Gu ptft3 Florida Field Naturalist PUBLISHED BY THE FLORIDA ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY VOL. 24, No. 2 May 1996 Pages 25-60 FLORIDA ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY Founded 1972 Officers President: Bruce H. Anderson, 2917 Scarlet Road, Winter Park, Florida 32792. Vice-President: Ted H. Below, 3697 North Road, Naples, Florida 33942. Secretary: RICHARD L. WEST, 2808 Rabbit Hill Road, Tallahassee, Florida 32312-3137. Treasurer: LiNDA DOUGLAS, 3675 1st Ave., N.W, Naples, Florida 33964. Editor of the Florida Field Naturalist: WALTER K. TAYLOR, Dept, of Biology, Univer- sity of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida 32816-3268. Ex Officio: Immediate Past President: Fred E. Lohrer, Archbold Biological Station, P.O. Box 2057, Lake Placid, Florida 33862. Directors, Terms Expiring in 1996 Mary C. Davidson, 2747 Forest Mill Lane, Jacksonville, Florida 32257. Mary Catherine Wheeler, 11700 S.W 104 Ave., Miami, Florida 33176. Directors, Terms Expiring in 1997 Karen Bearden, 10299 Widswept Place, Boca Raton, Florida 33498. Ken Meyer, 101 NE 9th Street, Gainesville, Florida 32601. Directors, Terms Expiring in 1998 Gail Parsons, 14346 Wadsworth Dr., Odessa, Florida 33556. Dave Maehr, Wilkison and Associates, Inc., 3506 Exchange Avenue, Naples, Florida 33942. Honorary Memberships Samuel A. Grimes 1979, Helen G. Cruickshank 1980; Oliver L. Austin, Jr. 1982; Pierce Brodkorb 1982; William B. Robertson, Jr. 1992; Glen E. Woolfenden, 1994. All persons interested in Florida's natural history, particularly its abundant bird life, are invited to join the Florida Ornithological Society by writing the Treasurer. Annual membership dues are $15 for individual members (overseas $20), $20 for a family mem- bership, $10 for students, and $35 for contributing members. All members receive the Florida Field Naturalist and the newsletter. Subscription price for institutions and non-members is $20 per year. Back issues ($3.00 per issue) are available, prepaid, from the Treasurer. Notice of change of address, claims for 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. THIS PUBLICATION IS PRINTED ON NEUTRAL PH PAPER Florida Field Naturalist PUBLISHED BY THE FLORIDA ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY VOL. 24, No. 2 May 1996 Pages 25-60 Fla. Field Nat. 24(2): 25-37, 1996. EFFECTS OF SUBURBANIZATION AND HABITAT FRAGMENTATION ON FLORIDA SCRUB- JAY DISPERSAL J. E. THAXTONI and T. M. Hingtgen^ ^Uplands Inc., P. O. Box 805, Osprey, Florida 34229 ‘^Florida Park Service, District 4, 1843 South Tamiami Trail, Osprey, Florida 34229 Abstract. — Dispersal behavior of Florida Scrub-Jays (Aphelocoma coerulescens) was compared for birds with territories in fragmented, suburbanized habitat designated “suburban” and birds with territories in undeveloped habitat designated “preserve.” Dur- ing the 5-year study period, most dispersals from preserve territories occurred in early spring, and from suburban territories in spring and fall. In suburban territories, at least one dispersal occurred during every month of the year. The average dispersal distance for female Florida Scrub-Jays from suburban territories was significantly greater than for females from preserve territories (8.1 km vs. 0.6 km, respectively; t=10.2, p<0.01). Eight of 29 suburban females of known age dispersed before one year of age. Excluding a daughter that accompanied her mother, none of the 22 female dispersers from preserve territories were less than one year of age. Of 128 dispersals by both sexes, 41 were from suburban to suburban territories, 46 were from preserve to preserve territories, and 41 were from suburban to preserve territories. No birds dispersed from preserve to subur- ban territories. Longer dispersal distances at an earlier age by suburban females are at- tributed to habitat fragmentation and the absence of adjacent territories that young birds might monitor for breeding opportunities. The absence of dispersals to suburban territories by preserve birds is attributed to habitat degradation. Higher mortality rates due to dispersal characteristics, and the lack of dispersal from preserve to suburban ter- ritories, leave isolated suburban territories more vulnerable to extirpation of their resi- dent birds — a factor that must be considered in conservation plans for this species. Most Florida Scrub- Jay {Aphelocoma coerulescens) habitat in Sara- sota County, and in Southwest Florida, has been fragmented and re- placed by sprawling suburbs. The scrubby flatwoods preferred by Florida Scrub-Jays is also favored by humans for habitation. It is typi- cally the highest and driest land near the coast, usually consisting of scrub oak-dominated vegetation with scattered patches of bare sand and a few, widely dispersed pine trees. Of an estimated 6,000 ha of scrubby flatwoods originally in Sarasota County, less than 800 ha re- 25 26 FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST main (Thaxton, unpubl. data). With the exception of Oscar Scherer State Park near Osprey, Florida, the distribution of scrubby flatwoods occurs as small, scattered “islands” averaging less than 1 ha in size. Suitable habitat maintained at the appropriate successional stage by occasional fires is fundamental to the Florida Scrub-Jay’s existence. The future of the species is threatened by habitat fragmentation, deg- radation, and loss (Cox 1987, Fitzpatrick et al. 1991). Habitat fragmentation acts in opposition to a central theme for long-term population viability, which is maintenance of genetic varia- tion (Lande and Barrowclough 1987). Isolation of territories to the ex- tent that dispersal mechanisms are thwarted, disrupts genetic exchange. It has been estimated that for an isolated preserve to sup- port a Florida Scrub-Jay population with sufficient genetic heterogene- ity to allow at least a 90% chance of persisting more than 100 years, the preserve should be large enough to support 20 to 40 breeding pairs (Woolfenden and Fitzpatrick 1991). Dispersals into the preserve would improve the chances of population viability. Within a population, dispersals between territories depend on the degree of isolation, which is determined by physical distance and the character of intervening habitat (Gilpin 1987). Specific information on dispersal characteristics is needed to devise management strategies in fragmented habitat. These strategies will depend on the distance birds in fragmented habitat can successfully disperse to find breeding oppor- tunities, on the factors that influence dispersal distance, on the rela- tionship between dispersal characteristics and mortality rate, and on the nature of the dispersal characteristics themselves in fragmented, degraded habitat. In this paper we compare dispersal characteristics for Florida Scrub- Jay populations in two very different habitat types: suburban areas located on former scrubby flatwoods and undeveloped scrubby flatwoods. We discuss how dispersal characteristics contribute to the decline and potential extirpation of Florida Scrub-Jays in the subur- banized areas of Sarasota County. Study Area Sarasota County is on the southwestern coast of Florida, midway between Tampa Bay and Charlotte Harbor (Figure 1). Typical Florida Scrub-Jay habitat in the county consists of scrubby flatwoods (FNAI 1986), that is generally found near the coast and along the original surface drainage features. Predominant vegetative cover consists of a sparse overstory of scattered pines (Pinus elliottii var. densus and P. palustris) and a shrub understory consisting of myrtle oak {Quercus myrtifolia), sand live oak (Q. gemi- nata), Chapman’s oak (Q. chapmanii), and saw palmetto {Serenoa repens). Bluejack oak (Q. incana) also occurs at Oscar Scherer State Park. Other woody shrubs found in the un- derstory include rusty lyonia {Lyonia fruticosa), tallowwood (Ximenia americana), tar- flower {Befaria racemosa), and sand holly {Ilex ambigua). Portions of the scrubby Thaxton ET AL. • Florida Scrub- Jay Dispersal 27 Figure 1* Study area in Sarasota County showing ihe nuinlber and distribution of Florida Scrub- Jay territories. Four outlying territories to the south are not shown. flatwoods in Oscar Scherer State Park have previously been used as rangeland; intro- duced pasture grasses still persist. Oscar Scherer State Park contains the largest undeveloped tract of scrubby flatwoods and the largest Florida Scrub-Jay population remaining in Sarasota County. From 20 to 25 territories (“preserve territories”) occur on approximately 250 ha (Figure 1). All Flor- ida Scmb-Jays in Sarasota County outside Oscar Scherer State Park live in suburban habitats. Territories in these areas (“suburban territories”) are scattered and often widely separated. Isolated suburban territories in northern Charlotte County were also monitored for dispersing birds. 28 FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST Some Florida Scrub-Jays persist on suburban territories that are now completely de- void of scrubby flatwoods vegetation. Where such vegetation does remain, it is severely degraded due to partial clearing and fire exclusion. A typical Florida Scrub-Jay territory in a suburban area may include from 0-25% scrubby flatwoods vegetation, with the re- mainder of the territory developed. Development can include roads, homes, apartment and office buildings, and commercial centers. An abundant food source exists in most suburban territories in the form of handouts (peanuts) from humans. Data Collection and Definition of Terms Florida Scrub-Jays are cooperatively breeding birds that reside in territories with well-defined boundaries defended year round by group members. Typically, one monoga- mous pair of breeding birds occupies each territory (Woolfenden and Fitzpatrick 1984). The members of a Florida Scrub- Jay family can include other adults that are nonbreed- ing. A “breeder” is a bird that has pair-bonded, built a nest, and laid at least one egg. “Helpers” are mature jays that postpone breeding for one to several years and participate in activities within a breeding pair’s territory (Woolfenden and Fitzpatrick 1984). Help- ers are often the offspring of the breeding pair. Nonbreeding adults obtain breeding space in one of several ways (Woolfenden and Fitzpatrick 1984): by (1) “territorial budding” in which a male, paired with an immigrant female, inherits a portion of his natal territory; by (2) direct inheritance of a natal terri- tory following a breeder death; by (3) replacing a breeder on another territory; by (4) es- tablishing a territory de novo between existing ones; or by (5) establishing a territory in habitat that was formerly unsuitable but has been restored to an appropriate succes- sional stage (Thaxton and Hingtgen 1994). Typically, females do not acquire territory by territorial budding or direct inheritance. When they pair with a male that has done so, the mechanism of gaining breeding status is designated (6) “mate choice.” Occasionally, a female also (7) “shares” a territory with another female. A “dispersal” is defined as a permanent shift from one territory (usually the natal one) to another. To be considered an “effective” dispersal, the bird must become a breeder in the new territory. Florida Scrub-Jay dispersals were monitored between April 1989 and April 1994, uti- lizing unique colored leg bands. A census was conducted monthly, and most nests were located annually allowing offspring to be banded before fledging. Season of dispersal was defined in terms of the Florida Scrub-Jay’s breeding cycle. The peak of breeding activity, February through April, was designated “spring.” The other seasons followed in se- quence. For statistical analysis, we used the nonparametric chi-square test, uncorrected for continuity, for categorical data (Hayek 1994), and the parametric t-test for distance data. Dispersal distances were calculated by determining the distance from the center of the territory of origin to the center of the new territory. Dispersal distances for territorial budding and direct inheritance, which would have been arbitrarily assigned small values or zero, were excluded from statistical analyses of dispersal distances. In addition, dis- tance data were logarithmically transformed to further correct for non-normality (Steel and Torrie 1980). When variances of samples were unequal, approximations of the t-sta- tistic and degrees of freedom were used (Steel and Torrie 1980). Probabilities of obtain- ing the observed results under the null hypothesis are given for statistical tests of significance. Results Between 1989 and 1994, 816 Florida Scrub- Jays were banded to study population dynamics, including dispersal characteristics. From a Thaxton ET AL. • Florida Scrub- Jay Dispersal 29 minimum of nine preserve territories and seven suburban territories in 1989, monitoring for dispersals expanded to 25 preserve and 20 sub- urban territories in 1994 (Figure 1). In addition, 32 suburban territo- ries, located outside the main study area in and around Oscar Scherer State Park, were surveyed for dispersing birds one or more times. Dur- ing the five years of the study, the dispersal of 128 Florida Scrub-Jays was observed. Forty-six of these were from preserve territories and 32 were from suburban territories (Figure 2). Eighty percent of dispersals from preserve territories occurred in “spring” (Feb-Apr), with a few observed in other seasons (Figure 3). All preserve dispersers moved to other preserve territories. In comparison, suburban birds dispersed during every month of the year to either pre- serve or other suburban territories. The destination of suburban dis- persers was correlated with season. Most dispersals (51%) from suburban to other suburban territories occurred in “spring”, while 71% Figure 2. Numbers of dispersals between territory types for Florida Scrub- Jays in Sarasota County, 30 FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST Spring Summer Fall WIntsr Sex CZZ] Unknown □ Male WMk Female Dispersal Origin Category Figure 3. Season of dispersal for Florida Scrub-Jays from preserve (P) and sub- urban (S) territories, by gender. of dispersals from suburban to preserve territories occurred in TalF’ (Aug“Oct) and “winter” (Nov- Jan) (Figure 4). The seasonal differences were significant for preserve versus suburban dispersers (K?=29.2, df=3, p<0.001), and for suburban birds dispersing to preserve versus suburban territories (X^^IS.T, dfi=3, p=0.001). The seasonal patterns of dispersal for preserve and suburban birds were characteristic of both sexes. When only those birds that became breeders (“effective” dispers- als) were considered, the pattern was the same, with significantly more suburban than preserve birds dispersing in the “fall” and “winter” (X2=17.2, df=2, p<0.001), and with late-season, suburban dispersers more likely to move to preserve territories (X2=10.9, df=2, p=0.004). Florida Scrub-Jays from suburban territories dispersed signifi- cantly farther than did preserve birds of the same sex (Figure 5). Fe- males from suburban territories dispersed an average of 8.1 km, and the dispersal distance was not different for birds moving to preserve versus suburban territories (t=0.4, df=30, p=0.68). This was much greater than the average dispersal distance of 0.6 km for preserve fe- males (t=10.2, df=39,7, p<0.001). The average dispersal distance for suburban males was 1.9 km, compared with only 0.4 km for preserve males (t=3.8, df=17, p=0.002). For suburban but not preserve birds, fe- males dispersed significantly farther than did males (t=3.2, df=37. Thaxton ET AL. • Florida Scrub-Jay Dispersal 31 Spring Summer Fall Winter Dispersal Destination Category Sex CZJ Unknown GH Male W//M Female Figure 4. Season of dispersal for Florida Scrub-Jays from suburban territories moving to either preserve (S -> P) or other suburban (S -> S) territories, by gen- der. p=0.003; and df=33, p^O.27, respectively). The greatest dis- tances travelled were recorded for four suburban birds of undeter- mined sex, two which dispersed just over 22.5 km to other suburban territories, and two which dispersed 21.5 km to preserve territories. Another suburban bird, known to be female, dispersed 21.3 km. Subur- ban females dispersing in the “fall” travelled greater distances than did those dispersing in the “spring” (11.8 km versus 5.8 km; t=3.1, df=12.5, p<0.01). Some suburban females dispersed at an earlier age than did any other dispersers. Eight of 29 suburban females (28%) of known age dis- persed when less than one year old. In contrast, all preserve females, as well as all males in general, participated for a season as helpers in their natal territory before dispersing (with one exception—a young fe- male accompanied her mother in a dispersal from one preserve terri- tory to another). The fate of female birds after dispersal depended on whether or not they moved to a territory of the same type (Figure 6). Among preserve females, all but one of 22 birds became breeders after dispersing. The single exception did not live long enough to lay eggs. Among suburban females that dispersed to other suburban territories, 21 of 23 birds be- 32 FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST Average Dispersal Distance (km^lSE) Figure 5. Average dispersal distances from preserve and suburban territories for Florida Scrub-Jays in Sarasota County. came breeders. One that did not was a juvenile that vanished; the other became a helper. Among suburban females dispersing to preserve territories, only eight of 20 birds became breeders. Six became helpers and six vanished. The latter birds included four of six juveniles (<1 yr) that dispersed to preserve territories. The proportion of suburban fe- males becoming breeders in preserve territories was significantly less than for any other category of dispersers (40% compared with 96% for preserve birds, X^^IS.T, df=l, p<0.001; and compared with 91% for suburban birds moving to other suburban territories, X2=12.8, df=l, p<0.001). The fate of male birds after dispersal tended to be indepen- dent of destination (Figure 7). Approximately 90% of males from all dispersal categories (that is, suburban to suburban, n=10; suburban to preserve, n=8; and preserve to preserve, n-21) became breeders after dispersing. Dispersing suburban females under one year of age were more likely to disperse to preserve territories than were older females. Among females from suburban territories, six of eight (75%) juveniles moved to preserve territories, compared with 10 of 29 (34%) adults (X2=4.2, df=l, p=0.04). The mechanisms of gaining breeding status differed for males and females, and also varied among dispersal categories. Most preserve Thaxton ET AL. • Florida Scrub- Jay Dispersal 33 Dispersal Cateflory (Orlgin-^Destlnatlon) Disperser Fate Breeder iii! Helper Vanished Figure 6. Fate of female Florida Scrub- Jays that dispersed in Sarasota County, grouped by dispersal category designates preserve and ‘‘S” suburban ter- ritories). males gained breeding status by replacing other breeders (37%, n=19) or by territorial budding (32%) (Figure 8). In contrast, only one subur- ban male (n~14) gained breeding status by territorial budding. Among suburban males effectively dispersing to suburban territories, most (63%, n=8) replaced other breeders. Likewise, most suburban males dispersing to preserve territories (67%, n=6) replaced other breeders. Notably, in the latter category of dispersers, 33% gained breeding sta- tus by occupying recently restored scrubby flatwoods. Preserve females most often gained breeding status by replacing other breeders (77%, n=22) (Figure 9). This was also the mechanism utilized by suburban females dispersing to suburban territories (69%; n=13, excluding eight cases where the mechanism was not deter- mined). Remarkably, among suburban females dispersing to preserve territories, 83% (n=6) gained breeding status by occupying recently re- stored scrubby flatwoods (Thaxton and Hingtgen 1994). This was the only dispersal category of females to utilize this mechanism. Discussion ^^Dispersal is . . . the most critical issue facing students of most co- operative systems'’ (Woolfenden and Fitzpatrick 1984). The develop- 34 FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST Disperser Fate Breeder Helper Vanished Dispersal Category (Origin~»Oestlnation) Figure 7. Fate of male Florida Scrub-Jays that dispersed in Sarasota County, grouped by dispersal category (^‘P” designates preserve and “S” suburban ter- ritories). ment of cooperative breeding seems to be fostered where access is limited to a resource critical for successful breeding, leading some adults to delay dispersal and reproduction (Fitzpatrick and Wool- fenden 1986). Dispersal strategies differ between the sexes (Woolfenden and Fitzpatrick 1984), and data for Florida Scrub- Jays in Sarasota County show significant differences in the dispersal behavior of males and fe- males in suburban and natural environments. The difference in dispersal strategies for male and female Florida Scrub-Jays is “probably due to the different potential each sex has for inheriting breeding space” (Woolfenden and Fitzpatrick 1984). Males are more likely to spend one to three years helping a breeding pair, whereas females disperse earlier and are less active in defending the territory (Woolfenden and Fitzpatrick 1986). The potential to inherit “quality” habitat is greatly reduced for males remaining as helpers in suburban territories compared with preserve territories. Suburban males were much less likely to maintain any natal territory as breed- ers. Most replaced deceased breeders on existing territories, that re- quired longer dispersals. Thaxton ET AL. • Florida Scrub- Jay Dispersal 35 100% P e r e 80% @ n t 0 ^ 60% M a Q D i 8 P a 8 20% e r 8 0% Pr©8®rv©-»Pr®8erv# Suburban->Sukurban Suburban*’»Pre8®rve Dispersal Category COrtgio-^Oestination) Figure 8. Percent of male Florida Scrub- Jay dispersers that gained breeding status by each of the following methods: BR ^ breeder replacement, DN = de novo, HR s habitat restoration, IN = direct inheritance, SH s sharing, and TB = territorial budding. Grouped by dispersal category. Method ■1 BR DN ra HR IN SH □ TB Female suburban Florida Scrub-Jays exhibited some of the longest dispersals ever reported. One travelled over 20 km to become a breeder in another suburban territory. Suburban females were much more likely to disperse at an earlier age, and dispersals occurred during ev- ery month of the year. The tendency to delay breeding and engage in helping behavior, characteristic of birds in natural habitat, is greatly reduced for females that have fledged in isolated, suburbanized territo- ries. The characteristics of suburban territories favor early dispersal and breeding as a superior option for some individuals (See discussion in Koenig et al. 1992). These characteristics include a lack of territories adjoining natal territories that can be monitored by suburban females for breeding space. Females from suburban territories may also have fewer opportunities to pair with single males, because most males that gain breeding space on suburban territories do so by breeder replace- ment. The longer dispersals from suburban territories may increase the risk of mortality before a breeding space is found (Woolfenden and Fitzpatrick 1986). In addition, age affects survival rates of dispersers. 36 FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST Dispersal Category (Origln->Destination) Method ■i BR DN ra HR MO mnn SH Figure 9. Percent of female Florida Scrub-Jay dispersers that gained breeding status by each of the following methods: BR = breeder replacement, DN = de novOf HR s habitat restoration, MC = mate choice, and SH ^ sharing. Grouped by dispersal category. Survivorship of females dispersing within their first year is probably much less than 31% (Fitzpatrick and Woolfenden 1986). In our study, if dispersers that vanished are assumed dead, mortality rates for subur- ban dispersers, especially those moving at a young age, are higher than for dispersers in natural habitat. When a suburban territory loses its resident birds, it has a higher probability of remaining vacant. Florida Scrub-Jays from preserves are not likely to disperse into suburban areas. Birds from suburban terri- tories will disperse up to 22 km away to obtain breeding space. How- ever, where no scrubby flatwoods habitat remains and where the resident Florida Scrub-Jays are no longer present, suburban territo- ries are probably unattractive to dispersing birds. Consequently, popu- lations in suburban areas are likely to decrease. Ensuring the survival of Florida Scrub-Jays on territories that have been, or are in danger of becoming, isolated and degraded by sub- urban encroachment presents a formidable challenge. But, the chal- lenge needs to be addressed to optimize the chances of maintaining a viable Florida Scrub-Jay population on Florida’s southwestern coast. Thaxton ET AL„ * Florida Scrub- Jay Dispersal 37 Acknowledgments The following organizations graciously provided support for this project: the Florida Park Service, the Sarasota Audubon Society which provided a grant, and the Florida Or- nithological Society which awarded the Helen G. and Allan D. Cruickshank Research Award to Thaxton. We thank Ken Alvarez, Robert Dye, Joseph Smyth, and Dr. Glen Woolfenden for their very helpful comments during preparation of this paper. Literature Cited Cox, J. A. 1987. Status and distribution of the Florida Scrub Jay, Florida OrnithoL Soc. Spec. Publ. No. 3, Gainesville. Fitzpatrick, J. W., and G. E. Woolfenden. 1986. Demographic routes to cooperative breeding in some new world jays. Pages 137-160. In: Evolution of Animal Behavior. M. H. Nitecki and J. A. Kitcheli (eds,). Oxford Univ. Press, Oxford, Fitzpatrick, J. W., G. E. Woolfenden, and M. T. Kopeny. 1991. Ecology and develop- ment-related habitat requirements of the Florida Scrub Jay (Aphelocoma coerule- scens coerulescens). Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission, Nongame WiidL Program Tech. Kept. No. 8, Tallahassee. FNAI. 1986. Guide to the natural communities of Florida. Florida Nat. Areas Inventory and Florida Dept, of Nat. Resources, Tallahassee. Gilpin, M. E, 1987. Spatial structure and population vulnerability. Pages 125-139. In: Viable Populations for Conservation. M. E. Soule (ed.). Cambridge Univ. Press, Cam- bridge. Hayek, L. C. 1994. Analysis of amphibian biodiversity data. Pages 207-269. In: Measur- ing and Monitoring Biological Diversity: Standard Methods for Amphibians. W. R. Heyer, M. A. Donnelly, R. W. McDiarmid, L. C. Hayek, and M. S. Foster (eds.). Smith- sonian Inst. Press, Washington. Koenig, W. D., F. A. Pitelka, W. J. Carmen, R. L. Mumme, and M. T. Stanback. 1992. The evolution of delayed dispersal in cooperative breeders. Quart. Rev. Biol. 67:111- 150. Lande, R., and G. E. BARROWCLOUGH. 1987. Effective population size, genetic variation, and their use in population management. Pages 87-107. In: Ecological Aspects of So- cial Evolution. D. I. Ruberisteiri and R. W. Wrangham (eds,). Princeton Univ. Press, Princeton. Steel, R. G. D., and J= H. Torrie. 1980. Principles and Procedures of Statistics. McGraw-Hill Book Co., New York. Thaxton, J. E., and T. Hingtgen. 1994, Response of Florida Scrub Jays to management of previously abandoned habitat. District 4 Annual Res. Kept., Florida Park Service, Osprey. Woolfenden, G. E., and J. W. Fitzpatrick. 1984. The Florida Scrub Jay: demography of a cooperatively-breeding bird. Monographs in Population Biology No. 20, Princeton Univ. Press, Princeton. Woolfenden, G. E., and J. W. Fitzpatrick. 1986. Sexual asjnnmetries in the life his- tory of the Florida Scrub Jay. Pages 87-107. In: Ecological Aspects of Social Evolution. D. L Rubenstein and R. W. Wrangham (eds.). Princeton Univ. Press, Princeton. Woolfenden, G. E., and J. W. Fitzpatrick, 1991. Florida Scrub Jay ecology and conser- vation. Pages 542-565. In: Bird Population Studies, Relevance to Conservation and Management. C. M. Perrins, J. D. Lebreton, and G. J. M. Hirons (eds.). Oxford Univ. Press, Oxford. 38 FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST NOTES Fla. Field Nat. 24(2): 38-40, 1996. FREQUENCY OF ADDLED EGGS OF NESTING WOOD STORKS IN NORTH AND CENTRAL FLORIDA James A. Rodgers, Jr. Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission, 4005 South Main Street, Gainesville, Florida 32601 The Wood Stork {Mycteria americana) breeds in the southeastern United States and throughout Central and South America. Wood Storks once were a common breeding spe- cies throughout the southeastern United States (Kushlan and Frohring 1986, Ogden et al. 1987), but reproductive failure, population declines, and habitat loss resulted in the United States population being listed as endangered in 1984 (USFWS 1984). Herein, I analyze the frequency of addled Wood Stork eggs to determine the effect on hatching suc- cess of birds nesting at 11 colonies in north and central Florida. I defined addled eggs as eggs that did not hatch in clutches that hatched at least one egg. The following Wood Stork colonies were monitored for one or more years during 1981- 1985: Ochlockonee (no. 592003), Chaires (no. 592001), Dee Dot (no. 594004), Lake Yale (no. 612027), Moore Creek (no. 612007), Grant Farm Island (no. 616004), Pelican Island (no. 616007), Little Gator Creek (no. 611024), and San Antonio (no. 611148). NE Mul- berry (no. 616039), Brewster (no. 615032), and Pleasant Grove (no. 615009) were moni- tored infrequently due to their inactivity during most years. The specific locations, general vegetation characteristics, and other nesting species of these colonies are de- scribed in Nesbitt et al. (1982), Rodgers et al. (1987), or Runde et al. (1991) by colony number. Wood Stork colonies were visited every 1-2 weeks. Nests were individually marked with numbered, colored flagging tape. Care was taken to reduce researcher effects on the breeding storks. Monitoring nests early in the breeding cycle was minimized to reduce disturbance during courtship, pair-formation, and early egg-laying. Colonies were vis- ited during the early morning and late afternoon hours and not during inclement weather. Time spent at each nest was minimized by using two people to observe and record data. The frequency of addled eggs could not be determined for all stork nests because many were located at heights that precluded viewing eggs with a 10-m mirror pole. Wa- ter levels at the Chaires colony during 1982 and 1985 dropped nearly 1.5 m below other years and storks nested in taller trees that prevented clutch data collection for most of these nests. These nests were not used to analyze the hatching rates. Analysis of addled eggs was made on a subset of the data that excluded nests where the entire contents were abandoned before the approximate hatching time of 28 days. The overall percent of addled eggs among Wood Stork eggs was 1.13%; addled eggs were present in 3.39% of nests (Table 1). Both 1983 (1.82% eggs) and 1981 (1.60% eggs) nests exhibited higher percent of addled eggs than found in 1982 (0.42%), 1984 (0.51%), and 1981 (0.66%) nests. Most often one egg was addled (87.9%), less often two (10.8%), rarely three (1.2%) eggs (n=83 nests). Distribution of addled eggs among clutch sizes (2- eggs=:6.0%, 3-eggs=74.7%, 4-eggs-18.1%, 5-eggs=1.2%) was similar to the distribution of each clutch size (X2=l-24, P>0.50, df=3). Thus, no clutch size effect was detected. Girard and Taylor (1979) reported the greatest period of nesting mortality for Wood Storks was during the first 2-weeks of age after hatching. The largest decrease in survi- Table 1. Frequency of addled Wood Stork eggs at colonies in north and central Florida^ 1981-1985. Data are represented as Notes m m ® © d CD TO 05 lO o 05 fH o 05 a Oi o i> TO 05 q q TO q TO TO iB d d d i-H E> q d CO TO rH TO IB d d t- TO lO 00 q d q CO TO Cd TO TO q tH cd d tH t— 1 r- i d tH d d d 1— i f-H TO o 05 f— 1 i>. TO TO 05 CO tH q !>- cs q tH rH t- TO o iB TO cB d CO E> 05 CD Oi 05 TO Cd 05 q 00 TO d d d d TO 05 00 m rH ® CO t- ® ^ ^ !>> O CO lO CO W ^ CO ^ ^ O fH M O rH lO th m m o la CO CO r-l TO 05 CO 05 CO o o TO 05 CO 00 t- TO d 1— 1 tH d CO ■p»j £> tH d 05 o TO -rH o- S 05 t- 05 TO ■i=H TO d TO d o tH TO o o S S o O CD QO 05 05 !> ® ^ N iB TO CO 05 O xf! ,|0 ^ N N « ^ ^ TO « < S iB ^ eq © « m m o o O J & © © ^ ^ g hB ^ S o ^ -a 3 o Pj © « ^ m 40 FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST vorship in my study occurred prior to hatching (Rodgers and Schwikert, in press). Zero hatching success occurred when the entire colony abandoned nesting before hatching of the eggs (n=3 colony-years: see Table 1). Overall, nest abandonment and predation were responsible for combined mortality of 10.7% to 54.9% for individual colony-years that fledged young {n~S6 colony-years, 4,131 eggs, 1,391 nests). Most hatching failure involv- ing all or most of the eggs was due to abandonment by parent storks. I do not know if addled eggs of Wood Storks were due to infertility or embryonic death. A previous study found pesticides and heavy metals were not present at elevated levels in stork eggs from north and central Florida that would cause breeding failure (Fleming et al. 1984). I conclude that addled eggs are not an important factor contributing to nest- ing failure of Wood Storks in north and central Florida. I thank the following individuals and agencies for allowing access to colony sites un- der their jurisdiction: J. E. Davis, Golden Gem Growers, Inc., Merritt Island Natl. Wildl. Refuge, Pelican Island Natl. Wildl. Refuge, B. O. Franklin, P. K. Smith, D. C. Crum, Brewster Phosphate, Inc., W. R. Grace, Inc., B. Tomberg, C. Overstreet, and S. Grossen- backer. Numerous individuals assisted in the collection of data, especially S. T. Schwik- ert, A. S. Wenner, P. Elliot, and J. H. Hintermister. I thank S. A. Nesbitt, H. L. Jelks, S. D. Jewell, and W. K. Taylor for reviewing earlier drafts of this paper. This study was part of the Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission’s Bureau of Wildlife Research stud- ies 7511 -7513. Literature Cited Fleming, W. J., J. A. Rodgers, Jr., and C. J. Stafford. 1984. Contaminants in Wood Stork eggs and their effects on reproduction, Florida, 1982. Colonial Waterbirds 7:88- 93. Girard, G. T., and W. K. Taylor 1979. Reproductive parameters for nine avian species at Moore Creek, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, Florida. Florida Sci. 42:94- 102. Kushlan, j. a., and P. C. Frohring. 1986. The history of the southern Florida Wood Stork population. Wilson Bull. 98:368-386. Nesbitt, S. A., J. C. Ogden, H. W. Kale, II, B. W. Patty, and L. A. Rowse. 1982. Florida atlas of breeding sites for herons and their allies: 1976-78. FWS/OBS-81/49. Office of Biol. Serv., U.S. Fish and Wildl. Serv., Washington, D.C. Ogden, J. C., D. A. McCrimmon, Jr., G. T. Bancroft, and B. W. Patty. 1987. Breeding populations of the Wood Stork in the southern United States. Condor 89:752-759. Rodgers, J. A., Jr., and S. T. Schwikert. In press. Breeding success and chronology of Wood Storks Mycteria americana in north and central Florida, USA. Ibis. Rodgers, J. A., Jr., A. S. Wenner, and S. T. Schwikert. 1987. Population dynamics of Wood Storks in north and central Florida, USA. Colonial Waterbirds 10:151-156. Runde, D. E., j. a. Gore, J. A. Hovis, M. S. Robson, and P. D. Southall. 1991. Florida atlas of breeding sites for herons and their allies — update 1986-89. Nongame Wildl. Prog. Tech. Rept. no. 10, Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Comm., Tallahassee, Florida. USFWS. 1984. U.S. breeding population of the Wood Stork determined to be endangered. Fed. Reg. 49:7332-7335. Notes 41 Fla. Field Nat. 24(2): 41-42, 1996. FIELD NOTES ON CHUCK^WILUS-^WIDOW MIGRATION Theodore H. Below/ Beverly J. Anderson/ and John L. Douglas^ ^National Audubon Society, Rookery Bay Sanctuary, 3697 North Road, Naples, Florida 33942 ^Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, Department of Environmental Protection, 10 Shell Island Road, Naples, Florida 33962 ^3675 First Avenue N. W., Naples, Florida 33964 Considerable information is contained in the literature on the life history, distribu- tion and timing of migration of the Chuck-wilFs-widow Caprimulgus carolinensis {CWWL) in Florida (American Birds 1977-1994, Bent 1940, Howell 1932, Sprunt 1954, Stevenson and Anderson 1994, and Robertson and Woolfenden 1992). The above refer- ences, except for Robertson and Woolfenden (1992), give many dates for migration but no numbers of individuals, implying that many or most of the records were of individual birds. In the spring of 1995, we recorded several unusual observations about the migra- tion of the CWWL Since 1972, THB has conducted a number of population monitoring projects on coastal waterbirds in southwest Florida. All of these projects entail repetitive survejdng and censusing of transects, roosts, and colonies located along 57 km of coast and estuar- ies between Naples and Indian Key, Collier County, Florida. These projects include the Cape Romano Shorebird (CAPE) study (ongoing since 1982) that surveys and censuses 36 km of coast, and the Rookery Bay Sundown (RBSD) study (ongoing since 1977) that censuses biweekly, birds coming in at sundown to a colonial roost in Rookery Bay. In re- cent years, field assistance for both of these studies has been provided by BJA (CAPE) and JLD (RBSD). During a CAPE census, 14 March 1995 at 1000 hrs., both BJA and THB observed a CWWI and several unidentified warblers flying in from the west. As we continued south in the boat, almost immediately another CWWI flew by, and we decided to spend a few minutes looking for more. We patrolled slowly parallel to the coast (NM^-SE) about 1.5 km off Marco Island, covering 8 km twice. In 30 minutes, we recorded 5 CWWIs and 10 uni- dentified warblers coming in from the Gulf of Mexico, about 0.5 m over the water. The sky was dear, temperature 80°F, and the wind east at 20-30 knots. Six kilometers farther south, we recovered one freshly dead CWWI floating 1 km offshore. On 24 March 1995, while conducting the 515th RBSD census, the first documented CWWI at the roost island was observed by THB and JLD. At 1850 hrs, the bird flew into the roost. It was 10 minutes past sundown and the light was good enough for both ob- servers to easily identify the bird. A few seconds later, several more CWWIs, filtered in, then 40 arrived in a, long compact flock, followed by several more, concluding the flight. In all, 51 CWWIs were recorded. All came from the east, passed close to the boat, low over the water, and went into the nearest part of the roost island. The next morning be- fore light, THB monitored the fly-out from the roost; no C\¥WIs were encountered. That evening (25 March 1995), the fly-in was monitored and one CWWI arrived at about the same time, using the same flight pattern. Since that time, 14 censuses have been con- ducted and no CWWIs have been observed. To our knowledge, CWWIs have never been reported migrating in groups or fl5dng into the roosts of other bird species. These sight- ings have been submitted to the spring 1995, reports for Audubon Field Notes and the Field Observations, in the Florida Field Naturalist. It is obvious from the known ranges of CWWI (Bent 1938, Howell 1932, Sprunt 1954, and Stevenson and Anderson 1994) that most of the migrating birds recorded in Florida 42 FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST must pass over either the Atlantic Ocean or Gulf of Mexico, in both spring and fall. In the last 23 years we could find only three reports of CWWI migrating over water near the Florida coast; two for the Atlantic coast (H. R Langridge in Kale 1983, J. Johnson in Lan- gridge 1987) and one for the Gulf of Mexico (B. Atherton in Langridge 1989). Because we were unable to find any published references to CWWI migrating in groups, we interviewed other Florida bird watchers. We were only able to find one obser- vation that might indicate CWWI group migration: On 25 April 1991, 25-30 CWWIs were observed on a dirt road just after dark in Apalachicola National Forest (F. James, pers. comm.). The Common Nighthawk {Chordeiles minor) is recorded as migrating in large num- bers of hundreds to thousands (Howell 1932, Bent 1938, Sprunt 1954, and Stevenson and Anderson 1994). Bent (1938) states that Taverner and Swales in 1907 reported a “great flight” of Whip-poor-wills (Caprimulgus vociferus) at Point Pelee, Ontario, on 13 September 1907. Therefore, in the family Caprimulgidae two species have previously been recorded migrating in flocks. Although this phenomenon has not been reported for CWWI, it could possibly occur. We found no references of other members of the Ca- primulgidae going into or using mixed-species colonial roosts. Literature Cited American Birds, 1972-1994. Natl. Aud. Soc. Volumes 26-48. Bent, A. C. 1940. Life histories of North American cuckoos, goatsuckers, hummingbirds and their allies. Part 1. Smithsonian Inst., U.S. Natl. Mus. Bull. 176. Howell, A. H. 1932. Florida Bird Life. Coward-McCann, New York. Kale, H. W 1983. Florida region (spring 1983 report). Amer. Birds 37:862. Langridge, H. P. 1987. Florida region (spring 1987 report). Amer. Birds 41:421. Langridge, H. P. 1989. Florida region (spring 1989 report). Amer. Birds 43:469. Robertson, W. B., Jr., and G. E. Woolfenden. 1992. Florida Bird Species; An Anno- tated List. Florida Orn. Soc. Spec. Publ. No. 6. Sprunt, A. S. 1954. Florida Bird Life. Coward-McCann, New York. Stevenson, H. M., and B. H. Anderson. 1994. The Birdlife of Florida. Univ. Press of Florida, Gainesville. Notes 43 Fla. Field Nat. 24(2): 43-45, 1996. BLACK AND TURKEY VULTURE INTERACTIONS WITH BALD EAGLES IN FLORIDA Eric Douglas Stolen Department of Biology, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida 32816 Although there are few published accounts of interactions of either the Black Vulture (Coragyps atratus) or the Turkey Vulture {Cathartes aura) with large predatory birds, competitive interactions due to overlap in use of carrion might be expected. Crested Car- acara {Caracara plancus) routinely harass Turkey Vultures around carcasses causing them to disgorge food items that the caracara then eats (Glazener 1964). Reports of ea- gles interacting with vultures are uncommon. Oberholser {in Bent 1937) recounted that Bald Eagles {Haliaeetus leucocephalus) do not “. . . hesitate even to pursue the vultures and compel them to disgorge, when if it fails to catch the coveted morsels before they reach the ground it alights and devours them. Audubon relates that on one occasion he saw [a Bald Eagle] kill a vulture that for some reason was unable completely to disgorge”. Audubon {in Bent 1937) wrote that when eagles appear at a carcass vultures . . retire and patiently wait until their betters are satisfied”. Coleman and Fraser (1986) reported that an immature Golden Eagle {Aquila chrysaetos) startled several hundred Black and Turkey Vultures and then attacked a Black Vulture that subsequently escaped after re- gurgitating. They provided indirect evidence that the eagle then ate the regurgitate. Al- though both species of vultures have been said to lack major predators in North America away from their nests (Townsend 1937, Jackson 1988a, 1988b), these observations sug- gest that they have reason to be wary of large predatory birds. During experiments in central Florida where small mammal carcasses were used to attract vultures, I saw two interactions between vultures and Bald Eagles. At 1318 EST on 20 February 1993, while baiting in a cow pasture near Kissimmee, Florida, I watched vultures feed on the carcass of a raccoon {Procyon lotor). After several hours of observa- tion, I saw the seven Black and three Turkey Vultures present on the ground near the carcass fly away. As the birds departed an immature Bald Eagle flew approximately 1 m above the ground following the departing vultures. The eagle flew out of sight and the vultures kettled and drifted off Nine minutes latter one Black and one Turkey Vulture flew over the carcass. Four minutes later, two Black Vultures landed at the carcass and began feeding. A similar event occurred on 9 October 1993, while I was baiting in the same field with another raccoon carcass. At 1348 EST nine Black Vultures and one Tur- key Vulture were on the ground near the carcass when all suddenly flew away. I watched them leave, then looked back at the carcass and saw an adult Bald Eagle fl3dng approxi- mately 10 m above the carcass. The bird turned sharply just before it flew over me and then flew out of sight. The vultures kettled and drifted off No birds returned to feed at the carcass for the remainder of the day. In both instances I believe that the interaction between the eagle and vultures was abbreviated due to my presence. While conducting research at a vulture communal roost near Kissimmee, Florida, I observed Bald Eagles near the roost on flve separate occasions and noted their affect on Black Vulture behavior. In the late afternoon on 28 February 1993 and the morning of 6 May 1993, 1 observed Bald Eagles harassing Ospreys {Pandion halieteus) within 100 m of roosting Black and Turkey Vultures. On both occasions the Black Vultures appeared agitated in the presence of the eagles, as they flew between perches and looked around more than I usually observed. On the morning of 8 April 1993, I arrived at the roost shortly after sunrise and found an adult Bald Eagle in the main roost tree. There were no 44 FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST Black Vultures in sight, although I observed numerous Black Vultures at this roost in the early morning on over 50 other visits. There was one Turkey Vulture near the eagle and I was able to locate several other Black Vultures and Turkey Vultures approximately 200 m from the roost site perched low in trees. On two other occasions the presence of Bald Eagles at this roost did not have appar- ent influence on Black Vulture behavior. During the afternoon of 17 December 1993, two adult Bald Eagles were at the roost between 1502 and 1608 EST During this time sev- eral Black Vultures arrived at the roost. Also during this time at least 1 1 Black Vultures and 13 Turkey Vultures were flying above the roost. Cathartid vultures often fly above a communal roost in the late afternoon in what has been described as a roost display (Ra- benold 1983). The vulture’s behavior did not seem to be modifled by the eagles presence. On the morning of 27 December 1993, 1 arrived at the roost shortly after sunrise and ob- served one adult Bald Eagle, 53 Black Vultures, and seven Turkey Vultures. Fifteen of the Black Vultures and four of the Turkey Vultures were within 50 m of the eagle. These observations suggest that interactions with large predatory birds may consti- tute a selective pressure on Black and Turkey Vulture behavior. Such interactions ap- pear most important at carcasses, although Bald Eagle presence at communal roosts has some affects on Black Vulture behavior. Further evidence of the importance of harass- ment by large predatory birds or mammals may be found in the vulture’s familiar habit of regurgitating when confronted. Although Stewart (1983) has suggested that this be- havior may lack purpose, I believe that this behavior does have use. By providing a po- tential predator or aggressor with food the vulture may distract the predator allowing time for escape. Maynard (1881) eluded to this same idea. An alternative explanation may be that by jettisoning food the vulture reduces its weight to facilitate escape. If the purpose of regurgitation were solely to facilitate flight, it would have no function in the flightless chicks. But numerous observers have noted that chicks of the cathartids regu- larly regurgitate in response to intruders at the nest (Brown and Amadon 1968, Jackson 1988a, 1988b, Ritter 1983, Townsend in Bent 1937). The fact that the Black and Turkey Vulture possess this behavior may suggest that they are subject to selective pressures re- sulting from aggressive competition or predation. I thank Megan Stolen, Richard Thompson, and Pat Harden for assisting with this project. David Breininger, Jerome A. Jackson, Brian Millsap, Ron Schaub, and Walter K. Taylor provided helpful editorial suggestions. Literature Cited Bent, A. C. 1937. Life histories of North American birds of prey. Part 1. Smithsonian Inst. U.S. Natl. Mus. Bull. 167. Brown, L., and D. Amadon. 1968. Eagles, Hawks and Falcons of the World. McGraw- Hill Book Co. New York. Coleman, J. S., and James D. Fraser. 1986. Predation on Black and Turkey Vultures. Wilson Bull. 98:600-601. Glazener, W. C. 1964. Note on the feeding habits of the caracara in south Texas. Condor 66:162. Jackson, J. A. 1988a. American Black Vulture. Pages 11-24. In\ Handbook of North American Birds, Vol, 4. R. S. Palmer (ed.). Yale Univ. Press, New Haven. Jackson, J. A. 1988b. Turkey Vulture. Pages 25-42. In: Handbook of North American Birds, Vol. 4. R. S. Palmer (ed.). Yale Univ. Press, New Haven. Maynard, C. J. 1881. The Birds of Eastern North America. C. J. Maynard & Co., New- tonville, MA. Rabenold, P. P. 1983. The communal roost in Black and Turkey Vultures- — an informa- tion center? Pages 303-321. In: Vulture Biology and Management. S. R. Wilbur and J. A. Jackson (eds.). Univ. of California Press, Berkeley. Notes 45 Ritter, L. V. 1983. Growth, development, and behavior of nestling Turkey Vultures in Central California. Pages 287-302. /?z: Vulture Biology and Management. S. R. Wilbur and J. A. Jackson (eds.). Univ. of California Press, Berkeley. Stewart, P. A. 1983. The biology and communal behavior of American Black Vultures. Vulture News 9/10:14-36. The Florida Ornithological Society is Proud to Announce Special Publication No. 6 FLORIDA BIRD SPECIES: AN ANNOTATED LIST BY William B. Robertson, Jr. Glen E. Woolfenden The first complete and authoritative review of Florida’s avifauna since Arthur Howell’s 1932 Florida Bird Life. Treats over 660 species reported in the state. More than 140 species of non-native exotics. Essential for every- one interested in the modern status of Florida’s native and introduced birds. SOFT COVER HARD COVER FOS Members $14.95 $19.95 Non-Members $17.95 $22.95 All orders add $2.00 shipping and handling per book. Florida residents add 7% sales tax to the total. Make checks payable to Florida Ornithological Society. Mail to: F.O.S. SPECIAL PUBLICATIONS EDITOR ARCHBOLD BIOLOGICAL STATION P.O, BOX 2057 LAKE PLACID, FL 33862 46 FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST Fla. Field Nat. 24(2): 46-47, 1996. SUMMER SINGING OF A WHIP-POOR-WILL (CAPRIMULGUS VOCIFERUS) IN FLORIDA Parks E. Small and Brian W. Emanuel Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Wekiva Basin GEOpark, 1800 Wekiwa Circle, Apopka, Florida 32712 The Whip-poor-will (Caprimulgus vociferus) is a regular winter resident throughout Florida and a casual to occasional migrant for the Tortugas and the Keys (Stevenson and Anderson 1994, Robertson and Woolfenden 1992, Howell 1932). Several authors have noted the presence of Whip-poor-wills in Florida during winter (Bowman 1974, Panteli- dis 1965, Hubbard 1958, Mounts 1955, Russel 1946). The latest spring record reported by Stevenson and Anderson (1994) was a specimen from Everglades National Park, 11 July 1966. Other late spring records include 15 May 1924 at New Smyrna and 18 May 1970 at Gulf Breeze (Stevenson and Anderson 1994). Stevenson and Anderson (1994) comment that this late date was published without substantiation. In their breeding range. Whip-poor-wills use forested areas associated with clearings (Cooper 1982, Bent 1940). In Georgia, a recent southern range expansion into areas south of the fall line has been noted (Cooper 1982, Allen 1979, Baker and Peake 1966). Several possible explanations have been mentioned, however, Allen (1979) cites changes in land use where extensive abandoned cotton fields have reverted to forests and wooded areas have increased by 13% in Clarke County, Georgia. Prior to spring 1995, Whip-poor-will records (single bird singing) for the Wekiva River Basin included 22 October 1977, 28 January 1978, and 13 and 22 (3 birds singing) March 1995 (park records). On 11 May 1995, two singing males were heard at Rock Springs Run State Reserve near a residence. After that date only a single singing bird was heard on the following dates: 13, 19, 26 May; 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 June; 1, 7, 14, 17 July. An effort to net and band the bird on 16 June using a taped Whip-poor-will call resulted in the bird hit- ting a mist net twice without becoming entangled. On 18 July singing was not heard, but a single bird did respond to a taped song and was observed with a spotlight. This date was the last time the bird was observed and is the latest published date for Whip-poor- wills occurring in Florida. The habitat at this site is primarily scrubby flatwoods adjacent to a mesic oak ham- mock. Bordering this site is a three-acre residence area. The single bird began singing each night between 20:26 and 20:37 hours. Several Chuck-wilFs-widows (C. carolinensis) also inhabited the same area, and both species often sang simultaneously. On one occa- sion the Whip-poor-will chased a Chuck-wilfs-widow. The singing Whip-poor-will was tape recorded on 1 July. While the status of this individual in Florida was unknown, egg dates given by Bent (1940), West Virginia: May 6 through July 7; Illinois: May 9 through July 26; Connecti- cut: May 20 through June 18; and Arizona: May 3 through August 8, clearly overlap with the presence of this individual. In Florida, late spring departure dates of mid May and early fall arrival dates in midAugust (Stevenson and Anderson 1994) combined with egg dates from other states suggest this individual as a potential breeder for Florida. While still unconfirmed, this record combined with the specimen from Everglades National Park and increased nocturnal survey efforts across the state may one day confirm the Whip-poor-will as a breeding species for Florida. We thank Christine Small for accompanying us to the site on several occasions. Herb Kale for loaning recording equipment, and Rosi Mulholland, Eric Egensteiner, Fred Lo- hrer and Walter Taylor for comments on the manuscript. The tape recording has been submitted to the Florida Ornithological Society Records Committee. Notes 47 Literature Cited Allen, O. S. 1979. Analysis of Range Extensions of Certain Species of Birds in the Ath- ens (Clarke Co.), Georgia Area. M. S. Thesis Univ. of Georgia, Athens. Baker, W. W., and R. H. Peake. 1966. Whip-poor-will populations in the lower Piedmont of Georgia. Oriole 31:15-19. Bent, A. C. 1940. Life histories of North American cuckoos, goatsuckers, hummingbirds, and their allies. U.S. Natl. Museum Bull. No. 176. Bowman, M. C. 1974. Whip-poor-will singing in winter. Florida Field Nat. 2(2):44-45. Cooper, R. J. 1982. Range Expansion of the Whip-poor-will in Georgia. Oriole 47(1-2):!- 9. Howell, A. H. 1932. Florida Bird Life. Coward-McMann Inc., New York. Hubbard, L. S. 1958. Whip-poor-will, Florida Nat. 31(2):54. Mounts, C. E. 1955. Whip-poor-will. Florida Field Nat. 28(2):61. Pantelidis, V. S. 1965. Chuck-will’s-widow and Whip-poor-wills singing together. Flor- ida Nat. 38(3): 106. Robertson, W. B., Jr., and G. E. WOOLFENDEN. 1992. Florida Bird Species: An Anno- tated List. Florida Ornithol. Soc. Spec. Publ. No. 6, Gainesville. Russel, J. 1946. Whip-poor-will near Sanford. Florida Nat, 19(4):66. Stevenson, H. M., and B. H. Anderson. 1994. The Birdlife of Florida. Univ. Press of Florida, Gainesville. 48 FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST FIELD OBSERVATIONS Fla. Field Nat. 24(2): 48-59, 1996. Fall Report: August-November 1995 — The observations listed here are based on rare or unusual species or significant numbers of birds reported to the Florida Ornitho- logical Society (F.O.S.) Field Observations Committee (F.O.C.). As these reports are not formally reviewed, they may be considered tentative. Significant reports are welcomed for inclusion in future issues of this section. Reports should include the following information: species, number of individuals, age and sex of the bird(s), color morph if applicable, location (including county), date, observer(s), and significance of the report. Reporting periods are winter (December-February), spring (March-May), summer (June-July), and fall (August-November). Submit reports to re- gional compilers within 2 weeks after the close of each period, or to the state compiler within 1 month. Reports may be sent by FAX to the state compiler at (941) 699-1927. Following the examples set by Florida Bird Species: An Annotated List (Robertson and Woolfenden 1992, F.O.S. Spec. Publ. No. 6) and The Birdlife of Florida (Stevenson and Anderson 1994, Univ. Press of Florida), sight-only observations are considered “re- ports,” while only those supported by verifiable evidence (photographs, video or audio tapes, or specimens) are called “records.” Bruce Anderson {in litt. July 1995) revised the list of birds for which the F.O.S. Records Committee (F.O.S.R.C.) requires documentation. These species are marked in this report with an asterisk (*) to alert the observers of their need to supply the F.O.S.R.C. with details of their sightings. Some reports that lack any documentation have been omitted from this report. A county designation accompanies the first-time listing of each site in this report; fur- ther listings of the same site lack the county name. Abbreviations used are as follows: A. B.S. “Archbold Biological Station {Highlands), A.P.A.F.R.=Avon Park Air Force Range, ca.=circa, C.P.=county park, D.L=Dog Island {Franklin), E.N.P.-Everglades N.R, F.D.C.P.=Fort DeSoto C.P., F.W.B.S.T.F.=Fort Walton Beach S.T.F. {Okaloosa), H.H.S.P.=Highlands Hammock S.P. {Highlands), N.W.R.=national wildlife refuge, R&W 1992=Robertson and Woolfenden 1992, S&A 1994=Stevenson and Anderson 1994, S. R=state park, S.R.A.=state recreation area, S.T.F.=sewage treatment facility, T. A.P.=Tomoka Aquatic Preserve {Volusia), WS.S.P.=Wekiwa Springs S.P. {Orange), WM.A.-wildlife management area, and N, S, E, W, etc. for compass directions. Bold- faced species, if any, denote birds newly reported or verified in Florida. The state compiler thanks Noel Warner, the fall editor of National Audubon Society Field Notes. Robbie Wooster contributed transcripts of birds reported to the Florida Bird- ing Report. Robertson and Woolfenden (1992) and Stevenson and Anderson (1994) were used to determine the regional and seasonal status of many species, Walter K. Taylor suggested many helpful comments to the manuscript. SUMMAEY OF THE FALL SEASON As may have been suggested by Hurricane A/Zjso?2 in June, fall 1995 was a very active season for tropical storms. In fact, the season was the most active ever, with 11 hurri- canes and 8 tropical storms, causing 121 deaths and $7.7 billion in damages in the Car- ibbean and the U.S. In addition to Allison, three other storms hit Florida: Hurricane Erin, Tropical Storm Jerry, and Hurricane Opal. Erin caused about $200 million in dam- ages in Florida, mostly in the western Panhandle, on 2-3 August, but Hurricane Opal caused much more damage. Opal formed north of the Yucatan Peninsula 30 September and moved N.N.E. through the Gulf before hitting the western Panhandle in the after- noon of 4 October as a Category 3 hurricane, causing $3 billion in damages. Field Observations 49 Not surprisingly, many storm-driven birds were reported in Florida, Hurricane Erin seemed to be especially good for vagrants, with storm-petrels reported at St. Marks and in the Halifax River, Cory’s and Audubon’s shearwaters also at St. Marks, Magnificent Frigatebirds in many areas, and numerous Sooty Terns around Gainesville. The Boot Key hawk watch was held on 10 Oct, a day of strong S.E, winds — the remnants of Tropi- cal Storm Pablo— and was canceled at 1430. It was a bad day for all raptors, especially buteos. Another storm on 17 October dumped large amounts of rain in St. Lucie, Martin, and Palm Beach counties. Stuart and North Palm Beach each received 8”, 12” fell on Ju- piter, and Wellington received 5” of rain in 1 1/2 hours. The storm caused the fall-out of many migrants. Another fall-out was reported 15 October, when 18 species of warblers were seen at Mead Gardens. The harsh winter north of Florida may be responsible for in- creased numbers of some wintering species in the state, such as Golden-crowned Kinglet and Dark-eyed Junco. F.O.S.R.C. rarities reported this fall included a Band-rumped Storm-Petrel in Volu- sia County, a Red-footed Booby at Dry Tortugas N.R, a Ross’s Goose at Tallahassee, a Sharp-tailed Sandpiper at Tallahassee, Yellow-bellied Flycatchers in Orange, Palm Beach, and Pinellas counties, an apparent Streaked Flycatcher at St. George Island S.P., Florida’s first Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher record at Matheson Hammock C.R, a female- plumaged martin believed to be a species other than Purple Martin at Archbold Biologi- cal Station, a Sage Thrasher on Dog Island, a Thick-billed Vireo at Spanish River Park, a Warbling Vireo at Mead Gardens, a Townsend’s Warbler in Pinellas County, and Lazuli Buntings at Everglades N.R Other interesting events included a fiock of 250 Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks in Sa- rasota, 7 Franklin’s Gulls at Tallahassee, 26 Lesser Black-backed Gulls at Jacksonville, many reports of Ash-throated Flycatchers statewide (but only 2 reports were accompa- nied by details), a Stripe-headed Tanager in Palm Beach County, House Finches in Or- ange and Highlands counties, and the first indication that Shiny Cowbirds may be breeding in the Panhandle. This report includes the recent taxonomic changes published in the Fortieth supple- ment to the American Ornithologists’ Union Check-list of North American Birds {Auk 112:819-830, 1995; 1996). Species Accounts Red-throated Loon: 1 at Alligator Point {Franklin) 25 Nov (R. Smith). Common Loon: 1 in winter plumage fl5dng over Gainesville {Alachua) 8 Aug (R. Norton) was the earliest fall report by more than a month (S&A 1994:17); 1 in. winter plumage at St. Marks N.W.R. {Wakulla) 25 Aug (J. Cavanagh) was also early; 1 that called nu- merous times at Lake Annie, A.B.S. 4 Nov (D. Berry, B. Pranty) was the first fall re- port for Highlands (S&A 1994:18). PIED-BILLED Grebe: 430 at RRM. 10 Nov (B. and L. Cooper, R Fellers). Eared Grebe: up to 8 at F.WB.S.T.F. 18 Oct through the season (B. Duncan, P. Tetlow et aL); 2 at Occidental W.M.A, {Hamilton) 26 Oct (R. Clark); 1 at Tram. Road S.T.R, Tal- lahassee {Leon) 23 Oct-3 Nov (G. Menk, H. Horne et aL). Cory’s Shearwater: 3 at the lighthouse at St. Marks N.W.R. 3 Aug (N. Warner) were the first county reports (S&A 1994:27); 30-45, 40km off Cocoa Beach {Brevard) 22 Oct (L. Hopkins et aL). Shearwater species: 1 small shearwater with a short tail found in a Pensacola {Escam- bia) garage and released 5 Oct was thought to be an Audubon’s Shearwater (J. Pfief- fer), a species unreported in the region (B. Duncan), Audubon’s Shearwater: 1 rescued from the surf at Vilano Beach {St. Johns) 1 Aug (D. Reed); 2 at the lighthouse at St. Marks N.W.R. 3 Aug (N. Warner). 50 FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST Storm-petrel species: 2 possible Wilson’s Storm-Petrels at the lighthouse at St. Marks N.W.R. 3-4 Aug (N. Warner) are the first county report (S&A 31-33). Wilson’s Storm-Petrel: 1 at T.A.P. 4 Aug (L. Malo, D. Shelley, C. DuToit). *Band-rumped Storm-Petrel: 1 at T.A.P. 4 Aug (L. Malo, D. Shelley, C. DuToit) was the first for Volusia (S&A 1994:33). Masked Booby: 1 adult on Okaloosa Island {Okaloosa) 6 Oct was identified when it was broadcast on the local news (!) (B. and L. Duncan). *Red-FOOTED Booby: 1 at Dry Tortugas N.P {Monroe) 20 Sep (P. W. Smith). American White Pelican: 40 at Huguenot Park {Duval) 19 Sep (R. Rowan); flocks at D.I. of 150, 200, and 300 on 23 Oct, 13 Nov, and 28 Nov, respectively (D. Evered, L. Messick). Brown Pelican: 1 at Tram Road S.T.F. 4 Aug (D. Harder); 1 at Polk phosphate mines 4 Sep (C. Geanangel, P. Timmer). Magnificent FrigatebirD: 2 at Newnan’s Lake {Alachua) 3 Aug (R. Rowan); 1 S of Kiss- immee {Osceola) 3 Aug (R. Poole) was the first county report (S&A 1994:50); 5 over Al- ligator Point {Franklin) 4 Aug (J. Dozier); 1 over Destin {Okaloosa) 4 Aug (G. Eller, D. Ware); 1111 counted at a dusk roost at Marco Island {Collier) 5 Aug, Females com- prised only about 1% of the total in the roost up to about 3 years ago, but females now account for about 10% of the numbers (T. Below); 1 male and 1 female over East Bay {Bay) 7 Oct (A. and R. Ingram). American Bittern: 1 at Rainey Slough {Glades) 9 Sep (D. Bryan, B. Pranty, and Florida Audubon Society field trip) was early. Great Blue Heron: migrants are reported infrequently in Florida, so the following Highlands reports are listed: 2 over H.H.S.P 8 Oct (B. Pranty, A. Fleischer); 7 (6 in a flock) very high over A.B.S. 12 Oct (B. Pranty, W. Hoffman). “Great White Heron:” 1 at Zellwood {Orange) 8 Aug (S. Backes, R. Card); 1 at St. Jo- seph Peninsula S.P. 1 Oct (D. Bryan et al.) was the first fall report for Gulf {S&A 1994:57). Little Blue Heron: 562 at Zellwood 20 Aug (P. Small, E. Egensteiner, N. Prine). Reddish Egret: 8 (7 immatures) at Huguenot Park 9 Sep (N. Warner). Yellow-crowned Night-Heron: 2 adults and 1 juvenile at Destin 4 Aug (G, Eller, D. Ware) were rare locally. Glossy Ibis: 7 at F.W.B.S.T.F. 6 Oct (D. Ware). Roseate Spoonbill: 2 immatures at Lake Lafayette {Leon) 9 Sep (G. Menk, D. Harder). Wood Stork: 625 at Polk mines 4 Sep (C. Geanangel, P Timmer). Greater Flamingo: 1 at St. Marks N.W.R. through 15 Oct (H. Hooper et ak); up to 16 at Snake Bight, E.N.P. in Nov (P. O’Brien et al.). Fulvous Whistling-Duck: 474, including many young, at Zellwood 5 Aug (P. Small, E. Egensteiner, N. Prine); 1 at Lake Lafayette 13 Sep (J. LaVia). Black-bellied Whistling-Duck: 250 at Sherwood Forest, Sarasota {Sarasota) 13 Nov (A. Rawson) is the highest total reported in the state. Tundra Swan: 3 at St. Marks N.W.R. 20 Nov through the season (G. Menk, D. Harder et ak). Snow Goose: 75 over D.I. 28 Oct and 19 there 4 Nov (both D. Evered, L. Messick); 400 blue morphs over St. Marks N.W.R. 29 Oct (D. Morrow) were the second-highest Flor- ida count (S&A 1994:100); 9 (6 white and 3 blue) at Occidental W.M.A. {Hamilton) 16 Nov (J. Krummrich) was the first fall report for the county (S&A ibid.). *R0SS’ Goose: 1 adult at Tram Road 8 Nov (H. Horne, N. Warner et ak). Canada Goose: 4 over D.I. 29 Oct (D. Evered, L. Messick); a small flock at Piney Island (Wakulla) 29 Oct {fide J. Dozier). Mottled Duck: 3 at F.W.B.S.T.F. 11 Oct (B. Duncan, P. Tetlow et ak), 1 there 7 Nov (D. Ware), and 1 at Monsanto Sanctuary {Escambia) 23 Oct (P. Tetlow et ak) were the 3rd-5th reports for the region (B, Duncan). Field Observations 51 Blue-winged Teal: 1900 E of Lake Wales {Polk) 10 Nov (B. and L. Cooper, R Fellers) was a high inland count. Gadwall: 35 at Emeralda Marsh Conservation Area 18 Nov (J. Marburger et ah). American Wigeon: 1 at F.W.B.S.T.R 7 Oct was rare in the region (D. Ware). Eurasian Wigeon: 1 male at Merritt Island N.W.R. {Brevard) 21 Nov through the season (S. Backes, R. Card). Common Eider: 1 at Cocoa {Brevard) 22 Oct (L. Hopkins et ah). Surf Scoter: 1 immature inland at Lake Rousseau 28 Oct (B. Sm5rth et al.) was the first Citrus report (S&A 1994:134). Raptors: The table below shows the results of a hawk watch at H.H.S.P. from 0830-1200 on 8 Oct (B. Pranty, A. Fleischer). All birds were moving S.S.E. along the W. edge of the Lake Wales Ridge. Species Individuals Osprey Northern Harrier Sharp-shinned Hawk Cooper’s Hawk American Kestrel Merlin Peregrine Falcon 3 4 12 4 12 7 4 White-tailed Kite: 1 adult at Buck Island Ranch {Highlands) 16 Oct (M. McMillian) was the first 1 there; 1 at St. Marks N.W.R. 30 Oct (G. Weymouth et al.). Snail Kite: 1 at Orlando Wetlands Park {Orange) 14-21 Sep (D. Freeman); 1 in female plumage at Rainey Slough 25 Nov (R. Bowman, C. Wilson). Northern Harrier: 2 at T.A.P. 9 Aug (L. Malo) were early; 1 male at Buck Island Ranch 7 Sep (T. Bancroft); 23 over D.I. 5 Nov (D. Evered, L. Messick). Short-tailed Hawk: 1 light morph at Lettuce Lake C.P. {Hillsborough) 21 Sep (S. Backes, R. Card); 1 light morph at H.H.S.P. 8 Oct (M. McMillian). Red-tailed Hawk: 2 adult “Krider’s Hawks” at Tram Road S.T.F. 29 Nov through the season (D. Evered, L. Messick et al.). Golden Eagle: 1 adult over Medart {Wakulla) 6 Nov (D. Evered, L, Messick). Merlin: 1 female or immature at Alligator Point 8 Aug (J. Dozier) was the earliest fall re- port (S&A 1994:704). Peregrine Falcon: 1 at Fort Walton Beach 18 Aug (D. Ware) was early; 6 over Cedar Key 7 Oct (F. Davis); 1 at Mulberry {Polk) 10 Oct (B. and L, Cooper, M. Hartsaw); 33 on the Boot Key hawk watch 10 Oct (W. Hoffman et al.); 20 at T.A.P. 11 Oct (L. Malo, D. Shelley, C. DuToit). Black Rail: several heard at Occidental WM.A. 1-15 Aug (M. Dolan); 1 heard at St. Marks N.W.R. 30 Sep (B. Burkstrom), Clapper Rail: 30 along the road at Porter Island {Franklin) 3 Aug after high tides asso- ciated with Hurricane Erin (D. Evered, L. Messick). SORA: 4 at F.W.B.S.T.R 4 Aug (G. Eller) were the earliest fall reports (S&A 1994:195). Sandhill Crane: 2 at Greensville {Madison) 16 Aug (D. Bryan). American Golden-Plover: up to 4 at N. Jacksonville 31 Aug-22 Sep (R. Clark); 1 at Tram Road S.T.F. 9 Nov (N. Warner); 1 at Springhill S.T.F. 20-21 Nov (H. Horne, G. Menk, D. Harder). Piping Plover: 1 at T.A.P. 4 Aug (L. Malo); 1 at Huguenot Park 5 Aug (R. Clark); 30 at Shell Key {Pinellas) 4 Nov (P. Blair); 53 at D.I. 7 Nov (D. Evered, L. Messick). American Avocet: 1 at Bald Point {Franklin) 3 Aug (D. Evered, L. Messick); singles at Okaloosa holding ponds 15 Aug and 6 Oct (D. Ware); 25 at Honeymoon Island S.R.A. 27 Aug may be the highest count for Pinellas (L. Hopkins, R. Smith, P, Blair); 1 at D.I. 52 FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST 12 Oct (D. Evered, L. Messick); 8 at a roadside pool at Krome Avenue 22 Oct (W. B. Robertson, W, Hoffman) were the first fall reports for Dade (S&A 1994:224); 1 at the Carrabelle River {Franklin) 5 Nov (D. Evered, L. Messick); 1 at Tram Road S.T.F. 12- 19 Nov (J. Cavanagh et ah). Greater YellowlegS: 800+ at Zellwood 5 Aug (R Small, E. Egensteiner, N. Prine). Lesser Yellowlegs: 900+ at Zellwood 5 Aug (P. Small, E. Egensteiner, N. Prine); 500 at PPM. 14 Sep (P. Fellers). WiLLET: 1 at Polk mines 4 Sep (C. Geanangel, P. Timmer) was the first county report in fall (S&A 1994:230). Upland Sandpiper: 13 at Zellwood 13 Aug (P. Small, E. Egensteiner, N. Prine); 1 at RD.C.R 4 Oct following Hurricane Opal (M. Wilkinson). Long-billed Curlew: 1 at Duda Farms {Palm Beach) 4 Sep (B. Hope, M. Ginsberg) was rare inland; 1 at Shell Key 24 Oct through the season was the first in Pinellas since 1989 (R Blair). Marbled Godwit: 1 at Okaloosa holding ponds 12-15 Aug (D. Ware, D. Eller); 100 at Shell Key 14 Aug (R Blair). Ruddy Turnstone: 4 at Zellwood 10 Aug (P. Fellers); 1 at Springhill S.T.F, Tallahassee 11 Aug (G. Menk). Red Knot: 4000 at Shell Key 24 Oct and 4 Nov (both P. Blair) were high counts. SanderlinG: 1000 at Shell Key 24 Oct (P. Blair) were a high count. White-RUMPED Sandpiper: 1 at Springhill S.T.F. 8-9 Aug (J. Cavanagh, N. Warner et al.) was the first fall report for Leon (S&A 1994:247); 7 at Little-Big Econ State Forest {Seminole) 14 Oct (L. Malo et al.). Baird’s Sandpiper: 1 at Springhill S.T.F. 7 Aug (J. LaVia); 1 in Okaloosa 7 Sep (D. Ware). Pectoral Sandpiper: 12 at RD.C.R 3 Aug following Tropical Storm Erin (K. Nelson, L. Atherton, M. Wilkinson); 308 at Zellwood 13 Aug (P. Small, E. Egensteiner, N. Prine); 385 at N. Jacksonville 25 Aug following Tropical Storm Jerry (R. Clark); 1 at Tram Road S.T.F. 3-17 Nov (G. Menk et al.). *Sharp-TAILED Sandpiper: 1 juvenile at Lake Lafayette 15-25 Sep (J. Cavanagh, D. Evered, details to RO.S.R.C.) was the 3rd Florida report. Purple Sandpiper: 11 at Fort Clinch S.P. {Nassau) 26 Nov (B. and W. Biggs). Stilt Sandpiper: 7 at Fort RD.C.R 3 Aug (K. Nelson, L. Atherton, M. Wilkinson); 280 at Zellwood 10 Aug (P. Fellers). Buff-breasted Sandpiper: 6 at Zellwood 13 Aug (P. Small) and 7 there 17 Aug (S. Backes, R. Webb); up to 5 at N. Jacksonville 20 Aug-22 Sep (R. Clark); 6 at F.W.B.S.T.F. 30 Aug-7 Sep (P. Tetlow G. Eller, D. Ware et al.); 3 at Duda Farms 4 Sep (B. Hope, M. Ginsberg); 7-10 at Lake Lafayette {Leon) 9-13 Sep (D. and S. Jue et al.). Long-billed Dowitcher: 6 that called at F.W.B.S.T.F. 6 Nov were “very rare” there (B. Duncan); 1 at D.I. 7 Nov (D. Evered, L. Messick) was the first fall report for Franklin (S&A 1994:258). Common Snipe: 1 at F.W.B.S.T.F. 30 Aug (P. Tetlow et al.) was the region’s earliest (B. Duncan). Wilson’s Phalarope: 1 at Lake Lafayette 14-15 Sep (J. Cavanagh, J. LaVia). Red-necked Phalarope: 4, 10 km off Miami {Dade) 30 Sep (R. Miller, H. Langridge); 1, 24 km off Cocoa Beach 22 Oct (L. Hopkins et al.). Franklin’s Gull: 1 in first-winter plumage at Lake Worth Pier 18 Nov (R Broerman, H. Langridge, G. Hunter et al.) was the second Palm Beach report; up to 7 in first- winter plumage at Tram Road S.T.F. 9 Nov-8 Dec (W Biggs et al., photos by J. Cavanagh, vid- eotape by N. Warner) was the first fall report for Leon (S&A 1994:272). Lesser Black-backed Gull: 1 at Huguenot Park 19 Sep (R. Rowan) and 26 (24 adults) there 5 Nov (N. Warner) were one of the state’s highest counts; 1 on the Sunshine Sky- way {Pinellas) 5-11 Nov (L. Atherton, R. Smith). Great Black-backed Gull: 1 adult at RD.C.R 13-27 Aug (M. Lopez). Field Observations 53 Gull-billed Tern: 1 at D.L 3 Nov (D. Evered, L. Messick) was the first fall report for Franklin (S&A 1994:288). Caspian Tern: 1 at Springhill S.T.F. 11 Aug (J. LaVia) was the first fall report for Leon (S&A 1994:290). Royal Tern: 1 at Newnans Lake 11 Aug (C. Reno). Sandwich Tern: 11 oXFolk mines 4 Sep (C. Geanangel, R Timmer). Common Tern: 680 at Huguenot Park 25 Aug (R. Clark); 300 over D.L 4 Oct (D. Evered, L. Messick). Forster’s Tern: 4150 at Polk mines 4 Sep (C. Geanangel, P. Timmer) and 4200 there 14 Sep (P. Fellers) were the highest counts in Florida (S&A 1994:301). Bridled Tern: 1 at Fort George Inlet (Duval) and 1 at Amelia Island (Nassau) 2 Aug (R. Clark). Sooty Tern: 5 at Little Talbot Island S.P. (Duval) (P. Powell), and 1 at Fort George Inlet (R. Clark) 2 Aug; 3 over Newnans Lake 2 Aug (B. Roberts) and 2 there 3 Aug (J. Hin- termister); 4 over Lake Lochloosa (Alachua) 3 Aug (R. Rowan). Black Tern: 560 at Huguenot Park 25 Aug and 644 there 4 Sep, a day with strong N.E. winds (R. Clark); 3900 at Polk mines 4 Sep (C. Geanangel, P. Timmer); 60 at St. Marks N.W.R. 5 Oct (N. Warner, J. Cavanagh). Black Skimmer: 450 at MacDill Air Force Base (Hillsborough) 11 Nov (M. Wilkinson), Eurasian Collared-Dove: 4 singles at D.L 15 OcL8 Nov (D. Evered, L. Messick). White-winged Dove: up to 3 at Cedar Key 7 Oct through the season (D. Henderson); 1 at F.D.C.P. 1 Nov (L. Atherton, M. Wilkinson); singles at D.L 4 Nov and 14 Nov, and 2 there 9 Nov (D. Evered, L. Messick). Common Ground-Dove: 60 at Bull Creek W.M.A. (Osceola) 15 Aug (M. Keim, R. Snyder) were a high count. Monk Parakeet: 2 at Cedar Key 7 Oct (F. Davis) were the first report for Levy (S&A 1994:338); 13 E of Sanford (Seminole) 9 Nov (C. and P. Small). Rose-ringed Parakeet: 3 at Cedar Key (Levy) through the season (D, Henderson), Black-billed Cuckoo: 2 at F.D.C.P. 7 Oct (R. Webb, B. Ackerman et al). Yellow-billed Cuckoo: 60 at S.R.P. 10 Oct (B. Hope, L. Berkow). Groove-billed Ani: 1 moving E, at D.L 22 Oct (D. Evered, L. Messick); 1 at Wynne- haven (Okaloosa) 25 Oct (J. Potter); 1 at St. Marks N.W.R. 30 Oct (J. LaVia); 1 at Del- ray Beach (Palm Beach) 18 Nov for at least the 3rd year (B. Hope). Barn Owl: 1 migrant at Alligator Point 16 Oct (J. Dozier); 1 at D.L 21-22 Oct was the first report from there since the 1960s (D. Evered, L. Messick). Common Nighthawk: 1 calling “cric^-e^” or “pip-eF over A.B.S. 17 Aug sounded indistin- guishable from some calls of the Antillean Nighthawk (B. Pranty). Chuck-WILL’S-WIDOW: 1 at D.L 16 Nov (D. Evered, L. Messick). Whip-poor-will: 1 at Alligator Point 28 Aug and 6 in full song at Bald Point (Franklin) 6 Oct (both J. Dozier). Chaetura SPECIES: 5 at Havana (Gadsden) 8 Nov (D. McBride); 1 at Polk phosphate mines 12 Nov was “very late if it was a Chimney Swift” (C. Geanangel, P. Timmer). Chimney Swift: lOOs over US-27 at Josephine Creek (Highlands) 15 Oct (C. Adkisson). Buff-bellied Hummingbird: 1 at Fort Walton Beach 7 Sep (H. King); 1 at Pensacola 27 Nov through the season (B. and D. Kenney et al.) was the first Escambia report (S&A 1994:385). Black-chinned Hummingbird: 4 (2 birds at 2 separate feeders) at Tallahassee 25 Oct through the season (N. Warner, J. Cavanagh et al., videos of all 4 birds by N. Warner); 1 at Panacea (Wakulla) 25 Oct-27 Nov (J. Dozier et al.). Selasphorus SPECIES: at least 9 inAlachua Oct-Nov (fide P. Powell); 1 at Panacea 26 Oct (J. Dozier et al.); 1 at Tallahassee 27 Oct (J. Cavanagh et aL). Rufous Hummingbird: 1 male at Tallahassee 20 Oct through the season (J. Cavanagh et al.). 54 FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST Red-headed Woodpecker: 2 immatures migrating S.S.E. over H.H.S.R 8 Oct (B. Pranty, A. Fleischer). Yellow-bellied Sapsucker: 1 at Gainesville 16 Sep (T. Workman). Olive-sided Flycatcher: 1 or more at Gulf Breeze {Santa Rosa) 15-21 Aug (B. and W Duncan, G. Eller). *Yellow-bellied Flycatcher: 1 at F.D.C.P. 18 Sep (L. Atherton, M. Wilkinson); 3 banded at WS.S.P. 26-30 Sep (P. Small) were the first reports for Orange (S&A 1994:414); 1 calling at S.R.P. 7 Oct and 2 there 16 Oct (both B. and J. Hope). “Traill’s Flycatcher:” 1 banded at WS.S.P. 28 Sep (P. Small) was the first report for Orange (S&A 1994:418). Least Flycatcher: 1 banded at WS.S.P. 20 Sep (P. Small) was the first fall report for Or- ange (S&A 1994:419); 1 at Shell Mound, Lower Suwannee N.WR. 5 Oct (T. Taylor) was the first report for Levy (S&A ibid.); 1 at San Felasco Hammock State Preserve {Alachua) 12 Oct (J. Krummrich). Vermilion Flycatcher: 1 adult female at D.I. 12 Oct (D. Evered, L. Messick); 1 adult male at Buck Island Ranch 27 Oct through the season (M. McMillian), where presum- ably the same bird wintered in 1994-1995. Myiarchus SPECIES: 1 “probable” Brown-crested Flycatcher “calling and seen briefly” at D.I. 14 Nov (D. Evered, L. Messick). Ash-throated Flycatcher: 1 at Turkey Creek Sanctuary {Brevard) 13 Oct through the season, where presumably the same 1 wintered in 1994-1995, (B. and S. Hills); 1 pho- tographed at D.I. 30 Oct (D. Evered, L. Messick); 1 at Air Products Sanctuary, Pace {Santa Rosa) 14-18 Nov (B. Milmore, P. Tetlow et ah, photographed by B. Bremser); 1 at St. Marks N.WR. 23-24 Nov (S. Duncan et al.) was the first report for Wakulla (S&A 1994:423); 1 silent bird at T.A.P. 28 Nov (L. Malo, D. Shelley, C. DuToit) was the first report for Volusia (S&A ibid.). Great Crested Flycatcher: 1 at D.I. 12 Nov (D. Evered, L. Messick). Brown-crested Flycatcher: 2 at Flamingo, E.N.P. {Monroe) 8 Nov through the season (L. Manfredi et al.). Myiodynastes SPECIES: 1 studied and described in detail at St. George Island S.P. {Franklin) 25 Sep (D. and S. Jue, details to F.O.S.R.C.) had a “pinkish-orange” basal half of the lower mandible, no black mustachial streak, fine streaking below, a white belly, and “only the faintest tinge” of yellow on the breast. These field marks suggest the bird was a Streaked Flycatcher (M. maculatus), a species unverified in North America, rather than a Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher. * Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher {Myiodynastes luteiventris): 1 photographed at Matheson Hammock C.P. 14 Oct (M. Wheeler, P. W. and S. Smith et al.) was the first verified Florida record. Western Kingbird: 2 at F.D.C.P. 19 Sep (L. Atherton, J. Hopkins), 1 there 23 Sep (L. and B. Atherton, M. Wilkinson), and another 7-11 Oct (M. Wilkinson et al.); 1 at Fort George Island 5 Oct (R. Clark); 1 at Alligator Point 6 Oct (J. Dozier). Eastern Kingbird: 83 at Emeralda Marsh Conservation Area {Lake) 26 Aug (J. Mar- burger et al.); >400 in groups of 7-10 going S over A.B.S. at 1730, 10 Sep (R. Bowman). Gray Kingbird: a “nice flock” of 7 at Tyndall Air Force Base {Bay) 16 Sep (A. and R. In- gram, T. Menart et al.). SciSSOR-TAlLED FLYCATCHER: singles at D.I. 6 Oct and 18 Oct (both D. Evered, L. Mes- sick); 1 at St. Marks N.WR, 7 Oct (D. and S. Jue); singles at F.D.C.P. 10 Oct (R. Card) and 21 Oct (B. and M. Hoffman); 1 at Guana River S.P. {St. Johns) 16 Oct {fide P. Pow- ell); 1 at Cedar Key 25 Oct (T. Hoctor); up to 7 S of Ruskin {Hillsborough), a recent wintering site, 3 Nov through the season (S. Backes, R. Card); 1 at Tram Road S.T.F. 14 Nov (D. and K. MacVicar et al.) was the first for Leo^ (S&A 1994:437); 1 at Parker Island {Highlands), a traditional wintering site, 17 Nov through the season (M. Mc- Millian). Field Observations 55 Horned Lark: 1 at Tram Road S.T.F. 8 Nov ( J. LaVia) and 1 Dec (N. Warner) was the first fall report for Leon (S&A 1994:439)= Progne SPECIES: 1 female or juvenile martin on SR-70, A.B.S. 11 Oct. The bird had a dark cap that extended to the eyes, a dark forehead, and paler ear patch, face, and throat areas that appeared somewhat bronzy during certain lighting angles. The up- perparts were dark with a bluish tinge. The throat and breast were heavily streaked, but the belly was dirty white with only a few barely noticeable light brown streaks. The flanks were mostly unstreaked, with a few streaks near the breast. The remain- der of the underparts, including the undertail coverts, were white and contrasted sharply with the dark underside of the tail. Together with the dark forehead, this field mark appears to rule out all plumages of the Purple Martin. The wings were dark above, and brownish below, with little or no contrast between the wing linings and the primaries and secondaries. There was no sign of wear of the wing feathers. The tail was strongly notched, almost slightly forked, and showed no sign of wear. The bill and legs were dark grayish (B. Pranty). Bank Swallow: 100+ at Occidental W.M.A. 22 Sep (R. Clark); 1 at Tram Road S.T.F. 9 Nov-1 Dec (G. Menk et al.) was a rare “winter” report. Cliff Swallow: 1 at Air Products Sanctuary 14-15 Nov (P. Tetlow et al.) was the first Nov report for the region (B. Duncan). Red-breasted Nuthatch: 1 at Cedar Key 29 Oct (B. Duncan); 2 at St. Joseph Peninsula S.R 29 Oct (D. Bryan et al.); 1 at D.I. 13 Nov (D. Evered, L. Messick). White-breasted Nuthatch: 1 at St. Joseph Peninsula S.P. 29 Oct (D. Bryan et al.) was the first report for Gulf (S&A 1994:471). Brown Creeper: 1 in Leon 16 Oct (D. Harder); 1 at D.I. 4 Nov (D, Evered, L. Messick); 1 at St. Andrew S.R.A. (Bay) 4 Nov (J, Richardson, T. Menart); 1 at Lake City 26 Nov (J. Krummrich) was the first fall report for Columbia (S&A 1994:475). House Wren: 1 at Tallahassee 19 Sep (G. Menk). Winter Wren: 1 at D.I. 31 Oct (D. Evered, L. Messick). Golden-crowned Kinglet: “numerous” at D.I. after 21 Oct, with up to 20 per day (D. Evered, L. Messick); 5 at Fort George Island 29 Oct (R. Clark); 1 female at St. Andrew S.R.A. 4 Nov (J. Richardson, T. Menart); “unusually common locally” in Leon by the end of Oct (G. Menk et al.). Ruby-crowned Kinglet: 1 at Tallahassee 29 Sep (J. Cavanagh). Veery: 64 banded at W.S.S.P. 2 Sep-13 Oct (P. Small). Swainson’s Thrush: 11 at F.D.C.P. 29 Sep (M. Wilkinson); 26 banded at W.S.S.P. 18 Sep- 29 Oct (P. Small); 2 in Gadsden 4 Nov (D. McBride) were the first for the county (S&A 1994:498); singles at D.I. 10 Nov (banded) and 16 Nov (injured; not banded) (both D. Evered, L. Messick). Wood Thrush: 1 at D.I. 5 Nov (D. Evered, L. Messick); 1 at Bald Point 26 Nov (J. Dozier, B. and L. Cooper, J. and L. Hopkins et al.). Gray Catbird: 1 at Coast Guard Woods {Okaloosa) 4 Aug (G. Eller) was rare locally. *Sage Thrasher: 1 banded at D.I. 8-11 Nov (D. Evered, L. Messick) was the 6th Florida report, American Pipit: 1 in Okaloosa 7 Sep (D. Ware); 700 at Tram Road S.T.F. 29 Nov (D. Evered, L. Messick) were one of the highest counts (S&A 1994:514-515). Cedar Waxwing: 15-30 at St. Augustine {St Johns) 9 Sep (P. Frost) were one of the ear- liest fall reports (S&A 1994:517). Loggerhead Shrike: 3-4 fledglings with full-grown tails begging at A.B.S. 27 Sep (B. Pranty). *Thick-BILLED Vireo: 1 at S.R.P. 17-18 Sep (B. Hope) was the first fall report for Palm Beach (S&A 1994:528). Bell’s Vireo: 1 at Tallahassee 23-24 Sep (J. Cavanagh). 56 FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST ^Warbling VireO: 1 at Mead Gardens, Orlando {Orange) 14 Oct (G. Bretz, T. Robinson) was the latest fall report (S&A 1994:533). Philadelphia Vireo: among 8 reports 28 Sep-24 Oct were 2 at S.R.P. 18 Oct (B. Hope) and 2 at A.P.A.F.R. {Polk) 24 Oct (D. Leonard). Blue-winged Warbler: among 10 reports 19 Aug-29 Oct were 14 in Alachua 16 Sep {fide R. Rowan), the largest Florida count by far (S&A 1994:540, 709); 1 at St. Johns 1 Oct (P. Powell) was the first report for the county (S&A 1994:541); and 1 at Talla- hassee 29 Oct (J. Cavanagh). Vermivora HYBRID: 1 “Brewster’s Warbler” at Newnans Lake {Alachua) 11 Sep (B. Rob- erts); 1 “Brewster’s Warbler” at F.D.C.P. 18 Sep (M. Wilkinson, L. Atherton); 1 “Brew- ster’s Warbler” at A.P.A.F.R. {Polk) 22 Sep (D. Leonard, N. Hamel). Golden-winged Warbler: among 22 reports 19 Aug-17 Oct were 2 in Alachua 16 Sep {fide R. Rowan); 1 at Arlington Park {Sarasota) 1 Oct (A. Rawson); 1 at St. Johns 1 Oct (P. Powell), the first for the county (S&A 1994:541); 3 at Bonner Park 7 Oct (K. Nel- son). Tennessee Warbler: 14 at Mead Gardens 15 Oct (G. Bretz, T. Robinson); 1 at F.D.C.P. 13 Nov (M. Wilkinson). Nashville Warbler: among 11 reports 17 Sep- 17 Nov were the first 1 at Boyd Hill Na- ture Park {Pinellas) 18 Sep (A. and R. Smith); 6 at F.D.C.P. during the period with 3 on 29 Sep (K. Holland, L. Atherton, M. Wilkinson); 1 at Mead Gardens 15 Oct (G. Bretz, T. Robinson); and 1 at Fort Walton Beach 17 Nov (D. Ware), the first report for Okaloosa (S&A 1994:546). Northern Parula: 46 at Saddle Creek C.P. 13 Aug (C. Geanangel, P. Timmer); 1 at Tal- lahassee 27 Nov through the season (F. Rutkousky et al.). Magnolia Warbler: 11 at Mead Gardens 15 Oct (G. Bretz, T. Robinson). Cape May Warbler: 1 at Bonner Park 7 Sep (K. Nelson); 2 at F.D.C.P. 11 Oct (L. Ather- ton); 3 at Mead Gardens 15 Oct (G. Bretz, T. Robinson); 1 male at Hickory Hammock {Highlands) 19 Nov (R. Bowman, C. Wilson) was late or wintering. Black-throated Blue Warbler: 1 female at A.B.S. 14 Sep (K. Tarvin, M. Garvin) and 1 male there 7 Oct and 10 Oct (both B. Pranty) were observed eating the fruits of the beauty berry (or beauty bush), a behavior noted in Florida previously by Jane Brooks {Fla. Field Nat. 14:96-97, 1986); 49 banded at W.S.S.P. 16 Sep-28 Oct (P. Small); 150 at Spanish River Park {Palm Beach) 9 Oct (B. and J. Hope); 1 female at A.B.S. 3 Nov (B. Pranty); 1 male at Bald Point 4 Nov (J. Dozier); 1 at West Palm Beach {Palm Beach) 28 Nov (C. Weber). Yellow-rumped Warbler: 1 at A.B.S. 12 Oct (B. Hoffman); 2 at S.R.P. 12 Oct (B. Hope). Black-throated Gray Warbler: 1 adult male at Tallahassee 18 Oct- 10 Nov (G. Menk et al., videotape by N. Warner) was the first for Leon (S&A 1994:558). *Townsend’s Warbler: 1 at Seminole 5 Nov (J. Fisher). Black-throated Green Warbler: 1 at F.D.C.P. 16 Sep (R. Smith, B. and M. Hoffman); 1 at Bonner Park 16 Sep (K. Nelson, J. Fisher). Blackburnian Warbler: 1 immature male at D.I. 4 Nov (D. Evered, L. Messick). Palm Warbler: 1 at A.P.A.F.R. {Polk) 18 Sep (D. Leonard). Blackpoll Warbler: 1 at F.D.C.P. 18 Oct (L. Atherton). Cerulean Warbler: among 10 reports were 2 females at A.P.A.F.R. {Polk) 11 Sep (D. Le- onard) and 1 male at Paynes Prairie 15 Oct (D. Steadman) that ties the latest fall re- port (S&A 1994:574). Black-and-white Warbler: 90 at S.R.P. 17 Oct (B. Hope). American Redstart: 1 at Black Swamp {Leon) 19 Jul (G. Menk); 50 at Mead Gardens 15 Oct (G. Bretz, T. Robinson); 43 at Saddle Creek C.P. 15 Oct (C. Geanangel, R Timmer); 1 at F.D.C.P. 5 Nov (P. Blair, R. Smith, L. Hopkins). Worm-eating Warbler: “several” at A.P.A.F.R. {Polk) 11 Sep (D. Leonard); 4 at S.C.C.P. 16 Sep (P. Fellers et al.); 3 in Seminole 12 Oct (B. Krikorian). Field Observations 57 Swainson’S Warbler: 1 at River Rise State Preserve {Alachua) 16 Sep {fide P. Powell); 1 at F.D.C.R (K. Holland, M. Wilkinson, L. Atherton) and 2 there 28 Sep (L. Atherton); singles at Bonner Park 7 Oct and 19 Oct (both K. Nelson). Kentucky Warbler: 3 at San Felasco Hammock State Preserve 8 Aug (M. Manetz); 4 at A. B.S. 2 Sep (B. Pranty, A. Fleischer, G. Woolfenden) was the first county report (F. Lo- hrer pers. comm., S&A 1994:589); 1 at Jacksonville 9 Sep (R. Clark); 1 at S.R.P. 16 Oct (B. and J. Hope). Mourning Warbler: 1 at F.WB.S.T.F. 16 Sep (D. Ware); 1 at Gulf Breeze 18 Sep (B. and L. Duncan, R Sykes, E. Case); 1 at S.R.P. 30 Sep (B. Hope et aL); 1 calling in Palm Beach 29 Oct (B. Hope, tape recorded). Common Yellowthroat: 113 banded at WS.S.P. 4 Sep-24 Oct (P. Small). Wilson’s Warbler: 1 at Bonner Park 17 Sep (K. Nelson); 1 male at S. Jacksonville 8 Oct (J. Cocke); 1 male at Lake Worth 23 Nov (T. Trotsky, G. Hunter). Canada Warbler: singles at Bonner Park 22 Aug (K. Nelson) and 17 Sep (K. Nelson et al.); 1 mist-netted in Leon 3 Sep (P. Homann); singles banded at WS.S.P. 12 Sep and 14 Sep (P. Small); 1 at Niceville 18 Sep (M. Lambert); 1 at John Chestnut Jr. C.P. {Pinellas) 23 Sep (D. Goodwin et al.); 1 at Matheson Hammock C.P. 14 Oct (M. Wheeler et al.); 1 at S.R.P. 16 Oct (B. and J. Hope). Yellow-breasted Chat: 1 at F.D.C.P. 18 Sep (L. Atherton). Stripe-headed Tanager: 1 female at MacArthur S.R.A. {Palm Beach) 26 Aug-3 Sep (C. Weber et al.). Western Tanager: 1 at Lake Worth 24 Sep (T. Trotsky); 1 female at Gulf Breeze 22 Oct (B., L., and S. Duncan); 1 at Fort Walton Beach 30 Oct (D. Ware). Northern Cardinal: 1 fledgling begging at A.B.S. until 25 Sep (B. Pranty). *Lazuli Bunting: “several” in winter plumage at Eco Pond, E.N.P. {Monroe) 14 Nov (P. W Smith) were never relocated. Chipping Sparrow: 1 at Newnans Lake 23 Sep (B. Muschlitz) was early (S&A 1994:629). Clay-colored Sparrow: 1 at Bald Point 17 Sep (J. Dozier); 1 at Hypoluxo Island {Palm Beach) 18 Oct (H. Langridge, T. Trotsky); 1 at Fort Walton Beach S.T.F. 27 Oct (P. Tet- low et al.) was the first for Okaloosa (S&A 1994:631); 1 at D.I. 4 Nov (D. Evered, L. Messick); 2 in Palm Beach 12 Nov (B. Hope). Lark Sparrow: 1 at Fort Pickens {Escambia) 9 Sep (O. Fang et al.); 1 at Sanibel Island {Lee) 24 Sep (V. McGrath); 1 at Jacksonville 7 Oct (R. Clark); 2 at Huguenot Park 9- 17 Oct (R. Clark); 2 at E.N.P. {Dade) 10 Nov (J. Greenlaw, R. Miller et al.); 1 at D.I. 12 Nov (D. Evered, L. Messick); 2 at Honeymoon Island S.R.A. 28 Nov (W. Yusek). Henslow’S Sparrow: 5 in N.W Duval 19 Nov (R. Clark). Le Conte’s Sparrow: 1 at D.I. 15 Nov (D. Evered, L. Messick); 3 in N.W. Duval 19 Nov (R. Clark) and 1 elsewhere in Duval 26 Nov (P. Powell) were the first county reports in fall (S&A 1994:642). Saltmarsh Sharp-tailed Sparrow: 1 “apparent” bird on D.I. 15 Nov (D. Evered, L. Messick) - most Sharp-tails on the Gulf coast are believed to be Nelson’s Sharp- tailed Sparrows (J. Greenlaw pers. comm.). Seaside Sparrow: 1 in “coastal suburban woods” at Gulf Breeze 9 Aug was associated with Hurricane Erin {fide B. Duncan). Lincoln’s Sparrow: singles at D.I. 14 Oct and 27 Oct and 2 there 4 Nov (all D. Evered, L. Messick); 1 at Gulf Breeze 5 Nov (B. Duncan). Dark-eyed JuncO: 8 reports at D.I. 26 Oct-15 Nov with 3 birds on the latter date (D. Evered, L. Messick); 1 at Melbourne {Brevard) 19 Nov through the season (B. Brown, B. and S. Hills et al.); 4 at St. Andrew S.R.A. 23 Nov (E. Fontaine); 1 in Alachua 24 Nov (G. Hart); 5 at Fort George Island 30 Nov (R. Clark); 1 at Phipps/Overstreet Park 22 Nov (N. Warner et al.). Yellow-headed Blackbird: 1 at St. Petersburg {Pinellas) 11-16 Oct (B. Parkhurst et al). 58 FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST Brewer’s Blackbird: 2 at Tram Road S.TF. 15-16 Nov (J. LaVia et al); 1 at Okaloosa holding ponds 17 Nov {fide D. Ware). Boat-tailed GracklE: 6 males with yellow eyes at Pace 16 Nov and 17 males there 18 Nov (B. Milmore), where birds have been seen in the area for several years, mostly in winter. These are the first published fall and winter reports in Santa Rosa (S&A 1994:673). According to B. Duncan, birds in Alabama have white eyes, so the Pace birds may be winter visitors from the Atlantic coast. Molothrus SPECIES: 1 juvenile, believed to be a Shiny Cowbird, at Bald Point 6 Sep, where an adult male and a female were seen during the same period (see below). Shiny Cowbird: 1 at Cedar Key 7 Aug (D. Henderson) was the first fall report for Levy (S&A 1994:678); 1 male at Bald Point 23 Aug and a female there 17 Sep (both J. Do- zier); 1 at F.D.C.P. 30 Sep (L. Atherton); 1 at Lake Worth 18 Oct (P. Weinrich) was the first fall report for Palm Beach (S&A ibid.). Bullock’s Oriole: 1 in female plumage at H.H.S.P. 8 Oct (A. Fleischer, B. Pranty, M. McMillian) was the first Highlands report; 1 female at Tram Road S.TF. 26 Oct (J. Cavanagh). House Finch: 1 male at Apopka (photos to Tall Timbers Research Station) from late Sep- late Nov (C. Pierce) was the first Orange record (S&A 1994:696); at least 3 in female plumage at A.B.S. 31 Oct (K. Tarvin, M. Garvin) was the first Highlands report. Pine Siskin: small numbers at D.I. beginning 5 Nov (D. Evered, L. Messick). American Goldfinch: 1 male in breeding plumage in Gilchrist 27-30 Aug (J. and R. Al- lison) was the first county report (!) (S&A 1994:700); 1 at S. Jacksonville 31 Aug (J. Cocke); 100+ at D.I. 12 Nov (D. Evered, L. Messick). Java Sparrow: 1 adult at Hudson 7 Oct (M. Kenton, D. Robinson) was the first Pasco re- port and the first for Florida since 1988 (S&A 1994:693) CONTRIBUTORS: Bruce Ackerman, Howard Adams, Curt Adkisson, James Allison, Ruth Allison, John Arnett, Brooks Atherton, Lyn Atherton, Steve Backes, Leslie Backus, Ted Below, L. Berkow, Bettye Biggs, Wes Biggs, Greg Bretz, Paul Blair, Reed Bowman, Bill Bremser, Fred Broerman, Bob Brown, Dana Bryan, Brad Burkstrom, Patricia Burns, Ron Card, Ed Case, Jim Cavanagh, Roger Clark, Julie Cocke, David Cole, Mike Collins, Buck Cooper, Linda Cooper, Fritz Davis, Mark Dolan, Jack Dozier, Charles DuToit, Bob Duncan, Lucy Duncan, Scot Duncan, Will Duncan, Erik Egensteiner, Glen Eller, Jody El- liott, Duncan Evered, Owen Fang, Paul Fellers, Judy Fisher, Artie Fleischer, Eula Fon- taine, Dot Freeman, Patrick Frost, Mary Garvin, Chuck Geanangel, Mark Ginsberg, Dave Goodwin, Jon Greenlaw, David Harder, Greg Hart, Mae Hartsaw, Dale Henderson, Bill Hills, Shirley Hills, John Hintermister, Tom Hoctor, Brett Hoffman, Marti Hoffman, Wayne Hoffman, Kelly Holland, H. Hooper, Brian Hope, Joan Hope, Judi Hopkins, Larry Hopkins, Howard Horne, Gloria Hunter, Ann Ingram, Richard Ingram, Dean Jue, Sally Jue, Mary Keim, Bev Kenney, Don Kenney, Mike Kenton, Helene King, Brian Krikorian, Jerry Krummrich, Jay LaVia, Marge Lambert, Howard Langridge, Barbara Liberman, Fred Lohrer, Manny Lopez, Lome Malo, Dottie MacVicar, Keith MacVicar, Mike Manetz, Howard Manfredi, Joy Marburger, Vince McGrath, Mike McMillian, Tony Menart, Gail Menk, Lyla Messick, Richard Miller, Bill Milmore, Amanda Morgan, M.C. Morgan, Don Morrow, Barbara Muschlitz, Kris Nelson, Robert Norton, Paul O’Brien, Craig Parenteau, Bruce Parkhurst, James Pfeiffer, Cheri Pierce, Richard Poole, John Potter, Peggy Powell, Nancy Prine, Arnold Rawson, Diane Reed, Cathy Reno, Jimmy Richardson, Bryant Rob- erts, William B. Robertson, Don Robinson, Ted Robinson, Rex Rowan, F. Rutkousky, De- bra Shelley, Christine Small, Parks Small, Austin Smith, P. William Smith, Ron Smith, Betty Smyth, Randy Snyder, Paul Sykes, Keith Tarvin, Terry Taylor, Phil Tetlow, Pete Timmer, Tadziu Trotsky, Noel Warner, George Weymouth, Don Ware, Ray Webb, Chuck Field Observations 59 Weber, Philip Weinrich, Terry West, Mickey Wheeler, Margie Wilkinson, Charlotte Wil- son, Glen Woolfenden, Tom Workman, and Wilfred Yusek. Summer 1995 reports not published previously: White-tailed Kite: 2 adults have been observed at Three Lakes W.M.A. (Osceola) the past 3 summers (Sue Riffe et ah); White-winged Dove: up to 8 at Apopka (Orange) from Jul through the winter (C. Pierce, photo to Tall Timbers Research Station) are evidently birds expanding from the popula- tions released into central Florida since the 1970s. Report prepared by Bill Pranty, state compiler (Archbold Biological Station, P O. Box 2057, Lake Placid, Florida 33862-2057). Other committee members are Linda Coo- per (115 Lameraux Road, Winter Haven, Florida 33884), Jim Cox (Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission, 620 S. Meridian Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399- 1600), and Peggy Powell (2965 Forest Circle, Jacksonville, Florida 32257). 60 FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST FLORIDA ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY SPECIAL PUBLICATIONS Species Index to Florida Bird Records in Audubon Field Notes and Amer- ican Birds Volumes 1-30 1947-1976, by Margaret C. Bowman, 1978. Florida Or- nithological Society, Special Publication No. 1. Price $4.00. The Carolina Parakeet in Florida, by Daniel McKinley. 1985. Florida Ornitho- logical Society, Special Publication No. 2. Price $6.00. Status and Distribution of the Florida Scrub Jay, by Jeffrey A. Cox. 1987. Florida Ornithological Society, Special Publication No. 3. Price $8.00. Florida Bird Records in American Birds and Audubon Field Notes 1947- 1989, by Robert W. Loftin, Glen E. Woolfenden, and Janet A. Woolfenden. 1991. Florida Ornithological Society, Special Publication No. 4. Price $8.00. West Indian Bird Records in American Birds and Audubon Field Notes (1947-1990): Species Index by Islands, by Robert W. Loftin. 1992. Florida Or- nithological Society, Special Publication No. 5. Price $8.00. Florida Bird Species: An Annotated List, by William B. Robertson, Jr. and Glen E. Woolfenden. 1992. Florida Ornithological Society, Special Publication No. 6. Price for FOS members $14.95 (soft cover), $19.95 (hard cover); nonmembers $17.95 (soft cover), $22.95 (hard cover). Order prepaid from the Secretary; add $1.00 handling and shipping for Spe- cial Publications No. 1-5; add $2.00 handling and shipping for Special Publication No. 6. Florida residents add 7% sales tax to the total. Make checks payable to the Florida Ornithological Society. INVITE A VERY SPECIAL FRIEND TO BECOME A MEMBER OF THE FLORIDA ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY Florida Field Naturalist ISSN 0738-999X PUBLISHED BY THE FLORIDA ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY Editor; WALTER K. TAYLOR, Dept, of Biology, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida 32816-3268. Assistant Editors: Eric Stolen and Mike Petrovich, (address as above). Associate Editor (for bird distribution): Bruce H. Anderson, 2917 Scarlet Road, Win- ter Park, Florida 32792. Associate Editor (for reviews): Reed Bowman, Archbold Biological Station, P.O. Box 2057, Lake Placid, Florida 33862. Associate Editor (for technical papers): RICHARD T. PAUL, National Audubon Society, 410 Ware Blvd., Suite 500, Tampa, Florida 33619. Editor of Special Publications: Glen E. Woolfenden, Archbold Biological Station, P.O. Box 2057, Lake Placid, Florida 33852. Editor of the Ornithological Newsletter: Katy NeSmith, Florida Natural Areas Inventory, 1018 Thomasville Road, Suite 200-C, Tallahassee, Florida 32303. Archives Committee: WALTER K. TAYLOR (Chair), Department of Biological Sciences, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida 32816. Editorial Advisory Board: STEPHEN A. NESBITT, Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission, Wildlife Research Laboratory, 4005 South Main St., Gainesville, Florida 32601. Field Observations Committee: Bill Pranty (Compiler), Archbold Biological Station, P.O. Box 2057, Lake Placid, Florida 33852. Finance Committee: P. WILLIAM SMITH (Chair), P.O. Box 1341, Homestead, Florida 33090. Nominating Committee: JAMES Cox (Chair), Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission, 620 S. Meridian St., Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1600. Records Committee: Bruce H. Anderson (Secretary), 2917 Scarlet Road, Winter Park, Florida 32792. Research Awards Committee: Bill Pranty (Chair), Archbold Biological Station, P.O. Box 2057, Lake Placid, Florida 33862. INFORMATION FOR CONTRIBUTORS The Florida Field Naturalist is a fully refereed journal emphasizing biological field studies and observations of vertebrates, especially birds, in and near Florida and the nearby West Indies. It welcomes submission of manuscripts containing new information from these areas. Please consult recent issues for style and Vol. 18, No. 1 for detailed information. Submit manuscripts for consideration to the Editor, Walter K. Taylor. Mono- graph-length manuscripts may be submitted for consideration to the Editor of Special Publications, Glen E. Woolfenden. Send books and other materials for review to Associate Editor, Reed Bowman. For preliminary assistance regarding submission of manuscripts dealing with bird distribution and rarities contact Associate Editor, Bruce H. Anderson. Reports of rare birds in Florida should also be submitted to the FOS Records Committee Secretary, Bruce H. Anderson. For preliminary assistance regarding submission of scien- tific, technical, or behavioral contributions contact Associate Editor, Richard T. Paul. .WIIHSQNJ 3 9088 00996 1335 Florida Field Naturalist PUBLISHED BY THE FLORIDA ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY VOL. 24, No. 2 May 1996 Pages 25-60 CONTENTS ARTICLE Effects of Suburbanization and Habitat Fragmentation on Florida Scrub- Jay Dispersal J, E. Thaxton and T M. Hingtgen 25-37 NOTES Frequency of Addled Eggs of Nesting Wood Storks in North and Central Florida James A. Rodgers, Jr. 38-40 Field Notes on Chuck- will’s-widow Migration Theodore H. Below, Beverly J. Anderson, and John L. Douglas 41-42 Black and Turkey Vulture Interactions with Bald Eagles in Florida Eric Douglas Stolen 43-45 Summer Singing of a Whip-poor-will {Caprimulgus vociferus) in Florida Parks E. Small and Brian W. Emanuel 46-47 FIELD OBSERVATIONS Fall Report; August-November 1995 Bill Pranty 48-59