storm Alberto (A. Faragher, M. Liebeno).
Reddish Egret: 5 white morphs on Shell Key {Pinellas) 4 July (P. Blair, L. and J. Hop-
kins); 1 immature in St. Marks NWR {Wakulla) 29 July (J. Cavanagh).
Scarlet Ibis: continued reports of 1 adult in Lakes Park {Lee) 2 July (N. Pettis).
Glossy Ibis: 18 (including 6 nestlings) in a Polk mine 16 July (P. Fellers).
Roseate Spoonbill: 1 first-year bird at Sheppard Road {Highlands) 19 June (M. McMil-
lian) and 5 July (B. Pranty, S. Hoag); 1 in Four Corners Mine {Polk) 16 July (R
Fellers).
Wood Stork: 3588 nests in 26 colonies estimated from the 1994 statewide aerial census,
almost a 20% decrease from the 4262 nests in 1993. Colonies were located in northern
(6), central (17), and southern (3) Florida (J. Rodgers, fide R. Paul and A. Schnapf).
Greater Flamingo: 14 (including immatures) at Snake Bight, ENP {Dade and/or Mon-
roe) 5 June (T. Brooks).
Black bellied Whistling-Duck: 2 in Myakka River SP {Sarasota) 4-5 June (C. Alver-
son, G. Wilson); 5 in Clear Springs Mine, Bartow {Polk) 5 June (C. Geanangel, P. Tim-
mer).
Mottled Duck: 326 in Polk mines 16 July (P. Fellers).
Redhead: 1 male in a Leon sewage treatment pond 23 June (G. Menk).
Surf Scoter: 1 male off Captiva Island {Lee) 20 June (V. McGrath, W. Winton); 1 at Car-
rabelle Beach (Franklin) 4 July (G. Sprandel).
Red-breasted Merganser: 1 at Snake Bight 5 June “seemed most out-of-place” (T.
Brooks); 1 female at Fort George Island {Duval) through June (R. Clark); 4 off Suwan-
nee {Dixie) 22 June and 21 July (J. Krummrich).
Osprey: 32 nests at Lake Talquin {Gadsden and Leon), compared to 28 in 1993 and 21 in
1992 (G. Sprandel, D. Bryan).
AmericatsI Swallow-tailed Kite: 1 pair again nested on Plantation Key {Monroe) fledg-
ing 1 young in mid-June (W. Hoffman).
Field Observations
21
White-tailed Kite: 1 in Davie (Broward) 28 May and 1 June, but no evidence of breed-
ing this year ( J. Baker).
Mississippi Kite; 25 SE of Tallahassee (Leon) 4 July (D. Evered, L. Messick); 34 over
Paynes Prairie {Alachua) 14 July (R. Rowan).
Coopers Hawk: l in NW Hillsborough was carrying a small dark object in its talons,
while pursued by Fish Crows, 5 June (R. and L. Smith); 1 in E Tampa {Hillsborough)
13 June (R. Paul).
Short-tailed Hawk: 1 dark morph in Aripeka {Pasco) 7 July (P. Young) was rare there;
2 Highlands reports: 1 adult light morph over Johnson Ranch 16 July (A. Fleischer,
M. McMillian, R Midford, B. Pranty) and 1 juvenile dark morph S of Lake Placid 21
July (B. Pranty, A. Fleischer); 1 dark morph in Disney Wilderness Preserve {Polk) 17
July (P. Fellers)
Limpkin: 3 Marathon {Monroe) reports of injured birds late May, mid-July, and late July
{fide W. Hoffman, 2 specimens to Archbold Biological Station) were rare Keys reports.
Black-bellied Plover: 100 on Shell Key 22 July (P. Blair).
Snowy Plover: the seasonal high of 9 in Honeymoon Island SBA (Pinellas) 3 July was a
much lower count than in previous years (D. Gagne); 14 on Shell Key 22 July, but no
birds bred there (P. Blair); 3 pairs successfully bred at the N end of Longboat Key
{Manatee) this year (A. Levine, B. and M. Sokol).
Wilson’s Plover: 131 in Honeymoon Island SRA 3 July (D. Gagne).
Semipalmated Plover: 118 in Honeymoon Island SRA 17 July (D. Gagne).
Piping Plover: 1 in breeding plumage at Adam’s Beach {Taylor) 18 July (J. Hinter-
mister).
Black-necked Stilt: 1 nest with 4 eggs in West Lake Park {Broward) 5 June (J. Baker);
2 in Tallahassee 23-30 June (G. Menk).
American Avocet: 1 on Shell Key 12 March-1 July (P. Blair) was rare in Pinellas', 12 in
breeding plumage in Four Corners Mine 16 July (R Fellers).
Greater Yellowlegs: l in Tallahassee 8 June (G. Menk).
Lesser Yellowlegs: 1 in Tallahassee 1 June, 2 on 28 June, and 5 there 30 June were
rare summer reports in Leon (G. Menk).
Solitary Sandpiper: 1 in Tallahassee 30 June was the first June report for Leon (G.
Menk); 1 on Buck Island Ranch {Highlands) 23 July (M. McMillian).
WiLLET: 1 in Lake Lochloosa {Alachua) 11 July (R. Rowan) was rare inland; 365 on Shell
Key 22 July, but only 10 pairs bred there (P. Blair).
Spotted Sandpiper: 1 at Flamingo, ENP {Monroe) 5 June (T. Brooks); 1 at an Okaloosa
sewage treatment plant 5 July (D. Ware) was an early fall migrant; 1 in breeding
plumage in a Polk mine 16 July (P. Fellers).
Whimbrel: 1 at Carrabelle Beach 4 July (G. Sprandel); 3 on Shell Key 19 July (P. Blair).
Marbled Godwit:! at Carrabelle Beach 4 July (G. Sprandel); 14 at Alafia Banks (Hills-
borough) also 4 July (R. Paul); ca. 50 in Honeymoon Island SRA 17 July (D. Gagne);
58 on Shell Key 19 July (R Blair).
Red Knot: ca. 50 (2 or 3 in breeding plumage) in Suwannee 22 June (J. Krummrich); 180
on Shell Key 1 July, and 200 there 4 July (R Blair); 225 in Honeymoon Island SRA 17
July (D. Gagne).
Western Sandpiper: 329 in Honeymoon Island SRA 3 July (D. Gagne); 2 in breeding
plumage in a Polk mine 16 July (P. Fellers).
White-rumped Sandpiper: 2 in Honeymoon Island SRA 5 June (K. Nelson, B.
Parkhurst).
Pectoral Sandpiper: 1 in Fort DeSoto CP (Pinellas) 29 July was locally rare (R. Smith).
Purple Sandpiper: 1 in winter plumage on Virginia Key {Dade) 22 or 23 June (M.
Wheeler, L. Owre) was the latest-ever spring report (S & A 1994: 250).
Short-billed Dowitcher: 160 on Shell Key 19 July (P. Blair).
22
FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST
Parasitic Jaeger: 1 immature at Three Rooker Bar {Pinellas) 15 June (A. Schnapt, B.
Lamoureux); 1 immature in Grayton Beach SRA 27 June (S. Maxwell) was the first
Walton report (S & A 1994:267).
Laughing Gull: about I75OOO nesting pairs in Pinellas and Hillsborough this year (R.
Paul, A. Schnapf, P. Blair), including 1000+ pairs on Shell Key, compared to only 150
pairs there last year and no pairs in 1992 (P. Blair).
Caspian Tern: 80 pairs at Alafia Banks 16 June (R. Paul, A. SchnapD matched last
year’s total, the largest number ever breeding in the state.
Royal Tern: 2000 nests on Passage Key produced about 710 chicks by 13 July; other
Tampa Bay breeding reports were 150 nests at Alafia Banks 16 June, and 75 nests at
Three Rooker Bar 15 June (all R. Paul, A. Schnapf et al.); 150 adults and 60 young at
Lanark Reef 13 July (G. Sprandel, J. Gore); 1500 birds in Mosquito Lagoon {Brevard)
in mid-June were probably breeding (S. Nesbitt, S. Schweikert).
Sandwich Tern: a “modern high” count of 270 pairs bred this year, with 1 chick on Three
Rooker Bar 15 June (a new breeding site), 140 nests at Alafia Banks 16 June, and 43
chicks on Passage Key 13 July (all R. Paul, A. Schnapf et al.).
Least Tern: 4-5 over Lake Lochloosa {Alachua) 5 July were locally rare (R. Rowan); 480
birds (including juveniles) on Shell Key 22 July, but only 30 pairs bred there (P.
Blair); 40 to 50 active nests in Fort Matanzas National Monument {St. Johns), other-
wise little nesting success in Duval and St. Johns {fide P. Powell).
Black Skimmer: 1200 breeding pairs in the Tampa Bay region, with 531 nests on Three
Rooker Bar 15 June, and 13 chicks on Passage Key 13 July (both R. Paul, A., Schnapf
et al.); 515 (including juveniles) on Shell Key 19 July, where 150 pairs bred (P. Blair).
Eurasian Collared-Dove: 1 in Loughman, a new Polk site, 30 July (T. Palmer).
White-winged Dove: 1 at Alligator Point {Franklin) 19-21 July (J. Dozier); 2 calling in
E Tampa 6-9 June (R. Paul) were W of any known breeding population; 1 nestling
brought to a wildlife rehabilitator in Key Largo was the first breeding report in the
Upper Keys {fide W. Hoffman).
Green Parakeet: 1 in Miami Springs {Dade) 2 June (T. Brooks).
Scarlet-fronted Parakeet {Aratinga wagleri): 1 in Miami Springs 2 June (T. Brooks).
Maroon-bellied Parakeet: 4 birds with “all-green uppertails” in Miami Springs 2 June
were apparently of the race P f. chiripepe (T. Brooks).
Mangrove Cuckoo: 2 in Honeymoon Island SRA throughout the period (D. Gagne) and
1 in Weedon Island County Preserve 10 July (L. and J. Hopkins) represent probable
Pinellas breeding sites; 1 in Little Cockroach Bay {Hillsborough) 6 June (R. Paul).
Schalow’S Turaco {Turaco [persa] schalowi): 1 reported “off and on since Hurricane A?2-
drew” (August 1992) in Plantation {Broward) (G. Reynolds et al., in litt. to H. Kale,
August 1994). This is the first report of the species in Florida (R & W 1992, S & A
1994), but no details were submitted.
Barn Owl: 2 in St. Petersburg 26 July-August (B. Parkhurst et al.) were rarities in
heavily-developed Pinellas.
Short-eared Owl: 4 birds of one of the Antillean races in Dry Tortugas National Park
{Monroe) 8 June (B. Robertson).
Wreathed Hornbill {Aceros undulatus): 2 (male and female) on Manasota Key {Sara-
sota) were discovered in early May, and remained ca. 2 weeks. The birds fed on ber-
ries of a large Cuban laurel, and roosted every evening in a Casuarina (J. Kixmiller,
photos by T. Sabatelli, 16 May). This is the first record of the species in Florida.
Belted Kingfisher: 1 in Rookery Bay Sanctuary 14 June (B. J. Anderson); 1 on SR 70
at Bright Hour Ranch {DeSoto) 24 June (K. Tarvin).
Hairy Woodpecker: 3 broods of 3 young each were color-banded in Archbold Biological
Station {Highlands) this season; fledging dates ranged from 27 April to 16 May, but
an unbanded brood of at least 2 young fledged 12 June (B. Pranty).
Field Observations
23
Gray Kingbird: 8 breeding pairs in Honeymoon Island SRA 11 June were a low count for
that area (D. Gagne).
Purple Martin: 95 in Rookery Bay Sanctuary 1 July, and 62 (predominately males)
there 9 July were the first seasonal counts from that site in 18 years of surveys (T. Be-
low, J. Douglas).
Tree Swallow: 4 in Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary {Collier) 30 July (S. Davis, G. Fis-
cher).
Barn Swallow: 1 over Placid Lakes {Highlands) 13 July (F. Lohrer) was the earliest re-
port received.
Gray Catbird: 1 singing in Alachua {Alachua) 27 June (M. Manetz).
Bahama Mockingbird: the male in Key West, first located 9 June 1991 and present for
4 consecutive breeding seasons, was last seen 10 July 1994. On 3 July, he was ob-
served feeding a large fledgling “that was nearly a mirror image of himself, except for
elongated light patches at the tip of the tail feathers and the spotted breast. Size and
color were identical, and there were no wing patches.” The mother of the brood exhib-
ited some Bahama Mockingbird characteristics such as the larger size and “some
brown plumage,” but white wing patches and tail feathers were also present, so the
female may have been a hybrid. Two other fledglings present had white wing patches
and tail feathers. Earlier in the season, the male Bahama Mockingbird and the
above-mentioned female built 2 nests, including 1 that later contained “newly
hatched chicks”! Both adults were observed at this nest, and the male was observed
feeding the nestlings. Based on the “many” mockingbirds in Key West that exhibit
“wonderful color combinations with unusual wing patch patterns and unusual pat-
terns on the tail feathers,” it is believed there are “at least second, perhaps third, gen-
eration intergrade” mockingbirds on the island (all information provided by J.
Ondrejko).
Black-whiskered VireO: 2 in Honeymoon Island SRA May-June (D. Gagne), virtually
the only site in Pinellas that continues to support the species; 24 on Sugarloaf Key
{Monroe) 4 June (T, Brooks).
Chestnut-sided Warbler: 1 male in breeding plumage in Gainesville 20 June and 2
and 24 July (C. Reno, I. Fromberg) was the first July report of the species in Florida
(R & W 1992:123, S & A 1994:551).
Prairie Warbler: 19 males singing in Honeymoon Island SRA 14 May, and 17 there 18
June (D. Gagne); 2 migrants in APAFR-S 6 July (J. Arnett).
Black-and-white Warbler: 1 in APAFR-N 18 July (J. Arnett) was the earliest report
received.
American Redstart: 1 first-year male singing in St. Petersburg 1 June (R. Smith); 1
male near Dunnellon {Marion) 18 July (R. Smith),
Worm-eating Warbler: 1 at Wakulla Beach {Wakulla) 31 July (N. Warner) was early.
Swainson’S Warbler: 1 male singing in Steinhatchee Springs WMA {Lafayette) 18 July
(B. Muschlitz).
OvenbirD: 1 in Saddle Creek CP {Polk) 31 July (P. Fellers), the second-earliest fall report
ever (S & A 1994:584).
Western Tanager: 1 male in Air Products Sanctuary, Pace {Santa Rosa) 23 June {fide
B. Milmore) and a female there 4 July (B. Milmore) were the first summer reports of
the species in Florida (R & W 1992:133, S & A 1994:608). The female was described as
having a “typical, thick tanager bill and chunkier shape than a female Orchard Ori-
ole...two prominent yellowish wing-bars, medium gray upper back, and yellow under-
parts.”
Blue Grosbeak: 1 male singing in Disney Wilderness Preserve 17 July (P. Fellers).
White-throated Sparrow: 1 adult in a Tamarac {Broward) preserve 6 June (J. Baker)
was a rare summer report.
24
FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST
Shiny Cowbird: 1 male in Tallahassee 7 June (D. Evered, L. Messick); 1 male at Cedar
Key 8 July (D. Henderson); 1 male at Alligator Point {Franklin) throughout the period
(J. Dozier); none observed in the Keys this season (W. Hoffman).
Brown-headed Cowbird: 6 (1 male, 2 females, and 3 juveniles) in Archbold Biological
Station 3 July (G. Woolfenden); 1000 in a flock in Four Corners Mine 16 July (P.
Fellers).
House Finch: 4 in Pensacola {Escambia) 25 June, where the species is now resident (D.
Bryan); observations of juveniles confirmed breeding in Lake City {Columbia) this
season ( J. Krummrich); males singing in 4 locations in Gainesville, but breeding was
not confirmed (B. Muschlitz).
Pin-tailed Whydah {Vidua macroura)-. 1 in Ormond Beach {Volusia) 6-7 June (Mrs. S.
Roberson, C. Lenz, G. Koch et al.) was the second published Florida report of this Af-
rican species (R & W 1992:191, S & A 1994:694).
Contributors: Clarence Alverson, John Arnett, Jocie Baker, Ted Below, Paul Blair,
Thomas Brooks, Dana Bryan, Roger Clark, S. Davis, John Douglas, Jack Dozier, Dun-
can Evered, Jean Ellis, Audrey Faragher, Paul Fellers, G. Fischer, Artie Fleischer, Ann-
Francis Ford, Ike Fromberg, Dave Gagne, Mary Garvin, Chuck Geanangel, Jeff Gore,
Dale Henderson, John Hintemmister, Sami Hoag, Judi Hopkins, Larry Hopkins, Herb
Kale, Jo Kixmiller, Glade Koch, Jerry Krummrich, Bill Lamoureux, Carl Lentz, Alicia
Levine, Michael Liebeno, Fred Lohrer, Michael Manetz, Jim McGinity, Vince McGrath,
Mike McMillian, Gail Menk, Lyla Messick, Peter Midford, Bill Milmore, Barbara Mus-
chlitz, Kris Nelson, Robert Norton, Lydia Owre, Tom Palmer, Bruce Parkhurst, Rich
Paul, Neil Pettis, Peggy Powell, Bill Pranty, Mrs. Sang Roberson, Cathy Reno, Georgia
Reynolds, Bill Robertson, Jim Rodgers, Rex Rowan, Tina Sabatelli, Ann Schnapf, Steve
Schweikert, Lori Smith, Ron Smith, Bob Sokol, Marge Sokol, Gary Sprandel, Keith
Tarvin, Pete Timmer, Noel Warner, Betty Wargo, Mickey Wheeler, Gino Wilson, Walter
Winton, Glen Woolfenden, and Paul Young.
Spring 1994 reports not published previously: Pacific Loon: 1 in Fort Pickens SP {Es-
cambia) 12 April (Bob Duncan) and 21 April (Lynn Gould, Ann Ziccardi); Cory’s Shearwa-
ter: 1 between Dry Tortugas and Key West {Monroe) 17 April (Wes Biggs et al.); Glaucous
Gull: 1 in first-winter plumage at Pensacola Beach {Escambia) 2 March-12 April (B. Dun-
can et ah); Western Kingbird: 1 at Gulf Breeze {Santa Rosa) 17 May was the latest-ever
spring report for NW Florida (B. Duncan); Vermilion Flycatcher: 1 in Fort Pickens SP 2
May (Phil Tetlow, B. Duncan, Owen Fang) was the first local May report (fide B. Dun-
can); Red-eyed Vireo: a “massive movement” noted on the W Panhandle coast 3 May,
with 150+ at Gulf Breeze (Lucy Duncan) and “heavy concentrations” in Fort Pickens SP
(B. Duncan); Grasshopper Sparrow: 1 in Fort Pickens SP 30 March was locally rare (B.
Duncan); American Goldfinch: 1 at Gulf Breeze 30 May was very late (B. Duncan).
Report prepared by Bill Pranty, state compiler (Archbold Biological Station, P. O.
Box 2057, Lake Placid, Florida 33862). Other committee members are Linda Cooper
(115 Lameraux Road, Winter Haven, Florida 33884), Jim Cox (Florida Game and Fresh
Water Fish Commission, 620 S. Meridian Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1600), and
Peggy Powell (2965 Forest Circle, Jacksonville, Florida 32257).
Florida Field Naturalist
ISSN 0738-999X
PUBLISHED BY THE FLORIDA ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY
Editor; WALTER K. TAYLOR, Dept, of Biology, University of Central Florida, Orlando,
Florida 32816.
Assistant Editors; Eric Stolen and Mike Petrovich, (address as above).
Associate Editor (for bird distribution); Bruce H. Anderson, 2917 Scarlet Road, Win-
ter Park, Florida 32792.
Associate Editor (for reviews); Reed Bowman, Archbold Biological Station, P.O. Box
2057, Lake Placid, Florida 33852.
Associate Editor (for technical papers); RICHARD T. PAUL, National Audubon Society,
410 Ware Blvd., Suite 500, Tampa, Florida 33619.
Editor of Special Publications; Glen E. Woolfenden, Archbold Biological Station,
RO. Box 2057, Lake Placid, Florida 33852.
Editor of the Ornithological Newsletter; Katy NeSmith, Florida Natural Areas
Inventory, 1018 Thomasville Road, Suite 200-C, Tallahassee, Florida 32303.
Archives Committee; WALTER K. TAYLOR (Chair), Department of Biological Sciences,
University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida 32816.
Editorial Advisory Board; STEPHEN A. NESBITT, Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish
Commission, Wildlife Research Laboratory, 4005 South Main St., Gainesville, Florida
32601.
Field Observations Committee; BILL Pranty (Compiler), Archbold Biological Station,
RO. Box 2057, Lake Rlacid, Florida 33852.
Finance Committee; R. WILLIAM Smith (Chair), R.O. Box 1341, Homestead, Florida
33090.
Nominating Committee; JAMES Cox (Chair), Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish
Commission, 620 S. Meridian St., Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1600.
Records Committee; Bruce H. Anderson (Secretary), 2917 Scarlet Road, Winter
Fark, Florida 32792.
Research Awards Committee; Reed Bowman (Chair), Archbold Biological Station,
RO. Box 2057, Lake Rlacid, Florida 33852.
INFORMATION FOR CONTRIBUTORS
The Florida Field Naturalist is a fully refereed journal emphasizing biological field
studies and observations of vertebrates, especially birds, in and near Florida and the
nearby West Indies. It welcomes submission of manuscripts containing new information
from these areas. Rlease consult recent issues for style and Vol. 18, No. 1 for detailed
information. Submit manuscripts for consideration to the Editor, Walter K. Taylor. Mono-
graph-length manuscripts may be submitted for consideration to the Editor of Special
Rublications, Glen E. Woolfenden. Send books and other materials for review to Associate
Editor, Reed Bowman. For preliminary assistance regarding submission of manuscripts
dealing with bird distribution and rarities contact Associate Editor, Bruce H. Anderson.
Reports of rare birds in Florida should also be submitted to the FOS Records Committee
Secretary, Bruce H. Anderson. For preliminary assistance regarding submission of scien-
tific, technical, or behavioral contributions contact Associate Editor, Richard T. Raul.
Florida Field Naturalist
PUBLISHED BY THE FLORIDA ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY
VoL. 23, No. 1 February 1995 Pages 1-24
CONTENTS
ARTICLE
Bird Abundance in Florida Citrus Groves
Mary Crowe Mitchell, Louis B. Best, and David L. Fisher 1-9
NOTES
Determining the Origin of Non-native Birds Seen in the Wild
in Florida— A Case Study: Woolly-necked Stork
P. William Smith and Susan A. Smith 10-12
A Melanistic Bobcat from Outside Florida
Jay W. Tischendorf and Donald F McAlpine 13-14
Coyote Preys on Young Florida Sandhill Crane
Stephen A. Nesbitt and Lynn C. Badger 15-16
Chewing Lice, Trichodectes pinquis euarctidos, from a
Black Bear in Florida
Garry W. Foster and Tania A. Carnes 17-18
REVIEW
A Naturalist in Florida: A Celebration of Eden, By Archie Carr
Tom Palmer 18
FIELD OBSERVATIONS
Summer Report: June-July 1994
Bill Pranty 19-24
u
BXM)
Florida Field Naturalist
PUBLISHED BY THE FLORIDA ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY
VOL. 23, No. 2
May 1995
Pages 25-56
FLORIDA ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY
Founded 1972
Officers
President: Bruce H. Anderson, 2917 Scarlet Road, Winter Park, Florida 32792.
Vice-President: Ted H. Below, 3697 North Road, Naples, Florida 33942.
Secretary: RICHARD L. WEST, 2808 Rabbit Hill Road, Tallahassee, Florida 32312-3137.
Treasurer: LINDA DOUGLAS, 3675 1st Ave., N.W., Naples, Florida 33964.
Editor of the Florida Field Naturalist: WALTER K. TAYLOR, Dept, of Biology, Univer-
sity of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida 32816-3268.
Ex Officio: Immediate Past President: Fred E. Lohrer, Archbold Biological Station,
P.O. Box 2057, Lake Placid, Florida 33862.
Directors, Terms Expiring in 1995
John Douglas, 3675 1st Ave., N.W, Naples, Florida 33964.
James Cox, Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission, 620 S. Meridian St., Tal-
lahassee, Florida 32399-1600.
Directors, Terms Expiring in 1996
Mary C. Davidson, 2747 Forest Mill Lane, Jacksonville, Florida 32257.
Mary Catherine Wheeler, 11700 S.W 104 Ave., Miami, Florida 33176.
Directors, Terms Expiring in 1997
Karen Bearden, 10299 Widswept Place, Boca Raton, Florida 33498.
Ken Meyer, 101 NE 9th Street, Gainesville, Florida 32601.
Honorary Memberships
Samuel A. Grimes 1979, Helen G. Cruickshank 1980; Oliver L. Austin, Jr. 1982;
Pierce Brodkorb 1982; William B. Robertson, Jr. 1992; Glen E. Woolfenden, 1994.
All persons interested in Florida's natural history, particularly its abundant bird life,
are invited to join the Florida Ornithological Society by writing the Treasurer. Annual
membership dues are $15 for individual members (overseas $20), $20 for a family mem-
bership, $10 for students, and $35 for contributing members.
All members receive the Florida Field Naturalist and the newsletter. Subscription
price for institutions and non-members is $20 per year. Back issues ($3.00 per issue) are
available, prepaid, from the Treasurer. Notice of change of address, claims for undeliv-
ered or defective copies of this journal, and requests for information about advertising
and subscriptions should be sent to the Treasurer.
The Florida Field Naturalist is published quarterly (February, May, August, and
November) by the Florida Ornithological Society. It is printed by E. O. Painter Printing
Co., P.O. Box 877, DeLeon Springs, Florida 32130. The permanent address of the Florida
Ornithological Society is Department of Ornithology, Florida Museum of Natural History,
University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611.
THIS PUBLICATION IS PRINTED ON NEUTRAL PH PAPER
Florida Field Naturalist
PUBLISHED BY THE FLORIDA ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY
VOL. 23, No. 2 ■ May 1995
Pages 25-56
Fla. Field Nat. 23(2): 25-29, 1995.
RECORDINGS VERIFY THAT VAUX’S SWIFTS VISIT
FLORIDA IN WINTER
Tom Webberi and Charles T. Collins^
^Florida Museum of Natural History, University of Florida,
Gainesville, Florida 32611
^Department of Biological Sciences, California State University,
Long Beach, California 90840
Abstract.— Swifts thought to be Vaux’s Swifts {Chaetura vauxi) have appeared
during winter in Florida for decades, but up to now there has been no physical evidence
such as a skin, photograph, or audio recording to confirm their identity. Recordings
recently made in Gainesville, Florida, and sonograms made from them, provide the first
such evidence that these wintering swifts are indeed Vaux’s. The voices of the swifts
recorded in Gainesville are distinctly unlike those of Chimney Swifts (C. pelagica), and
match closely those of known Vaux’s Swifts in both the form of their sounds and the
sequence in which the swifts gave them. Vaux’s and Chimney Swifts can occur in the
state at the same time. Species of Chaetura other than Vaux’s and Chimney swifts may
also be expected to appear in Florida.
Small brownish swifts have appeared occasionally in Florida from
December through February at least as early as 1930. Many observers
and commentators have considered these winter visitors to be Vaux’s
Swifts, Chaetura vauxi (Muschlitz and Parenteau 1994, Stevenson
and Anderson 1994). Vaux’s Swifts have been positively identified in
winter in Louisiana (Lowery 1974).
Identifying Chaetura swifts by sight alone is risky because the
species in this genus look so much alike (e.g., the four species illus-
trated in Stiles and Skutch 1989). Bull and Collins (1993) cautioned
that Chimney (C. pelagica) and Vaux’s Swifts “are not easily separable
by color in areas of overlap”; these two species are sometimes difficult
to tell apart even in the hand (CTC pers. obs.). The most persuasive
account of Vaux’s Swifts in Florida heretofore is that of Graves (1981),
who considered the calls of the wintering swifts he heard in Tallahas-
see, Leon County, to be the distinctive calls of Vaux’s Swifts he had
heard in western North America. There are no convincing reports of
25
26
FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST
Chimney Swifts in North America from December through February
(Stevenson and Anderson 1994).
Vaux’s Swifts’ occurrence in Florida has not previously been docu-
mented by a skin, photograph, or sound recording. For that reason
Robertson and Woolfenden (1992) considered this species’ status in
Florida to be “unverified,” and Stevenson and Anderson (1994) consid-
ered the status as “uncertain.” Herein, we present tangible evidence
for the swift in Florida in the form of sound recordings.
In the winter of 1992-93 groups of up to six small brownish swifts
appeared repeatedly in and around Gainesville, Alachua County
(Stevenson and Anderson 1994; TW pers. obs.). Some observers con-
sidered the birds to be smaller and to have paler throats than Chim-
ney Swifts. Other observers, including TW, were not certain that they
could see these differences. The half-dozen observers who heard the
swifts with TW agreed that they did not sound like Chimney Swifts.
Methods
TW used a Marantz PMD 221 cassette recorder and a Dan Gibson P-200 microphone
to record the sounds from a group of six swifts (hereafter the “Gainesville swifts”) as
they flew over the University of Florida campus on the evening of 22 January 1993. TW,
J. Marshall, and M. Wascher made sonograms on Kay Elemetrics 7029A Sona-Graphs,
with filters set to wide-band (300 Hz) and automatic gain controls off. TW and CTC com-
pared details of sonograms from the Gainesville swifts with those from recordings of
known Chimney and Vaux’s swifts.
Results and Discussion
Most Chimney Swift sounds are simple chips (Figure lAa), com-
bined in long series with a few tones that span a shorter range of pitch
(e.g.. Figure lAb).
Vaux’s Swift sounds recorded in Oregon include some chips (Fig-
ure IDi) like those of Chimney Swifts, but also include a variety of
high-pitched squeal- or squeak-like sounds. Many of these sounds con-
sist of a tone that drops rapidly in pitch, followed by a longer tone that
may rise initially but eventually drops (Figure IBa-c). Other Vaux’s
Swift sounds include yet more types of inflected tones (e.g.. Figure
IBd-f). The recordings of the Gainesville swifts include sounds that
correspond closely to most of these categories; especially close resem-
blances are those of Figure ICa-c to Figure IBa-c, Figure ICe to Fig-
ure IBd, Figure lEa to Figure IBe, and Figure IDa to Figure ICf
Some other sounds among the Gainesville swift recordings do not so
closely match those in the Oregon Vaux’s Swifts recordings, but still
resemble them in their overall pattern of inflection (compare Figure
ICd to Figure IBa, and Figure ICg to Figure IBf).
Webber • Vaux’s Swifts Visit Florida
27
N
X
UJ
3
O
UJ
cc
-f—r-l
a\\ ^
X
I* C
X ^
e
i" ' m
I
f
TIME IN SECONDS
Figure 1. A. Chimney Swift sounds recorded by TW in Gainesville, Alachua Co.,
FL, 15 May 1983; FL Mus. of Nat. Hist. Bioacoustics Lab. and Archives (BLA)
master tape 661 cut 1, B and D. Vaux’s Swift sounds recorded by David Herr 37
km W of La Grande, Union Co., Ore., 25 July 1992; Cornell Lab. of OrnithoL
Lib. of Nat. Sounds (LNS) uncataloged recording. C and E. Swifts recorded by
TW in Gainesville, 22 January 1993; BLA master tape 1329 cut 7.
Vaux's Swifts recorded in Oregon and the Gainesville swifts both
produced series of sounds in which there is first a segment of alternat-
ing chips and inflected tones (Figure IDi, Figure lEi), followed by a
distinctive combination of long and short tones in a rising-and-falling
pattern (Figure IDii, Figure lEii; Figure 4 in Bull and Collins 1993).
The sounds of the Gainesville swifts are more similar to those of C.
vauxi than to those of any other New World Chaetura examined so far
(CTC pers. obs.). These include the widespread Gray-rumped Swift (C.
cinereiventris; Figure 2), which Mason and Steffee (1966) reported
from the Dry Tortugas (Robertson and Woolfenden 1992 cast doubt on
this undocumented record). If the vocal differences between the Ore-
gon vauxi and the Gainesville swifts are due to geographic variation,
it may be possible to identify the originating population of the Gaines-
ville swifts by detailed analysis of local variation in vauxi sounds.
28
FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST
zm Ni
A0N3n03dd
CO
Q
O
o
LU
CO
t:
eS
O
ULJ
a>
ft
a
s
O
Costa Rica, 25 May 1989; BLA master tape 1242 cut 7.
Webber • Vaux's Swifts Visit Florida
29
Date alone becomes less reliable for identifying Chaetura swifts in
Florida the more the species’ dates of occurrence overlap. TW heard
unmistakable Vaux’s sounds from swifts near Gainesville on 7 April
1993, well after the expected arrival of Chimney Swifts. Stevenson
and Anderson (1994) accepted fall records of Chimney Swifts that are
later than occurrences possibly representing Vaux’s Swifts. Vaux’s and
Chimney swifts have also occurred at the same time in Louisiana
(Lowery 1939).
Chaetura swifts other than pelagica and vauxi may reach Florida.
Six other species in this genus occur in Mexico, Central America, and
the Caribbean (A.O.U. 1983). Antillean Palm Swifts (Tachornis phoe-
nicobia; Stevenson and Anderson 1994) and a White-collared Swift
{Streptoprocne zonaris) of the Mexican race (Hardy and Clench 1982)
have reached Florida, which suggests that other southerly swifts,
including those in the genus Chaetura, may be expected as well.
Acknowledgments
We thank David Herr for making his recordings available through LNS, Greg Bud-
ney and Andrea Priori of LNS for providing the Herr recordings, F. Gary Stiles for mak-
ing his recordings available through the BLA, Joe T. Marshall, Jr. and Michael A.
Wascher for making the sonogram in Figure 2, and Todd Engstrom, Walter K. Taylor,
and Mark Wimer for suggestions that improved the manuscript.
Literature Cited
American Ornithologists’ Union. 1983. Check-list of North American Birds. 6th ed,
Amer. Ornithol. Union, Washington, D.C.
Bull, E. L., and C. T. Collins. 1993. Vaux’s Swift {Chaetura vauxi). In The birds of
North America, No. 77. A. Poole and F. Gill, eds. Acad. Nat. Sci., Philadelphia; Amer.
Ornithol. Union, Washington, D.C.
Graves, G. R. 1981. First sight record of Vaux’s Swift in Florida. Fla. Field Nat. 9:67-68.
Hardy, J. W., and M. H. Clench. 1982. First United States specimen of the White-col-
lared Swift. Amer. Birds 36(2): 139-141.
Lowery, G. H., Jr. 1939. Vaux Swift in Louisiana. Wilson Bull. 51:199-201.
Lowery, G. H., Jr. 1974. Louisiana Birds. 3rd ed. La. State Univ. Press, Baton Rouge.
Mason, C. R., and N. D. Steffee. 1966. Banding party waits out Alma. Fla. Nat,
29:147-148.
Muschlitz, B. P., and C. N. Parenteau. 1994. Gainesville, Florida, Christmas Bird
Count. Natl. Aud. Soc. Field Notes 48:574-575.
Robertson, W. B., Jr., and G. E. Woolfenden. 1992. Florida Bird Species —An Anno-
tated List. Fla. Ornithol. Soc. Spec. Publ. No. 6, Gainesville.
Stevenson, H. M., and B. H. Anderson. 1994. The Birdlife of Florida. Univ. Press Fla.,
Gainesville.
Stiles, F. G., and A. F. Skutch. 1989. A Guide to the Birds of Costa Rica. Cornell Univ.
Press, Ithaca.
30
FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST
NOTES
Fla. Field Nat. 23(2): 30-32, 1995.
ASIATIC MARBLED MURRLET: FIRST SPRING
RECORD IN NORTH AMERICA
Barbara P. Muschlitz
4850 NW 20th Place, Gainesville, Florida 32605
In the afternoon of 16 March 1994, Tim Harris saw an unfamiliar bird in the boat
basin at Cedar Key, Levy County, Florida. He identified it as a Brachyramphus murrelet
on the basis of the white scapulars. He reported his find to me that evening, and I noti-
fied several birders. The next day by 0700 hours, John Hintermister, Dale Henderson,
Rex Rowan, and I were at the bridge over the channel that connected the boat basin to
the Gulf of Mexico. The murrelet soon came into the channel, where it dove repeatedly.
At times it was no farther than 5 m from us. The bird was white ventrally and deep
brown dorsally with white scapulars and white patches on the sides of the rump. The
dark brown cap came to just below the eye and extended almost straight down the side
of the neck. Small white crescents were visible above and below the eyes as were a pair
of whitish patches on the nape. The white feathers on the neck and breast above the
water line were tipped with brown, as if the bird were starting to molt into alternate
plumage.
The murrelet was photographed, videotaped, and seen by numerous observers regu-
larly through 28 March. Late that day in a corner of the boat basin, the bird appeared
“lethargic” {fide Dale Henderson). It was not seen subsequently.
The bird was identified as a Marbled Murrelet and referred to the Asian subspecies,
Brachyramphus marmoratus perdix, based on the entirely dark hind neck and the white
crescents above and below the eye. Also, the white patches on the nape were similar to
those on a Marbled Murrelet seen in October 1993 on the St. Lawrence River and
referred to B. m, perdix (Ridout 1994, Sibley 1993). Recently, Erickson et al. (1995)
examined specimens of Marbled Murrelets, including eight perdix, at the Museum of
Vertebrate Zoology, University of California, Berkeley (MVZ). Three characteristics
exhibited by all MVZ perdix were an entirely dark hindneck, a narrow band of black
below the eye, and limited black on the sides of the breast. The Cedar Key specimen
showed these field marks, although in dark brown instead of black. Only two MVZ per-
dix, but none of the North American subspecies, marmoratus, had pale nape patches.
Sealy et al. (1982, 1991) examined and measured 10 specimens of Marbled Murrelet
from interior and eastern North America, which had been found from November 1979 to
December 1986. All fit the criteria for the Asiatic subspecies, perdijc. Three sight records
were included in the summary (Sealy et al., 1991) of interior and eastern North America
for a total of 13 records through October 1989. Subsequently, a sight record of a Marbled
Murrelet in Iowa in December of 1991 (Dinsmore 1993), the St. Lawrence River sighting
in October 1993, and a specimen (UCF#2081, Stevenson and Anderson 1994) salvaged
on Mullet Key, Pinellas County, Florida, on 4 December 1993, increased the records to
16. The Cedar Key bird is the 17th record for North America. All previous records for
perdix in North America occurred in late July through early September and late October
through December, The Cedar Key murrelet is the first spring record for North America,
the third record for Florida, and the first observation of a live bird for Florida. The first
Florida record was a specimen found recently dead on Honeymoon Island, Pinellas
County, during the 1986 Christmas Bird Count (Hoffman and Woolfenden 1988), and
Notes
31
Figure 1. Asiatic Marbled Murrelet at Cedar Key, Levy Co., Florida, 17 March
1994,
the second was the Mullet Key specimen. The locales where the three Florida Marbled
Murrelets were found, all on islands in the Gulf of Mexico, are within 175 km of each
other.
I thank Linda Cooper for the photograph. I also thank Robert Norton, Tom Webber,
Spencer Sealy, and H. R Langridge for their assistance in various ways. I am also grate-
ful to Wayne Hoffman, an anonymous referee, and to the Editor for constructive sugges-
tions. Color slides of the Cedar Key Marbled Murrelet have been submitted to the
Florida Ornithological Society Records Committee.
Literature Cited
Dinsmore, S. J. 1993. First record of a Marbled Murrelet for Iowa. Iowa Bird Life 63:1-
2.
Erickson, R. A., R. A. Hamilton, S. N. G. Howell, P. Pyle, and M. A. Patten. 1995.
First record of the Marbled Murrelet and third record of the Ancient Murrelet for
Mexico. Western Birds 26:39-45.
Hoffman, W., and G. E. Woolfenden. 1988. A specimen of the Asiatic Marbled Murre-
let from Florida. Florida Field Naturalist 16:37-38.
Ridout, R. 1994. Ontario Region. Amer. Birds. 48:103-107.
Sealy, S. G., H. R. Carter, and D. Alison. 1982. Occurrence of the Asiatic Marbled
Murrelet {Brachyramphus marmoratus perdix (Pallas)] in North America. Auk
99:778-781.
Sealy, S. G., H. R. Carter, W. D. Shuford, K. D. Powers, and C. A Chase III. 1991.
Long-distance vagrancy of the Asiatic Marbled Murrelet in North America, 1979-
1989. Western Birds 22:145-155.
32
FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST
Sibley, D. 1993. An Asiatic Marbled Murrelet in Ontario. Birders J. 2:276-277.
Stevenson, H. M., and B. H. Anderson. 1994. The Birdlife of Florida. Univ. Press of
Florida, Gainesville.
The Florida Ornithological Society
is Proud to Announce Special Publication No. 6
FLORIDA BIRD SPECIES: AN ANNOTATED LIST
BY
William B. Robertson, Jr.
Glen E. Woolfenden
The first complete and authoritative review of Florida’s avifauna since
Arthur Howell’s 1932 Florida Bird Life. Treats over 660 species reported in
the state. More than 140 species of non-native exotics. Essential for every-
one interested in the modern status of Florida’s native and introduced
birds.
SOFT COVER HARD COVER
FOS Members $14.95 $19.95
Non-Members $17.95 $22.95
All orders add $2.00 shipping and handling per book.
Florida residents add 7% sales tax to the total.
Make checks payable to Florida Ornithological Society.
Mail to:
RO.S. SPECIAL PUBLICATIONS EDITOR
ARCHBOLD BIOLOGICAL STATION
P.O. BOX 2057
LAKE PLACID, FL 33862
Notes
33
Fla. Field Nat. 23(2): 33-34, 1995.
TOOL USE BY BROWN-HEADED NUTHATCHES IN TWO FLORIDA
SLASH PINE FORESTS
Bill Pranty
Archbold Biological Station,
Venus, Florida 33960
Morse (1968) described Brown-headed Nuthatches {Sitta pusilla) in Tangipahoa Par-
ish, Louisiana, methodically using pieces of pine bark to pry off other flakes of bark, pre-
sumably to expose prey hiding underneath. Although he observed the behavior on many
occasions in fall 1963, winter 1963-1964, and fall 1964, no similar observations were
published during the next two decades, which caused Ehrlich et al. (1988:437-439) to
wonder if the behavior was highly localized. Here, I report on two instances of tool use
by Brown-headed Nuthatches from different areas in peninsular Florida, and briefly
discuss other recent reports of nuthatches using tools.
On 10 October 1987, while birding in the J. B. Starkey Wilderness Park in western
Pasco County, I watched a Brown-headed Nuthatch land on the trunk of a living slash
pine (Pinus elliottii) with a flake of bark about 2x2 cm in size in its bill. Using the flake
as a wedge, the nuthatch pried another flake of bark off the trunk. It briefly investigated
the exposed surface but then flew off, with the bark flake still in its bill.
On 8 December 1993, while surveying for Red-cockaded Woodpeckers {Picoides bore-
alis) on the Walter Johnson Ranch in southern Highlands County, I again observed a
Brown-headed Nuthatch using a flake of pine bark about 2x2 cm in size to pry another
flake off the trunk of a living slash pine. This time the technique was apparently suc-
cessful, as the nuthatch dropped the flake from its bill and appeared to capture a small
insect from the trunk. Although I watched this bird forage for another two minutes, I
did not observe additional instances of tool use.
On three occasions in November 1989, Peter Yaukey (pers. comm.) observed Brown-
headed Nuthatches near Athens, Georgia, using bark flakes to conceal seeds cached in
the bark of shortleaf pines (P. echinata) and loblolly pines (P. taeda), a behavior also
noted in the White-breasted Nuthatch (S. carolinensis) (Kilham 1974 and Petit et al.
1989 in Pravosudov and Grubb 1993). In October 1994, Jay Withgott (pers. comm.)
observed Brown-headed Nuthatches in Ouchita National Forest, Arkansas, twice carry-
ing bark flakes and once what appeared to be a cone bract from a shortleaf pine,
although use of these implements was not observed.
Steve Russell (pers. comm.) et al. once observed a Pygmy Nuthatch (S. pygmaea) in
the Chiracahua Mountains in Arizona use a twig to probe crevices of a pine. As S. pyg-
maea and S. pusilla constitute a superspecies (A.O.U. 1983:519-520), it is not surprising
that both species may occasionally use tools.
Three points about the two Florida observations deserve specific mention. The
nuthatches watched by Morse (1968) foraged on longleaf pines (P. palustris) and the
Florida birds foraged on slash pines. Flakes of bark can be removed easily from both of
these pine species. In Louisiana, Morse also watched nuthatches forage on loblolly pines
and spruce pines (P. glabra), but observed no use of bark flakes as tools. He attributed
this to characteristics of the bark of these two species, from which flakes cannot be
removed as easily.
To date, the few observations of tool use by Brown-headed Nuthatches are restricted
to fall and winter. Morse suggested that a poor crop of pine seeds, which becomes avail-
able in the fall and which constitutes a major portion of the nuthatches’ diet, may cause
the birds to use tools to increase their foraging efficiency for insects.
34
FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST
Lastly, the observations of tool use in Florida and elsewhere, as well as a similar
observation in a congener, suggest that tool use is widespread in the Brown-headed
Nuthatch.
I thank Steve Russell, Jay Withgott, and Peter Yaukey for sharing their data, and
Glen Woolfenden, Cameron Ghalambor, Keith Tarvin, Walter Taylor, Jay Withgott, and
an anonymous reviewer for commenting on earlier drafts of the manuscript.
Literature Cited
American Ornithologists’ Union. 1983. Check-list of North American Birds, 6th ed.
Amer. Ornithol. Union, Washington, D.C.
Ehrlich, P. R., D. S. Dobkin, and D. Wheye. 1988. The Birder’s Handbook: A Field
Guide to the Natural History of North American Birds. Simon and Schuster, New
York.
Morse, D. H. 1968. The use of tools by Brown-headed Nuthatches. Wilson Bull. 80:220-
224.
Pravosudov, V. V., and T. C. Grubb, Jr. 1993. White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolin-
ensis). In The Birds of North America, No. 54. A. Poole and F. Gill, eds. Acad, of Nat-
ural Sciences. Philadelphia, PA.; Amer. Ornithol. Union. Washington, D.C.
Notes
35
Fla. Field Nat. 23(2): 35-35, 1995.
SIGHTING OF MASKED DUCK DUCKLINGS IN FLORIDA
Margaret Coon Bowman
R O. Box 783, Wabasso, Florida 32970
The Masked Duck {Oxyura dominica) is a tropical resident of northern South Amer-
ica, Middle America, Greater Antilles, Lesser Antilles, and the Gulf Coast of Texas
(A.O.U. 1993:97). From 1955 to the mid-1980s the bird has been regularly seen in Flor-
ida especially at Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge (LNWR) and the Keys (Robert-
son and Woolfenden 1992:46; Kale and Maehr 1990:53) Nesting has been suspected, but
not proven.
On 11 February 1977atll30I was birding on the marsh trail at LNWR and chanced
upon a group of Masked Ducks. There was a bright-rusty male with black face and
bright-blue bill, a brown female with a two-striped cheek, and four small brownish
ducklings with a dark horizontal streak on the pale cheek. The ducklings were about the
size of the traditional Easter chick.
I first observed the group in a grassy weedy pond alongside the trail when I was with
8 m of them. When they saw me approach, they did not dive nor fly; rather they quietly
slipped out-of-sight into the nearby aquatic vegetation.
It is likely that the ducklings had hatched in the heavily vegetated shallow pond
where they were feeding when I found them. Many acres of suitable nesting and feeding
areas lay within the surrounding dikes.
There is no reported eclipse plumage for Oxyura dominica (Kortright 1962:372;
Palmer 1976:519). The Masked Duck drake is thought to lose his brilliant color during
the postnuptial molt in autumn, as does the Ruddy {Oxyura jamaicensis). This explains
why the male exhibited the breeding plumage and bright soft parts.
The presence of flightless young is evidence of the first verified nesting for the
Masked Duck in Florida.
I thank the Editor and an anonymous referee for helpful critical comments on the
manuscript.
Literature Cited
American Ornithologists’ Union. 1983. Check-list of North American Birds. 6th ed.
Amer. Ornithol. Union, Washington, D.C.
Kale, H. W., II, and D. S. Maehr. 1990. Florida’s Birds. Pineapple Press, Sarasota,
Florida.
Kortright, F. H. 1962. Ducks, Geese and Swans of North America. Stackpole Co., Har-
risburg, Pennsylvania.
Palmer, R. S. 1976. Handbook of North American Birds, Vol. 3. Yale Univ. Press, New
Haven.
Robertson, W. B., Jr., and G. E. Woolfenden. 1992. Florida Bird Species— An Anno-
tated List. Fla. Ornithol, Soc. Spec. Publ. No. 6, Gainesville, Florida.
36
FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST
REVIEW
Fla. Field Nat. 23(2): 36-37, 1995.
Shadowbirds, A Quest for Rails— William Burt, 1994. New York, Lyons & Bur-
ford, 172 p.— This book, the author’s first, relates in somewhat overly-crafted prose,
many of his experiences in searching out and photographing rails. His stories of finding,
and not finding. Black and Yellow rails are the main threads to Mr, Burt’s book. Inter-
spersed are essays about the natural history of other North American rails and about
two late-19th century oologists. Judge John N. Clark and Reverend R B, Peabody. Chap-
ters dealing with Black Rails occupy 41 pages, while 94 pages address his adventures
with Yellow Rails. Mr. Burt is a professional photographer and his excellent photo-
graphs are a highlight of the book. His photograph of a Black Rail on its nest, peering-
out with fiery red eyes, is the best photo of this species I have ever seen. Among other
photographs that I found especially pleasing were the Virginia Rail on nest and the
singing Sedge Wren.
This book is written in the genre of popular natural history. It will appeal vastly
more to birders with a background in the humanities, rather than in science, or engi-
neering for that matter. Rails are “awkward, and undeveloped looking creatures” that
are “prowlers in places of mud and shadow.” The night air is “heavy, sweet with honey-
suckle: rounded tops of loblolly pine stand dark against a moon-bright sky.” One marsh
“is hellish in the light of day... endless, pointless, lifeless.” The Black Rail is a “magician”
and “wizard.” The Yellow Rail “threads its way through grass with the fluency of a
snake.” I think these quotes give you a taste of Mr. Burt’s prose. There are a number of
interesting stories in the book, perhaps the best of which are Mr. Burt’s search for the
“Big Coulee” in North Dakota where Reverend Peabody was successful in finding a
number of Yellow Rail nests, and the disappearance of Peabody’s 5,000 page manu-
script, Nesting Ways of North American Birds. Mr. Burt located Peabody’s effects in a
museum in Kansas, but only the index and endword of the manuscript were among
them.
As far as Florida is concerned, there is little of specific interest to be found, as in his
rail adventures Mr. Burt seems to have seldom strayed below the Mason-Dixon line. His
stories do seem to support the possibility that Black Rails along the mid-Atlantic coast
are much more strictly nocturnal than the species is in Florida, He states “Not once in
all my slogging daylight hours have I glimpsed anything, ever, that could have been a
black rail.” I have been told by a well-known rail researcher from Maryland that he has
never heard nor seen the species except at night, and that it is almost pointless to
search for them during nights with bright moonlight. The habits of this species in Flor-
ida seem much different. It is not uncommon to hear calling birds during the daylight
hours and I have, on numerous occasions, flushed them during the day. It also seems
likely that this species sometimes may roost through the night in Florida (M. Legare,
pers. comm.).
Notice that I have not mentioned the word “science” so far in this review. Do not
expect to find any significant scientific insights in this book. In fact, Mr. Burt is very
clearly not fond of modern science and he declares a “perversity” concerning it. He asks
“how chill is reasoning that sacrifices wild, rare, living birds to the gain of nothing more
inspired than data,” and he decries “the arid scientese of ornithology usual today.” His
scorn also falls on a number of other subjects. Among these are the National Wildlife
Refuges that are “just open-air museums. Or cageless zoos...;” resort beaches with
“gaudy young girls [that] parade in the street in colored bunches, like balloons...;” and
cruising teen-agers who are “automotive yahoos... flaccid, formless characters.”
Review
37
Should you add this book to your collection, or even bother reading it? Probably not,
unless you have a special interest in rails or bird-related literature. If you fall into
either of these two categories you will find the book a good read. —Noel Warner, 502
East Georgia St., Tallahassee, Florida 32303.
38
FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST
RECORDS COMMITTEE REPORT
Fla. Field Nat. 23(2): 38-43, 1995.
Eleventh Report of the Florida Ornithological Society Records Committee:
1993.— The Florida Ornithological Society Records Committee (FOSRC) critically
reviews all written sight reports and specimen and/or photographic records (including
audio recordings) submitted to it to determine the validity of these reports. The Com-
mittee’s findings are published annually in the Florida Field Naturalist. Details for 20
reports were received in 1993; 2 reports were not reviewed because the Committee
believes that the occurrence of those species in Florida has been sufficiently established
to warrant no further review. Two other reports, Allen’s Hummingbird (Selasphorus
sasin; 93-267) and Iceland Gull {Larus glaucoides; 93-277), remain in “still under con-
sideration” status. In addition to the remaining 16 reports, the Committee voted on 2
reports that had been in “still under consideration” status since 1991; 14 (78%) were
accepted and 4 (22%) were not. One species was removed from hypothetical status and
added to the official Florida list of verified species bringing the total to 462 (see Robert-
son and Woolfenden 1992).
The Committee members and the expiration dates of their terms are as follows:
Bruce H. Anderson (1996), Lyn S. Atherton (1995), Jocel3m L. Baker (1993), Wayne Hoff-
man (1999), John W. Fitzpatrick (1997), Vaughn W. Morrison (1998), and William B.
Robertson, Jr. (1994).
In the February 1994 issue of the Florida Field Naturalist (22:21-23) is a list of bird
species that the Committee has deemed sufficiently rare or difficult to identify to sug-
gest FOSRC evaluation. Any species on this list should be documented by the observer
when reported. All observers are encouraged to submit these reports to the FOSRC,
including those intended for publication in the Florida Field Naturalist, National Audu-
bon Society Field Notes, or another publication.
While in the field, the observer should write a detailed description of all body parts,
including bill, legs, and feet, noting sizes, shapes and colors. Although a specimen or
photograph and vocal recording are optimal, a drawing/sketch of the bird and vocal
descriptions are beneficial. Behavioral traits and the habitat should be detailed. It is
necessary to describe how all other similar species were eliminated (e.g., members of the
genus Myiarchus), not only those known or suspected to occur in Florida, but also any
similar species that could possibly stray here. All observations should be submitted on
the standard report form that is available from the Secretary. In addition to uniformity,
the report form provides the Committee and the observer with guidelines to those fac-
tors used by the FOSRC for its evaluation. Completed forms with supporting materials
should be submitted to the Secretary.
An accepted report requires the unanimous vote of all Committee members. When a
report is accepted, it gains status on the official Florida state list (Robertson and Wool-
fenden 1992). A species or race new to the state is given full status only when its natural
occurrence is probable, and there is a supporting specimen or photograph (and for some
species, audio recording); otherwise, it is given hypothetical status. When a report is not
accepted, it does not necessarily mean that the species or form was not correctly identi-
fied. Sometimes a sighting is too brief or the written account lacks sufficient details to
eliminate all possibilities. The Committee will reconsider a report if additional informa-
tion is submitted that the Committee believes could alter a previous decision. All docu-
mentation is deposited in the FOS Archives at the Florida Museum of Natural History,
Gainesville.
The FOSRC was established in 1981. Published reports of unusual sightings that
have not been submitted to the Committee (either before or since 1981) have been given
varying degrees of scrutiny by the various editors. Recently, Robertson and Woolfenden
Records Committee Report
39
(1992) and Stevenson and Anderson (1994) have evaluated many of the unusual sight-
ings not evaluated by the Committee. At this time the FOSRC has made no commitment
to review reports that have been published prior to 1993 and those that have not been
submitted to it.
Each species that appears in this report is listed according to the A.O.U. (1983)
check-list and its supplements through 1994. The number of published reports (includ-
ing verifiable records) through 1993 for each species or race is given after the species
name; these numbers follow Robertson and Woolfenden (1992) unless otherwise stated.
Each account includes the initials of the contributor! s) for accepted reports only, the
FOSRC catalog number for the report, and abbreviations for any supporting materials.
Following the account of each species is a listing of catalog numbers for other reports
that have been considered previously by the FOSRC.
Abbreviations used in this report are: AB~American Birds; FFN=Florida Field Nat-
uralist; NWR=national wildlife refuge; P=photo; S-specimen; SP=state park;
SRA=state recreation area); S&A=Stevenson & Anderson 1994; UCF=Univ. of Central
Florida; and V=video. Also, contributors are identified by their initials.
The Committee expresses its thanks to David S. Lee who critically reviewed the doc-
umentation for the South Polar Skua, M. Ralph Browning of the National Museum of
Natural History who kindly loaned the Committee specimens of the Brown-chested
Martin, P. William Smith who provided helpful comments on the Brown-chested Martin
and Thick-billed Vireo reports, Walter Kingsley Taylor for his helpful suggestions with
earlier drafts of this manuscript, and Tom Webber who maintains and provides access to
the FOS Archives at the Florida Museum of Natural History. Contributors to this report
are Bruce H. Anderson, Lyn S. Atherton, Richard Bowen, James E. Cavanagh, Robert A.
Duncan, Gloria Hunter, Howard W. Langridge, Paul M. McKenzie, Joseph Ondrejko,
Robert Sargent, Ira F. Weigley, Allan Strong, and Alan Wormington.
Accepted Reports
Common Eider, Somateria mollissima: 16 reports, not all have been evaluated (S&A).
First reported on 3 February 1993 (AB 47:250), a male in its third winter was
described from an observation made on 21 February 1993 from the Nassau River
Bridge at highway ALA (Duval-Nassau counties line;PM;93-269). Photos v/ere taken
by other observers but were not submitted to the Committee. There were reports
that this bird remained in the area into the spring {fide Peggy Powell), but the last
date that the bird was observed has not been published. (Previously accepted, 82-
014, 92-262. Common Eider reports will no longer be reviewed by FOSRC).
Hudsonian Godwit, Limosa haemastica: 37 reports, not all have been evaluated (S&A).
One in basic plumage was first reported from St. Marks NWR (Wakulla Co.) on 8
December 1992 (RAD,JEC;P;V;93-265); the bird was last seen on 3 January 1993
(AB 47:251). This is the only 1 verified of 3 winter reports for this species in Florida.
(Previously accepted, 83-055, 87-112. Hudsonian Godwit reports will no longer be
reviewed by FOSRC).
South Polar Skua, Catharacta maccormicki: 18 reports of Catharacta species, proba-
bly 8 of them are credible; 3 of these reports have referred to this species (S&A). This
species was removed from the hypothetical status when 1 was found by Mary Wilson
on 17 June 1993 about 8 km south of Melbourne Beach along highway ALA (Brevard
Co.), in a weakened condition. This intermediate morph was examined at the home
of rehabilitators, Jerry and Pat Loll of Indialantic, where it was photographed and
measured on 3 July 1993 (BHA;V;P;93-275). This was the second report of a skua in
Florida during the summer. (Previously accepted, 82-024; previously not accepted,
83-030, 83-056).
40
FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST
Iceland Gull, Lams glaucoides: more than 30 reports, not all evaluated; Florida sta-
tus is poorly understood because most reports have not included critically detailed
descriptions or photos, and there is only 1 known specimen for Florida (S&A). A first-
year bird was observed on 10 March 1993 resting and in flight at a lake east of Pow-
erline Road, 500 m north of Sample Road in Pompano Beach (Broward Co.;RB;P;93-
270).
Razorbill, Alca torda: 10 reports, including 7 specimens (S&A). Two Razorbills, an
adult (sex unknown) and an immature female, were found moribund at St. August-
ine (St. Johns Co.) on 9 February 1993 by Bob King of Marineland of Florida. The
adult recovered after 4 or 5 months, and was banded and released {fide Tom Pear-
row); the immature died on 11 February 1993 (BHA;93-282;S:UCF 2080). There is 1
other record for St. Johns Co. (S&A). (Previously accepted, 85-089).
Marbled Murrelet, Brachyramphus marmoratus: 2 (S&A; third and fourth records
occurred in 1994). A specimen in good condition was salvaged on 4 December 1993 by
Ken Christensen of St. Petersburg. The murrelet was approximately 1.8 km north of
Gulf Pier on North Beach, Mullet Key (Pinellas Co.). The specimen, a female with
the skull not ossified and the ovary without enlarged ova, was taken to the Ft. DeS-
oto Park headquarters. Later the bird was presented to Brooks H. Atherton
(BHA;P;S:UCF 2081;93-281). Based on a culmen length of 2.0 cm and distinct white
ocular markings, the specimen was identified as B. m. perdix. This female is appar-
ently the 16th report of the Asiatic form for North America {fide Barbara Muschlitz)
and the second for Florida. The first Florida record occurred about 50 km to the
north at Honeymoon Island SRAon 27 December 1986 (87-118).
Lesser Nighthawk, Chordeiles acutipennis: about 20 reports, not all evaluated (S&A).
A male was observed perched and in flight on 28 April 1992 on St. George Island
(Franklin Co.;JC;P;93-271). One adult male and 2 adult or immature females were
seen in flight on 13 November 1992 and perhaps the same 2 females on 14 November
1992, at the “mulberry tree area” at Ft. DeSoto Park (Pinellas Co.;LSA;93-267).
There were 2, 1993 reports published: details of 1 seen on St. George Island on 23
April {FFN 21:125) were not submitted to the Committee; details of several birds
seen at ENP, in December 1993 were received by the Committee in 1994. (Previously
accepted, 83-052, 88-146, 89-164; previously not accepted, 85-086, 90-200).
Buff-Bellied Hummingbird, Amazilia yucatanensis: 8 reports including 2 photo-
graphed (S&A). A hatching-year bird, perhaps a female, was observed, captured, and
photographed between 5 and 9 November 1993 in Destin (Okaloosa Co.;RS;93-
280;P). All diagnostic features are evident in the photos. This represents the fourth
report for the western Panhandle (S&A). (Previously accepted, 83-036, 90-196, 90-
198; previously not accepted, 88-131).
LaSagra'S Flycatcher, Myiarchus sagrae: 14 reports, not all evaluated (S&A). One
was seen on 9 April 1993 (AW;P;93-274); presumably the same individual was
observed again on 30 May 1993 (B. Hope fide HPL) at John D. MacArthur SP (Palm
Beach Co.). Details were not submitted for 1 seen at the Dry Tortugas on 2-8 {FFN
21:125) or 5-8 May 1993 {AB 47: 407, 468 P). (Previously accepted, 83-028, 83-033,
85-078, 87-129, 88-134, 88-157).
Brown-Chested Martin, Phaeoprogne tapera: 1 report. One bird was observed
perched and in flight, ca. 32 km south of Belle Glade (Palm Beach Co.) on 24 October
1991 (HPL,GSH;91-248); the martin was with Northern Rough-winged Swallows
{Stelgidopteryx serripennis). All diagnostic field marks were noted except for the
dark median line of feathers extending from the breast band down to the belly that is
described and illustrated in most field guides, and which is typical of the migratory
race, P. t. fusca, the most likely form to find its way to the U.S. After examining spec-
imens and reviewing comments and correspondence from committee member John
Fitzpatrick, Paul Donahue and F. Gary Stiles, all of whom are familiar with this spe-
Records Committee Report
41
cies on its breeding grounds, it was determined that those markings on immature
birds of that race may be lacking or not noticeable in the field. Because the bird was
neither collected nor photographed, it remains in hypothetical status in Appendix A
(see Langridge and Hunter 1993).
Townsend’s Warbler, Dendroica townsendi: 11 reports; 7 accepted, including 4 photo-
graphed (these numbers include 2 other individuals seen later in 1993, details which
were submitted to FOSRC in 1994; S&A). A first-year male was observed on 13 Sep-
tember 1992, on the west side of Elliott Key about 200 m south of the campground
(Dade Co.; AS;P;93-266). All 4 accepted fall reports for Florida have occurred on or
between 11 and 15 September. (Previously accepted, 83-029,83-047, 85-088; previ-
ously not accepted, 81-001, 85-071).
Kirtland’S Warbler, Dendroica kirtlandii: 18 reports including 1 specimen; not all
evaluated (S&A). A male was observed on 22 April 1993 on Jungle Trail about 100 m
north of County Road 510, on Orchid Island (Indian River Co.; IFW;93-273). (Previ-
ously accepted, 82-025; previously not accepted, 82-015, 89-126).
Black-faced Grassquit, Tiaris bicolor: 4 specimens and ca. 10 sight reports (S&A). An
adult male was found on 6 May 1993 perched on a utility wire about 50 m south of
the entry gates on Government Road, Key West (Monroe Co.;JAO;93-272). Details of
another male grassquit seen north of Homestead (Dade Co.) on 26 March 1993 were
reported as having been submitted to the Committee (FFN 21:127), but were never
received. (Previously accepted, 87-126; previously not accepted, 88-145, 89-161, 91-
251).
Reports Not Accepted
Pacific Loon, Gavia pacifica: 17 reports, 3 not accepted (S&A). A lone bird in basic
plumage was described from an observation made on 28 November 1992 off City
Park on Cedar Key (Levy Co.;93-268). The report was not accepted because some
members were unable to exclude the Arctic (G. arctica) or Common (G. immer) loons.
In addition, some members did not believe that the throat strap was one typical of
pacifica as described by the observer, nor that the lighting was optimum during the
observation. Another Pacific Loon was reported in the area at about the same time
{fide LSA); however, that report was never published nor were the details submitted
to the Committee. One was reported at Siesta Key (Sarasota Co.), 1-8 January 1992
{FFN 20:82), and published as “details to FOSRC,” however, none have been
received. (Previously accepted, 83-048, 84-060, 87-110, 88-160, 90-215, 92-261; previ-
ously not accepted, 90-205. Pacific Loon reports will no longer be reviewed by
FOSRC).
Ferruginous Hawk, Buteo regalis: 9 reports, 3 or 4 accepted (S&A). Two observers
independently observed and identified a hawk as this species at Cedar Key (Levy
Co.), on 1 and 2 October 1993 (93-278). Each observer submitted documentation, but
neither described the dorsal aspects of the bird, the tarsi, nor the shapes or relative
proportions of the wings and tail. Neither observer indicated if Krider’s form of the
Red-tailed Hawk {B. jamaicensis krideri) was considered before making the identifi-
cation. This race has been observed in Florida and is a possibility because neither
observer noted rust coloration on the tarsi (“leggings”), and neither had any prior
experience with the Ferruginous Hawk. (Previously accepted, 84-059, 86-093; previ-
ously not accepted, 85-072, 87-127, 87-128, 88-135, 88-150).
Cuban Emerald, Chlorostilbon ricordii: 14 sight reports, no photos or specimens
(S&A). A female was observed on 5 and 6 May 1991 at Mahogany Hammock, Ever-
glades National Park (Monroe Co.; 91-228); the bird was reported by others on 4 and
7 May (FFN 19:129). The detailed description of 1 observer accords well with a
42
FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST
female Chlorostilbon; however, some members believed that not all other species in
the genus could be eliminated.
Thick-billed Vireo, Vireo crassirostris: 12 reports, not all have been evaluated (S&A).
A vireo was observed on Snake Bight Trail, Everglades National Park (Monroe Co.),
for about 30 minutes on 27 May 1993. The individual was viewed as close as 3 m
under both cloudy and sunny skies (93-279). The description of the head and ventral
plumages accords well with some individuals of this Bahamian and West Indian spe-
cies. However, the description included an all dark bill; the Thick-billed Vireo nor-
mally has a pale bill. The variable resident and migrant White-eyed Vireos (V
griseus) sometime have an all dark bill and sometime retain the dark irises of the
immature as adults (S&A). There is 1 other report of this species in Everglades
National Park; 1 seen from 28 December 1980 to 21 January 1991, but its identity
was never confirmed. The Thick-billed belongs to a large and poorly understood com-
plex of mostly tropical and subtropical insular vireos that includes the White-eyed.
Some forms have been designated as races and others as full species. Of all the forms
in this complex, other than the White-eyed, the Thick-billed resides closest to Florida
and would be the most likely one to occur here. However, an observer must exclude
all other possibilities that could occur in Florida when identifying any species out of
its normal range. This would include almost every form of vireo that is resident in
the Caribbean. Even a detailed description of the individual may not be sufficient to
eliminate all possibilities and whenever possible, a specimen or clear photos (or
video), and an audio recording should support the identification. The Committee did
not receive details for the only other 1993 report of this species: 1 seen on Boot Key
(Monroe Co.) on 3-10 October {FFN 22:65). (Previously accepted, 89-179, 90-202, 91-
226; not previously accepted, 88-151).
Reports Not Evaluated
Swainson’S Hawk, Buteo swainsoni: regular winter resident in south Florida, rare in
north Florida mostly in fall (S&A). An immature that had been shot in the wing was
found in Leon Co. and taken to the St. Francis Wildlife Association, Inc., Havana,
FL, for rehabilitation. The bird was found in December 1991 and released in August
1992 (JEC;P). This represents the first confirmed record for the Panhandle.
LeConte’S Sparrow, Ammodramus lecontei: rare winter resident throughout the Flor-
ida mainland (S&A). One was seen from 17 March through 5 May 1992 at the end of
Route 361 (Dixie Co.,JEC,P).
Literature Cited
American Ornithologists’ Union. 1983. Check-list of North American Birds, 6th ed.
Amer. Ornithol. Union, Washington, D.C.
Langridge, H. P., and G. Hunter. 1993. Probable sighting of a Brown-chested Martin
in Palm Beach County, Florida. Fla. Field Nat. 21:18-19.
Robertson, W. B., Jr., and G. E. Woolfenden. 1992. Florida Bird Species: An Anno-
tated List. Fla. Ornithol. Soc. Special Publ. No. 6.
Stevenson, H. M., and B. H. Anderson. 1994. The Birdlife of Florida. Univ. Press of
Florida, Gainesville.
FOS Records Committee report prepared by: Bruce H. Anderson (Secretary), 2917
Scarlet Road, Winter Park, Florida 32792. Other committee members are: Lyn S,
Atherton, 1100 Pinellas Bayway 1-3, Tierra Verde, Florida 33715; Jocelyn L. Baker,
851 North Surf Road, #302, Hollywood, Florida 33019; John W. Fitzpatrick, Archbold
Records Committee Report
43
Biological Station, RO. Box 2057, Lake Placid, Florida 33852; Wayne Hoffman,
National Audubon Society Research Department, 115 Indian Mound Trail, Tavernier,
Florida 33070; Vaughn W. Morrison, 6901 23rd Street South, St. Petersburg, Florida
33712; and William B. Robertson, Jr,, South Florida Research Center, Everglades
National Park, Box 279, Homestead, Florida 33030.
44
FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST
FIELD OBSERVATIONS
Fla. Field Nat. 23(2): 44-56, 1995.
Fall Report: August-November 1994— The observations listed here are based on
rare or unusual species or significant numbers of birds reported to the Florida Ornitho-
logical Society (FOS) Field Observations Committee (FOC). These reports are not for-
mally reviewed prior to publication.
Significant reports are welcomed for inclusion in future issues of this section.
Reports should include the following information: species, number of individuals, age
and sex of the bird(s), color morph if applicable, location (including county), date,
observer(s), and significance of the report. Reporting periods are winter (December-Feb-
ruary), spring (March-May), summer (June-July), and fall (August-November). Submit
reports to regional compilers within 2 weeks after the close of each period, or to the
state compiler within 1 month. Reports may be sent by FAX to the state compiler at
(813) 699-1927.
Following the examples set by Florida Bird Species: An Annotated List (Robertson
and Woolfenden 1992, FOS Spec. Publ. No. 6) and The Birdlife of Florida (Stevenson
and Anderson 1994, Univ. Press of Florida), sight-only observations are considered
“reports,” while only those supported by verifiable evidence (photographs, video or audio
tapes, or specimens) are called “records.” Anderson and Baker {Fla. Field Nat. 22:21-23,
1994) recently published the list of birds for which the FOS Records Committee requires
documentation. These species are marked in this report with an asterisk (*) to alert the
observers of their need to supply the FOSRC with details of their sightings.
A county designation accompanies the first-time listing of each site in this report;
further listings of the same site lack the county name. Abbreviations used are as fol-
lows: ABS^^Archbold Biological Station {Highlands), ca. -circa, CNS=Canaveral
National Seashore {Volusia), CP=county park, FDCP=Fort DeSoto CP {Pinellas),
FOSRC^FOS Records Committee, FWBSF=Fort Walton Beach spray fields {Okaloosa),
NP=national park; NWR=national wildlife refuge, PPM=Polk phosphate mines, R&W
1992=Robertson and Woolfenden 1992, S&A 1994-Stevenson and Anderson 1994,
SP=state park, SRA=state recreation area, and N, S, E, W for compass directions.
For their assistance with this report, the state compiler thanks Noel Warner, the fall
editor for National Audubon Society Field Notes, and Bruce Anderson for supplying
information on species submitted to the FOSRC.
Summary of the Fall Season
Above-average rainfall continued from the spring and summer into the fall months.
Bob Duncan reported that increased water levels turned the Fort Walton Beach waste
water spray fields into a fresh water marsh. Many significant reports were made at the
spray fields as a result, including Florida’s first White-faced Ibis record in almost 30
years. Another weather-related event this fall was Tropical Storm Beryl, which came
ashore in the eastern Panhandle on 15-16 August. Reports of Magnificent Frigatebirds
and Bridled and Sooty terns received from Franklin and Wakulla counties, and the
state’s earliest report of American Wigeon may have all been related to the storm.
Two major fallouts of migrant landbirds were noted in Pinellas County. At Fort
DeSoto Park, 29 warbler species were observed on 19-20 September, and on 1 October,
21 species were observed at John Chestnut County Park, and 20 species at Honeymoon
Island SRA. A “wave” of migrants was noted 1-2 October in the Homestead area also.
The sixth annual Boot Key hawk watch was held on 10 October. This year, 520
individuals representing 12 species were observed. The most noteworthy counts were 17
Field Observations
45
Cooper’s Hawks, 150 Broad-winged Hawks, and 119 Peregrine Falcons. Harry
Robinson’s ocean watches from Canaveral National Seashore on 28 October and 15
November produced 9 pelagic species, including Manx Shearwater, Leach’s Storm-
Petrel, South Polar Skua, Black-legged Kittiwake, and Sabine’s Gull! The first Florida
report of Smith’s Longspur occurred in Escambia County in October. Unfortunately, the
bird was not photographed or videotaped.
Other rarities reported this fall included Curlew Sandpiper, Long-tailed Jaeger,
Marbled Murrelet, Key West Quail-Dove, Lesser Nighthawk, White-collared Swift, Buff-
bellied Hummingbird, Alder Flycatcher, Ash-throated Flycatcher, La Sagra’s Flycatcher,
Northern Wheatear, “Bicknell’s Thrush,” Thick-billed Vireo, Warbling Vireo, Harris’
Sparrow, Lapland Longspur, Snow Bunting, and Bronzed Cowbird.
Two exotics were newly reported from the state: Silvery-cheeked Hornbill and Com-
mon Raven. This brings to 9 the number of exotics added to the state’s list in the 3 years
since the publication of Robertson and Woolfenden (1992).
Species Accounts
Pied-billed Grebe: 587 in PPM 6 Nov was the highest-ever Polk report (P. Fellers).
Eared Grebe: 1-3 at Okaloosa sewage treatment ponds 22 Aug through the period (B.
Duncan et al.) included the earliest-ever fall report (S&A 1994:23); 6 at Occidental
Wildlife Management Area {Hamilton) 10 Nov through the period (J. Krummrich); 1
in PPM 13 Nov (R Fellers); 1 at a Leon sewage treatment plant 18 Nov-12 Dec (G.
Menk, J. Cavanagh et al.); 2 at Air Products Sanctuary {Santa Rosa) 26 Nov (B. Mil-
more et al.)
Cory’s Shearwater: 1 off Cocoa Beach {Brevard) 25 Aug (L. Hopkins et al.); 1 off CNS
28 Oct, and 3 there 15 Nov (both H. Robinson).
Greater Shearwater: 1 off CNS 28 Oct (H. Robinson).
*Manx Shearwater: 2 off CNS 15 Nov (H. Robinson, details to FOSRC).
Audubon’s Shearwater: 3 off Alligator Point {Franklin) 16 Aug following Tropical
Storm Beryl (D. Evered, L. Messick).
Leach’S Storm-Petrel: 1 off CNS 15 Nov (H. Robinson).
Masked Booby: 5-10 at Dry Tortugas NP 1-3 Nov (W. B. Robertson).
Brown Booby: “several” at Dry Tortugas NP 1-3 Nov (W. B. Robertson).
Northern Gannet: 905 off CNS 15 Nov (H. Robinson).
American White Pelican: 70 over FDCP 29 Sep (M. Wilkinson); 750 in 1 flock flew E
over Dog Island {Franklin) 1 Nov (D. Evered, L. Messick); the species is becoming
regular in NE Florida (P. Powell), as was evident by 11 at Jacksonville {Duval) 13
Nov (R. Rowan), 4 at St. Augustine {St. Johns) 16 Nov (M. Davidson), and 15 at Fort
George Island {Duval) 28 Nov. (R. Clark).
Brown Pelican: the rookery at Lanark Reef, listed in the summer 1994 report, con-
tained a few nestlings to 1 Sep (R. West). This was the first Franklin breeding report
since 1860 (S&A 1994:41).
Magnificent Frigatebird: 2 reports related to Tropical Storm Beryl 16 Aug: 7 at St.
Marks NWR (Wakulla) (J, Cavanagh) and 4 at Alligator Point (D. Evered, L. Mes-
sick); 3 over Tyndall Air Force Base (Bay) 17 Sep were irregular there (T. Menart, H.
Loftin, M. Garland, J. Lebowski); 570 off FDCP 9 Oct (H. Robinson); 1 inland over
Loxahatchee NWR (Palm Beach) 4 Nov following strong E winds (F. Broerman); 5 s
of Florida City {Dade) 16 Nov, following Tropical Storm Gilbert (D. Bryan).
American Bittern: 1 at Duda Farms, S of South Bay {Palm Beach) 13 Aug (M. McMil-
lian) was very early of summering; 2 off CNS 1 Oct (H. Robinson).
Reddish Egret: 1 at West Lake Park {Broward) 30 Aug was unusual there (J. Baker).
White Ibis: 1000 in a pasture at Christmas {Orange) 17 Nov (D. Bryan).
46
FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST
Glossy Ibis: 2 at FWBSF 22 Sep-22 Nov (B. Duncan et al.) were of casual occurrence in
fall; 330 in PPM 11 Nov (P. Fellers).
*White-FACED Ibis: 1 adult with “bright ruby-red” eyes at FWBSF 26 Oct-22 Nov (B.
Duncan, P. Tetlow, C. Dorgan et aL, video by N. Warner 19 Nov to FOSRC) was the
first Florida record since 1966 (S&A 1994:82).
Roseate Spoonbill: among many inland reports were 60 at Duda Farms 13 Aug (ABS
group, G. Hunter) and 28 at Loxahatchee NWR 22 Sep (F. Broerman, W. Thomas).
Wood Stork: 1000 at Duda Farms 13 Aug (G. Hunter, ABS group).
Greater Flamingo: 19 at Snake Bight, Everglades NP {Dade and/or Monroe) 22 Nov
(L. Manfredi), and 22 (all but 1-2 “bright” adults) there 26 Nov (P. W. and S. Smith,
D. Evered, L. Messick).
Fulvous Whistling-DucK: 2200 at Duda Farms 27 Aug (B. Hope, M. Ginsberg); 2 at
FWBSF 7 Nov was only the 8th regional report (B. Duncan, D. Coates).
Snow Goose: 4 blue morphs in SW Brevard 6 Oct (K. Vulinec, D. Mellow); 8 blue
morphs off CNS 28 Oct (H. Robinson); 6 blue morphs over Winter Park {Orange) 8
Nov (H. Robinson); 1 adult blue morph at Myakka River SP {Sarasota) 20 Nov (B.
Pranty, E. Inigo-Elias, M. McMillian, A. Fleischer),
Mallard: 3 at Merritt Island NWR 30 Sep (H. Robinson).
Northern Pintail: 1 female at Air Products Sanctuary 5 Sep (B. Milmore) was the ear-
liest-ever regional report {fide B. Duncan); 2 at FWBSF 7 Sep (B. Duncan, P. Tetlow);
5 in E Broward 30 Oct (J. Baker).
Blue-winged Teal: 2000 at Duda Farms 27 Aug (B. Hope, M. Ginsberg); 1050 at
FWBSF 12 Oct was the region’s highest-ever count (B. Duncan); 200+ in E Broward
30 Oct (J. Baker); 1000 in PPM 13 Nov (P. Fellers).
Cinnamon Teal: 1 male at St. Marks NWR 5 Nov through the period (T. Johnson, J.
Reinman et al.).
Northern Shoveler: 3 at FWBSF 7 Sep was the earliest-ever regional report (B. Dun-
can, P. Tetlow); 6 in E Broward 30 Oct (J. Baker).
Gadwall: 36 in PPM 13 Nov (P. Fellers).
American Wigeon: 20 at Southwood Farm {Leon) 16 Aug (D. Evered, L. Messick), possi-
bly related to Tropical Storm Beryl, was the earliest-ever fall report by almost 1
month (S&A 1994:121); 6 in E Broward 30 Oct (J. Baker).
Ring-necked Duck: 1 immature male at Dry Tortugas NP 2 Nov was about the 5th
report there (W. B. Robertson); 7000 in PPM 26 Nov (R Fellers).
Harlequin Duck: 1 female at Fort Clinch SP {Nassau) 7 Nov through the period (B.
Prather et al.); 1 female at St. Marks NWR 19 Nov (N. Warner).
Oldsquaw: 1 at FWBSF 31 Oct-16 Nov (B. Duncan, P. Sykes et al.) was the earliest-
ever fall report (S&A 1994:132).
Black Scoter: 17 off CNS 28 Oct (H. Robinson); 85+ off Juno Beach {Palm Beach) 19
Nov (H. Langridge, D. and J. Ballman); 180 flying N off Fort Clinch SP 24 Nov (N.
Warner, T. West).
Surf Scoter: 1 at Redington Beach {Pinellas) 26 Nov (K. Nelson).
Ruddy Duck: 735 on Lake Ariana (Polk) 28 Nov (P. Fellers).
Turkey Vulture: a migratory flock of ca. 800 flew SSE over ABS 18 Nov (G. Wool-
fenden, M. Garvin).
Osprey: 48 on the Boot Key hawk watch {Monroe) 10 Oct was the highest total in the
six-year count (W. Hoffman et al.).
American Swallow-tailed Kite: 1 begging juvenile in E Glades 4 Aug was observed
being fed dragonflies by ca. 10 adults (W. Biggs, S. Burne); 27 in 1 tree on the
Wacissa River (Jefferson) 9 Aug (D. Evered, L. Messick); 1 at St. Marks NWR 23 Oct
(T. Engstrom) and 1 at Loxahatchee NWR 21 Nov (C. Norwood) were the latest-ever
fall reports (S&A 1994:147).
Field Observations
47
White-tailed Kite: 1 at FWBSF 29-30 Oct was the 4th regional report (B. Atherton, B.
Duncan et ah); 1 adult 19 km W of Arcadia {Manatee) 11 Nov (J. Fitzpatrick); 4 in the
E Everglades {Dade) through the period (P. W. and S. Smith).
Mississippi Kite: 1 adult in S Jacksonville 23-30 Aug was rare there (R Powell); 1 at
Royal Bluff {Franklin) 1 Nov was late (J. Cavanagh).
Bald Eagle: 2 at FWBSF 27 Sep-19 Nov were a further indication of an increasing local
population (B. Duncan et ah); 1 immature over Hugh Taylor Birch SA {Broward) 3
Oct was the first park report (J. Baker, W. George); 2 on the Boot Key hawk watch
tied the high count there (W. Hoffman et ah).
Northern Harrier: 1 male at APAFR {Polk) 10 Aug (D. Leonard, L. Richman, A. Fleis-
cher) was very early; 1 at Zellwood {Orange) 20 Aug (R. Smith, P. Blair).
Sharp-shinned Hawk: 91 on the Boot Key hawk watch 10 Oct was a low count (W.
Hoffman et aL); 100 over St. Joseph Peninsula SP {Gulf) 15 Oct {fide T. Menart).
Cooper’s Hawk: 5 immatures near Tallahassee {Leon) 12 Aug (G. Menk); 17 on the Boot
Key hawk watch 10 Oct was the highest count there (W. Hoffman et ah).
Red-shouldered Hawk: 1 on the Boot Key hawk watch 10 Oct was only the second
bird there (W. Hoffman et ah).
Broad-winged Hawk: 1 at Merritt Island NWR 30 Sep (H. Robinson); 150 on the Boot
Key hawk watch 10 Oct (W. Hoffman et ah); 2 at FDCP 16 Oct (H. Robinson); 6 (with
a dark-morph Buteo) over Key West {Monroe) 15 Nov (D. Bryan).
Short-tailed Hawk: 1 dark morph at APAFR {Highlands) 2 Aug (M. McMillian); 1
dark morph N of ABS 7 Aug (M. McMillian, L. Richman); 1 immature dark morph in
Placid Lake Estates {Highlands) 9 Aug (A. Fleischer); 1 at Loxahatchee NWR 25 Aug
was early there (W. Thomas); 1 dark morph on the Boot Key hawk watch 10 Oct (W.
Hoffman et ah); 1 dark morph at Winter Park 13 Nov (H. Robinson).
Swainson’S Hawk: 1 at Loxahatchee NWR 27 Oct (F. Broerman); 4+ over Key Largo
{Monroe) 6 Nov and “a similar number” over Florida City {Dade) 7 Nov may suggest
reverse migrations of birds unwilling to cross the Florida Straits (P. W. and S.
Smith).
American Kestrel: 50 on the Boot Key hawk watch 10 Oct (W. Hoffman et ah); 12 at a
Leon sewage treatment plant 23 Nov may have been a migratory movement (G.
Menk).
Merlin: 15 on the Boot Key hawk watch 10 Oct (W. Hoffman et ah).
Peregrine Falcon: 1 chasing Rock Doves at St. Petersburg {Pinellas) 22 Aug (L. Hop-
kins); 8 at Honeymoon Island SRA 1 Oct (D. Gagne, K. Nelson, B. Parkhurst); 1
immature at Newnan’s Lake {Alachua) 2 Oct (M. Manetz); 119 on the Boot Key hawk
watch 10 Oct (W. Hoffman et al.) was the second-highest Florida count; 8 at St.
Joseph Peninsula SP during the week of 10-17 Oct (M, Van Liefde, G. Fishman, C.
Cauley, S. Arbery); 1 at ABS 17 Oct (J. Goldstein); 1 at Sarasota {Sarasota) 16 Nov
(A. Rawson).
Yellow Rail: 1 calling at FWBSF 22 Sep (B. Duncan), and 2 seen there 23 Sep (D.
Ware) and 25 Sep (J. Harris).
Black Rail: 1 flushed during high tide on St. George Island {Franklin) 1 Nov (J.
Cavanagh).
Clapper Rail: 75-100 on dikes at St. Marks NWR 16 Aug following Tropical Storm
Beryl (J. Reinman).
Virginia Rail: 2 in Highlands 1 Sep (B. and M. Kittredge).
SORA: 29 at FWBSF 12 Oct (B. Duncan); 1 on Buck Island Ranch {Highlands) 25 Octo-
ber was the first report from there (M. McMillian).
Purple Gallinule: 1 at Lettuce Lake CP {Hillsborough) 22-26 Oct was rare there (S.
Backes, R. Webb).
48
FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST
American Coot: 1 wild pair at Miami MetroZoo {Dade) raised 5 broods this year, begin-
ning in Jan and ending in Aug (B. Banner, fide M. Wheeler); 22,000 in PPM 26 Nov
(R Fellers).
Limpkin: 1 walking around in scrub at ABS 16 Sep (K. Tarvin, B. Pranty) was the first
Station report.
Whooping Crane: 2 at Zellwood 1-13 Aug (S. Backes, J. and L. Hopkins et ah).
American Golden-Plover: 2 at Zellwood 3 Aug (P. Fellers); 2 at FWBSF 7 Sep (B.
Duncan, P. Tetlow) and 1 there 22 Nov (B. Duncan) were rare in fall; 1 at St, George
Island SP 11 Oct (J. Cavanagh); 9 over Winter Park 13 Nov (H. Robinson).
Piping Plover: 1 at Sebastian Inlet SRA {Indian River) 5 and 20 Aug (both 1. Weigley);
22 at Lanark Reef 20 Aug (R. West, N. Warner); 1 at West Lake Park 2 Sep (J.
Baker).
Black-necked Stilt: 500+ at Duda Farms 13 Aug (G. Hunter, ABS group); 50+ at
Snake Bight 26 Nov was a good number so late in the season (P. W. Smith et ah).
American Avocet: 1 at St. Marks NWR 16 Aug (J. Reinman); up to 10 in N Jackson-
ville 25 Aug through the period (R. Clark); 1 in Okaloosa 13 Sep was rare (D. Ware);
5 on Shell Key were rare in Pinellas (L. Hopkins et al.); 504 at a Homeland {Polk)
mine 26 Nov (P. Fellers).
Sandpiper species: 1 Tringa-iy^e sandpiper apparently in melanistic plumage was
observed at Tree Tops CP {Broward) 4 Nov, The bird was about the size and shape of
a Greater Yellowlegs, but was black all over, including the under surface of the
wings. The base of the lower mandible and the legs were dark red. Although many of
the field marks suggested a Spotted Redshank {T. erythropus) in breeding plumage,
the black underwings rule this species out (J. Baker, E. Rosenberg).
Solitary Sandpiper: 25 in a flock at Southwood Farm 16 Aug following Tropical Storm
Beryl (D. Evered, L. Messick); 2 at Big Cypress Indian Reservation {Hendry) 30 Oct
( J, Baker); 1 at ABS 6 Nov ( J. Fitzpatrick) was late.
WiLLET: 1 at Zellwood 3 Aug (P. Fellers); 1 at Orange Lake {Alachua) 31 Aug (J.
Krummrich).
Upland Sandpiper: 1 at Zellwood 1 Aug (S. Backes) and 2 there 20 Aug (R. Smith, P.
Blair); 1 at Merritt Island NWR 18 Sep (H. Robinson); 7 in N Jacksonville 31 Aug (R.
Clark).
Marbled Godwit: 3 at St. Marks NWR 16 Aug (J. Reinman); 145 in S Hillsborough 1
Nov (M. Wilkinson).
Red Knot: 4 at West Lake Park 1 Sep (J. Baker); 4000 on Shell Key 22 Sep (P. Blair)
was the third-highest Florida count (S&A 1994:241); 1 S of Hobe Sound {Martin) 24
Nov (B. Hope) was “a real surprise” (H. Langridge).
Sanderling: 337 on Shell Key 6 Aug (P. Blair).
Semipalmated Sandpiper: 870 at Merritt Island NWR 4 Sep (H. Robinson); 13,000 in
PPM 11 Sep (P. Fellers) was the highest-ever Florida count (S&A 1994:243).
Least Sandpiper: 6000 in PPM 11 Nov (P. Fellers).
White-rumped Sandpiper: 1 at Lanark Reef 20 Aug (N. Warner, R. West); 1 in N Jack-
sonville 28 Aug-1 Sep (R. Clark); 1 at Merritt Island NWR 11 Sep (H. Robinson).
Baird’s Sandpiper: 1 at a Leon sewage treatment plant 5-12 Sep (T. Morrill, G. Menk);
1 at FWBSF 7 Nov (B. Duncan) was the second-latest fall report (S&A 1994:248).
Pectoral Sandpiper: 5 at FDCP 26 Sep (P. Blair); 5 in a flooded field in E Broward 30
Oct (J. Baker).
Purple Sandpiper: 4 at Fort Clinch SP 9 Nov had increased to 8 birds by 24 Nov (P.
Powell et al.).
Dunlin: 2 in PPM 11 Nov (P. Fellers).
*Curlew Sandpiper: 1 at Merritt Island NWR 15 Oct (H. Robinson, details to FOSRC).
Buff-breasted Sandpiper: 2 at FWBSF 22 Aug (B. Duncan) and 3 there 27 Aug (R.
Rose, M. Sands et al.); 2 in N Jacksonville 27-31 Aug (R. Clark); 8 at Duda Farms 5
Field Observations
49
Sep (B, Hope, W. George); 2 at FDCP 5 Sep, with 1 remaining until 3 Oct (M. Wilkin-
son, L. Atherton et aL); 1 at Merritt Island NWR 18 Sep (H, Robinson).
Long-billed Dowitcher: 1 at FWBSF 26 Oct was locally rare (P. Tetlow, B. Duncan);
225 in PPM 11 Nov (P. Fellers).
Common Snipe: 3 at Dry Tortugas NP 1 Nov (W. B. Robertson).
Wilson’s Phalarope: 5 at Zellwood 1 Aug (S. Backes); 2 at Duda Farms 13 Aug (ABS
group, G. Hunter); 4 in N Jacksonville 24 Aug-1 Sep (R. Clark); up to 7 at FWBSF 31
Aug-27 Sep (B. Duncan et aL); 2 in PPM 11 Sep (P. Fellers); 1 in Sarasota harbor
{Sarasota) 9 Nov (A. Rawson).
Red-necked Phalarope: 6 off Cocoa Beach 25 Aug (L. Hopkins et aL).
Pomarine Jaeger: 1632 off CNS 15 Nov was the highest count there this season (H.
Robinson); 2 off Guana River SP {St. Johns) 25 Nov (N. Warner).
Parasitic Jaeger: 2 off Fort Clinch SP 8 Nov (R. Clark); 38 off CNS 15 Nov was the
highest count there this season (H. Robinson).
*LonG-TAILED Jaeger: 5 adults off Guana River SP 29 Oct (N. Warner, details to
FOSRC) was the largest total reported in Florida (S&A 1994:268).
Jaeger species: 150 off Sebastian Inlet SRA 20 Oct during strong E winds (1. Weigley).
*S0UTH Polar Skua: 1 off CNS 28 Oct (H. Robinson, details to FOSRC).
Franklin’s Gull: 1 adult at Honeymoon Island SRA 29 Oct (D. Gagne).
Lesser Black-backed Gull: 3 reports beat the previous early fall date (S&A
1994:282): 1 at Huguenot Park {Duval) 9 Sep (P. Powell), 18 adults there 3 Oct (R.
Clark), and 1 on the Sunshine Sk3rway causeway {Pinellas) 4-5 Oct (L. Atherton); 1
at Anastasia SRA {St. Johns) 15 Oct (A. and R. Smith et aL); 1 at CNS 28 Oct, and 2
there 15 Nov (both H. Robinson); 1 at Redington Beach (K. Nelson), where 1-2 have
wintered since the early 1980s.
Great Black-backed Gull: 1 on Shell Key 2 Oct (P. Blair).
Black-legged Kittiwake: singles off CNS 28 Oct and 14 Nov (both H. Robinson).
*Sabine’S Gull: 1 adult off CNS 28 Oct (H. Robinson).
Gull-BILLED Tern: 1 at Merritt Island NWR 11 Sep (H. Robinson).
Caspian Tern: 414 in PPM 11 Sep (R Fellers).
Sandwich Tern: 67 in PPM 11 Sep (P. Fellers).
Bridled Tern: 3 E Panhandle reports 16 Aug following Tropical Storm Beryl: 2 at Alli-
gator Point (D. Evered, L. Messick), 4 at St. Marks NWR (N. Warner) and 3 there
later in the day (J. Cavanagh); 1 at St. Marks NWR 2 Oct following a tropical depres-
sion (R. Crawford).
Sooty Tern: many E Panhandle reports 16 Aug following BeryZ: 4 at Alligator Point and
1 at Bald Point {Franklin) (both D. Evered, L. Messick), 27 at St. Marks NWR (N.
Warner) and 10 there later in the day (J. Cavanagh, R. Christen), and 1 found dead
in Wakulla Springs SP {Wakulla) (G. Apthorp); 1 at Pensacola Beach {Escambia) 16
Sep (C. Teagle, B. and W. Duncan, P. Tetlow).
Black Tern: 200 at Fort Pickens 7 Aug (M. Sands); 100s along the Franklin coast 16
Aug following Tropical Storm Beryl (D. Evered, L. Messick); 11 at St. Marks NWR 16
Aug (J. Cavanagh); 1100 on Duda Farms 27 Aug (B. Hope, M. Ginsberg); 3 at West
Lake Park 30 Aug (J. Baker, E. Rosenberg et aL); 475 in PPM 11 Sep (P. Fellers); 81
off CNS 18 Sep (H. Robinson).
Black Skimmer: 690 on Shell Key 6 Aug (P. Blair) and 750 in S Hillsborough 9 Nov (M.
Wilkinson) may be a result of the successful 1994 breeding season in the Tampa Bay
area.
*Marbled Murrelet: 1 was rescued a few miles off St. Petersburg 28 Nov, but it died
at Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary 30 Nov (specimen to Univ. of Fla., Gainesville). This
was the 3rd record for Pinellas, and the 4th for Florida, all since December 1986. All
4 Florida records have been of the Asiatic race Brachyramphus marmoratus perdix.
50
FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST
White-crowned Pigeon: 1 immature at High Birch SRA 25 Sep was N of its usual
range (W. George).
White-winged Dove: 1 at Gulf Breeze (Santa Rosa) 18 Sep (B. Duncan); 1 on Dog
Island 22 Oct (D. Evered, L. Messick); 6 on St. George Island 23 Oct (E. White, J.
Stevenson) and 1 there 28 Oct (N. Warner, J. Dozier); 1 at Fort Pickens (Escambia)
26 Oct (R Tetlow, B. Duncan, C. Dorgan); up to 3 at Cedar Key (Levy) 26 Oct-25 Nov
(D. Henderson); 1 at Baypoint (Bay) 30 Oct (T. Menart); 1 at St. Marks NWR 25-27
Nov (R. Kautz, D. and J. Brigham):
*Key West Quail-Dove: 1 at Cactus Hammock, Key Deer NWR, Big Pine Key (Mon-
roe) 15 Oct (K. Ellis) was “glimpsed” the next day (P. W. and S. Smith, M. Wheeler, R.
Wooster) and observed until 18 Oct, when it was learned the area was closed to the
public.
Blue-crowned Parakeet: 7 near Boyd Hill Nature Park, St. Petersburg 8 Aug (R.
Smith) and 28 in downtown St. Petersburg 15 Sep (D. Goodwin), where the species is
becoming widespread.
Black-billed Cuckoo: 1 at FDCP 3 Oct (L. Atherton); 1 on Dog Island 25 Oct (D.
Evered, L. Messick).
Mangrove Cuckoo: 1 at FDCP 20 Sep (B. and L. Cooper, P. Fellers et ah).
Groove-billed Ani: 1 on Dog Island 16-21 Oct (D. Evered, L. Messick); 1 at Fort Pick-
ens 26 and 29 Oct (P. Tetlow, B. Duncan, C. Dorgan).
Short-eared Owl: 1 at Dry Tortugas NP 1-3 Nov could not be identified to race (W. B.
Robertson).
*Lesser Nighthawk: 1 at St. George Island SP 23 Oct (E. White, J. Stevenson).
Common Nighthawk: 236 at Winter Park proceeding a weather front 3 Sep (H. Robin-
son).
Nighthawk species: 1 at Hidden Lake, Everglades NP (Dade) 26 Nov was thought to
be a *Lesser Nighthawk, but the bird could not be relocated (P. W and S. Smith, D.
Evered, L. Messick).
Whip-poor- WILL: 1 at Sawgrass Lake CP (Pinellas) 13 Sep (A. and R. Smith); 1 singing
at ABS 21 Sep (J. Fitzpatrick); “several” singing at Placid Lake Estates 21 Sep (F.
Lohrer).
* White-collared Swift: 1 adult was found in Fort Lauderdale (Broward) 12 Sep and
taken to a wildlife rehabilitation center where it died 14 Sep (specimen to Univ. of
Florida, Gainesville, fide W. George). This is the 2nd Florida record; the swift
appears to be of the West Indian race.
Chimney Swift: lOOOs at Tallahassee during a strong weather front 11 Oct (N. Warner);
1 in an ABS chimney until 4 Nov (G. Woolfenden).
*Buff-bellied Hummingbird: 1 returned to the same Fort Lauderdale yard in which it
has wintered since 1989 (although it was not seen last year), 16 Nov through the
period (B. and T. Center); 1 banded at Destin (Okaloosa) in Nov 1993 returned to the
same feeder 29 Nov (B. Sargent, details to FOSRC).
Black-chinned Hummingbird: single immature males at DeFuniak Springs (Walton)
20 Oct, Destin early Nov-16 Nov, and Fort Walton Beach (Okaloosa) early Nov-1 Dec
(all banded by B. Sargent, details to FOSRC).
*Rufous Hummingbird: 1 immature male at Jacksonville in Aug (J. Snyder); 1 at a
feeder at Chaires Crossroads (Leon) late Sep through the period (D. J. and S.
Wright); 1 immature male at Pensacola (Escambia) 29 Oct-2 Dec (banded by B. Sar-
gent, details to FOSRC); 1 at a Calhoun feeder 1 day in early Nov (E. and R. Dennis);
1 at Pensacola 11-28 Nov (C. Suggs); singles in E Bay 20 Nov (B. and J. Cummings)
and 26 Nov (A. and R. Ingram); 1 immature female at Fort Walton Beach 29 Nov
(banded by B. Sargent, details to FOSRC).
Selasphorus SPECIES: 1 immature at an Alligator Point feeder 4-9 Sep (J. Dozier, N.
Warner, details to FOSRC); of at least 4 near Homestead (Dade) 8 Oct (2 remaining
Field Observations
51
through the period), 2 were identified as immature male *Rufous Hummingbirds,
but the other 2 were “best left unidentified as to species” (P. W. and S, Smith et aL); 1
female at Shalimar {Okaloosa) 2 Nov-2 Dec (banded by B. Sargent, details to
FOSRC); 1 at DeFuniak Springs 3-22 Nov (banded by B. Sargent, details to FOSRC),
SiLVERY-CHEEKED HORNBILL {Ceratogymna brevis): 1 at Deering Estate CP {Dade) 22
Aug (R. Hammer, P. W. and S. Smith et al.) was traced to an aviculturist 48 km N in
Broward who lost 3 birds a few months earlier. This was the first Florida report.
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker: 1 in Hal Scott Regional Preserve {Orange) 13 Aug (T.
Leibler) was the earliest-ever fall report (S&A 1994:397).
Olive-sided Flycatcher: 4 singles at Gulf Breeze, where the species is rare but regu-
lar in fall: 5 Sep (B. Duncan), 7 Sep (L. Duncan), 18 Sep (B. Duncan, P. Sykes, E.
Case), and 24 Sep (B. Duncan, W. Biggs, O. Fang et al.).
* Yellow-bellied Flycatcher: 1 calling at Spanish River Park {Palm Beach) 22 Sep
(B. Hope); 1 banded on Casey Key {Sarasota) 21 Sep (A. Stedman).
Acadian Flycatcher: 1 calling at Spanish River Park 10 Oct (B. Hope) was “a very
good find” (H. Langridge).
*Alder Flycatcher: 1 calling at FDCP 25 Sep (H. Robinson, details to FOSRC).
Vermilion Flycatcher: 3 at St. Marks NWR, a recent wintering site, 21 Oct through
the period (J. Reinman et al.).
*Ash-throated Flycatcher: 1 at Gulf Breeze 23 Oct was the 9th regional report (B.,
L. , and W. Duncan, photos to FOSRC).
*LaSagra’s Flycatcher: 1 at Tree Tops CP 12 Nov through the period (J. Baker, W.
George et al.). As the park is about 19 km from the coast, this was Florida’s first
inland report.
Western Kingbird: 1 in Okaloosa 10 Sep (D. Ware); 1 at Gulf Breeze 18 Sep (B. Dun-
can); 1 near Fernandina Beach {Nassau) 19 Sep (M. Dolan); 1 at Guana River SP {St.
Johns) 16 Oct (R. Smith et al.); 2 at Cedar Key 22 Oct (L. Fitzgerald, 1. Fromberg); 1
near M&K Ranch {Gulf) 3 Nov (H. Loftin, J. Richardson); 2 on Key Largo {Monroe) 6
Nov and 5+ W of Florida City 8 Nov, 2 traditional wintering sites (both P. W. and S.
Smith); 1 in W Polk 22 Nov (B. Bratlie).
Eastern Kingbird: 50+ at ABS 28 Aug and 40+ there 31 Aug (both J. Fitzpatrick); 150+
over Placid Lake Estates at dusk 7 Sep (F. Lohrer); 643, most counted in 10 minutes,
moving N through Key Largo Hammocks State Botanical Preserve {Monroe) 8 Sep
(P. W. and S. Smith, M. Wheeler); 80+ in St. George Island SP 20 Sep (B. and M. Kit-
tredge).
Gray Kingbird: 1 at Newnan’s Lake {Alachua) 29 Sep (R. Rowan, M. Manetz) was rare
inland; 1 at Mashes Island {Wakulla) 11 Oct (B. and M. Kittredge).
SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER: among 14 birds in the W Panhandle 20-28 Oct were 5 at
Fort Pickens 22 Oct (B. and P. Tetlow, B. Duncan); 1 at St. Joseph Peninsula SP 13
Oct (A. and R. Ingram); 1 at St. Marks NWR 14-23 Oct (D. and K. MacVicar, J.
Stevenson, T. Engstrom); 1 immature on St. George Island 20 Oct (J. Cavanagh); 1 at
a Leon sewage treatment plant 27 Oct (G. Menk); 4 on Cockroach Bay Road {Hills-
borough) 29 Oct (S. Backes, D. Taylor); 1 at Pa5nies Prairie State Preserve {Alachua)
4 Nov was the first park report (B. Muschlitz); 2 each at wintering sites on Key
Largo 5 Nov and W of Florida City 8 Nov (both P. W. and S. Smith).
Purple Martin: 1 at Fort Walton Beach 18 Oct was late (D. Ware).
Cliff Swallow: 6 at St. Petersburg 15 Aug (R. Smith); 2 over Shell Key 17 Aug (P.
Blair); 6 over Paynes Prairie 3 Oct (R. Rowan).
Blue Jay: 40 in a flock flew into FDCP 28 Sep (M. Wilkinson); birds “inundated” Boyd
Hill Nature Park 1 Oct (R. Smith).
Florida Scrub Jay: 1 at a St. Petersburg feeder for a few hours 3 Sep (A. and R. Smith,
M. Wilkinson) was the third Pinellas report since 1962 and the first since 1976.
52
FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST
Common Raven {Corvus corax): 1 in Okaloosa 22 Sep, determined to be a zoo escape
{fide D. Ware) was the first Florida report.
Brown-headed Nuthatch: 4 at Brooker Creek Preserve {Pinellas), a recently-pur-
chased 2800-ha. preserve, 14 Aug (R. Smith, P. Trunk, C. Huegel), the last refuge for
pine flatwoods species in the county.
Brown Creeper: 1 on Dog Island 2 Nov (D. Evered, L. Messick, D. Lauderdale).
Golden-crowned Kinglet: 2 at St. Marks NWR 28 Oct, and 1 on St. George Island 28
Oct (both N. Warner).
^Northern Wheatear: 1 in Bill Baggs/Cape Florida SRA {Dade) 19-23 Oct (E. Carter
et ah, details to FOSRC by P. W. Smith) was of the race Oenanthe oenanthe leucor-
hoa, probably an immature male. This was the 5th accepted Florida report (S&A
1994:492).
“Bicknell’S Thrush” {Catharus [minimus] hicknelli): 1 at Merritt Island NWR 15 Oct
(H. Robinson, details to FOSRC).
Swainson’S Thrush: up to 11 at Saddle Creek CP 29 Sep-2 Oct (P. Fellers, B. and L.
Cooper); ca. 100 along the Suwannee River, primarily near Fanning and Hart
springs {Gilchrist) 5 Oct (J. Krummrich); 21 at FDCP 6 Oct (M. Wilkinson, S.
Backes); 1 in Wakulla 22 Nov (J. Epler) was late.
Wood Thrush: 1 at Winter Park 16 Sep (H. Robinson); 1 at Saddle Creek CP 18 Sep (H.
Robinson); 1 at FDCP 28 Sep (M. Wilkinson); 1 at Birch SRA 1 Oct was rare on the
SE coast (J. Baker, W. George); 1 banded on Dog Island 3 Nov (D, Evered, L. Mes-
sick).
American Pipit: “strong diurnal movements” noted on Dog Island 16-17 Nov (D.
Evered, L. Messick); 95 at a Leon sewage treatment plant 23 Nov (G. Menk).
*Thick-BILLED VireO: 2 at Key Largo Hammocks State Botanical Preserve 8 Sep, 1 bird
to 13 Sep (P. W. and S. Smith, M. Wheeler et ah, details to FOSRC).
*Warbling VireO: 1 at Honeymoon Island SRA 23 Oct (D. Gagne).
Philadelphia Vireo: singles at Winter Haven {Polk) 29 Sep and 9 Oct (P. Fellers); 1 at
Birch SRA 1 Oct (J. Baker, W. George et aL); 1 at Homestead 8 Oct (P, W. and S.
Smith); 1 at Saddle Creek CP 8 Oct (P. Fellers); 1-2 at Turkey Creek Sanctuary
{Brevard) 14-24 Oct (B. and S. Hills).
Red-eyed Vireo: 25+ on St. George Island SP 20 (B. and M. Kittredge).
Blue-winged Warbler: among many reports were 1 at Lettuce Lake CP 14 Aug (S.
Backes); 8 at FDCP 19 Sep (M. Wilkinson, L. Atherton) and 5 there 20 Sep (B. and L.
Cooper, P. Fellers, C. A1 verson); 1 at Birch SRA 2-3 Oct (J. Baker, J. DiPasquale, W.
George); 1 at Snake Bight 26 Nov (P. W. Smith et al.) will probably winter there.
Golden- WINGED Warbler: 1 male at Tallahassee 6 Aug ( J. Cavanagh) tied the earliest-
ever fall report (S&A 1994:542); 1 at Lettuce Lake CP 24 Aug (S. Backes); up to 3 at
Turkey Creek Sanctuary 13 Sep-17 Oct (B. and S. Hills); 1 at Birch SRA 3 Oct (J.
Baker, W. George); 1 male at Panama City {Bay) 9 Oct (J. Richardson); 22 through
the season in Pinellas (R. Smith et al.).
Vermivora HYBRIDS: 1 that contained field marks of both hybrid forms at Alligator
Point 2 Sep (J. Dozier); 1 “Lawrence’s Warbler” on St. George Island 23 Sep (J.
Cavanagh, sketch); 3 “Lawrence’s Warblers” (all in different plumages) at Sawgrass
Lake CP 3 Oct (L. Atherton, M. Wilkinson, S. Backes).
Tennessee Warbler: 10 at FDCP 20 Sep (B. and L. Cooper, R Fellers, C. Alverson) and
19 there 29 Sep (M. Wilkinson).
Tennessee x Cape May Warbler: 1 hybrid, believed to be of this parentage, banded
and “extensively measured and photographed” on Dog Island 26 Oct (D. Evered, L.
Messick, G. Pehrson).
Nashville Warbler: 5 at FDCP 20 Sep (B. and L. Cooper, P. Fellers, C. Alverson et al.)
and 1 there 15 Oct (L. Atherton); 1 at Birch SRA 23 Sep (W. George); 1 in Alachua 27
Field Observations
53
Sep (R. Robinson); 1 in N Jacksonville 11 Nov (R, Rowan); 1 at Cedar Key 18 Nov (D.
Henderson).
Yellow Warbler: 1 at Newnan’s Lake 19 Oct (B. Muschlitz) and 1 at Cedar Key 22 Oct
(L Fromberg, L. Fitzgerald) were locally late.
Chestnut-sided Warbler: 7 at FDCP 20 Sep (B. and L. Cooper, R Fellers, C. Alver-
son) and 11 there 28 Sep (M. Wilkinson).
Cape May Warbler: 1 at Winter Haven 1 Oct (P. Fellers); a seasonal count of 7 in Pinel-
las {fide R. Smith).
Black-throated Blue Warbler: 13 at Saddle Creek CP 2 Oct (P Fellers); 1 male on
Dog Island 18 Nov (D. Evered, L. Messick); 1 female at Homestead 21-29 Nov fed at
a hummingbird feeder, and then fed mostly on corn (!) before it disappeared (P W.
and S. Smith).
Yellow-RUMPED Warbler: 1 E of Sebring (Highlands) 15 Sep (M. McMillian, D.
Leonard) was very rare in Sep (S&A 1994:556).
Black-throated Green Warbler: 1 at Saddle Creek CP 29 Sep-1 Oct (P. Fellers et
ah); 1 male in S Jacksonville 17 Nov through the period (J. Cocke).
Blackburnian Warbler: 12 at Tallahassee 15 Sep (J. Cavanagh); 18 at FDCP 29 Sep
(M. Wilkinson).
Yellow-throated Warbler: 9 migrants at Highlands Hammock SP (Highlands) SP 7
Aug (B. Pranty, A. Fleischer).
Bay-breasted Warbler: among numerous reports were 1 at ABS 20 Sep (B. Pranty)
and 1 at Birch SRA 22 Oct (J. Baker, W. George et ah).
Blackpoll Warbler: 1 at Birch SRA 3 Oct (J. Baker, W. George); 1 banded on Dog
Island 12 Oct was the island’s first fall report (D. Evered, L. Messick).
Cerulean Warbler: 1 immature at Highlands Hammock SP 7 Aug (B. Pranty, A. Fleis-
cher); 3 in Wakulla 19 Aug (J. Cavanagh, N. Warner); 6 at John Chestnut CP (Pinel-
las) 20 Aug (L. Bielsa); 1 female in S Jacksonville 22 Aug (J. Cocke); 4 at Tallahassee
13 Sep (J. Cavanagh); 1 at FDCP 20 Sep (B. and L. Cooper, P. Fellers, C. Alverson);
at least 5 in Alachua this season (fide B. Muschlitz); 1 banded on Casey Key 28 Oct
(A. Stedman) was the state’s latest-ever fall report (S&A 1994:574).
Black-and-white Warbler: 20 at Fort Pickens 7 Aug (M. Sands).
American Redstart: 1 male at APAFR (Highlands) 1 Aug, and 6-8 there 2 Aug (both M.
McMillian); 16 at FDCP 28 Sep (M. Wilkinson); 37 at Saddle Creek CP 1 Oct (fide L.
Cooper).
Swainson’S Warbler: among 7 in Pinellas this season were 3 at FDCP 19 Sep (R.
Smith, L. Atherton) and 1 at Sawgrass Lake CP 2 Oct (S. Backes, M. Wilkinson); sin-
gles banded on Dog Island 17 and 21 Oct (both D. Evered, L. Messick).
OVENBIRD: 20 at Sawgrass Lake CP 3 Oct (L. Atherton, M. Wilkinson).
Northern Waterthrush: 1 in S Leon 5 Aug (G. Menk); 1 at Highlands Hammock SP 7
Aug (B. Pranty, A. Fleischer); 1 on Dog Island 17 Nov (D. Evered, L. Messick) was the
latest-ever fall report (S&A 1994:586).
Louisiana Waterthrush: only 1 report in Pinellas this season (fide R. Smith).
Mourning Warbler: 1 in Okaloosa 27 Sep (D. Ware).
Hooded Warbler: 1 at John Chestnut CP 8 Aug (L. and R. Smith).
Wilson’s Warbler: 1 female in S Jacksonville 5 Sep (J. Cocke); 1 at Colohatchee Park
(Broward) 15 Sep (W. George); 1 male on Jungle Trail (Indian River) 21 Sep (1. Weig-
ley); 1 female at Tamarac (Broward) 23 Sep (J. Baker),
Canada Warbler: 1 at Fort Pickens 3 Sep (M. Sands, R. Rose); 1 at St. Marks NWR 5
Sep (M. Hill); at John Chestnut CP 5 Sep (J. and L. Hopkins, R. Smith), 3 at FDCP
19 Sep (M. Wilkinson et al.) and 1 there 29 Sep (M. Wilkinson, S. Backes, R. Webb); 1
on St. George Island 20 Sep (J. Cavanagh); 1 at Spanish River Park 21 Sep (B.
Hope); 1 at San Felasco Hammock State Preserve (Alachua) 29 Sep (J. Hinter-
mister).
54
FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST
Yellow-breasted Chat: 1 on St. George Island 1 Nov (J. Cavanagh).
Summer Tanager: 1 female at ABS 22 Nov (B. Pranty).
Scarlet Tanager: l at Tallahassee 14 Nov (D. Evered, L. Messick).
Rose-breasted Grosbeak: 16 at Sawgrass Lake CP 5 Oct (M. Wilkinson).
Black-headed Grosbeak: 1 at Fort Walton Beach 26 Sep (D. Ware).
Blue Grosbeak: 1 at Dry Tortugas NP 2 Nov (W. B. Robertson).
Indigo Bunting: 1 male singing near the S shore of Lake Istokpoga {Highlands) 7 Aug
may have attempted to breed locally (M. McMillian, L. Richman); 100 at Air Prod-
ucts Sanctuary 23 Oct (B. Milmore) was the highest-ever fall count (S&A 1994:613).
Painted Bunting: 1 adult male at Newnan’s Lake 1-2 Oct (L. Fitzgerlad et al.); 1
female at Paynes Prairie State Preserve 3 Oct (R. Rowan).
Dickcissel: 1 over Dog Island 25 Oct was the first report there (D. Evered, L. Messick).
Chipping Sparrow: 1 immature at Birch SRA 10 Sep was the first park report (J.
Baker, W George).
Clay-colored Sparrow: 6 reports at Alligator Point and St. Marks NWR 18 Sep-7 Nov
(J. Dozier, N. Warner); 1 at Jacksonville Beach {Duval) 25 Oct (J. Paquet).
Field Sparrow: 1 at FDCP 25 Nov was locally rare (M. Wilkinson).
Lark Sparrow: 1 immature at Fort Pickens 16 Aug (D., J., and R. Ballman); 1 at St.
Marks NWR 25 Aug (J. Dozier, N. Warner); 1 at Alligator Point 4 Sep ( J. Dozier); 2
adults at Guana River SP 13 Sep (F. and T. Phillips, details to FOSRC) and 1 there
15 Sep (P. Powell); 1 at St. Marks NWR 22 Oct (J. Stevenson); 1 at Honeymoon
Island SRA 23 Oct (D. Gagne); 3 in N Jacksonville 10 Nov (R. Clark); 1 on Dog Island
14 Nov was the first report there (D. Evered, L. Messick).
Savannah Sparrow: 1 in Okaloosa 6 Sep (D. Ware) was the earliest-ever fall report
(S&A 1994:636).
Henslow’S Sparrow: 1 at Honeymoon Island SRA 19 Nov (L. Hopkins, P. Blair, B. and
B. Wotton).
Sharp-tailed Sparrow: 1 at Birch SRA 15 Oct was the first park report (W George, F.
Jeter et al.).
Lincoln’s Sparrow: 1 on Boot Key 10 Oct (B. Pranty, A. Fleischer et al.) was early; 1 at
Paynes Prairie 5 Nov (R. Rowan); 1 on Dog Island 15 Nov (D. Evered, L. Messick).
White-crowned Sparrow: 2 immatures at Honeymoon Island SRA 8 Oct (D. Gagne,
K. Nelson, B. Parkhurst); 1 at St. Marks NWR 15 Oct (N. Warner); 1 immature at St.
George Island SP 23 Oct (E. White, J. Stevenson); 5 immatures in M&K Ranch 24
Oct (H. Loftin, J. Richardson); 1 at a Leon sewage treatment plant 27 Oct (G. Menk);
4 on Dog Island 29 Oct (D. Evered, L. Messick); 2 immatures at Dry Tortugas NP 2
Nov (W. B. Robertson).
*Harris’ Sparrow: 1 at Fort Pickens 26 Oct (B. Duncan, P. Tetlow, C. Dorgan details to
FOSRC) was the 2nd regional report, and the earliest-ever fall report (S&A
1994:658).
Dark-eyed JuncO: 1 at Guana River SP 13 Oct was early (P. Powell).
*Lapland Longspur: 1 at Gulf Islands National Seashore {Escambia) 10 Nov (C.
Suggs).
*Smith’s Longspur: 1 “adult male” at Gulf Breeze 27 Oct (J. Saunders, R. Ballman,
details to FOSRC) was the first Florida report.
Snow Bunting: 1 at Huguenot Park 20 Nov through the period (R. Clark) was the first
Florida report since 1986 (S&A 1994:662).
Bobolink: 2 at Fort Clinch SP 2 Aug (E. Colborn) was the earliest-ever fall report (S&A
1994:663); 3 at Guana River SP 24 (L. and R. Smith); “scores” going S over ABS pre-
dawn 5, 6, 8, and 9 Sep (G. Woolfenden, J. Fitzpatrick); numerous reports at Loxa-
hatchee NWR 23 Aug-14 Oct, including 45 on 7 Sep, 55 on 8 Sep, and 46 on 9 Sep (F.
Broerman); 1 at FWBSF 22 Sep was casual in the region (B. Duncan, P. Tetlow, D.
Ware).
Field Observations
55
Rusty Blackbird: 1 at a Leon sewage treatment plant 21 Oct (G. Menk).
Brewer’s Blackbird: 1 female at St. Marks NWR 20-25 oct (J. Dozier, N. Warner, J.
Cavanagh); 1 in Gainesville {Alachua) 12 Nov (M, Manetz).
Shiny Cowbird: 2 males at Homestead 13 Aug, and 1 male near there 29 Aug and 9 Oct
(all R W. and S. Smith); 1 at Gulf Breeze 19 Aug (B. Duncan); 1 adult male at St.
Marks NWR 25 Oct (N. Warner).
Bronzed Cowbird: 2 juveniles at Alligator Point 4 Aug, and 1 there 16 Aug (both J.
Dozier) were the earliest-ever fall reports (S&A 1994:680), and together with other
recent Aug and Sep reports in Florida, all along the northern Gulf coast, may indi-
cate post-breeding dispersal from the breeding population in Louisiana; 1 at Fort
Pickens 13 Oct was the 5th regional report (B. Duncan, O. Fang, C. and J. Henning)
and was also early.
Orchard Oriole: singles in female plumage at Loxahatchee NWR 25 Aug and 9 Sep
(both W. Thomas); 1 first-year male at Paynes Prairie 2 Oct (K. Miller).
Northern Oriole: 1 “Baltimore Oriole” in Sawgrass Lake CP 27 Aug (B. and L. Ather-
ton) was early.
House Finch: ca. 85 in Leon in Sep (G. Menk) was the state’s highest-ever count (S&A
1994:696, 709-710); 4 (1 male and 3 females) near M&K Ranch 3 Nov (H. Loftin, J.
Richardson).
American Goldfinch: 1 adult male in a Tallahassee feeder 1 Aug (F. Stoutamire) was a
rare early fall report.
Red Bishop {Euplectes orix): 1 at Fort Walton Beach 11 Oct (D. Ware).
Contributors: Howard Adams, Clarence Alverson, George Apthorp, Sybil Arbery,
Brooks Atherton, Lyn Atherton, Steve Backes, Jocie Baker, Dick Ballman, Jane Ball-
man, Richard Ballman, Brett Banner, Llourdes Biesla, Wes Biggs, Paul Blair, Reed
Bowman, Byron Bratlie, Dick Brigham, Joan Brigham, Fred Broerman, Dana Bryan,
Sean Burne, Elizabeth Carter, Ed Case, Connie Cauley, Jim Cavanagh, Barbara Center,
Ted Center, Roger Clark, Dona Coates, Julie Cocke, Ele Colborn, Buck Cooper, Linda
Cooper, Robert Crawford, Bob Cummings, June Cummings, Mary Davidson, Fritz
Davis, Joe DiPasquale, Mark Dolan, Chris Dorgan, Jack Dozier, Bob Duncan, Lucy
Duncan, William Duncan, Keith Ellis, Todd Engstrom, John Epler, Duncan Evered,
Owen Fang, Paul Fellers, Gail Fishman, Linda Fitzgerald, John Fitzpatrick, Artie Fleis-
cher, Ike Fromberg, Dave Gagne, Marie Garland, Mary Garvin, Wally George, Mark
Ginsberg, Dave Goodwin, Roger Hammer, John Harris, Dale Henderson, Carolyn Hen-
ning, Jim Henning, Michael Hill, Bill Hills, Shirley Hills, John Hintermister, Brian
Hope, Judi Hopkins, Larry Hopkins, Craig Huegel, Eduardo Inigo-Elias, Ann Ingram,
Richard Ingram, Frank Jeter, Tim Johnson, Randy Kautz, Curtis Kingsbery, Bruce Kit-
tredge, Marion Kittredge, Jerry Krummrich, Howard Langridge, Dave Lauderdale,
Judith Lebowski, Terrie Leibler, Dave Leonard, Horace Loftin, Fred Lohrer, Dottie
MacVicar, Keith MacVicar, Michael Manetz, Larry Manfredi, Mike McMillian, David
Mellow, Tony Menart, Gail Menk, Lyla Messick, Karl Miller, Bill Milmore, Tom Morrill,
Barbara Muschlitz, Kris Nelson, Cory Norwood, John Paquet, Bruce Parkhurst, G.
Pehrson, Fred Phillips, Thelma Phillips, Peggy Powell, Bill Pranty, Bill Prather, Arnold
Rawson, Joe Reinman, Jimmy Richardson, Lisa Richman, William B. Robertson Jr.,
Harry Robinson, Ron Robinson, Rufus Rose, Rex Rowan, Marilu Sands, Bob Sargent,
James Saunders, Austin Smith, Lori Smith, P. William Smith, Ron Smith, Susan Smith,
Joyce Snyder, Annette Stedman, Jim Stevenson, Francie Stoutamire, Clarence Suggs,
Paul Sykes, Keith Tarvin, Debbie Taylor, Betsy Tetlow, Phil Tetlow, William Thomas,
Paul Trunk, Mars Van Liefde, Kevina Vulinec, Noel Warner, Don Ware, Ray Webb, Ira
Weigley, Rick West, Terry West, Mickey Wheeler, Eddie White, Margie Wilkinson, Glen
Woolfenden, Robbie Wooster, Betty Wotton, Bob Wotton, D.J. Wright, and Sue Wright.
56
FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST
Errata: The date of the Short-tailed Hawk at Paynes Prairie (Fla. Field Nat.
22(3):90) should be 17 Dec 1993 rather than 27 Feb 1994 {fide Barbara Muschlitz); the
report of the Red-throated Loon found dead 10 April 1994 in Pinellas {Fla. Field Nat.
22(4): 119) is in error. The bird was reidentified as a Common Loon {fide Lyn Atherton
and Ron Smith).
Spring 1994 report not published previously: “Lawrence’s Warbler:” 1 at Bayonet
Point 4 April (Ken and Ruth Gleason) was the first Vermivora hybrid in Pasco {fide B.
Pranty).
Summer 1994 reports not published previously: Greater Shearwater: 1 off Pensa-
cola Beach {Escambia) 30 Jul (David Muth, details to FOSRC); Reddish Egret: 1 imma-
ture at St. Marks NWR 29 Jul (Jim Cavanagh); Snowy Plover: 14 on Shell Key
{Pinellas) 22 Jul (Paul Blair); Willet: 365 on Shell Key 22 Jul (P. Blair) may have been
migrants (S&A 1994:230); Selasphorus species: 1 probable *Rufous Hummingbird in
Jacksonville {Duval) 28-29 Jul (Joyce Snyder, photos to FOSRC) was the earliest-ever
fall report of the genus (S&A 1994:389).
Report prepared by Bill Pranty, state compiler (Archbold Biological Station, P.O.
Box 2057, Lake Placid, Florida 33862). Other committee members are Linda Cooper
(115 Lameraux Road, Winter Haven, Florida 33884), Jim Cox (Florida Game and Fresh
Water Fish Commission, 620 S. Meridian Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1600), and
Peggy Powell (2965 Forest Circle, Jacksonville, Florida 32257).
The Florida Ornithological Society
is Proud to Announce Special Publication No. 6
FLORIDA BIRD SPECIESi AN ANNOTATED LIST
BY
William B. Robertson, Jr.
Glen E. Woolfenden
The first complete and authoritative review of Florida’s avifauna since
Arthur Howell’s 1932 Florida Bird Life. Treats over 660 species reported in
the state. More than 140 species of non-native exotics. Essential for every-
one interested in the modern status of Florida’s native and introduced
birds.
SOFT COVER HARD COVER
FOS Members $14.95 $19.95
Non-Members $17.95 $22.95
All orders add $2.00 shipping and handling per book.
Florida residents add 7% sales tax to the total.
Make checks payable to Florida Ornithological Society.
Mail to:
F.O.S. SPECIAL PUBLICATIONS EDITOR
ARCHBOLD BIOLOGICAL STATION
P.O. BOX 2057
LAKE PLACID, FL 33862
Florida Field Naturalist
ISSN 0738-999X
PUBLISHED BY THE FLORIDA ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY
Editor: WALTER K. TAYLOR, Dept, of Biology, University of Central Florida, Orlando,
Florida 32816-3268r
Associate Editors: Eric Stolen and Mike Petrovich, (address as above).
Associate Editor (for bird distribution): Bruce H. Anderson, 2917 Scarlet Road, Win-
ter Park, Florida 32792.
Associate Editor (for reviews): Reed Bowman, Archbold Biological Station, P.O. Box
2057, Lake Placid, Florida 33862.
Associate Editor (for technical papers): RICHARD T. PAUL, National Audubon Society,
410 Ware Blvd., Suite 500, Tampa, Florida 33619.
Editor of Special Publications: Glen E. WOOLFENDEN, Archbold Biological Station,
P.O. Box 2057, Lake Placid, Florida 33862.
Editor of the Ornithological Newsletter: Katy NeSmith, Florida Natural Areas
Inventory, 1018 Thomasville Road, Suite 200-C, Tallahassee, Florida 32303.
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INFORMATION FOR CONTRIBUTORS
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Florida Field Naturalist
PUBLISHED BY THE FLORIDA ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY
VOL. 23, No. 2 May 1995 Pages 25-56
CONTENTS
ARTICLE
Recordings Verify that Vaux’s Swifts Visit Florida
in Winter
Tom Webber and Charles T Collins 25-29
NOTES
Asiatic Marbled Murrelet: First Spring Record
in North America
Barbara P. Muschlitz 30-32
Tool Use by Brown-headed Nuthatches in Two Florida Slash
Bill Pranty 33-34
Sighting of Masked Duck Ducklings in Florida
Margaret Coon Bowman 35
REVIEW
Shadowbirds, A Quest for Rails, by William Burt
Noel Warner .......36-37
RECORDS COMMITTEE REPORT
Eleventh Report of the Florida Ornithological Society
Records Committee: 1993
Bruce H. Anderson 38-43
FIELD OBSERVATIONS
Fall Report: August-November 1994
Bill Pranty 44-56
at-
G'S’i
Florida Field Naturalist
PUBLISHED BY THE FLORIDA ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY
VoL. 23, No. 3 August 1995 Pages 57-86
FLORIDA ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY
Founded 1972
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Treasurer: Linda Douglas, 3675 1st Ave., N.W., Naples, Florida 33964.
Editor of the Florida Field Naturalist: WALTER K. TAYLOR, Dept, of Biology, Univer-
sity of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida 32816-3268.
Ex Officio: Immediate Past President: Fred E. Lohrer, Archbold Biological Sta-
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THIS PUBLICATION IS PRINTED ON NEUTRAL PH PAPER
Florida Field Naturalist
PUBLISHED BY THE FLORIDA ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY
VoL. 23, No. 3 August 1995 Pages 57-86
Fla. Field Nat. 23(3): 57-61, 1995.
SPOTTED SKUNKS {SPILOGALE PUTORIUS AMBAKVALIS)
TRAPPED AT CANAVERAL NATIONAL SEASHORE AND
MERRIT ISLAND, FLORIDA
A. E. Kinlaw^^ L. M. Ehrhart^, and P. D. Doerr^
^Department of Zoology, Campus Box 7617,
North Carolina State University,
Raleigh, North Carolina 27695-7617
‘^Department of Biological Sciences,
4000 Central Florida Boulevard,
University of Central Florida,
Orlando, Florida 3281 6
^Present Address: 99 Hillside Drive, Eustis, Florida 32726
Abstract.— Mark-recapture studies on spotted skunks were conducted at Canav-
eral National Seashore (C.N.S.) and Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge
(M.LN.W.R.) in 1973-1974 and in 1982-1983. Spotted skunks were captured in dry, well-
vegetated habitats. Information presented herein may be useful in conserving this rap-
idly declining species in the central United States. A total of 243 skunks was studied.
Adult males at C.N.S. in 1973-1974 had a mean weight of 398. 8g (S.D. 80.7g); females
averaged 282. 5g (S.D. 39. 4g). Mean weights for 1982-1983 were similar. Five juveniles
averaged 119. 2g (S.D. 38.5) in 1973-1974. Average distance between successive captures
was 551 m for males and 386 m for females during 1982-1983. Data on juvenile captures
from this and other studies indicate that spotted skunks on Florida’s east coast have an
extended period of reproduction. Capture success for both sexes was higher in the cooler
months; capture probability was measured at over 0.5.
The eastern spotted skunk (Spilogale putorius) is threatened or
rare in many mid-western states and its status is unknown in several
southern states. Populations of the Florida subspecies {S. p. ambarva-
lis) are abundant in south Florida (Kaplan and Mead 1991) and in
suitable habitat in east-central Florida (Kinlaw et al. 1995). Current
knowledge of the biology of the Florida subspecies of eastern spotted
skunks comes from Van Gelder’s (1959) taxonomic revision of the spe-
cies, Manaro’s (1961) ecological observations, and Mead’s work on
reproductive biology, especially Mead (1968) and Kaplan and Mead
(1994). Natural history notes on distribution are reported by Bangs
57
58
FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST
(1898), Hamilton (1941), and Schwartz (1952) and behavior by Howell
(1920), Van Gelder (1953), Frank and Lips (1989), and Toland (1991).
We report herein weights, movements, reproduction, capture success,
and habitat utilization. This paper is a companion to our population
estimation report (Kinlaw et al. 1995). The 1973“1974 study was con-
ducted to collect baseline biological data on intermediate-sized mam-
mals, whereas the 1982-1983 study was conducted in an effort to
census spotted skunks.
Methods and Study Area
We live-trapped spotted skunks at Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge (M.I.N.W.R.)
and Canaveral National Seashore (C.N.S.) in 1973-1974 and at C.N.S. in 1982-1983. On
M.I.N.W.R. traps were set along embankments surrounding mosquito impoundments and
along randomly selected stations in the interior. On C.N.S. traps were set only in the coastal
strand community (Stout 1979), a continuous, dense thicket of woody vegetation with little
understory. Common plants that grow here are saw palmetto {Serenoa repens), wax myrtle
{Myrica cerifera), buckthorn {Bumelia tenax), and snowberry {Chiococca alba). Stout (1979) also
recognized coastal dune and wetland communities along C.N.S. Average width of the coastal
strand community along the 16-km strip is 150 m. An asphalt highway bisects lengthwise the
southern 8 km of the seashore and a foot trail bisects lengthwise the remaining 8 km. Along
C.N.S., a systematic sampling scheme was used. Traps were placed in two rows, with one row
25 m east and one row 25 m west of the road. A north-south spacing of 80 m was used between
traps. The live traps used were non-collapsible, single-door Tomahawk traps (25.4 x 30.4 x
81.3 cm) and collapsible, double-door National traps (22.9 x 66.0 cm.). Traps were baited
daily with commercial cat food. Captured skunks were ear-tagged and weighed. Other data
collected included sex, weight, age Gdult or juvenile), reproductive condition, ectoparasites,
hind foot length, and trap location. A 16-km section of C.N.S. was trapped in the spring of
1973, an 8-km section in summer and winter of 1974, and a 5-km section from March 1982 to
March 1983. In 1973-1974, 9820 trapnights were completed at C.N.S. and 5040 completed at
M.I.N.W.R. In 1982-1983, 1259 trapnights were completed on C.N.S. Further details on trap-
ping methodology and sex ratios of these populations can be found in Ehrhart (1976), Kinlaw
et al. (1995), and Kinlaw (1990,1995, and in press).
Results and Discussion
In 1973-1974, 132 skunks were captured 622 times at C.N.S. and
42 skunks were captured 80 times at M.I.N.W.R. In 1982-1983, 63
skunks were captured 112 times.
Weights of spotted skunks are in Table 1. The 1973-1974 study
documented the largest male reported to date; the 1982-1983 study
the largest female.
Average distance between successive captures was 335 m for
males and 144 m for females during the spring of 1973. In September
1973, the means were 368 m for males and 116 m for females. Because
of small sample size for the 1982-1983 data, we only report the aver-
age distance moved by each sex for all seasons: 551 m and 386 m for
males and females, respectively. We also recorded the maximum
straight-line distance moved by each individual. Means of these maxi-
mum distances for spring of 1973 was 1332 m for males and 282 m for
females. Means for males and females in the summer of 1973 were
1006 m and 107 m, respectively. For 1982-1983, we only report a sin-
Kinlaw ET AL. • Spotted Skunks
59
Table 1. Weights (g) of spotted skunks captured at Canaveral National Sea-
shore (C.N*S.)j Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge (M.I.N.W.R.), and from
Van Gelder (1959).
C.N.S.
1973-1974 1982-1983
Mean ± SD
(n)
M.I.N.W.R.
1973-1974
Mean ± SD
(n)
Van Gelder
(1959)
Mean ± SD
(n)
Adult males
398.8 ±80.7
391.3 ±81.9
431.1 ±89.3
396.3
(94)
(27)
(36)
Adult females
282.5 ±39.4
290.4 ± 48.4
224.5 ± 50.4
305.0
(38)
(36)
(6)
Juveniles
119.2 ±38.5
115
-
-
(5)
(1)
Largest male
700
535
700
527
Largest female
365
375
300
339
gle value, the longest single distance moved: 1760 m for one male and
800 m for one female.
Van Gelder (1959) postulated that Florida spotted skunks have a
bimodal distribution of annual parturition, with the first births occur-
ring in late July- August and the second occurring in winter. However,
Mead (1968) provided data to show that reproduction is simply
extended rather than bimodel, via a prolonged or recurring estrus
period. Females that have not mated or have lost their first litter of
the year may breed until early July (R. A. Mead, in litt.) but by Octo-
ber testes size, number of sperm, and serum concentration of test-
osterone of males are at a low point in the cycle (Kaplan and Mead
1994). We captured five juveniles during August-September 1973 and
one in August 1982. These juveniles would have been born in May-
June of each respective year, and thus derived from a March-April
mating. Manaro (1961) captured nine juveniles in February-March
1958 approximately 30 km north of C.N.S. Manaro's (1961) animals
would have been born in September-October and derived from a July-
August mating. Our field data along with those of Manaro (1961) con-
firm Mead’s hypothesis.
An observation was made of a dispersing spotted skunk. A juvenile
female weighing 115 g was first captured on 19 August 1982, and then
recaptured 3040 m away on 26 October 1982. She was recaptured for
the third time on 19 January 1983, 4640 m from her first capture site.
On two different occasions (20 September 1973 and 19 August
1982), two different spotted skunks were captured together in the
same trap. Probably these individuals were foraging in pairs.
60
FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST
Capture success for both studies was better during cooler months
than hotter months. At C.N.S., males averaged 2.74 and 3.18 recap-
tures/individual during the spring of 1973 and winter of 1973-1974,
respectively. Males averaged 3.10 recaptures for the entire 1982-1983
study period. Female recaptures averaged only 1.00 in the spring
1973, but 3.15 for the entire 1982-1983 period. The capture probabil-
ity-defined as the probability that an individual will be captured on
any given trapping occasion given that it is alive (Otis et al. 1978), was
calculated as greater than 0.50 by both the CAPTURE (Otis et al.
1978) and JOLLY (Pollock et al. 1990) computer programs for the
spring of 1973. The population density was 40 skunks/km^ during the
spring of 1973 (Kinlaw et al. 1995). An analysis of the effects of
weather on catchability is reported in Kinlaw et al. (1995).
In 1973-1974 spotted skunks were abundant in all of the drier
habitats at M.I.N.W.R.; no skunks were taken in semi-aquatic habi-
tats. In 1982-1983 more skunks were captured in the southern half of
C.N.S., consisting of almost 100% ground cover of Serenoa repens,
Chiococca alba, Myrica cerifera, and Bumelia tenax. The northern half
of C.N.S. was considerably more open, with scattered patches of Spar-
tina and S. repens (X^ = 5.14, p < 0.025). These observations confirm
those of Van Gelder (1959) that spotted skunks prefer well-vegetated
areas.
In south Florida, eastern spotted skunks will enter Sherman
livetraps in pursuit of rodents already captured (L J. Stout, pers.
comm.). One spotted skunk was captured in a trap also containing a
dead cotton rat (Sigmodon hispidus).
Little information is available in the literature on the physical
condition of wild spotted skunks. Van Gelder (1959), using museum
specimens, reported lesions of the frontal sinuses in adult and sub-
adults, and that one juvenile had signs of parasitic infection to its cra-
nium. In this study, six captured skunks were blind in one eye and one
skunk was completely blind. Many captured skunks had wounds on
the head and above one or both eyes. Whether these abrasions came
from scraping against the serrated saw palmetto or from attempting
to escape from traps is not known (Kinlaw 1995, in press). Six had
missing claws or swollen feet, one had a mutilated tail, one lacked con-
trol of the rear extremities, and many had infected ears (both tagged
and untagged). Two tick species {Dermacentor variabilis and Ixodes
cookei) were common, along with fleas and chiggers around the head of
some individuals.
Acknowledgments
We thank R. Mead for reviewing portions of the manuscript and M. Kinlaw for administra-
tive assistance.
Kinlaw ET AL. • Spotted Skunks
61
Literature Cited
Bangs, O. 1898. The land mammals of peninsular Florida and the coast region of Geor-
gia. Proc. Boston Soc. Nat. Hist. 28:157-235.
Ehrhart, L. M. 1976. A study of a diverse coastal ecosystem on the Atlantic coast of
Florida: Mammal Studies. Biomedical Office, Natl. Aeronautics Space Adm., J, F.
Kennedy Space Center, Florida.
Frank, P. A., and K. R. Lips. 1989. Gopher Tortoise burrow use by long tailed weasels
and spotted skunks. Florida Field Nat. 17:20-22.
Hamilton, W. J. Jr. 1941. Notes of some mammals of Lee County, Florida. Amer, Midi.
Nat. 25:686-691.
Howell, A. H. 1920. The Florida spotted skunk as an acrobat. J. Mammal. 1:88.
Kaplan, J. B., and R. A. Mead. 1991. Conservation status of the eastern spotted skunk.
Mustelid and Viverrid Conserv. Newsletter 4:15.
Kaplan, J. B., and R, A. Mead. 1994. Seasonal changes in testicular function and semi-
nal characteristics of the male eastern spotted skunk (Spilogale putorius ambarva-
lis). J. Mammal. 75:1013-1020.
Kinlaw, A. E. 1990. Estimation of a spotted skunk {Spilogale putorius) population with
the Jolly-Seber model and an examination of violations of model assumptions. M.S.
Thesis, North Carolina State Univ., Raleigh.
Kinlaw, A. E. 1995. Spilogale putorius. Mammalian Species Account No. 511. Amer.
Soc. Mammalogists (in press).
Kinlaw, A. E., L. M. Ehrhart, P. D. Doerr, K. P. Pollock, and J. E. Hines. 1995.
Population estimate of spotted skunks {Spilogale putorius) on a Florida barrier
island. Florida Scient. 58:47-54.
MANARO, a. j. 1961. Observations on the behavior of the spotted skunk in Florida.
Quart. J. Florida Acad. Sci. 24:59-63.
Mead, R. A. 1968. Reproduction in eastern forms of the spotted skunk (genus Spilogale).
J. Zool. 156:113.
Otis, D. L., K. P. Burnham, G. C. White, and D. R. Anderson. 1978. Statistical infer-
ence from capture data on closed animal populations. Wildl. Monogr. 162.
Pollock, K. H., J. D. Nichols, C. Brownie, and J. E. Hines. 1990. Statistical infer-
ence for capture-recapture experiments. Wildl. Monogr. 107.
Schwartz, A. 1952. The land mammals of southern Florida and the upper Keys. Ph.D.
Dissert., Univ. Michigan, Ann Arbor.
Stout, I. J. 1979. Terrestrial community analysis. I. A continuation of baseline studies
for environmentally monitoring space transportation systems (STS). Biomedical
Office, Nat. Aeronautics and Space Adm., J. F. Kennedy Space Center, Florida.
Toland, B. 1991. Spotted skunk use of gopher tortoise burrow for breeding. Florida Sci-
ent. 54:10.
Van Gelder, E. F. 1953. The egg-opening technique of a spotted skunk. J. Mammal.
34:255-256.
Van Gelder, E. F. 1959. A taxonomic revision of the spotted skunks (genus Spilogale).
Bull. Amer. Mus. Nat. Hist. 117:229-392.
62
NOTES
Fla. Field Nat. 23(3): 62-64, 1995.
FIRST WINTER RECORD OF AN EASTERN KINGBIRD IN FLORIDA
Reed Bowman\ P. William Smiths and John W. Fitzpatrick^
^Archhold Biological Station,
PO. Box 2057,
Lake Placid, Florida 33852
^South Florida Natural Resources Center,
Everglades National Park,
40001 State Road 9336,
Homestead, Florida 33034
Eastern Kingbirds {T^rannus tyrannus) are common spring and summer residents
throughout most of Florida, except the Keys (Howell 1932, Stevenson and Anderson
1994), but they winter exclusively in South America, returning to Florida beginning in
March. Fall migration peaks in late August to early September, when large flocks com-
monly are seen (Lesser in litt, Howell 1932, Stevenson and Anderson 1994). Numbers
dwindle rapidly after mid-September. Although a few late stragglers have been reported
as late as November (Howell 1932, Stimson 1951, Edscorn 1976, 1979), none of these
reports has been well documented. Although Eastern Kingbirds are reported frequently
during Christmas Bird Counts from Florida and many other southeastern coastal states
(e.g.. Root 1988), no specimens or photographs exist to confirm the presence of this spe-
cies in winter (Nov.-Feb.) from Florida (Robertson and Woolfenden 1992, Stevenson and
Anderson 1994). The latest Florida specimen was taken at Dog Island, Franklin Co., on
30 October 1965 (FSU #4600g, Stevenson and Anderson 1994).
On 27-28 December 1994, we observed and photographed an Eastern Kingbird
along County Road 29, about 4 miles SE of Lake Placid, Highlands County, Florida (27°
15' N, 81° 17' W). The kingbird was encountered and identified independently twice at
the same location during the Lake Placid Christmas Bird Count, on 27 December 1994,
first by PWS and party at 0930 EST and then by JWF and party at 1530 EST at the
same location. On 28 December, RB photographed the kingbird and more than 20 bird-
ers observed it at various times throughout the day. Brooks Atherton recorded the bird
on video on 1 January 1995. The videotape was deposited with the FOS Records Com-
mittee (B. Pranty, pers. comm.). The kingbird was last observed on 6 January 1995.
When first spotted, the kingbird was perching in and foraging from a clump of low
shrubs (Myrica spp.) on the north side of a small borrow pit. Also present were 1-2 each
Scissor-tailed Flycatchers (T. forficatus) and Western Kingbirds {T. verticalis). The birds
remained at this site for 10-15 minutes, then flew north into a more densely forested
area. When observed on the afternoon of the 27th, the group had increased to include 4
Scissor-tailed Flycatchers and at least 6 Western Kingbirds. All the flycatchers, includ-
ing the Eastern Kingbird, were perched in the upper, bare branches of red maples (Acer
ruber) or on utility wires near the road. The birds foraged by sallying 1 to 5 m into the
air, then returning to their perches. The kingbird was silent on all occasions. This loca-
tion has been a traditional wintering site for both T. forficatus and T. verticalis since the
late 1980s, having been observed on 4 and 6, respectively, of the last 8 Lake Placid CBCs
(F. E. Lohrer, compiler 1987-1992, G. E. Woolfenden, compiler 1993-1994, pers. comm.).
On both 27 and 28 December, we observed the Eastern Kingbird with 10 x 40X
Zeiss binoculars and a 64X Questar telescope, in good light, for more than an hour at
distances from 5 to 20 m. The bird appeared slightly smaller than the Western King-
birds, with a noticeably smaller black bill, and white throat and underparts (Figure 1).
Notes
63
Figure 1. Eastern Kingbird {Tyrannus tyrannus) photographed on 28 Decem-
ber 1994 in Highlands County, Florida (photographed by Reed Bowman).
The face was nearly coal-black and the crown and head appeared a dusky brownish-
black. The dark head was sharply demarcated against the white throat, below the eye.
Although not noticeable in the photograph, a small, washed-out orange crown patch was
visible through the telescope. The upperparts were grayish-brown and the back was
interspersed with coal-black feathers. The overall “shabby” appearance of the bird was
consistent with mid-winter body molt typical of Eastern Kingbirds on their wintering
grounds (JWF, pers. obs.). The tail was dusky brown, and seemed at first to lack any
white terminal margin. When the bird preened, however, we observed two jet-black,
half-grown inner rectrices (probably the innermost pair), with broad white tips. This
also is consistent with typical kingbird molting patterns. Through the telescope, the
very pale tips of worn, unmolted rectrices were observed. The highly contrasting dark-
above, light-below plumage and the white-tipped tail definitively rule out all other pos-
sible flycatcher species, including any possible stragglers from the tropics.
Misidentifications may comprise many of the Eastern Kingbird reports from Flor-
ida Christmas Bird Counts. The smaller Eastern Phoebe (Sayornis phoebe) is a common
winter resident in mainland Florida (Robertson and Woolfenden 1992, Stevenson and
Anderson 1994). Although it has dull yellowish-white underparts, grayish-olive upper-
parts, lacks a white-tipped tail, and frequently bobs its tail, the Eastern Phoebe in cer-
tain light conditions can resemble a kingbird, especially when holding its tail still. The
Gray Kingbird (T. dominicensis), rare anywhere in Florida during the winter and rela-
tively rare in Florida inland during any time of the year (Stevenson and Anderson
1994), also lacks a white tail tip, has light-gray upperparts, and has an oversized, heavy
bill. The Loggerhead Kingbird {T. caudifasciatus) is a rare winter vagrant (ca. 3-4 Nov.-
Mar. records, 4-5 reports) to extreme southern Florida (Robertson and Woolfenden
64
FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST
1992). This species has a less conspicuous, dull-white or pale-grayish tip to the rectrices,
and a much heavier bill than does the Eastern Kingbird. An immature or molting adult
Fork-tailed Flycatcher {T. savana) lacks a white tail tip, but has a small bill like an
Eastern Kingbird, unlike other possible similar Tyrannus. Even immature Fork-tailed
Flycatchers would likely show at least some elongation of the tail (see photo by S.
LeFrance in Boyle et al. 1984). No documented sightings of T. savana exist from Florida
during mid- winter (Dec. -Feb.), when the species is breeding in South America.
We believe that our observations represent the first documented winter occurrence
of an Eastern Kingbird from Florida. Although our search was not exhaustive, we found
no confirmed winter records from several other coastal states (Imhof 1976, Oberholser
1976, J. V. Remsen pers. comm.) nor from California (Small 1994). We therefore suspect
that this occurrence represents the first verifiable record from North America in winter.
We thank Herb Kale, Fred Lohrer, Rich Paul, Bill Pranty, and Glen Woolfenden for
comments on the manuscript.
Literature Cited
Boyle, W. J. Jr., R. O. Paxton, and D. A. Cutler. 1984. Hudson-Delaware region.
Amer. Birds 38:892.
Edscorn, j. B. 1976. The fall migration, August 1-November 30, 1975: Florida region.
Amer. Birds 30:54-58.
Edscorn, J. B. 1979. Florida birds. Florida Nat. 52 (4):6.
Howell, A. H. 1932. Florida Bird Life. Coward-McCann, New York.
Imhof, T. A. 1976. Alabama Birds. Univ. of Alabama Press, University.
Oberholser, H. C. 1976. The Bird Life of Texas. Univ of Texas Press, Austin.
Robertson, W. B. Jr., and G. E. Woolfenden. 1992. Florida Bird Species: An Anno-
tated List. Florida Ornithol. Soc. Spec. Publ. No. 6, Gainesville.
Root, T. 1988. Atlas of Wintering Birds: An Analysis of Christmas Bird Count Data.
Univ. of Chicago Press, Chicago.
Small, A. 1994. California Birds: Their Status and Distribution. Ibis Publ. Co., Los
Angeles.
Stevenson, H. M., and B. A. Anderson. 1994. The Birdlife of Florida. Univ. Press, of
Florida, Gainesville.
Stimson, L. a. 1951. New extreme migration dates for southern Florida as compared to
Howell. Florida Nat. 24: 13-17.
65
Fla. Field Nat. 23(3): 65-66, 1995.
ROSEATE SPOONBILLS {AJAIAAJAJA) NESTING AT AN INLAND
LOCATION IN THE EVERGLADES
Peter Frederick^ and Tim Towles^^
^Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, P.0, Box 110430,
University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611-0430
^Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission, P.O. Box 840837,
Pembroke Pines, Florida, 33084
^Present address: Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission,
Route 7, P O. Box 440,
Lake City, Florida 32055
Roseate Spoonbills {Ajaia ajaja) often breed in freshwater areas in much of their
range (Hancock et al. 1993), but in the United States they breed almost exclusively on
coastal islands and feed almost entirely in coastal habitats while breeding (Allen 1942,
Ogden 1978, Bjork and Powell 1993). Here, we report on a small nesting of Roseate
Spoonbills in the central, freshwater Everglades during the spring of 1992, and provide
details of the conditions leading up to the nesting, and in part, the history of one of the
birds nesting. To our knowledge, this is the first report of inland nesting by this species
in the Everglades.
During March- June of 1992, we found conclusive evidence of Roseate Spoonbills
breeding at one colony in Water Conservation Area 3 (WCA 3), and activity which sug-
gested possible breeding at three others. We first noted adult spoonbills flying in and out
of the And5rtown colony site (south of SR 84 and west of SR 27, at 26° 06' 40"N, 80° 29'
29"W) in late February; nesting material was seen in the bill of an adult on 20 March.
After observing the colony in April, a search on 1 May revealed eight nests in willow
trees {Salix caroliniana). The nests held half-grown and larger spoonbill young; most
had two young and some three. Some young were branch-walking and could not be asso-
ciated with a particular nest. Judging from the numbers of adults using the colony and
the numbers of nests we located, it is likely that at least 20 nests were active at Andy-
town in 1992.
We also found one adult that was bearing a radio transmitter, placed on the bird in
Florida Bay by Robin Bjork and George Powell earlier in the year. The radio-marked
bird had previously initiated nesting in Florida Bay, but was unsuccessful. This bird’s
behavior at the Andytown colony suggested that it was making a second breeding
attempt. The bird was present during early morning when most nonbreeding birds
would be feeding, and it made regular trips to the colony during the day, landing in the
colony in the general vicinity of the nests. The interval between visits was consistent
with feeding trips to provision young, implying that this inland nesting attempt was
successful. The other nests were probably also successful, because we observed on 9
June at least 12 fledgling spoonbills in the vicinity of the nests.
Adult Roseate Spoonbills were also seen carrying nesting material in late April at
two colonies along Tamiami Trail (U.S. 41) at 25° 45' 31"N, 80° 30' 30" W, and 25° 45'
31"N, 80° 32' 45"W. A systematic ground search of these large and diffuse aggregations
was never undertaken because several hundred endangered Wood Storks (Mycteria
americana) were nesting there. Adult spoonbills were also seen carrying nesting mate-
rial and making regular trips into the L-67 colony (25° 57' 20"N, 80' 33' 55") during the
first week of June. On 5 June, a large nestling spoonbill was seen from an aircraft at the
L-67 colony, but 1.5 hours of observation of the area from a portable tower on 6 June
revealed no feeding of young or other activity by adult spoonbills. It seems likely that if
spoonbills did breed at L-67, there were fewer than 10 nests.
66
FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST
This appears to be the first report of nesting by Roseate Spoonbills in the freshwa-
ter Everglades. Survey effort prior to 1970 was probably minimal; during the past 20
years, however, survey effort has been substantial. Aerial counts of the larger colonies
have been undertaken during most years in the mid and late 1970s, and systematic
aerial surveys of every colony have been made in every season from 1986 through 1994.
During at least four years in the late 1970s and all years from 1986 through the present,
ground surveys were also made at most of the larger colonies to detect uncommon nest-
ing species. It is likely that nesting by this conspicuous bird would have been noted dur-
ing these years.
During 1992, exceptional numbers of wading birds bred in the WCAs of the Ever-
glades— more than the preceding 17 years, and between three and four times the aver-
age number found in the previous six years (Frederick 1993). The large number of
breeding attempts was apparently fueled by unusually abundant food sources. In 1992,
both Wood Storks and Great Egrets fed their young large sunfishes (Centrarchidae),
and White Ibises fed their young almost exclusively on fish (Frederick 1993), which
ibises only catch during exceptional prey density conditions. It seems likely that the
high availability of food was responsible for attracting the spoonbills to breed.
Although inland breeding by Roseate Spoonbills has not been reported at any loca-
tions in the United States in recent history, both Bent (1926) and Phelps (1914) recorded
this species breeding in freshwater colonies. In addition, the species regularly breeds in
freshwater areas in other parts of its range. This suggests that Roseate Spoonbills his-
torically nested in freshwater colonies with some degree of regularity. We believe that
inland nesting today occurs only under conditions of exceptional food availability in
freshwater marshes.
This is Florida Agricultural Experiment Station journal series #R04697.
Literature Cited
Allen, R. P. 1942. The Roseate Spoonbill. Nat Aud. Soc. Res. Rept. #2, Natl. Aud. Soc.,
New York.
Bent, A. C. 1926. Life histories of North American marsh birds. U.S. Natl. Mus. Bull.
135.
Bjork, R. B., and G. V. N. Powell. 1993. Relationships between hydrologic conditions
and quantity and quality of foraging habitat for Roseate Spoonbills and other wading
birds in the C-111 Basin. Final Rept. to Everglades Natl. Park. Natl. Aud. Soc., New
York.
Frederick, P. C. 1993. Wading bird nesting success studies in the Water Conservation
Areas of the Everglades. Final Rept. to South Florida Water Manag. Dist. SFWMD,
West Palm Beach, Florida.
Hancock, J. A., J. A. Kushlan, and M. P. Kahl. 1993. Storks, Ibises and Spoonbills of
the World. Academic Press, London.
Ogden, J. C. 1978. Roseate Spoonbill. Pages 52-54. In: Rare and endangered biota of
Florida. Vol II. Birds. H. W. Kale (ed.). Univ. Press of Florida.
Phelps, F. M. 1914. The resident bird life of the Big Cypress Swamp region. Wilson
Bull. 26:86-101.
67
Fla. Field Nat. 23(3): 67-68, 1995.
MIGRATION OF THE SCISSOR-TMLED FLYCATCHER IN THE FLORIDA
PANHANDLE
Robert A. Duncan
614 Fairpoint Drive, Gulf Breeze, Florida 32561
The Scissor-tailed Flycatcher {Tyrannus forficatus) occupies open country, grass-
lands, scrub, and savanna, and breeds from eastern New Mexico, southeastern Colo-
rado, to southern Texas. It winters in southern Louisiana (casually) and in southern
Florida, and in Middle America south to central Costa Rica and rarely to western Pan-
ama (A.O.U. 1983).
In Florida, this flycatcher is a regular but rare to uncommon transient in fall and
spring, especially noticeable in the Panhandle and along the Gulf Coast and rare to
locally common winter visitor in the Keys and southern peninsula (Robertson and Wool-
fenden 1992), Stevenson and Anderson (1994) report flocks of 20 or more individuals
wintering along the southern end of Lake Okeechobee, the Kendall area, and the Keys.
In the extreme western panhandle, it is a rare but regular transient in spring and fall
(Duncan 1988), usually being found on exposed perches such as power lines, fences or
isolated bushes or trees at migrant traps such as Ft. Pickens or Gulf Breeze.
During fall migration in the tropics Scissor-tailed Flycatchers have been observed
in numbers moving south or southeast during daylight hours and at dusk (Bent 1963).
Stevenson (1957) lacked information if it were a trans-Gulf or circum-Gulf migrant. It
has not been established whether or not it cuts across the Gulf to its south Florida win-
tering grounds. On three occasions I observed Scissor-tailed Flycatcher movements in
the Florida Panhandle that indicated it is probably a diurnal, circum-Gulf migrant in
fall in transit to wintering grounds in south Florida and the Keys. All three observations
were made from the tip of the Santa Rosa Peninsula at Gulf Breeze, Santa Rosa County,
Florida. The peninsula extends westward into Pensacola Bay. A barrier island lies about
5 km south of Gulf Breeze and the mainland 5 km north and west.
On 13 November 1993 an adult bird was observed flying east in mid-afternoon with
a flock of Yellow-rumped Warblers (Dendroica coronata) as they came in over the point
from out over Pensacola Bay. The bird was flying very high; the warblers appeared as
specks in lOX binoculars. The flycatcher was picked out of the flock by its very long
forked tail. As the flock flew over the peninsula, it descended to a lower elevation allow-
ing the pink sides and wing coverts of the flycatcher to be easily seen.
On 22 October 1994 I observed at about 10 a.m. two birds flying east over Pensa-
cola Bay 150-200 m high. I watched them in lOX binoculars until they were out of sight.
The birds flew ahead of a squall line that was approaching from the northwest. On 23
October 1994 I observed three birds at about 10:30 a.m. as they arrived out of the west
from over the bay and settled on the first available bush at the tip of the point.
In each instance above, the flycatchers were detected coming from the west and
had crossed about 5 km of open water. These diurnal, easterly movements strongly sug-
gest that the flycatchers were migrating towards wintering areas in south Florida. The
species does not winter in the Panhandle. I believe that at least part of the Scissor-
tailed Flycatchers’ migration is diurnal, and that the bird uses an overland route
around the Gulf of Mexico to reach south Florida.
Literature Cited
American Ornithologists’ Union. 1983. Check-list of North American Birds. 6th ed.
Amer. Ornithol. Union, Washington, D.C.
68
FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST
Bent, A, C. 1963. Life histories of North American flycatchers, larks, swallows and their
allies. Dover PubL, New York.
Duncan, R. A. 1988. The Birds of Escambia, Santa Rosa and Okaloosa Counties, Flor-
ida. Published by the author.
Robertson, W. B., Jr., and G. E. Woolfenden. 1992. Florida Bird Species: An Anno-
tated List. Florida Ornithol. Soc. Spec. Publ. No. 6, Gainesville.
Stevenson, H. M. 1957. The relative magnitude of the trans-Gulf and circum-Gulf
spring migration. Wilson Bull. 69:39-77.
Stevenson, H. M., and B. H. Anderson. 1994 The Birdlife of Florida. Univ. Press of
Florida. Gainesville.
FLORIDA ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY
SPECIAL PUBLICATIONS
Species Index to Florida Bird Records in Audubon Field Notes and Amer-
ican Birds Volumes 1-30 1947-1976, by Margaret C. Bowman. 1978. Florida Or-
nithological Society, Special Publication No. 1. Price $4.00.
The Carolina Parakeet in Florida, by Daniel McKinley. 1985. Florida Ornitho-
logical Society, Special Publication No. 2. Price $6.00.
Status and Distribution of the Florida Scrub Jay, by Jeffrey A. Cox. 1987.
Florida Ornithological Society, Special Publication No. 3. Price $8.00.
Florida Bird Records in American Birds and Audubon Field Notes 1947-
1989, by Robert W. Loftin, Glen E. Woolfenden, and Janet A. Woolfenden. 1991.
Florida Ornithological Society, Special Publication No. 4. Price $8.00.
West Indian Bird Records in American Birds and Audubon Field Notes
(1947-1990)1 Species Index by Islands, by Robert W. Loftin. 1992. Florida Or-
nithological Society, Special Publication No. 5. Price $8.00.
Florida Bird Species; An Annotated List, by William B. Robertson, Jr. and
Glen E. Woolfenden. 1992. Florida Ornithological Society, Special Publication No.
6. Price for FOS members $14.95 (soft cover), $19.95 (hard cover); nonmembers
$17.95 (soft cover), $22.95 (hard cover).
Order prepaid from the Secretary; add $1.00 handling and shipping for Spe-
cial Publications No. 1-5; add $2.00 handling and shipping for Special Publication
No. 6. Florida residents add 7% sales tax to the total. Make checks payable to
the Florida Ornithological Society.
69
Fla. Field Nat. 23(3): 69, 1995.
A COMMUNAL ROOST OF GRAY CATBIRDS AT ECO POND,
EVERGLADES NATIONAL PARK
Fred J. Alsop, III
Department of Biological Sciences, P.O. Box 70703,
East Tennessee State University,
Johnson City, Tennessee 37614
On 29 December 1993, Cathi Sullins and I were birding at Eco Pond west of the
Flamingo Visitor Center in Everglades National Park. We arrived at approximately
1600 hours to watch flights of ibis, herons, and egrets returning to the roost in the ham-
mock in the pond. During the next 15-20 minutes we birded from the wooden observa-
tion platform on the south side of the pond. In addition to the larger wading birds that
were returning to the pond’s roosts, flocks of Red-winged Blackbirds (Agelaius phoen-
iceus) arrived and swiftly disappeared into the “island” stands of cattails {Typha sp.)
and rushes (Juncus sp.). Three times during this period I observed individual Gray Cat-
birds (Dumetella carolinensis) fly from the shrub woodlands bordering the pond’s grassy
perimeter to a single island of cattails and rushes standing some 5-6 m from the bank
and approximately 20 m west of the observation platform. Like the returning red-wings,
the catbirds quickly disappeared downward into the thickest areas of the stand and did
not reappear.
In the next 30 minutes we slowly walked around the pond in a counterclockwise
direction. Eventually, we approached this same clump of cattails and rushes from the
opposite side as our path took us full circle around the pond. By this time the sun was
low in the sky and many flights of birds were returning to the pond’s roosts. When we
were within approximately 20 m of the stand we saw two more Gray Catbirds dart from
the woody shrubs, cross the 6 m of bordering grass and fly into it. Presently, another cat-
bird followed their route from the woodland shrub to the cattails. During the next 10-12
minutes, in ones and twos, at least 12 more Gray Catbirds followed suit. Each went
directly to the cattails, landed in the upper third of the vegetation and then dropped
downward quickly out of sight. None reappeared. Their behavior was similar to that of
the Red-winged Blackbirds returning to roost for the night and I believe this is what the
catbirds were doing.
This cattail-rush stand was surrounded by water and was approximately 15 m long
by 1-4 m wide. It is possible that additional catbirds entered this clump during the time
we walked the pond’s edge and were screened from viewing it.
In my 30 years of ornithological field observations I have never before observed this
communal roosting behavior in the Gray Catbird, nor have I seen catbirds roost in cat-
tail stands in a pond.
I thank Herbert W. Kale II and Walter K. Taylor for comments that improved the
manuscript.
70
Fla. Field Nat. 23(3): 70-71, 1995.
FIRST JANUARY SIGHTING IN THE UNITED STATES OF A YELLOW-NOSED
ALBATROSS
H. P. Langridge
1421 W. Ocean Avenue, Lantana, Florida 33462
Along the western shore of the North Atlantic, the Yellow-nosed Albatross
Diomedea chlororhynchos is considered a “casual vagrant” (Clapp et al. 1982) or “casual
or accidental” (A.O.U. 1983) with 25 reports from Canada and the United States during
AprihOctober with most clustered in July and August (Hoffman 1994, McDaniel 1973).
Only three reports exist for Florida: a sight report off Brevard County by J. Johnson on
13 July 1958 (Stevenson 1958), a photographic record of a bird at St. Marks Natl. Wildl.
Ref. by G. Valpey-Toussignant on 3 July 1983 (Paul 1983), and a specimen record from
Key Largo by W. Hoffman on 27 May 1992 (Langridge 1992, Hoffman 1994). The St,
Marks and Key Largo records were made from land.
From the east end of Lake Worth Pier, Palm Beach County, Florida, at 0750 on 5
January 1995, I identified an albatross as a Yellow-nosed using lOx 40x Zeiss binocu-
lars. It was a very cloudy day at 61° and with 36 kph north winds. At about 152 m from
the pier, the gliding albatross slipped in from the northeast and leisurely wove its way
among three, 6 or 7-m long fishing boats and much smaller gulls for several minutes
before unhurriedly working its way south. The albatross seldom rose more than a few
feet above the water. This large bird flapped its wings only twice and glided during most
of the observing time with its long, narrow wings held vertically to the water. Excellent
views were seen of both surfaces of the wings, especially the ventral area which is
important for identification.
Ventrally, the long, narrow wings were white with a narrow black margin along
each leading edge; primaries were black. The body was white. Near the upper left breast
and lower throat area was a light-gray smudge. I could see no color on the dark bill. Dor-
sally, the wings and back were dark and the rump and head were white.
I compared my field drawings and notes with many published illustrations and
descriptions. As the Black-browed Albatross D. melanophris, with only sight reports,
and the Yellow-nosed Albatross are the only albatrosses reported in the western North
Atlantic (A.O.U. 1983), separating the two species at a distance is straightforward in
that the Black-browed Albatross has more black on the ventral surface of the wing than
does the Yellow-nosed Albatross. Ventrally, the very narrow black margin on the leading
edge of the all-white wing except for the black primaries eliminated the Black-browed
from consideration.
Yellow-nosed Albatrosses “. . . are most likely to occur along the margin of the Con-
tinental Shelf . . .” (Clapp et al. 1982), As the continental shelf margin is near the shore
along Palm Beach County, this albatross’s appearance at this location would seem cred-
ible. Less than 1.6 k from shore the depth of the ocean is well over 100 fathoms and
drops sharply thereafter (U.S. Geol. Sur. 1946).
The Yellow-nosed Albatross normally breeds from August through May in the
South Atlantic (Harrison 1983) so any winter occurrence in the North Atlantic is excep-
tional. The latest fall date for this species was a late October bird found injured in 1976
in Texas (Webster 1976) and the earliest spring sighting was in Maine on 21 March 1960
(McDaniel 1973). The only previous winter sighting in the U.S. was a bird photographed
by R. Rowlett on 1 February 1974 off Ocean City, Maryland (Scott and Cutler 1975). My
observation is the first January sighting, the second winter U.S. sighting, and the
fourth overall for Florida.
Notes
71
For their suggestions and patient help, I thank W. Hoffman, reviewers F. Lohrer
and G. Woolfenden, and editor W. Taylor.
Literature Cited
American Ornithologists' Union. 1983. Check-list of North American Birds. 6th ed.
Amer. Ornithol. Union, Washington, D.C.
Clapp, R. B., R. C. Banks, D. Morgan-Jacobs, and W. A. Hoffman. 1982. Marine
birds of the Southeastern United States and Gulf of Mexico. Part I, Gaviiformes
through Pelecaniformes. U.S. Fish and Wild. Ser., Office of Biol. Ser. FWS/OBS-83/
30, Washington, D.C.
Harrison, P. 1983. Seabirds, an Identification Guide. Houghton Mifflin Co., Boston,
Hoffman, W. 1994. Yellow-nosed Albatross specimen from Key Largo. Florida Field
Nat. 22:75-77.
Langridge, H. P 1992. The changing seasons, the spring season: Florida region. Amer.
Birds 46:413.
McDaniel, J. W. 1973. Vagrant Albatrosses in the Western North Atlantic and Gulf of
Mexico. Amer. Birds 27:563-565.
Paul, R. 1983. The changing seasons, the nesting season: Florida region. Amer. Birds
37:980.
Scott, F. R., and D. A. Cutler. 1975. The changing seasons. The winter season. Middle
Atlantic Coast region. Amer. Birds 29:672.
Stevenson, H. M. 1958. Regional reports, the summer season. Florida region. Aud.
Field Notes 12:406.
U.S. Geol. Sur. 1946-1962 (73 PR). State of Florida. Delray Beach quadrangle. U.S.
Dept, of Interior. Reston, Virginia 22092.
Webster, F. S. Jr 1976. The changing seasons. The autumn migration: South Texas
region. Amer. Birds 31:198.
NEWS
Fla. Field Nat. 23(3): 72, 1995.
William B. Robertson Elected Honorary Member of the Florida Ornithological
Society.— -Ask anyone a question about birds in Florida and chances are they will refer
you to Bill Robertson for the best answer. How does a boy born in Berlin, Illinois come to
spend his life studying the Florida Everglades? He came, he saw, he loved it, and he
stayed to learn.
After received his B.S. from Carthage College, M.S. (1949) and Ph.D. (1955) from
the University of Illinois, Bill came to the Everglades to investigate a little known eco-
system. The field work for his doctoral dissertation. Breeding Bird Populations of Tropi-
cal Florida in Relation to the Vegetation, was done in south Florida and the Bahamas,
but it only stimulated his curiosity and whetted his enthusiasm to learn more. So he
came back. Hired in 1957 as Research Biologist for Everglades National Park and Fort
Jefferson National Monument, Bill became an expert on all aspects of the ecosystems of
the Everglades, and the ornithology of Florida, and has expanded his expertise to
include the West Indies. This includes over 140 exquisitely written papers and articles
dealing, not only with the above, but also Swallow-tailed Kites, Roseate Spoonbills, and
Sooty Terns. He has served on recovery teams or advisory teams for several endangered
species, and written 12 of the species accounts in Rare and Endangered Biota of Florida.
He was the first to recognize that water management practices in the Everglades were
having adverse effects on the populations of wading birds. Bill was a member of several
survey and study teams including Virgin Islands NP, Cross Florida Barge Canal, Big
Cypress Swamp Jetport, and St. Thomas V. I. Jetport. He has received the U.S. Depart-
ment of Interior Medal for Distinguished Service and the George Wright Society Award
for Excellence, their highest honor. In 1993 he joined the newly formed National Biolog-
ical Service. He is presently involved in a study of mercury contamination in birds, an
ongoing study of the Sooty Tern nesting colony in the Dry Tortugas, and a study of the
flora of the Dry Tortugas.
Bill was a member of the Committee on Organization when the formation of F.O.S.
was being considered, was the first President, when the Society was struggling to estab-
lish itself, and was re-elected for a second term. He has also served on the Board of
Directors (2 terms). Editorial Advisory Board, The Records Committee, the Nominating
Committee, was “advisor and problem solver to the FFN.”, and co-authored, with Glen
E. Woolfenden, one of our Special Publications: Florida Bird Species: An Annotated List.
He is a Fellow of the American Ornithologists’ Union, a Fellow of the American Associa-
tion for the Advancement of Science, and Adjunct Professors at the University of Miami
and at Florida International University. As an indication of the esteem in which he is
held by colleagues Bill was “roasted” at an F.O.S. banquet at Flamingo in 1982. While it
was hilarious, and Bill squirmed a lot, a great deal of respect and affection was hidden
among the jibes.
A lifetime of accumulated knowledge generously passed on is the measure of this
man. An invaluable resource, “Dr. Bill” is the person to turn to with questions on a myr-
iad of topics. The uninformed amateur as well as the venerable biologist can ask the
basic or complex question and be sure of a thoughtful, thorough answer. It is difficult to
do justice to the various aspects and deeds of this quiet achiever who hides his awesome
intellect behind a self-effacing demeanor. How do you enumerate the interests he has
stimulated by letting his enthusiasm show, or know the encouragement he has given by
taking time to elucidate for an inquiring mind? We are fortunate to have as an honorary
member a man who embodies the interests and aims of F.O.S. I thank John C. Ogden for
furnishing information from Everglades National Park. — Barbara C. Kittleson, 5334
Woodhaven Lane, Lakeland, Florida 33813.
73
Fla. Field Nat. 23(3): 73-74, 1995.
Glen E. Woolfenden Elected Honorary Member of the Florida Ornithological
Society.— Glen Woolfenden, having served his ornithological apprenticeships with the
likes of Dean Amadon, Harrison “Bud” Tordoff, and Pierce Brodkorb, and attained inter-
national esteem for his insightful and original research on the behavioral ecology of
Florida Scrub Jays, is probably held in highest regard by his students. As a Professor at
the University of South Florida since 1960, Glen has served as mentor for a flock of
graduate students, his ornithological apprentices, instilling in them the philosophies,
theories, and facts of science, evolution, and ornithology. Virtually all of his students
remain actively engaged in ornithological research, producing new ideas and students of
their own, a testament to the foundation laid by Glen Woolfenden.
Glen earned his B.S. in Biology from Cornell University in 1953 and his M.A. in
Zoology from the University of Kansas in 1956. He arrived in Florida not long after and,
in 1960, completed his Ph.D. in Zoology at University of Florida. He has spent his entire
professional career at the University of South Florida, attaining full Professor in 1970.
A classically trained ornithologist, Glen prepared and curated an extensive bird skin
and skeleton collection, especially of Florida birds. He has received virtually all the fac-
ulty awards at U.S.F. as a distinguished teacher, lecturer, and scholar, culminating in
his promotion to Distinguished Research Professor in 1988. His obvious enthusiasm for
evolution and behavioral ecology permeates his lectures, infusing an infectious and
growing excitement in his audience. His list of invited lectures reads like an itinerary
from Jules Verne’s whirlwind tour — Queensland, West Berlin, Oxford, Moscow, Tel-Aviv,
Johannesburg, Tokyo, and Haines City, to name but a few.
Glen initiated his studies of the Florida Scrub Jay in 1969, as a Research Associate
at Archbold Biological Station. His attention was drawn by the cooperative nature of
these amicable birds and the evolutionary paradox posed by their apparent altruism.
His objective and rigorous studies of demography and behavior helped make sense of
this paradox by placing it “in the light of evolution.” In 1985, with co-author John Fitz-
patrick, he received the American Ornithologists’ Union’s highest award, the William
Brewster Award, for their book. The Florida Scrub Jay: Demography of a Cooperative-
Breeding Bird. In 1994, he was named Distinguished Animal Behaviorist by the Animal
Behavior Society. He has published over 100 scientific articles in ornithology, mostly on
Florida birds. He recently co-authored, with William B. Robertson, Jr., Florida Bird
Species: An Annotated List, an up-to-date compendium of the status of all species of
birds ever reported from Florida.
Glen’s contributions to the ornithological community are extensive. He was a Char-
ter member of the Florida Ornithological Society, served on the Editorial Advisory
Board for over a decade, was Vice President and, more recently, F.O.S. President. He is
currently the Editor for Special Publications. He has served on the Editorial Board of
the Wilson Ornithological Society, the Board of Directors of the Cooper Ornithological
Society, and numerous committees and offices of the American Ornithologists’ Union,
serving as their President from 1988-1990. He has been a member of the International
Ornithological Congress Committee since 1978. He is a Fellow of the A.O.U., the Animal
Behavior Society, and a Corresponding Fellow of the Deutsche Ornithologen-Gesell-
schaft.
Glen Woolfenden’s contributions to ornithology, behavioral ecology, and evolution
are vast and his contributions to the conservation of Florida’s birds are assuming the
same proportions. He is not an adherent of vogue paradigms, but pursues his evolution-
ary and ecological interests doggedly, knowing full well the applicability of his data.
Glen’s research and his advocacy have clearly demonstrated that the foundations of
good conservation are extensive, long-term studies of natural history. He has led a new
74
FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST
generation of biologists by teaching and example and we are proud to honor him and his
long association with the Florida Ornithological Society. — Reed Bowman, Archbold
Biological Station, RO. Box 2057, Lake Placid, Florida 33862.
The Florida Ornithological Society
is Proud to Announce Special Publication No. 6
FLORIDA BIRD SPECIES^ AN ANNOTATED LIST
BY
William B. Robertson, Jr.
Glen E. Woolfenden
The first complete and authoritative review of Florida’s avifauna since
Arthur Howell’s 1932 Florida Bird Life. Treats over 660 species reported in
the state. More than 140 species of non-native exotics. Essential for every-
one interested in the modern status of Florida’s native and introduced
birds.
SOFT COVER HARD COVER
FOS Members $14.95 $19.95
Non-Members $17.95 $22.95
All orders add $2.00 shipping and handling per book.
Florida residents add 7% sales tax to the total.
Make checks payable to Florida Ornithological Society.
Mail to:
F.O.S. SPECIAL PUBLICATIONS EDITOR
ARCHBOLD BIOLOGICAL STATION
P.O. BOX 2057
LAKE PLACID, FL 33862
75
REVIEW
Fla. Field Nat. 23(3): 75-76, 1995.
The Birdlife of Florida.-— Henry M. Stevenson and Bruce H. Anderson. 1994.
University Press of Florida, Gainesville, Florida. ISBN 0-8130-1288-0. 892 pages.
$120.00 cloth. — Here it is, the long-awaited opus magnum of Henry M. Stevenson! It
covers virtually ever3rthing you ever wanted to know about Florida birds. And magnum
it certainly is— 710 pages of text covering some 665 species, 168 pages of bibliography
(ca. 9,000 titles), 454 numbered species’ distribution maps, several tables, an addendum
of observations through February 1994, and an index. Henry spent at least 30 years
gathering information for this work, as he laboriously and personally gleaned data from
museum specimens all over the country, from published accounts, and from his and oth-
ers’ field notes. Few nooks or crannies in the state escaped his never-ending search for
birds, whether through binoculars or over the barrel of his collecting gun. His corre-
spondence with dozens of professional and amateur ornithologists must have been volu-
minous. For about six years, he worked with his coauthor to complete this extremely
valuable reference book. Their final totals for the number of species found in Florida
are: 484 accredited species, 2 extinct, 22 established exotics, 46 hypothetical (of proba-
ble natural occurrence), and 135 non-established exotics.
Species accounts include, first of all, sections on Distribution (worldwide. North
America, or New World) and Florida Status. Probably the most useful section in the
species accounts, and one that will likely receive the most attention, is that of Florida
Status. Herein, the authors begin with quite useful summary statements about the
bird’s occurrence in the state, then document virtually every record that they could find
for the species’ occurrence in Florida. These include museum specimens, published
accounts, and sightings. Such records are usually presented in great detail, are care-
fully and critically evaluated, and sometimes are challenged. Extreme dates of occur-
rence and maxima of individuals seen, when known for specific sites, are also presented.
Checking the accuracy and completeness of all species’ records is beyond the scope of
this review; that evaluation must be left to future researchers.
Before reading the section on Relative abundance, users must read the methods
section carefully before tr5dng to understand the use of decimals to compare abundances
at different sites. Comparisons of early (1910-1935) and recent (1951-1982) Christmas
Bird Counts suggest winter population trends over the years, and data from Breeding
Bird Surveys (1966 to 1984) provide trends for breeding birds. Although overly wordy,
the sections on Migration (numbers, dates, places), Breeding (nest sites, eggs), and
Haunts and Habits (preferred habitats, behavior, foods, vocalizations) are well pre-
pared and provide easy reading. Many people will appreciate the section dealing with
Problems of Identification, with its special focus on difficult-to-distinguish forms
such as Empidonax flycatchers, shorebirds, and birds of prey. Crucial points of differ-
ence seem to be based on Henry’s many years of field experiences. Also useful to some
readers is the section on subspecific Variations for those polytypic species breeding in
Florida. Here, the senior author gives his views on the acceptability of certain forms in
the state and, usually without explanation, occasionally deviates from “standard”
A.O.U. nomenclature. I also appreciate the authors’ efforts to identify Adverse Factors
such as predation, parasitism, and biocide concentrations. Some readers, like myself,
will wonder about the meanings of “low” or “high” or “highest” levels of pesticides (com-
pared to what?) and the relationship between pesticide concentrations and the viability
of an individual bird. Finally, in the species accounts are pertinent, valuable Refer-
ences to which the reader is steered for further reading or confirmatory information.
Accompanying each of the 484 accredited species is a distribution map in which
seasons of occurrence, breeding and specimen records are indicated for each county.
76
FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST
When subspecies have been identified for species breeding in Florida, approximate
boundaries of the subspecies are so indicated. A separate designation should have been
given for the Florida Keys; an out-of-state visitor probably will not know whether the
Keys are in Dade or Monroe county.
I was disappointed to find less than a page on physiography (ecology) and virtually
nothing on history of ornithology. Surely a book of this magnitude should have included
appropriate sections on these very important subjects which are intimately related to
bird distribution. The large increase of birdwatchers in the state over the past several
decades must have affected our increasing knowledge about bird distribution.
Painstaking, aggressive, professional editing by an experienced ornithologist would
have greatly improved the quality and reduced the size of this book. Here are some rea-
sons why.
Lengthy descriptions of worldwide distribution should have been greatly con-
densed or deleted. Who among the users of this book needs to know that Ruddy Turn-
stones probably breed in Mackenzie, that Merlins winter in Mongolia, or that White-
faced Ibises occur in Argentina? Paragraphs of ordinal and family characteristics should
have been deleted. Who among the usual users of this book on Florida birds needs to
know that passerines have a bilaminate tarsus, that falcons are anisodactyl, or that
potoos have “teeth” on the maxillary tomium? Deletion of these out-of-place materials
would have saved pages and, along with more stringent editing as indicated elsewhere,
might have reduced the cost of the book.
Misspellings and typographical errors are frequent: scientific names (Casmerodias,
Caladris, [IJeucoptera), common name (Kitiwake), and authors’ names (Imhoff for
Imhof, French for ffrench). Inconsistencies abound: imm. vs. im.; FL vs. Fla.; & vs. and;
one vs. 1; pounds vs. lb.; use of et al. vs. spelling out all authors’ names; one species
showing a “definite decrease” vs. “slight decrease.” Confusing adjectives are frequently
used without explanations: a specimen was “purportedly taken,” “largely undocumented
report,” “almost surely erroneous,” “unsubstantiated.” Ontario is presented as a state. I
have never heard of the word “avians” as a noun referring to birds. Undocumented, puz-
zling, or incorrect statements are found, for example, that larger owls prey on screech
owls in Florida, that Golden Eagles have speeds up to 200 mph, and that PCBs are pes-
ticides (they are not). In many instances food preferences given in the text are undocu-
mented (e.g.. Double-crested Cormorant, Anhinga) so that the reader must only guess
that birds in Florida consume those specific foods.
In a work of this magnitude, even the most careful author/compiler is bound to
miss references. Among missing items are most graduate theses and dissertations
either from Florida colleges and universities or from out of state but covering some
aspect of Florida ornithology.
Finally, the careless inclusion by the junior author of a Commentary alleging prob-
lems with one old egg collection is clearly out of place. From flimsy, non-scientific, sec-
ond-hand inferences, Anderson illogically warns readers to beware of Gould’s catalog
records by using such unwarranted, pejorative, and inaccurate phrases as “purportedly
collected.” Even though a specimen might not be found today, a precise catalog entry a
century ago is still an acceptable record and does not require “validation” or “verifica-
tion.” That Commentary, itself lacking in credibility, should never have been published
here because it mars the integrity of the book.
Clearly, Birdlife of Florida is the result of the most ambitious undertaking in
Florida by a single man since the publication of Florida Bird Life by Arthur Howell in
1932. It is an exceptionally valuable compilation of records for birds found in the state.
Although obvious editorial problems occur, the book is essential for anyone interested in
an up-to-date treatment of Florida’s birds whether they be serious birders, professionals
or out-of-state visitors. Its high cost, however, will likely reduce sales. — David W,
Johnston, 5219 Concordia Street, Fairfax, Virginia 22032.
77
FIELD OBSERVATIONS
Fla. Field Nat. 23(3): 77-86, 1995.
Winter Report: December 1994-February 1995.— The observations listed here
are based on rare or unusual species or significant numbers of birds reported to the
Florida Ornithological Society (FOS) Field Observations Committee. As these reports
are not formally reviewed, they may be considered tentative.
Significant reports are welcomed for inclusion in future issues of this section.
Reports should include the following information: species, number of individuals, age
and sex of the bird(s), color morph if applicable, location (including county), date,
observer(s), and significance of the report. Reporting periods are winter (December-Feb-
ruary), spring (March-May), summer (June-July), and fall (August-November). Submit
reports to regional compilers within 2 weeks after the close of each period, or to the
state compiler within 1 month. Reports may be sent by FAX to the state compiler at
(941) 699-1927.
Following the examples set by Florida Bird Species: An Annotated List (Robertson
and Woolfenden 1992, FOS Spec. Publ. No. 6) and The Birdlife of Florida (Stevenson
and Anderson 1994, Univ. Press of Florida), sight-only observations are considered
“reports,” while only those supported by verifiable evidence (photographs, video or audio
tapes, or specimens) are called “records.”
Anderson and Baker {Fla. Field Nat. 22:21-23, 1994) published the list of birds for
which the FOS Records Committee (FOSRC) requires documentation. These species are
marked in this report with an asterisk (*) to alert the observers of their need to supply
the FOSRC with details of their sightings.
A county designation accompanies the first-time listing of each site in this report;
further listings of the same site lack the county name. Abbreviations used are as fol-
lows: APAFR=:Avon Park Air Force Range, ca.=circa, CBC^Christmas Bird Count,
CP=county park, ENP=Everglades National Park, NWR=national wildlife refuge, R&W
1992=Robertson and Woolfenden 1992, S&A 1994=Stevenson and Anderson 1994,
SP=state park, SRA=state recreation area, WMA=wildhfe management area, and N, S,
E, W, etc. for compass directions. Bold-faced species, if any, denote birds newly reported
or verified in Florida.
The state compiler thanks Rick West, the winter editor of National Audubon Soci-
ety Field Notes, and Bruce Anderson, the secretary of the FOSRC. Robertson and Wool-
fenden (1992) and Stevenson and Anderson (1994) were used to determine the regional
and seasonal statuses of many species.
SUMMAEY OF THE WINTER SEASON
American Robins, Cedar Waxwings, and American Goldfinches were scarce, absent,
or very late in arriving this winter, presumably due to relatively mild temperatures,
possibly coupled with adequate supplies of berries and other foods further north. In con-
trast, Black Scoters were widespread, and reported in numbers even into South Florida.
As suggested by the Fall 1994 report, western-breeding hummingbirds were reported in
good numbers this winter. One can’t help but wonder if the increasing availability of
hummingbird feeders is responsible for this change in hummingbird wintering patterns.
At least 4 vagrant hummingbird species appeared in Florida this winter, including the
state’s second Anna’s Hummingbird.
For apparently the first time ever, an Eastern Kingbird was documented to occur in
the state (and country?) in the winter months, when 1 was found on the Lake Placid
CBC and photographed the next day. However, other reported wintering species such as
78
FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST
White-mmped Sandpiper, Common Nighthawk, Blue-winged Warbler, and (especially!)
Black-throated Green Warbler remain unverified. Perhaps at least the last-mentioned
species will be photographed next winter?
Three native species — Eurasian Kestrel, Caribbean Martin, and Virginia’s War-
bler— were newly reported for Florida this season, but unfortunately, verifiable evidence
is lacking for all 3. A new exotic was also added to Florida’s avifauna when an Orange
Bishop was photographed on the St. Marks CBC. Two other exotics, both presumed to
represent birds that escaped from falconers, were documented this season: a Snowy Owl
photographed at Port St. Joe and a Harris’ Hawk videotaped near Fort Myers. Appar-
ently, neither species had been documented in Florida previously.
Other rarities reported this winter include Yellow-nosed Albatross, Little Gull,
Thayer’s Gull, Lesser Nighthawk, Yellow-bellied Flycatcher, Ash-throated Flycatcher,
La Sagra’s Flycatcher, “Tropical” Kingbird, and Harris’ Sparrow.
Lastly, some words about Christmas Bird Counts: “high numbers” reported on the
(very few) CBCs submitted to the FOC are used only sparingly in this report. There are
100s of “high numbers” on the 50+ CBCs conducted annually in Florida, but most are of
little or no significance statewide. Additionally, CBC compilers rarely (if ever) indicate
the possible reasons for the “high numbers” (i.e., increased observer effort or ability).
Furthermore, many CBC circles are located in more than 1 county, and reports of rari-
ties from these Counts almost never indicate in which county(ies) the birds were
observed. To end on a pleasant note, the Lake Placid CBC in Highlands reported a ten-
tative total of 152 species, on 27 December. This appears to be the very first inland CBC
east of the Mississippi River ever to reach the mark of 150 species {fide G. Woolfenden)!
Species Accounts
Red-throated Loon: up to 17 along the coast from Fort Clinch SP (Nassau) S to Little
Talbot Island SP (Duval) 22 Jan-22 Feb (many obs. fide P. Powell); 1 off Dog Island
(Franklin) 27 Feb (D. Evered, L. Messick).
Eared Grebe: 1 at Tram Road sewage treatment plant, Tallahassee (Leon) 18 Nov-early
March (J. Cavanagh et al.); 1 at N Jacksonville (Duval) 3 Dec (R. Clark); 2 at Palm
Harbor sewage treatment ponds (Pinellas) 3 Dec through the period (D. Gagne, L.
Atherton, W. Yusek et aL); 1 at an Okaloosa holding pond 7 Dec (D. Ware); 1 at Tierra
Verde (Pinellas) 17 Dec (B. and L. Atherton); up to 7 at Occidental WMA (Hamilton)
through the period (J. Krummrich et al.).
*YelL0W-N0SED Albatross: 1 off the Lake Worth Pier (Palm Beach) 5 Jan (H. Lan-
gridge, accepted by the FOSRC as albatross species, note to Fla. Field Nat.) was only
the fourth Florida report and the first in winter.
Northern Gannet: 55 off Honeymoon Island SRA (Pinellas) 2 Jan (D. Gagne, W.
Yusek) was a very high local count.
Brown Pelican: 2 at Newnan’s Lake (Alachua) 19 Jan (J. Estes).
Great Cormorant: 1 found injured off Egmont Key NWR (Pinellas) 8 Dec was released
17 Jan after surgery was performed that removed a fish hook from the bird’s throat
(fide R. Smith).
AnhingA: 1 at Okaloosa 19 Jan (J. Scott) was rare there (fide D. Ware).
Magnificent Frigatebird: 1 immature at Huguenot City Park (Duval) 14 Jan (B.
Richter).
Reddish Egret: 1 white morph that wintered at Cape San Bias (Gulf) (J. Stevenson)
was rare so far north for the white morph.
White x Scarlet Ibis: 1 “adult hybrid” at Flamingo, ENP (Monroe) 28 Jan (S. Mlodi-
now).
White Spoonbill: the bird at Hillsborough, first reported 20 Oct 1993, was observed 23
Feb at Alafia Banks rookery (A. Schnapf, E. Rosen).
Field Observations
79
Greater Flamingo: 21 on the Coot Bay CBC {Dade or Monroe) 1 Jan (J. Villamil, E.
Schaughnessy et aL).
Black-bellied Whistling-Duck: 29 on the Venice CBC {Sarasota) 27 Dec {fide A.
Stedman).
Tundra Swan: 1 at Three Rivers S'RA{Jackson) 10-12 Jan (S. Arbery).
Mute Swan: 1 adult at Watson Bayou {Bay) 25-26 Jan (B. Thorpe, T, Watson).
Black Swan {Cygnus atratus): 1 “strong-flying bird” at Fort DeSoto CP {Pinellas) 6 Feb,
the first county report, was never seen again (R. Smith).
Greater White-fronted Goose: 1 at Air Products Sanctuary {Escambia) 22-25 Dec
(C. Milmore); 1 at St. Marks NWR {Wakulla) 9-11 Feb (R. Will, C. Gidden).
Snow Goose: 8 on Big and Little Talbot islands {Duval) 26 Dec (many obs. fide R Pow-
ell); 5 (3 white and 2 blue morphs) in inland Dixie 28 Jan (N. Warner); 1 blue morph
at Alafia Banks 2-3 Feb (N. Douglass, M. Zeloski).
American Black Duck: 2 on the Coot Bay CBC 1 Jan (E. Schaughnessy).
Cinnamon Teal: single males at St. Marks NWR 2 Dec-24 Feb (J. Reinman et al.) and
Lake Jackson {Leon) 18 Jan through the period (G. Menk et al.).
Gadwall: 1 male on Lake Pasadena 20 Dec was one of very few Pasco reports (B.
Pranty, P. Young, D. Robinson, A. Boles).
Redhead: 1400 at Honeymoon Island SRA 29 Jan (D. Gagne, W. Yusek).
Ring-necked Duck: 6225 (mostly on Lake Pierce) on the Lake Wales CBC {Polk) 31
Dec {fide P. Fellers).
Lesser Scaup: numbers at Hillsborough Bay {Hillsborough) have apparently stabilized
at less than 5000 birds, which is only 5-10% of numbers up to the early 1970s (R.
Paul).
Harlequin Duck: 1 female at Fort Clinch SP 2 and 24 Dec (R. Clark).
Oldsquaw: single females at Fort Clinch SP 22 Jan (R. Norton) and Cedar Key {Levy)
19-20 Feb (S. and S. Bollinger).
Black Scoter: among numerous reports were as follows; 250 off Amelia Island {Nas-
sau) Dec and Jan (E. Colborn), 1 female on the Lower Keys CBC {Monroe) 17 Dec (R.
Sawicki et al.), 4 off Bayport Park {Hernando) 22 Dec (D. Goodwin, C. Buhrman) was
the first county report (S&A 1994:133); 2 females or immatures at Hillsborough Bay
31 Dec (R. Paul, A. Schnapf), 14 off Merritt Island NWR {Brevard) 2 Jan (R. Smith,
P. Blair, B. and B. Wotton), 849 in 17 southbound flocks off the Lake Worth Pier 3
Jan, and 160 southbound on 4 Jan (both H. Langridge), 20 off Fort DeSoto CP {Pinel-
las) 6 Jan (L. Atherton), 15 off Fort Clinch SP 16 Jan (A. and R. Smith), 1 immature
male at Sarasota 14-21 Jan (J. Palmer, A. Rawson), 30 off Madeira Beach {Pinellas)
in Jan (K. Nelson).
White-winged Scoter: 1 off the Lake Worth Pier 3 Jan (H. Langridge, G. Hunter) and
2 there 4 Jan (A. Liberman); 2 at Little Talbot Island SP 22 Feb (R. Clark).
Common Goldeneye: 1 on the South Brevard CBC {Brevard andJ or Indian River) 1 Jan
was the first for that count {fide J. Taylor); 1 female at Palm Harbor sewage ponds
22-30 Jan (D. Gagne et al.) was irregular so far south.
Bufflehead: 6-8 at Polk phosphate mines 15-28 Jan (R Timmer, C. Geanangel, R
Fellers).
Red-breasted Merganser: 90-100 in a flock at Casey Key {Sarasota) 23 Jan and 17
Feb included at least 12 adult males (A. Stedman).
Ruddy Duck: 1250 at Occidental WMA {Hamilton) 17 Dec {fide J. Krummrich); 203 at
Lake Jackson 1 Jan was a good local count (G. Menk).
American Swallow-tailed Kite: 1 flew in from the Gulf over Dog Island {Franklin)
and continued N, at 1700 hours 24 Feb (D. Evered, L. Messick); 3 at Little-Big Econ
State Forest {Seminole) 25 Feb {fide L. Malo).
White-tailed Kite: 4 in the E Everglades between Chekika and Homestead Airport
{Dade) throughout the period (P. W. and S. Smith et al.); 1 adult in S Brevard 10 Dec-
80
FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST
12 Feb (B. and S. Hills et al.) was 1 of 3 that have been observed in the area since
June 1993 (B. Wetmore); 1 adult in N Lafayette 11 Dec (D. and K. Dees) was the first
report for the county (S&A 1994:149); 2 adults (1 harassed a Bald Eagle) on the Lake
Placid CBC {Highlands) 27 Dec, for the 4th consecutive year (B. Pranty, W. Hale, G.
Stoccardo, G. Woolfenden); 1 N of Holt (Okaloosa) 30 Dec (R. Larson); 1 adult on SR-
29 just S of SR-74 (Glades) 12 Jan (D. Leonard); 1 adult E of Sebring (Highlands) 18
Jan (B. and M. Kittredge); 1 at Oscar Scherer SP (Sarasota) 23 Jan had been present
for ca. 2 weeks (A. Rawson et ah); 1 at Wellington (Palm Beach) 23 Jan (S. Frank et
ah); 2 at Three Lakes WMA (Osceo/a) 22 Feb (S. McGehee, V. Dreiks).
Snail Kite: 12 on 1-75 between miles 44 and 46 (Broward) 17 Feb (J. Baker).
Harris’ Hawk: 1 adult without bands or jesses on Pine Island (Lee) 19 Feb through the
period (fide N. Warner et al., video by B. Atherton 25 Feb) — all Florida reports are
presumed to represent escapes.
Broad-winged Hawk: 1 at Tree Tops CP, Davie (Broward) 7 Jan (M. McMillian et ah);
1 adult at Parker Island 18 Jan (B. Pranty, L, Mitchell, M. Crowe-Mitchell).
Short-tailed Hawk: single dark morphs at West Lake Park (Broward) 12 Jan and 1
Feb (both J. Baker); 1 dark morph at ENP (Monroe) 22 Jan (S. Mlodinow) and a light
morph there 29 Jan (S. Mlodinow) and 18 Feb (A., L., and R. Smith); 2 wintered at
Key West (Monroe) (J. Ondrejko).
Swainson’S Hawk: 1 dark morph over Lower Matecumbe Key (Monroe) 18 Dec (H. and
S. Rottenborn); 1 adult light morph at Archbold Biological Station (Highlands) 3
days in Feb (B. Keating, B. Yahr).
Red-tailed Hawk: 2 “Krider’s Hawks” at Tram Road sewage treatment plant 2 Dec (G.
Menk) and 2 Feb (J. Cavanagh); 1 at St. Marks NWR 4 Jan (J. Reinman).
Crested CaracarA: singles in Broward 26 Dec (P. W and S. Smith) and 10 Feb (J.
Baker) were apparently the first county reports (S&A 1994:175).
*Eurasian Kestrel {Falco tinnunculus): 1 female at Cape Canaveral (city)
(Brevard) 1 Jan (S. Wise) was observed and identified by an experienced falconer, but
was not seen again. This was the first Florida report of a species that has strayed to
Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Martinique (American Ornithologists’ Union
1983:125. Check-list of North American Birds, 6th ed. Washington, D.C.).
Merlin: 1 at Tram Road sewage treatment plant 2 Dec (J. Cavanagh) was rare in N
Florida in winter.
Peregrine Falcon: 1 over Moon Lake CP on the West Pasco CBC (Pasco) 30 Dec was
the first report since that count was first published in 1970 (B. Pranty, P. Young, C.
Buhrman).
Yellow Rail: 1 at Crooked Lake (Polk) 31 Dec (G. Cratzat); 1 at S Venice (Sarasota) 27
Jan (A. Rawson).
Plfrple Gallinule: 78 (mostly on Lake Pierce) on the Lake Wales CBC 31 Dec (fide P.
Fellers).
American Coot: a “nice flock” of 3000 at Valrico (Hillsborough) 10 Feb (R, Paul, A.
SchnapD; 18,000 (mostly on Lake Pierce) on the Lake Wales CBC 31 Dec (fide R
Fellers); 30,000 at Polk mines through the period (P. Fellers et ah).
Limpkin: 9 on the St. Petersburg CBC (Pinellas) 17 Dec was the all-time high count
there, with 6 birds at Freedom Lake Park (fide D. Goodwin).
Sandhill Crane: 500 in a recently plowed field S of Lake Istokpoga (Highlands) 19 Dec
(F. Lohrer); good numbers reported from the Panhandle this winter: up to 13 over
East River (Wakulla) 7 Dec (J. Stevenson), 4 near Altha (Calhoun) 12 Jan (S.
Arbery), 5 over Newport (Wakulla) 13 Jan (J. Stevenson), and 25 over St. Marks
NWR 2 Feb (D. Morrow).
Black-bellied Plover: 123 in a recently planted agricultural field near the entrance
to ENP (Dade) 5 Dec (P. W. Smith) was a high inland count.
Snowy Plover: 22 on Shell Key (Pinellas) 1 Jan was a good count there (P. Blair).
Field Observations
81
Wilson’s Plover: 30 on Ohio Key {Monroe) 21 Jan (S. Mlodinow).
Semipalmated Plover: 300 on Ohio Key 21 Jan (S. Mlodinow); 200 on Shell Key 1 Feb
(R Blair).
Piping Plover: 25 on Shell Key 13 Jan (P. Blair).
Black-necked Stilt: 66 at Snake Bight {Dade or Monroe) 1 Jan (J. Villamil et ah).
American Avocet: 15-20 at N Jacksonville Dec and Jan (R. Clark, B. Richter); 10 at
Occidental WMA 17 Dec {fide J. Krummrich).
Solitary Sandpiper: 1 at Snake Road 17 Feb (J. Baker).
Red Knot: 4000 photographed on Shell Key 13 Jan (P. Blair) equals the estimate from
there 22 Sep (see Fla. Field Nat. 23(2):48, 1995); 1 at Lake Jessup {Seminole) 8 Feb
(H. Kale) was the first inland report in winter (S&A 1994:240-241).
SanderlinG: 600 on Shell Key 13 Jan (P. Blair).
White-RUMPED Sandpiper: singles on the Econlockhatchee CBC {Seminole, Orange, or
Volusia) 31 Dec (D. Freeman, R. Wheeler) and count- week on the Coot Bay CBC 1
Jan {fide M. Cooper) — the species is unverified in winter (R&W 1992:65, S&A
1994:247).
Pectoral Sandpiper: 1 at Honeymoon Island SRA 24 Feb (D. Gagne, W. Yusek).
Purple Sandpiper: 1 on Lower Matecumbe Key 18 Dec (H. and S. Rottenborn); 1 at
Naples {Collier) 30 Dec (B. J. Anderson); 1 at Venice jetties 27 Nov through the
period (A. and J, Carey et ah, photo in Sarasota Herald Tribune, 29 Dec); 8 at Fort
Clinch SP {Nassau) through the period (R. Smith et al.); 1 at Matheson Hammock
CP {Dade) through the period (J. Rosenfield et al.).
Dunlin: 3000 on Shell Key 1 Feb (P. Blair, B. Wotton); 150 at Lake Jessup 8 Feb (H.
Kale) was a high inland winter count.
Stilt Sandpiper: 9 at Occidental WMA 17 Dec {fide J. Krummrich); 1 at Honeymoon
Island SRA 10 and 21 Jan (W. Yusek).
Short-billed Dowitcher: 2000 on Shell Key 13 Jan (R Blair).
Long— billed Dowitcher: 5 calling S of Lake Istokpoga 19 Dec (F. Lohrer); 50+ in
flooded pastures in W Broward 26 Dec (R. W. and S. Smith); 52 at Springhill Road
sewage treatment plant {Leon) 1 Feb (G. Menk); 40 at St. Marks NWR 12 Feb (N.
Warner).
Common Snipe: 78 around a 2 ha. pond in Archbold Biological Station 23 Jan (B.
Rranty).
Red-necked PhalaropE: 1 at Spring Hill sewage treatment ponds, Aripeka {Her-
nando) 19-23 Jan (A. and B, Hansen, R Young et al., video by B. Atherton 22 Jan)
was the first county record (S&A 1994:263).
Romarine Jaeger: 1 off Madeira Beach 17 Dec (K. Nelson); 3 off Honeymoon Island
SRA 18 Dec (D. Gagne, L. Kenney); 1 at Little Talbot Island SP 11 Feb (R. Clark).
Parasitic Jaeger: singles at Fort Clinch SP 2 Dec and 2 Jan (both R. Clark).
Jaeger species: 1 off Alligator Point {Franklin) 17 Dec (N. Warner, J. Dozier).
*Little Gull: “2, possibly 3” immatures at Canaveral National Seashore {Brevard) 13
Jan (F, and V. Phillips); 1 first-year bird at Port Canaveral {Brevard) 1 Jan-25 Feb
(molting into breeding plumage by late Feb) (W Biggs, G. Stoccardo et al.).
Herring Gull: 3100 on Marco Island {Collier) 1 Feb was the highest count in over 600
censuses there over the past 20 years (T. Below, B. J. Anderson).
*Thayer’S Gull: 1 adult at Pompano Beach landfill {Broward) 23 Jan (S. Mlodinow).
Lesser Black-backed Gull: 1 at Merritt Island NWR 14 Jan (R Fellers et al.).
Glaucous Gull: 1 first-winter bird at Fort Clinch SP 5-6 Feb (J. Krummrich, M.
Dolan).
Great Black-backed Gull: 1 adult on Dog Island 26 Feb (D. Evered, L. Messick);
increasing along the Pinellas coast, where 6-8 wintered through the period (P. Blair,
L. Atherton, K. Nelson, M. Wilkinson).
82
FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST
Black-legged Kittiwake: 1 adult at Fort Clinch SP 16 Jan (R. Smith) was apparently
the first Nassau report (S&A 1994:286).
Common Tern: 7 at St. Andrews SP (Bay) 6 Dec (T. Menart, E. Fontaine); 1 at Air Prod-
ucts Sanctuary 2 Jan (C. Milmore).
Forster’s Tern: 550 at Polk mines 15 Jan (P. Timmer, C. Geanangel).
Black Tern: 1 at Tram Road sewage treatment plant 1 Dec (G. Menk) was the first win-
ter report for Leon (S&A 1994:308).
Black Skimmer: 1000 at Flamingo, ENP 22 Jan (S. Mlodinow).
White-winged Dove: 1 at Shell Point (Wakulla) 17 Dec (R. Kautz, F. Kautz, K.
NeSmith); 2 on the St. Petersburg CBC 17 Dec (fide D. Goodwin); 104 on the Lake-
land CBC (Polk) was the first (!) Count report from there (fide P. Fellers).
Eurasian Collared-Dove: 106 birds plus a nest with eggs (found by C. Jones) on the
Crystal River CBC (Citrus) 28 Dec (fide B. Smyth).
Mourning Dove: 1 pair attending a nest without contents in Bayonet Point (Pasco) 1
Jan was a rare mid-winter nesting report (B. Pranty).
Budgerigar: nearly extirpated from the state, with only 2 on the St. Petersburg CBC
17 Dec (fide D. Goodwin), 0 on the North Pinellas CBC (Pinellas) 18 Dec (fide J. Rip-
pon), 8 on the Aripeka-Bayport CBC (Hernando) 22 Dec (B. Pranty, D. and G. Wood-
ard), and 11 on the West Pasco CBC (30 Dec) (fide B. Pranty).
Monk Parakeet: a “small invasion” of 50+ at Crystal River this winter (B. Smyth et
al.).
Black-hooded Parakeet: 15 at Van Wezel Hall (Sarasota) 23 Jan (R. Paul).
Red-masked Parakeet: 2 in downtown St. Petersburg 2 Dec (L. Atherton) was the first
Pinellas report.
Mitred Parakeet: 6 in downtown St. Petersburg 2 Dec (L. Atherton) was the first
Pinellas report.
Chestnut-fronted Macaw: 1 in St. Petersburg 10 Dec (J. and L. Hopkins) is probably
the same bird first seen near there 15 Feb 1993 (fide R. Smith).
Yellow-billed Cuckoo: 1 on the South Brevard CBC 1 Jan (A. Weigley, S. Hills)
Smooth-billed Ani: the species is “getting very hard to find” in Broward (J. Baker).
Groove-billed Ani: 1 at Delray Beach (Palm Beach) Dec-1 Jan (B. Hope) was probably
the same individual that wintered there last year; 1 at Paynes Prairie (Alachua) 5
Dec (B. Roberts).
Great Horned Owl: 1 pair again nested at Fort DeSoto CP, but the nest blew down
during incubation 4 Feb (fide R. Smith).
Snowy Owl (Nyctea scandiaca): 1 at a Port St. Joe sewage treatment plant (Gulf)
was captured 28 Dec and sent to a local wildlife rehabilitator, who diagnosed the bird
as having a concussion. It was later determined the bird probably escaped from a fal-
coner, as it was trained to land on a gloved hand! At last report, the bird was being
transported to New Jersey for eventual release in Canada (J. Gore pers. comm. 30
Jun 1995, photo in Pensacola News Journal, 16 Jan 1995).
Short-eared Owl: 1 at an Okaloosa landfill 7 Dec (D. Ware, H. King); 1 on Lanark
Island (Franklin) 15 Jan (G. Sprandel).
Nighthawk SPECIES: 1 at N Jacksonville 25 Jan (M. Dolan).
*Lesser Nighthawk: 1 at Flamingo, ENP 18 Feb (R. Smith, accepted by FOSRC).
Common Nighthawk: 1 calling over a St. Petersburg high school campus 27 Jan (R.
Smith) — the species is unverified in Florida in winter (R&W 1992:91, S&A
1994:372).
Chuck-WILL’S-WIDOW: 1 on Dog Island 26 Feb (D. Evered, L. Messick).
Chaetura SPECIES: 6-7 over the University of Florida campus, Gainesville (Alachua) 9
and 11 Jan were believed to be *Vaux’s Swifts (both D. Ackley, details to FOSRC).
Field Observations
83
Buff-bellied Hummingbird: 1 at Destin {Okaloosa) 15-19 Dec (B. Henderson, banded
by B. and M. Sargent); 1 remained at Fort Lauderdale (Broward) through the period
(B. and T. Center).
*Black-CHINNED Hummingbird: 1 immature male at Tallahassee 1 Dec-4 Feb (N.
Warner et aL, photo by J. Cavanagh), and 1 immature female in another part of the
city early Dec through the period (fide N. Warner).
Archilochus species: at least 4 in Gainesville and 2 or more in Jacksonville through
the period, none identified to species (both fide P. Powell).
* Anna’s Hummingbird: 1 that wintered in Tallahassee was only the second Florida
record (G. Rico, video by N. Warner, photos by J. Cavanagh).
Selasphorus SPECIES: 3 wintered in Tallahassee (fide G. Menk and N. Warner); 3
females or immatures in Alachua through the period (fide P. Powell); 1 adult female,
probably a Rufous Hummingbird at S Jacksonville 12 Dec through the period (P.
Powell); “several” other reports of females or immatures in Jacksonville variously
through the period (fide P. Powell).
Rufous Hummingbird: 1 immature male wintered at Tallahassee (F. Stoutamire, N.
Warner et al.); 1 immature male at Lutz (Hillsborough) 3 Jan through the period (D.
Grimes, video by B. Atherton) was the first county record; singles at 2 feeders near
Bristol (Liberty) 29 Jan-27 Feb (S. Arbery).
Empidonax SPECIES: 1 on the Lakeland CBC 17 Dec (fide P. Fellers).
*Yellow-BELLIED Flycatcher: 1 that wintered at Delray Beach last year was
observed 19 Jan through the period (B. Hope, audiotape to FOSRC).
Vermilion Flycatcher: single adult males on Buck Island Ranch (Highlands) 18 Jan-
13 Mar (L. Mitchell et al. photos by R, Bowman), and near Lake Marian on the
Adams Ranch (Osceola) 31 Jan (M. Folk, J. Schmidt); 5 (2 adult males, 2 immature
males, and 1 female) at St. Marks NWR variously through the period (D. Bryan, J.
Reinman, J. Greenberg et al.) may be the highest Florida count.
*Ash-THROATED Flycatcher: 1 at Turkey Creek Sanctuary (Brevard) 2 Dec-24 Feb (B.
and S. Hills, N. Sekera et al.) was the first county report; 1 at Paynes Prairie State
Preserve (Alachua) 6 Dec-7 Feb (R. Rowan, B. Muschlitz, accepted by FOSRC); 1 in
Seminole 31 Dec (B. Anderson, accepted by FOSRC).
Great Crested Flycatcher: 1 on the Lakeland CBC 17 Dec and 9 on the Lake Wales
CBC 31 Dec (both fide P. Fellers) were at the N edge of the species’ typical wintering
range.
*La Sacra’s Flycatcher: 1 at Tree Tops CP, first found 12 Nov, remained to the first
week in Jan (J. Baker et al., accepted by FOSRC).
Western Kingbird: 1 at Turkey Creek Sanctuary 4 Dec (B. and S. Hills); 1 at S Jack-
sonville 26 Dec (B. Richter); up to 12 at a traditional wintering site SW of Florida
City (Dade) 29 Dec. The roost is “a narrow zone less than a mile wide but at least 6
miles long ... It is increasingly evident that there is only one wintering population
in the region . . , sometimes gathering, sometimes splitting, depending on food
sources (primarily Ficus)” (P. W. and S. Smith); 1 on SR-29 just S of the Hendry
county line (Collier) 11 Feb (D. Stotz, J. Goldstein).
Eastern Kingbird: 1 in molt at Parker Island (Highlands), a traditional tyrannid win-
tering site, 27 Dec-early Jan (many obs., photos and note to Fla. Field Nat. by R.
Bnwman et al., video by B. Atherton 1 Jan) was the first verified winter occurrence in
Florida, and possibly North America.
Tropical/Couch’s Kingbird: 1 silent bird at Delray Beach 25 Dec-23 Feb (B. Hope, F.
Broerman) was at the same site where a Couch’s Kingbird wintered last year.
Scissor-TAILED Flycatcher: 3 on the Venice CBC 27 Dec (fide A. Stedman); up to 8 at
a traditional site SW of Florida City (see Western Kingbird) 29 Dec (P. W, and S.
Smith); 1 at Fort DeSoto CP 31 Dec through the period was rare there (R. Smith, M.
84
FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST
Wilkinson et al.); 1 at St. Petersburg 9 Feb (J. Hopkins); 4 wintered near Ruskin
{Hillsborough) (S. Backes, D. Taylor); 14 wintered at Key West (J. Ondrejko).
Purple Martin: 1 male on the Lake Placid CBC 27 Dec (F. Lohrer et al.) was a rare
winter report; 2 males at Key West 13 Jan (J. Ondrejko) and 1 male at St. Marks
NWR 14 Jan (N. Warner et al.) were “typically early” returning scouts.
*Caribbean Martin {Progne dominicensis)i 1 adult male observed in flight over Eco
Pond, ENP {Monroe) 12 Feb (R. Lewis, W. Mueller, G. Yovanovich, details to FOSRC)
would be the first accepted Florida and North American report. The observers noted
a male martin with “gleaming white underparts” and the “sharp demarcation
between the dark breast and white belly.”
Tree Swallow: 100,000 estimated at Sandy Creek Airport {Bay) 4 Dec (A. and R.
Ingram); 1,000,000 estimated on the Fort Myers CBC (Lee) 19 Dec {fide C. H. Smith).
Northern Rough-winged Swallow: 2 at Alligator Point 17 Dec (N. Warner, J. Dozier);
a flock of 30 on the Lake Placid CBC 27 Dec (W. Biggs, C. Buhrman et al.); 15 on the
South Brevard CBC 1 Jan {fide J. Taylor); 1 at St. Marks NWR 8 Jan (N. Warner).
Cliff Swallow: 1 “carefully identified (buffy rump, dark throat; not Cave)” in the E
Everglades {Dade) 8 Jan (P. W. and S. Smith).
Barn Swallow: 1 at Wellington 10 Dec (H. Langridge, G. Hunter); 1 at Jacksonville 26
Dec (A. Lauricella).
Fish Crow: 5000 at Gore’s Dairy, Zephyrhills {Pasco) 20 Dec (A. and R. Smith, L. Ken-
ney, B. and B. Wotton); 12 wintered at Key West (J. Ondrejko).
Winter Wren: 2 at River Rise State Preserve {Columbia) 11 Jan (J. Krummrich).
Sedge Wren: 72 on the Lakeland CBC 17 Dec {fide P. Fellers); 188 (mostly around a
small portion of Crews Lake) on the Aripeka-Bayport CBC {Hernando and Pasco) 22
Dec (D. Robinson et al.) was the highest Florida count (S&A 1994:484) and was
likely the result of increased local water levels; 83 at Little-Big Econ State Forest 10
Feb (L. Malo et al.).
Brown Thrasher: 16 on the St. Petersburg CBC 17 Dec was the all-time high count for
the circle {fide D. Goodwin).
Cedar Waxwing: 2000+ at Lake Alfred {Polk) 28 Feb (P Fellers).
Common Myna: 2 at Holl3rwood Mall, Hollywood {Broward) 7 Feb (J. Baker).
Yellow-throated VireO: 1 at Ichetucknee Springs SP 11 Dec (J. Krummrich) was the
first winter report for Columbia (S&A 1994:531).
Blue-WINGED Warbler: 1 male on the Econlockhatchee CBC 31 Dec (C. Latty, B.
Sicolo); 1 on the Coot Bay CBC 1 Jan (S. Whiting) — the species is unverified in win-
ter (R&W 1992:121, S&A 1994:540).
*VIRGINIA’S Warbler {Vermivora virginiae): 1 immature at Paynes Prairie State Pre-
serve 7 Feb (J. Krummrich, details to FOSRC) was the first Florida report.
Northern ParulA: 1 at Sawgrass Lake CP {Pinellas) 6 Feb was thought to be a
migrant (M. Wilkinson).
Yellow Warbler: 1 adult male at Alachua 31 Dec (R. Rowan); 4 on the Coot Bay CBC
1 Jan (M. Cooper, P. Bithorn et al.).
Magnolia Warbler: 1 at Weedon Island County Preserve {Pinellas) 10 Dec (J. and L.
Hopkins); 1 on the Lake Placid CBC 27 Dec (R. Smith, G. Woolfenden); 1 at Lettuce
Lake CP {Hillsborough) 12 Jan-1 Feb (S. Backes, R. Webb); 1 at Anhinga Trail, ENP
{Dade) 17 Feb (R. Smith); 4 at Delray Beach 26 Feb (B. Hope).
Black-throated Green Warbler: 1 at Weedon Island County Preserve 17 Dec (L.
Hopkins); 4 on the Lake Placid CBC 27 Dec {fide G. Woolfenden); 5 on the Coot Bay
CBC 1 Jan (S. Whiting); 3 winter reports from Broward and Monroe 21-28 Jan (S.
Mlodinow); 3 at Mahogany Hammock, ENP {Dade) 17 and 24 Feb (A. and R. Smith,
S. Backes); 7 at Delray Beach 26 Feb (B. Hope); 1 male wintered in S Jacksonville
through the period (J. Cocke) — the species is still unverified in Florida in winter!
Field Observations
85
American Redstart: 2 in female plumage on Buck Island Ranch 18 Feb (M. McMil-
lian); 6 at Delray Beach 26 Feb (B, Hope).
Worm-eating Warbler: 1 on Big Pine Key {Monroe) 17 Dec (W. Hoffman, M. White-
side, W. B. Robertson); 3 on the Coot Bay CBC 1 Jan (M. Cooper et ah).
Northern Waterthrush: 1 near Lake Pasadena 20 Dec (P. Young); 3 on the Avon Park
Air Force Range CBC (Highlands) 29 Dec (J. Fitzpatrick) were at the same site as
last year; 1 on the Econlockhatchee CBC 31 Dec (B. Anderson); 1 at Parker Island 1
Jan (B. and L. Atherton); 1 at a Polk mine 15 Jan (P. Dimmer, C. Geanangel).
Louisiana Waterthrush: 1 at Royal Palm Hammock, ENP (Dade) 22 Jan (S, Mlodi-
now).
Hooded Warbler: 1 adult male on Big Pine Key 17 Dec (M. Whiteside, W. Hoffman, W
B. Robertson).
Wilson’s Warbler: 1 on the Econlockhatchee CBC 31 Dec (B. Anderson); 1 at Delray
Beach 26 Feb (B. Hope).
Yellow-breasted Chat: 1 at Jacksonville 26 Dec (J.Cocke).
Summer Tanager: 1 at Delray Beach 10 Dec (B. Hope).
Western Tanager: 1 female at Hernando (Citrus) 16-21 Feb (H. Eagan, P Files).
Blue Grosbeak: 1 immature or female in Alachua 11 Jan (B. Muschlitz).
Indigo Bunting: 1 male at St. Marks NWR 14-15 Jan was not observed previously (N.
Warner et ah); 7 on the South Brevard CBC 1 Jan (fide J. Taylor); 1 along the
Wakulla River (Wakulla) 7-10 Feb (J. Epler).
Painted Bunting: 4 females on the Hamilton County CBC 17 Dec (fide J. Krummrich);
1 female in S Jacksonville 8 Jan (J, Cocke); 1 female in N Jacksonville 15 Jan (M.
Dolan); 1 female on Fort George Island (Duval) 21 Jan (R. Clark).
DickcisseL: 1 at APAFR (Polk) 19 Dec (L. Riopelle).
Clay-colored Sparrow: 1 on the Lakeland CBC 17 Dec (fide P Fellers); 1 at Delray
Beach 25 Dec (B. Hope); 2 on the Lake Placid CBC 27 Dec (fide G. Woolfenden); 7 on
the Lake Wales CBC 31 Dec (P Dimmer, R. Thomas); 1 count-week on the Coot Bay
CBC 1 Jan (fide M. Cooper).
Lark Sparrow: 1 at N Jacksonville 3-4 Dec (R. Clark).
Grasshopper Sparrow: 10 at Lake Alfred 22 Jan (P Dimmer, C. Geanangel); 30-t- in an
abandoned citrus grove at Homestead (Dade) 19 Feb (P W. and S. Smith).
Henslow’S Sparrow: 1 at Seven Springs (Pasco) 30 Dec (B. Pranty); 5 at Duval 7 Jan
(R. Clark); 1 at J. W Corbett WMA (Palm Beach) 3 Feb (D. Leonard).
Fox Sparrow: 1 at River Rise State Preserve 11 Jan (J. Krummrich).
Lincoln’s Sparrow: 1 at St. Marks NWR 18 Dec (S. Backes, D. Taylor); 1 at Lake
Alfred 22 Jan (P. Dimmer, C. Geanangel); 1 W of Florida City 17 Feb (R. Smith et al.);
1 in the E Everglades 19 Feb (P. W. and S. Smith).
White-crowned Sparrow: 17 immatures on the Lakeland CBC 17 Dec, and 38 imma-
tures on the Lake Wales CBC 31 Dec (both fide P Fellers); 30 at Lake Alfred 22 Jan
(P Dimmer, C. Geanangel); 6 in a vacant lot SW of Florida City 19 Feb (P W. and S.
Smith); 1 adult at Cedar Key 19 Feb (S. and S. Bollinger).
*Harris’ Sparrow: 1 at Gainesville 22 Feb (P Edelman).
Snow Bunting: 1 at Huguenot City Park 2 Dec (R. Clark).
Yellow-headed Blackbird: single immature males at Holiday (Pasco) 30 Dec (P. Han-
ford) and SW of Florida City 11 Jan (P W. and S. Smith et al.).
Boat-tailed Grackle: 100 at Lake Jackson 3 Dec (G. Menk) was indicative of unusu-
ally high numbers in N Florida and S Georgia this winter (fide J. Cox).
Bronzed Cowbird: 4 on the Lakeland CBC 17 Dec, for the 6th consecutive year (fide P.
Fellers); 1 male SW of Florida City 24 Dec (P W and S. Smith, M. Wheeler),
Orchard Oriole: 2 at Belle Glade Marina (Palm Beach), a recent wintering site, 25 Feb
(C. Weber, H. Langridge et al.).
86
FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST
Northern Oriole: 2 female “Bullock’s Orioles” on the East Pasco CBC (Pasco) 20 Dec
(B. Pranty, P. Young, D. Robinson); up to 12 “Baltimore Orioles” at a Tallahassee
feeder through the period (N. Warner).
Purple Finch: 1 female at Tallahassee 20 Dec- 11 Feb (N. Warner) was the only report
received.
House Finch: 1 male at Cedar Key 30 Jan (D. Henderson); males singing regularly at 3
locations at Gainesville in Feb (T. Webber).
Orange Bishop (Euplectes franciscanus): 1 in a sparrow field on the St. Marks CBC 17
Dec (J. Cox, K. NeSmith, F. and R. Kautz, photographed) was the first report for
Florida.
Contributors: David Ackley, B. J. Anderson, Bruce Anderson, Sybil Arbery, Brooks
Atherton, Lyn Atherton, Steve Backes, Jocie Baker, Ted Below, Wes Biggs, Paul Blair,
Paul Bithorn, Annie Boles, Sonia Bollinger, Steve Bollinger, Reed Bowman, Fred Broer-
man, Dana Bryan, Charlie Buhrman, Anne Carey, John Carey, Jim Cavanagh, Barbara
Center, Ted Center, Roger Clark, Julie Cocke, Mort Cooper, Jim Cox, Gordon Cratzat,
Mary Crowe-Mitchell, David Dees, Kimberly Dees, Mark Dolan, Nancy Douglass, Jack
Dozier, Victoria Dreiks, Helen Eagan, Phyllis Edelman, John Epler, Duncan Evered,
Paul Fellers, Peg Files, Marty Folk, Eula Fontaine, Saul Frank, Dot Freeman, Dave
Gagne, Chuck Geanangel, C. “Red” Gidden, Dave Goodwin, Jill Goldstein, Jeff Gore, Joe
Greenberg, Debbie Grimes, Wendy Hale, Polly Hanford, A1 Hansen, Bev Hansen, Blake
Henderson, Dale Henderson, Bill Hills, Shirley Hills, Wayne Hoffman, Brian Hope, Judi
Hopkins, Larry Hopkins, Gloria Hunter, Ann Ingram, Richard Ingram, Carson Jones,
Herb Kale, Fran Kautz, Randy Kautz, Bill Keating, Lillian Kenney, Helen King, Bruce
Kittredge, Marion Kittredge, Jerry Krummrich, Howard Langridge, Robert Larson,
Carol Latty, Andrea Lauricella, Dave Leonard, Robert Lewis, A1 Liberman, Fred Lohrer,
Lome Malo, Steve McGehee, Mike McMillian, Gail Menk, Lyla Messick, Bill Milmore,
Larry Mitchell, Steve Mlodinow, Don Morrow, William Mueller, Barbara Muschlitz,
Katy NeSmith, Kris Nelson, Robert Norton, Joe Ondrejko, Rich Paul, Fred Phillips,
Velma Phillips, Peggy Powell, Bill Pranty, Arnold Rawson, Joe Reinman, Bob Richter,
Gina Rico, Larry Riopelle, John Rippon, Bryant Roberts, William B. Robertson, Don
Robinson, Estelle Rosen, Jill Rosenberg, Heather Rottenborn, Stephen Rottenborn, Rex
Rowan, Bob Sargent, Martha Sargent, Rick Sawicki, Jim Schmidt, Ann Schnapf, Joan
Scott, Nedra Sekera, Bob Sicolo, Austin Smith, C. Holmes Smith, Lori Smith, P. William
Smith, Ron Smith, Susan Smith, Betty Smyth, Gary Sprandel, Annette Stedman, Jim
Stevenson, Gene Stoccardo, Doug Stotz, Francie Stoutamire, Debbie Taylor, Jack Taylor,
Richard Thomas, Bill Thorpe, Pete Timmer, Gail Yovanovich, Noel Warner, Don Ware,
Tom Watson, Ray Webb, Tom Webber, Chuck Weber, Ellen Weigley, Bruce Wetmore,
Mickey Wheeler, Robert Wheeler, Margie Wilkinson, Robin Will, Spence Wise, Don
Woodard, Gretchen Woodard, Glen Woolfenden, Betty Wotton, Bob Wotton, Becky Yahr,
Paul Young, Mark Whiteside, Sue Whiting, Wilfred Yusek, Mike Zeloski.
Fall 1994 reports not published previously: Brown Booby: 1 immature at Peanut
Island Park (Palm Beach) 6 Nov (Glen and Jan Woolfenden); Reddish Egret: 12 at
Hagan’s Cove (Taylor) 18 Aug (Jerry Krummrich); Masked Duck: 1 at Orlando Wetlands
Park (Orange) 13 Nov (Mark Sees, Dave Turner); American Avocet: 15 at Hickory
Mound Impoundment (Taylor) 17 Nov (J. Krummrich).
Report prepared by Bill Pranty, state compiler (Archbold Biological Station, P. O.
Box 2057, Lake Placid, Florida 33862-2057). Other committee members are Linda Coo-
per (115 Lameraux Road, Winter Haven, Florida 33884), Jim Cox (Florida Game and
Fresh Water Fish Commission, 620 S. Meridian Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-
1600), and Peggy Powell (2965 Forest Circle, Jacksonville, Florida 32257).
if-
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<75 days. Year-round continuous
breeding has not previously been reported for this species. Age of the birds, quality and
quantity of food available, and the mild nature of the environment may have contributed
to this behavior.
The reproductive biology of American Coots {Fulica americana)
has been studied extensively especially in north-central North Amer-
ica (Allen 1985). Published accounts of their breeding ecology in Flor-
ida are scarce, although coots with nests or chicks have been recorded
throughout the year (Woolfenden 1979, Robertson and Woolfenden
1992). In 1994, 1 closely monitored a pair of coots that nested near Mi-
ami, Florida. These observations revealed that American Coots are ca-
pable of continuous breeding in southern Florida.
Study Area
Coots were observed at the waterfowl-flamingo exhibit (henceforth “the lake”) at Mi-
ami Metrozoo in south Dade County, Florida. This 0.4-ha concrete basin averages 0.7 m
deep (range: 0.5 to 1.0 m). Water depth is kept constant year-round. The lake serves as an
exhibit for flamingos, waterfowl, and other aquatic birds. The lake also attracts a num-
ber of wild birds. Coots are conspicuous visitors, particularly during the winter when as
many as 44 individuals have been counted. Few birds remain for the summer, however.
Coots first nested at the lake in 1991; one or two pairs have nested every year since.
87
88
FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST
Methods
I carefully monitored the nesting activity of a pair of coots (henceforth “the study
pair”) as I performed my duties as keeper of the lake’s captive birds. When their behavior
indicated that eggs were being laid, I inspected the nesting area for confirmation. Once
a clutch was complete, the nest was checked infrequently until the eggs hatched. After a
clutch had hatched, I or my colleagues conducted daily counts of chicks, noting the date
on which they were no longer seen.
The pair of coots observed was not marked in any way; however, several lines of evi-
dence suggest that they represented a single pair. First, the open condition of the lake
made adults and chicks easy to monitor. Second, the pair nearly always were observed in
the same 0.06 ha portion of the lake, and all nests were found along the shoreline of this
area. Furthermore, never were more than two adult coots viewed in this section of the
lake simultaneously. Third, the small number of coots that remained in the lake through
the summer simplified accounting for resident individuals. I censused all coots inhabit-
ing the lake approximately four times a week throughout 1994. From 23 April through
27 June 1994, 1 viewed only five adult coots on the entire lake; two of these could be dis-
tinguished from the study pair by their own unsuccessful attempt to nest in May 1994.
Three coots left the lake by 28 June 1994; from that date until 15 October 1994 I counted
only two adult coots on the lake. Finally, juvenile offspring of the study pair were toler-
ated near successive nests and broods, providing a record of continuity. Thus, I am confi-
dent that the breeding records described herein represent a single breeding pair.
Results
On 14 January 1994, I discovered a coot nest with three newly
hatched chicks and one pipped egg. Based on tarsal color, I determined
that both nesting adults were at least four years old (Crawford 1978).
Neither adult showed characteristics of the so-called “Caribbean Coot”
(Roberson and Baptista 1988).
The study pair produced five additional broods in 1994 (Table 1).
Subsequent nests were located <14 m from the first nest in a 15.75 m^
section of the lake shore that was dominated by umbrella sedge {Cy pe-
rns alternifolius).
Five of the six broods had at least one chick that was observed until
it was >75 days old (Table 1). By 75 days, a juvenile coot can fly (Gullion
1954), so I interpreted the absence of a juvenile past this time as evi-
dence that it had fledged and left the area. Thus, the adults reared 8
out of 23 chicks successfully, nearly a 35% success rate.
Hill (1986) described clutch overlap for coots nesting in Washing-
ton, wherein a pair would lay a second clutch of eggs a few days before
their first clutch was due to hatch. The pair I studied showed a similar
laying pattern during their second clutch. On 6 Mar 1994, 1 inspected
their nest; it contained three eggs. Five days later I again checked and
found four eggs. I thus assumed that the clutch had been completed
with a fourth egg laid on 7 Mar 1994. However, a check on 24 Mar 1994
revealed seven eggs. On 29 Mar 1994 the four original eggs began to
hatch. Nearly four weeks later, on 23 Apr 1994, the same nest had
American Coot Breeding
89
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90
FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST
eight eggs. Because only five of these eight later hatched^ it is possible
that the three that did not were left over from the second clutch.
Discussion
Gullion (1954) and Arnold (1993) commented on the persistent
renesting capacity of American Coots following unsuccessful nesting
attempts. However, renesting after successful nesting has infrequently
been reported. A number of studies of coot reproduction in the Midwest
and in Canada found no evidence of second broods (e.g., Kiel 1955, Fre-
drickson 1970, Crawford 1980). A few cases of second broods have been
noted on the Pacific coast (e.g., Gullion 1954, Hill 1986). A coot pair ob-
served by Gullion produced a third brood, although only one brood re-
sulted in a fiedged chick. Year-round continuous breeding, however,
has not previously been described in American coots, although it has
been noted in two relatives, the Common Moorhen {Gallinula chloro-
pus) in South Africa (Siegfried and Frost 1975) and the Purple Gall-
inule (Porphyrula martinica) in Costa Rica (Hunter 1987). Byrd et ah
(1985) recorded nesting attempts by the Hawaiian race of the Ameri-
can Coot (Fulica americana alai) in every month except October. Be-
cause Byrd’s study did not follow individual coot pairs, however, it is
unclear whether continuous breeding actually occurred.
I believe there are three factors that could have contributed to con-
tinuous breeding by the study pair: 1) age of the birds, 2) food abun-
dance, and 3) the benign nature of their environment.
Both members of the study pair were at least four years old. Craw-
ford (1980) noted a significant correlation between age and reproduc-
tive success in coots. Although the population he studied produced only
one brood per year, older coots (>3 years) nested earlier, laid more and
larger eggs, and fledged more young than did younger birds. Similarly,
the male coot siring three broods reported by Gullion (1954) was at
least 4 years old based on his description of the bird’s leg color (cf.
Crawford 1978).
Food was readily available to the coots in this study. Green algae
were plentiful, and coots were often observed diving and bringing
strands of it to the surface for consumption. Because the study pair in-
habited a zoo exhibit, they also had access to a reliable supply of com-
mercial waterfowl food and fish pellets provided for the zoo’s captive
ducks and fish. Hill (1988) found that coots provided with supplemen-
tal food laid significantly heavier eggs —but not more eggs— than those
that received no supplement. Arnold (1994), however, reported a very
weak correlation between supplemental feeding and increased clutch
size. In addition, the moorhens that bred year round as described by
Siegfried and Frost (1975) received supplemental food intended for the
pond’s ducks, a situation identical to that reported here.
American Coot Breeding
91
The abundance of supplemental food may have enabled the coots to
occupy a much smaller area than would have been required in a natu-
ral setting. Thus, they may have been able to concentrate effort into re-
production that would otherwise have gone into foraging. Because of
the definitive boundaries observed by the study pair, I was able to cal-
culate their home range as 0.06 ha. This is an extremely small home
range in comparison with other figures from the literature. For exam-
ple, about 98.5% of the nearly 2,000 pairs of coots Sugden (1979) stud-
ied in Saskatchewan apparently had territories larger than 0.1 ha.
Finally, the mildness of this coot pair's environment must be con-
sidered. Continuously breeding moorhens in South Africa described by
Siegfried and Frost (1975) resided in conditions similar to the lake oc-
cupied by the coots in this study. The moorhens' pond was kept filled
year-round by irrigation and was located in a warm climate that al-
lowed year-round reproduction. Siegfried and Frost wrote that the
moorhen likely “has the propensity for reproducing whenever and for
as long as conditions are favourable." Similarly, Arnold (1993) in his
study on American Coots in Manitoba, concluded that “renesting coots
are constrained by time or habitat quality, but not by the amount of
food or nutrient reserves available for egg production.”
Observations I report support Arnold’s statement. The pair of coots
described here inhabited a lake impervious to drought, in a climate
where the lake cannot freeze over, and with a reliable, high quality food
source provided unintentionally by man. The coots responded to these
benefits by producing young year-round.
Acknowledgments
For their helpful suggestions, I thank my colleagues at Metrozoo, particularly C.
Burch, D. Hill, S. Kong, and W. Zeigler. This paper benefitted enormously from reviews of
an earlier draft by T. W. Arnold, J. J. Dinsmore, and W. K. Taylor, Also supportive were my
professors at Florida International University, especially L. Alvarez and J. A. Bueno. The
advice and encouragement of W. B. Robertson Jr. and M. Wheeler are also deeply appre-
ciated.
Literature Cited
Allen, A. W. 1985. Habitat suitability models: American coot. US. Fish Wildl. Serv.
Kept. 82, Washington, D.C.
Arnold, T, W. 1993. Factors affecting renesting in American Coots. Condor 95:273-281.
Arnold, T. W. 1994. Effects of supplemental food on egg production in American Coots.
Auk 111:337-350.
Byrd, G. V., R. A. Coleman, R. J. Shallenberger, and C. S. Arume. 1985. Notes on the
breeding biology of the Hawaiian race of the American Coot. ‘Elepaio 45:57-63.
Crawford, R. D. 1978. Tarsal color of American Coots in relation to age. Wilson Bull.
90:536-543.
Crawford, R. E. 1980. Effects of age on reproduction in American Coots. J. Wildl. Man-
age. 44:183-189.
92
FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST
Fredrickson, L. H. 1970. Breeding biology of American Coots in Iowa. Wilson Bull.
82:445-457.
Gullion, G. W. 1954. The reproductive cycle of American Coots in California. Auk
71:366-412.
Hill, W, L. 1986. Clutch overlap in American Coots. Condor 88:96-97.
Hill, W. L. 1988. The effect of food abundance on the reproductive patterns of Coots,
Condor 90:324-331.
Hunter, L. A. 1987. Cooperative breeding in purple Gallinules: the role of helpers in
feeding chicks. Behav, Ecol. SociobioL 20:171-177,
Keil, W. H. Jr. 1955. Nesting studies of the Coot in southwestern Manitoba. J. Wildl.
Manage. 19:189-198.
Roberson, D., and L. F. Baptista. 1988. White-shielded coots in North America: a crit-
ical evaluation. Amer. Birds 42:1241-1246.
Robertson, W. B. Jr., and G. E. Woolfenden. 1992. Florida Bird Species: An Anno-
tated List. Florida Ornithol. Soc. Spec. Publ. No. 6, Gainesville.
Siegfried, W. R., and P. G, H. Frost. 1975. Continuous breeding and associated behav-
ior in the moorhen {Gallinula chloropus). Ibis 115:102-109.
Sugden, L. G. 1979. Habitat use by nesting American Coots in Saskatchewan parklands.
Wilson Bull. 91:599-607.
Woolfenden, G. E. 1979. Winter breeding by the American Coot at Tampa, Florida.
Florida Field Nat. 7:26.
93
NOTES
Fla. Field Nat. 23(4):93-96, 1995.
STATUS OF THE NORTHERN WHEATEAR IN FLORIDA
P. William Smiths and Glen E. Woolfenden^
^South Florida Natural Resources Center, Everglades National Park,
40001 State Road 9336,
Homestead, Florida 33034
"^Department of Biology, University of South Florida,
Tampa, Florida 33620
The recent publication of two books on the avifauna of Florida (Robertson and Wool-
fenden 1992, Stevenson and Anderson 1994) in quick succession after nearly 40 years
since the previous comparable undertaking (Sprunt 1954, 1963) might seem to settle the
status of Florida’s birds for some time to come. However, differences between the two re-
cent works, questions not addressed by either, and added ornithological data, require on-
going reviews of many species. In this note we update the status of the Northern
Wheatear {Oenanthe oenanthe) in Florida through 1994 based on our analysis of existing
literature. A report refers to any claim of a species’ presence, while a record is a report
confirmed by an existing specimen or photograph (Robertson and Woolfenden 1992). Ini-
tials identifying collections also follow Robertson and Woolfenden (1992).
The first record of a Northern Wheatear in Florida is an individual found 1 November
and collected 2 November 1955 (USNM 460083) in the NW 1/4 of Section 30, Range 28E,
Township 48S, Collier Co., “14 miles WSW of Immokalee” (A. Sprunt IV and H. P. Ben-
nett in Stevenson 1956, Sprunt 1963). This location, about 13 km SSE of the present-day
headquarters of Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary, was on open prairie near a trailer used by
wildlife personnel (T. Below pers. comm, to L. Douglas in litt.). The specimen’s tag states
that the bird is a male with wing (arc) of 102 mm and tail length of 61 mm. We remea-
sured the flattened wing to be 104 mm. Among male Northern Wheatears, these data are
consistent only with O. o. leucorhoa (Svensson 1984, Cramp 1988), the subspecies breed-
ing in eastern arctic Canada, Greenland, and perhaps Iceland, although the taxonomic
status of the Icelandic population is uncertain (Clement 1987, Cramp 1988). The rich
peachy coloration of this specimen, especially on the breast, also is characteristic of leu-
corhoa (Clement 1987, Cramp 1988). The tips of the primaries have poorly defined edg-
ings and the rectrices have clearly pointed centers with uneven whitish tips. The
condition of these feathers suggested that they are retained from juvenile plumage, indi-
cating that the bird was in first basic plumage (Cramp 1988).
The second record of a Northern Wheatear in Florida is supported by an archival
photo (TTRS P139) taken on 26 September 1976, 3 km NW of Cape San Bias, Gulf Co. (B.
Atherton, et al. in Purrington 1977, L. Atherton in litt.). The location is referred to as the
St. Joe Peninsula in Purrington (1977) and in Stevenson and Anderson (1994); Cape San
Bias is the southernmost elbow of the peninsula. The date typed on the photo is 9/26/77,
clearly an error because the record originally was published earlier. The date of this
record is listed in Stevenson and Anderson (1994) as 10/26/76, another lapsus. The photo
clearly is of a Northern Wheatear, Its overall rich peachy plumage and the bird being
perched on the end of a tree stub rather than on the ground or a rock suggests that it
probably is leucorhoa (Clements 1987, Cramp 1988).
The third record of this species in Florida is beset with irregularities, A report of a
Northern Wheatear on St. George Island, Franklin Co., on 21 September 1982 by a single
94
FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST
observer was submitted to the Florida Ornithological Society Records Committee
(FOSRC 82-020) but was not accepted (Bowman 1982). We examined the description of
this bird and its behavior now archived at FLMNH and found the data sketchy and un-
convincing. No mention is made of a corresponding specimen. Nevertheless, a mummi-
fied carcass of a Northern Wheatear with a tag giving the same date and location as
FOSRC 82-020 was presented to Louisiana State University (LSUMZ 136610) by H. M.
Stevenson. Its form as a mummy rather than as a prepared study skin was explained as
due to a misguided attempt to thaw the frozen specimen in a microwave oven (V. Remsen
pers. comm.). The only additional information on the tag is “shot by hunter”. The exist-
ence of this specimen was generally unknown until it was disclosed in Stevenson and
Anderson (1994) and attributed to James Stevenson, who submitted FOSRC 82-020.
We examined and measured this mummy and have no doubt that it is a Northern
Wheatear. Although it was not sexed by gonad inspection, its flattened wing (100 mm)
and tail length (55 mm) are most consistent with an O. o. leucorhoa female when taken
in conjunction with the rich peachy plumage and absence of prominent dark lores
(Cramp 1988). All flight feathers are fresh with broad, even-pale tips. The rectrices have
dark centers and rounded rather than pointed tips. These characters point to the bird be-
ing a recently molted adult in basic plumage; adults of leucorhoa normally undergo a
complete molt of their flight feathers before departing from the breeding grounds
(Cramp 1988). The original sight report failed to mention the specimen. The collector was
not recorded on the tag. We see no reason to doubt the date or location of collection, how-
ever, based on the facts and James Stevenson’s recent recollections of the attending cir-
cumstances {in litt.). We conclude that the specimen represents a valid record of a
Northern Wheatear in Florida.
The fourth record is of a bird discovered on 19 October 1994 by Elizabeth Carter near
the plant nursery in the administrative and residential area of Bill Baggs Cape Florida
SRA, Dade Co. (Figure 1). This bird was seen and photographed by many Florida field or-
nithologists through 23 October 1994 (Warner and Pranty 1995). A complete description,
including color photos, is archived at FLMNH (FOSRC 94-316). This bird’s rich peachy
coloration and habit of perching on trees and buildings suggested leucorhoa (Clements
1987, Cramp 1988).
In addition to these four verifiable records, two sight reports of Northern Wheatears
in Florida have been published. Both occur within the period when Northern Wheatears
are known to be present in the state, but neither report has sufficient evidence to be cred-
ible. The first was mentioned in Sprunt (1954) as ‘hypothetical’ and involved a bird seen
on 1 October 1951 at St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge, Wakulla Co., by Mrs. J. De
Lime, the refuge manager’s wife. Sprunt’s (1954) account expressed confidence in the re-
port’s correctness based on his lengthy conversation with the observer, but no description
was published or appears to be available now. The report consequentially cannot be eval-
uated in a modern way and, therefore, cannot stand as a record even under relaxed stan-
dards.
The other sight report of a Northern Wheatear in Florida was from the Crossbar
Ranch Wellfield, Pasco Co, on 20 October 1981 (B. Lenz and C. O’Sullivan in Atherton
and Atherton 1982). The two observers submitted reports to the FOSRC (81-003). Our re-
view of the extensive written material, now archived at FLMNH, suggests that it is
highly unlikely that the bird they observed was a Northern Wheatear. Their discussion
likens the bird seen in both color and pattern to illustrations of adult male Northern
Wheatears in breeding plumage. That plumage, however, is attained only in spring, pri-
marily through wear, and does not occur in autumn when male Northern Wheatears look
quite different from the bird described. In fact in autumn they are hardly distinguish-
able in the field from females or immatures (Clement 1987, Cramp 1988). The FOSRC
did not accept this report (Bowman 1982), and we believe it is best disregarded by future
students of Florida’s avifauna.
Notes
95
Figure 1. Northern Wheatear, Bill Baggs Cape Florida SRA, Dade Co., 20 Octo-
ber 1994. Photo by Larry Manfredi.
That all four confirmable records through 1994 of Northern Wheatears in Florida ap-
pear to involve leucorhoa is expected, based on the pattern of records elsewhere in North
America south of its breeding range. The species usually is reported at least once (often
several times) annually in southern Canada or the United States, most often along the
eastern seaboard. We are not aware that any subspecies but leucorhoa has been recorded
east of the Mississippi River or in the West Indies (A. O. U. 1957). This population is per-
haps unique among passerines breeding in eastern arctic North America in that it mi-
grates eastward across the North Atlantic to Europe, thence southward to West Africa to
winter, returning by the same route in spring (Snow 1953, Cramp 1988). It is not surpris-
ing that a population dependent on favorable tailwinds for the long initial portion of its
autumn journey would be displaced periodically.
Most reports of O. o. leucorhoa from eastern North America south of its breeding
range, including those from Florida (21 Sept.- 2 Nov.), are in autumn. The principal Afri-
can wintering grounds of this subspecies are between 10° and 16°N (Cramp 1988, Keith
et al. 1992). Southbound Northern Wheatears in North Africa, at latitudes comparable to
those of Florida, typically have few fat reserves (Keith et al. 1992), and autumn individ-
uals in eastern United States are notorious for short stays that rarely exceed a few days.
If individuals migrating southward in the Western Hemisphere seek the same wintering
latitude as they do in Africa, most are likely to end up in the Caribbean Sea, probably
lacking sufficient energy reserves or refueling opportunities to reach the South American
96
FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST
mainland, which barely reaches 10°N. This geographic irony possibly accounts for the
relatively few spring reports of Northern Wheatears in the eastern United States.
We thank Richard C. Banks of the National Museum of Natural History and Steven
W. Cardiff of the Museum of Natural Science at Louisiana State University for loan of
specimens in their care, R. Todd Engstrom of the Tall Timbers Research Station for loan
of a photograph in his care, and Tom Webber of the Florida Museum of Natural History
for copies of the relevant portions of the FOSRC archives. We assembled and studied this
material at Archbold Biological Station, and we thank the staff for its support of this
study. We reviewed a draft computer file of reports of birds in Florida listed in American
Birds since the publication of Loftin et al. (1991) prepared by Barbara C. Kittleson, and
we thank her for making it available to us. Lyn Atherton, Theodore Below, Jack Dozier,
Linda Douglas, Duncan Evered, Van Remsen, William Robertson, Jr., Alexander Sprunt
rV, James Stevenson, Paul W. Sykes, Jr., and Noel Warner, all furnished information,
served as referees, or assisted in other ways. Larry Manfredi kindly furnished one of his
photos of the Northern Wheatear at Bill Baggs Cape Florida SRA taken on 20 October
1994 for inclusion with this note.
Literature Cited
American Ornithologists’ Union. 1957. Check-list of North American Birds. 5th ed.
Amer. Ornithol. Union, Baltimore.
Atherton, L. S., and B. H. Atherton. 1982. Florida Region [autumn 1981 field re-
ports]. Amer. Birds 36:168-171.
Bowman, M. C. 1982. FOS records committee annual report for 1982. Florida Field Nat.
11:42-44.
Clement, P. 1987. Field identification of West Palearctic wheatears. Brit. Birds 80:137-
157, 187-238.
Cramp, S. (Chief ed.). 1988. Handbook of the Birds of Europe, the Middle East and North
Africa. Vol. V. Oxford Univ. Press, Oxford.
Loftin, R. W., G. E. Woolfenden, and J. A. Woolfenden. 1991. Florida Bird Records
in American Birds and Audubon Field Notes 1947-1989. Florida Ornithol. Soc. Spec.
Publ. No. 4, Gainesville.
Keith, S., E. K. Urban, and C. H. Fry (eds.). 1992. The Birds of Africa. Volume IV. Aca-
demic Press, London.
Purrington, R. D. 1977. Central Southern Region [autumn 1976 field reports]. Amer.
Birds 31:186-190.
Robertson, W. B., Jr., and G. E. Woolfenden. 1992. Florida Bird Species: An Anno-
tated List. Florida Ornithol. Soc. Spec. Publ. No. 6, Gainesville.
Snow, D. W. 1953. The migration of the Greenland Wheatear. Ibis 95:376-378.
Sprunt, A., Jr. 1954. Florida Bird Life. Coward-McCann, New York.
Sprunt, A., Jr. 1963. Addendum to Florida Bird Life (1954). Published by the author.
Charleston.
Stevenson, H. M. 1956 Florida Region [autumn 1955 field reports]. Aud. Field Notes
10:18-22.
Stevenson, H. M., and B. H. Anderson. 1994. The Birdlife of Florida. Univ. Press of
Florida, Gainesville.
SVENSSON, L. 1984. Identification Guide to European Passerines. 3rd ed. Published by
the author, Stockholm.
Wamer, N,, and B. Pranty. 1995. Florida Region [autumn 1994 field reports]. Nat. Aud.
Soc. Field Notes 49:37-40.
Notes
97
Fla. Field Nat. 23(4):97-98, 1995.
TWO SPECIES OF SNAKES PKEY ON CUBAN TREEFROGS IN SOUTHERN
FLORIDA
Walter E. Meshaka, and Betty Ferster^
^ Archbold Biological Station, P.O. Box 2057, Lake Placid, Florida 33862
^Department of Biology, Boston University, 5 Cummington Street,
Boston, Massachusetts 02215
^Present address: Museum, Everglades National Park, 40001 SR-9336,
Homestead, Florida 33034
The Cuban treefrog (Osteopilus septentrionalis) is a West Indian hylid known to
mainland Florida and the EYerglades for more than 40 years (Schwartz 1952; Allen and
Neill 1953) and to the Florida Keys since before 1900 (Ashton and Ashton 1988). This
large hylid is abundant in ot.mv of the Everglades but is most common in ham-
mocks and on buildings (Meshaka 1994). The Cuban treefrog rapidly colonized other ar-
eas of Florida where it is common in many kinds of disturbed sites (Meshaka 1995).
Because of its ubiquity this species may be an abundant prey base for frog predators.
Here, we report predation by the yellow ratsnake (Elaphe obsoleta) and the black racer
(Coluber constrictor), and relate these events to susceptibility of the Cuban treefrog to
these predators in natural and disturbed ecosystems. Mean values are followed by ± 2
S.D.
The observation of a predatory encounter between a yellow ratsnake and Cuban tree-
frog took place on 6 October 1991 (0030 hrs) on a builiiiog surrounded by Brazilian pep-
per (Schinus terebinthifolius) on Long Pine Key Everglades National Park. Both
predator and prey were common around the buildings and surrounding area. The rat-
snake m^as 62.0 cm snout-vent length (SITj) and was suspended upside-down from, the
eave of the building and swallowing its prey (44.0 mm SVL) head-first. The ratsnake and
its prey were not captured for body measurements until the hind legs of the treefrog were
no longer visible.
Treefrogs occur in the diets of the obsoleta group of latsnakes in southern Florida
(Wright and Wriglu-; lOuV), In Ihe En. ei oia*h.V:, fhe xvljow rot-ujake maybe an important
predator of the Cuban tieefrog. Both species shai*e arboreal habits, exhibit year-round
activity use hammocks, and overlap in air temperature pieference (26.3 ± 3.24°C; range
= 20 “ 29; n = 7 yellov" latsiiakes). These factors increase the chances of encounters be-
tween both species.
The oboervaiioii of a predatory encounter between the black racer and Cuban treefrog
took place in Okeechobee, Okeechobee Co., Florida. At night Cuban treefrogs were easily
captured on the w'alls of a building located downtown, and during the day they were eas-
ily taken from the axils of nearby queen palm trees (Arecastrum romanzoffianum). On 19
September 1993 at 1330 hrs we observed a black racer of 32.0 cm SVL swallowing head-
first a Coban treefrog of 24.0 mm S\Tj. Both animals were partly concealed by a loose
palm axil that was 0.6 m above the ground.
Arboreal habits occur in the black racer (Fitch 1963; pers. obsy, and palm trees in
southern Florida are inhabited by Jndo-Pacific geckos (Ifeinidai.tyliis gariiotii), green
treefrogs (Hyla cineiea), squirrel treefrogs iH. sqmrrella), and Cuban treefrogs (Me-
shaka 1995). In addition to Cuban treefrogs, we have seen liido-Pacific geckos and blown
anoles using palm trees at this site. In Dade and Monroe Cos., bark anoles (Anolis disti-
chus) can be found on palm trees (WEM pers obs,). Consequently a potentially abundant
food source is accessible to black racers in a habitat where some traditional prey species
are scarce or absent.
The Cuban treefrog is a highly fecund and potentially abundant animal (Meshaka
1994). Both, encounters suggest that despite ubiquity the Cuban treefrog is not immune
98
FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST
to predation in Florida. Indeed, the abundance and widespread distribution of this food
source could bode well for both snake species occurring in southern Florida.
Literature Cited
Allen, R. A., and W. T. Neill. 1953. The treefrog, Hyla septentrionalis, in Florida.
Copeia 1953:127-128.
Ashton, R. E., Jr., and P. S. Ashton. 1988. Handbook of Reptiles and Amphibians of
Florida. Part Three. The Amphibians. Windward Publ. Inc. Miami.
Fitch, H. S. 1963. Natural history of the racer Coluber constrictor. Univ. Kansas Mus.
Nat. Hist. 15:351-468.
Meshaka, W. E., Jr. 1994. Ecological correlates of successful colonization in the life his-
tory of the Cuban treefrog, Osteopilus septentrionalis (Anura: Hylidae). Unpubl.
Ph.D. Dissert. Florida International Univ,, Miami.
Meshaka, W. E., Jr. 1995. Vagility and the Florida distribution of the Cuban treefrog
{Osteopilus septentrionalis). Herpetol. Rev. (In Press).
Schwartz, A. 1952. Hyla septentrionalis Dumeril and Bibron on the Florida mainland.
Copeia 1952:117-118.
Wright, A. H., and A. A. Wright. 1957. Handbook of Snakes of the United States and
Canada. Vol. 1. Comstock Publ. Assoc. Ithaca.
FLORIDA ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY
SPECIAL PUBLICATIONS
Species Index to Florida Bird Records in Audubon Field Notes and Amer-
ican Birds Volumes 1-30 1947-1976, by Margaret C. Bowman. 1978. Florida Or-
nithological Society, Special Publication No. 1. Price $4.00.
The Carolina Parakeet in Florida, by Daniel McKinley. 1985. Florida Ornitho-
logical Society, Special Publication No. 2. Price $6.00.
Status and Distribution of the Florida Scrub Jay, by Jeffrey A. Cox. 1987.
Florida Ornithological Society, Special Publication No. 3. Price $8,00.
Florida Bird Records in American Birds and Audubon Field Notes 1947-
1989, by Robert W. Loftin, Glen E. Woolfenden, and Janet A. Woolfenden. 1991.
Florida Ornithological Society, Special Publication No. 4, Price $8.00.
West Indian Bird Records in American Birds and Audubon Field Notes
(1947-1990): Species Index by Islands, by Robert W. Loftin. 1992. Florida Or-
nithological Society, Special Publication No. 5. Price $8.00.
Florida Bird Species: An Annotated List, by William B. Robertson, Jr. and
Glen E. Woolfenden. 1992. Florida Ornithological Society, Special Publication No.
6. Price for FOS members $14.95 (soft cover), $19.95 (hard cover); nonmembers
$17.95 (soft cover), $22.95 (hard cover).
Order prepaid from the Secretary; add $1.00 handling and shipping for Spe-
cial Publications No. 1-5; add $2.00 handling and shipping for Special Publication
No. 6. Florida residents add 7% sales tax to the total. Make checks payable to
the Florida Ornithological Society.
99
FIELD OBSERVATIONS
Fla. Field Nat. 23(4):99-108, 1995.
Spring Report? March-May 1995, —The observations listed here are based on rare
or unusual species or significant numbers of birds reported to the Florida Ornithological
Society (F.O.SJ Field Observations Committee (F.O.C.). As these reports are not formally
reviewed, they may be considered tentative.
Significant reports are welcomed for inclusion in future issues of this section. Reports
should include the following information: species, number of individuals, age and sex of
the bird(s), color morph if applicable, location (including county), date, observer(s), and
significance of the report. Reporting periods are winter (December-February), spring
(March-May), summer (June-July), and fall (August-November), Submit reports to re-
gional compilers within 2 weeks after the close of each period, or to the state compiler
within 1 month. Reports may be sent by FAX to the state compiler at (941) 699-1927.
Following the examples set by Florida Bird Species: An Annotated List (Robertson
and Woolfenden 1992, F.O.S, Spec, Publ. No. 6) and The Birdlife of Florida (Stevenson
and Anderson 1994, Univ. Press of Florida), sight-only observations are considered “re-
ports,” while only those supported by verifiable evidence (photographs, video or audio
tapes, or specimens) are called “records.”
Bruce Anderson {in litt. July 1995) revised the list of birds for which the F.O.S,
Records Committee requires documentation. These species are marked in this report
with an asterisk (*) to alert the observers of their need to supply the F.O.S.R.C. with de-
tails of their sightings.
A county designation accompanies the first-time listing of each site in this report. Ab-
breviations used are as follows: A.B.S.=Archbold Biological Station (Highlands),
A.RA.F.R.=Avon Park Air Force Range, ca.~circa, C.P.=county park, D.T.N.R=Dry Tortu-
gas N.R, E.N.P.”Everglades N.R, F.B.R.=Florida Birding Report, F.D.C.R=Fort DeSoto
County Park (Pinellas), F.O.S.R.C.=F.O.S, Records Committee, N.A,M.C,=North Ameri-
can Migration Count, N.R=national park, N.W.R.=national wildlife refuge, R&W
1992”Robertson and Woolfenden 1992, S&A 1994=Stevenson and Anderson 1994,
S.R=state park, S.R.A.^state recreation area, S.T.F.=sewage treatment facility,
W.M. A. ^wildlife management area, and N, S, E, W, etc. for compass directions. Bold-
faced species, if any, denote birds newly reported or verified in Florida.
The state compiler thanks Howard Langridge, the spring editor of National Audubon
Society Field Notes, for sharing information submitted to that journal. Bruce Anderson
supplied information on species reported to the F.O.S.R.C. Robertson and Woolfenden
(1992) and Stevenson and Anderson (1994) were used to determine the regional and sea-
sonal status of many species. Information from the 4th annual North American Migra-
tion Count (N.A.M.C.) conducted 13 May was generously supplied by Rex Rowan, the
state compiler for Florida. Walter K. Taylor suggested many helpful comments to the
manuscript.
Summary of the Spring Season
Weatherwise, spring 1995 was relatively quiet. Fallouts of migrants were reported at
F.D.C.P. 6-9 April, Fort Pickens 21 April (21 warbler species and 41 total migrant spe-
cies), and St. George Island 24 April,
The first verifi.ed North American record of Greater Antillean Pewee was recorded
in Palm Beach County when 1 was seen and videotaped in March and April. Another
probable first for North America was a Leptotila dove photographed at D.T.N.P. 6-7
April; the bird has not yet been identified specifically. The first Florida (and east of the
100
FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST
Mississippi River) Common Poorwill was also reported at D.T.N.R 5 May, but was not
photographed.
Other unverifiable reports included a female MacGillivray’s Warbler observed at
Ichectucknee Springs S.R, and a Long-eared Owl flushed from scrub at A.B.S., where one
was photographed in 1994. The Black-Hawk controversy in Dade County was renewed
when a Great Black-Hawk was studied carefully on Virginia Key. Although reported 9
times previously, the Cuban Grassquit observed in April in Miami appears to have
been the first individual photographed in the U.S. However, the bird showed “obvious”
signs of recent captivity. Other rarities reported this spring were Red-billed Tropicbird, 3
Red-footed Boobies, Curlew Sandpiper, Little Gull, Sabine’s Gull, Buff-bellied Humming-
bird, Anna’s Hummingbird, Loggerhead Kingbird, Fork-tailed Flycatcher, Warbling
Vireo, Thick-billed Vireo, and Townsend’s Warbler.
Some of the more interesting exotics reported include the Scarlet Ibis still present at
Fort Myers, White Spoonbill still at Tampa Bay, White-cheeked Pintails in Escambia
County and McKay Bay, Blue-and-yellow Macaw and 2 unidentified cockatoos at A.B.S.,
2 Hill Mynas at Naples, and 2 Bar-headed Geese at Jacksonville, the first for Florida.
This is the 5th consecutive F.O.C. report to add a new exotic to the state’s avifauna; 12 ex-
otics have been added since the publication of Robertson and Woolfenden (1992).
Species Accounts
Red-throated Loon: 2 at Talbot Island S.P. (Duval) 4 Mar and 11 Mar, and 1 at Hugue-
not Park (Duval) 14 Apr (all R. Clark).
Common Loon: 1 over J. B. Starkey Wilderness Park (Pasco) 25 Mar was the first park
report (P. Blair, R. Smith, B. and B. Wotton); 300 “pairs” estimated 16-40 km off Long-
boat Pass (Manatee) 26 Mar (R. Meyers); 1 in breeding plumage at Rock Bluff Springs
(Gilchrist and Dixie) 23 May (J. Krummrich),
Pied-billed Grebe: 84 in Polk phosphate mines 7 May (P. Fellers).
Horned Grebe: 1 in “full breeding plumage” off the lighthouse at St. Marks N.W.R.
(Wakulla) 27 Apr (J. Cavanagh).
Eared Grebe: 7 (1 in breeding plumage) at Occidental W.M.A. (Hamilton) through at
least 28 Mar (J. Krummrich).
White-tailed Tropicbird: 1 regularly at D.T.N.R 29 Apr-10 May (P. Mauiri et ah); 1, 10
km off Palm Beach 9 May (T. White).
*Red-BILLED Tropicbird: 1 adult 10 km S of Key West (Monroe) 11 May (W Biggs et ah,
photos by S. Allan, G. Stoccardo to F.O.S.R.C.) was the 5th published Florida report,
and the first in spring.
Masked Booby: 60 (57 adults and 3 chicks) at Hospital Key, D.T.N.R 12 Apr (D. Good-
win, W Biggs et al.) was the highest ever Florida count (S&A 1994:35).
*Red-FOOTED Booby: 1 at D.T.N.R 12 Apr (D. Lysinger, R Mauiri), and another 1 with a
pale head there 17 May (W. B. Robertson, B. Kittleson et ah); 1 found in a Miami
(Dade) shopping center on 4 May died the next day (fide W. Hoffman, specimen to
A.B.S.).
American White Relican: 1650 at Polk mines 2 Mar (P. Fellers).
Brown Pelican: 1 at Lake Lochloosa 11 Apr (R. Rowan) and 1 at Newnans Lake 13 May
(V, Greenhill) indicate increasing occurrences in Alachua; 1 immature at Lake Jack-
son 14 Apr (N. Warner) was the third Leon report (G. Menk); 2 Polk reports: 1 at Lake
Pierce 5 May (P. Fellers) and 1 adult at Mulberry 22 May (B. and L. Cooper).
*Scarlet Ibis: the 1 still at Lakes Park (Lee) to at least 24 Mar (J. Beaver to FB.R.).
White Spoonbill: the 1 still present in Hillsborough through mid-May (R. Paul, A.
Schnapf, M. Lopez).
Roseate Spoonbill: 1 at D.T.N.R 21 Apr (K. Karlson) was rare there.
Wood Stork: 120 nesting pairs at Tower Road (Leon) 3 May (G. Sprandel).
Field Observations
101
Fulvous Whistling-duck: 2 with Blue-winged Teals moving W off Fort Pickens {Es-
cambia) 21 Mar were rare there (B. Duncan).
Black-bellied WhistlinG-DUCK: 3 in Mulberry 22 May (B. and L. Cooper); 25+ in phos-
phate mines in Polk and Hardee throughout the season (T. Sanders).
Bar-headed Goose (Anser indicus): 2 tame banded birds at St. Augustine {St. Johns)
30 May (G. Gilbert) were the first Florida report.
Mottled Duck: 101 in Polk mines 7 May (P. Fellers).
* White-cheeked Pintail: 1 at Davenport Bayou {Escambia) 22 Mar was later deter-
mined to be 1 of “several” that escaped from a local bird collector (B. Duncan); 1 “all-
white” bird with orange in the bill at McKay Bay 1 Apr (P. Blair, J. King, S. Backes)
and later (R. Paul, A. SchnapD was presumed to be an escape.
Blue-winged Teal: 1800-2500 moving W off Fort Pickens in a 2 1/2-hour period 21 Mar
(B. Duncan),
Cinnamon Teal: 1 male at Lake Jackson {Leon) remained to at least 17 Mar (G. Menk).
Northern Shoveler: 2 at Polk phosphate mines 13 May on the N.A.M.C. (P. Fellers); 1
male at Bayonet Point {Pasco) 23 May (D. Robinson).
Gadwall: 1 at an Okaloosa S.T.F. 13 May on the N.A.M.C. (C. and D. Ware).
Eurasian x American WigeoN: 1 at Wakulla Springs S.P. {Wakulla) 3 Mar (B. Russell to
F.B.R.).
Common Eider: 1 still at Port Canaveral {Brevard) to at least 8 Mar (L, Manfredi).
Surf Scoter: 3 at Carrabelle Beach {Franklin) 6 May (G. Sprandel).
Hooded Merganser: 1 female with 8 small ducklings in Lower Wekiva River State Pre-
serve {Lake) 2 Apr (D. Leonard, N. Hamel) was a very rare central Florida breeding
report.
Red-breasted Merganser: 1 at Lake Santa Fe {Alachua) 6 May (B. Roberts).
American Swallow-tailed Kite: 15-20 in a flock moving E over Alligator Point {Frank-
lin) 7 Mar (J. Dozier).
White-tailed Kite; 2 adults in the E Everglades {Dade), a traditional breeding site, 26
Apr acted as if paired and nesting nearby (P. W. Smith et al.).
Mississippi Kite: 2 adults in S Jacksonville 19 May through the season were suspected
of nesting nearby (J. Cocke).
Cooper’s Hawk: 1 in Naples {Collier) 8 May (L, Douglas) was late; 1 nest in Lakeland
{Polk) fledged 4 young in early June (R. Snow); 1 nest in E Orange fledged 3 young
also in early June (P. Lantz).
Broad-winged Hawk: 1 adult that wintered at Turkey Creek Sanctuary {Brevard) was
last seen 20 Mar (B. and S. Hills).
Great Black-hawk: 1 adult on Virginia Key {Dade) 6 May (noted earlier by D. Lysinger
et al.) was “almost certSimiy” Buteogallus u. urubitinga from continental South Amer-
ica (P. W. Smith). Black-hawks have been reported from this area intermittently since
1972. Smith believes all S Florida Buteogallus reports refer to this species and are es-
capes that have subsequently experienced “very limited” breeding.
Harris’ Hawk: the 1 continued to be seen at Pine Island {Lee) until at least 4 Mar ( J. Es-
ter).
Short-tailed Hawk: 1 dark morph in A.P.A.F.R. {Polk) 3 Mar (J. Arnett); 1 dark morph
over coastal Collier 24 Mar was rare there (E. J. Reimann); 1 light morph adult pluck-
ing a bird in flight over Carnestown {Collier) 25 Apr (R W. Smith et al.); 1 light morph
adult over U.S. 27 at Josephine Creek {Highlands) 24 May (M. McMillian).
Crested Caracara: 1 at Tosohatchee State Reserve {Orange) 15 Apr (K. Fisher, E. Egen-
steiner) was rare so far north.
American Kestrel: breeding was confirmed in Pinellas when a pair was seen feeding 3
fledglings in Brooker Creek Preserve 13 May on the N.A.M.C. (J. and L. Hopkins).
This appears to be the first Pinellas breeding report in about 40 years {fide D. Good-
win).
102
FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST
Merlin: 1 migrating N over Polk 7 May (R Fellers),
Peregrine Falcon: 2 in St. Johns 13 May on the N.A.M.C.: 1 at Anastasia Island (G. Gil-
bert) and 1 at Guana River S.R (D. Reed); 1 at Gulf Breeze 19 May (B. and L. Dun-
can).
Black Rail: 1 at Honeymoon Island S.R.A. (Pinellas) 1 Apr (L. Hopkins, K. Nelson, V.
Morrison); 2 calling from 2010-2030 at Paynes Prairie State Preserve (Alachua) 22
May (D, and E, O’Neill).
Virginia Rail: 3 “oinking” at Bayonet Point 23 May (D. Robinson) were late.
American Coot: 20,000 in Polk mines 16 Apr was the highest county total (P. Fellers); 6
at Lake Jackson through May (G. Menk).'
Sandhill Crane: lOO-i-, possibly 1000, in Madison ca. 5-6 Mar (D. Evered).
Black-bellied Plover: 300 on Shell Key (Pinellas) 12 May (P. Blair).
American Golden-plover: 1 at Honeymoon Island S.R.A. 1 Apr (V. Morrison, L. Hop-
kins, K. Nelson); 1 at St. Augustine 22-24 May (A. and M. C. Morgan).
Snowy Plover: 1 nest with 3 eggs at Shell Key 23 Mar (P. Blair) was the earliest clutch
reported in Florida (S&A 1994:213).
Semipalmated Plover: 48 at a Homeland (Polk) mine 5 Apr (B. and L. Cooper).
Piping Plover: 1 at Shell Key 13 May on the N.A.M.C. (R Blair, K. Nelson).
Black-necked Stilt: 1 at Kanapaha S.T.F. (Alachua) 5-6 Apr was locally rare (B. Rob-
erts); 3 pairs with young (broods of 2, 2, and 3), and 1 bird on a probable nest at Drig-
gers Road pond (Highlands) 26 May (B. Pranty, M. McMillian).
Lesser YellowlegS: 1032 at a Homeland mine 5 Apr (B. and L. Cooper); 1000 in a
flooded fleld S of Clewiston (Hendry) 11 Apr (D. Goodwin, W. Biggs et ah).
Spotted Sandpiper: 6 at Lake Annie, A.B.S. 17 Apr (J. Fitzpatrick); a flock of 23 in
E. N.P. (Dade or Monroe) in early May ( J. Ogden); 1 at Sanibel Island (Lee) 27 May (A.
and R. Smith).
Upland Sandpiper: 17 at Fort Walton Beach spray flelds (Okaloosa) 4 Apr (B. Duncan et
al.).
Long-billed Curlew: 1 at Fort Pickens 10 Apr (E. Case).
Ruddy Turnstone: 12 at Shell Island (Bay) 4 May were eating Rice Chex cereal! (G.
Sprandel).
SanderlinG: 6 at Polk mines 15 Apr (P. Fellers).
Semipalmated Sandpiper: 80 at Spring Hill S.T.F., Tallahassee 13 May was a locally
high inland number (G. Menk, R. Christen).
Western Sandpiper: 1 at Air Products Sanctuary, Pace (Santa Rosa) 20 May was
thought to be the latest spring report in the region (B. Milmore).
Least Sandpiper: 10,000 at Polk mines 2 Mar (P. Fellers).
White-RUMPED Sandpiper: 8 at Polk mines 7 May (C. Geanangel, P. Timmer); 2 at Hon-
eymoon Island S.R.A. 13 May on the N.A.M.C. (D. Goodwin, C. Buhrman); 3 at
F. D.C.P. (Pinellas) 20 May (B. and L. Atherton et ah).
Baird’s Sandpiper: 2 in Okaloosa 9 May (D. Ware) and 1 there 13 May on the N.A.M.C.
(C. and D. Ware, B. Dillon, J. Wright, details to F.O.S.R.C.).
Pectoral Sandpiper: 2 at Panama City Beach Municipal Park (Bay) 2 Apr (E. Fontaine,
T. Menart); 1 at Kanapaha S.T.F. 9 May (B. Roberts).
Purple Sandpiper: 2 E of Titusville (Brevard) 31 Mar-1 Apr (D. Stuckey et al,).
*CURLEW Sandpiper: 1 in breeding plumage at the end of Snake Bight Trail, E.N.P.
(Monroe) 25 Apr (M. Austin et al., details to F.O.S.R.C,).
Stilt Sandpiper: 1 at Kanapaha S.T.F. 2 Apr (R. Rowan), and 4 there 25 Apr (B. Rob-
erts); 1858 at Polk mines 16 Apr and 1150 still present 7 May (both P. Fellers); 2 in
coastal Collier 28 Apr (B, J. Anderson) were locally rare.
Long-billed Dowitcher: 70 in a flooded field S of Clewiston 11 Apr (D. Goodwin, W.
Biggs et al.); 6 at a spoil pond in N Jacksonville 23 May (R. Clark).
Wilson’s Phalarope: 1 at a Homeland mine 5 Apr (B. and L. Cooper).
Field Observations
103
POMARINE Jaeger: l immature at Talbot Island S.P. 4 Mar (R. Clark).
Parasitic Jaeger: 1 adult at Talbot Island S.P 4 Mar (R. Clark); 2 light morphs at Fort
Pickens 21 Mar (B. Duncan); 1 adult between D.T.N.P. and Key West 13 May (J. Do-
zier).
Laughing Gull: 100+ flying N over Placid Lakes Estates {Highlands) 8 Apr (F. Lohrer)
was evidence of migration.
*Little Gull: the 1 at Port Canaveral remained to at least 8 Mar (L. Manfredi).
Bonaparte’s Gull: 35,000-45,000 estimated between Pensacola Beach {Escambia} and
Fort Pickens 1 Mar (B. Duncan).
*Sabine’S Gull: 1 immature at D.T.N.P. 6 Apr (K. Karlson, D. Rosselet).
Gull-billed Tern: 14+ foraging in the evening over Eco Pond, E.N.P. {Monroe) 15 Apr
(RW. Smith et ah).
Sandwich Tern: 600+ in coastal Collier in May (B. J. Anderson, T. Below).
Roseate Tern: 5 pairs visited the Key West Navy Annex for 2-3 weeks in mid-May, but
did not nest (J. Ondrejko).
Common Tern: 1000+ at Shell Key 12 May (P. Blair) was the highest ever spring total.
Black Tern: 1 at Cedar Key {Levy) 20 May (R. Rowan); 1 at Air Products Sanctuary,
Pace 20 May (B. Milmore et aL).
Black Skimmer: 1 at Lake Istokpoga {Highlands) 5 Apr (H. and M. Parker); 448 at Polk
mines 16 Apr (R Fellers).
Streptopelia Species: 1 at a Tallahassee feeder 30 Apr (D. McBride) was probably
Leon’s first Eurasian Collared-Dove.
White-winged Dove: 1 at F.D.C.R in mid-Apr (M. and S. Turner).
Mourning Dove: 1 fledgling at D.T.N.P 20 Apr (S. Finnegan et al.) was a rare breeding
report from there.
*Leptotila Species; 1 at Garden Key, D.T.N.P. 6-7 Apr (K. Karlson, D. Rosselet, photo
to F.O.S.R.C.) was reported as a White-tipped Dove (L. verreauxi), but this species
seems to be ruled out by the photograph. The first Florida record of the genus, and
probably the first record for North America if the species can be determined.
Rose-ringed Parakeet: 2 at Cedar Key in the spring had increased to 4 birds by late
summer; 2 of the birds with shorter tails and no collars were suspected of being
young-of-the-year. The species has been seen in Cedar Key since 1990, exclusively
Apr-Jun; this is the first year the birds have been seen year-round (all information by
D. Henderson).
Blue-AND-YELLOW Macaw: 2 over A.B.S. 13 Apr (K. Tarvin, M. Garvin, K. Dayer, J. Ja-
wor) and 1 near there 19 May (R. Bowman) were the first Highlands reports.
Cacatua Species: 2 small cockatoos over A.B.S. 20 May (G. Woolfenden) was the first
Highlands report.
Black-billed Cuckoo: 1 at Fort Pickens 21 Apr (B. Duncan et al.); 1 in N Jacksonville
22 Apr (R. Clark); 1 at St. George Island S.P. {Franklin) 24 Apr (D. and S. Jue); 1 at
A.B.S. 23 May (G. Woolfenden).
Yellow-billed Cuckoo: 1 at Canal Point {Palm Beach) 26 Mar (J. King, P. Blair, R.
Smith) was one of the earliest spring reports (S&A 1994:352); 13 at F.D.C.R 20 May
(B. and L. Atherton, M. Wilkinson).
Mangrove Cuckoo: 4, including 1 that fed on nesting wasps, on N Key Largo {Monroe)
27 Apr (R W. Smith et ah).
Burrowing Owl: 11 in an area near Sorrento {Lake) soon to be developed, 24 May (P.
Small, R. Ozmore, E. Egensteiner).
*Long-EARED Owl: 1 flushed from its roost at A.B.S. 2 Mar (B. Pranty, T. Gionfriddo, ac-
cepted by F.O.S.R.C.) was 1000 m NE of the site where 1 (the same?) was found 20
Mar 1994. In both cases, lack of “whitewash” and pellets beneath the roosts indicated
one-time use.
104
FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST
*COMMON POORWILL {Phalaenoptilus nuttallii): 1 at Garden Key, D.T.N.P. 5 May ob-
served on the ground at night for 30-40 minutes (H. Langridge, details to F.O.S.R.C.)
was the first Florida report, and the first E of the Mississippi River.
Chuck- WILL’S-WIDOW: 51, including a flock of 40, migrated off the Gulf at dusk in coastal
Collier 24 Mar (T. Below, J. Douglas).
Whip-poor-will: 6-8 were singing at A.B.S. 6 Mar (J. Fitzpatrick); 1 at Alligator Point
sang through 7 May (J. Dozier); 1 at Rock Springs Run State Reserve (Orange) sang
through the season (C. and P. Small et ah).
Chimney Swift: 1 over Placid Lakes Estates 29 Mar (F. Lohrer).
*Buff-BELLIED Hummingbird: the 1 at Fort Lauderdale (Broward) was last seen 18 Mar
(B. and T. Center).
*Anna’S Hummingbird: the 1 that wintered in Tallahassee (Leon) was last seen 14 Apr
(G. Rico, J. Cavanagh, N. Warner et ah). This will be the second Florida record if ac-
cepted by the F.O.S.R.C.; both from Tallahassee.
Selasphorus Species: l adult female, probably a Rufous Hummingbird, at S Jackson-
ville through 23 Mar (P. Powell); 1 at a Tallahassee feeder until 23 Mar (fide G. Menk).
Rufous Hummingbird: 1 immature male in Lutz (Hillsborough) was last seen 8 Mar (D.
Grimes to F.B.R.); 1 that wintered at Fort Walton Beach was last seen 15 Mar (fide D.
Ware, banded by B. and M. Sargent); 1 that wintered in Tallahassee was last seen 22
Mar (F. Stoutamire); 1 at Fort Walton Beach 31 Mar (W. Young); 1 male at Titusville
29 Mar (S. Stuckey); 1 female at F.D.C.R 21 May (B. and L. Atherton).
Yellow-bellied SapsuckeR: 1 female at Eglin Air Force Base (Okaloosa) 13 May on the
N.A.M.C. (G. Eller, M. Cox, D. Revine).
Eastern Wood-PEWEE: 1 sang at Wekiwa Springs S.P. (Orange) 20 May (C. Catron).
Greater Antillean Pewee (Contopus caribaeus): 1 in Spanish River Park (Palm
Beach) 11-17 Mar and 1-4 Apr (B. Hope et ah, videotape to F.O.S.R.C.) was the first
verified North American record.
Eastern Phoebe: 2 on the N.A.M.C. 13 May; 1 at Little Talbot Island S.P. (Duval) (D.
and R. Wears) and 1 at Little-Big Econ State Forest (Seminole) (T. Liebler, details to
F.O.S.R.C.).
Vermilion Flycatcher: the 1 adult male that wintered at Buck Island Ranch (High-
lands) was last seen 13 Mar (M. McMillian).
Ash-THROATED Flycatcher: the 1 that wintered at Turkey Creek Sanctuary remained
until at least 6 Mar (B. and S. Hills).
La Sagra’S Flycatcher: 1 at Miami 12 Apr (L. Manfredi); 1 at Spanish River Park 1
May (L. Manfredi, B. Hope, M. Padura).
Western Kingbird: single migrants at Honeymoon Island S.R.A. 19 Apr (S. Backes et
al.) and Tierra Verde (Pinellas) 26 Apr (Jean Turner, A. Kretschmar et al.).
Eastern Kingbird: 1 in A.P.A.F.R. (Polk) 21 Mar (D. Leonard); 40 at D.T.N.P. 6 Apr (K.
Karlson, D. Rosselet).
Gray Kingbird: 1 near A.B.S. 21 Apr (K. Tarvin, M. Garvin et al.) was rare inland in
spring.
*Loggerhead Kingbird: 1 at D.T.N.P. 2 May (W Biggs et al.).
Scissor-TAILED Flycatcher: 1 in F.D.C.R 2 Apr (E. Heise to F.B.R,); 1 at Port St. Joe
(Gulf) 2 Apr (L. Case); 1 outside Gainesville (Alachua) 3 May (B. Roberts); 2 at Gulf
Breeze 4 May and 1 there 16 May (both B. Duncan).
*Fork-tailed Flycatcher: 1 at D.T.N.P. 24 Apr (M. Austin et al. photo to F.O.S.R.C.).
Northern Rough-winged Swallow: 2 at a bridge in Coral Gables (Dade) 1 May ap-
peared to be nesting there (P. W. Smith); 2 adults and 3 juveniles at Holiday 25 May
(D. Robinson) were the 3rd Pasco breeding report (fide B. Pranty).
Bank Swallow: 1 at the lighthouse at St. Marks N.W.R. 31 Mar (J. Cavanagh); 1 at
Tram Road S.T.F., Tallahassee 12 May (G. Menk); 1 at N Jacksonville 25 May (R.
Clark).
Field Observations
105
House Wren: 1 at Emeralda Marsh Conser¥ation Area {Lake) 13 May on the N.A.M.C.
(R. Wheeler),
SWAINSON’S Thrush: 1 at Paynes Prairie State Preserve 27 Mar (A. Kent) was the earli-
est ever spring report (S&A 1994:498).
Wood Thrush: 1 at Disney Wilderness Preserve {Osceola) 28 Mar (P. Hawkinson, E.
Roberts); 6 at ED.C.P, 7 Apr (M. Wilkinson et aL); 1 at A.B.S. 21 Apr (J, Fitzpatrick).
Bahama Mockingbird: 1 that sang at Spanish River Park 1 May (H. Langridge, L. Man-
fredi, B. Hope, M. Padura).
American Pipit: 1 at Spring Hill S.T.F. 11 Apr (G. Menk).
Cedar Wax\¥ING: 500 at McKay Bay (Hillsborough) 2 May (R. Paul, A. Schnapf et aL); 1
at D.T.N.P. 21 May (W. B. Robertson, B. Kittleson et aL)..
Hill Myna: 2 at the junction of Alligator Alley and Davis Boulevard in Naples (Collier)
16 Mar (S. Hodge) have apparently been present for about 1 1/2 years (fide L. Dou-
glas),
Common Myna: 1 at Fortymile Bend on U,S. 41 (on the Miccosukee Indian Reservation)
(Dade) 25 Apr was further evidence the Miami area population is expanding (P. W.
Smith et aL). Additionally, Smith states that the Miami area population was “seri-
ously impacted” by Hurricane Aredreii; in Aug 1992, but has now recovered, and “prob-
ably now meets the usual criteria for establishment (i.e., breeding and spreading for
10 years).”
White-eyed Vireo: 100+ at F.D.C.P. 6-9 Apr (M. Wilkinson et aL).
*Warbling VireO: 1 just N of Choctaw Beach (Walton) 13 May on the N.A.M.C. (T. Max-
well, details to F.O.S.R.C.).
*Thick-BILLED Vireo: 1 at Hugh Taylor Birch S.R.A. 27 Apr-7 May (W. George, J. DiPas-
quale et aL) was the first Broward report (S&A 1994:528).
Yellow-throated Vireo: 8 at F.D.C.P: 8 Apr (B. and L. Cooper et aL).
Black-whiskered Vireo: 1 at Cedar Key 29-30 Apr (R. Webb, F.O.S. group); 1 at St.
George Island S.P. 12 May was believed to be Vireo a. altiloquus (J. Cavanagh).
GOLDEN-mTNGED WARBLER: 1 at D.T.N.P. 5 May (S. Mlodinow et aL).
Vermwora Hybrid: 1 “Brewster's Warbler” at Fort Pickens 21 Apr (B. Duncan et aL).
Nashville Warbler: 2 at Fort Pickens 2 Apr (E. Barbig et aL); 1 at St. George Island
S.P. 22 Apr (S. Jue, C. Cauley); 1 at Theodore Roosevelt Preserve (Duval) 13 May on
the N.A.M.C. (B. Richter).
Northern Parula: adults feeding young at Cedar Key 29 Apr (P. Powell et aL) was an
early date for fledglings (S&A 1994:548).
Yellow Warbler: 1 in Leon 6 May was late (G. Menk).
Chestnut-sided Warbler: 1 male at Laidlaw Preserve, Vernon (Washington) 15 Apr (T.
Menart, R. Houser et aL); 1 at D.T.N.P. 16 May (W. B. Robertson, B. Kittleson et aL).
Cape May Warbler: 50+ at Key Biscayne (Dade) 26 Apr (P. W. Smith et aL).
Yellow-RUMPED Warbler: 1 male “Audubon's Warbler” at E.N.P. (Dade) 6 Mar (F. Davis
et aL).
*Townsend'S Warbler: 1 in Royal Palm Hammock, E.N.P. (Dade) 31 Mar (B. Kriko-
rian).
Pine Warbler: 1 at D.T.N.P, 18-20 Apr (G, McCaskie et al.) was a rarity there.
Cerulean Warbler: 2 at F.D.C.P. 6 Apr, 1 remaining until 15 Apr (A. Etienne, M.
Wilkinson, L. Atherton et al.); 1 male at Melbourne (Brevard) 23 Apr (B. and S. Hills).
American Redstart: 150+ at Key Biscawne 26 Apr (F W. Smith et al.); 234 in Duval 13
May on the N.A.M.C, {fide R. Rov/an); 76 in Palm Beach 13 Maj on the N.A.M.C. (fide
H. Laiigridge); 1 immature male in A.B.S. 25 May (K Taiwiii, M. Garvin).
Worm-eating Warbler: 1 on Turner River Road (Collier) 12 Mar (B. and B, Wotton)
would be the earliest ever spring report if the bird did not winter locally (S&A
1994:580); 20 at Spanish River Park 6 Apr (B. and J. Hope); 3 at Rock Springs Run
State Reserve 7 Apr (P, Small, D. Freeman).
106
FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST
SWAINSON’S Warbler: 1 at Fort Pickens 2 Apr (E, Barbig et al.); singles banded at Casey
Key {Sarasota) 3 Apr and 8 Apr (A. Stedman); up to 8 at F.D.C.P. 6-9 Apr (M. Wilkin-
son, L. Atherton et aL); 1 at Jacksonville 20 Apr (M. Dolan); 3 birds, including 1 that
built a nest, at Steinhatchee Springs W.M.A. (Lafayette) 20 Apr, where birds sum-
mered in 1993 and 1994 (J. Krummrich).
OVENBIRD: 30+ in N Jacksonville 19 Apr (R, Clark).
Northern Waterthrush: 45 at D.T.N.R 28 Apr (K. Karlson, D. Rosselet).
Connecticut Warbler: l at F.D.C.P. 6 May (B. and L. Atherton et al.); 1 male at Bivens
Arm Nature Park {Alachua) 13 May on the N.A.M.C. (R. Rowan); 1 banded at Casey
Key 24 May (A. Stedman).
Mourning Warbler: 1 immature male at Spanish River Park 1 May (L. Manfredi, B.
and J. Hope, H. Langridge).
*MACGILLrvilAY’S WARBLER {Oporornis tolmei): 1 female with “very conspicuous eye
crescents” at Ichetucknee Springs S.R {Gilchrist or Suwannee) 23 Apr (B. Burkstrom
to F.B.R.) - the species is unverified in Florida.
Hooded Warbler: 1 at MacArthur S.R.A. {Palm Beach) 3 Mar (C. Weber); 100+ at
F.D.C.P. 6-9 Apr (M. Wilkinson et al.).
Wilson’s Warbler: 1 at Bonner Park, Largo (Pinellas) 8 Apr (P. Blair, B. and B. Wotton).
Yellow-breasted Chat: 2 Paynes Prairie State Preserve reports: 2 at Bolen Bluff Dike,
16 Apr-22 May (F. Davis, H. Lake et al.), and 1 at Cones Dike 13 May on the N.A.M.C.
(H. Adams, R. Rowan); 2 at Cedar Point {Duval) 13 May on the N.A.M.C. (R. Clark, J.
Bledsoe).
Summer Tanager: 1 at Delray Beach {Palm Beach) 4 Mar (B. Hope).
Blue Grosbeak: 2 singing males and 1 female at North Pinellas Wellfield {Pinellas) 13
May on the N.A.M.C. were probably breeding (J. and L. Hopkins).
Indigo Bunting: 1 at a feeder at Alligator Point 3-16 Mar (J. Dozier).
Cuban Grassquit {Tiaris canora): 1 male at Miami International Airport {Dade) 22
Apr (L. Lewis et al., photos by L. Manfredi) that showed cage wear, “including a
bloody base to the bill” (P. W. Smith) was apparently the first verified occurrence in
the state (S&A 1994:625). All Florida reports are presumed to be escaped cagebirds.
Dickcissel: 1 female at N Jacksonville 18 Apr (P. Powell).
Bachman’s Sparrow: widespread singing at A.B.S. 16 Mar, but none previously (G.
Woolfenden, B. Pranty, K. Tarvin, M. Garvin, J. Fitzpatrick).
Clay-colored Sparrow: 15+ in a flock in an abandoned citrus grove W of Homestead
{Dade) 5 Mar were thought to be migrants (P. W. Smith); 2 at Titusville 9 Mar (D.
Stuckey, R. Bird).
Lark Sparrow: 1 in Fruit and Spice Park {Dade) 12 Apr (D. Goodwin, W Biggs et al.).
Le Conte’s Sparrow: 1 at Madison {Madison) 4 Mar (James and K. Turner, details to
F.O.S.R.C.).
Song Sparrow: 1 male singing in DeFuniak Springs {Walton) 13 May on the N.A.M.C.
(B. Ketch).
Lincoln’s Sparrow: 1 at Bonner Park 7 Apr (K. Nelson); 1 at N Jacksonville 16-18 Apr
(R. Clark); 1 at Garden Key, D.T.N.R 23 Apr (M. Austin et al. to F.B.R.); 1 in a large
migrant “wave” at Key Biscayne 26 Apr (P. W. Smith et al.).
White-throated Sparrow: 1 at A.B.S. 6 Mar and 14 Mar (K. Tarvin, J. Jawor, K.
Dayer).
White-crowned Sparrow: up to 8 at Talbot Island S.R 18 Mar-9 Apr (R. Clark, M.
Dolan).
Dark-eyed JuncO: 1 at Cedar Key 15 Apr (J. Hintermister); 1 at Garden Key, D.T.N.R.
16-17 Apr (K. Karlson et al.).
Bobolink: 500 at Orlando Wetlands Park 25 Apr (D, Turner); 200 at Shingle Creek {Os-
ceola) 28 Apr (J. Thomas).
Field Observations
107
Red-winged Blackbird: 1 immature at D.T.N.R 12 Apr (H. Langridge et aL) and 18-20
Apr (G. McCaskie et aL) was rare there.
Shiny Cowbird: 1-2 males at Cedar Key 31 Mar through the season (D. Henderson, N.
Taylor); 1 male at Alligator Point 18 Apr-10 May (J= Dozier); 1 male at Honeymoon Is-
land S.R.A. 29 Apr (B. and B. Wotton, A. and R. Smith); a peak count of 25 (11 males
and 14 females) at Key West mid-May-8 Jun (J. Ondrejko); 12 (11 males and 1 female)
at D.TN.R 16-20 May (W B. Robertson, B. Kittleson et aL).
Bronzed Cowbird: 8 SW of Florida City 5 Mar (Dade) (R W. Smith et al.) with some re-
maining into May (W. Hoffman).
Orchard Oriole: 1 first-year male at Lake Alfred (Polk) 15 Apr (C. Geanangel).
Northern Oriole: 1 male “Bullock’s Oriole” at a feeder in N Escambia Mar-early Apr
(E. and H. Barbig).
Purple Finch: 1 heard calling over A.B.S. 11 Mar (J. Fitzpatrick) was the first High-
lands report.
House Finch: 1 nest with 3 eggs at Gainesville 9 May (M. Manetz) was the southern-
most breeding report in the state.
Pine Siskin: 1 at Gainesville 26 Mar (M. Manetz).
Contributors: Susan Allan, B. J. Anderson, Brooks Atherton, Lyn Atherton, John
Arnett, Mike Austin, Steve Backes, Evelyn Barbig, Howard Barbig, Joe Beaver, Ted Be-
low, Ralph Bird, Paul Blair, Jeff Bledsoe, Wes Biggs, Reed Bowman, Charlie Buhrman,
Brad Burkstrom, Ed Case, Cecie Catron, Connie Cauley, Jim Cavanagh, Barbara Center,
Ted Center, Ron Christen, Roger Clark, Julie Cocke, Buck Cooper, Linda Cooper,
Mathilda Cox, Fritz Davis, Ken Dayer, Joe DiPasquale, Bill Dillon, Mark Dolan, John
Douglas, Linda Douglas, Jack Dozier, Bob Duncan, Eric Egensteiner, Glen Eller, John
Ester, Audrey Etienne, Paul Fellers, Shawneen Finnegan, Keith Fisher, John Fitz-
patrick, Eula Fontaine, Dot Freeman, Mary Garvin, Chuck Geanangel, Wally George,
Greg Gilbert, Tina Gionfriddo, Dave Goodv/in, Valerie Greenhill, Debbie Grimes, Nath-
alie Hamel, Peggy Hawkinson, Ed Heise, Dale Henderson, Bill Hills, Shirley Hills, John
Hintermister, Sandra Hodge, Wayne Hoffman, Brian Hope, Joan Hope, Judi Hopkins,
Larry Hopkins, Ron Houser, Jody Jawor, Dean Jue, Sally Jue, Kevin Karlson, Adam
Kent, Billie Ketch, Joyce King, Bobbie Kittleson, Annette Kretschmar, Brian Krikorian,
Jerry Krummrich, Heather Lake, Howard Langridge, Peggy Lantz, Dave Leonard, Larry
Lewis, Terry Liebler, Fred Lohrer, Manny Lopez, David Lysinger, Lome Malo, Mike
Manetz, Larry Manfredi, Pete Mauiri, Tom Maxwell, Debbie McBride, Guy McCaskie,
Mike McMillian, Tony Menart, Gail Menk, Rick Meyers, Bill Milmore, Amanda Morgan,
M. C. Morgan, Steve Mlodinow, Vaughn Morrison, Kris Nelson, David O’Neill, Elizabeth
O’Neill, John Ogden, Joe Ondrejko, Ray Ozmore, Miguel Padura, Rich Paul, Helen
Parker, Max Parker, Peg^ Powell, Bill Pranty, Diane Reed, E. J. Reimann, Devon Re-
vine, Bob Richter, Gina Rico, Bryant Roberts, William B. Robertson, Don Robinson, Dale
Rosselet, Rex Rowan, Bob Russell, Tom Sanders, Bob Sargent, Martha Sargent, Ann
Schnapf, Christine Small, Parks Small, Austin Smith, R William Smith, Ron Smith, Rob-
ert Snow, Gary Sprandel, Annette Stedman, Gene Stoccardo, Francie Stoutamire, Doug
Stuckey, Keith Tarvin, Nancy Taylor, Jim Thomas, Pete Timmer, David Turner, James
Turner, Jean Turner, Karen Turner, Mark Turner, Sandy Turner, Noel Warner, Carol
Ware, Don Ware, Dianne Wears, Robert Wears, Ray Webb, Chuck Weber, Bob Wheeler,
Tony White, Margie Wilkinson, Glen Woolfenden, Betty Wotton, Bob Wotton, Jack
Wright, and Wanda Young.
Report prepared by Bill Pranty, state compiler (Archbold Biological Station, P O.
Box 2057, Lake Placid, Florida 33862-2057). Other committee members are Linda Coo-
108
FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST
per (115 Lameraux Road, Winter Haven, Florida 33884), Jim Cox (Florida Game and
Fresh Water Fish Commission, 620 South Meridian Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-
1600), and Peggy Powell (2965 Forest Circle, Jacksonville, Florida 32257).
The Florida Ornithological Society
is Proud to Announce Special Publication No. 6
FLORIDA BIRD SPECIES: AN ANNOTATED LIST
BY
William B. Robertson, Jr.
Glen E. Woolfenden
The first complete and authoritative review of Florida’s avifauna since
Arthur HowelFs 1932 Florida Bird Life. Treats over 660 species reported in
the state. More than 140 species of non-native exotics. Essential for every-
one interested in the modern status of Florida’s native and introduced
birds.
SOFT COVER HARD COVER
FOS Members $14.95 $19.95
Non-Members $17.95 $22.95
All orders add $2.00 shipping and handling per book.
Florida residents add 7% sales tax to the total.
Make checks payable to Florida Ornithological Society.
Mail to:
F.O.S. SPECIAL PUBLICATIONS EDITOR
ARCHBOLD BIOLOGICAL STATION
P.O. BOX 2057
LAKE PLACID, FL 33862
FLORIDA ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY, INC.
TREASURER’S REPORT 1994
109
Fla. Field Nat. 23(4):109, 1995.
Cash in Banks at Year-end:
1993
1994
Barnett NOW checking account
14,258.71
12,650.59
MBNA CD 3.80%, maturity 11/26/94
21,226.78
MBNA CD 5.25%, maturity 11/26/981
MBNA CD 6.30%, maturity 12/06/95
10,051.91
8,583.75
MBNA CD 6.70%, maturity 12/06/96
8,540.66
MBNA CD 6.80%, maturity 12/06/97
8,541.26
MBNA CD 6.95%, maturity 12/06/98
8,542.18
MBNA CD 7.40%, maturity 12/06/99
8,544.91
Totals:
$45,537.40
$55,403.35
^The CD that was to mature 11/26/98 was broken and that money reinvested to take ad-
vantage of a significant increase in interest rates during 1994.
1994 Cash Income and Expenses:
Total Cash as of 01/01/94:
$45,537.40
Income
Expenses
Dues
9,835.00
F.F.N. Printing
4,984.35
Meetings
6,739.34
Meetings
4,112.75
Spec. Publications
3,448.71
Operating
2,386.92
Interest
1,781.35
Postage & Shipping
1,439.23
Page Charges
1,262.50
Newsletter Printing
735.74
Gifts
886.73
Research Award
500.00
Miscellaneous
100.04
Sales Tax Paid
28.73
Totals:
$24,053.67
$14,187.72
Total Cash as of 12/31/94: $55,403.35
Analysis of Cash as Distributed to F.O.S. Funds;
Operating Fund 14,043.13
Special Publications Fund 12,318.72
Research Fund 15,409.17
Endowment Fund 8,252.33
Deferred Income^ 5,380.00
Total: $55,403.35
^1995 Dues received in 1994 are considered deferred income and will be incorporated into
the Operating Fund in the 1995 report.
Respectfully submitted,
Linda C, Douglas, Treasurer
110
FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST
EDITORIAL
Fla. Field Nat. 23(4):110, 1995.
With this issue my first volume of Florida Field Naturalist is completed. I have been
fortunate to have had tremendous support from many individuals in making volume 23
a reality Former editor, Peter Merritt, deserves a special thanks for guiding me through
the transitional period. He certainly made that time easy for me, and I thank you, Peter.
There are others who deserve special recognition and many thanks: Reed Bowman for
handling the REVIEW section, Bruce Anderson for the RECORDS COMMITTEE RE-
PORT, Bill Pranty for the FIELD OBSERVATIONS, and Linda Douglas for the TREA-
SURER’S REPORT. Their contributions to the Florida Ornithological Society and F.F.N.
are tremendous and greatly appreciated. I also thank my assistant editors Eric Stolen
and Mike Petrovich.
Then, there are the referees, scattered throughout the country, who deserve recogni-
tion. As most of you know these folk donate their time and expertise to reviewing manu-
scripts submitted to F.F.N. for possible publication. Most referees that I have dealt with
have gone beyond the “call-of-duty” to assist the author in improving his or her MS. Au-
thors most often appreciate the referee’s input and often the appreciation is recognized
by adding the name of the referee to the acknowledgments. The referees listed below
have made my job easier with volume 23 and I thank them all. I miss my friend Herb
Kale, for one thing not be able to call on him for help. Herb’s consistent comment to au-
thors of MSS he reviewed, “titles of books are capitalized,” will be missed by this editor.
Every member of F.O.S. should be proud of their journal. I would like to encourage
more members to participate in submitting manuscripts to F.F.N Please, however, con-
sult a recent issue and read the guidelines before you submit. Walter K. Taylor, Editor.
Bruce H. Anderson*
Todd W. Arnold
Lyn S. Atherton
Jim Cox
James J. Dinsmore*
Stephen Dinsmore
Todd Engstrom*
Philip A. Frank
Jeff Gore
Geary Graves
Wayne Hoffman
M. P Kahl
Herbert W. Kale, II*
Jim Kushlan*
James N. Layne
Carroll D. Littlefield
Fred Lohrer
David Maehr
Douglas H. Morse
Stephen Nesbitt*
Richard Paul
Timothy J. Regan
William B. Robertson, Jr.
James Rodgers
Paul Sykes
Rick West
James Withgott
John Wooding
Glen E. Woolfenden
*Those individuals reviewed more than one manuscript.
Florida Field Naturalist
ISSN 0738-999X
PUBLISHED BY THE FLORIDA ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY
Editor: WALTER K. TAYLOR, Dept, of Biology, University of Central Florida, Orlando,
Florida 32816-3268.
Assistant Editors: ERIC Stolen and Mike Petrovich, (address as above).
Associate Editor (for bird distribution): Bruce H. Anderson, 2917 Scarlet Road, Win-
ter Park, Florida 32792.
Associate Editor (for reviews): Reed Bowman, Archbold Biological Station, P.O. Box
2057, Lake Placid, Florida 33862.
Akssociate Editor (for technical papers): Richard T. Paul, National Audubon Society,
410 Ware Blvd., Suite 500, Tampa, Florida 33619.
Editor of Special Publications: Glen E. Woolfenden, Archbold Biological Station,
P.O. Box 2057, Lake Placid, Florida 33852.
Editor of the Ornithological Newsletter: Katy NeSmith, Florida Natural Areas
Inventory, 1018 Thomasville Road, Suite 200-C, Tallahassee, Florida 32303.
Archives Committee: WALTER K. TAYLOR (Chair), Department of Biological Sciences,
University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida 32816.
Editorial Advisory Board: Stephen A. NESBITT, Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish
Commission, Wildlife Research Laboratory, 4005 South Main St., Gainesville, Florida
32601.
Field Observations Committee: Bill Pranty (Compiler), Archbold Biological Station,
P.O. Box 2057, Lake Placid, Florida 33852.
Finance Committee: P. William Smith (Chair), P.O. Box 1341, Homestead, Florida
33090.
Nominating Committee: JAMES Cox (Chair), Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish
Commission, 620 S. Meridian St., Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1600.
Records Committee: Bruce H. Anderson (Secretary), 2917 Scarlet Road, Winter
Park, Florida 32792,
Research Awards Committee: Bill Pranty (Chair), Archbold Biological Station, P.O.
Box 2057, Lake Placid, Florida 33862.
INFORMATION FOR CONTRIBUTORS
The Florida Field Naturalist is a fully refereed journal emphasizing biological field
studies and observations of vertebrates, especially birds, in and near Florida and the
nearby West Indies. It welcomes submission of manuscripts containing new information
from these areas. Please consult recent issues for style and Vol. 18, No. 1 for detailed
information. Submit manuscripts for consideration to the Editor, Walter K. Taylor. Mono-
graph-length manuscripts may be submitted for consideration to the Editor of Special
Publications, Glen E. Woolfenden. Send books and other materials for review to Associate
Editor, Reed Bowman. For preliminary assistance regarding submission of manuscripts
dealing with bird distribution and rarities contact Associate Editor, Bruce H, Anderson.
Reports of rare birds in Florida should also be submitted to the FOS Records Committee
Secretary, Bruce H. Anderson. For preliminary assistance regarding submission of scien-
tific, technical, or behavioral contributions contact Associate Editor, Richard T. Paul.
Florida Field Naturalist
PUBLISHED BY THE FLORIDA ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY
VoL. 23, No. 4 November 1995 Pages 87-110
CONTENTS
ARTICLE
Continuous Breeding by American Coots
Brett K. Bannor 87-92
NOTES
Status of the Northern Wheatear in Florida
P. William Smith and Glen E. Woolfenden
Two Species of Snakes Prey on Cuban Treefrogs in
Southern Florida
Walter E. Meshaka, Jr. and Betty Ferster
FIELD OBSERVATIONS
Spring Report: March - May 1995
Bill Pranty 99-108
TREASURER’S REPORT
Linda C. Douglas 109
EDITORIAL
Walter K. Taylor 110
93-96
97-98
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