The Kentucky Warbler (Published by Kentucky Ornithological Society) VOL. 92 FEBRUARY 2016 NO. 1 IN THIS ISSUE FALL 2015 SEASON, Brainard Palmer-Ball, Jr., and Lee McNeely. 3 CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT 2015-2016, Blaine R. Ferrell. 17 FIELD NOTE Another 19th Century Report of Golden Eagle in Kentucky. 34 NEWS AND VIEWS.35 2 THE KENTUCKY WARBLER Vol. 92 THE KENTUCKY ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY President Pat Bell, Louisville Vice-President. Corresponding Secretary. Treasurer. Recording Secretary. Councillors: Bonnie Avery, Upton. Jeff Sole, Frankfort. Rob Lane, Louisville. Teresa Graham, Greenville Carol Besse, Louisville. Rebecca Bates, Berea. .David Lang, Georgetown .Brainard Palmer-Ball, Jr. 8207 Old Westport Road, Louisville, KY 40222-3913 .Lee McNeely P.O. Box 463, Burlington, KY, 41005 .Blaine Ferrell, Bowling Green .2014-2016 .2014-2016 .2015-2017 .2015-2017 .2016-2018 .2016-2018 Retiring President Steve Kistler, Munfordville Affiliates Beckham Bird Club (Louisville) Northern Kentucky Bird Club (Burlington) The Kentucky Warbler The journal of the Kentucky Ornithological Society, published quarterly in February, May, August and November, The Kentucky Warbler is sent to all members not in arrears for dues. Current membership categories and corresponding dues follow: Regular ($15.00); Contrib¬ uting ($25.00); Student ($10.00); Family ($20.00); and Life ($300.00). Direct manuscripts and communications to the Editor. Send membership dues to the Treasurer. Make requests for back issues to the Corresponding Secretary. Editor.Brainard Palmer-Ball, Jr. 8207 Old Westport Road, Louisville, KY, 40222 ( brainard@mmdspring.com ) Editorial Advisory Board Ben Yandell and Carol Besse THE COVER We thank Pam K. Spaulding for the image of the Black-throated Gray Warbler (Seto- phaga nigrescens) taken 25 November 2015 at Surrey Hills Farm in northeastern Jefferson County (see Fall 2015 Season, p. 15). Financial support for color reproduction in y-_- this issue has been provided by the Daniel Boone National Forest. 1 il A q( 2016 THE KENTUCKY WARBLER 3 FALL 2015 SEASON Brainard Palmer-Ball, Jr., and Lee McNeely Weather conditions during fall 2015 were somewhat variable across the state. Temper¬ atures during the period did not vary remarkably from normal, although August, October, and November were slightly warmer than normal and September was slightly cooler than normal. Precipitation was much more variable during the season. Eastern Kentucky re¬ ceived above normal rainfall during August while the central part of the state experienced near normal precipitation, but the western half was drier than normal, particularly at Bow¬ ling Green, where only about one-half of normal rainfall fell. During September, most of the state experienced near-normal precipitation, although it was very dry in western Ken¬ tucky, where Paducah received only about one-quarter of the normal amount of rain. This trend continued in the west during October; Paducah remained below normal, although the central part of the state received close to one-and-a-half times normal rainfall. The situation flipped during November, however, with Paducah finally receiving an above-normal amount of precipitation (two times normal, in fact) and Jackson receiving only about three- quarters of the normal amount. Rarity highlights included Red-throated Loon, Pacific Loon, White-faced Ibis, Red Phalarope, Great Black-backed Gull, White-winged Dove, Black-chinned Hummingbird, and Black-throated Gray Warbler. Irruptive winter finches were low in number, with small numbers of Pine Siskins and Purple Finches being the only ones to appear. Red-breasted Nuthatches were nearly absent again this year. Publication of any unusual sightings in the seasonal report does not imply that these reports have been accepted for inclusion in the official checklist of Kentucky birds. Reports of out-of-season birds and rarities should be accompanied by written and/or photographic documentation. This documentation is reviewed by the Kentucky Bird Records Committee (KBRC). Decisions regarding the official Kentucky list are made by the KBRC and are reported periodically in The Kentucky Warbler. Abbreviations - County names appear in italics', when used to separate dates, the symbol is used in place of “and”; “ba.” next to an observer’s initials indicates that the bird was banded; “ph.” next to an observer’s initials indicates that the observation was documented with photograph(s); “f” next to an observer’s initials indicates that written details were submitted with the report. Place names: Anchorage Trail. Jefferson', Ballard WMA . Ballard', Barkley Dam , Livingston/Lyon. Barren River Lake . Allen/Barren', Becklev Creek Park , e. Jefferson', Berea , Madison', Blood River = Blood River embayment, Ky Lake, Calloway, Camp #9 = Camp #9 Coal Preparation Plant, Union, Camp #11 = former Camp #11 Mine, Union', Caperton Swamp = Caperton Swamp Nature Preserve, Jefferson', Cedar Creek Lake , Lincoln', Cherokee Park , Jefferson', Dry Creek Unit [Barren River Lake WMA], Barren', Clear Creek = Clear Creek embayment, Ky Lake, Marshall', Douglass Hills , e. Jefferson; Falls of the Ohio , Jefferson ; Fishing Creek = Fishing Creek embayment of Lake Cumberland, Pulaski', Greenville , Muhlenberg', Horseshoe Road , sloughs along Horseshoe Road, w. Henderson ; Jonathan Creek = Jonathan Creek embayment, Ky Lake, Marshall', Kv Dam = Kentucky Dam, Livingston/Marshall, Ky Dam Village = Ky Dam Village SRP, Marshall, Ky Lake = Kentucky Lake, Calloway/Livingston/Lyon/Marshall/ Trigg', LBL = Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area, Lyon/Trigg', Lexington , Fayette ; Luzerne Lake . Muhlenberg', Melco = Melco flood retention basin, Jefferson ; Minor Clark = Minor Clark Fish Hatchery, Rowan', Murray , Calloway; nw. of Powderly = Muhlenberg County Rail Trail nw. of Powderly; Owsley Fork Lake , Madison (unless other¬ wise noted); Pope Lick Park, [formerly Floyds Fork Park], Jefferson; Sauerheber = Sauer- heber Unit Sloughs WMA, Henderson; Sinclair = Sinclair Unit Peabody WMA, Muhlen¬ berg; Sledd Creek = Sledd Creek embayment, Ky Lake, Marshall; Spindletop Farm = University of Kentucky Spindletop Research Farm, Fayette; SNP = State Nature Preserve; 4 THE KENTUCKY WARBLER Vol. 92 SP = State Park; SRP = State Resort Park; Surrey Hills Farm , ne. Jefferson ; Upper Hickman Bottoms , w. Fulton ; Waitsboro = Lake Cumberland at Waitsboro Recreation Area, Pulaski, Wildcat Creek = Wildcat Creek embayment, agement Area. Greater White-fronted Goose - 18 at Blood River 12 October (HC) and 36 at Camp #11 on 15 October (BPa, JBa, CC) were the earliest to be reported. Other re¬ ports of interest included 11 over Doug¬ lass Hills 29 October (BY, ph. MY); 3 migrant flocks over Otter Creek Park, Meade , 7 November (CL); and 2000 at Sauerheber by 16 November (CC) with 3000 there by 25 November (CC). Snow Goose - 2 at Camp #11 on 15 October (BPa, JBa, CC) and 150 at Sauerheber 16 October (CC) were the earliest to be re¬ ported. Ross’s Goose - 1 at Goose Lake, Sinclair, 11 November (ph. SG, TG) was the only one reported. Tundra Swan - 8 from the wintering flock at Sauerheber were first observed there 18 November (KM). Gadwall - 350 on Lake Barkley, Trigg , 10 November (BL) represented a modest peak count for the season. Gadwall x Mallard - a male was present at Somerset, Pulaski, 17 November (ph. RD). Blue-winged Teal - peak counts included at least 115 at the Falls of the Ohio, ca. 150 at Camp #11, and 290 at Camp #9 (BPa, JBa), all 10 September; 125 at Camp #11 on 14 September (BPa); and 198 at Jona¬ than Creek (MMi) and 125 at Barren Riv¬ er Lake (TD, TBe, KOS), both 19 Sep¬ tember. Fifteen at Sauerheber 18 Novem¬ ber (KM) and 3 at Green River Lake, Taylor, 27 November (RCa, RBi) were quite tardy. Northern Shoveler - 9 at the E.W. Brown Power Plant, Mercer, 28 August (RD, JDn), 1 at Jonathan Creek 31 August (MMi), and 2 at Lexington 1 September (LCo) were the earliest to be reported; 100 at Sauerheber 18 November (KM) repre¬ sented the season’s peak count. Ky Lake, Calloway, WMA = Wildlife Man- Northern Pintail - singles at Minor Clark 12 September (BW, CBC) and at Camp #11 on 14 September (BPa) were the ear¬ liest to be reported; 15-20 at Camp #11 on 15 October (BPa, JBa, CC) represented a very modest peak count for the season. Green-winged Teal - 1 at Melco 25 August (RFa, JA, et al.) was the earliest to be reported; other reports of interest included 168 at Blood River 29 October (HC) and 39 on the Ohio River at Six-Mile Island, Jefferson, 22 November (BPa). Canvasback - 1 on Ky Lake above the dam 3 November (HC, BL) was the earliest to be reported. Redhead - 5 on Ky Lake, Marshall, 30 October (HC, ME) were the earliest to be reported; peak counts included at least 200 on the Ohio River at Louisville 29 November (BPa, CBs, RFa) and at least 2500 at Waitsboro 30 November (ph. RD). Greater Scaup - 1 on the Ohio River at Louisville 21 November (BPa et al.) was the earliest to be reported. Lesser Scaup - 1 on the Ohio River at Lou¬ isville 29 October (RFa) and 15 there 1 November (CBs, BBC) were the earliest to be reported. Surf Scoter - there were reports from two locales: 1 on Ky Lake above the dam, Liv¬ ingston, 30 October (HC) with 2 on the Marshall side of the lake near Ky Dam Village 1 November (BPa, MMo) and 3 continuing in the vicinity to 6 November (JP, BL, HC, et al ); and 4 on the Ohio River at Louisville 30 November (EH et al.). Black Scoter - there were reports from two locales: 2 on the Ohio River at Louisville 13 November (BPa et al.) with 1 there 21 November (BPa) and 1+3 there 22 No¬ vember (BPa, EH, et al.); and 1 on the Ohio River at Catlettsburg, Boyd, 26 No¬ vember (ph. MLu). 2016 THE KENTUCKY WARBLER 5 Bufflehead - 1 at Cave Run Lake, Rowan, 28 October (RLe) was the earliest to be reported; peak counts included 50 total on the Ohio River at Louisville 20 November (BPa) with 96 total there 22 November (EH, BPa, et al.) and 50+ total there 29 November (BPa, CBs, RFa). Red-breasted Merganser - 59 at Luzerne Lake (TG, SG) and 118 at Fishing Creek (RD), both 30 November, represented the peak counts for the season. Ruddy Duck - 60 at Waitsboro 30 Novem¬ ber (RD) represented a modest peak count for the season. Red-throated Loon - there were two re¬ ports: 1 on Lake Cumberland off Old Rowena Road, Russell, 21 November (tRBn) and 1 at the mouth of Sledd Creek 24 November (fBPa). Pacific Loon - 1 was at Green River Lake, Taylor, 30 October-1 November (ph. RD, et al.). KBRC review required. Common Loon - 1 on Cave Run Lake, Bath, 20 August (ph. RD) may have been continuing from summer or a very early migrant; next earliest was 1 on Green River Lake, Adair, 13 October (RD). Mostly modest peak counts included 77 on Green River Lake, Adair, 7 November (RD); 300 on Lake Cumberland off Old Rowena Road, Russell, 21 November (RBn) with 40 there 22 November (RD); and 27 on the Ohio River at Louisville (BPa et al.), 40 on Lexington Reservoirs #2/#3 (LCo et al.), and 154 total on Lake Cumberland, Pulaski/Wayne (RD), all 30 November. Horned Grebe - 1 on Green River Lake, Adair, 13 October (RD) was the earliest to be reported; peak counts all occurred 30 November and included 50 at Jacobson Park, Lexington (TL), 100 on Lexington Reservoirs #2/#3 (JWi), 60 on Luzerne Lake (TG, SG), at least 300 total on the Ohio River at Louisville (EH et al ). Double-crested Cormorant - reports of in¬ terest included 200 on Barren River Lake 19 September (TD, RBa, KOS); 2000 at Kuttawa 15 October (HC); and 350-400 on the Ohio River at Louisville 24 Octo¬ ber (DSt, BPa). American White Pelican - 42 had returned to Blood River by 21 September (HC); the peak count from the LBL region was for more than 800 at Blood River 16 Octo¬ ber/3 November (HC, ME/MMi). There were only two reports away from the LBL region: 7 on Green River Lake, Adair, 13 October (ph. RD) and 45 over the Mis¬ sissippi River at Hickman, Fulton, 6 No¬ vember (HC) Least Bittern - there was only one report: 1 at Minor Clark 5 October (tRLe). Great Egret - local peak counts of interest included 38 at Melco 19 August (BPa et al.); 123 in the Upper Hickman Bottoms 7 August (HC); 82 at Jonathan Creek 10 September (MMi); 145 at Horseshoe Road 14 September (BPa); and 83 at the Falls of the Ohio 9 October (DSt et al ). One lingered at the Falls of the Ohio to 22 November (BPa, DSv, LCo). Snowy Egret - one at Blood River 16 October (HC, ME) was the latest to be re¬ ported. Little Blue Heron - there were only two reports away from w. Kentucky: 1 at Min¬ or Clark 20/30 August (RD/JSo) and 1 at Hays Kennedy Park, Jefferson, ca. 10 September (JK). Cattle Egret - there was only one report away from w. Kentucky: 3 at Hays Ke¬ nnedy Park, Jefferson, ca. 13 September (JK). 6 THE KENTUCKY WARBLER Vol. 92 Green Heron - 1 at Hays Kennedy Park 15 October (KB) and an especially tardy bird at Veterans Park, Lexington, 5 November (fSRn) were the latest to be reported. Black-crowned Night-Heron - 1 at the Kendall Rec. Area, Russell, 30 August (KM) was a local first. Yellow-crowned Night-Heron - there were reports from four locales: at least 7 along Cypress Creek, Marshall, 2 August (ph. BPa, ph. MMo); 11 & 12 mostly juvs. at Honey Cypress Slough, Grassy Pond/ Powells Lake Unit Sloughs WMA, Hen¬ derson, 13 & 21 August, respectively (ph. CC) with 1 still there 26 August (SG, TG); 2 juvs. at Obion WMA 16 August (DSv, ph. LCo, BPa); and a second-year bird at the Falls of the Ohio 7 September (fSW). White-faced Ibis - 1 at Melco 21 October (ph. BPa et al.) was a first for Jefferson. KBRC review required. Plegadis ibis - there were three reports of unidentified dark ibis: 1 at Horseshoe Road 13/14 September (fCC/ph. JSo); 1 at Sauerheber 1 November (fDLe); and 1 at Honey Cypress Slough, Grassy Pond/ Powells Lake Unit Sloughs WMA, Union, 4 November (ph. CC). Under KBRC re¬ view. Osprey - tardy birds were reported at sev¬ eral locales into the last week of October (eBird data); singles at Luzerne Lake 15 November (SG, TG) and at Lake Barkley, Trigg, 22 November (BL) were particu¬ larly late. Swallow-tailed Kite - 1 was seen over Pinchgut Creek, e. Allen, 16 August (tMBy, JBy, MkB, MrB). KBRC review required. Mississippi Kite - 2 lingered at Strathmoor Manor, Louisville, to 13 August (JBa); other reports of interest included 2 over Murray 19 August (MMi); 1 along 1-65 near Colesburg, Hardin, 20 August (f AC) and singles nw. of Powderly and w. of Greenville to the end of August (TG, SG). Broad-winged Hawk - modest peak counts included 21 over Crescent Hill, Louisville (MSt), 12 over Jacobson Park, Lexington (MT, ASK), and 344 over Douglass Hills (MMo), all 20 September; and 43 over Flat Rock Ridge Road, McCreary, 21 September (RD). Golden Eagle - there was only one report: a juv. over Ft. Knox, Hardin, 14 November (ph. MLe). Virginia Rail - there was only one report: 1 at Spindletop Farm 17 October (SH, ASK). Sora - singles at Horseshoe Road 10/14 September (BPa, JBa/BPa, CC) were the earliest to be reported; very modest peak counts included at least 4 heard at Camp #11 on 15 October (BPa, JBa, CC) and 5 at Sauerheber 17 October (BPa, BBC). American Coot - 1 at Adkins Swamp, Sin¬ clair, 9 August (TG, SG) was likely con¬ tinuing from summer; peak counts includ¬ ed 2000 on Lake Cumberland above Wolf Creek Dam, Russell (RD), and 1500 on Green River Lake, Taylor (RD), both 7 November. Sandhill Crane - few had passed through by the end of November (m. ob.). Black-necked Stilt - there were two reports: 35-40 (likely including some local family groups) at Wolf Island, Hickman, 3/8 August (PP/ph. RCr, PP) and 2 adjacent to Swan Lake, Ballard, 8 August (ph. RCr). American Avocet - there were three re¬ ports: 1 at Wolf Island, Hickman, 8 Au¬ gust (ph. RCr); 6 at Horseshoe Road 14/15 August (ph. BPa, CC/JSo) with 5 still there 17 August (CC); and 1 at Jon¬ athan Creek 22 September (JP). Black-bellied Plover - it was a poor season for the species with reports from only five locales: 1 at the Long Creek Refuge, LBL, Trigg, 20-22 August (HC, ME, JP); 1 w. of Honey Cypress Slough, Union, 1-5 September (CC); 1-2 at Wildcat Creek/ Blood River 15 September (HC) & 12-16 October (HC, ME); and 1 at Jonathan Creek 2 October (HC). American Golden-Plover - reports of inter¬ est included 1-3 at Melco 2 September-14 October (BPa et al.) with peak counts of 5 there 1/11 October (BPa, JBa, PS/BPa et 2016 THE KENTUCKY WARBLER 7 al.) and 6 there 3-4 October (BPa, JBa, et al.); 8 at Horseshoe Road 13 September (CC) with 4 there 20 September (CC); 1 at Minor Clark 15/18 September (SC, DM, LH/TS); 1-2 at Jonathan Creek 24-30 Sep¬ tember (HC, ME); and a rather tardy flock of 32 s. of Mt. Zion, Allen , 28 October (MBy, JBy). Semipalmated Plover - 1 lingered at Wild¬ cat Creek to 30 October (HC, ME). Killdeer - local peak counts included 350 in the Upper Hickman Bottoms 4 August (HC, JP); 200 at Horseshoe Road (CC) and 148 at Melco (BPa), both 5 Sep¬ tember; 200 at Guthrie Swamp, Todd , 22 October (JH); 200 at Sauerheber 30 Octo¬ ber (CC); 332 along Frazer Road, Wayne, 9 November (RD); and 221 at Jonathan Creek 12 November (HC). Spotted Sandpiper - 1 at the Pfeiffer Fish Hatchery, n. Franklin , 16 November (ph. BDe) was tardy. Greater Yellowlegs - 16 at Jonathan Creek 6 November (BW, RFa, BPa) represented a modest peak count for the season. Six at Barren River Lake (RS, MBy, JBy), 1 over ne. Calloway (RFa, BW), and 2 at Cedar Creek Lake (RD), all 6 November; 1 at Fishing Creek 6-7 November (RD); and 1 at Sauerheber 19 November (CC) were the latest to be reported. Lesser Yellowlegs - 100 at Horseshoe Road 5 September (CC) represented the peak count for the season. Two at Green River Lake SP, Taylor , 1 November (TG, SG); 3 at Clear Creek 3 November (HC) and 2 at Sauerheber 8 November (JM) were the latest to be reported. Upland Sandpiper - there was only one report: 1 at Beckley Creek Park 12 August (MWa). Ruddy Turnstone - there were only three reports: 1 on an island in Ky Lake near Hamlin, Calloway, 12 August (ph. CP); 1 at Minor Clark 8-15 September (MWr et al.); and 2 at Louisville Trackside 21 September (TBa et al.) with 1 continuing there to 22 September (AM et al.). Stilt Sandpiper - reports of interest in¬ cluded 20 at Horseshoe Road 8 September (CC) with at least 94 there 10 September (BPa, JBa) and at least 50 still there 14 September (CC, BPa); and 29 at Jonathan Creek 11 September (HC, ME). Sanderling - it was an exceptionally poor season with reports from only five locales: 2 at the Falls of the Ohio 6 August (MWa, JBa, et al.) with 1 there 22 -25 August (DSt et al.), 2 there 28 August (TBe, CBe), and 1-2 there 12-15 September (TBe, CBe, DSt); 1 at Ky Dam Village 30 August (JH); 1 at the E.W. Brown Power Plant, Mercer, 5 September (RD); 1 at Minor Clark on at least three dates 15 September-4 October (DM, TS, JSo); and 2 on an island in Ky Lake near Hamlin, Calloway, 25 September (JBr). Dunlin - an exceptionally early juv. was at Horseshoe Road 10-17 September (ph. BPa, JBa, CC); next earliest was 1 at Jonathan Creek 27 September (HC); other reports of interest included 42 at Blood River 25 October (HC) with 93 there 29 October (HC); 46 at Clear Creek 3 No¬ vember (HC) with 70 nearby at Jonathan Creek 6 November (BW, RFa, BPa), 61 still at the latter locale 13 November (MMi), and 72 there 10 November (HC); and 65 at Wildcat Creek 11 November (HC). Baird’s Sandpiper - there were reports from five locales: 1 at Melco 16-19 Aug¬ ust (BPa et al.); 2 along Fern Valley Road, Jefferson, 3-9 September (BPa, BDa, et al.); 1 at the Falls of the Ohio 26 August- 4 September (TBe, CBe, et al.) with 2 there 7 September (SW) and 1 there 12 September (TBe, CBe); 1 at Fox Chase Pond, Wayne, 6-7 September (ph. RD); and 1 at Blood River 10 September (HC). Least Sandpiper - peak counts of interest included 43 at Melco 8 September (BPa) with 45 there 24 October (BPa); 55 at Camp #9 on 10 September (BPa, JBa); at least 175 at Horseshoe Road 10 Septem¬ ber (BPa, JBa) with 125 still there 14 Sep¬ tember (CC, BPa); and 131 at Jonathan Creek 30 October (HC, ME) with 151 there 5 November (HC), 191 there 12 No¬ vember (HC), and 175 nearby at Clear Creek 18 November (HC, JP). Tardy birds 8 THE KENTUCKY WARBLER Vol. 92 away from the LBL region included 3 at Melco 14 November (BPa) and 6 at Guth¬ rie Swamp 19 November (JH). White-rumped Sandpiper - an unprece¬ dented fallout occurred during October with all reports included: at least 17 at Melco 3 October (BPa et al.) with 20 there 4-8 October (BPa, JWh, et al.), a peak count of 22 there 9 October (BPa), and 2 there 11-14 October (BPa et al.); 2 at Minor Clark 5-8 October (RLe, DM) with 4 there 9 October (JSo), 3 there 16 October (JSo), and 1 last seen there 25 October (ph. DA); 4 at the Falls of the Ohio 6 October (JBa et al.) with 3 still there 9 October (DSt, TBe) and 1 last seen there 12 October (JBa); 3 at Jonathan Creek 11 October (HC); and 8/9 at Wild¬ cat Creek 12/14 October (HC) with a new state high count for fall of 24 there 16 October (ph. HC, ME) and 13 last seen there 25 October (HC); and 1 at Barren River Lake, Allen, 22 October (MBy). White-rumped Sandpiper (1 of 20), Jefferson 4 October 2015 Brainard Palmer-Ball, Jr. Buff-breasted Sandpiper - there were re¬ ports from six locales: 8 in the Upper Hickman Bottoms 4 August (HC, JP); an ad. at Melco 5 August (BPa et al.) with a juv. there 28 August (RFa, BPa, et al.) and 2 there 6-8 September (BPa et al.); 1 at the Falls of the Ohio 7/18 August (TBa/ JBa) with 7 there 31 August (JBa, BPa, et al.), 2 there 7 September (BPa, TQ), and 4 there 8 September (DSt); 3 at Horseshoe Road 8 September (CC) with 2 there 10- 14 September (CC, BPa, JBa, JSo) and 1 last seen there 17 September (CC); 2 at Blood River 10 September (HC); and 1 at Minor Clark 13 September (LH). Pectoral Sandpiper - modest peak counts included 125+ in the Upper Hickman Bottoms 16 August (BPa, DSv, LCo); and 100 at Horseshoe Road 5 September (CC) with at least 75 still there 10 September (CC, JBa, BPa). Singles at Minor Clark 31 October (TL), at Melco 4 November (BPa), and at Jonathan Creek 10 Novem¬ ber (HC) were the latest to be reported. Semipalmated Sandpiper - 10 at Melco 19 August (BPa et al.) represented a very modest peak count for the season; a very tardy individual lingered at Clear Creek/ Jonathan Creek to 18 November (f/ph. HC). Western Sandpiper - it was another poor season for the species with reports from only five locales: 1 at Louisville Track- side 19 August (ph. BPa et al.); 1 at the E.W. Brown Power Plant, Mercer , 20 Au¬ gust (RD); singles at Melco 21-25 August (BPa et al.) and 2-6 September (BPa et al.); 1 at the Falls of the Ohio 28 August (TBe, CBe); and 1 at Blood River/Wildcat Creek 7-22 September (HC) with a peak count of 9 at Blood River on the relatively late date of 12 October (HC), and 5 still there and 3 at Wildcat Creek, both 14 October (HC), 1 lingering at Wildcat Creek to 25 October (HC), and 2 still present at Blood River on the excep¬ tionally late date of 11 November (HC). Short-billed Dowitcher - it was a poor sea¬ son for the species with reports of 1-2 birds at only four locales: singles at Melco 5 August/25 September (BPa et al./BPa); 2 along Uniontown-Mt. Vernon Road, Union , 21 August (CC); 1 sw. of Dot, Logan , 28 August (FL); and 1-2 at Horse¬ shoe Road 31 August-17 September (CC, BPa, JBa, JSo). Long-billed Dowitcher - an early ad. was at Horseshoe Road 10 September (tBPa, JBa); other reports of interest included singles (probably involving at least 2 individuals) at Melco 26-29 September & 6-14 October (ph. BPa et al.); and 5 at 2016 THE KENTUCKY WARBLER 9 Great Black-backed Gull (ad.). Falls of the Ohio 7 August 2015 Pam K, Spaulding Camp #9 and 1 at Camp #11, both 15 October (BPa, JBa, CC). Unprecedented numbers arrived in the LBL area during late October, however, resulting in the fol¬ lowing impressive peak counts that in¬ clude new state fall high counts: 34 at Blood River 25 October (HC) with 28 there 29 October (HC) and 11 still there 22 November (HC); and 41 at Jonathan Creek 30 October (HC, ME) with 47 nearby at Clear Creek 3 November (HC), a peak count of 56 at Jonathan Creek 6 November (BW, RFa, BPa), 54 there 8 November (HC), and 47 lingering there to 20 November (ME). Wilson’s Snipe - modest peak counts in¬ cluded 40 at Melco 7 November (BPa, MWa) and 75 at Sauerheber 16 November (CC) Wilson’s Phalarope - the species was re¬ ported from only one locale: 1 at Horse¬ shoe Road 8-10 September (ph. CC et al.) with 2 there 12-15 September (ph. SG, TG, CC, JSo, et al.); and 1 there again 23 September (CC). Red-necked Phalarope - 1 was reported at Hays Kennedy Park, Jefferson , 5 October (fJK). Red Phalarope - unprecedented for fall was the presence of an ad. adjacent to Swan Lake, Ballard, 11 August (ph. HC, et al ). KBRC review required. Bonaparte’s Gull - modest peak counts included 230 on Green River Lake, Adair, 14 November (RD); and 75-80 on the Ohio River at Louisville 29 November (BPa, CBs, RFa). Laughing Gull - there were reports from five locales: a first-year bird at Ky Dam Village 2 August (MMo, BPa); a first- year bird at the Falls of the Ohio 11 Au¬ gust (ph. PS, JBa, et al.) with 2 first-year birds there 13-18 August (ph. JBa et al.) and 1 lingering there to 1 September (TBe, CBe, et al.); a first-year bird at Ky Dam Village 13/18 October (HC/RD); 3 at Barren River Lake 28 October (TD); and single first-year birds at Barren River Lake (fRS) and Sledd Creek (BW, RFa, BPa), both 6 November. Franklin’s Gull - the species put in an exceptional showing from mid-October to early November with the following re¬ ports of interest: 9 at Blood River 14 Oc¬ tober (HC) with 2 there 29 October (HC); 1 at Wildcat Creek 16 October (HC, ME) with 64 there 30 October (HC, ME) and 23 there 1 November (HC, JP); 15-20 at Ky Dam Village 1 November (BPa, MMo) with 55 there 3 November (JBa); 30 at Sledd Creek 1 November (BPa, MMo); 1 at Barren River Lake 1 No¬ vember (TD) with new local high counts of 170 there 5 November (MBy, JBy, RS) and 206 there 6 November (MBy, JBy, 10 THE KENTUCKY WARBLER Vol 92 RS); 1-3 at Jonathan Creek/Clear Creek on several dates 26 October-8 November (MMi, JP, BPa, MMo, HC) with 23 at Jonathan Creek 6 November (BW, RFa, BPa), 14 there 12 November (HC), and 2 last seen there 20 November (ME); 1 on Green River Lake, Adair, 7 November (fRD); 18 on the Ohio River at Louisville 12 November (BPa) with 14 still there 13 November (TBa et al.), 2 there 14 No¬ vember (PB, JBe), 3 + 7 there 21 Novem¬ ber (BPa et al.), and 1 lingering there to 22 November (JSo, TBa); and 1 on the Ohio River at Dayton, Campbell, 14 No¬ vember (BW). Ring-billed Gull - ca. 500 (including 4 juvs.) were at Ky Dam Village by 2 August (BPa, MMo); at least 850 were on the Ohio River at Louisville 22 November (EH, BPa, et al ). Herring Gull - an ad. was at Ky Dam Vil- age by 2 August (BPa, MMo). Lesser Black-backed Gull - all of the re¬ ports were from the vicinity of Ky Dam/ LBL; 2 at Ky Dam 20 August were ex¬ ceptionally early (HC, ME, JP); 3 were at Sledd Creek 6/24 November (BW, REa, BPa/ BPa); and singles were at Clear Creek/ Jonathan Creek on several dates 8 September-18 November (HC, JP, MMi, et al.). Great Black-backed Gull - quite extra¬ ordinary was an ad. at the Falls of the Ohio 6-7 August (ph. JBa, MWa, ph. PS, et al.). Least Tern - a few active nests were found at Watson Point, Fulton, during the sec¬ ond week of August (CP), indicating that a few birds attempted very late nestings after water levels finally dropped back from July highs; 8 ads. were still in the Upper Hickman Bottoms 16 August (BPa, DSv, LCo). Caspian Tern - generally modest peak counts included 51 at Ky Dam Village 2 August (BPa, MMo); 51 at Wildcat Creek and 83 on Ky Lake near Hamlin, Callo¬ way, both 18 August (HC); 34 at Blood River 1 September (HC); 27 at Clear Creek 8 September (HC); and 11 at the Falls of the Ohio 30 September (JBa et al.). Black Tern - there were reports from only six locales: 1 in the Upper Hickman Bot¬ toms 4 August (HC, JP); 20-25 adjacent to Swan Lake, Ballard, 8 August (RCr) with 2 still there 11-12 August (BY, MY); 5 at the Falls of the Ohio 19 August (JBa et al.); 3 at Melco 19 August (BPa et al.) with 7 there 8 September (ph. PS et al.) and 2 still there 9 September (BDa, TBa); 2 along Uniontown-Mt. Vernon Road, Union, 21 August (CC); and 5 at Camp #9 on 10 September (JBa, BPa). Common Tern - there were reports from three locales: 1 at the Falls of the Ohio 13 September (BPa) with 1 just upstream in the Ohio River basin above the dam 26 September (JSo, BPa); and 1 at Fishing Creek (j/RD) and 5 at Barren River Lake (TD), all on the relatively late date of 28 October. Forster’s Tern - local peak counts of in¬ terest included 130 at Sledd Creek 25 September (JP) with at least 110 still there 1 November (BPa, MMo); and 158 at Jonathan Creek/Clear Creek 27 Septem¬ ber/10 October (HC/HC, ME) with 120 still there 6 November (BW, RFa, BPa). As is the norm, dozens lingered at Jon¬ athan Creek and at Blood River into late November. White-winged Dove - 1 was present at Bowling Green “through the summer of 2015,” photographed 7 August (ph. TH), and last seen 18 September. KBRC re¬ view required. White-winged Dove, Warren Co. 7 August 2015 Terry Hudson 2016 THE KENTUCKY WARBLER 11 Yellow-billed Cuckoo - singles at Sauer- eber 19 October (CC) and heard along Binns Mill Road, Christian, 23 October (SB) were the latest to be reported. Black-billed Cuckoo - there were four re¬ ports: 1 at McConnell Springs Park, Fay¬ ette, 10 September (TL, NB); 1 at John James Audubon SP, Henderson, 13 Sep¬ tember (JM); 1 at Floracliff SNP, Fayette, 16 September (DB); and 1 at the Jenny Hole Unit Sloughs WMA, Henderson, 10 October (JM). Barn Owl - there were three reports: nest¬ ing birds continuing from summer into mid-August s. of Feliciana, Graves (MC); 1 at Sullivan WMA, Franklin, 14 August (JSo); and 1 s. of Carlisle, Nicholas, 23 August (ph. BM fide JBa). Short-eared Owl - there were only two reports: 1 along Mercer Cemetery Road, Muhlenberg, 9 November (TG, SG) and 1 at Sinclair 23 November (P&SF). Northern Saw-whet Owl - it was another below-average year for the species with only 8 new birds banded at Surrey Hills Farm 7-22 November (MMo et al.). Chimney Swift - 2 over Douglass Hills 13 October (BY, MY) were the latest to be reported. Ruby-throated Hummingbird - not many birds lingered into October with 2 n. of Glasgow, Barren, 18 October (LCr); 1 at Lexington to 21 October (MSu); 2 at Murray to 20 October with 1 last seen there 22 October (ME); and 1 near Wal¬ ton, Kenton, 23 October-14 November (ph. LH) being the latest to be reported. Black-chinned Hummingbird - an imm. male was present ne. of Pottertown, ne. Calloway, 28 October into late December (banded 6 November) (ph. TG, CR, ba. BPa, et al.). Rufous Hummingbird - there was only one report: an imm. female at Murray 21 No¬ vember into December (banded 24 No¬ vember) (ME, ba. BPa). Yellow-bellied Sapsucker - 1 at the Highl¬ and Creek Unit Sloughs WMA, Union, 19 September (KM) was the earliest to be re¬ ported. Merlin - there were nearly two-dozen re¬ ports! A particularly early bird at Cap- erton Swamp 26 August (ph. JBa), 1 at Minor Clark 12 September (ph. JT); 1 at Morgan Conservation Park, Oldham, 13 September (ph. BDa), 1 at Camp #11 on 14 September (ph. BPa); and 1 at the Long Creek Refuge, LBL, Trigg, 16 Sep¬ tember (HC) were the earliest to be repor¬ ted. Other reports of single birds origin¬ ated from the following counties 22 Sep¬ tember-21 November (mostly eBird data): Allen (JBy, MBy), Fayette (LCo, DSv), Franklin (JSo), Jefferson [6] (RLa et al./ MMo et al./BPa, ph. PS/MMo, DSv, LCo, et al./MY, BY/RFa), Lincoln (RD), Logan [3+] (ph. ST/ph. FL/JH), Madison (DB, JSu), Marshall (JP), Muhlenberg [2] (TG, SG/TG, SG), Pendleton (BDi), Rowan (RLe), Shelby (TS), Todd (JH), Union (BPa), and Warren (2 together) (TD). Peregrine Falcon - reports of birds not near known nesting territories included 1 at Schochoh, Logan, 6 September (ST); 1 nw. of Powderly 16 September (TG); 1 at the Dry Creek Unit 20 September (LCr, ph. TBe, KOS); singles at Minor Clark 26 September/2 October (RD, RBn, et al./ RLe); singles se. of Mt. Zion, Allen, 29 September/15 October (JBy, MBy); 1 at Taylorsville Lake SP, Spencer, 30 Sep¬ tember (RD); 1 at Cedar Creek Lake 30 September (RD); 1 over Douglass Hills 30 September (MY, BY) with 3 different migrants over the same locale 1 October (MY, BY); singles along Old Pumphouse Road, Pulaski (RD), and at Owsley Fork Lake, Jackson (ph. RFo, RBa), both 3 October; 1 at Spindletop Farm 11 October (DSv, LCo); 1 along Pleasant Hill Church Road, Trigg, 12 October (BL); 1 at Ky Dam 26 October/12 November (JP); and 1 at Guthrie Swamp, Todd, 19 November (JH). Olive-sided Flycatcher - there were reports from eight locales: an early individual at Beckley Creek Park 14 August (AM et al.); 1 along Potters Creek Road, Cumber¬ land, 18 August (ph. SE, BE); singles nw. 12 THE KENTUCKY WARBLER Vol 92 of Powderly 21/28/31 August & 3 Sep¬ tember (SG, TG/SG, TG/ph. SG, TG, et al & TG, ph. SG); 1 at Pope Lick Park 29 August (PB, JBe, ph. TL, BBC); singles on the Anchorage Trail 25 August & 2/3/4 September (CBs, ph. JBa, PB, JBe & TBa/TBa, JBe, PB/JSo); 1 at Reservoir Knob, Pulaski , 5 September (ph. RD); 1 at Hisle Farm Park, Fayette , 10 September (TL); and 1 at Caperton Swamp 13 Sep¬ tember (ph. JBa). Eastern Wood-Pewee - singles along Binns Mill Road, Christian, 22 October (SB); on the Anchorage Trail 22 October (JG); and at Turkey Run Park, Jefferson, 23 October (AM, BPi) were the latest to be reported. Yellow-bellied Flycatcher - there were re¬ ports from nine locales: singles at Surrey Hills Farm 25/31 August (BPa/CBs, BPa); 1 at McConnell Springs Park, Fayette, 29 August (DLa, SH); singles on the Anchor¬ age Trail on six dates 31 August-21 September (JBe, PB, TBa, JWh, et al.); 1 at Sinclair 7 September (TG, SG); 1 nw. of Powderly 14 September (TG, SG); 2 at Douglass Hills 15 September (ph. MY, BY); 1 at Caperton Swamp 21 September (JBa); and singles at Yatesville Lake WMA, Lawrence (RLe) and at Logan Hubble Memorial Park, Lincoln (RD), both 23 September. Great Crested Flycatcher - singles at the Lexington Cemetery (NB) and at E.P. Sawyer SP, Jefferson (CBo, BBC), both 26 September, were the latest to be re¬ ported. White-eyed Vireo - 1 at Surrey Hills Farm 6-7 November (MWa, BPa, ph. SG, et al.) was particularly tardy. Bell’s Vireo - reports of interest included 1 at Berea, Madison, 25 August (RBa, ph. RFo) that represented the farthest east the species has ever been reported in the state; and 1 w. of Greenville 8 September (TG, SG). Yellow-throated Vireo - singles at Brown Park, Jefferson, 10 October (RBt) and at South Shore WMA, Greenup, 14 October (RLe) were the latest to be reported. Blue-headed Vireo - 1 at Louisville Cham¬ pions Park 7 November (SW) was the latest to be reported. Philadelphia Vireo - 1 at Mt. Zion, Pulaski, 16 August (tRD) represented a new early fall arrival date for the state by ten days; next earliest was at least 1 on the Anchor¬ age Trail 2 September (PB, JBe). Red-eyed Vireo - 1 at the Lexington Cem¬ etery 14 October (DLa) was the latest to be reported. Fish Crow - as has become the norm, a few lingered at Ky Lake, Marshall, particu¬ larly at Jonathan Creek, into late Novem¬ ber (m. ob.) with 2 still there 30 No¬ vember (MMi); 1 was heard at Ballard WMA 5 November (SRc). Common Raven - 2 were present at Paints- ville Lake WMA, Morgan, 7/9 November fide SF/SF). Northern Rough-winged Swallow - 16 at Mitchell Lake, Ballard WMA, 19 October (RD) were the latest to be reported. Purple Martin - roost counts included thousands near Nicholasville, Jessamine, 9 August (JWi); ca. 2000 at Lexington 9 August (SF); and ca. 2000 s. of Ashland, Boyd, 16 August (SF). One at Cedar Creek Lake 9 September (RD, PG) was the latest to be reported. Tree Swallow - 3 at Jonathan Creek 6 No¬ vember (BPa, BW, RFa) were the latest to be reported. Cliff Swallow - 2 at Horseshoe Road 14 September (BPa, CC) were the latest to be reported. Red-breasted Nuthatch - there were only two reports: 1 at Doug Travis WMA, Carlisle, 19 October (RD) and 1 at Lloyd WMA, ne. Grant, 20 November (FR). Brown-headed Nuthatch - at least 6 re¬ mained at the 2013 nesting location at Ky Dam Village through the season (m. ob.) with at least 7 counted there 6 November (BPa, BW, RFa). House Wren - singles near Ano, Pulaski, 13 November (RD) and on the Anchorage Trail 30 November (JWh) were tardy. 2016 THE KENTUCKY WARBLER 13 Winter Wren - 2 on the Anchorage Trail 26 September (JBe, PB, JG) were the earliest to be reported. Sedge Wren - there were reports from sev¬ en locales: 2 at Sandy Watkins Park, Hen¬ derson, 12 August (CC); 6 continuing on territory at Camp #11 into mid-August (BPa et al.) with at least 3 still there 10 September (BPa, JBa); 1 w. of Greenville 21 September (TG, SG); 1 at the Beau¬ mont Preserve, Fayette, 26 September (RO); 1 at Melco 27-29 September (BPa, ph. PS, et al.); 1 at Caperton Swamp 30 September (RFa); and 2 at Surrey Hills Farm 8 October (BPa) with 3 there 10 Oc¬ tober (ph. BPa) and 1 continuing there to 19 October (BPa). Marsh Wren - reports of interest included 1 nw. of Powderly 31 August (TG, SG); singles at Surrey Hills Farm on a few dates 15 September-10 October (BPa) with 2 there 11 October (BPa); 1 at Yates- ville Lake WMA, Lawrence, 23 Septem¬ ber (RLe); 2 at Spindletop Farm 10 Octo¬ ber (DLa, ASK, et al.); and a relatively tardy bird at Sauerheber to 30 October (CC). Ruby-crowned Kinglet - 1 on the Anchor¬ age Trail 23 August (TBa, JSo, et al.) was extremely early; next earliest was 1 at Highland Cemetery, Kenton, 15 Septem¬ ber (DN). Veery - singles at Mt. Zion, Pulaski, 30 August (RD) and se. of Mt. Zion, Allen, 31 August (MBy, JBy) were the earliest to be reported; 1 along Rock Lick Creek Road, n. Pulaski, 4 October (RD) was the latest to be reported; a tally of 3 se. of Mt. Zion, Allen, 6 September (MBy, JBy) was exceptional for this uncommon fall mi¬ grant. Gray-cheeked Thrush - singles se. of Mt Zion, Allen, 27/31 August (JBy, MBy) established new early fall arrival dates for the state by a few days; next earliest was 1 along the Anchorage Trail 5 September (ph. RFa). Catharus spp. - of particular interest were some nocturnal flight note surveys con¬ ducted by Ray Bontrager at Guffey Moun¬ tain, Wayne, during the season; particu¬ larly heavy thrush flights were detected on the nights of 29-30 September, 30 Sep¬ tember-1 October, and 8-9 October with the following high counts: 50 Swainson’s Thrushes, 6 Gray-cheeked Thrushes (29- 30 Sep); 300 Swainson’s Thrushes, 150 Gray-cheeked Thrushes, 5 Veeries (29 Sep-1 Oct); and 35 Swainson’s Thrushes, 10 Gray-cheeked Thrushes (2-3 Oct). Gray Catbird - singles at Pope Lick Park 25 October (JWh); along the Anchorage Trail 4 November (JBe, PB); and at the Little Lick Rec. Area, Pulaski , 5 Novem¬ ber (RD, SDe) were the latest to be re¬ ported. American Pipit - 2 at Beckley Creek Park (TBa) and 1 at Minor Clark (DM), both 21 September, were the earliest to be re¬ ported. Cedar Waxwing - 150 at Highland Cem¬ etery, Kenton, 17 September (DN); 150 at Elizabethtown, Hardin, 27 September (CS); 172 at Bemheim Forest 8 October (BF, BBC); 150 on the Anchorage Trail 12 October (JBe, PB); and 180 at Green River Lake SP, Taylor, 27 November (RCa, RBi) represented the peak counts for the season. Lapland Longpsur - 1 at Melco with American Pipits 23 October (BPa), and singles heard there and at Surrey Hills Farm (BPa), both 14 November, were the earliest to be reported. Ovenbird - 1 on the Anchorage Trail 14 October (PB, JBe) was the latest to be re¬ ported. Golden-winged Warbler - it was a good season for the species with reports on more than forty occasions 25 August-30 September (mostly eBird data); reports of interest included 4 at Surrey Hills Farm (BPa) and 2 on the Anchorage Trail (PB, JBe, CBs, et al.), both 25 August; 3 on the Anchorage Trail 10 September (CBs, PB, JBe, et al.); 2 at Iroquois Park 12 Sep¬ tember (BPa, CBs); and 7 se. of Mt. Zion, Allen, one day in mid-September (MBy). Blue-winged Warbler - 4 were at Surrey Hills Farm 25 August (BPa). 14 THE KENTUCKY WARBLER Vol. 92 Prothonotary Warbler - singles at the Dry Creek Unit (BPa, TS, TQ, JSo) and at the Highland Creek Unit Sloughs WMA, Union (KM), both 19 September, were the latest to be reported. Tennessee Warbler - 3 on the Anchorage Trail 22 August (JBe, PB, CBs) were the earliest to be reported; singles along Snipes Creek, Calloway , 3 November (DSi) and along Pleasant Church Hill Road, Trigg , 6 November (BL) were the latest to be reported. Orange-crowned Warbler - it was an ex¬ cellent season for the species with nearly forty reports 17 September-late Novem¬ ber (mostly eBird data); reports of interest included 2 below Barkley Dam 3 Novem¬ ber (BL) and at least 2 at Surrey Hills Farm 7-9 November (BPa et al.) with 1 continuing into early December (BPa, ph. PS). Nashville Warbler - an exceptionally early individual on the Anchorage Trail 9 Au¬ gust (PB) established a new early fall ar¬ rival date by nearly a week; next earliest was 1 at Cherokee Park 30 August (JBa, BBC). Connecticut Warbler - there were three re¬ ports: 1 on the Anchorage Trail 23 August (tPB, JBe, fCBs) that established a new fall arrival date for the state by five days; 1 at Figetts Bend, Hart , 5 September (tJSo); and 1 at Freeman Lake, Hardin, 25 September (f JSn). Mourning Warbler - it was a good season for the species with reports from eight locales; singles on the Anchorage Trail on at least seven occasions 23 August-1 September (m. ob.); 1 w. of Greenville 27 August (TG); 1 at Shawnee Park, Jeffer¬ son, 6 September (CBs, BBC); 1 at Sledd Creek 11 September (HC); 1 at Reservoir Knob, Pulaski, 20 September (RD); 1 e. of Crestwood, Oldham, 22 September (RFi); 1 at Beargrass Creek SNP, Jeffer¬ son, 23 September (JBa); and 1 at Beckley Creek Park 24 September (JBa). Common Yellowthroat - 1 at the Garvin Brown Preserve, Jefferson, 11 November (JWh) was particularly tardy. Cerulean Warbler - a very tardy migrant was reported at Mammoth Cave 20 Sep¬ tember (tLCr, SM, GW). Northern Parula - 1 at the Lexington Cem¬ etery 14 October (ph. DLa) was the latest to be reported. Bay-breasted Warbler - singles at Guthrie Swamp, Todd, 15 October (JH) and at Central Kentucky Wildlife Refuge, Boyle, 17 October (SP) were the latest to be re¬ ported. Blackburnian Warbler - 1 on the Anchor¬ age Trail 2 August (PB, JBe) established a new fall arrival date for non-breeding areas by four days; next earliest were ano¬ ther on the Anchorage Trail 14 August (JBe, PB) and 1 in w. Franklin 15 August (JSo). Yellow Warbler - singles at Minor Clark 2 October (RD) and at Melco 8 October (BPa, TQ) were the latest to be reported. Blackpoll Warbler - it was a good season for the species, in part due to a late Sep¬ tember weather system that pushed more birds farther west than normal: 1 in se. Jefferson 21 September (TBa); 1 at Melco 27 September (JWh, BPa); at least 1 at Louisville 25 September (ph. JDw); 1 at Bryan Station Farm, Fayette, 1 October (ph. TN); 1 at Caperton Swamp 4 October (ph. RFa); 1 at Summit, Boyd, 6 October (RLe) with 2 there 7 October (RLe); 1 along Bastin Creek Road, Casey, 7 Octo¬ ber (RD, SDe); 1 ne. of Verona, Boone, 8 October (ph. JT); and singles at Douglass Hills 10/11 October (ph. MY, BY). Black-throated Blue Warbler - it was an excellent season for the species with a dozen reports 10 September-7 October (mostly eBird data). Reports of interest in¬ cluded 1 at Sinclair 10 September (TG, SG); 1 at Reservoir Knob, Pulaski, 20 September (RD); 1 at Beckley Creek Park 22 September (AM, BPi); 1 at Waddy, Shelby, 23 September (TS); 2 at Yates- ville Lake WMA, Lawrence, 23 Septem¬ ber (RLe); 1 at Mammoth Cave 24 Sep¬ tember (JSo); 1 at LBL, Trigg, 26 Sep¬ tember (BL); 1 in se. Jefferson 30 Sep¬ tember (TBa); singles at McConnell 2016 THE KENTUCKY WARBLER 15 Springs Park, Fayette (DSv, LCo), and off Harmon Hollow Road, Wayne (ph. RBn), both 5 October; 1 at Douglass Hills 6 Oc¬ tober (BY, MY); and 1 at Summit, Boyd , 6-7 October (RLe). Palm Warbler - 1 at Logan Hubble Mem¬ orial Park, Lincoln , 9 September (RD, PG) was the earliest to be reported. Yellow-rumped Warbler - singles on the Anchorage Trail 19 September (TBa, BBC) and at the Dry Creek Unit (LCr, KOS), at Sauerheber (CC), and at Bern- heim Forest (SDi), all 20 September, were the earliest to be reported. Yellow-throated Warbler - 1 at Beckley Creek Park 18 October (PB, JBe, BBC) was the latest to be reported. Prairie Warbler - singles at Melco 1 Oc¬ tober (BPa), at Pope Lick Park 4 October (JWh), and a particularly tardy bird at Surrey Hills Farm 6 November (ph. PS) were the latest to be reported. Black-throated Gray Warbler - an imm. female was at Surrey Hills Farm 4 No¬ vember into December (ph. BPa et ah). KBRC review required. Black-throated Green Warbler - 1 at the Jenny Hole Unit Sloughs WMA, Hender¬ son, 24 August (CC) was the earliest to be reported away from known breeding ar¬ eas. Canada Warbler - 1 on the Anchorage Trail 18 August (JBe, PB) was the earliest to be reported away from known breeding areas. Wilson’s Warbler - 1 on the Anchorage Trail 22 August (CBs, JBe, PB) was the earliest to be reported; 1 w. of Greenville 3 November (TG) was exceptionally late. Yellow-breasted Chat - 1 at Clarks River NWR, Marshall, 26 September (JP) was the latest to be reported. American Tree Sparrow - 1 at Cox’s Park, Louisville, 21 November (BPa) was the earliest to be reported. Vesper Sparrow - 1 at Beckley Creek Park 9 October (JBa) was the earliest to be re¬ ported; 2 at the Long Point Unit Reelfoot NWR, Fulton, 11 November (DP) were the latest to be reported. Savannah Sparrow - 1 at Horseshoe Road 13 September (CC) was the earliest to be reported. Grasshopper Sparrow - 3 at Spindletop Farm 17 October (ph. DLa, ASK) and a particularly tardy individual n. of Dot, Logan, 11 November (ph. FL) were the latest to be reported. Henslow’s Sparrow - 1 at Surrey Hills Farm 25 October (BPa et al.) was the lat¬ est to be reported. Le Conte’s Sparrow - 2 at Sauerheber 17 October (BPa, BBC) were the only ones reported. Nelson’s Sparrow - there were two reports: 1 at Hays Kennedy Park, Jefferson, 7 October (ph. JBa et ah); and 2 at Spin¬ dletop Farm 17 October (SH, ph. DLa, ASK) with at least 1 still there 18/19 Oc¬ tober (DLa/DLa, DSv, LCo). Fox Sparrow - 1 at Beckley Creek Park 15 October (PB, JBe); 1 at Lake Cumberland WMA, Pulaski, 16 October (RD); and 1 se. of Mt. Zion, Allen (MBy) and 3 at Sau¬ erheber (BPa, BBC), both 17 October, were the earliest to be reported. White-throated Sparrow - 1 at Caperton Swamp 22 September (ph. RFa) and 4 at Doe Run Park, Kenton, 30 September (DM) were the earliest to be reported. Lincoln’s Sparrow - 1 at Sauerheber 20 September (ph. CC) and 2 on the An¬ chorage Trail (JBe, PB, JG) and 1 at Lake Cumberland WMA, Pulaski (RD), both 22 September, were the earliest to be re¬ ported. One at Sandy Watkins Park, Hen¬ derson, 3 November (CC) was the latest to be reported. Swamp Sparrow - 1 on the Anchorage Trail 22 September (PB, JBe, JG) was quite early; next earliest were 4 at Sauer¬ heber 28 September (CC). Dark-eyed Junco - a well-marked male J. h. oreganus was present at Douglass Hills 26 October into mid-November (ph. BY, ph. MY). 16 THE KENTUCKY WARBLER Vol. 92 Summer Tanager - 1 in w. Franklin 15 October (JSo) and a particularly tardy individual at LBL, Trigg, 28 October (AY) were the latest to be reported. Scarlet Tanager - singles at Cherokee Park 14 October (KB), and at Beckley Creek Park (PB, JBe, BBC) and se. of Mt. Zion, Allen (MBy), both 18 October, were the latest to be reported. Rose-breasted Grosbeak - 1 at Beckley Creek Park (CBs, JBa), 1 on the Anchor¬ age Trail (JG), and 2 at Cherokee Park (NB), all 21 October, and 1 w. of Green¬ ville 23 October (TG) were the latest to be reported. Blue Grosbeak - 1 at Beckley Creek Park 15 October (JBe, PB) was the latest to be reported. Indigo Bunting - singles at A.J. Jolly Park, Campbell (JT), at Surrey Hills Farm (BPa), on the Anchorage Trail (JBe, PB), and at Pope Lick Park (JWh), all 25 Octo¬ ber; and a particularly tardy individual nw. of Powderly 3 November (TG) were the latest to be reported. Dickcissel - 1 at Beckley Creek Park 24 September (JBa); 1 n. of Dot, Logan, 17 October (FL); 2 at Sauerheber 17/23 Oc¬ tober (BPa, ph. MY, BBC/ph. CC); and 1 at Schochoh, Logan, 1-7 November (ph. ST) were the latest to be reported. Bobolink - reports of interest included at least 35-40 at Horseshoe Road 10-17 Sep¬ tember (CC, BPa, JBa); singles at Pope Lick Park 3 October (AM) and at Cher¬ okee Park 8 October (ph. JBa et al.); 5 at Spindletop Farm 10 October (DLa); and 1 at Beckley Creek Park 18 October (PB, JBe, BBC). Western Meadowlark - 1 was at Camp #11 on 15 October (BPa, ph. JBa, CC). Brewer’s Blackbird - 1 heard and seen as it passed over Jonathan Creek 6 November (BPa, BW, RFa) was the only one repor¬ ted. Orchard Oriole - 1 at Melco 5 September (JWh) was the latest to be reported. Purple Finch - 4 at Berea, Madison, 12 October (RFo, RBa) and 1 heard over the Falls of the Ohio 23 October (BPa) were the earliest to be reported. Common Redpoll - quite extraordinary was 1 sw. of Hubble, Lincoln, 27 November (ph. JE). KBRC review required. Pine Siskin - 2 at Surrey Hills Farm 5 Octo¬ ber (BPa) and 1 at Bernheim Forest 8 Oc¬ tober (BF, BBC) were the earliest to be reported; small numbers continued at scat¬ tered locales statewide through the month and into November; 39 at Jonathan Creek 6 November (BPa, BW, RFa) represented the peak count for the season. American Goldfinch - up to 300 at Surrey Hills Farm during the last week of Octo¬ ber (BPa) represented the peak count for the season. Erratum to the Fall 2014 Report: Great Blue Heron (white morph) - the individual at the Long Creek Refuge, LBL, Trigg, was photographed 13 No¬ vember, not 14 November (corrects date given in The Ky Warbler 91:6). Observers: Dale Adams (DA), Jim Arnett (JA), Audubon Society of Kentucky (ASK), Jamie Baker (JBa), Thom Bamell (TBa), Rebecca Bates (RBa), Jamin Beachy (JBy), Makaya Beachy (MkB), Marena Beachy (MrB), Matthan Beachy (MBy), Colleen Becker 2016 THE KENTUCKY WARBLER 17 (CBe), Tom Becker (TBe), Beckham Bird Club (BBC), Jane Bell (JBe), Pat Bell (PB), Sarah Bell (SB), Carol Besse (CBs), Robert Biller (RBi), Carl Bochmann (CBo), Karen Bonsell (KB), Ray Bontrager (RBn), Rod Botkins (RBt), Nancy Braun (NB), Dustin Brewer (DB), John Brunjes (JBr), Ron Carrico (RCa), Hap Chambers (HC), Allen Chartier (AC), Cincinnati Bird Club (CBC), Marta Coleman (MC), Lisa Combs (LCo), Sam Corbo (SC), Linda Craiger (LCr), Charlie Crawford (CC), Rodney Crice (RCr), Brian Davis (BDa), Brenda Dean (BDe), Jen DeLeeuw (JDw), Julie Denton (JDn), Roseanna Denton (RD), Steve Denton (SDe), Barb Dickison (BDi), Scott Dickman (SDi), Tom Durbin (TD), Melissa Easley (ME), Jackie Elmore (JE), Benjamin Ewing (BE), Samuel Ewing (SE), Rand Falls (RFa), Richard Fischer (RFi), Preston & Shari Forsythe (P&SF), Rob Foster (RFo), Scott Freidhof (SF), Bill Friel (BF), Judy Galitzine (JG), Teresa Gemeinhardt (TG), Pamela Graber (PG), Steve Graham (SG), Teresa Graham (TG), Joe Hall (JH), Stratton Hatfield (SH), Fana Hays (EH), Eddie Huber (EH), Terry Hudson (TH), Kentucky Orni¬ thological Society (KOS), John Krull (JK), Rob Lane (RLa), David Lang (DLa), Dick Lee (DLe), Marjorie Lehman (MLe), Roger Lemaster (RLe), Bill Lisowsky (BL), Charlie Logsdon (CL), Terri Lusk (TL), Mikey Lutmerding (MLu), Frank Lyne (FL), Don Martin (DM), Andrew Melnykovych (AM), John Meredig (JM), Keith Michalski (KM), Mike Miller (MMi), Brad Mills (BM), Mark Monroe (MMo), Sandra Moss (SM), multiple observers (m. ob.), Tina Nauman (TN), Dave Novitski (DN), Ronan O’Carra (RO), Brainard Palmer-Ball, Jr. (BPa), Sydney Penner (SP), Bill Pike (BPi), Constance Powell (CP), Joshua Powell (JP), Phil Powell (PP), Dick Preston (DP), Tommy Quarles (TQ), Scott Record (SRc), Spencer Reinhard (SRn), Frank Renfrow (FR), Cynthia Routledge (CR), Tanner Shepard (TS), Damien Simbeck (DSi), Jennifer Snyder (JSn), Jeff Sole (JSo), Pam Spaulding (PS), Matt Stickel (MSt), Ruben Stoll (RS), Christine Stoughton (CS), Del Striegel (DSt), Josh Suich (JSu), Marie Sutton (MSu), Dave Svetich (DSv), Jeff Tingle (JT), Mark Tower (MT), Stephen Tyson (ST), Grace Walker (GW), Major Waltman (MWa), Sean Ward (SW), James Wheat (JWh), Jim Williams (JWi), Mike Wright (MWr), Brian Wulker (BW), Ben Yandell (BY), Mary Yandell (MY), Aviva Yasgur (AY). — 8207 Old Westport Road, Louisville, KY, 40222 (brainard@mindspring.com) (Palmer- Ball) and P.O. Box 463, Burlington, KY, 41005 (lkmc9@aim.com) (McNeely). CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT 2015-2016 Blaine R. Ferrell Reports of 30 counts were received from across the Commonwealth. A total of 136 species was recorded on count days, with two additional species (Long-tailed Duck and Red-throated Loon) added by observations during count weeks. Twenty species were observed on all counts and 19 species were observed on only one count. Temperatures during the count period were approximately 10-12°F warmer than temperatures during last year’s count period according to the state climatologist. Temper¬ atures ranged from a low of 22°F at Paradise on January 3rd to a high of 70°F at Hart Coun¬ ty December 13 and at West Allen County on December 26th. The average low temperature was 47°F and the average high temperature was 53°F. The number of waterfowl was down in general. The number of Red-breasted Nuthatches remained as low as last year. Purple Finches increased in number again this year. Due to varying weather conditions and food availability from year to year, it is difficult to determine trends in numbers and species. Interesting observations this year, partially due to lingering species resulting in part from the warmer weather, included Cackling Goose (2, Louisville), Mute Swan (1, Shelbyville), Blue-winged Teal (1, Frankfort), Green Heron (1, Cumberland Falls), Rough-legged Hawk (1, Elkton), Golden Eagle (1, Elkton), Virginia Rail (1, Paradise), Western Sandpiper (2, Land Between the Lakes), Spotted Sandpiper (1, Frankfort), Lesser Black-backed Gull (4, 18 THE KENTUCKY WARBLER Vol. 92 Land Between the Lakes), Short-eared Owl (1, Paradise), Black-chinned and Rufous Hummingbirds (1 each, Calloway County), Fish Crow (4, Land Between the Lakes), Brown-headed Nuthatch (1, Land Between the Lakes), Marsh Wren (1, Paradise), Orange- crowned Warbler (1, Ballard County; 2, Elkton; 2, Louisville), American Redstart (1, Som¬ erset), Vesper Sparrow (1, W. Allen County), and LeConte’s Sparrow (2, Ballard County). Thanks to the many observers who participated in this year’s count and to compilers who submitted count results on the appropriate forms. Also, thanks to compilers who sub¬ mitted documentation for unusual species to the editor and to the Kentucky Bird Records Committee (KBRC). Records of species unusual for the count do not constitute official records until reviewed by the KBRC. Ballard County (all points within a 15-mile diameter circle, center at jet. KY 358 and Stove Comer Road; 37.12284 N, -088.9518 W). Habitat as described in 1984. Dec. 22; 5:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. CST. Cloudy; temp. 46° to 54° F; wind E 5-10 m.p.h. Water open. Five observers in one to two parties. Total party hours: 16 (7 on foot, 9 by car). Total party miles: 82 (4 on foot, 78 by car). Hours owling: 1.0. Total species 87; 15,277 individuals. Observers: Steve Graham, Teresa Graham, Eddie Huber, Glen Lovelace, and Brainard Palmer-Ball, Jr. (compiler). The day was cloudy, with afternoon haze and fog limiting visibility. The species total (87) was a bit below average for this count. Numbers of all geese were low and only 12 species of waterfowl were detected. Highlights included 12 Least Sandpipers, at least 150 Wilson’s Snipe, 20 Brown Thrashers, an Orange-crowned Warbler, at least three Pine Warblers, two Le Conte’s Sparrows, a few Purple Finches, and a flock of at least 55 Pine Siskins. Red-headed Woodpeckers were present in good numbers in the bottomland forests, but again this year we did not spend much time in that habitat to tally a large number. We also again missed several uncommon species that we often get including American Wood¬ cock, Lapland Longspur, and Brewer’s Blackbird. Natural food supplies did not appear to be very abundant. Calloway County (all points within a 7.5-mile radius circle, center Douglas Cemetery; 36.5984°, -088.1958°). Habitat: 20% lake shoreline and streams, 35% open fields, 30% residential, and 15% deciduous and pine woods. Jan 4; 6:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Sky cloudy to partly cloudy; temp. 29-35°F; windN, 13-25 m.p.h. Ten observers in five parties. Total party-hours 25.5 (6.0 on foot, 19.5 by car). Total party-miles 151.7 (5.0 on foot, 146.7 by car). Total species 74; total individuals 16,752. Kentucky Lake was flooded and all bays and shorelines were under water. Observers: Hap Chambers (compiler), Kathy Cohen, (Melissa Easley- feeder watcher), Teresa Gemeinhardt, Bob Head, Mike Miller, Josh Powell, Katie Powell, John Powell, Darrin Samborski and Aviva Yasgur. Kentucky Lake was above flood stage, and the shoreline and bays were difficult to access. The lake was approximately 10 feet over winter pool. Wind gusts, flooding debris, and white caps made it difficult to see and count waterfowl. Species numbers were below what they were the day prior to the count. Land Between the Lakes (all points within a 7.5-mile radius circle, center Pisgah Creek, one-quarter mile w. of The Trace; 36.9333°, -088.1167°; also extended to include Jonathan Creek embayment). Habitat as described in 1984 in American Birds. Dec. 19; 6:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Sky sunny and clear; temp. 29-49°F; wind, SW 0-6 m.p.h. Weather in the region for a few weeks prior to the bird count was unseasonably warm (many days of above-average temperatures, some even breaking long-standing record highs). 2016 THE KENTUCKY WARBLER 19 Thirty-eight observers in eleven parties. Total party-hours 63 (32 on foot, 31 by car). Total party-miles 301.4 (15.7 on foot, 285.7 by car). Total species 90; total individuals 7,313. Observers: Dan Allison, Ellen Bravard, Shannon Brockway, Arriane Byrum, Hap Chambers, J. David Chiles, Cameron Cooper, Kim Cooper, Melodie Cunningham, Sharon East, Blue Eubanks, Karen Fitzgerald, Preston Foote, Jan Gray, Krista Hardy, Gabe Holcomb, Jaden Holcomb, Noah Holcomb, Patrick Holcomb, Stephanie Holcomb, Tim Johnson, Kimberly Lilly, Monica Main, Marian Martin, Chris Nelson, Christi Nelson, Emma Nelson, Marilyn O’Bryan, Bob Peak, John Pollpeter, Colin Priest, Andy Radomski, Elizabeth Raikes, Darrin Samborski, Mycah Scoggins, Tammie Smith, Anita Spaulding, and Aviva Yasgur (compiler). With such a mild winter leading up to this year’s Christmas Bird Count, we were unsure what to expect this year. It had seemed like we had not been seeing as many winter birds as we usually do by this time of year, and the results of the count confirmed these impressions. Although we did total 90 species, which is not too far off the average for the Land Between the Lakes count, the number of individuals of many typical winter visitors such as Dark-eyed Junco, White-throated Sparrow, Hermit Thrush, and Canada Goose were low. We also recorded low numbers for quite a few of our year-round residents, including Northern Mockingbird, Carolina Wren (lowest number ever for this count), Eastern Towhee, and even European Starling (although we’re fine with a low count for that one!) Also, our overall total number of individuals was below average, at only 7313 individuals. On a different note, this year’s count did include some interesting and noteworthy sightings, such as 2 immature Black-crowned Night Herons, 53 Common Loons, 58 Least Sandpipers (a very high number for this count), 2 Western Sandpipers, 4 Fish Crows, and a Brown-headed Nuthatch. The Brown-headed nuthatches have been well-documented in this area for several years, but have never been observed on the Christmas Bird Count. Similarly, we have been noticing more and more Fish Crows during the nesting season in the area, but have not picked them up on this count before. And those numbers for the Common Loon and Least Sandpiper were very high counts! Of course, the Christmas Bird Count can’t happen without people to do the counting, and a big highlight for us this year was the large number of participants. 38 people participated in our count this year, more than any year in recent history. This number includes three families with school-aged children as well as the more usual adult birders. We had quite a few newcomers who joined us for the first time, expressing an interest in getting more involved with birding. This was fantastic to see, and we hope to see more of it in the years to come! Thanks to everyone who participated in this year’s count in Land Between the Lakes, where’s it’s a never a bad day for birding! Sorgho (all points within a 7.5-mile radius circle, center Hwy. 279-S and Audubon Parkway intersection; 37.76297°, -087.23086°). Habitat farmland, river, creeks, river bottoms, urban parks and county parks. Jan. 1; 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Sky sunny; temp. 28- 36°F; wind W 3-15 m.p.h. River overflowing and some roads closed, several fields flooded. Fifteen observers in nine parties. Total party-hours 30.0 (8.5 on foot, 21.5 by car). Total party-miles 207 (10 on foot, 197 by car). Total species 58; total individuals 8,540. Observers: Henry Conner, Brenda Eaden, Tony Eaden, Steve Graham, Teresa Graham, Steve Habus, Mike Henshaw, Janet Howard (compiler), Jim Kimsey, Pam Kimsey, Mary Kissel, Roseanne Radzelovage, Francis Tichenor, Lynn Tichenor, and Carolyn Williams. Elkton (all points within a 7.5-mile radius circle, center just north of jet. Ky 102 (Allensville Road) and Gardner Road; 36.7605°, -087.10106°). Habitat: 73% agricultural fields, woodland 15%, brushy fencerows 8%, rural areas 2%, small ponds and streams 2%. Dec. 22; 6:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. CST. Sky partly cloudy; temp. 48-61°F; wind S 5 m.p.h. 20 THE KENTUCKY WARBLER Vol. 92 Four observers in three parties. Total party hours 28.0 (15.5 on foot, 12.5). Total party miles 261.0 (12.5 on foot, 233.5 by car). Hours owling 1.0. Total species 83; 32,982 individuals. Observers: Joe Hall, Ruben Stoll, Alan Troyer (compiler), and Leona Troyer. Paradise (all points within a 15-mile diameter circle, center at Hopewell Cemetery in southern Ohio County; 37.27755 N, -086.95868 W). Habitat as described in 1993. Jan 3; 5:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. CST. Mostly clear; temp. 22° to 46° F; wind NW 5-10 m.p.h. Water mostly open. Ten observers in five parties. Total party hours: 41.5 (23 on foot, 18.5 by car). Total party miles: 136 (9.5 on foot, 126.5 by car). Hours owling: 1.5. Total species 83; 16,226 individuals. Observers: Michael Autin, Rand Falls, Steve Graham, Teresa Graham, Eddie Huber, Brainard Palmer-Ball, Jr. (compiler), Matt Stickel, Rebekah Trigg, Barbara Woerner, and Mary Yandell. The clear, cold, relatively calm conditions were excellent for detecting birds, but unfortunately the number of birds was below average. The species total (83) was below average for this count during recent years, mostly due to the lack of waterfowl diversity. Highlights included four Bald Eagles, three or four flocks of migrating Sandhill Cranes, a Virginia Rail, two Red-breasted Nuthatches, two Marsh Wrens, and a Pine Warbler. Misses included several species of waterfowl, Rough-legged Hawk, Merlin, and Horned Lark. Rap¬ tor numbers were again very low this year with only one Short-eared Owl located; one of the Red-tailed Hawks was an adult darkish morph individual that was probably a Harlan’s. Bowling Green (all points within a 7.5-mile radius circle, center Three Springs, six miles south of Bowling Green; 36.9159°, -086.4359°). Habitat: deciduous woods 20%, fields and pastures 60%, and town and parks 20%. Dec. 15; 7:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Sky clear; temp. 43-62°F; wind calm. Four observers in three parties. Total party-hours 23 (6 on foot, 17 by car). Total party- miles 214.5 (9.0 on foot, 205.5 by car). Total species 77; total individuals 8020. Observers: Blaine Ferrell (compiler), Wayne Mason, Albert Meier, and David Roemer. Western Allen County (all points within a 7.5-mile radius circle, center one-half mile west of jet. KY 2136 (Towe Road) and Shores Road; 36.71278°, -086.3469°). Habitat as described in 2012. Dec. 26; 6:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.; Sky cloudy with showers in a.m.; cloudy and windy in p.m.; temp. 56-70°F; wind S 1-25 m.p.h. gusts. Some showers occurred throughout the day, no heavy rain. Twenty observers in nine parties. Total party-hours 42 (7 hours owling). Total party- miles 48 (17 on foot, 31 by horse and buggy). Total species 71, total inidividuals 5557. Observers: Abraham Brubaker, Amanda Brubaker, Jennifer Brubaker, John David Brubaker (compiler), Matthan Brubaker, Roman Brubaker, Leroy Gingerich, Mahlon Gingerich, Melvin Gingerich, Joanna Habegger, Rosalyn Habegger, Roseann Habegger, Sharon Habegger, Ethan Hoover, Jamin Hoover, Joseph Hoover, Justin Hoover, Matthew Hoover, Philemon Hoover, and Karl Weaver. Eastern Allen County (all points within a 7.5-mile radius circle, center along Rhoden Creek, 3.0 miles n. of Holland, Ky., Post Office; 36.7426°, -086.06855°). Habitat as des¬ cribed in 2014. Jan. 2; 6:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Sky clear; temp. 21-55°F; wind W moderate. Sixteen observers in fifteen parties. Total party hours 103. Total party-miles 47(20 on foot, 27 by buggy). Total species 64; total individuals 6448. Two Bald Eagles were seen on the following day. Observers: Matthew Brubaker, Noah Glick (compiler), Brian Habegger, Jason 2016 THE KENTUCKY WARBLER 21 Habegger, Louisa Hoover, Suzanne Hoover, Elias Mazelin, Laurence Mazelin, James Sensenig, Judith Sensenig, Cyrus Shirk, Samuel Shirk, Nelson Troyer, Alan Zimmerman, Miriam Zimmerman, and Wilmer Zimmerman. The number of participants was much lower than usual, resulting in fewer numbers and species. There were only two adults and fourteen children that participated. Mammoth Cave National Park (all points within a 7.5-mile radius circle, center at Park Headquarters; 37.18644°, -086.1101°). Habitat as described in 1980. Dec. 17; 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Sky partly to mostly cloudy; temp. 42-46°F; wind 0-10 m.p.h. Water open; numerous flooded areas from heavy rain previous days. Three observers in one party. Total party-hours 8.5 (2.5 on foot, 6 by car). Total party- miles 65.0 (2.5 on foot, 62.5 by car). Total species 38; total individuals 349. Observers: Lisa Dalporto, Blaine Ferrell (compiler), and Albert Meier. The count started out great, but the weather was so nice the birds were very still and difficult to find after about 10:00 a.m. Hodgenville (all points within a 7.5-mile radius circle, center at courthouse square in downtown Hodgenville; 37.57375°, -085.74038) Habitat as described in 2011. Dec. 30; 7:45 a.m. to 5:45 p.m.; Sky mostly cloudy with light mist late in the morning/mid-day; temp. 52-39°F; wind NW 10-15 m.p.h., gusting to 25 m.p.h. Nine observers in two to three parties. Total party-hours 24 (12 on foot, 12 by car). Total party-miles 151 (6 on foot, 145 by car). Total species 71; total individuals 9690. Observers: Brooks Atherton, Lyn Atherton, Bill Friel, Terri Friel, Doug Gebler, Janet Gebler, Rosemary Meredith, Ross Parker, and Barbara Woerner (compiler) Otter Creek Park (all points within a 15-mile diameter circle, center just west of the jet. of KY 1238 and Pack Lane, about two miles southwest of the Park entrance; 37.91409 N, -086.069836 W). Habitat as described in 2001. Dec 26; 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. EST. Cloudy with intermittent light to moderate showers; temp. 49° to 64° F; wind NE-S 5-15 m.p.h. Water open. Six observers in four to five parties. Total party hours: 35 (16 on foot, 19 by car). Total party miles: 200.5 (7.5 on foot, 193 by car). Hours owling: 0.5. Total species 76; 4937 individuals. Observers: Michael Autin, Eddie Huber, Charlie Logsdon, Brainard Palmer-Ball, Jr. (compiler), Del Striegel, and Barbara Woerner. The intermittent showers made birding difficult, but the species total (76) was above average for this count, due in large part to a decent variety of waterbirds on the Ohio River and Doe Valley Lake. Also, various parties’ lists seemed to complement those of others well, resulting in few misses of relatively common species. Highlights included a flock of Sandhill Cranes on the ground, Eurasian Collared-Doves at several locales, two Loggerhead Shrikes, a House Wren, two Pine Warblers, and three flyover Lapland Longspurs. Song¬ birds were relatively scarce in many areas, apparently due to an overall lack of natural food supplies. Bernheim Forest (all points within a 15-mile diameter circle, center at Forest lookout tower, 2.75 mi. SE of Forest entrance; 37.902405 N, -085.62752 W). Habitat as described in 1974. Dec 27; 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. EST. Cloudy with intermittent light to moderate rains showers; temp. 68° to 49° F; wind SW-N 0-10 m.p.h. Water open. Ten observers in six parties. Total party hours: 34 (12.5 on foot, 21.5 by car). Total party miles: 205 (9 on foot, 196 by car). Hours owling: 0.0. Total species 66; 4588 indiv¬ iduals. 22 THE KENTUCKY WARBLER Vol. 92 Observers: Mary Bill Bauer, Jane Bell, Pat Bell, Dona Coates, Eddie Huber, Jennifer Huber, Brainard Palmer-Ball, Jr, (compiler), Nancy Vance, Kelly Vowells, and Barbara Woerner. Intermittent showers made birding relatively difficult; in addition, during the mid¬ afternoon a front passed, increasing winds and rain while dropping the temperatures, so most birds were found during the first part of the day. The species total (66) was about average for this count for recent years. Highlights of the day included four Bald Eagles, a Pine Warbler, and Chipping Sparrows at three locations. Red-breasted Nuthatches and winter finches (including Purple Finch) were absent. Natural food supplies appeared to be in low supply. Louisville (all points within a 7.5-mile radius circle, center Jet. hwys 42 and 22; 38.2813°, -085.6348). Habitat as described in 1972. Dec. 20; 7:15 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Sky partly cloudy to cloudy; temp. 29-54°F; wind S, 9.9 m.p.h. It was misty, foggy and cold. Forty-two observers in 15 parties. Total party-hours 84.50 (56.25 on foot, 28.25 by car). Total party miles 292 (39 on foot, 253 by car). Total species 87; total individuals 16,330. Observers: Win Ahrens, Ryan Ankeny, Michael Autin, Jamie Baker, Tom Becker, Pat Bedford, Sherm Bedford, Jane Bell and Pat Bell (compilers), Carol Besse, Wanda Bilkey, Warren Bilkey, Carl Bochmann, Brian Burba, Anne Cabaniss, Mike Callan, Dona Coates, Colleen Craven-Becker, Wes Cunningham, Rod Goforth, Nancy Grant, Chuck Hatten, Bob Johnson, Frank Krull, John Krull, Richard Mayfield, Pat Meyer, Mark Monroe, Brainard Palmer-Ball, Patrice Pittman, Peggy Renn, Michael Riggs, Tim Ritter, Tom Sklodoski, Pam Spaulding, David Stewart, Jack Still, Nancy Vance, Major Waltman, James Wheat, and Barbara Woerner. With the warm weather this fall our total number of waterfowl was down. There were some lingering warblers, however, including Pine (2), Orange-crowned (2), and Palm (2). An immature Red-headed Woodpecker was seen, which was the first one we have had in many years. New to our list was a Cackling Goose. Thanks to all participants. Shelbyville (all points within a 7.5-mile radius circle, center three-quarters of a mile s. of US 60 and Guist Creek Fake on KY 714; 38.18997°, -085.14535°). Elevation 640-1190’. Habitat: farmland, fallow land, suburban, wooded and grassland. Jan. 2; 6:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Sky clear. 28-44°F; wind SW, 5-10 m.p.h. Twenty-three observers in eight parties. Total party-hours 64 (16 on foot, 48 by car). Total party-miles 478 (15G on foot, 463 by car). Total species 57; total individuals 6397. Observers: Bryan Baker, Horace Brown (compiler), Joan Brown, Sean Brown, Todd Brown, Hunter Geralde, Karin Geralde, Joy Fitzgerald, Kevin Flowers, Marc Harris, Alvin Hershberger, Annannais Hershberger, Rubin Hershberger, Kathy King, Rob Faurenson, Susan Faurenson, Casey McBride, Adam Rayber, Reuben Rayber, Walt Reichart, Thomas Willard, Harry Yoder, and Benton Young. Hart County (all points within a 7.5-mile radius circle, center comer of Craddock Road and Jaggers Fane; 37.28352°, -085.83795°). Habitat: rural fields and forests; one large (Hundred-Acre) pond, and Green River. Dec. 13; 5:15 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Sky mostly sunny; temp. 58-70°F; wind, SE, light breeze. Unseasonably warm. Nine observers in three party. Total party-hours 15 (6 on foot, 9 by car). Total party- miles 109 (4 on foot, 105 by car). Total species 69; total individuals 5106. Observers: Bonnie Avery, Bruce Bardin, John Brittain, Tom Durbin, Carol Friedman, Janet Kistler, Steve Kistler (compiler), Jeff Sole, and Mitch Sturgeon. This was a new record for the number of species in the 13th year of this count. Warm weather with a light breeze produced good numbers of raptors. 2016 23 THE KENTUCKY WARBLER Nolin River (all points within a 7.5-mile radius circle, center 0.5 miles south of Hill¬ top, e. Grayson County; 37.38964°, -086.1137°). Habitat: woodland, farmland, river and Nolin Reservoir. Dec. 19; 4:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Sky clear; temp. 30-34°F; wind W, 10 m.p.h. Six observers in one party. Total party-hours 12 (4 on foot, 8 by car). Total party-miles 104 (1 on foot, 104 by car). Total species 64; total individuals 4159. Observers: Bruce Bardin, John Brittain (compiler), Carol Friedman, Richard Healy, Janet Kistler, and Steve Kistler. Almost no waterfowl, including geese, were observed despite all ponds and reservoirs being ice free. Highlights were a flock of nine Palm Warblers, and a record number of Ring-billed Gulls on the reservoir, with two Bald Eagles overlooking the gulls. Green River Lake (all points within a 7.5-mile radius circle, center Green River Memorial Baptist Church, Taylor Co.; 37.17541°, -085.22041°). Habitat: old fields, agricultural fields and borders, second growth forest, Green River riparian areas, open water, including Green River Lake and Campbellsville City Lake. Dec. 29; 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Sky heavy overcast; temp. 45-50°F; wind NW 5-15 m.p.h. After so much rain, ponds, lakes and streams were very high. Green River Lake was up over some parking lots. The ground was soft and muddy. Six observers in three parties. Total party-hours 18.0 (5.5 on foot, 12.5 by car). Total party-miles 125.75 (4.75 on foot, 121.00 by car). Total species 59; total individuals 4404. Observers: Lloyd Curry (compiler), Steve Dalton, Robert Doty, Richie Kessler, Carol Sole, and Jeff Sole. Frankfort (all points within a 7.5-mile radius circle, center jet. US 127 and KY 1900; 38.22612°, -084.85022). Habitat as described in 1977. Dec. 19; 7:45 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. Sky clear; temp. 24-40°F; wind WSW, 7-14 m.p.h. Twenty-one observers in nine parties. Total party-hours 42.5 (29.5 on foot, 13.0 by car). Total party-miles 101.5 (18.5 on foot, 83.0 by car). Total species 63; total individuals 3667. Observers: Robert Chadwick, Susan Coblin, Barb Cornett, Peggy Gould (compiler), Ralph Gould, Jeff Jones, Joel Jones, Robert Laurenson, Susan Laurenson, Payton Marlowe, Bryon Marlowe, Rachael Peake, Tommy Quarles, David Schindler, Kerrie Shepard, Tanner Shepard, Edwin Shouse, Mary Shouse, Gary Sprandel, Emily Webb, and Deborah White. The Blue-winged Teal was a male found at the Game Farm Lake; the Spotted Sand¬ piper was found at the Pfeiffer Fish Hatchery, where one was present in mid-November. Kleber Wildlife Management Area (all points within a 7.5-mile radius circle, center at Hensler, Owen Co. 38.4633°, -084.7769°). Habitat as described in 1972. Jan. 2; 7:28 a.m. to 5:03 p.m. Sky clear; temp. 26-39°F; wind SW, 4 m.p.h., to WSW 13 m.p.h Two observers in one party. Total party-hours 9.5 (6.0 on foot, 3.5 by car). Total party- miles 54.4 (2.0 on foot, 52.4 by car). Total species 37; total individuals 1201. Observers: Jeff Jones (compiler), and Joel Jones. One productive area was not accessible due to high water, and another had to be aban¬ doned soon after arrival due to frequent gunfire nearby. Observers were confronted three times by local residents. Despite observing several miles of wooded streams, the Kentucky River and numerous ponds and small lakes, no waterfowl were observed other than two Great Blue Herons and one Kingfisher. The Merlin was observed for at least 15 minutes under ideal lighting conditions by both observers. It was within 200 meters from where we sighted one on this count three years ago. The count was originally scheduled for December 27, but it was postponed due to inclement weather (2.5 in of rain). (continued on page 32) 24 THE KENTUCKY WARBLER Vol. 92 2015-2016 Christmas Bird Count Ballard County Calloway County Land Between the Lakes Sorgho Elkton Paradise Bowling Green Western Allen County Eastern Allen County Mammoth Cave Nat’l Park Hodgenville Otter Creek Park Bemheim Froest Louisville Gr. White-fronted Goose 1080 - - - - - 2 - - - - - - - Snow Goose 10 - - - - wk - - - - 5 - - - Ross’s Goose - - - - - wk - - - - - - - - Canada Goose 40 122 147 10 125 357 256 237 23 - 116 157 102 1559 Cackling Goose 2 Mute Swan Wood Duck 7 wk 2 2 7 - 2 3 2 - - 1 - 2 Gadwall 525 wk 68 - 9 167 - - - - 5 3 - 52 American Wigeon 12 wk 8 wk - - 10 American Black Duck 4 - - - - 2 - - - - 3 - - 5 Mallard 10000 wk 177 101 318 670 25 2 5 - 100 104 34 552 Blue-winged Teal Northern Shoveler 50 wk - - 15 7 11 Northern Pintail 30 - - - - wk - - - - 1 - - - Green-winged Teal 30 - 27 - - 14 - 1 - - - - - 13 Canvasback 1 - 3 Redhead - 8 13 - - - 1 - - - - 1 - 4 Ring-necked Duck 208 - 17 - - 25 - - - - - - - 129 Greater Scaup - 3 15 Lesser Scaup - 120 411 25 Buffi ehead - 19 152 - - 6 - - - - - 4 - 26 Common Goldeneye 4 72 237 7 - 3 Hooded Merganser 1 6 72 - - 1 51 1 - - wk - 1 82 Common Merganser - - 2 Red-breasted Merganser - - 5 - - 1 - - - - - 16 - - Ruddy Duck - 11 72 - - - 3 - - - 5 - - - Wild Turkey 100 44 11 - 81 97 21 105 - 29 80 64 81 11 Northern Bobwhite 1 - - - - 1 28 6 - - - 1 - - Common Loon - 3 53 Pied-billed Grebe 4 4 88 - 1 45 7 1 - - 2 12 2 5 Homed Grebe - 16 215 4 1 Double-cr. Cormorant - - 490 - - - - - - - - - - 32 American White Pelican - wk 371 Great Blue Heron 9 5 94 2 17 5 5 6 9 - 2 1 4 28 Green Heron Black-cr. Night-Heron - - 2 - - - - - - - - - - 9 Black Vulture - 47 55 - 18 83 18 170 40 - 26 27 103 141 2016 THE KENTUCKY WARBLER 25 Shelbyville Hart County Nolin River Green River Lke Frankfort Kleber WMA Danville Lexington Burlington Falmouth Warsaw Russell-Adair County Somerset Wayne County London Cumberland Falls Total 1082 wk - 5 - - - - - - - - 1 - - - - 21 15 15 429 5 - wk 258 - 391 418 370 17 376 150 235 162 132 9 6205 2 1 1 - 4 3 3 - - 38 - - - - - - - 61 1 - - 9 60 26 4 11 1001 - - - - - - 15 2 1 - - - 1 - - - 49 j - - - - - - - 1 4 7 9 - 17 2 - - 54 ! 105 17 - 138 27 - 72 210 152 18 147 12 143 75 27 34 13265 1 i ; 16 - - - 2 - - 93 - - - - 2 3 - - 199 31 2 - 13 5 - - 105 - - - - - - 2 - - - - - - - - - 6 ' 27 ’ - - - - - - - 12 - - 1 3 39 35 - 1 470 1 19 ' - - - - - - - - - - - - 6 - - 13 569 - - 2 wk - - - - - - 5 wk 17 9 5 17 262 323 - - - 24 - - - 220 4 - 6 2 4 14 - 5 494 2 - - - - - - - 1 - - - wk - - - 15 38 - - - 5 1 - 9 5 - - - - 1 - - - 112 21 41 34 - 47 - 14 28 2 51 - - 93 38 172 12 1277 - - 6 - - 1 - - - - - - - - - - 44 | - - - 3 - - - - - 1 1 7 - - - 9 77 ; 1 - 4 13 - - 1 14 - 3 2 5 15 6 8 9 252 - - - 41 - - - 3 - - - 8 2 14 3 4 311 - - - 1 - - - - 3 - 1 1 - - - - 528 371 16 4 15 9 31 2 8 46 5 1 6 7 18 4 4 1 364 1 1 11 246 20 83 29 260 - 86 154 80 54 54 141 36 52 22 9 2054 26 THE KENTUCKY WARBLER Vol 92 2015-2016 Christmas Bird Count Ballard County Calloway County Land Between the Lakes Sorgho Elkton Paradise Bowling Green Western Allen County Eastern Allen County Mammoth Cave Nat’l Park Hodgenville Otter Creek Park Bemheim Forest Louisville Turkey Vulture - 18 91 9 39 92 49 175 127 6 22 21 39 109 Bald Eagle 20 8 45 3 3 4 2 - wk - 1 1 4 6 Northern Harrier 3 - - 5 2 22 7 - 2 - 3 - 2 2 Sharp-shinned Hawk - - - 3 2 1 1 3 1 - - - 1 8 Cooper’s Hawk - - 1 3 4 6 5 4 5 - 1 1 5 13 Sharp-sh./Cooper’s Hawk Red-shouldered Hawk 15 8 14 1 8 9 3 6 9 1 1 5 9 26 Red-tailed Hawk 16 13 19 24 41 31 28 20 10 3 9 12 14 28 Rough-legged Hawk 1 Golden Eagle 1 Virginia Rail 1 American Coot 10 wk 214 - - 3 67 - - - 1 2 - 12 Sandhill Crane - - 16 - - 53 - 74 184 - 28 16 7 156 Killdeer 40 21 143 Ill 782 14 6 142 27 - 1 61 20 20 Least Sandpiper 12 - 58 Western Sandpiper - - 2 - - - - - - - - - - - Spotted Sandpiper Wilson’s Snipe 150 - - - 53 - - - - - - - - - American Woodcock - - - - - 5 - - - - - - - - Bonaparte’s Gull - 33 490 Ring-billed Gull - 35 974 - - - - - 140 - wk 29 - 876 Herring Gull - wk 67 3 - 1 Les. Black-backed Gull - - 4 - - - - - - - - - - - Forster’s Tem - 12 6 Rock Pigeon 15 2 66 307 155 40 668 105 32 - 51 51 130 432 Eurasian Collared-Dove 3 wk - 26 26 - - - - - - 22 - - Mourning Dove 48 78 21 120 677 60 182 344 71 - 472 569 281 321 Barn Owl - - - - 2 - - - 2 - - - - - Eastern Screech-Owl 2 1 4 Great Horned Owl - 1 1 1 6 4 1 3 3 1 1 2 1 3 Barred Owl 5 2 1 - 4 1 - 3 1 - - - 1 - Short-eared Owl 1 Belted Kingfisher 2 - 8 - 6 4 2 2 5 - 1 7 2 16 Blk.-chinned Hummingbird - 1 Rufous Hummingbird - 1 Red-headed Woodpecker 61 4 39 1 7 4 1 9 10 - - 1 2 1 Red-bellied Woodpecker 56 40 49 18 40 22 17 56 55 5 25 19 18 85 Yel.-bellied Sapsucker 6 2 7 1 1 3 3 8 7 - - 2 3 22 2016 THE KENTUCKY WARBLER 27 Shelbyville Hart County Nolin River Green River Lake Frankfort Kleber WMA Danville Lexington Burlrington Falouth Warsaw Russell-Adair County Somerset Wayne County London Cumberland Falls Total 134 105 195 40 79 6 111 93 102 48 37 102 75 97 69 154 2244 - 1 2 3 1 - - 1 - 4 7 1 3 1 wk 5 126 6 3 2 1 - - 4 2 - - - 4 2 6 - - 78 4 3 1 - - - - 3 - - - 1 wk - - - 32 4 5 - 2 1 1 4 9 - 1 1 1 3 2 1 2 85 1 1 - 10 2 3 - - 1 2 3 - - 15 12 4 12 9 188 38 9 11 14 17 13 41 40 14 13 7 16 26 11 10 5 553 1 1 1 2 - - 35 - - - 6 45 - - - 5 1 1 1 405 wk 2 138 - 53 - 58 - - - - wk - 155 - - 940 - 60 5 5 9 - 20 93 2 5 17 41 13 5 22 11 1696 12 82 2 1 1 2 - - - - - - 1 - - - 18 9 - 1 - 234 - 3 - 1 9 - - 20 72 - - - 13 - - - 250 2 6 - 3 889 - - 132 121 14 - - - 7 6 175 28 41 13 - 386 2977 - - - - - - 3 - - - - - - - - - 74 4 18 223 2 3 2 315 72 146 187 51 36 23 20 341 22 501 29 4027 9 15 - - - - - - - - - 2 - 8 - - 111 268 76 60 117 90 49 224 312 27 39 25 259 737 246 151 22 5946 4 - 2 1 - - - 4 16 3 2 1 1 1 1 - 3 42 wk 5 5 - 2 - 1 1 - - - 6 2 1 - 1 52 - 3 1 - - - - - 1 - - 8 - - - 1 32 1 7 5 3 1 11 1 1 3 3 1 5 5 6 1 3 - 111 1 1 - 1 - 2 - - - 1 2 - - 11 2 7 1 - 167 22 10 7 19 23 8 25 56 11 13 12 59 54 30 16 18 888 - 7 7 - 3 1 2 5 2 - 3 7 2 3 - 2 109 28 THE KENTUCKY WARBLER Vol 92 2015-2016 Christmas Bird Count Ballard County Calloway County Land Between the Lakes Sorgho Elkton Paradise Bowling Green Western Allen County Eastern Allen County Mammoth Cave Nat’l Park Hodgenville Otter Creek Park Bemheim Forest Louisville Downy Woodpecker 30 23 32 18 31 20 16 42 16 7 19 23 28 123 Hairy Woodpecker 11 6 6 5 6 6 1 5 3 2 7 13 5 18 Northern Flicker 36 13 36 8 34 17 8 30 5 1 5 14 23 32 Pileated Woodpecker 8 7 50 2 13 11 2 11 21 3 6 16 14 17 American Kestrel 12 10 9 48 45 25 29 17 7 - 19 14 11 10 Merlin 3 Peregrine Falcon - - - - 1 - 1 - - - - - - 1 Eastern Phoebe 4 6 6 - 3 2 1 8 21 4 2 - 2 3 Loggerhead Shrike 1 - - 1 3 - 1 5 - - 1 2 - - Blue Jay 86 54 137 59 112 223 67 112 117 5 42 43 24 246 American Crow 22 100 241 19 69 310 965 68 696 15 95 245 103 262 Fish Crow - - 4 - - - - - - - - - - - Homed Lark 31 5 - 104 856 - 150 69 20 - 105 3 - - Carolina Chickadee 85 32 98 20 32 83 52 55 67 12 44 93 85 245 Tufted Titmouse 70 40 123 16 48 108 43 95 96 15 51 88 78 191 Brown-headed Nuthatch - - 1 - - - - - - - - - - - Red-breasted Nuthatch - - - - - 2 - - - 1 - - - - White-breasted Nuthatch 19 21 68 15 22 10 10 28 40 11 15 21 29 61 Brown Creeper 8 6 2 1 - 2 6 2 - 2 3 8 1 37 Winter Wren 9 2 - - 3 3 2 4 - 1 - 2 1 9 House Wren - - - - 1 - - - - - 1 1 - - Marsh Wren - - - - - 2 - - - - 1 - - - Carolina Wren 31 11 8 8 23 10 19 24 20 3 3 27 33 85 Golden-crowned Kinglet 33 2 14 6 9 12 10 12 2 3 21 45 40 43 Ruby-crowned Kinglet 14 1 - 1 5 6 1 1 2 - 1 8 5 18 Eastern Bluebird 30 55 42 2 70 32 26 130 49 5 16 29 83 35 Hermit Thrush 11 4 1 - 1 2 2 - 3 2 - 3 3 5 American Robin 86 315 10 139 96 265 165 440 814 37 531 175 376 2773 Northern Mockingbird 16 23 2 22 30 11 20 34 8 3 13 12 22 49 Brown Thrasher 20 - 2 - 4 3 - 5 - - - - - 2 European Starling 74 825 68 6687 9215 842 3259 875 392 6 6170 1565 1295 2812 American Pipit - - - - 280 - 1 209 392 - 66 - - - Cedar Waxwing 8 6 18 1 16 17 20 98 50 5 wk 25 15 372 Lapland Longspur - 25 - - 52 - 250 - - - 6 3 - - Orange-crowned Warbler 1 - - - 2 - - - - - - - - 2 American Redstart - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Palm Warbler - - - 1 1 - 2 10 - - 2 - - 2 2016 THE KENTUCKY WARBLER 29 Shelbyville Hart County Nolin River Green River Lake Frankfort Kleber WMA Danville Lexington Burlrington Falmouth Warsaw Russell-Adair County Somerset Wayne County London Cumberland Falls Total 19 12 2 9 20 9 16 61 14 9 11 25 37 20 14 17 723 3 2 2 1 5 - 3 5 1 - 2 5 13 3 3 4 146 13 14 4 9 6 1 16 31 6 7 7 17 32 17 6 6 454 4 10 3 2 5 5 3 9 3 2 2 10 11 12 10 5 277 55 23 24 17 6 3 48 35 13 5 10 45 70 51 18 4 683 1 - - - - 1 - 1 - - - - wk - - - 6 - - - - 3 - - - 2 1 1 - - - - - 10 1 7 1 - 2 - - 2 - - - 17 9 10 4 6 121 - 1 1 - 1 - 2 1 - - - 1 - 1 - - 22 39 52 47 40 38 6 63 59 30 18 30 169 219 171 68 34 2410 129 176 99 136 307 30 115 378 53 73 220 214 608 286 998 159 7191 4 128 26 50 50 - - - - - - 2 - - 14 - - 1613 46 29 14 24 110 15 67 205 31 8 34 81 92 91 85 47 1982 28 30 26 36 71 9 61 91 34 15 34 82 88 91 69 44 1871 1 - - - - 1 - - - - - - 1 - - - - 5 23 16 16 13 21 5 26 22 11 13 9 42 39 28 42 45 741 2 1 - 1 6 2 - 8 - 2 1 - 3 2 2 4 112 - 1 2 - 6 - - 1 - - - 4 9 2 1 4 66 1 1 - - 1 6 3 8 9 4 4 29 5 28 37 6 5 7 20 31 29 23 8 558 5 7 7 1 6 2 4 22 2 3 10 31 42 41 20 26 481 - 1 - 1 5 - 2 1 - - - 12 12 8 6 4 115 9 77 50 26 14 13 63 69 13 19 16 91 140 52 80 77 1413 - 1 - - 1 - - 7 - - - 6 2 5 3 6 68 414 750 205 233 180 246 116 2014 499 84 56 866 292 746 121 44 13088 13 10 10 9 5 - 52 29 6 6 11 43 55 33 35 4 586 1 2 - - 1 40 3138 950 2200 2460 936 565 5064 11333 569 340 448 3657 5249 6605 2000 208 79807 - - - - - - - - - - - 22 - - - - 970 - 20 1 - - - 19 10 3 38 6 42 - 31 68 - 889 336 5 - - - - - - - - - - - - 1 - - - 1 - 1 10 - - - - - - - - - 13 - - - 42 30 THE KENTUCKY WARBLER Vol 92 2015-2016 Christmas Bird Count Ballard County Calloway County Fand Between the Fakes Sorgho Elkton Paradise Bowling Green Western Allen County Eastern Allen County Mammoth Cave Nat’1 Park Hodgenville Otter Creek Park Bemheim Forest Fouisville Pine Warbler 3 - - - - 1 - - - - - 2 1 2 Yel.-ramped Warbler 17 - 7 - 7 78 21 30 15 13 35 42 72 30 Eastern Towhee 47 20 8 5 33 31 11 33 19 1 6 33 22 15 Amer. Tree Sparrow 8 - 3 3 1 11 - - - - 6 7 9 24 Chipping Sparrow 2 5 - 20 24 - 2 17 - 4 4 - 20 - Field Sparrow 72 16 3 7 36 54 55 119 13 10 44 188 53 28 Vesper Sparrow - - - - - - - 1 - - - - - - Savannah Sparrow 72 - - - 36 42 8 37 4 - 6 - - - Le Conte’s Sparrow 2 Fox Sparrow 11 1 2 - 4 27 1 25 10 - 1 43 1 wk Song Sparrow 76 27 10 39 85 194 63 114 60 8 50 214 104 177 Swamp Sparrow 126 4 10 3 39 140 31 24 6 4 14 37 24 32 White-thr. Sparrow 210 124 52 18 76 195 172 141 91 8 61 162 108 328 White-cr. Sparrow 14 3 3 23 59 19 7 173 8 - 43 21 18 8 Dark-eyed Junco 106 262 267 22 34 107 69 30 117 38 49 107 292 289 Northern Cardinal 171 129 126 105 163 154 107 280 116 6 100 159 224 423 Red-wg. Blackbird 612 6142 513 115 10631 880 160 196 67 - 24 2 31 409 Eastern Meadowlark 8 15 2 - 104 15 30 147 70 - 7 16 16 - Rusty Blackbird 15 3 14 - 8 20 - - - - wk 13 20 253 Common Grackle 200 7513 58 75 7711 10200 450 55 1062 - 723 10 320 1587 Brown-hd. Cowbird 1 25 - 4 179 82 100 15 750 - 42 - - 1 Purple Finch 4 1 2 2 1 5 2 - 33 31 wk - - - House Finch 19 19 - 10 34 1 33 67 3 - 50 21 32 99 Pine Siskin 55 - - - 2 - - - - - - - - - American Goldfinch 84 88 108 65 46 57 60 134 365 38 55 51 59 187 House Sparrow 6 4 4 93 135 28 47 44 26 - 163 105 20 140 Day of Count D22 J04 D19 J01 D22 J03 D15 D26 J02 D17 D30 D26 D27 D20 Number of Species 87 74 90 58 83 83 77 71 64 38 71 76 66 87 No. of Individuals 15277 16752 7313 8540 32982 16226 8020 5557 6448 349 9690 4937 4588 16330 No. of Observers 5 10 38 15 4 10 4 20 16 3 9 6 10 42 2016 THE KENTUCKY WARBLER 31 Shelbyville Hart County Nolin River Green River Lake Frankfort Kleber WMA Danville Lexington Burlington Falmouth Warsaw Russell-Adair County Somerset Wayne County London Cumberland Falls Total - - 2 - - - - - - - - - - - 1 - 12 - 39 20 19 7 8 - 54 14 21 19 102 46 127 10 6 859 2 11 1 2 2 - 3 10 5 - 6 55 23 31 3 - 438 14 2 - - 8 2 1 2 28 4 2 - - - - - 135 - - - - - - 1 - - - - 8 58 29 8 13 215 16 35 20 30 - 1 6 17 32 11 9 30 77 24 20 11 1037 1 - - 4 - 1 - 5 4 - - - 6 - 2 - - 227 2 - 2 - - 8 - - 3 1 - - 1 12 - - - 153 34 187 24 13 80 29 32 61 44 22 23 95 126 77 84 19 2171 - 112 2 - 6 2 - 2 6 1 - 3 13 2 7 2 652 21 220 20 11 74 17 78 239 8 36 13 72 128 95 26 30 2834 90 106 31 wk 19 8 56 29 21 - 9 8 121 43 14 2 956 13 47 125 26 51 20 43 127 26 4 44 115 300 125 89 186 3130 82 49 40 45 180 23 185 245 38 26 62 214 390 195 128 64 4229 4 1000 150 50 3 - - 30 wk 3 - 11 - 2 - 11 21046 63 6 117 10 1 1 75 15 - - - 76 43 49 7 4 897 - - - - - - - - - 1 - - - 13 - - 360 - 500 1 250 wk - 2 57 - - 2 408 1 3 1 - 31189 20 - - 21 - - 9 103 - - - 40 - - - - 1392 - 3 - 2 6 - 15 - - 4 1 4 3 - - - 119 33 6 7 43 21 - 77 84 19 7 5 41 158 115 53 8 1065 21 17 95 28 105 61 93 122 19 76 117 67 15 56 73 151 96 58 45 2579 317 32 12 15 49 - 42 192 4 2 8 39 55 38 50 1 1671 J02 D13 D19 D29 D19 J02 D19 D19 J01 J02 D19 D16 J01 J04 D15 D19 57 69 64 59 63 37 60 77 56 51 58 79 79 77 60 69 6397 5106 4159 4404 3667 1201 7717 17934 2504 1125 2099 8107 10817 10483 5421 1979 23 9 6 6 21 2 26 37 11 3 3 6 12 7 11 7 32 Vol. 92 THE KENTUCKY WARBLER Danville (all points within a 7.5-mile radius circle, center Boyle County Courthouse; 37.64634°, -084.77345°). Habitat: water edge (15%), urban (8%), cultivated (10%), field/ fence row (35%), wooded edge (25%), and feeder (7%). Dec. 19; 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Sky clear; temp. 28-44°F; wind N 10 m.p.h. Twenty-six observers in nine parties. Total party-hours 47.5 (6.5 on foot, 41.0 by car). Total party-miles 478.58 (6.18 on foot, 472.40 by car). Total species 60; total individuals 7717. Observers: Jane Brantley (compiler), JP Brantley, Lauren Clontz, Granville Cox, Thelm Cox, Neil Eklund, Virginia Eklund, Stephanie Fabritius, Mark Galowitsch, Bill Gar- riott, Michael Hamm, Mort Hoagland, Emma Kagan-Moore, Mike Lauer, Anne Lubbers, Gail Manning, Preston Miles, Eric Mount, Don Pelly, Jim Porter, Linda Porter, Milton Scarbough, Kate Slankard, Scott Slankard, Patsi Trollinger, and Charles Vahlkamp. Lexington (all points within a 7.5-mile radius circle, center East Hickman Church on Tates Creek Road; 37.9198°, -084.4693°). Habitat: suburban farms, woodlots, water company reservoirs, Kentucky River cliffs and bottomland. Dec. 19; 6:15 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. Sky partly cloudy; temp. 28-42°F; wind NE 10 m.p.h. Thirty-seven observers in 13 parties. Total party-hours 70 (22 by foot, 48 by car), with 8 hours at feeders and 3.50 hours owling. Total party-miles 280.5 (19.0 by foot, 261.5 by car). Total species 77; total individuals 17,934. Observers: Laura Baird, Nancy Barnett, Ramesh Bhatt, Suzanne Bhatt, Nancy Braun, Lisa Combs, John Cox, Chris DeMoll, Eddie DeMoll, Mike Flynn, Stratton Hatfield, Jim Hodge, Marcia Hopkins, Kevin Hopper, Ian Horn, Beverly James, Allen Kingsland, Betsy Lang, David Lang, Ben Limle, Judy Lundquist, Teresa Noel, Sydney Penner, Pep Peppiat, Carol Pickett, Layton Register, Spencer Reinhard, Lou Shain, Jeff Sole, Marie Sutton, Dave Svetich, Joe Swanson, Mark Tower (compiler), Sally Wasielwski, George Weams, Jim Williams Bernice Wood, and Suzanne Zivari. Burlington (all points within a 7.5-mile radius circle, center near Camp Michaels; 38.94932°, -084.74625°). Habitat as described in 1992. Jan. 1; 6:30 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. Sky partly cloudy; temp. 29-37°F. All water was open. Eleven observers in five parties. Total party-hours 23 (9 on foot, 14 by car). Total party-miles 141 (5 on foot, 136 by car). Total species 56; total individuals 2504. Observers: Linda Altevers, Joe Caminiti, Joey Caminiti, Kathy Caminiti, Katie Caminiti, Elaine Carroll, Pat Carroll, Melissa Desjardin, Lee McNeely (compiler), Gayle Pille, and Tommy Stephens. A leucistic Red-tailed Hawk was observed near the East Bend Power Plant. Falmouth (all points within a 7.5-mile radius circle, center near Caddo, Ky.; 38.74738°, -084.24473°). Habitat: 50% woodland and forest edge, 25% river and lake shoreline, 20% agricultural, and 5% residential. Jan. 2; 7:00 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. Sky sunny; temp. 29-38°F. All water was open. Three observers in two parties. Total party-hours 14 (3 on foot, 12 by car). Total party- miles 118 (1 on foot, 117 by car). Total species 51; total individuals 1125. Observers: Rodney Crice, Lee McNeely (compiler), and Tommy Stephens. Warsaw (all points within a 7.5-mile radius circle, center Gallatin County Courthouse; 38.78387°, -084.90227°). Habitat as described in 1992. Dec. 19; 6:45 a.m. to 5:50 p.m. Sky partly cloudy, some light rain; temp. 29-41°F; wind SW, 3-15 m.p.h. All water was open. Three observers in two parties. Total party-hours 14.5 (2.0 on foot, 12.5 by car). Total party-miles 206 (2 on foot, 204 by car). Total species 58; total individuals 2099. 2016 THE KENTUCKY WARBLER 33 Observers: Ed Groneman, Lee McNeely (compiler), and James Wheat. Seven Bald Eagles represented a new count high. Russell-Adair County (all points within a 7.5-mile radius circle, center intersection of Owensby Road and Hwy. 3281; 36.96583°, -085.12167°). Habitat: mixed and deciduous woodland, pasture fields, streams and lake, mostly rural with a small percentage of urban. Elevation ranges from 530 to 1140 feet above sea level. Dec. 16; 5:20 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. CST. Sky foggy in the morning, mostly clear in the afternoon; temp. 37-67°F; wind S, 0-25 m.p.h. Six observers in four parties. Total part-hours 38.75 (3.00 on foot, 35.75 by car). Total party-miles 334.0 (1.5 on foot, 332.5 by car). Total species 79; total individuals 8107. Observers: Ray Bontrager, Granville Cox, Roseanna Denton (compiler), Steve Denton, Arlene Morton and Stephen J. Stedman. Somerset (all points within a 7.5-mile radius circle, center junction of Bypass Hwy. 80 and Hwy. 39; 37.10245°, -084.60376°). Habitat as described in 2000. Jan. 1; 6:05 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Sky cloudy to partly cloudy; temp. 32-42°F; wind NW, 0-5 m.p.h. All water was open. Twelve observers in six parties. Total party-hours 48.50 (8.25 by foot, 40.25 by car). Total party-miles 439.5 (5.5 on foot, 434.0 by car). Total species 78; total individuals 10,811. Observers: Rhonda Bryant, Granville Cox, Roseanna Denton (compiler), Steve Den¬ ton, Gay Hodges, James Kiser, Scott Marsh, Lynda Mills, Tom Mills, Arlene Morton, Sasha Rhode, and Stephen J. Stedman. Wayne County (all points within a 7.5-mile radius circle, center jet. Hwy. 1275 and Hwy. 3106; 36.8972°, -084.8215°). Habitat as described in 2002. Jan. 4; 6:50 a.m. to 6:25 p.m. Sky cloudy to partly clear; temp. 31-38°F; wind N, 0-15 m.p.h. Morning snow showers. Seven observers in five parties. Total party hours 45 (7 on foot, 38 by car). Total party- miles 345 (3 on foot, 342 by car). Total species 77; total individuals 10,483. Observers: Michael Autin, Roseanna Denton (compiler), Gay Hodges, Bret Kuss, Arlene Morton, Sasha Rhode, and Stephen J. Stedman. London (all points within a 7.5-mile radius circle, center at jet. Rte. 3432 and US 25; 37.13544°, -084.-09445°). Habitat as described in 2014. Dec. 15; 6:30 a.m. to 5:20 p.m.; sky clear; temp. 40-67°F; wind SW, 0-5 m.p.h. Eleven observers in five parties. Total party hours 43.5 (1.5 on foot, 42.0 by car). Total party miles 421.5 (1.5 on foot, 420.0 by car). Total species 60; total individuals 5421. Observers: Wendi Allen, Granville Cox (compiler), Thelma Cox, Roseanna Denton, Steve Denton, Gay Hodges, Bobbie Idol, Bret Kuss, Linda McClendon, Marie Oakley, and Becky Whittemore. Cumberland Falls (all points within a 7.5-mile radius circle, center on upper Bark Camp Creek; 36.8900°, -084.2611°). Habitat: mostly forested (about 70% upland oak and pine, mixed forest and hemlock forest), about 20% in small rural home lots, small farm holdings, and minimal residential and urban areas. One moderately large reservoir (Laurel Lake) and about 17 miles of Cumberland River/Lake Cumberland and its riparian forest. Dec. 19; 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. EST; sky clear.; temp. 24-43°F; windNW, 5-10 m.p.h. Seven observers in four parties. Total party hours 31 (5 on foot, 26 by car), with 1.75 hours owling. Total party miles 332 (5 on foot, 327 by car), with 6 miles owling. Total species 69; total individuals 1979. 34 _THE KENTUCKY WARBLER_Vol. 92 Observers: Sara Ash, Roseanna Denton, Steve Denton, Bret Kuss (compiler), Lynda Mills, Tom Mills, and Renee Yetter. The Green Heron was photographed along Rock Branch Road, sse. of Sawyer, Mc¬ Creary County, by Lynda and Tom Mills. — 283 Roy Thomas Road, Bowling Green, KY, 42103 (blame.ferrell@wku.edu). FIELD NOTE Another 19 th Century Report of Golden Eagle in Kentucky While researching some historical ornithological literature, I ran across the following account of a 19 th Century report of a Golden Eagle ( Aquila chrysaetos) from Kentucky. The following is the text of a short note in The Cincinnati Enquirer from November 6, 1898: GOLDEN EAGLE KILLED SPECIAL DISPATCH TO THE ENQUIRER RICHMOND, KY. Nov. 5 — While hunting on Lies Knob, near Berea, John Garrett killed a golden eagle which measured six feet from tip to tip. It was engaged in a furious battle with crows when the hunter brought it down. It was bought by Berea College for its ornithological collection. — Bob Foppe, 6080 Weber Oaks Drive, Loveland, OH, 45140. [Editor’s Note: Unfortunately, this specimen apparently no longer resides (presuming it was ever accepted) in the Berea College collection (G. Neil Douglas, 2016 personal communication) ]. American White Pelicans, Green River Lake, Adair Co. 13 October 2015 Roseanna Denton 2016 THE KENTUCKY WARBLER 35 NEWS AND VIEWS Visit the K.O.S. Web Site! You may find information about the Society on our web site at the following address: www.birdky.org . Please bookmark this web site address, as the former web site will be removed when the migration of all information is completed. Virginia and Wendell Kingsolver Scholarship Available The Virginia & Wendell Kingsolver Scholarship Fund was established in 2013 to honor the memory of Virginia “Ginny” Kingsolver and the legacy and contributions of Ginny and her husband, Wendell, to K.O.S. and to environmental education efforts across Kentucky. The scholarship is available to a young birder between the ages of 13 and 18 who lives in Kentucky. The Fund will pay tuition for a young birder to attend an American Birding Association Summer Camp. Details about the A.B.A. camps can be found on the A.B.A. website. To apply for a Kingsolver Scholarship, applicants should fill out the form found on the K.O.S. web site (http://birdky.org/wendell-and-ginny-kingsolver-fund.html), write a short essay (500 words or less) on why he or she wants to attend, and include a brief recommendation from a parent, teacher, or mentor. Recipients will be asked to report on their camp experience either in person to their local bird club, to K.O.S. at a meeting, or in writing. The deadline to apply for a 2016 Kingsolver Scholarship is April 1, 2016. K.O.S. Anne L. Stamm Avian Education Fund Grants Available The Anne L. Stamm Avian Education Fund supports education of children in the deeper appreciation of birds and ornithology. For guidelines on how to apply for grants of up to $500, visit the K.O.S. web site (http://www.birdky.org/anne-stamm-fund.html) or contact Scott Marsh by mail at 4401 Athens-Boonesboro Road, Lexington, KY, 40509, or via email at (scott.marsh@twc.com). K.O.S. Burt L. Monroe, Jr., Avian Research Grants Available The Burt L. Monroe, Jr., Avian Research Fund supports research on birds in Kentucky with monetary awards of up to $1000. For guidelines on how to apply, visit the K.O.S. web site (http://www.birdky.org/burt-monroe-jr-fund.html) or contact Kate Slankard, Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, #1 Sportsman’s Lane, Frankfort, KY, 40601 (kate. slankard@ky. gov). Kentucky Bird Records Committee The Kentucky Bird Records Committee (KBRC) is charged with determining the validity of records of rare and out-of-season birds in Kentucky. Sightings of such birds should be documented with information supporting the identification and promptly sub¬ mitted to the KBRC. Photographic evidence is desirable but not essential. Electronic docu¬ mentation is preferred and should be submitted to KBRC Secretary, Ben Yandell, via e-mail at kbrc@birdky.org. If electronic submission is not feasible, paper documentation can be mailed to Ben Yandell, KBRC Secretary, 513 Lymington Ct., Louisville, KY 40243. 36 THE KENTUCKY WARBLER Vol. 92 White-faced Ibis, Jefferson Co. 21 October 2015 Brainard Palmer-Ball, Jr. Black-necked Stilt & American Avocet Hickman Co., 8 August 2015 Rodney Crice Golden Eagle, Hardin Co. 14 November 2015 Marjorie Lehman Dunlin (molting juv.), Henderson Co. 14 September 2015 Brainard Palmer-Ball, Jr. Red Phalarope (ad.), Ballard Co. 11 August 2015 Hap Chambers Nelson’s Sparrow, Fayette Co. 18 October 2015 David Lang The Kentucky Warbler (Published by Kentucky Ornithological Society) VOL. 92 MAY 2016 NO. 2 IN THIS ISSUE WINTER 2015-2016 SEASON, Brainard Palmer-Ball, Jr., and Lee McNeely. 39 SPRING 2016 K.O.S. MEETING, Blaine R. Ferrell. 48 NEWS AND VIEWS.51 38 THE KENTUCKY WARBLER Vol. 92 THE KENTUCKY ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY President Pat Bell, Louisville Vice-President. Corresponding Secretary. Treasurer. Recording Secretary. Councillors: Bonnie Avery, Upton. Jeff Sole, Frankfort. Rob Lane, Louisville. Teresa Graham, Greenville Carol Besse, Louisville. Rebecca Bates, Berea. .David Lang, Georgetown .Brainard Palmer-Ball, Jr. 8207 Old Westport Road, Louisville, KY 40222-3913 .Lee McNeely P.O. Box 463, Burlington, KY, 41005 .Blaine Ferrell, Bowling Green .2014-2016 .2014-2016 .2015-2017 .2015-2017 .2016—2018 .2016-2018 Retiring President Steve Kistler, Munfordville Affiliates Beckham Bird Club (Louisville) Northern Kentucky Bird Club (Burlington) The Kentucky Warbler The journal of the Kentucky Ornithological Society, published quarterly in February, May, August and November, The Kentucky Warbler is sent to all members not in arrears for dues. Current membership categories and corresponding dues follow: Regular ($15.00); Contrib¬ uting ($25.00); Student ($10.00); Family ($20.00); and Life ($300.00). Direct manuscripts and communications to the Editor. Send membership dues to the Treasurer. Make requests for back issues to the Corresponding Secretary. Editor.Brainard Palmer-Ball, Jr. 8207 Old Westport Road, Louisville, KY, 40222 ( brainard@mindspring.com) Editorial Advisory Board Ben Yandell and Carol Besse THE COVER We thank Teresa Gemeinhardt for the image of the Black-chinned Hummingbird (.Archilochus alexandri) taken 6 November 2015 at her home in northeastern Calloway County (see Winter 2015-2016 Season, p. 44). Financial support for color repro¬ duction in this issue has been provided by the Daniel Boone National Forest. 2016 THE KENTUCKY WARBLER 39 WINTER 2015-2016 SEASON Brainard Palmer-Ball, Jr., and Lee McNeely Climatic conditions during winter 2015-2016 were not as severe as during the previous two winters. The season began much warmer than normal with all major stations recording average temperature for the month 12-13°F above normal. In contrast, the average temperatures during January and February were near normal statewide. Most of the state received an above-average amount of rainfall during December, with Lexington recording nearly two times normal. In contrast, January was drier-than-normal with most major sta¬ tions recording one-third to one-half the normal amount of precipitation. February turned wetter than normal again, with most major stations recording one and a quarter to one and three-quarters the normal amount of precipitation. No major winter storms occurred during the season. A period of dreary weather during 1-2 December combined with a movement of southbound waterbirds to result in a decent fallout of several species on the state’s reser¬ voirs. Some factor, perhaps simply the milder temperatures during the season combined with better communication through the ever-increasing use of social networking and eBird, resulted in an unprecedented number of reports of lingering summer residents and migrants. The list of such birds included Great Egret, two Green Herons, Spotted Sandpiper, Western Sandpiper, Least Flycatcher, White-eyed Vireo, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Black-and-white Warbler, no less than 14 Orange-crowned Warblers, American Redstart, Prairie Warbler, Wilson’s Warbler, Yellow-breasted Chat, two Lark Sparrows, Grasshopper Sparrow, Rose¬ breasted Grosbeak, and three Baltimore Orioles. Vagrant rarities included Sabine’s Gull, Snowy Owl, and continuing Black-chinned Hummingbird and Black-throated Gray Warb¬ ler. Winter finches (including two Common Redpolls) were present in relatively normal numbers and variety for recent years, although Red-breasted Nuthatches were essentially absent for the third winter in a row. Publication of any unusual sightings in the seasonal report does not imply that these reports have been accepted for inclusion in the official checklist of Kentucky birds. Reports of out-of-season birds and rarities should be accompanied by written and/or photographic documentation. This documentation is reviewed by the Kentucky Bird Records Committee (KBRC). Decisions regarding the official Kentucky list are made by the KBRC and are reported periodically in The Kentucky Warbler. Abbreviations - County names appear in italics', when used to separate dates, the symbol is used in place of “and”; “ba” next to an observer’s initials indicates that the bird was banded; “ph.” next to an observer’s initials indicates that the observation was documented with photograph(s); “vo.” next to an observer’s initials indicates that the observation was documented with a voice recording; “f” next to an observer’s initials indicates that written details were submitted with the report; Place names: Ballard WMA . Ballard, Barkley Dam . Lyon (unless otherwise noted); Barren River Lake . Allen/Barren (unless otherwise noted); Bernheim Forest , Bullitt/Nelson', Blood River = Blood River embayment, Ky Lake, Calloway ; Cave Run Lake , Bath/Rowan', Cedar Creek Lake , Lincoln, CYG = Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Airport, Boone', Fishing Creek = Fishing Creek embayment of Lake Cumberland, Pulaski', Freeman Lake . Hardin, Horseshoe Road = slough along Horseshoe Road, w. Henderson, Jacobson Park , Reservoir #4 at Jacobson Park, Lexington; Jonathan Creek = Jonathan Creek embayment, Ky Lake, Marshall, Kv Dam = Kentucky Dam, Livingston/Mar shall Kentucky Dam Village SRP , Marshall, Ky Lake = Kentucky Lake, Calloway/Marshall/Trigg', Lake No, 9 , w. Fulton, Lake Peewee , Hopkins', LBL = Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area, Lyon/Trigg; Lexington , Fayette ; Long Point = Long Point Unit Reelfoot NWR, Fulton, Lower Hickman Bottoms , w. Fulton, McElroy Lake , s. Warren, Meldahl Dam , on the Ohio River, Bracken, 40 THE KENTUCKY WARBLER Vol. 92 Open Pond , w. Fulton: ; Owsley Fork Lake , Madison (unless otherwise noted); Ramsey Farms = transient pond at Ramsey Farms w. of Monticello, Wayne', Reformatory Lake , nr. Buckner, Oldham; Sauerheber = Sauerheber Unit Sloughs WMA, Henderson; Sinclair = Sinclair Unit Peabody WMA, Muhlenberg; Sledd Creek = Sledd Creek embayment of Ky Lake, Marshall; Spindletop Farm = University of Kentucky Spindletop Farm, Fayette; SNP = State Nature Preserve; SP = State Park; SRP = State Resort Park; Surrey Hills Farm , ne. Jefferson; Waitsboro = Waitsboro Recreation Area, Lake Cumberland, Pulaski; WMA = Wildlife Management Area; Wolf Creek Dam , Lake Cumberland, Russell. Greater White-fronted Goose - peak counts included 17,750 at Sauerheber 10 December (CP); 2800 at Long Point 17 December (GP); 4300 at Ballard WMA the last week of December (KK); and 1600 in the Lower Hickman Bottoms 5 February (HC). Snow Goose - peak counts included 8000 in the Lower Hickman Bottoms 5 January (MG); 15,000 at Sauerheber 13 January (CP); and 40,000 at Long Point 11 Feb¬ ruary (GP). Ross’s Goose - reports of interest included 1 se. of Mt. Zion, Allen, 1 December (MB); 2 s. of the London, Laurel, airport 19 December (ph. KVe); 16 in the Lower Hickman Bottoms 5 January (MG); 2 at Goose Lake, Sinclair, 6 January (ph. BY, MY); 1 along the Bluegrass Parkway, Nelson, 9 January (JSo); 1 on the e. side of Lexington 14 February (DSv); 1 at Mc- Elroy Lake 21 February (BP); and at least 5 at Sauerheber (BP, JBa, SG, TG) and at least 79 at Horseshoe Road (BP, ph. JBa, SG, TG), both 22 February. Cackling Goose - reports of interest in¬ cluded 2 along the Ohio River n. of Pros¬ pect, Jefferson, 20 December (JK et al.) with 1 nearby at Hays Kennedy Park 2 February (RFa); up to 4 at the State Game Farm, Franklin, 20-26 January (WL et al.); 2 at Freeman Lake 28 January (JSn); 2 at Bernheim Forest 28-31 January (ph. JBa, JSo, SH); 2 at J.J. Audubon SP, Henderson, 31 January (KMi); up to 20 at the Reformatory Lake, Oldham, during mid-February (BD et al.); and 8 on the e. side of Lexington 14 February (DSv, SH). Mute Swan - a few individuals showed up during the season, mostly at traditional lo¬ cales that may suggest some are local es¬ capes. Tundra Swan - the wintering flock at Sauerheber peaked at 150 there 24 De¬ cember (CC) and 197 there 3 February (CP); other reports of interest included 4 at Bernheim Forest 24 January-1 Febru¬ ary (MR, ph. KVo, BD, et al.) and 94 at Horseshoe Road 22 February (BP, JBa, SG, TG). Gadwall - generally modest peak counts included 300 on the Highland Creek Unit Sloughs WMA, Henderson, 3 January (KMi); 200 at the Ken Unit Peabody WMA, Ohio, 19 January (SG, TG); 170 at Long Point and ca. 450 at Island No. 8 Slough, Fulton, both 8 February (RD); and 175 at Sauerheber 20 February (JM). American Wigeon - local peak counts of interest included ca. 310 at Sauerheber 5 January (TY); and 250 at Long Point and ca. 400 at Island No. 8 Slough, Fulton, both 8 February (RD). Gadwall x Mallard - the continuing male at Somerset, Pulaski, was seen 29 December (RD). American Black Duck - local peak counts included 45 along Aurora Ferry Road, Boone, 9 December (LM) and 87 at Tay¬ lorsville Lake, Spencer, 14 January (KR). Blue-winged Teal - a male was reported at the State Game Farm, Franklin, 19 De¬ cember (tE&MS); 1 at Sledd Creek 18 February (HC, KOS) was the earliest spring migrant to be reported. Northern Shoveler - local peak counts of interest included 163 at Ramsey Farms 9 January (RD); 350 at Long Point 16 Jan¬ uary (ATy); and 400 at Sauerheber 5 Jan¬ uary (TY). Northern Pintail - modest peak counts in¬ cluded ca. 100 in the Lower Hickman Bottoms 5 January (MG); 100 at Sauer- 2016 THE KENTUCKY WARBLER 41 heber 5 January (TY); 106 at and adjacent to Obion WMA, Fulton , 5 February (HC); and 143 along Mud Creek at KY 94, Fulton, and 60 at Open Pond, both 17 February (HC, ME, JPo). Green-winged Teal - local peak counts in¬ cluded 74 at Louisville Trackside, Jef¬ ferson, 16 December (BP, TT); 70 at Ramsey Farms 18 December (RD); 450 at Long Point 8 February (RD); 117 at Open Pond 17 February (HC, ME, JPo); and ca. 600 at Sauerheber 22 February (BP, JBa, TG, SG). Canvasback - ca. 170 at Horseshoe Road 22 February (BP, JBa, SG, TG) repre¬ sented the season’s peak count. Redhead - early season peak counts of in¬ terest included 300 on Lake Peewee (TG, SG), 700 on Lexington Reservoir #4 (RO, LCo, et al.), and 700 on Lake Cumberland above Wolf Creek Dam (RD), all 1 De¬ cember; 925 on lakes at the Bluegrass Army Depot, Madison , 2 December (TE); and 86 at Ramsey Farms 13 December (JBa, BP). Late season peak counts of presumed northbound birds included 125 on the Ohio River at Louisville (RFa, BBC) and 120 near White Hall Historic Site, Madison (DSv, LCo), both 27 Febru¬ ary; 200 at Walton Pond, Warren , 28 February (BP, RFa, MS); and 150 on Ky Lake above the dam 29 February (JPo, JSo). Greater Scaup - generally present in mod¬ est numbers during the season as com¬ pared to the previous two winters. Lesser Scaup - generally modest peak counts included 100 on Lake Cumberland above Wolf Creek Dam (RD), 100 on Lake Peewee (SG, TG), and 300 on Lex¬ ington Reservoir #4 (RO, LCo, et al.), all 1 December. Surf Scoter - there was only one report: 4 on the Ohio River at Louisville 1 Decem¬ ber (EHu, DSt, RFa, et al ). White-winged Scoter - there was only one report: an imm. male on the Ohio River at Louisville 25-29 February (ph. BY et al.). Long-tailed Duck - there were reports from only one locale: a male on Ky Lake above the dam 18 December (BP, EHu) with perhaps the same bird there 3/23 February (HC). Bufflehead - notable peak counts included 300 on Lake Peewee 1 December (TG, SG); 60 on Cave Run Lake 2 December (RL); and 67 at Waitsboro (RD) and 380 (ca. 250 in a single flock) on Ky Lake above the dam (BP, EHu), both 18 De¬ cember. Hooded Merganser - 500 on Lexington Reservoirs #2 & #3 on 14 January (SH, DL) represented the peak count for the season. Common Merganser - small numbers were reported at mostly traditional locales; reports of interest included several on the Levisa Fork above Fishtrap Lake, Pike, during the winter season with a peak count of 8 there 6 January (SF); 9 on Lake Peewee 27 January (TG, SG); and 15 on Cave Run Lake, Rowan, 9 February (SF). Red-breasted Merganser - peak counts of interest included 80 at Fishing Creek (RD), 84 on Lake Cumberland above Wolf Creek Dam (RD), and 200 on Lex¬ ington Reservoir #4 (RO, LCo, et al.), all 1 December; and 140 on Owsley Fork Lake 2 December (RFo, RBa). Ruddy Duck - peak counts of interest in¬ cluded 119 on Lake Cumberland above Wolf Creek Dam (RD), 300+ on Cedar Creek Lake (JE), and 400 on Lake Peewee (SG, TG), all 1 December; 60 on Open Pond 8 February (RD); 72 on Lexington Reservoirs #2 & #3 on 21 February (DL, ASK); and 306 at Jonathan Creek 21 Feb¬ ruary (HC). Red-throated Loon - there was one report: 1 on Ky Lake off the mouth of Sledd Creek 18 December (tBP, EHu). Common Loon - peak counts of interest in¬ cluded 30 on Lexington Reservoir #3 (RO, LCo, et al.), 60 at Fishing Creek (RD), and 500+ on Cedar Creek Lake (JE), all 1 December; and 15 on Owsley Fork Lake (RBa, RFo) and 30 on Cave Run Lake (RL), both 2 December Horned Grebe - peak counts of interest included 200 on the Ohio River at Lou- 42 THE KENTUCKY WARBLER Vol. 92 isville (DSt, RFa, et al.), 250 on Lake Peewee (SG, TG), and 500 on Lexington Reservoir #4 (RO, LCo, et al.), all 1 De¬ cember; and 150 on Cave Run Lake, 2 December (RL). American White Pelican - the relatively mild weather enticed some birds to over¬ winter on Ky Lake & Lake Barkley; num¬ bers increased during the last week of February with a peak count of 506 at Jon¬ athan Creek 26 February (ME). Also re¬ ported were 16 over Long Point 8 Febru¬ ary (RD) and 40 on Lake Peewee, Hop¬ kins, 11 February (SG, TG). Great Egret - there was one report: 1 on a farm pond wnw. of Midway, Woodford, 16 January (flH). Green Heron - there were two reports: 1 along Rock Branch Road sse. of Sawyer, McCreary, 19 December (ph. L&TM); and 1 at Pumphouse Pond, Pulaski, 18 January (ph. RD). Black-crowned Night-Heron - as is the norm, a few birds were reported at Louis¬ ville during the season; also reported was 1 at Jacobson Park 4 December (LT) and 2 at Ky Dam Village SRP 5/19 December (CD/HC). Osprey - 1 at Ky Dam 23 February (HC) was the earliest returning spring bird to be reported. Northern Harrier - 25-30 were seen going to roost near the end of Frostburg Road, Hopkins, 5 February (BP, MTr, SG, TG). Rough-legged Hawk - there were only two reports: 1 near Elkton, Todd, 22 Decem¬ ber (ATr) and 1 at the Ken Unit Peabody WMA, Ohio, 18 February (SG, TG). Golden Eagle - there were reports from eight locales: a sub.-ad. over Long Point 19 December (ph. BP, ph. EHu, DW); a juv. over US 68/KY 80 e. of Elkton, Todd, 22 December (ph. RS); single juvs. (per¬ haps different individuals) along KY 200 at Guffey Mt., Wayne, 3 January & 29 February (ph./fRBo et al. & ph. RBo); 2 (possibly 3) seen or captured on wildlife cameras at Yellowbank WMA, Breckin¬ ridge, 17 January-15 February (ph. RTa); an ad. captured on a wildlife camera at Otter Creek Park, Meade, 18 January (ph. CL); 1 captured on a wildlife camera at Paintsville Lake WMA, Morgan, 4 Febru¬ ary (ph. SF); possibly up to 5 different in¬ dividuals captured on wildlife cameras at Bernheim Forest during the season (KVo) with at least 1 still present there in early March (KVo); and a juv. over Higginson- Henry WMA, Union, 28 February (tKMi). Virginia Rail - there were two reports: 1 heard at the former Gibraltar Mine, Muh¬ lenberg, 3 January (BP, RFa); and 1 heard in a marsh in the floodplain of Bayou de Chien s. of Clinton, Hickman, 26 Febru¬ ary (MG). Sandhill Crane - summaries of seasonal counts at the two major stopover/staging areas follow: 2300 at Barren River Lake 1 December (WT) with 130 there 9 Decem¬ ber (WT), 3000-4000 there 4 January (WT), 2100 there 11 January (WT), 4000- 5000 there 18 January (TD), 2369 there 25 January (WT), 12,000 there 28 January (TD et al.), 2100 there 1 February (WT), 250 there 8 February (WT), 2190 there 17 February (WT), 3500 there 22 February (WT), and 10 there 29 February (WT); and none w. of Cecilia, Hardin, 1 Decem¬ ber (CL), but ca. 1000 there 7 December (CLo) with 70 there 14 December (CLo), 1800 there 20 December (CL), 3600 there 28 December (CL), ca. 3000 there 2 Jan¬ uary (BP, RFa), 5200 there 11 January (EHa), 6500/6600 there 1/8 February (EHa/EHa), ca. 4000 there 18 February (BP, PS), 3800 there 23 February (EHa), and 335 there 29 February (EHa). Spotted Sandpiper - the bird reported at the Pfeiffer Fish Hatchery, Franklin, dur¬ ing mid-November lingered into early winter and was seen there 11/19 Decem¬ ber (f JSn/tJeJ, JoJ). Greater Yellowlegs - singles in the Lower Hickman Bottoms 19 February (ph. BY, MY) and at McElroy Lake 20 February (TD) were the earliest spring migrants to be reported. Lesser Yellowlegs - 2 lingering birds were seen at the J.C. Jones Road Sinkhole Ponds, Hart, 15 December/9 January (ph. 2016 THE KENTUCKY WARBLER 43 JSo/ph. JSo); 4 at Sauerheber 22 February (BP, JBa, SG, TG) were the earliest spring migrants to be reported. Dunlin - 1 lingered at Jonathan Creek to 17 December (HC). Least Sandpiper - as is the norm, several dozen lingered at Jonathan Creek into mid-December (HC et ah); 16 were still at Blood River 9 December (HC) with 8 there 26 January (HC); also reported were 12 adjacent to Ballard WMA 22 Decem¬ ber (BP, EHu, GL, SG, TG); 3 at Sau¬ erheber 1 January (CB); 8 at Barren River Lake 17 January (TD); and 1 at the Melco flood retention basin, Jefferson, 19-21 January (MA). One 1 at McElroy Lake 21 February (BP) was a presumed early mi¬ grant, and 10 were back at Jonathan Creek 26 February (ME). Pectoral Sandpiper - singles at McElroy Lake 21/28 February (BP/BP, RFa, MS) were the earliest spring migrants to be re¬ ported. Western Sandpiper - 2 lingered at Jona¬ than Creek to 24 December (ph. HC et ah). Wilson’s Snipe - 150 adjacent to Ballard WMA 22 December (BP, EHu, GL, SG, TG) represented the peak count for the season. American Woodcock - the generally mild season resulted in scattered reports of per¬ forming birds throughout the winter. Sabine’s Gull - a juv. was present at Ram¬ sey Farms 12-13 December (ph. RBo, et ah). KBRC review required. Sabine’s Gull, Wayne 12 December 2015 Roseanna Denton Thayer’s Gull - there were only two re¬ ports: an ad. below Meldahl Dam 30 Jan¬ uary (tBWu); and a first-year bird at Barkley Dam 13 February (HC, ph. PS, KOS). Thayer’s Gull x Iceland Gull - an ad. that was either a pale Thayer’s or intergrade was at Ky Dam 13 February (BP et ah). Lesser Black-backed Gull - as is the norm, a few birds were reported at various lo¬ cales around Ky Dam and on Ky Lake, Marshall, during the season with a peak counts of 4 in the area 19 December (HC, JPo) and at Sledd Creek 13 February (HC, KOS). Also reported was a first-year bird near Hamby Pond in the Lower Hickman Bottoms 1 December (MG) and an ad. on Freeman Lake 3 December (ph. JSn). Glaucous Gull - a probable first-year bird was at Ky Dam 31 January (ph. MTs) with a first-year bird there 22-29 February (ph. JPo et ah). Great Black-backed Gull - a first-year bird was at Ky Dam 13 February (ph. BP). Forster’s Tern - as is the norm, small num¬ bers lingered on embayments on the w. side of Ky Lake, Mar shall/Callow ay into mid-December, with a few birds lingering through the winter. Barn Owl - there were six reports: 2 at different locales on the Elkton CBC 22 December (ATr) with 2 sw. of Elkton, Todd, 5 Feb (BP, MTr, SG, TG); 2 on the Eastern Allen County CBC 2 January (fide NG); 1 heard se. of Perryville, Boyle, 6 February (RTh); 1 ne. of Lafayette, Christian, 19 February (ph. SBe); and 1 at Camp #11 on 22 February (BP, ph. JBa, SG, TG). Snowy Owl - an imm. male was present ca. 4 mi. s. of Monticello, Wayne, 15-16 De¬ cember but was unfortunately found dead 17 December (B&CD, ph. MP). KBRC review required. Short-eared Owl - there were reports from five locales: 3-4 at Sinclair through the season (SG, TG, et ah) with a peak tally of 10 there 8 December (P&SF); 1 at Sha¬ ker Village, Mercer, 11 December (DL, SP); 3 at CVG 2 January (JSt); 1 in Pike 44 THE KENTUCKY WARBLER Vol. 92 22 February (ph. JB1); and 2 at Camp #11 on 22 February (BP, JBa, SG, TG). Northern Saw-whet Owl - 2 were banded at Surrey Hills Farm 3 December (MM et al.). Black-chinned Hummingbird - the imm. male banded in ne. Calloway in early November lingered to 14 January (ph. TG). Rufous Hummingbird - the imm. female at Murray, Calloway , was present through the season (ME et al.). Selasphorus sp. - a Rufous/Allen’s type hummingbird was seen in a yard n. of Glasgow, Barren, 20-22 January (LCr). Merlin - a summary of reports follows: singles at several different locales in both suburban Lexington and Louisville during the season (m. ob.); 1-2 at Sinclair during the season (P&SF, SG, TG, RFa, et al ); 1 at Schochoh, Logan, 11 December (ph. ST); 1 at Highland Cemetery, Kenton, 16 December/6 February (FR/RCr); 1 at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Kenton, 20 December/6 February (RCr); 1 at Ashland, Boyd, 26 December (RCr); 1 at Covington, Kenton, 30 December (JBk); singles along White Road e. of Dabney, Pulaski (RD), on the Kleber WMA CBC (JeJ, JoJ), and on the Shelbyville CBC {fide HB), all 2 January; 1 at Raven Run Sanctuary, Fayette, 9 Jan¬ uary (DSv, LCo); 1 on the Homestead Unit Peabody WMA, Ohio, 19 January (TG, ph. SG); 1 at Evergreen Cemetery, Campbell, 30 January/6 February (KW/ EB, KW); 1 at CVG 5 February (RCr); 1 along Frostburg Road, Hopkins, 5/18 Feb¬ ruary (BP, MTr, SG, TG/BP, PS); and 1 at Meldahl Dam 19 Febraury (WH). Peregrine Falcon - reports of birds away from near known nesting territories in¬ cluded 1 at Guthrie Swamp, Todd, 22 December (JH, ATr); singles at Lexington 18/23 January & 21 February (SH/MTr & SH); and 1 at Ky Dam 3 February (HC, ME, JPo). Least Flycatcher - 1 was seen and heard calling (whit notes) at Lake No. 9 on 19 December (ph. BP, ph. EHu, DW, MG, RS, VS). Under KBRC review. 1 Least Flycatcher, Fulton 19 December 2015 Brainard Palmer-Ball, Jr. White-eyed Vireo - 1 at McConnell Springs Park, Fayette, 11 January (ph. CB) was exceptional for the season. Fish Crow - reports of the species through the season may have demonstrated winter¬ ing; as is normal, small numbers were reported at several sites along the Mis¬ sissippi River by the last week or so of February (m. ob.). Reports of interest included 1-2 lingering at Jonathan Creek to 19 December (HC et al.) with 2 back there by 26 February (ME); 2 in the Upper Hickman Bottoms, Fulton, 17 December (MG) with 1 heard there 5 February (HC, ME); 1 heard at Clarks River NWR, Marshall, 14 January (JPo); singles at Ky Dam 6/12 February (JH/HC); 7 at Fulton, Fulton, 8 February (RD); and singles heard at Blood River 18 February (HC) and at Benton, Marshall, 20 February (JPo). Common Raven - reports of interest in¬ cluded singles at different locales on Fish- trap Lake WMA, Pike, 22 December & 19 February (SF); singles at different locales on Dewey Lake WMA, Floyd, 14 January & 19 February (SF); 1 heard at the Dewey Lake office, Floyd, 1 February (SF); and 2 caught on a wildlife camera at Paintsville Lake WMA, Morgan, 3 February (ph. SF). 2016 THE KENTUCKY WARBLER 45 Purple Martin - 2 at the LBL Nature Sta¬ tion, Lyon!Trigg, 29 February (AY) were the earliest to be reported. Tree Swallow - singles along Clear Creek, Hopkins , 18 February (BP, PS); at Lake Reba, Madison , 20 February (JSu); and at Allensville, Todd, 22 February (DH) were the earliest to be reported. Red-breasted Nuthatch - the species was nearly absent for the third winter in a row with 1-2 reported on only four CBCs; the only additional report was for 1 at John James Audubon SP, Henderson, 11 Feb¬ ruary (BM). Brown-headed Nuthatch - 1-4 were repor¬ ted at the Ky Dam Village SRP territory through the season (m. ob.). House Wren - it was a good season for the species with eight reports: 1 ene. of Creelsboro, Russell, 16 December (ph. RD); 1 sw. of Cecilia, Hardin, 17 Decem¬ ber (ph. BP, JA); 2 at Long Point 19 De¬ cember (tBP, ph. EHu, DW); 1 heard along London Dock Road sw. of Bald- rock, Laurel, 19 December (fRD); 1 s. of Daysville, Todd, 22 December (fRS); 1 on Ft. Knox, Meade, 26 December (tBP); 1 at Lake Cumberland WMA, Pulaski, 1 January (vo. RD); and 1 at Cedar Creek Lake 5 January (JE). Sedge Wren - 1 was at West Ky WMA, McCracken, 30 December (fKMc, tBP). Marsh Wren - 2 were heard at the former Gibraltar Mine, Muhlenberg, 3 January (BP, RFa). Blue-gray Gnatcatcher - 1 at Long Point 19/21 December (BP/ph. MG) was very tardy or wintering. Gray Catbird - there was one report: 1 nw. of Stanford, Lincoln, 30 January (JE). American Pipit - 250 total ca. 2 mi. nnw. of Allensville, Todd, 22 December (RS) rep¬ resented the peak count for the season. Cedar Waxwing - generally the species did not linger in large numbers into the winter season with 1-372 reported on 23 CBCs and relatively few reports after early Jan¬ uary. Lapland Longspur - reports of interest in¬ cluded ca. 200 n. of Dot, Logan 2 De¬ cember (FL); 300 in the Lower Hickman Bottoms 17 December (MG); and up to 5 at Spindletop Farm during early February (DSv, LCo, et al.). Black-and-white Warbler - quite extraor¬ dinary was 1 at Raven Run Sanctuary, Fayette, 9 January (ph. AW). Interesting¬ ly, this is the same location where the state’s first winter record was reported winter 2014-2015 (see The Ky. Warbler 91:56,2015). Orange-crowned Warbler - there were an unprecedented number of reports with all being included: 1 lingering at Surrey Hills Farm from late November was last seen 8 December (BP, ph. PS, et al ); 1 at Bear- grass Creek SNP, Louisville, 11 Decem¬ ber (tJBa); singles (the same individual?) ne. of Goshen, Oldham, 15 December/30 January (tBD/fBD); 1 at Fish Pond, w. Fulton, 17 December (tMG); 4 (3 at Long Point and 1 at Lake No. 9), all 19 December (BP, EHu, DW); 1 at Thurman Hutchins Park, Louisville, 20 December (ph. JBa. MW); 1 at Ballard WMA 22 De¬ cember (tBP, EHu, GL, SG, TG); 2 together s. of Daysville, Todd, 22 Decem¬ ber (ph. RS); 1 on the Anchorage Trail, Jefferson, 30 January (fAM, BBC); and 1 at Frankfort, Franklin, 3-15 February (ph. SBr). Common Yellowthroat - 1 was reported at Jacobson Park 22 December (t JSo). American Redstart - a female/imm. was present e. of Mt. Zion, Pulaski, 5 Decem¬ ber-9 January (ph. RD). Palm Warbler - 10 on the Western Allen County CBC 26 December ( fide JBr) and 10 (including a flock of 9) on the Nolin River CBC 19 December (fide JBn) were exceptional. Pine Warbler - 1-3 were reported on six CBCs. Prairie Warbler - a tardy bird was in the company of the Wilson’s Warbler noted below on the w. side of Paducah, Mc¬ Cracken, 14 December (ph. JRu). 46 THE KENTUCKY WARBLER Vol. 92 Wilson’s Warbler and Prairie Warbler, McCracken Gleaning insects outside window of WPSD TV station, 14 December 2015 Jennifer Rukavina Black-throated Gray Warbler - the indiv¬ idual found at Surrey Hills Farm in early November was last seen 6 December (BP). Wilson’s Warbler - a tardy bird was in the company of the Prairie Warbler noted above on the w. side of Paducah, Mc¬ Cracken, 14 December (ph. JRu). Grasshopper Sparrow - 1 was present n. of Dot, Logan , 21 January-14 February (ph. FL). Le Conte’s Sparrow - there were two re¬ ports: 2 at West Ky WMA, McCracken, 22 December (BP, EHu, GL) and 2 at the Wendell Ford Training Site, Muhlenberg, 18 February (BP, PS). Yellow-breasted Chat - unprecedented for the state during winter was 1 at McMil¬ lan’s Landing, Monroe, 17 January (fNB). American Tree Sparrow - 1-28 on 18 CBCs represented a somewhat below-av- erage presence for recent years; the lower numbers may have been a result of rel¬ atively mild weather conditions. Chipping Sparrow - 1-58 on 15 CBCs rep¬ resented a now-normal presence during early winter; other reports of interest in¬ cluded 15 ene. of Cane Valley, Adair, 14 January (RD) and 15 at Fishtrap Lake, Pike, 30 January (JB1). Vesper Sparrow - there were two reports: 1 along West Old State Road, Allen, 26 December (f JBr); and 6 n. of Dot, Logan, 19-20 January (ph. FL). Lark Sparrow - quite extraordinary were two reports during the season, both at feeding stations: 1 along US 421 ne. of Defoe, se. Henry, 20-23 January (fRR) and 1 at Georgetown, Scott, 16-18 Febru¬ ary (ph. BS et al.). Fox Sparrow - the species was not present in exceptional numbers this winter with 1- 43 reported on 17 CBCs. Grasshopper Sparrow, Logan 14 February 2016 Frank Lyne Dark-eyed Junco - there were three reports of Oregon Juncos {J. h. oreganus)'. 1 win¬ tered in a yard at Douglass Hills, Jefferson (ph. MY, BY); 1 was banded at Ashland, Boyd , 25 December and lingered through the season (ba./ph. RCa); and 1 was pres¬ ent along KY 90 w. of Monticello, Wayne, for a week to ten days during mid-Febru¬ ary (ph. RBo). 2016 THE KENTUCKY WARBLER 47 Dark-eyed ‘"Oregon” Junco, Jefferson 15 November 2015 Ben Yandell Rose-breasted Grosbeak - an imm. male was at a feeding station in Lexington 12- 13 December (ph. AH, CV). Rusty Blackbird - reports of interest in¬ cluded 120 at Cherokee Park, Louisville, 18 December (BWo, JBa) with an esti¬ mate of 250 there 20 December (JW); and up to 500 (29 December [KMi]) at the Highland Creek Unit Sloughs WMA, Union , during the season (KMi et al.). Brewer’s Blackbird - there were three re¬ ports: a female at Ramsey Farms 12 December (tRD); 4 in the Lower Hick¬ man Bottoms 14 December (tMG); and 8 along US 51 e. of Crutchfield, Hickman , 26 February (fMG). Baltimore Oriole - there were three reports at feeding stations, all of individuals that looked like imms./females: 1 on the sw. side of Murray, Calloway , 1 January (ph. J&KM); 1 ne. of Goshen, Oldham , 20 January-7 February (ph. BD); and 1 just ne. of Bardstown, Nelson , 28 January (ph. PG). Purple Finch - the species lingered through the season in generally small numbers with 1-33 on 17 CBCs constituting a rel¬ atively normal winter presence for recent years. Up to 26 wsw. of Bronston, Pulas¬ ki , 16 January (JPe) represented the only other significant count reported. Common Redpoll - there was one report: a female at Highland Cemetery, Kenton , 12 February into early March (RFz, EG, et al.) with 2 present there 28 February (ph. AC, ph. JRo). KBRC review required. Pine Siskin - generally modest numbers lingered locally into early winter with 2- 55 reported on only four CBCs; generally low numbers remained quite locally dis¬ tributed through the remainder of the winter. Peak tallies included at least 55 along Kelly Branch Road, Ballard ', 22 De¬ cember (BP, EHu, GL); 40 at Evergreen Cemetery, Campbell, 13 December (FR) with 50+ there 6 January (FR); 50 at Wood Creek Lake, Laurel, 21 December (AK); and 150+ along Swift Camp Creek, Wolfe, 20 February (BWu). Baltimore Oriole, Calloway 1 January 2016 Kathy & John Mitchell Addenda to Winter 2013-2014 Report: Snowy Owl - the USDA reported that air¬ craft struck and killed 2 individuals at Louisville Int. Airport 26 December 2013 and 31 December 2013 (ph. MC); also reported was 1 at the same location 6 Jan¬ uary 2014 (fMC). Addendum to the Spring 2015 Report: Yellow-throated Warbler - 1 at Lexington 14 March 2015 (tWH) represented a new early arrival date by four days. Addendum to the Summer 2015 Report: Bell’s Vireo - 1 at Perryville Battlefield State Historic Site, Boyle, one day in mid- July 2015 (fGS) represented a first for the central Bluegrass region. Observers: Jim Arnett (JA), Audubon Society of Kentucky (ASK), Michael Autin (MA), Jamie Baker (JBa), Rebecca Bates (RBa), Matthan Beachy (MB), Nathan Beachy 48 THE KENTUCKY WARBLER Vol. 92 (NB) , Beckham Bird Club (BBC), Sarah Bell (SBe), Josh Blackmon (JBl), Clay Bliznik (CB), Josh Bock (JBk), Ray Bontrager (RBo), John Brittain (JBn), Horace Brown (HB), John David Brubaker (JBr), Sue Bruenderman (SBr), Eric Burkholder (EB), Andrew Cannizzaro (AC), Ron Canterbury (RCa), Hap Chambers (HC), Lisa Combs (LCo), Mark Craig (MC), Linda Craiger (LCr), Charlie Crawford (CC), Rodney Crice (RCr), Brian Davis (BD), Roseanna Denton (RD), Chelsea DeVivo (CD), Brad & Christie Dobbs (B&CD), Tom Durbin (TD), Melissa Easley (ME), Tom Edwards (TE), Jackie Elmore (JE), Rand Falls (RFa), Ron Foltz (RFz), Preston & Shari Forsythe (P&SF), Rob Foster (RFo), Scott Freidhof (SF), Paula Geihs (PG), Teresa Gemeinhardt (TG), Noah Glick (NG), Steve Graham (SG), Teresa Graham (TG), Mark Greene (MG), Ed Groneman (EG), Joe Hall (JH), Debbie Hamilton (DH), Erin Harper (EHa), Stratton Hatfield (SH), Ian Horn (IH), Alice Howell (AH), Eddie Huber (EHu), William Hull (WH), Jeff Jones (JeJ), Joel Jones (JoJ), Albert Kayser (AK), Kentucky Ornithological Society (KOS), Kory Knight (KK), John Krull (JK), David Lang (DL), Roger Lemaster (RL), Wes Little (WL), Charlie Logsdon (CL), Glen Lovelace (GL), Frank Lyne (FL), Kelly McKay (KMc), Lee McNeely (LM), Bob Meier (BM), Andrew Melnykovych (AM), John Meredig (JM), Keith Michalski (KMi), Lynda & Tom Mills (L&TM), John & Kathy Mitchell (J&KM), Mark Monroe (MM) , multiple observers (m. ob.), Ronan O’Carra (RO), Brainard Palmer-Ball, Jr. (BP), Matthew Parmley (MP), Sydney Penner (SP), James Perlowski (JPe), Charlie Plush (CP), Gary Pogue (GP), Josh Powell (JPo), Reuben Raber (RR), Frank Renfrew (FR), Keith Richardson (KR), Mike Riggs (MR), Jeff Rowe (JRo), Jennifer Rukavina (JRu), Edwin & Mary Shouse (E&MS), Jennifer Snyder (JSn), Jeff Sole (JSo), Pam Spaulding (PS), Gary Stegner (GS), Jack Stenger (JSt), Brian Stem (BS), Matt Stickel (MS), Ruben Stoll (RS), Victor Stoll (VS), Del Striegel (DSt), Josh Suich (JSu), Dave Svetich (DSv), Wayne Tamminga (WT), Ryan Taylor (RTa), Laurie Thomas (LT), Robert Thompson (RTh), Melanie Torres (MTs), Mark Tower (MTr), Tim Towles (TT), Allan Trently (ATy), Alan Troyer (ATr), Steve Tyson (ST), Kayla Veitch (KVe), Carl Vogel (CV), Kelly Vowels (KVo), Major Waltman (MW), Donna Ward (DW), Kirk Westendorf (KW), James Wheat (JW), Anna Wiker (AW), Barbara Woerner (BWo), Brian Wulker (BWu), Ben Yandell (BY), Mary Yandell (MY), Aviva Yasgur (AY), Thomas Young (TY). — 8207 Old Westport Road, Louisville, KY, 40222 (brainard@mindspring.com) (Palmer- Ball) and P.O. Box 463, Burlington, KY, 41005 (lkmc9@aim.com) (McNeely). SPRING 2016 K.O.S. MEETING Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park April 29-May 1, 2016 Blaine R. Ferrell Pat and Jane Bell led a field trip to Land Between the Lakes on Friday afternoon for early arrivals. Vice-President David Lang opened the Friday evening meeting at 7:02 p.m. He recognized several new members who were present. David introduced Carol Besse, who introduced the first program of the evening about the 2015 Jefferson County Big Year undertaken by birders in the Louisville area. A target list of 266 possible species was prepared by Brainard Palmer-Ball. During the year, the group collectively reported 250 species, including nine birds not on the list of 266 and four that were first-time records for Jefferson County. The effort was cooperative rather than competitive with everyone sharing their sightings via a special email group. Pat Bell saw the most species with a final tally of 247. Carol then introduced Pam Spaulding, who shared a slide show set to music high¬ lighting many of the birds observed during the Jefferson County Big Year. David Lang next introduced Stratton Hatfield, who presented Birding, Guiding and Conservation—Making My Passions My Life. Stratton was born in Zimbabwe, Africa, and 2016 _THE KENTUCKY WARBLER_ 49 moved to Kenya at age 14. His family is originally from eastern Kentucky, and he is related to the Hatfields of the “Hatfields and McCoys feud” notariety. He is currently conducting research on the Martial Eagle as part of his graduate studies at the University of Kentucky. Stratton presented a series of slides on bird and mammal species in Kenya. He also described a tour company, African Birding Safaris, he has started which uses native Kenyan guides. Stratton wants to ensure that the revenue brought to Kenya through tourism pro¬ vides direct benefits to the people of Kenya. That way they will have an incentive to protect the wildlife and conserve their habitats. He further discussed the problems surrounding wildlife conservation in Africa and offered some solutions to the issues. David Lang announced the field trips for Saturday morning that would leave the lodge at 8:00 a.m. Blaine Ferrell would lead a trip around the lodge, Brainard Palmer-Ball would lead a trip in search of waterbirds, Rob Lane would lead a trip for songbirds in the northern part of Land Between the Lakes, and Steve Kistler would lead a beginners walk. Two afternoon trips would also be offered at 1:30 p.m., including a trip by Brainard Palmer-Ball to additional viewing sites on the lakes and by David Lang to Land Between the Lakes. Pat Bell reminded everyone about the speaker for Saturday evening. The meeting adjourned at 8:22 p.m. and was followed by a social hour. President Pat Bell opened the Saturday evening meeting at 7:00 p.m. She welcomed everyone and had new members introduce themselves. Blaine Ferrell tallied the species count for the weekend. Pat Bell thanked those who contributed to the Society’s various funds and mentioned that the Kingsolver Fund would be sending Tommy Quarles to ABA’s Camp Colorado this summer. She then introduced the speaker, James Currie, a life-long wildlife enthusiast and host of the TV show Nikon’s Birding Adventures. His talk, Birding the World with Janies Currie , was a video trip around the world. He focused on one or two species from each of several continents. He began in Colombia for a trek to see Torrent Ducks, then to Africa for endangered Wattled Cranes. Next he took the group to Peru for the Hoatzin, an odd prehistoric-looking bird that eats leaves and can barely fly, and Club¬ winged Mannikins that use their wings like a violin for courtship. The Jamaican Owl was next, followed by Blue-footed Boobies and Magnificent Frigatebirds on Isla Isabel, McQueen’s Bustard in the Negev Desert, and the Australian Western Bowerbird. He is currently working on a documentary called Tuskers in hopes of saving the world’s few remaining elephants with giant tusks. A tusker is an elephant with tusks that weigh more than 100 pounds. Two hundred years ago there were over 100,000 big tusked elephants, but today there are only 40 left in the world. He followed his talk by signing copies of his book When Eagles Roar. Vice-President David Lang listed the Sunday morning field trips. Jeff Sole would lead one to Mantle Rock Nature Preserve in Livingston County, Josh Powell and Hap Chambers would lead a trip to nearby Clarks River National Wildlife Refuge, and Brainard Palmer- Ball, Jr. would lead one for songbirds in the Land Between the Lakes. Pat Bell thanked the field trip leaders for their contribution. The meeting adjourned at 8:15 p.m. followed by refreshments. Observations from Sunday morning field trips brought the bird list up to an impressive 160 species. Alexandria: Benton: Berea: Bowling Green: Cadiz: Carlisle: Calvert City: Danville: Elizabethtown: Attendance at the Spring 2016 K.O.S. Meeting Mary Beth & Ron Lusby Josh Powell Rebecca Bates, Rob Foster Blaine Ferrell, Carol Hummel James D. Chiles Eva Fee & Wendell Kingsolver Jeremy Teague Granville Cox Doug & Janet Gebler, Jennifer & Jerry Snyder THE KENTUCKY WARBLER Vol. 92 50 Kay Harker, Tommy Quarles, Jeff Sole Denny & Jeff Dreyer David Lang Linda Craiger Steve & Teresa Graham Annette & Sarah Bell Rodney Crice Terry Anderson Clay Bliznik, Nancy Braun, James Hodge, Briana Lewis, Teresa Noel, Marie Sutton, Joe Swanson, Jim Williams Lyle Babberl, Jane Bell, Pat Bell, Carol Besse, Rob Lane, David & Terri Lusk, Brainard Palmer-Ball, Jr., Pam Spaulding, James Wheat, Mary Yandell Bettina Ivy Fred & Katie Busroe Kandy Carstens, Hap Chambers, Melissa Easley, Teresa Gemeinhardt, Bonnie & Sam McNeely, Mike Miller, Melanie Torres Janet & Steve Kistler Win Ahrens Roseanna Denton Bonnie Avery Tanner Shepard Patty Homer Jenny & Tom Michaels Colleen Craven-Becker, Tom Becker Louanne Barriger, Larry Peavler Brian Wulker Rick Ahrens Birds Observed at the KOS Spring Meeting at Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park and Vicinty, April 29-May 1, 2016 The following species were observed by KOS members during the weekend of 29 Apnl-1 May 2016 at Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park, Land Between the Lakes, and vicinity: Canada Goose, Wood Duck, Mallard, Blue-winged Teal, Northern Shoveler, Lesser Scaup, Common Goldeneye, Hooded Merganser, Red-breasted Merganser, Wild Turkey, Common Loon, Pied-billed Grebe, Horned Grebe, Double-crested Cormorant, American White Pelican, Great Blue Heron, Great Egret, Snowy Egret, Little Blue Heron, Cattle Egret, Green Heron, Black-crowned Night-Heron, Yellow-crowned Night-Heron, Black Vulture, Turkey Vulture, Osprey, Mississippi Kite, Bald Eagle, Cooper’s Hawk, Red-shouldered Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, American Coot, Semipalmated Plover, Killdeer, Spotted Sandpiper, Solitary Sandpiper, Greater Yellowlegs, Willet, Lesser Yellowlegs, Semipalmated Sandpiper, Least Sandpiper, Pectoral Sandpiper, Short-billed Dowitcher, Bonaparte’s Gull, Franklin’s Gull, Ring-billed Gull, Herring Gull, Caspian Tern, Common Term, Forster’s Tem, Rock Pigeon, Mourning Dove, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Eastern Screech Owl, Barred Owl, Chimney Swift, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Belted Kingfisher, Red-headed Woodpecker, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, American Kestrel, Peregrine Falcon, Eastern Wood-Pewee, Acadian Flycatcher, Least Flycatcher, Eastern Phoebe, Great Crested Fly¬ catcher, Eastern Kingbird, White-eyed Vireo, Yellow-throated Vireo, Blue-headed Vireo, Warb¬ ling Vireo, Philadelphia Vireo, Red-eyed Vireo, Blue Jay, American Crow, Fish Crow, Horned Lark, Purple Martin, Tree Swallow, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Cliff Swallow, Bam Swallow, Carolina Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, White-breasted Nuthatch, Brown-headed Nut¬ hatch, House Wren, Carolina Wren, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Eastern Bluebird, Veery, Gray-cheeked Thrush, Swainson’s Thrush, Hermit Thrush, Wood Thrush, American Robin, Gray Catbird, Northern Mockingbird, Brown Thrasher, European Starling, Cedar Waxwing, Ovenbird, Worm-eating Warbler, Northern Waterthrush, Louisiana Water- Frankfort: Gilbertsville: Georgetown: Glasgow: Greenville: Hopkinsville: Independence: Lawrenceburg: Lexington: Louisville: Mayfield: Morehead: Murray: Munfordville: Prospect: Science Hill: Upton: Waddy: Salem, AR Tucker, GA Floyd Knobs, IN: Indianapolis, IN: Cincinnati, OH Eugene, OR 2016 THE KENTUCKY WARBLER 51 thrush, Blue-winged Warbler, Golden-winged Warbler, Black-and-white Warbler, Prothonotary Warbler, Tennessee Warbler, Nashville Warbler, Kentucky Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Hooded Warbler, American Redstart, Cape May Warbler, Northern Parula, Magnolia Warbler, Bay-breasted Warbler, Blackburnian Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Chestnut-sided Warbler, Black- poll Warbler, Palm Warbler, Pine Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Yellow-throated Warbler, Prairie Warbler, Black-throated Green Warbler, Yellow-breasted Chat, Eastern Towhee, Chip¬ ping Sparrow, Savannah Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Swamp Sparrow, White-throated Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Summer Tanager, Scarlet Tanager, Northern Cardinal, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Blue Grosbeak, Indigo Bunting, Dickcissel, Bobolink, Red-winged Blackbird, Eastern Meadowlark, Common Grackle, Brown-headed Cowbird, Orchard Oriole, Baltimore Oriole, House Finch, American Goldfinch, and House Sparrow. The total number of species was 160. — 283 Roy Thomas Road, Bowling Green, KY, 42103 (blaine.ferrell@wku.edu). NEWS AND VIEWS Visit the K.O.S. Web Site! You may find all kinds of information about the Kentucky Ornithological Society on our web site at the following web address: www.birdky.org . Descriptions of all of our activities including spring and fall meetings, bird counts, field trips, scholarships and grants, and much more are available there. Virginia and Wendell Kingsolver Scholarship Available The Virginia & Wendell Kingsolver Scholarship Fund was established in 2013 to honor the memory of Virginia “Ginny” Kingsolver and the legacy and contributions of Ginny and her husband, Wendell, to K.O.S. and to environmental education efforts across Kentucky. The scholarship is available to a young birder between the ages of 13 and 18 who lives in Kentucky. The Fund will pay tuition for a young birder to attend an American Birding Association Summer Camp. Details about the A.B.A. camps can be found on the A.B.A. website. To apply for a Kingsolver Scholarship, applicants should fill out the form found on the K.O.S. web site (http://birdky.org/wendell-and-ginny-kingsolver-fund.html), write a short essay (500 words or less) on why he or she wants to attend, and include a brief recommendation from a parent, teacher, or mentor. Recipients will be asked to report on their camp experience either in person to their local bird club, to K.O.S. at a meeting, or in writing. The deadline to apply for a 2016 Kingsolver Scholarship is April 1, 2016. K.O.S. Anne L. Stamm Avian Education Fund Grants Available The Anne L. Stamm Avian Education Fund supports education of children in the deeper appreciation of birds and ornithology. For guidelines on how to apply for grants of up to $500, visit the K.O.S. web site (http://www.birdky.org/anne-stamm-fund.html) or contact Scott Marsh by mail at 4401 Athens-Boonesboro Road, Lexington, KY, 40509, or via email at (scott.marsh@twc.com). K.O.S. Burt L. Monroe, Jr., Avian Research Grants Available The Burt L. Monroe, Jr., Avian Research Fund supports research on birds in Kentucky with monetary awards of up to $1000. For guidelines on how to apply, visit the K.O.S. web site (http://www.birdky.org/burt-monroe-jr-fund.html) or contact Kate Slankard, Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, #1 Sportsman’s Lane, Frankfort, KY, 40601 (kate.slankard@ky.gov). 52 THE KENTUCKY WARBLER Vol. 92 Cackling Geese, Franklin Co. 21 January 2016 Pam K. Spaulding Lark Sparrow, Scott Co. 17 February 2016 Brian Stern Orange-crowned Warbler, Jefferson Co. 8 December 2015 Pam K. Spaulding Common Redpolls, Kenton Co. 28 February 2016 Jeff Rowe Baltimore Oriole, Oldham Co. 6 February 2016 Brian Davis The Kentucky Warbler (Published by Kentucky Ornithological Society) VOL. 92 AUGUST 2016 NO. 3 IN THIS ISSUE SPRING 2016 SEASON, Brainard Palmer-Ball, Jr., and Lee McNeely. 55 NEWS AND VIEWS.70 54 THE KENTUCKY WARBLER Vol. 92 THE KENTUCKY ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY President Pat Bell, Louisville Vice-President. Corresponding Secretary. Treasurer. Recording Secretary. Councillors: Bonnie Avery, Upton. Jeff Sole, Frankfort. Rob Lane, Louisville. Teresa Graham, Greenville Carol Besse, Louisville. Rebecca Bates, Berea. .David Lang, Georgetown .Brainard Palmer-Ball, Jr. 8207 Old Westport Road, Louisville, KY 40222-3913 .Lee McNeely P.O. Box 463, Burlington, KY, 41005 .Blaine Ferrell, Bowling Green .2014-2016 .2014-2016 .2015-2017 .2015-2017 .2016—2018 .2016-2018 Retiring President Steve Kistler, Munfordville Affiliates Beckham Bird Club (Louisville) Northern Kentucky Bird Club (Burlington) The Kentucky Warbler The journal of the Kentucky Ornithological Society, published quarterly in February, May, August and November, The Kentucky Warbler is sent to all members not in arrears for dues. Current membership categories and corresponding dues follow: Regular ($15.00); Contrib¬ uting ($25.00); Student ($10.00); Family ($20.00); and Life ($300.00). Direct manuscripts and communications to the Editor. Send membership dues to the Treasurer. Make requests for back issues to the Corresponding Secretary. Editor.Brainard Palmer-Ball, Jr. 8207 Old Westport Road, Louisville, KY, 40222 ( brainard@mindspring.com) Editorial Advisory Board Ben Yandell and Carol Besse THE COVER We thank Sharon Arnold for the image of the White-faced Ibis (Plegadis chihi) taken 9 May 2016 at Swallow Spring Pond in Christian County (see Spring 2016 Season, p. 58). Financial support for color reproduction in this issue has been provided by the y- _ Daniel Boone National Forest. in A c? 2016 THE KENTUCKY WARBLER 55 SPRING 2016 SEASON Brainard Palmer-Ball, Jr., and Lee McNeely Climatic conditions during spring 2016 were relatively normal. Temperatures during April and May were not far from normal, although most major stations recorded mean tem¬ perature 5-7°F above normal during March. The amount of precipitation was relatively normal during the period, although Paducah recorded nearly one-and-a-half times the normal amount of rainfall during March and Bowling Green recorded about one-half normal precipitation during April. Rarity highlights during the season included Black- bellied Whistling-Duck, White-faced Ibis, two Ruffs, two White-winged Doves, three Scissor-tailed Flycatchers, Western Tanager, Yellow-headed Blackbird, and three Common Redpolls. Publication of any unusual sightings in the seasonal report does not imply that these re¬ ports have been accepted for inclusion in the official checklist of Kentucky birds. Reports of out-of-season birds and rarities should be accompanied by written and/or photographic documentation. This documentation is reviewed by the Kentucky Bird Records Committee (KBRC). Decisions regarding the official Kentucky list are made by the KBRC and are reported periodically in The Kentucky Warbler. Abbreviations - County names appear in italics', when used to separate dates, the symbol is used in place of “and”; “ba” next to an observer’s initials indicates that the bird was banded; “ph.” next to an observer’s initials indicates that the observation was documented with photograph(s); “vr.” next to an observer’s initials indicates that the observation was documented with recordings of call notes or song; “f” next to an observer’s initials indicates that written details were submitted with the report; Place names: Adkins Swamp . Sinclair Unit, Muhlenberg ; Alpine Rec. Area , DBNF, Pulaski', Ballard WMA , Ballard ; Barkley Dam , Lyon/Livingston (unless otherwise noted); Barren River Lake, Allen/Barren (unless otherwise noted); Becklev Creek Park , e. Jefferson; Blood River = Blood River embayment, Ky Lake, Calloway; Camp #11 = former Camp #11 mine. Union; Cave Run Lake . Bath/Rowan; Cherokee Park , Louisville; Clarks River NWR . Marshall; Clear Creek WMA , Hopkins; DBNF = Daniel Boone National Forest; Douglass Hills , e. Jefferson; Falls of the Ohio . Jefferson; Horseshoe Road = slough along Horseshoe Road, w. Henderson; Jacobson Park , Lexington; Jonathan Creek = Jonathan Creek embayment Ky Lake, Marshall; Ky Dam = Kentucky Dam, Livingston/Marshall; Ky Dam Village rSRPl , Marshall; Kv Lake = Kentucky Lake, Calloway/Marshall/Trigg; Kuttawa = Lake Barkley near Old Kuttawa Rec. Area, Lyon; Lake Barkley . Lyon/Trigg; Lake No. 9 . Lower Hickman Bottoms, Fulton; LBL = Land Between the Lakes National Rec. Area, Lyon/Trigg; Lexington . Fayette; Long Point = Long Point Unit Reelfoot NWR, Fulton; Louisville . Jefferson; Louisville Trackside = Churchill Downs training race-track w. of Poplar Level Road, Jefferson; Lower Hickman Bottoms , w. Fulton; Mammoth Cave = Mammoth Cave National Park, Edmonson (unless otherwise noted); McDonald Landing Road , w. Henderson; McElrov Lake , s. Warren; Melco = Melco flood retention basin, s. Jefferson; Minor Clark = Minor Clark Fish Hatchery, Rowan; Morgan Pond = cluster of transient ponds including Morgan Pond along KY 117, s. Christian; Murl Pond = transient pond s. of Murl, Wayne; NWR = National Wildlife Refuge; Oak Grove . Christian; Open Pond . Lower Hickman Bottoms, w. Fulton; Parsons Pond (formerly KY 739 Pond) = transient lake e. of KY 739 e. of Lickskillet, sw. Logan; Pope Lick Park (formerly Floyds Fork Park), Jefferson; Sauerheber = Sauerheber Unit Sloughs WMA, Henderson; Sinclair Unit, Peabody WMA, Muhlenberg; Spindletop Farm = University of Kentucky Spindletop Farm, Fayette; SNP = State Nature Preserve; SP = State Park; SRP = State Resort Park; Surrey Hills Farm , ne. Jefferson; Swallow Spring Pond , n. of Beverly, Christian; Upper Hickman Bottoms , n. of Hickman, Fulton; Waitsboro = Waitsboro Rec. Area, Lake Cumberland, Pulaski; WMA = Wildlife Management Area. 56 THE KENTUCKY WARBLER Vol. 92 Black-bellied Whistling-Duck - 4 were present on a pond at Iuka, Livingston, 22 May (ph. NE). KBRC review required. Greater White-fronted Goose - 28 were still at Sauerheber 9 March (JM) with 1 last seen there 26 March (TGr, SG); other tardy birds included 2 in the Lower Hick¬ man Bottoms 29 March (HC, JP) and 3 likely injured birds at Ballard WMA 1 May (RC). Ross’s Goose - 2 at McElroy Lake 7 March (TD) and 1 at Blood River 16 March (ME) were the only ones reported. Mute Swan - a few lingered at mostly tra¬ ditional locales, including the resident pair at the Sinclair Unit (TGr, SG, EHa). Gadwall - modest peak counts included 130 at Sauerheber 9 March (JM) with 150 there 18/28 March (KM/BP); 250 near Morgan Pond 12 March (JHa); 250 in the Upper Hickman Bottoms 18 March (JSo); at least 150 at Open Pond 1 April (BP, EHu, TGr, SG); and 300 adjacent to Lake No. 9 on 15 April (BP, JBa). Tardy birds included 2 at Spindletop Farm 14 May (TSa, DSv) and a pair at Morgan Pond 18 May (BP, TGr, SG) with a male there to 25 May (BP, RFa). American Wigeon - local peak counts of interest included 127 at Murl Pond 4 March (BW) with 97 there 11 March (RD) and 48 at Open Pond 29 March (HC, JP). A male at a transient pond at Oak Grove 20 May (JHa, ph. SA) was the lat¬ est to be reported. Blue-winged Teal - local peak counts of interest included 50 at Morgan Pond by 12 March (BP, CBs); 153 at McElroy Lake 16 March (AH); 200 in the Upper Hickman Bottoms 18 March (JSo) with 230 there 29 March (HC, JP); 330 at Sauerheber 27 March (JM) with 350 there 12 April (CC); 110 along McDonald Landing Road 28 March (BP); 97 at Morgan Pond and 157 more in the vicinity 10 April (C&SR) with 185 at Morgan Pond and more than 200 more in the vicinity 14 April (JHa); and at least 750 on the slough along KY 268 nw. of Sauerheber 7 April (BP, TQ). Small num¬ bers lingered at Morgan Pond into late May without evidence of nesting (JHa, SA, et al.). Northern Shoveler - local peak counts of interest included 400 at Sauerheber 4 March (KM) with 500 there 15 March (CC); 116 at Murl Pond 4 March (BW) with 110 there 23 March (RD); 140 at McElroy Lake 10 March (AH) with 175 there 14 March (TD, AH); 300 at Morgan Pond 22 March (JHa) with 250 there 26 March (TGr, SG) and 285 there 29 March (JHa); at least 1000 in the Upper Hickman Bottoms 18 March (JSo); 550 in the Lower Hickman Bottoms 18 March (JSo); at least 200 at Sauerheber 28 March (BP); and ca. 150 at Open Pond 1 April (BP, EHu, SG, TGr). Tardy bird included a male at Louisville Trackside to 14 May (BP); a female at Minor Clark 14 May (ph. RC); 2 at Spindletop Farm 14 May (DSv); and 4 males and a female still at Morgan Pond 18 May (BP, SG, TGr, JHa) with 2 males last seen there 25 May (BP, RFa). Northern Pintail - 16 at McElroy Lake 12 March (BP, CBs) represented a very modest peak count for the season. Green-winged Teal - local peak counts of interest included 435 at Sauerheber 9 March (JM) with at least 550 there 28 March (BP); 103 at Murl Pond 11 March (RD) with 90 still there 12 April (RD); ca. 1000 in the Upper Hickman Bottoms and at least 1050 total in the Lower Hickman Bottoms, both 18 March (JSo); and at least 1230 in the Lower Hickman Bottoms (including 500 at Open Pond) 1 April (BP, EHu, TGr, SG). Redhead - local peak counts included 120 in the Pond Creek Bottoms, Hopkins, 2 March (JSo); 120 on Goose Lake, Sinclair Unit, 6 March (TGr, SG); and 72 on Morgan Pond 17 March (JHa); Ring-necked Duck - a male lingered at Morgan Pond to 30 May (JHa). Greater Scaup - 3 on Lake Luzerne, Muh¬ lenberg, 11 March (TGr, SG) and 2 on Morgan Pond 12 March (BP, CBs) were the latest to be reported. 2016 THE KENTUCKY WARBLER 57 Lesser Scaup - local peak counts included ca. 200 on the Ohio River at Louisville 8 March (BP); 205 on Cave Run Lake 13 March (JSo); and 155 on Morgan Pond 3 April (JHa) with 28 there 1 May (BW, BP, et al.). Two at Minor Clark 14 May (RC) were the latest to be reported. Surf Scoter - 6 on the Ohio River at Six- Mile Island, Jefferson, 19 April (ph. LF) were the only ones to be reported. Bufflehead - a male at Kuttawa 29 April (BP, BW, TQ, TSh) was tardy or injured. Common Goldeneye - 7 at Kuttawa 30 April (BP, KOS) were tardy or injured. Hooded Merganser - breeding reports in¬ cluded broods of yg. at Sauerheber 23 April (ph. CPr); Long Creek Refuge, LBL, Trigg , 25/29 April (ph. BLi/ ph. RD) and 24 May (JSo); and along Cham¬ berlain Lane, ne. Jefferson, 3 May (PB). Red-breasted Merganser - 8 on Cave Run Lake 14 May (RC) were tardy. Ruddy Duck - 1 on Morgan Pond 22 April (BP, MS, TGr, SG) and 1 on a farm pond on the se. side of Lexington 22 May (ph. LCo) were the latest to be reported. Common Loon - local peak counts included 25 at Waitsboro 25 March (RD) and 9 at Kuttawa 30 April (BP, KOS); tardy birds included 1 at Waitsboro 14 May (RD) and 3 on Morgan Pond 20 May (JHa, SA) with 1 lingering there to at least 29 May (Mir). Pied-billed Grebe - up to 8 lingered at Morgan Pond into mid-May with 7 still there (including 1 on a nest) 22 May (BP, SG, TGr, SBe); the water level dropped there but at least 2 were still present 30 May (JHa). Horned Grebe - 96 on Lake Cumberland above Wolf Creek Dam, Russell, 5 March (RBn); at least 100 on the Ohio River downstream from Twelve-Mile Island, Jefferson, 14 March (KB); and 58 on Green River Lake, Adair/Taylor, 22 March (RD) represented the peak counts for the season. Singles on Morgan Pond 1- 4 May (JHa et al.) and at Minor Clark 14 May (ph. RC) were tardy. Double-crested Cormorant - a survey of nesting colonies in the LBL vicinity yield¬ ed counts of 1500-2000 active nests on Lake Barkley near Devil’s Elbow, Trigg, 2 May (CPo, WL, JTu); ca. 320 active nests on Ky Lake se. of Hamlin, Callo¬ way, 2 May (CPo, WL, JTu); 445 active nests on Lake Barkley off Taylor Bay, Trigg, 3 May (CPo, WL, JTu); and at least 500 active nests at Kuttawa 3 May (CPo, WL, JTu). American White Pelican - reports of inter¬ est included 1 on Beam Lake adjacent to Bernheim Forest, Bullitt, 1 March (ph. KV); 500 at Jonathan Creek 6 March (ME); 27 over the Walnut Creek embay - ment of Barren River Lake, Allen, 8 March (LCr, BB); ca. 60 on an island in Nolin Lake ne. of Linwood, Hart , 11 March (ph. TC); 76 still below Barkley Dam 3 May (NR); 14 on Lake Barkley at Energy Bay, Trigg, 16 May (BLi); and 12 at the Kingfisher Lakes, Daviess, 29 May (ph. NP). American Bittern - there were 13 reports: singles at Sauerheber 7/9/18 April & 15 May (KM/BP, BBC/CC & CC); 1 at Long Point 15 April (DP); 1 at Turkey Run Park, Jefferson, 15 April (MR, SRo); 1 over Louisville Trackside 28 April (BW, ph. TQ, TSh, BP); 1 at Camp #11 on 29 April (BP, ph. TQ, BW, TSh); 1 at Clear Creek WMA 2 May (EHa); 1 along Lut- trell Creek w. of Dunnville, Casey, 8 May (ph. JTa); 1 at Lake Linville, Rockcastle, 8 May (LCo); and 1 near Morgan Pond 14 May (BLi) with 1 at Morgan Pond 22 May (BP, SBe, SG, TGr). Least Bittern - there were reports from three locales: 2 heard at Clear Creek WMA 18 April (EHa) with 3 heard there 2 May (EHa) and 7 heard there 18 May (EHa); singles heard at Adkins Swamp 19 April/2 May (EHa) with 2 heard there 19 May (EHa); and 2 heard in the Flat Creek Bottoms, White City WMA, Hopkins, 3 May (EHa) with 1 heard there 19 May (EHa). Great Egret - 1 on Lake Barkley at Buz¬ zard Roost, Lyon, 8 March (KM) was the earliest to be reported; 70 at Sauerheber 58 THE KENTUCKY WARBLER Vol. 92 20 May (CC) represented the peak count for the season. Snowy Egret - the only reports away from far w. Kentucky were 1 in the Flat Creek Bottoms, White City WMA, Hopkins, 3 May (EHa) and 1 along Fern Valley Road, Jefferson , 5-8 May (ph. BP et al.). Cattle Egret - reports away from the LBL vicinity included 1 at Burlington, Boone, 16 April (LM); 1 se. of Binns Mill, Chris¬ tian, 25 April (ph. SBe) with up to 10 there [9 May] during early May (ph. SBe); 2 at Surrey Hills Farm 2 May (WG, ph. BP); 2 at Morgan Pond 18 May (BP, SG, TGr); and 1 along KY 90, 5 mi. w. of Monticello, Wayne, during late May (ph. JSc ,fide RBn). Green Heron - 1 at Owsley Fork Lake, Madison, 3 April (RBa, RFo) was the earliest to be reported. Black-crowned Night-Heron - 20 at the Winchester Cemetery, Clark, 29 April (ph. DN) likely represented a nesting col¬ ony there. Yellow-crowned Night-Heron - there were reports from four locales: 1 at Long Point 15 April (DP); 1 at Veterans Park, Lex¬ ington, 28 April (SRn); up to 6 along Cy¬ press Creek, Marshall, 30 April-7 May (m. ob.); and 2 heard at the Grassy Pond- Powells Lake Unit Sloughs WMA, Hen¬ derson, 8 May (KM). White-faced Ibis - 1 was at Swallow Spring Pond 9 May (ph. SA, JHa). KBRC review required. Plegadis Ibis - there were two reports of unidentified Plegadis ibis: 1 at Sauerheber 19-20 May (ph. JM, TGr, ph. SG, CC); and 2 in a receding floodwater pool along Uniontown-Mt. Vernon Road, Union, 26 May (CPI). Osprey - other than a late February bird observed at Ky Dam and included in the previous report, singles at Greenup Locks and Dam on the Ohio River, Greenup, 3 March (JHo) and over Lake Cumberland above Wolf Creek Dam, Russell, 5 March (RBn) were the next earliest to be repor¬ ted. Mississippi Kite - 1 was reported at Sauer¬ heber 18 April (fCC), which would rep¬ resent a new early arrival date by a week; 1 at St. Matthews, Jefferson, 27 April (MCo) was the next earliest to be repor¬ ted; a pair was observed building a nest adjacent to Cherokee Park 23 May (MCo, JSt). Bald Eagle - 14 were gathered in their tra¬ ditional loafing/foraging area in the Upper Hickman Bottoms adjacent to the Obion WMA, Fulton, 8 April (HC, ME, JP). Northern Harrier - 1 at Perryville Battle¬ field State Historical Site, Boyle, 10 May (RD); a female-type at the Eastpark Indus¬ trial Park, Greenup, 12 May (BP); and 1 along Forestville Road, Hart, 27 May (SK) were tardy birds away from known breeding areas. Broad-winged Hawk - 1 wsw. of Kessin- ger, Hart, 1 April (SK) was exceptionally early. Golden Eagle - 1 was last reported at Bern- heim Forest 3 March (KV). Virginia Rail - there were reports from two locales: singles at Hardy Slough, Sauer¬ heber, 9 April/1 May (BP, BBC/KM) and 1 in a yard at Berea, Madison, 20-22 May (PHa, ph. GBo, et al.). Sora - 1 at Sauerheber 29 March (CC) with 2 there 30 March (AH) and 1 at Iroquois Park, Jefferson, 30 March (JBa) were the earliest to be reported; other reports of interest included at least 4 at Sauerheber 9 April (BP, BBC); 20-25 at Camp #11 on 29 April (BP, BW, TSh, TQ); 8 at Clear Creek WMA 18 May (EHa); and 1-2 at Morgan Pond during mid-May with 1 last heard there 22 May (BP). American Coot - modest peak counts in¬ cluded 500 at Morgan Pond 2 April (RD) and 800 at Sauerheber 14 April (CC). Tardy individuals included 1 at the J.C. Jones Road sinkhole ponds, Hart, 22 May (JSo); 2 at Adkins Swamp 22 May (SG, TGr); and ca. 35 still at Morgan Pond 25 May (JHa) with 5 last reported there 27 May (JHa). Sandhill Crane - 20 over Frankfort 13 April (JBr); 20 over Fairdale, Jefferson, 2016 THE KENTUCKY WARBLER 59 24 April (tEBa); and 1, perhaps injured, at the Beaver Creek Unit of Barren River Lake WMA, Barren, 24 April (LCr) were the latest to be reported. Black-necked Stilt - there were reports from seven locales: 2 along Running Slough w. of Hickman, Fulton , and 1 w. of Miller, Fulton , both 15 April (BP, JBa) with 1 nearby at Long Point 7 May (RH, DMy, BS); 1 at Sauerheber 19-26 April (ph. CC) with 7 there 1 May (CC, KM) and 2 there 8 May (CC, KM); 3 at the J.C. Jones Road sinkhole ponds, Hart , 27 April (ph. JSo); 3 at Morgan Pond 29 April (ph. RD)-1 May (BP, BW, ph. TQ, TSh) with 2 lingering there to 3 May (JHa, BLi) and 1 seen off and on there to 31 May (JHa); and 1 at Ballard WMA 9 May (SRc). Black-bellied Plover - reports of interest included 3 w. of Miller, Fulton , 15 April (BP, ph. JBa) that were rather early; 1 at the Palls of the Ohio 25 April (ph. TB, CBe) with 9 there 20 May (DSv, LCo, CBs, BP); 2 at Melco 29 April (EHu, JBa); 1-2 at Morgan Pond 11-29 May (JHa, ph. SA, et al.) with peak counts of 7 there 16 May (JHa) and 5 there 18 May (BP, SG, TGr, JHa); and 3 at Parsons Pond 22 May (ph. PL). American Golden-Plover - 2 at McElroy Lake 7 March (TD) and 12 n. of Oak Grove 11 March (JHa, ph. SA) were the earliest to be reported. Other reports of interest included 25 at McElroy Lake 11 March (TGr, SG); 3 at Horseshoe Road 26 March (SG, TGr); 650 at Open Pond 29 March (HC, JP); at least 50 at Sauerheber 9 April (BP, BBC); a new state record high count of at least 2040 in the Lower Hickman Bottoms (including at least 1400 at Open Pond) 15 April (BP, JBa); and small numbers at and near Morgan Pond 12 March-27 April (JHa, SA, et al.) with 1 lingering near Morgan Pond to 13 May (BLi). Semipalmated Plover - small numbers seen at a few spots in the Lower Hickman Bot¬ toms 15 April (BP, JBa) were the earliest to be reported; local peak counts included ca. 120 at Sand Slough, Henderson, 29 April (BP, BW, TSh, TQ); up to 35 [25 April (RLa, MA)] at Melco during late April and early May (BP et al.); and 75- 80+ at Morgan Pond 18/22 May (BP, JHa, TGr, SG/BP, TGr, SG, SBe) with 35 still present 27 May (JHa). Two at Melco 28 May (MA) with 1 there 30 May (BP), and 2 in w. Henderson 31 May (CC) were the latest to be reported. Killdeer - 150 at McElroy Lake 7 March (TGr, SG) represented the peak count for the season. Spotted Sandpiper - 1 at Green River Lake, Adair, 1 April (RD) was the earliest to be reported; 14 at Doe Run Lake, Ken¬ ton, 25 April (RC) and 15 at Morgan Pond 18 May (BP et al.) represented modest peak counts for the season. Solitary Sandpiper - singles at Sauerheber (JM) and Melco (MA), both 27 March, and at two different locales in the Lower Hickman Bottoms 29 March (HC, JP) were the earliest to be reported; 29 at Swallow Spring Pond 20 April (JHa, SA), ca. 35 at Melco 5 May (AM, BP), and 25 at Herndon, Christian, 29 April (RD) rep¬ resented modest peak counts for the sea¬ son. One at Morgan Pond 23 May (JHa) was the latest to be reported. Greater Yellowlegs - local peak counts in¬ cluded ca. 100 in the Lower Hickman Bottoms 17/18 March (MGr/JSo, TGr, SG) with at least 115 there 15 April (BP, JBa); 39 at Morgan Pond 3 April (JHa); and 80 at Sauerheber 21 March (CC). Singles at Morgan Pond (JHa) and Minor Clark (VS), both 25 May, were the latest to be reported. Willet - there were reports from seven lo¬ cales: 10 at Melco 25 April (ph. RLa, MA, et al.); 1 at Swallow Spring Pond 27 April (JHa, SA); 20 at Ky Dam Village 28 April (ph. JJ) with 5 there 29 April (LCr et al.), and 123 there (BP, ph. MY, KOS) and 62 on Lake Barkley at Green Turtle Bay, Lyon, both 30 April (BP, KOS, with the 185 representing a new state high count; 1 in the Lower Hickman Bottoms 30 April (ph. BY); 34 at Ky Dam Village 1 May (RLa, KOS); 38 near Morgan Pond 2 May (JHa); 1 n. of Herndon, Christian, 7 May 60 THE KENTUCKY WARBLER Vol. 92 (JHa); 9 at Talon Winery, Fayette , 9 May (ph. DSv); and 54 at Ky Dam Village 10 May (HC). Lesser Yellowlegs - local peak counts in¬ cluded 152 in the Lower Hickman Bot¬ toms 17 March (MGr) with at least 550 [including more than 500 at Long Point] there 8 April (HC, ME, JP); 175-200 at Sauerheber 28 March (BP) with at least 300 there 7 April (BP, TQ) and ca. 200 there 9/29 April (BP, BBC/BP, BW, TQ, TSh); at least 800 total in the Lower Hick¬ man Bottoms [including ca. 450 at Long Point] 15 April (BP, JBa); ca. 175 at Morgan Pond 1 May (BW, TQ, SG, TGr, BP); 185 on a pond near Morgan Pond 2 May (JHa); and 76 at Melco 9 May (BP). Six at Morgan Pond 23 May (TGr, SG, JHa, BLi) were the latest to be reported. Upland Sandpiper - there was only one re¬ port: 4 n. of Oak Grove 6 April (ph. SA, JHa). Ruddy Turnstone - there was only one re¬ port: 4 at Melco 20 May (BP, MA). Ruff - there were two reports, both from the Lower Hickman Bottoms sw. of Sassafras Ridge: 17-18 March (ph. MGr) and 1 Apr (ph. BP, ph. EHu, ph. SG, TGr). KBRC review required. Stilt Sandpiper - reports of interest includ¬ ed an early individual at Sauerheber 28 March (ph. BP) with perhaps the same individual there 7/29 April (BP, TQ/BP, BW, TQ, TSh), 5 there 4 May (BY, MY), and 1 there 8 May (KM); 2 at Long Point 15 April (DP); 1 at Swallow Spring Pond 20 April (JHa, ph. SA); 1 at Melco 25 April/4 May (BP, MA/TB, CBe) with 2 there 29 April/17 May (EHu/BP); and 1-2 at Morgan Pond 18-24 May (BP, JHa, et al.). Sanderling - there were two reports, both 17 May and both probably representing local firsts during spring: 2 at Murl Pond (RBn) and 1 at Melco (fBP). Dunlin - reports of interest included an ear¬ ly individual at McElroy Lake 14-15 March (AH); 1 at Sauerheber 21 March (ph. CC) with 16 there 28 March (BP) and peak counts there of 38 on 22 April (KM) and ca. 100 there 3 May (ph. CC); generally small numbers in the Lower Hickman Bottoms during April and early May with 1 near Open Pond 1 April (BP, EHu, SG, TGr) being the earliest and a peak count of 22 at Open Pond 15 April (BP, JBa); singles at Melco 31 March (MA) & 9 May (JBa/BP) with 3 there 1 May (EHu) and 15 there 18 May (CBs, BP, RR, et al ); up to 20 or more at Mor¬ gan Pond on a number of dates from mid- April to late May with peak counts there of ca. 150 on 16 May (JHa, SA); 43 on 20 May (JHa); and 51 on 23 May (JHa, BLi); and 15 along Horseshoe Road 22 May (BP). Three at Morgan Pond 26 May (JHa) were the latest to be reported. Baird’s Sandpiper - quite unexpected were 2 at Melco 9 May (ph. BP) that probably represent a first confirmed spring report for the Louisville area. Least Sandpiper - 21 were back at Jona¬ than Creek by 6 March (ME); otherwise, 1 at McElroy Lake 10+ March (AH), 1 at Sauerheber 26 March (TGr, SG), and 3 at Melco 27 March (MA) were the earliest to be reported; local peak counts of interest included 280 at Melco 9 May (BP) with ca. 115 still there 15 May (BP), 60 at Sau¬ erheber 15 May (CC), and 50 at Morgan Pond 18 May (BP, JHa, et al.). White-rumped Sandpiper - 1 at Horseshoe Road 29 April (BP, BW, TQ, TSh) was the earliest to be reported; other reports of interest included 1-7 at and near Morgan Pond 4-29 May (JHa, BP, et al.) with peak counts of 20-25 there 22 May (BP, TGr, SG, SBe) and 10 there 23/27 May (BLi/ JHa); 1-3 at Melco 9-17 May (BP) with a peak count of 5 there 10 May (BP); 1 at Minor Clark 14 May (RC); 1 at Murl Pond 17 May (RBn); 1-2 at Parsons Pond 19-22 May (ph. FL); 19 along Horseshoe Road 22 May (BP); and 6 in the Lower Hickman Bottoms 27 May (MGr). Buff-breasted Sandpiper - 1 at Melco 25 April (MA, ph. RFa, BDv) represented only the second documented spring record for the state. Pectoral Sandpiper - 23 at McElroy Lake 5 March (TD), 24 at Jonathan Creek 6 2016 THE KENTUCKY WARBLER 61 March (ME), and 7 at Morgan Pond 7 March (JHa) were the earliest to be repor¬ ted; local peak counts included 200+ at McElroy Lake 12 March (BP, CBs) with 300 there 16 March (AH) and ca. 500 there 21 March (TD); 295 at Morgan Pond 18 March (JHa, SA); 320 at Sauer- heber 27 March (JM) with 250 there 28 March (JSo) and 350 there 7 April (BP, TQ); 300 at Open Pond 29 March (HC, JP) with at least 1450 in the Lower Hick¬ man Bottoms 1 April (BP, EHu, TGr, SG) and at least 900 in the same area 15 April (BP, JBa); 700 at Long Point 8 April (HC, JP); and 255 at Swallow Spring Pond 16 April (JHa). Semipalmated Sandpiper - a few were first reported at Swallow Spring Pond 20 April (JHa, SA); local peak counts included 150 at Murl Pond 17 May (RBn); 300+ at and near Morgan Pond 18 May (BP, SG, TGr, JHa) with 700-750 there 22 May (BP, TGr, SG, SBe) and 450 there 25 May (JHa et al.); 85 along Horseshoe Road 22 May (BP); at least 120 at Melco 25/28 May (BP/MA); and 60 at the Lrankfort Pish Hatchery 27 May (TQ). Western Sandpiper - 1 in the Lower Hick¬ man Bottoms 29 March (tHC, JP) was not only rare for spring but represented a new early spring date for the state. Short-billed Dowitcher - 2 at Sauerheber 29 April (BP, BW, ph. TQ, TSh) were the earliest to be reported; other reports of interest included 4 in the Upper Hickman Bottoms 30 April (ph. RD, HC, ME, PHo); 20 at Morgan Pond 12 May (JHa, SA) with 7 there 18 May (BP, JHa, TGr, SG), 5 there 22 May (BP, SBe, TGr, SG), and 1 last seen there 23 May (JHa); and 7 at Murl Pond 17 May (RBn). Long-billed Dowitcher - 2 at McElroy Lake 10-12 March (AH, TGr, SG, |BP, CBs), 1 in the Lower Hickman Bottoms 22 March (ph. BY, MY); 4 at Sauerheber 30 March (ph. AH), and 2 at Open Pond 1 April (tBP) were the earliest to be repor¬ ted. Other reports of interest included 25 in the Lower Hickman Bottoms 8 April (HC, ME, JP); 1 relatively far east nw. of Alton, Anderson , 21 April (JSo); 15 at Swallow Spring Pond 27 April (JHa, SA); probably most of 45 dowitchers at Sauer¬ heber 1 May (ph. BY, MY); 29 near Mor¬ gan Pond 2 May (JHa); and 1 at Melco 25 April (RLa, MA, BP) with 3 there 1 May (EHu), 9 there 4 May (TB, CBe), 8 there 5 May (fBP, MA, AM) and 1 there on the relatively late date of 9 May (BP). dowitcher sp. - there were two reports of flocks identified as Short-billeds but with¬ out specific details and during a time [first week of May] when Long-billeds typi¬ cally predominate: 17 at Morgan Pond 3 May (JHa) and 15 at Long Point 7 May (RH, DMy, BS). There were also two reports of sizable flocks of unidentified dowitchers that were likely Long-billed based on date: 18 at Sauerheber 1 May (ph. CC) and 18 at Morgan Pond 3 May (BLi). Wilson’s Snipe - modest peak counts in¬ cluded 57 nw. of Oak Grove and 76 at Swallow Spring Pond, both 12 March (JHa); 38 at the J.C. Jones Road sinkhole ponds, Hart , 24 March (JSo); 76 n. of Oak Grove 14 April (JHa); and 149 at Long Point 15 April (DP). Two at Melco 9 May (BP) and a very tardy bird that lingered near Talon Winery se. of Lexington, Fay¬ ette, to 27 May (DSv) were the latest to be reported. Wilson’s Phalarope - 1 at Sauerheber 19 March (ph. RLe) established a new early spring date for the state by two weeks; also reported were 1 at Swallow Spring Pond 10 May (TGr, ph. SG, JHa); and 1 at Morgan Pond 12-23 May (JHa, ph. SA, et al.) with 2 males there 22 May (ph. SG, TGr, SBe, BP). Red-necked Phalarope - a female was at Morgan Pond 23-25 May (BLi, JHa, ph. SA, et al ). Bonaparte’s Gull - reports of interest in¬ cluded 400+ at Wolf Creek Dam, Russell, 5 March (RBn); 200 near Open Pond 1 April (BP, EHu, SG, TGr); and 90 at Murl Pond 12 April (RD). Laughing Gull - there was only one report: an ad. on the Ohio River at Covington, Kenton, 12 March (KW, ph. EBu). 62 THE KENTUCKY WARBLER Vol. 92 Ruff (w/ Greater Yellowlegs), Fulton Co. 1 April 2016 Brainard Palmer-Ball, Jr. Ruff, Fulton Co 1 April 2016 Eddie Fluber Yellow-headed Blackbird, Elliott Co. 8 May 2016 Elizabeth Garris White-winged Dove, Marshall Co. 28 April 2016 Joshua Powell Buff-breasted Sandpiper, Jefferson Co. 25 April 2016 Rand Falls Northern Flicker w/ aberrant pigmentation Jefferson Co., 9 February 2016 Brainard Palmer-Ball, Jr. 2016 THE KENTUCKY WARBLER 63 Surf Scoters (6), Ohio River, Jefferson Co. 19 April 2016 Laurel Fuson Willets (3 of 20), Marshall Co. 28 April 2016 Jim Johnson Scissor-tailed Flycatcher, Calloway Co. 24 May 2016 Molly Canter. Common Redpoll, Logan Co. 9 March 2016 Steve Tyson Baird’s Sandpiper (1 of 2), Jefferson Co. 9 May 2016 Brainard Palmer-Ball, Jr. 64 THE KENTUCKY WARBLER Vol 92 Franklin’s Gull - there were only three re¬ ports: 1 at Jonathan Creek 25 March (fME); an ad. at Ky Dam Village 30 April (BP, ph. TQ, KOS); and a sub-ad. at Ky Dam Village 12 May (ph. BY, MY). Ring-billed Gull - reports of interest in¬ cluded 160 at McElroy Lake 10 March (AH); ca. 70 still at Calvert City 30 April (BP, KOS); and 1 at the Falls of the Ohio 21 May (TB, CBe). Herring Gull - 40-50 were still at Ky Dam 30 April (BP, KOS). Lesser Black-backed Gull - there were three reports: a probable ad. at Kuttawa 1 March (BY, MY); a probable ad. at Jon¬ athan Creek 9 April (HC, ME); and a first-year bird at Ky Dam Village 12 May (ph. BY, MY). Glaucous Gull - a first-year bird at Ky Dam 28 March/1 April (ph. JJ/HC, ME) may have been one continuing from the winter season. Least Tern - reports of interest included 3 at Sauerheber 21 May (ph. CC) with 2 there 24 May (CC); and 1 at Morgan Pond 23 May (ph. BLi, JHa, ph. SA). Caspian Tern - 4 at Lexington Reservoir #4 on 10 April (LCo, DSv) were the ear¬ liest to be reported; extremely modest peak counts included 15 at Barkley Dam and 19 in the vicinity of Ky Dam, both 30 April (BP, KOS); 2 at the Falls of the Ohio 21 May (TB, CBe) were the latest to be reported. Black Tern - there were reports from three locales: 13 at Morgan Pond 18 May (SG, TGr, BP, JHa) with up to 8 [20 May] there to 27 May (JHa et al.); 2 at Jacobson Park 18 May (LCo, DSv); and 1 at Melco 18 May (BP, RR, et al ). Common Tern - there were seven reports: at least 6 at Ky Dam Village and 2 at Kuttawa, both 30 April (BP, KOS); 1 on Ky Lake near Hamlin, Calloway, 7 May (HC, JP, MTr); 7 at Morgan Pond 18 May (fBP, TGr, SG) with 2 there 20 May (JHa); 8 at the Frankfort Fish Hatchery 18 May (ph. BDe); and at least 1 at Jacobson Park 18 May (ph. LCo, DSv). Forster’s Tern - 2 were at Jonathan Creek 2 March (ME) with an influx of birds there and at Blood River by mid-March (HC, ME); modest peak counts included at least 40 at Ky Dam Village and ca. 50 on the Tennessee River at Calvert City, Marshall ', both 30 April (BP, KOS). White-winged Dove - there were two re¬ ports: 1 at Erlanger, Kenton , 15-16 April (ph. EIW) and 1 at Benton, Marshall, 29 April (ph. JP). KRBC review required. Yellow-billed Cuckoo - singles at the LBL Nature Station, Lyon!Trigg, 22 April (AY), at Morgan Conservation Park, Old¬ ham, 23 April (BDa), at McConnell Springs, Fayette, 24 April (NBr), and at Boone County Cliffs SNP 25 April (LM) were the earliest to be reported. Black-billed Cuckoo - singles heard at Minor Clark 23 April (JL) and at Doug¬ lass Hills 24-25 April (MMo), and 1 at Pope Lick Park 26 April (PB, JBe, et al.) were the earliest to be reported. Singles were reported at nearly 20 additional locales through late May (mostly eBird data). Barn Owl - there were reports from seven locales: singles on several dates during the season at the Sinclair Unit (TGr, SG); a nesting pair sw. of Chaplin, Nelson, dur¬ ing the season (TH); singles at Figett Bend, Hart, 26 March/18 April (JSo, SH); 1 at Shaker Village 23 April (ph. SG, TGr); 1 at Camp #11 on 29 April (BP, BW, TSh, TQ); and a nesting pair along Red Hill Road se. of Nortonville, Hop¬ kins, during May (EW). Also, a nest box project at Peabody WMA, MuhlenbergI Ohio, has been quite successful with 8 boxes found to be occupied during early April (EW). Short-eared Owl - 2 were last seen at the Sinclair Unit 16 March (TGr, SG). Common Nighthawk - 1 at Wilmore, Jes¬ samine, 24 April (SPe) was the earliest to be reported. Ruby-throated Hummingbird - 1 in ne. Calloway 30 March (ph. TGe) was the earliest to be reported. 2016 THE KENTUCKY WARBLER 65 Rufous Hummingbird - the wintering fe¬ male at Murray, Calloway, was last seen 13 April (ME). Yellow-bellied Sapsucker - singles at Au¬ dubon SP, Henderson, 5 May (KS) and e. of Taylorsville, Spencer, 8 May (KB) were the latest to be reported. Northern Flicker - a female with aberrant pigmentation was present at Surrey Hills Farm mid-January into early March (ph. BP). See p. 62. Merlin - there were at least eight reports: 1 at Highland Cemetery, Kenton , 1 March (BP, CBs, et al.); singles at Schochoh, Logan, 2/6 March (ST); 1 at Cox’s Park, Jefferson, 7 March (JBa); 1 at McElroy Lake 15 March (AH); singles in the Low¬ er Hickman Bottoms 29 March/1 April (HC, JP/MGr); and singles over Douglass Hills (ph. MY) and along Union Church Road, Henry, 2 May (RR). Peregrine Falcon - there were more than a dozen reports away from the general vicinity of known nesting territories: 1 at Greenup Dam, Greenup, 14 March (JHo); 1 at McElroy Lake 13 March (TD); sin¬ gles at Murl Pond (RBn, RD) and at Lex¬ ington (RO), both 19 March; singles at Sauerheber 30 March/22 April (AH/KM); 1 along Mariba Fork, DBNF, Menifee, 3 April (DMd); singles over Douglass Hills 6/26 April & 8 May (ph. MY); 1 at Long Point 8 April (HC, ME, JP); 1 at Clarks River NWR w. of Sharpe, e. McCracken, 12 April (HC); singles at Figett Bend, Hart, 13/20 April (JSo); singles at Ky Dam Village 29/30 April (LCr/BP, KOS); and 1 at Shaker Village 3 May (BLe et al.). Olive-sided Flycatcher - there were five reports: 1 at Cherokee Park 13 May (BW, ph. BP); 1 at Mammoth Cave 15 May (SK); 1 at LBL, Trigg , 16 May (BLi); 1 at Sauerheber 20 May (ph. CC); and 1 heard at Mammoth Cave, Hart, 29 May (KR). Eastern Wood-Pewee - 1 along Union Grove Road, Hopkins, 22 April (BP, ph. SG, et al.) was the earliest to be reported. Yellow-bellied Flycatcher - there were five reports: 1 at the Grassy Pond-Powells Lake Unit Sloughs WMA, Henderson, 8 May (KM); singles at the Lexington Cem¬ etery 11/12 May (DSv/BW); 1 at the Jen¬ ny Hole Unit Sloughs WMA, Henderson, 19 May (JM); and 1 heard at Melco 23 May (RFa). Alder Flycatcher - there were at least ten reports: 2 at Lake Cumberland WMA, Pulaski, 14 May (RBn, RD); singles at Sauerheber and at the Jenny Hole Unit Sloughs WMA, Henderson, both 19 May (JM); 1 at Douglass Hills 20 May (MMo, BP); 1 heard at Bernheim Forest 22 May (SD); 2 along McDonald Landing Road and 5 at Sauerheber, all 22 May (BP); 1 at Melco 23 May (RFa); and 4 at Surrey Hills Farm 23 May (BP) with 1 still there 24 May (BP). Willow Flycatcher - 1 at Sandy Watkins Park, Henderson, 2 May (CC) was the earliest to be reported. Great Crested Flycatcher - 1 at Pope Lick Park 19 April (PB, JBe) was the earliest to be reported. Eastern Kingbird - singles at Surrey Hills Farm 11 April (BP) and at Devou Park, Kenton, 12 April (WH) were the earliest to be reported. Scissor-tailed Flycatcher - there were three reports: 1 along Luttrell Creek w. of Dunnville, observed on different days in Adair, Casey, and Russell, 15-25 May (ph. JTa, JSo, RD, GBo, JBa, TB, CBe); 1 s. of Coldwater, Calloway, 24 May (ph. MCa); and 1 at Ballard WMA 27 May (fGBu, SBn). White-eyed Vireo - 1 heard singing at Shal¬ low Flats, Cave Run Lake, Rowan, 8 March (tBLm) may have been lingering from winter; singles at Clarks River NWR 2 April (JP) and at Lake Cumberland WMA, Pulaski, 4 April (RD) were the next earliest to be reported. Bell’s Vireo - 1 at Big Rivers WMA, Union, 23 May (CC) was a local first. Blue-headed Vireo - singles at Pine Moun¬ tain SRP, Bell, 14 March (MH), at the Pine Mountain Settlement School, Har¬ lan, 15 March (RBt), at the Natural Arch Scenic Area, DBNF, McCreary, 15 March 66 THE KENTUCKY WARBLER Vol 92 (DCo), and at the Big South Fork National Rec. Area, McCreary, 17 March (RD) were the earliest to be reported. Singles at Floracliff SNP, Fayette (SRn), and in w. Franklin (JSo), both 14 May, were the lat¬ est to be reported away from known nest¬ ing areas. Warbling Vireo - 1 at Audubon SP, Hen¬ derson, 8 April (JM) was the earliest to be reported. Philadelphia Vireo - 1 at LBL, Lyon, 26 May (DSi) and 2 at Mammoth Cave 27 May (SG) were the latest to be reported. Blue Jay - 50 at Jonathan Creek 1 May (RD) represented the peak count for the season. Fish Crow - 4 over Murray, Calloway, 4 March (ME) represented a local first. Common Raven - the only report away from the mountains of far se. Kentucky was 1 at Paintsville Lake, WMA, John¬ son, 5 March (SF); No. Rough-winged Swallow - 6 at Wood Creek Lake, Laurel, 17 March (AK) were the earliest to be reported. Bank Swallow - 1 at Sauerheber 9 April (BP) was the earliest to be reported; an estimate of probably one-half of 1000- 1500 swallows over Morgan Pond 18 May (BP et al.) represented the peak count for the season. An active nest colony of ca. 200 individuals was located in Steele Bottom, Gallatin, 30 May (BW). Cliff Swallow - probably one-half of 1 GOO- 15 00 swallows over Morgan Pond 18 May were Cliffs (BP et al.). Barn Swallow - 1 at McElroy Lake 18 March (TD), 1 at Murl Pond 19 March (RD, RBn), 2 at the J.C. Jones Road sink¬ hole ponds, Hart, 20 March (JSo), and 1 n. of Glasgow, Barren, 21 March (LCr) were the earliest to be reported. Red-breasted Nuthatch - there were a few reports of presumed migrants or tardy wintering birds during the season (eBird data); also reported were singles from the local breeding population at Rock Bridge, DBNF, Wolfe, 20/23 May (FR). Brown-headed Nuthatch - birds continued at the nesting area at Ky Dam Village through the season (m. ob.) with an active nest located there for the fourth year in a row 22 April (FR). House Wren - 1 at Murray, Calloway, 30 March (HC) was the earliest to be repor¬ ted. Winter Wren - 1 at Surrey Hills Farm 23 April (BP) was relatively tardy, but 1 heard singing at the Lexington Cemetery 12 May (BP) was exceptionally late. Sedge Wren - there were four reports: 1 at Sauerheber 28 April (ph. CC) with 2 heard there 6 May (CC); 1 on the se. side of Lexington 30 April-1 May (DSv, LCo); and 1 at Morgan Pond 9 May (JHa) Marsh Wren - there were reports from four locales: singles at Sauerheber on several dates 9 March (f JM)-19 May (CC) with 2 there 27 March/1 May (KM/KM); 1 heard at Green River WMA, Adair, 23 April (RD); 1 at Lexington 27 April (MTw); and 1 heard singing at Melco 18 May (BP, RR, et al.). Golden-crowned Kinglet - singles at Ky Dam Village 30 April (JSn) and at Clarks River NWR 1 May (ME, RC) were rather tardy. Ruby-crowned Kinglet - 1-2 at four dif¬ ferent locales 14 May (eBird data) were the latest to be reported. Catharus thrushes - thrush migration was relatively unremarkable with no extremely high counts or extreme dates. American Pipit - 120 at McElroy Lake 9 March (AH) represented the peak count for the season; 1 at Melco 9 May (BP, CBs) was the latest to be reported. Cedar Waxwing - the species was essen¬ tially absent in the state until the last week of April (there were no eBird records in the state during March and only one dur¬ ing the first two weeks of April!). Ovenbird - singles at Whitley City, Mc- Creaty (L&TM) and at the Alpine Rec. Area (RD), both 13 April, were the ear¬ liest to be reported. 2016 THE KENTUCKY WARBLER 67 Worm-eating Warbler - 2 at the Alpine Rec. Area 13 April (RD) were the earliest to be reported. Louisiana Waterthrush - singles adjacent to Minor Clark, Bath, 15 March (ph. SBy); along Pointer Creek Road, Pulaski (RD), and s. of Pottertown, Calloway (BH), both 16 March; and at the Big South Fork National Rec. Area, McCrea¬ ry, 17 March (RD) were the earliest to be reported. Golden-winged Warbler - it was a little better season for the species than last spring with reports of 1-2 at about a dozen locales (mostly eBird data). Blue-winged Warbler - 1 at Reservoir Knob, Pulaski, 12 April (RD) was the ear¬ liest to be reported. Brewster’s Warbler - 1 was reported at Minor Clark during the third week of April (MW). Black-and-white Warbler - 1 at the Alpine Rec. Area 27 March (RD) was the earliest to be reported. Prothonotary Warbler - 1 at Blood River 7 April (HC) was the earliest to be repor¬ ted. Swainson’s Warbler - 5 in the Cliffy Wil¬ derness, DBNF, Wolfe, 23 April (JFg) were the earliest to be reported; other re¬ ports of interest included 1 at Clarks River NWR 4 May with 1-2 (including 1 banded) there 29-31 May (JP, HC, et al.); and 1 along KY 11 ne. of Alger, DBNF, Owsley, 28 May (RD). Tennessee Warbler - 1 at the LBL Nature Station, Lyon!Trigg, 16 April (AY) was the earliest to be reported. Orange-crowned Warbler - reports of in¬ terest included three of individuals pos¬ sibly or probably lingering from the win¬ ter season: 1 at Adkins Swamp 6 March (tTGr, SG), and singles at Lake No. 9 (tBP, EHu, TGr, SG) and n. of Goshen, Oldham (ph. BDa), both 1 April. Other¬ wise, singles at McConnell Springs 12 April (CB1) and ne. of Defoe, Henry, 15 April (RR) were the earliest to be repor¬ ted. Nashville Warbler - 1 heard singing at Audubon SP. Henderson, 25 May (fJM) was particularly tardy. Connecticut Warbler - there were reports from six locales: 1 at Douglass Hills 10 May (MY); 1 at Veterans Park, Lexing¬ ton, 10-11 May (SRn et al.); 1 at another location on the ne. side of Lexington 12 May (MTw); 1-2 at Cherokee Park 13-15 May (BW, BP, et al.); singles at Sau- erheber 19/21 May (JM/CC); and 1 heard at Red River Gorge ne. of Slade, Powell, 23 May (SPe). Mourning Warbler - singles were reported at more than a dozen locales 8-26 May (mostly eBird data). Kentucky Warbler - 1 at Berea College Forest, Madison, 10 April (RFo, RBa) was the earliest to be reported. Common Yellowthroat - 6 along Pointer Creek Road, Pulaski, 14 April (RD) were the earliest to be reported. Hooded Warbler - 2 at Whitley City, Mc- Creaiy, 13 April (L&TM) were the earli¬ est to be reported. American Redstart - singles at Owsley Fork Lake, Madison, 16 April (RFo, RBa) and at Cave Run Lake, Rowan, 22 April (MGa) were the earliest to be reported. Cape May Warbler - 1 at Lexington 18 April (RO) represented a new early arrival date for the state by one day. Northern Parula - singles at Mammoth Cave 2 April (LCr) and at Lake Cum¬ berland WMA, Pulaski, 4 April (RD) were the earliest to be reported. Magnolia Warbler - 1 at Mammoth Cave 27 April (SK et al.) was the earliest to be reported; 1 at Iroquois Park, Louisville, 28 May (MA) was the latest to be reported. Bay-breasted Warbler - 1 at the Lexington Cemetery 24 April (SPa) was the earliest to be reported; 1 at Beckley Creek Park 26 May (PB) was the latest to be reported. Blackburnian Warbler - several at the summit of Black Mountain, Harlan, 20 April (EL, LG) and 1 at Mammoth Cave 22 April (SK, JR) were the earliest to be reported. 68 THE KENTUCKY WARBLER Vol. 92 Blackpoll Warbler - 1 at Clarks River NWR 19 April (JP) was the earliest to be reported. Black-throated Blue Warbler - it was a good season for the species with 1-2 re¬ ported at more than a dozen locations (mostly eBird data). Reports of interest included a few at the summit of Black Mountain, Harlan, 20 April (EL, LG); 2 heard at Cummins Nature Preserve, Mas¬ on , 29 April (KS); and 3 at the Lexington Cemetery 11/12 May (SPe/BP et al); Yellow-rumped Warbler - singles n. of Lisherville, e. Jefferson, (PB) and at Jac¬ obson Park (SPe), both 19 May, were the latest to be reported. Yellow-throated Warbler - 2 at LBL, Trigg, 26 March (HC) were the earliest to be reported. Black-throated Green Warbler - 1 at the Alpine Rec. Area 27 March (RD) was the earliest to be reported; singles at LBL, Trigg, 24 May (BLi) and at Mammoth Cave 28 May (tKR) were the latest to be reported away from breeding areas. Canada Warbler - 1 at Surrey Hills harm 25 April (BP) was rather early; 1 at Pope Lick Park 31 May (MA) was the latest to be reported. American Tree Sparrow - singles at Beck- ley Creek Park 12 March (JW) and at Sur¬ rey Hills Parm 14 March (BP) were the latest to be reported. Vesper Sparrow - 1-4 were reported from about a dozen locales 11 March-16 April (mostly eBird data). Lark Sparrow - 1-4 were seen along Mc¬ Donald Landing Road 28 April+ (ph. CC, et al.) with 3 separate pairs observed there (2 nest building and 1 copulating) 22 May (BP). The only other reports were for 1 along KY 200 n. of Sunnybrook, Wayne, 30 April (RBn) and a pair at Steele Bot¬ tom, Gallatin, 30 May (ph. BW). Grasshopper Sparrow - singles ne. of Oak Grove 14 April (JHa) and e. of Hickman, Fulton, 15 April (BP, JBa) were the ear¬ liest to be reported. Le Conte’s Sparrow - 1 at Hardy Slough, Sauerheber, 9 April (BP, BBC) was the only one reported. Fox Sparrow - 1 ne. of Waddy, Shelby, 13 April (TSh) was rather tardy. Lincoln’s Sparrow - 1 at Beckley Creek Park 17 April (PB) was the earliest to be reported. White-throated Sparrow - singles at the Lexington Cemetery 17 May (JSo) and ne. of Lyndon, Jefferson, 17-19 May (PB) were the latest to be reported. Dark-eyed Junco - the wintering “Oregon Junco” at Douglass Hills was last seen 11 March (ph. MY, BY). Western Tanager - a male was reported at Hestand, Monroe, 5 May (fNBe). KBRC review required. Rose-breasted Grosbeak - quite extraor¬ dinary was 1 at a feeder ne. of Defoe, Henry, 26 February-2 March (|RR); sin¬ gles at Harmony Acres, se. Pulaski, 17 April (ph. DV) and at Murray, Calloway (HC), and at Veterans Park, Lexington (SRn), both 18 April, were the next ear¬ liest to be reported. Indigo Bunting - 1 at Peedee, Christian , 13 April (SBe) was the earliest to be repor¬ ted. Dickcissei - 1 s. of Cadiz, Trigg , 25 April (BLi) was the earliest to be reported. Bobolink - 1 at the Boone County Conser¬ vancy Park, 23 April (RC) and 5 se. of Binns Mill, Christian, 25 April (SBe) were the earliest to be reported. Yellow-headed Blackbird - a female was photographed nw. of Ault, nw. Elliott, 8 May (ph. EG). KBRC review required. Rusty Blackbird - 2 at Sauerheber 30 April (JM) were the latest to be reported. Brewer’s Blackbird - there were three re¬ ports: 2 at Morgan Pond 12 March (BP, CBs); a few w. of Sassafras Ridge, Ful¬ ton, 1 April (BP, EHu, TGr, SG); and 5 at Schochoh, Logan, 3 April (ph. ST). Baltimore Oriole - singles at Pope Lick Park (PB, JBe) and ne. of Defoe, Henry 2016 69 THE KENTUCKY WARBLER (RR), both 19 April, were the earliest to be reported. Purple Finch - a few birds lingered at a few scattered locales to 14 May (eBird data). Common Redpoll - there were reports from two locales: the female at Highland Cem¬ etery, Kenton, lingered to 6 March (LO, EBu, AB) with 2 there 4 March (HW); and a female at Schochoh, Logan, 6-13 March (ph. ST, DT, et al.). Pine Siskin - wintering birds remained widely distributed through March, primar¬ ily in small numbers; a wave of migrants passed through primarily from mid-April through early May. One at Independence, Kenton (ph. DMr), and 2 se. of LaGrange, Oldham (RFi), both 16 May; 1 at Natural Bridge SRP, Powell, 19 May (FR); 1 at Schochoh, Logan, 20 May (ST); 1 in n. Franklin, 20-21 May (JFy); 1 se. of West Fiberty along the Morgan!Magoffin line, 21-22 May (DH); and 1 at Fexington 27 May (DCh) were the latest to be reported. Observers: Sharon Arnold (SA), Michael Autin (MA), Ellen Bahm (EBa), Jamie Baker (JBa), Rebecca Bates (RBa), Nathan Beachy (NBe), Beckham Bird Club (BBC), Colleen Becker (CBe), Tom Becker (TB), Jane Bell (JBe), Pat Bell (PB), Sarah Bell (SBe), Andy Bess (AB), Carol Besse (CBs), Clay Bliznik (CB1), Gretchen Bolton (GBo), Steve Bonney (SBy), Karen Bonsell (KB), Ray Bontrager (RBn), Rod Botkins (RBt), Scooter Bowman (SBn), Barbara Brand (BB), Nancy Braun (NBr), John Brunjes (JBr), Eric Burkholder (EBu), Gerald Burnett (GBu), Molly Canter (MCa), Hap Chambers (HC), Don Chesnut (DCh), Lisa Combs (LCo), Marge Constan (MCo), Derek Coomer (DCo), Tim Cornish (TC), Linda Craiger (LCr), Charlie Crawford (CC), Rodney Crice (RC), Brian Davis (BDa), Brenda Dean (BDe), Roseanna Denton (RD), Brian DeVore (BDv), Scott Dickman (SD), Tom Durbin (TD), Melissa Easley (ME), Nancy Ettinger (NE), Rand Falls (RFa), Richard Fischer (RFi), Rob Foster (RFo), Scott Freidhof (SF), Jonathan Frodge (JFg), Joyce Fry (JFy), Laurel Fuson (LF), Matt Galbraith (MGa), Elizabeth Garris (EG), Teresa Gemeinhardt (TGe), Loran Gibson (LG), Steve Graham (SG), Teresa Graham (TGr), Mark Greene (MGr), Wallace Gullett (WG), Peter Haile (PHa), Joe Hall (JHa), Erin Harper (EHa), Stratton Hatfield (SH), Bob Head (BIT), Todd Hendricks (TH), Doug Hennig (DH), Martina Hines (MH), Ron Hoff (RH), Josh Holland (JHo), Patty Horner (PHo), Eddie Huber (EHu), William Hull (WH), Aaron Hulsey (AH), Jim Johnson (JJ), Albert Kayser (AK), Kentucky Ornithological Society (KOS), Steve Kistler (SK), Rob Lane (RLa), Ellis Laudermilk (EL), Richard Lee (RLe), Ben Lefew (BLe), Ben Limle (BLm), Bill Lisowsky (BLi), Wes Little (WL), Judy Lundquist (JL), Frank Lyne (FL), Don Martin (DMr), Daniel Maynard (DMd), Lee McNeely (LM), Andrew Melnykovych (AM), John Meredig (JM), Keith Michalski (KM), Lynda & Tom Mills (L&TM), Mark Monroe (MMo), multiple observers (m. ob.), Dollyann Myers (DMy), Dee Norris (DN), Ronan O’Carra (RO), Linda Osterhage (LO), Brainard Palmer-Ball, Jr. (BP), Nancy Parker (NP), Steve Pavey (SPa), Sydney Penner (SPe), Charlie Plush (CPI), Chuck Porter (CPr), Constance Powell (CPo), Josh Powell (JP), Dick Preston (DP), Tommy Quarles (TQ), Reuben Raber (RR), Scott Record (SRc), Spencer Reinhard (SRn), Frank Renfrew (FR), Mike Riggs (MR), Nancy Robb (NR), Steve Rogers (SRo), Kimberly Rohling (KR), Jeffery Rose (JR), Cyndi & Steve Routledge (C&SR), Tim Salzman (TSa), Vicki Sandage (VS), Beth Schilling (BS), Joel Schlabach (JSc), Kurt Schwarz (KS), Tanner Shepard (TSh), Damien Simbeck (DSi), Jennifer Snyder (JSn), Jeff Sole (JSo), Matt Stickel (MS), Jack Still (JSt), David Svetich (DSv), Joy Tarter (JTa), Melanie Torres (MTr), Mark Tower (MTw), Jon Tubbs (JTu), Debby Tyson (DT), Steve Tyson (ST), Donna VanHorn (DV), Kelly Vowels (KV), Kirk Westendorf (KW), James Wheat (JW), Eric Williams (EW), Mike Wright (MW), Helen Wright-North (HW), Brian Wulker (BW), Aviva Yasgur (AY), Ben Yandell (BY), Mary Yandell (MY). — 8207 Old Westport Road, Louisville, KY, 40222 (brainard@mindspring.com) (Palmer- Ball) and P.O. Box 463, Burlington, KY, 41005 (lkmc9@aim.com) (McNeely). 70 THE KENTUCKY WARBLER Vol. 92 NEWS AND VIEWS The Kentucky Warbler Available Online In early 2015, Jonathan Jeffrey with the Department of Library Special Collections at Western Kentucky University (WKU) approached K.O.S. about undertaking a cooperative project to scan to digital format and place on the internet the complete series of the Soci¬ ety’s quarterly journal, The Kentucky Warbler. The first issue of The Kentucky Warbler was published in 1925, and with only a couple of exceptions during the early years, four issues have been published every year since. There are only a handful of complete sets in personal collections and university libraries. K.O.S. had scanned the first twelve years of issues a couple of years ago, and recent issues (since 2005) have been produced in PDF format, but 65 years worth of issues still needed to be scanned. During the fall of 2015, WKU staff (mostly students working in the program) scanned the needed issues with OCR (Optical Character Recognition) software, which allows for keyword searching within each number. The complete set of scanned issues was then loaded onto a host site on the internet. The issues are housed in TopSCHOLAR, WKU’s digital repository, which recently recorded its 2,000,000th download. According to Mr. Jeffrey, this was a beta project for WKU in that they had many items already online but no long runs of serials. He is pleased that The Kentucky Warbler is the first long-running journal to be placed on TopSCHOLAR, because Dr. Gordon Wilson-one of the Society’s founders-was an English professor at WKU. One of the requests that K.O.S. made of WKU was that the scanned issues be available to the public and that there was also assurance of their availability in perpetuity. Mr. Jeffrey iterated that this is exactly what the TopSCHOLAR project is all about, and that the digital archive is a permanent one that will always be available for free. Thanks to this cooperative effort, the first 90 volumes of The Kentucky Warbler are now online at the following link: http://digitalcommons.wku.edu/kv warbler/ ! Visit the K.O.S. Web Site! You can find all kinds of information about the Kentucky Ornithological Society on our web site at the following web address: www.birdky.org . Descriptions of all of our activities including spring and fall meetings, bird counts, field trips, scholarships and grants, and much more are available there. Virginia and Wendell Kingsolver Scholarship Available The Virginia & Wendell Kingsolver Scholarship Fund was established in 2013 to honor the memory of Virginia “Ginny” Kingsolver and the legacy and contributions of Ginny and her husband, Wendell, to K.O.S. and to environmental education efforts across Kentucky. The scholarship is available to a young birder between the ages of 13 and 18 who lives in Kentucky. The Fund will pay tuition for a young birder to attend an American Birding Association Summer Camp. Details about the A.B.A. camps can be found on the A.B.A. website. To apply for a Kingsolver Scholarship, applicants should fill out the form found on the K.O.S. web site (http://birdky.org/wendell-and-ginny-kingsolver-fund.html), write a short essay (500 words or less) on why he or she wants to attend, and include a brief recommendation from a parent, teacher, or mentor. Recipients will be asked to report on their camp experience either in person to their local bird club, to K.O.S. at a meeting, or in writing. The deadline to apply for a 2017 Kingsolver Scholarship is April 1, 2017. 2016 THE KENTUCKY WARBLER 71 K.O.S. Anne L. Stamm Avian Education Fund Grants Available The Anne L. Stamm Avian Education Fund supports education of children in the deeper appreciation of birds and ornithology. For guidelines on how to apply for grants of up to $500, visit the K.O.S. web site (http://www.birdky.org/anne-stamm-fund.html) or contact Scott Marsh by mail at 4401 Athens-Boonesboro Road, Fexington, KY, 40509, or via email at (scott.marsh@twc.com). K.O.S. Burt L. Monroe, Jr., Avian Research Grants Available The Burt F. Monroe, Jr., Avian Research Fund supports research on birds in Kentucky with monetary awards of up to $1000. For guidelines on how to apply, visit the K.O.S. web site (http://www.birdky.org/burt-monroe-jr-fund.html) or contact Kate Slankard, Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, #1 Sportsman’s Fane, Frankfort, KY, 40601 (kate. slankard@ky.gov). The Kentucky Warbler Available in PDF Format Members of the Kentucky Ornithological Society who wish to receive quarterly issues of the Society’s journal, The Kentucky Warbler , in electronic format rather than hard copy through the mail may now receive them by email. If you wish to receive future issues of The Kentucky Warbler in digital PDF format, email the Society’s Corresponding Secretary, Brainard Palmer-Ball, Jr., at (brainard@mindspring.com). 72 THE KENTUCKY WARBLER Vol. 92 American White Pelican, Bullitt Co. 1 March 2016 _ Kelly Vowels _ Brown-headed Nuthatches at nest cavity Marshall Co., 24 April 2016 Frank Renfrew Hooded Merganser family, Henderson Co. 23 April 2016 Chuck Porter The Kentucky Warbler (Published by the Kentucky Ornithological Society) VOL. 92 NOVEMBER 2016 NO. 4 i w IN THIS ISSUE IN MEMORIAM: DR. HERB E. SHADOWEN, Blaine R. Ferrell . 75 IN MEMORIAM: WAYNE M. MASON, Blaine R. Ferrell. 76 SUMMER 2016 SEASON, Brainard Palmer-Ball, Jr., and Lee McNeely.77 KENTUCKY ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY FALL 2016 MEETING, Jane Bell and Steve Kistler.82 16 th REPORT OF THE KENTUCKY BIRD RECORDS COMMITTEE, Ben Yandell.84 NEWS AND VIEWS .91 74 THE KENTUCKY WARBLER Vol. 92 THE KENTUCKY ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY President Pat Bell, Louisville Vice-President. Corresponding Secretary. Treasurer . Recording Secretary. Councillors: Bonnie Avery, Louisville.. Jeff Sole, Frankfort. Rob Lane, Louisville. Teresa Graham, Greenville Carol Besse, Louisville. Rebecca Bates, Berea. .David Lang, Georgetown .Brainard Palmer-Ball, Jr. 8207 Old Westport Road, Louisville, KY 40222-3913 .Lee McNeely P.O. Box 463, Burlington, KY 41005 .Blaine Ferrell, Bowling Green .2014-2016 .2014-2016 .2015-2017 .2015-2017 .2016-2018 .2016-2018 Retiring President Steve Kistler, Munfordville Affiliates Beckham Bird Club (Louisville) Northern Kentucky Bird Club (Burlington) The Kentucky Warbler The journal of the Kentucky Ornithological Society, published quarterly in February, May, August and November, The Kentucky Warbler is sent to all members not in arrears for dues. Current membership categories and corresponding dues follow: Regular ($15.00); Contributing ($25.00); Student ($10.00); Family ($20.00); and Life ($300.00). Direct manuscripts and communications to the Editor. Send membership dues to the Treasurer. Make requests for back issues to the Corresponding Secretary. Editor.Brainard Palmer-Ball, Jr. 8207 Old Westport Road, Louisville, KY, 40222 ( brainard@mindspring, com ) Editorial Advisory Board Ben Yandell and Carol Besse THE COVER We thank Tanner Shepard for the image of the Clay-colored Sparrow (Spizella pal¬ lida) taken 3 May 2016 just east of Waddy, Shelby County (see p. 81). Financial support for color reproduction in this issue provided by the Daniel Boone National Forest. 2016 THE KENTUCKY WARBLER 75 IN MEMORIAM: DR. HERB E. SHADOWEN Dr. Herb E. Shadowen passed away on May 18, 2016 after a battle with cancer. Herb was born in Crittenden County, Kentucky, to the late Jesse Ervine Shadowen and Vera Polk Shadowen. Jesse died when Herb was five, and circumstance resulted in Herb living at the Masonic Home in Louisville for 11 years until he graduated at the age of 16. Herb served in the United States Air Force during World War II. He earned his B.S. degree at Berea Col¬ lege, his Master’s degree from the University of Kentucky, and his Ph.D. from Louisiana State University where he worked under Dr. George Lowery, a noted ornithologist. He taught at Louisiana Tech before becoming a member of the Biology Department at Western Kentucky University in 1961. He retired in 1988 but stayed active in the First Baptist Church where he served as deacon and Sunday school teacher. Herb was an active contributing member of the KOS, having served as Councillor from 1964 to 1966, Vice-President from 1965 to 1967, and President in 1967 and 1968. He was editor of The Kentucky Warbler from 1973 to 1983 and continued as assistant editor from 1984 to 1994. He also served as compiler for the Bowling Green and Mammoth Cave Mid-winter Bird Counts and was responsible for two Breeding Bird Surveys for a number of years. Herb was a wonderful major adviser to me during my Master’s program at Western Kentucky University. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Jacky Hopper Shadowen, and an extended family. Herb is greatly missed by me and the community he served for many years. - Blaine R. Ferrell Dr. Herb E. Shadowen (photo courtesy of Shadowen family and First Baptist Church of Bowling Green) 76 THE KENTUCKY WARBLER Vol. 92 IN MEMORIAM: WAYNE M. MASON Wayne Mason, the son of Elbert T. Mason, Sr. and Florence Marie Mason, was born in Glasgow, Kentucky, on June 30, 1957. He was always interested in natural history, and Dr. Russell Starr and Marquita Gillenwater helped to nurture this passion through bird¬ watching. Wayne earned his B.S. in Biology with an emphasis in Wildlife Ecology and Conservation from Western Kentucky University (WKU). He earned his Master’s degree in Biology under a joint program between WKU and Tennessee Technological University. He entered a Ph.D. program in Physiological Ecology at the University of Louisville. Wayne was hired at WKU in 1981, and in the same year he was stricken with a kidney disease that would plague him the rest of his life. He taught Ornithology, advised many students seeking careers in healthcare, and oversaw the Human Anatomy and Physiology program. He retired from WKU in 2013. Wayne received many recognitions and awards including a distinguished alumni award from Glasgow High School, several teacher-of-the-year awards including the Ogden College of Science and Engineering Teacher-of-the-Year Award, the American Ornithol¬ ogists’ Union Student Award, and the Black Achiever Award presented by the Barren County Family YMCA. He served as Vice-President and President of the South Central Kentucky Audubon Society, on the Editorial Advisory Board of The Kentucky Warbler , and as Councillor (1981-1983), Vice-President (1994-1995) and President (1996-1998) of the Kentucky Ornithological Society. Wayne and 1 conducted two Breeding Bird Surveys in south-central Kentucky together for over 20 years. He participated in the Mammoth Cave National Park, Bowling Green, and Glasgow Mid-winter Bird Counts for decades, compiling the last for 41 years. Wayne played a key role in the transition of Dr. Russell Starr’s property on Barren River Lake to the Kentucky State Nature Preserves Commission for conservation in perpetuity. He spent an immense amount of time taking care of and enjoying this property, now known as Brigadoon State Nature Preserve. Although suffering with a terrible kidney disease for decades, he never complained, instead staying active in the community, helping others and promoting the love of nature, especially birds. He was loved by all of his students, despite the fact that he held high standards. He leaves behind his wife, Martha, and extended family. He leaves a deep hole in the fabric of our community and will be greatly missed. - Blaine R. Ferrell Wayne Mason (photo courtesy of WKU Archives) 2016 THE KENTUCKY WARBLER 77 SUMMER 2016 SEASON Brainard Palmer-Ball, Jr., and Lee McNeely Weather conditions during June and July 2016 were relatively normal other than a period of wet weather across a portion of the state during July. The average monthly temperature at most stations was close to normal to slightly above-normal during both June and July. The amount of rainfall was close to normal during June; however, much of the state received about one and a half to more than two times normal rainfall during July. For example. Bowling Green received a record amount of rainfall (more than 11 in) during July. The heavy rains across southern Kentucky resulted in the appearance of transient lakes like Morgan Pond (Christian County) and Chaney and McElroy Lakes (Warren County), which created exceptional waterbird habitat that extended into the fall season. Rarity highlights included Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks, Anhinga, and Swallow-tailed Kite. Least Terns appeared to have a dismal nesting season on the Mississippi River due to severe thunderstorms during July. Publication of any unusual sightings in the seasonal report does not imply that these reports have been accepted for inclusion in the official checklist of Kentucky birds. Reports of out-of-season birds and rarities should be accompanied by written and/or photographic documentation. This documentation is reviewed by the Kentucky Bird Records Committee (KBRC). Decisions regarding the official Kentucky list are made by the KBRC and are reported periodically in The Kentucky Warbler. Abbreviations - County names appear in italics; when used to separate dates, the symbol is used in place of “and”; “ph.” next to an observer’s initials indicates that the observation was documented with photograph(s); “ba.” next to an observer’s initials indicates that the individual bird was banded; “f” next to an observer’s initials indicates that written details were submitted with the report; ad(s). = adult(s); juv(s). = juvenile(s); yg. = young. Place names: Adkins Swamp , Sinclair Unit Peabody WMA, Muhlenberg, Camp #11 = former Camp #11 mine, Union ; DBNF = Daniel Boone National Forest; Falls of the Ohio . Jefferson', Horseshoe Road = sloughs along Horseshoe Road, w. Henderson', Kuttawa = Lake Barkley near Old Kuttawa Recreation Area, Lyon; Kv Dam {Livingston!Marshall); Kv Dam Village = Kentucky Dam Village SRP, Marshall; Lake No. 9, w. Fulton; LBL = Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area, Lyon!Trigg; Melco = Melco flood retention basin, Jefferson; Mitchell Lake . Ballard WMA, Ballard; Morgan Pond, s. of KY 117 w. of US 41, Christian; Parsons Pond = transient pond along KY 739 sw. of Williams Store, Logan; s. of Middleton = transient pond along J. Ferguson Road, s. of Middleton, Simpson; Sauerheber = Sauerheber Unit Sloughs WMA, Henderson; Sinclair Unit = Sinclair Unit Peabody WMA, Muhlenberg; SRP = State Resort Park; Swallow Spring Pond , n. of Beverly, Christian; WMA = Wildlife Management Area. Black-bellied Whistling-Duck - up to 9 were present at West Paducah, McCrack¬ en, 31 May into June with at least 2 con¬ tinuing through the season (ph. PC et al.). KBRC review required. Mute Swan - the resident pair at the Sin¬ clair Unit was present during the season but without evidence of nesting detected (SG, TGr). Gadwall - a male lingered at Morgan Pond to at least 24 July (JH, ph. SA, BPa). Blue-winged Teal - a few lingered at and near Morgan Pond through the first week of June but without evidence of nesting detected (JH, TGr, SG, BPa, MM). Redhead - a male was present at Freeman Lake, Hardin, 19 June-8 July (JM, ph. JSn) Lesser Scaup - 25 at Kuttawa and 8 on Lake Barkley above the dam, all 2 June (BPa, MM) may have been injured, alt¬ hough only 1 could be found at the former location 25 June (BPa). 78 THE KENTUCKY WARBLER Vol. 92 Hooded Merganser - likely broods were reported only at Horseshoe Road during June (CC). A juv. was on Clifty Pond, Pulaski, 10 June (ph. RD) and a female was seen on the Cumberland River below Wolf Creek Dam, Russell , 21 June (TN, ph. DP). Red-breasted Merganser - there were two reports: 1 on Morgan Pond 1-6 June (ph. SG, TGr, JH, ph. SA, et al.) and 1 at the Falls of the Ohio 10-16 July (JW, ph. TB, RM, DSt). Common Loon - 1 lingered on Morgan Pond to 6 June (JH, ph. SA); 1 was on Lake Carnico, Nicholas , 10 June (ph. BW); 1 was at the Falls of the Ohio 24-25 June (TR, ph. TB, et al ); 4 were on Ky Lake above the dam 2 June (BPa, MM) with 1 still there 1 July (HC, ME); and 1 was on the Ohio River off Chilo, OH, Bracken , 19 July (ph. SC). Pied-billed Grebe - small numbers lingered on Morgan Pond into early June (JH, ph. SA, MT, et al.); July rains brought that body of water back up, and small numbers were again detected there during the last week of July (JH, ph. SA); 1 at a transient pond along C. Cauley Road, Logan , 29 June (ph. FL) may have been nesting. The following mid- and late July reports may have represented early migrants or sum¬ mering birds: 3 on Lake Herrington, Gar¬ rard , 15 July (ph. RD); 1 at Henson Park, Boyle , 15 July (ML); 1 on Parsons Pond 16 July (RD); 9 at Camp #11 on 24 July (BPa, BW); and 2 on Swallow Spring Pond 26 July (JH). Double-crested Cormorant - reports of summering birds away from known nest¬ ing colonies included up to 16 at the Falls of the Ohio [26 June & 10 July] (JW) dur¬ ing the season; 3 at Browns Ford, Barren River Lake, Allen , 15 June (LCr); 6 on the Casey Creek embayment of Green River Lake, Adair , 3 July (RD); and 30 on Bar¬ ren River Lake, Allen!Barren, 16 July (KBo). Anhinga - 1 was seen soaring over the John P. Rhody Tree Nursery adjacent to Ky Dam Village, Marshall, 2 June (MM, ph. BPa). KBRC review required. American White Pelican - reports of inter¬ est included 7 on Lake Barkley above the dam 2 June (BPa, MM); 34 on Lake Bark¬ ley at Duck Island, Trigg, 10 June (HC, ME, AN); and 1 at the Falls of the Ohio 9-10 July (ph. TB, CB, etal ). American Bittern - there was one report: 1 seen in flight at Pioneer Park, Kenton, 6 July (tDMa). Least Bittern - there were reports from two locations on the Sinclair Unit: 1-2 at Ad¬ kins Swamp during the season (SG, TGr, et al.); and up to 11 on Muck Lake during July with an active nest and several juvs. present 23-24 July (ph. SG, TGr, et al.). Great Egret - reports of interest included 47 at Morgan Pond 6 June (JH); 15 at Big Rivers WMA, Crittenden, 7 June (CC); and 43 in w. Henderson 11 July (CC). Snowy Egret - reports of interest included 1 at the Falls of the Ohio 10 July (JW et al.); 18 at Lake No. 9 on 21 July (MGr); and 3 at Horseshoe Road 30 July (ph. CC). Little Blue Heron - reports of interest in¬ cluded 2 at Wood Creek Lake, Laurel, 19 July (ph. VK, fide AK) and 2 at Browns Ford, Barren River Lake, Allen, 21 July (BB). Black-crowned Night-Heron - the nesting colony at Winchester, Clark, was active through the season with yg. observed in several nests 24 June (ph. RD) and at least 10 active nests observed 9 July (RO). Yellow-crowned Night-Heron - there were reports from four locations: 1-2 along the South Fork Beargrass Creek at Buechel, Jefferson, 11 May+ (RS, ph. JBa, et al.) with an active nest nearby at St. Regis Park during July (SM); up to 3 along Cy¬ press Creek, Marshall, during the season (m. ob.); 1 at the Falls of the Ohio 13/14 July (RS fide BLo/BLo); and a juv. s. of Middleton 23 July (ph. RD). Osprey - 1 at Natural Bridge SRP, Powell, 8 July (BG) was not near a known nesting territory but was the earliest of several July reports away from known nesting ter¬ ritories so it may have been an early mi¬ grant. 2016 THE KENTUCKY WARBLER 79 Swallow-tailed Kite - 1 was reported at Ft. Campbell, Christian , 8 July (fDMo). KBRC review required. Mississippi Kite - nesting birds were pres¬ ent but not as conspicuous at Louisville this year with intermittent observations at St. Matthews, Jefferson (MC), and Chero¬ kee Park, Jefferson (m. ob.); other reports of interest included 1-2 at the Sinclair Un¬ it on several dates during July (TGr, HC, RD, ME, BPa, BW) and 1-2 along the Rail Trail nw. of Powderly, Muhlenberg , 2-7 July (TGr). Bald Eagle - the number of active nesting territories was up 14% from 2015 with 151 (20 more than in 2015) documented by the survey conducted by the Ky. Dept, of Fish and Wildlife Resources (KS). Northern Harrier - 1 was at Schochoh, Logan , 30-31 July (ph. ST). Common Gallinule - the only reports came from Adkins Swamp, where an ad. with 6 yg. was found 11 June (fTGr, ph. SG) and at least 5 were still present 11 July (RD). American Coot - there were reports from four locales: up to 3 [11 June] at Adkins Swamp during the season (TGr, ph. SG, et al.); 1 at Old Pumphouse Pond, Pulaski , 4 June (RD); 4 at Freeman Lake, Hardin , 19 June (JM); and 1 at Camp #11 on 24 July (BPa, BW). Black-necked Stilt - there were reports from three locales: 1 continuing from May at and near Morgan Pond to 24 July (JH) with 2 there 7 July (JH); 2 at Horse- shoe Road 13-22 June (ph. CC); and 3 at Doug Travis WMA, Carlisle , 14-16 June (TK, JBr). Semipalmated Plover - 5 at Morgan Pond 1 June (JH), 2 at Melco 2 June (RF), and 1 at Horseshoe Road 3 June (CC) were the latest spring migrants to be reported; 1 at Horseshoe Road 16 July (CC) was the earliest fall migrant to be reported. Killdeer - at least 200 at Morgan Pond 25 June (BPa) with 350 there 1 July (JH), and 150 s. of Middleton 23 July (RD) rep¬ resented the peak counts for the season. Stilt Sandpiper - 1 at Morgan Pond 2 June (BPa, MM, JH, ph. SA) was tardy; singles at Lake No. 9 (ph. HC, JP) and at Melco (fMA), both 14 July, and at the E.W. Brown Power Plant, Mercer , 15 July (fRD); and 3 near Morgan Pond 16 July (JH, ph. SA) were the earliest fall mi¬ grants to be reported. Ten were at Mit¬ chell Lake by 29 July (HC, JP). Least Sandpiper - 1 at Morgan Pond 1 June (JH) was the latest to be reported; earliest fall migrants included 1 at Parsons Pond (ph. FL) and 3 at Horseshoe Road (ph. CC), both 30 June, and 6 at Morgan Pond 1 July (JH, ph. SA). Peak season counts included 24 at Melco 16 July (MA); 30 at Horseshoe Road 24 July (CC); and 24 at Mitchell Lake 29 July (HC, JP). White-rumped Sandpiper: 1 at Melco 2 June (fRF) and 2 at Morgan Pond 6 June (JH) were the latest spring migrants to be reported. Pectoral Sandpiper - 4 at Lake No. 9 (HC, JP) and 1 at Melco (MA), both 14 July, were the earliest fall migrants to be re¬ ported. Season peak counts included 84 s. of Middleton 16 July (RD) and 155 at Morgan Pond 25 July (JH). Semipalmated Sandpiper - 70 were still at Morgan Pond 1 June (JH) with 11 last seen there 6 June (JH); otherwise, 2 at Jacobson Park, Lexington, Fayette (LCo, DSv), and 2 at Melco (RF), both 2 June, and 2 at Horseshoe Road 9 June (ph. CC) were the latest spring migrants to be re¬ ported. Earliest fall migrants included 1 at Lake No. 9 (HC. JP) and 7 at Mud Creek crossing of KY 94, Fulton (HC, JP), both 14 July. Twenty were at Mitchell Lake by 29 July (HC, JP). Short-billed Dowitcher - 1 at Melco 20 July (EH) was the only one reported. Long-billed Dowitcher - 1 (seen and call notes heard) was rather early at the Camp #9 coal preparation plant. Union, 24 July (BPa, BW). Spotted Sandpiper - 1 lingered at Melco to 9 June (MA); 1 at the Falls of the Ohio 25 June (AM, BPi) was the earliest fall mi- 80 THE KENTUCKY WARBLER Vol 92 grant to be reported; 2 along Mt. Zion Road, Kenton, 26 June (RC) were either early migrants or perhaps summering? Solitary Sandpiper - 1 near Morgan Pond 29 June (JH) was the earliest to be repor¬ ted. Greater Yellowlegs - 1 at Adkins Swamp 1 July (HC, RD, ME) was the earliest fall migrant to be reported; 8 were at Morgan Pond by 7 July (JH). Lesser Yellowlegs - early season peak counts included 22 at Morgan Pond (JH, SA) and 32 s. of Middleton (RD), both 16 July. Ring-billed Gull - 74 were at Ky Dam by 1 July (HC, ME). Least Tern - the nesting season on the Mis¬ sissippi River began well with more than 200 pairs present adjacent to Middle Bar, Hickman , and 350-400 pairs present adja¬ cent to the western side of Kentucky Bend, Fulton, during June (CP); however, severe thunderstorms during July ap¬ peared to cause complete loss of chicks and resulted in most or all nests failing (CP). Other reports of interest included 5 at Calvert City, Marshall, 2 June (BPa, MM) with 5 on the Tennessee River at Calvert City, Marshall, 24 July (BPa, BW); 1 along Binns Mill Road, nw. of Bennettstown, Christian, 27 June (ph. SB) ; and 12 at Mitchell Lake 29 July (HC, JP). Caspian Tern - reports of interest included 8 on Lake Barkley at Duck Island, Trigg, 10 June (HC, ME, AN); 3 on Ky Lake n. of Newburg, Calloway, 24 June (TQ); and 11 at Ky Dam by 1 July (HC, ME). Black Tern - there were reports from three locales: 6 at Morgan Pond 7 July (JH) with 2-3 there on a few additional dates during the last week of July (JH); 1 at Lake No. 9 on 14 July (ph. HC, JP); and 3 at Parsons Pond 16 July (ph. RD). Forster’s Tern - 1 at Morgan Pond 28 July (JH, ph. SA) was the only one reported. Black-billed Cuckoo - there were three re¬ ports: 2 heard on the se. side of Lexing¬ ton, Fayette, 11 June (DSv, LCo); 1 at Conservancy Park, Boone, 30 June (LM); and 2 heard w. of Antioch, Harrison, 4 July (vo. E&LS). Barn Owl - a few seen at the Sinclair Unit during June (m. ob.) were the only ones reported. Peregrine Falcon - 14 territorial pairs were documented during the season, mostly at traditional sites along the Ohio River cor¬ ridor; 12 of those pairs were documented with nesting attempts (Taylor 2016). A- way from the Ohio River corridor, a pair nested successfully at a quarry along the Kentucky River, Franklin, and a territor¬ ial pair remained present along the Dix River, Mercer, again this year but did not nest (Taylor 2016, ph. TN). A new pair was documented in downtown Louisville, but they did not nest (Taylor 2016). A total of 38 chicks hatched from the 12 nestings (Taylor 2016). Least Flycatcher - 23 were tallied at the summit of Black Mountain, Harlan, 6 June (RD). Bell’s Vireo - 1 singing along Husband Road, Paducah, McCracken, 25 June (BPa) was a local first. Common Raven - there was one report away from the Cumberland Mountains: 3 over a surface mine at Flatwoods, e. of Dorton, Pike, 30 June (SF). Red-breasted Nuthatch - single indivi¬ duals were found on a few occasions at the traditional nesting area at Rock Bridge, DBNF, Wolfe, during the season (m. ob.). Brown-headed Nuthatch - up to 4 were re¬ ported at the nesting locale at Ky Dam Village during the season (m. ob.). Sedge Wren - 1 at Camp #11 on 24 July ap¬ peared to be on territory (BPa, BW) and was the only one reported. Eastern Bluebird - nest box inventories at LBL and Lake Barkley SRP, Trigg , found nest box occupancy to have rebounded from lower totals the past two years (BPe). Swainson’s Thrush - a tardy migrant was reported along Hawk Creek, DBNF, Lau¬ rel , 4 June (ph. TGo). 2016 THE KENTUCKY WARBLER 81 Cape May Warbler - unprecedented in the state during July was 1 along Pleasant Run Creek, Ludow, Kenton, 26 July (ph. KBi). Bachman’s Sparrow - the only report was from the traditional nesting area on Ft. Campbell, Trigg, 14 June (DMo). Lark Sparrow - up to 5 were reported along McDonald Landing Road, Hen¬ derson, during the period (ph. CC et al ); a pair (including a female gathering nest¬ ing material) was observed on Ft. Camp¬ bell, Trigg, 15 June (DMo). Savannah Sparrow - 2 heard s. of Hardy- ville, Hart, 3 June (JSo) with 1 still there 17 June (JSo) were a local first during the breeding season. Rose-breasted Grosbeak - a male was present at a feeder n. of Canton, Trigg, 15-16 June (KBr); a male at Riverpointe, Campbell, 23 June (LW) may have been a local breeder. Dickcissel - 5 at the Knott County Sports- plex ne. of Soft Shell, Knott. 5 June (RD) represented a county first and is likely the farthest se. the species has ever been re¬ ported in the state. Bobolink - at least 4 were present at the Camp Nelson Civil War Park, Jessamine, during June (DL, ASK, et al.) with 14 there (including some carrying food) 23 June (RD, GC). Other reports of likely territorial birds included 4 at Spindletop Farm, Fayette, 10 June (BW); 4 along Jackstown Road ne. of Paris, Bourbon, 10 June (BW); 1 at the Bluegrass Army De¬ pot, Madison, 20 June (NM); and 1 along Stoner Pike, Bourbon, 2 July (MGe). Pine Siskin - quite extraordinary was 1 at a feeding station ne. of Defoe, Henry, 13 July for at least a week (RR). Addendum to the Spring 2016 report: Clay-colored Sparrow - 1 was present just e. of Waddy, Shelby, 3 May (ph. TS) (see cover photo of this issue). KBRC review required. Observers: Sharon Arnold (SA), Audubon Society of Kentucky (ASK), Michael Autin (MA), Jamie Baker (JBa), Colleen Becker (CB), Tom Becker (TB), Sarah Bell (SB), Kimmy Birrer (KBi), Karen Bonsell (KBo), Barbara Brand (BB), Karon Broadbent (KBr), John Brunjes (JBr), Patricia Case (PC), Hap Chambers (HC), Suzanne Clingman (SC), Lisa Combs (LCo), Marge Constan (MC), Granville Cox (GC), Linda Craiger (LCr), Charlie Crawford (CC), Rodney Crice (RC), Roseanna Denton (RD), Steve Denton (SD), Melissa Easley (ME), Rand Falls (RF), Scott Freidhof (SF), Brian Gasdorf (BG), Michael Gertz (MGe), Tommy Goodwin (TGo), Steve Graham (SG), Teresa Graham (TGr), Mark Greene (MGr), Joe Hall (JH), Eddie Huber (EH), Albert Kayser (AK), Val Kayser (VK), Tim Kreher (TK), David Lang (DL), Michael Lauer (ML), Brian Lowry (BLo), Frank Lyne (FL), Don Martin (DMa), Natalie Maass (NM), Richard Mayfield (RM), John McCaw (JM), Lee McNeely (LM), Andrew Melnykovych (AM), Scott Miller (SM), Mark Monroe (MM), Daniel Moss (DMo), multiple observers (m. ob.), Tina Nauman (TN), Anne Newberry (AN), Ronan O’Carra (RO), Brainard Palmer-Ball, Jr. (BPa), Bob Peak (BPe), Sydney Penner (SP), Don Perkins (DP), Bill Pike (BPi), Constance Powell (CP), Joshua Powell (JP), Tommy Quarles (TQ), Reuben Raber (RR), Taylor Ransdall (TR), Tanner Shepard (TS), Eric & Liz Shlapack (E&LS), Kate Slankard (KS), Robert Slaton (RS), Jennifer Snyder (JSn), Jeff Sole (JSo), Del Striegel (DSt), Dave Svetich (DSv), Melanie Torres (MT), Steve Tyson (ST), Lindsey Walters (LW), James Wheat (JW), Brian Wulker (BW). Additional Source: Taylor, L. 2016. 2016 Kentucky Peregrine Falcon Report. Ky. Dept, of Fish and Wildlife Resources, Frankfort, KY. 82 THE KENTUCKY WARBLER Vol. 92 KENTUCKY ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY FALL 2016 MEETING Lake Cumberland State Resort Park, Jamestown, Kentucky 16-18 September 2016 Jane Bell and Steve Kistler Vice-President David Lang called the meeting to order at 7:06 p.m. Friday evening. He welcomed the attendees; no new members were in attendance. David introduced Steve Kistler, who presented a most enjoyable bird quiz. Members were asked to identify birds based on partial photos. David then invited Tommy Quarles, our most recent Kingsolver Scholarship recipient, to speak on his experience at the ABA Young Birders’ Camp in Colorado. Tommy told of visiting several areas of the state including Rocky Mountain National Park and the Pawnee National Grassland during his week-long experience. Tom¬ my’s total list of birds seen was 130 of which 59 were lifers. Next David introduced Zeb Weese, staff biologist for the Kentucky Heritage Land Conservation Fund (KHLCF). Zeb gave an overview of the work of the KHLCF. He described its efforts to conserve bird habitat and to provide birding opportunities in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. The presentation included pictures of many of the natural areas that the KHLCF has helped to purchase and manage. David announced the field trips for Saturday morning that would leave the park lodge at 8:00 a.m. Afternoon field trips would begin at 1:30 p.m. and were to include a plant walk and a Big Sit. The meeting adjourned at 8:35 p.m. and was followed by a social hour. President Pat Bell gaveled the Saturday evening meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Scott Marsh ran through the Kentucky checklist with the group to compile a list of species identified during the Saturday field trips. The groups had seen or heard 87 species. Pat then asked the membership to vote on the proposed slate of officers for the coming year. They were as follows: Pat Bell, President; David Lang, Vice-President; Brainard Pal¬ mer-Ball, Jr., Corresponding Secretary; Lee McNeely, Treasurer; and Blaine Ferrell, Re¬ cording Secretary. Nominees for Councillor were Rob Foster and Scott Marsh, and the Beckham Bird Club representative nominee was Pam Spaulding. Carol Besse made a motion to approve the proposed slate, and Jane Bell seconded her motion. The slate was approved by unanimous voice vote. Pat thanked outgoing councillors, Bonnie Avery and Jeff Sole, for their work on behalf of KOS over the past three years. She also thanked Mary Yandell, the outgoing Beckham Bird Club representative, for her past three years of service on the board. Pat Bell then reported that two grants had been approved from the Anne Stamm Fund for educational purposes: one to Steve Kistler for the purchase of six pairs of binoculars to aid in his bird hikes at Mammoth Cave National Park; the other to the Kentucky Asso¬ ciation of Environmental Education for support materials for their Flying WILD program. Pat then introduced the evening’s speaker, Kevin Karlson. Kevin entertained us with a lecture about migration, featuring many of his outstanding bird photographs and videos. His program was very well received by the audience. Following Kevin’s program, David Lang announced the times and locations for the Sunday morning field trips. Pat Bell closed the meeting with the announcement that the spring 2017 meeting will be held April 28-30 at Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park. Berea: Bowling Green: Burlington: Carlisle: Attendance at the Fall 2016 K.O.S. Meeting Rebecca Bates, Gretchen Bolton, Paul Hager, Jennifer Perkins Donovan & Vera Freeman Lee McNeely Eva Lee & Wendell Kingsolver 2016 THE KENTUCKY WARBLER 83 Frankfort: Tommy Quarles David Lang Steve & Teresa Graham Annette, Kathleen, & Sarah Bell Crystal, John, & Samuel Christopher Terry Anderson Clay Bliznik, Nancy Braun, Rhonda Bryant, Scott Marsh, Teresa Noel, Bobbi & Lou Shain, Marie Sutton, Jeanne VanArsdell, Jim Williams Jane & Pat Bell, Carol Besse, David & Terri Lusk, Brainard Palmer- Ball, Jr., Pam Spaulding, Nancy Vance, James Wheat, Ben & Mary Yandell Zeb Weese Ray Bontrager Janet & Steve Kistler Hap Chambers Michael Trawbridge Roseanna Denton Bonnie Avery Tanner Shepard Tom Becker, Colleen Craven-Becker Charles & Sharon Sorenson Brian Wulker Georgetown: Greenville: Herndon: Hustonville: Lawrenceburg: Lexington: Louisville: Midway: Monticello: Munfordville: Murray: Russell Springs: Science Hill: Upton: Waddy: Floyd Knobs, IN: Mt. Vernon, IN: Cincinnati, OH: Birds Observed at the Fall 2016 K.O.S. Meeting Lake Cumberland State Resort Park and vicinity The following species were observed by KOS members during the weekend of 16-18 September 2016 at Lake Cumberland State Resort Park and vicinity: Mallard, Wild Turkey, Common Loon, Double-crested Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Black Vulture, Turkey Vul¬ ture, Osprey, Bald Eagle, Red-shouldered Hawk, Broad-winged Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, American Golden Plover, Killdeer, Lesser Yellowlegs, Pectoral Sandpiper, Rock Pigeon, Mourning Dove, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Eastern Screech-Owl, Great Horned Owl, Barred Owl, Chimney Swift, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Belted Kingfisher, Red-headed Wood¬ pecker, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, American Kestrel, Eastern Wood-Pewee, Yellow-bellied Flycatcher, Acadian Flycatcher, Eastern Phoebe, Great Crested Flycatcher, White-eyed Vireo, Yellow-throated Vireo, Philadelphia Vireo, Red-eyed Vireo, Blue Jay, American Crow, Tree Swallow, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Barn Swallow, Carolina Chick¬ adee, Tufted Titmouse, Red-breasted Nuthatch, White-breasted Nuthatch, Carolina Wren, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Eastern Bluebird, Gray-cheeked Thrush, Swainson's Thrush, Amer¬ ican Robin, Gray Catbird, Northern Mockingbird, Brown Thrasher, European Starling, Cedar Waxwing, Worm-eating Warbler, Blue-winged Warbler, Golden-winged Warbler, Black-and-white Warbler, Prothonotary Warbler, Tennessee Warbler, Common Yellow- throat, Hooded Warbler, American Redstart, Northern Parula, Magnolia Warbler, Bay¬ breasted Warbler, Blackburnian Warbler, Chestnut-sided Warbler, Pine Warbler, Yellow- throated Warbler, Prairie Warbler, Black-throated Green Warbler, Canada Warbler, Eastern Towhee, Chipping Sparrow, Summer Tanager, Scarlet Tanager, Northern Cardinal, Rose¬ breasted Grosbeak, Indigo Bunting, Common Grackle, Brown-headed Cowbird, House Finch, American Goldfinch, House Sparrow. The total number of species was 92. 84 THE KENTUCKY WARBLER Vol. 92 16 th REPORT OF THE KENTUCKY BIRD RECORDS COMMITTEE Ben Yandell, KBRC Secretary-Chair The Kentucky Bird Records Committee (KBRC) is a standing committee of the Ken¬ tucky Ornithological Society (KOS). The KBRC maintains the official list of bird species documented as having occurred in the state. The committee reviews bird observations and takes formal votes to determine whether the available documentation substantiates the natural occurrence of the species within state boundaries. To be accepted into Kentucky’s records, bird observations require review by the KBRC if the reported species is either rare in the state or reported at a very unusual place or time of year. A list of species that currently require review (the “Review List”) can be found at the end of this report. The Kentucky state list of birds, a rare bird report form, and the KBRC Bylaws are all available on the KOS web site at http://www.birdky.org/. The KBRC published its first decisions in 1992 and has now reviewed more than 600 records published in 16 separate Reports (Table 1). Overall, the KBRC has accepted 95% of the records it has reviewed. [Note: Report #9 lists only seven species removed from the state list, but given the resulting total, the report apparently also removed nonspecific Plegadis ibis, so Table 1 shows eight removals.] In recent years, the work of the committee has become easier in some regards due to the increasing quantity and quality of photographic documentation, and the ready avail¬ ability of such documentation and accompanying comments on the eBird and KOS Flickr websites. We also find, however, that formal submission of written documentation remains as rare as the bird sightings we review. The very first KBRC report (Monroe 1992) had a similar lament, “One major problem confronts the committee: the failure of persons to submit records of rare Kentucky birds to the committee.” Table 1. Summary of KBRC reviews: 1992 - 2016 Report # # of Records Reviewed State List Changes/Total The Kentucky Warbler Citation # Accepted # Not Accepted Total # Added # Removed Total Year Vofpp 1 12 1 13 - - 343 1992 68(1'): 12-14 2 8 2 10 2 - 345 1993 69(l):23-24 3 7 4 11 1 - 346 1994 70(1):12-13 4 12 2 14 4 - 350 1996 72(l):32-34 5 16 0 16 1 - 351 1997 73(1 ):28-29 6 13 2 15 3 - 354 1998 74(l):26-27 7 20 1 21 5 - 359 1999 75(3):48-49 8 18 3 21 4 - 363 2001 77(2):35-36 9 19 1 20 4 8 359 2003 79( 1 ):29-31 10 14 0 14 4 - 363 2004 80(4):96-97 11 28 0 28 3 - 366 2006 82(2):51 -52 12 81 0 81 11 - 377 2008 84(3):73-77 13 75 6 81 3 - 380 2009 85(4):99-103 14 88 5 93 5 1 384 2012 88(4):98-101 15 128 0 128 1 - 385 2014 90(4):91-96 16 78 7 85 - - 385 2016 92(4):84-90 all 617 34 651 51 9 385 2016 THE KENTUCKY WARBLER 85 Recent KBRC activity The summary below covers committee actions from November 2014 through Novem¬ ber 2016. The last (15 th ) KBRC Report was published two years ago (Yandell 2014). The principal actions by the KBRC since the previous report are as follows: 1. To clarify when documentation should be submitted to KBRC, extinct or extirpated birds will no longer be listed on the Review List. Whooping Crane ( Grus americana ), while remaining on the State List as an extirpated species, is no longer on the Review List. Whooping Cranes seen in Kentucky do not require KBRC review because they are from reintroduced populations that are not yet considered established. 2. After review and unanimous vote of the current KBRC, Trumpeter Swan ( Cygnus buccinator ) is placed on the Review List, due to its occasional occurrence from estab¬ lished populations in other states. We encourage the documentation of any new or prev¬ iously unreported Trumpeter Swan observations to the KBRC and to eBird. The current action reinstates an action taken in 2006. The 11 th KBRC report (McNeely 2006) states, “[A]s a result of the introduction and establishment of Trumpeter Swans in a few Great Lakes states and the subsequent appearance of these birds in Kentucky, the species was moved from Extirpated status to Introduced status, and it was added to the review list.” However, this change was not reflected in published lists. 3. Bachman’s Sparrow ( Peucaea aestivalis) is placed back on the Review List, with a note that birds at Fort Campbell do not require review. 4. Brown-headed Nuthatch (Sittapusilla ) remains on the Review List, with an added note that birds at the location at Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park do not require review. 5. The Kentucky State List of Birds remains at 385 species, including 7 extinct and extir¬ pated species. The Review List comprises 98 species. The Hypothetical List (single¬ observer; no photo, etc.) comprises nine species. The summary below comprises 78 accepted records and seven records that were not accepted. Accepted records include the state’s second confirmed occurrence of Black- throated Gray Warbler ( Setophaga nigrescens). Seven records are pending initial committee action, one is pending a second round of voting, and two are awaiting supporting documentation. We are closing 19 older observa¬ tions for which the committee has no documentation. In addition, we are reviewing all recent reports of potential Iceland Gulls (Lams glaucoides ) and will publish our findings in a later issue. Committee members [* = current member] participating in these actions were Rose- anna Denton*, Eddie Huber, David Lang*, Mark Monroe*, Brian Wulker*, and Ben Yandell* (Secretary). We thank the many birders who supplied the reports and photographs that make the committee’s work possible. We also thank the KOS Archivist, Brainard Pal¬ mer-Ball, Jr., for his continuing work of many years in tracking and maintaining the records of Kentucky’s birds. Each report listed below is displayed in the following sequence: Scientific Name. English Name (# of individuals if >1) [KBRC record #]; Date(s) present; Location, County name [Observer(s) (f = written documentation; ba = banded; ph = photograph; vt = videotape)]. Species nomenclature and order follow the American Ornithologists’ Union (1998) and subsequent supplements through the 57 th (AOU 2016). Accepted Records Note: Accepted status means that the KBRC considered the available documentation conclusive, either unanimously upon blind first review or by positive vote of all or all but one voting member upon discussion and re-review. Some of these records are several years old, and they may pertain to species that no longer require KBRC review. 86 _THE KENTUCKY WARBLER_ Vol. 92 Dendrocygna autumnalis. Black-bellied Whistling-duck (2) [#2013.050] 21-25 May, and again on two dates during Sep 2013; Frogue Lake s. of Elkton, Todd [JBy (t), m. ob] Dendrocygna autumnalis. Black-bellied Whistling-duck [#2015.003] 18 Apr-19 May 2015; Lake Reba, Madison [KW(t), JSu, CG (ph), m. ob ] Dendrocygna autumnalis. Black-bellied Whistling-duck (4) [#2016.015] 22 May 2016; Iuka, Livingston [NE(t/ph)| Dendrocygna autumnalis. Black-bellied Whistling-duck (9) [#2016.018] 31 May-late Aug 2016; West Paducah, McCracken [P&JC, JP (ph)] Podiceps grisegena. Red-necked Grebe [#2002.179] 3 Nov 2002; Brown Power Plant, Mercer [M&BC (ph)] Podiceps grisegena. Red-necked Grebe [#2002.165] 7-25 Jan 2002; Barren River Lake, Allen/Barren [DR (ph), RDn (|), m. ob ] Podiceps grisegena. Red-necked Grebe [#2002.168] 10 Apr 2002; Kentucky Lake above Kentucky Dam, Marshall [DR (ph)] Aechmophorus occidental is. Western Grebe [#2002.163] 10 Apr 2002; Kentucky Lake above Kentucky Dam, Marshall [DR (ph)] Aechmophorus occidentals. Western Grebe [#2002.161] 6-30 Nov 2002; Waitsboro Recreation Area, Lake Cumberland, Pulaski [RDn (t/ph), m. ob.] Aechmophorus occidentals. Western Grebe [#2015.002] 27 Mar 2015; Morgan Pond, Christian [DM (t)| Zenaida asiatica. White-winged Dove [#2015.017] “through the summer of 2015” to 18 Sept 2015; Bowling Green, Warren [TH (ph)] Zenaida asiatica. White-winged Dove [#2016.009] 15-16 Apr 2016; Erlanger, Kenton [HWN (f/ph)] Zenaida asiatica. White-winged Dove [#2016.010] 29 Apr 2016; Haltom Drive, Marshall [JP (T)] Archilochus alexandri. Black-chinned Hummingbird [2015.031] 28 Oct 2015-14 Jan 2016; ne. of Pottertown, Calloway [TGe, CR, BP (ba), m. ob.] Selasphorus rufus. Rufous Hummingbird [#2001.169] late Nov 2001-1 Jan 2002; Paris, Bourbon [VS, BP (ph)] Coturnicops noveboracensis. Yellow Rail [#2000.161] 14/21 Oct 2000; Sauerheber Unit Sloughs WMA, Henderson [DR, BP (t), m. ob.] Coturnicops noveboracensis. Yellow Rail [#2012.029] 23 Oct 2012; Surrey Hills Farm, Jefferson [BP (|), m. ob.] Himantopus mexicanus. Black-necked Stilt [#2001.167] 3-4 Jun 2001; Spindletop Research Farm, Fayette [JW, BP (t)] Numeniusphaeopus. Whimbrel (5) [#2001.163] 19 May 2001; Lower Hickman Bottoms, Fulton [MM (ph), BP (t/ph), JL, AB] Numenius phaeopus. Whimbrel [#2015.009] 22 Apr 2015; Lower Hickman Bottoms, Fulton [JS (t/ph)] Numenius phaeopus. Whimbrel [#2015.010] 23 Apr 2015; McElroy, Warren [TD (|)] Numenius phaeopus. Whimbrel (3) [#2015.012] 7-8 May 2015; Lower Hickman Bottoms, Fulton [ JS (ph), TGr, SG (t)] Limosa fedoa. Marbled Godwit (15) [#2001.165] 22 Apr 2001; Falls of the Ohio, Jefferson [BP (t), m. ob.] Calidris pugnax. Ruff [#2002.169] 24-25 Apr 2002; Morgan Pond, Christian [DR, RDn (ph), HC, Bl.| Calidris pugnax. Ruff [#2015.013] 17 May 2015; McElroy, Warren [BP, TD, MY (ph), BY(ph)] Calidris pugnax. Ruff [#2016.007] 17-18 Mar 2016; sw. of Sassafras Ridge, Fulton [MG (t/ph)] Calidris pugnax. Ruff [#2016.008] 1 Apr 2016; sw. of Sassafras Ridge, Fulton [BP (ph), EH (ph), SG (ph), TGr] Phalaropus lobatus. Red-necked Phalarope [#2001.166] 24-25 May 2001; Former Camp #11 Mine, Union [BP (t/ph)] Phalaropus fulicarius. Red Phalarope [#2015.018] 11 Aug 2015; near Swan Lake, Ballard [HC (t/ph), ME, MY, BY (ph)] 2016 _THE KENTUCKY WARBLER_ 87 Rissa tridactyla. Black-legged Kittiwake [#2000.162] 25 Nov 2000; Lake Barkley, Lyon [BP (t), m. ob.] Xema sabini. Sabine's Gull [#2015.028] 12-13 Dec 2015; Ramsey Farms, Wayne [RB (*f*/(ph)] Lams californicus. California Gull [#2015.007] 28 Feb-1 Mar 2015; Falls of the Ohio, Jefferson [BP (ph), m. ob ] Larusfuscus. Lesser Black-backed Gull [#2005.162] 21 Feb 2005; Lower Hickman Bottoms, Fulton [MT (ph)] Lams fuscus. Lesser Black-backed Gull (2) [#2007.161] 18 Feb 2007; Ohio River, Markland Dam, Gallatin [DR (ph), RDv] Note: only ad. photo’d; no doc on 1 st yr. Lams fuscus. Lesser Black-backed Gull [#2007.162] 19 Feb 2007; Ohio River, Jefferson [BP (f/ph), JBe, PB] Larus marinus. Great Black-backed Gull [#2002.160] 11 Jan 2002; Kentucky Dam, Livingston/Marshall [DR (ph)] Gaviapacifica. Pacific Loon [#2002.162] 30 Mar-13 May 2002; Kentucky Lake above Kentucky Dam, Marshall [DR (ph), BP (f), m. ob.] Gavia pacifica. Pacific Loon [#2015.023] 30 Oct 2015; Green River Lake, Taylor [RDn (f/ph), m. ob ] Anhinga anhinga. Anhinga [#2015.016] 12 Jul 2015; Boyd's Branch, Kentucky Lake, Callowav [HC (f)] Anhinga anhinga. Anhinga [#2016.017] 2 Jun 2016; John P. Rhody Tree Nursery near Kentucky Dam, Marshall [MM, BP (ph)] Ardea herodias. Great Blue Heron (white morph) [#2014.030] 13 Nov 2014; Long Creek Refuge, Land Between the Lakes, Trigg [LS (ph)] Plegadis falcinellus. Glossy Ibis [#2011.020] 16 Sep 2011; Owsley Fork Lake, Madison [AN (f/ph)] Plegadis falcinellus. Glossy Ibis [#2015.015] 27 Jun 2015; Prospect, Jefferson [AL (ph), KB (ph), m. ob.] Plegadis chihi. White-faced Ibis [#2015.021] 21 Oct 2015; Melco flood retention basin, Jefferson [BP (ph), (JBa (ph), m. ob.] Plegadis chihi. White-faced Ibis [#2016.013] 9 May 2016; Swallow Spring Pond, Christian [SA (ph), JH] Elanoides forficatus. Swallow-tailed Kite [#2016.030] 8 Jul 2016; Ft. Campbell, Christian [DM (t)l Falco mexicanus. Prairie Falcon [#2001.170] 4 Dec 2001-9 Feb 2002; Lower Hickman Bottoms, Fulton [DR (ph), m. ob.] Falco mexicanus. Prairie Falcon [#2014.033] 3-14 Dec 2014; Frostburg Road, FLopkins [TGr, SG, MY (ph), m. ob.] Empidonax minimus. Least Flycatcher [#2015.030] 19 Dec 2015; Lake No. 9, Fulton [BP (f/ph), m. ob.] Sayornis saya. Say's Phoebe [#2014.028] 20 Oct 2014; State Line Road, Allen [MBy (f)] Tyrannus verticalis. Western Kingbird [#2011.022] 3 Oct 11; near Dot, Logan [FL (f/ph)] Tyrannus forficatus. Scissor-tailed Flycatcher [#2002.174] 1 June-7 July 2002; Grand Rivers, Livingston [RR, JQ, DR (ph), m. ob ] Tyrannus forficatus. Scissor-tailed Flycatcher [#2002.172] 19 June 2002; Near Bagdad, Shelby [CM (ph)] Tyrannus forficatus. Scissor-tailed Flycatcher [#2002.175] 29 June-11 October 2002; Barkley Dam, Lyon [HC, CP, BP (f), m. ob ] Poecile atricapillus. Black-capped Chickadee (3+) [#2001.164 (includes #2002.167)] 20 Nov 2001-10 April 2002; Blame, Lawrence [SF, MM (ba), BP (f/ph), DR] Acanthisflammea. Common Redpoll [#2013.004] 13 Feb 2013; Independence, Kenton [GD (f)] Acanthis flammea. Common Redpoll (2) [#2015.001] 2 Feb-26 Mar 2015; Lexington, Fayette [AHo, CV, MY (ph), BY (ph), m. ob ] Acanthis flammea. Common Redpoll [#2015.027] 27 Nov 2015; sw. of Hubble, Lincoln [JE (ph)] Vol. 92 88 _THE KENTUCKY WARBLER Acanthis jlammea. Common Redpoll (2) [#2016.002] 12 Feb-6 Mar 2016; Highland Cemetery, Kenton [AC, JR (ph), RF, EG, m. ob.)] Acanthis jlammea. Common Redpoll [#2016.005] 6-13 Mar 2016; Schochoh, Logan [ST (t/ph)] Mniotilta varia. Black-and-white Warbler [#2014.034] 20 Dec 2014; Raven Run Sanctuary, Fayette [JCo (f)] Mniotilta varia. Black-and-white Warbler [#2016.026] 6 Jan 2016; Raven Run Sanctuary, Fayette [AW (ph)] Setophaga nigrescens. Black-throated Gray Warbler [#2015.025] 4 Nov-6 Dec 2015; Surrey Hills Farm, Jefferson [BP (ph), m. ob.] Icteria virens. Yellow-breasted Chat [#2016.001] 17 Jan 2016; McMillan's Landing, Monroe [NB (f)] Spizella pallida. Clay-colored Sparrow [#2001.162] 30 Apr 2001; Sawyer Park, Jefferson [JBe, PB, BP (t), m. ob ] Spizella pallida. Clay-colored Sparrow [#2016.029] 3 May 2016; Waddy, Shelby [(TS (f/ph)] Zonotrichia querula. Harris's Sparrow [#2001.161] 28 Jan-26 Apr 2001; Lower Hickman Bottoms, Fulton [BP (f/ph), RDn, HC, RH, m. ob.] Zonotrichia querula. Harris's Sparrow [#2014.032] 8 Dec 2014-4 May 2015; near Dot, Logan [FL (ph), m. ob ] Zonotrichia querula. Harris's Sparrow [#2015.011] 26-30 April 2015; Peabody WMA, Vogue Unit, Muhlenberg [BW (ph), CW, BP (ph)] Junco hyemalis. Dark-eyed “Oregon” Junco [#2015.005] 2 Feb 2015; Long Run Park, Jefferson [KB (t/ph)] Junco hyemalis. Dark-eyed “Oregon” Junco [#2015.022] 26 Oct 2015-11 Mar 2016; Douglass Hills, Jefferson [BY (t/ph), MY (ph)] Piranga ludoviciana. Western Tanager [#2016.011] 5 May 2016; Hestand, Monroe [NB (t)] Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus. Yellow-headed Blackbird [#2003.162] 27 Sep-29 Oct 2003; Former Camp #11 Mine, Union [BP (|), m. ob.] Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus. Yellow-headed Blackbird [#2012.028] 16 Oct 2012; Sinclair, Muhlenberg [BP (t), EH] Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus. Yellow-headed Blackbird [#2016.012] 8 May 2016; nw. of Ault, Elliott [EG (ph)] Icterus galbula. Baltimore Oriole [#2016.025] 1 Jan 2016; sw. side of Murray, Calloway [K&JM (ph)] Icterus galbula. Baltimore Oriole [#2016.027] 20 Jan-7 Feb 2016; ne. of Goshen, Oldham [BD (ph), m. ob.] Icterus galbula. Baltimore Oriole [#2016.028] 28 Jan 2016; ne. of Bardstown, Nelson [PG (ph)] Observers: Multiple additional observers (m. ob.), Sharon Arnold (SA), Jamie Baker (JBa), Aprile Balistrere (AB), John Beachy (JBy), Matthan Beachy (MBy), Nathan Beachy (NB) , Jane Bell (JBe), Pat Bell (PB), Karen Bonsell (KB), Ray Bontrager (RB), Andrew Cannizzaro (AC), Margaret & Bill Case (M&BC), Patricia & Jeff Case (P&JC), Hap Chambers (HC), John Cox (JCo), Brian Davis (BD), Gene Dennis (GD), Roseanna Denton (RDn), Robert Dever (RDv), Tom Durbin (TD), Melissa Easley (ME), Jackie Elmore (JE), Nancy Ettinger (NE), Ron Foltz (RF), Scott Freidhof (SF), Elizabeth Garris (EG), Paula Geihs (PG), Teresa Gemeinhardt (TGe), Steve Graham (SG), Teresa Graham (TGr), Mark Greene (MG), Caitlin Gussenhoven (CG), Joe Hall (JH), Richard Healy (RH), Alice Howell (AHo), Eddie Huber (EH), Terry Hudson (TH), Jen Leyhe (JL), Amy Lint (AL), Bill Lisowsky (BL), Frank Lyne (FL), Kathy & John Mitchell (K&JM), Mark Monroe (MM) , Calvin Montfort (CM), Daniel Moss (DM), Andy Newman (AN), Brainard Palmer- Ball (BP), Clell Peterson (CP), Josh Powell (JP), Jamie Quinn (JQ), David Roemer (DR), Cynthia Routledge (CR), Jeff Rowe (JR), Robert Rowe (RR), Vicky Sanders (VS), Tanner Shepard (TS), Jeff Sole (JS), Lisa Stinnett (LS), Josh Suich (JSu), Mike Todd (MT), Steve Tyson (ST), Carl Vogel (CV), Katheryn Watson (KW), Anna Wiker (AW), Jim Williams 2016 THE KENTUCKY WARBLER 89 (JW), Chris Wood (CW), Helen Wright-North (HWN), Brian Wulker (BW), Ben Yandell (BY), Mary Yandell (MY). Records Not Accepted Note: Non-accepted status means that the KBRC considered the available document- tation inconclusive, either unanimously upon blind first review or by negative vote of at least two voting members upon discussion and re-review. Non-acceptance does not necessarily mean that the committee believes the report to be in error. Branta bernicla. Brant [#2012.005] 3 Jan 2012; Long Point Unit Reelfoot NWR, Fulton Elanoides forficatus. Swallow-tailed Kite [#2013.035] 14 Aug 2013; LBL, Elk & Bison, Trigg Thiyomanes bewickii. Bewick's Wren [#2012.013] 10 May 2012; Kentucky Lake Drive, Lyon Thiyomanes bewickii. Bewick's Wren [#2013.013] 16 Apr 2013; WKU Woods, Warren Setophagapalmarum hypochrysea. “Yellow/Eastern” Palm Warbler [#2012.045] 26 Nov 2012; se. ofMt. Zion, Allen Spizellapallida. Clay-colored Sparrow (2) [#2011.023] 18 Oct 2011; Anchorage Trail, Jefferson Zonotrichia querula. Harris's Sparrow [#2015.014] 24 May 2015; Bronston, Pulaski Older reports closed without review The KBRC is closing the following 19 reports without review. We are unable to ac¬ cept these observations, due to the absence of supporting documentation (written summary or photographs). These reports may be reconsidered if documentation becomes available. Podiceps giisegena. Red-necked Grebe 13 Nov 2002; Kentucky Lake, Marshall Selasphorus rufus. Rufous Hummingbird mid-Nov 2003; Bowling Green, Warren Numenius phaeopus. Whimbrel (3) 16 May 2000; Kentucky Dam, Livingston!Marshall Numenius phaeopus. Whimbrel (2) 16 May 2000; Lake Barkley/Kentucky Lake, Lyon/Marshall Numenius phaeopus. Whimbrel 17 May 2000; Smithland Dam, Livingston Numenius phaeopus. Whimbrel (15) 17 May 2000; Brown Power Plant, Mercer Numenius phaeopus. Whimbrel (4) 17 May 2002; Morgan Pond, Christian Numenius phaeopus. Whimbrel (2) 15 Aug 2006; Falls of the Ohio, Jefferson Limosa fedoa. Marbled Godwit (2) 17 Sep 2002; Smithland Dam, Livingston Larus marinus. Great Black-backed Gull 4 Oct 2001; Kentucky Lake, Marshall Larus marinus. Great Black-backed Gull 6-10 Jan 2005; Kentucky Lake, Marshall Falco mexicanus. Prairie Falcon 17 Mar 2002; Lower Hickman Bottoms, Fulton Falco mexicanus. Prairie Falcon 28 Aug 2002; Kentucky Bend, Fulton Tyrannus verticalis. Western Kingbird 21 Oct 2002; Hickman, Fulton Tyrannus forficatus. Scissor-tailed Flycatcher 18 Jun 2002; LBL, Trigg Peucaea aestivalis. Bachman's Sparrow 28 Jun 2002; Near Hamlin, Calloway Spizella pallida. Clay-colored Sparrow 24 Aug 2003; Tom Sawyer Park, Jefferson Spizella pallida. Clay-colored Sparrow 25 Sept 2006; Garvin Brown Preserve, Jefferson Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus. Yellow-headed Blackbird 3 Jun 2004; Shaker Village, Mercer Literature Cited American Ornithologists’ Union (AOU). 1998. Check-list of the birds of North America, 7 th ed. American Ornithologists’ Union, Lawrence, KS. 829 pp. American Ornithologists’ Union (AOU). 2016. Fifty-seventh Supplement to the American Ornithologists’ Union Check-list of North American Birds. http://www.aoucospubs.org/doi/pdf/10.1642/AUK-16-77,1 Adapted from http://checklist.aou.org/taxa/ . Accessed 3 November 2016. McNeely, L. 2006. 11 th Report of the Kentucky Bird Records Committee. The Kentucky Warbler 82:51-52. THE KENTUCKY WARBLER 90 Vol. 92 Monroe, Jr., B.L. 1992. First Report of the Kentucky Bird Records Committee. The Ken¬ tucky Warbler 68:12-14. Yandell, B. 2014. 15 th Report of the Kentucky Bird Records Committee. The Kentucky Warbler 90:91-96. —513 Lymington Ct., Louisville, KY, 40243; ( benvand@gmail.com ) Kentucky Bird Species Review List Black-bellied Whistling-Duck Sabine's Gull Vermilion Flycatcher Fulvous Whistling-Duck Black-headed Gull Ash-throated Flycatcher Brant Little Gull Western Kingbird Trumpeter Swan Mew Gull Gray Kingbird Eurasian Wigeon California Gull Northern Shrike Mottled Duck Iceland Gull Black-capped Chickadee Cinnamon Teal Sooty Tem Brown-headed Nuthatch 3 Tufted Duck Gull-billed Tern Rock Wren King Eider Sandwich Tern Bewick's Wren Harlequin Duck Black Skimmer Mountain Bluebird Western Grebe Pacific Loon Varied Thrush Band-tailed Pigeon Yellow-billed Loon Eurasian Tree Sparrow Inca Dove Black-capped Petrel Red Crossbill Common Ground-Dove Audubon's Shearwater White-winged Crossbill White-winged Dove Band-rumped Storm-Petrel Common Redpoll Groove-billed Ani Wood Stork Lesser Goldfinch Mexican Violetear Northern Gannet Evening Grosbeak Black-chinned Hummingbird Neotropic Cormorant Smith's Longspur Yellow Rail Anhinga Black-throated Gray Warbler King Rail Brown Pelican Green-tailed Towhee Purple Gallinule Tricolored Heron Spotted Towhee Whimbrel Reddish Egret Bachman’s Sparrow b Hudsonian Godwit Glossy Ibis Clay-colored Sparrow Red Knot White-faced Ibis Sagebrush Sparrow Ruff Roseate Spoonbill Harris's Sparrow Curlew Sandpiper Swallow-tailed Kite Western Tanager Little Stint White-tailed Kite Black-headed Grosbeak Red Phalarope Northern Goshawk Painted Bunting Pomarine Jaeger Swainson's Hawk Yellow-headed Blackbird Parasitic Jaeger Fermginous Hawk Hooded Oriole Long-tailed Jaeger Snowy Owl Bullock's Oriole Long-billed Murrelet Prairie Falcon Scott's Oriole Black-legged Kittiwake Say's Phoebe Notes: Species not on the Kentucky State List of Birds or listed as extinct or extirpated also require review. Whooping Cranes observed in Kentucky are from non-established, reintroduced populations and do not require review. Birds observed outside usual locations or seasons require review. Records documented by banding or as specimens do not require review, unless requested. After multiple confirmations of the species, later observations in irruption years may not require review. Species order based on American Ornithologists’ Union Check-List of North American Birds, Fifty-Seventh Supplement (AOU 2016). a Brown-headed Nuthatch does not require review if observed at the traditional location at Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park. b Bachman’s Sparrow does not require review if observed at Fort Campbell. 2016 THE KENTUCKY WARBLER 91 NEWS AND VIEWS Visit the K.O.S. Web Site! You may find information about the Society on our web site at the following address: www.birdkv.org . Please bookmark this web site address, as the former web site will be removed when the migration of all information is completed. Virginia and Wendell Kingsolver Scholarship Available The Virginia & Wendell Kingsolver Scholarship Fund was established in 2013 to honor the memory of Virginia “Ginny” Kingsolver and the legacy and contributions of Ginny and her husband, Wendell, to K.O.S. and to environmental education efforts across Kentucky. The scholarship is available to a young birder between the ages of 13 and 18 who lives in Kentucky. The Fund will pay tuition for a young birder to attend an American Birding Association Summer Camp. Details about the A.B.A. camps can be found on the A.B.A. website. To apply for a Kingsolver Scholarship, applicants should fill out the form found on the K.O.S. web site (http://birdky.org/wendell-and-ginny-kingsolver-fund.html), write a short essay (500 words or less) on why he or she wants to attend, and include a brief recommendation from a parent, teacher, or mentor. Recipients will be asked to report on their camp experience either in person to their local bird club, to K.O.S. at a meeting, or in writing. The deadline to apply for a 2017 Kingsolver Scholarship is April 1, 2017. K.O.S. Anne L. Stamm Avian Education Fund Grants Available The Anne L. Stamm Avian Education Fund supports education of children in the deeper appreciation of birds and ornithology. For guidelines on how to apply for grants of up to $500, please contact Scott Marsh by mail at 4401 Athens-Boonesboro Road, Lex¬ ington, KY, 40509, or via email at (scott.marsh@twc.com). Kentucky Bird Records Committee The Kentucky Bird Records Committee (KBRC) is charged with determining the validity of records of rare and out-of-season birds in Kentucky. Sightings of such birds should be documented with information supporting the identification and promptly sub¬ mitted to the KBRC. Photographic evidence is desirable but not essential. Electronic docu¬ mentation is preferred and should be submitted to KBRC Secretary, Ben Yandell, via e- mail at benyand@gmail.com. If electronic submission is not feasible, paper documentation can be mailed to Ben Yandell, KBRC Secretary, 513 Lymington Ct., Louisville, KY 40243. The Kentucky Warbler Available in PDF Format Members of the Kentucky Ornithological Society who wish to receive quarterly issues of the Society’s journal, The Kentucky Warbler , in electronic format rather than hard copy through the mail may now receive them by email. If you wish to receive future issues of The Kentucky Warbler in digital PDF format, email the Society’s Corresponding Secretary, Brainard Palmer-Ball, Jr., at (brainard@mmdspring.com). It’s Time to Renew Your Membership for 2017! Enclosed with this issue of The Kentucky Warbler is a membership renewal sheet and addressed envelope. Life members will receive a sheet listing opportunities to donate to the Society’s various funds that are used for specific bird conservation activities. 92 THE KENTUCKY WARBLER Vol. 92 Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks (6 of up to 9), McCracken 22 June 2016 John Brunjes Anhinga, Marshall Co. 2 June 2016 Brainard Palmer-Ball, Jr. Least Bittern on nest, MuhlenbergCo. 23 July 2016 Steve Graham Cape May Warbler, Kenton Co. 26 July 2016 Kimmy Birrer