W.KINGBIRD VOL XVI, NO. 3 _ JULY » 1966 FEDERATION OF NEW YORK STATE BIRD CLUBS, INC. THE KINGBIRD, published four times a year (January, May, July and October), is a publi¬ cation of The Federation of New York State Bird Clubs, Inc., which has been organized to further the study of bird life and to disseminate knowledge thereof, to educate the public in the need of conserving natural resources and to encourage the establishment and main¬ tenance of sanctuaries and protected areas. Individual member's dues are $5.00 annually, of which $2.75 is for a subscription to The Kingbird. A member wishing to make an addi¬ tional contribution may become a Sustaining Member ($7.50), a Supporting Member ($10), or a Life Member ($100 — "payable over a four-year period in equal installments," if member so desires). Single copies: $1.50. Student membership $3.00. APPLICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP should be sent to the chairman of, the membership committee, James J. Doherty, 913 Winton Road North, Rochester, N. Y. 14609. Send CHANGES OF ADDRESS to Ihe Treasurer, Kenneth D. Niven, 61 Broadway, Montfcello, N.Y. 12701. Order SINGLE COPIES, BACK NUMBERS, and REPLACEMENT OF DAMAGED COPIES from Walter L. Gillespie, Biology Department, Wells College, Aurora, N.Y. 13026. Publication office is 419 Triphammer Road, Ithaca, N.Y. 14850. Second class postage paid at Ithaca, N.Y. * 2 /KINGBIRD PUBLICATION OF THE FEDERATION OF NEW YORK STATE BIRD CLUBS. INC. Vol. XVI No. 3 July, 1966 Pages 129-188 CONTENTS Photographs of New York State Rarities 6. Scissor-tailed Flycatcher.Peter W. Post President’s Page .Allen H. Benton The Rough-legged Hawk in New York State.John B. Belknap Minutes of the 19th Annual Meeting of the Federation of New York State Bird Clubs, Inc. . . ..Betty Strath Present Status of the New York State Bird Book.John bull Eugene Pintard Bicknell.John B. Belknap Conservation News .Maxwell C. Wheat, Jr. Field Notes Yellow-bellied Sapsucker with Abnormal Bill.Richard C. Rosche Water Pipits Mobbing Cooper’s Hawk .F. G. Scheider Hooded Merganser x Common Goldeneye Hybrid at Fulton, Oswego County .F. G. Scheider An Encounter between Two Snowy Owls.F. G. Scheider Behavior of Swallows, Warblers and Swifts at Hornell .Mr. & Mrs. W. M. Groesbeck Waterfowl at Almond Dam, Steuben County.William M. Groesbeck Highlight of the Spring Season 1966 April 1 - May 31.David B. Peakall Regional Reports for the Spring Season 1966 . 130 132 133 137 142 145 146 148 149 149 150 150 151 152 153 Editor — Dorothy W. McIlroy Associate Editors Field Notes — Sally Hoyt Spofford Regional Reports — David B. Peakall Photographic — David G. Allen Editorial Board John B. Belknap Stephen W. Eaton A t.te n H. Benton Eugene Eisenmann Fritz Scheider Business Manager — Walter L. Gillespie Cover Design — Douglas L. Howland PHOTOGRAPHS OF NEW YORK STATE RARITIES 6. Scissor-tailed Flycatcher Photograph by Peter W. Post According to the 5th edition of the A.OXJ. Check-list (1957: 336) the Scissor-tailed Flycatcher (Muscivora foi*ficata) breeds from eastern New Mexico, western Oklahoma, southeastern Colorado, Nebraska, cen¬ tral and southeastern Kansas, western Arkansas, and western Louisiana south to southern Texas. The species winters from southern Mexico and Guatemala south to western Panama. In addition, small numbers migrate along the United States Gulf coast to winter sparingly in south Florida. 130 The Scissor-tailed Flycatcher has occurred a number of times outside its usual range. Along the Atlantic coast it has been recorded from New Brunswick, Canada to Florida. It has been noted in New York State 11 times: 1. 11 June 1939, an adult male collected at Sag Harbor, Suffolk Co., by Roy Latham and in his collection (Bull, Birds of the New York City Area, 1964:292). 2. 23 November 1940, an individual seen at Gilgo Beach State Park, Suffolk Co., by Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Austin (Cruickshank, Birds around New York City, 1942: 291-292). 3. 7 May 1945, an individual seen flying over Rye, Westchester Co., by Helen Cruickshank (Buckley, Linn. News-letter, vol. 14, no. 7, Dec. 1960). 4. 12 June 1947, an individual seen at Easthampton, Suffolk Co., by F. E. Eldredge (Buckley, op cit.). 5. 4 November 1956, an individual seen near Schenectady, Schenectady Co., by the Schenectady Bird Club (Nichols, Aud. Field Notes , 11(1) :11, Feb. 1957). 6. 21 May 1957, an individual seen in Riverdale, Bronx Co., by Klaus D. Kallman (Buckley, op cit.). 7. 20 May 1959, an individual seen in Prospect Park, Kings Co., by Olney Raymond. The 15 May date in Buckley ( op. cit. ) is incorrect. 8. 30 October to 7 November 1960, an adult male at Atlantic Beach, Nassau Co., found by Paul A. Buckley, Matthew Cashman, and Peter Islieb. This is the bird that appears in the above photograph. The picture was taken on a rainy, windy day, as the bird was trying to balance itself on a wire. For a more conventional pose also taken by the writer, but mistakenly credited to Buckley see Buckley (op. cit .). 9. 11 May 1964, an adult seen by H. F. Koster at Short Beach, Nassau Co., (Post and Tudor, Kingbird, 14(3): 189, July 1964). 10. 27 May 1965, an adult female seen at Quogue, Suffolk Co., by Wal¬ ter Terry and Dennis Puleston (Post and Tudor, Kingbird, 15(3): 195, July 1965). 11. 11 to 16 September 1965, what was probably the same bird was ob¬ served on the 11th at West Gilgo Beach, Suffolk Co., by Thomas H. Davis and Frank Enders, on the 12th at Tobay Beach, Suffolk Co., by Neal Ward, and on the 16th at the Jones Beach Amphitheatre, Nassau Co., by Emanuel Levine (Davis and Heath, Kingbird, 16 (1): 62, Jan. 1966). The seasonal distribution of these reports is of interest: seven in May and the first half of June, one in mid-September, and three in November. Peter W. Post, 575 West 183 Street, New York, N. Y. 10033. 131 PRESIDENTS PAGE Since I last communicated with you through this page, we have had our 19th Annual Meeting. For those of you who were there, I need not dwell on the fine hospitality of the sponsoring clubs, or on the outstand¬ ing birding opportunities they offered us. For those of you who were not in attendance, I can only say that you missed a wonderful weekend. Don’t make the same mistake next year. The meeting will be held at or near Binghamton, and the host club will be the Naturalists’ Club of the Triple Cities. I’d like to see you all there. It’s hard to pick out highlights of such an eventful meeting. We ad¬ mitted more than 60 new members, and have a new club on the way. The State Bird Book is well under way, and I hope each club is busily accumulating information to supply to the editor. John Bull, at the American Museum of Natural History, is now working full time on this project. This is one of the long-range dreams of many of us, and it is exciting to see it at last taking shape. The Lido Beach Hotel thoughtfully provided us with a House Finch nest in an outdoor light fixture, only a few feet from the meeting room. A Piping Plover was nesting a hundred yards down the beach. And on the field trips such items as Glossy Ibis, Black Skimmer, Least Tern, Seaside Sparrow and Clapper Rail made us upstaters grab our binoculars and our checklists. I don’t know what the Triple Cities will produce next year to beat this, but they’ll have to do some work. To each of you, I wish a happy summer with lots of birding time, and numerous additions to your life list. Allen H. Benton CORRECTION: In “The 1965 Saw-whet Owl Invasion” by Thomas H. Davis, in the May 1966 Kingbird, Vol. XVI, No. 2, p. 71, the last line should read “none in February” a typographical error which is regretted. TEN-YEAR KINGBIRD INDEX Copies of this index are still available for $1.00 each from Dr. E. M. Reilly, New York State Museum, Albany, N.Y. 132 THE ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK IN NEW YORK STATE John B. Belknap The summer home of the American Rough-legged Hawk (Buteo lagopus) is in northern Canada and in Alaska. In the late fall birds of this species move south, many spending the winter months in southern Canada and northern United States. Occasionally a Rough-leg will be found in one of our southern states, birds having been reported from Arizona, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Georgia and South Carolina. Winter distribution appears to depend to a considerable extent on food supply and magnitude of the seasonal movement. The Rough-legged Hawk is essentially an open country bird, favoring marshy coastal areas as well as inland regions with extensive pasture and meadow land. Long wings and longish tail make this appear the largest of the Buteo Hawks in eastern North America, being twenty to twenty- four inches in length and fifty to fifty-four inches in wingspread. Since Rough-legs are relatively unsuspicious by nature they can be observed perched in the open or flying in search of food. A typical hunting maneuver is to hover in one spot, eyes fixed on the ground. Although individual birds show considerable plumage variation, the Rough-leg is not a difficult species to identify. The white area at the base of the tail can normally be seen when the bird is in flight. The dark spot on the underside of the wing beyond the ‘wrist” is an excellent field mark. This does not apply to dark phase birds, which show whitish surfaces on the underside of the wings. When perched a Rough-leg may be found in the top of a tree, but often chooses a low branch. Fence posts and utility poles are also used. As to the distribution of the Rough-legged Hawk in our state, Eaton (Birds of New York 1914) writes as follows: “In New York it is a winter visitor of irregular occurrence, rather rare in the eastern and southern highland regions, but common some winters in the larger river valleys, the Lake Ontario lowlands, and the central lake region, and sometimes on eastern Long Island. At intervals of a few years there appear large flights of these hawks in western New York, especially in the Genesee valley and the extensive farm lands which lie south of Lake Ontario.” Observations made since this was written substantiate Eaton's ap¬ praisal. For specific information on the occurrence of this species in New York State use has been made of the Christmas Bird Count, published in Audubon Field Notes. There are ten stations (count areas) which have continuous records beginning in 1947. These are Brooklyn, Southern Nassau, Bronx—Westchester, Buffalo, Fort Plain, Geneva, Rochester, Schenectady, Staten Island and Watertown. Table I shows the number of Rough-legged Hawks reported in each of these areas for the nineteen year period 1947-1965. All are shown as occurring in December, even though a few counts were actually made in January. Yearly totals for the 133 134 TABLE I Rough-Legged Hawks — N. Y. State (From Audubon Christmas Counts) Area Year 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 Total Brooklyn. 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 2 2 1 1 3 0 1 12 S. Nassau Co. 0 3 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 1 2 4 9 4 26 Bronx-Westchester. 2 1 2 0 6 1 3 3 0 2 3 0 2 4 2 2 3 4 2 42 Buffalo. 2 27 7 6 5 1 1 8 5 2 2 2 1 12 5 0 5 1 1 93 Fort Plain. 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 0 1 1 1 10 Geneva. 0 1 0 0 0 0 3 1 4 8 8 8 2 5 5 0 2 1 0 48 Rochester. 2 11 1 0 2 3 2 1 0 4 8 0 9 5 0 3 3 5 1 60 Schenectady. 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 2 2 0 2 1 9 17 0 0 6 5 46 Staten Island. 2 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 1 2 0 0 11 8 6 12 47 Watertown. 0 0 2 0 0 0 1 1 1 0 0 1 12 2 1 1 9 3 7 41 Total Birds. 9 46 13 7 14 5 10 14 12 20 24 14 32 39 38 20 38 36 34 425 Areas Reporting One or More Birds. 5 7 5 2 4 3 5 5 4 7 5 5 9 7 8 6 9 9 9 — ten stations are shown graphically in Figure I. It will be noted that al¬ though a heavy flight is indicated for the winter of 1948-9, the ensuing ten years show a rather low incidence of Rough-legs. Beginning in 1959 a marked change takes place, as shown by Figure I. Rough-legs have been more abundant during the period 1959-65 than in the preceding decade. Only the winter of 1962-3 does not conform to the trend. A study of Table I also shows wider distribution in the state for the period 1959- 65. Since the count areas used in this analysis are ones with good cover¬ age, it is not believed that more complete reporting constitutes a sig¬ nificant factor. The data here presented, together with my own observa¬ tions in northern New York, lead me to believe that a marked change has recently taken place in the incidence of the Rough-legged Hawk in our state. Most of my observations have been in the northerly part of Jefferson County, which is good habitat for the species. The portion of the county lying north of the Black River consists principally of open farm land, devoted to dairying. In common with other parts of New York State, considerable areas are no longer being used for agricultural purposes. It has been noted that areas in which Rough-legs concentrate vary from year to year. A field note in the Kingbird by Dr. Walter Spofford (V.8 #1 p. 6-7) refers to an area south of Oneida Lake as “Rough-leg Meadow.” Along the same line attention is called to two field notes in the Kingbird relating to concentrations in Jefferson County. (V.10 #2 page 55 and V.12 #1 page 22) 135 The season of 1965-6 witnessed an early and extensive flight in Jeffer¬ son County. Two waves were noted, the first coming October 25-29, with the second a month later. By December it was evident that a concentra¬ tion of Hough-legs was occupying an area immediately north and west of the City of Watertown, covering about fifteen square miles. On one occasion eleven birds were seen here along a five mile stretch of road. After the first of the year numbers dropped off but several Rough-legs were present during the remainder of the winter. The northward movement in our area begins in late winter and con¬ tinues into early spring. I seldom see a Rough-leg in northern New York after mid-April. 1966 proved to be the exception since birds were present in the area mentioned in the preceding paragraph into the third week of April. Eleven were seen on the 18th and eight on the 21st. No doubt most of these were migrants that had wintered farther south. Specific informa¬ tion on the spring movement is available in a recent article in the Kingbird by John Haugh (V. 16 #1, page 5). Statistics are given on the hawk flight at Derby Hill in Oswego County. Figure II combines the results of three years of observation at this vantage point. Rough- legs moved north throughout March and April, peak numbers being noted during the latter part of March. 42 Clinton Street , Goiwemeur, N.Y. 13642 136 19TH ANNUAL MEETING FEDERATION OF NEW YORK STATE BIRD CLUBS, INC. Lido Beach, N. Y. May 20-22, 1966 The official meeting of delegates of the Federation of New York State Bird Clubs, Inc. was held on Saturday morning, May 21, 1966. The meet¬ ing was called to order by Federation President, Dr. Allen Benton, at 9 a.m. The roll call was taken and a quorum declared, with 26 member clubs represented. The minutes of the 1965 meeting were not read, but were approved as published in the July 1965 Kingbird. The Treasurers Report, given by Kenneth Niven, showed a balance in the checking account of $4,578.02 as of Dec. 31, 1965, and a balance in the savings account of $3,815.00 (principal only), as of the same date. The report of the Auditing Committee, given in absentia by Mr. Niven, showed all accounts to be in order. Dr. Sally Spofford gave the Kingbird report as the Editor, Mrs. Mcllroy could not be present. 692 copies of the May 1966 Kingbird were mailed as compared with 627 for May 1965. The new printer in Ithaca has made the Editor’s job much easier; the second class mailing permit has saved money, helping to offset the increased printing costs, postage being about one-fourth the former cost. Appreciation was expressed to Regional Editors, the Associate Editors and the Editorial Board. Once more a plea was sent out for more articles for the Kingbird. The Editor would like very much to be able to build up a backlog of articles from which to draw when forthcoming material is short for any particular issue. The report of the Corresponding Secretary was given by Mrs. Marsi. Each member club was notified that the proposed Amendment to In¬ crease Dues was unanimously ratified and would apply in 1966. Dr. E. M. Reilly’s Report of the Publications & Research Committee stated that copies of the 10-year index of the Kingbird are still available and may be procured ($1) by contacting him c/o the N.Y.S. Museum in Albany. Dr. Reilly circulated a questionnaire to each member club con¬ cerning their activities, sanctuaries, special studies, etc. Robert Arbib gave the report of the State Book Committee: John Bull is now working full time as Editor, with his office in the Museum of Natural History in New York City. Thanks to Dean Amadon, funds have been secured to pay Mr. Bull’s salary for three or maybe four years from the Dann Caulkins Fund. More funds will of course be needed. Mem¬ bers should send Mr. Bull as much pertinent information as possible, as this is a Federation Project, and will be a Federation Publication. 137 The Bulletin Exchange Committee Report was given by Elizabeth Manning: The exchange has gone well - any member clubs which wish to take part but have not done so should contact her. Copies of club publi¬ cations should be sent to the Kingbird Editor, also to the Bibliography Committee. Richard Sloss reported for the By-Laws Committee. A motion was made and approved that the constitution be gone over completely before the 1967 meeting, with special attention to the tax exemption status. Member clubs should contact the By-Laws Committee if they have any specific ideas on this. Each member club should have a copy of the Federation By-Laws. If they do not have a copy, they should contact the president. OLD BUSINESS: (a) Mr. Niven read the list of delinquent members. A motion was made and approved to suspend these with a 90-day re¬ instatement period before termination of membership. This list will be read each year, (b) There was a discussion on extending the Annual Meeting to 3 days. A motion was made and approved that the 1967 meeting will start at noon on Friday, with all committee meetings in the afternoon and the open Conservation Meeting on Friday evening as usual, thus giving the president opportunity to attend all committee meetings, and also releasing other committee members to attend the Conservation Meeting. Delegates were asked to sound out member clubs on the possi¬ bility of starting on Thursday so that delegates might participate in the Saturday Field Trips. The possibility of holding the meeting at a different time of year was also discussed. The slate of officers for 1967 as given by the Nominating Committee was accepted as follows: President, Dr. Allen H. Benton Vice President, Mr. Watson B. Hastings Corresponding Secretary, Mrs. Harriet Marsi Recording Secretary, Mrs. Betty Strath Treasurer, Mr. Dort Cameron. The Nominating Committee for 1967 is: Dr. Neil Moon, Chairman Robert S. Arbib Dr. Edgar M. Reilly. Robert Arbib gave the report of the Budget Committee. A new budget of $3,270 was approved for the coming year. The report of the Membership Committee was given by Mr. James Dougherty, Chairman pro tern. The Olean Bird Club was invited to membership. It was suggested that new members be voted upon early in the Annual Meeting from now on. The new Auditing Committee for 1967 is: Mr. Allen Kemnitzer and John Foster. 138 Last on the agenda was Maxwell Wheat’s Conservation Committee re¬ port. Each member club is asked to devote one early fall meeting to Conservation, with special attention this year to the coming Constitutional Convention. It was suggested that speakers might be invited - someone to discuss the Forest Preserve, and if possible, candidates for delegates to the Constitutional Convention. Pres. Benton asked that member clubs work toward choosing delegates with some knowledge of Constitutional Law; it was further suggested that if any candidate should take a definite stand in favor of the Forest Preserve, that member clubs should back this person strongly, and that local civic groups should be asked to help. It was further suggested that should election come and none of the candidates be acceptable in this respect, that a write-in campaign be carried out. A motion was made and approved in support of Federal legislation to regulate interstate sale of birds of prey. A motion was made and approved to endorse the 4-H Bluebird Project. A motion was made and approved to support resolutions concerning both State and Federal Conservation Projects as follows: 1) Support establishment of a Long Island National Wetlands Recre¬ ation Area on 16,000 acres of salt wetlands in the Towns of Hempstead and Oyster Bay, S. 3271, by Sen. Robert Kennedy (N. Y.) and H.R. 11236 by Rep. Herbert Tenzer (N. Y.) as the best means for the most perm¬ anent protection of this key area for migrating, wintering and breeding waterfowl. A. This would give the Dept, of the Interior a stronger voice in the face of other Federal agencies wanting to utilize any portion of the wet¬ lands, like the U. S. Army Engineers who have proposed a hurricane barrier-beach barrier plan that would destroy a considerable area of the wetlands. B. The current “dedication” for conservation by the Town Board of Hempstead and its cooperative agreement with the Conservation Dept., State of New York, are weak and impermanent: a. The Board has retained the right to practice sand mining for public works. b. The agreement is encumbered by a mutual cancellation clause. 2) Opposition to the Suffolk County Mosquito Commission’s choice of pesticides, namely its widespread reliance on the long-lived DDT, and to call attention to the depletion of the great Osprey colony in that coun¬ ty in which evidence incriminating pesticides (including DDT) as the primary cause is so strong as to lead to a demand for the most stringent concern and restraint in the use of these controversial materials. 3) Support legislation to establish a Great South Bay Conservation Commission, which will join federal, state and local authorities in an 139 intergovernmental partnership or compact empowered to study, plan and recommend the legal implementation of plans to save the Bay. A. Great South Bay is one of Long Island’s most valuable resources. B. Many factors relating to Long Island growth are causing problems in the bay, such as pollution and unwise dredging of wetlands. C. Solution of the problem of Great South Bay is hampered by the fact of many different overlapping jurisdictions. D. All levels of government should cooperate if this valuable resource is to be saved. 4) Support H.R. 13185 by Rep. James Grover (N. Y.) for a Long Island Sound Advisory Commission and a study of the Long Island Sound ecology by the states of New York, Connecticut and Rhode Island - and we would urge the inclusion of a moratorium on any future projects (including a bridge) until such a study has been completed. 5) Support in the New York State Legislature Intro. S 2554 to amend the conservation law to include consultation between Long Island State Park Commission and local governing bodies and agencies and to pro¬ vide public hearings regarding planning and proposals (a look at the shearing off of the pines adjoining Tobay Sanctuary where the egrets have nested will be an argument for this). 6) Support in the New York State Legislature of Intro. S 2555 to amend the highway law to include consultation between Superintendent of Public Works and local governing bodies and agencies and provide pub¬ lic hearings for planning and proposals. (NOTE: Numbers 5 & 6 are being pushed by ACTION for Conservation and Preservation of the North Shore, Long Island, but have implication for conservation battles throughout the state. Both bills have been intro¬ duced by Sen. Bernard Smith.) 7) Support protection of the Hudson River while an Interstate Hudson Commission is formed to cooperate with the Secretary of the Interior on a program to develop, preserve and restore the resources of the Hud¬ son River and its shores. According to H.R. 13508 by Rep. Richard Ottinger (N. Y.) steps would be taken against any adverse Federal proj¬ ects or actions until the program is completed. LETTERS OF COMMENDATION will be sent to the following: State Senator Watson Pomeroy, Rep. Herbert Tenzer, Rep. Richard L. Ottinger, Mr. Anthony S. Taormina, for their efforts in behalf of conser¬ vation projects. The Conservation Chairman was authorized to take appropriate action on any pertinent issues and to make the Federation’s stand known to the appropriate legislative or congressional committees, at hearings, etc. 140 The following Federation Members were commended: Mrs. Lillian Stoner as the Federation’s first Patron, Mr. David Niven as out-going Treasurer; Mrs. Dorothy Mcllroy as Editor of the Kingbird , and Robert S. Arbib for his work in behalf of the State Bird Book. A Resolution was made as follows: ‘Whereas: The Baldwin Bird Club, The Huntington Audubon Society, The Lyman Langdon Audubon Society and the Queens County Bird Club have given of their time and efforts to organize and host the 19th Annual Meeting of the Federation of New York State Bird Clubs, and whereas: The officers and delegates to the 19th Annual Meeting of the Federation of New York State Bird Clubs wish to recognize the outstanding contribution of the host clubs, be it resolved that the Federation of New York State Bird Clubs, by these minutes, expresses its appreciation and gratitude to the Baldwin Bird Club, The Huntington Audubon Society, The Lyman Langdon Audubon Society and the Queens County Bird Club for their work and devotion toward making the 19th Annual Meeting such an outstanding success.” Delegates were asked to push individual membership in the Federation, and to give complete reports to their clubs of the Annual Meeting. The 20th Annual Meeting of the Federation of New York State Bird Clubs, Inc. will be held at Binghamton, co-hosted by the Naturalists’ Club of Binghamton, Inc. and the Tioga Bird Club. The meeting was adjourned at 12:15 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Mrs. Betty Strath Recording Secretary Available at: A & P, Wegmans, Bohack and many fine independent food markets— no doubt there is one of the fine markets near your residence. Recommended by Roger Tory Peterson 141 PRESENT STATUS OF THE NEW YORK STATE BIRD BOOK John Bull Work on an up-to-date Birds of New York State, started in January 1966, was made possible through the generosity of Mr. and Mrs. Dan Caulkins. Research and writing are expected to take at least four years. Natural History Press of the American Museum of Natural History will be the publisher. It is hoped that the member clubs of the Federation of New York State Bird Clubs, as well as the individual members themselves, will cooperate in supplying records and other pertinent information as needed. Present plans call for a number of color plates, perhaps as many as twenty or more, to be done by representative New York State artists. These color plates will not be the stereotyped bird portraits found in many state bird books, but rather will show various habitats with their characteristic breeding species. The illustrations, for example, would include a Long Island salt marsh and sea beach, an Adirondack Mountain spruce forest, and a portion of the Montezuma Marshes, each with its typical bird life. As to black and white illustrations, pictures of nesting birds, the various ecological associations of the state, prime birding areas, etc., will be needed. Each person who photographs is earnestly requested to submit illustrative material to me for reproduction in the book. It goes without saying that every photograph used will be duly credited. Also planned are distributional maps of the breeding species and some of the more notable migration routes or flyways. The breeding birds will be emphasized, as they are badly neglected. On the other hand, information concerning the migrants and wintering birds is more easily obtained. The literature is full of data on the various aspects of migration, with a multitude of records published each year. With emphasis placed on the breeding birds, there is much information that is required. A most important project deserving our fullest coopera¬ tion is the nest record-card program, which has been publicized repeat¬ edly in the major ornithological journals for the past few years. These cards should be returned to the Laboratory of Ornithology at Cornell University with all available data. Very important information is being gathered on this project. With each observer reporting the nests found on the cards, much useful data will be made available for the species accounts in the state book. I cannot overestimate the importance of this essential project. Badly needed is a survey of certain species of hawks that are declining in numbers, or have even disappeared. The Peregrine Falcon is no longer a nesting species in the Empire State and has virtually become absent as a breeder over much of the northeast. The Bald Eagle has declined 142 from about a dozen breeding pairs in New York in the 1940’s to none in the early 1950’s. Ospreys have dwindled drastically, too, although not as dramatically as the two preceding species. The Sharp-shinned Hawk, Cooper’s Hawk, and even the Red-shouldered Hawk have been seriously reduced in numbers. Human disturbance, habitat destruction, pesticides, and other factors, have been instrumental in their decline. A statewide survey of heronries is already underway. Black-crowned Night Herons have decreased considerably in recent years, as reflected in not only fewer breeding colonies than formerly, but also a diminution in size of long-established colonies. However, other species such as Snowy Egret are steadily increasing as breeders along the coastal areas. The breeding ducks of today compared with Eaton’s time should be amply demonstrated, as several species of western derivation are now nesting in New York State, where they were formerly considered only as migrants or winter visitants. The documentation of certain “key” species is of prime importance as these birds are in a continual state of flux. For instance the introduced House Finch is rapidly expanding its eastern range. The Cattle Egret will bear watching as a possible nesting species in New York. It has bred recently in nearby southern Ontario and in Rhode Island. A number of essentially southern species have been spreading northward and continue to do so. Notable among these are Cardinal, Mockingbird, Tufted Tit¬ mouse, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, and several others. Another problem is to determine the extent of range, or southernmost breeding limits of certain “boreal” birds, or those having northern affini¬ ties. The Gray-cheeked Thrush, for example, ranges no further south than the Catskill Mountains, and is probably confined to the very highest summits, such as those with elevations of over 4000 feet, viz. Slide Moun¬ tain or perhaps Mount Hunter. A general survey of the Catskill region, if it has not already been done, may determine this, as well as the present status of a number of other so-called Canadian forms. Of great significance is the exact breeding distribution of the rare and more local species. For example, consider the Loggerhead Shrike. When Eaton wrote of this species in 1914, he stated that it was a fairly common breeder in western and central New York. Is this true today? It is, there¬ fore^ essential that its present distribution, as well as its habitat prefer¬ ence (s) be ascertained. It is known that the Loggerhead Shrike, at least in the northeast, favors trees and shrubs having a thorny growth, such as the various species of Crataegus or hawthorns. Possibly it can be shown that the prevalence of this vegetative type influences die breeding distribution of this species. This is why, as previously mentioned, the im¬ portant nest record cards should indicate where shrikes prefer to nest. With Bob Arbib’s writeup of the Common Loon in the Kingbird nearly three years ago as a starter, we have a long way to go before the more than 200 nesting species can be treated in similar fashion. 143 If all regional compilers will publish in the Kingbird precise informa¬ tion of our nesting birds, we can then plot fairly accurate range exten¬ sions or withdrawals, if any, for each one of these birds. We do not want indefinite data, such as the bird is “still rare”, or that it is “becoming common”, or that it is “spreading”. We desire actual breeding occurrences in new areas as soon as they take place. In this way we can then ascertain the rate of time and extent as each species appears in “new” localities. If the above information is not published in one of the state journals, it is imperative that important breeding information be submitted to me at the address below. In this way the data will be used in the state book as part of the breeding record. After all, it is everyone’s state bird book. Department of Ornithology, The American Museum of Natural History, Central Park West at 79th Street , New York , N. Y. 10024. NOTE: This paper was delivered before the Federation meeting at Lido Beach, Long Island on May 21,1966. recordings SOUNDS The Kirtland's Warbler by Harold Mayfield $6.00 (Winner of the Brewster Award, I96 0 You Will Want Produced by Dr. W. W. H. Gunn for the Federation of Ontario Naturalists The Sandhill Cranes by Lawrence H. Walkinshaw The Flight of Birds $3.50 Vol 1. Songs of Spring Vol 2. A Day in Algonquin Park Vol 3. Birds of the Forest Vol 4. Warblers Vol 5. A Day at Flores Morades Vol 6. Finches by John H. Storer $2.50 Bird Mortality in the Dutch Elm Disease Program by George J. Wallace and others $1.00 Each at $5.95 post free. Shipped from Connecticut Write for brochure: and others of our list on birds, flowers, insects, fish, and Indians. FEDERATION OF ONTARIO NATURALISTS CRANBROOK INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE Bloomfield Hills, Mich., 48013 Ask For A LIST EDWARDS GARDENS Don Mills, Ontario 144 EUGENE PINTARD BICKNELL The name Bicknell is familiar to birders because of the Bicknell’s Thrush, a race of the Gray-cheeked Thrush having a limited breeding range in northeastern United States and the maritime provinces of eastern Canada. This thrush was named in honor of the subject of this sketch who discovered it in the high Catskills in the early eighteen- eighties. Eugene Pintard Bicknell was born at Riverdale-on-Hudson in Sep¬ tember 1859, the son of Joseph and Maria (Pierrepont) Bicknell. His interest in ornithology was evidenced early, since he contributed notes on birds to “Forest and Stream” at the age of fifteen. In the years immediately following he reported on the results of his field work in the lower Hudson Valley in the Nuttall Ornithological Club Bulletin. In 1882 Bicknell published a paper entitled “A Review of the Summer Birds of a part of the Catskill Mountains.” This was described by E. H. Eaton (Birds of New York, 1914) as “our first definite and reliable knowledge concerning the Canadian fauna which inhabits the summits of the Cats¬ kills. Bicknell had an unusually keen ear for bird songs and calls, and it was this faculty which enabled him to note a difference in the song of the thrush which was later identified with him. In this connection it should be mentioned that he published an extensive paper entitled C “A Study of the Singing of our Birds” which appeared serially in Volumes I and II of the Auk. Bicknell was one of the founders of the Linnaean Society of New York and was its president from 1879 to 1887. He was also a founder of the American Ornithologists’ Union, being twenty-four years old at the time and the youngest on the list. During much of his life he was actively interested in botany, and for years birds were forced to take a second place. He was the author of numerous botanical papers, the most im¬ portant of which was “The Ferns and Flowering Plants of Nantucket.” He was married on October 9, 1901 to Edith Babcock of Riverdale, and the couple moved that year to Hewlett, Long Island. A banker by profession, he was connected with the firm of John Monroe and Com¬ pany, New York City. He is described as being modest and retiring, caring little for social diversion. Not long before his death Bicknell wrote a paper entitled, “The Status of the Black Gyrfalcon as a Long Island Bird” which appeared in the January 1924 issue of the Auk. Eugene Pintard Bicknell died at Hewlett, Long Island on February 9, 1925. A more extended account of his life can be found in the Auk, Volume XLIII, page 143. Appended to this is a list of his published zoological papers. John B. Belknap, Gouverneur, N.Y. 145 Conservation News WE MUST EDUCATE THE "GOOD GUYS" Maxwell C. Wheat, Jr. We are not only going to be battling the lumber, power and resort interests with their particular purposes for the Forest Preserve, but we may find ourselves debating the “good guys”—unless we can educate them—in our effort to help retain the ‘forever wild’ protection of these irreplaceable wilderness riches when the Constitutional Convention con¬ venes in April. The delegates who will revise the constitution of New York State and present it to the voters for final approval, could, with the stroke of a red pencil, slash the ‘forever wild’ protection. Or they could add some words and make the provision even more of a fortress for perhaps additional natural resources in the state. The “good guys” are those who sincerely want a streamlined, flexible, model constitution with all the legal maneuverability of a jet airplane. These constitutional streamliners have no particular desires to wield axes, pile up dams, or slash ski trails across mountain slopes of Red Spruce. But they want to unhitch the State from what they somewhat obsessively call a “horse and buggy” constitution. One of the unhitchers would be widely respected Prof. Jack Weinstein, member of of the Columbia University law faculty and former member of the Temporary State Commission on the Revision and Simplification of the Constitution—and a candidate for delegate in this falls elections. Prof. Weinstein presented an impressively scholarly overview at a well attended symposium on the constitutional convention held last spring on Long Island. He emphasized that a number of groups were seeking special provisions, even bills of rights. He listed labor, education, etc. But whom did he single out for an example to elaborate his point? Those who wanted a bill of rights for conservation and wanted to keep the Forest Preserve ‘forever wild/ Prof. Weinstein questioned this provision saying that what worked well in years past should perhaps be examined again in light of today’s rapidly changing times. He specifically questioned why, if a ski tow is needed in the Forest Preserve to meet expanding recreational demands, it has to be approved by two consecutively elected legislatures and finally by the electorate. This is the amending procedure spelled out by the current constitution. The fact that Prof. Weinstein made this suggestion instead of a repre¬ sentative for a lumber company, power interest, or resort is thought- provoking, because Prof. Weinstein is a “good guy.” Perhaps he had been motivated by the quantity of leaflets spread out on the tables by the Constitutional Council for the Forest Preserve, an organization formed last year by representatives of the state’s leading conservation and out¬ door organizations to fight for continuing the ‘forever wild’ protection. 146 At first the protection of the Forest Preserve was in the hands of the Legislature. In 1885 the lawmakers passed a bill establishing the Forest Preserve and declared that it should be protected as ‘forever wild/ In 1893 they passed and the Governor signed—over the raging protests of conservationists—a bill that allowed the sale of mature timber. Imme¬ diately big cutting projects were proposed. Some of the problems we had many years ago we still have today. The dejected conservationists were going to break up a meeting short¬ ly afterwards when Frank S. Gardner remarked that he was “convinced that the forests never will be made safe until they are put into the State Constitution.” This remark is supposed to have instigated the movement for constitutional protection, a drive that was successful only a year later when the Constitutional Convention was held. This provision, ‘forever’ protecting the Forest Preserve, has clearly demonstrated an essential function of a constitution—to protect. It has been a bulwark against the impulses for destructive highways, resort areas, dams—any one of which could have been passed by a particular legislature. Despite the need for flexibility in many areas of life in this unbelievably fast-moving society, this protective function of a constitu¬ tion should not be lost. Indeed, because of increasing pressures, it may be even more vital. Federation members who attended the annual meeting last spring heard a stirring call for a Conservation Bill of Rights by the eloquent attorney-conservationist Irving Like of the Citizens Committee that successfully fought for a Fire Island National Seashore. Mr. Like asked for expansion of the ‘forever wild’ concept to other natural resources of the State. This could be done perhaps through local option. If all this sounds too restrictive to the public, we should remember that we are not talking about the relations between people that are involved in the rapidly changing trends in education, civil rights, labor, business, all of which do appear to demand flexibility in a constitution. The forests, marshes, meadows, etc., are simply there—and once too easily used for any or all purposes can never replaced. It is hoped that all clubs will attempt, as the first important contribu¬ tion to this fight, to schedule an open conservation meeting about the Forest Preserve protection this fall before the elections. Materials and suggestions can be obtained by writing either David Newhouse, chair¬ man, Constitutional Council for the Forest Preserve, 402 Terrace Road, Schenectady, N.Y., 12306 or Mr. Rod Vandivert, Secretary, Suite 1625, New York, N.Y. 10036. We will go into our fight for the Forest Preserve without the interest and support of a man who knew it well and who served outstandingly as conservation chairman of the Federation, Joseph A. Blake who died last spring. 333 Bedell Street , Freeport, N.Y. 11520 147 FIELD NOTES Photographs by Sheldon Merritt Yellow-bellied Sapsucker with Abnormal Bill. The accompanying photographs show an immature plumaged Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Sphyrapicas varius) with a malformed bill. It was found dead on October 6, 1964, in Belmont, Allegany County, N.Y. by Mrs. Katherine Palmer. She gave it to Mr. Lou Burton who preserved it for photographing by Mr. Sheldon Merritt, President of the Buffalo Audubon Society. Unfortunately the specimen was too badly decayed for preparation into a permanent study skin. Richard C. Rosche, New Jersey Audubon Society, Hardscrabble Road, Bernards- ville, N.J. 07924. Ed. Note: In the I940’s a sapsucker with a similar deformity was found in Ithaca. It had or could use only one leg and climbed around the branches pecking insects off leaves, as it could not drill for sap. Our supposition was that after the leg injury the bird could not hang on the trunk to feed, and with a lack of normal wear, the mandible became overgrown. 148 Water Pipits Mobbing Cooper’s Hawk: During observation of open-country birds at the Syracuse Airport on 25 October 1965, an immature Cooper’s Hawk ( Accipiter cooperi)was noted flapping strongly and heading southward over the open grass and weed areas at the western end of the area. As the hawk approached at about 200' elevation, lofted and headed southwest, a group of 60-75 Water Pipits ( Anthus spinoletta) and a few Horned Larks ( Eremophila alpestris) flew up from the grass and bunched in a loose banner-like cloud of birds directly behind and above it. A steady chorus of sharp “jit” notes with only occasional double “jit-jit” notes descended from the flock of Water Pipits and a few sharp, almost metallic “tseet” notes from the Horned Larks. Neither larks nor pipits actually dove at the hawk and most of the flock regularly kept behind (downwind) and somewhat above it. The hawk had made no attempt to catch any birds as it approached the airfield from the north and made no maneuver to escape the tangle of excited, calling smaller birds. The hawk eventually worked southwestward over the end of the airfield, disappearing in a long glide beyond a patch of woods. Only when the hawk was well away from the grassy areas of the airfield did the flock of pipits descend and resume feeding. For birds so protectively colored as Water Pipits and Horned Larks to indulge in open, high-flying mobbing of a potential hazard seemed most unusual and I can find no record of similar behavior on the part of Water Pipits in the literature. F. G. Scheider, 427 S. Main St., North Syracuse, 13212 Hooded Merganser x Common Goldeneye Hybrid at Fulton, Oswego County: On 6 February 1966 on the Oswego River at Fulton, N. Y. an apparent hybrid (male) between the Common Goldeneye ( Bucephala clangula) and the Hooded Merganser (Mergus cucullatus) was studied for about 15 minutes in full sunlight, and again under rainy skies on February 13, 1966 both John R. Haugh and I were able to study the bird for some time. The bird regularly moved and fed with a small group of Common Goldeneyes, both male and female, and on 13 February was seen to actively court a female Common Goldeneye (see below). Description of hybrid as seen in field with 30x scope (combined data February 6 and 13): A medium sized duck, slightly longer and definitely slimmer than drake Common Goldeneye; bill black, tubular like merganser but thicker than Hooded Merganser and with wide base; head shaped like male Green-winged Teal with slight drooping posterior crest, black with moderate dark green gloss; eye bright yellow; back sooty brown black with three black and white pennant tertials on left and one visible on right; evident white patch on shoulder bilaterally as seen in swimming bird, with smaller and not regularly visible white patch posterior to this (? white secondaries); chest white with thin black chest bar and a wide white patch between this black bar and a thin black bar at anterior end of flank feathers; flank feathers white anteriorly, sandy gray posteriorly with fine, crisp vermiculations (like a male Pintail’s flanks); under tail coverts white; tail very dark gray; feet dark yellowish brown. On February 6 the bird was observed feeding and swimming on a small patch of open water in the river. On February 13 it was found about 250 yards farther down¬ stream. On the latter date, the bird made several apparent courting maneuvers toward female Common Goldeneye (? same female bird each time). The hybrid drake would bill-flip several times, then swell out the neck feathers, raise the head up sharply but with bill parallel to water surface, and quickly fan the short drooping crest, then settle back into its low swimming posture, with occasionally a plumage stroke, especially of the black and white pennant tertials, and some tail wagging, all actions similar to courting drake Hooded Mergansers. No apparent response was forthcoming from any of the female Common Goldeneye. It is of interest that the courting behavior of the hybrid incorporated largely Hooded Merganser-type activi¬ ty, which may be in keeping with the largely Hooded Merganser plumage expression. 149 Further, particular efforts should be made to see if this striking hybrid returns to the same area to winter in subsequent years. F. H. Kortright’s The Ducks, Geese, and Swans of North America, American Wildlife Institute, Washington, D. C. 1943, plate #36 shows a picture of another Hooded Merganser-Common Goldeneye hy¬ brid which is very like the Fulton bird, but the head shape, back pattern and leg color are somewhat different. F. G. Scheider, 427 S. Main St., North Syracuse 13212 An Encounter between Two Snowy Owls: On 11 February 1966 at the Syracuse Airport, a check of the grass-lined runway strips for winter birds revealed a small, very white Snowy Owl, presumably male, perched on a tall lamppost at the edge of the area. When I approached the bird for a better look, it launched itself from the light pole and flew rapidly past me with the quick, short, snapping wingbeats that I have come to associate with a hunting bird. As observed thru binoculars, it was seen to suddenly strike at another large, rather dark Showy Owl (? female) perched on the ground some 200 yards away. The perched owl ducked and the attacking bird veered off, flying with peculiar deep slow wingbeats, almost a “moth” flight, and reminiscent of some parts of the Short-eared Owl’s courtship flight. About 150 yards from the second bird the first bird alighted and proceeded to posture in a peculiar fashion. Facing the still sitting second bird, the first owl stood high on slightly flexed legs, arched the back feathers, lowered the head and depressed all the head feathers giving an odd bullet-like effect to same, and elevated the wings such that the wrists pointed straight up, the under surface directly forward, the tips of the primaries straight down and almost touching the ground, and the second¬ aries about one-third spread. The tail was extended straight backwards and the upper tail coverts were fluffed and drooped at the side. Holding this position for some 3-4 minutes, the owl stepped in a shuffling, dancing motion back and forth in a semicircle, always facing the second owl. The posturing bird was noted to open the beak, and throat motion was seen but no sound could be heard because of adjacent jet aircraft noise which the owls appeared to ignore. The second owl throughout this appeared transfixed, sitting perfectly upright, looking very like a fat yellow-eyed bowling pin. After posturing as described for 3-4 minutes, the demonstrating bird very carefully folded the wings (somewhat like an Upland Plover after the “angel¬ ing” position) and both owls then settled into more relaxed postures. The actual reason for the encounter remains totally obscure but the behavior was so bizarre and arresting that a description of it seemed warranted. F. G. Scheider, 427 S. Main St., North Syracuse 13212 Behavior of Swallows, Warblers and Swifts at Homell: On May 10, 1966 we were called to come and see the swallows at Canacadea Creek in Hornell. Literally thousands of swallows were coursing up and down the creek, which is confined to a concrete-walled flume as it passes thru the city. The phenomenon had started after the snow and low temperature of May 8. The mass of birds were flying very low over the waterway, with the greatest concentration of swallows, Yellow and Myrtle Warblers, and Chimney Swifts at the Thacher Street bridge. This density seemed to be caused by the type of wall con¬ struction at this point. Elsewhere the retaining walls were of smooth concrete, but at the bridge was a section of old fashioned stone masonry laid without mortar. The swallows included Barn, Tree, Rough-winged and a lesser number of Bank Swal¬ lows. I saw no Cliff Swallows. Barn and Tree Swallows greatly outnumbered the others. High overhead and never entering the stream of swallows below were several hundred Chimney Swifts gyrating about like a cover of fighter planes high over a mass of bombers beneath. On the edge of the flowing water were more than a hundred Yellow Warblers and a lesser number of Myrtle Warblers, all intent on seeking food. A single Savannah Sparrow worked side by side with the Myrtles. 150 The old stone masonry must have been full of “bugs.” The swallows picked off bits of food on the wing and often alighted, clinging to the irregular stone-work and pecking at the interstices. Yellow Warblers fed on the old stones or joined the Myrtles at the edge of the water or along the base of the wall. A few of the Tree and Bam Swallows often alighted and sat, apparently sunning in the noon-day sunshine. Overhead the Chimney Swifts sought winged insects but never descended to mingle with the hordes of swallows. The phenomenon continued downstream and upstream with smaller numbers than those working over the old stone masonry. Mr. and Mrs. W. M. Groesbeck, 376 Seneca Rd., Hornell, N. Y. 14843 Waterfowl at Almond Dam, Steuben County: The Almond Dam, a federal flood control project on Canacadea Creek, has been designated for development as a local recreation area. During the 1966 spring season water has been impounded at a maximum controlled depth of 20 feet. The pool now has an expanse of mud banks in a former marsh-like area, stone rip-rap against the earthen dike, several shallow or island portions and a flooded area of abandoned farm land at the inlet. In view of the very small number of ducks found on the Hornell reservoir basins during the past few years, I thought it would be of interest to note their presence at the Almond Flood Control Damsite. A group of eight Whistling Swan rested there during a snowstorm March 26. New ice appeared, but on March 29 Hooded Mergansers (two pair), Red-breasted Mergansers (eight). Herring Gulls (six) and one Pied-billed Grebe were present. Oldsquaw (four), Ring-necked Duck (four), Hooded Merganser (seven), the Pied¬ billed Grebe and the gulls were seen March 30, and nine Oldsquaws, 16 Hooded Mergansers and a few Mallards April 4. Four Black Ducks appeared April 8 plus 14 Hooded Mergansers, 15 Mallards and one pair each of Wood Duck and Blue¬ winged Teal. By April 9 the Pied-billed Grebes had increased to five and about 12 Common Snipe were in the marsh area. On April 11 there were one pair of Buffle- heads, one Bonaparte’s Gull and one male Common Merganser, the only drake seen although at one time five female Common Mergansers were noted. On April 16 three Horned Grebes (the only ones seen), six Buffleheads and 14 Bonaparte’s Gulls were resting on deep water. Nine Bonaparte’s Gulls and 19 Herring Gulls sat on a muddy islet in 28 degree temperature on April 17 and an Osprey investigated the inlet. The next day the Herring Gulls had increased to 30. One pair of Green¬ winged Teal was found April 21 and a pair of White-winged Scoters on April 25. On April 29 two Yellowlegs (spp?) were feeding at the inlet. After their first sighting, the Hooded and Red-breasted Mergansers and Buffleheads were predominant in numbers. Bufflheads often reached counts of 12-15, the mergansers 15-20. Scaups (spp?) never were above seven. The five Pied-billed Grebes remained until mid-May. On May 15 two Common Terns coursed back and forth, and five Black Terns fed low over the water where flotsam had collected against the rip-rap, with a concen¬ tration of Barn and Tree Swallows. There has been very little of interest since that date, as men and bulldozers have been busy preparing to open the area to the pub¬ lic July 1. William M. Groesbeck, 376 Seneca Road, Hornell, N. Y. 14843 151 HIGHLIGHTS OF THE SPRING SEASON April 1 -May 31 David B. Peakall Extremely variable weather was the main feature of the spring migra¬ tion. The cold spell in early May, which included snow falls and frosts, caused severe losses among the early-arriving insectivores. Road-side foraging of many species, including thrushes, warblers and tanagers was reported from several localities. Although several species of flycatchers and swallows were, apparently, hard-hit the losses were best documented for the Purple Martin. Counts of losses are given in the reports of Regions 3, 4, 5, 9 & 10. It is hoped that follow-up studies will be made in many areas. An important new study on population density is being started by Chan Robbins of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. It consists of transits driven by car for 25 miles with stops of three minutes every half mile. During this time the numbers of every species seen or heard are recorded. This study is being conduced in many states including New York and anyone interested should contact Chan Robbins at the Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, Laurel, Maryland. It is hoped that this survey, in conjuction with the nest record card program and the Audubon Field Notes bird census (both of which need more contributors) will play an important role in studies to monitor our polluted environment. The disaster which overtook the Purple Martin was one of the largest recorded in this area for some time but more spectacular disasters have occurred. In the Alps hundreds of thousands of swallows were trapped by cold weather during their migration; some 89,000 were flown to Venice but this represented only a small fraction of the total number involved. An autumn snowstorm over Lake Huron is credited with the deaths of three quarters of a million Lapland Longspurs. Two long-time trends that have been mentioned before in these summaries continued this spring. These were increases of Mockingbirds and Blue-Gray Gnatcatchers. Increases or new localities for Mockingbirds were noted in seven Regions and for Gnatcatchers in five. Both species of cuckoo were noted as scarce by several recorders. Several areas, especially Region 8, reported good counts of shorebirds. Willets were reported in Regions 2 & 8; inland records of this species that have been sub-specifically identified belong to the western race inoratus. This race breeds in the great plains and some winter on the Atlantic coast. Although the nominate race breeds as far north as New Jersey and also in Nova Scotia it is rare inland. Record counts of Dowitchers were noted in Regions 5 & 8. The Connecticut Warbler, always scarce in spring, was reported from three Regions. Other rarities included Franklins Gull and Clay-colored Sparrow (Region 1), Harris’s Sparrow and White-fronted Goose (Region 3), and House Finch (Region 4). Upstate Medical Center, 766 Irving Avenue, Syracuse, N.Y. 13210 152 Abbreviations used in regional reports: arr-arrival, arrived; Co-County; imm—im¬ mature; L—Lake; max-maximum one day count; mob-many observers; Pk-Park; Pt-Point; R—River; Rd—Road. REGION 1—NIAGARA FRONTIER Alice E. and Edward C. Ulrich April temperature was near normal with from one to six degrees cooler the first two weeks and, except for two cold days April 26 and 27, during the latter half of the month attaining a nearly normal degree per day standard. Each day from May 1-13, except May 5, the daily temperature ranged from five to thirteen degrees below normal. On May 10 and 11 the thermometer dropped to a cold 31 degrees. A warming trend during the balance of the month offset the early cold, so that the average May temperature was only slightly below normal. Precipitation, following the trend of the preceding months, remained below normal and thus April and May were cooler and drier than the mean for this period. A warm spell April 19-21 brought the heaviest migratory movement of the month. The largest hawk flight occurred on April 21 with a count of 1383 from the south shore of Lake Erie, 27 from Lancaster area and 486 from Lyndonville near Lake Ontario. Included in this flight were larger numbers of Ospreys and Turkey Vultures than have been recorded in most recent spring migrations. The prolonged cold of early May took a large toll of the Purple Martins. Dr. Axtell at the Buffalo Museum of Science had more than 20 calls about dead birds from people who had martin houses. In at least each of two cases 30 or more birds were found dead on the ground or in the houses. Lack of insects caused starvation which took the lives of hundreds of these birds in the area. There were no spectacular movements of land birds in May and only during a few days in the third week did observers have good luck in the field. Unusual species included Red-throated Loon, Glossy Ibis, Common Eider, Chukar. Abbreviations: Alleg—Allegany; Al-Pi—Alma to Pikeville; Alleg SPk—Allegany State Park; Alleg Rd, Ha—Allegany Road, Hanover; Bflo—Buffalo; Catt—Cattaraugus; Cem—Cemetery; Chau—Chautauqua; CRPk—Chestnut Ridge Park; CPkL—Como Park, Lancaster; Du-Ha—Dunkirk to Hanover; Fourmile—Four-mile Creek State Park; Ft Nia—Fort Niagara; FL—Forest Lawn Cemetery, Bflo; H—harbor; HTPk— Hamburg Town Park; Hb-Ha—Hamburg to Hanover; Is—Island; MBC—May Bird Count, conducted for many years by Bflo Ornith. Soc., covering about 25 territories thru entire Region, about 190 observers this year; Ont—Ontario; OO—Oak Orchard area; OOGMA—Oak Orchard Game Management Area; SSLE—south shore Lake Erie; TGMA—Tonawanda Game Management Area; thru—throughout; TRdC—Till¬ man Rd, Clarence Hb-Ang—Hamburg to Angola. Contributors: RFA—Robert F Anderle; AMB—Anna Mae Bacon; CMB—Clarence M Beal; PB—Paul Benham; DDB—David and Dee Bigelow; TLB—Thomas L Bourne; RB—Richard Brownstein; CB—Mrs. Carl Burdick; JB—Joanna Burger; LDB— Lou and Doris Burton; AC—Arthur Clark; DD—Dorothy Danner; HBD—Harold and Barbara Dodge; SE—Stephen Eaton; FE—Flora Elderkin; MME—Mary Louise and Marjory Emerson; AF—Arthur Freitag; RF—Richard Freitag; HF—Harold Freund; JG—Joseph Grzybowski; PH—Paul Hess; AH—Annabelle Hiller; CWK—Clarence W Klingensmith; JK—Joseph Kikta; JM—John McCormack; WAM—Willard and Alice McKale; EO—Edwin Olmstead; KP— Mrs Katherine Palmer; EP—Elizabeth Pillsbury; OP—Mrs Ora Pixley; FMR—Frances M Rew; LR—Lynn Rochester; HCS—Mrs Harry C Schafer; ES—Edward Seeber; EGS—Mrs E G Smith; WGS—William and George Smith; KOS—Kenneth and Ora Swanson; JFT—Joseph F Thill; DT—David Thompson^ 153 EAU—Edward and Alice Ulrich; GGW-Gertrude G Webster; MMW-Margaret and Marie Wendling. LOONS—DUCKS: Common Loon: six reports of one to six individuals, total 19 birds, Apr 2-May 14; seven May 15 MBC. RED-THROATED LOON: one May 14 Smith Mills (PB). Red-necked Grebe: one Apr 11 Smith Mills (JG); one Apr 20 HTPk (TLB). Horned Grebe: 50 Apr 12 Cuba L (LDB); four May 15 MBC. Pied-billed Grebe: 26 Apr 3 Chau L (JG); 15 May 15 MBC. Double-crested Cormorant: one May 15 OO (ES). Great Blue Heron: 87 May 15 MBC, total for several parts of Region. Green Heron: first one Apr 17 Dunkirk (JG); 111 May 15 MBC. Common Egret: one May 5 S. Pk. Bflo (JK). Black-crowned Night Heron: five total OO (ES), Bflo (AF), Alleg SPk (DT). Least Bittern: three May 15 MBC Southern Tier; one May 27 N. Evans (TLB). Amer. Bittern: one Apr 11 TRdC (JG); one Apr 14 Cuba L (LDB); 44 May 15 MBC scattered thru Region. GLOSSY IBIS: one May 1 OOGMA (PH et al). Whistling Swan: several Apr reports in Alleg and Chau Cos, TGMA, OOGMA; 66 Apr 1 OOGMA (JB); max 82 Apr 2 Cuba L (LDB) et al). Canada Goose: 18,000 Apr 7 OOGMA (AF), 87 May 15 total for MBC Brant: 40 May 14 Dunkirk (PB). Blue Goose: one Apr 5 OOGMA (GGW); one Apr 11 TGMA (JG). Ducks: Mallard: 229 May 15 MBC. Black: 56 May 15 MBC. Gadwall: first, ten Apr 3 Riverside, Chau Co (FE); max 11 there Apr 11 (CB); last, three May 15 OOGMA (ES); three reports between. Pintail: four May MBC OOGMA (ES). Green-winged Teal: 12 May 15 MBC Catt (DDB). Blue-winged Teal: 17 May 15 MBC. Amer. Widgeon: 100 Apr 3 Riverside (CMB); 18 May 15 MBC. Shoveler: first and max, nine Apr 5 OOGMA (GGW); five other reports of two to four birds Apr 7-14; only six May 15 MBC. Wood: 99 May 15 MBC. Redhead: one May 15 Chau Co (KOS). Ring-necked: 50 Apr 12 Cuba L (LDB); two Apr 29 Cheektowaga (JG); four May 14 Cuba L (LDB); five May 15 MBC. Canvasback: 1,000 Apr 3 Chau L (JG et al); last, one May 23 Bflo H (JK). Lesser Scaup: 100 Apr 10 Hamburg (JB, RB); 35 May 15 MBC. Common Goldeneye: four May 15 MBC Grand Is (JM). Bufflehead: 30 May 15 MBC. Oldsquaw: two May 15 Lancaster (GGW). COMMON EIDER: two Apr 14 HTPk (DD, HCS). Surf Scoter: two Apr 15 Batavia (OP); six Apr 17 L View (JG et al). Common Scoter: singles Apr 3 Olcott (JB, RB), Apr 11 Ft Nia (JG), Apr 20 Bay View (TLB), Apr 24 HTPk (RFA). Ruddy: six reports of one to four birds each (12 total), Apr 2 Cuba L (LDB) to Apr 25 Water Valley (TLB). Hooded Merganser: six May 15 Frewsburg (AH). Common Merganser: three May 15 Bolivar (EGS). Red-breasted Merganser: ten May 15 MBC HAWKS—OWLS: Turkey Vulture: better than average flight; three Apr 2 Hb-Ang (JB, RB); 30 Apr 10 Fourmile (WHK); five Apr 16 HB-Ha (JG); 13 Apr 24 Al-Pi (LDB); 48 in Region May 15 MBC. Hawks: Goshawk: three May 15 (nest, young) Alleg (SE). Sharp-shinned: peak Apr 21, 288 near Lyndonville (WGS); 147 Du-Ha (JB, RB); many reports of three to 32 along SSLE; 15 Apr 10 Fourmile; only two May 15 MBC. Cooper’s: Apr records mostly from SSLE, one to three Apr 9-21; four Apr 10 Fourmile; max 75 Apr 21 Lyndonville (WGS); three May 15 MBC Southern Tier. Red-tailed: max 19 Apr 10 Fourmile (WHK); 83 May 15 MBC. Red-shouldered: max nine Apr 10 Fourmile (WHK) and ten Apr 19 Dunkirk (KOS); 26 May 15 MBC. Broad-winged: migration began Apr 21 with 570 Athol Springs (RFA), max 630 Du-Ha (RB); 106 Lyndonville (EGS); many reports of small numbers to end of Apr; 15 May 15 MBC. Rough-legged: several singles during Apr thru Region; five Apr 10 Fourmile (WHK); max seven Apr 24 Al-Pi (LDB); one May 15 MBC Batavia (OP). Bald Eagle: one imm Apr 29 W. Seneca (JB); one imm Apr 30 Du-Ha (AC); one May 15 OO (ES); one adult May 25 Lancaster (JG). Marsh: max ten Apr 10 Fourmile (WHK); nine May 15 MBC. Osprey: 16 present in small numbers thru Apr, until 154 May 15; eight May 15 MBC. Pigeon: singles Apr 20 L View (TLB), Apr 21 Athol Springs (RFA), Apr 30 Hamburg (JFT), May 3 Lancaster (JG), two Apr 21 Du-Ha (JB). Sparrow: one Apr 16 Hb-Ha (RB); four Apr 20 L View (AC); Apr 21 three Du-Ha (JB), five Lancaster (JG), nine Lyndonville (WGS); 49 May 15 MBC. Ruffed Grouse: 41 May 15 MBC. Bobwhite: nine Apr 10 OOGMA (RFA), CHUKAR: one Apr 11 Newfane (JG). Turkey: one Apr 21 Langford (TLB); Alleg and Catt Co records also. Virginia Rail: three Apr 16 OOGMA (PB); one Apr 26 Kiantone (KOS). Sora: one Apr 24 Clarence (WAM); nine May 15 MBC. Common Gallinule: one Apr 11 Riverside (FE); ten May 15 MBC. Amer. Coot: 15 May 15 MBC. Semipalmated Plover: ten May 15 MBC. Killdeer: 253 May 15 MBC. Black- bellied Plover: one May 15 MBC Grand Is (JM). Amer. Woodcock: 18 May 15 MBC. Common Snipe: 38 May 15 MBC. Upland Plover: two Apr 20 Lancaster (JG); 36 May 15 MBC. Sandpipers: Spotted: two Apr 19 Cheektowaga (JG); 157 May 15 MBC. Solitary: one Apr 22 Kiantone (EP); 36 May 15 MBC; last, one May 21 Riverside (FE). Willet: one May 2 Hamburg (TLB). Greater Yellowlegs: 16 Apr 21 and 29 Apr 30, Hanover sinks (AC et al); five May 15 MBC; last, one May 19 Lancaster (JG). Lesser Yellowlegs: one Apr 16 Alfred (CWK et al); nine May 15 MBC. Pectoral: 118 Apr 21 (RB) and 110 Apr 30 (FMR et al), Hanover sinks; 150 Apr 29 Sinclairville (EP). Least: two May 8 W. Almond (EO); nine May 15 MBC, Dunlin: eight May 15 MBC Alfred (CB). Semipalmated: one each, May 15, Sherman (KOS) and Frewsburg (AH). Wilson’s Phalarope: one, Langford, May 7 (LR) and May 8 (TLB). Gulls: Herring: 157 May 15 MBC. Ring-billed: 2605 May 15 MBC. Bonaparte’s: first, three Apr 8 Alfred (CWK); 11 May 15 MBC. Little: one Apr 16 Dunkirk H (JB et al). Common Tern: first, one Apr 11 Dunkirk H (JG); 78 May 15 MBC. Caspian Tern: six reports, ten birds total, Apr 19-27. Black Tern: one, Apr 28 SPk, Bflo (RFA); 120 May 15 MBC. Mourning Dove: 394 May 15 MBC. Yellow-billed Cuckoo: one May 15 MBC. Black-billed Cuckoo: three May 15 MBC Wilson (PB), Lancaster (GGW). Owls: Barn: one Apr 3 Youngstown Cem (JB); one Apr 11 Busti (EP). Screech: four May 15 MBC Lancaster (GGW), Java (AMB), Alfred (CB). Great Horned: one May 15 MBC Delavan (EAU); Bolivar (EGS). Barred: 19 May 15 MBC. Long-eared: one Apr 16 Wilson Cem (WAM); one Apr 16 and 23 Youngstown Cem (WAM), Short-eared: one May 15 MBC Sherman (KOS). GOATSUCKERS-STARLING: Whip-poor-will: one each Apr 20, Lancaster (JG) and Bemus Pt (KOS); one Apr 25 Hamburg (TLB). Common Nighthawk: four May 15 Cuba L (LDB), Bolivar (EGS); one May 28 Bflo (AF). Chimney Swift: first, one Apr 17 Alleg Rd, Ha (JG et al); 593 May 15 MBC. Ruby-throated Hummingbird: one May 2 Hamburg (TLB); 18 May 15 MBC. Belted Kingfisher: 121 May 15 MBC. Yellow-shafted Flicker: 94 Apr 20 and 116 Apr 23, L View (AC); 68 Apr 21 CPkL (JG); 775 May 15 MBC. Pileated Woodpecker: 16 May 15 MBC. Red-bellied Woodpecker: Apr 15, one Brentwood (EO) and three Caneadea (LDB); one Apr 23 Youngstown Cem (WAM); gaining in numbers thru area, at least three in Alleg Co and about four in OOGMA; one May 15 Batavia (OP)—first record. Red-headed Woodpecker: migration May 11-19 (JG); 35 May 15 MBC. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker: first, one Apr 4 Sturgeon Pt (TLB); 21 Apr 19 Delaware Pk (PB); 13 Apr 21 CPkL (JG); 20 Apr 24 SSLE (PB); 40 May 15 MBC. Hairy Woodpecker: 68 May 15 MBC. Downy Woodpecker: 227 May 15 MBC. Fly¬ catchers: Eastern Kingbird: first, one Apr 24 W. Mud L (FMR); 264 May 15 MBC. Great Crested: very late; 30 May 15 MBC. Eastern Phoebe: 257 May 15 MBC. Traill’s: 43 May 15 MBC Akron (RF), DeLevan (HF), Alfred (CB); also two each May 16 Lancaster (JG), Frewsburg (Gulvin). Least: one May 6 Water Valley (TLB); 120 May 15 MBC. E. Wood Pewee: 14 May 15 MBC. Olive-sided: one May 15 Bolivar (EGS); one May 27 Eden (TLB). 155 Horned Lark: E. a. alpestris, last, one Apr 11 Newfane (JG); E.a. praiicoh, 154 May 15 MBC. Swallows: Tree: 1086 May 15 MBC. Bank: Apr 18, one each HTPk (JB), S. Pk Bflo (JK); 951 May 15 MBC. Rough-winged: one Apr 16 TRdC (PB); 195 May 15 MBC. Barn: 1681 May 15 MBC. Cliff: one Apr 24 Conewango Valley (EP); 107 May 15 MBC. Purple Martin: one Apr 11 Evans (JG); 530 May 15 MBC. Blue Jay: 2397 May 6 L View (AC); 956 May 15 MBC. Common Crow: 1370 May 15 MBC. Black-capped Chickadee: 766 May 15 MBC. Tufted Titmouse: one Apr 3-10 Lewiston (WHK); one Apr 19 Dunkirk (KOS); two Apr 24 Evans (RFA); three May 15 MBC Hamburg (TLB). White-breasted Nuthatch: 227 May 15 MBC. Red-breasted Nuthatch: several Apr reports; 51 May 15 MBC. Brown Creeper: nine May 15 MBC. Wrens: House: first one Apr 25 Hamburg (TLB), 290 May 15 MBC); Winter: three May 15 MBC Wilson (PB), Batavia (OP); Long-billed Marsh: five May 15 MBC; Short-billed Marsh: one May 21 Clymer (EP). Mockingbird: one May 1 OOGMA (JG); four May 15 MBC Frewsburg (AH), Bolivar (ECS), Alfred (CB). Catbird: one Apr 29 Springbrook (HCS); 748 May 15 MBC. Brown Thrasher: 316 May 15 MBC. Robin: at L View, 1242 Apr 18 (RB) and 2375 Apr 20 (AC); 5103 May 15 MBC. Wood Thrush: first, one Apr 29 Alleg Rd, Ha (JB); 354 May 15 MBC. Hermit Thrush: one Apr 14 Boston (TLB); 13 May 15 MBC. Swainson’s Thrush: one May 4 Caneaclea (LDB); 21 May 15 MBC. Gray-cheeked Thrush: four May 15 MBC Hamburg (TLB), Bolivar (EGS). Veery: 158 May 15 MBC. E. Bluebird: Apr reports (12) like Mar were gratifying; max 11 Apr 21 Pt Gratiot (JB); 56 May 15 MBC. Blue-gray Gnatcatcher: first, one Apr 20 Dunkirk (EP); max seven Pt Gratiot (RB); three other Apr reports; nine May 15 MBC. Golden-crowned Kinglet: 26 May 15 MBC. Ruby-crowned Kinglet: first, 12 Apr 14 Delaware Pk, Bflo (PB); 91 May 15 MBC. Water Pipit: 14 May 15 MBC. Cedar Waxwing: 58 May 15 MBC. Loggerhead Shrike: ten single records Apr 2-26 about equally divided in Southern Tier and Ont Plain; one May 15 MBC Cherry Creek (CMB). Starling; 13,552 May 15 MBC. VIREOS—WARBLERS: Vireos: Yellow-throated: one May 4 Alfred (CWK); 11 May 15 MBC. Solitary: eight May 15 MBC. Red-eyed: 21 May 15 MBC. Philadel¬ phia: one each May 15, Angola (MMW) and Bolivar (EGS). Warbling: 44 May 15 MBC. Warblers: Black-and-white: three Apr 24 Springbrook (DD), first; 54 May 15 MBC. Golden-winged: one May 15 Angola (MMW). Blue-winged: 33 May 15 MBC. Brewsters: one May 8 Gowanda (ES et al); one May 18 W. Barre (PB). Tennessee: eight May 15 MBC Hamburg, Alleg SPk, Alfred. Orange-crowned: one May 7 Caneadea (LDB); one May 12 Bflo (AF); two May 15 MBC Bflo (AE), Hamburg (TLB); two May 16 Lancaster (JG); one May 24 S. Pk (JK). Nashville: one Apr 30 CRPk (RFA); 70 May 15 MBC. Parula: one May 5 (many thereafter) Eden (TLB); one May 15 MBC Alfred (CB). Yellow: one Apr 24 Eden (TLB), first; 1416 May 15 MBC. Magnolia: one May 7 Belmont (LDB); 21 May 15 MBC. Cape May: seven total May 15 MBC Fillmore (KP), Sherman (KOS), Alfred (CB). Black-throated Blue: 16 May 15 MBC. Myrtle: 344 May 15 MBC; max seven Pt Gratiot May 21 (JB). Black-throated Green: one Apr 30 CRPk (RFA); 108 May 15 MBC. Cerulean: two May 15 MBC Angola (MMW). Blackburnian: 74 May 15 MBC. Chestnut-sided: one May 7 Belmont (LDB); 62 May 15 MBC. Bay-breasted: one May 15 Lancaster (GGW). Blackpoll: one May 16 Alfred (CWK). Pine: one Apr 19 Springbrook (DD), first; four other singles to May 1; 13 May 15 MBC. Palm: two Apr 21 CPkL (JG); 19 May 15 MBC; one. May 17 (PB) and May 19 (MME) CPkL. Ovenbird: 127 May 15 MBC. Northern Waterthrush: one Apr 24 Pt Gratiot (JB, PB); eight May 15 MBC. Louisiana Waterthrush: four Apr 30 CRPk (RFA); nine total MBC Batavia, OO, Alleg SPk. Connecticut: one Apr 19, 22 Lancaster (JG). Mourning: one May 13 Kiantone (EP); nine May 15 MBC. Yellowthroat: 19 May 15 MBC. Yellow-breasted Chat: one May 15 Cuba L (LDB). 156 Hooded: one May 8 Gowanda (ES et al); 18 May 15 MBC. Wilson’s: one May 15 MBC Alfred (CB). Canada: 15 May 15 MBC. Amer. Redstart: 168 May 15 MBC. BLACKBIRDS—SPARROWS: Bobolink: one each Apr 29, Belmont (LDB) and S. Pk (JK), first; 761 May 15 MBC. E. Meadowlark: 980 May 15 MBC. Western Meadowlark: one Apr 21 and 24 Center Rd Sheridan (PB et al); one Apr 27 L View (TLB). Red-winged Blackbird: 1960 Apr 18 and 3925 Apr 20 L Shore Rd (AC et al); 9191 May 15 MBC. Baltimore Oriole: one May 1 OOGMA (JG); 371 May 15 MBC. Rusty Blackbird: 187 Apr 18 L Shore Rd (RB); 81 May 15 MBC. Common Grackle: 1170 Apr 20 L View (AC); 6768 May 15 MBC. Brown-headed Cowbird: 1691 May 15 MBC. Scarlet Tanager: 24 May 15 MBC. Cardinal: 350 May 15 MBC. Rose-breasted Grosbeak: 276 May 15 MBC. Indigo Bunting: 23 May 15 MBC. Evening Grosbeak: several reports of small flocks in Apr, max 50 Apr 12 Cuba L (LDB); most records from southern Erie and Alleg Co; 218 May 15 MBC; last, one May 19 Hamburg (RFA). Common Redpoll: one each, Apr 9 Dunkirk (FMR et al), Apr 16 Newfane (WHK), Apr 17 L View (JG). Purple Finch: 154 May 15 MBC. Pine Siskin: first, two Apr 9 Dunkirk (FMR); 51 May 15 MBC; max 100 May 21 Clymer (EP). Amer. Goldfinch: 2120 May 15 MBC. Red Crossbill: eight-ten May 4-30 Alfred (CWK); eight May 9 Wellsville (LDB). White-winged Crossbill: two Apr 2 and 4 Alfred (CWK), three Apr 21 CPkL (JG); one each May 15, Cuba L (LDB) and Alfred (CB). Rufous-sided Towhee: 442 May 15 MBC. Sparrows: Savannah: 197 May 15 MBC. Grasshopper: one Apr 24 Eden (TLB); three May 15 MBC. Henslow’s: one Apr 21 CPkL (JG); April 22, one Grand Is (ES) and two Orchard Pk (JK). Vesper: 108 May 15 MBC. Slate-colored Junco: 199 May 15 MBC. Tree: 51 May 15 MBC. Chipping: one Apr 7 Riverside (CMB); 310 May 15 MBC. Field: 571 May 15 MBC. White-crowned: first, one Apr 26—30 Belmont (LDB); 472 May 15 MBC. White-throated: first, three Apr 12 Springbrook (HCS); 154 May 15 MBC. Fox: one May 15 Alfred (CWK); 20 May 15 MBC. Lincoln’s: four May 15 MBC. Swamp: one Apr 3 Tonawanda Indian Reservation (JG); 194 May 15 MBC. Song: 2896 May 15 MBC. 193 LaSalle Avenue, Buffalo, N.Y. 14214 REGION 2 —GENESEE Howard S. Miller Temperatures for April averaged about normal, but many clear, cool nights with unfavorable winds delayed migration. By the end of the month, the migration seemed to lag about ten days. Precipitation was about normal and the lake level was high. May was very cool and dry, with frequent frosts and unfavorable winds. Birds on the whole just dribbled through with few good flights. A so-called peak probably occurred May 23-27. Noteworthy birds seen include Cattle Egret, Snowy Egret, Glossy Ibis, Willet, Franklin’s Gull, Little Gull, Western Meadowlark and Clay-colored Sparrow. Observers: WC—William Carlson; GD—Gertrude Davis; RD—Robert Dobson; JJD—James J. Doherty; JF—John Foster; AEK—Allen E. Kemnitzer; WCL—Walter C. Listman; WL—Warren Lloyd; RM—Ruth MacRae; JM— Joseph McNett; TM— Thelma McNett; HSM—Howard S. Miller; LM—Laura Moon; NM—(Dr.) Neil Moon; RTO—Richard T. O’Hara; BO—Bernard Olin; FP—Frank Phelps; AAS—Alfred A. Starling; MS—Maryanne Sunderlin; ST—Sarah Talpey; TET—Thomas E. Tetlow; RW—Robert White. Abbreviations: BB—Braddock’s Bay; EL—East Lakeshore; HL—Hawk Lookout; MR—Manitou Road; SB—Sodus Bay; WP—Webster Park; WL—West Lakeshore; WS—West Spit. 157 LOONS—DUCKS: Spring loon flight very poor with so-called peaks of 33 Com¬ mon Loons May 1 WP (WL) and three Red-throated Loons Apr 25 also at WP (WL, MS). Red-necked Grebe: scarce; max only three along EL Apr 17 (WL, RM). Horned Grebes seemed scarce. Double-crested Cormorant: a few reported, max five May 3 BB (WCL). Cattle Egret: the usual late Apr and early May reports -four Apr 23 WL (AEK, WCL, TET), one Apr 24 on MR (JJD, HSM) and one at same place May 15 (JM, TM). Common Egret: singles at Sandy Creek Apr 16 (Conants, ST), Hamlin Apr 24 (JM, TM), BB May 8 (AEK, WCL). Snowy Egret: one at Manitou May 18 (WCL)—the observer has had previous experience with the species and observed the black legs and yellow feet at leisure. GLOSSY IBIS: one flying across BB Apr 21 (JF, WL). The common herons except the Green Heron still appeared down in numbers. Mute Swan: one flying over BB Apr 23 (AEK, WCL, TET). Apparently the same bird appeared on a small pond at Shore Acres later the same day and remained for a few days. Canada Goose: a very good flight with estimated 30,000 along WL Apr 9 (RD). Brant: a good spring flight at SB with 400 May 15 (JF, WCL, TET); none reported around Rochester. European Widgeon: two males Apr 12 at small pond in Hamlin (AEK). Ring-necked Duck: max 150 Apr 8 SB (JF, AEK, WCL) and 60 Apr 17 Mendon Ponds (GD). Canvasback: 550 Apr 2 SB (AEK), very high count for our area, probably birds migrating north from wintering grounds on Finger Lakes. Common Goldeneye: 20 May 15 SB (JF, WCL, TET), good count for so late. Bufflehead: 25 May 15 SB (JF, WCL, TET) also good count for date. Oldsquaw: max 200 along EL Apr 17 (WL, RM) and 500 at Oklahoma Beach May 15 (TM, MS, RW). White-winged Scoter: max 200 along WL Apr 9 (Angold, RD). Ruddy Duck: two at Shore Acres May 28 (LM et al). HAWKS—OWLS: The only good hawk flight was Apr 20-21 and most of the records and high counts occurred on those two days. Turkey Vulture: max 24 at HL Apr 21 (JF, WL). Goshawk: one near Sodus Apr 8 (JF, AEK, WCL). After several years of apparent scarcity there was a very good flight of Sharp-shinned Hawks with 1260 at HL Apr 20 (LM et al) and 1600 there Apr 21 (mob). Red-tailed Hawk: 26 at HL Apr 21 (mob); this species reaches its peak count in late March. Broad¬ winged Hawk : max 1040 at HL Apr 20 (LM) and 7125 there Apr 21 (mob). Bald Eagle: only one seen all spring at HL, Apr 21 (JF, WL); the pair in the Hemlock L-Springwater area occasionally reported. Pigeon Hawk: two Apr 21 HL (WL, NM); one May 19 WS (WCL). Ruffed Grouse: 12 Wayne Co May 15 (JF, WCL, TET), a very high count probably indicating a peak or high point in their cyclfe. Semipalmated Plover: 65 along WL May 18 (WCL), a rather high count. Whimbrel: only reports, two at Sodus Pt May 21 (AEK, WL, MS) and four at Manitou May 29 (WCL et al). Willet: one at Sodus Pt May 28 (AEK), first record in ten years. Dunlin: one at BB Apr 23, early (WCL); 40 along WL May 18 (WCL). Short-billed Dowitcher: uncommon spring migrant locally; max eight-in Hamlin May 14 (WCL) and nine at SB May 21 (AEK, WL, MS). Western Sandpiper: several reports; max five in Hamlin May 30 (JJD, WCL, HSM). This species probably occurs regularly but, except for well-marked individuals, is prob¬ ably frequently not identified. Occasional single Glaucous and Iceland Gulls reported during period. Franklin’s Gull: one adult Hamlin May 1-4 (AEK, WCL). Little Gull: two at Manitou May 18 (WCL). Forster’s Tern: uncommon locally in spring; two at Manitou May 11 (WCL). Barn Owl: one seen in Palmyra Apr 25 (Mrs. McPike). Barred Owl: one heard in Irondequoit, a very unusual location, May 6 (LM, NM); one heard at Zurich Bog May 15 (JF, WCL, TET). Short-eared Owl: scarce this year, one seen at BB Apr 29 (WCL) being only the second report. Saw-whet Owl: two seen in “owl” woods Apr 2 (JF, TET). GOATSUCKERS-STARLING: Whip-poor-will: seemed somewhat scarce around 158 Rochester, one seen at HL Apr 21 (Mrs. Dineen) and one in Irondequoit May 5 (LM et al); usual numbers in Bergen Swamp mid-May (RTO). Yellow-shafted Flicker: estimated 100 along EL Apr 24 (JJD, HSM, FP). Yellow-bellied Sapsucker: 18 along WL Apr 20 (LM), first good number reported, showing lateness of season. Blue Jay: usual May flight along L Ontario, an estimated 1100 passing Manitou May 8 (GOS hike). Red-breasted Nuthatch: one feeding young in nest in a conifer at Durand- Eastman Pk May 15 (Margaret Foley)—it has long been suspected that this species nested there. Brown Creeper: 30 along WL Apr 23 (JJD, AAS). Short-billed Marsh Wren: one heard near HL May 22 (RTO), only report. Mockingbird: new localities —one at Pultneyville Apr 3 (AEK), one at WP Apr 23 (JJD, AAS), two Furnaceville May 21 (AEK). VIREOS-WARBLERS: Among the few more outstanding warbler records were a Blue-winged Warbler in Durand-Eastman Pk (June Feder), a Prairie Warbler in Island Cottage Woods May 20 (JJD), three Yellow-breasted Chats in Fairport May 23 (BO). Orange-crowned, Pine and Connecticut Warblers were unreported and many others were seen in reduced numbers. BLACKBIRDS-SPARROWS: Western Meadowlark: one singing, observed in East Henrietta Apr 20 (WC), three along WL Apr 23-30 (mob), one Webster May 2-6 (MS). Later these birds seemed to sing little and may move on. With what species they mate, if they do, is unknown. Evening Grosbeak: 15 at BB May 18 (WCL). Pine Grosbeak: five at WP Apr 23 (JJD, AAS), very late. Common Red¬ poll: 27 along EL Apr 17 (WL, RM), also late. Pine Siskin: 25 migrating at BB May 18, also 500 Amer. Goldfinches (WCL). A Clay-colored Sparrow was carefully studied in Webster May 24 (JM, TM)—both observers have had previous experience with this species. Fox Sparrow: 28 in Highland Pk Apr 20 (LM et al), late for so many. 2080 East Main Street, Rochester, N.Y. 14609 REGION 3 —FINGER LAKES Sally Hoyt Spofford April and May were among the coldest on record in the Finger Lakes, and continued the trend of below normal precipitation. Below freezing temperatures were recorded the last week of April, the second week of May, and, amazingly, on May 30 and 31. But the most unusual event weatherwise was the snowfall on May 9, which totalled 3/2 inches in the Ithaca area, and at least an inch thru most of the Region. In freezing temperatures, the snow remained on the ground two days. Just preceding this, there had been a warm spell with southerly winds, which brought in some of the birds whose arrival had been delayed up to that time by the late April cold spell. It meant rugged going for them—and interesting observations for the birdwatchers. Orioles, Catbirds and Rose-breasted Grosbeaks flocked to feeders along with the normal customers. A female Bobolink visited the feeder at Sapsucker Woods. The bare roadsides were dotted with hungry birds—sparrows of all kinds, thrushes, grosbeaks, tanagers, warblers, kinglets and phoebes. One observer counted 80 Veeries along a road north of Sapsucker Woods in less than a mile. In an area near Elmira, Wilifred Howard found road-side concentrations of Veeries, Olive-backed and Grey¬ cheeked Thrushes, Ovenbirds, with a few House Wrens and Louisiana Water- thrushes. A mixed flock of 50 Hermits and Grey-cheeks was driven to ground by the storm at Keuka (FG). Undoubtedly many of the early nesters died—I received a few reports of dead Phoebes and Bluebirds. But the worst hit were the Purple Martins. Throughout the Region Martin colonies were decimated. For example, the personnel at Montezuma 159 picked up 19 dead or dying Martins under their houses, in emaciated condition. Following the cold of May 9—11, there was a change to warmer, with southerly winds on the 13th and 14th, so that May 15th, picked by most clubs for their ‘big run’ or census, was ideal. Many warblers arrived that weekend, some vireos and flycatchers. But Pewees and cuckoos were still later, and in general May birds were a week or more late. All nesting is delayed. Two White-fronted Geese at Montezuma Refuge on April 2nd, spotted by Dr. D. A. Lancaster’s Field Ornithology class, are only the third record of the species for the Refuge, and there are almost no other reports for the Region. A Surf Scoter at Elmira during the snowstorm, three Whimbrels at Hornell, a Harris’ Sparrow at Elmira and a probable Eared Grebe on Seneca Lake are of particular interest. A field note by William Groesbeck calls attention to the fact that the Almond Damsite Recreation area near Hornell provided excellent water-birding this spring, but with development of the area for recreation it will probably be sterile in succeeding years. This year it was far more productive than the Reservoir at Hornell. Observers cited: JBa—Jamesine Bardeen; JB—Jack Brubaker; WEB—Walter E. Benning; KF—K Fudge; FG—Frank Guthrie; WG—William Groesbeck; H & SH— Heyward and Sue Hamilton; HH—Herbert Hendrickson; WH—Wilifred Howard; CK—Cameron Kepler; JK—James Kimball; JKe—John Kelsey; PMK—Paul M. Kelsey; DAL—Douglas A. Lancaster; DM—Dorothy Mcllroy; JM—John Morse; JP—James Patterson; RTP—Roger Tory Peterson; BS—Betty Strath; FGS—Fritz Scheider; MS— Mary Smith; WRS—Walter R. Spofford; P & PT—Paris and Pepper Trail; LW— Loren Ward; JW—Jayson Walker; MW—Mary Welles. Localities: Cay L—Cayuga Lake; MNWR—Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge; Sen L—Seneca Lake; SWS—Sapsucker Woods Sanctuary. LOONS—DUCKS: Common Loon: fewer than usual Cay L, Keuka; one (late) Valois Pt Sen L late May. Homed Grebe: scarce Cay and Keuka Ls, absent from one of usual Hornell areas. Loon L near Wayland. Eared Grebe: a probable breeding plumaged individual of this species was reported in Geneva Harbor, Sen L May 1 by JW and two Hobart students. There are no previous published Central New York State records to the best of my knowledge. In the absence of a specimen or photograph it will have to remain a question. Common Egret: none. Snowy Egret: one May 27 MNWR, rare in spring. Black-crowned Night Heron: max 14 May 30 MNWR (WEB). American Bittern: seem scarce. Glossy Ibis: one May 4-7 MNWR (FGS, JM). Whistling Swan: no reports. Canada Goose: to quote John Morse, Mgr MNWR: “Canada Geese peaked at 32,800 compared to 40,000 last year. The drop in numbers was probably due to unusual weather conditions rather than an actual drop in flyway population. The partial freeze-up of refuge pools in late March caused a drop in goose numbers of 16,000. These birds did not return to the refuge. If those 16,000 had been added to our April peak, we would have exceeded 48,000.” The Geese left the Refuge May 12, somewhat later than most years. Brant: 35 May 13 MNWR (WEB). WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE: two Apr 16 MNWR (DAL & mob), third Refuge record. Snow Goose: 200 max MNWR. Blue Goose: 480 max MNWR. Ducks at MNWR 2400 max compared with 4100 in 1965. (See comment after Canada Goose max). Mallard: first brood SWS May 13. Gad wall: abundant MNWR; two sightings on Keuka L near Hammondsport, max eight, no previous records (FG). Pintail: none at Hornell this year (WG). Green-winged Teal: two Apr 21 Almond Damsite, rare in area (WG). Blue-winged Teal: one male SWS; reported down in numbers MNWR (WEB). European Widgeon: two Apr 27-28, one May 15 MNWR (JM). Wood Duck: 18 max males, late May SWS, hopefully 18 females nesting; first brood (10) May 27. Ring-necked Duck: 150 max Apr 3 MNWR (WEB). A probable Barrow’s Goldeneye male was seen Geneva Harbor Sen L May 17 (LW), not found again. Oldsquaw: four MNWR Apr 27; several May 3 Cay L (mob). White-winged Scoter: two Apr 25 Almond Damsite Hornell (WG). 160 Surf Scoter: three males May 9 in snowstorm 7-acre pond, Elmira (MS, KF), very rare in spring. No scoters or Oldsquaws on Keuka L. Ruddy Duck: first Apr 9 and max 20 Apr 20, MNWR (WEB). HAWKS—OWLS: Turkey Vulture: max 14 Apr 2, May 29, MNWR (WEB). Hawks, except Red-tails, continue scarce. Sharp-shinned: no nesting pairs found at Ithaca. Cooper’s: one seen near Keuka L May 15; one active nest near Ithaca. Red¬ tailed: no apparent decrease as breeding bird. Red-shouldered: fewer known nests this year, but two records at Keuka where often none. Broad-winged: some migration noted Elmira Apr 20, Ithaca Apr 23; possible breeding Texas Hollow (JB), Hender- shot Gulf (BS), Arnot Forest and Ringwood (near Dryden) (WRS). Bald Eagle: imm bird over Dryden May 15 (JKe). Marsh Hawk: one only at Elmira, two pairs MNWR, no sightings at Ithaca. Osprey: first Apr 16 MNWR (DAL & Class); scattered sightings thereafter, inch SWS and Dryden L. Peregrine: one Apr 20 Sullivan’s Monument Elmira (WH) in hawk flight; one May 4 MNWR. Sparrow Hawk: has disappeared from several more former nesting sites in Ithaca area; reported absent or low at Homell and Geneva, usual numbers around Watkins Glen. Ruffed Grouse: variable reports, some indicating peak of cycle has passed, others seeing no decrease. Rails: reported generally scarce, especially Sora. Common Gallinule: seemed down in numbers MNWR (WEB). Less cattail cover? Coot: fewer on Cay L this spring than some years. Killdeer: less abundant Hornell (WG). Black-bellied Plover: five May 11 MNWR (WEB). Amer. Woodcock: missing from some former ‘singing’ grounds near Ithaca. Whimbrel: three Apr 4 Almond Damsite (WG), rare. Upland Plover: first Apr 30 Peruville Rd n. of Ithaca (JP); noted in snowcovered fields May 9 near Middle Rd Elmira and near Etna; seem to be increasing in Region. White-rumped Sandpiper: one May 15, 18 near Dryden (H & SH), rare in spring. Semipalmated Sandpiper: max 500 May 25 MNWR (WEB), most abundant peep. Wilson’s Phalarope: one female May 9 MNWR (WEB), rare in spring. Bonaparte’s Gull: first Apr 11 Cay L (DM); 14 Apr 16 Almond Damsite (WG), new site. Black Tern: 20 Apr 28 arr MNWR, max 250 May 1 (WEB); new stations—Chase’s Pond Elmira May 12-14 (MW), Almond Damsite May 13 (WG), Tobehanna L near Tyrone (JB). Yellow-billed Cuckoo: no reports Keuka or Elmira, reported scarce elsewhere. Black-billed Cuckoo: normal numbers most places after finally arrived. Owls: Barn: one report only. As Screech Owls have disappeared from many locations, it seems advisable to mention known breeding localities: one Dryden across from GLF; one Hammondsport Gold Seal winery; one Seneca Lodge Watkins Glen; one sighting Stewart Park Ithaca. Great Horned: usual numbers; pair raised three young SWS first time in some years. Snowy: Apr 3 last MNWR (WEB). Barred: successful nest SWS; pair present MNWR. GOATSUCKERS—STARLING: Whip-poor-will: four reports only; two Apr 23 near Chemung R Elmira; one May 17 Brooktondale (CK); one May 25 Jacksonville; Rathbun farm Bennettsburg May 25 on (JBa). Common Nighthawk: late and scarce. Ruby-throated Hummingbird: arr week to 10 days late—May 15 Ithaca, May 17 Hornell, May 23 Keuka; one only reported from Elmira. Red-bellied Woodpecker: scattered reports. Red-headed Woodpecker: reported scarcer at Elmira, but at least six near Keuka (FG), several at Watkins (JBa), one May 18 N. Hornell on sumac (WG), one Taughannock Pk May 10, one May 15 Etna (RTP), one at Cornell golf course, Ithaca, and two, possibly three George Jr. Republic, Freeville. Black-backed Three-toed Woodpecker: one near Penn Yan May 1 (V. Whitaker). Flycatchers; Crested: reported plentiful Keuka and Hornell. Yellow-bellied Flycatcher: one May 16 Turkey Hill Ithaca (HH et al), only report. Traill’s: first May 15 Dryden L (H & SH), few other reports. Least: absent several usual stations. Wood Pewee: none prior to May 23, a week later than normal. Olive-sided: one May 15 Michigan Hollow s. of Ithaca (JK); one May 22, 29 Mills Rd Waterloo (JW). 161 Cliff Swallow: returned to Dryden L colony Apr 7 (PMK). Purple Martin: first Mar 29 Cay State Pk (WH). Many killed in May 9 snow storm in Region. See introductory remarks and field note on Swallow behavior in storm at Hornell. House Wren: some storm loss, e.g. only one seen rest of month at Hornell. Pew reports of Marsh Wrens. Mockingbird: present at most former stations; new station, Erin. Thrushes: see introductory section for storm behavior. Blue-gray Gnatcatcher: usual numbers apparently in spite of weather; new nesting locations: May 29 mile n. of Elm Beach on Rte 89 (E. Van Riper); May 5, found nesting 40' up at Hornell (Mr. and Mrs. W. G. Ulmer) where only one previous sighting of species, 1954. Kinglets: two flocks of more than 50, both species, Apr 24 Texas Hollow (BS); other reports indicate good numbers in migration. Northern Shrike: last Apr 4 Burdett (Allan Graham). Loggerhead Shrike: four reports. VIREOS-WARBLERS: All Vireos except Warbling scarce at Keuka (FG). Yellow-throated Vireo scarce around Ithaca. Philadelphia Vireo: two May 7 MNWR (WEB); one May 20 Mt. Pleasant Rd (PMK). Warblers: in general late, no marked waves except near Waterloo (JW) from May 15-22. At Keuka, some increase noted in Black-and-whites and Black-throated Greens. Prothonotary: none reported. Worm-eating: none at Elmira; one May 14 Hendershot Gulf (JB, mob). Brewster’s: one each Texas Hollow, along Chemung R, Michigan Hollow. Tennessee: few noted. Orange-crowned: often missed in spring; one May 15 Beam Hill near Dryden (PMK); one May 17 Waterloo (JW); one May 22 Geneva (PT). Blackpoll: first May 20 Mt. Pleasant Rd Ithaca (PMK); in numbers everywhere May 25, last Jun 3. Hooded: one only. May 8 along Chemung R (WH). BLACKBIRDS—SPARROWS: Bobolink: many noted in snowstorm, but not abun¬ dant by any means. Western Meadowlark: a possible individual May 22 Clifton Springs Golf course (P & PT, Cathy Walsh) identified by song only. (Ed. note: as it is essential in distinguishing this species to hear call notes and see head pattern, this will have to remain a question.) Baltimore Oriole: reported absent from some former nest-sites. Evening Grosbeak: last dates—May 15 Burdett, May 18 Ithaca, May 19 Hornell. Red Crossbill: last May 12 Cay Heights Ithaca (Laubengayer). White-winged Crossbill: last May 23 Brooktondale (CK). HARRIS* SPARROW: very rare in Region; one May 15-16, the Irving Runey's feeding station West Hill Rd Elmira (mob). White-crowned Sparrow: reported abundant May 5-15, every¬ where, especially during storm. White-throated Sparrow: very few migrants noted. Lincoln’s Sparrow: one banded May 9 Cornell Campus (Eric Johnson); at least six, Elmira May 14. Laboratory of Ornithology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14850 REGION 4 —SUSQUEHANNA Leslie E. Bemont April averaged a little on the cold side, although temperatures seldom strayed far from normal, and precipitation was a little below normal. For the first ten days there were frequent light snow falls that melted quickly and the last twelve days of the month were rainy, with no precipitation at all between. The first half of May was unpleasantly cold and wet, the poor conditions culminating in a storm May 9 that brought six inches of snow to the hill tops around Candor, freezing rain to Deposit and something between to other areas in the Region. The rest of the month was warm by comparison but quite wet. There were a number of reports of casualties after, and presumably resulting from, the May 9 storm but only the Purple Martin population at Homer was observed to be seriously affected. Many observers complained of late arrival dates but taking the 162 Region as a whole first dates were about normal, the most notable exceptions such as Traill’s Flycatcher, Blackpoll and Tennessee Warblers and Indigo Bunting being early instead of late. At Ingraham Hill there was a fine “wave” of warblers May 8 but the next day a number of birds all but entered the barn seeking food and warmth. The waterfowl and shorebird migrations were very disappointing. Trends of some interest were the observation of Turkey Vultures in widely separated parts of the Region when only a few years ago they were confined to the Deposit—Hancock area, and the increase in Mockingbird reports. The rarity list for the period includes a Golden Eagle, two Ravens, a Yellow- throated Warbler and a Clay-colored Sparrow. Cerulean and Prairie Warbler reports are near rarities in this Region. Abbreviations; Bing—Binghamton; CC—Choconut Center; CVSP—Chenango Valley State Park; Chen—Chenango; IH—Ingraham Hill just south of Binghamton; Pep Res—Pepacton Reservoir; Skan L—Skaneateles Lake; Sky—Skyline, Tioga Co.; WP— Whitney Point. Observers: LB—L. Bemont; NC—Naturalists’ Club; TBC—Tioga Bird Club; G, WC—G. & W. Corderman; MC—M. Cubberly; C, JD—C. & J. Davis; M, AD— M. & A. Davis; L, WD-L. & W. Dean; CG-C. Gerould; SG-S. Gorton; JG-J. Gustafson; CH—C. Howard; FL—F. Linaberry; HM—H. Marsi; JN—J. New; JO— J. Osadchey; RP-R. Pantle; R, JS-R. & J. Saunders; MS-M. Sheffield; RSh-R. Short; AS-A. Stratton; DW-D. Weber; MW-M. White; R. SW-R. & S. White; RW-R. Williams; SW-S. Wilson; HW-H. Wisner. LOONS—DUCKS: Common Loon: Apr 23 Owego (RW); four more reports to May 15. Homed Grebe: still at WP May 15 (MS). Great Blue Heron: arr Candor late Mar (RP, DW), colony smaller this year; other known colonies not checked. Green Heron: Apr 21 CC (MS), early but several other Apr records. Least Bittern: May 10 Bing (RSh) at a farm pond, seen fairly regularly to end of May. Amer. Bittern: Apr 17 WP (MS). Mute Swan: one on artificial lake at Owego possibly the same one that spent Feb and Mar in Bing. Canada Goose: migrants to May 7; heavier flights Apr 16 to 18 and May 3 to 8; still at WP May 29; pair nesting at Freeville. Snow Goose: one Apr 10 Pep Res with Canadas (MC). Pintail: Apr 3 Owego, last. Green-winged Teal: only four reports, the last May 14 Skan L (JO). Blue-winged Teal: still at WP May 29. Ring-necked Duck: to May 1. Scaup: Greater Apr 20 and Lesser May 15, WP. Common Goldeneye: last, eight Apr 12 Portlandville (HW). Buffiehead: one Apr 9 Norwich (R, SW), only report. White¬ winged Scoter: Apr 20 (SG) and May 15 (MS) WP. Oldsquaw: Apr 4 Owego (MW); Apr 20 WP (HM et al). Hooded Merganser: still at Owego and Pep Res Apr 10. Common Merganser: Skan L May 14, Owego and WP May 15. Red¬ breasted Merganser: six Apr 3 WP (MS); Apr 4 Owego (MW). HAWKS-OWLS: Turkey Vulture: 50 Apr 7 Fish’s Eddy (RW); reported also at Andes (MC), Deposit (SW), Candor (RP) and Scott (JG). Red-shouldered Hawk: two at nest Apr 16 IH (CH). Broad-winged Hawk; max 65 Apr 22 Sky, 50 Apr 23 (RW), station not manned thereafter; small numbers seen regularly all during May. Rough-legged Hawk: one Apr 2 Smithville Flats (R, SW); one May 14 Scott (JO); no others. GOLDEN EAGLE; one Apr 17 Pep Res found dead—shot, conservation officers stated it was feathered to toes (MC). Marsh Hawk: max 3 May 14 Cortland (JG); occasional one or two in most parts of Region. Osprey: Apr 1 South Owego (CG); no more until Apr 13 then frequent reports to May 15. Ruffed Grouse: seemed plentiful. Bobwhite: May 4 Vestal (G, WC). Turkey: one Apr 11 Hinman’s Corners n. of Bing (R, JS). Common Gallinule: May 13 Vestal (FL). Coot: May 15 WP (MS) and Spencer (RW). Common Snipe: first one Apr 10 Sherburne (R, SW). Upland Plover: two May 20 Homer (JG). Spotted Sandpiper: first Apr 20 WP (HM), common after May 1. Solitary Sandpiper: May 8 Spencer 163 (RW); not many. Greater Yellowlegs: only reports, Apr 17 WP (MS), May 15 several Triple Cities localities. Lesser Yellowlegs: May 22 IH (CH) — only report. Dunlin: one May 15 WP (MS), only report. Semipalmated Sandpiper: May 16 IH (CH), only report. Ring-billed Gull: max 200 plus May 8 Endwell (LB); present most of period. Bonaparte’s Gull: May 15 WP (MS), only report. Common Tern: May 14 and 15 Owego (MW)—only reports. Black Tern: May 8 Spencer (RW), two more reports, the last May 15. Yellow-billed Cuckoo: May 15 Newark Valley (L, WD). Black-billed Cuckoo: May 15 Newark Valley (L, WD). Screech Owl: two young out of nest May 22 Unadilla (HW). Barred Owl: two May 20 CVSP (M, AD). GOATSUCKERS-STARLING: Whip-poor-will; one May 5 Cortland (JG), only report. Nighthawk: May 16 Owego (CG). Chimney Swift: Apr 22 Owego (RW); several thousand May 4 entering and leaving large chimney in Bing (M, AD). Ruby-throated Hummingbird: May 14 several Triple Cities localities. Yellow-shafted Flicker: common after Apr 17. Pileated Woodpecker: fairly frequent reports. Red¬ headed Woodpecker: four May 14 Cortlandville, where one wintered (JG); also at Owego and Sherburne. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker: especially common Apr 16-23; reported regularly thru May. Eastern Kingbird: one Apr 2 McGraw (Greenfield), very early; next Apr 26 Deposit (SW); one May 9 in weakened condition Candor (RP). Great Crested Flycatcher: May 8 Candor (TBC), IH (CH), Chen Forks (M, AD); one found dead May 10 Oneonta (JN). Eastern Phoebe: common after Apr 8. Yellow-bellied Flycatcher : only reports. May 15 Castle Creek (MS), May 21 Endwell (LB). Traill’s Flycatcher: May 11 Owego (RW, MW), very early; three reports May 21, the next date. Least Flycatcher; May 6 Unadilla (HW) and Deposit (SW); one May 10 Endwell appeared in weakened condition (LB). Wood Pewee: May 12 Candor (RP), common after May 20. Olive-sided Flycatcher: only reports, one May 21 Sherburne (R, SW), May 28 Endwell (NC). Tree Swallow: one May 14 Oxford found dead in nest box (AS); at Greene (C, JD) and Oxford left nesting areas to spend worst of bad weather in valley along river and returned later in seemingly undiminished numbers. Bank Swallow: Apr 23 Chen Forks (M, AD). Rough-winged Swallow: two Apr 23 Deposit (SW). Barn Swallow: Apr 15 Greene (C, JD). Cliff Swallow: Apr 21 Greene (C, JD). Purple Martin: ten adults dead at three houses Homer after May 9 to 10 cold and snow, houses left unoccupied for first time since 1958 (JG); at Owego a few picked up from ground Apr 7, held overnight and released the next day (M. Hills). COMMON RAVEN: one Apr 23 Sky (RW), identified by large size, hawk-like flight and calls; one May 4 Flemingville (J. Hough), observer familiar with species in west. Black-capped Chickadee: small migrating flocks at Sky Apr 23 (RW). Tufted Titmouse: only report, one Apr 10 Deposit (SW). Red-breasted Nuthatch: common thru May 22, some present to end of period. Brown Creeper: May 18 still at Oneonta (JN). House Wren: Apr 20 South Owego (CG); common after Apr 30 although scarce around Unadilla. Winter Wren: May 14 Scott (JO), the last of six reports. Long-billed Marsh Wren: only report, May 15 Vestal (LB). Mockingbird: reported from seven different localities during period. Catbird: May 3 Chen Forks and Deposit. Brown Thrasher: common from Apr 22. Wood Thrush: May 5 three localities; many driven to foraging along road shoulders May 9 and 10. Hermit Thrush: Apr 27 Owego (RW); fairly numerous. Swainson’s Thrush: May 8 Spencer (RW, MW, CG) to May 14 Homer (JG). Gray-cheeked Thrush: May 8 IH (CH) to May 17 Newark Valley (L, WD); one intervening report. Veery: May 6 Deposit (SW); many driven to foraging along road shoulders May 9 and 10. Eastern Bluebird: one female found dead on nearly complete nest May 9 Candor (RP); at Oxford a brood hatched May 9 (AS); at Deposit a lone male investigated but there were no takers for 20 new nest boxes. Blue-gray Gnatcatcher: May 3 Owego (RW, MW); also at Cortland and several Triple Cities localities. Golden-crowned 164 Kinglet: Apr 15 Owego (RW) to May 14 Cortlandville (JG); seven intervening reports. Ruby-crowned Kinglet: Apr 19 Deposit (SW) and Unadilla (HW); especially common until May 14; still at Oneonta May 18 (JN) and still singing at Owego May 31 (RW). Loggerhead Shrike: Apr 17 WP (MS). VIREOS—WARBLERS: Vireos: Yellow-throated: May 5 Cortland (JG). Solitary: Apr 21 IH (CH); relatively scarce. Red-eyed: Apr 30 Chen Bridge (SG) early; May 6 Owego (RW, MW); the only ones before May 14. Philadelphia: May 15 Newark Valley (L, WD), only report. Warbling: May 2 Owego (CG); scarce until last few days of May. Warblers: Black-and-white: May 2 Bing (RSh); one found dead May 10 Oneonta (JN); quite numerous. Golden-winged: May 8 IH (CH); next report May 14; once thought to be uncommon, now seem to be found on most brushy hillsides. Brewster’s: May 16 Owego (RW, MW); May 21 Oneonta (JN). Blue-winged: May 21 CC (MS) and Unadilla (HW); also at IH. Tennessee: May 8 Owego (RW) early; next report May 19; numbers decidedly below normal. Nashville: four May 6 Deposit (SW). Parula: IH (CH); five other reports to May 21. Yellow: Apr 30 Vestal (G, WC) and Chen Forks (M, AD). Magnolia: two May 6 Deposit (SW); to May 23 in normal numbers. Cape May: May 8 Endwell (FL); six more reports to May 19. Black-throated Blue: May 5 Bing (RSh) and IH (CH); especially common May 14 and 15; none after May 16. Myrtle: Apr 21 IH (CH) to May 26. Black-throated Green: May 5 Cortland (JG) and IH (CH). Cerulean: one May 9 Bing (E, Whitson) foraging at street level in snowy weather. Black¬ burnian: May 6 several localities; migrants gone after May 21. YELLOW- THROATED WARBLER: May 25 Chen Forks, “white belly with yellow throat above; white over the eye stripe; two white wing bars; black stripes on the side; also had a white patch on the side of its head” (M, AD); first report for Region. Chestnut-sided: five May 6 Deposit (SW); five more reports thru May 8 then none until May 13. Bay-breasted: May 17 Chen Forks (M, AD); last ones May 22. Blackpoll: May 7 Bing (MS) not singing, very early; next ones May 15; most reports after May 26. Pine: Apr 20 Endwell (LB); May 5 Cortland; May 15 Endicott and Owego. Palm: two Apr 21 Deposit (SW), one yellow and one probably western; Apr 30 Oneonta (JN), yellow; four more reports thru May 15. Prairie: May 8 IH (CH); May 14 Scott (JO); at Norwich week of May 16. Ovenbird: May 5 IH (CH). Northern Waterthrush: May 1 Castle Creek (MS), Louisiana Waterthrush: Apr 22 Hinman’s Corners (MS). Mourning: May 12 Endwell (LB); three other reports. Yellowthroat: May 2 IH (CH). Yellow-breasted Chat: May 14 Chen Bridge (SG). Wilson’s: May 8 IH (CH); next report May 18, last, May 21. Canada: May 15 four different localities. Amer. Redstart: May 5 Cortland and IH; one flew into garage May 7 Owego and held until storm over (M. Hills); May 10 Endwell one in weakened condition (LB ). BLACKBIRDS-SPARROWS: Bobolink: Apr 30 Greene (M, AD); quite a few. Eastern Meadowlark: reported regularly but some observers believe them to be somewhat reduced in numbers. Redwinged Blackbird: seem to increase year after year. Baltimore Oriole; May 3 Owego (RW), next ones May 6. Rusty Blackbird: last, May 14 Cortland (JG). Common Grackle and Brown-headed Cowbird: also seem to increase year after year. Scarlet Tanager: May 8 CC (MS) and Chen Forks (M, AD). Rose-breasted Grosbeak: May 4 Deposit (SW). Indigo Bunting: May 5 Flemingville (B. Forbes); next report May 15 Cuyler (M, Burkhardt). Evening Grosbeak: Apr 30 Oneonta, courting (JN); 30 May 12 Unadilla (HW); mostly gone after May 15, last May 23. Purple Finch: quite numerous after Apr 20 continuing to end of period. House Finch: May 16 Endwell (HM, FL) brown plumage, differ¬ ences in cheek patches and over all color directly compared with Purple Finches it was with. Redpoll: last, 30 Apr 21 Oxford (AS). Pine Siskin: flock of 300 May 6 Owego (RW); built nest at Chen Forks using rabbit hair (M, AD); last, May 25. 165 Red Crossbill: Apr 13 Newark Valley (NC). White-winged Crossbill: Apr 13 Newark Valley (NC), still there May 6 (RW, MW). Rufous-sided Towhee: common after Apr 21. Sparrows: Savannah: Apr 15 Deposit (SW). Grasshopper: Apr 18 IH (CH); next one May 1. Henslow’s: Apr 16 IH (CH). Vesper: Apr 16 Oneonta (JN). Slate- colored Junco: only very few after May 15. Tree: last normal bird May 14 Scott (JO); an injured bird at Sidney thru May 21 (F. Quick). Chipping: Apr 20 Owego (RW). CLAY-COLORED SPARROW: May 0-13 Sidney (F. Quick), identified by cicada-like song, streaked crown and dark-outlined ear patch; first in Region. Field: common after Apr 20. White-crowned: May 5 Cortland (JG) and Chen Forks; quite numerous to May 15, almost all gone by May 21; last, May 28, White-throated: migrants Apr 16; common Apr 19 to May 14; especially common May 6-13; last. May 28. Fox: mostly gone after Apr 30; May 7 Oneonta (JN), May 15 Chen Bridge (SG). Lincoln’s: one May 5 Deposit (SW), banded; five more to May 22. 710 University Ave., Endwell, 13763 REGION 5 —ONEIDA LAKE BASIN Fritz Scheider Spring was a birdwatching disaster. An extended cold spell with nearly continuous snows, rain, sleet, and chill NW winds beginning Mar 24 persisted to Apr 17; a brief warm spell Apr 17-21 gave hopes of some redemption from the earlier vernal remnant of the Ice Age. However, rather than improving, the weather of late Apr and early May became much worse. Frosts occurred every night May 1-10 in the Syracuse area and May 9 and 10 saw one to three inches of snow throughout. A devastating loss of the insectivores, particularly earlier flycatchers and swallows, undoubtedly ensued, as they were extraordinarily scarce when warm weather began around May 13—14; the loss of Purple Martins (q.v.) was especially severe. The first major warbler-vireo-thrush wave on May 15 was made miniscule by the wave of May 16, and the next ten days was an all-too-brief glory of warblers locally. Hot weather (over 80 degrees), warm south winds, and clear nights May 24-30 permitted passage without stoppage of the later migrants and the last quarter of May, usually rich with tardy migrants and female warblers, was almost as dull as the early one- third with its cold. A few migrant landbirds were present to June 8 but none were noted thereafter. Careful surveillance of the Derby Hill migration site by J. R. Haugh and others produced a wealth of data on hawks and other diurnal migrants. The severe cold so retarded migration that, even with the increased watching, not one species was recorded there ahead of its average arrival date. Positives for period include 1) an impressive collection of diving ducks on the western third of Oneida Lake, 2) a superb hawk migration Apr 21 at Derby Hill, 3) high tallies and late departure dates for the earlier shorebirds (e.g. Greater Yellowlegs, Pectoral Sandpiper), 4) a wave of Red-breasted Nuthatches in mid- May, 5) above-average numbers of Magnolia, Cape May, and Mourning Warblers, 6) a tinkling flood of Bobolinks panregionally, and 7) rich residua of winter finches (q.v. )with heavy Apr flights of some, and several record departure dates. Birding deficits aside from the general migrant tardiness are 1) a paucity of Black-crowned Night Heron and American Bittern, 2) the complete absence of Brant and low numbers of Gadwall, both teal, and Shoveler, 3) a miserable late May shorebird flight, probably because no weather disturbance forced passing shorebirds to land, 4) a dearth of Whip-poor-will, Winter Wren, Water Pipit, and Palm Warbler, 5) much reduced numbers of later migrant warblers, particularly Tennessee and Blackpoll, and 6) a sharp decrease in Henslow’s Sparrow with lesser but notable reduction in numbers of Grasshopper Sparrow. 166 Outstanding rara aves are Cattle Egret, Glossy Ibis, Common Scoter, Golden Eagle, Peregrine, Golden Plover, Black-backed Woodpecker, Northern Three-toed Woodpecker, Boreal Chickadee, Western Meadowlark, and Sharp-tailed Sparrow. Abbreviations: DH—Derby Hill near Texas; CV—Camillus Valley; FHBSP—Fair Haven Beach State Park at Fair Haven; HIGMA—Howland’s Island Game Manage¬ ment Area near Port Byron; PL—Pleasant Lake, Oswego Co. near Phoenix; SP— Sandy Pond; SSSP—Selkirk Shores State Park near Pulaski; Syr—Syracuse; TRGMA— Three Rivers Game Management Area near Baldwinsville; dep—departure, departed. Observers: DWA—D. W. Ackley; J & BB—J. and B. Barker; JRB—J. R. Bart; GLC-G. L. Church; MLE-M. L. Estoff; MF-Mary Felle; GG-G. Gage; ASG—A. S. Goodfellow; KGH-K. G. Hanson; JRH-J. R. Haugh; SEH-S. E. Hosier; DBP— D. B. Peakall; B & SP-B. & S. Peebles; JWP-J. W. Propst; MSR-M. S. Rusk; FGS-F. G. Scheider; CGS-C. G. Spies; WT-W. Thurber. LOONS—DUCKS: Common Loon: max 56, Apr 28 L Ontario (JRH); dep May 28 Skaneateles L. Red-necked Grebe: max ten, Apr 6 Oneida L (MSR); present until Apr 12. Double-crested Cormorant: one only, May 26 SP. Common Egret: none. CATTLE EGRET: one May 6-10 HIGMA (CG) and one in breeding plumage May 8-10 Wampsville (fide MF, B & SP); these plus a GLOSSY IBIS at and near HIGMA May 7-15 (GG, DBP) were the only southern waders blown in this spring. Least Bittern: arr May 14 Scott Swamp; max nine (Scott Swamp near Phoenix, Clay Swamp, HIGMA) May 22 (ASG). Canada Goose: max 3200 Apr 10 Beaver L and 3000 Apr 16 HIGMA; exodus Apr 17-May 5 (very protracted this season); first broods at HIGMA May 15; dep May 17, seven Onondaga L. Mallard and Black Duck: sharp fall in early Apr with only local pairs about by Apr 12; first Mallard broods May 7 HIGMA. Gadwall: max 12 (low) Apr 2 HIGMA (DBP). Green-winged and Blue-winged Teal: max 40 each Apr 16 and May 7 respectively, both HIGMA; tallies from marshes around Oneida L and Syr thru Apr four-ten/day (very low) for both species. Diving ducks—A large concentration of divers, mainly Canvasback—1200 max—and Greater Scaup—1700 max, both Apr 6, with lesser numbers of Ring-necked Duck (400 Apr 6), Common Goldeneye (200 Apr 7), Oldsquaw (22 Apr 7) graced the Muskrat Bay-Polar Beach sector of Oneida L, a marked change from the virtual absence of these species there last fall; proximity to shore permitted enthralled viewers to see and hear all sorts of weird courtship antics and noises. COMMON SCOTER: only report, a male and two females May 16 Utica (J. Van Dresar). Ruddy Duck: two reports, one Apr 6—11 Oneida L (mob) and three May 5-7 Woodman’s Pond near Hamilton (GLC); very scarce this spring and becoming habitually so. Dep dates for the divers include: Ring-necked Duck May 15 HIGMA (DBP), Canvasback Apr 21 Oneida L (DWA), Greater Scaup May 15 Scott Swamp (CGS), Lesser Scaup May 17 PL (FGS), Common Goldeneye May 15 FHBSP (MSR), Bufflehead May 15 Skaneateles L (R. Seaman), Oldsquaw May 5 DH (JRH). HAWKS—OWLS: Hawks: Hawk migration at Derby Hill was under daily observation by J. R. Haugh assisted by J. R. Bart, Mr. and Mrs. C. Farnham, and JWP with a concomitant wealth of migration data. Total hawks 26,851 with a spectacular peak day Apr 21 with 13,500 plus birds. Summary, each species followed by date range, total number, date range of 90% of birds, and peak day(s) in that order—Turkey Vulture: Apr 6-May 18, 78 (record high); Apr 9-May 3; 22, Apr 21. Goshawk: Feb 24-May 5, 93 (record high); Mar 10-Apr 18; 15, Mar 17. Sharp-shinned: Mar 3-May 18, 5138 (record high); Apr 1-May 8; 2787, Apr 21. Cooper’s: Mar 9-May 5, 127; Mar 17-Apr 29; 17, Apr 21, Red-tailed: Feb 24-May 26, 1307 (record high); Mar 10-Apr 29; 150 Mar 19 and 155 Apr 21. Red¬ shouldered: Mar 3-May 5, 662; Mar 15-Apr 16; 250 plus, Mar 18. Broad-winged: 167 Apr 17-May 26, 18,130; Apr 19-May 5; 10,287 Apr 21, 1738 Apr 29, 1598 May 1, 2106 May 5. Rough-legged: Mar 6-May 3, 144; Mar 13-Apr 30; 19 Apr 2, 13 Apr 21, seven May 1. GOLDEN EAGLE: Mar 18-May 5, 13 (a record tally!); Mar 26-May 1; two, Mar 18 and Apr 21. Bald Eagle: Mar 17-May 5, nine (low); Mar 26-Apr 23; four Apr 21. Marsh: Mar 11-May 26, 378 (record high); Mar 29-May 5; 67 Apr 21, 38 May 5, 35 Apr 20, 20 Apr 29. Osprey: Apr 17-May 18, 204; Apr 19-May 5; 62 Apr 21, 41 Apr 29, 25 Apr 20, 24 May 5. PEREGRINE: an adult Apr 20 is the only spring record! Pigeon Hawk: Mkr 14-May 8, 22 (record high); Apr 3-May 6; four Apr 19, three Apr 29. Sparrow Hawk: Mar 13-May 18, 550 (record high); Mar 26- Apr 30; 100 Apr 19, 113 Apr 20, 56 Apr 21. Shorebirds—GOLDEN PLOVER: first Regional spring record, one molting into breeding plumage Apr 17 Six Mile Creek near Phoenix (MLE, FGS, WT). Black- bellied Plover: only records, one May 22 Salt Rd near HIGMA (ASG, FGS) and one June 2 SP (MSR)—increasingly scarce as spring migrant although undiminished in fall. Ruddy Turnstone: max 23, June 2 SP (MSR). Spotted Sandpiper: max 50, May 15 HIGMA vicinity (DBP), a record spring high. Greater Yellowlegs: arr Apr 9, Seneca R flats; max 50 (record high) Apr 30 near HIGMA; last, May 23 (record dep date) Onondaga L (MSR). Lesser Yellowlegs: arr Apr 10, Dead Creek near Baldwinsville (DBP); max four, Apr 16 HIGMA, quite scarce in contrast to Greater Yellowlegs; last. May 22 near HIGMA. Pectoral Sandpiper: arr Apr 10 and max 30, Apr 30, both Phoenix; last. May 22 Salt Rd pond near HIGMA—record dep date. Short-billed Dowitcher; max 36 May 22 near HIGMA (ASG), a record spring count; last, one May 30 Onondaga L. Sanderling: very scarce; only one report, two June 2 SP (MSR). The increase in certain species and the decline in or absence of other species (e.g. Knot) suggests a marked shift in this spring’s passage of shorebirds. Bonaparte’s Gull: very scarce—arr Ap 5 (late) Oneida L; max 12 (very low) May 8 Delta L (J & BB); last, two imm May 22 Onondaga L. Yellow-billed Cuckoo arr May 15 PL (CGS) and Black-billed May 20 Clay Swamp; very scarce thru entire spring—most observers saw less than ten individual cuckoos of both species: for all of May. Screech Owl: only report, May 15 Clay Swamp (CGS); otherwise unreported by all observers; this owl may have vanished from the area in just four years. Horned Owl: repeatedly observed at Eaton (GLC), Syr (mob), CV, HIGMA (three pairs), PL, Scott Swamp (two pairs). Barred Owl: still at HIGMA Apr 17 (MLE, M. Pastel), PL May 22, Ilion May 28 (KGH). Saw-whet Owl: pair nesting in Wood Duck box at HIGMA produced three fledglings in late May. GOATSUCKERS-STARLING: Whip-poor-will: arr Apr 29 PL; next report May 22, just two heard at Cicero Swamp where normally six-eight may be heard at once; none heard even in late May at PL; was this species decimated by the severe cold of early May? Nighthawk: one May 4 near Oneida L (B & S Peebles) phenomenally early, probably died in the cold weather of early May; next report May 22 Syr, and very scarce thereafter (max two/day) thru May. Chimney Swift: one, Apr 17 Ramona Beach, L Ontario (FGS, MLE, WT), early; max 245 May 8 DH (JWP, MLE); local numbers very good in contrast to the scarce caprimulgids. Yellow- shafted Flicker: first migrants Mar 31; max at DH 774 Apr 30 with passage in numbers to mid-May, e.g. 88 May 15 DH; migrants still passing DH May 23 (JRH). Red-bellied Woodpecker: again at N Camillus (mob), and Scott Swamp Apr 19 (MLE, JWP); new locations—Peppermill Gorge, S Onondaga May 25 (JWP), west side of Otisco L (Bickal); has gradually but steadily expanded from its Seneca R distribution over the past five-six years. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker: scarce as migrants thru both Syr and DH; some 12-20/day at Ilion May 14-23 (KGH) though these may be, in part, breeding birds. BLACK-BACKED WOODPECKER: one, northern Herkimer Co May 29 (SEH), undoubtedly a breeding bird. NORTH¬ ERN THREE-TOED WOODPECKER: a male observed repeatedly Apr 29 to May 22 at Cedarville (KGH), the first modern record for Region outside of the Adirondacks! 168 Eastern Kingbird: arr Apr £6, one DH (JRB); virtually unrecorded in first half of May; 41 passed DH as late as May 24 (JRH). Yellow-bellied Flycatcher: total of seven (somewhat low) May 19-26 in Syr-CV area (mob). Least Flycatcher: max 30 on both May 19 Tully Valley and May 20 CV (JWP), indicating how concen¬ trated the spring flight of this Empidonax was. Olive-sided Flycatcher: unreported as a migrant this season but regularly reported in Adirondack Mt. and Tug Hill Plateau sites. Swallow migration grossly retarded, only Tree Swallows showing Apr tallies over 1000 (2074 Apr 20 and 1111 Apr 29). Early May tallies remained low (more cold- weather effect) and a count of 4300 Bank, 500 Rough-winged, 1050 Barn and 70 Cliff Swallows on May 16 DH (JRH) emphasizers lateness of their migration. Purple Martin: the severe cold spell of early May decimated the Martin population in certain areas; at Chittenango Station Dr. E. Kidd recorded some four alive from a colony of 300 (120 dead in or below the Martin houses); lesser numbers were found dead at Oneida L (R. C. Anderson) and Skaneateles (J. Smith) but the exact extent of loss can only be conjectured; probably it will take four-five years for the local population to build up again. Blue Jay: first migrants at DH Apr 29; heavy flight did not begin until May 6 and best numbers were in latter half of May—575 May 18, 930 May 23, 712 May 24, 619 May 26 (JRH) and approximately 100/hour June 3 (MSR); will these late migrants all breed this summer? Black-capped Chickadee: heavy (2000 plus individuals), protracted migration at DH Apr 12-May 20, with five passing there as late as June 3 (MSR). BOREAL CHICKADEE: singles Apr 10 at Beaver L (FGS) and Skaneateles (R. Seaman) and Apr 17 at DH (mist net capture—JRB, JRH) are undoubtedly returning birds from the 1965-66 winter incursion; last, three at Westmoreland Apr 16 (J & BB). Red-breasted Nuthatch: a few reports in Apr; first migrant May 8 CV; heavy wave May 16 with 25 PL and 25 Oakwood Cemetery, Syr; lesser numbers present thru the next week; last, May 26 Fish Gulf, Otisco L (JWP). Brown Creeper: heavy late Apr flight; 35 Apr 24, combined tally HIGMA—FHBSP (MSR), and 35 Apr 27 Ilion (KGH). Winter Wren: scarce thru entire spring migration, never more than one/day; breeding-ground counts low (three-five/day)—a victim of the severe winter? Carolina Wren: one, Town of Nor¬ way, Herkimer Co May 15 (J & BB) and one Apr 4 Oneida (MF, B & SP). Long¬ billed Marsh Wren arr May 7 Woodman’s Pond (GLC) and Short-billed May 12 CV; both very scarce thru May, max Long-billed five May 21, and singles only of Short-billed May 12 and 15. Mockingbird: a small spate of reports— one at Syr Apr 19-May 10 (MSR); two singles passing DH, May 16 and 24 (JRH) suggest migration. Catbird: arr May 2 Oneida (DWA); above average counts with 30—40/day May 15-23 throughout Region; lower counts last ten days of May. Robin: Apr max 294 Apr 7 and 252 Apr 12 DH (JRH) are low, especially in view of the delayed earlier migration. Wood Thrush: arr May 3 Holland Patent (J. & E. Van Dresar), majority not present until latter half of May—30 May 28-29 Ilion (KGH). Swainson’s and Gray-cheeked Thrush: flight late (arr May 12 Swainson’s, Utica; May 15 Gray-cheeked, Fayetteville —D. Dawley) and very poor —max ten May 21 and two May 22 (JRH) respectively. Veery: heavy late May flight with 40 May 24 (KGH). Blue-gray Gnatcatcher: a vernal invasion—arr May 3 HIGMA (S. H. Spofford); multiple records at FHBSP, CV, N Camillus, Otisco L, Fish Gulf, Scott Swamp, thru May with max eight, May 19 CV. Golden-crowned Kinglet: max 54 Apr 19, 55 Apr 20 DH, and 65 Apr 18 Fish Gulf; smaller numbers into early May, dep May 13 (average). Ruby-crowned Kinglet: max 50 Apr 27 Ilion (KGH) and 40 each day May 7, 8, 10 at CV (JWP); dep May 19 (average). Water Pipit: very poor flight but protracted (Mar 29-May 22); max 30 Apr 30 Verona (DWA); most reports only one-three/day. VIREOS—WARBLERS: arr dates indicate all vireos were tardy—Yellow-throated May 7 HIGMA, Solitary May 8 (very late) CV, Red-eyed May 15 HIGMA, Philadelphia May 16 Syr, Warbling May 3 HIGMA. 169 Black-and-white_ Arrival May 1, 1, Eaton Golden-winged. . May 12, 3, CV Blue-winged. . May 19, 2, Onondaga Indian Res. Tennessee. . May 15, 2, HIGMA Nashville. . May 5, 1, SSSP Parula. . May 16, 7, PL Yellow. . Apr 30, 1, DH Magnolia. May 7, 1, Utica Cape May. . May 14, 1, CV Bl.-thr. Blue. . May 6, 1, PL Myrtle. • Apr 21, 2, PL Bl.-thr. Green. May 1, 1, Pratts Falls Cerulean. . May 7, 2, Wampsville Blackburnian. . May 7, 1, Utica Chestnut-sided. . May 13, 1, CV Bay-brested. . May 16, 4, Syr , ^ , Blackpoll. . May 18, 1, Oneida & Holland Patent Apr 30, 1, Utica Palm. Ovenbird. . May 6, 2, PL N. Waterthrush... .. Apr 22, 1, PL . Apr 22, 1, Fish Gulf La. Waterthrush. . . Mourning. . May 16, 1, Syr Yellowthroat. . May 5, 1, Eaton Wilson’s. . May 15, 1, PL Canada. . May 15, 2, CV Redstart. . May 6 .1 .PL Peak 20, May 17, 19 & 20, Ilion 8, May 20, CV 6, May 26, Otisco & Onondaga Townships 5, May 22, CV 13, May 19, CV 11, May 16, CV 170, May 15 HIGMA-FHBSP 35, May 17, Clay Swamp 20, May 16, Syr 22, May 17, Clay Swamp 150, May 15, HIGMA-FHBSP 35, May 16 & 19, CV 20, May 19, CV 55, May 19, CV 18, May 19, CV 14, May 19, CV 10, May 22, CV 2, May 15, CV-FHBSP 15, May 21, DH 8, May 8, CV-Tully 3, May 19, Fish Gulf 7, May 22, CV 20, May 19, CV-Tully 12, May 16, Syr-CV 24, May 19, CV 40, May 16 & 19, CV Departure May 27, 1, DH May 27, 1, DH May 20, 2, DH May 21, 1, Oneida May 26, 1, Syr May 21, 1, Syr May 22, 2, CV May 26, 1, SSSP May 26, 1, SSSP May 26, 1, SSSP May 24, 2 PL Jun 8, 1, Tully Farms May 19, 1, Eaton May 19, 1, Syracuse May 25, 1, Syr May 22, 1, Clay Swamp Warbler migration is best summarized in table form. The late arrival of all species, the concentration of peak numbers May 15-22 and the abrupt dep dates May 22-26 stand out sharply in the above table. The paucity of the later migrants, particularly Tennessee and Blackpoll, also contrasts sharply with the abundant Magnolia, Cape May, Black-throated Blue, Blackburnian, and Mourn¬ ing Warblers. Prothonotary: only report, a singing male May 27 Short Pt Bay, Oneida L (mob). Blue-winged: five new sites; this species is rapidly expanding its range locally and may be displacing the Golden-winged; in addition, four Brewster’s reported. Orange- crowned: four May 19-22 Syr and CV, about par for spring. Hooded: extremely scarce; no previously known local site occupied by late May. BLACKBIRDS—SPARROWS: Bobolink: first migrants Apr 30, max 409 May 6 (JWP, MLE), both DH; increased numbers at Tully, PL, and Lacona-Sandy Creek section. WESTERN MEADOWLARK: one heard and seen repeatedly Apr 16 to May 5 Willowdale Rd, west shore Otisco L (MSR, mob)—first local record since 1961. Baltimore Oriole: arr May 1 Wampsville (B & SP); few in first half of May but 558 May 16 DH (JRH) is a record tally. Rusty Blackbird: peak 65, Apr 6 Fish Gulf; numerous flock counts 20-40/day thru Apr 23; last, six May 19 (record dep date) White L, DeWitt. Red-winged Blackbird and Grackle: enormous flight Apr 12 DH, 10,000 and 12,200 respectively; a continual but lessening flow thru Apr; both still passing in hundreds to May 6-7. Rose-breasted Grosbeak: first, May 7 (late) HIGMA and Littlejohn GMA; not in numbers (ten-15/day) until May 15, indicating the migration of the majority was as delayed as the few first arrivals. Indigo Bunting: arr May 16 (late) Fayetteville; similar to but later than Rose-breasted Grosbeak with few counts above five/day until the last five days of May. Winter Finches—the common spring '“winter finches” were Evening Grosbeak, Pine Siskin, Redpoll, and Purple Finch. The large wintering population of these species as expected produced some amazing departure dates—Evening Grosbeak May 30, two Wampsville (B & SP); Pine Siskin still present as of May 31 Fayetteville and Syr and may breed; Purple Finch May 24 DH; Redpoll May 3 DH; also Red Crossbill Jun 4, three Tully (MSR) and White-winged Crossbill May 17, two PL. Some enormous flights of winter finches were tabulated at DH, max—Pine Siskin 680, May 16; Redpoll 1435, Apr 20; Evening Grosbeak 80, May 6 (also 83 May 4 Eaton, GLC); 509 Amer. Goldfinch May 16. This extensive diurnal landbird migration and the late dates for such numbers were entirely unknown prior to J. R. Haugh’s work there. Rufous-sided Towhee: first migrant Apr 16 (late) N Syr; not generally present until Apr 22-23; May numbers (12-14/day) much improved. Grasshopper and Henslow’s Sparrow: arr Apr 22 Boliver and Apr 30 TRGMA respectively—about average; numbers very low (one-three/day) thru May, with many former Henslow’s colonies abandoned and very few Grasshopper reported. SHARP-TAILED SPAR¬ ROW: one, May 15, HIGMA (DBP)— first spring record since 1959. Vesper Sparrow: 30 plus Apr 16, 20 Apr 20, DH—much reduced from spring ’65 counts. Slate-colored Junco: extended spring flight (Mar 23-May 19) but daily counts low (20-50/day). Tree Sparrow: dep date Apr 23 DH, early. Chipping Sparrow: max 88 May 6 DH, some 30 May 16 Syr; still migrating thru May 22, HIGMA and CV. White-crowned Sparrow: arr May 3 DH; max 89, May 15 (obviously a flight date) combined Regional tally. White-throated Sparrow: like Junco, a protracted flight with average 14-35/day; max 136 (the only count above 100 for the entire spring) May 15, late; last, May 22 CV. Lincoln’s Sparrow: date range May 15—19 (very short); max three, May 16. Lapland Longspur and Snow Bunting: unreported, even at DH; apparently the brief spell of warm weather Mar 17-23 triggered a total exodus from the area. Please mail summer reports (1 June-15 August) in by 20 August. 427 South Main Street, North Syracuse 13212 171 REGION 6 —ST. LAWRENCE David C. Gordon The daily average temperature for April in Watertown was 47.6, 3.2 degrees higher than normal. The highest temperature, 72, on Apr 22, the lowest 24, Apr 27. Precipitation was 2.18 inches below normal. Snow fell on three days for a total of 1.5 inches. The daily average temperature for May in Watertown was 51.6, 3.9 degrees be¬ low normal. All-time low of 23 degrees for May 23; hottest temperature 86 on May 25. Below normal precipitation for May with a trace of snow May 4. The generally cold spring and lack of moisture seems correlated with a retarded, unspectacular bird migration with some exceptions. There were no warbler waves and although most species were seen at near normal dates they were often fewer in number at first and difficult to locate. Some usually common species were notably scarce or late in arriving. The North Country Bird Club Sanctuary has been renamed as a memorial to the late Joseph A. Blake, Jr., an ardent conservationist and member of the Federation. Localities: BWS— Blake Wildlife Sanctuary; ED—El Dorado; Ont—Ontario; PRGMA—Perch River Game Management Area; Pt Pen—Point Peninsula; SL—St. Lawrence; THP—Tug Hill Plateau; Wat—Watertown. Observers: AA—Arthur Allen; JB—John Belknap; FC—Frank Clinch; DG—David Gordon; RW—Robert Walker. LOONS—DUCKS: Common Loon: Apr 17. Horned Grebe: Apr 9. Pied-billed Grebe: Apr 1. Double-crested Cormorant: nesting on islands in Henderson Bay May. Great Blue Heron: Apr 6; great blue heronry in wooded swamp, PRGMA, had 21 nests at beginning of nesting season, one occupied by Great Horned Owl, pictures taken on visit Apr 16 (DG). Green Heron: Apr 30. Black-crowned Night Heron: May 3 nesting Little Galloo Is. (AA). Amer. Bittern: May 2. Canada Goose:hundreds PRGMA Apr to at least May 7; nesting Little Galloo. Snow Goose: two Apr 2-16 PRGMA. BLUE GOOSE: one Apr 13—16 PRGMA (mob). Mallard and Black Duck: resident in usual numbers. Pintail: last Apr 30. Green-winged Teal: last migrants Apr 30. Blue-winged Teal: scarce until Apr 9. Amer. Widgeon: Apr 2, Shoveler: Apr 9-30. Wood Duck: first Apr 3. Ring-necked Duck: last Apr 30. Greater Scaup: on L Ont until mid-Apr. Lesser Scaup: Apr 2 Pt Pen (DG). Common Goldeneye and Bufflehead: on L Ont until mid-Apr. Oldsquaw: late pair Henderson Harbor May 14 (DG). Hooded Merganser: thru Apr. Common Merganser: Apr 8 Black R near Lowville. Red-breasted Merganser: pair Cape Vincent Apr 2. HAWKS—OWLS: Turkey Vulture: four Adams Cove Apr 9 (DG); two New Boston Apr 11 (DG). Red-tailed Hawk: thru period. Broad-winged Hawk: near Wat Apr 30. Rough-legged Hawk: last Apr 21 (JB). Marsh Hawk: thru period. Osprey: first migrant Apr 21; at nest Yellow L May 24 (AA). Sparrow Hawk; good spring flight first half Apr. Gray Partridge: Sackets Harbor Apr 2; Knowlesville Rd May 7; near Hammond, SL Co May 7. Common Gallinule: Apr 30 PRGMA. Semipalmated Plover: May 28. Killdeer: numerous. Ruddy Turnstone: ED May 28 (AA). Amer. Woodcock: still making flights May 27; three observed Wat (AA). Common Snipe: Apr 9. Upland Plover: first Apr 30. Spotted Sandpiper: Apr 30. Greater Yellowlegs: Apr 13. Lesser Yellowlegs: Apr 30. Pectoral Sandpiper: Apr 30. Least Sandpiper: May 14. Dunlin: May 14. Semipalmated Sandpiper: May 28. Herring Gull: 100 pair est. nesting, center Little Galloo May 3 (AA). Ring-billed Gull: est. 100-120 thousand pair nesting Little Galloo May 3 (AA, JB); numbers up and the species now occupies all available space and is believed to be the largest such colony in the world. The early history of the Ring-billed Gull in New York State has been detailed by Belknap (Kingbird 5:63-4, 1955); the number nesting on Little Galloo at that time was 45,000 pairs. Bonaparte’s Gull: one, spring plumage 172 Apr 30 PRGMA (DG). Common Tern: May 2. Black Tern: Apr 30. Mourning Dove: Apr 16. Yellow-billed Cuckoo: May 20 Knowlesville Rd (AA). Black-billed Cuckoo: May 23. Great Horned Owl: PRGMA Apr 16. Snowy Owl: one imm and one adult Pt Pen Apr 2 (DG). Short-eared Owl: May 2 PRGMA (RW); May 7 near Brown- ville (AA). GOATSUCKERS—STARLING: Common Nighthawk: May 23. Chimney Swift: May 8. Ruby-throated Hummingbird: May 21. Belted Kingfisher: Apr 1. Flicker: heavy flight Apr 23 into early May. Pileated Woodpecker: S. Edwards, near Hammond, near PRGMA, near Wat May (AA, RW), Red-headed Woodpecker: Wat May 21 (FC). Yellow-bellied Sapsucker: Apr 23. Hairy and Downy Woodpeck¬ ers: usual numbers. Eastern Kingbird: May 7. Crested Flycatcher: May 14. Eastern Phoebe: Apr 2. Traill’s Flycatcher: May 30 Wat, new station(AA). Least Flycatcher: May 18. Wood Pewee: May 21. Olive-sided Flycatcher; May 21, upper Whetstone Gulf, new station (DG). Horned Lark: summer resident. Tree Swallow: Apr 9. Bank Swallow: Apr 30. Rough-winged Swallow: May 28. Barn Swallow: Apr 30. Cliff Swallow: May 7; colonies near Constableville and Highmarket, THP doing well May 21. Purple Martin: Apr 9. Brown Creeper: Apr 16. House Wren: May 11. Winter Wren: May 1. Long-billed Marsh Wren: May 23. Mockingbird: May 7, Hammond (RW). Catbird: May 7. Brown Thrasher: Apr 27. Robin: heavy migration over THP Apr 11 (DG). Wood Thrush: May 8. Hermit Thrush: Apr 23. Swainson’s Thrush: May 15. Veery: May 14. Bluebird: male near Diamond, THP Apr 23; pair Osceola THP Apr 27; male PRGMA May 7, three PRGMA May 28. Golden-crowned Kinglet: May 16; seemed scarce. Ruby-crowned Kinglet: migrants Apr 23-May 14. Water Pipit: May 14 PRGMA and ED (RW, DG). Cedar Waxwing: wanderers seen in May. Loggerhead Shrike: Apr 4 thru period. VIREOS—WARBLERS: Yellow-throated Vireo: May 8 BWS (FC). Solitary Vireo: May 1. Red-eyed Vireo: May 15. Warbling Vireo: May 14. Warblers: Black-and-white: May 1. Nashville: May 7. Parula: May 21 (Houghton). Yellow: May 4. Magnolia: May 16. Black-throated Blue: May 15. Myrtle: Apr 27 Osceola, THP; Apr 30 Felts Mills Creek. Black-throated Green: May 7. Cerulean: May 19. Blackburnian: May 14. Chestnut-sided: May 14. Bay¬ breasted: May 20 S. Edwards, SL Co. Blackpoll: migrants May 20-29. Palm: May 7 PRGMA. Ovenbird: May 11. Northern Waterthrush: May 1 S. Edwards, SL Co (AA). Louisiana Waterthrush: two May 15 Washington Pk (RW). Mourning: May 21 near Burrville, Jefferson Co (AA); May 21 Michigan Mills, THP (DG). Yellow- throat: May 15, Canada: May 20. Amer. Redstart: May 16. BLACKBIRDS-SPARROWS: Bobolink: May 2. Red-winged Blackbird: first fe¬ males Apr 16; hordes of redwings and grackles migrating over THP Apr 11. Baltimore Oriole: May 14. Rusty Blackbird: Apr 16. Scarlet Tanager: May 15. Rose-breasted Grosbeak: May 11. Indigo Bunting: May 24, late. Evening Grosbeak: last at feeder May 25 (FC); numbers decreased about May 7; 236 banded Apr 1- May 18 Wat (FC). Purple Finch: scattered records Apr 20 thru May; summer resident THP. Pine Siskin: first week May Wat (FC); May 15 Gouverneur (JB). Goldfinch: usually scarce until May 15. Rufous-sided Towhee: Apr 30. Savannah Sparrow: Apr 23. Vesper Sparrow: Apr 17. Slate-colored Junco: migrants seen Wat vicinity until May 7. Tree Sparrow: last at feeder Apr 21 (FC); numbers dwindled first week Apr. Chipping Sparrow: Apr 23. Field Sparrow: Apr 23. White-crowned Sparrow: May 7-24 Wat (mob). White-throated Sparrow: Apr 19-May 15; pair nesting near Wat (AA). Fox Sparrow: Apr 16-26. Swamp Sparrow: Apr 30 Stony Pt (RW) early; May 7 Wat (AA, DG). 1347 Sherman St., Watertown, N.Y. 13601 Ed. Note: The ? after adult (referring to Snowy Owl) in the previous report (May Kingbird, p. 113) was a typographical error and is regretted. 173 REGION 7 —ADIRONDACK-CHAMPLAIN Harriet L. Delafield The spring of 1966 was late, cold and damp in the Adirondacks. At least that is the impression left with us. We quote the first sentence of Bob Kampf’s weather report: “For the first thirteen days of April snow fell, of measurable amount, in each and every day/' The rest of April was about average but May took a slide down. Kampf confirms as follows: “The last snow of the season came on May 9 and 10, totalling four inches with three inches remaining on the ground for two to three days.” This weather seemed to hold back warblers in particular. They were anywhere from two or three days to two weeks late. In fact, when we left for the Federation meeting at Lido Beach on May 17, we had not seen a single vireo or warbler of any kind in the area. J. Merritt wrote us of a female Common Merganser rescued from the Bloomingdale chimney of A. D. Sievwright on Memorial Day. Merritt had never known of a merganser in a chimney nor had we but we did hear that the weekend was enlivened by hail so it was any port in a storm for the merganser I suppose. Interesting for the period were the comparatively numerous reports of Rufous¬ sided Towhees and the numbers of mimids, especially the Mockingbird at 1700 feet. Observers: EA—Elizabeth Anderson; ED—Ethel Dyer; HD—Harriet Delafield; JH—Joseph Hart; RH—Richard Hagar; GK—Grace Kains; JK—Joseph Keji; MK— Marguerite Kingsbury; FW—F Wardenburg; DY—David Young. Abbreviations: Aus M—Ausable Marsh; B—brook; P—pond; RB—Ray Brook; SL— Saranac Lake; TL—Tupper Lake. LOONS—DUCKS: Common Loon: two Duck P May 11, one Meecham L May 13, two McKenzie P May 15, one Derrick May 19 (JH); one TL Apr 16 (MK). Horned Grebe: early May Essex (FW). Great Blue Heron: one Saranac R Apr 17 (RH); one Gabriels May 6, Paul Smiths May 11, Mud P May 12, Aus M May 26 (JH); two RB May 20 (JK); one SL Apr 7 thru May 15 (GK). Amer Bittern: one Saranac R Apr 17 (RH); one Upper Chateaugay May 5, Aus M May 26, Grass P May 26 (JH); one May 26 RB (JK) Canada Goose: good flights in mid-Apr; Apr 18 seven flocks totalling 215 birds between 11:15 a.m. and 7:05 p.m. SL (GK); May 5 five flocks Town of Inlet (JH); May 6 “a string” RB (JK). Mallard: three pair Saranac R Apr 17 (RH). Black Duck: usual small numbers scattered on ponds and rivers thru area; 14 Apr 17 TL (MK). Green-winged Teal: pair seen in a snowstorm at RB (JK). Blue-winged Teal: pair Apr 12 Lewis (RH); two pair Coopersville Apr 28 (EA & HD). Wood Duck: pair Franklin Falls Apr 16, Saranac R Apr 17 (RH); one Aus M May 26 (JH). Ring-necked Duck: JH reports good numbers Apr 19 to May 24, 26 May 11 Jones P, five pair May 24, Jones P; 11 TL Apr 17, two TL May 9 (MK). Scaup (spp?): seven males, two females L Champlain Apr 28 (EA &HD). Common Goldeneye: pair courting TL Apr 10 (RH); 11 Apr 19, nine Apr 17 TL (MK). Bufflehead: one Apr 2, five Apr 16 TL (MK). Common Scoter: pair Essex May 10 (FW). Hooded Merganser: one Paul Smiths, four Slush P May 11, two Grass P May 12, one McColloms May 19 (JH); pair Apr 29, three May 7 RB (JK); four Apr 2, six Apr 16, four Apr 17 TL, pair May 13 RB (MK). Common Merganser: numbers TL Apr 10 (RH); max 14 Apr 17 TL (MK); one female May 1-13 RB (JK); early May Essex (FW); one May 30 Bloomingdale (Seivwright). Red-breasted Merganser: early May Essex (FW). HAWKS—OWLS: Goshawk: nest with eggs May 15, three young May 29 Jay, one imm May 12 Keene (RH). Sharp-shinned Hawk: one chasing Red-winged Blackbird Apr 15 RB (JK). Red-shouldered Hawk: one Apr 17 Saranac R (RH). Broad-winged Hawk: one Beekmantown May 5, Owls Head May 9, Meecham L 174 May 13 (JH); one Apr 25-May 13 RB (JK &MK); one Apr 25 and May 10 SL (HD). No eagles. Marsh Hawk: one May 8, two May 15, one May 26 SL (GK); one male near Canadian border Apr 26, one female SL May 4 (HD). Osprey: one Deer R Flow May 5, Plattsburg May 18 (JH); one May 7-24 RB (JK). Sparrow Hawk: one or two Apr 3-29 SL, pairing n. of West Chazy Apr 28 (HD). Spruce Grouse: one May 19 Derrick (JH). Ruffed Grouse: two drumming Union Falls May 24 (JH); drumming late Apr thru period RB (JK); one or two seen Apr 18- May 29 SL (GK). Killdeer: two Plattsburg Apr 19 (Buckley); two May 28 RB (JK). Amer. Woodcock: average numbers according to singing ground surveys. Common Snipe: two TL May 9 (MK). Spotted Sandpiper: May 21 Jay (RH); early May Essex (FW); May 12 and 17 RB (JK). Solitary Sandpiper: RB, one May 14 (MK) and May 19 (JK). Herring Gull: two Apr 7 and May 5 RB (JK); six Saranac R Apr 14 (HD); several TL Apr 16 (MK). Mourning Dove: one Apr 22 SL (ED); one RB Apr 29 and May 17 (JK). Barred Owl: one May 28 Jay (RH). GOATSUCKERS—STARLING: Common Nighthawk: arr Ticonderoga May 23, SL May 24 (MK). Chimney Swift: arr May 6 SL (HD), May 7 RB (JK). Ruby- throated Hummingbird: May 18 Keene (RH); May 20 RB (JK); May 29 SL (GK). Belted Kingfisher: two Upper Chateaugay May 5, two Paul Smiths May 11, one Union Falls May 24, one Aus M May 26 (JH); two RB May 1 (JK); one SL May 31 (GK). Yellow-shafted Flicker: back Apr 18, RB (JK) and SL (HD). Pileated Woodpecker: one May 12 Mud P (JH); one May 20 and 22 RB (JK); one May 1 and 26 SL (GK). Yellow-bellied Sapsucker: Apr 17 RB (JK); May 14 SL (GK). Hairy and Downy Woodpeckers: normal. Eastern Kingbird: May 19 RB (JK); two May 20 SL (GK). Great Crested Flycatcher: May 17 and 19 RB (JK). Eastern Phoebe: Apr 2 Wilmington (RH); Apr 17 Santa Clara (HD); Apr 18 RB (JK); Apr 19 SL (GK). Yellow-bellied Flycatcher: May 22 one, RB (JK &MK). Traill’s Flycatcher: May 31 RB (JK). Least Flycatcher: May 8 Jay (RH); May 17 RB (JK); May 21 SL (GK). Eastern Wood Pewee: one May 28 and 31 RB (JK); two May 25 SL (GK). Olive-sided Flycatcher: one May 26 Lewis (RH); one May 22 RB (JK). Horned Lark: 30 Apr 11 and one Apr 15, Norman’s Ridge (EA & HD); two May 22 SL (MK). Tree Swallow: arr TL Apr 10 (RH); four Apr 15 SL (HD); Apr 18 RB (JK). Bank Swallow: two May 14 RB (MK); May 24 SL (ED). Rough-winged Swallow: flying with Barn Swallows in a storm with snow on their backs over Ray Brook (JK). Barn Swallow: arr May 3, 30 May 10 SL (HD); May 5 RB (JK). Cliff Swallow: one May 2, six May 14 RB (JK). Blue Jay: normal. Common Crow: everywhere, 25 Apr 11 Norman’s Ridge (HD). Black-capped Chickadee: normal. Boreal Chickadee: two Apr 17 Santa Clara Rd (HD); two Apr 19 RB (JK); one May 18-25 SL (GK). White-breasted and Red¬ breasted Nuthatches: normal. Brown Creeper: singing Apr 17 Santa Clara Rd (EA & HD); thru period RB (JK); SL Apr 28 (ED), May 6 (GK). House Wren: RH asks “where are these birds that used to be so numerous around the village a few years ago;” back at Essex in early May, no numbers given (FW). Winter Wren: Apr 27, May 8 and May 19 RB (JK). Mockingbird: May 14 Trudeau Rd, SL (EA & HD); May 12 Gabriels (DY). Catbird: arr May 18 SL (GK); May 20 RB (JK). Brown Thrasher: to quote DY “moving in.” Robin: normal; 36 RB Apr 18 (JK). Wood Thrush: good numbers in all areas reporting. Hermit Thrush: better numbers than 1965. Grey-checked Thrush: two Avalanche Pass May 29 (MK). Veery: our commonest thrush as for past few years. Eastern Bluebird: one Cadyville Apr 26 (EA & HD); May 8 LP (RH); Apr 21 and May 18 RB (JK). Golden- crowned Kinglet: Apr 20 RB (JK); three Apr 21 Paul Smiths (HD). Ruby-crowned Kinglet: Apr 19 thru period RB (JK); two Apr 21 Paul Smiths (HD). Water Pipit: 35-40 May 3 “very few comparatively” Gabriels (DY); four May 19 RB (JK). Cedar Waxwing: 20 May 27 SL (GK). Loggerhead Shrike: one Apr 19 SL (EA & 175 HD). Starling: large migratory numbers; six nestlings May 28 Vermontville chimney (ED). VIREOS-WARBLERS: Solitary Vireo: May 18, 19 and 22 RB (JK). Red-eyed Vireo: May 26 RB (JK). Philadelphia Vireo: three near Marcy Dam May 29, “two heard singing, one well observed” (MK). Warbling Vireo: one May 27 between Keene and Elizabethtown (RH). Warblers: Black-and-white: May 18 Keene (RH), RB (JK), and SL (GK). Nashville: May 15 Jay (RH); three May 19 RB (JK). Parula: May 18 RB (JK). Yellow: May 16 SL (RH); May 19 RB (JK). Magnolia: May 18 Keene (RH) and RB (JK); May 19 Derrick (JH). Black-throated Blue: three May 7 RB (JK); May 18 Keene (RH). Myrtle: May 8 Keene (JH); May 1-17 RB (JK); May 19 Derrick (JH); three May 28 SL (GK). Black-throated Green: three May 6 RB (JK); May 15 Jay (RH); May 19 Derrick (JH). Blackburnian: May 18 and 19 RB (JK); Marcy Dam Trail May 29 (MK). Chestnut-sided: May 15 Jay (RH); May 17 SL (GK); three May 18 RB (JK). Bay-breasted: May 18 and 19 RB (JK). Ovenbird: three May 9 RB (JK); May 15 Jay (RH); May 24 SL (GK). Mourning Warbler: heard May 24 RB (JK); May 31 SL (RH). Yellowthroat: three May 17 RB (JK); May 17 SL (GK); May 18 Keene (RH). Canada Warbler: May 20 RB (JK). Amer. Redstart: May 18 Keene (RH) and RB (JK); two May 25 SL (GK). BLACKBIRDS—SPARROWS: House Sparrow: many everywhere but RB (JK reports one flying away Apr 16). Bobolink: one May 1 RB (MK); three May 19 RB (JK). Eastern Meadowlark: first, one Apr 1 SL (EA & HD). Red-winged Blackbird: first female Apr 5, 100 plus males Apr 11 SL (HD); “daily” RB (JK). Baltimore Oriole: May 18 SL (H Hughes); May 18 Keene (RH); May 24 RB (JK). Rusty Blackbird: Apr 17 SR (RH). Common Grackle: many thru period all areas. Brown-headed Cowbird: many thru period all areas; 100 plus Apr 9 SL (HD). Scarlet Tanager: heard May 23 RB (JK). Cardinal: one female, well studied, SL Apr 16 (ED). Rose-breasted Grosbeak: all reporters and many casual observers have had the pleasure of this species during the period. Evening Grosbeak: few all areas thru period; last numbers, 15 May 15 SL (GK). Purple Finch: no large numbers reported; 15-20 until early June Gabriels (DY). Common Redpoll: four Apr 11 SL (GK); last Apr 21 RB (JK). Pine Siskin: two thru May 30 RB (JK). Amer. Goldfinch: small flock Apr 26 SL (HD); May 17 thru period RB (JK). Rufous-sided Towhee: more reports than we have had before; one male Apr 28-30 SL (EA, GK & HD); one male SL May 10 (ED); one male Apr 30-May 13 RB, one female May 12 RB (JK). Savannah Sparrow: 11 Apr 17 TL (MK); eight Apr 18 RB (JK); singing Apr 23 SL (HD). Vesper Sparrow: two Santa Clara Rd Apr 17 (EA & HD); one TL Apr 17 (MK); three Apr 18 RB (JK). Slate-colored Junco: some large flocks reported in contrast to 1964 and 1965; 75 Apr 28 Forestdale Rd, beyond Franklin Falls (EA & HD). Tree Sparrow: small numbers until May 26. Chipping Sparrow: three Apr 23 SL (ED); three May 7 RB (JK). Field Sparrow: Apr 17 RB (JK); May 6 SL (HD). White-crowned Sparrow: small flocks (2-8) May 4-24 Gabriels, RB, SL. White-throated Sparrow: four Apr 19 SL (ED); first Apr 22 RB (JK). Fox Sparrow: one Apr 16, two Apr 19, one May 8 SL (ED); one Apr 18, 27 and 28 RB (JK). Lincoln’s Sparrow: two May 20 and 22 RB (JK). Swamp Sparrow: May 7 RB (JK); singing May 9 TL (MK). Song Sparrow: thru period; flocks of 12 plus Apr 16 and 28 SL (ED). Trudeau Road, Saranac Lake, N.Y. 12983 176 REGION 8 —MOHAWK-HUDSON Peter P. Wickham Both April and May were cold months, averaging 44.0 and 53.9 degrees, 2.2 and 4.0 degrees below normal, respectively, at Albany. Precipitation totalled 1.46 in., 1.31 in. below average, in Apr, and 2.35 in., 1.12 in. below average, in May. Warm periods included Apr 15-19 and Apr 21—23, May 5-6, 14-15, and 20-29. The end of Apr and beginning of May was a most noticeable cold period, and had a remarkable effect on the spring landbird migration. Surprisingly, the shorebird migration did not seem noticeably influenced by the cold weather, and proceeded nearly on schedule. Despite considerably higher water levels this year, we again enjoyed a good number and variety of these birds, with the highlight the first Regional record for Willet. (Where were these birds going?) A flight of Dowitcher resulting in unprecedented numbers in Region 8 was also out¬ standing. Rails and gallinules were much more common than in the past two years perhaps due to the higher water levels this year. Ducks were also seen in good numbers; a scoter and Oldsquaw flight on May 8 was especially noteworthy. The landbird migration, however, was even more interesting. Due to the cold weather from Apr 25-May 14, the usual Apr migrants, such as sapsuckers, kinglets. Hermit Thrush, etc., lingered well into May. On the other hand, many migrants normally arriving in late Apr or early May were held up. On May 5 and especially the night of May 5—6 the weather moderated, and a fine wave was observed of a good variety of landbirds, including many warblers, on May 6. However, the cold weather returned the following night, and many of these birds just disappeared. Finally on May 14 and subsequently, temperatures moderated and there was a great rush of landbirds through the Region during the following week, particularly from May 16—20. The remainder of the month seemed more “normal.” Other features of the period included: 1) an impressive increase in the numbers of gnatcatchers and Mockingbirds in the Region, 2) a continuing low population of hawks and owls—with the exception of the Sparrow Hawk, 3) a heavy tern migration and 4) a very poor cuckoo flight. Unusual species recorded, other than those mentioned above, included Red- throated Loon, Double-crested Cormorant, Cattle Egret, Mute Swan, Shoveler, Bald Eagle, Black-bellied Plover, White-rumped Sandpiper, Short-billed Marsh Wren, Loggerhead Shrike, Philadelphia Vireo, Brewster's Warbler, Cerulean Warbler, Connecticut Warbler, Dickcissel and Lincoln's Sparrow. Abbreviations used: BCM—Black Creek Marshes; BRD—Barney Road Develop¬ ment area, near Clifton Park; CL—Collins Lake; EG—East Greenbush; GL—Glenville Landfill; IL—Indian Ladder; JL—Jenny Lake; MR—Mohawk River; Nisk—Niskayuna; NWW—Niskayuna Wide Waters; RL—Round Lake; SCR—Stony Creek Reservoir; SL—Saratoga Lake; TR—Tomhannock Reservoir; VFG—Vischer Ferry Game Man¬ agement Area. Observers: ADBC—Alan Devoe Bird Club; GCBC—Greene County Bird Club; SBC—Schenectady Bird Club; GB—Buy Bartlett; JHB, BB—James and Barbara Bush; HFB—Hazel Bundy; JC—Juanita Cook; HE—Hazel Eddy; PE, GE—Paul and Georgia Erlenbach; MF—Marjorie Foote; EH—Esly Hallenbeck; BH—Barry Havens; MK— Marcia Kent; CK—Clarissa Ketcham; MDM—Mary Mickle; PM—Peggy McGuirk; WBS—Walton Sabin; BRS—Benton Seguin; DS, MS—David and Muriel Stoner; PPW—Peter Wickham; RPY—Robert Yunick; bsh—Bartlett, Seguin and Havens. LOONS-DUCKS: Common Loon: Apr 2 SL (GB, PPW) to May 25 SL (BRS). RED-THROATED LOON: two reports—Apr 2 Lock 6, MR (PPW, DS) and May 11 NWW (PPW). Red-necked Grebe: only report, five Apr 9-10 RL (GB, BRS, PPW). 177 Horned Grebe: many Apr reports, last May 14 SL (SBC). Pied-billed Grebe: at least ten Apr reports, last May 14 in several areas (ADBC, SBC),. DOUBLE- CRESTED CORMORANT: most spring reports in many years—Apr 19 and 23 SL (bsh) and May 5-17 MR (mob). Great Blue Heron: more reports this spring than last, throughout period. CATTLE EGRET: only report one at a farm pond near Catskill May 8 (JHB, BB, Catherine Thorne, Emmy Rusack). Common Egret: one Apr 10 Embought (JHB)—very early, only report. Green Heron: late most areas. Black-crowned Night Heron: only report—an adult at CL May 8 (David Harrison, John Steadwell). Amer. Bittern: first, Apr 17 BCM (bsh). MUTE SWAN: a pair at Embought during Apr and May (GCBC); two seen flying up MR near VFG May 1 (bsh); one at VFG from May 1 on (mob); a pair at SCR during May (fide BRS). Canada Goose: flights continued thru Apr to mid-May, most flocks small (less than 50 birds). Brant: large flock at Catskill May 23 (JHB) only record. Snow Goose: only one, Apr 17 Embought (JHB). Amer. Widgeon: many reports thru Apr, last Apr 28 (BRS) and Apr 29, Catskill (JHB). Pintail: many in Apr, last May 1 (bsh). Green-winged Teal: reported thru period, last May 24 SCR (HFB) and May 28 Averill Pk (WBS). SHOVELER: one to three Mar 31-Apr 10 NWW (mob), four Apr 6 Vly Marsh (JHB), four Apr 16 TR (SBC), and two Apr 23 TR (PPW)—more reports than usual. Ring-necked Duck: reported thru May 14, late (ADBC, SBC). Canvasback: several reports early Apr; max eight Apr 2 (HFB, PM); last Apr 17 (bsh). Scaup: seen in good numbers through May 14, last May 15 Alplaus (HFB). Common Goldeneye: last May 8 SL (GB, BRS). Bufflehead: many reports to mid-May, last May 25 SL (BRS). Old- squaw: reported Apr 9-May 8, max 18 May 8 (GB, BRS), White-winged Scoter: reported Apr 24-May 13, max 100 May 8 SL (GB, BRS) and 40 May 8 Nisk (EH). COMMON SCOTER: reported Apr 24-May 8 SL, max 10 May 8 (GB, BRS). No Surf Scoter reports. Ruddy Duck: only reports Apr 23—24 RL and SL (SBC), max eight Apr 23 (PPW). Hooded Merganser: last reports May 8 (EH, GB, BRS). Common Merganser: numbers peaked first week in Apr, max 145 Apr 2 (GB, BH) and 151 Apr 3, Stockport (PPW), rapidly dwindled in numbers, last May 14 (SBC). Red-breasted Merganser: reported well into May, last May 19 (GB, BRS). HAWKS—OWLS: Turkey Vulture: reports scattered thru Apr and May, all in southern half of Region. Sharp-shinned Hawk: three reports, Apr 10-May 19. Cooper’s Hawk: three reports, Apr 25-May 14. Red-tailed Hawk: reported from all sections, but not common. Red-shouldered Hawk: at least seven individuals re¬ ported during period. Broad-winged Hawk: poor flight Apr 26-May 14, max only five Apr 30 Greene Co (SBC). Rough-legged Hawk: last Apr 3 Meadowdale (GB, BH). BALD EAGLE: an immature over CL Apr 8 (EH) and an adult over VFG Apr 30 (EH). Marsh Hawk: many reports thru May 18, max six Apr 30 VFG (EH). Osprey: Apr 15 VFG (HFB) to May 15, several areas (ADBC, SBC)- somewhat late. Sparrow Hawk: good migration, max 16 Apr 9 and Apr 10 (bsh). Bobwhite: reports from Alplaus, Coxsackie, Meadowdale, Nisk and Columbia Co. Virginia Rail: first Apr 10 BCM (bsh), widely Apr 23-30, max six, more than the previous two years. Sora: Apr 23 BCM (GB, BH) to May 15 BCM (SBC)—several reports. Common Gallinule: several May reports from BCM, VFG, and NWW. Amer. Coot: several reports, Apr 9 SL (bsh) to May 14 BCM (SBC). Semipalmated Plover: May 14 (SBC) thru end of May, max eight May 30 BRD (PPW). BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER: one May 14 NWW (PPW, Carl Parker)- only record. Upland Plover: first Apr 30 (GB, BRS)—reported from Meadowdale, Niskayuna and Colonie. Spotted Sandpiper: first Apr 22 West Glenville (EH), most arr first half of May. Solitary Sandpiper: May 7 Embought (JHB)—May 27 GL (RPY), max 20 May 15 (SBC). WILLET: first Regional record—four sitting on some pilings at Lock 7, Nisk on May 17. The birds remained all afternoon without moving. 178 other than to occasionally stretch or preen, revealing the black and white wing pattern (BRS, GB, HE, MS, RPY). They were not present the following morning. Greater Yellowlegs: Apr 23 BCM (GB, BH) to May 26 BRD (PPW), max six May 8 (GB, BRS). Lesser Yellowlegs: singles at Greenville May 7 (CK), GL May 19 (RPY) and BRD May 31 (BRS). Pectoral Sandpiper: only reports May 14 (SBC). WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER: one May 31 BRD—only report (BRS). Least Sandpiper: many reports, May 14 to end of period. Dunlin: more than usual; two NWW May 11-14 (PPW); two GL May 16, one (banded) reappeared May 19 (RPY); one May 19 RL (GB, BRS) and one May 30-31 BRD (BRS, PPW). Dowitcher: an abrupt and unprecedented movement occurred on May 22, when about 100 were observed in the Medusa area (MK) and 74 were at BRD (RPY); no other reports of these or other birds on other dates. Semipalmated Sandpiper: only reports May 19 and May 26-29 GL, max two, very low (RPY) and one BRD May 30-31 (PPW, BRS). Great Black-backed Gull: after first week of Apr only a few, last May 14 (ADBC, SBC). Herring and Ring-billed Gulls remained thru period. Bonaparte’s Gull: good flight, Apr 17 to May 18, max 16 May 17 Lock 7 (RPY). Common Tern: Apr 24 to May 14, max 26 May 1 (bsh). Black Tern: May 7 Greenville (CK) to May 19 (GB, BRS), max at least 30, widespread, May 14 (ADBC, SBC). Yellow-billed Cuckoo: very poor flight, first May 6 Karner (WBS); a few reported May 14-31. Black-billed Cuckoo: even poorer flight, only four reports, from May 23 on. Screech Owl: only one report, Columbia Co May 14 (ADBC). Horned Owl: several reported from various areas, some with young. Barred Owl: reported only at JL (GB). Saw-whet Owl: one netted and banded Apr 19 at Nisk (RPY) and another seen and heard in Old Chatham during Apr (mob). GOATSUCKERS-STARLING: Whip-poor-will: first May 7 Kiskatom (JHB), most reports May 19 on—either late or not calling. Common Nighthawk: first May 14 Albany (SBC). Chimney Swift: first Apr 22 Greenville (CK); most arr early May. Ruby-throated Hummingbird: first May 14, several areas; many May 18-27. Belted Kingfisher: widely reported thru period. Red-headed Woodpecker: only report—one May 7 Embought (JHB). Yellow-bellied Sapsucker: good migration, Apr 13 Ghent (PE, GE) to May 18 (GB, BRS)—definitely extended due to cold weather. Eastern Kingbird: first Apr 29 Rotterdam (RPY); next reports May 6-7, most birds decidedly late. Crested Flycatcher: first May 6 EG (PPW). Yellow-bellied Flycatcher: again reported from JL (probable nesting area) May 30-31 (GB). Traill’s Flycatcher: May 14 to end of month, most arr May 25-30. Least Flycatcher: first May 5 Castleton (PPW)—late; seemed scarce thru May 14. Wood Pewee: first May 14 (ADBC) (SBC), most arr May 20-27. Olive-sided Flycatcher: only reports May 24 BCM (BRS) and May 28 near Berlin (SBC). Tree Swallow: reported widely Apr 2-7. It appeared to at least one observer (RPY) that the last week in Apr with its attendant cold weather was especially hard on swallows, with Tree Swallows most affected. In most places, nesting attempts were sporadic and delayed throughout Apr and well into May, in contrast with recent years. Bank Swallow: arr Apr 23-30 in marked influx. The colony at GL numbered only about 330 nest holes on May 24 compared with 550-600 in 1964 and 1965 (RPY). Rough-winged Swallow: marked influx Apr 22-30, many areas. Barn Swallow: first Apr 9 VFG (BRS), but most arr Apr 21 on. Cliff Swallow: first Apr 14 Durham (Vernon Haskins) but most much later, migration peaking about May 7. Purple Martin: first Apr 19 (BRS); reported at Durham, Glenville, Helderberg L, Nisk and Saratoga. Tufted Titmouse: no noticeable increase, but seen and heard regularly in many valley areas. Red-breasted Nuthatch: winter feeder visitors disappeared in early Apr; few migrants reported, last May 18 Nisk (HFB, PM) and May 20 Burnt Hills (HFB, MF)—somewhat late. Brown Creeper: reported throughout period, main migration Apr 25-May 7. House Wren: only one Apr record—Apr 27 Chatham 179 (MDM); next records May 4 (late) and thereafter. Winter Wren: poor flight- reported Apr 23-May 14, Long-billed Marsh Wren: first May 7 BCM (SBC). SHORT-BILLED MARSH WREN: one report-May 7 BCM (SBC). Mockingbird: a further increase in this area in late Apr and May, when individuals were reported from several new localities. Several nests have already been reported. Catbird: first Apr 30 (GB, BRS); widely May 4-11. Brown Thrasher: first Apr 18 Alplaus (HFB) — a gradual migration in most areas. Wood Thrush: first Apr 22 Westerlo (MK); slow influx, reported widely by May 10. Hermit Thrush: more than usual, Apr 21 Nisk (RPY) to May 18 (GB, BRS). Swainson’s Thrush: May 10 Nisk (RPY) to May 27 Castleton (PPW). Gray-cheeked Thrush: three reports, May 14-16. Veery: first May 5, slightly late. Eastern Bluebird: rare in suburban areas, but doing fairly well in outlying rural sections. Golden-crowned Kinglet: a few reports in late Apr, last May 14 (late) (SBC). Ruby-crowned Kinglet: protracted migration, Apr 20-May 21; on May 14 more than 100 were recorded by some groups (SBC). BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER: more common than ever before: reported from near Castleton (at least three birds), Meadowdale (four localities), RL (one), Gallupville (two, building a nest), Kiskatom (two), Greenville (one) and Catskill (one, found dead) -first Apr 23 BCM (BRS). Water Pipit: reported May 14 (ADBC) and May 20 Coxsackie (JHB, BB). Cedar Waxwing: quite scarce until beginning of May, then seen sporadically in all sections. LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE: one at Kiskatom Apr 23 (JHB, BB) and an adult shrike—probably of this species—was observed critically eyeing some mist nets at GL May 26 (RPY). VIREOS—WARBLERS: Vireos: Yellow-throated: first May 5 Castleton (PPW); most had either not arr or were not singing until May 15-20. Solitary: May 6-20, late. Red-eyed: first May 14 (ADBC, SBC), more widely the following week. PHILADELPHIA VIREO: one report-May 18 IL (GB, BRS). Warbling: first Apr 28 Alplaus (HFB); next May 5 Castleton; no other reports before May 131 Warblers: Black-and-white: first Apr 23 Greenville (CK). Worm-eating: only report, May 14 IL (SBC). Golden-winged: first May 14 (SBC), widely the following week. Blue-winged: first May 6 Defreestville (PPW), next reports May 14-18. BREWSTER’S: near Catskill May 15 (JHB, BB), near New Salem May 18 (GB, BRS) and at two localities in Guilderland (fide WBS). No Lawrence’s Warblers reported. Tennessee: extremely poor migration, May 7 Meadowdale (SBC) to May 18 Nisk (PPW). Nashville: first May 6 EG (several) (PPW)—already late then, yet most observers did not record it until May 14—16. Parula: May 7 BCM (SBC) to May 22 IL (HFB, PM). Yellow: first Apr 30, several areas (SBC). Magnolia: May 6-22, no large waves noted. Cape May: one May 7 Kiskatom (JHB); all other reports May 14-22. Black-throated Blue: May 6-25, fairly good numbers noted. Myrtle: notable influx Apr 22-24 several areas, last May 25 SL (BRS). Black- throated Green: first May 1 Vly (GCBC), more widely May 6-8 and thereafter. Blackburnian: first May 6 Defreestville (PPW); noticeable influx May 16-20. CERULEAN: a singing male observed May 27 in same grove of trees near Castleton in which a pair was seen last year (PPW)—only report. Chestnut-sided: first May 6 Karner (WBS), more widely May 13-15 (late). Bay-breasted: short migration, May 16-24. Blackpoll: May 14 (ADBC) to end of period. Pine: five reports of migrants, Apr 22 Schodack (Lee and Virginia Burland) to May 14 (ADBC); also seen near Warrensburg, presumably nesting. May 21 (EH). Prairie: first May 1 Vly (GCBC); late in Karner area, first May 17 (John Fuller). Palm: Apr 17-May 14, somewhat late. Ovenbird: noticeable influx May 6-8, many sections. Northern Waterthrush: first May 1 Vly (GCBC); good migration to May 21; at least five singing in Taborton area May 28 (SBC), more than previously encountered there. Louisiana Water- thrush: few reports, first Apr 27 Wolf Hollow (HE). CONNECTICUT: one seen and heard loudly singing May 14 and 19 near SL (GB, BRS). Mourning: one migrant May 22 near Valatie (JC); at JL breeding area May 29 (GB). Yellow- 180 throat: arr May 6-7 in good wave. Yellow-breasted Chat: reported only from Meadowdale, first May 14 (SBC). Wilson’s: first May 6 Catskill (JHB); max ten May 16 (BRS)—good count; most observers saw none. Canada: first May 7 Kiskatom (JHB) and May 8 Lisha Kill (SBC), most arr May 14-22. Redstart: first May 7 in Albany and Greene Counties; seemed somewhat scarce. BLACKBIRDS-SPARROWS: Bobolink: arr May 6 Catskill (JHB) and May 7 BCM (SBC)—slightly late. Baltimore Oriole: first influx May 6-8, several areas. Rusty Blackbird: main migration Apr 22-May 7. Scarlet Tanager: first May 6 Catskill (JHB); main influx May 14-19. Rose-breasted Grosbeak: first May 6, large wave (late). Indigo Bunting: rapid movement into the area May 14—18 and subsequently. DICKCISSEL: remained at a Gallupville feeder to week of Apr 18 (Gladys Zimmer). Evening Grosbeak: heavy flight during Apr and well into May, with many feeders receiving visits from 15-40 individuals. Most of these left on or before May 15, when the weather moderated, but a few remained, last May 24 BRD (PPW). Purple Finch: no early spring flight this year; a light movement during Apr and a widespread incursion in early May. Common Redpoll: numbers dropped rapidly in early Apr, last May 7 Greenville (CK). Pine Siskin: a fair flight lasting into mid-May, last May 22 BCM (HFB, PM). Red Crossbill: four at TR Apr 16 (SBC); at Nisk thru May 18 (C. W. Huntley, F. A. Klemm). Rufous-sided Towhee: Apr 16 TR (SBC), more generally Apr 23 on. Sparrows: Savannah: first Apr 6 Greenville, impressive wave Apr 23-24. Grass¬ hopper: first May 7 Kiskatom (JHB); other reports—May 14 Columbia Co (ADBC) and at Meadowdale from May 14 on (SBC). Henslow’s: reported only from BCM, May 14 on (SBC), max eight May 14 (WBS, Donald J. Tucker, PPW). Vesper: widely reported from Apr 10 on; notable wave Apr 24. Slate-colored Junco: gradually passed thru during Apr and early May; most observers reported fewer than usual. A junco with two white wing bars was netted and banded in Nisk Apr 10 (RPY); this junco was on the large side (wing measured 79 mm.) and had two pure white outer tail feathers and the third from the outside was white in the center but edged with a dark portion on each side. Three color slides were taken of the bird in hand. Tree: most departed by late Apr, but some remained very late, last May 16 Westerlo (MK). A photograph of one (banded) was taken on May 11. Chipping: first Apr 17, good wave Apr 23. Field: gradual movement into Region during Apr. White-crowned: rather heavy migration, Apr 20 Greenville (CK) to May 20 Burnt Hills, (HFB, MF), max 40 May 8 BCM (Carl Parker); one at a feeder in JL May 28-29 (GB), very late. White-throated: good numbers in migra¬ tion, Apr 17-May 22. Fox: a few records, last May 7 Meadowdale (SBC) and May 9 Westerlo (MK)-late. LINCOLN’S SPARROW: one at a Nisk feeder May 12-14 (banded) (DS, MS et al.), one in Columbia Co May 14 (ADBC) and one, Central Pk Schenectady, May 17 (MS). Song and Swamp: in good numbers throughout period. 12 Columbia Drive, East Greenbush, N.Y. 12061 REGION 9 —DELAWARE-HUDSON Edward D. Treacy The remarkable feature of this spring was the lateness of both foliage and birds. Ordinarily by mid-May one can hardly find the birds for the leaves, but not this year. The birds that were missed just were’nt there. Supplementing the late arrivals were the late departures of winter residents, especially of the waterfowl. Temperatures were well below average, and the first two weeks of May were exceptionally cold. Ice was observed on many bird baths throughout the Region, The latter half of May was more normal. 181 The drought of the past several years seems to be broken, and reservoirs through¬ out the Region are either full or very close to it. Rainfall during April was about two-thirds average, and for May about normal. In addition to being late numbers were low for most species. Just about all species were noted, but some were represented by a pitifully few individuals. Abbreviations: MBC—Mearns Bird Club; RAS—Rockland Audubon Soc; WBC— Waterman Bird Club; Dutch—Dutchess Co.; Oran—Orange Co.; Rock—Rockland Co.; West—Westchester Co.; Ulst—Ulster Co.; USMA—United States Military Academy at West Point. Contributors: EA—Ethel Abrams; EB—Enid Butler; RD—Robert F. Deed; M & JD—Margaret & John Dye; ME—Martha Earl; SG—Stanley Grierson; TH—Thelma Haight; PJ—Paul Jeheber; AJ—Alice Jones; M & JK—Mary and Jim Key; HM—Helen Manson; A & BM—A1 & Barbara Merritt; VP—Vivian Parkhurst; EP—Eleanor Pink; DS—Dan Smiley; RS—Ruth Steffens; ET—Ed Treacy; MVW—Marion VanWagner; OW—Otis Waterman. LOONS—DUCKS: Common Loon: three Tomahawk L Apr 21 (ME); two May 8, five May 14, Weyant’s Pond USMA (ET); two May 15 Cruger Is (AJ). Horned Grebe: only report, ten Tomahawk L Apr 25 (ME). Pied-billed Grebe: fairly good number thru season. Herons: all scarce except the Green. Great Blue: late arr, numbers low thru Region; seven nests at Stanford, Dutch in Apr; 24 on May 15 (WBC). Green: normal, except fairly scarce in Dutch. LITTLE BLUE: rare before summer; one Mt. Kisco Mar 28—30 (SG); one Rockland L Apr 27 (RS). Cattle Egret: L DeForest Apr 16 thru May 14; five to eight Hyde Pk May 27 (Tom Gilbert)—third record for Dutch. Amer. Bittern: scarce as usual, one or two for entire Region. Canada Goose: flocks continuing into early May; largest 485 Apr 16 Dutch; more nesting than ever before, most young hatched by May 1. Brant: large movement May 14 and 15; largest flock 4500 May 23 Cornwall (PJ, A & BM). Mallard and Black Duck: normal. Green-winged Teal: normal migrants; last May 15 Cruger Is. Blue-winged Teal: numbers lower than usual; singles reported thru May, one female with four young Pine Plains Dutch May 26 (VP). Amer. Widgeon: few compared to recent years. Wood Duck: nested in fairly good numbers. Ring-necked Duck: fairly plentiful during Apr; a pair Brown’s Pond Newburgh May 14,; a male in Rock May 14. Scaup: many late birds during May—eleven Sterling Forest Gardens May 7; ten Rock and two on Hudson at Cornwall on May 14, two at Conn’s Hook, Highland Falls May 23, one still at South Nyack on June 11. Common Goldeneye: male in Rock and a female Brown’s Pond Newburgh May 14. Bufflehead: a pair Tomahawk L May 4; 21 in two locales in Rock May 14 (RD). Oldsquaw: only one Apr 16 Cruger Is (M & JK). WHITE-WINGED SCOTER: one male May 30 Hudson R at Cornwall (ET, PJ). Ruddy Duck: three Tomahawk L Apr 21; four Rock May 14 (RD). Hooded Merganser: few; last, five Apr 4 Pleasant Valley, Dutch. Common Merganser: numbers still low, but better than last year; max 78 Apr 16 Hudson R at Dutch; last May 23 Cruger Is (AJ). HAWKS—OWLS: Turkey Vulture: normal after mid-Apr, arr late. Sharp-shinned Hawk: only report, one Apr 18 near Poughkeepsie (MK). Cooper’s Hawk: none. Red-tailed Hawk: nesting in usual locales. Red-shouldered Hawk: only reports, one adult female killed by a car Armonk, West Apr 26 (Stewart Alexander) and one May 13 Dutch (HM). Could it have vanished from rest of Region? Broad-winged Hawk: usual late Apr migration, with one large movement Apr 26 in Ulst and Oran— about 65 in one hour near Chester (MBC). Marsh Hawk: scarce; one female Apr 2 Cruger Is; two May 15 (WBC). Osprey: scarce in Rock, normal elsewhere; max eight Apr 30 in Dutch (WBC). Peregrine: always rare; two Apr 26 Red Oaks Mill (MK). Sparrow Hawk: normal. Ruffed Grouse: normal. Bobwhite: only one Apr 15 Poughquog (EB). Ring-necked Pheasant: not plentiful. Common Gallinule: first Apr 27 Basher Kill (ID); usual number afterward. 182 Semipalmated Plover: rare in spring; as many as three May 17-20 in Dutch. (Russell Lancto); one at Piermont Pier May 14 (RD)—third spring record for Rock. Amer. Woodcock: good nesting population in May. Common Snipe: six May 15 Dutch (WBC); courtship observed at Basher Kill and Blooming Grove as usual Upland Plover; more reports than ever before; one Apr 27 East Pk, Dutch (AJ), two Apr 28 Lagrange, Dutch (HM)—first records for Dutch since 1959; usual birds at Goshen and Hamptonburg, Oran May 4 and 5 (ME); one May 20 Hawthorne, West (BA). Spotted Sandpiper: fairly good numbers. Solitary Sandpiper: heavy flight May 14 Dutch; 32 May 15 (WBC). Yellowlegs: both species well represented. Pectoral Sandpiper: uncommon in spring; two May 20-23 East Fishkill (John Marsh); two May 14 near Rhinebeck (AJ). Least and Semipalmated Sandpiper: few reported; max Least 40 Piermont Pier May 14. Dunlin: one Piermont Pier May 14- third spring record for Rock. Common Tern: reported early May at Cornwall (EA), confirmed May 15 (M & JD). Black Tern: rare always; five May 11—14 near Pleasant Valley, Dutch; one May 15 at Cruger Is. Mourning Dove: few reported; young off nest in Pleasant Valley Apr 29 & 30 (MVW). Cuckoo: both species scarce; one Yellow-billed calling in Blauvelt, Rock Apr 23—earliest date by six days (RAS). Great Horned Owl: normal; nesting Cruger Is and south of Poughkeepsie; young reported last issue left nest at Stony Pt Pk by mid-Apr. GOATSUCKERS-STARLING: Whip-poor-will: first one May 3 Dutch (OW); total five pair nesting Dutch, few elsewhere. Common Nighthawk: residents back by May 12; max eight May 23 Cornwall (A & BM). Chimney Swift: arr both Ulst and Dutch Apr 21—very early. Ruby-throated Hummingbird: normal. Belted Kingfisher: maintaining good numbers. Yellow-shafted Flicker: arr late, numbers poor early in season, normal toward end. Pileated Woodpecker: normal to better. Red-headed Woodpecker: one banded L Mohonk in May (Dan Smiley); three May reports for Dutch; one May 15 in Hudson Highlands of east Oran. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker: usual scattered migrants; max five Apr 26 Vassar College. Eastern Kingbird: seven early reports for last of Apr; earliest, four Apr 25 Amenia, Dutch. Great Crested Flycatcher: arr normal numbers but late. Eastern Phoebe: usual arr dates, reduced numbers Rock and Oran, normal elsewhere. Yellow-bellied Flycatcher: max four May 21 Pine Plains (EP). Trail’s Flycatcher: reported from usual nest sites. Least Flycatcher: normal but late; first one May 1 USMA (ET). Wood Pewee: normal in late May. Olive-sided Flycatcher: first May 21 Pine Plains (TH), few thereafter. Horned Lark: usual nesters; young left nest Apr 12 Green Haven, Dutch (MK). Swallows: most species late and scarce. Purple Martin: one Apr 10 at Rockland L (Homer Kelsey)—earliest record by eight days for Rock; breeders arr Mt. Hope Apr 9, three found dead early May, others abandoned site (ID). Of two colonies at Armonk, West, one arr Apr 20 but eight found dead shortly thereafter; other returned Apr 15, three found dead and site abandoned. Death probably due to cold and starvation. Fish Crow: three Apr at Poughkeepsie; one May at Cardinal Farley School, Dutch. Red-breasted Nuthatch: numbers good in Apr; exceptionally good in May. Brown Creeper: good thru Apr, one singing USMA May 22 (ET). House Wren: numbers almost normal from low of several years ago. Winter Wren: one May 25 near Amenia (HM). Carolina Wren: one near Pine Plains Apr 30 (WBC); two in Rock (no date); one recorded on tape at South Salem, West May 21 (Arthur Weeks). Long-billed Marsh Wren: usual numbers locally. Mockingbird: maintained numbers thru winter; nesting in usual locations plus others; eleven May 15 Dutch (WBC). Catbird: arr on time, numbers low; many after May 7. Brown Thrasher: late but normal. Robin: normal Mar and Apr; no large migratory flocks. Wood Thrush: a day or two later than usual; first Apr 30 Dutch. Hermit Thrush: numbers lower than last fall; arr late—May 14 Rock, May 15 Dutch; max seven Tomahawk L May 2. Swainson’s Thrush: late and few. Gray-cheeked Thrush: none reported most of 183 Region; one Tomahawk L May 11 (ME). Veery: normal, late; one Apr 30 Dutch, only Apr report. Eastern Bluebird: arr normal date and numbers; of 20 nesting pairs in Dutch, only seven brought off young, high mortality due to cold and starvation. Blue-gray Gnatcatcher: more than ever before. Golden-crowned Kinglet: normal thru Apr; last Apr 28 Dutch. Ruby-crowned Kinglet: plentiful thru mid-May. Water Pipit: scarce; four May 15 Dutch, only report. Cedar Waxwing: scarce. Shrikes: none reported. Starling: too many. VIREOS—WARBLERS: Vireos: Red-eyed late but others on time. White-eyed: last week of May USMA (ET). Yellow-throated: max 27 May 15 (WBC). Solitary: usual numbers; max six May 15 (WBC), one May 25, late Dutch. Red-eyed: not common till May 24. Warbling: nesting in usual locales, numbers good. Warblers: no impressive waves, best movements weekends of May 6 and 13, continued good thru third week of May. Many birders describe various species feeding on the ground during first two weeks of May, most unusual behavior for such as Redstarts and Black-throated Green. Probably due to cold and available insects at ground level. Black-and-white: arr Apr 23, late; scarce in Apr, plentiful by mid- May. Worm-eating: more than usual; max five May 15 (WBC). Golden-winged: about average; two Rockland L May 14—first in ten years in Rock lowlands. Blue¬ winged: one Apr 23 Blauvelt Rock (RD). Tennessee: scarce. Nashville: good, max 18 May 15 (WBC). Parula: numbers good; max 20 May 15 (WBC). Yellow: scarce Apr, normal May ; max 125 May 15 (WBC). Cape May: very low, missed completely by many birders. Black-throated Blue: numbers better than average. Myrtle: normal. Black-throated Green: scarce in Apr, good May. Cerulean: only report, usual nesters in Dutch. Blackburnian: good flight; max 40 May 15 (WBC). Chestnut-sided: good. Bay-breasted: scarce; missed by many birders. Blackpoll: below normal. Prairie: normal to better; max 23 May 15 (WBC). Palm: less than usual; last May 6 Dutch, May 14 Oran. Ovenbird: normal to better; max 50 May 15 (WBC). Northern Waterthrush: fewer than last year, but numbers still high. Lousiana Waterthrush: normal to less. KENTUCKY: unreported most years; three reports—one Tomahawk L May 24 (ME), one Tallman Mt. Piermont also late May (Eugene Brown), one Pomona, Rock June 2 (Homer Kelsey). CONNECTICUT: usually unreported in spring; one May 15 New Hamburgh (Ray Connally); one Mianus Gorge, West May 21 (SG). Mourning: always rare; one May 21 Pine Plains (mob); one May 22 Huguenot, Oran (Doug Taylor); one Tomahawk L May 24 (ME). Yellow-breasted Chat: two pair last week of May in Dutch, only report; unaccountably scarce for last few years. Hooded: usually scarce but well represented this year. Wilson’s: numbers normal to less. Canada: normal but quite late. Amer. Redstart: reported early from Dutch Apr 23, and Rock Apr 25; numbers abundant as usual. BLACKBIRDS—SPARROWS: Bobolink: better than usual; first Apr 30 Dutch (Czecker Terhune). Eastern Meadowlark: very scarce thru most of Region. Red¬ winged Blackbird: very numerous as usual. Orchard Oriole: more reported than most years; did not return to nest site at Stone Ridge, Ulst; “many” reported from Middle Hope area of Oran, feeding on cherry blossoms. Baltimore Oriole: only Apr report, one Apr 27 Dutch (EB); first normal movement May 7, common thereafter. Rusty Blackbird: better than usual thru Apr and May. Scarlet Tanager: normal dates and numbers. Rose-breasted Grosbeak: one male Apr 17—19, very early (Mr. & Mrs. Vincent Brands); earliest previous record Apr 21. Indigo Bunting: not seen in numbers till May 20, normal afterward. Evening Grosbeak: lingered past mid May; last May 20 Dutch. Purple Finch: very large flocks eating in Beech trees May 14 & 15 Oran; the usual singing males reported afterward. House Finch: one Ulst report in late May; a pair in Kingston the greater part of May; max 21 in Dutch, Apr; ten remained thru May. Pine Grosbeak: two May 5 (very late) Pleasant Valley, Dutch (AJ). Pine Siskin: about 50 feeding on dandelions from May 13—20 184 (Mrs. Wm. Grierson). Goldfinch: average to better. Red Crossbill: five Apr 14 near Beacon (JK); five Apr 28 Poughkeepsie (AJ). White-winged Crossbill: five Apr 5 & 6 Pleasant Valley (EP); two Mt. Kisco May 20 (SG). Rufous-sided Towhee: first Apr 18 Middletown, (Barbara Peters); low thru Apr, normal May. Savannah Sparrow: normal to better; migration peak 20 Apr 28 & 29; max 22 May 15 (WBC). Grasshopper Sparrow: low as usual, only three or four reported. Vesper Sparrow: 50 Dutch Apr 28. Slate-colored Junco: lower than usual; resident birds in Dutch thru May. Tree Sparrow: last May 4 Stissing, Dutch (TH). Field Sparrow: late—first Apr 17 Oran (ID). White-crowned Sparrow: few Apr reports; numbers average to less in May. White-throated Sparrow: most in years; very many last week Apr, first week May. Fox Sparrow: left later than usual; late dates Apr 12 USMA, Oran (ET), Apr 23 Washington, Dutch (F, Germond). Lincoln’s Sparrow: one May 8 Red Oaks Mill (JK); one May 11 Poughquog (EB); two May 14 USMA (ET). Summer reports due no later than Aug 25. Pellwood Lake, Highland Falls, N.Y. 10928 REGION 10 —MARINE Thomas H. Davis and Fred Heath If anything, this spring was characterized by its unusually cold weather. May temperatures were far below normal from the 7th to the 19th, on May 10 it dropped into the mid-30’s during the night. Rainfall was above average, a hindrance to good birding, but perhaps a needed blessing to our breeding bird population. Good coastal waves were encountered on April 24 and May 1. On the night preceding the former date a northward flow of tropical air had been pushed out over the ocean. It stopped just south of Long Island on the morning of the 24th where it met colder air causing rain. Few observers were on the coast this day but a good variety of unusually early migrants were seen—Whimbrel, Wilson's Phalarope, Com¬ mon Nighthawk, four Eastern Kingbirds, Hooded Warbler and Indigo Bunting. On May 1 the situation was somewhat the same—an advancing warm front collided with a cold front, the ensuing rain forced birds down along the coast. Dick Cohen recorded this as his best day at Atlantic Beach this spring. His netting total included ten Black-and-white Warblers and he also saw 18 Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, all males, flying west along the beach. Other notable sightings along the coast this day included: Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Yellow-throated Vireo, Prothonotary Warbler and Fox Sparrow. The morning of May 20 featured “classic” conditions for a wave—the previous two weeks had been cold and wet with little movement, a warm front had passed over during the night and a thick morning fog was present to ground birds. At his home in Woodhaven, on western Long Island, Tom Davis noted dozens of warblers flying in random directions at sunrise. All of these birds seemed to be in a state of confusion. Ned Boyajian, in the Palisades, New Jersey, reported hundreds of warblers flying north along the west side of the Hudson River during the early morning hours. On the east side of the river in Central Park it was equally good. Guy Tudor compiled a list of 94 species (only two species short of the all time record) seen in the park this day by a half dozen observers. The list included 27 species of warblers of which the following were notably abundant: Parula, Magnolia, Bay¬ breasted, Blackpoll, Ovenbird, Yellowthroat, Canada and Redstart. The following day and May 23 were also exceptional and the prevailing fair weather brought good numbers of migrants nearly every day thru the end of the month. No notable rarities were reported this spring. In fact it is interesting to note which regular rarities were scarce or lacking—Golden-winged, Yellow-throated, Cerulean and Kentucky Warblers, Orchard Oriole, Summer Tanager and Blue Grosbeak. 185 Billy Norse, an active observer who birds nearly every day saw only one gnatcatcher and one Lincoln’s Sparrow all spring. Breeding birds provided much of the interest- several new early egg dates (in spite of the cold weather), heavy Purple Martin mortality on eastern Long Island (resulting from the cold weather) and a possible attempt at nesting of Evening Grosbeaks near Dennis Puleston’s feeder in Brook- haven. Abbreviations used: JBWR—Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge; FBT—Federation Boat Trip; LBT—Linnaean Boat Trip. For the following locations only the first word is used: Central Park, Jones Beach State Park, Inwood Hill Park. Contributors frequently cited: FB—Frank Bader; RC—Richard Cohen; TD—Thomas Davis; AD—Adrian Dignan; FE—Frank Enders; LE—Leonard Epstein; RF—Robert Fisher; HH—Helen Hays; FH—Fred Heath; WN—William Norse; RP—Richard Plunkett; DP—Dennis Puleston; BT—Benjamin Trimble; JT—Joanne Trimble; CW— Cornelius Ward. LOONS—DUCKS: Sooty Shearwater: five plus, May 17 Jones (BT); three May 21 Fire Is (LE); three May 22 FBT; eight May 29 LBT. Gannet: six (including two adults) May 22 FBT. Green Heron: max 30 plus. May 20 Central (mob). Cattle Egret: three May 8—21 Lawrence (R. Arbib et al); three May 22r-31 JBWR (L. Morgan et al)—compare dates. Snowy Egret: May 7 Forest Park (TD, FB); May 29 Inwood (WN)—first for park; on April 16 about ten nests containing an egg apiece were found at Lawrence Marsh (TD, BT, JT)—earliest Regional egg date; young noted at Lawrence on May 12 (HH). Glossy Ibis: 16 arr at Lawrence on Apr 16 (TD, BT, JT); on May 3 four nests found—two with one egg, two with two eggs (HH)—earliest Regional egg date. Snow Goose: max 200 Apr 4 Seaford (A. Van Sant). Black Duck: nine broods with 53 young, May 21 JBWR (LE). Canvasback: a female remained at Highland Pk Reservoir until May 15, (FB, TD); pair May 15 Lawrence (TD). Bufllehead: 200 plus. May 14 JBWR (LE et al) — amazing number for such a late date; several individuals still present May 31. Harlequin Duck: the wintering drake at Pt Lookout last seen Apr 3 (FB). Common Goldeneye: female to at least May 22 JBWR (BT, JT). HAWKS—OWLS: Broad-winged Hawk: pair nesting May 21 Mastic (DP). Rough-legged Hawk: Apr 22 Brookhaven (DP)—late. Whimbrel: Apr 24 Jones (AD et al)—early; max eight May 21 Lawrence Marsh (TD, BT, JT, WH). Upland Plover: Apr 21 JBWR (WN); nesting May 22 Mitchell Field (AD). Willet: arr, four May 1 Tobay (mob). Purple Sandpiper: 200 plus, May 17 Jones (BT). Curlew Sandpiper: May 21 JBWR (H. Johnson et al). Stilt Sandpiper: two May 14 Tobay (AD)—very rare spring migrant. Wilson’s Phalarope: female Apr 24-May 31 JBWR (mob); May 14 Tobay (AD). Northern Phalarope: May 8 Lawrence (R. Arbib); four May 22 FBT. Glaucous Gull: completely white bird May 29 Jones Inlet LBT. Iceland Gull: Apr 30 Van Cortlandt Pk (WN); May 22 Captree FBT— completely white bird. Common Tern: May 14 Prospect Pk(FH)—rare inland. Mourning Dove: nest with eggs Mar 16 Roslyn (E. Bull)—earliest Regional egg date. Yellow-billed Cuckoo: May 1 Jones (FE, FH)—early. Great Horned Owl: May 21-23 Central (mob)—unprecedented occurrence. Saw-whet Owl: Apr 7 JBWR (G. Murphy). GOATSUCKERS-STARLING: Common Nighthawk: Apr 24 Tobay (AD et al)— early. Chimney Swift: May 22 FBT, over 12 miles from nearest land. Ruby-throated Hummingbird: Apr 26 Central (W. Sedwitz) — very early. Red-bellied Woodpecker: May 1 Freeport (CW); May 9 Alley Pond Pk (fide CW); May 13 Prospect (O. Raymond); May 14 Central (H. Tetrault). Red-headed Woodpecker: May 25 Yaphank (DP). Eastern Kingbird: four Apr 24 Tobay (FB, FE)—high count for such an early date; Apr 25 Central (G. Carleton); Apr 25 JBWR (R. Marx). Acadian Flycatcher: singing bird netted at Atlantic Beach May 29 (RC)—detailed 186 description including measurements received. Cliff Swallow: max 20 May 10 Central (mob); four May 14 Yaphank (DP)—rare coastal migrant. Purple Martin: “At Quogue they found 30 dead birds, and everyone else with Martin houses had mortalities to report. I suspect other swallows also suffered during the unusually cold and wet May” (DP). Blue Jay: 70 banded at Atlantic Beach Apr 26-May 30 with 11 on May 14 and 30 on May 20 (RC)—big flight, “usual spring total about ten individuals.” White-breasted Nuthatch: migrants netted at Atlantic Beach Apr 30, May 3, 6, 7 (RC). Carolina Wren: May 13 Central (E. Gonzalez). Hermit Thrush: several late sightings—two May 20 Central (RP); May 20 City Hall Pk (RF); May 20 St Paul’s Churchyard (RF). Blue-gray Gnatcatcher: May 9 Jones (CW); Atlantic Beach (RC)—one seen May 7, male netted May 12, female netted May 14. Starling: May 29 LBT—about ten miles from nearest land. VIREOS—WARBLERS: Yellow-throated Vireo: May 1 Freeport (CW)—rare migrant on Long Is. Solitary Vireo: May 21 Yaphank (DP)—late. Black-and-white Warbler: ten netted at Atlantic Beach May 1 (RC). Prothonotary Warbler: May 1 Southaven (DP)—only report. Brewster’s Warbler: May 8 Central (H. Tetrault). Cerulean Warbler: male May 18 Central (RP)—only report. Kentucky Warbler; none. Connecticut Warbler: May 21 Glen Cove (R. CiofB)—very rare spring migrant. Hooded Warbler: male Apr 24 Forest Pk (FB)—early. BLACKBIRDS—SPARROWS: Orchard Oriole: male Apr 26 Central (R. Harrison) —early. Bullock’s Oriole: bird at Woodmere feeder mentioned in Winter report last seen Apr 2 (S. Sternberg). Summer Tanager: no reports. Rose-breasted Grosbeak: 18 males May 1 Atlantic Beach (RC). Indigo Bunting: male Apr 24 Tobay (FE) — very early. Dickcissel: female May 20 St. Paul’s Churchyard (R. Harrison). Evening Grosbeak: “about 100 birds remained at the feeder (in Brookhaven) until May 7, then they began thinning out. I saw a female carrying nesting material on May 14, but the last bird was seen on May 23” (DP). House Finch: Apr 8 Central (G. Carleton)—first record for the park; 169 were banded at Atlantic Beach during Apr (RC). Pine Siskin: May 13 Inwood (WN)— late. Red Crossbill: May 9 Jones (AD); May 18 Inwood (WN)—late. White-winged Crossbill: six May 4 Jones (J. Bull); five May 15 Jones (FB)—extremely late. Rufous-sided Towhee: peak netted at Atlantic Beach May 3-4, 22 birds (RC). Seaside Sparrow: May 8 Central (P. Tozzi, H. Tetrault, et al)—rare inland migrant. Tree Sparrow: Apr 16 Woodhaven (TD) — late. Fox Sparrow: May 1 Jones (TD)—late. Lincoln’s Sparrow: netted at Atlantic Beach May 27 (RC)—late. Note: Please have Summer reports in by September 7 (preferably a week earlier). T. Davis 8613-85 Str., Woodhaven, N.Y. 11421 F. Heath 11-15 F.D.R. Dr., N.Y., NY 10009 187 REPORTING REGIONS For descriptions of Regions see Kingbird Vol. IV, Nos. 1 and 2 I 188 FEDERATION OF NEW YORK STATE BIRD CLUBS, INC 1966 Officers President Dr. Allen H. Benton ..State University of New York, Fredonia 14063 Vice-President Mr. Watson B. Hastings.18 Appleton Place, Dobbs Ferry, N.Y. 10522 Corresponding Secretary Mrs. Frederick Marsi .Friendsville Stage, Binghamton 13903 Recording Secretary Mrs. R. Barrie Strath .Box 111, Odessa, N.Y. 14689 Treasurer Mr. Kenneth D. Niven .61 Broadway, Monticello 12701 Editor of THE KINGBIRD Dorothy W. Mcllroy 419 Triphammer Rd., Ithaca, New York 14850 Appointed Committees Bulletin Exchange: Miss Elizabeth Manning, 1130 Fifth Avenue, New York 28 Conservation: Maxwell C. Wheat, Jr., 333 Bedell Street, Freeport 11520 Finance: Kenneth D. Niven, 61 Broadway, Monticello 12701 Kingbird Finance: To be announced Membership: James J. Doherty, 913 Winton Road North, Rochester 14609 State Book: Robert S. Arbib, Jr., 226 Guion Drive, Mamaroneck 10543 Publications and Research; Dr. Edgar M. Reilly, Jr., State Museum, Albany Bibliography: Dr. Sally Hoyt Spofford, Box 428, Etna 13062 By-laws: Richard Sloss, 1300 Seawave Drive, Hewlett Harbor 11557 Waterfowl Count: John L. Mitchell, 435 Conrad Drive, Rochester 14616 John J. Elliott Memorial Committee: Cornelius J. Ward, 804 South Ocean Avenue, Freeport 11520 Elected Committees Auditing: Edward R. McBride, Cooper's Corner Road, Box 601, Monticello Jerome Kerner, Box 712, Liberty Nominating: Dr. David B. Peakall, Syracuse, Ch.; Dr. Neil Moon, Rochester; Mr. Harold D. Mitchell, Buffalo