\ , '|i 1 1 III: 'll •li V 3)C Florida Field Naturalist PUBLISHED BY THE FLORIDA ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY VOL. 31, No. 1 February 2003 Pages 1-17 FLORIDA ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY Founded 1972 Officers President: PETER G. MERRITT, 8558 SE Sharon St., Hobe Sound, Florida 33455. Vice President: Ann Paul, Audubon of Florida, 410 Ware Boulevard, Suite 702, Tampa, Florida 33619. Secretary: Bob Henderson, 2309 W. Mission Road #A, Tallahassee, Florida 32304-2662. Treasurer: DEAN JUE, 3455 Dorchester Court, Tallahassee, Florida 32312-1300. Editor, Florida Field Naturalist: JEROME A. JACKSON, Whitaker Center, Arts & Sci- ences, Florida Gulf Coast University, 10501 FGCU Blvd. South, Fort Myers, Florida 33965. Ex Officio: Immediate Past President: JiM Cox, Tall Timbers Research Station, 13093 Henry Beadel Dr., Tallahassee, Florida 32312. Directors, Terms Expiring in 2003 Fred Lohrer, Archbold Biological Station, P.O. Box 2057, Lake Placid, Florida 33862. Ed Slaney, 2981 Nova Scotia Lane, Melbourne, Florida 32935. Directors, Terms Expiring in 2004 Judy Bryan, 1924 SW 43rd Avenue, Gainesville, Florida 32608. Brenda Rhodes, 2734 Rainbow Circle N, Jacksonville, Florida 32217. Directors, Terms Expiring in 2005 Judith B. Buhrman, 6123 113th Street, #504, Seminole, Florida 33772-6846. Terry J. Doyle, Ten Thousand Island NWR, 3860 Tailgate Blvd., Ste. 300, Naples, Florida 34114. 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; Ted Below 1999. 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 undelivered 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. The Florida Ornithological Society web site can be found at www.fosbirds.org THIS PUBLICATION IS PRINTED ON NEUTRAL PH PAPER Florida Field Naturalist PUBLISHED BY THE FLORIDA ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY VoL. 31, No, 1 February 2003 Pages 1-17 NOTES Florida Field Naturalist 3 1(1): 1-3, 2003. SOUTHERNMOST BREEDING OF BLACK SKIMMERS ALONG ATLANTIC COAST OF FLORIDA IS RESTRICTED TO ROOFTOPS Ricaedo Zambrano^* and Henry T. Smith^ ^Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 8535 Northlake Boulevard, West Palm Beach, Florida 33412 ^Florida Park Service, Florida Department of Environmental Protection, 13798 S.E. Federal Highway, Hobe Sound, Florida 33455 The Black Skimmer (Rynchops niger) is listed as a “species of special concern” by the State of Florida (Chap. 39 F.A.C.). The general ecology and status of the North American population have been reviewed in Clapp et al. (1983) and Spendelow and Patton (1988). The status and distribution of Black Skimmers in Florida have been reviewed by Loftin and Smith (1996). Nesting reports for the early 1990s suggested a Florida breeding pop- ulation of 1,500-2,000 breeding pairs (Loftin and Smith 1996). Historically, Black Skimmers typically nested on open, flat barrier island beaches with a substrate of sand and shells (see reviews in Clapp et al. 1983, Spendelow and Patton 1988). Coastal development in south Florida has eliminated most of this nesting habitat, or otherwise made it prone to disruptive disturbance by human activities (Rodgers and Smith 1995, 1997). In south Florida, Black Skimmers were first reported nesting on gravel-covered rooftops by Greene and Kale (1976). Rooftop nesting also has been reported in northwest Florida (Gore 1987, 1991), and northeast Florida (Hovis and Gore, unpubl. rept.). In this note we report the southernmost known nesting by Black Skimmers along the Atlantic Coast of the United States in Broward and Palm Beach counties, Florida; all of the nesting occurred on rooftops. We surveyed Indian River County to Monroe County on the Atlantic Coast of Florida for nesting Least Terns {Sterna antillarum; see Zambrano et al, 1997) from 12 May to 26 June 1995, with additional observations in June 2000 in Palm Beach County. Data re- garding Black Skimmers and other “shorebirds” were concomitantly collected. Surveys were conducted in the morning or very late afternoon to minimize heat stress to eggs and chicks in case adults were flushed. For all roof sites, we requested access from the management or owner of the building. If access was refused, we observed the site from the roof of an adjacent building. If possible, we observed nesting activity from the edge of the colony with spotting scopes or binoculars to minimize disturbance. * Corresponding author: ricardo.zambrano@fwc.state.fi. us. 1 2 FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST Table 1. Breeding summary of rooftop nesting Black Skimmers in south Florida. Colony County Latitude Longitude Date Breeding pairs Pharmor, Plantation Broward 26.10 80.25 2 June 1995 5 Home Depot, Plantation Miramar Exchange Park, Broward 26.10 80.25 2 June 1995 8 Miramar Fort Pierce Police Broward 25.97 80.30 21 June 1995 1 Department Indian River Community St. Lucie 27.43 80.32 31 May 1995 6 College, Fort Pierce St. Lucie 27.42 80.36 6 June 1995 4 Winn Dixie, Fort Pierce Albertsons, West Palm St. Lucie 27.37 80.33 6 June 1995 1 Beach Palm Beach 26.81 80.10 19 June 2000 1 We located six colonies of Black Skimmers along the Atlantic Coast during the 1995 survey (Table 1). Three were located in St. Lucie County and three in Broward County; all were on rooftops. Five of the colonies also supported nesting Least Terns (see Zam- brano et al. 1997), the exception being a colony at Pharmor — Plantation which had only the five breeding pairs of skimmers (Table 1). Verbal reports of Black Skimmers flying over an additional rooftop (Albertsons — Northlake Blvd.) in Palm Beach County during June 2000 prompted a supplementary survey. On 19 June 2000 we observed an adult flying over the site and a quick inspection of the rooftop found a chick estimated to be approximately two weeks old (Table 1). This colony also supported nesting Least Terns. Due to manpower constraints, we were unable to monitor nesting success rates dur- ing 1995 and 2000. We recommend additional surveys for rooftop nesting terns and skimmers be conducted every three years to monitor trends in Black Skimmer nesting range and success. Rooftop management techniques should also be implemented to im- prove the breeding success of this species (Coburn et al. 2001). We thank Dawn Charnetzky, Mark Robson, and Lara Coburn for assistance with the fieldwork. Literature Cited Clapp, R. B., D. Morgan-Jacobs, and R. C. Banks. 1983. Marine birds of the southeast- ern United States and Gulf of Mexico. Part III: Charadriiformes. US. Fish and Wild- life Service, Office of Biological Services, FWS/OBS-83/30, Washington, D.C. Coburn, L. M., D. T. Cobb, and J. A. Gore. 2001. Management opportunities and tech- niques for roof- and ground-nesting Black Skimmers. Wildlife Society Bulletin 29:342-348. Gore, J. A. 1987. Black Skimmers nesting on roofs in northwestern Florida. Florida Field Naturalist 15:77-79. Gore, J. A. 1991. Distribution and abundance of nesting Least Terns and Black Skim- mers in northwest Florida. Florida Field Naturalist 19:65-72, Greene, L. L., and H. W. Kale, II. 1976, Roof nesting by Black Skimmers. Florida Field Naturalist 4:15-17. HOVIS, J. A., and j. a. Gore. Unpubl. rept. Nesting shorebird survey. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, final report, project 7705, Tallahassee, Florida. 79 pp. Notes 3 Loftin, R. W.5 and H, T, Smith. 1996. Black Skimmer. Pages 571-578 in J. A. Rodgers, Jr., H.W. Kale, II, and H.T. Smith, Eds. Rare and endangered biota of Florida, voL V: Birds. University Press of Florida, Gainesville, FL. Rodgers, J. A., Jr., and H. T. Smith. 1995. Set-back distances to protect nesting bird colonies from human disturbance in Florida. Conservation Biology 9:89-99. Rodgers, J. A., Jr., and H. T. Smith. 1997. Buffer zone distances to protect foraging and loafing waterbirds from human disturbance in Florida. Wildlife Society Bulletin 25:139-145. Spendelow, j. a., and S. R. Patton. 1988. National atlas of coastal waterbird colonies in the contiguous United States: 1976-82. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Biological Report 88(5), Washington, D.C. Zambrano, R., M. S. Robson, D. Y. Charnetzky, and H. T. Smith. 1997. Distribution and status of Least Tern nesting colonies in southeast Florida. Florida Field Natural- ist 25:85-91. 4 Florida Field Naturalist 31(l);4-5, 2003. RECENT WINTER RECORDS OF THE BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER IN FLORIDA Bill Prantyi ^ John H. Boyd IIP and Kurt Radamaker^ ^8515 Village Mill Row, Bayonet Point, Florida 34667 E-Mail: billpranty@hotmaiLcom ^15770 SW 104th Terrace, Apartment 103, Miami, Florida 33196 ^16313 East Crystal Point Drive, Fountain Hills, Arizona 85268 ^Current address: Avian Ecology Lab, Archbold Biological Station, 123 Main Drive, Venus, Florida 33960 Robertson and Woolfenden (1992) challenged Florida birders of all degree to “seek and preserve the best possible supporting documentation” of birds rare in the state. Documentation is especially needed for Neotropical migrant species observed in Florida during winter. Collectively, Robertson and Woolfenden (1992) and Stevenson and Ander- son (1994) listed 30 Neotropical migrants that had been reported between December and February, but for which verifiable evidence was lacking. Ten of these species were wood-warblers. Subsequently, photographs have been obtained for four of these 30 spe- cies during winter: the Eastern Kingbird {Tyrannus tyrannus; Bowman et al. 1995), Black-throated Green Warbler (Dendroica virens; Pranty 2000), Rose-breasted Gros- beak (Pheucticus ludovicianus; Doyle 2002), and Bobolink (Dolichonyx oryzivorus) (R. Webb in Pranty 1998). The Black-throated Blue Warbler {Dendroica caerulescens) breeds from southeastern Canada south through the Appalachian mountains to extreme northeastern Georgia (AOU 1998). Its principle wintering range is from the Bahamas south through the Greater Antilles, the Cayman Islands, Yucatan Peninsula, and Belize (AOU 1998). It winters in Florida annually, primarily the extreme south, in small numbers. Since win- ter 1980-1981, three to 15 Black-throated Blue Warblers have been reported annually on Christmas Bird Counts in Florida (Audubon website: ), but none of these winter reports appears to have been documented (Robertson and Woolfenden 1992, Stevenson and Anderson 1994). Here, we describe two Black-throated Blue Warblers photographed within Everglades National Park in January 2001. On 27 January 2001, JHB discovered a female Black- throated Blue Warbler along the boardwalk at West Lake, Miami-Dade County. The bird was with a mixed wood- warb- ler flock that included Black-and-white Warbler (Mniotilta varia), Magnolia Warbler {Dendroica magnolia), and American Redstart {Setophaga ruticilla). The following day, Boyd relocated the Black-throated Blue Warbler within the same flock and photo- graphed it as it foraged among black mangrove {Avicennia germinans) pneumatophores below the boardwalk. The sole photograph obtained shows only a dorsal view of the bird, but is identifiable. Field marks visible include: the pale olive head and mantle; dull blu- ish tinge on the wings, rump, and tail; and small white patches barely visible at the base of the primaries. The very restricted amount of white in the primaries suggests a first-year female (Dunn and Garrett 1997, Sibley 2000). The head is in shadow but a hint of the pale supercilium appears to be visible. Two days later, on 30 January 2001, KR photographed a male Black-throated Blue Warbler among other wood-warblers along Snake Bight Trail, Monroe County. Again, only a single photograph was obtained, but clearly visible are the slate-blue upperparts; conspicuous white patch at the base of the primaries; black face, lower part of the head. Notes 5 chin, throat, and flanks; and the remainder of the underparts white. The legs and eyes are black. The back appears to be solid blue without black streaking, representing D. c, caerulescens (Dunn and Garrett 1997, Sibley 2000), which, based on specimens, is the more common subspecies in Florida (Stevenson and Anderson 1994). Copies of both warbler photographs have been deposited at Tail Timbers Research Station (TTRS) and the FOS Archives at the Florida Museum of Natural History at the University of Florida (FOSA); Boyd’s photograph is TTRS P767 and FOSA 123, and Radamaker’s photograph is TTRS P768 and also FOSA 123. Todd Engstrom and Tom Webber provided catalog numbers for TTRS and FOSA, respectively. Acknowledgments.- — We thank Bette J. Jackson and an anonymous reviewer for improving drafts of the manuscript. Literature Cited AOU. 1998. Check-list of North American birds. Seventh edition. American Ornitholo- gists’ Union, Washington, D.C. Bowman, R., P. W. Smith, and J. W. Fitzpatrick. 1995. First winter record of an East- ern Kingbird in Florida. Florida Field Naturalist 23:62--64. Doyle, T. J. 2002. A verifiable winter record of Rose-breasted Grosbeak in Florida. Flor- ida Field Naturalist 30:135-137. Dunn, J., and K. L. Garrett. 1997. A field guide to warblers of North America. Hough- ton Mifflin, Boston, MA. Pranty, B. 1998. Field observations winter report: December 1997-February 1998. Flor- ida Field Naturalist 26:100”108. Pranty, B. 2000. Record of a Black-throated Green Warbler wintering in Florida. Florida Field Naturalist 28:186-188. Robertson, W. B., Jr., and G. E. Woolfenden. 1992. Florida bird species: an annotated list. Florida Ornithological Society Special Publication No. 6, Gainesville, FL. Sibley, D. A. 2000. The Sibley 'guide to birds. Alfred Knopf, New York. Stevenson, H. M., and B. H. Anderson. 1994. The birdlife of Florida. University Press of Florida, Gainesville, FL. 6 Florida Field Naturalist 31(l):6-7, 2003. SITE FIDELITY ANB CROWN PLUMAGE IN WINTER SWAAIP SPARROWS IN CENTRAL FLORIDA Richaed Pooler Meret Wilson^ and Christine Bro\¥n^ ^150 Essex Drive, Longwood, Florida 32779 ^117 Pinion Circle, Ormond Beach, Florida 32174 Swamp Sparrows (Melospiza georgiana) are common winter residents of central and north Florida from October to April (Stevenson and Anderson 1994), and some previous work has been done on its winter site-fidelity in Florida (Legere et aL 2000). In 1998 we established a banding station to monitor bird populations at Rock Springs Run State Reserve located north of Orlando, FL. We operated the station once or twice weekly from late September until early May each year from Fall 1998 to Spring 2002, opening nets approximately 30 minutes before sunrise. We kept the nets open until 10:00 or 11:00 de- pending upon wind and number of captures. Vegetation around the nets varied from longleaf pine {Pinus palustris) to saw palmetto (Serenoa repens) with blackberry (Rubus sp) thickets and wax myrtles (Myrica cerifera). During the period fall 1998-spring 2002, we usually had 20 nets set on each of the 115 dates of banding. During this period we captured 131 unbanded Swamp Sparrows and made 165 recaptures involving 66 of these birds. On 17 December 2000, we captured two Swamp Sparrows and banded them with se- rially numbered U.S. Fish and Wildlife aluminum bands. I will use the last tv70 digits here as identifiers for discussion. Number 45, sex and age unknown, was caught at 09:30; number 46, an adult of unknown sex, was caught at 11:00, four meters away. The same sparrows were caught at 06:30 on 13 December 2001 in adjacent nets within 10 m of their original capture sites. On its second capture, number 45 had a bright rufous crown with no stripe, while the crown of number 46 had some rufous with black streak- ing. “captured two other swamp sparrows with entirely rufous crowns at the banding station during December 2001. Pyle (1997) suggests that from March through August an adult male Swamp Spar- row has an entirely rufous crown, while an adult female has a crown with some or no ru- fous with slight brown or black streaking. He does not describe the appearance of the adult crown during September to February. Rising (1996) also suggests the adult in win- ter plumage has a streaked crown, and field guides (e.g., Sibley 2000) generally picture a non-breeding adult with a striped crown. Mowbray (1997) indicates that the definitive basic plumage acquired during August and September includes a black forehead, and a rusty crown that is sometimes streaked with black and that is divided by a grayish me- dian stripe. He suggests that males are significantly brighter than females. The capture and recapture of numbers 45 and 46 on the same dates and in close proximity each time suggests the possibility that Swamp Sparrows may bond for longer than one breeding season, although it is possible that the captures were simply a result of these individuals holding adjacent winter territories or home ranges. The rufous crown of # 45 suggests a male, while the streaked crown of # 46, a female. The entirely rufous crown of # 45 and two other Swamp Sparrows indicate Swamp Sparrows are not necessarily striped or streaked during the winter non-breeding season. Legare et al. (2000) similarly report Florida winter site-fidelity records for Swamp Sparrows suggested by recaptures of Swamp Sparrows the following year within 50 to 500 meters of the previous capture site. Fifty-two percent of banded Swamp Sparrows returned from one breeding season to the next in Rhode Island (Ellis 1980) and 26 per- cent of wintering Swamp Sparrows returned in Mississippi (R. Holberton, cited in Mow- Notes 7 bray 1997). Of 20 Swamp Sparrows caught during our 2000-2001 season, eight were recaptures from the previous season. Six of the eight recaptures were of birds that had been captured in the same net in the previous year. Multiple recaptures of other individuals also suggest strong winter site-fidelity. From 26 October 1999, when banded, to 3 April 2000, one Swamp Sparrow was caught seven times, five times in the same net. This same bird was also recaptured twice in 2000/2001 and six times in the 2001/2002 season. Another Swamp Sparrow was caught in the same net three times from 13 Novemberl999 to 9 April 2000. The nets that recap- tured the birds were next to wax myrtles and in a broken line 50 meters long. There were no recaptures of Swamp Sparrows in nets not near wax myrtles. Literature Cited Ellis, H. K., III. 1980. Ecology and breeding biology of the Swamp Sparrow in a south- ern Rhode Island peatland. M.S. thesis. University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI, Legere, L. L., D. B. McNair, W. C. Conway and S. A. Legere. 2000. Swamp Sparrow winter site-fidelity records in Florida. Florida Field Naturalist 28:73-74. Mowbray, T. B. 1997. Swamp Sparrow (Melospiza georgiana). In The Birds of North America, No. 279 (A. Poole and F. Gill, Eds.). Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadel- phia, PA, and American Ornithologists’ Union, Washington, D.C. Pyle, P. 1997. Identification guide to North American birds. Part 1. Slate Creek Press. Bolinas, CA. Rising, J. D. 1996. A guide to the identification and natural history of the sparrows of the United States and Canada. Academic Press, San Diego, CA. Stevenson, H. M., and B, A. Anderson. 1994. The birdlife of Florida. University Press of Florida, Gainesville, FL. 8 Florida Field Naturalist 31(l):8-9, 2003. ABOVE-GROUND “NEST’’ OF THE NINE-BANDED ARMADILLO IN BELIZE Steven G. Platt and Thomas R. Rainwater* ^Wildlife Conservation Society, 2300 Southern Blvd., Bronx, New York 10460-1099 ^The Institute of Environmental and Human Health, Department of Environmental Toxicology, Texas Tech University, Box 41163, Lubbock, Texas 79409-1163 The nest of the nine-banded armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus) is generally con- structed within an extensive subterranean burrow system (McBee and Baker 1982). Al- though captive D. novemcinctus occasionally build exposed nests on the floor of indoor enclosures (Eisenberg 1961, Johansen 1961, Anderson and Benirschke 1966), only Layne and Waggener (1984) have reported above-ground nesting in wild populations. These authors found over 100 above-ground nests in pine flatwoods, cattle pastures, and natural prairies in south Florida. Above-ground nests were described as “miniature hay stacks” consisting of shallow depressions “roofed over with a heap of dry plant material,” and thought to be an adaptive response to water-logged soils that prevented burrow con- struction. Layne and Waggener (1984) further noted that above-ground nesting has not been reported from elsewhere in the extensive range of D. novemcinctus (southern United States to northwest Argentina and Uruguay; McBee and Baker 1982). On 29 August 1997, we found an above-ground D. novemcinctus nest in flooded scrub adjacent to Gold Button Lagoon (17°55’N; 88°45W) on Gold Button Ranch (GBR) in Or- ange Walk District, Belize. The nest was constructed on the elevated base of a palm clump {Acoelorraphe wrightii) within a mound of dead fronds (ca. 30 cm high x 60 cm di- ameter) and had an inner lining of dried leaves (Combretaceae), A single adult armadillo fled the nest during inspection. While normally dry, the surrounding area was flooded (water depth ca. 5 to 10 cm) from recent heavy rainfall. To our knowledge, this is the first report of above-ground nest construction by D. novemcinctus outside of Florida. In contrast to Florida, above-ground nesting by D. novemcinctus at GBR appears rare. Dasypus novemcinctus is common in cattle pastures and scrub on GBR, but only one such nest was found during nine years (1992-2000) of intensive fieldwork. This is likely due to differences in local topography between south Florida and GBR. The habi- tats described by Layne and Waggener (1984) are extensive flat areas with little local re- lief; when burrows flood there are few opportunities for dispersal to better-drained sites. GBR, however, is characterized by gently rolling terrain with low ridges near poorly drained flats; when flooding occurs, most armadillos probably move into unoccupied burrows in surrounding uplands. Acknowledgments — We thank Robert Noonan for allowing access to Gold Button Ranch and providing accommodation. Additional logistic support was provided by Mark and Monique Howells and Lamanai Field Research Center, Indian Church, Belize. Sup- port for SGP was provided by the Wildlife Conservation Society. TRR was supported by the ARCS Foundation, Inc., Lubbock, Texas. Literature Cited Anderson, J. M., and K. Benirschke. 1966. The armadillo, Dasypus novemcinctus, in experimental biology. Laboratory Animal Care 16:202-216. * Corresponding author. Author's Name— Title 9 Eisenberg, J. F. 1961. Observations on the nest building behaviour of armadillos. Pro- ceedings of the Zoological Society of London 137:322-324. Johansen, K. 1961. Temperature regulation in the nine-banded armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus). Physiological Zoology 34:126-144. Layne, J. N., and a. M. Waggener 1984, Above-ground nests of the nine-banded arma- dillo in Florida. Florida Field Naturalist 12:58-61. McBee, K., and R. j. Baker 1982. Dasypus novemcinctus. Mammalian Species 162:1-9. 10 Florida Field Naturalist 31(1):10-17, 2003. FIELD OBSERVATIONS Summer Reports June-July 2002.— This report consists of significant bird obser- vations compiled by the Field Observations Committee (FOC). Submissions to the FOC should be in the following format; species, number of individuals, age and sex of the bird(s), color morph if applicable, location (including county), date, observer(s), and sig- nificance. Seasons are winter (December-February), spring (March-May), summer (June-July), and fall (August-November). Submit observations to regional compilers within two weeks after the close of each season, or to the state compiler within one month. Addresses of the compilers are found at the end of this report. We greatly prefer observations sent via e-mail. Sight-only observations are considered “reports” while only those supported by verifi- able evidence (photographs, video or audio tapes, or specimens) are called “records.” Species for which documentation is required by the FOS Records Committee (FOSRC; Bowman 2000, Fla. Field Nat. 28: 149-160) are marked here with an asterisk (*). A county designation (in italics) accompanies the first-time listing of each site in this re- port. Abbreviations in this report are: CP (county park); EOS (end of season); LARA (Lake Apopka Restoration Area; Orange)] NWR (national wildlife refuge); SP (state park); SRA (state recreation area); STF (sewage treatment facility); and N, S, E, W etc., for compass directions. Bold-faced species denote birds newly reported or verified in Florida, or record counts. Summary of the Summer Season This summer brought considerable rain to most of the state, which helped to ease the drought, although aquifer levels in central Florida remained several feet below normal. Peggy Powell reported that high tides caused by several storms from the northeast caused great damage to larid colonies around Jacksonville. The only FOSRC rarity re- ported this summer was a potentially “pure” Scarlet Ibis reportedly attending a nest at Fort Myers. Lesser rarities included a Red-footed Booby at Dry Tortugas National Park, a White-faced Ibis at Lake Apopka, and a Key West Quail-Dove at Long Key. Additional sightings of interest included numbers of White-winged Doves in the northern Penin- sula, one or more apparent Mangrove Cuckoos in suitable habitat at New Port Richey, and singing male Dickcissels at Lake Apopka and Frog Pond Wildlife Management Area. Finally, on 31 July, Harry Robinson reached a milestone of his 400th survey at Lake Apopka Restoration Area since 15 August 1998. Species Accounts Common Loon: 1 in winter plumage at Honeymoon Island SRA {Pinellas) 21 Jun (K. Allen et al.); 1 off Alligator Point {Franklin) 29 Jun (J. Murphy). Cory’s Shearwater: 54 birds 40 km SE of Port Canaveral {Brevard) 3 Jul (D. Goodwin, W. Biggs et aL). Greater Shearwater: 1 retrieved from an air-conditioning duct (!) at Jacksonville In- ternational Airport {Duval) 22 Jun died later at a rehabilitation facility (P. Leary). Wilson’s Storm-Petrel: 18 birds 40 km SE of Port Canaveral 3 Jul (D. Goodwin, W. Biggs et al.). Red-footed Booby: 1 immature brown morph at Dry Tortugas NP {Monroe) 21 Jun-20 Jul (E. Horn [photo to FOC], J. Dozier, T. Doyle et al.). Northern Gannet: 1 bird 8-11 km off Alligator Point 16 Jun (J. Murphy); 1 immature at Fort Myers Beach {Lee) 24 Jul (W. Winton, C. Ewell, W. Dirks) may have been the Field Observations 11 same individual found incapacitated at Sanibel Island {Lee) 26 Jul, which was taken to a wildlife rehabilitation center^ where it died the same day. American White Pelican: 1 at Kissimmee Prairie Preserve SP {Okeechobee) 11 Jun (P. Small, C. Tucker); 5 at Lake Istokpoga 30 Jun (M. McMillian); nearly 100 at White Sands Lake, Keystone Heights {Clay) 1 Jul remained nearly a week (J. Blois); 1 at Round Key, Ten Thousand Islands NWR {Collier) 6 Jul (S. Magerowski); 157 at Polk phosphate mines 8 Jul (P. Fellers); 1 at J.N. “Ding” Darling NWR {Lee) 11 Jul (B, Ah- ern); 30 at Bird Island {Brevard) 26 Jul (D. Simpson); observed daily at LARA, with 770 on 23 Jun (H. Robinson). Brown Pelican: 1 adult and 3 juveniles at Mulberry (Polk) 11 Jun (T. Palmer); 4 juveniles at Lake Istokpoga 14 Jun (M. McMillian); 7 at Polk phosphate mines 8 Jul (P. Fellers). American Bittern: 1 at Orlando Wetlands Park {Orange) 1 Jun (T. Rodriguez). Least Bittern: 20 at Lake Monroe Conservation Area (yolw-sm) 8 Jun (L. Male). “Great White Heron:” 1 at Newnans Lake {Alachua) 13 Jul (J. Hintermister, M. Manetz, H. Adams). “Wurdemann’S Heron:” 1 at Lake Alfred {Polk) 20 Jun (A. Pinner). Reddish Egret: 7, including 1 white morph, at Huguenot Memorial Park {Duval) 3 Jul (R. Clark). *Scarlet IbiS: 1 possibly “pure” bird (plumage not described) attended a nest at Lakes Park, Fort Myers {Lee) for at least the second consecutive year (A. Marshall). Scarlet x White Ibis: 1 “pink ibis” attended a nest at Lakes Park, Fort Myers for at least the second consecutive year (A. Marshall). Glossy Ibis: 30 at Fort Walton Beach STF {Okaloosa) 30 Jun (L, Fenimore, B, McKen- ney). *White-FACED Ibis: 1 in second-summer plumage at LARA 12 Jun (H. Robinson). Roseate Spoonbill: up to 20 at Newnans Lake 4 Jun-EOS (J. Moran, G. Parks et al.); 3 juveniles at Lakeland {Polk) 11 Jun (T. Palmer); 1 at St. Marks NWR {Wakulla) 12 Jun (J. Dozier) and “several” in Wakulla in Jul {fide J. Dozier); 2 at Masaryktown {Hernando) 18 Jun (C. Black); singles at Springhill Road STF, Tallahassee in Jun and 23 Jul (T. Morrill et al.); 1 at Tower Road, Tallahassee 21 Jul (G. Sprandel); 7 at Polk phosphate mines 8 Jul (P. Fellers); 53 along the S Pasco coast 13 Jul (K. Tracey); 1 ju- venile at Crooked Lake {Polk) 14 Jul (B. and L. Cooper); observed at LARA daily until 10 Jul, with 30 birds 26 Jun (H. Robinson). Fulvous Whistling-Duck: 2 at Newnans Lake 16-23 Jun (M. Manetz, B. Simons et al.). Black-bellied Whistling-Duck: 50 at Newnans Lake 5 Jun (M. Meisenburg); 4 adults at Lake Istokpoga {Highlands) 8 and 30 Jun (M. McMillian); first reports for Leon were 6 in the NE portion of the county since early Jun (M. Collins) and 1 or more in the NW portion of the county (T, Engstrom); 1 at State Road 70, Bright Hour Ranch (De Soto) 23 Jun (M. McMillian); 1 at Okeechobee STF {Okeechobee) 25 Jun (C. Tucker et aL); 3 perched on a powerline (!) along SR-68 near Gomer Creek {Okeechobee) 3 Jul (B. Wagner); 3 “checking out nest sites” at Viera {Brevard) 27 Jul (D. Simpson). Black Swan: 1 at LARA 10 Jun (H. Robinson). Wood Duck: 1 female and 1 male at Loop Road, Big Cypress National Preserve 23 Jul (R. Diaz) seems to represent the first summer report for Monroe. Mallard: 1 at Newnans Lake 23 Jun (R. Rowan, B. Simons, H. Warren); 1 adult male at Viera 27 Jul (D. Simpson). BluE”V/INGED Teal: 2 at LARA 5 Jun (H. Robinson); 3 at Polk phosphate mines 8 Jul (R Fellers); 1 female at Viera 14 Jul (D. Simpson). Northern Shoveler: 1 at Polk phosphate mines 16 Jun (P. Timmer, C. Geanangel); 1 at St, Marks NWR to 25 Jun (J. Dozier); 1 at LARA 21-25 Jul (H. Robinson). Ring-necked Duck: 1 at Polk phosphate mines 16 Jun (P. Timmer, C. Geanangel). Lesser Scaup: 1 at LARA to 10 Jul (H. Robinson); 2 summered in Pinellas {fide R. Smith). 12 FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST Redhead: 2 at St. Marks to 20 Jun, and 1 there to 25 Jun (J. Dozier et al.); 1 at Gulf Har- bors, New Port Richey (Pasco) 12 Jul (K. Tracey). Hooded Merganser: 1 female at Viera 17 Jul (D. Simpson). Ruddy Duck: 5 at Polk phosphate mines 8 Jul (P. Fellers); 1 male at Viera 21 Jul (D. Simp- son). Swallow-tailed Kite: 13 W of Branford (Lafayette) 12 Jul (S. Klesius); 82 near South Bay (Palm Beach) 21 Jul (M. Korosy). White-tailed Kite: of 8 nestlings from 6 nests at Kissimmee Prairie Preserve SP, thought to be from 5 pairs, 1 had fledged, 5 were still in nests, and 2 had been depre- dated by 16 Jun. Two weeks of wildfires, followed by two weeks of heavy rains pre- cluded additional nest-checks (C. Tucker et al.). Snail Kite: 2 males (1 adult and 1 sub-adult) at Lake Istokpoga 30 Jun (M. McMillian). Mississippi Kite: 1 at Crystal River (Citrus) 3 Jun (M. Gardler); 1 at S Jacksonville (Du- val) 15 Jun (J. Cocke). Bald Eagle: 15 at LARA 1 Jun (D. Freeman, J. Clifton). Northern Harrier: 1 at Kissimmee Prairie Preserve SP 25 Jul (C. Tucker, P. Miller). Cooper’s Hawk: 2 fledglings fed by adults at St. Petersburg Science Center (Pinellas) 15 Jun (C. Black); 5 fledglings from a nest at Cape Coral (Lee) seen 27 Jun (C. Bear, C. Ewell); 2 immatures from another nest there seen 29 Jun-EOS (C. Ewell); 1 at Cape Canaveral (Brevard) 20 Jul (D. Simpson). Short-tailed Hawk: 1 heard at Lettuce Lake Park (Hillsborough) 20 Jul (B. Ahern, R. Webb). Broad-winged Hawk: one fledged from a nest at Gainesville (Alachua) 11 Jul (E. Scales, M. Palmer). Crested Caracara: 1 adult and 1 juvenile at Palm Bay (Brevard) 16 Jun (D. Simpson). American Kestrel: 1 at LARA 10 Jul (H. Robinson); 1 pair nested in a telephone pole in SE Tampa (Hillsborough] B. Pranty, D. Powell et ak). Peregrine Falcon: 1 at Green Key, New Port Richey 19-20 Jul (K. Tracey, J. McKay). Ring-necked Pheasant: 1 summered at LARA (H. Robinson). Northern Bobwhite: 48 at LARA 5 Jun (H. Robinson). Black Rail: 1 calling from “semi-native prairie” at Buck Island Ranch (Highlands) 23 Jul (M. McMillian). Purple Gallinule: 47 at LARA 2 Jun (H. Robinson). American Coot: 1 at LARA 3 Jul (H. Robinson). Sandhill Crane: 2 adults and 1 juvenile at Frog Pond WMA (Miami-Dade) 28 Jul (R. Diaz). Black-bellied Plover: 3 at LARA 10 Jun, and 2 there 16 Jun (H. Robinson). Snowy Plover: 8 adults and 2 juveniles at Little Estero Lagoon, Fort Myers Beach (Lee) 27 Jul (C. Ewell); 18 nests found in Escambia, Santa Rosa, and Okaloosa (D. Ware, L. Fenimore, M. Nicholas). Wilson’s Plover: 41 at Huguenot Memorial Park (Duval) 3 Jul (R. Clark); 40 at Little Estero Lagoon 27 Jul (C. Ewell). Semipalmated Plover: 1 at Newnans Lake 9 Jun (R. Rowan); 4 at LARA 10 Jun, and 2 there 28 Jul (H. Robinson). Piping Plover: 1 at Bill Baggs Cape Florida SP (Miami-Dade) 16 Jul (L. Golden). American Oystercatcher: 4 pairs with fledglings at Bird Islands (Duval) 23 Jun (P. Leary); 27 at Little Estero Lagoon 11 Jul, and 50 there 17 Jul — normally only 2-3 birds are present, and one-third to one-half the individuals were juveniles (C. Ewell). Black-necked Stilt: 1 nest with 4 eggs at Springhill Road STF, Tallahassee 10 Jun es- tablished the first breeding report for Leon] this nest was flooded by heavy rains 26 Jun and the adults departed the area (G. Menk); 7 nests at Lake Istokpoga in Jun (M. McMillian); 10 adults and 22 chicks at Eagle Lake Park, Naples (Collier) 14 Jun, the first successful breeding attempt at the site (D. Suitor); 4 at State Road 70, Bright Hour Ranch 23 Jun (M. McMillian). Field Observations 13 American Avocet: singles at LARA 2-23 Jun and 21 Jul (H. Robinson); 1 adult in breed- ing plumage at Fort Green Springs {Hardee) 22 Jun (R Gebert); 248 at Polk phos- phate mines 8 Jul (R Fellers); 1 at Spoonbill Pond {Duval) 13 Jul (P. Leary), Greater Yellowlegs: 5 at Springhill Road STF 11 Jun, and 7 there 16 Jun (G, Menk); 1 remained at St. Marks NWR to 26 Jun (J. Dozier); 1 at Fort De Soto CP 3 Jul (L. and R. Smith); up to 5 at LARA 10-14 Jul, and up to 10 there 25 Jul-EOS (H. Robinson). Lesser Yellowlegs: up to 23 at LARA 10 Jul-EOS (H. Robinson); 1 at Little Estero La- goon 11 Jul (C. Ewell). Solitary Sandpiper: 1 at LARA 17 Jul, and 4 there 25 Jul (H. Robinson); 4 at Springhill Road STF 23 Jul {fide G. Menk) WiLLET: 17 pairs at Huguenot Memorial Park (R. Clark). Spotted Sandpiper: 2 at LARA 2 Jun, and singles there 25 Jul-EOS (H. Robinson); 1 in winter plumage at Ormond Beach {Volusia) 25 Jun (L. Malo). WhimbreL: 3 at Huguenot Memorial Park 3 Jul (R. Clark); 1 at Green Key 13-27 Jul (J. McKay). Marbled GodwiT: 1 at Green Key, New Port Richey 14 Jul (K. Tracey). Red Knot: 1 in “full breeding plumage” at Huguenot Memorial Park 26 Jun (R. Clark); 7 (2 in breeding plumage) at Little Estero Lagoon 11 Jul (C. Ewell). Semipalmated Sandpiper: 2 at Newnans Lake 4 Jun (1. Samuels); up to 22 at LARA 5- 12 Jun, and 8 there 21 Jul (H. Robinson); 2 at Springhill Road STF 15 Jul {fide G. Menk). Western Sandpiper: 1 or more at LARA 14 Jul-EOS (H. Robinson). Least Sandpiper: 8 at LARA 10 Jun, and up to 48 there 10 Jul-EOS (H. Robinson). White-RUMPED Sandpiper: 11 at Okaloosa STF 1 Jun (D. Simpson); 100+ at Homestead Racetrack {Miami-Dade) 2 Jun (J. Boyd, P. Bithorn); 3 at Wesley Chapel {Pasco) 2 Jun (R. Webb); 13 at Newnans Lake 4 Jun (1. Samuels); 8 at LARA 10 Jun, and 2 there 12 Jun (H. Robinson). Pectoral Sandpiper: 2 at LARA 14 Jul, and 21 there 28 Jul (H. Robinson); 8 at Spring- hill Road STF 15 Jul {fide G. Menk) Dunlin: 1 in winter plumage at Crandon Beach {Miami-Dade) 21 Jun (R. Diaz); 1 adult in a “ragged” breeding plumage at Bunche Beach {Lee) 12 Jul (W. Winton) and 19 Jul (B. and C. Postmus). Stilt Sandpiper: 14 at LARA 25 Jul (H. Robinson). Buff-breasted Sandpiper: up to 7 at Homestead 1-4 Jun (J. Boyd, C. Sankpill). Short-billed Dowitcher: 9 at LARA 10 Jun, and 1 there 28 Jul (H. Robinson); 8 at Gulf Harbors, New Port Richey 12 Jul (J. McKay); 9 at Green Key 14 Jul (K. Tracey). Long-billed Dowitcher: 1 identified by call at LARA 28 Jul (H. Robinson). Wilson’s Snipe: 1 at Kissimmee Prairie Preserve SP in early Jul (P. Small). American Woodcock: 1 at a Tallahassee yard 9 Jul (H. Hooper). Laughing Gull: 3300 birds and “many nests” at Huguenot Memorial Park 8 Jul (R. Clark). Ring-billed Gull: 1 at Crandon Beach 27 Jul (R. Diaz). Herring Gull: 1 at LARA 23 Jun (H. Robinson); 1 in second-summer plumage sum- mered at Crandon Beach (R. Diaz). Lesser Black-backed Gull: 1 adult at Huguenot Memorial Park 11 Jun, and 4 (2 adults) there 8 Jul (R. Clark); up to 8 summered at Crandon Beach (R. Diaz), Great Black-backed Gull: 9 at Huguenot Memorial Park 17 Jun (R. Clark); 7 (5 adults) at Jetty Park (Brevard) 20 Jul (D. Simpson). Gull-billed Tern: singles at LARA 1 and 23 Jun (H. Robinson); 6 pairs and 1 chick at Bird Islands 23 Jun, and 24 pairs there in Jul, but only 1 chick survived (P. Leary); 21 (7 young) at Polk phosphate mines 8 Jul (P. Fellers). Caspian Tern: 9 at Lake Istokpoga 14 Jun (M. McMillian); 2 at Springhill Road STF 11 Jul {fide G. Menk). 14 FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST Royal Tern: 1700 at Huguenot Park 8 Jul (R. Clark); 1 at LARA 10 Jul (H. Robinson), Sandwich Tern; singles at LARA 12 & 23 Jun (H. Robinson); 1 banded as a “local” bird (i.e., as a nestling or fledgling) in 2001 at Kure Beach, North Carolina was found dead at Ten Thousand Islands NWR 14 Jun (K. Campbell); 16 at Polk phosphate mines 16 Jun (P. Timmer, C. Geanangel). Roseate Tern: 1 at Sebastian Inlet SRA {Brevard) 23 Jun (D. Devitt). Common Tern: 3 at LARA 10 Jun (H. Robinson); 3 at Huguenot Memorial Park 26 Jun (R. Clark); 15 in Nassau Sound {Duval and Nassau) 29 Jun (P. Leary); 1 in breeding plumage at Fort De Soto CP 30 Jun (L. and R. Smith); 3 at Fred Howard CP {Pinellas) 20 Jul (J. McKay); 8 at South Ponte Vedra Beach {St. Johns) 31 Jul (P Powell). Least Tern: 135 nests at Santa Rosa Island {Escambia) 1 Jun, but all were abandoned by 17 Jun; human disturbance was thought to be the cause {fide B. Duncan); about 60 nests at Fort Matanzas National Monument {St. Johns; D. Parker); no nests at Anas- tasia SP {St. Johns; fide P. Powell) and Huguenot Memorial Park (R. Clark), and only “a few” nests at Guana River SP {St. Johns; fide P. Powell); 40+ nested on rooftops in S Jacksonville in Jun (J. Cocke); 200+ on rooftops at Fleming Island {Clay) in Jun, and 30+ on another rooftop there in Jul (L. McCullagh). Bridled Tern: 2 birds 40 km SE of Port Canaveral 3 Jul (D. Goodwin, W. Biggs et al.). Sooty Tern: 1 bird 40 km SE of Port Canaveral 3 Jul (D. Goodwin, W. Biggs et al.). Black Tern; singles at LARA 10-23 Jun, and 3 there 31 Jul (H. Robinson); 6 at Nassau Sound 20 Jun, and 100+ there 29 Jun (P Leary); 11 at Lake Istokpoga 14 Jul (M. Mc- Millian). Black Skimmer: 25 nests at Santa Rosa Island 1 Jun were later abandoned (B. Duncan); over 50 nests at Huguenot Memorial Park 13 Jun (T. Breen); a “large colony” at Bird Islands was washed out by extremely high tides 22 Jun — birds renested, peaking at 600 adults, but only 51 young survived high tides in Jul (P. Leary). White-winged Dove: birds observed in 4 different sites in the Fort Walton Beach area {Okaloosa) 11 May-25 Jul (D. Ware, A. Knothe, T. Fleck); 1 at SW Ocala {Marion) since Apr, and 5 at NE Ocala since Dec {fide R. Rowan); up to 22 at 4 sites in Columbia since Apr {fide R. Rowan); 1 summered at Cedar Key {fide R. Rowan); 1 at Weeki Wachee {Hernando) 27 Jun (M. Gardler); 3 N of Gainesville 15 Jul (J. Hintermister); 1 at Gainesville 21 Jul (R. Rowan). Mourning Dove: 824 at LARA 23 Jun (H. Robinson). Common Ground-Dove: 63 at LARA 2 Jun (H. Robinson). Key West Quail-Dove: 1 at Long Key SP {Monroe) 19 Jun-7 Jul (J. Peachey, P. Rogers, J. Puschock et al.). Monk Parakeet: 4 at Jetty Park 20 Jul (D. Simpson). Rose-ringed Parakeet: 12 at Cape Coral {Lee) 15 Jul (W. Winton). Blue-crowned Parakeet: 5 at Eau Gallie {Brevard) 28 Jun (D. Simpson). Yellow-billed Cuckoo: 3 called at South Golden Gates Estates {Collier) 8 Jun (T. Doyle). Mangrove Cuckoo: 2 apparent observations in the mangroves at Green Key: 1 heard and glimpsed 5 Jul (K. Tracey et al.) and 1 called twice in response to a tape 14 Jul (K. Tracey, J. McKay). These would be the northernmost observations of presumed breeding Mangrove Cuckoos in Florida; up to 7 at “Ding” Darling NWR through Jul (B. Ahern, C. Ewell et. al); 3 (including 1 young) at Weedon Island County Preserve {Pinellas) all summer (R. Smith et al.). Barn Owl: 1 at St. Petersburg 7 Jul (M. Gardler, B. Ahern). Burrowing Owl: 1 at Viera 14 Jul was the first at that site in 5 years (D. Simpson). “Antillean” Short-eared Owl: 1 found at Plantation {Broward) 4 Jun (J. Harrison, identified by W. George) was treated by Wildlife Care Center and released in W Bro- ward 8 Jun. Ruby-throated Hummingbird: 7 (including 4 adult males) at a St. Augustine {St. Johns) yard 21 Jun (J. Holstein). Field Observations 15 Belted Kingfisher: 1 male at St. Sebastian River State Buffer Preserve {Indian River) 20 Jun (D. Simpson); 3 at Green Key 1-3 Jul (K. Tracey, J. McKay); 1 E of Bradenton {Manatee) 3 Jul (B. Wagner); 1 female in De Soto 7 Jul (R. Smith et ah); 1 near Basinger {Okeechobee) 8 Jul (T. Palmer); 1 female at Faka Union Canal {Collier) 18 Jul (T. Doyle et ah). Eastern Kingbird: a nest at Walsingham Park, Seminole {Pinellas) found 1 Jun fledged 3 young 23 Jun (J. Fisher). Gray Kingbird: 14 along Green Key Road, New Port Richey 21 Jul (R. Smart). Yellow-throated Vireo: 1 migrant at LARA 31 Jul (H. Robinson). Red-eyed Vireo: 3 (2 singing males) at South Golden Gates Estates 8 Jun (T, Doyle); 1 at St. Sebastian River State Buffer Preserve {Brevard) 16 Jul (D. Simpson); 2 “very early migrants” at W Kendall 16 Jul (J. Boyd); 2 singing males at Cedar Key, where birds do not breed, 20 Jul (D. Henderson). Black-whiskered Vireo: 12 at “Ding” Darling NWR 11 Jul (B. Ahern). Purple Martin: 450 at Viera 14 Jul (D. Simpson). Tree Swallow: 2 at LARA 3 Jul (H. Robinson). Northern Rough-winged Swallow: 2 adults and 2 juveniles near a burrow in a bank along Moses Creek {St. Johns) 9 Jun (E. Scales); 5 at LARA 12 Jun, and 1 there 3 Jul (H. Robinson); 1 at Sebastian Inlet SRA 15 Jun (D. Simpson); 11 at Polk phosphate mines 8 Jul (P. Fellers). Bank Swallow: 1 at LARA 25-28 Jul (H. Robinson). Cliff Swallow: 3 at LARA 17 Jul, and 2 there 21 Jul (H. Robinson). Petrochelidon SPECIES: 1 at Lake Monroe Conservation Area 8 Jun had a “buffy rump” (L. Malo). Barn Swallow: 1 at Kissimmee Prairie Preserve SP 19 Jul (P. Small, R Miller, C. Tucker). “Marian’s” Marsh Wren: 15 observed from an airboat at Werner-Boyce Salt Springs SP {Pasco) 3 Jul (K. Tracey). Wood Thrush: 2 (1 singing male) at Ponce De Leon Springs SRA {Holmes) 2 Jun (D. Simpson). American Robin: 1 at Gainesville 4 Jul (N. and R. Rowan). Gray Catbird: a pair bred at Gulf Breeze {Santa Rosa) for the third consecutive year (B. and L. Duncan). European Starling: 860 at LARA 8 Jul (H. Robinson). Northern Parula: 2 singing males at South Golden Gates Estates 8-9 Jun (T. Doyle); ap- parent migrants at Pinellas Park {Pinellas) 7 Jul and Largo {Pinellas) 8 Jul (J. Fisher). Yellow Warbler: 1 at St. Sebastian River State Buffer Preserve {Indian River) 18 Jul (D. Simpson); 1 at LARA 21 Jul, and 8 there 25 Jul (H. Robinson). “Cuban Golden” Warbler: 1 singing male at Gullivan Key, Ten Thousand Islands NWR 6 Jun (T. Doyle). Yellow-throated Warbler: singles at LARA 17 & 31 Jul (H. Robinson). Prairie Warbler: 1 at LARA 15 Jul, and 5 there 31 Jul (H. Robinson); 2 at St. Sebastian River State Buffer Preserve {Indian River) 15 Jul (D. Simpson); 1 at Kissimmee Prai- rie Preserve SP 18 Jul (C. Tucker, P. Miller). Palm Warbler: 1 at LARA 30 Jun (H, Robinson), Black-and-white Warbler: 1 female at Cedar Key 2 Jul (D. Henderson); 1 at San Felasco Hammock Preserve SP {Alachua) 7 Jul (J. Hintermister); 1 female at Starkey Wilderness Park {Pasco) 7 Jul (R. Smith, B. Ahern et al.); 3 at St. Sebastian River State Buffer Preserve {Indian River) 16 Jul (D. Simpson); 1 at LARA 17 Jul (H. Rob- inson); 1 at Seminole {Pinellas) 19 Jul (J. Fisher); 2 at Saddle Creek CP, Lakeland 22 Jul (P. Fellers). American Redstart: 1 at LARA 2 Jun, and 3 there 25 Jul (H. Robinson); 1 at Black Swamp Nature Preserve {Leon) 27 Jul (M. Collins); female and male at Weekiwachee 16 FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST Preserve {Hernando) 30 Jul (A. and B. Hansen); 1 female at Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve, Fort Myers 31 Jul (W. Winton). Prothonotary Warbler: 1 at Seminole 25 Jul (J. Fisher); 4 migrants at Green Key 27 Jul (K. Tracey). Louisiana WaterthrusH: 1 at Tallahassee 21 Jun (F. Rutkovsky); 1 at Newnans Lake 23 Jun (H. Warren, R. Rowan, B. Simons); 1 at LARA 10 Jul (H. Robinson); 1 at Seminole 11 Jul (J. Fisher); 1 along the Withlacoochee River {Hernando) 18 Jul (M. Liberton). Hooded Warbler: 1 singing male at Crystal River State Buffer Preserve (Citrus) 5 Jun (A. and B. Hansen); 1 at Seminole 16 Jul (J. Fisher). Yellow-breasted Chat: 1 singing male at Crystal River State Buffer Preserve 5 Jun (A. and B. Hansen); 1 singing male at Sunnyhill Farms Restoration Area {Marion) 16 Jun (E. and 1. Scales); a seasonal total of 35 singing males at LARA, with 21 there 10 Jun (H. Robinson). Lark Sparrow: 1 at the Miccosukee Restaurant along US-41 {Miami-Dade) 31 Jul (M. Davis). “Scott’s” Seaside Sparrow: 20 observed from an airboat at Werner-Boyce Salt Springs SP 3 Jul (K. Tracey). Blue Grosbeak: 14 (4 singing males) at Scotsmoor {Brevard) 26 Jul (D. Simpson); a sea- sonal total of 74 singing males at LARA, with 28 there 10 Jun (H. Robinson). Indigo Bunting; a seasonal total of 65 singing males at LARA, with 29 there 10 Jun (H. Robinson); 1 migrant at Frog Pond WMA 28 Jul (R. Diaz), Painted Bunting: 28 singing males at Mims {Brevard) 21 Jul (D. Simpson); 20 singing males at Scotsmoor 26 Jul (D. Simpson); a seasonal total of 20 singing males at LARA (H. Robinson). Dickcissel: 1 singing male at Frog Pond WMA through 6 Jul; searches for a female were unsuccessful (L. Manfredi et ah); 1 singing male at LARA 30 Jun-31 Jul (H. Robinson). Boat-tailed Grackle: 4050 at LARA 21 Jul (H. Robinson). Shiny Cowbird: 1 male at Cedar Key all Jun (D. Henderson); 1 male at Fort Pickens {Es- cambia) 8 Jun (R Baker, M. and R. Rose et ak). Baltimore Oriole: 1 at Fort Walton Beach 4 Jul (A. Knothe); 1 at Seminole 31 Jul (J. Fisher). House Finch: 5 at Lakeland 4 Jun (M. Chakan); 1 immature at Ormond Beach {Volusia) 28 Jun (F. Phillips); 1 female at S Jacksonville 29 Jun (P. Powell); 1 pair that nested in “hanging moss” at S Jacksonville 8-18 Jul were feeding young on the last date but were not seen again (J. Cocke); 1 pair nested at Brandon {Hillsborough’, fide D, Pow- ell); 4 (including 1 possible juvenile) summered at New Port Richey (J. McKay). American Goldfinch: 1 female at Milton {Santa Rosa) 2 Jun (M. Scheller); 1 at Fort Walton Beach 8 Jun (M.L. Sherman). Java Sparrow: 1 white avicultural morph at Naples {Collier) ca. 17 Jul {fide L. Kamin- ski, photos to FOC). Nutmeg Mannikin: 1 at a feeder at S Jacksonville 29 Jul-EOS (A. Turner). Pin-tailed Whydah: 1 male in breeding plumage at Fort Lauderdale in Jul (L. Lambers- ton, S. Epps [photo to FOC]). Contributors; Howard Adams, Brian Ahern, Ken Allen, Peggy Baker, Cindy Bear, Wes Biggs, Paul Bithorn, John Blois, John Boyd, Tim Breen, Clay Black, Karen Camp- bell, Mike Chakan, Roger Clark, Joie Clifton, Julie Cocke, Marvin Collins, Buck and Linda Cooper, Michelle Davis, Don Devitt, Robin Diaz, Wes Dirks, Terry Doyle, Jack Do- zier, Julie Duggan, Bob Duncan, Lucy Duncan, Todd Engstrom, Susan Epps, Charlie Ewell, Paul Fellers, Lenny Fenimore, Judy Fisher, Tom Fleck, Dot Freeman, Murray Gardler, Chuck Geanangel, Paul Gebert, Dave Goodwin, Liz Golden, Al and Bev Hansen, Dale Henderson, John Hintermister, Jackie Holstein, Harry Hooper, Earl Horn, Louie Kaminski, Steve Klesius, Alan Knothe, Marianne Korosy, Ludlow Lumber- Field Observations 17 ston, Patrick Leary, Mike Liberton, Sherri Magerowski, Lome Malo, Mike Manetz, Larry Manfredi, Anita Marshall, Lenore McCullagh, Jim McKay, Bob McKenney, Mike McMillian, Michael Meisenburg, Gail Menk, Paul Miller, John Moran, Tom Morrill, John Murphy, Mark Nicholas, Michelle Palmer, Tom Palmer, Dave Parker, Geoff Parks, Jack Peachey, Fred Phillips, Anne Pinner, Bev and Claire Postmus, David Powell, Peggy Powell, Bill Pranty, John Puschock, Harry Robinson, Tom Rodriguez, Paul Rogers, Mer- ilu and Rufus Rose, Nina Rowan, Rex Rowan, Fran Rutkovsky, Ivan Samuels, Conrad Sankpill, Earl Scales, Ingrid Scales, Mike Scheller, Mary Lou Sherman, Bob Simons, David Simpson, Parks Small, Ray Smart, Lori Smith, Ron Smith, Gary Sprandel, Doug Suitor, Pete Timmer, Ken Tracey, Chris Tucker, Anne Turner, Billi Wagner, Don Ware, Helen Warren, Ray Webb, and Walt Winton. Fall 2001 correction: the Buff-BREASTED SANDPIPERS observed north of Bakersville 30 Sep and west of St. Augustine 29-30 Sep refer to the same bird, not to different individ- uals. We thank John Hintermister for pointing out this error. Spring 2002 observation not reported previously: SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER; 1 at Fort Walton Beach STF 31 May (Bill Burke). Report prepared by Bill Pranty, state compiler (Avian Ecology Lab, Archbold Bio- logical Station, 123 Main Dr., Venus, Florida 33960; email billpranty@hotmaiLcom). Re- gional compilers are Bruce H. Anderson (2917 Scarlet Road, Winter Park, Florida 32792; email scizortail@aoLcom, John H. Boyd III (15770 SW 104th Terrace, Apart- ment 103, Miami, Florida 33196, email boydj@fiu.edu), Linda Cooper (558 Sunshine Boulevard, Haines City, Florida 33844-9540; email Lcooper298@aol.com), Bob and Lucy Duncan (614 Fairpoint Drive, Gulf Breeze, Florida 32561, email duncan44@juno.com), Charlie Ewell (115 SW 51st Terrace, Cape Coral, Florida 33991, email anhinga42@swfla.rr.com), Bev Hansen (6573 Pine Meadows Drive, Spring Hill, Florida 34606; email bevalhansen ©earthlink.net), David Powell (1407 Storington Ave- nue, Brandon, Florida 33511; email vireo@vireos.com), and Peggy Powell (2965 Forest Circle, Jacksonville, Florida 32257). . ‘'> ■ 'ryAwdstii^a’ fcarFi^^ I ..■V- '. iUiH'i.'Kl. A'V!*if; aV’V. -a.! . iini^ -.Fl"('xM*^»»^ar{f ’ -* ihijM ' '■ - - > ... 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' tl ~1 1' '4^tf ii Iiil I**.1 ‘ •■>^0^ jiO^ ''*-.-'*^-t •'.‘''.■r' * "’ > :*4-Ty^ ' ■'’•.-^**' ‘ . . \ -Ai iir; r-M » . .* m’ >M> ar , - •) 'i ,» 4,.!’-'i-;*t3:ii -« • *> I ' ■ ■ ... ,i;^-3 .-, i ./«K— ^ • ’— - -■•«•* -’V A f^AoW' ^ 1 5 V ••- .^^ ;• t > L l 4sPM^*, f |ps,4i U V.^. I f, 1 .p faTf*'** * >^^J:. -'jit. ■ I feviriiU.-a ui, VCO- • V ■ ^ * •* .. iifVi--# «l51 li'WC. ■■^••- ' * •’ '»••' lj£ir\ i, Vi'lV-llI*' , - 1 fftir-Tj: r - ' ■ ’' - -liPBftiBWiN' • ' ' .^., - - PPL miiy " •■' ■' Ker-*.: 1 »i F M T 0. \K i '*■ < '. ‘ hitk rtL*' ' ./; VnhU> '-t'. " * : h-.^-t ■ . ..,, .-*»* I ' • . ^ ■ ■ ■ ' \' ■ ^ ^ ., T .tir-t" • ^ •‘ ■" ■ . ^ 4^^srir»4« ^ W,l.«l ' K*l\ ■ ■ *1 4- w "l Florida Field Naturalist ISSN 0738-999X PUBLISHED BY THE FLORIDA ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY Editor: JEROME A. JACKSON, Whitaker Center, Arts & Sciences, Florida Gulf Coast Uni- versity, 10501 FGCU Blvd. South, Fort Myers, FL 33965. E-mail: picus@fgcu.edu Associate Editor (for reviews): Reed Bowman, Archbold Biological Station, P.O. Box 2057, Lake Placid, FL 33852. Associate Editor (for bird distribution): Bruce Anderson, 2917 Scarlet Road, Winter Park, FL 32792. E-mail: scizortail@ aol.cotn Editor of the Ornithological Newsletter: Katy NeSmith, 1018 Thomasville Rd., Suite 200-C, Tallahassee, FL 32303. E-mail: knesmith@fnai.org Editor of Special Publications: Glen E. Woolfenden, Archbold Biological Station, P.O. Box 2057, Lake Placid, FL 33862. E-mail: gwoolfenden@archbold-station.org Web Page Editor: Eugene Stoccardo, 715 Warrenton Rd., Winter Park, FL 33792-4541. E-mail: scrubjay@gdi.net Archives Committee (Chair): WALTER K. TAYLOR, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL 32816. E-mail: wtaylor@pegasus.cc.ucf edu Editorial Advisory Board (Chair): JAMES A. Rodgers, Jr., Wildlife Research Labora- tory, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 4005 S. Main St., Gaines- ville, FL 32601. Field Observations Committee (Chair): Bill Pranty, Audubon of Florida, 410 Ware Boulevard, Suite 702, Tampa, FL 33619. E-mail: billpranty@hotmail.com Finance Committee (Chair): Dave Goodwin, 10775 Village Club Circle N., #104, St. Petersburg, FL 33716. E-mail: robert.goodwin@excite.com Nominating Committee: Bruce Anderson, Chair, 2917 Scarlet Road, Winter Park, FL 32792. E-mail: scizortail@aol.com Grants and Awards Committee: (Chair, Cruickshank Research Award) STEVE NES- BITT, Wildlife Research Laboratory, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commis- sion, 4005 S. Main St., Gainesville, FL 32601. E-mail: nesbits@gfc.state.fl. us (Chair, Cruickshank Education Award) Katy NeSmith, Florida Natural Areas Inventory, 1018 Thomasville Rd., Suite 200-C, Tallahassee, FL 32303. E-mail: kne- smith@fnai.org Records Committee (Managing Secretary): Reed Bowman, Archbold Biological Sta- tion, P.O. Box 2057, Lake Placid, FL 33862. Conservation Committee (Chair): JiM Cox, Tall Timbers Research Station, 13093 Henry Beadel Dr., Tallahassee, FL 32312. E-mail: necox@nettally.com 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. 27, No. 1 for detailed information. Submit manuscripts for consideration to the Editor, Jerome Jackson. 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, Bruce Anderson. Reports of rare birds in Florida should also be submitted to the FOS Records Committee Managing Secretary, Reed Bowman. Florida Field Naturalist PUBLISHED BY THE FLORIDA ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY VoL. 31, No. 1 Februaky 2003 Pages 1-17 CONTENTS NOTES Southernmost breeding of Black Skimmers along the Atlantic coast of Florida is restricted to rooftops Ricardo Zambrano and Henry T Smith 1-3 Recent winter records of the Black-throated Blue Warbler in Florida Bill Pranty, John H. Boyd III, and Kurt Radamaker 4-5 Site fidelity and crown plumage in Winter Swamp Sparrows in central Florida Richard Poole, Meret Wilson, and Christine Brown 6-7 Above-ground “nest” in the nine-banded armadillo in Belize Steven G. Platt and Thomas R. Rainwater 8-9 FIELD OBSERVATIONS Summer report: June-July 2002 Bill Pranty 10-17 Florida Field Naturalist PUBLISHED BY THE FLORIDA ORNITHOLOGICAL'SOCIETY’ FLORIDA ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY Founded 1972 Officers President: FRANCES C. JAMES, Department of Biological Science, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306-1100. E-mail: james@bio.fsu.edu Vice President: JOYCE KING, 11645 69th Way N., Largo, FL 33773. Secretary: PAMELA J. BoWEN, 309 Moonstone Dr., East Palatka, FL 32131. Treasurer: Dean Jue, 3455 Dorchester Court, Tallahassee, FL 32312-1300. E-mail: djue@admin.fsu.edu Editor, Florida Field Naturalist: JEROME A. JACKSON, Whitaker Center, Arts & Sci- ences, Florida Gulf Coast University, 10501 FGCU Blvd. South, Fort Myers, FL 33965. Ex Officio: Immediate Past President: PETER G. MERRITT, 8558 SE Sharon St., Kobe Sound, FL 33455. Directors, Terms Expiring Spring 2004 Judy Bryan, 1924 SW 43rd Avenue, Gainesville, FL 32608 Brenda Rhodes, 2734 Rainbow Circle N, Jacksonville, FL 32217 Directors, Terms Expiring Spring 2005 Judith B. Buhrman, 6123 113th Street, #504, Seminole, FL 33772-6846 Terry J. Doyle, Ten Thousand Islands NWR, 3860 Tollgate Blvd., Ste. 300, Naples, FL 34114 Directors, Terms Expiring Spring 2006 Murray Gardler, 9400 Merriweather Drive, Brooksville, FL 34613-4271 David Stock, Department of Biology, Unit 8285, Stetson University, DeLand, FL 32723. 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; Ted Below 1999. 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 $20 for individual members (overseas $25), $25 for a family member- ship, $15 for students, $40 for contributing members and $25 for institutional membership. 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 undelivered 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. The Florida Ornithological Society web site can be found at www.fosbirds.org THIS PUBLICATION IS PRINTED ON NEUTRAL PH PAPER Florida Field Naturalist PUBLISHED BY THE FLORIDA ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY VOL. 31, No. 2 May 2003 PAGES 19=45 NOTES Florida Field Naturalist 3 1(2): 19-20, 2003. KLEPTOPARASITISM OF GREAT BLUE HERONS BY AMERICAN WHITE PELICANS Stephen A. Nesbitt^ and Martin J. Folk^ ^Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 4005 South Main Street Gainesville, Florida 32601 ^Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 1475 Regal Court Kissimmee, Florida 34744, USA Reported kleptoparasitism or food piracy by the American White Pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) has involved pelicans taking fish from Double-crested Cormorants {Phalacrocorax auritus), gulls, or other pelicans (O’Malley and Evans 1983, Anderson 1991, Evans and Knopf 1993). All but one of the instances cited are of swimming peli- cans stealing prey. Here we describe examples of aerial kleptoparasitism by White Peli- cans of Great Blue Herons (Ardea herodias). Florida has experienced below normal rainfall since early spring 1998. As a result, water levels in many lakes in peninsular Florida are well below average. Numbers of White Pelicans wintering in fresh water lakes in Florida have increased in recent years. Approximately 1,200 White Pelicans spent January and February 2001 on Lake Jack- son, in Osceola County, feeding on the fish left stranded as the water level declined. On 21 February MJF observed and videotaped several White Pelicans engaged in aerial kleptoparasitism of Great Blue Herons on Lake Jackson (Fig. 1). Great Blue Herons were the target of kleptoparasitism by White Pelicans in only 1 of 36 attacks observed by O’Malley and Evans (1983), Over a period of an hour MJF observed 2 pursuit epi- sodes where 3-4 pelicans chased a Great Blue Heron. During the first episode, the peli- cans gave up 1 minute into the chase when the heron swallowed the fish that it was carrying in its bill. During the second chase, as 1 of the pelicans approached within 1 m (about 12 s into the chase), the heron dropped its fish. The pelican that had approached closest to the heron was able to land and scoop up the fish. It was remarkable to see White Pelicans (mass of 5. 4-9.0 kg, Evans and Knopf 1993) outmaneuver and bully the much smaller and, one would suppose, more agile Great Blue Heron (mass 2. 2-2. 6 kg, Dunning 1993). 19 20 FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST Figure 1. Wli:i(e I’etioans mj .htm! <>{ ,» ItiMe 2! February 2001 Osceola County Florida, just before the heron gave up the fish it was carrying. Literature Cited Anderson, J. G. T. 1991. Foraging behavior of the American White Pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) in western Nevada. Colonial Waterbirds 14:166-172. Dunning, J. B., Jr. 1993. CRC Handbook of Avian Body Masses. CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL. Evans, R. M., and F. L. Knopf. 1993. American White Pelican {Pelecanus erythrorhyn- chos). In Birds of North America, No. 57 (A. Poole and F. Gill, Eds.). Academy of Nat- ural Sciences, Philadelphia, and American Ornithologists’ Union, Washington, D.C. O’Malley, J. B. E., and R. M. Evans. 1983. Kleptoparasitism and associated foraging behavior in American White Pelicans. Colonial Waterbirds 6:126-129. 21 Florida Field Naturalist 31(2):21, 2003. BLACK VULTURES FEEDING ON VEGETABLES AND TORTOISE DUNG Eric D. Stolen^ Dept, of Biological Science, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida 32816 Although primarily carrion-eating scavengers, Black Vultures (Coragyps atratus) take a variety of non-animal food items. Included among these are: salt from blocks in a cow pasture in Pennsylvania (Coleman et al. 1985), oil palm fruit and coconut flesh in Surinam and Dutch Guiana (Haverschmidt 1947), sweet potatoes on Avery Island, Louisiana (Mcll- henny 1945), avocados and the fruit of the oil palm (Brown and Amadon 1968), fruit of the coyle palm in Veracruz, Mexico (Lowery and Dalquest 1951), and the husks of coconuts found along the roadside in Trinidad (Junge and Mees 1961). Several authors also have noted that Black Vultures will feed on animal excrement including that of domestic cattle (Mcllhenny 1939, Coleman et al. 1985), coyote (Buckley 1996), and humans (Maslow 1986). Here I report on Black Vultures consuming fresh vegetables and the excrement from several captive Galapagos giant tortoises (Geochelone elephantopus). Numerous times betv/een January 1990 through December 1993, I observed Black Vultures feeding on the dung of captive Galapagos giant tortoises at a small zoological park in central Florida. A large Black Vulture communal roost existed at the park, and many Black Vultures remained there during the day scavenging for food remains from captive animals and human visitors (Stolen 1996). I also observed Black Vultures feed- ing on vegetables from the tortoise’s food dishes. The tortoises were being fed a mixture of vegetables (mostly tomatoes and sweet potatoes) and commercial dog food. Often indi- vidual Black Vultures would flght over the larger pieces of sweet potato in the food and dung. Employees regarded dung and vegetable feeding by Black Vultures as common at the park (Leslie Braun, pers. comm,). These observations, combined with the extensive literature citing the use of vegetables and dung, support the characterization of the Black Vulture as an opportunistic scavenger that will feed on almost any available food. Literature Cited Brown, L., and D. Amadon. 1968. Eagles, hawks and falcons of the world. McGraw-Hill Book Company, New York. Buckley, N. J. 1996. Food flnding and the influence of information, local enhancement, and communal roosting on foraging success of North American vultures. Auk 113:473-488. Coleman, J. S., J. D. Fraser, and C. A. Pringle. 1985. Salt-eating by Black and Turkey vultures. Condor 87:291-292. Haverschmidt, F. 1947. The Black Vulture and the Caracara as vegetarians. Condor 49:210. Lowery, G. H., and W. W. Dalquest. 1951. Birds from the State of Veracruz, Mexico. University of Kansas Publications, Museum of Natural History, 3(4):53 1-649. Maslow, J. E. 1986. Bird of life, bird of death. Simon and Schuster, New York. McIlhenny, E. a. 1939. Feeding habits of Black Vulture. Auk 56:472-474. McIlhenny, E. a. 1945. An unusual feeding habit of the Black Vulture. Auk 62:136-137. Junge, G. C., and G. F. Mees. 1961. The avifauna of Trinidad and Tobago. E, J. Brill, Leiden. Stolen, E. D. 1996. Roosting behavior and foraging ecology of Black Vultures in central Florida. M.Sc. Thesis, University of Central Florida, Orlando. 156 pp. ^Current address: Dynamac Corp., Mail Code: DYN-2, Kennedy Space Center, Florida 32899; E-mail: StoleED@kscems.ksc.nasa.gov 22 Florida Field Naturalist 31(2):22, 2003. TURKEY VULTURES CARRYING CARRION Eric D. Stolen Dynamac Corp., Mail Code: DYN-2, Kennedy Space Center, Florida 32899 E-mail: StoleED@kscems.ksc.nasa.gov New World vultures (Family: Cathartidae) are primarily carrion-eating scavengers. Where their ranges overlap Turkey Vultures {Cathartes aura) tend to feed on smaller- sized carrion than do Black Vultures (Coragyps atratus), and may specialize in exploit- ing smaller carcasses (Kirk et al. 1998). Although both Palmer (1988) and Kirk et al. (1998) noted that Turkey Vultures occasionally fly short distances with carrion when disturbed, the behavior is not well documented. Here I report two observations of Tur- key Vultures taking flight with small items of carrion and fl3dng short distances. On 3 March 2003 at the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge near Titusville, Florida, I ob- served a Turkey Vulture standing on a gravel dike road consuming a small item of car- rion. I stopped approximately 20 m from the bird and observed it tearing pieces of flesh from a headless siren (Siren spp.). After about 30 s, the bird took flight carrying the si- ren in its bill for approximately 70 m, then landed and resumed feeding. I approached the bird again and it flew away, this time leaving the carrion which I recovered. The re- mains were 33 cm long and weighed 79 g. On 27 December 1995 at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida, I observed a Turkey Vulture in the center of a paved road eat- ing a small item of carrion that appeared to be a flattened cotton rat (Sigmodon hispi- dus). The bird took off from the road with the carrion in its bill and flew approximately 100 m, landing in mowed grass beside the road, and began eating. About a minute later as a truck approached, the bird flew off again with the carrion in its bill. The bird soared in gusty wind several hundred meters and then landed on a sod-covered hill and re- sumed eating the carrion. Literature Cited Palmer, R. S. 1988. Handbook of North American birds, Vol. 4. Yale University Press. New Haven, CT. Kirk, D. A., and M. J. Mossman. 1998. Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura). In The birds of North America, No. 339 (A. Poole and F. Gill, eds.). The Birds of North America, Inc., Philadelphia, PA. 23 Florida Field Naturalist 31(2):23-24, 2003. OBSERVATIONS OF A MELANISTIC OSPREY IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA Stephen A. Nesbitt^ and Joe McNichols^ ^Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservatidn Commission, 4005 South Main Street, Gainesville, Florida 32601 ^387 Valley Stream Circle, Naples, Florida 34113 Clark (1998) provides a description and photograph of a melanistic Osprey {Pandion haliaetus) from the area of Chokoloskee in Collier County on 4 March 1997. His was only the second recorded instance of abnormal coloration in Ospreys; the other, also a melanistic individual, was seen in France (see Clark 1998). Neither Palmer (1988) nor Brown and Amadon (1968) mention atypical plumages for Ospreys. Clark states the bird “had been observed regularly in the Same area of mangrove islands over the past [from 1997] three years by Frank and Georgia Garrett.” We report subsequent sightings of a melanistic individual (Fig. 1) from this same area of southwest Florida. Figure 1. Melanistic Osprey, Collier County, Florida, 15 May 2002. 24 FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST From a distance, resting or in flight, the bird appeared to be generally dark chocolate-brown, suggestive of a first-year Bald Eagle (Haliaetus leucocephalus). We were able to study and photograph this individual, while it was perched, from a distance of 200 meters on 15 May 2002. The head, back, breast, and belly were dark brown with a few scattered lighter brown feathers, in no obvious pattern. The feathers of the nape and rear crown were attenuated so when seen in profile the bird had the typical Osprey crest. Wings also were dark, but when seen from below some barring was apparent. The upper lesser wing coverts were lighter in color giving the bird a reddish-brown shoulder. The tail was lighter with marked barring and appeared nearly normal. Leg, bill, and cere color appeared to be normal. Iris color was a greenish yellow in contrast to either the “pure yellow” of females or “yellow with a slight orange tint” of males (Ogden 1977). Voice, behavior, and food habits seemed typical for an Osprey. We have seen this bird regularly in the 10,000 Islands area SSW of Chokoloskee. Mc- Nichols saw the bird multiple times during March, April and May 2000, 2001, and 2002. We saw the bird together 4 May 2001, then again 15 May 2002. In April 2002 McNichols observed the bird constructing a nest. The nest site was in a dead red mangrove {Rhizo- phora mangle) on a small island on the south side of the Chokoloskee Pass. Clark (1998) reports the bird built a nest in 1997 and three years previous (1994) in this same area at “ , . . the western end of Everglades National Park, approximately 5 km south southwest of the town of Chokoloskee” [did he say where? same area?]. It is likely that the bird we saw is the same individual described by Clark. We could find no written reference to the bird being seen between Clark’s sighting and our sight- ings, though it is likely the bird was in the area between these observations. This means this individual has been in the area for at least 8 years. Clark did not report aerial courtship displays and we did not see any, suggesting that this bird may be a female. The only intraspecific interactions we have seen were agonistic, i.e. territorial defense. Although it has built nests (or added to an existing nest) for several years, neither Clark, nor we, saw the bird with a mate. As Clark suggests, the dark plumage without contrasting white markings may impede successful pair bonding in this individual. If this bird eventually succeeds in reproducing, the plumage coloration of any resultant young would be noteworthy. Literature Cited Brown, L. and D. Amadon. 1968. Eagles, hawks and falcons of the world. McGraw-Hill Book Company. New York. Clark, M, S. 1998. First North American record of a melanistic Osprey. Wilson Bulletin 110:289-290. Palmer, R. S. 1988. Handbook of North American birds. Vol. 4. Yale University Press, New Haven, CT. Ogden, J. C. 1977. Preliminary report a study of Florida Bay Ospreys. Pages 143-152 in Transactions of the North American Osprey research conference (J. C. Ogden, ed.). National Park Service, Washington, D.C. 25 Florida Field Naturalist 31(2):25-27, 2003. LEUCISTIC SANDHILL CRANES IN FLORIDA Stephen A. Nesbitt^ and Jeannette Pakker^ ^Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission 4005 South Main Street, Gainesville, Florida, 32601 ^Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission 600 OhioAve., Saint Cloud, Florida 34769 Atypical plumage coloration has been described in many species of birds (Hailman 1984) and these aberrantly marked individuals are usually seen as curiosities. They can sometimes present problems for identification as well as correct description. Abnormally white Sandhill Cranes {Grus canadensis) are described by several observers. A Crane seen near Last Mountain Lake, Saskatchewan was described as having “head, neck, breast, and anterior portions of the back that were pure white” (Miller 1961). Another Sandhill Crane seen in Saskatchewan was “completely white except for a red forehead and brown wings” (Shadick 1985). A crane with a “pale or diluted version of the normal plumage” was seen in Nebraska (Murphy 1960). Another Sandhill Crane with “normal coloring of the head, neck, and tail, but the wings, and back that were white with a patch of brown” was seen, also in Nebraska, in April 1970 (Tremaine 1970). These au- thors all referred to these white or light plumaged Sandhill Cranes as albino or partially albino. This condition is more correctly described as non-eumelanin schizochroism (Har- rison 1985; J. R Hailman, pers. comm.) resulting in a leucistic appearance. These previously published reports were all from mid-continental North America, this is understandable since most Sandhill Cranes migrate through this region (Tacha et al. 1992). Several thousand Greater Sandhill Cranes (G. c. tahida) winter in Florida, and there is also a large resident population (4,000 to 6,000) of Florida Sandhill Cranes (G. c. pratensis) (Tacha et al. 1992). There are no published accounts of leucistic Sandhill Cranes for Florida, however we have seen three aberrant plumage Sandhill Cranes in recent years. The first, seen in January 1987, was on a private ranch between Paynes Prairie and Levy Lake in Alachua County. This bird had a scattering of gray feathers on the wings and back, but otherwise was white. A second bird, mostly white with a darker wash on the head and neck, was seen in December of 1995. This Crane was seen on an agricultural area near the University of Florida campus, on the outskirts of Gainesville, also Alachua County. The third bird (Fig. 1), the whitest of these three, was seen near Osteen in Volusia County. This bird, along with several normal plumage Sandhill Cranes, was seen several times in January of 2001 and again in January 2002. Plumage of this individual was entirely white. Legs, feet, and bill were yellowish rather than the typical dark greenish gray. The comb and eyes were of normal coloration; begonia rose and spectrum orange (Tacha et al. 1992), respectively. This bird was only seen during the wintering period for Greater Sandhill Cranes, which suggests that it is most likely G. c. tahida. None of the other accounts of leucistic Sandhill Cranes describes color ab- normalities of the soft parts. Murphy (1960) speculated on the possibility that one of these leucistic Sandhill Cranes could be mistaken for a Whooping Crane (G. americana). The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has been participating in an effort to reestablish non-migrating Whooping Cranes in the southeastern United States for the past 10 years (Nesbitt et al. 2001). In 2002, there was a population of 90 to 100 Whooping Cranes free living in Florida. Observations of Whooping Cranes have been confirmed from many counties in peninsular Florida, from the Georgia border to Lake Okeechobee. The mobility of this population means a WTiooping Crane could be expected to occur 26 FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST “..u r*'^_-. . '..iL . ■ >- Figure 1. Leucistic Sandhill Crane photographed near Osteen, Volusia County, Florida. an5rwhere in Florida at any time of year. There is an ongoing attempt by a state-federal- private coalition, The Whooping Crane Eastern Partnership, to establish a migratory population of Whooping Cranes in the eastern United States that will migrate from Florida to Wisconsin (Archibald and Duff 2001). An abnormally white Sandhill Crane also might be assumed to be a hybrid between a Sandhill and a Whooping crane. This would be a highly unusual occurrence. Hybrids have occurred as the result of inten- tional artificial inseminations under captive conditions (George Gee, pers. comm.). The 3 resultant offspring were mostly white, as in leucistic Sandhills, but these hybrids all had a more massive bill and head, more characteristic of Whooping Cranes. Care should be taken to rule out the possibility of a leucistic Sandhill Crane when assessing the pos- sibility that a Whooping Crane has been sighted anywhere in the eastern United States — particularly in Florida. Special attention should be given to the features of the head; these will best distinguish the two species. Notes 27 Literature Cited Archibald, G. W., and J, W. Duff, 2001. Saving the Cranes/Flying with the Cranes. Wisconsin Academy Review 47:11-16. Hailman, J. P. 1984. On describing color abnormalities in birds. Florida Field Naturalist 12:36-38. Harrison, C. J. O. 1985. Abnormal plumage. Pages 472-474 in A Dictionary of Birds (B. Campbell and E. Lack, eds.) Buteo Books, Vermillion, SD. Miller, R. S. 1961. Partial albino Sandhill Crane. Blue Jay 19:112. Murphy, J. R. 1960. Imperfect albinism in a Sandhill Crane. Condor 62:223. Nesbitt, S. A., M. J. Folk, K. A. Sullivan, S. T. Schwikert, and M. G. Spalding. 2001. An update of the Florida Whooping Crane release project through June 2000. Pro- ceeding North American Crane Workshop 8:62-73. Shadick, S. 1985. Albino Sandhill Crane. Blue Jay 43:137. Tacha, T. C., S. a. Nesbitt, and P. A. Vohs. 1992. Sandhill Crane. In The Birds of North America, No. 31 (A. Poole and F. Gill, eds.). The Birds of North America, Inc. Philadel- phia, PA. Tremaine, M. M. 1970. Sandhill Cranes. Nebraska Bird Review 38:23-24. 28 Florida Field Naturalist 31(2):28-29, 2003. FIRST RECORD OF THE RED FOX FROM THE BARRIER ISLAND REGION OF EAST-CENTRAL FLORIDA Joseph S. Weidlichs Jane A. Provancha, and Kristina M. Herpich Dynamac Corporation, Environmental Support Contract, MS-ESC Patrick Air Force Base, Florida 32925 The red fox (Vulpes vulpes) is found throughout much of North America except for southeastern Virginia, eastern North Carolina, the far Southwest, and the Rocky Moun- tain region (Whitaker and Hamilton 1998). This species was not found in Florida prior to the 1950s (Sherman 1952), although it currently occurs throughout much of the pen- insula (WTiitaker and Hamilton 1998). Distribution records suggest the red fox moved into the Florida Panhandle during the 1950s and its subsequent expansion throughout the mainland peninsula is the result of immigration from bordering states and inten- tional and accidental introductions (Layne 1997). We report occurrence of the red fox from the barrier island region of east-central Florida. On 5 February 2002, we observed a red fox on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station (CCAFS), a 6,396 ha U.S. Air Force Installation located on the east coast of central Flor- ida in Brevard County (Fig. 1). At approximately 0800, the fox was traveling west along Central Control Road towards the CCAFS industrial area. It crossed the road several times, often running down the middle of it, and traveled along the vegetation beside the Figure 1. Red fox photographed on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Brevard County, Florida, 5 February 2002. Photograph by Kristina M. Herpich. ^Current Address: Dynamac Corporation, Mail Code DYN-2, Kennedy Space Center, Florida 32899 Notes 29 road. The fox appeared to be searching for food and was observed pouncing on and eat- ing a small, unidentified prey item. We observed the fox for approximately ten minutes and photographed it with a digital camera before it disappeared into the vegetation just before entering the industrial area. A road-killed red fox was reported the following day; however, efforts to obtain this specimen by JSW proved unsuccessful, as the fox had been picked up before it could be collected. Prior to this sighting, only anecdotal reports of “fox” sightings during nighttime deer surveys have been made, often without positive identification to species (Angy Cham- bers, pers. comm.). Other similar-sized predators found on the CCAFS include the na- tive gray fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus) and the bobcat (Lynx rufus). Gray foxes are only occasionally observed; bobcats are frequently observed. The CCAFS is one of three federal lands that support large, healthy populations of the federally threatened south- eastern beach mouse (Peromyscus polionotus niveiventris) (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Ser- vice 1993). This species as well as other native small mammals may be negatively impacted by red fox predation. The red fox was reported to excavate and subsequently destroy burrows of the Alabama beach mouse (P. p. ammobates) on Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge (Swilling and Holler 2002). Red foxes have also been cited as predators of sea turtle eggs and hatchlings, and of chicks of colonial ground-nesting birds such as Least Terns (Sterna antillarum) and Black Skimmers (Rynchops niger) (J. A. Gore in Layne 1997). Due to their similar feeding habits and habitat overlap, the red fox may be a significant competitor of the gray fox (Layne 1997), although Sunquist (1989) sug- gested that the coexistence of the two species in north-central Florida was facilitated by differences in habitat use and dietary preferences. As the most widespread reservoir of rabies (Chomel 1993), the red fox may have serious impacts on other mammals in this area as vectors of disease. Acknowledgments.— The 45th Space Wing CES/CEV provided helpful comments to an earlier draft of this note. We thank Clay Gordin of the 45th Space Wing Environmen- tal Flight for his support of the Environmental Support Contract. Literature Cited Chomel, B. B. 1993. The modern epidemiological aspects of rabies in the world. Compar- ative Immunology and Microbiology of Infectious Diseases 16:11-20. Layne, J. N. 1997. Nonindigenous mammals. Pages 157-186 in Strangers in Paradise: Impact and Management of Nonindigenous Species in Florida (D. Simberloff, D. C. Schmitz, and T. C. Brown, eds.). Island Press, Washington, D.C. Sherman, H. B. 1952. A list and bibliography of the mammals of Florida, living and ex- tinct. Quarterly Journal of the Florida Academy of Sciences 15:86-126. Sunquist, M. E. 1989. Comparison of spatial and temporal activity of red foxes and gray foxes in north-central Florida. Florida Field Naturalist 17:11-18. Swilling, W. R., Jr., and M. C. Wooten. 2002. Subadult dispersal in a monogamous species: the Alabama beach mouse (Peromyscus polionotus ammobates). Journal of Mammalogy 83:252-259. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1993. Recovery plan for the Anastasia Island and Southeastern beach mouse. Atlanta, Georgia. 30 pp. Whitaker, J. O., Jr., and W. J. Hamilton, Jr. 1998. Mammals of the eastern United States. Cornell University Press, Ithaca, NY. 30 REVIEWS Florida Field Naturalist 31(2):30-32, 2003. Saving Migrant Birds. Developing Strategies for the Future.— John Faaborg. 2002. University of Texas Press, Austin, Texas. 226 pp. $50.00 hardcover. ISBN 0-292- 72544-2. $22.95 paper. ISBN 0-292-72548-5. — An old saying warns us not to judge books by their covers. The admonition is certainly advisable in the realm of pulp fiction and bi- ographies, but one might consider it to be less of a concern when dealing with scientific literature, an arena where accuracy and precision are deemed fundamental. Based on the cover of John Faaborg’s new book Saving Migrant Birds, it might ap- pear easy to judge the path down which the book will head. The picture of a colorful Cape May Warbler {Dendroica tigrina) and accompanying title suggest another treatise on the “how” and “why” of saving the scores of migratory species that breed in North America and spend their winters at southern latitudes. After all, for years now we have heard that migratory birds were in serious decline; their plight served to launch the large-scale conservation initiative known as the Partners in Flight (PIF) program, a pro- gram that Faaborg discusses at length in this volume. Faaborg received a PIF Investigations Award in 1996 and has been at the forefront of much of the research on the effects of habitat fragmentation and loss on Neotropical mi- grants. At the inception of PIF, he was one of those who, in his words, . . got pretty depressed. . . .” when looking towards the future. Once inside the cover, however, the reader finds the problems and issues are much more complex than can be captured in glossy headlines. Yes, there are big questions fac- ing migratory birds — from domestic cats to communication towers to habitat fragmenta- tion— and population losses are certainly occurring. However, the tone of this book is far from alarmist. Instead, the book provides a critical, well-balanced review of recent ef- forts to conserve migratory birds, and Faaborg’s conclusions seem refreshingly at odds with the cover of the book. Chapters 1-3 address important background questions such as “What are neotropical migrants?” As Faaborg warns and Floridians, who live at a cross-roads between temper- ate and tropical realms, well know, there are no simple answers to this and many other fundamental questions. For example, PIF lists the Grasshopper Sparrow (Ammodramus savannarum) as a neotropical migrant even though Florida’s endemic subspecies does not migrate; PIF also lists the Painted Bunting (Passerina ciris) as a neotropical mi- grant though many populations that breed along the Atlantic seaboard winter in central and south Florida. These are examples geared towards Florida readers, but Faaborg provides a wealth of similar examples that show how difficult it can be to fit several hundred diverse highly mobile species under a single umbrella. Another simple question addressed in initial chapters concerns “How do we know they are declining?” Here, Faaborg notes that much of the concern over neotropical mi- grants arose following analyses of population trends suggested by Breeding Bird Sur- veys (BBS). The BBS represents one of the best avian monitoring programs available, but analytical tools applied to BBS data vary considerably and can influence interpreta- tions. The time period of the data set analyzed also is critical as it appears that some mi- gratory species shown to be declining in the late 1980s are now increasing. Faaborg concludes that we “must remember that many trends unveiled by BBS must be evalu- ated within the context of the strengths and weaknesses of this technique.” The presen- tation of the strengths and weaknesses f of such analytical approaches is a good review for both amateur and professional ornithologists. One potentially important problem not discussed is traffic noise associated with BBS. Traffic noise has doubtlessly increased dramatically since the BBS was established in the mid 1960s, and it likely influences detection rates during these road-side counts. Reviews 31 From this uncertain look at population declines, Faaborg moves in Chapters 4-6 to- ward a discussion of breeding season habitat and the influences that habitat fragmenta- tion has on breeding productivity and population dynamics. These chapters provide a concise overview of recent research on minimum area requirements, brood parasitism, predation, and food supply as well as numerous examples for how these factors change as habitat fragmentation increases. The range of research on these topics expanded greatly beginning in the mid 1980s, and Faaborg’s review of these studies provides a wealth of information, although few studies from Florida or the southeastern U.S. were included (studies that might have helped to demonstrate the geographic variation found in such studies). These chapters include a straightforward presentation of source-sink population dynamics models and their relation to population stability. These models of population dynamics have not been adequately tested, but several studies suggest that reproduction in and dispersal from “source” landscapes enable populations in less pro- ductive “sink” landscapes to persist. In Chapter 7 the author attempts to develop modern habitat management guidelines for migrants based on the recent research mentioned above. This chapter is perhaps the weakest in the book because, in my view, it provides guidelines that would seem vague and inconclusive to most land managers. When Faaborg states that, “Another reason to protect sink populations is that we scientists may be wrong,” I can see a confused look arising in the eyes of many land managers. I certainly agree with Faaborg when he rec- ommends that habitat quality, quantity, and context need to be considered, but the man- agement generalities he provides are only a little better than platitudes. In some senses Faaborg is committing the sin of over-generalizing that he is critical of elsewhere. I be- lieve a stronger approach might have been to provide these same general guidelines, but then to call for more specific regional research projects to provide detail concerning min- imum area requirements, sink habitats, and landscape composition. These issues will vary depending on the complex of species and habitats in question. The subheadings used in Chapter 7 also seemed disjointed. For example, a subhead- ing entitled “We Must Consider What Old-growth Vegetation Really Was” followed a subheading entitled “Fragments Might Make Good Stopover Habitat.” The progression could have been better organized, though I hasten to add that Chapter 7 also has some valuable tidbits to offer, including enlightening discussions of the role that post-breed- ing habitats may play as well as the value of “sink” habitats. Following the discussion of breeding season issues, the author shifts to look at habi- tat requirements and population dynamics during migration and over-wintering. Chap- ters 8-10 provide reviews of recent research in the areas of stop-over ecology, winter site-fidelity, and impacts of wintering habitat on breeding season productivity. Conclu- sions reached generally stress the need for additional research before we can determine if migrants face dire problems on their wintering grounds or during migration. Al- though the recent tragedies befalling populations of Dickcissels {Spiza americana) and Swainson’s Hawks {Buteo swainsoni) on their wintering grounds are clear exceptions, Faaborg contends that, while it is evident that problems on the wintering grounds or during migration might affect populations of neotropical migrants, it is less clear how influential changes in the tropics have been for most species. We need to look carefully at impacts throughout the lives of these species before we place blame on changes in wintering or stop-over habitats as the causes of their population declines. The concluding two chapters reiterate the cautionary tone established at the outset. Phrases such as “. , . most Neotropical migrants are not in the group that requires im- mediate concern. . . .” provide the clearest contrast with my initial impression of this book. In these chapters Faaborg presents a critical discussion of whether the establish- ment and direction of PIF have been appropriate and justified given what we now know about neotropical migrants. He offers support for the PIF program because (1) the PIF initiative was proactive; (2) PIF got land managers and research biologists talking; (3) 32 FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST PIF was inexpensive because it involved people who work for different agencies in a wide a variety of capacities; and (4) PIF helped to shift the perspectives of agencies tra- ditionally concerned with game species management. I agree that PIF has been an important program because of its popularity and its knack for getting some wildlife agencies to look beyond their traditional scopes, but I also believe Faaborg has under-estimated the expenses of this program in some situa- tions. The time that agency personnel spend on PIF issues is time not spent on other species or habitats of concern. Florida contains enough endemic and threatened species to keep a thousand researchers occupied for a thousand years, so how we direct our lim- ited time and resources is not insignificant. This is especially true given the trying bud- getary times that most agencies must now contend with. I highly recommend this book to amateur and professional ornithologists and espe- cially to the readers of Florida Field Naturalist. The book is well suited as a supplement for college classes in ornithology, but the text and format work well for serious amateur birders who are interested in catching up on recent research in such areas as wintering and stop-over ecology, habitat fragmentation, and brood parasitism. The text is lively and generally well written throughout and graphs are generally clear and well pre- sented. Although the book is short on pictures (and most pictures in the paper back ver- sion were reproduced poorly), the non-alarmist viewpoint that Faaborg offers is refreshing. We need to continue to invest in monitoring and studying these colorful birds that travel thousands of miles each year, but, as this potentially controversial book sug- gests, we should not believe the sky is falling. — James Cox, Tall Timbers Research Sta- tion, 13093 Henry Beadel Drive, Tallahassee, Florida 32312. 33 Florida Field Naturalist 31(2):33-45, 2003. FIELD OBSERVATIONS Fall Report: August-November 2002. — This report consists of significant bird ob- servations compiled by the Field Observations Committee (FOC). Submissions to the FOC should be in the following format: species, number of individuals, age and sex of the bird(s), color morph if applicable, location (including county), date, observer(s), and significance. Seasons are winter (December-February), spring (March-May), summer (June-July), and fall (August-November). Submit observations to regional compilers within two weeks after the close of each season, or to the state compiler within one month. Addresses of the compilers are found at the end of this report. We greatly prefer observations sent via e-mail. Sight-only observations are considered “reports” while only those supported by verifi- able evidence (photographs, video or audio tapes, or specimens) are called “records.” Species for which documentation is required by the FOS Records Committee (FOSRC; Bowman 2000, Fla. Field Nat. 28: 149-160) are marked here with an asterisk (*). A county designation {in italics) accompanies the first-time listing of each site in this re- port. Abbreviations in this report are: CP (county park); EOS (end of season); LARA (Lake Apopka Restoration Area; Orange)-, NWR (national wildlife refuge); SP (state park); SRA (state recreation area); STF (sewage treatment facility); and N, S, E, W etc. for compass directions. Bold-faced species denote birds newly reported or verified in Florida, or record counts. Summary of the Fall Season Migration this fall was relatively uneventful, although several rare species were found. Tropical storms Hanna and Isidore brought several pelagic species to shore in the western Panhandle. The clear avian highlights of the season were the three “first” reports for Florida: Slaty-backed Gull at Key West; Mangrove Swallow at Viera (the first for North America); and Hooded Oriole at Gulf Breeze, A Varied Thrush specimen from Panama City established the third or fourth verifiable Florida record, while the state’s first Gulf-coastal Bananaquit was photographed at Fort De Soto County Park. Several other FOSRC review species were reported. At least part of the mystery surrounding the provenance of the Snake Bight flock of Greater Flamingos was solved when a bird color-banded as a hatchling in Mexico was photographed in Florida. Species Accounts Pelagic species: the table below shows the results of three pelagic trips S of Islamor- ada {Monroe) this season (J. Boyd et ah). 17 Aug 24 Aug 6 Oct Cory’s Shearwater 2 2 0 Greater Shearwater 0 1 0 Audubon’s Shearwater 0 2 0 Wilson’s Storm-Petrel 1 1 0 Band-rumped Storm-Petrel 1 0 0 storm-petrel species 0 1 0 Masked Booby 1 0 0 Brown Booby 4 2 >25 34 FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST 17 Aug 24 Aug 6 Oct Glossy Ibis 0 59 0 Red-necked Phalarope 0 0 1 Pomarine Jaeger 0 0 2 Arctic Tern 0 1 0 Roseate Tern 0 3 0 Bridled Tern 40 >40 3 Sooty Tern >400 >200 0 Brown Noddy 24 24 0 Common Loon: 1 in breeding plumage at Alligator Point {Franklin) 15 Sep (J, Murphy). Eared Grebe: singles at Springhill STF {Leon) 28 Sep (G. Menk et al.) and 15 Oct (B. Ahern), and 2 there 25 Oct (G. Menk); 1 at Fort Walton Beach STF {Okaloosa) 16-29 Nov (D. Ware, B. Duncan et al.); 1 at LARA 24 Nov (H. Robinson). Cory’s Shearwater: 120 off Ponce Inlet {Volusia) 7 Sep (B. Ahern, D. Simpson et al.), and 130 there 15 Sep (M. Gardler et al.); 16 observed from shore at John U. Lloyd SP {Bro- ward) 20 Sep (M. Berney); 1 from Crandon Beach {Miami-Dade) 18 Nov (R. Diaz). Audubon’s Shearwater: 5 off Ponce Inlet 7 Sep (B. Ahern, D. Simpson et al.), and 40 there 15 Sep (M. Gardler et al.); 8 birds 6-19 km off Hillsboro Inlet {Broward) 3 Nov (M. Berney). Wilson’s Storm-Petrel: singles 11 and 28 km off Hillsboro Inlet 3 Nov (M. Berney). Leach’s Storm-Petrel: 1 bird 24 km off Hillsboro Inlet 4 Aug (M. Berney). *Red-BILLED Tropicbird: 1 adult found near Destin {Okaloosa) during Tropical Storm Hanna 14 Sep was released at Tampa in Oct (M. Coerver, photos to FOC). Masked Booby: 1 adult off Ponce Inlet 15 Sep (M. Gardler et al.). Brown Booby: 1 immature off Volusia 15 Sep (M. Gardler et ah); 1 at Gulf Breeze {Santa Rosa) 26 Sep (B. and L. Duncan et al.); 1 at Alligator Point 26 Sep (J. Murphy); 1 in Gulf 29 Sep (T. Lewis, specimen to UF). Red-footed Booby: 1 dark-morph juvenile in Walton 16 Sep died in captivity (L. Feni- more, specimen to Pensacola Junior College); 1 dark-morph adult at Gulf Breeze {Santa Rosa) 28 Sep died the next day (T. Wickes, T. Hughes, specimen to UF); 1 adult in Gulf 26 Sep died several days later (S. Watson, T. Lewis, specimen to UF). American White Pelican: 41 at LARA 7 Aug (H. Robinson); 1 at Gullivan Key, Ten Thousand Islands NWR {Collier) 12 Aug (S. Magerowski); up to 96 at Newnans Lake {Alachua) to 18 Aug (R. Rowan); 1700 at Polk phosphate mines 20 Nov (P. Fellers). AnhingA: 1 over Key Largo State Botanical Site {Monroe) 8 Sep and another elsewhere on the island 17 Oct (B. Mulrooney). Magnificent Frigatebird: 7 at St. Marks NWR {Wakulla) after Tropical Storm Isidore 24 Sep (J. Cavanagh); 1 at Apollo Beach, Canaveral National Seashore {Volusia) 8 Nov (D. Simpson). American Bittern: 1 at LARA 25 Aug, and 10 there 22 Sep (H. Robinson). Great Blue Heron: 1500 passed Fort Clinch SP {Nassau) in three hours 10 Oct (P. Leary); 50+ passed Guana River SP {St. Johns) 12 Oct (J. Holstein). “Great White Heron:” 1 at Viera Wetlands {Brevard) 25 Aug (D. Simpson). Great Egret: 520 at Polk mines 20 Nov (P. Fellers). Cattle Egret x Snowy Egret: 1 apparent hybrid at Big Talbot Island SP {Duval) 4 Aug (J. Holstein). Reddish Egret: 4 at Huguenot Park, Jacksonville 4 Aug (J. Holstein); 12 (10 dark and 2 white) at Hagen’s Cove {Taylor) 28 Nov (D. Simpson). Sacred Ibis: multiple birds at West Palm Beach {Palm Beach) 19 Oct (H. Fein). Field Observations 35 Roseate Spoonbill: 4 at Big Talbot Island SP 4 Aug (J. Holstein); 2 at Orange Lake {Alachua) 6 Aug (K. Runyon); 1 at Gulf Breeze 27 Sep (P. Baker, B, and L. Duncan); 1 adult at Springhill Road STF 27 Sep (J. Cavanagh); 4 near Lake Wales {Polk) 28 Sep (T. Palmer); 16 at Polk mines 10 Nov (P= Timmer, C. Geanangel); 6 at Fernandina Beach {Nassau) 23 Nov (P. Leary) were late. Wood Stork: 4 over Key Largo 16 Oct (B. Mulrooney); 1 at Fort Walton Beach STF {Okaloosa) 31 Oct (B. Monk). Black Vulture: 1 over Key Largo State Botanical Site 18 Oct (B. Mulrooney). Greater Flamingo: 1 presumed escapee at SE Hillsborough Bay {Hillsborough) 9 Oct (R. Paul); 1 color-banded bird (“DFJV”) at Snake Bight 24 Oct (R. Wood, photo to FOG) had been banded as a hatchling at Ria Lagartos Biosphere Reserve, Yucatan, Mexico 12 Aug 2000 {fide R. Migoya); 1 at Grassy Key {Monroe) 10 Nov (B. Mulrooney, G. Phillips). Fulvous Whistling-Duck: up to 14 at Newnans Lake through the season (R. Rowan et aL). Black-bellied Whistling-Duck: 3 at Guana River SP 11 Aug (C. Adams); 10 at Emer- alda Marsh Conservation Area {Lake) 15 Aug (J. Puschock); ca. 60 at Newnans Lake 27 Aug, including 2 broods of ducklings that were banded (J. Benedict); brood of 5 downy young at Gainesville 1 Oct (P. Burns); 3 juveniles at Springhill Road STF 30- 31 Oct (G. Menk); 40 at Lake Poinsett {Brevard) 13 Nov (D. Simpson). Greater White-fronted Goose: 1 at Tiger Point {Santa Rosa) 8-19 Nov (B. Bremser); 1 at Fort Walton Beach STF 18-29 Nov (B. Monk, B. and L. Duncan et ah); 1 at Hague {Alachua) 20-22 Nov (P. Burns et ah). Snow Goose: 2 at Merritt Island NWR {Brevard) 17 Sep (M. Gardler), and 2 blue morphs there 14-16 Nov (J. Puschock); 1 at Gainesville 8 Nov (M. Meisenburg); 2 at LARA 24 Nov (H. Robinson), Canada Goose: 6 at Big Talbot Island SP 4 Aug (J. Holstein). Egyptian Goose: 1 nest with 3 eggs on an island in the Indian River Lagoon {Martin) 10 Sep (G. Braun et aL); 3 “fairly tame” birds at St. Marks NWR 29 Oct (J. Reinman). American Black Duck: 2 at LARA 16 Oct (H. Robinson). Mottled Duck: 3 in Okaloosa 13 Aug (D. Ware). Mallard: 1 at Newnans Lake 15 Sep (R. Rowan); 7 at Merritt Island NWR 29 Nov (D. Simpson). Cinnamon Teal: 1 adult female at Viera Wetlands 14 Sep (D. Simpson, details to FOC). Northern Shoveler: 1 female at Indigenous Park, Key West {Monroe) 10 Sep (B. Mul- rooney). Gadwall: 2 at Springhill STF 15 Oct (B. Ahern); 50 at Hagen’s Cove 28 Nov (D. Simp- son). Greater Scaup: 2 at St. Marks NWR 4 Nov (J. Dozier); 2 at Apollo Beach 8 Nov (D. Sim- pson); 1 female at Blue Heron STF, Titusville {Brevard) 12 Nov (D. Simpson); 2 at LARA 21-24 Nov (H. Robinson); 2 at Hagen’s Cove 28 Nov (D. Simpson); 1 at Kings Bay {Citrus) 29 Nov (A. and R. Paul). Long-tailed Duck: 1 passed Apollo Beach 8 Nov (D, Simpson); 1 female at St. Marks NWR 27 Nov (D. Simpson). Black Scoter: 26 passed Apollo Beach 8 Nov (D. Simpson); 3 at Alligator Point 10 Nov (J. Dozier, J. Murphy). Surf Scoter: 1 at Springhill Road STF 2 Nov (M. Evans et ah); 1 at St. Marks NWR 6 Nov (J. Dozier); 7 passed Apollo Beach 8 Nov (D. Simpson); 2 at Indian Shores {Pinel- las) 16 Nov (J. Fisher); 1 female at Bunche Beach {Lee) 25 Nov-EOS {fide C. Ewell); 1 at Kings Bay 29 Nov (A. and R, Paul). White-winged Scoter: 1 at Fort Walton STF 7-9 Nov (B. and L. Duncan et aL); 1 at Mims {Brevard) 7-17 Nov (D. Simpson); 1 at St. Marks NWR 6-11 Nov (J. Dozier, B. Ahern); 6 at Pine Island CP {Hernando) 27 Nov (A. Kent). Scoters: mixed flock of 4 Surf, 2 White-winged, and 2 Black scoters, all females and im- matures, at Alligator Point 19 Nov (J, Krummrich). 36 FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST Bufflehead: 40 at St. Marks NWR 6 Nov (J. Dozier). Ruddy Duck: 620 at Polk mines 20 Nov (P. Fellers). Swallow-tailed Kite: 43 at LARA 4 Aug (H. Robinson); 42 over Gulf Breeze 7 Aug (B. Duncan); 43 over Key Largo 24 Aug (B. Mulrooney). Mississippi Kite: 2 juveniles at Frog Pond WMA (Miami-Dade) 26 Aug (D. La Puma, M. Davis). Snail Kite: 1 at LARA 14 Aug (H. Robinson); 1 in SW Collier 4 Oct-EOS (J. Bouton, T, Doyle, K. O'Reilly-Doyle). Northern Harrier: 1 at LARA 4 Aug (H. Robinson). Cooper’s Hawk: 21 at LARA 7 Aug (H. Robinson). Broad-winged Hawk: singles at LARA 18 Aug and 2 Oct (H. Robinson); 4 over Moses Creek Conservation Area {St. Johns) 5 Oct (B. Pranty, G. Basili, H. Lovell). Short-tailed Hawk: 1 dark morph SW of Zephyrhills (Pasco) 8 Aug (E. Kwater); up to 2 light morph at Saddle Creek CP (Polk) 8 Aug-16 Oct (B. Ahern, P. Fellers et al.); 2 (1 light and 1 dark) at Weeki Wachee (Hernando) 15-16 Aug (M. Gardler), 2 light morphs 9 km NW of Haines City (Polk) 21 Aug (E. Kwater); 2 (1 light and 1 dark) at Fort Drum (Okeechobee) 2 Oct (M. Gardler); 1 dark morph at Weekiwachee Preserve (Hernando) 12 Oct (C. Black, B. Wheeler); 1 at Gainesville 9 Nov (B. and J. Bolte); 1 dark morph at Captiva Island (Lee) 20 Nov (V. McGrath); 1 dark morph at Pumpkin River, Ten Thousand Islands NWR 30 Nov (T. Doyle et al.). Swainson’S Hawk: 1 at Long Key SP (Monroe) 21 Oct (J. Murphy); 1 at LARA 17 Nov (H. Robinson). Crested Caracara: 12 along 16 km of SR-60 E of Lake Wales (Polk) 17 Aug (B. Ahern). Merlin: 4 hunted warblers roosting at Green Key, New Port Richey (Pasco) 23 Nov (K. Tracey). Peregrine Falcon: 1 at Polk mines 21 Aug (P. Timmer); 75 passed Fort Clinch SP in 4 hours 9 Oct, and 93 there in 3 hours 10 Oct (both P. Leary); 141 total at Guana River SP 27 Sep-12 Oct (B. Stoll et al.). Red Junglefowl: multiple reports from Key West: 11 at Indigenous Park 23 Aug in- cluding several young; 1 at Fort Zachary Taylor SP 23 Aug; and 5 at the Botanical Gardens 5 Oct (D. Simpson). Black Rail: 1 at Buck Island Ranch (Highlands) 22 Aug (M. McMillian); 2 at Paynes Prairie Preserve SP (Alachua) 31 Aug-3 Sep (H. Adams, J. Hintermister, B. Simons). Virginia Rail: 5 at Fort Pickens (Escambia) 25 Nov (D. Simpson). Purple SwampheN: 2 just W of Markham CP (Broward) 28 Nov (B. Roberts). Purple GallinulE: 1 at Key West 5 Oct (D. Simpson); 1 at St. Marks NWR 27 Nov (D. Simpson). American Coot: 21,000 at Polk mines 20 Nov (P. Fellers). Limpkin: up to 12 foraged in a “roadside ditch” in SW Collier through the season (T. Doyle, K. O’Reilly-Doyle). Sandhill Crane: 1 at Navarre (Santa Rosa) 25 Oct (B. Goode); 1 at Pensacola (Escam- bia) 5 Nov (L. Duncan, B. Tetlow); 5 at Bayou Grande (Escambia) 24 Nov (C. Davis); 9 over Hagen’s Cove 28 Nov (D. Simpson). American Golden-Plover: 1 at Crandon Beach 14 Aug, and 2 there 7 Nov (R. Diaz); 2 in N Duval 8 Sep (R. Clark); 1 at Jetty Park (Brevard) 17 Nov (M, Gardler); 1 at East Everglades 23 Nov (L. Manfredi). Snowy Plover: 12 at Fort De Soto CP 13 Sep (D. Simpson); 15 at Honeymoon Island SRA (Pinellas) 21 Sep (E. Kwater); 25 at Three Rooker Island (Pinellas) 22 Sep (E. Kwater); 1 at Nassau Sound (Duval) 20 Oct for the third year, and 2 there 24 Nov (P. Leary). Wilson’s Plover: 52 at Huguenot Memorial Park (Duval) 1 Aug (R. Clark); 25 at Court- ney Campbell Causeway (Hillsborough) 28 Sep (E. Kwater). Semipalmated Plover: 14 at LARA 25 Aug (H. Robinson). Field Observations 37 Piping Plover: 1 at Sebastian Inlet SRA {Brevard) 4 Aug (D. Simpson); 1 at Ohio Key {Monroe) 22 Aug (D. Simpson); 1 at Jupiter Inlet Colony {Martin) 4 Sep (J. Mailman); 1 at Whitehorse Key, Ten Thousand Islands NWR 19 Oct (T. Below). American Oystercatcher: 65 at Alafia Bank {Hillsborough) 11 Nov (R. Paul). Black-necked Stilt: 2 adults and 5 young at Newnans Lake 4 Aug (R. Rowan); 1 at Hague 19 Oct (M. Manetz). American Avocet: 2 at Springhill Road STF 23 Aug (G. Menk); 1 at LARA 8-26 Sep (H. Robinson); 5 at Fort De Soto CP 7 Oct (J. Dozier, K. Nelson); 9 at Long Rock Shoal, Ten Thousand Islands NWR 9 Oct (D. Suitor); 8 at Green Key 21 Oct (K. Tracey); 2 W of Holiday {Pasco) 4 Nov (K. Tracey); 4 at Nassau Sound 8 Nov (P. Leary); 30 at Cedar Key {Levy) 14 Nov (J. Hintermister); 62 at Polk mines 20 Nov (P. Fellers). Solitary Sandpiper: 1 at Kissimmee Prairie Preserve SP {Okeechobee) 17 Aug (B. Ah- ern, B. Cooper); 1 at Hague 29 Nov (A. Kent). Spotted Sandpiper: 1 at Hague 29 Nov (A. Kent). Upland Sandpiper: 5 at Frog Pond WMA 11 Aug (B. Boeringer, J. Boyd, R. Diaz), and 7 there 13 Aug (M. Davis, D. La Puma); 23 in SW Palm Beach 22 Aug (D. Simpson); 7 at Tram Road STF {Leon) 29 Aug (G. Menk, J. Cavanagh); 1 at S Fort Myers (Lee) 13 Sep (B. Postmus et ah). Whimbrel: 1 at Green Key 21 Oct (K. Tracey); 12 at St. Augustine {St. Johns) 10 Nov (J. Holstein, J. Baker). Long-billed Curlew: 1 at Bunche Beach (Lee) 21 Sep-EOS (B. Postmus et al.); 1 at Fort De Soto CP 22 Sep (E. Kwater); 1 at Big Bird Island {Nassau) 20 Oct (P. Leary); 3 at Alafia Bank 11 Nov (R. Paul). Hudsonian Godwit: possibly the same juvenile at Springhill Road STF, Tallahassee 14- 17 Oct (G. Menk et al.) and Lake Jackson, Tallahassee 5 Nov (M. Hill, photos to FOC). Marbled Godwit: 1 at Crandon Beach 12 Aug (R. Diaz); 2 at Gulf Breeze 15-25 Aug (B. Duncan et al.); 40+ at Cedar Key 26 Oct (R. Rowan). Semipalmated Sandpiper: 2 “closely studied” at the FIND site {Brevard) 12 Nov (D. Simpson). Least Sandpiper: 1450 at Polk mines 20 Nov (P. Fellers). White-rumped Sandpiper: 1 at Merritt Island NWR 1 Sep (D. Simpson); up to 2 at LARA 4-26 Sep (H. Robinson); 1 at East Everglades 8 Sep (D. La Puma). Baird’s Sandpiper: 1 at Fort Walton Beach STF 22 Oct (B. and L. Duncan et al.). Pectoral Sandpiper: 25 at Viera Wetlands 23 Aug (B. Ahern); 2 at Hague 19-25 Oct (M. Manetz, J. Hintermister). Purple Sandpiper: 1 at Fort Clinch SP 9 Nov (J. Holstein, J. Baker). Dunlin: 2 at Springhill STF 15 Oct (B. Ahern); 1 at Gainesville 1 Nov (S. Flamand, R. Rowan). Stilt Sandpiper: 1 juvenile at Honeymoon Island SRA 21 Sep (E. Kwater). Buff-breasted Sandpiper: 1 W of St. Augustine 26 Aug (J. Hintermister); 3 in N Duval 8 Sep (R. Clark); 1 at LARA 15 Sep (H. Robinson). Wilson’s Snipe: 1 at Indigenous Park 1 Oct (B. Mulrooney). Wilson’s Phalarope: 2 at East Everglades 13 Aug (F. Jeff); 2 in SW Palm Beach 22 Aug (D. Simpson); 2 at LARA 25 Aug (H. Robinson); 2 at Merritt Island NWR 1 Sep (D. Simpson); 6 at Springhill Road STF 15 Sep (J. Skalickey). Red-necked Phalarope: 10 birds 11 km off Hillsboro Inlet 2 Sep (M. Berney); 3 off Ponce Inlet 7 Sep (B. Ahern et al.), and 6 there 15 Sep (M. Gardler et al.); 1 at Seagrove Beach {Walton) 20 Sep died at a rehabilitation facility (B. Duncan, specimen to Pensacola Jun- ior College); 1 near Islamorada Hump {Monroe) 6 Oct (M. Berney, L. Manfredi et al.). Red Phalarope: singles off Ponce Inlet 7 Sep (B. Ahern) and 15 Sep (M. Gardler). POMARINE Jaeger: 2 birds 11 km off Hillsboro Inlet 2 Sep, and 1 adult 16 km off there 3 Nov (M. Berney); 2 off Ponce Inlet 7 Sep (B. Ahern, D. Simpson et al.); 67 passed Apollo Beach 8 Nov (D. Simpson); 17 in a “tight flock” passed Lloyd SP 9 Nov (M. Berney). 38 FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST Parasitic Jaeger: 1 off Ponce Inlet 7 Sep (B. Ahern, D. Simpson et al.); 1 adult from Lloyd SP 19 Sep (M. Berney); 2 from Turtle Mound 13 Oct (D. Simpson); 3 from Apollo Beach 8 Nov (D. Simpson). Long-tailed Jaeger: 1 off Ponce Inlet 7 Sep (B. Ahern, D. Simpson et al.). Laughing Gull: 4200 at Huguenot Memorial Park 21 Aug (R. Clark); 5320 at Polk mines 20 Nov (P. Fellers). Franklin’s Gull: 1 at Fort Pickens 27 Oct (B. Duncan); 1 at Alligator Point 18 Nov (J. Murphy). Bonaparte’s Gull: 1 at Bald Point {Franklin) 9 Sep (J. Dozier, J. Murphy). Lesser Black-backed Gull: 1 at Huguenot Memorial Park 4 Aug (J. Holstein); 8 at Anastasia SRA {St. Johns) 4 Sep (J. Hintermister); 1 at Fort De Soto CP 22 Sep (E. Kwater); 1 at Fort Pickens 4 Nov (B. Duncan, J. French); 1 at Pensacola 6-8 Nov (L. Duncan, D. Ware et al.); 56 at Jetty Park 13 Nov, and 97 there 17 Nov (M. Gardler). *Slaty-BACKED Gull {Larus schistisagus): 1 at Key West 21 Sep- 17 Oct (G. Phillips, M. Hedden, A. and B. Hansen et al., photos to FOC by J. Weber). Great Black-backed Gull: 1 at Three Rooker Island {Pinellas) 3 Aug (K. Tracey, M. Korosy et al.); 1 at Jupiter Inlet Colony 16 Oct (J. Hailman); 17 at Jetty Park 13 Nov, and 26 there 17 Nov (M. Gardler). Black-legged Kittiwake: 1 juvenile at Turtle Mound, Canaveral National Seashore 29 Nov (B. Mulrooney). Gull-billed Tern: 1 at Pine Island CP 13 Sep (M. Gardler); 1 at Long Rock Shoal, Ten Thousand Islands NWR 1 Oct (D. Suitor); 1 at Green Key 14 Oct and 2 there 21 Oct (K. Tracey); 4 at Polk mines 20 Nov (P. Fellers). Royal Tern: 1500 at Huguenot Memorial Park 21 Aug (R. Clark). Sandwich Tern: 225 at Huguenot Memorial Park 21 Aug (R. Clark); 92 at Polk phos- phate mines 21 Sep (P. Timmer); 1 at Fort Pickens 25 Nov (D. Simpson). Common Tern: 2 in breeding plumage at Crandon Beach 20 Aug (R. Diaz); 195 at Hu- guenot Memorial Park 21 Aug (R. Clark); 15 off Ponce Inlet 15 Sep (M. Gardler); 1500 at Honeymoon Island SRA 21 Sep (E. Kwater); 1 at Long Rock Shoal, Ten Thousand Islands NWR 9 Oct (D. Suitor); 4 at Jetty Park 13 Nov (M. Gardler); 1 at Fort Myers Beach {Lee) 30 Nov (C. Ewell). ^Arctic Tern: 1 adult off Islamorada 24 Aug (B. Mulrooney et ah, details to FOC). Least Tern: 1567 (675 adults and 892 juveniles) along the Pinellas coast from Anclote Key to Fort De Soto CP 3 Aug (J. King et al.); 350 at Gandy Causeway {Hillsborough) 9 Sep (E. Kwater). Bridled Tern: 20 off Ponce Inlet 7 Sep (B. Ahern, D. Simpson et al.); 2 at Pensacola 15 Sep (A. and D. Forster et ah); 15-20 in Pensacola Bay {Escambia and Santa Rosa) 26 Sep (B. and L. Duncan et al.). Sooty Tern: 75 off Ponce Inlet 7 Sep (B. Ahern, D. Simpson et ah); 2 at St. Marks NWR 25 Sep (J. Cavanagh); 1 at Bald Point 25 Sep (J. Dozier); several at three locations at Pensacola during Tropical Storm Isidore 26 Sep (B. and L. Duncan et al.); 1 at Gulf Breeze 27 Sep (L. Duncan); 1 at Pensacola Beach 4 Oct (B, and L. Duncan). Black Tern: 1 at Crandon Beach 15 Aug (R. Diaz); 275 at Huguenot Memorial Park 21 Aug (R. Clark); 60 off Ponce Inlet 15 Sep (M. Gardler et al.); 1 at Jupiter Inlet Colony 18 Sep (J. Hailman); 210 at Courtney Campbell Causeway {Hillsborough) 16 Oct (E. Kwater); 1 at Lakeland {Polk) 9 Nov (P. Fellers et al). Black Skimmer: 244 at Polk mines 20 Nov (P. Fellers). White-crowned Pigeon: 150 fed on Pigeon Plum at No Name Key {Monroe) 23 Aug (D. Simpson). Eurasian Collared-Dove: 1 at Dry Tortugas NP {Monroe) 14 Oct (B. Mulrooney). White-winged Dove: 30+ at Gainesville 1 Aug-EOS (R. Rowan et ah); 15 at Lake City {Columbia) 9 Aug {fide J. Ault); up to 25 at Newberry {Alachua) 23 Aug-15 Oct (J. Hintermister); 15 at LARA 25 Aug (H. Robinson); 1 at Dry Tortugas NP 14 Oct Field Observations 39 (B, Mulrooney); 1 at Bald Point 1 Nov was the “first of many” (J. Dozier); 9 at Lake Poinsett {Brevard) 13 Nov (D. Simpson). COCKATIEL: 1 at LARA 2 Sep (H. Robinson). Budgerigar: 68 at the Bayonet Point {Pasco) roost 16 Sep (K. Tracey). Rose-ringed Parakeet: 15 at Cape Coral (Lee) 27 Nov (C. Ewell). Monk Parakeet: 25 at Auburndale {Polk) 3 Aug (L. Albright). Blue-crowned Parakeet: 1 at Key West 23 Aug appeared paired with a Mitred Para- keet (D. Simpson). Red-masked Parakeet: 20 at Ocean Reef Resort, Upper Key Largo 3 Aug (C. and K. Radamaker); 60 at Fort Lauderdale {Broward) 30 Nov (D. Simpson). Black-billed Cuckoo: 1 at Gainesville 2-3 Aug (R. Norton); 1 at Frog Pond WMA 28 Aug (D. La Puma, M. Davis); 1 in Leon 17 Sep (G. Menk); 1 at Alachua {Alachua) 8 Oct (C. Graham); 1 at Paynes Prairie Preserve SP 15 Oct (M. Manetz); 2 at Starkey Wilderness Park 19 Oct (K. and L. Tracey, J. McKay et ah); 1 juvenile at Fort De Soto CP 21-23 Oct (M. Wilkinson et ah). Yellow-billed Cuckoo: 25 at Fort Drum 1-3 Oct (M. Gardler); 20+ at Pa3mes Prairie Pre- serve SP 16 Oct (M. Landsman, P. Burns et al.); 1 at Lakeland 9 Nov (P. Fellers et ah). Smooth-billed Ani: 1 at Indigenous Park 23 Aug-9 Sep (D. Simpson, B. Mulrooney et al.); 2 at Fort Zachary Taylor SP 23 Aug (D. Simpson); 2 at Long Key SP {Monroe) 25 Sep (B. Mulrooney). Groove-billed Ani: 1 at Fort Walton Beach STF 14 Oct-9 Nov (L. Fenimore, B. Monk et al.); 1 at Okaloosa Island {Okaloosa) 15 Oct (B. Monk); 1 at Fort Pickens 26 Nov (B. Duncan). Short-eared Owl: 1 at LARA 29 Nov (H. Robinson). *Northern Saw-whet Owl: 1 heard predawn at LARA 5 Nov (H. Robinson). Lesser Nighthawk: 1 female at Scotsmoor {Brevard) 15 Nov (D. Simpson); 3 at Eco Pond, Everglades NP {Monroe) 22 Nov (L. Manfredi). Common Nighthawk: 2094 over New Port Richey in 75 minutes, 11 Sep (K. Tracey); 1233 over LARA 11 Sep (H. Robinson); 1000s over 1-75 at SR-50 {Hernando) 14 Sep (M. Gardler); 300+ at Gainesville 18 Sep (B. Wallace). Chimney Swift: 250 at LARA 2 Oct (H. Robinson); “thousands” over Tallahassee 16 Oct (J. Skalickey). Chaetura SPECIES: 1 at Viera Wetlands 21 Nov (G. Beaton et al.). Rufous Hummingbird: 2 males at Gainesville all season, with the first arriving 29 Aug {fide R. Rowan); 1 male at Spring Hill {Hernando) 3-6 Sep (A. and E. Maywalt et al.); 1 in Franklin 28 Nov later was banded (J. Murphy, J. Dozier). Selasphorus SPECIES: 11 in Alachua variously through the season (G. Hart, P. Burns et al.); 1 at Jacksonville {Duval) 12 Sep (P. Powell); 1 in Leon 21 Sep (R. Lengacher); 1 banded bird at Spring Hill 1 Oct-5 Nov (A. and E. Maywalt et al.); 1 at Everglades NP {Miami-Dade) 19 Nov-EOS (J. Boyd et al.). Red-headed Woodpecker: 1 at Guana River SP 12 Oct (J. Holstein, B. Stoll). Olive-sided Flycatcher: 1 at Honeymoon Island SRA 14 Sep (D. Simpson, details to FOC); 1 at Lochloosa WMA {Alachua) 21 Sep (G. Kiltie, R. Kiltie, P. Orr). Eastern Wood-Pewee: 11 at Dunedin Hammock 14 Sep (P. Fellers, S. Riffe); 1 at LARA 9 Nov (H. Robinson); 1 at Bill Baggs/Cape Florida SP {Miami-Dade) 11-12 Nov (R. Diaz, M. Davis); 1 at Walsingham Park, Largo {Pinellas) 12 Nov (J. Fisher). Yellow-bellied Flycatcher; 1 heard calling at Bald Point 13 Sep (J. Dozier, J. Mur- phy); 1 at Tallahassee 16 Sep (J. Cavanagh, details to FOC); 1 banded at Key Largo 27 Sep (B. Mulrooney). Acadian Flycatcher: 8 at Dunedin Hammock 14 Sep (P. Fellers, S. Riffe); 7 at Saddle Creek CP 30 Sep (P. Fellers); 4 at Fort Drum 1-3 Oct (M. Gardler). “Traill’s” Flycatcher: 2 at Emeralda Marsh 11 Sep (J. Puschock). Least Flycatcher: 4 in SW Palm Beach 22 Aug (D. Simpson); 1 at Sanibel Lighthouse Park {Lee) 9 Sep (V. McGrath). 40 FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST Empidonax SPECIES: 1 at Paynes Prairie Preserve SP 11 Nov (M. Manetz). Eastern Phoebe: 1 at Starkey Wilderness Park, New Port Richey 31 Aug (K. Tracey); 1 at San Felasco Hammock Preserve SP {Alachua) 21 Sep (K. Sieving); 201 at LARA 9 Nov (H. Robinson). Vermilion Flycatcher: 1 female-plumaged at Bald Point 8 Oct (J. Murphy); 1 adult male at Fort Walton Beach STF 22 Oct-16 Nov (L. Duncan, C. Cameron et ah). Ash-throated Flycatcher: 1 at Fort Walton Beach STF 4 Oct-29 Nov (L. Fenimore et al.). Great Crested Flycatcher: 1 at Fort Pickens 25 Nov (D. Simpson). Brown-crested Flycatcher: 1 at Frog Pond WMA 30 Nov (R. Diaz). *Tropical Kingbird: 1 reportedly heard calling at St. Marks NWR 19 Oct-EOS (T. Cur- tis et ah). *Tropical/Couch’S Kingbird: 1 in SW Palm Beach 3 Aug (J. Boyd et ah). *Cassin’S Kingbird: 1 at LARA 9 Nov-EOS (H. Robinson). Western Kingbird: 1 at Bald Point 29 Sep (J. Dozier, J. Murphy); singles at Cedar Key 26 Oct (R. Rowan) and 6 Nov (D. Henderson); 1 at Hillsborough River SP {Hillsbor- ough) 1 Nov (K. Allen); 1 near Sand Cut {Palm Beach) 24 Nov (J. Hailman); 1 at Alli- gator Point 25 Nov (J. Dozier). Eastern Kingbird: 200 over Fort George Island {Duval) 27 Aug (R. Clark); 500 roosted in mangroves at Key Largo 5 Sep (B. Mulrooney); 165 at Merritt Island NWR 14 Sep (D. Simpson); 1 at Fort De Soto CP 25 Nov (L. Atherton, I. Hernandez, photo to FOC). Gray Kingbird: 20 at Cedar Key 23 Aug (J. Hintermister); 1 at LARA 25 Aug (H. Rob- inson); 1 near Big Bear Beach {Glades) 28 Nov (J. Hailman). SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER: 5 variously at Bald Point between 6 Oct and 11 Nov (J. Murphy, J. Dozier); 1 at Sanibel Lighthouse Park 14 Oct (V. McGrath); 1 at Dry Tortugas NP 14 Oct (B, Mulrooney, G. Phillips); up to 4 at Seven Springs {Pasco) 7 Nov-EOS (D. Robinson, K. Tracey, R. Smart et al.); 3 at Weekiwachee Preserve 9 Nov (M. Gardler, C. Black et al.). Loggerhead Shrike: 17 at Fort De Soto CP 7 Oct (J. Dozier, K. Nelson), Bell’s VireO: one at Half Moon WMA {Sumter) 2 Oct (J. Krummrich); one at Hugh Tay- lor Birch SP, Fort Lauderdale {Broward) 4-18 Oct (W. George, R. MacGregor); one at Frog Pond WMA {Miami-Dade) 12 Oct (M. Berney); 1 at Deering Estate {Miami- Dade) 25 Oct (J. Rosenfield, M. Wheeler). Blue-headed Vireo: 1 at Saddle Creek CP {Polk) 2 Sep (P. Fellers, B. Snow, L. Albright). Warbling Vireo: one at Key West 5 Oct (D. Simpson, details to FOC); 1 at Deering Es- tate 11 Oct (M. Wheeler). Philadelphia Vireo: 2 at Alachua 14 Sep (B. Wallace); 2 at A.D. Barnes Park 14-15 Oct (J. Rosenfield, M. Wheeler); 1 at Bill Baggs/Cape Florida 1 Nov (M. Davis). Red-eyed Vireo: 1 at Newnans Lake 8 Nov (R. Rowan, B. Simons). *Yellow-GREEN VireO: 1 at Indigenous Park 9 Sep (B. Mulrooney, details to FOC); 1 at Fort De Soto CP 11 Sep (L. Atherton et al., details to FOC). Black-whiskered Vireo: 10 at No Name Key 23 Aug (D. Simpson). Tree Swallow: 1 in SW Palm Beach 22 Aug (D. Simpson). *Mangrove Swallow {Tachycineta albilinea): 1 at Viera Wetlands 18-21 Nov (M. Gardler et al., photos to FOSRC by J. Puschock, J. Boyd, and L. Atherton). After examining museum specimens of Mangrove and White-rumped (T, leucorrhoa) swal- lows, plumage characteristics seem to rule out the latter species {fide L. Atherton). Formal details will be published in North American Birds. Bank Swallow: 22 in SW Palm Beach 22 Aug (D. Simpson); 30 at Stick Marsh {Brevard and Indian River) 28 Aug (D. Simpson); 41 at LARA 4 Sep (H. Robinson); 4 at New Port Richey 5 Sep, and 2 nearby 15 Sep (K. Tracey). Cliff Swallow: 10 at McIntosh {Marion) 20 Aug (R. Rowan); 2 in SW Palm Beach 22 Aug (D. Simpson); 20 at Stick Marsh 28 Aug (D. Simpson); 3 at Hague 11 Sep Field Observations 41 (M. Manetz); 1 near New Port Richey 15 Sep (K. Tracey); 4 at Spring Hill 19 Oct (A. and B. Hansen); 1 at Walsingham Park 19 Oct (J. Fisher); 1 at Boot Key 2 Nov (D. Simpson). Cave Swallow: 3 in SW Palm Beach 22 Aug (D. Simpson, details to FOC); 1 at Fort Wal- ton Beach STF 9 Nov (B. and L. Duncan, B. Monk et al., details to FOC); 1 at Gulf Breeze 15 Nov (B. Duncan); 13 at Viera Wetlands 18 Nov (M. Gardler) with some re- maining to 23 Nov (B. Ahern, J. Puschock et aL). Barn Swallow: 915 in SW Palm Beach 22 Aug (D. Simpson); 1200 at Stick Marsh 28 Aug (D. Simpson); 840 at LARA 8 Sep (H. Robinson); 1 at Gainesville 24 Nov (R. Rowan, M. Manetz). Brown Creeper: 1 at Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou SP {Okaloosa) 26 Nov (D. Simpson); 1 at St. Marks NWR 15 Nov (J. Krummrich et al.). House Wren: 264 at LARA 20 Oct (H. Robinson). Winter Wren: 1 at Fort Pickens 25 Nov (D. Simpson). Golden-crowned Kinglet: 1 at Ocala National Forest {Marion) 1 Nov (J. Puschock); 1 at Weekiwachee Preserve 9 Nov (M. Gardler); 3 at Key Vista Nature Park, Anclote {Pasco) 10 Nov-EOS (R. Smart, K. Tracey et al.); 1 at Honeymoon Island SRA 15 Nov (1. Hernandez et al.); 2 at Walsingham Park 27 Nov (J. Fisher). Ruby-crowned Kinglet: 23 at LARA 24 Nov (H. Robinson). Blue-gray Gnatcatcher: 77 at LARA 24 Nov (H. Robinson). Eastern Bluebird; 4 at Cedar Key 14 Nov-EOS (D. Henderson); 1 male at West Kendall 15 Nov (J. Boyd); 3 at Fort De Soto CP 25 Nov (L. Atherton, 1. Hernandez). Veery: 12 at LARA 2 Oct (H. Robinson). Catharus SPECIES: Over 100 nocturnal calls of Gray-cheeked and Swainson’s thrushes heard over Eustis {Lake) 17 Oct, and fewer calls heard 18 Oct (J. Puschock). Wood Thrush: 1 at LARA 9 Oct (H. Robinson); 1 at Bill Baggs/Cape Florida SP 17 Oct (M. Davis); 1 banded at Key Largo 19 Oct (B. Mulrooney); 1 at Boca Ciega Park, Sem- inole {Pinellas) 31 Oct (J. Fisher). American Robin: 1 at Weekiwachee Preserve 19 Oct (A. and B. Hansen); 2 at Boca Ciega Park 31 Oct (J. Fisher). *Varied Thrush: 1 window-kill at Panama City {Bay) 16 Nov (R. Ingram, specimen to Archbold Biological Station). Gray Catbird: 270 at LARA 13 Oct (H. Robinson). Northern Mockingbird: 81 at LARA 29 Sep (H. Robinson). American Pipit: 1 at Bill Baggs/Cape Florida 18 Nov (R. Diaz). Cedar Waxwing: 20 at Gainesville 19 Nov (S. Borderieux). Blue-winged Warbler: 8 reports 14 Aug-11 Oct, all but one of singles. Golden-winged Warbler: 9 reports 8 Aug-15 Nov, all of singles. Tennessee Warbler: 6 at Dunedin Hammock 14 Sep (S. Riffe, P. Fellers); 35 at John Bonner Park, Largo 12 Oct (J. Fisher); 7 at LARA 13 Oct (H. Robinson); 7 at Birch SP 16 Oct (fide W. George); 1 in Leon 23 Nov (R. Lengacher). Nashville Warbler: 1 at Birch SP 1 Oct, and 2 there 5 Oct {fide W. George); 1 at East- erlin Park {Broward) 26-28 Oct (W. George, R. MacGregor); 1 at Seminole 31 Oct (J. Fisher); 1 at Bill Baggs/Cape Florida SP 4 Nov (M. Davis); 1 at New Port Richey 24 Nov (K, Tracey). Northern Parula: 30 at Saddle Creek CP 3 Aug (L. Albright, B. Snow); 1 male still in song at St. Sebastian River State Buffer Preserve {Indian River) 3 Sep (D. Simpson); 1 in Leon 29 Nov (R. Lengacher). Yellow Warbler: 1 in N St. Johns 3 Aug (P. Powell); 21 at Green Key 10 Aug (K. Tracey); 119 at LARA 28 Aug (H. Robinson); 1 at St. Marks NWR 25 Oct (J. Dozier). Chestnut-sided Warbler: 5 at Dunedin Hammock 14 Sep (S. Riffe, P. Fellers); 6 at Saddle Creek CP 15 Sep (P. Fellers, B. Snow, L. Albright). Magnolia Warbler: 1 in Leon 9-11 Nov (G. Menk, D. Harder). 42 FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST Cape May Warbler: 2 at Saddle Creek CP 15 Sep (P. Fellers, B. Snow, L. Albright). Black-throated Blue Warbler: 1 at Jacksonville 16 Nov (J. Cocke); singles in Bro- ward at Markham CP 16 Nov, Fern Forest 23 Nov, and Easterlin Park 30 Nov (M. Berney, W. George, R. MacGregor). Yellow-RUMPED Warbler: 110 at Green Key 21 Oct (K Tracey); 575 at LARA 21 Nov (H. Robinson). Black-throated Gray Warbler: 1 at Bonner Park, Largo {Pinellas) 12 Oct (K. Nelson et aL); 1 at Royal Palm, Everglades NP 22 Nov-EOS (D. Cunningham). Blackburnian Warbler: 1 at Van Fleet Trail {Sumter and Lake) 4 Aug ( J. Puschock); 8 at Saddle Creek CP 14 Sep {fide B. Snow); 24 at Dunedin Hammock 14 Sep (P. Fellers, S. Riffe). Pine Warbler: 1 at Key Largo 21 Oct (B. Mulrooney). Prairie Warbler: 24 at LARA 15 Sep (H. Robinson); 1 at Jacksonville 4-19 Nov (P. Powell). Palm Warbler: 416 at LARA 9 Nov (H. Robinson). Bay-breasted Warbler: 6 at St. George Island SP {Franklin) 14 Oct (J. Cavanagh); up to 4 at Birch SP 16-26 Oct {fide W. George). Blackpoll Warbler: singles at Paynes Prairie Preserve SP 26 Sep (J. Hintermister) and 19 Oct (J. Bryan); 2 in Broward 17 Oct {fide W, George); 1 at Gainesville 31 Oct (M. Meisenburg); 1 at Bill Baggs/Cape Florida SP 4 Nov-EOS (R. Diaz). Cerulean Warbler: 19 reports 3 Aug- 14 Oct, including 3 at Dunedin Hammock 14 Sep (D. Simpson). Prothonotary Warbler: 4 at Saddle Creek CP 8 Aug (B. Ahern) and 14 Sep {fide B. Snow); “very high numbers” noted in Broward 21 Aug-28 Sep with 7 at Birch SP 8 Sep {fide W. George). Worm-eating Warbler: 1 at LARA 7 Aug (H. Robinson); 1 at Jacksonville 23 Aug (J. Cocke); 12 at Saddle Creek CP 14 Sep {fide B. Snow); 1 at Easterlin Park 19-28 Nov (W. George, R. MacGregor); 134 banded at Key Largo 25 Aug-5 Oct (B. Mulrooney). Swainson’S Warbler: 51 banded at Key Largo 26 Aug-10 Oct (B. Mulrooney). Ovenbird: 388 banded at Key Largo 25 Aug-23 Oct (B. Mulrooney); 22 at LARA 2 Oct (H. Robinson). Northern Waterthrush: 102 at LARA 26 Sep (H. Robinson); 1 flew into a window at New Port Richey 21 Nov (R. Smart). Louisiana Waterthrush: 9 at LARA 25 Aug (H. Robinson); 1 at Tallahassee 8 Oct (F. Rutkovsky). Kentucky Warbler: 18 reports 19 Aug-15 Oct, including 3 at Dunedin Hammock 14 Sep (S. Riffe, P. Fellers). Common Yellowthroat: 321 at LARA 2 Oct (H. Robinson). Hooded Warbler: 1 at LARA 4 Aug (H. Robinson); 1 at Bonner Park 26 Nov (J. Fisher). Wilson’s Warbler: 12 reports 21 Sep-29 Nov, all singles. Canada Warbler: 15 reports 7 Aug-15 Oct, all singles except for duos at Saddle Creek CP 7 and 14 Aug (P. Fellers, B. Ahern et ah). Yellow-breasted Chat: up to 5 at Frog Pond WMA 16 Sep-EOS (M. Davis et aL); 1 banded at Key Largo 19 Sep (B. Mulrooney); 2 at Royal Palm, Everglades NP 2 Oct (D. La Puma); 1 at Key Largo State Botanical Site 8 Oct (B, Mulrooney); 1 at Birch SP 22 Oct (W. George, R. MacGregor); 1 at Gainesville 31 Oct (M. Meisenburg); 1 at Ce- dar Key 30 Nov-3 Dec (D. Henderson), Bananaquit: 1 white-throated bird — possibly from the Yucatan Peninsula or the Baha- mas— at Fort De Soto CP {Pinellas) 19-23 Oct (M. Wilkinson et al., photos to FOC by B. Pranty). Summer Tanager: 10 at Dunedin Hammock 14 Sep (S. Riffe, P. Fellers). Scarlet Tanager: 5 at Dunedin Hammock 14 Sep (S. Riffe, P. Fellers); 25+ at St. George Island SP 14 Oct (J. Cavanagh); 1 at Tallahassee 1 Nov (F, Rutkovsky). Field Observations 43 Western Tanager: 1 female at Bald Point 13 Oct (J. Dozier); 1 at Royal Palm, Ever- glades NP 25 Oct (D. Cunningham). Bachman’s Sparrow: 5+ at Fort Drum 1-3 Oct (M, Gardler). Chipping Sparrow: 1 at Newnans Lake 19 Sep (E. Scales). Clay-colored Sparrow: 1 at Birch SP 2 Oct (W. George, R. MacGregor); 1 juvenile at Cudjoe Key {Monroe) 4 Oct (D. Simpson); 2 at Bald Point 10 Oct (J. Dozier, J. Mur- phy); 1 at Scotsmoor Landing 27 Oct (J. Puschock); 1 at Paynes Prairie Preserve SP 24 Nov (A. Kent, E. Scales); 3 at LARA 29 Nov (H. Robinson). Vesper Sparrow: 1 at Key Largo 3 Nov (B. Mulrooney). Lark Sparrow: 2 at Tram Road STF 22-29 Aug (G. Menk, J. Cavanagh et aL); 1 at Cedar Key 23 Aug (D. Henderson); 1 at Frog Pond WMA 30 Aug (D. La Puma); 2 at Pine Is- land, Everglades NP 31 Aug (D. La Puma) and another along Research Road 17 Oct (F. Jeff); 1 in Leon 15 Sep (D. Harder); 1 at Alligator Point 23 Sep (J. Dozier). Henslow’S Sparrow: 1 at LARA 21 Nov (H. Robinson). Le Conte’s Sparrow: 1 at LARA 21 Nov (H. Robinson); 1 at St. Marks NWR 27 Nov (D. Simpson). Seaside Sparrow: 1 juvenile at Pelican Island NWR (Volusia) 10 Aug (D. Simpson); 1 at Green Key 27 Oct (R. Smart). Fox Sparrow: 1 at San Felasco Hammock Preserve SP (Alachua) 23 Nov (M. Manetz); 2 at Paynes Prairie Preserve SP 23 Nov-EOS (B. Muschlitz, A. Kent). Song Sparrow: 12 at LARA 17 Nov (H. Robinson). Lincoln’s Sparrow: 1 in Franklin 28 Sep-1 Oct (J. Dozier, J. Murphy); 3 at LARA 20 Oct, and 5 there 17 Nov (H. Robinson); 2 at Paynes Prairie Preserve SP 1 Nov (M, Manetz); 1 at Key Largo 8 Nov (B. Mulrooney). Swamp Sparrow: 434 at LARA 29 Nov (H. Robinson). White -THROATED Sparrow: 1 in Brevard 12 Nov (D. Simpson). White-crowned Sparrow: 1 immature on Loop Road (Monroe) 2 Nov (J. Boyd); 1 at Dummitt Grove (Brevard) 7 Nov (D. Simpson); 1 at Apollo Beach 8 Nov (D. Simpson); 1 at Harry Harris Park (Monroe) 8 Nov (B. Mulrooney); 1 near Flamingo, Everglades NP 23 Nov (L. Manfredi); 1 E of Bayonet Point (Pasco) 26 Nov (K. Tracey). Dark-eyed JuncO: 1 at Jacksonville 6-27 Nov (P. Powell); singles at Alligator Point and Bald Point 23 Nov (J. Dozier, J. Murphy). Lapland Longspur: up to 2 at Springhill STP 18-19 Oct (J. Krummrich et aL). Rose-breasted Grosbeak: 40+ at St. George Island SP 14 Oct (J. Cavanagh); 1 at Bald Point 6 Nov (J. Dozier); 1 in Leon 15 Nov (G. Menk). *Black-HEADED Grosbeak: 2 immature males at Turkey Creek Sanctuary (Brevard) 19- 23 Oct (D. Simpson, details to FOC). Blue Grosbeak: 1 in SW Palm Beach 22 Aug (D. Simpson); 1 in Leon 9 Nov (G. Menk). Indigo Bunting: 281 at LARA 16 Oct (H. Robinson); 1 at Auburndale 24 Nov (P. Tim- mer, C. Geanangel). Painted Bunting: 5 migrants at Jungle Trail 4 Aug (D. Simpson); 1 juvenile at Fort Pickens 19 Aug (B. Duncan); 1 in SW Palm Beach 22 Aug (D. Simpson); singles at Tallahassee 13 Sep (J. Cavanagh) and 30 Nov (R. Lengacher); 1 at Saddle Creek CP 12 Oct (B. Snow et aL); 1 at Alligator Point 10 Nov (J. Murphy); 1 at Paynes Prairie Preserve SP 24 Nov (A. Kent, E. Scales); 1 at Jacksonville 6 Nov-EOS (P. Powell). Dickcissel: 1 at LARA 4 Aug, and duos there 26 Sep and 13 Oct (H. Robinson); 1 at Met- calf Point (Franklin) 15 Sep (J. Murphy); 3 over Sanibel Lighthouse Park 29 Sep (V. McGrath); 1 at Bald Point 27 Oct (J. Dozier). Red-winged Blackbird: 10,375 at LARA 15 Sep (H. Robinson). Yellow-headed Blackbird: 1 at Hague 10 Nov (M. Manetz, R. Rowan, A. Kent); 1 at LARA 24 Nov (H. Robinson). Rusty Blackbird: 2 at LARA 30 Nov (H. Robinson). 44 FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST Shiny Cowbird: 1 male at Panacea (Wakulla) 12 Sep (J. Dozier); several at Pembroke Pines {Broward) 17 Nov ff (D. and S. Humeston, photos to FOG). Bronzed Cowbird: 3 at Cedar Key 26 Oct (R. Rowan); 5 at Eagle Lakes Park, Naples {Collier) 25 Nov-EOS (D. Suitor). Orchard Oriole: up to 4 at Southern Glades Wildlife and Environmental Area {Miami- Dade) 13 Aug-24 Sep (D. La Puma, M. Davis, R. Diaz); 1 at Bill Baggs/Cape Florida SP 26 Aug (R. Diaz); 2 females at Jupiter Inlet Colony 21 Sep (J. Hailman). *Hooded Oriole {Icterus cucullatus): 1 adult male at Gulf Breeze 22-25 Oct (B. and W. Smith, photos to FOSRC). House Finch: 1 at Boca Ciega Park, Seminole 3 Nov (K. Nelson); 4 at Cedar Key 14 Nov- EOS (D. Henderson); 1 at St. Augustine 22 Nov (J. Holstein); numbers at Jackson- ville are increasing, and finches now occur at Fernandina Beach {Nassau; fide P. Powell); 1 at Winter Park {Orange) 24 Nov (B. Anderson). Pine Siskin: 1 at St. Augustine 30 Nov (J. Holstein), American Goldfinch: 1 at Gainesville 23-25 Aug (R. Robinson); “numbers” arrived in E Broward 23 Nov {fide W. George); many reports in Miami-Dade 23 Nov-EOS (fide J. Boyd). Pin-tailed Whydah: 1 in female plumage at Egmont Key NWR {Hillsborough) 28 Sep (D. Powell, photos to FOC by M. Hett) apparently was the same bird observed days later at Fort De Soto CP (L. Atherton). Contributors: Carole Adams, Howard Adams, Brian Ahern, Larry Albright, Bruce Anderson, Lyn Atherton, John Ault, Jocie Baker, Peggy Baker, Andy Bankert, Gian Ba- sili, Ted Below, Joe Benedict, Mark Berney, Paul Bithorn, Clay Black, Bill Boeringer, Bill and Jan Bolte, Scott Borderieux, Jeff Bouton, John Boyd, Greg Braun, Bill Brem- ser, Judy Bryan, Pat Burns, Chris Cameron, Jim Cavanagh, Doug Clark, Roger Clark, Julie Cocke, Mary Coerver, Buck Cooper, Dick Cunningham, Tom Curtis, Chris Davis, Lloyd Davis, Michelle Davis, Robin Diaz, Terry Doyle, Jack Dozier, Bob Duncan, Lucy Duncan, Michel Evans, Charlie Ewell, Harry Fein, Paul Fellers, Lenny Fenimore, Judy Fisher, Scott Flamand, Ann and Dan Forster, Jere French, Murray Gardler, Chuck Geanangel, Wally George, Bev Goode, Chuck Graham, Jack Hailman, A1 and Bev Hansen, David Harder, Greg Hart, Mark Hedden, Dale Henderson, Irene Hernandez, Marilyn Hett, Michael Hill, John Hintermister, Jackie Holstein, Harry Hooper, Tom Hughes, Dart and Suze Humeston, Richard Ingram, Florian Jeff, Dean and Sally Jue, Adam Kent, Grace and Richard Kiltie, Joyce King, Alan Knothe, Marianne Korosy, Jerry Krummrich, Ed Kwater, David La Puma, Mary Landsman, Patrick Leary, Rob Lengacher, Thom Lewis, Holly Lovell, Russell MacGregor, Sherri Magerowski, Mike Manetz, Larry Manfredi, Andy and Elaine Ma5rwalt, Vince McGrath, Jim McKay, Mike McMillian, Michael Meisenburg, Gail Menk, Rodrigo Migoya, Brian Monk, Brennan Mulrooney, John Murphy, Barbara Muschlitz, Kris Nelson, Rob Norton, Kathy O’Reilly- Doyle, Patty Orr, Ann Paul, Rich Paul, Gerard Phillips, Bev Postmus, Peggy Powell, Bill Pranty, John Puschock, Cindy and Kurt Radamaker, Brian Rapoza, Joe Reinman, Sue Riffe, Bryant Roberts, Don Robinson, Harry Robinson, Ron Robinson, Tom Rod- riguez, Jill Rosenfield, Rex Rowan, Kip Runyon, Fran Rutkovsky, Earl Scales, Jack Skalickey, Katie Sieving, Bob Simons, David Simpson, Ray Smart, Betty Ann and Will- iam Smith, Bob Snow, Lee Snyder, Bob Stoll, Doug Suitor, Betsy Tetlow, Pete Timmer, Ken Tracey, Linda Tracey, Chris Tucker, Bob Wallace, Don Ware, Sandra Watson, Jeff Weber, Bob Wheeler, Tom Wickes, Mickey Wheeler, Margie Wilkinson, and Roy Wood. Spring 2002 report not published previously: Black-billed Cuckoo: 1 heard calling repeatedly at Porter Lake {Liberty) 17 Apr (Jack Dozier, John Murphy). Field Observations 45 Summer 2002 reports not published previously: Cory’s Shearwater: 3 birds 9-32 km off Hillsboro Inlet (Broward) 29 Jun (Mark Berney); Leach’s Storm-Petrel: 1 found on the beach at Okaloosa Island (Okaloosa) 30 Jul died in captivity (Bob Duncan et aL, specimen to UF); Band-rumped Storm-Petrel: 1 bird 16 km off Hillsboro Inlet 29 Jun (Mark Berney, details to FOC). Report prepared by Bill Pranty, state compiler (1680 North Delaware Avenue #204, Avon Park, Florida 33825; ). Regional compilers are Bruce H. Anderson (2917 Scarlet Road, Winter Park, Florida 32792; ), John H. Boyd III (15770 SW 104th Terrace, Apartment 103, Miami, Florida 33196, ), Linda Cooper (558 Sunshine Boulevard, Haines City, Florida 33844-9540; ), Bob and Lucy Duncan (614 Fairpoint Drive, Gulf Breeze, Florida 32561, ), Charlie Ewell (115 SW 51st Ter- race, Cape Coral, Florida 33991, ), Bev Hansen (6573 Pine Meadows Drive, Spring Hill, Florida 34606; ), David Powell (1407 Storihgton Avenue, Brandon, Florida 33511; ), and Peggy Powell (2965 Forest Circle, Jacksonville, Florida 32257). FLORIDA ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY COMMITTEES Archives Committeej Chair; WALTER K. TAYLOR, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL 32816. E-mail: wtaylor@pegasus.cc.ucf edu. Members: Ed Slaney, Dave Goodwin, Tom Webber Editorial Advisory Board: Chair: JAMES A. Rodgers, Jr., Wildlife Research Labora- tory, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 4005 S. Main St., Gaines- ville, FL 32601. E-mail: rodgeij@fwc.state.fl.us Members: STEPHEN A. NESBITT, ToDD Engstrom, Hank Smith, Eugene Stoccardo. Field Observations Committee; Chair: Bill Pranty, Avian Ecology Lab, Archbold Bio- logical Station, 123 Main Drive, Venus, FL 33960. E-mail: billpranty@hotmaiLcom. Members: Bruce H. Anderson, JOHN Boyd III, Linda Cooper, Bob Duncan, Char- lie Ewell, Bev Hansen, Gail Menk, David Powell, Peggy Powell. Finance Committee: Chair: Vacant.: Members: Dean Jue (ex officio), David STOCK, Fred Lohrer. Nominating Committee: Chair: Vacant. Grants and Awards Committee: Chair, Cruickshank Research Award: STEVE NESBITT, Wildlife Research Laboratory, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 4005 S. Main St., Gainesville, FL 32601. E-mail: Steve.Nesbitt@fwc.state.fl.us Members: PARKS SMALL, David Steadman, Hank Smith. Chair, Cruickshank Education Award: Katy NeSmith, Florida Natural Areas Inventory, 1018 Thomasville Rd., Suite 200-C, Tallahassee, FL 32303. E-mail: knesmith@fnai.org Members: JUDITH Buhrman and Sally Jue (staggered 3-year terms). Chair, William B. and Mary J. Robertson Fellowship Award: Vacant. Records Committee: Managing Secretary: Reed Bowman, Archbold Biological Station, P.O. Box 2057, Lake Placid, FL 33862. Members: Lyn Atherton, Andy Kratter, Jon Greenlaw, Fred Lohrer, Mickey Wheeler, Todd Engstrom. Conservation Committee: Chair: JiM Cox, Tall Timbers Research Station, 13093 Henry Beadel Dr., Tallahassee, FL 32312-9712. E-mail: necox@nettally.com Members: ToDD ENGSTROM, Ken Meyer, Ann Paul, Eric Stolen. Membership Committee: Co-chair: JUDITH B. Buhrman, 6123 113th Street, #504, Seminole, FL 33772-6846. E-mail: JBuhrman@aoLcom Co-Chair: TERRY J. DOYLE, Ten Thousand Islands NWR, 3860 Tollgate Blvd., Ste. 300, Naples, FL 34114. E-mail: (wk) Terry_Doyle@fws.gov (hm) nfn20610@naples,net Member: DEAN JUE. ^ r •i^ - -i '.'■M ■■{cW' ) V" (»r«6l«:_ < j •yj< . ,/ y .vjvO^ H ;; ht''.' ' wf'- V^ y CJ •41 • -<1 >'>■'' ' r... .. V ".S’ 3 ri^^fTiW^ V'j4i’'...?i- n. #V' '• ' v.‘ r-Uv.^j^W ’ V • ^ wVi ■ , -.>i^y fcmmpipiwif i .\: »/i," <'■ 'I, ' V.-iimn^ii '. .■j:,.!V^'!*’r'V f u ■4 'A. - ..1 ! - !' •: ’ .‘S'. • '■*'’-*^'5^ibtvv- ^ -.. .i*‘f. '!i *• '■ ? - '■ AS...:'.'JfiWu&4>^;';.v' ■ .■'..if?-'^^ k-'. ■ ' -...,. .u-f.viA *^'''''% l.-'v- .k)« Ctyyinrtiii^nilln^ •, ■•:■ i^'.t'.i^ " . .1 , s. i.« ■“ '.i'll., -j ii-i ^•*„.i»r-'A ' - ■' :'f'vi.-«'.;A,'»«A..j».'‘'--’'i' ■ -‘n'"' - -'i . a,/;a«l4)«;m'.'Sr‘*>.Vl. . '. --••■•'ti'-i ■" ■ .- .r-' - . ; • ■^ i.‘« ' ■ j ^ . ^ ;r ■,:>;4'.1»iSiri': .'•....♦ -4.;^ ,* -• ■Al Is. .-A.,-. ... r., A-- ^ T" .'•O'' -Hi h ..\j :^JL ■r.id im »si iki * ‘ fr-f Rj>.vt««v/ ?:■■>>* ^ r; ■ I f* *«.i,.ia-i. • - ^ *'**i>t •>/ ^ Kii' */*N1 "it^ T 'sv *1’ • « t *41 S ,/ ■ ri^ '^r*' I r* lif i *1 * •' ' • I5^ihi^l|^t ■j, ri^w F : /laRv;. . * '.- ■ .} i‘^..^< il, r ' y' ■• T*-rt|fcr JJiTrtttflun h;j >.. ' • | ’ t mt ;1,“7 . ,„• £ ,a^HMA'Slffi • • R -4- mJfMW {• ■ ’ - « » ; it i “ ■fi4ki f" . (Hxf •••f br^' <. 'r 4 4>.- <> - ~~ ' ^vt**^*! */-.,- v-i • 'j* - , ^ - •-i’ MSifc- ft- ... .f-’v ,■ , '.-, '■„, - b)M>i>i '"‘‘ij3\ iij. 'U'ji lii;; S» "{.V' !;lt4^*':^» ('^<^»4^r!•|^M^ - .L ■; u^r i- .i t'.iijT* '* • IMK * , r,5i?- ’V..- • “I ■ ' ^ •'•' itMt ’ti« “*<» • t:\ ^ {• uri- .., - - « ■ 4lir> 'W^*' . Florida Field Naturalist ISSN 0738-999X PUBLISHED BY THE FLORIDA ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY Editor: JEROME A. JACKSON, Whitaker Center, Arts & Sciences, Florida Gulf Coast Uni- versity, 10501 FGCU Blvd. South, Fort Myers, FL 33965. E-mail: picus@fgcu.edu Associate Editor (for Reviews): Reed Bowman, Archbold Biological Station, RO. Box 2057, Lake Placid, FL 33852 Associate Editor (for bird distribution): Bruce Anderson, 2917 Scarlet Road, Winter Park, FL 32792. E-mail: scizortail@aol.com Editor of the Ornithological Newsletter: TOM PALMER, 1805 26th Street, N.W., Win- ter Haven, FL 33881. E-mail: tomp47@yahoo.com Editor of Special Publications: Glen E. Woolfenden, Archbold Biological Station, P.O. Box 2057, Lake Placid, FL 33862. E-mail: gwoolfenden@archbold-station.org Web Page Editor: Eugene Stoccardo, 715 Warrenton Rd., Winter Park, FL 33792- 4541. E-mail: scrubjay@cfl.rr.com INFORMATION FOR CONTRIBUTORS The Florida Field Naturalist is a fully refereed journal emphasizing biological held studies and observations of vertebrates, especially birds, in and near Florida and the nearby West Indies. We welcome submission of original manuscripts containing new information from these areas. We encourage electronic submission of manuscripts. Please consult recent issues of the journal for style, especially noting that manuscripts should: (1) be double-spaced throughout, including tables and figure captions; (2) include the scientific name at the first mention of each species; (3) include capitalized standardized English names for all birds, but lower case for English names of other organisms; (4) include metric units for all measurements; (5) use the form “7 June 2003” for all dates; (6) use the 24-hour clock for all indications of time (e.g., 0800, 1400); (7) use the following abbreviations: s (second), min (minute), h (hour); (8) preferentially use active voice. Submit manuscripts for Florida Field Naturalist to the Editor, Jerome A. Jackson. Monograph-length manuscripts may be submitted for consideration to Glen E. Wool- fenden, Editor of Special Publications. Books and other materials for review should be submitted to: Reed Bowman, Associate Editor for Reviews. Field Observations should be submitted to the Chair of the Field Observations Committee, Bill Pranty. Reports of rare birds in Florida should be submitted to the Managing Secretary of the FOS Records Com- mittee, Reed Bowman. Florida Field Naturalist PUBLISHED BY THE FLORIDA ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY VOL. 31, No. 2 May 2003 Pages 19-45 CONTENTS NOTES Kleptoparasitism of Great Blue Herons by American White Pelicans Stephen A. Nesbitt and Martin J. Folk 19-20 Black Vultures feeding on vegetables and tortoise dung Eric D. Stolen 21 Turkey Vultures carrying carrion Eric D. Stolen 22 Observations of a melanistic Osprey in southwest Florida Stephen A. Nesbitt and Joe McNichols 23-24 Leucistic Sandhill Cranes in Florida Stephen A. Nesbitt and Jeanette Parker 25-27 First record of the red fox from the barrier island region of east-central Florida Joseph S. Weidlich, Jane A. Provancha, and Kristina M. Herpich 28-29 REVIEWS Saving Migrant Birds. Developing Strategies for the Future, by John Faaborg James Cox 30-32 FIELD OBSERVATIONS Fall report: August-No vember 2002 Bill Pranty 33-45 QU (d‘S‘4 f(p3 Field Naturalist PUBLISHED BY THE FLORIDA ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY I/O VoL. 31, No. 3 September 2003 Pages 47-73 FLORIDA ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY Founded 1972 Officers President: FRANCES C. JAMES, Department of Biological Science, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306-1100. E-mail: james@bio.fsu.edu Vice President: JOYCE King, 11645 69th Way N., Largo, FL 33773. Secretary: PAMELA J. BoWEN, 309 Moonstone Dr., East Palatka, FL 32131. Treasurer: Dean Jue, 3455 Dorchester Court, Tallahassee, FL 32312-1300. E-mail: djue@admin.fsu.edu Editor, Florida Field Naturalist: Jerome A. Jackson, Whitaker Center, Arts & Sci- ences, Florida Gulf Coast University, 10501 FGCU Blvd. South, Fort Myers, FL 33965. Ex Officio: Immediate Past President: PETER G. Merritt, 8558 SE Sharon St., Hobe Sound, FL 33455. Directors, Terms Expiring Spring 2004 Judy Bryan, 1924 SW 43rd Avenue, Gainesville, FL 32608 Brenda Rhodes, 2734 Rainbow Circle N, Jacksonville, FL 32217 Directors, Terms Expiring Spring 2005 Judith B. Buhrman, 6123 113th Street, #504, Seminole, FL 33772-6846 Terry J. Doyle, Ten Thousand Islands NWR, 3860 Tollgate Blvd., Ste. 300, Naples, FL 34114 Directors, Terms Expiring Spring 2006 Murray Gardler, 9400 Merriweather Drive, Brooksville, FL 34613-4271 David Stock, Department of Biology, Unit 8285, Stetson University, DeLand, FL 32723. 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; Ted Below 1999. 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 $20 for individual members (overseas $25), $25 for a family member- ship, $15 for students, $40 for contributing members and $25 for institutional membership. 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 undelivered 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. The Florida Ornithological Society web site can be found at www.fosbirds.org THIS PUBLICATION IS PRINTED ON NEUTRAL PH PAPER Florida Field Naturalist PUBLISHED BY THE FLORIDA ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY VoL. 31, No. 3 September 2003 Pages 47-73 Florida Field Naturalist 31(3):47-52, 2003. FURTHER EVALUATION OF SOME ORNITHOLOGICAL CONUNDRUMS IN FLORIDA Douglas B. McNair Tall Timbers Research Station, 13093 Henry Beadel Drive Tallahassee, Florida 32312-0918 Current address: Division of Fish and Wildlife, Department of Planning and Natural Resources, 45 Mars Hill, St. Croix, US. Virgin Islands 00840; e-mail: dbmcnair@vipowernet.net A conundrum is a problem admitting of no satisfactory solution. Some ornithological reports from the interior of peninsular Florida during the early-to-mid 20th century have heretofore fit this definition. As an example, neither Robertson and Woolfenden (1992) nor Steven- son and Anderson (1994) have completely resolved reports of periph- eral breeding of the Eastern Wood-Pewee {Contopus virens) in the interior of central Florida. They did not accredit these reports, but nei- ther did they fully discredit them, i.e., their evaluation was to hold them in negative abeyance. The purpose of this note is to document in- formation extracted from the field notes and journals of D. J. Nicholson (hereafter, DJN) that contributes to the further resolution of the above and two other ornithological conundrums in Florida. White-tailed Kite {Elanus leucurus). —Stevenson and Anderson (1994) questioned the positive identification for the ownership of the empty nest that Nicholson discovered in 1910 when he was 17 years old because no description of any adults was available, although Mc- Millian and Pranty (1997) did not question the veracity of this discov- ery. This nest was the third historical nest of the White-tailed Kite in Florida (Stevenson and Anderson 1994; also see Pranty and McMillian 1997 and McMillian and Pranty 1997). DJN found a pair of kites at this nest (one bird on, one bird off) that he initially identified as Mississippi Kites (Ictinia mississippiensis). He re-identified them as White-tailed Kites after he shot one of them. He prepared this bird as a skin, but regrettably, did not determine the sex. 47 48 FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST DJN attempted to shoot its mate, after it returned to the nest, calling, but he was no longer able to approach the bird closely enough to do so. The nest site, on a cattle ranch on the Kissimmee Prairie, was 2.4 km from the southeast shore of Lake Kissimmee, between there and Lake Jackson. DJN was probably reluctant to reveal that he shot one of the birds while it was building the nest, which is why the nest remained unused. This specimen was destroyed (burned) in 1915 (see McNair 2001). Misidentification of the Mississippi Kite for the White-tailed Kite (the reverse of what happened above) also occurred in south Florida during the late 19th century, although the original observer who shot the bird misidentified it even after the bird was in the hand (Gaboon 1890, Castle 1891, Chapman 1891; see Howell 1932). Neither Kale (1974) nor Pranty and McMillian (1997) mentioned if misidentification of the two species could have infiuenced their assessment of the histor- ical status of White-tailed Kites in Florida. Mississippi Kites are scarcer than White-tailed Kites in central and south Florida (Robert- son and Woolfenden 1992, Stevenson and Anderson 1994) and many early occurrences of White-tailed Kites are specimens, so misidentifica- tion of the two species is unlikely to have influenced assessment of the historical status of White-tailed Kites. Nonetheless, some sight obser- vations may be suspect (e.g., report of one in 1941 at Hillsborough River State Park by O. E. Baynard; McNair, unpubl.). Hudsonian Godwit (Limosa haemastica). — Stevenson and Ander- son (1994) regarded the putative record of four Hudsonian Godwits shot in Tampa Bay sometime from “1924-1928” (Nicholson 1949) to constitute the first acceptable occurrence in Florida, although the two specimens that were prepared could not be located. Robertson and Woolfenden (1992) listed the specimen collected in Miami-Dade County in October 1957 as a verifiable record, which also is the first record of the species in Florida. The report of two specimens collected sometime from “1924-1928” actually refers to birds (one male, one female) collected on 20 October 1938 (DJN, journals; contra Nicholson 1949) at Gadsden Point, Tampa Bay. G. R. Rossignol, Jr. shot them out of a large flock {contra Nicholson 1949), prepared the skins, and then gave them to one of two non-orni- thological friends. DJN attempted to procure them from these individ- uals, but was not successful. Rossignol did not recognize the rarity of Hudsonian Godwits in Florida. Furthermore, he stated that while he was stationed at what is now MacDill Air Force Base from 1938 to 1942 he saw godwits almost daily during autumn and winter at Gadsden Point, often in sizable flocks (50-75 birds). While Rossignol also stated the godwits he shot and skinned had reddish breasts, the location (along the Gulf coast in MciVAJfl— Ornithological Conundrums in Florida 49 autumn; see Stevenson and Anderson 1994), season (including winter), frequency, and large number of birds that he also reported as Hudso- nian Godwits cannot be reconciled with Hudsonian Godwits which are scarce vernal and autumnal transients in Florida (Robertson and Wool- fenden 1992, Stevenson and Anderson 1994) but with the occurrence of Marbled Godwits (L. fedoa) which are locally distributed but especially numerous in Tampa Bay (Sprandel et aL 1997). Furthermore, the sole stated identification character that Rossignol used to identify these birds as Hudsonian Godwits, their reddish breasts, is insufficient and would be questionable anyway during mid-autumn. Many Hudsonian Godwits would have commenced their pre-basic molt and begun to change from a “brown” to a “gray” color, yet Marbled Godwits retain their reddish (= cinnamon) breasts through autumn and winter. Consequently the first authentic verified record for the Hudsonian Godwit in Florida is in 1957 (Robertson and Woolfenden 1992). Nichol- son (1949) and. Stevenson and Anderson (1994) thought the sight ob- servation in 1947 constituted the first reported occurrence of Hudsonian Godwits in Florida, although a substantial proportion (ca. 25%) of subsequent sight observations were rejected by Stevenson and Anderson (1994) and few specimens have been collected. Eastern Wood-Pewee.— Egg sets were collected by J. C. Howell, Jr, and DJN from nests high (16.8-21.4 m) in pines in fairly mature pine flatwoods (not in low, scrubby pines or a dense pine sapling thicket; contra Nicholson 1934, 1938) in 1933 and 2 June 1937 just north of Samsula, Volusia County (Nicholson 1934, 1938; Stevenson and Ander- son 1994; DJN, journals). Nicholson (1934) referred to the Volusia County site as “short-leaved pines.” The “short-leaved” pines were probably slash pines (Pinus elliottii), which have short leaves (= nee- dles) only in comparison to longleaf pines (P. palustris). Eastern Wood- Pewees were first discovered there in 1932 when Howell (field notebook copied by DJN) also found a nest with two fresh eggs (apparently not collected) on 18 May 1932. In addition, Wray H. Nicholson found an Eastern Wood-Pewee nest with three young in 1935 (field notebook cop- ied by DJN) and was with Howell and his brother when they collected their two egg sets. By 1953, wood-pewees had been absent for a “num- ber of years” from this site, which contained among other species in 1937 Bachman's Sparrows {Aimophila aestivalis) and White-breasted Nuthatches (Sitta caroUnensis). Robertson and Woolfenden (1992) stated that pewees were suspected of breeding in the peninsula even farther south than Volusia (and Marion) County but that these reports were apparently indeterminate. Some details for the indeterminate reports of the Nicholson broth- ers and J. C. Howell, Jr. in Seminole, Orange, and Osceola counties are cited in Nicholson (1934, 1938) but further clarification is available 50 FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST from his journals. From all sources the exact localities (from north to south) and precise breeding information inasmuch as I can determine are the following: (1) One male sang on 26 June 1930, 5 km south of Lake Mary (and 3.2 km northeast of Longwood), Seminole County. The bird was not de- tected later. Habitat was “short-leaved pines and oaks” near a swamp that drained into Lake Jessup. (2) One male sang during May or June 1930, east of Fort Christ- mas, Orange County. The habitat was not specified except that the bird was in pines near a swamp. In April 1953 a singing male was again present near Fort Christmas. (3) One unpaired male sang from 23 May to 20 June 1933, 3. 2-4.8 km south of Illahaw, Osceola County. Habitat was a very open bald- cypress swamp. In addition, Nicholson (1938) stated that pewees were apt to be more numerous in southeast Seminole County, and also were present from Fort Christmas as far south as 24 km below Holopaw, Osceola County in pines near swamps. He gave no further details nor can I find any additional information from his journals. Wray H. Nicholson discovered a breeding pair of Eastern Wood- Pewees on or about 1 June 1946 near Mud Lake, Orange County, about 5.7 km southwest of Orlando. A bird was on the nest, which was located 15.25 m above the ground, near the end of a long limb of a live longleaf pine. The contents were not examined because the nest was impossible to reach. The discovery of this nest occurred nine years after the latest confirmation of breeding in Volusia County. At or near the same local- ity (Orange County) in pine woods, Wray also found one singing male from 1-4 May 1933 but the bird was not present thereafter. This area just southwest of Orlando was one of Wray and D. J. Nicholson’s and J. C. Howell Jr.’s favorite collecting grounds for egg sets of other species that nested in longleaf pine forests (McNair, unpubL), including Red- cockaded Woodpecker {Picoides borealis) and White-breasted Nuthatch (the last one in central Florida was a male collected in these pine [and cypress] woods by Wray Nicholson on 16 November 1944 [Western Foundation of Vertebrate Zoology 24262]). The incubating or brooding adult on a nest in Orange County is a modest extension of the known breeding range of the Eastern Wood- Pewee in the interior of central Florida. This report and the records in Volusia County occurred in mesic longleaf or slash pine flatwoods. Longleaf (and slash pine) is generally considered primary habitat in the Southeast coastal plain (cf , Georgia, Engstrom 1981; South Caro- lina, Forsythe 1982). Habitat descriptions for the indeterminate re- ports lack details, but one occurrence was in “short-leaved (= slash) pines” and at least one bird occurred in secondary breeding habitat MciVA/fi— Ornithological Conundrums in Florida 51 (cypress swamp). There is occasional confirmation of breeding in pre- ferred habitat (open pine flatwoods, often with scattered oaks and near the margin of other habitats such as swamps and pine savannas; DJN, journals; also Bent 1942, Wilson et al. 1995, McCarty 1996, McNair, unpubL) at two sites where wood-pewees no longer breed. The prepon- derance of indeterminate reports of birds (usually unpaired males) seem to be from less suitable habitat and are without documentation of breeding, and a clustering of most occurrences in the early-to-mid 1930s (see Stevenson and Anderson [1994] for more recent reports of pewees other than by the Nicholson group). The evidence is thus con- sistent with the erratic, peripheral occurrence of Eastern Wood- Pewees in the interior of the central peninsula of Florida during the breeding season. These occurrences may have become even more infre- quent because of removal of most longleaf pine forests from this re- gion, but DJN remarked upon the rarity of wood-pewees even in his day despite repeated sampling in areas that included the two primary localities (especially just southwest of Orlando). The status of the inde- terminate reports now is much less of a conundrum because of docu- mentation of the nest in Orange County and additional information provided herein. For the three above species, Robertson and Woolfenden (1992) made the correct decisions based on information available to them. Stevenson and Anderson (1994) queried the integrity of the breeding record of White-tailed Kite despite some evidence available to them and falsely accepted Nicholson’s (1949) account of the first record of Hudsonian Godwits in Florida, Neither Robertson and Woolfenden (1992) nor Stevenson and Anderson (1994) knew about the report (pro- vided herein) of breeding by the Eastern Wood-Pewee in Orange County. Although I have no verifiable material as documentation for these three species (cf , McNair and Post 1999), other than two egg sets of the Eastern Wood-Pewee from Volusia County that were previously documented, their status as presented herein appears to be valid. Acknowledgments.—! thank R. Corado of the Western Founda- tion of Vertebrate Zoology for sending a complete copy of the field notes and journals of D.J. Nicholson to the Florida Museum of Natural His- tory (FMNH) and T. Webber, Collections Manager at the FMNH, for al- lowing access to this archival material. I also thank R. Corado for providing information on a specimen from his collections and G. E. Wf)olfenden for reviewing the manuscript. Literature Cited Bent, A. C. 1942. Life histories of North American flycatchers, larks, swallows, and their allies. U.S. National Museum Bulletin No. 179. 52 FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST Cahoon, J. C. 1890. A kite new to the North American fauna. Ornithology and Oology 15:35. Castle, W. W. 1891. Ictinia mississippiensis. Ornithology and Oology 16:44. Chapman, F. M. 1891. Ictinia mississippiensis. Ornithology and Oology 16:44. Engstrom, T. 1981. Breeding bird census 80. Mature longleaf pine forest. American Birds 35:69. Forsythe, D. M. 1982. Breeding bird census 85. Longleaf pine forest. American Birds 36:73-74. Howell, A. H. 1932. Florida bird life. Coward-McCann, New York. Kale, H. W., II. 1974, The status of the White-tailed Kite in Florida. Florida Field Natu- ralist 2:4-7. McCarty, J. P. 1996. Eastern Wood-Pewee (Contopus virens). In The Birds of North America, No. 245 (A. Poole and F. Gill, eds.). The Academy of Natural Sciences, Phil- adelphia, Pennsylvania, and the American Ornithologists’ Union, Washington, D.C. McMillian, M. a., and B. Pranty. 1997. Recent breeding of the White-tailed Kite in central Florida. Florida Field Naturalist 25:143-145. McNair, D. B. 2001. A review of the breeding status of the Short-tailed Hawk in the Lake Istokpoga region. Highlands County, Florida. Florida Field Naturalist 29:41-46. McNair, D. B., and W. Post. 1999. Evaluation of breeding information obtained by J. E. Gould in Florida during the early 20th century. Florida Field Naturalist 27:17-20. Nicholson, D. J. 1934. Status of the Wood Pewee in middle Florida. Auk 51:380. Nicholson, D. J. 1938, Comments on Mason’s check list of Seminole County birds. Flor- ida Naturalist 11:90”95. Nicholson, D. J. 1949, Hudsonian Godwits in Florida. Florida Naturalist 22:66-67. Pranty, B., and M. A. McMillian. 1997. Status of the White-tailed Kite in northern and central Florida. Florida Field Naturalist 25:117-127, Robertson, W. B., Jr., and G. E. Woolfenden. 1992. Florida bird species-an anno- tated list. Florida Ornithological Society Special Publication Number 6, Gainesville. Sprandel, G. L., j. a. Gore, and D. T. Cobb. 1997. Winter shorebird survey, November 1, 1993-March 1, 1994. Final performance report, Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission, Tallahassee. Stevenson, H. M., and B. H. Anderson. 1994. The birdlife of Florida. University Press of Florida, Gainesville. Wilson, C. W., R. E. Masters, and G. A. Bukenhofer 1995. Breeding bird response to pine-grassland community restoration for Red-cockaded Woodpeckers. Journal of Wildlife Management 59:56-67. Florida Field Naturalist 31(3):53-58, 2003. SPECIES COMPOSITION AND LEGAL ECONOMIC VALUE OF WILDLIFE ROAD-KILLS IN AN URBAN PARK IN FLORIDA Henry T. Smiths Robert M. Barry^^ Richard M. ENGEMAN^ Stephanie A. Shwiff 3, and William J. B. Miller^^ ^Florida Park Service, Florida Department of Environmental Protection, 13798 S.E. Federal Highway, Hobe Sound, Florida 33455 ^Palm Beach Community College, Department of Biology, 4200 Congress Avenue, Lake Worth, Florida 33461; e-mail: harryr@phcc.edu ^National Wildlife Research Center, 4101 LaPorte Avenue, Fort Collins, Colorado 80521-2154 "^Current address: Florida Park Service, Florida Department of Environmental Protection, 1800 Wekiwa Circle, Apopka, Florida 32712 * Address correspondence to Robert M. Barry Wildlife mortality due to collisions with motor vehicles is a problem within managed natural areas in Florida and worldwide (Skoog 1982; Smith et al. 1994; Foster and Humphrey 1995; Jackson 1996; Bertwistle 1999; Brown et al. 1999; Evink 1999; Gunther and Biel 1999; Phillips 1999; Trombulak and Frissell 2000; Hels and Buchwald 2001; Bard et al. 2002a, b; Fahrig et al. 2002; Foresman 2002; Gilbert et al. 2002). We here report wildlife mortality due to collisions with vehicles during 1997-2000 at John U. Lloyd State Park (JULSP), a 125.75-ha, mixed-use, urban state park located approximately 8 km south of Fort Lauderdale, on Florida’s southeast coast. JULSP includes a mix of up- lands and wetlands, consisting mostly of seven vegetation community and infrastructure cover types: beach dune (21.63 ha), coastal strand (4.01 ha), maritime hammock (7.64 ha), estuarine tidal swamp (35.01 ha), estuarine unconsolidated substrate (9.0 ha), ruderal areas mostly dominated by exotic plants (13.72 ha), and developed areas (17.29 ha) (Office of Park Planning, GIS data). The Atlantic coast beach is 3.86 km in length and supported a medium nesting density of marine turtle nests during 1997-2000. A daily (7days/week) road-kill survey was conducted from 1 Janu- ary 1997 to 31 December 2000 by JULSP Park Rangers and consisted of slowly searching road surfaces (ca. 8-24 km/h) for dead wildlife (see discussion of method as reported for other state parks in Smith et al. 1994, Bard et al. 2002a). At JULSP, ca. 4.02 km of paved, two-lane road (with speed limit varying from 24.2-48.4 km/h) were first driven daily between approxi- mately 0730 and 0800 providing opportunity to collect wildlife that had been struck by vehicles (road-kills). Motor vehicles have been observed 53 54 FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST to greatly exceed posted speed limits and JULSP roads are used 24 hours per day. Road-kills were identified to the species level if possible. Vegetation communities along the roadside are extremely patchy and consist of widely variable overstory and understory heights of ham- mock, mangrove wetland, and exotic plants, as well as mowed areas. We recorded 64 mammals, 9 birds, and 16 reptiles as road-kills during the study (Table 1). Raccoons {Procyon lotor) were the most nu- merous victim {n = 30, 47%) among mammals, Eastern Screech-Owls {Otus asio) in = 4, 44%) among birds, and black racers {Coluber con- strictor) in = 9, 56%) among reptiles. Assuming expected frequencies were equal, there was a significant difference in road-kill frequency chi-squared goodness of fit among the three pooled classes of animals (x^ = 60.42, df=2,p< .001). Small cell sizes of only one road-kill (e.g.. Cattle Egret, Bubulcus ibis; garter snake, Thamnophis sirtalis) rendered additional tests among species within classes statistically impractical (see Table 1). In Florida, minimum monetary values for wildlife resources (pen- alties assessed for illegal “take”) are specified in both statute and ad- ministrative code (Florida Statutes 370.02 l(5)d-f; Florida Administrative Code 39-27.002, 39-27.011, and 39-4.001). Likewise, federal laws also are applicable which impose greater values (e.g., En- dangered Species Act, $25,000; Migratory Bird Treaty Act, $2,000). We used the State of Florida wildlife values (Engeman et al. 2002, Shwiff et al. 2003) for our economic analysis; the Wildlife Code of the State of Florida specifies up to a $500 fine for “take” applicable to all wildlife in section 39-4.001 F.A.C. Using the $500 per life unit value (each road- kill = $500) demonstrated a very conservatively valued $44,000 total economic loss of wildlife resources (Table 1). Had we used the Migra- tory Bird Treaty Act value of $2,000 for each bird, the total economic loss would have increased to $57,000. Inasmuch as the area is managed for both wildlife resources and resource-based human recreation, it is inevitable that some wildlife losses will occur as a result of human interaction. We recorded at least 6 species of mammals as road-kills during the study (Table 1); all were commonly occurring species. We were not surprised by the prevalence of raccoons and conjecture that they have achieved a relatively high population density at JULSP as a result of their predation on marine turtle nest eggs (Stancyk 1982, Engeman et al. 2002). For wildlife spe- cies that inhabit urban environments, increased availability and con- centrations of food, den sites, or other refuges also may induce dense populations (e.g., Dickman 1987, Dickman and Doncaster 1987, Riley et al. 1998). Smith and Engeman (2002) reported an extremely high trapping density of 238 raccoons/km^ (minimum) in nearby Hugh Tay- lor Birch State Park in urban, coastal Fort Lauderdale. Smith ET AL.— Wildlife Road-kills 55 Table 1* Basic species and economic analysis of wildlife road-kills during 1997- 2000 at John U, Lloyd State Park, Florida. Class Species Road-kill Frequency n Total economic loss per species in dollars® Mammals Gray squirrel 12 6,000 iSciurus carolinensis) Marsh rabbit 4 2,000 {Sylvilagus palustris) Virginia opossum 13 6,500 {Didelphis virginiana) Raccoon 30 15,000 {Procyon lotor) Feral cat 1 NA (exotic species) {Felis catus) Unidentified rodents 4 2,000 Birds Green Heron 2 1,000 {Butorides virescens) Cattle Egret 1 500 (Bubulcus ibis) Eastern Screech-Owl 4 2,000 (Otus asio) Burrowing Owl 1 500 {Athene cunicularia) Unidentified birds 1 500 Reptiles Southern black racer 9 4,500 {Coluber constrictor) Red rat snake 6 3,000 {Elaphe guttata) Eastern garter snake 1 500 {Thamnophis sirtalis) TOTAL $ 44,000 ®Total dollar loss value calculated per species using Wildlife Code of State of Florida, Chap, 39-4.001 F.A.C. value of $500 per life unit. At least 4 species of birds were killed by collisions with vehicles; this number as well as the total number = 9) killed, were unremark- able in relationship to other avian studies. Fahrig et al. (2002) in a five- year study conducted in Key Largo, Florida, reported much higher numbers of birds killed, including various warblers, nightjars, and thrashers. A number of synergistic factors contributed to the differ- ences in findings for the avian species in the two studies. These in- cluded differences in latitude, vegetation community cover-types, and level of road use and speed limits. Our data suggest that most diurnal 56 FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST birds at JULSP are relatively secure from threat of road-kill. We pre- sumed that the 4 Eastern Screech-Owls were killed at night. Probably because of a combination of its commonness and diurnal habits, the black racer is the most frequently observed snake road-kill throughout southeast Florida state parks (H. Smith, pers. obs., Tim- merman et al. 1991). Although no amphibians were reported during the JULSP study, various species of toads {Bufo spp.) occur in the park. We speculate that some anuran road-kills probably did occur and were somehow overlooked due to survey technique. Wildlife losses also may translate into high economic losses as demon- strated for Royal Terns {Sterna maxima) (Shwiff et al. 2003), loggerhead turtles {Caretta caretta) (Engeman et al. 2002), and other species (Boden- chuk et al. 2002). At Sebastian Inlet State Park, located at the juncture of Brevard and Indian River counties, 97 Royal Terns were recorded as road- kills at a bridge site during 1989-1993 before simple structural improve- ments (Smith et al. 1994, Bard et al. 2002a, Shwiff et al. 2003). Total eco- nomic loss of Royal Terns calculated at the $500 value was $48,000, and at the Migratory Bird Treaty Act $2,000 value was $194,000 (Shwiff et al. 2003). In the five years (1995-1999) after structural improvements to the bridge these losses (26 terns) decreased to $13,000 and $52,000 respec- tively (Bard et al. 2002a, Shwiff et al. 2003). Whereas protective closures and buffer zones have been implemented in Florida to protect breeding, foraging, and loafing waterbirds statewide (Rodgers and Smith 1995, 1997); protective measures to prevent wildlife resources from being killed on roads are more difficult to implement. Wildlife underpasses below roadways have been retrofitted on large (large mammals), and small scales (salamanders), with varying degrees of success and costs (see Jackson and T5ming 1989, Foster and Humphrey 1995, Jackson 1996, Land and Lotz 1996, Roof and Wooding 1996). From a practical standpoint, pilot measures to reduce road-kills at JULSP (and elsewhere) must be proposed, and then evaluated, from both an efficiency and economic efficacy perspective. Wildlife management practices can then knowledgeably be discontinued, maintained, adjusted, or increased to reduce traffic-related mortality of vulnerable species. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS.-^We thank the many JULSP Park Rangers and Park Administrators who participated in road-kill data collection during the years of this study. We thank two anonymous reviewers for their help- ful reviews of earlier drafts of the manuscript. Editorial comments from J. Jackson greatly improved the quality and clarity of the manuscript. Literature Cited Bard, A. M., H. T. Smith, E. D. Egensteiner, R. Mulholland, T. V. Harber, G. W. Heath, W. J. B. Miller, and J. S. Weske. 2002a. A simple structural method to re- duce road-kills of Royal Terns at bridge sites. Wildlife Society Bulletin 30:603-605. SM/mETAL.— Wildlife Road-kills 57 Bard, A. M., H. T. Smith, T. V. Harber, G. W. Stewart, M. Browne, and S. T. Emslie. 2002b. Road-killed Royal Terns (Sterna maxima) recovered at Sebastian Inlet State Park, Florida, USA: A 23-year analysis of banding data. Pages 386-389 in L. M. Terwilliger and L. Coryell, eds. International Conference on Wildlife Ecology and Transportation. Proceedings of a Conference, 24-28 September 2001, at Keystone, CO. Bertwistle, J. 1999. The effects of reduced speed zones on reducing bighorn sheep and elk collisions with vehicles on the Yellowhead Highway in Jasper National Park. Pages 89-97 in G. L. Evink, P. Garrett, and D. Zeigler, eds. Proceedings of the Third International Conference on Wildlife Ecology and Transportation FL-ER“73~99. Flor- ida Department of Transportation, Tallahassee, FL. BODENCHUK, M. J., J. R. Mason, and W. C. Pitt, 2002. Economics of predation manage- ment in relation to agriculture, wildlife, and human health and safety. Pages 80-90 in L. Clark, ed. Human conflicts with wildlife: Economic considerations. Proceedings of a Symposium, 1-3 August 2000 at Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO. Brown, D. L., J. Laird, W. D. Summers, and A. Hamilton. 1999. Methods used by the Arizona Department of Transportation to reduce wildlife mortality and improve high- way safety. Pages 175-184 in G. L. Evink, P. Garrett, and D. Zeigler, eds. Proceedings of the Third International Conference on Wildlife Ecology and Transportation. FL- ER73-99. Florida Department of Transportation, Tallahassee, FL. Dickman, C. R. 1987. Habitat fragmentation and vertebrate species richness in an urban environment. Journal of Applied Ecology 24:337-351. Dickman, C. R., and C. P. Doncaster. 1987. The ecology of small mammals in urban habitats. 1. Populations in a patchy environment. Journal of Animal Ecology 56:629- 640. Engeman, R. M., S. a. Shwiff, B. Constantin, M. Stahl, and H. T. Smith. 2002. An economic analysis of predator removal approaches for protecting marine turtle nests at Hobe Sound National Wildlife Refuge. Ecological Economics 42:469-478. Evink, G. L. 1999. Watch out for wildlife. Page 301 in G. L. Evink, P. Garrett, and D. Zie- gler, eds. Proceedings of the Third International Conference on Wildlife Ecology and Transportation. FL-ER-73-99. Florida Department of Transportation, Tallahassee, FL. Fahrig, L, K. E. Neill, and J. G. Duquesnel. 2002. Interpretation of joint trends in traffic volume and traffic-related wildlife mortality: A case study from Key Largo, Florida. Pages 518-521 in L. M. Terwilliger and L. Coryell, eds. International Confer- ence on Wildlife Ecology and Transportation. Proceedings of a Conference, 24-28 Sep- tember 2001, at Keystone, CO. Foresman, K. R. 2002. Small mammal use of modified culverts on the Lolo South Project of western Montana. Pages 581-582 in L. M. Terwilliger and L. Coryell, eds. Interna- tional Conference on Wildlife Ecology and Transportation. Proceedings of a Confer- ence, 24-28 September 2001, at Keystone, CO. Foster, M. L. and S. R. Humphrey. 1995. Use of highway underpasses by Florida pan- thers and other wildlife. Wildlife Society Bulletin 23:95-100. Gilbert, T., R. Kautz, T. Eason, R. Kawula, and C. Morea. 2002. Prioritization of statewide black bear roadkill problem areas in Florida. Pages 574-579 in L.M. Terwil- liger and L. Coryell, eds. International Conference on Wildlife Ecology and Transpor- tation. Proceedings of a Conference, 24-28 September 2001, at Keystone, CO. Gunther, K. A., and M. J. Biel. 1999. Reducing human-caused black and grizzly bear mortality along roadside corridors in Yellowstone National Park. Pages 25-27 in G. L. Evink, P. Garrett, and D. Zeigler, eds. Proceedings of the third international confer- ence on wildlife ecology and transportation, FL-ER-73-99. Florida Department of Transportation, Tallahassee, FL, Hels, T., and E. Buchwald, 2001. The effect of road kills on amphibian populations. Bi- ological Conservation 99:331-340. 58 FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST Jackson, S. 1996. Underpass systems for amphibians. In G. L. Evink, P. Garrett, D. Zei- gler, and J. Berry, eds. Proceedings of the transportation related wildlife mortality seminar - trends in addressing transportation related wildlife mortality. FL-ER-58- 96. Florida Department of Transportation, Tallahassee, FL. Unpaginated. Jackson, S. D., and T. F. Tyning. 1989. Effectiveness of drift fences and tunnels for moving spotted salamanders (Amhystoma maculatum) under roads. Pages 93-99 in T. E. S. Langton, ed.. Amphibians and Roads; Proceedings of the Toad Tunnel Confer- ence. AGO Polymer Products, Shefford, England. Land, D., and M. Lotz. 1996. Wildlife crossing designs and use by Florida panthers and other wildlife in southwest Florida. In G. L. Evink, P. Garrett, D. Zeigler, and J. Berry, eds. Proceedings of the Transportation Related Wildlife Mortality Seminar — Trends in Addressing Transportation Related Wildlife Mortality. FL-ER-58-96. Florida De- partment of Transportation, Tallahassee, FL. Unpaginated. Phillips, M. 1999. Wildlife management on arterial highways in New Brunswick. Pages 259-262 in G.L. Evink, P. Garrett, and D. Zeigler, eds. Proceedings of the Third Inter- national Conference on Wildlife Ecology and Transportation. FL-ER-73-99. Florida Department of Transportation, Tallahassee, FL. Riley, S. P. D., J. Hadidian, and D. A. Manski. 1998. Population density, survival, and rabies in raccoons in an urban national park. Canadian Journal of Zoology 76:1153- 1164. Rodgers, J. A., and H. T. Smith. 1995. Set-back distances to protect nesting bird colo- nies from human disturbance in Florida. Conservation Biology 9:89-99. Rodgers, J. A., and H. T. Smith. 1997. Buffer zone distances to protect foraging and loafing waterbirds from human disturbances in Florida. Wildlife Society Bulletin 25:139-145. Roof, J., and J. Wooding. 1996. Evaluation of the S.R. 46 wildlife crossing in Lake County, Florida. In G.L. Evink, P. Garrett, D. Zeigler, and J. Berry, eds. Proceedings of the Transportation Related Wildlife Mortality Seminar - Trends in Addressing Transportation Related Wildlife Mortality. FL-ER-58-96. Florida Department of Transportation, Tallahassee, FL. Unpaginated. Shwiff, S. a., H. T. Smith, A. M. Bard, T. V. Harbor, G. W. Heath, and R. M. Enge- man. 2003. An economic analysis of a simple structural method to reduce road-kills of Royal Terns at bridges. Caribbean Journal of Science 39:250-253. Skoog, P. j. 1982. Highways and endangered wildlife in Florida: impacts and recommen- dations. Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission, Tallahassee, FL. Smith, H. T., W. J. B. Miller, R. E. Roberts, C. V. Tamborski, W. W. Timmerman, and J. S. Weske. 1994. Banded Royal Terns recovered at Sebastian Inlet, Florida. Florida Field Naturalist 22:81-83. Smith, H. T., and R. M. Engeman. 2002. An extraordinary raccoon density at an urban park in Florida. Canadian Field-Naturalist 116:636-639. Stancyk, S. E. 1982. Non-human predators of sea turtles and their control. Pages 139- 152 in K.A. Bjorndal, ed. Biology and Conservation of Sea Turtles. Smithsonian Insti- tution Press, Washington, D.C. Timmerman, W. W., W. J. B. Miller, and C. V. Tamborski. 1991. The herpetofauna of Jonathan Dickinson State Park, Martin County, Florida. Project 7618 report to Flor- ida Game and Freshwater Fish Commission. Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Hobe Sound, FL. 38 pp. Trombulak, S. C., and C. A. Frissell. 2000. Review of ecological effects of roads on ter- restrial and aquatic communities. Conservation Biology 14:18-30. 59 NOTES Florida Field Naturalist 31(3):59-00, 2003. COMMENSAL FORAGING AND A “BEATER EFFECT” INVOLVING RUDDY TURNSTONES, SANDERLINGS, LEAST SANDPIPERS, AND SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHERS William E, Davis, Jr. College of General Studies, Boston University, 871 Commonwealth Ave., Boston, Massachusetts, 02215 Mixed species flocks of wintering shorebirds are common on Florida beaches where they may habituate to humans and tolerate close approach (Burger and Gochfeld 1991). Some species e.g., Short-billed Dowitchers (Limnodromus griseus) tend to group more often in single-species flocks and forage tactilely by probing the substrate (Mallory and Schneider 1979), while others e.g., Sanderlings (Calidris alba) forage either visually or tactilely and may defend territories or join single-species or mixed-species flocks (Myers et al. 1979a, Pitelka et al. 1980, MacWhirter et al. 2002). Ruddy Turnstones (Arenaria interpres) in winter have a diverse diet, are opportunistic feeders and scavengers, and turn over objects, including wrack vegetation while visually searching for invertebrates (Nettleship 2000). Sanderlings occasionally feed in association with Black Turnstones {Arenaria melanocephala) in winter on California beaches, foraging on substrate ex- posed by turnstones (Meyers et al. 1979b). A similar “beater” effect was observed on Monomoy Island, Massachusetts, in which Ruddy Turnstones dug shallow pits and Sanderlings foraged in the pits with the turnstones and after the turnstones had left (B. Harrington, pers. comm.). I report here on observations of commensal foraging among Sanderlings, Ruddy Turnstones, Short-billed Dowitchers, and Least Sandpipers {Calidris minutilla) in beach wrack vegetation, in which Sanderlings frequently used Ruddy Turnstones as “beaters,” attacking prey exposed by turnstones tossing wrack. At about high tide on 9 February 2003, at Bahia Honda State Park, Bahia Honda Key in south Florida, I watched for about 90 minutes a flock of mostly Sanderlings and Ruddy Turnstones, with lesser numbers of Least Sandpipers, foraging on the beach wrack near high tide. Their dispersion was very clumped with about 150 birds within about a 20 m section of beach. The Sanderlings frequently foraged in clusters around one or more Ruddy Turnstones; they seemed to take advantage of the typical turnstone behavior of flipping chunks of the beach rack vegetation with the bill, thus exposing numbers of amphipods that hopped about. These were actively pursued by the Sander- lings as well as the turnstones. In one group I counted six turnstones and 28 Sander- lings, all within aim section of beach wrack. The rate of foraging could best be described as frantic— -a feeding frenzy with birds shuffling amongst each other making repeated stabs at hopping amphipods. Clumps of birds formed, dispersed, and reformed around the nucleus of turnstones. Least Sandpipers did not participate in the clumping, but foraged independently, remaining fairly well spread out, mostly at the periphery of the flock. The following day at Curry Hammock State Park near Marathon, Florida, I watched another flock of Sanderlings and turnstones foraging. There the turnstones were not tossing beach wrack, but simply walking along the wrack striking at amphipods that were on the surface. The clumping of turnstones and Sanderlings was noticeably absent and both species appeared to be visually foraging independent of one another. Through my binoculars I could see thousands of beach fleas hopping about on the wrack. These observations are consistent with the hypothesis that prey was superabundant and available without the wrack-tossing by the turnstones. 60 FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST I returned to Bahia Honda State Park on 14 February to try to photograph the forag- ing shorebirds, and at about 0915 I located a flock of about 300 Sanderlings, 75 Ruddy Turnstones, 60 Least Sandpipers, and 35 Short-billed Dowitchers actively foraging on beach wrack shortly after high tide, all within about 100 m of beach (Fig. 1). A few birds foraged at the water’s edge or loafed, but more than 90% were actively foraging on the beach wrack. It was again a dynamic, moving feast. As on my previous visit to Bahia Honda, the turnstones were the nuclear species, tossing beach wrack and drawing in Sanderlings to the hopping fleas they uncovered. The dowitchers foraged with the Sand- erlings and turnstones but were independent of the clumping effect as they foraged by probing rather than by visual means. The Least Sandpipers were again concentrated on the periphery of the flock, perhaps in response to exclusion by the larger species. There was some aggressive behavior by the turnstones and Sanderlings, with Sanderlings oc- casionally attacking other Sanderlings, and turnstones usually attacking Sanderlings. The attacks were mostly short chases and I was surprised at how little aggression oc- curred considering the proximity of the birds to one another and the shuffling about and general high rate of activity. However, territorial behavior and corresponding aggres- sion vary inversely with prey density (Myers et al. 1979a), and prey were super- abun- dant in the wrack vegetation. When I picked up handfuls of wrack vegetation I exposed dozens of amphipods. WTien a turnstone tossed a batch of wrack, a flurry of activity oc- curred. Sometimes three or four Sanderlings would cluster around the head of a turn- stone — almost bill to bill. Because exposed amphipods hopped in all directions and the Sanderlings chased them, the clumps of Sanderlings and turnstones were ephemeral, forming around one or more turnstones until a turnstone tossed a batch of wrack, and then dissipated as the assembled birds chased amphipods and reformed around one or more other turnstones. Figure 1. Sanderlings attending Ruddy Turnstones in a commensal feeding as- sociation in which the Sanderlings take advantage of the Ruddy Turnstones’ behavior of turning shells and bits of debris to reveal prey. Notes 61 Literature Cited Burger, J., and M. Gochfeld. 1991. Human activity influence and diurnal and noctur- nal foraging of Sanderlings {Calidris alba). Condor 93:259-265. MacWhirter, B. P., Austin-Smith, Jr., and D. Kroodsma. 2002. Sanderling {Calidris alba). In The Birds of North America No. 653 (A. Poole and F. Gill, eds.). The Birds of North America, Inc., Philadelphia, PA. Mallory, E. P., and D. C. Schneider 1979. Agonistic behavior in Short-billed Dowitch- ers feeding on a patchy resource. Wilson Bulletin 91:271-278. Myers, J. P., P. G. Connors, and F. A. Pitelka. 1979a. Territory size in wintering Sanderlings: the effects of prey abundance and intruder density. Auk 96:551-561. Meyers, J. P., P. G. Connors, and F. A. Pitelka. 1979b. Territoriality in non-breeding shorebirds. Studies in Avian Biology 2:231-246. Nettleship, D. 2000. Ruddy Turnstone {Arenaria interpres). In The Birds of North America, No. 537 (A. Poole and F. Gill, eds.). The Academy of Natural Sciences, Phil- adelphia, and The American Ornithologists’ Union, Washington, D.C. Pitelka, F. A., J. P. Myers, and P. G. Connors. 1980. Spatial and resource-use pat- terns in wintering shorebirds: the Sanderling in central coastal California. Proceed- ings International Ornithological Congress 17:1041-1044. 62 Florida Field Naturalist 31(3);62, 2003. AMERICAN GOLDFINCHES ASSOCIATE WITH PINE WARBLERS IN NORTH FLORIDA Peter H Homann 117 Ridgeland Road, Tallahassee, Florida 32312 During banding operations in the autumn of 2002 near my home in suburban Talla- hassee, Florida, I caught on three occasions American Goldfinches (Carduelis tristis) and Pine Warblers (Dendroica pinus) simultaneously in the same mist net. The location was a boggy spot in a small wooded area that borders on pasture-like clearings and fields. Altogether 9 Pine Warblers were netted there between 23 and 30 November, all of them together with American Goldfinches. The counts were 4 Pine Warblers with 6 American Goldfinches, 3 with 1, and 2 with 5. In addition to the 12 goldfinches of these groupings, I caught another 23 during that time period. Of these, with two exceptions when I captured three, only one or two were netted on each occasion. One of them actu- ally was trapped in a net next to the one with three Pine Warblers and a single Ameri- can Goldfinch, On three different occasions, single Yellow-rumped Warblers {Dendroica coronata) happened also to be captured at the same time as goldfinches, but they were trapped in nearby mist nets. In December, I netted just five goldfinches at that banding location and no Pine Warblers. My observations suggest that some migrant American Goldfinches may join Pine Warblers in small flocks. Gaddis (1983) has identified these two species as occasional members of the multi-species mixed flocks of forest birds that form outside the breeding season in north Florida and are led by Carolina Chickadees {Poecile carolinensis) or Tufted Titmice {Baeolophus hicolor). Such flocks apparently are a rarity near my home, presumably because the availability of bird feeders in the neighborhood makes foraging excursions unnecessary for chickadees and titmice. The American Goldfinches described here apparently sought the company of Pine Warblers after arrival from the north be- fore moving on or detecting the readily available food resources in bird feeders. Resident Pine Warblers would appear to be attractive partners because they supplement their ar- thropod diet with seeds during the winter months and often forage close to or on the ground at that time (Rodewald et al. 1999). Seeing individuals of the two species next to one another in the same net, I could not help but wonder whether the superficial simi- larity of their basic plumages facilitates their interaction. Acknowledgment. — I am grateful to Cellular One and now U.S. Cellular for per- mission to conduct banding activities in the woods surrounding their telecommunica- tion tower. Literature Cited Gaddis, P. K. 1983. Composition and behavior of mixed-species flocks of forest birds in north-central Florida. Florida Field Naturalist 11:25-34. Rodewald, P. G., J. H. Withgott, and K. G. Smith. 1999. Pine Warbler, Dendroica pi- nus. In The Birds of North America, No. 438, A. Poole and F. B. Gill, eds. Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia, and American Ornithologists’ Union, Washington, D.C. 63 Florida Field Naturalist 31(31:63-73, 2003. FIELD OBSERVATIONS Winter Report! December 2002-February 2003.“This report consists of signifi- cant bird observations compiled by the Field Observations Committee (FOC). Submis- sions to the FOC should be in the following format: species, number of individuals, age and sex of the bird(s), color morph if applicable, location (including county), date, ob- server(s), and significance. Seasons are winter (December-February), spring (March- May), summer (June-July), and fall (August-November). Submit observations to re- gional compilers within two weeks after the close of each season, or to the state compiler within one month. Addresses of the compilers are found at the end of this report. We greatly prefer observations sent via e-mail. Sight-only observations are considered “reports” while only those supported by verifi- able evidence (photographs, video or audio tapes, or specimens) are called “records.” Species for which documentation is required by the FOS Records Committee (FOSRC; Bowman 2000, Fla. Field Nat. 28: 149-160) are marked here with an asterisk (*). A county designation {in italics) accompanies the first-time listing of each site in this re- port. Abbreviations in this report are: CBC = Christmas Bird Count, CP = county park, EOS = end of season, LARA - Lake Apopka Restoration Area {Orange unless noted), NP = National Park, NWR = national wildlife refuge, SP = state park, SRA = state recre- ation area, STF = sewage treatment facility, and N, S, E, W etc., for compass directions. Bold-facing denote birds newly reported or verified in Florida, or significant numbers. Summary of the Winter Season Many observers remarked about the abundance of certain wintering species this sea- son, especially Eastern Phoebe, Eastern Bluebird, American Robin, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Cedar Waxwing, and American Goldfinch. Bitter temperatures farther north ap- parently were responsible for the influx into Florida, Several mega-rarities were re- ported, including three first state records, although the provenance of one of these may be questioned. FOSRC rarities were the Aechmophorus grebe at Fort Myers, Trumpeter Swans at Niceville, Eurasian Kestrel at Lake Apopka, Black-headed Gull at Miami, Heer- mann’s Gull at Fort De Soto County Park and near Bradenton, Iceland Gull and Lapland Longspur at Jacksonville, Slaty-backed Gull at Key West, Calliope Hummingbirds at Alli- gator Point and Tallahassee, Allen’s Hummingbird and Bullock’s Oriole at Pensacola, Cassin’s Kingbirds at Florida City and Lake Apopka, Mountain Bluebird at Everglades National Park, Green-tailed Towhee at Honeymoon Island, and Harris’s Sparrow east of Sanford. John Boyd reported that 25 species of wood-warblers were observed this season in Miami-Dade and Monroe. Unprecedented numbers of Yellow-rumped and Palm war- blers were noted at Lake Apopka. Yet another addition was made to the list of Florida’s exotic avifauna, with the observation of 2 House Crows near Sarasota. CBC reports listed here include only those accompanied by convincing documentation. Species Accounts Red-throated Loon: 1 at Choctawhatchee Bay {Okaloosa) 16 Dec (B. and L. Duncan); 1 at Destin {Okaloosa) 18 Jan (A. Knothe); 1 at Gulf Breeze {Santa Rosa) 19 Jan (T. Bagworth); 20 at Alligator Point {Franklin) 4 Feb (J. Dozier). Pacific Loon: (the same?) 1 at Gulf Breeze 14 Dec (L. Duncan) and 19 Jan (T. Bagworth) and at Pensacola Bay {Escambia) 1 Feb (A. and D. Forster); 1 at Green Key CP {Pasco) 2 Jan ff (D. Powell, B. Ahern et al.); 1 at Alligator Point 29 Dec-5 Feb (J. Do- zier et al.). 64 FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST Eared Grebe: 1 at Fort Walton Beach STF (Okaloosa) to 22 Dec (B. and L. Duncan et al.); 1 at Lake Ariana (Polk) 16 Jan (P. Fellers); up to 7 at Polk phosphate mines 1 Jan-25 Feb (P. Fellers et ah). *Aechmophorus SPECIES: 1 at Fort Myers Beach (Lee) 13-19 Jan (A. Wraithmell [photos to FOC], B. Ahern et al.). Northern Gannet: 75 off Bill Baggs/Cape Florida SP (Miami-Dade) 11 Dec (J. Rosen- field). Brown Booby: 1 seen from Sailfish Point, Stuart (Martin) 4 Jan (G. Woolfenden). American White Pelican: 1 at Tallahassee (Leon) 19 Dec (G. Menk et al.); 1200 at Polk phosphate mines 11 Jan (P. Fellers et al.); 150 at Fort De Soto CP (Pinellas) 19 Feb (B. Ahern). Brown Pelican: 1 with “an obvious red gular pouch” at Clive Key (Monroe) 27 Jan (B. Mulrooney); 1 at Gainesville (Alachua) 8-15 Feb (R. Rowan, 1. Samuels et al.). Great Cormorant: 1 adult at Huguenot Memorial Park (Duval) 28 Dec (B. Richter). Reddish Egret: 8 dark morphs at Merritt Island NWR (Brevard) 3 Dec (B. Ahern). Glossy Ibis: 1 at Lake Jackson (Leon) 1 Dec (M. Hill); 1250 at LARA 5 Jan (H. Robin- son). Roseate Spoonbill: 8 at Polk phosphate mines 23-25 Jan (P. Fellers, B. Ahern et al.). Black Vulture: 2 at Key Largo (Monroe) 18 Dec (B. Mulrooney). Fulvous Whistling-Duck: 4 at Newnans Lake (Alachua) 13 Dec (A. Kratter); 4 at De- Land (Volusia) 20 Jan (M. Gardler); 150 at Ocklawaha Prairie Restoration Area (Marion) 2 Feb (J. Hintermister, E. Scales). Black-bellied Whistling-DUCK: 8 at Gainesville 15 Dec (A. Kratter); 42 at Alachua (Alachua) 5 Jan (E. Scales et al.); 12 at Lake Seward (Polk) 27 Jan (T. Palmer). Greater White-fronted Goose: 13 in Walton 2-8 Jan (fide B. Duncan); 8 at Fort Wal- ton Beach STF 7 Jan (A. Knothe); 3 at Lake Jackson 11 Jan-2 Feb (E. Woodruff, J. Cavanagh). Snow Goose: 1 at Fort De Soto CP to 13 Dec (L. Atherton et al.); 2 at LARA 2-8 Dec (H. Robinson); 1 blue morph near Orange Mills (Putnam) 7 Dec (J. Hintermister); 1 blue morph at Heritage Pines (Pasco) 23 Dec (C. Black, K. Tracey); 15 (10 white and 5 blue) in NE Leon 1 Jan (C. Higman); 1 blue and 1 white at St. Marks NWR 23 Jan (J. Dozier). Canada Goose: 1 at Gainesville 8-15 Dec (L. Davis et al.); 12 at Sneads Park (Jackson) 1 Jan (S. McCool). “Richardson’s Canada Goose:” 2 with a “typical” Canada Goose at Barefoot Bay, Micco (Brevard) 4-8 Jan (D. Simpson et al., photos to FOC by S. Chalmers) reportedly ar- rived 2 months earlier. Mute Swan: 2 at Crystal River (Citrus) 28 Dec (K. Spilios et ah, photo to FOC); 1 at Ce- dar Key (Levy) 9-10 Jan (J. Hintermister, B. Wallace). *Trumpeter Swan (Cygnus buccinator): 4 “very tame” adults at Niceville (Okaloosa) 5 Dec-EOS (D. Siwicki, J. Vest et al., photos to FOC) furnished the first Florida record. Mandarin Duck: 1 male at Jacksonville 10 Dec-EOS seemed to be courting a female Wood Duck (M. Davidson). American Black Duck: 1 at LARA 7-11 Jan (H. Robinson). Blue-winged Teal: 650 at Polk phosphate mines 23 Feb (P. Fellers). Northern Shoveler: 1200 at Polk phosphate mines 11-20 Jan (P. Fellers et ah). Gadwall: 22 at Polk phosphate mines 28 Feb (P. Fellers). Eurasian Wigeon: 1 male at Merritt Island NWR to 11 Dec (B, Ahern, T. Rodriguez et al.); 1 male at Eagle Lakes Park, Naples (Collier) 19 Dec (D. Suitor), and 2 males there 22 Dec (C. Ewell, photo to FOC) were present sporadically through the winter, Canvasback: 23 at Polk phosphate mines 11 Jan (P. Fellers et al.). Redhead: 22 at Polk phosphate mines 22 Jan (P. Fellers et al.). Greater Scaup: 1 at Gainesville 15 Dec-25 Jan (L. Davis, A. Kent et al.). Lesser Scaup: 6400 at Lake Arietta (Polk) 13 Dec (P, Fellers). Field Observations 65 Common Eider: 1 first-year male at Port Canaveral (Brevard) 14 Dec ff (D. Click et aL). Black Scoter: 3 near Panther Key, Ten Thousand Islands NWR (Collier) 3 Jan (LX. Baker et aL), and 5 elsewhere in the Refuge 22 Jan (T. Below). Surf Scoter: 1 female at Bunche Beach (Lee) 25 Nov-EOS (fide C. Ewell); 2 at Lake Worth 10-13 Jan (S. Epps, B. Hope et aL); 1 at Alligator Point 12 Jan (J. Hinter- mister, L. Davis); 1 male at Fort Myers Beach (Lee) to 18 Jan (P. Sykes, C. Ewell, J. Greenlaw); 5 near Coon Key, Ten Thousand Islands NWR 28 Jan (T. Doyle); a “mi- grant group” of 12 at Alligator Point 13 Feb (J. Dozier). White-winged Scoter: 3 in mid-Pi/iellas 6-19 Dec (J. Fisher); 5 at Jacksonville 28 Dec (fide P. Powell). Long-tailed Duck: 1 female in mid-Pi/ielfas 7 Dec (J. Fisher); 1 at Crystal River 21-28 Dec (T. Hince); 3 at the mouth of the San Sebastian River (Indian River) 4 Jan (J. Taylor et aL, photos to FOC); 1 at Fort Clinch SP (Nassau) in Jan (P. Leary). Common Goldeneye: 1 at LARA 30 Dec (H. Robinson); at least 1 of 2 wintered at St. Marks NWR (J. Dozier, S. McCool et aL). Ruddy Duck: 2800 at Lake Ariana 13 Dec (P, Fellers); 2600 at LARA 30 Dec (H. Robin- son); 74 at Hampton Lake (Bradford) 22 Feb (R. Rowan, J. Hintermister); 1570 at Polk phosphate mines 23 Feb (P. Fellers). Swallow-tailed Kite: 1 over Brandon (Hillsborough) 22 Feb (E. Kwater); 1 at Polk phosphate mines 22 Feb (P. Timmer, C. Geanangel). WMite-TAILED Kite: 1 adult at Hole-In-The-Donut, Everglades NP (Miami-Dade) 26 Dec (B. Pranty et aL); 1 on the Lake Placid CBC 27 Dec (fide G. Woolfenden and J. Greenlaw). Snail Kite: 3 birds 8 km E of CR-951 and S of US-41 (Collier) 5-7 Dec (T. Doyle, D. Suitor); 12 at the SE corner of Water Conservation Area 2 (Broward) 26 Dec (B. Pranty et aL). Harris’s Hawk: 1 at Bonita Springs (Lee) had the “remnants of tether on at least one leg” (L.L. Baker). Broad-winged Hawk: 1 adult at Jacksonville 28 Dec (C. Adams). Short-tailed Hawk: 1 dark morph at the Naples Landfill (Collier) 29 Dec (T. Doyle, D. Suitor); 1 dark morph at CR-92 (Collier) 3 Jan (C. Ewell, D. Suitor); 2 dark morphs on the Lake Wales CBC (Polk) 4 Jan (D, Huxtable et aL); 1 light morph at the S end of Lake Istokpoga (Highlands) 3 Feb (M. McMillian). Swainson’S Hawk: 1 or more at W Kendall (Miami-Dade) 5 Dec-28 Jan (J. Boyd, J. Bou- ton et aL); 1 on the Kissimmee CBC (Osceola) 4 Jan (fide B. McKeown); 1 at Frog Pond \¥MA (Miami-Dade) 27 Jan (B. Boeringer). Red-tailed Hawk: 1 dark morph at W Kendall 19 Dec (J. Boyd). Golden Eagle: 1 immature at Lake Miccosukee (Leon) 15 Dec (G. Menk). *Eumasian Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus): 1 female at LARA 26 Feb-EOS (H, Robinson et al., photos to FOC by H. Weatherman et aL) furnished the first verified record for Florida. Merlin: 3 at Green Key CP 2 Jan (B. Ahern, D. Powell). Black Rail: 2 at Weekiwachee Preserve (Hernando) 23 Dec (B. Ahern, D. Powell, B, Pranty); 1 at Fort Walton Beach STF 18 Jan (A. Knothe). King Rail: 14 at LARA 9 Jan (H. Robinson). Virginia Rail: 5 at Crews Lake CP (Pasco) 23 Dec (M, Gardler, J. Gaetzi). SORA: 109 at LARA 30 Dec (H. Robinson). Purple Swamphen: 2 at the SE corner of Water Conservation Area 2 (visible from Markham CP) 28 Nov (B. Roberts), and 4 gray-headed adults there 26 Dec (B. Pranty, B. Ahern, D, Powell). Common Moorhen: 1 “very young chick” at Seminole (Pinellas) 19 Dec (J. Fisher). Limpkin: 10 birds 8 km E of CR-951 and S of US-41 5-7 Dec (T. Doyle, D. Suitor). Sandhill Crane: 1 at Gulf Breeze 15 Nov-1 Dec (M. Quinn); 8 at Lake Jackson 4 Dec (M. Hill); 2765 over Gainesville 15 Feb (M, Landsman). 66 FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST Whooping Crane: 1 at Brandon 5 Feb (D. Powell); 1 at Gainesville 27 Feb (L. Terry). Southern Lapwing: 2 at Hague {Alachua) 14 Feb (G. Kiltie) were determined to be es- capees. American Golden-Plover: 1 at Merritt Island Causeway {Brevard) 7-11 Dec (J. Dozier, J. Murphy, J. Cavanagh [photos to FOC], T. Rodriguez); 1 at Crandon Beach {Miami- Dade) 17 Dec (R. Diaz); 1 at LARA 9 Jan (H. Robinson). Snowy Plover: 2 at Big Bird Island, Nassau Sound {Duval) late Dec-EOS (P. Leary); 1 banded as a chick at Sanibel Island in May 2002 was refound at Little Estero Lagoon (Lee) 11 Jan (C. Ewell); 10 at Fort De Soto CP 16 Feb (P. Sykes); 1 at Huguenot Me- morial Park {Duval) 28 Feb (B. Richter). Piping Plover: 1 at Pine Island CP {Hernando) 13-23 Dec (B. Pranty, H. Lovell et ah); 4 at Huguenot Memorial Park 26 Jan (J, Holstein); 12 at Fort De Soto CP 16 Feb (P. Sykes); 39 wintered at Crandon Beach, including singles banded at the Great Lakes, Quebec, and New Brunswick (R. Diaz); 1 banded at Saskatchewan, Canada wintered at Little Estero Lagoon (C. Ewell). American OystercatcheR: 555 at Cedar Key 27 Dec {fide D. Henderson); 1 banded along the North Carolina coast in Jun 2002 was refound at Little Estero Lagoon 22 Feb-EOS (C. Ewell). Black-necked Stilt: 1 at LARA 26 Feb (H. Robinson). American AvoceT: 1 at Apalachicola {Franklin) 21 Dec (J. Murphy); 50 at Hamilton phosphate mines 21 Dec (J. Eirummrich); 120+ at Lover’s Key SRA (Lee) 27 Dec ff {fide C. Ewell). Solitary Sandpiper: 1 at Bartow {Polk) 14 Dec (P. Fellers et ah); 2 at Tallahassee 15 Jan-1 Feb (G. Menk et ah, photos to FOC by J. Cavanagh); 1 at Loxahatchee NWR {Palm Beach) 25 Jan (B. Mulrooney); 1 at St. Marks NWR 17-19 Feb (B. Mulrooney, A. and B. Hansen); 1 wintered at Hague (M. King et ah): WiLLET: 1100 at Cedar Key 27 Dec {fide D. Henderson). Spotted Sandpiper: 1 wintered at Hague (M. King et al.). Upland Sandpiper: 1 at Fort Walton Beach STF 11 Dec (B. and L. Duncan et ah, details to FOC) furnished the first Florida winter report. Long-billed Curlew: 4 on the Alafia Banks CBC {Hillsborough) 15 Dec {fide D. Bow- man); 1 at Bunche Beach 18 Dec-EOS (B. Postmus); 2 at Cedar Key 27 Dec-EOS (J. Hintermister, D. Morrow). SanderlinG: 1 color-banded at Cape May, New Jersey in May 2002 was refound at Little Estero Lagoon 1 Dec (C. Ewell), then at Fort De Soto CP 12 Apr (J. Bouton). Semipalmated Sandpiper: 2 at Lake Ingraham, Everglades NP {Monroe) 28 Dec (J, Boyd, B. Hope); dozens at Calusa Key {Monroe) 30 Jan (B. Mulrooney, photo of 2 to FOC); 1 at Elliot Key {Miami-Dade) 7 Feb (B. Mulrooney). Least Sandpiper: 1200 at Polk phosphate mines 23 Feb (P. Fellers et al.). Pectoral Sandpiper: 1 at LARA 26 Feb (H. Robinson). Purple Sandpiper: 1 at Alligator Point 1 Dec (J. Dozier, J. Murphy et al.). Dunlin: 1755 at Cedar Key 27 Dec {fide D. Henderson); 16 at LARA 9 Jan (H. Robinson). Curlew Sandpiper: 1 at Northwest Cape, Everglades NP {Monroe) 1 Jan (D. Whitaker et ah). Stilt Sandpiper: 250 at Polk phosphate mines 25 Feb (P. Fellers). Long-billed Dowitcher: 117 at LARA 16 Dec (H. Robinson); 2 at Calusa Key 20 Jan (B. Mulrooney); 100 at Polk phosphate mines 28 Feb (P. Fellers et aL). American Woodcock: 5 at Weekiwachee Preserve 26 Jan (M. Gardler, J. Gaetzi). Parasitic Jaeger: 16 off Key Biscayne {Miami-Dade) 7 Dec, 14 seen 9 Dec, and 2 there 25 Feb (R. Diaz). *Black-headed Gull: 1 at Black Point STF {Miami-Dade) 21 Dec-EOS (L. Manfredi et al., details to FOC). Bonaparte’S Gull: up to 185 wintered at LARA (H. Robinson). Field Observations 67 *Heermann’S Gull: presumably the same 1 (now in breeding plumage) at Coquina Beach {Manatee) 22 Jan {fide D. Bowman), then at Fort De Soto CP 6 Feb ff (L. Ather- ton et aL). Ring-billed Gull: 4600 at LARA 21 Feb (H. Robinson). *ICELAND Gull: 1 first- winter bird at Huguenot Memorial Park 31 Dec (B. Richter, photo to FOC). Lesser Black-backed Gull: 1 at LARA 30 Dec-11 Jan (H. Robinson); 2 at Little Estero Lagoon 22 Feb (C. Ewell et aL). Glaucous Gull: single second-year birds at Huguenot Memorial Park 17 and 22 Jan (B. Richter). *Slaty-backed Gull: 1 wintered at Key West (J. Ondrejko et aL). Great Black-backed Gull: 1 at Sanibel Causeway {Lee) 25 Dec (B. Postmus et aL); 1 juvenile at Bald Point SP {Franklin) 11 Feb (S. McCool); 1 at Little Estero Lagoon 22 Feb (C. Ewell et aL). Gull-billed Tern: 3 at Pine Island CP 18 Jan (A. and B. Hansen), and 1 there 26 Jan (M. Gardler, J. Gaetzi). Caspian Tern: 1 immature at Springhill Road STF 25 Feb (G. Menk). Royal Tern: 300 at Fort Myers Beach 18 Jan (P. Sykes, C. Ewell, J. Greenlaw); 2 at Polk phosphate mines 28 Feb (P. Fellers et aL). Sooty Tern: 1 off Bill Baggs/Cape Florida SP 3 Jan (J. Hintermister). Black Skimmer: 1500+ at Nassau Sound 7 Dec (P. Leary); 575 at Polk phosphate mines 11 Jan (P. Fellers et aL); 500 at Fort Myers Beach 18 Jan (P. Sykes, C. Ewell, J. Greenlaw); 435 at Fort De Soto CP 16 Feb (P. Sykes). White-winged Dove: 2 at Alligator Point 5-19 Dec (J. Dozier, J. Murphy); 2 at St. Au- gustine {St Johns) 14 Dec (T. Shuler); 40 at Wesley Chapel {Pasco) 21 Dec (D. Powell, B. Ahern); 1 at Spring Hill {Hernando) 22 Dec (A. and B. Hansen); 1 at Mayo {Lafay- ette) 24-26 Dec (D. Dees); 6 at LARA 28 Dec (H. Robinson); 150+ at Archer {Alachua) 2-25 Jan (J. Tucci); 2 at Lake City {Columbia) 23 Feb-EOS (J. Ault); 7+ wintered at Gainesville (R. Rowan et aL). Budgerigar: 1 near Dadeland {Miami-Dade) 17 Feb (B. Boeringer). Blue-crowned Parakeet: 1 at Kendall {Miami-Dade) 29 Dec (J. Holstein et aL). Lilac-crowned Parrot: 6 at Miami 29 Dec (J. Holstein et aL). Yellow-headed Parrot: 1 at Miami 29 Dec (J. Holstein et aL). Red-crowned Parrot: 10 at Miami 29 Dec (J. Holstein et aL). Mangrove Cuckoo: singles in Florida Bay {Monroe) at East Buchanan Key 12 Dec and Twin Key 27 Jan (B. Mulrooney). Smooth-billed Ani: 1 at “Ding” Darling NWR (Lee) 7 Dec-EOS {fide B. Ahern), Groove-billed Ani: 1 at Fort Pickens, Gulf Islands National Seashore {Escambia) 26 Nov-18 Dec (B, Duncan); 2 in Escambia 3 Dec (B. Duncan). Barn Owl: 1 at Alligator Point 19 Jan (D. Simpson, J. Dozier). Great Horned Owl: 3 active nests near Bradley Junction {Polk) 25 Jan (B. Ahern, K. Allen). Short-eared Owl: 1 at St. Marks NWR 11 Jan-13 Feb (J, Hintermister, J. Dozier et aL); 1 at Panacea {Wakulla) 4 Feb (S. McCool); 2 wintered at LARA (H, Robinson). Lesser Nighthawk: 5 at Eco Pond, Everglades NP 7 Dec-29 Jan (J. Boyd, J. Bouton); 1 at Gulf Islands National Seashore {Escambia) 21 Dec (S. Duncan); 1 at Alligator Point 26 Dec (J. Dozier, J. Murphy); 1 at St. Joseph Peninsula SP {Gulf) 27 Dec (D. Rogles); 2 at Loxahatchee NWR 4 Jan (B. Hope et aL); 1 at Eagle Lakes Park 12 Jan-2 Feb (T. Doyle, D. Suitor et aL). Chordeiles species: 1 at Tallahassee 16 Jan was thought to be a Common Nighthawk (R. Lengacher, details to FOC). Chuck-WILL’s-WIDOW: 1 at Seminole 4 Jan-1 Feb (J. Fisher). Whip-poor-will: 1 at Gulf Breeze 5 Jan (B. Duncan). 68 FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST Hummingbirds: 33 in Alachua and adjoining portions of Gilchrist 3.n& Putnam this win- ter: 4 Rufous; 14 Selasphorus species; 3 Black-chinned; 4 Ruby-throated; 1 Archilo- chus species; and 7 hummingbird species {fide R. Rowan). Ruby-throated Hummingbird: 1 at Gainesville 20 Feb (P. Duey) was believed to be a spring arrival; 1 arrived at Alligator Point 22 Feb (J. Murphy); 21 newly banded in the Tallahassee area this winter {fide G. Menk). Black-chinned Hummingbird: 1 at Riverview {Hillsborough) 26 Dec (E. Kwater, P. Moore); 1 on the Kissimmee CBC 4 Jan {fide B. McKeown); 1 on the Stuart {Martin) CBC 4 Jan {fide J. Hailman); 2 newly banded in the Tallahassee area this winter {fide G. Menk). Archilochus species: 1 at Cedar Key 31 Dec-EOS (D. Henderson); 1 at Spring Hill 21- 22 Feb (E. Maywalt). *CallI0PE Hummingbird: singles banded at Tallahassee 10 Jan and 9 Feb (F. Rutk- ovsky, F. Bassett et al.); 1 at Alligator Point 9 Feb (J. Murphy, J. Dozier et al.). Rufous Hummingbird: single adult males at Jacksonville 9 Dec and 16 Jan-19 Feb (P. Powell); 1 banded female at Spring Hill 6 Jan-EOS, and 1 male there 13-20 Feb (A. and E. Ma3rwalt, A. and B. Hansen); 25 newly banded in the Tallahassee area this winter {fde G. Menk). *Allen’S Hummingbird: 1 immature female banded at Pensacola {Escambia) 20 Dec (F. Bassett, M. Godwin et al.). Selasphorus species: 1 at Everglades NP {Miami-Dade) to 8 Feb (J. Boyd et al.); 1 at Cedar Key 31 Dec-EOS (D. Henderson); 1 at Mary Krome Park {Miami-Dade) 11-12 Jan (J. Boyd); 1 at Miami MetroZoo {Miami-Dade) 8 Feb (B. Boeringer); 1 at Spring Hill 24-27 Feb (E. Maywalt). Hairy Woodpecker: 1 in N St. Johns 12 Jan (P, Powell); 1 at Golden Gate Estates {Col- lier) 2 Feb (B. Pranty, T. Doyle, K. O’Reilly-Doyle). Least Flycatcher: 1 at Gainesville 21-31 Dec (J. Hintermister, E. Scales et al.); 1 at Largo {Pinellas) 13 Feb (J. Fisher); at least 5 wintered at LARA (H. Robinson). Eastern Phoebe: 186 at LARA 2 Dec (H. Robinson). Vermilion Flycatcher: 1 or 2 at St. Marks NWR 10 Dec-26 Jan (J. Dozier, S. McCool et al.); 1 adult male at Fort Walton Beach STF 14 Dec-13 Feb (D. Ware, B. and L. Dun- can); 2 at Paynes Prairie Preserve SP {Alachua) 15 Dec (G. McDermott); 1 immature male at LARA 28 Feb (M. Gardler, J. Gaetzi). Ash-throated Flycatcher: 1 photographed at Tallahassee 1 Jan (G. Farr et aL, photos to FOC); 4 at Paynes Prairie Preserve SP to 15 Feb (A. Kent, E. Scales, I. Samuels); 2 wintered at LARA (H. Robinson). Great Crested Flycatcher: 1 at Withlacoochee River CP {Pasco) 11 Jan (A. and R. Smith). Brown-crested Flycatcher: up to 2 at Long Pine Key, Everglades NP {Miami-Dade) 18 Dec-27 Jan (R. Diaz, W. George, B. Boeringer et al.); 1 at Indian Hammocks Park {Miami-Dade) 29 Dec (J. Holstein et al.); 1 at LARA 12 Feb (H. Robinson); 1 wintered at Frog Pond WMA (R. Diaz et al.). Tropical Kingbird: 1 again wintered at St. Marks NWR (T. Curtis et al.). Western Kingbird: up to 7 birds at 4 locations in the W Panhandle 1-27 Dec, with 1 at Pensacola remaining to 14 Feb (B. and L. Duncan); 1 at Tram Road STF, Tallahassee 10 Dec (G. Menk); 6 N of Aubumdale 12 Dec (P. Timmer, C. Geanangel); 1 at Micanopy {Alachua) 15 Dec (B. McNab); 2 at Alligator Point 26-28 Dec (J. Dozier, J. Murphy, K. Nelson); 1 at Lecanto {Citrus) 27 Dec (A. Lippman, photo to FOC); 1 at Cedar Key 27 Dec (B. McNab); up to 23 SW of Florida City {Miami-Dade) 12 Jan-8 Feb (J. Boyd, L. Man- fredi et al.); 11 at Lake Poinsett {Brevard) 14 Jan (K. Allen et al.); up to 35 (21 Dec) win- tered at LARA (B. Anderson); up to 5 wintered at Fort De Soto CP (L. Atherton et al.). *Cassin’s Kingbird: 1 SW of Florida City 11 Jan (J. Boyd, P. Bithorn et al., details to FOC); 1 wintered at LARA (H. Robinson). Field Observations 69 Eastern Kingbird: 1 at Golden Gate {Collier) 14 Dec (D. Kreager et al.); 2 at Buck Is- land Ranch {Highlands) 23 Feb (M. McMillian). Gray Kingbird: 1 at Everglades City {Collier) 12 Dec (D. Suitor, photos to FOC). SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER: 1 in NW Okeechobee in Jan (P. Miller); 1 at CR-621 {High- lands) 30 Jan (B. Carlton); up to 3 wintered at LARA (H. Robinson). Bell’s Vireo: 1 at LARA 16 Dec (H. Robinson); 1 at Flamingo Road ESL site {Broward) 2-16 Feb (B. Roberts). Yellow-throated VireO: 4 singles at Everglades NP {Miami-Dade and Monroe) vari- ously 18 Dec-17 Feb {fide J. Boyd); 1 at LARA 11 Jan (H. Robinson); 1 at Morris Bridge CP {Hillsborough) 23 Jan (B. Ahern); 1 at Collier-Seminole SP {Collier) 26 Jan (T. Doyle, D. Suitor [photo to FOC] et al.); 1 at Six-Mile Cypress Slough Preserve {Lee) 29 Jan (V. McGrath et al., photo to FOC by T. Zinneman); 5 at metropolitan Mi- ami {Miami-Dade) to 22 Feb, with 3 at W Kendall (J. Boyd et al.). Warbling Vireo: 1 at Castellow Hammock 19 Jan (J. Boyd). House Crow {Corvus splendens): 2 at Nokomis Pier {Sarasota) 15 Nov-EOS (P. Rice, O. Comora, photos to FOC) reportedly had been present for some time — perhaps a year or more. Purple Martin: 30 at Port Canaveral 14 Dec (D. Click); 2 at LARA 2 Jan (H. Robinson). Northern Rough-winged Swallow: 20 at Lake Trafford {Collier) 14 Dec (T. Doyle); 1 at Newnans Lake 15 Dec (J. Bryan); 7 at Lake Santa Fe {Alachua) 17 Dec (J. Bolte); 12 at Eagle Lakes Park 29 Dec (T. Doyle, D. Suitor et al.); 23 at Polk phosphate mines 18 Jan (P. Fellers et ah); 1 at Seminole 5-8 Feb (J. Fisher). Cave Swallow: 6 at Springhill Road STF 2 Dec (G. Menk); 10 at Bill Baggs/Cape Flor- ida SP 3 Dec (R. Diaz); 12 at W Kendall 5 Dec (J. Boyd); 1 at Tram Road STF 10 Dec (G. Menk); 1 at Fort Walton Beach STF 13 Dec (D. Ware, L. Daugherty); 1 at St. Marks NWR 14 Dec {fide K. NeSmith); 2 at Lake Poinsett 14 Dec (D. Simpson); 5 on the Fort Lauderdale CBC {Broward) 15 Dec {fide W. George) 1 at Eco Pond, Ever- glades NP 29 Jan (J, Bouton) — several of these reports referred to birds identified as the W race pelodoma. Barn Swallow: 2 at Springhill Road STF 2 Dec (G. Menk); 1 at St. Marks NWR 2 Dec (J, Hintermister); 1 at Alligator Point 27 Feb (J. Cocke). Brown Creeper: singles at Gainesville 14 Dec (L. Davis, R. Rowan) and 1 Feb (B. Holt). Winter Wren: 1 at LARA 19 Jan (H. Robinson). Golden-crowned Kinglet: 2 at Largo 30 Jan-6 Feb (J. Fisher); 1 at Key Vista Nature Park {Pasco) 16 Feb (D. and V. Goodwin). Eastern Bluebird: 4 at Fort De Soto CP to 7 Dec (L. Atherton et al.); 14 on the St. Pe- tersburg CBC {Pinellas) 14 Dec, with 9 at Sawgrass Lake CP (B. Ahern et al.) and 5 at Boyd Hill Nature Trail (R. Smith); 3 at Merritt Island NWR 15 Dec (T. Rodriguez); 5 at Wellington {Palm Beach) 4 Jan ff (T. Trotsky et al.); up to 3 wintered at Largo (J. Fisher). *Mountain Bluebird {Sialia currucoides): 1 female at Hole-in-the-Donut, Everglades NP {Miami-Dade) 18-24 Dec (W. George, R. Diaz et al., photos to FOC by L. Man- fredi). This furnished the first verified Florida record. Wood Thrush: 1 at Gainesville 28 Jan-EOS (D. Levey). American Robin: 22,000 flying S over the Loxahatchee River {Palm Beach) 23 Jan (J. Hallman); 4000+ between Florida City and Everglades NP 27 Jan (B. Boeringer, R. Diaz); 2 at Bill Baggs/Cape Florida SP 1-7 Feb (R. Diaz); 1 at Key West 4 Feb (J. Ondrejko); 1500 at W Kendall 6 Feb (J. Boyd). European Starling: 100+ wintered at Key West (J. Ondrejko). American Pipit: several over Bill Baggs/Cape Florida SP 26 Jan (R. Diaz); 40 at Frog Pond WMA 27 Jan (R. Diaz, B. Boeringer). Cedar Waxwing: 6 at Key West 9-15 Feb (J. Ondrejko); up to 33 wintered at Bill Baggs/ Cape Florida SP (R. Diaz). 70 FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST Blue-winged Warbler: 1 at Tequesta {Palm Beach) 29 Dec (J. and L. Hailman). Tennessee Warbler: 1 at Sawgrass Lake CP 11-13 Dec (E. Haney). Nashville Warbler: 1 at Fort De Soto CP 3 Dec (L. Atherton); 2 singles at Destin 16 Dec (B. and L. Duncan, B. Monk); 1 at LARA 2-11 Jan (H. Robinson); 1 at Easterlin Park {Broward) 1 Feb (W. George, M. Berney, B. Roberts et aL); 1 wintered at New Port Richey (K. Tracey). Northern Parula: 1 singing at Temple Terrace 1 Feb (B. Ahern); 4 singing at Saddle Creek CP {Polk) 19 Feb (P. Fellers). Yellow Warbler: 1 at Loxahatchee NWR 25 Dec and 25 Jan (J. Boyd, B, Mulrooney et aL); 1 male along the St. Johns River {Seminole) 30 Dec- 19 Jan (L. Cooper, M. Gardler); 1 female at Southern Glades Wildlife and Environmental Area {Miami- Dade) 8-17 Feb (J. Boyd et al.). Magnolia Warbler: 1 at Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary {Collier) 10 Jan (T. Hince). Black-throated Blue Warbler: 1 along Lake Placid {Highlands) 27 Dec (D. Goodwin et al.). Yellow-rumped Warbler: 250+ at Bill Baggs/Cape Florida SP to 22 Jan (R. Diaz); 8360 at LARA 26 Feb (H. Robinson); 100+ wintered at Key West (J. Ondrejko). Black-throated Green Warbler: 2 at Sawgrass Lake CP 14 Dec (B. Pranty et al, video to FOC). Prairie Warbler: 1 at Alligator Point 5 Jan (J. Dozier); 1 male wintered at Jacksonville in the same yard as where one wintered last year (P. Powell). Palm Warbler: 3120 at LARA 26 Feb (H. Robinson). Blackpoll Warbler: 1 at Bill Baggs/Cape Florida SP 11 Nov-11 Dec (R. Diaz). American Redstart: 2 at Gainesville 15 Dec (L. Santisteban, A. Kratter). Prothonotary Warbler: 2 at Eco Pond, Everglades NP 22 Jan (R. Diaz, M. O’Brien). Worm-eating Warbler: 2 at Miami 14 Dec (B. Mulrooney); 1 at Easterlin Park 15 Dec- 1 Feb (W. George, M. Berney et al.); 1 at Frank Key {Monroe) 27 Jan (B. Mulrooney). OVENBIRD: 1 at Jacksonville 13 Jan-20 Feb (J. Cocke); 1 at Gulf Breeze 19 Jan (T. Bag- worth); 1 at Tallahassee 17-22 Feb (R. Lengacher), Northern Waterthrush: 1 at Hague 14 Dec (M. Manetz); 1 at St. Marks NWR 15 Dec (J. Dozier, K. Nelson); 1 at Emeralda Marsh Conservation Area {Lake) 19 Jan (M. Gardler); up to 6 wintered at LARA (H. Robinson). Louisiana Waterthrush: 1 at Paynes Prairie Preserve SP 22 Feb (1. Samuels); 3 at Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary 10 Jan (T. Hince). Hooded Warbler: 1 male at Largo 27 Dec (J. Fisher); 1 male at Starkey Wilderness Park {Pasco) 2 Jan (B. Ahern, D. Powell); 1 female in Walton 10 Jan (D. Ware et al.); 1 male at Bear Lake Road, Everglades NP {Monroe) 19 Jan (B. Roberts); 1 at Key Largo 19 Jan (B. Mulrooney). Wilson’s Warbler: 1 at A.D. Barnes CP 17-24 Dec (J. Rosenfield, M. Wheeler); single males at Jacksonville in Jan (P. Anderson) and 13 Feb (M. Davidson); 1 male at Fort Walton Beach STF 18 Jan (B. Monk); at least 5 wintered in Leon {fide G. Menk). Yellow-breasted Chat: 1 at LARA 2 and 26 Dec (H. Robinson); 1 at Black Swamp Na- ture Reserve {Leon) 9 Dec-25 Jan (G. Menk et al.); 2 at Gainesville 15 Dec (G. Kiltie, M. Manetz); 1 in Walton 20 Jan (D. Ware et al.); 1 at Flamingo Road ESL site 9 Feb (M. Berney); at least 2 wintered at Frog Pond WMA (J. Boyd et al.); 1 wintered at Ce- dar Key (D. Henderson). Summer Tanager: 1 at Tavernier {Monroe) to 11 Feb (B. Mulrooney et al.); 1 female at Tallahassee 2-7 Dec (F. Rutkovsky); 1 female at Pensacola 5 Dec-21 Feb (B. Tetlow); 1 at Miami 14 Dec (B. Mulrooney); 2 at Gainesville 15 Dec (L. Santisteban, L. Davis, L. Gordon), and another there 9-28 Feb (M. Grauer, R. Rowan); 1 at IMC Peace River Park {Polk) 11 Jan (P. Fellers, L. Cooper et al.); 1 at Snake Bight, Everglades NP 19 Jan (B. Roberts); 1 at Flamingo Road ESL site 9-16 Feb (B. Roberts); 3 at metropoli- tan Miami variously 28 Dec-EOS {fide J. Boyd). Field Observations 71 Western Tanager: 1 female at Gulf Breeze 20 Dec (B. Duncan); 1 male at Bill Baggs/ Cape Florida SP 28-30 Dec (R. Diaz); 1 at Gainesville 3 Feb (W. Davidson). *Green-TAILED TowheE: 1 at Hone3m[ioon Island SRA 5 Feb-EOS (J. Ford, E. Haney et aL, photos to FOC by L. Snyder). Chipping Sparrow: 100 at Auburndale (Polk) 14 Dec (P. Fellers et al.). Clay-colored Sparrow: 1 at Tallahassee 1 Dec (R. Lengacher); 1 wintered at LARA (H. Robinson). Vesper Sparrow: 15 at Auburndale 14 Dec- 16 Jan (P. Fellers); 114 at Paynes Prairie Preserve SP 15 Dec (H. Adams); 1 at Frog Pond WMA 26 Dec (J. Rosenfield, M. Wheeler). Lark Sparrow: 5 at Larry and Penny Thompson Park 11 Dec-EOS (J. Boyd, J. Rosen- field, M. Wheeler); 1 at St. Marks NWR 15 Dec (T. Curtis). Grasshopper Sparrow: 15 at Paynes Prairie Preserve SP 1 Dec (A. Kent, M. Meisen- burg, E. Scales); 1 at Big Pine Key {Monroe) 21 Dec (B. Mulrooney). Henslow'S Sparrow: 5 at Paynes Prairie Preserve SP 8 Dec-18 Jan (J. Bryan, E. Scales, J. Hintermister); 1 at Genoa {Hamilton) 21 Dec (J. Krummrich); 2 at Sunnyhill Res- toration Area {Marion) 2 Feb (A. Kent, J. Hintermister); several banded at Kissim- mee Prairie Preserve SP {Okeechobee) this winter (P. Small). Le Conte’s Sparrow: 1 at San Felasco Hammock Preserve SP {Alachua) 2-31 Jan (G. Kiltie et al.). Nelson’s Sharp-tailed Sparrow: 11 at Weekiwachee Preserve 23 Dec (B. Ahern, D. Powell, B. Pranty); 1 “very drab and gray individual” at Fort De Soto CP 19 Feb (B. Ahern). Seaside Sparrow: 14 at Weekiwachee Preserve 23 Dec (B. Ahern, D. Powell, B. Pranty). Fox Sparrow: 4 at Fort Braden {Leon) 29 Dec (G. Menk); 3 at Paynes Prairie Preserve SP to 2 Feb (J. Hintermister, 1. Samuels); 2 at Genoa 21 Dec (J. Krummrich); 1 at LARA 5-9 Jan (H. Robinson). Lincoln’s Sparrow: 1 at Fort Walton Beach 11-22 Dec (L. Duncan et aL); 1 at Starkey Wilderness Park 2 Jan (B. Ahern, D. Powell); 1 at the Sarasota celery fields {Sara- sota) to 25 Feb (D. Powell et al.); 1 at Frog Pond WMA 16 Jan (D. La Puma); 1 at Bay Loop, Everglades NP {Monroe) 29 Jan (J. Bouton). White-throated Sparrow: birds more widespread and numerous at Jacksonville this season, compared with recent winters (P. Powell et al.). *Harris’S Sparrow: 1 immature male St. Johns River {Seminole) 28 Dec ff (C. Pierce et al., video to FOC by B. Pranty). White-crowned Sparrow: 13 at Paynes Prairie Preserve SP 6 Dec (J. Hintermister). Dark-eyed Junco: 3 at Gainesville to 21 Dec (B. Feldherr, R. Robinson et al.); singles at Jacksonville feeders 11 Dec-EOS (M. Davidson) and 5-28 Feb (P. Powell); 1 at Alliga- tor Point 15 Dec (J. Dozier, K. Nelson). *Lapland LongspuR: 1 at Huguenot Memorial Park 26 Dec-26 Feb (B. Richter et al.). Rose-breasted Grosbeak: 1 female at Gulf Breeze 1-6 Dec (B. and L. Dimcsm); 1 in fe- male plumage at LARA 21 Dec (J. Bouton et al.); 1 male at Pensacola 25 Feb (J. Powell). Blue Grosbeak: 1 at Kendall 10 Dec (J. Rosenfield); 1 at Paynes Prairie Preserve SP 15 Dec (I. Samuels); 1 at Bill Baggs/Cape Florida SP 15 Dec (R. Diaz); at least 3 at W Kendall 26 Jan-EOS, then 40+ there by 9 Mar (J. Boyd); up to 5 wintered at LARA (H. Robinson). Indigo Bunting: 1 at Alligator Point 15-22 Dec (J. Murphy); 1 at Tallahassee 11 Feb (P. McTarsney). Painted Bunting: 3 at Gainesville 4 Jan-7 Feb (D. Robbins, C. Gertner et al.); 2 at Tal- lahassee 20 Jan (B. Buford, M. Evans); 2 males at Lake Alfred {Polk) 17 Feb (P. Tim- mer); single females wintered at two Jacksonville yards where birds wintered last year (P. Powell, A. Turner); up to 13 wintered E of Sanford {Seminole; R. Grimshaw, photo to FOC). 72 FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST Dickcissel: 1 at Tram Road STF 10 Dec (G. Menk); 1 at Lakeland 12 Jan (C. Borden); 1 at Bald Point 20 Jan-1 Feb (J. Dozier). Bobolink: 1 at Frog Pond WMA 7 Dec (B. Roberts); 1 at Honeymoon Island SRA 21 Feb (W. Yusek et al.). Yellow-headed Blackbird: 1 immature male at Frog Pond WMA 26 Dec (J. Rosenfield, M. Wheeler et al.); 4 near Kissimmee 3 Jan (B. McKeown et al.). Brewer’s Blackbird: 2 at Gainesville 15 Dec (B. McNab); 1 male at New Port Richey 2 Jan-23 Feb (K. Tracey, D. Powell et al.); 65 at Black Swamp Nature Reserve 28 Feb (G. Menk). Shiny Cowbird: 1 male at Key West 8 Feb-EOS, and 1 female there 27 Feb-EOS (J. On- drejko). Bronzed Cowbird: up to 12 at Eagle Lakes Park 2 Dec-EOS (D. Suitor [photos to FOC] et al.); 1 in Okaloosa 16 Dec (P. Berry, L. Daugherty); 3 at Tampa {Hillsborough) 26 Jan (D. Wassmer, L. Saul); 1 male at W Kendall 20 Feb (J. Boyd). Baltimore Oriole: up to 12 wintered at a Jacksonville yard (J. Cocke), with others else- where in the city {fide P. Powell). *BulL0CK’S Oriole: 1 first-year male at Pensacola 24-27 Feb (J. Powell). Purple Finch: 1 at Tallahassee 7 Dec (F. Rutkovsky), where observations have “de- clined markedly” in recent years (G. Menk). House Finch: 10 at Spring Hill 23 Dec (A. and B. Hansen); 6 at Crystal River 27-26 Dec (A. Lippman); 3 at Lakeland {Polk) 12 Jan (C. Borden); 3 at Brooksville 21 Feb (A. and B. Hansen); 5 wintered at Cedar Key (D. Henderson); up to 10 wintered at New Port Richey {Pasco\ J. McKay et al.). Pine Siskin: 1 at St. Augustine {St. Johns) 1 Dec (J. Holstein); singles at Valrico {Hills- borough) 9 Dec-18 Jan (S. Backes et al.) and 28-29 Dec (S. Gross, S. Backes); 1 at N Hutchinson Island {St. Lucie) 14 Dec (C. Plockelman); 1 at Temple Terrace {Hillsbor- ough) 29 Dec (B. Ahern). American Goldfinch: 80 at Eco Pond, Everglades NP 7 Dec, and 200 at Flamingo, Ev- erglades NP 28 Dec (J. Boyd); 165 at W Kendall 21 Dec (J. Boyd); 50+ wintered at Key West (J. Ondrejko); observed in Collier nearly daily all winter (T. Doyle, D. Suitor). Nutmeg Mannikin: 12 at Pensacola 16-21 Feb (B. Tetlow). Tricolored MuniA: 1 adult and 2 in female plumage at Eco Pond, Everglades NP 1 Dec (D. Simpson, details to FOC), and 1 adult and 4 in female-plumage there 8 Dec (B. Roberts). Contributors: Carole Adams, Howard Adams, Brian Ahern, Ken Allen, Bruce Anderson, Pat Anderson, Lyn Atherton. John Ault, Steve Backes, Tim Bagworth, Linda Lee Baker, Fred Bassett, Ted Below, Mark Berney, Phil Berry, Paul Bithorn, Clay Black, Jeff Bouton, Bill Boeringer, Jan Bolte, Chuck Borden, Jeff Bouton, Dave Bow- man, John Boyd, Judy Bryan, Barbara Buford, Bob Carlton, Jim Cavanagh, Stephen Chalmers, Dan Click, Julie Cocke, Owen Comora, Linda Cooper, Tom Curtis, Lydia Daugherty, Mary Davidson, Wade Davidson, Lloyd Davis, David Dees, Robin Diaz, Terry Doyle, Jack Dozier, Paul Duey, Bob Duncan, Lucy Duncan, Scot Duncan, Susan Epps, Michael Evans, Charlie Ewell, Grayal Farr, Bliz Feldherr, Paul Fellers, Judy Fisher, Jim Ford, Ann and Dan Forster, Jill Gaetzi, Murray Gardler, Chuck Geanangel, Wally George, Cathy Gertner, Marge Godwin, David and Venetta Goodwin, Lee Gordon, Michelle Grauer, Jon Greenlaw, Roger Grimshaw, Stephen Gross, Jack and Liz Hail- man, Erik Haney, Al and Bev Hansen, Dale Henderson, Charles Higman, Michael Hill, Tom Hince, John Hintermister, Jackie Holstein, Brian Hope, Diane Huxtable, Adam Kent, Grace Kiltie, Martha King, Alan Knothe, Andy Kratter, Diane Kreager, Jerry Krummrich, Ed Kwater, David La Puma, Mary Landsman, Pat Leary, Rob Lengacher, Doug Levey, Al Lippman, Holly Lovell, Mike Manetz, Larry Manfredi, Andy and Elaine Maywalt, Sean McCool, Greg McDermott, Vince McGrath, Jim McKay, Betty McKeown, Field Observations 73 Mike McMillian, Brian McNab, Pat McTarsney, Michael Meisenburg, Gail Menk, Paul Miller, Brian Monk, Patricia Moore, Don Morrow, Brennan Mulrooney, John Murphy, Katy NeSmith, Kris Nelson, Michael O’Brien, Kathy O’Reilly-Doyle, Joe Ondrejko, Tom Palmer, Cheri Pierce, Cynthia Plockelman, Bev Postmus, David Powell, Jack Powell, Peggy Powell, Bill Pranty, Mike Quinn, Peter Rice, Bob Richter, Dottie Robbins, Bryant Roberts, Harry Robinson, Ron Robinson, Tom Rodriguez, David Rogles, Jill Rosenfield, Rex Rowan, Fran Rutkovsky, Ivan Samuels, Lenny Santisteban, Lilian Saul, Earl Scales, Jr=, Theodore Shuler, David Simpson, Diane Siwicki, Parks Small, Austin Smith, Ron Smith, Bob Snow, Lee Snyder, Ken Spilios, Doug Suitor, Paul Sykes, Jack Taylor, Linda Terry, Betsy Tetlow, Pete Timmer, Ken Tracey, Tadziu Trotsky, Janet Tucci, Anne Turner, Jim Vest, Bob Wallace, Don Ware, Doug Wassmer, Harold Weath- erman, Mickey Wheeler, Darroch Whitaker, Ed Woodruff, Glen Woolfenden, Andrew Wraithmell, Wilfred Yusek, and Tom Zinneman. Fall 2002 observation not reported previously: Surf Scoter: 1 female at Spring- hill Road STF 2 Nov (Michael Evans, Ed Woodruff, Brad Bergstrom) was the first for Leon. Report prepared by Bill Pranty, state compiler (Avian Ecology Lab, Archbold Biolog- ical Station, 123 Main Drive, Venus, Florida 33960; ). Re- gional compilers are Bruce H. Anderson (2917 Scarlet Road, Winter Park, Florida 32792; ), John H. Boyd III (15770 SW 104th Terrace, Apartment 103, Miami, Florida 33196, ), Linda Cooper (558 Sunshine Boulevard, Haines City, Florida 33844-9540; ), Bob and Lucy Duncan (614 Fairpoint Drive, Gulf Breeze, Florida 32561, ), Charlie Ewell (115 SW 51st Terrace, Cape Coral, Florida 33991, ), Bev Hansen (6573 Pine Meadows Drive, Spring Hill, Florida 34606; ), Gail Menk (2725 Peachtree Drive, Tallahassee, Florida 32304), David Pow- ell (1407 Storington Avenue, Brandon, Florida 33511; ), and Peggy Powell (2965 Forest Circle, Jacksonville, Florida 32257). FLORIDA ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY COMMITTEES Archives Committee: Chair: WALTER K. TAYLOR, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL 32816. E-mail: wtaylor@pegasus.cc.ucf edu. Members: Ed Slaney, Dave Goodwin, Tom Webber Editorial Advisory Board: Chair: JAMES A. Rodgers, Jr., Wildlife Research Labora- tory, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 4005 S. Main St., Gaines- ville, FL 32601. E-mail: rodgeij@fwc.state.fl.us Members: STEPHEN A. NESBITT, TODD ENGSTROM, HANK SMITH, EUGENE STOCCARDO. Field Observations Committee: Chair: BILL Pranty, Avian Ecology Lab, Archbold Bio- logical Station, 123 Main Drive, Venus, FL 33960. E-mail: billpranty@hotmail.com. Members: Bruce H. Anderson, JOHN BoYD III, Linda Cooper, Bob Duncan, Char- lie Ewell, Bev Hansen, Gail Menk, David Powell, Peggy Powell. Finance Committee: Chair: Vacant.: Members: DEAN JUE (ex officio), David STOCK, Fred Lohrer. Nominating Committee: Chair: Vacant. Grants and Awards Committee: Chair, Cruickshank Research Award: STEVE Nesbitt, Wildlife Research Laboratory, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 4005 S. Main St., Gainesville, FL 32601. E-mail: Steve.Nesbitt@fwc.state.fl.us Members: PARKS SMALL, David Steadman, Hank Smith. Chair, Cruickshank Education Award: Katy NeSmith, Florida Natural Areas Inventory, 1018 Thomasville Rd., Suite 200-C, Tallahassee, FL 32303. E-mail: knesmith@fnai.org Members: Judith Buhrman and Sally Jue (staggered 3-year terms). Chair, William B. and Mary J. Robertson Fellowship Award: Vacant. Records Committee: Managing Secretary: Reed Bowman, Archbold Biological Station, P.O. Box 2057, Lake Placid, FL 33862. Members: Lyn Atherton, Andy Kratter, Jon Greenlaw, Fred Lohrer, Mickey Wheeler, Todd Engstrom. Conservation Committee: Chair: JiM Cox, Tall Timbers Research Station, 13093 Henry Beadel Dr., Tallahassee, FL 32312-9712. E-mail: necox@nettally.com Members: TODD ENGSTROM, KEN MEYER, Ann PAUL, ERIC STOLEN. Membership Committee: Co-chair: JUDITH B. BUHRMAN, 6123 113th Street, #504, Seminole, FL 33772-6846. E-mail: JBuhrman@aol.com Co-Chair: TERRY J. DOYLE, Ten Thousand Islands NWR, 3860 Tollgate Blvd., Ste. 300, Naples, FL 34114. E-mail: (wk) Terry_Doyle@fws.gov (hm) nfn20610@naples.net Member: Dean Jue. 'A I (: Al ■ : :•• ■' ' ■ ■’^'■'^ r '* ■’^ 06lJSvT^.^r:,'. \.;r-< • ■ . p :y* s '♦w/rv ^ - ^ Ft«i4 ji ' , i^cKl ' ’ ' ", ■ .V» IS^vS.’ ^ ■■ i V : -^u^. ■ ' ' . « ,., ': ^ ‘j/. ., iB^rv .. J v»iO > ■;■ ;% Art i--^ ui|t N (Kkub r r- : : .-ar V If , iyrr.'j.. i. U’ 4-rM. Um '•.‘.•Jn, i. U’ ■ 4*f.5 ^ V, i-CwVif S»,. -VCr-’i? ii?-uft&u. iS ,■ ' 'I ; , > . r-*^''- ■ “sV., 7.0t: •*!'.. \r '•'■ ■;„♦** ■ •' *' ‘ A', 1 ■ ■ ; ’-■ ■■ ‘■'‘C'' ’ '• '*< '*♦ . 1fX^ **•*., ^ ftV * yi-" ' ' •*> ^X'flrr^>^-ft• ^*s£o«*'5^^ ' - .. ■.’^ • ■ . . 1. . l Vi, r^r--- 1 •.jvV,,,v.r-HM^ " ' . . ' ' ' ' Atm* l'>; 'Ritr.ilJit’.:..i'tW \j- . ■;<< ^ ■ ■ 4%^* '■ ' ■* • ' •- ‘^ ^- ' - •• -‘ .iwu;. . ar Florida Field Naturalist ISSN 0738-999X PUBLISHED BY THE FLORIDA ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY Editor: JEROME A. JACKSON, Whitaker Center, Arts & Sciences, Florida Gulf Coast Uni- versity, 10501 FGCU Blvd. South, Fort Myers, FL 33965. E-mail: picus@fgcu.edu Associate Editor (for Reviews): Reed BOWMAN, Archbold Biological Station, RO. Box 2057, Lake Placid, FL 33852 Associate Editor (for bird distribution): Bruce Anderson, 2917 Scarlet Road, Winter Park, FL 32792. E-mail: scizortail@aol.com Editor of the Ornithological Newsletter: TOM PALMER, 1805 26th Street, N.W, Win- ter Haven, FL 33881. E-mail: tomp47@yahoo.com Editor of Special Publications: Glen E. Woolfenden, Archbold Biological Station, P.O. Box 2057, Lake Placid, FL 33862. E-mail: gwoolfenden@archbold-station.org Web Page Editor: Eugene Stoccardo, 715 Warrenton Rd., Winter Park, FL 33792- 4541. E-mail: scrubjay@cfl.rr.com 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. We welcome submission of original manuscripts containing new information from these areas. We encourage electronic submission of manuscripts. Please consult recent issues of the journal for style, especially noting that manuscripts should: (1) be double-spaced throughout, including tables and figure captions; (2) include the scientific name at the first mention of each species; (3) include capitalized standardized English names for all birds, but lower case for English names of other organisms; (4) include metric units for all measurements; (5) use the form “7 June 2003” for all dates; (6) use the 24-hour clock for all indications of time (e.g., 0800, 1400); (7) use the following abbreviations: s (second), min (minute), h (hour); (8) preferentially use active voice. Submit manuscripts for Florida Field Naturalist to the Editor, Jerome A. Jackson. Monograph-length manuscripts may be submitted for consideration to Glen E. Wool- fenden, Editor of Special Publications. Books and other materials for review should be submitted to: Reed Bowman, Associate Editor for Reviews. Field Observations should be submitted to the Chair of the Field Observations Committee, Bill Pranty. Reports of rare birds in Florida should be submitted to the Managing Secretary of the FOS Records Com- mittee, Reed Bowman, Florida Field Naturalist PUBLISHED BY THE FLORIDA ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY VoL. 31, No. 3 September 2003 Pages 47-73 CONTENTS ARTICLES Further evaluation of some ornithological conundrums in Florida. Douglas Branch McNair 47-52 Species composition and legal economic value of wildlife road-kills in an urban park in Florida. Henry T. Smith, Robert M. Barry, Richard M. Engeman, Stephanie A. Shwiff, and William JB. Miller 53-58 NOTES Commensal foraging and a “beater effect” involving Ruddy Turnstones, Sanderlings, Least Sandpipers, and Short-billed Dowitchers. William E. Davis, Jr. 59-61 American Goldfinches associate with Pine Warblers in north Florida. Peter H. Homann 62 FIELD OBSERVATIONS Winter report: December 2003-February 2003 Bill Pranty 63-73 m Fa> Florida Field Naturalist PUBLISHED BY THE FLORIDA ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY VoL. 31, No. 4 November 2003 Pages 75-92 FLORIDA ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY Founded 1972 Officers President: FRANCES C. JAMES, Department of Biological Science, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306-1100. E-mail: james@bio.fsu.edu Vice President: JOYCE KING, 11645 69th Way N., Largo, FL 33773. Secretary: PAMELA J. BoWEN, 309 Moonstone Dr., East Palatka, FL 32131. Treasurer: Dean Jue, 3455 Dorchester Court, Tallahassee, FL 32312-1300. E-mail: djue@admin.fsu.edu Editor, Florida Field Naturalist: JEROME A. JACKSON, Whitaker Center, Arts & Sci- ences, Florida Gulf Coast University, 10501 FGCU Blvd. South, Fort Myers, FL 33965. Ex Officio: Immediate Past President: PETER G. Merritt, 8558 SE Sharon St., Hobe Sound, FL 33455. Directors, Terms Expiring Spring 2004 Judy Bryan, 1924 SW 43rd Avenue, Gainesville, FL 32608 Brenda Rhodes, 2734 Rainbow Circle N, Jacksonville, FL 32217 Directors, Terms Expiring Spring 2005 Judith B. Buhrman, 6123 113th Street, #504, Seminole, FL 33772-6846 Terry J. Doyle, Ten Thousand Islands NWR, 3860 Tollgate Blvd., Ste. 300, Naples, FL 34114 Directors, Terms Expiring Spring 2006 Murray Gardler, 9400 Merriweather Drive, Brooksville, FL 34613-4271 David Stock, Department of Biology, Unit 8285, Stetson University, DeLand, FL 32723. 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; Ted Below 1999. 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 $20 for individual members (overseas $25), $25 for a family member- ship, $15 for students, $40 for contributing members and $25 for institutional membership. 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 undelivered 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. The Florida Ornithological Society web site can be found at www.fosbirds.org THIS PUBLICATION IS PRINTED ON NEUTRAL PH PAPER Florida Field Naturalist PUBLISHED BY THE FLORIDA ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY VoL. 31, No. 4 November 2003 Pages 75-92 NOTES Florida Field Naturalist 31(4):75-77, 2003. HERONS AND BROWN PELICANS USE CORMORANTS AND A GREBE AS “BEATERS”-=WHY DOES THIS FORAGING BEHAVIOR OCCUR? William E. Davis, Jr. College of General Studies, Boston Univ., 871 Commonwealth Ave., Boston, MA 02215 Many animals follow other animals and use them as “beaters,” capturing prey dis- turbed by the beater. Heron species using beaters include Eastern Reef Herons (Egretta sacra) using predatory fish as beaters (Recher and Recher 1969), Snowy Egrets {E. thula) using grebes (Leek 1971), Snowy Egrets and a Tricolored Heron {E. tricolor) using mergansers (Parks and Bressler 1963), White-faced Herons {E. novaehollandiae) using Australian White Ibises {Threskiornis mollucca) (Davis 1985), Snowy Egrets and Great Egrets (Casmerodius alhus) using mergansers and cormorants (Christman 1957), and Cattle Egrets (Buhulcus ibis) using cattle, elephants, rhinoceroses, etc. (Telfair 1994). I reported on possibly the same Tricolored Heron using a Double-crested Cormorant {Phalacrocorax auritus) as a beater, following the cormorant and attacking prey stirred up by the foraging cormorant, at “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge (DDNWR) on Sanibel Island, Florida, in March 1999 and 2000 (Davis 2000). In this note I report on further observations of herons and Brown Pelicans {Pelecanus occidentalis) using cor- morants and a Pied-billed Grebe {Podilymbus podiceps) at DDNWR, and speculate on the evolution of beater-following foraging behavior. On 7 March 2001, at 0800 I was at Cross Dike Trail at the identical location where I had made the previously reported observations. I found a Tricolored Heron and Double- crested Cormorant roosting about 2 m apart on the sandy shore of the dike, about 0.3 m from the far side of the approximately 7-m-wide water course that ran the length of the dike. Both birds were awake but quiescent, and were the only fish-eating birds on the approximately 200 m of shoreline and mangroves that ran the length of the water course. At 0850 The heron entered the water, then flew across the water and out of sight behind a clump of mangroves. At 0853, the cormorant entered the water and the heron immediately flew back and joined the cormorant, uttering a loud Cronk. The cormorant began swimming to my right, near the shore, and the heron followed along the edge of the water, running to keep up with the foraging cormorant and stopping occasionally to strike at a fish. An immature Brown Pelican flew in and landed behind the cormorant and was soon joined by a second immature pelican. The cormorant moved to mid-stream closely followed by the pelicans. When the cormorant reached my side of the water, the heron flew across and joined it, walking beside it, as the cormorant continued to forage in the same direction, away from me. The cormorant made a 180-degree turn and began swimming in my direction. Both pelicans and the herons also changed directions, follow- 75 76 FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST ing the cormorant. The heron made frequent strikes at small minnows near the water’s edge as it ran along following the swimming cormorant. One pelican had made a single prey attack, scooping its bill under the water. When the entourage reached me, the peli- cans flew off, presumably disturbed by my presence. A few seconds later the cormorant again swam over to the far side of the water and the heron flew over to rejoin it, and con- tinued to follow it. The cormorant again reversed directions, and the heron did the same, keeping pace with the cormorant. They continued to forage for about 50 m when the cormorant again swam over to the shore on my side and reversed direction, swim- ming towards me; the heron followed with a loud Cronk. They again foraged past me, stopping occasionally while the cormorant swirled about and the heron stabbed at fish. They were directly across the water from their original roosting place when an imma- ture Great Blue Heron {Ardea herodias) fiew in and joined the group. About a dozen peo- ple had crowded around watching the foraging birds, and at 0901 the birds dispersed, apparently disturbed by the human presence. During my observations the Tricolored Heron caught at least 19 fish, all between 3-6 cm in length. At 1154 another beater-following event occurred when a Tricolored Heron (presum- ably the same bird) flew in the direction of a foraging cormorant and landed on my side of the 10-m-wide channel. The cormorant moved close to the shore and began foraging. The heron immediately flew over and joined the cormorant, and began actively foraging beside it in shallow water. The heron had followed the cormorant for about 20 m when mangrove roots protruded from shore into deep water, blocking further progress by the heron. At 1159 the heron began foraging on its own. On 4 February 2003 at 1100 I arrived at Cross Dike Trail and found a Tricolored Heron closely following a Pied-billed Grebe. The heron followed the foraging grebe along the ditch, staying about 0.5 m from shore in shallow water, the grebe diving and surfac- ing in deeper water. When the grebe changed direction along the dike the heron did also, sometimes walking very quickly in order to keep up with the grebe. At one point the heron walked out into deeper water to where the grebe was sitting on the surface. After about 3 minutes of observation the heron flew across the ditch and landed next to a newly arrived Double-crested Cormorant. I walked down to the end of the ditch so that I could have an unobstructed view of the heron and cormorant. During the following 12 minutes the heron followed the cormorant the length of the dike (about 200 m), occa- sionally stabbing for fish. The heron stayed close to the shore and the cormorant usually stayed within 2 m of the shore. On four occasions the cormorant swam over to the oppo- site shore and the heron flew across the ditch to join it. Once the cormorant reversed di- rections and the heron followed. When the cormorant again reversed direction the heron did also. When the cormorant swam fast, the heron walked fast to keep beside it. When the cormorant stopped or slowed down, so did the heron. The pace was rapid but the heron never got more than about 2 m from the cormorant. When they reached the end of the dike I ceased observation. Using beaters is a rare behavior in Tricolored Herons (Frederick 1997) and since I observed this behavior in exactly the same location on one-day visits during four of five consecutive years, I think it possible that I was observing the same heron. If this is the case, I find it remarkable that an individual bird could make a rare foraging behavior such a dominant part of its winter foraging repertoire, that included accompanying the cormorant at roost, and initiating its foraging when the cormorant became active. Alter- natively, if I observed several Tricolored Herons, the general rarity of this behavior sug- gests the possibility that the behavior may be learned by imitation. This would be analogous to the situation in Striated Herons (Butorides striatus) where the rare behav- ior of “bait fishing,” or “baiting” was locally common among Striated Herons in Japan (Higuchi 1986). The practice of following a “beater” may be an extension of more general mutualistic foraging behavior where several birds take advantage of prey scared into motion by Notes 77 each other’s foraging. Earlier on the same day (about 1030) as the most recent Tricol- ored Heron observations, I watched three Double-crested Cormorants, a Tricolored Heron, and a Brown Pelican foraging together in open water at DDNWR. The birds for- aged in a tight group, with never more than 5 m from closest to farthest members of the group, and they were separated by more than 100 m from any other foraging birds; they moved as a group perhaps 30 m during the approximately 5 minutes of observation. The three cormorants moved together and sometimes closely followed the pelican. The heron sometimes closely followed the cormorants. The pelican and heron made numerous strikes at fish (the pelican taking in pouches of water while swimming). The foraging was very dynamic with all birds milling about amongst the group. It seemed clear to me that they were all taking advantage of the “group beater” effect, where all foraging birds were stirring up fish prey. I speculate that the linearity of the dike ditch may serve to or- ganize this group commensal foraging into a more directed situation where one bird uses a second bird as a “beater.” The linearity of the ditch allows the fish schools to be trapped against the shore where the heron forages with the swimming cormorant. Fur- ther, the heron can forage at a relatively constant depth and is presented by a continu- ally moving feast as the cormorant swims along into new territory The pattern was relatively consistent with the cormorant keeping close to shore, rarely changing direc- tion or moving to the other side of the ditch. Literature Cited Christman, G. M. 1957. Some interspecific relations in the feeding of estuarine birds. Condor 59:343. Davis, W. E., Jr. 1985. Foraging White-faced Herons follow Australian White Ibises. Co- lonial Waterbirds 8:129-134. Davis, W. E., Jr. 2000. Tricolored Herons and Great Egrets use Double-crested Cormo- rants as beaters while foraging, Bird Observer 28:383-385. Frederick, P. C. 1997. Tricolored Heron Egretta tricolor. No. 306. In Birds of North America (A. Poole and F. Gill, eds.). The Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia, and the American Ornithologists’ Union, Washington, D.C. Higuchi, H. 1986. Bait-fishing by the Green-backed Heron Ardeo/a striata in Japan. Ibis 128:285-290. Leck, C. F. 1971. Cooperative feeding in Leucophoyx thula and Podilymbus podiceps (Aves). American Midland Naturalist 86:241-242. Parks, J. M. and S. L. Bressler 1963. Observations of joint feeding activities of certain fish-eating birds. Auk 80:198-199. Recher, H. F. and j. a. Recher 1969. The Reef Heron. Australian Natural History 7:151-155. Telfair, R. C. II. 1994. Cattle Egret Buhulcus ibis. No. 113. In The Birds of North Amer- ica (A. Poole and F. Gill, eds.). The Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia, and the American Ornithologists’ Union, Washington, D.C. 78 Florida Field Naturalist 31(4):78-79, 2003. AMERICAN CROWS ATTACK CATTLE EGRET Ronald F. Labisky and John E. Arnett, Jr. Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, University of Florida PO. Box 110430, Gainesville, Florida 32611-0430 Crows have been documented mobbing (Bent 1946, Robinette and Crockett 1999) and even killing (Long 1990) raptors, and killing nestling v'^ading birds (Bancroft et al. 1990), free-flying Japanese Quail (Coturnix c. japonica) (Labisky 1961) and free-flying songbirds (Cuccia 1984, Putnam 1992). Bent (1946) provided an account of a Fish Crow (Corvus ossifragus) repeatedly chasing and attacking a Ward’s Heron (Ardea herodias wardi), and Walters (1983) documented the death of a Grey Heron {Ardea cinerea) caused by a pair of Carrion Crows {Corvus corone). However, we found no published re- ports of American Crows {Corvus brachyrhynchos) mobbing or attacking free-fl5dng wad- ing birds. Here we describe the repeated attack on a Cattle Egret {Buhulcus ibis) by a pair of American Crows. On 24 December 2002, RFL, while watching a Crested Caracara {Polyborus plancus) foraging in a pasture that contained cattle and attendant Cattle Egrets, observed a pair of American Crows (identifled by vocalization) repeatedly attack a single Cattle Egret. The pasture was located adjacent to a large palm nursery in Okeechobee County, Flor- ida (N 25°45.678’, W 80°14.566’). Weather was characterized by a clear sky, a tempera- ture of 17 C, and a gusty northwest wind of 30 km/h. At 1053, a pair of American Crows dove on a Cattle Egi’et flying westerly at a height of 3 m; one of the pair pecked the egret on the back of the head, knocking the egret to the ground. The egret immediately took flight in an easterly direction. By 1056, over a travel course of 180 m, the crows knocked the egret to ground three additional times. After the fourth attack, the egret took refuge in a dense Washingtonian palm {Washingtonia sp.), approximately 6 m in height. The pursuing pair of crows then hovered above and around the palm and dove repeatedly at the egret, but was prevented from further contact with the egret because of obstructing fronds. The crows departed in a northerly flight at 1100. The Cattle Egret left the safety of the palm at 1105, at which time it flew easterly in an apparently normal flight. Unlike raptors. Cattle Egrets pose no known threats to crows; thus, anti-predator mobbing would not explain the attacks on the egret. Although distinguishing predators from prey can be problematic for young corvids, Heinrich et al. (1995) found that young corvids hesitated to approach large objects, which suggests that these were not young crows. Corvids also employ a variety of scrounging tactics (Bugnyar and Kotrshal 2002); however, there was no indication that the crows were attempting to steal regurgitated food from the egret. Even though the American Crow and Cattle Egret are similar in mass, about 520 g and 340 g, respectively, the most plausible explanation for the aggres- sive and persistent attacks is that the crows were attempting to prey on the egret. This note was approved for publication as Journal Series No. R- 10098 by the Florida Agricultural Experiment Station, Gainesville. Literature Cited Bent, A. C. 1946. Life Histories of North American Jays, Crows, and Titmice, Order Pas- seriformes. United States National Museum Bulletin 191. Bancroft, G. T., S. D. Jewell, and A. M. Strong. 1990. Foraging and nesting ecology of herons in the lower Everglades relative to water conditions. Final Report, South Florida Water Management District, West Palm Beach, Florida. Notes 79 Bugnyar, T., and K. Kotrschal. 2002. Scrounging tactics in free-ranging Ravens, Cor- vus corax. Ethology 108:993-1009. CUCCIA, J. 1984. American Crow attacks European Starling in mid-air. Kingbird 34:32. Heinrich, B., J. Marzluff, and W. Adams. 1995. Fear and food recognition in naive Common Ravens. Auk 112:499-503 Labisky, R. F. 1961. Report of attempts to establish Japanese Quail in Illinois. Journal of Wildlife Management 25:290-295. Long, C. A. 1990. American Crow {Corvus brachyrhynchos) kills Cooper’s Hawk (Accipi- ter cooperi). Passenger Pigeon 52:208-209. Putnam, M. S. 1992. American Crow captures House Sparrow in flight. Passenger Pi- geon 54:247-249. Robinette, R. L., and C. M. Crockett. 1999. Bald Eagle predation on crows in the Puget Sound Region. Northwestern Naturalist 80:70-71. Walters, G. J. 1983. Carrion Crows causing death of Grey Heron. British Birds 76:459. Florida Field Naturalist 31(4):80-81, 2003. [Methods used to add or remove animals from Florida’s list of imperiled species have engendered considerable debate. In November 2003 following months of controversy, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FFWCC) ruled there would be no more changes to the State’s list until at least November 2004 (except for emergencies). The decision came during discussion of a controversial proposal to lower the status of Florida manatee and followed a vote taken in September 2003 to lower the status of Red-cockaded Woodpecker. FFWCC believed that too many questions and unresolved problems existed and it would take at least a year to correct its listing process. The FOS Conservation Committee has been an active participant in the dialogue surrounding the listing process. The criteria FFWCC used in its recent decisions were adapted from methods proposed by the International Union for the Conservation of Na- ture in 1996. A central concern has been whether FFWCC’s adaptation of lUCN criteria was appropriate. To provide a more in-depth look at this question, FOS solicited com- ments from Russell Lande, Professor at University of California, San Diego. Dr. Lande played a key role in the initial formulation of the lUCN criteria and has been an active participant in on-going debates concerning the lUCN process. James Cox, Chair, FOS Conservation Committee] COMMENT ON EXTINCTION RISK CATEGORIES AND CRITERIA USED BY THE FLORIDA FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION AND THE STATE OF FLORIDA Russell Lande Biology, University of California at San Diego, 9500 Gilman Dr. La Jolla, CA 92093^0346 This comment concerns the system of assessing risk of species ex- tinction in Florida developed and currently employed by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FFWCC) and officially adopted in 1999 by the State of Florida (Florida Administrative Code Rule 68A-27.0012, Cox et al. 2002). The system employs the categories and criteria developed by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (lUCN), also known as the World Conservation Union, used by lUCN from 1994 to 2001 (lUCN 1994, 2001) for their Red List of Threatened Species around the world (lUCN 2002) . lUCN Categories and their underlying Criteria were developed from initial suggestions by Mace and Lande (1991) followed by an ex- tensive process of testing, evaluation, and modification in numerous workshops and expert panels dealing with a wide variety of taxa (lUCN 1994, 2001). The lUCN Red List Categories and Criteria thus represent a consensus of international scientific opinion concerning classification 80 LAiVDE— Extinction Risk Categories in Florida 81 of species extinction risk. It is laudatory that a U.S. governmental orga- nization has used the lUCN Red List Criteria and Categories. However, this apparent adoption of internationally recognized standards for as- sessing extinction risk disguises one minor alteration with major impli- cations. Although the lUCN (1994) Criteria under each Category were adopted verbatim, the names of the lUCN Categories “Critically En- dangered, Endangered, and Vulnerable” were altered by the FFWCC and the State of Florida to become “Endangered, Threatened, and Of Special Concern”. The first two of these relabeled Categories corre- spond to terms in the U.S. Endangered Species Act. As one of the prin- cipal architects of the lUCN criteria (having coauthored the initial suggestions and attended several of the subsequent workshops), I can write with some authority that the relabeling of the lUCN Categories by the FFWCC and the State of Florida seriously violates the intent and the spirit of the lUCN Categories. The lUCN Category “Critically Endangered” was developed to draw special attention to species that are in extremely high risk of extinction in the immediate future with- out concerted conservation action. The relabeling also contradicts both common sense and plain English by equating lUCN “Critically Endan- gered” to Florida “Endangered”. In discussions during the lUCN work- shops mentioned above, Dr. Georgina Mace agreed that the lUCN Categories “Endangered” and 'Vulnerable” logically correspond to the “endangered” and “threatened” categories of the U.S. Endangered Spe- cies Act. These considerations indicate that the system of assessing ex- tinction risk recently adopted by the FFWCC and the State of Florida will facilitate downlisting and/or delisting currently listed species, ac- celerating the erosion of biological diversity in Florida. Literature Cited Cox, J., R. T. Engstrom, a. Paul, E. Stolen, and E. Stoccardo. 2002. Florida’s new method of evaluating rare species: with an emphasis on the proposed reclassification of the Red-cockaded Woodpecker. Florida Field Naturalist 30:44-59. Mace, G. M, and R. Lande. 1991. Assessing extinction threats: towards a re-evaluation of lUCN threatened species categories. Conservation Biology 5:148-157. lUCN. 1994. lUCN Red List Categories. Prepared by the lUCN Species Survival Com- mission. lUCN, Gland, Switzerland. lUCN. 2001. lUCN Red List Categories and Criteria: Version 3.1. lUCN Species Survival Commission. lUCN, Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK. lUCN. 2002. 2002 lUCN Red List of Threatened Species. lUCN Species Survival Com- mission, lUCN, Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK. 82 Florida Field Naturalist 31(4);82-92, 2003. FIELD OBSERVATIONS Spring Report: March-May 2003. This report consists of significant bird observa- tions compiled by the Field Observations Committee (FOC). Submissions to the FOC should be in the following format: species, number of individuals, age and sex of the bird(s), color morph if applicable, location (including county), date, observer(s), and sig- nificance. Seasons are winter (December-February), spring (March-May), summer (June-July), and fall (August-November). Submit observations (preferably via e-mail) to regional compilers within two weeks after the close of each season, or to the state com- piler within one month. Addresses of the compilers are found at the end of this report. Sight-only observations are considered “reports” while only those supported by verifi- able evidence (photographs, video or audio tapes, or specimens) are called “records.” Species for which documentation is required by the FOS Records Committee (FOSRC; Bowman 2000, Fla. Field Nat. 28:149-160) are marked here with an asterisk (*); we no longer publish FOSRC-review species unaccompanied by documentation. A county des- ignation {in italics) accompanies the first-time listing of each site in this report. Abbre- viations in this report are: BBS = Breeding Bird Survey; CP = county park; EOS = end of season; NF = national forest; NWR = national wildlife refuge; NP = national park; RA = restoration area; SF = state forest; SP = state park; SRA = state recreation area; STF = sewage treatment facility; and N, S, E, W, etc. for compass directions. Bold-faced spe- cies denote birds newly reported or verified in Florida, or record counts. Summary of the Spring Season Landbird migration was somewhat lackluster, although a few good days were re- ported. At Fort Pickens 25 Apr, a squall line produced a heavy fallout, with 42 species of migrants present. Included among these were large numbers of Yellow-billed Cuckoos, Ruby-throated Hummingbirds, Red-eyed Vireos, Gray Catbirds, Summer and Scarlet tanagers, Baltimore and Orchard orioles. Indigo Buntings, and Blue Grosbeaks. Bob and Lucy Duncan rated it a “10” on a scale of 1-10. At Birch State Park, Fort Lauderdale 26 Apr, over 400 warblers of 16 species were found, including 75+ Common Yel- lowthroats, and 50 each of Black-throated Blue Warbler, American Redstart, and Oven- bird (Wally George et al.). Sixteen species were seen at Dry Tortugas 21 Apr (D. Powell, W. Biggs et al.), while over 650 warblers of 9 species passed the stationary Green Key Road count 20 Apr (Ken Tracey and Ray Smart). FOSRC rarities reported this season were the 4 Trumpeter Swans that wintered at Niceville, the Eurasian Kestrel and Cassin’s Kingbird that wintered at Lake Apopka, an adult Heermann’s Gull in Okaloosa in mid-May, the Slaty-backed Gull that wintered at Key West, an Elegant Tern at Fort De Soto, a White-tipped Dove and Long-eared Owl at Dry Tortugas NP, Red-legged Honeycreepers at Biscayne NP and Dry Tortugas NP, and the Green-tailed Towhee that wintered at Honeymoon Island. Species Accounts Pacific Loon: 1 at Fort Pickens, Gulf Islands National Seashore (Escambia) 2 Apr (M. Rose, J. Osborn et al.), and 3 there 23 May (B. Duncan, details to FOC), Common Loon: 32 at Gainesville (Alachua) 4 Apr (A. Kratter); 7 at Newnans Lake (Ala- chua) 12 May (R. Rowan); 1 at Nokomis Beach (Sarasota) 19 May (E. Kwater). Horned Grebe: 2 at Melbourne (Brevard) 14 Apr (D. Freeland). PelagicS: the following were seen on a pelagic trip out of Islamorada (Monroe) 5 May (L. Manfredi et al,): 2 Audubon’s Shearwaters, 1 Brown Booby, 18 Northern Gannets, 1 Field Observations 83 Red-necked Phalarope, 1 Pomarine Jaeger, 3 Roseate Terns, 72 Bridled Terns, and 24 Sooty Terns. Audubon’S Sheaewater: 1 bird 8 km off Hillsboro Inlet (Broward) 18 May (M. Berney). Wilson’s Storm-Petrel: 1 bird 18 km off Hillsboro Inlet 18 May (M. Berney). Leach’S Storm-Petrel: 1 ca. 320 km WNW of Key West 21 Apr (K. Radamaker, B, Anderson), Band-rumped Storm-Petrel: 1 off Pensacola (Escambia) 13 Apr died later (J. Mills et aL, specimen to UF), Masked Booby: 55 at Dry Tortugas NP 4 May (D. Powell, J. Hully et aL). Brown Booby: up to 68 (mostly immatures) at Dry Tortugas NP (Monroe) 12 Apr-1 May (M. Gardler et aL); 20+ between Dry Tortugas NP and Key West 19 Apr (D. Powell et aL). Red-footed Booby: 1 immature at Dry Tortugas NP 30 Apr (A. Binns). Northern Gannet: 500 off Fort De Soto CP (Pinellas) 21 Mar (B. Ahern); 1 immature at Redfish Pass, Captiva Island (Lee) 29 May (V. McGrath). American White Pelican: 16 at Lake Istokpoga (Highlands) 2 Mar (M. McMillian); 740 at Lake Apopka RA 29 Mar (H. Robinson). Brown Pelican: 3 at Lake Apopka RA 24 Mar (H. Robinson). Magnificent Frigatebird: 3 immatures at Bald Point (Franklin) 17 May (B.J. Allen). American Bittern: 17 at Lake Apopka RA 26 Mar (H. Robinson); 1 at Orange Creek RA (Alachua) 26 May (M. Manetz, B. Carroll, R. Rowan). Least Bittern: 17 at Lake Apopka RA 12 May (H. Robinson). “Great White Heron:” 1 on the Sunniland Grade BBS route (Collier) 18 May (T. Doyle). Yellow-crowned Night-Heron: at least 3 at Paynes Prairie Preserve SP (Alachua) 4 May-EOS (M. Manetz, B. Carroll et aL); 2 at Orange Creek RA 26 May (R. Rowan). Glossy Ibis: 2 adults at Tallahassee (Leon) 9 Apr (G. Menk); 6 at Fort Walton Beach STF (Okaloosa) 11 Apr (B. Duncan), and 1 there 15 Apr (D. Ware). Roseate Spoonbill: 1 near Tarrytown (Sumter) 26 Mar (T. Palmer); 33 at Holiday (Pasco) 25 May (R. Smart); up to 17 variously in Polk this spring (fide T. Palmer, P. Fellers). Wood Stork: 167 nests built in 19 of 25 cypresses in a small (60 x 110 m) retention pond at Seven Springs (Pasco) 1 Apr (K. Tracey). Greater Flamingo: 2 at Christian Point, Everglades NP (Monroe) 23 Apr (M. Gardler). Fulvous Whistling-Duck: 2 at Paynes Prairie Preserve SP 18 May-EOS (L. Davis). Black-bellied Whistling-DucK: 1 at Davie (Broward) 3 Mar (S. Humeston); 10 at Tal- lahassee 21 Mar (fide M. Collins); 42 W of Fort Pierce (St. Lucie) 24 Mar (D. and H. Hull); 1 at E Jacksonville (Duval) 3-14 May (C. Adams); 4 at Lake Istokpoga 14 May (M. McMillian); 18 at Emeralda Marsh Conservation Area (Lake) 15 May (P. May); 12 at Viera Wetlands (Brevard) 17 May (D. Freeland); 116 at Gainesville 21 May (S. Hof- stetter, M. Drummond); 12 E of Zephyrhills 23 May furnished the first for Pasco (K. Tracey, photo to FOC); 5 at Polk phosphate mines 26 May (P. Timmer, L. Al- bright); 4 at Orlando Wetlands Park (Orange) 28-30 May (M. Sees). White-faced Whistling-Duck: 1 at Davie 3 Mar (S. Humeston, photos to FOC). Canada Goose: up to 3 at Gainesville 11 Apr-EOS (Marcy Jones, C. Lane et aL); 5 over Fort De Soto CP 26 Apr (R. and L. Smith). ^Trumpeter Swan: the 4 that wintered at Rocky Bayou, Mceville (Okaloosa) departed 27 Mar (fide D. Ware). Mute Swan: 1 at Kendall-Tamiami Airport (MiamLDade) 11 Mar (J. Boyd). Blue-winged Teal: 1 male at Summerland Key (Monroe) 10 May (J. Boyd). Eurasian Wigeon: 2 at Eagle Lakes CP (Collier) remained to 8 Mar (M. Gardler, D. Suitor et. al). Ring-necked Duck: 1 at Polk phosphate mines 26 May (P. Timmer, L. Albright). Lesser Scaup: 3000 in Franklin 10 Mar (T. Lewis); 1 at Merritt Island (Brevard) 17 May (D, Freeland). 84 FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST Long-tailed Duck: 1 female at St. Marks NWR {Wakulla) 20 Apr (M. Collins). Surf Scoter: 1 male at SpringMll Road STF {Leon) 21 Mar-7 Apr (J. Skalickey et aL, photo to FOC by J. Cavanagh). White-winged Scoter: 2 at Fort Pickens 25 Apr (L. Duncan et al). Black Scoter: 2 at Honeymoon Island SRA {Pinellas) 30 Mar (R. and L. Smith). Bufflehead: 1 at Bonner Park, Largo {Pinellas) 29 Mar (J. Fisher). Hooded Merganser: 5 in female-plumage at Lake Wales Ridge SF {Polk) 28 May per- haps represented a female and young (B. Pranty). Red-breasted Merganser: 4 at Merritt Island NWR 7 May (D. Freeland). Osprey: 57 at Lake Apopka RA 24 Apr (H. Robinson). Mississippi Kite: 2 adults and 2 juveniles at Ralph Simmons SF {Nassau) 25 May (P. Leary); 1 at Ocala NF (Marion) 28 May (J. Puschock). Snail Kite: 1 male at Lake Istokpoga 3-14 May (M. McMillian). White-tailed Kite: several observations at Kissimmee Prairie Preserve SP (Okeechobee) this spring (P. Miller). Cooper’s Hawk: 1 female at Avon Park (Highlands) 17 May (P. Fellers, S. Riffe); 1 pair nested at SE Fort Lauderdale for the second consecutive year. The nest was still ac- tive 31 May but the contents were not determined (T. Hendrickson, M. Stickel). Broad-winged Hawk: 1 at Pensacola 9 Mar (B. Tetlow). Short-tailed Hawk: 1 light morph at the S end of Lake Istokpoga 2 Mar (M. McMil- lian); 2 dark morphs at Nobleton (Hernando) 9 Mar (B. and L. Cooper); 2 dark morphs at Bluff Hammock, Lorida (Highlands) 19 Mar-14 Apr (B. and L. Cooper); 1 dark morph over S Merritt Island 31 Mar (D. Freeland); 1 light morph at Lake Wales Ridge SF 1-2 Apr (B. Pranty, R. Bowman), and 1 dark morph and 1 light morph there 28 Apr (B. and L. Cooper, J. Witschey); 1 light morph female and 1 dark morph male nested at New Port Richey 8 Apr ff (K. Tracey); 1 dark morph at Weekiwachee Pre- serve (Hernando) 12-13 Apr (C. Black); 1 light morph at St. Marks NWR 19 Apr (L. Thompson, M. Collins); 3 dark morphs at Fort Drum Conservation Area (Indian River) 7-8 May (M. Gardler, W. Biggs); 1 light morph at Orlando Wetlands Park (Or- ange) 10 May, the third year at this locale (C. Pierce). Swainson’S Hawk: 1 at Boca Chita Key, Biscayne NP (Miami-Dade) 29 Mar (P. Sykes et ah). Golden Eagle: 1 immature at Tall Timbers Research Station (Leon) 13 Mar (J. Cox). Crested Caracara: a nest (with at least one nestling) on an abandoned cell tower S of Clewiston (Hendry) 11 Apr may be the first reported nest built on an artificial struc- ture (B. and L. Cooper); 1 family group seen frequently along CR-64 (Polk) in May fur- nished the first report for Lake Wales Ridge SF (B. Pranty, specimen of road-killed juvenile to Archbold Biological Station). *Eubasian Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus): the female at Lake Apopka RA remained to 22 Mar (H. Weatherman, J. Puschock et al., accepted by FOSRC). Merlin: 4 at Boca CMca Key (Monroe) 28 Mar (M. Gardler); 1 at Weekiwachee Preserve 9 May (A. and B. Hansen). Ring-necked Pheasant: 1 male at Lake Apopka RA to 30 Apr (H. Robinson). Yellow Rail: 1 at Lake Apopka RA 9 Mar (H. Robinson). Black Rail: 1 at Weekiwachee Preserve 2 Mar (M. Gardler, J. Gaetzi); singles at Buck Island Ranch (Highlands) 21 Apr and 30 May were the 5th and 6th reports from there, and the first in spring (M, McMillian). King Rail: 12 at Lake Apopka RA 12 Mar (H. Robinson). SORA: 43 at Lake Apopka RA 5 Mar (H. Robinson). Purple Gallinule: 58 at Lake Apopka RA 21 Apr (H. Robinson); 1 at Largo 10 May (J. Fisher). Limpkin: 1 at Dry Tortugas NP 29 Apr (M. Gardler et al.). Sandhill Crane: 2 at Walsingham Park, Seminole (Pinellas) 3 Apr (J. Fisher). Field Observations 85 Whooping Crane: 1 at Lake lamonia (Leon) 8 Apr apparently was a northbound indi- vidual from the new wintering flock at Chassahowitzka NWR (J, Alexander fide N. Lang); 1 at Brandon {Hillsborough) through the season (D. Powell). Southern Lapwing: the 2 seen in Alachua in Feb were refound at Lake City {Columbia) 21-24 Apr; one of the birds had a color-band on one leg (L. Davis, photo to FOC by L. Morrison). Black-bellied Plover: 150 at Tigertail Beach {Collier) 24 Apr (H. McGuinness). American Golden-Plover: 1 in breeding plumage at St. Marks NWR 27 Mar (J. Ca- vanagh); 1 at Crandon Beach {Miami-Dade) 9 Mar and 12 Apr (R. Diaz). Semipalmated Plover: 67 at Little Estero Lagoon {Lee) 31 May (C. Ewell). Piping Plover: 5 of 15 at Little Talbot Island SP {Duval) were color-banded and repre- sented three breeding areas: Canadian prairies, Canadian maritime, and Great Lakes (P. Leary). American Oystercatcher: 2 at Lake Worth Lagoon {Palm Beach) 10 May (L. Most); up to 26 at Little Estero Lagoon through the period (C. Ewell). Black-necked Stilt: duos at Springhill Road STF, Tallahassee 3 Apr and 27 May (G. Menk); 15+ over Kissimmee Prairie Preserve SP 14 Apr (P. Miller); 2 at Anclote Gulf Park {Pasco) 18 May (R. Smart). American AvoceT: 2 at Cedar Key {Levy) 27 Mar (M. Gardler, J. Gaetzi); 3 at Little Es- tero Lagoon 27 Apr (C. Ewell); 2 at Merritt Island NWR 7 May (D. Freeland). Solitary Sandpiper: 1 at Bayonet Point {Pasco) 23 Mar (M. Gardler); 3 at Spring Hill (Hernando) 15 Apr (A. and B. Hansen); 6 at Lake Apopka RA 24 Apr (H. Robinson); 7 at Hugh Taylor Birch SP {Broward) 27 Apr {fide W. George); 2 at Dry Tortugas NP 30 Apr (M. Gardler et ah); 1 at the Sarasota “celery fields” {Sarasota) 21 May (J. Bouton). WiLLET: 1 near-total albino at Huguenot Memorial Park {Duval) 25 Apr (B. Richter). Spotted Sandpiper: 2 at Viera Wetlands 17 May (D. Freeland); 1 in breeding plumage at Werner-Boyce Salt Springs SP {Pasco) 23 May (K. Tracey). Upland Sandpiper: 2 at Gainesville 27 Mar (S. Schwikert); 1 at Apalachicola Airport {Franklin) 30 Mar (B. Bergstrom); 1 at the Sarasota “celery fields” 25 Apr (J. Dubi et al.). Whimbrel: 6 at Ohio Key {Monroe) 11 Apr (M. Gardler). Long-billed Curlew: 1 at Huguenot Memorial Park 29 Mar (B. Richter), Marbled God wit: 8 at Fort Pickens 25 Apr (L. Duncan et al.). Red Knot: 100 at Tigertail Beach 24 Apr (H. McGuinness); 137 at Little Estero Lagoon 27 Apr (C. Ewell). White-RUMPED Sandpiper: 1 color-banded bird at Fort Walton Beach STF 26 Apr had been banded in Argentina in fall 2001 (B. and L. Duncan, B. Tetlow); 3 at Eagle Lakes CP 26 Apr (M. Gonsalo); 7 at Dry Tortugas NP 27 Apr (M. Gardler); 1 at Alachua {Alachua) 6 May (B. Wallace); 11 at Merritt Island NWR 14 May (D. Freeland); 8 at Okeelanta {Palm Beach) 25 May (M. Berney); 2 at Springhill Road STF 31 May (J. Cavanagh); 8 at Homestead {Miami-Dade) 31 May (L. Manfredi); 12 at Little Es- tero Lagoon 31 May (C. Ewell). Baird’s Sandpiper: 5 at Fort Walton Beach STF 28 Apr (D. Ware); 1 at Springhill Road STF 9-10 May (J. Cavanagh et al.). Purple Sandpiper: 14 at Fort Clinch SP {Nassau) 14 Mar (J. Puschock). Dunlin: 450 at Merritt Island NWR 24 Apr (D. Freeland); 500 at Tigertail Beach 24 Apr (H. McGuinness); 394 at Little Estero Lagoon 27 Apr (C, Ewell). Buff-breasted Sandpiper: 1 at Fort Walton Beach STF 26 Apr (B. Duncan et al.); 1 at Pensacola 2 May (B. and L, Duncan). Short-billed Dowitcher: 250 at Merritt Island NWR 7 May (D. Freeland); 200 at Bunche Beach {Lee) 14 May (B. Postmus). Long-billed Dowitcher: 60 at Circle B Bar Preserve {Polk) 25 Apr (P. Fellers, R. Etzler). Wilson’s Phalarope: 1 at Fort Walton Beach STF 14 May (D. Ware). 86 FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST Red-necked Phalakope: 2 in breeding plumage off Ponce Inlet (Volusia) 17 May (B. Ah- ern, D. Goodwin et al.). POMAKINE Jaeger: up to 6 at Dry Tortugas NP 12 Apr-1 May (M. Gardler); 1 with 3 jae- ger species at Indian Shores {Pinellas) 19 Mar (J. Fisher). Parasitic Jaeger: 1 light morph adult at Fort De Soto CP 21 Mar (B. Ahern); 1 dark morph adult at Dry Tortugas NP 29 Apr (M. Gardler). Long-tailed Jaeger: 2 ca. 320 km WNW of Key West 21 Apr (K. Radamaker, B. Ander- son). Bonaparte’s Gull: 1 at Springhill Road STF 16 Apr (J. Skalickey); 1 in winter plumage at Spring Hill 26 Apr (A. and B. Hansen). *Heermann’S Gull: 1 breeding-plumaged adult at Choctawhatchee Bay (Okaloosa) 18 May (C. Saleebe), then the E side of Destin Pass (Okaloosa) 19-20 May (L. Fenimore, B. and L. Duncan et al., details to FOG). This presumably was the adult that has spent the past 3+ years mostly at Fort De Soto CP. Herring Gull: 400 (mostly adults) at Little Estero Lagoon 9 Mar (C. Ewell). Lesser Black-backed Gull: 4 immatures at Tigertail Beach 24 Apr (H. McGuinness et. al); 3 immatures remained at Crandon Beach through 28 May, with 1 still present 31 May (R. Diaz); 1 first-year at Little Estero Lagoon through the season (C. Ewell). *Slaty-BACKED Gull: 1 at Key West to 2 May (J. Boyd et al., accepted by FOSRC). Gull-billed Tern: 2 at Polk phosphate mines 16 Mar (P. Timmer, C. Geanangel); 2 at Huguenot Memorial Park 29 Mar (B. Richter); 1 at Lake Apopka RA 21 Apr (H. Rob- inson); 1 at Everglades NP (Monroe) 22 Apr (M. Gardler); 1 at Gainesville 15 May (M. Meisenburg). Caspian Tern: 1 nest with 2 eggs at St. Vincent NWR (Franklin) 31 May furnished the first breeding report for that locale (T. Lewis). Royal Tern: 2 at Lake Mirror, Lakeland 23 Apr (T. Palmer). ^Elegant Tern: 1 accompanied a Sandwich Tern at Fort De Soto CP (Pinellas) 10-12 Apr (J. Puschock et al., photos to FOC). “Elegant-type” Tern: 1 at Loggerhead Key, Dry Tortugas NP 30 Apr-4 May (L. Man- fredi et al.). Roseate Tern: 28 at Key West 5 May (J. Puschock); up to 125 at Dry Tortugas NP 12 Apr-1 May (M. Gardler et al.). Common Tern: 330 “with carpal bars very evident” at Three Rooker Island (Pinellas) 30 May (M. Korosy et al.); up to 4 at Little Estero Lagoon through the season (C. Ewell). Least Tern: birds thought to be nesting on top of the Mount Dora Albertson’s rooftop (Lake) for at least the 3rd consecutive spring (J. Puschock); >10 pairs nested on the Sebring Publix rooftop (Highlands) 11 May-EOS (M. McMillian, B. Pranty, H. Lovell). Black Noddy: 1 at Dry Tortugas NP 12 Apr-EOS (M. Gardler, D. Simpson et al.). Black Skimmer: 450 at Cedar Key 27 Mar (M. Gardler, J. Gaetzi); 36 at Lake Mirror 3 Apr (T. Palmer); 230 at Little Estero Lagoon 20 Apr (C. Ewell). White-winged Dove: up to 3 at St. Petersburg (Pinellas) 25 Mar-EOS (R. Smith et al.); 1 nest with 2 nestlings at W Pensacola 2-16 Apr (Mary Jones) provided the first Pan- handle breeding report; 3 singles at Alligator Point or Bald Point (Franklin) variously between 5-29 Apr (J. Dozier); 1 at Fort De Soto CP 5 Apr (B. Ahern et al.); up to 3 pairs at Crystal River (Citrus) mid-April-EOS, with one gathering nesting material 27 Apr (B. Smyth); 6 at Lake Apopka RA 30 Apr (H. Robinson); potential breeding pairs noted in Okaloosa and Santa Rosa this season (fide B. Duncan); up to 5 at Gainesville through the season (E. Perry, R. Rowan); up to 30 at Ocala (Marion) through the season (P. Orr). Common Ground-Dove: 111 at Lake Apopka RA 21 May (H. Robinson). * White-tipped Dove: 1 at Dry Tortugas NP 19 Apr-3 May (J. Bacquie et al., photo to FOC by J. Puschock). Budgerigar: 1 at Boca Ciega Park, Seminole 28 Apr (J. Fisher). Field Observations 87 BlacK“HOODED Pabakeet: 30 at Largo 12 Apr (J. Fisher); birds observed at 3 W Pasco sites this spring: 2 at New Port Richey 8 May ff that nested in a telephone pole cavity; 1 at Holiday 12 May; and 3 at an apparent nest in a telephone pole cavity at Anclote 12 May (all K. Tracey). Monk Parakeet: 3 at Jupiter Inlet Colony {Palm Beach) 3 Feb, and 2 there 27 May (J. Hailman). WhitE”WINGED Parakeet: 80 at Kendall Baptist Hospital (Miami-Dade) 10 Apr (M. Gardler). Mitred Parakeet: 1 among 15 Black-hooded Parakeets at St. Petersburg 8 Apr (L. Sny- der). Senegal Parrot: 1 at Kendall Baptist Hospital 23 Apr (M. Gardler). Black-billed Cuckoo: 3 at Fort Pickens 25 Apr (B. and L. Duncan et ak). Yellow-billed Cuckoo: 23 at Lake Apopka RA 4 May (H. Robinson); 12 called on the Pinecrest BBS route 17 May (T. Doyle). Mangrove Cuckoo: 1 at Boca Chita Key 29 Mar (P. Sykes et ah); 1 at Dry Tortugas NP 17 Apr (M. Gardler); 1 at Weedon Island Preserve {Pinellas) 9 May, and a fledgling there 14 Jun (R. Smith); 2 called at J.N. “Ding” Darling NWR {Lee) 11 May (C. Ewell). *Long~EARED Owl: 1 at Dry Tortugas NP 17 Apr (L. Manfredi et ah, photos to FOC). Short-eared Owl: 1 at Fort Zachary Taylor SP, Key West 12 Apr-EOS (M. Gardler, A. Banker! et ah); singles at Dry Tortugas NP 13 Apr-4 May and 20 Apr-5 May (M. Gardler, D. Goodwin); 1 banded at Kissimmee Prairie Preserve SP 14 Apr (P. Miller, P. Small et ah). Burrowing Owl: 46 at Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport {Broward) 11 May (M. Ber- ney). Chuck- WILL’S-WIDOW: the stomach of 1 found road-killed near Newnans Lake 20 Apr contained a White-eyed Vireo (T. Webber fide R. Rowan). Whip-poor-will: 4 sang at Archbold Biological Station {Highlands) 15 Mar (R. Smith). Chimney Swift: 14 roosted in a chimney at New Port Richey {Pasco) 2 Apr, and 501 were there 2 May (K. Tracey). Selasphorus species: 1 at Tallahassee remained to 28 Mar (D. Houle). Red-headed Woodpecker: 1 at Seminole 23-24 May (J. Fisher). Red-bellied Woodpecker: 48 at Lake Apopka RA 27 Apr (H. Robinson). Hairy Woodpecker: 2 at Little Manatee River SP {Manatee) 18 Mar (T. Mossbarger); 1 at Ocala NF 21 Mar (D. Whitford); 1 nest with young nestlings at Lake Wales Ridge SF 2 Apr seemed to have failed shortly afterward (B. Pranty); 1 at Babcock-Webb WMA {Charlotte) 19 Apr (C. Ewell et al.); 1 at Circle B Bar Preserve 25 Apr (P. Fellers, R. Etzler); 1 at a Tallahassee yard 28 Apr (R. Lengacher); 1 at Lake Apo- pka RA 30 Apr (H. Robinson). Acadian Flycatcher: 1 at Boca Ciega Park, Seminole 15 Apr (J. Fisher). Willow Flycatcher: 1 male sang and called at Dry Tortugas NP 4 May (J. Hinter- mister, T. McCarthy et al.). Least Flycatcher: 2 that wintered at Lake Apopka RA remained to 2 Apr (H. Robinson). Ash-throated Flycatcher: 1 near Hastings {St. Johns) 14 Mar (J. Bryan); 1 at St. George Island {Franklin) 28 Apr (J. Cavanagh). La Sacra’s Flycatcher: 1 at A.D. Barnes Park {Miami-Dade) 27-28 Apr (B. Mathys, A. Kirschel, M. Reid); 1 at Indigenous Park, Key West 26 Mar (D. Simpson), *Cassin’S Kingbird: 1 at Lake Apopka RA to 6 Apr (H. Robinson et ah, photos by B. Pranty, accepted by FOSRC). Western Kingbird: singles at Gulf Breeze 21 Mar and 1 May (B. Duncan); 30 at Lake Apopka RA 29 Mar, and 1 there to 26 May (H. Robinson); 2 at Cypress Isle, Lake Is- tokpoga 7 Apr (M. McMillian); 1 at St. Petersburg 12 Apr (A. and R. Smith); singles at Green Key Road, New Port Richey 29 Apr and 17 May (K. Tracey); 1 at Fort Walton Beach STF 5 May (B. and L. Duncan, B. Tetlow). 88 FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST Eastern Kingbird: 1 at Fort De Soto CP 23 Mar (R. Smith); 1 at Lake Apopka RA 24 Mar (H. Robinson). Gray Kingbird: 1 at Jupiter Inlet Colony 9-10 Mar (J. Hailman). SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER: 1 near Cypress Isle 2 Mar (M. McMillian); 2 at Key West 22 Apr (M. Gardler); up to 3 at Lake Apopka RA remained to 27 Apr (H. Robinson); 2 at St. George Island 29 Apr (J. Cavanagh et al.); 1 at Bald Point 29 Apr (J. Dozier). Blue-headed VireO: 1 at Bald Point 26 Apr (J. Dozier). Philadelphia Vireo: 1 at Fort De Soto CP 29 Apr (L. Atherton). Black-whiskered Vireo: 1 at A.D. Barnes Park 22 Mar (J. Villamil); 1 at Elliot Key, Biscayne NP 28 Mar (J. Bouton); males sang at Birch SP, where not known to breed, 29 Mar-24 May, with a high of 5 birds 10 May {fide W. George). Florida Scrub-Jay: 1 out of habitat at Lake Apopka RA 4 May (H. Robinson). House Crow {Corvus splendens): 2 adults attended a nest with 3 half-grown nestlings in an Australian-pine at Nokomis Beach 19 May (E. Kwater, photos to F’OC). Purple Martin: 1440 at Lake Apopka RA 26 May (H. Robinson); 16, including recent fledglings, at Weekiwachee Preserve 30 May perhaps bred in natural cavities (A. and B. Hansen). Tree Swallow: 7120 at Lake Apopka RA 9 Mar (H. Robinson). Cliff Swallow: 8 at Tierra Verde {Pinellas) 5 Apr (B. Ahern); 3 at Dry Tortugas NP 19- 21 April (D. Powell et al.). Cave Swallow: singles at Fort Walton Beach STF 11 Apr (B. Duncan) and 10 May (D. Ware); 1 at Fort Pickens 12 Apr (L. Duncan et al.); up to 3 of the Mexican race at Dry Tortugas NP 12 Apr-1 May (M. Gardler, J. Puschock et al.), and at least 1 of the Caribbean race there 19-21 Apr (D. Powell et al.). Barn Swallow: 1 at Tram Road STF, Tallahassee 4 Mar (G. Menk); 1 at Weekiwachee Preserve 8 Mar (A. and B. Hansen); 3 fledglings at Gainesville 9 May (R. Rowan); 7 fledglings at Brooker {Bradford) 18 May (R. Rowan), Carolina Wren: 103 at Lake Apopka RA 24 Apr (H. Robinson). Marsh Wren: 3 that wintered at Lake Apopka RA remained to 15 May (H. Robinson). Golden-crowned Kinglet: 3 at Walsingham Park, Seminole 2 Mar, and 2 there 10 Mar (J. Fisher). Ruby-crowned Kinglet: 1 at Dry Tortugas NP 13-27 Apr (M. Gardler et al). Veery: 1 at Paynes Prairie Preserve SP 4 May (M. Manetz). SWAINSON’S Thrush: 6 at Green Key Road 26 Apr (K. Tracey, J. McKay). Gray-cheeked Thrush: 1 at Tallahassee 28 Apr (J. Cavanagh); 1 at Gainesville 30 Apr (A. Kratter). Wood Thrush: 1 at Fort De Soto CP 10 Apr (J. Puschock); 1 at Dry Tortugas NP 18 Apr- 1 May (M. Gardler et al.); 1 at Green Key Road 26 Apr established the first for Pasco (K. Tracey, J. McKay). American Robin: 3100 at Lake Apopka RA 2 Mar (H. Robinson). Gray Catbird: 78 at Lake Apopka RA 21 Apr, with 1 remaining to 18 May (H. Robinson). Northern Mockingbird: up to 2 at Dry Tortugas NP 13-28 Apr (M. Gardler et al). Bahama Mockingbird: 1 at Marathon {Monroe) 22-23 May (L. Manfredi et al.). Common Myna: 1 at Jupiter Inlet Colony 27 May was the first for that locale (J. Hailman). American Pipit: 1 at Gainesville 16-17 May (R. Rowan et al.). Cedar Waxwing: 35 at Winter Haven {Polk) 4 May (T. Palmer); 75h- at Boy Scout Tract, Lake Wales Ridge SF 9 May (B. Pranty). Blue-winged Warbler: 1 at Sanibel Lighthouse Park {Lee) 11 Apr (C. Ewell); 1 at Boca Ciega Park 19 Apr (J. Fisher); 1 at Largo Narrows Park {Pinellas) 19 Apr (1. Hernan- dez, J. Fisher); 1 at Dry Tortugas NP 19 Apr (D, Powell et al.). Golden-winged Warbler: 1 at Cedar Key 19 Apr (1. Samuels et al.). Nashville Warbler: 1 that wintered at Easterlin Park {Broward) remained to 1 Mar (W. George, M, Berney); 1 at Lake Seminole Park, Seminole 7 May (J. Fisher). Field Observations 89 Northern Parula: 1 juvenile at Big Cypress National Preserve {Collier) 25 Apr (J. Boyd). Yellow Warbler: 1 at Newnans Lake 27 Apr (R. Rowan, L. Davis); 1 at Dry Tortugas NP 4 May (D. Powell, J. Hully); 1 at Ocala 16 May (P. Orr). Chestnut-sided Warbler: 1 at Dry Tortugas NP 19 Apr-1 May (M. Gardler). Magnolia Warbler: 6 at Cedar Key 26 Apr (P. Orr, R. Rowan et aL). Cape May Warbler: 9 at Fort De Soto CP 25 Apr (B. Ahern). Yellow-RUMPED Warbler: 8470 at Lake Apopka RA 5 Mar (H. Robinson). Palm Warbler: 1 at Ocala NF 3 May (J. Puschock). Bay-breasted Warbler: 1 male at A.D. Barnes Park 30 Apr-3 May (J. Boyd, S. Epps et aL); 1 male at Dry Tortugas NP 1 May (J. Puschock). Blackpoll Warbler: 1 male at Birch SP 23 Apr had an entirely black head but other- wise normal plumage (W. George, M, Stickel); 11 at Lake Apopka RA 4 May (H. Rob- inson); 12 (mostly females) at Merritt Island 23 May (B. Paxson); 1 female at Bill Baggs Cape Florida SP (Miami-Dade) 30 May (R. Diaz). Cerulean Warbler: 1 at Fort De Soto CP 16-17 Apr (J. Gaetzi et aL); 1 at Boca Ciega Park 28 Apr (J. Fisher). American Redstart: 1 at Jupiter Inlet Colony 27 May (J. Hailman). Prothonotary Warbler: 1 at Lake Palestine (Union) 14 Mar (J. Krummrich); 1 at Gainesville 15 Mar (A. Kratter); 1 male at Cedar Key 27 Mar (M. Gardler, J. Gaetzi); I at Fort De Soto CP 27 Mar (B. Ahern). Worm-eating Warbler: 2 at Fort De Soto CP 16 Apr (B. Ahern, J, Gaetzi); 2 at Dry Tor- tugas NP 20 Apr (M. Gardler). Swainson’S Warbler: seen at Birch SP on 7 days between 31 Mar and 28 Apr, with 2 there 27 Apr (fide W. George); 1 at Fort De Soto CP 7-8 Apr (M. and S. Turner); 1 at Lake Apopka RA 21 Apr (H. Robinson); 1 at Dry Tortugas NP 21 Apr (M. Gardler); 1 at Bonner Park 26 Apr (R. Smart, J. Fisher); 1 at Lake Seminole Park 26 Apr (J. Fisher); 1 at Largo 27 Apr (J. Fisher). Northern WaterthrusH: 1 at Paynes Prairie Preserve SP 8 Mar (A. Kratter); 27 at Lake Apopka RA 27 Apr (H. Robinson); 1 at Merritt Island 24 May (B. Paxson). Kentucky Warbler: 1 at Fort De Soto CP 16 Apr (B. Ahern, J. Gaetzi); singles at Birch SP 20 and 27 Apr (W. George, M. Berney); 1 at Cedar Key 26 Apr (R. Rowan et aL). Connecticut Warbler: singles at Snyder Park, Fort Lauderdale 1 and 19 May (B. Rob- erts); 1 in a residential yard at Fort Lauderdale 28 May (T. Hendrickson); no birds found at Fort De Soto CP this spring (fide L. Atherton). Hooded Warbler: the male that wintered at Starkey Wilderness Park remained to 6 Mar (K. Tracey); 1 at Green Key Road 30 Mar (K. Tracey); 12 at Fort De Soto CP 16 Apr (B. Ahern, J. Gaetzi). Wilson’s Warbler: the male that wintered at Lake Jackson, Tallahassee remained to II Mar (G. Menk); 1 at Ravine Gardens SP (Putnam) 21 Mar (D. Whitford); 1 male at Mead Gardens, Orlando 3 Apr (B. Sicolo). Yellow-breasted Chat: 1 that wintered at Cedar Key remained to 13 Mar (D. Hender- son); 1 at Paynes Prairie Preserve SP 7 Apr (I. Samuels); 1 sang and displayed at Kissimmee Prairie Preserve SP 10-12 May (P. Miller); 16 at Lake Apopka RA 21 May (H. Robinson); 1 observed for the 6th consecutive breeding season at Crystal River State Buffer Preserve (Citrus) 25 May-EOS (A. and B. Hansen). *Red-LEGGED Honeycreeper (Cyanerpes cyaneus): 1 male at Boca Chita Key 25-27 Mar (T. Obenauer et aL, photos to FOC by L. Manfredi); 1 male at Dry Tortugas NP 29 Apr-3 May (M. Gardler et aL, photo to FOC by J. Puschock). The FOSRC ruled that escapees could not be ruled out, and did not accept the reports (fide R. Bowman). Summer TanageR: 1 at Paynes Prairie Preserve SP 14 Mar (B. Mollison); 1 singing male at Lake Talquin SF (Leon) 28 Mar (G. Menk). 90 FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST Scarlet Tanager: 1 male at Tallahassee 11 Apr (R. Lengacher); 5 at Green Key Road 26 Apr (K. Tracey, J. McKay); 8 at Fort De Soto CP 26 Apr (P. Fellers et al); 1 at Lake Apopka RA 4 May (H. Robinson). Western Tanager: 1 at Gainesville 8-11 Mar (L. Hensley, J. Bryan et al.); 1 at Ocala 8 Apr (E. Shackleton). Western SpindaliS: 1 female at Dry Tortugas in Mar (S. Bass). Eastern Towhee: 113 at Lake Apopka RA 21 May (H. Robinson). *Green-TAILED Towhee : the 1 that wintered at Honeymoon Island SRA remained to 29 Mar, by which time it had begun to sing (R. Smart et al.). Chipping Sparrow: 1 in Wakulla 3 May (S. McCool). Field Sparrow: 1 at Walsingham Park 3 Mar (J. Fisher). Lark Sparrow: 1 male sang W of Fort Pierce 24 Mar (D. and H. Hull); 1 at Fort De Soto CP 28 Mar (J. Gaetzi, L. Atherton). Savannah Sparrow: 1 at Paynes Prairie Preserve SP 21 May (R. Rowan). Ammodramus SPECIES: 1 nearly all-white individual, presumably a Grasshopper Spar- row, at Lake Wales Ridge SF 4 Mar (B. Pranty, video to FOC). Grasshopper Sparrow: 1 A. s. pratensis captured at Kissimmee Prairie Preserve SP 1 May (P. Miller); 1 at Fort George Island (Duval) 4 May (B. Richter). Le Conte’s Sparrow: 1 banded at Kissimmee Prairie Preserve SP 19 Apr (fide P. Small). Song Sparrow: 1 at Walsingham Park 12-13 Mar (J. Fisher); 1 at Paynes Prairie Pre- serve SP 11 Apr (A. Kent, D. Berggren). Lincoln’s Sparrow: 1 at W Kendall (Miami-Dade) 9 Mar (J. Boyd); 1 at Walsingham Park 13 Mar (J. Fisher); 1 at Frog Pond WMA (Miami-Dade) 15 Mar (R. Diaz); 2 remained at the Sarasota celery fields into early Apr (T. Mossbarger et. al); 1 at Fort Pickens 12 Apr (L. Duncan); 1 at Molino (Escambia) 14 Apr (G. Fleming); 1 at Hone5mioon Island SRA 23 Apr (A. and B. Hansen); 1 at Fort De Soto CP 26 Apr (L. and R. Smith et al.). Swamp Sparrow: 55 at Lake Apopka RA 16 Mar (H. Robinson). White-throated Sparrow: 1 at Fort De Soto CP 2 Apr (J. Gaetzi, L. Atherton et al.); 2 at Ocala NF 8 Apr (J. Puschock); 1 at Lake Apopka RA 4 May (H. Robinson). White-crowned Sparrow: 6 at Lake Apopka RA 6-11 Apr (H. Robinson). Dark-eyed JuncO: 1 at Jacksonville 1-13 Mar (P. Powell); 1 at St. Marks NWR 12 Apr (J. Dozier, J. Murphy); 1 at Alligator Point 15 Apr (J. Murphy). Northern Cardinal: 273 at Lake Apopka RA 4 May (H. Robinson). Rose-breasted Grosbeak: 1 at Mahogany Hammock, Everglades NP (Miami-Dade) 8 Mar (fide J. Boyd); 16 at Green Key Road 26 Apr (K. Tracey, J. McKay); 13 at Fort De Soto CP 26 Apr (P. Fellers et al). Blue Grosbeak: 1 male sang at Brooker Creek Preserve (Pinellas) 11 May, where breeding has been suspected since 1990 (R. Smith); 1 at John U. Lloyd SP (Broward) 14 May (B. Roberts). Painted Bunting: the female that wintered at a Jacksonville yard remained to 21 Apr (P. Powell). Dickcissel: 1 male at Naples (Collier) 4-16 Mar (A. Murray et. al); up to 3 at Dry Tortu- gas NP 19 Apr-1 May (M. Gardler et al.); 1 at Cedar Key 26 Apr (R. Rowan et al.); 1 at Fort De Soto CP 26 Apr (K. Allen); 12-16 singing males in a “field with tall grass” at Fort Walton Beach 5-20 May perhaps were breeding, but the field was mowed 20 May, when 4 males were still present (B. and L. Duncan, B. Tetlow). Bobolink: 1000s (95% males) at Everglades NP 24 Apr (M. Gardler); 64 over Green Key Road 25 Apr (K. Tracey); 1570 at Lake Apopka RA 27 Apr (H. Robinson); 75+ total in 5 flocks heading NW over Lake Wales Ridge SF 3 May (B. Pranty, D. Powell, J. Hully); 928 at Gainesville 4 May (M. Manetz); 2 at Paynes Prairie Preserve SP 21 May (R. Rowan). Red-winged Blackbird: 13,475 at Lake Apopka RA 16 Apr (H. Robinson). Rusty Blackbird: 1 female W of Sopchoppy (Wakulla) 5 Mar (B. and L. Cooper); 2 at Paynes Prairie Preserve SP 8 Mar (A. Kratter). Field Observations 91 Brewer’s Blackbird: 1 at Hague 17 Apr (M. Manetz). Shiny Cowbird: 1 at Gainesville 15 Mar (A. Kratter); 1 male at Niceville 3 Apr (A. and J. Knothe); 1 male sang at Cedar Key all Apr (D. Henderson)^ with 2 there 26 Apr (R. Rowan et al.); up to 3 males at Flamingo, Everglades NP 11-20 Apr (W. Biggs, M. Berney, J. Puschock); 1 female at Dry Tortugas NP 28 Apr (M, Gardler et al.); 1 at Fort De Soto CP 28 Apr (J. Gaetzi et al.); 1 male at Gulf Breeze 12 May (B. and L. Duncan); 1 at Bald Point 18 May (J. Dozier); 1 male at Fort Walton Beach 20 May (B. and L. Duncan et al.); 1 male sang at DeBary {Volusia) 20 May (P. May). Bronzed Cowbird: 1 male at Naples 8 Mar (M. Gardler); 1 at Florida International Uni- versity (Miami-Dade) 13 May (R. Urgelles); up to 18 at Eagle Lakes CP 30 Mar (M. Gonsalo et. al). Orchard Oriole: 3 at New Port Richey 13 Apr (K. Tracey); 11 at Lake Apopka RA 29 May (H. Robinson). Baltimore Oriole: 1 that wintered at New Port Richey remained to 6 Apr (K. Tracey). Purple Finch: 1 at Gainesville 2-10 Mar (R. Rowan, L. Davis et al.). House Finch: a nest with nestlings at Inverness 25 Mar established the first breeding record for Citrus (K. Spilios, photos to FOC); 1 at Brooker 13 Apr was the first for Brad- ford (R. Rowan); 3 at Tampa 14 Apr-EOS (B. Ahern); 3 at Cross City {Dixie) 2 May (R. Rowan); a pair (with an orange-variant male) attended a nest at Beverly Hills {Cit- rus) 17 May (K. Spilios, photos to FOC); 1 male and 1 female at Orlando all May (N. Prine); up to 4 at Eustis {Lake) through the season (J, Puschock); birds now are resi- dent at Cedar Key, and produced numerous young this season (D. Henderson). Pine Siskin: 3 at Valrico {Hillsborough) 2 Mar (S. Backes); 1 at Lake Apopka RA 30 Apr (H. Robinson). American Goldfinch: 1 male at St. Augustine {St. Johns) 4-5 May (J. Holstein); 1 at Ocala NF 14 May (J. Puschock); up to 3 remained at Ocala to 24 May (P. Orr). Java Sparrow: 1 at Land O’ Lakes {Pasco) 19 May (S. Burns). Orange Bishop: 1 at Lake Apopka RA 6 Apr (H. Robinson). Tricolored Munia: 1 at Dry Tortugas NP 4 May was captured by a Sharp-shinned Hawk (L. Manfredi). Contributors: Carole Adams, Larry Albright, Jane Alexander, Bonnie Jean Allen, Ken Allen, Bruce Anderson, Lyn Atherton, Steve Backes, Janine Bacquie, Andy Bankert, Sonny Bass, Dawn Berggren, Brad Bergstrom, Mark Berney, Wes Biggs, Adrian Binns, Clay Black, Jeff Bouton, Reed Bowman, John Boyd, Judy Bryan, Sandra Burns, Bob Carroll, Jim Cavanagh, Marvin Collins, Buck and Linda Cooper, Jim Cox, Lloyd Davis, Robin Diaz, Terry Doyle, Jack Dozier, Michael Drummond, Jeanne Dubi, Bob Duncan, Lucy Duncan, Susan Epps, Rebecca Etzler, Charlie Ewell, Paul Fellers, Lennie Fenimore, Judy Fisher, Gene Fleming, David Freeland, Jill Gaetzi, Murray Gardler, Chuck Geanangel, Wally George, Marie Gonsalo, David Goodwin, Jack Hail- man, Al and Bev Hansen, Dale Henderson, Ted Hendrickson, Linda Hensley, Irene Her- nandez, John Hintermister, Stephen Hofstetter, Jackie Holstein, David Houle, Dotty and Hank Hull, Jim Hully, Suze Humeston, Marcy Jones, Mary Jones, Adam Kent, Alex Kirschel, Marianne Korosy, Alan and Jesse Knothe, Andy Kratter, Jerry Krummrich, Ed Kwater, Chuck Lane, Nancy Lang, Patrick Leary, Rob Lengacher, Thom Lewis, Holly Lovell, Mike Manetz, Larry Manfredi, Black Mathys, Peter May, Tracy McCarthy, Sean McCooi, Vince McGrath, Hugh McGuinness, Jim McKay, Mike McMillian, Michael Meisenburg, Gail Menk, Paul Miller, Joe Mills, Barbara Mollison, Lloyd Morri- son, Tina Mossbarger, Linda Most, John Murphy, Alan Murray, Toby Obenauer, Patty Orr, Jan Osborn, Tom Palmer, Bob Paxson, Evelyn Perry, Cheri Pierce, Bev Postmus, David Powell, Peggy Powell, Bill Pranty, Nancy Prine, John Puschock, Kurt Rada- maker, Matt Reid, Bob Richter, Sue Riffe, Bryant Roberts, Harry Robinson, Merilu Rose, Rex Rowan, Charlie Saleebe, Ivan Samuels, Steve Schwikert, Mark Sees, Eve 92 FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST Shackleton, Bob Sicolo, David Simpson, Jack Skalickey, Parks Small, Ray Smart, Aus- tin Smith, Lori Smith, Ron Smith, Betty Smyth, Lee Snyder, Monte Stickel, Doug Suitor, Ken Spilios, Paul Sykes, Betsy Tetlow, Larry Thompson, Pete Timmer, Ken Tracey, Mark and Sandy Turner, Raul Urgelles, Juan Villamil, Bob Wallace, Don Ware, Harold Weatherman, Tom Webber, Donald Whitford, and John Witschey, 1999 report not published previously: ORINOCO GooSE: 1 in central Palm Beach was observed eating “ducklings” (Kristy Delgado, Tammy Peeples, photos to FOC). Spring 1995 correction: the adult PARASITIC JAEGER reported from “between Dry Tortugas National Park and Key West 13 May (J. Dozier)” was actually a POMARINE Jaeger, and the location was ca. 38 km off the Fort Myers-Naples area. We thank Jack Dozier for bringing this error to our attention. Fall 2002 reports not published previously: BUDGERIGAR; 1 green morph at Palatka {Putnam) 4 Oct (Bill Pranty); GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLET: 1 at Ocala NF {Marion) 1 Nov (John Puschock). Winter 2002-2003 reports not published previously: HERRING GULL: 800 at Little Estero Lagoon (Lee) 22 Feb (Charlie Ewell); CASPIAN TerN: 1 immature at Springhill Road STF 25 Feb (Gail Menk); WHITE-WINGED DOVE: 1 at Lake Wales Ridge SF {Polk) 17 Feb provided the first for that site (Bill Pranty). Report prepared by Bill Pranty, state compiler (Avian Ecology Lab, Archbold Biolog- ical Station, 123 Main Drive, Venus, Florida 33960; ). Re- gional compilers are Bruce H. Anderson (2917 Scarlet Road, Winter Park, Florida 32792; ), John H. Boyd III (15770 SW 104th Terrace, Apartment 103, Miami, Florida 33196, ), Linda Cooper (558 Sunshine Boulevard, Haines City, Florida 33844-9540; ), Bob and Lucy Duncan (614 Fairpoint Drive, Gulf Breeze, Florida 32561, ), Charlie Ewell (115 SW 51st Terrace, Cape Coral, Florida 33991, ), Bev Hansen (6573 Pine Meadows Drive, Spring Hill, Florida 34606; ), Gail Menk (2725 Peachtree Drive, Tallahassee, Florida 32304; no e-mail), David Powell (1407 Storington Avenue, Brandon, Florida 33511; ), and Peggy Powell (2965 Forest Circle, Jacksonville, Florida 32257; ). FLORIDA ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY COMMITTEES Archives Committee; Chair: WALTER K. TAYLOR, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL 32816. E-mail: wtaylor@pegasus.cc.ucf edu Members: Ed Slaney, Dave Goodwin, Tom WEBBER Editorial Advisory Board: Chair: JAMES A. Rodgers, Jr, Wildlife Research Labora- tory, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 4005 S. Main St., Gaines- ville, FL 32601. E-mail: rodgerj@fwc.state.fl.us Members: STEPHEN A. NESBITT, ToDD Engstrom, Hank Smith, Eugene Stoccardo. Field Observations Committee: Chair: BILL Pranty, Avian Ecology Lab, Archbold Bi- ological Station, 123 Main Drive, Venus, FL 33960. E-mail: billpranty@hotmaiLcom Members: Bruce H. Anderson, John Boyd III, Linda Cooper, Bob Duncan, Char- lie Ewell, Bev Hansen, Gail Menk, David Powell, Peggy Powell. Finance Committee: Chair: MURRAY Gardler. Members: DEAN JUE (ex officio), David STOCK, Fred Lohrer Nominating Committee: Chair: Ann PAUL. Member: Andy Krater. Grants and Awards Committee: Chair, Cruickshank Research Award: Steve Nesbitt, Wildlife Research Laboratory, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 4005 S. Main St., Gainesville, FL 32601. E-mail: Steve.Nesbitt@fwc.state.fl. us Members: PARKS SMALL, DAVID STEADMAN, HANK SMITH. Chair, Cruickshank Education Award: ICaty NeSmith, Florida Natural Areas Inventory, 1018 Thomasville Rd., Suite 200-C, Tallahassee, FL 32303. E-mail: knesmith@fnai.org Members: JUDITH BUHRMAN AND Sally Jue (staggered 3-year terms). Chair, William B. and Mary J. Robertson Fellowship Award: PETER G. MERRITT, 8558 SE Sharon St., Hobe Sound, FL 33455. Member: SALLY ROBERTSON. Records Committee: Managing Secretary: Reed Bowman, Archbold Biological Sta- tion, P.O. Box 2057, Lake Placid, FL 33862. E-mail: rbowman@archbold-station.org Members: Lyn Atherton, Andy Kratter, Jon Greenlaw, Fred Lohrer, Mickey Wheeler, Todd Engstrom. Conservation Committee: Chair: JiM Cox, Tall Timbers Research Station, 13093 Henery Beadel Dr., Tallahassee, FL 32312-9712. E-mail: necox@nettally.com Members: TODD ENGSTROM, Ken Meyer, Ann Paul, Eric Stolen. Membership Committee: Co-chair: JUDITH B. Buhrman, 6123 - 113th Street, #504, Seminole, FL 33772-6846. E-mail: JBuhrman@aoLcom Co-Chair: TERRY J. DOYLE, Ten Thousand Islands NWR, 3860 Tollgate Blvd., Ste. 300, Naples, FL 34114. E-mail: (wk) Terry_Doyle@fws.gov (hm) nfn20610@naples.net Member: DEAN JUE. . .-s ^ .• 1 1 •. ■ pBMifl(r.» Timriv^ .t.iN - ■ ' *:■' ‘ - ■ • ' , 1 .‘-^ilJ^ljl^V'' ,My X^K‘l9;lvi^ h£W€Kjfi'&>JS ■' ■• t; . /; v- r r • ■ ^ > ■ 1^ I ifi.vtA ir.' 1 \ ik't rii*^-: ’n. n V- rr r*' ■ . >i'xv-s iA I'-rfr^v^. . :, : ^ ,: ■ ■, . ’ :, .s v. ■- ,v, '.v • -4*' . ■ • - ' -r ‘ ■'* I 'rv e' - m¥li ,^inl9 41^1] ufc;;^'=' 'VV'k'-': ,..(H» -..V., v.‘ ' '^ .,4!J--:'J ■‘■ ^ i/LitiTt ( •♦< ,'! i-;. ^ ; j 1 WSq^/ k ^ 9* « V »<< ''''■'ll, *1. -■•r- ' »■ M ^ ^ ■' ■ r ' n f 't .f"^ ., '’1 I. i'. ‘'. Ac- cessed 2003, Sept 15. Fisk, E. J. 1975. Least Tern: Beleaguered, opportunistic, and roof-nesting. American Birds 29:15-16. Gochfeld, M. 1983. Colony site selection by Least Terns: physical attributes of sites. Co- lonial Watei birds 6:205-213. Gore, J. A. 1996. “Least Tern, Sterna antillarum antillarum” In Rare and Endangered Biota of Florida, no. 5 (J. Rodgers, H. Kale, and H. Smith, Eds.). University Press of Florida, Gainesville. Gore, J. A. and M. J. Kinnison. 1991. Hatching success in roof and ground colonies of least terns. Condor 93:759-762. 6 FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST Greene, L. L. 1976. Roof nesting by Black Skimmers. Florida Field Naturalist 4:15-17. O’Meara, T. E. and J. A. Gore. 1988. Guidelines for Conservation and Management of Least Tern colonies in Florida. Nongame Wildlife Program, Fla. Game and Fresh Wa- ter Fish Comm. Final Perf. Rep. Tallahassee. 12 pp. Southern Building Code Congress International. 2003. The Florida Building Code First Edition: Chapter 13 Energy efficiency code, . Accessed 2003 Sept 18. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1980. California Least Tern recovery plan. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Portland, OR. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1985. Interior population of the Least Tern deter- mined to be endangered. Federal Register 50:21:784-21. Zambrano, R. C., M. S. Robson, and D. Y. Charnetzky. 1996. Least tern nesting survey of southern Florida. Fla. Game and Fresh Water Fish Comm. Final Perf. Rep. Talla- hassee. 12 pp + ii. Fla. Field Nat. 32(l):7-33, 2004. FOURTEENTH REPORT OF THE FLORIDA ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY RECORDS COMMITTEE^ 2001-2002 The Florida Ornithological Society Records Committee (FOSRC) critically reviews all written sight reports and specimens and/or photographic records (including audio re- cordings) submitted to it to determine the validity of the reports. The Committee’s find- ings are published periodically in the Florida Field Naturalist {FFN). Of the 70 reports received and logged from June 2000 through June 2002, all were reviewed, 52 were ac- cepted (1 accepted to genus only), 12 were not accepted. Six reports were not resolved and are still under consideration: Western Grebe (Aechmophorus occidentalis; 01-446), Common Merganser {Mergus merganser, 02-469), Flammulated Owl (Otus fiammeolus; 02-461), Cuban Pewee {Conotopus caribaeus; 02-489), Tropical Kingbird {Tyrannus mel- ancholicus; 02-459), and Caribbean Martin (Progne dominicensis; 02-463). In addition, the committee considered 6 reports submitted prior to June 2000 that had previously been either not resolved, tabled in anticipation of additional evidence or were re-evalua- tions of previous resolved reports. Of these, 5 were accepted and one was not accepted. Thus of the 70 reports resolved, 57 (81%) were accepted and 13 (19%) were not accepted. The proportion of reports accepted is higher than during many previous years, in part, because of the increased availability of photographs either submitted with the reports or available on the Internet. Of the reports accepted, 37 (65%) included photographs. Of the reports that were not accepted, 5 (38%) included photographs. In 1998, the FOSRC adopted the Werified Species” listed in Florida Bird Species: an annotated list (Robertson and Woolfenden, 1992, Florida Ornithological Society Special Publication No. 6) as its baseline scientific list of Florida’s avifauna (“State List”). This list consisted of 461 species. The FOSRC published updates to the State List from time- to-time based upon its Final Decisions and other activity. Since the publication of Rob- ertson and Woolfenden (1992), hereafter referred to as (R&W 1992), 25 species have been added to the official FOSRC state list (those new to this report marked with an *). Of these, 22 were species new to the state: *Red-necked Grebe, Podiceps grisegena (01- 437); *Short-tailed Shearwater, Puffinus tenuirostris (02-468); Rough-legged Hawk, Bu- teo lagopus (00-415); *Zone-tailed Hawk, Buteo albonotatus (00-433); Northern Lap- wing, Vanellus vanellus (99-401); South Polar Skua, Stercorarius maccormicki (FFN 23:38-43); *Heermann’s Gull, Larus heermanni (01-452); Gray-hooded Gull, Larus cirro- cephalus (99-396); California Gull, Larus californicus (99-392); *Elegant Tern, Sterna el- egans (00-430, 02-477, 02-486); Thick-billed Murre, Uria lomvia (00-419); White-tipped Dove, Leptotila verreauxi (95-337); Snowy Owl, Nyctea scandiaca (00-406); Vaux’s Swift, Chaetura vauxi (FFN 24:122-134); Broad-tailed Hummingbird, Selasphorus platycercus (00-409); Allen’s Hummingbird, Selasphorus sasin (97-380); Western Wood-Pewee, Con- topus sordidulus (FFN 24:122-134); Cuban Pewee, Contopus caribaeus (FFN 24:122- 134); Tropical Kingbird, Tyrannus melancholicus (00-416); Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher, Myiodynastes luteiventris (96-362); MacGillivray’s Warbler, Oporornis tolmiei (98-385); and American Tree Sparrow, Spizella arborea (98-386). In addition, three taxonomic splits have occurred adding new species to the list: Rufous-sided Towhee (Pipilo eryth- ropthalmus) was split into Eastern Towhee (P. erythropthalmus) and Spotted Towhee (P. maculatus), both verified from Florida; Sharp-tailed Sparrow (Ammodramus caudacu- tus) was split into Nelson’s Sharp-tailed Sparrow (A. nelsoni) and Saltmarsh Sharp- tailed Sparrow (A. caudacutus), also both verified from Florida; and Northern Oriole (Icterus galhula) was split into Baltimore (1. galbula) and Bullock’s (I. bullockii) orioles. 7 8 FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST both now verified from Florida (see below) bringing the total to 486 species (see R&W 1992, FFN 23:38-43, FFN 24:122-134, FFN 28:138-160, this report) (Appendix 1). The Rules and Procedures of the FOSRC (cf. the FOSRC Web page at http://www.fos- birds.org) state that the Committee may add species to its official state list without ver- ifiable evidence, providing it so annotates them. However, since the new rules were adopted, no reports of species new to the state list submitted without verifiable evidence have satisfied the Committee’s criteria for acceptance. Thus, all 486 species currently on the FOSRC state list are independently verifiable, FOSRC members who evaluated these reports and their expiration date of tenure are as follows: Lyn S. Atherton (2003), Reed Bowman (2005), Robert A. Duncan (2004), R. Todd Engstrom (2009), Jon Greenlaw (2006), Andy Kratter (2004), Fred Lohrer (2007), and Mickey C. Wheeler (2008). In this report is a list of species known to occur in Florida that the Committee has deemed sufficiently rare or difficult to identify to suggest FOSRC evaluation. Any spe- cies included on this list should be documented by the observer. All observers are en- couraged to submit these reports to the FOSRC, including those intended for publication in the Florida Field Naturalist or any other publication. While in the field, the observer should record a detailed description of all body parts (e.g., bill, legs, and feet; noting size, shape, and colors). Although a specimen or photo- graph and vocal recordings are preferred, a sketch of the bird and vocal descriptions are beneficial. Even though we may assume photographs are unambiguous, it often is not the case and photographs should be accompanied by descriptions of plumage character- istics not evident in the photo, behavioral traits, details about the habitat, and other de- tails about the observation, such as distance to the bird, weather conditions, optics etc. It is necessary to describe how all similar species were eliminated (e.g., similar mem- bers within a genus), not only those known or suspected to occur in Florida, but also any species that could possibly stray here or possibly escape from captivity All observations should be submitted on the standard report form available from the Secretary or on the FOSRC Web page at www.fosbirds.org. In addition to uniformity, the report form pro- vides the Committee and the observer with guidelines to those factors used by the FOSRC for its evaluation. Completed forms with supporting material should be submit- ted to the Secretary of the FOSRC. Since 1994, the Committee has consisted of 7 members. Since adoption of the current FOSRC Rules and Procedures in 1998, an accepted report requires 7 accepting votes; or, 6 accepting votes and either 1 non-accept or abstain; or 5 accepts and 2 abstains. How- ever, a report remains in circulation until it either is accepted, or it receives 7 non-ac- cepting votes; or, 6 non-accepting votes and either 1 accept or abstain; or 5 non-accepts and 2 abstains. Prior to 1998, a unanimous vote was required to accept a report. When a report is accepted for a species new to the state, it is added to the official FOSRC state list, only when its natural occurrence is probable. If supporting specimens, photographs, or audio recordings exist it is considered verifiable; otherwise it is annotated as unveri- fiable. When a report is not accepted, it does not necessarily mean that a species was not correctly identified. Sometimes a sighting is too brief or the written account lacks suffi- cient detail to eliminate all possibilities. The Committee will reconsider a report if addi- tional information is submitted that might alter a previous decision. All supporting documentation is deposited in the FOS Archives at the Florida Museum of Natural His- tory, Gainesville. Contributors to this report: Lyn Atherton (LA), Fred Bassett (FB), Mark Berne (MB), Brian Bockhahn (BB), Ed Case (EC), Samuel P. Comer (SPC), Robin M. Diaz (RMD), Su- san Epps (SE), Lucy R. Duncan (LRD), Robert A. Duncan (RAD), Gil Ewing (GE), Wally George (WG), Jon S. Greenlaw (JSG), Petra Hockey (PH), Brian Hope (BH), Dana Jonak (DJ), Alan Knothe (AK), Andy Kratter (AKr), Alex Kropp (AKp), Ed Kwater (EK), Michael Manetz (MM), Larry Manfredi (LM), Curtis Marantz (CM), Robert McKenny Fourteenth Report— FOS Records Committee 9 (RM), Joseph A. Ondreijko ( JAO), Michael A. Patton (MAP), Larry Peavler (LP), William J. Pesold (WJP), David Powell (DP), Bill Pranty (BP), Robert A. Quinn (RAQ), Kurt Rad- amaker (KR), William B. Robertson (WBR), David Simpson (DSi), David Steadman (DSt), Donald M. Ware (DMW), Susanne Wetmore (SW), Mark Whiteside (MW), and Tom Wilmers (TW). For obvious reasons, we do not include observers whose reports were not accepted or resolved by the committee. Nonetheless we extend them our thanks and gratitude for the observations and for submitting their report to the FOSRC. Accepted Reports (in currently recognized nomenclature and phylogenetic sequence [AOU 1998, 2000]) Red-necked Grebe, Podiceps grisgena (EC, RAD, 01-437): First state record. Descrip- tion and photograph of a bird observed 13 December 2000 in open water of Santa Rosa Sound, Gulf Breeze, Santa Rosa Co., in company of Common Loon and Horned Grebes. Facial pattern indicative of first-winter plumage, bill length relative to head consistent with species. Many standard references cite this species as occurring in Florida, yet cited as an “Unverified Straggler” by R&W (1992). They concluded that it was likely a rare, irregular winter visitor based on ca 40 unverified reports between October and April from “both coasts south to Florida Bay, but more frequent north- ward.” Reports previously accepted by FOSRC: none; not accepted: 96-370. Added to the official FOSRC state list as a verifiable species. Red-necked Grebe, Podiceps grisgena (RAD, 01-442): Description and drawing of a bird observed 28 January 2001 in Pensacola Bay, Gulf Breeze, Santa Rosa Co. Drawing depicted a bird in juvenile plumage, and the observers noted that the bird remained in the area and later molted into first- winter plumage. Seen with Horned Grebes and Red-breasted Mergansers. Reports previously accepted by FOSRC: 01-437; not ac- cepted: 96-370. Aechmophorus spp. (Accepted as genus only) (DJ, 01-453): Description and photograph of a bird observed 12 January 2001 at Bowman’s Beach, Sanibel Island, Collier Co. Bill color consistent with Western Grebe, but facial pattern shows white in lores, con- sistent with Clark’s Grebe, suggesting the possibility of a hybrid. This possibility was confirmed by Gary Nuechterlein of North Dakota State University, a recognized ex- pert on grebes. As allowed by the Rules and Procedures, this report was accepted at the genus level rather than species. Only one previously published photograph report identifiable to species of a bird in Tampa, Hillsborough Co., 4 May 1975 R&W 1992). Reports previously accepted by FOSRC: none; not accepted: 89-166, 91-242. Short-tailed Shearwater, Puffinus tenuirostris (AKr, DSt 02-468): First state record. Published description and photograph of prepared specimen (Kratter et al. 2002). Specimen cataloged at Florida Museum of Natural History (UF41873). Found weak- ened on Sanibel Island, Lee Co., 7 July 2000. Subsequently euthanized. Mensural and plumage characteristics diagnostic. Normal range of this species in the Pacific and Indian oceans, first record in Atlantic Ocean or the Gulf of Mexico. Kratter and Steadman (in prep) suggested this individual was migrating northward, but in the wrong ocean basin, a pattern known from other procellarids. Reports previously ac- cepted by FOSRC: none; not accepted: none. Added to the official FOSRC state list as a verifiable species. Manx Shearwater, Puffinus puffinus (SE, 01-457): Description and photograph of a bird found dead 22 September 2001 on Lloyd Beach St. Park, Broward Co. Photos di- agnostic showing overall size, all dark back, light undertail coverts, all white wing lining and relatively long, large bill. Considered a rare, but regular winter visitor with ca. 20 reports between August and May (R&W 1992). Several specimens from Florida in collections (USNM 473608, 566279; UF 20622). Reports previously ac- cepted by FOSRC: 94-322, 97-374; not accepted: none. 10 FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST Band-RUMPED Storm-petrel, Oceanodroma castro (PH, 01-447): Exceptional written de- scription of a bird observed 26 April 2001 while the observer was en route to the Dry Tortugas from Key West, Monroe Co. Detailed descriptions of plumage and behavior, flight patterns and posture, with specific discussion of other potential storm-petrels, es- pecially Wilson’s and Leach’s. Specific mention of leg length relative to tail length elim- inated possible southern hemisphere species. Considered a rare and irregular summer- fall visitor with ca. 10 reports between June and December (R&W 1992). Increasing in frequence in the Gulf of Mexico; removed from list of Review Species by the Texas Orni- thological Society. Reports previously accepted by FOSRC: 83-049; not accepted: none. Ross’s Goose, Chen rossii (RAD, 00-423): Description and photograph of a bird observed 20 May 1999 at Tiger Point, Gulf Breeze, Santa Rosa Co. Photograph diagnostic, lack of “grin” patch appears to rule out possible Snow x Ross’s hybrid. Many reports of this species, often individuals seen in flocks of C. caerulescens . Two previously published photographs (R&W 1992). Reports previously accepted by FOSRC: 88-133, 92-252, 99-399; not accepted: none. Ross’s Goose, Chen rossii (RAD, 00-424): Description and video of a bird observed 18 November 1998 at the Fort Walton Beach spray field, Okaloosa Co. Video and de- scription emphasized size of body and bill relative to C. caerulescens with which it was observed. No obvious grin patch. Up to four birds reported to have wintered with large flock of C. caerulescens. Reports previously accepted by FOSRC: 88-133, 92-252, 99-399, 00-423; not accepted: none. Ross’s Goose, Chen rossii (DSi, 01-445): Description of an adult bird observed 20 De- cember 2000 at the Fort Walton Beach spray field, Okaloosa Co. Written description noted all key field marks, small size, bill size, basal coloration of bill, discussion of grin patch and elimination of possible Ross’s x Snow Goose hybrid. Reports previ- ously accepted by FOSRC: 88-133, 92-252, 99-399, 00-423, 00-424; not accepted: none. White-faced Ibis, Plegadis chihi (RAD, 00-427): Description of an adult bird observed 26 April 2000 at the Fort Walton Beach spray fields, Okaloosa Co. Description of plumage consistent with adult immediately prior to attaining breeding plumage. De- scription, including eye color and facial plumage patterns, consistent with species identification. R&W (1992) considered this species a rare, sporadic visitor with fewer than 10 reports. Reports previously accepted by FOSRC: 94-312; not accepted: none. White-faced Ibis, Plegadis chihi (RAD, 00-428): Photograph and description of a bird observed 4 May 2000 at Whiting Field near Milton, Santa Rosa Co. Photographs show facial skin color and reddish eyes, reddish legs. White on face appears to be in- terrupted just behind eye, but individual variation exists in this character and is con- sistent with several alternate-plumaged specimens (S. Cardiff, LSU, pers. comm.). Reports previously accepted by FOSRC: 94-312, 00-427; not accepted: none. White-faced Ibis, Plegadis chihi (KR, 02-466): Photograph and description of a 28 March 2002 at Lake Hollingsworth, Lakeland, Polk Co. Overall body color, pink facial areas, and red iris suggest subadult. No intermediate characteristics to suggest pos- sible hybrid. Seen by many observers and stayed in area for several weeks. Reports previously accepted by FOSRC: 94-312, 00-427, 00-428; not accepted: none. Zone-tailed Hawk, Buteo albonotatus (TW, 00-433): First state record. Photographs, video, and written description of an adult bird observed 12 December 2000 at Boca Grande Key, Monroe Co. Excellent views of underside and tail, overall shape and pro- portions, and wing and flight patterns. Adult bird with no evidence of captive release. No previous photographs, specimens, or verified reports of this species exist from Florida. No mention of this species by R&W (1992) or Stevenson and Anderson (1994). Populations in US partially migratory. Previously vagrants reported as far east as Louisiana and as far north as Nova Scotia (Johnson et al. 2000). Reports pre- viously accepted by FOSRC: none; not accepted: none. Added to the official FOSRC state list as a verifiable species. Fourteenth Report— FOS Records Committee 11 SURFBIRD, Aphriza virgata (BP, 02-476): Photograph and description of a bird observed 26-28 October 2001 on a beach 1 mile west of Lighthouse Park, Sanibel Island, Lee Co. Photographs diagnostic: leg color, bill shape, wing and tail marking, plain gray back, overall shape. Only 2 verifiable records of this species in Florida (R&W 1992). Reports previously accepted by FOSRC: none; not accepted: none. Heermann’S Gull, Lams heermannii (LA, 01-452): First state record. Photographs and description of a second winter bird when first observed 29 October 2000. Continued observation between October 2000 and at least July 2001, largely at Ft. DeSoto County Park, Pinellas Co., but elsewhere in St. Petersburg and Gulf coastal beaches, confirmed age of bird. Bird seen by thousands of observers. Overall dark brown plum- age with white-tipped secondaries and tertials. Flesh-colored bill with blackish tip. Not previously reviewed by FOSRC. Added to the official FOSRC state list as a veri- fiable species. Black-headed Gull, Lams Hdihundus (MAM, 00-410). Photographs and description of a first-winter bird observed 15 January 2000 on Newnans Lake, Gainesville, Alachua Co. Photographs diagnostic and distinguish from similar Bonaparte’s Gull: white head with dark spot in auriculars, underwing totally dark, reddish bill with dark tip, pinkish legs, overall larger size than Bonaparte’s. Considered a very rare, irregular winter visitor with ca. 15 reports (R&W 1992). Reports previously accepted by FOSRC: 82-021, 99-400; not accepted: none. Black-headed Gull, Lams Hdihundus (LA, 02-482). Photographs and description of a first- winter bird observed 29 February 2002 at Sebastian Inlet State Recreation Area, Indian River Co. Photographs diagnostic and distinguish from similar Bonaparte’s Gull: white head with dark spot in auriculars, underwing totally dark, reddish bill with dark tip, pinkish legs, overall larger size than Bonaparte’s. Consid- ered a very rare, irregular winter visitor with ca. 15 reports (R&W 1992). Reports previously accepted by FOSRC: 82-021, 99-400, 00-410; not accepted: none. Iceland Gull, Lams glaucoides (WG, MB, 02-465). Photographs and description of a first-winter bird observed 2 March 2002 at Pompano Landfill, Broward Co. Photos dis- tant but diagnostic. Small, all white first-winter gull with dark bill and eyes. In flight, tail without terminal band rules out pale Thayer’s Gull. Although widely reported along both coasts, status may be uncertain (R&W 1992). Stephenson and Anderson (1994) considered it very rare winter visitor; restudy of past reports concluded that some were Glaucous Gulls or leucistic Ring-billed Gulls. Confusion with Thayer’s Gull also possible. Reports previously accepted by FOSRC :93-270; not accepted: 98-384. Thayer’s Gull, Lams thayeri (MAP, 99-389). Written description of a first-winter bird observed 10 January 1999 in Pompano Beach, Broward Co. Dark bill with a slightly fleshy base, brown primaries with pale fringes, creamy tertials with brown centers, dark eyes, pink legs. Overall size and bill color appear to eliminate Kumlien’s Gull. Very rare and irregular; ca 9 reports through 1992. Prior to 1983, considered a sub- species of Herring Gull, but unknown in Florida, regardless of taxonomic status prior to 1970s (Stephenson and Anderson 1994). Reports previously accepted by FOSRC:86-O91; not accepted: none. Thayer’s Gull, Lams thayeri (LA, AK 02-460). Photographs and written descriptions of a hatch-year bird observed between 24 October and 7 December 2000 at Ft. DeSoto County Park, Pinellas Co. Photos diagnostic of first-winter bird. Small, roundish head, relatively small bill, very evenly distributed mottling on back, primaries darker than mantle, tail slightly lighter than primaries, primaries with white edges, dark bill, pink legs. Seen with immature Herring Gulls for comparison. Reports previously accepted by FOSRC:86-O91, 99-389; not accepted: none. Elegant Tern, Sterna elegans (EK, 00-430): First state record. Photograph and descrip- tion of a bird observed 3-4 October 1999 at Honeymoon Island State Recreation Area, Dunedin, Pinellas Co. Perched and flying photos clearly show key characteristics: 12 FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST long, shaggy crest, slender orange bill, and white tips to tail feathers which suggest 2"'^ year plumage and distinguish it from similar species. No previous photographs, spec- imens, or verified reports of this species exist from Florida. No mention of this species by R&W (1992) or Stevenson and Anderson (1994). Accidental records of this species from Texas and Virginia (Burness et al. 1999). Reports previously accepted by FOSRC: none; not accepted: none. Added to the official FOSRC state list as a verifiable species. Elegant Tern, Sterna elegans (DP, BP, 02-477): Photographs, videos, and description of a bird observed 23 May 2002 at Apollo Beach, Hillsborough Co. Photographs and written description diagnostic. Crest long and shaggy, bill thin and long. Adult ap- peared to be nesting with Sandwich Terns. Reports previously accepted by FOSRC: 00-430; not accepted: none. Elegant Tern, Sterna elegans (LA, 02-486): Photograph and description of an adult male observed 2-12 December 2000 and 20-26 April 2001 at various beaches and coastal waters of Ft. De Soto Park, Pinellas Co, Descriptions from the two observation periods led the FOSRC to conclude that they were likely the same individual and were thus treated as a single report. To what extent this report and the two previ- ously accepted reports represent observations of the same individual is unknown and all are treated individually. Photographs diagnostic: slim, red bill, long shaggy crest, tail white without any gray. Reports previously accepted by FOSRC: 00-430, 02-477; not accepted: none. Zenaida Dove, Zenaida aurita (BB, 01-456). Written description of a bird observed 21 November 2001 on Sugarloaf Key, Monroe Co. Description noted of short tail, overall color, and white trailing edge to secondaries eliminates most similar species; however no description of tail shape. Audubon {in Howell 1932) reported them to nest com- monly “in the islands near Indian Key,” but R&W (1992) reported that no modern specimens of this species exist. Stephenson and Anderson (1994) reported two speci- mens, one simply from “Florida” with no date (ANSP 24289) and a mounted specimen from Key West in the late 1800s (UF 21063). Several published photographs exist: Plantation Key, Monroe Co., Dec. 1962 and upper Key Largo, Monroe Co., June 1988 {FFN 17:67-69) (R&W 1992). Reports previously accepted by FOSRC: 97-379; not ac- cepted: 82-018, 83-035, 88-141. Zenaida Dove, Zenaida aurita (LM, 02-474). Photographs and written description of a bird observed 3 May 2002 on Key Largo, Monroe Co. Photographs diagnostic; overall plumage color, short, squared tail, white-edged secondaries. Reports previously ac- cepted by FOSRC: 97-379, 01-456; not accepted: 82-018, 83-035, 88-141. Ruddy Quail-Dove, Geotrygon montana (WG, WJP 02-467). Written description of a bird observed 11-12 January 2002 at Birch State Park, Ft. Lauderdale, Broward Co. Overall color and size, lack of conspicuous white facial stripe, brownish underparts ruled out Key West Quail Dove. Uniform chestnut brown back, flanks buff-colored, with elongated cream-colored cheek patch. Description of behavior consistent with Geotrygon. Casual straggler to Keys and Dry Tortugas with ca 5 reports (R&W 1992) and several specimens and photographs from Florida. Reports previously accepted by OSRC: none; not accepted: 90-213, 92-257. Short-eared Owl, Asio flammeus (WG, 02-488). Photograph and written description of a bird found injured 4 June 2002 in Plantation, Broward Co. Bird was cared for and released after being photographed. Not on review list, but individual likely of Carib- bean race and potential taxonomic revision justifies review. Photographs diagnostic for subspecies: buffy overall, less gray, with relatively sparse streaking on breast. Re- cent invasion of this species during spring and summer to extreme south Florida; eight specimens exist from Monroe Co. from 1990-1998 (Hoffman et al 1999). Subspe- cific taxonomy of this group in need of revision, but morphology and plumage consis- tent with birds from Cuba (Hoffman et al. 1999). Reports previously accepted by FOSRC; none; not accepted: none. Fourteenth Report— FOS Records Committee 13 Flammulated Owl, Otus flammeolus (RAD, 01-455). Photograph and written descrip- tion of a bird found 9 November 2001 weak and dehydrated on the balcony of a high- rise condo at Navarre Beach, Santa Rosa Co. The bird was released in central Escam- bia Co., 12 November. Photo diagnostic: rufus color-form with distinctive cinnamon- rufus around facial disk and dark eyes, distinguishing it from red form of Eastern Screech-Owl. R&W (1992) note only one previous occurrence in Florida. Reports pre- viously accepted by FOSRC: none; not accepted: none. Northern Saw-whet Owl, Aegolius acadicus (WG, 02-479). Photographs and written description of an adult bird found stunned 26 December 2001 in Lighthouse Point, Broward Co. and taken to a wildlife rehabilitation center. Bird released 28 December in Ft. Lauderdale. Photograph is diagnostic, large head relative to overall body size, yellow eyes, heavy streaking on breast. Casual fall-winter visitor with several known specimens (R&W 1992). Reports previously accepted by FOSRC: none; not accepted: 97-373. Broad-tailed Hummingbird, Selasphorus platycercus (FB, 01-434). Photographs, de- tailed pictures of tail patterns, and measurements of a hatch-year female banded 30 November 2000 in Pensacola, Escambia Co. Measurements consistent with Pyle (1997). Throat spots, broad tail feathers, and tail color pattern consistent with species identification. Only one previous record of this species from Florida (Bowman 2000). Reports previously accepted by FOSRC: 00-409; not accepted: 96-358. Broad-tailed Hummingbird, Selasphorus platycercus (FB, 02-470). Photographs, de- tailed pictures of tail patterns, and measurements of a after-second year female banded 26 February 2002 in Pensacola, Escambia Co. Measurements consistent with Pyle (1997) and tail photographs diagnostic. Reports previously accepted by FOSRC: 00-409, 01-434; not accepted: 96-358. Calliope Hummingbird, Stellula calliope (FB, 01-435). Photographs, detailed pictures of tail patterns, and measurements of a hatch-year male banded 21 December 1999 in Pensacola, Escambia Co. Photos diagnostic, measurements consistent with Pyle (1997), central tail feather wedge-shaped. Previous record of a hatching-year female banded, photographed, measured, and with three tail feathers collected, 18 December 1989 at Fort Walton Beach, Okaloosa Co. (R&W 1992). Also a specimen at Archbold Biological Station (GEW 5901) of a hatch-year male collected 19 December 1995 at Pensacola, Escambia Co., not reviewed by FOSRC. Reports previously accepted by FOSRC: 90-192, 96-363; not accepted: none. Calliope Hummingbird, Stellula calliope (FB, 01-436). Photographs, detailed pictures of tail patterns, and measurements of a hatch-year male banded 13 December 2000 in Niceville, Okaloosa Co. Photos diagnostic, measurements consistent with Pyle (1997), central tail feather wedge-shaped. Reports previously accepted by FOSRC: 90-192, 96-363, 01-435; not accepted: none. Calliope Hummingbird, Stellula calliope (FB, 01-438). Photographs, detailed pictures of tail patterns, and measurements of a hatch-year female banded 30 December 2000 in Niceville, Okaloosa Co. Photos diagnostic, measurements consistent with Pyle (1997), central tail feather wedge-shaped. Reports previously accepted by FOSRC: 90-192, 96-363, 01-435, 01-436; not accepted: none. Calliope Hummingbird, Stellula calliope (FB, 02-472). Photographs, detailed pictures of tail patterns, and measurements of a second-year male banded 2 January 2002 in Niceville, Okaloosa Co. Photos diagnostic, measurements consistent with Pyle (1997), central tail feather wedge-shaped. Immature gorget feathers present. Reports previ- ously accepted by FOSRC: 90-192, 96-363, 01-435, 01-436, 01-438; not accepted: none. Allen’s Hummingbird, Selasphorus sasin (FB, 02-471). Photographs, detailed pictures of tail patterns, and measurements of a third-year male banded 5 January 2002 in Pensacola, Escambia Co. Photos diagnostic of an adult bird, measurements consis- tent with Pyle (1997). Bird previously banded as a HY bird November 1999 in Mont- 14 FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST gomery, AL. All green back and very thin outer tail feathers. Unreported before the mid-1980s, several reports since then, including published photographs: Cedar Key, Levy Co. {American Birds 42:371) (R&W 1992). The FOSRC concluded that measure- ments of the widths of rectrices are necessary to identify extralimital Rufous/Allen’s hummingbirds (McKenzie and Robbins 1999). Previous reports of all green-backed hummingbirds were likely Allen’s but were not accepted without tail measurements. Only one previous record from Florida (Bowman 2000). Reports previously accepted by FOSRC: 97-380; not accepted: 88-138, 99-390. Cuban Pewee, Contopus carihaeus (RAQ, 01-441). Written description and detailed drawings of a bird observed 16 February 2001 in Key Largo, Monroe Co. Several key characteristics noted: extended partial eye ring, short primary extension, and vocal- izations. Plumage variation among birds from different regions of the Caribbean and some ambiguity in plumage description prevented conclusions about bird’s possible origin. R&W (1992) considered this an unverified straggler, but one previous record accepted by the FOSRC (Anderson 1996). Reports previously accepted by FOSRC: 95- 333; not accepted: 00-412. Cuban Pewee, Contopus carihaeus (BH, JSG 02-490). Transcripts of verbal report com- municated to Committee, but accompanied with audio tape of vocalizations of a bird observed sometime during the Fall of 1999 (exact date not remembered) at the Gumbo Limbo Nature Center, Boca Raton, Palm Beach Co. Written description con- sistent but brief, but taped vocalization diagnostic. Reports previously accepted by FOSRC: 95-333, 01-441; not accepted: 00-412. Cassin’S Kingbird, Tyrannus vociferans (CM, 97-375). Written description of a bird ob- served 19 April 1996 in Miami, Dade Co. Bird widely seen and thought to have been photographed. Tabled previously to obtain photographs, however, none were ob- tained. Written description re-evaluated and excellent description of head, throat, in- cluding distinct white patch below the bill conrasting with the gray throat, and underparts. Bird seen in direct comparison with Western Kingbirds. Several previous records: photographs and audio recording of an individual near Loxahatchee NWR, December 1988 (R&W 1992) and photographs and description of a bird observed 5 December 1999 near Hopper Farms, Apopka, Orange Co. (Bowman 2000). Reports previously accepted by FOSRC: 85-074, 92-255, 00-407; not accepted: none. Cassin’S Kingbird, Tyrannus vociferans (LRD, 00-432). Written description of a bird ob- served 17 October 2000 in Ft. Walton, Okaloosa Co. All necessary field marks de- scribed, including white chin, gray breast turning to yellow belly, and buffy tail tips lacking white outer edge, all help distinguish from Western Kingbird. Reports previ- ously accepted by FOSRC: 85-074, 92-255, 97-375, 00-407; not accepted: none. Tropical Kingbird, Tyrannus melancholicus (WG, 00-402). Photograph and written de- scription of a bird observed 11 October 1999 at Birch State Park, Ft. Lauderdale, Bro- ward Co. Photograph consistent with TropicaPCouch’s kingbirds, but description of rapid, even pitched repeated trill consistent with Tropical Kingbird. Prior to splitting T. couchi from T. melancholicus (AOU 1983), all reports were referred to T. melan- cholicus (R&W 1992). Considered an unverified straggler by R&W (1992); Stephen- son and Anderson (1994) provide details of several previous reports. Reports previously accepted by FOSRC: 00-416; not accepted: none. Tropical Kingbird, Tyrannus melancholicus (RAD, 00-425). Video and written descrip- tion of a bird observed 16 May 2000 in Gulf Breeze, Santa Rosa Co. Video consistent with TropicaPCouch’s kingbirds, but description of rapid, even pitched repeated trill consistent with Tropical Kingbird. Reports previously accepted by FOSRC: 00-416, 00-402; not accepted: none. Tropical Kingbird, Tyrannus melancholicus (LA, 02-484). Photographs and written de- scription of a bird observed 21-26 November 2001 at St. Marks National Wildlife Ref- uge, Newport, Wakulla Co. Photograph consistent with TropicaPCouch’s kingbirds. Fourteenth Report— FOS Records Committee 15 but description of rapid, even pitched repeated trill consistent with Tropical Kingbird. Reports previously accepted by FOSRC: 00-416, 00402, 00-425; not accepted: none. Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher, Myiodynastes luteiventris (RMD, 01-439). Photographs and written description of a bird observed 14-15 September 2000 at A. D. Barnes Park, Miami, Dade Co. Description of black malar stripe extending onto chin, streaked breast, and rufus tail consisted with identification. Description included pale basal portion of bill, which is more consistent with Streaked Flycatcher {Myio- dynastes maculatus), but may be a juvenile trait in M. luteiventris. Description of some rufus wing edging also consistent with juvenile luteiventris. Two previous re- ports: southwestern Florida Bay, October 1960 and St. Marks NWR, October 1991, both identified only to genus, but possibly this species. Considered an unverified straggler by R&W (1992). Only one previous record from Florida (Bowman 2000). Re- ports previously accepted by FOSRC: 96-362; not accepted: none. Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher, Myiodynastes luteiventris (LA, 02-485). Photographs and written description of a bird observed 28 September 2000 at Ft. DeSoto County Park, St. Petersburg, Pinellas Co. Photographs diagnostic: rufous tail, heavily streaked breast with pale yellow wash, prominent dark malar stripes converging un- der chin. Reports previously accepted by FOSRC: 96-362, 01-439; not accepted: none. Yellow-green Vireo, Vireo flavoviridis (RAD, 00-422). Written description of a bird ob- served 11 May 1998 at Gulf Islands National Seashore, Ft. Pickens, Escambia Co. Clear description of bird including lack of black lines in supercilium, also noting con- trast between light olive back and yellow flanks. Seen with Red-eyed Vireos and com- parison well described. Rare, occassional straggler in spring, mostly to extreme northwest Florida (4 of 6 reports) (R&W 1992). Reports previously accepted by FOSRC: 84-064, 86-102; not accepted: 82-019. Bewick’s Wren, Thryomanes bewickii (LRD, 01-454), Written description of a bird ob- served 29 October 2001 at Ft. Pickens, Gulf Breeze, Escambia Co. Not on review list, but collapse of eastern North American population justifies review. Key characteris- tics well described, long tail edged with white distinguishes from other similar wrens, white eye stripe, white belly and breast, overall color and size. R&W (1992) consid- ered this an irregular, but at times fairly common winter visitor to the Panhandle re- gion, but now very rare and unreported elsewhere in Florida. Reports previously accepted by FOSRC: none; not accepted: none. Northern Wheatear, Oenanthe oenanthe (MW, 00-431). Written description of a bird observed 7 October 2000 in Key West, Monroe Co. Buff below, dark ear patch, white rump, white tail with dark central feathers and terminal tail band. Behavior de- scribed as flitting short flights, tail bobbing. Few likely confusing species. Occasional Fall visitor ca 6 reports. One specimen from November 1955 in Collier Co. (USNM 460083) (R&W 1992). Reports previously accepted by FOSRC: 94-316, 97-372; not ac- cepted: 81-003, 82-020. MacGillivray’S Warbler, Oporonis tolmiei (WG, 02-464). Written description of an im- mature male bird observed 17 February through 10 March 2001 at Fern Forest Nature Park, Pompano Beach, Brevard Co. Key characteristics described: grey hood and throat, eye crescents, dorsal and ventral color, lack of wing bars, and vocalization, all clearly eliminated other similar species. Two reports of Oporornis suggest this species, but con- sidered an unverified straggler by R&W (1992). Only one previous record from Florida (Bowman 2000). Reports previously accepted by FOSRC: 98-385; not accepted: none. MacGillivray’S Warbler, Oporonis tolmiei (RMD, 02-487). Written description and copies of field notes of an adult female bird observed 20-22 April 2001 at A. D. Barnes Park, Miami, Dade Co. Medium gray hood without black lores, grayish-white throat, darkening toward upper breast, eye crescents, dorsal and ventral color, lack of wing bars, and vocalization. Clearly eliminated other similar species and immature male. Reports previously accepted by FOSRC: 98-385, 02-464; not accepted: none. 16 FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST Bananaquit, Coereba flaveola (WG, 94-309). The FOSRC was solicited to reevaluate a previously “not accepted” report based on a new submission of written documentation from an observer that had not previously submitted a report. Written documentation of a bird observed during the Ft. Lauderdale, Broward Co. CBC on 19 December 1993 was detailed and sufficient to confirm the identity of this species: a warbler-sized bird, black above with a distinct white eye stripe, white throat, breast yellow and rest of underparts white. Black, slightly decurved bill. White spot in wing clearly visible. Although records of Bananaquits in Florida are increasingly common, this represents only the second record from December. Reports previously accepted by FOSRC: 88- 153, 91-219, 94-300; not accepted: none. Yellow-faced Grassquit, Tiaris olivacea (GE, 01-440). Video and photographs, very little written description of a bird observed 27 January 2001 at Eco Pond, Everglades National Park, Monroe Co. Distinctive yellow throat and eyebrow stripe and black breast clearly visible in photos. Lack of extensive black on head and breast suggests Caribbean rather than Central American origin. No feather wear to indicate escaped captive, most of which are of Central American origin. R&W (1992) believed vagrancy from Caribbean likely for only previous record. Reports previously accepted by FOSRC:94-305; not accepted: none. Harris’s Sparrow, Zonotrichia querula (DMW 02-478). Photographs and some written documentation of an adult bird observed 10 April 2002 at Ft. Walton Beach, Okaloosa Co. Pink bill and black crown, face, and bib clearly evident in pictures. Very rare, irreg- ular winter visitor ca 10 reports; no specimens but several published photographs (R&W 1992).Reports previously accepted by FOSRC: 94-315, 97-378; not accepted: none. Lazuli Bunting, Passerina amoena (SPC, 01-449). Video, photograph, and written de- scription of a first-spring male bird observed between 25 March and 8 April 2001 in Ft. Pierce, St. Lucie Co. Bird seen with numerous other Indigo and Painted buntings. Iden- tity unambiguous, thick white wing bar distinguished from first-spring Indigo Bunting. Four previous reports through 1992, one published photograph (R&W 1992), Reports previously accepted by FOSRC: 91-227, 91-231, 91-250; not accepted: none. Lazuli Bunting, Passerina amoena (LA, 02-483). Photographs and written description of an adult male bird observed at Ft. DeSoto County Park, Pinellas Co. Photograph diagnostic of distinctive adult plumage: blue upperparts, brownish chest, white un- derparts, white wing bar. Reports previously accepted by FOSRC: 91-227, 91-231, 91- 250, 01-449; not accepted: none. Bullock’S Oriole, Icterus hullockii (RAD, 01-443). Photographs and written description of a first-year male bird observed between 22-30 November 2000 at Gulf Breeze, Santa Rosa Co. Photos consistent, narrow black bib and black eye line eliminate Baltimore Oriole. Lack of prominent streaking on back eliminate Streak-backed Oriole. Two records of Bullock’s Oriole exist from Florida (see Taxonomic Revisions below) among many reports. Reports previously accepted by FOSRC: none; not accepted: none. Bullock’s Oriole, Icterus bullockii (BP, 01-450). Video, photographs and written de- scription of a first-year male bird observed between 3 January to early April 2001 at Flamingo, Everglades National Park, Monroe Co. Photos consistent with first-year male, same details evident as above. Reports previously accepted by FOSRC: 01-443; not accepted: none. Reports not Accepted Red-necked Grebe, Podiceps grisegena. (01-451). Written documentation of a bird ob- served 1 March 2001 at Destin Pass, Destin, Okaloosa Co. Details insufficient to con- firm identification. Observation from >100 m for less than three minutes, but with Horned Grebes. Description was suggestive of Red-necked Grebe, but some ambigu- ity existed that preventing elimination of other similar species. Fourteenth Report— FOS Records Committee 17 Pink-backed Pelican, Pelecanus rufescens (02-458). Photographs and written descrip- tion of a bird observed 26 December 2001 on Marco Island, Collier Co. Photos diag- nostic to species, but captive origin likely. This species in native to Africa. A free- flying male kept in captivity in Ft. Lauderdale was absent from its home at the time of observation, but subsequently returned. California Gull, Larus californicus (02-462). Written description of a bird observed 5 February 2002 at Pensacola Beach, Escambia Co. Written description generally con- sistent. Leg color not entirely consistent and eye color too variable in L. argentatus to eliminate that species. No mention of wing mirror patterns. Description not sufficient to confirm identification. Kelp Gull, Larus dominicanus (02-475). Photographs and written description of a bird observed 12 March 2002 at Captiva, Lee Co. Leg color ambiguous, appeared more pink than yellow. White in outer primaries not consistent with Kelp Gull. Relatively large mirror on P9 and extensive white from mirror to tip on PIO. PIO also extends beyond P9. Details too ambiguous to confirm identification. Identification consistent with Great Black-backed Gull (Larus marinus). Thayer’s Gull, Larus thayerii (02-481). Photographs and written description of a bird observed 4-13 February 2002 near Tallahassee, Leon Co. Photograph shows two-tone bill with more extensive pink at base than described in written account or expected for 1"‘ winter Thayer’s Gull. Back mottled, but splotchy looking rather than the neat markings typical of Thayer’s Gull. Tail as dark as primaries without a white edge. Contrast between dark secondaries and greater secondary coverts too great. Photo- graphs and written description not sufficient to confirm identity. Common Pauraque, Nyctidromos albicollis (01-448). An excellent written description based on a very brief observation without binoculars of a bird observed 10 February 2001 in Miami, Dade Co. Originally considered and not resolved. No additional details were forthcoming from the observer and after more discussion about the potential for this species as a vagrant in Florida and the observers inexperience with this species, the committee decided that the details were insufficient to confirm identity, although the description did appear to be a different Caprimulgid than expected in Florida. The vocalization was well described and normally diagnostic for this species. However, adult males have conspicuous white on both primaries and tail, but observer reported white only on primaries despite 3-4 minutes of observing the bird fljdng. No reports or records of this species exist from Florida and vagrancy is not well known. Broad-tailed Hummingbird, Selasphorus platycercus (01-444). Written description of a female observed 24 December 2000 in Niceville, Okaloosa Co. No mention of key characteristics such as rufous at base of tail. Observer also describes wings creating a whirring sound, which is consistent with male, but not female plumage. Details were insufficient to confirm identity. Vaux’S Swift, Chaetura vauxi (00-426). Written documentation of a bird observed 18 April 2000 at Gulf Islands National Seashore, Ft. Pickens, Escambia Co. Lack of de- tails about ventral surface and rump area, could not eliminate other similar species such as Gray-rumped Swift or Band-rumped Swift. Details were insufficient to con- firm identity. Giant Kingbird, Tyrannus cubensis (00-429). Written description of an adult bird ob- served 24 June 2000 in Key West, Monroe Co. Brief observation of bird without bin- oculars, but seen at same time as a Gray Kingbird. Details provided are not diagnostic of species and some comments, such as the “bill did not command atten- tion, appeared average for the size and type of birds” cast doubt on the purported spe- cies. R&W (1992) considered this species an “unverified straggler”. J. Bond identified an individual photographed in Monroe Co. ca the 1950s, as a Giant Kingbird, Tropical Parula, Parula pitiayumi (02-473). Photographs and written description of a bird observed 19 April 2001 at Ft. Jefferson, Dry Tortugas, Monroe Co. Lack of eye 18 FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST crescent and dark lores consistent with Tropical Parula, but underparts not visible in photos and not described in written account. Appears to be too much grey in lower malar; in Tropical Parula yellow throat should extend to gape, but this appears to be blue-grey in photos. Photos and written description not sufficient to confirm identifi- cation. No records of this species exist from Florida. Kirtland’S Warbler, Dendroica kirtlandii (00-421). Written description of an adult male bird observed 25 October 1999 near Kissimmee, Orange Co. Description ambig- uous. Describes “gray plumage’hn back but fall birds should be suffused with brown. Describes “thin” eye ring, rather than the “broken” eye ring that is typical. No mention of typical behaviors such as tail pumping. Details not sufficient to confirm identity. Western Spindalis, Spindalis zena (83-058). Reevaluation of a previously accepted re- port (originally reviewed as Stripe-headed Tanager). Reevaluation based on a paper by Pranty and Smith (2001) and recent taxonomic revisions in the “spindalis” group of tan- agers. The written account appeared to describe a first-fall male Pheucticus grosbeak. Common Redpoll, Carduelis flammea (02-480). Photographs and written description of a bird observed 15 March 2002 in Lutz, Pasco Co. Relatively poor-quality photograph shows deeply forked tail and heavy streaking on back, consistent with Redpoll; how- ever back appears to show some rose-pink and primary extension relatively short, thus not ruling out Carpodacus finches. Very little written description provided. Reports not Resolved Western Grebe, Aechmophorus ocddentalis (01-446). Ft. Clinch State Park, Nassau Co. Not Resolved 3-3-1. Many attempts made to obtain photographs thought to exist, none successful to date. Written description relatively brief. Make additional at- tempts to obtain photos. Common Merganser, Mergus merganser (02-469). Aripeka, Pasco Co. Not Resolved 1-0- 6. Tabled pending further review. Photo of a mounted specimen which has been sub- sequently lost. Species identification certain, but original data about collection locale, date, etc. lost and information in submitted report second-hand. Request written de- scription from original collector. Flammulated Owl, Otus flammeolus (02-461). St. George Island, Franklin Co. Not Re- solved 1-1-5. Tabled pending further review. Photo blurry and difficult to distinguish key details. Eye color not visible. Small ear tufts, with rufous edge to facial disk. Grey form. Need to evaluate extent of rufous in grey form of Eastern and Western screech-owls. Cuban Pewee, Contopus caribaeus (02-489). Dry Tortugas, Monroe Co. Not Resolved 2- 5. Tabled pending further review. Written description of behavior and plumage pub- lished in National Audubon Society Field Notes (1996 50(3): 272) suggests Cuban Pewee, but no description of vocalization or mention of primary extension. Written description not sufficient to confirm identity, especially to rule out Eastern Wood- Pewee (Conotopus virens). Tropical Kingbird, Tyrannus melancholicus (02-459). Englewood, Charlotte Co. Not Resolved 5-2. Written description consistent with Tropical or Couch’s Kingbird. Vo- calization stated to be Tropical, but not described at all in report. Caribbean Martin, Progne dominicensis (02-463). Key West, Monroe Co. Not Resolved 0- 0-7, tabled pending further review. Video difficult to review, written description of males, but mostly females observed in video. Compare with variation in other similar martins for both males (Sinaloa Martin) and females (Purple, Cuban, and Sinaloa Martins). Taxonomic Revisions The FOSRC follows the American Ornithologists’ Union in all matters of taxonomy and nomenclature. The AOU’s Committee on Classification and Nomenclature period!- Fourteenth Report— FOS Records Committee 19 cally publishes taxonomic and nomenclatural revisions to its Check-list of North Ameri- can Birds. The FOSRC shall initiate a review of any species-level taxa that should be added to or deleted from the official FOSRC state list as a result of revisions to the AOU’s Check-list. The following apply to Florida based on changes published by the AOU after publication of R&W (1992) up to and including American Ornithologists’ Union (2000). At the time of the split of Northern Oriole into Baltimore and Bullock’s orioles (AOU 1998), the FOSRC considered only the specimens purported to be Bullock’s Oriole to ele- vate the new species to the Florida list. Only two specimens identified as I. bullockii have been collected in Florida: UMRC 1437 (now in collections at Archbold), collected by D. R. Paulson on 24 December 1956, 3 miles east of Princeton, Dade Co., and TTRS 2443, collected by S. L. Olson on 17 October 1964 on Dog Island, Franklin Co. Review of these specimens found that neither was fully consistent with plumage characteristics of winter female or immature /. bullockii (Lee and Birch 1998), but were consistent with I. galbula. The FOSRC concluded that the status of 7. bullockii in Florida requires addi- tional research before adding it to the official FOSRC state list. However, photographic evidence existed that was not considered by the Committee. One of these photographs was supplied to the committee by Andy Kratter, of the Florida Museum of Natural His- tory (FOS18) and one by Todd Engstrom, of Tall Timbers Research Station (TTRS P30). On the basis of these photographs, the FOSRC voted unanimously to elevate I. bullockii to the state list based on these historical records. The committee thanks Andy Kratter for bringing this evidence to their attention. Literature Cited American Ornithologists’ Union. 1983. Check-list of North American Birds. Sixth ed. American Ornithologists’ Union, Washington, D.C. American Ornithologists’ Union. 1995. Fortieth supplement to the American Orni- thologists’ Union Check-list of North American Birds. Auk 112:819-830. American Ornithologists’ Union. 1998. Check-list of North American Birds. Seventh ed. American Ornithologists’ Union, Washington, D.C. American Ornithologists’ Union. 2000. Forty-second supplement to the American Or- nithologists’ Union Check-list of North American Birds. Auk 117:847-858. Anderson, B. H. 1996. Twelfth report of the Florida Ornithological Society Records Committee: 1994 & 1995. Florida Field Naturalist 24:122-134. Bowman, R. 2000. Thirteenth Report of the Florida Ornithological Society Records Com- mittee: 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, and 2000. Florida Field Naturalist 28:138-160. Burness, G. P., K. Lefevre, and C. R. Collins. 1999. Elegant Tern {Sterna elegans). In The Birds of North America, No. 406 (A. Poole and F. Gill, Eds.). The Birds of North America, Inc., Philadelphia, PA. Hoffman, W., G. E. Woolfenden and P. W. Smith. 1999. Antillean Short-eared Owls invade south Florida. Wilson Bulletin 111:303-313. Howell, A. H. 1932, Florida Bird Life. Coward-McCann, New York. Johnson, R. R., R. L. Glinski, and S. W. Matteson. 2000. Zone-tailed Hawk {Buteo al- bonotatus). In The birds of North America, No. 529 (A. Poole and F. Gill, Eds.). The Birds of North America, Inc., Philadelphia, PA. Kratter, A. W., T. Webber, T. Taylor, and D. W. Steadman. 2002. New specimen-based records of Florida birds. Bulletin of the Florida Museum of Natural History 43:111-161. Lee, C. T., and A. Birch. 1998. Field identification of female and immature Bullock’s and Baltimore orioles. Birding 30:282-295. McICenzie, P. M., and M. B. Robbins. 1998. Identification of adult male Rufous and Al- lens’s hummingbirds, with specific comments on dorsal coloration. Western Birds 30:86-93. 20 FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST Pranty, B., and P. W. Smith. 2001. Status, distribution, and taxonomy of the Spindalis complex (“Stripe-headed Tanager”) in Florida. Florida Field Naturalist 29:13-25. Pyle, P. 1997. Identification guide to North American birds, Part 1, Columbidae to Plo- ceidae. Slate Creek Press, Bolinas, California. Robertson, W. B. Jr., and G. E. Woolfenden. 1992. Florida bird species: An annotated list. Florida Ornithological Society, Special Publication No. 6. Stevenson, H. M., and B. H. Anderson. 1994. The birdlife of Florida. University Press of Florida, Gainesville. FOS Records Committee report prepared by: Reed Bowman (Secretary), Archbold Biological Station, P.O. Box 2057, Lake Placid, Florida 33862. Other committee mem- bers are: Lyn S. Atherton, 1100 Pinellas Ba5rway 1-3, Tierra Verde, Florida 33715; Robert A. Duncan, 614 Fairpoint Drive, Gulf Breeze, Florida 32561; R. Todd Eng- strom. The Nature Conservancy Greenwood, RO. Box 890, Thomasville, GA 31796; Jon S. Greenlaw, 2813 S.W. dS"** Lane, Cape Coral, Florida 33914; Andy Kratter, Division of Ornithology, Florida Museum of Natural History, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611; Fred Lohrer, Archbold Biological Station, RO. Box 2057, Lake Placid, Flor- ida 33862. Mary C. Wheeler, 11700 S.W. 104^*’ Ave., Miami, Florida 33176. Appendix 1. Official State List of the Birds of Florida as Compiled by the Florida Ornithological Society Records Committee A list of modern bird species definitely having occurred in Florida by natural appear- ance or by establishment of an exotic. The base list shall be the Supplement: Checklist of Florida Birds, pp. 255-260 in Robertson & Woolfenden (1992), as updated by final de- cisions of the Florida Ornithological Society’s Records Committee. The list of 480 species is updated through 26 July 2000. Established exotics (e); extinct native species (x) and disestablished exotics (d); and species listed without verifiable evidence (u) shall be so annotated. Sibling species groups may be included without reference to a particular un- derlying species but shall not be counted in any total of species found in Florida unless none of the underlying species are on the state list. Species in the list below annotated with an * should be documented when detected in Florida and submitted to the FOSRC for review. In addition, documentation should be submitted to the FOSRC for any species detected in Florida, believed to have occurred naturally or to have escaped, but not appearing in the main list of the aforementioned publication. GAVIIDAE Gavia stellata Gavia pacifica Gavia immer Red-throated Loon Pacific Loon Common Loon PODICIPEDIDAE Tachybaptus dominicus Podilymbus podiceps Podiceps auritus Podiceps nigricollis Podiceps grisegena Aechmophorus occidentalis Least Grebe* Pied-billed Grebe Horned Grebe Eared Grebe Red-necked Grebe* Western Grebe* Fourteenth Report — FOS Records Committee 21 DIOMEDEIDAE Thalassarche chlororhynchos Yellow-nosed Albatross* PROCELLARIIDAE Pterodroma hasitata Calonectris diomedea Puffinus gravis Puffinus griseus Puffinus tenuirostris Puffinus puffinus Puffinus Iherminieri Black-capped Petrel Cory’s Shearwater Greater Shearwater Sooty Shearwater Short-tailed Shearwater* Manx Shearwater* Audubon’s Shearwater HYDROBATIDAE Oceanites oceanicus Oceanodroma leucorhoa Oceanodroma castro Wilson’s Storm-Petrel Leach’s Storm-Petrel Band-rumped Storm-Petrel PHAETHONTIDAE Phaethon lepturus Phaethon aethereus White-tailed Tropicbird Red-billed Tropicbird* SULIDAE Sula dactylatra Sula leucogaster Sula sula Morus bassanus Masked Booby Brown Booby Red-footed Booby Northern Gannet PELECANIDAE Pelecanus erythrorhynchos Pelecanus occidentalis American White Pelican Brown Pelican PHALACROCORACIDAE Phalacrocorax auritus Phalacrocorax carbo Double-crested Cormorant Great Cormorant ANHINGIDAE Anhinga. anhinga Anhinga FREGATIDAE Fregata magnificens Magnificent Frigatebird ARDEIDAE Botaurus lentiginosus Ixobrychus exilis Ardea herodias American Bittern Least Bittern Great Blue Heron 22 FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST Ardea alba Egretta thula Egretta caerulea Egretta tricolor Egretta rufescens Bubulcus ibis Butorides virescens Nycticorax nycticorax Nyctanassa violacea THRESKIORNITHIDAE Eudocimus alhus Eudocimus ruber Plegadis falcinellus Plegadis chihi Ajaia ajaja CICONIIDAE Mycteria americana CATHARTIDAE Coragyps atratus Cathartes aura PHOENICOPTERIDAE Phoenicopterus ruber ANATIDAE Dendrocygna autumnalis Dendrocygna bicolor Anser albifrons Chen caerulescens Chen rossii Branta canadensis Branta bernicla Cygnus columbianus Cairina moschata Aix sponsa Anas strepera Anas penelope Anas americana Anas rubripes Anas platyrhynchos Anas fulvigula Anas discors Anas cyanoptera Anas clypeata Anas bahamensis Anas acuta Great Egret Egret Little Blue Heron Tricolored Heron Reddish Egret Cattle Egret Green Heron Black-crowned Night-Heron Yellow-crowned Night-Heron White Ibis Scarlet Ibis* Glossy Ibis White-faced Ibis* Roseate Spoonbill Wood Stork Black Vulture Turkey Vulture Greater Flamingo Black-bellied Whistling-Duck Fulvous Whistling-Duck Greater White-fronted Goose Snow Goose Ross’s Goose* Canada Goose Brant Tundra Swan Muscovy Duck (e) Wood Duck Gadwall Eurasian Wigeon American Wigeon American Black Duck Mallard Mottled Duck Blue-winged Teal Cinnamon Teal Northern Shoveler White-cheeked Pintail* Northern Pintail Fourteenth Report— FOS Records Committee 23 Anas crecca Aythya valisineria Aythya americana Aythya collaris Aythya marila Aythya affinis Somateria spectabilis Somateria mollissima Histrionicus histrionicus Melanitta perspicillata Melanitta fusca Melanitta nigra Clangula hyemalis Bucephala albeola Bucephala clangula Lophodytes cucullatus Mergus merganser Mergus serrator Nomonyx dominicus Oxyura jamaicensis ACCIPITRIDAE Pandion haliaetus Elanoides forficatus Elanus leucurus Rostrhamus sociabilis Ictinia mississippiensis Haliaeetus leucocephalus Circus cyaneus Accipiter striatus Accipiter cooperii Accipiter gentilis Buteo lineatus Buteo platypterus Buteo brachyurus Buteo swainsoni Buteo alhonotatus Buteo jamaicensis Buteo regalis Buteo lagopus Aquila chrysaetos FALCONIDAE Caracara cheriway Falco sparverius Falco columharius Falco peregrinus PHASIANIDAE Meleagris gallopavo Colinus virginianus Green-winged Teal Canvasback Redhead Ring-necked Duck Greater Scaup Lesser Scaup King Eider* Common Eider Harlequin Duck Surf Scoter White-winged Scoter Black Scoter Long-tailed Duck (formerly Oldsquaw) Bufflehead Common Goldeneye Hooded Merganser Common Merganser* Red-breasted Merganser Masked Duck* Ruddy Duck Osprey Swallow-tailed Kite White-tailed Kite Snail Kite Mississippi Kite Bald Eagle Northern Harrier Sharp-shinned Hawk Cooper’s Hawk Northern Goshawk * Red-shouldered Hawk Broad-winged Hawk Short-tailed Hawk Swainson’s Hawk Zone-tailed Hawk* Red-tailed Hawk Ferruginous Hawk* Rough-legged Hawk* Golden Eagle Crested Caracara American Kestrel Merlin Peregrine Falcon Wild Turkey Northern Bob white 24 FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST RALLIDAE Coturnicops noveboracensis Laterallus jamaicensis Rallus longirostris Rallus elegans Rallus limicola Porzana Carolina Porphyrula martinica Gallinula chloropus Fulica americana Yellow Rail Black Rail Clapper Rail King Rail Virginia Rail Sora Purple Gallinule Common Moorhen American Coot ARAMIDAE Aramus guarauna Limpkin GRUIDAE Grus canadensis Grus americana Sandhill Crane Whooping Crane (x) CHARADRIIDAE Vanellus vanellus Pluvialis squatarola Pluvialis dominica Charadrius alexandrinus Charadrius wilsonia Charadrius semipalmatus Charadrius melodus Charadrius vociferus Charadrius montanus Northern Lapwing* Black-bellied Plover American Golden-Plover Snowy Plover Wilson’s Plover Semipalmated Plover Piping Plover Killdeer Mountain Plover* HAEMATOPODIDAE Haematopus palliatus American Oystercatcher RECURVIROSTRIDAE Himantopus mexicanus Recurvirostra americana Black-necked Stilt American Avocet SCOLOPACIDAE Tringa melanoleuca Tringa flavipes Tringa solitaria Catoptrophorus semipalmatus Actitis macularia Bartramia longicauda Numenius phaeopus Numenius americanus Limosa limosa Limosa haemastica Limosa lapponica Greater Yellowlegs Lesser Yellowlegs Solitary Sandpiper Willet Spotted Sandpiper Upland Sandpiper Whimbrel Long-billed Curlew Black-tailed Godwit* Hudsonian Godwit Bar-tailed Godwit* Fourteenth Report— FOS Records Committee 25 Limosa fedoa Arenaria interpres Aphriza virgata Calidris canutus Calidris alba Calidris pusilla Calidris mauri Calidris minutilla Calidris fuscicollis Calidris hairdii Calidris melanotos Calidris acuminata Calidris maritima Calidris alpina Calidris ferruginea Calidris himantopus Tryngites suhruficollis Philomachus pugnax Limnodromus griseus Limnodromus scolopaceus Gallinago delicta Scolopax minor Phalaropus tricolor Phalaropus lobatus Phalaropus fulicaria LARIDAE Stercorarius maccormicki Stercorarius pomarinus Stercorarius parasiticus Stercorarius longicaudus Larus atricilla Larus pipixcan Larus minutus Larus ridibundus Larus cirrocephalus Larus Philadelphia Larus heermanni Larus belcheri Larus delawarensis Larus californicus Larus argentatus Larus thayeri Larus glaucoides Larus fuscus Larus hyperboreus Larus marinus Xema sabini Rissa tridactyla Sterna nilotica Sterna caspia Sterna maxima Marbled Godwit Ruddy Turnstone Surfbird* Red Knot Sanderling Semipalmated Sandpiper Western Sandpiper Least Sandpiper White-rumped Sandpiper Baird’s Sandpiper Pectoral Sandpiper Sharp-tailed Sandpiper* Purple Sandpiper Dunlin Curlew Sandpiper Stilt Sandpiper Buff-breasted Sandpiper Ruff Short-billed Dowitcher Long-billed Dowitcher Wilson’s Snipe American Woodcock Wilson’s Phalarope Red-necked Phalarope Red Phalarope South Polar Skua* Pomarine Jaeger Parasitic Jaeger Long-tailed Jaeger Laughing Gull Franklin’s Gull Little Gull* Black-headed Gull* Gray-hooded Gull* Bonaparte’s Gull Heermann’s Gull* Band-tailed Gull* Ring-billed Gull California Gull* Herring Gull Thayer’s Gull* Iceland Gull* Lesser Black-backed Gull Glaucous Gull Great Black-backed Gull Sabine’s Gull Black-legged Kittiwake Gull-billed Tern Caspian Tern Royal Tern 26 FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST Sterna elegans Sterna sanduicensis Sterna dougallii Sterna hirundo Sterna paradisaea Sterna forsteri Sterna antillarum Sterna anaethetus Sterna fuscata Chlidonias niger Anous stolidus Anous minutus Rynchops niger ALCIDAE Alle alle Uria lomvia Alca torda Brachyramphus perdix Fratercula arctica COLUMBIDAE Columba livia Patagioenas squamosa Patagioenas leucocephala Patagioenas fasciata Streptopelia turtur Streptopelia decaocto Zenaida asiatica Zenaida aurita Zenaida macroura Ectopistes migratorius Columhina passerina Leptotila verreauxi Geotrygon chrysia Geotrygon montana PSITTACIDAE Melopsittacus undulatus Myiopsitta monachus Conuropsis carolinensis Brotogeris versicolurus CUCULIDAE Coccyzus erythropthalmus Coccyzus americanus Coccyzus minor Crotophaga ani Crotophaga sulcirostris Elegant Tern* Sandwich Tern Roseate Tern Common Tern Arctic Tern Forster’s Tern Least Tern Bridled Tern Sooty Tern Black Tern Brown Noddy Black Noddy Black Skimmer Dovekie Thick-billed Murre* Razorbill* Long-billed Murrelet* Atlantic Puffin* Rock Pigeon (e) Scaly-naped Pigeon* White-crowned Pigeon Band-tailed Pigeon* European Turtle-Dove* Eurasian Collared-Dove (e) White-winged Dove Zenaida Dove* Mourning Dove Passenger Pigeon (x) Common Ground-Dove White-tipped Dove* Key West Quail-Dove Ruddy Quail-Dove* Budgerigar (e) Monk Parakeet (e) Carolina Parakeet (x) White-winged Parakeet (e) Black-billed Cuckoo Yellow-billed Cuckoo Mangrove Cuckoo Smooth-billed Ani Groove-billed Ani Fourteenth Report— FOS Records Committee 27 TYTONIDAE Tyto alba Barn Owl STRIGIDAE Otus flammeolus Megascops asio Bubo virginianus Bubo scandiacus Athene cunicularia Strix varia Asio otus Asio flammeus Aegolius acadicus Flammulated Owl* Eastern Screech-Owl Great Horned Owl Snowy Owl* Burrowing Owl Barred Owl Long-eared Owl* Short-eared Owl Northern Saw-whet Owl* CAPRIMULGIDAE Chordeiles acutipennis Chordeiles minor Chordeiles gundlachii Caprimulgus carolinensis Caprimulgus vociferus Lesser Nighthawk Common Nighthawk Antillean Nighthawk Chuck-wilks-widow Whip-poor-will APODIDAE Streptoprocne zonaris Chaetura pelagica Chaetura vauxi Tachornis phoenicobia White-collared Swift* Chimney Swift Vaux’s Swift* Antillean Palm-Swift* TROCHILIDAE Amazilia yucatanensis Calliphlox evelynae Archilochus colubris Archilochus alexandri Calypte anna Stellula calliope Selasphorus platycercus Selasphorus rufous Selasphorus sasin Buff-bellied Hummingbird Bahama Woodstar* Ruby-throated Hummingbird Black-chinned Hummingbird Anna’s Hummingbird* Calliope Hummingbird* Broad-tailed Hummingbird* Rufous Hummingbird Allen’s Hummingbird* ALCEDINIDAE Ceryle alcyon Belted Kingfisher PICIDAE Melanerpes erythrocephalus Melanerpes aurifrons Melanerpes carolinus Sphyrapicus varius Picoides pubescens Picoides villosus Picoides borealis Red-headed Woodpecker Golden-fronted Woodpecker* Red-bellied Woodpecker Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Downy Woodpecker Hairy Woodpecker Red-cockaded Woodpecker 28 FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST Colaptes auratus Dryocopus pileatus Campephilus principalis TYRANNIDAE Contopus cooperi Contopus sordidulus Contopus virens Contopus caribaeus Empidonax flaviventris Empidonax virescens Empidonax alnorum Empidonax traillii Empidonax minimus Sayornis nigricans Sayornis phoebe Sayornis saya Pyrocephalus rubinus Myiarchus cinerascens Myiarchus crinitus Myiarchus tyrannulus Myiarchus sagrae Myiodynastes luteiventris Empidonomus varius Tyrannus melancholicus Tyrannus vociferans Tyrannus verticalis Tyrannus tyrannus Tyrannus dominicensis Tyrannus caudifasciatus Tyrannus forficatus Tyrannus savana LANIIDAE Lanius ludovicianus VIREONIDAE Vireo griseus Vireo crassirostris Vireo bellii Vireo flavifrons Vireo solitarius Vireo gilvus Vireo philadelphicus Vireo olivaceus Vireo flavoviridis Vireo altiloquus CORVIDAE Cyanocitta cristata Northern Flicker Pileated Woodpecker Ivory-billed Woodpecker (x) Olive-sided Flycatcher Western Wood-Pewee* Eastern Wood-Pewee Cuban Pewee* Yellow-bellied Flycatcher Acadian Flycatcher Alder Flycatcher Willow Flycatcher Least Flycatcher Black Phoebe* Eastern Phoebe Say’s Phoebe* Vermilion Flycatcher Ash-throated Flycatcher Great Crested Flycatcher Brown-crested Flycatcher La Sagra’s Flycatcher Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher* Variegated Flycatcher* Tropical Kingbird* Cassin’s Kingbird Western Kingbird Eastern Kingbird Gray Kingbird Loggerhead Kingbird* Scissor-tailed Flycatcher Fork-tailed Flycatcher Loggerhead Shrike White-eyed Vireo Thick-billed Vireo* Bell’s Vireo Yellow-throated Vireo Blue-headed Vireo Warbling Vireo Philadelphia Vireo Red-eyed Vireo Yellow-green Vireo* Black-whiskered Vireo Blue Jay Fourteenth Report— FOS Records Committee 29 Aphelocoma coerulescens Corvus brachyrhynchos Corvus ossifragus Florida Scrub- Jay American Crow Fish Crow ALAUDIDAE Eremophila alpestris Horned Lark HIRUNDINIDAE Progne subis Progne cryptoleuca Progne elegans Tachycineta bicolor Tachycineta cyaneoviridis Stelgidopteryx serripennis Riparia riparia Petrochelidon pyrrhonota Petrochelidon fulva Hirundo rustica Purple Martin Cuban Martin* Southern Martin* Tree Swallow Bahama Swallow* Northern Rough- winged Swallow Bank Swallow Cliff Swallow Cave Swallow Barn Swallow PARIDAE Poecile carolinensis Baeolophus bicolor Carolina Chickadee Tufted Titmouse SITTIDAE Sitta canadensis Sitta carolinensis Sitta pusilla Red-breasted Nuthatch White-breasted Nuthatch Brown-headed Nuthatch CERTHIIDAE Certhia americana Brown Creeper TROGLODYTIDAE Salpinctes obsoletus Thryothorus ludovicianus Thryomanes hewickii Troglodytes aedon Troglodytes troglodytes Cistothorus platensis Cistothorus palustris Rock Wren* Carolina Wren Bewick’s Wren* House Wren Winter Wren Sedge Wren Marsh Wren PYCNONOTIDAE Pycnonotus jocosus Red-whiskered Bulbul (e) REGULIDAE Regulus satrapa Regulus calendula Golden-crowned Kinglet Ruby-crowned Kinglet 30 FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST SYLVIIDAE Polioptila caerulea Blue-gray Gnatcatcher TURDIDAE Oenanthe oenanthe Sialia sialis Catharus fuscescens Catharus minimus Catharus ustulatus Catharus guttatus Hylocichla mustelina Turdus migratorius Ixoreus naevius Northern Wheatear* Eastern Bluebird Veery Gray-cheeked Thrush Swainson’s Thrush Hermit Thrush Wood Thrush American Robin Varied Thrush* MIMIDAE Dumetella carolinensis Mimus polyglottos Mimus gundlachii Oreoscoptes montanus Toxostoma rufum Toxostoma curvirostre Gray Catbird Northern Mockingbird Bahama Mockingbird Sage Thrasher* Brown Thrasher Curve-billed Thrasher* STURNIDAE Sturnus vulgaris European Starling (e) MOTACILLIDAE Anthus rubescens Anthus spragueii American Pipit Sprague’s Pipit BOMBYCILLIDAE Bombycilla cedrorum Cedar Waxwing PARULIDAE Vermivora bachmanii Vermivora pinus Vermivora chrysoptera Vermivora peregrina Vermivora celata Vermivora ruficapilla Parula americana Dendroica petechia Dendroica pensylvanica Dendroica magnolia Dendroica tigrina Dendroica caerulescens Dendroica coronata Dendroica nigrescens Dendroica chrysoparia Bachman’s Warbler (x) Blue-winged Warbler Golden- winged Warbler Tennessee Warbler Orange-crowned Warbler Nashville Warbler Northern Parula Yellow Warbler Chestnut-sided Warbler Magnolia Warbler Cape May Warbler Black-throated Blue Warbler Yellow-rumped Warbler Black-throated Gray Warbler Golden-cheeked Warbler* Fourteenth Report--FOS Records Committee 31 Dendroica virens Dendroica townsendi Dendroica fusca Dendroica dominica Dendroica pinus Dendroica kirtlandii Dendroica discolor Dendroica palmarum Dendroica castanea Dendroica striata Dendroica cerulea Mniotiita varia Setophaga ruticilla Protonotaria citrea Helmitheros vermivorus Limnothlypis swainsonii Seiurus aurocapillus Seiurus noveboracensis Seiurus motacilla Oporornis formosus Oporornis agilis Oporornis Philadelphia Oporornis tolmiei Geothlypis trichas Wilsonia citrina Wilsonia pusilla Wilsonia canadensis Icteria virens Black4liroated Green Warbler Townsend's Warbler Blackburnian Warbler Yellow-throated Warbler Pine Warbler Kirtland's Warbler* Prairie Warbler Palm Warbler Bay-breasted Warbler Blackpoll Warbler Cerulean Warbler Black-and-white Warbler American Redstart Prothonotary Warbler Worm-eating Warbler Swainson's Warbler Ovenbird Northern Waterthrush Louisiana Waterthrush Kentucky Warbler Connecticut Warbler Mourning Warbler MacGillivray's Warbler* Common Yellowthroat Hooded Warbler Wilson’s Warbler Canada Warbler Yellow-breasted Chat COEREBIDAE Coereha flaveola Bananaquit THRAUPIDAE Piranga rubra Piranga olivacea Piranga ludoviciana Spindaiis zena Summer Tanager Scarlet Tanager Western Tanager Western Spindaiis EMBERIZIDAE Tiaris olivacea Tiaris bicolor Pipilo chlorurus Pipilo macvlatus Pipilo erylhf ophthalmus Aimophila aestivalis Spizella arhorea Spizella passerina Spizella pallida Spizella pusilla Pooecetes gramineus Chondesies grammacus Yellow-faced Grassquit* Black-faced Grassquit* Green-tailed Towhee* Spotted Towhee* Eastern Towhee Bachman’s Sparrow American Tree Sparrow* Chipping Sparrow Clay-colored Sparrow Field Sparrow Vesper Sparrow Lark Sparrow 32 FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST Amphispiza bilineata Calamospiza melanocorys Passerculus sandwichensis Ammodramus savannarum Ammodramus henslowii Ammodramus leconteii Ammodramus nelsoni Ammodramus caudacutus Ammodramus maritimus Passerella iliaca Melospiza melodia Melospiza lincolnii Melospiza georgiana Zonotrichia albicollis Zonotrichia querula Zonotrichia leucophrys Zonotrichia atricapilla Junco hyemalis Calcarius lapponicus Calcarius ornatus Plectrophenax nivalis CARDINALIDAE Cardinalis cardinalis Pheucticus ludovicianus Pheucticus melanocephalus Guiraca caerulea Passerina amoena Passerina cyanea Passerina ciris Spiza americana ICTERIDAE Dolichonyx oryzivorus Agelaius phoeniceus Agelaius humeralis Sturnella magna Sturnella neglecta Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus Euphagus carolinus Euphagus cyanocephalus Quiscalus quiscula Quiscalus major Molothrus bonariensis Molothrus aeneus Molothrus ater Icterus spurius Icterus pectoralis Icterus galbula Icterus bullockii Black-throated Sparrow* Lark Bunting* Savannah Sparrow Grasshopper Sparrow Henslow’s Sparrow Le Conte’s Sparrow Nelson’s Sharp-tailed Sparrow Saltmarsh Sharp-tailed Sparrow Seaside Sparrow Fox Sparrow Song Sparrow Lincoln’s Sparrow Swamp Sparrow White-throated Sparrow Harris’s Sparrow* White-crowned Sparrow Golden-crowned Sparrow* Dark-eyed Junco Lapland Longspur Chestnut-collared Longspur* Snow Bunting Northern Cardinal Rose-breasted Grosbeak Black-headed Grosbeak Blue Grosbeak Lazuli Bunting* Indigo Bunting Painted Bunting Dickcissel Bobolink Red-winged Blackbird Tawny-shouldered Blackbird* Eastern Meadowlark Western Meadowlark* Yellow-headed Blackbird Rusty Blackbird Brewer’s Blackbird Common Grackle Boat-tailed Grackle Shiny Cowbird Bronzed Cowbird Brown-headed Cowbird Orchard Oriole Spot-breasted Oriole (e) Baltimore Oriole Bullock’s Oriole* Fourteenth Report— FOS Records Committee FRINGILLIDAE Carpodacus purpureus Carpodacus mexicanus Loxia curvirostra Carduelis pinus Carduelis tristis Coccothraustes vespertinus Purple Finch House Finch (e) Red Crossbill* Pine Siskin American Goldfinch Evening Grosbeak PASSERIDAE Passer domesticus House Sparrow (e) 34 Fla. Field Nat. 32(1):34-41, 2004. FIELD OBSERVATIONS Summer Reports June-July 2003. — This report consists of significant bird obser- vations compiled by the Field Observations Committee (FOC). Submissions to the FOC should be in the following format: species, number of individuals, age and sex of the bird(s), color morph if applicable, location (including county), date, observer(s), and sig- nificance. Seasons are winter (December-February), spring (March-May), summer (June-July), and fall ( August-No vember). Submit observations to regional compilers within two weeks after the close of each season, or to the state compiler within one month. Addresses of the compilers are found at the end of this report. We greatly prefer observations sent via e-mail. Sight-only observations are considered “reports” while only those supported by verifi- able evidence (photographs, video or audio tapes, or specimens) are called “records.” Species for which documentation is required by the FOS Records Committee (FOSRC; Bowman 2000, Fla. Field Nat. 28:149-160) are marked here with an asterisk (*). A county designation (in italics) accompanies the first-time listing of each site in this re- port. Abbreviations in this report are: CP = county park, EOS = end of season, LARA = Lake Apopka Restoration Area {Orange), NWR = national wildlife refuge, SP = state park, SRA = state recreation area, STF “ sewage treatment facility, and N, S, E, W etc., for compass directions. Bold-faced species denote birds newly reported or verified in Florida, or record counts. Summary of the Summer Season This list is presented in the new taxonomic sequence prepared by the American Orni- thologists’ Union Check-list Committee, as published in the Auk (120:923-931, 2003). The long-term drought seems to finally have been broken, with above-average rainfall in many regions continuing from the spring. Tropical Storm Bill developed in the Gulf 29 Jun and moved N into Louisiana, with heaviest winds to the E. Several pelagic species reported in the W Panhandle, including two albatrosses, one of these 30 km from the coast! Other FOSRC rarities reported this summer were 2 White-faced Ibises at Lake Apopka in June, another at St. Marks in July, and the Heermann’s Gull that continues at Fort De Soto Park. One new exotic was reported in Florida, and another was newly verified. A jaeger photographed at Jacksonville generated considerable discussion on the Internet, with no clear consensus to its identity. Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks and White-winged Doves continued their explosive colonization of the northern peninsula and beyond. And, there were two summer observations of Bronzed Cowbirds in the state. Species Accounts Black-bellied Whistling-Duck: 2 at Orlando Wetlands Park {Orange) 4 Jun ff (M. Sees); 5 at Punta Gorda {Charlotte) 5 Jun (J. Bouton); 4 at Lake Miccosukee {Leon) 11 Jun (M. Hill); 1 juvenile at Fort Walton Beach STF {Okaloosa) 12 Jun (P. Ping) and 2 at Gulf Breeze {Santa Rosa) 26 Jun (B. Duncan) are the first W Panhandle reports, but they may refer to free-flying birds from the Gulf Breeze Zoo; 1 at Lake Jackson {Leon) 13 Jun (G. Menk); 2 at Live Oak {Suwannee) 30 Jun-1 Jul (S. Starling); 2 at Blue Cypress Lake {Indian River) 4 Jul (M. McMillian); 2 at Viera {Brevard) 16 Jul (D. Freeland); 1 at St. Marks NWR {Wakulla) 25 Jul (J. Dozier, J. Murphy); 16 (2 adults and 14 young) at Polk phosphate mines 27 Jul (C. Geanangel, P. Timmer); up to 6 (19 Jul) summered at LARA (H. Robinson). Fulvous Whistling-Duck: 2 at Pa5mes Prairie Preserve SP {Alachua) to 16 Jim (L. Davis). Field Observations 35 Canada Goose: 1 at Vanderbilt Beach {Collier) 4 Jun (J. Seitz, photo to FOC). Mottled Duck: 200 si Polk phosphate mines 13 Jul (C. Geanangel, P. Timmer). Blue-winged Teal: 1 at LARA 1 Jun, and up to 2 there 21-27 Jul (H. Robinson); 3 at Polk phosphate mines 13 Jul (C. Geanangel, P. Timmer); 1 at Fort Myers (Lee) 13 Jul (V. McGrath). Ring-necked Duck: 2 sAPolk phosphate mines 13 Jul (C. Geanangel, P. Timmer). Red-breasted Merganser: 1 at Merritt Island NWR {Brevard) 8 Jun (J. Puschock); 2 females summered at Huguenot Memorial Park {Duval; B. Richter). Ruddy Duck: 1 male in breeding plumage at the Sarasota Celery Fields {Sarasota) 30 Jun (J. Bouton et al.); 3 at Polk phosphate mines 13 Jul (C. Geanangel, P. Timmer). Common Loon: 1 at Tierra Verde {Pinellas) 21 Jun (L. Atherton); 1 in breeding plumage at Bottoms Road {Wakulla) 22 Jun (J. Dozier, J. Murphy); 1 at Redington Shores {Pinellas) 27 Jul (I. Hernandez). Pied-billed Grebe: several heard calling all summer at Ten Thousand Islands NWR {Collier), where breeding has not been confirmed (T. Doyle). PODICEPS SPECIES: 1 at Kingsley Lake {Clay) 12 Jul (J. Krummrich). * Albatross species: 1 bird 14 km offshore and 1.6 km E of the Alabama state line {Es- cambia) 6 Jun (J. Pfeiffer, no details); 1 over Wright Basin E of Milton {Santa Rosa) — 30 km inland from the barrier island! — 2 Jul (M. Wilson, details to FOC). Cory’s Shearwater: 1 on a pelagic trip at Key Largo Hump {Monroe) 27 Jul (L, Man- fredi et al.). Audubon’s Shearwater: 2 off Hillsboro Inlet {Broward) 8 Jun, and 1 there 19 Jul (M. Berney). Wilson’s Storm-Petrel: 1 captured near Fort Walton Beach {Okaloosa) following Trop- ical Storm Bill 1 Jul later died (M. Coerver et al.); 65+ off Hillsboro Inlet 19 Jul (M. Berney); 1 on a pelagic trip at 409 Hump {Monroe) 27 Jul (L. Manfredi et al.). Leach’s Storm-Petrel: 1 off Hillsboro Inlet 19 Jul (M. Berney). Band-rumped Storm-Petrel: 1 off Hillsboro Inlet 19 Jul (M. Berney, details to FOC); 1 at 409 Hump 27 Jul (L. Manfredi et al.). Brown Booby: 1 subadult at Bayou Grande, Pensacola {Escambia) 5 Jul (D. Forster); single subadults at Fort Pickens, Gulf Islands National Seashore {Escambia) 7 Jul and Navarre Beach {Escambia! Santa Rosa) 9 Jul (K. McMullen). Northern Gannet: 1 subadult swam close to Anclote Key Preserve State Park {Pasco) 19 Jul (K. Tracey, photo to FOC). American White Pelican: 30 at Polk phosphate mines 22 Jun, and 700 there 27 Jul (C. Geanangel, P. Timmer); 10 at Bottoms Road 3 Jul (J. Murphy); 8 at N Jacksonville {Duval) 5 Jul (R. Clark); 10 at Viera 16 Jul, and 5 there 23 Jul (D. Freeland). Magnificent Frigatebird: 2 at Alligator Point {Franklin) were seen thrice during 6 Jun- 12 Jul (J. Dozier, J. Murphy); 1 male S of Jetty Park {Brevard) 22 Jul (B. Paxson). American Bittern: 1 at LARA 11 Jun-13 Jul (H. Robinson); 1 at Orlando Wetlands Park 14 Jun (C. Pierce, C. Paine); 1 at Kissimmee Prairie Preserve SP {Okeechobee) 28 Jul (P. Small). Least Bittern: singles “singing” in brackish marshes at Ten Thousand Islands NWR 17 Jun and 2 Jul (T. Doyle). “Great White Heron:” 1 at LARA 1 Jun (H. Robinson); 1 at Destin {Okaloosa) 8-13 Jun (C. Saleebe); 1 at Alligator Point 1 JuLEOS (J. Dozier [photo to FOC], J. Murphy). Reddish Egret: 1 oAPolk phosphate mines 27 Jul (C. Geanangel, P. Timmer). Glossy Ibis: 4 at Hudson {Pasco) 4 Jul (K. Tracey); 1380 at LARA 19 Jul (H. Robinson); 35 summered at Mayport {Duval; R. Clark). *White-FACED Ibis: 2 adults in breeding plumage at LARA 1 Jun (H. Robinson); 1 with red irides and pinkish-red lores at St. Marks NWR 27 Jul (D. Simpson et al.). Roseate Spoonbill: 12 in a flooded field in E Polk 4 Jun (L. Cooper); 475 fledglings at Alafia Bank {Hillsborough) 6 Jun (A. and R. Paul); 68 at Holiday {Pasco) 6 Jul (R. 36 FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST Smart); 2 juveniles at Alligator Point 3 Jul (J. Murphy); 1 at Gainesville {Alachua) 5- 27 Jul (S. Flamand, M. Landsman et aL); 107 at N Jacksonville 5 Jul (R. Clark); 5 at Viera 16 Jul (D. Freeland); 47 N of Fort Pierce Inlet {St. Lucie) 17 Jul (J. Brooks); 1 at Buck Island Ranch {Highlands) 21 Jul {fide M. McMillian); 2 at Alligator Harbor {Franklin) 25 Jul (J. Murphy); 29 juveniles summered at Cedar Key (D. Henderson). Osprey: 18 nests with young N of Bartow {Polk) 24 Jun (P. Fellers). Swallow-tailed Kite; 200 fed on dragonflies at Holey Land WMA {Palm Beach) 28 Jun (D. Powell et aL); 556 fed on dragonflies at LARA 25 Jul (H. Robinson). White-tailed Kite: 1 at Hole-in-the-Donut, Everglades NP {Miami-Dade) 29 Jun (D. Powell et aL). Mississippi Kite: 26 N of Marianna {Jackson) 29 Jul (B. and L. Cooper); 3 juveniles over Jacksonville 31 Jul (B. Richter). Cooper’s Hawk: 3 fledglings fed by both adults at Orlando 4 Jul (B. Payne et aL); 1 at Merritt Island {Brevard) 23-25 Jul (D. Freeland). Red-shouldered Hawk: 1 juvenile at Fort De Soto CP 15 Jul was the first summer re- port for the park (L. Atherton et aL). Short-tailed Hawk: a light-morph male and dark-morph female that nested at New Port Richey {Pasco) fledged 2 dark young by 1 Jun (K. Tracey, photos to FOC); 2 dark morphs at Alexander Springs, Ocala NF {Marion) 9 Jul (J. Puschock); 2 light morphs at Saddle Creek CP {Polk) 16 Jul (B. Ahern); 1 dark morph at Kissimmee Prairie Pre- serve SP 28 Jul (P. Miller); 1 dark morph at LARA 30 Jul (H. Robinson). American Kestrel: 1 pair in NE Pinellas 4 Jun (K. Tracey). Northern Bobwhite: 69 at LARA 4 Jul (H. Robinson). Black Rail; 1 at LARA 4 Jun (H. Robinson). Purple Gallinule: 44 at LARA 29 Jun (H. Robinson). American Coot: 1 at LARA 26 Jun- 19 Jul (H. Robinson); 8 at Polk phosphate mines 13 Jul (C. Geanangel, P. Timmer). Black-bellied Plover: 3 at Werner-Boyce Salt Springs SP {Pasco) 25 Jun (K. Tracey); 1 in winter plumage at Merritt Island NWR 24 Jul (D. Freeland). American Golden-Plover: 1 in winter plumage at Fort De Soto CP 7 Jul (J. Bouton et aL). Snowy Plover: 15 at North Anclote Bar {Pasco) 19 Jul (K. Tracey). Wilson’s Plover: 18 adults and 5 juveniles at Werner-Boyce Salt Springs SP 25 Jun (K. Tracey); 8 at North Anclote Bar 19 Jul (K. Tracey); 116 on a single bar at Bird Is- lands, Nassau Sound {Duval) 27 Jul (P. Leary). Semipalmated Plover: 2 at Alligator Point 8 Jul (K. McMullen); 3 at Polk phosphate mines 27 Jul (C. Geanangel, P. Timmer). Piping Plover: 1 at Fort De Soto CP 30 Jun (J. Bouton); 1 at North Anclote Bar 19 Jul (K. Tracey); 1 at Crandon Beach {Miami-Dade) 24 Jul (R. Diaz). American Oystercatcher: up to 30 (evenly distributed among adults and juveniles) summered at Little Estero Lagoon (C. Ewell). American Avocet: 1 at St. Marks NWR 8 Jun (A. Knothe); 2 at Fort De Soto CP 21-24 Jul (D. Powell, 1. Hernandez et aL). Black-necked Stilt: several nests in brackish marshes in May and Jun furnished the first breeding reports for Ten Thousand Islands NWR (T. Doyle); 81 (non-breeding) at Mayport 20 Jun-EOS (R. Clark); 6 over Lake Wales Ridge SF {Polk) 14 Jul provided the first for that location (B. Pranty); 5 in central Pasco 30 Jul (K. Tracey). Greater YellowlegS: 2 at Mayport 20 Jun, and 19 there 25 Jul (R. Clark); 1 at Fort Walton Beach STF 2 Jul (D. Ware); 1 at LARA 6 Jul (H. Robinson); 1 at Springhill Road STF 7 Jul (G. Menk); 3 at Merritt Island NWR 24 Jul (D. Freeland); 1 in central Pasco 30 Jul (K. Tracey). Lesser Yellowlegs: 2 at Mayport 20 Jun, and 56 there 25 Jul (R. Clark); 1 at LARA 9 Jul (H. Robinson); 1 at Merritt Island NWR 24 Jul (D. Freeland); 27 in central Pasco 30 Jul (K. Tracey). Field Observations 37 Solitary Sandpiper: 1 at Largo {Pinellas) 12 Jul (J. Fisher); 1 at LAEA 19-23 Jul (H. Robinson); 2 in central Pasco 30 Jul (K. Tracey). Spotted Sandpiper: 17 (in breeding and winter plumages) at Tram Road and Springhill STFs (Leon) 28-31 Jul (G. Menk). Whimbrel: 2 at Pensacola 5 Jun (C. Bunch). Long-billed Curlew: 1 at Bird Islands 13 Jul (P. Leary); 1 at Fort De Soto CP 13 Jul- EOS (J. Puschock et aL). Marbled Godwit: 50 at Flamingo, Everglades NP {Monroe) 12 Jun (J. Bouton); 1 at Fort Pickens 30 Jun-1 Jul (B. Duncan P. Baker); 3 at Newnans Lake {Alachua) 1 Jul (A. Kratter, M, Hart); 1 at Huguenot Memorial Park 5 Jul (B. Richter); 1 at North Anclote Bar 19 Jul (K. Tracey); up to 4 in winter plumage summered at Little Estero Lagoon, while 23 in breeding plumage there 24 Jul were gone by the next week (C. Ewell). Ruddy Turnstone: 1 in breeding plumage at Crandon Beach 3 & 25 Jul (R. Diaz), SanderlinG: singles at Crandon Beach 3 Jun and (breeding plumage) 29 Jul (R. Diaz); 10 at Fort Pickens 9 Jul (K. McMullen), Semipalmated Sandpiper: 25 at Pensacola 3 Jun (B. and L. Duncan); 4 at Polk phos- phate mines 13 Jul, and 28 there 27 Jul (C. Geanangel, P. Timmer); 3 at LARA 19 Jul (H. Robinson). SemipalmatedAVestern Sandpiper: up to 100 in winter plumage that summered at Little Estero Lagoon included individuals of both species based on bill size and shape, and body structure (C. Ewell). Western Sandpiper: 1 at LARA 9 Jul (H. Robinson); 30 at Polk phosphate mines 13 Jul (C. Geanangel, P. Timmer). Least Sandpiper: 2 at LARA 9 Jul, and 20 there 19 Jul (H. Robinson); 360 at Polk phos- phate mines 13 Jul, and 930 there 27 Jul (C. Geanangel, P. Timmer); 1 partially leu- cistic individual at Fort De Soto CP 25 Jul, the 4th year it has been seen there (L. Atherton et al.). White-rumped Sandpiper: 8 at Homestead {Miami-Dade) 1 Jun (R. Urgelles); 25 at Pensa- cola 3 Jun (B, and L. Duncan); 10 at Mayport 3 Jun (R. Clark); 8 at Little Estero Lagoon 3 Jun (C. Ewell), and 1 there to 8 Jun (T. Doyle); 5 at Tram Road STF 5 Jun (G. Menk). Pectoral Sandpiper: 1 at Fort Myers 13 Jul (V. McGrath); 1 at Polk phosphate mines 13 Jul, and 3 there 27 Jul (C. Geanangel, P. Timmer); 1 at Fort De Soto CP 15 Jul (L. Atherton); 3 at LARA 19 Jul (H. Robinson); 3 at Mayport 25 Jul (R. Clark). Stilt Sandpiper: 1 at Gainesville 14-15 Jul (M. Landsman, B. Carroll); 6 at LARA 23 Jul (H. Robinson); 7 at Mayport 25 Jul (R. Clark). Short-billed Dowitcher: 45 at Mayport 25 Jul (R. Clark). Jaeger species: the identification of 1 subadult at Huguenot Memorial Park 29-30 Jun (B. Richter, C. Buhrman, photos to FOC) was not conclusively determined. Images were posted online, and discussion on the ID-Frontiers listserver ensued. Nine ob- servers— mostly from the New World — thought the bird was a Pomarine, while 7 oth- ers— mostly from the Old World — identified it as a Parasitic. Laughing Gull: up to 3300 at Huguenot Memorial Park in late Jul (R. Clark). *Heermann’S Gull: 1 at Fort De Soto CP 9 Jun ff (L. Atherton et al.). Ring-billed Gull: 1 adult at Bald Point 11 Jul (J. Dozier, J. Murphy); 1 at LARA 13 Jul (H. Robinson). Lesser Black-backed Gull: 1 first-summer bird at Englewood {Charlotte) 19 Jun (J. Bouton); 2 adults at Bird Islands 3 Jul (P. Leary); at least 1 summered at Huguenot Memorial Park (B. Richter); at least 2 summered at Crandon Beach (R. Diaz). Great Black-backed Gull: 1 first-summer at Crandon Beach 3 Jul (R. Diaz). Gull-billed Tern: 1 at Flamingo 12 Jun (J. Bouton); 4 at Apalachicola 8 Jul (K. Mc- Mullen); 2 at Navarre 9 Jul (K. McMullen); 6 at Polk phosphate mines 13 Jul, and 12 there 27 Jul (C. Geanangel, P. Timmer); up to 10 at Huguenot Memorial Park in late Jul (R. Clark). 38 FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST Caspian Tern: 2 at LARA 1 Jun, and 1 there to 23 Jun (H. Robinson); 1 at Newnans Lake 22 Jul (J. Hintermister). Royal Tern: up to 1000 at Huguenot Memorial Park in late Jul (R. Clark). Sandwich Tern: 1 at Crandon Beach 26 Jul (R. Diaz); up to 70 at Huguenot Memorial Park in late Jul (R. Clark). Common Tern: 100 at Fort Pickens 7 Jul (K. McMullen); 4 at North Anclote Bar 19 Jul (K. Tracey); 2 at Pine Island {Hernando) 28 Jul (A. and B. Hansen). Roseate Tern: 1 at Flamingo, Everglades NP 29 Jun (D. Powell et ah). Arctic Tern: 1 at LARA 8 Jun (H. Robinson). Forster’s Tern: 1 juvenile at Springhill Road STF 28 Jul (G. Menk). Least Tern: at least 60 young fledged from 125 nests at Amelia Island {Nassau), the first successful breeding at Talbot Islands SP in 15 years (K. Ebersol); 50 at Lake Jackson 13 Jun (G. Menk); of 95 nests at Little Estero Lagoon 1 Jun, 50 were lost to a storm 27 Jun and only 2 juveniles were seen subsequently (C. Ewell); 1 at LARA 16 Jun (H. Robin- son); 103 birds, including juveniles, at Mayport 24 Jun (R. Clark); 130 nesting adults at Stump Pass, Englewood 26 Jun, but only 1 chick survived by 2 Jul — flooding from heavy rainfall was blamed (J. Bouton); 7 adults and 2 juveniles roosted at a closed Spring Hill {Hernando) golf course 14-23 Jul (A. and B. Hansen); 150-200 at Crandon Beach 26-30 Jul (R. Diaz); 250 ^tPolk phosphate mines 27 Jul (C. Geanangel, P. Timmer). Bridled Tern: 5 “loafing on the beach” at Pensacola Beach 1 Jul, after Tropical Storm Bill (B. Duncan). Sooty Tern: 5 off Hillsboro Inlet 8 Jun, and 7 there 19 Jul (M. Berney); 6 at Gulf Breeze 1 Jul (L. Duncan). Black Tern: 30 at Bird Islands 13 Jun (P. Leary); 6 at Gandy Causeway, St. Petersburg {Pinellas) 4 Jul (R. Smith); 350 at Fort Pickens 7 Jul (K. McMullen); 32 at Polk phos- phate mines 13 Jul, and 150 there 27 Jul (C. Geanangel, P. Timmer); 1 at North An- clote Bar 19 Jul (K. Tracey); 1 in breeding plumage at Merritt Island NWR 24 Jul (D. Freeland); 18 at Huguenot Memorial Park 28 Jul (R. Clark). Brown Noddy: 2 off Hillsboro Inlet 19 Jul (M. Berney). Black Noddy: 1 at Three Rooker Island {Pinellas) 12 Jun (R. Baltrunas, photos to FOC) was the first Florida report outside Dry Tortugas NP; 1 at Dry Tortugas NP 23 Jun (A. Bankert) perhaps was the bird found dead at Garden Key 19 Jul (B, Mack, photos to FOC; specimen not saved). Black Skimmer: 200 nests at Sand Key, Clearwater in late Jun (M. Korosy); 450 adults at Bird Islands in late Jul evidently produced no young (P. Leary); up to 150 sum- mered at Little Estero Lagoon (C. Ewell). White-winged Dove: fledglings visited a Valrico {Hillsborough) feeder in mid-May, with 6 birds there 9 Jun (S. Backes); singles at Cedar Key 14 Jun and 3 Jul (D. Hender- son); 2 at Punta Gorda 5 Jun (J. Bouton); 8 at LARA 16 Jun (H. Robinson); birds at feeders at Alligator and Bald points 17 Jun-EOS (J. Dozier, J. Murphy); 1 at Temple Terrace {Hillsborough) 27 Jun (B. Ahern); 1 at Spring Hill 29 Jun (A. and B. Hansen); at least 2 pairs at Crystal River {Citrus) throughout Jun (B. Smyth); 3 at Ocala NF {Marion) 24 Jul (J. Puschock); 3 adults and 2 juveniles summered at Gulf Breeze (B. and L. Duncan); juveniles summered at Gainesville (R. Rowan, E. Perry); juveniles summered at Ocala {Marion; P. Orr). Common Ground-Dove: 69 at LARA 11 Jun (H. Robinson); 1 presumed migrant or va- grant— breeders occur no closer than 30+ km to the E— at Gulf Breeze 26 Jul (B. and L. Duncan). Budgerigar: 1 blue morph, at St. Petersburg all Jun {fide R. Smith); 2 at Holiday 29 Jun (K. Tracey). Monk Parakeet: 4 at Dowling Park {Suwannee) 12 Jul (D. Dees); 5 at a nest on a bill- board along US-1 N of Fort Pierce 27 Jul (J, Brooks); 8 summered at a nest at Black Hammock Island {Duval; R. Clark). Field Observations 39 Scarlet Macaw: 2 along US-27, 5-8 km S of Clermont {Lake) 14 Jul (S. Christman, photo to FOC) furnished the first verifiable record in Florida. Yellow-billed Cuckoo: 12 at LARA 11 Jun (H. Robinson). Mangrove Cuckoo: 1 at Weedon Island Preserve {Pinellas) 13 Jul carried a fecal sac (J. Puschock). Burrowing Owl: 1 at LARA 18 Jun (H. Robinson); up to 12 near 1-75 {Hernando) throughout Jun (A. and B. Hansen, K. Tracey et aL). Short-eared Owl: 1 of the Antillean race at Fort Zachary Taylor State Historic Site, Key West 22 Jun (A. Bankert). Antillean Nighthawk: 1 possibly heard calling at Marco Island {Collier) 6 Jun (T. Doyle, K. O’Reilly-Doyle, K. Krauss), and 2 heard there 15 Jul (T. Davidowicz). Chuck- WILL’S-WIDOW: 13 at LARA 4 Jun (H. Robinson); 1 at Lignumvitae Key {Monroe) 5 Jul (B. Ahern, D. Powell, S. Backes). Chimney Swift: a chimney at New Port Richey, apparently not used for breeding, con- tained 178 birds 18 Jul (K. Tracey). Hummingbird species: 1 leucistic individual with dark irides at Bushnell {Sumter) 6 Jul {fide B. Ahern). Ruby-throated Hummingbird: 1 male at Loop Road {Monroe) 28 Jun (J. Boyd); 6 at St. Augustine {St. Johns) 15 Jul (J. Holstein); 1 at Castellow Hammock {Miami-Dade) 17-25 Jul (R. Hammer). Belted Kingfisher: 2 at LARA 18 Jun only (H. Robinson); 1 at Naples 4 Jul (L. Al- bright); 1 at Panther Key, Ten Thousand Islands NWR 10 Jul (T. Doyle). Red-headed Woodpecker: 1 at downtown Bradenton {Manatee) 21 Jun (E. Kwater). Red-COCKADED Woodpecker: 1 m a ditch at LARA 23 Jun (H. Robinson). Acadian Flycatcher: 1 along the Ocklawaha River, Ocala NF {Putnam) 11 Jul (J. Pus- chock). Gray Kingbird: 10, including 2 dependent juveniles, at Mayport 3 Jul (R. Clark). SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER: 1 at Fort Walton Beach STF 15 Jul (J. Ellis, J. Brashears). Loggerhead Shrike: 2 young fed by adults 7 Jun established the first breeding report for N Hutchinson Island {St. Lucie; J. Brooks); 1 at Bill Baggs Cape Florida SP {Mi- ami-Dade) 26 Jul (R. Diaz). Red-eyed VireO: 1 at LARA 11-16 Jun (H. Robinson); 1 at Merritt Island 24 Jul (B. Paxson). Black-whiskered VireO: no birds at Jack Island Preserve SP {St. Lucie) this season de- spite careful searches; birds have been absent from the site since 1995 (J. Brooks). Purple Martin: dozens roosted at a 30-apartment nest box at St. Petersburg through 23 Jun, but 0 were present 24 Jun {fide R. Smith); numbers at LARA peaked at 610 birds 6 Jul, then declined to 0 by 19 Jul (H. Robinson). Tree Swallow: 1 at LARA 30 Jul (H. Robinson). Northern Rough-winged Swallow: 3 fledglings fed by an adult at Punta Gorda 1 Jun (V. McGrath). Bank Swallow: 2 at LARA 1 Jun, and 1 there 19-21 Jul (H. Robinson); 1 at Gulf Breeze 26 Jul (B. Duncan). Cave/Cliff Swallow: 1 at LARA 7 Jun (J. Clifton, N. Prine). Barn Swallow: 1 at Polk phosphate mines 13 Jul (C. Geanangel, P. Timmer); 1 at Mer- ritt Island 16 Jul (D. Freeland); observed all summer at LARA, with 170 there 19 Jul (H, Robinson). American Robin: 1 at Orlando 9 Jun (J. Clifton). Gray Catbird: 2 at LARA 1 Jun, and 2 there 30 Jul (H. Robinson); at least three pairs summered at Gainesville (D. Leonard, C. McCaffrey); 1 heard at Hunters Lake, Spring Hill 2 Jul (A. and B. Hansen). Northern Mockingbird: 102 at LARA 6 Jul (H. Robinson). Superb Starling {Lamprotomis superbus): 1 at Hollywood Beach {Broward) 23 Jul (B. Roberts) furnished the first published Florida report, although B. Kelley (in litt.) ex- 40 FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST amined a photograph of an individual from Miami-Dade in the 1970s. The species is native to Africa. Northern Parula: 2 at LARA to 29 Jun (H. Robinson); 11 at Saddle Creek CP 30 Jul (P. Fellers). Yellow Warbler: 1 male sang at Gullivan Key (Collier) 5 Jun; other singing birds were heard from there in 2000 and 2002 (T, Doyle); 1 at LARA 19 Jul, and 5 there 30 Jul (H. Robinson). Prairie Warbler: singles at Ocala NF (Marion) 16, 17, 28, & 29 Jul (J. Puschock); 1 at LARA 19 Jul, and 30 there 30 Jul (H. Robinson). Black-and-white Warbler: 1 at San Felasco Hammock Preserve SP (Alachua) 7 Jul (B. Roberts). American Redstart: 1 at Newnans Lake 19 Jul (R. Rowan); 1 at Polk phosphate mines 27 Jul (C. Geanangel, P. Timmer); 2 at Saddle Creek CP 30 Jul (P. Fellers). Swainson’S Warbler: 1 sang at St. Marks NWR 15 Jun (J, Dozier, J. Murphy); 4 at St. James Island (Franklin) 22 Jun (J. Dozier, J. Murphy). Northern Waterthrush: 1 at Fort Drum (Okeechobee) 9 Jul (M. Gardler); 1 at Ocala NF (Marion) 29-31 Jul (J. Puschock). Louisiana Waterthrush: 2 at Fort George Island (Duval) 5 Jul (R. Clark); 2 at Fort Drum Marsh Conservation Area (Indian River) 9 Jul (M. Gardler, W. Biggs, B, and L. Cooper); 2 at LARA 13 Jul (H. Robinson); 1 at San Felasco Hammock 15 Jul (E. and L Scales). Hooded Warbler: 3 along the Ocklawaha River, Ocala NF 11 Jul (J. Puschock); 1 in mid-Pinellas 31 Jul (J. Fisher). Yellow-breasted Chat: 30 at LARA 11 Jun (H. Robinson). Eastern Towhee: 228 at LARA 30 Jul (H. Robinson). Florida Grasshopper Sparrow: 58 singing males at point counts (conducted in 9% of available habitat) at Kissimmee Prairie Preserve SP this season represented a 46% decline from 2002 (P. Miller et ah). Northern Cardinal: 186 at LARA 2 Jul (H. Robinson). Blue Grosbeak: 29 at LARA 29 Jun (H. Robinson). Indigo Bunting: 43 at LARA 6 Jul (H. Robinson). Painted Bunting: 1 at Bald Point 2 Jun (J. Dozier); up to 6 (11 Jun) at LARA (H. Rob- inson). Dickcissel: 4 at LARA 18 Jun-EOS (H. Robinson). Red-winged Blackbird: 3020 at LARA 30 Jul (H. Robinson). Boat-tailed Crackle: 4500 at LARA 27 Jul (H. Robinson). Shiny Cowbird: 2 female and 1 male at Homestead 4 Jul (J, Boyd); 3 at Alligator Point 12 Jul ( J. Murphy); up to 2 males at Cedar Key summered for the first time (D. Hend- erson); 2 summered at LARA (H. Robinson). Bronzed Cowbird: 1 at St. Marks NWR 20-25 Jun (S. McCool); 1 male at Castellow Hammock 25 Jul (L. Manfredi). Brown-headed Cowbird: 1 juvenile at Winter Park (Orange) 19 Jun (B. Anderson). Orchard Oriole: observed all summer at LARA, with 14 there 26 Jun (H. Robinson). House Finch: 1 pair at Orlando 5 Jun ff (N. Prine), and 1 female elsewhere in the city 6 Jul (J, Clifton); 1 female at Winter Park 9 Jun (B. Anderson); 1 pair at Sanford (Sem- inole) 13 Jun (N. Prine); 1 pair fledged 3 young at Tampa (Hillsborough) in Jun; but by 10 Jul, all were gone (B. Ahern); 1 male sang at Punta Gorda 25-27 Jun (J. Bou- ton); 1 female and 1 male at Sarasota (Sarasota) 29 Jun (D. Hayward); 1 at Mayport 3 Jul (R. Clark); 1 male sang at Lakeland 4 Jul (R. Paul), Tricolored Munia: 2 adults at Loop Road 28 Jun (J. Boyd, N. Freedman). Contributors: Brian Ahern, Larry Albright, Bruce Anderson, Lyn Atherton, Steve Backes, Peggy Baker, Ron Baltrunas, Andy Bankert, Mark Berney, Wes Biggs, Jeff Field Observations 41 Bouton, John Boyd, Julie Brashears, Jane Brooks, Cheryl Bunch, Charlie Buhrman, Bob Carroll, Steve Christman, Roger Clark, Joie Clifton, Mary Coerver, Buck and Linda Cooper, Tom Davidowicz, Lloyd Davis, David Dees, Robin Diaz, Terry Doyle, Jack Do- zier, Bob Duncan, Lucy Duncan, Kristin Ebersol, Joni Ellis, Charlie Ewell, Paul Fellers, Judy Fisher, Scott Flamand, Dan Forster, Nancy Freedman, David Freeland, Murray Gardler, Chuck Geanangel, A1 and Bev Hansen, Mary Hart, Don Ha5rward, Dale Hend- erson, Irene Hernandez, Michael Hill, John Hintermister, Jackie Holstein, Bob Kelley, Alan Knothe, Andy Kratter, Ken Krauss, Jerry Krummrich, Ed Kwater, Mary Lands- man, Patrick Leary, Dave Leonard, Bruce Mack, Larry Manfredi, C. McCaffrey, Sean McCool, Vince McGrath, Mike McMillian, Keith McMullen, Gail Menk, Paul Miller, John Murphy, Kathy O’Reilly-Doyle, Patty Orr, Carol Paine, Ann and Rich Paul, Bob Paxson, Evelyn Perry, James Pfeiffer, Cheri Pierce, Perry Ping, Peggy Powell, Bill Pranty, Nancy Prine, John Puschock, Bob Richter, Bryant Roberts, Harry Robinson, Rex Rowan, Charley Saleebe, Earl and Ingrid Scales, Mark Sees, Jason Seitz, David Simpson, Ray Smart, Ron Smith, Betty Smyth, Suzanne Starling, Pete Timmer, Ken Tracey, Raul Urgelles, Don Ware, and Michael Wilson. Spring 2003 reports not published previously: Sooty Shearwater: 5, feeding with terns, observed from Fort Pickens, Gulf Islands National Seashore {Escambia) 18 May (J. Lloyd). White-winged Dove: 1 at Keystone Heights {Clay) 23 May (Paul Stodola); Northern Waterthrush: 1 at Merritt Island 24 May (Bob Paxson). Report prepared by Bill Pranty, state compiler (Avian Ecology Lab, Archbold Biolog- ical Station, 123 Main Drive, Venus, Florida 33960; ). Regional compilers are Bruce H. Anderson (2917 Scarlet Road, Winter Park, Florida 32792; ), John H. Boyd III (15770 SW 104th Terrace, Apartment 103, Mi- ami, Florida 33196, ), Linda Cooper (558 Sunshine Boulevard, Haines City, Florida 33844-9540; ), Bob and Lucy Duncan (614 Fair- point Drive, Gulf Breeze, Florida 32561, ), Charlie Ewell (115 SW 51st Terrace, Cape Coral, Florida 33991, ), Bev Hansen (6573 Pine Meadows Drive, Spring Hill, Florida 34606; ), Gail Menk ((2725 Peachtree Drive, Tallahassee, Florida 32304; no e-mail), David Pow- ell (1407 Storington Avenue, Brandon, Florida 33511; ), and Peggy Powell (2965 Forest Circle, Jacksonville, Florida 32257; ). FLORIDA ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY COMMITTEES Archives Committee: Chair: WALTER K.' Taylor/ Department of Biological Sciences, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL 32816. E-mail: wtaylor@pegasus.cc.ucf edu. Members: ED SLANEY, DAVE GOODWIN, TOM WEBBER. Editorial Advisory Board: Chair: JAMES A. Rodgers, Jr., Wildlife Research Labora- tory, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 4005 S. Main St., Gaines- ville, FL 32601. E-mail: rodgerj@fwc. state. fl.us. Members: STEPHEN A. NESBITT, Todd Engstrom, Hank Smith, Eugene Stoccardo. Field Observations Committee: Chair: Bill Pranty, Avian Ecology Lab, Archbold Bi- ological Station, 123 Main Drive, Venus, FL 33960. E-mail: billpranty@hotmail.com. Members: Bruce H. Anderson, John Boyd III, Linda Cooper, Bob Duncan, Char- lie Ewell, Bev Hansen, Gail Menk, David Powell, Peggy Powell. Finance Committee: Chair: MURRAY Gardler. Members: Dean Jue (ex officio), David Stock, Fred Lohrer. Nominating Committee: Chair: Ann Paul. Member: Andy Kratter. Grants and Awards Committee: Chair, Cruickshank Research Award: STEVE NES- BITT, Wildlife Research Laboratory, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commis- sion, 4005 S. Main St., Gainesville, FL 32601. E-mail: Steve. Nesbitt@fwc.state.fl.us Members: PARKS SMALL, David Steadman, Hank Smith. Chair, Cruickshank Education Award: Katy NeSmith, Florida Natural Areas Inventoiy, 1018 Thomasville Rd., Suite 200-C, Tallahassee, FL 32303. E-mail: knesmith@fnai.org Members: JUDITH Buhrman AND SALLY JUE (staggered 3-year terms). Chair, William B. and Mary J. Robertson Fellowship Award: PETER G. MERRITT, 8558 SE Sharon St., Hobe Sound, FL 33455. Member: SALLY ROBERTSON. Records Committee: Managing Secretary: Reed Bowman, Archbold Biological Sta- tion, P.O. Box 2057, Lake Placid, FL 33862. Members: Lyn Atherton, Andy Kratter, Jon Greenlaw, Fred Lohrer, Mickey Wheeler, Todd Engstrom. Conservation Committee: Chair: JiM Cox, Tall Timbers Research Station, 13093 Hen- ry Beadel Dr., Tallahassee, FL 32312-9712. E-mail: necox@nettally.com. Members: TODD ENGSTROM, KEN MEYER, Ann PAUL, ERIC STOLEN. Membership Committee: Co-chair: JUDITH B. Buhrman, 6123 113th Street, #504, Seminole, FL 33772-6846. E-mail: JBuhrman@aoLcom. Co-Chair: TERRY J. DOYLE, Ten Thousand Islands NWR, 3860 Tollgate Blvd., Ste. 300, Naples, FL 34114. E-mail: (wk) Terry_Doyle@fws.gov; (hm) nfn20610@naples.net. Member: DEAN JUE. • ym^ ■ V tfMvxfii^A^rii •’»...i3f F#T1C4W’-'’VA,< *1 < >f («i'*4r4e|Mbii| '<’ »i *«’ . ‘"t ’3H**v'l»^.j'.jiBL 1 . j- ■'’■jjj , - w '- ■ H' ' > ■ 'f: ■ , -I'l.-.UA V ‘^-WAarr ^ v-^. •., ..•• . i;., , ,., MCSiikU;: LVf 4cii‘ : *’■: . •vKitr ^ *tv^‘ "lU^ijin cutn. V . 5' !!SW>- • ; :.■ I" yi'-'. .-.-o '.1-^.. 4 ''^ p|. «a,i* , ' : Miitki. -.- . ^ B„ji, K»-iiisa,' , A^*V'“' L*"'- "''' , ■.■■ ^ V- V-' IL- V * ' > i * i' li ? T •• H sT^f^irtr. ■’ >.t Mwj - 1, . * t;vn : Itm •r;“4l^: ■ *>- . . O . WUliiwp-^- *' '• . ■’ ’ ' ' "is ■ 4 r*.»ij*** ■ *5^ U^fiwiKy V ■ ' i. ' ? * k hi :%; , 'I ‘il |j u’ ■ f;sjr l- * ■ • Jputl! ^ A. Lp»;: ':. , , ^ *' ■ IK a- * '4 ' 1»* \ • i! ' *' ^WIlU.vv • <%► -.■ye'*a^ *■' ► ■Mv'. Florida Field Naturalist ISSN 0738-999X PUBLISHED BY THE FLORIDA ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY Editor: JEROME A. JACKSON, Whitaker Center, Arts & Sciences, Florida Gulf Coast Uni- versity, 10501 FGCU Blvd. South, Fort Myers, FL 33965. E-mail: picus@fgcu.edu Associate Editor (for Reviews): Reed Bowman, Archbold Biological Station, RO. Box 2057, Lake Placid, FL 33852 Associate Editor (for bird distribution): Bruce Anderson, 2917 Scarlet Road, Winter Park, FL 32792. E-mail: scizortail@aol.com Editor of the Ornithological Newsletter; TOM PALMER, 1805 26th Street, N.W, Win- ter Haven, FL 33881. E-mail: tomp47@yahoo.com Editor of Special Publications: Glen E. Woolfenden, Archbold Biological Station, P.O. Box 2057, Lake Placid, FL 33862. E-mail: gwoolfenden@archbold-station.org Web Page Editor: Eugene Stoccardo, 715 Warrenton Rd., Winter Park, FL 33792- 4541. E-mail: scrubjay@cfl.rr.com 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. We welcome submission of original manuscripts containing new information from these areas. We encourage electronic submission of manuscripts. Please consult recent issues of the journal for style, especially noting that manuscripts should: (1) be double-spaced throughout, including tables and figure captions; (2) include the scientific name at the first mention of each species; (3) include capitalized standardized English names for all birds, but lower case for English names of other organisms; (4) include metric units for all measurements; (5) use the form “7 June 2003” for all dates; (6) use the 24-hour clock for all indications of time (e.g., 0800, 1400); (7) use the following abbreviations: s (second), min (minute), h (hour); (8) preferentially use active voice. Submit manuscripts for Florida Field Naturalist to the Editor, Jerome A. Jackson. Monograph-length manuscripts may be submitted for consideration to Glen E. Wool- fenden, Editor of Special Publications. Books and other materials for review should be submitted to; Reed Bowman, Associate Editor for Reviews. Field Observations should be submitted to the Chair of the Field Observations Committee, Bill Pranty. Reports of rare birds in Florida should be submitted to the Managing Secretary of the FOS Records Com- mittee, Reed Bowman. Florida Field Naturalist PUBLISHED BY THE FLORIDA ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY VoL. 32, No. 1 February 2004 Pages 1-41 CONTENTS ARTICLES Loss of Tar and Gravel Rooftops in Pinellas County, Florida, and Potential Effects on Least Tern Populations. Elizabeth A. DeVries and Elizabeth A. Forys ........................................................ 1-6 FOURTEENTH REPORT OF THE FLORIDA ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY RECORDS COMMITTEE; 2001-2002 Reed Bowman, Secretary 7-33 FIELD OBSERVATIONS Summer report: June-July 2003 Bill Pranty 34-41 FC F6 3 Florida Field Naturalist PUBLISHED BY THE FLORIDA ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY VOL. 32, No. 2 May 2004 PAGES 43-74 FLORIDA ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY Founded 1972 Officers President: FRANCES C. JAMES, Department of Biological Science, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306-1100. E-mail; james@bio.fsu.edu Vice President: JOYCE KING, 11645 69th Way N., Largo, FL 33773. Secretary: PAMELA J. BoWEN, 309 Moonstone Dr., East Palatka, FL 32131. Treasurer: DEAN JUE, 3455 Dorchester Court, Tallahassee, FL 32312-1300. E-mail: djue@admin.fsu.edu Editor, Florida Field Naturalist: JEROME A. JACKSON, Whitaker Center, Arts & Sci- ences, Florida Gulf Coast University, 10501 FGCU Blvd. South, Fort Myers, FL 33965. Ex Officio: Immediate Past President: PETER G. MERRITT, 8558 SE Sharon St., Hobe Sound, FL 33455. Directors, Terms Expiring Spring 2004 Judy Bryan, 1924 SW 43rd Avenue, Gainesville, FL 32608 Brenda Rhodes, 2734 Rainbow Circle N, Jacksonville, FL 32217 Directors, Terms Expiring Spring 2005 Judith B. Buhrman, 6123 113th Street, #504, Seminole, FL 33772-6846 Terry J. Doyle, Ten Thousand Islands NWR, 3860 Tollgate Blvd., Ste. 300, Naples, FL 34114 Directors, Terms Expiring Spring 2006 Murray Gardler, 9400 Merriweather Drive, Brooksville, FL 34613-4271 David Stock, Department of Biology, Unit 8285, Stetson University, DeLand, FL 32723. 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; Ted Below 1999. 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 $20 for individual members (overseas $25), $25 for a family member- ship, $15 for students, $40 for contributing members and $25 for institutional membership. 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 undelivered 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. The Florida Ornithological Society web site can be found at www.fosbirds.org THIS PUBLICATION IS PRINTED ON NEUTRAL PH PAPER Florida Field Naturalist PUBLISHED BY THE FLORIDA ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY VOL, 32, No. 2 May 2004 PAGES 43Y3 Florida Field. Naturalist 32(2):43-47, 2004. EASTERN SCREECH-OWL USE OF NEST BOXES AT HOLIDAY HIGHI.ANDS SANCTUARY, ORANGE COUNTY, FLORIDA Richard Pooled and Christine Brown^ U50 Essex Drive, Longwood, FL 32779 Holiday Highlands Sanctuary (HHS), a 17-hectare lot owned by Audubon of Florida, is located 6.4 km NNE of Zellwood, Florida, The canopy, coYering 90% of the area, consists mainly of live oak {Quercus virginiana) and longleaf pine (Pinus palustris). Ground cover is vari- able with yellow jessamine (Gelsemium sempervirens)^ greenbriar {Smi- lax auriculata), and wiregrass {Aristida heyrichiana). The Eastern Screech-Owl {Megascops asio), found throughout Flor- ida, is more common in central and southern Florida and probably breeds throughout the state (Stevenson and Anderson 1994). A cavity nester, Eastern Screech-Owls readily nest in natural cavities and nest boxes (Grimes 1945). Eggs have been found in Florida from 15 March to 28 May and newly fledged young have been reported as late as 31 July (Stevenson and Anderson 1994). Fifteen nest boxes of various sizes were installed in HHS, 3-4 m high on trees, in 1976 and periodically thereafter (Table 1), Initially, most nest boxes were constructed of 2-cm outdoor plywood. At that time, many people helped with construction and various types of wood were used. Boxes had 3-m or more clearance in front of them and all were in partial or complete shade throughout the day From 1976 to 2003 a total of 122 boxes of various sizes have been placed in the sanc- tuary The largest number of boxes present and available for use at any one time was 46 in 2000. Between 1976 and 2003 we made 114 trips to monitor the boxes. No visits were conducted in 1994 and 14 trips, the maximum, were made in 1987. Mean number of trips per year was 4.2. Most visits were made from March through May Only occasional trips were made during other months and no trips were made in August and October. 43 44 FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST Table 1. Dimensions and orientation of nest boxes used by Eastern Screech- Owls for the greatest numbers of years at Holiday Highlands Sanctuary, 1976- 2003. Nest box Year erected Dimensions (DxWxH) Diameter of entrance hole Orientation from North'* No. of years used by Eastern Screech-Owls L 1976 18 xl8 X 25 cm 8 cm 280° 5 Q 1976 18 X 18 X 23 cm 8 cm 342° 5 A 1976 18 X 15 X 25 cm 8 cm 126° 4 E 1976 23 X 20 X 25 cm 8 cm 40° 4 G 1985 18 X 18 X 23 cm 8 cm 110° 4 J 1976 23 X 28 X 25 cm^ 8 cm 312° 4 I 1976 18 X 18 X 23 cm 6 cm 320° 3 J 1988 18 X 18 X 20 cm 8 cm 312° 3 0 1976 25 X 23 X 23 cm 6 cm 150° 3 P2 1985 23 X 20 X 33 cm 8 cm 210° 3 R99A 1999 13 X 15 X 18 cm 5 cm 0° 3 Z98 1998 25 X 25 X 41 cm 6 cm 45° 3 ‘‘The orientation of the front of the box is measured in degrees from due North. We found Eastern Screech-Owls in boxes from 1 January through 19 July, and on some of the few visits in September, November, and De- cember. The longest interval when young were seen in the same box during the same year was 35 days (15 April to 20 May 2001). The long- est period of egg sighting to young in the same box and year was 59 days (20 March to 18 May 1985). The longest periods of sighting an owl and later seeing young in the same year and in the same box were from 6 March to 16 May 1982, 71 days, and 1 February to 14 May 1986, 102 days. We found eggs in various boxes between 19 March and 30 May, and young between 6 April and 14 June. Number of eggs was not deter- mined because of concern for nest desertion. Number of young varied from 1-3 with two the mode. Yearly use of boxes by Screech-Owls varied from zero to ten (Table 2). The average number of boxes occupied per year was 3.5. In Novem- ber 1998, ornamental plant growers near Lake Apopka, approximately 6 km from the Audubon property, noticed impacts by a house mouse population {Mus musculus), a food source for Eastern Screech-Owls, and began an aggressive control plan. In the spring of 1999 residents of nearby communities surrounding Lake Apopka noticed an increase in the mouse population, with intrusion into residential buildings. The peak appears to have been in October 1999 when numerous govern- ment agencies worked on the problem (Pam Bowen, Saint Johns River Water Management District, pers. comm.). The infestation appeared to Poole and Brown—Eastern Screech-Owls in Nest Boxes 45 Table 2, Numbers of site visits, nest boxes occupied by Eastern Screech-Owls, and nest boxes occupied by other bird species at Holiday Highlands Sanctu- ary, 1976-2003, Year No. of visits Boxes occupied by Eastern Screech-Owls Boxes occupied by other bird species Vacant boxes 1976 3 3 1 16 1977 2 0 5 15 1978 6 5 5 10 1979 3 4 0 13 1980 2 1 0 16 1981 6 6 2 9 1982 4 6 1 10 1983 2 4 1 8 1984 2 0 0 13 1985 4 5 6 9 1986 6 6 1 14 1987 14 6 5 20 1988 4 3 1 28 1989 6 2 4 27 1990 6 3 5 23 1991 6 3 3 32 1992 4 3 3 38 1993 1 0 0 1995 1 0 0 21 1996 2 1 2 30 1997 3 1 3 27 1998 5 2 3 32 1999 6 5 1 33 2000 5 10 2 34 2001 5 2 7 34 2002 5 6 2 38 2003 5 7 1 37 ‘‘U denotes that the value is unknown or could not be calculated due to a lack of data. have subsided by December 1999. The greatest number of boxes used by owls, 10, occurred in 2000, suggesting that owls may have produced large broods the previous year. Florida is in the midst of a building boom in which large tracts of natural land are converted to residential and commercial uses. As trees are lost to development, birds are concentrated in the remaining prime areas, often forced onto less desirable habitat, or locally extirpated. Some cavity-nesting birds such as Eastern Screech-Owls may be de- prived of nesting sites. There are parks and small tracts of land, which, while not having trees large or old enough for natural cavities so that reproduction can occur, may provide a food source for Eastern Screech- Owls. Nest boxes for the owls may provide homes for some that other- 46 FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST wise may not nest. We had an Eastern Screech-Owl nest successfully in a box attached to a palm tree about 5 m from our front door while living in a condominium within a golf club community. Owls at HHS have used forty different boxes. The smallest occu- pied box was 13 X 13 X 20 cm (depth x width x height, inside measure- ments). The largest box was 25 x 25 x 41 cm. Entrance holes varied from 5 to 8 cm in diameter. Publications about boxes for Eastern Screech-Owls suggest that boxes must have an 8-cm-diameter en- trance or larger, although Conner et al. (1996) found Eastern Screech- Owls used entrance holes less than 7-cm diameter. Northern Eastern Screech-Owls, M. a. maxwelliae, average 220 g, Florida Screech-Owls, M. a. floridanus, 167 g (Karalus and Eckert 1974). Gehlbach (1995) also states screech-owls in the southeast are smaller than northern and western screech-owls. The larger owls would require larger holes, while the smaller Florida owls could use the smaller hole size. En- trance orientation had no influence on occupancy, as boxes used were almost equally divided among the NE, SE, SW and NW quadrants. Four of the nest boxes used for the greatest numbers of years at HHS had entrance holes less than 7-cm diameter (Table 1). Dimensions listed for screech-owl box construction are 20 x 20 x 30 cm (Anon. 1969, Champion 1961, McElroy 1968). However, seven nest boxes used at HHS for the greatest number of years were smaller than the listed dimen- sions. The possibility exists that dimensions listed for Eastern Screech- Owl boxes are for the larger owls and may not reflect the specific needs of the smaller floridanus population. Depth of cavity is misleading as we have seen some boxes with the entrance hole in the middle of the vertical front panel. Height from the floor of the box to the bottom of the entrance hole should be specified when giving directions for box construction. Belthoff and Ritchison (1990) found Eastern Screech-Owls selected nest sites based on depth of cavity, and, to a lesser degree, on entrance size and entrance height from base of box. Eastern Screech-Owls nesting in Florida have nested successfully in much smaller boxes than those sug- gested for Eastern Screech-Owls, although Gehlbach (1994) suggested small boxes may increase the likelihood of mortality. Our data neither support nor contradict his suggestion. Other species found using the nest boxes included: Great Crested Flycatcher (Myiarchus crinitus) found in 27 different boxes; southern flying squirrel (Glaucomys volans), 50 boxes; gray squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis), 31 boxes; Tufted Titmouse (Baeolophus bicolor), 6 boxes; and yellow rat snake (Elaphe obsoleta) 8 boxes. The flycatchers, titmice and gray squirrels used the boxes to raise young. No young fl3dng squir- rels were seen. One box held at least 12 fl3dng squirrels; the bottom looked like it was carpeted. One snake was found in the same box for two consecutive years. A skin found on top of the box was four feet long. Poole and Brown — Eastern Screech-Owls in Nest Boxes 47 Acknowledgments We appreciate the constructive comments made by B. H. Anderson and R J. Bowen on our initial draft. We also thank the many volunteers who have assisted over the years. Literature Cited Anon. 1969. Homes for Birds. Conservation Bulletin 14. U.S. Department of the Interior. Belthoff, J. R., and G. Ritchison. 1990. Nest-site selection by Eastern Screech-Owls in central Kentucky. Condor 92:982-990. Champion, P. V. 1961. Birdhouses. The Bruce Publishing Company, Milwaukee, WI. Conner, C. N., D. C. Rudolph, D. S. Saenz, and R.R. Schaeffer 1996. Red-Cockaded Woodpecker nesting success, forest structure and southern flying squirrels in Texas. Wilson’s Bulletin 108:697-711. Gehlbach, F. R. 1994. The Eastern Screech-Owl: life history, ecology and behavior in the suburbs and countryside. Texas A&M University Press, College Station. Gehlbach, F. R. 1995. Eastern Screech-Owl {Otus asio). In The Birds of North America, No. 165 (A. Poole and F. Gill, eds.). The Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia, and The American Ornithologists’ Union, Washington, D.C. Grimes, S. A. 1945. Birds of Duval County. Florida Naturalist 18:17-25; 19:1-11. Karalus, K, and a. W. Eckert. 1974. The owls of North America. Doubleday, New York, NY. McElroy, T. P. 1968. The new handbook of attracting birds. Alfred A. Knopf, New York. Stevenson, H. M., and B. H. Anderson. 1994. The birdlife of Florida. University Press of Florida, Gainesville. 48 NOTES Florida Field Naturalist 32(2);48-50, 2004. A SPECIMEN OF THE VARIED THRUSH FROM FLORIDA Glen E. Woolfenden^ and Richard C. Banks^ ^Archbold Biological Station, Lake Placid, Florida 33852 ^U.S. Geological Survey, Patuxent Wildlife Research Center National Museum of Natural History, MRC-111, Washington, DC 20560-0111 On 17 November 2002 a Varied Thrush {Ixoreus naevius) was killed when it struck a window of a home in Panama City, Bay County, Florida. Richard Ingram of the Bay County Audubon Society kindly sent the specimen to GEW, who prepared it as a study skin (Fig. 1). The specimen (GEW 5950) is of a female (ovary: 6x2 mm, minutely granu- lar). The bird weighed 65.5 g and had no fat. Based on the shape of the tips of the prima- ries and outer rectrices the individual was in its hatching year (Pyle 1997). The Varied Thrush now has been reported five times in Florida (Robertson and Wool- fenden 1992; Kittleson, pers. comm.). The first report was from Palm Beach County, 23- 26 October 1977 (Edscorn 1978). This individual was photographed (Tali Timbers Re- search Station, archives, photos 115-116) and constitutes the first verifiable record of the species from Florida. The second and third reports are from the panhandle (Loftin et al. 1991), namely Escambia County, Ft. Pickens, 8-12 November 1984 (Purrington 1985), and Bay County, Panama City, 9-30 January 1988 (Muth 1989). The fourth re- port comes from Pinellas County, Honeymoon Island State Park, 1-5 November 1996 (Warner 1997). Thus three of the five reports are from the western portion of the Florida panhandle (Escambia and Bay counties); the other two are from the Florida peninsula (Pinellas and Palm Beach counties). Because the report we submit is based on a study skin specimen we had the opportu- nity to attempt to determine the probable region where the individual was hatched. Al- though only weakly differentiated from each other, two races of the Varied Thrush generally are recognized, I n. naevius and /. n. meruloides (AOU 1957; George 2000). When compared with 1. n. naevius, females of I. n. meruloides are paler and grayer. Based on comparison with specimens in the National Museum of Natural History RCB judged the Florida specimen represents the race meruloides. I. n. naevius breeds along the Pacific coast of North America from Alaska to California; /. n. meruloides (including 7. n. godfreii of Phillips 19911 breeds farther east in the mountains from Alaska south into Idaho and Montana. Apparently all strays found east of the normal wintering range for the species are thought to be representatives of this race (AOU 1957). Reed Bowman photographed the specimen. We thank him. Literature Cited AOU. 1957. The A. O. U. Check-list of North American Birds, 5‘^ ed. American Ornitholo- gists’ Union. Edscorn, J. B. 1978. Florida Region. American Birds 32:193-197. George, T. L. 2000. Varied Thrush {Ixoreus naevius). In The Birds of North America, No. 541 (A. Poole and F. Gill, Eds.). The Birds of North America, Inc., Philadelphia, PA. Loftin, R. W., G. E. Woolfenden, and J, A. Woolfenden. 1991. Florida bird records in American Birds and Audubon Field Notes 1947-1989. Special Publication No. 4, Florida Ornithological Society. Notes 49 Figure 1. Lateral and ventral view of Varied Thrush study skin specimen (GEW 6950) from Panama City, Bay County, Florida. 50 FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST Muth, D. R 1989. Central South Region. American Birds 43:323-328. Phillips, A. R. 1991. The known birds of North and Middle America, Part 2. Published by the author, Denver, CO. PURRINGTON, R, D. 1985. Central Southern Region. American Birds 39:63-67. Pyle, P. 1997. Identification guide to North American birds, Part 1 Coliimbidae to Plo- ceidae. Braun-Bromfield, Inc., Ann Arbor, MI. Robertson, W. B., Jr,, and G. E. Woolfenden. 1992. Florida bird species: an annotated list. Special Publication No. 6, Florida Ornithological Society. Wamer, N. 1977. Florida Region. Field Notes 51:43-46. 51 Florida Field Naturalist 32(2):51-55, 2004. DISCOVERY AND HABITAT USE OF BLACK RAILS ALONG THE CENTRAL FLORIDA GULF COAST Bill Prantyi-®, Donald J. Robinson^, Mary Barnwell^ Clay Black^, and Ken Tracey^ ^8515 Village Mill Row, Bayonet Point, Florida 34667-2662 E-Mail: billpranty@hotmaiLcom ^16 Applejack Court, Spring Hill, Florida 34601 ^Southwest Florida Water Management District 2379 Broad Street, Brooksville, Florida 34609 ^5662 Fieldspring Avenue, New Port Richey, Florida 34655 ^Current address: Avian Ecology Lah, Archbold Biological Station 123 Main Drive, Venus, Florida 33960 On the morning of 20 December 1997, Barnwell, Robinson, and other biologists found the carcass of a Black Rail {Laterallus jamaicensis) in a tire rut in a salt marsh at Weekiwachee Preserve, Hernando County. The rail (Archbold Biological Station; ABS 1323, a male) apparently had been run over the previous evening by the same biologists as they baited black bear (Ursus americanus) traps! Three days later, on the Aripeka“ Bayport Christmas Bird Count (CBC; Pranty and Hansen 1998), David Goodwin and Erik Haney heard a Black Rail respond to tape playback in a salt marsh between Bay- port and Pine Island, about 12 km north of the Weekiwachee Preserve location. We sus- pected that Black Rails must be present elsewhere in the region, so we initiated surveys at four sites in spring 1998. Methods. -—-InitiOil surveys took place at Weekiwachee Preserve. Once we were familiar with Black Rail habitat, we surveyed two other publicly-owned sites with suitable habi- tat: Crystal River State Buffer Preserve in Citrus County and Werner-Boyce Salt Springs State Park in Pasco County. We also surveyed the CBC site and all saltmarsh habitat up to 2.5 km to the north and south. Formal surveys were performed during mornings (ca, 0700-0900) and evenings (ca. 1930-2130) from 2 March to 5 April 1998. To rule out the possibility that all of the rails encountered in 1998 were solely migrants or winter resi- dents, we resurveyed Weekiwachee Preserve on 24 June 2000. Outside of these periods, we encountered Black Rails informally during the course of other fieldwork, including post-dawn surveys during CBCs. Most surveys were conducted on days with little or no wind, and surveys generally followed the methodology of Runde et al. (1990) and the rec- ommendations of Legare (1996). We recorded Black Rail calls onto 30-second loop tapes and broadcast them from portable tape players. We copied the Kic-kic-kerr (i.e., Kick-ee- doo) and Growl calls from Peterson (1991), and the Kic-kic-kerr and Churt calls from El- liott et al. (1997). At each station, we played the tape for 2-5 minutes, alternating with pe- riods of silence to listen for responding rails. We provide numbers of Black Rails encountered during our surveys (Table 1) and do not attempt to estimate the overall pop- ulation size at any site. Identification of marsh vegetation was aided by Tobe et al. (1998). Survey results. — We found 27 Black Rails at three sites: Crystal River State Buffer Preserve, Weekiwachee Preserve, and Werner-Boyce Salt Springs State Park (Table 1). None of these sites previously was known to support Black Rails. Most rails (17 of 27; 62%) were found at Weekiwachee Preserve (Table 1). Effort at the sites varied: Weeki- wachee Preserve was surveyed repeatedly; a single site at Crystal River State Buffer 52 FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST H C3 ? Q .E 5 eo © §.S 15 S<1 0) g ^ S tg 2 ai OJ I fi • 3 * S ? 0^ 3 g «3 g Ph § 'S ‘-g ^ % ^ s s I bfi ft® ^•S3 I II i-a oils W 0^ cd 05 IS e ® s !■§ g ^ o Q) X h O * ® g 85 .^1 oi s o •i-i . * © 45 ® P3 ^ u |g a| u ® % " S & - ^ I . -cS o fl pfi p5 3 O r. ed 00 1“ |J-g 9; o '» a ,2 s® <» g g * a £ qad % Cd CL s ®* « * > ^ 0) m ^ P 43 g 3 ^ p £ * ® ^ 3 ^ 13 p.^ 3 fli *3 O $ M 'g ^ Q >3 M SS § _ ed d ® g j® cc ME ||g 3 p ® U ^ sh ^ © O 3 ft § “ I 'g 3^0 % p 3 ^ ^ k ft « pg • ® ^ 3 P H 45 P $ § ^ o P* o '3 ^ 3 P GO ^ 2 m S 3 5^ S Q ^ SL M CO 3 lOcorHOJiHcqcarHeqcMcqcqcN^ 6) CO a o 3 3 O "3 3 M 3 g s rH ^ m m S w' E> ZD O CO CO ^ “ w' 00 CO tH oq rH (M H H ft H 3 3 o O CO OT P ^.S O ft S JS s 00 00 <3^ 05 05 05 tH ^1 00 00 00 00 05 05 05 05 05 05 05 05 1-H rH ^ X 3 3 3 a a 3 ft ft o o ?H ^ 3 3 g s 00 00 t-h (M O O o oq p p 4 o ^ (M cq O o o o o (N oq M 5-1 m hD 3 •g a, m 3 m p o m g p e .p 00 W CO GO w w lO CO ft ft ft CO CO LO lO oq oq ft ft p p Q P 05 05 cq o o (M 00 s_ ^ ^ 2 S ^ « I p S p CO lo oq t-H m a 3 a < O Notes 53 Preserve was surveyed three times; and three sites at Werner-Boyce Salt Springs State Park were surveyed once or twice each. Most Black Rails found during our surveys were heard only, but we observed two individuals at Weekiwachee Preserve. We did not lo- cate any Black Rails at or near the CBC site. Habitat. — The coastlines of Citrus, Hernando, and Pasco counties contain many thousands of hectares of marshes. Most of these marshes are composed of tall, dense stands of needlerush (Juncus roemerianus) that are unlikely to support Black Rails due to tidal fluctuation. We encountered no Black Rails in the few Juncus marshes that we surveyed. We also did not detect rails in short-stature, tidal and non-tidal cordgrass {SpartinOi alterniflora and S. cynosuroides) marshes. Rather, all the Black Rails that we encountered inhabited short (<50 cm), open patches of non-tidal sawgrass {Cladium ja- maicensis) that grew in the uppermost (i.e., “highest”) marshes. Some of these sawgrass patches were tiny (<1 ha) and abutted coastal hydric hammocks composed primarily of cabbage palms (Sabal palmetto) and pines (Pinus spp.). Many of the Black Rails that we discovered were located within a few meters of these forests, and a few rails called from within a sparse coverage of mature cabbage palms. Other plants found in association with Black Rail habitat at our survey sites were eastern redcedar (Juniperus virgini- ana), common buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis), marsh elder (Ira frutescens), pe- rennial glasswort (Sarcocornia perennis), Virginia saltmarsh mallow (Losteletzkya virginica), muhly (Muhlenbergia spp.), and numerous other grasses and forbs. This veg- etation grew in a mosaic that included patches of bare or sparsely vegetated ground and patches of shallow water in natural and artificial (e.g., tire ruts) depressions. A bedrock of limestone was found at or just below the ground surface at each site. Discussion. — ^Along the central Gulf coast of Florida, Stevenson and Anderson (1994) reported Black Rails occurring in Citrus, Hillsborough, Manatee, Pinellas, and Sarasota counties. Only one of these reports confirmed breeding: an adult accompanied by young 9.6 km east of Clearwater, Pinellas County, on 11 May 1927 (Howell 1932, Stevenson and Anderson 1994). From mid-March through July 1989, Runde et ah (1990) encoun- tered Black Rails at 15 sites along the Gulf coast from Franklin County to Taylor County, at Lake Woodruff National Wildlife Refuge in Volusia County, and at St. Johns National Wildlife Refuge in Brevard County. Many of these sites were not previously known to support Black Rails. Although our surveys likewise were cursory and did not confirm breeding of Black Rails at any site, we extended the known distribution of Black Rails along the Florida Gulf coast south to central Pasco County. Furthermore, the results of Runde’s et al. (1990) and our studies indicate that even brief surveys can add to our knowledge of this little-known species. We believe that we encountered most or all of the rails that inhabited the few patches of high marsh at Weekiwachee Preserve, but we undoubtedly overlooked many rails at Crystal River State Buffer Preserve and Werner-Boyce Salt Springs State Park, sites that contain much high marsh habitat. Suitable habitat appears to be locally com- mon in salt marshes of Citrus, Hernando, and Pasco counties, so it seems likely that dozens or perhaps even hundreds of additional Black Rails remain to be discovered. Nearly all of the rails that we encountered were located along or near the 5-foot contour line shown on United States Geological Survey topographic quadrangle maps. If Black Rails are limited to this narrow elevational zone, then future surveys may be able to tar- get suitable habitat by examining topographic maps. Additionally, patches of open sawgrass marshland were visible as lighter-colored polygons on infrared aerial photo- graphs, which may further aid survey efforts. Runde et al. (1990) recommended surve3dng eastern Panhandle and Big Bend marshes during high tides, when Black Rails would be concentrated along the upper edges of marshes. In central Florida, where the marshes are wide, the Black Rails we encountered were located considerable distances from flowing water — more than 1.5 km in some cases. The only surface water present were small rain puddles, so it was not necessary to time 54 FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST our surveys according to tides. Runde et al. (1990) conducted surveys between 2100 and 0430. We found that rails responded readily to tape playback up to two hours after sun- rise. Surveys after 0900, however, appeared to elicit considerably fewer responses from rails. Our findings matched Legare's (1996) results from Dixie and Brevard counties, Flor- ida. In a study of Black Rails in California, Spear et al. (1999) determined that the periods of greatest response to tape playback were during the 90 minutes following sunset and preceding sunrise. Based on data gathered in Florida, Legare et al. (1999) recommended surveying for Black Rails 0-12(^ 11.1:0. Autes after sunset and before sunrise. Black Rails vary significantly in response to tape playback depending upon time and season of surveys, sex and breeding condition of individuals, and other factors (Legare et al. 1999, Spear et al. 1999). Based on field trials in Florida using radio telemetry, males responded nearly equally with the Kic-kic-kerr (48%) and Growl (46%) calls, while the Churt call (6%) was rare. Females responded mostly with Churt calls (65%), less fre- quently with the Growl (29%), and rarely with Kic-kic-kerr (5%; Legare 1996, Legare et al. 1999). We did not record the frequency of the calls that v/e heard, but the Churt call was rare. The Churt call also was more difficult to hear compared to the other calls, and usually was uttered only once, which matched Legare’s (1996) findings. Many Black Rails that responded to our tape playbacks appeared to give both Kic-kic-kerr and Growl calls, and at least two individuals responded v/ith lengthy periods of Kic-kic-kerr calls given in quick succession. On a few occasions, Black Rails gave unprompted Kic-kic-kerr calls prior to our use of tape playback. Although Black Rail habitat at Weekiwachee Preserve and Werner-Boyce Salt Springs State Park are bordered by subdivisions, the threat of additional habitat loss from coastal development is minor, since most high marshland along the Florida Gulf coast between St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge and Werner-Boyce Salt Springs State Park now is under public ownership (Jue et al. 2001). Williams et al. (1999) documented a replacement of coastal hydric hammocks by salt marsh at Waccasassa Bay, Levy County, during 1992-1995. They attributed forest loss to a mean sea level rise of 1.5 mm/ year between 1939 and 1994, Their study suggested that high marshland may also be at risk from increasing salinity rates due to rising seas. Effects of such habitat changes to Black Rail populations occupying coastal areas along Florida’s Gulf coast are unknown and deserve study. We thank Brian Ahern, David Goodwin, Erik Haney, Al and Bev Hansen, David Pow- ell, Judy Smith, and others for assisting with our surveys. Gianfranco Basili, Helen Lov- ell, and two anonymous reviewers improved drafts of the manuscript. Literature Cited Eddleman, W. R., R. E. Flores, and M. L. Legare. 1994. Black Rail (Laterallus jamai- censis). In The Birds of North America, No. 123 (A. Poole and F. Gill, Eds.). The Acad- emy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia, and The American Ornithologists’ Union, Washington, D.C. Elliott, L., D. Stokes, and L. Stokes. 1997. Stokes field guide to bird songs, eastern region (cassette tapes). Time Warner, New York. Howell, A. H. 1932. Florida bird life. Coward-McCann, Inc., New York. Jue, S., C. Kindell, and J. Wojcik. 2001. Florida conservation lands 2001. Florida Nat- ural Ar'eas Inventory, Tallahassee. Legare, M. L. 1996. The effectiveness of tape playbacks in estimating population densi- ties of breeding Black Rails (Laterallus jamaicensis) in Florida. M.Sc. Thesis, Univer- sity of Rhode Island, Kingston. Legare, M. L., W. R. Eddelman, P. A. Buckley, and C. Kelly. 1999. The effectiveness of tape playback in estimating Black Rail density. Journal of Wildlife Management 63:116-125. Notes 55 Peterson, R. T., editor, 1991. Western bird songs (compact discs). Houghton-Mifflin. Boston. Pranty, B, [and B. Hansen]. 1998. Aripeka-Bayport, FL [1997-1998 Christmas Bird Count]. The ninety-eight Christmas Bird Count, 1997-1998. Field Notes 229. Runde, D. E., P. D. Southall, J. A. Hovis, R. Sullivan, and R. B. Renken. 1990. Re- cent records and survey methods for the Black Rail in Florida. Florida Field Natural- ist 18:33-35. Spear, L. B., S. B. Terrill, C. Lenihan, and P, Delevoryas. 1999. Effects of temporal and environmental factors on the probability of detecting California Black Rails. Journal of Field Ornithology 70:465-480. Stevenson, H, M., and B. H. Anderson. 1994. The birdlife of Florida. University Press of Florida, Gainesville. Tobe, j. D., K. C. Burks, R. W. Cantrell, M. A. Garland, M. E. Sweeney, D. W. Hall, P. Wallace, G. Anglin, G. Nelson, J. R. Cooper, D. Bickner, K. Gilbert, N. Ay- MOND, K. Greenwood, and N. Raymond, 1998. Florida wetland plants: an identifi- cation manual. University Press of Florida, Gainesville. Williams, K., K. C. Ewel, R. P. Stumpf, F. E. Putz, and T. W. Workman. 1999. Sea level rise and coastal forest retreat on the west coast of Florida, USA. Ecology 80:2045-2063. 56 Florida Field Naturalist 32(2):56»5§, 2004. THE EPHEMEEAL BLUISH NECKLACE OF THE CERULEAN WARBLER James E. Cavanagh, Jr. Department of Anatomy, Florida State University College of Medicine, Tallahassee, Florida 32306 Current address: 3950 Bellac Road, Tallahassee, Florida 32303-2648 According to Roger Tory Peterson the male Cerulean Warbler {Dendroica cerulea) usually forages so high that the “narrow black ring crossing the upper breast is the best mark” for identification of the species (Peterson 1947). Earlier, Chapman recorded the color of the breast band as bluish black (Chapman 1896); more recent publications de- scribe it as dusky or bluish (Stevenson 1960) and black (Dunn and Garrett 1997). The streaking along this warbler’s sides similarly has been described as being bluish or black. I photographed the same individual in different postures at St. George Island, Frank- lin County, Florida on 17 April 1999, and the photos reveal a black pectoral band when it is partly in the bird’s shadow, but a bluish black band when the bird is perched in a more upright position Figure 1, I examined six male Cerulean Warbler specimens at Tall Timbers Research Station, Tallahassee, Florida using a Leica 10-X zoom dissecting microscope with a lateral over- head “Daylight” source. Individual pectoral band contour feathers v/ere one centimeter in length and occupied several rows. Each feather had a white racMs. The barbs were mostly black with white tips and the accompan5ring barbules had similar color distribu- Figure 1* Male Cerulean Warbler photographed on St, George Island, Franklin County, Florida, 17 April 1999, The slender, but prominent, breast band when viewed from this angle appeared to be bluish black. Notes 57 Figure 2. Sketch using a Leica 10-X dissecting microscope of a pectoral band contour feather (right side only) of a male Cerulean Warbler, revealing tip and base composed of white barbs and barbules, while intermediate barbs and bar- bules are black. 58 FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST tion (Fig. 2). When these white tips _ closely overlapped,., the Mack portions, of underlying pectoral band contour feathers, the white tips glowed with a blue-gray color when sub- jected to light. In bright sunshine the band appeared black when the specimens were held with the breast held horizontally (facing downward) and bluish when the speci- mens were held with the breast held vertically (tail down, similar to the bird in Fig. 1). Colored light wavelengths are measured peak to peak (as in ocean waves) and blue waves are the shortest at 0.45 microns (Greenewalt 1960). According to Prum et al. (2003) the “colors of avian plumage are produced by chemical pigments, or by nanometer-scale bi- ological structures that differentially scatter, or reflect wavelengths of light.” The spongy medullary layer of feather barbs is composed of a matrix of keratin (protein) rods and air vacuoles of varying shapes and sizes (Prum et al. 1999). The barbules of hummingbird gorgets contain complex well-ordered matrices of thin keratin layers called “films” which encase tiny air bubbles (Greenewalt 1960). In both cases a myriad of keratin-air interfaces are present which produce structural colors by refraction (bending) and reflectance. Con- structive interference occurs when two light waves of the same color reflect off keratin-air interfaces in close approximation and unite in phase (coinciding peaks) thus doubling the intensity of the color (Greenewalt 1960). In Greenewalt’s stacked barbule “films” the num- ber of rebounding in-phase united waves is increased sufficiently to produce the brilliance of iridescence with its unique ability to change hue with the angle of observation. When Greenewalt was stud^ying the phenomena, iridescence was thought to be synonymous with coherent scattering, or interference (Prum and Torres 2003). Until recently the blue plumage of most birds was thought to be related to Tyndall or Rayleigh random (incoherent) scattering of blue light waves from small particles (slightly larger than blue waves) in the barbs and this phenomenon was also thought to be responsible for the blue color of the sky (Welty 1975). Prum et al. (1999) used two-di- mensional Fourier analysis to demonstrate that structural colors of feather barbs are “produced by constructive interference of coherently scattered light waves from the opti- cally heterogeneous matrix of keratin and air in the spongy medullary layer.” Thus, both iridescent and non-iridescent structural colors can be produced by coherent scattering (Prum and Torres 2003). The blue color of the Cerulean Warbler results from constructive interference and is structural in nature. The blue-gray glow of the pectoral band appears to be localized to the white tips of the black barbs in the band and is dependent on direct incident light. It does not change hue with the angle of observation. The white tips may act as a vehicle to illuminate blue waves reflected off underlying black barbs. Nevertheless, apart from the white tips, the pectoral band is actually black. Acknowledgments I thank R. Todd Engstrom, Francis James, and James W. Patty for suggested im- provements to the manuscript, and R. Todd Engstrom and Jim Cox for assistance at Tall Timbers Research Station. Literature Cited Chapman, F. M. 1896. Birds of eastern North America. D. Appleton and Company, New York. Dunn, J., and K. Garrett. 1997. A field guide to warblers of North America. Houghton Mifflin, Boston, MA. Greenewalt, C. H. 1960. Hummingbirds. Doubleday and Company, Garden City, NY. Peterson, R. T. 1947. A field guide to the birds. Houghton Mifflin, Boston, MA. Prum, R. O., S. Andersson, and R. H. Torres. 2003. Coherent scattering of ultraviolet light by avian feather barbs. Auk 120:163-170. Notes 59 Prum, R. O., and R. H. Torres. 2003. Structural colouration of avian skin: convergent evolution of coherently scattering dermal collagen arrays. Journal of Experimental Biology 206:2409-2429. Prum, R. O., R. Torres, S. Williamson, and J. Dyck, 1999. Two-dimensional Fourier analysis of the spongy medullary keratin of structurally coloured feather barbs. Pro- ceedings of the Royal Society of London 266:13-22. Stevenson, H. M. 1960. A key to Florida birds. Peninsular Publishing Company, Talla- hassee, FL. Welty, J, C, 1975. The life of birds. Second Edition. W.B. Saunders, Philadelphia, PA. Florida Field Naturalist 32(2):60-62, 2004. REVIEW Florida’s Snakes: A Guide to their Identification and Habits. — Richard D. Bartlett and Patricia P. Bartlett. 2003. University Press of Florida, Gainesville, Florida. 182 pages. $24.95 paperback. ISBN 0-8130-2636-9. — For individuals interested in the snakes of Florida, several field guides and reference texts exist. The objective of field guides is to help identify species, whereas reference texts provide comprehensive infor- mation about the biology of individual species. At a regional level, Conant and Collins (1998) is an excellent field guide to amphibians and reptiles in the eastern US., while Ernst and Barbour (1989) and Ernst and Ernst (2003) are thorough reference texts for snakes of the eastern US., and the entire US. and Canada, respectively. The downside of using these regional texts is that they contain much more information than is needed if your only interest is snakes of Florida. However, if you have general interests in snakes of the eastern US., I strongly recommend these excellent texts. If you are interested only in the snakes of Florida, two field guides exist: Ashton and Ashton (1981) and Tennant (1997; recently re-released by a new publisher as Tennant 2003). Thus, field guides to snakes of Florida are available. However, neither of these serves well as a reference text. A recent trend is for state guides to amphibians and rep- tiles to serve as both field guide and reference text (e.g., contrast Hariimerson (1982) with Hammerson (1999) for amphibians and reptiles of Colorado). This is probably be- cause excellent regional field guides preclude the need for state-oriented field guides. A text similar to Hammerson (1999), for amphibians and reptiles of Florida, would be an important contribution. Bartlett and Bartlett’s (2003) new book does not fill this need, but is uniquely different than previously existing field guides to snakes of Florida. The book begins with brief sections (each two to eight pages in length) about habitats of Florida, how to use the book, how to care for captive snakes, how to locate snakes, general biology of snakes, legal status of Florida snakes, taxonomy and classification, and legless lizards. These sections are introductory and will be of use to individuals without much knowledge of snakes. In general the content is adequate (though better addressed in Con- ant and Collins (1998)), but not always. Coverage of snakebite, an important topic in a book about snakes (it should have its own section), is not extensive. No recommendations are made about how to avoid snakebite, and what to do if bitten, other than to “find a qualified doctor . . . before a need arises.” The section titled “Snakes and the Florida Law” lists pro- tected snakes and designates each as simply state or federally protected. This is a missed opportunity to quickly inform about the causes of the conservation status of Florida’s snakes. The section on taxonomy and classification is a haphazard collection of opinions, rather than appropriately cited sources of current taxonomy. The authors state that taxon- omy is in a current state of upheaval and write that “in time, taxonomy may again become less conjectural.” Yet, taxonomy has always been unstable, requiring revision when new in- formation becomes available. Further, much of the current controversy in taxonomy is due to persistence of a pre-evolutionary taxonomic scheme (the Linnean hierarchy) in the face of mounting pressure for a new systematic framework explicitly reflecting evolutionary history (see essay 21 in Gould (2003)). Additionally, the authors write “sadly, there is also a current school of thought holding that allopatrism (noncontiguous populations) equates to speciation.” Few, if any, systematists name groups of organisms simply based on allopatry. Most of the book consists of descriptions of individual species. Snakes are divided into nonvenomous and venomous snakes. Within each group, species accounts are ar- ranged by higher taxonomic level, with a brief introduction to the family, subfamily, and genus. These introductory sections contain detailed husbandry information. Accounts for snakes endemic to Florida are followed by species accounts for introduced species. Separate accounts are provided for every subspecies that occurs in Florida. Review 61 Information for each snateis divided into nin®' categories: (1) venom status; (2) size; (3) identification; (4) behavior; (5) habitat/range; (6) abundance; (7) prey; (8) reproduc- tion; (9) similar snakes. For snakes with more than one subspecies in Florida, informa- tion on these topics is only provided for one subspecies. Identifying characteristics, geographic range and habitat are provided for additional subspecies. Intuitively, one would expect the lead subspecies to be the widest ranging, or the subspecies for which the most information is available. This is not the case. Subspecies that occur only in Florida are given lead status, even when the amount of information available for that subspecies is much less than for the wider ranging subspecies (e.g., the Key Ring-necked Snake is covered more extensively than the better known Southern Ring-necked Snake). A map of the geographic range of each subspecies (included in the subspecies accounts) and a photograph (all photographs are together near the end of the book) are provided. Though information in the species accounts is useful, the layout does raise issues. Presenting separate range maps for each subspecies implies distinct separation from other forms (i.e., that subspecies are unique entities, with discontinuous distributions from other subspecies), which is often not the case in nature. For instance, three sepa- rate range maps are presented for Black Racers, suggesting that each form is biologi- cally, and possibly geographically, distinct. However, if a single range map is provided, it is clear that ranges of subspecies are contiguous. Also, because information is provided separately for each subspecies, unique common names are provided for possible inter- grades between subspecies (e.g., Peninsula Kingsnake for Lampropeltis getula getula x L. g. floridana, and Apalachicola Lowland Kingsnake for L. g. getula x L. getula subspe- cies). Providing unique names for organisms that are likely intergrades between differ- ent subspecies is unwarranted and taxonomically unjustified. To identify species, the authors recommend first looking at the photographs, then reading the text for that subspecies, followed by referring to the range map. By present- ing information separately for each subspecies, this task becomes more difficult. Rather than evaluating 39 possible species, the reader is faced with deciphering among 67 sub- species. The task is made more difficult because the authors rely heavily on color and the number of various scales to differentiate among subspecies, but these characteris- tics are notoriously variable. For example, the authors describe variation in dorsal color pattern and a few scale characteristics for Corn Snakes (Pantherophis guttata), but, af- ter reading the text, the reader would still have little idea what characteristics distin- guish a Corn Snake from any other snake. This is a problem throughout. Using the range maps and photographs in conjunction with the text is made even more difficult because the photographs are not included in each species account. Rather, they are pre- sented as a block in the back of the book. Further, the photographs and the text are not cross-referenced. In sum, it is difficult to identify species using this text because the reader must sift through almost twice as many possible candidates (because data are presented separately for each subspecies), extremely variable characteristics are used for identifying species, and all the materials necessary to identify species (range maps, text, photographs) are not presented together. Species accounts are followed by a glossary, list of references, and index. The glos- sary contains mainly useful terms, though some definitions are too operational (e.g., the definition of ontogenetic as “age-related (color) change” ignores all other types of charac- ters that change with age) and others unnecessary (e.g., anterior). The list of references is confusing because no in-text citations are made to any of the sources. Further, assum- ing all of the information in this text comes directly from primary literature, it contains too few references to be comprehensive. Four aspects make this book unique. First, detailed husbandry information is pro- vided for each family or subfamily of snakes. Such information can be useful to those in- terested in keeping snakes and the authors are careful to emphasize which species require permits. Second, information about each subspecies is presented, which is use- 62 FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST ful to individuals interested in geographic variation. Third, information on introduced snakes is presented and can be used to better understand why such snakes have been successful. Fourth, the photographs are excellent and comprehensive (every subspecies of snake is represented). I recommend this book if you are interested in any of these aspects. I do not recommend this book as either a field guide or reference text. If you are in- terested in the best, cheapest, and most compact field guide that will help you identify snakes in Florida I strongly recommend Conant and Collins (1998). If you are interested in a reference text providing detailed knowledge of snakes of Florida, find a copy of Ernst and Barbour (1989) or Ernst and Ernst (2003). Both provide detailed information, with specific citations for all information that is presented. — Kyle G. Ashton, Kutz- town University, Kutztown, Pennsylvania 19530. Literature Cited Ashton, R, E., Jr., and P. S. Ashton. 1981. Handbook of reptiles and amphibians of Florida, part one: The snakes. Windward Publishing, Inc., Miami, FL. Conant, R., and J. T. Collins. 1998. A field guide to reptiles and amphibians. Eastern and Central North America, 3'''^ edition. Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston. Ernst, C. H., and R. W. Barbour. 1989. Snakes of Eastern North America. Rowman and Littlefield Publishing, Lanham, MD. Ernst, C. H,, and E. M. Ernst. 2003. Snakes of the United States and Canada. Smith- sonian Institution Press, Washington, D.C. Gould, S. J. 2003. 1 have landed: the end of a beginning in natural history. Three Rivers Press, New York. Hammerson, G. a. 1982. Amphibians and reptiles in Colorado. Colorado Division of Wildlife, Denver, CO. Hammerson, G. A. 1999. Amphibians and reptiles in Colorado, 2"*^ ed. University Press of Colorado, Boulder. Tennant, A. 1997. A field guide to snakes of Florida. Gulf Publishing Company, Houston, TX. Tennant, A. 2003. Lone star field guide snakes of Florida. Rowman and Littlefield Pub- lishing, Lanham, MD. 63 Fla. Field Nat. 32(2):63-74, 2004. FIELD OBSERVATIONS Fall reports Augmst-November 2003,—This report consists of significant bird ob- servations compiled by the Field Observations Committee (FOC). Submissions to the FOC should be in the following format: species, number of individuals, age and sex of the bird(s), color morph if applicable, location (including county), date, observer(s), and significance. Seasons are winter (December-February), spring (March-May), summer (June-July), and fall (August-November). Submit observations to regional compilers within two weeks after the close of each season, or to the state compiler within one month. Addresses of the compilers are found at the end of this report. We greatly prefer observations sent via e-mail. Sight-only observations are considered “reports” while only those supported by verifi- able evidence (photographs, videotapes, or specimens) are called “records.” Species for which documentation is required by the FOS Records Committee (FOSRC; Bowman 2000, Fla. Field Nat. 28:149-160) are marked here with an asterisk (*). We do not pub- lish FOSRC review species submitted to us without documentation. A county designa- tion {in italics) accompanies the first-time listing of each site in this report. Abbreviations used are: EOS - end of season, NP = national park, NS = national sea- shore, NWR = national wildlife refuge, RA = restoration area, SF = state forest, SP = state park, STF = sewage treatment facility, and N, S, E, W etc., for compass directions. Bold-faced species denote birds newly reported or verified in Florida, or record counts. SUMMAKY OF THE FALL SEASON A major storm 28 September created spectacular fallouts of migrant landbirds along the central Gull: corisi and elsewhere over the next several days. The largest fallout (“su- per huge”) occurred at Fort De Soto Park 29-30 September, with thousands of landbirds, including 24 warbler species each day (L. Atherton et aL). Also on the 29th, 15 warbler species were seen at Port Richey (K. Tracey). The fallout even extended inland; 15 war- bler species were found in 3 hrs at Highlands Hammock SP 30 September (B. Pranty et aL). But not all the news from the fallout was positive^-Marianne Korosy reported the following birds killed from flying into a 5-story building at Clearwater 30 September: 2 Red-eyed Vireos, 2 Swainson’s Thrushes, 2 Magnolia Warblers, one Blackburnian War- bler, one Palm Warbler, and single Summer and Scarlet tanagers. T^welve FOSRC rarities were reported this fall: 3 Ross's Geese and one Sage Thrasher at Fort Walton Beach, the White-cheeked Pintail at Homestead, 3 Elegant- type Terns at Fort De Soto Park, the Long-billed Murrelet from Broward, Say’s Phoebe, American Tree Sparrow, and Brewer’s Sparrow (the first Florida report) at Fort Pickens, Tropical and Cassin’s kingbirds at Lake Apopka, MacGillivray’s Warbler at Davie, and Black-faced Grassqiiit at Everglades National Park, New exotics were the two Gray Par- tridges at Lake Apopka and the White-necked Raven near Delray Beach. Species Accounts Black-bellied Whistling-Duck: 1 pair vrith a brood of 6 at Orlando Wetlands Park (Orange) the first week in Aug (M. Sees); 4 at Viera (Brevard) 3 Sep (D. Freeland); 19 at Circle B Bar Reserve (Polk) 16 Nov (P. Fellers et ah). Fulvous Whistling-Duck: 840 at Lake Apopka RA (Orange) 22 Oct (H. Robinson). Greater White-fronted Goose: 65 at Nkeville (Okaloosa) 22 Oct (J. Williams); 25-30 over St. Marks NWR (Wakulla) 13 Nov (J. Murphy); 4 at LaCrosse (Alachua) 14 Nov (M. Buono, S. Hofstetter et al); 2 at Fort Walton Beach STF (Okaloosa) 15 Nov (D. 64 FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST Ware et al.); 2 at Hamilton phosphate mines 21 Nov (J. Krummrich); 5 at Lake Jack- son {Leon) 25 Nov (G. Menk). Snow Goose: 1 blue morph otPolk phosphate mines 2 Nov (C. Geanangel, P. Timmer); 40 or more at Alligator Point {Franklin) 13 Nov (J. Murphy), and 1 near there 21 Nov (J. Dozier); up to 11 at Alachua {Alachua) 15 Nov-EOS (P. Burns et al.); 7 at Viera 16 Nov (M. Gardler); 3 blue morphs at N St. Petersburg {Pinellas) 16 Nov-EOS (D. Goodwin); 61 at Hamilton mines 21 Nov (J. Krummrich); 1 blue morph at Trinity {Pasco) 22-24 Nov (J. McKay, K. Tracey); 8 (6 blue morphs and 2 white morphs) at Lake Jackson 25 Nov (G. Menk); 7 or more at Lake Apopka RA 25 Nov (P. Bowen); 2 white morphs at Spring Hill {Hernando) 26-29 Nov (A. and B. Hansen). *R0SS’S Goose: 3 or more at Fort Walton Beach STF 15-28 Nov (D. Ware et ah, details to FOSRC). Gad WALL: 4 at Trinity 21 Oct (K. Tracey); 9 at Polk mines 22 Nov (P. Fellers et al.). American Wigeon: 4 otPolk mines 14 Sep (P. Timmer), and 350 there 22 Nov (P. Fellers et al.). Blue-winged Teal: 1 at Lake Apopka RA 10 Aug (H. Robinson); 825 at Polk mines 14 Sep (P. Timmer); 325 at Viera 5 Nov (D. Freeland). *White-CHEEKED Pintail: 1 at Homestead {Miami-Dade) 7-10 Nov apparently had a red band on one leg (D. LaPuma et ah, photo to FOC by J. Boyd). Green-winged Teal: 2275 at Polk mines 22 Nov (P. Fellers et al.). CanvasbacK: 1 at Naples {Collier) 22 Nov (T. Doyle, D. Suitor). Surf Scoter: 2 at Alligator Point 2 Nov (J. Dozier); 1 found injured at Pompano Beach {Broward) 3 Nov died later {fide W. George). White-winged Scoter: 1 at Canaveral NS {Volusia) 29 Nov (J. Puschock, P. Bithorn). Black Scoter: 2 at Playalinda Beach, Canaveral NS {Brevard) 11 Nov (D. Freeland, M, Gardler); 2 females off Key Biscayne {Miami-Dade) 15-17 Nov (R. Diaz); 10 at Alliga- tor Point 21 Nov (J. Dozier); 3 females off N Miami {Miami-Dade) 22-28 Nov (S. Siegel et ah); 100+ in 3 flocks at Canaveral NS {Volusia) 29 Nov (J. Puschock, P. Bithorn). Long-tailed Duck: 2 at Playalinda Beach 11 Nov (D. Freeland, M. Gardler). Common Goldeneye: 1 at Polk mines 22 Nov (P. Fellers et al.); 1 female at Punta Gorda {Charlotte) 27 Nov (J. Bouton). Red-breasted Merganser: 3 at Polk mines 30 Nov (P. Fellers et al.). Ruddy Duck: 8 at Polk mines 14 Sep (P. Timmer). Gray Partridge {Perdix perdix): 2 at Lake Apopka RA 14 Sep (H. Robinson) furnished the first Florida report. Common Loon: 1 at Lake Apopka RA 2 Nov (H. Robinson). PlED-BILLED Grebe: 125 at Polk mines 18 Nov (P. Fellers, T.J. Coburn). Eared Grebe: 1 at Fort Walton Beach STF 4 Oct-EOS (A. Knothe et al.); 1 at Lake Ap- opka RA 19 Oct (H. Robinson); 2 at Hamilton mines 21 Nov (J. Krummrich); 3 at Polk mines 22 Nov (P, Fellers et al.). Cory’s Shearwater: 5 at 409 Hump {Monroe) 16 Aug (L. Manfredi et al.); 1 off Key Largo {Monroe) 17 Aug (L. Manfredi et al.). Wilson’s Storm-Petrel:! at 409 Hump 16 Aug (L. Manfredi et al). Leach’s Storm-Petrel: 1 off Key Largo 17 Aug 17 (J. Boyd). Masked Booby: 1 at Choctawhatchee Bay {Okaloosa) 12 Sep (B. Goode). Brown Booby: 120 off Marathon 4 Oct (L. Manfredi). Northern GanneT: 320 passed by Cape Canaveral {Brevard) in one hr 11 Nov (D. Freeland, M. Gardler). American White Pelican: up to 9 at Gainesville {Alachua) 16-19 Oct (A. Kent, A. Krat- ter); 150 at St. Marks NWR 1 Nov (T. Curtis); 1500 at Polk mines 2 Nov (C. Geanan- gel, P. Timmer). Brown Pelican: 1 immature at Lake Region Village {Polk) 7 Aug (B. Cooper); 2 at Hampton Lake {Bradford) 3 Sep (R. Rowan). Field Observations 65 Magnificent Fsigatebird: 500 at Seahorse Key, Cedar Keys NWR (Levy) 19 Aug (D. Henderson, K. Litzenberger); 1 male at Bald Point (Franklin} 26 Oct (D, Murphy). American Bittern: 1 at Lake Apopka RA 1 Sep, and 18 there 23 Nov (H. Robinson); 1 at Newnans Lake (Alachua) 6 Sep (J. Hintermister); 3 at Lake Jackson 29 Sep (M. Hill). Least Bittern: 1 in a brackish marsh at Ten Thousand Islands NWR (Collier) 1 Oct (T. Doyle); 1 at Bill Baggs Cape Florida SP (Miami-Dade) 13-21 Nov (R. Diaz). “Great White Heron:” 1 at Ocala (Marion) 2 Sep (R. Rowan). Great Egret: 80 at Fort De Soto Park iPineilas) 1 Nov (P. Sykes). Snowy Egret: 100 at Fort De Soto Park 1 Nov (P. Sykes). Reddish Egret: 15 at Hagens Cove (Taylor) 3 Aug (J. Hintermister et aL); 10 at Hugue- not Memorial Park (Duval) 10 Aug (R. Clark). Cattle Egret: 16 at Springhill Road STF (Leon) 15 Nov (G. Menk); 1 at St. George Is- land Causeway (Franklin) 18 Nov (S. McCool), W'HITE Ibis x Scarlet Ibis: 1 apparent hybrid at Lakes Park, Fort Myers (Lee) 25 Aug had a scarlet body and a whitish neck (V. McGrath). Glossy Ibis: 1 at Lake Jackson 12 Oct (G. Menk), and 2 there 30 Nov (M. Collins); 2000 estimated in one rice field E of Browns Farm Road (Palm Beach) 1 Nov (B. Pranty, J. Tucker). Roseate Spoonbill: 1 at Gainesville 5 Aug (L. Terry); 75 at Quarantine Island, St. Johns River (Duval) in Aug-Sep (B. Richter); 186 at Merritt Island NWR 27 Sep (P. Fellers et aL); 50 inland at Trinity 14 Oct (K. Tracey); 1 at St. Marks NWR 3 Nov (H. Von Tol). Swallow-tailed Kite: 201 at Lake Apopka RA 5 Aug (H. Robinson); 150+ in two kettles over Molin.0 (Escambia) 7 Aug (G. Fleming, F. Logan) established the highest count for the W Panhandle; 30 over Sanibel Lighthouse (Lee) 31 Aug (V, McGrath). Snail Kite: up to 10 at Fritchey Road Wetlands (Collier) all season apparently fed on ex- otic Channeled Apple Snails (Pomacea canaliculata), which are “very prolific” in the adjacent agricultural areas (T. Doyle, C. Ewell et aL); 1 at Lake Istokpoga (High- lands) 14 Sep (M. McMillian). Mississippi Kite: 1 adult and 1 juvenile at Gainesville to 13 Sep (T, Webber). Broad-winged Hawk: singles at Lake Apopka RA 5 Aug and 15 Oct (H. Robinson). Short-tailed Hawk: 1 dark morph at Lake Apopka RA 20 Aug (H. Robinson); 1 dark morph N of Lake Placid (Highlands) 10 Sep (M. McMillian); 1 at San Mateo (Putnam) 15 Sep (R, Rowan); 1 or more light morph at Saddle Creek Park (Polk) 28 Sep-22 Oct (T. Palmer, P. Fellers); 1 light morph at Tosohatchee State Reserve (Orange) 13 Nov (M. Gardler). SWAINSON’S Hawk: 1 juvenile over Fort De Soto Park 27 Oct established the first for the park (L. Atherton [photos to FOC] et aL); 1 juvenile over Lake Apopka RA 23 Nov (H. Robinson). Golden Eagle: 1 adult over Guh" jh.-.,-. c (Santa Rosa) 28 Sep (B. and L. Duncan); 1 over Fort Walton Beach STF 7 Oct (B. Duncan et aL); 1 immature over Bay 31 Oct (B. Landiy). American Kestrel: 1 at Lake A|»/j-k ^ 13 Aug, and 38 there 5 Nov (H. Robinson). Merlin: 37 total on the Guana Rivei SP (St. Johns) falcon watch 27 Sep-12 Oct (B. Stoll et aL); 1 near Pine Island (Hernando) 20 Nov fed on a Ruddy Turnstone (A. and B. Hansen [photo to FOC], M. Gardler). Peregrine Falcon: 239 total on the Guana River SP falcon watch 27 Sep-12 Oct (B. Stoll et al.). Black Rail: 4 at a new location of Werner-Boyce Salt Springs SP, Bayonet Point (Pasco) 25 Oct (K, Tracey), and 1 there 28 Nov flew to the top of a clump of 0.6 m-tall Juncus in response to tape playback (K. Tracey, B. Pranty, videotape to FOC); 1 flushed at Fort Walton Beach STF 17 Nov (B, and L Duncan et al.). Clapper Rail: 1 heard at Lake Apopka Rx\ 28 Nov (H. Robinson). King Rail: 26 at Lake Apopka EA 19 Sep, and 69 there 28 Nov (H. Robinson). 66 FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST SORA.: 1 at Ten Thousand Islands NWR 15 Aug (T. Doyle); 2 at Lake Apopka RA 3 Sep, and 132 there 23 Nov (H. Robinson); 1 at Lake Jackson 23 Sep (M. Hill). Purple Gallinule: 1 adult and 2 juveniles at Trinity 10 Sep (K. Tracey). Common Moorhen: a brood of 8 in a brackish marsh at Ten Thousand Islands NWR 1 Aug furnished the first breeding report for the refuge (T. Doyle); 6 chicks at Da3^ona Beach {Volusia) 18 Sep (D. Hartgrove, R. Rowan); 4 chicks at Spring Hill 1 Oct (B. Hansen). American Coot: 3000 at Polk mines 18 Nov (P. Fellers, T. J. Coburn). Limpkin: up to 30 at Fritchey Road Wetlands all season fed on exotic Channeled Apple Snails (T. Doyle, B. Rapoza et ah). Sandhill Crane: migratory flocks over Lake Apopka RA of 37 on 16 Nov and 41 on 20 Nov (H. Robinson); among a migratory flock of 12 over Lake Wales Ridge SF {Polk) 26 Nov was a smaller, all-black bird that appeared to have white wing stripes on the up- per surface of the wings — perhaps a Black-bellied Whistling-Duck [?!] (B. Pranty). Whooping Crane: 3 at Trinity 29 Nov (K. Tracey). Black-bellied Plover: 3 at Lake Apopka RA 24 Aug (H. Robinson); 1 near Lake Jem {Lake) 1 Sep (J. Puschock). American Golden-Plover: 1 in breeding plumage at Springhill Road STF 15 Sep (J. Cavanagh et ah); 1 or more at Crandon Beach {Miami-Dade) 15 Sep-21 Nov (R. Diaz); 2 at Alachua 19 Sep (P. Burns, M. Manetz); 1 at St. George Island 18 Oct (G. Wool- fenden et al.); 1 at Fort De Soto Park 29 Oct (L. Atherton et al.); 1 at St. Marks NWR 16 Nov (T. Curtis). Snowy Plover: 10 at Little Estero Lagoon, Fort Myers Beach {Lee) 16 Aug (C. Ewell), and 6 there (including 1 banded as a chick at Sanibel Island in 2002) 4 Oct (T. Doyle, C. Ewell, J. Greenlaw); 8 at Fort De Soto Park 1 Nov (P. Sykes); 3 at Little Talbot Is- land SP {Duval), where birds have wintered the previous 4 years, 8 Nov (P. Leary). Wilson’s Plover: 61 at Huguenot Park 15 Aug (R. Clark); 39 at Little Estero Lagoon, Fort Myers Beach 16 Aug (C. Ewell); 75 at Fort De Soto Park 1 Nov (P. Sykes). Semipalmated Plover: 82 at Little Estero Lagoon 16 Aug, and 130 there 4 Oct (C. Ewell); 1 at Alachua 23 Sep (P. Burns); 150 at Fort De Soto Park 1 Nov (P. Sykes). Piping Plover: 1 at Crandon Beach 8 Aug, and up to 39 there 12 Nov (R. Diaz); 1 at Lit- tle Estero Lagoon 16 Aug (C. Ewell); 2 at Cedar Key {Levy) 16 Oct (J. Hintermister); 15 at Fort De Soto Park 1 Nov (P. Sykes). American Oystercatcher: 21 at Little Estero Lagoon 4 Oct (T. Doyle, C. Ewell, J. Greenlaw); 150+ at Alligator Point 26 Oct (K. MacVicar). Black-necked Stilt: 48 at Mayport {Duval) 1 Aug (R. Clark); 4 at Gainesville 5-10 Aug (L. Terry, R. Rowan), American Avocet: 8 at Honeymoon Island SP {Pinellas) 17 Sep (M. Gardler); up to 4 at Springhill Road STF 1-3 Oct (G. Menk, J. Skalickey et al.); 1 at Marathon Airport {Monroe) 4 Oct (B. Mulrooney); 1 at Tierra Verde {Pinellas) 8 Oct (L. Atherton); 1 at Fort De Soto Park 9 Oct (M. Gardler); singles at St. George Island 18 Oct. (G. Wool- fenden) and 26-30 Nov (J. Murphy); 9 in winter plumage at Little Estero Lagoon 18 Oct (C. Ewell); 1 at Alligator Point 26 Oct-EOS (J. Murphy); 205 at Polk mines 22 Nov (P. Fellers et al.). Solitary Sandpiper: 1 at Polk mines 22 Nov (P. Fellers et al.). Spotted Sandpiper: 1 at Lake Apopka RA 5-8 Aug (H. Robinson). Upland Sandpiper: 1 at Lake Apopka RA 8 Aug (H. Robinson); 9 in S Miami-Dade 9 Aug (L. Manfredi); 5 at Homestead {Miami-Dade) 14 Aug (L. Manfredi); 30 S of South Bay {Palm Beach) 3 Sep (J. Puschock, T. Rodriguez); 4 at Frog Pond WMA {Miami-Dade) 3 Sep (B. Boeringer). Whimbrel: 57 at Huguenot Park 15 Aug (R. Clark); 1 at Little Estero Lagoon 16 Aug- EOS, and 2 there 30 Aug (C. Ewell). Long-billed Curlew: 1 at Huguenot Park 23 Sep-early Nov (B. Richter, R. Clark); 1 flew by Curry Hammock SP {Monroe) 1 Oct (B. Mulrooney). Field Observations 67 Marbled Godwit: 3 at Fort Pickens, Gulf Islands NS {Escambia) 5 Aug (B. Duncan); 5 at Pensacola Bay {Escambia) 23 Aug (C. and R. Ascherfield); 2 at Huguenot Park late Sep-EOS (B. Richter, R. Clark); 78 at Fort De Soto Park 2 Oct (P. Fellers et al.); 46 at Little Estero Lagoon 4 Oct (T= Doyle, C= Ewell, J. Greenlaw), and 42 remained to 18 Oct (C. Ewell); 89 at Lanark {Franklin) 14 Oct (J. Dozier, J. Murphy); 53 at Cedar Key 16 Oct (J. Hintermister). Ruddy Turnstone: 2 at South Bay {Palm Beach) 24 Aug (C. Ewell et aL); 1 over Lake Apopka {Orange) 9 Nov (H, Robinson). Red Knot: up to 700 at Bird Islands, Nassau Sound {Duval) 10 Aug-mid-Sep included 17 individuals color-banded in Argentina or Delaware Bay (P, Leary); 450 at Little Es- tero Lagoon 4 Oct (T. Doyle, C. Ewell, J. Greenlaw); 250 at Fort De Soto Park 1 Nov (P. Sykes). SanderlinG: 162 at Little Estero Lagoon 16 Aug (C. Ewell); 1 at Lake Apopka RA 3 Sep (H. Robinson); 350 at Fort De Soto Park 1 Nov (P. Sykes). Semipalmated Sandpiper: 2100 at Polk mines 19 Sep (P. Timmer). Western Sandpiper: 360 at Polk mines 19 Sep (P. Timmer), and 3 there 2 Nov (C. Geanangel, P. Timmer). Least Sandpiper: 13,500 at Polk mines 2 Nov (C. Geanangel, P. Timmer). Baird’s Sandpiper: 1 at Lake Apopka RA 10-14 Sep (H. Robinson). Pectoral Sandpiper: 1 at Honeymoon Island SP 22 Sep (M. Gardler); 1 at Fort De Soto Park 29 Oct (L, Atherton et al.); 2 at Trinity 24 Nov (K. Tracey). Dunlin: 300 at Fort De Soto Park 1 Nov (P. Sykes); 2 at Alachua 9-10 Nov (P. Burns). Stilt Sandpiper: 1910 at Polk mines 2 Nov (C. Geanangel, P. Timmer); 13 at Cedar Key shell mound 16 Nov (R. Norton); 4 at Viera 16 Nov (J. Holstein et al.). Buff-breasted Sandpiper: up to 2 at Springhill Road STF 12-13 Sep (G. Menk et al.); 2 at Lake Apopka RA 5 Oct (H. Robinson). Dowitcher SPECIES: 1100 at Polk mines 2 Nov (C. Geanangel, P. Timmer); both species among a flock of 25 at Viera 16 Nov (M. Gardler). Short-billed Dowitcher: 250 at Fort De Soto Park 1 Nov (P. Sykes). Long-billed Dowitcher: 1 at Trinity 24 Sep (K. Tracey); 180 at Polk mines 22 Nov (P. Fellers et al.). Wilson’s Snipe: 1 at Lake Apopka RA 3 Sep (H. Robinson). POMARINE Jaeger: 1 juvenile at Bird Islands 26 Sep (P. Leary); 1 juvenile off Key Bis- cayne 10-12 Nov (R. Diaz). Parasitic Jaeger: 1 viewed from Fort Pickens 22 Sep (B. Duncan); 7 off Key Biscayne 5 Nov (R. Diaz). Franklin’s Gull: 1 at Nassau Sound 17 Oct, and 2 there 23 Oct (P. Leary, photo to FOC); 1 juvenile at Destin {Okaloosa) 23 Oct (A. Knothe et al.); 1 at Fort Clinch SP {Nassau) 3 Nov (P. Leary); 1 at Fort De Soto Park 29 Oct (L. Atherton et al.); 1 at Hu- guenot Park to 16 Nov (B. Richter). Lesser Black-backed Gull: 1 at Crandon Beach 2 Aug, and 7 or more there 14 Nov (R. Diaz); 36 at Huguenot Park 22 Sep (R. Clark); 1 at Cedar Key 1 Nov (A. Kratter); 1 ju- venile at Lake Apopka RA 23 Nov (H. Robinson); 1 adult at Gulf Harbors, New Port Richey {Pasco) 29 Nov (K. Tracey). Great Black-backed Gull: 1 adult at Key Biscayne 19 Nov (R. Diaz). Sabine’s Gull: 1 juvenile at Huguenot Park 19 Oct (J. Krummrich). Gull-billed Tern: 21 at Mayport 1 Aug fed on grasshoppers flushed by a mower in a grassy field (R. Clark); 1 adult and 1 juvenile at Hamilton mines 1 Aug represented the second year birds have bred at this site (J. Krummrich); 1 at Polk mines 2 Nov (C. Geanangel, P. Timmer); 3 or more fed on Fiddler Crabs at Green Key Park, New Port Richey 12 Nov (K. Tracey). Caspian Tern: 50 at Fort De Soto Park 1 Nov (P. Sykes). Royal Tern: 500 at Fort De Soto Park 1 Nov (P. Sykes). 68 FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST *Elegant-TYPE Tern: three different singles at Fort De Soto Park 10-11 and 13 Oct, in- cluding one that begged for food from another (L. Atherton [photos to FOG] et aL). Sandwich Tern: 1 at Pine Island 20 Aug (A, and B, Hansen); 300+ at Cedar Key 26 Sep (D. Henderson, B. Muschlitz); 700 at Fort De Soto Park 1 Nov (P. Sykes); 1 at Lake Apopka RA 28 Nov (H. Robinson). Common Tern: 8 at Newnans Lake 6 Sep (R. Rowan, M. Manetz); 1 at Lake Apopka RA 7 Sep (H. Robinson); 1000 at Bird Islands 5 Oct (P. Leary). Forster’s Tern: 1200 at Fort De Soto Park 1 Nov (P. Sykes). Least Tern: 108 at Crandon Beach 5 Aug (R. Diaz). Sooty Tern: 1 at Fort Pickens 5 Aug (B. Duncan); 5 flying S past Canaveral NS {Volu- sia) 14 Aug (J. Puschock). Black Tern: 1 at Crandon Beach 15 Aug (R. Diaz). Black Skimmer: 300 at Fort De Soto Park 1 Nov (P. Sykes). *Long-BILLED Murrelet: 1 brought moribund to Wildlife Care Center, Fort Lauderdale from an unspecified Broward location 22 Nov {fide A. Kratter, specimen to UF). White-crowned Pigeon: 1 at Boca Raton {Palm Beach) 20 Sep (L. Most, L. McCand- less); 1 at Hugh Taylor Birch SP, Fort Lauderdale 28 Sep (M. Berney, W. George). White-winged Dove: up to 12 adults and 4 juveniles at Gulf Breeze 20 Aug-18 Sep (B. and L, Duncan); 1 at Alachua 16 Sep (P. Burns); up to 51 at Gainesville throughout the pe- riod (M. Meisenburg, E. Perry et al.); 1 at Hague {Alachua) 26 Oct (M. Manetz, A. Kent); 15 at Branford {Suwannee) 6 Nov (D. Dees); 50 at Ocala {Marion) all season (P. Orr). Budgerigar: 6 at a roost at Holiday (Pasco) 24 Sep (K. Tracey); 2 at Horseshoe Beach {Dixie) 25 Nov (D. Goodwin, E. Haney) were the first report from that locale since the late 1970s. Rose-ringed Parakeet: 1 blue morph at Salt Springs SP 1 Oct (K. Tracey). Black-hooded Parakeet: 24 feeding on Live Oak acorns at Holiday 23 Sep, and 32 there 18 Nov (K. Tracey); 1, thought to have a metal band on one leg, at Jupiter Inlet Colony 24 Nov (J. Hailman) furnished the first Martin report. Monk Parakeet: 60 at a colony at Veteran’s Village {Pasco) 16 Sep (K. Tracey) furnished a new location. Black-billed Cuckoo: 1 heard (only) at St. Marks NWR 17 Aug (J. Dozier, J. Murphy); 1 at Gainesville 23 Sep (P. Burns); 1 at O’Leno SP {Alachua) 26 Sep (J. Hintermister). Smooth-billed Ani: 1 at South Venice {Sarasota) 18 Oct (fide C. Sample). Groove-billed Ani: 1 at Destin 4 Oct (L, Fenimore et al.); 1 at Fort Pickens 6 Oct-5 Nov (A. Sheppard et aL); 1 at Bald Point 30 Oct (J. Murphy, J. Dozier); up to 3 at Lake Ap- opka RA 2-16 Nov (H. Robinson, H. Weatherman, photo to FOC); 1 at St. George Is- land SP 22 Nov (R. Norton); 1 at Cantonment {Escambia) 30 Nov (C. Greene). Barn Owl: ',14 at Lake Apopka RA 1 Sep (H. Robinson). Short-eared Owl: 1 at Kissimmee Prairie Preserve SP {Okeechobee) 11 Aug (P. Miller, C. Tucker); 2 near the Econlockhatchee River {Orange) 17 Nov (J. Exum, G. Hum- phrey, photos to FOC). Common Nighthawk: 1 adult and 2 nestlings at Ten Thousand Islands NWR 1 Aug (T. Doyle). Chimney Swift: 865 at Lake Apopka RA 8 Aug, and 1840 there 10 Sep (H. Robinson); 145 at the New Port Richey roost 8 Oct (K. Tracey). Buff-bellied Hummingbird: 1 at Niceville 24 Nov-EOS (F. Bassett et al.); 1 at Alligator Point 24 Nov (J. Murphy, J. Dozier). Ruby-throated Hummingbird: 1 at A.D. Barnes Park {Miami-Dade) 3 Aug (B. Boeringer); 8 at Honeymoon Island SP 7 Sep (S. Riffe, P. Fellers). Black-chinned Hummingbird: 1 at Gainesville 15 Nov-EOS (B. Muschlitz). Rufous Hummingbird: 1 banded at Crestview 23 Nov (F. Bassett). Selasphorus SPECIES: 1 at Alachua 25 Aug-EOS (G. Hart); 1 at Gainesville 27 Aug-EOS (R. Palenik); 1 at Brandon {Hillsborough) 23 Sep-EOS (E. Kwater, photo to FOC); 1 at Field Observations 69 Tallahassee 24 Sep-8 Oct (J. Cavanagh); 1 at Altoona {Lake) 27 Sep (D. Frederick); 1 at Fernandina Beach (Nassau) 16 Oct (P. Leary); 1 at Medart (Wakulla) 14-18 Nov (S. McCool). Hairy Woodpecker: 1 at Turkey Creek Sanctuary (Brevard) 27 Sep (P. Fellers et al.). Olive-sided Flycatcher: 1 at Fort De Soto Park 20 Sep (L. Atherton et ah, photos to FOC); 1 at Long Pine Key, Everglades NP (Miami-Dade) 26-28 Sep (L. Manfredi et al.); 1 at Key West (Monroe) 28 Sep (B. Mulrooney, photo to FOC). Eastern Wood-Pewee: 1 at Lake Apopka RA 2 Nov (H. Robinson); 1 at Tosohatchee State Reserve 13-14 Nov (M. Gardler). Yellow-bellied Flycatcher: 1 at Hickory Mound Impoundment (Taylor) 24 Oct (J. Krummrich). Alder Flycatcher: 1 at Lake Apopka RA 14-16 Sep (H. Robinson); 1 that uttered “a sharp pip call” at Key West Indigenous Park 15 Sep (B. Mulrooney). “Traill’s” Flycatcher: 1 with no discernible eye-ring at Highlands Hammock SP (Highlands) 30 Sep (B. Pranty et ah). Least Flycatcher: 1 at Lake Apopka RA 27 Aug, and 14 there 12 Nov (H. Robinson); 1 at Key West 29 Sep (B. Mulrooney); 1 at Cedar Key 1 Oct (J. Hintermister et al.); sin- gles at Paynes Prairie Preserve SP (Alachua) 11 Oct (A. Kratter); and 19 Oct (M. Manetz, E. Scales); 1 at St. George Island 14 Oct (J. Dozier, J. Murphy). Eastern Phoebe: 416 at Lake Apopka RA 26 Oct (H. Robinson). *Say’S Phoebe: 1 at Fort Pickens 13-15 Oct (B. Fleming et al., photos to FOC by D. Dortch). Vermilion Flycatcher: 1 at Bald Point 19 Oct (J. Murphy, J. Dozier); 1 at Lake Apopka RA 22 Oct-2 Nov (H. Robinson); 1 male at Frog Pond WMA 25 Oct-EOS (B. Boeringer et al.); 1 male at Fort Walton Beach STF 22 Nov (B. Duncan et al.). Ash-throated Flycatcher: 1 at Gulf Breeze 5 Sep (B. Duncan); 1 at Bald Point 19 Oct (J. Murphy et al.); 1 at Fort Walton Beach STF 23 Oct (A. Knothe et al.); 1 at Gulf Breeze 29 Oct (C. Brown, B. Duncan et aL); 1 at Lake Apopka RA 5 Nov (H. Robin- son); 2 at Paynes Prairie Preserve 5-14 Nov (M. Landsman et al.); 1 at San Felasco Hammock Preserve SP (Alachua) 10 Nov-EOS (B. Enneis et al.); 1 at Emeralda Marsh Conservation Area (Lake) 27 Nov (J. Puschock). La Sacra’s Flycatcher: 1 at Honeymoon Island SP 7 Sep (P. Fellers, S. Riffe, details to FOC) furnished the first Gulf coast report. *Tropical Kingbird: 1 at Lake Apopka RA 12 Nov-EOS (H, Robinson, photos by J. Peterson to FOC). *Cassin’s Kingbird: 1 at Lake Apopka RA 27 Nov (J. Puschock). Western Kingbird: 1 at Ohio Key (Monroe) 4 Oct (B. Mulrooney); 1 at Merritt Island 9 Oct (D. Freeland); 1 at St. Marks NWR 18 Oct (T. Curtis); 1 at Alligator Point 26 Oct (S, McCool); 1 at Odessa 21 Nov (K. Tracey); 30 at Lake Apopka RA 27 Nov (J. Pus- chock). Eastern Kingbird: 36 at Hudson (Pasco) 4 Sep (K. Tracey); 1 at St. Marks NWR 1 Nov (T. Curtis). Gray Kingbird: 4 at Mayport 1 Aug (R. Clark); singles at Lake Apopka RA 20 Aug, 2-9 Oct, 5 Nov, and 20-28 Nov (H. Robinson); 11 at Honeymoon Island SP 7 Sep (S. Riffe, P. Fellers); 1 at Carrabelle (Franklin) 4 Oct (J. Murphy, J. Dozier). Scissor-TAILED Flycatcher: up to 4 at Lake Apopka RA 19 Oct-EOS (H. Robinson, J. Puschock et al.); 1 at Emeralda Marsh Conservation Area 24 Oct (P. May); 1 along Fritchey Road 16 Nov-EOS (B. Rapoza et al.). Loggerhead Shrike: 1 at Buck Island Ranch (Highlands) 28 Aug captured and impaled a Common Yellowthroat (M. McMillian). White-eyed Vireo: 53 at Lake Apopka RA 5 Oct (H. Robinson). Bell’s VireO: 1 at St. Marks NWR 25-26 Aug (T. Curtis, J. Dozier, J. Murphy); 1 at Lake Apopka RA 3 Sep (H. Robinson); 1 at Fort George Island (Duval) 29 Sep (R. Clark); 1 70 FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST at Birch SP 1 Oct (W. George, R. MacGregor); 1 at Frog Pond WMA 16 Nov-EOS (R. Diaz, details to FOG). Yellow-throated Vireo: 1 in song at Alafia Reserve {Polk) 3 Sep (T. Palmer). Blue-headed VireO: 1 at Turkey Creek Sanctuary 27 Sep (P. Fellers et al). Warbling Vireo: 1 at S Jacksonville 19 Sep (J. Cocke); 1 at O’Leno SP (Columbia) 8 Oct (P. Burns). Philadelphia Vireo: 1 at Fort De Soto Park 30 Sep (L. Atherton et al); 1 at Lake Apo- pka RA 5 Oct (H. Robinson); 1 at St. George Island 14 Oct (J. Dozier, J. Murphy); 1 in Citrus 15 Oct (T. Rogers). Red-eyed Vireo: 15 at Turkey Creek Sanctuary 27 Sep (P. Fellers et al.); 70 at St. Pe- tersburg 29 Sep (E. Haney); 1 at Paynes Prairie Preserve 8 Nov (M. Drummond, S. Hofstetter); 1 at Dunedin Hammock Park (Pinellas) 30 Nov (K. Nelson). Black-whiskered Vireo: singles at two sites in Broward 27 Sep (fide W. George); 1 at St. George Island SP 29 Sep (J. Cavanagh), Blue Jay: 102 at Lake Apopka RA 15 Oct (H. Robinson) probably were mostly northern breeders. White-necked Raven (Corvus albicollis): 1 W of Delray Beach (Palm Beach) 2 Nov re- portedly had been present for ca. 18 months (L. Manfredi, photos to FOC). This spe- cies is native to Africa. Purple Martin: 1 at Paynes Prairie Preserve 6 Oct (J. Hintermister). Northern Rough-winged Swallow: 5 aiPolk mines 2 Nov (C. Geanangel, P. Timmer); 3 at Cedar Key 16 Nov (R. Norton). Bank Swallow: 20 at Paynes Prairie Preserve 18 Aug, and 1 there 6 Oct (J. Hinter- mister); 10 at Viera 24 Aug (D. Freeland); 83 at Lake Apopka RA 27 Aug (H. Robin- son); 4 at Honeymoon Island SP 7 Sep (S. Riffe, P. Fellers); 4 at Polk mines 2 Nov (C. Geanangel, P. Timmer). Cliff Swallow: 10+ in E Broward 7 Sep (W. George); singles at Cape Florida SP 9 and 17 Sep (R. Diaz); 41 at Lake Apopka RA 14 Sep (H. Robinson). Barn Swallow: 2600 at Lake Apopka RA 24 Aug (H. Robinson); 325 at Viera 3 Sep (D. Freeland); 1000 passed Jupiter Inlet Colony in 40 min 7 Sep (J. Hallman); 65 at Polk mines 2 Nov (C. Geanangel, P. Timmer), and 3 there 22 Nov (P. Fellers et al.). Brown-headed Nuthatch: singles at Loop Road, Big Cypress National Preserve (Mon- roe) 20 Sep and 1 Nov (J. Boyd). Brown Creeper: 1 at Gulf Breeze 8 Nov (B. Duncan). House Wren: 344 at Lake Apopka RA 26 Oct (H. Robinson). Marsh Wren: 1 at Cape Florida SP 6 Nov (R. Diaz). Ruby-crowned Kinglet: 1 at Myers Park, Tallahassee 26 Sep (E. White). Veery: 21 at Salt Springe SP 29 Sep (K. Tracey). SWAINSON’S Thrush: 25 at O’Leno SP 27 Sep (J. Hintermister); 12+ at Birch SP 28 Sep, and 15+ there 30 Sep (fide W. George). Wood Thrush: 1 at Sawgrass Lake Park (Pinellas) 1 Oct (R. Smith); singles at Lake Ap- opka RA 2 and 15 Oct (H. Robinson); 4 at Fort George Island 5 Oct (R. Clark). Gray Catbird: 3 at Lake Apopka RA 20 Aug, and 660 there 12 Oct (H. Robinson); 60 at Paynes Prairie Preserve 19 Oct (M. Manetz, E. Scales). *Sage Thrasher: 1 at Fort Walton Beach 23 Oct (A. Knothe et al, details to FOSRC). Common Myna: a flock of 8 at Clewiston (Hendry) 1 Nov included 2 or more juveniles (J. Tucker, B. Pranty, video to FOC). American Pipit: 1 heard over Sandy Key, Florida Bay (Monroe) 8 Nov (B. Mulrooney); 2 at Frog Pond WMA 16 Nov (R. Diaz). Cedar Waxwing: 6 or more at Alachua 29-30 Sep (G. Hart, R. Robinson) was the only re- port received. Field Observations 71 Blue-winged Warbler: 1 at Birch SP 18 Sep (W. George, J. Pesold); 2 at Turkey Creek Sanctuary 27 Sep (P. Fellers et aL); 2 at S Jacksonville 29 Sep-5 Oct (J. Cocke); 1 at Key West 30 Sep (B= Mulrooney). “Brewster’s Warbler:” 1 female at S Jacksonville 1 Oct (J. Cocke). Golden-winged Warbler: 1 at S Jacksonville 27 Sep-6 Oct (J. Cocke); 6 (the Florida high count) at Fort De Soto Park 29 Sep (L. Atherton et aL), and 3 there 2 Oct (P. Fellers, R. Butts); 1 female at Birch SP 30 Sep (W. George, J. Pesold), and 1 male there 12 Oct (B. Roberts, M. Berney, W. George); 1 at A.D. Barnes Park 2 Oct (J. Rosenfield, M, Wheeler); 2 at Turkey Creek Sanctuary 4 Oct. (J. Holstein et al.); 3 at Salt Springs SP 17 Oct (K. Tracey). Tennessee Warbler: 8+ at Birch SP 28 Sep {fide W. George); 31 at Salt Springs SP 29 Sep (K. Tracey); 11 at Fort De Soto Park 2 Oct (P. Fellers, R. Butts). Nashville Warbler: 1 at Key West 18 Sep (B. Mulrooney); 1 banded at Wahoo Key 20 Sep (B. Mulrooney); 1 at A.D. Barnes Park 21 Sep (J. Boyd); 1 at St. Marks NWR 23 Oct (J. Cavanagh). Yellow Warbler: 145 at Lake Apopka RA 24 Aug (H. Robinson) established the highest Florida count; 1 fed a cowbird (!) at St. Marks NWR 22 Aug (J. Dozier); 1 at Rodman Dam {Putnam) 21 Oct (J. Hintermister); 1 at Paynes Prairie Preserve 29 Oct (B. Muschlitz). Chestnut-sided Warbler: 70 (the Florida high count) at St. Petersburg 29 Sep (E. Haney); 18 at Sawgrass Lake Park 30 Sep (R. Smith); 5 at Saddle Creek Park 30 Sep (P. Fellers). Magnolia Warbler: 15 at Fort De Soto Park 30 Sep (B. Ahern et al.); 15 at Sawgrass Lake Park 30 Sep (R. Smith); 10 at Paynes Prairie Preserve 15 Oct (B. Muschlitz et al.); 1 at Robert Williams Birding Trail, Tallahassee 2 Nov (G. Menk). Black-throated Blue Warbler: 1 at Alligator Point 29 Sep (J. Murphy, J. Dozier). Yellow-RUMPED Warbler: 1 “Audubon’s Warbler” at Frog Pond WMA 28 Oct (L. Man- fredi, photo to FOC). Black-throated Green Warbler: 1 at Robert Williams Birding Trail 2 Nov (G. Menk). Blackburnian Warbler: 3 at Birch SP 28 Sep {fide W. George); 40 at St. Petersburg 29 Sep (E. Haney); 1 at West Lake Park, Holl5rwood {Broward) 16 Nov (K. Rosenberg). Prairie Warbler: 83 (the Florida high count) at Lake Apopka RA 10 Sep (H. Robinson). Palm Warbler: 732 at Lake Apopka RA 29 Sep (H. Robinson). Bay-breasted Warbler: 1 at Birch SP 14 Oct (W. George, S. Schlick); 1 at Easterlin Park, Oakland Park {Broward) 3 Nov (W. George, M. Berney, B. Roberts); 1 at Lake Apopka RA 5 Nov (H. Robinson). Blackpoll Warbler: 1 at Birch SP 1 Oct (W. George); 1 at Paynes Prairie Preserve 4-5 Oct (M. Manetz et al.). Cerulean Warbler: 1 at Wakulla Beach {Wakulla) 6 Aug (J. Cavanagh); singles at Tal- lahassee 22 Aug, 30 Aug, and 6-7 Sep (J. Cavanagh); 1 adult female at Sanibel Light- house 24 Aug (V. McGrath); 1 at George English Park, Fort Lauderdale 25 Sep (W. George, J. Pesold). American Redstart: 40 at Fort De Soto Park 2 Oct (P. Fellers, R. Butts); 1 at Gaines- ville 30 Nov (P. Burns). Swainson’S Warbler: 3 at Evergreen Cemetery, Fort Lauderdale 7 Sep (A. and M. Stickle, R. MacGregor); 2 at Bonner Park, Largo {Pinellas) 16 Sep (K. Nelson); 3 at Fort De Soto Park 30 Sep-2 Oct (L. Atherton, P. Fellers et al.); singles at Birch SP 3 and 4 Oct (M. Stickle, W. George). Ovenbird: 30+ at Highlands Hammock SP 30 Sep (B. Pranty et al.). Northern Waterthrush: 51 at Lake Apopka RA 14 Sep (H. Robinson). Louisiana Waterthrush: 41 (the Florida high count) at Lake Apopka RA 3 Sep (H. Rob- inson). 72 FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST Kentucky Warbler: 4 at Fort George Island 2 Aug (R. Clark); 1 at Salt Springs SP 10 Aug (K. Tracey); 1 at Cape Florida SP 14 Aug (R. Diaz); 5 at San Felasco Hammock Preserve 28 Aug (J. Hintermister). Mourning Warbler: 1 banded at Wahoo Key 13 Sep (B. Mulrooney, photos to FOC); 1 at Key West Indigenous Park 15 Sep (B. Mulrooney); 1, thought to be a second-year fe- male, at Fort De Soto Park 16-18 Sep, and a first-year male there 2-5 Oct (L. Ather- ton, J. Puschock et aL, photos to FOC); 1 at Bald Point 17 Sep (J. Dozier). *MacGillivray’S Warbler: 1 adult female at Tree Tops Park, Davie {Broward) 16 Nov- EOS (K. Rosenberg et aL). Common Yellowthroat: 706 at Lake Apopka RA 5 Oct (H. Robinson). Wilson’s Warbler: singles at Lake Apopka RA 24 Aug, 29 Sep, and 26 Oct (H. Robin- son); 1 banded at Wahoo Key 18 Sep (B. Mulrooney); singles at Birch SP 19 Sep and 15 Oct (W. George et aL); 5 singles in Leon variously 25 Sep-17 Oct (J. Cavanagh et aL); 1 at St. George Island SP 29 Sep (J. Cavanagh); 1 at Cedar Key 30 Sep (D, Henderson); 1 at Jupiter Inlet Colony 14 Oct (J. Hailman); 1 at Hague 23 Nov (M. Manetz et aL). Canada Warbler: 1 at Lake Apopka RA 24 Aug (H. Robinson); 1 at San Felasco Ham- mock Preserve 27 Aug (P. Burns et aL); 1 at St. George Island 6 Sep (J. Murphy); 1 at Fort De Soto Park 1 Oct (L. Atherton et aL); 1 at S Jacksonville 2-4 Oct (J. Cocke); 1 at Fort Lauderdale 4-5 Oct (W. George, M. Berney). Yellow-breasted Chat: 1 or more at Cape Florida SP 17 Sep-21 Nov (R. Diaz); 1 at Fort Zachary Taylor SP, Key West 23 Sep (B. Mulrooney); 1 at Birch SP 25 Sep (W. George, J. Pesold); 1 at Frog Pond WMA 25 Oct-16 Nov (B. Boeringer, R. Diaz). Scarlet Tanager: 13 at Salt Springs SP 29 Sep (K. Tracey). *Black-FACED GrassquiT: 1 male at Long Pine Key campground, Everglades NP {Mi- ami-Dade) 1-25 Sep (B. Roberts et aL, photos to FOC by L. Manfredi). Eastern Towhee: 1 with red irides at Ocala NF {Marion) 23 Oct (J. Puschock). Bachman’S Sparrow: 1 at Bald Point 6 Oct (J. Murphy). *American Tree Sparrow: 1 at Fort Pickens 25-26 Oct (H. Horne et aL, photos to FOC by D. Dortch) furnished the second Florida record. Chipping Sparrow: 1 immature on Loop Road 20 Sep (J. Boyd); 1 at Cape Florida SP 20 Sep (R. Diaz); 2 at Elliot Key, Biscayne NP {Miami-Dade) 17 Oct (L. Manfredi). Clay-colored Sparrow: 3 singles at Bald Point variously 16 Sep-25 Oct (J. Dozier, J. Murphy); 1 at Mayport 19-20 Sep (R. Clark); 1 adult on Loop Road 20 Sep (J. Boyd); 1 at Fort De Soto Park 3 Oct (J. Gaetzi et aL); up to 4 at Paynes Prairie Preserve 8 Oct-1 Nov (J. Hintermister et aL), with 1 photographed 8 Oct (J. Williams, photo to FOC); 1 at Fort Walton Beach STF 13 Oct (D. Simpson, A. Knothe); 2 at Lake Apopka RA 16 Nov (H. Robinson); 1 near Dundee 23 Nov (C. Geanangel, P. Timmer). ^Brewer’s Sparrow: 1 at Fort Pickens 24 Sep-EOS (L. Duncan, details to FOC) fur- nished the first Florida report. Lark Sparrow: 7 singles at Bald Point variously 26 Aug-3 Oct (J. Dozier); singles at Frog Pond WMA 3-12 Sep (J. Weber et al.) and 16 Nov (R. Diaz); 1 at Birch SP 27 Sep (M. Berney, W. George et al.); 1 at Grassy Key {Monroe) 17 Oct (B. Mulrooney et aL); 1 at St. Marks NWR 13 Nov (J. Murphy). Savannah Sparrow: 3 at Lake Apopka RA 5 Oct (H. Robinson). Grasshopper Sparrow: 1 at St. George Island 17 Oct (J. Cavanagh); 1 at Lake Apopka RA 19 Oct (H. Robinson). Song Sparrow: 1 at Frog Pond WMA 3 Sep (J. Puschock); 1 at Lake Apopka RA 16 Sep (H. Robinson); 1 in Okaloosa 20 Sep (A. Knothe et al.). Lincoln’s Sparrow: 1 at Paynes Prairie Preserve 6 Oct (J. Hintermister); singles at Lake Apopka RA 26 Oct and 16-20 Nov (H. Robinson); 1 at J.B. Starkey Wilderness Park {Pasco) 3 Nov (K. Tracey); 1 at St. Marks NWR 11 Nov (D. Reed et al.); 1 at Frog Pond WMA 16 Nov (R. Diaz); 1 at Alligator Point 24 Nov (J. Murphy). Swamp Sparrow: 3 at Lake Apopka RA 15 Oct, and 435 there 23 Nov (H. Robinson). Field Observations 73 White-throated Sparrow: 1 at Lake Apopka RA 19 Oct (H. Robinson). White-crowned Sparrow: 1 juvenile in Wakulla 24 Oct (S. McCool); 1 juvenile at Hon- eymoon Island SP 31 Oct (K. Nelson); up to 14 at Lake Apopka RA 5 Nov-EOS (H. Robinson); 4 near Dundee 9 Nov, and 7 near Dundee/Lake Wales 23 Nov (C. Geanan- gel, P. Timmer); 1 adult at Cedar Key 10 Nov (D. Henderson). Dark-eyed JuncO: 1 at Lakes Park, Fort Myers 12 Nov (J. Haas, videograb to FOC); 1 at Bald Point 15 Nov (J. Dozier et al.); 1 at Tallahassee 29 Nov (P. McTarsney); 1 at Ocala NF 25 Nov (J. Puschock). Lapland Longspur; 3 at Viera 22-28 Nov (J. Puschock et al.). Rose-breasted Grosbeak: 1 at Southern Glades Wildlife and Environmental Area {Mi- ami-Dade) 16 Nov (R. Diaz). Black-headed Grosbeak: 1 at San Felasco Hammock Preserve 26 Sep (G. Kiltie, details to FOC). Blue Grosbeak: 22 at Lake Apopka RA 10 Aug (H. Robinson); 25 at Alachua 17 Oct (P. Burns); 1 at Robert Williams Birding Trail 2 Nov (M. Collins); 1 at Black Swamp Na- ture Preserve {Leon) 2 Nov (G. Menk). Indigo Bunting: 336 at Lake Apopka RA 15 Oct (H. Robinson); 75+ at Alachua 17 Oct (P. Burns); 150 at Paynes Prairie Preserve 19 Oct (M. Manetz, E. Scales); 22 at Odessa {Pasco) 23 Oct (K. Tracey); 150 at Hague 26 Oct (M. Manetz, A, Kent); 1 at Bald Point 19 Nov (J. Dozier). Painted Bunting: 1 at Bald Point 9-13 Oct (J. Dozier); 1 male at Tallahassee 16 Oct- EOS presumably is the individual that has returned to the same feeder for the past 6 years (B. Buford). Dickcissel: 1 heard at Dry Tortugas NP 30 Sep (B. Mulrooney); 1 at Bald Point 13 Oct (J. Dozier); 1 at St. George Island 30 Oct (J. Dozier, J. Murphy); 1 at San Felasco Hammock Preserve 26 Nov (J, Hintermister et al.). Bobolink: 1 at Ocala NF 28 Sep (J. Puschock); 1 at Fort Pickens 12 Oct (B. and S. Duncan). Red-winged Blackbird: 115,000 at Lake Apopka RA 16 Sep (H. Robinson). Yellow-headed Blackbird: 1 in Okaloosa 20 Sep (A. Knothe et ah); 2 at Hague 26 Oct- 2 Nov (M. Manetz, J. Bryan et al.). Boat-tailed Grackle: 5500 at Lake Apopka RA 13 Aug, and 7300 there 16-19 Sep had declined to 20 by 5 Oct (H. Robinson). COWBIRD SPECIES: a trilogy of Shiny, Bronzed, and Brown-headed at a Cedar Key feeder 30 Sep (D. Henderson). Shiny Cowbird: 1 in S Hendry 17 Nov (V. McGrath et al.). Bronzed Cowbird: duos of males at Cedar Key 12-14 Sep and 19-23 Oct (D. Henderson); 3 at Sanibel Lighthouse 15 Sep (V. McGrath); 2 at Flamingo, Everglades NP {Monroe) 25 Oct (J. Puschock); 10+ at Eagle Lakes Park, Naples 21 Nov (D. Suitor). Brown-headed Cowbird: 700 at Mulberry {Polk) 14 Sep (P. Timmer); 10,000 at Hague 9 Nov (A. Kent). Orchard Oriole: 4 at Lake Apopka RA 3 Sep (H. Robinson). Baltimore Oriole: 7 at Lake Apopka RA 29 Sep (H. Robinson). House Finch: 4 at Eustis {Lake) all season (J. Puschock). American Goldfinch: 1 at St. Augustine {St. Johns) 4 Sep (J. Holstein). Orange Bishop: 1 male in breeding plumage at Homestead {Miami-Dade) 4 Nov (D. Tchakarian, photos to FOC). Java Sparrow: 1 in Pasco 20 Oct had been present for “about two months” (B. Boyd, pho- tos to FOC). Nutmeg Mannikin: 1 at Pensacola 24 Nov (A. and D. Forster) — birds continue to be “re- ported widely” throughout the Pensacola area {fide B. Duncan). Contributors; Brian Ahern, Carol and Ray Ascherfield, Lyn Atherton, Fred Bas- sett, Mark Berney, Paul Bithorn, Bill Boeringer, Jeff Bouton, Pam Bowen, Bill Boyd, 74 FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST John Boyd, Cecil Brown, Judy Bryan, Barbara Buford, Mike Buono, Patricia Burns, Ron Butts, Jim Cavanagh, Roger Clark, T. J. Coburn, Julie Cocke, Marvin Collins, Buck Cooper, Tom Curtis, David Dees, Robin Diaz, David Dortch, Terry Doyle, Jack Dozier, Michael Drummond, Bob Duncan, Lucy Duncan, Scot Duncan, Becky Enneis, Charlie Ewell, Jay Exum, Paul Fellers, Lenny Fenimore, Barry Fleming, Gene Fleming, Ann and Dan Forster, David Frederick, David Freeland, Jill Gaetzi, Murray Gardler, Chuck Geanaiigel, Wally George, Bev Goode, David Goodwin, Cheryl Greene, Jon Greenlaw, John Haas, Jack Hailman, Erik Haney, A1 and Bev Hansen, Greg Hart, David Hart- grove, Dale Henderson, Michael Hill, John Hintermister, Steve Hofstetter, Jackie Hol- stein, Howard Horne, Genesis Humphrey, Adam Kent, Grace Kiltie, Alan Knothe, Andy Kratter, Jerry Krummrich, Ed Kwater, David LaPuma, Mary Landsman, Bob Landry, Patrick Leary, Kenneth Litzenberger, Frank Logan, Russell MacGregor, Keith MacVicar, Mike Manetz, Larry Manfredi, Peter May, Linda McCandless, Sean McCool, Vince McGrath, Jim McKay, Mike McMillian, Pat McTarsney, Michael Meisenburg, Gail Menk, Paul Miller, Linda Most, Brennan Mulrooney, Deanna Murphy, John Mur- phy, Barbara Muschlitz, Kris Nelson, Rob Norton, Patty Orr, Ruth Palenik, Tom Palmer, Evelyn Perry, Judd Pesold, Jim Peterson, Bill Pranty, John Puschock, Brian Rapoza, Diane Reed, Dexter Richardson, Bob Richter, Sue Riffe, Bryant Roberts, Harry Robinson, Ron Robinson, Tom Rodriguez, Tommie Rogers, Ken Rosenberg, Jill Rosen- field, Rex Rowan, Fran Rutkovsky, Charles Sample, Earl Scales, Stefan Schlick, Mark Sees, Allan Sheppard, Steve Siegel, David Simpson, Jack Skalickey, Ron Smith, April Stickle, Monte Stickle, Bob Stoll, Doug Suitor, Paul Sykes, Darla Tchakarian, Linda Terry, Pete Timmer, Ken Tracey, Chris Tucker, James Tucker, Hans Von Tol, Don Ware, Harold Weatherman, Tom Webber, Jeff Weber, Mickey Wheeler, Eddie White, Jean Williams, Glen Woolfenden. Summer 2003 reports not published previously: Audubon’s Shearwater: 1 at 409 Hump 27 Jul (L. Manfredi et aL); House Finch: 1 pair bred at Orlando {Orange; Nancy Prine). Report prepared by Bill Pranty, state compiler (Avian Ecology Lab, Archbold Bio- logical Station, 123 Main Drive, Venus, Florida 33960 ). Re- gional compilers are Bruce H. Anderson (2917 Scarlet Road, Winter Park, Florida 32792 ), John H. Boyd III (15291 SW 108th Terrace, Miami, Flor- ida 33196, ), Linda Cooper (558 Sunshine Boulevard, Haines City, Florida 33844-9540 ), Bob and Lucy Duncan (614 Fairpoint Drive, Gulf Breeze, Florida 32561, ), Charlie Ewell (115 SW 51st Terrace, Cape Coral, Florida 33991, ), Bev Hansen (6573 Pine Meadows Drive, Spring Hill, Florida 34606 ), Gail Menk (2725 Peachtree Drive, Tallahassee, Florida 32304 no e-mail), David Pow- ell (1407 Storington Avenue, Brandon, Florida 33511 ), and Peg^ Powell (2965 Forest Circle, Jacksonville, Florida 32257 ). Florida Field Naturalist ISSN 0738-999X PUBLISHED BY THE FLORIDA ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY Editor; JEROME A. JACKSON, Whitaker Center, Arts & Sciences, Florida Gulf Coast Uni- versity, 10501 FGCU Blvd. South, Fort Myers, FL 33965. E-mail: picus@fgcu.edu Associate Editor (for Reviews): Reed Bowman, Archbold Biological Station, RO. Box 2057, Lake Placid, FL 33852 Associate Editor (for bird distribution): Bruce Anderson, 2917 Scarlet Road, Winter Park, FL 32792. E-mail: scizortail@aoLcom Editor of the Ornithological Newsletter; TOM PALMER, 1805 26th Street, N.W., Win- ter Haven, FL 33881. E-mail: tomp47@yahoo.com Editor of Special Publications; Glen E. Woolfenden, Archbold Biological Station, RO. Box 2057, Lake Placid, FL 33862. E-mail: gwoolfenden@archbold-station.org Web Page Editor; Eugene Stoccardo, 715 Warrenton Rd., Winter Park, FL 33792- 4541, E-mail: scrabjay@cfl.rr.com 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, We welcome submission of original manuscripts containing new information from these areas. We encourage electronic submission of manuscripts. Please consult recent issues of the journal for style, especially noting that manuscripts should: (1) be double-spaced throughout, including tables and figure captions; (2) include the scientific name at the first mention of each species; (3) include capitalized standardized English names for all birds, but lower case for English names of other organisms; (4) include metric units for all measurements; (5) use the form “7 June 2003” for all dates; (6) use the 24-hour clock for all indications of time (e.g., 0800, 1400); (7) use the following abbreviations: s (second), min (minute), h (hour); (8) preferentially use active voice. Submit manuscripts for Florida Field Naturalist to the Editor, Jerome A. Jackson. Monograph-length manuscripts may be submitted for consideration to Glen E. Wool- fenden, Editor of Special Publications. Books and other materials for review should be submitted to: Reed Bowman, Associate Editor for Reviews. Field Observations should be submitted to the Chair of the Field Observations Committee, Bill Pranty. Reports of rare birds in Florida should be submitted to the Managing Secretary of the FOS Records Com- mittee, Reed Bowman. Florida Field Naturalist PUBLISHED BY THE FLORIDA ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY VOL. 32, No. 2 May 2004 PAGES 43Y4 CONTENTS ARTICLES Eastern-Screech-Owl Use of Nest Boxes at Holiday Highlands Sanctuary, Orange County, Florida. Richard Poole and Christine Brown......................... 43-47 NOTES A Specimen of the Varied Thrush from Florida Glen E. Woolfenden and Richard C. Banks ....................................................... 48-50 Discovery and Habitat Use of Black Rails Along the Central Florida Gulf Coast. Bill Pranty, Donald J. Robinson, Mary Barnwell, Clay Black, and Ken Tracey 51-55 The Ephemeral Bluish Necklace of the Cerulean Warbler. James E. Cavanagh, Jr. .................................................................................... 56-59 REVIEW Florida’s Snakes: A Guide to Their Identification and Habits, by Richard D. Bartlett and Patricia P. Bartlett. Kyle G. Ashton .................................................................................................... 60-62 FIELD OBSERVATIONS Fall report: March-May 2003 Bill Pranty .......................................................................................................... 63-74 F'6TC-3 Florida Field Naturalist PUBLISHED BY THE FLORIDA ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY VoL. 32, No. 3 September 2004 Pages 75-127 FLORIDA ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY Founded 1972 Officers President: FRANCES C. JAMES, Department of Biological Science, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306-1100. E-mail: james@bio.fsu.edu Vice President: JOYCE King, 11645 69th Way N., Largo, FL 33773. Secretary: PAMELA J. BoWEN, 309 Moonstone Dr., East Palatka, FL 32131. E-mail: pjbowen@aol.com Treasurer: Dean Jue, 3455 Dorchester Court, Tallahassee, FL 32312-1300. E-mail: djue@admin.fsu.edu Editor, Florida Field Naturalist: JEROME A. JACKSON, Whitaker Center, Arts & Sci- ences, Florida Gulf Coast University, 10501 FGCU Blvd. South, Fort Myers, FL 33965. Ex Officio: Immediate Past President: PETER G. MERRITT, 8558 SE Sharon St., Kobe Sound, FL 33455. Directors, Terms Expiring Spring 2005 Judith B. Buhrman, 6123 113th Street, #504, Seminole, FL 33772-6846 Terry J. Doyle, Ten Thousand Islands NWR, 3860 Tollgate Blvd., Ste. 300, Naples, FL 34114 Directors, Terms Expiring Spring 2006 Murray Gardler, 9400 Merriweather Drive, Brooksville, FL 34613-4271 David Stock, Department of Biology, Unit 8285, Stetson University, DeLand, FL 32723 Directors, Terms Expiring Spring 2004 Judy Bryan, 1924 SW 43rd Avenue, Gainesville, FL 32608 Scott Robinson, Florida Museum of Natural History, P.O. Box 117800, Gainesville, FL 32611 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; Ted Below 1999. 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 $20 for individual members (overseas $25), $25 for a family member- ship, $15 for students, $40 for contributing members and $25 for institutional membership. 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 undelivered 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. The Florida Ornithological Society web site can be found at www.fosbirds.org THIS PUBLICATION IS PRINTED ON NEUTRAL PH PAPER Florida Field Naturalist PUBLISHED BY THE FLORIDA ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY VoL. 32, No. 3 September 2004 Pages 75-127 Florida Field Naturalist 32(3):75-84, 2004. BIRD OBSERVATIONS IN FIVE AGRICULTURAL FIELD TYPES OF THE EVERGLADES AGRICULTURAL AREA IN SUMMER AND FALL Elise V. Pearlstine\ Frank J. Mazzottp, Kenneth G. Rice^, and Anna Liners ^University of Florida, WAS Ft. Lauderdale Research and Education Center 3205 College Ave., Davie, FL 33314 ^University of Florida Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation Ft. Lauderdale Research and Education Center 3205 College Ave., Davie, FL 33314 ^US. Geological Survey University of Florida Field Station 3205 College Ave., Davie, FL 33026 Abstract. — The Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA) is a 280,000 ha segment of former Everglades that was drained early in this century and converted to agricultural cultivation. It is near natural Everglades habitat; however, the wildlife of this area re- mains relatively unknown. We surveyed 18 sites in five agricultural field types for bird presence and abundance from mid-June to December 1999. We compared these EAA sites with four sites at the adjacent Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge (LNWR) and tallied 4,005 individuals and 72 species within the 9 sites. Flooded habitats such as rice and fallow flooded fields contained a larger numbers of birds and higher species diversity than terrestrial habitats (cane, sod, fallow fields) within the EAA. However, each field type supports a unique assemblage of species and contributes to overall avian diversity of the area. We recommend that flooded habitats be expanded within the EAA, especially on idle lands. There is a need for further study and the inclu- sion of wildlife in agricultural and restoration planning in the area. Located between the southern perimeter of Lake Okeechobee and the northern extent of remaining Everglades marsh, the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA) presents a unique opportunity in which to study wildlife in an agricultural landscape. Despite its prominent place in potential Everglades restoration activities, both as a source of pollution and as an example of wetland destruction (Snyder and David- 75 76 FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST son 1994), the EAA has been little studied by wildlife researchers. Ex- tensive documentation of wading bird species in surrounding Lake Okeechobee, Water Conservation Areas, and Everglades National Park exists from both recent studies (Crozier and Gawlik 2003, Russell et al. 2002, Ogden 1994, Smith 1994, Zaffke 1984) and early records of Na- tional Audubon wardens (Ogden 1978). Mention of the EAA in this lit- erature is scarce. Smith (1994) included the EAA when he noted the use of sugarcane irrigation ditches by foraging Great Egrets {Ardea alba) and Snowy Egrets {Egretta thula) from one of the Lake Okeechobee colonies. David (1994) hypothesized that drainage and cul- tivation of EAA lands resulted in the expansion of Cattle Egrets {Bubulcus ibis) observed at Lake Okeechobee in the 1970s. Although studies have documented habitat use in the EAA, these concentrated on a few areas known to provide habitat. For instance, Townsend (2000) and Turnbull et al. (1989a) documented bird use of rice, while Sykes and Hunter (1978) censused flooded, fallow fields. No study has been made of bird or other wildlife activity in sugarcane or terrestrial habitats that cover the bulk of the EAA landscape. We at- tempt to provide a representative census of birds in the EAA by provid- ing data on wild birds in five agricultural field types. Study Area The EAA is a 280,000-ha area of drained agricultural lands that represents approxi- mately 1/7 of the original 1,900,000-ha Everglades habitat (Izuno and Bottcher 1994). This region is bordered by Lake Okeechobee to the north and by Water Conservation Ar- eas 1, 2, and 3 to the south and east. Modern agricultural practices in the EAA began with the onset of drainage in the area in 1906 and intensified after the federal govern- ment launched a large drainage campaign in the area in the 1950s (Light and Dineen 1994, Snyder and Davidson 1994). Today farming in the EAA consists primarily of sugarcane (Snyder and Davidson 1994) grown commercially in large tracts connected by a network of canals, roads, and irrigation ditches. Fallow (exposed, unplanted soil), flooded-fallow (flooded, unplanted soil), and rice fields are also seasonally present in the EAA, primarily in the summer months. Flooded-fallow and rice fields are used in rotation with sugarcane to help reju- venate the soil. Flooding prevents oxidation of the organic soil matter which results in soil compaction or subsidence, and provides pest and weed control (Izuno 1994, Snyder 1994, Snyder and Davidson 1994). Vegetables of a variety of types are grown over 11% of the area in winter, and a small amount of sod is grown year-round (Snyder and David- son 1994). Vegetable, sod, fallow, flooded-fallow, and rice fields are scattered sparsely throughout the sugarcane-dominated matrix in their appropriate seasons. Nearby Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge (LNWR) provides nearly 60,000 hectares of natural habitat and a series of managed impoundments. The impoundments are rectangular, diked, freshwater habitats that are managed for wild- life. Each consists of a central flooded area that is usually surrounded by a deeper chan- nel next to the surrounding berm. The berms have dirt roads or walking trails on top. Management in the impoundments consists mainly of water-level manipulations and some cutting of aquatic plants. Habitat in the impoundments and surrounding area pro- vides a semi-natural wetland/upland landscape for use by resident and migratory birds. Pearlstine etal, — Birds of the Everglades Agricultural Area 77 The structure of the impoundments provides a non-agricultural habitat that has compo- nents similar to the agricultural fields. Methods We surveyed 18 sites in five locations of the EAA and four sites within the Compart- ment C impoundments of the LNWR bimonthly from mid- June to early December 1999, In the EAA we included sugarcane, rice, flooded-fallow fields, fallow fields, and sod. Sites within LNWR were selected to cover Compartment C geographically. Each site consisted of a rectangular area made up of an approximately 150-200-m length running along an accessible edge of a farm field and the depth that an observer was able to see into a field from that field edge. Every site within the EAA included at least one ditch or canal, as well as any dirt roads and adjacent levees associated with the field area. The method used was modified from the one used by Townsend (2000) to study birds in rice fields. Sites within the same general location were treated as a unit. These sampling units were visited on consecutive mornings. We counted birds at each site within a unit for ten minutes. During a count, the field edge was treated as a line transect, with the observer walking this length and recording number of individuals, species, location, and activity of birds within the area of the field visible from the transect. Because of their abundance in all agricultural areas Red-winged Blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus) and Boat-tailed Grackles (Quiscalus major) were difficult to census other than as present or absent and so were not analyzed numerically. Weather data such as temperature, wind speed, wind direction, as well as field data such as water level, vegetation height, field condition, and depth of visibility were also recorded during site censuses. The order that each site was visited was rotated each week so that no bias in time of sampling would affect the data. However, all sites were visited within the first five hours after sunrise. Birds were grouped into guilds according to their feeding habits as raptors, water- fowl, wading birds, shorebirds, or perching birds (Elphick et al. 2001). We determined bird density as the average number of birds per square meter and mean birds per site for each field t5rpe. Species diversity was calculated using the Shannon-Wiener index, which, indicates the diversity of a sample based on the number of species and the number of in- dividuals. An increase in the index value is interpreted to mean that there are more spe- cies and that individuals are distributed more evenly among the species present. Results We observed 72 species of birds between mid- June and December 1999 within the EAA and LNWR within the five different types of ag- ricultural fields and the non-agricultural habitat of impoundments on the refuge (Table 1). The average area surveyed was similar for five of six habitat types. The exception was in sugarcane where the average area was much smaller at just over 6000 m^. The field type with the most species was rice followed by sugarcane and impoundment. The highest diversity was also on rice fields, followed closely by flooded-fal- low fields. Total number of individuals was greatest on rice followed by flooded-fallow and sugar. The average density of birds was highest in flooded-fallow fields and in sugarcane (Table 1). The fields of the EAA were used by a variety of birds representing the five identified guilds and within the fields diverse habitats were used. We observed the endangered Wood Stork {Mycteria americana), 78 FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST Pearlstine etal.—Bieds of the Everglades Agricultural Area 79 threatened Least Tern {Sterna antillarum), and six species of special concern (Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission 1997) in the EAA. Fallow.— swallow species were seen at fallow fields and at no other field type in the EAA (Table 2). Perching birds, such as Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) and Barn Swallow {Hirundo rustica), were commonly found within fallow fields and on utility wires adjacent to fallow fields respectively. Shorebirds, mainly Killdeer {Charadrius vo~ ciferus), were fairly common within the exposed muck soil of fallow fields. Wading birds, predominantly Cattle Egrets, were sometimes present in fallow fields, particularly when machinery was in use. Wad- ing birds were also seen within and along the edges of irrigation ditches. Flooded-fallow fields.— Fin e species of birds were seen in flooded- fallow fields and in no other habitat type. These included the American White Pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) and Double-crested Cormo- rant (Phalacrocorax auritus), commonly deeper water birds (Table 2). Bird abundance in flooded-fallow fields was almost evenly split be- tween waterfowl and wading birds. Waterfowl, which consisted mostly of Common Moorhens {Gallinula chloropus), Anhingas {Anhinga an- hinga), Mottled Ducks {Anas fulvigula), and American Coots {Fulica americana), were mainly observed in open water of flooded-fallow fields. Anhingas were often seen on vegetated levees, and Common Moorhens and American Coots were frequently flushed from field edges. Though dominated by Great Egrets, a variety of wading birds typified flooded-fallow fields including Glossy Ibis {Plegadis falcinel- lus), Wood Stork, and a wide array of herons and egrets. Wading birds were most commonly seen on vegetated levees separating flooded-fal- low fields, but were also common in open water and at its edge. Shore- birds such as small terns, Black-necked Stilt {Himantopus mexicanus), Black Skimmer {Rynchops niger), Greater Yellowlegs {Tringa melano- leuca), Lesser Yellowlegs {Tringa flavipes), and Killdeer used open wa- ter or, occasionally, open-water edges, roads, and vegetated levees of flooded-fallow fields. Rarely, perching birds such as Common Yel- lowthroat {Geothlypis trichas). Palm Warbler {Dendroica palmarum), and swallows were glimpsed flitting around the vegetation at the wa- ter’s edge or perched on utility wires. Impoundments.— Fleven species of birds were unique to the non- agricultural impoundments of LNWR (Table 2). In part this seems to be due to the more permanent nature of non-impoundment vegetation such as brush and trees of large size lining the impoundments as well as the matrix of grasses and open water. Also, the impoundments are part of a much greater natural area comprising LNWR. Common Moorhens were observed most often and were found predominately in Table 2. Bird species that were found in only one type of habitat are listed during summer and fall censuses in the Everglades Agricultural Area. 80 FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST T, e S V, s O O e-§ tl S-t c O. I § « I .3 -.8 5-1 a £ iS. 5d d 2 cd d 1q m -2 •2 o d S' 'Td ® CO 'ft "C o o ft m ® d^ d "S a Id d ft 'C CO e o '2 d ’8 o td 'd _ft o •-d S ® CO o d g m pipei 6 m g s 1 s ^ ft ^ m « 5-1 e CU fc ft e ft o ^ m S m S cs g O S $1 ^ 8 ’C 2 0) d Is e -s S 9 d I a cd C ^ d m d .& ed cd 9 be S I i m “tl s I ^ e ^ o ^ $ O d - t ^ B e o 00 d 0) -O .fcj s -o ^ ^ d g -d d ^ £ S-S 2 CC ft 2 CO 03 ^ cd ^ g cd fS cd W & S W ^ W b d p o ^ Id I •S cd ^ O -S 11 5- CO & g CO 300% since 1960), and may reflect both habitat loss and per- haps increased bear movements (in response to a fragmented landscape) as well as an increase in local and long-distance highway traffic. Apparent heavy use of ABS during the fall may be a compensatory response to diminished food supplies elsewhere, although such use is Maehr etal. — Black Bear in South-Central Florida 93 also well documented in the historical literature, and thus, cannot be interpreted as a new phenomenon related solely to habitat loss. Simi- lar movements have been reported in the very small bear population in the greater Chassahowitzka ecosystem of west central Florida where adult females occasionally abandon home ranges during fall to access acorns (Orlando 2003). During these movements they are subjected to highway mortality. In the greater Chassahowitzka ecosystem, the ef- fects of fragmentation by roads are exacerbated by noise and other edge effects that degrade otherwise suitable habitat. Bears in the Highlands County area may be equally vulnerable because they must cross highways to access food-producing xeric habitats. Regardless, better demographic and spatial data are needed to understand the sur- vival prospects for the south-central Florida population. In the face of continuing loss of forest and scrub habitats in High- lands County and south-central Florida generally, the ABS and other protected areas with suitable black-bear habitat (e.g., Apthorpe Tract, Royce Ranch, Lake Wales Ridge National Wildlife Refuge) are of increas- ing importance to the population’s future. Although Wooding and Brady (1987) recommended a variety of solutions to ameliorate the effects of habitat fragmentation and highway mortality, the only methods that do more than treat symptoms of an increasingly patchy landscape are the protection of habitat through land-use regulations and acquisition ef- forts, and the re-creation of connectivity among habitat patches (Hoctor 2003). We recommend that state and regional land-management agen- cies and private environmental groups involved in the protection and restoration of natural habitats give high priority to maintaining and re- storing the demographic interchange within a once continuous Florida population. In the case of the south-central Florida black-bear popula- tion, the success of such efforts will depend upon additional research to clarify the spatial and temporal patterns of bear ecology as an aid to mit- igating continued human pressures on the population. Acknowledgments We thank the over 100 ABS staff members, visitors, and other individuals who re- ported bear observations over the span of 40 years. Archbold Biological Station sup- ported acquisition and curation of the records. Portions of data analyses were supported by a Disney Wildlife Conservation Fund grant. T. Eason of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission graciously provided bear highway-mortality statistics. This is journal series number 03-09-140 of the Kentucky Agricultural Experiment Station and is published with permission of the director. Literature Cited Abrahamson, W. G., a. F. Johnson, J. N. Layne, and P. A. Peronl 1984. Vegetation of the Archbold Biological Station, Florida: an example of the southern Lake Wales Ridge. Florida Scientist 47:209-250. 94 FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST Abrahamson, W. G., and J. N. Layne. 2003. Long-term patterns of acorn production for five oak species in xeric Florida uplands. Ecology 84:2476-2492. Brady, J. R., and D. S. Maehr. 1985. Black bear distribution in Florida. Florida Field Naturalist 13:1-7. DeVane, A. 1978. DeVane’s early Florida history. Sebring Historical Society, Sebring, FL. Duever, L. C. 1984. Seepage communities. The Palmetto 4(l):l-2, 10-11. Ewel, K. C. 1990. Swamps. Pages 281-323 in Ecosystems of Florida (R. L. Myers, and J. J. Ewel, eds.). University of Central Florida Press, Orlando. Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission. 1993. Management of the black bear in Florida: a staff report to the commissioners. Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission, Tallahassee. Forman, R. T. T., D. Sperling, J. A. Bissonette, A. P. Clevenger, C. D. Cutshall, V. H. Dale, L. Fahrig, R. France, C. R. Goldman, K. Heanue, J. A. Jones, F. J. Swan- son, T. Turrentine, and T. C. Winter. 2003. Road Ecology: Science and Solutions. Island Press, Washington, D.C. Garshelis, D. L., and M, R. Pelton. 1981. Movements of black bears in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Journal of Wildlife Management 45:912-925. Hellgren, E. C., and D. S. Maehr. 1992. Habitat fragmentation and black bears in the eastern United States. Proceedings of the Eastern Workshop on Black Bear Manage- ment and Research 11:154-165. Harris, L. D., T. Hoctor, D. Maehr, and J. Sanderson. 1996. The role of networks and corridors in enhancing the value and protection of parks and equivalent areas. Pages 173-197 in National Parks and Protected Areas: Their Role in Environmental Protec- tion (R. G. Wright, ed.). Blackwell Science, Cambridge, MA. Hoctor, T. S. 2003. Regional landscape analysis and reserve design to conserve Florida’s biodiversity. Ph.D. dissertation. University of Florida, Gainesville. Larkin, J. L., D. S. Maehr, T. S. Hoctor, K. Whitney, and M. A. Orlando. 2004. Land- scape linkages and conservation planning for the black bear in west-central Florida. Animal Conservation 7:1-12. Layne, j. N. and D. Glover 1985. Activity patterns of the common long-nosed arma- dillo Dasypus novemcinctus in south-central Florida. Pages 407-417 in The Ecology and Evolution of Armadillos, Sloths, and Vermilinguas (G. G. Montgomery, ed.). Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington, D.C. Maehr, D. S. 1984. Distribution of black bears in eastern North America. Proceedings of the Eastern Workshop on Black Bear Management and Research 7:74. Maehr, D. S. 1997a. The comparative ecology of bobcat, black bear, and Florida panther in south Florida. Bulletin of the Florida Museum of Natural History 40:1-176. Maehr, D. S., J. N. Layne, E. D. Land, J. W. McCown, and J. Roof. 1988. Long dis- tance movements of a Florida black bear. Florida Field Naturalist 16:1-6. Maehr, D. S., and J. N. Layne. 1996. Saw palmetto. Gulfshore Life 26(7):38-41, 56-58. Maehr, D. S., T. S. Hoctor, and L. D. Harris. 2001. Remedies for a denatured biota: re- storing landscapes for native carnivores. Pages 123-127 in Wildlife, Land, and People: Priorities for the 21st Century (R. Field, R. J. Warren, H. Okarma, and P, R. Sievert, eds.). The Wildlife Society, Bethesda, MD. Maehr, D. S., T. S. Hoctor, L. J. Quinn, and J. S. Smith. 2001. Black bear habitat man- agement guidelines for Florida. Technical Report No. 17. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Tallahassee. Maehr, D. S., J. D. Smith, M. W. Cunningham, M. E. Barnwell, J. L. Larkin, and M. A. Orlando. 2003. Spatial characteristics of an isolated Florida black bear popu- lation. Southeastern Naturalist 2:433-446. Myers, R. L., and J. J. Ewel. 1990. Ecosystems of Florida. University of Central Florida Press, Orlando. Maehr etal. — Black Beak in South-Central Florida 95 Onorato, D. P., and E. C. Hellgren. 2001. Black bear at the border: natural recoloni- zation of the Trans-Pecos. Pages 245-59 in Large Mammal Restoration: Ecological and Sociological Challenges in the 21st Century (D. S. Maehr, R. F. Noss, and J. L. Larkin, eds.). Island Press, Washington, D.C. Orlando, M. A. 2003. The ecology and behavior of an isolated black bear population in west central Florida. M.S. thesis. University of Kentucky, Lexington. Rand, A. L., and P. Host. 1942. Mammal notes from Highland (sic) County, Florida. Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History 80:1-21. Rogers, L. L. 1987. Effects of food supply and kinship on social behavior, movements, and population growth of black bears in northeastern Minnesota. Wildlife Mono- graph 97:1-72. SiMBERLOFF, D. S., AND J. A. Cox. 1987. Consequences and costs of conservation corri- dors. Conservation Biology 1:63-71. SiMBERLOFF, D. S., J. A. Farr, J. Cox, AND D. W. Mehlman. 1992. Movement corridors: conservation bargains or poor investments? Conservation Biology 6:493-504. U.S. Census Bureau. 2002. Highlands County, Florida. United States Department of Commerce, http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/12/12055.html. Accessed 24 Janu- ary 2003. VILLARUBIA, C. R. 1982. Movement ecology and habitat utilization of black bears in Cher- okee National Forest, Tennessee. M.S. Thesis, University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Wooding, J. B., and J. R. Brady. 1987. Black bear roadkills in Florida. Proceedings of the Annual Conference of the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies 41:438-442. Wooding, J. B., S. M. Shea, M. L. Richardson, and D. Y. Dowling. 1992. Movements of a female black bear in northwestern Florida. Florida Field Naturalist 20:46-48. 96 FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST Appendix 1. Records of the black bear in and around Highlands County, FL 1962-1997. Date Approximate location Evidence Habitat (if noted) ^ Observer 12 Oct. 1962 ABS2 Tracks Scrubby flatwoods J. Layne 16 Jul. 1969 ABS Scat Scrub P. Cone 4 Nov. 1969 ABS Tracks Scrub J. Layne 15 Oct. 1970 ABS Tracks Scrubby flatwoods J. Layne 9 Jan. 1971 Hickory Branch Observed Dike D. Tuck 27, 28 Mar. 1971 ABS Tracks Scrub J. Layne 1 Apr. 1971 ABS Observed Scrub R. Archbold 9 Apr. 1971 ABS Observed Scrub T. Lodge 27 Apr. 1971 ABS Scat Scrubby flatwoods C. Winegarner 29 May 1971 ABS Tracks Scrub R. Archbold 8 Jun. 1971 ABS Tracks — G. Woolfenden 14 Jun. 1971 ABS Observed Scrub C. Winegarner 15 Jun. 1971 ABS Tracks Scrubby flatwoods J. La3me 17 Jun. 1971 ABS Tracks — C. Winegarner 1 May 1972 ABS Tracks Scrub B. Barbour 2 May 1972 ABS Tracks Scrub B. Thomason 8 May 1972 ABS Damage Scrubby flatwoods J. Layne 9 May 1972 ABS Damage — J. Layne 10 May 1972 County Road 17 Damage Agriculture B. Lewis 10 Jun. 1972 US Highway 27 Hit by car — Tampa Tribune 12 Jun. 1972 Hickory Branch Damage Citrus grove J. Johnson 10 Jul. 1972 Peoples Ranch Observed — J. Johnson 20 Jul. 1972 Hickory Branch Observed Apiary J. Layne 26 Jul. 1972 ABS Damage — J. Johnson 10 Sep. 1972 Placid View Road Observed — F. Lohrer 3 Oct. 1972 State Road 70 Observed — C. Lohrer 8 Oct. 1972 ABS Tracks — J. Layne 9 May 1973 ABS Damage Scrub J. Layne 22 Jun. 1973 ABS Observed Office area M. Harbaugh 31 Jul. 1973 ABS Observed Scrub J. Layne 1 Sep. 1973 ABS Observed — J. Fitzpatrick 22 Oct. 1973 ABS Tracks __ J. Layne 16, 29 Nov. 1973 ABS Tracks — J. La3ne 9 Jul. 1974 ABS Tracks — C. Winegarner 12, 15 Jul. 1974 ABS Tracks — F. Lohrer 21 Jul. 1974 Brighton Reservation Observed — J. Gibbons 5 Aug. 1974 ABS Observed Scrub H. Higgins 28 Aug. 1974 ABS Observed — F. Lohrer 30 Aug. 1974 ABS Observed Scrubby flatwoods F. Lohrer 8 Oct. 1974 ABS Tracks Scrubby flatwoods J. Layne 10 Mayl975 ABS Tracks — J. Layne 29 Mayl975 Lake Huntley Observed Avocado grove J. Watters ^Or inferred from location/description. ^Archbold Biological Station. This observation was facilitated with radio telemetry on a bear that was the subject of a paper by Maehr et al. (1988); subsequent telemetry locations were not reported herein due to duplication and sampling bias. Maehr etal. — Black Bear in South-Central Florida 97 Appendix 1. (Continued) Records of the black bear in and around Highlands County, FL 1962-1997. Date Approximate location Evidence Habitat (if noted)^ Observer 30 Mayl975 Lake Grassy Hit by car — M. Yusko 18 Nov. 1975 Tiger Creek, Polk Co. Damage Apiary K. Morrison 20 Nov 1975 ABS Tracks Scrubby flatwoods C. Winegarner 25 Nov 1975 Lake Crews Treed — J. Layne 26 Nov 1975 Fisheating Creek Tracks — M. Masters 1 Dec. 1975 ABS Tracks — M. Masters 3 Dec. 1975 Lake Redwater Tracks Orange grove V. Morgan 11 Dec. 1975 ABS Scat _ C. Winegarner 12 Dec. 1975 ABS Scat Scrub C. Winegarner 14 Dec. 1975 ABS Damage Office area J. Layne 28 Dec. 1975 ABS Scat — J. Layne 28 Dec. 1975 ABS Observed Sandhill D. Moskovitz 6 Jan. 1976 ABS Scat/tracks — V. Brach 25 Mayl976 ABS Tracks — M. Yusko 27 May 1976 ABS Tracks/hair — M. Yusko 15 JuL 1976 Near Venus Hit by car — R. Marine 17 Dec. 1976 North of Lake Placid Tracks Citrus grove J. Morgan 6 Apr. 1977 East of ABS Tracks — C. Winegarner 3 Mayl977 Lake Frances Treed — J. Layne 21 May 1977 Highlands Park Estates Tracks Suburb H. Higgins 25 Jun. 1977 Highlands Park Estates Observed Suburb K. Crawford 2 Jan. 1979 Hendrie Ranch Observed Oak hammock J. Hendrie 6 Mayl979 ABS Tracks — C. Winegarner 8 Oct. 1979 Sun-n-Lakes Observed Suburb W. Joiner 12 Oct. 1979 ABS Tracks Scrub M. Yusko 17 Apr. 1980 Lake Placid Observed Citrus grove R. Carter 25 Apr. 1981 ABS Scat — J. Layne 1 Jun. 1981 Lake Placid Tracks Citrus grove R. Carter 29 Nov 1983 Consolidated Tomoka Observed Scrub W. Maulden 2 Dec. 1983 ABS Tracks Scrubby flatwoods C. Winegarner 4 Dec. 1983 ABS Observed Scrub M. Winegarner 4 Dec. 1983 ABS Tracks — R. Layne 5 Dec. 1983 ABS Tracks Scrub J. Layne 6 Dec. 1983 ABS Scat/tracks — C. Winegarner 11 Dec. 1983 ABS Tracks Scrub F. Lohrer 12 Dec. 1983 ABS Tracks — F. Lohrer 13 Dec. 1983 ABS Tracks/hair — G. Woolfenden 17 JuL 1984 ABS Tracks Scrub K. McGowan 24 JuL 1984 ABS Observed — M. Lee 30 JuL 1984 ABS Tracks K. McGowan 10 Aug. 1984 ABS Observed Scrubby flatwoods J. La5nie 13 Sep. 1984 ABS Observed — B. Patterson ^Or inferred from location/description. ^Archbold Biological Station. ^This observation was facilitated with radio telemetry on a bear tbat was tbe subject of a paper by Maebr et al. (1988); subsequent telemetry locations were not reported herein due to duplication and sampling bias. 98 FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST Appendix 1. (Continued) Records of the black bear in and around Highlands County, FL 1962-1997. Date Approximate location Evidence Habitat (if noted)' Observer 14 Sep. 1984 ABS Tracks — J. Layne 24 Sep. 1984 ABS Observed — A. Johnson 2 Oct. 1984 ABS Tracks — M. De5rnip 4 Oct. 1984 ABS Tracks — J. La3me 7 Oct. 1984 ABS Observed — J. Layne 9 Oct. 1984 ABS Diggings — B. Crawford 15 Oct. 1984 ABS Scat Scrubby flatwoods J. Layne 27 Mayl985 ABS Observed — A. Johnson 13 Jun. 1985 Carter residence Tracks Residence D. Carter 4 Jul. 1985 Parker Island Observed Residence M. Yusko 18 Jul. 1985 ABS Tracks — F. Lohrer 23 Jul. 1985 ABS Observed — J. Peoples 2 Oct. 1985 ABS Tracks — B. Crawford 8 Oct. 1985 ABS Tracks — J. Layne 10 Oct. 1985 ABS Observed — T. Summerlin 17 Oct. 1985 ABS Observed — D. Smith 18 Oct. 1985 ABS Observed — F. Lohrer 28 Oct. 1985 ABS Observed — T. Summerlin 7 Nov. 1985 ABS Tracks — M. Elowson 2 Dec. 1985 ABS Tracks Scrub T. Summerlin 3, 4 Dec. 1985 ABS Tracks — T. Summerlin 1 Jul. 1986 ABS Observed^ Flatwoods J. Layne 8 Jul. 1986 ABS Tracks Scrub P. Martin 10 Jul. 1986 ABS Tracks — F. Lohrer 14 Jul. 1986 ABS Tracks — B. Crawford 18 Jul. 1986 ABS Observed Scrub J. Layne 1 Aug. 1986 ABS Observed Bayhead M. Minno 21 Aug. 1986 ABS Observed Lake Annie M. McMillian 29 Aug. 1986 ABS Observed — D. Smith 11 Sep. 1986 ABS Tracks — M. McMillian 12 Sep. 1986 ABS Tracks Scrub M. McMillian 13 Sep. 1986 ABS Tracks — M. McMillian 18 Sep. 1986 ABS Tracks — M. De3rrup 22 Sep. 1986 ABS Observed — L. Ferguson 22 Sep. 1986 ABS Tracks — D. Fleck 1 Oct. 1986 ABS Tracks Scrubby flatwoods P. Martin 1, 7 Oct. 1986 ABS Tracks — P. Martin 7 Oct. 1986 ABS Observed — Unknown 2 Jun. 1987 ABS Damage — J. Layne 8 Jun. 1987 ABS Observed — ABS staff 18 Jun. 1987 ABS Observed — M. Valero 12 Aug. 1987 Lake Placid Observed Scrub J. Wolfe 'Or inferred from location/description. ^Archbold Biological Station. 'This observation was facilitated with radio telemetry on a bear that was the subject of a paper by Maehr et al. (1988); subsequent telemetry locations were not reported herein due to duplication and sampling bias. Maehr etal.— Black Bear in South=Central Florida 99 Appendix 1. (Continued) Records of the black bear in and around Highlands County, FL 1962-1997. Date Approximate location Evidence Habitat (if notedl^ Observer 20 Aug. 1987 ABS Tracks Scrub P. Frank 30 Aug. 1987 ABS Observed Scrub R. Layne 2 Sep. 1987 ABS Observed Scrub J. Woolfenden 7 Sep. 1987 ABS Observed — M. Deyrup 9, 16 Sep. 1987 ABS Observed Scrub P. Martin 18 Sep. 1987 ABS Observed — K. Lips 19 Sep. 1987 Lake Placid Observed — K. Simpson 29 Sep. 1987 ABS Observed — J. Angell 29 Sep. 1987 Sun ’n Lake Observed — K. Simpson 5 Oct. 1987 ABS Observed Scrub J. Cronin 7 Oct. 1987 ABS Observed Field R. Curry 20, 21 Oct. 1987 ABS Tracks — J. Layne 22 Oct. 1987 ABS Observed — C. Pbypers 22, 27 Oct. 1987 Venus Observed Residential S. Powers 27 Oct. 1987 ABS Observed P. Keller 29 Oct. 1987 ABS Observed — D. Carter 30 Oct. 1987 ABS Observed Scrub J. Layne 4 Nov. 1987 ABS Observed Scrub K. Lips 5 Nov. 1987 ABS Observed — D. Carter 19 Nov. 1987 ABS Tracks — J. Layne 21 Nov. 1987 ABS Damage — D. Smith 27 Nov. 1987 Consolidated Groves Observed Scrub B. Stayer 3 Dec. 1987 ABS Observed — G, Woolfenden 8 Mar. 1988 ABS Digging Saw palmetto J. Layne 27 Apr. 1988 ABS Tracks — F.Yusko 28 Apr. 1988 ABS Observed — G. Woolfenden 10 Mayl988 ABS Tracks — D. Smith 16 Mayl988 ABS Tracks Apiary J. Layne 26 May 1988 ABS Observed - T. Mauldin 2 Jul. 1988 Lake Placid Observed Apiary R. Carter 12 Jul. 1988 Rozier Road Tracks Apiary J. La5nie 21 Jul. 1988 ABS Observed — W. Goodwin 26 Jul. 1988 ABS Damage — D. Smith 27 Jul. 1988 ABS Observed Scrub B. Crawford 29 Jul. 1988 ABS Observed Scrubby flatwoods ABS staff 16 Aug. 1988 ABS Observed — B. Patterson 18 Aug. 1988 ABS Observed — D. Daigneau 7 Mar. 1989 ABS Damage Scrub K. Visscher 11 Apr. 1989 ABS Damage — J. Layne 13 Apr. 1989 ABS Damage Scrub J. Layne 15 Apr. 1989 ABS Observed J. Stanley 19 Apr. 1989 ABS Garbage — J. Layne ^Or inferred from location/description. ^Archbold Biological Station. ^This observation was facilitated with radio telemetry on a bear that was tbe subject of a paper by Maebr et al. (1988); subsequent telemetry locations were not reported herein due to duplication and sampling bias. 100 FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST Appendix 1. (Continued) Records of the black bear in and around Highlands County, FL 1962-1997. Date Approximate location Evidence Habitat (if noted) ^ Observer 24 Apr. 1989 ABS Observed — KVulinek 25 Apr. 1989 Rozier Road Tracks — M. Yusko 28 Apr. 1989 ABS Observed — R. Mumme 3 Mayl989 ABS Tracks — R. Titus 4 Mayl989 ABS Damage — J. Layne 12 Mayl989 Highlands Hammock Observed — J. Moore 6 Jul. 1989 ABS Tracks — J. La5rne 24 Mayl990 ABS Observed — D. Radtke 28 Mayl991 ABS Observed Scrub M. Crawford 15 Jul. 1991 ABS Tracks — B. Crawford 4 Sep. 1991 Jack Creek Damage Scrub J. Layne 10 Nov. 1991 ABS Observed Scrub G. Woolfenden 28 Mar. 1992 Flamingo Villas Scat — B. Simons 26 Mayl992 Highland Park Estates Observed — B. Beck 7 Jul. 1992 ABS Tracks — R. Bowman 24 Sep. 1992 Carter Creek Scat Scrub B. Stith 1 Jul. 1993 Royce Ranch Observed Pasture G. Woolfenden 2 Jul. 1993 ABS Tracks — J. Layne 14 Jul. 1993 ABS Digging Cutthroat grass J. Layne 26 Sep. 1993 Sebring (airport) Tracks Scrub D. Shoch 19 Oct. 1993 County Road 619 Observed — J. Hendrie 16 Nov. 1993 Nutcracker Farm Tracks — E. Nutkin 7 Jan. 1994 Venus Observed — W. Johnson 21 Sep. 1994 Royce Ranch Calf kill Pasture J. La3me 18 Oct. 1994 Carter Creek Road Observed — R. Bowman 25 Jul. 1995 ABS Tracks — K. Main 20 Sep. 1995 ABS Observed — D. Johnston 25 Sep. 1995 ABS Observed — D. Johnston 4 Oct. 1995 Palmdale Observed — G. Crawford 18 Oct. 1995 ABS Tracks Scrub K. Tarvin 26 Oct. 1995 ABS Observed — M. Hestand 26 Oct. 1995 ABS Tracks N. Deymp 2 Nov. 1995 Lake Placid Observed Scrub G. Landman 5 Nov. 1995 ABS Tracks -- J. La5me 23 Nov. 1995 Lake Placid Observed Bay forest D. Durrance 27 Dec. 1995 ABS Observed Scrub R. Bowman 8 Jul. 1996 ABS Tracks/scat — D. Burhans 9 Jul. 1996 ABS Observed — G. Woolfenden 31 Jul. 1996 Lake Placid Observed Citrus grove L. Hartzell 2 Aug. 1996 Lake Placid Observed Suburb H, Marshall 9 Aug. 1996 ABS Observed Scrubby flatwoods C. Casado 20 Aug. 1996 Highland Park Estates Observed Suburb S. Duran ^Or inferred from location/description. ^Archbold Biological Station. This observation was facilitated with radio telemetry on a bear that was the subject of a paper by Maehr et al. (1988); subsequent telemetry locations were not reported herein due to duplication and sampling bias. Maehr etal.— Black Beak in South=Central Florida 101 Appendix 1. (Continued) Records of the black bear in and around Highlands County, FL 1962-1997. Date Approximate location Evidence Habitat (if notedl^ Observer 25 Aug. 1996 ABS Observed — M. Minno 29 Aug. 1996 ABS Observed Scrubby flatwoods M. Evans 31 Aug. 1996 ABS Observed — M. Evans 6 Sep. 1996 ABS Tracks — D. Burhans 9 Sep. 1996 ABS Observed — B. Conner 13 Sep. 1996 ABS Observed — B. Nelson 16 Sep. 1996 ABS Observed — C. Atkisson 17 Sep. 1996 ABS Observed — B. Garner 19 Sep. 1996 West of Lake Annie Observed Apiary M. E’hart 3 Oct. 1996 Lake Placid Treed Suburb L. Wells 22 Oct. 1996 ABS Observed — H. Kowalski 30 Oct. 1996 ABS Observed — Z. Lavoy 2 Nov. 1996 ABS Observed — M. Evans 4 Nov. 1996 North of ABS Observed — H. Kowalski 18 Nov. 1996 ABS Observed Scrub J. Hailman 21 Nov. 1996 ABS Observed — D. Berry 21 Nov. 1996 ABS Observed — R. Pickert 3 Dec. 1996 ABS Observed — L. Hailman 6 Dec. 1996 ABS Observed — M. Conner 6 Dec. 1996 ABS Observed — D. Durrance 12 Dec. 1996 ABS Observed Scrub D. Maehr 2 Jan. 1997 ABS Scat — P. Boulay 13 Jan. 1997 ABS Scat __ F. Lohrer 31 Mar. 1997 South of Haines City Hit by car CommerciaPwoods R. Bowman ^Or inferred from location/description. ^Archbold Biological Station. ^This observation was facilitated with radio telemetry on a bear that was tbe subject of a paper by Maebr et al. (1988); subsequent telemetry locations were not reported herein due to duplication and sampling bias. Florida Field Naturalist 32(3):102-106, 2004. MAXIMUM CLUTCH SIZE OF THE AMERICAN ALLIGATOR Steven G. Platt\ Alan Resetar2, and Bryan L. Stuart^’^ ^Department of Math and Science, Oglala Dakota College RO. Box 490, Kyle, SD 57752-0490 ^Division of Amphibians and Reptiles Field Museum of Natural History 1400 South Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, ID 60605-2496 ^Department of Biological Sciences (MIC 066) University of Illinois at Chicago 845 West Taylor, Chicago, ID 60607-7060 Abstract. — We present data on a clutch of American alligator {Alligator mississippi- ensis) eggs that exceeds the previously reported maximum clutch size. This clutch con- sists of 75 eggs collected in June 1925 at Lake Miccosuke, Jefferson County, Florida and deposited in the Field Museum of Natural History. Fifty-seven intact eggs from the orig- inal clutch remain. Egg width measurements suggest a single female alligator produced this clutch. The total length of this female is believed to be 294 cm. Fecundity is one of the most important life-history traits of an organ- ism, and clutch size is a generally accepted measure of fecimdity in ovipa- rous reptiles (Shanbhag et al. 2000). The American alligator, Alligator mississippiensis (Daudin), is an oviparous, mound-nesting crocodilian that occurs throughout the Atlantic and Gulf coastal plains from north- eastern North Carolina, south to the Rio Grande Valley in Texas (Ross and Ernst 1994). Maximum clutch size reported in field studies of the Ameri- can alligator ranges from 38 to 68 eggs. The largest clutch was formd by Mcllhenny (1935) in Louisiana and consisted of either 62 (p. 20) or 68 (p. 89) eggs; the reason for this discrepancy is unknown. Both Kellogg (1929) and Wilkinson (1983) found nests containing 60 eggs, while others report a maximum clutch size ranging from 38 to 58 eggs (Reese 1915, Giles and Childs 1949, Joanen 1969, Metzen 1977, Goodwin and Marion 1978, Dietz and Hines 1980, Fuller 1981, Ruckel and Steele 1984, Carboneau 1987, Brandt 1989, Coulson and Coulson 1993, Platt et al. 1995, Rhodes and Lang 1996, Brandt and Mazzotti 2000). We here present data on a clutch of American alligator eggs that exceeds the previously reported maximum clutch size and has apparently been overlooked by other workers. This clutch consisted of 75 eggs found in a single nest by Leon L. Walters and Herbert L. Stoddard during June 1925 (Davies 1926, Schmidt 1932, Stoddard 1969). The collection was made during an ex- pedition to southern Georgia sponsored by the Field Museum of Natu- ral History where the eggs were later deposited (FMNH 8219). The collection locality given on the museum accession card is ''Beachton, 102 Platt CTAL.— Alligator Clutch Size 103 Grady County, Georgia,” but according to a detailed account by Stod- dard (1969) the nest was found at Lake Mkcosuke (30°34’N; 83°58’W), a large freshwater lake in adjacent Jefferson County Florida, approxi- mately 17 km south of Beachton. Photographs of habitat, alligators, and alligator nests taken at Lake Miccosuke by Walters and Stoddard during the expedition and archived in the Field Museum support this assertion. Beachton is most likely a reference to the site of the expedi- tion headquarters, established at Sherwood Plantation near Beachton (Davies 1926, Stoddard 1969), rather than the collection locality Of the original clutch, 57 intact eggs and shell fragments represent- ing an undetermined number of additional eggs remain in the Field Mu- seum, Additionally the museum accession card states “some fragments were apparently discarded, July 1941 /’Although the complete clutch is no longer extant, we accept the record of 75 eggs as it is independently reported in several sources (Davies 1926, Schmidt 1932, Stoddard 1969), 75 eggs are listed on the museum accession card, “75 eggs in one nest” is written on six eggs, and “75” is pencilled on every egg. We measured the intact eggs (n = 57) with metric dial calipers and found the mean (± ISDl length and width to be 71.2 ± 2.2 mm (range = 65.9 to 77.8 mm) and 44.2 ± 0,5 mm (range = 42.6 to 45.5 mm), respec- tively. These egg dimensions are within the range of values (length = 50.0 to 97.5 mm; width = 31.3 to 49.3 mm) reported by others (Goodwin and Marion 1978, Wilkinson 1983, Ruckel and Steele 1984, Ferguson 1985, Platt et al. 1995, Brandt and Mazzotti 2000). Egg length (L) and width (W) were converted to centimeters and used to determine egg mass (EM) by the equation EM = 0.61(LW2) (Thorbjarnarson 1996). The estimated mean (± ISD) egg mass for this clutch is 84.4 ± 3.5 g (range = 72.9 to 93.1 g), somewhat larger than the mean of 76.6 g (Thorbjarnar- son 1996), but within the range (33 to 128 g) reported for A mississip- piensis (Goodwin and Marion 1978, Dietz and Hines 1980, Platt et al. 1995, Brandt and Mazzotti 2000). Multipi5dng mean egg mass by clutch size (Thorbjarnarson 1996) yields an estimated clutch mass of 6360 g. Because two alligators occasionally deposit eggs within the same nest mound (Enge et al. 2000), it is possible this clutch represents the reproductive effort of more than one female. We consider this unlikely; multiple dutches within a single nest can usually be distinguished by differences in egg dimensions, particularly egg width (Platt and Thorb- jarnarson 2000). Among oviparous reptiles, intraclutch egg length of- ten exhibits considerable variation, but egg width is highly conserved, possibly due to constraints imposed by the diameter of the pelvic aper- ture (Congdon and Gibbons 1985, Werner 1989, Thorbjarnarson 1994). Thus, the unimodal distribution (Fig. 1) and relative lack of variation (coefficient of variation = 1.1%) in egg- width measurements, strongly suggest a single female produced the clutch. 104 FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST Figure 1. Distribution of egg width measurements (n = 57) from a large clutch of American alligator eggs collected by Leon L. Walters and Herbert L. Stod- dard in 1925. Some confusion surrounds the total length (TL) of this female. Stoddard (1969) stated that “we caught several gators, including an eleven-foot [335 cm] female that was to be exhibited at the museum with her nest of seventy-five eggs . . However, we believe this state- ment is most likely an erroneous recollection written many years after the event. We determined the TL of the female on exhibit at the Field Museum (Schmidt 1932) to be only 253 cm, and according to Davies (1925) the largest female alligator collected by the expedition mea- sured “nine feet, eight inches” (294 cm). Furthermore, the alligator de- scribed by Stoddard (1969) is larger than any female alligator known from Louisiana or Florida (278 to 309 cm; Mcllhenny 1935, Dundee and Rossman 1989, Woodward et al. 1995), and exceptionally large fe- males are often reproductively senescent (Ferguson 1985) and there- fore unlikely to produce a large clutch. Hall (1991) found that clutch size (CS) predicted TL of nesting fe- male alligators by the equation TL = 144.41 + 2.1512CS (r^ ^ 0.64; SE = ±12.8 cm); using a value of 75 eggs yields an estimated TL of 305 cm. Given the standard error associated with this estimate, it is therefore likely that the TL measurement given by Davies (1925) is correct. The mass (BM) of this female is estimated to be 120.3 kg from the length- mass relationship BM = 1.35 - 0.0378 + 4.6 x 10 ^TL^ (Chabreck and Platt ET AL —Alligator Clutch Size 105 Joanen 1979). Relative clutch mass (RCM) and relative egg mass (REM) (calculated by dividing clutch mass and egg mass, respectively, by female mass; Thorbjarnarson 1996) are 6.3% and 0.08%, respectively. These val- ues are somewhat larger than the mean RCM (5.7%), but only half the mean REM (0.16%) reported for A mississippiensis (Thorbjarnarson 1996), suggesting this female maximized her reproductive output by producing a large clutch of small eggs relative to her body size. If the measurement given by Davies (1925) is accepted, the speci- men collected by Walters and Stoddard is larger than any female alli- gator reported from Louisiana (Mcllhenny 1935, Dundee and Rossman 1989), and ranks ninth among the 10 largest female alligators mea- sured in Florida (Woodward et al. 1995). Finally, the size of this female is consistent with the observation of Woodward et al. (1995) that the largest female alligators inhabit eutrophic or hypertrophic lakes, which provide a rich nutritional base for growth. Acknowledgments John Thorbjarnarson and Thomas Rainwater are thanked for comments and refer- ences that greatly improved this manuscript. Harry Calahan facilitated library and ar- chival research. We thank the interlibrary loan staff of the East Baton Rouge Parish Library, Baton Rouge, Louisiana for locating several obscure references. Literature Cited Brandt, L. A. 1989. The status and ecology of the American alligator (Alligator missis- sippiensis) in Par Pond, Savannah River Site. M.S. Thesis, Florida International Uni- versity, Miami. Brandt, L. A., and F. J. Mazzotti. 2000. Nesting of alligators at the Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge. Florida Field Naturalist 28:122-126. Carboneau, D, a. 1987. Nesting ecology of an American alligator population in a fresh- water coastal marsh. M.S. Thesis, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge. Chabreck, R. H., and T. Joanen. 1979. Growth rates of American alligators in Louisi- ana. Herpetologica 35:51-57. Congdon, J. D., and J. W. Gibbons. 1985. Egg components and reproductive character- istics of turtles: Relationships to body size. Herpetologica 41:194-205. Coulson, j. O., and T. D. Coulson. 199^. Alligator mississippiensis (American alliga- tor). Nest material. Herpetological Review 24:58. Davies, D. C. 1926. Annual report of the Director to the Board of Trustees for the year 1925. Field Museum of Natural History, Report Series, Publication 235. 6:435-36. Dietz, D. C,, and T. C. Hines. 1980. Alligator nesting in north-central Florida. Copeia 1980:249-258. Dundee, H. A., and D. A. Rossman. 1989. The amphibians and reptiles of Louisiana. Louisiana State University Press, Baton Rouge. Enge, K. M., H. F. Percival, K. G. Rice, M. L. Jennings, G. R. Masson, and A. R. Woodward. 2000. Summer nesting of turtles in alligator nests in Florida. Journal of Herpetology 34:497-503. Ferguson, M. W. J. 1985. The reproductive biology and embryology of the crocodilians. Pages 330-491 in Biology of the Reptilia, Vol. 14 (C. Gans, F. S. Billet, and P. F. A. Maderson, eds.). John Wiley and Sons, New York. 106 FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST Fuller, M. K. 1981, Characteristics of an American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) population in the vicinity of Lake Ellis Simon, North Carolina. M.S, Thesis, North Carolina State University, Raleigh. Giles, L. W., and V. L, Childs. 1949. Alligator management of the Sabine National Wildlife Refuge. Journal of Wildlife Management 13:16-28. Goodwin, T. M., and W. R. Marion. 1978. Aspects of the nesting ecology of American al- ligators (Alligator mississippiensis) in north-central Florida. Herpetologica 34:43-47. Hall, R M. 1991. Estimation of nesting female crocodilian size from clutch characteris- tics: Correlates of reproductive mode, and harvest implications. Journal of Herpetol- ogy 25:133-141. Joanen, T. 1969. Nesting ecology of alligators in Louisiana. Proceedings of the Annual Con- ference of the Southeastern Association of Game and Fish Commissioners 23:141-151. Joanen, T., and L. L. McNease, 1989. Ecology and physiology of nesting and early de- velopment of the American alligator. American Zoologist 29:987-998. Kellogg, R. 1929. The habits and economic importance of alligators. Technical Bulletin 147, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Washington, D.C. Metzen, W D. 1977. Nesting ecology of alligators on the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge. Proceedings of the Annual Conference of the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies 31:29-32. McIlhenny, E. a. 1935. The alligator's life history. Christopher Publ. House, Boston. Platt, S. G., R. W. Hastings, and C. G. Brantley. 1995. Nesting ecology of the Ameri- can alligator in southeastern Louisiana. Proceedings of the Annual Conference of the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies 49:629-639. Platt, S. G., and J. B. Thorbjarnarson. 2000. Nesting ecology of the American croco- dile in the Coastal Zone of Belize. Copeia 2000:869-873. Reese, A. M. 1915. The alligator and its allies. G. P. Putnam’s Sons, New York. Rhodes, W. E., and J. W. Lang. 1996. Alligator nest temperatures and hatchling sex ra- tios in coastal South Carolina. Proceedings of the Annual Conference of the South- eastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies 50:521-531. Ross, C. A., AND C. H. Ernst. 1994. Alligator mississippiensis (Daudin). American alli- gator, Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles, Catalogue of American Am- phibians and Reptiles: 600.1-600.14. Ruckel, S. W., and G. W. Steele. 1984. Alligator nesting ecology in two habitats in southern Georgia. Proceedings of the Annual Conference of the Southeastern Associ- ation of Fish and Wildlife Agencies 38:212-221. Schmidt, K. P. 1932. American alligator with nest of eggs placed on exhibition in Harris Hall. Field Museum News 3:3. Shanbhag, B. a., R, S. Radder, and S. K, Saidapur 2000. Maternal size determines clutch mass, whereas breeding timing influences clutch and egg sizes in the tropical lizard Calotes versicolor (Agamidae). Copeia 2000:1062-1067. Stoddard, H, L,, Jr. 1969. Memoirs of a naturalist. University of Oklahoma Press, Nor- man. Thorbjarnarson, J. B. 1994. Reproductive ecology of the spectacled caiman (Caiman crocodilus) in the Venezuelan Llanos. Copeia 1994:907-919. Thorbjarnarson, J. B. 1996. Reproductive characteristics of the Order Crocodylia. Her- petologica 52:8-24. Werner, Y, L. 1989. Egg size and egg shape in near-eastern gekkonid lizards. Israel Journal of Zoology 35:199-213. Wilkinson, P. M. 1983. Nesting ecology of the American alligator in coastal South Caro- lina. Study Completion Report, Aug. 1978-Sept. 1983. Unpublished report, South Carolina Wildlife and Marine Resources Department, Columbia. Woodward, A. R., J. H. White, and S. B. Linda. 1995. Maximum size of the alligator (Alligator mississippiensis). Journal of Herpetology 29:507-513. Florida Field Naturalist 32(3):107-113, 2004. A REVIEW OF THE COLONIZATION DYNAMICS OF THE NORTHERN CURLY-TAILED LIZARD {LEIOCEPHALUS CAMINATUS ARMOURI) IN FLORIDA Henry T. Smith\ and Richard M. Engeman^*, ^Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Florida Park Service, 13798 S.E. Federal Highway, Hohe Sound, FL 33455 ^National Wildlife Research Center 4101 LaPorteAve., Fort Collins, CO 80521-2154 Original Range, Introduction, and Distribution in Florida The northern curly^tailed lizard {Leiocephalus carinatus armouri) is endemic to the islands of the Little Bahama Bank, with other sub- species found in the Great Bahama Bank, Cayman Islands, and Cuba (Schwartz and Thomas 1975, Schwartz and Henderson 1991). Palm Beach and Martin Cown^ics.—Duellman and Schwartz (1958) reported the species as an introduced exotic in Florida in Palm Beach County. The initial introduction was reported to have occurred as a re- sult of 20 pairs released by a resident near Pendleton and Clarke Ave- nues on the Island of Palm Beach during the 1940s (Weigl et al. 1969). By 1959, the range of the species had expanded at least 20 city blocks (King 1960, Weigl et al. 1969). The 1959 range boundaries were Royal Poinciana Way (north), Clarke Avenue (south), Atlantic Ocean (east), and the Intracoastal Waterway (west) (King 1960). By 1968, northern curly-tailed lizards were common from as far north as the Palm Beach Country Club, and as far south as South Ocean and Sea Grape Circles, a range extension of 3.21 km north and 5.63 km south (ca. 4.02 km^) (Weigl et al. 1969). Weigl et al. (1969) also found a small population on the mainland at the base of where the Flagler Bridge touches West Palm Beach from the Island, and also believed that the northern curly- tailed lizard could further extend its range 2.85 km north to the Palm Beach Inlet, and 12.2 km south to the Boynton Beach Inlet at the southern end of Palm Beach Island. However, by 1975, disjunct popu- lations of this species were firmly established on the Florida mainland at the Flagler Bridge approach and near the Royal Palm Way Bridge approach (Callahan 1982). By 1981, northern curly-tailed lizards also were established on the mainland at the Southern Boulevard Bridge and Lake Avenue Bridge approaches (Callahan 1982). Smith and En- * Author to whom correspondence should be addressed; E-mail: richard. m.engeman@aphis. usda.gov. 107 108 FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST geman (2003) reported them as abundant since 1986 at Woolbright Road and the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW), an additional 3.4 km south of the speculated southern limit (Weigl et al. 1969). Northern curly-tailed lizards now have been reported to the north in Martin County (Hauge and Butterfield 2000, Smith and Engeman 2002, Smith et al. 2004, Smith et al. in press), which rests on the north- ern border of Palm Beach County. A recent survey of this geographi- cally expanding population conducted in September 2002 documented a relatively contiguous 90 km Atlantic coastline south-north range from at least Lighthouse Point, Broward County to Kobe Sound, Mar- tin County (Smith et al. 2004). The species also was found an addi- tional 5.5 km inland within Jonathan Dickinson State Park in Martin County in 2003 (H. Smith et al., unpubl. data), with other reliable sightings reported for the park (M. Nelson, Florida Dept. Environmen- tal Protection, pers. observ). Callahan (1982) calculated the range expansion area of the Island of Palm Beach population from 1945-1981 as averaging 50.0 ha/y, and for the Palm Beach County mainland population from 1968-1981 as 84.2 ha/y. Smith et al. (2004) reported an 80 km Atlantic coastline lin- ear range expansion on the mainland of at least 46.3 km south, and 34.1 km north, beyond the 1968 island data in 34 years, or about 2.4 km/y. average. Comparatively, this rate of linear range expansion was 2.7 times that for the 9 years from 1959 to 1968 (Weigl et al. 1969, Smith et al. 2004). Dade County. — A second early population identified as L. c. vire~ scens was reported prior to the 1940s from the north Miami area, Dade County (Barbour 1936, King 1960), but apparently was later extir- pated (Duellman and Schwartz 1958). L. c. armouri was reported at Virginia Key, and at Crandon Park on Key Biscayne in 1965 (King and Krakauer 1966); and, the L. c. coryi subspecies also was reported on Virginia Key and Key Biscayne (Truitt and Ober 1973). An additional population of L. c. armouri was discovered in 1982 by D. Wilson at the Port of Miami (Callahan 1982), which apparently has been little stud- ied. Bartlett and Bartlett (1999) list Dade County as being occupied but specific locations are not provided. Conant and Collins (1998) list Key Biscayne, Virginia Key, and the Port of Miami in their locations. Other Populations. — ^Widely disjunct, allopatric populations or in- dividuals also have been verified from the barrier island containing Co- coa Beach in Brevard County (ICrysko and King 2002), Chokoloskee Island in Collier County (McCoid 2002), and John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park on Key Largo in Monroe County ( J. Duquesnel, Florida Dept. Environmental Protection, pers. comm.). Another disjunct popu- lation was found in Florida City, Dade County (Meshaka et al. 2004). Individual lizards also have been sporadically reported at a site in Se- Smith AND Engeman -Northern Curly-tailed Lizard in Florida 109 bastian Inlet State Park at the juncture of Indian River and Brevard counties during 1999-2001 (R. Johns, Florida Dept. Environmental Protection, pers. observ.); but, a thorough search of the area on 26 March 2003 resulted in no findings (HTS and A. Bard unpubL data). J. Walsh, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Comm. (pers. comm.) reported a single lizard in late 2001 or early 2002 in a parking lot at the junction of State Road 60 and Indian River Boulevard in Vero Beach [Indian River County]. Since it was crawling out from under his state vehicle at the time, he assumed it had hitched a ride with him, Layne (1987) reported a single individual in a parking lot near Se- bring, Highlands County in 1986. Habitat The northern curly-tailed lizard is a large ectotherm preferring disturbed, open, sandy rubble-strewn areas in coastal Florida (Me- shaka et al. 2004, Smith et al. 2004). Other recent findings of this spe- cies also have been in and around habitat degraded by human infrastructure such as buildings (Hauge and Butterfield 2000), road in- tersections and parking lots (Krysko and King 2002, Smith and Enge- man 2002, Smith et al. 2004, Smith et al. in press), and R.V. parks (McCoid 2002). Sightings frequently are in association with buildings, seawalls, and other human produced habitat conversions with gaps and recesses suitable for shelter and escape (Smith et al. 2004). At the Woolbright Road and Intracoastal Waterway site, northern curly-tailed lizards also occasionally take shelter in giant land crab (Cardisoma guanhumi) burrows when abruptly disturbed (HTS, pers. observ.). Roads can be an important dispersal route for exotic amphibians and reptiles in Florida (Godley et al. 1981, Callahan 1982, Layne 1987, Campbell 1996, Meshaka 1996, McCoid 2002). Twice, on 19 May 1999 and 1 March 2003, individual northern curly-tailed lizards were dis- covered in apartment-complex garbage dumpsters at the Woolbright Road site, perched on top of piled trimmed vegetation which had been disposed of after maintenance landscaping (HTS, pers. observ). It seemed unlikely that the lizards could escape the dumpsters, and pre- suming that they survived the trip to the inunicipal landfill, this could be another possible human-mediated dispersal mechanism. Likewise, commercial landscapers removing and transporting piles of trimmed vegetation from site to site, in open-bed trailers, as is common in south Florida, may be contributing to range expansions of this and other ex- otic lizards. In this regard, the 2.4 km/y in dispersal reported (op cit.) could be the combined result of increased opportunity for human-medi- ated dispersal and increase in habitat modification to the advantage of this lizard. 110 FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST Refugia for many of the northern curly-tailed lizards at the Wool- bright Road site are in large cracks at the interface of the blacktop parking lot surface and the cement sidewalks. Resurfacing of the park- ing lot with molten liquid tar during late April 2003 resulted in high lizard mortality (HTS pers. observ.). Natural History, Key Behaviors, and Ecological Effects Callahan (1982) reported the average size of adult, male, northern curly-tailed lizards collected in Palm Beach County was 9.2 cm SVL (range 8.1-12.8 cm, n = 14), and for adult females 8.7 cm (range 7.9- 11.6 cm, n = 12). Meshaka et al. (2004) reported reproductively mature males from Palm Beach County averaged 94.7 ± 7.0 mm SVL (range 81.2-107.4 mm, n = 24), and reproductively mature females averaged 82,9 ± 7.5 mm SVL (range 70.2-94.9 mm, n = 21). During warm days in Florida, adult northern curly-tailed lizards emerge from evening refugia approximately 1-2 hours after sunrise (Callahan 1982, HTS, pers. observ.). Callahan (1982) reported them to be active until early afternoon, and then return to refugia for 30-90 minutes before becoming active again until ca. 30 minutes before/after sunset. On cooler November and December days (0-10°C) he observed activity to start 60-90 minutes later in the morning and end 60-90 min- utes earlier in the evening. Basking periods for this ectotherm range from minutes on warm (>26°C) days, up to two hours on sunny, but cool (0-10°C) days, depending upon temperature (Callahan 1982, Meshaka et al. 2004, HTS, pers. observ). Meshaka et al. (2004) reported adults basking directly in sun, on open pavement, at an air temperature of ca. 33°C. The species is mostly terrestrial in habit but does ascend large trees to heights exceeding 3 m (Meshaka et al. 2004), and concrete staircases and trees in apartment complexes as high as ca. 6 m to bask and forage (HTS, pers. observ). At times males are strongly territorial and engage in posture-threats including vertical head-bobbing, body push-ups, and various types of tail-curling (see discussion in Callahan 1982), as well as physical confrontations. Curly-tailed lizards are carnivorous and capture prey by sitting and waiting vigilantly, then stalking, or more commonly rushing their prey (Callahan 1982, HTS pers. observ.). In Palm Beach County, the cricket (Gryllus assimilis, 17.2%), grasshoppers (Melanoplus spp. 10.1%), and isopods (Isopoda, 9.7%) were reported as the most common food items from 10 adult stomachs by percent total volume (Callahan 1982). Over the last decade at the Woolbright Road site in Palm Beach County uni- dentified beetles (Coleoptera), ants (Hymenoptera), and isopods have been common prey captures (HTS, pers. observ). Meshaka et al. (2004) reported 60 lizards collected from Palm Beach County consumed mostly Smith AND Engeman ^Northern Curly-tailed Lizard in Florida 111 beetles (73 stomach items), roaches (Dictyoptera, 22), and ants (80), with 11 other taxa marginally represented. Competition incidents of northern curly-tailed lizards rushing and capturing insect prey concur- rently being stalked by anoles {AnoUs spp. ) have been observed (Calla- han 1982, HTS, pers. observ,). Callahan (1982) observed two captures of exotic brown anoles (A. sagrei) by northern curly-tailed lizards and pre- sumed that they were successfully consumed. HTS observed a small, unidentified A^iolis sp. captured at the Woolbright Road site which was immediately taken into a structural crevice out of further view. Based on collection of Palm Beach County specimens collected in July, Callahan (1982) concluded that females less than 73 mm snout vent length (SVL) were sexually immature (n = 3 with no reproductive activity <73 mm SVL, n = 9 with yolk-filled ovarian folliclee 76-91 mm SVL, and ii = 2 with enlarged oviducts without yoik-filled follicles which probably had recently deposited eggs 86-89 mm SVL). Based on observations of many newborn in September, Callahan (1982) also con- cluded that oviposition of eggs in Florida occurred in June or early July. Meshaka et al. (2004) reported yolk-filled follicles in 70% of females col- lected from Palm Beach County in May and 45.5% in July, and shelled eggs in 30% of females collected in May and 54.5% in Julj^. Clutch sizes for 21 females averaged 4.0 ±1.1 eggs, range 2-6 (Meshaka et ah 2004). Smith et aL (2004) reported successful breeding at a minimum of 87% of the sites where they found the species in 2002. Previously listed potential predators of northern curly-tailed liz- ards in Florida included various falcons and hawks, domestic and feral cats (Felis catus), and the black racer (Coluber constrictor) (Callahan 1982, Meshaka et al. 2004). Over the last decade at the Woolbright Road site an estimated 10+ incidents of domestic/feral cats handling (carrying in jaws), or capturing northern curly-tailed lizards have been observed (HTS, pers. observ.). Various herons and egrets stalk them at the Woolbright Road site, but no captures have been observed at that location (HTS, pers. observ.). Unusual, opportunistic predators of northern curly-tailed lizards in Florida have included a juvenile Little Blue Heron (Egretta caerulea) foraging in a terrestrial situation (Smith and Engeman 2004), and a great barracuda (Sphraena barracuda) (Smith and Engeman 2003). SUMRiAKY AND DISCUSSION As with many other tropical herpetofauna introduced into south Florida, the northern curly-tailed lizard has expanded its range within the peninsula (see reviews in Wilson and Porras 1983, Butterfield et al. 1997, Bartlett and Bartlett 1999). Wilson and Porras (1983) strongly correlated nonindigenous amphibian and reptile population patchiness 112 FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST with habitat disturbance in Florida. Northern curly-tailed lizards like- wise are frequently found in disturbed habitats associated with anthro- pogenic structures (i.e., buildings, pavement, parking lots, etc. especially with age-related structural fractures or rubble cover). Such conditions in coastal south Florida provide some elements similar to the type habitat occupied by the species in its endemic West Indian environ- ments (Schwartz and Thomas 1975, Schwartz and Henderson 1991). Wilson and Porras (1983) also suggested that competition between introduced and indigenous herpetofauna probably was not a major con- servation concern. However, Butterfield et al. (1997) considered a con- jecture of “shift in habitat usage” by competing anole {Anolis spp.j species in Florida and elsewhere. More compelling, Schoener et al. (2002) found that experimental introductions of L. carinatus to small tropical islands had immediate major impacts on A. sagrei population density and height of perch, and impacts on percentage of hatchlings that survive and body condition followed over a longer time period. Likewise, Callahan (1982:51) in Florida also reported “from 60 to 30 percent fewer brown anoles per transect were in evidence at sites where L. c. armouri were active.” Callahan concluded (1982:ix) . . . “the brown anole (Anolis sagrei), has undergone a population reduction in areas where L. c. armouri have become established. Anolis sagrei has apparently shifted its activity to more arboreal portions of the habitat.” The combined study ranges of Callahan (1982) and Smith et al. (2004), are also inhabited by the green anole (A. carolinensis), six-lined racerunner (Cnemidophorus sexlineatus), southeastern five-lined skink (Eumeces inexpectatus), and in some places the Florida scrub liz- ard (Sceloporus woodi). Consequently, it is reasonable to speculate that native lizards have been, or will be, impacted by northern curly-tailed lizards within their expanding Florida coastal peninsula and barrier island range. For this reason, the impacts of this species on Florida’s native lizards and other fauna warrant examination in concert with documentation of its geographic range changes. Acknowledgments We thank Walt Meshaka for the species information from his forthcoming book on the exotic herpetofauna of Florida. We also thank R. Johns (FDEP), M. Nelson (FDEP), S. O’Neal (FDEP), and J. Walsh (FFWCC) for providing observation data. Literature Cited Barbour, T. 1936. Two introduced lizards in Miami, Florida. Copeia 1936:113. Bartlett, R. D., and P. P. Bartlett. 1999. A Field Guide to Florida Reptiles and Am- phibians. Gulf Publishing Co., Houston, TX. Butterfield, B. P., W. E. Meshaka, Jr., and C. Guyer 1997. Nonindigenous amphibi- ans and reptiles. Pages 123-138 in Strangers in Paradise (D. Simberloff, D. C. Schmitz, and T. C. Brown, eds.). Island Press, Washington, D.C. Smith AND Engeman -Nortuekn Curly-tailed Lizard in Florida 113 CallahaNj R. J. 1982. Geographical and ecological distribution of the lizard Leioceph- alus carinatus armouri in South Florida. M.A. Thesis, University of South Florida, Tampa. 70 pp. Campbell, T. S. 1996. Northern range expansion of the brown anole {Anolis sagrei) in Florida and Georgia. Herpetological Review 27:155-157. CONANT, R., AND J, T. COLLINS. 1998. A field guide to reptiles and amphibians eastern and central North America. Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston, New York. Duellman, W. E., AND A. Schwartz. 1958. Amphibians and reptiles of southern Florida. Bulletin Florida State Museum 3(5):181-342. Godley, j. S., F. E. Lohrer, j. N. Layne, and J. Rossil. 1981. Distributional status of a lizard in Florida: AnoZis sagrei. Herpetological Review 12:84-86. Hauge, j. B., and B. P. Butterfield. 2000. Leiocephalus carinatus armouri (Northern Curlytail Lizard), USA: Florida: Martin Co. Herpetological Review 31:53. King, F. W. 1960. New populations of West Indian reptiles and amphibians in southeast- ern Florida. Quarterly Journal Florida Academy of Sciences 23:71-73. King, F. W., and T. Krakauer 1966. The exotic herpetofauna of southeast Florida. Quarterly Journal of the Florida Academy of Sciences 29:144-154. Krysko, K. L. and F. W. King. 2002. Leiocephalus carinatus armouri (Little Bahama Curly-tailed Lizard), USA: Florida: Brevard Co. Herpetological Review 33:148. Meshaka, W. E., Jr. 1996. Vagility and the Florida distribution of the Cuban treefrog (Osteopilus septentrionalis). Herpetological Review 27:37-40. Meshaka, W. E., B. P. Butterfield, and J. B. Hauge. 2004. The exotic amphibians and reptiles of Florida. Krieger Publishing Company, Malabar, FL. McCoid, M. j. 2002. Leiocephalus carinatus (Curly-tailed Lizard), USA: Florida: Collier Co. Herpetological Review 33:322. SCHOENER, T. W., D. A. Spiller, and J. B. LOSOS. 2002. Predation of a common AnoZZs lizard: Can the food-web effects of a devastating predator be reversed? Ecological Monographs 72:383-407. Schwartz, A., and R. Thomas. 1975. A checklist of West Indian amphibians and rep- tiles. Carnegie Museum of Natural History, special publication 1:127-129. Schwartz, A., and R. W. Henderson. 1991. Amphibians and reptiles of the West Indies: descriptions, distributions and natural history. University of Florida Press, Gaines- ville. 720 pp. Smith, H. T., and R. M. Engeman. 2002. An earlier report of the exotic northern curly- tailed lizard in Martin County, Florida. Florida Field Naturalist 30:132-133. Smith, H. T,, and R. M. Engeman. 2003. Leiocephalus carinatus armouri (Northern Curly-tailed Lizard). Opportunistic predation. Herpetological Review 34:245-246. Smith, H. T., and R. M. Engeman. 2004. Leiocephalus carinatus armouri (Northern Curly-tailed Lizard). Predation. Herpetological Review 35:169-170. Smith, H. T., R. M. Engeman, M. M. Smith, and D. Barnes. In press'^. Leiocephalus car- inatus armouri (Northern Curly-tailed Lizard). USA: Florida: Martin Co: Herpetolog- ical Review. Smith, M. M., H. T. Smith, and R. M. Engeman. 2004. Contiguous extensive north- south range expansion of the original population of an invasive lizard in Florida. In- ternational Biodeterioration and Biodegradation 54:261-264. Truitt, J. O., and L. D. Ober. 1971. A guide to the lizards of south Florida (Lake Okeechobee to the Florida Keys). Hurricane House, Miami, FL. Weigl, G. L,, R. G. Domey, and W. R. Courtenay, Jr. 1969, Survival and range expan- sion of the curly-tailed lizard, Leiocephalus carinatus armouri, in Florida. Copeia 1969:841-842. Wilson, L. D., and L. Porras. 1983. The ecological impact of man on the South Florida herpetofauna. University of Kansas Museum of Natural History Special Publication 9:1-89. 114 RE¥IEW Florida Field Naturalist 32(3):114-116, 2004. Parasites and Diseases of Wild Birds in Florida.=“Donald J. Forrester and Marilyn G. Spalding. 2001. University Press of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA. ISBN 0-8130-2560-5113-2. 1132 pp. $125,00, hardcover.— The impact of disease on the ecology and conservation of wild birds is potentially great, yet we understand little about avian diseases at either the individual or population level. Laboratory studies of captive birds often fail to adequately mimic natural conditions and measuring the impacts of disease on wild populations is notoriously difficult. Sick individuals are not easy to monitor in nature and in cases of mortality, carcasses are quickly consumed by scavengers and sel- dom found by researchers (Wobeser and Wobeser 1992). Agents of disease and environ- mental conditions likely interact with each other in ways that complicate and blur our understanding of their impact. For example, diverting resources towards fighting one disease-causing factor may render hosts more susceptible to other factors such as patho- gens or predators. The results of avian disease studies are dispersed throughout the or- nithological, entomological, parasitological, ecological, and medical literature and negative data often are considered uninteresting and buried in the gray literature if published at all. In Parasites and Diseases of Wild Birds in Florida, Donald Forrester and Marilyn Spalding provide an unparalleled summary and interpretation of both published and unpublished data on diseases of Florida’s birds. This wonderfully refreshing departure from the list-format of a typical disease manual summarizes our current knowledge of the ecology and pathology of the diseases of Florida birds. Amateur and professional or- nithologists, wildlife managers, conservation biologists, public health workers, and dis- ease researchers will find this reference book invaluable with clear and concise prose that is easily accessible and engaging for all. Readers less familiar with disease will find the text pleasantly user-friendly. The au- thors begin with an introduction that explains their broad approach to disease. They then welcome readers unfamiliar with terminology commonly used in disease literature by providing a definition of frequently used and often abused terms including the term “disease” itself, defined for the purposes of this book as “any impairment that interferes with or modifies the performance of normal function.” In the first table the authors list and comment on the 13 fundamental categories of morbidity and mortality in vAId birds, some of which might not typically be considered for inclusion in a book with this title, such as categories on trauma and human disturbance, in addition to the familiar infec- tious agents of disease, such as viruses and bacteria. Thereafter, chapters are generally ordered by avian taxonomy according to Robertson and Woolfenden (1992) and the Checklist of the American Ornithologists’ Union (AOU 1998), Chapters vary in size and taxonomic breadth depending upon the amount of available information. Species that have been studied extensively, such as the Wild Turkey {Meleagris gallopavo) are af- forded entire chapters. Other chapters cover multiple species within a single family (e.g., owls), multiple families (e.g., cormorants and anhingas) or entire orders (e.g., perching birds). An additional chapter entitled “Miscellaneous Birds” reports on an ad- ditional 33 species from 6 orders about which little is known. In the final chapter, “Sum- mary and Conclusion,” for each species of wild bird in Florida, the authors summarize the degree to which health has been studied, number of identified diseases or disease agents, as well as the major threats to the health of each species. Agents of avian dis- ease in special need of research are identified as well as those that are major threats to domestic animals and humans. Disease researchers will be pleased with both the breadth and depth of this work. The structure of each chapter is especially useful for quick reference of disease agents. Review 115 Chapters are divided into subtitled sections according to factors causing morbidity and mortality. Each chapter begins with cited information on natural history, status of threatened or endangered species, as well as an overview of disease and general health information from other regions. Sections occurring thereafter vary from chapter to chap- ter in the number and type of disease-causing factors depending on the available data. Most chapters include sections on parasites and other infectious agents including vi- ruses, bacteria, biotoxins, fungi, protozoan, trematodes, cestodes, and gastrointestinal nematodes. These sections include the results of case studies as well as surveys of wild populations and experimental lab work. Also frequently included are sections on neopla- sia (benign and malignant tumors) and anomalies (rare conditions confined to a single bird). Avian pathologists will appreciate the detailed descriptions and illustrations of microscopic and gross lesions. The sections described above provide new perspectives on disease for ornithologists, wildlife managers, and others less familiar with the disease literature. In addition, avian ecologists and wildlife managers will be especially interested in the frequent in- clusion of sections on nutritional diseases and the effects of inclement weather and pre- dation on morbidity and mortality. For example, there are accounts of destruction and abandonment of Wood Stork (Mycteria americana) nests because of cold temperatures and high winds and the effects of fire ant predation on American Kestrel {Falco sparver- ius) chicks and pipping eggs. Sections on brood parasitism, disease risk from pen rear- ing, and birds as pests and public health hazards also are included when appropriate. Conservation biologists might be particularly interested in the various forms of human disturbance from the impact of the plume trade to the effects of dredging of mud flats on avian food sources. Effects of environmental contaminants, one of Spalding’s primary research interests, are presented in all chapters. In other sections the authors document trauma “associated with exposure to manmade objects and habitat change”, electrocu- tion, oiling, and human disturbance. Each chapter ends with a summary of the most im- portant disease agents and provides the reader with suggestions for priorities for future research. An extensive literature cited section also is provided after each chapter. Hov# does disease impact avian populations? This is perhaps the most important question, yet the most difficult to answer. In each chapter, the authors repeatedly cite the literature in an attempt to provide discussion on this topic. When appropriate, they speculate on how populations might be impacted given our current knowledge and sug- gest areas for future research. Therein lies perhaps the greatest service that Forrester and Spalding provide their readers. Documenting the absence of disease agents also is of great importance. Three cheers for the authors’ inclusion of negative data throughout the book! By including these, they provide important baselines for future studies and convey, especially to young scholars, a sense of the importance of reporting surveys that document few or no positive results. Too frequently such data become buried in obscure journals or worse, remain unpub- lished and inaccessible for future reference. Similarly, another of the major strengths of the book is the authors’ willingness to discuss mortality patterns even when they are unable to identify a causative agent. Un- explained die-offs have been observed in a number of species. These observations are rarely published, yet invaluable when attempting to understand similar events in the future. Such documentation provides a basis for retrospective studies and emphasizes the need for long-term avian demographic studies with disease-monitoring components. The authors frequently cite examples of disease causing agents that interact to impact an individual or population. I especially appreciate the many points at which the authors speculate about possible physiological effects of such synergies, for example between ma- laria and pox in Wild Turkeys, and suggest important topics in need of further study Another feature that makes the book especially helpful is the frequent use of illustra- tions. A variety of black-and-white photos of microscopic and gross lesions, field sites and 116 FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST instrumentation are scattered throughout the book. Images vary in quality with some being slightly underexposed, however most are of high resolution. Those documenting microscopic lesions are especially good. Photos of gross lesions and neoplasms will be of great interest to ornithologists, especially those who frequently observe or handle wild birds. However, in the Preface, the authors caution that this book is not to be used for di- agnostics and refer the reader to the manuals by Davidson and Nettles (1997) and Friend and Franson (1999). Even amateur birders will find the photos provocative. In fact, I had difficulty reading this book while traveling because on three separate occa- sions I was interrupted for long periods by flight attendants who were intrigued by the photographs including “Radiograph of a fishing lure in the esophagus of a whooping crane from Lake County”! Maps depict distribution of various disease conditions throughout the state and numerous data graphs are quite helpful. The abundant tables are, like the prose, well referenced and provide both raw and summarized data for quick reference. Those interested in Florida birds or avian diseases, regardless of geographic location, will find this a well written, thought-provoking volume and an important addition to their library. Forrester and Spalding meticulously summarize our current knowledge of avian disease and provide the reader with their assessment of how these diseases im- pact avian populations, domesticated animals, and humans. In doing so, they contribute substantially to our understanding of the ecology and conservation of the birds of Flor- ida and provide invaluable guidance for those undertaking studies of avian disease re- gardless of geographic location. Forrester and Spalding have done a tremendous service by sharing this collection of their lives’ work and knowledge of the literature with those of us who study avian diseases or have a more general interest in the birds of Florida. — Mary C. Garvin, Department of Biology, Oberlin College, Oberlin, OH 44074. Literature Cited American Ornithologists’ Union. 1998. Check-list of North American birds. 7th ed. American Ornithologists’ Union, Washington D.C. Davidson, W. R., and V. F. Nettles. 1997. Field manual of wildlife diseases in the southeastern United States. 2nd ed. Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, University of Georgia, Athens. Friend, M., and J. C. Franson (eds.). 1999. Field Manual of wildlife diseases of birds. US. Dept, of the Interior, US. Geological Survey, Biological Research Division Infor- mal Technical Report 1999-001. Washington, D.C. WOBESER, G., AND A. G. WOBESER 1992. Carcass disappearance and estimation of mor- tality in a simulated die-off of small birds. Journal of Wildlife Diseases. 28:548. 117 Florida Field Naturalist 32(3):117-127, 2004. FIELD OBSERVATIONS Winter report: December 2003-February 2004. — This report consists of signifi- cant bird observations compiled by the Field Observations Committee (FOC). Submis- sions to the FOC should be in the following format: species, number of individuals, age and sex of the bird(s), color morph if applicable, location (including county), date, ob- server(s), and significance. Seasons are winter (December-February), spring (March- May), summer (June-July), and fall ( August-No vember). Submit observations to re- gional compilers within two weeks after the close of each season, or to the state compiler within one month. Addresses of the compilers are found at the end of this report. We greatly prefer observations sent via e-mail. Sight-only observations are considered “reports” while only those supported by verifi- able evidence (photographs, video or audio tapes, or specimens) are called “records.” Species for which documentation is required by the FOS Records Committee (FOSRC; Bowman 2000, Fla. Field Nat. 28:149-160) are marked here with an asterisk (*). A county designation {in italics) accompanies the first-time listing of each site in this re- port. Abbreviations in this report are: CA = conservation area, EOS := end of season, NP = national park, NWR = national wildlife refuge, RA = restoration area, SP = state park, STF = sewage treatment facility, and N, S, E, W etc., for compass directions. Bold-faced species denote birds newly reported or verified in Florida, or record counts. Summary of the Winter Season The season was relatively uneventful birdwise, with relatively few reports of Ameri- can Robins and Cedar Waxwings. No new native species were documented, although Florida’s first Gray Heron was reported at Lake Apopka. A Green-rumped Parrotlet at Key West provided another new exotic to the state’s list. As is now expected, western- breeding hummingbirds were found this winter, primarily in the Panhandle. Fred Bas- set of the Hummingbird Study Group banded 87 hummingbirds of seven species: 50 Ru- fous, 15 Ruby-throated, 11 Black-chinned, 5 Buff-bellied, 3 Calliope, 2 Allen’s, and one Broad-tailed. Eight other hummingbirds banded during previous winters were recap- tured at the same feeders, and Rufous Hummingbirds banded previously at Tallahassee were recaptured by others in Georgia and Tennessee. In addition to the Gray Heron, FOSRC rarities reported with documentation were the Common Merganser at Jacksonville; Iceland Gull at Port Canaveral; Calliope, Broad-tailed, and Allen’s hummingbirds in the Panhandle; one Tropical and two Cassin’s kingbirds at Lake Apopka; MacGillivray’s Warbler at Davie; Red-legged Honeycreepers at Cape Florida and Everglades National Park; and Harris’s Sparrow in Hendry County. Species Accounts Black-bellied Whistling-Duck: 70 E of Lake Poinsett {Brevard) 20 Dec (D. Simpson); 9 at Zephyrhills {Pasco) 22 Dec (K. Tracey, D. Powell, B. Pranty); 1 at Lady Lake {Lake) 3 Jan (J. Filley); 93 at Emeralda Marsh CA {Lake) 17 Jan (P. May). Fulvous Whistling-Duck: 18 at Emeralda Marsh CA 5 Dec (J. Puschock); 65 at Lake Ap- opka RA {Orange) 9 Dec (H. Robinson); 4 at Newnan’s Lake {Alachua) 17 Dec (A. Krat- ter); 500 S of Observation Island, Lake Okeechobee {Glades) 11 Feb (P. Gray, C. Farrell). Greater White-fronted Goose: 1 presumed wild bird at Lake Davis, Orlando {Or- ange) in late Feb (A. Boyles, photo to FOC). Snow Goose: 3 blue morphs remained at St. Petersburg {Pinellas) to 27 Dec (B. Bilodeau et ah, videograbs by B. Pranty to FOC); 43-44 (with ca. 20 blue morphs) at Tram Road 118 FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST STF, Tallahassee {Leon) 12 Dec (G. Menk); 18 white morphs (12 adults and 6 juve- niles) at Lake Santa Fe {Alachua) 18 Dec (J. Bolte et aL); 5 (4 white and 1 blue) in the St. Johns River {Seminole Volusia) 28 Dec (D. Simpson); 10 at Lake Apopka RA 31 Dec (H. Robinson); 1 blue morph at Seven Springs {Pasco) 2 Jan (A. Madsen). Ross's Goose x Snow Goose: 1 apparent hybrid among a flock of 10 Chen geese at Lake Apopka RA 28 Dec (T. Doyle et aL, photos to FOC by D. LaPuma) resembled a dark- morph adult Ross's Goose but had a blackish belly; this observations seems to repre- sent the first Florida report of a hybrid. Ross's Goose: 1 with 15 Snow Geese at Fort Walton Beach STF to 2 Dec (J. Williams, B. Duncan et al); 1 at Mceville {Okaloosa) 15 Dec (B. McKenney J. Fabozzi); 1 in the St. Johns River 28 Dec (D. Simpson, details to FOC); 3 in NE Leon 17-29 Jan (M. Hill et al.). Canada Goose: 1 at Naples 27 Dec (H. and W. Strickland); 3 at Tampa {Hillsborough) 1- 3 Jan (K. Allen). Brant: 3 at Pelican Island NWR {Indian River) 3 Jan ff (J. Taylor et al.). Egyptian Goose: 6 (4 of these white avicultural morphs) at Lady Lake 3 Jan (J. Filiey, photos to FOC). Mute Swan: 1 at Pembroke Pines in Feb (K. Schnitzius, photo to FOC). Duck species: 19 species found in Polk 31 Jan (P. Fellers). Gadwall: 186 at Polk mines 29 Feb (P. Timmer, C. Geanangel). Aj^ERICAN Black Duck: 2 at Lake Apopka RA to 11 Feb (H. Robinson); 8 at St. Marks NWR {Wakulla) 10 Jan (J. Hintermister, D. Morrow et ah). Cinnamon Teal: 1 adult male at Myakka River SP (Sarasota) 15 Dec (K. Alvarez, B. Perry). Northern Shoveler: 1000 at Polk mines 5 Feb (P. Fellers et al). Northern Pintail: 3000 at Merritt Island NWR (Brevard) 12 Feb (P. Fellers et ah). Green-winged Teal: 1000-1200 at Polk mines 8 Jan-20 Feb (P. Fellers et aL). Canvasback: 1 at W Boca Raton (Palm Beach) 13 Jan (L. McCandless); 8 at Polk mines 14 Jan (P. Fellers et al.). Lesser Scaup: 6000 at Charlotte Harbor (Charlotte) 14 Dec (J. Bouton, T. Doyle); 3500 wintered at Lake Arietta (P. Fellers). Surf Scoter: 3 in the Indian River Lagoon (Brevard) 20 Dec (D. Simpson); 1 adult male at Fort Island Gulf Beach (Citrus) 22 Feb (M. Gardler). Black Scoter: 6 at Fort Myers Beach (Lee) 5 Dec-27 Mar (M. Gonsalo, C. Ewell et aL); 30 flew N past the Fort Clinch SP Pier (Nassau) 13 Dec (J, Holstein); 20 (2 adult males) off Lido Key Beach (Sarasota) 20 Dec (J. Ginaven); 1 first-winter male at Hu- guenot Memorial Park (Duval) 20 Feb (B, Muschlitz). Bufflehead: 2 females at Charlotte Harbor 14 Dec (J. Bouton, T. Doyle); 28 at Lake Santa Fe (Alachua) 18 Dec (J. Bolte et al.); 41 at Fort Island Gulf Beach 22 Feb (M. Gardler). Common Goldeneye: 1 female at Punta Gorda (Charlotte) 27 Nov-4 Dec (J. Bouton, M. Gonsalo); 9 variously in Leon 8 Dec-13 Jan (fide G. Menk), with 6 at Lake Talquin 14 Dec (J. Murphy, G. Menk); 21 at Fort Island Gulf Beach 2 Feb and 22 Feb (M. Gardler). Hooded Merganser: 1100 at Polk mines 10 Jan (R Fellers et al.). *Gommon Merganser: 1 adult male at the mouth of the St. Johns River 27 Dec (N. Penny et al., details to FOC). Red-breasted Merganser: 18 at Gainesville (Alachua) 2 Dec (M. Landsman); 100+ at Huguenot Memorial Park 13 Dec (J. Holstein). Ruddy Duck: 12,000 at Lake Apopka 4 Feb (H. Robinson). Red-throated Loon: 1 at Choctawhatchee Bay (Okaloosa) 115 Dec (J. Williams, S. Tie- sciero); 1 at Fort Pickens, Gulf Islands National Seashore (Escambia) 29 Jan (B= and D. Wallace). Pacific Loon: 1 at Choctawhatchee Bay 15 Dec (J. Williams, S. Tiesciero); 1 at Fort Pick- ens 7-29 Jan (L. Atherton et aL); 1 at Alligator Point 24 Jan ff (J. Dozier, J. Murphy). Field Observations 119 Common Loon: 50 at Lake Santa Fe 18 Dec (J. Bolte et aL); 5 at Lake Arietta (Polk) 19 Jan (R Fellers et aL); 11 at Fort De Soto Park (Pinellas) 31 Dec (R Sykes); 2 birds 5 km off Naples (Collier) 30 Jan (D. Suitor). Horned Grebe: 105 at Lake Santa Fe 18 Dec (J. Bolte et aL); 28 at Lake Arietta 19 Jan (R Fellers et aL); 47 at Fort Island Gulf Beach 22 Feb (M. Gardler). Eared Grebe: 2 at Fort Walton Beach STF (Okaloosa) remained to 22 Jan (B. Duncan et aL); 1 at Lake Arietta 20 Dec (P. Fellers); 1 at Quarantine Island, St. Johns River (Du- val) 27 Dec (B. Richter); 1 at Polk mines 8 Jan-26 Feb (R Fellers et aL). Brown Booby: 2 off St. Lucie Inlet (Martin) 3 Jan (J. Greenlaw, J. Hailman, details to FOC). Northern Gannet: 18 birds 5 km off Naples 30 Jan (D, Suitor). American White Pelican: 110 at Ten Thousand Islands NWR (Collier) 23 Jan (T. Doyle et al.). Anhinga: 1 wintered at Key Biscayne (Miami-Dade; R. Diaz). Magnificent Frigatebird: 1 at Cedar Key (Levy) 2 Jan (D. Henderson et al.); 1 male over Wakulla 25 Feb (J. Murphy). American Bittern: 23 at Lake Apopka RA (Orange) 31 Dec (H. Robinson). “Great White Heron:” 1 SW of San Antonio (Pasco) 22 Dec (E. Haney et aL, video to FOC by B. Pranty); 1 at Crystal River 27 Dec (K. Spilios et aL, photos to FOC). *Gray Heron (Ardea cinerea): 1 at Lake Apopka RA 7 Dec and 18 Feb (H. Robinson) never was relocated; this furnished the first Florida report. Little Blue Heron: 1 at Fort Walton Beach STF 13-15 Dec (B. Duncan et al.). Reddish Egret: 1 white morph at Fort Island Gulf Beach 14 Feb (B. Smyth). Cattle Egret: 80 at Fort Walton Beach STF 2-15 Dec (J. Williams, B. Duncan et al.). White x Scarlet Ibis: 1 pink ibis E of Dade City (Pasco) 22 Dec (R. Smith et aL); 1 pink ibis in S Duval 1 Feb-EOS (C. Green et al,). *WhitE"FACED Ibis: 1 winter adult at Lake City (Columbia) 17-21 Jan (J. Hintermister et aL). Roseate Spoonbill: 2 at Brooksville (Hernando) 19-25 Jan (K, Wood et aL); 13 at Polk mines 31 Jan (R Fellers et aL); 1 at Crystal River (Citrus) 17 Feb (B. Smyth). Swallow-tailed Kite: 1 at Myakka River SP (Sarasota) 15 Dec (S. Harris et al., details to FOC); 1 at Faka Union Canal (Collier) 6 Feb (D. Suitor); 1 at Paurotis Pond, Ever- glades NP (Miami-Dade) 9 Feb (T, Fitzgerald); 1 at Kissimmee Prairie Preserve SP (Okeechobee) 19 Feb (P Miller); 28 over Eastpoint (Franklin) 24 Feb (S, Klink). Mississippi Kite: l immature with Turkey Vultures over Tavernier, then later over Rock Harbor (Monroe) 6 Dec (B. Mulrooney et al,, photo to FOC) furnished the first verifi- able Florida record during winter. Great Black-Hawk: 1 adult at Virginia Key (Miami-Dade) 20 Dec (R. Diaz, details to FOC). Short-tailed Hawk: 1 light morph over Lake Wales Ridge State Forest, Frostproof (Polk) 19 Dec (B, Pranty, video to FOC); 1 light morph E of Lake Placid (Highlands) 30 Dec (D. Ferrell); 2 at Ten Thousand Islands NWR 30 Dec (D, Suitor et al.); 1 dark morph at Port of the Islands (Collier) 12-15 Jan (D. Jansen, T. Doyle et al,); 1 light morph at New Port Richey (Pasco) 18 Jan (K. Tracey); 1 dark morph at Homeland (Polk) 5 Feb (P Fellers et al.); 1 over Seminole State Forest, Sorrento (Lake) 22 Feb (T, Rodriguez); 1 light morph at Merritt Island NWR 24 Feb (P Fellers et al.). Swainson’S Hawk: 1 at Anhinga Trail, Everglades NP (Miami-Dade) 2 Dec (B. Rapoza); 1 light morph at Frog Pond WMA (Miami-Dade) 11 Jan (J. Boyd, R. Diaz); 1 immature dark morph over Stock Island (Monroe) 29 Feb (N. Brinkley); at least 1 dark morph from Frog Pond WMA to Paurotis Pond, Everglades NP (Miami-Dade) throughout the season (R, Diaz, J. Boyd et al.). Red-tailed Hawk: 1 “Krider’s” at Lake Apopka RA 21 Feb (J. Holstein et al.). Golden Eagle: 1 juvenile headed S over Lake Wales Ridge State Forest (Polk) 12 Dec (B. Pranty, video to FOC); 1 juvenile over Pay-ha-okee, Everglades NP (Miami-Dade) 23 Dec (B. Row et al., details to FOC). 120 FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST Crested CaracarA: 1 at Sanford {Seminole) 5 Jan (L. Malo); 1 along Government Road {Broward) 28 Feb (J. Boyd et aL). Merlin: 1 at Tallahassee 14 Dec (J. Cavanagh); 4 at Green Key Road, New Port Richey {Pasco) 2 Jan (M. Gardler); presumably the same individual captured separate Semi- palmated Plovers 3 hours apart at Fort De Soto Park 31 Dec (P. Sykes). Northern Bobwhite: 9 at Southern Glades WEA {Miami-Dade) 5 Feb were the first re- port from there (R. Diaz). Yellow Rail: 1 heard calling at Lake Apopka RA 11 Feb (H. Robinson); 1 heard calling at Lake Jackson 29 Feb (J. Cavanagh). Black Rail: 1 at Weekiwachee Preserve {Hernando) 29 Dec (B. Pranty). King Rail: 53 at Lake Apopka RA 1-3 Dec (H. Robinson); 1 at Bill Baggs/Cape Florida SP {Miami-Dade) 5-30 Dec and 21 Jan (R. Diaz). Virginia Rail: 5 at Lake Apopka RA 19 Jan (H. Robinson). Sora: 156 at Lake Apopka RA 9 Dec (H. Robinson). Purple Swamphen: 3-4 at Stormwater Treatment Area 5 {Hendry) 7 Dec ff (S. Siegel et al.); 3 at Moonshine Bay, Lake Okeechobee {Glades) 11 Feb (P. Gray, C. Farrell). Purple Gallinule: 1 at St. Marks NWR 22 Dec-5 Feb (J. Erickson et al.). Sandhill Crane: 35 southbound over Lake Wales Ridge State Forest 1 Dec (B. Pranty); 200-300 near Greenville {Madison) 10 Jan, and 380-415 there 11 Feb (R. Atchison); 100+ at Viera Wetlands {Brevard) 11 Jan (J. Holstein); northbound flocks over Lake Wales Ridge State Forest of 5, 42-43, and 8 on 5 Feb, 70+ on 9 Feb, and 150, 250-300, 130, 14, and 19 on 10 Feb (B. Pranty); 126 over Lake Apopka RA 11 Feb (H. Robinson); 3 at Fort Walton Beach STF 26 Feb (D. Ware et al.). American Golden-Plover: 1 at Fort Walton Beach STF 27 (J. Williams et al.). Snowy Plover: 1 at Talbot Islands SP {Duval) 27 Dec. (D. Wears); 10 at Honeymoon Is- land SP {Pinellas) 11 Feb (B. Hansen). Wilson’s Plovur: 63 at Fort De Soto Park 31 Dec (P. Sykes); 65 migrants at Weekiwachee Preserve 14 Feb, and only 1 there the next day (A. and B. Hansen). Semipalmated Plover: 400 at Fort De Soto Park 31 Dec (R Sykes). Piping Plover: 1 at Cedar Key 2 Jan (D. Henderson et al.); 46 at Fort De Soto Park 31 Dec (P. Sykes); 34 wintered at Crandon Beach {Miami-Dade), including 2 color- banded in the Canadian Maritimes (R. Diaz). American Oystercatcher: 1 at Morningside Park {Miami-Dade) 20-23 Dec (B. Mul- rooney et al.); 88 on one oyster bar at Ten Thousand Islands NWR 23 Jan (T. Doyle et al.). American Avocet: 220 at Quarantine Island 27 Dec (B. Richter); 105 at Polk mines 20 Feb (P. Fellers et al.). Solitary Sandpiper: 1 at Gainesville 14 Dec (A. Kent); 1 at Venice {Sarasota) 15 Dec (B. Brigham et al.); 1 near Lakeland {Polk) 20 Dec (B. Bratlie et al.); 1 at Sarasota 20 Dec (J. Palmer et al.); 1 on the Fort Lauderdale CBC {Broward) 21 Dec (P. Cunningham); 1 at S Naples {Collier) 27 Dec (D. Suitor); 1 near Lake Wales {Polk) 3 Jan (S. Riffe et al.); 1 at Lake Apopka RA 4 Feb (H. Robinson). Long-billed Curlew: 1 S of Marco Island {Collier) 30 Dec (T. Below); 3 at Cedar Key 2 Jan (D. Henderson et al.); 2 at Fort De Soto Park 10 Feb (M. Gardler); 3 at Honey- moon Island SP 11 Feb (A. and B. Hansen); 1 wintered for at least the third consecu- tive year at Bunche Beach {Lee) {fide C. Ewell). Marbled Godwit: 1 at Hernando Beach {Hernando) 6 Dec (B. Hansen et al.) and possi- bly the same bird at Weekiwachee Preserve {Hernando) 29 Dec (D, Goodwin, D, Pow- ell et al.); 1 at Shell Island, Panama City Beach {Bay) 3 Jan (J. Harbison). Red Knot: 15 at Weekiwachee Preserve 29 Dec (B, Pranty, D. Powell); 237 at Cedar Key 2 Jan (D. Henderson et al.); 650 at Bird Islands in Nassau Sound {Duval) 19 Feb (P. Leary); 1500 at Huguenot Park 26 Feb included birds color-banded at Delaware Bay, Georgia, and South Carolina (P. Leary). Field Observations 121 Semipalmated Sandpiper: 5 at Calusa Key, Florida Bay {Monroe) 19 Dec (B. Mul- rooney); 5 at Snake Bight Channel, Everglades NP {Miami-Dade or Monroe) 3 Jan (B. Mulrooney, photo to FOC). Least Sandpiper: 7200 at Polk mines 29 Feb (P. Timmer, C. Geanangel). Purple Sandpiper: 1 at Biscayne NP {Miami-Dade) 8-12 Dec (L. Manfredi et al.). Dunlin: 2 SW of San Antonio 22 Dec (D. Goodwin et al.); 3 E of Lake Placid 30 Dec (L. Atherton, photos to FOC); 1620 at Fort De Soto Park 31 Dec (P. Sykes); 16 at Polk mines 7 Feb (P. Fellers et al.). Stilt Sandpiper: 2 at Trinity {Pasco) 2 Jan (M. Gardler); 1 at Gainesville 13-20 Jan (R. Rowan, P. Burns); 1200 at Polk mines 29 Feb (P. Timmer, C. Geanangel). Long-billed Dowitcher: 20 at Brooksville 21 Jan (A. and B. Hansen); 6 at Fort De Soto 11 Feb (M. Gardler); 400 at Polk mines 20 Feb (P. Fellers et al.). Dowitcher species: 1900 at Polk mines 29 Feb (R Timmer, C. Geanangel). Wilson’s Snipe: 1090 at Lake Apopka RA 4 Jan (H. Robinson). American Woodcock: 1 male displayed at Withlacoochee State Forest {Hernando) 25 Dec-21 Feb (B. Hansen et al.), POMARINE Jaeger: 1 immature off Key Biscayne 27 Dec (R. Diaz); 2 birds 5 km off Na- ples 2 Feb (D. Suitor). Bonaparte’s Gull: 310 at Lake Apopka RA 2 Feb (H. Robinson). Heermann’S Gull: the 1 at Fort De Soto Park 31 Jan ff (L. Atherton et al.). Ring-billed Gull: 12,250 at Lake Apopka 4 Feb (H. Robinson). Herring Gull: 2 at Polk mines 31 Jan (P. Fellers et al,). *ICELAND Gull: 1 first-winter bird at Canaveral Jetty Park {Brevard) 25 Jan-3 Feb (L. Atherton et al.). Lesser Black-backed Gull: 1 at Lake Apopka RA 3-21 Dec (H. Robinson) 1 adult at Sanibel Island {Lee) 14 Dec (B. and C. Postmus); 1 third-winter bird E of Gulf Breeze {Santa Rosa) 20 Dec (B. Bremser et al.); 20 at Cocoa {Brevard) 20 Dec (D. Simpson); 1 or 2 at Huguenot Park 10 Jan-EOS (R. Clark); 1 bird 5 km off Naples 2 Feb (D. Suitor); 2 adults at Little Estero Lagoon 21 Feb (C. Ewell et al,); 3 adults (including an apparent intermedins) and 7 immatures wintered at Virginia Key {Miami-Dade) and Key Biscayne (R. Diaz et al.). Glaucous Gull: 1 adult at Canaveral Jetty Park 26 Jan-2 Feb (L. Atherton et al.), and 1 first- winter bird in weakened condition there 3 1 Jan, which was rehabilitated and released 20 Feb (L. Atherton et al.). Great Black-backed Gull: 1 second-winter bird at Green Key Road 2 Jan (M. Gardler) established the first for Pasco; 1 adult at Little Estero Lagoon 21 Feb (M. Gonsalo et al.). Sabine’s Gull: 1 inland at Lake Emerald, Fort Lauderdale {Broward) 20 Feb (S. Epps), Gull-billed Tern: 2 at Lake Harney {Seminole) 28 Dec (D. Simpson); 6 at Weekiwachee Preserve 29 Dec (B. Pranty, D. Powell, E. Haney); 1 at Polk mines 24-26 Jan (P. Fellers et al.). Caspian Tern: 1 at Okaloosa Island {Okaloosa) 15 Dec (B. Bremser). Royal Tern: 8 at Polk mines 29 Feb (P Timmer, C, Geanangel). Sandwich Tern: 50 at Little Estero Lagoon 6 Dec (C. Ewell); 2 at Destin {Okaloosa) 15 Dec (B. Duncan et al.); 1 at Hernando Beach South {Hernando) 29 Dec (B. Pranty, D. Goodwin). Common Tern: 4 at Bahia Honda Key {Monroe) 14 Dec (B. Mulrooney et al., photo to FOC by D. LaPuma). Black Skimmer: 500 at Polk mines 7 Feb (P. Fellers et al.). White-crowned Pigeon: 1 wintered at Cape Florida SP (R. Diaz). White-winged Dove: up to 22 at Gulf Breeze 6 Dec-30 Jan (B. Duncan et al.); 50 at Spring Hill 29 Dec (B, Hansen et al.); 8 at Cedar Key 2 Jan (D. Henderson); 90 at Micco {Brevard) 3 Jan (R. Book); 16 at Roseland {Indian River) 3 Jan (P. Mansfield). Budgerigar: 65 at Hernando Beach {Hernando) 29 Dec (B. Pranty et al.). 122 FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST Rose-ringed Parakeet: 16 at the Cape Coral roost (Lee) 15 Dec (C. Ewell). Black-hooded Parakeet: 18 (including one juvenile) at St. Augustine Beach (St. Johns) 15 Feb (J. Holstein, J. Baker et aL). Green-RUMPED Parrotlet (Forpus passerinus): 1 at Key West (Monroe) 28 Feb (N. Brinkley) furnished the first Florida report of this Tropical American genus. Yellow-billed Cuckoo: 1 near Lake Helen (Volusia) 20 Dec (R. Putnam, details to FOC). Great Horned Owl: 1 W of Research Road 17 Dec (R. Diaz). Burrowing Owl: l chick ca. 24 days old at Cape Coral (Lee) 7 Dec apparently was from a very late second brood (C. Ewell); 1 at Research Road 17 Dec (R. Diaz). Short-eared Owl: 1 along Bottoms Road (Wakulla) 10 Jan-15 Feb (J. Hintermister et aL); 2 or more wintered at Lake Apopka RA (H. Robinson). Lesser NighthawK: 8 at Eco Pond, Everglades NP (Monroe) 10 Jan (J. Boyd et aL). Chuck-WILL’S-WIDOW: 1 heard singing at Golden Gate (Collier) 24 Feb (T. Doyle); 1 heard singing at Land O’ Lakes (Pasco) 28 Feb (D. Bowman). Buff-bellied Hummingbird: 1 at Niceville 14 Nov-15 Feb (M.A. Friedman, banded by R Bassett); 1 at Pensacola 20 Dec (J. French, banded by F. Bassett). Ruby-throated Hummingbird: 1 adult male at Brooksville 1 Jan (A. and B. Hansen); 1 adult male at Cedar Key 2-29 Feb (D. Henderson). Black-chinned Hummingbird: 2 wintered at Gainesville (B. Muschlitz, H. Bellot et aL, banded by F. Bassett). *CallI0PE Hummingbird: 1 at Bald Point (Franklin) 9-12 Dec (J. Dozier); 1 at Gaines- ville 21 Dec-27 Feb (J. Hintermister, L. Hensley et aL, banded by F. Bassett); 1 at Niceville 11 Feb (B. McDonald et aL, banded by F. Bassett). *Broad-TAJLED Hummingbird: 1 adult male at Pensacola 30 Dec-30 Jan (G. Bowman et aL, banded by F. Bassett). Rufous Hummingbird: 1 adult male at Pinecrest (Miami-Dade) to 9 Dec (L. Manfredi et aL); singles at Niceville 1 Feb-mid-Feb and mid-Feb-6 Apr (M.A. Friedman, banded by F. Bassett); 2 at Mary Krome Park 25 Jan (J. Boyd et aL); 1 at Gainesville 13 Dec- EOS (B. Muschlitz, banded by F. Bassett). *Allen’S Hummingbird: 1 at Pensacola (Escambia) 1-16 Feb (G. Bowman et aL, banded by F. Bassett). Selasphorus SPECIES: 1 at Cedar Key 7 Jan-25 Feb (D. Henderson). Hairy Woodpecker: 1 male near Orangedale (St. Johns) 24 Jan. (P. Powell). Least Flycatcher: 1 at Paynes Prairie Preserve SP 14 Dec (J. Hintermister et aL); 1 at Cape Florida SP 21 Dec-12 Feb (R. Diaz); 1 E of Lake Placid 30-31 Dec (L. Atherton et aL, photos to FOC); 20 at Lake Apopka RA 19 Jan (H. Robinson); 2 wintered at Frog Pond WMA/Southern Glades WE A (R. Diaz). Vermilion Flycatcher: up to 3 at Gainesville 14 Dec-3 Jan (G, McDermott, R. Rowan et aL); 1 adult male at Fort Walton Beach STF 16 Dec (L. Fenimore et aL); 1 adult male at Anclote River Ranch, Odessa (Pasco) 15 Jan-21 Feb (M. Lopez, R. Smart et aL); 1 at Lake City 18 Jan-15 Feb (D. Robbins, J. Hintermister et aL); 1 adult male at Piney Z Lake (Leon) 29 Feb (G. Menk et aL); 1 wintered at Frog Pond WMA (fide J. Boyd). Ash-throated Flycatcher: 1 at Guana River S.P. (St. Johns) 4 Dec (A. Kent); 1 at Fort Walton Beach STF 15 Dec (D. Ware); 10 at Lake Apopka RA 2 Feb (H. Robinson). Brown-crested Flycatcher: 1 at Matheson Hammock CP (Miami-Dade) 27 Dec (D. Cunningham et aL); 1 at North Key Largo (Monroe) 11 Jan (B. Mulrooney, details to FOC); 1 at Lake Apopka RA 2 Feb (H. Robinson). *Tropical Kingbird: 1 again wintered at Lake Apopka RA (H. Robinson et aL, photos to FOC by J. Bouton and D. LaPuma). *Cassin’s Kingbird: 2 wintered at Lake Apopka RA (H. Robinson et aL, photo to FOC by D. LaPuma). Western Kingbird: 1 at Horseshoe Beach (Dixie) 3 Dec (J. Dozier, J. Murphy); 2 at Gainesville 14 Dec (R. Rowan, L. Davis); 1 on the Apalachicola CBC (Franklin) 29 Dec Field Observations 123 (B. Steadman et alj; 2 at Alligator Point (Franklin) 30 Dec (S. McCool); 2 at Ever- glades City (Collier) 2 Jan (T. Doyle); 1 at Pensacola 2-23 Jan (M. Clark); 1 at Gulf Breeze 6 Jan (B. Duncan); up to 35 wintered at Lake Apopka RA (B. Anderson et aL). Gray Kingbird: 1 at Lake Apopka RA to 28 Jan (H. Robinson et aL); 1 at Islamorada (Monroe) 6-7 Dec (B. Mulrooney photo to FOC); 1 at Black Point Marina (Miami- Dade) 27 Dec (B. Mulrooney et aL, photo to FOC by D. LaPuma). SciSSOR-TAlLED FLYCATCHER: up to 7 at Lake Apopka RA 26 Dec-EOS (H. Robinson); 7 near Cypress Isle (Highlands) 30 Dec (J. Greenlaw et aL); 1 at Fritchey Road (Collier) 30 Dec-3 Jan (H, and W, Strickland et aL); 1 at Fort Walton Beach STF 3-15 Jan (A. Knothe et aL); 1 at Lake City 21 Jan (J. Hintermister); 1 at Umatilla (Lake) 23 Feb- EO'S (J. Puschock); 6 in a “tight flock” at Key West Airport (Monroe) 27 Feb (N. Brin- kley); 1 again wintered at Seven Springs (K. Tracey et aL). Bell’s Vireo: 1 at Frog Pond WMA to 5 Jan (R. Diaz). Yellow-throated Vireo: 1-2 at W Kendall (MiamLDade) to 2 Feb (J. Boyd); 1 at Niceville 15 Dec (J. Williams, S. Tiesciero); 2 at Collier-Seminole SP (Collier) 24 Jan (T, Doyle et aL); 1 at Street Mature Center (Polk) 26 Feb (P. Fellers). Purple Martin: 1 male at Lake Region Village (Polk) 8 Jan (B. and L. Cooper); 1 at Springhill Road STF (Leon) 20 Jan (J. Morrell); 3 males and 3 females at Port of the Islands 16 Jan (T. Doyle et aL); 4 at Lake Apopka RA 21 Jan (H. Robinson). Tree Swallow: 200,000 or more at St. Marks NWR 20 Dec (R. Lengacher); 40,000 at Polk mines 7 Feb (P. Fellers et aL). Northern Rough-winged Swallow: 100+ at Wakodahatchee Wetlands (Palm Beach) 24 Jan (J. Boyd et aL); 1 in Franklin 16 Feb (J. Dozier, J. Murphy). Bank Swallow: 1 at Lake Maggiore, St. Petersburg 20 Dec (R. Smith, details to FOC). Cliff Swallow: 1 at Frog Pond V^MA 5 Jan (R. Diaz); 2 of the northern subspecies at Fort De Soto Park 26 Feb (L. Atherton, photos to FOC). Cave Swallow: 1 perhaps of the Mexican subspecies at Fort Walton Beach STF 13 Dec (S. Duncan, L. Dougherty); 120 at Homestead (Miami-Dade) 27 Dec (B. Boeringer, P. Bithom, D. LaPuma); 1 of the Mexican subspecies at Frog Pond WMA 11 Jan (J, Boyd, R. Diaz). Barn Swallow: 1 at Fort Walton Beach STF 16 Feb (B. Monk); 1 at Lake Apopka RA 20- 22 Feb (L. Atherton, H. Robinson et aL); 1 at St. Marks NWR 27 Feb (H. Charest). BROtYN-HEADED NUTHATCH: 1 in pines at Lake Apopka RA 7 Dec (H. Robinson). Brown Creeper: 1 or more at San Felasco Hammock Preserve SP 28 Dec-8 Feb (D. Steadman et aL); 1 at Gainesville 4 Jan (D. Steadman). House Wren: 138 at Lake Apopka RA 9 Dec (H. Robinson). Sedge Wren: 3 off Research Road Everglades NP (Miami-Dade) 17 Dec (R. Diaz). Golden-crowned Kinglet: 1 at Sanford (Seminole) 14 Dec (L. Male); 2 at Florida Cav- erns SP (Jackson) 22 Jan (D. Chaffin). Blue-gray Gnatcatcher: 111 at Lake Apopka RA 4 Feb (H. Robinson). American Robin: 10,300 at Lake Apopka RA 4 Feb (H. Robinson), American Pipit: 50-60 at Frog Pond WMA (Miami-Dade) 5-14 Jan (R. Diaz); 200+ at Vi- era Wetlands 11 Jan (J, Holstein et aL); 123 at Lake Apopka RA 11 Feb (H. Robinson). Cedar Waxwing: 1200 at Tallahassee 14 Feb (M. Evans). Blue-winged Warbler: 1 at Topeekeegee Yugnee Park, Hollywood (Broward) 10 Dec-25 Jan (R. MacGregor, W. George, M. Bemey et aL, videotape to FOC); 1 at West Lake 4 Jan- 3 Feb (R. Diaz, D. Ervin); 1 at Bear Lake Trail, Everglades NP (Monroe) 3 Feb (D. Ervin). Tennessee Warbler: 1 at Pensacola 6 Jan (L. Atherton). Nashville Warbler: 1 at Cape Florida SP to 14 Feb (R. Diaz, B. Boeringer); 1 at Lake Apopka RA 15 Dec-14 Jan (H. Robinson); 1 again wintered at New Port Richey (K. Tracey et aL). Northern Paeula: 10-12 migrants at Cape Florida SP 1 Feb (R. Diaz); 3 in two St. Pe- tersburg sites 7 Feb (R. Smith); 25+ in one oak at Jupiter Inlet Colony (Martin) 16 Feb (J. Hailman). 124 FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST Yellow Waebler: 1 at Valparaiso {Okaloosa) 15 Dec (C. and P. Goodyear); 1 at Pensa- cola 20 Dec (C. Brown et aL); 1 female at Wakodahatchee Wetlands 24 Jan (J. Boyd, R. Diaz et al.); 1 male at Southern Glades WEA 14 Jan (R. Diaz); 1 at Fort Walton Beach STF 24 Jan (B. Monk et al.). Magnolia Warbler: 1 at Myakka River SP 15 Dec (J. Ginaven et al., details to FOC); 1 at Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary {Collier) 20 Dec (A Murray et al.); 1 at Fakahatchee Strand Preserve SP {Collier) 29 Feb (V McGrath et al.). Black-throated Blue Warbler: 1 male at Pensacola 6 Dec (M. Clark); 1 male at Jack- sonville 2 Jan-EOS (J. Ross). Prairie Warbler: 1 at Niceville 15 Dec (J. Williams, S. Tiesciero); 1 at Pensacola 20 Dec (B. and L. Duncan et al.). Palm Warbler: 430 at Lake Apopka RA 2 Feb (H. Robinson). American Redstart: 1 at Gainesville 14 Dec (A. Kent); 1 at A.J. Henry Park {Leon) 21 Dec- 11 Feb, and 2 there 24 Feb (D. Chaffin, M. Evans et al.). Worm-eating Warbler: perhaps becoming more numerous during winter in Broward, with 2 at Fern Forest, Coconut Creek 9 Dec and 1 at Easterlin Park, Oakland Park 11 Dec ff (W. George); 1 near Loxahatchee NWR {Palm Beach) 3 Jan (W. George). Northern Waterthrush: 5 at Lake Apopka RA 4 Feb (H. Robinson). Louisiana Waterthrush: 1 at Lake Apopka RA 11 Feb, and 2 there 29 Feb (H. Robinson). *MacGillivray’S Warbler: 1 at Tree Tops Park, Davie {Broward) remained to 5 Jan (W. George). Wilson’s Warbler: 1 male at Pensacola 20 Dec (B. and L. Duncan et al.); 1 at Ravine Gar- dens SP {Putnam) 30 Dec (B. Carroll); 2 at Gainesville 1-14 Jan (P. Bums et al.); 1 at A.D. Barnes Park {Miami-Dade) 6 Jan-EOS (J. Rosenfield et al.); 1 at West Lake, Ever- glades NP {Miami-Dade) 4 Jan (R. Diaz); 1 at Lake Apopka RA 21-25 Jan (H. Robinson). Yellow-breasted Chat: 1 at Niceville 15 Dec (J. Williams); 1 at Jacksonville 27 Dec (L, Johannsen); 2 wintered at Cape Florida SP (R. Diaz); 1 wintered at Frog Pond WMA (R. Diaz); 1 wintered at Lake Apopka RA (H. Robinson). *Red-legged Honeycreeper: 1 breeding-plumaged male at Cape Florida SP 18-19 Jan (A. Harper et al., photo to FOC); 1 breeding-plumaged male at Royal Palm, Ever- glades NP {Miami-Dade) 21 Feb-26 Feb (D. Cunningham, J. Weber et al., photos to FOC by L. Manfredi). Summer Tanager: 1 at Tallahassee 1 Jan-EOS (P. Homann). Western Tanager: 1 female-plumaged bird at Osprey {Sarasota) 20 Dec (A. Bishop et al., details to FOC); 1 at Tallahassee 1 Jan-EOS (F. Rutkovsky et al.); 1 female at Jacksonville 17 Jan (J. Cocke); 1 in female-plumage at Easterlin Park 7 Feb (W. George, M. Berney). Western SpindaliS: 1 adult black-backed male at Windley Key {Monroe) 23 Jan-12 Feb (M. O’Brien et al., photo to FOC by J. Boyd). Bachman’S Sparrow: 1 heard singing at Kissimmee Prairie Preserve SP 3 Feb (R Miller). Chipping Sparrow: 1 at Plantation Key {Monroe) 19 Dec (A. and R. Paul). Clay-colored Sparrow: 1 at Fort Pickens 4 Dec-6 Feb (B. Duncan et al.); 1 at Frog Pond WMA {Miami-Dade) 11 Dec (R. Diaz); 3 at N Jacksonville 10 Jan (R. Clark); 11 at the Dundee/Lake Wales area 18 Jan (P. Timmer); 4 or more wintered at Lake Apopka RA (H. Robinson). Field Sparrow: 2 at Babcock- Webb WMA {Charlotte) 14 Dec (D. Mathewson); 4 at Lake Kissimmee SP {Polk) 1 Jan (T. Palmer). Vesper Sparrow: 22 at Lake Apopka RA 15 Dec (H. Robinson); 12 at N Jacksonville 10 Jan (R. Clark). Lark Sparrow: 1 at Fort Pickens 8 Dec-22 Jan (B. Duncan et al.); 3 at Larry and Penny Thompson Park, 11 Dec-29 Jan (J. Boyd et al.); 1 at Balm {Hillsborough) 14 Dec (D. Goodwin et al.); 1 at Pensacola Beach {Escambia) 20 Dec (A. Forster et al.); 1 at Lake Apopka RA 28 Dec (H. Robinson); 1 W of Umatilla {Lake) 3 Jan (M. Remer et al.). Field Observations 125 Savannah Sparrow: 487 at N Jacksonville 10 Jan (R. Clark); 312 at Lake Apopka RA 28 Jan (H. Robinson). Grasshopper Sparrow: 6 at Paynes Prairie Preserve SP {Alachua) 24 Jan (J. Holstein et al.). Henslow’S Sparrow: 2 at San Felasco Preserve SP 27 Dec (J. Holstein, B. Muschlitz et al.); 1 at Goldhead Branch SP {Clay) 22 Jan (J. Hintermister); 10 found 9 km W of Sumatra {Liberty) in Apalachicola NF 22 Feb (J. Cavanagh, J. Murphy). Le Conte’s Sparrow: 1 at San Felasco Hammock Preserve SP 20 Dec~l Jan (B, Carroll et al.). Nelson’s Sharp-tailed Sparrow: 10 at Weekiwachee Preserve 29 Dec (B. Ahern, D. Goodwin, D. Powell et al.); 2 at Ten Thousand Islands NWR 30 Dec (T. Doyle). Saltmarsh Sharp-tailed Sparrow: 1 at Caladesi Island SP {Pinellas) 27 Dec-9 Jan (E. Kwater); 1 at St. Marks NWR 8 Jan (J. Cavanagh). Seaside Sparrow: 10 singing at Fort Island Gulf Beach 22 Feb (M. Gardler). Fox Sparrow: 1 at Lochloosa WMA {Alachua) 14-15 Dec (M. Manetz et al.); 2 at Paynes Prairie Preserve SP {Alachua) 22 Feb (A. Kent). Lincoln’s Sparrow: 5 at Lake Apopka RA 7 Dec (H. Robinson); 1 at Kanapaha Prairie {Alachua) 14 Dec (R. Rowan); 1 at Lake Wales 1 Jan (P. Fellers, S. Riffe); 1 at Eco Pond, Everglades NP {Monroe) 3 Jan (R. Smith); 1 E of Sunniland Station {Hendry) 7 Feb (J. Boyd). Swamp Sparrow: 283 at Lake Apopka RA 7 Dec (H. Robinson); 175 at N Jacksonville 10 Jan (R. Clark). White-throated Sparrow: 1 singing at Cape Florida SP 21 Dec (R. Diaz); 1 heard sing- ing at Key Largo {Monroe) 21 Dec (S. Pimm). *Harris’S Sparrow: 1 first- winter bird E of Sunniland Station 24 Jan ff (A. Murray, A. Wilson et al., photo to FOC). White-crowned Sparrow: 1 at Lake Placid 30 Dec (R. Lavoy); 6 at the Dundee/Lake Wales area 18 Jan (P. Timmer). Dark-eyed JuncO: 1 at San Felasco Hammock 12-20 Dec (G. Kiltie, B. Carroll); 1 at Lake Apopka RA 17 Dec (H. Robinson); 5 at a rest area on I-IO {Gadsden) 16 Jan (B. Wal- lace et ah); 2 at Tallahassee 14 Feb (H. Hooper). Rose-breasted Grosbeak: 1 male at Tallahassee 5 Dec (D. Houle); 1 female E of Lake Placid 31 Dec (J. Greenlaw, details to FOC); 1 at Lake Apopka RA 27 Feb (H. Robin- son). Black-headed Grosbeak: 1 female at Pensacola 20 Dec-7 Feb (B. Francisco et al., de- tails to FOC by B. Bremser). Blue Grosbeak: 3 at Emeralda Marsh CA 5 Dec (J. Puschock); 3 in Alachua to 7 Dec (S. Collins, G, Kiltie, M. Manetz); 2 at Homestead 27 Dec (B. Boeringer et al.); 16 at Lake Apopka RA 31 Dec (H. Robinson); 1 at Alligator Point 7 Feb (J. Dozier). Indigo Bunting: 32 at Lake Apopka RA 21 Dec (H. Robinson); 1 winter-plumaged male in Wakulla 7 Feb (J. Epler); increasingly frequent in the W Panhandle, with three re- ports this winter {fide B. Duncan). Painted Bunting: 1 female-plumaged bird S of St. Leo {Pasco) 22 Dec (D. Powell, B. Pranty); 1 female at Jacksonville 1 Jan-EOS (A. Turner); 1 male again wintered at Tallahassee, and was joined by a female-plumaged bird 18 Feb (B. Buford); 3 or more wintered at Lake Apopka RA (H. Robinson). Dickcissel: 6 at Lake Apopka RA 21 Dec (H. Robinson). Red-winged Blackbird: 54,000 at Lake Apopka RA 15 Dec (H. Robinson). Yellow-headed Blackbird: 1 female at Dunedin Causeway {Pinellas) 7 Dec (K. Nel- son); 1 at West Boca Raton {Palm Beach) 21 Dec (L. McCandless), Rusty Blackbird: 3 at St. Marks NWR 22 Dec (S. Barlow); 4 at Lake City 25 Feb (J. Hin- termister). Boat-tailed Grackle: 9550 at Lake Apopka RA 15 Dec (H. Robinson), 126 FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST Shiny Cowbird: 1 at Lake Apopka RA 3 Dec (H. Robinson); 1 at Cedar Key 12 Dec (J. Hintermister, G. McDermott); 1 male at Pensacola 28 Dec (M. Clark et al.). Bronzed Cowbird: 3 males near Skyview Golf Course, Lakeland 20 Dec (B, and L. Coo- per, S. Riffe); 4 males at Serenoa Golf Club, Sarasota {Sarasota) 20 Dec (J. Palmer et ak); 1 male at Apalachicola {Franklin) 17 Jan (S. McCool); 1 at Fort Walton Beach STF 30 Jan (A. Einothe et ak); 40 wintered at Eagle Lakes Park, Naples {Collier; D. Suitor et ak). Brown-headed Cowbird: 1000 at Polk mines 20 Feb (R Fellers et ak). Orchard Oriole: 1 first- winter male at Cape Florida SP 3 Feb (R. Diaz). Baltimore Oriole: 7 in Collier 30 Dec (D. Suitor et ak). Purple Finch: 1 female at Alligator Point 19 Dec (J. Dozier); 1 female at Tallahassee 12 Jan (F. Rutkovsky); “several” wintered at Pensacola (G. Bowman et ak). House Finch: birds expanding their range in the Jacksonville area: 1 at Mayport 27 Dec (J. Cocke), 4 at Fort Caroline Historical Monument 27 Dec (L. Johannsen), and 1 at Kingsley Plantation Historical Monument 13 Jan (R. Clark); 1 at St. Augustine Beach 14 Feb (J. Holstein, J. Baker); 4 at Spring Hill 29 Dec (B. Hansen et ak); 4 at Cedar Key 2 Jan (D. Henderson et ak). Pine Siskin: 1 at Valrico {Hillsborough) 24 Jan (S. Backes). American Goldfinch: rare in SE Florida this season: 2 at Royal Palm, Everglades NP {Miami-Dade) 11 Dec (R. Diaz); 2 at Wakodahatchee Wetlands 24 Jan (J. Boyd et ak). Contributors: Brian Ahern, Ken Allen, Ken Alvarez, Bruce Anderson, Roger Atchi- son, Lyn Atherton, Steve Backes, Jocie Baker, Stephan Barlow, Fred Bassett, Hilda Bellot, Ted Below, Mark Berney, Bill Bilodeau, Alison Bishop, Paul Bithorn, Bill Boeringer, Jan Bolte, Roy Book, Jeff Bouton, Dave Bowman, Glenda Bowman, John Boyd, Andy Boyles, Byron Bratlie, Bill Bremser, Barbara Brigham, Ned Brinkley, Cecil Brown, Barbara Buford, Pat Burns, Bob Carroll, Jim Cavanagh, David Chaffin, Heidi Charest, Morris Clark, Roger Clark, Julie Cocke, Steve Collins, Buck Cooper, Linda Cooper, Dick Cunningham, Paddy Cunningham, Lloyd Davis, Robin Diaz, Lydia Dougherty, Terry Doyle, Jack Dozier, Bob Duncan, Lucy Duncan, Scot Duncan, John Epler, Susan Epps, John Erickson, Doug Ervin, Michael Evans, Charlie Ewell, Jan Fabozzi, Chris Farrell, Paul Fellers, Lenny Fenimore, Dane Ferrell, John Filley, Tom Fitzgerald, Ann Forster, Brenda Francisco, Jere French, Mary Ann Friedman, Murray Gardler, Chuck Geanangel, Wally George, John Ginaven, Dave Goodwin, Carole and Phil Goodyear, Marie Gonsalo, Paul Gray, Charlene Green, Jon Greenlaw, Jack Hail- man, Erik Haney, Al Hansen, Bev Hansen, Joe Harbison, Alex Harper, Steve Harris, Dale Henderson, Linda Hensley, Michael Hill, John Hintermister, Jackie Holstein, Pe- ter Homann, Harry Hooper, Debra Jansen, Laura Johannsen, Adam Kent, Grace Kiltie, Sheila Klink, Alan Knothe, Andy Kratter, Ed Kwater, David LaPuma, Mary Landsman, Rick Lavoy, Patrick Leary, Manny Lopez, Russell MacGregor, Al Madsen, Lome Malo, Mike Manetz, Larry Manfredi, Phyllis Mansfield, Dave Mathewson, Peter May, Linda McCandless, Sean McCool, Greg McDermott, Beth McDonald, Bob McKenney, Gail Menk, Paul Miller, Brian Monk, John Morrell, Don Morrow, Brennan Mulrooney, John Murphy, Alan Murray, Barbara Muschlitz, Kris Nelson, Michael O’Brien, Jeff Palmer, Tom Palmer, Ann and Rich Paul, Nancy Penny, Belinda Perry, Stuart Pimm, Bev and Claire Postmus, David Powell, Peggy Powell, Bill Pranty, John Puschock, Robert Put- nam, Brian Rapoza, Mary Remer, Bob Richter, Sue Riffe, Dotty Robbins, Harry Robin- son, Tom Rodriguez, Jill Rosenfield, Jamie Ross, Bob Row, Rex Rowan, Fran Rutkovsky, Kim Schnitzius, Steve Siegel, David Simpson, Ray Smart, Ron Smith, Betty Smyth, Ken Spilios, Barbara Steadman, David Steadman, Henry and Weslyn Strickland, Doug Suitor, Paul Sykes, John Taylor, Susan Tiesciero, Pete Timmer, Ken Tracey, Anne Turner, Bob and Debbie Wallace, Don Ware, Dianne Wears, Jeff Weber, Jean Williams, Arthur Wilson, and Kristen Wood. Field Observations 127 Report prepared by Bill Pranty, state compiler (Avian Ecology Lab, Archbold Bio- logical Station, 123 Main Drive, Venus, Florida 33960; ). Re- gional compilers are Bruce H. Anderson (2917 Scarlet Road, Winter Park, Florida 32792; ), John H. Boyd III (15291 SW 108th Terrace, Miami, Florida 33196; ), Linda Cooper (558 Sunshine Boulevard, Haines City, Florida 33844-9540; ), Bob and Lucy Duncan (614 Fairpoint Drive, Gulf Breeze, Florida 32561; ), Charlie Ewell (115 SW 51st Terrace, Cape Coral, Florida 33991; ), Bev Hansen (6573 Pine Meadows Drive, Spring Hill, Florida 34606; ), Gail Menk (2725 Peachtree Drive, Tallahassee, Florida 32304; no email), David Pow- ell (1407 Storington Avenue, Brandon, Florida 33511; ), and Peggy Powell (2965 Forest Circle, Jacksonville, Florida 32257; ). FLORIDA ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY COMMITTEES Archives Committees Chair: WALTER K. TAYLOR, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL 32816. E-mail: v/taylor@pegasiis.cc.ucf.edu. Members: Ed Slaney, Dave Goodwin, Tom Webber. Editorial Advisory Board: Chair: JAMES A. RODGERS, jR., Wildlife Research Labora- tory, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 4005 S. Main St., Gaines- ville, FL 32601. E-mail: rodgeij@fwc.state.fl.us. Members: STEPHEN A. NESBITT, ToDD Engstrom, Hank Smith, Eugene Stoccardo. Field Observations Committee? Chair: Bill Pranty, Arian Ecology Lab, Archbold Bi- ological Station, 123 Main Drive, Venus, FL 33960. E-mail: billpraiity@hotmaiLcom. Members: Bruce H. Anderson, JOHN BoYD III, LINDA COOPER, BOB Duncan, Char- lie Ewell, Bev Hansen, Gail Menk, David Powell, Peggy Powell. Finance Committee? Chair: MURRAY Gardler. Members: Dean Jue {ex officio), DAVID STOCK, Fred Lohrer. Nominating Committee? Chair: Ann Paul. Member: Andy Kratter, Grants and Awards Committee? Chair, Cruickshank Research Award: STEVE NES- BITT, Wildlife Research. Laboratory, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commis- sion, 4005 S. Main St., Gainesville, FL 32601. E-mail: Steve.Nesbitt@fwc.state.fl.us Members: PARKS SMALL, David STEADMAN, Hank Smith. Chair, Cruickshank Education Award: Katy NeSmith, Florida Natural Areas Inventory, 1018 Thomasville Rd., Suite 200-C, Tallahassee, FL 32303. E-mail: knesmith@fnai.org Members: JUDITH Buhrman AND SALLY JUE (staggered 3-year terms). Chair, William B. and Mary J. Robertson Fellowship Award: PETER G. Merritt, 8558 SE Sharon St., Hobe Sound, FL 33455. Member: SALLY ROBERTSON. Records Committee? Managing Secretary: Reed Bowman, Archbold Biological Sta- tion, P.O. Box 2057, Lake Placid, FL 33862. Members: Lyn Atherton, Andy Kratter, Jon Greenlaw, Fred Lohrer, Mickey Wheeler, Todd Engstrom. Conservation Committee: Chair: JiM Cox, Tall Timbers Research Station, 13093 Hen- ry Beadel Dr., Tallahassee, FL 32312-9712. E-mail: necox@nettally.com. Members: TODD ENGSTROM, Ken Meyer, Ann PAUL, Eric Stolen. Membership Committee? Co-chair: Judith B. Buhrman, 6123 113th Street, #504, Seminole, FL 33772-6846. E-mail: JBuhrman@aoLcom. Co-Chair: Terry J. Doyle, Ten Thousand Islands NWR, 3860 Tollgate Blvd., Ste. 300, Naples, FL 34114. E-mail: (wk) Terry„DoyIe@hvs.gov; (hm) nfn20610@naples.net. Member: Dean Jue. t T- : 1 I? - 'A'Ki^V,' 4.1.1* f ■ " Jl :; ’i.,j\-'f . .tvn a: :'•. ‘ ‘*c r ’> A - • • ■ ’ .V .-. .’ , <'*. •' ) .; li' : ' .'■ ’ ' ■*:'■''■ ‘ ' . ' ' .:^»r*«giKa«c\r<.v V v-' . ^ tUd.i / 'V^ ',-■ -■ " ■'<•« / ■ ' . ' ’ , s. ■V ' ■ '■ .:‘ j'' • , ■ ' ■ .’. 1.' u ' .>.• ^kt-y}/ ■ ^ ^ ' •* ' \\tit ...J* ^(^ir'i,' •-,, '« ..■r-..;^ J>' •:: -•■ ' '■ ’ * *.'4.- s'- .. ■ • ‘jti ., ^ ■ : v; ''. r ' ' U '■■' , k W- -. .-. : ..i V i ■ ■> ‘ vfl-i .V* '*y*.rl,-vvf& CCi^iWgf^' Cvf : elicit. .11. '^^1:^1- t^.l'>A‘*'r-7H ^ • -™ ' , ’V •' Hjrr/iH'-’J /■> ' PyeSff 'ciliizi -.V- ■' n^* ''•>■ -r^ ftr, • ' ; '''^* ■ " .«:V'’!!l!r*’‘iV :■ '■ s ■Spl 7} ... .BHB' • -I , ; .. , *r^Ayf^ /v esUVy ■' ,4 ^ •; i/s : u'^'r..', <‘^.n^•.. ’ ' u '-*t ■ *U^V,fijl4f .'" •-•J'* 'i. ** ■ ’ .i',oM.n- ' '. fv ■'■.■, ‘'k'tvfv' ■ '' ^ ■/' - '.' *s;s.Ti Srfv.i. ■if'.'*' •■<•■'•-*- ^|'..''n4i';3.nc "’ '' - ^ •^' V. ■ K . ‘ ^- ' 5>‘! ^ \ 7 fj.<^^yftr ' • -v v.^. tr. 'cv , ^ •_ ■ , ■ 1 (■ ■• i'i i; • , ’"1* ^‘'i' ^ i ■'*■ j ' V ^ ^mi^- 1 y ,. ■• • ^ ■ •» ' V'>’ ' •' ^ i-' , ■ • E> '"V m, m y L ’is ’■',•■■ ' * i Florida Field Naturalist ISSN 0738-999X PUBLISHED BY THE FLORIDA ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY Editor; JEROME A, JACKSON, Whitaker Center, Arts & Sciences, Florida Gulf Coast Uni- versity, 10501 FGCU Blvd. South, Fort Myers, FL 33965. E-mail: picus@fgcu.edu Associate Editor (for Reviews): Reed Bowman, Archbold Biological Station, RO. Box 2057, Lake Placid, FL 33852 Associate Editor (for bird distribution): BruCE Anderson, 2917 Scarlet Road, Winter Park, FL 32792. E-mail: scizortail@aol.com Editor of the Ornithological Newsletter: TOM PALMER, 1805 26th Street, N.W, Win- ter Haven, FL 33881. E-mail: tomp47@yahoo.com Editor of Special Publications: Glen E. Woolfenden, Archbold Biological Station, P.O. Box 2057, Lake Placid, FL 33862. E-mail: gwoolfenden@archbold-station.org Web Page Editor: KURT Radamaker, 16313 E. Crystal Point Drive, Fountain Hills, AZ 85268. E-mail: webmaster@fosbirds.org 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. We welcome submission of original manuscripts containing new information from these areas. We encourage electronic submission of manuscripts. Please consult recent issues of the journal for style, especially noting that manuscripts should: (1) be double-spaced throughout, including tables and figure captions; (2) include the scientific name at the first mention of each species; (3) include capitalized standardized English names for all birds, but lower case for English names of other organisms; (4) include metric units for all measurements; (5) use the form “7 June 2003” for all dates; (6) use the 24-hour clock for all indications of time (e.g., 0800, 1400); (7) use the following abbreviations: s (second), min (minute), h (hour); (8) preferentially use active voice. Submit manuscripts for Florida Field Naturalist to the Editor, Jerome A. Jackson. Monograph-length manuscripts may be submitted for consideration to Glen E. Wool- fenden, Editor of Special Publications. Books and other materials for review should be submitted to: Reed Bowman, Associate Editor for Reviews. Field Observations should be submitted to the Chair of the Field Observations Committee, Bill Pranty. Reports of rare birds in Florida should be submitted to the Managing Secretary of the FOS Records Com- mittee, Reed Bowman. 3 9088 011191137 Florida Field Naturalist PUBLISHED BY THE FLORIDA ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY VoL. 32, No. 3 September 2004 Pages 75-127 CONTENTS ARTICLES Bird Observations in Five Agricultural Field Types of the Everglades Agricultural Area in the Summer and Fall Elise V. Pearlstine, Frank J. Mazzotti, Kenneth G. Rice, and Anna Liner 75-84 Status of the Black Bear in South-central Florida David S. Maehr, James N. Layne, Thomas S. Hoctor, and Michael A. Orlando 85-101 Maximum clutch size of the American Alligator Steven G. Platt, Alan Resetar, and Bryan L. Stuart 102-106 A Review of the Colonization Dynamics of the Northern Curly-tailed Lizard (Leiocephalus carinatus armouri) in Florida. Henry T Smith and Richard M. Engeman 107-113 REVIEW Parasites and Diseases of Wild Birds in Florida by Donald J. Forrester and Marilyn G. Spalding Mary C. Garvin 114-116 FIELD OBSERVATIONS Winter report: December 2003-February 2004 Bill Pranty 117-127 GLl~ F3 S X u Florida Field Naturalist PUBLISHED BY THE FLORIDA ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY VoL. 32, No. 4 November 2004 Pages 129-162 FLORIDA ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY Founded 1972 Officers President: FRANCES C. JAMES, Department of Biological Science, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306-1100. E-mail: james@bio.fsu.edu Vice President: JOYCE KING, 11645 69th Way N., Largo, FL 33773. Secretary: PAMELA J. Bowen, 309 Moonstone Dr,, East Palatka, FL 32131. E-mail: pjbowen@aol.com Treasurer: DEAN JUE, 3455 Dorchester Court, Tallahassee, FL 32312-1300. E-mail: djue@admin.fsu.edu Editor, Florida Field Naturalist: JEROME A. JACKSON, Wliitaker Center, Arts & Sci- ences, Florida Gulf Coast University, 10501 FGCU Blvd. South, Fort Myers, FL 33965. Ex Officio: Immediate Past President: PETER G. Merritt, 8558 SE Sharon St., Kobe Sound, FL 33455. Directors, Terms Expiring Spring 2005 Judith B. Buhrman, 6123 113th Street, #504, Seminole, FL 33772-6846 Terry J. Doyle, Ten Thousand Islands NWR, 3860 Tollgate Blvd., Ste. 300, Naples, FL 34114 Directors, Terms Expiring Spring 2006 Murray Gardler, 9400 Merri weather Drive, Brooksville, FL 34613-4271 David Stock, Department of Biology, Unit 8285, Stetson University, DeLand, FL 32723 Directors, Terms Expiring Spring 2004 Judy Bryan, 1924 SW 43rd Avenue, Gainesville, FL 32608 Scott Robinson, Florida Museum of Natural History, P.O. Box 117800, Gainesville, FL 32611 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; Ted Below 1999. 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 $20 for individual members (overseas $25), $25 for a family member- ship, $15 for students, $40 for contributing members and $25 for institutional membership. 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 undelivered 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. The Florida Ornithological Society web site can be found at www.fosbirds.org THIS PUBLICATION IS PRINTED ON NEUTRAL PH PAPER Florida Field Naturalist PUBLISHED BY THE FLORIDA ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY VoL. 32, No. 4 November 2004 Pages 129-162 Florida Field Naturalist 32(4): 129-137, 2004. POPULATION INCREASE AND RANGE EXPANSION OF BLACK HOODED PARAKEETS IN FLORIDA Bill Prantyi-^ and Helen W. Lovell^-^ ^8515 Village Mill Row, Bayonet Point, Florida 34667-2662; E-mail: billpranty@hotmaiLcom ^Department of Biology, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, Georgia 30461 ^Current address: Avian Ecology Lab, Archbold Biological Station, 123 Main Drive, Venus, Florida 33960 ^Permanent address: 1160 Amador Avenue, Berkeley, California 94707 Abstract.^ — Native to central South America and imported in vast numbers for the pet trade, Black-hooded Parakeets (Nandayus nenday) were first reported outside of captivity in Florida at St. Petersburg during 1969. Between December 2002 and January 2004, they were observed in nine counties on the peninsula, and their population size ex- ceeded 850 individuals. Most parakeets are found along the central Gulf coast, primarily in the St. Petersburg area. Christmas Bird Count data indicate that Black-hooded Para- keets have significantly increased their range and numbers since the 1980-1981 season. Breeding of free-fljang individuals presumably accounts for this increase, although for- mal study is needed. The Black-hooded Parakeet may merit recognition as an estab- lished exotic species in Florida. Black-hooded Parakeets (Nandayus nenday) are a monotypic spe- cies native from extreme southwestern Brazil and southeastern Bo- livia south to central Paraguay and northern Argentina (Forshaw 1977, Kratter et al. 1993, del Hoyo et al. 1997, Juniper and Parr 1998). Beginning in the 1960s, they were captured in vast numbers for the U.S. pet trade“”Over 200,000 parakeets were imported between 1968 and 1990 (Garrett 1997, Juniper and Parr 1998). Given this degree of importation, accidental escapes and perhaps deliberate releases were inevitable. Black-hooded Parakeets were first noted outside of captiv- ity in Florida at St. Petersburg, Pinellas County during 1969 (Robert- son and Woolfenden 1992, D. Goodwin pers. comm.). Since then, they have greatly increased their numbers and range in the state. Here, we use Christmas Bird Count (CBC) and other data to document the sta- tus of Black-hooded Parakeets in Florida. 129 130 FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST Methods We obtained data on parakeet numbers and distribution from Stevenson and Ander- son (1994), field observations published in Florida Field Naturalist, the online Christ- mas Bird Count (CBC) database (National Audubon Society 2004), and contacts with numerous individuals (see acknowledgments). To estimate the current statewide popu- lation, we compiled all parakeet observations from non-overlapping locations during the 14-month period from 1 December 2002 through 31 January 2004, which allowed us to sample two CBC seasons. We mapped (Fig. 1) other recent observations from Brevard Numbers of Parakeets r 1 1-i 10-24 25-99 >500 Extirpated (pre-2002) >00000 Figure 1. Abundance of Black-hooded Parakeets by Florida counties* from 1 December 2002 through 31 January 2004, Each of the nine counties in which parakeets have been reported during this period is shaded according to the es- timated population in each, derived from CBC data and other observaticms (Table 1). We also mapped recent observations from Brevard* Monroe (Main- line Keys* not the mainland), and Putnam counties; see text for details. Seven other counties (Bay, Charlotte* Duval* Hillsborough, Levy* Nassau* and Polk) in which parakeets formerly occurred are shaded separately. Pranty AND Lovell— Black-hooded Parakeets in Florida 131 County (January 2002; C. Thompson, photograph), Monroe County (May 2002; J. Bou- ton, pers. comm.), and Putnam County (March 2004; Pranty 2004c), but these were not included in Table 1. For each CBC season, we express parakeet abundance as the total number of individuals observed, the number of individuals observed per party-hour, and the percentage of CBC circles that contained parakeets. We used Model I linear regres- sion to quantify the relationship between parakeet numbers and year. Statistical analy- ses were made with JMP (SAS 1994). For analysis of birds per party-hour, we excluded two North Pinellas CBCs for which the published party-hours are erroneous (i.e., “27.5” hours per party in December 1993, and “31.3” hours per party in December 1997). Results Distribution.— Since 1969, Black-hooded Parakeets have been re- ported from 19 (28%) of Florida’s 67 counties (Fig. 1). From December 2002 through January 2004, they were reported from nine counties, all on the peninsula. Many hundreds of parakeets are found along the cen- tral Gulf coast, with dozens of individuals along the southern Atlantic coast, moderate numbers around St. Augustine and Fort Myers, small flocks on the Mainline Keys (i.e., those traversed by US-1), and pre- sumed local introductions elsewhere (Fig. 1, Table 1). There are no re- cent observations from Bay, Charlotte, Duval, Hillsborough, Levy, Nassau, and Polk counties, in which presumed local introductions have been reported (Stevenson and Anderson 1994, National Audubon Soci- ety 2004). Population size. — We account for 882 Black-hooded Parakeets ob- served in Florida during our 14-month study, with most of these re- ported on CBCs (Table 1). The St. Petersburg area represents the stronghold of the species, with 500 individuals tallied during Decem- ber 2003 (Table 1). Fifty or more parakeets recently have been ob- served also in Manatee, St. Johns, and Sarasota counties (Table 1), and in Broward County (Pranty and Epps 2002). CBC data suggest signifi- cant increases in parakeet numbers since the 1980-1981 season, both in total individuals (r^ = 0.78, p = <0.0001, n ^ 24; Fig. 2) and individu- als per party-hour (r^ = 0.80, p = <0.0001, n = 24; Fig. 3). Range expansion.— ^Ine first reports of Black-hooded Parakeets on Florida CBCs were from the Lake Wales (Polk County) and Sarasota (Sarasota County) CBC circles during December 1980. By January 2004, they were found in 16% of the state’s CBC circles (Fig. 4). CBC data suggest significant range expansion in Florida since the 1980- 1981 season (r^ = 0.77, p ~ <0.0001, n ~ 24; Fig. 4). Small numbers of parakeets in new areas, such as the individuals in Brevard and Put- nam counties mentioned above, probably derive from local introduc- tions, but the range expansion in the western Tampa Bay region probably is due to increasing populations. For instance, the coloniza- tion of southwestern Pasco County, discovered as two parakeets during May 2001 (Pranty 2001c) and numbering at least 32 individuals by No- 132 FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST d d ‘S *iH .2 *+s d « .2 ‘a A © > 0 1 g O 3 o g N O ^ w g S ^ S 0N fl 63 >, s ^ 0 ^ U § 3 A t o| S ^ « W o ^ w m ■S 3 0 © 1 © © ■§.1 |i H « ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ o o o o o o o o o o eq N eq cq 03 ^ -M -iJ © ® © © © ^ ’o ‘o ‘o 'd 'd 0,0 0 0 0 0 ^ m m m m m £ a a s d d o o o o o ^ Xi ^ ^ ^ ^ o d d d d d ^ ^ ^ o o o o o o S S 0 ^ ^ ^ -4^ 4J -M © ® © d rd « p. s g o & o ^ 02 o o m m O O g m g rt rt d 5 o o o ^ ^ ^ 'd 0) 'd d pd 02 CQ ■ " a d d d d d d ® © d d d Im >3 o m d d © < 'd < 'd 'd "d o o 'd P^ >> © © ?N © d < d a d d S d d d cd >3 pd d d d 'm ►s © 1^ d .2 "S •2 d .2 d .2 .2 d d d •2 "d Sh d m A E .2 'd .2 "S .2 "d d m cd d Pq d d S “ S s d O CO «) o o tH 00 CO c d > pQ In o o o o © © ® © © © o d o ® a © © © cd © m p Q p Q p d p Q p p p CO 00 t- O o f> w 03 D- o o oq cq 03 03 03 03 TO rH 03 03 rH 03 o ^ ^ ra § S Q -d -3 ® 9 O d ffl m 3^0 ^ S g d ^ 3 d © ^ ’K I o o ^ fe ra > d ^ '1^ ’X5 u u u cd d d ^ ^ ^ o o o ® U U U 03 m m pq j o o ^ o rt ^ ■s I ia c a s s s * rd ^ O «J d d © © m m fi Ph Ph P 02 ho S«1 w © o cd Q o d © m o ■© +3 m o m _d m u m d © P © & d 4_3 d P p P +3 © 2 © O o 02 P H 03 © d In o K d P O +J m P m In O d m o s o ® § Ph 04 MSSM pq O ® 02 g H, ^ ffl •d +3 d m 03 ro PRANTY AND LOVELL-BLACK-HOODED PAEAKEETS IN FLORIDA 133 CBC Season Figure 2. Numbers of Black-hooded Parakeets reported on Christmas Bird Counts in Florida, from the 1980-1981 through 2003-2004 CBC seasons. vember 2003 (Pranty 2004a, Table 1), presumably was derived from northern Pinellas County, The recently-discovered populations of Black-hooded Parakeets in eastern Broward County (Pranty and Epps 2002) may derive from local introductions and/or expansion from northern Miami-Dade County or southern Palm Beach County. Iso- lated populations at St. Augustine, Fort Myers, and the Mainline Keys presumably originated from local introductions. Population pcrsisfe/icc,— Black-hooded Parakeets have persisted— and in some cases, have thrived— at most areas into which they be- came liberated. They have been observed on CBCs in Manatee County nearly annually since December 1983, in Pinellas County annually since December 1985, and in Sarasota County annually since Decem- ber 1991 (National Audubon Society 2004). CBC data suggest similar persistence at West Palm Beach (Palm Beach County) and St, August- ine (St. Johns County) since the 1990-1991 season (National Audubon Society 2004). Discussion Black-hooded Parakeets are common residents of savannas, low- land palm groves, and ranchlands along the Paraguay River in the cen- tral South American interior (Forshaw 1977, del Hoyo et al. 1997, 134 FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 CBC Season Figure 3. Black-hooded Parakeets reported on Christmas Bird Counts in Flor- ida, from the 1980-1981 through 2003-2004 CBC seasons, graphed by individu- als per 100 party-hours (to take advantage of whole numbers of parakeets). Data were not used for two North Pinellas Christmas Bird Counts (December 1993 and December 1997) with incorrect party-hours. Juniper and Parr 1998). In Florida, they are restricted to urban and suburban areas landscaped with native and exotic vegetation, espe- cially large metropolitan areas along the peninsular coasts (e.g., Fig. 1). A considerable majority of the population (746 of 882 parakeets; 84%) is found along the central Gulf coast, in Pasco, Pinellas, Manatee, and Sa- rasota counties (Table 1, Fig. 1), where other cavity-nesting psittacids are scarce or absent. Small numbers (<100 pairs) of only two other cav- ity-nesting psittacids are breeding in the Tampa Bay region: the Bud- gerigar {Melopsittacus undulatus) in Hernando and Pasco counties (Pranty 2001a), and the Blue-crowned Parakeet {Aratinga acuticau- data) in Pinellas and Manatee counties (Pranty and Garrett 2003). In contrast, at least 12 other species of cavity-nesting psittacids are breed- ing presently in small to moderate numbers (>100 pairs) along the southern Atlantic coast in Palm Beach, Broward, and Miami-Dade counties (Pranty and Epps 2002, Pranty and Garrett 2003). Greatly re- duced breeding competition with other cavity-nesting psittacids may explain the success of Black-hooded Parakeets along the central Gulf coast, compared to populations in southeastern Florida. Pranty AND Lovell— BhACK-nooDED Parakeets in Florida 135 CBC Season Figure 4. The percentage of Christmas Bird Count circles in Florida that in- cluded reports of Black-hooded Parakeets, from the 1980-1981 through 2003- 2004 CBC seasons. Our data indicate that 882 Black-hooded Parakeets were found in Florida between 1 December 2002 and 31 January 2004 (Table 1). This figure may be regarded as a minimum estimate, as we are aware of other recent observations outside our 14-month study period (e.g., Pranty and Epps 2002, Fig. 1). These and other observations known to us suggest that the population of Black-hooded Parakeets in Florida may exceed 1000 individuals presently. During the most recent CBC season (2003-2004), the total number of parakeets observed, the num- ber of parakeets observed per party-hour, and the percentage of CBC circles containing parakeets all reached new levels (Figs. 2-4), infer- ring that the population increase is continuing. Although Black-hooded Parakeets occur in aviculture and the pet trade, we consider it extremely unlikely that releases of captive indi- viduals are responsible for the steady and perhaps exponential popula- tion increase of the past 20+ years (Figs, 2-4). Indeed, most of this increase has occurred following passage of the Wild Bird Conservation Act of 1992 (United States Fish and Wildlife Service 1992). Implemen- tation of the Act effectively ended the importation of wild-caught psitt- acids into the United States— and removed the most likely source of frequent releases of parakeets. Furthermore, if escapees were the pri- mary source of Florida's population, then we would expect that para- 136 FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST keets would be scattered throughout the state’s human population centers, rather than being confined largely to four counties along the central Gulf coast. Finally the increase of Black-hooded Parakeets in the Tampa Bay metropolitan area overlapped the time period when populations of Budgerigars in the same region plummeted from per- haps 20,000 individuals during the late 1970s to 150-200 birds by 2000 (Pranty 2001a). Considering their popularity as pets, we would expect that far greater numbers of Budgerigars would be found at liberty in the region compared to Black-hooded Parakeets, if escapees were re- sponsible for the populations of both species. We believe that the popu- lation increase and range expansion of Black-hooded Parakeets in Florida is due largely to their own reproductive efforts rather than from continuing releases of captive individuals. Although a formal study will be required to prove our hypothesis, we know of several re- cent confirmed or probable nesting observations in Broward, Manatee, Miami-Dade, Palm Beach, Pasco, Pinellas, and St. Johns counties (Pranty and Epps 2002, Pranty unpublished data). Opinion on the status of the Black-hooded Parakeet in Florida dif- fers among authors. Robertson and Woolfenden (1992) listed the species in their Appendix B of “probably unestablished exotics” but admitted that by 1991 it was “perhaps already established.” By 1994, Stevenson and Anderson (1994) considered these parakeets to be “apparently es- tablished in Pinellas County,” while van Doom (1997) considered them established in undefined portions of the state by 1997. The American Ornithologists’ Union (1998) placed the Black-hooded Parakeet on its appendix of species “with insufficient evidence for placement on the main list ” but cited Robertson and Woolfenden (1992) as claiming that the species “may be established” in peninsular Florida. Because the Florida Ornithological Society Records Committee (FOSRC) uses Rob- ertson and Woolfenden (1992) as its base list, the Black-hooded Para- keet presently is considered not established in Florida (Bowman 2000). In the event that the Black-hooded Parakeet is added to the official Florida bird list by the FOSRC, we recommend that populations be con- sidered as being established from western Pasco County south through Pinellas and western Manatee counties to western Sarasota County. At the present time, other populations in Florida may not meet acceptable size or persistence criteria to be considered established. Acknowledgments We thank the following individuals for providing information to us: Maureen Arnold, Richard Banks, Gian Basili, Wes Biggs, Paul Bithorn, Paul Blair, Bill Boeringer, Jeff Bouton, Pam Bowen, John Boyd, Buck and Linda Cooper, Tom Davidowicz, Robin Diaz, Terry Doyle, Charlie Ewell, Judy Fisher, Beth Forys, Dave Goodwin, Jack Hailman, Irene Hernandez, Marianne Korosy, Russ Kruetzman, Claude Nadeau, David Powell, Pranty AND Lovell— Black-hooded Parakeets in Florida 137 Peggy Powell, Susan Pulling, Sue Riffe, Denise Rohde, Earl Scales, P William Smith, Ron Smith, Lee Snyder, Wes Stinehelfer, Charlie Thompson, Ken Tracey, Howard Voren, Helen Warren, Margie Wilkinson, David Wright, and Wilma Zane. Ray Chandler as- sisted with statistical analysis, and Wes Biggs, Terry Doyle, Rich Paul, and Rex Rowan provided selected references. Comments by Gian Basili, Reed Bowman, Ray Chandler, Todd Engstrom, Jon Greenlaw, Bette Jackson, Jerry Jackson, Andy Kratter, Kurt Rada- maker, Christine Stracey, and two anonymous reviewers improved the manuscript. Parts of this paper were written at Georgia Southern University, and we thank Univer- sity faculty and staff for their assistance. Literature Cited American Ornithologists’ Union. 1998. Check-list of North American birds, 7th ed. American Ornithologists’ Union, Washington, D.C. Bowman, R. 2000. Thirteenth report of the Florida Ornithological Society Records Com- mittee: 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, and 2000. Florida Field Naturalist 28:138-160. DEL Hoyo, J., A. Elliott, and J. Sargatal, Eds. 1997. Handbook of birds of the world, Vol. 4, sandgrouse to cuckoos. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona, Spain. Forshaw, j. M. 1977. Parrots of the world, 2nd edition. T.F.H. Publications, Neptune, NJ. Garrett, K. L. 1997. Population status and distribution of naturalized parrots in south- ern California. Western Birds 28:181-195. Juniper, T., and M. Parr. 1998. Parrots: a guide to parrots of the world. Yale University Press, New Haven, CT. Kratter, A. W., T. S. Sillett, R. T. Chesser, J. P. O’Neill, T. A. Parker III, and A. Castillo. 1993. Avifauna of a Chaco locality in Bolivia. Wilson Bulletin 105:114-141. National Audubon Society. 2004. The Christmas Bird Count database. . Website accessed 20 March 2004. Pranty, B. 2001a. The Budgerigar in Florida: rise and fall of an exotic psittacid. North American Birds 55:388-397. Pranty, B. 2001b. The exotic avifauna of Florida. Unpublished report submitted to the Florida Ornithological Society Records Committee. On file at the Florida Museum of Natural History, Gainesville. Pranty, B. 2001c. Field observations spring report: March-May 2001. Florida Field Nat- uralist 29:130-141. Pranty, B. 2004a. Field observations fall report: August-November 2003. Florida Field Naturalist 32:63-74. Pranty, B. 2004b. Field observations spring report: March-May 2004. Florida Field Nat- uralist 32:155-164. Pranty, B., and S. Epps. 2002. Distribution, population status, and documentation of ex- otic parrots in Broward County, Florida. Florida Field Naturalist 30:111-131. Pranty, B., and K. L. Garrett. 2003. The parrot fauna of the ABA area: a current look. Birding 35:248-261. Robertson, W. B., Jr., and G. E. Woolfenden. 1992. Florida bird species: an annotated list. Florida Ornithological Society Special Publication No. 6, Gainesville, FL. SAS. 1994. JMP version 3.0.2. SAS Institute, Inc. Cary, NC. Stevenson, H. M., and B. H. Anderson. 1994. The birdlife of Florida. University Press of Florida, Gainesville, FL. United States Fish and Wildlife Service. 1992. Wild Bird Conservation Act of 1992. Public Law 102-440, 23 October 1992. . Website accessed 25 February 2004. VAN Doorn, a, 1997. Factors influencing success and population trends of introduced parrots in Florida. M.Sc. Thesis. University of Florida, Gainesville, FL. Florida Field Naturalist 32(4):138-143, 2004. FIRST DOCUMENTED NESTING IN THE WILD OF EGYPTIAN GEESE IN FLORIDA D. Greg Braun 10370 Trailwood Circle, Jupiter, Florida 33478 Abstract. — During September-October 2002, Egyptian Geese (Alopochen aegyptia- cus) nested in Martin County, Florida. The effort produced three chicks, and is the first documented nesting of this species in the wild in Florida. Because habitat and climatic conditions present in Florida are similar to conditions within their native range, this nesting may signal the establishment of a new non-native bird in Florida. The Egyptian Goose {Alopochen aegyptiacus) is large (61-75-cm long) and distinctively patterned. Adult plumage is predominately gray on the head, neck, breast, underparts, flanks and back, with darker, chocolate brown tones around the eyes, nape, on the upper wing coverts, and in a blotch on the lower breast. Primaries, rectrices, and rump are black. Secondaries are iridescent green and the upper wing coverts are white except for a narrow black bar that extends across the front of the greater secondary coverts (Johnsgard 1978). Conspicuous features include shaggy, tan-colored neck feathers, a dark, glossy green speculum, and a chestnut patch around the eyes. In general, males cannot be distinguished from females by plumage, al- though they may be somewhat larger (Johnsgard 1978). Todd (1979) suggests that males are brighter in color and have a darker and larger chestnut patch on the breast. Bill, legs, and feet are pink. Reported weights are 5.5 lbs (male) and 4.5 lbs (female) (Mackworth-Praed 1980). Egyptian Geese are found throughout Africa south of the Sahara, throughout the Nile River valley (Beazley 1974), and are a common resident in Kruger National Park, South Africa (Newman 1980). Within their native range, Egyptian Geese primarily inhabit inland waters, lake margins, swamps, large rivers (Williams 1963), and marshes (Long 1981). They also inhabit estuaries, coastal lakes and cultivated flelds (Maclean 1988). Signiflcant population increases (< 30 individuals 1971-1988 to approximately 600 in 1997) have been docu- mented on a coastal island in southern Africa (Underhill et al. 2000). Resident populations are present from sea level to locations at 4,333 m (13,000 ft.) above sea level (Todd 1979). Populations of Egyptian Geese are established at a variety of loca- tions outside their natural range; they are currently present in East Anglia, England (Harrison, 1978), where the population is estimated 138 BiMf/iv— Nesting of Egyptian Geese in Florida 139 at 900 birds (Seago 2004), and in France (Long 1981). In England, the species was reportedly introduced during the 18th century and was re- ferred to as a “familiar ornamental” species by 1785 (Sharrock 1976). Delaney (1993) reported small numbers of Egyptian Geese in Scotland. Although there has been natural dispersal of the species in England, feral populations have become well established only in Norfolk (Shar- rock 1976). There are reports of feral Egyptian Geese being present in New Zealand and Australia, but permanent populations did not become es- tablished in these countries (Long 1981). In the United States the Egyptian Goose commonly has been kept and occasionally escaped birds have been shot by hunters (Long 1981). Egyptian Geese feed by grazing on land (Beazley 1974), consuming grass, leaves, seeds, grain, aquatic rhizomes, and tubers (Maclean 1988) and corms of Cyperus (Johnsgard 1978). They have become pests in grain farming areas when they occur in large numbers (Maclean 1988). In captivity, Egyptian Geese do not breed before their second year (Johnsgard 1978). Pairs mate for life (Harrison 1978) and flocks often consist of small family groups (Beazley 1974). Johnsgard (1978) re- ports that they are very territorial, that intensive threatening or flght- ing behavior among males is typical, and Todd (1979) notes that they are “among the most vicious of all waterfowl, particularly when nest- ing.” Nests have been found in tree cavities (Beazley 1974), under veg- etation, and in cliffs and caves (Harrison 1978). In Africa, breeding takes place throughout the year, but most gos- lings are seen from August through January (Newman 1980). Clutch size is typically 6-10, and eggs are yellowish- white, approximately 55- 75 mm x 44 to 54 mm (Mackworth-Praed 1980). Incubation period is 28-30 days (Maclean 1988). Life span in the wild has not been docu- mented, but in captivity is reported to be 14 years (Woodland Park Zoo- logical Society 2004). Both parents tend young, which fledge at approximately 55 days (Maclean 1988). Observations in FZorida.-— Egyptian Geese have been reported at various locations in Florida. Robertson and Woolfenden (1992) re- ported the species present at widely-scattered, intensely-urbanized ar- eas of peninsular Florida, including Miami-Dade, Hillsborough, Monroe, and Pinellas counties. Captive populations are present at var- ious zoos in Florida (e.g., Miami Metrozoo). Although I have found no published reports that document Egyptian Geese successfully nesting in the wild in Florida, two Egyptian Goose nests were observed on Shell Key in Tampa Bay during 1985 (Paul 1985). The first documented sightings of this species in Martin County on Florida's southeast coast were in 1993-94. Sightings of the species were 140 FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST reported to the Martin County Audubon Society (MCAS) in 1994, when two Egyptian Geese were seen on Hutchinson Island, a coastal barrier island connected to the mainland located east of Stuart. Because the birds were observed in a golf course resort and residential community and did not appear afraid of humans, it was assumed that the birds were either escapees from captivity or were pet birds that had been brought to the area. Speculation that the birds had dispersed from Mi- ami Metrozoo when that facility was severely impacted by Hurricane Andrew during August 1992 was refuted by the curator, S. Conners {pers. comm.) who confirmed that none of the five captive Egyptian Geese at Metrozoo at the time of Hurricane Andrew escaped. Egyptian Geese continued to be seen on Hutchinson Island rou- tinely from 1994 to 2004 (D. Tucker, pers. comm.), although there has been no documentation of the extent to which the number of birds changed over the years. Record of Nesting in Florida.— Buring 2002, the Martin County Audubon Society initiated a habitat enhancement project on a small 0.87 ha (2.2 acre) mangrove island in the Indian River Lagoon. The is- land, Dredged Material Disposal Island MC2, is owned by the State of Florida. It has been dedicated to Martin County, and hands-on man- agement had been negligible prior to MCAS' habitat enhancement project. Prior to conducting enhancement activities (i.e., removal of in- vasive pest plants and planting of native vegetation), MCAS conducted monitoring to document the use of the island by birds. Site visits were conducted at least once or twice per month from March through Octo- ber. The island has been used by nesting birds for many years. Records from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) documented bird nesting on MC2 (a.k.a. Se wall’s Point East) since 1976. Observations from 1976-2004 by Commission biologists, partici- pants in the Commission’s wading bird network, and MCAS members have documented that MC2 has been used by at least 28 bird species, 13 of which have been documented to nest on the island. Nesting spe- cies include Wood Stork {Mycteria americana\ Brown Pelican {Peleca- nus occidentalis), and various herons and egrets. During 2002, MCAS estimated that MC2 was used by approximately 750-800 pairs of nest- ing birds. The first sighting of an Egyptian Goose on MC2 was during a nest- monitoring survey that was conducted on 21 June 2002. At that time, one Egyptian Goose was observed by G. Braun, R. Paul, S. Biernat, and T Biernat. To prevent disturbing native birds that were nesting at that time, no attempt was made to set foot on the island; observations were made by boat, from a distance of ±100 m (300 ft.) using binoculars. On 10 September 2002, when observations from afar suggested that there were no eggs, chicks, or nest-dependent young on the island, Braun— Nesting of Egyptian Geese in Florida 141 members of the project team, including FWC wildlife biologist R. Zam- brano, landed on the island to conduct a field assessment, including a vegetation survey. While in the southwest quarter of the island, an adult Egyptian Goose emerged from moderately dense vegetation and vigorously defended the area from the human intruders. The bird vo- calized, repeatedly flew directly at members of the survey team, and struck team members when the nest area was approached. A brief glimpse of the feather-lined nest revealed three large, beige-colored eggs (Fig. 1). A second adult Egyptian Goose, attracted by the commo- tion, joined the first in defending the nest. The nest was on the ground, under an overhanging canopy of a shrub-sized sea grape (Coccoloha uvifera) tree. Herbaceous vegetation present near the nest was primarily creeping vines, including cow pea {Vigna luteola) and the non-native balsampear (Momordica charantia). The nest was somewhat oval; approximately 28 x 23 cm (11 x 9 inches). Two adult Egyptian Geese and the three eggs were present when the nest was approached during a follow-up survey conducted on 3 Oc- tober 2002. The next sighting of Egyptian Geese in the vicinity was of two adults and three hatchlings (Fig. 2) that were photographed on the golf course at the Hutchinson Island Marriott on 16 October 2002. This Figure 1. Egyptian Goose nest with eggs in Martin County. 142 FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST Figure 2. Adult Egyptian Goose with hatchlings. location is approximately 1.8 km (1.1 mi.) northeast of MC2. The fam- ily group was foraging in the upland rough on the golf course and swam in a pond on the course. MC2 was next visited on 21 October 2002; no Egyptian Geese were present and the nest was empty. It is likely al- though not certain, that the Egyptian Geese observed on 16 October were the ones previously observed on MC2. Egyptian Geese vigorously defend territories, and one of the prob- lems posed by many non-native species is the extent to which they com- pete with native species. Competition may be for food or for nesting habitats. However, because the diet of Egyptian Geese differs from those of the other species that nest on MC2 and because the nesting of native birds was nearly completed by the time the Egyptian Geese were nesting, competition with native species on MC2 by the Egyptian Geese was likely minimal or nonexistent during September/October 2002. Because climatic conditions within their native range (± 30° south latitude) are similar to those of Florida (± 30° north latitude), it is pos- sible that the nesting documented in Martin County during 2002 may be a harbinger of the establishment of a population of this species in Florida. Literature Cited Anonymous. 2004. Animal Fact Sheets — Egyptian Goose. Woodland Park Zoological So- ciety, Seattle, Washington. Beazley, M. 1964. The world atlas of birds. Mitchell Beazley Publishers Limited, Hong Kong. 5iMi7iv— Nesting of Egyptian Geese in Florida 143 Delaney, S. N. 1993. Introduced and escaped geese in Britain in the summer 1991. Brit- ish Birds 86:591-599. Harrison, C. J. O. 1978. Bird families of the world. Harry N. Abrams Publishing, New York. JOHNSGARD, P. A. Ducks, geese and swans of the world. University of Nebraska Press, Lincoln, NE. Long, J. L. 1981. Introduced birds of the world. Universe Books, New York. Mackworth-Praed, C. W., AND C. H. B. Grant. 1980. African handbook of birds; Vol. 1. Longman Group Limited, London. Maclean, L. 1988. Robert’s birds of southern Africa. New Holland Publishers, London. Newman, K. 1980. Birds of southern Africa and Kruger National Park. MacMillan South African Publishers, Johannesburg, South Africa. Paul, R. T. 1985. The nesting season: Florida region. American Birds 39:902-905. Robertson, W. B. Jr., and G. E. Woolfenden. 1992. Florida bird species, an annotated list. Florida Ornithological Society Special Publication No. 6. Gainesville, FL. Seago, M. j. 2004. Birds of Britain, Eastern Counties Newspapers Group, www.birdsof britain.co.uk Sharrock, j. T. R. 1977. The atlas of breeding birds in Britain and Ireland. T. and A.D. Poyser, LTD., Staffordshire, England. Todd, F. S. 1979. Waterfowl, ducks, geese and swans of the World, Sea World Press; Har- court Brace Jovanovich, New York. Underhill, L. G., J. Kemper, P. A. Whittington, and A. C. Wolfaardt. 2000. Egyp- tian Geese Alopochen aegyptiacus moulting on Dassen Island, South Africa. Marine Ornithology 28:121-122. Williams, J, G, 1963. A field guide to the birds of East Africa. Collins Publishing, Lon- don. Florida Field Naturalist 32(4):144-147, 2004. EFFECTS OF DROUGHT ON BALD EAGLES NESTING IN NORTH-CENTRAL FLORIDA Stephen A. Nesbitt, Paul S. Kubilis, Stephen T. Schwikert, AND Jennifer Swan^ ^Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 4005 South Main Street Gainesville, FL 32601 The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) be- gan participation in a statewide survey of nesting Bald Eagles {Hali- aeetus leucocephalus) in 1972. The survey, conducted from fixed- or rotary-winged aircraft, involved various Federal, State, and private agencies (U.S. Park Service, U.S. Forest Service, FWC, and Florida Au- dubon, Nesbitt et al. 1990). We collected information on whether a ter- ritory was active, and if so, how many young were produced. By 1984 FWC personnel had assumed responsibility for most of the survey out- side Everglades National Park (which was surveyed by park person- nel). Data from the survey have shown a steady increase in eagle nesting in Florida and have been used to help manage the state’s eagle population (Nesbitt et al. 1993). Knowledge of the size, distribution, and upward trending population justified the use of eggs from Florida Bald Eagles to aid in population restoration in other parts of the south- eastern United States (Nesbitt et al. 1998). Here we report on the use of these survey data to detect reaction of nesting eagles to the recent declines in normal rainfall patterns in an area of north-central Florida. Proximity to water is an important element of Bald Eagle nesting territories. Wood et al. (1989) found that 96.6% of 116 nests they looked at in Florida were less than 3 km from water. The importance of access to water is understandable since fish are the primary prey for Bald Ea- gles in Florida (Curnutt 1996). An extended drought that resulted in a significant decline in water levels and affected fish populations could impact eagle nesting success. If declining water levels concentrated fish, making them more available to capture, one might expect to see an increase in eagle productivity. However, if water levels dropped to the point of causing a substantial reduction in the fish population (their primary prey base) the local eagle population could, as a conse- quence, experience a decrease in the number of young fledged. Late in the 1997-1998 nesting season (the nesting season in Flor- ida is 1 October through 15 April), an interruption in the normal an- nual rainfall pattern began which reduced lake water levels throughout much of Florida. Normal rainfall patterns did not return until summer of 2002. We analyzed annual survey data collected in 144 Nesbitt et al— Effects of Drought on Eagles 145 Alachua and Marion counties from 1998 through 2002 to gauge the re- action of locally nesting Bald Eagles to the reduction of water levels as- sociated with this drought event. During the survey years we recorded information on 112 active eagle nest territories (S. Nesbitt et al. FFWCC Annual Reports), 46 of which were within 2 km of one of the 3 major lakes in the area: Newnans, Lochloosa, and Orange. We chose to use nests within 2 km of the lakes to focus on territories that were most likely dependent on these lakes as a food source. We compared 4 sets of data; 3 consisted of the number of young eagles fledged per active nest for nests within 2 km of each of the 3 lakes. The fourth set, which served as a control, contained all the other nests in the 2 counties >2 km from any of the 3 lakes (Table 1). There was a drought related event that set Orange Lake apart from the other 2 lakes in our study. A sinkhole developed at the west- ern end of Orange Lake that exacerbated the water level decline. By May of 2001 the level had dropped to 49.6 feet above mean sea level, the lowest recorded level (lowest level previously recorded was 50.5 feet in July 1956: average level is 57.8 feet). The surface area was re- duced to 25% of the normal 5,140 ha, with only 5% of the water volume remaining {The Gainesville Sun, Local and State section, 28 June 2003). A fish kill in summer 2001 which followed the sustained low- wa- ter level in Orange Lake (E. Nagid; FWC pers. comm.) drastically re- duced the fish biomass. We compared the 4 data sets for the number of young fledged per ac- tive territory after the drought began in 1998 (Table 1). When compared to all other years, productivity for all data sets in 2002 was significantly different (Kruskal- Wallis test, P < 0.001). We considered a P value sig- nificant if it was > 0.05. Orange Lake nests in 2002 were significantly less productive than nests near Lake Lochloosa and the control group (Wilcoxon ranked sum exact test P = 0.002). Differences in productivity for nests on Orange Lake and Newnans Lake in 2002 were nearly sig- nificant with a P value of 0.06 (Wilcoxon ranked sum exact test). Table 1. Number of active territories inventoried and number of young fledged per active territory from 1998 through 2002 in north-central Florida. Number of Active Nest Territories (young fledged/territory) Year Newnans Lake lake Lochloosa Orange Lake Other Areas 1998 9 (0.56) 6 (1.33) 16 (0.94) 37 (0.89) 1999 8(1.12) 5 (1.80) 15 (1.40) 28 (1.42) 2000 7 (1.57) 5 (0.80) 13 (1.46) 34 (1.24) 2001 6 (1.50) 5 (1.40) 10(1.10) 38 (1.00) 2002 10 (0.90) 5 (2.00) 12 (0.33) 30(1.13) FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST 146 Newnans Lake Lake Lochloosa Orange Lake Other Areas Figure 1. Annual variations in numbers of young Bald Eagles fledged per active territory 1998 to 2002, Alachua and Marion counties Florida. In Orange Lake it seemed water levels dropped so low that a ma^ jority of the prey base was lost to nesting eagles. Consequently repro^ ductive success declined (Fig. 1). However there may be a different reason for the decline in productivity for eagles nesting on Newnans Lake. The recent drought followed a period of prolonged decline in the quality of the lake’s aquatic habitat. The reduced number of young pro- duced per active territory for Newnans Lake may have been more a consequence of this long-term deterioration in the quality of the habi- tat supporting nesting eagles that brought about a gradual loss in prey. This is in contrast to the abrupt loss of the prey base that affected Or- ange Lake. There is something interesting in the differences between Orange and Lochloosa lakes that may have more to do with the behavior of ea- gles than foraging habitat. The eastern shore of Orange Lake is only Nesbitt et al.— Effects of Drought on Eagles 147 1,6 km from the western shore of Lochloosa and the lake centers are less than 9 km apart. Why didn’t the Orange Lake nesting eagles sim- ply feed in Lake Lochloosa where, presumably, there had been no loss in the prey base and where nest productivity actually went up (Fig. 1)? Perhaps even this small distance was enough that the energy cost of travel from their nest sites on Orange Lake to fish in Lake Lochlo- osa exceeded the value of the resources they would obtain. Another possible reason why there was little advantage from their proximity to Lake Lochloosa was that the pairs there were actively defending their food resources from intruders. This would mean again that the energy (or risk of injury) required in getting the necessary resources from Lake Lochloosa for the Orange Lake birds exceeded the value derived. Fluctuations in lake levels in Florida have been documented to pro- duce a more dynamic and productive aquatic environment and an in- crease in fish populations (Wegener and Williams 1975, Moyer et al. 1995). Changes in water levels, even if remarkable, are not necessarily incompatible with a robust nesting eagle population. While short term declines in the number of young produced per active territory (as oc- curred on Orange and Newnans lakes) may result from fluctuations in lake levels, the loss of those young could be recouped or exceeded as a result of an enhanced future fishery, provided the general quality of the aquatic environment is not compromised. Literature Cited CURNUTT, J. L. 1996. Southern Bald Eagle. Pages 179-187 in J. A. Rodgers, Jr., H. W. Kale, II, and H. T. Smith, Eds. Rare and endangered biota of Florida, vol. V: Birds. University Press of Florida, Gainesville. Moyer, E. J., M. W. Hulon, and J. J. Sweatman. 1995. Fishery responses to habitat restoration in Lake Tohopekaliga, Florida. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 15:591-595. Nesbitt, S. A., M. J. Folk, and D. A. Wood. 1993. Effectiveness of Bald Eagle habitat management guidelines in Florida. Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies 47:333-338. Nesbitt, S. A., G. L. Holder, D. A. Mager, and S. T. Schwikert. 1990. Use of aerial surveys to evaluate bald eagle nesting in Florida. Pages 207-210 in Proceeding of the Southeastern Raptor Management Symposium and Workshop. B.G. Pendleton, ed. National Wildlife Federation, Baltimore, MD. Nesbitt, S. A., M. A. Jenkins, S. K. Sherrod, D. A. Wood, A. Beske, J. H. White, P. A. Schultz, and S. T. Schwikert. 1993. Recent status of Florida’s Bald Eagle popula- tion and its role in eagle reestablishment efforts in the southeastern United States. Proceeding Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies 52:377-383. Wegener, W., and V. Williams. 1975. Fish population responses to improved lake hab- itat utilizing an extreme drawdown. Proceeding Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies 28:144-161. Wood, P. B., T. C. Edwards, and M. W. Collopy. 1989. Characteristics of Bald Eagle nesting habitat in Florida. Journal of Wildlife Management 53:441-449. NOTES Florida Field Naturalist 32(4): 148, 2004. CATTLE EGRET CONSUMPTION OF DEAD BIRDS AND USE OF WINGS TO CLIMB FOR FRESH WATER David B. Freeland 2345 Marsh Harbor Avenue, Merritt Island, Florida 32952 While observing birds drinking from “The Fountain” on Garden Key, Dry Tortugas National Park, Florida, on 5 May 2004, 1 watched a Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis) use its wings to assist in lifting itself into position to reach the sole source of fresh water on the remote island group. This egret was one of 12 present within the walls of Fort Jefferson at the time. The bird seemed weak, although apparently not injured, possibly a result of difficulty finding adequate food on the islands, which are noted for being nearly insect- free. “The Fountain” is a continuous source of recirculating water about 35 m inside the main gate of Fort Jefferson. An outer retaining wall of brick, approximately 1.8 m square and 40-45 cm high, creates a moat 40 cm wide. A second, inner retaining wall, approximately 75 cm square and 40 cm high, creates a second moat 15 cm wide; this is the Cattle Egrets’ favored source of water. The fountain flows from a brick tower approx- imately 40 cm square and 23 cm higher than the inner retaining wall; its pool of water is flush with the top of the tower and is the favored drinking and bathing place for war- blers, thrushes, and other passerines. The Cattle Egret that used its wings to climb for water twice approached the outer retaining wall of the fountain, as its companion egrets often did, and tried to leap up the 45-cm barrier with a determined flap of its wings. However, this egret seemed too weak to reach the top, struck the wall mid-chest, and fell backwards to the ground. A few min- utes later, it took position at the shortest section of the outer retaining wall, leaped up- ward and threw its left wing over the barrier, its right wingtip reaching the top of the barrier as well, as if for balance. Using the left wing for leverage, the egret slowly raised its left foot upward and placed it firmly on the top of the wall. Then, appearing to use both its left wing and left foot for lift, raised its right foot atop the barrier. Thus posi- tioned, it was able to step easily across the outer moat to the top of the inner retaining wall, then reach downward into the inner moat for a drink. Young South American Hoatzins (Opisthocomus hoazin) are known for such climbing skills, but I know of no previous reference for Cattle Egrets using wings in such a manner. In addition to this unusual behavior exhibited to obtain fresh water, I saw one Cattle Egret carry off an Eastern Kingbird (Tyrannus tyrannus), presumably found dead, and another eating a dead Veery (Catharus fuscescens). One Cattle Egret chased a dragonfly (species unknown) and captured it when it landed. 148 Florida Field Naturalist 32(4): 149- 150, 2004. ADDITIONAL NORTHWARD RANGE EXTENSION OF THE EXOTIC NORTH- ERN CURLY-TAILED LIZARD IN MARTIN COUNTY, FLORIDA Christopher L. Deans Henry T. Smiths Richard M. Engeman^*, AND Walter E. Meshaka, Jr.^ ^Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Florida Park Service Student Intern Program, 13798 S.E. Federal Highway, Hohe Sound, Florida 33455 ^Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Florida Park Service, 13798 S.E. Federal Highway, Hobe Sound, Florida 33455 ^National Wildlife Research Center, 4101 LaPorte Ave., Fort Collins, Colorado 80521-2154 ^The State Museum of Pennsylvania, 300 North Street, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17120 "^Author to whom correspondence should he addressed. E-mail: Richard.M.Engeman@aphis. usda.gov The exotic northern curly-tailed lizard (Leiocephalus carinatus armouri) was intro- duced into Palm Beach County, Florida during the 1940s and has since expanded its range both south and north into adjacent Broward and Martin counties (Duellman and Schwartz 1958, Weigl et aL 1969, Hauge and Butterfield 2000, Smith and Engeman 2002, Smith et al. 2004, Smith et al, in press). Aspects of the general ecology of L. c. ar- mouri in Florida are reviewed in Meshaka et al. (2004) and Smith and Engeman (2004). On 31 August 2003, at 1645, we observed 3 adults and 6 juveniles in Port Salerno, Mar- tin County in an area of older buildings with structural deterioration at the intersection of Salerno Road and Alternate A-l-A near the “Princess Thrift Shoppe” (27°08.783’ x 80°11.834’), east side of Alternate A-l-A, immediately northeast of the intersection with Salerno Road. (One specimen 4.1 cm SVL (snout- vent length) collected by C.L. Dean, verified by W.E. Meshaka, Jr., State Museum of Pennsylvania, Harrisburg, voucher no. SMP-H2108). This finding extends the species range north in Martin County ca. 11 km beyond a 7 March 2003 report (Smith et al. in press), and 22 km beyond the 1999 county record report (Hauge and Butterfield 2000, Smith and Engeman 2002), at the northern end of a relatively contiguous 90 km surveyed, occupied range (Smith et al. 2004). The Salerno Road and Alternate A-l-A site is ca. 136 km south of the most northern known locality for the species along the east coast of Florida located in Cocoa Beach (Krysko and King 2002) with one record reported between these two locations. Literature Cited Duellman, W. E., and A. Schwartz. 1958. Amphibians and reptiles of southern Florida. Bulletin Florida State Museum 3(5):181-342. Hauge, J. B., and B. P, Butterfield. 2000. Leiocephalus carinatus armouri (northern curlytail lizard), USA: Florida: Martin Co. Herpetological Review 31:53. Krysko, K. L. and F. W. King. 2002. Leiocephalus carinatus armouri (Little Bahama curly-tailed lizard), USA: Florida: Brevard Co. Herpetological Review 33:148. 149 150 FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST Meshaka, W. E., B. P. Butterfield, and J. B. Hauge. 2004. The exotic amphibians and reptiles of Florida. Krieger Publishing Company, Malabar, Florida. Smith, H. T,, and R. M. Engeman. 2002. An earlier report of the exotic northern curly- tailed lizard in Martin County, Florida. Florida Field Naturalist 30:132-133. Smith, H. T., and R. M. Engeman. 2004. A review of the colonization dynamics of the northern curly-tailed lizard {Leiocephalus carinatus armouri) in Florida. Florida Field Naturalist 32:107-113. Smith, H. T., R. M. Engeman, M. M. Smith, and D. Barnes. In press. Leiocephalus car- inatus armouri (Northern Curly-tailed Lizard). USA: Florida: Martin Co: Herpetolog- ical Review. Smith, M. M., H. T. Smith, and R. M. Engeman. 2004. Extensive contiguous north- south range expansion of the original population of an invasive lizard in Florida. In- ternational Biodeterioration and Biodegradation 54:261-264. Weigl, G. L., R. G. Domey, and W. R. Courtenay, Jr. 1969. Survival and range expan- sion of the curly- tailed lizard, Leiocephalus carinatus armouri, in Florida. Copeia 1969:841-842. REVIEW Florida Field Naturalist 32(4): 15 1-152, 2004. Endangered and Threatened Animals of Florida and Their Habitats, by Chris Scott, University of Texas Press, 2003, 448 pages; hardcover $60, ISBN 0-292- 70529-8; paperback $29.95, ISBN 0-292-77774-4. The plight of Florida’s wildlife and wild places continues to invite description from a variety of authors. The latest approach is supplied by Chris Scott, who is identified as a federal wildlife officer, herpetologist, and former Floridian. The largest section of the book contains species accounts of endangered and threatened animals and a discussion of the threats they face. If there’s a shortcoming in this section, it’s Scott’s choice of spe- cies to highlight. The author has focused on federally-listed species including such rari- ties as Ivory-billed Woodpecker {Campephilus principalis), Bachman’s Warbler {Vermivora bachmanii), and Kirtland’s Warbler (Dendroica kirtlandii), while ignoring some state-listed species whose plight is less well known and might have benefited from coverage. I feel that Scott’s book could have been of more service to readers interested in wildlife conservation if he had devoted some space to species such as American Oyster- catcher (Haematopus palliatus), Roseate Spoonbill (Platalea ajaja), and Painted Bunting (Passerina ciris) that are state-listed or not yet listed as endangered or threat- ened, but whose status is cause for concern because of habitat loss or degradation. The rest of the book is devoted to topics ranging from the descriptions of various hab- itats to the history of environmental protection in Florida. Although Scott seems to have conducted quite a bit of research in completing these sections, it is clear that either his research or his fact-checking was faulty. These sections contain numerous errors. Those errors include everything from the number of parrot species roaming South Florida and the date of the last Florida record of Key West Quail-Dove {Geotrygon chrysia) to the lo- cations of the Florida Marine Patrol and the Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Com- mission on the state government organizational chart before their merger into the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, or the current name of Florida’s conservation land-buying program. Nevertheless, Scott’s book contains quite a bit of useful information and readers will gain useful knowledge as long as they read carefully. The first chapter contains an over- view of both the disappearance and decline of a number of species as well as some of the environmental threats they face (e.g, road kills, habitat loss, commercial exploitation). He includes a brief and rather superficial discussion about environmental pollution, which certainly degrades some habitats in Florida to the point that wildlife is affected. That follows with a chapter on the impact of exotic species on Florida’s environment and some native species. Of interest are his account of the interactions between native green anoles (Anolis carolinensis) and brown anoles (Anolis sagrei) from the West Indies, and his recognition of the role of domestic pets in wildlife predation. He lists invasive plants, too, but the list is notable for the absence of mention of Chinese tallow tree (Sapium se- biferum), which is now regarded as one of the worst plant pests in the Southeast, or Jap- anese or European climbing ferns (Lygodium spp.), major threats in central and southern Florida. This is an example of a problem throughout the book: the lack of up- to-date information. Next Scott takes on Florida’s population growth and its impact on wildlife; he briefly discusses some of the ecological problems caused by overenthusiastic ecotourists. What follows is a history of environmental regulations in Florida and the nation. This account is at times a bit disjointed, in some cases unfocused, and occasion- ally wrong chronologically. For instance, Scott refers to the “Only You Can Prevent For- est Fires” slogan as being from the 1960s, when in fact it is decades older. From there he meanders into a discussion of the fate of several endangered species, such as the black- 151 Review 152 footed ferret (Mustela nigripes), that really have nothing to do with Florida. Next the author sets out to describe Florida’s various natural habitats, with lists of some of the common and rare species of animals that inhabit each. It is a mystery, though, why he chose to lump pine flatwoods, which is a widespread Florida habitat type, and dry prai- rie, which is much more restricted geographically, into a single account. The result is a jumble in which least skippers (Amblyscirtes alternata) are mentioned one paragraph ahead of Panama City cra5rfish (Procambarus econfinae). There is no mention of the dis- covery in recent years of the fact that dry prairies — particularly Kissimmee Prairie State Preserve — are a major habitat for many butterflies. Also, this account could give readers the impression that feral hogs {Sus scrofa) and nine-banded armadillos (Dasy- pus nouemcinctus) pose an equal threat to environmental lands; they do not. Readers have to go to another section of the book to discover that feral hogs are the most destruc- tive introduced mammal species in Florida. Consistency would have been helpful. The book has a glossary, which is useful when Scott lapses into technical jargon for no apparent reason during some sections of the book. There also are several color photos of many of the species mentioned in the book, appendices, and an index. The book in- cludes an extensive bibliography for readers seeking additional information. Despite its shortcomings, this book provides readers with a good sense of the issues facing Florida’s wildlife and is generally written in a clear style, — ^Tom Palmer, 1805 26th St. NW, Win- ter Haven, FL 33881. Florida Field Naturalist 32(4): 153-162, 2004. FIELD OBSERVATIONS Spring report: March-May 2004. — This report consists of significant bird obser- vations compiled by the Field Observations Committee (FOC). Submissions to the FOC should be in the following format: species, number of individuals, age and sex of the bird(s), color morph if applicable, location (including county), date, observer(s), and sig- nificance. Seasons are winter (December-February), spring (March-May), summer (June-July), and fall ( August-No vember). Submit observations to regional compilers within two weeks after the close of each season, or to the state compiler within one month. Addresses of the compilers are found at the end of this report. We greatly prefer observations sent via e-mail. Sight-only observations are considered “reports” while only those supported by veri- fiable evidence (photographs, video or audio tapes, or specimens) are called “records.” Species for which documentation is required by the FOS Records Committee (FOSRC; Bowman 2000, Fla. Field Nat. 28: 149-160) are marked here with an asterisk (*). A county designation (m italics) accompanies the first-time listing of each site in this re- port. Abbreviations in this report are: EOS = end of season, NP = national park, NWR = national wildlife refuge, RA = restoration area, SF = state forest; SP = state park, STF = sewage treatment facility, and N, S, E, W etc., for compass directions. Bold-faced species denote birds newly reported or verified in Florida, or record counts. Summary of the Spring Season Rainfall in the region was somewhat below normal, and temperatures were at or above normal. In the western Panhandle, Bob and Lucy Duncan referred to the season as, “a spring migration birders long for,” with four fallouts during April and early May. Several minor fallouts, especially at Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park, were noted elsewhere during April. Few mega-rarities were reported, and most of those were Carib- bean vagrants — ^or perhaps escaped cagebirds masquerading as Caribbean vagrants, in the case of Red-legged Honeycreeper. In fact, it was a better season for documenting Florida’s exotic avifauna — two species were newly verified and a third was newly re- ported. Species Accounts Black-bellied Whistling-Duck: 77 at Bartow {Polk) 29 Mar (P. Fellers); 57 at Lake Apopka RA {Orange) 7 Apr (H. Robinson); 36 at Circle B Bar Reserve {Polk) 18-19 Apr {fide C. Geanangel); 145 at Paynes Prairie Preserve SP {Alachua) 22 Apr (H. Adams, B. Mollison); 44 at McIntosh {Marion) 18 May (R. Rowan)— -up to 200 have been present in the county since 2001 {fide R. Hart). Fulvous Whistling-Duck: 6 at Paynes Prairie Preserve SP 7 Apr (B. Carroll, B. En- neis); 1 at St. Marks NWR {Wakulla) 19 Mar (T. Curtis) and 15 Apr (A. Wraithmell). Greater White-fronted Goose: 1 at Lake City {Columbia) 19-20 Mar (J. Hintermister et ak). Canada Goose: 3 at Temple Terrace {Hillsborough) to 22 Apr (K. Allen); up to 5 at Gainesville {Alachua) 9-21 Mar (M. Meisenburg, J. Bryan et al.); 5 flew over Buck- man Bridge, Jacksonville {Duval) 17 Mar (J. Holstein); 1 at Lake Butler {Union) 20- 27 Mar (J. Ault, J. Hintermister et al.); 1 at Stock Island {Monroe) 17 Apr-6 May (L. Manfredi, J. Puschock, M. Gardler et al.); 2 at Largo {Pinellas) 26 May (K, Nelson). 153 154 FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST Mute Swan: 1 in the St. Johns River at Jacksonville {Duval) 28 Apr-EOS (P. Powell et al.). Gadwall: 74 at Polk phosphate mines 29 Mar (P. Fellers). Blue-winged Teal: 2 (1 female and 1 male) at Lakewood Ranch {Sarasota) 30 May (J. Palmer, J. Dubi). Redhead: 6 at Cedar Key {Levy) 17 Mar (J. Hintermister); 1 male at Sarasota/Bradenton International Airport {Manatee) to 27 May (R. Greenspun). Ring-necked Duck: 3 at Emeralda Marsh {Lake) 16 May (J. Puschock). Greater Scaup: 2 at Cedar Key 17 Mar (J. Hintermister). Black Scoter: 3 at Fort Myers Beach {Lee) remained to 19 Mar (B. Pittell), with 1 fe- male lingering to 27 Mar (C. Ewell). Red-throated Loon: 1 over Gainesville 31 Mar (A. Kratter). Common Loon: 1 over Olustee Battlefield, Osceola National Forest {Baker) 28 Mar (J. Hintermister, R. Rowan et al.); 1 in breeding plumage at Longboat Key {Sarasota) 20 May (J. Ginaven); 1 in breeding plumage at Tallahassee 23 May (G. Menk). Horned Grebe: 1 in partial breeding plumage at Spring Hill {Hernando) 23-27 May (A. and B. Hansen, photo to FOC). Eared Grebe: 1 at Fort Walton Beach STF {Okaloosa) 19 Mar (B. Monk). Audubon’S Shearwater: 5 up to 160 km S of Destin {Okaloosa) 23 May (B. Monk et al). Wilson’s Storm-Petrel: 3 up to 160 km S of Destin 23 May (B. Monk et al.). Band-rumped Storm-Petrel: 28 up to 160 km S of Destin 23 May (B. Monk). Masked Booby: 1 immature from Destin Beach {Okaloosa) 22 Apr (B. Monk); 5 (1 adult and 4 immatures) from Fort Pickens {Escambia) 29 Apr (B. and L. Duncan). Red-footed BoobY: 2 at Garden Key, Dry Tortugas NP {Monroe) 9-24 Apr (L. Manfredi et al.), with at least 1 there to 6 May (M. Gardler et al.). American White Pelican: up to 6 at Newnans Lake {Alachua) to 2 Apr (R. Norton, L. Gordon); 53 near the mouth of the St. Johns River {Duval) 28 Apr (J. Cocke); 2 at Al- ligator Point {Franklin) 17 May (J. Murphy). Brown Pelican: 2 at Lake Apopka RA 4 Apr (H. Robinson). Magnificent Frigatebird: 1 bird 1.6 km E of 1-75 {Hernando) 7 Apr (W. Yusek). American Bittern: 60 at Lake Apopka RA 24 Mar (H. Robinson); 1 along a ditch in Dixie 29 May (L. Atherton, photos to FOC). Least Bittern: 16 at Lake Jackson {Leon) 22 Apr (M. Hill). “Great White Heron:” 1 at Kissimmee Prairie Preserve SP {Okeechobee) mid-Apr-21 Apr (P. Miller); 1 at Lake Apopka RA 30 May (H. Robinson). Reddish Egret: 1 pied bird (dark morph with scattered white feathers on the wings) at Little Estero Lagoon {Lee) 2 and 10 May (C. Ewell, photo to FOC); 2 white morphs at Bird Islands, Nassau Sound {Duval) 18 May (P. Leary). White Ibis: 4310 at Lake Apopka RA 7 Apr (H. Robinson). Glossy Ibis: 1 adult at Fort Walton Beach STF 14 Apr-11 May (B. Duncan et al.). *White-FACED Ibis: 2 adults at Fort Walton Beach STF 19 Apr-11 May (B. Duncan et al.); 5 at St. Marks NWR 22 Apr (A. Wraithmell, details to FOC). Roseate Spoonbill: 16 at Circle B Bar Reserve 18-19 Apr {fide C. Geanangel). Woolly-necked Stork: 1 at Homestead {Miami-Dade) 15 Apr (B. Rapoza) may have been a bird that escaped from Miami MetroZoo in 1992. Black Vulture: a nest with 1 egg at Micanopy {Alachua) 15 Apr (B. Simons). White-tailed Kite: one at Placid Lakes Wildlife and Environmental Area {Highlands) 27 Feb and 3 Mar (R. Bowman); one along SR-64 ca. 8 km E of Lake Manatee {Man- atee) 4 Mar (R. Bowman). Mississippi Kite: 1 at Tallahassee 5 Apr (G. Menk); 1 at Gainesville 7 Apr (R. Norton); 1 at Lake Apopka RA 5 May (H. Robinson); 200 at Tram Road STF, Tallahassee 6 May (E. Woodruff, E. Wells) and 20 May (G. Menk et al.); 1 at Belleview {Marion) 30 May (A. Luzader). Bald Eagle: 49 at Circle B Bar Reserve 20 Mar {fide C. Geanangel). Field Observations 155 Cooper’s Hawk: 1 pair was nesting at Lakeland (Polk) 21 Mar (B. Snow); 1 pair (the male in immature plumage) attended a nest in a Casuarina at Cape Coral (Lee) 20 May (J. Greenlaw); another pair at Cape Coral 25 May produced young for the third straight year (W. Winton). Broad-winged Hawk: 1 at Talbot Islands SP (Duval) 4 Apr (P. Leary), Short-tailed Hawk: 1 dark morph plucking a bird in flight over Lake Reedy, Frostproof (Polk) 19 Mar (B. Pranty); 1 at Wekiva Springs SP (Orange) 20 Mar (C. Pierce); 1 light morph at Jena (Dixie) 19 Apr (J. Krummrich); 1 dark morph over the “Big Scrub,” Ocala NF (Marion) 13 May (J, Puschock); 1 dark morph at Redlands (Miami- Dade) 22 May (J, Boyd); a mixed-morph pair spent the season at New Port Richey, an area occupied for the past 8 years (K. Tracey). Swainson’S Hawk: 1 dark morph in E Polk 23 Apr (B. and L, Cooper). Merlin: 1 at Ocala NF 26 Apr (J. Puschock); 5 or more at Dry Tortugas NP 4-6 May (M. Gardler et ah). Peregrine Falcon: 1 headed N over Lake Wales Ridge SF 15 Apr (B. Pranty); 4 at Dry Tortugas NP 4-6 May (M. Gardler et ah). Black Rail: 3 or more that called at Werner-Boyce Salt Springs SP, Bayonet Point (Pasco) 7 Mar (K. Tracey), and 2 in another area of the park 17 Apr (R. Smart); 1 seen and heard at Fort Walton Beach STF 5 May (A. Knothe). Purple Gallinule: 1 at Cedar Key 14-17 Apr (D. Henderson, J. Hintermister); 97 at Lake Apopka RA 25 Apr (H. Robinson). Whooping Crane: 1 in a flock of migrant Sandhill Cranes at Gainesville 7 Mar (S. Fla- mand); 3 adults over Lake Wales Ridge SF (Polk) 21 Apr (B. Pranty). Black-bellied Plover: 16 at Lake Apopka RA 28 Mar, and 13 there to 31 Mar (H. Rob- inson). American Golden-Plover: 3 at Lake Apopka RA 28 Mar, and 1 there to 31 Mar (H. Robinson); 2 at Crandon Beach (Miami-Dade) 13 Apr, and 1 there 14 Apr (R. Diaz); 1 at Merritt Island NWR (Brevard) 25 Apr (J. Puschock et al.). Piping Plover: 38, including 13 color-banded, of which 7 were from the Great Lakes, at Talbot Islands SP and Bird Islands 14 Mar (P. Leary). American OystercatcheR: 25 at Little Estero Lagoon 10 May included single birds banded as chicks in North Carolina and Massachusetts (C. Ewell). Black-necked Stilt: 20+ at Hamilton phosphate mines 20 Mar (R. Rowan, J. Hinter- mister); up to 16 at Paynes Prairie Preserve SP 2 Apr-EOS, with 5 fledglings 26 May (A. Kratter et al.). American Avocet: 26 at Little Estero Lagoon 27 Mar (C, Ewell); 14 at Merritt Island NWR 22 Apr (D. Freeland); 7 at Ten Thousand Islands NWR (Collier) 9 Apr (T. Doyle); 218 at Polk phosphate mines 9 May (P. Timmer, P. Fellers); 15 in breeding plumage at Hillsborough Bay (Hillsborough) 17 May were not seen later (R. Paul). Lesser Yellowlegs: 400 at Polk phosphate mines 20 Apr, and 1250 there 29 Apr (P. Fellers). Solitary Sandpiper: 29 at Circle B Bar Reserve 18-19 Apr (fide C. Geanangel); 3 at Lake Apopka RA 21 Apr (H. Robinson). WiLLET: 1 at Polk phosphate mines 9 May (P. Timmer, P. Fellers). Spotted Sandpiper: 1 at Lake Apopka RA 14 Apr (H, Robinson). Whimbrel: 1 at Crandon Beach 9 Apr (R, Diaz); 4 at Dry Tortugas NP 15 Apr (J. Pus- chock); 3 at Little Estero Lagoon 26 May (C. Ewell). Long-billed Curlew: 2 at Cedar Key to 2 Apr (P. Burns); 1 at Little Estero Lagoon 9 May-EOS (M. Gonsalo, C, Ewell). Hudsonian GodwiT: 1 adult male in breeding plumage at Alafia Bank (Hillsborough) 12-28 Mar (M. Korosy et al., photos to FOC by B. Ackerman) and an adult female in breeding plumage there 2-10 Apr (R. Paul, M. Korosy et al.); 1 in breeding plumage at Hickory Mound Impoundment (Taylor) 16 Apr (J. Krummrich). 156 FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST Marbled Godwit: 1 at Lake Apopka RA 21 Apr (H. Robinson). Red Knot: up to 1500 spent the season at Talbot Islands SP and Huguenot Memorial Park {Duval)— of 54 color-banded birds on 14 May, 40 were banded on the US Atlan- tic coast, 9 in Argentina, 3 in Chile, and 2 in Brazil, including one banded in 1983! (P. Leary); 1 at Jupiter Inlet Colony {Palm Beach) 28 May (J. Hailman). Sanderling: 2 at Lake Apopka RA 20 May (H. Robinson), White-RUMPED Sandpiper: up to 3 at Eagle Lakes Park, Naples {Collier) 27 Apr-4 May (D. Suitor, C. Ewell et aL); 6 at Lake Apopka RA 16 May (H. Robinson); 10 (some in breeding plumage) at Merritt Island NWR 19 May (J. Puschock). Baird’S Sandpiper: up to 4 at Fort Walton Beach STF 9-22 Apr (A, Knothe, B. Duncan et aL); 5 at Springhill Road STF, Tallahassee 12 Apr, with 1 remaining to 20 Apr (G. Menk et aL). Least Sandpiper: 4000 at Polk phosphate mines 20 Apr (P. Fellers et aL), Dunlin: 255 at Polk phosphate mines 29 Mar (P, Fellers). Pectoral Sandpiper: 2 at Lake City 27 Mar (E. Scales, A. Kent). Stilt Sandpiper: 2 at Lake Apopka RA 31 Mar (H. Robinson); 60 at Polk phosphate mines 20 Apr, 5700 there 29 Apr, and 770 there 9 May (P. Fellers, P. Timmer et aL). Ruff: one at Stormwater Treatment Area 5 {Hendry) 3 Apr, and 3 there 13 Apr (R. Urgelles et aL, photos to FOC by C. Ewell). Short-billed Dowitcher: 236 in mostly winter plumage at Little Estero Lagoon 26 May (C. Ewell). Long-billed Dowitcher: 700 at Polk phosphate mines 29 Mar and 29 Apr, and 109 there 9 May (P. Fellers, P, Timmer); 3 at Paynes Prairie Preserve SP 23 Apr (J. Hin- termister), Wilson’s Snipe: 70 at Paynes Prairie Preserve SP 29 Mar (A. Kratter). Wilson’s Phalarope: 1 at St. Petersburg 1 Apr (B. Ackerman, photos to FOC); 5 at Fort Walton Beach STF 14-22 Apr (B. Duncan et aL); 1 at St. Marks NWR 18 Apr (M. Hill et aL); 2 at Circle B Bar Reserve 19 Apr (B. and L. Cooper, S. Riffe); 2 at Springhill Road STF 20 Apr (G. Menk, J. Cavanagh). POMARINE Jaeger: 2 in the Florida Straits {Monroe) 4 May (M. Gardler et aL); 2 birds 15 km off Marco Island {Collier) 18 May (D. Suitor). Parasitic Jaeger: 1 adult at Destin 25 Apr (B. Monk); 1 adult on a trip up to 160 km S of Destin 23 May (B. Monk et aL). Laughing Gull: 1 at Ocean Pond, Osceola National Forest 28 Mar (R. Rowan, J, Hin- termister et aL); several at Lake Eustis, Eustis {Lake) 3-19 Apr (J. Puschock). Herring Gull: 2 at Little Estero Lagoon 18 May (C. Ewell). Lesser Black-backed Gull: 1 adult at the Sanibel Island lighthouse {Lee) 16 Mar (B. Pittell); 1 adult at Green Key Road, New Port Richey (Pasco) 20 Mar (K. Tracey); 19 at Crandon Beach 19 Apr, included an apparent intermedius all spring (R. Diaz); 1 immature at Stock Island 6 May (M. Gardler); 3 adults at Little Estero Lagoon 22 May (A. Morris). Glaucous Gull: 1 immature along the NW shore of Lake Okeechobee (Okeechobee) the final week of Mar- 1 Apr (salvaged on 4 Apr, specimen to Archbold Biological Station, fide G. Woolfenden); 1 second-winter bird at Ochlockonee Bay (Wakulla) 2-10 May (J. Murphy et aL). Great Black-backed Gull: 1 immature at Green Key Road, New Port Richey 20 Mar (K. Tracey); 1 adult at Sanibel Causeway 2-8 Apr (V. McGrath); 1 immature at Dry Tortugas NP 4 May (M. Gardler et aL); 3 at Crandon Beach to 26 May (R. Diaz). Gull-billed Tern: 1 at Cedar Key 17 Mar (J. Hintermister); up to 2 at Lake Apopka RA 2-20 May (H, Robinson); 1 at Pelican Island NWR {Indian River) 8 May (B. Wagner); 1 at Jupiter Inlet Colony 12 May (J. Hailman); 1 at Merritt Island NWR 25 Apr- 19 May (J. Puschock); 20 nests at Hillsborough Bay 17 May (R. Paul et aL). Caspian Tern: 120 at Polk phosphate mines 29 Mar (P. Fellers). Field Observations 157 *Elegant Tern: 1 male at Fort De Soto Park 27 Apr-early May copulated with a Sand- wich Tern (L. Atherton et aL, photos to FOC). Sandwich Tern: 1 at Lake Apopka RA 18 Apr (H. Robinson), Roseate Tern: 78 in the Florida Straits 4 May (M. Gardler et ak). Common Tern: 1 at Dry Tortugas NP 5 May (M. Gardler); 6 at Lake Apopka RA 10 May (H, Robinson); 1 at Jupiter Inlet Colony 12 May (J. Hailman); 5 at Bird Islands 27 May (P. Leary). Forster’s Tern: 514 at Lake Apopka RA 31 Mar (H. Robinson). Least Tern: 5 at Tigertail Beach, Marco Island (Collier) 21 Mar (B. Roberts); birds ap- parently attempted nesting on the Albertson’s roof at Mount Dora (Lake) again this season (J. Puschock); 1 at Gainesville 29 May (B. Roberts). Bridled Tern: 4 up to 160 km S of Destin 23 May (B. Monk et aL). Black Noddy: 2 at Garden Key, Dry Tortugas 9 Apr (L. Manfredi). Black Skimmer: 15 at Lake Mirror, Lakeland (Polk) 10 Mar (T. Palmer); 700 at Polk phosphate mines 29 Mar (P. Fellers). White-crowned Pigeon: 1 sang at Ten Thousand Islands NWR 25 May (T. Doyle). Eurasian Collared-Dove: 1 over Ten Thousand Islands NWR 10 May (T. Doyle); 3 heard singing on the Palmdale BBS route (Glades and Charlotte) 30 May (T. Doyle). Diamond Dove: 1 at Plantation (Broward) 1 Apr (B. DeWitt, photo to FOC). White-winged Dove: 2 at Alligator Point (Franklin) 2 Apr (J. Murphy); several in vari- ous locations at Ocala NF since 21 Apr (J. Puschock); birds bred at Lutz (Hillsbor- ough) in mid-May (T. Mann). Cockatiel: 1 at St. Petersburg in mid-May (L. Snyder). Black-hooded Parakeet: 4 at Johnson (Putnam) 10 Mar-EOS (C. Hendry); 1 at Pensa- cola (Escambia) 19 May (J. Powell). Aratinga SPECIES: 2 at Dajrtona Beach 8 May were mostly all-green with red leading edges to the wings (D, Hartgrove). Peach-fronted Parakeet (Aratinga aurea): 1 at St. Petersburg 14 May (L. Snyder, photos to FOC) furnished the first verifiable Florida record. Red-breasted Parakeet: 1 at Doc Thomas House, Miami 27 Mar (P. Bithorn, J. Vil- lamil, J. Boyd, photo to FOC). Scaly-HEADED Parrot: 3 at Matheson Hammock (Miami-Dade) 17 Apr and 1 May (J. Boyd et aL). Mangrove Cuckoo: 1 called at Ten Thousand Islands NWR 25 Mar (T. Doyle, K. O’Reilly-Doyle et aL), and 26 tallied there during point counts 9-27 May (T. Doyle). Barn Owl: 1 at Dry Tortugas NP 6 May (M, Gardler et aL). Burrowing Owl: 4 at West Lake Wales (Polk) 8 May (P. Fellers). Short-eared Owl: 1 of the West Indian subspecies at Dry Tortugas NP 5 May (M. Gardler et aL). Chuck-WILL’S-WIDOW: 2 flew in from the Gulf at 1030 hrs at Ft Myers Beach (Lee) 27 Mar (C. Ewell); 1 flew in from the Gulf at Sanibel Lighthouse 28 Mar (V. McGrath, W. Winton). All three birds roosted under carports once they crossed the beach! Chaetura SPECIES: 1 at Gainesville 3 Mar (B. Wallace). Chimney Swift: 1 at Eustis 30 Mar (J. Puschock); 360 at Lake Apopka RA 4 Apr (H. Robinson); 7 at a New Port Richey chimney roost 7 Apr increased to 166 on 8 Apr, and 378 on 10 Apr (K. Tracey). Buff-bellied Hummingbird: 1 banded at Pensacola remained to 3 Apr (D. John, F. Bas- sett et aL). Ruby-throated Hummingbird: 2 at N St. Augustine (St Johns) 8 Mar (J. Holstein); 1 female on a nest at Collier-Seminole SP (Collier) 8 Mar (T. Doyle, D. Suitor, photo to FOC). Black-chinned Hummingbird: 1 banded at Pensacola remained to 18 Apr (G. Bowman, F. Bassett et aL). 158 FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST *Calli0PE Hummingbird: 1 banded at Gainesville during the winter remained to 13 Mar (L. Hensley). *Broad-tailed Hummingbird: 1 banded at Pensacola remained to 18 Apr (G. Bowman, F, Bassett et al.). Selasphorus SPECIES: 1 at Alachua {Alachua) to 31 Mar (P. Burns). Rufous Hummingbird: 2 females banded at separate sites in Tallahassee 12 Mar (F. Bassett, F. Dietrich). Hairy Woodpecker: 1 male near Orangedale {St. Johns) 7 Mar — the species is getting hard to find in northeast Florida (P. Powell). Southern Ground-Hornbill {Bucorvus leadbeateri): 2 at McIntosh 15 May-EOS had escaped from a private collection nearby (R. Hart, R. Rowan, M. James, photos to FOG). This furnishes the first Florida report of this African species. Least Flycatcher: 7 at Lake Apopka RA 19 Mar, and 1 there to 23 Apr (H. Robinson). Vermilion Flycatcher: 1 at Piney Z Lake {Leon) 1-7 Mar (F. Goodheart et al); 1 at Frog Pond WMA {Miami-Dade) remained to 7 Mar (J. Boyd). Ash-throated Flycatcher: 1 at Lake Apopka RA to 7 Apr (H. Robinson); 1 at Tallahas- see 3 May (G. Menk). Great Crested Flycatcher: 1 at Alachua 1 Mar (P. Burns); 1 at Umatilla {Lake) 23 Mar (J. Puschock); 1 at Eustis 25 Mar (J, Puschock); 1 at Ocala NF 31 Mar (J. Pus- chock); 1 at Winter Park {Orange) 28 Mar (B. Anderson). Brown-crested Flycatcher: 1 at Matheson Hammock 4 Apr (P. Bithorn, J. Boyd et al.); 1 at Royal Palm, Everglades NP {Miami-Dade) 15 Apr (B. Rapoza). La Sacra’s Flycatcher: 1 at No Name Key {Monroe) 3 May (M. Gardler). ♦Tropical Kingbird: 1 at Lake Apopka RA to 28 Apr (H. Robinson). ♦Cassin’S Kingbird: 1 at Lake Apopka RA to 28 Mar (H. Robinson). Western Kingbird: 1 at Garden Key, Dry Tortugas NP 15 Apr (J. Puschock et al.); 2 at Rosewood {Levy) 24 Apr (R. Rowan, S. Collins et al.); 1 at Lake Apopka RA to 2 May (H. Robinson); singles at Alligator Point 8 May (S. McCool) and 17 May (J. Murphy). Eastern Kingbird: 1 at Lake Apopka RA 31 Mar (H. Robinson); 7 at N St. Augustine 6 Apr (J. Holstein). Gray Kingbird: 1 at Lake Apopka RA 23 Apr (H. Robinson). SciSSOR-TAlLED FLYCATCHER: 1 wintered at Umatilla to 2 Mar (J. Puschock); 2 at Ocoee {Orange) 13 Mar (A. Styring); 1 male at Seven Springs {Pasco) to 21 Mar (R. Smart); 1 at Guana River SP {St. Johns) 24-25 Mar (L. Harrison, D. Reed et al.); 1 at Lake Apopka RA to 31 Mar (H. Robinson); 1 at Bald Point 16 Apr (S. McCool); 3 S of Clewiston {Hendry) 6 Apr (J. Puschock); 1 at Rosewood 24 Apr (R. Rowan, S. Collins et ah); 1 in Okaloosa 8 May (A. Knothe); 1 at Alligator Point 8 May (S. Mc- Cool). Yellow-throated Vireo: 1 along the Ichetucknee River {Columbia) 4 Mar (E. Scales); 4 at San Felasco Hammock Preserve SP {Alachua) 7 Mar (J. Hintermister, M. Manetz); 1 that sang at Largo 16 Mar (K. Nelson); 1 pair was nesting at Lakeland 21 Mar (B. Snow). Blue-headed Vireo: 1 in Okaloosa 8 May (L. Wright). Warbling Vireo: 1 at Fort Pickens 14 Apr (B. and L. Duncan, A. Knothe). Philadelphia Vireo: 1 at Fort De Soto Park 3-4 May (J. Puschock et al.). Black-whiskered Vireo: 43 tallied during point counts at Ten Thousand Islands NWR 9-27 May; numbers have declined annually since the survey began during 2000 (T. Doyle); 1 that sang at Lori Wilson Park, Cocoa Beach 1-10 May (B. Paxson et al.); 1 at Cedar Key 26 May (D. Henderson). Black-chested Jay {Cyanocorax affinis): 1 at College Park, Orlando 21 Mar (G. Bretz, T. Robinson et al.) was observed by others 6-8 months earlier. This furnished the first Florida report of a species native from Costa Rica south to Colombia and Venezuela. Field Observations 159 Interestingly, College Park is the same location as Florida’s only Azure Jay (C. caer- uleus) report 40-44 years earlier! Horned Lark: 1 sang at Hague {Alachua) 22-23 Apr (M. Manetz et al.). Tree Swallow: 472 at Polk phosphate mines 9 May (P. Timmer, P. Fellers); 15 at Lake Apopka RA to 14 May (H. Robinson); 1 at Lake Rousseau {Citrus) 15 May (R. Rowan, S. Collins et ah). Northern Rough-winged Swallow: 1 at Lake Apopka RA 10 Mar (H. Robinson); 1 over Lake Wales Ridge SF 22 Mar (B. Pranty). Bank Swallow: 1 on the CharlottelLee boundary 19 Mar (W. Dirks, W. Winton); 5 at Lake Apopka RA 5 May (H. Robinson); 3 at Polk phosphate mines 9 May (P. Timmer, P. Fellers). Cliff Swallow: 5 at Lake Apopka RA 14 Apr, and 4 there 25 Apr (H. Robinson). Cave Swallow: 1 at Fort Walton Beach 9 Apr (A. Knothe); 2 at Lake Apopka RA 14 Apr (H. Robinson). Barn Swallow: 1 at Brooker {Bradford) 7 Mar (R. Rowan, B. Carroll, B. Enneis). Carolina Chickadee: 1 that sang at Tosohatchee State Reserve {Orange) 2 May was ir- regular there (B. Anderson, B. Payne). Sedge Wren: 1 at Salt Springs SP 12 May (J. Puschock). Marsh Wren: 2 at Lake Apopka RA to 10 May (H. Robinson). Catharus SPECIES: totals at Dry Tortugas NP were 5 Veeries and 11 “Gray-cheeked” and 8 Swainson’s thrushes 4-6 May (M. Gardler). Swainson’S Thrush: 1 at Alachua 23 Apr (M. Walsh-McGehee). Hermit Thrush: 1 at Alachua 19 Apr (M. Walsh-McGehee). Wood Thrush: 1 at Garden Key, Dry Tortugas NP 15-17 Apr (J. Puschock); 1 at Guana River SP {St. Johns) 1 May (J. Holstein). American Robin: 1 pair nested in Walton 8-19 May (D. Ware). Gray Catbird; 1 at Lake Apopka RA to 16 May (H. Robinson). Common Myna: 1 at Neptune Beach {Duval) 1-8 May apparently bred with a European Starling: it was first seen accompanying a starling as it entered a supermarket sign 1 May, and was observed feeding a juvenile starling seven days later! (S. Rogers, P. Powell et al.). Cedar Waxwing: 14 arrived at Ocala NF 22 Mar (J. Puschock); 2 arrived at Lake Apo- pka RA 25 Apr, and 28 there to 14 May (H. Robinson); 20 at Salt Springs SP 12 May (J. Puschock). Blue-winged Warbler: 1 at Gainesville 14 Apr (A. Kratter); 1 at Largo 17 Apr (K. Nel- son); 1 at Paynes Prairie Preserve SP 27 Apr (J. Hintermister). Orange-crowned Warbler: 1 at Sanibel Lighthouse {Lee) 28 Mar (V. McGrath, W. Winton). Northern Parula: 1 at Umatilla 3 Mar (J. Puschock); 60 at Dunedin Hammock {Pinel- las) 14 Mar (K. Nelson); 30 at Bonner Park, Largo 16 Mar (K. Nelson); 25+ at Bill Baggs Cape Florida SP {Miami-Dade) 5 Apr (R. Diaz). Yellow Warbler: 2 sang near Gullivan Key, Ten Thousand Islands NWR 28 May (T. Doyle). Magnolia Warbler: 1 at Brooker {Bradford) 7 Mar (B. Carroll, B. Enneis); 1 at Alachua 22 Apr (M. Walsh-McGehee); 1 at Tallahassee 29 Apr (K. MacVicar). Cape May Warbler: 1 male at Lake Wales Ridge SF 21 Apr (B. Pranty); 3 at Lake Apo- pka RA 25 Apr (H. Robinson). Black-throated Blue Warbler: 100+ at Cape Florida SP 28 Apr (B. Rapoza); 5 at Lake Apopka RA 28 Apr (H. Robinson); 2 males sang at Florida International Univer- sity {Miami-Dade) 20-24 May (S. Schneider, J. Boyd). Yellow-RUMPED Warbler: 1 “Audubon’s Warbler” at Dry Tortugas NP 15 Apr (B. Mul- rooney et al., photo to FOC). Black-throated Green Warbler: 1 at High Springs {Gilchrist) 2 Mar (D. Robbins). 160 FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST Prairie Warbler: 125+ at Cape Florida SP 3 Apr (R. Diaz); 1 at Ocala NF 14 Apr (J. Puschock); 31 tallied during point counts at Ten Thousand Islands NWR 9-27 May represented the lowest number detected during the surveys (T. Doyle). Palm Warbler: 300+ at Cape Florida SP 1 Apr (R. Diaz), and 100+ there 28 Apr (B. Rapoza); 79 passed by Green Key Road, New Port Richey in 90 min 17 Apr (K. Tracey); 1 at Ocala NF 20 Apr (J. Puschock). Bay-breasted Warbler: 3 at Largo 3 May (J. Fisher, K. Nelson); 2 at Fort De Soto Park 4 May ff (J. Puschock et al.). Blackpoll Warbler: 20 at Lake Apopka RA 28 Apr (H. Robinson). Cerulean Warbler: 1 at Cedar Key 14-15 Apr (D. Henderson, J. Hintermister). American Redstart: 29 at Cape Florida SP 12 Apr (R. Diaz), and 100+ there 28 Apr (B. Rapoza); 24 at Lake Apopka RA 5 May (H. Robinson); 1 at Jupiter Inlet Colony 28 May (J. Hailman); 1 at Ocala {Marion) 30 May (B. Roberts). Prothonotary Warbler: 1 at Lake Apopka RA 24-28 Mar (H. Robinson). Worm-eating Warbler: 1 at Bonner Park 13 May (K. Nelson). Swainson’S Warbler: 1 at Cape Florida SP 4-6 Apr (R. Diaz); 1 at A.D. Barnes Park (Miami-Dade) 5 Apr (B. Mathys); 2 at Spanish River Park {Palm Beach) 6 Apr (L. Miller); singles at Sanibel Lighthouse 7 and 14 Apr, and 2 there 15 Apr (D. and L. Stokes, D. Konz); 2 at Hugh Taylor Birch SP {Broward) 10-14 Apr (S. Schlick); singles at Cedar Key 13 and 16 Apr (B. Wallace, J. Hintermister, D. Henderson); 2 at Lori Wilson Park 14 Apr (D. Freeland); 1 at Largo 19 Apr (K. Nelson). Northern Waterthrush: 20 at Lake Apopka RA 28 Apr, and 1 there to 10 May (H. Robinson); 1 at Newnans Lake 23 May (R. Rowan). Louisiana Waterthrush: 7 at Lake Apopka RA 19 Mar (H. Robinson). Kentucky Warbler: 2 at Cedar Key 13 Apr (J. Hintermister, B. Wallace); 1 at Birch SP 16 Apr (S. Schlick); 1 at Matheson Hammock 22 May (D. Simpson). Connecticut Warbler: singles at Largo 8-10 May, 13 May (singing male), and 2 there 17 May (K. Nelson, J. Fisher); 1 male at Bonita Springs {Lee) 11 May (D. Suitor et al.). Common Yellowthroat: 32 at Cape Florida SP 2 Apr (R. Diaz), and 100+ there 28 Apr (B, Rapoza). Hooded Warbler: 1 at Largo 15 Mar (K. Nelson); 1 at Lake Apopka RA 22 Mar (H. Rob- inson); 40+ at Fort De Soto Park 5 Apr (R. Smith); 1 that sang along the Ocklawaha River, Ocala NF {Putnam) 9 May-EOS perhaps was breeding locally (J. Puschock). Canada Warbler: 1 at Alachua 22 Apr (M. Walsh-McGehee); 1 at Paynes Prairie Pre- serve SP 24 Apr (L. Hensley). Yellow-breasted Chat: 1 at St. Marks NWR 6 Mar (S. McCool); 41 at Lake Apopka RA 23 May (H. Robinson); 2 spent all season at Cape Florida SP (R. Diaz). *Red-LEGGED HoneycreepeR: 1 male at Grassy Key {Monroe) 16 Apr (L. McCandless, L. Most, L. Miller; details to FOC) furnished the fifth Florida report, all within the past 13 months. Scarlet Tanager: singing males at Robert Williams Birding Trail {Leon) 19 Apr and 1 May (G. Menk). Western Tanager: 1 male that wintered at Tallahassee remained to 10 Apr (F. Rutk- ovsky et al.); 1 male at Fort Pickens 18 Apr (B. Specht, B. Monk et al.). Western SpindaliS: 1 black-backed male at Dagny Johnson Botanical Park, Key Largo {Monroe) 23 Apr (E. Clark, J. Dearborn, photos to FOC). *Black-FACED Grassquit: 1 at Jupiter Ridge Natural Area {Palm Beach) 21-27 Mar (P. Cohen, S. Schlick et al.). Chipping Sparrow: 2 in breeding plumage at Ocala NF 2 May (J. Puschock). Clay-colored Sparrow: 2 at Lake Apopka RA 25 Apr (H. Robinson); 1 at Honeymoon Island SP {Pinellas) 1 May (E. Kwater). Lark Sparrow: 1 at Cedar Key 14 Apr (J. Hintermister). Savannah Sparrow: 3 at Lake Apopka RA to 5 May, and 1 there 30 May (H. Robinson). Field Observations 161 Grasshopper Sparrow: 1 at Sanibel Island 26 Mar (V. McGrath); 1 at Lake Wales Ridge SF 23 Apr (B. Pranty). Henslow’S Sparrow: 1 at Green Swamp WMA {Polk) 27 Mar (B. and L. Cooper et aL); 1 at Paynes Prairie Preserve SP 13 Apr (S. Howell). Le Conte’S Sparrow: 1 at Crystal River Preserve SP (Citrus) 1 May (A. and B. Hansen et aL). Seaside Sparrow: 100 estimated along the S part of CR-361 (Dixie) 5 May (J. Hinter- mister, L. Davis, D. Robbins). Lincoln’s Sparrow: singles at Lake Apopka RA 19 Mar and 18 Apr (H. Robinson); 1 at Eco Pond, Everglades NP 10 Apr (B. Roberts); 1 at Talquin SF (Leon) 19 Apr (J. Mur- phy, G. Menk); 1 at St. George Island (Franklin) 28 Apr (J. Cavanagh). Swamp Sparrow: 1 at Lake Apopka RA to 14 May (H. Robinson). White-crowned Sparrow: 1 Advli gamhelli at Dry Tortugas NP 4-5 May (M. Gardler et aL). Rose-breasted Grosbeak: 1 at Cape Florida SP 28-29 Apr (R. Diaz). Black-headed Grosbeak: 1 female at Pensacola remained to 17 Apr (B. Francisco et aL). Blue Grosbeak: 44 at Lake Apopka RA 2 May (H. Robinson). Indigo Bunting: 1 at Gainesville 7 Mar (R. Rowan), 2 at Sparr (Marion) 15-17 Mar (C. Retey). Painted Bunting: singles at different parts of Gainesville to 16 Mar (D. Packer) and 13 Apr (fide S. Sommerville), with 2 there 24-25 Apr (M. Freeman); 1 at Alachua to 4 Apr (D. Werner); 1 at Hague 23 Apr (B. Carroll, B. Enneis); 12 at Lake Apopka RA 26 May (H. Robinson); 1 male sang S of Atmore, Alabama (Escambia) 31 May (J. Yoder). Dickcissel: 1 at St. Marks NWR 29 Mar (T. Curtis); 3 males and 2 females at Lake Ap- opka RA 18 Apr-EOS (H. Robinson); 1 at St. George Island 4 May (J. Cavanagh, G. Menk). Bobolink: 1 at Fort Pickens 28 Mar (P. Baker, P. Beasley); 16 at Lake Apopka RA 21 Apr, 2590 there 28 Apr, and 10 to 14 May (H. Robinson); 320 at Polk phosphate mines 29 Apr (P. Fellers); 170 at Circle B Bar Reserve 22 May (fide C. Geanangel). Yellow-headed Blackbird: 1 immature male at Cedar Key 21-24 May (D, Henderson, N. Taylor). Shiny Cowbird: 2 males at St. George Island 4 May (J. Cavanagh, G. Menk); 1 male at Lake Apopka RA 20 May (H. Robinson). Bronzed Cowbird: 42 at Eagle Lakes Park 2 Mar, and 7 displaying males and 1 female there to 27 Apr (D. Suitor et aL); 1 male along East Lake Tohopekaliga, St. Cloud (Os- ceola) 20 May (K. Tracey, photo to FOC). Orchard Oriole: 6 at New Port Richey 18 Apr (K. Tracey). Baltimore Oriole: singles at Lake Apopka RA 7 Mar and 28 Apr (H. Robinson); 4 at New Port Richey 18 Apr (K. Tracey). House Finch: 3 males counter-singing at Orlando (Orange) in early Apr (G. Bretz). Pine Siskin: at least 2 at Tallahassee 11-25 Mar (F. Rutkovsky); 1 at Alachua 21 Mar (J. Weimer); 1 at Gainesville 18 Apr (M. Drummond). American Goldfinch: 1 at Winter Park 9 May (B. Anderson). Contributors: Bruce Ackerman, Howard Adams, Ken Allen, Bruce Anderson, Lyn Atherton, John Ault, Peggy Baker, Fred Bassett, Pam Beasley, Paul Bithorn, Glenda Bowman, Reed Bowman, John Boyd, Greg Bretz, Judy Bryan, Patricia Burns, Bob Car- roll, Jim Cavanagh, Buck and Linda Cooper, Ed Clark, Julie Cocke, Pinya Cohen, Steve Collins, Tom Curtis, Lloyd Davis, Judy Dearborn, Barbara DeWitt, Robin Diaz, Fred Di- etrich, Wes Dirks, Terry Doyle, Michael Drummond, Jeanne Dubi, Bob Duncan, Lucy Duncan, Becky Enneis, Charlie Ewell, Paul Fellers, Scott Flamand, Brenda Francisco, David Freeland, MaryBeth Freeman, Murray Gardler, Chuck Geanangel, John Gi- 162 FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST naven, Marie Gonsalo, Frank Goodheart, Lee Gordon, Jon Greenlaw, Rick Greenspun, Jack Mailman, A1 and Bev Hansen, Linda Harrison, Roxanne Hart, David Hartgrove, Dale Henderson, Candy Hendry, Linda Hensley, Michael Hill, John Hintermister, Jackie Holstein, Scarlett Howell, Mike James, Dawn John, Adam Kent, Alan Knothe, Dick Konz, Marianne Korosy, Andy Kratter, Jerry Krummrich, Ed Kwater, Patrick Leary, Angela Luzader, Keith MacVicar, Mike Manetz, Larry Manfredi, Tim Mann, Blake Mathys, Linda McCandless, Sean McCool, Vince McGrath, Michael Meisenburg, Gail Menk, Leo Miller, Paul Miller, Barbara Mollison, Brian Monk, Arthur Morris, Linda Most, Brennan Mulrooney, John Murphy, Kris Nelson, Robert Norton, Kathy O’Reilly-Doyle, Dee Packer, Jeff Palmer, Rich Paul, Bob Paxson, Becky Payne, Cheri Pierce, Bob Pittell, Jack Powell, Peggy Powell, Bill Pranty, John Puschock, Brian Rapoza, Dianne Reed, Carolyn Retey, Sue Riffe, Ted Robinson, Dotty Robbins, Bryant Roberts, Harry Robinson, Sandy Rogers, Rex Rowan, Fran Rutkovsky, Earl Scales, Ste- fan Schlick, Susan Schneider, Bob Simons, David Simpson, Ray Smart, Ron Smith, Bob Snow, Lee Snyder, Susan Sommerville, Brian Specht, Don and Lillian Stokes, A. Sty- ring, Doug Suitor, Nancy Taylor, Pete Timmer, Ken Tracey, Raul Urgelles, Juan Vil- lamil, Billi Wagner, Bob Wallace, Martha Walsh-McGehee, Don Ware, Jim Weimer, Elizabeth Wells, Debra Werner, Walt Winton, Ed Woodruff, Glen Woolfenden, Andy Wraithmell, Larry Wright, Jon Yoder, and Wilf Yusek. Winter 2003-2004 report not published previously: Purple Finch: 1 at Tallahassee 26 Feb (Fran Rutkovsky). Report prepared by Bill Pranty, state compiler (Avian Ecology Lab, Archbold Bio- logical Station, 123 Main Drive, Venus, Florida 33960; ). Re- gional compilers are Bruce H. Anderson (2917 Scarlet Road, Winter Park, Florida 32792; ), John H. Boyd III (15291 SW 108th Terrace, Miami, Florida 33196, ), Linda Cooper (558 Sunshine Boulevard, Haines City, Florida 33844-9540; ), Bob and Lucy Duncan (614 Fair- point Drive, Gulf Breeze, Florida 32561, ), Charlie Ewell (115 SW 51st Terrace, Cape Coral, Florida 33991, ), Bev Hansen (6573 Pine Meadows Drive, Spring Hill, Florida 34606; ), Gail Menk (2725 Peachtree Drive, Tallahassee, Florida 32304; no email), David Powell (1407 Storington Avenue, Brandon, Florida 33511; ), and Peggy Powell (2965 Forest Circle, Jacksonville, Florida 32257; ). FLORIDA ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY COMMITTEES Archives Committees Chair: WALTER K. Taylor, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL 32816. E-mail: wtaylor@pegasus.cc.ucf.edu. Members: Ed Slaney, Dave Goodwin, Tom Webber. Editorial Advisory Board: Chair: JAMES A. RODGERS, jR., Wildlife Research Labora- tory, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 4005 S. Main St., Gaines- ville, FL 32601. E-mail: rodgerj@fwc.state.fl.us. Members: STEPHEN A. NESBITT, TODD Engstrom, Hank Smith, Eugene Stoccardo. Field Observations Committee: Chair: Bill Pranty, Avian Ecology Lab, Archbold Bi- ological Station, 123 Main Drive, Venus, FL 33960. E-mail: billpranty@hotmail.com. Members: Bruce H. Anderson, John Boyd III, Linda Cooper, Bob Duncan, Char- lie Ewell, Bev Hansen, Gail Menk, David Powell, Peggy Powell, Finance Committee: Chair: MURRAY Gardler. Members: Dean Jue (ex officio), David STOCK, Fred Lohrer. Nominating Committee: Chair: Ann Paul. Member: Andy Kratter. Grants and Awards Committee: Chair, Cruickshank Research Award: STEVE NES- BITT, Wildlife Research Laboratory, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commis- sion, 4005 S. Main St., Gainesville, FL 32601. E-mail: Steve.Nesbitt@fwc.state.fl.us Members: PARKS SMALL, David Steadman, Hank Smith. Chair, Cruickshank Education Award: KATY NeSmith, Florida Natural Areas Inventory, 1018 Thomasville Rd., Suite 200-C, Tallahassee, FL 32303. E-mail: knesmith@fnai.org Members: JUDITH Buhrman AND SALLY JUE (staggered 3-year terms). Chair, William B. and Mary J. Robertson Fellowship Award: PETER G. MERRITT, 8558 SE Sharon St., Hobe Sound, FL 33455. Member: SALLY ROBERTSON. Records Committee: Managing Secretary: Reed Bowman, Archbold Biological Sta- tion, P.O. Box 2057, Lake Placid, FL 33862. Members: Lyn Atherton, Andy Kratter, Jon Greenlaw, Fred Lohrer, Mickey Wheeler, Todd Engstrom. Conservation Committee: Chair: JiM Cox, Tall Timbers Research Station, 13093 Hen- ry Beadel Dr., Tallahassee, FL 323 12-97 12, E-mail: necox@nettally.com. Members: Todd Engstrom, Ken Meyer, Ann Paul, Eric Stolen. Membership Committee: Co-chair: JUDITH B. BUHRMAN, 6123 113th Street, #504, Seminole, FL 33772-6846. E-mail: JBuhrman@aol.com. Co-Chair: Terry J. Doyle, Ten Thousand Islands NWR, 3860 Tollgate Blvd., Ste. 300, Naples, FL 34114. E-mail: (wk) Terry_Doyle@fws.gov; (hm) nfn20610@naples.net. Member: Dean Jue. j.*' kfAs'iy..- H’ ' I ' ■ . T sStfeeoti. • - '■■ ■'’'' uiP.n ^' fS "i •:^{<^ r;i“&l •! if» Florida Field Naturalist ISSN 0738-999X PUBLISHED BY THE FLORIDA ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY Editor: JEROME A. JACKSON, Whitaker Center, Arts & Sciences, Florida Gulf Coast Uni- versity, 10501 FGCU Blvd. South, Fort Myers, FL 33965. E-mail: picus@fgcu.edu Associate Editor (for Reviews): Reed Bowman, Archbold Biological Station, RO. Box 2057, Lake Placid, FL 33852 Associate Editor (for bird distribution): Bruce Anderson, 2917 Scarlet Road, Winter Park, FL 32792. E-mail: scizortail@aol.com Editor of the Ornithological Newsletter: Tom PALMER, 1805 26th Street, N.W., Win- ter Haven, FL 33881. E-mail: tomp47@yahoo.com Editor of Special Publications: JACK Hailman, 143 Beacon Lane, Jupiter, FL 33469. E-mail: jhailman@wisc.edu Web Page Editor: KURT Radamaker, 16313 E. Crystal Point Drive, Fountain Hills, AZ 85268. E-mail: webmaster@fosbirds.org 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. We welcome submission of original manuscripts containing new information from these areas. We encourage electronic submission of manuscripts. Please consult recent issues of the journal for style, especially noting that manuscripts should: (1) be double-spaced throughout, including tables and figure captions; (2) include the scientific name at the first mention of each species; (3) include capitalized standardized English names for all birds, but lower case for English names of other organisms; (4) include metric units for all measurements; (5) use the form “7 June 2003” for all dates; (6) use the 24-hour clock for all indications of time (e.g., 0800, 1400); (7) use the following abbreviations: s (second), min (minute), h (hour); (8) preferentially use active voice. Submit manuscripts for Florida Field Naturalist to the Editor, Jerome A. Jackson. Monograph-length manuscripts may be submitted for consideration to Glen E. Wool- fenden. Editor of Special Publications. Books and other materials for review should be submitted to: Reed Bowman, Associate Editor for Reviews. Field Observations should be submitted to the Chair of the Field Observations Committee, Bill Pranty. Reports of rare birds in Florida should be submitted to the Managing Secretary of the FOS Records Com- mittee, Reed Bowman. Florida Field Naturalist PUBLISHED BY THE FLORIDA ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY VoL. 32, No. 4 November 2004 Pages 129-162 CONTENTS ARTICLES Population Increase and Range Expansion of Black-hooded Parakeets in Florida Bill Pranty and Helen W. Lovell 129 First Documented Nesting in the Wild of Egyptian Geese in Florida D. Greg Braun 138 Effects of Drought on Bald Eagles Nesting in North-Central Florida Stephen A. Nesbitt, Paul S. Kuhilis, Stephen T Schwikert, and Jennifer Swan 144 NOTES Cattle Egret Consumption of Dead Birds and Use of Wings to Climb for Fresh Water David B. Freeland 148 Additional Northward Range Extension of the Exotic Northern Curly-tailed Lizard in Martin County, Florida Christopher L. Dean, Henry T. Smith, Richard M. Engeman, and Walter E. Meshaka, Jr 149 REVIEW Endangered and Threatened Animals of Florida and Their Habitats, by Chris Scott Tom Palmer 151 FIELD OBSERVATIONS Spring report: March-May 2004 Bill Pranty 153 I t I "i