WKINGBIRD

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PUBLICATION OF THE FEDERATION OF NEW YORK STATE BIRD CLUBS. INC.

Vol. XXVI No. 3 Summer, 1976 121-180

CONTENTS

Notes on a New York Nest of

the Bald Eagle . Thomas J. Rauber 122

Hawks over the Hudson Highlands .Paul Jeheber 136

A Bibliography of

New York State Ornithology — 1974 . 141

Letter to the Editors.. 147

Notes and Observations

Greater Shearwater flies up the Hudson River

to Lake Champlain .John M. C. Peterson 148

An unusual robin’s nest in St. Lawrence County

. . . George R. Maxwell and Robert I. Shearer 149

Summer Tanager in Essex County.Geoffrey Carleton 150

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher nest in Essex County .... John M. C. Peterson 150

Highlights of the Spring Season..Robert W. Smart 152

Regional Reports .... 155

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

NOTES ON A NEW YORK NEST OF THE BALD EAGLE

Thomas J. Rauber

The history of the Bald Eagl e(Haliaeetus leucocephalus) in New
York State, as in most other parts of North America, has been one
of steady decline, accelerated since the 1940’s by this species’ vul¬
nerability to the effects of DDT and certain other pesticides and
chemical pollutants. In recent years there has been, to my knowl¬
edge, only one nesting pair in the state. I have observed this pair for
the past 11 years, during which period they have succeeded only
once, in 1973, in raising a young bird. This paper summarizes my ob¬
servations, and I think contributes something to the natural history
of the species, as well as having historical interest.

Bald Eagles on nest.

Photo by T. J. Rauber June 1972

This pair of eagles and the general location of their eyries are by
now known to a considerable number of individuals. Nevertheless,
because it is essential that as few people as possible visit the site dur¬
ing the period when the eagles are nesting, I will say merely that the
location is at a medium-sized lake in western New York. In the past

122

THE KINGBIRD

few years, with the welcome increase in interest in endangered wild¬
life, the nesting area has been posted against trespass during the nest¬
ing season. Efforts will be made to protect these eagles further by,
for example, putting “raccoon shields” on their nesting trees.

I have taken about 40 photographs, two of them reproduced here¬
with, and I have cooperated with the New York State Department of
Environmental Conservation and the U.S. Office of Endangered Spe¬
cies in having the area posted during the nesting season and in other
ways.

Observations began in the spring of 1965, but for the first four
years I did not keep detailed records. From 1969 to the present all
observations have been recorded. Almost 900 visits have been made
through the years—during all hours from 4 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Arriving at the eastern edge of the swamp, it was possible to watch
from first light until dark—having the eagles in view most of the
time—for weeks before the spring foliage appeared. With the use of a
32X spotting scope, excellent observations could be made at a dis¬
tance that would not disturb the eagles. I also used 7 X 50 binoculars.

Two different blinds were built for filming purposes. A 35 mm
still camera with an 800 mm telephoto lens and a 16 mm battery-
operated movie camera with a zoom lens were used. Both cameras
were mounted on tripods.

On the few occasions when I climbed to the nests after the season
was over, I used lineman climbers, belt and safety strap. Occasionally
a twelve-foot boat, powered by a six-horse outboard, a pack basket
and hip boots were necessary to approach the site.

The Site—This is an uninhabited lake eight miles long and one-half
to three-quarters of a mile wide. It lies in a north-south valley, with
slopes rising sharply from the water’s edge. It is 1,120 feet from the
surface of the lake to the highest elevation. Drainage is to the north,
and the water is used for domestic supplies. At the southern end of
the lake and beyond for one mile lies a swamp one-quarter mile wide,
harboring carp, pickerel, perch, white suckers, muskrats, raccoons,
pheasants and many other living creatures, depending on the season
of the year. This swamp is an open area of swamp grass and cattails.

During the years of observation, the eagles have chosen to build
their three nests on the western slope, which affords them better
protection from the more severe weather coming from the north¬
west. Temperatures vary from -10° F in winter to 105° F in summer.

The western slope is covered with a mature forest of oak, beech,
hickory, white pine and hemlock; there is some new growth as well.

SUMMER, 1976

123

The floor of the forest is fairly open but there are trees that have
fallen from age and windfall. The canopy of the forest is closed. No
lumbering is allowed in this area, so that it remains in a natural undis¬
turbed state. The slope to the east differs only in that it has more
open area and some farmland.

Activities by humans on the western slope are limited because of
inaccessibility. Fishing is allowed on this lake, but restrictions on the
size of boats and motors have to be observed. Hunting is permitted
on the slopes in the autumn but by that time the eagles range over a
wide area.

Although relatively wild, the area is much less so than, for exam¬
ple, large areas of New York state, notably the Adirondacks, and it
is remarkable that the only pair of eagles to persist in the state is
here. With the gradual moderation of the effects of pesticides, let us
hope that other nesting pairs of our national bird will soon be found
in the state. Only a few miles from the present nest there are fields
of potatoes, beans and other crops intensively sprayed by air; much
of this residue finds its way into the lake. When a concentrated infes¬
tation of pine spittlebug occurred in pine plantations farther up the
lake shore in spring, 1955, 1,950 acres of pines were sprayed from
the air on the slopes of this and a smaller neighboring lake then and
in the two succeeding years. The spray used contained DDT, xylene
and some inert material in fuel oil suspension. Two or three addled
eggs of this pair sent for analysis were heavily contaminated (see
Appendix). Nevertheless, as noted, the pair did bring off a young in
1973 and let us hope that things are improving.

I consider this pair of eagles to be essentially resident. Other lakes
a few miles away are doubtless visited by the eagles at least when not
nesting. The winter in this area is severe, but temperature is of no
concern to this species as long as food is available. In recent years
concentrations of up to 20 or more eagles have occurred around
reservoirs, dams, and deer carcasses, in the wild area near Port Jervis,
roughly 170 miles away. It is possible that this pair of eagles wander
to such feeding areas before becoming conspicuous around their
eyrie in February.

During the warmer months of the year the eagles feed on carp and
other fish caught in the shallows at the south end of the lake and
along the marshy inlet, and, no doubt, on occasional mammals and
birds. In the winter they take the latter, and also carrion, especially
deer carcasses.

124

THE KINGBIRD

When I began observations in 1965, the birds were fully mature
and hence at least 4 or 5 years old. This would mean that they are
now at least 15 or 16 years old. We still do not know what the aver¬
age life span of the species is in the wild, but birds of prey of this
size have lived to twice that age in captivity. We do know that in the
wild there may be substitutions if one of a pair dies or disappears.

Observations—The following is a year-by-year summary of some of
the more interesting points. I have made some direct quotations
from my edited notes.

According to a local resident who operated a set line on the lake
years ago, there was a large nest on the west side of the lake close to
the shore during the years of World War II. He never observed any
young birds.

1965-1968—As noted above, detailed notes are not available for
these years. The eagles attempted to nest each year but never
fledged young.

During these four years and continuing until the nest tree fell
following Hurricane Agnes in June, 1972, the eagles used “Eyrie 1”
which was 75 feet up in a live hickory about 180 yards up the slope.

The only other observation I will mention for these early years is:
May 3, 1969—Found a dead Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) at the edge
of the swamp almost directly beneath the eagles’ eyrie. Its carcass
was analyzed by the Fish and Wildlife Service and while dieldrin and
other chemicals were detected, they were not in sufficient amounts
to cause death, even though the bird was somewhat emaciated (see
Appendix). The Osprey had a broken neck, however, and I believe
it may have been felled by one of the eagles when it happened to fly
too close to their eyrie. During the nesting season, the eagles were
hostile to any Osprey that appeared nearby, and I have seen both
eagles leave their perches to pursue Ospreys. They ignored other
birds, including crows, which sometimes harassed them.

1970 — This year, as in 1969, the eagles repaired and added to the
nest, but I am not sure if eggs were laid. At any rate there was little
or no sign of incubation, although the pair were seen in the immedi¬
ate vicinity until late in June.

1971 — Much of the adult Bald Eagle’s life centers around the
eyrie. After the first of the new year there may be a break in the
weather—not a cloud in the sky, the sun shining brightly which brings
the temperature upward to the 50° mark. On such a day the eagles
may be seen in the vicinity of their eyrie.

“January 25, Sunny—50°. Sighted both eagles, tree perched, just

SUMMER, 1976

125

north of the eyrie. In a short time they both moved a short distance
to another tree and perched about 8 inches apart. After ten minutes
one departed, soaring and circling ever higher, shrinking to a mere
speck in the blue sky. Within twelve minutes from time of lift-off, it
had returned and perched next to its mate. Having landed, it turned
about on the limb, both eagles facing in the same direction, viewing
the valley below.”

These early sightings, witnessed also in previous years, I regard as
early visits for it would be another month before they would con¬
stantly be in the close vicinity of the nest.

“February 25, Sunny—45°. This is the first sighting of an eagle at
the eyrie. Its mate is in the top of a white pine 150 feet to the north.

Upon their seasonal return, the eagles do not immediately go about
rebuilding the nest. It will be another couple of weeks before they
will diligently work at that task. They constantly bring materials to
the eyrie during the entire nesting season. Many sticks are discarded
or fall from the edge, and they may be examined after the nesting
season, along with feathers, bones, and other debris on the ground.

Food scraps are seldom found as I believe the area under the nests is
visited by skunks, fox, raccoons, and opossums for the purpose of
securing food.

“March 28, Cloudy—40°. On this day an eagle went to the eyrie
and started to incubate. Of the roughly 34 days required to complete
the process, I was able to make observations on 30 days. On several
visits I was able to witness their changing—the male and female take
turns at incubating. During incubation I always found one of the
pair on the nest.”

The most detailed observations of this process were made on April
30, 1972 as noted below. After 53 days of constant incubation, it
was evident that the egg would never hatch.

I climbed to the eyrie on May 22. The eagles flew in circles, calling
kah kah kah kah but never diving or threatening me, and after 12
minutes they disappeared. No further sound was heard from them.
They did not reappear until we were leaving the area. There was only
one egg, which was sent to the U.S. Patuxent Wildlife Research Cen¬
ter at Laurel, Md., for analysis and possible determination of the
cause of its failure to hatch. It was heavily contaminated (see Appen¬
dix).

1972—“February 17, Cloudy, snow on ground—28°. Eagles very
active. Female visible in eyrie.

12:08 p.m. Male moves from one limb to another just above eyrie.

12:10 p.m. Male leaves, moving to nearby tree.

126

THE KINGBIRD

12:12 p.m. Male goes to nest, facing one another they are very close.

Much bowing to one another, both bowing at same
time.

12:13 p.m. Male moves to a limb just over the eyrie. Its mate re¬
mains in the eyrie.

12:15 p.m. Male leaves the limb, flies to the south.

12:17 p.m. Eagle in nest also leaves, flying to the south.

12:22 p.m. Eagle returns to the eyrie. Twenty seconds later its
mate returns to the nest, moving about.

12:24 p.m. Eagles copulate.

12:25 p.m. Eagle leaves eyrie flying 150 feet north, landing in the
top of white pine. This tree is in sight of the eyrie and
its mate.

12:36 p.m. Eagle leaves eyrie flying north—passes mate while flying
north toward the lake.

12:42 p.m. The remaining eagle leaves the top of pine tree, and also
heads north, toward the lake.

“February 27, There is a Great Horned Owl in the eagles’ nest.

“February 28, The owl is still visible in the eyrie. Both eagles are
present in the same tree, above the nest.

2:30 p.m. The owl is under attack by crows. The eagles are nearby
watching. They do nothing.

“February 29, Eagles are back at the eyrie. The owl is not to be
seen.”

The Great Horned Owl, as is well known, begins to nest very early
in the season, even before the eagles. A pair of owls sometimes ap¬
propriates a Bald Eagle nest and they have been known to cause the
eagles to move to another site. In this case, however, the owl disap¬
peared, perhaps because the eagles stayed close by. Crows sometimes
harass the eagles but are ignored. They might be a threat to eggs, but
as noted, the eagles seldom or never leave the eggs exposed.

“March 25, On this day the eagles are starting to incubate. From
now on there was always an incubating eagle present up to and be¬
yond the 34 days it takes the eggs to hatch.

“April 30, Sunny—70°.

12:20 p.m. Eagles have just exchanged places on the nest.

1:13 p.m. Incubating eagle stood up, moved about, turned around
facing in the opposite direction. Back down in position
half a minute later.

2:00 p.m. Eagle stands for 10 seconds. Resettles in same position.

Did not turn about.

2:35 p.m. Eagle stands up, moves about, turns facing in the oppo¬
site direction. Time 45 seconds.

SUMMER, 1976

127

3:07 p.m. Eagle stands up, stretches, turning around. Time two
minutes. The sun is bright and warm. The eagle in incu¬
bating position. Has bill open at times.

4:18 p.m. Eagle stands stretching, whistles, rearranges sticks of the
eyrie with bill. Back in position. Time 1-1/2 minutes.

When whistling, the head of the eagle is straight up and
back.”

During these brief periods of standing and moving about I believe
the egg is also turned—the eagle using its closed beak to do so. I
could not actually witness this, however.

4:42 p.m. “The whistling is now more frequent. This is a means of
signaling its mate that relief is desired.

4:45 p.m. Mate appears on edge of eyrie. Changing places takes
one minute from the time one leaves the egg until its
mate settles in place. The eagle that had been incubating
goes to the edge of nest. Leaves at once.”

After 43 days of constant incubating, the birds were no longer to
be found in the vicinity of the eyrie. On the 79th day I climbed to
the nest to investigate and possibly retrieve an egg or eggshells. As I
was making my way up past the nest I noticed a hole in the nest it-

Raccoon peering from hole in eyrie.
Photo by T. J. Rauber

June 1972

128

THE KINGBIRD

self—8 inches across and quite deep. Removing a stick from the
nesting material, I poked it into the hole. Much to my surprise a rac¬
coon appeared, came out past me very close, and proceeded out onto
a limb. Glancing back at the hole I saw a recond raccoon appear at
the entrance of the hole. It followed the first out onto the same limb.

Over the years some of the nesting materials had decomposed to a
soil-like substance and small plants were sprouting. I observed when
climbing to the top of the nest, which measured 7 feet across and
7-1/2 feet in depth, that the surface was flat and the outer rim made
up of sticks. The inner area had been lined with finer nesting mater¬
ial such as cornstalks, cattails, reeds and grass. A round depression
10 inches across and 3-1/2 inches in depth and lined with fine grass
showed where the egg or eggs had been incubated. There was no egg
or eggshell fragments. I did find the remains of a fish, a skeleton of
another fish and the tail of a red squirrel.

Starting on June 20, 1972 and continuing for the next four days
and nights, Hurricane Agnes brought rain, almost without letup,
totaling between 12-1/2 and 14 inches. This resulted in some of the
worst flooding ever recorded in the eastern U.S. The nest tree went
down on the 22nd or 23rd of June crushing the empty nest beneath it.

1973— The eagles built a new nest, which I found on March 2.
They had moved seven-tenths of a mile to the south, on the same
slope, and selected a living oak in excellent condition that was about
3 feet through at the butt. The nest was in a crotch 85 feet from the
ground. It was already of good size—measuring about 4 feet across
and 3-1/2 feet in depth. The eagles began incubating on March 21.

On the 47th day it became perfectly apparent that the eagles were
raising an eaglet! Because of the heavy contamination of the 1971
egg, I was surprised and delighted.

The adults alternated at feeding the young. On May 21st it rained,
very hard at times, all through the day until 3 p.m. During this rain,
one adult eagle was visible at the nest protecting the young from the
storm. It was in a mantled position, head held low over the eaglet.
The adult was soaking wet; its white head appeared brownish. The
eagle spent hours in this position. About 3:30 p.m. the sun appeared.
The young bird could be seen flapping its wings, which appeared to
be about 5 inches long. The adult bird, wings spread, dried off in the
sun on the edge of the nest. Carcasses and unused scraps of food
were removed and dropped some distance from the nest.

“July 14, Today, 11 weeks and two days since hatching I saw the
young eagle on the wing for the first time. It flies and soars well.

SUMMER, 1976

129

Once on the wing, the young eagle, and its parents, spent less time
in the immediate area of the nest.

“August 15, Today, four months after hatching. I had what was
to be my last sighting of the young eagle.”

The young eagle seemed to have a fondness for its newly acquired
ability to soar and fly for it would stay aloft for long periods of
time. At this point in time the adult eagles were seldom in the vicini¬
ty of the nest.

1974—After the success of 1973 I was optimistic, but it was not
to be. They began incubation on or about March 2 and things seemed
to proceed normally for about a month.

April 14, when the eggs would have been about due to hatch,
dawned warm and muggy and by noon there was a tornado warning
for the area. About 5 p.m. a heavy storm struck, with winds of up to
60 mph and torrents of rain.

The following day the eagles were not to be seen. The storm had
caused them to desert; perhaps the egg or eggs had been broken as
the nest tree was buffeted by the gale. On April 171 visited the nest
but could find nothing beneath it except some droppings. No scraps
of food or bones were to be seen. I believe the storm was the reason
for the eagles* desertion.

1975—“February 17, Rainy—45°. I walked in and found that
vandals had loitered within gunshot range of the nest a few days
earlier. There were tracks in the snow, empty 20-gauge and 12-gauge
shotgun shells, an empty .22 caliber cartridge box and a broken
liquor bottle. One eagle was visible. It must have come off a perch
behind me to the west. It circled once then headed north toward the
lake and was not seen for the remainder of the visit.”

I was puzzled by the eagles’ behavior throughout this period. They
should have been very active at the eyrie, and adding to it, but only
occasionally did I see one of them there.

Have they built another nest? This proved to be the case, and I
found nest No. 3, in the top of a white pine a mere 14 inches in di¬
ameter. The nest was only 45 feet from the ground supported by the
only limbs remaining on the tree, a tuft at the top. Presumably the
eagles hastily abandoned their old nest because of the disturbance
mentioned above and built this one.

Why would the eagles make such a seemingly poor choice? There
were many suitable large trees available. However, this eyrie was well
hidden and could not be seen by anyone. The tree was one of a group
of white pines. To gain access to this nest, it was necessary for the
eagles to hover directly over it and drop straight down. If conceal-

130

THE KINGBIRD

ment was what they desired, it was an excellent choice.

Eyrie 3 was much smaller than No. 2 when I first found it and ap¬
peared to have been rather hastily built. A large clump on the edge
furthest from the trunk seemed to be falling away and hanging. I es¬
timated the nest to be 3-1/2 feet across and about 2 feet in depth.
This nest is further north on the ridge and is less than 200 yards from
the first nest in the hickory, which blew down in 1972.

“March 18, I believe on this day the eagles started to incubate in
their new nest in the pine.

“March 25, Cloudy-32 0 . At 1 p.m. the eagles are not incubating
though both are soaring nearby. They drift south up the valley, pass¬
ing first the new, then the old nest.

“March 26, Cold and Windy—28°. Was astonished to see both
eagles perched back at eyrie 2 in the oak. After observing this, I de¬
cided to inspect the nest in the pine, which I found after consider¬
able difficulty, since I was approaching it from a new direction.
Beneath the nest I find many droppings, three pieces of uneaten
fish, which appear to be pickerel, a jawbone of another fish and
most important, three pieces of eagle eggshell. These pieces would
constitute nearly half of the entire egg.”

I believe a raccoon was the cause of the destruction of this egg,
between March 22 and March 24. Visits made at a later date when
there was snow on the ground proved there were raccoons in the
area. There were tracks in the snow 20 feet from the nest tree and
raccoon droppings at the base of the tree.

“March 28, Sunny—54°. There is a strong possibility the eagles
are incubating for the second time in the 1975 season and back at
eyrie 2!

“March 30, Snowy-32 0 . The eagles are definitely incubating,
back at the old nest. It can be at the most 8 days, at the least 4
days, since they were incubating in their new nest in the pine. It
cannot be pinned down more closely since I do not know the exact
date when the egg in the new nest came to grief.”

On April 3 rain ushered in a severe storm; the next day it turned
to snow which continued through to the 6th and closed airports in
Chicago, Buffalo, and Rochester. It was one of the most severe spring
storms in years.

“April 7, Cloudy—30°. The eagles are not incubating. (Visits on
the 9th, 11th, and 14th confirmed this.)

“April 16, Sunny—50°. Investigating at the eyrie for the possible
cause of the abrupt termination of incubation, I found the remains
of an eagle egg directly below and a little to the right of the eyrie.
About 70 feet from the nest tree and directly under one of their

SUMMER, 1976

131

favorite perches in a white oak, my son Daniel found a dead rac¬
coon. From the position of the raccoon, lying on its back and its
body slightly twisted, possibly it had been killed at the eyrie by an
eagle. The eagle may then have flown to this tree and dropped the
’coon. There were eagle droppings all around and on the dead ’coon.

It had been in this position for several days.”

It is difficult to determine the reason for the second unsuccessful
attempt to incubate. Was it the severe storm or a raid on the eyrie by
raccoons? The dead raccoon weighed a little over 7-1/2 pounds.
There were no eagles visible during this visit.

The eggshells retrieved dining the two unsuccessful attempts to in¬
cubate during 1975 in eyries 2 and 3 were sent to Dr. David Peakall,
Department of Environment of the Canadian Fish and Wildlife Serv¬
ice. He reported that the shell was about 30% thinner than in pre-
DDT days and that the shell membranes indicated substantial con¬
tamination with DDE and PCBs (see Appendix).

Discussion:

1. Possible laying of the first egg of a clutch in one nest, the second
in another:

Reviewing the eagles’ nesting attempts in 1975, as outlined
above, the pair constructed, apparently hastily, a new nest, as a re¬
sult of disturbance near the old one. At least one egg was laid in the
new nest and incubation, or at any rate prolonged sitting on the nest,
began. Then this nest was broken up, probably by a raccoon; frag¬
ments of eggshell were later found beneath the nest. The eagles
promptly shifted back to the old nest and were incubating there not
more than 8 days later. This nesting was broken up too, probably in
the same way and again eggshells were found beneath the nest, leav¬
ing no doubt that at least one egg had been laid this time also.

It is well known that when birds lose a clutch of eggs, they will
sometimes lay another, either in the same or another nest. Hawks
usually do so only if the eggs are lost early in incubation, and even
in a medium-sized species such as a Peregrine Falcon or a buteo, the
process takes a couple of weeks. One would expect it to take even
longer in a species as large as the Bald Eagle, and it is obvious that
there was not time for this to occur as part of the events of 1975.

Eagles probably never lay an egg more often than every other day,
especially in cold weather, and 4 or 5 days may elapse between each
of the two or three eggs. On the other hand, especially in the north
where freezing temperatures may occur well into the nesting season,
the eagles would have to protect the egg or eggs from freezing and

132

THE KINGBIRD

possibly from predators by sitting on the egg from the day it was
laid.

The only logical conclusion to be reached from the above is that
these eagles started a clutch in the hastily constructed new nest; when
this was broken up they completed the clutch (which in this case
probably meant laying the second egg of a two egg clutch) by abrupt¬
ly switching back to their old nest. I am not aware of such oppor¬
tunistic behavior in any bird.

2. Raccoons as enemies of the Bald Eagle:

In recent decades the raccoon has had a population and i^ange
explosion. Now that its fur is back in demand, its numbers will hope¬
fully be reduced to more reasonable limits. It is well known that rac¬
coons break up many raptor nests. They follow by scent the trail of
humans through the woods and climb any tree that man has climbed.
Aside from that, they locate nests by smelling the prey brought to
the nest by the raptor to feed the female or later the young.

But would raccoons be able to break up the nest of a raptor as
large as a Bald Eagle? I have here given circumstantial evidence that
they did so on two or three occasions. To be sure, in Florida some
eagles raise young in areas infested with raccoons. But perhaps the
latter are not as ravenous as those trying to find food in snow-covered
northern woods, just after coming from hibernation. Even if the
raccoon were doing no more than sleeping in the eagles’ nest on a
sunny day, it might cause abandonment.

Bald Eagle nests, especially in areas where the species is rare,
should be protected from tree-climbing predators such as raccoons
by putting suitable shields on nest trees.

3. Eagles and pesticides:

In 1972 an addled egg of this pair of eagles was chemically
analyzed (see Appendix) and found to be the third most heavily con¬
taminated Bald Eagle egg analyzed up until that time. Yet one year
later this same pair hatched and reared a young one—their only suc¬
cess in a decade or more. The moral is, perhaps, that if the campaign
against the worst pesticides and seed-dressings (those containing
chlorine or mercury) is continued, the comeback in affected wild¬
life may be more rapid than once hoped. But when a species is re¬
duced in major parts of its range to one pair per 40,000 square miles
(the approximate area of New York State) drastic measures are
clearly required to save it.

Even when, as with the present site, thousands of people are
drinking the water of a lake, it is not always easy to regulate spraying

SUMMER, 1976

133

on the fields and forests whose run-off drains into it. Hopefully
however, we are past the time when there will be direct spraying of
the lake slopes with DDT or its equivalents, such as occurred in
1957 and the following years.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The technical assistance and advice received from Dr. Dean Ama-
don, Dr. Eugene H. Dustman, Dr. David B. Peakall, Dr. William L.
Reichel, Dr. Walter Spofford and Mr. John Waters was greatly appre¬
ciated by the author.

A special thanks to Dr. Amadon for his counsel and the editing of
this paper.

APPENDDC

Pesticide Analyses

1—Addled egg removed from nest on May 22, 1971; analysis cour¬
tesy of Dr. Eugene H. Dustman and Dr. William L. Reichel, Patuxent
Research Center, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

“The egg was examined and opened and the following items
were noted:

Length 7.08 cm. Breadth 5.31 cm.

Total Weight 66.0 g.

Contents: addled—no sign of embryonic development seen.

Shell thickness: 0.52 mm (adjustment made for loss of inner
shell membrane).

Estimated egg volume: 105 cc.

Specimen Estimated Contents Weight, g
No. Volume Aliquot Lipid

71-117 105 50.41 20.02 1.75

Analysis: Organochlorine pesticides, PCB and mercury.

Results: ppm wet weight (a) and ppm corrected wet weight (b).
Corrected wet weight based on volume.

Chemical a b

p,p’-DDE

p,p’-DDD

53.0

25.4

2.1

1.0

p,p’-DDT

0.26

0.1

Dieldrin

0.49

0.2

Heptachlor Epoxide

0.05

0.02

PCB

20.0

9.6

Mercury

0.47

0.2”

134

THE KINGBIRD

2— Analysis of egg shell and membranes found beneath nest on
April 16, 1975. (2nd attempt and 2nd egg found.) Analysis courtesy
of Dr. David B. Peakall, Chief, Toxic Chemicals Division, Canadian
Fish and Wildlife Service, Ottawa.

“The eggshell fragments of the bald eagle are around 0.40 mm
in thickness, 30% thinner than pre-1947 value of 0.58 mm. The
residue levels calculated, back to whole egg, wet weight, are 48
and 57 ppm DDE and approximately equal amounts of poly¬
chlorinated biphenyls (PCB’s). Analysis of membrane samples
is less accurate than work on the whole egg; but the values show
substantial contamination and enough eggshell thinning to
cause difficulties.”

3— Analysis of Osprey found dead near the eagles’ nest on May
3,1969.

As noted above the Osprey had a broken neck and may have been
killed by an aerial blow from one of the eagles. Analysis courtesy
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

“The cause of death of this osprey was not determined. Chemi¬
cal residues were not enough to account for death. Dieldrin
levels were only about one-quarter enough to cause death. The
DDE plus DDD are little more than half enough to be lethal.
Whatever the cause of death the bird lost much weight before
dying and this resulted in existing chemical residues becoming
concentrated to a higher level than they would have reached
otherwise.”

62 Main Street , Dansville , N. Y. 14437

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Tom Rauber’s consuming interest in birds of prey began as a casual hobby.
However, as has happened to many other people, the interest intensified as he
learned more about this magnificent group of birds. He considers the work on
the last nesting pair of Bald Eagles in New York State as his most rewarding
study. He also is deep into wildlife photography, having photographed exten¬
sively in the west. He and his wife Mary Ellen, and their six children, live in
Dansville, New York.

SUMMER, 1976

135

HAWKS OVER THE HUDSON HIGHLANDS

Paul Jeheber

Fifty miles north of New York City where the Hudson River cuts
through the gorge formed by Breakneck Mountain on its east bank
and Storm King Mountain on the west bank, the Hudson Highlands
afford one of the more spectacular scenic wonders in eastern United
States. Here the river and mountains blend together to present a
sight of unparalleled natural beauty and grandeur.

This is especially true in early fall when the many species of de¬
ciduous trees are changing their cloak of rich greens of spring and
summer dress to the more vivid hues of red, yellow, bronze, gold, and
brown of fall attire. It is at this time of the year, when the air takes
on its first hint of frost, that it is possible to witness one of nature’s
exciting phenomena—the fall migration of the birds of prey. This
family of birds utilizes the thermals rising from the many ridges in
the area to speed them effortlessly along the southward journey to
their wintering grounds in Central America and northern South
America.

Goshawk

Photo by Paul Jeheber

136

THE KINGBIRD

Whitehorse Mountain is about 8 miles north of the Bear Mountain Bridge. The Jeheber
driveway is opposite the first break in the center island on Rte. 9W as you proceed north.
The tower is an easy ten minute walk from here.

The ridges in the Hudson Highlands run in a northeast, southwest
direction funneling the birds down the Appalachians over sites that
have gained wide acclaim as being the best hawk-watch sites in the
country. Hawk Mountain in northeastern Pennsylvania and Bake
Oven Knob some eighteen miles north on the same series of ridges
are two such sites. In southeastern New York are Hook Mountain and
Mount Peter where many birds are observed every fall. But coming

SUMMER, 1976

137

into its own more recently is a watch site on Whitehorse Mountain
in Orange County, New York, some fifty miles north of the George
Washington Bridge. An easy ten-minute walk from New York State
Highway 9W just southwest of Storm King Mountain brings one to
the overlook on which has been erected a tower and bench for the
express purpose of watching and recording hawk movements through
the area.

The tower on Whitehorse Mountain is high enough above the
trees to afford the observer a 360° view of the surrounding ridges.
Directly in front or to the northeast can be seen Breakneck Moun¬
tain. To the south of Breakneck Mountain is Bull Hill. These two
mountains are east of the Hudson River, about one mile distant.

Birds coming from the northeast use these two mountains to gain
the altitude needed to glide across the Hudson to again be caught
up in thermals rising from Storm King Mountain, which is immedi¬
ately in front of the tower, and Crow’s Nest Mountain just southeast
of the tower. North of Storm King Mountain on the west side of the
Hudson and Breakneck Mountain on the east bank, the terrain flat¬
tens out somewhat so that the birds naturally head for the moun¬
tains to take advantage of the thermals. The mountains in the im¬
mediate area vary in elevation from roughly 1200 to 1400 feet.

From August 28 through November 9, 1975, over 8800 birds were
counted. By the middle two weeks of September the Broad-wing
migration has peaked with large flights moving south. These birds
are gregarious during migration and flocks of better than 500 in
number are not uncommon. “Kettling” takes place at this time.
Resembling a vortex of windblown leaves, the birds mill about with¬
in a thermal until sufficient altitude is achieved, and then they “peel”
off for the next ridge where the same procedure is followed. It is
extremely difficult to count the birds as they are swirling about in a
large kettle but it is nonetheless very exciting.

The highest one-day count in 1975 was 3436 birds on September
15th. The next high count was 2811 birds on September 22nd. On
nine days during September of 1975 there were 100 or more birds
observed. During October there were four days in which there were
100 or more birds counted. Seven Golden Eagles were recorded dur¬
ing the 1975 season-four in September, two in October, and one in
November. The only hawk not recorded during the 1975 season was
the Rough-legged but had the watch been carried to a later date it is
entirely possible that this bird might have been seen as well.

To a birder, hawk-watching is a special and separate phase of his

138

THE KINGBIRD

Red-tailed Hawk Photo by Paul Jeheber

Peregrine Falcon

Photo by Paul Jeheber

SUMMER, 1976

139

hobby. Once he has gained access to the site, there need be no fur¬
ther expending of energy as he just sits and waits for the birds to
come to him. Binoculars and spotting scope are almost mandatory
in hawking. But spending time on the mountaintop has its compen¬
sations. Not only are the view and the setting extremely exhilarating
and peaceful in a beautiful environment but one is often rewarded
with sightings of ducks and geese winging their way southward, cor¬
morants, shorebirds, warblers, Pileated and Red-headed Woodpeckers,
bluebirds and many monarch butterflies. But should there be days
when there is very little or no activity over the ridges, these days
cannot be considered lost or wasted. To get out and enjoy nature at
one of her most radiant times of the year, when fall colors are so
glittering, is reward enough in itself to those who take the time to
observe and appreciate the beauty in nature around us.

Other than the relaxation, enjoyment of nature, and the personal
enjoyment derived from pursuing one’s avocation, there are results
obtained that are helpful to those concerned individuals who feel
our birds of prey demand more protection. Numbers, migratory
routes, dates and all pertinent data—cloud cover, wind velocity and
direction, temperature, sighting times plus numbers of different
species—this information when forwarded to one central location
from all the manned watch sites will supply much needed informa¬
tion on this majestic family of birds. So, birders, make an effort to
spend at least one day on a mountaintop this fall and learn how
enjoyable and rewarding it can be.

Box 251 , Cornwall-on-Hudson, N.Y. 12520

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Paul Jeheber until very recently was the supervisor of the Entomology Unit
at the United States Military Academy. The work of this unit includes wildlife
management and disease control of the flora on the 16,000 acre grounds of the
USMA. He finally realized that the work interfered with “the things he really
wanted to do,” so he retired. Those things “he really wanted to do,” include
wildlife photography, travel, and bird watching. He has already extensively
traveled in North America from Mexico to Alaska, photographing the wildlife
with emphasis on birds. Some examples of his photos appear in this article. His
long list of organizations includes the Explorer’s Club, in which he states he is
“very active.” He built the observation tower on Whitehorse Mountain about
three years ago.

140

THE KINGBIRD

A BIBLIOGRAPHY OF
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Anonymous. The year in review: New York State. Nature Conser¬
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Belknap, John B. The first Brewster’s Warbler belongs to New York
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Boise, Cheryl M. New York State wildlife preserves—Rogers Environ¬
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Bowman, Margaret Coon. Common Crows as commensals of Com¬
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Brooks, Elizabeth W. and William Hov.e. Winter bird population
study (Allegany Co.) American Birds 28: 699-700.

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1013;1020.

Buckley, P. A. Recent specimens of western vagrants at Fire Island
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SUMMER, 1976

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Lawrence Region. American Birds 28: 615-621, 779-
784; 29: 29-34.

Bull, John. Birds of New York State. Doubleday/Natural History
Press. Garden City, N.Y. 1974, 655 pages.

-and Edward R. Riccinti. Polly Want an Apple? Audubon

Magazine 76(3): 48-54.

Chamberlaine, Lee B. Region 6—St. Lawrence. Kingbird 24: 33-36,
84-86, 150-153, 201-203.

Chambers, Kenneth A. Wildlife of Central Park. New York State
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Church, Gerald. Bennie. (Hand-raised American Kestrel at Eaton,
N.Y.). EBBA News 37: 145-146.

Comar, M. C., D. P. Kibbe and D. W. Mcllroy, ed. Birding in the
Cayuga Lake Basin. Laboratory of Ornithology, Cor¬
nell Univ. 108 pp. Numerous maps and line drawings.

Comar, Mildred C. Fish Crow in Ithaca, N.Y. Kingbird 24: 124.

Crumb, Dorothy W. Early nest of American Goldfinch. Kingbird
24: 176.

Davis, Thomas H. Some comments on identifying jaegers. Linnaean
News-Letter 28(4): 3.

-In search of Long Island’s vanishing grassland birds.

Linnaean News-Letter 28(5): 2.

-and Paul A. Buckley. Regional Reports: Hudson-St. Law¬
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DeGraaf, Richard M., and Jack Ward Thomas. A banquet for the
birds. Natural History 83(1): 40-45.

DeGraff, Lee W. The Mourning Dove. N.Y.S. Conservationist 29(2):
34-35.

Drury, William H. and John A. Kadlec. The current status of the
Herring Gull population in the northeastern United
States. Bird-Banding 45: 297-306.

Edinger, Bruce B. Winter bird population study. (Rockland Co.).
American Birds 28: 722.

Forbes, James E. Field use of 4-aminopyridine to protect corn from
blackbirds in New York. New York Fish and Game
Journal , 21: 78-83.

Freer, Valerie M. Ellenville, N.Y. In Atlantic Fly way Review, Region
II, ed. by R. P. Yunick. EBBA News 37: 99-100.

Gates, Albert. Mrs. Puffer’s wren house. Adirondack Life 5(2):
38-39.

142

THE KINGBIRD

Gates, Christopher. An interspecific forage band predator alarm
almost backfires. Kingbird 24: 125.

Gochfeld, Michael. Waterbird colonies of Long Island, N.Y. King¬
bird 24: 3-7, 47-50.

Gould, Lisa Hofland and Frank Heppner. The vee formation of Can¬
ada Geese. Auk 91: 494-506.

Haramis, G. Michael. Cinnamon Teal sighted at Montezuma National
Wildlife Refuge. Kingbird 24: 172-173.

Harwood, Michael. Watchers unite for hawks. Audubon Magazine
76(5): 115-116.

Henderson, Norman. Bewick’s Wren (Thryomanes bewickii). (De¬
tailed report of Rochester sighting 9/26-27.) Goshawk
30: 74.

Henny, Charles J. and Norman E. Holgerson. Range expansion and
population increase of the Gadwall in eastern North
America. Wildfowl 25: 95-101.

Hof, Thomas Van’t. Spring migration on Great Gull Island, 1974.
Kingbird 24: 170-172.

Howe, William H. and Clarence W. Klingensmith. Winter bird popula¬
tion study. American Birds 28: 698-699.

Hurley, Brad. Hawkwatching. N.Y.S. Conservationist 28(4): 48.

James, Frances C. and H. H. Shugart, Jr. The phenology of the
nesting season of the American Robin (Turdus migra-
torius) in the U.S. Condor 76(2): 159-168.

Jenni, Donald A. Evolution of polyandry in birds. American Zoolo¬
gist 14: 129-144. (Utilizes Spotted Sandpiper data from
Great Gull Island.)

Jones, Morgan V., Maj. Great Crested Flycatcher enters building
twice. Kingbird 24: 61.

Kane, Richard. Ring-necked Parakeets in the Bronx. Linnaean News-
Letter 28(1): 4.

Keil, Julius J. More Ring-necked Parakeets in the Bronx. Linnaean
News-Letter 28(3): 3.

Kibbe, Douglas P. King Rail found in Newfield, N.Y. Kingbird
24: 123.

-A Winter record of Barn Swallows in Ithaca, N.Y. Kingbird

24: 175-176.

-and Elaine C. Kibbe. Observations on an adult Black-legged

Kittiwake on Lake Ontario near Oswego, N.Y. Kingbird
24:60.

SUMMER^1976

143

LeCroy, Mary and Sara LeCroy. Growth and fledging in the Common
Tern (Sterna hirundo). Bird-Banding 45: 326-340.
Leubner, Gerhard W. Summary and comments on the 1973 Roches¬
ter area Christmas Bird Count. Goshawk 30: 14-15.
Lincer, Jeffrey L. and James A. Sherburne. Organochlorides in
Kestrel prey: a north-south dichotomy. Journal of
Wildlife Management 38: 427-434.

Lloyd, Warren and Mary Ann Sunderlin. Possible Skua on Lake On¬
tario, Monroe County, N.Y. Kingbird 24: 59-60.

Ludwig, James P. Recent changes in the Ring-billed Gull population
and biology in the Laurentian Great Lakes. Auk 91:
575-594.

McGuinness, Hugh D. Region 10—Marine. Kingbird 24: 93-97, 163-
167; 25: 60-62.

-and Polshek, Peter M. Region 10—Marine. Kingbird 24:

159-163.

-Swainson’s Warbler in Central Park, New York. Kingbird

24:14.

McIntyre, Milton. (Letter to Editor: White Starling, Brooklyn.)
N.Y.S. Conservationist 29(1): 41.

McKinney, Robert. Little Lakes Christmas Count. December 1973.
Goshawk 30: 15-16.

Mack, Theodore D. Region 7— Adirondack-Champlain. Kingbird 24:
36-38, 86-88, 153-156, 203-206.

Marsi, Harriet. Binghamton, N.Y. In Atlantic Flyway Review, Region
II, ed. by R. P. Yunick. EBBA News 37: 101-102.
Matray, Paul. The Goshawk. Adirondack Life 5(2): 42-43.

— -Broad-winged Hawk nesting and ecology. Auk 91: 307-324.

— -and James A. Mosher. Size dimorphism: a factor in energy

savings for Broad-winged Hawks. Auk 91: 325-341.
Maxwell, George R. Breeding bird census (Oswego Co.) American
Birds 28: 991.

Meade, Gordon M. Highlights of the spring season. Kingbird 24:
126-127.

Meng, Heinz. Saving the Peregrine Falcon. N. Y.S. Conservationist
28(6): 22-24, 46.

Middleton, Raymond J. Fifty-two years of banding Blue Jays at
Norristown, Pennsylvania. (Some NYS recoveries.) Bird-
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Miller, J. Robert and Louis C. Farley III. Breeding bird census.

144

THE KINGBIRD

(Delaware County.) American Birds 28: 992,1019-1020.

-Louis C. Farley, III, and James D. Parsons, Jr. Winter bird

population study. (Delaware Co.) American Birds 28:
699.

Moon, Laura. Birds “play it cool” on spring census day. Goshawk
30: 56, 58.

Moon, Neil S. Hoary Redpoll (detailed report of Feb. 24 sighting.)
Goshawk 30: 40-41.

O’Hara, Richard T. Region 2—Genesee. Kingbird 24: 188-191.
Pasquier, Roger. The 1974 spring migration in Central Park. Lin-
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Peakall, David B. New York State Waterfowl Count, January 1974.
Kingbird 24: 108-112.

Philion, Richard E. Region 8—Hudson-Mohawk. Kingbird 24: 39-41,
88-90.

Pitzrick, Vivian Mills. Region 1—Niagara Frontier. Kingbird 24:
65-72, 127-134, 178-188.

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Birds 28: 707-708.

Post, William. Functional analysis of space-related behavior in the
Seaside Sparrow. Ecology 55: 564-575.

Rathcke, B. J. and R. W. Poole. Red Squirrel attacks a Pileated Wood¬
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Raynor, Gilbert S. and John J. Ruscica. Ash-throated Flycatcher on
Long Island, N.Y. Kingbird 24: 61-62.

Reilly, Edgar M., Jr. The 1974 Conservation Public Hearing, N.Y.

State Legislature. Kingbird 24: 57-59.

Reilly, Herbert. (Letter to editor: Albino Chickadee in Washington
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Rosche, Richard C. Regional Reports: Western N.Y. and N.W. Penna.

Region. American Birds 28: 49-51, 636-638, 798-800,
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Rusk, Margaret S. Great Cormorant at Oswego Harbor, New York.
Kingbird 24: 12-13.

-Whip-poor-will Census. The Kestrel 1974 Annual Report,

20 : 8 .

-and C. G. Spies. Shackelton Point area on Oneida Lake.

Kestrel 5(3). Map and description. (No pagination.)

SUMMER, 1976

145

-Oswego Harbor Area. Kestrel 5(3). (No pagination.)

Russell, Will ed. North American field identification problems.
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Santora, Pat. The birds of the Connetquot. Kingbird 24: 52-55.

-The mysterious Oystercatcher. Kingbird 24: 113-115.

Schaeffer, F. Chin spots in Louisiana Waterthrush. EBBA News
37: 128.

Scheider, Fritz G. Highlights of the winter season. Kingbird 24:
63-65.

-Highlights of the fall season. Kingbird 24: 15-16.

-Region 5—Oneida Lake Basin. Kingbird 24: 26-33, 81-84,

141-144, 197-201.

Sedwitz, Walter. A matter of attrition, (loss of Wood Duck young,
Van Cortlandt Park, NYC). Linnaean News-Letter
28(3): 4.

-Some gull movements. Linnaean News-Letter 28(6): 1-3.

Singer, Francis J. Status of the Osprey, Bald Eagle and Golden Eagle
in the Adirondacks. New York Fish and Game Journal
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Single, Eric. Record numbers of hawks at the 1973 Hook Mountain
watch. Linnaean News-Letter 27(9): 1-2.

Skelly, Jeanne. Bewick’s Wren (detailed report of Rochester sighting
Sept. 27.) Goshawk 30: 74.

Smiley, Daniel and James Stapleton. First breeding record of Be¬
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211-216.

Stapleton, Jim. Breeding bird census. (Ulster Co.) American Birds 28:
991-992.

Stegeman, LeRoy C. Salisbury, N.Y. In Atlantic Flyway Review,
Region II, ed. by R. P. Yunick. EBBA News 98-99.
Stewart, James and Judith. A winter population of Yellow-rumped
Warblers in upstate New York. Kingbird 24: 168-169.
Sutton, George M. Fuertes remembered. Audubon Magazine 76(6):
58-67.

Tate, James, Jr. Additional data on the Razorbill specimen. King¬
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Taylor, Joseph W. Highlights of the summer season. Kingbird 24:
177-178.

Taylor, Kip. The Loon. Adirondack Life 5(2): 30-37, 44.

146

THE KINGBIRD

Tetlow, Michael. Black-necked Stilt at town of Perinton, Monroe
Co. Kingbird 24: 13.

Tetlow, Thomas E. Region 2—Genesee. Kingbird 24: 17-19, 72-75,
135-137.

Treacy, Edward D. Region 9—Delaware-Hudson. Kingbird 24: 41-43,
90-93,156-158,209-211.

Tudor, Guy. Captree June count. Linnaean News-Letter 28(1): 1-3;
28(2): 1-3.

-The 1974 Captree June count. Linnaean News-Letter 28(7):

1-3.

Yunick, Robert P. Vischer Ferry, N.Y. In Atlantic Flyway Review,
Region II, ed. by R. P. Yunick. EBBA News 37: 96-97.
Seventy-four Christmas Bird Count—New York State. American
Birds 28: 217-242.

Corrections or omissions should be called to the attention of the
Bibliography Committee: Sally Hoyt Spofford, Chairman, John B.
Belknap, Allen H. Benton and Kenneth C. Parkes.

LETTER TO THE EDITORS

Dear Sirs:

In your spring issue of Kingbird , you have an article on a Solitary
Vireo being caught by a praying mantis. You said that you had not
heard of another such incident.

In August, 1954, Mrs. Florence Sleight, of 25 Dakota PL, Staten
Island, was looking out of her window and saw a Ruby-throated
Hummingbird flitting about in her Salvia.

All of a sudden, she saw that the bird was caught by a praying
mantis. She rushed outdoors to rescue the bird, but it had apparent¬
ly had its neck broken by the swift capture with that big claw. She
was in tears when she brought it to our Museum.

Both Mrs. Sleight and her husband have since died, so I cannot
have her write to you personally, but we do have a record of the in¬
cident in the minutes of the August meeting of the Section of
Natural History.

Thank you,

Mathilde P. Weingartner, Curator of Natural History

Staten Island Institute of Arts and Sciences

SUMMER, 1976

147

NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS

Richard Guthrie with Greater Shearwater at Burlington, Vt.

June 18,1976 -Photo by Mike Peterson

Greater Shearwater flies up the Hudson River to Lake Champlain: The Greater
Shearwater (Puffinus gravis) breeds on Tristan da Cunha, Gough, and the Falk¬
land Islands in the south Atlantic, ranging at sea north over the western Atlantic
in May and June after nesting, and moving south over the eastern Atlantic in
fall. Bull (1974) notes it as a “Regular summer visitant off Long Island, occa¬
sionally common at the east end. Unknown elsewhere.” During the second
week of June ’76 they appeared off Montauk and Cox’s Ledge, as expected.

More unexpected was the Greater Shearwater Richard Guthrie saw through a
30x ’scope as the bird flew north up the Hudson R. below Albany the evening of
Monday, June 14! Dick notified other birders to the north and shortly the

148

THE KINGBIRD

shearwater was spotted as it passed Selkirk, still headed up the river. Thinking
the bird might make it to Champlain, Dick called Mike Peterson, who in turn
passed the word to High Peaks, Otter Creek, and Northern Adirondack Audubon,
asking Otter Creek to relay the alert to Green Mountain Audubon. A Champlain
search was begun Tuesday.

By Thursday, Mike was able to notify Albany that the search was ended. An
exhausted Greater Shearwater had been rescued from the lake at Burlington by
Maureen McMahon on June 16, and been identified by Green Mountain Audu¬
bon. The only other Vermont record is of a specimen found at Rutland follow¬
ing the 1938 hurricane. On Friday Dick Guthrie journeyed to Burlington with
Bill Lee and Mike Peterson for a reunion with his shearwater. The bird is appar¬
ently recovering with Ms. McMahon, and it is hoped that it can survive and
eventually be released at sea.

John M. C. Peterson, P.O. Box 300, Essex, N.Y. 12936.

The above item is excerpted from the High Peaks Audubon Newsletter, Vol¬
ume 4, page 50. Unfortunately, the bird succumbed on Saturday, June 19th.
-Eds.

An unusual robin’s nest in St. Lawrence County: An American Robin (Turdus
migratorius) has been nesting on a garbage packer truck at Jacques Cartier State
Park, St. Lawrence County, for the past three years. In the course of conversa¬
tion with Harry Howard, a park employee, we discovered the unusual nesting
behavior of the robin. Although the nests of the past 2 years failed to produce
young, this year’s nest had 4 eggs from which 2 young hatched, the nestlings
living to 8 days of age. We found the nestlings dead on the ground under the
truck on 10 June 1976.

The truck was engaged in collecting refuse for two to four hours on Mondays
and Fridays during the early part of the camping season when the birds were
nesting. The nests were built between the cab and the packer on the transmis¬
sion hump, very well protected from the weather and not visible to the casual
observer. The parent birds did not accompany the truck on its run, which took
it on a 40 mile round trip. The truck always returned to the same parking spot,
which would not disrupt the birds’ concept of nest in relationship to territory.

The heat of the engine and transmission was evidently adequate to maintain
the egg and nestling temperatures during the absence of the parents. Nest failure
this year was due either to a sudden stop of the truck, causing the ejection of
the young from the nest, or to the traumatic effect of the noisy, hot ride which
might have encouraged the young to leave the nest prematurely.

George R. Maxwell and Robert I. Shearer, Rice Creek Biological Field Station,
State University College, Oswego, New York 13126

SUMMER, 1976

149

Summer Tanager in Essex County: My summer home near Elizabethtown,
Essex Co., is in a clearing on a wooded slope, altitude 770’. Just after 10:00 a.m.
on 30 May, 1976 I heard calls consisting of five or six fast notes in a monotone,
with the pattern of a Wood Thrush’s sputter. The tone was sufficiently flatter
and harder to make me suspect the bird to be a Summer Tanager (Piranga
rubra). I could see it moving through the branches of tall birch trees actively
fly-catching. It was singing a loud, full song, surprisingly like a Scarlet Tanager. I
was anticipating checking all tanager calls in the literature when the bird came
out in full view, still actively fly-catching. It was bright rose red except for the
wings, rump and belly which were golden-olive, and the bill was large, long and
horn colored—unmistakably a Summer Tanager.

During this time, a Scarlet Tanager (P. olivacea) was heard singing farther in
the woods, an identification subsequently verified both visually and by hearing
the usual two-note “chip-churr.” The Summer Tanager moved uphill into the
edge of deep woods and was not found again. I have long been familiar with this
species in the south where I have heard its usual fast robin-like song, and in New
York City parks I have seen a number of individuals in May, with patchy rose
and olive plumage. So far as I am aware, this is the first occurrence in northeast¬
ern New York State.

It is interesting to conjecture that this individual may have been raised in an
area of overlap with breeding Scarlet Tanagers, with resulting influence on the
song. On the other hand, Ridgway in Bent considers the songs of the two species
similar. The song, incidentally, was twice heard by Mike Peterson, whom I called
immediately, as I held the phone at the open door.

Geoffrey Carleton, Box 36, Elizabethtown, N.Y. 12932

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher nest in Essex County: On May 29, 1976, the author,
together with Deborah Anson, Teresa Anson, and Patricia Taber, canoed to
Schuyler Island, Lake Champlain, located in the Town of Chesterfield, Essex
County. Owned by the State of New York, Schuyler Island is “Wild Forest”
land within the boundaries of the Adirondack Park. Approximately three-
quarters of a mile long by one-half mile wide, the island lies about a half-mile off
Trembleau Point, at lat. 44°30’, long. 73 0 21’, and includes open fields, over¬
grown pastures, stands of hardwoods and conifers, and several low boggy areas.

At 2:30 pun., as our two canoes passed a small hardwood swamp on the east
shore of the island, Deborah Anson noted a small grayish bird with a white belly
feeding in the shrubbery. Upon landing, we quickly located a foraging Blue-gray

150

THE KINGBIRD

Gnatcatcher (Polioptila caerulea). A few moments later when the bird had twice
flown to a leafy area high in an American Elm (Ulmus americamj, I saw the
nest, placed near the intersection of two terminal branches about fifty feet
above the ground. As Francis Marion Weston (1949, in Bent’s Life Histories
N. A. Thrushes, etc., p. 347) observed, descriptions of the nest are monotonous¬
ly similar: “A beautiful, cup-shaped nest, compactly built of plant down and
similar materials bound together with insect silk and spider web and covered ex¬
ternally with bits of lichen.” During the next hour we noted both parents active¬
ly bringing food to the young at frequent intervals or simultaneously. The nest¬
lings could not be seen, each parent reaching deep into the nest with only the
tail extended out above the cup for the feeding.

Eaton (1914, Birds of N.Y., 2: 315) stated, “It is evident that this species,
like the Tufted titmouse and the Carolina wren, is of frequent occurrence in the
interior of New York, but has never established itself as a breeding species.”
Among the early records cited by Eaton is “Middle Granville, August 12, 1908
(Weber, Auk, 26: 82),” about 70 miles to the south of Schuyler Island, in Wash¬
ington County. Bull (1974, Birds N.Y. State, p. 439), commented upon the
change in status of the Blue-gray Gnatcatcher in New York State, describing re¬
cent flight years that produced a multitude of migration and breeding records,
but he felt the bird was “absent in northern New York,” adding that breeding
had penetrated only as far north as Saratoga County.

The first Essex County sighting was made by Janet Cooper at Ticonderoga
May 13, 1962. Carleton (1976, Bds. Essex Co., N.Y., p. 18) considered the
species a very rare transient visitant, with extreme dates of April 22 to May 24,
adding that there were 4 records in the county during May 1974. Mack (1975,
The Kingbird, 25(1): 51) noting that the 1974 invasion by this species, a bird
alien to the Adirondack-Champlain region, was unusual, presciently felt, “the
total number of individuals and total area covered may indicate we will have a
breeding record some year.”

The Schuyler Island nest, located high in a tall tree in a hardwood swamp on
the shore of (and surrounded by) a lake, fits Bull’s description of other New
York State breeding sites. Although the outcome of the nesting after May 29 is
unknown, the record apparently provides both a new early date for nestlings and
a new northernmost location for the State of New York.

John M. C. Peterson, P. O. Box 300, Essex, N.Y. 12936

SUMMER, 1976

151

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE SPRING SEASON

Robert W. Smart

All of the regions were in nearly perfect agreement as to the spring
weather but differed widely on the effects of this weather. March and
April were warmer than usual, with a genuine heat wave in the latter
part of April. May was cold and wet with a winter-like storm on the
19th that brought snow to the higher parts of the state. Both of
these extremes produced negative results for the birder in the field.
The lovely warm weather that everyone greeted with such enthusi¬
asm brought a rush, not of migrants, but of rapidly burgeoning foli¬
age, so that when the warblers did arrive they were nearly invisible in
the greenery. It was one of the most difficult springs in memory for
seeing birds. The late cold hit many of the early nesting birds and the
insectivores. Flycatchers were reported as being in low numbers and
swallows may be in serious trouble. Note also the comments on
Blue-winged and Golden-winged Warblers in Region 8.

The following brief comments will give some idea of the impossi¬
bility of adequately summarizing a migration over an area as large as
New York State: “tremendous Spring season” (Region 2), “Silent
Spring” (Region 10), “Good warblers” (Region 1), “Warblers
trickled through” (Region 3), “Some warblers above average, some
very low” (Region 5), “Residents normal, poor transients” (Region
9). Your impression of the spring migration obviously depended on
where and when you were. It was interesting that two of the regions
(3 and 5) commented on the effects of rain on the migration as seen
from the ground. As has been mentioned before, ground observations
do not always, or even often, reflect the true picture of the overhead
migration. A rain storm in the midst of a flight will cause the birds
to “drop out” and be recorded. Unfortunately, all too many birders
are “fair-weather birders” and miss many of the really good days.

A major feature of the season was the incursion of southern species
into the state. This was particularly noticeable in the upstate regions.
The coastal area is more accustomed to these birds as is shown by the
lack of emphasis on the hoards of southern warblers, etc., in the re¬
gional report. Much of the state was enchanted, however, with Pro-
thonotaries, Yellow-throateds, Kentuckys, chats, and other southern
species. Even the most jaded of New Yorkers must have been im¬
pressed by the 14 individual Summer Tanagers. Acadian Flycatchers
seem to be continuing their advance into the state as possible or

152

THE KINGBIRD

proven breeding birds. Blue-gray Gnatcatchers were found breeding
100 miles north of their previous range in Region 7. Carolina Wrens
seem to have survived the winter and maintained their increasing
population.

At the other end of the geographic spectrum some northerners
made news. Boreal Chickadees remained into the spring period and
there was a decent return flight of northern finches. I do not know
what to make of the reported “pair” of Pine Grosbeaks at Connet-
quot River State Park on Long Island on April 25, claimed to be
present until mid-May. John Bull in Birds of New York State lists
two May records in upstate New York but certainly nothing from
the coast where they are not common even in the winter. Red
Crossbills were seen with recently fledged young in Region 9, which
may be the first proven successful nesting in the state. Tree Spar¬
rows established a number of remarkably late dates with May 1 in
Region 9, May 10 in Region 5, May 13 in Region 1, May 15 in Re¬
gion 8 and May 16 in Regions 2 and 3. John Bull lists May 11 as the
extreme late date for the state. Any one of the above records might
be suspect, but the pattern is incontrovertible.

Another interesting flight pattern is shown by the Blue Jay reports
from Regions 1, 2, and 5. These counts of 5000, 2000 and 8000 in
mid-May point up an aspect of the spring migration that is frequently
overlooked by the more warbler-orientated observers. The Derby
Hill count exceeds by 2000 the maximum listed in Birds of New
York State.

At the risk of inflating the already sufficient local pride, Derby
Hill must once again be mentioned as one of the most exciting places
in the northeast to observe diurnal migration in the spring. Hawk¬
watching addicts will need no more than a glance at the table in the
Region 5 report to start making plans for a visit next year. The pas¬
serine passage is no less impressive and many have been torn between
counting hawks and observing “twits.” It is the only place where
your editor has ever seen Boreal Chickadees and Blue-gray Gnat-
catchers in the same small tree.

One region’s rarity may be another region’s commonplace, but the
vast array of species that were underlined by the regional editors
boggles the mind. There was a total of 80—count ’em, 80—individual
species in this category. The prize for being underlined in the most
number of regions goes to the Orchard Oriole with five nbminations.
Several of the underlined (set in bold face) species will cause some

SUMMER, 1976

153

raised eyebrows including, it must be admitted, those of your editor.
The Arctic Loon in Region 2 has a couple of precedents but the ex¬
treme difficulty of identification is well known. There is only one
specimen for the state. The Baird’s Sandpiper from the same region
must be considered as hypothetical in view of the fact that there is no
spring specimen known from the state, although Beardslee and Mit¬
chell (Birds of the Niagara Frontier Region) do list some spring sight
records. Field guides are notoriously poor in showing the large variety
in shorebird plumages due to age, sex and season. Likewise the record
of the Arctic Tern from Region 3 should be treated with some cau¬
tion. Bull, for very good reasons, accepts no sight records for the
state and lists only three specimens, all from the coast. The possible
specimen mentioned by Beardslee and Mitchell is not extant. The
species is certainly identifiable in the field by those experienced with
the Sterna terns. Those interested in this fascinating problem in field
identification should consult the recent articles in California Birds
and British Birds. As noted in the regional report, the details of the
observation are on file.

Two other species which were not officially reported merit atten¬
tion. The Carolina Chickadee has never been accepted as a New York
State record and Region 3 very properly did not report it as a fact. It
is amazing that a species that breeds as close to the state as this one
does has never been taken within the state boundaries. There have
been several instances of birds singing the typical song. If another
such bird appears at a feeder in the future and you do not wish to
trap it for a specimen, PLEASE get a good tape recording of the song
so that a sonogram may be made from it. This should be sufficient
evidence for a validation of the record. Another very probable record
was that of a Green-tailed Towhee in Nunda observed by W. and M.
Barber. Although the local committee did not accept it for a first re¬
gional record, the chances are that it was perfectly good. Birds of this
species turned up in Maine and New Jersey during the winter and it
was a remarkable season for western birds in the East.

Those of you who have been following the recipients of the BOTS
award must realize by now that this is a very personal and, perhaps,
biased choice. Criteria of rarity—time, place, species—fade before two
overall concepts: What bird was I most thrilled to see or what sight¬
ing am I most envious of others having seen. Using the latter criteri¬
on, the BOTS award must be given to the Swallow-tailed Kite seen
at Derby Hill. Congratulations to those who were lucky enough to
have seen it.

154

THE KINGBIRD

REGION 1 - NIAGARA FRONTIER

Vivian Mills Pitzrick

“ . , . lo, the winter is past . . . the time of singing of birds is come and the voice of the

turtle is heard in our land_”1 In spite of the devastating ice storm Mar. 3, which wreaked

havoc across the Region and brought a week of power outage to thousands, the month
averaged about 5° F (2.8° C) above normal and was wetter than usual (JT). Larger ponds
opened early to attract birds all month (SE). With rainfall average, Apr. too, was unusually
warm, the 3rd week one of warmest on record for the month. Perhaps because of cloudiness,
light precipitation on 18 days, May seemed colder and wetter than the actual near normal
figures indicate. This generally mild season was for the birds—with more early arrivals and

late departures than space to mention-“an’ that’s the truth_”

1 Song of Solomon

Positives include: 1) the best Com. Loon and Great Blue Heron numbers in 10 years
(Great Blue heronry reports were scarce); 2) a superb swan flight (We thought Feb. was
great!) across the Southern Tier, north of the usual route; 3) a good gull season, especially
Bonaparte’s; 4) excellent cuckoo numbers to take care of the “plague” of Tent Caterpillars;

5) a new state record of early date for nestlings and fledglings of the Long-eared Owl
(banded at risk of life and limb—not the tree’s!); 6) high count for a few warblers with
only the Canada low; 7) many, many Evening Grosbeaks in the Southern Tier; plentiful
Purple Finches; a House Finch explosion; 8) an expanding list of contributors-nearly all
PROMPT; 9) fair numbers of Com. Redpolls; an enormous flight of Am. Goldfinches; a
smatter of Pine Siskins and Red Crossbills; 10) good counts of White-crowned, White-
throated, Fox and Song Sparrows.

Negatives include: 1) unspectacular hawk flights (One expert birder attempts no identi¬
fication of these migrating raptors if “too high to be readily observed.”); 2) Tom Turkeys a
bit cool to calls during Spring hunt, possibly because their ardor had peaked earlier during
the warm weather (SE); 3) Com. Nighthawks and Chimney Swifts apparently in deep
trouble; 4) fewer Hairy Woodpeckers; 5) low numbers of flycatchers and all swallows;

6) continued decline of the Horned Lark population; 7) not many nesting reports of Am.
Robin or E. Bluebird, and only fair numbers of the latter; 8) very few E. Meadowlarks; 9) a
sad story for some sparrows: only a few Henslow’s and fewer Grasshopper; extremely low
numbers of Savannah, Vesper, and Swamp; and almost no Lincoln’s.

A l-o-n-g list of rarities for the season includes: Little Blue Heron, Cattle Egret, Glossy
Ibis, Mute Swan, White-fronted Goose, Goshawk, Golden Eagle, Bald Eagle, Peregrine Fal¬
con, Merlin, Wilson’s Phalarope, Black-backed Three-toed Woodpecker, Acadian Flycatcher,
Boreal Chickadee, White-eyed Vireo, Prothonotary Warbler, Worm-eating Warbler, Yellow-
throated Warbler, Prairie Warbler, Kentucky Warbler, Western Meadowlark, Yellow-headed
Blackbird, Dickcissel, House Finch, and “Oregon” Junco.

Abbreviations: ACC-Allegany Co. Census (Apr. 11, compiled by DB); GMA or WMA-
Game or Wildlife Management Area; NP-Nature Preserve; NWR-National Wildlife Refuge;
RC-Buffalo Ornithological Society Regional Census (April 11, compiled by EF, and May
15,16, compiled by HK and WK); SP-State Park.

Contributors: Robert Andrle, Elizabeth Brooks, Doris Burton, Lou Burton, Donald
Clark, Jane Clark, Thomas F. Czapla, Ed Curtis (Weather Data, Wellsville Water and Light),
Stephen Eaton, John Forness, Mary Forness (MFr), David Freeland, Helen Graves, Rhea
Keople (RhK), Robert Keople, Harriette Klabunde, Walter Klabunde, Douglas Kibbe, Clar¬
ence Klingensmith, Michael Pitzrick, Raymond Pitzrick, Vivian Pitzrick, Joseph Thill,
James VanScoy, Regina VanScoy, Robert Sundell; and Observers: Patricia Andrle, Harold

SUMMER, 1976

155

Axteil, Rachel Axtell (RaA), Thomas Bourne, Richard Byron, Arthur R. Clark (ARC), Lorry
Chapman, Richard Culverwell, Dorothy Danner, J. Duncan, Jay Gibson, Frances DeGroff,
Ed Fessler, Flora Elderkin, Marcya Foster, Paul Hess, Joseph Kikta, Erma Larson, Alice
McKale, Willard McKale, Harold Mitchell, John Morse, Katherine Palmer, Elizabeth Pills-
bury, William Rebovich, Alan Reckhow, Frances Rew, Arthur Schaffner, Pauline Schwartz
(PSc), Robert Schwartz (RSc), Ann Scott (AnS), Bruce A. Smalley, Alice Ulrich, Robert
Wagner, Margaret Wendling (MaW), Marie Wendling, David Wilcove, Larry Wilson.

LOONS—DUCKS: A great wading bird season includes: 3 Double-crested Cormorants on
the May RC with a total 6 others in 5 areas; a rare LITTLE BLUE HERON near Hamburg
(Pinehurst) May 1 (RA+) and another at Burgeson Sanct. May 21 (FE, RS+); 2 CATTLE
EGRETS near Ransomville May 5 (R. Culverwell fide Courier Express, May 6) and one near
Barker the same day (DK); a 2-week-early Great Egret near Limestone Mar. 20 (RV, JV) and
singles in 3 other areas during Apr. and May; a max 92 Black-crowned Night Herons at Ni¬
agara Falls Apr. 30 (FR); a Least Bittern on the May RC; and a rare GLOSSY IBIS at New-
stead Sinks Apr. 18 (FR, ARC+).

MUTE SWANS appeared as singles on the May RC, at a gravel pit near Limestone Apr.
20,21 and May 8-25 (SE, JY, RV), and at Burgeson Sanct. Apr. 24 (FE, RS+). The Whistling
Swan flight, which began in Feb., peaked at 729 on Cuba L Mar. 25 (AnS). The max Canada
Goose count was only 25,100 at Iroquois NWR Apr. 7 (JM); at least 7 collared birds were
noted in 2 areas; and reported in Hume were max 7 Ad 4 Yg May 8 (KP). 3 rare WHITE-
FRONTED GEESE were recorded at Newstead Sinks Apr. 17 and May 4 (Wendling, PH,
Happ+). 8 Snow and one Blue Goose appeared on the Apr. RC.

On the Apr. RC, ducks receiving highest count in 10 yrs include: Gadwall-97, Wood
Duck—152, Redhead-500, Ring-necked Duck-890, and Com. Scoter-10. Other note-
worthies are: a max 2000 Pintails at Randolph (!) Mar. 15 (FE); an uncommon European
Wigeon at Newstead Sinks Apr. 24 (DF); single Surf Scoters at Times Beach May 1 (DW,
McMichael, RA) and Bay View May 12 (TB); Ruddy Ducks in at least 8 areas with max 31
at Greenhurst Apr. 24 (RS); and max 1400 Red-breasted Mergansers at Dunkirk May 2
(DF+).

HAWKS-ALCIDS: 2 GOSHAWKS appeared for the May RC, and Allegany Co. now has
6 known active nesting areas (LB). Except on the Apr. and May RC’s, where the reverse was
true, Sharp-shinned Hawks easily outnumbered Cooper’s this season; high Cooper’s num¬
bers in Allegany Co. are the result of resident birds (LB). Flights noted were: 34 Sharpies
and 3 Ad Cooper’s moving west into the wind near Barker Apr. 13, 14 (DK); max Sharp-
shinned: 132 over Allegany Rd Apr. 18 (RA+). Breeding pairs of Red-shouldered Hawks
include 7 in Allegany Co. (EB, CK, LB) and 5 in Allegany SP (RS); max flight was 21 over
Hamburg Mar. 24 (RA+). An early Broad-winged Hawk appeared on the Apr. RC and max
for migration were 622 on Apr. 16 (FR+) and 515 on Apr. 18 over Allegany Rd (RA+).12
Rough-legged Hawks were tallied on the Apr. RC. An unusual GOLDEN EAGLE was identi¬
fied at Iroquois NWR Apr. 7 (JM), and more than usual Bald Eagles, all imm singles, were
found: on the May RC and in 6 separate areas. Ospreys were well reported, including 2 on
the Apr. RC and 6 on the May RC. Very rare sightings are: a PEREGRINE FALCON at
Hamburg (Pinehurst) May 5 (HA), and a MERLIN at Niagara Falls Apr. 5 (DF).

A Bobwhite appeared for the May RC. Turkey count on the Apr. RC was 57 (highest in
10 yrs) but a low 19 on the May RC. A 2-week-early Sora was stunned at a picture window
near Cuba Mar. 26 (RhK, RK, Resch).

Included in a top-notch shorebird season are: a Black-bellied Plover at Tonawanda
WMA May 2 (AM, WM) and another in a gravel pit near Allegany May 8 (SE); at Times
Beach, a record 14 White-rumped Sandpipers May 27 (HA); max 23 Short-billed Dowitchers
at Times Beach May 12 (RA+); and a rare Wilson’s Phalarope, also at Times Beach, May 24
(RA+), two months early.

156

THE KINGBIRD

Noteworthy gulls and terns are: at least 3 Glaucous and 2 Iceland Gulls in the L. Erie
area; 26 Great Black-backed Gulls on the Apr. RC and 13 on the May RC; max Ring-billed
Gulls, away from Great Lakes haunts: 150 in Hume Apr. 8 (KP); 16, 836 Bonaparte’s Gulls
on the Apr. RC (highest in 10 yrs.); 2 Little Gulls: one Ad migrating west over L Ontario
Apr. 13 (DK) and one at a gravel pit near Allegany Apr. 15 (SE); and at least a total 37
Caspian Terns at 7 locations during Apr, and May.

PIGEONS-WOODPECKERS: The last Snowy Owl of the season appeared at Niagara
Falls Apr. 20 (PH). Single Long-eared Owls in 4 areas were reported in addition to 3 active
nests, one in Orleans Co. and 2 in Niagara Co.; one of the latter nestings, near Barker, broke
the STATE RECORD twice: the 4 Yg banded at 2+weeks of age May 5 sets the early nest¬
ling date back to at least Apr. 21, and a check here May 15 found 2 fledglings, half a month
prior to the June 1 record; the next day 3 fledglings were in pines near nest (DK). A Short¬
eared Owl was at Oak Orchard WMA Apr. 16 (TB). A rare Saw-whet Owl survived its picture
window collision at Barnard St., Buffalo, Apr. 6, and had his portrait done in oil by Mrs.
S. Czapla (TFC, JK). A pair of Whip-poor-wills, apparently courting, was watched in Ni¬
agara Co. May 4 (DK).

A total of 6 Red-bellied Woodpeckers was reported from 5 locations west of the usual
Genesee R haunts. Although the Red-headed Woodpecker is apparently holding its own, the
Hairy showed a slight decline. The imm Black-backed Three-toed Woodpecker, here since
late Dec. (JT), appeared intermittently in N. Buffalo all season (McMichael, DW+).

FLY CATCHER S- STARLINGS: E. Phoebes tallied a fine 125 on the Apr. RC, but all
flycatchers were scarce on the May RC. The rare ACADIAN FLYCATCHER appeared near
Clarence Ctr. May 14 (DF).

Max of a high Blue Jay season was a “massive flight of about 5000” going east along the
L. Ontario shore May 17 (DK); one in Amity May 8 cleaned out a Tent Caterpillar nest (VP).
A BOREAL CHICKADEE was spotted in Jamestown Mar. 6 (FE). Good tallies on the May
RC were 22 Tufted Titmice and 7 Carolina Wrens. 11 Long-billed Marsh Wrens appeared on
the May RC, while at least 6 of the Short-billed were found in 3 areas. A max 6 Golden-
crowned Kinglets were still in old nesting territory May 27-30 (EB). Of the shrikes, single
Northerns were reported from 6 locations, and single Loggerheads were identified at E. Am¬
herst Apr. 1 (DF), near Langford Apr. 6 (TB), and near Barker Apr. 13 (DK).

VIREOS-WARBLERS: A WHITE-EYED VIREO appeared on the May RC; other sin¬
gles were seen on Grand Island May 4 (HK, WK) and on the Tonawanda Indian Res. May
28 (DF). On the May RC were 13 Yellow-throated and 10 Philadelphia Vireos.

Tho’ warblers cooperated in most areas, it was “possibly the poorest May ever” at Farm-
ersville Sta. Banding Refuge (DC). On the May RC, warblers with high counts were: 54
Golden-winged, 107 Tennessee, 163 Blackburnian, 3 Palm and 186 Ovenbird, and with low
count, 22 Canada Warbler. Others worthy of note are: one to two PROTHONOTARY
WARBLERS at Iroquois NWR, and one, banded, at Lewiston May 1 (HK, Farrell); single
rare WORM-EATING WARBLERS at Beaver Meadow Apr. 22 (VP) and in Holland May 15
(Beckers, Berlin); single Brewster’s Warblers (hybrid) at Iroquois NWR May 10 (JM), in Car-
roll May 16-31 (RS+) and at Frewsburg May 29 (FE, Cooney); 3 Parulas on the May RC and
one to 2 at 6 locations; 10 Yellow-rumped Warblers on nesting grounds near Alfred May 3-
30 (EB); a total 15 Cerulean Warblers; single rare YELLOW-THROATED WARBLERS at
Wendt Beach Apr. 24 (DF+) and at Hamburg May 7 (RA+); one to 4 Pine Warblers in 7
areas; a late PRAIRIE WARBLER in Carroll May 28(RS+); two KENTUCKY WARBLERS
at Burgeson Sanct. May 11 and one in South Valley May 28 (RS+); a Louisiana Waterthrush
“earliest ever” near Allegany Apr. 2 (SE) plus one at Frewsburg Apr. 22 (FE) and 2 near
Alfred May 30 (EB); a total 15 Yellow-breasted Chats in 8 areas; and 8 Hooded Warblers on
the May RC and reports of one to 2 in 6 locations.

WEAVERS-SPARROWS: The unusual WESTERN MEADOWLARK appeared for the

SUMMER, 1976

157

May RC and an imm YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD was seen at Iroquois NWR several
times Mar. 7-17 (JM+). 37,000 Red-winged Blackbirds plus 12,000 Com. Grackles were es¬
timated at an E. Amherst roost Mar. 19-20 (DF), and an albino Brown-headed Cowbird was
found at Cheektowaga Mar. 13, 15 (PSc, RSc). A DICKCISSEL appeared on the May RC
and at Steamburg May 29 (RS+). There was an enormous Evening Grosbeak tally of 342 on
the May RC and at least 16 HOUSE FINCHES were counted from 6 widely separated areas.
A tremendous flight of about 5000 Am. Goldfinches, with small numbers of Pine Siskins,
was moving west against the wind along the L. Ontario shore May 17 (DK).

A Dark-eyed (OREGON) Junco found a feeder in Cuba Mar. 7-12 (JF, MFr) and an¬
other appeared in E. Amherst Mar. 12 (DF). A late Tree Sparrow stayed at Hamburg
through May 10 (Skrzypek) and at Belmont through May 13 (DB, LB). A nearly 2-weeks
early Chipping Sparrow was in E. Amherst Mar. 22-Apr. 1 (DF). Single Lincoln’s Sparrows
appeared at Times Beach May 5 (DF) and at Hamburg May 11 (RA+). A happy Song Spar¬
row note is 1037 on the Apr. ACC (highest in 3 yrs). 8 tag-a-long Lapland Longspurs were
seen for the Apr. RC.

Addendum, received too late for the Winter report: The Jan. Waterfowl Census, Jan.
10-18, compiled by AR resulted in the lowest numbers of its 22-yr. history. The declining
Canvasback and Oldsquaw show a slight increase. Low counts were: CanadaGoose-17, Black
Duck-444, Pintail-6, Greater Scaup-1865, Com. Merganser-6549, and Red-breasted
Merganser—49; high counts were: Gadwall-97,Lesser Scaup-49, and White-winged Scoter-
26. Totals were: 24 species and 16,111 individuals.

Corrigendum: In The Kingbird, Spring 1976 Region 1 report, credit for the Red-headed
Woodpecker at Scio Feb. 22 should be “(RP, VP)”.

Amity Lake, Belmont, New York 14813

REGION 2-GENESEE

RICHARD O’HARA

After a very early beginning in late February, spring advanced in fits and starts-very
unevenly. Snowfall was light during March but except for waterfowl, migration was rather
slow until the last week. April brought a very cold spell in mid-month but also produced a
warm front on the twenty-first that brought an excellent variety of species. By early May
foliage development was far advanced but a return to more seasonal weather slowed the May
flight. The climax came on May 23 when the annual Spring Census produced record counts
and a grand total of 211 species. All in all, it was a tremendous spring season for local birders.

Rarities: Arctic Loon, Eared Grebe, Snowy Egret, Little Blue Heron, Louisiana Heron,
Glossy Ibis, Yellow-crowned Night Heron, Peregrine, Merlin, American Golden Plover,
Hudsonian Godwit, Whimbrel, Baird’s Sandpiper, Stilt Sandpiper, Thayer’s Gull, Franklin’s
Gull, Acadian Flycatcher, Worm-eating Warbler, Orchard Oriole and Summer Tanager.

Observers: Edward Ackerman, Ron & Kay Ballard, Michael Carlson, Frank & Robert
Dobson, Kay Davis, Allen Kemnitzer, Dave Zinehan, Jim Listman, Walter C. Listman, Gor¬
don & Steve Meade, Robert McKinney, Frank Meyers, Richard O’Hara, Chip Perrigo,
Rochester Birding Association, Marge Schmalley, A1 Shay, Jeanne & Sharon Skelly, Robert
Spahn, Joseph Taylor, Steve Taylor, David, Michael & Thomas Tetlow, Edna Vollmer,
Doris Wilton.

Abbreviations: Braddock’s Bay-BB; Durand Park-DP; East Lakeshore-EL; Highland
Park—HP; West Lakeshore-WL.

158

THE KINGBIRD

LOONS—DUCKS: Common Loon peak count 600, EL April 20 (M&TT); a good flight.
Red-throated Loon max. 19, fair flight in early April. A very rare ARCTIC LOON was near
Pultneyville April 8-10 (WCL et al). Very few Red-necked Grebes were seen,but an EARED
GREBE was noted near Hamlin April 28 (DL). A few Double-crested Cormorants passed
through as usual.

The herons were the real feature of the spring here. All three egrets, Little Blue Heron,
Louisiana Heron, Yellow-crowned Night Heron and Glossy Ibis were seen! Following are
some outstanding records. LITTLE BLUE HERON-1 ad April 2 Island Cottage (RBA); 1
ad. April 16 BB (KD&MS et al .), 1 ad. April 22 BB (TT et al), 1 imm. April 22 Hogan Pt.
(RO); Cattle Egret-2-3 April 21-23 BB (EVetal), 8 May 23 Hogan Pt. (mob); SNOWY
EGRET-1 April 22 BB (ST et al). 1-2 May 17-24 BB (mob); Great Egret-1 March 21 BB
(WCL), 2 May 28 BB (AK); LOUISIANA HERON-1 May 5 Island Cottage (KD, AS, DW), 1
May 9-24 BB (mob); YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT HERON-1 May 2 Hamlin (RBA);
GLOSSY IBIS-1 April 21 BB (AS etal), 2-6 all May BB (mob). The Yellow-crowned Night
Heron, an immature bird, was later found dead and brought to Rochester Museum.

Whistling Swans-good numbers through May 23, peak count 70 March 9 WL (KD etal);
Snow Geese max. 25 (blue morph) Point Breeze March 28 (CP); Brant max. 11 BB May 25
(WL).

All ducks except European Wigeon, Harlequin Duck and both eiders were well reported.
Most were in good numbers and many were still present on Census Day-May 23-in small
numbers. Best counts were Black Duck 150, Pintail 600, Green-winged Teal 125, Redhead
150, Ring-necked Duck 200, Canvasback 700, Ruddy Duck 30, Hooded Merganser 32.

HAWKS-ALCIDS: The hawk flights at BB were well covered this spring and produced
good to normal counts for most species. Exceptions were: Goshawk, Bald Eagle and Pere¬
grine all of which were scarce. Best counts include: Turkey Vulture 87, April 17; Sharp-
shinned Hawk 1225, May 5; Red-shouldered Hawk 375, March 24; Broad-winged Hawk
2500, May 2; Golden Eagle 5 or 6 individuals; MERLIN 4 or 5 individuals.

In spite of extremely high water levels, shorebirds were well reported, mostly from
flooded fields. More than twenty species were noted and some species were early. Note¬
worthy records are: AM. GOLDEN PLOVER 1 May 23; Common Snipe March 20 (early);
HUDSONIAN GODWIT 1 May 5 (CP ST et al); WHIMBREL 1 May 21 (TT); Wilson’s
Phalarope 1-2 May 12-23; Long-billed Dowitcher 1 May 25 (CP); Pectoral Sandpiper March
26 (early); Red Knot 1 May 23; White-rumped Sandpiper 7 May 23 (CP); BAIRD’S SAND¬
PIPER 1-2 May 23-27; STILT SANDPIPER 4 May 21. The last two species are very unusual
here in spring.

Both Glaucous and Iceland Gull remained into early May. A THAYER’S GULL was well
seen in Kendall on May 6 (CP, WCL, MC). Single FRANKLIN’S GULLS were noted at least
5 times this spring—April 20 to May 31. Little Gulls—also 5 reports, 1-3 birds.

Common Tern—max. 4, still very scarce. Caspian Tern up to 15 per day normal.

PIGEONS-WOODPECKERS: Both cuckoos appeared late, few before May 23. Barn Owl
unreported. Snowy Owl-last April 16-late. Barred Owl-one report, Bergen Swamp March
22 (CP). Long-eared Owl-nest with 2 young-North Hampton Pk. (R&KB). Short-eared
Owl-last April 9. Saw-whet Owl—many reports, 1 bird each.

Whip-poor-will arrival April 19 (JL). Chimney Swift arrival-April 26 (SO). Yellow-
bellied Sapsucker-max. 15, April 16.

FLYCATCHERS-STARLINGS: Eastern Phoebe-rather scarce, max. 4. Yellow-bellied
Flycatcher-a few in late May. ACADIAN FLYCATCHER-two reports, both May 23.
Olive-sided Flycatcher, 3 reports, one bird each, May 22-31. All swallows seemed normal in
numbers. Tree Swallow arrived March 21, peak count 5000, BB April 21. Rough-winged

SUMMER, 1976

159

Swallow 2 April 8 (early) (DM&TT).

Blue Jay-max. 2000 May 16 (F&RD). Crow-max. 1500 March 20 (CP). House Wren-
arrived April 19 (EV). Winter Wren-possible nesting May 19-Maplewood PK (RS). Caro¬
lina Wren-many reports. Long-billed Marsh Wren 1 April 20 (KD et al) (early). Short¬
billed Marsh Wren-a few-first on May 23. Brown Thrasher-scarce-arrived April 17 (late).
Wood Thrush arrived early April 22. Hermit Thrush-late-only one before April. Eastern
Bluebird—max. 8 April 27. Blue-gray Gnatcatcher-many reports after April 16. Cedar Wax¬
wing unbelievably scarce until very late May. Northern Shrike-last April 4. Loggerhead
Shrike may be nesting again in Hamlin (F&RD).

VIREOS-WARBLERS: White-eyed Vireo-3 reports April 22 (TT), May 1 (RM) and
May 15 (J&SS et al). Solitary Vireo-first April 16. Red-eyed Vireo-first April 22-very
early.

The warbler flight was good overall and in some cases excellent. Early records include:
Black-and-white Warblers-April 22, Yellow Warbler-April 17, Black-throated Green-April
16, Blackburnian-April 22, and Hooded-April 24. Pine Warbler April 3, early.

A total of 32 species was reported, plus one hybrid-Brewster’s. Highlights include Orange-
crowned 2 reports, WORM-EATING 2 reports and Prairie 3 reports. The only Kentucky
(heard only) is unverified to date-May 23 (JT). Connecticut unreported. The peak date was
May 23. Song was poor on many cool, cloudy days, but counts were impressive for Blue-
winged (increasing). Cape May, Yellow-rumped and Bay breasted. Golden-winged, Parula (as
usual recently), Blackpoll and Hooded were low in numbers.

WEAVERS—SPARROWS: A roost contained 200,000 Red-winged Blackbirds and
40,000 Common Grackles in Chili April 16 (JS). A male Yellow-headed Blackbird was seen
on April 16 in Gates (EA). Three separate ORCHARD ORIOLES were reported from May
15-25 all along the WL. One pair was nest building in Kendall (H&G Beaver). A SUMMER
TANAGER male and possibly a female were present May 21-23 Kendall N.Y.(H&GB et al).
At least 6 House Finches are still near HP (FM) and two or three others were noted elsewhere.

Evening Grosbeaks, Purple Finches and Pine Siskins moved through in good numbers. A
Red Crossbill in DP on May 17 (TT)- Henslow’s Sparrow arrival April 29 was normal; Grass¬
hopper Sparrows-scarce until late May, then numerous. Vesper Sparrows are still very
scarce-max. 8 on April 11 EL (R&RKB). The last Dark-eyed Junco was May 23. White-
crowned Sparrows passed through very quickly and Fox Sparrows were reported only in
very small numbers. A late Lapland Longspur was seen on May 23 near Scottsville (G&SM
etal).

265 Carling Road, Rochester, N.Y. 14610

REGION 3- FINGER LAKES

Dorothy W. McIlroy

Snow began to disappear by early March and very little fell after the 20th. Unusually
warm spring weather started the last week of March with temperatures in the 60’s F (15-20°
C) continuing through most of April. April 18-25 was very warm, temperatures into the
80’s F (27+° C). Then a sudden change brought back cold weather that persisted through
May. March averaged about 4° F warmer than normal, April about normal. May 4° F below
normal. No record lows were set, but the days were extremely cool with much less sunshine
than usual. In spite of frequent rains, precipitation was slightly below normal for May.

160

THE KINGBIRD

Trees and spring flowers burst into leaf and bloom during the April warmth. Small
numbers of migrants appeared early, geese and ducks left the last week of the month. Re¬
turn of cold weather kept spring blossoms fresh for weeks and slowed the arrival of the main
body of migrants. Warblers trickled through, then there was a late big rush May 26 and 27.

On rainy April 25 with the change in weather Elmira had a red-letter birding day. Several
species of ducks, shorebirds, gulls and terns were seen on the Chemung River and ponds,
including White-winged Scoters, a female Common Eider and an Arctic Tern. Elmira also
reported a Golden Eagle, Iceland Gull in mid-May and Brewer’s Blackbird. Ithaca had a rash
of more southern species, including White-eyed Vireo and Worm-eating, Yellow-throated and
Kentucky Warblers. Geneva had a Golden Eagle, Purple Sandpipers and Avocet. Glossy Ibis
were seen at Watkins Glen. Boreal Chickadees stayed until April.

Abbreviations: MNWR-Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge; PY-Penn Yan-Keuka;
SAD-Seneca Army Depot; ■* (starred)-details on file.

Compilers and contributors: Walter E. Benning, Jack Brubaker (Watkins Glen), James
Gibson, Robert Gustafson (MNWR), Bernice Hilfiker, Wilifred Howard, Morgan Jones
(SAD), Elaine Kibbe (Ithaca), Malcolm Lerch (PY), Thomas Riley, Jeffrey Walters-JW,
Jayson Walker, Mary Welles (Elmira).

LOONS-DUCKS: Red-necked Grebe. 1 Aurora Mar. 5. Horned Grebe: left before end
of April. Pied-billed Grebe: very few PY, none Penn Yan marsh. Double-crested Cormorant:
1-2 MNWR May 8 thru, usually only occasional sightings. Great Blue Heron: 60 Addison
heronry; 50 Bently Creek heronry south of Wellsville Apr. 10. Great Egret: 1 MNWR May 6.
SNOWY EGRET: 2 MNWR May 15, “saw bill and feet” (TR). Least Bittern: only report 1
Watkins marsh May 16. Am. Bittern: 3 locations PY after being very scarce in late years; max
20 MNWR May 31. GLOSSY IBIS: 2 flying over Watkins marsh May 16 (JB).

Whistling Swan: high max 96 on flooded mucklands north of MNWR Mar. 14. Canada
Goose: max 85,000 MNWR Apr. 16, gone by Apr. 30, early; 4 with red bands around base
of neck near Geneva Mar. 14 (JW). Snow Goose: max continues high, 8,000 MNWR Apr. 1.
WEB commented that “with much water on neighboring mucklands ducks were dispersed
over them as well as MNWR. Probably near normal numbers of dabbling ducks. Diving ducks
in small numbers.” The list of duck maxima at MNWR is omitted as not representing normal
conditions. Black Duck: much scarcer Elmira, also down PY. Gadwall: increasing PY, pairs
at Branchport, Dresden and Penn Yan. Ring-necked Duck: good recovery from recent lows
PY. COMMON EIDER: 1 female Elmira Apr. 25 (B. Ostrander, WH)*—field note later.
White-winged Scoter: 13 MNWR Apr. 16, high for there. Surf Scoter: 1 Cayuga L. Mar. 13
(P. Dubowy).

HAWKS-ALCEDS: Turkey Vulture: 1-8 MNWR and Marengo Apr. 8 thru. Sharp-shinned
Hawk: regularly reported Ithaca, 2 reports Elmira, 1 each Watkins and SAD. Cooper’s Hawk:
regular Ithaca but scarce; 1 Elmira May 16; Niles May 1 and 15. Red-shouldered Hawk: 2
active nests Ithaca. GOLDEN EAGLE: 1 adult over S. Mountain Elmira May 14 (WH, G.
Rowley), second record in 26 years; 1 Tyre May 23 feeding on freshly dead raccoon (D.
Larson). Peregrine Falcon: 1 Ithaca May 18 (S. Sabo). Turkey: presence at SAD confirmed
by tracks, 3 seen near Willard State Hospital. Ring-necked Pheasant: good comeback from
recent low population PY. Am. Coot: Max 400 MNWR May l;only 2 reports Elmira, both
Mar.

Twenty species of shorebirds were reported in spite of high water. Ruddy Turnstone: 16
Myers, Cayuga L. May 28, high; 40 Geneva May 27 seen from boat. Upland Sandpiper:
Dry den Apr. 18 (P. Kelsey), early. PURPLE SANDPIPER: 2 Geneva May 27 (M. Menuhin)
by seawall where they could be seen only from a boat. White-rumped Sandpiper: 1 MNWR
May 13 (WEB); 1 Big Flats, Elmira May 15 (T. Bates). Dunlin: max 220 MNWR May 20.
AM. AVOCET: 1 near Lyons May 20 (M. Menuhin fide MJ). Wilson’s Phalarope: 2 MNWR

SUMMER, 1976

161

May 13, 1 on May 15. ICELAND GULL: second year bird Elmira May 11-17 (WH, mob).
ARCTIC TERN: 1 Elmira Apr. 25 (WH, B. Ostrander, MW)* (written description sub¬
mitted). Caspian Tern: 10 Elmira Apr. 25.

PIGEONS-WOODPECKERS: Yellow-billed Cuckoo: 5 singles, scarce. Black-billed
Cuckoo: good numbers. Screech Owl: normal except none PY. Saw-whet Owl: Reading
Center Mar., Apr. (A. Kopp); 1 Ithaca Apr. 22 (S. Sabo). Whip-poor-will: only report 1 near
Elmira May 4.

FLYCATCHERS-STARLINGS: E. Kingbird and Great Crested Flycatcher: first May 8,
late. E. Phoebe: numbers low; 24 pairs SAD compared to 31 in ’75 and 37 in ’74, 5 nests
parasitized by cowbirds, only 3 successfully. Yellow-bellied Flycatcher: 1 Ithaca May 27.
Alder Flycatcher: 4 on territory in 2 acres Tompkins Co. airport. Willow Flycatcher: seemed
scarcer Elmira. Olive-sided Flycatcher: singles Ithaca May 15,22, 24, more than usual.

In spite of the warm April, swallow arrivals were not unusually early. Cliff Swallow:
Elmira’s only record Apr. 25, not seen elsewhere until mid-May; 1 pair PY nesting in Barn
Swallow colony; small colony Monterey, seen Tyrone and Alpine. Purple Martin: first, 30
MNWR Apr. 7, cold and rain in early May caused some deaths but by May 30 numbers were
back up.

Raven: 2 Monterey May 16 (JB) where they were first seen in 1974. Fish Crow: 2
again reported Ithaca early Mar. thru. BOREAL CHICKADEE: last, 2 Elmira first week
of Apr. 1 Ithaca Apr. 5. A chickadee was heard singing the Carolina Chickadee song at
Tompkins Co. airport in Mar. (P. Dobowy), species remains a question as the bird was
neither captured nor recorded. Am. Robin: numbers seem unusually high. Swainson’s
Thrush: 1 Dryden L. Apr. 18 (P. Kelsey), extremely early; several other reports in May.
Gray-cheeked Thrush: 1 Ithaca April 19 (JG)*, another early May. E. Bluebird: grackle
predation on’eggs observed in Elmira; good numbers PY as more boxes are put up; SAD
population continues to increase, 23 pairs but 4 early broods wiped out in cold and rain
May 17-19. Water Pipit: max 200 Elmira Apr. 6, 250 Ithaca Apr. 10. N. Shrike: 3 Ithaca
reports to early Apr. Loggerhead Shrike: 1 Ithaca Apr. 22 (C. Strickland).

VIREOS-WARBLERS: WHITE-EYED VIREO: 1 heard and seen Ithaca May 8 (T. Gil¬
man)*, another May 16 (JG); Elmira May 15. Red-eyed Vireo: scarce Penn Yan, none
netted (ML). Philadelphia Vireo: singles Ithaca May 10, Elmira May 15, Waterloo May 17,
Geneva May 23.

WORM-EATING WARBLER: 2 singing males Ithaca May 15 (R. Howard, T. Gilman)*.
LAWRENCE’S WARBLER: 2 singing males Ithaca May 8, 1 thru; 1 Burdett May 15 to last
weekend May (J. Bardeen, mob). Brewster’s: several Ithaca early May thru; Elmira May 14,
15; 1 PY. Orange-crowned: 1 Horseheads May 15 (WH). Magnolia: 1 near Union Springs
Apr. 18 (B. Wesley), early. YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER: 1 singing male Upper But¬
termilk Ithaca Apr. 19 thru (K. Rosenburg, mob), song recorded. Pine: late and scarce.
Prairie: Ithaca May 6, 16; 3 locations Elmira. Palm: first, May 1 Ithaca, late. KENTUCKY
WARBLER: 1 singing male Ithaca May 13 (B. Howe)*. Hooded: 1 Elmira May 11,15.

WEAVERS—SPARROWS: Bobolink: good numbers, especially Elmira and Clifton
Springs. ORCHARD ORIOLE: immature male Elmira May 15 (WH). BREWER’S BLACK¬
BIRD: male seen and heard Horseheads Apr. 5 (WH)* (written description submitted).
Rose-breasted Grosbeak: abundant Ithaca early May. Evening Grosbeak: numbers increased
late Apr. with large flocks reported into May, most left by May 25. House Finch: 2 at feeder
near Keuka Park. Red Crossbill: nest with 4 eggs found on ground after severe windstorm
Elmira Apr. 10 probably of this species; 10 Penn Yan May 1; 12-15 at Ithaca feeder May 17;
pair Odessa May 25.

Grasshopper Sparrow: first, Ithaca May 15, late, numbers good. Henslow’s Sparrow:
scarce Ithaca, 3 or 4 singing males on location end of May; 1 Elmira May 15 first in several
years. Vesper Sparrow: very scarce PY, noticeable decline Clifton Springs, but more seen

162

THE KINGBIRD

during migration Ithaca than last few years. Dark-eyed Junco (OREGON): 1 Elmira Mar. 21,
22 (D. Long). Tree Sparrow: 1 Ithaca May 16, very late (M. Braun)*. Harris* Sparrow: 1
adult feeding with White-crowned Sparrows Ithaca for several days around May 20 (Mrs. H.
Kellogg); not confirmed but description good. White-crowned Sparrow: scarce Penn Yan,
ML netted only 10, usually about 100.

419 Triphammer Road, Ithaca, N.Y. 14850

REGION 4 - SUSQUEHANNA

Leslie E. Bemont

Late March and most of April averaged rather warm, which presumably accounted for
some unusually early records, i.e. Purple Martin and Northern Oriole. May, however, turned
cold and wet and several common migrants, notably Yellow-rumped Warblers and Dark¬
eyed Juncos, responded by remaining in relatively large numbers until late in the month.

Tufted Titmice, Carolina Wrens and Mockingbirds showed no noticeable decrease after
the severe January weather.

Rarities during the period included a Cerulean Warbler and a Yellow-headed Blackbird.

Special abbreviations: Bing-Binghamton;Port-Portlandville;WP~Whitney Point.

Observers: Jeanette and Cutler Baldwin; Jean Barnes; Reynolds Bennett; Mrs. R. J.
Bookhout; Anne Casselberry; Mildred Clarke; Gail Corderman; Glenys Curran; Anna and
Marilyn Davis; Louise and Warren Dean; Mary Dobinsky; J. Doig; Sadie Dorber; Clinton
Gerould; Claire Gottschall; S. Hartman; Elva Hawken; Claude Howard; Cindy Kirch; Flor¬
ence Linaberry; S. MacPherson; Esther Mains; Harriet Marsi; Rick Marsi; P. and D. Martin;
Bud Meade; Mary Ann Middleton; Robert Pantle; Roger Pratt; Robert, Jean and Jim Saun¬
ders; Mary Sheffield; Lee Stockton; Josephine Tuttle; E. and F. Vermilya; Elizabeth Wash¬
burn; Donald Weber; Cora Wellman; Mildred White; Ruth and Sally White; Elinor Whitson;
Evelyn Williams; Kathryn Wilson; Irene Wright.

LOONS-DUCKS: Common Loon: 5 Goodyear L Mar. 21; 3 other reports, last at Nor¬
wich Apr. 16. Red-necked Grebe: 3 Norwich Apr. 16. Horned Grebe: 1 Crumhorn, Otsego
Co. Apr. 17 last of 13 reports. Pied-billed Grebe: 10 reports from Mar. 20 WP to May 16
Owego. Double-crested Cormorant: May 17 WP (FL, HM). Great Blue Heron: migrants ar¬
riving Mar. 19. Green Heron: Apr. 26 Owego; next report May 6. Black-crowned Night
Heron: 2 flying over Ingraham Hill May 3, s. of Bing. Am. Bittern: 1 Laurens, Otsego Co.
Apr. 18; Apr. 30 Vestal; no others. Mute Swan: 1 on Mirror L at Owego during Mar .and
Apr. Whistling Swan: up to 5 WP Mar. 5 to 21; 1 Chenango Bridge Mar. 8; 1 Port. May 8
and 9. Canada Goose: large flocks (100 plus) until May 4. Brant: “large flock” May 1
(J,CB). Gadwall: 1 WP Mar. 14 (RM); 2 Norwich Apr. 16 (R,SW), Green-winged Teal: WP
8 on Mar. 23 and 2 Apr. 11; no others. Blue-winged Teal: Mar. 20 WP; 11 more reports to
Apr. 24 then only May 16 Owego. Redhead: Mar. 20 Owego, the only report. Ring-necked
Duck: 1 near Port. Mar. 3, first migrant; 55 Apr. 10, max; May 8 last date. Canvasback: 22
WP Mar. 14, max; also reported from Port., Oneonta and Owego; last date Apr. 5. Scaup:
Apr. 4 over 20 WP max; last date May 1 Owego; Greater specifically identified at Owego
during Mar. and Apr.; Lesser reported at Owego, Oneonta area, WP and Norwich. Common
Goldeneye: last date Apr. 10 Oneonta area. Bufflehead: Mar. 22 Owego, first; 8 WP Apr. 4
max; 2 WP Apr. 11 last; no others. Oldsquaw: 1 Norwich Apr. 16; also at Owego in Apr.
White-winged Scoter: Apr. 4 WP; 2 Candor Apr. 10; last date May 9. Ruddy Duck: 8 Green-

SUMMER, 1976

163

wood L in n. Broome Co. Apr. 6 (RM). Hooded Merganser: numerous reports from Mar.
13 to 23; 2 Crumhorn L Apr. 4 last. Common Merganser: over 140 WP Mar. 14 max; large
numbers until at least Mar. 23; last date Apr. 10. Red-breasted Merganser: WP Mar. 13 first,
30 Apr. 4 max and Apr. 11 last; also reported at Owego.

HAWKS-ALCIDS: Turkey Vulture: Mar. 24 Cannonsville first; also reported at Owego,
Chenango Bridge, Oneonta, Goodyear L and Walton. Goshawk: 2 Broome Co. reports May
23, one of a pair nest-building—May 28 nest abandoned and loose feathers found. Sharp-
shinned Hawk: 3 reports totaling 4 birds. Cooper’s Hawk: 2 reports. Red-tailed Hawk:
numerous reports from around the Region, several counts of 6-8 max. Red-shouldered
Hawk: 5 reports. Broad-winged Hawk: Apr. 23 Bing, first; 12 reports. Rough-legged Hawk:
1 Sherburne Apr. 3, last of 3 reports. Bald Eagle: 1 Walton May 22 (SH). Marsh Hawk: 8 re¬
ports totaling 10 birds. Osprey: 1 Bovina, e. Delaware Co. Apr. 1 (SM); 5 other reports Apr.
24 to May 25. Turkey: reported from Morris, w. Otsego Co., Milford, Owego and 2 Bing, lo¬
calities. Virginia Rail: Apr. 16 Bing. Am. Coot: May 12 Owego. Semipalmated Plover: May
23 Vestal. Am. Woodcock: nest with 3 eggs Mar. 30 Owego (PJ)M). Common Snipe: 3 WP
Apr. 11. Spotted Sandpiper: 1 Delhi May 1. Solitary Sandpiper: 1 Delhi May 2. Greater
Yellowlegs: 1 WP Apr. 24. Lesser Yellowlegs: 1 WP Apr. 24, direct comparison with Greater.
Least Sandpiper: 2 reports May 23 Bing, Ring-billed Gull: “large flock” in Bing, area Mar. 5
and 9; 2 reports after May 28, the last May 23. Bonaparte’s Gull: 12 WP Mar. 21; at Owego
during Apr.; last date May 7 Candor.

PIGEONS-WOODPECKERS: Mourning Dove: reported all period, but particularly
plentiful during May. Yellow-billed Cuckoo: 2 reports May 23 Bing.; no others. Black¬
billed Cuckoo: May 10 Candor; 5 other reports. Barred Owl: 2 Bing, localities in Apr. and
May. Pileated Woodpecker: 11 of 15 reports in May. Red-headed Woodpecker: 1 Delhi
May 3 (JD); also reported from Owego. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker: Apr. 16 Oneonta and
Choconut Center.

FLYCATCHERS-STARLINGS: Eastern Kingbird: May 2 Owego and Choconut Center.
Great Crested Flycatcher: May 6 Chenango Forks. Eastern Phoebe: Mar. 21 Vestal. Yellow-
bellied Flycatcher: May 22 Owego, no others. Willow Flycatcher: May 15 WP. Least Fly¬
catcher: May 2 Choconut Center and Candor. Eastern Wood Pewee: 1 May 2 TJnadilla (JT);
no more until May 15. Horned Lark: 30 to 40 Sherburne Apr. 3. Tree Swallow: Mar. 25
Chenango Forks. Bank Swallow: Apr. 24. Barn Swallow: Apr. 17 Delhi. Purple Martin: Apr.
1 Candor (RPa). Boreal Chickadee: 1 regularly at a feeder near Chenango Bridge until Mar.
15 (EM); 1 Chenango Forks Mar. 16 (A,MD). Tufted Titmouse: more or less regular at 4
Triple Cities feeders; also reported from Owego in Apr. House Wren: Mar. 22 Oneonta (IW);
1 Delhi Apr. 1 (MC); “normal” first date Apr. 17, and regular thereafter. Winter Wren: 1
Delhi Apr. 5; only 3 later reports, 4 Milford-Port. area May 15 max and last. Carolina Wren:
5 different Triple Cities locations, Chenango Forks to Vestal during period; Apr. 17 Owego.
Mockingbird: regular at one Oneonta and two Triple Cities locations during Mar. and Apr.;
in May at two more Triple Cities locations and Owego. Wood Thrush: 1 Oneonta Mar. 17
(E, F>0; no others until May 5. Hermit Thrush: Apr. 15 Bing.; 7 more reports, 4 around
Bing. May 23. Swainson’s Thrush: May 8 Port, and Bing.; 9 other reports to May 25. Gray¬
cheeked Thrush: May 8 Delhi and May 23 Bing.; no others. Veery: May 3 Vestal; common
after May 11. Blue-gray Gnatcatcher: Apr. 22 Choconut Center; 5 more reports from Owego,
Port, and Endwell. Golden-crowned Kinglet: Mar. 27 Choconut Center, only 3 more re¬
ports to Apr. 15. Ruby-crowned Kinglet: plentiful from Apr. 15 to May 9; 2 reports May 23
Bing, the last. Water Pipit: Apr. 16 n. Broome Co.; 30 Norwich May 8; 4 Port. May 9.
Northern Shrike: immature WP Mar. 19 (RM). Loggerhead Shrike: Mar. 13 WP (A, MD); 1
Greenwood Park Apr. 9-“clear view of gray back and extended eye line” (RM).

VIREOS-WARBLERS: Yellow-throated Vireo: May 5 Owego. Solitary Vireo: Apr. 20
Bing. Philadelphia Vireo: May 15 Bing. (HM); May 16 Owego (L, WD). Warbling Vireo:
May 1 Choconut Center and Delhi. Worm-eating Warbler: May 10 Bing. (HM, FL) and the

164

THE KINGBIRD

same day 1 banded in Vestal (GCo). Golden-winged Warbler: May 8 Bing.; also at Choconut
Center and Chenango Forks. Brewster’s Warbler: May 6 Choconut Center (MS), still present
May 23 and 29; Owego May 11. Blue-winged Warbler: May 8 Bing.; also at Owego, Port, and
Choconut Center. Tennessee Warbler: May 11 Candor; common from May 15 to 28. Nash¬
ville Warbler: Apr. 29 Bing.; common thru May. Parula Warbler: May 9 Castle Creek and
Port.; May 15 Port, and Chenango Forks; no others. Yellow Warbler: Apr. 18 Bing. Mag¬
nolia Warbler: 1 Walton May 2. Cape May Warbler: May 8 Oneonta and Vestal; 10 more re¬
ports to May 23. Yellow-rumped Warbler: Apr. 17 Port, and Delhi; still very common May
23. Black-throated Green Warbler: May 1 Choconut Center. CERULEAN WARBLER: May
7 Bing. (HM, FL), one of about half a dozen records in 23 years. Blackburnian Warbler:
May 7 Westford; comparatively scarce. Bay-breasted Warbler: 1 May 8 Port.; no more until
May 15 and not common until May 23. Blackpoll Warbler: 1 May 9 West Oneonta; fairly
common from May 15 to 25, peaking May 22 to 24; small numbers present to at least May
31. Pine Warbler: May 8 Owego, Palm Warbler: Apr. 15 and 16 Bing.; 1 Apr. 17 Crumhorn;
May 22 Newark Valley. Northern Waterthrush: May 1 Choconut Center; 5 Port. May 5 max.
Louisiana Waterthrush: 1 Bing, and 1 Milford Apr. 19; 4 or 5 at 1 time May 1 Norwich.
Mourning Warbler: May 15 Port.; 1 May 22 Walton; May 23 Bing. Yellowthroat: May 4
Vestal. Yellow-breasted Chat: May 23 Bing. (MS), then only one. Wilson’s Warbler: May 14
Owego; only 3 more reports, the last 2 May 23.

WEAVERS-SPARROWS: YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD: Apr. 27 female at feeder
Candor (RPa), still present May 31-seen by many and photographed. ORCHARD ORIOLE:
a first year male May 4 Apalachin (GCu), but then moved on. Northern Oriole: Apr. 10 Ves¬
tal (GCo); next date May 1, then plentiful. Rusty Blackbird: Apr. 13 Owego; 1 Oneonta
May 19; no others. Common Grackle: regular reports from Mar. 1 but not really common
until about Mar. 20. Scarlet Tanager: May 7 Chenango Forks; no mention of the ground
feeding one might expect during a cold wet May. Rose-breasted Grosbeak: 1 Milford May 2;
12 Delhi May 8. Indigo Bunting: May 7 Chenango Bridge and Vestal. Evening Grosbeak: 50
May 8 Port.; regular until May 16; 4 reports May 23 at Bing.; still at Oneonta May 28. Pur¬
ple Finch: small numbers all period, max 20 Port. Apr. 24, but never really common. House
Finch: seen regularly in 5 Triple Cities localities and also reported from Vestal Center,
Owego, Port., Delhi and 2 Oneonta localities; 1 banded Apr. 11 at Vestal had a well devel¬
oped brood patch; 3 young at feeder with adults May 12 Endwell. Pine Grosbeak: over 30
at Gilbert State Park Mar. 10, the only report. Common Redpoll: daily until Apr. 6; last date
Apr. 12. Pine Siskin: a few present all Mar. and Apr. but most common May 2 to 19; 200
plus May 12 Oneonta feeding on dandelion seeds and in elm trees the best count; last date
May 23. Am. Goldfinch: common all period. Red Crossbill: 9 feeding on Scotch pine cones
Apr. 7 and a male singing Apr. 8 Greenwood Park; May 23 Bing. White-winged Crossbill: 2
Meredith, Delaware Co., Apr. 22; no others. Rufous-sided Towhee: Apr. 17 Choconut
Center. Grasshopper Sparrow: May 15 Choconut Center; also reported at Owego, but none
too common. Henslow’s Sparrow: May 15 and 31 Choconut Center, the only reports. Ves¬
per Sparrow: 2 Delhi Mar. 21; scarce. Dark-eyed Junco: bulk of migrants gone after May 9
but quite a few more than the normal summer population still around in late May. Tree
Sparrow; Apr. 25 Chenango Forks, last date. Chipping Sparrow: Mar. 13 Owego (EWi, BM);
next date Apr. 13. Field Sparrow: Mar. 25 Owego; next reports Apr, 15. White-crowned
Sparrow : 1 Sherburne Apr. 3; 1 Delhi Apr. 20; first of main body of migrants May 2; 4 re¬
ports Bing. May 23; last date May 25. White-throated Sparrow: unusually large wintering
population noticeably swelled by migrants about Apr. 16; pretty well thinned out by May
16. Fox Sparrow: small numbers all Mar.; 1 Oneonta Apr. 12, the later of only 2 Apr. rec¬
ords. Lincoln’s Sparrow: May 9 Candor; May 16 Owego; May 23 Bing.; no others.

710 University Ave., Endwell, N.Y. 13760

SUMMER, 1976

165

REGION 5-ONEIDA LAKE BASIN

Fritz scheider

The South will rise again-and has. The incursion of southern species this spring produced
three regional firsts and a host of southern goodies for the local birders. The weather pat¬
terns, as seen from the ground, did not engender a great many surges of southern air masses
but the frequent rain may have grounded birds that would have gone further north or east
and remained undetected. And-Lord!-did it rain! March had excess rain and snow (it al¬
most wiped out Syracuse’s 18 inch deficit of snow); April and May rainfall created the
wettest April and May respectively ever recorded at Syracuse. A beautiful blast of summer
warmth on 16-18 April triggered hopes for a decent spring but a protracted cold spell with
accompanying northwest winds chilled those hopes, the birds, the birders, and the rest of
April. May temperatures improved around 14-15 May, only to be followed May 18-20 by
high winds, bone-chilling cold, and cold rain and in some areas snow (Old Forge had 13
inches of snow on May 18-ugh!). With the abundant rain, all vegetation burgeoned and the
various flycatchers, vireos, and warblers were heard but seldom seen thru the wall of green¬
ery this spring. Notable exceptions to this were the landbird flights along Lake Ontario with
May 14 being particularly spectacular-8000 Blue Jays, 2000 Evening Grosbeaks, and 3000
American Goldfinches made it look like a day-long Cub Scout parade. Paralleling the de¬
layed cold spring, some species-Eastern Wood Pewee, Willow and Alder Flycatchers,
Mourning and Canada Warblers, and Indigo Bunting-had not arrived in numbers by May 31
and the number of tardy passage warblers recorded in the first half of June is much above
average.

Spring positives include (1) excellent counts of Canada Goose, (2) increased numbers of
Redheads, Canvasbacks, Common Goldeneyes, and Buffleheads, (3) good tallies of spring
shorebirds, (4) impressive Blue Jay and Common Crow flights along Lake Ontario, (5) above
average tallies of some warblers, notably Yellow and Yellow-rumped, (6) heavy migration of
Evening Grosbeaks and American Goldfinches, and (7) the “southern” invasion. Negatives
proliferate-(l) few white herons, (2) low numbers of both bitterns, (3) very low numbers
of dabbling ducks, (4) low numbers of all merganser species, (5) a paucity of Bonaparte’s
Gulls and all terns, (6) a marked decline in migrant Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers, (7) loss of
broods of many early nesters-Eastern Phoebe, Tree Swallow, and Eastern Bluebird, (8) low
swallow tallies, (9) very low numbers of some warblers, most marked in Black-throated
Green, Chestnut-sided, and Canada, and (10) continued impoverished counts of Horned
Lark and of the grassland sparrows, particularly the formerly common Savannah and
Vesper Sparrows.

Rarities for the spring include Cattle Egret, Fulvous Tree Duck, Surf Scoter, Swallow¬
tailed Kite, Peregrine Falcon, Wilson’s Phalarope, Boreal Chickadee, White-eyed Vireo,
Worm-eating, Prairie, and Kentucky Warblers, Yellow-breasted Chat, Western Meadowlark,
Orchard Oriole, and Summer Tanager.

Observers: J. & B. Barker, G. & C. Church, K. Coyle, D. W. Crumb, P. A. DeBenedictis,
T. Dittrich, G. Huggins, R. E. Long, G. Maxwell, P. & S. Paquette, B. & S. Peebles, J. W.
Propst, T. Riley, M. S. Rusk, F. G. Scheider, G. A. Smith, E. VanDresar, and C. Wernick.

Compilers: D. W. Crumb and G. Huggins.

Place abbreviations: CV-Camillus Valley; DH-Derby Hill near Texas; FH-Fair Haven
in northern Cayuga County; HIGMA-Howland’s Island Game Management Area near Port
Byron; LOL-Lake Ontario littoral; SPI& SP-Sandy Pond Inlet and Sandy Pond; SSSP-Sel-
kirk Shores State Park near Port Ontario.

Please have summer material (1 June-31 August) in by 7 September.

166

THE KINGBIRD

LOONS—DUCKS: Green Heron: very early is one April 17 near Mexico. CATTLE
EGRET: singles only-April 28 Holland Patent (J&E VD), May 15 Pennellville (PAD), May
20-22 Wampsville (B&SP), and May 19 Utica (J&BB); a little better than the usual spring
single. American Bittern: scarce-maximum only 6 Scott Swamp-Pennellville May 2.

Canada Goose: Maximum 10,000+ Beaver Lake mid-April; also 6000+ Pennellville area
April 8-18. Brant: 350 May 23 LOL only report. FULVOUS TREE DUCK: Single near
Pennellville April 29 thru late May (MSR, mob), first record for the Region but one of the
many “southerners” showing up this spring. Dabbling ducks proved quite scarce thru the
spring-maxima are as follows-Mallard 250 March 23, Black Duck 100 March 24, Gadwall
45 March 14, Pintail 186 March 30, Green-winged Teal 35 April 10-18, Blue-winged Teal
16 May 6, American Wigeon 50 April 11, N. Shoveler 4 (very low) April 10, Wood Duck
25 May 20; most concentrations were from Scott Swamp, HIGMA, or Brewerton. Redhead
and Canvasback: increased numbers this spring-Hurrah!—350 Redhead March 6-11 FH and
875 Canvasback March 14 FH and Brewerton. Common Goldeneye: maximum 915 FH-
SSSP March 14, the major push of this species for the season with numerous lower counts
to mid-April. Bufflehead: maximum 400 March 14 FH (TR), best count in years. SURF
SCOTER: one Utica Marsh April 28 (J&BB); an extremely rare bird in spring, even on Lake
Ontario. Ruddy Duck: unlike the Redheads and the Canvasbacks, very scarce—maximum
only 2 FH March 6. All mergansers very scarce-Hooded 12 March 22, Common 35 March
24, Red-breasted 200 (very low) May 5.

HAWKS-ALCIDS: Goshawk: five nests in Region produced five flying young. Red¬
shouldered Hawk: one active nest in the non-Adirondack sector. Bald Eagle: an immature
March 9 Oneida Lake (B&SP), an adult near Cazenovia Lake mid-May, and another adult
May 31 Tassel Hill near Waterville (GH).

1976 DERBY HILL RAPTOR MIGRATION

Arr. Date

Dep. Date

Peak Number and Date

Total

Turkey Vulture

Mar. 20

May 16

34

Apr. 17

221

Goshawk

Feb.15

May 5

14

Mar. 20

87

Sharp-shinned Hawk

Mar. 10

May 16

410

Apr. 17

3,410

Cooper’s Hawk

Feb.25

May 5

38

Mar. 20

193

Red-tailed Hawk

Feb.15

May 16

677

Mar. 20

2,729

Red-shouldered Hawk

Feb. 29

May 16

184

Mar. 20

465

Broad-winged Hawk

Apr. 16

May 16

3,694

Apr. 22

10,436

Rough-legged Hawk

Feb.15

May 14

57

Mar. 20

199

Golden Eagle

Feb.24

May 2

3

Apr. 17

11

Bald Eagle

Apr. 13

May 2

singles only

4

Marsh Hawk

Feb. 21

May 16

44

Mar. 20

378

Osprey

Apr. 16

May 16

39

May 2

148

Merlin

Mar. 20

May 2

2

Mar. 20

4

American Kestrel

Feb.21

May 16

134

Mar. 20

451

The Golden Eagle count was ten immatures, one adult; the Bald Eagle, all immatures.
Counts for Goshawk, Bald Eagle, Osprey, and Merlin are quite low; counts for Red-shoul¬
dered and Broad-winged Hawks, Golden Eagle, and American Kestrel are much improved
over the miserable tallies of the 1975 season. No record tallies were achieved. Rare raptors
include an adult SWALLOW-TAILED KITE Apr. 16 (W. & L. Holland, D. & J. Muir, GAS),
the first regional record but in keeping with the many other “southerners” this spring, and
an adult PEREGRINE FALCON May 16 (FGS).

Ring-necked Pheasant: spring maximum only eight May 17 Onondaga County-continu¬
ing to grow ever scarcer here.

SUMMER, 1976

167

Spotted, and Solitary Sandpiper: maxima of 30 Spotted and 14 Solitary May 8 at
drained mucklands near North Syracuse, an excellent concentration secondary to the superb
feeding conditions temporarily produced by rain-delayed draining operations there. Dunlin:
good spring flight with maximum 45 HIGMA May 15-18; one in winter plumage with 26
Pectoral Sandpipers April 10 near Pennellville is extremely early. Short-billed Dowitcher:
like Dunlin, excellent tallies with 13 at Fox Ridge May 15, and 40 SPI May 23. WILSON’S
PHALAROPE: breeding plumage female May 16 Utica Marsh (J&BB), sixth spring record.

Bonaparte’s Gull: very, very scarce this spring-maximum only 6 April 8 near Pennell-
ville, singles otherwise. Equally scarce are the various terns-maximum Common Tern only
20 May 15 Oswego and Black Tern 14 May 14 DH; none of the Black Tern returned to
former colonies at Scott Swamp, Clay Swamp or North Syracuse.

PIGEONS-WOODPECKERS: Influx of both species of cuckoos May 15 (up to 20 indi¬
viduals that day) but rather scarce thereafter despite impressive tent caterpillar outbreak
locally.

Chimney Swift: maximum 110 May 14 DH; scarce thru May at Syracuse;—were they hit
by cold weather of late April and again the third week of May?

Common Flicker: LOL flight maximum 254 April 17 DH with 190 there on April 18.
Red-headed Woodpecker: a nice wave of this species this spring-9 DH May 14, 3 at CV
May 15, 4 Bolivar Road near Chittenango May 20. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker: very, very
scarce this spring—maximum only 7 April 19 Syracuse but most observers saw only 1-2/day
and many missed the species entirely.

FLYCATCHERS-STARLINGS: Eastern Kingbird: strong flight but late-114 DH May
14 with birds still passing there in late May. Eastern Phoebe: arrived March 28 (late); most
early broods, like the Eastern Bluebirds, lost in the cold weather of the third week of May.
Least Flycatcher: heavy waves of this species in latter third of May-24 on May 22, 22 on
May 23, 29 on May 30, mostly LOL.

All swallows in low tallies through April and May and the cold weather in late April and
again in late May may well have reduced even further the low local numbers present-maxi¬
ma are Tree Swallow 1300 May 14, Bank Swallow 2000 May 14, Rough-winged Swallow
100 May 2, Barn Swallow 1200 May 14-16, Cliff Swallow 300 May 16, Purple Martin 120
May 2, all from DH. Early Tree Swallow broods may have been lost in the cold weather of
late May as no flying young are yet present (third week of June) here.

Blue Jay: massive DH flight with maximum 8760 May 14 and 2700 May 16 there.
Common Crow: 9925 March 5 DH in three hours, an impressive corvid count; counts of
3400-6000/day recorded in last week of February and first week of March. Black-capped
Chickadee: 600 May 2, 910 May 14, both DH, this when local birds were already nesting.
BOREAL CHICKADEE: 2 April 15 DH, the last remnant of the Boreal Chickadee irruption
of the winter of ’75-76. Red-breasted Nuthatch: light flight with only 1 to 8/day; last noted
May 22 3 SP dunes. Carolina Wren: several new stations indicate expansion and/or shift and
apparently less loss from the severe winter than anticipated. Mockingbird: expanding with
individuals at Syracuse Airport, near Hamilton, near Euclid, and finally 1 appeared at Camil-
lus Valley, the “southern” stronghold.

American Robin: 170 passing DH May 2, with 30 passing there May 16 (rather late for
the “harbinger of spring”). Swainson’s Thrush: light late flight with maximum 17 Syracuse-
South Onondaga May 17. Eastern Bluebird: maximum 18 March 27 DH; however, still
passing there May 14 10 and May 16 4; all first nestings of bluebirds at Eaton lost (GC).

Kinglets, like the later warblers, left rather late with departure dates for Golden-crowned
Kinglet May 17 1 Syracuse and Ruby-crowned Kinglet May 27 1 SP dunes. Water Pipit:
small counts-15 to 50/day April through mid-May; departure date May 22 8 FH.

168

THE KINGBIRD

VIREOS-WARBLERS: WHITE-EYED VIREO; 4 birds May 8 through May 31 with 2 at
Syracuse (JWP), 1 at Utica (J&BB), and 1 at CV (PAD); the first major incursion in modern
regional records. Warbling Vireo: late flight with maximum 12 DH May 14; stall migrating
on the SP dunes May 22 10.

Major warbler waves were grounded locally May 6-8, May 14-17 and May 20-22; the last
week of the month saw only steady drift of migrant warblers through the area. Blue-winged
Warbler: like the Yellow-breasted Chat, a strong influx this spring with the maximum 6 May
13 CV where 1 to 2/day is more usual; lesser numbers near Cardiff and Pompey. Above
average numbers of spring warblers include Tennessee Warbler: 95 May 17, Syracuse-South
Onondaga; Yellow Warbler: 182 May 14 DH-LOL; Yellow-ramped (Myrtle) Warbler: 410
May 14 DH-LOL; Bay-breasted Warbler: 50 May 17 Syracuse; Blackpoll Warbler: 29 May 17
Syracuse-South Onondaga; Yellowthroat: 38 May 22 CV and FH; American Redstart: 110
May 14 DH-LOL. Extremely scarce (maxima only given) were Nashville Warbler, 8 May 13
CV; Black-throated Green Warbler, 7 May 23 SP dunes; Magnolia Warbler, 14 May 22 CV
and FH; Blackburnian Warbler, 9 May 14 DH; Chestnut-sided Warbler, 13 May 23 SP-
SSSP; Ovenbird, 5 SSSP May 20; and Canada Warbler, 4 May 23 SP-SSSP.

Rarer warblers for the spring include WORM-EATING WARBLER: 1 Labrador Pond
May 10 (JWP); PRAIRIE WARBLER: 1 (two?) May 7-8 Syracuse and 1 May 17 CV, all
migrants as no local breeding stations are known for this species; KENTUCKY WARBLER:
1 (2?) May 5 and 15 at Syracuse (REL); YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT: 3 CV May 22 (one
carrying nesting material), 2 East Syracuse May 15, and 1 May 17 South Onondaga. Three
Brewster’s and 1 Lawrence’s Warblers reported this spring.

WEAVERS-SPARROWS: Bobolink: maximum 1160 DH May 14, a noisy segment of
the impressive landbird flight that day; still passing DH at the end of May. WESTERN
MEADOWLARK: 1 back at the Syracuse Airport May 29. Northern (Baltimore) Oriole: 860
(a record high!) May 14 at DH-a tremendous flight of these colorful icterids. ORCHARD
ORIOLE: adult male returned to CV May 22.

Scarlet Tanager: 50, primarily adult males, May 14 DH. SUMMER TANAGER: adult
male singing and calling at Syracuse May 26 (PAD), the first regional record.

Rose-breasted Grosbeak: adult male at feeder April 22 Oswego (CW) is remarkably early
but parallels the May 3 Indigo Bunting at a feeder in Oneida (P&SP). Evening Grosbeak:
very heavy mid-May flight with 2150 DH May 14, 440 May 16 DH, 16 SP dunes May 27.
House Finch: 6 now regular at Utica (J&BB) since May 1975. Pine Siskin: maximum 685
May 14 DH; last noted May 311 Brookfield Township; however, some birds still present in
more northern regional areas into early June. American Goldfinch: a golden horde of this
species this spring-3575 May 14, 3150 May 16 both DH, 500 May 22 CV-FH and large
groups (30 to 100/day) noted through to the end of the month.

Rufous-sided Towhee: maximum only 14 May 10 CV; notably scarce (1 to 4/day) in
scrubby brushlands south and west of Syracuse. Savannah and Vesper Sparrows: both very
scarce this spring-maximum Savannah Sparrow 16 and Vesper Sparrow 4 both April 18 at
DH. Dark-eyed Junco: maximum a miserable 75 April 18 DH-LOL; still migrating May 27 2
SP dunes. Tree Sparrow: departure date May 10 (late) 1 Syracuse (GH). White-crowned
Sparrow: thin but protracted flight, arrival May 22 with maximum 25 May 6 both DH; last
noted May 27 8 SP dunes, the same day 7 White-throated and 9 Lincoln’s Sparrows were
also observed there.

114 Rockland Drive, North Syracuse, N.Y. 13212

SUMMER, 1976

169

REGION 6 —ST. LAWRENCE

Lee B. Chamberlaine

Spring of 1976 was indeed unique. Temperatures ranged from 14° F (-10° Q to a high
of mid 80°’s F (30° C). March was March and April seemed like summer. May was back to
winter with as much as 11 inches of snow falling in the May snowstorm which caused much
tree and shrub damage.

Rainfall was above average for May and winter snows were gone over much of the Region
by mid-April, except for the new snow in May.

Waterfowl nesting success may have suffered from high water during May with many
nests being flooded out. Winter finches held on late and warblers in May were outstanding.

Outstanding observations were: Red-throated Loon, Yellow-bellied Flycatcher, Blue-
gray Gnatcatcher, Louisiana Waterthrush, Yellow-breasted Chat, Hooded Warbler and a
real gem, Clay-colored Sparrow.

Localities: LWMA—Lakeview WMA; PRWMA—Perch River WMA; PTP—Point Peninsula;
ULLWMA-Upper & Lower Lakes WMA; RMPD-Robert Moses Power Dam; and, SLR-St.
Lawrence River.

Contributors: Russell Biss, Matt Brown, Tom and Cathy Carrolan, Lee B. Chamberlaine,
Tom Cutter, Charles Devan, Jeff Schaupp, Edward Smith, Robert C. and June Walker, Lou
Wallace, Joannes A. VanRiet.

LOONS-DUCKS: Com. Loon: good numbers thru period. RED-THROATED LOON;
1 Sackets Harbor May 4 (TLC). Horned Grebe: max 12. Double-crested Cormorant: 4
Snowshoe Pt. May 8 (TLC). GREAT EGRET: 1 ULLWMA May 16 (Russ Biss); new loca¬
tion for species. Black-crowned Night Heron: numbers in Henderson and vicinity up. LEAST
BITTERN: 1 heard WHWMA May 16 (JAV); 2 LWMA May 24 (M. Brown).

Brant: 60 Croil Isl SLR May 25 (JAV). Snow Goose: (white morph) 10 PRWMA Mar.
28; 5 (4b lw) PRWMA Apr. 20 (Brown & J. Schaupp); 20+(w) Chaumont Apr. 30 with 60*
blue morphs (E. Smith). Gadwall: 65 PRWMA Mar. 21; 12 Snowshoe Pt. Mar. 27. N. Shov-
eler: 30 max PRWMA Apr. 9 (TLC). Redhead 20 Snowshoe Pt. Mar. 27; 6 same Apr. 1; 6
PTP Apr. 10; 5 WHWMA May 1; 7 WHWMA May 16. Ring-necked Duck: 18 Snowshoe Pt.
Mar. 27. Canvasback: 120 RMPD Mar. 23; 150 Snowshoe Pt. Mar. 27; 1 Clayton May 1.
Greater Scaup: 150 max Pillar Pt. Apr. 4. Lesser Scaup: 30 max Showshoe Pt. Apr. 1.
Bufflehead: 100 Black River Bay Apr. 10; last May 26-late. Oldsquaw: 120 max Showshoe
Pt. Apr. 1. White-winged Scoter: 2 Payne Lk. Apr. 27 (C. Devan); last date May 21. Hooded
Merganser: 2 pair Muskalonge Crk. Mar. 10. Com. Merganser: 20 May 22-late. Red-breasted
Merganser: 1 May 16.

HAWKS-ALCIDS: Turkey Vulture: becoming more common. Goshawk: 1 immature
Henderson Mar. 8; 1 immature Rural Hill Mar. 20 both (TLC). Sharp-shinned Hawk: 1
Massena Apr. 21 (JAV); 1 Dry Hill Apr. 26 (RCW). Cooper’s Hawk: none reported. Broad¬
winged Hawk: 7 Massena Apr, 22; 3 WHWMA May 1; 3 Alex Bay May 1.

Rough-legged Hawk: 25 PTP Apr. 11 (Matt Brown); last May 16. BALD EAGLE: 1
adult Carry Flow Reservoir Mar. 2 (L. Wallace). Marsh Hawk: courtship flight Mar. 25
(JAV); max 5 PTP Apr. 10; seems to be gaining. Osprey: numerous sightings throughout
Region-also gaining.

Gray Pattridge: still low. Virginia Rail: 1 PRWMA Apr. 24; 2 PRWMA May 2. Sora:
1 PRWMA May 2. Common Gallinule: LWMA Apr. 24 (T. Cutter). Black-bellied Plover:
1 Sackets Hbr. May 11 (TLC). Ruddy Turnstone: 3 WHWMA May 28 (R. Biss & C. Devan).

170

THE KINGBIRD

Am. Woodcock: Mar. 10. Upland Sandpiper: arrived May 1; not as prevalent as in early
70’s. Solitary Sandpiper: 2 near Burrville May 15. Greater Yellowlegs: 1 near Lowville Apr.
18 (M. Brown); 20 PRWMA May 20 (TLC). Lesser Yellowlegs: 2 PRWMA May 2. Least
Sandpiper: 1 May 15; 9 Mill Crk. May 22; 8 SLR May 25. Dunlin: 3 Croil Isl. May 15 (JAV);
1 same loc May 25 (JAV).

Glaucous Gull: 6 RMPD Apr. 13 (JAV). Iceland Gull: 1 RMPD Mar 9 (JAV); 1 Eldorado
found dead Apr, 10 (TLC). Great Blackjacked Gull: 1 LWMA Mar. 27; 25 Eldorado Apr.
10; 20 SLR May 29. Ring-billed Gull: thousands on SLR Massena Mar. 23 & 24; thousands
in Henderson area April thru-tremendous numbers inland to feed on new-plowed land
(LBC). Bonaparte’s Gull: 5 Cape Vincent May 9; 1 Apr. 20 & 1 May 16 SLR. Common Tern:
about 50 nests near Croil Isl SLR (JAV). Caspian Tern: 4 SLR May 1. Black Tern: 35+
LWMA May 30.

PIGEONS-WOODPECKERS: Black-billed Cuckoo: 1 May 30; maybe more summer
records with high tent caterpillar numbers? Screech Owl: thru. Great Horned Owl: thru.
Barred Owl: 1 response Brasher State Forest May 16 (JAV); 2 Camp Portaferry May 28
(TLC). SHORT-EARED OWL: 1 PTP Apr. 11 (M, Brown); 2 Pt. Salubrious May 30 (TLC).
SAW-WHET OWL: 1 response Robert Moses St. Pk. May 15 (JAV).

Whip-poor-will: May 16 Brasher State Forest. Ruby-throated Hummingbird: 3 Thomp¬
son Park May 16. Pileated Woodpecker: thru. Red-headed Woodpecker. 1 Stony Pt. May 8;
1 Henderson May 10-both (TLC); nowhere near as many as in 1971-72.

FLYCATCHERS-STARLINGS: YELLOW-BELLIED FLYCATCHER: 1 Wanakena May
28 (TLC). Willow-Alder Flycatcher: May 30-late. Horned Lark: 35 Mar. 17. Tree Swallow:
Mar. 22; 110 Apr. 2. Rough-winged Swallow: Massena Apr. 20. Cliff Swallow: 13 Sackets
Hbr. May 8 (TLC). Brown Creeper: Apr. 10. House Wren: 1 Dry Hill Apr. 21-early. Winter
Wren: 4 Bear Gulf May 15 (TLC). Carolina Wren: bird that was at Snowshoe Pt. last summer
and Sll did not return. Long-bifled Marsh Wren: 1 Redwood May 1; 2 PRWMA May 2-
early (RCW). MOCKINGBIRD: 1 Watertown Mar. 26 (J. Schaupp); 1 Watertown Mar. 29
(M. Brown); 2 Limerick Cedars May 1 (mob). Hermit Thrush: May 5. Swainson’s Thrush:
May 25. GRAY-CHEEKED THRUSH: 1 Wanakena May 28 (TLC). Eastern Bluebird: 1 Red¬
wood May 1 (RCW); 1 ULLWMA May 26 (LBC). BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER: 1
WHWMA May 1 (TLC & JAV). Water Pipit: 5 PRWMA area May 8 (TLC). Northern Shrike:
1 adult Mar. 15-last.

VIREOS-WARBLERS: YELLOW-THROATED VIREO: 1 Muskalonge Lk. Rd. May 23
(TLC). Solitary: May 16. PHILADELPHIA: 3 Thompson Pk. May 15 (TLC); max 12 Old
Rome State Rd. swamp May 22 (TLC). Black-and-white Warbler: 1 WHWMA May 1.
BLUE-WINGED WARBLER: 2 May 21 (TLC)- Golden-winged: 3 Watertown Sportsmen’s
Club May 8; 6 thru Muskalonge Lk. Rd. (TLC). TENNESSEE: 1 Eldorado May 8; 45+ at
one time Old Rome State Rd. swamp May 23 (TLC). Nashville: 1 Eldorado May 8. Mag¬
nolia: May 16. CAPE MAY: 2 Thompson Pk. May 5 (M. Brown). CERULEAN: 5± males
Muskalonge Lk. Rd. May 23 (TLC). Bay-breasted: 2 Blake Sanctuary May 15. Blackpoll:
May 23—thru Old Rome St. Rd. PINE: May 16. LOUISIANA WATERTHRUSH: 6 Bear
Gulf May 15 (TLC). Mourning Warbler: 2 Old Rome State Rd. swamp May 22 thru (TLC).
YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT: 1 male Thompson Pk. May 16-23 (TLC with J. Schaupp and
M. Brown); few previous reports. HOODED WARBLER: 1 male Thompson Pk. May 16
(TLC with Schaupp & Brown). Wilson’s: 2 Old Rome State Rd. swamp May 22; 1 Wanakena
May 28.

WE A VERS-SPARROW S: N. Oriole: more common in Henderson area than previous 2
yrs. (LBC). Rusty Blackbird: Mar. 29. Evening Grosbeak: smaH groups around thru. Pine
Grosbeak: Mar. 22. Com. RedpoU: last Apr. 13. Pine Siskin: 4 airport rd. BrownviHe Mar.
14-21. Savannah Sparrow: Apr. 11. GRASSHOPPER SPARROW: colonies 12± pair largest
PRWMA to Watertown & airport (TLC). HENSLOW’S SPARROW: colonies 12± pairs larg¬
est same locations (TLC). CLAY-COLORED SPARROW: 1 male singing and sighted airport

SUMMER, 1976

171

rd. Brownville May 18-27 (TLC). White-crowned Sparrow: May 2. Swamp Sparrow: Apr.
15. Lapland Longspur: 11 Baggs Corners Mar. 17. Snow Bunting: 20 Baggs Corners Mar. 17;
last Mar. 17.

Box 139, Henderson, New York 13650

REGION 7 — ADIRONDACK—CHAMPLAIN

Theodore D. Mack

Spring weather was variable. April had several unseasonably warm days. The birds were
not fooled by this, however, and did not arrive too early for their own good. May was cold
for the most part with 10 inches of snow closing the road between Lake Placid and Saranac
Lake on May 19. The wet snow brought down newly leaved aspen and bent many red pines
to the ground. Many balsams lost their tops.

I know of one Ovenbird and two Wood Thrush nests that were abandoned because of
snow, but these were without eggs so the birds probably rebuilt a few days later when snow
melted. Scarlet Tanagers were weak to the point of being unafraid of humans, but most
made it by catching insects on the ground under evergreens. Woodcock also headed for
these areas and to the spring seeps.

The Essex and Franklin County spring counts each had over a hundred species. These
are fine tallies for the North Country. The help of each who took part was important and
made these days successful.

Abbreviations: Cham-Champlain; Chazy Ldg-Chazy Landing; E’town-Elizabethtown;
PS-Paul Smiths; Platts-Plattsburgh; Ti-Ticonderoga; Tup Marsh-Tupper Lake Marsh.

Observers: Deborah Anson, Teresa Anson, Helen & Robert Booth, David Cate, Geoffrey
Carleton, Charlie Delehanty, High Peaks Audubon Society, Richard Guthrie, Robert Hagar,
Dr. Marguerite Kingsbury, Hal Klein, Don Knies, Ferdinand LaFrance, Ted Mack, Margaret
and Robert McKinney, John and Betsy MacMillan, Lawrence Master, Ruth Meier, Dan
Nickerson, John M. C. Peterson, William Peterson, Pat Tabor, Phil Warren.

LOONS-DUCKS: Common Loon: good numbers of residents. Horned Grebe: first Feb.
22 Essex (DN). Pied-billed Grebe: 1 Whallon’s Bay L Cham Mar. 27 (HiPkAu); 1 Tup L
Apr. 15 (MK). Green Heron was seen at many Adirondack areas where it is usually absent.
Cattle Egret is doing well on Four Bros Is. One found by RH May 2 was displaying for a
white bleach bottle near Saranac L. CD saw one May 7 at Tup Marsh. American Bittern:
good numbers. Canada Goose: large concentrations L Cham thru Apr. Brant: max May 9
Chazy Ldg 130 (H&RB). Several small flocks of Snow Geese were on L Cham. More inland
Mallards showed up than usual. This would be a rare breeder if found on forest water where
the Black Duck is to be expected. Usual numbers of Black Ducks breeding with 9 downy
young swimming behind adult May 22 near PS; 8,000 transients L Cham Apr. 16 (JP,WP).
Pintail: regular L Cham migrant with max 17 Essex Mar. 15 (HiPkAu). Green-winged Teal:
2 Essex Mar. 27 (HiPkAu); 2 PS Apr. 18. Northern Shoveler: regular LCham with max 8
Chazy Ldg Apr. 15 (PW). Redhead: all season until May 15 L Cham (PW). Ring-necked
Duck: 16 Tup Marsh Apr. 9 (CD) and several breeders near PS. Several Lesser Scaup seen
with Greater on L Cham. BARROW’S GOLDENEYE: a female with bright orange bill, gray
body and white neck ring was carefully documented Mar. 6 at Essex (DN, JP, GR, PT); a
male Apr. 18 Chazy Ldg well described (Jan Parker). Scoter: 6 Lincoln P Apr. 19 (DN)—one
was White-winged and the others not seen so well.

172

THE KINGBIRD

HAWKS-ALCIDS: HiPkAu recorded 439 hawks from their lookouts near L Cham.
Turkey Vulture: at least 25 so a breeding record may occur. Cooper’s Hawk: 1 Essex Mar.
26 (JP); 1 Minerva May 23 (TM); 1 Wadhams May 23 (DN, JP). Bald Eagle: 2 L Cham
(HiPkAu). Marsh Hawk: only 5 reported including an early 1 Mar. 9 Westport (PT). Osprey:
at least 10, mostly migrants but 2 were on Bear P nest at PS. Virginia Rail: sevfrom PS to
Platts. Sora: 1 Essex May 15 (HiPkAu). American Woodcock: good numbers altho those
nesting where birders and others let their cats run loose don’t fare too well; Pettingill in his
thesis mentioned one cat that killed at least 18 in one season. Common Snipe: 2 early birds
Ti Apr. 7 (BMac). Semipalmated Plover: 3 Chazy Ldg May 3 (PW). Black-bellied Plover: 3
Chazy Ldg May 20 (PW). Upland Sandpiper: first May 15 Platts where they bred last year
(PW). Least Sandpiper: a few L Cham and inland to PS. Dunlin: 1 in spring plumage May 20
Chazy Ldg (PW). Short-billed Dowitcher: 10 seen close as well as 65 in one flock flying that
were definitely dowitchers and presumed also to be this species. Bonaparte’s Gull: max 65
May 9 Platts (PW). Black Tern: 1 Tup Marsh May 30 (CD); 5 L Alice May 31 (PW, HK).

PIGEONS-WOODPECKERS: Mourning Dove: sev at towns including 1 Tup L Mar 6
(RM). Saw-whet Owl: at least 3 from PS to E’town. Ruby-throated Hummingbird in fine
numbers. Red-headed Woodpecker: 1 Platts May 12 (Ed Hale); 1 Heart L May 14 (DC); 1
Westport in May; 1 Upper Jay last week of May (JMac). Black-backed Three-toed Wood¬
pecker: at least 3 pairs near PS; 1 Panther Peak May 31 (M&RMc).

FLYCATCHERS-STARLINGS: Yellow-bellied Flycatcher: max 8 Santanoni Mtn.
May 29 (M&RMc). Alder Flycatcher: good numbers. Eastern Wood Pewee: very scarce
inland. Olive-sided Flycatcher: good numbers. Raven: 3 active nests with 3 young in two
of them; max 6 at the third nest May 13 (MK); 1 E’town late Mar (GC); 1 on Apr. 18 over
my house croaking and trying to elude a crow (Cathy & TM). Black-capped Chickadee: 150
migrants L Cham May 9 (PW). Brown Creeper: max 10 Ferd’s Bog May 8 (FL). Short-billed
Marsh Wren: 1 seen and heard Peru May 29 (Charlie Mitchell). Mockingbird: at least 28 from
PS and L Placid to L Cham including the 10 pair at Platts. Hermit Thrush: good numbers.
Swainson’s Thrush: excellent numbers after being scarce the last two years, BLUE-GRAY
GNATCATCHER: 1 Ti May 15 (HiPkAu) and a new breeding bird for region with the dis¬
covery of a nest with young of the species, 50 feet up in an elm on Schuyler Is L Cham by
(JP, PT, DA, TA) on May 29; this is an extension of 100 miles to northern limits of range;
details sent to Kingbird editor. Loggerhead Shrike: 1 Platts Mar. 28 (PW, DK) carefully
identified and recognized as out of season; 2 Saranac L Apr, 3 at 50 feet with scope, no
breast markings, bright coloration noted, etc. by (RH) who also saw a Northern Shrike Apr.
24 at Schroon L. Another Loggerhead, Westport Apr. 15 (DA, DN, JP, PT).

VIREOS-WARBLERS: Yellow-throated Vireo: 1 Wickham Marsh May 29 (JP)-rare.
Solitary Vireo: very common. Philadelphia Vireo: 1 Saranac L May 6 (RH); 1 Saranac L
May 24 (MK). Many early dates for warblers were noted. The snow of May 19 which stayed
a few days made interesting warbler watching. Black-and-white Warbler: 1 E’town Apr. 22
(GC)-early. Magnolia Warbler: 1 E’town May 3 (GC)-early. Cape May Warbler: excellent
numbers of transients. Lots of Blackburnian and Chestnut-sided. Bay-breasted is usually
scarce but was exceptionally hard to find. Prairie Warbler: 1 singing male Crown Pt May 11
(JP). Palm Warbler: everyone saw several. Louisiana Waterthrush: 1 E’town Apr. 22 (GC).
Mourning Warbler: more than usual breeders. Canada Warbler: fewer than normal PS area,

WEAVERS-SPARROWS: Orchard Oriole: 1 immature male Ti May 9 (B&JMac); 1
adult male Crown Pt. May 9 (DN, JP); 1 female Crown Pt May 10 (JP). They are there
every year at the proper season for nesting. Rusty Blackbird: good numbers. SUMMER
TANAGER: 1 singing changing male E’town May 30 (GC). Full details to Kingbird editor.
Pine Grosbeak: last 1 Lewis Apr. 21 (DN). Pine Siskin: many small flocks in May; 18 Sara¬
nac L May 22 (MK). Lincoln’s Sparrow: excellent year with birds using new areas.

Paul Smiths, New York 12970

SUMMER, 1976

173

REGION 8 - HUDSON-MOHAWK

Gladys Snell

Spring came early to our area this year with March and April having above average tem¬
peratures, breaking records with highs of 73° F March 20 and 93° F April 19 with above
average rainfall. May was colder than normal with a record low of 30° F on the 13th with
-1.63” rainfall departure from normal. The snow and high wind storm of May 19 (a trace to
10” in some areas) seemed to affect some of our spring visitors.

The May banding weekends at Vischer’s Ferry Wildlife Management Area by R. P. Yu-
nick, R. J, Pantle, and J. C. Coyert III ‘‘were not very exciting. In general, bird numbers
were down. Noticeably so were flycatchers, vireos, and some warblers while some sparrows
were up in numbers. Cool weather was partly responsible for the poorer netting take.” “It
was a record year for redpolls and siskins. Peak numbers of redpolls was March 21 thru April
10 and siskins increased thru May with a record of 248 banded in yard during May” (RPY).

The Century Run was held May 15 by 6 groups of the Hudson-Mohawk and 4 groups of
the Alan Devoe Bird Clubs. It was a good day and 162 species were reported. An unusual
sighting of a Short-billed Marsh Wren at Black Creek Marsh, Meadowdale and some only
reported sightings for the period made it an interesting day. They were: Horned Grebe,
Black-crowned Night Heron, Least Bittern, Semipalmated Plover, Lesser Yellowlegs, Dunlin
(1 group only), Yellow-billed Cuckoo (2 groups). Winter Wren, Gray-cheeked Thrush, and
Yellow-breasted Chat.

There were many species with only 1 or 2 reports. They were: Little Blue Heron May 17;
Cattle Egret Berne May 15; 2 Great Egrets April 29,30; 3 Bald Eagles near Northville May 1;
and 1 Niskayuna Wide Waters May 2; Ring-necked Pheasant; Turkey Montgomery Co. May
11; Virginia Rail; Sora; Com. Gallinule; Greater Yellowlegs; Pectoral and Least Sandpipers;
Bonaparte’s Gull May 15, 25; Black-billed Cuckoo May 8 and cr (5 groups-appears more
common than normal); Whip-poor-will; Olive-sided Flycatcher May 12 only; Boreal Chicka¬
dee Galway April 27; 1 Water Pipit May 14; N. Shrike; Cedar Waxwing; White-eyed Vireo
May 8, 15; Hooded, Wilson’s and Canada Warblers; Rusty Blackbird; Grasshopper, Hens-
low’s. Fox and Lincoln’s Sparrows; Snow Bunting March 18.

A few interesting reports for the period were: the Great Blue Herons have returned to
their nesting site in West Glenville; unusual to have no Com. Tern reports; very few owls re¬
ported (no Great Horned); no Carolina Wrens or Yellow-bellied Flycatchers; and an unusual
sighting of a PEREGRINE FALCON at Rensselaer April 21.

Abbreviations: CC-Columbia Co.; cr-Century Run; FR-Five Rivers Environmental
Education Area; VF-Vischer’s Ferry Wildlife Management Area; RPY-R. P. Yunick.

LOONS-DUCKS: Com. Loon: Mariaville L. May 10, 31 and cr. Pied-billed Grebe: March
1 thru May 29. GREAT BLUE HERON: April 4 thru with 22 nests with young in West
Glenville. Green Heron: April 9 thru. Am. Bittern: 1 April 25, 2 May 1, 1 May 8 and cr.
Canada Goose: March 5 thru May 15, nested April 7 thru 20 FR. Brant: 2 May 17, May 22.
Snow Goose: March 27 and cr. Gadwall: 2 pair May 14. Pintail: March 26 thru. Am.
Wigeon: March 6 thru 31. Redhead: 2 March 28. Ring-necked Duck: March 2, April 7.
Canvasback: March 1 thru April 7. scaup: March 3 thru May 15. Com. Goldeneye: March 4
thru 28. Bufflehead: April 19 thru May 15. Oldsquaw: 5 March 28,1 May 14. Mergansers:
Hooded: March 1 thru May 14; Com. March 9 thru April 8; Red-breasted: March 20 and cr.

HAWKS-ALCIDS: Turkey Vulture: April 6 thru May 29. Goshawk: March 28, 2 nest¬
ing thru May Schenectady Co. Forest. Sharp-shinned: April 20 thru May 15; Cooper’s:

174

THE KINGBIRD

April 1 thru 24, none cr; Red-tailed: March 6 thru; Red-shouldered: April 6 thru 24; Broad¬
winged: April 17 thru May 15; Rough-legged: March 6 thru April 20. Osprey: March 7 thru
May 15. Ruffed Grouse: March 27 thru May 15. Am. Coot: March 27, 28; April 4; none cr;
May 16. Am. Woodcock: April 13 thru May 15. Com. Snipe: March 31 thru. Upland Plover:
end of April thru May 22. Spotted Sandpiper: May 1 thru 5. Solitary Sandpiper: April 29
thru May 15.

PIGEONS-WOODPECKERS: Owls: Screech: March 20 thru, a pair returned and nested
in Scotia; Barred: May 2, 15, 29. Short-eared: March 26. Com. Nighthawk: May 8 thru.
Chimney Swift: March 14 thru. Ruby-throated Hummingbird: May 14 thru 29. Wood¬
peckers; Pileated: April 17 thru; Yellow-bellied Sapsucker: April 15 thru; Red-headed:
May 4 thru, becoming locally common in S. E. Montgomery Co.

FLYCATCHERS-STARLINGS: E. Kingbird: May 7 thru. Flycatchers:Great Crested:
May 5 thru; E. Phoebe: April 15 thru; Traill’s: May 15 thru 29, first time in 11 years none
caught for banding at VF; Least: May 1 thru, 9 banded VF lowest take in 7 years. Swallows:
Tree: April 19 thru; Bank: May 5 thru 15; Rough-winged: April 19 thru May 15; Barn: May
3 thru; Cliff: May 5 thru, 4 pairs nesting at Mariaville. Purple Martin: April 7 thru May 15.
House Wren: thru. Long-billed Marsh Wren: May 1 thru 15. Brown Thrasher: April 17 thru.
Wood Thrush: May 7 thru. Hermit Thrush: April 13 thru. Swainson’s Thrush: May 7 thru.
Yeery: May 7 thru 22. E. Bluebird: March 20 thru May 15. Blue-gray Gnatcatcher: May 1
thru 15. Golden-crowned Kinglet: April 2 thru 29. Ruby-crowned Kinglet: April 13 thru.

VIREOS-WARBLERS: Vireos: Yellow-throated: May 2 thru, 2 nesting Schoharie Co.
May 29; Solitary: May 1 thru; Red-eyed: May 11 thru; Warbling: April 3 thru. Warblers:
Black-and-white: April 25 thru; Worm-eating: May 13, 15; Golden-winged: May 5 thru;
Blue-winged: May 6 thru, many Golden-winged and Blue-winged were killed by the
10” snow on May 17 at Mariaville; Tennessee: May 5 thru 15; Nashville: May 3 thru 15;
Parula: May 7 thru 15; Yellow: April 28 and many May 3 thru; Magnolia: May 7 thru; Cape
May: May 8 thru 23; Black-throated Blue: May 2 thru; Yellow-rumped: April 10 thru;
Black-throated Green: May 2 thru; Cerulean: May 11 thru 22; Blackburnian: May 7 thru;
YELLOW-THROATED: May 15 Ghent CC, verified by E. Reilly Jr.; Chestnut-sided: May 7
thru 22; Bay-breasted: May 5 thru 15; Blackpoll: May 9 thru; Pine: April 29 thru May 15;
Prairie: May 1 thru; Palm: April 21 thru May 1; Ovenbird: May 1 thru 22; N. Waterthrush:
May 7 thru 15; Louisiana Waterthrush: April 18 thru May 15; Mourning: May 22 thru;
Com. Yellowthroat: May 4 thru; Am. Redstart: May 7 thru 22.

WEAVERS-SPARROWS: Bobolink: May 5 thru 22. N. Oriole: April 23 thru. Scarlet
Tanager: May 7 thru 22. Rose-breasted Grosbeak: May 1 thru, only 5 banded May 7 thru
15 VF, second lowest in 9 years, but were more common than usual at Jenny Lake (RPY).
Indigo Bunting: May 3 thru 22,1 banded May 8 VF. Evening Grosbeak: March thru May
22, 55 banded in April and 186 in May in yard (RPY). COM. REDPOLL: March 1 thru
April 27. PINE SISKIN: March 1 thru, some nesting in area. Am. Goldfinch: March 1 thru,
very scarce in yard and banded only 12 vs 346 last year (RPY). Rufous-sided Towhee: April
9 thru 22. Sparrows: Savannah: March 16 intermittent thru CC, April 12 thru May 15 else¬
where; Vesper: April 6 thru; Dark-eyed Junco: thru, less during May, nesting at Jenny
Lake as usual; Tree: March 1 thru May 15; Chipping: April 4 thru; Field: April 6 thru;
White-crowned: May 1 thru 23; White-throated: March 2 thru, 78 banded VF, a new 10 year
record (RPY); Swamp: April 30 thru May 15, 25 banded VF; Song: March 6 thru.

151 North Toll St., Scotia, N.Y. 12302 Telephone: 518-372-3728.

SUMMER, 1976

175

REGION 9 — DELAWARE-HUDSON

Edward D. Treacy

Rains and melting precipitation for March totaled sightly over 3.2”, drier than usual.
April and May saw about 3.75” and 4.50” respectively which is above average. March con¬
tinued the warm trend of February except for one cold spell during the middle of the month.
April was near normal except for one severe warm spell between the 13th and 22nd when
temperatures reached the high 90’s. May was almost normal except for a severe cold period
again in mid-month which dropped nighttime temperatures to the high 30’s F (3+° C) in the
lowlands, and above freezing in higher elevations.

The warmth of mid-April brought out the leaves and flowers nearly two to three weeks
in advance of what they should have been, obscuring the view of warblers traveling through
high in the trees. The cold of mid-May destroyed many buds and blossoms, ruining the
apple farming of the mid-Hudson Valley. Its effect on bird life is still to be seen. In spite of
the early foliage, local breeding birds generally arrived on time. But the constant lament of
the local birders was “Where are the transients?” Many went virtually unseen, or were ob¬
served only in ones and twos for the entire period. Residents were normal in numbers.

A spring hawk watch at Hook Mountain has been organized and totaled 18 hours in
Feb., 32 hours in March and 167 hours in April. The results of this effort are included in
the report.

Contributors and observers dted: Martin Borko, Robert F. Deed, Florence Germond,
Thelma Haight, Fred Hough, William Howe, Jim and Mary Key, Helen Manson, A1 Merritt,
John C. Orth, Forrest and Aline Romero, Eric Single, Bob Smart, Dan Smiley, William and
Trixie Strauss, John Tramontano, Marion VanWagner, Otis Waterman.

Abbreviations: BBC-Burroughs Natural History Society Bird Count, May 16; MBC-
Mearns Bird Club Bird Count, May 15; WBC-Waterman Bird Club Bird Count, May 15;
HMW-Hook Mountain Hawk Watch.

LOONS—DUCKS: Common Loon: max 3 Kiamesha L. Apr. 27. Several reports for
Oran and Dutch, all Apr. and May. Red-throated Loon: 2 Croton Pt. May 9 (WH). Double-
crested Cormorant: 1 on MBC and another on WBC, 20 miles apart on the Hudson R. Great
Blue Heron: Dutch heronries doing well; 8 near Thompson Pd, and 12 near Tamarack. A
new, small colony at Jeffersonville, Dutch (MB). Great Egret: 1 near Pleasant Valley Apr.
24. Snowy Egret: 5, Moodna Marsh May 12 (AM). Least Bittern: Early return to Moodna
Marsh May 2 (ET). Mute Swan: max 27, Hudson R near Croton Pt. May 24. Brant: 300 over
Stanfordville May 12 were very early (TH). The 1,000 or more over Highland Falls May 23
was more usual (Rita Treacy). Snow Goose: better than usual numbers scattered thru entire
period. Max 300 May 22 Rhinebeck Bridge. Pintail: 12 Goshen Mar. 21. More than 100
Mar. 14 was the most ever seen in Dutch at one time. Only 11 there 1 week later. Blue¬
winged Teal: very uncommon in late May. 1 Goshen May 15, and 1 all month at Thompson
Pd. Redhead: 11 reported in Dutch mid-March. Ring-necked Duck: up to 100 at Basher Kill
Mar. 23 (MB). Oldsquaw: 1 Wappinger L. thru Mar. 30. Ruddy Duck: 1 May 15-21 at Goshen.

HAWKS-ALCIDS: Turkey Vulture: 2 nesting Town of Bethel, Sull May 27 (MB).
BLACK VULTURE: 1 obs by Brother Michael Billings over Rt. 55 in Dutch Apr. 22 might
well be the same bird obs at HMW Apr. 24. Goshawk: more spring reports than usual. 7 on
HMW, 4 of which passed btw Apr. 5-10. The last there was Apr. 17. 1 Cornwall Apr. 18,
and 1 Mohonk L May 16. 2 Apr. 7 Pond Gut Dutch were calling and circling together. Pos¬
sibly a mated pair. Cooper’s Hawk: 6 Apr. records on HMW, 4 btw Apr. 11-16.1 Cornwall
Mar. 20. Broad-winged Hawk: 1,220 on HMW, max 266 Apr. 17, and 223 on both Apr. 28,

176

THE KINGBIRD

29. Rough-legged Hawk: only 1, Verbank Apr. 15 (MVW). GOLDEN EAGLE: the 2-3 birds
that wintered at Stissing were not obs after Mar. 1 on HMW Apr. 6. Bald Eagle: none on
HMW but sev reports in May; 1 Rondout Res Mar. 29; imm. 1 imm Basher Kill May 14-15; 1
ad Basher Kill Mar. 17-18, 1 Mar. 1 Cruger’s Is, 1 May 20 Washington Hollow, and 1 May
20 Staatsburgh.

Osprey: 75 on HMW, max 11 Apr. 16. Peregrine Falcon: 1 on HMW May 1. 1 Washing¬
ton Hollow May 20 (MVW). Merlin: 1 on HMW in Mar. Ruffed Grouse: low everywhere ex¬
cept Dutch where it was heard “everywhere.” Bobwhite: only 1 dur Apr. and May at
Bangall. Turkey: usual in Sull, sev in Dutch dur Apr. and May. Apparently released last
year. Virginia Rail: 1 heard near Weyant’s Pd. May 10. First time that area. Am. Woodcock:
All over. Nest with 4 eggs in Pleasant Valley Mar. 28. Birds on Mine Rd, USMA still in full
courtship May 21. 1 ad with chick observed in Dutch Apr. 17. Common Snipe: usual good
numbers. WILLET: 1 Cornwall Bay obs flying, walking and calling (AM). RED KNOT: first
Ulst record from Mohonk May 25. Was injured and turned over to Heinz Meng. Pectoral
Sandpiper: BBC, and 2 reports from Dutch May 11 and 16. Least Sandpiper: good in May;
max 19 May 24 Croton Pt. Short-billed Dowitcher: BBC and WBC. The latter 12-14 birds
at Pleasant Valley (MVW). GLAUCOUS GULL: 1 Croton Pt. Mar. 31 and Apr. 3. ICELAND
GULL: 1 imm Cornwall Bay Mar. 13,21 (EDT). Bonaparte’s Gull: 1 Basher Kill May 5 (MB).

PIGEONS-WOODPECKERS: Mourning Dove: continues high. Barred Owl: 1 heard
Basher Kill Apr. 14 (EDT). Long-eared Owl: 1 Apr. 23 Pleasant Valley. Whip-poor-will: 1 in
weakened condition Apr. 29 was revived by Irma Dewitt of New Paltz and released. Com.
Nighthawk: max May 17 Dutch. Ruby-throated Hummingbird: at least 15 reports in Dutch
dur May. First Apr. 21 Kripplebush was very early (FH). Red-bellied Woodpecker: 2 daily
thru Mar. in Pkpsie. 1 at Pocantico Hills May 10 where they nested last year. Red-headed
Woodpecker: always rare, 1 month of May at suet East Park (FG).

FLYCATCHERS-STARLINGS: Great Crested Flycatcher: 1 Apr. 16 Pkpsie was very
early (OW). Yellow-bellied Flycatcher: only 1 May 22 Dover. Acadian Flycatcher: sev May
reports in Dutch. 1 May 11 near Lithgow. 2 May 22 Dover, and 1 May 26 Lithgow. Least
Flycatcher: 1 Mohonk L Apr. 18 was early. Olive-sided Flycatcher: 1 BBC, 1 May 24 Fern-
cliff and 1 May 26 Lithgow. Horned Lark: 100 Mar. 26 near Red Hook; 6 May 27 Dutch
Co. Airport. Tree Swallow: first Mar. 20 Cruger’s Is, and Mar. 21 Basher Kill. Rough-winged
Swallow: 4 Wurtsboro Apr. 8. GRAY JAY: Wintering bird departed after first week of May,
Moore’s Mills. Fish Crow: more than usual; resident at usual locations. A new location es¬
tablished at Highland Falls from Apr. 4, Boreal Chickadee: 1 Willowemock Apr. 10. .Brown
Creeper: singing May 26 near Lithgow. Carolina Wren: exceptional winter success. Brown
Thrasher: 1 thru Mar. Pkpsie. E. Bluebird: nest-box program in Dutch having good results.
Golden-crowned Kinglet: a pr May 22 and 28 at Sharparoon singing; 1 in spruce grove at N
end of Kensico Res May 25 where several summered last year. Water Pipit: obs on BBC and
WBC. 20 on latter count. Northern Shrike: 1 Mar. 2 PI Valley (MVW); 1 Mar. 25 Basher Kill.

VIREOS-WARBLERS: No marked movements obs thru entire period. White-eyed
Vireo: 1 May 22 near Weyant’s Pd; 1 Croton Pt. May 24. Solitary Vireo: 4 Dutch reports in
May; 1 May 22, 26 were very late. Philadelphia Vireo: 1 May 15 Dutch (Bill Consiglio) and
another Basher Kill May 22 (EDT). Worm-eating Warbler: 4 at Elmsford Ridge btwn Elms-
ford and Tarry town May 11 (WH). Golden-winged Warbler: numbers down. Blue-winged
Warbler: 1 near Mohonk Apr. 25 was early. Brewster’s Warbler: 1 Lithgow in May (BS).
Lawrence’s Warbler: 1 Weyant’s Pd. May 10 (EDT); 1 May 25 Pleasantville (WH). Tennessee
Warbler: numbers very high on WBC. Cape May Warbler: max 6 on Elmsford Ridge May 11.
Cerulean Warbler: back at Weyant’s Pd by May 10; did not return to Cruger’s Is this year;
only 2 pr nesting at Mt. Rutsen where 3 pr were found last year; obs in 2 areas of Ulst on
BBC. Pine Warbler: 1 Red Oaks Mill Mar. 30 (JMK). Prairie Warbler: up over last year. Breed¬
ing in usual palces. KENTUCKY WARBLER: singing loudly on south end of Elmsford
Ridge May 11-31 (WH). Mourning Warbler: only 1 Amehia May 28 (WTS). Yellow-breasted

SUMMER, 1976

177

Chat; continues to decrease; only reports 1 Wawarsing May 8 (JCO), another near Weyant’s
Pd May 15.

WEAVERS-SPARROWS: Bobolink: first May 5 Applewood, Dutch. Numbers good.
ORCHARD ORIOLE: more than usual, but still rare. 1 on BBC and another at USMA, West
Point May 15 (ET); 1 in Dutch week of May 24. Indigo Bunting: on time and in excellent
numbers. Evening Grosbeak: a flock of over 200 May 4 at Wawarsing, Last there May 18
(JCO). 1 Monticello May 10 and another Basher Kill May 15. Common Redpoll: 30 at
Divine Corners Mar. 13-16. Last Apr. 12 Frost Valley (MB). Pine Siskin: remained in num¬
bers thru mid-May. Last at Sharparoon, Dutch near Dover May 22. Red Crossbill: 1 at Mo-
honk L on BBC. A pr with young recently fledged June 2 Middletown (JT). Grasshopper
Sparrow: 1 on MBC and another on WBC. Dark-eyed Junco: heard singing at Lithgow May
26 where it has often been nesting. Tree Sparrow: most disappeared April 14-16 dur heat
wave; 1 May 1 in Dutch was very late (HM). White-crowned Sparrow: 2 thru Mai. 30 at
Chester; numbers good in Dutch dur May, but not so elsewhere. White-throated Sparrow:
exc numbers thru winter and spring. Snow Bunting: last 4 Gretna Rd. Dutch Mar. 17 (MVW).

PeUwood Lake, Highland Falls, N.Y. 10928

REGION 10 —MARINE

Anthony J. Lauro and Barbara J. Spencer

Weather data for the period.

Av. High Temp.

March 52.0° F

April 64.7° F

May 69.6° F

Av. Low Temp. Precip.

36.8° F 2.96 in.

45.2° F 2.80 in.

50.7° F 4.77 in.

Disappointed and concerned observers on Long Island are considering the possibility
that the “Silent Spring” arrived this year. Warbler migration was nearly absent from all
areas east of Forest Park, Queens. Even such well known spring migrant traps as Central
Park, and Alley Pond Park in Queens were unusually quiet this year. Flycatchers were in
low numbers as well, as insectivorous species in general were hard to find.

Extremes of weather were experienced during the period with temperatures dropping be¬
low freezing in mid-April followed by a week of ninety-degree heat through the third week
in April, with concomitant drought. Early May was cold and wet.

Hopes, raised by sightings of three and four individuals on April 10 and 11, that an iso¬
lated breeding population of European Goldfinches had been discovered at the Muttontown
Preserve, were deflated when an eager goldfinch hunter met a binocularless man who was
also searching for the birds. His interest was in their survival through recent cold nights; he
said that he had released six birds, three males and three females, in early April. Apparently
the birds had been obtained legally at considerable expense and effort. All were in good
health at time of release with the possible exception of one bird. The males were singing. He
said that he had released the birds because they were nervous cage birds, difficult to breed
in captivity. He had hoped that they would find congenial habitat at Muttontown. (This
man also breeds canaries and Zebra Finches, so don’t get too excited if you see any little
black and white birds!)

Perhaps the most cooperative bird of the season was a Saw-whet Owl that spent a week
during March in the ornamental shrubs around Peter Cooper Village on 23rd Street in New

178

THE KINGBIRD

York City, subsisting on House Sparrows, while worried birders alternately enjoyed its
presence, educated doormen as to its relative rarity, and wished that it would go away to
safer habitat.

Scattered sightings of Eastern Bluebirds during April suggested strengthening of their
numbers. Breeding bluebirds at Connetquot River State Park returned on schedule and
maintained their numbers.

A few white-winged gulls lingered in the area through the period, while a subadult
Black-headed Gull was found on Staten Island on March 28.

Birds of unusual interest in the period were Eared Grebe, Black Brant, Barrow’s Golden¬
eye, Black-necked Stilt, Lark Sparrow, and Pine Grosbeak.

Observers: JA-Jim Ash, WB-Wilma Baumann, JC-Joe Costa, THD-Thomas H. Davis,
JDiC-Joseph DiCostanzo, HF-Howie Fischer, HH-Helen Hirschbein, RK-Richard Kelly,
DL-Dave Larsen, AJL-Anthony Lauro, CMcK-Chris McKeever, RP-Roger Pasquier,
GSR-Gilbert S. Raynor, LS-Lore Schore.

LOONS-DUCKS: EARED GREBE: 1 March 6 Montauk (GSR) (DL). Red-necked
Grebe: 1 March 6 Kellis Pond, Bridgehampton (GSR) (DL). The two observers mentioned
above had a rare “four grebe day” with the two birds cited along with the more expected
Horned and Pied-billed Grebes. Sooty Shearwater: 12 May 16 Mecox (JA), 75 May 30 Jones
to Montauk Point (AJL). Greater Shearwater: 25 May 30 Jones to Montauk Point (AJL).
Cattle Egret: 1 Georgica Pond Apr. 25 (AJL). Whistling Swan: 7 March 6 Lake Sagaponack
(GSR). BLACK BRANT: adult May 22-25 JBWR (N. Larsen, JA, JC, et al .) photo by JC.
Eurasian Green-winged Teal: 1 March 6 Sagaponack (AJL). European Wigeon: 1 drake lin¬
gered to Apr. 25 at Mecox (GSR). King Eider: 4 still present May 23 Montauk Pt. (THD
et al.). Harlequin Duck: 2 to Apr. 10 at Shinnecock Inlet (AJL). 1 drake May 23 Montauk
Pt. (THD etal.). BARROW’S GOLDENEYE: Montauk Mar. 21.

HAWKS-ALCIDS: Turkey Vulture: 1 May 4 Manorville (Daniel Schaeffer). Goshawk:
female May 1-2 CENTRAL PK (mob) claimed as first park record. Bald Eagle: imm May
22-23 Orient Pt. (Paul Stoutenberg, DL), imm May 31 Montauk (DL, GSR). Curlew Sand¬
piper: breeding plumaged ad. May 15 JBWR (W. Kurau). Long-billed Dowitcher: breeding
plumaged ad. Apr. 30-May 9 Tobay Pond (LS, WB etal). Stilt Sandpiper: May 9-16Tobay
Pond (P. Gillen et al.). Whimbrel: 1 May 15 Shinnecock (GSR). Marbled God wit: May 12
Travis S.I. (HF). May 17 JBWR (E. Single). Ruff: male attaining white ruff Apr. 3-7 Mecox
Bay (CMcK et al.), rediscovered Apr. 21-24 at Georgica Pond (CMcK); female Apr. 23-24
JBWR (THD et al.). BLACK-NECKED STILT: May 17 Montauk (G. Rose, J. Terry). Wil¬
son’s Phalarope: female May 9 JBWR (mob), 2 May 22-23, 1 to May 29 JBWR (mob).
Northern Phalarope: 37 May 16 Mecox (JA). Glaucous Gull: 2nd year bird May 15 Ridge¬
wood Res. (THD et al.). Black-headed Gull: sub-ad. May 3 Great Kills Park, S.I. (HF, S.
Kerber). Gull-billed Tern: arr May 2 North Line Island, 2 birds were seen copulating on a
sand bar at Tobay Pond on May 29 (AJL); arr. May 15 at JBWR (S. Wecker et al.). Least
Tern: max 300 May 2 North Line Island (AJL). Caspian Tern: 5 Apr. 25 Sagaponack Pond
(AJL), May 8 JBWR(RK etal .),May 22 Sagaponack Pond (J. Hamilton).

PIGEONS-WOODPECKERS: Chuck-will’s-widow: female May 1 Prospect Park (S.Wer-
nert), heard May 2 Richmond Valley S.I. (HF, S. Kerber), heard May 9 Oak Beach (mob),
heard May 16 Lawrence (THD).

FLYCATCHERS-STARLINGS: Acadian Flycatcher: 1 May 6 Forest Park (THD etal.),
May 14 Central Park (D. W. Finch et al). May 16 Forest Park (mob). Loggerhead Shrike:
Apr. 8 Jones Beach S.P. (LS, WB, J&JP Latil).

VIREOS-WARBLERS: Yellow-throated Vireo: Apr. 17 Bronx Botanical Gardens
(mob). Philadelphia Vireo: May 22 Merrick (D. Low). Prothonotary Warbler: 6 reports Apr.
18 Far Rockaway (HH), Apr. 10 Cunningham Park (A. Wagner), Apr. 27 Freeport (K. Mag-

SUMMER, 1976

179

linger), May 2 Clove Lakes Pk, S.I. (W. & N. Siebenheller), May 15 Yaphank (DL), May 18
Forest Park (J. Yrizarry). Worm-eating Warbler: max 4 May 5 Forest Park (JA). Lawrence’s
Warbler: singing bird May 23 Montauk Pt. (THD, K. Kaufman et ah). Tennessee Warbler:
Apr. 24 Central Park (mob), 2 Apr. 25 Forest Park (JA, JC). Orange-crowned Warbler: May
15 Westbury (J. Vigletta)-described in great detail. Yellow Warbler: Apr. 18 Central Park
(RP), Apr. 18 Far Rockaway (HH). Bay-breasted Warbler: Apr. 25 (HH, C. Ward).Yellow-
throated Warbler: 7 reports-Apr. 18 Central Park (mob). Apr, 18 Forest Park (R. Dieterich,
S. Emmons), Apr. 18 Hewlett Harbor (R. Sloss), Apr. 22 Alley Pond Park (LSet ah), Apr.
22 Kissena Park (W. Reilly), May 9 Fire Island Light (D. B. Ford), May 25 Forest Park (JA
et.al.). Pine Warbler: 3 March 7 Greenwood Cem. (JDiC), 1 March 7 Jones Beach (A1 Wollin).
Kentucky Warbler: 1 Apr. 18 Central Park (mob), Apr. 22 Levittown (R. Goodrich), Apr.
30 Tobay Sanctuary (mob), 4 to 6 males May 6-16 Forest Park (JA,THD et ah). May 15
Yaphank (fide DL), May 15 Wading River (fide DL).

WEAVERS-SPARROWS: Summer Tanager: 14 birds were seen throughout the area
with the earliest date Apr. 23 and the latest May 31. Of special interest was a female seen in
Battery Park by THD among a flock of House Sparrows eating bread crumbs! Bobolink:
May 10 Upton (GSR). Black-headed Grosbeak: wintering sub-adult male remained at Wil-
liamsbridge, Bronx feeder to Apr. 12 (J. Gillen). Blue Grosbeak: 6 birds reported-May 3
Tobay Sanctuary (M. Cooper), May 9 Greenwood Cem. (JDiC), May 9 Central Park (mob),
2 May 13-14 Forest Park (JA et ah). May 15 Forest Park (L. Morgan et ah). Dickcissel:
singing male May 14 Forest Park (JA). Sharp-tailed Sparrow: May 3 CENTRAL PARK
(mob). “Gambel’s” White-crowned Sparrow: May 9 Tobay Sanctuary (AJL). LARK SPAR¬
ROW: May 9 Jones Beach State Park (A. Wollin, S. Schiff). Unexpected in spring. PINE
GROSBEAK: pair Apr. 25 Connetquot River State Park (J. Clinton, J. Rusica et ah). Park
employees claim these birds were still present in mid-May! (fide R. Giffen). Red Crossbill:
15 Apr. 6 Muttontown Preserve (staff), 5 Apr. 16 Upton (GSR).

COX’S LEDGE PELAGIC TRIPS

May 22 (THD, B. Spencer, K. Kaufmann, E. Cook, HF, S. Kerber, DL et ah) 6 Sooty
Shearwaters, 30 Wilson’s Storm Petrels, 17 Gannets, 9 Northern Phalaropes, 3 Red Phala-
ropes, 1 subadult Black-legged Kittiwake.

May 31 (THD, JDiC et ah) 3 Northern Fulmars, 1 Manx Shearwater, 11 Sooty Shear¬
waters, 4 Greater Shearwaters, 100 plus Wilson’s Storm Petrels, 4 Gannets, 1 Skua.

CORRECTION: It has been pointed out to the regional editors that the field note which
appeared in Vol. XXVI, No. 2, p. 120 which lays claim for the first Staten Island record for
Boreal Chickadee is in error. Up to 5 Boreal Chickadees were found in the Moravian Ceme¬
tery in the winter of 1916-1917 (Griscom, Birds of the New York City Region, 1923). We
thank Geoffrey Carleton for this information and we marvel at his memory.

Anthony J. Lauro-9 DeSoto Road, Amityville, N.Y. 11701
Barbara J. Spencer-154 Dayton St., Sea Cliff, N.Y. 11579

180

THE KINGBIRD

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

Martin Borko... Box 511, Wurtsboro, N.Y. 12790

Recording Secretary

Lona T. Coates..308 East Hinds Ave., Sherrill, N.Y. 13461

Treasurer

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: 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: Sally Hoyt Spofford, Box 428, Etna, N.Y. 13062

John J. Elliott Memorial Committee: John L. Bull, Eugene Eisenmann,

John Farrand, Jr., Emanuel Levine, Joseph W. Taylor

Elected Committees

Auditing: Barbara Spencer, 154 Dayton Street, Sea Cliff, N.Y. 11579
Irving Cantor, 251 East 32nd Street, New York, N.Y. 10016

Nominating: Gordon Meade, Chairman, 27 Mill Valley Rd., Pittsford, N.Y. 14824
Neil Moon, John M. C. Peterson