6 /KINGBIRD VOL. XXV, NO. 4 OCTOBER*1975 FEDERATION OF NEW YORK STATE BIRD CLUBS, INC. THE KINGBIRD, published four times a year (January, May, July and October), is a publication 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 $8.00 annually, Other membership classes are: Family Membership ($10). Supporting Member ($15), or a Life Member ($150)-“payable over a four-year period in equal installments,” if member so desires . Student membership $3.00. KINGBIRD institutional subscriptions: $9.00 per year on calendar year basis only. Single copies: $2.25. All memberships are for the calendar year and begin with January of the year in which the member joins. Memberships beginning after the first of the year include back issues for that year. APPLICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP should be sent to the chairman of the membership committee, Mrs. Myrna Hemmerick, P.O. Box 203, Setauket, N.Y. 11733. Send CHANGES OF ADDRESS to the Treasurer, Mr. Stephen B. Dempsey, 533 Chestnut St., West Hemp¬ stead, N.Y. 11552. Order SINGLE COPIES, BACK NUMBERS, and REPLACEMENT COPIES from Frederick C. Dittrich, 20 Drumlins Terrace, Syracuse, N.Y. 13224. Publication office is 20 Drumlins Terrace, Syracuse, N.Y. 13224. Second class postage paid at Syracuse, N.Y. Statement of Ownership, Management and Circulation 1. Title of publication-77/Z? KINGBIRD 2. Filed September 24,1975 3. Frequency of issue-4 times per year (approx, quarterly) 4. Publication offices at 20 Drumlins Terrace, Syracuse, N.Y. 13224 5. Business offices at 20 Drumlins Terrace, Syracuse, N.Y. 13224 6. Publisher—The Federation of New York State Bird Clubs, Inc. c/o Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology, 159 Sapsucker Woods Rd., Ithaca, N.Y. 14853 Co-Editors-Emanuel Levine, 585 Mead Terrace, South Hempstead, N.Y. 11550 John Farrand, Jr., American Museum of Natural History, Central Park at W. 79th St., New York, N.Y. 10024 Managing Editor-None (Circulation Manager-Frederick C. Dittrich, 20 Drumlins Terrace, Syracuse, N.Y. 13224) 7. Owner-The Federation of New York State Bird Clubs, Inc., a non-profit organization, c/o Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology, 159 Sapsucker Woods Rd., Ithaca, N.Y. 14853 8. Known bondholders, mortgagees and other security holders-None 9. 39 U.S.C. 3626 provides in pertinent part: “No person who would have been entitled to mail matter under former section 4359 of this title shall mail such matter at the rates provided under the subsection unless he files annually with the Postal Service a written request for permission to mail matter at such rates.” In accordance with the provisions of this statute, I hereby request permission to mail the publication named in Item 1 at the reduced postage rates presently authorized by 39 U.S.C. 3626. (signed) Frederick C. Dittrich, Circulation Manager 10. The purpose, function and non-profit status of this organization and the exempt status for Federal income tax purposes have not changed during preceding 12 months. 11. Extent and nature of Circulation: Ave. no. copies each issue Single issue during preceding nearest 12 months filing date A. Total number copies printed (net press run) 663 650 B. Paid circulation 1. Sales thru dealers and carrier, street vendors and counter sales 3 2 2. Mail subscriptions 619 605 C. Total paid circulation 622 607 D. Free distribution (including samples) by mail, carrier or other means Samples, complimentary, and other free copies 32 34 , E. Total distribution 654 641 F. Copies not distributed 1. Office use, left-over, unaccounted, spoiled after printing 9 9 2. Copies distributed to news agents, but not sold None None G. Total (sum of E & F) 663 650 I certify that the statements made by me above are correct and complete. (signed) Frederick C. Dittrich, Circulation Manager PUBLICATION /KINGBIRD OF THE FEDERATION OF NEW YORK STATE BIRD CLUBS. INC. Vol. XXV No. 4 October, 1975 177-236 CONTENTS Gull-billed Tern: New York State’s Newest Breeding Species .P. A. Buckley, F. G. Buckley and Michael Gochfeld 178 Ferd’s Bog.Ferdinand La France 184 Attempted Nesting of the White-winged Crossbill in New York State.. John M. C. Peterson 191 Peter Paul Kellogg.Sally Hoyt Spofford 194 Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge .... Walter E. Benning 197 The Ex-President’s Page.Gordon M. Meade, M.D. 202 Notes and Observations A Record of Swainson’s Warbler in southwestern New York State.Robert A. Sundell 204 Yellow-bellied Sapsucker roosting in chimney.Dorothy W. Mcllroy 206 Bluebird killed while establishing territory. . Lt. Col. Morgan V. Jones 206 Long-billed Curlew on Long Island .Stephen B. Dempsey and Anthony and Brook Lauro 207 Highlights of the Summer Season.Robert W. Smart 208 Regional Reports . 210 Co-Editors — Emanuel Levine and John Farrand, Jr. Associate Editors Notes and Observations — Sally Hoyt Spofford Regional Reports — Robert Smart Editorial Board Allen H. Benton Eugene Eisenmann Stephen W. Eaton Fritz Scheider Dorothy W. Mcllroy Circulation Manager — Frederick C. Dittrich Cover Design — Douglas L. Howland GULL-BILLED TERN: NEW YORK STATE'S NEWEST BREEDING SPECIES P. A. Buckley*, F. G. Buckley*, and Michael Gochfeld** On 11 June 1975, while in the third day of a helicopter survey of breeding waterbirds along the entire coastline of Long Island, we were passing over the cut made by the Wantagh sewage treatment plant’s ocean outfall pipe, just before it reaches the north side of the Jones Beach strip, when one of us noticed what appeared to be a new tern colony on the exposed fill covering the pipe (Fig. 1). While we were circling for a closer look, it became apparent that one of the birds in the air was a Gull-billed Tern (Geochelidon nilotica). We set down as far from the site as possible, and waited for the birds to re¬ turn, which they quickly did. Soon two pairs of adult Gull-bills settled on the sand (Fig. 2) and began to preen. Examination of the ground in the colony revealed about 30 pairs of Commons and a doz¬ en pairs of Black Skimmers, although not all had nests or eggs. We were unable to identify a Gull-bill nest, although we were by now certain we had found their breeding area. The Gull-bills finally walked behind some grass, and then all we could see was a single head—looking for all the world like that of any incubating tern. Set¬ ting up a scope, PAB watched while FGB and MG walked straight to the spot. Up went the Gull-bills and there was a nest with two buffy, spotted eggs, slightly larger and more globular than those of a Com¬ mon (Fig. 3). New York State’s first known breeding by Gull-billed Tern was now a fact. While the second pair did not have a nest on 11 June, it was lo¬ cated soon thereafter by T. H. Davis, A. J. and Brook Lauro. Word of the discovery was intentionally kept to a minimum to avoid un¬ necessary disturbance of the two pairs. Nonetheless they were dis¬ turbed, being visited sometimes both days of a weekend by birders eager to see or to photograph their first New York Gull-bills. The situation was exacerbated, despite the seemingly remote, access-by¬ boat-only, location, when on 4 July, New York State’s first Long¬ billed Curlew in some 40 years was discovered nearby (see page 232). As hordes of birders began to fan out to explore this rich marshland, some inadvertently blundered onto the Gull-bill nest site; others were taken there “if they promised not to tell anyone.” Despite all the harassment, both eggs in the first nest did hatch (Fig. 4) and at least 179 two chicks did fledge, the flying young being seen during August several times at nearby Tobay Pond and at least once as far away as Oak Beach Marsh, about 11 miles to the east. Apparently the sec¬ ond pair was unable to fledge any young; indeed they may not even have hatched any of their eggs, as PAB found one intact, abandoned Gull-bill egg at the nest site 26 July, and no one ever saw more than two juveniles. We feel it is abundantly clear that this failure can be laid squarely on the doorstep of interfering birders. Long Island is now the northernmost edge of the Gull-bill’s East Coast breeding range. There is no evidence to indicate that this is a recolonization of a former 18th or 19th century range; that probably ended, irregularly, in southern New Jersey. Writing in 1955, Fables (Annotated List of New Jersey Birds, 95 pp, publ. by the Urner Orni¬ thological Club, Newark Museum, Newark, N.J. 07104) noted only a 1926 breeding at Stone Harbor and one seen after the 1944 hurri¬ cane. He missed a 1949 observation. The First Supplement to the Annotated List of New Jersey Birds (1959, 13 pp, publ. by the Urner Ornithological Club) called it “regular, but very uncommon, since 1954,” and recorded a possible/probable breeding at Stone Harbor in 1954, a nest with eggs at Somer’s Point in 1958, and later that same summer a family group at Beach Haven Inlet. Since about 1959 one or more pairs has summered at Brigantine National Wildlife Refuge almost every year, although we -are uncertain if any nests have ever been found there. Adults feeding flying young have been observed there and at numerous other southern New Jersey localities, and while this is perhaps likely proof of nearby breeding, it is by no means certain. Single nests were found in 1963 at Atlantic City (op¬ posite Brigantine NWR) and at Stone Harbor. By 1971 the southern New Jersey population had reached some 13 nests along the Avalon Causeway, and in late July 1975 a group of 25+ adults and young at Brigantine NWR suggested another productive year. Writing in 1923, Griscom (Birds of the New York City Region 400 pp, publ. by the American Museum of Natural History, New York, N.Y. 10024) knew of no Long Island reports since 1885, but in 1942 Cruickshank (Birds Around New York City, 489 pp, publ. by the American Museum of Natural History) could add seven from the 1930’s, all but one from Long Island, all in August or September, arid several storm-associated. After the ’30’s, one in 1949 and another in 1950 were all for Long Island until two were seen after Hurricane Edna in 1954, following which one late-lingerer stayed until 29 No- 180 Fig, 2-Photograph by T. H. Davis Fig. 3-Photograph by P. A. Buckley 181 vember. In 1956 a pair of adults feeding one juvenile capable of flight was seen at Moriches Inlet for a week following 26 July, but actual breeding on Long Island could not be proved. In September 1960 some 28 were blown onto Long Island by Hurricane Donna, 16 at Jones Inlet alone. The following year two singles were apparently associated with Hurricane Esther. In 1962, one was seen briefly in June at South Amboy, N.J. and in October on the Hackensack Meadows—still the only N.Y.C. area report away from the ocean- front. Then came a hiatus, with no N.Y.C. region reports until 1968 Fig. 4—Photograph by T. H. Davis when a pair frequented Oak Beach Marsh and a nearby ternery from early June until late July, although only adults were seen. In 1969 a pair of adults that appeared to be prospecting, spent two days in a ternery on the Loop Causeway, but none was seen anywhere in the region in 1970 or 1971. In 1972 singles were seen at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge 19 May and 8 July; in 1973, singles were at Tobay Pond 5 June and 15-27 September; but in 1974 there was only one report, a bird at Jamaica Bay 18 May. Doubtless significantly, the 1975 breeding on Long Island was heralded by a veritable invasion of Gull-bills: three arrived at Jamaica Bay 16 May, soon increased to 182 five, and remained in varying numbers until at least mid-July. One pair was even seen copulating, sparking a feverish but fruitless boat search of all bay marshes and islands. On 18 May a pair was flushed from the ground in the Cedar Beach ternery, and shortly thereafter another (?) pair was seen in the colonies at West End Beach and at Loop Causeway. While these birds were seen only once at these lo¬ cations despite much searching, they could have been the pairs whose nests were found in the marshes nearby in June. A single adult at Moriches Inlet 8 July is hard to relate to these birds. In conclusion, we hope an object lesson is apparent in our com¬ ments about the disturbances visited on the first known nest site of Gull-bills in N.Y. and that a repeat performance by birders might thereby be avoided. It seems, as an aside, almost a small miracle that the year’s other New York State breeding first—the Chuck- will’s-widows at Oak Beach—also managed to fledge any young des¬ pite eager birders who ‘‘checked on their progress” almost daily. When will we learn?— *North Atlantic Regional Office, National Park Service, 150 Cause¬ way Street, Boston, Mass, and **Dept. of Biology, Queens College, City University of New York, Queens, N.Y. ABOUT THE AUTHORS- P. A. Buckley is Chief Scientist for the National Park Service’s North Atlantic Region, and co-Editor of American Birds’ new Hudson-Delaware Region. F. G. Buckley is a Collaborating Biologist with the National Park Service. Michael Gochfeld teaches biology at Queens College and is a Research Associ¬ ate,' Division of Environmental Health Services at the Columbia Univ. School of Public Health. All three are biologists who have been studying various aspects of tern breeding ecology, evolution and management for almost ten years and who have been birding together for close to fifteen. 183 FERD'S BOG Ferdinand LeFrance I usually spend a week or two each fall in the Adirondacks,. deer hunting and birding, In the fall of 1969, while I was sitting on a watch at the edge of a bog, a woodpecker flew to a small tree no more than fifteen feet from me. I recognized it as a three-toed woodpecker, but its back was so vaguely marked that I could not precisely identify its species. Curiosity got the best of me, and for the rest of my stay in the area I spent more time tracking wood¬ peckers than deer. I found other, more clearly marked woodpeckers, and was con¬ vinced that I had discovered a family of Northern Three-toed Wood¬ peckers. During the next two summers I made a complete search of the bog area. I found family groups of both species of three-toed woodpeckers, in addition to numerous old woodpecker holes beveled at the lower edge of the entrance. I concluded that the bog must be a favored nesting area for these birds. The bog lies at the base of the Cascade Mountains, in the town¬ ship of Long Lake, Hamilton County; the trail to the bog is, how¬ ever, in the township of Inlet. In the sketch of the area, I have Photograph by Marge Rusk 184 185 divided it into three types of habitat, A, B, and C. Habitat A is the sphagnum bog. It is a flat, grassy plain with a scattering of standing deadwood and some small, live black spruce. The bog contains a small pond and an out-running creek, Eagle Creek. WARNING: Sections of this area are floating bog and caution is ad¬ vised. Avoid all silty black areas devoid of growth. It is safer to stay along the bog edges. Do not attempt to cross the bog unless some¬ one familiar with the bog is present. While the bog is generally safe, there are hazardous spots that would be impossible to pinpoint ade¬ quately in this article. Habitat B is the low, generally solid terrain ringing the bog. It is an area of dense spruce, tamarack, balsam, and some large pine. Habitat C is an area of moderate to steep slopes with hardwoods predominant. Late April and early May are the best times to find the three-toed woodpeckers. At this time they are actively digging nest holes and can be located by the tapping sounds. However, this is also the most difficult time to travel Uncas Road—it is a sand road and virtually impassable until late May. The three-toeds are usually present in the bog until mid-July. After this time they tend to wander and the chances of sighting them in a day’s birding become much slimmer. Early June is a very good time to see Lincoln’s Sparrows. This normally shy bird will be boldly in full view, singing from a bush top or even higher, from a tree. The Gray Jay will be curious, and may perch ten feet away to have its picture taken. “Spishing” near the spruce along the bog edge should produce Boreal Chickadee or Yel¬ low-bellied Flycatcher. Olive-sided Flycatchers and Rusty Blackbirds should also be found. Eastern Bluebirds and Spotted Sandpipers have been sighted near the pond. Looking toward the cliffs of the Cascade Mountains, the Red-shouldered Hawk can often be spotted. Also, the pair of Red-tailed Hawks seem out of place in the habitat of the Broad-winged Hawk and the Goshawk. Below, I have listed 69 species of birds as positive or assumed breeders in the bog and adjacent high ground area, 7 species of Adi¬ rondack breeders that visit the bog or have been seen flying over¬ head, and 17 species that are listed as transients or winter visitants. This is a total, then, of 93 species. The letter “A” in the column “Breeding Evidence” indicates assumed breeders based on their reg¬ ular presence in the area during the breeding season. The letters in the “Location” column refer to the accompanying sketch of the area and the sections thus delineated above. 186 Black-backed Three-toed Woodpecker Photo by Dorothy W. Crumb Ferd’s Bog, June 17, 1972 Species Breeding Evidence Location Black Duck A A Hooded Merganser A A Goshawk A ABC Red-tailed Hawk A C Red-shouldered Hawk Courtship C Broad-winged Hawk A C Ruffed Grouse Young C Spotted Sandpiper A A Barred Owl Courtship C 187 Chimney Swift A Ruby-throated Hummingbird A Common Flicker Nest Pileated Woodpecker A Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Nest Hairy Woodpecker Courtship Downy Woodpecker Young Arctic Three-toed Woodpecker Nest, Young Northern Three-toed Woodpecker Nest, Young Yellow-bellied Flycatcher A Eastern Wood Pewee A Olive-sided Flycatcher Feeding young Tree Swallow Nest, Young Gray Jay Sooty Immatures Blue Jay Nest Common Crow A Black-capped Chickadee A Boreal Chickadee A White-breasted Nuthatch Courtship Red-breasted Nuthatch Courtship Brown Creeper Nest Winter Wren A American Robin Nest Wood Thrush A Hermit Thrush A Swains on’s Thrush A Veery A Eastern Bluebird Nest, Young Golden-crowned Kinglet Young Cedar Waxwing A : Solitary Vireo A Red-eyed Vireo A Black-and-white Warbler A Nashville Warbler A Parula Warbler A Magnolia Warbler A Black-throated Blue Warbler A Yellow-rumped Warbler Young Black-throated Green Warbler A Blackburnian Warbler Young 188 oo>oww>nnwww>nwnn>ww wnwwn>>>^tdw>>onwn>>n w o w on w n n c> n w w wo ow o o on Ovenbird A C Northern Waterthrush A B Northern Yellowthroat Feeding Young A Canada Warbler A C American Redstart A C Red-winged Blackbird A A Rusty Blackbird Nest, Young A Common Grackle A A Brown-headed Cowbird Young ABC Scarlet Tanager A C Rose-breasted Grosbeak A C Evening Grosbeak A C Purple Finch A ABC American Goldfinch A ABC Dark-eyed Junco Nest, Young BC Chipping Sparrow Young C White-throated Sparrow Nest ABC Lincoln’s Sparrow Feeding Young A Swamp Sparrow Feeding Young A Song Sparrow Feeding Young A 189 The seven Adirondack breeders that visit the area are Common Loon (overhead), American Bittern, Green-winged Teal, Belted King¬ fisher, Barn Swallow, Brown Thrasher (recorded once), and Starling. Additional birds, noted as migrants only, are Canada Goose, Mal¬ lard, Solitary Sandpiper, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (range expansion?). Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Tennessee Warbler, Cape May Warbler, Chest¬ nut-sided Warbler, Bay-breasted Warbler, Blackpoll Warbler, Savannah Sparrow, Sharp-tailed Sparrow, and Fox Sparrow. Winter visitants include Pine Siskin, Red Crossbill, White-winged Crossbill, and Tree Sparrow. Directions to Bog : Going northeast on Hwy. 28, take the first left after passing Eagle Bay. This is the Uncas Road. Go 3.2 miles on Uncas Road and watch for a camp on the left named Camp Buck- horn, The trail to the bog is behind this camp. It is about a ten-min¬ ute walk to the bog opening. R. D, 2, Manlius , New York 13104 Editor’s note: At present there is a movement afoot to nominate Ferd’s Bog for status on the National Register of Natural Landmarks. The impetus for this comes from Paul Buckley, Chief Scientist, National Park Service, North Atlantic Region, with help from Mike Peterson, President of the High Peaks Audubon Society. Both are members of the Federation of New York State Bird Clubs, Such status has already been endorsed by the Adirondack Park Agency. It would give the area the protection and recognition it deserves, and certainly would be a tribute to the man who “discovered” it, Ferdi¬ nand LaFrance. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Mr. LaFrance was born in rural Pompey Township in 1926 and now works at the Chrysler Motors plant near Syracuse. He is an experienced Adirondack woodsman and has been an active birder for the last fifteen years. He concentrates his birding on specific areas with view to making and keep¬ ing status checklists of such areas. This approach is well illustrated in the article above. A previous checklist on the Old Fly Marsh, compiled by Mr. LaFrance, was used by the Onondaga Nature Conservancy in its report on that area. He is a member of the New York State Archaeological Society, Old Fly Marsh Manage¬ ment Committee, and the Federation of New York State Bird Clubs. 190 ATTEMPTED NESTING OF THE WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILL IN NEW YORK STATE John M. C. Peterson The White-winged Crossbill (Loxia leucoptera) follows cone crops around the boreal forests throughout the year, irrupting southward in certain winters. After appearance of Merriam’s articles on the birds of Lewis County in 1878-79, the White-winged Crossbill was thought to breed in New York State. Eaton (1914) said, “It breeds in the Adirondack forest according to Merriam, but it is very much less common in the summer than the Red crossbill.” The A.O.U. Check-list (1957) cites breeding in northeastern New York (eastern Lewis County, Long Lake), as does Bent (1968). After reviewing the literature and searching museum collections, Bull (1974) observes, “Although the White-winged Crossbill very likely has bred in the Adirondacks, I have been unable to find a single positive breeding record for New York State . .. .” Bull closes his species account with the hope that, “Perhaps some day a sharp-eyed observer will discover a nest hidden away among the thick foliage of an evergreen, or find adults in the act of feeding young birds.” Thus began the almost quixotic search by members of the High Peaks Audubon Society. We would be looking for the concealed nest of a seemingly erratic species somewhere within the confines of the six-million acre Adirondack Park. The 1974 Elizabethtown Christmas Bird Count located a single individual, offering hope that more White-winged Crossbills might appear later that winter, drawn by the bumper crop of cones in the High Peaks region. The quest centered at Chubb River Swamp, an area Bull lists as one of the 15 outstanding birding areas in New York State, and where Geoffrey Carleton had made one of the seven summer sightings. The Chubb River Swamp also had a massive crop of spruce cones. Trips to the Chubb River area in early January, 1975, were dis¬ couraging, but finally on January 20, Thomas Barber and I found ourselves surrounded by about twenty singing males. As rival males continued to sing and apparently establish territories during the fol¬ lowing month, we continued to search the spruce-tamarack forest, pausing occasionally to lift branches or binoculars or cassette recorders. On February 22, 1975, a party of five people was standing along the trail bordering the Chubb River, about a quarter-mile from the 191 Nest area-White-winged Crossbill Chubb River, North Elba, Essex Co., N.Y. Photograph by John M. C. Peterson Averyville Road. The members were Deborah Anson, Pat Casselman, William Casselman, Patricia Taber, and the author. A cassette record¬ ing of the White-winged Crossbill song brought an instant reply from a male atop a nearby spruce. Bill Casselman aimed a parabolic micro¬ phone and began recording the long, rolling song of the male bird, and, as we silently watched, a female White-winged Crossbill made her way out along a spruce bough approximately 25 feet above the trail. Her crossed beak was filled with a clump of usnea lichen. She disappeared into the thick end of the snow-covered branch, perhaps five feet from the trunk, reappearing a moment later, her bill empty. Between 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m., the male continued singing and the female continued nest-building. The first known New York State nesting attempt of the White-winged Crossbill was confirmed. Other competent observers were able to share and substantiate our obser¬ vation the following day. On subsequent visits in March we noted that the nest was complete and that males continued singing in the vicinity, but no further ac¬ tivity was detected. The nest itself was located deep within a thick black spruce bough which extended over the trail, and the principal 192 material of the rounded nest appeared to be usnea lichen. The size, shape, and material somewhat suggested the nest of the Eastern Phoebe (Sayornis phoebe) with its mossy appearance. The nest could best be viewed from below with the low winter sun directly behind it, while from above the nest was wholly concealed, as de¬ termined by excursions up several of neighboring, swaying spruces. A late snowstorm hit Essex County April 3-5, and although on a visit to the area on April 12 we again found singing males, the nest¬ ing bough was covered with heavy snow and ice. A nearby nest of the Pine Siskin (Spinus pinus), which was being constructed in a spruce branch about 30 feet above the trail on March 29, seen by Philip Warren, was also buried by the storm. White-winged Crossbills continued to frequent the Chubb River area, however, and successful nesting probably did occur somewhere within the vicinity. The last brief song was heard there May 17, 1975. The White-winged Crossbill has undoubtedly bred in the Adiron- dacks of New York State wherever and whenever sufficient cones appeared, long before Merriam’s first note. Credit for this confirma¬ tion belongs not only to the neophyte birders and aspiring listers who actually took part, but also to the many ornithologists whose published accounts gave direction to the search. That we were suc¬ cessful in locating a single nest in an immensity of wilderness seems almost a perfect blending of ornithology and poetry, especially if one is willing to accept the dictum that “Poetry is paying attention.” P.O. Box 300, Essex, New York 12936 ABOUT THE AUTHOR John M. C. Peterson is the president of the High Peaks Audubon Society, editor of its newsletter, member of the Executive Committee of the Federation of New York State Bird Clubs, a trustee of the Adirondack Conservancy, and a member of the Adirondack Council. He graduated from Hobart College in 1964 with a B.A. in English. After a checkered commercial career, he settled down in a house in the woods, south of the hamlet of Essex and in sight of Lake Cham¬ plain. From this vantage point, he now occupies a position created by Thoreau, of “self-appointed inspector of snowstorms, rainstorms, and surveyor of forest paths.” In the above pursuits, he is ably assisted by his dog Max. 193 PETER PAUL KELLOGG December 13,1899 — January 31,1975 Sally Hoyt Spofford In the summer of 1939, I enrolled as a graduate student in the summer school course in ornithology at Cornell. As Dr. Arthur A. Allen was on the west coast that summer, the course was taught by Peter Paul Kellogg, assisted by Mrs. Allen. I had known Dr. Kellogg by name, as being Dr. Allen’s associate in sound recording and as his companion and assistant on trips which had been written up in the National Geographic , but otherwise I knew little about him. In letters to my parents I described those first sessions, especially the early morning field trips. Of the first one I wrote: “I was so excited— especially because Dr. Kellogg called the birds and they came. ” Sub¬ sequent letters described his imitations of birds and the amazing response he got, his enthusiasm and incredible energy, his knowledge of botany and entomology as well as of birds. This ability to arouse enthusiasm and interest in students was one of Paul Kellogg’s outstanding characteristics. In fact, for several sum¬ mers before his death he taught an intensive field course during the Cornell Alumni University program—two sessions of one week each. The class was in the field by five-thirty every morning, and was often out all day, only to have a talk or demonstration of sound¬ recording in the evening. He waded across marshes, waist-deep, the class trailing behind him. He never wearied, and there was almost a sense of awe in remarks made to us by members of his class. First a student at Cornell, eventually Professor of Ornithology and Biological Acoustics and finally Professor Emeritus, co-founder with Arthur A. Allen of the Laboratory of Ornithology, he became most famous for his work with the Library of Natural Sounds, one of the largest collections of sounds of birds and other vertebrates in the world. His late wife, the talented Byrl Jorgensen Kellogg, did much of the enormous job of cataloguing the collection, and helped with other aspects of his work. A number of bird song records were produced (plus one of frogs and toads, another of insects) largely through Paul’s hard work—he knew how to deal with those who cut the discs, what constituted true perfection of reproduction, and how to make the best arrangements with publishers. Thousands came to know Paul through his weekly radio program, 194 “Know Your Birds” over WHCU, Ithaca; hundreds through the Sat¬ urday morning bird walks at Stewart Park, Ithaca, which he and Dr. Allen led jointly for many years, then Paul alone. He was at his best in the field with youngsters—who adored him and thronged happily after him through woods and fields. Paul was a raconteur, and a great tease. He was a person of con¬ trasts—with ability to inspire great loyalty and support, and yet he could be very irritating to his closest friends. And he could be, and often was, a go-between and a peace-maker. He taught sound-record¬ ing techniques, with complete unselfishness, to some of those who then competed with him and even succeeded him in the field and as producers of records and tapes. He tried always to give credit where it was due and in this way often gave a boost to beginners. He was popular as a lecturer and did much of Cornell’s ornithological exten¬ sion lecturing. Best known was his talk on “Music and Bird Songs” (also the title of one of the records he helped produce) in which he showed delighted audiences the effect of slowing down bird songs. Another favorite lecture was on “Bird Songs of the Tropics,” based mostly on recordings he and Paul Schwartz obtained there. He worked up a special taped program for schools, which was also used during Cornell’s “Farm and Home Week,” on “How Animals Hear.” A charter member, Paul had close and warm connections with the early days of the Federation of New York State Bird Clubs. He attended the first meeting of representatives of various state bird clubs in December, 1946, in Rochester, at which ideas were kicked around for formation of a federation, and he acted as secretary pro tern. He was also present at the actual organizational meeting in Amsterdam in October, 1947, and was elected Corresponding Secre¬ tary for 1948 and re-elected for 1949. He was President of the Fed¬ eration in 1956. At the first annual meeting in Rochester on Novem¬ ber 13, 1948, he gave a paper on “How Birds Find Their Way,” and was on the programs of later annual meetings and was, at least once, the banquet speaker. He offered the use of his radio program, origi¬ nating from Ithaca, for club announcements and reports of other Federation activities. I am indebted to Dr. Gordon Meade for some of this information on Paul’s early connections with the Federation. HI with cancer for at least three years, he accepted his illness as just another challenge, and his fortitude and cheerful outlook im¬ pressed even those of us who knew him best. At the hospital in Houston, Texas, he became interested in radiotherapy, worked with 195 physicians in improving techniques, and in adapting the computer to some of the work of the hospital. He worked with some of the staff of Baylor University and assisted graduate students. He made one trip to our winter home in Arizona from the Houston hospital, and I cherish the memory of those few last days with him and his enthusiasm for all we showed him of our area. His last letter to me mentioned his hope of visiting us again in a few months, but sadly that was not to be. Certainly in thinking of those whose names are synonymous with birding in New York State, Paul is one of those who come quickly to mind. With his death, 11 years after that of Arthur A. Allen, an era has come to an end, especially for ornithology at Cornell. But the Library of Natural Sounds, the Cornell bird-song and other records, and the Laboratory of Ornithology itself ensure that Paul Kellogg will never be forgotten by his associates and indeed by many who never had the privilege of knowing him. Friends have contri¬ buted to a memorial fund at Cornell’s Laboratory of Ornithology which will help continue his sound-recording work, and additional contributions will always be needed and welcome. “Aviana,” Etna, New York, and << Aguila-Rancho, >r Portal, Arizona 196 MONTEZUMA NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE Walter E. Benning A few years back, while driving along the Maine coast, I stopped for a few hours of birding at Biddeford Pool during low tide. There, comfortably ensconced in their beach chairs on the mud flats, were two elderly ladies watching the shorebirds. Falling into a conversa¬ tion with them I mentioned that I was from New York State. “Oh, we’ve been to New York,” one of them said, “and we found the most wonderful place to bird. It’s called Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge.” Having lived near the Montezuma Refuge since it was created and having counted forty species visible at one time on the partially drained Main Pool, I could not help but agree with her assessment. The headquarters is along Routes 5 & 20 four miles east of Seneca Falls. The refuge was established to encourage the local production of waterfowl and to provide a resting place for them during migra¬ tion. A wide diversity of habitats, including large pools, cattail marsh¬ es, swampy and upland woods and brushy and open fields, attracts 240 species, according to the latest checklist, plus 38 more which are of casual or accidental occurrence. In 1968, part of the refuge was opened to waterfowl hunting, which puts an added drain on the local breeding populations. This seems like a rather incongruous activity to conduct on a “refuge” which Webster defines as a “place where one is safe: a sanctuary.” In June 1972, the refuge became one large lake as a result of the flooding which followed the passage of Hurricane Agnes. The flood* ing came at the peak of the breeding season and lasted for several weeks, destroying many of the year’s young ducks, Pied-billed Grebes, Black-crowned Night Herons, Virginia and Sora Rails, Amer¬ ican Coots, Common Gallinules, American and Least Bitterns, Com¬ mon and Black Terns and Long-billed Marsh Wrens. This drastically reduced the 1973 breeding populations of these species. They are now slowly recovering. In late February or early March the first warm southerly winds bring in the geese. In twenty years their numbers have increased from 9,000 Canadas and two Snows to 80,000 Canadas and 8,000 Snows, the latter including both the blue and the white morphs. The flight of these thousands of geese out to their feeding grounds early 197 198 in the morning or late in the afternoon and their subsequent return to rest on the ponds is Montezuma’s greatest “spectacular.” Brant appear occasionally and White-fronted Geese are accidental. Thousands of migrating ducks use the refuge from early March to late May. All of the surface-feeding ducks common to New York occur. European Wigeon are casual and Eurasian Green-winged Teal and Cinnamon Teal are accidental. The Mallard, Black Duck, Gad- wall, Green-winged and Blue-winged Teals and Wood Duck remain to nest in numbers. Nesting Gadwalls have increased dramatically in recent years. Small numbers of Pintails, American Wigeons and Northern Shovelers nest. Of the diving ducks only the Redhead, Can- vasback and Ruddy Duck have been known to breed. Ring-necked Ducks, Greater and Lesser Scaups, Common Goldeneyes, Buffle- heads and Common Mergansers are common migrants. Oldsquaws, the three scoters and Red-breasted Mergansers are less frequently seen, while Barrow’s Goldeneye and the King Eider are accidental. Small numbers of Whistling Swans appear annually. The pools are shallow and not well suited to deep-diving birds but an occasional Common Loon drops in and the Red-throated Loon has been seen. Pied-billed Grebes nest and Horned Grebes are fairly common in early spring. The Red-necked Grebe is casual while the Eared and Western Grebes have been accidental visitors. Twelve species of herons have been recorded. The Green Heron, Black-crowned Night Heron, Least Bittern and American Bittern nest. The local colony of Black-crowned Night Herons is unusual in that they nest in the cattails just above the waterline rather than in trees. Great Blue Herons do not nest on the refuge but come in large numbers from the heronry in nearby Marengo Swamp to feed. Little Blue Herons, Great Egrets and Snowy Egrets wander in from the South. Cattle Egrets appear but are not known to breed. Louisiana Herons and Yellow-crowned Night Herons have been seen. Red-tailed Hawks, Marsh Hawks and American Kestrels are breed¬ ing birds. Bald Eagles, though no longer nesters, are observed oc¬ casionally. Turkey Vultures are common. Ospreys show up during migration. In winter Rough-legged Hawks use the broad expanse of the cattail marshes as hunting grounds. Sharp-shinned Hawks, Coop¬ er’s Hawks, Goshawks, Red-shouldered Hawks, Broad-winged Hawks and Merlins occur in small numbers. Even an occasional Peregrine Falcon is seen. 199 Montezuma Refuge is one of the best places for shorebirds in up¬ state New York. The spring migration begins about April 1 and lasts until mid-June. Following a ten day lull, when only the nesting Kill- deer and Spotted Sandpipers are seen, the fall migration begins al¬ most imperceptibly during the last days of June and quickly assumes sizeable proportions if sufficient mudflats are exposed, and contin¬ ues until freeze-up. The checklist shows 26 shorebird species, and two more, the Ruff and the Long-billed Dowitcher, probably should be added as they have been seen regularly over the past decade. Six additional species have been found one or more times. These 34 species include all the shorebirds normally found in upstate New York except the Purple Sandpiper. Among the rarer species are Piping Plover, Whimbrel, Willet, Red Knot, White-rumped and Baird’s Sandpipers, Long-billed Dowitcher, Western and Buff-breast¬ ed Sandpipers, Marbled and Hudsonian Godwits, American Avocet and all three phalaropes. Montezuma muck can hardly be considered proper habitat for Ruddy Turnstones or Sanderlings but both occur annually in small numbers. Wintertime freezing of the pools kills many of the carp and the springtime thaw brings in many Herring and Ring-billed Gulls and a few Great Black-backed Gulls to feed on these dead fish. Bonaparte’s Gulls occur and rarely a Glaucous or Little Gull or a Parasitic Jaeger is sighted. A few Common Terns and many Black Terns nested until the 1972 flooding almost wiped them out. Fortunately they are now recovering. Among the accidentals are Forster’s, Arctic and Least Terns. Great Horned, Screech and Barred Owls nest. Barn, Long-eared and Saw-whet Owls have been recorded. Snowy and Short-eared Owls use the marshes as hunting grounds in winter. The wooded areas provide nesting grounds for six species of wood¬ peckers including the Pileated, Red-bellied and Red-headed. The dead trees, killed by flooding when the Tschache and Spring pools were formed, furnish nesting holes for many Tree Swallows. The martin houses at the headquarters are occupied by Purple Martins and House Sparrows. The upland areas at Clark’s Ridge, along the new Esker Brook Trail, the Route 89 overlook and around the headquarters and picnic areas provide nesting sites for many passerines and are visited by many more during migration. Seven species of flycatchers nest and seven species of thrushes occur. Yellow-throated, Red-eyed and 200 Warbling Vireos breed while Solitary and Philadelphia Vireos pass through in migration. In all, 32 species of warblers have been recorded. Birders come each spring to find Prothonotary and Cerulean Warblers. These two nest at the refuge along with Yellow Warbler, Ovenbird, Common Yellowthroat, American Redstart, and Yellow-breasted Chat. Gray Catbirds, Brown Thrashers, Cardinals, Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, In¬ digo Buntings, American Goldfinches, Rufous-sided Towhees and others frequent the woods and brushy fields. Fourteen species of sparrows have been found in the grassy and brushy spots. Thousands of blackbirds use the cattails marsh as a roost. Mostly they are Red-winged Blackbirds with large numbers of Common Grackles and Starlings and some Brown-headed Cowbirds. As the woman in Maine said, “We found the most wonderful place to bird. It’s Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge.” R. D. 2, Clyde ., New York 14433 ABOUT THE AUTHOR A graduate of Cornell University, Mr. Benning operated a farm and insurance bureau before retiring to devote himself to a lifetime love, birds. He lives on a farm near the Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge, and is known to some as “Mr. Montezuma.” He is a member of the Eaton Ornithological Society, the Cayuga Bird Club and the Federation of New York State Bird Clubs. He presently serves as the Regional Editor of The Kingbird for Region 3. 201 THE EX-PRESIDENT’S PAGE By now the Federation members are probably tired of hearing from me but our by-laws require the president to give an accounting of his stewardship. First, let me thank all of you who have helped me during the past two years to accomplish whatever has been done to invigorate the Federation. My thanks are especially warm to my able successor, Dick Sloss, the other officers, and the members of the Executive Committee who have given so generously of their thought, time and effort. And not least, I must thank my secretaries, Cheryl Bevan and Jean Lynch without whose ever willing help I, and the Federation, would have been in a deep darkness of non-communication. What has been accomplished? Here are some of the things that I see as positive. A quickening of interest in the Federation and its potential for helpfulness to the clubs and individual members. Im¬ portant changes in the by-laws to expedite our operations and to es¬ tablish an Executive Committee which has proved invaluable in plan¬ ning and executing our business and activities. Initiation of new pro¬ grams and activities such as—pelagic trips, state-wide spring migration count, identification workshops at the annual meeting. Planning for additional activities such as a spring “birding only” meeting, a “Where To Bird in New York State” Baedeker, a listing of birding consultants who will give advice on “where to find what” in their areas, a conservation activities manual for clubs and possibly a state¬ wide breeding bird survey, etc. We have new editors and printer for The Kingbird , a new editor for “Highlights of the Season,” and a splendid new printing format for New York Birders which is being published more regularly. All these things have come about through the interest and work of members who believe in the Federation as a positive force. And I must not forget the establishment of the Lillian C. Stoner Award by one of our oldest and most loyal members. This provides money to bring a student to our annual meeting. The John J. Elliott Award for outstanding articles in The Kingbird has been revived. But my two years have definite negative factors which I regret. Chief among these has been my inability to develop a strong, con- 202 sistent conservation program. This requires—first, agreement on prin¬ ciples and guidelines for our involvement in conservation issues, and second, finding an individual with enthusiasm, drive and the necessary time to act as chairman. A beginning was made on the first point but the quest for the second has not succeeded. My second sense of fail¬ ure is in the essentially static number of Federation individual mem¬ bers. Out of a total of over ten thousand persons in the member clubs less than 5% belong to the Federation—it should be at least 20-25%. If membership does not increase we will be in serious jeopardy of not being able to maintain our gains and to accomplish the exciting things which lie ahead of us. For the years to come I stand ready to assist the Federation in any way that I can. May I say thanks to you all for giving me the privi¬ lege of being your president in 1974 and 1975. Gordon M. Meade, M.D. President—1974-75 LETTERS TO THE EDITORS We are starting a new feature called “Letters to the Editors.” Letters may be of a general nature as long as they pertain to New York State ornithology, or may be of a specific nature with refer¬ ence to something that has appeared in The Kingbird. The editors reserve the right not to accept a letter for publication, or to edit a letter in accordance with space requirements. All letters received will be acknowledged. Your participation is invited. 203 NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS Swain son’s Warblei Photograph by Archie Richardson May 13,1975 A record of Swainson’s Warbler in southwestern New York State: On May 13, 1975, at approximately 7:30 a.m., a Swainson’s Warbler (Limnothlypisswain- sonii) was captured in a mist net at the Burgeson Sanctuary, Chautauqua Co., New York. Located about six miles southeast of the center of Jamestown, this refuge is maintained by the Jamestown Audubon Society on about 189 acres of land northeast of the junction of Route 62 and Riverside Road in south- 204 eastern Kiantone Township. This is the location often referred to as Riverside Marsh (Bull, 1974, p. 620). Archie and Doris Richardson, who netted this bird, have been banding birds at this site each spring and fall since 1970. The Swainson’s Warbler was banded, photographed, measured and released. During this processing, it was seen by Gilbert and Inez Burgeson, Theodore and Flora Elderkin, Robert and Betty Hallquist, Henry Huston, Lorimer Moe, Wesley Nord, Elizabeth Pillsbury, Archie and Doris Richardson and Robert Sundell. Twenty photographs were taken and eight color slides have been placed in the permanent files of the Buffalo Museum of Science. The bird was recaptured at about 1:30 p.m. and was released again after several additional photographs had been obtained. Careful examination of the captive bird and of the color slides show a distinct pale yellow wash on the breast and lower abdomen separated by a white area in the center of the breast. This suggests the possibility that the bird represented the southern Appalachian population as described by Meanley (1971, p. 45). The nearest breeding locality is in the vicinity of Wheeling, West Virginia. The population of the coastal plain (underparts whiter and less tinged with yellow) nests as close as the well-known Pocomoke Swamp near Ocean City, Maryland. There was a significant influx of migrants during the night of May 12-13, but no unusually severe weather conditions occurred to account for the presence of this individual. Extralimital records are summarized by Meanley (1971, pp. 19-20), who lists for New York only the report of May 5,1950, in Prospect Park, New York City, but Bull (1974, p. 466) cites three additional New York records, including a bird netted, banded, photographed and released at Tobay Beach, Nassau Co., on May 20,1973, by Lauro. This note, then, presents data on the first upstate occurrence of Swainson’s Warbler and the fifth record of this species for New York State. Robert A. Sundell, Biology Department, Jamestown Community College, Jamestown, N.Y. 14701 and Archie G. Richardson, 135 Martin Road, Jamestown, N.Y. 14701. LITERATURE CITED Bull, J. 1974, Birds of New York State . Doubleday/Natural History Press. Garden City, New York. Meanley, B. 1971. Natural History of the Swainson’s Warbler. North American Fauna, no. 69. Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife. U. S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. An additional occurrence of Swainson’s Warbler in New York State, at Forest Park, Queens Co. on May 10, 1975, is reported in The Kingbird, 1975, vol. 25, no. 2, pp. 86-87. -Eds. 205 Yellow-bellied Sap sucker roosting in chimney: On the evening of 15 July 1975 we started to burn trash in the fireplace at my summer cottage on Piseco Lake (Hamilton Co.) in the Adirondacks. It had been several days since the last fire. The papers had just begun burning well when my grandson shouted, “There’s a bird in the fire!” Fortunately it had landed in the ashes at the front of the fireplace, not in the flames. To my surprise, it was a young Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius). I picked it up and blew the ashes off while it screeched and tried to jab me with its beak. A few red feathers on the throat indicated that is was probably a young male. Because it was already dark, I put it in a carton on the porch, and the next morning we released it, apparently un¬ hurt. It flew to the nearest tree, a pin cherry, and began searching for food. I assume it had gone to roost for the night in the chimney, was partially overcome by smoke and fell down into the fireplace. Dorothy W. McHroy, 419 Triphammer Road, Ithaca, New York 14850 Bluebird killed while establishing territory: On 10 May 1975, while inspecting our bluebird houses on Seneca Army Depot and greasing the steel poles to deter predators, John Turnauckas and I found a White-footed Mouse (Peromyscus leucopus) in a fresh nest in one box with several one or two-day-old young. We left them undisturbed and did not grease that pole. On our next weekly check on 17 May the box contained a completed Eastern Bluebird (Sialia sialis) nest with four eggs. In four years of bluebird work I have found them to be tough customers around their nests, but the displacement of an obviously unwilling mouse with young to defend clearly merited special respect. The final clutch was five eggs. An apparently normal pair of adults tended and fledged four young. However, when I cleaned out the box on 20 June, I found the skeleton, remiges, and retrices of a male bluebird under the nest, atop the compressed remains of the mouse nest. There was no trace of the infant mice, which may have been thrown out or eaten by the bluebirds, or moved by the adult mouse. The bird’s skull was crushed just in front of the right eye socket. Apparently this was the direct cause of death. Several scenarios are possible, but it seems most likely that the male bluebird was killed by the mouse in a literal fight to the death, and the female bluebird quickly acquired another mate and proceeded with the nesting. This pair also attempted a second brood which failed for un¬ known reasons. Lt. Col. Morgan V. Jones, Seneca Army Depot, Romulus, New York 14541 206 Long-billed Curlew - North Line Island, Nassau Co. Photograph by Thomas H. Davis July 5,1975 Long-billed Curlew on Long Island: On July 4, 1975, while birding in a boat on South Oyster Bay, Nassau County, the authors noted concentrations of shorebirds on North Line Island. Allowing the boat to drift toward the island, we saw large expanses of sand bars and shallow pools of water. By dragging the boat through these pools, we were able to get quite close to the birds, which had apparently come to roost on the island with the onset of high tide. (See report Region No. 10, Kingbird, Vol. XXV, no. 4 for details of this area and summary of species observed.) At approximately 2:30 P.M., a large russet-colored shorebird was noticed roosting on one leg, with its head tucked into its wing. The boat’s drift took us to within 15 to 20 feet of the bird. It noticed us and began moving away. We observed it closely for 10 minutes and then it took flight and gave call as it set¬ tled down on an adjacent hassock of sand and grass. We determined that it was a Long-billed Curlew (Numenius americanus). This is the first confirmed state record of this bird since Aug. 11, 1938, when a bird was seen at Georgica Pond, Suffolk Co., by William T. Helmuth. The bird remained in the vicinity of North Line Island until July 30,1975. Bent (1929) and Bull (1974) state that this bird was in the 19th century a regular and plentiful fall and spring migrant on the coast of Long Island. Market hunting and the eradication of breeding areas east of the Mississippi River re¬ duced its numbers to the point where Bent considered it a rare straggler on the Atlantic Coast. A review of recent issues of American Birds indicates that the Long-billed Curlew is seen somewhat regularly on the Eastern seaboard as far north as Virginia and the Carolinas. REFERENCES: American Birds. 1972,1973,1974, National Audubon Society. Bent, Arthur Cleveland, 1929. Life Histories of North American Shore Birds, Part II. Smithsonian Institution, United States National Museum Bulletin 146. Bull, John, 1964. Birds of the New York Area, Harper and Row. Bull, John, 1974. Birds of New York State, Doubleday/Natural History Press. Stout, Mathiessen, Clem, Palmer, 1967. Shore Birds of North America. Viking Press. Stephen B. Dempsey-533 Chestnut Street, West Hempstead, New York 11552. Anthony and Brook Lauro—9 DeSoto Road, Amityville, New York 11701. 207 HIGHLIGHTS OF THE SUMMER SEASON ROBERT W. SMART Where there was almost total agreement about the weather for the Spring Season, there were vast disagreements about the weather for the Summer. Three of the regions called it cool and wet; three re¬ gions thought it warm and wet; two regions were warm and dry; two regions averaged out to normal. Is it any wonder that your high¬ lights editor has found it nearly impossible to spot any meaningful state-wide trends? Birds reported as increasing in one region were reported as down in others. Much of the data comes, of course, from the many local Breeding Bird Counts. In spite of the limitations of the techniques involved, they do permit a year-by-year comparison of species numbers in a given area. This is particularly true in those cases where the same observer has covered the same route for many years. Great care should be taken in drawing any wider conclusions, however. The results of these counts are dependent almost entirely on the ability of the individual observer to identify quickly and accurately the songs and chips of the nesting birds. This skill is probably more variable than any other in the birding world. Another problem is the date on which the count is made. Many of the counts are taken too early. There is still a strong migratory movement through mid-June, as has been proved by coastal banding records. By the time this migration has ceased and the remaining birds are certainly residents, the song period of many of the earlier nesters is over. A one-shot roadside breeding bird count is simply not an ade¬ quate sample. There were a few areas of general agreement. Several regions re¬ ported good results in the local duck populations and an increase in lingering non-breeding species. Some of the latter may prove to be future nesters. Carolina Wrens continue to spread and increase. On the negative side there was major agreement that the grassland spar¬ rows are in serious trouble. Grasshopper Sparrows seem to be hold¬ ing their own but Henslow’s and Savannah Sparrows are definitely down. The Vesper Sparrow is the disaster species, however. It was reported down seriously in many regions. Dr. Scheider suggests that this is the result of the planting of corn in areas that used to provide habitat for these sparrows. Horned Larks are also suffering for the same reason in Region Five. It would be interesting to know if this is the reason for the decline in the other regions. Another major 208 decline appears to be that of the two aerial insectivores, the Common Nighthawk and the Chimney Swift. None of the regional editors has ventured a guess as to the reasons for the decline. Continued spray¬ ing and growing urban air pollution come to mind but there is as yet no evidence to support this suggestion. Most regions noted remarkably early arrival dates for fall migrants, and particularly for warblers. Many of these established new regional, and sometimes state, records. There was much less agreement con¬ cerning the shorebird migration. This was due, in part, to local vari¬ ations in water levels. The inland areas varied from “miserable num¬ bers and poor variety” in Region Five to “fantastic shorebirding” next door in Region Six. Similarly, it was “early and light” in Re¬ gion One and “good numbers and variety” in Region Two. Region Ten continues to lead the way with innovative counting procedures. Three years ago the compilers of the Captree Christmas Count decided to repeat the count in June, covering the same circle. Last year Northern Nassau picked up the idea and this year Central Suffolk joins the group. This is an activity that should be taken up by all of the Christmas Count compilers in the state. If this were done, thought would be given to a method for publishing them annually. Note also in Region Ten the interesting street-by-street count in the village of Sea Cliff. Other counts of note from this region are the results of the census of the tern, gull, and heron colonies on Long Island and the details of the various pelagic trips to Cox’s Ledge and adjacent waters. There is a certain amount of argument as to which state has sovereignty over these waters but The Kingbird will con¬ tinue to publish the records and New York State birders will con¬ tinue either to list or not to list these birds depending on the strength of their morals vs. their listing needs. Most of the regions have listed their seasonal rarities and it would be superfluous to repeat them here. The Sandhill Crane in Region One is certainly of state-wide interest as is the Purple Gallinule in Region Ten. Notice also the unusual shorebirds in many of the inland areas. The appearance of a Blue-winged Warbler in Golden-winged territory in Region Six brings up the interesting possibility of an¬ other hybrid zone for these warblers. It is also pleasing to note that the Gull-billed Terns in Region Ten were both serious and successful. The first state breeding record for Chuck-will’s-widow is equally noteworthy. The two dark southern terns from this same region de¬ serve comment. The “probable” Bridled Tern comes with a full 209 description so that the reader can judge whether the observer was being over-cautious, correctly questioning, or just plain wrong. Your editor tends to believe the first of these three possibilities and at the same time applauds the caution. The Sooty Tern on the other hand, while undoubtedly correct, was submitted with no details whatso¬ ever. PLEASE include full details of all unusual records. The BOTS award must go to the Long-billed Curlew, for several reasons. Although not a first state record, the 37-year hiatus since the last record makes it a possible first for a majority of the current birding population. It also served to call attention to that superb bit of habitat known as North Line Island. The variety and numbers of shorebirds listed in the Region Ten report show that the curlew was not the only reward for the intrepid mariner who braved the waters of South Oyster Bay. Millbrook School, Millbrook, New York 12545 REGION 1— NIAGARA FRONTIER Vivian Mills Pitzrick Although warm and wet, this was a perfect summer to recapture a childlike closeness with nature. Average temperature for the season was 2.6° F. (1.4° C.) above normal. Total summer rainfall was 2.9 inches (7.4 cm.) above average, mostly falling in frequent light rains. Nearly three inches of rain fell June 3, 4, and 5 causing local flooding and some loss of young in nests. No repercussions were noted in the bird world from the heat wave and smog blanket of July 29-Aug. 5. Positive notes include: 1) Com. Loon continuing as a summer regular at Chautauqua L; 2) early but very light shorebird and warbler flights and several waterfowl lingering late into summer; 3) better numbers of the Upland Sandpiper, Black-billed Cuckoo and Grasshopper Sparrow, and a steady increase of the Indigo Bunting; 4) surprisingly, in view of the wicked Apr ’75 storm, only local variation in the status of the E. Phoebe (like the poetic cow- kicking of Nellie: it “didn’t do her any good-didn’t do her any harm.”); 5) in Allegany Co: first documented nests of Sharp-shinned Hawk, Marsh Hawk and Nashville Warbler; well established breeding populations of Golden-crowned Kinglets, Yellow-rumped Warblers and White-throated Sparrows, with mounting evidence for inclusion of Black-throated Blue and Hooded Warblers; 6) higher numbers of avid avian observers, all reporting promptly; 7) in Cattaraugus Co: first report of the House Finch; and 8) a great food crop-high mouse and rabbit populations, heavy White Ash fruit, and an excellent berry supply. 210 Negative notes aie: 1) scarcity of long-legged waders, except for Great Blue and Little Green Herons; 2) absence of Goshawk nestings and no Red-shouldered Hawks outside Alle¬ gany Co; 3) too few owls, probably a reflection of too little nocturnal birding; and 4) de¬ creased numbers of Henslow’s, Vesper and Song Sparrows. Summer rarities were Mute Swan, Bald Eagle, Sandhill Crane, Marbled Godwit, Ruff, Wilson’s Phalarope, Acadian Flycatcher, Prothonotary Warbler, Swainson’s Warbler (spring record), and House Finch. Abbreviations: BBS—Allegany Co “mini” Breeding Bird Survey initiated in 1970 by CK (see Kingbird Oct 1974 p. 178); BOS-Buffalo Ornithological Society; GMA or WMA—Game or Wildlife Management Area; NWR-National Wildlife Refuge; NP-Nature Preserve. Contributors: Robert Andrle, Elizabeth Brooks, Doris Burton, Lou Burton, Donald Clark, Jane Clark, Stephen Eaton, Ed Ellis (Weather Data, Wellsville Water and Light), David Freeland, Helen Graves, Auretta Hampton, Douglas Kibbe, Clarence Klingensmith, Harold Mitchell, Katherine Palmer, Michael Pitzrick, Raymond Pitzrick, Vivian Pitzrick, Robert Sundell, Larry Wilson, and Observers: Thomas Bourne, Richard Byron, Arthur Clark (ArC), Dorothy Danner, Frances DeGroff, Flora Elderkin, Harriette Klabunde, Walter Klabunde, Alice McKale, Willard McKale, John Morse, Elizabeth Pillsbury, A. Schaffner, William Vaughan, Jean Woodard. LOONS-DUCKS: Once more a single Com. Loon, uncommon in summer, visited Chautauqua L June 19-30 and Aug 1-16 (RS). Always rare here, an early Double-crested Cormorant appeared at Times Beach, Buffalo, Aug 8 (Brownstein). Incomplete Great Blue Heronry reports list 5 active in Allegany Co, and one at Iroquois NWR with 140 nests (61 more than 1974!) averaging 2 yg June 13 (JM et al). Other long-legged waders were very scarce: 2 Great Egrets at Tonawanda MWA July 31 (Balmas) ; Black-crowned Night Heron: 3 at Tifft Farm NP July 8 (RA, RB) and one at Times Beach July 28 (TB, WV); a single Am. Bittern at Clarence June 3 (DF); and one Least Bittern at E. Amherst July 18 (DF). Two MUTE SWANS were watched at Burgeson Sanctuary, Frewsburg June 18 (RS et al). The Canada Goose family was noted again in Hume, Allegany Co, producing 2 yg June 16 (KP). Lingering late and unusual waterfowl included: Gadwall: 4 at Times Beach June 27, and 3 at Iroquois NWR June 29 (RA et al); singles of Redhead at Times Beach June 27, July 11, 12, 20 (RA et al); 2 Greater Scaup at Niagara Falls July 13 (RA et al); and singles of Buf- flehead at Iroquois NWR June 3 (Minsley, Frank) and Mayville July 18-25 (RS). Nesting reports of waterfowl were very sketchy; Wood Duck: 5 yg in Hume June 16 (KP), and 11 nest boxes with eggs hatched in July at Beaver Meadow (Bigelow); Hooded Merganser: resident birds in scattered locations, 4 nest boxes with eggs hatched in July at Beaver Meadow (Bigelow), and 3 immatures in Cattaraugus Co July 28-29 (SE). HAWKS-ALCIDS: Turkey Vultures were exceptionally scarce, with singles noted in but 3 areas in June. There were NO NEST REPORTS of the Goshawk and the only sighting was one in Cattaraugus Co June 15 (SE). Eureka! A Sharp-shinned Hawk nest, the first Allegany Co documentation, was discovered by D. Rosa in New Hudson and reported by L. Wilson who observed 1 ad and at least 2 yg in nest July 18. Total “Sharpies” for the season was 5 ad and 2 yg in 4 areas, which is surprisingly less than the count for Cooper’s Hawk of 8 ad and 4 yg in 6 areas. Two Cooper’s Hawk nests, each with an ad and 2 yg were seen around July 25, one in Friendship (DB, LB) and the other at Alfred (EB). Red-tailed and Broad-winged Hawks and the Am. Kestrel still seems to be out of trouble. However, a total of only 3 Red-shouldered Hawks was reported, all from Allegany Co where also a single active nest was found in Ward June 11 (EB). An ad BALD EAGLE appeared at Hamburg Aug 8 (Hauser). Two Marsh Hawks were noted on the BBS, and nests were first 211 documented for Allegany Co this year; one nest with 3 eggs, found in Hume by R. Wilson, and seen by DB and LB June 1 was later destroyed by predators. Another, documented from old records, was found with 3 yg in nest near Sdo by RP July 16,1944, and when last visited by VP July 23, had one yg still in nest. The Ruffed Grouse and Ring-necked Pheasant are barely holding their own, according to the BBS. In Cattaraugus Co, studies by J. Glidden of Turkey hens carrying transmitters showed broods apparently larger, with first hatchings June 7 (SE). A rare SANDHILL CRANE, in two alfalfa fields on the H. Mathews farm near Clymer, delighted observers (in¬ cluding Roger Tory Peterson) June 21-July 11 (R$, FE et al.). An often overlooked Virginia Rail was spotted on the BBS. The Com. Gallinule was late breeding this year and 10 yg were seen at Keeney Swamp July 18 (DB, LB). Most of the noteworthy shorebird reports, including usual large flocks of Semipalmated Sandpipers (max 270 June 4 by Happ), are from Times Beach, Buffalo. A Black-bellied Plover appeared here intermittently from June 26 (late) to July 15 (early) (RA, AS et al.). At this same location were 4 Ruddy Turnstones June 4 (Happ), and a Whimbrel July 25 and Aug 7 (TB, Hauser et al). With no reports of Upland Sandpipers last year, 12 birds from 3 areas this season is good news indeed! A Red Knot was recorded at Times Beach July 28, 31 (AS, RB et al.) and a Pectoral Sandpiper was seen at Prendergast Pt July 18 (RS). Less common at this time of year, a max 4 White-rumped Sandpipers appeared at Times Beach June 8 and 15 (AS, ArC). A Baird’s Sandpiper was noted at 2 locations on Chautauqua L Aug 23-31 (RS) while 4 appeared in Niagara Co Aug 18 (DK). What in the world was a Dunlin (max 2)-in summer almost a non esse -doing at Times Beach nearly every day from June 27 to Aug 15? (RA et al). Here also was a good flight of the Short-billed Dowitcher, with max 86 about July 10 (AS, RA et al), and beginning of an early migration of the Stilt Sandpiper, with 5 noted July 11 (RA, AS et al). A rare MARBLED GODWIT was recorded at Times Beach July 11 (AS) and a second appeared at Prendergast Pt Aug 30 (RS, Kibler, FE). A wandering RUFF stopped at Times Beach July 27 and 28 (RA, HK, WK et al.). The WILSON’S PHALAROPE, always extraordinary, was noted at 4 locations: one, exception¬ ally early, Tonawanda WMA June 9 (Soule, LaFalce), 2 at Bay View July 22 (TB), and sin¬ gles at Times Beach Aug 8 (Brownstein) and in Niagara Co Aug 18 (DK). At Times Beach, uncommon though expected, were a max 2 Franklin’s Gulls Aug 10 (early)-26 (AS, DF) and up to 10 Little Gulls, all incredibly early, July 27-Aug 15 (RA, HK, WK et al). Also early were Forster’s Terns, 2 appearing at Chautauqua-fc July 18 (RS) and one at Times Beach July 31 (RA et al). As usual a few of the less common Caspian Terns were noted with 5 in 2 locations (AS, RA, RS). PIGEONS-WOODPECKERS: Except for one on the BBS and one at Oak Orchard GMA June 4 (DF), the Yellow-billed Cuckoo was unreported. However, Black-billed Cuckoo numbers appear to be up; an active nest with one egg was found in Amity June 3 and taken by a predator June 7 (VP). Next summer let’s all owl it a lot to present a truer picture of these fascinating nocturnal birds. Great Horned Owls were well reported including an immature at Alfred June 19 (EB), and a nest at Scio, discovered by P. Fuller, with 3 yg (more than usual) Apr 1 and 9, and ap¬ parently successful May 8 (VP). A single Long-eared Owl was noted at E. Amherst July 27 (DF). A Whip-poor-will was recorded at Oak Orchard GMA June 4 (DF). Alleviating the other¬ wise bad news for the Com, Nighthawk of only one report of 6 at Little Genesee Aug 28 (FD), was a flock of 55 migrants at Amherst Aug 25 (DF). The Chimney Swift made a poor showing throughout the Region. In Birdsall and at Alfred, nesting Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers were noted (DB, LB, CK). 212 FLYCATCHERS-STARLINGS: Since the Apr 1975 storm, the status of the E. Phoebe varies locally: normal here but absent there. A rare ACADIAN FLYCATCHER was dis¬ covered and song and call recorded in S. Valley, Cattaraugus Co July 16-26 (RS, Kibler, Richardson). E. Wood Pewee numbers were down on the BBS. With the exception of low Rough-winged numbers, records indicate that swallow breeding results were near normal. An interesting report of an albino Purple Martin on July 29 was received from Iroquois NWR (Balmas). Wa-a-a-y down were Tufted Titmouse observations: only one at Hamburg July 13 (TB) and 2 probable nesters at Spring Brook during June (DD). 4 areas boasted Red-breasted Nut¬ hatches with a total of 7, and probable breeding at Alfred (EB) and Spring Brook (DD). Now a regional regular, the Carolina Wren, in addition to 7 noted in 6 areas, nested 3 times, producing at Spring Brook 3 yg in May (DD) and at Barcelona 3 fledglings Aug 21 (RS). The only report of a Mockingbird was one at Clarence June 4 (DF). Several note a de¬ cline in Am. Robins, a trend substantiated by the BBS; however, a noteworthy flock of 425 was seen moving to roost in Hamburg July 28 (RA). Although 29 E. Bluebirds were re¬ ported from 9 locations, the species was low on the BBS and absent entirely in some areas; from 11 reported nestings, at least 12 yg fledged. Only 7 territorial male Golden-crowned Kinglets (17 last year) were on nesting grounds in Ward this summer (EB). In the Logger- head Shrike nest discovered May 22 near Lyndonville with 1 ad brooding and a second ad dead below, 5 yg were banded about June 1 when two ad were defending the nest. Later it was found empty, intact (DK). VIREOS-WARBLERS: A Philadelphia Vireo, rarely seen, was identified at Barcelona Aug 21, 23 (RS). Warbler migration began early, about July 21. A single PROTHONOTARY WARBLER was located again this year in Iroquois NWR June 21 (HK, WK) and the “Brew¬ ster’s” Warbler (hybrid) was resident once more at Amity L June 1-25 and Aug 31 (VP). Rare here in fall migration, 10 Tennessee Warblers appeared in 3 areas. The first documented Nashville Warbler’s nest in Allegany Co, discovered near Scio May 25, was found empty June 3 (VP). A second Allegany Co nest of this warbler, found in W. Almond May 28 with 5 eggs was apparently abandoned June 8 (DB, LB). A max 3 Black-throated Blue Warblers in the Alfred area June 11-July 18 (EB, CK) suggests breeding there, whereat least 8 pairs of Yellow-rumped Warblers also spent the nesting season (EB, CK). Two fledgling Cerulean Warblers appeared in Cold Spring July 16 (RS). Ovenbirds were scarce almost everywhere. In Cattaraugus Co 5 immature Louisiana Waterthrushes were seen July 16 in S. Valley (RS). Of the N. Waterthrush, 2 territorial males were watched near Alfred June 20-30 (EB). More than usual Yellow-breasted Chats were noted, with 5 from 4 areas. During June, 2 Hooded Warblers frequented the Alfred area (EB, CK) and one appeared at Oak Orchard GMA (DF), and in July one fledgling was seen In Cold Spring (RS). WEAVERS-SPARROWS: The HOUSE FINCH was first documented for Cattaraugus Co at Olean Aug 16, at the home of J, Woodard where 2 ad and 3 immatures were identi¬ fied (DB, LB). Good news: Grasshopper Sparrow numbers were up on the BBS and 8 were reported from 4 areas. However, fewer Henslow’s, Vesper and Song Sparrows were noted although 9 Vespers on the BBS was within the standard deviation. About 8 territorial males (twice 1974’s number) of the White-throated Sparrow were seen in the Alfred area June 1-30, still their only known regional breeding ground. Addendum: a single SWAINSON’S WARBLER, exceedingly rare, was netted and photo¬ graphed by Richardson and also seen by FE and EP at Burgeson Sanctuary, Frewsburg, May 13. Corrigendum: in The Kingbird, Spring 1975, the discovery of Nashville Warbler’s nest near Scio (VP) was May 25, not Apr. Please send reports for each month by the 3rd of the following month. Amity Lake, Belmont, New York 14813 213 REGION 2-GENESEE Richard O’Hara This summer season produced almost exactly normal figures for both rainfall and tem¬ perature overall but it was very unevenly distributed. Rainfall of three inches above normal in June was balanced by below average amounts in both July and August. July was slightly above average in temperature, due mostly to a hot spell near the end, but June and August were a little cooler than normal. It was a pleasant summer and appeared to be a successful breeding season here. Many more stragglers or summering individuals of non-breeding ducks were noted than usual. This is no doubt due in part to successful breeding in such nearby areas as Monte¬ zuma and Iroquois Wildlife Preserves. It may also be in response to improving water quality in the region. Shorebird areas improved greatly after late July and the late summer flight produced good numbers and variety. In particular the Northrup Creek Sanctuary area of Long Pond produced excellent counts all through August. This is the first year this area has appeared to be at all unusual, but hopefully not the last. Passerine migration developed remarkably early and was above average for several spe¬ cies. Perhaps it was the series of cool nights which were responsible. In any case late August sometimes seemed more like mid-September. Positive features: 1. Numbers of breeding herons still improving. 2. Good success for local duck broods. 3. Common Tern numbers a little improved. 4. Fine shorebird flight in August. 5. Unusual summer records for Acadian Flycatcher, Cliff Swallow and Winter Wren. Negative features: 1. Cattle Egret nesting not repeated. 2. Almost no acdpiters all sum¬ mer. 3. Black Terns apparently declining as breeders. 4. No improvement in nighthawk situation locally. 5. Possible decline in local Bank Swallow colonies. 6. Vesper Sparrow still a disaster species. Rarities: Willet, Long-billed Dowitcher, Buff-breasted Sandpiper, Red Phalarope, Black¬ headed Gull, Acadian Flycatcher, Lawrence’s Warbler, Evening Grosbeak, Pine Siskin, House Finch. Abbreviation: BS-Bergen Swamp, BB-Braddocks Bay, MB-Manitou Beach, Mob-many observers, PB-Point Breeze, SB-Sodus Bay, WL-Lakeshore. Observers: R&K Balland, Robert Dobson, June Feder, Genesee Ornithological Society, Ian & Kathy Johnson, Dave Linehan, James Listman, Walter C. Listman, Warren Lloyd, Neil Moon, Richard O’Hara, Chip & Betty Perrigo, RBA-Rochester Birding Association, A1 Shea, Robert & Sue Spahn, Mary Ann Sunderlin, Tom Tetlow, Dave Tremmel. LOONS-DUCKS: Pied-billed Grebe almost unreported. Herons continue to improve especially Great Blue and Black-crowned Night Heron. More Great Egrets than last year- max 6 Aug 17, WL (RD). A report of a Little Blue Heron Aug 31, is unverified to date (IJ). First local breeding record for Canada Goose, ad with 8-week-old yg July 26-29 PB (RBA). Several reports of summering ducks included: Species Date Number Species Date Number Gadwall June 16 4 Lesser Scaup July 27 1 Pintail June 16 2 Bufflehead June 1, July 27 1,1 Am. Wigeon June 16 2,1 Ruddy Duck June 16, Aug 10 1,1 Redhead July 27 2 Com. Merganser Aug 10 3 Greater Scaup July 27 1 Red-breasted Merganser July 7 3 214 Regular local breeders had a good year with many broods of Mallards, Wood Ducks and Blue-winged Teals noted. A few Black Ducks were also noted, this bird being sadly reduced in this region. HAWKS-ALCIDS: Turkey Vulture, max 25 July 3 BS (AS). No accipiters all summer except one Goshawk, Honeoye Lake, June 7 (RBA). Three Broad-winged Hawks at the same place on June 14 may indicate breeding (I&KJ). A very late Rough-legged Hawk was seen on June 12 at WL (IJ). The resident Bald Eagles were last noted on June 7 (RBA) but an immature was at BB from June 28 to 30. (WCL). Ospreys were noted twice in July and once in August. Shorebirds were the chief feature of the season especially during August. Among the better records were: Species Date No. Location Observer WILLET July 19 1 Kendall C&BP WILLET August 20 1 Long Pond R&SS LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER August 24 2 Irondequoit Bay WL Western Sandpiper July 22 1 Braddock Bay AS et al BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER August 28 4 West Lakeshore GP et al Wilson’s Phalarope August 24 2 West Lakeshore Mob Northern Phalarope August 24 8 West Lakeshore Mob RED PHALAROPE August 30 1 Braddock Bay U In addition all regular species except White-rumped Sandpiper have been noted in some numbers with Short-billed Dowitchers being especially numerous. A BLACK-HEADED GULL seen July 19-21 in Kendall was very unusual (C&BP). Little Gull was noted twice in July and 15,000 Ring-billed Gulls on June 16 is a high count (WCL). Forster’s Terns have been present at BB since July 19 (max 5) and Common Terns are up slightly from recent lows. Caspian Tern counts have been good-up to 15 per day (RO). Black Terns on the other hand seem to be declining as local breeders in some areas, n PIGEONS-WOODPECKERS: Black-billed Cuckoos were fairly widespread but Yellow¬ billed Cuckoos have been quite scarce according to most reports. No owls other than Great Horned Owl and Screech Owl have been reported locally. Com. Nighthawks still very scarce. Chimney Swift numbers are also poor. Belted Kingfishers continue to improve; an¬ other result of better water quality? Woodpeckers show no change in status. FLYCATCHERS-STARLINGS: A singing ACADIAN FLYCATCHER July 1-20 at BS (DL et al) apparently was an unmated bird. One Olive-sided Flycatcher was at BB Aug 30 (R&KB). All swallows were well reported with 1,500 Bank Swallows July 26 outstanding. At least 2 pairs of Cliff Swallows nesting at BB is noteworthy also. This is a new station for the species (Mob). Carolina Wrens are still on the upswing. At least 3 pairs of Winter Wrens may have nested. One of these was singing at IB June 12-16, a new station (MAS). Three Short-billed Marsh Wrens were singing at SB June 28 (TT) and singles were at BB July 7-18 (W&JL etal.) and in Ontario (CP). Seven Mockingbirds at Avon July 8 was the max report (GOS). Swainson’s Thrush on August 16 was quite early (RD). Breeding thrushes showed no change in status but E. Blue¬ birds may have improved a little. Am. Robins had a great year—young birds everywhere. Golden-crowned Kinglets again remained in the Bristol Hills region where they are now regular though rare. A new station was Churchville Pk. where 2 were present June 3 & 9 (DL). Loggerhead Shrike was represented by a single pair near PB all summer (IJ et al). VIREOS-WARBLERS: Resident vireos seem to fluctuate considerably in numbers. This year some observers felt Warbling Vireos were reduced. Some warblers were still moving 215 northward in mid-June, i.e. Magnolia and Wilson’s, June 15, BB, and Blackpoll, June 16. Carlton (WCL). A Prairie Warbler singing at Canidice Lake on June 22 could indicate nest¬ ing (JF). Fall arrival dates for some species were very early and some were locally common in mid-August. An outstanding record was our first LAWRENCE’S WARBLER, a singing male June 14-21 at Canidice Lake where Golden-winged and Blue-winged Warblers as well as Brewster’s Warbler were also noted (JF et al.J. WEAVERS-SPARROWS: The resident Orchard Orioles at PB were present until at least June 23 but may not have raised young. Scarlet Tanager, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Indigo Bunting and Purple Finch all were well reported and appear to have had good nesting suc¬ cess. EVENING GROSBEAKS appeared suddenly on Aug 14 in Irondequoit—6 birds (NM). HOUSE FINCHES are beginning to spread locally at least three separate stations, up to 10 birds at one-MB (WCL). PINE SISKIN-one or two remained in Irondequoit until June 14 (DT). Grasshopper Sparrow still low but may be up a little in a few areas.Henslow’s Sparrow slightly better. Vesper Sparrow still very scarce, and now absent from most areas where it was formerly common. Why? White-throated Sparrow was found nesting in BS where it has been present before (DL). This bird and juncos were noted as returning migrants in late Aug¬ ust (very early). 265 Carling Rd., Rochester, New York 14610 REGION 3 - FINGER LAKES W. E. BENNING The first part of June was cool and wet. By late June it was hot and dry and continued so thru July. August brought cooler temperatures and showers. Among the encouraging aspects of the summer were more reports of E. Bluebird sight¬ ings and successful nestings. Another was the recovery of breeding populations at Monte¬ zuma National Wildlife Refuge from the flooding disaster of 1972. Although still below pre¬ flood levels, they are picking up. Common Galiinules and Black Terns showed marked in¬ creases. Pied-billed Grebes, Black-crowned Night Herons, American Bitterns, the resident duck species, Virginia Rails, American Coots and Long-billed Marsh Wrens are gaining. Least Bittern and Sora continue scarce. One of our abundant birds, the Am. Robin, is becoming even more so according to the results of six of the Fish and Wildlife Breeding Bird Surveys taken in the Region. Con¬ versely, five other abundant species, the Starling, House Sparrow, Red-winged Blackbird, Common Grackle and Song Sparrow, showed modest decreases. Could the severe April blizzard, which decimated the Eastern Phoebe in parts of the Region, have had an adverse effect on these species? The meadow sparrows-Savannah, Grasshopper, Henslow’s and Vesper-continue at the relatively low levels of recent years. Montezuma Refuge, as usual, supplied most of the shorebirding in the Region. Fall mi¬ gration started on schedule in the closing days of June, built up rapidly and continued fair thru the period. Rarities: Snowy Egret, Peregrine Falcon, Common Raven, Fish Crow. 216 Abbreviations: BBS-Fish and Wildlife Breeding Bird Survey preceded by B for Branch- port, Cay for Cayuga, Mac for MacdougaU, R for Romulus, Ru for Rushville and T for Tru- mansburg; Cay-Cayuga; Co-County; MNWR-Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge; Ont- Ontario; SAD-Seneca Army Depot; Sen-Seneca; thru-thru period; Tomp-Tompkins. Compilers and contributors: W. E. Benning, Jack Brubaker (Watkins Glen), James Gib¬ son, Robert Gustafson (MNWR), Bernice Hilfiker, Wilifred Howell, Eleanor W. Jones, Mor¬ gan Jones (SAD), Richard and Sally Jorgensen, Elaine Kibbe (Ithaca), Malcolm Lerch (Penn Yan), Jayson Walker (Waterloo), Jeffery Walters, Mary P. Welles (Elmira). LOONS-DUCKS: Com. Loon: 3 Sen L June 24-26 winter plumage; 1 Sen L thru; 4 Cay L June 4. Horned Grebe: 1 Canoga June 27. Great Blue Heron: 130 nests Marengo Swamp; 30 nests near Orleans Ont Co; 2 nests 3 miles south of Penn Yan. Great Egret: 4 MNWR thru. SNOWY EGRET: 1 MNWR June 4 (JG); 2 MNWR June 1 (RG). Whistling Swan: 1 MNWR thru June 15. Mallard: widespread nesting success. Black Duck: very few Elmira. Wood Duck: numer¬ ous reports. Canvasback: 1 Sen L thru. Greater Scaup: 7 Sen L thru. Red-breasted Mergan¬ ser: 1 Sen L thru; female MNWR July 19 (WB). The following table gives the duck popula¬ tion figures at MNWR as of Aug 15 with thru 1974 figures in parenthesis (RC). Mallard 1700 (1300) Blue-winged Teal 750 (250) Black Duck 300 (300) Am. Wigeon 150 (20) Gadwall 350 (225) N. Shoveler 100 (35) Pintail 150 (20) Wood Duck 1200 (550) Green-winged Teal 400 (175) Hooded Merganser 100 (50) HAWKS-ALCIDS: Cooper’s Hawk: 1 Ellis Hollow June 16 (JG). Goshawk: the pre¬ viously reported nest at Michigan Hollow was successful. Red-tailed Hawk: 3 successful nests SAD; nested Clifton Springs and MNWR. Red-shouldered Hawk: 2 SAD thru (MJ); 1 calling Ithaca. Broad-winged Hawk: 1 Ithaca Aug 8 (JG). Bald Eagle: MNWR adult thru and immature July 29 thru. Marsh Hawk: pair MNWR thru; 1 Cohocton (EJ). PEREGRINE FALCON immature Aug 10 thru (MJ). Turkey: 1 Cohocton June 13 (EJ). Sora: scarce; 2 Tomp Co airport thru early July. Semipalmated Plover : MNWR thru June 4; arr fall July 15; max 30 Aug 14. Killdeer: max 70 MNWR Aug 15. Black-bellied Plover: arr 1 MNWR Aug 10; max 6 MNWR Aug 14. Common Snipe: 8 MNWR July 15. Upland Sandpiper: 1 SAD June 12 and July 10; 1 Horseheads July 13-26; reported at Penn Yan and Ithaca; none at their usual breeding areas around Waterloo. Spotted Sandpiper: max 30 Waterloo dump June 28. Greater Yellowlegs: max 80 MNWR Aug 15. Lesser Yellowlegs: arr MNWR June 28; max Waterloo dump July 25 and 150 MNWR Aug 13. Pectoral Sandpiper: arr MNWR July 6. Least Sandpiper: arr MNWR July 2 and max 50 Aug 14; 1 Coming July 12. Short-billed Dowitcher: arr 1 MNWR July 3; 2 Corning July 13-15; max MNWR 10 July 10. Stilt Sandpiper: arr 1 MNWR July 17; max 6 July 9* and Aug 11. Semipalmated Sandpiper: arr 30 MNWR July 15; max 1200 Aug 14. Wilson’s Phalarope: arr 1 MNWR Aug 11. Northern Phalarope: arr 2 MNWR Aug 13. Great Black-backed Gull: 1 Ithaca Aug 8. Herring Gull: 400 Sen L State Park Aug; 100 Waterloo dump Aug. Ring-billed Gull: 150 Myers Point June 4; 500 Waterloo dump Aug. Com. Tern: 4 MNWR Aug. 1. Black Tern: 70 MNWR July 20; left MNWR late July a month early. PIGEONS-WOODPECKERS: Yellow-billed Cuckoo: only report 2 at Ithaca. Black¬ billed Cuckoo: 6 territorial birds SAD; 1 RBBS; seen Ithaca, Freeville, Cohocton, Clifton Springs. Barn Owl: the bird in the silo at Fayette is gone; 3 on MJ’s garage roof July 23. Great Horned Owl: 15 MNWR Aug 15. Barred Owl: 1 Shindagin Hollow July. Com. Night- hawk: several on Cornell Campus thru July. Chimney Swift: abundant Waterloo and north 217 end Cay L. Ruby-throated Hummingbird: scarce; 1 noted in arc display flight Clifton Springs July 9. Belted Kingfisher: 40 MNWR Aug 15. Pileated Woodpecker: reported from Clyde, Waterloo, West Danby. Red-bellied Woodpecker: up at Penn Yan; 3 Ithaca June 19; 1 Caroline Aug 15; young seen at Clyde and Sen Co. Red-headed Woodpecker: reported from Sheldrake, Penn Yan, Phelps, Clifton Springs and along the Clyde River; young noted Clyde and Sen Co. FLYCATCHERS-STARLINGS: Eastern Kingbird: good numbers widespread; good mi¬ gration early Aug. Eastern Phoebe: down in many sections but at SAD 31 nests fledged 113 young. Yellow-bellied Flycatcher: 1 Penn Yan Aug 2 (ML). Least Flycatcher: widespread reports of good numbers. Horned Lark: 4 Tomp Co airport June 23. Tree Swallow: 36 nests at SAD fledged 122 young. Bank Swallow: 40 pairs nested Water¬ loo; nesting sites at Clyde and Tyre abandoned; doing well at Penn Yan. Rough-winged Swallow: scarce. Barn Swallow: 52 pairs fledged 284 young SAD; 1000 roosting in cattails at Corning July 15 (WH). Purple Martin: colonies at the north ends of Cay L and Sen L were full. 100 MNWR Aug 1. COMMON RAVEN: 5 Monterey thru (JB). FISH CROW: Ithaca 1 June 2 and 1 July 1-2 (JG). House Wren: 20 pairs fledged 104 young SAD. Winter Wren: singles at Ithaca and MNWR. Carolina Wren: many SAD; 4 young fledged Elmira June 10; 4 locations at Phelps one nesting; reports from Taughannock Falls, Six Mile Creek, Clifton Springs and Clyde. Long-billed Marsh Wren: MNWR, Cay Marsh and Waterloo dump. Mockingbird: 1 Clifton Springs July 26; numbers up Penn Yan. Wood Thrush: widespread good numbers. Hermit Thrush: 1 banded Penn Yan (ML). Veery: good numbers. Eastern Bluebird: 13 pairs fledged 94 young SAD; 1 Cay BBS; many nesting Penn Yan area especially in Guyanoga Valley where 1 brood of 7 fledged in early June; 2 Clyde July 21-22; 4 MNWR July 28. Golden-crowned Kinglet: 6 including 4 young Tanglewood Forest Elmira where young were seen in 1973. VIREOS—WARBLERS: Vireos: Solitary: Connecticut Hill. Red-eyed: doing very well. Warbling: reported from Ithaca but few at Waterloo and MNWR. Warbler: Black-and-white: 1 Taughannock State Park June 17. Prothonotary: few in the usual places at MNWR. Golden-winged: down in numbers. Blue-winged: territorial male SAD; reports from Ithaca, Danby, Ellis Hollow, Freeville with increased numbers at Penn Yan. Chestnut-sided: 3 West Danby June 12. Prairie: pair on South Hill Ithaca. Ovenbird: fewer. Pine: 2 Caroline Aug 15. Northern Waterthrush: 2 singing West Danby June 12. Louisiana Waterthrush: 1-2 nesting pairs Six Mile Creek. Yellow-breasted Chat: 3 territories SAD; 1 RBBS; 1 Tomp Co airport July 7. Am. Redstart: few Ithaca; pair Gifton Springs June 25-July. On the 25 mile BBS the following were recorded; BBBS CayBBS MacBBS RBBS RuBBS TBBS Vireos Red-eyed 9 2 2 2 1 9 Warbling 0 1 3 1 1 3 Warblers Yellow 4 21 24 20 8 16 Chestnut-sided 2 0 1 0 2 2 Ovenbird 0 0 0 0 0 2 Yellowthroat 8 7 10 20 2 22 Yellow-breasted Chat 0 0 0 1 0 0 Am. Redstart 1 0 1 0 2 3 WEAVERS-SPARROWS: Bobolink: 50 Zwick Rd Sen Co June 28 (JW) a heavy con¬ centration; good numbers Gyde, MNWR and Ithaca; up at Penn Yan. Eastern Meadowlark: scarce. Orchard Oriole: 1 pair Ithaca. Northern Oriole: doing well. Indigo Bunting: a very 218 good year in nearly all areas. Purple Finch: Ithaca thru July 8; 1 Clifton Springs July 25; immature male Waterloo July 22-23; Cohocton. House Finch: Ithaca colony increasing. Am. Goldfinch: abundant. Rufous-sided Towhee: 6-7 pairs Ithaca; Cohocton. Savannah Sparrow: 10 Cay BBS; scarce in most areas. Grasshopper Sparrow: 3 Ithaca locations; usual number Penn Yan; 1 MacBBS. Henslow’s Sparrow: scarce Penn Yan; 2 RBBS. Vesper Sparrow: pair thru July Clifton Springs; Cohocton; generally scarce. Dark¬ eyed Junco: 1 Caroline Aug 15 (JG). Chipping Sparrow: low numbers Ithaca and Waterloo. Field Sparrow: low to average numbers reported. Swamp Sparrow: “fairly dense numbers” Ithaca; low MNWR. R. D. 2, Clyde, New York 14433 REGION 4 - SUSQUEHANNA Leslie E. Bemont The first two weeks of June were cool and rainy but from then to the middle of August, the end of the reporting period, the usual warm temperatures prevailed. As usual in this Region during the summer months there was a marked decrease in ob¬ servers’ activity, leaving the breeding bird surveys as far and away the best and almost the only information about population levels during the period. This year all 13 surveys run completely or predominantly within the Region were available. Their composite results are reported for each species found on at least one in the form “(15,7)”, meaning 15 birds re¬ ported on 7 surveys. The only rarity reported was a Clay-colored Sparrow found on one of the surveys. Also of interest were summer reports of both kinglets, a Pine Warbler, and Baird’s Sandpiper. Fish and Wildlife Breeding Bird Surveys used: Cooperstown, Jun 14, Cora Wellman; Corbettsville,Jun 20, Paul Kalka; Coventryville, Jun 27, Les Bemont; Dryden, Jun 10, Mar¬ garet Shepard; Laurens, Jun 11, John New; Lisle, Jun 21, Robert Pantle; McDonough, Jun 21, Claude Howard; Meridale, Jun 10, Mildred Clark; Newark Valley, Jun 10, Elizabeth Washburn; Oneonta, Jun 10, John New; Oxford, Jul 2, Danny Bystrak; Vestal Center, Jun 16, Elizabeth Washburn; Whitney Point, Jun 14, Robert Pantle. Other contributing observers: Donald Bemont; Gail Corderman; Warren Corderman; Anna and Marilyn Davis; Mary Dobinsky; Sadie Dorber; Cindy Kirch; Eugene Kirch; Mary Sheffield; Robert Sheffield; Louise Viglione; Ruth and Sally White; Kathryn Wilson, LOONS-DUCKS: Great Blue Heron: (6,5); scattered reports throughout. Green Heron: (3,3). Am. Bittern: 1 Sherburne Aug 2, no others. Canada Goose: Chenango Forks Jun 10. Mallard: (9,2). HAWKS-ALCIDS: Turkey Vulture: none reported, surprisingly. Goshawk: Choconut Center Jun 28 (MS, RS). Sharp-shinned Hawk: (1,1) Laurens BBS; only 1 other report. Cooper’s Hawk: none reported. Red-tailed Hawk: (7,5); reasonably common; nest south of Binghamton, 2 young able to sustain flight by Jun 14. Red-shouldered Hawk: (1,1) Oxford BBS, no others. Broad-winged Hawk: 2 fledged young Chenango Bridge Jul 14; one other report, Oneonta Jun 21. Marsh Hawk: none. Am. Kestrel: (9,7); 2 adults and 6 fledged young Endwell Jun 27. Ruffed Grouse: (1,1); 6 young south of Binghamton Aug 16. Bob- white: (3,2) Newark Valley BBS, Cooperstown BBS. Ring-necked Pheasant: (16,4). Turkey: 219 2 adults, 3 immatures Portlandville area Aug 2. Common Gallinule: 1 Norwich Jul 12; no others. Killdeer: (79,12). Common Snipe: 1 Choconut Center Jun 15; 2 Portlandville area Jul 15. Spotted Sandpiper: (4,3). Solitary Sandpiper: 1 Sherburne Jul 5; 2 Sherburne Aug 2; South Otselic Aug 12. Greater Yellowlegs: Endwell Jul 14, night flying migrant. BAIRD’S SANDPIPER: 3 South Otselic Fish Hatchery Aug 12 (LB, DB), “scaly” back, buffy breast, blackish legs and inconspicuous wing stripe in flight-noticeably larger than accompanying Leasts on a later date. Ring-billed Gull: 2 or 3 Whitney Point Jul 27; no other report. PIGEONS-WOODPECKERS: Rock Dove: (91,10). Mourning Dove: (75,13). Yellow¬ billed Cuckoo: (1,1), only 4 other reports. Black-billed Cuckoo: (1,1), 3 other reports. Screech Owl: (1,1), 2 others. Great Horned Owl; (2,2). Barred Owl: (1,1) Meridale BBS; all summer south of Binghamton. Chimney Swift: (35,8). Ruby-throated Hummingbird: (2,1). Belted Kingfisher: (10,5). Common Flicker: (90,13). Pileated Woodpecker: (4,2>, 6 other reports. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker: (9,5). Hairy Woodpecker: (10,5). Downy Woodpecker: ( 12 , 8 ). FLYCATCHERS-STARLINGS: E. Kingbird: (57,13). Great Crested Flycatcher: (33, 11). E. Phoebe: (46,11); at Emmons fewer than in past years. Willow Flycatcher: (19,6). Alder Flycatcher: (7,3). Least Flycatcher: (80,12). E. Wood Pewee: (23,10). Horned Lark: (1,1), Whitney Point BBS. Tree Swallow: (56,10). Bank Swallow: (15,2); colony at Upper Lisle-“not as many as some years.” Rough-winged Swallow: (3,2); 12 to 15 fledged young Upper Lisle Jul 6. Barn Swallow: (267,13). Cliff Swallow: (13,2). Purple Martin: (1,1). Blue Jay: (150,13). Com. Crow: (461,13). Black-capped Chickadee: (61,12). Tufted Titmouse: (1.1) , Whitney Point BBS; reasonably frequent reports in Triple Cities area. White-breasted Nuthatch: (20,7). Red-breasted Nuthatch: (1,1), Oxford BBS; 4 Portlandville area Jul 28. Brown Creeper: (4,3) the only reports. House Wren: (183,13). Winter Wren: (1,1), Laurens BBS; 4 reports Portlandville area Jul and Aug. Carolina Wren: thru Jun in Vestal. Mocking¬ bird: (2,2); Greene Jul 13, the only other report. Gray Catbird: (185,13). Brown Thrasher: (55.13) . Am. Robin: (864,13). Wood Thrush: (232,12). Hermit Thrush: (8,2), McDonough BBS, Oxford BBS; 4 reports Portlandville area Jul and Aug. Swainson’s Thrush: 1 Vestal Aug 15, banded. Veery: (109,13). E. Bluebird: (1,1), not many others. Golden-crowned Kinglet: (1,1), Corbettsville BBS. Ruby-crowned Kinglet: 1 Sherburne Jun 16 and Jul 14 (R,SW), singing. Cedar Waxwing: (42,10). Starling: (1581,13). VIREOS-WARBLERS: Yellow-throated Vireo: (23,10). Solitary Vireo: (7,4). Red¬ eyed Vireo: (199,13); 1 Emmons Aug 10 feeding 2 cowbirds. Warbling Vireo: (27,10). Black-and-white Warbler: (11,5). Golden-winged Warbler: (1,1). Blue-winged Warbler: Cor¬ bettsville BBS. Nashville Warbler: (1,1). Yellow Warbler: (213,12). Magnolia Warbler: (8,4). Black-throated Blue Warbler: (1,1). Yellow-rumped Warbler: (2,2), Cooperstown BBS, Ox¬ ford BBS; Chenango Forks Jul 5,12 and 23 (A,MD). Black-throated Green Warbler: (17,7). Blackburnian Warbler: (4,3). Chestnut-sided Warbler: (46,11). PINE WARBLER: (1,1), McDonough BBS. Ovenbird: (59,12). Northern Waterthrush: (1,1). Louisiana Waterthrush: (3.2) . Mourning Warbler: (3,2); 2 Milford area Jun 28. Yellowthroat: (402,13). Canada Warbler: (7,4). Am. Redstart: (37,12). WEAVERS-SPARROWS: House Sparrow: (515,12). Bobolink: (134,13). E. Meadow¬ lark: (116,12). Red-winged Blackbird: (1718,13). N. Oriole: (128,13); nest in pine with bot¬ tom resting on branch below Jun 7 Choconut Center. Com. Grackle: (456,13). Brown¬ headed Cowbird: (49,10). Scarlet Tanager: (59,12). Cardinal: (57,12), missing from Coopers¬ town BBS. Rose-breasted Grosbeak: (74,13). Indigo Bunting: (75,11). Purple Finch: (21, 9). House Finch: continued present at 3 Triple Cities area feeders during Jun and 1 or 2 feeders in Jul and Aug. Am. Goldfinch: (205,13). Rufous-sided Towhee: (95,13). Savannah Sparrow: (63,10). Grasshopper Sparrow: (3,3); also Choconut Center Jul 5. Henslow’s Spar¬ row: (2,1), Dryden BBS; also Choconut Center Jul 8. Vesper Sparrow: (4,2). Dark-eyed Junco: (8,4); several other reports, max 8 Portlandville area Aug 2. Chipping Sparrow: (214.13) . CLAY-COLORED SPARROW: (1,1), Oxford BBS, watched singing from about 220 10 meters for about 8 minutes. Field Sparrow: (137,13). White-throated Sparrow: (32,5); of 6 other reports max 12 Milford area Jun 28. Swamp Sparrow: (19,7). Song Sparrow: (459,13). 710 University Ave., Endwell, New York 137 60 REGION 5 - ONEIDA LAKE BASIN Fritz G. Scheider Region 5 birders may soon be recognized instantly in other sectors of the state-just check for their webbed feet. June was wet and hot and wet, July was the second wettest July on record, and August was wet and hot too. Local plant life developed jungle-like lux¬ uriance, lawn growth constantly trapped birders into weekend mowings, and vegetable gar¬ dens with ragweed trim burgeoned. The berry and tree seed crops have grown hugely and bumper bounty awaits both fall transients and winter visitants. The incessant rain kept most marshes at springtime water levels and the usual August rail and gallinule watching was a dud—you were lucky to see over the head-high cattails. Most local breeders seemed to achieve good production, particularly the serial nesters-House Wren, American Robin, Wood Thrush, Red-winged Blackbird, and such later breeders as Cedar Waxwing and American Goldfinch. Aerial insectivores, especially Common Night- hawk and Chimney Swift, are definitely declining at Syracuse (see below) and may be doing so in other sectors of the Region. The majority of breeding bird data accrues from the seven U.S. Fish and Wildlife Breed¬ ing Bird Surveys (hereafter, BBS)-Cicero Center, Kasoag, North Wilmurt, Old Forge, Onei¬ da, Oriskany Fails, and Pulaski. Trends from these surveys seem to back up impressions from the many summer reports—such positives as 1) steady numbers of some swallows; 2) improved numbers of certain nesters (see above); 3) rising numbers of icterids including Northern Oriole; 4) continued increases in the “southerners”—Turkey Vulture, Carolina Wren, Mockingbird, Tufted Titmouse, and Cardinal. Negatives seemed as abundant as the local rain-1) virtually no breeding Pied-billed Grebes; 2) few herons and only one white heron for the season; 3) continued decline in Sharp-shinned, Cooper’s, and Red-shouldered Hawks; 4) further reductions in Ring-necked Pheasant numbers; 5) paucity of both cuckoos and of aerial insectivores; 6) continued de¬ cline of Horned Larks and Vesper Sparrows; 7) a peculiar absence of Golden-winged and Blue-winged Warblers south of Syracuse, a previous redoubt for them; and 8) minimal gain in Henslow’s and Grasshopper Sparrows. The two most prominent features of the July and August fall migration include 1) the miserable numbers and poor variety of fall shorebirds, undoubtedly due to minimal avail¬ able habitat secondary to the rain-sustained high water; and 2) the numerous early fall ar¬ rival dates, many record breaking, not just for the Region but for the state. The seasonal rarities include Snowy Egret, Hudsonian Godwit, Red and Wilson’s Phala- ropes, breeding Loggerhead Shrike and Orchard Oriole, and a persistent Western Mea¬ dowlark. GMA-Game Management Area; Onon-Onondaga; SP & SPI-Sandy Pond and Sandy Pond Inlet; SSSP-Selkirk Shores State Park near Port Ontario; Syr-Syracuse. 221 My thanks to Bill Brosseau, Gene Huggins and Jean Propst for help in compiling this report. LOONS-DUCKS: The only white heron for the season is a SNOWY EGRET Aug 11 Sylvan Beach (DWAckley, mob). Mallard: only concentrations at local anatine feeders-many broods at Howland’s Is¬ land but not elsewhere. Migrant ducks came very early-Pintail Aug 14, Green-winged Teal Aug 15, American Wigeon Aug 19, Northern Shoveler Aug 9, Ruddy Duck Jul 31, all at Onondaga Lake where none of the above breed. HAWKS-ALCIDS: Turkey Vulture: still spreading locally-2 June 17 Taberg and 1 Aug 11 Little Falls (both B & S Peebles). Goshawk: nestings at New Haven and Fabius produced two and three young respectively. Sharp-shinned Hawk: only one reported for entire per¬ iod-terrible. Red-shouldered Hawk: two sightings for entire summer-no nestings known. Marsh Hawk: three on Pulaski BBS, singles at Oswego and Camillus—perhaps a few birds are still holding on. American Kestrel: one-ten/BBS, numbers holding up well. Ring-necked Pheasant: numbers down on every BBS that has had pheasants. Sora: in¬ credibly scarce-total of four individuals for entire summer—what happened to them? The only June spring shorebirding of note was June 1 at SPI-250 Ruddy Turnstones, nine Red Knots, 98 Semipalmated Sandpipers, and 35 Sanderlings. Fall shorebirds with arrival dates and maxima respectively-Semipalmated Plover two Jul 15 Onon L and 15 Aug 16 Oneida L; Am. Golden Plover two adults Aug 17 Onon L, both arr and max; Black-bellied Plover 2 Aug 4 and five Aug 18 both Onon L; Solitary Sandpiper 1 Jul 17 Fabius and 6 Jul 30 Bolivar; Greater Yellowlegs 1 Jul 10 DeWitt Marsh and 4 (very low) Jul 22 Bolivar; Lesser Yellowlegs 1 June 27 Onon L and 67 (low) Aug 7 Onon L; Red Knot 2 Aug 17 SPI and 4 Aug 21 Sylvan Beach; Pectoral Sandpiper 1 Aug 8 (late) and 6 Aug 18-25, all Onon L; Baird’s Sandpiper 1 Aug 6 with singles thereafter Onon L; Least Sandpiper 5 Jul 10 and 60 (low) Jul 15 both Onon L; Short-billed Dowitcher 13 Jul 14 Onon L and 27 Aug 29 Sylvan Beach; Stilt Sandpiper 2 adults Jul 19 Onon L,both arr and max (low); Semipalmated Sandpiper 11 Jul 14 Onon L and 325 Aug 18 Sylvan Beach; Sanderling 3 Jul 14 Onon L and 77 Aug 17 SP-Onon L. Rarer shorebirds include HUDSONIAN GODWIT 1 adult Aug 24-25, WILSON’S PHAL- AROPE 1 Aug 17-19, and RED PHALAROPE an immature Aug 31, all at Onon L. Caspian Tern: excellent counts at both SPI and Onon L-max 31 Aug 31 SPI. Black Tern: incredibly scarce-max only 10 Aug 10 SP-SSSP. PIGEONS-WOODPECKERS: Mourning Dove: increased on six of seven reporting BBS. Both cuckoos very scarce-Yellow-billed total 9 individuals and Black-billed total 19 from twelve observers. Barred Owl: new location-one calling near Williamstown Jun 26 (MSRusk). Common Nighthawk: Syracuse survey by R. E. Long revealed 18 sites with total of 75 birds; some 33 sites located three years earlier-species definitely reduced locally; max of 145 Aug 25 Syr are certainly migrants. Chimney Swift: similar survey (REL) produced 86 individuals-formerly recorded in the hundreds; max 220 (migrants) Aug 25 Syr. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker: reduced on every BBS where it occurs regularly—a victim of the early April cold and snow? FLYCATCHERS-STARLINGS: E. Kingbird: normal or increased on BBS; max 32 Aug 17 SP—SSSP. E. Phoebe: down sharply on five of seven BBS. Alder Flycatcher: reduced, in some cases by 80%, on five of seven BBS. Horned Lark: continues to grow ever more scarce-summer max only four at Euclid Jun 16; if corn becomes the local cropland king, it will disappear altogether as a breeder here. 222 Tree Swallow: BBS show some modest drops but two have above average tallies. Bank Swallow: decreased (in some cases even absent) on the seven BBS. Rough-winged Swallow: very scarce locally—max only 6 Oswego Jun 7 (Wernicks). Barn Swallow: increased on all BBS. Cliff Swallow: just the reverse-reduced on majority of BBS. Purple Martin: virtually the same tallies as before on the BBS-apparently the local birds were not decimated by the April snow and cold. Fall maxima are Tree Swallow 1200 (low) Aug 31 SP, Bank Swallow 13,500 Aug 17 SP, Bam Swallow 3200 (low) Aug 3 SP, Cliff Swallow 60 Jul 5 West Mon¬ roe, and Purple Martin 370 Aug 16 Sylvan Beach. Tufted Titmouse: individuals in summer at Chittenango, Skaneateles, Syracuse, and Ca- millus, in two cases with young being noted. Red-breasted Nuthatch: first migrants Aug 3 SP dunes; reported widely thereafter but no large numbers thru period. House Wren: increased on four BBS, stable on the other three. Carolina Wren: thru August, now known to be present at 32 separate sites in theregion-an amazing expansion from their extreme scarcity six to seven years ago. Short-billed Marsh Wren: four sites lo¬ cated involving eight singing birds-a definite increase. Mockingbird: two new stations-DeWitt and Euclid; increasing here but slowly, certainly much more slowly than Carolina Wren. BBS showed increases in Gray Catbird (six out of seven) but decreases in Brown Thrasher (six out of seven). Wood Thrush: increased on BBS with 12-34/survey, Hermit Thrush: increasing, in some cases numbers doubled, on BBS-12-32/survey. Eastern Bluebird: five individuals from seven BBS, up just a shade (sky blue). Golden-crowned Kinglet: record departure date-1 June 1 SP dunes (PADeBenedictis, FGS); breeding confirmed at spruce plantations at Morgan Hill near Fabius-6 young Jul 21. LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE: nest with four eggs June 1 near New Haven (PADeBenedictis). VIREOS-WARBLERS: Solitary Vireo: summer max 13 Jun 19 Old Forge BBS; 1 Aug 17 SP dimes is a record fall arrival date but is in keeping with the numerous very early fall arrivals of migrant warblers. Red-eyed Vireo: max 151 June 19 Old Forge BBS; ten mi¬ grants Aug 3 SP dunes. Philadelphia Vireo: departure date June 1 two and first fall migrant one Aug 10, both at SP dunes. Warbling Vireo: good numbers on BBS on Ontario Lakeplain but decreased numbers on all counts away from that sector. Golden-winged Warbler: decreased on Kasoag BBS and missed altogether on both the Cicero Center and North Wilmurt BBS; many sites south of Syracuse apparently abandoned as breeding localities despite numbers there this spring-why? Yellow Warbler: decreased tallies, in some cases by half, on most surveys, the exception being 47 (up sharply) on the Oneida BBS. Magnolia Warbler: dep date Jun one Three Rivers GMA; sharp drop on Old Forge BBS-21 in 1974, 9 in 1975. Yellow-rumped Warbler: a singing bird in a white pine plantation at Three Rivers GMA may indicate breeding there which would be a first for the Ontario Lakeplain sector of Onondaga County. Black-throated Green Warbler: reduced numbers on all BBS that regularly have them. Ovenbird: increased numbers (11-40/BBS) on four of seven surveys. Louisiana Waterthrush: still present to Aug 13 Fish Gulf-very late as this is one of the earliest of all locdl warblers to depart. Yellowthroat: increased numbers-21-63/BBS; as expected few present (9) on Old Forge BBS where habitat is virtually solid woods. Canada Warbler: scarce on surveys-only one-six/BBS. American Redstart: small reductions on four of seven BBS. An amazing array of early fall arrival dates for migrant warblers-Tennessee Aug 3, Nashville Aug 3, Magnolia Aug 10, Cape May Aug 10, Black-throated Blue Aug 17, Yellow- rumped Aug 3, Black-throated Green Aug 10, Blackburnian Aug 1, Bay-breasted Aug 3, Ovenbird Aug 3, Canada Aug 3, and American Redstart Jul 17, virtually all from the Sandy Pond dunes. 223 WEAVERS-SPARROWS: Bobolink: increased on Oneida and Cicero Center BBS but all other BBS reported declines, in some cases over half; first migrants Jul 6 N Syracuse. WESTERN MEADOWLARK: One at Syracuse persistently singing to late July. ORCHARD ORIOLE: pair at Camillus Valley raised two young. Scarlet Tanager: numbers up on five of seven BBS (two-22/survey). Indigo Bunting: a sharp drop from previous surveys-down, in some cases by 50% on six of seven BBS. Pine Siskin: 14 on Old Forge BBS June 19—none thereafter. A. Gold¬ finch: everywhere this summer—counts of 30-60/day and from all sectors but the Adiron- dacks; in Pompey, 30 nests fledged 107 young (DWCrumb), the highest fledging rate to date. Savannah Sparrow: numbers seem stable (five-45/BBS) locally—apparently those hard- pressed, cold, wet, miserable roadside Savannahs of early April were destined for further north. Grasshopper Sparrow: only four locations (Syracuse, Oriskany Falls, Kasoag, Mexi¬ co) totaling seven individuals. Henslow’s Sparrow: nine locations involving 22 birds-up slightly but not by much. Vesper Sparrow: increasingly scaree-six individuals for entire summer; will undoubtedly vanish as a breeder just like the Horned Lark and for the same reasons. White-throated Sparrow: first fall arr Aug 10 (very early) SP dunes; high country BBS show moderate increases with the best tally 30 on Old Forge BBS. Swamp Sparrow: rather scarce (5-7/day) but noted in small brushy marshes in areas of southern highlands (Tully, Pompey, Fabius) where not present two or three years ago. 114 Rockland Drive, North Syracuse, New York 13212 REGION 6 - ST. LAWRENCE Lee B. Chamberlaine Summer of 1975 was a dry, hot one with rain coming at infrequent intervals but heavy when it did come. Temperatures ranged from the high 90’s (99°F in Massena-37.2°C) to the mid 60’s (15.6°C) for lows. Noticeable trends were excellent waterfowl production; increase in Turkey Vulture sight¬ ings; raptors in the main continue in trouble; fantastic shorebirding with low water levels; excellent vireo and warbler observations; and early winter finch sighting which may indicate a regular north country winter to come. Among the rarities for Region 6 were Least Bittern; Northern Phalarope; Caro¬ lina Wren; Mockingbird; Philadelphia Vireo and Blue-winged Warbler. Localities: DH-Dry Hill; ED-Eldorado Shores; LWMA-Lakeview Wildlife Manage¬ ment Area; PRWMA-Perch River Wildlife Management Area: WHWMA-Wilson Hill Wild¬ life Management Area. Contributors: John B. Belknap; Tom L. & Cathy Carrolan; Lee B. Chamberlaine; Robert C. & June Walker. Corrigenda: KINGBIRD XXV No 2 May 1975 p 106 NORTHERN THREE-TOED WOODPECKER: 1 fern Jan 28 & 30 DH (RCW); 1 fern Feb 2 CagwinRd (RCW)-Regional Editor’s omission. 224 LOONS-DUCKS: Double-crested Cormorant: 28 active nests Little Galloo Island July 12—extension of colony over 1974 (TLC); 35 Calf Island July 12 (no nests) (TLC); 10 ED Aug 23. Black-crowned Night Heron: 29 active nests Little Galloo Is Jul 12-possibly ex¬ tended nesting area over 1974-50± adults ± 65 full fledged immatures ± 3 birds per nest unfledged (TLC). LEAST BITTERN: 11 (9 adults 2 immatures) LWMA Aug 2 (TLC). Can¬ ada Goose: 471 banded (185 goslings) WHWMA Aug; 183 banded (169 goslings) PRWMA Aug (LBC). Gadwall: 2 Little Galloo Is Jul 12 (TLC). Blue-winged Teal: an excellent nest¬ ing year in Region. Am. Wigeon: 4 Little Galloo Is Jul 12 (TLC); late. Oldsquaw: 1 fern Jul 7 (RCW); very late. WHITE-WINGED SCOTER: 1 ad ED Aug 3 (TLC). Hooded Merganser: 3 Sherwin’s Bay Aug 31. Com. Merganser: 2 ED Aug 31. Red-breasted Merganser: 2 ED Aug 23. HAWKS-ALCIDS: Turkey Vulture: increasing along L. Ontario shore-nests where? Goshawk: active nest Indian Lakes area (JBB). Sharp-shinned Hawk: 1 ED Aug 23. Cooper’s Hawk: none reported. Broad-winged Hawk: 2 immatures Henderson Aug 28; 3 (1) ad 2 im¬ matures Henderson Aug 31. Rough-legged Hawk: 1 light phase W. Martinsburg Jun 20 (Matt Brown-Peter VanEenenaam); late. BALD EAGLE: 1 ad W. Martinsburg Jun 20 (Brown & VanEenenaam); only report for period. Osprey: 2 nest locations in Indian Lakes area apparently failures (JBB). Black-bellied Plover: 2 ED Aug 26. Ruddy Turnstone: 11 ED Aug 16. Am. Woodcock: good production year. Com. Snipe 20 PRWMA Aug 28. Upland Sandpiper: numbers up but not as in early 1970’s. Solitary Sandpiper: 2 Page Rd Whetstone Park Jul 5 (RCW); early. Red Knot 2 ED Aug 23. Pectoral Sandpiper: 1 ED Aug 3; 1 PRWMA Aug 28. BAIRD’S SANDPIPER: 2 ED Aug 23 (RCW). SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER: 24 ED Aug 19; 20 ED Aug 23—both (RCW); 16 ED Aug 28 (TLC). STILT SANDPIPER: 1 ED Aug 19 (RCW); 1 ED Aug 26 (TLC). NORTHERN PHALAROPE: 1 ED Aug 19 (RCW). Ring-billed Gull: Little Galloo Is population seems to be building again. Bonaparte’s Gull: 2 ED Aug 19. Caspian Tern: max 15 ED Aug 26. Black Tern: +30 LWMA Aug.2. PIGEONS-WOODPECKERS: Mourning Dove: population still increasing-also into Tug Hill periphery. YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO: 1 DH Aug 1 (RCW); rare in Region. Black-billed Cuckoo: 1 Brownville-Dexter July 1. Screech Owl: thru. Barred Owl: 2 heard Camp Portaferry Jul 24 (Brown & VanEenenaam)-not often reported. Com, Nighthawk: 50 over Gouverneur Aug 15; smaller numbers Aug 24 & 25; roost in vicinity and flocking in preparation for migration?-all (JBB). Red-headed Woodpecker: 2 immatures Brown- ville Aug 28. FLYCATCHERS-STARLINGS: Alder Flycatcher: 2 DH Jun 3 (RCW). OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER: 1 Whetstone Park Jul 5 (RCW). Rough-winged Swallow: ±60 Brownville Jul 24. Red-breasted Nuthatch: 2 ED Aug 28. Winter Wren: 1 heard Streeter L. Jun 23; 4 heard Inlet (St. Lawrence Co.) Jun 25-both (TLC). CAROLINA WREN: 1 heard Snowshoe Point Jul 24 (LBC); reported there last year but unconfirmed. MOCKINGBIRD: 1 Campbell’s Point Jul 1 (TLC). Hermit Thrush: 3 Streeter L Jun 23; 2 Inlet Jun 25; 4 Chases L Jul 18-all (TLC). Swainson’s Thrush: 1 Brownville Aug 31 (TLC). Water Pipit: 2 ED Aug 31. VIREOS-WARBLERS: Solitary Vireo: 1 Star L Jun 21; 1 Streeter L Jun 23; 1 Brown¬ ville Aug 31-all (TLC). PHILADELPHIA VIREO: 4 Black R-Brownville Aug 15 (TLC). BLUE-WINGED WARBLER: 1 DH Jun 3, 4 & 9 (RCW); second regional record. Golden¬ winged Warbler: 1 DH Jun 34 (RCW). Both above warblers singing at same time within sight of each (50-60 yds) on adjacent territories; Golden-winged in this area for several years (RCW). TENNESSEE WARBLER: 10 Black R-Brownville Aug 30 (TLC); 10 same location Aug 31 (TLC). NASHVILLE WARBLER: 1 male Chase’s L Jul 18 (TLC). WIL¬ SON’S WARBLER: 1 ED Aug 26 (TLC). 225 WEAVERS-SPARROWS: Evening Grosbeak: 1 Henderson Aug 12 (LBC); other single individuals reported in Adams in Aug (LBC). Purple Finch: more than last year in Hender¬ son-Stony Point area (LBC). Am. Goldfinch: not as common as last summer (LBC). Box 139, Henderson, New York Tel: 315-938-5326 REGION 7 - ADIRONDACK-CHAMPLAIN Theodore d. mack This was a dry summer in the mountains making nesting more apt to be successful for most species. Am. Robins, Wood Thrushes, Veeries, and even Swainson’s Thrushes, which have been scarce, seem to have profited from this. Red-eyed Vireos brought off multiple broods and Yellow-rumped Warblers did well. It seemed to be a favorable nesting season as a whole. One local blessing was the decision not to spray the Paul Smiths area for black flies this summer because of cost and lack of intended results. Dead Tree Swallows contain¬ ing hydrocarbons have been collected in other areas that were sprayed, however. Observers: DA-Deborah Anson; GC—Geoffrey Carleton; GOS-Genesee Ornithological Society; BJ-Billy Johnson; CJ-Courtney Jones; MK-Dr. Marguerite Kingsbury; DK-Don Knies; BMc—Bob McKinney; B&JMac—Betsy & John MacMillan; NM-Norman Mason; GM-Gordon Meade; RM-Ruth Meier; KM-Keith Murphy; JN—Joel Nevison; JO&TO-Jack & Toni 0!Bryan; MP-John M. C. Peterson; PW—Phil Warren; Paul W-Paul Weld; MV—Mo¬ ses Vaughn. Abbreviations: L Cham-Lake Champlain; Mad—Madawaska Pond near PS; Newcomb BBS-Newcomb Breeding Bird Survey by Alice Jones & Helen Manson; Platt-Plattsburgh; PS-Paul Smiths; Raq R-Raquette River; Spec BBS-Speculator Breeding Bird Survey by Fritz Scheider; Ti-Ticonderoga; Tup L—Tupper Lake. LOONS-DUCKS: Common Loon: max 15 St. Regis canoe area (MP); pair nesting L Cham (CJ). Goodnow Flow is no longer a nesting area because of increased human activity and raising of water level which drowned the entire nesting island. Black P near PS had only one adult bird and a great increase in fishing pressure so it too may be lost. It is sad to see this species lose territory. Several Cattle Egrets and Black-crowned Night Herons nested on 4 Bros Is. Least Bittern: Jun 10 Ti marsh (BMac, JO, TO) and Jul 27 (GC). RM had 10 imm Black Ducks on Raq R Tup L. Lesser Scaup: 3 carefully identified Platt Jul 25 (PW).Hooded Merganser: female with 7 young Jun 7 Lewis (BJ, JN, MV); female and 7 young Raq R Tup L (RM); plus many others; regular breeder in Franklin Co. Common Merganser: 1 female on Goodnow had 34 young. There seems to be an interchange of young between females. HAWKS-ALCIDS: Many Turkey Vultures at L Cham. Sharp-shinned Hawk: 2 re¬ ported. Bald Eagle: 3 or 4 imm seen. Marsh Hawk: sev L Cham. Osprey: widely reported in greater numbers. At least 3 nests had 3 dead young however. Ruffed Grouse broods large. American Coot: 1 Jun 11 Tup L (RM). Semipalmated Plover: 4 Jul 21 Platt (PW). Killdeer: 100 Jul 19 Platt (PW, DK). Am. Golden Plover: 10 Aug 28 Essex (MP). Black-bellied Plover: sev Westport Aug 17 (GC). Ruddy Turnstone: 3 Jul 25 Platt (PW); 1 Aug Ti (B&JMc); perhaps overlooked in past. Upland Sandpiper: 1 adult with downy young unable to fly Jun 22 Platt (PW); 2 adult with 4 grown young Westport Aug 11 (GC, NM). Spotted Sandpiper: 23 Jul 20 Platt (PW). WILLET flashing his wings Aug 18 Westport for a first Essex Co. record (DA, KM, MP). Pectoral Sandpiper: 1 Jul 19 Platt (PW, DK). White-rumped 226 Sandpiper: 1 Aug 28 Westport (GC). Semipalmated Sandpiper: 185 Jul 25 Platt (FW). San- derling: 5 Platt Jul 21 (PW). Northern Phalarope: 1 Aug 24 Westport (GC). Ring-billed Gull: 525 Jul 23 Platt (PW). Bonaparte’s Gull: 81 Aug 2 Platt (PW, DK). PIGEONS-WOODPECKERS: Black-billed Cuckoo: a few including 1 Tup L Jun & Jul (RM). Red-headed Woodpecker: sev Essex Co. plus 1 all summer Tup L. FLYCATCHERS-STARLINGS: Yellow-bellied Flycatcher: 1 Newcomb BBS; 1 Jun 28 Mad (GOS); 2 Jul 26 Marcy (BMc, Paul W). Alder Flycatcher: a few. Olive-sided Flycatcher: max 8 Jun Mad (GOS). Swainson’s Thrush: max 6 Jul 26 Marcy (BMc, Paul W). Eastern Bluebird: max 5 Aug 28 Mad (GM). Blue-gray Gnatcatcher: 1 Ausable Pt Aug 30 (Suzanne Case, MP etc). Ruby-crowned Kinglet: sev summer birds including 1 singing Jun 20-Jul 3 Saranac L (MK). VEREOS-WARBLERS: Nashville Warbler: 12 Newcomb BBS. Magnolia Warbler: max 22 Spec BBS. Cape May Warbler: many summer birds; max 6 Jim 30 Mad (GOS). Chestnut¬ sided Warbler: max 46 Spec BBS. Bay-breasted Warbler: always scarce as a breeder but only 2 or 3 reports. Mourning Warbler: max 6 Jun 27 Essex Co (GOS). WEAVERS-SPARROWS: ORCHARD ORIOLE: male Jun 21 Crown Pt (Arthur Tubbs); species seen in area by others previously. Rusty Blackbird: a few reports but numbers defi¬ nitely down. Cardinal: MK had a nest Saranac L but it failed. House Finch: male Jul 20-21 Wadhams (MP, Pat Taber, etc). MP has banded this species in Essex Co. White-winged Cross¬ bill: Allen & Sandy Klonick had only report with 3 Jun 30 at Elk L. Paul Smiths, New York 12970 (new address) REGION 8 - HUDSON-MOHAWK Gladys Snell The summer seemed wet and warm with the mean temperature and precipitation both above normal. This apparently cut down the number of observers and thus reports to the committee. There were 7 Breeding Bird Surveys conducted during June with 104 species sighted. No real rarities were reported for the period but a few unusual sightings were noted: Double- crested Cormorant in July; Great and Snowy Egrets; Lesser Scaup; Bald Eagle; Bobwhite; Great Black-backed Gull; increased numbers of nuthatches and chickadees; Short-billed Marsh Wren; Evening Grosbeak and Pine Siskin were absent as breeders for second year in a row at Jenny Lake (RPY); Purple Finch numbers were reduced from high of two years ago but increased over lastyear(RPY); Dark-eyed Junco also reduced at Jenny Lake (RPY). See body of report for details. Abbreviations: ADBC-Alan DeVoe Bird Club; BBS-Breeding Bird Survey: BRS-B. R. Seguin; DMA-Douglas M. Allen; fs-first reported sighting; NWW-Niskyuna Wide Waters; RPG-R. P. Guthrie; RPY—R. P. Yunick; RWSanct-Reist Wildlife Sanctuary; thru-through- out period; VFWM-Vischer Ferry Wildlife Management. LOONS-DUCKS: Com. Loon: 1 Hudson R. Albany Aug 5; 1 Alcove Reservoir Aug 10. Pied-billed Grebe: 1 Stony Creek Reservoir Aug 29. DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT: 1 Lock 7 June 20; 1 Hudson R. Coeymans July 28; 1 NWW Aug 30. GREAT EGRET: Lock 6 Aug 16 and 20, 2 VFWM Aug 30 (BRS). SNOWY EGRET: 1 Lock 6 Aug 15, 3 Aug 16,5 Aug 20, 5 Aug 23 (BRS); 2 Hudson R, Coeymans Aug 17 (RPG). Least Bittern: 4 Rensse- 227 laer July 4 (PC). Canada Goose: 6 Petersburg June 7. Mallard: Hudson-Mohawk region thru (RPG); 3 Salem June 29 (BBS). Black Duck: 2 N. Easton June 21 and Salem June 29 (BBS). Northern Shoveler: 1 Hudson R. Coeymans Aug 22. Wood Duck: 1 North R. June 28. LESSER SCAUP: 1 female Hudson R. Coeymans July 28-Aug 17 (RPG). HAWKS-ALCIDS: Turkey Vulture: 2 Duanesburg throughout June. Goshawk: 2 adults Mariaville May and June. Red-shouldered Hawk: 1 Mariaville June 11; 1 Warrensburg June 26. Broad-winged Hawk: 2 during June BBS; 1 nested thru July New Baltimore; 2 Maria¬ ville thru; 1 Schodack Center during Aug. BALD EAGLE: 2 Stuyvesant (mob ADBC). Os¬ prey: 1 Stony Creek Reservoir Aug 28. Ruffed Grouse: H-M region thru; 1 Warrensburg June 26. Bobwhite: June 10 Meadowdale; June 18 Fredrick’s Road; July 20 W. Sand L. Ring-necked Pheasant: 5 during June BBS. Virginia Rail: 1 Mariaville June and July. Sora: 1 Mariaville June and July; 1 Rensselaer Aug 31.Com.Gallinule: 3 Rensselaer July 4; 7 downy young Coxsackie July. Am. Coot: 1 Stony Creek Reservoir Aug 31. Com. Snipe: 1 Salem June 29. Upland Sandpiper: thru June and July. Spotted Sandpiper: 1 Duanesburg June 5; 1 North R. June 28. Greater Yellowlegs: 1 Lock 6 Aug 23. Lesser Yellowlegs: 15 Lock 6 Aug 23. Pectoral Sandpiper: 5 Lock 6 Aug 5. Least Sandpiper: 2 Coxsackie July 22. GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL: 8 Hudson R. Coeymans June 22, 7 on July 12, 4 on Aug 15 (RPG); Locks 6 and 7 July 15 thru Aug 23, max 40 Aug 8 (BRS). Ring-billed Gull: 8 Hud¬ son R. Coeymans June 22, 2 on July 12, 10 on Aug 15. Bonaparte’s Gull: 3 Hudson R. New Baltimore Aug 9; 1 immature Lock 7 July 15 and Lock 6 July 17. Com. Tern: 1 NWW Aug 8; 2 Selkirk Aug 30. PIGEONS-WOODPECKERS: Black-billed Cuckoo: 1 dead on road Selkirk June 1; 1 New Baltimore Aug 8; 2 N. Easton June 21; 1 Rt. 146 July 21. Barn Owl: nested Coxsackie June and July. Screech Owl: 10 (2 family groups) Waterford July 1; 2 juveniles New Balti¬ more July 4. Great Horned Owl: 1 Schodack Center Aug 1; 1 VFWM Aug 25. Ruby-throated Hummingbird: 1 Warrensburg June 26; 3 Schodack Center Aug 31. Red-headed Woodpeck¬ er: bred in New Baltimore and S.E. Montgomery Co. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker: 6 on June BBS; 2 Mariaville during July. FLYCATCHERS-STARLINGS: Willow Flycatcher: 7 on June BBS. Alder Flycatcher: fs Lydius St. June 2; 2 N. Easton June 21. Olive-sided Flycatcher: 3 North R. June 28. Horned Lark: 2 Duanesburg June 5; 1 Albany July 29. Rough-winged Swallow: 1 Duanes¬ burg June 5; 2 Warrensburg June 26; 4 Mariaville June and July; 6 New Scotland July 29. Cliff Swallow: 4 Warrensburg June 21; 9 nests on house Corinth June 15; 3 New Scotland July 29. Purple Martin: 100 nesting Kinderhook (ADBC); 2 Duanesburg June 5; 1 N. Easton June 21. Tufted Titmouse: bred New Baltimore; 1 Duanesburg June 5; 2 RWSanct. Aug 23. WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCH: many throughout area; 4 banded vs 1 in 1974 Jenny L. (RPY). RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH: many throughout area; 10 banded vs 4 in 1974 Jenny L. (RPY). Brown Creeper: 1 Saratoga Co. June 19. Winter Wren: 3 Warrensburg June 21; 1 New Baltimore Aug 19. Carolina Wren: 1 Petersburg June 7; nest with 4 well de¬ veloped young Rotterdam July 17; 1 thru and 3 New Baltimore Aug 24. Long-billed Marsh Wren: 5 Rensselaer July 14. SHORT-BILLED MARSH WREN: 3 Dennison Rd. July 18 (DMA), 3 on July 24 and 2 on Aug 14 (BRS). Mockingbird: 2 N. Easton June 21; bred New Baltimore; 1 RWSanct Aug 23. Hermit Thrush: 1 Saratoga Co June 19; 8 during June BBS; 1 Mariaville thru. Swainson’s Thrush: 1 New Baltimore Aug 24. E. Bluebird: 1 Duanes¬ burg June 5; 5 Montgomery Co June and July (2 adults 3 young). Ruby-crowned Kinglet: 1 North R. June 28. VIREOS-WARBLERS: Yellow-throated Vireo: 1 New Baltimore June 10; 3 during June BBS; 1 Aug 23 RWSanct. Solitary Vireo: 1 Saratoga Co June 19; 5 during June BBS. Warb¬ ling Vireo: 20 during June BBS; New Baltimore thru. Black-and-white Warbler: 9 during June BBS; 1 Ballston L. June 19; 1 Salem June 29; 1 RWSanct Aug 23. Blue-winged Warb¬ ler: T New Baltimore thru. Tennessee Warbler: 1 New Baltimore: June 10. Nashville Warb¬ ler: 1 Warrensburg June 26. Panda Warbler: 1 Petersburg June 7. Magnolia Warbler: 15 228 during June BBS; 1 New Baltimore June 23. Cape May Warbler: 5 Schodack Center Aug 31. Black-throated Blue Warbler: 8 during June BBS; 1 New Baltimore Aug 17; 1 RWSanct Aug 23. Yellow-rumped Warbler: 2 North R. June 28. Black-throated Green Warbler: 9 dur¬ ing June BBS; 2 RWSanct and 1 New Baltimore Aug 23. Cerulean Warbler: 1 male Mont¬ gomery Co June and July. Blackburnian Warbler: 1 RWSanct Aug 23; 4 Mariaville thru. Bay-breasted Warbler: 1 New Baltimore Aug 17; 1 RWSanct Aug 23. Blackpoll Warbler: Lock 7 June 3; 1 Petersburg June 7; 1 New Baltimore Aug 21. N. Waterthrush: 1 Ballston L. June 19; 4 Mariaville thru. Louisiana Waterthrush: 1 Cobleskill June 10. Mourning Warbler: 1 North R. June 28. Wilson’s Warbler: 1 New Baltimore Aug 19. WEAVERS-SPARROWS: EVENING GROSBEAK: 1 female New Baltimore Aug 15. PURPLE FINCH: 14 during June BBS; 2 RWSanct Aug 23;banded 270 vs 146 in 1974,563 in 1973, 377 in 1972, 473 in 1971 Jenny L. (RPY). Red Crossbill: singles in flight Jenny L. Aug 9 and 10. Grasshopper Sparrow: 2 N. Easton June 21; 4 Montgomery Co during July. Henslow’s Sparrow: 1 Meadowdale June 18; 1 S.E. Montgomery Co June 28; 1 Denni¬ son Rd. July 24. Vesper Sparrow: 4 Salem June 29; 2 New Scotland July 29. DARK-EYED JUNCO: 1 Saratoga June 9; 7 Warrensburg June 26; banded only 12 vs 72 in 1974, 47 in 1973, 36 in 1972, 42 in 1971 Jenny L (RPY). 151 North Toll Street, Scotia, New York 12302. Telephone 518-372-3728. REGION 9 — DELAWAR E-HUDSON Edward D. Treacy June and July temperatures averaged near normal. June was drier than usual, with less than 4 inches of rain which fell largely in the first half of the month. July was dry until mid-month when rains brought the total 9.09 in. at Bear Mt. which was well above average for the month. There were no marked changes in the resident breeders for the period. A few species were up and a few down. Most interest centered around the excellent Aug. migration with marked warbler waves on Aug. 12 in Dutchess Co. and 16, 17 and 25 in Rockland Co. Cedar Waxwings, which were non-existent early became commonplace by the end of the season. Rockland Co. and Westchester Co. reported exceptional shorebird movements on Aug. 16 and for the rest of the month. Contributors: Robert F. Deed, Rockland; William Howe, Westchester; John C. Orth, Palisades Interstate Park and the Wawarsing area of Ulster; A1 Merritt, E. Orange Co.; John Tramontano, W. Orange Co.; Martin Boiko, Sullivan Co,; Fred Hough, Ulster Co.; Eleanor Pink, Dutchess Co. Observers frequently dted: Anthony Amos; Joe & Diane Bradley; Eugene R. Brown; Donald S. Deed; Florence Germond; Thelma Haight; Mary & Jim Key; Eric Kiviat; Marion VanWagner. LOONS-DUCKS: COMMON LOON: 2 ad thru Jul 12, Middletown Res (JT). Double- crested Cormorant: 1 West Branch Res. near Rt. 6 Carmel thru first week of Aug (Mabel Little). Another Aug 31 Cornwall Bay (J, DB). Great Blue Heron: At Tamarack Heronry, Jun 2, R. Pyle reports 8 of 9 nests occupied with 13 adults and 11 young. High at Corn¬ wall Bay was 8, Aug 28. Cattle Egret: none. Great Egret: several reports thru season, max 12 Piermont Pier Aug 10. Far less common than Snowy. Snowy Egret: first at Piermont Pier 229 Aug 7, inc to 19 by Aug 10 and slowly decreased to 3 by Aug 22 (AA). J, DB had a mixed flock of Snowy and Great Egrets numbering 38 fly over their house at Cornwall Aug 3. Black-crowned Night Heron: well reported along the Hudson. Ad and imm reported thru Aug. Least Bittern: usual few, max 4 Aug 16. American Bittern: 1 near Kripplebush Jun 22. First summer record in many years (FH). Glossy Ibis: 4th record for Rockland Co, 1 Pier¬ mont Pier Aug 9-13. 4 Croton Pt Aug 17, 3 over Tappan Zee Bridge same day. 1 Aug 24 Dutchess Co. Canada Goose: excellent nesting record. More than 3 doz yg and ad at Queens- boro L. dur July. 14 ad and 18 imm at Tamarack, Dutchess Co. 12 at Green Haven and 25 at Netherwood Pd Dutchess Co. Green-winged Teal: very rare in summer, 1 Croton Pt Aug 17. Blue-winged Teal: usual few summered; max 8 Croton Pt Aug 15. In lesser numbers thru end of period. RING-NECKED DUCK: 2nd summer record for Dutchess Co. 1 male July 9 (TH). LESSER SCAUP: 1 male, Piermont Pier July 6, inc to 2 pr by late July. Re¬ duced to 1 female by Aug 10 (AA). AA states a pr were present thru summer of ’74. HAWKS—ALCIDS: COOPER’S HAWK: 1 undetailed and unverified report of a nesting near Poughkeepsie in June (EK). Broad-winged Hawk: numbers down in Palisades Inter¬ state Park, but normal elsewhere. Osprey: more summer reports than usual. Some probable early migrants in Aug. Am. Kestrel: 1 male harassing from 12-15 flickers in the same tree; United States Military Academy Aug 31 (EDT). Ruffed Grouse: low thru region. Bobwhite: singles at Pleasant Valley, Green Haven and Stissing, Dutchess Co. in Jun. 2 Green Haven Aug 1. Rails: only Virginia and Sora reported. Virginia Rail: at least 12, July 21 Croton Pt. marsh. Sora: 2-3 at Croton Pt. from Aug 16 on. Semipalmated Plover: 1st July 27 Croton Pt. Max 8 there Aug 16. AM. GOLDEN PLOVER: 1 Aug 24 Croton Pt. (WH, Berna Weiss- man). Upland Sandpiper: 4 June 14 Ulster Co (A, BM). Black-bellied Plover: thru end of Aug. Max 6 Aug 17 at Cornwall and again at Croton Pt. Ruddy Turnstone: 13 Aug 16 Cro¬ ton Pt. Solitary Sandpiper: Max 5 Aug 15 Croton Pt. RED KNOT: 1 Croton Pt. Aug 16 and another Piermont Pier same date. The latter 2nd record for Rockland Co. 2 Aug 16 at Corn¬ wall (A, BM). Pectoral Sandpiper: 8 Croton Pt. Aug 16. Single remained thru Aug 29. White- rumped Sandpiper: 2 Piermont Pier Aug 21, seventh Rockland Co. record (DSD). Least Sandpiper: 4 Piermont Pier July 4. Either the last of the spring or the first of the fall. Max 35 Croton Pt. Aug 16. Short-billed Dowitcher: Aug 16 seems to be big date with 8 at Corn¬ wall and 45 at Croton Pt. LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER: 1 in bright plumage carefully studied at Piermont Pier July 14 (AA). Semipalmated Sandpiper: Max 150 Aug 16; 1 with breast dyed orange appeared Croton Pt. Aug 15 and remained thru Aug 28 (WH). Whimbrel: 1 Croton Pt. Aug 17 (WH, Berna Weissman). Sanderling; Max 40 Aug 16 at Cornwall (A, BM), Great Black-backed Gull: exploding in the lower Hudson Valley where 507 were counted in the Tappan Zee June 28, 280 July 14 and 350 Aug 21. During this time the Her¬ ring Gulls were in the low dozens and there was only a sprinkling of Laughing Gulls (AA, RFD). Laughing Gull: did not arrive in the mid-Hudson region till after mid-August and good thereafter. BONAPARTE’S GULL: very rare in summer. 1 ad plumage Aug 7 and an imm Aug 16 and Aug 23 at Piermont Pier. First summer record for Rockland Co. since 1956. 3 ad observed from Hudson Riv. Day Line at New Hamburg Aug 13 (EDT). Common Tern: absent from lower Hudson till Aug 24 when 1 was observed that date; singles at Cornwall July 28 and Aug 31. Least Tern: only 1 report from Rockland Co, 3 at Piermont Pier, July 13. For the past 3 years they have appeared at Croton Pt. This year there were 2 on July 13, 5 on Aug 10, and 4 on Aug 15. Last 1 left on Aug 16. Black Tern: 3 Croton Pt. Aug 16. PIGEONS-WOODPECKERS: Mourning Dove: Excellent numbers this season; max 41 Aug 25 Cornwall. MONK PARAKEET: only report, 1 July 6, Piermont Pier being harassed by grackles (AA). Cuckoos: both species quite low. Ruby-throated Hummingbird: in good numbers toward end of season. Migrants at Piermont Pier Aug 22, 24. Fred Hough reports them in good numbers in Ulster Co. Red-bellied Woodpecker: A family of 5 near Pocantico Hills July 10. 1 at intervals in Dutchess Co. in June. FLYCATCHERS-STARLINGS: Great Crested Flycatcher: nested in box in FG’s 230 home at Clinton Corners. Willow Flycatcher: good numbers. 1 remained thru Aug 3 at Wawarsing. Max 4-5 heard June 7 at North Bay, Cruger’s Is. Yellow-bellied Flycatcher: 1 Aug 29 Pond Gut (MVW et at). ACADIAN FLYCATCHER: 1 June 7 Deep Hollow (FG). 1 July 22 Fishkill (EK) and for several days thereafter (mob.). E. Wood Pewee: feeding 3 young Aug 29, Shunpike (MVW). Olive-sided Flycatcher: 1 Aug 15 Shunpike was very early (MVW). 1 Aug 29 Pond Gut. Tree Swallow: not observed in migration till Aug. Late, but in good numbers. EP reports less nesting in bluebird boxes than any previous year. Cliff Swallow: good numbers at Wawarsing Aug 16,and at Travers Swamp Aug 17. Purple Martin: At least 2 houses full in Pleasant Valley (MVW). Fish Crow: 3 at Vassar Hospital and 3-4 at Hudson River State Hospital (AJ). Red-breasted Nuthatch: 3 in Dutchess Co. 1 Aug 9, 2 Aug 21, and 3 Aug 23. Observed during breeding season at Mohonk L, and a pair during July at north end of Kensico Res. Brown Creeper: An excellent count of 5 in Surebridge Sw. area of Harriman Park Jun 18 (ERB). 1 Jul 24 Fishkill (M, JK). Winter Wren: 1 singing vigorously at Bard Coll Field Station at end of June (EK). Carolina Wren: continues in¬ crease. Excellent numbers by end of season. Short-billed Marsh Wren: first record in more than 12 years for Rockland Co. 1 Rockland L May 29 (Phil Meissner). Hermit Thrush: only 1 at Surebridge Sw area where 9 were reported last year. Swainson’s Thrush: single birds Aug 23 Shunpike, Aug 25 Pleasant Valley. Gray-cheeked Thrush: 1 near Poughkeepsie Aug 21 (M, JK). Eastern Bluebird: scattered reports. FG had at least 20 pr in nest boxes during June. Many of these nested unsuccessfully the first time. Re-nesters had clutches of 4-5 eggs. Blue-gray Gnatcatcher: observed more frequently than usual in summer. GOLDEN- CROWNED KINGLET: nest reported last time observed again May 29, June 19,21 with no activity noted (Helen Manson). This species discovered July 2 at north end of Kensico Res. 8 counted on July 5. A group of 5 appeared to be imms. (WH). No actual nesting observed. Loggerhead Shrike: 1 Rockland L Nature Cent. Aug 29 (Phil Meissner). VIREOS-WARBLERS: White-eyed Vireo: JO was scolded by this species at his home in Wawarsing on June 21, 22. Observed feeding dark-eyed fledglings June 22. Nest location not observed due to heavy cover. Adults were in area from May 25 thru July 12.1 observed June 4 singing at Cruger’s Is. (EK). Solitary Vireo: 5 inc a pair carrying food at Surebridge Sw. June 18 (ERB). Red-eyed Vireo: numbers still down over former years. Philadelphia Vireo: 1 Rockland L Nature Cent. Aug 31 (DSD). Warblers: no major changes in residents. Migrants started thru very early. First wave Aug 12. Others on Aug 16, 25, and 27. Worm¬ eating Warbler: 1 Surebridge Sw. June 18. A strange Canadian zone setting for this species. Tennessee Warbler: 1 Aug 24 Harriman Park, earliest record for that area (EDT). Another Aug 31, Mine Rd, USMA. Nashville Warbler: 4 Surebridge Sw. June 18.1 Aug 24, Harriman Pk (EDT). 1 singing June 25 at Pawling Nature Conservancy Sanctuary. Magnolia Warbler: 1 Aug 29 Wurtsboro (MB). Yellow-rumped Warbler: 1 Aug 31 Rockland L was the earliest Rockland Co. record by nearly 2 weeks. Other early birds were 1 Tamarack Swamp Aug 23, and 1 Croton Pt Aug 24. 6 at latter location Aug 29. Black-throated Green Warbler: 3 Aug 31 Mine Rd USMA (EDT). Cerulean Warbler: 1 early June L. Kanawauke, 1 Surebridge Sw June 18. Usual reports from Dutchess Co. Blackburnian Warbler: 1 singing Pleasant Valley June 6. 2 Harriman Pk Aug 24. Blackpoll Warbler: 1 Aug 31 Rockland L. earliest Rockland Co. record by more than 1 week. Wilson’s Warbler 1 Dunderberg Mt. Aug 21 is 2 days later than earliest record set in 1952 (EDT). Canada Warbler: 1 USMA Aug 31 (EDT). WEAVERS-SPARROWS: Bobolink: excellent breeding season. 2 Rockland L Aug 3. 3 Croton Pt. Aug 12. 62 Piermont Pier Aug 24. 50-70 present at Croton Pt during last week of Aug. Orchard Oriole: 1 East Park June 3. Indigo Bunting: well reported. House Finch: increasing in numbers in Dutchess Co. 6 daily with young at feeder in Green Haven (Enid Butler). Savannah Sparrow: heard daily at Salt Point. 2 daily at Dover High School. 2 Gretna Rd. Dutchess Co. July 18, singing in same area July 25. Grasshopper Sparrow: single birds in June at Potters Bend, Dutchess Co. and in July at Dutchess Hill. 4 near Unionville, Orange Co. July 22. SHARP-TAILED SPARROW: 1 Croton Pt. Aug 29 (WH). LARK SPARROW: 231 new bird to Rockland Co. List. 1 bright plumaged ad Aug 23 Piermont Pier (AA). Dark¬ eyed Junco: 3 Surebridge Sw. June 18 (ERB). 1 June 20 Deep Hollow, Dutchess Co. (AJ). Chipping Sparrow: numbers reported down in Palisades Park, but not changes elsewhere. Pellwood Lake, Highland Falls, New York 10928 REGION 10-MARINE Anthony J. Lauro and Barbara J. Spencer Record rainfall of 22.4 inches for the three month period, June, July, August and low average monthly temperatures of 70.3° F., 75.6° F. and 74.4°F., respectively, apparently did not adversely affect breeding success for most species, although the spirits of someob- servers and most home gardeners were dampened. NORTH LINE ISLAND: The peak event of the summer was the discovery of the first LONG-BILLED "CURLEW reported in our area since 1938. The bird was found on North Line Island, about one mile south of Wantagh, Long Island. News of the bird’s presence quickly spread. The bird was seen and photographed by many birders during its three weeks’ stay in the area. The curlew was last reported on July 30. As North Line Island became the mecca of local birders its reputation for number of rarities and abundance of individuals grew. High counts of two, possibly three, Ruffs, three Marbled Godwits, 15 Hudsonian God- wits, 2 Whimbrels, 40 Willets, 38 American Oyster catchers, 1500 Red Knots, 300 Ruddy Turnstones and 2000 Short-billed Dowitchers with a total of 28 species of shorebirds were reported by various observers during July. The birding productivity of North Line Island, as well as of adjacent Middle Line Island and South Line Island was, apparently, created by the construction of a sewer outfall line which resulted in the formation of sandy areas and tidal pools on these normally grassy islands. The creation of the attractive habitat was a beneficial aspect of a project of the Nassau County Department of Public Works, an agency not accustomed to receiving kudos from birders and environmentalists. Other rarities reported during the period included Sooty Tern, Curlew Sandpiper, Purple Gallinule and a probable Bridled Tern. NEW STATE BREEDING RECORDS: Two first state breeding records were established this summer. Among breeding terns and skimmers on a South Oyster Bay island were two nesting pairs of GULL-BILLED TERNS (PAB, FB, MG, THD et al.). While one nest con¬ taining two eggs appeared to suffer from human interference, two young were fully fledged (BS, BC). Breeding was suspected but not proven at JBWR with at least one adult Gull-bill remaining until July 13. A pair of CHUCK-WILL’S-WIDOWS fledged two young at Oak Beach (THD et al.) for another first state breeding record. See The Kingbird, vol. XXV, no. 3, pp. 132-137, July, 1975, for details. JUNE COUNTS: A census was made of three Region 10 Christmas count areas in June; Northern Nassau (2nd year), Central Suffolk (1st year) and Captree (3rd year). In addition, a street by street count of the “square mile” village of Sea Cliff, Northern Nassau Co. was made to survey closely a largely residential area. Count totals for the three areas were similar, with Central Suffolk reporting 133 species (15,006 individuals). Northern Nassau 130 species (11,679 individuals) and Captree 129 species. The Central Suffolk compiler be¬ lieves 112 species were breeding within the area; 7 more might be and 14 were definitely 232 non-breeders. In the Northern Nassau count area, 99 species were thought to be breeding, 11 more are known to nest on Long Island, while 20 species were non-breeders. In both cases, the non-breeders represented lingering shorebirds, summering ducks and other late mi¬ grants or stragglers. The value of June counts seemed demonstrated by the discovery of several new breeding locations for rare Long Island breeders. On the Northern Nassau count, 8 Bobolinks, a species thought to be lost as breeders on Long Island, including two singing males, were present in Caumset at a location where a singing male was present in 1973. Four Hermit Thrushes were also present at Caumset. Brown Creepers were observed building a nest at the Muttontown Preserve; the only other known breeding location on Long Island is at Connetquot State Park where a high count of 17 Creepers was recorded this year. The third Long Island breeding record for the Red-breasted Nuthatch was photographed in Old Westbury (G. Bergin) and the fourth record was noted by observers in Brookhaven (DP). New sites for Grasshopper and Savannah Sparrows were found within the Northern Nassau area (RC). Central Suffolk observers were pleased to find American Bitterns breeding at Mastic and East Moriches; Least Bitterns were still present in the Carmen’s River marshes. The Common Nighthawk apparently still persists as a breeder south of Riverhead. Eastern Bluebirds were holding their own at Connetquot and were present in small numbers in the Central Suffolk area. Although compilers thought that spotty coverage of count areas was responsible for low counts of several species, all three found numbers of Chipping Sparrows reduced. Piping Plovers and Spotted Sandpipers were noted as low in numbers by Captree and Central Suffolk compilers. Grasshopper Sparrows were sparse on the Captree count, yet abundant in Central Suffolk with 41 noted. Red-tailed and Broad-winged Hawks, Clapper and Virginia Rails, and Horned Larks were also scarce in Central Suffolk. The Captree compiler noted reductions in E. Meadowlarks, Savannah Sparrows, Black Ducks, American Kestrels, E. Kingbirds arid Red-eyed Vireos. The Northern Nassau count seemed low on Red-winged Blackbirds, Green Herons, Mute Swans, Wood Ducks, and Killdeers. Warblers were noted in unusually large numbers in Northern Nassau with 15 Chestnut¬ sided, 18 American Redstarts, 11 Black-and-white, 58 Blue-winged and 92 Yellow Warblers counted. Willow Flycatchers were present in at least five breeding locations. 81 Chimney Swifts were noted. Southern species were well represented with 285 Cardinals, 181 Mocking¬ birds and 35 Tufted Titmice. Central Suffolk noted good numbers of Mallards (345), a figure curiously matched exactly in Northern Nassau. Twenty-one Belted Kingfishers, 6 Orchard Orioles, TO Tufted Titmice and 36 American Redstarts were also considered high count species. The Captree compiler noted both cuckoos, Veeries (114), Blue-gray Gnat- catchers (12), Scarlet Tanagers (18), Pine Warblers (58) and Prairie Warblers (51) as doing well, mainly in Connetquot. SEA CLIFF COUNT: Practically every street and unpaved corner of Sea Cliff was walked between May 25th and May 31st by members of the Lyman Langdon Audubon Group. A surprising total of 65 species was found, including an Acadian Flycatcher (BS). It is inter¬ esting to note that within this one square mile of suburban area, the following numbers of common species were found: Mourning Dove 85, Blue Jay 88, Common Crow 23, Tufted Titmouse 8, Mockingbird 15, Gray Catbird 22, American Robin 198, Starling 237, House Sparrow 328, Northern Oriole 21, Common Grackle 168, Cardinal 61, House Finch 76 and Song Sparrow 18. HIGHLIGHTS OF CENSUS OF TERN, GULL, AND HERON COLONIES: For the third year, P. A. arid F. G. Buckley, this year with the assistance of M. Gochfeld, have com¬ piled this aerial and ground count of known colonies. See American Birds for a breakdown by species; comparisons with previous counts, colony locations and movements. Their pre¬ liminary figures indicate the following total pairs: 233 Species Total Pairs Largest Colony Least Tern 2,446 Eaton’s Neck 475 Common Tern 11,758 Great Gull Island 2,500 Roseate Tern 2,053 Great Gull Island 1,100 Black Skimmer 458 Cedar Beach 150 Short Beach 150 Herring Gull 21,205 Gardiner’s Island 7,320 Great Black-backed Gull 1,307 Gardiner’s Island 1,025 Great Egret 410 Jones BeachField I 220 Snowy Egret 932 Pearsall’s Hassock 250 Cattle Egret 14 JBWR 10 Little Blue Heron 20 Seganus Thatch 11 Louisiana Heron 14 Seganus Thatch 7 Black-crowned Night Heron 516 Gardiner’s Island 60 Seganus Thatch 60 Stony Brook 60 Glossy Ibis 644 Pearsall’s Hassock 220 New heronries were discovered on Long Island Sound on Huckleberry Island (near Pelham Bay Park) and Robin’s Island in Great Peconic Bay. The Huckleberry Island heron¬ ry, by conservative count, had three pairs of Great Egrets, five pairs of Snowy Egrets and eight pairs of Black-crowned Night Herons. In addition, what appeared to be a downy- headed (but flying) Great Blue Heron was observed there, although no adults were seen. The heronry previously at Zach’s Bay has been disbanded. The new heronries established at Freeport and Tobay Beach, plus additional birds present in groves at Jones Beach, prob¬ ably represent birds from the Zach’s Bay heronry. Also noted along the South Shore were 46 pairs of Am. Oystercatchers and 83 pairs of Willets. In comparing aerial count techniques with ground counts of nesting areas the following observations were made: 1. Estimates of pairs of gulls made by aerial techniques can exceed ground counts of actually occupied nests. It is thought that potential nesters are included in the aerial count; therefore the aerial count is a more accurate estimate of the total breeding population for a given season. 2. Common and Roseate Tern estimates are thought to be within plus or minus 15% of actual numbers; Least Tern and Black Skimmer estimates within 5%. 3. Heron colonies may be underestimated by at least 25% because adults leave the colony during the day with increasing frequency as the nestlings mature. PELAGIC TRIPS: Four pelagic trips out of Montauk in June produced hard-to-find species: June 7: The Federation of N.Y.S. Bird Club’s chartered trip to Cox’s Ledge pro¬ duced the following count: 13 Greater Shearwaters, 35 Sooty Shearwaters, 4 Manx Shear¬ waters, 15 Wilson’s Storm Petrels, 6 Gannets, 1 Northern Phalarope, 1 Skua, 3 Pomarine Jaegers, 1 Parasitic Jaeger (THD, FGS, R. W. Smart, R. Ferren, K. Able, etal.). June 15: To Cox’s Ledge; 1 NORTHERN FULMAR, 70 Greater Shearwaters, 25 Sooty Shearwaters, 500 Wilson’s Storm Petrels, 4 Pomarine Jaegers, 10 Parasitic Jaegers, 4 adult LONG-TAILED JAEGERS, (J. Zeranski, J. Gee, et al). June 18: 18 to 20 miles south of Montauk; 2 NORTHERN FULMARS, 80 Cory’s Shearwaters, 20 Greater Shearwaters, 3 Sooty Shearwaters, 3 SKUAS, 4 Pomarine Jaegers, 5 Parasitic Jaegers. 234 June 21: To Cox’s Ledge; 83 Cory’s Shearwaters, 21 Greater Shearwaters, 3 Sooty Shearwaters, 25 Wilson’s Storm Petrels, 1 SKUA, 2 Pomarine Jaegers, (J. Ash). July 5, 6, 7: 30 to 70 miles southeast of Fire Island Inlet, while tuna fishing, observer A1 Lorenzeti marveled at ‘^unbelievable numbers of Shearwaters stretching as far as you could see.” When pressed, he estimated that 10,000 birds were rafted on the water. From these numbers of birds, Lorenzeti noted 3 SKUAS and about 15 smaller black and white shearwaters. While he noted 50 or 60 Cory’s Shearwaters, the majority were Greaters or Sooties. The water temperature was 74°, suggesting southern influence. Observers: FB-Fran Buckley; PAB-Paul A. Buckley; TWB-Thomas W. Burke; BHC- Barbara H. Conolly; THD-Thomas D. Davis; SBD—Stephen B. Dempsey; DWF-Davis W. Finch; HF-Howie Fisher; MG-Michael Goehfeld; GK-George Kleinbaum; DL-David Lar¬ sen; ML-Manny Levine; AJL-Anthony J. Lauro; BL-Brook Lauro; PL-Paul Lehman; HMcG-Hugh McGuinness; GSR-Gilbert S. Raynor; JR-John Rusica; FGS-Fritz G. Scheider; BJS-Barbara J. Spencer. LOONS-DUCKS: Red-throated Loon: 1 JBWR, June 13-20 (GK et ah'). Com. Eider: 1 Orient Point, June 9 (PAB, MG). King Eider: 2 females Montauk June 9 with 80 Black and Surf Scoters (PAB, MG). HAWKS-ALCIDS: Red-shouldered Hawk: 1 JBWR, June 21 (GK). Black Rail: 1 Jo Co Marsh June 11 (PAB). PURPLE GALLINULE: 1 adult Mamaroneck July 16-21 (mob). Am. Golden Plover: 1 North Line Island July 11 (extremely early) (GSR, DL, JR). LONG¬ BILLED CURLEW: 1 North Line Island July 4-30, (AJL, BL, SD et al. photographed by THD, DWF, PAB, BHC et al) Whimbrel 1, South Line Island June 12 (AJL, BL, BJS). Up¬ land Sandpiper: at least 2 pairs persist at Mitchell Field (mob), max 21 Westhampton (AFB) July 8 (HMcG). Dunlin: 6 arrived North Line Island July 4 (AJL et al). CURLEW SAND¬ PIPER: 1 Freeport July 20 (E. Levine); showed traces of breeding plumage. Stilt Sandpiper: 2 arrived North Line Island July 11 (GSR, DL, JR). Western Sandpiper: 1 arrived North Line Island July 11 (GSR, DL, JR). Buff-breasted Sandpiper: 2 Sagaponack August 21 (BS), 3 Oak Beach August 23 (AJL). Marbled Godwit: 1 North Line Island June 11 (PAB, MG et al), joined by a second bird on July 8 and a third on July 11. Hudsonian Godwit: 4 ar¬ rived North Line Island July 17 (BJS et al ), high count of 15 August 8 (BJS, BHC). Ruff: 1 “black Ruff” North Line Island July 16-20 (mob), photographed by DWF; 1 “molting black Ruff” North Line Island July 17 (BJS et al), 1 “black and white Ruff” North Line Island July 24-26 (mob). Northern Phalarope: 1 Freeport August 10 (A. Daniels), 1 Tobay Sanctuary August 23 (SD). Wilson’s Phalarope: 1 North Line Island, July 24 (DWF, FGS, BL). Pomarine Jaeger: 1 adult JBWR, June 17 (GK), first refuge record. Black-headed Gull: 1 adult, Princess Bay, Staten Island, June 8-9 (HF et al). Little Gull: 1 sub-adult, Princess Bay, Staten Island, June 8-9 (HF et al); 1 adult and 4 sub-adults, Princess Bay, Staten Island (HF). GULL-BILLED TERN: 2 pairs nested South Line Island, first state breeding record (PAB, MG, THD et al), at least one adult present to July 13 at JBWR (mob), 1 Moriches Inlet July 8 (HMcG). BRIDLED TERN (probable): On July 20 about 7:30 p.m. were fishing in surf at Democrat Point (AJL, BL). A strong, southerly wind, 15/20 mph had been blowing all day. A large adult, dark-winged tern appeared, flying 20/30 feet overhead. The bird appeared to be capped, with a definite break between the cap and dark back. The tail was deeply forked. The underside of the primaries was white, matching the color of the underside of the secondaries. The back and topside of the wings appeared very dark, almost black. An examination of skins at the AMNH disclosed that birds taken from in West Indies have the color of the mantle ranging from light gray to dark gray. None of the Bridled Terns examined had dark undersides to the primaries, which was evident in all of the Sooty Terns examined All Sooty Terns examined, both adults and immatures, had black or gray napes. The only inconsistency of the bird noted in the field, as compared with study skins, was 235 the very dark mantle; hence the bird is listed as “probable,” Royal Tern: 2 Rye, July 20 (PL et al), 1 Tobay Sanctuary Aug 9 (ML). SOOTY TERN: An adult was present for three hours in a tern colony, Shinnecock, May 20 (Leroy Wilcox). PIGEONS-WOODPECKERS: Short-eared Owl: family group of 6, Ruffle Bar, JBWR, June 21 (THD). CHUCK-WILL’S-WIDOW: Pair fledged 2 young, Oak Beach (THD et al), first state breeding record; 1 calling bird Shinnecock Hills, late June, early July (C. McGuin- ness et al). Red-bellied Woodpecker, Aug. 9 Tobay Sanctuary, (ML), rare on barrier beach. FLYCATCHERS-STARLING: Acadian Flycatcher: 2 Mill Neck, June 7 (BJS, BHC); 1 JBWR June 15-16 calling from phragmites (GK et al.). Common Crow: pair fledged 2 young at Oak Beach (THC); unusual on barrier beach. VIREOS-WARBLERS: Lawrence’s Warbler: 1 territorial male Scarsdale June 9 (J. Hein, B.Weissman) Connecticut Warbler: Alley Pond Park August 21 (SD); early. WEAVERS-SPARROWS: Evening Grosbeak: 1 female at feeder in Stuyvesant Town July 4 (S. Madden). Anthony J. Lauro~9 DeSoto Road, Amityville, New York 11701 Barbara J. Spencer—154 Dayton Street, Sea Cliff, New York 14579 236 REPORTING REGIONS For descriptions of Regions see Kingbird Vol. IV Nos, 1 and 2 REPORTING DEADLINES Winter Season: December, January, February Deadline is March 7 Spring Season: March, April, May Deadline is June 7 Summer Season: June, July, August Deadline is September 7 Fall Season: September, October, November Deadline is December 7 FEDERATION OF NEW YORK STATE BIRD CLUBS, INC. 1976 Officers President Richard A. Sloss. 1300 Seawane Drive, Hewlett Harbor, N.Y. 11557 Vice-President Mary Ann Sunderlin.. 505 Bay Rd., Webster, N.Y. 14580 Corresponding Secretary Mr. Martin Borko.Box 511, Wurtsboro, N.Y. 12790 Recording Secretary Lona T. Coates .308 East Hinds Ave., Sherrill, N.Y. 13461 Treasurer Mr. Stephen B. Dempsey...533 Chestnut Street, West Hempstead, N.Y. 11552 Co-Editors of THE KINGBIRD Emanuel Levine, 585 Mead Terrace, South Hempstead, N.Y. 11550 John Farrand, Jr., American Museum of Natural History, New York, N.Y. 10024 Appointed Committees Publicity: Maxwell C. Wheat, Jr., 333 Bedell St., Freeport, N.Y. 11520 Membership: Mrs. Myrna Hemmerick, P.O. Box 203, Setauket, N.Y. 11733 Publications and Research: Robert S. Arbib, Jr., 226 Guion Dr., Mamaronek, N.Y. 10543 Bibliography: Dr. Sally Hoyt Spofford, Box 428, Etna, N.Y. 13062 Waterfowl Count: Douglas Auer, 220 Devon Road, Ithaca, N.Y. 14850 John J. Elliott Memorial Committee: John L. Bull, Eugene Eisenmann, John Farrand, Jr., Emanuel Levine, Joseph W. Taylor Elected Committees Auditing: Dr. Barbara Spencer, 154 Dayton Street, Sea Cliff, N.Y. 11579 Irving Cantor, 251 East 32nd Street, New York, N.Y. 10016 Nominating: Dr. Gordon Meade, Chairman, 27 Mill Valley Rd., Pittsford, N.Y. 14824 Neil Moon, John M. C. Peterson