S /KINGBIRD VOL. 46, NO. 1 MARCH • 1996 FEDERATION OF NEW YORK STATE BIRD CLUBS, INC. THE KINGBIRD (ISSN 0023-1606), published quarterly (March, June, September, December), is a publication of The Federation of New York State Bird Clubs, Inc., which has been organized to further the study of bird life and to disseminate knowledge thereof, to educate the public in the need for conserving natural resources, and to encourage the establishment and maintenance of sanctuaries and protect¬ ed areas. Memberships are on a calendar year basis only, in the following annual categories: Individual $18, Family $20, Supporting $25, Contributing $50, The Kingbird Club $100, Student $10. Life Membership is $900. Applicants for Individual or Family Membership applying in the second half of the year may reduce payment by one-half. APPLICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP should be sent to the Chairwoman of the Membership Committee: Myrna Hemmerick, P.O. Box 2203, Setauket, NY 11733. INSTITUTIONAL SUBSCRIPTIONS TO THE KINGBIRD are $18 to US addresses, $25 to all others, annually on a calendar year basis only. Send orders to: Berna B. Lincoln, Circulation Manager, P.O. Box 296, Somers, NY 10589. Send CHANGES OF ADDRESS, or orders for SINGLE COPIES, BACK NUMBERS or REPLACEMENT COPIES ($5 each) to: Berna B. Lincoln, Circulation Manager, P.O. Box 296, Somers, NY 10589. Magazines undelivered through failure to send change of address six weeks in advance will be replaced on request at $5 each. All amounts stated above are payable in US funds only. © 1996 Federation of New York State Bird Clubs, Inc. All rights reserved. Postmaster: send address changes to: THE KINGBIRD , P.O. BOX 296, SOMERS, NY 10589 &KINGBIRD PUBLICATION OF THE FEDERATION OF NEW YORK STATE BIRD CLUBS, INC Vol. 46 No. 1 March 1996 1-99 CONTENTS Editorial Introduction .2 Popualtion Trends of Birds at Feeders in Sullivan County NY 1981-1994. Valerie Freer and Joan Visconti.4 The Initiation and Size of Golden-winged Warbler (Vermivora chrysoptera) Clutches in Relationship to Temperature. Jeffery L. Larkin and John L. Confer.13 Common and Uncommon Gulls in Jones Inlet: The Birding Must Be Bad When You Start Looking at Gulls. Seymour Schiff and Alvin Wollin.20 Acadian Flycathcer on Long Island. EricSalzman.25 Highlights of the Fall Season Robert Spahn.28 Regional Reports.35 Editor — Donald A. Windsor Highlights of the Season Editor — Robert Spahn Circulation Manager — Berna B. Lincoln EDITORIAL INTRODUCTION Donald A. Windsor PO Box 604, Norwich NY 13815 Your new editor approaches this challenge with trepidation, but also with a clear vision of what The Kingbird should become. Let me introduce myself. I am a zoologist by training, specializing in protozoology, comparative physiology, and parasitology, with an overriding obsession for theoretical biology. However, for the past three decades I worked as an information scientist in a pharmaceutical research and development facility. Some of my most creative publications deal with bibliometrics, the statistical study of information structures. I do have a number of publications, so I am no stranger to the editorial process. Consequently, I approach this editorship with a dual background, zoology and information science. When confronted with data, I look for information, that is, meaning. When confronted with a nice story, I look for supporting data. Let me state my strongest belief and firmest bias. Journal articles do not stand alone. They are woven into the fabric of the literature that has already been published. An article without references to the literature is unfinished. It needs to tell the reader how it fits into the body of knowledge that has already been accumulated on the subject. This is a responsibility of the author, not the reader. My job as editor is to enable authors to communicate with readers - both present and future. A journal publishes for posterity. Authors of journal articles write for the future, for readers who will be reading us long after we are no longer able to write. We are writing about birds that some of our readers might never get a chance to see. We are recording the demise of some species and the rise of others. Profound changes are occurring to our planet and we are documenting them. No one can predict the future but some trends are too obvious to ignore. The constant destruction of natural habitat and its replacement by a human centered one is a certainty. Birds that prosper because of human activity deserve at least as much coverage as those who suffer. Rare birds may be important to listers, but common birds may be more important to biology. The fact that a distant bird blew into New York is definitely worth recording, but the rise of urban birds may be much more important. As editor, I will actively seek out articles which deal with these new developments. You will notice 2 THE KINGBIRD that articles now have terse abstracts, which should facilitate both reading and retrospective searching. Author's names and addresses have been united as part of a goal of presenting all bibliographic data on the first pages, where they belong. The inclusion of keywords is now optional. Guidelines are being formulated for their use. However, before making too many changes I have to learn the ropes. Although I have been a newsletter editor for over a decade, this is my first experience editing a journal. Already, it is more overwhelming than I expected. Paul DeBenedictis and Manny Levine are great role models and I will try to draw upon their wisdom. Bob Spahn will be editing the Regional Reports so my concern will be focused on the front end of the journal. I also hope to draw upon the insights of the authors and the readers. Please tell me what you like and dislike, what you want to read. Reader feedback is essential. When your issue of The Kingbird arrives, do you read it? Do you intend to read it, but cannot seem to get to it? Or, do you toss it aside? I want you to read it. Tell me what I have to do to get you hooked. Although I have been a Christmas Count Compiler (Sherburne) for over a decade, I must confess that I am not a conventional birder. I have tried to be, but (alas) never seemed to make it. My interest in birds dwells on their biology, not on my life list. Driving somewhere just to see a bird is something I cannot fathom. Nevertheless, I do enjoy birding and manage to do some almost every day. My reason for mentioning this handicap is that I may need some tutorial guidance from those of you who are real birders. If you feel compelled to set me straight, please be encouraged to do so. One final venality. I am fascinated by controversy and the hammering out of ideas. I would encourage a point-counterpoint dialog dealing with the big issues in New York birding. These are turbulent times and we are faced with many. Can't think of any? That proves we need such a feature! Here is a sample what I mean. In a natural ecosystem, large predators (wolves, cougars, bears) regulate the smaller predators (skunks, raccoons, foxes, coyotes). It is these smaller predators which prey upon birds, especially nesting birds. Does the Federation have an interest in the reestablishment of large predators in New York? What about regulation of cats, cowbirds, or crows? Birding ethics and tape recorders or trespass? Biocides? Captive breeding? The list of issues is virtually endless. If you want to participate in these discussions let me know. Short arguments, one page or less, are sought. In conclusion, I want The Kingbird to be read by birders. I welcome your suggestions and comments. MARCH 1996 3 POPULATION TRENDS OF BIRDS AT FEEDERS IN SULLIVAN COUNTY N.Y. 1981-1994 Valerie M. Freer and Joan Visconti Division of Science and Mathematics Sullivan County Community College Loch Sheldrake NY 12759 ABSTRACT — In Sullivan County NY during 1981-1994, results of a feeder survey showed that populations of Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura), Red-bellied Woodpecker ( Melanerpes carolinus), Tufted Titmouse ( Parus bicolor), Northern Cardinal ( Cardinalis cardinalis), and House Finch ( Carpodacus mexicanus) increased, while American Tree Sparrow ( Spizella arborea ) and Evening Grosbeak ( Coccothraustes vespertinus) decreased. No changes were observed for Downy Woodpecker ( Picoides pubescens), Hairy Woodpecker ( Picoides villosus), Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata), Black-capped Chickadee ( Parus atricapillus), Red-breasted Nuthatch ( Sitta canadensis ), White-breasted Nuthatch ( Sitta carolinensis), European Starling ( Sternus vulgaris), Dark-eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis), and American Goldfinch ( Carduelis tristis). Two major irruptions of Common Redpoll (Carduelis flammea) were noted. In November 1981 the Sullivan County Audubon Society initiated a feeder survey in order to document winter bird populations in the county. The survey design as originated by Burtt in the Syracuse, New York area in November 1959 (Burtt and Burtt 1980) required that volunteers count birds at their feeders or in their yards during the first week of each winter month. In order to avoid counting individuals more than once, participants were instructed to record the maximum number of individuals of each species seen at any one time. A much larger survey of similar methodology in Ontario was shown to provide valid information about bird population trends for most species (Dunn 1986). We consider the information resulting from careful analysis of this countywide survey to be of value for several reasons. It is more likely to represent actual population levels than are anecdotal impressions of bird abundance sporadically reported by a few people. In addition, it 4 THE KINGBIRD documents in detail the winter bird life in a restricted area, providing evidence about changes on a scale that would be missed in a national or regional survey (such as the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology Feederwatch), and it encompasses a much longer period of time each winter than the single day of the annual Christmas Count. Sullivan County, in the southern Catskills, is rural, sparsely inhabited (fewer than 70,000 people) with no cities and almost no industry. According to the Department of Environmental Conservation publication "Forest Statistics for New York" (Considine and Frieswyk 1982), 74% of the county is covered by commercial grade forest, more than any other county of southeastern New York State. Agriculture is confined to small portions of the central and northwest areas, and the county has many small ponds and lakes in addition to two large New York City reservoirs. A few of our feeder reports came from people who live in villages and have back yards abutting those of their neighbors, but most participants live on rural roads and have woodlands adjacent to their property. METHODS Participants were recruited through the Sullivan County Audubon Society newsletter Warblings. The first count was done in December 1981 when reports were received from 19 people. The number of participants quickly grew, finally averaging 34 per month, for a total of 1764 reports accepted over 13 winters. We were fortunate to have a remarkably enthusiastic and dependable core of ten people who provided reports every month, and 20 others who participated in more than half of the 78 months since the project started. Most of the participants (and feeder sites) are known to Freer, who collected, edited, and stored the data. We analyzed the percentage of reports on which each species appeared as a broad indicator of population size, and we combined the reports from four months to produce a single data point for each winter (Fig. lb-h). (Although we collected counts from November to April, data from the months of December through March only was used in this study in order to exclude the possible influence of fall migration in November or dispersal and spring migration in April.) We do not here analyze the numbers of individual birds counted for most species. Data MARCH 1996 5 from the Sullivan County Christmas Count (officially named Monticello) done annually since 1950, was used to corroborate findings on some of the more common species. Uncommon and rarely reported species were not analyzed. Weather conditions were examined as probably the single most important factor in affecting local bird population levels (Fig. la). The 1981- 82 and 1983-84 seasons of our study period were harsh, and the 1992-93 and 1993-94 winters were particularly severe. The winters of 1982- 83 and 1990-91 were the warmest, and those years from 1985-86 through 1988-89 were mild with moderate precipitation. Weather data for the Eastern Plateau of New York State was supplied by the Northeast Regional Climate Center at Cornell. The statistical method used for the determination of significance was Spearman's rank correlation coefficient (-1 r s 1) (Fowler and Cohen 1986). RESULTS The Black-capped Chickadee and Dark-eyed Junco were the most consistently reported winter residents of Sullivan County. Over the 13 years of this project, chickadees appeared at 92% to 99% of feeders, and juncos were reported at 82% to 95% of feeders. There were no significant changes found in those species or in the percentage of reports showing Blue Jay, White-breasted Nuthatch, Red-breasted Nuthatch , European Starling, American Goldfinch, Downy Woodpecker, and Hairy Woodpecker, although each fluctuated more than the chickadee or junco. We found statistically significant increases in several species. Mourning Dove populations in the Sullivan County area increased steadily during the course of this feeder survey (Figure lb). At the beginning of the study period, doves were sighted at only 44% of feeders. The frequency of reports of Mourning Dove almost doubled in the 13 years of this project, increasing to a high of 87% in 1992-93. Because this is an easily counted species, we also looked at the average number of doves counted per feeder, and found an increase from a low of 2.8 doves per feeder in 1981-1982 to a high of 8.5 in 1993-94. The trends in both frequency of reports and average numbers were highly significant (r s = .967, r s = .934). Eaton suggests that increases in 6 THE KINGBIRD Mourning Dove are related to supplemental feeding and the bird's adaptability to a wide variety of land uses including agriculture (Andrle and Carroll 1988). In The Atlas of Breeding Birds of New York State (Andrle and Carroll 1988), Meade discusses the routes of northward expansion into New York State by several southern species. For the N. Cardinal, Tufted Titmouse, and Red-bellied Woodpecker he describes expansion from northern New Jersey into southeastern New York and Long Island, with subsequent spread north through the Hudson Valley. Because of its geographic location, these species did not arrive in Sullivan County as early as they did in those southeastern counties bordering New Jersey or the Hudson River, and their population growth as reported here is considerably more recent. Our data suggests that their entry from New Jersey may have been via the Delaware River and its tributaries, especially the lower Neversink and Bashakill, leading to the lowest elevations of the county. We documented the continuing northward range expansion of the Northern Cardinal and a somewhat later arrival, the Tufted Titmouse (Figure lc). For both species, the pattern of feeder reports is consistent with Root's finding that river valleys provided the corridors for dispersal (1988). Both species show a highly significant increase in appearances at feeders over the course of our survey (r s = .707, r s = .735). This has been attributed to strong population pressure in the south leading to expansion northward, and to increases in winter bird feeding (Beddall 1963, Davis 1972). In the case of the titmouse, maturation of forest on abandoned farmlands has also been a factor in supporting range expansion (Eaton 1959, Grubb and Pravosudov 1994). The first cardinal appeared on Sullivan County's Christmas Count in 1954 and the first titmouse was sighted in 1959, and after a year or two both species were found on every subsequent count. (Sullivan County's Christmas Count is in the southern half of the county; both species are still less common at the higher elevations of the northern portions of the county.) We believe that the parallel drop in reports of cardinals and titmice in the winter of 1986-87 reflects a population decrease due to a poor nesting season the previous spring, perhaps related to cool weather during critical parts of the nesting cycle. We found a similar (though smaller) decline that winter in other resident species that feed insect MARCH 1996 7 larvae to their young, such as White-breasted Nuthatch and Black- capped Chickadee, but no decline was found in the House Finch, which feeds ground seeds to the young. The Red-bellied Woodpecker, first seen on our 1981 Christmas Count, has shown a highly significant increase of appearances at feeders (r s = .940). At only 1 or 2% of feeders at the beginning of our study period, by 1993-94 the frequency of sightings of this woodpecker had increased dramatically to 16% of the feeder reports (Figure Id). A species that readily visits feeders and prefers habitats of mixed deciduous forests, the Red-bellied Woodpecker's northward spread up into New York from northern New Jersey is most likely attributable both to supplemental feeding and to maturation of forests (Andrle and Carroll 1988). In an analysis of winter range based on Christmas Count data. Root (1988) noted concentrations of this woodpecker in river valleys. Our reports are all from the southern regions of Sullivan County (and the Neversink River Valley). The House Finch also increased rapidly after the first six individuals were sighted on the Sullivan County Christmas Count in 1969. Their rapid range expansion throughout New York State to New England and the Mid-Atlantic states since the release of a small number of birds on Long Island in 1940 has been closely followed and well-documented (Andrle and Carroll 1988, Hill 1993). Burtt and Burtt (1984) documented the early stages of the increase in the Syracuse NY region using their 1971-1983 feeder survey data. By 1981, the first season of the Sullivan County feeder survey, the House Finch appeared on 41% of feeder reports. The frequency of sightings at feeders showed a highly significant increase (r s = .929) to a high in 1992-93 of 90% (Figure le). The continuing increase in their population documented by Burtt and Burtt (1984) followed by this study was without setback from 1971 until the most recent year of this survey, 1993-94, when we found a decrease of 15% in House Finch appearances at feeders. This was an extremely severe winter, so some might have moved to a more mild environment as suggested by Hilton (1994). Alternatively, an eye disease first documented in 1994 may have started to reduce their populations (Anon. 1994). Perhaps our most unexpected finding was a significant decline in local populations of the American Tree Sparrow (r s = .791). The Am. Tree Sparrow appeared at between 43% to 60% of feeders during the 8 THE KINGBIRD first six years of the survey period, but was reported at only 28% to 39% of feeders during the last six years (Figure If). It is possible that the decrease we found might be indicative of a northward shift in range related to long term gradual warming in eastern North America, as suggested for Pennsylvania populations by Paul Hess (1989). In addition to these trends in populations of several locally wintering species, we were able to document two major irruptions by the Common Redpoll in Sullivan County during the course of the survey (Figure lg). The first irruption was a massive influx in 1986-87 when redpolls were found at 55% of feeders (with reports of up to 150 at some locations). We documented a somewhat smaller irruption in 1993- 94 when they were reported at 39% of feeders. The Common Redpoll was virtually absent from the Sullivan County area in non-irruption years except for 1981-82 when it was listed on about 17% of the participants' reports. The Evening Grosbeak is another northern species whose irruptions, like that of the redpoll, are generally believed to be strongly affected by food supply in the north (Bock & Lepthien 1976). A more consistent winter visitant to Sullivan County than the Common Redpoll, the Evening Grosbeak appeared each year on our feeder reports, with the irruptions in years 1981-82 and 1983-84 documented at more than 80% of feeders (Figure lh). However, there has been a significant gradual decline in the frequency of reports over the course of the study period (r g = -.66). This irregular decrease in grosbeak numbers from peaks in the early 1980s has also been reflected in the local Christmas Count. It has been suggested that a population boom in the late 1970s and early 1980s resulted from a major spruce budworm outbreak in eastern Canada, and now that the infestation is on the wane, grosbeaks are returning to their more usual numbers (DeVore 1993, Peterson 1993). An alternate explanation is that grosbeaks and other winter finches may no longer need to move far to find food when it is in short supply in the north, because of the incredible numbers of feeders in southern Canada and the northern U.S. (Kaufman 1992). SUMMARY/CONCLUSION Closely monitored small area feeder surveys can provide meaningful information on local winter bird populations. Using the Sullivan MARCH 1996 9 County Audubon Society's feeder survey as a source of data on winter population levels in the local area we found significant increases in five species (Mourning Dove, Northern Cardinal, Tufted Titmouse, Red- bellied Woodpecker and House Finch) during the 1981 to 1994 period. We found a significant decline in sightings of American Tree Sparrow, and we documented two major irruptions of Common Redpoll as well as a decline in Evening Grosbeak. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS We acknowledge the work of Fatima Ahmad, Richard Bard, Alex Cherviok, Kris Conklin, and Susan Koenig, all of whom shared in both the data analysis for this work as well as in preliminary write-ups. We also thank Phyllis Gerhard and Kathy Scullion who produced graphs, Kelly Erlwein for secretarial assistance, and all those who participated in the feeder survey. LITERATURE CITED Andrle, R.F. and J.R. Carroll, Editors. 1988. The Atlas of Breeding Birds in New York State. Cornell University Press, Ithaca. 551 pp. Anon. 1994. House Finch eye infections. Nat Aud Soc Field Notes 48: 262. Beddall, B.G. 1963. Range expansion of the Cardinal and other birds in the Northeastern States. Wilson Bull 75:140-156. Bock, C.E. and L.W. Lepthien. 1976. Synchronous eruptions of boreal seed-eating birds. American Naturalist 110:559-571. Burtt, H.E. and B.P. Burtt. 1980. The feeder survey and trends in central New York Cardinal populations. Kingbird 30:138-142. Burtt, H.E. and B.P. Burtt. 1984. Changes in the House Finch population in central New York. Kingbird 34:8-10. Considine, T. J. Jr and T.S. Frieswyk. 1982. Forest Statistics for New York, 1980. USDA For. Serv. Resour. Bull. NE-71.118 p. Davis, T.H. 1972. The increase of the Tufted Titmouse, Mockingbird and Cardinal in the New York City-Long Island area over the past 22 years. Linnaean News-Letter 25(8): 1-4. 10 THE KINGBIRD DeVore, S. 1993. Wild Cards. American Birds 47:363-369. Dunn, E.H. 1986. Feeder counts and winter bird population trends. American Birds 40:61-66. Eaton, S.W. 1959. The Tufted Titmouse invades New York. Kingbird 9:59-62. Fowler, J. and L. Cohen. 1986. Statistics for Ornithologists. British Trust for Ornithology. Tring. 176 pp. Grubb, T.C.Jr. and V.V. Pravosudov. 1994. Tufted Titmouse ( Parus bicolor ). In The Birds of North America, No. 86 (A. Poole and F. Gill, eds.). Philadelphia: The Academy of Natural Sciences; Washington, D.C.: The American Ornithologists Union. Hess, P. 1989. American Tree Sparrows (Spizella arborea) in Pennsylvania: speculations on a 15-year decline, 1973-1987. Pennsylvania Birds 3:90-93. Hill, G.E. 1993. House Finch ( Carpodacus mexicanus). In: The Birds of North America, No. 46 (A. Poole and F. Gill, eds.). Philadelphia: The Academy of Natural Sciences; Washington, D.C.: The American Ornithologists Union. Flilton, B. Jr. 1994. Carpodacus finches in South Carolina's piedmont: migration, sex ratios, site fidelity, and longevity. North American Bird Bander 19:1-11. Kaufman, K. 1992. The Changing Seasons: Winter 1991-1992. American Birds 46:224-227. Peterson, M. 1993. Region 7 highlights. Kingbird 43:147. Root, T. 1988. Atlas of Wintering North American Birds. Univ of Chicago Press, Chicago. 312 p. MARCH 1996 11 POPULATION TRENDS OF BIRDS AT FEEDERS IN SULLIVAN COUNTY N.Y. 1981-1994 rig. i Fig 1. The percentage of reports on which each species occurred, la: Average temperature (degrees F) and total precipitation (inches) for the eastern plateau of New York State, lb through h: the percent of feeder reports on which this species occured. Each data point is for 4 months combined (December through March). 12 THE KINGBIRD THE INITIATION AND SIZE OF GOLDEN-WINGED WARBLER (Vermivora chrysoptera ) CLUTCHES IN RELATIONSHIP TO TEMPERATURE. Jeffery L. Larkin and John L. Confer Biology Department, Ithaca College Ithaca NY 14850 ABSTRACT — We examined egg laying in the Golden-winged Warbler (Vermivora chrysoptera) in north central NY during 1991-94. Thirty nests were used for this study. Clutch sizes of 5-6 eggs were associated with temperatures ranging from 52°F-70°F. First egg dates and clutch sizes remain fairly constant, regardless of temperature fluctuations. Only the most severe, very consistent cold seems to delay egg laying. KEYWORDS: Vermivora chrysoptera, clutch size, clutch initiation, temperature The Golden-winged Warbler has been declining over most of its range for the past 100 years (Confer 1992a). It is designated as a species of management concern by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Confer 1992b). The golden-wing spends 6-7 mo in northern South America and Central America. It breeds in the northeastern U.S., e.g., the higher elevations of Pennsylvania and West Virginia, Minnesota, Michigan, Wisconsin, and north central New York. It also breeds in southern Ontario and extreme southwestern Quebec, Canada. The principal nesting habitat of the golden-wing is abandoned farmland in the early to middle stages of secondary succession (Confer and Knapp 1981), although the edges of swamp forests are also used. A female golden-wing requires 2-4 days to build a ground nest (Confer 1992a). The female lays one egg per day until her clutch is complete, typically five to six eggs. Females lay only one clutch a season unless a clutch is predated, and then second attempts are common. Incubation begins on the day the penultimate egg is laid and requires 11-12 days. Nestlings fledge nine days after hatching. In this study we examined the relationship between temperature and MARCH 1996 13 egg laying. We related the date on which the first egg is laid and the size of the clutch to air temperatures. Between 1991-94, there were two years when temperatures in May-June were warmer than average and two years when temperatures were much colder. METHODS Field work was carried out at a number of sites across north central New York near Pulaski, Hannibal, Fulton, Central Square, Mexico, and Phoenix. Since spring 1989 John Confer and numerous student assistants have searched for Golden-winged Warbler nests and compiled nesting data in order to better understand the decline of this neotropical migrant. Nesting data includes clutch size and the date on which the first egg of each clutch was laid (first egg date or FED). For greater accuracy, we limited our estimates of FED to two circumstances. First, if an incomplete clutch was discovered, we estimated its FED by assuming that one egg was laid per day. Second, if we observed a nest on the day of hatching when the age of the young is quite evident, we estimated its FED by assuming 11 days of incubation and that incubation started on the day when the penultimate egg was laid. Weather records for Syracuse, New York during May and June of 1991-94 and 30 year averages were provided by the Northeast Regional Climate Center at Cornell in Ithaca. We used a one day lag for temperature in order to test if the temperatures preceding the morning of the FED had an effect. Since temperatures preceding FED might influence egg laying, we used a two day mean of the daily average temperature prior to the FED. We believe that the day prior to the FED is the most critical day for a female to determine if she will begin her clutch. Therefore, we weighted the day prior to the FED by two. The weighted data with a one day lag was then compared graphically with the dates on which clutches were initiated. We visually examined graphs of the relationship between the mean temperature during egg laying and clutch size. We also examined the effect of the mean temperature on clutch size for the five days preceding the FED. 14 THE KINGBIRD RESULTS Seventy-two Golden-winged Warbler nests were found during the study. The FED was known with a high degree of accuracy for 30 of these nests. These 30 nests were used in comparing egg laying vs. temperature. In 1991, the FED was known for three nests. The earliest FED was on May 18, which corresponds to the warm temperatures from May 12-19. The other two nests were initiated during below average temperatures. During the 1992 nesting season the FED was known for 10 nests (Fig la). In these figures the zero temperature was calculated as the 30-year average for May and June. The earliest FED for 1992 was May 19. Six of the ten nests were initiated during below average temperatures. The FED was determined for 12 nests in 1993 (Fig lb). Temperatures were below the long-term average during most of this nesting season. All 12 of these clutches began during periods of below average temperatures. The earliest FED was May 18, which matches our earliest FED for warmer years. Results for 1994 (Fig lc) suggest an effect of temperature on FED. The season began with uniformly cold temperatures until May 22. Although some birds arrived in the normal time span of May 7-12, many birds did not appear on our sites until May 15-20. This is a week to 10 days later than the arrival of most birds in the previous years. The earliest FED for this year was May 24. This date is six days later than the average of the earliest FED for the preceding three years. All five nests for which the FED was known were initiated in late May during periods of above average temperatures. The consistently low temperatures until May 22 and the late arrival dates for many individuals probably contributed to the late FED for the 1994 nesting season. As shown in Figure 2, we observed no correlation between clutch size and mean temperature while laying. Clutch sizes of 5-6 eggs, the most common clutch sizes, were associated with a range of temperatures from 52°F to 70°F. This temperature range almost entirely encompasses the observed range of mean temperatures during egg laying. Similarly, a graph of the five day mean temperature preceding the FED and clutch size showed no apparent correlation. MARCH 1996 15 CONCLUSION Will (1986) observed that an unusually cold and rainy May delayed the FED for both Golden-winged and Blue-winged {V. pinus ) warblers. Walkinshaw (1983) suggested that higher than average temperatures regardless of occasional frosts accelerated the FED for Kirtland's warblers (Dendroica kirtlandii). Our data show no correlation between FED and temperature for three of four years. Only temperatures that are consistently much below average seemed to delay both arrival and egg laying. However, our small sample size of FED's does warrant caution. We suggest that there are a number of factors that together determine the initiation of golden-wing clutches with temperature being one of them. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS We are grateful to the following land owners for permission to conduct our study on their properties: Mr. and Mrs. Charles Hauer, Mr. Art Grundle, Mr. Mark Montany (Principal of Emerson J. Dillon School, Phoenix), and the Falanga family. Support for this study was provided by the US Department of Interior/Fish and Wildlife Service, grant No. 14-48-0005-94-9046, and The National Science Foundation, grant No. BSR 91-07081. Student assistants, too numerous to mention, provided incredible time and effort. 16 THE KINGBIRD 1992. CLUTCH ONSET vs TEMPERATURE Temp: 2-day weighted mean, 1-day lag 1993. CLUTCH ONSET vs TEMPERATURE Temp: 2-day weighted mean, 1-day lag 1994. CLUTCH ONSET vs TEMPERATURE Temp: 2-day weighted mean, 1-day lag CO 15 1 - 1II I ill I T U I TTI1 1 1 11 11 H I H 111 1- May June HI # x 3 I I Mean Temp. Fig. la,b,c. Influence of temperature on clutch initiation of Golden¬ winged Warblers (Vermivora chrysoptera) for 1992-'94, Fig la, lb, lc respectivley. The temperature was calculated as a two day mean for the days immediately preceding the FED. The weather data was collected at Syracuse, New York. The number of clutches was multiplied by three for visual clarity. MARCH 1996 17 Fig 2. Influence of temperature on clutch sizes of Golden-winged Warblers (Vermivora chrysoptera) for 1991- , 94. The temperature was calculated as a mean for the days in which egg laying occured. The weather data was collected in Syracuse, New York. 00 1991-’94. CLUTCH SIZE vs TEMP. Mean Temperature While Laying § 75 LITERATURE CITED Andrle, R., and J. R. Carroll (eds.). 1988. The Atlas of Breeding Birds in New York State. Cornell Univ. Press. Ithaca, NY. Confer, J. L. and K. Knapp. 1981. Golden-winged Warblers and Blue winged Warblers: the relative success of a habitat specialist and a generalist. Auk 98:108-114. Confer, J. L. 1992a. Golden-winged Warbler. In: The Birds of North America, No. 20 (A. Poole, P. Stettenheim, and F. Gill, Eds.). Philadelphia: The Academy of Natural Sciences; Washington, DC: The American Ornithologists' Union. Confer, J. L. 1992b. Golden-winged Warbler. In: Migratory Nongame Birds of Management Concern in the Northeast. (D. M. Pence, and K. J. Schneider, Eds.). U.S. Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service. Newton Comer, Mass. Walkinshaw, L. H. 1983. Kirtland's Warbler. Cranebrook Inst. Sci., Bloomfield Hills, MI. Will, T. C. 1986. The behavioral ecology of species replacement: Blue¬ winged and Golden-winged warblers in Michigan. Ph.D. diss., Univ. Michigan, Ann Arbor. MARCH 1996 19 COMMON AND UNCOMMON GULLS IN JONES INLET: THE BIRDING MUST BE BAD WHEN YOU START LOOKING AT GULLS Seymour Schiff ^ and Alvin Wollin ^ 1. 603 Mead Terrace, S. Hempstead NY 10550-8010. 2. 4 Meadow Lane, Rockville Centre NY 11570. ABSTRACT — In the area of Jones Inlet, a natural opening between the barrier beaches on western Long Island, stabilized with rock jetties, we observed during the fall and winter of 1994-95, eleven species of gulls plus two unusual individuals which may possibly include Thayer's Gull ( Larus thayeri) as one of the parents. Identification methods are detailed and possible hybrids seen are noted and discussed. Gulls observed were: Laughing Gull (L. atricilla ), Little Gull (L. minutus), Common Black-headed Gull (L. ridibundus), Bonaparte's Gull (L. Philadelphia), Ring-billed Gull (L. delawarensis), Herring Gull (L. argentatus), Iceland Gull (L. glaucoides ), Lesser Black-backed Gull (L. fuscus ), Glaucous Gull (L. hyperboreus), Great Black-backed Gull (L. marinus) and Ross' Gull ( Rhodostethia rosea). The title tells it all. For want of more interesting things to look at during the fall/winter of 1994-1995, we started to carefully study the large groups of gulls which congregate on the parking lots and ocean beaches on both sides of Jones Inlet. Hopefully, we were looking for a repeat of last year's spectacular gull influx that resulted from the dredging operation at Point Lookout. The areas birded were (1) the parking lots at the Pt. Lookout Town Beach (both hard top and shell) along with the adjacent ocean beach and jetties; (2) the inlet and sand bar at the Pt. Lookout Village Park/Fireman's Field; (3) the island immediately north of the Jones Beach West End Coast Guard Station; (4) Jones Beach West End Parking Lot No. 2 and the neighboring beach and ocean. The procedure was to find a group of gulls and then peruse them one by one and identify all by species, year and plumage. Any gull not a Great Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Ring-billed Gull or Bonaparte's 20 THE KINGBIRD Gull was immediately brought to the attention of other party members for closer scrutiny. Probably for the first time, we really began to look at the gulls, and, for the first time we began to see them. Gulls come in four year, three year and two year plumages. Thus the above four common species present an astonishing number of combinations. In addition, a small but significant number of the actual plumages we saw did not "exactly match any illustrations in the books available to us. This required us to read the text for further enlightenment. At some point you begin to find out that you really knew less than you thought you did. And, of course, to compound the problems, one can not forget that there are hybrids. We looked at and identified 5-10,000 gulls during the period, not all necessarily different birds. You see the same birds over and over from week to week. Among the gulls being viewed, one looks for a bird paler or darker, larger or smaller, bill smaller, head smaller and rounder, eyes dark against a white head, or legs and feet a different color. Anything that feels not quite right or is different. We learned that this can be birding at its dreariest or most challenging. We failed to identify every bird. We failed to correlate gull concentrations or resting places with the tide (before and after high tide seemed best). We discovered that when the gulls were skittish, any unusual gull being studied always went with the small numbers that flew up and kept going. The ordinary ones circled and came back to roost. All-in-all frustrating, but fun. For further reading, books and articles consulted, in addition to field guides, are listed in the bibliography at the end. What follows is a summary of the gulls seen by us in this limited area during this season. First, we list all the "common" gulls seen and then continue with "questionable"species. We would appreciate any thoughts any one might have on the last two listed below. (1) Laughing Gull: seen into early December '94. None wintered in the inlet to our knowledge. (2) Little Gull: early January '95 and again through much of March, within the large Bonaparte's flock at the Pt. Lookout inlet site. Both adult and immature birds were pre sent at the same time. (3) Common Black-headed Gull: late February and March, same site as above. One of these birds had a pink breast. (4) Bonaparte's Gull: the common small wintering gull. MARCH 1996 21 (5) Ring-billed Gull: the common medium sized gull. (6) Herring Gull: the common full sized gull. (7) Iceland Gull: erratic throughout the winter, seen (max. two in one day) on both sides of the inlet, both first and second year birds. This was the commonest of the "rare" gulls. (8) Lesser Black-backed Gull: much of October '94 into November, an adult on the West End No. 2 parking lot and the beach. (9) Glaucous Gull: late December '94, second year gull on the sand bar at the Pt. Lookout inlet site. An Iceland Gull was also there at the same time. (10) Great Black-backed Gull: the common large gull. (11) Ross' Gull: it showed up for the second year in a row in the Bonaparte's Gull flock March 12,1995 (found by Bob Kurtz). It was subsequently seen March 13,18,29 and April 6, not by us each time. (12) Possible Thayer's Gull: Thayer's Gull is intermediate in appearance between "Kumlien's" Gull (L. glaucoides kumlieni) which is the North American race of Iceland Gull and Herring Gull, but so are hybrids between the three species. This is a very complex group with taxonomy still unresolved. The immature bird was seen January 22,1995 feeding in the ocean to the west of the most western jetty at Pt. Lookout. It was flying in a large group of mixed gulls. The bird was Herring Gull or slightly smaller in size by direct close comparison and uniformly dun colored on the mantle, wings, head, rump and tail except for a darker uniform width tail band. From above, the individual feathers of the primaries appeared to be two shades, with the inner web lighter than the outer. Viewed from above the entire bird was a uniform color except for the darker tail band. It appeared too dark for a typical white-winged gull and too light for a first year Herring Gull. This judgment was made by reference too numerous other gulls in close proximity and was not a factor of lighting. From above the primaries were not lighter than the secondaries as one expects from a white-winged gull, nor dark as in a faded first year Herring Gull or as in a Thayer's Gull. None of the white-winged gulls would show THE KINGBIRD a tail band. The head and bill were not seen well enough to offer any additional help. The bird was tan, not brown, gray or black. A drawing of a second year Thayer's Gull in Grant was similar to this bird. If a hybrid, the lack of dark in the primaries points to a Thayer's Gull rather than Herring Gull as one possible parent; the light color and size to an Iceland Gull as the other. A hybrid, while very rare here, is not an unusual one on the breeding grounds and may result in the future lumping of Iceland Gull with Thayer's Gull. A hybrid gull somewhat similar to this was described in the British magazine, Birding World , April 1991. (Note that the literature offers different interpretations of Thayer's Gull.) (13) Possible Thayer's Gull or Thayer's Gull x Iceland Gull: this immature bird was on the Pt. Lookout Town parking lot February 16,1995, a slightly smaller than Herring Gull sized bird with a body paler than a second year Herring Gull. This bird was first noticed because the legs and feet were a brighter pink than the surrounding gulls and the overall color was light brown. It had a smaller rounded head, dark eye, smaller all black bill, pale wings and mantle, with brown (not black) primaries. The base of the bill appeared to be lighter, but careful viewing disclosed that it was due to white feathering at the base of the bill. The tail had a dark brown tail band edged in white. The feathers on the median and greater coverts of the standing bird were edged in white giving a checkered appearance. The shape of the head and bill matched an Iceland Gull. If the primaries had not been seen, the bird could easily have been identified as such. This bird might be a Thayer's Gull because of the leg color in combination with the other field marks. The bird appeared to show characteristics of both a dark "Kumlien's" Gull and a Thayer's Gull. (A Thayer's Gull X "Kumlien's" Gull could not be ruled out.) This bird, if a Thayer's Gull, was completely different in appearance from the one seen on 22 Jan. In summary, we wish to convey our sense of the challenge in finding anomalies in this large and often overlooked family of birds, and MARCH 1996 23 further, stress the difficulties and complexities of the associated identification problems after one finally succeeds in finding a rarity. LITERATURE CITED Gantlett, S. 1991. The Rise and Fall of Thayer's Gull. Birding World, 4:84-86. Grant, P.J. 1986. Gulls: A Guide to Identification. 2nd Ed. Buteo Books, Vermillion, SD. Harris, A., L. Tucker and K. Vinicombe, 1989. The Macmillian Yield Guide to Bird Identification. The Macmillian Press, Ltd. London Harrison, P. 1985. Seabirds: An Identification Guide. 2nd Ed. Houghton Mifflin Co., Boston, MA. Hogg, A. 1991. The Thayer's-Type Gull at Ayr. Birding World, 4:82-83. Kaufman, K. 1990. Advanced Birding, Houghton Mifflin Co. Boston, MA. Lehman, P. 1980. The Identification of Thayer's Gull in the Field. Birding, December, 1980:198-210. 24 THE KINGBIRD ACADIAN FLYCATCHER ON LONG ISLAND Eric Salzman Box 775, East Quogue NY 11201 ABSTRACT — Some history of the Acadian Flycatcher (Empidonax virescens) on Long Island is discussed. In the June, 1994, issue of The Kingbird. (Vol. 44, No. 2) there is a note by Pat Lindsay and Tom Vezo about a probable breeding record of Acadian Flycatcher (Empidonax virescens) on eastern Long Island. The history of this bird in New York is of interest and I would like to add some information. In the nineteenth century, Acadian Flycatcher was a fairly common breeder in the lower Hudson Valley and on western Long Island; it was considered local and less common in Suffolk County. Eaton (1914) says that "Mr Roosevelt [Theodore] and Mr Howell found it fairly common in the vicinity of Oyster Bay, North-port and Wood Haven, Long Island; Mr Helme has taken two nests with eggs at Millers PI in Suffolk County". Also, Roy Latham found it breeding at Gardiner's Island in 1906. Near the beginning of the century, for unknown reasons, it began to disappear from Long Island and, in fact, from most of the northeast. Bull (1974) described its status as follows: "Formerly a local breeder; since 1900 has greatly decreased; now a rare migrant only; no definite breeding for over 45 years." There were no records between 1926 and 1972 when, as mentioned by Lindsay and Vezo, a pair attempted to nest in "suitable habitat" near Noyac (see Bull 1974). In 1973, a pair was found incubating near Amenia, Dutchess County, for the first New York record in nearly 60 years (see Bull 1976). Other records followed including, in June, 1976, a breeding pair discovered by the undersigned in Maple Swamp near Flanders in the town of Southampton. In the following years, it became apparent that the species had recolonized Long Island with breeding stations concentrated in wet woods on the north shore and in similar situations on the east end (Maple Swamp and Noyac as well as parts of East Hampton and Gardiner's Island, all wet or mesic woodlands bordering the Peconic/Gardiner's estuarine system). MARCH 1996 25 The New York State breeding bird atlas recorded (1980-1885) Acadian Flycatcher as 'confirmed' or 'probable' in 11 Long Island blocks, mostly in the eastern areas described above (Eaton 1988). Singing birds were widely observed in spring migration and well into June in many wooded and semiwooded locations during this period. However, as suggested by Lindsay and Vezo, there has been a striking falloff in reports of this species since the late 1980s. The question posed is whether the mini-reinvasion of the '70s and early '80s has been reversed, leading once again to the disappearance of the species as a breeder in New York, or whether the species has simply fallen back, as is common after an initial range expansion, to more modest but sustainable population levels (the Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, ( Polioptila caerulea), provides an excellent example of this on Long Island). The nesting record cited by Lindsay and Vezo and several other recent observations suggest that the latter may indeed be the case but the evidence is far from conclusive. Studies of historical record on Long Island show that there have been a number of southern species that bred on Long Island in the nineteenth century, disappeared in the early twentieth and then recaptured their New York breeding range in recent decades. Some of these have now spread far to the north and are well established on Long Island but others have barely entered our area and show the typical variations and fluctuations of species at the edge of their range. LITERATURE CITED Bull, J. 1974. Birds of New York State. Ithaca, Cornell University Press, p. 371-374. Bull, J. 1976. Supplement to Birds of New York State. Ithaca, Cornell University Press, p. 662-663. Eaton, E. H. 1914. Empidonax virescens (Vieillot) Acadian Flycatcher. In: Birds of New York. New York State Museum, Albany, Part 2, pages 194-196. Eaton, S. W. 1988. Acadian Flycatcher Empidonax virescens. In: Andrle, R.F. and Carroll, J.R.,Editors. The Atlas of Breeding Birds in New York State. Ithaca: Cornell University Press, p. 250-251. Helme, A. H. Notes on Birds, 1912-1930. Manuscript, American Museum of Natural History. 26 THE KINGBIRD Latham, R., Manuscipt list of Long Island birds, c 1918-1920, private collection. Lindsay, R and Vezo, T. 1994. Cerulean Warbler confirmed breeding and Acadian Flycatcher probable breeding on eastern Long Island. Kingbird 44:108. MARCH 1996 27 HIGHLIGHTS OF THE FALL SEASON Robert Spahn As usual, weather, both this season's and prior, played a dominant role in shaping our bird reports. This season brought a common pattern to most of the state. September temperatures were average to a bit cool and rainfall fell short of the norm again, prolonging an extended drought in several regions, particularly to the south and east. October, with the tail of Opal, the only hurricane of the season to impact the state, brought heavy rains, up to two times normal and more, across the state. Temperatures ran 3-5°F above average. Finally, November turned cold a week into the month and averaged 4-6°F below the long-term average. Snow fell in most regions, including Region 10, and surpassed the records in at least four upstate regions. The major impacts of the weather were a lack of wild food crops due to the heat and drought of summer and changes from the expected migration patterns due to the details of storm tracking and timing for this season. The former led to the quick departure of most fruit and berry eaters, the latter to few fallouts and sharp contrasts in perceptions of the hawk flight and of the passerine migration. The major highlights of the season which will be addressed can be separated into data collection, flights, irruptions, patterns, the departure date tables, and rarities. Jumping right into data collection, we touch a topic under active consideration by your editors and many others in the Federation - How can we best gather and assemble your data to make it of use to future "students of ornithology"? We would appreciate input from any interested parties and hope to gather many for discussions at the next Federation meeting in Albany. If you scan the regional reports, you will find a wide spectrum of reporting, from just interesting observations or selected highlights to virtually a compendium of all of the reports submitted with some attempt to summarize in numbers items which might be compared year to year. You will also see the gamut from only the rarest records attributed to individual observers to virtually all records appended with observers' initials. In both cases, the first approach cited reflects most closely the former and current editorial "policy". What would you prefer? 28 THE KINGBIRD Searching the regional reports, this season you will find: a summary of one of several ongoing seasonal censuses in Region 1; a lake watch, a banding project, and a detailed local census effort in Region 2; lake and loon watches, a shorebird survey, and a major banding summary in Region 3; hawkwatches and a banding effort in Region 4; regular reservoir coverage in Region 6; goose neckband observations in Region 7; reports from an ongoing banding effort and hawkwatch data from Region 8; and hawkwatch tables in Regions 9 & 10. Many of these efforts carried out over many years begin to allow us to look for trends, though often it is hard to identify causes or even to separate trends from local perturbations due to weather pattern impacts on birds and/or birders. Many birders eagerly await the flights of fall, large scale movements of major groups of species. We will now wander down the checklist looking at a selection of these. The movement of loons and grebes is typically tracked on the Great Lakes and the coast. It is interesting to note generally low counts there for both loon species, but a very high peak count for Red-throated Loon, exceeding that for Common Loon, at the lakewatch in Region 2. For the past several years. Region 3 has mounted a loon watch on Cayuga Lake and this year hit the jackpot with nearly 13,000 Common Loon for the season and state record highs of 3337 on 22 Nov and 3364 on 29 Nov. There were also high counts inland for Common Loon in Region 1 and Red-throated Loon in Region 7. Comments on the waterfowl movement are dominated by notes of low numbers and by holes where there was no data interesting enough to report. Focusing on the positive we find: good Snow Goose movements in many Regions, with a record high 10- 13,000 noted in Region 7, accompanied by an imm. Ross's Goose; a good Gadwall count in Region 6, record early Eurasian Wigeon (actually a summer date 13 Aug) in Region 10, good reports for Ring-necked Duck, a great movement of Common Eider off Region 10; good inland counts for Black Scoter in Regions 4 & 8, and Ruddy Duck more widespread and numerous than usual. In addition to the many species with poor counts, the major negative is the continued spread in occurrence and breeding of Mute Swan. The fall hawk flight was generally considered good at the inland watches of Regions 4 & 9, but poor on Long Island. Good news included good counts and late departure dates for Turkey Vulture and Osprey, high counts for Bald Eagle, including many reports - max six - from Central Park, record highs for Red-tailed Hawk at the MARCH 1996 29 Franklin Mt. Hawkwatch in Region 4, very high Golden Eagle numbers, with a state record high 25 at Franklin Mt. on 9 Nov, and increasing numbers for both Merlin and Peregrine Falcon. On the negative side were low totals for Broad-winged Hawk and low Am. Kestrel tallies at the beach watches in Region 10. The shorebird passage was again generally dismal, but with a few comments about decent species variety. The reasons suggested range from the drought leaving bone-dry depressions in place of pools with muddy edges early in the season to water levels too high later in the season. The net effect was very low numbers reported for virtually all of the commoner species everywhere. Yet, there were bright spots, including state record highs of five for Am. Avocet in Region 10, later topped by six in Region 9 (same birds?), a passing flock of 50+ Hudsonian Godwit in Region 2, 80 Purple Sandpiper in Region 9, Buff-breasted Sandpiper in Regions 2, 5, 9, & 10, and Ruff in Region 8. Next, gulls as a "flight" may be a stretch, but they are eagerly awaited and studied at the "Gull Capital of the World" at Niagara Falls, and this was a banner year. You really should study the Region 1 report for the full impact, but, in summary, a record high 14 species was tallied on 25 Nov and rarities included Laughing, Franklin's, California, Thayer's, Ross', and several Sabine's over an extended period. Elsewhere, above average numbers of jaegers are noted in the Region 10 report; Lesser Black-backed Gull exploded, with reports from seven Regions, 12+ reports from Region 10 alone, and a max of eight in Region 1; and Black-legged Kittiwake counts were good in the Lake Ontario Regions. The tern passage is highlighted by extremely rare Least Tern reports from Regions 1 & 2; a Bridled Tern in Region 10; and late Black Tern reports from Regions 1 & 7. Many watch for the fall movement of Common Nighthawk in late August and early September, but peak numbers were again disturbingly low. The passerine flight may well be the most highly anticipated. The general picture was again one of reduced numbers, very few days of fallouts, and sad comments from veteran observers, such as found in the Region 5 report. However, there were bright spots in the picture, particularly at banding stations in Regions 3, 4, & 8. These included some good counts and excellent banding totals for some species over a protracted period. Region 10 noted very high Tree Swallow counts of 10,000 and 20,000, the only really high swallow numbers reported. In general, thrush numbers were very poor, possibly affected by the poor 30 THE KINGBIRD fruit and berry crop, with positives a one day total of 11 Gray-cheeked Thrush in Region 2; good Swainson's Thrush counts in Regions 4 & 8 and a record late departure of 18 Nov in Region 6; and very high Hermit Thrush numbers in Regions 4, 8, & 10. Among the vireos, we had two, rare for the Region, White-eyed Vireo banded in Region 2; very low numbers for Warbling Vireo; Philadelphia Vireo widespread, numerous, and late compared with the typical fall; and good Red-eyed Vireo counts from Regions 4 & 8. The warbler family provided fair variety, but generally disturbing news in numbers reported. Flagged as particularly poor in at least a few Regions were Tennessee, Cape May, Black-throated Green, and Black-and-white warblers, American Redstart, N.Waterthrush, and Ovenbird. Positives for the season included, Orange-crowned Warbler in seven Regions, N. Parula numbers. Black- throated Green Warbler counts in Regions 1 & 8, Prairie Warbler in Regions 2, 3, 4, & 8, Palm Warbler across the state, but particularly in Region 7; and Connecticut Warbler in seven Regions, with at least 13 total reports. Scarlet Tanager and Rose-breasted Grosbeak were both scarce. The sparrow scene is again one of low numbers, but with bright spots, including a good fall for Fox Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco locally abundant, late dates for Chipping Sparrow in five Regions, Grasshopper Sparrow in Regions 9 & 10, Savannah Sparrow feeding young on the state record late date of 10 Sep in Region 7 and lingering to Nov there, and many rarities to be covered later. The highlight of the blackbird group is the estimate of over 1,000,000 Red-winged Blackbird roosting in the Montezuma NWR marshes in Region 3. The final flight group provides a lead into the irruptives. It was a great fall for irruptives in general and winter finches led the way with Pine Grosbeak and Common Redpoll moving into most regions. Crossbill reports were more scattered and numbers were smaller, as was the case for Pine Siskin and Evening Grosbeak. In many regions, the lack of wild food resulted in these birds moving on by season's end. Hoary Redpoll was recorded with the Common Redpoll only in Region 2. Other irruptive movements this fall included a weak push of Rough¬ legged Hawk, a few Snowy Owl reports from Regions 4, 5, 6, & 7, Black- capped Chickadee in Regions 8 & 9, Red-breasted Nuthatch in most Regions; Bohemian Waxwing in seven Regions, including good counts and state record early arrival dates in Region 7; and one of the largest ever movements of N. Shrike, touching all Regions, with a single day MARCH 1996 31 max of ten reported in Region 5 on 19 Nov. The topic of patterns of movement deserves some comment and reflection as we try to assess seasons with a strong component of bird migration. This fall we see phenomena such as the huge Common Loon passage in Region 3, but relatively poor totals on Lake Ontario and no really high coastal counts reported, the inland hawkwatches with exciting times, while, with no NW winds to speak of, the beaches were way off in numbers. However, buteos rarely seen at the beach watches weretallied there, along with rarely observed woodland species, and as is often the case, widely disparate views of the passerine migration from adjacent Regions. There is so much impact on local movements of birds due to the influence of food availability and weather in the current and preceding seasons that we need to use great care and possibly even wait to see an even broader picture - such as presented in (Audubon Field Notes)- before drawing strong conclusions. The departure date tables (Pages 98-99) provide another means to try to summarize and assess the season. I remain somewhat discouraged in attempts to draw conclusions from this source due to the lack of uniformity and continuity in reporting of the dates. Possibly this will improve over time. In this season it was noted at the calculation stage that for all Regions, the 1961 - 1995 average was later than the similar averages for the 1986 - 1995 period for which we have focused on the data. For most Regions, departures averaged later this year than the recent 10-year baseline; Regions 2 & 6 were exceptions. The Advance column shows very large differences among Regions, some real, some driven by local decisions to include or ignore either very early or very late apparent "departure" dates. 32 THE KINGBIRD Departure Dates Seasonality and Advance Region Species Reported Seasonality vs 1986-1995 vs 1961-1995 Advance (Days) Region 1 60 2.49 0.54 5.26 Region 2 62 -1.54 -4.22 0.64 Region 3 60 4.07 2.24 2.58 Region 4 52 3.72 1.41 -4.36 Region 5 60 2.63 -2.06 1.68 Region 6 53 -2.44 -2.71 -9.06 Region 7 58 4.88 3.74 -9.94 Region 8 57 1.45 -0.22 -2.12 Region 9 39 5.11 2.02 5.53 Region 10 56 3.38 -2.14 9.83 Seasonality measures the average difference (in days) between this year's departure and the long-term average dates for the same Region. This season two values are given, one versus the average overall data going back through the 1961 issue of The Kingbird, the other relative to just the data gathered over the past ten years of compiling this table. Advance measures the average difference between this year's departure dates in a given Region and the departure dates averaged over all ten Regions. Negative values mean this this year's number is early compared with the overall number. The season was favored with a good selection of rarities appearing in nearly all Regions. Some of the best were: Region 1 - Pacific Loon, N. Gannet, Cattle Egret, Gyrfalcon, California Gull, Ross' Gull, Sabine's Gull, Least Tern, Boreal Owl, and Summer Tanager; Region 2 - Western Grebe, N.Gannet, Great Cormorant, Clay-colored Sparrow; Region 3 - Eurasian Wigeon, Yellow-headed Blackbird, Brewer's Blackbird; Region 4 - "Oregon" Junco; Region 5 - Black Vulture; Region 6 - Lesser Black- backed Gull Region; 7 - Ross' Goose, Gyrfalcon, Western Sandpiper; Region 8 - Ruff and a Regional first Sabine's Gull; Region 9 - Eared Grebe, N.Gannet, Eurasian Wigeon, King Eider, Am. Avocet, Buff¬ breasted Sandpiper, Black Skimmer, Summer Tanager, Blue Grosbeak, Dickcissel; Region 10 - Magnificent Frigatebird, Bridled Tern, Scissor- tailed Flycatcher, Northern Wheatear, Western Tanager, LeConte's Sparrow, Golden-crowned Sparrow, and a large number of lesser lights rare elsewhere in the state, but annual there. From this list, it is hard to choose a B.O.T.S., but the mantle this season falls on the Golden- crowned Sparrow in Region 10. 716 Fligh Tower Way, Webster, New York 14580 e-mail: khvm75a@prodigy.com MARCH 1996 33 REPORTING REGIONS Regional boundaries coincide with county lines, except at: Region 1-Region 2 in Orleans, Genesee and Wyoming Counties: the boundary is NY Route 98 from Pt. Breeze to Batavia, NY Route 63 from Batavia to Pavilion, and NY Route 19 from Pavilion to the Allegany County line. Region 2-Region 3 in Ontario County: the boundary is Mud Creek to NY Route 64, NY Route 64 from Bristol Center to S. Bristol Springs, and Route 21 from S. Bristol Springs to the Yates County line. Region 3-Region 5 in Cayuga County: the boundary is NY Route 31. REPORTING DEADLINES Winter Season: December, January, February Deadline is 7 March Spring Season: March, April, May Deadline is 7 June Summer Season: June, July, August Deadline is 7 September Fall Season: September, October, November Deadline is 7 December 34 THE KINGBIRD REGION 1 - NIAGARA FRONTIER Willie D'Anna Drought, deluge, and snow squalls were three disparate events which marked the weather this fall. The long-term drought continued into September making it the seventh month in the last eight with a substantial precipitation deficit. Only 1.32 inches of rain fell which was more than two inches below normal. One of the effects of the drought was the continued drying up of wells in alle, as noted by Pitzrick. The month's average temperature was 60 degrees, 1.9 below normal. A cold front on the seventh spurred a strong movement of neotropical migrants. Twenty species of warbler were recorded by Morgante at Tifft Nature Preserve on the ninth, an excellent fall total, while 13 species were found the same day near Lake Ontario in niag. Other significant flights were noted on the second and the fifteenth. October reversed the drying trend by deluging Buffalo with 6.07 inches of precipitation, nearly three inches above normal. Of that total, the remnants of Hurricane Opal deposited a record 1.89 inches on the fifth. At Amity Lake, alle, Pitzrick noted nine inches of rainfall for the month, which was six inches above normal! October was mild with the average temperature of 54.4 degrees being 3.3 degrees above normal. November was cold and snowy. The average temperature of 36.4 degrees was four degrees below normal, making this the coldest November since 1976 and the fifth coldest in 60 years. While precipitation was just slightly above average, snowfall was five inches above the norm at 15.4. Even with all that, Buffalo escaped much of the lake effect snow which hit the snowbelts south of the city. A nor'easter on the 15th dumped eight inches of snow at Buffalo and 15-20 inches in the Southern Tier. Along with the hard weather, poor mast and wild fruit crops reported from alle and catt could portend a winter with few half-hardies. Of course, we must wait to check on that prediction. The wintry weather brought the large gulls into the Niagara River earlier than in other recent years. With the smaller gulls present as usual, numbers and variety were excellent through most of the month. In a season known for great birding, autumn 1995 was one of the most exciting ever. One of the rarest finds, however, was also the MARCH 1996 35 most disappointing. The Region's first Boreal Owl was a road kill picked up by Schnell (ph) in the Town of Somerset, niag, within a mile of Lake Ontario. Only the Region's second ever, an immature Least Tern was documented by Mahoney at Dunkirk Harbor. Interestingly, an adult with the immature had been reported by others but, unfortunately, was not documented sufficiently. Incredibly, on the same day as this Least Tern sighting, another immature was being seen by many on the north shore of Lake Erie in Ontario, only 40 miles west of Buffalo. On the Niagara River, it was a November to remember. The excitement began with the Region's second Pacific Loon below Niagara Falls, well described by Kelling, Wells, and Nix, who studied the bird in a cold rain for three hours. They had to periodically retreat to their van to warm up and dry off their optics. Their persistence in the desire to obtain quality written documentation is highly commendable. Glen Coady was birding the Niagara River the following day in the hopes of seeing the Pacific Loon. No loon, so he had to settle(!) for the Region's first ever Ross' Gull which he found on the water at Fort Erie, Ontario. He then watched it fly toward Lake Erie, crossing over to the Buffalo side as it did so. He described the bird as being the pinkest one he had ever seen (he has seen Ross' Gull in Churchill and elsewhere). One week later, possibly a different bird, judged as being less pink, was discovered in Town of Lewiston at the Robert Moses and Adam Beck power plants 19 Nov. This bird was seen on the lower river sporadically until 25 November when, on that date, over 100 birders ogled it at the "whirlpool". While watching the Ross' Gull, an announcement that the California Gull was back at the rocks above the power plants gave several birders a great start on their way to a record 14 species of gulls on the Niagara! A Laughing Gull in October upped the river's seasonal total to 15. The 60th annual B.O.S. October Bird Count was conducted on 15 Oct and compiled by Mike Hamilton, Gerry Rising, and Terry Yonker. A total of 138,564 individuals of 136 species were counted in Region 1. The species count was ten below average but the individuals were over a third above average, largely due to a huge count of Red-winged Blackbird. Among species that average over 100 individuals, 19 were above average and 32 were below. The comments that follow refer to Region 1 only unless in parentheses ( ) when they refer to the entire area including the Niagara Peninsula of Ontario, about 10% of the total count 36 THE KINGBIRD area. Note that Region 1 comparisons are made over seven years only, those for the entire area (in parentheses) are made over 60 years. Seven year highs included Pied-billed Grebe (high since 1955), Double-crested Cormorant (count high). Green-winged Teal, Ring-necked Duck, Ruddy Duck (third highest ever), Turkey Vulture (count high). Wild Turkey (count high), Am. Coot, Am. Crow (count high), Common Raven (count high). Tufted Titmouse (count high), and Red-winged Blackbird (second highest ever influenced by 44,000 at Iroquois NWR). Seven year lows were. Great Blue Heron, Rock Dove, Hairy Woodpecker, N. Flicker (low since 1960), E. Phoebe, Blue Jay (low since 1968), Ruby-crowned Kinglet (low since 1960), Hermit Thrush, Cedar Waxwing, Chipping Sparrow, Savannah Sparrow (low since 1959), Song Sparrow, Swamp Sparrow, White-throated Sparrow (low since 1953), and House Sparrow (low since 1950). Since anomalous counts are possible for any species, it may be more representative to list which of the above have shown a consistent upward or downward long-term trend (over 20 years), which is reinforced by this year's data. Those species are Double-crested Cormorant, Green-winged Teal, Ring-necked Duck, Turkey Vulture, Wild Turkey, Am. Crow, Common Raven, and Tufted Titmouse on the upside and N. Flicker, Savannah Sparrow, Song Sparrow, White- throated Sparrow, and House Sparrow on the downside. These data seem to support the impressions that I and other birders have had about most of these species. However, Ring-necked Duck and, especially. White- throated Sparrow are surprising to me and bear further monitoring. One last comment on these data concerns Canada Goose which had the third highest count ever in a year when the hunting of the migratory flocks was banned due to low numbers. The count could be an anomaly or, perhaps, the local birds have become that numerous. Shorebird habitat was restricted to the state lands adjacent to Iroquois NWR, the Batavia Sewage Lagoons, and Quaker Lake at Allegany SP, the latter site where shorebirds are rare. The Batavia Sewage Lagoons again hosted large numbers and good variety of waterfowl, including most of the Ring-necked and Ruddy duck seen on the B.O.S. October Count. After the dearth of winter finches last year, birders were heartened somewhat by movements of Pine Siskin, Evening Grosbeak and Common Redpoll this fall. Rarities not yet mentioned include Northern Gannet, Cattle Egret, Harlequin Duck, Gyrfalcon, Whimbrel, Hudsonian Godwit, Red- MARCH 1996 37 necked and Red phalaropes, Connecticut Warbler and Summer Tanager. Contributors: Robert Andrle, Tim Baird, Carmen Becker, Gordon Bellerby, Paul Benham, Robert Brock (RBr), William Broderick, Elizabeth Brooks, Ray Budniewski (RB), Jajean Burney, Bruce Chilton, Silvia Clarke, David Cooper, Willie D'Anna, Michael Davis, Dean DiTommaso, John Filor, Walt Franklin, Tom Harper, Barbara Henderson, Paul Hess, Alec Humann, David Junkin, Marty Junkin, Steve Kelling, Hans Kunze, Helen Link, Terry Mahoney (TMa), Mike Morgante, Judy Mosher, Terry Mosher, Catherine Mueller, Tom Nix, Raymond Pitzrick, Vivian Pitzrick, Rod & Marlene Planck, Rew, Gerald Rising, Donald Roberson, Olga Rosche, Paul Schnell, Bert Schweigert, Gail Seamans, William Seleen, Dominic Sherony (DSh), Jack Skalicky, Robert Smalley (RSm), Robert Spahn (RSp),, David Suggs (Buffalo RBA), Debra Suggs, Robert Sundell, Mike Tetlow (MTe), Joe Thill, John Thill (JnT), Michael Turisk (MT), Roberta Vallone, Robert Wagner (RWa), William Watson, Jeff Wells, Richard White (RW), Peter Yoerg Abbreviations: Batavia SL-Batavia Sewage Lagoons GENN; BIP-Bird Is. Pier on Niagara River, Buffalo; BOSOC-Buffalo Ornithological Society October Count, 15 Oct; BRBA-Buffalo Rare Bird Alert; INWR-Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge; NF-Niagara Falls; NPP- Niagara Power Project on Niagara River, Town of Lewiston; NR-Niagara River; Tifft NP-Tifft Nature Preserve, Buffalo. Fall reports: Red-throated Loon: NF 12 Nov, only report. Pacific Loom NF 11 Nov (SK,JW,TN), intro. Common Loon: arr Tifft NP 16 Sep; 230 over Tom's Point Chautauqua L CHAU (fide RS), record count away from the Great Lakes and third highest ever. Pied-billed Grebe: intro. Homed Grebe: arr. two BOSOC. Red-necked Grebe: arr T Somerset 21 Oct; 2-3 NR 19 Nov thru, only reports. N. Gannet: NR- Buffalo 17 Nov (CMI/BP^ph). Double-crested Cormorant: max 1046 Buckhorn I SP 2 Sep (WW), another record for this species; intro. Great Egret: max. eight INWR 2 Sep; last four INWR 12 Oct. Cattle Egret: Strykersville WYOM 1 Oct (DJ!,CB), first autumn record outside 4-24 Nov range; T Portville CATT 9 Nov (RW!). Green Heron: last one Buffalo BOSOC. Black-crowned Night-Heron: Allegany SP 2 Oct (WW), rare away from the Great Lakes and NR; 1-6 return to Buffalo backyard spruce tree 29 Oct through (RBr). Tundra Swan: arr 82 T Charlotte CHAU 4 Oct; max 141 T Dayton CATT 5 Nov. Snow Goose: arr INWR 24 Sep (WW!), earliest ever; 46 white 1 blue Batavia SL 7 Oct (MM) and 38 THE KINGBIRD 150 over T Sheridan CHAU 30 Oct (RB), high counts. Brant: T Somerset 28 Oct, only report. Canada Goose: one hutchinsi subspecies T Yates ORLE 8 Oct (WD!,DT); intro. Green-winged Teal: max 200+ Tonawanda WMA 1 Oct (WD), record count; intro. Northern Shoveler: max 94 Batavia SL 18 Nov (WW), continuing high counts at this site. Canvasback: arr seven Batavia SL 7 Oct. Redhead: arr eight Batavia SL 7 Oct. Ring-necked Duck: arr 25 Batavia SL 24 Sep (GS), early; max 300 Batavia SL 22 Oct (MM), record count; intro. Greater Scaup: arr five Batavia SL 10 Sep, early (GS). Lesser Scaup: Amity Lake ALLE 15 Sep, summering bird; arr four T Wilson 16 Sep. Harlequin Duck: female returned to last year's wintering site NR-Buffalo 25 Nov (WD). Oldsquaw: arr four T Somerset 28 Oct. dark-winged scoter (Black or Surf): seven 16 Sep T Wilson (WD!), early for either species. White¬ winged Scoter: arr five T Wilson 9 Sep (WD!), early; two Batavia SL 24 Sep (MD,GS); four Allegheny Res 29 Oct (BS); rare away from Great Lakes and NR. Common Goldeneye: arr six T Somerset 29 Oct. Bufflehead: arr 11 BOSOC. Hooded Merganser: max 114 Allegheny Res 5 Nov (BS). Com. Merganser: 20 Salamanca 4 Oct, new arrivals or from breeding areas downriver. Red-breasted Merganser: arr T Wilson 1 Oct. Ruddy Duck: arr 22 Batavia SL 7 Oct; max 150 Batavia SL 22 Oct (MM), continuing high counts at this site. Turkey Vulture: intro. Bald Eagle: up to 6 Allegheny River most of period; up to six Iroquois NWR complex through Oct; ad Beaver Meadow 13 Oct; T Amity 25 Nov; only reports. Rough-legged Hawk: arr five T Yates 28 Oct; seven reports So. Tier Nov; only locations. Merlin: Allegany SP 8 Oct (TB!); T Sheridan CHAU 30 Nov (FR!), only reports. Peregrine Falcon: imm Batavia SL 22 Oct (MM!); imm NR-NF 26 Oct - 25 Nov (BC!,WD!); only reports. Gyrfalcon: ad gray morph Buffalo 17 Nov thru (WD!), fourth year in a row at this site and earliest return. Wild Turkey: intro. Common Moorhen: last one Iroquois NWR BOSOC. Am. Coot: intro. Am. Golden-Plover: max 84 T Oakfield GENE 23 Sep; five Allegheny Res 27 Sep (BS) where rare; last one BOSOC. Spotted Sandpiper: last NR-Buffalo 4 Nov (MM!); record late. Whimbrel: NR-Buffalo 6-8 Oct (BC!,JB!,MM!), second latest ever. Hudsonian Godwit: five Tonawanda WMA BOSOC (RWa!,JF), only two higher counts were at Times Beach, Buffalo in mid-seventies. White- rumped Sandpiper: Batavia SL 10 Sep (GS); Tonawanda WMA 23 Sep (WD,MT); only reports. Baird's Sandpiper: two Batavia SL 3 Sep (GS); MARCH 1996 39 only report. Purple Sandpiper: arr NF 19 Nov (RSp). Stilt Sandpiper: two 23 Sep and five 26 Sep Tonawanda WMA (WD,WB), only reports. Short-billed Dowitcher: two Tonawanda WMA 23 Sep; Cuba Marsh ALLE 23 Sep, only reports. Red-necked Phalarope: Batavia SL 3 Sep (GS); one BOSOC, rare. Red Phalarope: NR-Buffalo 22 Oct (BC), rare. Laughing Gull: NR-Buffalo 24 Oct (PY!); rare. Franklin's Gull: NPP 12- 26 Nov (mob); possibly same bird NR-Buffalo 28 Nov (R&MP), only reports. Little Gull: arr NR-Buffalo 22 Oct, only other reports were a few on NR through Nov. Bonaparte's Gull: high numbers NR in Nov. California Gull : ad NPP 25 Nov (WD!,mob); ad NF 29 Nov (WD!), same bird(?); intro. Thayer's Gull: all ages NPP and NF through Nov. Iceland Gull: arr two NPP 12 Nov. Lesser Black-backed Gull: arr NF 6 Oct and two NF 8 Oct (WW!,WD!), very early; max 8 NPP & NF 19 Nov (WD,DD). Glaucous Gull: arr NPP & NF 12 Nov. Black-legged Kittiwake: five NR-Buffalo 18 Nov (DSh!,MTe), high count; two NF 24- 29 Nov (RA!,WD!). Ross' Gull : NR-Buffalo 12 Nov (GC); NPP 19 Nov (BP!,WD!,PY!,BH); NR-Whirlpool 25 Nov (BS!,WD!,mob); intro. Sabine's Gull: up to three NR-Buffalo 22 Oct-25 Nov (BC,mob); Dunkirk Harbor 4,6,11 Nov where very rare (TM,FR,VP); 1-2 NF 11 Nov-thru (mob); great showing. Com. Tern: max 180 NF 16 Sep (AH). Forster's Tern: two NF 16 Sep (AH); five T Dayton CATT 29 Oct (BS), highest count ever away from Great Lakes; Dunkirk Harbor 8 Nov (T&JM); only reports. Least Tern: imm Dunkirk Harbor 5 Nov (TMa!,SC); intro. Black Tern: DH 29 Oct (TM) where rare; last NR-Buffalo 23 Nov (MM!), very late. Rock Dove: intro. Long-eared Owl: N. Tonawanda 25 Nov (JnT), only report. Short-eared Owl: arr T Somerset NIAG 21 Oct; over Tonawanda 18 Nov; two Fort Niagara SP 19 Nov; Buffalo Harbor 19 Nov; more than usual. Boreal Owl: road kill T Somerset 23 Nov (PS,ph), intro. N. Saw-whet Owl: T Somerset 21 Oct (WD), only report. Common Nighthawk: max 120 T Tonawanda ERIE 4 Sep (PB); last Buffalo 13 Oct (MM). Red-headed Woodpecker: three Fort Niagara SP 2 Sep; one BOSOC; T Cold Spring 29 Oct (BS), more than usual. Red-bellied Woodpecker: several reports, doing well. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker: arr away from breeding areas T Wilson 23 Sep; last Buckhom I SP 24 Nov. Hairy Woodpecker: intro. N. Flicker: intro. Yellow-bellied Flycatcher: Tifft NP 9 Sep (MM), only report. E. Phoebe: Buckhorn I SP 27 Nov (BC!), late. Homed Lark: subspecies " alpestris " five T Wilson 1 Oct (WD!), earliest ever this subspecies. N. 40 THE KINGBIRD Rough-winged Swallow: last five Buffalo 8 Oct. Bam Swallow: Batavia SL 22 Oct (MM!), late. Blue Jay: intro. Am. Crow: intro. Common Raven: several locations alle and Allegany SP; intro. Tufted Titmouse: intro. Red-breasted Nuthatch: widespread and numerous. Brown Creeper: ten Buckhorn I SP 25 Nov (JS), high count for the date. Carolina Wren: six reports, still down but slowly increasing. Winter Wren: arr away from breeding areas Fort Niagara SP 16 Sep. Golden-crowned Kinglet: arr away from breeding areas two T Wilson 23 Sep. Ruby-crowned Kinglet: arr Fort Niagara SP & Wilson-Tuscarora SP 9 Sep. Blue-gray Gnatcatcher: last Golden Hill SP 22 Oct (PY!,BH), second latest ever. Gray-cheeked Thrush: arr Salamanca 23 Sep. Hermit Thrush: arr away from breeding areas two Tifft NP 28 Sep. Am. Pipit: arr T Lancaster 28 Sep; max 80 T Wilson 1 Oct. Cedar Waxwing: intro. Northern Shrike: arr T Yates 28 Oct; many reports. Solitary Vireo: last Goat I 16 Nov (BC!), second latest ever. Philadelphia Vireo: last Salamanca 3 Oct. Orange-crowned Warbler: arr Tifft NP 2 Sep (PB!), early; last Beaver I SP 25 Nov (JS!), only one later was on 5 Jan 1947. N. Parula: arr Tifft NP 9 Sep. Magnolia Warbler: max 25 Tifft NP 9 Sep (MM), high count; good numbers CATT first half Sep (TB). Black-throated Blue Warbler: max 10 Tifft NP 9 Sep (MM), high count. Black-throated Green Warbler: good numbers CATT all Sep (TB). Pine Warbler: arr Tifft NP and T Wilson 2 Sep; max five Tifft NP 9 Sep (MM), ties record count; last one BOSOC. Palm Warbler: arr Tifft NP 3 Sep (WW!,RV), early; last six BOSOC. Am. Redstart: max 20 Tifft NP 9 Sep (MM), high count. Connecticut Warbler: Fort Niagara SP 4 Sep and 17 Sep (WB); T Alfred 13 Sep (EB); rarely reported, especially away from migrant hotspots. Mourning Warbler: last Amity Lake ALLE 30 Sep. Hooded Warbler: last Fort Niagara SP 30 Sep. Summer Tanager. Jamestown 27,28 Nov (RS,WS,ph), at feeding station, only fourth record ever and first in fall. Indigo Bunting: last two T Porter 8 Oct. Am. Tree Sparrow: arr two T Somerset 21 Oct. Chipping Sparrow: Buffalo 19 Nov (JS); T Alfred 24 Nov (EB), banded; Eden Valley ERIE 26 Nov (RA!); 27, 28 Nov T Tonawanda (BC!); all late sightings. Vesper Sparrow: last T Dayton 5 Nov. Savannah Sparrow: last four BOSOC; intro. Fox Sparrow: arr several locations 22 Oct; last 21 Nov. Song Sparrow: intro. Lincoln's Sparrow: arr Fort Niagara SP 9 Sep; last Tonawanda WMA and Golden Hill SP 22 Oct. Swamp Sparrow: intro. White-throated Sparrow: arr away from breeding areas two MARCH 1996 41 Wilson-Tuscarora SP and one Fort Niagara SP 9 Sep; intro. White- crowned Sparrow: arr Allegany SP and Four Mile Creek SP 24 Sep; Eden Valley ERIE and L Ontario Plain thru. Dark-eyed Junco: arr away from breeding areas Four Mile Creek SP 16 Sep. Lapland Longspur: arr four T Wilson 1 Oct (WD!), early; two T Yates 28 Oct; two 29 Oct and one 5 Nov T Dayton, more reports than usual. Snow Bunting: arr 20 Golden Hill SP 28 Oct; max 400 T Charlotte 30 Nov (FR). Red-winged Blackbird: intro. Rusty Blackbird: arr Tifft NP 16 Sep; last two Amity Lake ALLE 16 Nov. Pine Grosbeak: T Porter 26 Nov (WB), only report. Purple Finch: arr away from breeding areas Williamsville ERIE 11 Sep; more reports than usual away from Southern Tier. Com. Redpoll: arr T Alma 8 Nov; three T Wales 24 Nov; two Warsaw WYOM 26 Nov, only reports. Pine Siskin: arr one BOSOC; four other reports. Evening Grosbeak: arr two T Somerset 21 Oct; several reports. House Sparrow: intro. 2257 Cayuga Drive Extension, Niagara Falls, New York 14304-4522 REGION 2-GENESEE Kevin C. Griffith The fall season was one of variety. Looking at the species totals one might say that it was a good migration, but the numbers were generally low and the migration slow. September started things off warm and dry. However, the average temperature was 60.4°, which was over a degree lower than normal. The precipitation was a mere 1.5" which was barely half of the normal total. There was a definite lack of frontal systems conducive to migration. October reversed the trend with more than twice as much precipitation as normal at 5.7" vs 2.35". This produced many weekends with rain and poor conditions for birding. The average temperature was 4.1° above normal at 55.2°. The general pattern of southerly winds continued the poor conditions for fall migration. Despite those conditions the species count for the month was the highest since that statistic has been kept (1974). November was altogether different, with the key feature being record snowfall. The total reached 23.4". Precipitation totalled 4.17", which was well above 42 THE KINGBIRD the normal 2.82". The average temperature of 35.2° was over five degrees below normal. Frontal passages were regular but included both rain and snow producing difficult birding conditions at times. The overall migration was somewhat lackluster, as noted above. However, some systematic studies have added valuable insight to the season's records. The lakewatch at Hamlin Beach was conducted once again under the leadership of Brett Ewald. The presence of the observers at that location has helped increase the species count and has given us a data base to search for trends. As that watch continues the data should become increasingly useful. Bob Marcotte spent a great deal of time censusing the fall warblers at Badgerow Park. His efforts at this location have yielded baseline information about the park and the migration throughout that near lakeshore area. The passerine banding at Kaiser-Manitou Beach was continued this year under the auspices of the Braddock Bay Bird Observatory and Elizabeth Brooks. Valuable data were received from that location, also. As always, the season brought both high points and low points. Loon and grebe numbers were not very good this fall. Of note, we find the max for Red-throated Loon exceeded that for Common Loon. The Western Grebe observed by William Symonds at Hamlin Beach on 22 October was the 7th Monroe County record for this species. There were a number of N. Gannet reports this fall. It is hard to ascertain how many different individuals were sighted, but there were four reports all received from the Hamlin Beach lakewatch. A Great Cormorant observed by Brett Ewald and John Bounds on 5 Sep at Braddock Bay was a good find for the Region. Double-crested Cormorant numbers continued to be down from last year. The whole grouping of herons and egrets was notable only for few reports and no highlights. The waterfowl picture was mixed. Mute Swan, unfortunately, is doing well, with numerous reports of family groups from Irondequoit Bay to Braddock Bay. The Brant flight was poor this season. Puddle ducks were in good variety but not very high in number. The diving ducks were somewhat late in arriving and numbers were not particularly noteworthy. Scaup seemed well down, as did the dark-winged scoters. A male Harlequin Duck discovered by Bob Marcotte on 3 Nov at Hamlin Beach was observed by many. Ruddy Duck numbers were pretty good, with more consistent reports of a few birds than usual here in the fall. MARCH 1996 43 Two reports of Osprey in late November were most likely the same bird and were late for Osprey in the Region. There were a few N. Goshawk reports. Good numbers of Sharp-shinned and Cooper's hawk reported. A late Broad-winged Hawk report was observed at Durand- Eastman Park in October. Rough-legged Hawk reports this fall exceeded last year's counts. Peregrine Falcon reports were also up again. It was a dreadful fall for shorebirds. While again most expected species were reported, the totals were described as dismal by one observer. On the other hand, it wasn't a bad fall season for gulls and terns. The surprise of the season was an imm Least Tern observed by John Bounds at Hamlin Beach on 25 October. This was a first for the Region this century and correlated with later reports of this species from Region 1 and nearby Ontario, Canada. Lesser Black-backed Gull reports were up and Black-legged Kittiwake was reported in numbers not seen here in many years. The poor Black Tern nesting season this year was followed by an early departure of the species from the Region. A few Short-eared Owl were observed crossing the lake at the Hamlin Beach watch. These and the three N. Saw-whet Owl banded at Manitou by Elizabeth Brooks and in Penfield by Bob McKinney were the only migrant owl reports. There were no early Snowy Owl reports this year. Common Nighthawk continued the trend of poor counts. There was only a single report of Olive-sided Flycatcher. An Empidonax flycatcher in October at Geneseo was not convincingly identified to species, but is late for any. Eastern Phoebe was seen into late November. Swallows were generally below average in number and early in departure. A report of Common Raven south of Rochester continued the recent trend of sightings and once again hinted of breeding in the hills. The Red-breasted Nuthatch flight was good, with many reports and a number of birds lingering through the season. Carolina Wren continued to be poorly reported, while the number of Winter Wren reports was good. The thrush migration was somewhat poor, with only a few days of decent numbers for all species. Of note were eleven Gray-cheeked Thrush banded by Bob McKinney at Manitou on 26 Sep. Am. Robin departed early this year; a poor wild food supply may have spurred their exodus. Bohemian Waxwing was reported in good numbers from Hamlin Beach this fall, with scattered additional reports from other 44 THE KINGBIRD locations around the Region. This hasn't occurred in a number of years. Increased numbers of N. Shrike were also reported. Vireos were low and generally early to depart. Two White-eyed Vireo banded at Manitou were a highlight. The warbler migration was poor. Noticeably low were Tennessee, Cape May, Ovenbird and N. Waterthrush. An immature female Prairie Warbler, rarely reported in the fall, was discovered at Irondequoit Bay Outlet by Gary Chapin on 14 Oct and remained at least until the 22nd. The Connecticut Warbler banded at Manitou on 2 Oct by Elizabeth Brooks was rare, although not unexpected here in the fall. It was a poor fall for both Scarlet Tanager and Rose-breasted Grosbeak, continuing their recent trends. The sparrow migration was not particularly impressive; numbers were down. A Clay-colored Sparrow in Clarendon in October was a good find. Blackbird numbers were average, with large flocks roosting in the lakeshore marshes to late in the season. The influx of winter finches was fairly good, with sightings of most expected species. However, numbers were generally low, and the birds didn't linger. This may again have been due in part to the lack of food in the Region. Two Hoary Redpolls found by Dick O'Hara at Manitou on 23 Nov marked the third consecutive year of their occurrence in the Region. Contributors: John Bounds, Elizabeth Brooks, Carolyn Cass, Belma Cerosaletti, Gary Chapin, Tomma Lisa Clark, Anne Clarridge, Jerry Czech, Mike Davids, Bob Dobson, Colleen Dox-Griffith, Brett Ewald, Jeanine & Kurt Fox, Cindy Garfield, Roy Grau, Kevin Griffith, Lucretia Grosshans, Harriet Hamliton, Greg Hartenstein, Diane Henderson, Jim Kimball, Allan & Sandy Klonick, John Lehr, Gerry Leubner, Robert Marcotte, Rick Massie, Robert McKinney, Nancy Miller, Richard O'Hara, Tom Painting, Mike Peter, Bill & Betty Powell, Eldon Remy, Dominic & Monica Sherony, Robert, Susan, Cathy & Kristin Spahn, Paul Spindler, William Symonds, JoAnn,Mike, Justin & Glenn Tetlow, Don & Donna Traver, Ann Watson, and Glenn Wolford. Abbreviations: BB - Braddock Bay, C - Charlotte, Durand- Eastman Park, G- Greece, H - Town of Hamlin, HB - Hamlin Beach State Park, IB - Irondequoit Bay, M - Manitou, W - Webster. Fall reports: Red-throated Loon: arr one HB 16 Oct; max 958 HB 23 Nov. Common Loon: max 245 HB 6 HB 6 Nov. Horned Grebe: arr MARCH 1996 45 one HB 4 Sep. Red-necked Grebe: one - five HB various Oct, all Nov. Western Grebe : HB 22 Oct (WS), 7th MONR record. N. Gannet: one Hb 30 Oct (BE); one HB 5 Nov (WS,MD); one HB 13 Nov (JB); one HB 30 Nov (BE,JB), all immatures. Great Cormorant BB 5 Sep (BE,JB). Double- crested Cormorant: max 400 BB 19 Oct. Am. Bittern: last one G 15 Oct. Least Bittern: last one G 1 Oct. Tundra Swan: arr six BB 3 Nov; max 65 Conesus Lake 19 Nov. Snow Goose: max 15 H 4 Nov (RMC), 12 blues,three snows. Brant: max 96 HB 19 Oct; last one Mt. Morris 18 Nov. Ring-necked Duck: arr one G 26 Sep. Greater Scaup: arr one HB 9 Sep. Lesser Scaup: arr two HB 2 Sep. Harlequin Duck: one HB 3-6 Nov (RM, mob), adult male. Oldsquaw: arr one HB 3 Sep. Black Scoter: arr 13 HB 24 Sep. Surf Scoter: arr one HB 20 Sep. Common Goldeneye: arr three HB 16 Oct. Bufflehead: arr two HB 16 Oct. Hooded Merganser: max 150 Conesus Lake 19 Nov. Red-breasted Merganser: arr 15 HB 23 Sep. Ruddy Duck: max 16 Conesus Lake 4 Nov. Turkey Vulture: one Mendon Ponds 7 Nov (K&JF), late. Osprey: one HB 21 Nov (BE); one G 22 Nov (KG). N. Goshawk: one LHB 9 Nov; one Springwater 16-30 Nov, one G 30 Nov. Red-shouldered Hawk: last two Mendon Ponds 29 Oct. Broad-winged Hawk: DE 28 Oct (KG). Rough-legged Hawk: arr one Sodus, Retsof 22 Oct. Peregrine Falcon: one Avon 24 Sep,(CC); one G 25 Nov (DS,GC), unusual at this time of the year. Common Moorhen: last one F 25 Oct. American Coot: max 420 IB 14 Nov. American Golden-Plover: two-seven Carlton 3 Sep; last one H 17 Nov. Solitary Sandpiper: last one Batavia 3 Sep. Whimbrel: last one H 30 Sep. Hudsonian Godwit: 50+ Kendall 2 Sep, (D &MS), one large group flying over. Red Knot: one DE 16 Sep; one IB 16 SEp, two C 26 Sep, one C 2 Oct, decent total for the Region. Western Sandpiper: last two Summerville 24 Oct. Purple Sandpiper: arr one IB 23 Nov (RM), only report. Dunlin: arr one HB 23 Sep; last one B 23 Nov. Buff¬ breasted Sandpiper: arr one Carlton 2 Sep; one H 23 Sep, numbers still low in recent years. Long-billed Dowitcher: arr one Parma 16 Sep (RS). Franklin's Gull: one imm HB 8 Oct (WS), uncommon in the region. Little Gull: arr one HB 4 Nov. Lesser Black-backed Gull: one IB 8 Oct (MP); one IB 14 Oct (GC); one C 27 Oct (RM); one C 28 Oct (GC), all adults. Glaucous Gull: arr one HB 18-19 Nov. Black-legged Kittiwake: max 10 HB 19 Nov (WS); one HB 22 Nov (ER); one HB 24 Nov (CC,MP); one HB 26 ov(WS), all immatures. Forster's Tern: last one C 25 Oct (RM). Least Tern : one imm HB 25 Oct (JB), 1st regional record this century. 46 THE KINGBIRD Black-billed Cuckoo: last M 4 Oct. Short-eared Owl: arr one HB 7 Oct. Common Nighthawk: 100 Brighton 5 Sep (D&DT), decent total for recent years. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker: one Irondequoit 24 Nov (GL), returned again for the winter. Purple Martin: last three HB 17 Sep. Cliff Swallow: last one Batavia 3 Sep, Common Raven : two Springwater 20 Oct (KF). Ruby- crowned Kinglet: arr one G 4 Sep; last one G 17 Nov. Gray-cheeked Thrush: arr one M 18 Sep; max 11 M 26 Sep (RMc). Swainson's Thrush: arr two W 2 Sep. Hermit Thrush: arr five HB 16 Sep. American Pipit: arr one H 9 Sep; last six HB 4 Nov. Bohemian Waxwing: 15 H 4 Nov R&SS); max 45 H 18 Nov (KG); one-three DE 19-25 Nov (GC), six G 25 Nov (KG). Northern Shrike: arr one Henrietta 29 Oct. White-eyed Vireo: one M 9 Oct (EB); one M 11 Oct (EB), both birds banded. Philadelphia Vireo: last oner w G 13 Oct. Tennessee Warbler: arr two G 9 Sep. Orange-crowned Warbler: one G 25 Sep (KG&CD-G), last one G 13 Oct (RM). Northern Parula: arr one W 3 Sep.. Cape May Warbler: arr one W 3 Sep. Prairie Warbler: IB Outlet 14-22 Oct (GC,RS). Mourning Warbler: last one G 19 Sep. Hooded Warbler: last one Portage 23 Sep. Indigo Bunting; last one Portage 15 Sep. Am. Tree Sparrow: arr one M 9 Oct. Chipping Sparrow: last one Portage 26 Nov. Clay-colored Sparrow : one Clarendon 8 Oct (KG & CD-G). Fox Sparrow: arr one G 19 Oct. Lincoln's Sparrow: arr one G 4 Sep. White-crowned Sparrow: arr one HB 18 Sep. Dark-eyed "Oregon" Junco: one Henrietta 18 Oct, 4 Nov (GH); one G 17 Nov (KG,CD-G); one M 27-30 Nov (RO). Lapland Longspur: arr seven HB 7 Oct. Snow Bunting: arr eight HB 7 Oct; max 750 G 18 Nov. Rusty Blackbird: arr one Mendon Ponds 27 Sep; last ten BB 10 Nov. Common Redpoll: arr two W 5 Nov. Hoary Redpoll: intro. Pine Siskin: arr one HB 6 Oct. Evening Grosbeak: arr two M 10 Oct; max 250 Naples 13 Nov. 61 Grandview Lane, Rochester, NY 14612 MARCH 1996 47 REGION 3- FINGER LAKES Steve Kelling Weather conditions in the Finger Lakes Region during the fall of 1995 were anything but tranquil. Severe drought conditions continued through September, heavy rainfall persisted during October, and winter arrived abruptly during the second week of November. The severe drought conditions of the summer continued in September. Rainfall was almost an inch below normal continuing a trend that started early in the year. Average temperatures were at or slightly below normal for the month. A lot of rainfall was necessary to end the drought conditions, and that is what the Region got in October. Thanks to the heavy rains due to Hurricane Opal on the 1st and 2nd, and heavy rains accompanying several strong cold fronts, October was the wettest experienced in the past 101 years. The Finger Lakes Region experienced between 6 and 8 inches of rain, 3 to 5 inches above normal. Temperatures remained well above normal for the month, averaging 3 to 6 degrees above normal. Strong cold fronts moved through the region on the 14th, 22nd, and 27th, bringing strong winds and heavy rains. Cold weather and record snowfalls signaled a rapid end to fall and the beginning of winter in November. Temperatures for the month were 5 to 6 degrees below normal. While actual precipitation was normal, most of it came as snow. Between 20 and 30 inches of snow fell across the Region, a dramatic increase from normal amounts. Winter arrived on November 11 when a strong cold front moved into the Region bringing rapid drops in temperature and 3-6 inches of snow. A strong nor'easter brought heavy snowfalls on the 14th. Strong cold fronts also passed through the Region on the 22 and the 29th. During this fall there were no dramatic fallouts of migrating passerines through the Finger Lakes Region. Instead there was a steady reporting of migrants, with no large numbers of individuals but a wide variety of species. At Kestrel Haven Migration Observatory, located between Seneca and Cayuga lakes, over 2683 individuals were banded during their fall season. Of particular interest were the recaptures of an 8+ year old Northern Cardinal and a Yellow Warbler. The most frequently banded species was Song Sparrow, followed by Gray Catbird 48 THE KINGBIRD and Common Yellowthroat. Daily point counts done at Sapsucker Woods by Jeff Wells and Ken Rosenberg indicated that the passage was protracted lasting through the mid-November. Fox Sparrow was of particular interest. Over 34 separate reports of Fox Sparrow were received from throughout the Region. Late October and early November brought the return of Evening Grosbeak and Common Redpoll, after an 18 month hiatus. The waterfowl migration through the Finger Lakes was exceptional this year. The fall migration tally of Common Loon, monitored at the Taughannock State Park on the west shore of Cayuga Lake, was the largest counted during the fall migration in North America. Almost 13,000 Common Loon were counted! Even more impressive, over half of this number was counted on two mornings, the 22nd and 29th, in late November. This information, along with the three previous years of data, have established that Lake Ontario and the migratory pathway over the Finger Lakes Region is the most crucial Common Loon migratory pathway in North America. Furthermore, record numbers of Oldsquaw and Red-throated Loon were also tallied from this watch site. The second year of the fall migration shorebird count at Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge was conducted by Steve Kelling and Jeff Wells. While management practices at the refuge, principally at May's Point Pool and Benning Marsh were similar during the two years, Tsache Pool was completely dry this Fall. Furthermore, the extreme drought conditions through September throughout the region certainly must have decreased available habitat. Consequently, while the actual number of species observed was similar (25 in 1994 and 23 in 1995), the total number of individuals counted was 47% less in 1995. Of particular interest were the declines in numbers of the five most abundant species observed in 1994. In descending order of abundance: Killdeer, 45% decline; Lesser Yellowlegs, 67% decline; Pectoral Sandpiper, 52% decline; Semipalmated Sandpiper, 26% decline; and Least Sandpiper, 26% decline. A continuing effort to provide suitable habitat at the refuge, along with a concomitant monitoring of this important inland migratory shorebird stopover is necessary to determine trends in the these shorebird populations. Bird highlights of this season were: Eurasian Wigeon, Harlequin Duck, Bohemian Waxwing, and Brewer's Blackbird. MARCH 1996 49 Contributors: Fred Bertram, Jack Brubaker, Jean Bub, Karl David, Stephen Davies, Dick Clements, Bill Evans, John Gregoire, Kevin Griffith, Paul Hess, Steve Kelling, Kevin McGowan, Bob Meade, Bard Prentiss, Ken Rosenberg, Dave Russell, Jeff Wells, Eaton Bird Club, Schuyler County Bird Qub, Chemung Valley Bird Club, and the computer listserver CAYUGA BIRDS. Abbreviations: ATSP - Allen Treman State Park, CC - Chemung County, CLI - Cayuga Lake near Ithaca, DL - Dryden Lake, EL - Elmira, FLNF - Finger Lakes National Forest, KHMO - Kestrel Haven Migration Observatory, Burdett, MNWR - Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge, MP - Myer's Point Lansing, Mt. P - Mount Pleasant, near Ithaca, SLWG - Seneca Lake near Watkins Glen, SLGE - Seneca Lake near Geneva, SW - Sapsucker Woods, TSPLW - Taughannock State Park Loon Watch, 15 Oct through period, WG - Watkins Glen. Fall reports: Results of the Taughannock State Park Loon Watch dates: 15 Oct- 3 Dec. Species Total Species Total Red-throated Loon 26 Lesser Scaup 5 Common Loon 12,934 Oldsquaw 144 Homed Grebe 10 Surf scoter 2 Double-crested Cormorant 217 White-winged Scoter 24 Snow Goose 86 Common Goldeneye 29 Brant 88 Bufflehead 42 Northern Pintail 38 Hooded Merganser 94 Gadwall 4 Common Merganser 89 American Wigeon 93 Red-breasted Merganser 38 Redhead 649 Ruddy Duck 17 Greater Scaup 12 American Coot 14 Red-throated Loon: max 13 TSPLW 29 Nov. Com. Loon: 3337 TSPLW 22 Nov; 3365 TSPLW 29 Nov, certainly state single day count records! Pied-billed Grebe: max 15 MNWR 14 Oct. Homed Grebe: six SLWG 20 Nov. Double-crested Cormorant: max 120 TSPLW 29 Oct. American Bittern: MNWR 24 Sep. Least Bittern: MT. P 14 Sep. Great Blue Heron: max 90 MNWR 10 Sep. Great Egret: max 11 MNWR late Sep; last MNWR 20 Oct. Green Heron: numerous MNWR Sep; last DL 5 Oct. Black-crowned Night-Heron: max six EL 8 Sep. Tundra Swan: 50 THE KINGBIRD arr MNWR 28 Oct; max 80 MNWR 4 Nov. Mute Swan: MNWR 28 Oct. Snow Goose: 100 MNWR 14 Oct; 200 SLGE 12 Nov. Brant: max 52 SLWG 20 Oct; last TSPLW 26 Nov. Canada Goose: numerous throughout region. Wood Duck: last DL 30 Oct. Green-winged Teal: 100 MNWR 14 Nov; last DL 9 Nov. American Black Duck: numerous throughout region. Mallard: 500 MNWR 14 Oct. Northern Pintail: scattered through region. Blue-winged Teal: last MNWR 28 Oct. Northern Shoveler: 25 MNWR 14 Oct. Gadwall: 25 MNWR 14 Oct. Eurasian Wigeon : one (male) MNWR 11-28 Oct. American Wigeon: max 1000 MNWR 14 Oct. Canvasback: 60 MNWR 14 Oct. Ring-necked Duck: 1000 MNWR 14 Oct. Greater Scaup: one CLI12 Oct; three SL 31 Oct. Harlequin Duck: male Long Point State Park 28 Nov (PH). Oldsquaw: one MP 26 Oct; max 137 MP 1 Nov (KR); last MP 21 Nov. Black Scoter: 26 DL 18 Oct; CLI 31 Oct - 25 Nov. Surf Scoter: 6 reports; max four CLI 14-21 Nov. White-winged Scoter: 7 reports; arr Aurora 14 Oct; last CLI 25 Nov. Common Goldeneye: arr Union Springs 29 Oct. Bufflehead: 25 SLWG 31 Oct. Hooded Merganser: max 160 CLI 18 Nov. Common Merganser: max 202 SLWG 29 Nov. Ruddy Duck: max 200 MNWR 29 Oct. Turkey Vulture: 34 TSPLW 28 Oct; 26 Ludlowville 1 Nov; last IT 12 Nov. Osprey: max four CC 4 Sep; last Canandaigua 28 Nov. Bald Eagle: period MNWR; 4 reports CLB; one report WG; one report CC between 7 Sep- 7 Oct. Northern Harrier: four MT. P 18 Sep. Sharp- shinned Hawk: 10 reports; max seven MT. P 10 Sep. Cooper's Hawk: scattered singles throughout region. Northern Goshawk: eight reports throughout southern part of region. Broad-winged Hawk: max 166 10 Sep; last IT 26 Oct (RS good description). Golden Eagle: Bare Hill 15 Nov (BO); EL 30 Nov (DR). Merlin: EL 5 Sep; CLI 11-16 Sep; MT. P 18 Sep; DL 25 Sep; TSPLW 20 Oct. Peregrine Falcon: MNWR 3 Sep; three MNWR 1 Oct; ATSP 2 Oct; FLNF 8 Oct. Ruffed Grouse: max six Southport 11 Sep. Wild Turkey: max 65 Horseheads 16 Nov. Virginia Rail: last Big Flats 11 Oct. Common Moorhen: last Horseheads 9 Oct. American Coot: max 266 CLI 14 Nov; 215 SLWG 30 Nov. Black-bellied Plover: five Big Flats 9 Sep; last MNWR 1 Oct. American Golden- Plover: six MNWR 4 Sept; last MNWR 14 Oct. Semipalmated Plover: 21 MNWR 5 Sep; 12 MNWR 24 Sep; last MNWR 14 Oct. Killdeer: max 45 MNWR 1 Oct; last MP 21 Nov. Greater Yellowlegs: max 37 MNWR 5 Sep; DL 17 Oct; Horseheads 18 Nov. Lesser Yellowlegs: max 52 MNWR MARCH 1996 51 14 Oct; Horseheads 18 Nov. Solitary Sandpiper: SW 8 Sep; one Connecticut Hill 8 Oct. Spotted Sandpiper: CLI 9 Sep; EL 2 Oct; SLWG 8 Oct. Sanderling: two MNWR 2-5 Sep; ATSP 6 Oct. Semipalmated Sandpiper: max 36 MNWR 5 Sep; last MNWR 14 Oct. Western Sandpiper: one MNWR 5 Sep. Least Sandpiper: max 35 2 Sep; last MNWR 14 Oct. White-rumped Sandpiper five MNWR 2 Sep; six MNWR 1 Oct; last MP 23 Nov, Baird's Sandpiper: max three MNWR 2 Sep; last MNWR 17 Sep. Pectoral Sandpiper: max 100 MNWR 14 Oct; 30 MP 7 Nov. Dunlin: arr MNWR 1 Oct; max 127 MNWR 29 Oct; last MP 30 Nov. Stilt Sandpiper: 15 MNWR 5 Sep; nine MNWR 14 Oct. Short-billed Dowitcher: three MNWR 4 Sep; last MNWR 24 Sep. Long¬ billed Dowitcher: arr MNWR 24 Sep; max five MNWR 14 Oct; last MNWR 29 Oct. Common Snipe: 18 MNWR 14 Oct; last Horseheads 16 Nov. American Woodcock: two SW 6 Sep; Caroline 1 Oct. Red-necked Phalarope: MNWR 1 Sep. Wilson's Phalarope: MNWR 1 Sep. Bonaparte's Gull: max six SLGE 18 Oct. Ring-billed Gull: 5000 22 Oct TSPLW. Herring Gull: numerous throughout region. Iceland Gull: Seneca Landfill 15 Nov; MP 18-21 Nov. Glaucous Gull: one (2nd winter) Seneca Landfill 15 Nov (BE). Lesser Black-backed Gull: MNWR 1-28 Sep; Seneca Landfill 15 Nov. Great Black-backed Gull: scattered through region. Caspian Tern: max eight ATSP 4 Sep; last MNWR 1 Oct. Common Tern: last ATSP 7 Oct. Forster's Tern: two ATSP 6 Oct (CD good description) Black-billed Cuckoo: last CC 16 Oct. Yellow-billed Cuckoo: last 4 Stewart Park 4 Sep. Eastern Screech -Owl: Caroline 8 Nov; Union Springs 16 Nov. Great Horned Owl: two Caroline 7 Sep; DL 11 Oct. Barred Owl: SW 3 Sep. Long-eared Owl: TSPLW 4 Nov; IT 10 Nov; Kashong Glen 21 Nov. Short-eared Owl: Penn Yann 1 Nov. Common Nighthawk: 75 EL 2 Sep; last SW 7 Oct. Chimney Swift: last WG 13 Sep. Ruby-throated Hummingbird: last GE 18 Oct. Belted Kingfisher: six DL 5 Sep; SW 17 Nov. Red-headed Woodpecker: two GE 15 Sep; Ludlowville 11 Nov (JG good description). Yellow-bellied Sapsucker: last CC 22 Nov. Hairy Woodpecker: three DL 7 Sep four SW 30 Oct. : DL 13 Oct; SW 29 Nov. Olive-sided Flycatcher: SW 2-4 Sep; last Dryden 13 Oct. Eastern Wood-Pewee: last SW 27 Sep. Yellow-bellied Flycatcher:SW 1 Sep. Willow Flycatcher: three DL 5 Sep. Least Flycatcher: last Cornell University 18 Sep. Eastern Phoebe: max 10 SW 24 Sep, last IT 6 Nov. 52 THE KINGBIRD Great Crested Flycatcher: last SW 22 Sep. Homed Lark: max 600 Pine Valley 18 Nov. Tree Swallow: 500 DL 6 Sep; 100 MNWR 14 Oct; last MNWR 29 Oct. Northern Rough-winged Swallow: last 14 Oct. Barn Swallow: last DL and CC 6 Sep. Blue Jay: large flights east side of Cayuga Lake, max 200 MP 1 Oct. Fish Crow: 11 Stewart Park 14 Nov (KM). Common Raven: max five EL 29 Oct, scattered reports throughout southern parts of Region. Red-breasted Nuthatch: eight IT 10 Nov. Carolina Wren: SW 12 Oct; 1 GE 20 Nov, only reports! House Wren: last CC 24 Oct. Winter Wren: 7 reports; max four SW 26 Sep. Marsh Wren: last Horseheads 24 Oct. Golden-crowned Kinglet: 8 reports; max 80 WG 21 Oct. Ruby-crowned Kinglet: SW 20 Sep; max 15 SW17 Oct; last CC 6 Nov Blue-gray Gnatcatcher: last Stewart Park 12 Sep. Eastern Bluebird: max 15 Caroline 12 Nov. Veery: last SW 5 Sep. Gray-cheeked Thrush: Caroline 19 Sep; two Buttermilk Falls 7 Oct. Swainson's Thrush: 7 reports; last DL 1 Oct. Hermit Thrush: 10 DL 17 Oct; SW 24 Nov Wood Thrush: last WG 23 Sep. American Robin: max 30 DL 5 Oct;five SW 24 Nov. Gray Catbird: last SW 12 Oct. Northern Mockingbird: scattered throughout region. Brown Thrasher: max three Gleason Meadows 16 Sep; last FLNF 20 Oct. American Pipit: 50 Kings Ferry 1 Oct; 300 KHMO 20 Oct; 100 ATSP 15 Nov. Bohemian Waxwing: SW 12 Nov (SD). Cedar Waxwing: max 250 Big Flats 25 Oct. Northern Shrike: 9 reports through region, primarily immatures. Solitary Vireo: 10 reports max eight DL 25 Sep; WG 2 Nov. Yellow-throated Vireo: last Gleason Meadows 16 Sep. Warbling Vireo: last Cornell University 18 Sep. Philadelpia Vireo: last ATSP 28 Sep. Red-eyed Vireo: last SW 29 Oct. Blue-winged Warbler: last SW 18 Sep. "Brewster's" Warbler: Canandaigua 12 Oct (BL). Tennessee Warbler: 4 reports; last SW 25 Sep. Orange-crowned Warbler: MP 5 Oct; Cornell University 19 Oct. Nashville Warbler: last SW 17 Oct. Northern Parula: 10 reports; last FLNF 2 Oct. Yellow Warbler: last DL 1 Oct. Chestnut¬ sided Warbler: last SW 6 Oct. Magnolia Warbler: max six SW 26 Sep; last CC 9 Oct. Cape May Warbler: last Buttermilk Falls State Park 7 Oct. Black-throated Blue Warbler: last FLNF 2 Oct. Yellow-rumped Warbler: Newman Golf Course 4 Sep; 50 DL 17 Oct. Black-throated Green Warbler: max 10 SW 26 Sep; last CC 10 Oct. Blackburnian Warbler: last SW 26 Sep. Pine Warbler: last four Elmira 10 Oct. Praire Warbler: last CC 22 Sep. Palm Warbler: three MP 7 Oct; last Enfield 28 Oct. Bay-breasted Warbler: last SW 6 Oct. Blackpoll Warbler: max four MARCH 1996 53 SW 26 Sep; last CC 10 Oct. Black-and-white Warbler: last Buttermilk Falls State Park 7 Oct. American Redstart: last Chemung Co. 10 Oct. Ovenbird: CC 25 Sep. Northern Waterthrush: last SW 15 Sep. Connecticut Warbler: Newman Golf Course, Ithaca 14 Sep (CD); KHMO 19 Sep. Mourning Warbler: SW 22 Sep. Common Yellowthroat: last SW 19 Oct. Hooded Warbler: CC 1 Sep. Wilson's Warbler: 8 report, max three SW 7 Sep; last Gleason 23 Sep. Canada Warbler: last CC 9 Sep. Scarlet Tanager: last SW 27 Sep. Rose-breasted Grosbeak: last SW 27 Sep. Indigo Bunting: max 5 DL 25 Sep; last SW 29 Sep. Rufous¬ sided Towhee: last Caroline 24 Nov. American Tree Sparrow: arr SW 31 Oct; max 100 ATSP 15 Nov; 58 GECBC. Clay-colored Sparrow : KHMO 15 Sep (no details). Chipping Sparrow: max 89 Park Station; last CC 25 Nov. Field Sparrow: max 20 DL 5 Oct; last CC 3 Nov. Savannah Sparrow: max 100 Kings Ferry 1 Oct; last ATSP 15 Nov. Fox Sparrow: 34 reports! arr FLNF 8 Oct; max nine Brooktondale; last IT 27 Nov. Song Sparrow: max 50 DL 5 Oct. Lincoln's Sparrow: SW 24 Sep; last ATSP 22 Oct. Swamp Sparrow: 6 reports; 20 DL 5 Oct; 23 Holding Point 11 Oct; last CC 18 Nov. White-throated Sparrow: 10 reports; max 50 WF 21 Oct. White-crowned Sparrow: 12 reports; arr Gleason 16 Sep; last Lansing 17 Nov. Lapland Longspur: two Kings Ferry 15 Nov; five Pine Valley 18 Nov. Snow Bunting: 9 reports; arr WG 31 Oct; max 300 Kings Ferry 18 Nov. Red-winged Blackbird: >1,000,000 MNWR Oct. Eastern Meadowlark: three Caroline 18 Nov; four Pine Valley 18 Nov. Yellow¬ headed Blackbird: two (males) KHMO 5 Sep. Rusty Blackbird: max 50 MNWR 6 Oct; last Brooktondale 15 Nov. Brewer's Blackbird : 13 Big Flats 14 Nov (DR, NYSARC). Common Grackle: 2000 CC 10 Sep; last Veteran 18 Nov. Northern Oriole: last CC 9 Sep. Purple Finch: max 15 SW 25 Oct; SW 21 Nov. White-winged Crossbill: Bowman Hill 24 Nov (DR). Common Redpoll: arr Brooktondale 14 Nov; max 60 Bowman Hill 20 Nov. Pine Siskin: arr Brooktondale 12 Oct; max seven Bowman Hill 20 Nov. American Goldfinch: 500 DL 15 Sep. Evening Grosbeak: 22 reports! arr SW 11 Oct, max 100 Caroline 12 Nov. Origin Unknown: Swan Goose: MNWR 29 Oct; CLI 25 Nov. Monk Parakeet: two Big Flats 15 Oct. 732 Old 76 Rd, Berkshire, NY 13736 (607)539-7205 stk2@cornell.edu 54 THE KINGBIRD REGION 4 - SUSQUEHANNA Mary Dobinsky Following the third driest summer on record, the first week in September was just more of the same - mostly sunny and warm. But finally, on 9 September, we had a rainy day. Then on 22 September, a series of thunderstorms dumped an inch and a half of rain on Binghamton in 45 minutes. Precipitation for the month inched a trace above the normal 3.32 inches. Average temperatures were about two degrees cooler than normal. October was wet, finally ending a year of drought fears and warnings. Precipitation for the month reached 6.68 inches at Binghamton, nearly four inches above average and included a major downpour of 2.84 inches on 21 October. Despite the rain, sunny days were common and temperatures averaged five degrees warmer than normal, with a record high reading of 78°F on 13 October. November, however, was wintry and gloomy. What was to be a five day storm started to build 11 November. East winds and rain changed to west winds, ice and snow. By 15 November a total of 27 inches of snow had been recorded at Binghamton and had caused considerable damage throughout the Region. Weather eased the rest of the month, but was definitely not fall like. A record 32.8 inches of snow was recorded at Binghamton for the month. Skies were mostly cloudy. At Cooperstown, November's average temperature was 33°F, five degrees below normal. Going from a dry September to a warm, wet October to a wintry November caused a generally late migration with some abrupt changes in movement, including early arrival of winter birds. Early fall was inhospitable for most water birds and shorebirds. Water levels of rivers and reservoirs were so low that even the exposed shorelines dried up. Ponds were just barren depressions. Several Great Egret lingered despite the adversity. Ducks were generally scarce but, after October's heavy rains, regional observers found many ducks of species not common here. Good flights of Snow Goose and Brant were reported and large flocks of Canada Goose were still migrating at the end of November. Hawk flights suffered from the lack of strong cold fronts and a predominance of south rather than northwest winds. A one day flight of 25 Golden Eagle 9 Nov and new season records for MARCH 1996 55 Red-shouldered Hawk and Red-tailed Hawk highlighted the seventh Fall for the Franklin Mt. Hawk Watch according to Chris Vredenburg, compiler. Totals for other raptors fell below previous records, especially for such early migrants as Northern Harrier, Sharp-shinned Hawk and Broad-winged Hawk. Other regional sites checked for hawk migration were at West Burlington where Tom Salo compares a day's sightings with FMHW’s (His site had the one day record for Broad-winged Hawk this year.) Also Bill Toner checked the Riley Rd. site, Cortland, and Marie Petuh and Ron Milliken tested one at Windsor. The dry summer left a severe shortage of nuts, berries and other wild foods in the woods. This loss of natural food forced abundant flocks of Wild Turkey into the open, scratching for food in corn fields, brush, and even yards. Excellent owl activity included an uncommon Snowy Owl and several N. Saw-whet Owl, the first since 1990. "An incredible fall, especially October", was Gail Kirch's assessment of the Vestal banding station she monitors with Harriet Marsi. Among the species starred were Philadelphia Vireo, a record high, and Hermit Thrush. Among warblers she highlighted Orange- crowned and N. Parula. Listed as well above 1990-95 averages were Gray Catbird, Red-eyed Vireo, Com. Yellowthroat, Song Sparrow, White- throated Sparrow and Dark-eyed Junco. Except for Wood Thrush, reports of other thrush species this season were excellent. There was no fallout of warblers, but the species list was very high. Blue-winged Warbler was the only real miss. Indigo Bunting was back on the fall list after a two year absence. Winter birds arrived long before the last sparrows and thrushes moved south. Evening Grosbeak and Snow Bunting were common by late October and Northern Shrike and Pine Siskin were well reported in November. However, most of the winter visitors evidently moved farther south. On 17 Nov, after our major storm, FMHW reported a major movement of hundreds of Evening Grosbeak and Pine Siskin, scores of Common Redpoll, Horned Lark and Snow Bunting, and hundreds of blackbirds of various species. The species list of 158 birds, though low, tied last year's total. Dark-eyed "Oregon" Junco was the only rarity, but several uncommon species were reported. Missed species included Common Loon, Horned and Red-necked grebe, Black-crowned Night-Heron, Blue-winged Teal, Ring-necked Duck, Virginia Rail, Pectoral Sandpiper, Common Snipe, Olive-sided Flycatcher, Traill's Flycatcher, Warbling Vireo, and Hooded 56 THE KINGBIRD Warbler. Broome was the only county to take part in the first Fall North American Migration Count on 16 Sep. We extend congratulations to Jeannette Baldwin of Owego who recently achieved a long-time goal of 500 U.S. birds. Her 500th was a Laysan Albatross seen 1 Oct on a pelagic trip off the California coast. Contributors: Derek Alcott, Cutler & Jeannette Baldwin, Chris Barnes, Les Bemont, Eleanor Carson, Laura Carter, Anna Casselberry, John Davis, Mary Dobinsky, Sadie Dorber, Elva Hawken, Jim Hoteling, Gail Kirch, Margaret Layton, S. Levin, Harriet Marsi, Andy Mason, Bob Miller, Ron & Kathy Milliken, Naturalists Club of Binghamton, Robert Pantle, Ginger Peck, Marie Petuh, Tom Salo, Joe Sadlacek, Julie Smith, Eric Sullivan, Bill Toner, Chris Vredenburg, Weed Walkers of Binghamton, Nancy Weissflog, Don Windsor, Irene Wright, George Wade, Jane Young. Abbreviations: B Pd - Boland Pond, BROO; CHW - Cortland Hawk Watch; FWHW - Franklin Mt. Hawk Watch; JCy - Johnson City; MB Res - Mill Brook Reservoir, CHEN; NAMC - North American Migration Count, 16 Sep; ON Res - Oneonta Reservoir; SUNY NP - SUNY Binghamton Nature Preserve; WNC - Waterman Nature Center, TIOG; WBHW - West Burlington Hawk Watch; and WPt or WPR - Whitney Point or Whitney Reservoir. Fall Reports: Pied-billed Grebe: three reports BROO Sep; four reports Oct, max three; max seven at four CHEN sites 4 Nov; good total. Double-crested Cormorant: max seven Mirror L., Owego 28 Sep (AC); six FMHW 23 Sep. Great Blue Heron: max 10 BROO NAMC. Great Egret: max 22 Brick Pd TIOG 1-17 Sep (mob); last BROO 21 Sep (mp). Green Heron: max two CHEN 2 Sep; occasional singles, one BROO and two OTSE sites Sep; last CHEN 4 Oct. Snow Goose: 44 from FMHW 6 Oct; 70 on 30 Oct, good counts. Brant: max 2,000 FMHW 29 Oct; five WPt 1 Nov (WW), high count. Canada Goose: max 1,000 BROO 8 Oct and CHEN 1 Nov. Wood Duck: max 50 BPd 2, 21 Sep; last three SUNY NP 11 Nov. Green-winged Teal: CHEN 4 Nov (EH), only report. Am. Black Duck: max six B Pd 10 Oct (JH) and SUNY NP 11 Nov; one other report, scarce. Mallard: max 200 BROO from Route 12A 25 Oct (JH). Gadwall: one CHEN 4 Nov (EH), first fall since 1992. Am. Wigeon: six On Res 5 Sep, never common. Greater Scaup: White Pd CHEN 4 Nov (DW), often missed. Black Scoter: 80 Chenango L. 30 Oct; 22 MB Res 30 Oct. (DW), very high counts. Bufflehead: max five MB MARCH 1996 57 Res 30 Oct (DW); two Nov reports. Hooded Merganser: max 30 T. Hartwick OTSE 7 Nov; five other reports Nov. Com. Merganser: max 350 WPR 22 Nov (ES). Red-breasted Merganser: male MB Res 4 (DW), often missed. Ruddy Duck: only one TIOG 2 Nov (C&B), not often seen. Turkey Vulture: FMHW total 58; last CHW 24 Nov (BT), late. Osprey: FMHW total 70; max 23 on 10 Sep; last WBHW 4 Nov. Bald Eagle: FMHW total 12; max two each 10 Sep at FMHW, CHW and WBFIW. N. Harrier: FMHW total 43, lowest since 1990; max seven 10 Sep. Sharp-shinned Hawk: FMF1W total 239; max 39 FMHW 8 Oct; 11 WBHW 17 Oct. Cooper's Hawk: FMHW total 13; three other OTSE reports, scarce. Red-shouldered Hawk: FMHW total 100; max 26 FMHW 6 Nov, record high counts. Broad-winged Hawk: FMHW total 345; max 109 WBHW 10 Sep; 59 WHW 10 Sep; 100 FMHW 18 Sep. Red-tailed Hawk: FMHW total 2357; max 717 FMHW 29 Oct, record high counts. Rough-legged Hawk: FMHW total nine. Golden Eagle: FMF1W total 65, first year below 100 since 1991. Am Kestrel: FMHW total 69, low count; many reports CHEN, BROO through early Oct. Merlin: FMHW total seven; four other reports. Peregrine Falcon: FMHW total eight; max three Oct 8 Oct; two CHW. Ring-necked Pheasant: six widespread reports Sep; five Oct; two Nov; max two, high count but probably released birds. Ruffed Grouse: max seven W. Burlington 1 Oct; good counts thru early Nov. Wild Turkey: max 200 several sites OTSE 23 Sep. Am. Coot: max 30 Otsego L 24 Nov; seven BPd 22 Oct; two other reports BROO Nov, high count. Kiildeer: max 50 TIOG 18 Oct (C&JB); last 12 CHEN 4 Nov (EH). Greater Yellowlegs; only one Norwich 2 Sep (DW). Lesser Yellowlegs: TIOG 23 Oct (C&JB), only report. Solitary Sandpiper: four Paukett Wetland CHEN 2 Sep (JH); one On Res 5 Sep, scarce. Spotted Sandpiper: four widespread sinlgles early Sep, scarce. Least Sandpiper: Chenango R. Norwich 2 - 10 Sep; max three (DW), only report. Am. Woodcock: max two T Preston CHEN 10, 12 Oct (EH); max two W. Burlington 1, 2 Nov (IS); FMHW 5 Nov, late. Ring-billed Gull: max 150 OTSE meadow 22 Oct. Herring Gull: max 20 T Preston 4 Nov. Mourning Dove: max 60 JCy 13 Oct (MP), good count. E. Screech-Owl: at least eight birds widespread Sep, Oct; one in nest box McGraw 23 Nov (BT), good count. Great Homed Owl: one Sep; five sites Oct, max two; two Nov. Snowy Owl: sitting in median 1-88 near 58 THE KINGBIRD Otego Exit 19 Nov (Derek Alcott, 14 fide EH), often missed. Barred Owl: T Preston to 12 Oct max two (EH); McGraw 14 Oct (BT); JCy 26 Oct (JH); TIOG Nov (JS). N. Saw-whet Owl: three banded Vestal 18 to 26 Oct (GK,HM); two TIOG Oct (RP), first since 1990. Com. Nigthawk: three Sep reports, max three; nine TIOG and single JCy 5 Oct, scarce. Chimney Swift: last FMHW 23 Sep. Ruby-throated Hummingbird: many reports to 28 Sep. Belted Kingfisher: scarce after Sep. Red- bellied Woodpecker: at least five sites BROO Oct, Nov; four reports TIOG; one N. OTSE (new site), record high count: Yellow-bellied Sapsucker: eleven reports to 30 Oct, max two. N. Flicker: max 11 BROO 23 Sep (ES); last 19 Nov. E. Wood-Pewee: singles four sites early Sep; last banded Vestal 8 Oct, late. Yellow-bellied Flycatcher: singles banded 9 Vestal 9,16 Sep (GK,HM); max two W. Burlington 15, 22 Sep, highest count since 1981. Least Flycatcher: last of three singles banded 7 Sep. E. Phoebe:max eight BROO NAMC; last banded 29 Oct. Great Crested Flycatcher: last of two reports BROO 8 Sep (LB). E. Kingbird: four singles two 20 Sep. Horned Lark: TIOG Sep (C&JB); FMHW 17 Nov. Tree Swallow: BROO 2 Sep; CHEN 3 Sep, scarce. Bam Swallow: max 15 CHEN 3 Sep. Swallow: (sp?): mixed flock 130+ birds W Burlington 4 Sep. Am. Crow: migration max 600 FMHW 1 Nov. Fish Crow: four TIOG Sep (mob), only report. Com. Raven: singles FMHW 29 Oct 5, 26 Nov; WBHW 22, 29 Nov, good count. Red-breasted Nuthatch: max nine OTSE 13 Oct. Brown Creeper: max five BROO 18 Nov (NC). Carolina Wren: singles at five BROOsites; one TIOG, low count continues. House Wren: last of six singles 25 Sep. Winter Wren: four reports Sep; five reports Oct; max two; last two Nov, all BROO, good count. Marsh Wren: two B Pd NAMC; SUNY NP 22 Oct (MP), high count and late. Golden-crowned Kinglet: max 10 BROO 19 Oct. Ruby-crowned Kinglet: arr 3 Oct, late ; max 16 JCy sites 19 Oct. Blue-gray Gnatcatcher: BROO 3 Sep (MC), often missed. E. Bluebird: max 30 apple orchard DEL A 31 Oct (GP); good counts to mid Nov. Veery: eight migrating FMHW 22 Oct, record late[£d; very high count for record late; no details.]) singles CHEN 17, 18, 19 Sep; banded vestal 18, 19, 24 Sep. Gray-cheeked Thrush: four banded Vestal 31 Sep - 2 Oct; one CHEN 3 Oct (EH), good count. Swainson's Thrush: 10 banded Vestal 19 Sep -16 Oct; two other BROO singles; two WNC 1 Oct (WW); one CHEN 4 Oct, very high count. Hermit Thrush: record total 53 MARCH 1996 59 banded Vestal; max banded 21 on 28 Oct, "they were in every net - average at this station 3.6 birds per season" (GK); last 20 Nov. Wood Thrush: four singles banded 7-24 Sep; two reports CHEN, max two; low count, early departure. N. Mockingbird: four reports Sep, max two; six Oct, three mostly BROO Nov, good count. Brown Thrasher: max two JCy feeder to 1 Oct (JH); several TIOG Sep (JS); three W. Burlington 5 Sep; three other singles Sep, better than recent years. Am. Pipit: two On Res 10 Nov (MD, Jsm); one Twining Road, BROO 16 Nov (JH), only reports. Cedar Waxwing: max 200+ Binghamton 6 Sep (JH). N. Shrike: arr W. Burlington 26 Oct; 12 widespread reports Nov, most near feeders. Bob Miller photographed an imm as it killed a N. Cardinal (took forever) and ate it. Solitary Vireo: 15 singles to 23 Oct, good count. Yellow-throated Vireo: only one CHEN 2 Sep (DW). Philadelphia Vireo: eight banded Vestal. 12 Sep - Oct; max three on 17 Sep, "record high for this station" (GK); three W. Burlington 16 Sep (TS). Red-eyed Vireo: 48 banded Vestal to 11 Oct; four other reports, very high count. Tennessee Warbler: only one CHEN 25 Sep (EH). Orange-crowned Warbler: singles banded Vestal 15,18 Oct, often missed. Nashville Warbler: On Res 5 Sep; six banded Vestal to 1 Oct, good count. N. Parula: two banded Vestal 25 Sep, only third fall since 1985. Yellow Warbler: last BROO and CHEN 2 Sep, early departure. Chestnut-sided Warbler: seven reports to 26 Sep, max two. Magnolia Warbler: max six CHEN 5 Sep; nine banded Vestal to 9 Oct, good count. Cape May Warbler: only one TIOG 28 Sep (G&EM). Black-throated Blue Warbler: banded Vestal 25, 27, 30 Sep; singles BROO 2 Oct; CHEN 25 Oct; OTSE 26 Oct, high count and late departure. Yellow-rumped Warbler: max 25 CHEN 22 Sep and OTSE 19 Oct; last two 30 Oct. Black-throated Green Warbler: last of three banded 2 Oct; three CHEN reports Sep, scarce. Blackburnian Warbler: max three CHEN 10 Sep (EH); four other reports to 29 Sep. Pine Warbler: only one Vestal Center 24 Sep (ES). Prairie Warbler: banded Vestal 14 Sep, only report. Palm Warbler: arr OTSE 29 Sep (TS); two banded Vestal both 11, 18 Oct; last Sherburne 23 Oct (DW). Bay-breasted Warbler: only one banded 25 Sep. Blackpoll Warbler: banded Vestal 4, 23 Sep, scarce. Black-and-white Warbler: W. Burlington 16 Sep; JCy 13 Oct, only reports. Am. Redstart: CHEN 5 Sep; banded Vestal 10 Sep, scarce. Ovenbird: seven banded; last of three other reports 8 Oct. N. Waterthrush: three singles banded 4-26 60 THE KINGBIRD Sep. Louisiana Waterthrush: two Greenwood Pk BROO 11 Oct (WW), late departure. Wilson's Warbler: banded Vestal 16 Sep; JCy 3 Oct; SUNY NP 22 Oct (MP), record late. Canada Warbler: BROO 12 Sep (ES), only report. Yellow-breasted Chat: B Pd NAMC, third successive fall, rare. Scarlet Tanager: max six OTSE 7 Sep; last CHEN 6 Oct. Rose¬ breasted Grosbeak: ten Sep reports; two TIOG 5 Oct; last CHEN 6 Oct. Indigo Bunting: last of three banded Vestal 8 Oct, missed past two years. Rufous-sided Towhee: excellent count to 7 Nov. Am* Tree Sparrow: arr CHEN 24 Oct (EH); max 33 SUNY NP 19 Nov (ES). Chipping Sparrow: last Binghamton feeder 21-23 Nov (ES). Field Sparrow: max nine SUNY NP 25 Sep. Vesper Sparrow: only one OTSE 4 Sep. Savannah Sparrow: BROO 16 Sep, only report. Fox Sparrow: arr N OTSE 13 Oct; many widespread reports max three to 21 Nov. Song Sparrow: intro. Lincoln's Sparrow: JCy 13 Oct (MP); banded 23 Oct (GK, HM), scarce. Swamp Sparrow: max six BROO 16 Sep (MP), 25 Oct (ES). White-throated Sparrow: max 55 Franklin Mt feeder 20 Oct (CV); 42 banded Vestal, season's total. White-crowned Sparrow: many reports Oct; max four; last 22 Nov. Dark-eyed Junco: max 50 W Burlington; 100 T Peterson 21 Oct. Dark-eyed "Oregon" Junco: W Burlington, often after 22 Oct (TS), first since 1981. Snow Bunting: max 40 BROO 19 Nov (JH); widespread high counts after 26 Oct. E. Meadowlark: max 15-20 BROO 22 Oct (JH). Rusty Blackbird: On Res 29 Sep; JCy feeder area 12 Nov, "escaped clutches of Sharp-shinned Hawk" (MP); two CHW 20 Nov (BT). Com. Grackle: max 400 roosting B Pd 31 Oct. Brown-headed Cowbird: max 11 CHEN 30 Oct. Purple Finch: max 20 T Preston 6 Oct; 19 banded Vestal Oct. Com. Redpoll: arr N. Otsego 12 Nov (JD); FMHW 17 Nov. Pine Siskin: arr two sites Oneonta 29 Oct; widespread Nov. Am. Goldfinch: max 30 several sites Nov. Evening Grosbeak: arr T Preson 19 Sep; max 50 there 1,2 Nov; moved on from many sites late Nov. 7 Spencer Dive, Oneonta, New York 13820 MARCH 1996 61 REGION 5 - ONEIDA LAKE BASIN Dorothy W. Crumb and James Throckmorton The month of September was almost normal. But normalcy was not to last. The high for September was 86°F on the 7th. On the 24th, the temperature reached its lowest point at 35°F. The average maximum of 70.4°F was 2.5°F below normal. There were 2.53" of precipitation, which was 1.46" below normal. The average maximum temperature in October was 64.1°F, which was 4.0°F above normal. The high temperature of 83°F on the 13th set a record. October was the 5th wettest on record, with 3.33" more than the usual amount of rain. There was a total of 6.57" of precipitation. November brought early, heavy snow which had no chance to melt. The high temperature was 71°F on the second. By November 8th, there were 8" of snow on the ground. The low temperature was 16°F on the 30th. Precipitation totaled 4.83". At the Syracuse airport, there were 34.2" of snow, which broke the November, 1976 record by 8.3". The hamlet of West Monroe in Oswego County recorded 64.4" of snow for the month. West Monroe is only 12 miles north of the airport, which shows how wind coming off of Lake Ontario can affect local weather. There was little change in numbers of waterfowl from fall 1994. Horned Grebe are still in very low numbers. Blue-winged Teal numbers were also low. Mute Swan of unknown origin appeared in two places other than the usual one at Onondaga Lake; there were two at Fair Haven on 29 Oct. and four at Sandy Pond on 24 November. Although Mute Swan has never bred in the wild in Region 5, these could be birds from Perch River State Wildlife Management Area just to the north. Ruddy Duck showed up in ones and twos in new locations, but the largest concentration was, as usual, at Fair Haven, where 36 were reported on 29 Oct. A Black Vulture was seen on 12 Sep at Howland Island Wildlife Management Area in Cayuga County, by Dave O'Dell, the DEC Region 8 Wildlife Manager. This is the first fall record for Region 5. An Osprey was found injured on 28 Sep near the Salmon River reservoir. This is an area where there are active Osprey nests. Eric Freeborn found a Broad¬ winged Hawk at Clark Reservation in Jamesville on 16 Nov. and 62 THE KINGBIRD returned to find the bird again on the 17th, the latest record ever for Broad-winged Hawk in Region 5. There was also a late record for Golden Eagle in Syracuse on 20 Nov. There were five sightings of Merlin at Delta Lake, Oneida County, from 12 Sep through 5 Oct, and five other sightings in the Region from 4 Sep though 4 Nov. The male returned to his winter roost at Onondaga Park for the 6th year. A nest box was installed for the Syracuse Peregrine Falcon on top of a MONY tower on 12 Sep The pair remained in the vicinity through the period and were seen chasing other species of hawks from the territory. American Coot was found in large numbers at Fair Haven and Woodman Pond, Madison County. Marge Rusk found one Purple Sandpiper this year, at Sandy Pond 24 Nov. None appeared at the traditional location at Fair Haven. There was a poor pelagic flight with no jaegers seen and only two Black-legged Kittiwake, found by Bill Purcell on 12 Nov. Two N. Saw-whet Owl took up residence in a large building supply store on Erie Boulevard in Syracuse. They were first seen there on 23 Oct. and made quite a hit with local birders as well as the store personnel. Since the doors are often left open to take lumber back and forth, the owls were able to fly out after feasting on the store mice for two weeks. American Crow has increased greatly in its winter roosts. Huge flocks appeared to have stayed north this winter even though snow is heavier than usual. There was a good flight of Red-breasted Nuthatch from mid-Sep through Nov. Tufted Titmouse and Eastern Bluebird seem to be increasing in numbers. Many of the northern finches started showing up early in the period, giving hope for a winter that would not appear birdless. Unfortunately, the poor berry and cone crop kept birds moving out of our area. There was a good flight of Bohemian Waxwing, with 133 being seen in Oswego on 26 Nov. There were also a few Pine Grosbeak, Evening Grosbeak, Pine Siskin, and Common Redpoll. Only one Red Crossbill was seen outside of the Adirondacks and only a small number of White-winged Crossbill. Although more appeared in the Adirondacks, the small cone crop did not encourage their stay. Northern Shrike was the prize winner for the season. There were reports of 26 during the period, with 10 seen in one day along the Lake Ontario shore. These birds seemed able to find food and stayed with us. Many observers commented on the large numbers of Dark-eyed Junco MARCH 1996 63 and White-throated Sparrow in mid to late October. 125 were counted at a Pompey feeder on 21 Oct. At this same feeder, which has been operating for 27 years, a Savannah Sparrow appeared for a few days on 21 Nov. This was a first time ever at that feeder. It was undoubtedly trapped by the record November snowfall. Eastern Meadowlark continued to show a decline in numbers. But the sad news continues for the long-distance migrants. Northern Oriole, Scarlet Tanager and Rose-breasted Grosbeak were difficult to find. Dave Cesari wrote, "Once again I had a very poor, almost nonexistent warbler migration. Sad to say I guess I will never again experience a good one." Marge Rusk's comment was, "The saddest fall warbler migration I've ever experienced." These feelings were echoed by almost all of the birders of Region 5. Only a handful of vireos were found. To pick a few of the warblers, there was only one individual in the "winged" warbler complex. There were only 10 Tennessee, 32 Nashville, 9 Northern Parula, 34 Yellow, 23 Ovenbird. These are the totals for 36 observers over a three month period. Those of us who remember the 70s may feel worse about this than newer birders who have nothing with which to compare. Sad! Contributors: Sue Adair, Connie Adams, Sue Boettger, Joseph Brin, David Cesari, Dorothy Crumb, Paul DeBenedictis, Mary Dreiling, Robert Evans, Eric Freeborn, Natalia Garcia, Bill Gruenbaum, John Hanyak, Gene Huggins, Mary Alice Koeneke, Gary Lee, Robert Lockett, Robert Long, Kay McIntyre, Polly Monz, Mike Morgante, David Nash, Cindy Page, Matt Perry, Wayne Powell, Bill Purcell, Steve Rulison, Marge Rusk, Jeanne Ryan, Tom Salo, Tom Shuman, Maureen Staloff, Jim Teske, Judy Thurber, Adrienne Wolf-Lockett, Glenn Wolford, Kenneth Zoller. Abbreviations: Adks - Adirondacks; DeltL - Delta Lake State Park; DH - Derby Hill OS WE. C1M - Clay Marsh ONON; LSB - Little Sodus Bay, Fairhaven, and vicinity; LOL - Lake Ontario littoral; HIWMA - Howland Island Wildlife Management Area; NPT - northern Pompey Township; OneidL - Oneida Lake; OnonL - Onondaga Lake; SPd - Sandy Pond OSWE; SSSP - Selkirk Shores State Park; UM - Utica Marsh. Fall Reports: Com. Loon: max 54 DH 29 Oct. Pied-billed Grebe: max 14 SSSP 28 Oct. Horned Grebe: three reports max eight LOL late Nov. Double-crested Cormorant: max 794 OnonL 6 Sep. 64 THE KINGBIRD American Bittern: only report one HIWMA 8 Oct. Great Egret: only report max three DeltL 11 Sep. Black-crowned Night-Heron: only report three UM 2 Oct. Tundra Swan: max 14 OneidL 11 Nov. Snow Goose: max 183 T. Mexico 8 Oct, blue phase max 20 Beaver Lake 12 Oct. Canada Goose: max 10,000 LOL 6 Oct (PD). Green-winged Teal: max 200 DeltL 4 Sep. N. Pintail: max 60 DH 29 Oct. Blue-winged Teal: low numbers and few reports; max 23 SSSP 16 Sep. American Wigeon: max 125 LSB 29 Oct. Ring-necked Duck: max 62 OneidL 26 Nov. Black Scoter: max 24 Cedar Lake, HERK 19 Oct, unusual location. Ruddy Duck: max 36 LSB 29 Oct. Black Vulture : one HIWMA 12 Sep, first fall record. Osprey: scattered single reports, LOL 22 Oct; late Oriskany Falls 10 Nov. Broad¬ winged Hawk: Clark Reservation, Jamesville 16-17 Nov, record late. Golden Eagle: Syracuse 20 Nov, record late. Merlin: five single sightings DeltL 5 Sep- 5 Oct; five other reports 4 Sep- 4 Nov; one Syracuse for sixth year. Peregrine Falcon: two Syracuse thru; four other reports SPd 9 Sep and 24 Sep; DeltL 4-5 Sep, 2 Oct. Common Moorhen: max 12 UM 14 Sep. Am. Coot max 230 LSB 12 Nov. Black-bellied Plover: max ten DeltL 3 Oct. American Golden-Plover: max 29 T. Sullivan 28 Oct, poor flight. Semipalmated Plover: max 100 DeltL 6-7 Sep. Lesser Yellowlegs: max 30 DeltL 6 Sep. Ruddy Turnstone: no reports. Red Knot: no reports. Least Sandpiper: max 100 DeltL 23 Sep. White-ramped Sandpiper: max three DeltL 23 Sep. Baird's Sandpiper: max nine DeltL 6 Sep. Purple Sandpiper: only one report one SPd 24 Nov. Dunlin: max four SPd 24 Nov, low max. Stilt Sandpiper: two DeltL 7 Sep, only report. Buff-breasted Sandpiper: one SPd 4 Sep. Short-billed Dowitcher: only three reports totalling five ind (all MR). Phalaropes: no reports, jaegers: no reports. Little Gull: one SPd 2 Sep (JT). Black-legged Kittiwake: two DH 12 Nov, only report. Forster's Tern: one SPd 9 Oct. Black Tern: two SSSP 4 Sep, only report. Snowy Owl: one LSB 18 Nov, only report. Long-eared Owl: one found dead Pompey late Nov. Northern Saw-whet Owl: intro. Ruby-throated Hummingbird: one Cazenovia 1 Oct, late date. Red-headed Woodpecker: one Holland Patent 20 Oct, coming to feeder, only report. Black-backed Woodpecker: three single reports. Old Forge 2 Oct; T. Ohio mid Nov; Loon Lake 13 Nov. Pileated Woodpecker: max four Clinton 3 Sep. Horned Lark: max 320 Mexico 4 Nov. American Crow: max 1100 Mexico 4 Nov. Com. Raven: max three Orwell 4 Sep; MARCH 1996 65 one T. New Haven 26 Nov, unusual location. Boreal Chickadee: one report, T. Ohio mid Nov. Tufted Titmouse: increasing numbers, max eight LOL 22 Oct. Red-breasted Nuthatch: very good flight, max 19 NPT 11 Sep. Blue-gray Gnatcatcher: two reports, C1M 4 Sep; T. Kirkland 1 Sep. Eastern Bluebird: max 31 Mexico 1 Nov. Veery: only three single reports 4-6 Sep. Gray-cheeked Thrush: no reports. Am. Pipit: max 420 Mexico 4 Nov. Bohemian Waxwing: good flight, max 133 LOL 26 Nov; 105 LOL 25 Nov. N. Shrike: excellent flight, max ten LOL 19 Nov; total of 26 sightings. Yellow Warbler: max 34 SPd 13 Aug. Chestnut-sided Warbler: max ten New Hartford 2 Sep, low number. Yellow-rumped Warbler: max 50 SVB 22 Sep, low number. Black- throated Green Warbler: max 20 SVB 6 Sep, very low number. Connecticut Warbler: one SVB 29 Sep (MR); one NPT 5 Oct (PR). Common Yellowthroat: max nine C1M 4 Sep, low number. Scarlet Tanager: max four New Hartford 12 Sep and SVB 6 Sep, low number. Rose-breasted Grosbeak: max ten T. Paris 11 Sep. Indigo Bunting: max five T. Paris 19 Sep, low number. Am. Tree Sparrow: max 27 Camillus 19 Nov. Chipping Sparrow: max 25 DH 1 Oct; dep one NPT 27 Oct. Savannah Sparrow: one at feeder NPT 21 Nov. Fox Sparrow: dep Liverpool 28 Nov. Swamp Sparrow: max 50 SVB 19 Oct. White- crowned Sparrow: max 18 Mexico 22 Oct; dep NPT 21 Nov. Dark-eyed Junco: max 125 NPT 21 Oct at feeder. Snow Bunting: arr 12 Rome 20 Sep (MM), second earliest report. Red-winged Blackbird: max 12400 C1M 25 Oct. Eastern Meadowlark: max 20 Rome 16 Oct; dep one Cazenovia 30 Nov. Pine Grosbeak: max 16 Boylston 18 Nov. Purple Finch: max six T. Paris 10 Oct. Red Crossbill: one im T. Fabius 26 Oct, only report outside Adks. White-winged Crossbill: max 20 Clinton 18 Nov. Common Redpoll: max 65 T. Mexico 18 Nov. Pine Siskin: small numbers. Evening Grosbeak: max 55 Boylston 25 Nov. 3983 Gate Road, Jamesville, NY 13078, DWCrumb@aol.com 66 THE KINGBIRD REGION 6 — ST. LAWRENCE Kenneth L. Crowell The fall season averaged cooler and wetter than normal, with great month to month contrasts. However, Region 6 escaped with just the impact of Hurricane Opal in October and the November floods. September was cool, with parts of St. Lawrence County 2-4 degrees below normal. It was the wettest October on record, and temperatures were 3-5 degrees above normal. In many areas over 2 inches of rain from Opal fell on the 6th, and similar rainfall associated with strong winds occurred on the 22nd. November was 4-6 degrees colder than usual, with temperatures ranging from the 60's early in the month to below zero at the end. Total precipitation was normal, but snowfall of 1- 4 ft was twice the norm for the month. There were few comments on the effects of environmental conditions on birds. Bruce Di Labio reported water levels in Lake St. Lawrence above MSD were high but not in Wilson Hill WMA. Peter O'Shea comments that the dry summer provided excellent conditions for Ruffed Grouse nesting, and Bettye Hughes and Thelma Emory tallied a max of 15 at Pt Pen on 11 September. Wild Turkey flocks of 32 and 11 in Pitcairn and Colton, respectively, reported by Peter O'Shea, indicate good populations in the foothills. The total of 176 species included two loons, three grebes, 25 waterfowl, 16 raptors, 17 shorebirds, seven gulls, five owls, seven woodpeckers, and 81 passerines, including 23 warblers. Reports of accipiters were up, and there were excellent hawk flights in October at Wescott Beach SP. Sightings included at least eight Merlin, four Peregrine Falcon, and three Golden Eagle. Ten Ruddy Duck, four male and six female, at WHWMA on 22 Oct are unusual in STL A. The Bird of the Season was a Lesser Black-backed Gull spotted by Bruce Di Labio at MSD on 12 September. Bruce Di Labio had good counts of several waterfowl species at Wilson Hill WMA: 895 Gadwall 30 Oct, 162 Am Wigeon 30 Oct, 320 Redhead 7 Sep, 450 Ring-necked Duck 22 Oct, and 290 Hooded Merganser 30 Oct. However, he found numbers of Com. Merganser at Moses-Saunders Dam, max 765 on 11 Nov, to be "only a fraction of what MARCH 1996 67 they were in the 80's" and wondered if there are fewer small fish. Could this be due to the zebra mussel? There was a good flight of shorebirds. Perhaps low water levels in September encouraged stop-overs for feeding, but Bruce Di Labio was surprised to find five Sanderling and three Lesser Yellowlegs at Head Pond above MSD on 7 Sep where there was "no habitat". For most species, fewer than ten individuals were reported. Both maxima and species for which there was only one report are given in the species accounts. Among species at the northern limit of their range. Red-bellied Woodpecker was strong with reports of at least six individuals in JEFF; there were six reports of eight individuals of Tufted Titmouse from both STLA and JEFF. Also received was a belated first breeding record for Tufted Titmouse in STLA, a successful nesting at Higley Flow SP, T Colton (fide J. Ackermann). There were three reports of at least six No. Mockingbird, with three at Valley Rd T Cape Vincent on 1 Sep and two there 19 Sep. Many of us keep yard lists, but in their own Kelsey Creek Preserve, Marion and Dick Brouse found species ranging from Great Homed Owl to Blue-gray Gnatcatcher. Unfortunately two alien species continue to flourish. A pair of Mute Swan is apparently resident at WHWMA and there were four adults plus four young at PRWMA. House Finch populations seem to have stablized, but Paul Kelly reports 200 in Adams on 16 November. Lee Chamberlaine observed a leucistic House Finch in Henderson 30 and 31 Oct. The parts which were normally red and the whole head were white, and the stripes on the breast were lighter than usual. It was not harrassed by other individuals. Surely Cape Vincent is a strategic spot for fall fallouts and spring staging, but whether raptors or warblers, it helps to have Mary and Brian Wood there. They spotted 19 species of warblers just in their yard — including Blackburnian, Bay-breasted and Blackpoll. Noteworthy migration maxima are given under species accounts. Bruce Di Labio noted small flocks of migrating chickadees overhead below MSD on 30 Sep, total 85 birds. Following the migration, there were some hangers-on as usual, including: one Pied-billed Grebe at Sackets Harbor 19 Nov, a Brown Thrasher in a field at PRWMA 25 Nov, a Swainson's Thmsh at Paul Kelly's feeder in Adams 17-18 Nov; and both Philadelphia and Red-eyed vireo in Massena 22 Oct. Ending the period was an influx of boreal and subarctic winter 68 THE KINGBIRD visitors. Bohemian Waxwing was reported from both STLA and LEWI, with a max of 92 at RMSP on 22 Nov. At least ten N. Shrike were spotted. Snow Bunting arrived early in full force. On the back roads of CV, Mary and Brian Wood estimated "2300 birds all together — one flock alone was at least 1000 and all were buntings". There were several sightings in November of Lapland Longspur in the LOL, with a max of 14 near CV on 19 November and one seen in the foothills with a flock of Snow Bunting in Edwards. Evening Grosbeak numbers were up. There were six reports of Common Redpoll at feeders in mid-November, max 20-25, and there were several reports of Pine Grosbeak. Gerry Smith found all the winter finches at Barnes Corners on 16 Nov, including both crossbills. Interesting behavioral observations included four Turkey Vulture entering water near MSD and appearing to drink (BD), vultures feeding with Com. Raven on road kills in T Fine and Clifton (PO), and an imm. N. Shrike chasing a N. Flicker near Henderson 22 November (LC). Contributors: Joanne and Nobi Ackermann, Tom Aubertine, Marilyn Badger, Marion and Richard Brouse, Sheila and Bob Cerwonka, Lee Chamberlaine, Ken Crowell, Bruce M. DiLabio, Dean DiTomasso, Tom Dudones, Thelma Emery, Bettye Hughes, Paul Kelly, Debbie and Steve Litwhiler, Gene McGory, Frank Mueller, Peter O'Shea, Susan and Michael Sheard, Mary and Brian Wood. Abbreviations: BRB — Black River Bay jeff; CV — Cape Vincent jeff; ED — El Dorado Beach Preserve, T Ellisburg jeff; KC — Kelsey Creek, T Watertown jeff; LOL — Lake Ontario Lowlands; MSD — Moses-Saunders Dam, T Massena stla; PR — Perch River WMA; P Pt — Pillar Pt, T Brownville jeff; Pt Pen — Pt Peninsula, T Lyme JEFF; RB — Ray's Bay T Henderson, jeff; SBSP — Southwick Beach SP T Ellisburg, jeff; ULL — Upper and Lower Lakes WMA, T Canton SLTA; SLR — St. Lawrence River; WB — Wilson Bay T CV; WH — Wilson Hill WMA, T Louisville stla. Fall Reports: Red-throated Loon: one MSD 21 and 30 Oct. Com. Loon: max 40 MSD 30 Oct. Pied-billed Grebe: intro. Horned Grebe: max five Pt Pen 24 Nov. Red-necked Grebe: arr two MSD 12 Sep; max 14 MSD 30 Oct. Double-crested Cormorant: max 488 MSD 4 Sep, high count; one P Pt 13 Nov, late. Great Egret: two PR 18-21 Oct. Green Heron: max five PR 19 Sep. Tundra Swan: many sightings in jeff is encouraging, max 80 Pt Pen 27 Nov. Mute Swan: intro. Brant: several MARCH 1996 69 small flocks LOL 19-20 Oct and 9 Nov. Snow Goose: three reports; max 180 Louisville 26 Oct. N. Shoveler: one Massena 21 Nov. Gadwall: intro. Am Wigeon: intro ; Redhead: intro. Ring-necked Duck: intro. Greater Scaup: max 5000 BRB 15 Nov. Black Scoter: two MSD 30 Oct; one f P Pt 9 Nov, only reports. White-winged Scoter: one SLR, Massena 4 Sept, early. Bufflehead: max 90 Pt Pen 9 Nov. Hooded Merganser: intro. Com. Merganser: intro. Ruddy Duck: intro. Turkey Vulture: intro ; max 37 ED 24 Sep. Osprey: one T. Clair 26 Oct; last one WHWMA 30 Oct. Bald Eagle: banded im WH 22 Oct. Sharp-shinned Hawk: six WBSP 6 Sep; four 18 Sept WBSP. Cooper's Hawk: four 15 Sep, four 18 Sep, three 19 Oct, all WBSP; also several other sightings. N. Goshawk: max three WBSP 19 Oct; ad m WH 22 Oct; one Lorraine 4 Nov. Red-shouldered Hawk: one calling near DeGrasse 8-9 Sep. Broad-winged Hawk: max 30 WBSP 8 Sept. Red-tailed Hawk: max 35 WBSP 19 Oct, one a dark morph adult. Rough-legged Hawk: arr CV 17 Oct; 21 out of 29 in JEFF dark phase. Golden Eagle : two im together WBSP 19 Oct; im SLR T CV 9 Nov. Merlin: one Ray's Bay, T Henderson 6 Sep; singles WBSP 15 and 18 Sep; one PR 16 Sept; two CV 16 Sept; two LOL 19 Nov. Peregrine Falcon: one EB 10 Sep; im WBSP 15 Sep; one WBSP 18 Sep; small ad m WBSP 7 Oct. Gray Partridge: well reported in LOL; max 20 Henderson Harbor 20 Oct. Ruffed Grouse: intro. Wild Turkey: intro. Virginia Rail: one Louisville 19 Sep, only report. Com. Moorhen: max 17 PR 16 Sep; last one CV 12 Oct. Am. Coot: max 1000 SLR, jeff 10 Sep; 374 WH 30 Oct. Am. Golden-Plover: one ED 27 and 29 Sep, only reports. Lesser Yellowlegs: intro; max 12 ED 11 Sep. Solitary Sandpiper: three singles JEFF 4,5, 10 Sept. Ruddy Turnstone: one RB 6 Sept. Sanderling: intro. Red Knot: one ED 24 Sept. Pectoral Sandpiper: two ED 3 Sept. Short-billed Dowitcher: one PRWMA 21 Sept. Am. Woodcock: two reports. Little Gull: one ad winter plumage MSD 12, 23, 30 Sept; one 2nd yr WP 30 Sept, only sightings for period. Bonaparte's Gull: max 500 MSD 7 Sept. Ring¬ billed Gull: max 2450 MSD 11 Nov, highest in five years. Herring Gull: max 1400 MSD 11 Nov. Iceland Gull: arr two MSD 11 Nov. Lesser Black-backed Gull: intro. Glaucous Gull: arr three MSD 22 Nov; one 2nd yr Sackets Harbor 25 Nov. Great Black-backed Gull: max 752 MSD 11 Nov. Caspian Tern: singles Clayton 7 Sep; Mud Bay and CV 10 Sep.. Com. Tern: max 295 MSD 12 Sep, increase over 1994; last one SLR T Massena 22 Oct. 70 THE KINGBIRD Black-billed Cuckoo: four singles LOL 4-15 Sept. E. Screech-Owl: Henderson 6 Sept; CV 10 Oct, calling. Snowy Owl: one Lowville LEWI 25 Nov, only report. Short-eared Owl: singles CV and Deer Lick 19 Nov; Calcium 26 Nov, only reports. Barred Owl: one Massena 22 Nov, only report. Chimney Swift: three CV 3 Sep; one there 12 Sep, only reports. Ruby-throated Hummingbird: last one Lorraine 26 Sept. Red-bellied Woodpecker: intro. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker: max eight CV 1 Oct. Black-backed Woodpecker: one near Sevey's Corners T Colton STLA 2 Oct. Olive-sided Flycatcher: one CV 29 Sep. E. Wood-Pewee: max five CV 3 Sep. E. Phoebe: last one CV 1 Nov. Homed Lark: large numbers increasing through period; max 600 per day; 120 in one flock CV 19 Nov. Tree Swallow: "hundreds" CV 3-12 Sep. N. Rough-winged Swallow: ca. 25 CV 8 Sep. Com. Raven: one SLR T Massena 16 Nov, unusual locale.Tufted Titmouse: intro. Red-breasted Nuthatch: max six CV 4-10 Sep. White-breasted Nuthatch: max 10 WBSP 16 Sep, high count. Golden-crowned Kinglet: arr Pt Pen 25 Sep; max 35 CV 11 Oct. Ruby- crowned Kinglet: max 17 Pt Pen 125 Sep; 20 CV 17 Oct. Blue-gray Gnatcatcher. intro. Gray-cheeked Thrush: one CV 28 Sep and 1 Oct. Swainson's Thrush: intro. N. Mockingbird: intro. Brown Thrasher: intro. American Pipit: good numbers 8 Sep to 15 Nov; max 30 CV 31 Sep. Cedar Waxwing: many reports; max 2-300 Henderson 24 Oct. Bohemian Waxzving: intro. N. Shrike: intro. European Starling: very large flocks JEFF mid-Sep to mid-Oct, then decreasing. Solitary Vireo: max three CV 16 Sep; last one Henderson 17 Oct. Philadelphia Vireo: intro. Red-eyed Vireo: intro. Tennessee Warbler: max four CV 9 Sep. N. Pamla: two WBSP 16 Sep; one KC 30 Sep, only reports. Magnolia Warbler: max seven CV 8,9,12 Sep. Cape May Warbler: max six CV 3 Sep. Black-throated Blue Warbler: max 12 CV 18 Sep. Yellow-mmped Warbler: max 100 WB 5 Oct. Black-throated Green Warbler: max 16 WBSP 15 Sep. Palm Warbler: one CV 3 Sep; two CV 18 Sep. Bay-breasted Warbler: max six CV 4 Sep. Blackpoll Warbler: one CV 19 Aug. Connecticut Warbler: one CV 18 Sep. N. Waterthrush: none. Wilson's Warbler: max three CV 4 Sep; last one 17 Sep. Canada Warbler: total of five JEFF 2-10 Sep. Scarlet Tanager: four reports; pair and one im CV 5 Sep. Am. Tree Sparrow: arr CV 19 Oct. Field Sparrow: max and last six MSD 29 Sep. Vesper Sparrow: max four Pt Pen 28 Oct. Fox Sparrow: three reports 22 MARCH 1996 71 Oct to 17 Nov. White-crowned Sparrow: good numbers for Fall; 26 Sep to 24 Oct. Dark-eyed Junco: arr Lorraine 4 Oct; max 22 Adams 20 Nov. Lapland Longspur: intro. Snow Bunting: intro. E. Meadowlark: max 60 Pt Pen 25 Sep; last one Pierrepont STL A 17 Nov. Rusty Blackbird: 500 Black R Plains LEWI 26 Oct, a very high fall count; last one MSD 22 Nov, late. Com. Grackle: 2000 Wellesley I JEFF 18 Sep; last one CV 20 Nov. N. Oriole: last three Massena 17 Sep. Purple Finch: mostly late Sep, max seven P Pt 26 Sep; last one CV 20 Nov. House Finch: intro. Red Crossbill: intro. White-winged Crossbill: intro. Com. Redpoll: intro. Pine Siskin: small numbers 18 Oct thru period, widely reported unlike recent years, max 60 Adams 17 Nov. RD 4 Box 97, Canton, New York 13617 REGION 7 - ADIRONDACK-CHAMPLAIN John M.C. Peterson Despite a few pleasant stretches, autumn was generally rainy, snowy, and cold. Inlet saw 33 cloudy days and 41 with some kind of precipitation. September began clear and cool, with first frost at Plattsburgh 11 Sep, but 65°F days at mid month. Lake Champlain stood at 94.32" and 65°F on 13 Sep. Late September saw an invasion of Gray Squirrel and a heavy flight of Compton's Tortoiseshell, but few Monarch. An explosion of Asian Ladybeetle began in early Oct. Heavy rain 5-6 Oct was followed by clear, warm days that led to Indian Summer 12 Oct, with Plattsburgh reaching a record 81°F on 13 Oct. By 16 Oct, there was snow on the High Peaks. A warming trend followed, with 36 mph winds at Plattsburgh on 20 Oct and a record 76°F temperature there on 21 Oct, when heavy rains at the Moose River Plains closed the recreation area for two weeks. Peaks were snow covered at month's end. November began with wet snow, and Inlet had another 4" on 4 Nov, the first to stick there for the season. 7-14 Nov was windy, snowy, blustery, and cold, with the 12th windier than the October storm in parts of the Region, and 7" of snow at Ellenburg Depot and Saranac Lake on 14 Nov. Another 2" fell in some places on 19 Nov. 72 THE KINGBIRD Thermometers reached the 40's for the last time this season on 21 Nov. Hogansburg and the Canadian border towns had a heavy snow storm on 27 November, with only flurries to the south. By season's end. Red Squirrels had moved down out of the cone poor mountains to join their gray relatives in attacking feeders. In spite of the somewhat dismal weather and rising lake levels which covered mudflats and kept shorebirds to just 18 species, a record 186 species were reported, up from 166 last year and higher than the 173 reported in '92. Moreover, a number of permanent residents went unmentioned, including: N.Goshawk, Spruce Grouse, Three-toed Woodpecker, Brown Creeper, and N. Mockingbird. An immature Ross' Goose was spotted among the 10-13 thousand Snow Goose at Point au Roche in mid November; observer Bill Krueger, who has found two adults in recent years, added that he "didn't realize how nearly white the immature is." Krueger continued his highly successful search for banded Snow Goose at this vital stopover, reading and reporting an incredible 97 black-on-yellow neck collar codes between 19 Oct and 30 Nov. A smaller number of Canada Goose wearing black-on-white neck bibs was also reported from Point au Roche and Westport; one at Westport 19-24 Nov had been banded at Dead Creek Refuge in Vermont 3 Jul 91 and previously spotted at Four Brothers Islands 3 Aug 94. Bob and Bill Hagar came upon an immature Golden Eagle on Scarface Mt., ESSE, eating White tailed Deer entrails with three Common Raven where the buck had been killed and dressed two days before. All four falcons were sighted in Essex County. Wild Turkey continues to establish itself, with six sightings distributed over all four counties, but the largest flocks having only 12- 18 birds. Rising lake levels eliminated most of the summer's excellent shorebird habitat, but observers still managed to locate 18 species. Notable was a Western Sandpiper at Ausable Point in September, while King's Bay had a White-rumped Sandpiper in October and four Baird's Sandpiper during September. Good numbers of Great Black-backed Gull, Gray Jay, Boreal Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, Red-breasted Nuthatch, and both kinglets were reported. A pitiful berry crop was probably responsible for Eastern Bluebird moving out in late Oct, although a Hermit Thrush MARCH 1996 73 lingered to mid Nov, and a few American Robin could still be found at the end of the season. Although Bohemian Waxwing has appeared here in all but two winters since 1979-80, or 15 of the last 17 years, this was a remarkable fall for these sweetly trilling visitors. Bull (1974) provides a 7 Nov arrival date, with 15 Nov 1851 at Niagara Falls the earliest specimen. This year, Krueger saw three at Hudson Hall on the SUNY Plattsburgh campus on 30 Oct, with subsequent arrivals at Saranac Lake 3 Nov, Peru and Westport 4 Nov, and six of a flock of 20 feeding in a crabapple near Elizabethtown banded and photographed by the editor on 7 Nov. Thereafter, active observers were finding up to four flocks daily in the waxwings' favored haunts, generally feeding on buckthorn. Northern Shrike also came down early and in good numbers, with new early arrival dates set during Oct for Clinton, Essex, and Franklin counties. The passerine migration was generally good, at least by recent standards. Bud Lanyon banded a Philadelphia Vireo on Giant Mt. in early September. An Orange-crowned Warbler was banded near Elizabethtown by Bob Wei in early Oct, with another seen at Tupper Lake by Charlcie Delehanty the same day. Both "Western" and "Yellow" Palm Warbler were unusually abundant, and Tom Dudones found a Wilson's Warbler at Saranac Lake High School in early September. Dudones reported Savannah Sparrow feeding newly fledged young in early September at Saranac Lake, where Bob Hagar had two linger into November. Dudones also indentified a Dark-eyed "Oregon" Junco near Lake Colby, FRAN. Clinton Co. had a few rarely reported Lapland Longspur, while Snow Bunting was widely reported from late October. Adirondack-Champlain birders await the arrival of winter finches each fall as a harbinger of the winter months to come. Their early observations promise a Pine Grosbeak-Common Redpoll Winter of 1995-96. First to arrive were the redpolls and the magic day was 12 November, when they simultaneously appeared at Hogansburg, Lake Placid, Plattsburgh, and Tupper Lake (which boasted the max. 125 in four roadside flocks, plus five at the Delehanty feeder). By the end of the month, Pine Grosbeak had been spotted at Inlet, Keene, Plattsburgh, and between Saranac Lake and Tupper Lake. Other finches were in short supply, with the only crossbills at Inlet. Notable, however, was American Goldfinch still feeding young at a Tupper Lake feeder in 74 THE KINGBIRD November. Contributors: Ethel & Tom Baker, Thomas Barber, Helen Booth, Walter Carstens, Charlcie Delehanty, J.D. Delehanty, Janet Downs, Tom Dudones, Jim Farrell, Greg Furness, Rich Gast, Mark Gretch, Robert Hagar, William Hagar, Terry Hall, Candy & John Hess, Anne & Jane Hooper, Selma Isil, Marshall Kinne, Hal Klein, Bill Krueger, Daphne Kutzer, Ignatius Lacombe, Wesley Lanyon, Gary Lee, Rich MacDonald, Theodore Mack, Harold McClain,Larry Master, Charles Mitchell, Edith Mitchell, Dan Nickerson, Wendy O'Neil, John & Susan Peterson, Mary Purcell, George Roberts, Dave Russell, William Rutherford, Nina Schoch, Dean Spaulding, Langdon Stevenson, John & Pat Thaxton, Frances & Newman Tryon, Jan Trzeciak, Robert Turck, Robin Ulmer, Robert Wei, Hollis White, Wayne Wilkins. Abbreviations: Apt - Ausable Point WMA; BB - Bloomingdale Bog; CB - Cumberland Bay; KB - Kingis Bay; PtR - Point au Roche SP; SL - Saranac Lake; TB - Treadwell Bay; TL - Tupper Lake. Fall Reports: Red-throated Loon: new regional max 11 Bog R inlet, TL, 7 Nov (TD). Com. Loon: one in basic plumage entangled in fishing lure and line n. Plattsburgh 21 Oct. Pied-billed Grebe: three Mt. View L 16 Sep; two Fish Creek Pd 5 Oct; one Webb Royce Swamp 27 Oct; two TL 1 Nov, exceptional. Homed Grebe: arr TL 1 Oct (EM), early. Red-necked Grebe: arr Indian L, FRAN Raquette L inlet and TL 31 Oct; max four APt 22 Nov. Double-crested Cormorant: max 50 Four Bros Isis 30 Sep (RM); five TL 7 Oct, unusual inland; imm successfully rehabilitated SL, banded and released Willsboro Pt 15 Oct (JP,NS). Great Egret: Plattsburgh 28 Sep (BK,CM). Cattle Egret: one Camp Dudley Rd, Westpost 20 Oct (RT). Snow Goose: 10-13 thousand PtR 20 Nov (RH,TM); intro. Ross' Goose: one imm PtR 20 Nov. Canada Goose: intro. Green-winged Teal: hen SL High School pond 22 Oct (TD): two Westport 25 Oct (MG), uncommon. Blue-winged Teal: max 20 Westport 15 Sep (J&PT). Gadwall: two still at Four Bros 30 Sep (RM). Am. Wigeon: SLHS pond 23 Sep (TD), unexpected. Ring-necked Duck: max 22 Mountain View L 30 Oct. Lesser Scaup: max 29 Mt. View L 31 Oct-1 Nov (JT). Oldsquaw: Indian L, Mt. View L, TL sightings, all FRAN. Black Scoter: arr 30 Raquette Pd 19 Oct (CD); one Apt 14 Nov (BK). Surf Scoter: two PtR 16 Nov. White-winged Scoter: arr 11 APt 10 (BK, CM); max 22 Indian L, FRAN 22 Oct (JT) ; TL 7-18 Nov. Com. Goldeneye: 28 Seventh L to 14 Nov (TD,GL), highly unexpected. MARCH 1996 75 Bufflehead: arr four Mt. View L 16 Sep. Hooded Merganser: max 50 Indian L, FRAN 2 Nov; flock Fifth L to 23 Nov (GL), when it froze. Red¬ breasted Merganser: Seventh L to 14 Nov (GL); Crown Pt 30 Nov (GF). Ruddy Duck: four Raquette Pd, FRAN 31 Oct-2 Nov (CD,TD, RH), extremely rare here. Osprey: last on small island Mt View L 1 Nov (JT). Bald Eagle: two imm TL 19 Sep; ad Mooer's Forks; ad Red Tavern Road 27 Sep; Sugerloaf Mt, FRAN, late Oct. No. Harrier: Wadhams 26 Nov (J&PT), late. Rough-legged Hawk: arr Schuyler Falls 30 Oct (CH). Golden Eagle: intro. Merlin: Ray Brook to 3 Sep (TD). Peregrine Falcon: still at Willsboro Bay eyrie 12 Oct (JP), seen atop cliff from passing Amtrak. Gyrfalcon: dark morph, intersection Cross & Lake Shore Rds, ESSE 23 & 26 Nov (DS). Gray Partridge: three Reynolds Rd, CLIN 16 Nov (GR), only report. Ring-necked Pheasant: bagged Essex day of DEC release, only report. Wild Turkey: max 18 Lewis-Wadhams Rd 17 Oct (RU); also Adk Loj Rd, Inlet feeder, old 190 near CLIN-FRAN line, TL, and Westport. Com. Moorhen: Apt 1 Oct (J&RH), unusual. Am. Coot: Apt 18 Nov; Plattsburgh 30 Nov, better than usual. Black-bellied Plover: arr Four Bros 30 Sep (RM). Am. Golden-Plover: arr three Westport 4 Sep (JP,DS)-5 Sep (DS), scarcer since Essex plowed fields became fallow. Semipalmated Plover: KB and Westport Sep. Greater Yellowlegs: unexpected at SLHS 22 Oct (TD); also KB and Westport. Lesser Yellowlegs: max 9 KB 12 Sep (BK), a high number here. Solitary Sandpiper: two SLHS 2-9 Sep; two Inlet 12 Sep, unexpected; Westport 4-25 Oct, less unusual. Sanderling: one Apt 14 Nov (BK), extremely late. Semipalmated Sandpiper: KB and Westport Sep. Western Sandpiper: Apt 6 Sep (HK,BK,CM), seen well. Least Sandpiper: KB and Westport Sep. White-rumped Sandpiper: KB 12 Oct (BK,CM), rare here. Baird's Sandpiper: four KB 3-7 Sep (BK,CM,LS), rare. Pectoral Sandpiper: four KB 3 Sep (BK,LS)-9 Sep (J&RH); Westport 4 Oct (TD); max five KB 12 Oct (BK,CM), where last seen 24 Oct. Dunlin: KB, MB 3,31 Oct (BK,CM). Short-billed Dowitcher: KB 16 Sep (TD), only report. Am. Woodcock: New Russia 2 Nov (SI), late. Little Gull: ad TB 18 Sep (BK), early; also there 26 Oct. Bonaparte's Gull: max 120 Westport 4 Nov (RH,TM); six Four Bros 5 Nov (RM). Ring-billed Gull: eating highbush cranberries off bush at L. Flower boat launch 5 Nov (TD)! Herring Gull: one at Four Bros 5 Nov (RM) was only non-Bonaparte's species there...wo Ring-billed or Great Black-backed gulls! Iceland Gull: 76 THE KINGBIRD 1st winter L. Flower from 25 Nov thru (RH), highly unexpected inland. Great Black-backed Gull: 100+ Westport 24 Nov (JP,RW). Com. Tern: three Four Bros. 5 Nov (RM), late. Black Tern: CLIN 10 Oct (J&RH), record late. Snowy Owl: on Franklin Ave. chimney, SL, week of 27 Nov (fide RH). N. Saw-whet Owl: Newcomb L 16 Sep (TB), only report. Com. Nighthawk: 30 SL 5 Sep (RH), encouraging. Red-headed Woodpecker: Rutherford feeder, Bloomingdale 24-26 Oct (TD,RH,TM), a good find. Black-backed Woodpecker: male Bigelow Rd, Bloomingdale 9 Sep (TD); sev MRRA. E. Wood-Pewee: Apt 6 Oct (BK,CM), late. Homed Lark: two TL 17 Nov (CD), scarce in Adks. Gray Jay: BB, Helldiver Pd; MRRA; two Saranac Inn feeder; Vermontville; fed out of hand Inlet-Shallow L trail 17 Nov (GL). Boreal Chickadee: Algonquin; Giant Mt; max 13 Hough Pk, Shallow L; Sugarloaf Mt; South Dix. Tufted Titmouse: Chazy; Inlet; Peru; Plattsburgh; TL; Westport; SL feeder 8 Nov (RH), first in 37 years, an exceptional showing from all four counties. Red-breasted Nuthatch: Elizabethtown; Hogansburg; TL; and Wadhams feeders, where not regular. Golden-crowned Kinglet: max 20 between Hough and S. Dix 27 Sep (DR). Ruby-crowned Kinglet: last TL 26 Oct (CD). E. Bluebird: last SL 26 Oct, contrasts strongly with 1994-95 overwintering flocks. Am. Robin: speckled juv Mt. View 25 Oct (JT), but generally scarce by Nov. Am. Pipit: six Reynold's Rd, CLIN 21 Sep (J&RH); SLHS 24 Sep (TD); one East Dix (4,012') 27 Sep (DR); New Russia 19 Oct (SI), a strong showing by a rarely reported bird. Bohemian Waxwing: intro.; many reports from Elizabethtown, Essex, Peru, Plattsburgh, SL, Wadhams, and Westport; max 300 Plattsburg 20 Nov (RH,TM), although four flocks Elizabethtown-Essex 24 Nov (DN,JP,DS) exceeded that. Cedar Waxwing: two TL 10 Sep (CD), only report of this fall '95 rarity. N. Shrike: arr Rand Hall, SUNY Plattsburgh 29 Oct. (BK); CLIN record; subsequent sightings from Inlet, Keene, SL, and Wadhams, with an estimated dozen birds reported from all four counties. Philadelphia Vireo: banded Giant Mt. 6 Sep (WL). Orange- crowned Warbler: banded Elizabethtown 3 Oct (RW); seen TL same day (CD), rare here. Yellow-ramped Warbler: max 42 Owls Head 16 Sep (JT): last Inlet 19 Oct (GL). Pine Warbler: last SL 9 Oct (TD). Palm Warbler: "Western" SL 26 Sep (TD); sp. PtR 27 Sep (J&RH)-28 Sep (BK); five "Yellow" Ray Brook 5 Oct (TD); sp. Apt 6 Oct (BK); "Yellow" BB MARCH 1996 77 15 Oct (TD); both "Western" & "Yellow" New Russia 17 Oct (SI); sp. Helldiver Pd 20 Oct (GL); "Yellow" SLHS 28 Oct (TD), unprecedented total of nine reports, many specifying subspecies. Ovenbird: Plattsburgh feeder 21 Nov (CM), extremely late. No. Waterthrush: Taylor Pd 2 Oct (DK), late. Mourning Warbler: SLHS 9 Sep (TD), only report. Wilson's Warbler: SLHS 10 Sep (TD), only report. N. Cardinal: pr Elizabethtown feeder 22 Oct (J&SP); 1,900' elev. Keene 22 Oct; 1,500' elev. Keene 26 Oct (RM); TL 24 Oct; Elizabethtown feeder early Nov (F&NT); Limekiln mid Nov (GL), all locations where normally scarce. Eastern Towhee: Saranac R, CLIN 10 Oct (BK,GR), good find. Am. Tree Sparrow: arr Hogansburg 25 Oct (HW). Chipping Sparrow: TL 5 Nov (CD); SL 26-29 Nov (RH), late. Field Sparrow: last Terry Mt 10 Oct (CH). Savannah Sparrow: feeding newly fledged young SL 10 Sep (TD); two SL 1 Nov (RH), late. Fox Sparrow: arr Plattsburgh 1 Oct (CM), early; also Elizabethtown, SL, TL, Wadhams, last Etown 15 Nov (MG), a good showing over a lengthy migration. Lincoln's Sparrow: max eight Elizabethtown 7 Oct (MG). White-crowned Sparrow: SL 29 Sep-9 Oct; TL 4-16 Oct, only reports. Dark-eyed (Oregon) Junco : near L. Colby, FRAN 1 Oct (TD). Dark-eyed (Slate-colored) Junco: 32 banded Elizabethtown 22 Oct (J&SP); 100+ feeding on small white moths on TL forest floor 28 Oct (JDD). Lapland Longspur: three North Farm Rd, CLIN 9 Nov (BK)-12 (J&RH), an excellent find. Snow Bunting: arr 20 Malone 30 Oct (HM); max 75 Hopkinton 14 Nov; others at Four Bros.5 Nov (RM); Crown Point; Essex; Mineville; Speculator; TL; and Westport, suggesting a good winter ahead. Red-winged Blackbird: Nov sightings from Elizabethtown, Inlet, Keene, L. Durant, and TL, involving a total of 18 birds were exceptionally late. E. Meadowlark: Schuyler Falls 3 Nov (C&JH); Northway Exit 38 on 14 Nov (CM), both late. Rusty Blackbird: max 24 PtR 2 Oct (TH,HK,BK), where present 27 Sep-10 Oct (J&RH); also SL 9 Oct (TD). Com. Grackle: three TL 9 Nov; Elizabethtown 15 Nov; TL 29 Nov, all late. Brown-headed Cowbird: four TL 13 Nov; Inlet 16 Nov; four Keene 25 Nov, also late interior dates. Pine Grosbeak: arr eight Clinton Comm. College 20 Nov (J&RH); followed by Inlet, Keene, and SL-TL sightings. Purple Finch: three TL 30 Sep; two TL 25 Oct; Wadhams 25 Nov, or just one sighting per month. House Finch: TL feeder 27 Oct; transient male Elizabethtown feeder 15 Nov. crossbill (sp.): 12 Inlet 26 Nov, only report. Com. Redpoll: intro ; arr 78 THE KINGBIRD Hogansburg, Lake Placid, Plattsburgh, TL 12 Nov; subsequent sightings MRRA, SL, and Wadhams, suggesting a good winter. Pine Siskin: one Wadhams feeder; six Spruce Hill, Keene 4 Nov, only reports. Am. Goldfinch: 29 Elizabethtown 4 Sep-11 Nov; feeding begging yg TL feeder 10 Nov (CD). Evening Grosbeak: max 25 TL 5-6 Nov; only other reports from Elizabethtown. Exotic: Chukar: one Willsboro feeder 26 Oct-4 Nov; two more at former missile base during same period (Henrietta Connor), origin unknown. Addenda: Canada Goose: three with neck collars Westport Sep 1994 (MG,JP,DS), had been banded near Bamegat NWR, NJ Mar 1993 and Feb 1994; two with collars APt Oct 1994 banded PA Feb 1991 and MD Feb 1993. Buff-breasted Sandpiper: one Cumberland Bay 27 Jul 1995 (J&RH), 2nd Clinton Co. and 3rd regional record. Discovery Farm, RR 1, Box 230, Elizabethtown, NY 12932 REGION 8 - HUDSON-MOHAWK Jane E. Graves Fall 1995 brought an end to the year-long drought. As reported from the Albany County Airport, September's mean temperature was 59.1 degrees, 2.2 degrees lower than the usual 61.3 degrees, with greater than normal sunshine. There were 2.28 inches of precipitation, 0.67 inches below normal, with over half of the rain occurring on the 22nd. The first frost occurred on the 29th. October averaged 53.3 degrees, 3.1 degrees above the normal 50.2 degrees, with 48% sunshine. Rainfall was a whopping 5.20 inches above the normal 2.83 inches. November averaged 35.7 degrees, 4.0 degrees below the expected 39.7 degrees. There was 25% of the possible sunshine, 11% less than normal. Precipitation was 0.53 inches above the normal 3.23 inches. The first measurable snow fell on 13 Nov, with 1.43 inches. Although there were no major fallouts during migration, reports MARCH 1996 79 indicated both excellent diversity and generally good numbers. 207 species were reported, up from 194 last year. These included 27 species of waterfowl, 19 species of raptors, 20 species of shorebirds, and 27 species of warblers. Waterfowl highlights included the largest flights of Snow Goose observed in several years and high numbers of Hooded Merganser from Galway Lake, SARA; Cossayuna Lake, WASH; Stanton Pond, ALBA; and Saratoga Lake. With the decrease of available habitat due to the prolonged drought, Vischer Ferry was the the best place to view shorebirds, with 15 species present in September. In general, the poor natural food crops increased feeder observations. Robert Yunick noted that an irruption of Black-capped Chickadee and Red-breasted Nuthatch is in progress at Jenny Lake. After its poor showing during the summer. Dark-eyed Junco was present in high numbers, with 73 individuals banded in Yunick's Schenectady yard during October. An irruption of northern species is in evidence. Northern Shrike was reported throughout the region beginning in late October. There were several Bohemian Waxwing sightings during November in Saratoga and Warren counties. Winter finches with the exception of the crossbills were present in good numbers. There were two notable rarities, at least one a Regional first, sighted during the period. On 14 Sep George and Kay Hanson discovered an immature Reeve at Vischer Ferry. The bird had been observed since 11 Sep by another individual but not positively identified. It remained until at least 17 September. On 23 September Cliff Lamere and Sam Madison found an immature Sabine's Gull while fishing on Saratoga Lake. They subsequently spent the next four days taking groups of birders out in his boat to view the bird, which was feeding on a hatch of mayflies. It departed by 27 Sep when the hatch ended. Also present on Saratoga Lake at that time were Red and Red-necked phalarope. Contributors: Ken Able; Alan Devoe Bird Club monthly sighting reports (ADBC); Robert Budliger; Paul Connor; Bill Cook; Walter Ellison; Craig Fosdick; Laurie Freeman; Jane Graves; Richard Guthrie; Ron Harrower; Hudson-Mohawk Bird Club's Birdline of Eastern New York (BEN); Cliff Lamere; William Lee; Andy Mason; Nancy Martin; Laura Meade; Frank Murphy; Ray Perry; Barbara Putnam; Elton Rising; David Russell; Jim Sotis; Robert Yunick. Abbreviations: BurgR - Burgoyne Rd, SARA; CarL - Carter Lake, WASH; ColL - Collins Lake, SCHE; CPHW - Camp Pinnacle hawk 80 THE KINGBIRD watch, ALBA; FiveR - Five Rivers Environmental Education Center, Delmar, ALBA; FSF - Featherstonaugh State Forest, SCHE; FtE - Fort Edward area, WASH; GI - Green Island, ALBA; HP - E.N. Huyck Preserve, ALBA; JL - Jenny Lake, SARA; NL - Nassau Lake, RENS; NRP - Nott Rd. Park, Guilderland, ALBA; PISP - Peebles Island State Park, SARA; SacaL - Great Sacandaga Lake, Broadalbin, FULT; SaraL - Saratoga Lake, SARA; SBNHP - Saratoga Battlefield National Historic Park, SARA; SI - Simmons Island, Cohoes, ALBA; TomRes - Tomhannock Reservoir, RENS; VFNHP - Vischer Ferry Nature and Historic Preserve, SARA; WRes - Watervliet Reservoir, ALBA. Fall Reports: Red-throated Loon: six reports; max three SaraL 19 Nov (BP). Com. Loon: one chick fledged Thirteenth L WARR (KA); ten SaraL reports 25 Sep-29 Nov; max eight 17 Nov (WL); 11 TomRes 18 Nov (WE, mob). Pied-billed Grebe: max and last eight Cossayuna L WASH 21 Nov (JS). Homed Grebe: max five SaraL 17 Nov (WL); last two L George WARR 27 Nov (LM). Red-necked Grebe: 13 reports; max three SaraL 17 Nov (WL); last two SaraL 26 Nov (CF). Great Cormorant: one imm Vischer Ferry Rd SARA 27 Oct (RP); one probable 2nd-yr imm GI 5 Nov (WE, NM); same bird? Double-crested Cormorant: max 81 GI 4 Sep (WE, NM); last one Lock 7 Mohawk R SCHE 24 Nov (RP). Am. Bittern: one Town Line Rd WASH 29 Sep (BP); last one Niskayuna Bike Path/RR Station SCHE 13 Oct (RP). Great Blue Heron: max 22 ColL 4 Sep (RP). Great Egret: max 13 Colonie ALBA 9 Sep (WE); eight VFNHP 3 Sep (JG); last one Claverack COLU 11 Oct (ADBC). Green Heron: max eight FiveR 10 Sep (RB, JG); last one SaraL 15 Oct (WL). Black-crowned Night-Heron: five reports of singles. Tundra Swan: possible over Schodack Ctr RENS Oct 19-20 (PC). Mute Swan: one imm SaraL 21-28 Oct (WE, NM), only report n of Albany. Snow Goose: arr one ad Stillwater SARA 17 Sep (WE); nine reports of flocks numbering 100-600 Oct-Nov; max 1400 BurgR 19 Oct (CF); 1500+ TomRes 18 Nov (WE, mob); 1000+ Hedges L WASH 25 Nov (JS). Brant: max 200 Jefferson SCHO 29 Oct (AM). Canada Goose: first 40-50 JL 29 Sep (RY); max 2200 TomRes 21 Oct (WE, NM); c. 3000 in corn stubble Brookview RENS 21 Oct (PC); some overlap? Wood Duck: max 85 Half Moon SARA 9 Sep (WE); one JL 10 Sep (RY); last ColL 14 Nov (RP). Green-winged Teal: last 40 TomRes 11 Nov (WE, NM). N. Pintail: first one VFNHP 3 Sep (JG); two Castleton RENS 26 Nov (PC). Blue-winged Teal: 50 VFNHP 11-15 Sep (WE, CF, NM); max 93 PISP; 55 Cohoes Commons ALBA 16 MARCH 1996 81 Sep (WE); last one VFNHP 28 Oct (WE, NM). N. Shoveler: one Alcove Res ALBA 23 Nov (KA), only report. Gadwall: only three reports. Am. Wigeon: first one VFNHP 3 Sep (JG); max 41 TomRes 21 Oct (WE); last Claverack COLU 16 Nov (ADBC). Canvasback: no reports. Redhead: no reports. Ring-necked Duck: first three Riverview Rd Half Moon SARA 9 Sep (WE); max 550 Alcove Res ALBA 23 Nov (KA); last two SaraL 26 Nov (CF). Greater Scaup: first four SaraL 25 Sep (CF); max 75 SaraL 4 Nov (CF); last Claverack COLU Nov 30 (ADBC). Lesser Scaup: first nine Pine Swamp RENS 11 Oct (PC); last Copake COLU 24 Nov (ADBC). Oldsquaw: six reports; max seven SaraL 19 Nov (WL, BP). Black Scoter: max 450 SaraL 19 Oct (CL). Surf Scoter: max 32 SaraL 19 Oct (CL). White-winged Scoter: max 21 Sara L 28 Oct (WE, NM); last one NL 1 Nov (PC). Com. Goldeneye: 105 SaraL 17 Nov (WL); max 175 TomRes 18 Nov (WE, NM et al.). Bufflehead: first one SaraL 21 Oct (WE, NM); max 32 SaraL 17 Nov (WL); last four L George WARR 27 Nov (LM). Hooded Merganser: first three Cohoes ALBA 30 Sep (WE, NM); 163 SaraL 17 Nov (WL) building to 350+ there 27 Nov (RH); last four L George WARR 27 Nov (LM). Com. Merganser: ten reports; first one GI 15 Oct (WL); max c. 225 ColL 3 Nov (RP); last two L George WARR 27 Nov (ER). Red-breasted Merganser: four reports; max eight SaraL 28 Oct (WE, NM). Ruddy Duck: nine reports; first two SaraL 7 Oct (WE, CL); max 28 NL 16 Oct (PC); 29 TomRes 18 Nov (WE, et al.); last Copake COLU 30 Nov (ADBC). Turkey Vulture: max twelve Bloomfield Rd SARA 12 Oct (CF); last one Hillsdale COLU 10 Nov (ADBC). Osprey: 34 reports; max seven CPHW 10 Sep. Bald Eagle: nine reports, age not stated; one ad SacaL 12- 28 Oct (LF); one imm SacaL 10-13 Oct (LF); one imm Coxsackie I GREE 6 Nov (PC). N. Harrier: nineteen reports; max five FtE 17 Nov (BP). Sharp-shinned Hawk: 36 reports; 18 CPHW 10 Sep (NM, mob). Cooper's Hawk: 14 reports. N. Goshawk: one VFNHP 15 Sep (GR to BEN); one Ghent COLU 21 Oct (ADBC); one Raymertown RENS 22 Oct (WL). Red-shouldered Hawk: four reports. Broad-winged Hawk: max 246 CPHW 10 Sep (NM, mob). Red-tailed Hawk: max 14 in one field Stone Bridge Rd SARA 8-30 Nov (CF, JG). Rough-legged Hawk: arr one Howe's Caverns 28 Oct (DR); eleven reports. Am. Kestrel: 22 reports. Merlin: six reports. Peregrine Falcon: three reports, one VFNHP 24 Sep (BEN); one SacaL 8 Oct (LF); one imm Brunswick RENS 14 Oct (WE, NM). Ring-necked Pheasant: two T Hague WARR 27 Sep (fide LM). 82 THE KINGBIRD Wild Turkey: continues in good numbers throughout; max 68 T Moreau SARA 30 Nov (BP). Virginia Rail: regular VFNHP Sep; max two 15 Sep (WE, NM). Sora: four reports. Com. Moorhen: max 12 CarL 18 Sep, last one 23 Oct (JS). Am. Coot: max 85 Galway L SARA 15 Nov (RH); last Hudson R 30 Nov (ADBC). Black-bellied Plover: only one report. Am. Golden-Plover: three TomRes 30 Sep-1 Oct (CF), only report. Semipalmated Plover: max three SI/PISP 4 Sep (WE, NM). Killdeer: max 91 SUNYA 13 Sep (WE). Greater Yellowlegs: five reports of two- three. Lesser Yellowlegs: max 21 VFNHP 17 Sep (WE, mob). Solitary Sandpiper: max seven VFNHP 9 Sep (WE); last two VFNHP 17 Sep (mob). Spotted Sandpiper: only two reports. Sanderling: two VFNHP 15 Sep (CF). Semipalmated Sandpiper: max six VFNHP 17 Sep (WE, mob). Least Sandpiper, max 15 VFNHP 17 Sep (mob). White-rumped Sandpiper: one VFNHP 17 Sep (WE, mob). Baird's Sandpiper: no reports. Pectoral Sandpiper: max 12 VFNHP 17 Sep (WE, mob). Stilt Sandpiper: two imm VFNHP 17 Sep (WE, mob). Ruff: Intro . Com. Snipe: max nine VFNHP 15 Sep (WE, CF, NM); last one TomRes 21 Oct (WE, NM). Am. Woodcock: last one Ghent COLU 19 Oct (ADBC). Red¬ necked Phalarope: one SaraL 25 Sep (RB, CF, JG, CL), first in Region since 1991. Red Phalarope: one SaraL 24 Sep (CL), first in Region since 1989. Bonaparte's Gull: four reports of singles SaraL; three Saral 18 Oct (CF); three NL 25 Oct (PC). Ring-billed Gull: max 1800 Cohoes/Waterford, ALBA 15 Oct (WE). Herring Gull: max 250 SaraL 26 Nov (CF). Lesser Black-backed Gull: one 1st basic plumage Cohoes Commons 17 Sep (WE, NM); three (ad, 2nd-yr, hatching yr) Cohoes Commons 30 Sep (WE, NM); one ad SI 15 Oct (WE); one 2nd basic plumage SI 5 Nov (WE). Great Black-backed Gull: three pursuing ad Bald Eagle SacaL 12 Oct (LF); max 20-30 SaraL Nov (CF). Sabine's Gull : Intro. Black-billed Cuckoo: one FiveR 10 Sep (RB, JG); one Mill Creek Marsh COLU 18 Sep (PC). Yellow-billed Cuckoo: no reports. E. Screech-Owl: nine reports. Great Homed Owl: fourteen reports. Barred Owl: pair BurgR throughout period (CD); five reports of singles. Short¬ eared Owl: two Stone Bridge Rd SARA 11 Nov (JG); two FtE 20 Nov (BP). N. Saw-whet Owl: one Salem WASH 12 Oct (fide BP). Com. Nighthawk: eleven Saratoga Springs 2 Sep; four Saratoga Springs 4 Sep (JG); one VFNHP 4 Sep (WE, NM); seven-eight Geyser Rd SARA 4 Sep (CF); six Albany 7 Sep (WE). Chimney Swift: max 120 VFNHP 4 Sep MARCH 1996 83 (WE, NM); last eight VFNHP 17 Sep (WE, NM). Ruby-throated Hummingbird: 14 reports; max four VFNHP 15 Sep (WE, NM). Red¬ headed Woodpecker: one Chatham COLU 23 Sep (ADBC). Red-bellied Woodpecker: twelve reports. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker: 13 reports; last one Galway SARA 10 Nov (RH). Downy Woodpecker: five banded JL, highest since 1974 (RY). N. Flicker: max eleven NRP 23 Sep (WE); eight- twelve Meco FULT 23 Sep-7 Oct (LF). Olive-sided Flycatcher: no reports. E. Wood-Pewee: max nine HP 3 Sep (WE, NM et al.). Yellow-bellied Flycatcher: no reports. Willow Flycatcher: one Chatham COLU 2 Sep (ADBC). Least Flycatcher: one Indian Kill SCHE 4 Sep (RP); one SBNHP 4 Sep (JG). E. Phoebe: max nine SBNHP 1 Oct (JG). Great Crested Flycatcher: one Chatham COLU 2 Sep (ADBC); one SBNHP 4 Sep (JG). E. Kingbird: one VFNHP 3 Sep (CF). Horned Lark: c. 200 Stone Bridge Rd SARA 11 Nov (JG). Tree Swallow: four reports. Bam Swallow: only one report. Blue Jay: max 115 NRP 23 Sep (WE). Am. Crow: max 380 PISP/Troy 5 Nov (WE). Fish Crow: two-five Cohoes Falls/Colonie Landfill ALBA 3-17 Sep (WE, CF, NM); one Hudson COLU 29 Sep (ADBC). Com. Raven: 17 reports. Black-capped Chickadee: max 38 PISP 30 Sep (WE, NM). Tufted Titmouse: max 17 NRP 23 Sep (WE). Red-breasted Nuthatch: reported in good numbers through Oct. Brown Creeper: six reports. Carolina Wren: four reports. House Wren: only two reports. Winter Wren: 27 reports. Marsh Wren: max three WRes 10 Sep (WE). Golden-crowned Kinglet: first two CPHW 10 Sep (L. Federman fide WE), early; max 20 BurgR 4 Oct (CF); four JL 5 Nov, three 18 Nov (RY). Ruby-crowned Kinglet: first one CPHW 10 Sep (L. Federman fide WE), early; max nine SBNHP 11 Oct (JG); last one ColL 6 Nov (RP). Blue-gray Gnatcatcher: only one report. E. Bluebird: five reports; max 15 T Hague WARR 9 Oct (fide LM). Veery: four reports. Gray-cheeked Thrush: one SBNHP 23 Sep (JG). Swainson's Thrush: 17 reports. Hermit Thrush: 33 reports; last one BurgR 13 Nov (CF). Wood Thrush: three reports; max five BurgR 10 Sep (CF). Am. Robin: generally low numbers; max 20-30 BurgR 3 Oct (CF). Gray Catbird: max seven Saratoga Spa SP 16 Sep (JG). N. Mockingbird: two Denton Rd SAR 18 Oct (CF); harassing Red-tailed Hawk. Brown Thrasher: three reports of singles. Am. Pipit: only one report. Bohemian Waxwing; three Stone Bridge Rd SARA 8 Nov (CF); one BurgR 12 Nov (CF); 109 Glens Falls WARR 14-21 Nov (WL, BP). Cedar Waxwing: max 56 NRP 12 Oct (WE). N. Shrike: eight reports. 84 THE KINGBIRD Solitary Vireo: 30 Sep; seven Oct reports. Yellow-throated Vireo: six reports. Warbling Vireo: only two reports. Philadelphia Vireo: seven reports; last one SUNYA 3 Oct (WE), late. Red-eyed Vireo: 40 Sep, five Oct reports. Blue-winged Warbler: one SBNHP 4 Sep (JG); one Berne ALBA 9 Sep (KA); one FiveR 10 Sep (RB, JG), late. Golden-winged Warbler: last one Berne ALBA 9 Sep (KA), late. Tennessee Warbler: four reports. Orange-crowned Warbler: one imm PISP 15 Oct (WE). Nashville Warbler: eleven reports; max four PISP 30 Sep (WE, NM). N. Parula: eight reports of singles. Yellow Warbler: only two reports. Chestnut-sided Warbler: eleven reports of singles. Magnolia Warbler: 27 reports; max ten WRes 2 Sep (WE). Cape May Warbler: only one report. Black-throated Blue Warbler: thirteen reports. Yellow-rumped Warbler: max 31 NRP 22 Oct (WE). Black-throated Green Warbler: 47 reports; max nine HP 3 Sep (WE, NM et al.). Blackburnian Warbler: seven reports of singles. Pine Warbler: one juv NRP 1 Oct (WE), only report. Prairie Warbler: one Jefferson SCHO 10 Sep (AM); one Gansevoort SARA 1 Oct (BP); only two reports. Palm Warbler: 32 reports; first one NRP 23 Sep (WE); max 13 NRP 22 Oct (WE); last one Niskayuna Bike Path SCHE 23 Oct (RP). Bay-breasted Warbler: seventeen reports; max three HP 3 Sep (WE, NM et al.). Blackpoll Warbler: nine reports of singles; max eleven PISP 16 Sep (WE); nine PISP 30 Sep (WE, NM). Black-and-white Warbler: only two reports. Am. Redstart: eight reports of singles; max four SUNYA 8 Sep (WE). Ovenbird: seven Sep reports. N. Waterthrush: two reports of singles; eight banded JL 1-16 Sep (RY). Mourning Warbler: one Guilderland ALBA 30 Sep (WE), only report. Com. Yellowthroat: max 13 ENHP 3 Sep (WE, NM, et al.). Wilson's Warbler: six reports. Canada Warbler: three reports of singles. Scarlet Tanager: twelve reports of singles; max five WRes 2 Sep (WE); three SARA 8 Sep (CF). Rose-breasted Grosbeak: eight reports. Indigo Bunting: one SBNHP 11 Sep (CF), only report. Rufous-sided Towhee: five reports. Am. Tree Sparrow: first one Jefferson SCHO 5 Nov (AM); max 30 Niskayuna RR Station SCHE 9 Nov (RY). Chipping Sparrow: max 20 BurgR 16 Sep (CF); last one Indian Meadows SCHE 1 Nov (RP). Field Sparrow: last one Silver Beach Rd SARA 27 Nov (CF), late. Vesper Sparrow: last one Muitzeskill RENS 22 Nov (PC). Savannah Sparrow: last one FtE 8 Nov (CF). Fox Sparrow: eight Oct and ten Nov reports; last one Broadalbin FULT 20 Nov (LF). Song Sparrow: max 39 MARCH 1996 85 NRP 22 Oct (WE). Lincoln's Sparrow: five reports. Swamp Sparrow: max 24 VFNHP 9 Sep (WE, NM); last one BurgR 13 Nov (CF). White- throated Sparrow: arr VFNHP 3 Sep (CF); max 50-60 BurgR 27 Sep-5 Oct (CF); two JL 20 Nov (RY), unusual so late. White-crowned Sparrow: arr ColL 11 Oct (RP). Dark-eyed Junco: max 80 T Moreau SARA 25 Oct (BP). Lapland Longspur: one Saratoga Cty Airport 18 Oct (CF). Snow Bunting: arr 14 SaraL 5 Nov (JG); max 50 T Wilton SARA 6 Nov (BP). Red-winged Blackbird: max 1000 FtE 8 Nov (CF). E. Meadowlark: last one FtE 15 Nov (BP). Rusty Blackbird: arr one VFNHP 15 Sep (G. Recer to BEN); max 15 Bloomfield Rd SARA (CF). Com. Grackle: max 3500 SaraL 7 Oct (WE, CL). Brown-headed Cowbird: max 1000 SUNYA 8 Sep (WE); one Niskayuna Bike Path SCHE 19 Nov (RY). N. Oriole: only one report. Purple Finch: modest numbers Sep through early Oct; max ten BurgR 9 Oct (CF); last JL 8 Nov (RY); also Intro. Com. Redpoll: arr three Gansevoort SARA 12 Nov (BP); 20 Clark Rd SARA 12 Nov (BP); 40 TomRes 18 Nov (WE, NM, et al.); 40 BurgR 29 Nov (CF). Pine Siskin: first six Jefferson SCHO 28 Oct (AM); many Nov reports throughout region; max 12 Broadalbin FULT 19 Nov (LF). Am. Goldfinch: 50-75 BurgR through period (CF); max 45 TomRes 11 Nov (WE, NM). Evening Grosbeak: reported widely Oct-Nov (RY); max 50 Jefferson SCHO 5 Nov (AM). Skidmore College, Saratoga Springs, New York 12866 jgraves@skidmore.edu REGION 9 — HUDSON-DELAWARE Michael L. Usai The heat and dry weather abated a little in September, but the Region remained in a state of severe drought. The New York City reservoirs were only at 51.1% of capacity as opposed to the normal 75%. The very low reservoirs, however, produced good shorebird habitat on many of them. In October we went from famine to feast. Due to the 86 THE KINGBIRD remains of Hurricane Opal and heavy rains associated with a couple of very powerful cold fronts, this October was the wettest ever recorded in the 101 years , with the Hudson Valley also being the wettest Region in New York State. Slide Mountain, Ulster, recorded 8.30 inches of rain, which is 255% above normal for October. Temperatures in October were higher than normal for this Region. The wet trend continued in November, however temperatures averaged 4°F cooler than normal. A powerful cold front on the 11th and 12th, followed by a strong nor'easter a few days later, contributed to the above normal precipitation. By the end of November the New York City reservoirs had reached 96% of normal and this fall became one of the wettest falls in recent memory. The fall migration was not quite as interesting as the weather. However, the raptor migration through the Region was very good this year. Numbers of many species were up at the local watches. Both eagles had a good showing as did the Red-tailed Hawk and Northern Goshawk. The bulk of the Broad-winged Hawk went through between 15 and 18 September, with impressive single day totals recorded at the watches. Hook Mountain also recorded Short-eared Owl migrating past on two occasions. The newly capped Croton Point Park landfill. West, proved to be a hot spot for migrant passerines this fall. The grasses and other herbaceous growth provided plenty of food for hundreds of Song, Swamp and Savannah sparrows, many Yellow- rumped and Palm warblers, Homed Lark, and American Pipit. Sedge Wren and Grasshopper Sparrow were there on 7 November. Vesper Sparrow was there on several occasions. On 10 November a light morph Rough-legged Hawk was observed hunting over the landfill. In terms of rarities, there were few vagrants reported. Northern Shrike tops the list by virtue of its numbers in our Region this fall. By the end of the season there were 19 different individuals reported from all the counties in this Region, too numerous to list separately. This number is particularly impressive considering the invasion only began in November. An EARED GREBE, the Region's first, was found at the Edith G. Read Wildlife Sanctuary in Rye, Westchester on 30 Sep (Gail Benson, Tom Burke). The grebe was last seen there on 8 Oct. Ulster County logged its first record of Eurasian Wigeon on 7 Oct at the Esopus Meadows thanks to a Ralph T. Waterman Bird Club field trip. An immature male King Eider was seen briefly at the Edith G. Read MARCH 1996 87 Wildlife Sanctuary on 23 Nov (TB). Six AMERICAN AVOCET were discovered on a farm pond in Bullville, Orange on 11 Sep (Ed Treacy). The birds were not relocated thereafter. Buff-breasted Sandpiper was found on the turf farms in Orange and at the Amawalk Reservoir in Somers, Westchester. Two BOHEMIAN WAXWING were at the Frost Valley Conference Center in Frost Valley, Ulster on 17 November, but have not been seen since. The following week a flock of Pine Grosbeak visited the same site. A species which probably migrates through the Region more than is reported, Connecticut Warbler, was banded in Ulster County on 22 Sep (Seldon Spencer), providing the only report of that warbler this fall. On 17 Oct a female Blue Grosbeak was found at Marshlands Conservancy, Rye, WEST (TB). Three Red Crossbill were heard flying over Brewster, PUTN on 21 Nov. Other highlights included: Northern Gannet, Stilt Sandpiper, Baird's Sandpiper, Black Skimmer, Dickcissel, Lapland Longspur Abbreviations: MC-Marshlands Conservancy, EGR-Edith G. Read Wildlife Sanc-turary, HHW-Hammershlag Hawk Watch, HNHW- Hook Mountain Hawk Watch, MPHW-Mount Peter Hawk Watch, PITF- Pine Island Turf Farm, Kres-Kensico Reservoir, Ash-Ashokan Reservoir, RTWBC-Ralph T. Waterman Bird Club Contributors: John Askildsen, Gail Benson, Frank Bonanno, Thomas Burke, Steve Chorvin, Judith Cinquina, John Burroughs Natual History Sociey, Jim and Mary Key, Bob Krose, Christopher Nadareski, Michael Newhouse, Ralph T. Waterman Bird Club, Tom Rothman, Selden Spencer, Lang Stevenson, John Tramontane, Ed Treacy, Michael Usai. Fall Report: Homed Grebe; arr one EGR 12 Nov. Eared Grebe: intro: Great Cormorant: arr one Piermont Pier, Rock 7 Sept (BK); two MC 1 Oct; one KRes thru Nov. Double-crested Cormorant: small numbers into late Nov. American Bittern: one MC 23 Oct (TB). Great Egret: two Salt Point, Dutch 7 Oct (JD). Snowy Egret: four EGR 31 Oct, last. Green Heron: one MC 3 Oct, last. Snow Goose: scattered from mid- Oct. Brant: arr two EGR 21 Oct; one Sharpe Reservation, Dutch 8 Nov (RTWBC). Northern Pintail: one MC 3 Oct. Gadwall: arr two EGR 17 Nov, few reports. Eurasian Wigeon: one Esopus Meadows, Ulster 7 Oct (RTWBC), first Ulster record; also seen at Lighthouse Point, Ulster; two males EGR 28 Nov. Ring-necked Duck: scattered from early Oct. Greater Scaup:arr three EGR 30 Sept; max 2000 EGR 18 Nov. Lesser 88 THE KINGBIRD Scaup: arr six EGR 21 Oct; max 200 EGR 18 Nov. Oldsquaw: arr two EGR 21 Oct. Black Scoter: 200 Neversink Res, Suit 30 Oct; four EGR 21 Oct. Surf Scoter: two EGR 11, 14 Nov. White-winged Scoter: two EGR 11, 13 Nov. Common Merganser: 2500 West Branch Res, Put 28 Nov - early Dec. Bald Eagle: eight HWHH 18 Sept; six HHW 15 Sept, good year. Broad-winged Hawk: 5000 HHW 15 Sept; 3541 HMHW18 Sept. Rough¬ legged Hawk: Croton Pt Landfill 10 Nov; Greig's Farm, Dutch 3 Nov (RTWBC); scattered other reports. Golden Eagle: excellent year at local watches; total 19 HHW; returned to Thompson Pond, Dutch in Nov. HawkWatch Results: MPHW HMHW HHW Black Vulture 0 0 1 Turkey Vulture 90 86 850 Osprey 117 234 469 Bald Eagle 11 48 25 N. Harrier 61 144 122 Sharp-shinned Hawk 1667 2794 3030 Cooper's Hawk 150 126 395 N. Goshawk 3 16 17 Red-shouldered Hawk 109 183 169 Broad-winged Hawk 4723 8441 10357 Red-tailed Hawk 828 381* 1019 Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0 Golden Eagle 4 7 19 Am. Kestrel 311 460 1127 Merlin 15 4 47 Peregrine Falcon 8 11 11 Unid eagle 0 1 0 Unid raptor 89 no 0 Total 8142 13095 17658 MPHW - Mount Peter (Judith Cinquina, John Tramontano) HMHW - Hook Mountain (Frank Bonanno) HHW - Hammershlag Hawkwatch (Mike Newhouse) ^-including one "Krider's" Red-tailed Hawk Clapper Rail: one MC 2 Sept, last. Virginia Rail: one KRes 4 Oct, MARCH 1996 89 perched in a Beech tree on a rock outcropping approx 10' from the water (MU); thru period MC. Sora: several. Black-bellied Plover: 13 MC 17 Oct, high. American Golden-Plover: arr one Pine Island Turf Farm, Orange 9 Sept; 20 PITF 15 Sept (ET). Semipalmated Plover: nine MC 16- 23 Sept, high; one 3 Oct, last. American Avocet six Bullville, ORAN 11 Sep (ET). Lesser Yellowlegs: one MC 18 Sept, last. Semipalmated Sandpiper: two MC 3 Oct, last. Western Sandpiper: one Ash 20 Nov, late; up to two MC 3 Sept. Least Sandpiper: two Amawalk Res 23 Sept, last. Baird's Sandpiper: several Ash 15 Sept (SC). Pectoral Sandpiper: max four MC 17 Oct; one remained thru. Purple Sandpiper: arr two EGR 10 Nov; up to 80 EGR 23 Nov. Dunlin: arr MC 3 Oct, then thru. Stilt Sandpiper; one MC 2 Sept (TB). Buff-breasted Sandpiper: one PITF 9 Sept (ET); four there 14 Sept; two Amawalk Res 20 Sept (MU). Lesser Black-backed Gull: one EGR and one MP sporatically from mid-Sept. Common Tern, one EGR 4 Nov, last. Forster's Tern: max 11 EGR 4 Nov; thru. Black Skimmer: one EGR 4 Oct (TB). Barred Owl: one MC 23 Nov thru. Red-headed Woodpecker: one Cold Spring, Putn 15 Sept. Eastern Phoebe: last MC 23 Nov. Tree Swallow: last 28 Oct. Barn Swallow: last 17 Sept, very early departure. Black-capped Chickadee: 100+ flew past Hammershlag Hawk Watch on 1 Oct; high numbers, some flocks mixed with Tufted Titmouse (MU). House Wren, last Larchmont, West 18 Nov (TB), late. Marsh Wren: one Kres 19 Sept; two MC 23 Oct, last. Veery: last 17 Sept. Swainson's Thrush: one Dutch 6 Nov (J&MK), late. Wood Thrush: last 21 Oct. American Pipit: good numbers at Croton Landfill in Nov. Northern Shrike: intro. Solitary Vireo: last 19 Nov Croton Landfill, late (TR,LS). Philadelphia Vireo: several scattered reports. Red-eyed Vireo: one Hook Mt. 7 Nov (FB), late date for Rockland. Nashville Warbler: last EGR 10 Nov. Northern Parula: last MC 16 Oct. Cape May Warbler: last EGR 1 Oct. American Redstart: last 15 Oct. Ovenbird: last MC 15 Sept. Connecticut Warbler: intro: Summer Tanager. one Monroe, Orange 8 Sept. Blue Grosbeak : intro: Dickcissel: one Hurleyville mid-Nov. Vesper Sparrow: intro ; one Kres 10 Oct. Grasshopper Sparrow: intro ; one Kres 17 Oct. Lincoln's Sparrow: scattered reports; four MC 8 Oct. Swamp Sparrow: fallout Rye 8 Oct. White-throated Sparrow: fallout Rye 8 Oct. White-crowned Sparrow: scattered reports. Lapland Longspur: one Ash 6 Oct (SC): Pine 90 THE KINGBIRD Grosbeak : intro . Purple Finch: scattered reports thru. Red Crossbill : intro. Pine Siskin: scattered reports, mainly from hawk watches. 70 Virginia Rd. Apartment 18A, North White Plains, NY 10603 REGION 10-MARINE Seymour Schiff & Alvin Wollin The temperature for September was normal, but the drought continued with precipitation still 20% short of normal. October was warm, 61.6°F against a norm of 57.5°F, and very wet; for the first time in many months rainfall at 7.82"exceeded the norm of 3.56". November was also wetter than normal, but quite cold, 43.6° against a norm of 47.6°F. The first snow of the season arrived at the end of the period, with temperatures also falling below freezing for the first time. Our best fall birding comes from weather systems which are accompanied by strong northwest winds and some cold arctic air. Unfortunately, this fall did not have any such systems. As a consequence our raptor flight was weak and uneventful. However, other aspects of the migration were not quite so bleak. This year brought an irruption of numbers of some species and some new phenomena. The most unusual occurrence was an imm MAGNIFICENT FRIGATEBIRD observed on 4 Nov by R. Bourque at Floyd Bennett Field and by Don Reipe on the west side of Jamaica Bay, two close but separate locations. Hawkwatch numbers from Fort Tilden and Fire Island are interesting to compare. The former has some affinity to the mainland, while the latter represents a purely outer beach site. Central Park further north has yet a different character; and there they had the most interesting species, namely Black Vulture, Bald Eagle and Golden Eagle. Bald Eagle was not seen at the other two cited hawk watches, but was seen in increasing numbers elsewhere in the Region. MARCH 1996 91 The following are preliminary tallies, courtesy of Steve Walter and Bob Kurtz: Species Ft. Tilden Fire Island Turkey Vulture 3 0 Osprey 507 349 N.Harrier 331 187 Sharp-shinned Hawk 1310 306 Cooper's hawk 190 11 N.Goshawk 2 0 Red-shouldered Hawk 10 0 Broad-winged Hawk 8 1 Red-tailed Hawk 37 2 Rough-legged Hawk 1 0 American Kestrel 1293 1069 Merlin 592 1075 Peregrine Falcon 72 163 The farm fields in Cutchogue remain the best places in the region to see the more uncommon shorebird species which use this habitat from early to mid September. Representative were American Golden-Plover - max 83 on 4 Sep, Upland Sandpiper - max two on 9 Sep, Baird's Sandpiper - max six on 5 Sep, Pectoral Sandpiper - max six on 3 Sep, and Buff-breasted Sandpiper - max eight on 7 Sep. Numbers and species differ from day to day. Lesser Black-backed Gull exploded in numbers this year, with over a dozen birds seen one day from sites scattered across Long Island, including some away from the beaches. We usually see only a few all season, e.g. there were reports from seven locations in the Fall of 1992. Most of this year's birds stayed for an extended period and then moved on by season's end. Five American Avocet in one day at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge was another unusually high peak. An ad Bridled Tern was reported at Shagwong Pt. (west of Montauk Pt) on 12 Nov by Tony Lauro and A. Guthrie. This species is usually a storm driven vagrant and is extraordinary at any time. Substantial numbers of woodland birds were seen migrating on the Jones Beach strip. These are birds rarely seen there at any time. They included Hairy Woodpecker, Black-capped Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse and White-breasted Nuthatch. This was much discussed and is 92 THE KINGBIRD considered definitely an unusual occurrence. Many chickadees remained at period's end. Also, huge flocks of migrating American Robin passing overhead were noted this year, along with the nearly continuous movement of flocks of American Goldfinch on the beaches. The movement of all these species occurred over a period of weeks, not on just a few flight days. These movements contrasted with the reduced numbers of hawks migrating along the shore. The first cold weather this Fall saw an influx of migrating N. Saw-whet and Long-eared owls and winter finches. The owls stayed to rest and feed, but were gone by period's end. The finches all appeared to be moving through. They included large numbers of Purple Finch, smaller numbers of Red Crossbill and Pine Siskin, huge numbers of American Goldfinch (see above), and some Evening Grosbeak. The latter appeared sporadically and then only very early in the morning. On 26 Oct both your Regional editors and Bob Kurtz saw an ad male Scissor-tailed Flycatcher in the median strip at Jones Beach West End. It paused long enough to be identified, flew off, and could not be relocated. On a North Fork Audubon Society field trip 29 Oct, Beverly and Tony Prentice reported a Northern Wheatear at Island Pond Park, Greenport. A report has been submitted to NYSARC. A second Northern Wheatear was seen in Central Park by Tom Fiore 8 Nov. A major flight of Northern Shrike occurred this year. Reports came from a dozen locations and birds persisted into the next season. The magnitude of what may be one of the largest shrike invasions will not be fully assessed until the Christmas counts and winter reports are in. (Stay tuned! A preliminary count of 29 was reported for just the first count weekend and there appear to be upwards of 40 records for all Region 10 counts.) On 19 Nov Margaret Rusk, a visitor from Syracuse birding with friends, found a Western Tanager at Robert Moses State Park. (A NYSARC report has been submitted and details were supplied to us). A Le Conte's Sparrow was found at the north end of Central Park on 10 Oct by N. Wagerik (per the NYRBA, without details). On 18 Nov a second Le Conte's Sparrow was found at the Zachs Bay children's playground by Howard Boltson (detailed notes received). Bob May (pers. comm.) and Dave Klauber(pers. comm.). This extremely rare bird was found in an overgrown grassy tangle that also simultaneously harbored a Grasshopper Sparrow, another beach rarity. The LeConte's MARCH 1996 93 stayed for the afternoon and the Grasshopper for an additional day. The throngs who came the next day saw only the one sparrow at this site. However, there was also a Clay-colored Sparrow at the amphitheater. Eric Salzman sent word of a Golden-crowned Sparrow seen by Larry Penny on 12 Oct in a small flock of White-crowned Sparrow at Acabonack. This would be the third report of this species in our Region, if accepted. Rarities include Magnificent Frigatebird, Black Vulture, Bridled Tern, Scissor-tailed Flycatcher, Northern Wheatear, Northern Shrike, Western Tanager, Le Conte's Sparrow and Golden-crowned Sparrow. Contributors: Seth Ausabel, Bill Belford, Howard Boltson, Thomas W. Burke, James Clinton,Sr., Lester Feldman, Henry F. Flamm, John J. Fritz, Ken Feustel, Paul H. Gillen, Robert J. Kurtz, Robert J. Laskowski, Anthony J. Lauro, Emanuel Levine, Peter Martin, Beverly Prentice, Joan Quinlan, Margaret S. Rusk, Eric Salzman, Seymour Schiff, Lore J. Schore, Steve Walter, Alvin Wollin. Abbreviations: APP-Alley Pond Park; CB-Cedar Beach; CP- Central Park; CLP-Clove Lake Park, SI; New York State; FI-Fire Island; FP-Forest Park; HP-Hook Pond, E. Hampton; IPB-Iron Pier Beach, Jamesport; JBWR-Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge; JBCH-Jones Beach; JBWE-Jones Beach West End; JIN-Jones Inlet and Coast Guard Station; LI-Long Island; MOB-Many Observers; MT-Mattituck; MEB-Mecox Bay; MP-Montauk Point; NYRBA-New York Rare Bird Alert; PBP- Pelham Bay Park; PP-Prospect Park; PT-Point Lookout; RMSP-Robert Moses State Park; SHIN-Shinnecock Inlet; Sl-Staten Island; TLP- Twin Lakes Preserve; ZB-Zachs Bay. Fall Reports: Red-necked Grebe: PBP 24 Nov (NYRBA); Horton Pt, Southhold 26 Nov (BP). Northern Gannet: 1200 MP 25 Nov (NYRBA). Magnificent Frigatebird: intro . Cattle Egret: JBWR early Oct (MOB). Tundra Swan: five HP from 26 Nov (MOB). Snow Goose: this fall's flight was better than in the past with many comments; 6000 passed by the Ft. Tilden Hawkwatch 31 Oct (SW). Barnacle Goose: a bird of unknown provenance was with a flock of Canada Goose in Montauk 9 Nov (ES) to the end of the period (MOB). Wood Duck: 20+ TLP 25 Sep (PM); RMSP 2 Oct (JQ), always unusual at the beach. Blue¬ winged Teal: 30 JBWR 3 Oct (RK); HP 26 Nov (NYRBA). Eurasian Wigeon: omitted from the previous season was a report from Walter G. 94 THE KINGBIRD Ellison of Albany of an eclipse male at JBWR on the exceptionally early date of 13 Aug . This bird, also seen by RK same date, was present at the end of this period; Centerport mid-Oct; HP; others. Ring-necked Duck: 115 Calverton 25 Nov (SW). Tufted Duck: Calverton 11 Nov (JC); HP 19 Nov on (TB). Common Eider: two Sands Pt. 23 Sep and three 11 Oct (Glenn Quinn); PL mid-Nov to end; 1000+ MP 15 Nov to 5000 at end of period; a continuous flight (est in the thousands-perhaps 10,000 ) from E to W was seen from the south side of MP 28 Nov (PG). King Eider: MP 25 Nov (NYRBA). Harlequin Duck: MP 15 Oct; returned to PL late Oct. Black Vulture: CP 8 and 30 Oct (S. Freedman). Turkey Vulture: Mattituck 8 Oct (PM). Bald Eagle: ZB 15 Sep; Alley Marsh 18 Sep (SW); JBWR 7 Oct; three CP 10 Oct; ad lower Manhattan 17 Oct (Bob Dieterich); Center Moriches 4 Nov; imm being harassed by a Peregrine Falcon JBWE 9 Nov (SS,AW); IPB 11 Nov (BP); six CP 12 Nov; CP 24 Nov. Rough-legged Hawk: several from CP hawkwatch; fall and winter birds at Meadowbrook landfill, JBWR and Tobay. Golden Eagle: singles CP 8, 13 Oct, 20 Nov; two CP 30 Oct, 24 Nov (NYRBA); seven total, a very large number. American Kestrel: numbers down, a cause for concern. Peregrine Falcon: water towers in Lynbrook, Franklin Square and Jones Beach have become favorite perches for our fall and wintering birds; other places also. Virginia Rail: HP 21 Nov (RK). Sora: Alley Pond Park 8 Sep (LS, Art Scopec); JBWR 10 Sep; Calverton 11 Nov. Common Moorhen: TLP 24 Sep (PM). American Golden-Plover: 90 MT 2 Sep (JQ); 83 CSF 4 Sep (PG); PL 2 Oct (PM); others JBWR, JBWE, and Mecox. Semipalmated Plover: 400+ JBWR, east pond 13 Aug (RK); four JIN 23 Oct (PM). American Avocet: four JBWR 10 Sep (KF); five JBWR 2 Oct (KF) and 8 Oct (Stu Lipkin); this represents a maximum for this species from one locale. Upland Sandpiper: intro. Whimbrel: RMSP 3 Sep (JQ); Cutchogue 3 Sep; two JBWR 4 Sep; four JBWR 1 Oct (NYRBA). Hudsonian Godwit: six JBWR 10 Sep (KF); four there to 8 Oct; others. Marbled Godwit: SHIN 9 Sep to 5 Nov; two JBWE 6-20 Nov (MOB); others. White-rumped Sandpiper: 50 JBWR 10 Sep (KF). Baird's Sandpiper: intro ; JBWR early Sep to early Oct. Pectoral Sandpiper: JBWR 11 Nov (Mildred Penzer). Purple Sandpiper: two MP 15 Nov (JF). Stilt Sandpiper: 21 JBWR 7 Oct (NYRBA). Buff-breasted Sandpiper: max eight Cutchogue 7 Sep; six MT 3 Sep (JQ); four CSF 9 Sep (PG). Ruff: two Poxabogue Pond 19 Sep (Jim Ash); ZB 27 Sep (KF); JBWE 19 Nov (K. O'Leary). Red-necked Phalarope: JBWR 10 Sep (KF). Red MARCH 1996 95 Phalarope: PL 16 Nov (SA) to 18 Nov. Pomarine Jaeger: MP 29 Oct (NYRBA). Parasitic Jaeger: MEB 16-25 Sep; one MP 24 Sep; eight MP 15 Oct; singles MP 29 Oct, 11, 12, 19 Nov (MOB). Little Gull: SHIN 24-25 Nov (NYRBA). Iceland Gull: Cedar Beach, Southhold 9 Sep (LF), very early date; a few others. Lesser Black-backed Gull: intro. Caspian Tern: JBWR 4 Sep (NYRBA); two MEB 25 Sep (PG); JBCH12 Oct; RMSP 28 Sep (RK) and 19 Oct (JQ); others. Royal Tern: two IPB 20 Sep; RMSP 16 Sep- 16 Oct; one 11 Nov (BP); SHIN 12 Nov; three MP 12 Nov; seven MEB 15 Nov (JF). Common Tern: JIN 16 Nov (MOB). Forster's Tern: four Greenport 22 Sep (BP); 78 New Dorp Beach, SI 5 Nov (HF, John Stonick); JBWE to 16 Nov when 70 were counted . Bridled Tern: intro. Black Tern: reports during Sep. Long-eared Owl: more seen this year. Short-eared Owl: CP 10 Oct; others, fewer in last few years. N. Saw-whet Owl: up to 17 JBWE 19 Nov, more numerous this year than recent fall migrations; also reports from SI, PP and CP. Ruby-throated Hummingbird: Forest Hills 10-11 Nov (Rosalie Frost). Red-headed Woodpecker: Gilgo 27 Oct (KF). Hairy Woodpecker: intro. Olive-sided Flycatcher: CLP 1 Sep (HF). Yellow-bellied Flycatcher: RMSP 5 Sep; JBWE 19 Sep (MOB); others. Eastern Phoebe: many late migrants. Western Kingbird: RMSP 19 Oct; Ft. Tilden 25 Oct, both from hawkwatches. Scissor-tailed Flycatcher: intro. Tree Swallow: from the hawkwatch 10000+ RMSP 10 Oct; 20000+ RMSP 17 Oct. Black- capped Chickadee: intro. Tufted Titmouse: intro. Red-breasted Nuthatch: numerous compared with last winter when they were almost nonexistent. White-breasted Nuthatch: intro. Sedge Wren: RMSP 19 Oct (NYRBA), no details. Northern Wheatear: intro. Eastern Bluebird: more reports than usual. Hermit Thrush: very numerous, with reports from all over. Wood Thrush: Lake Success 8 Nov (Art Wagner); JBCH 16 Nov (EL). American Robin: intro. American Pipit: mostly flying over. Northern Shrike: intro. Yellow-throated Vireo: JBWE 10 Sep (RK); two IPB 11 Sep (BP). Philadelphia Vireo: RMSP 3 Sep (JQ); 9,11,18 Sep CLP (HF). Orange- crowned Warbler: RMSP 10, 24 Sep; JBWE 10-24 Sep (MOB); MP 15 Oct; CLP 22 Oct (HF); Sands Preserve 3 Nov (Tom Demoretzky). Cerulean Warbler: CLP 19 Sep (HF). Worm-eating Warbler: RMSP 3 Sep (JQ). Kentucky Warbler: CLP 9-13 Sep (HF). Connecticut Warbler: JBWE 10 Sep (Mathew Bayer); PP 15 Sep (NYRBA); JBWE 23 Sep. Mourning 96 THE KINGBIRD Warbler: JBWE 10 Sep; Gilgo 30 Sep (RK,JQ). Hooded Warbler: Gilgo 9 Oct (RK). Yellow-breasted Chat: six RMSP 5 Sep; others (NYRBA). Western Tanager: intro. Blue Grosbeak: CB 10 Sep (KF) Montauk Dump 1 Oct; CP 6 Oct (NYRBA). Dickcissel: more this Fall, six from JBCH on 8 Oct. Clay-colored Sparrow: JBWE 18 Oct (JF); ZB 18-19 Nov (MOB); others from 9 Sep. Vesper Sparrow: Smith Pt. 12 Oct (JQ). Lark Sparrow: JBWE 2 Sep (JQ); Gilgo 1 Oct (RK); CP 1 Oct; RMSP 7 Oct (NYRBA). Grasshopper Sparrow: JBWE 16-17 Oct; PP 22 Oct; ZB 18-20 Nov (MOB). Henslow's Sparrow: SHIN 9 Oct (ES). Le Conte's Sparrow: intro. Lincoln's Sparrow: JBWE 10 Sep (KF); Upper Brookville 11 Oct (Barbara Conolly); Garvies Pt. Road 11-15 Oct (Ralph Cioffi). Golden- crowned Sparrow: intro. Eastern Meadowlark: after some years of decreasing numbers, there were more seen this fall in all areas. Common Grackle: 5000+ Sea Cliff 30 Oct. Purple Finch: a good flight year, with large numbers migrating through late Sep, most in Oct, good numbers in Nov. Red Crossbill: intro ; 30 JBWE 26 Nov (MOB). White-winged Crossbill: one with five Red Crossbill Smith Pt. Park 18 Nov (NYRBA). Common Redpoll: intro. Pine Siskin: during migration. American Goldfinch: intro. Evening Grosbeak: intro ; also CP. 603 Mead Terrace, S. Hempstead, NY 11550. MARCH 1996 97 Fall Departure Dates Species Region 1 Region 2 Region 3 Region 4 Region 5 Osprey 22 Oct 21 Nov 27 Nov 3 Nov 9 Nov Broad-winged Hawk 30 Aug 27 Oct 25 Oct 3 Oct 16 Nov Black-bellied Plover 3 Nov 29 Sep 30 Sep 10 Oct Semipalmated Plover 14 Oct 1 Oct 13 Oct 2 Oct Greater Yellowlegs 3 Nov 1 Nov 17 Nov 1 Sep 19 Oct Lesser Yellowlegs 27 Oct 27 Oct 17 Nov 22 Oct 21 Oct Spotted Sandpiper 3 Nov 1 Oct 7 Oct 4 Sep 16 Sep Sanderling 28 Oct 5 Oct 17 Oct Semipalmated Sandpiper 30 Sep 22 Sep 13 Oct 26 Sep Least Sandpiper 26 Sep 24 Sep 13 Oct 9 Sep 26 Sep Pectoral Sandpiper 21 Oct 3 Nov 6 Nov 25 Oct Caspian Tern 9 Sep 8 Oct 30 Sep 27 Sep Common Tern 22 Nov 14 Oct 6 Oct 21 Sep Black Tern 22 Nov 16 Aug Chimney Swift 7 Oct 30 Sep 12 Sep 22 Sep 22 Sep Ruby-thr. Hummingbird 23 Sep 16 Sep 17 Oct 27 Sep 30 Sep Eastern Wood-Pewee 1 Oct 26 Sep 26 Sep 7 Oct 25 Sep Yellow-bellied Flycatcher 8 Sep 1 Sep 31 Aug 21 Sep 18 Sep Least Flycatcher 8 Sep 17 Sep 17 Sep 6 Sep 10 Sep Eastern Phoebe 18 Dec 23 Nov 5 Nov 28 Oct 10 Nov Great Crested Flycatcher , 8 Sep 9 Sep 21 Sep 7 Sep 9 Sep Eastern Kingbird 8 Sep 10 Sep 19 Sep 29 Aug Tree Swallow 14 Oct 26 Oct 28 Oct 2 Sep 15 Oct Barn Swallow 21 Oct 27 Oct 5 Sep 3 Sep 25 Sep House Wren 16 Oct 28 Oct 23 Oct 24 Sep 24 Oct Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 21 Oct 24 Aug 11 Sep 2 Sep 11 Sep Veery 14 Sep 24 Sep 4 Sep 21 Oct Swainson's Thrush 10 Oct 22 Oct 30 Sep 15 Oct 27 Sep Wood Thrush 16 Oct 6 Oct 22 Sep 23 Sep 29 Sep Gray Catbird 30 Oct 28 Oct 11 Oct 29 Oct 26 Nov Brown Thrasher 23 Sep 7 Oct 19 Oct 30 Sep 1 Dec 98 1995 Region 6 Region 7 Region 8 29 Oct 31 Oct 16 Oct 14 Sep 15 Sep 20 Nov 28 Sep 9 Oct 1 Oct 5 Sep 27 Sep 16 Sep 25 Sep 21 Oct 1 Nov 20 Sep 11 Oct 1 Oct 11 Sep 29 Jul 29 Sep 10 Sep 13 Nov 14 Sep 23 Sep 6 Sep 16 Sep 6 Sep 16 Sep 16 Sep 2 Sep 9 Sep 23 Oct 8 Oct 21 Oct 4 Nov 9 Oct 11 Sep 7 Aug 16 Sep 27 Sep 19 Sep 25 Sep 20 Sep 5 Oct 17 Sep 29 Sep 31 Aug 16 Sep 3 Sep 31 Oct 12 Oct 25 Oct 19 Sep 23 Sep 10 Sep 9 Sep 26 Aug 22 Sep 27 Oct 24 Sep 26 Sep 9 Sep 26 Aug 10 Sep 26 Aug 25 Sep 21 Sep 8 Aug 12 Sep 14 Sep 10 Sep 27 Oct 27 Sep 2 Oct 29 Sep 2 Oct 10 Sep 4 Oct 5 Oct 9 Oct 18 Oct 24 Nov 18 Oct Region 9 Region 10 Average 8 Dec 8 Nov 21 Oct 12 Oct 15 Nov 12 Oct 2 Oct 2 Oct 29 Sep 22 Nov 11 Nov 24 Oct 17 Sep 11 Nov 17 Oct 6 Oct 21 Sep 9 Oct 2 Oct 2 Oct 25 Sep 24 Sep 26 Aug 18 Sep 8 Nov 10 Nov 22 Oct 18 Oct 26 Sep 9 Oct 15 Nov 21 Oct 23 Sep 2 Oct 30 Oct 15 Oct 23 Sep 18 Sep 10 Nov 30 Sep 5 Sep 24 Sep 25 Sep 3 Oct 14 Sep 21 Oct 9 Sep 13 Sep 22 Nov 23 Nov 10 Nov 14 Oct 16 Sep 8 Sep 27 Oct 11 Oct 16 Sep 19 Sep 17 Nov 21 Oct 12 Oct 9 Sep 27 Sep 11 Sep 16 Sep 29 Sep 24 Sep 17 Oct 3 Nov 9 Oct 20 Oct 15 Nov 5 Oct 14 Oct 22 Oct 22 Oct 30 Sep 9 Oct 18 Oct Species Region 1 Region 2 Region 3 Region 4 Region 5 Solitary Vireo 15 Nov 12 Oct 1 Nov 22 Oct 27 Oct Yellow-throated Vireo 26 Aug 21 Sep 15 Sep 1 Sep 17 Sep Warbling Vireo 23 Sep 28 Sep 17 Sep 22 Sep Red-eyed Vireo 25 Oct 19 Oct 28 Oct 10 Oct 28 Oct Blue-winged Warbler 7 Sep 9 Sep 17 Sep 2 Sep Tennessee Warbler 17 Sep 10 Sep 24 Sep 24 Sep 1 Oct Nashville Warbler 16 Oct 7 Oct 16 Oct 30 Sep 16 Oct Northern Parula 14 Oct 30 Sep 1 Oct 24 Sep 9 Oct Yellow Warbler 8 Sep 8 Sep 30 Sep 1 Sep 2 Sep Chestnut-sided Warbler 30 Sep 5 Oct 5 Oct 25 Sep 23 Sep Magnolia Warbler 14 Oct 3 Oct 8 Oct 8 Oct 14 Oct Cape May Warbler 14 Oct 15 Sep 6 Oct 27 Sep 3 Sep Black-thr Blue Warbler 20 Oct 25 Oct 1 Oct 25 Oct 14 Oct Black-thr Green Warbler 14 Oct 16 Oct 9 Oct 1 Oct 8 Oct Blackburnian Warbler 30 Sep 24 Sep 25 Sep 28 Sep 28 Sep Bay-breasted Warbler 14 Oct 7 Oct 5 Oct 24 Sep 23 Sep Blackpoll Warbler 8 Nov 1 Oct 9 Oct 22 Sep 24 Oct Black-and-white Warbler 23 Sep 5 Oct 6 Oct 12 Oct 25 Sep American Redstart 24 Sep 8 Oct 9 Oct 9 Sep 25 Sep Ovenbird 29 Sep 1 Oct 24 Sep 7 Oct 30 Sep N. Waterthrush 14 Sep 3 Aug 14 Sep 25 Sep 1 Sep Common Yellowthroat 14 Oct 28 Oct 18 Oct 24 Oct 30 Oct Wilson's Warbler 23 Sep 3 Oct 22 Sep 21 Oct 8 Oct Canada Warbler 17 Sep 12 Sep 8 Sep 11 Sep 12 Sep Scarlet Tanager 29 Sep 28 Sep 26 Sep 5 Oct 2 Oct Rose-breasted Grosbeak 30 Sep 10 Oct 26 Sep 5 Oct 7 Oct Rufous-sided Towhee 28 Nov 27 Oct 23 Nov 6 Nov 19 Nov Lincoln's Sparrow 22 Oct 18 Oct 21 Oct 22 Oct 22 Oct White-crowned Sparrow 29 Nov 27 Oct 16 Nov 21 Nov 20 Nov Bobolink 14 Oct 29 Aug 21 Aug 5 Sep Northern Oriole 2 Sep 5 Sep 8 Sep 4 Sep 11 Sep Bold Regional Record Late 99 Region 6 Region 7 Region 8 16 Oct 1 Oct 21 Oct 22 Jul 22 Sep 8 Sep 2 Sep 9 Sep 21 Oct 14 Sep 18 Oct 8 Sep 20 Sep 1 Sep 29 Sep 21 Sep 5 Oct 5 Oct 29 Sep 1 Oct 5 Oct 16 Sep 8 Sep 14 Sep 29 Sep 23 Sep 14 Oct 30 Sep 7 Oct 11 Oct 2 Sep 22 Sep 20 Sep 16 Oct 7 Oct 30 Sep 6 Oct 7 Oct 5 Oct 20 Sep 20 Sep 25 Sep 15 Sep 22 Sep 26 Oct 18 Aug 19 Aug 8 Oct 20 Sep 7 Sep 25 Sep 20 Sep 16 Oct 18 Oct 18 Sep 20 Nov 5 Oct 1 Oct 17 Sep 8 Oct 2 Oct 18 Sep 9 Sep 20 Sep 18 Sep 13 Oct 7 Sep 30 Sep 4 Sep 10 Oct 22 Sep 2 Oct 22 Sep 4 Oct 9 Oct 4 Oct 11 Oct 17 Oct 23 Oct 16 Oct 21 Nov 16 Sep 22 Sep 10 Sep Region 9 Region 10 Average 18 Nov 25 Oct 25 Oct 10 Sep 5 Sep 17 Sep 14 Sep 15 Sep 6 Nov 18 Oct 18 Oct 28 Aug 6 Sep 3 Oct 21 Sep 9 Nov 10 Oct 10 Oct 15 Oct 18 Oct 5 Oct 4 Sep 14 Sep 10 Sep 8 Oct 28 Sep 1 Oct 15 Oct 7 Oct 8 Oct 30 Sep 9 Oct 23 Sep 12 Oct 9 Nov 16 Oct 16 Oct 11 Nov 12 Oct 8 Oct 26 Sep 12 Oct 3 Oct 21 Oct 1 Oct 16 Sep 23 Sep 25 Sep 14 Oct 6 Oct 2 Oct 14 Sep 20 Sep 1 Oct 15 Sep 16 Oct 15 Sep 16 Oct 17 Oct 8 Oct 28 Sep 9 Sep 15 Sep 9 Sep 2 Oct 26 Sep 5 Sep 18 Oct 29 Sep 30 Oct 25 Oct 19 Oct 30 Oct 8 Nov 9 Oct 15 Sep 22 Nov 17 Sep also isolated later reports BLANK PAGE FEDERATION OF NEW YORK STATE BIRD CLUBS, INC. Appointed Committees Membership: Myrna Hemmerick, Ch., P.O. Box 2203, Setauket, NY 11733 Publications: Emanuel Levine, Ch., 585 Mead Terrace, South Hempstead, NY 11550 Research: Charles R. Smith 449 Irish Settlement Rd., Freeville, NY 13068 By-Laws: Richard Sloss, Ch., 1300 Seawane Drive, Hewlett Harbor, NY 11557 Archivist: Phyllis Jones, 9 Hallock Road, Pond Eddy, NY 12770 John J. Elliott Memorial: Donald A. Windsor, Ch., 306 Kensington Place, Syracuse, NY 13210 Lillian C. Stoner Fund: John L. Confer, Ch., RD #1, Hammond Hill Road, Brooktondale, NY 14817 New York State Avian Records: Robert Andrle, Ch. Send reports to NYSARC, 159 Sapsucker Woods Road, Ithaca, NY 14850 Attn: Jim Lowe Federation Waterfowl Count: Walton B. Sabin, Ch. 625 Kenwood Ave., Slingerlands, NY 12159 Circulation Manager: Bema B. Lincoln P.O. Box 296, Somers, NY 10589 Elected Committees Auditing: Irving Cantor, Richard Sloss, Norman Stotz Nominating: William J. Lee, Ch., Stanley R. Lincoln, Chad E. 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Manuscripts may be submitted to The Editor of The Kingbird or to the Chair of the Publications Committee. continued on inside *n s- 53 O M 3 a rD >-• Y 3 O 5C ® g. 2 cT ra 53 * 9 O Su u cl 2 fmmd O 2 3 2 O. g tn 2 CL M CL ?a ^ CO Z >-< K-1 ho V] 3 a o 3 Si a > g I cn O ,3 ro p cd o x OS jS Z o 8* § ►—1 CO 00 H-l on in CL <-t* o II o I~K H § m * >-H z o od h-H 53 0 FEDERATION OF NEW YORK STATE BIRD CLUBS, INC. 1995-1996 Officers President Robert Budliger, 36 Groesbeck Place, Delmar, NY 12054 Vice-President The Kingbird Publication of the Federation of N.Y.S. Bird Clubs, Inc. P.O. Box. 296 Somers, N.Y. 10589 Address Correction Requested NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID 3rd CLASS HOMER, NY 13077 PERMIT NO. 8 DO NOT FOLD